"It's Not What You Know, But Who You Know"

Since the beginning, my beginning, my parents have, in their distinct and unobtrusive ways, emphasized that important aspect to great success in life. I was thinking about it today and realized just how effective and essential the networking side of life is to one's opportunities.

As social beings we are expected to interact with one another, to impress, please and challenge; for someone to take this truth and run with it is the best thing they can do to secure their ultimate success in life. If you know the right individuals it isn't important what your knowledge base is, but what your personality type is. The benefit is that personality is broad and knowledge is specific, so you'll have more opportunities if your acceptance/inclusion is based on your personality and character rather than your learned knowledge.

Now don't get me wrong, knowledge is important in many ways and is always a benefit, but on average who you know in life will propel you farther and do it faster than any form of knowledge.

Take for instance, Paris Hilton. She is the heir to a hotel empire, and while successful in advertising herself and her name as a brand, isn't the smartest or most knowledgeable person to grace our planet. She, through her father, his connections and wealth was able to build her own mini empire. Now to be fair, it wasn't Paris Hilton with the marking ideas and know-how, it was a team of marketing and advertising geniuses, but you get my point. Our president George W Bush is another great example, but for the safety of myself I will not go into details.

What I want to get across here is that it is important to take the time and energy to network and build your social web; because no matter how much you learn at school or on the job, it will always be limited by what and how many personal connections you have.

That is my final thought. Now take care of yourself, and each other.

- Mitch G

Pimp My Nutcracker

This is just a funny and entertaining flash site I came across. Nothing important to report here except let's see how pimp you can make your Nutcracker!

Pimp My Nutcracker

<--- My Pimpin' Nutcracker

Super Sexy Exotic Eco-Roadster

The secret child of famed exotic car manufacturer Lotus has released it's first automotive creation -- a 100% electric, open-top, 911 Turbo-fast, sports car dubbed the "Tesla Roadster."

For images and information the link above to Tesla's website is the best resource to get a true feel for the car. I have to give Tesla a lot of credit, their website is the easiest and most effective automotive website I've ever seen and used. You get all the information you need, nothing you don't, and almost instantly want to pay the $92,000 sticker price (without options).

Now without having the luxury of a test drive, this review is limited, so please bear with me. The performance figured from the car are astounding, and the first of their kind to show up in the all-electric automotive market. Tesla claims a 0-60 sprint of 4 second, and from a couple other online auto reviews it seems to be quite accurate. The electric engine pumps out 248hp, weighs only 70 pounds and is 95% efficient during cruising. All of the electric energy is transferred to the ground via a 2-speed electronic gearbox.

The Tesla Roadster won Time Magazine's 2006 invention of the year for the transportation industry, and as well it should. Now you can finally have super-car performance with zero emissions, extremely low maintenance costs and almost 100% efficiency. Tesla claims a maximum range of 250 miles per charge with a 3.5 hour full re-charge cycle. Overall, every detail is impressive. The only thing that worries me is the lack of engine "noise." A major portion of driving pleasure is derived from the accompanying sound of the engine playing with your senses. This experience as explained by a writer for the LA Times states that it is a bit lack-luster without the engine pop and growl. I imagine it would be like sitting in the very front of a 747 jet airplane during take-off; all you experience are the g-forces pinning you to your seat, but you hear and generally feel nothing.

With only the raspy engine noise lacking, all of the usual luxury features you would expect from an exotic parented by Lotus are available including Bluetooth Phone Connectivity, DVD-Voice Navigation, a 7-Speaker Hi-Fi Stereo, Heated Leather Seats, and LED brake-lights. On a car that weights in at just around 2,500 pounds there isn't much space for anything else.

This is a great start in a new direction, I can't wait to see what comes down the line next in Tesla's garage and that of every other car manufacturer.

- Mitch G

Deja Vu

I realize this review is a bit late to the masses, but better late than never. Here goes.

The premise of this movie plays on one of man's greatest fascinations in documented history, being able to travel through time. It is the focus of countless other films, books, tv shows and stories. Many believe that some day we will be able to do it while many others shrug it off as impossible. Either way your views swing, Deja Vu impresses.

First off, Denzel Washington is one of my favorite actors. As the first African American to win an Oscar for best actor in Training Day, he is deserving of my praises because he almost always puts on an extraordinary performance. With expert direction by Tony Scott (Domino, Man on Fire) and production by Jerry Bruckheimer (Pirates of the Caribbean, CSI TV Series), the movie keeps you intrigued until the very end.

The cinematograhy is much like that of Man on Fire (another Denzel movie), with a lot of emphasis on the actors screen presence itself and not a lot on gimmicks and "fluff" imagery.

The entire focus of the movie is on Denzel, even with Claire Kuchever (Paula Patton) playing delightful eye-candy for the viewers as supporting actress. You almost completely forget that Val Kilmer is in the movie, mainly because he now looks like a pumpkin and hasn't done a notable movie in some years. Hell, I will go as far as saying I haven't liked anything he has been in since Heat back in 1995 (one of my all-time favorite movies).

Overall, Deja Vu is worth the money in theater or renting when it's on DVD. I will probably end up buying it because I want my Denzel collection to be complete. It isn't a shocker however. Again, the premise of the movie has been used before, but with a few extra twists, turns and a slightly new purpose there is enough freshness to be entertaining. The more I think about it the more this movie reminds me of the TV series "Seven Days" but the movie is definitely better; maybe it's just because Jerry Bruckheimer has more money.

I give Deja Vu 3.5 "Mitch Heads" for a fun ride but relatively old and abused theme.

- Mitch G