It finally happened. Xformity (the company I helped found) has merged with XML Global and we are now called Xformity Technologies, Inc. We have been working on this for quite a while so it’s been a long, hard road for us. Today is a good day. Now we just have to continue to bring value to our customers. Our ticker symbol is XFMY if you are interested in following our progress.

I definately wouldn’t recommend starting your own company for those individuals who are faint of heart. I call it the “eating beans” factor. If you think you can either:

1) go without a paycheck for a long time
or
b) live with being grossly underpaid for an extended period

then you could probably start your own business. Otherwise STAY AWAY. The .com boom is over. If you want to have more than .00001% of the pie you have to make some personal sacrifices.

One thing I need to mention. I can’t give any information to anyone that would be considered outside the public domain. Everyone asks me all the time “should I buy your stock?”. You should go do some research about Xformity or e-mail our public contacts directly if you are trying to make this decision.

More later…

Manly

I just had some thoughts that I wanted to share if anyone is listening. Observations about politics, TV and other things.

So what’s up with the Apprentice this season. This show is really starting to disappoint me. Last year was good but this time it seems that it’s all about The Donald (Trump) patting himself on the back. If I hear “and you too might someday become a billionaire” again I am going to puke. When did this turn into the Donald Trump is GOD show? Did I just not notice last season because there were WAY too many hot girls on the show? Another thing. How could the women possibly lose ANYTHING that revolves around sales. Give me a break. If you have 5 attractive women in NYC selling something on the street you CAN’T LOSE. And they said that they didn’t want to use their sexuality to win the task. Are they complete morons or what? This isn’t the time for that women’s lib/feminist crap. It’s time to win. If they would have worn the right clothes and started to flirt they could have sold pickle flavored ice cream and won. Why would Trump hire someone who didn’t use EVERY advantage they have to win/be a success? I wouldn’t. Bzzzt… all those girls are fired.

Next…

So I hear that John Kerry has knowledge of a SECRET PLAN by Bush to call up a ton more reservists after the presidential elections (if he wins of course). Hmm… I thought the Pentagon made those decisions. Next I hear that the Pentagon is denying any of this. Does the president appoint all of the military leadership? NO. Besides, if there is a need for more reserve call-ups why is everyone up in arms? Did these guys not read the fine print when they signed up? It’s not a free pass in the reserves any more like it used to be. When I was involved in the Army reserves I wouldn’t have said boo if I were called up. I signed up to fight the big one with Russia/etc and that’s what I would have wanted to do. I still feel like I should be over there helping out with the fight and I’ve been out since ‘96. These guys need to face up to the reality that they are in the MILITARY. This is not a weekend beer drinking club.

OK so this weekend I went with a buddy of mine down to White Rock lake for a 15k race. I am not a runner (knee) so I bike instead. I was amazed to see all of the people down there (over 800). It’s nice to know that there are others that show passion for fitness in these times of FAT. What amazed me was that the gal who won first place for the women was in her 40’s. Wow. Now that’s an athlete. The mens winner was in his 20’s but as you went up the age scale after that the times got better. Brent got 2nd in his age group which is awesome considering he has only been training for a few months. I just did 5 laps around the lake (45mi) and tried not to let any other cyclists pass me We are going to do a Duathlon relay in October so that should be interesting. There is just something about cycling that gets me excited. I don’t know if it’s the speed or the feeling of being some kind of an athlete again but I can’t get enough of it. Maybe it’s all of the cool gadgets you get to buy when you are a serious cyclist (cyclecomputers, carbon fiber this, carbon fiber that, radios, etc).

Well, that’s about all I have on my mind this time. I promised everyone an entry on the joys of hacking your Tivo but I haven’t had time to get that done (too many pictures, etc). I will make sure it’s one of the next few entries I write.

Take care y’all.

Manly