Friday, November 9, 2012

UFC, Anderson Silva, MMA, Dana White etc

Hello again-
Quick blog tonight just put out there in the universe (The Secret told me to) that the real super fight is Anderson Silva vs. John Jones. Period.  GSP is a waste of time and with Anderson Silva hitting 38 soon he doesn't have much left.  Put the rumors to rest on who the best is and let's get in on.  Every other fight is secondary to this one.  Dana White does not want to end like boxing where they cannot put together pacman vs the other guy.  If this fight does not happen it will haunt Dana and his 9% ownership of the UFC.
The key to the future success of the UFC is having a backup plan.
Condit vs. GSP but if someone gets hurt they should advertise that Nick Diaz will step in.  So the fighters know who's on the on deck circle - so plan accordingly.  You know you're facing Nick Diaz if someone gets hurt - a little more motivation to stay healthy and make the main event.  Everyone knows that if Nick can put the doobie down he'll whoop some ass in the octagon.  209 in the house but really I'm from 207 which doesn't sound as cool or tough.
After Jones first 3 fights I said that no one except Anderson can stop him.  Wish I wrote it in a blog back then but it's true.  We all know that no one can stop Anderson but Jones can give him a run for his money.
UFC events brings in millions.  A super fight like this, let's say it gets 2 million buys on PPV at $49 bucks a pop- that's $98 million alone.  They will make over $100 million!  Give Anderson $20 million and Jones $10 million to make this fight happen.  Give up the money to make this happen - think about the motivation of the other fighters to step up if they can get $5-$10 million of real money - boxing money for 1 fight!!  Give them all of the stadium earnings, or tee shirt sales - throw money at them all of it!  No one wants to lose the biggest UFC fight ever and that will possibly every be too! 
Dana will start seeing guys finish fights - just like he wants.
Ok time for dinner with the wife.
Have a great weekend.
bscottkelley can be found on just about every web site out there. 
Spread the word and Carry on!!
www.bscottkelley.com




Thursday, November 1, 2012

Thomas and I

 Thomas and I in Kauai in April of this year. 

Blog time and after another trip out of the country (Playa del Carmen Mexico) I am even more frustrated!  We welcomed our first child - a boy 9 months ago.  He's healthy, handsome, and above average in intelligence.  The words 'Thomas and I' come out of my mouth daily.  As in, 'Thomas and I are going on a fishing trip' and 'Thomas and I are going backcountry snowboarding'.  The wife thinks it's funny but I'm dead serious.  The big issue is having a 'base camp' for these excursions.  We've talked about getting a time share but the idea of having to sit through one of those miserable sales pitches turns my stomach.  Hotels - expensive and too many people plus if you are in a hotel you are surrounded by people.  I have a tent from L.L. Bean, I've got 20 years ago and it still rocks.  Goes to show that when you buy good quality it will last.
When I think of 'base camp' I'm really thinking MB Sprinter Van or Sportsmobile Custom.  I found a sick web site of guys/gals hooking these vehicles up:  http://www.outsidevan.com/vans.php worth checking out if you have a grip of money sitting around.
I grew up outside of Boston and spent my teens and college years in Maine.  I've logged some time in the woods to say the least.  One summer Jason and I hiked all 10 peaks greater than 4000' in Maine.  A group of us mountain biked every single day - rain, snow, and sun we were outside.  These are the things 'Thomas and I' are going to experience.  I would love the luxury of having a kickass base camp for us to come back to to cook up a warm meal - possibly a fresh catch.  Have a cold beer and a game a yahtzee.

If I am still 'working for the weekend' as Loverboy puts it I want to have the 'base camp' ready; so when I get out we are on the road to our next adventure!  Of course part of any great adventure includes the going to and coming back from.  How better than in a MB Sprinter Van or another sick converted panel van.  Safe, reliable, and if diesel maybe convert it to run on veggie oil.

So traveling Paris, Salvador Bahia, Amsterdam, Belo Horizonte, Cancun, and London I saw so many sweet vans.  The selection was endless and I just couldn't understand why almost none of these rigs were/are available in the US.  Here are some pics of what we are missing out on - so give VW, Fiat, and Ford a call to bring these vehicles here. http://www.fiat.com.br/monte-seu-carro/  or http://www.vw.com.mx/es/models/crafter/galeria.html or http://www.mbsprinterusa.com/

Look up the Ford Transit and the VW Nuevo Crafter both out of Mexico.  Then check out the Doblo Adventure and Ducato Passageiro and Ducato Mulit by Fiat in Brasil.  






I really want a van and if everyone in the great State of California sent me $1 I could afford one along with the insurance for a few years.  Here's a pick of me and a couple of friends on our pilgrimage to Tuckerman's Ravine.  Would have been nice to get there a night early and sleep in the 'base camp'. 

Here's one from our trip to Sequoia NP - would have been great to have a 'base camp'. 
Here's one from the backside of Wonder lake in Denali NP.  http://www.nps.gov/dena/planyourvisit/campground-wonder.htm.  would have been great to have a 'base camp' but it wouldn't really matter because this place is beautiful even in a tent. 

I have a Subaru WRX sportswagon and I love it.  I have a roof rack with a box to hold a ton of gear.  I fit just about everything important to me in and on that vehicle when I moved out west.  But there comes a time to move on and grow.  That time is coming soon and with an eager young man ready to buy his dream car - mine the timing is perfect.  Just want to hold out another year or so with the hopes more van options find their way to the US.  There are so many great vehicles out there that I wouldn't want to settle.  Plus in a few years there will also be a better secondary market of these.  It's hard to be an early adopter when you don't have the money to do it. 

bscottkelley is everywhere including instagram, twitter, facebook, myspace, linkedin, and right here.

Lastly - I live in the greater LA area, recently moved up here from the OC.  The Toyota Prius is the best selling car in the state but why does everyone that owns one feels the need to speed.  Off red lights, stop signs, the freeway, and side streets - they are drive so fast.  Is it because it would be impossible to know which one of the millions on the road was speeding?  Please slow down you're not impressing anyone and what's up with getting these tricked out with rims?  It's a prius for crying out loud you bought it to impress your friends and save the Earth so stop with the nonsense. 

More to come from Thomas and I....

Love You Luiza :-)








Tuesday, September 25, 2012

iPhone 5, Costco, Subaru, and babies- The Life of Brian

January 2012 life as I/We know it changed and it changed in a big way.  7.3 oz and 21.5 inches came shooting out of my wife's vajayjay!  Since that moment of kisses, smiling, and nervousness we have been on a roller coaster.  A roller coaster like the ones at 6Flags that you have a blast on and can't wait to get back in line to do again.  Not sure about the do it again part because right now one is PLENTY!
He laughs a lot, he smiles, he cries and he does what a million other babies do - he brings joy and happiness to your day.  Thank you my love for bringing our son into our already perfect lives.
I haven't been blogged in a bit but I am trying to keep up with 12/year as a personal goal.  I've been busy with work and adding random people to my Instagram account.  My wife doesn't understand my desire to have twitter and instagram followers when I have no idea who they are and they do not know me.  It's interesting to peak into other's lives on Instagram - especially if they travel to great places.
You can find me @bscottkelley or #bscottkelley not sure how that works. 
I follow Tony Hawk, NFL, Subaru fans, Japanese people, rap stars, and everyone else. 
Speaking of Subaru- I left the cap loose on my radiator after checking all of my fluids because my temp gauge said hot.  All was good but needed to bring it in to be sure.  The car is 10 years old and has 143k miles on it so you sometimes have to fix things....makes up for no payment in 5 years. 
The shop called later in the day.....block test said headers are gone; need a new radiator, headers resurfaced which they will send out, and a couple of other things.  Hold on here - no milky substance in the oil, no white smoke out of the exhaust, no loss of power - are you sure?  Yes and it will cost you $3,500 which includes getting the headers repaired.  Ok so I looked online and I can get a new engine for less than that....time for a second opinion. 
I called a shop 3 blocks away - 4th generation old dawgs but work on japanese cars.
Block engine test that day and kept the car overnight for another evaluation in the morning.  Block test again and same results all is good.  Radiator ok but a clamp was loose and leaking.  Also recommended a radiator flush/exchange...total bill $170???  Really?  I was about to spend $3,300 and now I am only spending $170- was I really about to spend/waste that much money?  That's a nice vacation according to my wife.  I've been driving it for a few days and everything seems ok.  Temperature gauge works but is normal, oil is fine, power is good so it looks like I might be in the clear. 
I am really mad but I actually sadder about the whole thing because someone out there is getting screwed by these guys.  They are taking it to their customers 1 at a time and they are lining up to take it.  We are slaves to our cars and without them we are hopeless, we are lost. 
So $3,000 back in my pocket and really consider a scooter...I'd like a motorcycle but the wife says no way.  What better investment right after you have your first child then getting a motorcycle.  I have great life insurance and with all of the idiots texting and driving on their new iPhone 5 then I'd be safe.
What's up with Costco gas?  It's not cheaper so why are people lining up to buy it?  Why does everyone at Costco gas talk on their cell phones?  The Costco in Simi Valley CA has at least 3 people at all times talking and pumping gas.  Why does the Costco Gas attendant not do or say anything?
Ok need a shower and last feeding is coming up.
bscottkelley can be found everywhere including Instagram to look me up and add me please. 
http://bscottkelley.com/

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

Cubicles

I read an article today about a guy I worked with years ago.  I actually lived with him along with 2 other buddies - kinda like a frat house without all the rules and nonsense.  4 guys early into a professional career living together and working together.  It was great; we'd have lunch together occasionally, we end up in some of the same meetings, and most nights we'd be out having dinner and a few beers together.  Well like all good things, it had to come to an end.  1 got married and moved in with her and the rest of us just got on with our own lives.  Eventually, we all moved onto other companies with the exception of one of them.  We would keep in touch during holidays and through phone calls.  Talking about camping trips and drinking beers and who made out with the ugly chick.

Well 10+ years later I am reading through a FB posting of another person about an article in the local paper.  2 of us had already moved out of state so the last thing we were ready was local news from this tiny little town.  Curiosity called and I clicked on the link......................................
I immediately had to stop everything I was doing and sit down.  My wife was yelling for me to do something but I had no idea what it was.  For a moment of time my world was frozen. 
One of the nicest and most honest guys had plead guilty to federal mail fraud and tax evasion.  Hundreds of thousands of dollars in total were part of this scheme.  Possibly 20 years in prison....to be sentenced at a later date.
I guess you never actually know someone or their character or maybe I am just to easily fooled.  I never pass judgement and believe that all people are inherently good but I am starting to doubt myself.
I am by no means perfect and could use a little adjusting but this is a total miss for me.  I would never guess in a million years that the guy I knew could do something like this.
So Cubicles......
Did the air in the office that is pumped in and filters cause his brain to change?  Did the chemicals used to clean the carpets do it?  Maybe having to eat the same exact cafe food do it?  Could it be having to change his password every 90 days and it can't be anything like any of the previous ones do it?  Could it be the swiping of his badge to get in the building trigger a mental block?  Could it be the signing another review that was cut/pasted again telling him he needs to work on the same exact things as everyone else?  Could it be the white lights or the ergo chair or the dual monitors or the mouse or the dirty mouse pad or the free coffee?  Did he tie a half windsor one too many times?
What would make someone do this?
Greed? Desperation?  No fear of being caught?  No fear of jail or losing family?
I will be chewing on this for a bit. 

bscottkelley can be found on most web sites including bscottkelley.com, FB, Instagram, gmail, and everywhere inbetween.
Spread the word and carry on!
E. Abbey

Monday, May 28, 2012

Soap, yup bar soap

In my college marketing class they taught us that one of the best ideas was when shampoo added one word to the instructions .....Repeat if necessary.  Sales doubled and I'm sure all of the executives got big bonuses. 
Today I'd like to discuss a very important topic.....soap.
I bring the subject up because it seems to me that soap just does not last like it use to.
It feels like every other day I am reaching for a new bar of soap.
The box goes in the recycle and the soap on the shelf.
The brand I use sounds like the word love.  I looked at the ingredients and they were about the same as my wife's brand (sounds like mile).
I don't get any dirtier and I am showering about the same amount as I always have.
Have the marketers run out of creative ways to get us to use more soap?  Are less people showering?
Are the chemist now in charge of marketing and bringing in higher profits?
Is there a possibility that soap is being designed to breakdown faster?  I could buy this if I was using a hemp based or organic soap but I am not.  Plenty of chemicals in my soap so why not throw one more in that keeps the soap full size for a bit longer?
On the soap subject, why has Ivory soap increased in price?  It's the same soap that is probably manufactured the same way for the last 100 years.  I'm sure they can fall back on 'supplies are more expensive' but I'm not buying it.  Take a look at the salaries of the top 10% and you will see why the same basic item continues to rise in price.

Ok not much of a blog but I did stay true to writing one this month and on my way to have 12 by the end of the year.
Next topic will be about flip flops and why I can't seem to walk in them without making that slap on the bottom of my foot. 
bscottkelley can be found everywhere including Instagram, facebook, and twitter. 




Saturday, April 7, 2012

Weight restrictions for flying on airlines seems a little unfair



Views from above so I've decided to tackle the weight issues on planes. My luggage can top out at 50lbs. So 2 bags + me (150lbs) = 250lbs allowed when flying. So the 250lbs person sitting next to me gets an extra 100lbs of weight over me. Seems a little unfair right?

*Took this picture travelling to Anchorage June 2010.

Why can't the airlines who are so concerned with weight give folks pricing based on how much total weight they will be flying through the air. So my total weight of 250lbs would cost me say $500 round trip to fly to Hawaii. From 250-350lbs would pay $600 and 350-450lbs would pay $700.



I'm sure the airlines can figure out down to the dollar each pound cost to fly and then charge customers accordingly. They can then factor in where they are flying and the distance.



Easy for me because I happen to weigh around 160lbs and would love the discounted tickets. I earned it....by eating right and exercising my whole life and along with good health can't I get some other benefits?



As I pack for another trip and break out my scale to make sure I show up to the airport under the 50lbs, I think about my fellow passengers. They will be stopping by In and Out before the flight and adding a few more pounds to our flight.



This concept is not discrimination it is simple math. You pay for how much weight you want to bring. If you happen to weigh 300lbs well then I guess you'd better pack a little lighter to keep your cost down.



If I want to ship a package via UPS or FedEx guess what????? I'll be charged based on where it's going and........ you guessed it....how much it weighs!!!



It's time for the airlines to address this issue and stop worrying about discrimination and face the fact of weight vs. cost of flying. If the airlines are so sensitive to weight then why are they not addressing this very basic concept? When I check my bags in and if they are over by 5lbs the airlines will charge me extra but the 250lbs person behind me does not pay extra??


Hate to point out the obvious but it's really time to charge based on your overall impact on the flight. When you go online to buy airline tickets they will need to add just one extra drop down box for weight. When you show up to the ticket and you are over the amount you put down when purchased.....you pay more period. I'd even be ok with a 10lbs +/- rule on this.


Look around the next time you're at the airport and see if get what I'm saying and let me know your thoughts.


bscottkelley can be found on most web sites.


Spread the word and carry on!!

Sunday, March 25, 2012

iPhone charger cords are pathetic

$97,000,000,000....$97 billion.....that's a lot of cash! That is more than most small countries and more than any other US corporation.
Apple has put together a product line that is unstoppable. Everyone loves the cute logo and well lit stores. How can you not...the products are great and the support is better. There are less users than windows so there are a lot less people trying to steal your information. Fewer viruses, less spam, and less nonsense.
The iPhone - lightweight, able to use it around the world, wifi, gps, camera, retina display, 3 axis gryro, etc, etc, etc.
So why does a company with $97 billion chose to be sooooo cheap with a 3' charger cord?? Seriously folks, if I want to use my phone while it's plugged in then I have to sit on the floor or against the wall? My place is a little older so I'm not sure if they are designing homes now with sockets all 3' apart throughout the home. My night stand is maybe 3 1/2 feet from my closes outlet so I'm in trouble. Every night I am reminded of how lame these cords are. When I sit on my couch I have the same problem. I can't Skype or Facetime while my phone is plugged in unless I am hanging off the edge to reach the outlet. Why do I have this problem in my own home?? because I have a 3' cord.
Forget any other upgrades for the iPhone 5 until you decide to give use a matching 5' cord.
I'm sure Apple has an entire division of nerds with MBA's from Harvard and Yale sitting on medicine balls in a eco friendly conference room discussing the cost benefits of this smaller cord. I'm sure the group met and told the head cheese that, 'at three feet we can hit our target goal of $97 billion in cash reserves.'
Cut your loyal customers some slack (pun intended) and give us a longer cord.
As you spend all of that cash buying back your stock make sure to consider a longer cord on your next release!!
bscottkelley can be found on most sites.

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Tiradentes Square



November 2011 this photo was taken while we were on vacation. Directly behind me is the street from the other picture. The other picture showing my beautiful wife is from the top of a hill looking down towards the trees and centre square. Brasil has so many historical cities and I plan to add a photo and story of the ones I've been to. This is really going to help in my quest to hit 12 blogs in 2012. The city if filled with great places to eat, shop and of course photograph. There are some very old and beautiful churches here as well.



Tiradentes or 'tooth puller' is the other name for Joaquim José da Silva Xavier; a revolutionary figure of Brasil who wanted to make Brasil independent.

Brasil is with an 's' and only the US likes to 'Americanize' it with a 'z' but the great people of Brasil seem ok with it.


Tiradentes is about 1/2 way to Rio (another route) from the city of Belo Horizonte. It's mostly a single lane secondary road until you get close to the city. As you get closer it becomes brick and them it becomes stone when you are in Tiradentes proper. Even with a modern car the road kinda sucks but the locals want to keep it that way. It keeps it authentic and I agree. Walking around it much easier and the city is so small that you don't need to use your car.

During Carnaval this city is wall to wall people. My wife talks about a time her and her girlfriends rented a house down here and had a blast. It was strange for her to be back with no one there, she could actually see the city and all of it's glory.

Tiradentes moved to Ouro Preto later on and it's a place I visited on my first trip to Brasil. Photos to come in another blog!

Thanks for visiting.

Spread the word and carry on!

bscottkelley can be found on most sites so you can find me anywhere, so say hello!







Apple and American Pie 2012



Time to kick off writing the blog again as promised when the ball dropped. 2012 is upon us and lots of changes in my life. We added our first child to the family and are excited each day and what it brings. More blogs probably about this topic in the near future. 12 blogs total this year...it's my goal!
Apple Computers and the American homeowner is the topic today.
I am a believer that the United States is great place. We have great National Parks, great roads, and it's pretty safe here.
Now that I've been employed again for the last year and a half, I've turned a blind eye to the serious unemployment issues this Country still faces. There is work out there, you either have to move or change what you are doing. I moved and couldn't be happier about it. I am in a completely different area, away from the beach but I'm working and the check clears every time.
So the housing market continues to drag and we continue to attempt to fix it. I agree with taking a close look at each individual asking for help and their situation. What I have an issue with is those who cannot accept the fact that they cannot afford their home. I also take issue to those who walk away from their home due to falling property values. You are now hearing about celebrities walking away from their million dollar properties due to values. Great role models for the young people during this time of crisis; 'it is a business decision'. All of these folks that are upside down are now asking for principal reductions. Sorry you bought in 2006 but that's the breaks of the game. Do you think people who bought Apple stock in 2000 and saw the price of it cut in 1/2 ask for their money back? No, they waited it out to see a split and a rising star!
We as a Country have to believe this Country is a mirror image of Apple. There are ups and downs but over the long haul we will be back on top.
Let's sit down and enjoy some humble pie and regroup. We have the resources and brain power to be great again. We should take this time to improve our infrastructure. Fix our schools. Hire more teachers and have a teacherbook.com where we can rank and track each teacher. We can build a great rail system. From LAX to San Fran and LAX to Las Vegas. Los Angeles should start becoming a more vertical city. Let's build up instead of out and save some of the land for the dog lovers.
I had a great 2011 and even had to pay more in taxes this year. I'm over it now but I was a little disappointed when I compare to the years as a 1099 where you can write off everything! More blogs this year and lots of positive energy out there for the world to enjoy!
Spread the word and Carry on!
bscottkelley can be found on every major site out there and I think they are all me so stop by and say hello would ya!