Politics and Politicians
Here’s another reason that I remain so non-political. Former U.S. Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards told ABC News that he lied repeatedly about having an affair with 42-year-old Rielle Hunter, but said that he did not love her. How sweet is that?

The National Enquirer first reported on the affair in October 2007, and Edwards denied it, saying, “The story is false; it’s completely untrue, ridiculous”.

Edwards went on to say that he has not taken a paternity test but knows he is not the father of her child because of the timing of the affair and the birth. To add insult to injury one of his former campaign staffers claims he is the father. Who Can You Believe?
Will the real Daddy stand up please???

The story gets even jucier; In 2006, Edwards’ political action committee paid $100,000 in a four-month span to a newly formed firm run by Hunter, who directed the production of just four YouTube campaign videos, showing Edwards in informal settings as he prepares to make campaign speeches, talking about “who he is.”

New Visitor Center Fund
I have done a lot of work with the USS Arizona Memorial bookstore and head set rental departments. Recently I was asked to help with the fund raising efforts to build a new Visitor Center. I have spent some time observing the process out at the Memorial and this morning had the opportunity to speak to the volunteers as a group.

Pearl Harbor Invasion Survivors
I was honored to have three survivors of the Pearl Harbor attack in my audience, and they were eager to tell me their ages. From left to right 88 years young, (me) then 87 years young, and finally 94 years young. I was born just three months prior to the invasion; making me the baby in this group. Now that’s a rare occurance these days. 

World Class Artist

While on Maui the other day to conduct my monthly Success Rally at Pictures Plus, I was delighted to reconnect with world renowned artist James Coleman. James was there to do a show that evening at the gallery. I have always admired his work, and found him to be an all around great guy.

Walt Disney Influence
Jim’s roots go all the way back to his days with Disney Studios in the 70’s, where he worked as an animation background designer working on nine feature films and over 30 short subjects. Winnie the Pooh, The Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast came to life with James Coleman’s background images.
Today you can find Jim’s art in some of the most prominent and respected galleries in North America, the Orient and the Hawaiian Islands.

Watching the Master at Work
I told Masae that James Coleman would be demonstrating his skills at the Wyland Gallery in Waikiki on Saturday evening. Being an artist herself, and a long time James Coleman admirer, she jumped at the opportunity to meet James and watch him paint.

Masae’s Studio at Uraku Tower
I invited Jim and his son, Scott Coleman to visit us at our Uraku Tower home, see Masae’s studio and have a look at the Morning Report to see how it works in an art gallery. Jim’s art is currently featured in close to 100 art galleries. He and Scott agreed that this would be a great addition to help many of them enjoy even greater success. I am looking forward to helping them make this happen.

 5,000+ Autographs

The Hawaii faithful turned out in large numbers today to get Colt Brennan’s autograph on just about everything you can imagine. I had talked with Kent Untermann of Pictures Plus beforehand about getting an autographed copy of Success Made Easy into Colt’s hands wishing him success in his NFL bid. When I arrived at Kahala Mall there was a line stretching all of the way through the parking lot. About 5,000 people had paid $25 bucks (in advance) to get something autographed.
I spotted Kent handling the crowd. I waived at him holding up the book. He signaled me to pass it to him. I sailed it over the heads of the crowd and he handed it off to Colt; mission accomplished.

Easy $100
As I turned to walk away I was stopped by Ryan Stone of Pre-Paid Legal Services. He offered me $100 to toss his helmet to Kent to get it signed by Colt. I explained that the book I passed was mine that was going to Colt, not something for Colt to sign. We had a good laugh about that. As tempting as an easy $100 bucks sounded, I couldn’t bring myself to try that pass.

As I was leaving I saw the press interviewing a couple that had come to the event carrying signs encouraging June Jones to stay in Hawaii. I doubt seriously that these little signs could change his mind about taking the big bucks in Dallas.

Donald Trump Plays the Trump Card

“The Donald” is easy to dislike with his self serving pompous, egotistical ways, but one thing for sure, he does get results. I have not missed an Apprentice episode since watching the 2nd week of season one. I went out the next day and bought my DVR to be sure I wouldn’t miss one. I saw the show as a management training class and asked my clients and employees to all watch it. I had posters made saying, “What would Donald Trump do?”

Wonder Boy
Bill Rancic became the first Apprentice and was soon became a celebrity himself. Trump began bringing him back on camera to join his executives, George and Carolyn in the boardroom. Before Trump knew it Bill Rancic was out on his own speaking tour making the money that Trump paid him look like small change. That was it for last names.

One Nasty Lady
Omarosa demonstrated that a single name was good enough and easier to remember. Omarosa was hated by most, yet so much fun to watch that they started finding people with “personality flaws” and outrageous character traits to liven things up.  Dropping the last names of contestants also prevented their personal celebrity when the season ended or they were fired in the boardroom. Each year the contestants became less and less likely to be someone Trump would want running one of his companies.

Camping Out in Beverly Hills
Last year was a disaster when the losing team was made to pitch tents in the backyard and cook outside while the winners in the mansion made fun of them through the fence. The Apprentice was slowly becoming a joke. People were beginning to write the show’s obituary. My interest was certainly falling away and I was less likely to ask someone to watch it. I thought it was over.

Could You Fire This Guy?
The Donald stuck his tongue out at the critics and introduced Celebrity Apprentice with a collection of Celebrities such as Gene Simmons of KISS and The Family Jewels fame. He even brought the nasty Omarosa back as a “celebrity” no less. The first show was a raging success, fun to watch and likely to succeed.
The Donald is The Man. He has performed miracles in real estate and now television. Dying reality shows are not likely to get new life. This one did. I suggest you watch it.

 Drugs, Booze and Jail

I find myself wondering if it has always been this way or not. I remember when stars were stars and expected to be role models for the rest of us. A celebrity going to jail was virtually unheard of. Perhaps it is just because of our access to news these days.

Paris Hilton parlayed her name and relentless partying into worldwide notoriety, and had to forgo her high fashion wardrobe for prison stripes for about 45 days. The ironic thing is that she demands a higher appearance fee now than she did before that publicity. Hilton told Fox News Magazine that she now collects $500,000 in fees just to show up at parties and other events from Las Vegas to Tokyo.

The latest star to go behind bars is Kiefer Sutherland. He was sentenced Wednesday to 48 days in jail for his latest DUI arrest and for violating probation.

It appears that there is a whole new legal category; star defense. Sutherland hired attorney Blair Berk, who is also currently representing Lindsay Lohan. I think that Johnny Cochran started something when he manipulated the jury into allowing wife killer O.J. Simpson to go free.

Give it a break!!!

When I first read about Dog’s latest fiasco I thought it was something he has said “on the air”, and I could understand, and even agree with the outrage. I now read that it was in a “private” conversation that he was having with his son on the telephone, unaware that his son was recording the call. His son, Tucker, then sent the recording to The National Enquirer for “a lot of money.”

As offensive and indefensible as the remarks were, nobody would have been hurt by them had his son not chose to make them public. Doing so has now created a national outrage with many innocent people being hurt, not the least of which is Dog himself.

The A&E TV network released a statement today announcing that Duane “Dog” Chapman’s hit reality series would be removed from its schedule “for the foreseeable future.”

And now Hawaii’s NAACP is actually hosting a public forum on Sunday to hash this out further, make more news, and no doubt hurt even more people by calling more attention to the hurtful racial slurs that were made.

I sometimes think that too many people don’t have enough to do, and the media creates more problems than it reports. Let’s get back to work.

“Watch Your Mouth”

That was good advice given to most of us by our mothers or fathers. In the Dog’s case what he got from his father was more likely to lead to misbehavior than good behavior. In spite of growing up with regular paternal beatings, early drug abuse and a life of crime, he managed to turn his life around and become known more for the good he does, rather than the bad that he did. Yes, you can “teach an old Dog new tricks”.

Dog The Bounty Hunter was one of very few shows that my DVR is programmed to capture; I will miss it. While I surely cannot condone his use of the “N word”, I had to wonder why there was no criticism of his constant use of the “F word” (bleeped out) during his show.

I found it humorous to see him holding hands with his family and praying for the fugitive they were about to track down, and then say, “Okay, let’s go get that Mother F—-r!”

I’m fine with the open reporting of his misspeaking, and can also accept his apology. People do make mistakes. But, I think that cancelling his show amounts to throwing the baby out with the bathwater. I would like to see the show continue and let the viewers determine what the punishment should be by choosing whether or not to watch it.

Is That All?

People Magazine reported that Britney Spears said to Ryan Seacrest recently, “At the end of the day you gotta know in your heart that you are doing the best that you can.”

In my classes I say that none of us are “doing the best we can”, at least not every day. When you say that, either to someone or just to yourself, you are saying that you can’t get any better. Don’t be guilty of such limiting beliefs. Instead ask yourself, “How can I do better than I am today?” Asking that question will lead you to ideas that when acted upon will invariably lead you to greater heights than you may have felt was possible.

You Never Know!

As a retailer, you never know who might drop into your store to shop.

When Victoria Beckham goes shopping with her kids, the body guard goes along. I have to wonder if his instructions are coming from her or from a husband that wants to control her spending.

I’m guessing it’s her that is calling the shots.

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