It's a dog's life, and it's great!

This fellow really knows how to make the most out of life. Romeo is 14, in his prime, and he's learned a lot about living well. Like how to bask in every moment. How to enjoy all the perks of the present. How to make every second count. How to take all the necessary breaks, even if they only last  just a few moments.

I can sure learn a lot from Romeo.

Hope you have a bountiful 2012, filled with abundance, joy, giving, inspiration...
and well-deserved breaks.

Happy New Year!

Are People Lining Up for Your Business?

This picture was taken 36 hours before Best Buy in La Mesa CA will even open for Black Friday sales. Lots of other stores have incredible deals too, but so far, this is the only place with tenters firmly entrenched out front.

I drove by again this morning and the 5 tents had grown to 16, plus about 20 cars in the lot. Lots of folks wearing pajamas and just waking up from chilly night were milling about. Apparently the thought of grabbing a 42" LCD TV for $199 is enough to entice these folks.

This scenario got me to thinking: what are you and I doing to make our businesses really stand out?

Food for thought on this Thanksgiving Day.

Enjoy your holiday, and eat all you want!!

Did you put some WOW into your work today?

Meet Justin at the Starbucks on Magnolia and Main in El Cajon, CA... he's a master at creating art that's almost too pretty to drink.

We didn't ask for this extra special touch, yet he took the time to craft it just for us. Although I ooohed and aahhed over the first starburst he made, it didn't quite meet his exacting standards, so down the drain it went, and he quickly crafted a fresh chocolate-on-whipped cream design.

Seems to me that no matter what business we're in, or how busy we are, we can always make the time to do something simple, yet extra special, for our clients, customers, friends and family. An act of random, unexpected kindness will always make somebody smile. And happy people tend to share their joy with others. Who knows who far one little nicety can spread?

 The San Diego Center for Sustainable Energy hosted this first ever event on National Plug-In Day last Sunday, and it was a colorful parade of dozens of red, white, blue, silver and black Nissan Leafs, plus a few Priuses, 2 Volts, and a redone electric Mustang and Celica. Ecotality presented an update on the status of upcoming electric chargers throughout San Diego County. One of our big goals is to get more chargers installed en route to Orange and L.A. Counties, plus more heading east towards Julian, the mountains and snow.

So, what's it like driving a bright red Nissan Leaf? I love it! Electric bill is only $19-$20 a month; no more gas stations, no oil changes. This car has a lot of pep, and a lot of room. People still ask if I miss my Mustang convertible...nope!

I feel great about giving some oommph to the electric car movement. There are over 600 Leafs now in San Diego county. You can get plenty of local info on our facebook page: Nissan Leaf Lovers San Diego.

And if you want to green up your home and your life, visit the CCSE at http://energycenter.org

El Cajon Oktoberfest

If you like great beer and a fun party atmosphere, this is the place to be! Friday through Sunday
October 7 - 9, at 1017 S Mollison Avenue in El Cajon (map)

Friday 4 -10 pm
Saturday Noon - 10 PM (come inside and dance 'til midnight)
Sunday Noon - 9 PM

This annual Oktoberfest takes place on the first two weekends of October. You'll enjoy authentic German food, including bratwurst, ox-on-the-spit, sauerkraut, potato pancakes, potato salad, German pastries, German beers and liquors, soft drinks,  and more.

The Guggenbach-Buam band, dressed in authentic German clothing, will liven up the festival with everything from waltzes and polkas, to the chicken dance and sing-alongs.

The festival will also feature traditional folk dancing, craft vendors, a beer garden, and a Kids Zone.

More info: Events website