Archive for July, 2006

You oftentimes hear people say “If only I had enough money…” Heck, even I say that on a daily basis. But what is “enough” and what do you really want it for?

In psychology class we learned of basic human needs. Here is a slight refresher for those who have been out of school for a while…

1) Physiological: hunger, thirst, bodily comforts, etc.;
2) Safety/security: out of danger;
3) Belonginess and Love: affiliate with others, be accepted; and
4) Esteem: to achieve, be competent, gain approval and recognition.

Once these are meant, there are higher ideals:

5) Cognitive: to know, to understand, and explore;
6) Aesthetic: symmetry, order, and beauty;
7) Self-actualization: to find self-fulfillment and realize one’s potential; and
Self-transcendence: to connect to something beyond the ego or to help others find self-fulfillment and realize their potential.

So I asked myself on my trip to Washington DC this weekend – why do I seem to think money will be the answer to all of the things I feel I am missing out on. With my recent iPod quest, you might think I want more money so I can spend it on trivial things like an iPod, XBox, palm pilot, Blackberry, newer computer, laptop, etc etc. While these things would be nice, they don’t really do anything to bring you closer to your goal of enjoying life.

So why do we really want more money? I have come to the realization that my quest to increase my bottom line is tied directly to the fact that I would like to do what I want, when I want. i would rather not go into a job from 8-5, instead I would like to travel, observe and most of all, get back to what I enjoyed in high school – giving back.

So what would I do with a million dollars? Or two? Forget the people who say they would still work at their job. I would find a way to do what I want. I would make donations in my local community in the arts, sports, and humanitarian issues. I would find something that I enjoy and actually do it. I would sleep in till noon and spend the rest of the day doing whatever it is that I felt like.

THAT is what being financially independent is about.

This past year I have been absorbed in things for me it seems. 3 plays … and now the renaissance faire. (How many more weeks?) I have let things slide in some areas that only a year ago I never would have missed. I just wish I could do everything I wanted and then start again the next day anew.

So what would I do with a million or two? Whatever I can. For me, and as many people as I can help along the way.

Until then I guess I will go about my job (which I do like) and try to make do with what I can. And maybe someday, somehow, even the slightest thing I have done will make a difference. There’s some hope in that.

/end introspective

Im taking my iPod needs to the White House this weekend. Pictures to follow.

Rutters Ramblings Intro
Troy Needs an iPod contest ending today
Survey Spot – Beerfest
Amazing Stories Update – Woot!
Josh Jacobson – Rutters Ramblings
Lindsay Lohan superstitious
Hasselhoff says he was not drunk
Floyd Landis drug charges, rude Lance
Saddam Hussein says he’d rather be shot than hung
IE7 – fourth quarter of this year as critical update
Intel Core 2 Duo chips shipping
Amy Ayers Update – July 20 all charges dropped
Jersey Todd
Jesta – Me, My Music and my idog
30:57 Arno Lubbinge – Powered by CastBlaster

http://www.ruttersramblings.com/media/ruttersramblings024.mp3

Happy Friday!

Rutters Ramblings Intro
Troy Needs an iPod – new developments since last podcast
03:25 Adam Curry – from Friday July 21st 2006
07:29 Adam Curry – from Wednesday July 26th 2006
10:15 : Listener Mail
10:19 : lebanon comments from Matt in the UK
17:27 : War Peace by Kevin Brett from the Podsafe Music Network
19:13: amazingstoriestheme – NOW OUT ON DVD!!!
21:11 : Josh Jacobson – Rutters Ramblings
21:23 : lindsaylohanmoment – Lindsay goes to the hospital
22:21 : lohan_out
Metallica gives in to Napter & iTunes
Lance Bass – NOW JUST… OUT
Castblaster Video
26:01 Graham Holland – Never Trust A Panda
30:03 Arno Lubbinge – Powered by CastBlaster

http://www.ruttersramblings.com/media/ruttersramblings023.mp3

I did a little (actually big) video for CastBlaster

Check it out here

Yeah, its huge, and takes a while to download, but if you have ever wondered about Castblaster, here’s your chance to see it in action

I did a little (actually big) video for CastBlaster

Check it out here

Yeah, its huge, and takes a while to download, but if you have ever wondered about Castblaster, here’s your chance to see it in action

http://www.aintitcoolnews.com/display.cgi?id=23963

You’ll notice week 7 is missing, thats because i would rather forget it. After a week of eating out, and eating BADLY, I was back up to 216 last week…. not a happy camper. This past week, however has been better.

Week 8: 213

I did get it to go down to 212.8 briefly this morning, but 213 is pretty solid. I have already started eating better, buying carrots, bananas, strawberries and of course – salad to eat. Having a icy cold strawberry/banana/orange smoothie for dinner is actually VERY filling and tastes WONDERFUL. I hope to be able to post 210 next week.

Since Colin has reached his goal, I’m not sure how much longer “the diet” will be up and running. But it was a great experience, and I still have a month to try and reach “the goal” – but that is about 25 more lbs, which would be dangerous. So I am shooting more for 15… if I can get to 200, that would be great.

My birthday is a week from today – I’m going to try and break 210.

In resposne to TroyNeedsAnIpod.com and INeedAnIpodMoreThanTroy.com, the podfather himself and former MTV VJ Adam Curry has launched a new contest: register a new domain name mocking TroyNeedsAnIpod.com and win a free video iPod.

Not quite my intention when starting my donation page – but at least someone will benefit! I wonder if I can enter by mocking myself… hmmm…

Listen to Adam Curry’s Contest Announcement

in a case of “how did that happen?” – troyneedsanipod.com is already in Google’s search index.

Google