Here is an article that I wrote back in 2007 (yeah that long ago!) I believe for my good friend Ernest as a recommendation for cycling.  It’s interesting for me to read the stuff that I wrote a long time ago and wonder at the timid and fearful write that I was.  I have added a couple of my comments (they are in the italics called Dan’s note) where I reflect back on what was partially honest or tainted by my limitations and fears.  I feel that I have come a long way in those areas yet the underlying message is still a strong one for me, so I share it with you here.

Dan’s Cycling Confessions

What has cycling done to make my life better?  Oh, let me count the ways!  Weight loss, cardiovascular strength, muscle building, more energy, stronger immune system, and the list goes on and on and on without even touching on the ascetic aspects of riding a bike (seeing nature first hand, exploring neighborhoods, meeting passionate people, etc).

Let me give you a bit of my history Read the rest of this entry

Today is the eve before the historical Inauguration of Barack Obama and it has me thinking about all it means.  Tomorrow we will witness, some of us in the freezing cold and some in the warmth of our living rooms, the swearing in of the first African American President.  Even if you do not approve of his platform, even if you do not approve of his ideals, even if you do not think he was the best person for the job, you have to admire the moment we will witness.

Shortly after Obama’s victory in November, I was having a great conversation with a client of mine about the meaning of the victory and all it implied to our future.  It was during this discussion that he said to me, “Dan, I view the election as the end of racism as we know it.”  Needless to say, it made me pause.  “What do you mean?  How so…?”

My client went on to explain to me that growing up as an African American boy, when he was told, “If you study hard and really apply yourself, you could be President of the United States!”  The truth is, he never believed it.  I mean why should he?  It wasn’t until John F. Kennedy’s election that anyone who followed the Catholic faith should believe similar statements.  Growing up as a white, protestant male I never doubted that if I worked hard, studied hard, and applied myself that I could be President.  I mean why should I, since I fit the bill for a majority of our Presidents through out history (beyond growing up in a wealthy family that is, but this isn’t about economic status).  To hear this statement from my client was mind blowing, in one of those “Holy Cow!  Your RIGHT!”  This election and now inauguration represents the changing times and maturity of a nation.  The truth is tomorrow represents a time of CHANGE in America.  And how exciting is it to be a part of that?!?

For me, the Inauguration represents a positive change in America, yet for my client and all the generations of young African American males it represents the opportunity to actually achieve the highest office in the country.  Perhaps one day, I will be writing the same type of article in reference to the opening of opportunity to members of other ethnicities, or perhaps even women?  One can only hope.

Think about what this election means to you and what lessons can be learned from it.  How are you planning to change?

See you after the Inauguration, if I survive the cold!!

What does the word “NO” mean to you?  What power does this word have OVER you?  What emotional reactions do you feel when you hear it?  How do you respond when you hear “NO”?  Why am I asking all these questions about such a small, common word?

This last weekend, my good friend Capt. Pete was running his Captain’s Guide to Wholesaling event and he added (I think it was new…) a new section about the getting the response of “No” in calling back whole sale leads.  Pete talked about the fact that for every “No” response you hear, you are one step closer to a real deal and profits.  He went on to explain that as his students, he wanted each and ever person present to re-train themselves away from the negative feelings they have to the response and transform it as a positive step forward.  This reminded me of my days of sales training.

In sales, I taught that in an average sale you will get five “NO’s” before you get a “Yes” (or sale).  This concept comes very easy to some, while incredibly difficult to others.  What I learned is that the salespeople who had little issues with hearing “no” were those personalities who had “thick skin”, yet they often had difficulty building long term rapport with customers. Read the rest of this entry

About a year ago the brakes on my IROC weren’t working so well. Needless to say this was a bit of a problem. In an attempt to save some money (I’m convinced that taking your car to a shop just allows them to rip you off) I decided to do the work myself. No sweat, right? I’ve worked on cars for the past several years doing minor things.

I did a little bit of research online and figured I’d go down to the local Auto Zone and purchase the parts needed to fix my problem. Sixty-five dollars later I was back in my driveway changing out the master cylinder (the thing that holds the brake fluid). For a competent car mechanic it may have taken them all of 20 minutes to change it out, but though I’ve worked on cars before, I’ve never been necessarily mechanically inclined. What should have taken 20 minutes, wound up consuming the better part of my day.

Nonetheless, I finished and was ready to take it for a test drive. Well, wouldn’t you know the problem persisted? I was lucky that the car could even stop from a 5 mph roll. Read the rest of this entry

Let me say that when I first read the title to this recipe I went, “Ewwwww”.  Yet I have professed that I will try anything, once.  This recipe is not only easy to make, it tastes INCREDIBLE!  Let me preface this by saying that the chef who is supplying me with her healthy living recipes is Amanda Freeland.  Amanda is the wife to one of my best friends Ernest Freeland (who owns the Crofton Bike Doctor in Gambrills/Crofton MD).

Let me tell you something about Amanda.  I am working with her to create a bio, but until then you get to get my insights to her life (at least the parts that matter for cooking and health!).  When I met Amanda, she was not in the greatest health and wanted to change this.  Yet unlike many of us, Amanda had an excuse for not having the best of health…as she is a trained Pastry Chef.  I personally can only imagine the health I would have if I was a Pastry Chef.  In the words of Ernest, “When she’s baking cakes, I feel like I’m getting fat just sitting here on the couch smelling the aromas.”  It’s sooo true.  Her cakes, cookies, confections, and sweets are AMAZING.  Yet, her skills in the kitchen don’t stop with pastries, no they go on through to the full course of a meal.  I have eaten foods (like the recipe below) that I would have rather died before consuming.  Yet, she has opened my eyes to new worlds of food and culinary delights.

Read the rest of this entry