Guaranteed Work

Real estate is big business in Arizona. It's an important aspect of the economy, and Arizona is dependent upon it. If you're moving into the area and you're not transferring within a company, if you don't have a degree or any special skills, then get into real estate sales.

Scorpions and Rattlesnakes, Oh My!

Every place has its unique set of critters. However, Arizona has some creepy crawlers that are deadly. That's right scorpions and rattlesnakes are two common critters that come with the territory of living in certain areas of Arizona. So don't go walking around your home barefoot at night.

Places to Live

Phoenix, Tucson, Mesa, Chandler, Scottsdale, Gilbert, Tempe, and Peoria are some of Arizona's largest cities. Each has its own set of unique characteristics. Once you decide on the city, determine if you want to rent or to own. Whatever you choose RentersInsurance.com will help you find reasonable home insurance.

The Weather

Arizona is known for its hot, humid summers with temperatures that linger in the triple digits. Flash flooding is also common during the summer season. However, its winters are mild, and there is plenty of skiing from mid-December to March.

GangPlank is Rockin

Its been a long time, however, its been an adventure. I have been getting the blog itch again so I thought I would share. As everyone grows in business and in life, different ideas come and go. They are usually thin and quick to vacate the mind thanks in large part to how busy life has become. I learned an interesting statistic while in Europe. The average work week in most of Europe is between 32-36 hours. America, in many metropolitan areas has risen to 46 hours on average. Then commutes added to that and its crazy. Are we as a community really better off? Yeah we can buy more stuff, but when can we use it? It doesn’t seem to make sense. A somewhat quirky boss once told me, during one of our many 40 minute talks- in whice more time was spent trying to figure out what was crap and what was real, anyhow, he threw me this gem. “There is alot to be said about quality of life.”

That instantly stuck with me. I was on hour 55 in the week, along with full time school, a new baby, a new marriage, and a weekend moonlighting gig as a painter. Life was busy and I wanted it busier, well I wanted the money that comes with busier. I realized I was in that race, but didn’t understand how to to get out. Nobody really gets out, it will always be a rat race. Quality of life can come from many areas. Mine is freedom to make my own decisions and schedule. Yes I like to work, and I am lucky to be able to stay motivated without someone breathing down my neck. Working in an environment that gives me flexibility is amazing, more importantly gives me a shot at the quality of life that I want. We all want to be on the beach somewhere with umbrellas in our drinks without a worry in the world but its not realistic to most of us.

Work environment is really the only freedom that can be reached with a little effort. Enter gangplank…I am assuming here but the conversation must have been easy to have when this idea was hatched. I know how annoying it gets when one client is in another building and email and phone is the only answer. Team members are in another room or cubicle or another floor for that matter, and you say out loud, “I wish we were all here together to answer questions as they come up”

I know for me I have a bad habit of coming up with an idea and sending one or two sentence emails quickly outlining the idea, such as “what if we could get the rumba to deliver coffee?” Unfortunately for my friends this happens all too often. I had been hitting many of my sounding board peeps about getting together, or work in the same place. It never seemed realistic, until now.

Gangplank is just that, an open community of collaboration. In short, its a giant room (soon to be enormous) where many different small business and entreprenuers have a free work station. No walls, no barriers, no egos. Simply a group of people sharing ideas and bouncing things off of eachother. All of your outsourcing needs in one space. Need a video marketing campaign, need print marketing, need some database management, need someone to do something silly to lighten the mood. Look no further, gangplank is the answer.

The days of companies doing things that nobody else can, or being unwilling to share what they are working on are over. Technology squashed that years ago, so why not get together, create a work environment that is open collaboration, not boundries. Essentially the freedom to be who you are and have fun. Its that quality of life thing we talked about at the beginning. Not the ultimate change but a huge step in the right direction

If you work in the chandler area for yourself, a company, or whomever, ask to work from gangplank for the day and you won’t be disappointed.  Its not a golden ticket, you have to be open to this and willing, but it is worth it.

More Info

The Gangplank offices are typically open from around 9:00am to 6:00pm, Monday through Friday. Gangplank offers FREE collaborative space M-F. If you are in the area, drop on by and get your work on.

On Wednesdays, you can come over for Hacknight which typically runs from 6:00pm to 9:00pm. (It’s a great way to work on your side projects after hours.)

Historic Downtown Chandler

260 South Arizona Avenue

Chandler, AZ 85225

info@gangplankhq.com – Parking

Speaking of inferior, how is that new iPhone 4 going for you guys??

Anyhow, the 2.2 upgrade does indeed carry Flash for viewing videos. After the update installed I went straight to espn.com to view some video blogs, and viola..seamlessly started. Honestly, the browser on this thing is amazing, it truly is a mini computer.

That leads into some hardware specs. These are hands down the most boring thing to talk about and read about, just know that the claims of faster, easier browsing the internet as well as native apps is true. Text messaging, internet, camera etc…all load considerably faster than before. I did not time this, but it is definitely obvious.

New UI, Notice the 'G' in the search bar, and the 3 new navi menu items at the bottom

Next comes the UI. Some changes did occur. The search bar has changed, just asEngadget displayedThere is a new ‘G’ next to the search bar, it is simply to show search history. It will display your search history for the web, apps, and contacts. Not sure how this is an upgrade, probably only and easier way to get caught testing the new flash 10.1 on the ‘adult’ rated sites….

New Twitter app installed with upgrade, better than the current twitter apps

Twitter jumped in the game, with a native app installed upon the upgrade. I was previously using twidroyd, and I can say instantly that the twitter app is much better. Bye Bye twidroyd sorry, however, the only issue I see is the twitter app will update everytime a friend or follower posts either to twitter or DM or just mentions you. If you have tons of friends…you get the idea. Make sure to turn that off simply to save some sanity.

The upgrades seem to be more widespread than just to mobile devices. Google and gmail have upped many of their UI to match the upgrades to the phone I would assume. Gmail got a facelift, latitude is as robust as ever, and google maps with street view on your phone is down right amazing…oh and they added google earth.

The last great expected upgrade is the Mobile Hot-spot. The Droid X and the EVO have it, unfortunately, this upgrade does not. It does however have a tethering option. Although you won’t be able to connect via WiFi..(yet)..you can connect via a USB. The same USB that comes as the charger..that simple. Especially cool when Verizon upgrades the network to 4G. I will be able to spend even more time aimlessly browsing the web for something cool.

It appears at first glance the upgrades are legit, the major one being flash. The browsing capabilities are amazing now, and will create less stress to web developers trying to get their websites mobile. Unfortunately, in my opinion, all for not. HTML5 will be here sooner that later and then we will all have video at our finger tips, and maybe just maybe, Mr. Jobs will be right……NAHHHHHH!

Have you ever heard the expression ‘They got jobbed’..I never understood that, but maybe I do now!

UPDATE: Looks Like a NEW twitter app is coming down the pike…Tweet Deck For Android

On the idea of great shows I saw Bela Fleck and the Fleck Tones. Victor Wooten could be considered the greatest bass player of all time. Bela Fleck is hands down the greatest banjo player of all time. Musically they are amazing, it is technical musicianship at its best.

Second I saw Dave Mathews Band at Red Rocks on Fourth of July Concert. They make multi platinum cd’s and DVD’s from a scene like this. To top it off, a little band known as The String Cheese Incident opened and jammed with them the entire time. Fire works and such in northern Colorado, okay you get the idea.

Lastly I was on stage at the Tempe Music Festival with Blues Traveler, Live, and Collective Soul. Laugh now, but it is unknown how musical these people are. We stood next to the drummer of Live, on stage as John Popper played harmonica…Simply unequivocal.  After the show he gave a harmonica to my brother…but thats another story if anyone is interested.

The point is, I have witnessed some pretty epic concerts, great musicianship, and very excited that these bands were into the music only. They seemed to play for the music and nothing else. I am aware of DMB and their amazingly fiscal tours but, for the sake of argument, they started and still appear to be all about the music.

ZBB did not slack in the musical bliss we are talking about. They are hands down the most musical group I have ever seen…. Yep ever, they are as technical as any band on earth…just saying.  I read an inteview were Mr. Brown said “above all, my band members can play their faces off” or something similar. Anyhow the point is, he claims they are, above all, musicians and they clearly proved it.

It was a moving, emotional experiance and I will pay money to see them again. They have a cruise coming up and I wish I could afford to go. It would be amazing!!

I just need to voice one opinion. I happened to leave my seat and on the way out land in an autograph line….at the front no less. At the end of the show, Zac Brown himself said “We Will Stay Til All Autographs Are Signed!” Awesome I thought…this guy is great!!

45 minutes into the line the security says, if your “passport isn’t signed you don’t get an autograph” the passport is a printed piece of coolness that is givin away upon entrance into the show. The only way the “passport” can get signed is if you buy merchandise. AKA $60 worth of shirts.

REALLY?? Your autograph is only worth more merchandise, not worth the $100 we spent on the tickets?

I felt like I saw the greatest show I have ever paid for, and was belittled into buying merchandise to feel worthy. Just didn’t seem right! I may be making something out of nothing, but so what!!! For the record Gretchen Wilson also did this at her concert. Hers was free to get in, it was held at Toby Keith’s I love this bar, but for the sake of arguement….IT WAS FREE!

Anyhow, great show ZBB you guys are truly epic, your abilities are unparalleled, I will definitely

see you again… ohh and thanks for the super tight shirt!!

This hack should work on any of the URL Shortening services out there but admittedly we’ve only tried it on bit.ly (which happens to be our favorite!).

Step 1: Type up your long secret message in any text editor.

Step 2: Do a Find and Replace (Spaces for Quotes)

Step 3: Copy and Paste Coded Message into bit.ly

Step 4: Tweet out your secret message bit.ly link

Step 5: (Well technically this should have been step zero) Instruct your followers on how to copy and paste your secret message back into a text editor and do a find and replace on the URL… after clicking the link of course.

Step 6: Profit!!!! (if you have any screenshots of this step in action please send our way as we would definitely like to profit )

What sets the GoGoStand apart from other stands is that you can fold it up and keep it in your wallet. Check out the video here. The GoGoStand really is the size of a credit card and easily folds up flat to fit in your wallet. After using the stand for a while, I have to say that I really enjoy it! It would be nice to have one in the office and one for travel. I also recently flew on a plane and was constantly trying to figure out where to hold my iPhone so that I could watch a video. The GoGoStand would definitely have made the holiday flight easier. If you want to see more reviews, check out the Facebook Fan Page.

A few last points about the GoGoStand 1. It comes in multiple colors 2. It costs $4.99 ( this includes shipping!) 3. There is a 1 year warranty and 4. Watch the video before you put it together. I was very exited to get one and I put it together and then I was sitting there wondering why it didn’t work holding the phone vertically. Duh! I had it put together backwards. It is definitely not hard to figure out, but it works better when you have it put together the right way!

Dean Liou, the creator of the GoGoStand, was gracious enough to answer some questions for us. (Thanks for your time Dean!) Here’s the interview:

Q: How did you come up with the idea of the GoGoStand?
A: Sometime back in September 2008, I came up with the idea for the iPhone Paper Clip Stand (youtube it!). It was created out of necessity. What made it so great was that it was FREE (love that word). What made it NOT so great was that you couldn’t really take it with you in a pocket or purse without a) messing it up b) it messing you up or c) both. So a few weeks later, I came up with a prototype design of the GoGoStand. Lots of grocery store club cards and expired credit cards were cut up and sacrificed in the pursuit of the perfect design. I believe that the GoGoStand is the best and simplest use given the constraints I set for myself. (must be plastic, must be size of credit card).

Q: Are there any variations in the works – different material or models?
A: Yes! In the very near future, a Christmas print designed GoGoStand will be available. I’m also searching for a cheaper, thinner material for GoGoStands so they can be sold in bulk for use as business cards and tradeshow giveaways.

Q: What do you consider the best feature of the GoGoStand?
A: The GoGoStand’s best feature is what I worked hardest on: Making it simple and sturdy (ok, that’s 2 features). In the process of designing the GoGoStand, I came up with LOTS of designs. Some required origami skills, others required house-of-cards-balancing acts. GoGoStand in its final form today is SIMPLE and that’s what I think makes it so great. Once someone sees the GoGoStand set up, they just “get it.” Some criticize that the $4.99 price tag is too steep. I’ve seen people commenting online, “$5 for that piece of plastic? I can cut that out myself with an xacto knife.” That’s totally true; you COULD cut that out yourself. However, it’s important to realize that the GoGoStand’s design didn’t just appear out of thin air and that it took a lot of thought, experimentation and starting over and over to get to this point.

Q: How does it perform on a plane? Does turbulence knock it over and if so have you found a remedy for this?
A: The GoGoStand passes with “flying” colors (groan). Unless the plane performs an airshow maneuver, the GoGoStand will pretty much stay put. It might slide around a bit, but it’s not going to keel over when you’re watching a movie in landscape mode on a bumpy plane ride. We could have some sort of rubber feet embedded in the GoGoStand to prevent sliding around, but then it wouldn’t be as easy to slip in and out of the credit card slot in your wallet. It’d be a nice addition, but would also raise manufacturing costs.

Q: What is the expected life for a GoGoStand? Does the plastic wear out?
A: With normal use, even daily use, I expect the GoGoStand to easily outlast your AT&T wireless contract. And no, the plastic doesn’t wear out. Even though the GoGoStand is the size and shape of a credit card, the GoGoStand is not made out of the same material as a credit card. It’s made of different, more flexible plastic. It’s not brittle like credit card plastic and doesn’t easily tear or crack. I guarantee the GoGoStand’s durability for 1 year. If it breaks within a year of your purchase, send it back to me and I’ll replace it free of charge.

Q: What are your favorite travel gadgets?
A: Other than the GoGoStand, right?
1. My iPhone. Last time we went on a trip, I didn’t bother bringing my laptop.
2. My pocket camera. Panasonic TZ-5 (also used to record the GoGoStand videos for youtube). Ok, it’s no DSLR (don’t own one), but it’s got a nice big lens for great low-light photos and HD video recording with autofocus while recording.
3. Bugaboo Bee baby stroller. Hmm, that’s a big gadget. This stroller sets up and breaks down in seconds, is also really easy to push around even with one hand.
4. For road trips: iPhone windshield mount. If mine broke today, I’d have a new one set up the very same night.
5. Spare contact lens cases included with the Costco 2-pack Alcon Opti-Free contact lens solution. Bear with me here; I can’t believe I almost forgot this. These spare contact lens cases are great for both me and the missus. They are water-tight and big enough to store makeup, hair gel, shaving gel, and medicines. Saves you from having to bring entire cans of product for a 3-day trip! Sure, you could pick up travel-sized products from Target, but where’s the fun in that? Just remember to label the cases with a sharpie so you don’t put shaving gel in your hair and hair gel on your face We’ve collected so many of these over the years that we have to store them in a plastic bag under the bathroom sink.

[flickr-gallery mode="search" tags="gogostand" user_id="43663040@N07"]

Hey folks, just a quick note to say that there are some fantastic deals out there right now! Especially if you’re flying to or from the midwest! Be sure to check out Allegiant Air, they fly into and out of Mesa’s Gateway Airport and they provide a great value for your money especially when you consider the hassle you don’t have to put up with that you would normally a big airport like Phoenix Sky Harbor! Check out the picture below to see all the great locations (like Grand Rapids Michigan or Cedar Rapids Iowa) that you can fly from into this great State of Arizona!

iTourAz is a blog dedicated to all things Arizona.

As Arizona residence, and knowers of much, we have embarked on a mission to discuss the most relevant topics of interest in Arizona. Interesting topics about Arizona, places in Arizona we have been, buildings, business, restaurants, sporting events and tourism to name a few. The State of Arizona is very diverse with many, many things of importance that we hope to bring to the peeps of the ‘net’. We will discuss all things awesome, some not to awesome, and bring you the true meaning of bodacity!

2008 had a multitude of costume idea but here are the Top 10 of 2008

1. (Adult)
2. (Adult) Pirate
3. (Adult) Vampire
4. (Adult) Cat
5. (Adult) Fairy
6. (Adult) Nurse
7. (Adult) Batman
8. (Adult) Political
9. (Adult) Ghost
10. (Adult) Angel

Halloween 2009 is the year of the Couples Costume. This year there are more costumes for couples than ever before. Couples costume for Halloween 2009 are just plain fun. Why not match your mate when your going to a Halloween costume party! Picking a Costume for Couples is easy. There are many themed costumes such as 70′s and 80′s, Fun Themed Costumes for Couples, Sexy Themed Costumes for Couples, or TV and Movie Themed Costumes for Couples. It is easier than before to match up your costume with a significant other or just a friend. They do all the work for you. There is no doubt there will be an abundance of diverce costumes this year, so choose wisely, and remember…Less is Better!