The Stokes Life

8 Feb 2011

Be Open

There are many aspects to deciding on what type of product or service you want to bring to the market. You work tirelessly to get it just right. You have a clear concise vision in your head that makes sense. You share it with those close to you and the feedback is great... you think you've got it!

Ready for market you have your first presentation, then another. Soon you realize your perfect idea isn't so perfect. At least the way you envisioned it.

This happens all the time in business and in life. What you think in your own mind is only as good as you belive it to be.

The key to not falling in the pile of other good ideas gone bad, is make sure when you deliver your idea do it with passion and most importantly don't be scared of the feedback you recieve.

Feedback can be used to morph what you set out to build into many different flavors. Don't fight it! Listen and be inventive.

I tend to get aggrivated and at times and want to drive my ideas the exact way I want them heard. Pride can be so destructive.

Just thought I would share a lesson I have been learning over the past few years of running my own business.

Thanks fir reading!

24 May 2010

Her Own Paradise

5 Feb 2010

I am envious of how comfy she is.

Miss Tiger will avoid you and your petting. But come bed time look out!

1 Feb 2010

HBO Real Sports - Concussions in the NFL

Link: http://hbo.com/#/real-sports-with-bryant-gumbel/episodes/0/154-january-19-2010

HBO Real Sports,

First off thank you for bringing this to light. I have no association with the NFL rather I am a fan of the sport at all levels. I enjoy watching the sport whether high school, college, or NFL.

My love for the sport has grown recently as my son just finished his 4th year of playing football at age 9. We live in Oklahoma, and like our surrounding states they start them young. When I played football in high school we didn't put on pads for the first time until I was in 7th grade.

I have helped coach my sons team for the past four years. I have to say I have seen him take some hits that I wouldn't get up from. He of course knows it is part of the sport and this past year he has learned to 'unleash' when he is at point of impact. It is constantly taught, "it is better to hit than to get hit". Which makes sense and for the most part is true. However, I can't help but think what is really going on inside that helmet.

I am more concerned about the life my son will live in his thirties than how far he will go in the sport of football. He loves playing and I have expressed safety in all the drills and how he plays but as we all know it is a matter of time before the big hit comes. And as they stated, it may be the total combined hits taken over ones career that cause the most damage.

I can't help but ask as a concerned parent and coach of these young athletes... What long term effects do hits to the head have when they start at the age of six years old? Have any studies of this nature been done on the youth football?

Again, thank you for your attention to this issue and if you have any input I would greatly appreciate it.

31 Jan 2010

Big Sur in the Morning - @TreyRatcliff

via flickr.com

Wow I almost forgot how much I miss California... this is beautiful!!
Big thanks to Trey Ratcliff of www.Stuckincustoms.com

30 Jan 2010

Haiti Earthquake 3 « merging cultures

Today, I have just heard of a miracle.

A 5 year old boy was found alive after 8 days under the rubble.

How is that possible? It can only be God.

The only other miracle I have heard of was when some friends gave birth to a baby that the hospital had said was dead. Hospitals don’t make those kinds of errors.

World Relief’s team is continuing to feed thousands of people, we are expanding our feeding centers daily, and providing medical to hundreds. The work the team is doing is amazing.

I am so proud to be associated with these guys. They are all so upbeat and full of energy. God is truly working through them. They are having an impact despite the most difficult conditions imaginable.

Keep praying for the people of Haiti and all the relief workers helping. This is the beginning of a long road and we will still be there once CNN has left.

via mergingcultures.wordpress.com

This post was written by Gareth Evans.

Please support the work World Relief is doing in Haiti. www.worldrelief.org

2 Jan 2010

Nice present to wake up to.

My lovely wife surprised me this morning with a new addition to our living room... a recliner!!!

I have wanted one for years and never committed to buying one and knowing myself problably wouldn't have.

Thanks babe!

31 Dec 2009

Happy New Year

A quick thank you to everyone I have spent time with this past year. Looking back it was a very busy and exciting time both personally and business. I am very excited for 2010 and look forward to the experience to come!

-- Sent from my Palm Prē

27 Dec 2009

EA Sports NHL 09 on the Xbox - Love it!

I really enjoy this game. My friend David got it for Kaleb for Christmas. I have never personally played hockey or much understood the rules of the sport. After a couple days of hacking my way through on the xbox I have to say I have anew found respect for the sport in general. It is similar to basketball but with a few twists and some hard pounding. I am excited to go to another hockey game with an understanding of the game. A definite recommend for the xbox.