How connected are we to our network of people and what defines it?

Can a social network site be our only form of connection?  No physical meetings, no phone calls, no emails?

If so I don’t find that a very high quality interaction.  Hoping TownConnect can change that for people who agree.

In order to fix the drawer I had to remove it completely and in the process just missed losing a toe as 25 pounds of razor sharp utensils came flying out. I survived with a modicum of noise and cursing. A couple new wood screws, some WD-40 later and I was ready to star on This Old House; proud of any weekend handiwork accomplished without the use of duct tape.

On my third or fourth attempt to jam the drawer back into place I decided to lighten the load temporarily and remove a few items. I can’t go into complete detail for fear of reprisal but the sheer quantity, weight, variety and sharpness of items in that drawer was astonishing. Any non-silverware utensil we owned seemed to be in that drawer. To make things worse, there was a leaking, soy sauce packet that I had somehow skewered with a yellow, corn cob holder or lobster claw pick.

I know -He didn’t fix the drawer and not clean up the soy sauce?

Cmon. Every guy knows the it’s not “what you do but how you clean it up” rule.

Yes, I cleaned up the drawer but that soy sauce caused a series of Y-chromosome decisions that I will rue and you may learn from.

To clean up the soy sauce, I emptied the drawer. When I emptied the drawer, the number of repetitive utensils was immediately evident as they found freedom on the counter. For instance, I found seven spatulas (pictured), multiple large spoons, four sets of measuring cups/spoons each missing one or two sizes, random chopsticks and few wine openers I had been looking for.

1. Guy thought #1: Fix drawer - good.
2. Guy thought #2: Clean up - better but expected.
3. Guy thought #3: ORGANIZE the whole drawer for her and throw out all the old utensils- GREAT, WOMAN HAPPY.
4. Guy thought #4: Less utensils, lower weight - won’t have to fix drawer again.

Guys usually say “Ok, sounds reasonable”, “man, you are whipped” or “you should have used graphite spray instead of WD-40″. Women have a different reaction, especially when they find out I don’t cook or spend much time in kitchen. (I do grill but that is just to play with fire.)

What would your reaction be? Happy? Not happy? Why?

Things I liked:

1. Website: Liveperson chat feature to get questions answered immediately without waiting on the phone. Full transcript emailed to me so I could forward to accountants and lawyers and have a record of what we needed to do.
2. They emailed the forms I needed to fill out while we were in the chat session. The forms were already pre-filled with my corporate information.
3. Personal service: After we filed a request, a customer service agent followed up with a phone call as we had omitted a few pieces of information. Rather than forcing us to start the process over she helped us complete the form over the phone.

Background –

When we incorporated TownConnect we chose a corporation vs. an LLC so that our staff could participate in a stock option plan. Based on the numbers of shares you authorize, the state bills you franchise taxes accordingly. Thinking big — we authorized a lot of shares which resulted in a franchise tax bill over $30,000. Now, TownConnect didn’t really owe $30,000 because there is alternative method of filing (par value) which put our tax bill under $150 for our first year of operations.

I wonder if there are many startups who authorize a smaller amount of shares and who just pay the bill not knowing they are overpaying?

The alternative method requires a few forms to be filled out and sent in. Unfortunately, we hadn’t hired a bookkeeper yet and filling out forms ranks really low on my priority list so didn’t get around to it. When the Division of Corporations sent a letter regarding the tax filing and our status, it was time to take action.

After a false start delegating this to my bookkeeper, I investigated.  Rather than wait on hold and navigate options, I was able to get my questions answered in a live chat session (7 minutes) and one phone call (they called me).

Special thanks to our customer service rep, Dot Savage, who was very helpful.

2007-2008 Season is a first in sports:  4 teams in the finals with 2 championships.

• Patriots - Super Bowl
• Red Sox - World Series Win
• Revolution - whatever they call the finals - MLS Cup?
• Celtics- Champions!

Add Boston College championships to the mix and Boston is title town.

The top Mike is Mike Little who seems to have been blogging since birth.

The #1 Mike Ford is a running back at South Florida. I checked out his profile here:

“Scouting Report: Everyone likes football players – guys that just know how to play and make it enjoyable when you watch them. Mike Ford is one of those guys. He never leaves the field. Whether it’s running the ball, defending the pass, or on special teams, Ford is always making plays. He averaged 120 yards a game last season and really went off on opposing defenses at the end of the season. Ford brings a lot of instincts, toughness, and competitiveness to the table. Oh, and speed too. On the track, Ford has been timed at sub 11.0 in the 100m. He’ll continue making plays this season and then someone will be getting a fast, instinctive, and productive back for the next level.” I have to say its about friggin’ time someone noticed Mike Ford’s football skills after 20 years. Never saw #44 in action? Glory Days

#2 was campaign organizer for Howard Dean.

#3: www.MikeFord.com!!! Yes! A Bronze Medal!

The top Michael Ford is the former President’s son followed by four Michael Ford authors, a famous set decorator, NASCAR Crew Chief and a Canadian rocker.

Some tough competition in Mike Ford land: Fortunately for me, I own the domain names and as the owner of the official website of Mike Ford and Michael Ford I think it only fair and responsible that I help all the Mike Ford’s of the world.

So if your name is Mike Ford, and you are not me, send me your biographies and I will post them and put a link to the website of your choice. A Mike Ford directory.

Michael Ford

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Michael Ford may be:

• Michael Curtis Ford, American historical novelist
• Michael Gerald Ford, son of former U.S. president Gerald R. Ford
• Michael Julius Ford, American terrorist
• Michael W. Ford, musician and writer of LHP Satanic books Liber HVHI and Luciferian Witchcraft
• Michael D. Ford, award-winning set director, known for his work on Titanic and the Star Wars movies.

Mike Ford may be:

• Mike Ford (musician), a Canadian musician
• Mike Ford (Auto Racing Crew Chief), NASCAR Crew Chief
• John Milo “Mike” Ford (1957-2006), writer, game designer
• Mike Ford (rugby), an English ex-Rugby League player and Rugby Union Coach.
• Mike Ford (footballer), former English footballer

Rolling Stone roasted us but gave the Computer.com commercial credit and ranked it #24 of the Top 25 Super Bowl Commercials of all time. This is quite an honor seeing as thought the commercial aired only once and the company is no longer in business.

Who made the commercial? I studied long and hard to learn how to snort when I laugh. These people are the professionals-Merkley Newman Harty, Jeff Vinick, Director Lloyd Stein, Encompass

Charlie Schroeder of Weekend America/American Public Media interviewed Mike Zapolin (my partner at Computer.com) and I to talk about our launching the company with a Super Bowl ad.

You can listen in to the interview via their website or podcast.