I am saddened also for the world that we live in that individuals feel hurting innocents makes their cause just, makes them feel powerful, makes them feel righteous.

We are one planet. We are one species. What is wrong with us?

Thinking about what I have been thinking about… There are times that we all get highly motivated. Regardless of the topic, for some reason we simply are enthrall by getting so “into” something that we lose track of everything else. Has that ever happened to you? Topics and ideas can ebb and flow. Entire areas of immersion can change; be it sports, writing, work, family, martial arts, drawing, building a business, running, or anything else. Often, I find myself weaving in and out of different “phases” of effort, creativity, frustration, happiness, and “stickiness” at different times in my life. For the last 7 years I have been “blogging”, but for about 2 solid years I was really into posting thoughts, ideas, ponderings and what I felt was helpful information… Then, I moved more into social media and my personal writing waxed and waned as my schedule varied. At times, like the past year, sitting down and getting my personal thoughts out has been non-existent. This is neither good or bad, but just is. I know many many amazing prolific bloggers. Those with personal agendas, those with ideas and insights, those in a mission, and I applaud you all. Passion and drive and even obsession are amazing things, they lead to commitment, overcoming obstacles, discovery, and pushing beyond the rational to achieving the impossible. I know this may sond like a goodbye or a swansong, but it is not. I am honest enough with myself that I also do not want to say “I’m back” as I have said that numerous enough times only to find my attention waver as the demands of real life garner my attention. What I wanted to say was, I hope you enjoy the times when I DO post, and forgive the long times when I may be away. Balance. That is what it is all about. Scott

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Are your children in the toddler / pre-adolescent phase of life? They exploding into howling fits in the middle of stores? Here is the second children's book written and illustrated by my amazing wife Trish.

The Trouble With Tantrums tells the story of Joshua and how he works to understand and cope with his feelings and emotions.

Have you ever had a truly horrible day? Of course, you have! We all have them. When Josh has his own bad day, he can't take it anymore. All of his discomfort builds up inside of him and leads to an explosion of emotion. Luckily, daddy is there to explain what is happening to him. Josh learns all about tantrums: what they are, why they happen, how to divert them, and where to go when they are imminent. It's a good thing that Josh learned all about tantrums because mommy has just come home — and she had a truly horrible day, too.

The Trouble With Tantrums can be purchased through Amazon.

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So, here we are at the end of 2013. The new year causes everyone to be reflective and to look forward and I guess I am no different.

Waking up this morning, the end of the year actually gave me pause. I started thinking about all of the amazing things that I have accomplished, and all of the things I let go… Writing was definitely one of the things I “let go”. Along with writing, though there are a number of other things I wanted to accomplish that I failed to start or simply were not as important as I needed them to be to turn the idea into a sustained habit. But, I would like them to be… That said, I am proud of the things that I DID accomplish:

2012

• I took up running as a relatively serious hobby (and for health reasons). In this time:
• I ran just about 600 miles
• Went through 2 pairs of running shoes
• I ran four 5K races, and my first 1/2 marathon
• Running helped me lose almost 60 lbs and keep it off (I now weigh the same or less than when I got married)
• I lost 3 pant sizes and 1-2 shirt sizes
• I am down to 1/2 of the blood pressure medication I was taking and I am working on getting rid of that as well…
• I no longer have sleep apnea
• I read to my boys almost every night – we are now on book 6 of David and Leigh Eddings outstanding Belgariad and Mallorean series – once we make it through all 10 books, I think we will either start the Elenium series of move to Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series… Either way tone of reading ahead of us
• We got Baxter – our loving ball of golden fur
• Joshua turned 8 and started the 3rd grade
• My amazing wife Trish and I celebrated our 17th anniversary
• I finally got a new car and I am proud to say that I am not embarrassed to be driving a mini-van. Our Town and Country is incredible
• I helped Trish publish her first children's book (her second should be out in early 2013)
• I started working seriously with a great friend to strengthen and build a new company
• And more…

But, in all of that time, I also lost sight of a number of things that I wanted to do… I wanted to do daily push-ups and sit-ups… I wanted to write… I wanted to do more around the house… I wanted to be more relaxed with myself and not so regimented… I wanted to laugh more and worry less… I wanted to fix the things that need to be fixed… I wanted to sleep more (really going to sleep at 12a-1am or later and getting up at 5a is silly)…

So, here is to building new! To continuing the good accomplishments and habits of old and executing on those new endeavors that mean so much to have a place in your heart and desire:

2013

Here is to continuing the great things of 2012 and working harder on:

• Being a better husband and father
• Working with Baxter as a running partner – get some mileage on those paws!
• Launching EdReach Avenue
• Finding my voice again in writing… Or at least my VLog series
• Working on little parts of the house daily or weekly to fix the things that need to be fixed, improve those that I want improved, stop being ok with areas just because things are not in my way
• Getting stronger and healthier
• Taking control of those things I need to and letting go of those things I don't
• Learning something musical with Joshua… He got a drum kit from Santa
• Laughing and loving more…

Here is to a great new year!

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Have a Kindle or anything that uses the Kindle app? Like reading to your pre-schoolers? Have a young child (or grandchild) that is still a little nervous about meeting with the “Big Guy”? This cute story might be a wonderful small gift that can help and be fun at the same time. Meeting Santa is written and illustrated by my amazingly talented wife Patricia Weidig.

About Meeting Santa:

What happens when a precocious, independent pre-schooler meets Santa Claus for the very first time? This delightful book follows a bright, imaginative child through his anticipation and awed meeting of Kris Kringle. Whimsical illustrations provide humor for children and adults. Meanwhile, parents and children will enjoy Santa’s wise explanation of what it really means when he asks, “Have you been good this year?” This novel, written by a veteran teacher and mother of two, supports the patience required of anyone who loves and/or works with children.

Learn more about Meeting Santa at Amazon.com

Apple’s OTA upgrade process and focused hardware lets iOS 5.1 hit 61% adoption in 15 days… While Android ICS languishes at 1.6% after months…

Here is a quick article that describes the issue and a couple of things to try to get those updates moving again. Hope it helps you, it got me through updating 24 apps finally.