Armani is Famous?

Many of you know that our dog Armani was in OPM's grand opening fashion show.  During that show, he was recruited for a fashion show at Saks.  This event was hosted by Gilda's Club which raises money to help people through the Cancer process.  They are trying to raise 3 million to build a new home and this event was the big kick-off.  Now, full speed ahead as they have to raise the money to build the support home!

To show our support loaned our little guy out.  Check out his mohawk for the evening!  He sure looks happy in that models lap backstage as well, whos top dog now?

The event was a great success and tons of fun.  Check out more pictures here, and here.

Look out for the next big event coming soon - I'm sure Armani will be in the show - and maybe we'll see some more clothing and handbags from OPM!

McCain's Campaign Manager Rick Davis vs. Sam The Eagle (Muppets)

I was watching the debate tonight and I had a revelation afterwards watching the commentary. You have got to watch the following two youtube videos at the same time!

McCain's VP vs. Obama

I don't understand why McCain would choose such a new and inexperienced politician when he would be using Obama's inexperience against him in the election.... but read about who he choose as his VP.

Besides, Obama has 10 years of political experience (Hillary and John Edwards had six). He has been a state senator and US senator. Keep in mind his degree from Columbia is Political Science with emphasis on international relations. While a US Senator he served on three of the four foreign relations committees and served on several subcommittees involving specific countries.


What Obama recently said during his acceptance speech pretty much sums it all up - "We may not agree on abortion, but surely we can agree on reducing the number of unwanted pregnancies in this country," He mentioned similar statements about gay marriage and gun control.

Although I may not agree on all of Obama's views, I think the most important thing for our country is to earn our respect back. We can only do that with an intelligent, well spoken president. McCain won't ramble quite like Bush but he doesn't even know what countries border Iraq or how many houses he owns.

It take a congress to pass new laws, we can vote Obama in and pressure congress for the things we don't want Obama to change.

Taiwan is HOT !!

So, with all that we have going on it just wasn't enough for us! Susan and I are back in Taiwan for 12 or so days. Its one year from when we were here with her brother during his terminal cancer and funeral. There is a special ceremony after one year so we had to come to be with the family.

First things first, it is HOT! Actually, it isn't much over 90 but the humidity is around 60% so you feel sticky all the time. In case you don't know, homes here don't have central air and are not that well insulated. This makes the best method of cooling off by fans, lots of them! But somehow, we all still drink hot tea.

While here we might visit Green Island for a day trip since Susan hasn't been there either. I'll hit the driving range a few times with her dad as well. I have to polish up my skills before heading back to the US. We also have some work planned as we'll be out looking at some manequins later today and I'm sure we'll checkout some couches and chandeliers as well.

After our 12 days here we'll have some guests back in Minnesota with us. Her parents and aunt and uncle are coming back with us. Since there isn't much to do or see in Minnesota for a non-English speaking tourist there will be a trip planned to the East Coast. We'll spend a few days at home to catch up with construction on our boutique, OPM, and than head East. The plan is to spend two days in Boston, a few in New York City and two or three in Washington D.C. While in New York, Susan and I will be ordering for our store for the Spring 2009 lines while her family does the tourist deal. Fortunately I'll be able to go as well because I am taking this semester off from school to focus on the boutique. I really didn't want to take time off from school because I'm far enough behind as it is but after my first semester and a full summer of classes I at least got a good start. The most important thing now is to make sure the boutique is successful. With the size of investment involved we have to take it very seriously.

Stay in touch for some pictures from this trip!

Update

Well, I am not sure what exactly to tell but I haven't made a post in awhile. All I can say is that I have been very busy! I have class every morning and usually have meetings most days of the week afterwards regarding the new boutique. Construction should be starting in about a week so I'm sure it'll get worse before it gets better. It sure takes a lot of work to bring everything together in order to open a store. A short list would be:

• POS system
• monitored security system
• CCTV
• public relations/marketing
• website
• permitting with the city
• lighting fixtures
• furniture
• store displays
• and most important - finding, contacting, ordering from TONS of vendors!

Permit to Carry a Handgun Laws

Well, I am sure this will be a hot topic but I have finally received my permit to carry a handgun a couple months ago. During the class and with my experience so far, most people are grossly misinformed about what this means.

1. Allowing people to take a gun safety class about how to carry a gun, the responsibilities of carrying a handgun, the laws relating too and implications of using your gun and then having to pass an extensive background check by the government will not lead to more violent crime. Criminals will just go ahead and get a handgun to commit their crime without taking the class and doing a background check. The only people this law effects are law abiding citizens that have an exemplary background. During this background check, if an applicant has ever even mentioned something to a police officer and it went into a report it will be reviewed and possibly be grounds for denial of your application.

2. During the class an applicant will learn that they cannot go out and be vigilanti of crime. The only time a permit holder can use his/her gun would be when they are in danger of "great bodily harm or death". There is one important step that a person must do before they can legally protect themselves with a gun. The law states that a person in danger must first try to remove themselves from the situation. If someone uses their gun in self defense when there was an exit strategy, that person will be facing murder charges. Also worth mentioning is the civil responsibilities. In most cases there will be a civil lawsuit whether the gun was used legally or not. All gun permit holders must be planning on $20,000 in attorney fees or more during the aftermath. Of course, there is the most difficult thing of all if a permit holder decides to use their gun - living with the memory of killing another human being.

These things alone will prevent a rise in gun deaths among many others.

I also don't understand the companies who decide to post a sign in the window not allowing guns on their premises. Do they think this will stop a criminal from coming in to their establishment and robbing them? I would be surprised if these signs alone are not a reason for an increase in crime. If I were thinking of robbing a joint, I would be sure to go to a place not allowing handguns there!

Two problems with the signs:

1. You will normally never realize if someone is a gun permit holder and carrying a gun. Gun permit holders will keep their guns concealed so that someone doesn't call the cops on them every time they go out and to maintain the element of surprise if it is needed. By the way, the fine for carrying a gun into an establishment is a misdemeanor which gets you a ticket which is cheaper then a parking violation.

2. Permit holders have been through a gun safety class and extensive background check. They are safest of all customers to have in an establishment. Don't forget the above law - in most cases, it would be smartest to let a robbery go down at an establishment due to the 'exit law'. A smart permit holder would only use his gun if he was in dire straights because of the difficulties it would cause in the future.

Back to College

I am starting this on a whim so this post may end up being pretty short and generic. Many of you know that I have recently returned to college at St. Thomas. Not to say it was easy by my first semester I receive an A in Accounting, A- in Early Christian Theological Traditions, and a B+ (3.6) in Business Ethics. I mention the 3.6 because I feel short changed. I worked very hard and a 3.67 is an A - but a B+ starts at 3.35 I beleive. I have yet to ask the professor about that one but I'll be picking up my tests from her next week.

The most challenging part is balancing work with studying. Thankfully I work with my fiance on our own business so the hours are flexible. However, if anyone holds me accountable it would be Susan and she is a tough one! Its all for a good reason though and we help keep eachother up on our tasks.

This summer I have been taking micro economics at Normandale. So far so good - our first exam is coming up on Tuesday so I'll have a better feel for the class after that point.

Well, thats all for now I suppose. I often think up many good things to write about and will try to stop back more often.