If you haven't seen the new Saab concept car, called the "Phoenix", you have to check out the video below. This car is aptly named as it will likely bring Saab out of the ashes and back to legitimacy as a leading automobile brand.  

Not only is it cutting edge, but the American designer has taken styling cues both from vintage Saab designs as well as his days at Pininfarina, giving it beautiful clean lines, and very non-Saab distinctive looks.  For information about the forthcoming launch go to http://newsroom.saab.com/news/news/saabphoenixconceptthefutureisalreadyhere.5.741c75ab12da7f448807ffe685.html

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I love the Woot business model, their fantastic deals and the following they have created. As a result, I subscribe to the Woot blog. Today's post, called "The United States of Songs: Kansas", made me think about how people view the State.

The author humorously describes how we don't really have any good Kansas songs. Really though, what the author is pointing out is that Kansas has an image problem. As pretty and inviting as the State really is, outsiders think we live in a land of vast tornado destruction and ignorance.

Maybe it's time for the travel and tourism to put forth a concerted PR campaign to educate the rest of the country about what Kansas is really about.

Yes, there are tornados in Kansas. Sometimes they destroy stuff, and occasionally injure or even kill people. But, the universal impact of a tornado is miniscule when compared to a hurricane's impact.  Just look at what Irene did this weekend.

Maybe it's time for the State to start marketing itself to individuals and companies in the Carolinas and the Gulf Coast region.

Kansas has jobs, a low cost of living, and it's safe. Yeah, the weather goes from one extreme to the other, but at least it's not usually catastrophic. The isolated tornado is not nearly as destructive as the "once every few years" ice storm, heavy snow, early/late freeze, drought, or extreme heat we experience.  This summer is the pinnacle of extreme heat.  Thank God for air conditioning and cold water!

Every place has it's own weaknesses, but in fairness to Kansas, the worst thing about the State really probably are the songs about it. :-)

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I've received the following video in an email a couple times and everytime I see it, it brings tears to my eyes. I don't know if it's because of this former Marine's awesome voice, the fact that it was so impromptu, or the power of the lyrics. I mean, I didn't even know there were four verses to the Start Spangled Banner!  

Whatever it is, it really makes an American swell with pride for our great nation and, as a Christian, all that our Founding Fathers endured for the liberties we enjoy today so that we can be...

One Nation

Under God

Indivisible

with Liberty

and Justice

for All.  

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Human powered flight has to be the holy grail of aerospace engineering.  Hang gliders, parachutes, even the crazy batsuits that have been featured in the media all testify to man's desire to fly.....without any power but his own.  

This week students at the University of Maryland brought mankind one step closer to fulfilling the dream when their Gamera helicopter broke the world record for human powered flight.  Check out the video:

From http://inhabitat.com/human-powered-gamera-helicopter-breaks-world-record/

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A friend of mine just emailed me this video and I couldn't help but share it. Though I've known about 3D printers for awhile, I didn't know that they are now capable of producing "copies" of objects with moving parts! This is unbelievably exciting!  When the day comes that they are able to create metal copies........well, the possibilities are mind boggling!  Enjoy!

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SaberCat1 filming in HD the B17 and the B25 WWII Bombers over and around Arizona's Superstition Mountains and Saguaro Lake. H5 Productions, in conjunction with The Commemorative Air Force filmed these aircraft during the Veteran's Day Celebration on Saturday, November 13th, 2010. The B17 Bomber was flown by pilot Russ Gilmore and the B25 Bomber was flown by pilot Spike McLane. The base for these bombers is Falcon Field located in Mesa, Arizona. SaberCat1 pilot, Mitch Kelldorf. SaberCat1 aerial cinematographer, Mike Murray. Editor, Mike Murray.

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via blogs.denverpost.com

Absolutely stunning images of the late 19th century West!

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Have you ever thought that a toy or game idea you have would appeal to the mass market? Daunted by the task of bringing the dream to reality? Check out this great post and hopefully it won't be so daunting!

Mark

How to Market Your Toy or Game

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

While toys and games are fun for all ages, the toy business is anything but child's play. If you have a game or toy and you're seeking to bring it to market, the task can seem daunting. Questions about manufacturing, distribution, shipping, packaging and marketing might seem overwhelming at first. In this article though, you'll learn that the trick is to tackle these things one at a time to ensure effective entry into the toy market.

1. Make a prototype. This process will probably take several steps and revisions, so don't invest too much money in your first mock up. Test thoroughly and make revisions to the rules or physical make up of the product before committing to something expensive like a molded prototype.
2. Get a patent. The process is simple and inexpensive. The toy business is as brutal as any other and a good concept will get co-opted by other companies quickly if the legal avenue to doing so has not been closed.
3. Go to a toy trade show. Don't rent a booth yet, it's far too early for that. Still, it's worth the entry fee to go to one of these shows and see how they work. The International Toy Fair in NYC is the world's largest, but there are a number of regional toy and game trade shows as well. Spending a day at one of these events will allow you to research products similar to yours, network with manufacturers, and meet and greet with influential toy buyers.
4. Ask yourself how involved you want to be. If you have a concept heavy product (namely, a toy that uses new technology or takes an existing toy in a radically new direction), it might be possible to market the patent directly to an existing toy company. Usually, this is not the case. Launching a new toy entails a huge financial investment and few large toy companies will invest in a patent for a toy or game that hasn't yet established a sales record.
5. Consider your market. Is this a toy that will appeal to infants, adolescents, or teens? Is it a game that can be marketed to adults as well as children? Will it appeal to people of a particular background or from a particular area more than others? Will it be expensive or inexpensive? Is it a one time purchase or a collectible? Answering these questions early will make the rest of the process much easier.
6. Design your packaging. If you're starting out from scratch, odds are good that you'll have to compromise and use the simplest packaging that will be effective. Ask yourself the basic questions first:
   • What type of packaging do you need?
   • Can your toy be sold loose in a countertop display or does it need to come in a box?
   • Should the product be covered with a photo on the front or should there be an acetate window so that the consumer can see it?
   • If you don't have artistic skill, it might be best to find a friend that can help you with logos, etc. Professional graphic designers are expensive and at this stage they will not help you much. It is only once your toy or game establishes a record of sales that you'll need to bring in the big boys.
7. Consider how you'll go about manufacturing the toy. The questions about manufacture will vary greatly depending on what type of toy or game you've created. Card game and board game designers can use custom services that specialize in creating inexpensive, high quality freelance games. If your toy is plastic or athletic in nature, you'll most likely have to turn to an overseas manufacturer to produce it at a price that will allow you to stay competitive.
8. Develop an action plan. Remember, you won't be trying to sell this toy to kids. You'll be trying to sell it to toy stores and retail outlets and to do so, you will have to convince them that your product will move.
   • How will your toy be sold?
   • Does it expand on a familiar line of toys or is it a new concept?
   • If it's new, will people know what it is right away or will it have to be demonstrated?
9. Start locally. It won't do you much good to bring your prototype into the local Toys R Us or chain outlet since nobody at the location would have the authority to put it on the shelves. Instead, start with locally owned and independent retailers. Smaller stores are always looking for the latest products so that they can offer their customers something the larger stores can't. Developing a good relationship with local toy store owners will do more than get your product on the shelf; they can radically influence their customer's purchasing decisions with a quick recommendation. If your toy sales are successful, local word-of-mouth becomes invaluable.
10. Be creative and think laterally when looking for retail locations. Just because your product is a toy doesn't mean you're limited to toy stores. If the toy encourages activity, it might do well in a sporting goods outlet or a nature-themed store. If it ties into skateboarding, you might find success in skate shops. Don't be afraid to try a store that might not make sense for your product. Remember, the store owner knows their customer better than you and might feel like your toy is a perfect fit even if you do not.
11. Think about ancillary products. Is your toy a one hit wonder or can it be expanded into a line of toys? Can your toy have accessories? Can it be made into a collectible? Are there similar products that could sell alongside it? Maximizing each sale is the fastest way to long-term success.
12. Don't give up! Don't be discouraged by early failures. This is all part of the learning process. If you strike out on a sale, ask yourself what you could have done better, adjust your pitch and keep trying.

Tips

• Ask yourself what makes your toy or game different from similar items on the market and use this difference when pitching your product.
• Be proactive. Get online, join forums, and read blogs from players in the toy industry. This will help you learn the industry lingo and network with potentially important contacts.
• Play with it as often as possible. The business end is tough so be sure to take time to play your game and remind yourself why you wanted to do this in the first place.

Warnings

• If you can do it yourself, do it yourself. There are a number of unscrupulous predators out there that will offer you PR services, distribution and financial planning, but odds are good that you won't need these services until you have established a market. Carefully weigh any solicitations for help and never pay somebody to do something until you've tried to do it yourself first.

Things You'll Need

• Prototype
• Patent
• Sales pitch

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Living in rural America, one often wonders what magic bullet will attract newcomers, entrepreneurs, artists, and other visionaries to their little community.  The other day that question was aroused in my mind when I saw this barbershop for sale on eBay with a top bid of $5000.  Now, I'm not a barber, have no interest in becoming one, and don't know anyone looking for this kind of opportunity.  But, it made me think, if I was an aspiring hair stylist I'd be all over this opportunity.  For what looks like will be a winning bid under $10,000, a person could have their business, fix up the studio apartment mentioned in the listing, and make their own dream come true in a small town USA.  

This is the way shopkeepers and merchants from the 19th century survived and built all the little towns dotting the midwestern landscape. Compared to what it would cost a starting hair stylist to rent a chair in a big city salon and then fight for clients, this small town shop looks like a golden opportunity for someone!  In fact, when you think about it, the monthly payment on this building would be less than the cost to rent a chair in a big city salon!

Gilman City, Missouri has a few hundred residents, but it has a restaurant, some shops and enough life in it that it's not ready to blow away yet!  Plus, it's only 19 miles to Trenton, with over 6000 residents and more shopping availability.  

Does your town have special opportunities like this available?  If so, it might just be the very place tomorrow's bootstrap entrepreneurs are looking for.....and need, to get started.  

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Transmission tower/antenna repairman

Can you get altitude sickness simply by watching a video?

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http://sustainableagriculture.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/NSAC_FoodSystemsFundingGuide_FirstEdition_4_2010.pdf

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Found this great story on Fox News. Very cool video!

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I absolutely love this video shot from the back of the world's fastest animal - the Peregrine Falcon. It's unbelievable how fast, and precise this amazing bird is in the air! Enjoy!

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Available soon from Martin Jetpack - New Zealand

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I missed this when it was on the Country Music Awards a couple weeks ago, but was so glad to receive it in an email forward from my Uncle.

For anyone with friends or loved ones serving in our armed forces, this will give you goosebumps. Thanks to all those in uniform who bravely serve these great United States of America!

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This is an email forward I received recently.  It made me think about the standards we choose to set for ourselves. 

Jeopardy Question

On Jeopardy the other night, the final question was - How many steps does the guard take during his walk across the tomb of the Unknowns ' ---- All three missed it -- This is really an awesome sight to watch if you've never had the chance.

Very fascinating. Tomb of the Unknown Soldier .

Q: How many steps does the guard take during his walk across the tomb of the Unknowns and why?

God Bless and keep them.

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