Thomas Cox » Life

Election 08

Thomas Cox — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 21:49:16 +0000

I have pretty much kept my thoughts and opinions regarding this election to myself, save for some work and friend discussions. That being said, I am excited for the outcome either way. I personally do not agree with Obama’s policies, however I am interested to see what a likeable, charasmatic leader that is viewed positively by the world can do for America if he wins. As for McCain, I do agree with most of his policies and am therefore completely ok him winning.

IZEA Fest, John Chow and Dinner

Thomas Cox — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 05:09:40 +0000

When I first moved to Orlando in 1999, it seemed to be a city void of anything remotely considered a tech industry and short on the creative side as well. What was here other than Disney? Fast forward to 2008 and things have really changed, or maybe my eyes are just open. I started really noticing it around 2005 and have seen continued growth and a real technology and creative community really blossom. I admitedly have no immersed myself in the community nearly enough but have had the pleasure of meeting some of Orlando’s finest.

After working on Friday, I thought it would be in my best interest to check out the final day of IZEA Fest on Saturday. Waking up a little late, I made the unbearably long 5 minute treck from my house to the Grand Boehmian hotel in downtown Orlando. I was impressed by the couple of sessions I saw and learned some great new things. I also happened to know John Chow was attending IZEA Fest, so one of my missions was to meet up with him.

John and I go way back to the original dot com boom when we both ran successful tech websites that grew up as members of the Maximum PC Network. My site, AbsolutePC.net fell by the wayside as the college life of studying, girls, and partying claimed AbsolutePC.net as its victim and so did a domainer. John’s site, TheTechZone is still going strong and continues to earn a good income. He may now be best known however for his personal blog, which while focusing on making money online, it is truly his personal blog with cool restaurant reviews and funny stories to go along with his money making tips, and of course his posts about how much money he makes by telling you how much money he makes. So since speaking with him online since 1999, we finally met in person in 2008. After a quick chat during a break, we checked out the last sessions of the day and parted ways. I returned downtown for the IZEA Fest party and had an absolute blast. Open bar is always a good idea… which then turns into a bad idea and a little too much fun. Suffice it to say, Sunday hurt.

Wednesday was John’s last night in Orlando, so I invited John and his wife Sarah out to experience what I consider one of the finer culinary experiences Orlando has to offer, HUE. We had an amazing dinner which you can read all about and take in the pictures on John’s blog. It was great getting to know John and Sarah and I thoroughly enjoyed our dinner and conversation. I learned alot and made 2 great new friends. Thanks John, it was great to finally meet!

Hilarious

Thomas Cox — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 18:00:00 +0000

Wow Jib Jab has increased their budget for production of these things haven’t they?

Send a JibJab Sendables® eCard Today!

An Update on Life

Thomas Cox — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 20:56:24 +0000

Things are going very well and many things have occurred since I last updated this blog(not that I was every real revealing in my personal life). I made a career move last November, it was something that was necessary to do due to finances. NFi was great and a wonderful experience but I felt stale and needed a change. The learning environment no longer existed and it was time to experience something new. I moved on to INViSiON Industries and am directing our online presence entirely. From coding to SEO and email campaigns, it all falls under my direction. Our company is very interesting and we deal with subject matter near and dear to my heart. Through college one of my hobbies was working on my cars sound and entertainment systems. Well, INViSiON creates OEM and Dealer Direct Rear Seat Entertainment systems which you can order with your car direct from the dealer. We do not sell aftermarket or direct to the consumer. The systems are very high quality and very cool. We have recently launched a brand new site which will soon feature online ordering for our dealers and many more exciting new features. Be sure to check it out. Find out more about INViSiON Industries… also Macraes Blue Book on INViSiON Industries

All That Jazz

Thomas Cox — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 01:20:13 +0000

I love living near the downtown and Winterpark areas, there are so many interesting, cultural activities to be involved in. Following the UCF homecoming football game versus Marshall I want to check out two events in my neighborhood this Saturday, November 3rd. The problem is both are at the same time and both involve Jazz! Choices, choices.

The College Park neighborhood is having its annual Jazz festival. The concert begins at 6pm and seating is available on a first come, first serve basis and the cost is free. “Just pack a picnic basket with your favorite food and beverages, grab a blanket or lawn chair and sit back to enjoy a warm fall evening under the stars, filled with beautiful jazz music and good friends!” Sounds like a good time to me. Interestingly, Alcoholic beverages are permitted for those 21 and older. I love being able to have a drink outdoors.

Additionally, Leu Gardens is hosting its Fall Jazz Stroll, consisting of live music and candlelit walks through the gardens. “Enjoy an evening of jazz & blues music performed by Beautiful Bobby Blackmon, The Robert Harris Group and Lindy & Sol Y Mar with candlelit walkways in Orlando’s most beautiful garden. Pack a dinner picnic basket and bring a blanket or chairs.” I enjoyed my first visit to the gardens recently and can think of no better date night. Tickets are $17 and went on sale October 22nd, the gardens will close at 3pm and reopen at 7 for the stroll.

I may just have to figure out a way to do both!

Coffee Cups

Thomas Cox — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 20:04:09 +0000

A group of alumni, highly established in their careers, got together to visit their old university professor. Conversation soon turned into complaints about stress in work and life.

Offering his guests coffee, the professor went to the kitchen and returned with a large pot of coffee and an assortment of cups – porcelain, plastic, glass, crystal, some plain looking, some expensive, some exquisite – telling them to help themselves to the coffee.

When all the students had a cup of coffee in hand, the professor said: “If you noticed, all the nice looking expensive cups have been taken up, leaving behind the plain and cheap ones. While it is normal for you to want only the best for yourselves, that is the source of your problems and stress.

Be assured that the cup itself adds no quality to the coffee. In most cases it is just more expensive and in some cases even hides what we drink. What all of you really wanted was coffee, not the cup, but you consciously went for the best cups… And then you began eyeing each other’s cups.

Now consider this: Life is the coffee; the jobs, money and position in society are the cups. They are just tools to hold and contain Life, and the type of cup we have does not define, nor change the quality of life we live.

Sometimes, by concentrating only on the cup, we fail to enjoy the coffee.
Savour the coffee, not the cups! The happiest people don’t have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything. Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly.