Ninja Mask

We came across this image years ago on the Net, and we found it again with a Google Image search. But what is a mask for? This Wikipedia article suggests ceremonial uses, to prevent recognition, protective, punitive, and other uses. And how will you use your Ninja Mask? With great power comes great responsibility!

Ninja Partners

We came across this video clip, and it cracks us up! We are extremely fortunate to have each other as partners, but every once in a while it feels just like this. Enjoy, and may you find a great partner yourself!

TLCmagic Take Three, You're Out!

It had to happen sooner or later, they took down TLCmagic and put up more signs in the windows. You saw Take One and Take Two, and now this is the last of the Drivebys. But watch this space, for we have much more to say about signs, designs, and Ninjas!

You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink.

We summited our version of An Invitation To Giving, and it was taken over by Microsoft Publisher and totally changed into another creature called "Brochure"!

Would you rather get an Invitation or a Brochure?

You be the judge!

TLCmagic Take Two

Last week we did a Driveby Shooting, and today we came back for more. Our URL is still there, but now it is surrounded by even more signs, and decorated with the Flag. God Bless America!

Smarter Conversations

This past week we were reminded of Hugh MacLeod's thoughts on "smarter conversations", and particularly these two points:

5. Ruthlessly avoid working for companies that “don’t get it.”
Yeah, you may have to turn down a few gigs, and that can really hurt when the rent is due. Still, anything that’s easy to get isn’t worth having.

6. Ruthlessly avoid working for companies that think they know better than you.
Luckily, if you get the whole “smarter conversations” thing, their “Yes, buts” will just seem rather empty, making them easier to “toss out like old furniture.”

We do want to have smarter conversations. Don't you?

Synchronicity

This morning, Bill's custom-built usual working computer with dual monitors, to your left in the picture, would not turn on. Bill switched to the single monitor computer, to your right, and just continued on. Later Misty replaced a power supply and processor fan, and the usual working computer was up and running.

All this was possible because of Misty's technical knowledge, our inventory of computer parts, and our nightly synchronization of computers. Is YOUR data backed up, is YOUR system backed up? How much does it COST per hour if you cannot get on your computer and do your work? What is your business model DESIGN? Good questions, huh?

Sailing Into The Wind

Neither of us had ever seen a sailboat on Lake Norfork before, but this evening we did, and geese too! Notice the geese have the wind at their backs, while the boat sails into the wind.

We have noticed sometimes when we make a choice to do what is best for us, it seems like there are more forces against us, and the appearance is that it is easier to go with the flow than against the flow.

Good example 1: When we got married everyone except Bill's best friend Bud Guess told us to wait and wait and not to get married so soon. We went against the wind and are very happily married.

Good Example 2: When we started our own business, all of Misty's family was telling us that we shouldn't do that. We went against the wind and have had a very successful and fun business together.

Been sailing into the wind lately, or are you one of the geese?

TLCmagic Take One

If you read our blog often, you know we like to have fun. Like when Bill stole the UPS man's dolly just to get a picture for a blog post. Our latest trick is when we moved out of our old office to become more Mobile, we left our website address at the bottom of the door. We wondered how long it would stay up, and what great mashups we might get with new signs.

So, here we have TLCmagic Take One. Over the weekend we did a driveby photo shoot of the Office on the Corner on the Square and found that we have become integrated with the Republican Party. Oh the Humanity, Horror, and Humor of it all!

Full Moon & Rising Sun

The Full Moon & Rising Sun, and two gray herons welcomed us as we started our walk by Lake Norfork this morning.





Colton & Madison both had early falls, and we all had an early Fall with cool temperatures and fog.

Why Do You Rob Banks? Because That's Where The Money Is.

We were shown this example to the left of a brochure encouraging gifting to a non-profit organization, and were asked if we might do something similar.


We did this one below in the form of an invitation, and we think it is quite different.

Which one will get better results?

Burning Sticks is Like Design

Sometimes all we have to work with is a pile of dead things, so we have to burn it down and start from scratch. And if it doesn't burn fast enough, we call for backup, our neighbor Linn Sonkens, and have him cover it in crankcase oil. Out with the dead things and in with the new ideas.