Phil Ladden . com

Long time residents are calling this desert storm one of the largest they can remember!

Haboob? That’s what I was thinking. The Middle Eastern term is one for a huge desert storm. And that’s what hit yesterday in the Valley of the Sun, er, today known as the Valley of Dust.

No matter where you live, you probably have heard or seen pictures and video about it. This was my first experience of this weird type of storm.

They were still talking about it today on the news. It was big. Apparently this thing got going from Tucson and just grew from there.

The fact that this thing covered the valley is impressive. As you may know, I’ve walked across the valley and one of the impressions of doing that is that the valley is BIG. This storm was bigger. Epic as the newscast labels it!

There are so many videos on youtube recording the moment … I kind of like this guy’s report:

Amazing how dark it turns the day. I went out briefly into it as it hit the area I live and you immediately get a face, eye, and mouthful of sand.

So, my impression? The Haboob’s bark is worse than its bite. Now I should admit that by the time it had hit the North Valley, the winds had weakened and it was more of a nuisance because everything was covered in dirt. It is a very eery kind of thing. But it doesn’t really compare to other types of weather phenomenon.  I mean, how many people stand in the direct path of a tornado and record it …. and live to tell about it! Colorado blizzards are far more dangerous. Hurricanes too.

I have now experienced AND survived my first Phoenix dust storm. I am proud to have all the long time residents talking about its epic nature. For me, it really is just a dirty mess.

A BLACK asphalt parking lot the day after the 2011 Phoenix Dust Storm.

I probably shouldn’t tell you this, but this is the same Phoenix that sent reporters out live shortly after I moved here to cover the areas weather when the valley was experiencing … wind. Yep, it was epic.

Pictures of Fireworks around my social media

I thought I would share a few pictures of fireworks I’ve seen on Facebook and Twitter as well as a video taken of the fireworks show in Laughlin, Nevada this past weekend. July 4th fireworks are a neat tradition and I think most of us have a memory or two of this event going back to childhood. I like shows without all the distractions of music, orchestras, etc. Or big crowds.

Rockets Over the Colorado River, Laughlin, Nevada! Cathy shot this video of the fireworks in Laughlin last week with her Droid Thunderbolt (how coincidental!) It has HD video and I think captures the colors impressively. The video was even hand-held! Cathy was standing on the Nevada side of the Colorado River at the Belle and the fireworks were shot from the Bullhead City banks in Arizona.

Here is a shot I saw on Twitter from the White House:

This shot is from the Telluride fireworks show where my friend Lisa shared some great shots of on Facebook. She took this using her old hand-held Sony camera! She mentioned in her comments that they were directly below the show and could feel the cinders falling on their heads.

And my favorite picture I’ve seen this year on my social media is from Texas, of all places. This one was taken by Nancy. It was taken from the banks of Lake LBJ, Kingsland, Texas at the 42nd Aqua Boom. Nice!

Happy 4th of July, America!

And here is a final tribute, America the Beautiful, sung by Elvis. It’s pretty moving.

Enjoy.  *** CLICK ***

Reflecting on the point and purpose of this blog

Remember hearing on TV and radio the phrase, “We now pause for station identification”? I sure do. It was a time for the station to identify itself to its viewers and it was a law that they do that. I guess it was a reminder to them as to whom they were listening.

So I am taking a moment to pause and review what it was and is that I am doing with this blog. I’ve been finding myself thinking a lot about all that is happening in this world of new medias. Things have really changed since I began.

I started philladden.com on February 29, 2008. Post 1 was titled, Day One. I went back to read it today and a real sense of nostalgia was felt! I described what I planned to do with it. I wanted to share personal stories, others’ stories, successes, failures, and simply things I found relevant.

Some topics I have clearly covered, others not so much. I’ve begun to focus a little more on sharing experiences and places in the Phoenix Valley. The 40 Day Challenge has not been developed. ( I have to confess that making commitments for 40 days is NOT as easy as it sounds.) I was hopeful in 2008 of developing the video aspect of blogging and even purchased a Flip Video camera to do this. Ironically, video has become even more important and relevant, so this is a direction to get back to thinking about.

There has been just 224 posts, and to my surprise, over 25 more saved as drafts that I have not gotten back to … my energy and creativity challenged as I began a Masters in Education (Adult Ed and Training) in the fall of that year which continued to take much of my time through March of this year. It is interesting to note that life long learning was mentioned in the Day One post. Learning is clearly something that motivates me, particular when related to history, achievement, and business.

I am thinking that moving forward, my focus will narrow as to the things I will write. I like keeping it real and it seems so do readers. The Visalus 90 Day Challenge I’ve been documenting is the most found topic on the blog from searches and seems to clearly be a topic others have found relevancy in reading. Things to do and places to go here in Phoenix and Arizona are topics of interest with visitors to the site. More of these types of posts are planned moving forward.

Video is coming, really; this time for sure. As a matter of fact, while writing this post, I thought that a video post would be perfect to compliment this topic. **Watch** for it …

Other things that new media warrants for the future is probably a Facebook *like* page. A re-design is well over-due too. I’ve put that off because of the link and fit problems that seem unavoidable when a new design is activated.

A final note. In that first post, it seemed clear that I thought time was short. I wrote that I had maybe 25 good years left. That seems kind of depressing. Yet it’s true. Far less years lie ahead than behind for me. Can’t quite recall why I was feeling that.

This I know for sure and was also on my mind at the start. I am to make the best effort with the days that are left. The outcomes will take care of themselves.

This past week I saw this quote on Twitter:

How we live our days is how we live our lives.  — Anne Dillard

Each post, like each day, contributes to the end result. I see the blog as a small record of how I, we, are living our days. I hope there will be value when it is all said and done.

So here’s to new directions and focus with the blog. We now return to our regular scheduled posting… albeit sproadically.

Just 16 days left on my first 90 Day Visalus Challenge

A bit overdue, but I’ve shot a video for this Visalus Challenge Update.

Click here to view it: Day 74 Visalus Video Update

I am maintaining at about 190 lbs. Still struggling even this many weeks in with old habits and cravings. Disclaimer: While I talk in the video about my continuing commitment to healthier food choices, I ate a 12 inch Subway sandwich tonight. That is the second week in a row!! I need to go back to saying NO more often.

Saying NO daily is something I think you have to do when making lifestyle changes.

I make a mistake in the video too … I say 76 days at one point …. and it is Day 74! It was done in one take. That is miraculous …

So there are just 16 days left. I will make one more update before the finish.

To begin your challenge, join me here: Visalus 90 Day Challenge

In my 9th week of the Visalus Challenge and my pants are falling off at 189lbs – down from 206lbs.

This was a surprise. I weighed 189 pounds on Monday morning! Couldn’t believe it as I have been very limited on my activity because of my knee. What is the secret? There isn’t one.

Since starting the 90 Day Visalus Challenge, I have taken it one day at a time and replaced my $12+ lunches with the $1.50 Visalus shakes (Update: my shakes are costing me $0.00!! Tell me another company that this is possible with). Everyone that has joined the challenge with me has been losing weight … at different rates. We are confident that this is not some temporary diet because the focus is on eating better, improving our nutritional choices, increasing our activity, and sharing the challenge with others! Amazing the accountability built into a goal when you are wanting to be sure your example holds up with others, not to mention the fact that Visalus has an unbelievable promotion that if you invite 3 others to join you, your shakes are sent to you free.

I am now just 3 pounds away from my goal of losing 20. Again, besides being able to wear clothes I haven’t touched in years, (I really had started thinking I should give those jeans away as I thought there was no way I could wear them again), I am feeling good knowing the dramatic health benefits that result from maintaining a level of healthy weight. The shakes are unsurpassed in protein, vitamins, fiber, pre-biotics, minerals, and other essential supplements. The shake is Kosher, gluten and lactose free.

Here are three things I think one must do once starting the Visalus Challenge:

1. Dramatically cut sugar — that means those things that turn to sugar in your body, like breads and pastas. CUT them back. Careful taking the shake with orange juice … way too much sugar in it.
2. EAT! Yes, find fresh type foods that you can eat all day if necessary. Don’t go hungry. I’ve munched all day on things like fruits and vegetables (carrots excluded). Nuts, even meats. I eat when I am hungry.
3. Stay with it. I decided when I started that I would do this for NINETY days and report it honestly on the blog. I have been surprised when some have decided to quit when the weight they were losing wasn’t enough. ?? Why quit when you are losing!? Cathy, who was into Week 2 before she saw any loss, comes to mind as one who understands you don’t quit!

Next, what about the 3 for free promotion and what I plan to do after this 90 Day Challenge ends … in 30 something days.

Do something about your weight now before it does something to YOU … Take the Challenge Info here –> Begin Today.

Rock Springs Cafe is a must visit for breakfast, lunch, pies, and fresh fruit, vegetables, and honey.

It’s no secret to anyone in the Phoenix area that the Rock Springs Cafe, located just north of the Valley on I-17, is one of the best places for comfort food. I had the opportunity to stop and was not disappointed.

The area is rich in Western history. Rock Springs was a stopping point for the Black Canyon Stagecoach on its journey between Prescott and Phoenix as far back as 1884. The Earp brothers and Doc Holiday were some of the visitors while travelling in the area. A general store was opened in 1918 and remains to this day, only one of 10 still doing business in Arizona.

The cafe has a very comfortable atmosphere. Antique oak tables fill the dining area. They reminded me of what we tried to do at the Homestead Restaurant.

The food is really good. The pies are advertised as worth the drive from anywhere … and while I did not have a chance to try them on this visit, the woman sitting at the next table confirmed they are as good as advertised. They also have a chicken biscuits and gravy that is better than any sausage gravy I’ve had. There is a full menu of BBQ, steak, seafood, and chicken dinners.

The farmers’ market is also a great option. Fresh tomatoes, fruit, corn, and raw honey were available on this stop.

For more info, visit their web site: RockSpringsCafe.com

I’ll be going back.

Look who’s using Talk Fusion Video

Click here to view video

I have found a tool and business I am really impressed with, that being Talk Fusion Studio. Yes, there are many options, some at no cost, in using the effective tool of video in one’s business or online communication. But none bring the level of branding and ease to implementing video to your business as Talk Fusion does. I’ve used YouTube, Ustream, and the like. They’re fun and shareable, but easy to get lost in the huge jungle of users. I don’t like the ads, the cumbersome uploads, lost connections, design, etc.

Three reasons I’ve chosen Talk Fusion Studio:

1. Its video email tool is superior. No downloading or attachment clogging files, unmatched quality templates, and  unlimited storage!
2. It stands out. Being able to professionally present your messages or information really creates a difference in the impression that results. The hundreds of professionally designed templates are invaluable. Or you can easily create your own brand producing presentation without having to know photoshop or any other programming design platforms.
3. Its simplicity. If you can use a mouse, you can create effective content. Gone are the days of complex video creation. I didn’t need a fancy, expensive camera nor a high priced production company. Or a studio.

Technology continues to just get better and better .. and cheaper. It amazes me what some are charging for services that the Talk Fusion product and tools give so inexpensively. Conferencing, webinars, and video emails are the communication tools now being implemented for connecting and engaging your audience. Actually, the cutting edged marketers have been paving the way for a few years. The difference now is the learning curve has leveled. The technology has been getting better and better … easier, and now is very affordable.

I bought a Flip camera (I think it was over two years ago) after reading and seeing that the use of video was the future for engaging online. I haven’t used it as I wanted, but that is finally changing.

I am seeing video being used everywhere today. This past week I’ve noticed it being added to a state’s department of education web site, a wine advisor’s blog, a local restaurant’s site, etc. There is no doubt that this technology offers a large upside opportunity.

Have you used video technology? I think it’s time.