Happy New Year!

2009 was some year! It was a tough and long year for many of us, including me! We can't change the past be we can make our future! A New Year begins in a few hours! 2010 is a new day and the beginning of a new decade.

I hope everyone has a great 2010, but we need more than hope. Hope just means you're waiting around waiting for something to happen! We can do more than that! We have to make things happen!

So, go out and make something happen! Have a great 2010 Everyone!

Be on the lookout for more blogs with more info, pictures, comments and advice! I promise to write more in 2010!

Thank you to everyone for reading my blog! If you have any ideas or thoughts on what I should write about in the future, please let me know!

Thank You!
Frank

New Promo and Website

Just completed some new promotional material for "The BAD BAD Apples!" Also did an update to the website www.badbadapples.com check out the site when you have time.

Thank you,
Frank

Here is some more information about us.

The BAD BAD Apples are on a global mission to inspire individuals to experience success!

Forming a friendship while working at Community Colleges, Frank Kitchen and Rodger Campbell assisted thousands of students and professionals on the road to personal and professional success. Challenged by these individuals, they developed the popular keynote "Are you a B.A.D. A.P.P.L.E?” What once began as a challenge has turned into an adventure that has taken them from college professionals to full-time speakers. Faster than they could have imagined, they went from writing notes on napkins to performing in front of audiences large and small.

They have a menu full of experiences that offer a taste of success to individuals and groups. Every interactive experience is designed to work as keynote, training session, workshop or consultation.

Invite them to your next event to find out why they believe B.A.D is a way of life!

Inspiration for 2010

Everyone is looking to make changes for the new year and become something they dream of becoming!

A friend sent this to me, so I thought I would share it with all of you!

HANDBOOK 2010

Health:
1. Drink plenty of water.
2. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a
beggar.
3. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that
is manufactured in plants..
4. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm and Empathy
5. Make time to pray.
6. Play more games
7. Read more books than you did in 2009 .
8. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day
9. Sleep for 7 hours.
10. Take a 10-30 minutes walk daily. And while you walk, smile.

Personality:
11. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their
journey is all about.
12. Don't have negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead
invest your energy in the positive present moment.
13. Don't over do. Keep your limits.
14. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
15. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip.
16. Dream more while you are awake
17. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need..
18. Forget issues of the past. Don't remind your partner with His/her
mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness.
19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don't hate others.
20. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.
21. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
22. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems
are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like
algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
23. Smile and laugh more.
24. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree...

Society:
25. Call your family often.
26. Each day give something good to others.
27. Forgive everyone for everything.
28. Spend time w/ people over the age of 70 & under the age of 6.
29. Try to make at least three people smile each day.
30. What other people think of you is none of your business.
31. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends
will. Stay in touch.

Life:
32. Do the right thing!
33. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
34. GOD heals everything.
35. However good or bad a situation is, it will change..
36. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
37. The best is yet to come..
38. When you awake alive in the morning, thank GOD for it.
39. Your Inner most is always happy. So, be happy.

Last but not the least:
40. Please Forward this to everyone you care about, I just did.

Food Inc

I watch movies and read books when I'm on the road. This documentary was recommended to me. I'll give my review on it when I return from my trip!

On the Road Again!

I'm preparing to hit the road again! I'll be speaking at the following locations on the following dates. Please feel free to stop by and watch or hang out with me.

Thursday, December 3rd - Penn State University, State College, Pennsylvania
Tuesday, December 8th - Nestle Corporation, Solon, Ohio
Wednesday, December 9th - Nestle Corporation, Solon, Ohio

Happy Thanksgiving

Everyone Have a Happy Thanksgiving! Enjoy your time with your friends and family! Eat lots of turkey and pie!

Frank

Adopt a Soldier

Hello everyone! With the holidays approaching fast, I would like you help spread the "Holiday Spirit!"

My sisters is serving in the United States Navy. She was recently stationed at the Naval Air Base on Whidbey Island in Washington state. The base is in a very isolated area north of Seattle. Melissa and her shipmates (airmen) won't have the opportunity to return home for the holidays this year. There is also a high probability that here will have to serve time in Iraq in the future.

To thank my sister and the rest of the men and women serving on her base an in her squadron, could you please write a note of thanks, send a holiday card or maybe a little gift. Anything would be appreciated.

I sent my first care package this week. Melissa has told me that she and others are fans of the following:

Apple Chips
Banana Chips
Any type of dried fruit
Chewing Gum
Crossword puzzles
Word Find books
Pistachios and other nuts
Towels and washcloths (navy issued ones are rough and not soft)

P.S. - Melissa is a HUGE animal lover, especially dogs and horses. If you have any questions about either write her a question. She managed a Animal Resort before joining the military. If you have photos or books, she'd love those too.

Please write when you can. Letters, cards and post cards make a big difference when you're far away from home.

For more information on the base click this link. Whidbey Island Naval Air Station

Here is the mailing address for my sister and her fellow service men and women

AME AN
Melissa Kitchen
Barracks 8
3665 North Princeton Street
Oak Harbor, WA 98278

Thank you in advance,
Frank

Veterans Day

Today is Veterans Day. A time to remember all of the men and women who served or are serving in our armed forces to protect our freedoms. I've had my father, uncles, aunts and cousins serve in the military. Now my sister is serving in the Navy.

If you see anyone serving in the military today or in the future, be sure to say thank you, not just today but everyday.

Thank you!

Ouotes of the Day

Are you LIVING your dream?" - Kelly Duran

"Dress for the position you want to be in, not the position you are in!" - Scott Cummings

New Programs!

Exciting News! I have a new website, programs and shows!

My new website should be up and running in less than two weeks. Testing out the bugs before the launch. I'll post the address soon

I have written three new programs with my friend Rodger Campbell as a part of our BAD BAD APPLES programs.

I've also added new shows for my solo performances.

Here are the descriptions of the new programs:

Performed with Rodger Campbell as the "BAD BAD APPLES"

“I’m more than a Check BOX!” – Celebrating the truth of Uniqueness.”
(Diversity Program)


Every day we use labels created to help us understand one another; to explain ourselves; to identify our backgrounds, and to organize data. Do labels really define who we are? Do they determine what we can become? Does a predetermined “BOX” on an application define us? No! We are defined by the Legacies we create. This humorous and eye opening two-man show will challenge participants to rise above the labels and stereotypes; identify what creates negative self-attitudes; and discover the steps to needed to celebrate a life full of infinite possibilities. Join the BAD BAD Apples and discover how your beliefs, actions and determination can produce people who make history versus becoming history.


“Champions of the Game!” The People who Broke through and Rose above the Color Line!”

(Black History Month Program)

For centuries being Black in America has been negative and positive. More positives exist today than ever before. These positives exist because champions of the game accepted the challenge of making their dreams into reality. As African-Americans, the BAD BAD Apples use their own special “flava” to dissect and discuss the journey taken by the champions of the game. Come discover how champions make history and don’t become history!


“The TRUTH will set you free!” Breaking through and Rising above the Color Line!”

(Black History Month Program)

For centuries, Africans were enslaved in the Americas. TRUE! Being Black in America has been difficult. TRUE! History determines our legacy. TRUE! We (Blacks/ African Americans) will always be trapped by the color line. TRUE??? The challenge of African Americans today is to rediscover the truth of our people. Using their own special “flava,” the BAD BAD Apples will take audiences on a journey that will show there are more opportunities to “Rise Above” today than ever before. They have developed a playbook that will help people of color develop a winning strategy for this game called life. In order to “Break Through” the color line, we must know who we are, we must know the game, and we must know the Truth. Come discover the power in creating history not just becoming it.

New Solo Programs

“You want me to be a model?” – Real stories of an accidental model

In 2001 Frank Kitchen was "discovered" and accidentally became a model. Since that day, he has learned a lot about himself, the industry, clothing, photography and even how to apply his own make-up. Sit back and enjoy stories that will educate you on how to become a model; how to choose an agent; how to avoid scams; and truths and myths of the industry.

“Life is Funny!”

Having the initials FCK is just the start of a life full of funny stories for Frank Kitchen. Come enjoy an hour full of laugh out loud stories that are so funny it’s hard to believe their true.

Quinnipiac

Last weekend I was in Hamden, Conneticut to present at Quinnipiac University's 27th Annual Leadership Conference. I was there working with Rodger and we had a great time. It was nice to get back to the east coast and see the fall foliage.

Another fun part of the trip was catching up with our friend "Matt the Knife." He is a mentalist/magician/lecturer. His performances are amazing, so check out his site by clicking HERE.

Matt took Rodger and I out to dinner with his girlfriend and the food was WOW! If you're ever in Providence, Rhode Island, be sure to visit:

Geppetto's Grilled Pizzeria
57 Depasquale Square
Providence, RI 02903
(In Historic Federal Hill)
401-270-3003
www.geppettospizzeria.com

Be sure to sure to tell the owner Mike, that Matt the Knife or Frank Kitchen recommended the place.

Enjoy the pictures from the trip

Last weekend I was in Hamden, Conneticut to present at Quinnipiac University's 27th Annual Leadership Conference. I was there working with Rodger and we had a great time. It was nice to get back to the east coast and see the fall foliage.

Another fun part of the trip was catching up with our friend "Matt the Knife." He is a mentalist/magician/lecturer. His performances are amazing, so check out his site by clicking HERE.

Matt took Rodger and I out to dinner with his girlfriend and the food was WOW! If you're ever in Providence, Rhode Island, be sure to visit:

Geppetto's Grilled Pizzeria
57 Depasquale Square
Providence, RI 02903
(In Historic Federal Hill)
401-270-3003
www.geppettospizzeria.com

Be sure to sure to tell the owner Mike, that Matt the Knife or Frank Kitchen recommended the place.

Enjoy the pictures from the trip

Help the Kids

Hello Everyone,

A friend of mine asked me to help his boss's son with a class project. The first grade class is trying to learn about the United States and the world. They are doing this by collecting postcards from around the country and the world. If you can, please help the kids with their project and send them a postcard. I've posted the information below:

This year, we are going to participate in a postcard project. Our goal is simple: by the end of the school year, we are going to try to collect a postcard from each of the 50 states. Foreign postcards are an added bonus! As we collect the postcards, we will be charting them on the map of the United States. Last year, we received 271 postcards from 50 states and 39 countries!

If you are willing to help out with our project, send us a note on a postcard to:

Mr. Clifton's First Grade
Dillsburg Elementary School
202 S. Chestnut Street
Dillsburg, PA 17019

Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives

Kelly and I have been trying to hit all of the restaurants from the TV Show "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives." This past weekend we hit the restaurant called "Over Easy." They specialize in breakfast. The food was GREAT! The mint lemonade is AMAZING!

If you're ever in Phoenix stop and check out "Over Easy." If you're ever looking for fun places to eat at home or while you're on the road, be sure to check out the website for "Diner, Drive-Ins and Dives." It list all the restaurants that have been on the show. The links are below.

Over Easy
"Dinners, Drive-Ins and Dives"

Who is that?

I visited the doctor this week. Normal stuff. I wanted to learn more about my nutrition and diet, so the doctor hooked me up to the machine in the picture. The machine determined how my calories I burn and helped me figure out what I need eat to maintain my weight or gain weight in my case.

I was great to learn my about my body and how to take care of myself!

Back from another Trip

Morning sunrise in Albuquerque, New Mexico

Daytona Motor Speedway...look to the left of the picture

Micheal Vick Jersey's for sale in Philadelphia

Penn State Abbington Campus outside of Philadelphia. Dropped in to see my good friend Tracy.

Last week I took the time to see the entire country for a show in Pennsylvania. You have to love our airline system. It's hard to get direct flights, so you get connected all over the place.

I had a great time performing for the students of Albright University in Reading, Pennsylvania. I wanted to look for the Gosselins House (John and Kate +8) but didn't have time. To get there and I back, I had a flight from Phoenix to Philadelphia. I rented a car and heading to to Reading. Then I returned to airport for a flight to New Mexico to see my future in-laws. My flight took me to Florida then to New Mexico. After a day in New Mexico, I got in a car and drove home with my future mother-in-law to Phoenix. Some trip in only 3 days!

Here are a few pictures from my journey!

Kelly and I are engaged!

This is what the ring looks like! We both decided to be less traditional then most couples. Kelly told me a I did a good job. It's her style and she really likes it!

Here are a few pictures from today's events. Thank you everyone for your "Congratulations" and well wishes."Kelly, please say Yes! In any language!"

Not the best picture, but it looks good to me!

The ring box, with a little note inside....
"I love you, not only for what you are, But for what I am when I am with you."
--Roy Croft

The decoy! Kelly saw this box first and wanted to know what was up. She was completely surprised!

Blog #500 kicks off a major moment/milestone/event in my life. This morning after a nice three mile walk with Kelly, I surprised Kelly. Yes, I asked her to marry me! She said yes! And now I have the biggest smile on my face. Her smile is pretty big too!

I kept things simple and our style. Before our walk, I told Kelly I need to go back into the house and get my allergy medicine. I was totally lying! I went back into the house to grab the ring and set-up a few other props/gifts for the big surprise.

I set them up in the living room and joined Kelly for our walk. When we got home, she walked in the front door and found a small gift box, two photo albums and several pieces of paper with a foreign (Non-English) words typed on them. When she turned around to ask me, "What's all this?" I was on my knee with the ring box open and my proposal ready to recite.

Things worked out perfect! This weekend is the third anniversary of when we first met. Today is 9-12-09. I didn't propose at 9:12 AM on 9-12-09 but I got pretty close. Just a little before 9AM. I gave Kelly a ring with 12 diamonds in it during the 9th month of the year. 9-12!

The pieces of paper has "Yes" translated into five different languages. The first photo album has pictures of me picking out Kelly's ring. The second album is a family heirloom. It's over 37 years old. It's a leather bound wedding album. It has my family history in the front (family tree, birth dates, etc). Then it has the normal wedding registry and guest sign in. The book is empty, so it's ready for Kelly and I to use for our wedding and our family.

I also included a special letter for Kelly. I write her a monthly newsletter describing our relationship. This letter was a special edition of the newsletter, expressing how much I love her and how happy I am she came into my life.

Today has been a great day. Lots of phone calls have been made. The ring looks great on Kelly. I look forward to a great future with my former girlfriend, current fiance and future wife! =0 )

Blog #499

I just had some pictures sent to me from Park University in Kansas City, Missouri. I was on campus to entertain and educate their Freshman class of 2013. Enjoy some of the pictures from a 90+ degree day in the hot and humid midwest.

Blog #498

I'm closing in on my 500th blog and I'm thinking of something really big to post. I want something fun, interesting and insightful. I have at least one more blog to think of something good.

If any of you have a great idea, please let me know. Should I post old photos? Reflect on the first 500? What?

Ok, I'm off to plan! Be on the look out for #500!

I'm a part of the "Smart Phone" Generation!

After years of fighting, I broke down this week and joined the world of "Smart Phone" people. I didn't invest in a "Crackberry", but I got something just as addictive. Yes, I have a Iphone!

I'm a big supporter of Apple products, but I couldn't see why people needed everything that a Iphone has to offer. Over the last year, I have weighed my options and done a lot of research. Blackberry, Iphone, stay with my ordinary phone? What to do?

After "playing" err....researching what all the phone companies have to offer, I stayed loyal to Apple. I'm loving the phone, but I barely know what I'm doing with it. The main reason I got the phone is because of my travel and my business. I have been stuck in a lot of airports this year without internet access. When I can get it, it costs an arm, a leg and my first born child. I've been in new cities everyday and just trying to locate the basics can become difficult. Plus I have to pack light. Who wants to carry a GPS, a Phone, a camera, an Ipod and a computer everywhere you go?

I've observed all the "smart people" over the last year. After being delayed for over 20+ hours on a flight home this summer, I watched several people (business and casual travelers) pull out their phones. The didn't just call work and family members. They started checking weather, booking new flights, ordering pizzas and booking hotels! Wow! One couple started watching movies. Technology is amazing.

So, be on the lookout for blogs from the road (literally). It looks like I will be attached to the grid 24/7. Hopefully I won't become like many of the people I see and start naming my phone!

More pics and more shows

Photos by
Grand Rapids photographer Tiberius Images
http://www.tiberiusimages.com/

Here are a few more pictures to from my shows in August. There were sent to me by a photographer from Davenport University in Michigan. Enjoy!

Upcoming Shows:

September 16 - Albright College, Reading, PA

October 3 - Quinnipiac University, New Haven, CT

October 7 - Lorain County Skills Max, Cleveland, OH

October TBA - Nestle, Inc, Solon, OH

December 3 - Penn State University, State College, PA