Par is my friend

My best friend recently got asked to write a weekly blog for his local newspaper. He gives advice, tips and commentary on men's and women's golf.

If you would like to learn more about the game that drive's people crazy, click on the link below

http://scottsgolfingblog.blogspot.com/

More Acting

I've had the opportunity lately to dabble in acting again. Anytime I get a chance to act, funny stories follow. I always say "Live Life." Acting is definitely living life. Life is about relationships and experiences. Some funny and some a little painful.

My recent acting experience became an experience between me and the hard molded seat of a plastic horse.

Last Friday, I was asked to be an extra for a commercial. It was for Major League Baseball. I was playing the part of a person attending a carnival as 2010 American League Cy Young Award winning pitcher Felix Hernandez was being featured.

Felix is known for his pinpoint control. The commercial played up this fact by having him participate in the classic carnival game "Milk Jug Toss." You know the rigged carnival game where you throw a baseball at three milk jugs that are weighted. If you knock them all down, then you win a prize. Needless to say, he won all of the stuffed animals. It should be a pretty funny commercial when it comes out.

People think being in a commercial is pretty simple, quick and a lot of fun. Those thoughts would be right and wrong. I thought the shoot would only last a couple of hours, but it lasted almost 8 hours. Of the 8 hours, most of it was me and other actors sitting around and waiting. You have to wait for scenes to be shot; you have to wait for actors to arrive; you have to wait for the make-up, lighting and camera people to get everything right. There are also a lot of rules. Some of the biggest rules for this commercial were not to take pictures of Felix and his family and don't ask for autographs.

The commercial was shot in a local amusement park. The thought of hanging out in an amusement park sounds like a lot of fun. It can be if you get to ride the "good" rides. The memory of sitting on a carousel horse for almost one and half hours is still a little painful. I could still be dizzy from go around over and over again, or it could be listening to the same music over and over again. I believe me and the actors might have set a World Record for time spent going around on a carousel. People at the park had to think we were crazy. Every now and then, park guests were allowed to get on the ride, as we stayed on. The "Special 50!" The carousel people who never got off. It's a pretty funny image to be honest. Little kids got on the ride and got off. 50 adults get on and never get off.

The good news is, by the end of the night, one of the directors assistants did grab me to be in a scene behind Felix. I also made a few extra $$$$, which are needed to pay the bills. I did manage to sneak a few pictures of the set. When the commercial airs, I'll be sure to post it on here. I'm not sure if you'll see me walking in the background or riding the carousel, but I'll be sure to let all of you know.

Until next time, go out and "Live Life" and remember that you can OD (Over Dose) on carousel riding! =0 )

Pictures from the set

A few weeks ago I was asked to participate as an actor from my friends web series. The episode I am in won't appear until the fall. I had the opportunity to see a rough cut of the production and it looks really good. Nathan is a pretty amazing guy and director. He promised me that he would send me photos and video updates for me to post on this blog.

So, here a few photos of me in my role as a special agent reminiscent of the "Men in Black." Enjoy!

The Professional Speakers Forum

Have you ever wanted to be a professional speaker? Have you ever wanted to improve your speaking skills to a point that you could represent your business or employer in public?

I'm working with a couple of friends to develop an organization that assists professional speakers with the "art" of professional speaking. It's one thing to be a speaker, it's another to be able to speak professionally.

I've put links to our website and facebook page below. Things are in the beginning stages, but be on the look out for more details soon. We are really excited about this project and can't wait to get it up and running 100%.

http://www.professionalspeakersforum.com/

http://www.facebook.com/pages/PSF-Professional-Speakers-Forum/198349710190444

Inside the Kitchen

I've decided to name all of my behind the scenes speaking adventures "Inside the Kitchen." I thought the name was fun and its says it all. You'll get to learn all the little "inside" details of what goes on behind the scenes and I look to my speaking career a full-time adventure!

My first entry for Inside the Kitchen deals with high hopes and dreams that can change in an instant.

As a speaker you're always excited to receive an e-mail or a call for a prospective speaking opportunity. When someone inquires about your services, you get really excited and you start to think about what you'll do and how you will get there. If you're being invited to a new place or somewhere unique or special, you're mind really gets going. As soon as the excitement comes, it can go away when you discover that the prospect doesn't have the budget, changed their mind or just doesn't call you back. Then it's back to square one as you look for new opportunities to fill your calendar again.

One summer in span of three e-mails I went from having two jobs at a college near my grandparents to no jobs at all. I went from having a contract worth several thousand dollars to having just the loose change in my pocket. Entertainment and speaking is a interesting world.

For every job that you get, you loose several more. This spring has been no different. I was contacted by three different groups about speaking in Dubai, the Bahamas and Las Vegas. You can imagine or the ideas going through my head. I thought of the world travel, a honeymoon for me and my wife and the opportunity to connect with new people. Before you knew things were over. The one group lost their budget, the next group changed their mind and went with someone else and the other postponed their event. Crazy.

So, the world travel is off for now, but several jobs did come in for the fall. Be on the look out for me in Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Virginia and Wisconsin. On top of all of that, I just got invited to do something more special. I was offered the opportunity to volunteer as speech coach for a young man with a learning disability. My opportunities this fall will be great, but giving back gives me goose bumps!

We live in a crazy world where things change second to second, but it's all part of the experience of pursuing your passion!

More behind the scenes

I'm sitting in Starbucks working and decided to type a new blog. I still haven't found a name for my new behind the scenes blogs. It's exciting to think about sharing the fun and not so fun details about what happens off stage.

Today is a crazy one because I have to work on my business and craft, but I also have to "work" so I can pay the bills.

This past December I made the decision to part ways with my long time and only speaking agent. My business partner/speaking partner/friend Rodger Campbell also made the same decision. We started 2011 with a fresh start, but also put EVERYTHING on our shoulders. No agent to make calls for us, or set up speaking dates.

We've spent the last couple of months laying out plans and reorganizing. We've learned a lot about what we can do, who we know and what we need to do. I put a great quote on my twitter page this morning, "We all have strengths and opportunities." The quote means, we have things in life we are really good at and opportunities to improve on all the things we are not good at; have limited knowledge or experience with or just don't know how to do.

Speaking is my passion and now its my business. This will be what I do to live my life and pay my bills. I had to take a step back in 2011 to take a HUGE step forward in the future. Part of the experience has been living the life of a struggling artist. When I don't speak, I don't make any money, which means I have to find ways to bring in income.

In between speaking opportunities, I'm working two part-time jobs. I work at the Phoenix Zoo and I work for Bed, Bath and Beyond. Yep, pretty glamorous for someone with the goal to be an International Speaker. I would love to do more, but this economy has led to many of us checking our ego at the door. I'll admit that neither job pays all the bills. Definitely in survival mode. It helps to have a loving wife to assist me with the pursuit of my and now "our" dream.

I have to work 60+ hours a week at both jobs and any spare time is spent working on speaking. That leads me to Starbucks. Today I made a call to Rodger while driving to work at the zoo. The call was to discuss our "Things to do" for the week. I also needed to check his calendar to set up a conference call with a possible business client later this week.

Once I got to the Zoo it was time to do my work, but on lunch break I was able to confirm two speaking dates for August and talk to a friend about performing some consulting work as a speech coach. Now I'm in Starbucks, typing this blog and typing up some of the brainstorming ideas I shared with Rodger this morning. I'm using this hour to work, because I could be stuck in rush hour traffic. I'm just making the most of my time.

I'm going to get going. It's time for me to jump in the car to go spend some quality time with my wife who has been very patient with my "business." After that, I'll get ready for a 6:30 AM meeting I have Tuesday morning with two friends who I'm pursuing a business partnership with. Then I'll be off to the zoo for another full day of work, before I return to Starbucks again tomorrow to avoid traffic.

I hope you enjoyed this entry. I'll be sure to add some pictures, videos and more in the future.

If anyone is interested in having "The BAD BAD Apples" pay you a visit, please contact me. In the last week, I've confirmed dates in Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and Virginia this coming August and September.

Until next time, "Find people to work with versus working for!"

What it takes to run a business

My beautiful wife is always giving me great ideas for speeches, marketing materials, finances, life and what to wear. Her latest "plan" was about my blog. She came up with the great idea of me sharing the details of what it takes to be a Professional Speaker.

Many of you only get to see what happens on stage for my shows and performances, but that is only a part of the story.

Prepare yourself for some funny stories and a lot of information on what it "really" takes to get a business off the ground.

I'm looking for a name for these entries, so if you have any ideas, please send them to me. Until the next behind the scenes post, I leave you with this.

I was up at 6:00 AM this morning to start my work. Today's list of things to do included the following:

- Manage my database of current and potential clients
- Made several phone calls to past clients to let them know I'll be in their areas this fall. I have a lot of long standing relationships and I like to hold dates on my calendar just for them. I like to treat anyone I work with like family.
- Paid a few bills
- I had a phone call with my insurance agent to discuss my business insurance
- Had a call with my "Bad Bad Apples" business partner to discuss future opportunities. We talk, text or skype daily
- I posted new blogs
- I'm about to call the accountant to discuss my companies taxes. Have to get everything taken care of by March 15th.

I did manage to have breakfast. Eggs, pancakes and chicken sausage with OJ and my daily vitamin.

I love speaking, but the one thing I've learned over the years is - Speaking is only a small part of being a speaker.

Thank you for reading. I have more work to do. I'm off to finish editing my book "Fresh from the Kitchen"

"Normally This Weird"

A photo from the set of "Normally This Weird"

On Monday, I was given the opportunity to dust off my acting skills. Rusty is a better way to describe my skills. I was asked by my friend Nathan to play a role in his web series "Normally This Weird." I was asked to play the part of a special agent. Imagine the agents from the movie "Men in Black."

It's always fun to act, but I'll admit to being rusty and nervous. I have to thank Nathan and the other actors for not laughing when I started speaking my line before the words "action" were said. I learned a lot and I hope I get the opportunity to work with Nathan and his crew again.

For everyone reading this, I offer this piece of advice. If you want to improve your people skills and communication skills, TAKE AN ACTING CLASS. Acting classes give you a great opportunity to explore your emotions, body language and communicating abilities. You may think you're expressing one thing and discover people are reading you completely different. The acting classes and workshops I've participated with in the past really helped me with my soft skills. The classes were also a good way to relieve stress. After a long hard day, it's great to play the part of a jerk or villain and get all your anger out without upsetting someone.

When I get more photos from my day as a special agent, I'll be sure to post them.

For more information on the web series, please click the link below:
"Normally This Weird"

What are you communicating?

I was driving home yesterday and saw this sign. It made me think...."What is this company communicating?" I didn't hide the phone number on the truck, maybe I should have.

The business wants people to buy vehicles from them. They also offer auto service. They have a big problem before the even work on your vehicle. Look at the sign. Would you trust this business if they don't take the time to spell check their signage?

The sign represents how we communicate. We may want to communicate one thing, but we may communicate another by our actions. The next time you have to communicate something really important, make sure your acting match your words.

Smooth Criminal

It's amazing how talented people are. A friend sent me this video. I thought I'd share it with all of you. Enjoy!

Thank you Denny!

Amazing Video

Just had a friend e-mail me this amazing video. I had to share it with all of you. Enjoy!

Thank you Wolf~

Happy Birthday Kelly!

My wife celebrated her birthday this week. We like to keep things private, so I'll keep what we did to the two of us.

I will take this time and space to say "Happy Birthday Kelly! I love you! I'm happy to have you in my life!"

Frank

Teachers in Space!

My best friend is participating in NASA's Teacher in space program. Next month they're going to cut the candidates down from over 200 to 16! Watch this video from the "Today Show" to learn more about what he's been doing. He'll be the guy holding the camera next to the reporter at the end of the video.

Good Luck Scott!

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/26184891/vp/41586406#41586406

Finish The Race

Video of me performing in Minnesota last fall.

Thank you for editing Jim!

Video Blogs are coming!

I'm learning new technologies! I'm working on doing weekly video blogs so you can hear me speak my mind as well as read what's on my mind.

Be on the look out for my first V-Blog soon!

Frank

My Twitter Page

If you miss my constant blogs of the past, be sure to follow me on twitter. I am constantly posting links and quotes daily. All you have to do is click the link below to find me.

You can also follow me on Facebook! I have room for 4,000 more friends! =0 )

Thank you again for reading!

Frank

http://twitter.com/frankkitchen

Follow Your Passion

Tonight I was invited by a new friend to speak to a group of Marketing Students at Arizona State University. I was the Master of Ceremonies for a program on the Elements of Effective Speaking.
During the program I had endless energy. Why? Because speaking and entertaining people is a passion of mine.

As the end of the program, my friends and I were on "Cloud 9." The four of us have a passion for speaking and the ASU students allowed us to pursue our passion. We got a high that we don't want to go away.

Wouldn't it be great if life were like that? On my way home I talked to a friend. I discussed how it's great to do something you are truly passionate about. It's even better when people appreciate and acknowledge your passion. Thank you ASU for your time and the "fellowship" after wards at dinner.

Back to my life comment. Society is teaching us that we have to get a job and that's what life is about. Life is about living! Living is about doing what you are passionate about. The thing that keeps you awake at night. The thing that puts a smile on your face. The thing that makes you loose time because you work on it for hours without realizing it.

The people who have left a legacy on society and a mark on history are passionate people. We are not taught to pursue our passions. We must be adults and mature. Kids are some of the most passionate people alive. They are full of energy and passion. What happens to us as adults.

Working with the college students tonight, we talked about how fun it is to be on a campus because everyone is pursing a dream or a passion. Then they graduate and get into "the real world." We get hired to help someone else to accomplish their passions and dreams and forget about ours.

The best part about my passion is, I'm helping meeting accomplish their passion while I'm living mine. For everyone reading this. Pursue your dreams now or you'll spend your life wishing you did. Work to do something you are passionate about and it won't feel like work at all. You will have a constant high and a huge smile!

Good Luck and thank you for reading!

The Book Is Done!

"I was so busy writing I forgot to shave!"

I just finished my first book! It's in my editors hands and I'm crossing my fingers that I can have it printed SOON! Be on the look out for "Fresh From the Kitchen" the book!

Thank you everyone for your support and reading this blog! With the book done, I can return to my blogging ways!

Quote of the Day

"Life isn't about how it is, it's about how is should be!"

Don't accept the answer "That's how it is!" Always push to make things "How it should be!"

Great E-mail

I recently received a great e-mail from a friend. I don't know if the story is true, but the message is a good one!

Two Choices

What would you do?....you make the choice. Don't look for a punch line, there isn't one. Read it anyway. My question is: Would you have made the same choice?

At a fundraising dinner for a school that serves children with learning disabilities, the father of one of the students delivered a speech that would never be forgotten by all who attended. After extolling the school and its

dedicated staff, he offered a question:

'When not interfered with by outside influences, everything nature does, is done with perfection..

Yet my son, Shay, cannot learn things as other children do. He cannot understand things as other children do.

Where is the natural order of things in my son?'

The audience was stilled by the query.

The father continued. 'I believe that when a child like Shay, who was mentally and physically disabled comes into the world, an opportunity to realize true human nature presents itself, and it comes in the way other people treat that child.'

Then he told the following story:

Shay and I had walked past a park where some boys Shay knew were playing baseball. Shay asked, 'Do you think they'll let me play?' I knew that most of the boys would not want someone like Shay on their team, but as a father I also understood that if my son were allowed to play, it would give him a much-needed sense of belonging and some confidence to be accepted by others in spite of his handicaps.

I approached one of the boys on the field and asked (not expecting much) if Shay could play. The boy looked around for guidance and said, 'We're losing by six runs and the game is in the eighth inning. I guess he can be on our team and we'll try to put him in to bat in the ninth inning.'

Shay struggled over to the team's bench and, with a broad smile, put on a team shirt. I watched with a small tear in my eye and warmth in my heart. The boys saw my joy at my son being accepted.

In the bottom of the eighth inning, Shay's team scored a few runs but was still behind by three.

In the top of the ninth inning, Shay put on a glove and played in the right field. Even though no hits came his way, he was obviously ecstatic just to be in the game and on the field, grinning from ear to ear as I waved to him from the stands.

In the bottom of the ninth inning, Shay's team scored again...

Now, with two outs and the bases loaded, the potential winning run was on base and Shay was scheduled to be next at bat.

At this juncture, do they let Shay bat and give away their chance to win the game?

Surprisingly, Shay was given the bat. Everyone knew that a hit was all but impossible because Shay didn't even know how to hold the bat properly, much less connect with the ball.

However, as Shay stepped up to the

plate, the pitcher, recognizing that the other team was putting winning aside for this moment in Shay's life, moved in a few steps to lob the ball in softly so Shay could at least make contact.

The first pitch came and Shay swung clumsily and missed.

The pitcher again took a few steps forward to toss the ball softly towards Shay.

As the pitch came in, Shay swung at the ball and hit a slow ground ball right back to the pitcher.

The game would now be over.

The pitcher picked up the soft grounder and could have easily thrown the ball to the first baseman.

Shay would have been out and that would have been the end of the game.

Instead, the pitcher threw the ball right over the first baseman's head, out of reach of all team mates.

Everyone from the stands and both teams started yelling, 'Shay, run to first!

Run to first!'

Never in his life had Shay ever run that far, but he made it to first base.

He scampered down the baseline, wide-eyed and startled.

Everyone yelled, 'Run to second, run to second!'

Catching his breath, Shay awkwardly ran towards second, gleaming and struggling to make it to the base.

B y the time Shay rounded towards second base, the right fielder had the ball . the smallest guy on their team who now had his first chance to be the hero for his team.

He could have thrown the ball to the second-baseman for the tag, but he understood the pitcher's intentions so he, too, intentionally threw the ball high and far over the third-baseman's head.

Shay ran toward third base deliriously as the runners ahead of him circled the bases toward home.

All were screaming, 'Shay, Shay, Shay, all the Way Shay'

Shay reached third base because the opposing shortstop ran to help him by turning him in the direction of third base, and shouted, 'Run to third!

Shay, run to third!'

As Shay rounded third, the boys from both teams, and the spectators, were on their feet screaming, 'Shay, run home! Run home!'

Shay ran to home, stepped on the plate, and was cheered as the hero who hit the grand slam and won the game for his team

'That day', said the father softly with tears now rolling down his face, 'the boys from both teams helped bring a piece of true love and humanity into this world'.

Shay didn't make it to another summer. He died that winter, having never forgotten being the hero and making me so happy, and coming home and seeing his Mother tearfully embrace her little hero of the day!

AND NOW A LITTLE FOOT NOTE TO THIS STORY:

We all send thousands of jokes through the e-mail without a second thought, but when it comes to sending messages about life choices, people hesitate.

The crude, vulgar, and often obscene pass freely through cyberspace, but public discussion about decency is too often suppressed in our schools and workplaces.

If you're thinking about forwarding this message, chances are that you're probably sorting out the people in your address book who aren't the 'appropriate' ones to receive this type of message Well, the person who sent you this believes that we all can make a difference.

We all have thousands of opportunities every single day to help realize the 'natural order of things.'

So many seemingly trivial interactions between two people present us with a choice:

Do we pass along a little spark of love and humanity or do we pass up those opportunities and leave the world a little bit colder in the process?

A wise man once said every society is judged by how it treats it's least fortunate amongst them.

You now have two choices:

1. Delete

2. Forward

May your day, be a Shay Day.