Blog- Matt McLean's "On The Flip Side" Twitter- http://twitter.com/mattkmclean

Courtney takes a digger
An overzealous adult sledder decided not to put her feet down to slow herself while sledding, thus Courtney was knocked down like a bowling pin.

Nugget- The Mystery Box
The mystery box: J.J. Abrams on TED.com Filmmaker J.J. Abrams traces his love of the unseen mystery -- the heart of Alias, Lost and the upcoming Cloverfield -- back to its own magical beginnings, which may or may not include an early obsession with magic, the love of a supportive grandfather, or his own unopened Mystery Box. (Recorded March 2007 in Monterey, California. Duration: 18:02.)

Shana McLean Moore-Community-- More than a Buzz Word

Last week, Shana had the opportunity to speak to 800 supporters of Project Cornerstone, the Bay Area non-profit devoted to fostering 41 developmental assets in area youth. The organization is as near and dear to her heart as is the subject they asked me to speak about—community building.

Video- Nurturing Sales Leads (marketo.com)

Check out this online video, where Marketo's CEO explains why companies need to get started with lead nurturing and how they can use automated processes to drive 35% more qualified sales leads for the same money.

Photo- Amusing wordplay on "Change"

PDF- Rich Spend More Time Online (Shocking huh...) (Monroe Mendelsohn Research)

Affluent heads of house (defined as those with an income of $100,000 and up) are highly wired, with almost all owning and using a desktop or laptop and cell or mobile, according to the survey. This group, representing about 20 percent of U.S. households, goes online an average of 26 times per week using a computer and 17.6 times via a cellphone or mobile device.

Summary slide of the survey

Video- Lieberman 2006: I Will Help Obama “Reach to the Stars”

Joe proclaims that Obama will make America safer and said he would help Obama realize all the dreams for our country.Will he say this with pride during the RNC convention? Let’s see if the media brings this up when they cover his speech.

Photo- Obama and McCain Tax Proposals

According to a new analysis by the Tax Policy Center, a joint project of the Urban Institute and the Brookings Institution, Democrat Barack Obama and Republican John McCain are both proposing tax plans that would result in cuts for most American families. Obama's plan gives the biggest cuts to those who make the least, while McCain would give the largest cuts to the very wealthy. For the approximately 147,000 families that make up the top 0.1 percent of the income scale, the difference between the two plans is stark. While McCain offers a $269,364 tax cut, Obama would raise their taxes, on average, by $701,885 - a difference of nearly $1 million.

Photo- The Five Stages of Missing Plan

Five stages that do not drive EBITDA

Photo- The art of 2 wheels

It happened this weekend. After approx 2 hours something clicked with Courtney and she was riding a 2 wheel bike on her own.

Photo- Where does the value of "social media" end?

At what point are social networks completely useless?

(photo courtesy of bokardo.com)

Photo- Courtney hits the slopes

Courtney and I hit the slopes at the Tahoe City Nordic Center. Courtney had small plastic skiis and she ripped up the mountain. I am very proud of her!

Video- Dave Eggers: Once Upon a School (TED Talks)

Accepting his 2008 TED Prize, author Dave Eggers asks the TED community to personally, creatively engage with local public schools. With spellbinding eagerness, he talks about how his 826 Valencia tutoring center inspired others around the world to open their own volunteer-driven, wildly creative writing labsr.

Video- Jill Bolte Taylor: My stroke of insight (TED Talks)

Neuroanatomist Jill Bolte Taylor had an opportunity few brain scientists would wish for: One morning, she realized she was having a massive stroke. As it happened -- as she felt her brain functions slip away one by one, speech, movement, understanding -- she studied and remembered every moment. This is a powerful story about how our brains define us and connect us to the world and to one another.

Book- Gang Leader for a Day: A Rogue Sociologist Takes to the Streets

The other day I came across a new book called "Gang Leader for a Day: A Rogue Sociologist Takes to the Streets" by Sudir Venkatesh. After starting the book and not being able to put it down I did a bit of research. The foundation of the book comes from a chapter in "Freakonomics" called "Why do drugdealers still live with their moms".

Here are a few links with information about Sudhir and his book:

• How the Black Kings Crack Dealers Went Corporate: Book Review
• NPR Book Tour- Gang Leader for a Day

I can't recommend this book enough. Pick up a copy of "Gang Leader for a Day: A Rogue Sociologist Takes to the Streets" today.

Below is an entertaining clip from Steven Levitt, author of "Freakonomics", talking about the chapter "Why do drugdealers still live with their moms"

Web Resource- Site devoted to evaluating venture and private equity firms

The Funded is a great resource for your inner entrepreneur. If you are considering starting a business I recommend you research the
venture/private equity firms with "The Funded". The site really does a great job leveling the playing field for the entrepreneur

Obama on Twitter

Links-