INSERT INTO `states` ( `id` , `state_name`) VALUES (NULL , 'Arkansas');
INSERT INTO `states` ( `id` , `state_name`) VALUES (NULL , 'California');
INSERT INTO `states` ( `id` , `state_name`) VALUES (NULL , 'Colorado');
INSERT INTO `states` ( `id` , `state_name`) VALUES (NULL , 'Connecticut');
INSERT INTO `states` ( `id` , `state_name`) VALUES (NULL , 'Delaware');
INSERT INTO `states` ( `id` , `state_name`) VALUES (NULL , 'District of Columbia');
INSERT INTO `states` ( `id` , `state_name`) VALUES (NULL , 'Florida');
INSERT INTO `states` ( `id` , `state_name`) VALUES (NULL , 'Georgia');
INSERT INTO `states` ( `id` , `state_name`) VALUES (NULL , 'Hawaii');
INSERT INTO `states` ( `id` , `state_name`) VALUES (NULL , 'Idaho');
INSERT INTO `states` ( `id` , `state_name`) VALUES (NULL , 'Illinois');
INSERT INTO `states` ( `id` , `state_name`) VALUES (NULL , 'Indiana');
INSERT INTO `states` ( `id` , `state_name`) VALUES (NULL , 'Iowa');
INSERT INTO `states` ( `id` , `state_name`) VALUES (NULL , 'Kansas');
INSERT INTO `states` ( `id` , `state_name`) VALUES (NULL , 'Kentucky');
INSERT INTO `states` ( `id` , `state_name`) VALUES (NULL , 'Louisiana');
INSERT INTO `states` ( `id` , `state_name`) VALUES (NULL , 'Maine');
INSERT INTO `states` ( `id` , `state_name`) VALUES (NULL , 'Maryland');
INSERT INTO `states` ( `id` , `state_name`) VALUES (NULL , 'Massachusetts');
INSERT INTO `states` ( `id` , `state_name`) VALUES (NULL , 'Michigan');
INSERT INTO `states` ( `id` , `state_name`) VALUES (NULL , 'Minnesota');
INSERT INTO `states` ( `id` , `state_name`) VALUES (NULL , 'Mississippi');
INSERT INTO `states` ( `id` , `state_name`) VALUES (NULL , 'Missouri');
INSERT INTO `states` ( `id` , `state_name`) VALUES (NULL , 'Montana');
INSERT INTO `states` ( `id` , `state_name`) VALUES (NULL , 'Nebraska');
INSERT INTO `states` ( `id` , `state_name`) VALUES (NULL , 'Nevada');
INSERT INTO `states` ( `id` , `state_name`) VALUES (NULL , 'New Hampshire');
INSERT INTO `states` ( `id` , `state_name`) VALUES (NULL , 'New Jersey');
INSERT INTO `states` ( `id` , `state_name`) VALUES (NULL , 'New Mexico');
INSERT INTO `states` ( `id` , `state_name`) VALUES (NULL , 'New York');
INSERT INTO `states` ( `id` , `state_name`) VALUES (NULL , 'North Carolina');
INSERT INTO `states` ( `id` , `state_name`) VALUES (NULL , 'North Dakota');
INSERT INTO `states` ( `id` , `state_name`) VALUES (NULL , 'Ohio');
INSERT INTO `states` ( `id` , `state_name`) VALUES (NULL , 'Oklahoma');
INSERT INTO `states` ( `id` , `state_name`) VALUES (NULL , 'Oregon');
INSERT INTO `states` ( `id` , `state_name`) VALUES (NULL , 'Pennsylvania');
INSERT INTO `states` ( `id` , `state_name`) VALUES (NULL , 'Rhode Island');
INSERT INTO `states` ( `id` , `state_name`) VALUES (NULL , 'South Carolina');
INSERT INTO `states` ( `id` , `state_name`) VALUES (NULL , 'South Dakota');
INSERT INTO `states` ( `id` , `state_name`) VALUES (NULL , 'Tennessee');
INSERT INTO `states` ( `id` , `state_name`) VALUES (NULL , 'Texas');
INSERT INTO `states` ( `id` , `state_name`) VALUES (NULL , 'Utah');
INSERT INTO `states` ( `id` , `state_name`) VALUES (NULL , 'Vermont');
INSERT INTO `states` ( `id` , `state_name`) VALUES (NULL , 'Virginia');
INSERT INTO `states` ( `id` , `state_name`) VALUES (NULL , 'Washington');
INSERT INTO `states` ( `id` , `state_name`) VALUES (NULL , 'West Virginia');
INSERT INTO `states` ( `id` , `state_name`) VALUES (NULL , 'Wisconsin');
INSERT INTO `states` ( `id` , `state_name`) VALUES (NULL , 'Wyoming');

Enjoy.

Photo by JPhilipson

After many months of neglecting my blog, it is time for me to start actively writing here again.  My current interests are lifestyle design and business automation / optimization, so expect to see posts along those lines.  Every now and then  I will probably write web and tech related articles since those topics make up a large part of my working life right now.  Also, don’t be surprised if I go a little off-topic at times.   I promise it will be fun though!

The latest incarnation of my web site design business, Clicked Studios, launched today.  The new web site features a completely new layout and revised sales copy focusing on goal and user oriented web design.  I’ve also expanded my online marketing services section to better serve the needs of small and medium size businesses around the St. Louis Metro East area.  The free tips section of the web site will probably become the marketing power house of the web site as I release more and more valuable information that businesses can put into action.

Mindset is a very important when it comes to accomplishing your goals.  One of my favorite sayings is “Never Say Die” from the movie “The Goonies”.  A few years back one of my friends gave me a “Never Say Die” patch for my birthday.  I keep it on my computer desk to always remind me while working to never quit going after what I want.  Today I looked at it and wished I had it as my desktop wallpaper.  After searching around on Google for a few minutes with no luck, I decided to make my own version.  I’ve made it available for download below.

Download – Never Say Die Wallpaper – 1280×800

Photo by merlinprincesse

I received the following message after graduating from Webster University this year.  I’ve published it here to share its wisdom.

——————————————
Benjamin Akande, Ph.D. wrote:

I would like to share my Undergraduate Commencement address with you.

Lessons from Humpty
Delivered at the School of Business and Technology
Commencement Exercise

May 10, 2008Dean Benjamin Ola. Akande

AS A CHILD GROWING UP IN AFRICA, I WAS RAISED AND NURTURED WITH NURSERY RHYMES. SOME OF THESE RHYMES WERE MADE UP BY MY PARENTS, WHILE OTHERS WERE UNIVERSAL IN POPULARITY, BUT THERE WAS ONE RHYME THAT STAYED WITH ME ALL MY LIFE. IT’S A STORY OF ONE PERSON’S RISK, ENDURANCE AND PERSEVERANCE. IT’S THE STORY OF HUMPTY DUMPTY, THE ANTHROPOMORPHIC EGG WHO TRIED TO DEFY THE ODDS. ALL OF US CAN RECALL THE RHYME – HUMPTY DUMPTY SAT ON A WALL. HUMPTY DUMPTY HAD A GREAT FALL. ALL THE KING’S HORSES AND ALL THE KING’S MEN COULDN’T PUT HUMPTY DUMPTY TOGETHER AGAIN.

YES, THE KEY WORD TO FOCUS ON IS THE VERY LAST WORD OF THE RHYME – “AGAIN.” THIS CONFIRMS THAT THIS WAS NOT THE FIRST TIME THAT HUMPTY HAD FALLEN. HUMPTY WAS A SERIAL RISK TAKER. HE WAS BOLD, FEARLESS AND SOMEWHAT ENTREPRENEURIAL. HUMPTY HAD ATTEMPTED TO PURSUE THIS PERSONAL GOAL BEFORE AND SOMEHOW FELL SHORT. BUT, THIS EGG WAS NOT GOING TO ALLOW FAILURE TO DEFINE HIM. CLIMBING A WALL IS MOVING BEYOND WHERE YOU ARE. CLIMBING A WALL IS OVERCOMING ADVERSITY. CLIMBING A WALL IS CHALLENGING CONVENTIONAL WISDOM. THERE IS A HUMPTY DUMPTY IN ALL OF US. AND SO, GRADUATES, AS YOU RECEIVE YOUR DIPLOMA FROM WEBSTER UNIVERSITY TODAY, I WANT TO ENCOURAGE YOU TO REMEMBER THE STORY OF HUMPTY.

THIS IS A STORY OF ONE EGG’S JOURNEY OF ENDURANCE AND THE WILLINGNESS TO KEEP TRYING. IT’S A LESSON THAT SPEAKS OF THE COURAGE TO SEEK CHALLENGES, TO CONNECT WITH OTHERS, TO MASTER NEW SKILLS AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, IT IS A VIVID REMINDER THAT EVEN WHEN YOU DO ALL THESE THINGS RIGHT, YOU MAY FALL AND FALL AGAIN. BUT REST ASSURED THAT WHEN YOU FALL, YOU SHOULD STRIVE TO GET BACK ON THE SADDLE OF LIFE AND THAT YOU SHOULD NOT ALLOW SETBACKS TO DEFINE WHO YOU ARE. NONE OF US ARE PERFECT. WE ARE ALL STRIVING TO BE BETTER PEOPLE, SO DON’T SHRINK FROM THE CHALLENGES OF LIFE. LET YOUR LIGHT SO SHINE AND GIVE OTHERS THE PERMISSION TO DO THE SAME. IN CLOSING, I MUST CONFESS THAT I AM PARTICULARLY IMPRESSED WITH HUMPTY’S SUPPORT GROUP, YOU KNOW, HIS FRIENDS, ALL THE KING’S MEN AND KING’S HORSES. THEY WERE THE ULTIMATE SAFETY NET FOR HUMPTY. THESE ARE THE KIND OF FRIENDS WE ALL NEED. PEOPLE THAT WILL HELP PUT US BACK TOGETHER WHEN WE FALL.

MAY YOUR LIFE’S JOURNEY BE BLESSED WITH GOOD FRIENDS AND MAY YOU LEARN FROM YOUR FALLS AS WELL AS YOUR SUCCESSES. CONGRATULATIONS GRADUATES.Best,

Benjamin

Benjamin Ola Akande, PhD
Dean, School of Business and Technology
Webster University

My friend Bryan Kress asked me to help him shoot a video for a business conference he’s going to in Chicago. It started off as nothing too serious because it was just supposed to be 30 seconds of him talking about himself. Well, we decided we should take out a few hours on a Sunday afternoon and do it right. Bryan then found out that the video will actually be judged against the other particpants’ videos at the conference. So, far we’ve been getting good reviews from everyone who has watched it. Hopefully we’ll do well at the conference.

Voting will take place at http://getmymessage.blogspot.com. If you like the commercial, a click from you wouldn’t hurt.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy the video. Be sure to check out Bryan’s Business on the Mound too.

Flickr has a blog post explaining the new video features.  Check it out.