Epilogue:

Apologies for my long absence in writing. Off-line life has been a time soak. Since the last time I wrote back in September 2011 here is where I was in life. I had recently returned from 14 days in Russia (Republic of Moldova). I had moved. Working wise my financial practice had reached the tipping point and was moving at light speed. Then shortly after posting I traveled to Boston all while laying the seeds to shift and spearhead a new venture.

Since November, 2011, I voluntarily left Northwestern Mutual to aid in a start-up called Synd It Global LLC. With our team we are now quickly developing the relationship management and sales end of a project bound for Wall Street. I am still my own boss and am enjoying working with an incredible team of young, bright and ambitious entrepreneurs.

We are a generation now company hell bent on changing the game. Which fields we play on have yet to be finalized but the battle is wagging. This project has inspired this post which I believe could be very beneficial for your pocket book.

Value Is the New Luxury

Think about this, when was the last time you as a consumer felt blissful luxury? Was it spending full price at a restaurant because you could afford it? Doubt it. Was it spending full price on a retail item at a local store instead of ordering it online? Doubt it. Or was it using some technology to save money on the same things you enjoy everyday? Bingo.

I just saved huge on this meal because I used Groupon, LivingSocial, ScoutMob, SweetJacks, Valpax, Coupon Factory, and I can go on and on and on. All these value derived membership services that all suck in their own unique ways. So I present a solution to you, with no subscription or cost to you the consumer.

Imagine you could connect your local business with your consumer in a better way online with a new syndication technology. Your business loved our technology because it is cost effective, involving no revenue sharing, no half off only offers and gave you additional services like SEO and a Landing Page, at no extra charge.

The consumer loves our technology because it functions like Craigslist, hauls like Google, guarantees them it is the best deal online in that market and works perfect with everything they already do/use online, including social media, smart phones and tablets. We do have an iPhone/iPad app, but not releasing it till we have more markets.

Then take that technology one step further and syndicate it on hundreds of Web and multiple platforms. Google, Bing and Yahoo does not declare the technology as spam because the technology follows their stringent SEO rules. And it benefits the sites that integrate our syndication tech because, for example, news affiliates love it the important SEO improving dynamic content. In addition, most any businesses Web site, online WordPress site, or news site can incorporate our syndication technology right into it. Every time your business is discovered on a different site, it is indexed separately for the search engines.

One of the best features of this syndication technology is the ability to “filter” the service. For example, new Professional Services sites coming online very soon. This allows the local consumer to research the best local plumbers, dentists, hair stylists, real estate agents, etc all while seeing their value adding propositions. Imagine this in every market across the planet.

We even have Organic/Sustainable filtered sites for businesses providing sustainable organic products. In the near future we will have a site dedicated to helping local consumers find the best 2 for 1 bar/restaurant specials in their market. It is incredible what this syndicated technology will do.

So if you had developed this technology what would you do next? Like any product, you have to bring it to market. So that is where Synd It Global comes in. Synd stands for Syndication, and we will make it a household term. The team is working tirlessley to develop this revolutionary service in six markets. We are almost two down with a third on the horizon. We are connecting local businesses to new sites developing every month. It is not a quick or easy process, but it will pay off.

I prefer not to go into great detail on the current sites as they constantly change, evolve and grow. But if you are reading this, you maybe want to save a few dollars. If you are in the Virgin Islands or Nashville, here are some great sites we have live that work great.

www.NashvilleCouponSpot.com or GreatNashvilleCoupons.com and www.Deals.vi. Check them out below by clicking on the image. See the service and how effective it is at providing all the information you need to connect to local businesses in those markets. Of course we hope you use them to add value to your life.

Nashville Coupon Spot

Great Nashville Coupons

Deals in the Virgin Islands

Syndication Technology explained for Businesses

Check back soon for updates. 2012 is bound to be a wild ride.

All the best,

Adam Faragalli

Many of you do not know that I am a percussionist, also known as a drummer. But I don’t really need a drum set to create a musical beat. I don’t really need anything other than my voice, aka beat boxing. As John Lennon once said, “I’m an artist, give me a Tuba, I’ll get you something out of it.” Now I am no John Lennon, but what he said should forever ring true.

“A musician does not just play an instrument, he manipulates the frequency of energy waves, developed within the human mind a power to create sound the universe has never heard. It is a magical expression of self.” Adam Faragalli

D Drum Green 5 Piece Set

Remo Heads

D Drum Green 5 Set Image

My goal for this post is to encourage you to think creatively through music. Understand, learning an instrument is no easy feat, achieved by few individuals. Think about it, how many people do you know that call themselves musicans? I am not talking about someone who took piano lessons for two years, or guitar lessons in the six grade. I’m talking about individuals who have spent years mastering their own musical brand.

The irony is that even after decades of playing an instrument, you can never truly master it. Take my father as an example. A man that has played guitar for literally 52 years consistently.  He has played in bands, taught music to others and of course is the president of a successful instrumental and educational brand, World Music Nashville.

To this day, Larry tells me he is always expanding what makes his unique style of playing. I can tell you this, since we started playing together a few years back, both our styles have molded and grown out of just our experiences together.

When you reach a place where you do not stress about the small details in playing, you learn to speak through your instrument. It comes as natural as talking after time. So naturally, playing with others can be a conversation at times worth having, other times its arguing, lol.

No player is going to produce the same musically elements twice, at least not exactly. It is the nuances in your attitude, even the energy of your mental state that can significantly alter your playing style in the moment. Sure you develop traits and characteristics unique to you like special sounds, unique rifts, but that’s just the surface.

And for me, playing the drums has become more than just playing the drums. It’s something that has enriched my life in ways I never would have imagined. It has brought my family closer, added new friends and relationships that would have never been created without the bond of music. And you know what, it is arguably the most fun I have ever had.

I literally meld myself in the drum set. I close my eyes for minutes at a time, get so into the beat that my body and mind are blended together in such a way that I literally feel like I am flying. And when I am done, the sensation of all those neurons that just fired in sequence with your muscles, you literally feel high as a kit. Plus, the beat will continue to play for sometimes days in my mind. Tell me what none narcotic substance could ever top that feeling?

But I am not going to lie to you, it was not always easy. I have my main musical teacher Kyle Jones to thank, my drumming uncle Daniel and of course my father for learning to play. I am still learning but they at least taught me the basics and Kyle Jones took it to THE NEXT LEVEL. If you can find a time to get a lesson (good luck), I recommend you spend some time with him. And by the way, yes he is a caffeine driven madman. Don’t be alarmed if he starts drawing cartoon figures from god only knows where during your lesson. But he is a keeper and an incredible musician to boot.

When he taught me, we played together. He played the guitar and we jammed a bit, then incorporated a lesson into the 30 minute sessions. It was fun and a unique way to learn to get better. Then at the end he jumped on and murdered the set for a few minutes. I recorded every lesson. I have dozens of taped recordings on my hard drive. I listened to them and got better. Practice does make perfect as well. Its all really just muscle memory.

Here is the bottom line, go out and learn to play. Why not? And DONT even think about telling a guy like me that you do not have the time. Bullshit. It is your life, time management is in your control in the 21st century, so use it wisely!

And may you too find joy in playing.

Adam Michael Faragalli

I leave with you with one of my favorite drumming videos. I have learned from each of these drummers something. But my favorite is Number 5, John Bonham baby. Enjoy

Music Room Guitars

Music Room

July 2^nd. 8:00 p.m.

Thoughts on our recent arrival in Chisinau, Moldova.

First Look, Airport at Chisinau

Moldova Countryside

Chisinau Apartments

This is a story about cultural differences between people of The Republic of Moldova and the Americans. Two different cultures, one collective in nature, one individualistic. Two ways of life, one is about survival, another about prosperity.

Yet, the power of the human condition has proven to conquer all. Friendships have evolved, bonds created and memories made; a lasting mark on myself, the American team and the Moldovan people of Belsty that will last a lifetime.

It will never cease to amaze this Nashville native how much Western life penetrates and influences people at all corners of the globe. Even in a place like the Republic of Moldova, apart of communist Russia for decades, now in many ways resembles American life in terms of some* of the population’s access to modern dress, food, alcohol, automobiles and even many of our technology advances.

The wealthy enjoy access to new Samsung cell phones, drive BMW’s, shop at posh boutiques and drink diet Coke too. But yet, there remains a large disconnect between the middle class and poor, especially with the Jewish communities we have visited here.

Our friend Irina said, “We survive, life is not easy. Jobs are hard to find, corruption is high and not much comes easy.”

This trip was organized by The Greensboro Jewish Federation, with the additional support of the Nashville Jewish Federation. Their overall aim is to help foster the Jewish identity and culture of the people of Beltsy, Moldova. A people struggling both financially and spiritually.

I quickly discovered this is no easy feat. Think about this, what it means to be Jewish in America is completely unique to your micro Jewish culture and traditions. Be it of your community or family, or even denomination. So creating a Jewish experience with a people dealing with anti-Semitism and a struggling Jewish identity was a challenge.

Another challenge is the lack of comparable life styles. One family we did a house visit in Belsty had no TV, non air conditioning or running water. Their front yard consisted of eatable herbs andvegetables. Yet, they were happy, just a close family, a bit stuck in the past. When I asked Tanya, the youngest daughter what she did for fun, she smiled at her family and said she liked to dance to music, which I later found out was basically from the 70′s, you remember The Bee Gees right?

Well here is a reminder, love this.

But I was expecting for Moldova something between “House on the Prairie” and a cold war deprived environment. What actually exists is a people just trying to better their country and community. Fighting to join the European Union and take advantage of all our western advances. In addition, a small Jewish community fighting a government who is passive aggressive and unsupportive to their needs.

I am happy to introduce a guest writer Angela Brown from London, an alumni of Oxford. Need more proof that this site attracts visits from all over the world?

Angela contacted me to write an article about financial matters. I though a bit about what may interest my readers. I suggested an article focused around the new Chevy Volt and Nissan Leaf and ultimately how these innovations will change the automobile industry, the financial markets and any other thoughts. Here is what she came back with with some  thoughts of mine interjected. May you too find it interesting. In any case, I’m very excited about these electric/hybrid cars and the changes  they may bring. (changes desperately needed)

How Electric Cars May Change the Landscape of the Automobile Industry.

The introduction of the new electric and plug-in cars is definitely going to have a great impact on the whole of the automobile industry, the associated economy and the stock market. For example, Chevrolet’s Volt and Nissan’s Leaf electric car are the most discussed about cars. The city governments too are bringing in the battery chargers and Obama too has promoted the technology.

Nissan Leaf Plug In Charger Picture

Nissan Leaf Interior Picture

Chevy Volt with Chevy Logo

Chevy Volt Interior Picture

Impact of the electric cars

Electric cars can save you money on gasoline. But can they save you money in the big picture? Today’s electric cars are more subsidized and so buyers may be able to get enough tax breaks. For example, the Nissan Leaf – a four-door hatchback car has the base price of around $32,780. However, it is eligible for $7,500 federal tax credit. The Chevy Volt, coming in just over $40,000 also qualifies for this discount. This makes the car cheaper than other vehicles. It is also cheaper than any other electric vehicles in the market. But lets be realistic, $40,000 buys you a nice luxury car from Lexus, Infinity or BMW too. In any case, it is nice to know you may be able to save thousands of dollars from the federal government if you buy an electric car.

According to Mark Duvall, the director of electric transportation for the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), the price of gas is $4 a gallon but a plug-in hybrid car can save a person about $15,000 to $18,000 over his life, on the assumption that people drive 1,000 to 1,200 miles per month.

This is a post that has been some time in the making. On the one account, I could say I have suffered from a case of writers block. I have been writing for over three years on just this site alone. On the other hand, offline life has been really demanding. Call it lack of time, lack of energy, lack of inspiration, it really does not matter what you call it, but lets just say I am trying to write again.

With such a demanding life, realized I needed to make a change in my diet. I also wanted to impact my appearance, but my main goal was to have more energy and been all around healthier. So I went on an all encompassing diet plan and workout program. Please understand, this is not a post where I introduce a brand new workout or diet program. No, this is about what has worked for me from what is already been created by nutrition, supplement, and exercise professionals.

For about the past five years, I have remained a very workout centered individual. I actively attended a gym, lifted weights, did cardio, avoided fast food, and related things. In fact, I actually got into lifting weights, put on about 20 pounds of muscle when the time I graduated college. Still, I’m an endomorph, so for me, it is easier to put on muscle, much harder to burn fat and look lean. An endomorph is someone who is genetically prone to store fat easily due to a slow metabolism. Endomorph body types are usually, but not always, large-framed with medium to large joints.

Naturally, especially for those that know me, I love a challenge. When it suddenly struck me that I desired to take my body to the “next level” of fitness, I knew I needed to make some serious changes. That is exactly what this post is all about.

Great video about what the national media  did not report. I live less than two mintues from neighborhoods that are still cleaning up. I hope this in any way can get us more assistance.

-Adam Faragalli (.com)