You best stay out of the kitchen.

Being one of the more visible YTB blogs on the internet, I have my share of readership. Most readers are supporters and enjoy my insight and information about our company.

I also have my share of detractors. Some I would safely say detest my existence for one reason or another. If you’re in the public eye, you can’t be everything to everybody and there will always be those who don’t agree with you. What makes my sort of activity and exposure dangerous is when emotions enter into the mix.

Emotions have too many variables. You can’t expect emotions to remain constant over time or from one person to another. Each individual perceives and reacts to each situation differently. Logic and facts however always have a base or a core that remain constant. One of the things we’re finding through our journey together with YTB is that the facts of our business model are able to withstand the misconception, half-truths, and lies that we see from those who use perceptions and opinions as their core defense.

As expected, John Frenaye took exception to my article on Friday and boldly laid claim that I’m the one who “spins”. He added that his blog was more “legitimate” and his was the only viable option where people had to ability to “judge for themselves”.

He’s also a tad upset at what he’s deemed a “personal attack” and eventually, “my lies” will catch up with me.

My – my – my. How easy it is to dish it out.

It’s interesting to me how quickly this group pulls the “personal attack” card when challenged. I’m not sure if they think they’re too pure, or we’re to take pity and look the other way when their blatant misrepresentations about our people, our Founders and our company are created by their hands. I hate to break it to this group – but they leave some enormous “stinkers” out there on the web. Their activities have left some laughing, and others appalled. We DO know right from wrong, ethical from unethical, what is morally right and what’s morally bankrupt.

To illustrate how bold and brazen John has become over the years, we’ll reference one of the most legitimate and honorable sources I know – our court system. What was forwarded to me last week clearly illustrates why our Home Office made the decision to turn down his requested interviews and why others have come to the conclusion that John can’t be trusted to “report” anything concerning YTB in an unbiased or accurate manor.

Case in point: This was written by John last week on his blog:

Of course, back in August of 2009, we reported on the story where Coach had a ramshackle home and was able to convince a church to make the repairs in return for a lease. But Coach reneged on the lease and got his home fixed for free.

I don’t know about you, but I wouldn’t call his post entitled “Once Upon a Time” an actual “report” but ironically – a “Fairy Tale”. If you strip away John’s “report” and look at the court documents which are linked in the word “TRUTH” it reveals John’s elaborate web of deception – not Coach’s.

Yes – John’s the one deceiving the flock – pouring Kool-Aid if you will. The “truth” shows that Coach and Chris “donated” the parcel in question to the church for a Minister and his family use as a parsonage. More troublesome; the word “lease” never even appears in the actual court documents, although conveniently inserted by John in his – “report”.

True, the home needed electrical upgrades to meet code, and a gas furnace needed to be converted to propane. There was never any lease however, and Coach and Chris never received a penny for their generous donation to the Church and its family. Consequently, the court concluded:

“the parcel here in issue and the house thereon qualified for exemption during all of the 1998-assessment year either because it was in the process of adaptation for exempt use or because it was actually used by the Church as a parsonage for Rev. Casey.”

I know I’m going out on a limb, but you be the judge here. Which do you find more “legitimate”? John’s “Once Upon A Time” fairy tale – or – documentation from “The State of Illinois“?

What’s so astounding to me, is the man doesn’t appear to understand how anyone could possibly question his “reporting” as wrong or even inappropriate. To question anything he says or does is challenged with a very coy rebuttal and continued claims that HE is the most fair and unbiased source concerning YTB in the land. According to John, he’s proven how Coach has a long history of deception and he’s proud that his flock agrees that Coach should be thrown in jail for doing what he did to this church.

And yes, that type of arrogance is frustrating – even for me.

We can’t forget another court ruling regarding YTB’s business model and claims of an elaborate pyramid scheme that wasn’t just dismissed but tossed out as “redundant, immaterial, impertinent, or scandalous matter“. Again we find John and others on the wrong end of an argument calling the absurd complaint “powerful”.

Here’s how the Honorable Judge Murphy described the complaint:

“The First Amended Consolidated Complaint, filed July 15, 2009, is an ungainly monster of 39 pages containing 133 paragraphs (many of which have subparagraphs) that likely does not pass muster under the familiar federal “notice pleading” standard.”

True to form, John “disagrees” with the court’s ruling, and makes no apologies for his position or opinions. John falls right in line with the type of hideous and outrageous accusations Counsel tried to pull in its second go around, after the first complaint was dismissed. Their answer to the problem – a bolder, more brazen attack.

So which do you find more legitimate? John’s statement, or Judge Murphy?

From John’s point of view, it’s YTB that is “crafty” and “sly”. The only reason why YTB is still around is due to changing our model or living on the very edge of the law. Regardless how much change or how close we “appear” to be, it’s still the right side of the law. YTB’s model has never required “payment for the opportunity to recruit others” from day one. You may not agree with that – you may not understand that – and you may never accept that. But because yours is only “opinion” and not “fact” – you do have to continue to deal with YTB.

Finally, John recently found out that the law is the law, and everyone (including him) must abide regardless of opinions or perceptions. The creation of a fake Zam Zuu fan page to mock and poke fun at our company violated ZamZuu’s trademark causing a confusing similarity. His defense – a space between “Zam” and “Zuu”. (And no, I’m not kidding.)

John, you don’t just stink – you absolutely reek of lies, deceit and a perception that the laws of this land simply don’t apply to you. It’s a double standard that I will not turn away from and I will not make any apologies for in calling you out. We all make mistakes (even me) but there comes a time when you have to stop blaming others or being a victim and take personal responsibility for your own actions.

You are in the public eye and there will be those who will disagree and oppose you. There will also be those who will hold you accountable for your actions. If you don’t like it, either toughen up or stop what you’re doing and go back into hiding.

As it stands right now – you have proven to me, our company, and several outsiders who have no beef one way or another with YTB that you should not be trusted due to your attitude and your actions documented above.

For every action, there is a reaction. So if you don’t like my reaction, stop acting the way you are!

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Do You ZamZuu?

I had the following story forwarded to me this weekend by one of my subscribers. I have no idea who the author is, or it’s origins. Heck, I don’t even know if it’s true or not. (Although if it isn’t – it should be.)

If you do an internet search on this piece you’ll find pages and pages of this piece – my guess is because it’s touched a lot of lives. My hope is that’s exactly what it does for you.

Change Your Thinking

It will take just 37 seconds to read this and change your thinking.

Two men, both seriously ill, occupied the same hospital room.

One man was allowed to sit up in his bed for an hour each afternoon to help drain the fluid from his lungs.

His bed was next to the room’s only window.

The other man had to spend all his time flat on his back.

The men talked for hours on end.

They spoke of their wives and families, their homes, their jobs, their involvement in the military service, where they had been on vacation..

Every afternoon, when the man in the bed by the window could sit up, he would pass the time by describing to his roommate all the things he could see outside the window.

The man in the other bed began to live for those one hour periods where his world would be broadened and enlivened by all the activity an color of the world outside.

The window overlooked a park with a lovely lake.

Ducks and swans played on the water while children sailed their model boats.

Young lovers walked arm in arm amidst flowers of every color and a fine view of the city skyline could be seen in the distance.

As the man by the window described all this in exquisite details, the man on the other side of the room would close his eyes and imagine this picturesque scene.

One warm afternoon, the man by the window described a parade passing by.

Although the other man could not hear the band – he could see it in his mind’s eye as the gentleman by the window portrayed it with descriptive words.

Days, weeks and months passed.

One morning, the day nurse arrived to bring water for their baths only to find the lifeless body of the man by the window, who had died peacefully in his sleep.

She was saddened and called the hospital attendants to take the body away.

As soon as it seemed appropriate, the other man asked if he could be moved next to the window. The nurse was happy to make the switch, and after making sure he was comfortable, she left him alone.

Slowly, painfully, he propped himself up on one elbow to take his first look at the real world outside.

He strained to slowly turn to look out the window besides the bed.

It faced a blank wall.

The man asked the nurse what could have compelled his deceased roommate who had described such wonderful things outside this window.

The nurse responded that the man was blind and could not even see the wall.

She said, ‘Perhaps he just wanted to encourage you.’

Epilogue:

There is tremendous happiness in making others happy, despite our own situations.

Shared grief is half the sorrow, but happiness when shared, is doubled.

If you want to feel rich, just count all the things you have that money can’t buy.

‘Today is a gift, that is why it is called The Present.’

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Do You ZamZuu?

Hope you had a fantastic Labor Day weekend. Personally, I enjoyed myself for the most part – if it weren’t for the emotional outbursts far into the weekend concerning the video of Candi May I posted on Friday. I had no problem responding to comments on Friday, but when one outspoken Moron continued with his obscured and irrational comments deep into the weekend, it became apparent someone couldn’t help himself, so I gave him a little push by cutting off the comments.

As I read the outbursts from this Moron and the way this alter ego shoved beliefs and misconceptions around I couldn’t help but recognize how little some have learned over the years. If you recall, Candi May is the same woman critics attacked a year ago when they claimed she couldn’t possibly be a “travel agent”. Last year, I spent an entire month being harassed by another traditional agent who claimed to have all kinds of proof the Candi wasn’t who she said she was. When I asked for this “proof” the excuses began to mount along with the anger, bitterness and harassment that I was not only a coward, but didn’t see the light.

Because all we ever get from critics is a bunch of smack, I took the time to collect the proof and show both Martha Burke and John Frenaye that neither one of them had any clue how to research and find the documentation they claimed to have. To my surprise, when it was all said and done, there was a very nice apology from Martha, (the woman who was being so abusive here) and John Frenaye, who eventually admitted that HE was wrong. (Although he has since forgotten the entire ordeal.)

Fast forward to the last couple of week’s and we have a new Moron who’s now talking all kinds of smack and making all sorts of false accusations claiming that he has all the answers to finally prove we’re wrong and he’s right.

Sigh…

Because the video did a very good job of showing our critics that Candi May was abundantly clear that she obtained her perks while a traditional agent, and was granted the privilege of these perks by winning supplier contests, and for booking lots and lots of travel, Moron decided he wanted to go off in another direction this weekend in yet another irrelevant tangent in an attempt to keep me on the defensive during my extended holiday weekend.

Do want me to get on topic about Candi May? Okey dokey. This is from her blog: ” I am absolutely committed to assisting at least 100 more in achieving success in their own business and reaching millionaire status within the next 3-5 years… be one of them…” Now I ask you since you’re so close to her, has this happened? Take particular note of “100 more in reaching millionaire status.” That sounds to me like she has already made at least 100 people millionaires several years back since this an old bio. And why aren’t you in her group and a millionaire yet? Simple questions require simple answers.

My simple answer was that I found her desire admirable, and I’d be the first to congratulate her when accomplished. I wasn’t about to get caught up in yet another issue because some Moron is constipated about Candi May. All this talk was yet another attempt to find something else they could throw up about her being misleading. Notice how this Moron changed the quote from present tense to past tense so he could continue his charade inside his alter ego talking smack. Case in point; Candi used the word “assisting” while Moron changed it to “assisted” when he stated she’s already accomplished the task. The word “more” here simply means that she’s already found a number of people to assist and wants to expand her goals which I do find admirable.

Bottom line, I didn’t respond to the statement in past tense because if you need to change the words in order to change the meaning, why is it relevant?

Because this alter ego is an confused, arrogant, pompous Moron. That’s why.

Now mind you, I’ve outed this Moron here before for the antics and lies that he’s attempted to spread, only to have them blow up in his face. Because of his constant obsession with YTB and me, he tried to out me for badmouthing Pleasant Holidays back in the spring. Instead of siding with Moron, Pleasant Holidays became even more involved with YTB because they saw the value YTB brings to the table. But instead of accepting the new partnership between Pleasant Holidays and YTB, he has this grand illusion that they’ve finally agree with his side of the story.

Regarding PH [Pleasant Holidays], the last PH-YTB Sale-a-Thon was a disaster according the reps at PH. It didn’t generate enough business profit to merit the cost to them for having it. They will not be attending Funshine, just as 99% of the suppliers won’t.

When I documented that Pleasant Holidays would not only be at Funshine, but hosting one of the seminars there, the response was “Where are all the others?”

See how that works? It never ends. Because I didn’t provide a complete list of attendees of some 50 or more suppliers who will have booths at Funshine, he’s able to claim that he’s right about nobody showing up!

All in an effort to keep me preoccupied with his constipation and bantering.

Lastly, there has been an enormous amount of attention and focus on this illusion that I can’t pay my bills. Furthermore, Moron seems to think I threw my wife under the bus to keep up appearances. Forget the fact that there’s new legislation to prohibiting banks from changing rates at a moments notice. Forget the fact that the National Arbitration Forum was shut down by the Minnesota Attorney General for misleading people that collection agencies had a controlling interest with the banks. Forget the fact that because of the fraudulent activity, creditors were now demanding thousands more than what was actually owed. And forget the fact that the entire process chewed up, and spit my wife out leaving her an emotional wreck.

Because I made the mistake of loving and supporting my wife’s wishes to end her ordeal through bankruptcy, somehow it’s my fault. Apparently, I should have stood up and told Ronda because some nut case on the internet would not only take issue with her choice, but blame me for throwing her under the bus.

Excuse me, but he was nowhere to be found or was the one holding a sobbing wife in his arms  – or had to endure the sleepless nights wondering how she/we could pay our bills or put food on the table for his children without a bank account - or have the guts to stand up for himself and refuse paying THOUSANDS more than what was actually owed.

Somehow that’s throwing my wife under the bus?

There’s a reason why there’s a Moron Registry on the internet – it’s for imbeciles just like this who because they don’t have a real name or identity, they don’t have to live a real life. They can come and go as they please, never have to take responsibility or be held accountable for what they say or what they do. It’s a gutless existence that wastes an incredible amount of time for those of us who deal with real issues and real problems. Not some strange, bizarre, and emotional twist in an attempt to turn the name Moron into Saint Moron.

So there you go Moron. You got your 15 minutes of fame on my blog. Not sure it’s how you actually wanted to be presented, but that’s okay. Nobody will ever know the real Moron behind the mask. But for those who do know who you are, it’s about time they begin to understand how pathetic you really are.

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I had something else ready to post this morning, but found a fairy tale that was just WAY to funny that I needed to share with you. It never ceases to amaze me how low some people will go to bend and twist documentation in an effort to pitch their own perceptions and limiting beliefs.

It’s no secret that there is a segment of our society that think rich people are greedy. Because this segment of society has never actually known anyone that thinks in terms of “net worth” instead of some “hourly wage”, this same segment also assumes that rich people got their money through unethical and dirty business practices. It’s one of those social memes I wrote about some time ago.

Now, take the myths and social memes surrounding rich people and combine it with Network Marketing and you’ve got yourself one heck of a double whammy when it comes to anger, bitterness, and resentment.

Case in point, our very own J. Lloyd Tomer.

While Coach is certainly loved and admired through the ranks of YTB members, there is a segment of society who spend an exorbitant amount of time attempting to knock this man off his perch because he’s obtained his wealth through Direct Sales or Network Marketing. For those of you who don’t know his story, you can Google “J. Lloyd Tomer, AL Williams” to find his bio. Here is one on the first pages that I found on Portfolio.com. (emphasis mine)

J. Lloyd Tomer, Chairman of the Board of Directors, has been a Director of YTB since December 2004. He is the father of our Chief Executive Officer, J. Scott Tomer, and is a seasoned veteran of direct sales and marketing. After spending thirteen years in the ministry, he became an agent of the A. L. Williams Company (now known as Primerica Financial Services (“Primerica”) in January 1981. He achieved the level of Senior National Sales Director in 1985 and maintained that position through 2001. While at A. L. Williams he built a successful sales organization numbering in the thousands, whose combined life insurance sales was measured in the billions, with assets under management of $750 million. He sold his agency in Primerica in January 2002. Thereafter, Mr. Lloyd J. Tomer devoted his marketing expertise to YourTravelBiz.com, Inc. He attended Anderson College in Anderson, Indiana.

Here’s a guy who build an immensely successful organization with sales in the billions and assets in the millions through Direct Sales from 1981 through 2002 thanks to capturing the dream of Art Williams back in the early 80’s. Even after the sale of the business to his son Frank in 2002, the assets and money generated from this organization were used to help fund the start of YTB in the early years.

Fast forward to today, and we find a select few are upset with Coach, an outsider, for infiltrating their business segment with a bunch of Travel Agent wannabes’. (Or so they claim.) What we end up with are obscure twists on how this man attained his wealth, lived his life, and given back to the community.

I learned a long time ago from Harv Ecker that part of the rewards of being rich is the ability to donate money or assets to organizations and associations that are important to you. When you think about it, what makes a bigger impact – $10 in the offering plate or $10 million in stock options to pay off a mortgage? Obviously creating wealth can and does have a bigger impact for those who desire to make a difference in people’s lives.

Those of you who have met Coach, spent time with him, or listened to his leadership call’s: Would it surprise you that new documentation has come to light of Coach’s generosity?

In a link provided just this morning to a court document, it has been revealed that Coach and his wife Chris donated a parcel of property to Midwest Community Church in 1998 so that the Pastor and his family could have a parsonage (a home) in which the Rev. Casey, his wife, his son age 16, and daughter age 13 could live. The property was bought by Coach in 1995, and when Coach was elected as Trustee of the Church in 1997 he donated 100% of the use of this parcel to the church.

According to the document revealed we also found the condition of the property.

Initially the yard needed to be cleaned up. All of the lights outside the house had been broken. Inside the house there were numerous electrical problems that violated the electrical code and which needed to be corrected. The house had two furnaces. One furnace to heat each side of the house. A new natural gas furnace had been brought in to heat one side of the house. It was anticipated that natural gas would soon become available in this neighborhood. However, that did not happen.

The document also reveals that at the time the land was donated, Coach’s desire was to assist in the development and growth of Church’s religious organization. Pursuant to the agreement, this parcel could be used for any purpose the Church deemed appropriate, including but not limited to a parsonage, youth retreats, church administration, or marital retreats. In return, the Church was responsible for all expenses, repairs and maintenance costs, and was to maintain adequate insurance on this property, naming the Tomer’s as a loss payee.

Because I can actually read and comprehend the documentation provided, I can deduct that Coach was enjoying a tremendous amount of success and creating substantial wealth which enabled him to purchase the property in the first place. I can also conclude that the church obviously respected his financial position by appointing him as trustee to the church. I can also assume that Coach believes in sharing his wealth and supports religious organization with very generous donations to a number of church organizations.

Not a bad way to live your life if you ask me.

Now I know this is going to upset some of you, but I need to remind you that we’re not dealing with individuals who are playing with a full deck here. (Not the sharpest tools in the shed, if you know what I mean.) I do however think it’s important to reveal how desperate and delusional some people are when it comes to mud slinging and slandering individuals who they’re obviously jealous of. They need to peck and poke in an attempt to bring others down with an obvious twist on what actually happened.

I’d advise you that you put down any drinks or food at this point because it may end up on your computer screen. Here’s the introduction of the post I found this morning concerning what happened:

Once upon a time in a land far away, there lived a man in a ramshackle house. The house was in such bad condition, that the local authorities would not issue occupancy permits. When the time came to pay the tax man, the man in the ramshackle house could not afford to pay the property taxes.

Destitute and without too many options at his disposal, he turned to God and the Church. Knowing that Church property was exempt from taxes, he “donated” this ramshackle property to his Church for only a year who decided to worship on the property and to fix up the house for their minister and his family to occupy as a parsonage.

While I can’t disagree that this donation was a “tax deduction” for Coach and Chris, (donated in December of 1997) but to claim that Coach was destitute at this time with an AL Williams business generating millions, and an elected Trustee of the church is a pile of manure that only critics can step in. What makes it comical for me is the way this guy capitalizes “TRUTH” at the end of the post which links and documents what we’ve uncovered here.

The truth is, this “expert” doesn’t expect people to actually read the document he’s provided because he’s bend out of shape as the “be-all-and-end-all” when it comes to YTB. (Arrogant and cocky I know, but that’s what he thinks of himself.) What it turns out to be is yet another documented example of the lies, deceit, and misrepresentations that are plastered all over the internet to pitch Coach as some sort of scammer. If you look at the URL that links to the court document that clearly recommend that Madison County Parcel be exempt from real estate taxation in 1998 it’s linked by hims as http://www.singleparenttravel.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/Tomer-Church-Scam.pdf.

I might not be the best speller in the world and I’ve been known to make a mistake or two over the years. But at least I can read and comprehend what’s truth and what’s pure spin. And how are the critics going to answer to this blatant attempt to spin and slander? My guess is that what we’re going to find as a rebuttal is a dog’s tail isn’t spelled “tale” in an attempt to take the focus off them and back on our Founder in YTB and me.

Think it’s gonna work?

Me neither, but the faceless, nameless cowards who support this jerk as some type of crusader against the evil YTB will be jumping for joy that they’ve found more documentation and truth, when it’s obvious to me, their simply chasing their own “tales”.

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According to YTB’s 10Q filing with the SEC, the office of the Illinois Attorney General has agreed to extend the date by which YTB must respond the Illinois complaint to this Wednesday, August 26, 2009. If you’re not aware, or forgotten due to last months Convention and the improvements YTB is currently enjoying we wanted to prepare you that another chapter is about to revealed for discussion of both pro and con on blogs, forums and message boards all over the internet. (We are talking about YTB after all!)

Before the ink was able to dry on the California Settlement on May 14th, Lisa Madigan, the Illinois Attorney General, filed their civil complaint against YTB and the Founders the same day. Many of the claims and allegations were a mirror image of what was found in the California complaint. Although Illinois had opened an ongoing “investigation” that started just days after the California complaint filed last August, 2008, Illinois apparently chose a “wait and see” attitude. (Possibly in the hope that California would be successful in shutting YTB down.)

YTB management obviously can’t discuss legal matters publicly or with the field. However the two words we hear over and over from the Founders and Executives is “very optimistic”. We would agree with this optimism based on the successful settlement agreement in California, and the Illinois class action that has already been thrown out. The allegations brought against the company are based in fear, myths, and deception and one needs to keep in mind that the foundation of court rulings and decisions are based on fact and documented law.

We’re not going to bore you, (or for that matter insult or taint your intelligence) with the gross misrepresentations and allegations made against YTB. Other than claims that YTB continues to promote Royal Caribbean, NCL and IATA as a benefit of joining – the premise of the entire complaint is based on the belief that one must to “pay to play” for the opportunity to recruit others into the YTB business. (The “gigantic pyramid scheme” mantra.)

We possibly need to elaborate for you, like YTB will this week with the courts that the YTB model, as it has always been from day one, does not require payment for the opportunity to recruit others. Nor does YTB “pay” someone simply to recruit.

The $449.95 provides a travel website and $49.95 a month provides the continued maintenance of a travel website in order to sell travel. (Travel sales generated from these travel websites were documented at $424 million in 2008) Payments to the field as either an Associate or Website Seller (Rep) are dependent on the travel site (or product) being sold and maintained. Most Host Agencies such as Uniglobe, Travel Planners International, Nexion, MTravel, Expedia Cruise ShipCenters, and Dugan’s Travels are also dependent on the sale of sites being sold to others (in order to therefore generate travel sales) and all charge a startup fee and monthly maintenance fee for website hosting and maintenance of a booking engine, support, training, licensing, and/or E&O insurance for their product or service.

As we’ve found so many times before, all the focus and attention is pinned directly on the Network Marketing aspect of the company while all rules, customs, and normal business practices are thrown out the window. Instead of YTB keeping the money generated from payments of $449.95 and $49.95 a month as other hosts do, YTB pays field representatives for sales they produce and maintain in their own organization. Limiting beliefs are compounded by critics, Attorney Generals, and former Reps who failed, based on the fear that everyone does not have the same opportunity to generate income in this fashion. There are additional phobias based on the MLM model running out of prospects, instead of realizing that it takes personal responsibility, action and effort to build an organization. To compound the emotion of these fears and phobias, the model in some cases does generate millions of dollars of income for common everyday individuals who go to work, promote and build a business of other websites under them. (As documented in both the 2007 and 2008 Rep Income Disclosure Statements.)

The cost for such an opportunity? Not a single penny.

Avon, Mary Kay, PrePaid Legal, NuSkin, EcoQuest, Amway, Primerica, Fuller Brush, and HerbaLife have all built their business via the Network Marketing and Direct Sales model for multiple decades, generating billions, no…TRILLIONS in income. However, fears concerning the window of opportunity for YTB will soon end for someone at the bottom of the pyramid. Because of this unfounded and undocumented belief, there are those who feel its up to them to step in and protect others from something that has never – EVER happened.

Is there any question that YTB believes it has meritorious defenses to the claims and intends to vigorously defend its case based on fact, not perception?

Regardless of your keen understanding and intelligence to see YTB for what it truly is, YTB should be able to successfully defend the misrepresentation and limiting beliefs made in the complaint filed by the Illinois Attorney General. Unlike the many blogs, forums, and bizarre emotional outbursts we see concerning the YTB company, it’s Founders, and the people involved, on the internet – the legal system instead must favor on the side of actual documentation and facts, not perception.

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Do You ZamZuu?

I told you about a month ago how much I enjoy watching The Celebrity Apprentice. I hardly ever watch it live. With TiVo, I have the option to watch the show when it’s convenient. (And also have to luxury of shortening the show by skipping over the commercials.) I know of several readers who also enjoy the show, and we’ve e-mailed, called, even tweeted about the show together.

With the season finally coming up this weekend, I wanted to watch last weekends episode to see who of the five made it to the final two for the season finale this weekend. While I had my hopes about both Jesse James because he’s a working mans man, and Brande Roderick for no other reason than I think she’s hot, (sorry honey) I also knew that the chances of that happening were slim to none.

Which brings me to the topic of today’s article. During last weeks episode the two teams were given the task of creating a 30 second commercial and a new jingle for Chicken of the Sea. The task really doesn’t sound out of the ordinary. Remember we’re taking The Apprentice here. However when you factor in one key team member of KUTO who is Grammy Awarding winning song writer and Project Manager, Clint Black.

Talk about an ace in the hole.

Brande Roderick and Annie Duke on the other team are pretty sure they’re goners. They aren’t musically inclined, (try tone deaf actually) and since looks don’t count on this task, and because “The Donald” was firing three people, chances were we would be seeing the last of both in this episode. Clint Black on the other hand comes up with a catchy melody, though a bit melancholy.

Certainly an unfair advantage no matter how you slice it.

One of the draws to these types of reality shows is how unique some of these personalities are. During the course of the season, you get to know these people. You get to know their strengths, their weaknesses, and their quirks. Every show has someone who’s abrasive. They’re just too cocky, too sure of themselves for you to really like them. Annie was that person during this season for me. She’s a poker player, (albeit a very good one) and has no shame in taking risks or asking for what she wants.

A couple of episodes ago she made some calls to friends in which she didn’t really ask, but rather told her list they would be donating to her charity auction. A win at all costs type mentality. There were a number of heated exchanges made during the episode. (Too many bleeps to really make out what was said. ;-P) The type of confidence, pressure and tactics she used would make just about anyone uncomfortable. Although nobody really liked the way she demanded money, it did produce the largest single amount of money raised for charity in the history of The Apprentice. ($245K)

When the task was announced last Sunday night and everyone realized who Brande and Annie had to go up against, you wrote both of them off. You felt vastly different about the reasons for their departure. Brande on the one hand, with considerable business skills, had too much of an innocent charm to think she would be able to make it to the final two. (Did the dumb blond stereotype also play a role?) Annie on the hand was just too confident and too brash. You couldn’t help but think that it was payback time for all the pushing and shoving she’s done the entire course of the season. It was one of those “what goes around, comes around” scenarios.

What was clear from the very beginning was that both were not only out of their elemate, but when stacked up to a professional songwriter like Clint Black, there was just no way either one of them would make it to the final two.

In the Boardroom Annie goes on about how she and Brande determined Annie was the least tone-deaf of the two and “The two of us just found our heart.” Because they found that heart, somehow…someway, against all the odds and doubts everyone, including me had, the executives of Chicken of the Sea decided the the message of Athena (Brande and Annie) was a better jingle and message and beat out the Grammy Award winning artist Clint Black.

And because of it, the shoe-in got the boot instead.

Regardless if you agree with how good or bad the jingle was, how much you like or dislike Annie, the fact of the matter is that against all the odds, Annie pulled it out. (She did write the winning song.) I don’t think anyone was more surprised than she was based her reaction when “The Donald” announced who won. Me…I was laughing because of the odds that she overcame. It didn’t matter how much I liked or disliked her, I couldn’t help but admire how she overcame the odds and beat out what looked like insurmountable odds. I also knew that regardless of how I personally  felt about her tactics and enormous ego, I also knew that her tenacity was a good match for “The Donald” and this show.

The lesson here is to never count anyone out before the final bell rings. The human spirit can overcome anything it wants, and there are thousands of stories I’ve read about that speaks of overcoming what looked like insurmountable odds.

Remember this story and the one I wrote about concerning James Harrison back in January in the weeks to come. There are many who are counting YTB out right now, and if you spend any time reading on the internet about what’s going on, you too might count YTB out.

I wouldn’t be so sure just yet. While I know many are looking for news about the YTB’s tentative settlement and pointing at me right now because they want answers. Many critics of YTB consider me just as arrogant and brash and Annie. What they want is to make me look like a fool. What they want is payback. Like Annie, they don’t like the confidence I have in my own abilities and the abilities of the company. (Often confused with arrogance.)

The YTB vs California Boardroom is still behind closed doors for the moment. The answer will come in due time and when it does, it will probably get better ratings than “The Donald” and The Celebrity Apprentice. Remember, everyone is still waiting for answers right now. For “tentative” to become “final”.

The wait is almost over my friends. When it is, we’ll still be here to duke it out for as many rounds as you like.

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I found this poem the other day while surfing. Needless to say, it struck me.

While I had something planned for today on gratitude, and why it’s so important to achieve what you want in life, when I read this, I realized that it said everything I wanted to say about the subject.

Do this faithfully throughout the year, and I promise you that 2009 will be the best year yet.

Be Thankful

Be thankful that you don’t already have everything you desire,
If you did, what would there be to look forward to?

Be thankful when you don’t know something
For it gives you the opportunity to learn.

Be thankful for the difficult times.
During those times you grow.

Be thankful for your limitations
Because they give you opportunities for improvement.

Be thankful for each new challenge
Because it will build your strength and character.

Be thankful for your mistakes
They will teach you valuable lessons.

Be thankful when you’re tired and weary
Because it means you’ve made a difference.

It is easy to be thankful for the good things.
A life of rich fulfillment comes to those who are
also thankful for the setbacks.

GRATITUDE can turn a negative into a positive.
Find a way to be thankful for your troubles
and they can become your blessings.

~ Author Unknown ~

PS - If you're involved with YTB, sign up for our FREE Newsletter. As a Website Owner or Website Seller, we'll keep you up to date with all the latest news, acquisitions, and developments with YTB.

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Do You ZamZuu?