Perhaps a little indulgent, but for my fiftieth birthday, I made a list of 50 things about myself, Jim Stalker. I have eaten cookie dough for breakfast. I proposed to my wife in Stanley Park, Vancouver BC, overlooking the Lion’s Gate Bridge, I got down on my knee (it was romantic). As a child I […]
Sooner or later you will be googled. Maybe by an employer, customer, or neighbor. When that happens, what will they find? What you hope for is that everything that turns up is both positive and indicative of the kind of person you are. This article will provide some personal branding basics that can get you going toward […]
Originally published July 2010. My wife had fallen asleep in the hotel room. Our 8 year-old, who we allow to watch TV on trips like this, was transfixed by an infomercial. “Daddy, you have GOT to see this,” our son said shaking me out of what was nearly sleep, “and, we have got to order […]
Originally published April 2011. The Internet is abuzz that this year’s contestants may be the weakest in American Idol history. The feeble field is actually good news for the stronger-voiced competitors, who can further differentiate themselves through deft song choices that compliment their vocal capabilities. The finalists can’t improve the technical components of their singing […]
Originally published August 2009. Steely Dan is in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. They are a bit odd and people either love ‘em or hate ‘em. Their body of work combines the most harmonically complex “pop” music in rock and roll with the most subversive (and often hilarious) lyrics ever. They have […]
Early Years – New Jersey Born in Monmouth County New Jersey, I grew up the youngest of four siblings in the 300-year-old city of Eatontown. Eatontown was famous for its shopping mall (Monmouth Mall) and Army Base (Fort Monmouth). It is also notable for being close to the Jersey Shore towns of Red Bank, Asbury […]