Ever had a day when you just woke up and couldn’t wait to get started on the projects for the day?  Well, welcome to my world this morning – not sure why, although I suspect wrapping up “Flu Fest 2010″ has something to do with it!  So, the blog this morning ties together a whole series of loose ends – sort of the equivalent of the Big Breakfast Buffet at a Stuckey’s, some place on planet earth.

Yesterday’s Blog:  A big thanks to John Lemen and Barbara Lund Smith who gave me the author I was looking for.  In John’s words:  Most of it was written by Mother Teresa.  (No top dogs line in hers) The final stanza she wrote says “You see, in the final analysis it is between you and God: it was never between you and them anyway.”  Original title “Advice for Living Well”  (or at least that’s what the copy on my office wall says).

Moving on to other topics this morning – sorry, if you like continuity this blog just isn’t the place today!    There are three great programs all coming up starting this week and moving into May:

Sandy Puc’s Family Tour:  Sandy Puc’s last round of US cities are running right now through the end of April.  She’s then in Canada for five programs in August and that’s pretty much it for 2010.  If you have an interest in fine-tuning your skills in the children and family arena this is an incredible program.

Mitche Graf and Ken Sklute:  It’s the Left Brain Right Brain Tour and it kicks off on April 25th in Boston.  When you look at the ad for the program, make sure you scroll to the bottom to see what happens in our digital world when their two faces are combined!   It’s a little scary, but if you really want a wild ride, hit their program and see what happens when you put their concepts together!   They’ve both been personal friends of mine for a lot of years and there’s an incredible about of information bouncing around in those two heads to help you fine tune your marketing and photographic skills.  Mitche and Ken also have done past guest posts here in the blog.

Escalate Live 2010:  The brain child of my great friend and motivator, Dane Sanders, he’s brought together some terrific speakers with Becker, David Jay, Jasmine Star,Jerry Ghionis, Jessica Claire and Jeremy Cowart on May 17 and 18 in the Los Angeles area.   This is a pretty amazing group with Dane speaking as well.  It’s happening at the Lido Theater in Newport Beach starting at 9:00 a.m.

GoingPro2010:  My very good buddy Scott Bourne and I just recently kicked off GoingPro.   Between the two of us we have an incredible base of experience in professional photography and an even more amazing network of friends and associates.   Combine all of that expertise with great enthusiasm and some terrific partners and you’re looking  at an educational program running all year long to help emerging professionals do the job a whole lot better, the way it should be done with professionalism and delivering a quality product with perceived high value.    We’ve also signed a contract for a new book with Random House, GoingPro, which is just part of this amazing project.   Stay tuned to the website and sign up to follow the events of the coming year on facebook at http://twitter.com/goingpro2010.  

Skip’s Summer School:  This week is the last opportunity for the first level early bird discount registration of $199.  April 1st it moves to $249 and then $279 from June 1st to the program.  We’ve got an amazing line-up this year with a faculty that’s just unbeatable.   But best of all – how many programs did you attend at the last big convention where you had to wait in line to get in or worry about even getting a seat?   This year, like last, we “own” the entire third floor of the MGM Conference Center.  I’m guessing, but I think that’s over 80,000 square feet – so everybody has not only a place to sit, but a place at a table – we’ll be setting it up classroom style and we will NOT oversell the space.    You’re going to need a recharge in August, just before going into the fall season – here’s your chance to pick up new ideas on weddings, children’s portraiture, pet photography, marketing, lighting, high school seniors, photojournalism, business and even a little boudoir!     And all while networking and enjoying Las Vegas when the cost is the very lowest of the year (MGM code is SSS005 for the $79/night rate).

Check out the schedule and the speaker line-up.  It’s all on the Skip’s Summer School site!   See you in Vegas!

You’ve heard me talk before about how we don’t have Monday’s in this house – so Happy First Tuesday everybody – make it a great day and a terrific week.