A KING NO MORE...

With the world advancing and changing at unforeseeable speed, one would think that people's perception, or better yet, understanding of relationships between men and women would've improved along with the rest of society.
However, reality paints a different picture. Women are still struggling to become free-spirited individuals, and for the most part, cannot escape our shadows.
Whether in business, social, or personal issues, most women remain second best- behind in most fields - although they're very much capable of doing an equal (if not better) job than most of us.
Yes, women have an unique perspective that needs to be fully incorporated and accepted; otherwise, this world of ours will never even stir towards the road to perfection.
Many strives and steps have been taken over the years; nevertheless, too many women continue to suffer (both physically and emotionally), causing tremendous imbalance to this world.
It's time for women to gain absolute freedom from us men!
Personally, from this moment forward, I'm relinquishing my throne. I no longer want to be called "King," "Master," nothing at all. I'm opening the gates of freedom, inviting every conscious woman to join me in mutual council, to create, change, and eradicate rules.
Even more, I welcome with open arms the opportunity to exist within their thoughts, to learn more, explore, and find our way back home. That way, women like Kesho Yvonne Scott (from the book Wild Women Don't Wear No Blues) won't have to feel imprisoned within her femininity and womanhood, as she expressed:

"I understood what mama meant when she said she 'wanted to be born a man.' I did too. It had something to do with seeing men have more freedom... for the girls, they were expected to keep their eyes on the right man, and live through their husband's achievements."

Being a true believer of absolute freedom, I truly hope that all men can gain the confidence and trust to simply let go. To mutually share, respect, and love the magic touch women posses in life.
So, as an ending thought, I'll simply quote Audre Lorde (from the book Wild Women Don't Wear No Blues), who- in writing about the Erotic said:

"The sharing of joy, whether physical, emotional, psychic, or intellectual, forms a bridge between the sharers, which can be the basis for understanding much of what is not shared between them, and lessens the threat of their difference."

United we'll conquer it all.
GX

"SKY'S THE LIMIT!"

We've often heard the phrase: "Sky's the limit;" nevertheless, have we taken into account the fact that we must be prepared for the opportunities we'll encounter, as we continue our journey through life?
Sure, the possibilities are endless, but if one's not equipped with necessary and relevant knowledge to get the job done, the sky (success) will always seem impossible to reach.
Even more, with the "flattening" of the world, millions of people are becoming award of the opportunities emerging around the world. Countries like Brazil, India, China, South Africa, Eastern Europe, and others continue to develop and grow more competitive and diverse, causing ripple effects worldwide.
In fact, Corporate America and Western Europe are taking notice of what's brewing, and have begun to embrace diversity and "openness," to improve company culture and understanding.
In a recent WSJ article, David Thomas, a Professor at Harvard Business School, was quoted stating that:
"Diversity is an inescapable reality for any corporation...wherever it's located; you don't want Balkanization - where you have women employees going after women customers, and blacks going after blacks. You want employees who can serve customers different from themselves. And you want an environment where employees aren't afraid to share perspectives that are unique to them." (WSJ)
Therefore, with 80% of the globe being non-white, and over 50% female, people of color and women have an excellent opportunity to level the playing field with the dominant white-male corporate leaders. As race, nationalities, and other social dividers crumble under Globalism and the flow of information, only those who acquire knowledge (skills), and utilize it properly will reach the skies.
The time is now, let's not waste it!
In short, Mr. Hantz Serao, Vice-President of Asset-Backed Finance at Citigroup, Inc. in New York, said it best:
"When are we going to be the second generation of something?"
If not us, the who? If not now, the when?
Hit me up!
GX

LEARNING IS NEVER-ENDING...

First, a small quote from the book “FREAKONOMICS,” by Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner; (pag.67 ¶ 2):

“Information is a beacon, a cudgel, an olive branch, a deterrent, depending on who wields it and how. Information is so powerful that the assumption of information, even if the information does not actually exists, can have a sobering effect.”

It’s amazing how many opportunities are out here, yet people don’t have the confidence, knowledge, resources, or desire to take advantage of them.
I see a recession coming, which will be felt by most of the population, excluding the very rich class. For one, with the Federal Govt. spending so much money today, once the cash cow dries up (which appears to be sometime in early ’06), many people and businesses will struggle on their own. Also, with inflation creeping very quietly, too many people will get caught-up in the big squeeze – too much debt, no savings, and interest rate on their ARM’s increasing to the point where they’ll either default or sell at a loss. Goodbye to those profit gains on Real Estate!! All this will be happening in the shadows of increasing energy prices, and a job market where employers are looking for highly skillful and experienced employees. Other types of jobs will be plentiful, but they won’t pay enough to keep up with inflation, and to sustain people’s current lifestyles.
And for those who are working on sales and commission, the troubles will be just as bad (if not worst), since they don’t have a clue of what’s coming, and are continuing to spend big, thinking that the year-end commissions will cover the cost. The Auto industry sales (which are shrinking real fast) are an indicator of what’s shaping up in that field.
The holiday season, and year-end spending will be okay, mainly because people are creatures of habits, and they’ll be able to spend big during the period, despite the fact that there’s no money. Credit cards and loans will leverage their spending, as companies look to capitalize on fees and interest rates, and consumers will finally reach the bottom of the pot, beginning ’06 in very bad shape. Only those who adjust and prepare for what’s to come will be clear of the big squeeze; otherwise, it will be depressing and “DESESPERANTE.”

The job is never finished,

GX

A little Escapade!

Thinking of the beach,
Palm trees, and the sun...
A beautiful atmosphere,
Cold drinks, and great songs;
Nostalgia and Joy converge in my soul,
As I imagine you and me [by the beach]
Having great fun.
Indulging our senses with Nature's beauty,
Great passion, and much more...
We'll have a wonderful experience
If we escape together to have some fun!

GX

TRAYECTORIA DIVINA

A eso de caer y volver a levantarse,
De fracasar y volver a comenzar,
De seguir un camino y tener que desviarse,
De encontrar el dolor y tener que afrontarlo...
A eso no le llames adversidad, llamale Sabiduria.

A eso de fijar una meta y tener que seguir otra,
De huirle a una prueba y tener que enfrentar otra,
De planear un vuelo y tener que viajar on otro.
De aspirar y no poder, de querer y no saber,
De avanzar y no llegar...
A eso no le llames castigo, llamale Ensenanza.

A eso de pasar dias radiantes, dias felices,
Y dias tristes - lleno de soledad...
A eso no le llames suerte, llamale Experiencia.

A eso de que los ojos miran y los oidos oyen,
De que el cerebro funcione y las manos trabajen,
De que la boca sonria y el alma irrada sensibilidad -
Haciendonos sentir Amor en el corazon...
A eso no le llames poder humano, llamale Milagro Divino.

Nuestras experiencias ayudan a formar el molden que nos convierte en seres unicos e independientes, capazes de alcanzar y conquistar cualquier meta en nuestras vidas.
A veces llamamos "Adversidad" a lo que no podemos conseguir facil, ya que no entendemos los obstaculos que se atraviesan en nuestros caminos. En si, esos obstaculos nos guian a travez de la ensenanza, y nos ceden la sabiduria que nos permite evadir la rutina y el castigo.
Y siempre recuerda que: "Sinceridad, Paz, Amor, y Determinacion son los ingredientes requiridos para obtener armonia absoluta y felicidad completa.

De todo corazon,
GX

Business News and Highlights:

Steve Case (AOL’s co-founder) quit the company’s board – it’s definitely because the company will be sold, and he won’t have much power over it anymore. Who’s buying though?
Putin will be out of Russia in 2008, clearing the way for a business-oriented Head of State. New opportunities will arise; as their economy gets revamped to better compete in the global economy.
The economy and inflation in the U.S. is getting so tough, that more college graduates and professionals need two jobs just to cover their monthly expenses – especially in big cities near the coasts.
Credit Card companies are going for small purchases and tiny transactions (of even less than $5.00); more profits from fees and increasing interest rates!!
(Poor consumers, they really don’t have a clue of the game that’s being played out here).
Japanese Institutions and investors have learned from their past mistakes, and are concentrating on smaller (yet smarter and more profitable) overseas acquisitions. (Good article on WSJ pg. C-4, 11/01/05).

Now changing gear, the market overall has been bearish during the last month or so, but investors are expecting a late surge in the 4th quarter – driven mainly by the profitable large caps (particularly those in the Defense sector), basic materials (steel, coke, lumber, etc.) energy (oil drilling and refinery companies, natural gas, coal), and innovative tech companies; everything else will not have a good Christmas, particularly those companies relying in discretionary consumer spending. The people’s discretionary funds are diminishing as inflation continues to cut into their money.
And finally, your favorite sector: Real Estate, the bubble is basically here, as people desperate for cash are beginning to list their properties “for sale,” but nobody is buying. The bubble will not be nationally because of the re-building that’ll be done in the south – as a result of the hurricanes; but, otherwise, everywhere else things are not looking good at all. So, ’06 will be a very tough year for those who didn’t prepare and planned ahead.

Tough times are here, so get ready!!!
GX

The Big Squeeze!

The economy has become a two-headed monster, where those in the green (+) side of the economic curve are profiting very solidly, while those in the red (-) side are taking a beating in general.
The haves are enjoying record profits in the 3d quarter, as the average worker is seeing his/her paycheck reduced substantially by high gas prices, lower wages, and a huge increment on the price of food, medicine, and other needed goods.
"Savings" are a great indicator of how the world's resources are being redistributed, since one group is accumulating massive wealth, while the other is falling deeper and deeper in the abyss of debt.
HELLO PEOPLE!! There's no middle class anymore; one is either rich or poor, and the gap between the two keeps getting wider by each passing minute.
The experts and economists are "unsure" about this holiday season's consumer spending; well, I'll tell you what's going to happen:
people are going to do whatever it takes to buy plenty of gifts and unnecessary items for their children and loved ones, and are going to ignore their fiscal responsibilities, as well as goals - just to escape their reality for a while and have a good time.
The setback will be equivalent to a three-year loss, because the money and income that's suppose to build an emergency fund and nest egg will have to be allocated for bills and debt.
Hence, this holiday season - and beyond - teach yourself and your loved ones what "fiscal responsibility" is all about, and create a realistic budget to ensure that no money gets wasted. There will always be tomorrow, and believe me, there's nothing better than to have fun without worries or limitations.
Peace of mind is priceless!
GX

GX Entertainment

Life is a blend of experiences, actions, and events; some are serious, others fun, but in the end they help shape the real You!

Check out:

1. Aaron McGruder's creation: "The Boondocks," (an animated tv-series begining Nov. 6, on the cartoon network's late night "adult-swim" programming block).
2. Billy Shakes (Financial Advisor by day, rapper and entertainer by night), www.bshakes.com
3. For those who enjoy something a little more intense: "Sleeper Cell," (a Showtime series begining in Dec.).
4. Major League Baseball's "World Series," (Oct. classic, featuring the best and hottest teams of the year).

Note: This year, my paisano "Luis Pujols" will get his first World Series ring. Go Platano!

Til next time...

GX

Blurry Visions

For the most part, memories blur our visions, since they paint a picture of the past, without taking into account the changes, events, and circumstances that may have occurred throughout time.
Although there are people, places, and events that seem to remain constant, change - in general - is inevitable. Just think about some of the changes that have occurred during the past five (5) years:

1. The explosion and expansion of the Internet.
2. The availability of information as a result of #1.
3. Voip, Ipods, Dvr's, Blogs, Mapquest, G-mail, Reggaeton explosion, Patriot Act, Homeland Security, Iraq War II, etc.
4. NAFTA's growth, CAFTA's birth, the welcoming of Khaddafi's Libya into the International Business Community, the emergence of Dubai as a business hub in the Middle East, China's boom, India's emergence as a force to be reckoned with, and much more...

The world is not the same anymore, as change has re-structured and re-shaped the rules of the game, the way we live, and the required skills to succeed in this new age. So, as the global environment continues to evolve, it's very important to recognize and understand the changes around us, in order to capitalize on the opportunities available.

Keep your eyes wide open, 'cause change is here to stay!

GX

the choice is yours!

Life is all about choices. We choose whether to accept our present circumstances as they are, or we choose other alternatives to create a change.

On a personal level, I chose an alternative that turned my world upside down, that deprived me of life's pleasures, and that forced me to change my overall perspective of the universe. Perhaps, my experiences have brought about the toughest, yet most eye-opening lessons in life - thus far.

It's from those choices and experiences that gxfusion is created; with the objective to guide, inform, motivate, and entertain those who choose to interact within this fascinated virtual world.

More importantly, your comments, opinions, viewpoints, and information are more than welcome, to ensure that collectively we expand our level of conciousness; and at the same time, we'll take advantage of the flow of information and shared experiences.

Furthermore, for those who feel more confortable expressing their viewpoints in Spanish:

"Pueden escribir sus comentarios y opiniones en Espanol, ya que frecuentemente encontraran postings en este idioma tan fascinante."

El mundo en que vivimos (hoy en dia) requiere conectividad, adaptividad, y pragmaticidad para alcanzar el triunfo/exito que tanto anhelamos.

Hasta la proxima...GX!

ANCHOR-FREE LIVING

As the world's global economy gets in full swing, more people will gain access to the overall market, creating an even more competitive socio-political and economical environment for everyone. Not only will companies (especially those in the manufacturing and garment sectors) be forced to re-locate to undeveloped and cheaper territories, but there'll also be a vast movement of people - creating unforeseen competition, as well as displacement for those who choose to remain in the dark.

It's imperative that we evaluate our lives, remove all stressful and negative situations anchoring our progress, and embark on a serious and dedicated quest for success, peace of mind, and absolute freedom.

Change is inevitable, hence, unless we change right along with the environment, we'll become disposable subjects for those in power to exploit. It's very important to evaluate all our actions, associations, relationships, and extra-curriculum activities to determine what and where the changes must be made.

There's a great need to link-up with positive and like minded people, so that collectively we could take advantage of the present and future global environment, to achieve our intended and desired goals.

Don't wait around for someone or something to rescue you, and take full control of your life and circumstances - beginning today!

Share the love... GX

Moneycasting '06

In regards to the economy, '06 will be a tough year for those who don't belong to the millionaire's club, as the gap between rich and poor continues to widen, and the middle class disappears.
Energy prices will continue to rise, as gasoline prices jump to $5.00 p/gallon, heating fuel and gas increase 50% in price, and jet fuel hikes forces the airline industry to re-think their overall strategy, and raise prices even more. In the end, we - the consumers - will be the ones taking the hit, as consumer products become even more expensive, food, cleaning products, perishable goods (with the exception of clothing), and much more will reach record levels in prices, squeezing us out of our hard-earned money and savings (if any). Bills, bills, bills will continue to pile up, as people opt for vanity and escape, as opposed to fiscal responsibility and budget planning.
The real estate market will not continue to boom, as banks & lending institutions make it more difficult to get a home loan, and the new bankruptcy law gets in full gear.
Personal debt will reach an all-time high, as people continue to leverage their lifestyles with credit cards and loans, failing to prepare for the "big squeeze" ahead. The effects of hurricane Katrina will trickle throughout the nation, especially in the retail sector, leaving thousands without a job. (Their best alternative: acquire new and relevant skills to remain competitive in the current global economy.)
Capitalism is not a compassionate system, so either you make your power move, or someone else will make his or hers at your expense. And for the record, there's no such thing as luck; there's prepared, and there's unprepared...
So, which one are you?
Holla back! GX

Intro

As 2005 comes to a close, our attention should be shifting towards '06. The upcoming year offers an unique opportunity to re-organize our lives, and to put into action those long desired plans, as well as the new ones. The overall environment will open the doors to new careers, job advancement, continuous education, entrepreneurship, and much more.
There's a great need for skilled and knowledgeable workers, professionals, and pragmatic individuals - who are ready to adapt to this fast-changing world.
Major corporations, in conjunction with the federal govt. have allocated plenty of resources (ca$h) to educate and train those interested in moving up the socio-political-economical ladder, and gain financial freedom.
Thus, now is the time to take complete inventory of our lives, and formulate a plan that'll change our lives for the better. Forget about vanity and escapism, and focus on issues and actions that'll make a positive impact in one's life.
And please, if you don't know where to begin, do not seek the assistance of those who won't understand what you're trying to do, or even worst, who won't support your efforts. Seek individuals willing to travel the path to success. Collectively, we can all find the peace and happiness we so much desire.
Til next time...GX!