From Feb 24th

From February 24th Greetings everyone – yes – it’s Bruce here. You are stuck with a report and edition from me – so sit back, relax, put the kettle on and have a read of this week’s blog. Firstly – before I forget – there are 2 things I must report – the boys got their report cards and we are very proud of both of them. Conner has really knuckled down and raised all his grades up at least 1-2 levels. Jamieson got A’s and B’s – he loves it. We are very proud! Secondly – Jamieson is starting baseball this week so that will be interesting! We know he has the speed – he is like a gazelle now – his first practice is tomorrow night – so we have to go out and buy all the crap (cleats, glove and baseball pants) so he looks the part. I am actually looking forward to seeing how he goes and how he adapts into another sport. He will be fine – not sure about the sitting and standing around though. (Yes – I know what you are thinking – a chip of the old man’s block – well – my tongue is out and I am proudly saying yes!!!!) Ha! Yes – I am in a weird mood writing this so who knows where it is going to lead…. It is Monday night here at 9.28pm – and I am just going to write! Conner wants to start playing football – the US kind!!! The sport system is so screwed up here and is mainly run by people who do it for money – privately – the football season – all 12 weeks of it – costs $325 – go figure!!!! PLUS you have to buy all your own pads, helmet, boots and all the other crap. Then…. Here’s the best part – they have WEIGHT restrictions in age groups – so the really heavy kids don’t kill the normally built kids in tackles and stuff. I am not joking – some of the kids in the US weigh more than me – and they are in Year 7!!!! Conner is starting to get really creative and basically growing up – he is writing a movie – including all costumes, scripts and props – it is going to be very cool. He is also starting to think like and entrepreneur – yes – his dad is very proud! What else has been happening? Ummmmmm….. The weather has turned warm again – the days are getting longer and warmer – sitting here now in a t-shirt – yeah – I know – you guys are probably sweltering – but we are still in Winter remember! We are going to try and hit the snow one more time before it melts – so stay tuned for pics. Belinda is doing really well – her work is driving her a bit crazy – sometimes just not busy enough for her – but she sinks her teeth into everything she can in the office and the change has been welcomed – for all of us – but to see her back and using her skills is simply awesome. I am so pleased for her. In fact – she is over at Paula’s now going over stuff for the office – and I bet she is loving every minute of it. Now… what have I been up to…. Hmmmmm – a very interesting question that one!!!! I will just go project by project and try to update you as best as I can without confusing, boring or going on too much… BillyBounce – we are gearing up for the NCAA Final Four championships at the end of March in Atlanta. (The Final Four is the college championship weekend – it is the largest sporting event in the US next to the Superbowl – the lead up is called March Madness and it consumes the whole country) As you may know – I am going to be there with the BUG and doing promotions with 5 Star (our partners here in the US) and 5 Star are planning massive promotions with the BUG being a major draw card – including a dinner featuring 2000 guests and also a DVD filming session whereby we are going to make a DVD of the Top 21 things you need to know when you are coaching kids – or something to that affect. You may ask if 5 Star are serious about the BUG – well – the man working the camera has won over 120 Emmys for film production – yep – he’s good!!!! They are going to be filming other DVD’s as well – but we will be one of them. This is all happening with PowerAde and Coke as well – so the company we are keeping is going to be good!!!!. Stay tuned for a report after that little adventure! On the program front – we are putting programs together in 4 states at the moment – but many more are on the drawing board – and now that the High School Basketball Season is over – the phone is starting to ring. We just made a few small changes to the BillyBounce website – so go and check them out – but major changes will be made on and after the Final Four – time is just getting away. I have hooked up with a friend over here who is putting together some clothing samples which we can hopefully start selling in about May I think. Some of you may have heard about my little project called PocketAngels – well – this little project has gone a little nuts across the USA – in a nutshell – after going to a conference in LA about a month ago – I met with a distributor who wants to put them right across California and Nevada (yep – that includes Las Vegas – which means I can take BUSINESS trips to Vegas!!!! God Bless America!!!!) Then – following the LA experience I got put onto a special trade website and put the Angels up on there – so there are now a few agents selling the PocketAngels for us across the country. When it starts to grow – I will let you know more – but for now – it looks like it could grow a leg! I am definitely going to write a book about this experience! The good part about all of this – now that it is set up – we don’t have to do anything accept make the Angels and ship them out the door – the perfect business! Now – it just has to do what we want it to do!!!!! Cross your fingers for us! (Go and check out the website www.pocketangels.com - Yes - I wrote every word and designed every card - it was fun!) The next few months is going to see some serious flight miles logged up across the USA for BillyBounce – with programs starting in many of the states – but with careful planning and much enthusiasm – we will make the BUG a huge success – the Americans just LOVE the concept – it is so completely opposite to Australia – you couldn’t believe it unless you saw it for yourself. Even the fact that we run programs for kids – people are full of praise, enthusiasm and so many people have simply said Thank you for helping the country and the problems with the kids. Can you imagine THAT happening at home? Ahhhh nope! Well – that’s about it for now. There is much happening in the pipeline which is very exciting – but I can’t let you know about any of that until things are in place – The first 2 months of the year have been nothing short of exceptional and when the year continues this way – it is going to be one to remember as a major turning point. We hope this finds you well – wherever on the planet you are reading this and whatever you are doing. Please go and see the Angels website http://www.pocketangels.com/ and of course – pass it onto your friends to see as well. (Yeah I know – some of you are going to read some of the writings and think I have completely lost my mind – fact is – every single Angel has a specific meaning and are written from the heart – it is amazing to see your writings bring smiles and tears to people’s faces – you can’t buy that feeling!) From all of us here – take care, be good to one another and of course, KEEP SMILING!!! Jamieson, Conner, Belinda and Bruce (Hey - Jamieson never gets to go first - so this time he did!)