Finished Reading MJ deMarco's "The Millionaire Fastlane," and Continuing the Reading of His Book "Unscripted"

I heard of this book THE MILLIONAIRE FASTLANE (Crack the Code to Wealth and Live Rich for a Lifetime)" from one of the postings in my X (used to be known as Twitter) account, and it turned out to be a fortuitious experience. I have finished reading the book, and have since got his 2 other books, and am currently reading "Uncripted (Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Entrepreneurship)." No wonder these books are almost always never mentioned in many book review publications, as they're essentially against the prevailing system that so many of us cater into. Of course, I don't really know if this person actually exists, or it's all part of a scheme to narrate one fantastic sounding story in a book, or two. But, based on what I have read, it's worth having and reading, especially because it has its very unique voice of admonishing you to your senses. As in right now. So you won't be lulled in your current underwhelming existence in your efforts to become rich and create a wealthy lifestyle for the rest of your life. And not be caught up in your own very comfortable bubble of an existence, especially if you're here in the US where admittedly, so many things are taken for granted (so many are just so clueless they're so much in a position of advantage, but that's another topic, probably, for a future blog posting). I'm 57 years old, and haven't really misspent my life practically doing or accomplishing nothing. What I have read in the books, so far, fortifies what I have been learning and had even heard some of which even from my MBA teachers, thinking, pondering, and working on myself in my life and in my projects. This thing about highlighting process is something what my Logististics Management teacher mentioned over 18 years ago in MBA school -- I even remember his words on the primacy of logistics (you can use any other similar fancy word to fit your taste), and he has been proven right especially during the covid pandemic period. That professor, who's a member of my MBA thesis defense panel, was an executive of an American multinational company dealing with tractors mostly (they're a highly known brand) - and he actually reminds me of what MJ deMarco's description of someone who has chosen to be in that path that many of us are growing so tired of as it's really a slowlane journey to whereever you want to go with your life. Becoming rich, creating your own wealth via entrepreneurship is a long journey, and never gonna be a one time event, especially for those who decide they're going to be millionaires. It's almost boring a process, honestly. From my own experience. I have not much of a story to tell you except that my life's story is almost regular by most standards, I have way more similarities to most of those I identify myself with. Except that I am gay, married to a Harlem born raised Black disabled man of my age, an immigrant from the Philippines to here in the USA, where I turned 40 years old, and have since become a US citizen. In MJ deMarco's books, you'll find very instructive points to consider in your own life journey especially if you want to be rich. And to be rich fast, and not whiling away your time doing the slow and medium routes. He's lambasting network marketing, those compounding interest schemes in owning shares in the market, being employed and gaining not much from such entrapment. I haven't really paid attention much to using, mimicking, copying MJ de Marco's vocabulary, as I believe it's the thought process that matters. Anyway, I am thankful for the reminders I have gathered from his books to date, which I will note, re-cast in my own vocabulary, and make use with certain particular revisions for my own journey. And so, I invite you to join me too in my journey. Get hold of the two books, as they're not typically mentioned by many gatekeepers. It's important to read books, as it's very revolutionary act. Write your books, too, when you get the chance, which is going to be a whole process by itself, even if MJ deMarco says writing books is easy (I agree!), but marketing them is actually where the business is. It's by pursuing your own process and path to becoming the next millioinaire using the prescribed fastlane he describes in his books, where you will probably be able to afford to write books (and make millions from them, probably). And then in taking note of the process, and in taking plenty of action based on your reading experience. All the best in your endeavors, whatever they are. SHAMELESS PLUGS FOR WHAT YOU MAY HAVE SOME NEEDS FOR: Thank you for checking this posting out. Being in a capitalist country, I will take this opportunity, too, to share my stakes in various business engagements I currently find my self in. You may check these stakes I have here in whatever manner available to you (given changes in procedures we have from time to time), copy and paste them on your browser (if that works for you), and be more than curious with plenty of other things out there. Thank you again. I have some choice real estate investments myself. If you need to invest in some of these REAL ESTATE opportunities: https://fundrise.com/r/eo9x3 I have several stock portfolios made up of equities I have chosen to meet my own goals. You may have some need to get a FREE STOCK: https://join.robinhood.com/jeromeb846 Open your Fidelity broker's account, too (I got one, too!): https://fidelity.app.link/e/iy3f8YYfbCb I also have an account with Interactive Brokers, where I mostly buy shares that are not easy to acquire thru the usual other brokers' sites due to some limitations; you can open your own account there, too (and I will earn a USD 200 if you do, thank you!): https://ibkr.com/referral/jerome597 And for anything online shopping that you may be always on the lookout for, especially on bestselling products and priced best from the online shopping site where I also have invested my own money, check this: https://amzn.to/3qlanEM I also have a chain of online stores thru a franchise system, which you may also be looking for, so please feel free to check it out: https://affiliate.shop.com/join/register?referralEmail=dyerohmeb@gmail.com&referralPublisherID=AP3060300 I have been using supplements as part of my healthcare regimen for over 10 years now, and they work well for me, who is currently past my mid 50s as of this writing. And I get them from my own online store. Check and explore if you're in search for certain opportunities: https://www.shop.com/isotonix-daily-essentials-packets-935461732-p.xhtml?publisherID=AP3060300 (WHEN YOU BUY OR SUBSCRIBE THROUGH SOME OF THE SITES I SHARE HERE, I MAY MAKE A COMMISSION. THANK YOU! THEY WILL GO A LONG WAY IN HELPING ME CREATE AND SHARE THESE CREATIONS THAT YOU MAY HAVE DISCOVERED HERE. AND WITH MUCH DARING ON YOUR PART, YOU STILL OPTED TO OPEN UP POSSIBILITIES IN YOUR MIND ALONG THE WAY. FOR THAT ALONE, THANK YOU, AGAIN.)

Selling a 1958-Released 'Lady Sings The Blues' Book Online

I continue to get surprised every time a book buyer buys a book from among my listings in my online storefronts, which I myself would have second thoughts of buying for myself. This refers to the recent sale I made through my Amazon.com storefront, which has made me happy, as well. Only someone who knows what (s)he wants would buy books like this one, which I said and described to be really in a 'delicate copy' and in a foxed condition at that. I had to tape the spine together as the pages are getting detached from one another. I wonder if this copy would still manage additional handling from more readers. Oh, well, I'm taking chances that the buyer would decide to keep, read the book, preserve it, or even share it with someone when (s)he's done with it. I'm sure I won't feel bad if (s)he decides to return it and get refunded with the payment (which would affect my rating as an online seller with Amazon.com, I suppose)....But I do hope (s)he won't think like I took advantage of the sale online...I was upfront and honest with my description when I listed the book in my Amazon.com storefront in early 2011. I originally got the book from one of my walks in the streets of Brooklyn. The book stayed listed until this sale came through. And I'm grateful for that.

SHAMELESS PLUGS:

Thank you for checking this posting out. Being in a capitalist country, I will take this opportunity, too, to share my stakes in various business engagements I currently find my self in. You may check these stakes I have here in whatever manner available to you (given changes in procedures we have from time to time), copy and paste them on your browser (if that works for you), and be more than curious with plenty of other things out there. Thank you again.

Invest in REAL ESTATE: https://fundrise.com/r/eo9x3

Get a FREE STOCK: https://join.robinhood.com/jeromeb846

Open your Fidelity broker's account, too (I got one, too!): https://fidelity.app.link/e/iy3f8YYfbCb

I also have an account with Interactive Brokers, where I mostly buy shares that are not easy to acquire thru the usual other brokers' sites; you can open your own account there, too (and I will earn a USD 200 if you do, thank you!): https://ibkr.com/referral/jerome597

And for anything online shopping that you may be always on the lookout for, especially on bestselling products and priced best, check this: https://amzn.to/3qlanEM

I also have a chain of online stores thru a franchise system, please feel free to check it out: https://affiliate.shop.com/join/register?referralEmail=dyerohmeb@gmail.com&referralPublisherID=AP3060300

I have been using supplements as part of my healthcare regimen, and they work well for me. And I get them from my own online store. Here's the link for you to check and explore:

https://www.shop.com/isotonix-daily-essentials-packets-935461732-p.xhtml?publisherID=AP3060300

(WHEN YOU BUY OR SUBSCRIBE THROUGH SOME OF MY LINKS I SHARE HERE, I MAY MAKE A COMMISSION. THANK YOU! THEY WILL GO A LONG WAY IN HELPING ME CREATE AND SHARE THESE CREATIONS HERE. THANK YOU, AGAIN.)

This Comment from Customer Has Made My Day!

I've airbrushed parts of this picture, which shows the exchange of messages I just had from one of my Amazon.com storefront customers who recently bought a book from me. (S)He was grateful and thankful, despite the product arriving at his/her doorstep with 'the shipping package crushed the edge of the book cover.' Believe me, I've met some online customers who are just out there to put people's businesses down by making negative comments out of the blue, or they're being just unreasonably capricious (when they're buying a cheap-ly priced item and demanding so much in addition to the product). But this message from my customer has offset all of the negative vibes I've received from these certain customers (they know who they are! LOL).

Here's a thousand thanks to this customer!

Also, here's the book the customer bought from me (via Pinterest.com) 

SHAMELESS PLUGS:

Thank you for checking this posting out. Being in a capitalist country, I will take this opportunity, too, to share my stakes in various business engagements I currently find my self in. You may check these stakes I have here in whatever manner available to you (given changes in procedures we have from time to time), copy and paste them on your browser (if that works for you), and be more than curious with plenty of other things out there. Thank you again.

Invest in REAL ESTATE: https://fundrise.com/r/eo9x3

Get a FREE STOCK: https://join.robinhood.com/jeromeb846

Open your Fidelity broker's account, too (I got one, too!): https://fidelity.app.link/e/iy3f8YYfbCb

I also have an account with Interactive Brokers, where I mostly buy shares that are not easy to acquire thru the usual other brokers' sites; you can open your own account there, too (and I will earn a USD 200 if you do, thank you!): https://ibkr.com/referral/jerome597

And for anything online shopping that you may be always on the lookout for, especially on bestselling products and priced best, check this: https://amzn.to/3qlanEM

I also have a chain of online stores thru a franchise system, please feel free to check it out: https://affiliate.shop.com/join/register?referralEmail=dyerohmeb@gmail.com&referralPublisherID=AP3060300

I have been using supplements as part of my healthcare regimen, and they work well for me. And I get them from my own online store. Here's the link for you to check and explore:

https://www.shop.com/isotonix-daily-essentials-packets-935461732-p.xhtml?publisherID=AP3060300

(WHEN YOU BUY OR SUBSCRIBE THROUGH SOME OF MY LINKS I SHARE HERE, I MAY MAKE A COMMISSION. THANK YOU! THEY WILL GO A LONG WAY IN HELPING ME CREATE AND SHARE THESE CREATIONS HERE. THANK YOU, AGAIN.)

Why I Consider Books As The Second Most Useful Set of Helpers in Taking Lead In My Life

Other than the inspiration I got from watching the video above, I was prompted to write this posting mainly because I got reminded by my own set of memorable experiences in reading books all these years. Not to sound preposterous here, but I can claim that I've been reading books as far as I can remember being up on my feet. I was an early reader because I was influenced a lot by some relatives and family members whom I would see reading books, magazines and the like. My parents would buy me illustrated comics that have been among my earliest reading materials. We would have cabinets at home lined with books when I was growing up. Also, I was exposed to Sesame Street on TV where I learned so much on the English vocabulary, counting, numerals, symbols and, other tools used in improving your skills in reading. 

Books, needless to say, are essentially subversive materials, whether you agree to this notion or not. And reading them, particularly the best ones, literally will change directions of your life. But you don't have to take my word for it. Just observe and learn about the lives of the most important people in the world. Some examples: Jesus Christ,  himself, was into reading. In fact, in one of the narratives where he read parts of the Torah, he even proclaimed that what had been written has become real and actually happened in the very eyes of those gathered around him to listen to him read aloud from the holy books. And we all know that Mao Zedong was a book reader. He learned so much from his books, such that he used them in leading China, which is now becoming more and more the leading nation in the world each day.  And have you heard about the Persian storyteller Scheherazade of the book 'One Thousand and One Nights'? She would have been forgotten by now if she didn't hear or read about the stories that she shared with a certain Persian king, who wanted her killed but who would eventually spare her life, marry her, have children with her and make her into his queen. 

You may consider books as your lovers in printed or digital formats, especially when you are down and you feel neglected and ignored by your loved ones (or those whom you believe should love you in return for the kindness you've poured on them). In the pages of books, you'll be embraced by all the warm limbs coming from the outcomes of the very minds of the book authors. You'll be heard, strangely. At times in your reading experience, you'll get a sense that you're being listened to. And books are not exactly passive lovers as they feed you with a lot of ideas and that sense of wonder and accomplishment when you dwell on each word found in the many pages of your books. From this moment on when you feel depressed, you can always go back to reading the pages of your books that have been waiting for you for some time because you had been busy in other activities in your daily life. 

Practically every topic in life has been written in books. And a lot of these books have been gone forever (remember the famed Library in Alexandria that survived for hundreds of years until it was burned mainly because some groups of people believed books were dangerous things to possess, and so, they have to eliminated them once and for all). So many writers have been around before us and they have had the courage and took the hard time required to write books. Just do a research first so you'll discover that these statements are more truthful than falsely claimed here. And in case you don't agree with this, you can start writing your own books. Just make sure you share them with the rest of the world. In today's life, writers can most conveniently write books and get them published without spending as much money as before. They just have to actually find time to write, rewrite, rewrite, and publish --- tough activities that can intimidate a lot (hence, they're not writing at all). 

I don't understand it but I've met a number of people who have been intimidated by me just because they've seen me reading books, and even in having so many books in places where I've lived. Among other activities I'm into, I actually make a living from marketing and selling books, the core of my inventory has come from my books (400+) that I have gathered, bought, read, collected through the years. At least, I know who are the people I should keep some distance from, unless they go out of their way to reach out to me from time to time (which is just fine with me). 

And indirectly related to my efforts in book reading, I've met so many people who would give me their books, mainly because they wanted to help me out in my business. I'm not sure if they're into bookreading themselves. But I'm assured that I have known so many wonderful people who have recognized the value of books in our collective daily lives. In spite of most skeptics' belief in craziness of the idea of reading as a must-do daily activity as well as in marketing and selling books, you can be assured that the market has been expanded so long. These days, you don't really need to read the bestsellers; you just have to search online and you'll get all the chances to buy any book you may have in mind. Make sure you read those books you've ordered (or else, start your online bookselling venture, too).

Bookreading, chances are, will help so much in opening your eyes to many perspectives about life, people, places and events all over the world. In fact, you don't even have to travel physically to places unknown to you but you can do that easily by just reading books about these places. You'll meet and talk with people who have lived so many ages ago by reading books about them (or even those books they wrote themselves). You'll understand the nuances and differences of each individual by poring over the best rated books about people. You'll appreciate yourself better as you continue reading books that help clarify who you are in relation to others in your community and those living different lifestyles from yours.

And why do I say books are the second most useful set of helpers in taking lead in my life? We still have to go out of our way to connect, relate, communicate, experience loving and supportive links with other people. The wise among us have learned it early on that by merely connecting with others, they gain so much useful knowledge in life.

Interested in architecture? You may want to read & study 'Lectures on Architecture'

Lectures on Architecture by Eugene-Emmanuel Viollet-Le-Duc
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I got this book (and the other volume) from HousingWorks here in NYC; I told myself that if it's being recommended by the eminent Frank Lloyd Wright as the only books worthy of reading (and learning from) about architecture, then I should find the time. And yes, I have to say it was, even if it took me some time to finish reading it (as I would usually read many other books within the same period). I have to say the author's style is rather sonorous---you have to help yourself to stay awake while reading at least 5 pages at a time particularly if you're not an architect. Look at this comment in the context of being with someone like myself who once dreamt of becoming an architect (but changed plans midway).


I love studying structures generally, and I would usually tell myself questions on how people go about constructing, building edifices and having them last lives of most people. They're quick symbols of what is great and awesome in the human spirit---just take a look at the pyramids both in Egypt and in South America. And I remember having been in awe just walking on the terraces that were built by 'uneducated' tribes of pre-Spanish period people in the uplands of Luzon island in the Philippines---and I'd learn about how these ancient people taught themselves how to make terraces that would last for thousands of years.


And with this book, I learned, among so many detailed facts, about how the Greeks are considered the most talented artists in the world, particularly in the field of architecture (encompassing a lot of areas, actually, including drawing, design, logistics, construction, finishing, etc. etc.). Their influence continue to be felt when you see structures that were put up during the Byzantine period, which to most have been not known.


I also learned about how the Romans were among the most grandiose when it comes to architecture --- they built massively well using their armies of colonized people, such that up to these days, professionals refer to their works when they want to construct something really grand and humongous looking. Just study why the Coliseum in Rome make curious onlookers gawk at its details these days after its builders have been gone thousands of years.


The book brought some laughs from me as I read about the author's disdain toward the rather stupid styles of a number of French architects he studied and thought their works are all 'on the surface' works that are meant to impress but not really designed for people to live, do their work and go on with the other activities in their lives.  Many chapters in this book got me into thinking about the florid-ness in design built into old (as well as new) buildings that are actually useless and do not contribute to the integrity of the buildings themselves. All these because their architects foolishly wanted to emulate what's found on the surface and would not study underneath what's conveniently seen by the eyes.


The book got me into thinking about the primacy of architecture among the arts, whereas I'm biased because I love writing and the cinema. Yes, come to think of it, the most excellent, most moving samples of artworks (although they were not meant to be such, except that their designers took pains to recognize what's innately beautiful to human senses --yes, there are, indeed, such things in our lives!) in our midst are those that recognize our common needs and wants that begin from the need to create something beautiful and functional (hopefully, at the same time) in the confines of spaces where we can do what we want and seek for. We experience these emotions when we something as elegantly beautiful as the Chrysler Building in NYC. We see other samples all around us, which we don't even recognize as art works, per se. We just recognize them as great looking. By reading this book, I got my eyes more open about all the other important but generally unappreciated details found in structures in places I've been to.


I'll really have to work hard for now so that I'll get to read, understand and finish the second volume.


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Musings on Jonathan Franzen's Bulky But Very Absorbing Book 'The Corrections'

The Corrections by Jonathan Franzen

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I felt somewhat dizzy reading many parts of this book, which included a lot of very specific details on medicines, technical researches, engineering projects, finance, the sciences, and cuisines. At times, I thought I was reading the book of Numbers in the Bible; I was thinking 'what the f_ck!' with all these highly detailed descriptions that switched in between the minute-details of the lives of the many characters involved in this novel. But I continued reading this thick book up to the end and have no words but complete admiration for Mr Franzen's work on this epic of a novel. I've not read that many pages on novels, excepting Fyodor Dostoevky's fiction works. This is also to say: the book's meant to be read by voracious book-readers and a must-read for all fiction writers whatever their personal preferences are.

I'm totally surprised at how knowledgeable, it seems to me, Mr. Franzen has been about the details of lesbianism and bisexualism (of the female type), which lifestyles have been graphically described in this novel. Well, I have to add and emphasize that his descriptions are very tasteful - I got curious myself and has been somewhat illuminated with those lifestyles myself (considering the kind of alternative lifestyle I lead myself LOL). And yes, there were a number of highly interesting narratives of sexual acts between straight people, too.

I recall one of my patients whom I've participated on a part-time basis in providing caregiving when he was still around (and until his death). Yes, I can verify from my own experiences how Mr. Franzen went about researching extensively to present a very credible picture in one's mind out of the sick and dying Lambert paternal head (who could be symbolizing someone in American culture, of which I'm not so sure having been born and raised back in the Philippines). My deceased patient had similar health problems - I was even waiting for Mr Franzen to describe what happens when a patient has to be lifted and positioned and he gets into a dead weight stance because of his disease and the one lifting him would have to muster all his strength to do his assigned task. If those details were added here, the Lambert maternal head would have certainly died instantly. But that didn't happen. She was really an interesting character herself such that her life was given another opportunity to become more meaningful. And as such, I can imagine that there can be a continuing volume about her life and those of her grown-up children that Mr Franzen may write about in time.



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My Book Review on David Sedaris' 'Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim'

Disgrace by J.M. Coetzee

My review

This is one of those books I got to read while in transit via the subway to & fro my destinations to my other gigs. I've kept this book for over a year now, and thought, and have confirmed that it's actually very readable (I read it in less than 3 days), even with a lot of distractions while on the subway.

I won't detail down the story, as it's obviously giving away its very structure. But reading this book comes with it different levels of experience. It's got a well delineated story to begin with, interesting characters, and a context that makes one think about the conflicting attitudes of people who have undergone the terrible processes of "colonization" as against that of someone coming from a country that "colonizes," and continuing into the views of those who have "colonized," with whom I tend to share my feelings of empathy as the original country where I come from is the Philippines (the farthest country, being in SouthEast Asia, that used to be part of the great colonized-countries of the empire of Spain). I can just imagine how development directions of the Philippines would have been far progressive if it was not given up by the British when it momentarily took possession as a prize of the Philippines after winning a naval war against Spain off Manila Bay during the 18th century. But I'd like to remain grateful for Spain for the heritage that the Philippines has got now, nevertheless.

Yet, reading "Disgrace," makes me to continue thinking about my position. It's not always a comforting thought to be part of a colonized country. Colonizers are basically driven by greed of all forms, and certainly, they're known to be cruel, no matter how you look at it. "Colonizing" has a debasing nature clinging to it. "Disgrace" has that after effect on me, that it has got me thinking about the Philippines, given its experiences of being a colony of Spain, and later on by the USA. But I'd rather focus on the collective gains, rather than the terrible sufferings, which are all recorded anyway, in historical books.

I'm surprised that J.M. Coetzee's "Disgrace" is rather light to read. He's got that compelling writing style that appeals to my tastes of books I'd like to read. The top characters exhibit such levels of passion, raw eroticism. And this is the first book I read about "animal rights" being shoved into my face, so to say, with me getting to appreciate such rights, and getting myself into pondering about my own existence. And I soon got to know that Coetzee's been awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature. How excellent that could be!

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