Videos

Cub Scouts and AIM – Throwback Friday

Hey, kids, it’s dad, and for today’s Tommylog I want to talk and wax a little bit nostalgic. This week was a banner week in the Clifford household. I had to go to Scout headquarters and bought Drew his first Scout shirt. The Scout shirt, his bear book, and all the accessories to go along with that. Belt included.

So all this nostalgia really hit home when I got an email today telling me that AOL‘s 20-year-old running AOL Instant Messenger service was shutting down. This made me think about my social media screen name “Tommy TRC“ and where that came from and just was a flash from the past.

Sometimes the more things change, the more they stay the same i.e. the Cub Scout uniform. I love you, kids!

TommyLog – What Would You Do if You Found $300 in Cash?

Hey, kids, it’s dad, and for today’s TommyLog I have to tell you an experience I just had. This is totally fresh squeezed. Less than an hour old.

So here’s the deal, I’m at the gas station filling up. Becky’s car, as I’m waiting for the pump to stop, I’m looking around and I look down at my feet and I see three crisp $100 bills just sitting there.

What would you do?

I picked up the bills and looked around. I look to see if there was anyone walking around looking for something. The area around me was pretty empty. There were people two or three pumps away, but no one in the vicinity.

I knew this was A blessing. But that money wasn’t mine. What would you do? What to do? So I got out my phone and I started calling? I called Becky but she didn’t answer – – go figure. Then I called my friend Kelli, my friend Kayte, and my brother Andy.

I asked each of them for their honest opinion’s and wanted their opinions based on my own thoughts. I knew I had to do something, I just needed validation what that was. My friend Kayte suggested that I take my business card to the manager of the gas station. So that’s what I did. I told her that I had found some money. If someone’s looking for the money give them my number. I will gladly give it back.

Not more than 20 minutes later, I received a phone call. It was a super nice gentleman who is working late this evening. Apparently, he was a truck driver and he was filling up his truck and the money fell out of his pocket. He identified the exact amount and I told him I was two minutes away. I did a U-turn in the road and went to go meet him.

That gentleman was about as excited as he could’ve been. He was so appreciative of me and my honesty. He asked me to wait so he could give me a reward, but I declined. I shook his hand and told him I love him and told him I did what any good person would do. He kept saying “praise the Lord and they’re still good people in this world.”

As soon as I came home, I had a family meeting with little kids. We talked about the situation and the decision that dad made. We all talked about making good choices and how that money was not ours and we needed to do everything we can to find the owner.

What would you do if you found $300 in cash?

TommyLog – ONE YEAR & Counting!

Hey, kids, it’s Dad and for today’s TommyLog I want to talk to you about the last year. 365 days ago I got laid off from my previous job. What an amazing year! You guys have been along for the journey. My ups and my downs. So this is kind of a mini “state of the union” as to where things are at.

When I started out on this journey, I thought that finding that next big job would be difficult, I didn’t think it would be this difficult. A few interviews and a lot of disappointment later, I had to change my tune. One big job is not where I was supposed to be. I’ve decided that two or three smaller part-time gigs are going to be much more effective than one big gig. So I want to tell you about my part-time hustles. I have one part-time job with a company called brand outcomes in Green Bay. I’m working on their brand strategy team. I love the people and I love helping others solve problems.

My next part time job is with a company called World HeadQuarters here in Appleton. I’m helping create the next generation of evolved workspace. Brenda Leopold is the brain child here and she asked me to come on board to help make this happen with her.

What an amazing journey this has been. I promise you, without the help of amazing friends, and a supportive network, this never would’ve happened. Huge shout out to my supportive family and especially my sweetheart. Their support has been amazing!

I am so excited for what the next year awaits for me.

To the moon!!

TommyLog – Mile of Music & The Gift of Music!

Hey, kids it’s Dad, and for today’s TommyLog I want to talk to you about an amazing musical event happening in Appleton right now. It’s called Mile Of Music. This music festival is in its fifth year, with over 225 acts across 70 venues performing almost 1000 sets – – all in four days. I have been blessed to attend a few of these musical venues. It has been amazing.

Music is such a gift. And I’m so appreciative that these artists share their gifts with the people of Appleton Wisconsin.

A good friend made the comment, “without art and music, Appleton would just be concrete and parking meters.”

How true!!

Thank you all for sharing your talents, my life is so much better with your music in it!