If you've landed on this page after interviewing with me and are interested in some personal ramblings, please read on. If you would like to see some additional professional recommendations and accomplishments, please click this link to my profile on LinkedIn:
David Rocci LinkedIn Profile
There is a public profile available but in order to read all my recommendations and see my profile in detail, you will need to create a free account.
I'm also a moderator/mentor with the Young Entrepreneurs forum. You can find my profile and postings throughout their website:
YE Forum Profile
I do volunteer work with the Shorewood Chamber of Commerce. I'm currently co-chair of the volunteer committee for the annual Crossroads Festival. You can find more information about SACC and the Crossroads Festival at this site:
Shorewood Chamber of Commerce
Feel free to contact Lora Markley, the Executive Director, if you have any interest in verifying my volunteer work with them.
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Monday, July 7, 2008
Irony of the Airlines
As my travels (work and pleasure) have increased over the years I've found the intricacies and nuances of flying to be a delicate balancing act of a love and hate relationship. I recently traveled to Boston/Cape Cod and upon my return to Chicago was stranded at the airport. United delayed and delayed my flight for about 6 hours and then finally canceled it at 12:15am - they offered no hotel vouchers, meal vouchers or even a free flight voucher. In fact, every hotel within a 50 mile radius is sold out. Luckily, I had hedged my bets earlier in the evening by double booking on the 5:30am flight the following day and by registering as standby on every other flight to Chicago so when this flight was canceled, I was automatically booked onto the 5:30am flight the following day. Some passengers were not so lucky and were stuck in Boston for two more days!
With the flight canceled, no hotels available and a flight that required a security clearing at 4:30am the next day, I stayed at the airport and attempted to relax. This experience made me BITTER towards United. This was on Tuesday, June 24th.
Now, on my return flight from Orlando scheduled for Sunday, July 6th, I was booked to fly out at 2:19pm on another United flight. We received a call on Saturday from United telling us they overbooked the flight and asked if we would volunteer to take an earlier flight and we'd receive $100 certificate each towards a future flight. Sure, no problem. Then we get to the airport and the earlier flight we agreed to has been oversold, too. They are looking for volunteers and offering free flight vouchers this time. We volunteered and were booked on the 3:35 flight and standby on the original 2:19 flight.
Here's the kicker: we end up flying first class on the same plane we were originally booked plus we end up with $200 in gift certificates towards future flights AND two free ticker vouchers for future flights. United basically gave us $800 worth of flights and put us up in first class (where we had drinks for free the whole flight home) on the same plane we were supposed to be on from the beginning.
My scale of love and hate was tilted strongly towards hate after the Boston fiasco but United has tipped the scales closer to even with this Orlando deal. Crazy, crazy airlines!
With the flight canceled, no hotels available and a flight that required a security clearing at 4:30am the next day, I stayed at the airport and attempted to relax. This experience made me BITTER towards United. This was on Tuesday, June 24th.
Now, on my return flight from Orlando scheduled for Sunday, July 6th, I was booked to fly out at 2:19pm on another United flight. We received a call on Saturday from United telling us they overbooked the flight and asked if we would volunteer to take an earlier flight and we'd receive $100 certificate each towards a future flight. Sure, no problem. Then we get to the airport and the earlier flight we agreed to has been oversold, too. They are looking for volunteers and offering free flight vouchers this time. We volunteered and were booked on the 3:35 flight and standby on the original 2:19 flight.
Here's the kicker: we end up flying first class on the same plane we were originally booked plus we end up with $200 in gift certificates towards future flights AND two free ticker vouchers for future flights. United basically gave us $800 worth of flights and put us up in first class (where we had drinks for free the whole flight home) on the same plane we were supposed to be on from the beginning.
My scale of love and hate was tilted strongly towards hate after the Boston fiasco but United has tipped the scales closer to even with this Orlando deal. Crazy, crazy airlines!
Sunday, July 6, 2008
IRS increases standard mileage rate
This should come as a relief to all those road warriors out there. Considering the current costs of fuel, the IRS has increased the standard mileage rate for deductible business miles from 50.5 cents to 58.5 cents per mile. For those of you that have hesitated keeping a log of your miles because it's a pain in the ass, you should definitely reconsider now!
For example, if you drove 10,000 business miles this year, you would have an additional deduction of $5850 - 5,000 miles is $2925. These are significant deductions!!
For example, if you drove 10,000 business miles this year, you would have an additional deduction of $5850 - 5,000 miles is $2925. These are significant deductions!!
The rate will increase to 58.5 cents a mile for all business miles driven from July 1, 2008, through Dec. 31, 2008. This is an increase of eight (8)cents from the 50.5 cent rate in effect for the first six months of 2008, as set forth in Rev. Proc. 2007-70.
In recognition of recent gasoline price increases, the IRS made this special adjustment for the final months of 2008. The IRS normally updates the mileage rates once a year in the fall for the next calendar year.
"Rising gas prices are having a major impact on individual Americans. Given the increase in prices, the IRS is adjusting the standard mileage rates to better reflect the real cost of operating an automobile," said IRS CommissionerDoug Shulman. "We want the reimbursement rate to be fair to taxpayers."
The new six-month rate for computing deductible medical or moving expenses will also increase by eight (8) cents to 27 cents a mile, up from 19 cents for the first six months of 2008. The rate for providing services for charitable organizations is set by statute, not the IRS, and remains at 14 cents a mile.
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Bike Riding, round 2
After the muscle cramps and sore bottom wore off, I felt reinvigorated to ride again. As a kid I rode my bike all over town. The product of a single parent childhood, my dad was always working when I needed to get anywhere so it was natural to ride my bike to work or around town to get where I needed to go.
This time I took the bike down to the Cape Cod Canal. The ride was 13 miles - 6.5mi each way. The canal separates Cape Cod from "the mainland" of Massachusetts. There are two bridges that cross the canal, the Sagamore and the Bourne Bridge respectively. There is a marina where local fisherman dock their boats and a variety of sailboats, day cruise lines and even oil tankers that pass through the canal.
Cruising at my own pace, with no pressure of other riders, I had an opportunity to reflect. The swirling currents of the man-made canal were always something to fear when we were growing up. "Don't get too close to the edge, you'll get swept away!" Pedaling the canal brought back a lot of memories.
Relentless Power.
Riptide Current. Emotions.
The Crying of Waves.
I finished the 13 mile ride in 48 minutes. Not too shabby for my second time on a pedal bike in the last 10 years!
This time I took the bike down to the Cape Cod Canal. The ride was 13 miles - 6.5mi each way. The canal separates Cape Cod from "the mainland" of Massachusetts. There are two bridges that cross the canal, the Sagamore and the Bourne Bridge respectively. There is a marina where local fisherman dock their boats and a variety of sailboats, day cruise lines and even oil tankers that pass through the canal.
Cruising at my own pace, with no pressure of other riders, I had an opportunity to reflect. The swirling currents of the man-made canal were always something to fear when we were growing up. "Don't get too close to the edge, you'll get swept away!" Pedaling the canal brought back a lot of memories.
Relentless Power.
Riptide Current. Emotions.
The Crying of Waves.
I finished the 13 mile ride in 48 minutes. Not too shabby for my second time on a pedal bike in the last 10 years!
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Bike Riding aka "Cycling"
I was back east on Cape Cod and the Boston area for most of June and was lucky enough to mix some work with some family and friend time. One of my oldest buds also happened to be in the area while I was there so I tried to fit in with his frequently changing hobbies. His current time waster has been "cycling". He made it a point to correct me every time I mentioned going for a "bike ride".
So one sunny day I set out with Jesse and his friend Ken for a leisurely "bike ride" through the upper cape.... or so I thought! These guys show up with their $2500 racing bikes, spandex (yes, I said spandex), race helmets, riding gloves and bike shirts... and I'm sitting there with my Dad's 10 year old Canondale, casual shorts and a wifebeater undershirt! Man, I know I'm in for it now...
We started out in Dennis and after only a few miles I was already struggling to keep up. We continued through to Chatham and rode through the beautiful downtown area and stopped to have lunch at the Chatham Bars Inn for lunch. The food was great if you don't mind paying $17 for a cheeseburger.
After lunch I was dreading the trip back to Dennis when I find out that we aren't going back just yet, we are going to wind up Route 28 to Orleans. As if riding on a trail made for bikes was not challenging enough, now we are riding on windy, overgrown roads with no shoulders. And, let's not forget I don't have a helmet... because I thought we were going for a bike ride! Cycling? Really?
I survived this trek and was only run off the road a couple times. Oh, and I forgot to mention that this was the first time I've ever ridden a bike (sorry, "cycled") with my feet LOCKED into the pedals. Ya! I had those shoes that lock your feet into the pedals. So every time I went to stop and put my foot on the ground I nearly killed myself - you have to twist your feet out and it takes some getting used to!
Anyway, we made it to Orleans with the pro riders a steady mile or so ahead of me. Luckily we picked the trail back up in Orleans and cruised back to Dennis. My butt was sore for 4 days after that! Holy crap. The good thing is the scenery was absolutely beautiful and you really see a lot more from a bike.
This trip ended up just over 36 miles. Find out more about the Cape Cod Rail Trail.
So one sunny day I set out with Jesse and his friend Ken for a leisurely "bike ride" through the upper cape.... or so I thought! These guys show up with their $2500 racing bikes, spandex (yes, I said spandex), race helmets, riding gloves and bike shirts... and I'm sitting there with my Dad's 10 year old Canondale, casual shorts and a wifebeater undershirt! Man, I know I'm in for it now...
We started out in Dennis and after only a few miles I was already struggling to keep up. We continued through to Chatham and rode through the beautiful downtown area and stopped to have lunch at the Chatham Bars Inn for lunch. The food was great if you don't mind paying $17 for a cheeseburger.
After lunch I was dreading the trip back to Dennis when I find out that we aren't going back just yet, we are going to wind up Route 28 to Orleans. As if riding on a trail made for bikes was not challenging enough, now we are riding on windy, overgrown roads with no shoulders. And, let's not forget I don't have a helmet... because I thought we were going for a bike ride! Cycling? Really?
I survived this trek and was only run off the road a couple times. Oh, and I forgot to mention that this was the first time I've ever ridden a bike (sorry, "cycled") with my feet LOCKED into the pedals. Ya! I had those shoes that lock your feet into the pedals. So every time I went to stop and put my foot on the ground I nearly killed myself - you have to twist your feet out and it takes some getting used to!
Anyway, we made it to Orleans with the pro riders a steady mile or so ahead of me. Luckily we picked the trail back up in Orleans and cruised back to Dennis. My butt was sore for 4 days after that! Holy crap. The good thing is the scenery was absolutely beautiful and you really see a lot more from a bike.
This trip ended up just over 36 miles. Find out more about the Cape Cod Rail Trail.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)