Category Archives: Misc

Join my weekly challenge!

02/10/2016 Mark Jacobsen 5 Comments

I would like to invite all of you to a little series of weekly challenges! Doing something for a day doesn’t provide much benefit. Asking to do something for an entire month may be too much…

But we can all do something for a week. Who knows. You may like it!

My goal is to post each challenge on Sunday right here on MarkJacobsen.net and provide a link to the goal on coach.me where you can check in each day, chat with others participating in the challenge, and follow your progress.

At the end of the week, if you want to keep up the challenge as a regular habit keep it around. If you want to just move onto the next do that.

What are these challenges going to be? Who knows. Some may be easy. Others more difficult. They could be heath, diet, or productivity related. They may even be categorized as something else.

Your first challenge is to go out and download the coach.me app from the iTunes App Store or the Play Store, create an account, get logged in, and follow me so I know you’re playing along.

The first challenge will be posted Sunday.

Please remember to subscribe to the newsletter or feed to stay up to date!

Disclaimer: Thoughts and opinions are my own, and do not reflect the views of any employer, family member, friend, or anyone else. Some links may be affiliate links, but I don't link to anything I don't use myself.

Announcements

Giving Thanks

11/26/2015 Mark Jacobsen 1 Comment

As I sit here in the last hour or so of Thanksgiving I can’t help but reflect back on the many things I have to be thankful for…

For a wife that supports me whether it’s for work, new endeavors like real estate, or giving me time to work on projects for the family.

For being able to wake up to the smiling faces and “morning hugs” from my daughters. The ones who can make everything right in the world even if everything leading up to that point has been sh!+.

For family holidays like days of old. I may have passed out for an hour or two, and I could care less about people’s physical ailments, but it’s hard to explain how happy it makes me just to be around family on holidays. It’s how we grew up, and it’s how I want the girls to grow up.

To have a roof over our heads. Actually, our choice of roofs with the “new” house and the “old” one on the market. Paying off the house is probably one of the best things ever as it gives me the piece of mind to know that, while I want to unload it, I don’t have to do anything… but seriously, if you know someone please let me know. That said, I am beyond excited about the “new” place. I just love the 9′ ceilings, amazing kitchen, the privacy behind us, the changes being made, excitement to open the pool, and being in the same neighborhood with our friends.

For a growing family. We welcomed 2 new members of the clan this year and I was beyond honored to be asked to be Godfather to my niece. Family was such an important part of growing up that I hope the girls one day appreciate it.

For work and the mind and body to do it. Whether it’s software development, real estate, telecommunication, or even work on the house I love coming up with solutions that make my client’s lives better. While any one of them can be exhausting I’m glad to have the ability to do what needs to get done. To be a do’er. To make a difference.

Hoping you have much to be grateful the rest of this year and in the coming year!

Productivity

Outlook Email Snooze

03/13/2015 Mark Jacobsen Leave a comment

If you’ve gotten used to apps that allow you to snooze your email (have it disappear from your inbox until the date you specify and then reappear) I just found this page which appears to be the perfect solution for implementing in Outlook.

Basically it consists of creating a custom view of your inbox w/ 2 filters set. One for Due Date not existing and the other where Due Date is on or before “Today”.

Hit up the full post for step by step instructions and screen shots.

Misc, Photo Journal

Photo Journal for 3/8/2015

03/08/2015 Mark Jacobsen Leave a comment

Me and the infamous puke bucket got very familiar today. Can’t remember the last time I felt this lousy (don’t think I have at least in my adult life)

Misc

Photo Journal for 2/27/2015

02/28/2015 Mark Jacobsen Leave a comment

Good to be with family. (the people, not the beer 🙂

Misc

Photo Journal for 2015-02-24

02/24/2015 Mark Jacobsen Leave a comment

GpaJake
Rest in Peace Grandpa. You are always in our hearts and on our minds.

Misc

charity:water update

10/15/2014 Mark Jacobsen Leave a comment

Wow. Just the other day I received an updated report on what my 2012 birthday campaign helped achieve and I have to say I’m absolutely floored. The $1001 we raised helped over 860 people!

Let me say that again, you helped over 860 people.

There’s a reason I’ve always been a big fan of charity:water and these types of results just help to reinforce that belief. Take a look at the projects here: Project Page

Wow. Just wow. And THANK YOU!!!

Misc

Missing You

08/25/2014 Mark Jacobsen 2 Comments

I sit here on the eve of your death some 15 years ago. Of course I’ve had a few and have been listening to Runaway Train and Crazy Train a number of times. Not even sure why I’m writing this, but of course I do. It’s because I miss you. My girls miss you. And they never met you. You eliminated that possibility.

For years I’ve tried to come to terms with why you did what you did. I still can’t say I understand. I can’t say that I’ll ever be able to let it go.

Try figuring out how to explain suicide to a brilliant 6 year old, or a 4 year old that won’t stop asking questions. Sure I’ve read the articles. The thing is, kids aren’t dumb. So instead we just stick with the fact that Uncle Scott died. We already have to deal with tears just for that fact. Often for no apparent reason.

Why not just write this in a “journal”? Because the thing is that in the “adult world” we like to gloss over the issue. We make gun to the head gestures in jest not knowing the potential pain we’re bringing to those nearby. We take the “righteous” and “pious” positions that suicide is a sin or that the person who committed suicide was “weak” or “cowardly”.

Maybe, but what gives you the right? WHAT GIVES YOU THE RIGHT???

The thing is, suicide takes someone from a family. From loved ones. From people who care about them.

Even if they’ve screwed up. Even if they’ve done stupid things. Even if [insert your own reason].

The point is… I would argue that mental illness is a real thing. It’s not a weakness unless by weakness you mean a deficiency in some area that most of us have plenty of reserves (or at lease enough to make it through).

To wrap up this rant let me just say…

I apologize to any coworkers
I’m sorry Mom and Dad (let me know if you want me to delete this. I may anyway)
Even if my girls never see this they mean more to me than words can ever describe and it makes me appreciate how far my parents have come, because I’m not sure I could be so strong.
I miss you Scott

Anyway, I’ll close with the poignant words to Runaway Train…

Promised myself I wouldn’t weep. One more promise I couldn’t keep. It seems no one can help me now. I’m in too deep there’s no way out…

Can you help me remember how to smile? Make it somehow all seem worthwhile? How on earth did I get so jaded? …

It seems no one can help me now. I’m in too deep there’s no way out. This time I have really led myself astray.

Bought a ticket on a runaway train. Like a mad man laughing at the rain. Little out of touch. Little insane. Just easier than dealing with the pain.

Misc

Let me help you buy or sell that house!

08/23/2014 Mark Jacobsen 1 Comment

It may have been a little quiet around here lately, but that’s because I’ve been hard at work studying for my real estate sales license. Fortunately, I passed the exam on Thursday and am now free to help anyone buy or sell real estate in the state of Michigan!

Visit my new site at FreedomRE.com (note it’s still under some construction)

Why did I want to get my license? It’s actually been something I’ve been interested in for a long time, and briefly considered probably 6 or 7 years ago. With a strong interest and actual background in finances, technology, business, and sales I figured that should pair well with my interest in Real Estate. In addition, I’ve been selling real estate Call Capture Hotlines to real estate agents and mortgage brokers for the last 9 years.

What differentiates me and why would someone want to work with me? I would say it’s a combination of personality fit, professionalism, and competence. As anyone who has worked with me before knows, I have a reputation for getting things done and putting my client first. I’m not going to gush all over you or sit and gab your ear off, but I will provide you my 12+ years of technology and finance experience, 10+ years sales and marketing experience, and my reputation for success. Most of all, I don’t think you’ll find another agent in the area with anywhere close to my background and skills.

I would love a chance to put my money where my mouth is and help you buy or sell that home! Contact me today:

mark@freedomre.com
517-252-4440
http://www.freedomre.com/contact

Announcements, Life

Q3 charity:water Campaign

07/02/2014 Mark Jacobsen Leave a comment

My third quarter charity:water campaign is now live! To date you’ve helped raise over $2,500 for clean water and in doing so helped over 300 people! I don’t know about you, but the fact that you can potentially save someone’s life for less then $9 just blows my mind.

Every day, 5,000 kids under the age of 5 die from water-related illnesses.

So, if you would like to help continue to help solve the water crises, please take a moment to consider a small donation. And remember, with charity:water’s 100% model your entire donation helps to serve the people who need it!