Sunday, December 16, 2007

My Strange Diet

During my halcyon college days I weighed an average of around 160 pounds; since I was also 6 feet tall, that made me—in the immortal words of one of my sister’s friends—“buff skinny.” Shortly after I graduated and was cast adrift in the real world, a book in my father's library by Dr. Roy Walford, called Maximum Lifespan, caught my eye. The book detailed Dr. Walford’s quest to find any genuine, scientifically based method(s) for not simply increasing our average life spans, but, more radically, extending the human lifespan beyond our current, roughly 120 year, limit. His researches led him to conclude that the only viable possibility at present would be a calorically restricted diet.

Walford's argument was seductive. Soon I was counting calories, building meal plans, and feeling very hungry. All the time. The tragic irony with the diet was that it required me to think about food constantly. I just couldn't eat it. When I wasn’t worried about balancing my daily intake of macro and micronutrients I was involved in some aspect of food preparation. Over time I began to wonder about the value of an extra 50 years of life—all of it spent thinking in excruciating detail about food. I quit after 10 weeks, deciding it wasn’t worth it.

A welcome side-effect, though, was a general tolerance for not eating much. I remained very slim for several years, until, in my late 20s, I began dating a woman who loved to cook. Three years later I hit my peak weight - just over 190 lbs. After that relationship ended I drifted back down to just under 180.

Sometime around my 35th birthday I noticed a subtle change in my appetite, as well as the way my body seemed to deal with what I ate. If I satisfied my hunger at every meal the pounds would just pile on. Furthermore, this weight wouldn’t come off easily, even with lots of extended bouts of agonizing rowing sessions! I began somewhat obsessively weighing myself every morning. If I weighed “too much” I’d try to eat light that day. Strangely, this seemed a losing battle. I found that this “going hungry” business was happening far too often, and was punctuated by bouts of wild cravings for sweets—cravings that I’d succumb to, usually with either a pint (or two) of Ben & Jerry’s, or an entire package of Pecan Pralines from Trader Joe’s. Not surprisingly, my average weight continued to creep up, despite my efforts to the contrary.

Then, just over a year ago, I was reminded that one aspect of Walford’s research included a study of rats forced to fast on alternate days. On the non-fasting days the rats could eat as much as they liked. Interestingly, these rats saw health benefits that, while not as pronounced as those seen with the more strict version of calorie restriction, were nonetheless significant. My father (who, by the way, is president of Kronos Laboratory), showed me the results of some human studies of alternate day caloric restriction and its beneficial effects on inflammatory response and insulin resistance. Given the apparent role of belly fat in the promotion of various diseases, he didn’t have to tell me twice. I decided immediately to embrace a (modified) caloric restriction diet once again.

Here's how it works:

On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays I eat some combination of nutritionally rich foods with a total calorie value equal to only 20% of a "normal" day. For men, that's roughly 380 calories. For women, 340ish.

Since I'm lazy and cheap when it comes to food, my typical lo-cal days' meals consist of a couple off-brand slim-fast clones (be careful to avoid the ones with partially hydrogenated oils, though). My father likes to shake things up by substituting a V8 and a hard-boiled egg for one of the Slim Fasts. My friend Lisette prefers eating copious amounts of spinach and mushrooms.

On the remaining days I eat... as much as I want of whatever I want. Strangely, though, I rarely find myself craving pralines or ice cream any more.

It's that simple.

November 20th was my ADCR year anniversary. Today I weighed in at 167. Now, if it were only possible to once again look like I was a college kid...

Sunday, October 28, 2007

Partial Agenesis of the Corpus Callosum

I learned something interesting about myself recently. Because of some pretty severe migraine headaches I was having I decided to get an MRI scan of my brain. Imagine my surprise when I found out I have a small corpus callosum!

Here's an image of it:

Click to enlarge
And here's a "normal" one, for comparison:

Click to Enlarge
Naturally, I was curious about the implications. What has this meant to me, if anything, in terms of, e.g., my personality, my perceptions of the world, and my intellectual development? Sadly, there's not a lot of info out there to help me answer such questions.

Wikipedia's relevant entry concerns only the corpus callosum's complete agenesis, which is associated with some pretty severe developmental deficits - none of which, thankfully, apply in my case. It does, however, mention Autism. This caught my eye because I recently had an ex-girlfriend accuse me (gently) of having Asperger's Syndrome, which is an autism spectrum condition. Perhaps she's right. I'll admit to a certain level of shyness, dislike of parties, and inability to pick up on subtle non-verbal cues, but I'm not in a position to reliably self-diagnose whether I could be considered more than, say, 2 standard deviations from the mean in that regard.

Meanwhile, PubMed is a little more helpful on the subject, though not much. Again, I get the sense, from reading those abstracts and articles, that I should be a lot worse off than I am. Even the National Organization for Disorders of the Corpus Callosum is unhelpful. This all leads me to wonder: just how unusual is my condition? How strange is it for someone with it to go 38 years showing no real signs of it? MRIs of the brain are expensive ($2K a pop, without health insurance), so not many people get them. Maybe there are hundreds of thousands, or even millions, of outwardly normal - if a bit shy - people out there who have no posterior corpus callosi.

I've contacted some folks at Cal Tech who are doing research on this. Hopefully they'll have a few answers, but it seems likely that nobody really knows much of anything at this point.

Wednesday, September 26, 2007

Pentecosts Know How to Party!


Thanks, Jim!

Saturday, August 04, 2007

The AZ Millionaire Makers

I first heard about Travis Hoover and Mark Saenz via the Nouveau Riche University recruiting meeting I attended back in May. Their absurd, unmistakable vehicle was parked out front. Some days later, on a whim, I figured I'd check out the web page the Humvee was promoting.

If you've read my other posts about NRU and somehow find yourself still on the fence regarding whether or not to "invest" any money in an NRU "education", a cursory inspection of Mark and Travis's page should remove all doubts. One glance at it and my scam detection meter's needle is pegged!

Some of the red flags it raises include

  • Absurd, "too-good-to-be-true" claims
  • The use of phrases like "secret", "wealthy", "rat race", "proven system", etc.
  • The "we were skeptical too" storyline
  • "Proof" consisting of a screenshot of a spreadsheet (!)
  • Invoking the name of Robert Kiyosaki
  • Overuse of bold text and exclamation points
  • Emphasis on lavish materialism
  • Failure to reveal what their "leveraged business" actually is
I'm sure I'd come up with some more if I kept thinking about it.

What the page doesn't tell you was made clear to me on the day I went to the NRU recruiting meeting: Mark and Travis's "leveraged business" is Nouveau Riche University. They want to sell you on NRU so that you'll want to then sell others on NRU, too. It only makes sense.

Given how obviously gung-ho these two are on NRU and its product, I have to conclude that they must both be powerhouse real estate investors, to boot. Don't you think? Why would they sell the product if they didn't believe in it? Soooo... I looked into it.

Travis Hoover

In October 1998 Travis lived in a house in Chandler, which he purchased for $122,305, taking out a $116,180 loan against it. He sold it in October 2003 for $175,900 and, presumably, used the proceeds to buy another house in December of 2003, for $210,173. His first loan was for $168,000, followed several months later by another loan for $43,000.

In April of 2005 Travis took out another $92,000 loan against his house, though it doesn't appear that he used any of it as a down payment on what appears to be his first and only investment property. Purchased in July for $235,000, Travis took out a $188,000 first and a $47,000 second against it. It seems he's now trying to offload this property on someone else. A search of the ARMLS shows an expired listing (MLS # 2408725) with an asking price of $269,900, and a currently active listing (MLS # 2658372) with an asking price of $240,000. This investment appears to be a big loser! I guess Travis only heard of NRU after he bought this place?

Mark Saenz

Mark at least appears to have been an entreprenuer (not counting his current stint as a millionaire maker, I mean). He also apparently has owned more than one investment property. For example, he bought a house with 100% financing in September 2004 for $710,000 and then sold it in February 2005 for $865,000. Sure, this was during the peak of the housing bubble frenzy, so anyone with a pulse was making money in real estate, but $155,000 (less transaction costs) in less than 6 months is nothing to sneeze at.

It seems that Mark has been putting the growing equity in his home (purchased in February/March of 2004 for $152,590) to some use over the past few years. Initially, he had two loans against it - one for $125,272, and the other for $31,318. Then, in August of 2004 he took out another two loans, one for $177,600, the other for $22,200, paying off the original two loans shortly thereafter, leaving roughly $23K in spending cash. Roughly a year later Mark took out another two loans against this house. This time they were for $280,000 and $82,290. Paying off the previous two left him with over $160K to play with!

Who knows what he did with all that money though? He didn't use much of it to buy this place or this place. Both those houses were 100% financed. He sold one of them in March of 2006, though I can't imagine he made much money on it, since the sale price was $242,000. Given the rental market I doubt seriously he's making any money with the other one, either, at this point.

Then there's this oddity. I confess that its details are beyond my expertise. As near as I can figure it, Mark loaned someone $26,880 and secured it with a note against the house, then the loan was paid off by May, 2007.

Now, I can almost hear the screams of "What about asset protection and corporate entities? Maybe Travis and Mark have cut huge swaths of property, but they're all hidden away in LLCs!"

Well... maybe. However, I've looked them up in the AZ Corporation Commission records. All I was able to find were 3 LLCs: 3 Amigos of Arizona, I Can Learn Anything, and The Saenz Organization. None of those entities own any real estate in Maricopa County.

So, that's it. I don't know about you, but it sure seems to me that $16K is an appallingly high price to pay just to learn how to buy a few houses of questionable profitability via your own apparently excellent credit. The implication of all this, by now, should be abundantly clear (and not at all surprising, when you think about it). The real point of NRU isn't the (bogus) real estate investment education. It's the selling of the (bogus) real estate education - or, more correctly, it's the selling of the selling of the (bogus) real estate education. MLM all over again.

Sunday, July 29, 2007

Still No Evidence

Invariably, in any discussion regarding the legitimacy of Nouveau Riche University, the NRU apologists eventually make claims along the lines of Wallace, a one-time commenter on this blog, or Matthew, some dude with zero friends over at Tribe.net. The refrain quickly becomes very familiar... they were once just as skeptical as the rest of us, but in the last X months they've bought Y properties and increased their net worth by some $ZZ,000... bla bla... The Secret... bla bla...

Of course when pressed for any actual property addresses the apologists either claim they're all hidden away in corporate entities ("bla bla... asset protection, bla bla") or they don't respond at all.

Not content to leave well enough alone, I've been actively researching public records in the hopes of finding anything of relevance to my particular Independent Student Advisor (ISA) and her purported status as a real estate investor. So far, in addition to finding her aforementioned corporate entities and documents in Maricopa County, all I've uncovered is her blog, as well as an NRU recruiting site called Fast Track Club (a site distinct from the one I mentioned in my prior post on NRU), which led me to a property marketing site called Nextep Real Estate Solutions - which currently has zero listings. Not even historical properties. Nothing.

A close look at the fine print of The Fast Track Club reveals the name of my ISA's business partner, who not surprisingly is listed as an agent in one of her corporate entities. Now we're getting somewhere! Unlike my ISA, this guy seems to actually own a few investment properties. But wait! Among all the warranty deeds, etc., we find a Civil Judgment (the fact it's in his favor is beside the point), and not one, but two trustee's sale notices!

I thought NRU was supposed to teach people how to be successful real estate investors!

Is there anybody out there?

UPDATE MAY 2, 2008: All of my ISA's NRU web sites have been defunct for a while, now, but it appears that Jess is still involved in a real estate scheme - Something called "INFOclosure", that appears to be a combination foreclosure listing service slash investment education thing. Well, I hope she likes her new line of work!

Thursday, July 26, 2007

Daniel Reed Smith Wiki

This page on Wikipedia is slated for deletion in 4 days - and for blindingly obvious reasons. Since the page's subject matter is Dan Smith, from the Smith & Merritt Institute, and is thus relevant to other posts on this blog, I've decided to copy the text of the entire page, warts and all, along with the associated discussion page. Please note that I am not the author of any part of either page, and my reproduction of their information here is in no way an endorsement or corroboration of any of their content.

Daniel Reed Smith

Daniel Reed Smith is currently residing in North Salt Lake City, Utah, USA. He and Kathryn Merritt are longtime co-workers and friends who started the company Acentus. This company was based out of Salt Lake City, Utah and in 2006 was bought out by the College Partnership. Acentus was a sales marketing company that housed different accounts, the main one was Transforming Debt into Wealth by the world famous Finacial guru John Cummuta. Acentus worked off 2nd hand leads provided by The Prosper Learning Company, based out of Provo, Utah. They held the leadsource and their sales teams would solicit existing "TDIW" clients and offer them a long term coaching program which is very successful to this day.

Several members of the upper management broke off from Acentus when they suspected both Dan and Kathryn of fraudulent motives with the companies dealing with both employees and clients as well as Prosper. They ended up working for Prosper and learned that Acentus owed Prosper $2.2 million in debt, a falsehood as Acentus claimed they were "debt free". The downward spiral started when their employees started experiencing dishonest acts and most of which each obtained employment at The Prosper Learning Company with the understanding that the ties they had formerly with Acentus would be left at the door as to let the legal teams battle it out and keep the then existing relationship professional. A few former members of the Management team who had been recruited by Prosper filed a claim with the Utah Securities division in which it was claimed Acentus was committing fraud by not disclosing formal paperwork for investing with the company and becomming a shareholder. Acentus is guilty of taking money from the employees offered this deal (only management and a select few at that were offered this deal) before any paperwork was drawn up. The company was scheduled to go public on the trading market in August 2006, and then they claimed they would go public by December 2006. Both dates never happened and the company never made it public at all. One reported "shareholder" did recieve their money back but with a threat of a lawsuit, several others are in the process of getting back their money, some of which had filed together as a tag team.

Daniel Reed Smith is guilty of Tax fraud as well as Securities Fraud, he also has other fraud business practices pending filing. He is to date being sued and/or has negative claims to fraud pending in the states of AZ, CO, UT, CA and NV. He is currently married to Misty Adams Smith and resides in North Salt Lake City, Utah. A divorce for the obvious reasons above has been pending between the two. They have no natural children together as "Dan" has had a vasectomy. Dan has two other children from a first wife of whom he divorced from. She is living in a suburb of Salt Lake City, Utah. He was known to be pompus and arrogant and will try and sell you his own toilet water if it means he will make a profit of it. He was heard by several members of his company speak very candidly about his trip he took his wife on to Paris, France and on one activity there ate at the top of the Eiffel Tower in the resturant with a meal costing $700 when no one in the whole company was making a cent, even his own family members whom he fired unfairly because they called him out on his dishonesty and would not stoop to his disgraceful level. He was known in the company to be tolerant of loose morales and values with several members of his administrative offices performing sexual acts of being Swingers and all modesty out the window running a down low high priced hooker fest. Several of the company members who left the company state this is one of the main reasons they left besides not making any money. Many people are wittness to this activity and it is not yet determined if an underground prositution ring lawsuit will still be filed. Wittnesses are still being gathered for this illegal (by the State of Utah) activity. It is claimed with wittnesses that Dan did engage in this vulgar activity. No verification if Kathryn was involved as of posting date to this article.

Prosper Learning is not associated with acts of this conduct or dishonest dealings. They are in no way connected to this information other than a company both Dan and Kathryn own money to and have dealt dishonestly with.

Dan and Katheryn both wrote a book called Abundance Spend your way to Wealth, however the book was never published. They did however try and sell the book and coaching program while waiting for approvals on all legal aspects for the book and program to be approved.

It is known that Dan is trying to file personal bankruptcy and it would be a very minor sentence for even one fraud act he is guilty of to serve 7-10 years in prison for. For more information on how you can add your claim to get a lawsuit filed and join in on the complaints please contact your local BBB as well as the Utah Labor Commission and Securities Division as well as the Tax dept of the USA. Numerous claims on the internet were circulating and that is the reason for this info to be pooled together for the strength in community to bring this dishonest man down for coorporate fraud and give him the sentence he deserves-BEHIND BARS!


Talk: Daniel Reed Smith

At the attention of the over all article it is written in a way as to push blame and origin to others you have heard the allegations from. If none of the said “fraudulent acts” or “disgraceful behavior” happens to concern you directly, there is no reason for you to put your words into such a situation.

I can disclaim many of your accusations with solid facts. If you were trying to post a document so that you may reach out to others concerning what was once a blooming company, than you should not have tried to slam Daniel Reed Smith’s personal reputation in the process. It now is a trash filled nonsense article.

I’ll correct you on just a few “facts” you have written about. You wrote, “One reported shareholder did receive their money back but with the threat of lawsuit,” the said “shareholder” did not receive the money back because of a lawsuit threat. If you or the “shareholder” truly believes the money was returned over bullying, you are mistaken.

You wrote, “Their [Acentus] employees started experiencing dishonest acts and most of which each obtained employment at The Prosper Learning Company with the understanding that the ties they had formerly with Acentus would be left at the door as to let the legal teams battle it out and keep the then existing relationship professional.” Although I know you may believe many of the previous Acentus employees that chose to work for The Prosper Learning Company left ties at the door, it’s apparent that is not true. Leaving ties would most likely include not contacting employees still working for Acentus to recruit, illegally. Yes, a non compete was signed by most if not all of the employees that were once with Acentus. Also, since the “professional” relationship you stated as a then existing one, I can only be lead to believe that they are no longer associated with one another. If that is the case, then why is it that you have taken the matter to yourself and not just let the legal teams battle it out? It seems that no matter what the relationship status, legal teams seem to be what should be on hand, not someone with a grudge and a quick-to-judge personality writing this document slandering Daniel Reed Smith’s name.

You wrote, “He is currently married to Misty Adams Smith and resides in North Salt Lake City, Utah. A divorce for the obvious reasons above has been pending between the two.” First of all, there is no logical reason for stating where they reside. Second of all, you have no clue as to why the two may or may not have a pending divorce. The second sentence calling the divorce over “obvious reasons stated above” in your text still cracks me up. The third paragraph in your document is all together hilarious. It’s as though you were there on top of the Eiffel Tower looking at the receipt for their supposed $700 meal. I’ll correct you sentence by sentence starting with, “They have no natural children together as Dan has a vasectomy.” How do you know if Dan has a vasectomy or not? If you were so close to Dan as to knowing something like that for fact, why are you wasting your time writing this? If he does, how is that any of our business? Again, there is no reason to state where anyone resides. Dan would not sell you his own toilet water if it means he’ll profit from it. Whoever told you all this garbage would sell you THEIR toilet water because it favors them. Your accusations are, after all, shit. Dan’s family members had their reasons for leaving. I’d like to hear from the administrative staff about a so called hooker fest involving Daniel Reed Smith, because I can then call them liars. I don’t believe anyone from the administrative staff to say such crude lies. I believe them to be better people than that. I know for a fact neither Daniel Reed Smith or Katheryn Merritt to be involved in an underground prostution ring, or engage in any of the alleged vulgar activity. If such activities did occur, it was not known to Daniel Reed Smith.

I hope you have sent a copy of this to Daniel Reed Smith and Katheryn Merritt. If you can say it here, you can say it to them. Without mentioning anything about your grammer I’d just like to tell you that the Tax department of the USA, is also widely known as the IRS. Where else may we find these allegations on the internet? Here is a better question, where may we find the truth circulating around on the internet? Like they say, there’s two sides to every story.
Susan Peters 19:33, 26 July 2007 (UTC)S. Peters

College Partnership versus Smith & Merritt

Here is the current case summary for the suit between College Partnership and Acentus/SMI. I'm going to write to the court and try to get copies of things like the complaint, etc., but in the meantime, if you happen to be in Jefferson County Colorado and wouldn't mind stopping in...


Case Number:2007CV002010Date Filed:05/03/2007

College Partnership Inc v.
Acentus Consulting Group Llc Et. Al.
Injunctive Relief; CV -Civil -District
Summary
Judge:Tamara S Russell
Court:Jefferson District Court
Division:4
EFiled:Y
Appealed:N
Case Closed Date:n/a


Case Status



Judge or Magistrate


NameBAR Number
Tamara S Russell 17037


Agency
AgencyAgency CaseTkt/Summons NbrArrest Nbr

Participants
LitigantAttorney
College Partnership IncMurr, Joseph Allen
Plaintiff 1Role: Privately Retained Attorney
BAR: 14427
Primary Attorney: Y
Welch, Torben M
Role: Privately Retained Attorney
BAR: 34282
Primary Attorney: Y
Acentus Consulting Group LlcWalker, Edward Timothy
Defendant 1Role: Privately Retained Attorney
BAR: 35120
Primary Attorney: Y
Schmidt, Lauren E
Role: Privately Retained Attorney
BAR: 37002
Primary Attorney: Y
Smith and Merritt Institute LlcSchmidt, Lauren E
Defendant 2Role: Privately Retained Attorney
BAR: 37002
Primary Attorney: Y
Modius Financial LlcSchmidt, Lauren E
Defendant 3Role: Privately Retained Attorney
BAR: 37002
Primary Attorney: Y
Frv Partners LlcSchmidt, Lauren E
Defendant 4Role: Privately Retained Attorney
BAR: 37002
Primary Attorney: Y
Smith, Daniel RSchmidt, Lauren E
Defendant 5Role: Privately Retained Attorney
BAR: 37002
Primary Attorney: Y
Merritt, KathrynSchmidt, Lauren E
Defendant 6Role: Privately Retained Attorney
BAR: 37002
Primary Attorney: Y
Rees, David MSchmidt, Lauren E
Defendant 7Role: Privately Retained Attorney
BAR: 37002
Primary Attorney: Y
Vincent, Jeffrey MWarden, Daniel Francis
Defendant 8Role: Privately Retained Attorney
BAR: 13514
Primary Attorney: Y
Schmidt, Lauren E
Role: Privately Retained Attorney
BAR: 37002
Primary Attorney: Y
Flint, GeorgeWarden, Daniel Francis
Defendant 9Role: Privately Retained Attorney
BAR: 13514
Primary Attorney: Y
Schmidt, Lauren E
Role: Privately Retained Attorney
BAR: 37002
Primary Attorney: Y
Lautes, AlbertSchmidt, Lauren E
Defendant 10Role: Privately Retained Attorney
BAR: 37002
Primary Attorney: Y
Garner, JulieSchmidt, Lauren E
Defendant 11Role: Privately Retained Attorney
BAR: 37002
Primary Attorney: Y
Mello, MelissaSchmidt, Lauren E
Defendant 12Role: Privately Retained Attorney
BAR: 37002
Primary Attorney: Y
Grogg, BruceSchmidt, Lauren E
Defendant 13Role: Privately Retained Attorney
BAR: 37002
Primary Attorney: Y
Dowding, ClarkSchmidt, Lauren E
Defendant 14Role: Privately Retained Attorney
BAR: 37002
Primary Attorney: Y
Johnson, NicolasSchmidt, Lauren E
Defendant 15Role: Privately Retained Attorney
BAR: 37002
Primary Attorney: Y
Parker, RobertSchmidt, Lauren E
Defendant 16Role: Privately Retained Attorney
BAR: 37002
Primary Attorney: Y
Anderson, DeeSchmidt, Lauren E
Defendant 17Role: Privately Retained Attorney
BAR: 37002
Primary Attorney: Y
Nelson, JeffSchmidt, Lauren E
Defendant 18Role: Privately Retained Attorney
BAR: 37002
Primary Attorney: Y
Wilbur, JustinSchmidt, Lauren E
Defendant 19Role: Privately Retained Attorney
BAR: 37002
Primary Attorney: Y
Roat, DonSchmidt, Lauren E
Defendant 20Role: Privately Retained Attorney
BAR: 37002
Primary Attorney: Y
Ricks, MichaelSchmidt, Lauren E
Defendant 21Role: Privately Retained Attorney
BAR: 37002
Primary Attorney: Y
Lott, DavidWalker, Edward Timothy
Defendant 22Role: Privately Retained Attorney
BAR: 35120
Primary Attorney: Y
Schmidt, Lauren E
Role: Privately Retained Attorney
BAR: 37002
Primary Attorney: Y
Bradford, SteveWalker, Edward Timothy
Defendant 23Role: Privately Retained Attorney
BAR: 35120
Primary Attorney: Y
Schmidt, Lauren E
Role: Privately Retained Attorney
BAR: 37002
Primary Attorney: Y
Ricks, KristinWalker, Edward Timothy
Defendant 24Role: Privately Retained Attorney
BAR: 35120
Primary Attorney: Y
Schmidt, Lauren E
Role: Privately Retained Attorney
BAR: 37002
Primary Attorney: Y
Grace, John JMurr, Joseph Allen
Defendant 25Role: Privately Retained Attorney
BAR: 14427
Primary Attorney: Y
Jones Dr, Janice AMurr, Joseph Allen
Defendant 26Role: Privately Retained Attorney
BAR: 14427
Primary Attorney: Y

Charges
CountDateDetails

Scheduled Events
DateTimeDetails
05/24/20078:30Temporary Restraining Ord Hrg
Room: 5C
Judge: Tamara S Russell
Status: Hearing Held
06/08/200710:00n/a
Room: 5C
Judge: Tamara S Russell
Status: Hearing Held

Proceedings
DateCodeDescription
05/03/2007CMPLComplaint
ATY/ Welch, Torben M
PTF/ College Partnership Inc
05/03/2007COVRCivil Case Cover Sheet
ATY/ Welch, Torben M
PTF/ College Partnership Inc
05/03/2007SUMMSummons Issued
ATY/ Welch, Torben M
PTF/ College Partnership Inc
05/03/2007SUMMSummons Issued
ATY/ Welch, Torben M
PTF/ College Partnership Inc
05/03/2007SUMMSummons Issued
ATY/ Welch, Torben M
PTF/ College Partnership Inc
05/03/2007SUMMSummons Issued
ATY/ Welch, Torben M
PTF/ College Partnership Inc
05/03/2007SUMMSummons Issued
ATY/ Welch, Torben M
PTF/ College Partnership Inc
05/03/2007SUMMSummons Issued
ATY/ Welch, Torben M
PTF/ College Partnership Inc
05/03/2007SUMMSummons Issued
ATY/ Welch, Torben M
PTF/ College Partnership Inc
05/03/2007SUMMSummons Issued
ATY/ Welch, Torben M
PTF/ College Partnership Inc
05/03/2007SUMMSummons Issued
ATY/ Welch, Torben M
PTF/ College Partnership Inc
05/03/2007SUMMSummons Issued
ATY/ Welch, Torben M
PTF/ College Partnership Inc
05/03/2007SUMMSummons Issued
ATY/ Welch, Torben M
PTF/ College Partnership Inc
05/03/2007SUMMSummons Issued
ATY/ Welch, Torben M
PTF/ College Partnership Inc
05/03/2007SUMMSummons Issued
ATY/ Welch, Torben M
PTF/ College Partnership Inc
05/03/2007SUMMSummons Issued
ATY/ Welch, Torben M
PTF/ College Partnership Inc
05/03/2007SUMMSummons Issued
ATY/ Welch, Torben M
PTF/ College Partnership Inc
05/03/2007SUMMSummons Issued
ATY/ Welch, Torben M
PTF/ College Partnership Inc
05/03/2007SUMMSummons Issued
ATY/ Welch, Torben M
PTF/ College Partnership Inc
05/03/2007SUMMSummons Issued
ATY/ Welch, Torben M
PTF/ College Partnership Inc
05/03/2007SUMMSummons Issued
ATY/ Welch, Torben M
PTF/ College Partnership Inc
05/03/2007SUMMSummons Issued
ATY/ Welch, Torben M
PTF/ College Partnership Inc
05/03/2007SUMMSummons Issued
ATY/ Welch, Torben M
PTF/ College Partnership Inc
05/03/2007SUMMSummons Issued
ATY/ Welch, Torben M
PTF/ College Partnership Inc
05/03/2007SUMMSummons Issued
ATY/ Welch, Torben M
PTF/ College Partnership Inc
05/03/2007SUMMSummons Issued
ATY/ Welch, Torben M
PTF/ College Partnership Inc
05/03/2007MOTNMotion
ATY/ Welch, Torben M
PTF/ College Partnership Inc
05/03/2007MOTNMotion
ATY/ Welch, Torben M
PTF/ College Partnership Inc
05/03/2007FOTHFiling Other
ATY/ Welch, Torben M
PTF/ College Partnership Inc
05/07/2007ORDROrder
05/08/2007NOTCNotice Filed
ATY/ Welch, Torben M
PTF/ College Partnership Inc
05/08/2007SUMMSummons Issued
ATY/ Welch, Torben M
PTF/ College Partnership Inc
05/08/2007SUMMSummons Issued
ATY/ Welch, Torben M
PTF/ College Partnership Inc
05/08/2007SUMMSummons Issued
ATY/ Welch, Torben M
PTF/ College Partnership Inc
05/08/2007SUMMSummons Issued
ATY/ Welch, Torben M
PTF/ College Partnership Inc
05/08/2007SUMMSummons Issued
ATY/ Welch, Torben M
PTF/ College Partnership Inc
05/08/2007SUMMSummons Issued
ATY/ Welch, Torben M
PTF/ College Partnership Inc
05/08/2007SUMMSummons Issued
ATY/ Welch, Torben M
PTF/ College Partnership Inc
05/08/2007SUMMSummons Issued
ATY/ Welch, Torben M
PTF/ College Partnership Inc
05/08/2007SUMMSummons Issued
ATY/ Welch, Torben M
PTF/ College Partnership Inc
05/08/2007SUMMSummons Issued
ATY/ Welch, Torben M
PTF/ College Partnership Inc
05/08/2007SUMMSummons Issued
ATY/ Welch, Torben M
PTF/ College Partnership Inc
05/08/2007SUMMSummons Issued
ATY/ Welch, Torben M
PTF/ College Partnership Inc
05/08/2007SUMMSummons Issued
ATY/ Welch, Torben M
PTF/ College Partnership Inc
05/08/2007SUMMSummons Issued
ATY/ Welch, Torben M
PTF/ College Partnership Inc
05/08/2007SUMMSummons Issued
ATY/ Welch, Torben M
PTF/ College Partnership Inc
05/08/2007SUMMSummons Issued
ATY/ Welch, Torben M
PTF/ College Partnership Inc
05/08/2007SUMMSummons Issued
ATY/ Welch, Torben M
PTF/ College Partnership Inc
05/08/2007SUMMSummons Issued
ATY/ Welch, Torben M
PTF/ College Partnership Inc
05/08/2007SUMMSummons Issued
ATY/ Welch, Torben M
PTF/ College Partnership Inc
05/08/2007SUMMSummons Issued
ATY/ Welch, Torben M
PTF/ College Partnership Inc
05/08/2007SUMMSummons Issued
ATY/ Welch, Torben M
PTF/ College Partnership Inc
05/08/2007SUMMSummons Issued
ATY/ Welch, Torben M
PTF/ College Partnership Inc
05/08/2007SUMMSummons Issued
ATY/ Welch, Torben M
PTF/ College Partnership Inc
05/08/2007SUMMSummons Issued
ATY/ Welch, Torben M
PTF/ College Partnership Inc
05/18/2007SUMMSummons Issued
ATY/ Welch, Torben M
PTF/ College Partnership Inc
05/22/2007RSReturn of Service
ATY/ Welch, Torben M
PTF/ College Partnership Inc
05/22/2007RSReturn of Service
ATY/ Welch, Torben M
PTF/ College Partnership Inc
05/22/2007RSReturn of Service
ATY/ Welch, Torben M
PTF/ College Partnership Inc
05/22/2007RSReturn of Service
ATY/ Welch, Torben M
PTF/ College Partnership Inc
05/22/2007RSReturn of Service
ATY/ Welch, Torben M
PTF/ College Partnership Inc
05/22/2007RSReturn of Service
ATY/ Welch, Torben M
PTF/ College Partnership Inc
05/22/2007RSReturn of Service
ATY/ Welch, Torben M
PTF/ College Partnership Inc
05/22/2007RSReturn of Service
ATY/ Welch, Torben M
PTF/ College Partnership Inc
05/22/2007RSReturn of Service
ATY/ Welch, Torben M
PTF/ College Partnership Inc
05/22/2007RSReturn of Service
ATY/ Welch, Torben M
PTF/ College Partnership Inc
05/22/2007RSReturn of Service
ATY/ Welch, Torben M
PTF/ College Partnership Inc
05/22/2007RSReturn of Service
ATY/ Welch, Torben M
PTF/ College Partnership Inc
05/22/2007RSReturn of Service
ATY/ Welch, Torben M
PTF/ College Partnership Inc
05/22/2007RSReturn of Service
ATY/ Welch, Torben M
PTF/ College Partnership Inc
05/22/2007RSReturn of Service
ATY/ Welch, Torben M
PTF/ College Partnership Inc
05/22/2007RSReturn of Service
ATY/ Welch, Torben M
PTF/ College Partnership Inc
05/22/2007RSReturn of Service
ATY/ Welch, Torben M
PTF/ College Partnership Inc
05/22/2007RSReturn of Service
ATY/ Welch, Torben M
PTF/ College Partnership Inc
05/22/2007RSReturn of Service
ATY/ Welch, Torben M
PTF/ College Partnership Inc
05/22/2007RSReturn of Service
ATY/ Welch, Torben M
PTF/ College Partnership Inc
05/22/2007RSReturn of Service
ATY/ Welch, Torben M
PTF/ College Partnership Inc
05/22/2007RPRTReport
ATY/ Welch, Torben M
PTF/ College Partnership Inc
05/22/2007ENTREntry Of Appearance
DEF/ Acentus Consulting Group Llc
DEF/ Smith and Merritt Institute Llc
DEF/ Modius Financial Llc
DEF/ Frv Partners Llc
DEF/ Smith, Daniel R
DEF/ Merritt, Kathryn
DEF/ Rees, David M
DEF/ Vincent, Jeffrey M
DEF/ Flint, George
DEF/ Lautes, Albert
DEF/ Garner, Julie
DEF/ Mello, Melissa
DEF/ Grogg, Bruce
DEF/ Dowding, Clark
DEF/ Johnson, Nicolas
DEF/ Parker, Robert
DEF/ Anderson, Dee
DEF/ Nelson, Jeff
DEF/ Wilbur, Justin
DEF/ Roat, Don
DEF/ Ricks, Michael
DEF/ Lott, David
DEF/ Bradford, Steve
DEF/ Ricks, Kristin
05/24/2007MINCMinute Order (Print)
05/24/2007NTHRNotc of Hearing
DEF/ Acentus Consulting Group Llc
DEF/ Modius Financial Llc
DEF/ Frv Partners Llc
DEF/ Merritt, Kathryn
DEF/ Rees, David M
DEF/ Flint, George
DEF/ Lautes, Albert
DEF/ Garner, Julie
DEF/ Mello, Melissa
DEF/ Grogg, Bruce
DEF/ Dowding, Clark
DEF/ Johnson, Nicolas
DEF/ Parker, Robert
DEF/ Anderson, Dee
DEF/ Nelson, Jeff
DEF/ Lott, David
DEF/ Bradford, Steve
06/05/2007MOTNMotion
DEF/ Acentus Consulting Group Llc
DEF/ Smith and Merritt Institute Llc
DEF/ Modius Financial Llc
DEF/ Frv Partners Llc
DEF/ Smith, Daniel R
DEF/ Merritt, Kathryn
DEF/ Rees, David M
DEF/ Vincent, Jeffrey M
DEF/ Flint, George
DEF/ Lautes, Albert
DEF/ Garner, Julie
DEF/ Mello, Melissa
DEF/ Grogg, Bruce
DEF/ Dowding, Clark
DEF/ Johnson, Nicolas
DEF/ Parker, Robert
DEF/ Anderson, Dee
DEF/ Nelson, Jeff
DEF/ Wilbur, Justin
DEF/ Roat, Don
DEF/ Ricks, Michael
DEF/ Lott, David
DEF/ Bradford, Steve
DEF/ Ricks, Kristin
06/06/2007RSPNResponse
DEF/ Acentus Consulting Group Llc
DEF/ Smith and Merritt Institute Llc
DEF/ Modius Financial Llc
DEF/ Frv Partners Llc
DEF/ Smith, Daniel R
DEF/ Merritt, Kathryn
DEF/ Rees, David M
DEF/ Vincent, Jeffrey M
DEF/ Flint, George
DEF/ Lautes, Albert
DEF/ Garner, Julie
DEF/ Mello, Melissa
DEF/ Grogg, Bruce
DEF/ Dowding, Clark
DEF/ Johnson, Nicolas
DEF/ Parker, Robert
DEF/ Anderson, Dee
DEF/ Nelson, Jeff
DEF/ Wilbur, Justin
DEF/ Roat, Don
DEF/ Ricks, Michael
DEF/ Lott, David
DEF/ Bradford, Steve
DEF/ Ricks, Kristin
06/06/2007RMDSResponse to Motion to Dismiss
DEF/ Acentus Consulting Group Llc
06/07/2007RSPNResponse
DEF/ Lott, David
DEF/ Bradford, Steve
DEF/ Ricks, Kristin
06/08/2007MINCMinute Order (Print)
06/08/2007ORDROrder
06/13/2007MOTNMotion
DEF/ Acentus Consulting Group Llc
DEF/ Smith and Merritt Institute Llc
DEF/ Modius Financial Llc
DEF/ Frv Partners Llc
DEF/ Smith, Daniel R
DEF/ Merritt, Kathryn
DEF/ Rees, David M
DEF/ Vincent, Jeffrey M
DEF/ Flint, George
DEF/ Lautes, Albert
DEF/ Garner, Julie
DEF/ Mello, Melissa
DEF/ Grogg, Bruce
DEF/ Dowding, Clark
DEF/ Johnson, Nicolas
DEF/ Parker, Robert
DEF/ Anderson, Dee
DEF/ Nelson, Jeff
DEF/ Wilbur, Justin
DEF/ Roat, Don
DEF/ Ricks, Michael
DEF/ Lott, David
DEF/ Bradford, Steve
DEF/ Ricks, Kristin
06/17/2007ORDROrder
06/29/2007SUMMSummons Issued
ATY/ Welch, Torben M
DEF/ Grace, John J
DEF/ Jones Dr, Janice A
PTF/ College Partnership Inc
06/29/2007SUMMSummons Issued
ATY/ Welch, Torben M
DEF/ Grace, John J
DEF/ Jones Dr, Janice A
PTF/ College Partnership Inc
06/29/2007SUMMSummons Issued
ATY/ Welch, Torben M
DEF/ Grace, John J
DEF/ Jones Dr, Janice A
PTF/ College Partnership Inc
06/29/2007SUMMSummons Issued
ATY/ Welch, Torben M
DEF/ Grace, John J
DEF/ Jones Dr, Janice A
PTF/ College Partnership Inc
06/29/2007SUMMSummons Issued
ATY/ Welch, Torben M
DEF/ Grace, John J
DEF/ Jones Dr, Janice A
PTF/ College Partnership Inc
06/29/2007ACMPAmended Complaint
ATY/ Welch, Torben M
DEF/ Grace, John J
DEF/ Jones Dr, Janice A
PTF/ College Partnership Inc
07/13/2007ENTREntry Of Appearance
ATY/ Warden, Daniel Francis
DEF/ Vincent, Jeffrey M
DEF/ Flint, George
07/16/2007MODSMotion to Dismiss
ATY/ Warden, Daniel Francis
DEF/ Vincent, Jeffrey M
DEF/ Flint, George
07/16/2007ANSCAnswer and Counterclaim
DEF/ Acentus Consulting Group Llc
DEF/ Smith and Merritt Institute Llc
DEF/ Modius Financial Llc
DEF/ Frv Partners Llc
DEF/ Smith, Daniel R
DEF/ Merritt, Kathryn
DEF/ Rees, David M
DEF/ Lautes, Albert
DEF/ Garner, Julie
DEF/ Mello, Melissa
DEF/ Grogg, Bruce
DEF/ Dowding, Clark
DEF/ Parker, Robert
DEF/ Anderson, Dee
DEF/ Wilbur, Justin
DEF/ Ricks, Michael
DEF/ Lott, David
DEF/ Bradford, Steve
DEF/ Ricks, Kristin
07/16/2007MOTNMotion
DEF/ Acentus Consulting Group Llc
DEF/ Smith and Merritt Institute Llc
DEF/ Modius Financial Llc
DEF/ Frv Partners Llc
DEF/ Smith, Daniel R
DEF/ Merritt, Kathryn
DEF/ Rees, David M
DEF/ Vincent, Jeffrey M
DEF/ Lautes, Albert
DEF/ Garner, Julie
DEF/ Mello, Melissa
DEF/ Grogg, Bruce
DEF/ Dowding, Clark
DEF/ Parker, Robert
DEF/ Anderson, Dee
DEF/ Wilbur, Justin
DEF/ Roat, Don
DEF/ Ricks, Michael
DEF/ Lott, David
DEF/ Bradford, Steve
DEF/ Ricks, Kristin
07/16/2007MOTNMotion
DEF/ Acentus Consulting Group Llc
DEF/ Smith and Merritt Institute Llc
DEF/ Modius Financial Llc
DEF/ Frv Partners Llc
DEF/ Smith, Daniel R
DEF/ Merritt, Kathryn
DEF/ Rees, David M
DEF/ Vincent, Jeffrey M
DEF/ Lautes, Albert
DEF/ Garner, Julie
DEF/ Mello, Melissa
DEF/ Grogg, Bruce
DEF/ Dowding, Clark
DEF/ Parker, Robert
DEF/ Anderson, Dee
DEF/ Nelson, Jeff
DEF/ Wilbur, Justin
DEF/ Ricks, Michael
DEF/ Lott, David
DEF/ Bradford, Steve
DEF/ Ricks, Kristin
07/16/2007MOTNMotion
DEF/ Acentus Consulting Group Llc
DEF/ Smith and Merritt Institute Llc
DEF/ Modius Financial Llc
DEF/ Frv Partners Llc
DEF/ Smith, Daniel R
DEF/ Merritt, Kathryn
DEF/ Rees, David M
DEF/ Vincent, Jeffrey M
DEF/ Lautes, Albert
DEF/ Garner, Julie
DEF/ Mello, Melissa
DEF/ Grogg, Bruce
DEF/ Dowding, Clark
DEF/ Johnson, Nicolas
DEF/ Parker, Robert
DEF/ Anderson, Dee
DEF/ Wilbur, Justin
DEF/ Ricks, Michael
DEF/ Lott, David
DEF/ Bradford, Steve
DEF/ Ricks, Kristin
07/17/2007SUMMSummons Issued
DEF/ Acentus Consulting Group Llc
DEF/ Smith and Merritt Institute Llc
DEF/ Modius Financial Llc
DEF/ Frv Partners Llc
DEF/ Smith, Daniel R
DEF/ Merritt, Kathryn
DEF/ Rees, David M
DEF/ Lautes, Albert
DEF/ Garner, Julie
DEF/ Mello, Melissa
DEF/ Grogg, Bruce
DEF/ Dowding, Clark
DEF/ Parker, Robert
DEF/ Anderson, Dee
DEF/ Wilbur, Justin
DEF/ Ricks, Michael
DEF/ Lott, David
DEF/ Bradford, Steve
07/17/2007SUMMSummons Issued
DEF/ Acentus Consulting Group Llc
DEF/ Smith and Merritt Institute Llc
DEF/ Modius Financial Llc
DEF/ Frv Partners Llc
DEF/ Smith, Daniel R
DEF/ Merritt, Kathryn
DEF/ Rees, David M
DEF/ Lautes, Albert
DEF/ Garner, Julie
DEF/ Mello, Melissa
DEF/ Grogg, Bruce
DEF/ Dowding, Clark
DEF/ Parker, Robert
DEF/ Anderson, Dee
DEF/ Wilbur, Justin
DEF/ Ricks, Michael
DEF/ Lott, David
DEF/ Bradford, Steve
07/17/2007SUMMSummons Issued
DEF/ Acentus Consulting Group Llc
DEF/ Smith and Merritt Institute Llc
DEF/ Modius Financial Llc
DEF/ Frv Partners Llc
DEF/ Smith, Daniel R
DEF/ Merritt, Kathryn
DEF/ Rees, David M
DEF/ Lautes, Albert
DEF/ Garner, Julie
DEF/ Mello, Melissa
DEF/ Grogg, Bruce
DEF/ Dowding, Clark
DEF/ Parker, Robert
DEF/ Anderson, Dee
DEF/ Wilbur, Justin
DEF/ Ricks, Michael
DEF/ Lott, David
DEF/ Bradford, Steve
07/19/2007RSReturn of Service
DEF/ Acentus Consulting Group Llc
DEF/ Smith and Merritt Institute Llc
DEF/ Modius Financial Llc
DEF/ Frv Partners Llc
DEF/ Smith, Daniel R
DEF/ Merritt, Kathryn
DEF/ Rees, David M
DEF/ Lautes, Albert
DEF/ Garner, Julie
DEF/ Mello, Melissa
DEF/ Grogg, Bruce
DEF/ Dowding, Clark
DEF/ Parker, Robert
DEF/ Anderson, Dee
DEF/ Wilbur, Justin
DEF/ Ricks, Michael
DEF/ Lott, David
DEF/ Bradford, Steve
07/19/2007RSReturn of Service
DEF/ Acentus Consulting Group Llc
DEF/ Smith and Merritt Institute Llc
DEF/ Modius Financial Llc
DEF/ Frv Partners Llc
DEF/ Smith, Daniel R
DEF/ Merritt, Kathryn
DEF/ Rees, David M
DEF/ Lautes, Albert
DEF/ Garner, Julie
DEF/ Mello, Melissa
DEF/ Grogg, Bruce
DEF/ Dowding, Clark
DEF/ Parker, Robert
DEF/ Anderson, Dee
DEF/ Wilbur, Justin
DEF/ Ricks, Michael
DEF/ Lott, David
DEF/ Bradford, Steve
07/19/2007RSReturn of Service
DEF/ Acentus Consulting Group Llc
DEF/ Smith and Merritt Institute Llc
DEF/ Modius Financial Llc
DEF/ Frv Partners Llc
DEF/ Smith, Daniel R
DEF/ Merritt, Kathryn
DEF/ Rees, David M
DEF/ Lautes, Albert
DEF/ Garner, Julie
DEF/ Mello, Melissa
DEF/ Grogg, Bruce
DEF/ Dowding, Clark
DEF/ Parker, Robert
DEF/ Anderson, Dee
DEF/ Wilbur, Justin
DEF/ Ricks, Michael
DEF/ Lott, David
DEF/ Bradford, Steve
07/20/2007NOTCNotice Filed
DEF/ Acentus Consulting Group Llc

Judgments
#DateDetails

Bond Information
IDDetails

Financial Summary
Un-Assigned RcpsReceived
-------------------------
Civil Filing Fee$270.00
Court Security Cash Fund$10.00
Civil Action Tax$1.00
Stabilization Fund - USER Fee$190.00
Total Un-Assigned$471.00

Wednesday, July 04, 2007

The Thrill of Victory


On June 23rd I was a competitor in the Arizona Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu State Championships. I signed up for the Blue Belt Masters division so that I wouldn't have to fight anyone under 35.

Unfortunately they didn't have a Masters division, which explains why I found myself up against Jamie Varner for my second fight.

Thursday, June 28, 2007

The Agony of Defeat

I recently competed in the 2007 Arizona Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu State Championship. I won my first fight, apparently 8 to 0, though I was exhausted for my second match, against my much younger and much stronger opponent, Jamie Varner, who (not surprisingly) went on to place first in the division.

Here I am tapping out to a choke you can see I am only feebly defending against.

Tuesday, June 12, 2007

College Partnership continuing "growth plan"

The comments continue to roll in on my Spend your way to lameness post (why it's specifically that post that attracts all the comments is something I still haven't figured out).

One comment in particular makes the claim that College Partnership is now suing Smith & Merritt. Is it only me who finds it odd that a company would sue its own wholly-owned subsidiary?

I admit that I'm incredulous at this point - though certainly curious to learn more.

Meanwhile, College Partnership seems intent on improving their image in the marketplace:

LAKEWOOD, CO -- (MARKET WIRE) -- 05/16/07 -- College Partnership, Inc. (PINKSHEETS: CGPA) announced today that it has engaged The Eversull Group of Dallas, Texas for investor relations consulting.

Dr. Janice A. Jones, Executive Vice President and co-founder of College Partnership, remarked, "After an extensive search, we selected The Eversull Group to assist the firm in building credibility and shareholder value with the investment community. The Eversull Group was recommended to us as a trustworthy and successful communicator that could guide our firm in attracting capital, gaining support and sponsorship. With their help, we expect to recommence executing our growth plan."
With SMI in tow (and no history of profitability), they've got a hard road ahead, in my humble opinion. I also feel compelled to remark that the Eversull Group's web page is currently so awful that perhaps they ought to be concerned about the log in their own credibility before they deal with the mote in College Partnership's.