New Year Thread

I know, I know. Last week you were saying to yourselves, "Where's the Top 10 (Plus 1)?" Well, the holidays threw a wrench into things and I was out on the road unable to blog my fingers away. This week will be another break in the madness, as New Year's Day will take us out of the blogosphere.

But, it's not all bad news. We'll be back next week with #8 on the list.

In addition, over on the mother site we posted the Bekan resolutions. Hopefully we can follow them. Enjoy!

Happy New Year!

Partners of Bekan (with Graphics!)

Well, it's time for my monthly pitch for you to join the Partners of Bekan program over at the mother site. This time around, however, I have some numbers for you to marvel at.

See, this Bekan program was launched in an effort to aid us all in receiving more hits on our own websites. By backlinking to each other's reputable company web pages, we have created the opportunity to both give you more of our site's visitors and receive the same in return...at no cost.

Such is the beauty of the Partners of Bekan program, no money ever needs to exchange hands. All we ask in return for our help is your help. This way we can spread our advertising across the web at no cost.

Here are some details of what the Bekan website brings in on an average month.

We hope you strongly consider this proposal. We feel we can help both of our companies and the local community through this effort. If you or anyone you know is interested, please contact me at blangen@bekan.com. Thank you.

5, 4, 3, 2, 1...

With a new year right around the corner, I want to hear from you. Either email me or leave your responses in the comments.

What are some of your New Year's Resolutions? What did you accomplish in 2009 that you are proud of? What do you hope to accomplish in 2010? How good/bad of a year was 2009?

Thanks for your help in advance.

Bekan Email List

Well Christmas has come and passed, and hopefully you got what you were looking for. However, now the time for business has arrived. Enroll yourself in Bekan Insurance Group's email savings list and you can get on the right track to money-saving plans everywhere.

Think of opening your email on a cold Monday morning and seeing a special for your Indiana business insurance savings. Or what about checking your email tomorrow morning and finding savings on Schererville auto insurance.

These are the types of things that can happen when you add yourself to the Bekan email list. Email me today at blangen@bekan.com and get yourself saving right away.

The Top 10 (Plus 1): Arcade Fire

Though only having recorded two albums (similar to my 10B band, Cassino), Arcade Fire comes in at #9 due to their massive influence on my life through those releases. Headed up by Win Butler and his wife, Regine Chassagne, Arcade Fire comes from Montreal, Canada. A group of seven musicians, Arcade Fire is renowned for putting on high-energy shows that leaves crowds in pools of sweat, awe and pure joy.

The live performances are just a piece of the puzzle, though. Arcade Fire's two albums have been so positively reviewed, I am simply salivating at the opportunity to listen to their next foray (which is supposedly going to be released mid-2010...). Their first release, Funeral, has been widely hailed as a top 5 album of the decade. It has gone on to take home album of the year (in 2004) from many publications, and is ranked almost universally in the top 5 or 10 of albums of the decade (Pitchfork, Rolling Stone, Paste, Stereogum and many more). Five singles came from the landmark album, but those alone do not do it justice. If you want to be completely blown away, listen to Funeral all the way through. It's ten songs of joy, heartbreak and everything in between. There is not a weak song to point to. It is a masterpiece. However, if I have to pick just one song from the album, I'll take the arena rocking "Rebellion (Lies)". Take a listen and see if you don't dig deeper.



The second release from the Canadian indie-rockers was titled Neon Bible and was released in 2007 to more critical acclaim. While not packed with non-stop enjoyment like it's predecessor, Neon Bible still packs a great punch. With songs like "Intervention", "(Antichrist Television Blues)", "Keep the Car Running", "My Body is a Cage" and "No Cars Go", it debuted at #2 on the Billboard 200, a tremendous success. Again, almost universally, another Arcade Fire album was reviewed as top 5 of the year. The band was gaining steam and going full boar ahead.

That is where we stand now with the fantastic Northerners. I can honestly say that I have not been this excited for a band's next release in years. Let's just hope it follows up on their previous success.

Finally, here is my favorite song from Neon Bible. Enjoy.

Be a Partner of Bekan!

Music lists of the year and decade are pouring out of all places right now and I couldn't be more excited. One of my favorite times of the year is seeing how critics review the music I loved through the year.

This year there was tons of music, but a French band named Phoenix took me for the best ride of them all. Their album, Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix, was widely hailed as a great album and had some of the most memorable singles of the year as well.

So, how does this relate to Bekan Insurance Group? Well, this was our first year of delving deeper into the internet market. The results have been great to this point. Developing contact bases with more and more people while still delivering our legendary service to customers has been fantastic. Our website is gaining steam and getting more and more visitors. Things are looking up.

Additionally we have launched our Partners of Bekan program. With over 500 new visitors a month, we offer links on our website to yours...at no cost. Just do the same for us and you will have additional traffic just like that. If you are interested, contact me at blangen@bekan.com and we can get started. We look forward to seeing you soon.

While I haven't yet decided on my song of the year, this is a pretty good bet to be in my top 5. It's the aforementioned Phoenix's "1901." Take a listen.

Share Your Email Address

Bekan Insurance Group does tons of great things. From activities in the community to insurance policy savings to employing local, homegrown talent, we are responsible for helping our local community. Now, you can help out as well, and even save yourself a few bucks in the process.

Send us an email from your email address (if we don't already have it) and you will be enrolled in special savings, monthly newsletters, hidden offers and more. What better way to save BIG than to join QuoteBIG.com. Why not save a few dollars right around the holiday season this way.

If you (or anyone you know) are interested, please send an email to blangen@bekan.com and we will add you to the email list immediately. Thank you!

Looking for Insurance Savings?

Searching for home and auto insurance? At Bekan Insurance Group you can get a free quote instantly through our live quoting system. We will run your information through up to 20 of the top carriers in the country. Insurance companies like Grange, Allied, Travelers, Pekin, Safeco and many more will all run your quote. When they are complete, one of our Certified Internet Agents will contact you with an opportunity for you to start saving.

If you would rather talk to one of our dedicated agents, call us toll-free at 800.894.8225. We can't wait to start helping you today!

Start Saving for Your Business!

Apart from all of Bekan Insurance Group's great products (auto insurance, home insurance, life insurance, health insurance, 401K, and tons of other financial services), one stands out the most: business insurance.

Our rates on business or commercial insurance policies are bar-none, the best around. Insuring your business is very important, for any day problems can strike and leave you in a world of trouble if you are not insured. However, covering yourself with comprehensive commercial insurance coverage will solve all of that. Our business insurance products include commercial auto, general liability, worker's compensation, and more. We also offer umbrella policies to cover all of your needs in one lump sum.

You can find great deals on Indiana business insurance and have your company start saving cash today. Call us at 800.894.8225 to start saving today with one of our dedicated agents, or visit us at our website and start saving with one of our Certified Internet Agents today. We can't wait to start helping you today!

The Top 10 (Plus 1) - Spoon

Coming in at 10A on the list (don't look into the A & B ranks, they came in dead even for my 10th favorite band) is Spoon. Spoon hails from Austin, Texas, a hotbed for excellent American music. Many critics have tried to pin down their indie-rock style, but their music mixes in jazz, blues, funk, rock and just about everything else under the sun. To this day, they have released six full length albums, with a seventh due in early 2010.

Lead singer Britt Daniel heads up the band, using his quirky voice and creative songwriting that has lead Spoon to the top of many critics' favorite lists and even Billboard Top 10 lists. Spoon's debut album, Telephono, hit in 1996, and was re-released in 2006, even reaching #36 on Billboard's Top Independent Albums chart. They followed up early critical acclaim with A Series of Sneaks in 1998 and Girls Can Tell in 2001. Girls Can Tell gave Spoon their first album that reached near-mainstream critical acclaim, and it reached #46 on the Top Indie Albums chart. Popular songs "Chicago at Night" and "Everything Hits at Once" came from this album.

With their first taste of success, Spoon released Kill the Moonlight in 2002, only boosting their indie credibility. Fans and critics alike hailed the album as the future of music, and it reached #23 on Billboard's Top Independent Albums chart. Pitchfork raved about the album, ranking it #19 of the 2000's - quite the accomplishment. Singles "The Way We Get By" and "Paper Tiger" also allowed Spoon to see the spotlight a bit more with a more mainstream audience.

Spoon's followup, Gimme Fiction, added a legit driving force to the band's portfolio. It reached #1 on Billboard's Indie Albums and #44 on the Billboard 200, their first addition to the mainstream list. Singles "I Summon You" and "I Turn My Camera On" were reveled for the successful creativity and named as top songs of the year by critics from all walks of the musical field.

The band's biggest mainstream success landed in their sixth album, Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga. The album came in at #10 on the Billboard 200, their highest ranking to date. Great songs flowed off the record easily, and between this and Gimme Fiction, you have my two favorite Spoon releases. Songs like "You Got Yr. Cherry Bomb", "Don't You Evah" and "Don't Make Me a Target" all had success, but the headliner from their top album was "The Underdog". Now, I could go into a full length essay on the song; I love it so much. However, for your sake, I'll leave it in this space and let you decide for yourself. Trust me, you should listen to every song I've listed here. They all have such great flavor and sound.



Finally, Spoon plans to release their seventh studio album, Transference, January 19, 2010. Nearly everyone involved in the indie-rock world is waiting patiently for this, and we even got our first taste a few weeks back with the release of the first single off the album, "Written in Reverse". It appears to be more of the same for the Texans, and they should expect even more mainstream success this time around.

To wrap it up, there's just one small thing to add. The band absolutely rocks live. They put on a phenomenal show touching on each of their albums, providing a great look into how the band has evolved throughout the years while still entertaining the crowd. If you get the time, look into Spoon. You won't regret it.

Next week - #9 on The Top 10 (Plus 1). Check back to see who it is.

Vegassssssss

For this gloomy and cold Thursday, I'll leave just a short post.

A week from tomorrow, I'll be flying out of Milwaukee to Las Vegas. It will be my first time in Vegas, and hopefully it will not be my last. This is just an outreach post to all of you who have been to Sin City before. What are the must-sees while I am there? Where do I have to eat? Where are the best deals?

Yes, I know. Kind of self-centered, but leave your favorite Vegas story in the thread. The best one will be entered into our drawing for a free iPod Touch.

Wrap Me Up!

The weather is bitter and it's just December. Christmas has not even come to save us from our winter woes yet. We are going to have to crank up the thermostat at home and we still haven't rebounded from the economic downturn. What are we going to do?

Either run for the hills (in this case, make sure the hills are in a warm client with a relative) or purchase an electric blanket. Believe me, I bought one just about a month ago to gear up for the winter chill and it has made quite a difference. In addition to this, the United States Department of Energy rates a heated blanket as the most energy efficient item you can own in your home.

Sounds like a good way to stay toasty and keep our bills low, eh?

Also, if you are looking for affordable home, auto, business and life insurance in Indiana, Michigan, Illinois and Wisconsin, you can always come to us at Bekan Insurance Group and start saving immediately. We'll see you soon!

Print Media is (Almost) Dead

The news as we have known it for the past century may be coming to an absolute halt. With nearly every newspaper in America operating at a loss, is the day of print media dead? What does that mean for aspiring journalists?

The answer many experts have is the internet age. With the emergence of blogs and up to the second news outlets online, there is a much smaller need for a daily newspaper that can only update us for yesterday's news. But, does that mean the industry is going to be gone in the near future?

Not according to many people plugged into the situation. Nearly everyone feels there will always be a spot for journalists and reporters to make their living gathering the news, it will just be in a whole different light.

If there's one thing I can say it's that I'm glad I didn't pursue my dream of going to journalism school. I don't envy you folks, especially when I can break the news and tell stories online...and reach an audience without sitting in a news room. I wish all journalists and reporters the best, because the coming years will be very telling for where your industry is headed. Save it, and do the whole world a favor.

Monday is Today

Some news and notes as we are now 18 days from Christmas...

Real time news from Google? Indeed, it is. Google launched their real-time updating software into the already gigantic Google applications and now we will be treated to news updating by the second. Pretty cool - http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8400230.stm

For baseball geeks, the 2009 Winter Meetings started today in Indianapolis. Expect trade talk galore, and this site has it all - http://mlbtraderumors.com

Not the most important of news, but it's the BOSS! Bruce Springsteen got honored at the White House, and you'll get to see it December 29th on CBS. Lots of good honorees here - http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/8398675.stm

So, in only a way Bruce can do it, here's our song of the day: Springsteen's "Atlantic City." The video operator disabled embedding, so you'll have to click the link. It's still very much worth it.

The Top 10 (Plus 1) - Cassino

In the personal series that will give you nothing but inside information on my love for music (and primarily nothing about insurance), I will begin my Top 10 Bands of all time. Of course, because I'm non-committal, I had to toss in an additional name to my list. So, starting today and going for 11 weeks, it's The Top 10 (Plus 1) Countdown. Today, band 10B: Cassino.

Starting from the roots of punk rock band Northstar, a forward thinking band stuck in a genre heading way downhill. From this, lead singer and guitarist Nick Torres and Tyler Odom created the folk-rock band Cassino in 2005 to warm critical success.

Cassino released their debut album, Sounds of Salvation, in 2007 and followed it up with recently released, Kingprince. Through the years, not much touring has developed to this point. Their shows often use both Cassino and a few Northstar songs as well as a few covers. With their newly released second album, we should see more in the near future.

Although Cassino has only released two albums, I could honestly not find a way to leave them out of my top 10. Their music is so beautiful that it can absolutely bring me out of any bad mood. Their soothing sound makes for a great atmosphere boost to any lazy day.

I only expect the best out of them in the coming years, and hopefully they will even rise higher on this list.

To check them out, visit their MySpace page and listen to a few songs. My personal favorite is "New Jerusalem."



(Ed. Note - Coming next week, the other #10 band on the list. Check back to see more.)

Vacation Spot

On a chilly December night, I have just a quick question on your Thursday evening. Where would you most like to go on vacation to this weekend?

My pick would have to be the Bahamas. Warm temperatures, beautiful beaches and the sunny weather is just a perfect respite from the cold winter.

Song of the day - James McMurtry's "No More Buffalo" performed live. A nice song for a cold night. Fast forward to the :30 second mark to begin.

Saving Cash in December

If you are reading here, you most likely read over at the BIG blog. However, for you special individuals who missed out on the December money saving ways. Check this out.

December Fun & Savings

Tell me what you think about it.

Song of the day - Pete Yorn's "I Can't Hear Anyone." Enjoy.

December Begins

Well, we're back with a few words and links. Here's to hoping you had a fantastic Thanksgiving weekend.

• Although the Lowell Red Devils could not pull of a state championship victory, their valiant effort gave us hope that Lowell will once again dominate the high school football ranks next season. Thank you for a great season Red Devils.

• The weather is chilly, my hands are freezing just typing this, and the U.S. Department of Energy has these tips for you to save you a few bucks in the current cold season. Here are some really basic things everyone can do to help save the environment and pocket a bit more cash in the meantime.
  

• One of my top 10 favorite bands just released a new album, Kingprince. If you want to know more about Cassino, check in later this week for the first entry in my Top 10 Artists look.

I'll leave you with the song of the day, from the aforementioned Cassino. This is off their first album, Sounds of Salvation, it's "New Jerusalem." A real masterpiece. Enjoy it.

Thanksgiving Tips

Turkey Day is tomorrow, and everyone is scrambling around looking for recipes on how to make this year's centerpiece. However, the biggest piece to the Thanksgiving spread are the side dishes. The perfect recipe for stuffing, yams, mashed potatoes and gravy, along with a green bean casserole is the key to your meal happiness.

So this Thanksgiving, go out and find the best fresh ingredients and match them with the best recipe you can find. If you want a happy (and stuffed!) crowd, put the most effort into your side dishes. It's how your family will remember this Thanksgiving. Believe me on that.

Good Luck Red Devils

The hometown of Bekan Insurance Group, Lowell, Indiana, has a very important weekend ahead of them. Their high school football team, the Lowell Red Devils will be taking on Fort Wayne Dwenger in the Semi-State game of the Indiana Class 4A Football Championship.

Even though this writer did not attend Lowell High School, many of the followers of this blog did, as well as many of its workers. With that, Bekan Insurance Group wishes the Lowell Red Devils the best of luck. Beat Dwenger boys!

More Info on Business Insurance

Yesterday, we waxed poetic on the need for business insurance. Today, we'll do a bit more, with some bits of information you may not know.

There are several types of business or commercial insurance, and here's what you need to know.

Product Liability insurance will cover any manufacturing errors that your company makes, so that you are protected against angry customers making claims.

Professional Liability insurance covers against errors that your business would make in service or similar activities. Negligence is covered under this.

Commercial Property insurance covers your land and buildings on your property. If anything shall happen (theft, weather, fire, etc.), you will be compensated for your losses.

In addition, Workers Compensation insurance covers any injuries to employees that work for you. This is a very big part of insurance if you are in a physical labor-intense industry.

Commercial Auto Insurance is necessary if you plan on having you or your employees operating any types of vehicles.

If you want to cover everything you own, purchase an Umbrella policy. This will cover everything you have.

Remember to come to Bekan Insurance Group for the lowest rates on your Indiana Business Insurance, Illinois Business Insurance and Michigan Business Insurance. You just can't beat our rates. Visit our site or call us at 800.894.8225.

We haven't had a song of the day for awhile, so this becomes our de facto song of the week. Here is a video for The Heavy's new song, "How You Like Me Now?". I thought I'd try the embed function today. Hope you enjoy.

You Need Business Insurance

Insuring your business is one of the first steps to success. While many people overlook this simple task, or pass it off for something that is not serious, getting your business insured properly could make or break you. If you are underinsured and happen to face theft or damages, you won't receive full compensation for your losses. Is this something you want? Most definitely not.

At Bekan Insurance Group, our agents will make sure that you understand what you need, and then give you the best coverage at the lowest rates we can. Your company will come out saving money and having an insurance policy that will protect you.

So call us at 800.894.8225 or visit our website at http://bekan.com to speak with one of our dedicated agents and line yourself up with the most affordable Indiana business insurance. Not from Indiana? That's not a problem. We offer affordable Illinois business insurance, Ohio business insurance, Michigan business insurance and Wisconsin business insurance. Come visit us today!

(By the way, I love this picture. It's hilarious. I just had to post it with this.)

Later...

Unemployment is through the roof, millions of Americans are sitting at home unemployed and all we can wonder is if and when these jobs are going to return.

Later on this week over at the BIG site, we will examine this. Check in all week for our articles on when our jobs will return.

In the News

Happy Monday everyone. We're back from a nice relaxing weekend to bring you some links and updates into the world. Check it out.

Over at the QuoteBIG website, we took a look at auto insurance premiums by state. Take a look.

It looks like we'll be seeing a good amount of seasonal hires. Employers announced that about 1 in 5 companies will be hiring this season. Make sure you read this.

You probably know what employers want to hear in response to their questions, but what do they want you to ask them. A very good read over at Career Builder, this article is very informative for anyone looking to their future work.

We'll have an Inside Look at Bekan later in the week and also the launch of my top 10. Stay tuned.

Thursday Tidbits

Some news and notes from a Thursday near you...

• Our Bekan Facebook fan page is up to over 130 followers. Be the next to join us so you stay updated on new deals and promotions we are running.
• Our Bekan Twitter page is up to 28 followers. There's also tons of fresh deals there. If you have a Twitter account. Add us today.
• We are running another contest for a FREE iPod Touch. All you have to do is refer a friend to us and you get an entry into our contest. For each additional referral, you receive another entry into our drawing. Join us now!

Hope to see you on one of these sites!

Happy Veterans Day!

As many of you know, today is Veterans Day. Take the time to thank someone you know who served in the military. God bless them for their work. We are praying for your safety. Thank you for your courage.

Join Us on Twitter

Don't look now, but our Twitter followers are growing rapidly. Just last week we had a very small amount (think: single digits), but with a little dedication, we are up to over 30 followers. Be the next to join us. We break special deals, giveaways and insurance information at the second we know it on Twitter.

Be one of the next five followers of ours on Twitter and we'll enter you into our drawing for a FREE iPod Touch. Here's the link. See you there!

Round Up!

In today's day and age, a writer's computer is their lifeline, their ink and pen. Last week, I suffered a setback when my computer went under. Luckily, I hopped on a great deal from HP and purchased a brand new machine to lead me into the next decade. Thanks to all the people from HP who helped me. It was much appreciated.

Now, on to the important stuff. Our agents are saving people money left and right. Agent Rich Pliske is lighting the world on fire, saving clients on average over $400 this month. His key: rounding out accounts. Do you have just home or auto insurance with us? If so, bring the rest of your business to us and we can promise savings up to 15% immediately.

It's just another way Bekan Insurance Group is saving you money. Call us at 800.894.8225 to speak with one of our dedicated agents today!

Join the Friends of Bekan Program

Just because this is very important, I wanted to throw it up over on this blog as well. The Friends of Bekan program is up and running and we already have a few partners already. The benefits to you are huge, so check it up at the Bekan blog. Here's the link.

We hope you join us on this great endeavor. It's a win-win situation for everyone. Contact me at blangen@bekan.com if you are interested.

What to Do When You're Lost

I'm in a real creative rut. Nothing I am thinking of is being brought to fruition, and the other ideas are churning in a blank mill.

This means two things:

1. The quality of posts due to this issue will suffer. Not good.
2. The quantity of posts due to this issue will decrease. Not good either.

So, send me some ideas to get my brain working. It's just a matter of time until I get off the snide and get cracking once again. Thank you.

Weekend Wrap

What's slowly becoming a tradition will continue on this morning. Let's check out our weekends.

Friday marked the date of birth of this writer, who celebrated by playing games of chance and attending hockey games. Quite a fun day, but meaningless to the rest of you.

Saturday was the big celebration. We had Halloween parties, Trick or Treating, and all kinds of October fun all bundled into one day. As soon as I get a few more pictures of Halloween costumes, I'll throw them up on the website for us all to admire (or laugh).

For Chicago fans, this weekend was quite good. Notre Dame rolled to victory Saturday, the Bears brought home a win, and the Hawks made amends for their Thursday night stinker with a win over the Canadiens. The Bulls faltered a bit, but in the early season, things are still okay.

The World Series is getting closer to a wrap-up, with the Yankees taking a 3-1 lead over the Phillies. Game 5, and possibly the final game of the series is tonight.

And for a quick look to the future, this week will be chalked full of blogs and such. We'll get an agenda out on the BIG blog should anything big happen.

Finally, remember to shoot us your emails if you are a Bekan customer. We can get you saving immediately on special offers and deals.

Happy Halloween!

Just one thing to say tonight: be safe and enjoy your night. Send me pictures of your costumes and I'll post them on Facebook/Twitter/Bekan website.

Song of the day/night/week - "Hot Soft Light" from my boys The Hold Steady. Two years ago today they recorded their live album A Positive Rage at the Metro in Chicago. Rock on.

Thursday Links

Man, it sure does feel like Friday today, doesn't it? Unfortunately, we haven't reached our Halloween festivities yet, but in due time it will come.

The big Bekan news today takes place over on our Facebook account. If you are one of the first 3 fans to comment on our status, you get entered in our drawing to win a FREE iPod Touch. Do it. Here's the link.

This week's beer choice may be slightly delayed, due to my abstinence from alcohol. The doctor told me drinking spirits isn't healthy for you. I suppose you learn something every day. But, never fear, we'll be back soon with Beer of the Week.

On the BIG blog, we're talking about Halloween safety. So be sure to check it out.

That's all for today. If you aren't already following us on Facebook or Twitter, what are you waiting for? We reveal key savings tips in a flash over there!

Welcome to the Fall Classic

In honor of Game 1 of baseball's World Series, and the fact that I don't have much else to say on this lovely evening, who is your pick to win the title?

At the outset of the playoffs, I took the Yankees to beat the Dodgers. However, now that L.A. is out of action, Philly has taken their place. While I hope the Phils repeat for the title, I really see the Yankees winning. We'll see how it plays out. What do you think?

Weekend Review

The weekend has ended and we're all back to the real world, but before we get back to business, let's examine our weekends.

All kinds of sports action headlined the weekend, but Chicagoans had their struggles with the Bears lackluster performance against the Bengals. Hey, at least you have the mighty Blackhawks.

Some of our agents had themselves great weekends around the house, while other took to the road to visit friends and family. The important part: everyone came home healthy and happy. No strains of H1N1 for us!

Yours truly took a trip to Bloomington, IN for the weekend, and as promised I saw Pete Yorn in concert Saturday night. As expected, he brought tons of energy and put on a great show.

Tying in with Yorn, Bekan Insurance Group's favorite radio station, 93.1 WXRT just announced their BIG Holiday Concert with headliners The Flaming Lips, Phoenix and The aforementioned Pete Yorn. The show looks to be fantastic, and if at all possible, this writer will be in attendance for a great night.

Check in soon for updates to the company, including some videos and other programs we are working on.

Beer of the Week: Newcastle Brown Ale

The old favorite is back. It's Beer of the Week time!

This week we take a look at a Newcastle Brown Ale, which has quickly become a favorite of mine. Imported from England, as the label states, but actually from Scotland, Newcastle has a nice taste that is refreshing to all drinkers. While a bit costly (I found a 6-pack for $8.99!), the brown tinted ale with a nice frothy head gives drinkers a nice smooth taste. Check it out at your local pub or liquor store. You won't be disappointed. My rating: 4 out of 5. Very tasty.

The song of the day comes from my buddy (not really, I don't know him) Pete Yorn. It's "Life on a Chain" from his 2001 release, musicforthemorningafter. I just love this song, but I picked it because I'm seeing the man on Saturday night in Bloomington at the Bluebird. Can't wait. Hope you enjoy.

Inside Look at Bekan: Burnes Barney Part II

If you missed Part I, I'm not sure what you were doing. But, since we're a family company, I'll play nice. Check it out over at the Bekan blog. For everyone else, continue on below to Part II. Enjoy!

I imagine. It sounds exhilerating. Do you ever get time to read? Have a favorite book?
BB: Yes and no. I spend a lot of time doing other things, but my favorite book is Ultramarathon Man by Dean Karnazes.

I shouldn't have expected anything different. What about your favorite movie?
BB: Dances with Wolves. Just a great film.

Ok, changing gears a bit, what's your favorite place to eat a pizza?
BB: Hmm, I'll have to go with Aurelio's. That's got to be my favorite.

And finally, what's one thing you can't live without?
BB: Shredded wheat.

Burnes, thanks for your time. It's been very interesting.

If you would like to talk to Burnes about insurance, give us a call at 800.894.8225 and ask for him. He'll help you save money!

Stay Current With Us

If you're reading this, you obviously want to save money on your insurance policies. Don't hide. There's no getting around it. The best part about it is that we can help you do so. While the easiest way to save money on your home or auto insurance policy is to head over to Bekan or call 800.894.8225, there are a few other ways you can help save a buck or two.

1. Join us on Facebook - It's a simple way to find out what is happening inside our company. Savings, deals, contests are all broken first here, and you can get in on the ground floor if you join us here.
2. Join us on Twitter - The second social media site that we use is up and running all the way to the bank. Another way to get small tidbits of information to you at no cost. Join us here.
3. Follow our blog - Yes, this is one-half of the blogging beauty that is Bekan Insurance Group. The other one has tons of relevant information about everything insurance. Check it here.

So, if you have a computer (which you most likely do, if you're reading this webpage) join us at Facebook and Twitter and start following what I write on the other site. You don't want to miss out!

Weekend Wrap-Up

The weekend is over and we're back to work, but before we jump all the way in, let's recap our weekends.

Friday marked a significant day in Bekan Insurance Group history. Our boss, Jimmy Langen celebrated his birthday (we won't get into how old he is!) in style. He took his family to Notre Dame Friday night for the ND/USC pep rally and the ND hockey game. Surely, Jimmy enjoyed Friday, but Saturday was slightly different. Notre Dame's inability to pull of the upset of USC left him empty handed and going home with defeat another year.

This writer celebrated his younger brother's 17th birthday on Saturday with a visit to the United Center in Chicago to watch the Chicago Blackhawks take on the Dallas Stars. Unfortunately, the Blackhawks couldn't pull out the victory, but the journey was still a good one.

In other news, Bekan welcomes back Customer Service Representative Laurie Massi, who is returning from her vacation in the woods of North Carolina. We'll be sure to get a full recap of how isolation treated her and her close friends.

Check back in later when we have some actual news for everyone, and as always, visit Bekan Insurance Group for all of your insurance needs!

Just in Time for Your Weekend Reading

Ok, I wasn't going to post today over here, but I settled on finally doing it before I headed home for the weekend. Things here were hectic and there wasn't an enormous amount of time to stir up your brain waves, but what kind of blogger would I be if I left you hanging on a Friday afternoon. Onward to the links!

Disappointing news for people who have just graduated. Man, this is some bad news.

I know I'm a day late or so, but the Dow Jones went over 10,000 points the other day, maybe signaling a return to prosperity. Maybe. Man, do I hope so.

This is music-related and interesting. The Flaming Lips are going to cover Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon. Hmm, verrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrry intriguing. I can't wait to see how this ends up.

Song of the day - "Gamma Ray" from Beck's most recent release, Modern Guilt. Good, catchy tune. I like Beck, but he's not quite in my top 10. Check for the #10 artist next week.

Phones Down!

Going along with this week's concept of safe driving, our Lowell, IN office today suffered a power outage. While you may think, "That has nothing to do with safe driving," in this case it did. Earlier today, there was a car accident that left a telephone pole down. Soon after the crash, Bekan Insurance Group went down for close to an hour, leaving us without our phones and computers.

We wish to apologize to anyone who called in during this time, as we were unable to service any insurance needs that you may have encountered. Please call us back whenever you feel like it, and we will answer anything you need.

For all you drivers out there, I've been preaching it all week: keep your eyes on the road ahead!

If you are in the market for home, auto or business insurance in Indiana, Ohio, Illinois, Michigan or Wisconsin, we can help you get the best rates around. Our customer service representatives are standing by ready to transfer you to our best insurance agents. Call us at 800.894.8225 today.

Wednesday Notes

I didn't post this over here, because it was a shorter interview, but we got to have a short sit-down conversation with consultant Larry Hitzeman for the Inside Look at Bekan series. Check it out here. Larry is one of the big wigs here at Bekan Insurance Group, but he is really a great guy and exceptional agent. Hopefully you'll read the interview.

Elsewhere, we are cranking out policies and bringing in new clients left and right. People are saving thousands of dollars on their home, auto, life and business insurance policies all across Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan and Ohio. Will you be the next to jump in the great savings?

Finally, our song of the day comes from laid-back singer-songwriter Bon Iver. This guy is really cool, and his music is exceptional. Check out "Skinny Love" from his recent LP, For Emma, Forever Ago. This was my favorite song of 2008, it's a purely remarkable song.

Charlie Davies Fallout

Yesterday, I passed along info that star US soccer striker Charlie Davies was seriously injured in a fatal car accident early Tuesday morning. Now, some more details are starting to come through.

First off, the rider that died was indeed a passenger. Her name was Ashley Roberta. Let us pray for her family and friends. Rest in peace.

Second, here's the link of the NBC Washington story on the crash. There are pictures of the car, and let me say, they are terrifying. The car is literally cut in half. How Davies survived is beyond me.

Third, onto Davies story. Now, we are yet to know what exactly he was doing out, all we do know is that it was past US soccer curfew for him. He had surgery yesterday on his right femur/tibia area, and titanium rods were inserted in there. He was listed in serious condition after surgery, and this type of injury takes 6-12 months to heal. Because Davies is a high-level athlete, he is expected to return. However, it is unlikely that he will return before the 2010 World Cup in Johannesburg. A deep blow to the US team indeed, but with their depth, the US squad may be okay. If you want to follow along, Sports Illustrated's Grant Wahl is tweeting updates on his Twitter page.

The most important news for Davies, is that he is alive and well now. While it is tough to swallow for Davies that we will not play, he needs to realize he is alive. It's just a testament to safe driving. Folks, you need to stay safe. That's the bottom line.

Drive Safe My Friends

I've noted before that I am a huge US soccer fan. Today, Uncle Sam's Army took a big hit to their health. Star forward Charlie Davies was injured in a one vehicle accident early this morning. He is currently in surgery that is expected to last over 5 hours, but that's not even the worst part. In the car accident, one of the passengers was killed.

Take a moment of silence for the passengers with Davies. Today the United States may have lost a star footballer, but our country also lost a member of our country. Rest in peace.

Folks, remember to drive safely. In the past few days on the Bekan site, I've been writing about the dangers of using your cell phone while driving, and this seems to be like there was a problem in the vehicle or on the road. Hopefully, you don't have any accidents like this in the future. Stay safe and remember that Bekan Insurance Group can insure that any of your car accidents will cost you the least amount of money possible. Call us at 800.894.8225 to speak with one of our trusty agents.

Tuesday Happenings

Part II to the cell phone usage while driving debate got thrown up on the mother site. Check it out here. It's got some shocking stats on texting while driving, and there are even some radical comparisons thrown out there. Pretty crazy stuff.

The Twitter site is going nuts. We've been tweeting non-stop over there, and really trying to boost our recognition on the web. So, if you are on Twitter, start following us! Our link is @BekanInsurance. Check us out today.

As for your daily trip into my musical mind, we'll take a recent cut from a band that goes by the xx. The song is "Crystalised," and I heard it for the first time last night. Since then, I can't get it out of my head. Tell me what you think.

Become a Friend of Bekan!

Ladies and gentlemen of the business world,

I've mentioned it before, but the Friends of Bekan program is up and running and we want YOU to join. It's a completely FREE way to get your name out on our website and all we ask is for you to link our company back to you. No money exchanges hands, only the backlinking expertise of ours/your webmasters. It's a perfect way to advertise...without spending a dime.

Here's the link to our wondrous and revolutionary program. Join in today to get your company off the ground with no advertising costs to you. All types of businesses are welcome to join. There is NO catch, and we've already seen web traffic rise by up to 50% for our first two businesses to take the leap of faith with us. Will you be the next?

Links!

So, while you've been sleeping in until noon, I've been hard at work.

Linkage to the mother site new blog -> Bekan Insurance Group. It's a nice little discussion on the talking/texting while driving debate going on now. Part II will come tomorrow on this. Follow along for more updates.

As for the song of the day, let me offer Alexi Murdoch's "Orange Sky." It just seems like a perfect time for this, especially considering the brutal Northwest Indiana cold and pumpkin season all over the place.

County Market?

Lately, I've become hooked by the band Wilco. If you know anything about me, you understand this isn't remotely rare. First off, I've had an on and off love affair with the band dating about five years back. Second, when I'm exposed to a band's entire catalog over a short period of time, I tend to completely buy in to what they're selling. In this case, my buying represents my addiction in listening to nearly everything Wilco.

So, as of today, I must consider Wilco as one of my favorite bands. It's been a slow climb, but so many aspects push them over the top crust, and into the top 10. So, over the next 10 weeks (or possibly sooner, my planning is for shame on this project), I will release to you my ten favorite bands. It should be an interesting experiment in music.

There's clearly no question who the song of the day is coming from, and since I haven't picked a song all week, this is going to turn out to be the song of the week. It's Wilco with one of their most easily recognizable songs, "Heavy Metal Drummer." By the way, the music starts around the :35 clip, before that is part of their documentary, I Am Trying to Break Your Heart. It's one of my favorites. Enjoy it.

Beer of the Week: Back?

It's Thursday, folks! At Bekan Insurance Group, that means it's the legendary Beer of the Week contest. Each week after work, a different person would nominate a new beer for the gang to try, and then we would rate the beers. Afterwards, I would write a short review of the beer we tried. Eventually, at the end of the time period, we would elect a winner.

It was an absolute blast, and unfortunately, it's something that we have gotten away from. Well, no longer. The return of the fun tasting contest will begin once we get our first nomination, either from you or one of our hard working employees.

Surely it should be noted that Bekan Insurance Group never mixes work with alcoholic beverages. This is strictly an after work experience; one in which we can kick back and enjoy the delicious flavorings of a newly introduced beverage. Afterwards, we safely return home with no risk of driving under the influence.

Finally, because I'm required to, come to Bekan Insurance Group to get a live free quote with our rating system. We have 9 live quoting companies, and after we finish that, we will rate your information through more than 12 more companies to find you the best price. We will get you the lowest rates on your home, auto and business insurance throughout the state of Indiana, including Lowell, Schererville, South Bend, Indianapolis, Bloomington and more. Come check us out!

Identity Theft: A Real Problem

One of the top problems with the rampant use of credit cards and other online information trading is the possibility of identity theft. Every year, over 9 million Americans have their identity stolen - a staggering amount. If you are like several of the Americans that have had their life's earnings taken away from them, then you know the perils of identity theft.

However, there are ways to ensure you are safe from identity theft. The easiest way? Visit us at Bekan Insurance Group or call us toll-free at 800.894.8225 and ask how you can be sure that your identity won't get stolen. Be safe!

Michael Moore: Genius or Idiot?

Well crew, I'm winding down tonight, checking out my usual nightly routine of Baseball Tonight, David Letterman, Jon Stewart's Daily Show and Keith Olbermann's Countdown and I got to thinking...

You know when I get to thinking, it's usually something way over my head, but I figured I'd lay it on you anyway. Is Michael Moore's new movie, Capitalism: A Love Story going to be worth seeing on an intellectual level? There are many who think that Moore is an absolute clown, while there are others who think the man is a genius. I tend to waver, depending on what he's saying. However, his recent quips with health insurance have been particularly eye opening for me. Here's a guy who has no fear in putting everything on the line, simply because that's what he's been doing his whole life.

This fact simply amazes me. We, as people, often tell others around us that people they don't care for don't affect them. That people can't get to them unless they are integral parts in their lives. For the most part, this is a charade. If people say it, and even go as far as believing it, all people have affects on their lives, however small it may be. I believe this to be true for approximately 99.8% of the world (give or take .1%). For Michael Moore, people outside of his close group have no effect on him. He will be admired and hated by millions and that does not bother him one bit. He will go about his life in the exact same way. He's done enough to prove that fact, and he will keep proving it until the day he dies.

The Bekan Video

The big boppers at Bekan Insurance Group have decided that they want me to head up a video. We're going viral and we need your help!

What do you want to see a video on? So far, thoughts include a company tour, chalked full of fun interviews, following around agents on day to day tasks, company traditions and more. However, we want to make something that you will enjoy. So let us know in the comments or email me at blangen@bekan.com. Let's make this something we all can be proud of.

Yes, That's Us on the Billboards

After a trip to my old stomping grounds in Bloomington, I'm back in full action for you Bekan followers to start October a few days late. The trip was great, getting to see my old landmarks and giving IU a piece of my mind.

But now, it's back to business. If you've been driving around recently and seen our billboards, you might have been a little surprised. Indeed, we have made the jump to outdoor advertising and we're hoping to bring in more people like you to our family.

If you have seen one of these billboards and have been lead to us here, let me show you the way to the best savings on home, auto and business insurance in Indiana. We are THE place to get insured.

So, check out our website where you can get free live quotes instantaneously. Check it out!

Wake Me Up When September (Wait, I Can't Stand That Song)

Even though I really dislike Green Day, someone must now wake me up. I mean, September is ending; we're at the end of the month. October is always a better month than September. There's baseball's playoffs, the beginning of the NBA and NHL seasons, and several birthdays of people I am close with, including my own. That doesn't even mention any of the beautiful changing colors of leaves, bonfires and scenic areas across our beautiful country.

However, it also brings with it colder weather and illness. The biggest downside to the cold weather (well, beside the part where it's not fun to go outside anymore) is that everyone seems to pass around germs like they are hot plates. Not cool. Not cool at all. On top of all this, now the infamous H1N1 virus strain is moving around like crazy. There's already been a ton of swine flu scares, and several people I know have even been infected. Even the big fella in the White House and his people came out with a report that said 40% of Americans may be infected in the coming 12 months.

So what does this all mean, you ask? It means, stay away from sick people. Even if it's important that you see them, try your best to avoid their illness, as you don't know what it is yet. Other than that, all the usual rules apply. Wash your hands, eat healthy, build up your immune system, etc. However, there is also another new option: the swine flu shot. So, if you are paranoid, go out and get it this October (and now you all see why the post was pushing the end of September).

Bottom line: make sure you are healthy, so you don't have to use your life insurance early. If you do need life insurance, come visit us at Bekan Insurance Group. We offer some of the best rates on making sure your life is safe. Visit us or call at our toll-free number, 800.894.8225, and give it a shot.

Interview With a Vampire, er, Winner

I posted this on the other site already, but I figured I would throw it on here as well. Meet our winner, Krystal Linn. For the record, she is definitely not a vampire. I just have a tendency to make bad jokes and use old movies for them. Don't fret.

So, to ensure that you know Bekan Insurance Group is really giving gifts away in drawings, we want you to meet our winner: Krystal Linn.

I recently caught up with Krystal and we talked about her good fortune.

Krystal, first off, I have to ask what you do for a living?
KL: Currently I go to school. I'll be graduating in May with my degree as an Registered Nurse.

So you're in nursing school. Where are you going?
KL: I attend UIC.

How did you register for the free iPod Touch that you won?
KL: At the Schererville Night Out about a month ago. I wasn't even going to go, and then at the last second I decided to. Good thing I did!

How did you feel about winning the iPod Touch for nothing?
KL: Well, at first I was kind of skeptical, because I always get emails saying I've won something. But, then I called you and I couldn't believe I had won. This is the first thing I've ever won.

What do you plan on using the iPod Touch for?
KL: I think I'm going to put my Nursing Drug Books on it, so I can use it while I'm working. I would have needed a PDA anyway for graduate school, so this works out great for me.

Where do you plan on going to grad school at?
KL: Either Rush or Evanston. I plan on getting my CRNA.

Ok, last question. What's the first song you are going to put on your brand new iPod?
KL: Hmm, I'm going to have to say Maroon 5's "Won't Go Home Without You."

Sounds good. Congratulations on winning a brand new iPod Touch and don't forget you can get the lowest rates on your home and auto insurance with us at Bekan Insurance Group.

Oh, and to the rest of you. Keep your eyes open for our next giveaway. You might be like Krystal and take home a brand new iPod Touch.

Ridin' the Wave

As the leaves turn colors and fall to the ground and the days get shorter and shorter, All Terrain Vehicles come back into some of our heads. Driving around on 4 wheelers in the back woods of local Indiana towns through the chilly air can be one of the most fun things we can do. If you are lucky enough to own one, or know someone who does, you know exactly what I'm talking about.

Also, if you own one, you know that you should get that riding machine insured. Injuries happen from time to time, and if you aren't insured, some bad things can happen. For the best rates on ATV and four wheeler insurance, along with your automobiles and homes, visit us at Bekan Insurance Group. We'll take care of you.

Today's song du jour comes from a two-piece blues rock band called The Black Keys. The song is "10 AM Automatic," and it rocks. They are playing a live show on New Year's Eve in Chicago, and I may just be in attendance. Take a listen.

You've Got A Friend

Many of us have experienced getting ourselves into a bad situation with an insurance agent. Maybe they treat like you like you are just a number. Maybe they dodge your phone calls until you have to pester just to reach them. Maybe they are just looking for a quick buck without giving you anything for your dollar.

At Bekan Insurance Group, we handpick agents who we know will take care of you and your families. Our insurance agents are men and women who are there for you at every stop, not just when you call in. Our dedicated agents go out of their way just to find out how your life is going and offer any help they can lend. It's part of the Bekan way.

So if you are looking for the best service in the insurance business, or just about any business around, come to us at Bekan Insurance Group. We insure that you are insured properly at the best rate possible, and through our relationship with you, we make sure you become part of the Bekan family as well. Call us at 800.894.8225 to start the process on getting the best home and auto insurance in Indiana.

We've Got a Winner!

Congratulations to Krystal from Hammond, Indiana. She is the winner of a brand new FREE iPod Touch. Hopefully, with her grace, we'll have a short interview with her in the coming days.

And to celebrate, there's only one way to do it. Kool & The Gang's "Celebrate." Cheesy, but fun...and the video is hilarious. Enjoy!

Thanks to everyone for playing. Stay tuned to Bekan Insurance Group for our next drawing!

Inside Look at Bekan: Andre Hernandez Part II

If you didn't read Part I, check yourself. Then take off over to the BIG blog. Trust me. It's worth it. Andre tells it like it's a personal ad.

For you tight knit followers of everything Bekan, here's Part II.

What's your favorite film of all time?
AH: My wife says that every time Die Hard is on I can't turn it off, so that's one. But, I can recite every line from Field of Dreams so that has to be my favorite.

I know you're a reader, too. Any favorite authors or books?
AH: Right now I'm hooked on James Rollins. He's got a series called Sigma Force and it's just great. He's best known for turning the screenplay of the new Indiana Jones movie, Kingdom of the Crystal Skull into a novel. Other than Rollins, I love Dan Brown, too.

What's your dream vacation?
AH: I've always wanted to go to Japan, but I'd have to go with my family. They went there two years ago and absolutely loved it.

Ok, pizza time. What's your favorite pie joint?
AH: Tough. The original Pizzeria Uno. But, I love the crust at Gino's, too. Tough question.

And finally, what's one thing you can't live without?
AH: "I can't live without my radio." (Laughing) I think I have to use LL's (LL Cool J) answer he said a long time ago. Other than that, my wife would say my Crackberry (aka Blackberry). I'm on that all the time.

Thanks for the time Andre. Keep it running smoothly.

Folks, the Bekan blog is just ON FIRE! We're rolling and bringing in the hits day after day. Keep it locked here and on the mother site for upcoming details.

Have a great weekend!

It's Boss Time

So lately, I've been procrastinating a bit. I've been meaning to write more blogs here, more blogs on JVBackups, and more blogs on the Bekan site, but something is consistently getting in my way...and I had to figure it out. When I sat down to think about it, I found that this is the result of myself settling in to somewhere new. Recently, I have moved to a new environment, and I am still trying to work out the kinks to get myself on track.

As I try to get back in the zone, let's look at today's highlights. As I stand up here like Jay Leno with his Headlines, I can think of only one thing that is relevant. It's Bruce Springsteen's 60th birthday. The BOSS is 60! Unreal. I can hardly contain myself thinking that he is still putting on some of the best shows of his life at his age. I mean, 60 years old, could I ever do what he's doing? Besides the tremendous musical talent and songwriting skills, still no. So the time now is Boss time. This is for you Bruce, and all your fans, it's my favorite Springsteen track and your song of the day, "Rosalita." Enjoy your nights.

Eat Breakfast

Breakfast is like insurance for your day. While many people find it unnecessary, it sets you on the right track to a healthier lifestyle. If one goes without breakfast, they will find themselves aching for nutrition around midday. Likewise, if one goes without home or auto insurance, they will often times find themselves worrying of what may happen if their car is hit, or their home is robbed.

Through that crazy comparison the bottom line is this: make sure you are properly insured, and eat a healthy bowl of cereal in the morning. We can help you with the first one. Visit us at Bekan to find the lowest rates on home, auto and commercial insurance in Indiana. If you are interested in life insurance, we have it as well. Think of us as your one-stop shop for low insurance rates. Come now for a FREE live quote. You will get a price back immediately, then we will search for even LOWER rates.

As for the nutritious bowl of cereal, you may have to get that on your own. But don't forget, it's an important start to your day before you head to Bekan Insurance Group. See you soon!

Season Premiere Night

Friends, tonight marks the beginning of several top television shows' seasons. Shows like House, Heroes, and How I Met Your Mother all launched their season premieres tonight. Since all three of the shows are all my some of my favorites to watch, my near future has some good 'ol TV in it.

And, because earlier today I got my daily fix of promoting our wonderful customer service and low insurance rates, tonight will be a laid-back reading and jamming night for you. Tonight's song may be recognizable by a few of you, as it is House's theme song. It's called "Teardrop," and it's from Massive Attack. Enjoy it, and have a great night. If you're like me, you'll be tuning into your local network stations.

Looking to Save? Visit Us!

It is human nature for us to want to save money. While we are now in the tail end of a recession, we still need to find ways to consistently save a few bucks. Bekan Insurance Group can help you do just that.

With our FREE live quoting system, you can see if we can help you save a few dollars in a flash. Simply visit our website at http://bekan.com. Once you're there, click on the insurance you are looking for. Whether it's home, auto or business insurance, we can get you an instant quote from 9 top insurance companies. After we get their rates, our dedicated team will run your information through the rest of our insurance companies to get you the best price available.

If you follow these simple steps, you will be on the fast track to save some cash. You can either visit the website above, or call us at 800.894.8225 to speak with someone on our great team.



P.S. If you are looking to save even more, combine your home and auto insurance. Companies will give you an additional discount to keep a couple more dollars in your pocket.

Inside Look at Bekan: Alex "Hawk" Eszenyi Part II

So, if you missed Part I of our interview with Hawk, you've missed a lot. Like his wife was my grade school teacher? Yeah, go read it!

For the rest of you loyal readers, follow along.

You mentioned that you love to golf, but if you had to pick a favorite sports team, who would it be?
Hawk: Team or athlete? Because if it's athlete, it's Tiger Woods. He is just amazing to watch.

Favorite Band?
Hawk: Jimmy Buffett

Favorite Pizza Place?
Hawk: Bronko's in town has great pizza. I really like the way they cut their slices. It reminds me of a place I grew up with.

Favorite Film?
Hawk: I don't see too many movies, but I thought the new edition of Star Trek was done really well.

Ok, last one. What is one thing you can not live without?
Hawk: My wife.

Good answers. Thanks for your time.

You're From Where?

Google Analytics may be the most in-depth website tracking tool you can find anywhere...and it's free. Recently, I signed up for an account for this blog, as I saw the results coming in on my other sites. As a week full of information piled up, I fully expected people to visit from Indiana. Maybe Illinois, Ohio and Michigan would check in as well. However, the results that came in were a bit shocking.

You ready?

While I did have many visitors based in Illinois, Ohio and Michigan, with Indiana leading all states, there was one shocker. 59% of my readers come from BRAZIL!


I mean, where does this come from? Brazilians, I'm curious, how did you find this website, and why do you keep coming?

Now granted, I'm always happy to have readers. You are always welcome here. In fact, tell your friends. I'm just curious.

Thinking a bit longer on the situation, I've decided to adopt Brazil as my 2nd country. They obviously love my work, and I've always wanted to visit their beautiful country. So, thank you for helping me come to this decision.

If you are looking for home or auto insurance in Indianapolis, Lowell, Schererville, or Bloomington (or their surrounding areas), come visit us at Bekan Insurance. Once there, you can get a FREE live quote from up to 10 companies. After those rates are immediately returned to you, our dedicated agents will try to get you an even lower rate from the rest of our top insurance companies. There's no cost to you, only a great chance at savings. We promise you that.

Today's song comes from Phish. Now, I know what you're thinking, "Phish is a jam band. Their songs down translate as well to album form." Well, you're wrong in this case. Their new album Joy is full of pop rock songs that give them a solid album showing in their return. The song is "Backwards Down the Number Line." This song is extremely enjoyable and it just makes me feel good. I hope it has the same effect on you.

Have a great day fans. And if you know any Brazilians, ask them why they love Bekan.

Inside Look at Bekan: Michelle Jones Part II

If you're just joining us, head over to our official site to read Part I of the Michelle Jones interview. For everyone else, enjoy the rest.

What is your dream vacation?
MJ: A tour of Europe, and specifically a trip to Italy. It's just beautiful there.

Who is your favorite musician?
MJ: I'm going to have to say Dean Martin. He's fantastic. (Editor's Note: Michelle ran me down before I left the office and said that Elvis Presley must be rolling in his grave because she didn't say he was her favorite. She wants to apologize and change her answer to Elvis.)

What is your favorite pizza place?
MJ: Beggar's Pizza. There's a few others but Beggar's is definitely my favorite.

What's your favorite beverage to enjoy with a meal?
MJ: I love the taste of margaritas.

Frozen or on the rocks?
MJ: On the rocks. Without a doubt.

Ok, last question. What's one thing in the world that you can't live without?
MJ: My husband. Life is so much better with him.

Thank you for your time Michelle. The readers are going to enjoy this.

What's to Come

Due to my previous post saluting our heroes in war, I decided to take the weekend off and leave the post on top for all to see. However, a new week is upon us and it is time to get back to the writing block. Later on this afternoon we'll have another Inside Look at Bekan. This time we'll interview Commercial Customer Sales Representative Michelle Jones. Stay tuned for more from us.

Oh, and if you're looking for the lowest rates on home, auto, life and business insurance, head over to Bekan for a FREE live quote. You will get an instant response from these companies: AAA, Allied, Auto Owners, Harleysville, The Hartford, Pekin, Safeco, State Auto and Travelers Insurance . After these are completed, our fantastic agents will process your quote through a minimum of 15 more insurance companies in order to give you the best bang for your buck. That's quite the list!

So come on by and join the Bekan team. If you would rather talk with an agent in person, phone over at 800.894.8225. We have the most dedicated service representatives in the business.

And to follow along with our daily plan, today's song of the day comes from one of my favorite emerging artists, Bon Iver. The artist also known as Justin Vernon went to his Wisconsin shack in the woods and laid down this album, For Emma, Forever Ago. This is the song that has garnered the most critical acclaim, and it was also the first song I heard from Bon Iver. Wait no further, it's "Skinny Love." Check it out. This was my #1 song of 2008.

9/11 Remembered

Today marks year 8 after the worst tragedy we have ever seen. Heartbreaking and catastrophic don't even begin to give us the full grasp of the situation. It was flat-out disastrous. I spoke a bit about this three days ago, and I don't want to waste words. So, I just want to say a few words. Thank you for serving your country. We will resolve this. We will come together. Don't forget those brave souls. Thank you.

The only song that I can ever play when I mourn the losses we had that fateful day 8 years ago is Bruce Springsteen's "My City of Ruins" from his uniting return album, The Rising. It's a work that was meant to bring this country back together, and it did just that. His performance, linked above, was at the World Trade Center Benefit to raise money for these families. I've never seen a performance before that has given me chills like this. Thank you Bruce.

God bless all the families who lost loyal and brave firemen, workers, and soldiers in 9/11. You will always be in our prayers.