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.

We've Found Our Winner!

Well folks, the drawing is complete and we have our winner. Before I reveal their identity, we are awaiting to confirm their human existance (haha, laugh, but we're serious).

When the winner comes forth, we will reveal to you our winner.

Stay tuned for more offers and a new contest coming up!

Thanks for playing.

Last Chance to Win a Free iPod Touch!

Well folks, D-Day is almost here. Tomorrow at approximately 1:30 pm CST, yours truly will randomly select (bribes are currently being accepted...just kidding, don't fire me) a name to win a brand new iPod Touch. Shortly after, I will contact this person and announce their name across the world. Stay tuned.

And oh yeah, if you haven't yet registered, get your head in the game! It's free, there's no charge to enter and you can win a free iPod Touch. Follow this link and fill out the short information form. While you're there, check out our great deals on auto and homeowners insurance in Indiana. Check us out here or call us at 800.894.8225 to speak with one of our trusty agents.

Pure awesomeness. In rectangular form.

Unity

"We're half awake in a fake empire." You know the millions who have felt this way over the past few presidential terms. I know many people who were avid anti-Bush people, and currently the nation has several anti-Obama's as well. The National's lyrics in their song, "Fake Empire," speak to those people who think the world is being lead shadily.

My words to these people are this: this government is doing the best they can to lead us out of trouble. Whether it is George Bush, Barack Obama or whoever else is in charge, they need our support. Nothing positive will ever come out of a national struggle pitting either side against each other. We need to unite. There's no better time to do so than now, as we stand approaching the 8th Anniversary of the most horrific tragedy our generation has ever faced. The 9/11 Tragedy changed our lives. Now, let's not forget how valuable the lessons we learned through this catastrophe were. Support your government. It's job is to support you, and that's exactly what it will do if you give it the chance.

And now, as I'm thinking that's the most powerful thing I've ever written for a public forum, it's only fitting that I use those lyrics of the opening line to give you my song of the day. It comes from The National's critically acclaimed album, Boxer. The song is "Fake Empire." It is beautiful. The album is beautiful. Enjoy, and keep these families in our prayers.

Friends of Bekan

You're our friend, right? Because if you are, we have an opportunity for you. We are currently calling this program Friends of Bekan. It's a chance for your business to reach a bigger audience by simply giving us your contact information, and allowing us to be placed on your website as well. This backlinking will allow both Bekan and your company to gain some new fans and followers by simply being advertised in a different location. Think of the possibilities. This is advertising that would most likely cost you upwards of thousands of dollars, and Bekan Insurance Group wants to involve you in this process for FREE. We just want to get our name out there as well, that's all we ask.

Now, currently the program is only in production stages, but we will have live examples possibly by the end of the week, and no later than next week. If you are interested, contact myself or the big man. We are always accepting emails at jlangen@bekan.com, or by filling out the Contact Us form at http://bekan.com.

Several other companies have launched similar marketing strategies, and they have proven to be wildly successful. This is your chance to get in at the jump start. We hope to have you as one of the Friends of Bekan in the near future. Thank you.

Happy Labor Day!

Hey gang, thought I'd congratulate you all on making it through another Labor Day weekend. I know a few of you like to go all out this weekend, but the bottom line is that you deserve it. Celebrate!

And if you're not into the big partying, give yourself a day off and relax. Happy Labor Day!

The song for today's holiday is "Dream City" by a band called Free Energy. It came out a few months back, and it just feels like a nice summer song. So, in light of today marking the end of cookout season, we'll make that our last summer song of the year. So long.

Inside Look at Bekan: Tai Cruise Part II

If you're just joining us, check out Part I of the Tai Cruise interview. For the rest of you, the fun follows below.

I know you're big into music. What's your favorite band?
TC: It's hard to pick just one. Probably Pink Floyd, The Doors. Crosby, Stills & Nash, and sometimes Neil Young with them.

What's your favorite movie of all time?
TC: The Shawshank Redemption. I think I've watched that over 100 times.

And book?
TC: I loved One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. Way better than the movie, too.

Are you on Facebook?
TC: Nope. My wife is, but I still haven't made the leap.

What's your favorite beverage on a relaxing night?
TC: Call me crazy, but I love a cold Coors Light. That and a margarita on the rocks.

Favorite restaurant?
TC: Between Mi Ranchito in Lowell and Lacreta's up further north. I love going out for Mexican food.

And it's becoming a staple. What's your favorite place to pick up a pizza?
TC: Hmm. Either Faustino's in Lowell or Eduardo's. You can't beat either.

Me: Thanks Tai, I appreciate it.
TC: Sure thing. I'm glad to help.

So, another successful Inside Look is in the books. Come back next time when we'll have a slew of contestants to choose from. See you then.

Going Up the Country

Today, I make the trek up to Schererville to our other office to visit and share with everyone our current plan of attack. In addition, I'll be taking notes for more interviews coming up. For the record, Tai Cruise's interview will be up later this evening, as I'm on a time crunch for the weekend. Expect that late tonight.

So, in honor of myself heading up north, today's song comes from Canned Heat, one of my favorite blues bands. The song has been crowned the Woodstock national song, and it's "Going Up the Country." The panpipes make this song instantly recognizable. You gotta love the old school vinyl, too. Just so cool. Enjoy it.

FREE iPod Touch Drawing

The bigwigs at Bekan finally announced our drawing for a free iPod Touch. The date of the drawing will be Thursday, September 10th, just a week from today.

If you haven't yet entered, get in on the action. Also, for every friend you refer to us, you get a bonus entry. There are currently only about 100 entries, so your odds haven't hit rock bottom yet.

After we announce the winner, we will post the lucky guy or gal on all the blogs, and contact them through email or phone. So stay in touch.

Hold Me Steady

Woah, I feel like it's our first night together - I forgot to throw up a song of the night. And, in pure tie-in fashion, here comes the song "First Night," by The Hold Steady. They are one of my favorite bands and this is the first song that ever brought me to them. Turns out it opened up a brand new world for me.

Oh, and I know the voice is rough, but if you give it time. Wow! This band is almost invincible.

Don't Lose Cash

So I decided to hit the links today with the bit of free time I had. As it turns out, it didn't go so well. Some money was exchanged hands, and it definitely made me want to save a little cash. As a result, it got me thinking. I know my readers want to save cash, and I've got a way you can do it. Come visit us at Bekan and get a FREE insurance quote with us.

We specialize in home and auto insurance in Indiana cities like South Bend, Lowell, Schererville and Indianapolis. Also, we provide business insurance for Indiana, Illinois and Michigan. Insuring your home, vehicles or business with us is a great way to save money. We beat the competition.

You can call us at 800.894.8225 or visit our website here for savings.

New Month, New Look

18 posts in 21 days? Not too bad my friends. You can expect tons more along the way as well, now that I've found my groove.

So, with the start of September, I thought I'd recap what's going on with Bekan Insurance Group. We have launched a new Refer a Friend campaign, and you can check out what's going on with that HERE. If you are a business looking for some more name recognition, we have launched the Friends of Bekan program, where you can get free advertising on our site. All we ask is a link on your website. It's as simple as that. If you are interested in this program, call 800.894.8225 and ask for either Jim or myself, Brendan. Finally, we have professed our love for saving you money. Just today, one of our agents, Jeanie, saved a client $250 moving from Allstate to Pekin Insurance. Ask for her when you call us. We promise we'll save you money.

And since we've now entered September, I feel there's only one way to open up the month...Earth, Wind & Fire's "September." Smooth grooves and good funk headline this tune. Plus, my mom absolutely loves Earth, Wind & Fire, so that's another reason. Check out the old classic.