What a year this has been! Only God can transform a life like He did with mine this year.

One year ago, my heart stopped during the second operation that was scheduled to make my life better and healthier. After 3 weeks in a coma, I woke up on Christmas day no idea what the future will have for me or how long it will be there for.

I am blogging again today to share with you how the first year went after the operation and how blessed I am in all aspect of my like hoping that this will encourage or inspire others to live their life to the fullest and just simply enjoy the gift of life.

As of today, I lost over 100 pounds this year, I feel great! Energetic, HAPPY and always laughing and enjoying life with my family, my team and my friends worldwide!

In the middle of one of the worst recessions ever in the USA, my company had the best year in business ever with tremendous success financially and technically.

My wife and I grew even closer to each other after 16 years of marriage; embracing life with a tremendous gratitude for the second chance I have been given.

I spent a lot more time with my kids and bonded well together. We enjoyed lots of trips this year to Rome, Venice, Bahamas, Disneyland and other small trips around the bay area. It was so awesome!

I took Jessica with me for the first time to almost all my business trips this year, like Paris, Sofia Bulgaria, Redmond WA and others…

I enjoyed my team at Falafel tremendously this year (they worked very hard) and it was a pleasure to take them all to Bora Bora this year. It was a dream vacation for a dream team! All of them volunteered to open a Falafel branch for me in Bora Bora, how thoughtful! But I would never ask you guys to do that for me; I will sacrifice myself for that that mission and will do it for the team J

God has put so many people in my life that have been nothing less than a GIFT and a BLESSING, like John Waters (the President of Falafel), Sean Samuel (Falafel Office manager) , my sister in law Abir Tadros, my mother in law Rosa, the entire team at Falafel in all 4 states (CA, CO, TX & MI), all my friends in the US and Europe that proved to me that a man with friends like them is the richest man in the world!

May God bless you all!  We all here at the Tadros household and the Falafel family wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year 2010!

On December 9th 2008, I went into surgery to place a Lap Band around my stomach in order to get help in losing weight and regain back my health that I neglected for 18 years by working 15 to 17 hours a day, 7 days a week.

The operation was successful but I could not even drink water for several days as the Lap Band was too tight.  The doctor decided to go back in and fix it surgically.

I went back in on December 13th for a second operation.  It was successful and was completed in less than 45 minutes.  In the recovery room few minutes later, my heart stopped.

They had to bring me back which took 33 seconds.

I was in a coma from the 13th of December to the 25th.  I woke up on Christmas day.  I stayed in the ICU for 3 weeks and a total of 28 days in the hospital.

I got back home on December 31st (My anniversary) and for the last 2 weeks I have been learning to walk again like a baby, but things are getting better every day and I am truly blessed to be alive.

I am sharing this personal experience with you for 2 reasons, the first is because God is great, I had a lot of people world wide praying for me.  It was a really tough month on my family.  The second, is because I want others to enjoy the gift of life and not take it for granted.  Be healthy, or get healthy.  Nothing in the world is worth it.  Your family and friends are the biggest assets you could ever have.

I want to thank all the hundreds of people that came to see me or called me from all over the world and for all the beautiful flowers that flooded our home for the last 30 days.

Thank you all and may God bless

- Lino "with a new life" Tadros

Isn't it weird that Joe the Plumber is what the Republican party is trying to focus on in these final days of the 2008 elections?

I have been a republican since I immigrated to the USA in 1991 and I believe the difference between the parties is very clear and has no middle standing. I never thought the day will come when I will be voting for a Democratic President.

I also thought someone like "Joe The Plumber" would be someone that Democrats would use to show their point about equality for all and bridging the gap between middle class and people that make a lot of money in the USA.  I would have thought that MCCain would go for someone like me "Lino The CEO" to show that he will not raise taxes on myself or my small business.

Anyway, my decision is made and I have to say it was not an easy decision.  I am voting for Obama on Tuesday.

Yes, I know, Obama will cause me to pay more taxes because I am in the higher 5% bracket of the country.  But honestly, taxes can not possibly be the only reason someone would vote for a President.  I am voting for Obama because I am convinced he is a great human being, great father, calm person, shows respect to the people around him, shows respect to other countries (friendly or not). I was also in Europe 2 weeks ago and I was amazed on how many Europeans are wearing Obama shirts in the streets.

I am sick of wars and arrogance and looking forward to being led by a decent President that make me proud and continues to remind me of the gift I have been given to live in the USA.

John MCCain is a decent man and I think he would have been a decent President, unfortunately these times call for more than what he has to offer.

I predict that Obama on Tuesday night (before 10:00 PM PST) will be announced the new elected President of the USA by at least 12 points differential.

May God bless our beautiful country and our next President.

Well, I have been a Republican since I immigrated to the United States in 1991. It was a simple choice for me really, I just did not believe that people that don't work hard should enjoy the same benefits in life as those that work their butt off.  There has to be a difference between these two categories.  I could never force someone to work extra hours or study very hard to become somebody but I reject the notion that they deserve to be at the same level of standard of life of those that do.

That said, this is the first time I am contemplating voting for a Democratic President, Barak Obama.  I like this guy!

President of the United States of America for me is not really a Job, it is a title.  I expect the President to be surrounded by a lot of very smart people that are expert on the subject matter at hand to advise him.  My expectation is also that the President be smart enough to listen to them and make the correct choice based on their feedback.

For me, the President of the USA has to have "PRESENCE", when he or she speaks, people listen!  it is a gift, not everyone has.  I expect when my President travels abroad, citizens of other countries receive him in awe, respect and admiration.

You have to be able to tell that you are listening to the most powerful man in the world from the most significant country in the world.

Barak Obama gives me that feeling.  Very elegant speaker and a convincing one for sure.

MCCain stands for all that I believe in, I am with him on Iraq (I think I am qualified on this as I spent more than half my life in the middle east and I know how things work there).  I am also with him on the latest economy issues like bailing out consumers on the mortgage crisis.  Why? Why should the US Government bail citizens out that made bad choices in getting ridiculous mortgage deals that they can not afford, why should I be paying for that?  And what about my mortgage and my good choices, I get nothing for that?

So it was hard this year to find an easy answer of how to vote, until I decided to do what I am good at and use numbers:

Capital Gains Tax:

• MCCain -> 15% (no Change)
• Obama -> 28%
• Clinton -> 24%

How does this affect you? If you sell your home and make a profit, you will pay 28% of your gain on taxes. If you are heading toward retirement and would like to down-size your home or move into  a retirement community, 28% of the money you make from your home will go to taxes. This proposal will adversely affect the elderly who are counting on the income from their homes as part of their retirement income.

Dividend Tax:

• MCCain -> 15% (no change)
• Obama -> 39.6%
• Clinton -> 39.6%

How will this affect you? If you have any money invested in stock market, IRA, mutual funds, college funds, life insurance, retirement accounts, or anything that pays or reinvests dividends, you will now be paying nearly 40% of the money earned on taxes if Obama or Clinton become president. The experts predict that "Higher tax rates on dividends and capital gains would crash the stock market yet do absolutely nothing to cut the deficit."

Income Tax:

• MCCain -> No Change
• Obama -> Reversion of pre-Bush tax cuts (Very Significant)
• Clinton -> Reversion of pre-Bush tax cuts (Very significant)

Inheritance Tax:

• MCCain -> 0%
• Obama -> Keep the inheritance tax
• Clinton -> Keep the inheritance tax

How does this affect you? Many families have lost businesses, farms and ranches, and homes that have been in their families for generations because they could not afford the inheritance tax. Those willing their assets to loved ones will not only lose them to these taxes.

New Taxes being proposed by both Clinton and Obama:

• New government taxes proposed on homes that are more than 2400 square feet
• New gasoline taxes (as if gas weren't high enough already)
• New taxes on natural resources consumption (heating gas, water, electricity)
• New taxes on retirement accounts
• and last but not least....
  New taxes to pay for socialized medicine so we can receive the same level of medical care as other third-world countries!!!

So although I like Obama as a person very much, I am afraid I can't afford him!  Go MCCain!

It is midnight here on the 17th of March and I just received a phone call from Egypt notifying me that my Father Captain Adib Tadros has passed away at the age of 79 about 45 minutes ago.

I am in a room in a hotel away from my family waiting to start teaching a class in the morning for 4 days.  I think that is going to be hard to accomplish.

I felt blogging about this experience as it is impossible to sleep.

I am remembering my time with my dad from the time I was a little kid till I left Egypt at the age of 19.

He was a loving father, extremely funny, had a huge presence whenever he is in a room.  I learned so much from him.

Dad, I pray for you.  I am very grateful for so many things you have done for me in my life. You will always be remembered.

May God bless you and have mercy on your Soul.

I feel a bit lost, great sadness and burning in my heart.

For all of you out there away from their parents, give them a call, check on them regularly, you never know when it will be the last time.

Bye Dad

Your son always

Lino

This week, I have been at two corporations in San Antonio, Texas and Birmingham, Alabama teaching TestComplete 6.0, a SOLID automation testing tool that is gaining extreme momentum and acceptance in the industry.

I completed the training tonight for the Alabama company, they were truly terrific, very nice people and I enjoyed their company for the last few days, while teaching TestComplete 6.0.  It was emotional for me personally as they use Delphi as their main development tool.  Seeing Delphi running on their machine, and how successful their product is, I felt proud!  It has been almost 3 years since I wrote any code in Delphi for any customer but I have to say, every time I see Delphi code or get together with Delphi developers, it always bring a sweet spot to my heart.

I head home in few hours after a long week in airports and teaching every day.

Next week, I head to beautiful SYDNEY, Australia to teach there as well for 1 week, I will try to blog more and keep this blog alive and interesting. 

Cheers!

With a very heavy heart, I share with you that our beloved cat of 14 years, Delphi, has passed away this morning.  Delphi was a gift from my dear friend Steve Teixeira, that my wife and I received upon our marriage and soon after the release of Borland Delphi 2.0.  Delphi was a wonderful kitten, extremely social and always wonderful with my kids.  He will be missed greatly around our house.  Delphi was a famous cat as he made it into several of the technical articles that I wrote worldwide during the last decade and also made it into 2 Delphi books as honorary mention.

I will miss him greatly, Bye Delphi!

I read this message and wanted to share it with the world as it touched me greatly. 

The paradox of our time in history is that :

We have taller buildings but shorter tempers,

wider Freeways , but narrower viewpoints.

We spend more, but have less,

we buy more, but enjoy less.

We have bigger houses and smaller families,

more conveniences, but less time.

We have more degrees but less sense,

more knowledge, but less judgment,

more experts, yet more problems,

more medicine, but less wellness.
We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly,

laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry,

stay up too late, get up too tired,

read too little, watch TV too much,

and pray too seldom.
We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values.

We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.
We've learned how to make a living, but not a life.

We've added years to life not life to years.

We've been all the way to the moon and back,

but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor.

We conquered outer space but not inner space.

We've done larger things, but not better things.
We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul.

We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice.

We write more, but learn less.

We plan more, but accomplish less.

We've learned to rush, but not to wait.

We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever,

but we communicate less and less.
These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion,

big men and small character,

steep profits and shallow relationships.

These are the days of two incomes but more divorce,

fancier houses, but broken homes.

These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers,

throwaway morality, one-night stands,

overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill.

It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom.

A time when technology can bring this letter to you,

and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete...
Remember; spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever.
Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side.
Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent.
Remember, to say, "I love you" to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you.
Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again.
Give time to love, give time to speak! And give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.
AND ALWAYS REMEMBER:
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

- Dr. Bob Moorehead

It is Saturday, I am getting some TV time this weekend and just saw some ridiculous news on CNN.  You know food in the US is not charged Taxes unless ordered in a restaurant.  Buying just straight food is not taxable.

Our friends in the state of IOWA decided that Pumpkins are not used as food much but mainly as "decorations", well IOWA state is starting to charge TAXES on pumpkins. If you intend to purchase the pumpkins to eat, you are expected to fill out an application at the store stating your intent and that it will not be used for decoration.

Are you kidding me!

A group of the Falafel team took a well deserved week of vacation together and headed to Puerto Vallarta.  We had a great time and it was great to spend some time with friends and colleagues.  The Falafel team works very hard and parties very hard as well! :-)

My dear friend Bary Nusz is visiting from Texas these couple of days attending some WPF, Expression Blend and Silverlight training.  He is staying with me these few days and tonight he decided to make a deployment for one of our major customers, but in style :)  I could not help but record his fancy life style while deploying a multi million dollar application from the comfort of my Jacuzzi.

Consulting companies, like Falafel Software, during their start up years do everything they can to get as many accounts as possible and fill the pipeline with work for all their developers and architects.  It is a matter of stability and security to know that the pipe is full and work is available and secure for at least 6 months into the future. To ask for more than 6 months of security I always thought is crazy especially in our beloved Software industry in the USA and especially in the Silicon Valley.  We, at Falafel, on the other hand have been very fortunate for the last 5 years.  The company has grown substantially every year while we’re having fun and enjoying the latest and greatest of technologies.
Once a small company reaches a level of maturity and decent number of accounts, I find a lot of them prefer to only handle bigger companies for business.  So you start with the Mom & Pop shops, then you get a couple of SMBs, transition to medium size, and all of a sudden find yourself contracting to Fortune 500 then Fortune 100 with some luck, personality, connections, hard work and quality people.
I remember the days when people used to call and say “Hi Lino, I am Mr. Foo and looking for someone to help me with a bug in my Delphi code, can you help? How much do you charge? How long will t take you to fix it?
I usually replied “I need to know the nature of the problem first”.  Then they said “Sure I will send you everything, I just wanted to know how much and how long it will take to fix it before I send you anything”
I know it might sound funny but it is the truth about consulting with individuals or very small companies. Budget and resources do not come easy and everyone has to watch their pennies.You end up fixing code, cleaning up code, recommending better architecture and all of a sudden the customer is sweating.  “Why did you fix line # 14, I only asked you to look in the first 10 lines of code only?”

Anyway, you get the picture. Life goes on and you find yourself bidding on multi-million dollar projects for fortune 500 companies where you control the project as long as you deliver on milestones and everyone is happy. You end up making a lot of money and the customer is a huge reference for other major projects to other fortune 500 companies.
Soon after getting the company completely saturated with major projects and employees are working on multi projects at the same time because we can’t find enough quality people to hire in time, you get the call from another Mr. Foo, “Hi Lino, can you look into my ASP.NET code and tell me why it is not working?” How much do you charge? How long will it take you to make the code work? :)

My blog here is about a very dangerous and subtle change in any small company that can cause serious consequences:
To Small Business or not to Small Business?
Some senior and very respected members of my team would vote NO on taking this kind of projects and I would totally respect their call on that as we are faced with several dilemmas, first, we have no resources to place on that kind of projects, second, it is not worth the headache, for $1000 probably, this customer will take most of your time for several days by asking for status every 2 hours and questioning why did issue 2 take 1 hour more than issue 1 and stuff like that where it will cost the company more time to reply to these issues than the revenue generated.

Ok, if you read this blog till here you probably already know what my recommendation is about the subject, well, you are wrong! :)

Most of my multi-million dollar deals all started years ago with 2 to 5 hours of consulting authorized via a very small PO.  I did my job right, the customer was happy and thenext project was on its way from same customer. 6 months later we have 2 people full time working with the customer.  5 years later, we have 7 people working full time at customer site that went from start up to a half a billion dollar company.
I remember sitting in the cafeteria in Frankfurt, Germany after a session I gave at the Borland conference in late 90s when a gentleman approached me asking if he can “pick my brain” about a COM+ issue he was having. I accepted of course and ended up having a 2 hour chit-chat and coding fest.  We got the problem solved, he bought me a drink and was very happy. I was happy to help as well.Later that week   I was hired by his company (one of the biggest financial companies in Europe) to help with the architecture of their new .NET based systems.

What I am trying to say, don’t forget how you got to where you are today!
One of the main reasons I have so many of these great accounts today is because when these accounts were small, none of the major consulting firms (big names) would even bother taking the time.
So I say “YES” if you are Microsoft, Hewlett Packard, EarthBound Farms, Accenture, etc… welcome to Falafel Software (All these are customers already :) ) but if you are Mr. Foo and need help making your company the next Microsoft or the next Hewlett Packard, I say “YES” as well, we would love to help you out. Just, please don’t ask me “how much and how long?” before I see your problem :)

Cheers
Lino

I am excited to start my own blogging site to share my views, thoughts and expertise with others and also get feedback from others about anything and everything in life from Technical to Family to Life.

Cheers

- Lino