Did 20 posts, along with Mr. Paynter, tonight as we exercised our blog fingers together trying to get back in shape. Of course Frank cheated, so the race was called due to mud. Or else I won. We're leaving the tapes for the judges to review.
I look forward to a blog spasm in a day or so. All you have to do is find me in chat, say 20 in 20? or 30 in 30? or 10 in 10? READY SET GO! and off we go. If I'm not in the middle of something, like pouring boric acid in my pink eye.
I've never gotten it down to a minute per post, but I also haven't done this in years. Back in the day, we didn't enjoy the vast amount of USER GENERATED CONTENT we have today with flickr's blogthis and youtube's embed that. Makes it a bit easier to breeze through the posts.
Remember when we used to have posting marathons--24 hour marathons for this cause or that, or just because?
Too old now. Enjoy my bedtime too much. ;-)
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Thanks frank!
September 27, 2007
jam - job spam
The last time I did my resume and stuck it out on the Internet it was 10 years ago. Yes no shit. Well I did it again and to my dismay, there is a new form of spam that I will call JAM - job related SPAM - which means that if you stick your stupid credentials on the net in response to a particular opportunity you thought might be interesting, you will in turn get spammed by every insurance-selling, telemarketing, get-rich-quicking place on the planet saying that they've got The Job For You.
oye, more headaches as we watch the net help humans create more problems than we can solve.
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oye, more headaches as we watch the net help humans create more problems than we can solve.
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it went swimmingly
Denise's friends' son did the escape from alcatraz swim, and he's ONLY EIGHT YEARS OLD! He is the youngest to have done it -- no fins, no wet suit. Pretty incredible! Way to go!! (p.s., brrrrrrr!)
Denise has the video.
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Denise has the video.
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Drugmakers Should Go Social
Drug Manufacturers need to step out of broadcast mentality and into the world of their customers - or literally consumers - but are reluctant to interact with us because they are sooo risk averse. The thing is, being risk averse is risky. So start some healthcare communities and social networks to give micromarkets a place to gather around the conditions and remedies that mean something to them. Sponsor it--you KNOW you got the dough, pharmas. Why not come in and play?
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paynter and i are in training
okay so we went for 20 posts in 20 minutes but we each got 9 posts in 20 minutes, and that just sucks. 2 minutes per post? THIS IS WEB 2.0! We should be able to post 20 post in two minutes. We are whimps. Inexcusable. Sad. Pathetic. Back to work!!!
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Kellypuffs calling time of death of Pownce
memorial services to be held on facebook, you know, sometime.
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extra time at the pump
well this is interesting. knowing American college-aged men-boys, they might want to give the guys in the exam room extra time to stare too.
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anyone have BCBS vision insurance?
I got this brochure from blue cross blue shield of georgia today offering a new Blue Vision program. Does anyone have it, and if so, have you found it worthwile? THANKS!
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Architectural Bloopers
Hello, architect? Could you make the next building you design NOT look like a Swastika? Just wondering. kthxbye.
20 posts in 20 minutes--paynter and sessum
told you chat was the new twitter. frank and I made a deal. watch us go. ...
Racial Harmony in Silicon Valley
It's not like the south, you know, where you might actually SEE a Negro.
September 26, 2007
georgia highways -- wtf?
WHO and WHEN will someone convey to the dept of public works or transportation or WHOEVER decides to add extra lanes to I-75 that simply erasing the lane markers, paving, and narrowing all the lanes to fit in an extra one or two lanes, will serve not to HELP the commute but simply to kill more people.
On the way home this evening, I decided that the semi-truck next to me might as well just climb INSIDE my van and we could ride together. Why not? We're two vehicles squeezed into a lane and a half.
It would suck to be a non-native Atlanta driver, say someone cruising down 75 from Kentucky, who has no idea that you must thread the needle at 85 mph in order to make it in one piece to the downtown connector.
Madness. Simply madness.
---
On the way home this evening, I decided that the semi-truck next to me might as well just climb INSIDE my van and we could ride together. Why not? We're two vehicles squeezed into a lane and a half.
It would suck to be a non-native Atlanta driver, say someone cruising down 75 from Kentucky, who has no idea that you must thread the needle at 85 mph in order to make it in one piece to the downtown connector.
Madness. Simply madness.
---
September 25, 2007
A new twist on the blogroll in PR land...
...Let's call it the 'does not blog roll'.
Well that is pretty pitiful.
But, you can look at the glass half full or you can look at the glass half empty (historically my personal preference). BUT since I'm making positive changes in my life, I'm saying that the glass is half full and that this is a great DeVeloPmeNt OpPorTunIty.
I learned that, among other Very Important Things, during my decades inside the corporate belly. Whenever something is truly pitiful, it's a development opportunity!
:-)
Now, move along to the next post so you can diagnose my pink eye.
Well that is pretty pitiful.
But, you can look at the glass half full or you can look at the glass half empty (historically my personal preference). BUT since I'm making positive changes in my life, I'm saying that the glass is half full and that this is a great DeVeloPmeNt OpPorTunIty.
I learned that, among other Very Important Things, during my decades inside the corporate belly. Whenever something is truly pitiful, it's a development opportunity!
:-)
Now, move along to the next post so you can diagnose my pink eye.
do you think I'm getting pink eye?
Because I'm not certain, and I've never had it, but it feels like something sandy in my eye. And I assure you I haven't been around Any Sand.Thank you.
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you had to be there...
...but i wasn't. i sure wish i would have been.not surprised to hear it was a great show. He's one of my all-time favorites.
bless you, Stevie.
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punishment misfitting the crime
"In June, on the morning of his trial, the charges against Bell were reduced to aggravated second-degree battery and conspiracy. The black community again protested, taking issue with the battery charge, which requires the use of a "deadly weapon" — in this case the gym shoe that Bell was wearing when he kicked Barker. District Attorney Reed Walters argued the shoe was indeed a deadly weapon."
As far as I'm concerned, a shoe can be a deadly weapon, the same as you can drown in an inch of water, same as a hand can be a deadly weapon, same as a noose can be. It all depends HOW it's used. In this case, a bunch of kids kicked another kid in the head. That's not good IF that's what happened.
What IS clear to me, is that the proof is in the pudding. If there is little enough injury to be out of the ER in 2 hours and attend a party the same night, then it's a fight. Suspend everyone (and i mean everyone) involved and call it a day. Maybe get some Smart People involved at the school to work out the racial bullshit that precipitated the fight. Not mandatory. Probably smart.
But that's not what happened in Jena. And it's not ALL that happened. And that is the problem.
Shelley points out some other interesting facts on the racial tension leading up to the Big Event:
And I say IN AMERICA. Not in THE SOUTH. Because you north easterners and you californians and you bread basketians all know that this isn't a North/South thing. Just visit your local "inner cities" as many of you like to call them. Or your prisons. Same diff. You bet.
SEE ALSO: Frank and Shelley.
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As far as I'm concerned, a shoe can be a deadly weapon, the same as you can drown in an inch of water, same as a hand can be a deadly weapon, same as a noose can be. It all depends HOW it's used. In this case, a bunch of kids kicked another kid in the head. That's not good IF that's what happened.
What IS clear to me, is that the proof is in the pudding. If there is little enough injury to be out of the ER in 2 hours and attend a party the same night, then it's a fight. Suspend everyone (and i mean everyone) involved and call it a day. Maybe get some Smart People involved at the school to work out the racial bullshit that precipitated the fight. Not mandatory. Probably smart.
But that's not what happened in Jena. And it's not ALL that happened. And that is the problem.
Shelley points out some other interesting facts on the racial tension leading up to the Big Event:
A black student was beaten at a social function, and no one was charged. The DA goes into a hastily-called assembly and, looking directly at the African-American students, warns them that he can end their life with the stroke of his pen.It's not that Bell isn't innocent. He's NOT innocent, in my opinion. It's that the punishment doesn't fit the crime, and THAT's what justice typically means for Black men in America. The unattainable bail ($138K in this case), the sub-par representation, the overblown charges, the all white juries. It is a standard matter of course, and the only thing that surprises me is how many people are surprised.
A white graduate pulls a gun on three black students who take the gun away and no charges are brought against the white grad, but the students were charged with theft when they didn't give the gun back.
A white student taunts a black student beaten at a party and is jumped and beaten by six African-American students. Fox News points out that Justin Barker went to the hospital and was released the same day, attending a ring ceremony and social function that same day.
The DA charges those guilty of the attack with aggravated assault, and, when certain teachers and locals object, he ups the charges to attempted second-degree murder.
And I say IN AMERICA. Not in THE SOUTH. Because you north easterners and you californians and you bread basketians all know that this isn't a North/South thing. Just visit your local "inner cities" as many of you like to call them. Or your prisons. Same diff. You bet.
SEE ALSO: Frank and Shelley.
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Worst Practices Lesson 103
another lesson in worst practices:
1) go on national tv in a beauty pageant.
2) answer a question in pig latin.
3) lose contest but come in 3rd place.
4) wiggle self at The Donald.
5) get free crib at luxury hotel and make $25,000 per day.
6) get old, lose looks, give lessons to others on making money.
7) retire.
8) die.
1) go on national tv in a beauty pageant.
2) answer a question in pig latin.
3) lose contest but come in 3rd place.
4) wiggle self at The Donald.
5) get free crib at luxury hotel and make $25,000 per day.
6) get old, lose looks, give lessons to others on making money.
7) retire.
8) die.
always remember and don't ever forget
What the Internet is best at is disintermediation.
Another such opportunity comes to us with Zubka, a social network that makes everyman a headhunter and rewards them thusly. Job seeker, Job placement person, and the J.O.B.s hope to connect and link into happy unions through Zubka, as we use our professional networks to get and give jobs.
I haven't checked Zubka's guts out yet, but the concept sounds like the best thing since simplyhired.com aggregated the net's job ads into a single user-friendly, web-based UI.
Hat tip to Euan.
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Another such opportunity comes to us with Zubka, a social network that makes everyman a headhunter and rewards them thusly. Job seeker, Job placement person, and the J.O.B.s hope to connect and link into happy unions through Zubka, as we use our professional networks to get and give jobs.
I haven't checked Zubka's guts out yet, but the concept sounds like the best thing since simplyhired.com aggregated the net's job ads into a single user-friendly, web-based UI.
Hat tip to Euan.
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Call It a Web 2.0 PR Strategy
Seven Steps to Web 2.0 Fame, Fortune, and Death
Step 1. Get a contract gig at a big brand company.
Step 2. Post ba-a-a-a-ad stuff on your blog about your boss.
Step 3. Get fired and get lots of PR for your cute self, traffic for your blog, and increased ad revenue.
Step 4. Land better gig. Instruct others how to do same. Speak and Present at industry conferences on topic.
Step 5. Have baby.
Step 6. Raise baby to do same.
Step 7. Retire and die.
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Step 1. Get a contract gig at a big brand company.
Step 2. Post ba-a-a-a-ad stuff on your blog about your boss.
Step 3. Get fired and get lots of PR for your cute self, traffic for your blog, and increased ad revenue.
Step 4. Land better gig. Instruct others how to do same. Speak and Present at industry conferences on topic.
Step 5. Have baby.
Step 6. Raise baby to do same.
Step 7. Retire and die.
---
September 24, 2007
job insecurity
37 years.
...
...
good.
...
They said union members walked out because they want GM to promise that future cars and trucks such as the replacement for the Chevrolet Cobalt small car or the still-on-the-drawing board Chevrolet Volt plug-in electric car will be built at U.S. plants, preserving union jobs.
Industry analysts said initially the strike would have little impact on consumers because GM has sufficient inventory stockpiled for most of its products.
But Monday afternoon, the Teamsters transportation union said its 10,000 automotive transport members would not cross UAW picket lines to deliver GM cars and trucks.
...
good.
He Always Says It So Much Better than I do
if the bears really loved their fans - the ones who have sat out in the cold for decades, rex grossman wouldnt be on our team. and if he was hed have on a baseball cap and be carrying a clipboard. the fans would chant for him in the fourth quarter during a blowout. hed be the peoples choice but he wouldnt be the man.
we allow the lamest people to be the man.
repeatedly.
all of us.
--The Man, Shakespierce
Hat Tip: Thanks, Karl!
September 23, 2007
Memo: While You Were Out...
I'm pretty sure it's coming.
As the empire continues in its decline ordinary people will increasingly ask why, and be more willing to listen to people who offer answers. When such things as the Social Security (the most popular program in American history and upon which 67% of Americans depend for their entire retirement) stop or is reduced to pay trillions in war debts or jack up stock market profits. When oil, which drives our entire national electrical grid, reaches peak, people will do more than howl. (Wanna bet that mountain top removed coal, which is being touted as our savior, won't be hiked up to the limit for maximum corporate profitability?)---Frankly, I think it will take what Americans would consider a collapse to turn it all around. The "American lifestyle" was but a brief moment in history, a civilization made possible by cheap hydrocarbons.
Thanks Tom
...for making sure I didn't miss THIS! :-D
my goz I am clappsing!!
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Whose asshole did you pull Zimbabwe and Burma out of, anyway? Those are the two countries you chose to replace Iraq in the Axis of Mean? First off, we’ll take our lectures on international relations from someone whose pre-Presidential travelogue included countries not featured in Maxim’s Spring Break Spectacular, if it’s all the same to you. And secondly, Zimbabwe? Like you knew that was a country a week ago. The day you spend one minute thinking about the death of democracy in Zimbabwe is the day Dick Cheney climbs a set of stairs without a defibrillator and a forklift.
my goz I am clappsing!!
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A little perspective in the matter
real or imagined.
Also, don't miss the BGB on the flurry of US-based racial stupidity lately in his Has Anything Changed post.
And while you're reading, listen to Aaron.
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I tell my kids there are two kinds of people in the world. I change the criteria around from time to time. Sometimes it's: kind people and unkind people. And don't confuse unkind with "not afraid to tell the truth". Sometimes it's: assholes and not assholes. Butt often they have the same agenda.
And watch out for "nice" people. Their rage is usually seething approximately 3mm beneath the skin. "Nice" is over-rated and often used by the worst assholes imaginable. Have a nice day.I think Chris said it best when he sent me a link this morning. Although I don't think he was specifically referring to the Jena Six, he could have been. Adjustable black law enforcement indeed.
A history of Lynching.
Also, don't miss the BGB on the flurry of US-based racial stupidity lately in his Has Anything Changed post.
And while you're reading, listen to Aaron.
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IM Is the New Blogging
It used to be blogging was how we talked to one another using hyperlinks for punctuation and context clues. That was when we were amateurs and doinks. No one had to tell us we were doinks. We knew it. Doink was the default. And so, much of what we posted about was the this-and-thats of life. Opinion and Thought Leadership were the last thing on our minds because, again, we came here to get away from THERE.
Now that there IS here, and blogging has turned pro, enduring labor and giving birth to social media (which is hyper-pro), blogging isn't the place where I want to say what I want.
Let me say that again a bit more clearly: My blog is no longer the place I want to say everything I want to say.
It is sad. I think I've been grieving it for six months, the loss of my blog and your blog and your blog as platforms for passionate voice. Passionate conversation and disagreements and love and hurt and healing and all of it.
Some people have found their used-to-be-blog voices on Twitter. Somehow, they get what they need out of the abbreviated sound bursts from others, and feel fulfilled sharing their dinner plans and A-list sightings.
I don't get it. I hoped for a lot more from Twitter. But every time I re-try it, I wonder what. the. hell. am. I. doing. here? There is no getting to know me knowing you on Twitter. There's just him and her and them. The biggest problem with Twitter, as I've said before, are the Twits.
Me? I blog on G-Chat now. Yep, that's right. My most brilliant, sparkling, engaging, raw, and revolutionary ideas are the ones that germinate from chatting with brilliant friends on IM. From: CONVERSATION.
You don't get that with Twitter. Twitter is one-way outbursts, broadcast spasms, network flatulence. Don't get me wrong; sometimes they are entertaining, yes. But twitter blasts are not engaging, by their very nature.
Me? I think IM and Phone are where it's at. The new new thing is talking to one another. Not broadcasting our every bowel movement on Twitter or climbing Techmeme via our blog posts on conferences and business and social media magic.
But talking to each other.
Again.
Like we used to.
When blogging was the back channel.
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ooo i did not know Robert was also talking about twitter too. Robert says "What happens on Twitter should stay in Twitter." Open Sores Movement indeed! Robert, more baby pictures and less twittering, please.
---
Now that there IS here, and blogging has turned pro, enduring labor and giving birth to social media (which is hyper-pro), blogging isn't the place where I want to say what I want.
Let me say that again a bit more clearly: My blog is no longer the place I want to say everything I want to say.
It is sad. I think I've been grieving it for six months, the loss of my blog and your blog and your blog as platforms for passionate voice. Passionate conversation and disagreements and love and hurt and healing and all of it.
Some people have found their used-to-be-blog voices on Twitter. Somehow, they get what they need out of the abbreviated sound bursts from others, and feel fulfilled sharing their dinner plans and A-list sightings.
I don't get it. I hoped for a lot more from Twitter. But every time I re-try it, I wonder what. the. hell. am. I. doing. here? There is no getting to know me knowing you on Twitter. There's just him and her and them. The biggest problem with Twitter, as I've said before, are the Twits.
Me? I blog on G-Chat now. Yep, that's right. My most brilliant, sparkling, engaging, raw, and revolutionary ideas are the ones that germinate from chatting with brilliant friends on IM. From: CONVERSATION.
You don't get that with Twitter. Twitter is one-way outbursts, broadcast spasms, network flatulence. Don't get me wrong; sometimes they are entertaining, yes. But twitter blasts are not engaging, by their very nature.
Me? I think IM and Phone are where it's at. The new new thing is talking to one another. Not broadcasting our every bowel movement on Twitter or climbing Techmeme via our blog posts on conferences and business and social media magic.
But talking to each other.
Again.
Like we used to.
When blogging was the back channel.
---
ooo i did not know Robert was also talking about twitter too. Robert says "What happens on Twitter should stay in Twitter." Open Sores Movement indeed! Robert, more baby pictures and less twittering, please.
---
September 21, 2007
Parmesano-Reggiano!!!
It's an ethnic thing...I watched for a moment, enjoying the way the light showed off the beautiful crystallization of the cheese, and the manager caught my eye. I nodded at the cheese, and said, "It's a real thing of beauty." He laughed, and replied, "It certainly is." Then he took his own knife, split out a small chunk from the center of the cheese, and passed it to me to taste. "Nothing like the heart," he said.
mmmmm cheese alright! My personal faves are locatelli romano and for homemade sauce it has to be pecorino romano.
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is there a blogger's fantasy football team anywhere?
I haven't played Fantasy Football in 15 years. After reading AKMA's post on his fantasy baseball season, I'm jonesin' for a good season of Fantasy Football.There was a time in my life when football was my reason for hanging. A powerful depression/anxiety combo platter threatened to undo me early on in college. I was in Buffalo then, and became a Bills fan--in the days before the Bills had a shot at post-season play, let alone super bowl appearances. I became part of a community of people who knew the odds were against them, and believed anyway. Above all else, football teaches you that.
The love of football I had as a kid sustained me. I wish you could see me at 9, wearing my bright red #16 Lenny Dawson jersey, tough as nails, shoulder pads underneath, watching intently as my brother drew the next play on the palm of his hand.I'm an AFC girl stuck in an NFC town. It's really not fair.
The best antidote I can think of is a good round of Fantasy Football. Drop me an email if you've got a line on a Fantasy league for me, will ya? And remind me how to play. I'm a bit rusty.
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stowe on ebola
Stowe shares my personal nightmare of an airborne Ebola outbreak. (Add Bird Flu to mine--find me a source for tamiflu, will ya?) Stowe notes that a conventional outbreak of Ebola fever is spreading in the Congo. So far at least 167 people have died over about four months and nearly 400 are sick with Ebola, which is usually fatal, and not in a good way.
Scary stuff. So far from Silicon Valley and Web 2.0, yet so close with our hyper-mobile global economy.
We all breathe one air.
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Scary stuff. So far from Silicon Valley and Web 2.0, yet so close with our hyper-mobile global economy.
We all breathe one air.
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Authentic Original Tecktonik Dance Mixes
It's all the rage. It's panic-attack-bad-rash-lice-in-the-hair-seizure-inducing disco! And it's just not right.
So if you're looking for authentic, original tecktonik dance mixes, give George a call at 770-598-2315.
[want to learn the latest dance moves? watch this instructional video... then if you're over 40, shoot yourself. At least in the foot.]
--
So if you're looking for authentic, original tecktonik dance mixes, give George a call at 770-598-2315.
[want to learn the latest dance moves? watch this instructional video... then if you're over 40, shoot yourself. At least in the foot.]
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September 20, 2007
For the indie consultant's toolkit
No I'm not even getting paid by these folks.
I figured I would do something different today and start out with a disclaimer that disclaims my non-involvement with a cool web-based signature tool company called echosign. I used their e-signature capability today to sign an NDA for a client after searching Google to see if such a tool exists.
Echosign eliminated the hassles of printing, signing, and faxing back the form, and since this particular fellow didn't have a fax machine handy, that meant I would have had to scan the signed form, save it as a JPEG, then attach it in an email, blah blah zzz zzz.
With echosign, you can one-click sign a document, email it to the people of your choosing, and access the saved documents in your online archive.
You get 5 trial signatures when you register. After that, it's $12.95/month, which is just above my gut-instinct price point for such a service. That's why I would like Google to buy echosign and add the capability to Google Docs & Spreadsheets.
Thank you. (P.S. Google, please work on solving the healthcare problem first.)
---
I figured I would do something different today and start out with a disclaimer that disclaims my non-involvement with a cool web-based signature tool company called echosign. I used their e-signature capability today to sign an NDA for a client after searching Google to see if such a tool exists.
Echosign eliminated the hassles of printing, signing, and faxing back the form, and since this particular fellow didn't have a fax machine handy, that meant I would have had to scan the signed form, save it as a JPEG, then attach it in an email, blah blah zzz zzz.
With echosign, you can one-click sign a document, email it to the people of your choosing, and access the saved documents in your online archive.
You get 5 trial signatures when you register. After that, it's $12.95/month, which is just above my gut-instinct price point for such a service. That's why I would like Google to buy echosign and add the capability to Google Docs & Spreadsheets.
Thank you. (P.S. Google, please work on solving the healthcare problem first.)
---
September 15, 2007
September 14, 2007
Even Closer to Home.
George's mother passed away tonight. Lula had an incredibly strong life force and did not let go easily. Born in 1921 and raised in Mississippi, she saw a lot in her 86 years. Her family fled Mississippi after her mother bit off the ear of a white man for harassing her and her daughter. That daughter went on to sing opera, graduate from Buffalo State University in 1959, raise three sons, and was a New York State school teacher until she retired and moved to Florida 20 years ago. There's a lot more to her story, and a whole lot more to her legacy. That story belongs to others, and is theirs to share.
May she rest in Peace.
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May she rest in Peace.
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You Know How I Feel About Blogrolls
An interesting discussion is going on at Doc's on blogrolls. My latest comment is here.
Disclaimer: I AM A LONG TIME FAN OF THE BLOGROLL.
I think if people have too hard of a time keeping up with what the folks on their blogrolls are writing, then:
1) who cares. there's no law mandating that I read the people on my blogroll every day, every week, or even every year. my blogroll will be more useful to me and others if I do, yes. but maybe i like someone's blog but they only posted once. guess what: i can put it on my blogroll. maybe i loved that post. so what if that person writes crap six months out of the year, but maybe they shit out a jewel every May. Maybe I love their jewel. maybe i love them. maybe i hate them but love the way they write. maybe i love them but hate the way they write. I can blogroll whoever I want. A link to a blog is not my endorsement of every post. My link says, well lookie there. Stay out of my blogroll methodology. make me a bumpersticker: keep your rules off my blogroll.
2) shut up. if you don't ever get time to click through your blogroll, you could try shutting up for a week and only reading. It isn't that hard. Maybe all of us should shut up and only read/comment for one week each month. I'd rather see that then plain paper pages with plenty of whitespace cluttering the Web and sending me no-where fast.
3) add new voices. if you aren't keeping up, you might be bored with the people on your blogroll. add new voices then. blogrolling.com has 1-click adding. Use your technorati faves to fuel your blogroll. That is saying: "hey, something made my heart go boom-boom a little bit." You are afraid of being a gatekeeper. White space is gate keeping too, pa. It's a fence around your posts. It's opting out of doing the right thing because the right thing takes too long. Bullocks. Fund a startup and solve the problem.
Blogs are not magazines. Fuck white space. Long live the Blogroll.
---
Disclaimer: I AM A LONG TIME FAN OF THE BLOGROLL.
I think if people have too hard of a time keeping up with what the folks on their blogrolls are writing, then:
1) who cares. there's no law mandating that I read the people on my blogroll every day, every week, or even every year. my blogroll will be more useful to me and others if I do, yes. but maybe i like someone's blog but they only posted once. guess what: i can put it on my blogroll. maybe i loved that post. so what if that person writes crap six months out of the year, but maybe they shit out a jewel every May. Maybe I love their jewel. maybe i love them. maybe i hate them but love the way they write. maybe i love them but hate the way they write. I can blogroll whoever I want. A link to a blog is not my endorsement of every post. My link says, well lookie there. Stay out of my blogroll methodology. make me a bumpersticker: keep your rules off my blogroll.
2) shut up. if you don't ever get time to click through your blogroll, you could try shutting up for a week and only reading. It isn't that hard. Maybe all of us should shut up and only read/comment for one week each month. I'd rather see that then plain paper pages with plenty of whitespace cluttering the Web and sending me no-where fast.
3) add new voices. if you aren't keeping up, you might be bored with the people on your blogroll. add new voices then. blogrolling.com has 1-click adding. Use your technorati faves to fuel your blogroll. That is saying: "hey, something made my heart go boom-boom a little bit." You are afraid of being a gatekeeper. White space is gate keeping too, pa. It's a fence around your posts. It's opting out of doing the right thing because the right thing takes too long. Bullocks. Fund a startup and solve the problem.
Blogs are not magazines. Fuck white space. Long live the Blogroll.
---
Yay Marshall
Marshall Kirkpatrick is a stellar human being and a uber-talented writer. Good for read/write web to nab him. Looks like he's going back to full-time blogging, takin' care of bidness over at Read/Write Web and working on his consulting gig. That was a pretty quick move from indie to day-job to indie. Or some such thing. Whatever the arrangement, good luck Marshall! YAY!
---
---
Startups were launched and dissolved in the time it took this baby to arrive
He's Here!
Let the first round of funding begin! w00t!
Let the first round of funding begin! w00t!
September 13, 2007
Conspiratorial and Proud
"Meteorologists were at a loss to explain the rapid, 16-hour genesis of the first hurricane to hit the U.S. since 2005."
really? let me try:
You get bye-bye with a little help from your friends. From 1997:
"In much the same way that infrared and low-light viewing equipment has made it possible for 20th-century soldiers to own the night, U.S. Air Force planners hope to give 21st-century warriors advanced technologies that will enable them to own the weather. A declassified version of a 2-year study prepared by the Air War College and obtained by PM reveals that this is no dreamland scenario. The Pentagon's top meteorologists believe the United States will be ready to fight--and win--a weather war early in the next century."
I'm thinking we're not to "and win" yet??
---
really? let me try:
You get bye-bye with a little help from your friends. From 1997:
"In much the same way that infrared and low-light viewing equipment has made it possible for 20th-century soldiers to own the night, U.S. Air Force planners hope to give 21st-century warriors advanced technologies that will enable them to own the weather. A declassified version of a 2-year study prepared by the Air War College and obtained by PM reveals that this is no dreamland scenario. The Pentagon's top meteorologists believe the United States will be ready to fight--and win--a weather war early in the next century."
I'm thinking we're not to "and win" yet??
---
Closer and Closer to Home
Just found out Bobby Byrd died yesterday. There must be a show scheduled someplace beyond this place that needs some serious soul. George played with Bobby. Our thoughts are with the family. Our sadness is with the changing face of music.---
September 12, 2007
Follow the Ironic Link
Some interesting articles sponsored by O'Reilly, oddly enough, on women in technology. I can't wait to dig into these, especially Shelley's article, "So What?" because I always enjoy reading Shelley. So THAT'S what you've been up to, Shell!
-----
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September 11, 2007
Oh. he said street massings.
i thought he said "street mashups".
Which, ultimately are better than a fox attack.
in other links:
Frank's composing an anthem.
Shelley's still gone. But not forgotten.
I'm wondering what happened to Paul Scheele?
Where's Denise?
Where's Gary's blog--am I on drugs?
---
Which, ultimately are better than a fox attack.
in other links:
Frank's composing an anthem.
Shelley's still gone. But not forgotten.
I'm wondering what happened to Paul Scheele?
Where's Denise?
Where's Gary's blog--am I on drugs?
---
If I were writing the press release...
I posted yesterday an idea on how and why Google should throw it's enormous financial weight and business smarts at the American healthcare problem. If I were in charge of the world, this is the press release I would write announcing a new plan from Google to help their uninsured users.
---
GOOGLE TO OFFER HEALTHCARE BENEFITS TO USERS
The company of “firsts” strikes again with new program that lets millions of U.S.-based users participate in company benefit programs
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. (September 11, 2007) - No stranger to innovation, Google (NASDAQ: GOOG) today announced that it would extend benefits to its user and customer base. Under Google’s Well America Plan, U.S.-based users of the company’s enterprise and web-based tools may apply for benefits. For $100 per month per individual, or $250 for a family of three or more, Google’s user base can select from a range of Google-sponsored benefits, including major medical, prescription drug, hospitalization, and alternative health programs. Three pricing tiers are available, with rates varying depending upon the annual deductible selected.
Google-sponsored dental plans are available from $9.99 per month, and Google will offer a complementary vision plan to all users.
“In its current form, the American healthcare system is not working,” said [[I WOULD PROBABLY GET IN TROUBLE IF I PUT A REAL NAME HERE]. “With a U.S. population of more than 301,000,000 -- an estimated half of whom are using Google or related applications at least occasionally -- our estimated U.S. user-base of 150,000,000 deserves access to affordable healthcare in the same way our employees do. We provide benefits to our employees, and now we will offer them to our customers and partners at an affordable rate.”
There are currently 45.8 million uninsured in the United States, half of whom live below the poverty level and as such are eligible for Federally and state-funded healthcare programs. That leaves 25 million Americans uninsured and ineligible for government-sponsored programs. Many of these individuals are self-employed knowledge workers and Google users.
“In a networked economy, the lines between users and employees, between partners and other stakeholders, are blurring,” said [[DON’T WANT TO GET SUED]]. “The search industry is based on content, and that content is provided by the millions of users who publish content to the web. That’s just one reason why this program is the right thing for Google to do.”
Google’s Well America Program will begin taking applications October 1. To apply for Google benefits, visit www.GoogleSaveUS.com.
----
---
GOOGLE TO OFFER HEALTHCARE BENEFITS TO USERS
The company of “firsts” strikes again with new program that lets millions of U.S.-based users participate in company benefit programs
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. (September 11, 2007) - No stranger to innovation, Google (NASDAQ: GOOG) today announced that it would extend benefits to its user and customer base. Under Google’s Well America Plan, U.S.-based users of the company’s enterprise and web-based tools may apply for benefits. For $100 per month per individual, or $250 for a family of three or more, Google’s user base can select from a range of Google-sponsored benefits, including major medical, prescription drug, hospitalization, and alternative health programs. Three pricing tiers are available, with rates varying depending upon the annual deductible selected.
Google-sponsored dental plans are available from $9.99 per month, and Google will offer a complementary vision plan to all users.
“In its current form, the American healthcare system is not working,” said [[I WOULD PROBABLY GET IN TROUBLE IF I PUT A REAL NAME HERE]. “With a U.S. population of more than 301,000,000 -- an estimated half of whom are using Google or related applications at least occasionally -- our estimated U.S. user-base of 150,000,000 deserves access to affordable healthcare in the same way our employees do. We provide benefits to our employees, and now we will offer them to our customers and partners at an affordable rate.”
There are currently 45.8 million uninsured in the United States, half of whom live below the poverty level and as such are eligible for Federally and state-funded healthcare programs. That leaves 25 million Americans uninsured and ineligible for government-sponsored programs. Many of these individuals are self-employed knowledge workers and Google users.
“In a networked economy, the lines between users and employees, between partners and other stakeholders, are blurring,” said [[DON’T WANT TO GET SUED]]. “The search industry is based on content, and that content is provided by the millions of users who publish content to the web. That’s just one reason why this program is the right thing for Google to do.”
Google’s Well America Program will begin taking applications October 1. To apply for Google benefits, visit www.GoogleSaveUS.com.
----
September 10, 2007
Google Could Fix Healthcare
Dear Google,
On the eve of making a decision whether to go up to a $3500 deductible and $600/month for health insurance (six sick visits a year before having to pay out of pocket up to the 3,500 and paying 30 percent after that), I turn to you for help. Because you have demonstrated by developing web apps that change the way we work that you are a problem solver of magnificent proportion.
With all this foundation money, which is growing faster than you can spend it, You are in a better position than the U.S. government to fix health care in America. The country is bankrupt, while you are flush. So, who should we trust more to make thing happen quickly--the government and health care industry that have let us down again and again, or the company that makes it possible for us to make a living globally without leaving home?
Google, above all do no harm, okay... but if you want to lend a real helping hand to the challenges of web workers -- to give us what we are REALLY missing -- tell us how you'd make it so we can have access to good health care for our bodies and teeth, ourselves and our kids, without losing our homes, our families, or our lives?
Web app that if you would.
I thank you.
-me
p.s., I am not kidding. What if you extended benefits to your users -- your customers and partners -- not just your employees. the lines are blurred. we already work for you. i have worked for blogger.com for six years. let us in.
---
On the eve of making a decision whether to go up to a $3500 deductible and $600/month for health insurance (six sick visits a year before having to pay out of pocket up to the 3,500 and paying 30 percent after that), I turn to you for help. Because you have demonstrated by developing web apps that change the way we work that you are a problem solver of magnificent proportion.
With all this foundation money, which is growing faster than you can spend it, You are in a better position than the U.S. government to fix health care in America. The country is bankrupt, while you are flush. So, who should we trust more to make thing happen quickly--the government and health care industry that have let us down again and again, or the company that makes it possible for us to make a living globally without leaving home?
Google, above all do no harm, okay... but if you want to lend a real helping hand to the challenges of web workers -- to give us what we are REALLY missing -- tell us how you'd make it so we can have access to good health care for our bodies and teeth, ourselves and our kids, without losing our homes, our families, or our lives?
Web app that if you would.
I thank you.
-me
p.s., I am not kidding. What if you extended benefits to your users -- your customers and partners -- not just your employees. the lines are blurred. we already work for you. i have worked for blogger.com for six years. let us in.
---
Hey that's what I said...
I see the word on Quechup as spam-champ of social-hookup tools is getting around. Check out the last line in the article. Great minds think alike. ;-)
You'd think by now Quechup would have learned that online, there IS such a thing as bad PR. All links are NOT created equal. And being talked about badly is NOT better than not being talked about at all. Google's memory is longer than an elephant's. It persists, reminding customers and prospects after they've forgotten just how stupid you were.
Reputations are branded in an instant online. It takes much longer to undo a mess than the flippant mouse click (or background routine) it takes to do the damage.
Dang, I'm full of em today.
You'd think by now Quechup would have learned that online, there IS such a thing as bad PR. All links are NOT created equal. And being talked about badly is NOT better than not being talked about at all. Google's memory is longer than an elephant's. It persists, reminding customers and prospects after they've forgotten just how stupid you were.
Reputations are branded in an instant online. It takes much longer to undo a mess than the flippant mouse click (or background routine) it takes to do the damage.
Dang, I'm full of em today.
Tell AKMA Happy Birthday!
Stop over at AKMA's place today and say happy birthday!
My goodness when I met AKMA he was just a young man of 44. Now he is Very Very old.
But Seriously, there are two handfuls of people I've met through blogging who have made a difference in my life and the life of my family. There's one handful of these people who are so much part of my life's fabric that they are part of the reason I'm still here and still healing.
AKMA is one of those people. I thank him I thank him I thank him. He demonstrates in life and on his blog the meaning of Grace and kindness. Of wit and understanding. He has not let the conservative bushwhacks run away with his Christianity. Or my Christianity. He cares, truly cares, about people. He is an example of what it means for real human beings, with bumps and bruises and real-human-being-stuff, to have Faith.
He and his wife Margaret and his family are our friends and we are blessed to know them.
Happy Birthday AKMA!!!
(and don't forget the mountain goat!)
---
My goodness when I met AKMA he was just a young man of 44. Now he is Very Very old.
But Seriously, there are two handfuls of people I've met through blogging who have made a difference in my life and the life of my family. There's one handful of these people who are so much part of my life's fabric that they are part of the reason I'm still here and still healing.
AKMA is one of those people. I thank him I thank him I thank him. He demonstrates in life and on his blog the meaning of Grace and kindness. Of wit and understanding. He has not let the conservative bushwhacks run away with his Christianity. Or my Christianity. He cares, truly cares, about people. He is an example of what it means for real human beings, with bumps and bruises and real-human-being-stuff, to have Faith.
He and his wife Margaret and his family are our friends and we are blessed to know them.
Happy Birthday AKMA!!!
(and don't forget the mountain goat!)
---
September 05, 2007
THANKS DARLING!
Chris Shipley called me Dear!
update: the real chris shipley has demo news, here.
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Chris Shipley on behalf of DEMO
Date: Sep 5, 2007 9:30 AM
Subject: Tap into what’s NEXT at DEMOfall 07
To: Dear Executive
Dear Dear,
Tap into what's NEXT at DEMOfall 07
In less than a month, DEMO will launch over 70 new companies with products poised to reshape the technology landscape and completely change how you perceive even the latest tech trends. Don't just read about these tech trends, register today, and experience the unveiling of the NEXT emerging technologies first-hand.
update: the real chris shipley has demo news, here.
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Chris Shipley on behalf of DEMO
Date: Sep 5, 2007 9:30 AM
Subject: Tap into what’s NEXT at DEMOfall 07
To: Dear Executive
Dear Dear,
Tap into what's NEXT at DEMOfall 07
In less than a month, DEMO will launch over 70 new companies with products poised to reshape the technology landscape and completely change how you perceive even the latest tech trends. Don't just read about these tech trends, register today, and experience the unveiling of the NEXT emerging technologies first-hand.
September 04, 2007
Quechup Can't Cut the Mustard
I got my invite to Quechup today from Euen, who says the newbie-social-site spammed his address book AFTER he deleted his account. Been reading several folks who had bad-quechup-spam experiences today. Which leads me to this question:
Is there a dumber move than for a social network to use the uber-anti-social approach of spamming users' address books to get folks signed on?
Can you think of a stupider PR approach than to steal a play out of plaxo's old playbook and bug the shit out of busy people?
I mean, other than perhaps using a seizure-invoking "join us" logo?
---
Is there a dumber move than for a social network to use the uber-anti-social approach of spamming users' address books to get folks signed on?
Can you think of a stupider PR approach than to steal a play out of plaxo's old playbook and bug the shit out of busy people?
I mean, other than perhaps using a seizure-invoking "join us" logo?
---
Welcome Home (from Home) Doc!
CONGRATS!! Doc made it from left to right coast, where I gather from my recently scattered reading, he'll be calling home for a while--while he does the Berkman shuffle like a good cluetrainian should.
Glad he's safe and sound!
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Glad he's safe and sound!
---
lots o links
While you were out.... Karsh has a bunch of links worth checking out--especially go and vote for his panel ideas for SXSW. While you're there vote for other panels you think sound like worthwhile investments of your time. And ladies don't bitch about how few women are presenting if you don't stop by the panel picker and check out what your best blog girlfriends are proposing. Give them some stars if you like the ideas.
Looks like winners of the Black Weblog Awards will be announced tomorrow. Weee!
And inspirationally speaking, check out Karsh's 100 in 1oo1.
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Looks like winners of the Black Weblog Awards will be announced tomorrow. Weee!
And inspirationally speaking, check out Karsh's 100 in 1oo1.
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September 02, 2007
Things that make you go WTF
Are you drunker than a 4th grader?
10% of 4th-Graders Have Tried Alcohol: Study
As many as 10 percent of 4th-graders have already had more than a sip of alcohol and 7 percent have had an alcoholic drink in the past year, according to a new study by researchers at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.
The rate of those who have tried alcohol doubles between grades four and six, according to lead author John Donovan, associate professor of psychiatry and epidemiology. The research is published in the September issue of the journal Prevention Science.
"Children are drinking, and our concern with underage drinking needs to start in elementary school, not in high school or college," Donovan said in a prepared statement. "Knowing how many children have had experience with alcohol would serve as an indicator of the number potentially at risk for later use of marijuana and other illicit drugs."
Early drinking also is associated with a greater risk of other behavioral problems, "including absences from school, delinquent behavior, drinking and driving, sexual intercourse and pregnancy," he added.
August 31, 2007
U-Haul, It Ain't the Company It Used to Be
Besty Devine describes a U-Hell of a U-Haul Rental, featuring a load of corporate cluelessness that boggles the mind. When the cops tell you to stay away from a business, I'd imagine that's one outfit to steer clear of (no pun intended, betsy!)
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It totally quit when I got just 4 miles from the place where I rented it, blocking a lane of traffic on Revere’s busy VFW Parkway. I was able to pull about 6 inches of the truck’s nose into a store’s driveway before it stopped moving entirely. I will leave you to imagine the comments of other drivers, having to maneuver around my dead truck in traffic already bumper-to-bumper on a 94 degree hot and humid Saturday.That just ain't right.
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What a comment stream would look like as a business meeting... (Hint: Not Work Safe)
saw it on crunchnotes.
{tried to leave a comment here, but it kept thinking I was spam. i tried to add 5 + 8. I really did.}
Notice how in this re-enactment of the typical, there was one important result that is also typical of these types common-if-exaggerated online non-exchanges: nothing was accomplished.
As for whether or not the women should 'stand up' and say something in this video, they could have at least landed a Shelley Powers wallop.
I thought it was funny. Plain and simple. Everyone looked like an ass neighing into an empty well, and that's pretty much what we look like these days.
j.
I feel your pain
(even though i am not teething)...
Yep. I hear that. WTF are we going to do?
---
5. Charlie and Tori's health insurance premium is going up $150/month. Bringing our household total premium to over $1,100. A MONTH. But there's no health care crisis in this country! Everything's fine! Nothing to see here! We have the best health care in the world! Yadda yadda yadda ug.
Yep. I hear that. WTF are we going to do?
---
Don't Go Rockin' My Boat...
What seemed like a PR coup has turned into a PR mess in a triangle of money-grubbing that stands to make Verizon and Universal (as. if. they. could. look. any. worse) look like goobers at the expense of Bob Marley's estate.
Verizon announced an exclusive deal with the Universal Music Group to sell ring tones from Bob Marley's catalog, but the Marley family says no way and is threatening to sue. The family is unhappy because the way the Verizon-Universal deal stands now, it is a music licensing deal BUT is not behaving like a licensing deal. Because Verizon is using Bob Marley's image in their marketing efforts, the family views this arrangement as an endorsement deal (under which the family would have a say in how Bob Marley's image and music are used).
Back to the drawing board, Verizon.
----
Verizon announced an exclusive deal with the Universal Music Group to sell ring tones from Bob Marley's catalog, but the Marley family says no way and is threatening to sue. The family is unhappy because the way the Verizon-Universal deal stands now, it is a music licensing deal BUT is not behaving like a licensing deal. Because Verizon is using Bob Marley's image in their marketing efforts, the family views this arrangement as an endorsement deal (under which the family would have a say in how Bob Marley's image and music are used).
The family's spokesperson Chris Blackwell had met with Verizon previously. Obviously something didn't go right from the Marely family perspective, because Verizon did an end around and struck a licensing deal with Universal and is also proposing to use Marley's picture in their ring tone marketing efforts. This (I'm sure among other things) is pissing the family off.
I cannot accept the way Universal is treating the estate,” Mr. Blackwell said. “We don’t want this deal done. We want to sustain Bob Marley’s reputation, and they’ve done this without any permission from us, and we feel they’re absolutely not entitled to do so.”From a PR perspective, Verizon needs to get its shit together and do some damage control. Because the customers who download ringtones of songs by artists are generally FANS OF THE ARTIST, and if the estate of the artist is pissed, well then you can bet that the FANS OF THE ARTIST (formerly known as your customers) will be pissed too.
Back to the drawing board, Verizon.
----
August 30, 2007
Thank you all and good night!
After another exciting hospital adventure, I'm pleased to report that George's cardiac cath at St. Joseph's today went great. No significant blockage that asprin and lifestyle changes can't take care of. w00t! let's hear it for lifestyle changes and asprin!!!! So we are home now. Thank you, once again, for all of your good thoughts and wishes.
They say that St. Josephs is the best in Atlanta for cardiac care. The doctor and nurses were just great. Processes and procedures, flawless. Not a thing to bitch about, and you know me--I'm on steroids and so not shy.
Wshew. Long day. Time to rest.
Thanks again.
--------
They say that St. Josephs is the best in Atlanta for cardiac care. The doctor and nurses were just great. Processes and procedures, flawless. Not a thing to bitch about, and you know me--I'm on steroids and so not shy.
Wshew. Long day. Time to rest.
Thanks again.
--------
August 29, 2007
Now you see it...
In an attempt to distract Georgians from the horror show that is our public school system, having just earned our rightful place of 46th in the nation on SAT scores, the "baggy pants" debate rages on.
We're just not gonna last in this town.
---
However, they did agree to continue to debate whether the city should regulate whether folks can walk around Atlanta with saggy pants and exposed undies. Council members expect to create a 10- to 12-member task force soon to further the debate and decide whether Atlanta should —- or can —- pass a law to control fashion.Meanwhile, back at the ranch, SAT scores dropped, but by god, we held onto our slot in 46th with all our might.
We're just not gonna last in this town.
---
More steroids...
the last thing i need. the most thing i need. a few more days have been added on for good measure. off to the open house at jenna's school. c-you!
---
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August 28, 2007
a blogger in our midst?
--- Another View ----
----
Check out the dude's post what added the subtitles south africa the iraq such as to Miss South Carolina's "answer". Good post on anti-art.
At first glance, it may appear that all I did was rip someone else's video off and add sub-titles. But as I see it, I saw a lack in the "original" and took the initiative to fix its shortcomings and in the process created a more valuable video. At least now, you can understand what she says. I guess instead of being a producer on this one, I was a re-producer. I'm sure there's a real discussion on art history's evolution in there somewhere. Could we say the mash-up is the new Dada? They do seem to be founded on the same principles. Rejecting the prevailing standards, enhancing the mundane and effectively creating "anti-art".
August 27, 2007
good blog reads
Kent has some great lists he's gathering in what he calls swivel feeds. I missed the bus on giving him five recommendations, so i did it in his comments. Picked the top five the wind blew through my skull. And it's 90 degrees and there's no wind, so I guess those are pretty much stuck.
and so i said:
Tony Pierce - http://www.tonypierce.com/blog/bloggy.htm
Daughter of Opinion - http://daughterofopinion.blogspot.com/
Brian Moffatt - http://www.brian-moffatt.com/repurpussing/
George Kelly - http://www.allaboutgeorge.com/
Madame Levy - http://lavachequilit.typepad.com/il
oops you already have Madame Levy, so I'll say Badhostess - http://badhostess.com/
thx!
---
and so i said:
Tony Pierce - http://www.tonypierce.com/blog/bloggy.htm
Daughter of Opinion - http://daughterofopinion.blogspot.com/
Brian Moffatt - http://www.brian-moffatt.com/repurpussing/
George Kelly - http://www.allaboutgeorge.com/
Madame Levy - http://lavachequilit.typepad.com/il
oops you already have Madame Levy, so I'll say Badhostess - http://badhostess.com/
thx!
---
not future trash after all
I knew my 500+ record albums would come in handy. I just knew it.
A lot of people (example) are starting to realize that stuff is not all that important. As we get better at mass producing cheap food and consumer products, stuff will cease to be important at all. The only stuff that will be valuable is stuff that can no longer be made due to lack of sufficient demand or stuff that is too difficult or time consuming to make cheaply. Artifacts and original artwork will grow more valuable, but everything else will just be future trash someone will have to get rid of when you die.from LNS.
corner turn?
I am getting so good at sinus infections that I think I can nail the precise moment when I turn the corner toward health. Thank you, Lord, I believe the corner hath been turned. Just now. Yes, like this very moment.
In other news, there isn't much new, and everything old is so overwhelming it seems not worth the stress of revisiting.
--
In other news, there isn't much new, and everything old is so overwhelming it seems not worth the stress of revisiting.
--
best get well video EVar!
You'll have to go here to watch it, since Google seems to have added its own video uploading functionality to Blogger with the direct result of screwing up embedding of YouTube videos. Or maybe I'm just sensitive.
---
---
August 26, 2007
the social networkizing of mechandising (or the webkinizing of retail)
"Did you HEAR??" Jenna gets excited about 24 times each day, but this was one of those 'urgent news' type of yelps that made me ask, "About what?"
She proceeded to tell me that she needed a pound puppy, not a real one (this week), but one of the stuffed kind from the toy store. I told her I thought they had pound puppies back when her cousin Nick (now 25) was young. She told me they're new now--they come with a code you can enter to play with them online, just like Webkinz. Investigating, the only functionality I could see on the pound puppies site was an input form that lets you generate an adoption certificate. But I smell a social network in the winds. The landing page for pound puppies looks like the future entryway to pound puppyville, another virtual pet-owning experience coming soon to a parent's credit card near you.
We owe the resurreciton of the stuffed animal to social computing. If not for social networks, Webkinz would be another cute fad with a $12 price tag and a place on your child's bed. But nooo. Thanks to social spaces vying for our kids' attention, that same stuffed animal can live on ad infinitum, with complementary purchases like webkinz trading cards, waiting for your john hancock too.
Some tween-based social networks skip the merchandising part and go right to the trading cards. Case in point Bella Sara. Right now, it's a virtual world, using packs of trading cards as the merchandising element. I can only figure that Bella Sara is doing a "reverse webkinz," putting the trading cards (which have codes to purchase online clothing and tack for your online horse) out first with the stuffed rendition to follow. I'm sure a stuffed bella sara stallion is coming soon. I think I hear his hoofbeats. More ways to my wallet. Thank you internets!
Watching tweens on Webkinz and Bella Sara, I started wondering how smart companies will find that same sweet spot with adult consumers--a place where real-world point-of-sale drives the online experience.
What would the characteristics of that experience have to be:
1) something we are compelled to purchase.
2) something we enjoy playing with or using in the real world.
3) a replica of something real that can also be experienced virtually.
Perhaps the condoms of the future will come with a special code you can enter to frolic in an online adult world. In turn, the sites could offer special features and access to those with codes, driving future brand preference in condoms.
Same with clothing. Your jeans should come with your DenimWorld code emblazened on your back pocket. You use the code to dress your virtual self and hope that some hottie has been looking at your ass long enough to look you up in Denim City. In Denim City you participate in activities that generate points toward special features or future purchases. Maybe movie tickets for your real-world date from your virtual connection based on your realworld jeans.
I'm thinking out loud here.
Blame the steroids.
------
She proceeded to tell me that she needed a pound puppy, not a real one (this week), but one of the stuffed kind from the toy store. I told her I thought they had pound puppies back when her cousin Nick (now 25) was young. She told me they're new now--they come with a code you can enter to play with them online, just like Webkinz. Investigating, the only functionality I could see on the pound puppies site was an input form that lets you generate an adoption certificate. But I smell a social network in the winds. The landing page for pound puppies looks like the future entryway to pound puppyville, another virtual pet-owning experience coming soon to a parent's credit card near you.
We owe the resurreciton of the stuffed animal to social computing. If not for social networks, Webkinz would be another cute fad with a $12 price tag and a place on your child's bed. But nooo. Thanks to social spaces vying for our kids' attention, that same stuffed animal can live on ad infinitum, with complementary purchases like webkinz trading cards, waiting for your john hancock too.
Some tween-based social networks skip the merchandising part and go right to the trading cards. Case in point Bella Sara. Right now, it's a virtual world, using packs of trading cards as the merchandising element. I can only figure that Bella Sara is doing a "reverse webkinz," putting the trading cards (which have codes to purchase online clothing and tack for your online horse) out first with the stuffed rendition to follow. I'm sure a stuffed bella sara stallion is coming soon. I think I hear his hoofbeats. More ways to my wallet. Thank you internets!
Watching tweens on Webkinz and Bella Sara, I started wondering how smart companies will find that same sweet spot with adult consumers--a place where real-world point-of-sale drives the online experience.
What would the characteristics of that experience have to be:
1) something we are compelled to purchase.
2) something we enjoy playing with or using in the real world.
3) a replica of something real that can also be experienced virtually.
Perhaps the condoms of the future will come with a special code you can enter to frolic in an online adult world. In turn, the sites could offer special features and access to those with codes, driving future brand preference in condoms.
Same with clothing. Your jeans should come with your DenimWorld code emblazened on your back pocket. You use the code to dress your virtual self and hope that some hottie has been looking at your ass long enough to look you up in Denim City. In Denim City you participate in activities that generate points toward special features or future purchases. Maybe movie tickets for your real-world date from your virtual connection based on your realworld jeans.
I'm thinking out loud here.
Blame the steroids.
------
August 24, 2007
First Blogger to do a Breathing Treatment on Facebook
I WON!!!!!
(scroll down paaast the aquarium, paaaast the garden and comments from gardeners, to the wall comments. see pathetic video).
which brings me to point number 2: how about a share FROM facebook, some permalinks, something? [roi to facebook: traffic traffic traffic adoption adoption adoption].
how about a back channel, where people who are not friends (yet) of people who say something interesting can still comment and discuss. oh might not that be fun? if you could get to it while I'm still on steroids, I'd appreciate it.
---
(scroll down paaast the aquarium, paaaast the garden and comments from gardeners, to the wall comments. see pathetic video).
which brings me to point number 2: how about a share FROM facebook, some permalinks, something? [roi to facebook: traffic traffic traffic adoption adoption adoption].
how about a back channel, where people who are not friends (yet) of people who say something interesting can still comment and discuss. oh might not that be fun? if you could get to it while I'm still on steroids, I'd appreciate it.
---
PLAY
Not a novel idea. But a good one.
"...this whole gamut of conversation, from infinite jest to point-specific expertise: who needs it?"Companies need it. Without it they can't innovate, build consensus, or go to market. Markets need it. Without it they don't know what works and what doesn't; don't know why they should give a damn. Cultures need it. Without play and knowledge in equal measure, they begin to die. People get gloomy, anxious, and depressed. Eventually, the guns come out."
My suggestion: not just a conference ABOUT play, but a conference AT play. Man enough? Woman enough? Let the games begin.
--
August 23, 2007
franks got a recipe beggin to be beaten and eaten
first person who runs over here to make it gets to stir in the egg!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Go see how it turned out--
mmmmm!
For dinner tonight I made a delicious soup. It was amazingly simple. Most of the ingredients came straight of our CSA share, and the recipe came from the Blue Moon weekly newsletter. Thanks Kristen!
The recipe…
- Ingredients:
- 1 large celeriac, peeled, cut into quarters and sliced thin. (Ever wonder what to do with that celeriac? This is it!)
- 3 Tablespoons olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup carrot coins
- 1 leek, sliced into thin rounds. (Okay, I had small leeks so I used two, but I had huge garlic cloves so I only used one. I finally learned the thing about cooking is that it’s no organic chemistry… doesn’t require an analytical balance to get the measurements right.)
- 2 eggs
- A couple of cups of chicken broth. Mine came from a can.
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- salt and pepper
Go see how it turned out--
mmmmm!
seams, apart
So i'm on steroids and levaquin now as the augmentin didn't work to get rid of this sinus infection/bronchitis, which of course has made friends with my asthma. This has been a rough patch -- thank you for all the supportive emails, friends. You don't know how it helps to read them when I'm worrying through the night. George has a procedure at the hospital next week--we may have an overnight there. I love him.
How's tricks in the blog world?
I checked and briefly noticed that, in addition to Doc moving, Scoble was taking another poignant pause, Shelley had been too quiet, and Elaine had made me a very nice healing collage. Everyone else has either been bought by Google or acquired by Oracle. So apparently I can go back to my warm washcloth and steroids now.
OH did anyone fix healthcare while I was out?
Thanks!
***
How's tricks in the blog world?
I checked and briefly noticed that, in addition to Doc moving, Scoble was taking another poignant pause, Shelley had been too quiet, and Elaine had made me a very nice healing collage. Everyone else has either been bought by Google or acquired by Oracle. So apparently I can go back to my warm washcloth and steroids now.
OH did anyone fix healthcare while I was out?
Thanks!
***
August 21, 2007
doc's new doo
Doc has a new blog home, and quite honestly, it's freakin me out.
Not just the words "law" and "harvard" and "edu" in the URL, though that would be enough. Beyond the establishmentishness, I just can't get used to the template. Even with Doc's face and old masthead at the top, I'm like, "Can we go home now?"
Sure this design is simpler and cleaner, but there's something to be said about Doc's messy old house with small fonts and 100000 people on his blogroll, more than one woman too.
Doc's weblogs.com house was a place I visited before I started blogging in 01. I know I'll get used to his new place over time, but I can't get past thinking, "Doc doesn't talk in that font; Doc talks to me in Serif! Doc has more columns than this--where did his miscellaneousness go? And who ran off with Searls BlueGray Stripes(TM), anyway?"
I realize that final weblogs.com bloggers had to step off the bus eventually, and Doc's posts will still be a daily read for me in his new digs, but I can't help feeling like I've just seen him for the first time in a year, and he's completely bald.
So Doc, one favor--keep your hair, okay?
***
Not just the words "law" and "harvard" and "edu" in the URL, though that would be enough. Beyond the establishmentishness, I just can't get used to the template. Even with Doc's face and old masthead at the top, I'm like, "Can we go home now?"
Sure this design is simpler and cleaner, but there's something to be said about Doc's messy old house with small fonts and 100000 people on his blogroll, more than one woman too.
Doc's weblogs.com house was a place I visited before I started blogging in 01. I know I'll get used to his new place over time, but I can't get past thinking, "Doc doesn't talk in that font; Doc talks to me in Serif! Doc has more columns than this--where did his miscellaneousness go? And who ran off with Searls BlueGray Stripes(TM), anyway?"
I realize that final weblogs.com bloggers had to step off the bus eventually, and Doc's posts will still be a daily read for me in his new digs, but I can't help feeling like I've just seen him for the first time in a year, and he's completely bald.
So Doc, one favor--keep your hair, okay?
***
August 20, 2007
eyes still nose ya!
chat to frank:
HEY SO you know how i've been not able to focus or write much lately, well so yesterday i am just so confounded, right, so i'm sitting in the kitchen when i realize: i can't see SHIT. 45 years old, had 20-20 vision my whole life, and so i had no clue wtf was happening, but i suddenly realize i can't fucking SEE. that's why i can't write or read anything because i can't SEE the shit. So i go over to walmart today and spring for an eye exam (no money for glasses but what the heck), so i find out i have 20-40 vision and two astigmatisms (well one in each eye), and i need reading glasses for now. He says my distance vision is going but still passable so i don't need BIFOCALS yet, and I'm like BIFOCALS??? I was just 22, wtf are you talking about?
Me in George's Dollar Store Reading Glasses
--
HEY SO you know how i've been not able to focus or write much lately, well so yesterday i am just so confounded, right, so i'm sitting in the kitchen when i realize: i can't see SHIT. 45 years old, had 20-20 vision my whole life, and so i had no clue wtf was happening, but i suddenly realize i can't fucking SEE. that's why i can't write or read anything because i can't SEE the shit. So i go over to walmart today and spring for an eye exam (no money for glasses but what the heck), so i find out i have 20-40 vision and two astigmatisms (well one in each eye), and i need reading glasses for now. He says my distance vision is going but still passable so i don't need BIFOCALS yet, and I'm like BIFOCALS??? I was just 22, wtf are you talking about?
Me in George's Dollar Store Reading Glasses
--
August 18, 2007
Jamaica on my mind
I remember when Ivan was set for a direct hit on Jamaica, and how it skirted around at the last minute. Hurricane Dean looks like an unparalleled menace on a truly frightening path toward the tiny island.
streaming radio from jamaica.
Some Jamaica-based bloggers:
Our prayers are with you all.
streaming radio from jamaica.
Some Jamaica-based bloggers:
- Moving back to Jamaica: "...we sit here waiting, doing the best we can to prepare ourselves. And it's still a really nice sunny day today, with blue skies and hardly any clouds and a light breeze."
- Jamaica Girl: "...my plan is to batter down the windows, put things in high places away from flooding and head to the man’s to shelter in his big bed!"
- Stunner's Afflictions: "I will be at work! What the hell! Yes I have been forcibly drafted in the hurricane team and will be at work for quiet a long time. During the entire pre-hurricane, hurricane and post-hurricane periods. So I will spend the rest of my day securing the home front, then later it will be off to work."
- Mighty Afrodite (Grand Caymans): "Dean and his whereabouts dominate the topic of all conversation, as we all get ourselves into a state of preparedness. Supermarkets are packed; cars are moved to higher ground; information is being disseminated like wildfire; plywood and shutters are being off loaded and inspected at individual residences…and it all gives me a strange sense of detached pride for my island and its peoples. Ivan was a hard lesson learned but, we learned our lesson. No one wants to be caught off guard again."
- Jamaipanese: "It's the middle of the month, I am broke, it's two weeks before school reopens and a little bit over a week before elections. I just hope the storm doesn't affect us too badly for too long, I can still remember how Hurricane Ivan and Hurricane Emily blasted us back to the stone age for a couple days."
- Jamaica Gleaner: "Hurricane Dean roared across small Eastern Caribbean islands yesterday, tearing away roofs, flooding streets and killing at least three people as it headed west on a collision course with Jamaica and Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula."
Our prayers are with you all.
with little time to spare...
Ladies, do not miss this post, and these wonderful links, and this great idea, that I learned about from Toby today. Go. Do. Build. Link.
Don't forget, Blog Sisters, to add yourselves!
Don't forget, Blog Sisters, to add yourselves!
Maximum Ride: Saving the World
A Book Review by Jenna and Jeneane Sessum
Maximum Ride: Saving the World is maximum fun for a mother and daughter to read together. That’s what Jenna and I did the last couple of weeks when we received the book from MotherTalk.
The book is about six bird-children named Max, Iggy, Fang (who created a blog you can read at http://maximumride.blogspot.com), Nudge, Gazzy, Angel, and their talking dog, Total. They are trying to escape from the mad scientists at Itex Corporation who created them.
The story begins with teenage Max, leader of the pack, guiding the flock of younger children from their traumatic past in the laboratory, where they were ‘bred’ as part human, part bird. But not only is Max out to save her winged friends; she’s also out to save the world. The same bad guys at Itex who altered the children’s DNA to create this uber-species are also out to create a master race and take over the world in a “Re-evolution.”
The children, who are 98-percent human and 2-percent bird, can not only fly, but also have amazing powers of perception. Their part animal makeup gives them keen awareness of danger, and their wings help them escape threats, including their wolf-like predators (also engineered at Itex) called Erasers.
The story gets especially intense when the flock is separated and held captive, and we learn a secret about Dr. Martinez. Does the re-evolution take place? Does Max live to save the world another day? You won’t be able to stop yourself from turning the pages to find out.
The reason you should read this book is that it’s a fun adventure. And if you like this one, you should check out Maximum Ride: School’s Out Forever and Maximum Ride: The Angel Experiment.
It’s easy to track the adventures of Max and the flock online too – there are videos on YouTube that make the book come alive.
----
Maximum Ride: Saving the World is maximum fun for a mother and daughter to read together. That’s what Jenna and I did the last couple of weeks when we received the book from MotherTalk.
The book is about six bird-children named Max, Iggy, Fang (who created a blog you can read at http://maximumride.blogspot.com), Nudge, Gazzy, Angel, and their talking dog, Total. They are trying to escape from the mad scientists at Itex Corporation who created them.
The story begins with teenage Max, leader of the pack, guiding the flock of younger children from their traumatic past in the laboratory, where they were ‘bred’ as part human, part bird. But not only is Max out to save her winged friends; she’s also out to save the world. The same bad guys at Itex who altered the children’s DNA to create this uber-species are also out to create a master race and take over the world in a “Re-evolution.”
The children, who are 98-percent human and 2-percent bird, can not only fly, but also have amazing powers of perception. Their part animal makeup gives them keen awareness of danger, and their wings help them escape threats, including their wolf-like predators (also engineered at Itex) called Erasers.
The story gets especially intense when the flock is separated and held captive, and we learn a secret about Dr. Martinez. Does the re-evolution take place? Does Max live to save the world another day? You won’t be able to stop yourself from turning the pages to find out.
The reason you should read this book is that it’s a fun adventure. And if you like this one, you should check out Maximum Ride: School’s Out Forever and Maximum Ride: The Angel Experiment.
It’s easy to track the adventures of Max and the flock online too – there are videos on YouTube that make the book come alive.
----
August 15, 2007
skin deep
life's stressors have been mounting at our house since March pretty steadily. if i believed in conspiracy theories, i'd be surveying the grassy knoll down the street 24x7. Traumatrain could you pass by? I'm not taking delivery anymore.
As a brief update, George's mother is still on life support in the hospital in Florida; George has to have some medical procedures done in the next couple of weeks; and there's more but why bore you with sadness when I can tickle you with a funny story...
So, given the amount of stress, I have augmented my general and consistent recovery work with another prong. I attended a session yesterday with a Helping Professional (AKA: shrink) to evaluate medicine options. I thought the appointment went well, albiet quickly. I felt that I shared what I needed to share to get him up to speed and keep him in the loop. Yep, that all went pretty well, I thought, walking down the hall toward the exit. "Good job, me."
That's when I glanced down at my sleeve and realized my shirt was on inside out.
Like all day.
Like, yes, during my session.
When I laughed and thought, I have to blog this, I knew I could check yesterday off as a "made it through++" day.
---
As a brief update, George's mother is still on life support in the hospital in Florida; George has to have some medical procedures done in the next couple of weeks; and there's more but why bore you with sadness when I can tickle you with a funny story...
So, given the amount of stress, I have augmented my general and consistent recovery work with another prong. I attended a session yesterday with a Helping Professional (AKA: shrink) to evaluate medicine options. I thought the appointment went well, albiet quickly. I felt that I shared what I needed to share to get him up to speed and keep him in the loop. Yep, that all went pretty well, I thought, walking down the hall toward the exit. "Good job, me."
That's when I glanced down at my sleeve and realized my shirt was on inside out.
Like all day.
Like, yes, during my session.
When I laughed and thought, I have to blog this, I knew I could check yesterday off as a "made it through++" day.
---
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