06 May
Stellavision
Meet Stella, the woman who’s been keeping me away from my computer since she came to live with me last Sunday.
Posted in photos, storytellin', Life Recipes by: Administrator
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30 Mar
If you build it, they will come: New Nats Stadium
On Choosing Well:
If you move out of your group house, do it in mid March and replace yourself with a Nationals employee so you can get brand new baseball stadium perks.
On the Park:
Being the first butt in the seat can choke a person up! It was great to be there with my old homies Bmac, Dzak, and Lcom. We got peanuts and threw them on the pristine concrete like we were sailors christening a boat with champagne.
On the service:
Lines were long for food, but the people working there were super friendly and expressed hope that they’ll be able to handle opening night tonight. FYI, beers are a cool $7.50.
Outside the park:
Navy Yard Metro dumps you about a block from the stadium, and they’ve set up a walled walkway directly there as if to say, “Do not look over the wall.” There were protestors shouting about vendor discrimination (they let Rockville BBQ set up a food stand, but no one else on the outside). The police also busted about 5 scalpers straight away. Put them in handcuffs and everything. I heard pleas, “Can’t you just give us a warning?”
Video:
They’ve got a cheesy guy who surfs the crowd looking to ask fans silly trivia questions for prizes on the jumbotron.
Posted in photos, storytellin', Life Recipes by: Administrator
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26 Mar
Moving and Nonprofit Technology in New Orleans
Oh Hai. I’m writing to you from my newly set up high speed internet service in my very own apartment.
I moved from my beloved Adams Morgan group house on March 15 and traveled for a geeky conference in New Orleans a couple of days later. I am seriously discombobulated.
The amazing Beth Kanter asked me to present for 5 minutes at NTC. I went through the usual rigamarole around public speaking, but I did it and I’m still alive. Public speaking: It doesn’t kill.
NTC was refreshing. I felt like part of a club even though I didn’t really know anyone there. Usually, I spend much of every day explaining social media to various people but in this wonderful space I was able to explore the possible social benefit of these silly tools with folks who are as addicted to them as I am. People without mental illnesses refuse to understand how we can change the world here. Harumph. Possibly I need to work on my splaining skills or teach addiction better.
After the conference it was Easter, so I had my mom and brother fly into New Orleans to celebrate eat and see linen suits, bonnets, and beads.
Videos
Posted in photos, storytellin', Life Recipes, Narcissism, Social Media by: Administrator
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04 Mar
I just couldn’t wait anymore
When I moved to Adams Morgan in 2002, rampant rumor on the street suggested we’d be getting a brand new Harris Teeter just down the block.
I liked this because I had a Harris Teeter in college and I truly believe their store brand “Cheerios” are better than the real thing.
So I waited. And waited. And waited. All my friends moved out of the neighborhood - on to greener and more suburban pastures to raise their families, etc. But I held out, believing that I would soon have a Harris Teeter in walkable distance!
Well, call me a greyhound chasing a fake rabbit. Since about 2004 I’ve heard that the new HT will be opening “in the next few months.”
I finally gave up! On the 15th of this month I’ll be moving out of the neighborhood, just when it looks like the fake fur on the bunny is finally turning real.
Posted in photos, storytellin' by: Administrator
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21 Feb
Saya Originals in the Washington Post Style section today
My good friend Jen officially arrived on the fashion scene today. You can find lots more styles at SayaOriginals.com.
Posted in photos, storytellin', Art by: Administrator
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19 Feb
Now with even more narcissism: Google shared items
I chuckle whenever a blogger apologizes for not posting more often. Also, whenever bloggers (and other people) go around telling everyone they’re so busy all the time.
I’m sorry I’ve left this place broken and neglected. I’ve been busy!
Busy in all the usual ways - plus - my noggin (such as it is) keeps rattling away extra. Must need the overtime bonus. Nothing organized or interesting about the rattle, though. Certainly not as danceable as the noise my car makes.
If you want to peer inside it anyway, though, grab my Google shared items feed. That there is where I keep things from the innanets that speak to my very soul.
This suggestion is probably the equivalent of me reading to you the Sunday paper headlines while you’re trying to eat your breakfast and read your own section. Hey! Here are the good parts over here. Let me ruin them for you.
Enjoy!
Posted in storytellin', Narcissism, Social Media by: Administrator
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12 Feb
A Quick Tune Up-date
Oh Hai.
The business is full of busy-ness. So far, good headway has been made in the resolution/goals for 2008.
The personal is all about the purse, or lack of money in it for the accomplishing of these resolutions. I want to adopt a dog, live in a new (to me) house, and have a new (to me) car by the end of this year, but it’s tough to decide which part to get done first.
Tilly and the Wall: The Freest Man
the Teenagers — Love No (Poney Poney Emotion Remix).mp3 (audio/mpeg Object)
Posted in Music by: Administrator
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21 Jan
Platform #2
Posted in storytellin' by: Administrator
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18 Jan
People of the South Wind: A pronunciation battle
Dudes. I came this close to seeing Eugene Levy in Little Rock. That’s what the front desk said, anyway.
The front desk is where I spent most of my 48 hours in this fine state.
Other than the nice people there and in the ARC blood services division, highlights included:
- Seeing the real life facade for Designing Women (chosen because of the producer’s affiliation with the Clintons).
- Juanita’s (one of 2 music venues - no Christopher Denny sightings, though)
- Clinton Library (My tour guide said some people think it looks like a trailer but really it’s made to look like a bridge. To the future!)
- The Capitol building (It’s a replica of our nation’s capitol, and as such is often used in films)
- River Market District (Cute revitalized downtown area)
- Nearly dying in a fiery plane crash (aborted landing due to wind shear - in Charlotte, even!)
- Sitting next to MASN O’s broadcaster Jim Hunter during the debacle (he was scared, too, and complained about having to blog for MASN Online - nice guy)
- Sitting next to a pilot who could explain the wind shear phenomenon and calm me down for the Charlotte-Little Rock leg)
- Learning about the great Osborne family Christmas Light controversy (they now have a HUGE American flag lit up)
Honestly, I was supposed to be in Bangkok instead of Arkansas this week, but Arkansas was a decent substitution. Plus, it had a hell of a lot of hunting guns at the US Air check-in.
Question: If you had to give a social media 101 presentation without using a projector or the internet, how would you do it?
Posted in storytellin', Social Media by: Administrator
3 Comments
12 Jan
Stu Pidasol for President
Does your landlord ever call you to have breakfast at the neighborhood diner at 8 am on a Saturday morning just to tell you he’s running for president under the name Stu Pidasol and his platform will be “loyal monkeys for everyone?”
Just me?
At least the bagel was good. I mean you try to talk about something else like the weather or the last good book you read or the fabulous play you saw last night, but everything coming back to you is about the monkeys and winning elections. They have to be little monkeys, though. There’s going to be a lot of regulation about size.
Posted in storytellin' by: Administrator
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11 Jan
Measurement
Measurement is a hairy topic for nonprofits and is repeatedly scratching my scalp so far in 2008.
- Tactical Philanthropy, organizations like GiveWell (such as it is), and corporate donors are all asking questions about impact analysis - different questions than we’re used to answering as nonprofits.
- SNCR’s John Cass has been asking me pointed questions about the impact that paying attention to social media has had on my organization.
- I am scheduled to offer a case study on measurement for Beth Kanter [Happy Birthday. Your requested gift is on its way] at NTC.
Feels like a perfect storm of measurement, but I’m still not sure which tools to use, what to measure against, or which controls to use. I have ideas but I’m not certain they’ll result in a study with significant results.
What I do know is that if a group of people got together to make a video like this for my organization, I’d sure feel like checking off a small accomplishment box.
* CC licensed photo by Aussiegall
Posted in Social Media by: Administrator
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11 Jan
Not a lot of rock. A little.
These are states where I’ve actually spent at least 24 hours.
create your own personalized map of the USA or check out ourCalifornia travel guide
By next week there’ll be more redness because I’m going to Little Rock, Arkansas. This is good because I don’t like a lot of rock. I’m more folky and bluegrassy and not so much drummy. It’ll be a perfect fit.
I’m presenting social media ideas to a group of people who work in my organization’s blood services. I’m told they use email but are suspicious of further use of the interwebs.
If you have any earth-shattering tools / jokes / tricks that’ll inspire them, please do let me know. I want to give a good introduction and 3-4 easy, concrete steps they might take to make authentic connections with possible blood donors.
Although I am “forced” to speak publicly fairly often these days, I still have little confidence in my abilities.
kthnxbai
Posted in Social Media by: Administrator
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07 Jan
I’ve been looking for love; has it been looking for me?
The Sunday night grocery store line (I had more than 15 items) was one hour long.
For the first time ever, I had Tilapia in my basket.
I have heretofore been against the purchasing of fish in the grocery because they’re just so much better right out of the ocean.
Despite my wishes it doesn’t look like I’ll be hooking my own dinner anytime soon and I need the protein. I may want to donate blood soon.
Don’t worry, I use my fishing frustration for good. When I’m not chumming for yellowfin tuna, I’m all about setting the internet outriggers to pick up some decent MP3s and hooking the good hooks.Here’s my catch for this week:
Murder Mystery >> Love Astronaut [via]
Band of Horses >> The General Specific [via]
Pelle Carlberg >> I Love You, You Imbecile [via]
Bishop Allen >> The Monitor [via]
Robyn >> Konichiwa Bitches [via]
Kimya Dawson >> Viva La Persistence [via]
Posted in Music, photos, storytellin', Life Recipes by: Administrator
2 Comments
03 Jan
Looking Forward
My mom is big fan of email memes. Today’s had the following question:
What 4 things are you looking forward to?
My answers for 2008 are these:
- Traveling to Bangkok to visit my friends Frans, Claire, and Newley.
- Figuring out a way for my body to handle garlic.
- Procuring a new(er) car (I’ve been in mine since high school).
- Figuring out my fancy-dancy camera with a class.
I’ll add a fifth: I’m looking forward to finding out what happens next!
How about you?
One musical project worth anticipating is the US release of Silje Nes’s album Ames Room (in February).
MP3 >> Ames Room [via Raven Sings the Blues]
Posted in Music, Life Recipes by: Administrator
2 Comments
02 Jan
Happy Crime-filled New Year
The armed escaped convict and crack reporting will totally steal the press thunder from the first baby born in 2008.
UPDATE: caught!
Hear the pretty city crickets (police sirens) arranged right smack into this new year’s song by Regina Spektor:
MP3 >> My Dear Acquaintance [via 12 Major Chords]
Posted in Music by: Administrator
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31 Dec
What game is next?
2007 was all candy canes and double dutch games for me personally.
It marked my first year as a nonprofit social media integrator. I spent a lot of time studying corporate social media strategies and a lot of time figuring out how to get things done within a huge nonprofit.
2008, then, I hope will be marked by a lot of actions at the intersection of these two studies. More like all beef stroganoffs [meatier!] and chess playoffs [more strategic!].
Goals:
- Make significant headway on allowing access to social media sites from within the firewall. Currently (and tragically!), no employees are able to view Facebook, putting a damper on generating participation and community internally. There’s plenty of support to allow access, but we’ll have to document and offer up some awesome metrics to demonstrate social media’s worth.
- Make successful social media cases using clearly identifiable projects with quantifiable results a whole bunch more. I think this will help with organizational adoption and with allowing the public to connect with the mission(s) of the nonprofit.
- Continue to create authentic relationships with people who are passionate about my organization. Make sure they have the tools that make it easiest for them to connect and feel like they’re making a difference.
- Continue to explore ways to make it easier for those who need services to get information and to connect.
- Find a way to explain why I get a sick feeling in my gut whenever I’m asked to pitch to bloggers.
- Encourage a culture of transparency and authenticity with donors and stakeholders alike.
Happy New Year!
Posted in photos, Social Media by: Administrator
4 Comments
30 Dec
Beer and Ketchup and the cheating Pats
PBR and Condiments.
What more do you need to watch the Patriots swim like the 72 Dolphins tonight? [SI]
Go Pats!
Posted in photos, Life Recipes by: Administrator
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29 Dec
Favorite Moments of 2007
My most memorable moments from 2007
New Communications Forum in Las Vegas
I flew into the Grand Canyon in a tiny helicopter [MP3] and didn’t die. Full photo set
NetSquared Conference in San Jose
Nearly froze my ass off on the Privateer in San Francisco [MP3] Bay. Full photo set
Kickball
We lost almost all our games [MP3] and the National Mall park police wouldn’t let us drink to soothe the pain. More kickball photos
NYC Weekend
Learned that I don’t have to and will never ever ride the Chinatown Bus [MP3] again. For real this time. Full photo set
Megan and Haynes tied the knot in Sewannee, TN
Twas a wedding, a funeral [Jim Oliver], and a baby-throwing expo [video] [MP3]. Full photo set
Here I endured 9 weekends of 12+ strangers [MP3] to a bedroom. More beach photos
Dinner at Europe Baltimore
Wherein I watched a large group of otherwise brilliant people each drink a bottle of vodka, shot by shot. Only one puked in my car on the way home. The rest? In the bathroom of the restaurant [MP3]. You too can experience this kind of bliss. Full photo set
I hope 2008 is half as great.
Posted in photos, storytellin', Narcissism by: Administrator
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24 Dec
Favorite Websites of 2007
Seven (7) online spots that made me shout, “Best!” this year.
Real world manifestations for your digital photos.
I have watched this at least once a day since I first saw it in early 2007. I’m dying to use it somehow to promote blood donation.
Why Am I So Pretty? Look for the entries from “A.”
Endless hours of laughter.
Simply Recipes. Why you will never again need a cookbook for any reason.
Lolcats. I hate cats and yet these bring so much joy.
Adams Morgan Listserv. Because life is like an inbox of poorly spelled emails. You never know what you’re gonna get.
Posted in storytellin', Life Recipes by: Administrator
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