Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Show Me the Beef!
Over the course of nine months, I have made an investment in learning about Social Media. Some hands on (I have a twitter account @tishpiper and Tweet for other concerns) and done some Facebook for a non-profit and chocolate company. Yet I have this nagging feeling that I am just plain too old to get it or, for that matter, be able to successfully engage with the new media. That nagging stems from some Tweetups and the general age group involved with SM.
But wait ... I have to admit that I learned how to use a slide rule before calculators were readily available, yet I still think I am viable in today's world of nanotechnology, device deluge and apps for this and that. Good technology is intuitive and I still possess the ability to think.
So what's the problem? Is the technology of today only understandable by those under 35 years of age? Or are we "older" folks are just getting aced out because of preconceived notions by youth and business that breeds "New is the only good"?
In one Social Media presentation, the speaker had a slide with "No Rules" as the basis for engagement and then gave example after example of how to play by the new rules. Even at my advanced age, I thought how ridiculous.
Really, you have to play the game better and with those who have more savvy and experience before I toss in my towel. Show me the beef! (For those old enough to remember.)
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Room For One
Last weekend, I saw the most amazing thing while I was stopped in traffic. A guy in a navy blue, four door sedan of undetermined origin pulled up along side my car and I just glanced in his direction. The car was filled with empty plastic bags!
I mean the entire car with the exception of the driver's seat was filled with plastic shopping bags ... the kind you get in a grocery store kind of plastic. The bags reached over the back seat and spilled onto the back deck. There were some bottles of generic Ginger Ale loose in the mess, but the bags were compressed enough to stay in place. Sunlight was glinting off the bags nestled half way up the door windows.
And, to add to this vision of chaos, there were stacks of newspapers on the dashboard. Only six inches or so ... the guy could still see through the windshield. The newspapers were yellowed with age.
Now, some people's cars are like traveling toilets but this car was the epitome of personal trash collection. What would have to be present in this man's life to surround him with the remains of food shopping excursions?
I had just ordered "Zen to Done: The Ultimate Simple Productivity System" by Leo Babauta and "Unclutter Your Life in One Week" by Erin R. Doland, David Allen. If ever there was a reminder to purge my life of the unnecessary, that car certainly sealed the deal with me.
Monday, September 21, 2009
It Doesn't Take Much Or Does It?
Saturday, September 19, 2009
September Sun
September has always been an enigma for me. Not quite summer but definitely not autumn. A transition month of epic proportions. After removing the back to school thoughts, this month has a certain glow that distinctly makes it retrospective.
My daughter was born in September and that has held moments of total joy for me from the past and with each celebration of her birthday. For the rest of the time, I remember the ripe tomatoes still warm from the sun, the color of roses, the tastes of the herb garden, all slowly passing into the last stages of summer. I am reluctant to let that go each year because the horizon of frost robbing life is expected.
Each September, I struggle with the change of weather which relegates the sandals and flip flops into the recesses of the closet and the restrictive leather of a full shoe pinches toes. Linen lets the cool evening air settle into my bones and fleece jackets ward off the chill. I think "Wasn't it just 90 degrees a few weeks ago?" Where has the time gone? That is what transition does for the mind and the soul.
You cannot grasp a moment and hold it but only in memory. And, as we move closer to the next season, I will hold onto the moments of summer as long as I can.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Six Month Reflection
Monday, July 6, 2009
The Sounds of Silence ... Maybe Not
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
The Sun Will Shine Tomorrow
It has been a few months while I figured out how to best weave this blog into my business model. And, then I decided I can have both a personal viewpoint and business blog together. Today's bit of fluff is the weather. Now, I live in New England and as the locals say, "If you don't like this weather, wait a few minutes 'cause it will change." They lie.
Monday, February 23, 2009
A Little Silence Please
Learning how to filter out all the noise of life is my intention. Just the sound of me being, whatever that is.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
There Comes A Day
It's a day unparalleled in the winter of discontent.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
The Weather Outside Is Frightful
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Ditching The Clutter
In reading about limitations people place on themselves, the most common is carrying around the past too prominently in their present. If you cannot ditch the past, then it is in your present life and soon to be in your future. That makes me feel claustrophobic, hemmed in, too heavy.
And, to follow the Laws of Attraction, you just don't have any space for any new thing, person or place to enter your life. I think I will spring clean my life early this year.
Friday, January 9, 2009
Minute By Minute
I always recognize this change of light first and not the morning side of day. Perhaps, it is because I am a night owl. Or is it the cusp between the light and dark that fascinates me and creates that moment of stillness? What ever is the driving force, the entire process leaves me sated that all is well with nature.
Monday, January 5, 2009
A Year of Change and More Change
2009 is a pivotal year for me. I am making few New Year's resolutions but the two that I have selected are enough for 12 months of work, fun and grace. After a series of years in introspection, it is time to put those thoughts and notions into action. I get a sense that the train is leaving the station this time and I had better get on board.
As I take a quick look back at 2008, what a ride but no particular direction. This time, it is different ... I have a mission and I am off to make it a reality. The journey has always been in the map book; I just came across the page.