Archive for November, 2009

Tweet

If you aren’t on Twitter, don’t whine about how you don’t have time for it. It’s the fastest way to share information with friends and colleagues. Furthermore, you have no right to kvetch about that which you have not yet used. Setup can be as easy as a single text message.

If you have a Twitter account, Tweet once in a while. If all you use your account for is to read other people’s Tweets, then you might be an Internet Stalker.

Blurring the Line Between Personal and Professional

Most people have one account. Most people Tweet about their work and their weekends. Most people do a good job of never Tweeting anything that would jeopardize either of these personas. Please do not Tweet anything inappropriate for the audience you have and/or the one you desire.

Use decent grammar and spelling. It doesn’t have to be perfect; in fact, it’s proven better if it’s not. However, everyone needs to be able to understand you. (Mistakes are endearing. Really. Don’t feel you have to correct every typo in your Tweets.)

If you want to be more, um, colorful in your Tweets, then consider opening a separate Twitter account (maybe without your name/town on it; locked for privacy). Just be very careful not to send any private or R-rated information out on your public or G-rated account.

120 not 140

If you have any hopes that anyone will Re-Tweet your content, then keep your messages down to ~120 characters. You need to leave room for “RT @username ” before your Tweet so the person who sends it out next can give you credit.

Following

Personal

If someone you know, personally, follows you, then you should follow them back.

If someone you don’t know, but like (who they are, what they have to say, what they represent) follows you, then you should follow them back.

Professional

If your client or potential client or vendor or colleague follows you, then you should follow them back.

If you can find professional associations and organizations in your field, you should follow them.

If you are a professional associations/organization, follow your members. How else are you going to know what they need from you?

Exceptions

If you are a celebrity with thousands of followers, you don’t have to follow back. It would be a good idea since your celebrity status is probably predicated on you having fans, but anyone with that many followers may not have the ability to keep up.

Blocking

If someone creeps you out, block them.

If someone you have blocked on other social media sites (facebook, etc.) tries to follow you, block them, and then also report them as spam. It’s not like they didn’t know.

If anyone you blocked uses your name or id in their Tweets, report them as spam. Again, they already knew the boundaries.

Reporting Spam

Report all spam you receive. Yes, it’s super-time consuming (green italics indicates sarcasm) to click that little spam button or to send their username to @spam. For the love of Twitter, just do it.

Irony Defined

As I’m writing this, Twitter is over capacity. I guess that explains why I didn’t get all the stuff @emil285 said today.

When we lived in BCS, I belonged to Business Networking International, a business referral organization. It was ok. I made some friends and got to know some people better than I had before. It was a pretty big financial and time commitment. I think I broke even; I certainly didn’t make money. You see, I was already in established relationships with pest control, insurance, retirement, real estate, etc. so I didn’t need to hire most of the members of the group. Thus, they didn’t hire me. But, BNI was the only show in town. And, their previous photographer had done well and only quit because she moved.

So, when we moved to ATX, I looked at all the groups I could find. I even visited a lovely BNI chapter that would be a pretty good fit for me, but it’s pretty far south. Plus, I just don’t want to spend that much, again.

Austin has a similar group: I’ll call them CLY. OMG what crackpots they are turning out to be! Don’t get me wrong, there are some very nice and very normal people in the group, but there are some wack-a-doos, too. One lady is very touchy-feely. Eventhough she can’t remember that we have met—once in a very small group—several times, she is all clammy handshake that creeps up your wrist and half-side hug. She gets way inside my personal bubble by rubbing circles on my back. EW! Another guy tries to be helpful; he half-seriously suggested that I should network with divorce attorneys to find future clients. And, that was not the most ignorant statement he made about the wedding industry. WTF??? No wonder these people need so many (~20 per week) networking opportunities. They are socially awkward. Oh, and did I mention that CLY is about the same price as BNI? Yeah, naga-naga-not-gonna happen!

Here’s the “funny” part: I’m going to keep going to the group that meets every other Wednesday. Because eventhough most of them are CLY members, and eventhough clammy wrist shake lady attends, and eventhough she also works ~exclusively for CLY by selling memberships….(ew! Can you say pyr-a-mid? ew!), it’s not affiliated with CLY, and the purpose of the group is great. We have intros with referral requests to get people thinking how they can all help each other. Then, one person presents a problem and we all brainstorm suggestions for them while someone else takes notes. It is great. The only rule is that you have to go three times before you can be in the hot-seat. There was still time for announcements and a little networking. It’s just a sad coincidence that the ones I didn’t click with came from CLY.

So, the word of the week, kiddos, is wack-a-do. Can you say wack-a-do? I knew you could!

AT&T—or CinguATT as I like to call them—is the reason I don’t have an iPhone. I don’t know what Apple was thinking when they signed an exclusive deal. If you’re going to sign exclusive, be sure it is with a company that represents your same values of quality and customer service. Really! After all, any other wedding vendor would have to be utterly perfect for me to sign an exclusive deal with them. How is this any different?

So, I still don’t have an iPhone. Even when we got to leave/renew contracts in September, I went with the Samsung Rogue on Verizon. Emil did the same. Even the almighty iPhone could not sway either of us  to the evils of AT&T.

I thought I was the Lone Ranger fighting the good fight…until my friend Justin posted on his blog this week. Not only does he not have an iPhone. He had one and ditched it because of AT&T’s crappy service.

So, I no longer feel so lame. And, I hope the rest of you who are suffering with crappy service to keep a cool device will also stand up to “the man”.

• multitasking like a fiend! Installing Snow Leopard, cleaning Drobo, and setting up my week….all at the same time! #
• I need to borrow a teenager for ~10 minutes. Anyone have one to spare? @LaniAR @bennrosales @SheilaS ? #
• @SonnyJohns Top 3 Tips To Motivate Yourself While Learning A Second Language http://bit.ly/15MVSG in reply to SonnyJohns #
• @SonnyJohns U R so cute to thank us each time. Still, appreciated! in reply to SonnyJohns #
• Anybody wanna Bonza? Find new friends. http://www.bonzalounge.com/ #
• When will the Internet have smell? Imagine the boost in online perfume sales! #
• @ileenieweenie @maczter ? Y'all ok? #
• @ileenieweenie @maczter i'm at thunderbird coffee…but on manor. #
• sht! Ok, @maczter @ileenieweenie I'm leaving ~now to head that way. #
• Finally! The person below us chose a menu option on the Disney (Toy Story, I think) DVD. The bad loop tune has ended! #
• I don't have patience/time for those who didn't master the skills taught in Kindergarten: Share. Play fair. Say ur sorry when u hurt someone #
• @ileenieweenie What about this one? http://www.zenphoto.org/ #
• Between the slow Internet connection and the stressful meeting today, I'm bailing on any more work. #
• Today's MUCH better. I'm still unable 2 focus: overwhelming amount to do. WAS able 2 clean out Twitter w/ http://friendorfollow.com/ #
• RT @scifri "Turtles on the Wrong Side of the Tracks" video rapidly moving up in popularity. http://bit.ly/1THgwZ #
• Today is BUSY! editing, errands, networking, more editing…and then a project with @slavetofashion #
• I will not be at Amy's ice cream, today. Free days are always much to crowded for my personal space. #
• @IleenieWeenie My November avatars, colors, and backgrounds changed for ~2 days before they "stuck" (I hope). in reply to IleenieWeenie #
• @IleenieWeenie Oh I can't wait for our project. I think it's going to make a huge impact; I'll be so much more zen with it done. in reply to IleenieWeenie #
• @cecycorrea yeah, Amy's is free today for their anniversary/birthday. I can't imagine how crowded it must be. in reply to cecycorrea #
• @mherzber Goes it involve coconuts? Let me know if you don't find anyone and I'll ask my connections. #
• Argh. School's out and the kids/moms have come to take over the quiet with noise. #
• @cecycorrea hahaha not for me. I'll just buy one tomorrow or the next day. See? Their free day totally works! in reply to cecycorrea #
• @mherzber Let me see who my sisters know. in reply to mherzber #
• LOL! RT @slavetofashion …Poor @IleenieWeenie living way down in north San Antonio… #
• @IleenieWeenie ew ew eeeeew!!! I do NOT live in anything like Wacko. in reply to IleenieWeenie #
• ack! It's almost 4:30? eeek! must get home for my project "date" with @slavetofashion #
• Dear @slavetofashion Thank you so much for all your help this evening. I could never have done it all without your coaching. #
• @stealingsand No worries on the quote. Wasn't my original; credit goes to @SciFri #
• RT @LaniAR SOMEONE pls confirm/deny rumor that Kanye bought Austonian top floor http://is.gd/4O2rs IF SO, im moving #
• I need a hair-headache preventative/remedy (I know it's not really my hair that hurts) I get them far too often. #
• paraphrasing my friend's story: "Peeee-eeeewww! Who's smoking in a ?" #
• RT @sonnyjohns You bet I am! Are you on #TeamAustin for #Movember #
• @idodoodle Sounds like GREAT advice to me! (…said the one with an "evil meanie" in her life this week.) #
• Glad 2b heading out for my 12pm appt. I can hear the DVD menu from Toy Story looping, again. What IS it w/ them & this movie? #
• Oh, and it took me much too long to get dressed today, but the closet is even MORE organized, now. yippie! #
• http://twitpic.com/oi37d – Bi-flavored Shepherd's Pie at Dream Dinners. Half dor me and half for @emil285 #
• @LaniAR The Little Mermaid is a GREAT one, said the Zeta. in reply to LaniAR #
• @TheJenATX I clean best when I've lost something. in reply to TheJenATX #
• @SmartWoman No WAY. I'm watching that one RIGHT NOW. Netflix in reply to SmartWoman #
• @andreaschulle U "check in" when you go out. Friends can see where u r. U earn badges & points. Fun 4 finding friends when out. in reply to andreaschulle #
• @biznic Thanks. It's mirror is at @asyouwish, of course. in reply to biznic #
• @andreaschulle Look for me, asyouwish , if you join! in reply to andreaschulle #
• @andreaschulle Yes, Ma'am, we are! Mondays. 7pm. The Dig Pub. Knit, crochet, bead, emborider, whatever. All the cool kids are welcome. in reply to andreaschulle #
• Been using foursquare.com Just learned of http://gowalla.com from @mherzber NE1 else using both? pros/cons? Worth having both? #
• been a busy day on Twitter! @HeatherJStrout Really? Twitter is over capacity on a Friday night? What? in reply to HeatherJStrout #
• @Bepkoboy Yeah, I use foursquare. Was wondering about @gowalla and figuring it out this eve. Needs SMS checkins, for sure. in reply to Bepkoboy #
• May be decided 4 me @gowalla doesn't work on my phone. I'll check back when they add SMS. In the mean time, I'm asyouwish on foursquare #
• if you were my little headphone splitter thingy, where would YOU be? #
• @LaniAR I totally thought your tweet was going to read "push up bra"! teee heee eheeeeeee! in reply to LaniAR #
• @LaniAR yes, Family Guy is funnier than South Park..but I didn't think it would be before I saw episodes of FG. in reply to LaniAR #
• Like ne convo b/w 'em would suck @maczter: Really cool discussin b/w @chrisbrogan & @CaliLewis http://bit.ly/3lwelC via @KeithBurtis #
• @IleenieWeenie No, it can't be there. I was just in there today with my new monthly stash from Dream Dinners! in reply to IleenieWeenie #
• @Pats4Me I am a Sad Panda for Sherman! in reply to Pats4Me #
• RT: @IleenieWeenie: @LaniAR You're mental in a good way. I, on the other hand, am mental in a scary way. #
• gawd I hate Flash sites. Bizes, please, just pretend that some of ur customers r blind, or otherwise disabled, or just plain irritated! #
• Fredericksburg used to be a ~5 hour drive for us. Now, is ~2. Moving to Austin, FTW! #
• @LaniAR I just joined the same group as your MOM. I have an up on @omarg, no? teee heee heee in reply to LaniAR #
• Do Tweeps get to know when I star/favorite their Tweets? I hope so. I star/fave a lot. #
• Oh, & did I mention that @emil285 & I have a 5-day weekend planned @ B&B with couples massages? I'm the luckiest wife EV-AR! #
• @LaniAR You momma. in reply to LaniAR #
• Yo momma loves you and the guy you married and the kiddos, too. SWAK. #
• @LaniAR I might make the joke, but it's with the BEST intentions and outcome…. in reply to LaniAR #
• @LaniAR besides, what are YOU doing still awake at this hour? in reply to LaniAR #
• @LaniAR Benadryl and Zyrtek work wonders for that! in reply to LaniAR #
• LOVE this: http://favstar.fm/ #
• @LaniAR Night night. don't let the bed bugs bite. in reply to LaniAR #
• @LaniAR I'm not suggesting you take them daily….just when needed. in reply to LaniAR #
• @Pats4Me I have family in Sherman. #
• Funny/odd to hear the Aggie War Hymn at a bar full of Lonhorns. Oops….not anymore. Someone put and end to that. #
• Just ran into one of our old friends, @miketrachta (one of @emil285 's former students, even). Yay for Aggie events. #
• oh, and @emil285 & I were wondering why the Aggie players wore suits for their photos and WHY no one soft styled them. They look frumpy. #
• Trying to watch the Miami game on @espn360 but not able to pull up THAT game. #
• @akafrecks LOL. It's all good! #gocanes #
• yay @espn360 is back for Miami #gocanes #
• TOUCHDOWN and EXTRA POINT #gocanes #
• Fox College Sports, your commercials are entirely too loud….piercing. #annoying Makes me want to change the channel. #
• good hold Miami! #gocanes #
• NOT cool #56 for Virgina. Way to embarrass your school. #gocanes #
• TOUCHDOWN Miami. Whoosh whoosh! #gocanes #
• RT @hurricanesports End of the third quarter. Miami leads, 38-17. in reply to hurricanesports #
• @foxcollegesport your commercials are tooooooo LOUD. Please re-address your compression rates and decibel limits. #
• Whoosh whoosh!!! NCAAFTBL FINAL Cavaliers (Virginia) 17, Hurricanes (Miami) 52.(AP) #
• Is Twitter down? (she says via a Tweet!) #
• RT @emilygerson Mom in town. Ate amazing salads @ So Congress Cafe & bought ridiculously awesome necklaces & SoCo artist market. I <3 Austin #

Powered by Twitter Tools

(The Customer Is) Not Always Right is a great blog with some funny, funny stories about the stuff people try to get away with.

Go read this one:
Cheese?

Some of our kindred spirits now live in the Deep South and threw a Hallowe’en party this year. Since I knew they would want a keg of Shiner, I asked about getting it, there.

Funny you should ask about the Shiner…Shiner ships here, so we get bottles easily, but this whole area…is weird about draft beer…There is NO draft beer available in the county that we live in or the next one over…not in bars, nothing. The only reason that draft beer is served in …is that they just got a minor league baseball team a few years ago, and part of the contract was that there would be draft beer available at games. I know we are in the Bible belt, but I have no idea why draft beer would be more evil than bottled or canned. So because of that, the only place to get a personal keg was at the on base military liquor store…..The only other option was to drive about 50 miles from here to a place that needs 2 weeks notice for anything other than cheap swill.

Last weekend, we went on a tour of the condos downtown hosted by the wonderful guys at The GoodLife Team. WOW! What fun! If you get the chance to do this, act fast. It was free to attend, but there were only 30 spots and they filled up in 48 hours. The next one is November 13th.

First Stop: The Austonian

Austin’s tallest building. The ride to the 56th floor in an outdoor cage/construction elevator was a thrilling experience. The amenities at this place are going to be fabulous. It even comes with a 24-hour concierge. The models are gorgeous, but unnecessary since the view of Hill Country is so spectacular. Even if we could afford it, though, I’m not sure it’s the right fit for us. It’s going to be gorgeous, though, when finished.

Second: The Spring

This was my clear favorite of what we saw. I liked the layout of the units and I could “see” us living in them.

Third: Bridges on the Park

This one is a boutique building, so it was dwarfed in size by the other properties we saw. Emil and I both like the larger facilities and the numerous amenities you get with the additional residents chipping in. It’s a great little building, though, and has a fabulous view of the park and immediate access to the lake, trails, and a pitch/putt golf course. One of their claims to fame is that residents trim down when they move in.

Fourth: The Shore

I didn’t care for the model we saw at The Shore, but the amenities of the facility are amazing. The pool and party deck looked like something out of CSI Miami. The night-time views of the city, watching sunset, and watching the bats emerge from the Congress bridge was a great cap to the evening.

In Sum

This are, of course, just a sampling of the range of what’s available. Even as we talked on the tour, I could tell that the Realtors had other ideas for places that would be a good fit for us. I don’t know how they did it. They were able to keep up with all 30 of us, what we liked/didn’t, what felt like a good fit, what amenities were available at each place.

Thank you, Todd and Carlos, for an amazing tour and a fabulous education.

We would love to live downtown. We end up down town a lot for events and things, it would make us more centrally located, and it’s more our style than a house since there is practically no maintenance. Emil would even drive against traffic to get to work, shortening his little commute even more.