The "IN" thing is all about one's impact on the Globe through reducing their carbon foot print. I will be honest, I care more about saving money and stress freeing my life than the actually equation. However, here is a belated look at my impact for Earth Day 2009.
1) I have put not one dirty diaper into the trash. (even my parents used cloth on me) Saving...College tuition $200K and counting...
2) We compost all of our leaves and grass clippings. No real savings here but we don't hire a landscaper... so... I guess that is something.
3) Single stream recycling has made a huge up tick in the amount of trash in the Blue bin vs. the gray. I feel great every time I slap something into this bucket instead of the garbage.
4) I readily bring stuff to Goodwill to recycle clothing and housewares. Huge tax deduction every year.
5) I am using the Library in town. Up to $50 a month in new books.
6) I work from home and use an environmental friendly dry cleaner. No clue on the savings here, but figure $35 a week in coffee and lunches out.
7) I "try" to use the grocery bags. I love them because it means fewer trips back and forth to the car. They are a GREAT IDEA! Plus 5 cent a bag credit
8) We have dropped the temperature in the house during the winter and will increase it this summer. Equated to about 100 gallons less this year with a colder winter.
9) When we bought the house, it was equipped with compact bulbs. We are replacing them as needed but this is a big change.
10) Organizing my errands to make fewer trips with the car. Economical on time and gas.
I am really into the green movement when I can save or spend less GREEN Backs in the effort. The good news is that it is possible. Honestly, I do hope I have purchased my last solely gasoline operated car. There are many hopes for the rebirth of our sick economy. American innovation will hopefully uncover ways to leverage environmental concerns with new products and technology which are must haves for the rest of the world.
Tuesday, May 05, 2009
Monday, May 04, 2009
Why Oprah is bored with Twitter....
After reading the following article/blog (http://tinyurl.com/cbrad6 )regarding Oprah's ho hum experience with Twitter, I check out her stream and who she follows. Oprah is only following 11 people. That is why she is bored. Twitter is something of an acquired taste for many... think of.. many people join and lurk. They follow their co workers, friends, and sports/celebrities. Reading how others are tweeting, Re-Tweeting, and @replying helps to develop an understanding of how to leverage the technology. I can understand why she has fallen off. There was a miscommunication on the purpose of Twitter. It is an exchange of information. If you have 6 figures of followers but only choose to get information from 11, how can you be listening. She has a mouth piece every day at 4PM EST. This is an opportunity for her to listen to a huge audience. Oprah doesn't have to follow everyone. However, choosing two people a day based on their past tweets and profile might be very interesting. Choose two people looking for work and highlight them for example.
How do I use Twitter?
1) I stay in touch with mostly colleagues and friends as they go about their day.
2) It has replaced my Google home page and RSS feeds for all things in my area of focus, social networking, cycling news, and even job postings and recipes.
3) Personalize business relationships making them stronger.
Just my little old opinion. You get out of it what you put into it. If you value your network, it will value you. Oh, I am not one of her vast number of followers... The celebrities I follow are more focused on my specific interests surrounding pro cycling and politics. ... That doesn't say I won't in the future. .. just didn't jump on the bandwagon yet. She needs to provide some value to me at this point. Some of my favorites are Lance Armstrong and Megan McCain. They mix their personal lives into the professional message. They also use it for causes like cancer research and generating some youth into the GOP. She just hasn't found her voice yet... my advice .. DM @lancearmstrong for a lesson.
Interesting in following me? @pbrannigan
How do I use Twitter?
1) I stay in touch with mostly colleagues and friends as they go about their day.
2) It has replaced my Google home page and RSS feeds for all things in my area of focus, social networking, cycling news, and even job postings and recipes.
3) Personalize business relationships making them stronger.
Just my little old opinion. You get out of it what you put into it. If you value your network, it will value you. Oh, I am not one of her vast number of followers... The celebrities I follow are more focused on my specific interests surrounding pro cycling and politics. ... That doesn't say I won't in the future. .. just didn't jump on the bandwagon yet. She needs to provide some value to me at this point. Some of my favorites are Lance Armstrong and Megan McCain. They mix their personal lives into the professional message. They also use it for causes like cancer research and generating some youth into the GOP. She just hasn't found her voice yet... my advice .. DM @lancearmstrong for a lesson.
Interesting in following me? @pbrannigan
Friday, March 27, 2009
A Sussex Cream Tea Tradition
A Sussex Cream Tea Tradition
The Sussex afternoon light drops in the sky
The tea and scones grace the table
Beckoning tired family members to unwind
A man done with the day loosens his tie
The children quietly eat the scones and read fables
The peace surrounds the family traditions that bind
by Pauline Brannigan March 27, 2009
New England College had a campus in Arundel, England when I was an undergraduate. One of the traditions we often had for special occasions on the American campus in Henniker were Sussex cream teas in the afternoon. There has never been a scone that was more tasty than the first one I ever had at an International Student Council reception. One of my colleagues brought in scones today and was harassed because there was no poem to accompany the gift of the food. (A ditty about Cake had been presented earlier) I wrote this to bail him out and to honour the tradition of the Sussex Cream Tea....
Thursday, January 15, 2009
The Difference Between Social Networking & Social Media 101
Understandably, this Web 2.0 World is moving very fast. There is a host of acronyms, applications, and terminology that can’t be found in a dictionary just five to ten years old. It is with that in mind, I have chosen to compose this post. Suddenly, there is a huge gap in whether companies are engaged in Social Media or Social Networking. The forward thinking company is doing both.
Social Media is how companies are managing their brands and persona in the marketplace. Corporations are joining the revolution by evoking a multi channel communication with their clients, consumers, and nay sayers via Web 2.0 technology (Blogs, MySpace, FaceBook, Twitter, White label communities, etc.) They mine the data for product enhancements, new ideas, and support information. We all benefit from this. Companies that engage in this behavior range vastly span the gambit of stogie brands to the hip youth seeking ones you would expect. Some examples are Comcast, Proctor & Gamble, Starbucks, Dell, Tyson Foods, and Grey Goose Vodka.
Social Networking is different. This is entities engaging in connections to provide and share information to be able to perform a task faster, cheaper, and better. They may also be connecting for the purposes of simple social interaction. This still can be seen as building that “circle of influence”. The entities are typically individuals but corporations are increasing particpating.
This is all great. Why do you need to care? How will Social Networking make the HR professional’s life easier? How is it going to change the way you do your job each day and the lives of your clients, your employees? There are many reasons. They may all boil down to the simple need to connect with people that hold information critical to your success. Businesses today are more spread out than ever before. Regardless, if you are a multi national company like IBM or a small 50 person company with a host of remote employees, you can benefit from social networking.
As a Human Resources professional, it may be scary at first glance to embrace the world of Web 2.0. My advice is to take a deep breathe and relax. Many people felt the same way about corporate email and websites in the 1990’s. You are going to have some new challenges with the new web applications. In my opinion, the positives greatly out weigh the challenges.
Here are a couple of examples on how your employees can use the tools and applications to benefit their business. They can use their Facebook, MySpace, and Twitter accounts to announce openings your company has putting that referral program on steroids. They can use the same tools to help announce new products, press releases, marketing events, sales, and more. Guess what, that effort cost your company the fraction of the total cost of the employee’s time and they may have done it off the clock. Think about the difference in cost between a referral bonus vs. a recruiting company or an internet ad post. Which candidate is more valuable typically, the employee referral or the blind resume? Booz Allen has stated referrals are the number one best source for high quality new hires.
Smart employees are already use RSS feeders and a well defined Twitter stream to have a daily access to articles their peers inside and outside your company have seen as great content. This equates to daily motivation for professional development.
Let’s take this one step further. Companies like Dow Chemical, IBM, Deloitte, Eli Lily and more have created private corporate social networks to allow by invite only their employees, retirees, and alumni (former employees) to connect, share knowledge, and have access to pertinent information through their networks. You, as a company, own all the data on who is connected to whom. What are their skills, hobbies, and who do they related to within your company.
How do you use this information? Please consider a mid to senior level accounting job that is open. Today, posting this to an internet job site will flood your inbox with possible candidates. It will cost you time to sift through the applications and respond to the vast follow up calls. This will also spur on the calls from the recruiters wanting to do it for you at a 20-30% fee.
By first going to your corporate social network, a simple query might return John Smith. He left your organization five years ago now has the skills and experience to fill your position. John has indicated on his profile an interest in returning. Bingo! John is your proverbial “low hanging fruit”. You can also post this job to your CSN (Corporate Social Network) to have additional candidates and referrals.
Beyond this, statistics prove these “Boomerang employees” are more valuable than new hires as they understand the corporate culture, have connections within the company, and take less time to train. These Boomerang employees are 50% less expensive to rehire, 40% more productive in their first three months, stay twice as long, and have proven to be top performers. Now, think of an employee that has been kept in touch with in their absence… what will those statistics be? Hmmm… (By the way, I have “boomeranged” twice in my career. Both times, I was promoted and considered a top performer.)
If you are doing the reverse of hiring at this point, corporate social networks can help soften the blow by allowing your former employees to connect with each other and help each other find a new career. This allows you also to stay connected with them. It provides an easy access to the knowledge that they leave with as well. In the long term, you will want to be able to rehire possibly these same people or people from their network. Remember, there have been approximately thirteen recessions since the Great Depression.
The simple point is employees, customers, partners, clients, retirees, and alumni are engaging in conversations, connecting and discussing your company. How long are you going to let the conversation go on without you?
Social Media is how companies are managing their brands and persona in the marketplace. Corporations are joining the revolution by evoking a multi channel communication with their clients, consumers, and nay sayers via Web 2.0 technology (Blogs, MySpace, FaceBook, Twitter, White label communities, etc.) They mine the data for product enhancements, new ideas, and support information. We all benefit from this. Companies that engage in this behavior range vastly span the gambit of stogie brands to the hip youth seeking ones you would expect. Some examples are Comcast, Proctor & Gamble, Starbucks, Dell, Tyson Foods, and Grey Goose Vodka.
Social Networking is different. This is entities engaging in connections to provide and share information to be able to perform a task faster, cheaper, and better. They may also be connecting for the purposes of simple social interaction. This still can be seen as building that “circle of influence”. The entities are typically individuals but corporations are increasing particpating.
This is all great. Why do you need to care? How will Social Networking make the HR professional’s life easier? How is it going to change the way you do your job each day and the lives of your clients, your employees? There are many reasons. They may all boil down to the simple need to connect with people that hold information critical to your success. Businesses today are more spread out than ever before. Regardless, if you are a multi national company like IBM or a small 50 person company with a host of remote employees, you can benefit from social networking.
As a Human Resources professional, it may be scary at first glance to embrace the world of Web 2.0. My advice is to take a deep breathe and relax. Many people felt the same way about corporate email and websites in the 1990’s. You are going to have some new challenges with the new web applications. In my opinion, the positives greatly out weigh the challenges.
Here are a couple of examples on how your employees can use the tools and applications to benefit their business. They can use their Facebook, MySpace, and Twitter accounts to announce openings your company has putting that referral program on steroids. They can use the same tools to help announce new products, press releases, marketing events, sales, and more. Guess what, that effort cost your company the fraction of the total cost of the employee’s time and they may have done it off the clock. Think about the difference in cost between a referral bonus vs. a recruiting company or an internet ad post. Which candidate is more valuable typically, the employee referral or the blind resume? Booz Allen has stated referrals are the number one best source for high quality new hires.
Smart employees are already use RSS feeders and a well defined Twitter stream to have a daily access to articles their peers inside and outside your company have seen as great content. This equates to daily motivation for professional development.
Let’s take this one step further. Companies like Dow Chemical, IBM, Deloitte, Eli Lily and more have created private corporate social networks to allow by invite only their employees, retirees, and alumni (former employees) to connect, share knowledge, and have access to pertinent information through their networks. You, as a company, own all the data on who is connected to whom. What are their skills, hobbies, and who do they related to within your company.
How do you use this information? Please consider a mid to senior level accounting job that is open. Today, posting this to an internet job site will flood your inbox with possible candidates. It will cost you time to sift through the applications and respond to the vast follow up calls. This will also spur on the calls from the recruiters wanting to do it for you at a 20-30% fee.
By first going to your corporate social network, a simple query might return John Smith. He left your organization five years ago now has the skills and experience to fill your position. John has indicated on his profile an interest in returning. Bingo! John is your proverbial “low hanging fruit”. You can also post this job to your CSN (Corporate Social Network) to have additional candidates and referrals.
Beyond this, statistics prove these “Boomerang employees” are more valuable than new hires as they understand the corporate culture, have connections within the company, and take less time to train. These Boomerang employees are 50% less expensive to rehire, 40% more productive in their first three months, stay twice as long, and have proven to be top performers. Now, think of an employee that has been kept in touch with in their absence… what will those statistics be? Hmmm… (By the way, I have “boomeranged” twice in my career. Both times, I was promoted and considered a top performer.)
If you are doing the reverse of hiring at this point, corporate social networks can help soften the blow by allowing your former employees to connect with each other and help each other find a new career. This allows you also to stay connected with them. It provides an easy access to the knowledge that they leave with as well. In the long term, you will want to be able to rehire possibly these same people or people from their network. Remember, there have been approximately thirteen recessions since the Great Depression.
The simple point is employees, customers, partners, clients, retirees, and alumni are engaging in conversations, connecting and discussing your company. How long are you going to let the conversation go on without you?
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Goals are coming together My Wheel of Life
I haven't forgotten about setting goals. I have been thinking about them in the quiet moments of my day for weeks now. I finally have said out loud to two important men in my life, my husband and my boss. I want to write and set goals that I know deep inside myself can and will be achieved this year. In reflection of the 2008 list, I went through the motions of doing it. As a result, they got lip service. The result is I wasn't able to say I achieved my intended result.
Rob Vaughan, my boss at SelectMinds sent each of us a great exercise on giving points to goal or resolution categories called "The Wheel of Life" . They include: Family, Financial, Career, Social, Health, Mental, Spiritual, and Personal / Prestige. These equate to general areas relating back to personal happiness and success. In our discussion on the way into a client appointment yesterday, I found myself saying, "My primary objective is to set goals that are achievable and will encourage me to be a better person both professionally and personally by my own standards at the close of 2009" Here goes a quick sample of the goals I am still tossing around metrics and specifics for myself:
1) Health: I want to strive to be healthier. This means following doctors orders. Getting more physical activity. Eating smart. Taking my vitamins daily. Moisturizing! Finding positive outlets for disappointments and stress. If I am able to fine tune measurable actions to create better habits, this will stir results. I have been off to a great start this year with taking care of some nagging medical issues.
2) Family. Fiona needs to complete obedience training. I need to see my family more both my parents and cousins.
3) Spiritual - Last year I forced myself to read Eat, Pray, Love. I was surprised how much it impacted me. I would like to re read it and take notes and develop goals from it. Beyond this, I would like to do a bit of Church shopping. Although, I was brought up in the Congregational Church, it isn't aligned with my current philosophy and I don't agree with many of the edicts coming from the UCC Conference. Time to look around for a new spiritual home. I am thinking Church of England, perhaps or "Catholic light".
4) Social. For the past couple of years, adding new friends in Connecticut has been a goal. I have tried a ton of things. This year, I am going to relax this effort and concentrate on being a good friend to the people in my life already. Especially, those long lost friends from New England College I have connected with through Facebook. They were like family for four years. I am not losing them again.
5) Financial. For me, this one goes hand in hand with professional. First of all, I want to continue to build the savings account outside of my investments and 401K. Second, continue to be prudent about credit cards. Finally, I want to help others get on the path to financial success by assisting people in making smart decisions.
6) Career. I want to really have a successful sales year from a numbers stand point at SelectMinds. It is crucial to have a success here in spite of the economy. Beyond this, I want to be seen as a leader and an expect on Corporate Social Networking. I want to continue to educate myself and others by promoting the SelectMinds brand and my own personal brand in the space. NOTE: One combo goal between financial and career is to feel like I deserve my cleaning service back!
7) Personal or Prestige. This one is really about hobbies and interests. I guess I want to travel some place unique this year outside of Florida and the Cape. I want to check a new experience off my things to do and see before I die list. One thing that is already scheduled is taking a pistol permit class. Yup, I am going to be a gun toting blogger shortly.
8) Mental. Having just found this as a new category I am still formulating ideas. This is about personal growth, i.e. Professional Development courses or other education.. self help type books. My initial thought is this isn't a total priority this year. I will put some "Mental" effort to looking into possible goals.
From this, my next steps are to formalize the actions and steps for my primary and secondary list of objectives this year.
Rob Vaughan, my boss at SelectMinds sent each of us a great exercise on giving points to goal or resolution categories called "The Wheel of Life" . They include: Family, Financial, Career, Social, Health, Mental, Spiritual, and Personal / Prestige. These equate to general areas relating back to personal happiness and success. In our discussion on the way into a client appointment yesterday, I found myself saying, "My primary objective is to set goals that are achievable and will encourage me to be a better person both professionally and personally by my own standards at the close of 2009" Here goes a quick sample of the goals I am still tossing around metrics and specifics for myself:
1) Health: I want to strive to be healthier. This means following doctors orders. Getting more physical activity. Eating smart. Taking my vitamins daily. Moisturizing! Finding positive outlets for disappointments and stress. If I am able to fine tune measurable actions to create better habits, this will stir results. I have been off to a great start this year with taking care of some nagging medical issues.
2) Family. Fiona needs to complete obedience training. I need to see my family more both my parents and cousins.
3) Spiritual - Last year I forced myself to read Eat, Pray, Love. I was surprised how much it impacted me. I would like to re read it and take notes and develop goals from it. Beyond this, I would like to do a bit of Church shopping. Although, I was brought up in the Congregational Church, it isn't aligned with my current philosophy and I don't agree with many of the edicts coming from the UCC Conference. Time to look around for a new spiritual home. I am thinking Church of England, perhaps or "Catholic light".
4) Social. For the past couple of years, adding new friends in Connecticut has been a goal. I have tried a ton of things. This year, I am going to relax this effort and concentrate on being a good friend to the people in my life already. Especially, those long lost friends from New England College I have connected with through Facebook. They were like family for four years. I am not losing them again.
5) Financial. For me, this one goes hand in hand with professional. First of all, I want to continue to build the savings account outside of my investments and 401K. Second, continue to be prudent about credit cards. Finally, I want to help others get on the path to financial success by assisting people in making smart decisions.
6) Career. I want to really have a successful sales year from a numbers stand point at SelectMinds. It is crucial to have a success here in spite of the economy. Beyond this, I want to be seen as a leader and an expect on Corporate Social Networking. I want to continue to educate myself and others by promoting the SelectMinds brand and my own personal brand in the space. NOTE: One combo goal between financial and career is to feel like I deserve my cleaning service back!
7) Personal or Prestige. This one is really about hobbies and interests. I guess I want to travel some place unique this year outside of Florida and the Cape. I want to check a new experience off my things to do and see before I die list. One thing that is already scheduled is taking a pistol permit class. Yup, I am going to be a gun toting blogger shortly.
8) Mental. Having just found this as a new category I am still formulating ideas. This is about personal growth, i.e. Professional Development courses or other education.. self help type books. My initial thought is this isn't a total priority this year. I will put some "Mental" effort to looking into possible goals.
From this, my next steps are to formalize the actions and steps for my primary and secondary list of objectives this year.
Tuesday, January 06, 2009
Goals Part Deux
I am still greatly struggling with this topic. In my quest to put together goals that fit with ability to complete them, I have done a bit of Internet research on goals and resolutions. The web news is full of items on this.
I have looked at celebrity goals. Brittany is going to try to stop biting her nails. Okay, there is the only thing the pop icon and I may have in common. That would be a good goal. I do bite my nails but do I care enough to make it a priority? After all the big 40 is looming this year... Cameron Diaz wants to "start wearing a bra". Well, I have had that one managed. Otherwise, it would be a necessary goal. After reading this one, I decided I needed other mentors to help form the goals.
I read a couple of articles on About.com on resolution and goal writing. Here is what I got out of my research...
1) Goals should have stretch and growth built into them but unattainable goals are worth the time and effort. In fact, unattainable goals can have negative results.
2) Work to develop a limited number of goals. Don't develop a grocery list of goals. Finish them and move on. There was also a good idea of an "A" list and a "B" list of goals. I would list "not biting my nails" on the B and even C list.
3) In order to be able to check them off, goals need to have measurement. Otherwise, how will you be able to move on to another set or realize that even though you haven't obtained completion you have made efforts to get there. The best example I have of this was my goal to meet and develop friendships outside family and cycling friends locally. I know I have taken steps to do this that have worked prior and tried other avenues. I haven't succeeded ... yet.. However, I have learned to knit! I call that effort and progress.
I am feeling better about actually getting into the nitty gritty of putting together a plan for 2009. I am also encouraged by the clips from Oprah yesterday. She seems to be facing the same challenges I have. The best thing I can say is I haven't given up on goal setting. I still want to improve my performance and hopefully satisfaction with life. Stay tuned ...
I have looked at celebrity goals. Brittany is going to try to stop biting her nails. Okay, there is the only thing the pop icon and I may have in common. That would be a good goal. I do bite my nails but do I care enough to make it a priority? After all the big 40 is looming this year... Cameron Diaz wants to "start wearing a bra". Well, I have had that one managed. Otherwise, it would be a necessary goal. After reading this one, I decided I needed other mentors to help form the goals.
I read a couple of articles on About.com on resolution and goal writing. Here is what I got out of my research...
1) Goals should have stretch and growth built into them but unattainable goals are worth the time and effort. In fact, unattainable goals can have negative results.
2) Work to develop a limited number of goals. Don't develop a grocery list of goals. Finish them and move on. There was also a good idea of an "A" list and a "B" list of goals. I would list "not biting my nails" on the B and even C list.
3) In order to be able to check them off, goals need to have measurement. Otherwise, how will you be able to move on to another set or realize that even though you haven't obtained completion you have made efforts to get there. The best example I have of this was my goal to meet and develop friendships outside family and cycling friends locally. I know I have taken steps to do this that have worked prior and tried other avenues. I haven't succeeded ... yet.. However, I have learned to knit! I call that effort and progress.
I am feeling better about actually getting into the nitty gritty of putting together a plan for 2009. I am also encouraged by the clips from Oprah yesterday. She seems to be facing the same challenges I have. The best thing I can say is I haven't given up on goal setting. I still want to improve my performance and hopefully satisfaction with life. Stay tuned ...
Monday, January 05, 2009
Achieving Goals
For the past five years at least, I have been putting in writing goals for both my personal and professional life. This started while I was in Georgia, I think. I hated the idea of a "New Year's Resolution". They always seem to be focused on the negative rather than a positive start to the next 365 days.
I have found myself struggling this year to put down the objectives for 2009 for both sections of my life. I want to blame this on a number of things. Today, I have gone from being excited to a bit depressed over the need to put these down. I am very lucky to have a manager that completely believes in the goal setting process. I think this may help me this year. Typically, I am the one writing them and then trying to get a friend to join me in the activity and setting up meeting times to review our progress or lack there of progress.
My dismay in writing these goals has been building over the last couple of days. I want to actually NOT have to put the same ol' goals on the list for 2010. I want to knock them off once and for all or get to the next step. I have been reading over and over the lists from 2006, 2007, 2008. Some years, I was very detailed and put steps in place. Last year, I was very vague and tried to keep the list short and manageable. This year... I am going to do a mixture of both.
My general themes are around:
- Health and Fitness
- Networking and friends
- clean house and happy family
- Financial success and hitting financial targets
I have made fits and throws at the health and fitness goals. For example, I joined a gym here in New Milford in late April. I went faithfully until we got Fiona and came down with Lyme disease this Summer. All progress stopped. I started again in October only to have another medical issue come on the scene. I am back at the gym again but fear that I will stop going again. The best I can say to that goal is that I haven't given up on it. It is still important to me.
Networking and friends.. Over the past three years, I have had goals about establishing a network of friends here in Connecticut that don't have anything to do with our family or Mr. B's cycling. I have certainly tried! Here are some of the things I have tried to build the network:
Knitting classes, Book clubs, movie club, puppy obedience, charity events, joined the gym, joined the New Milford Republicans.... Short of adopting a 6 year old child, I am at a bit of a loss.
Clean house and Happy Family... Well, my home is cleaner than my parents (not a hard thing) and not as clean as my in laws. I will always fight to get the laundry done. There is nothing in this world that is going to make me enjoy cleaning the bathroom. I am going to be happy with the efforts I make moving forward. I will be adding to my professional goals making enough money to justify having a cleaning service again.
Finally, financial success is my own to master. I need to hit my daily and weekly targets for activity and staying motivated. To date, this is seemingly easy because I am loving every minute of working at SelectMinds and more importantly the conversations I am having with prospects.
I am wondering if others have trouble writing goals. If so, let me know. I will be posting a sample of the 2009 goals here to my blog. Please feel free to keep me in check. My primary goal this year will be to have progress on each of them and to check some hangers off the list in 2010.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Marketing money ... When does it impact decisions?
I have been making a round robin to a number of doctors lately for both my own needs and my husbands. At my appointment on Monday, I was struck with the amount of stuff that was branded from drugs. These are drugs that are advertised on TV regularly. It made me feel like the doctor was for sale. When does it cross the line? Here is a sample of the items that had logos blazed all over them:
Thankfully, these drugs don't apply to me or my problem. However, it did make me feel a bit weird about the office and their ethics. Yes, I plan on bringing it up with my primary care doctor. Has this ever concerned you?
- Tissue box
- Clip board for forms
- Hand-santizer bottle
- Anti Bacterial Soap dispenser
- the paper sheet that goes down the exam table...
Thankfully, these drugs don't apply to me or my problem. However, it did make me feel a bit weird about the office and their ethics. Yes, I plan on bringing it up with my primary care doctor. Has this ever concerned you?
Monday, December 15, 2008
Seven things you may not know about me..
Thanks to Aaron Strout, or (@astrout on twitter) a former colleague of mine at Mzinga and Shared Insights, I have a topic for a needed update to my blog. This is something that is going on in the blogasphere. The rules are at the bottom. Here goes.
1) I love romance trashy novels like Danielle Steel and Nora Roberts. I started reading them long before I should have been and got hooked. I tear through them in a couple of hours and feel very guilty for not spending my time more productively.
2) I have an addiction to watching TV with a quilt over me no matter what the temperature is outside.
3) My favorite museum is the Musee de l'Orangerie in Paris. It is a small museum next to the Louvre and houses the water lilies. It is a great way to waste an afternoon. Paris is my favorite city.
4) I love shoes and spend way to much money on them ... but I walk around barefoot most of the time and complain because my feet are cold.
5) I still listen daily to WSB Radio streamed out of Atlanta everyday. I love Neal Boortz and Clark Howard. So, if you are traveling to Atlanta.. call me for the latest traffic updates.
6) My iPod is loaded with Irish / Celtic music. Catch me on the treadmill or out for a walk and I am probably listening to a jig or "Whiskey in the Jar"
7) I love polishing silver. It is result oriented cleaning activity that doesn't need to be done weekly.
That is my seven things. Not so interesting perhaps? Here are the rules:
In the words of the honorable @93octane, here are the rules:
* Link to your original tagger(s) and list these rules in your post.
* Share seven facts about yourself in the post.
*Tag seven people at the end of your post by leaving their names and the links to their blogs.
* Let them know they’ve been tagged
I will have to come back and tag people later....
1) I love romance trashy novels like Danielle Steel and Nora Roberts. I started reading them long before I should have been and got hooked. I tear through them in a couple of hours and feel very guilty for not spending my time more productively.
2) I have an addiction to watching TV with a quilt over me no matter what the temperature is outside.
3) My favorite museum is the Musee de l'Orangerie in Paris. It is a small museum next to the Louvre and houses the water lilies. It is a great way to waste an afternoon. Paris is my favorite city.
4) I love shoes and spend way to much money on them ... but I walk around barefoot most of the time and complain because my feet are cold.
5) I still listen daily to WSB Radio streamed out of Atlanta everyday. I love Neal Boortz and Clark Howard. So, if you are traveling to Atlanta.. call me for the latest traffic updates.
6) My iPod is loaded with Irish / Celtic music. Catch me on the treadmill or out for a walk and I am probably listening to a jig or "Whiskey in the Jar"
7) I love polishing silver. It is result oriented cleaning activity that doesn't need to be done weekly.
That is my seven things. Not so interesting perhaps? Here are the rules:
In the words of the honorable @93octane, here are the rules:
* Link to your original tagger(s) and list these rules in your post.
* Share seven facts about yourself in the post.
*Tag seven people at the end of your post by leaving their names and the links to their blogs.
* Let them know they’ve been tagged
I will have to come back and tag people later....
Holiday Letter 2008
December 2008
Ho, Ho, Woof, Woof, Meow!
It is snowing!!! As a result, it seemed appropriate to sit down and compose this year’s holiday note to everyone. It has been a bit tough to come up with new and exciting news about our lives. We are in touch with so many of our family and friends across the globe daily with blog entries, Facebook statuses, Twitter, and LinkedIn. We have been so blessed with keeping in touch with many of our friends near and far. This is a wonderful thing to be able to stay ever present with you.
Life at Brannydoon was pretty quiet for the first half of the year. There was a black hole with Annie gone. It is a strange thing to lose someone so close to you. Most people don’t understand how a dog can be so important. Since we adopted Seamus, Pauline has continued to work with Brittany rescue. On Mother’s day, she could see no better way to remember Annie than to do a transport of five Brittany mix puppies. She came home with a camera full of pictures of the lively brood. They were all spoken for but it set the seed. It was time to open our home and get another golden retriever puppy.
Since Annie was such a delight, it was natural to start looking for a dog that had the same lines. We were able to find a wonderful breeder in Maine. In June, we brought home our little Fiona. She is Annie’s great niece. Gone was the quiet in the home. She has been an excellent puppy. Although, Jim nicknamed her “Puddles” for the first couple of weeks! Fi had big paws to fill and she has stepped up to the plate big time. Seamus is delighted with his little sister. They play constantly. The only hold out is Duchess. She has retreated to the second floor and plots for Fiona’s departure.
Our vacations included a trip to see Jim’s Parents in Florida and a trip back to Dennisport in September for the weekend. Pauline also went back to Atlanta for a long weekend and stayed with her neighbors and friends, the Bramletts. When you look up Southern hospitality, there is a picture of Rusty and Kristi. It was great to see the whole family and the Suchoffs, Irwin & Gloria. A good time was had by all!
Bike races also brought our dear friends Ivan and Nancy back to Connecticut for a race in Hartford. We had a great time relaxing afterwards. We were also happy to reconnect with Doug and Nancy Badolato. Doug and Jim have been friends since grade school. We only lived a couple of miles from each other and getting back in touch has been terrific. They have picked up like the years apart never happened.
The only other major change this year was Pauline left Mzinga to join SelectMinds in October. They are located in New York. She still works at home but has enjoyed traveling into the city for training and meetings. It is a great fit for her experience as they provide Professional Corporate Social Networks to large companies. This combines her experience with recruiting, social networking, and sales. She loves every minute of it!
So, that is pretty much it for 2008…. Here’s to a Wonderful Christmas, Hanukkah, or Yuletide season! We also wish you a terrific 2009!
~Jim, Pauline, Seamus, Fiona, and Duchess Brannigan
Ho, Ho, Woof, Woof, Meow!
It is snowing!!! As a result, it seemed appropriate to sit down and compose this year’s holiday note to everyone. It has been a bit tough to come up with new and exciting news about our lives. We are in touch with so many of our family and friends across the globe daily with blog entries, Facebook statuses, Twitter, and LinkedIn. We have been so blessed with keeping in touch with many of our friends near and far. This is a wonderful thing to be able to stay ever present with you.
Life at Brannydoon was pretty quiet for the first half of the year. There was a black hole with Annie gone. It is a strange thing to lose someone so close to you. Most people don’t understand how a dog can be so important. Since we adopted Seamus, Pauline has continued to work with Brittany rescue. On Mother’s day, she could see no better way to remember Annie than to do a transport of five Brittany mix puppies. She came home with a camera full of pictures of the lively brood. They were all spoken for but it set the seed. It was time to open our home and get another golden retriever puppy.
Since Annie was such a delight, it was natural to start looking for a dog that had the same lines. We were able to find a wonderful breeder in Maine. In June, we brought home our little Fiona. She is Annie’s great niece. Gone was the quiet in the home. She has been an excellent puppy. Although, Jim nicknamed her “Puddles” for the first couple of weeks! Fi had big paws to fill and she has stepped up to the plate big time. Seamus is delighted with his little sister. They play constantly. The only hold out is Duchess. She has retreated to the second floor and plots for Fiona’s departure.
Our vacations included a trip to see Jim’s Parents in Florida and a trip back to Dennisport in September for the weekend. Pauline also went back to Atlanta for a long weekend and stayed with her neighbors and friends, the Bramletts. When you look up Southern hospitality, there is a picture of Rusty and Kristi. It was great to see the whole family and the Suchoffs, Irwin & Gloria. A good time was had by all!
Bike races also brought our dear friends Ivan and Nancy back to Connecticut for a race in Hartford. We had a great time relaxing afterwards. We were also happy to reconnect with Doug and Nancy Badolato. Doug and Jim have been friends since grade school. We only lived a couple of miles from each other and getting back in touch has been terrific. They have picked up like the years apart never happened.
The only other major change this year was Pauline left Mzinga to join SelectMinds in October. They are located in New York. She still works at home but has enjoyed traveling into the city for training and meetings. It is a great fit for her experience as they provide Professional Corporate Social Networks to large companies. This combines her experience with recruiting, social networking, and sales. She loves every minute of it!
So, that is pretty much it for 2008…. Here’s to a Wonderful Christmas, Hanukkah, or Yuletide season! We also wish you a terrific 2009!
~Jim, Pauline, Seamus, Fiona, and Duchess Brannigan
Friday, November 14, 2008
"I rescued a human today"
This was sent to me today by the National Coordinator of American Brittany Rescue. I wanted to share it with everyone.
I rescued a human today.
Her eyes met mine as she walked down the corridor peering
apprehensively into the kennels. I felt her need instantly and knew
I had to help her. I wagged my tail, not too exuberantly, so she
wouldn't be afraid.
As she stopped at my kennel I blocked her view
from a little accident I had in the back of my cage. I didn't want
her to know that I hadn't been walked today. Sometimes the shelter
keepers get too busy and I didn't want her to think poorly of them.
As she read my kennel card I hoped that she wouldn't feel sad about
my past. I only have the future to look forward to and want to make
a difference in someone's life. She got down on her knees and made
little kissy sounds at me. I shoved my shoulder and side of my head
up against the bars to comfort her.
Gentle fingertips caressed my neck; she was desperate for companionship. A tear fell down her
cheek and I raised my paw to assure her that all would be well.
Soon my kennel door opened and her smile was so bright that I
instantly jumped into her arms. I would promise to keep her safe. I
would promise to always be by her side. I would promise to do
everything I could to see that radiant smile and sparkle in her
eyes. I was so fortunate that she came down my corridor. So many
more are out there who haven't walked the corridors. So many more to
be saved. At least I could save one.
I rescued a human today.
I rescued a human today.
Her eyes met mine as she walked down the corridor peering
apprehensively into the kennels. I felt her need instantly and knew
I had to help her. I wagged my tail, not too exuberantly, so she
wouldn't be afraid.
As she stopped at my kennel I blocked her view
from a little accident I had in the back of my cage. I didn't want
her to know that I hadn't been walked today. Sometimes the shelter
keepers get too busy and I didn't want her to think poorly of them.
As she read my kennel card I hoped that she wouldn't feel sad about
my past. I only have the future to look forward to and want to make
a difference in someone's life. She got down on her knees and made
little kissy sounds at me. I shoved my shoulder and side of my head
up against the bars to comfort her.
Gentle fingertips caressed my neck; she was desperate for companionship. A tear fell down her
cheek and I raised my paw to assure her that all would be well.
Soon my kennel door opened and her smile was so bright that I
instantly jumped into her arms. I would promise to keep her safe. I
would promise to always be by her side. I would promise to do
everything I could to see that radiant smile and sparkle in her
eyes. I was so fortunate that she came down my corridor. So many
more are out there who haven't walked the corridors. So many more to
be saved. At least I could save one.
I rescued a human today.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Not so "Real Simple"
This is a huge warning to everyone about an unsavory practice at Real Simple magazine. My husband and I recently changed banks because there isn't a branch within 35 minutes from the house. He could get to one but it was an all out effort for me to have any dealings with our bank. I was constantly surfing on "cash back" from the grocery store. When you prefer NOT to use credit cards, this can be a pain.
I got a notice from my old bank that my "closed account" had been overdrawn. Huh? I had cancelled all my future bill pays and had changed the automatic life insurance payment over to the new bank.... Come to find out, it was from Real Simple magazine. Not only had they charged me for a renewal without my permission, they had charged it to an account that didn't exist to my knowledge. This charge did two things:
1) Automatically openned the account again. (Now, I have to go back to the bank to close it)
2) Overdrew the account and caused me to have a bank fee.
I have spoken with both the bank in question and with customer service at Real Simple. They have refunded the subscription charge AND said they would look into crediting the money back to me at the bank. However, and I quote " This should be processed very quickly. You should see the credit back in a couple of WEEKS!" WHAT?
This means I have to deposit money to cover the subscription and the overdraft fee. If and when it is credited back, I will be able to close the account again.
This was an unfortunate choice to turn my account into an automated renewing account because:
1) I have cancelled my subscription.
2)I will not choose to give the magazine to people for the Holidays.
3) I have written and tagged this blog and will TELL EVERYONE about them.
This also begs the question on why I receive letters throughout the year begging me to renew their magazine... if I am on auto renew why waste the money?
Poor business decision... It is too bad. I looked forward to it every month. If I had to choose to have only one subscription, it would have been that one. End result, companies if your business is providing intelligence and advice, don't have shady accounting and billing procedures. I can't trust them to bill me so how can I trust them to give me advice on how to cook my turkey or what are the best black pumps for the money?
I will miss my Real Simple magazine... But I will get over it. Bad businesses deserve not to be rewarded.
I got a notice from my old bank that my "closed account" had been overdrawn. Huh? I had cancelled all my future bill pays and had changed the automatic life insurance payment over to the new bank.... Come to find out, it was from Real Simple magazine. Not only had they charged me for a renewal without my permission, they had charged it to an account that didn't exist to my knowledge. This charge did two things:
1) Automatically openned the account again. (Now, I have to go back to the bank to close it)
2) Overdrew the account and caused me to have a bank fee.
I have spoken with both the bank in question and with customer service at Real Simple. They have refunded the subscription charge AND said they would look into crediting the money back to me at the bank. However, and I quote " This should be processed very quickly. You should see the credit back in a couple of WEEKS!" WHAT?
This means I have to deposit money to cover the subscription and the overdraft fee. If and when it is credited back, I will be able to close the account again.
This was an unfortunate choice to turn my account into an automated renewing account because:
1) I have cancelled my subscription.
2)I will not choose to give the magazine to people for the Holidays.
3) I have written and tagged this blog and will TELL EVERYONE about them.
This also begs the question on why I receive letters throughout the year begging me to renew their magazine... if I am on auto renew why waste the money?
Poor business decision... It is too bad. I looked forward to it every month. If I had to choose to have only one subscription, it would have been that one. End result, companies if your business is providing intelligence and advice, don't have shady accounting and billing procedures. I can't trust them to bill me so how can I trust them to give me advice on how to cook my turkey or what are the best black pumps for the money?
I will miss my Real Simple magazine... But I will get over it. Bad businesses deserve not to be rewarded.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Blog Action Day - Poverty
I have received a couple of tweets (twitter) regarding today being "Blog Action Day".
I checked it out after reading a couple of friends blogs on the topic. Then spent a couple of hours chewing over how or what I could blog about today to join in the conversation in the back gears of my mind.
http://blogactionday.org/home
Moments ago a light bulb went off! Oddly enough, I had a contractor at the house today from my Internet/telephone/cable provider to install my new business line into the house. In chatting, we got onto the topic of the election and then to the economy. The conversation turned at point when this gentleman talked passionately about a time in his life that was very low. Lets call him "Mo" for privacy factors.
Mo has been a hard working man that is a single father of two children. He is the sole bread winner in the family. He had been laid-off from his job because of a merger. Times got a bit tough while trying to get another job. His skills as a telecommunications tech are great but there are only so many providers to work for in a given area. Especially years ago!
He went to the State to see about getting some assistance with Food and Healthcare for his kids. Hold on this is good... According to Mo, he was too well off to get help. He made too much money on UNEMPLOYMENT. They combine this with his asset of a "Caddy" pushed him over the State maximums. If he sold his car, he might qualify.
Mo walked out of the office and never looked back. Sold his car? How was he going to look for work, go to interviews, and get to work without it? He only wanted a bit of help while he was briefly down on his luck. After all, he had been supporting these programs with tax dollars for years.
His moral of the story was there is a clear problem with the system that keeps people down and doesn't allow them to succeed. They are penalized for bettering themselves. His view of the welfare system wasn't pretty. They were encouraging him to fall into a trap that would be hard to get out of ever.
Poverty is a problem with solutions. The system has to have ladders to allow individuals career paths off the dole. Mo would have been happy with some help. Perhaps, half of the normal allotment of food stamps? Entitlements need to have timelines. Government assistance needs to help promote individuals to stand on their feet and contribute rather than enable generations to feed off the system.
Another part of the Blog Action Day is to not just write about the problem but do something about it. I have put countless people to work and helped them with the leg up over the years. I have regularly donated professional clothing to charity and dropped food off to the food bank or conducted food drives. Thinking about today what can I do to help? Well, I am going grocery shopping ... perhaps I will spend an extra ten dollars and drop it in the food box. That doesn't go far these days but it is something.
I checked it out after reading a couple of friends blogs on the topic. Then spent a couple of hours chewing over how or what I could blog about today to join in the conversation in the back gears of my mind.
http://blogactionday.org/home
Moments ago a light bulb went off! Oddly enough, I had a contractor at the house today from my Internet/telephone/cable provider to install my new business line into the house. In chatting, we got onto the topic of the election and then to the economy. The conversation turned at point when this gentleman talked passionately about a time in his life that was very low. Lets call him "Mo" for privacy factors.
Mo has been a hard working man that is a single father of two children. He is the sole bread winner in the family. He had been laid-off from his job because of a merger. Times got a bit tough while trying to get another job. His skills as a telecommunications tech are great but there are only so many providers to work for in a given area. Especially years ago!
He went to the State to see about getting some assistance with Food and Healthcare for his kids. Hold on this is good... According to Mo, he was too well off to get help. He made too much money on UNEMPLOYMENT. They combine this with his asset of a "Caddy" pushed him over the State maximums. If he sold his car, he might qualify.
Mo walked out of the office and never looked back. Sold his car? How was he going to look for work, go to interviews, and get to work without it? He only wanted a bit of help while he was briefly down on his luck. After all, he had been supporting these programs with tax dollars for years.
His moral of the story was there is a clear problem with the system that keeps people down and doesn't allow them to succeed. They are penalized for bettering themselves. His view of the welfare system wasn't pretty. They were encouraging him to fall into a trap that would be hard to get out of ever.
Poverty is a problem with solutions. The system has to have ladders to allow individuals career paths off the dole. Mo would have been happy with some help. Perhaps, half of the normal allotment of food stamps? Entitlements need to have timelines. Government assistance needs to help promote individuals to stand on their feet and contribute rather than enable generations to feed off the system.
Another part of the Blog Action Day is to not just write about the problem but do something about it. I have put countless people to work and helped them with the leg up over the years. I have regularly donated professional clothing to charity and dropped food off to the food bank or conducted food drives. Thinking about today what can I do to help? Well, I am going grocery shopping ... perhaps I will spend an extra ten dollars and drop it in the food box. That doesn't go far these days but it is something.
Wednesday, September 03, 2008
Is Louder Better?
There has been discussion around one of the key benefits to corporate social networking is being able to have a multi way conversation with your corporate audience. That audience can be partners, customers, prospects, and internal staff. This is a huge change to the corporate communication policies from the advent of radio and TV advertisements.
Have you ever been faced with trying to communicate with someone that doesn't speak the same language or witnessed this happening? Isn't it funny when the person starts speaking louder as if it will make a difference!
It is very similar to the way some companies scream their message to their consumers be it B2B or B2C products. The most obnoxious display of this is when the TV ads are so loud compared to the program. It is terrific that companies are getting the idea it isn't what we tell you it is what you tell each other and us. Corporate social networking is enabling this to happen.
Have you ever been faced with trying to communicate with someone that doesn't speak the same language or witnessed this happening? Isn't it funny when the person starts speaking louder as if it will make a difference!
It is very similar to the way some companies scream their message to their consumers be it B2B or B2C products. The most obnoxious display of this is when the TV ads are so loud compared to the program. It is terrific that companies are getting the idea it isn't what we tell you it is what you tell each other and us. Corporate social networking is enabling this to happen.
Monday, August 25, 2008
"Doomed"
We spent a great day on Saturday over at Camp Rob teaching Miss Fiona how to swim. I think it will take another go at it as it did my first Golden, Tess. We couldn't keep her out of the water most of her life! Dinner and company were fantastic. We decided to drive home the back way avoiding the highways. Honestly, it is a beautiful ride through Putnam County, NY and up over the ridge into Litchfield County, CT. As I daydreamed out the window, we drove by a row of cute (or could be very cute) cottages along the Houstanic River. Many of them have arts and crafts type bungalow styling. However, they back up to the river and I often wonder how many times they have flooded over the years.
We were going pretty slow after an intersection and I noticed a family out on the lawn of one of the houses. Both parents were smoking. The father was shirtless (not in a good way) and the mother was no picture either. The toddler was also shirtless. I said to Mr. B, "That kid should be wearing a T-Shirt that says ' DOOMED' on it." Now, while being true and we laughed very hard most of the way home. We both commented how lucky the kid was to be living in an area and country where his stars weren't fixed. He had the opportunity to make anything of a bad situation. Perhaps, his parents wanted to quit smoking and that is why they weren't in the house?
As we close the door on the Olympics and the summer, we will turn our heads sharply to the pending Presidential race. We need to ensure the next generation's options by not saddling them with programs that will make success not worth it. Goals are great. Think of how many success stories there are out there. One could honestly say my Grandfather or my husband's father could have been that little boy. They succeeded because they were determined. Government should not be the answer to a problem. Ambition, drive, and determination enable success and achievement.
We were going pretty slow after an intersection and I noticed a family out on the lawn of one of the houses. Both parents were smoking. The father was shirtless (not in a good way) and the mother was no picture either. The toddler was also shirtless. I said to Mr. B, "That kid should be wearing a T-Shirt that says ' DOOMED' on it." Now, while being true and we laughed very hard most of the way home. We both commented how lucky the kid was to be living in an area and country where his stars weren't fixed. He had the opportunity to make anything of a bad situation. Perhaps, his parents wanted to quit smoking and that is why they weren't in the house?
As we close the door on the Olympics and the summer, we will turn our heads sharply to the pending Presidential race. We need to ensure the next generation's options by not saddling them with programs that will make success not worth it. Goals are great. Think of how many success stories there are out there. One could honestly say my Grandfather or my husband's father could have been that little boy. They succeeded because they were determined. Government should not be the answer to a problem. Ambition, drive, and determination enable success and achievement.
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Why I volunteer for Brittany Rescue...
This is an email I received from one of the coordinators at American Brittany Rescue. When I read it aloud. I needed a tissue myself. This is why we put up with and love Seamus. This is why I do the transports and home visits. ... This is why I volunteer.... So that every Brittany has a full belly, a warm bed, and parents that love all of him....
An adopter (who also helps me out now and again) sent this to me today, I have emailed her back because she said a friend sent it to her and that I had her permission to cross post. So I am guessing her friend wrote it. I left her friends signature at the bottom to be safe.. But it is a tear jerker for sure... _____________________________________
Once I was a Lonely Dog Once I was a lonely dog, Just looking for a home. I had no place to go, No one to call my own. I wandered up and down the streets, in rain in heat and snow. I ate what ever I could find, was always on the go. My skin would itch, my feet were sore, My body ached with pain. And no one stopped to give a pat Or to gently say my name. I never saw a loving glance, I was always on the run. For people thought that hurting me was really lots of fun. And then one day I heard a voice So gentle, kind and sweet, And arms so soft reached down to me And took me off my feet. "No one again will hurt you" Was whispered in my ear. "You'll have a home to call your own where you will know no fear." "You will be dry, you will be warm, you'll have enough to eat And rest assured that when you sleep, your dreams will all be sweet." I was afraid I must admit, I've lived so long in fear. I can't remember when I let A human come so near. And as she tended to my wounds And bathed and brushed my fur She told me 'bout the rescue group And what it meant to her. She said, "We are a circle, A line that never ends. And in the center there is you protected by new friends." "And all around you are the ones that check the pounds, And those that share their home after you've been found." "And all the other folk are searching near and far. To find the perfect home for you, where you can be a star." She said, "There is a family, that's waiting patiently, and pretty soon we'll find them, just you wait and see." "And then they'll join our circle they'll help to make it grow, so there'll be room for more like you, who have no place to go." I waited very patiently, The days they came and went. Today's the day I thought, my family will be sent. Then just when I began to think It wasn't meant to be, there were people standing there just gazing down at me. I knew them in a heart beat, I could tell they felt it too. They said, "We have been waiting for a special dog like you." Now every night I say a prayer to all the gods that be. "Thank you for the life I live and all you've given me. But most of all protect the dogs in the pound and on the street. And send a Rescue Person to lift them off their feet." Dedicated to those that make a difference in the lives of animals, everyday ~ Caroline
An adopter (who also helps me out now and again) sent this to me today, I have emailed her back because she said a friend sent it to her and that I had her permission to cross post. So I am guessing her friend wrote it. I left her friends signature at the bottom to be safe.. But it is a tear jerker for sure... _____________________________________
Once I was a Lonely Dog Once I was a lonely dog, Just looking for a home. I had no place to go, No one to call my own. I wandered up and down the streets, in rain in heat and snow. I ate what ever I could find, was always on the go. My skin would itch, my feet were sore, My body ached with pain. And no one stopped to give a pat Or to gently say my name. I never saw a loving glance, I was always on the run. For people thought that hurting me was really lots of fun. And then one day I heard a voice So gentle, kind and sweet, And arms so soft reached down to me And took me off my feet. "No one again will hurt you" Was whispered in my ear. "You'll have a home to call your own where you will know no fear." "You will be dry, you will be warm, you'll have enough to eat And rest assured that when you sleep, your dreams will all be sweet." I was afraid I must admit, I've lived so long in fear. I can't remember when I let A human come so near. And as she tended to my wounds And bathed and brushed my fur She told me 'bout the rescue group And what it meant to her. She said, "We are a circle, A line that never ends. And in the center there is you protected by new friends." "And all around you are the ones that check the pounds, And those that share their home after you've been found." "And all the other folk are searching near and far. To find the perfect home for you, where you can be a star." She said, "There is a family, that's waiting patiently, and pretty soon we'll find them, just you wait and see." "And then they'll join our circle they'll help to make it grow, so there'll be room for more like you, who have no place to go." I waited very patiently, The days they came and went. Today's the day I thought, my family will be sent. Then just when I began to think It wasn't meant to be, there were people standing there just gazing down at me. I knew them in a heart beat, I could tell they felt it too. They said, "We have been waiting for a special dog like you." Now every night I say a prayer to all the gods that be. "Thank you for the life I live and all you've given me. But most of all protect the dogs in the pound and on the street. And send a Rescue Person to lift them off their feet." Dedicated to those that make a difference in the lives of animals, everyday ~ Caroline
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Why did the chicken cross the road?
Okay well the chicken posting has come full circle as my team is planning the weekly bbq at Mzinga next week. Since we are the sales team, we came up with a theme of "Roadkill" I sent on this lively recipe to our coordinator and wanted to share it with you....
Beer Can Chicken
Recipe courtesy Bob Blumer
Show:
The Surreal Gourmet
Episode:
Thrilling Grilling
Q) Why did the chicken cross the road? A) Because it couldn't remember where it left its beer
1 (4-pound) whole chicken 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 2 tablespoons salt 1 teaspoon black pepper 3 tablespoons of your favorite dry spice rub 1 can beer
Remove neck and giblets from chicken and discard. Rinse chicken inside and out, and pat dry with paper towels. Rub chicken lightly with oil then rub inside and out with salt, pepper and dry rub. Set aside. Open beer can and take several gulps (make them big gulps so that the can is half full). Place beer can on a solid surface. Grabbing a chicken leg in each hand, plunk the bird cavity over the beer can. Transfer the bird-on-a-can to your grill and place in the center of the grate, balancing the bird on its 2 legs and the can like a tripod. Cook the chicken over medium-high, indirect heat (i.e. no coals or burners on directly under the bird), with the grill cover on, for approximately 1 1/4 hours or until the internal temperature registers 165 degrees F in the breast area and 180 degrees F in the thigh, or until the thigh juice runs clear when stabbed with a sharp knife. Remove from grill and let rest for 10 minutes before carving.
Beer Can Chicken
Recipe courtesy Bob Blumer
Show:
The Surreal Gourmet
Episode:
Thrilling Grilling
Q) Why did the chicken cross the road? A) Because it couldn't remember where it left its beer
1 (4-pound) whole chicken 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 2 tablespoons salt 1 teaspoon black pepper 3 tablespoons of your favorite dry spice rub 1 can beer
Remove neck and giblets from chicken and discard. Rinse chicken inside and out, and pat dry with paper towels. Rub chicken lightly with oil then rub inside and out with salt, pepper and dry rub. Set aside. Open beer can and take several gulps (make them big gulps so that the can is half full). Place beer can on a solid surface. Grabbing a chicken leg in each hand, plunk the bird cavity over the beer can. Transfer the bird-on-a-can to your grill and place in the center of the grate, balancing the bird on its 2 legs and the can like a tripod. Cook the chicken over medium-high, indirect heat (i.e. no coals or burners on directly under the bird), with the grill cover on, for approximately 1 1/4 hours or until the internal temperature registers 165 degrees F in the breast area and 180 degrees F in the thigh, or until the thigh juice runs clear when stabbed with a sharp knife. Remove from grill and let rest for 10 minutes before carving.
Which Comes First?
Last night, a group of us from Mzinga did a presentation on community and business social networking for a company. I was very lucky to be speaking with two of our leading thought leaders. So, I let them answer the question first.
The question was based on the age old question of which came first the chicken or the egg. His query was "WHICH COMES FIRST, Technology or Content". All three of us immediately, said - "CONTENT" However, as I sat back and realized this company has a ton of content. They were leaking content from every source. They had made attempts at web 2.0 technology and had limited success. My response was the following:
Content is very important as is technology to communicate the content but you are missing an element that enables a community's growth and success.
To drill a bit deeper, please take the question back to the orign of the concept. Which came first the chicken or the egg? In this age old question, has anyone ever considered the need for a rooster to have an egg become a chicken?
In order to have a success vibrant community, nature needs to be observed. A company can have wonderful content and the best technology but with out a strategy and understanding of how to deploy and engage their audience for the content and to encourage the use of technology their community will not grow. The rooster equates the strategy and understanding of technology. It is a three legged stool.
Communities need to be regularly fertilized and nurtured to grow and multiple. What would you have said?
Monday, August 04, 2008
Favorite Ben Franklin quotes ....
Fish and visitors smell in three days.
Benjamin Franklin, Poor Richard's Almanack, 1736
A slip of the foot you may soon recover, but a slip of the tongue you may never get over.
Benjamin Franklin
Drive thy business or it will drive thee.
Benjamin Franklin
Hide not your talents, they for use were made. What's a sun-dial in the shade?
Benjamin Franklin
Three may keep a secret, if two of them are dead.
Benjamin Franklin
Gosh... I can understand why Dr. Franklin was such a ladies man.
Benjamin Franklin, Poor Richard's Almanack, 1736
A slip of the foot you may soon recover, but a slip of the tongue you may never get over.
Benjamin Franklin
Drive thy business or it will drive thee.
Benjamin Franklin
Hide not your talents, they for use were made. What's a sun-dial in the shade?
Benjamin Franklin
Three may keep a secret, if two of them are dead.
Benjamin Franklin
Gosh... I can understand why Dr. Franklin was such a ladies man.
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