Jumping Puddles in the Rain

Weekly Roundup: Quo Vadimus?

2008-05-11T21:19:00.003-04:00

Sports Night was truly a great show. But now I'm done with the series, meaning that I have to give the box set back to Karen. (And see if anyone but Casey finds my obsession attractive, or just another line item on my list of truly dorky tendencies.)

Anyway, back to Sunday's list of links to get you through the week. And it's a long one, because I've been reading a lot and not telling you about any of it. I'm secretive like that.

Not really. Mostly it's just a massively overdue and uncategorized brain dump. But it sounds better the other way. Far more serendipitous. And duplicitous. Serenduplicitous.

Yeah, I'm done here. Happy week.

What's Really In That Seat-Back Pocket (Ought Not to Be Read If You're Getting on a Plane Any Time Soon, I Promise You.)
Can You Become a Creature of New Habits?
The Things That Carried Him (Very Long, Desperately Sad, and Absolutely Worth Reading)
Why Journalists Need PR People
True Wife Confessions
Get Over It: An Archive of Regrets
Feeling Paranoid? You're Not Alone
The Furminator (If You Think This Is a Dig at You and Your Sheddy Pet, You Are Correct)
Zappos Tony's Guide to Twitter
Some Darn Cute Cufflinks
Fabulous Birth Announcements (In Honor of Brendan)
Brainstorming Doesn't Work: Here's What Does
Mental Detox Week
Free WordPress Themes (Not That I Want to Get Into This, See Twitter for Details)
What Happens Sometimes When You Try to Put on a Happy Face

And if you get through all this and you're looking for four minutes of total surrealism, go YouTube "you're not my father wtf". Trust me on this.

Saturday Afternoon Geek-Out: BuzzLogic

2008-05-03T15:33:00.006-04:00

(Via KD Paine, via Shel Israel)

BuzzLogic is fantastically cool to me. What Biz360 and Cymphony started 5-10 years ago for media monitoring... this is the next logical step from that. Those companies went beyond "how many mentions of your term are in an article, and how many readers did that article have "to "what did the article say about your term and what did they mean". Now, this is trying to tell you not just what bloggers are saying about your topic, but how much each blogger matters in relation to the others. And therefore, which ones you need to talk to. Which is not 100% of the point of media monitoring, but pretty close.

The thing I really love about this, though, is that they're working with the realization that the most influential people on one topic are not necessarily influencers on any other issue.

This is super obvious to anyone who reads blogs. You're not going to go to Perez for tech news, and you're not going to Gizmodo to see what's up with celebrities. (Oooh, happy birthday, David! But I digress....)

So it's intuitive, but in terms of how media measurement has always functioned, it's groundbreaking. Because if you took an old-school approach, all you'd be able to do is compare two sets of numbers - site statistics - which represented reader populations that had absolutely nothing to do with each other. It wouldn't tell you which people were important to reach at all. Useless.

But here, you see which people are the influencers. That's pretty huge.

Publicis is using them - no surprise there - and I must admit I'm jealous. The drawback of working for a small agency is not having access to fancy megabucks vendors. But we've figured out how to do Biz360 work on a shoestring in-house. We'll just have to figure out how to approximate this, too.

Freecycle

2008-05-02T20:30:00.005-04:00

Holy sweet Moses, I love the internet.

I'm in the process of buying my father's condo. He's in the process of moving out. Between us we have the detritus of a combined 86 years of life in over a dozen homes.

Thing is, I'm the opposite of a pack rat. I am a purger. A seller, a donor, a declutterer. (Heh. I was going to say "a tosser.") I'm big on simplicity and organization. So this house full of stuff has been making me insane.

And then I discovered the magic of Freecycle.

The concept: "to build a worldwide gifting movement that reduces waste, saves precious resources and eases the burden on our landfills while enabling our members to benefit from the strength of a larger community."

That's it. No buying and selling and posting photos and writing up descriptions and bargaining and bidding and negotiating. Just giving stuff to people who need it and come and get it.

There are over five million people participating in Freecycle worldwide. Just on my local one, there are 2,600 people and over a thousand posts a month. It's a truly amazing hidden network.

And because my town is close to a city with its share of poverty, it feels nice that things I don't need can go be helpful to other people. Maybe that's Pollyannaish, or maybe it's even condescending. I'm not sure. And no, I'm not only giving stuff away for free; I'm selling plenty of it. But, like tonight, giving a bed and a couple of bookcases to a family who comes and takes it away for their kid? Yeah, I'll take the nice feeling.

So thanks, internet, for the warm fuzzies - and the newly cleared space.

Be More Social!

2008-05-01T20:51:00.004-04:00

It hit me today that the word "social" is not often used in a positive context.

Seems like it's either used to yell at you for being quiet... "Come be social!"

Or to yell at you for having more to do than the speaker does... "Well, aren't you just the social butterfly." "You and your social calendar."

So maybe that's why I've taken to disliking the term "social media".

I'll tell you one thing, it's a bitch on my tagging, because "new media" stopped being "new" and got all declasse, and now "social media" is ticking me off. "Emerging media" sounds better to me, but pretentious because it's not very widespread. And "SoMe" is still a little eye-roll-worthy.

But seriously. Social media? Think about that. Isn't it kind of the most redundant phrase in the world? Media is communication. Communication is between people. Of course it's social.

Anyway, I wish I could get comfy with a term for what all this is called.

As Tracy and I were leaving work today, she said she'd read that that if she wasn't on Twitter, she should get out of PR. So I went home all riled up about Jeremy Pepper discounting her career because she hasn't joined what is still, whatever we Twitterers want to think, a niche social network. (Maybe there are a million people on Twitter, maybe even 12 million, but there are over 70 million Facebook users.)

Except then I found his post, read it, (wondered why he hasn't updated in over a month,) and totally agreed with him.

Part of his post is on the J&J mommyblogger debacle I've mentioned. But overall he's talking about an issue that I think I see slightly differently. He seems to see an overall attitude toward social media by PR people that includes management apathy, staff incredulity, underfunding, underresourcing, and deliberate attempts to undermine social media structures.

I don't disagree that those things exist, but I think I'm more optimistic about it. Or maybe I just like the solution.

In my company, and in my industry - small agency, pharmaceutical clients - the learning curve is long. But people are learning. And the only way they're going to, is if people who have something to teach, teach. Explain why the old way doesn't work, and what the purpose of the new way is. Use baby steps and easy examples. And don't stop. If you love this stuff, it's easy. If it's fun to talk about new ways to connect with people, and better ways to make things happen, you're exactly who should be teaching.

And then maybe nobody will need to write grouchy blog posts about it.
(I still don't like that it's called "social media," though.)

Signs of the Apocalypse: Musical Edition

2008-04-30T09:29:00.002-04:00

I am in love, this week, with two things that I NEVER thought I would be.

One: the latest Coldplay song. "Violet Hill" is amazing.

Two: a cover of "Beat It". By Fall Out Boy.

If these things come in threes, I can't wait to see what the third thing I fall for will be.

And Now for Something Completely Different

2008-04-29T21:29:00.002-04:00

There is a lot of unhappiness and worry in the air tonight.

So here's 66 seconds of silly.

Count the ones you know... and when you are sad, just think of Lobster Judi Dench.

What Matters to You Right Now?

2008-04-28T19:35:00.005-04:00

Answer that, please. What's really getting to you?

Now. Please go read this story about Matt Logelin. (You can't see his blog right now - the traffic from the story probably crashed it - but you can see his photostream.)

I defy you not to have it break your heart.

It just makes your world stop. And when it creaks back into motion, all you want to do is find someone you care about and hold them as tight as you can while you tell them exactly how much you love that they are there, that minute, and how much they matter, and how little anything else does.

Maybe, if the smallest bit of good could come from something so breathtakingly unfair, maybe that's it. It's hard to even think that though.

If you pray, or think, or whatever you do - let's do some for him.

Mistaken Identity 21: Want a Margarita?

2008-04-27T20:42:00.003-04:00

With as many girls named Sarah that they're friends with, you'd think they'd double-check their email addresses. Oh well. If you're in Atlanta next weekend and want to crash the party, let me know and I'll give you the details.

You are invited to FELIZ LES DE MAYO!!!!! by Christi and Kim.

Location: Leslie and Kim's Casa
When: Friday, May 2, 9:00PM

No time for a siesta...we're having a fiesta! You're invited to CELEBRATE Senorita Leslie's 26th Cumpleanos! There will be plenty of cold cervezas, sombreros, and marcas... so bring your amigos as we listen to La Bamba and hit the pinatas!!

Mexi-Can

Josh
Leslie - would the party girl miss her own party!?!
Sarah (+ 1 guest) - can't wait!
Brittany - Nice picture. Can't wait.
Deanne - If I am still awake by 9, i will make it!, no joke1
Tony - I'll ax my gurl, but I'll need to carpool from Dekatur.
Kayla (+ 1 guest) - Of course I will be there! I finish exams that day so I will be ready to party! Let me know if I can bring anything to add to the festivities!!!
Cambo - Kim - I mean if you are going to force me, I guess..... bye!
Susan (+ 1 guest) - can't wait!!!! i am going to try & talk darren into giving the books a break and coming out to celebrate!
Sarah (+ 1 guest)
Molly - before i finalize my decision, what assortments of candy will be inside the pinatas?
Matt (+ 1 guest) - arriiiiba
Amy (+ 1 guest) - We are so there!!!!!!!
Kyle
Mikey

Mexi-O

Allison - i'll be in the middle of final exams, but a cold cerveza might be just what i need! thanks for the invite!
Sean - If I am in town, I will be there. I am so bringing a funnel too

Mexi-Can't

Shane -Will be out of town. Happy bday les-bo....
Josephine -Hey ladies! Long time no see. The 2nd is my birthday..so i will be celebrating as well. Sorry i can't make it. Hope this finds y'all well and HAPPY BIRTHDAY LESLIE!! Starting our upward climb to 30...can't wait.
Molly - I would love to be there but its during my finals! Have fun and Happy Birthday Les!
Taylor - I have a wedding that weekend. Happy Birthday Leslie!
Leigh - Wish I could come but I'm babysitting! But have fun!
Bray - I will be out of town. Have fun!

'Tis True, 'Tis True 'Tis Pity, And Pity 'Tis 'Tis True

2008-04-25T11:32:00.001-04:00

Temptation. Island.

2008-04-22T17:15:00.002-04:00

The Travelzoo Newsdesk has found this outstanding offer from
CheapCaribbean.com:

NEW YORK--APRIL 22, 2008-- On only 3 departure dates in May and June, CheapCaribbean.com has slashed all-inclusive packages to upscale St. Lucia to $799 per person. This package would cost $1200 to put together individually.

You must book by April 28.

This $799 package includes:

Nonstop, roundtrip airfare from New York (JFK)
4 nights at the beachfront Almond Smugglers Cove resort
Departure dates of May 15, May 18 or June 12
All meals, drinks and snacks
Spa credit of $50 per room

Amenities at Almond Smugglers Cove include a private beach, 9 restaurants and bars, spa, free golf (cart fee not included), and sports courts.

If your travel dates aren't that flexible, they are offering only the all-inclusive hotel for $99 per person per night.

For full details of this offer and to book directly through CheapCaribbean.com, click the link below. Or call them at 1-800-915-2322.

Ways I Could Have Gotten Rich, No. 137

2008-04-20T20:59:00.005-04:00

My friend's daughter had this book lying around.

And so I've realized how badly I missed out on a book deal. Throughout high school, we went through several notebooks just like that. I even think one girl's yearbook quote was "where's the notebook?" And that's apart from the notes... the bookcovers... the locker murals....

I hope at least some of it still exists somewhere, because I'm sure they're priceless. "Priceless" in the sense of "funny", I would've thought. (I believe one of my bookcover masterpieces was briefly framed, but that was about all the acclaim it got.) But now, I see that even teenage navel-gazing has its price.

And I wrote that stuff for free. Sucker.

Updated to add: it makes me very happy to hear that the framed bookcover still exists.

I'm Omnivorous

2008-04-17T13:10:00.002-04:00

According to Pew Internet & American Life Project, anyway....

Omnivores make up 8% of the American public.

They have the most information gadgets and services, which they use voraciously to participate in cyberspace and express themselves online.

Basic Description
Members of this group use their extensive suite of technology tools to do an enormous range of things online, on the go, and with their cell phones. Omnivores are highly engaged with video online and digital content. Between blogging, maintaining their Web pages, remixing digital content, or posting their creations to their websites, they are creative participants in cyberspace.

Defining Characteristics
You might see them watching video on an iPod. They might talk about their video games or their participation in virtual worlds the way their parents talked about their favorite TV episode a generation ago. Much of this chatter will take place via instant messages, texting on a cell phone, or on personal blogs. Omnivores are particularly active in dealing with video content. Most have video or digital cameras, and most have tried watching TV on a non-television device, such as a laptop or a cell phone.

Omnivores embrace all this connectivity, feeling confident in how they manage information and their many devices. This puts information technology at the center of how they express themselves, do their jobs, and connect to their friends.

Who They Are
They are young, ethnically diverse, and mostly male (70%). The median age is 28; just more than half of them are under age 30, versus one in five in the general population. Over half are white (64%) and 11% are black (compared to 12% in the general population). English-speaking Hispanics make up 18% of this group. Perhaps unsurprisingly, many (42% versus the 13% average) of Omnivores are students.

What are you?

C'mon Get Happy

2008-04-15T19:56:00.003-04:00

This afternoon I was grouchy.

But then a lot of things cheered me up.

...

Wow. Am I a storyteller or what?

Anyway, I thought I'd borrow a page from Karen and list my happy things. But the thing is, when I do that, I notice that the things that cheer me up are a little weird:

Smelling the hyacinths mixed in with the daffodil beds as I walked out the door from work.
Still seeing afternoon light even though it was after seven.
Adorable neighbors saying hello as I got home.
Unfreezing the DVD player after I was afraid it had eaten the putrid Ryan Reynolds DVD out of spite.
Learning that I am to be the recipient of the Best Bridesmaid Gift Ever, the Ryan Reynolds Box Set, a threat/promise on which Maria cannot renege even if it has to be made with a shoebox and Scotch tape and a Sharpie.
Turning on the TV to see Andy pitching (yes, of course the TV was left on YES).
Realizing I don't need to make or decorate any more cookies for a little while.
Watching Jon Stewart talk about being bitter, elitist and from western Pennsylvania.
Making rice and beans for supper.
Bailing on working out in favor of curling up for a geriatrically early bedtime.

Yeah, it's geeky, but it's that kind of night. You cheer up however you can in this world.

Weekly Roundup: Wanna Be on Top?

2008-04-13T17:26:00.005-04:00

I may possibly have watched just about all of Cycle 8 of America's Next Top Model.

I can't move without popping a hip, I'm smiling with my eyes, and am seriously considering a pixie cut.

I wonder if the damage is permanent.

So no links for you this Sunday, just some chitchat. Because my brain is mush. Partly because of Tyra - seriously, though, I love her so much - but also because I'm straightup sleepy. It's been a great weekend (ending with a morning with Kerrin today and my very first bacon-egg-and-cheese bagel).

For starters, I got to see a great big bunch of friends that I never get to see enough. It was, in a word - if an overused word - "delightful". A group of the coolest, most impressive people I know, just hysterical and chill and fun.

I hate that I'm on the wrong side of the state from Manhattan, but times like this weekend remind me how much the trip is worth it.

Saturday I got up early and got an awful lot done right away. When a day starts off like that, you know it's going to be good. The weather was gorgeous - finally spring. (Even if it's gone again today and I'm freezing. Sigh.) And my father and his fiancee have begun moving his stuff out of what will be (in six weeks OH MY GOD) my condo. Which realization makes me want to shriek and jump up and down in a very not at all mature enough to be a homeowner way.

And then I went out to get the mail and didn't make it back inside for the rest of the day, because I ended up laughing myself silly on the lawn with my neighbors. Delicious rum concoctions were involved. And two enthusiastic entrepreneurs made at ten dollars washing cars while making disapproving comments about how goofy the adults were being.

(So my car is clean, too. Mostly. They aren't tall enough yet to get the roof, but what do you want for $2?)

It's exciting to realize that the house might really be going to belong to me, and to be reminded how nice my little street is. I complain that it's far away from a lot of the things and people I love, and that's true, but there is a lot that's great too. I can't wait to start making it my own.

I'm terrified that I've written that whole paragraph, because I'm scared of jinxing something. Also, I'm afraid that I'm being horrifically girly in my nesting and gushing. So I'll stop. Tired and happy and just - looking forward to things.

Social Media Friday: Bits and Bobs

2008-04-11T10:20:00.003-04:00

I really have to clean up my post tags. I’m not looking forward to it. Sigh.

. . .

So after over a year trying, I may finally be figuring out the point of Twitter. Sometimes, yeah, (like this morning) it’s trying to get songs stuck in people’s heads. Sharing links or catching up or being silly. But sometimes you do see the implications of the ability to share quick information broadly, instantly, wherever. Wednesday a USAir passenger claimed he had a bomb - and a passenger Twittered it. How will this change what we call breaking news? It's going to be wild to see how wide-ranging the implications will be.

. . .

As companies slowly wrap their brains (and budgets) around social media, it’s interesting to see the acknowledgment of effort. Honestly trying gets appreciated, while being disingenuous gets called out. The J&J Camp Baby debacle – scheduling a mommyblogger gathering concurrent to BlogHer, and then not making accommodations for kids – has gotten plenty of scorn, but seems to have been understood as mostly a mistake borne of ignorance and awkwardness in an honest effort. Unlike, for instance, the fake WalMart/Edelman blog, which in my opinion was worse. I think the problem is laziness - when you try to use old-media tactics, it's going to be painfully obvious. Think like people, not like companies... and go from there.

. . .

Brian Solis talks about how social media are evolving to distribute conversations. So news might start with a blog post, that gets commented on, that gets Twittered about, that gets other blogs linking to it, which get commented on… etc. Yes, obviously. The point? Well, for starters, I realize that media reports are going to be rapidly more useless. Unless and until the semantic web makes terms more cross-platform searchable. And, of course, I realize this while writing… a media report. Oooh, the irony, she is palpable.

. . .

Finally, I wonder, is it greedy to want rather desparately to see Patrick Stewart on stage yet again when I’ve already seen him in The Ride Down Mt. Morgan, The Tempest and King Lear? It is, isn't it? Hm. Well. I guess you can just call me greedy.

. . .

By the way, Maria, go read Embers.

Weekly Roundup: One for the Cheeses

2008-04-09T10:23:00.002-04:00

Sarah's NCheeseAA tournament is super cute. And also makes me crave cheese.
Andrew has a fantastic party idea.
Gary's Wine Library TV has me becoming a massive fan. His personal vlogs are maybe even better.

First Memories

2008-04-08T11:37:00.005-04:00

So I've got a new theory: that your first memory is a total Rorschach test for you as a person.

It's worked 100% so far. Everyone I've asked has remembered something that's exactly what you'd pin on them.

The gay remembered rearranging the furniture in his room.
The biker chick remembered hurting herself and getting fixed up.
The thinker remembered realizing she could hear her own thoughts.
The entrepreneur remembered doing what her family thought she couldn't.
The mama remembered standing up to a bully.
The musician remembered his mother surprising him with a new song.

Mine is sitting on my father's shoulders in a dim, green hospital hallway looking down into the nursery window at my new baby brother.

Make of that what you will, but first tell me yours.

(Confidential: this is where you click X Comments and type something!)

Out-of-Body Experiences... Also, a Book Review

2008-04-04T23:07:00.005-04:00

Like last week, I'm going to try to describe something that doesn't need describing if you understand it - and probably can't be described if you don't.

I've been reading for pretty much 27 years straight. I guess that's probably more than I've done anything else in my life except breathe and sleep.

Sometimes it's just a pastime. I flip. I'll read magazines back to front. I peruse. I'll read a few chapters till I get sleepy. Like that.

But every now and then it's not like that. It's a drug or a love or an obsession. Or maybe it's just getting stuck. I get locked in and I don't want to do anything else - or really, I can't do anything else. I don't hear what's going on, and I don't get sleepy, and I don't realize that I'm moving my eyes or that I'm turning pages or even that I'm there in any bodily sense.

Rarely, I'll I smile. More rarely, get excited. Rarest of all, get teary. Mostly I suppose I don't do anything at all. I have no idea. I sort of forget I'm there.

And then when it's over and I have to come out of it, I'm not quite right. I walk around sort of dazed. Everything is too much and I don't want to be around anybody. It's all too loud and too strong. I guess it probably feels like a hangover.

It's like coming home from a trip where you did a lot, but not much happened while you were gone. The sameness of everything is too jarring and you just want to get back because you're not ready to be here again yet.

Maria told me I'd love The Time Traveler's Wife and I doubted her because I am snobby and elitist and skeptical of Book Club Books and Airport Bookstore Books. But she was so right and it was perfect and I can't wait to read it again. And of course she was right because she's got perfect taste and she's known me for almost 20 years. But she was extra special right this time.

Prodigals

2008-04-03T18:50:00.005-04:00

Working late.

Cell phone broke.

Pen leaked.

And suddenly an old friend is saying hello and the day is fixed!

Today's mood swing has been brought to you by the kind of friend that can randomly pop into your life like they never left.

Go be one, would you? Pass it along.

Weekly Roundup: Girl Stuff

2008-03-30T15:43:00.000-04:00

A lovely few minutes on women's shoes in narrated photos from Paris fashion shows. What I mostly notice is how prevalent black opaque tights are. (via)
Star Wars as explained by a three-year-old girl. She's right: the shiny guy always worries. (via)
What is it about My Little Ponies lately? They're everywhere.

Hi from Chicago, where I'm here, had a hysterical night that ended up here, and am working from here. Yesterday I went for a run along the lake and am so glad I did, because today it's too foggy to even see the lake. Today? Work, catching up, History Channel documentary on the 1968 election, IM, and yoga.

Classic Examples IV: Songs

2008-03-29T12:00:00.002-04:00

There are a few pretty perfect songs. The ones that break your heart a little bit every time you hear them. And not because of what they remind you of... that's different. These are just so altogether right that it makes you believe a little bit in divine inspiration.

One is Etta James' "At Last."

Another is Rufus Wainwright's cover of "Hallelujah."

I'd put a few others on my list. Tony Bennett's "The Way You Look Tonight." Lennon's "Beautiful Boy." Jackson Browne's "The Pretender." Dire Straits' "Romeo and Juliet."

What's your perfect song?
(spark via)

Help a Reporter

2008-03-27T17:29:00.004-04:00

If you work with, for, or as the media, helpareporter.com is rapidly becoming a great free, no-spam version of other, incredibly expensive pay services.

The only down side - I think its proprietor will look pretty silly doing the jig he's promised to do when the list hits its next membership target.

Hmm.

Did I say "down side"?

Go sign up, won't you?

Web 2.0 in 2 Minutes

2008-03-27T09:01:00.003-04:00

Wait, isn't this that Jersey guy from all those wine billboards?

He's succinct and dead on: what's all this technology for and why it matters. via CC)

Shopping List: Books

2008-03-26T22:38:00.001-04:00

So I can maybe be a little choosy. Also maybe a little indecisive. Also maybe a little clutter-phobic.

Hush, you. I hear your derisive snorting. So maybe it might not be maybe, and maybe it might be a little more than a little. Whatever.

The point is, I don't usually buy a book till I know I like it. Same with music or movies. I only want ones I'm going to want to keep around. So to make the list, it's already passed a few tests. Here's what's there at present.

Atonement. I haven't read it, but I did love the movie, and I've heard the book is better.

Status Anxiety. I loved Alain de Botton's The Art of Travel, found this when I went looking for How Proust Can Change Your Life, and it's completely fascinating.

The Art of War and The Prince. Surreptitiously borrowed from my brother. (Matt, I'll totally mail them back to you, I swear.) Now I want my own copies.

Dear Catastrophe Waitress. Karen made me take this, and she was right - I adored it.

I'm always looking for new ideas. What's on your list?

Classic Examples III: Symbiosis

2008-03-26T16:33:00.001-04:00

There are two classic examples of symbiosis.

One is that bird that sits on a hippo.

The other is the PR person and the reporter.