"it’s only on the brink that people find the will to change" - Basil Fawlty has the answers . . .

If you haven't seen the "The Day The Earth Stood Still" remake don't worry, you're not missing much - well except for what was an anti war movie now has an environmental twist.  In a nut shell the Earth is visited by an alien who has decided the planet needs to be saved and the one species who have fraked it up needs to go - that would be us.  But reasoning with the alien ( Keanu Reeves ) on a scientific level is none other then . . . Basil Fawlty or rather in a very serious role, Monty Pythons very own John Cleese.

 

In what was one of the few if not only standout moments in this rather odd remake caused for me what can only be called an "ah ha" moment when it came to Cleese and Keanu.

 

Cleese plays a Nobel Prize-winning scientist ( I'm not joking ) – the dialogue which I painstakingly had to use the pause, rewind, play and pause button several times went something like this:

Cleese: Well, there must be alternatives. You must have some technology that could solve the problem.

Keanu: The problem is not technology. The problem is you. You lack the will to change.

Cleese: Then help us change.

Keanu: I cannot change your nature. You treat the world as you treat each other.

Cleese: But every civilisation reaches a crisis point eventually.

Keanu: Most of them don’t make it.

Cleese: Yours did. How?

Keanu: Our sun was dying. We had to evolve in order to survive.

Cleese: So it was only when your world was threatened with destruction that you became what you are now.

Keanu: Yes.

Cleese: Well, that’s where we are. You say we’re on the brink of destruction, and you’re right.  But it’s only on the brink that people find the will to change; only on the precipice that we evolve. This is our moment – don’t take it from us. We are close to an answer.

This past week I've heard the term "political will" along with "being on the brink" then comes this flick and it all makes sense.  Seemed poetic to see this nicely summed up in a random viewing of a movie I never had pegged as a call to action to protect the planet.

 

When we are at the brink of Copenhagen and global climate change this coming week I hope they play this movie on the airplanes of all those who are going because we are close to that answer and we are on the brink.  This is our moment otherwise the ending of this movie may become a reality where we pay the ultimate price: no electricity, no cars, no trains, no oil, no man made pollution - wait a minute I'm waiting for the bad part.

 

http://www.imdb.com/video/hulu/vi1047461913/

Posted via email from Michael's Ramblings . . .

Derreck Kayongo - proof that you can make a difference

via youtube.com

Meeting inspiring people like Derreck Kayongo who began The Global Soap Project which recovers and recycles soap from American hotels and facilitates a process by which it is sanitized, melted and remolded into new bars, then distributed to refugee camps in Africa.

Uplifting and inspiring - proof positive that behind every revolution there is someone with a vision and in this case Derreck is putting that vision into action! http://www.globalsoap.org/

Posted via web from Michael's Ramblings . . .

On the last train to Charleston

via flickr.com

This marked my 8th year attending the Blackbaud Conference in Charleston SC. They have been doing this now for 10 years and I swear each time they reinvent the process.

When you see tweets like: "Best NPO Conferences I've been to. Great speakers, networking, idea sharing. Technology/ people rock!" You know you're part of something a little bit magical. It's like almost coming home and much of that is the relationships that are formed from within Blackbaud and the amazing, inspiring people you meet and continue to connect with.

The market place is a reminder of just how innovative the planning team gets in keeping the attendees engaged, relaxed and well fed. I was also watching the flow and process which maximized how the vendors interacted, the options for breaks even the chair massage - oh I would have killed to have sat in one of those chairs!

Of course there was the gestapo afternoon break folks who worked for the convention center. They refused to allow anyone access to the soda pail until 3:15 sharp. Didn't they know who I was? I actually had the bottle of soda in my hand and was told to put it back - should have licked the bottle as my Navy Alumni buds suggested, that would have been fun.

For me this year was a very different experience. I got to stretch the old noodle a bit and presented on a topic I was not all that comfortable with. I actually think I pulled it off even though I couldn't remember NWF's mission statement. Got ribbed for that one! I don't know my scores but as my "life twin" Kate who is sitting next to me said, I was "very animated, engaging and fun to listen and watch." Of course she told me this at the evenings reception hour so maybe I need to factor in the "tipsy" aspect of the review!

I attended a series of events I don't normally follow and I have to say it was liberating in a way to learn more about topics that I don't have to directly support. I find the learning to be invaluable as a technologist because you never know when I have to apply something I encountered to the job. I was also impressed that how in just a short time frame, folks attending many of the social networking sessions, were no longer questioning the terminology - they got it! So not the case last year.

I had the dubious honor of being listed at the conference as a top tweeter - http://wthashtag.com/Bbcon not sure I can include that in my resume but I understand I will have an ASP named after me. What I did get from all the tweets . . . is how by highlighting the session points during the engagement I can now go back and reference those comments, it's better then note taking! AND - connecting with other Tweets who were in the same or different sessions, priceless.

I FINALLY got to meet Holly Ross from NTEN http://twitter.com/ntenhross who used the geographical search feature on Twitter and found me at the session. For about 2 hours I was looking for a gal wearing a pair or Red Shoes and a Navy Blue blouse. We hooked up at her session where I publicly professed my love for her, she was as engaging in person as she has been online and spoke to the very point of what being a technologist means to me and how we use those skills to support those and provide service to do good in todays world. http://www.youtube.com/user/blackbaudinc#p/u/7/NhW4WCAfejI

I'm looking forward to sharing more about this awesome event http://twitter.com/#search?q=bbcon and to nurture the relationships both new and old as a result of my latest Charleston trip. Until next time.

We are of Peace. Always.

Posted via web from Michael's Ramblings . . .

Trekking to Charleston, again

It's that time of year.  Ahhh yes, November when the leaves begin to turn and fall, holiday preparations and family plans are being discussed, breaking out the warm attire begins and of course it's the annual Blackbaud Conference for Non Profits - this is either my 7th or perhaps 8th time that I am making this visit.  I think after 10 years they name a DLL or a process after you, so like Bill Murray in Caddyshack when discussing his reward from the Dalai Lama, I got that to look forward to.  Of course I'm looking forward to seeing some great friends I have had the good fortune to make over the years and then there is the PACKING challenge.  In all the time I've traveled to Charleston I try to see how little I can get away with packing for the 3 days, which hasn't always worked out.

One year I had to purchase some Blackbaud shirts as I miscalculated or did I slurp one too many oysters and stain a shirt?  Last year I made the tactical mistake of not bringing a coat and it ended up being the coldest week ever. I swear I saw snow falling in the morning - but then again there were many mornings I was a bit bleary eyed thanks to the engaging and non stop energy attending a Blackbaud session such as this can provide.

This year however will be a little different for me, this year besides looking at the forecast, I will be attending the conference as a representative of the National Wildlife Federation (NWF) and NOT the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF).  Why is this different?  and I should be clear, different does not mean bad different or good different, different in this case is related to the scope of service which the two organization has chosen Blackbaud to partner with.  CBF followed the same rule of thumb my friends at Navy Alumni used, if Blackbaud made it we bought it.  NWF on the hand only has a limited engagement with their Raiser's Edge (RE) product.  RE is the Customer Relationship Management (CRM) component both organizations use to manage key members and it's only used for a small segment of NWF 4 million membership.

I was fortunate during my 10 years at CBF to not only witness the Blackbaud product line grow and take off as it has to encompass a great many needs of non-profits but also help guide and be part of that development by taking an active role in various early adopter programs and review panels on first versioning of Blackbaud's software solutions.  

NWF is much different in that there are already well placed teams and high capacity systems in place that have established the collection of data and the flow which in turn created partnerships with other competitors in the direct marketing field like Merkel.  My level of influence along with my understanding of the work flow on this front is still at it's early stages.  The history of the process and and what makes up the volume is also at its infancy as it's only been 6 months being in the role of lead Technologist.  Was I surprised that Blackbaud had reached out and asked me to participate in a Direct Marketing Panel discussion titled:  The Challenges and Successes of Managing an Advanced, Integrated Marketing Strategy and in this case representing NWF?  Oh, yes I most certainly was - while I was happy to have the opportunity it was clear I was not treading in unfamiliar territory.

Back in April I had the good fortune to do something similar in Boston at the Target Analytics session as part of CBF and Amelia Koch the CBF Director of Membership was with me answering the tough Marketing questions.  I won't have that safety net this time even though Amelia was also invited to be on this current panel along with Misty Thornton from Heifer International   I have to admit I'm a bit nervous now, before I could speak to a great many topics as I knew the CBF organization inside and out.  Not the case with NWF.

So now that I have the panel questions in hand I have two tacts to take:  take the opportunity to spend the next week trying to immerse myself in all things Direct Marketing related to the NWF organization or . . . and it's a gamble but here it is:  focus instead on where I see the organization moving forward on the Direct Marketing front and not worry about stats and what NWF has done in the past.

So to recap -

 

• November, good month, leaves, turkey, family.  
• Charleston, look at the forecast, pack accordingly this time, try to save brain cells and liver.  
• Blackbaud conference, excited to see many friends and partners, maybe even a Baudcast.  
• Direct Marketing Panel, speaker, pray, shoot from the hip - ask questions later.

I pitched them the idea of me participating in a more technical track but noooooo.  It's OK, really.  But fair warning - I'm bringing all my product flair.  Can't be seen only wearing the RE and Speaker flair on my name badge, I have a reputation to protect.  Chucktown, here I trek!

 

Posted via web from Michael's Ramblings . . .

Chicago bound, time to SEE3

via see3.net

This week I am fortunate to attend a CIO NPO symposiums of sorts sponsored by one of our tech providers, CDW - these guys not only sell everything tech related thing under the sun and are well underway to servicing the non profit sector in more areas which this conference is geared towards. More on the CDW experience later, for now I want to talk about see3.

I had mentioned about my trip to Chicago sort of in passing a week ago via Twitter when one of my followers, http://twitter.com/Michael_Hoffman replied and was hoping to hook up when I arrived in Chi-Town.

Michael is President and CEO of see3 communications http://www.see3.net/ based in Chicago - a group I had the pleasure of being introduced to several years ago at an NTEN session in DC. I was impressed with their technology and services back then, even more now. As this incredible interactive video marketing piece from the American Cancer Society will attest to http://bit.ly/ZDew0

When talking with some of my program folks at National Wildlife Federation, in particular Julie Lalo who's the Regional Representative of the Chesapeake Mid Atlantic affiliate group, we had a lively discussion about the challenges of the affiliates in sharing each others experiences and stories. How video could be such a powerful tool and how they each have so many stories to tell and more importantly to share. Not only would the general public have a far richer experience, they could easily learn from one another, if . . . and that that's a big word - IF they had the means to easily access, post and follow a video oriented system.

The tools are out there, "see3" is a perfect example - the trick is bringing all the ingredients into the one pot.

When it all comes together the stew has the potential for tasting delish, but to follow the analogy one more step, if you put too many chefs in the kitchen who knows what the results will be. I'm hoping that I can swing a hook up with Michael - I mean we have the same name, that's one of the rules of Michael's we're drawn to one another by name alone - but seriously, I'm not sure at this point if I have the right the ingredients not to mention a big enough pot to promote these amazing tools and services. NWF is one of those groups with a lot of moving parts, trying to understand and follow it all is daunting.

It would take a concerted effort to pull not only the affiliates together but also the staff. I like the concept of giving them a pot to share their ideas in while contributing to the stirring and blending to come up with a unified message.

Aren't cooking analogies the best? Maybe I shouldn't be blogging before I eat?

Specialization without integration is fragmentation - Peter Forbes

Michael Sola is the Director of IT and lead technologist at the National Wildlife Federation. NWF is the United States' largest private, nonprofit conservation education and advocacy organization, with over 4 million members and supporters in 48 state-affiliated organizations

Posted via web from Michael's Ramblings . . .

Chamber Of Commerce Strong-Arms Service Provider Into Shutting Down Spoof Site? Seriously?

via huffingtonpost.com

Ok, here's the deal: The Internet Service Provider "Hurricane Electric" which hosts the web site for The Yes Men, who are trying to fix the world one huge prank after another, was forced to bar them off their service or face a lawsuit.

I guess Chamber President Tom Donohue here can't take the joke, well it's not really a joke. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/10/23/chamber-of-commerce-stron_n_332087.html

In the process of adhering to the "letter" Hurricane Electric had to shut down, for what ended up being several hours, hundreds of other legitimate client web sites. All because the US Chamber of Commerce threatened legal action against the ISP provider.

I wonder, what about the Service Level Agreement the hundreds of other clients signed into agreement with and expected from the ISP provider? If I was one of their clients who were shut down for no cause I would be talking to a lawyer about compensation and lost business!

You would think there could have been other ways to fix this. For instance: they could have told The Yes Men to shut down voluntarily or be forced off per their normal contract agreements due to violations as cited by the US Chamber. They could have limited their bandwidth - instead they hard shut the circuit and forced hundreds of client to be in the dark.

Nice customer service!

Here is the video

Posted via web from Michael's posterous

It's not "climate change" . . . it's "climate revolution"

I was recently reminded how simple yet how hard it is going to be to rethink climate change.  I'm not even sure I like that word:  change.

 

It became clearer after seeing an old Star Trek episode titled Mirror Mirror when the "good" Captain Kirk was telling the alternate universe "evil" Mr. Spock that if he wanted to affect change he not only needed the power but had to have the will and desire.  James T. Kirk eloquently responded before departing that: "In every revolution, there's one man with a vision."  I like to think we have more then one man these days who now has that vision of what climate change means but instead of thinking of it as change perhaps we need to think more in terms of a revolution.

 

We see the revolution in so many walks of life now that it's almost impossible to keep it all straight.  I get easily confused with all the "green actions" to take or way to help and yet I want to do SOMETHING.  What I don't want is to be lumped into this "green box" and labeled a "tree hugger" just because I desire clean air and clean water.  HELLO - basics of life, without it we all stop living. 

 

But like the "alternate universe Mr. Spock" stated. at times I feel like I lack the power.  Marching on government offices, signing petitions, sending e-alerts to congress - it's all good but is it real power?  What is power in a movement such as this one?

 

I see power these days in all sorts of ways, and perhaps this is me being bias because I am part of the National Wildlife Federation staff but I will say that the "Be Out There" campaign is going to provide parents and children with some real powerful tools to help fight for climate revolution in a very different and progressive way - through our children!

 

Offering smart interactive tools and ways start a new generation of revolutionaries is the goal of so many and the NWF Be-Out-There web site is just one of them. 

 

Another revolutionary is "the playoutdoors lady" Bethe Almeras who pens The Grass Stain Guru which not only promotes ideas and ways to introduce kids to climate and the great outdoors but provides a place to share stories, experiences and outdoor passion that is required if our climate revolution will have success.

 

Like I said, there are so many wonderful resources it can get confusing, yet if you've come this far I trust you will go a little further.  Take action, be heard but more importantly - get out - see and feel that vision, we need you!  www.blogactionday.org for Climate Revolution is just step in the process. 

 

Warp Speed, arm the Photon Torpedo's - and full speed ahead!

 

http://www.nwf.org/beoutthere/ 

 

http://grassstainguru.com/

Posted via email from Michael's posterous

To Blog or Not to Blog . . .

There was a discussion recently that started with fellow tweet http://twitter.com/askdebra Debra Askanase where she posed the challenge: Why Uncensored Blogging is the Future of Corp Communications | Community Organizer 2.0 http://bit.ly/w2gub 

I liked the piece and re-tweeted it with a comment about how I had some misgivings related to uncensored blogging, mostly because of personal experience related to organizational strategy.  There needs to be a strategy, guidelines, flexibility - yes? and better yet does the blogger have to fear what they write?  

I think my feelings stem from my last gig where I blogged on the "no strategy" side of the fence.  My tech blog was not in line with the environmental or educational aspects of the organization.  I'd hear about the messages back and forth from management questioning why I was even permitted to blog.  Especially related to Debra's piece I was always in fear of what I had posted even though in my gut I felt I was trying to share a story, an experience related to how my technology program was impacting the community and the organization work being done.  

Writing is as much about style as it is content and having a personality come out of the written word I think connects the reader.  However if the "powers that be" don't buy into that concept of how blogging is a means of self expression and can be a great tool to message and share, then the blogger will quickly find themselves in a room with bright lights with a guy in a white coat and plyers.  It's one of the reasons it was time to move on as I felt the hierarchy didn't "get it" and being placed in the dog house was a shining example of how old school thinking still exists in this genre where there is no strategy.

Uncensored "corporate blogs" only works if the mentality and culture allows it to work.  Also it goes to trust, does the organization trust the staffer who will be blogging even if they go "off message" - which I whole heartedly support as I like a good ramble, it shows character and personality.  

Ramble on, and if possible try to ramble in 140 characters or less please.

Specialization without integration is fragmentation - Peter Forbes

Posted via email from Michael's posterous

What it means to be a citizen . . .

via time.com

I recently shared a commentary on my Facebook profile regarding an observation when seeing the movie 'Taking Woodstock' - I had found the word of mouth sharing of the event fascinating given the timeframe: the lack of Internet, email, Twitter, no social networking tools of any kind. Yet the sheer numbers and passion of the people who gathered for Woodstock was a sight to behold.

I had asked the question "why is it so hard in today's world to garner that same type of mobilization and passion?" We have as many passionate people today as back then and God knows there are a ton of heart wrenching causes. A friend of mine answered that questions in a few simple words:

"It's because we no longer have a sense of community." and she is right.

This piece I saw in the Sept 21 issue of Time hit a nerve, while the focus of the article speaks towards consumerism it would seem that this particular action of consumerism has brought people together. When the Time poll concluded that 68% of Americans "think they do not live up to their responsibilities as citizens" - I had to wonder, what does that mean?

Perhaps we are not passionate about our responsibilities or is it we are afraid to speak out for fear we won't be perceived well or not "politically correct". I'm not sure what that means anymore and maybe that's part of the problem, what is bringing us together? What is galvanizing us? What is keeping us from being stronger?

I recently saw Gallagher on his "Stuck in the 60's" tour http://www.gallaghersmash.com/ at 63 he is as witty and bright as ever and exercising freedom of speech to a brand new generation. So in the words of the "smartest man alive" : Freedom of speech includes volume.

That's right my bald headed friend: Crank it up, and let's get responsible in style!

Posted via web from Michael's posterous

HOW TO: Celebrate International Talk Like a Pirate Day

via mashable.com

Talk Like a Pirate Day is today - Sept 19, 2009 - learn how to talk Pirate.
So Yo-Ho matey, aye!

Cap'n Mike signing off

Posted via web from Michael's posterous

The National Parks: America's Best Idea | PBS

via pbs.org

I love the tag line ". . . as Americans we're not only connected to this land, we're connected by it." How simple an idea is that?

I know where I'll be on Sept 27 at 8pm EST - where will you be?

Posted via web from Michael's posterous

Be Careful what you Tweet

I was playing with this Google auto search feature - how many of us Google our name?  I swear it's not vanity, the results may surprise you.

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=Where%20can%20I%20see%20michaelsola's%20official%20website 

So some of the results I expected, but then I started seeing some listings that looked, well - odd.  Thanks to the searching and API tools that have integrated Twitter posts into organizations web sites my name was showing up in some odd places.  

While I try and I'll say that again - TRY to be mindful of what I always say, I don't always think where it will end up. 

 

A few weeks back I did a post related to the obstacles I had using my insurance companies searching tools to find a Physical Therapist - after the first 4 attempts of dialing disconnected numbers I had my doubts of finding anybody in the Reston VA area.  Simply using the word Reston with NO hashtag or anything related to a web site or follower got me listed in a Reston web site.  

So regardless of where you contribute your thoughts or comments keep in mind, the online world is more integrated than you think.  

Specialization without integration is fragmentation - Peter Forbes

Posted via email from Michael's posterous

FernyBlog.net » Ellen DeGeneres: New judge of American Idol!

via fernyblog.net

So - Ellen D, next judge on American Idol - you go girl! I've always like Ellen going way back. Should be a whole new twist!

Posted via web from Michael's posterous

Nike and Lance Armstrong Unite to Inspire and Mobilize

via youtube.com

I love this message - Lance Armstrong no matter the hype no matter the critics is an inspiration. So many count on him.

As he states in this very simple yet hard hitting piece, when he says he's "not back on this bike for them . . . " the message is clear who he's riding for, it's for those that can't - at least not yet.

I have this urge to go out and pedal.

www.livestrong.org/

Posted via web from Michael's posterous

#1 Twitter Songs on YouTube

via mashable.com

Ben Walker actually has a nice voice and captured the Twitter universe very nicely. "we're validating each others insecurities" has to be my favorite line!

When I get the "look" as I pull out my Berry I will think of Ben's song and use some of the lyrics.

I'm excited to spread some "twitter love" in the near future - one of the internal surveys I did at work indicated staff wanted training on the use of Twitter. In a week I'm heading out to the NWF Great Lakes, Boulder and Seattle offices for the "Good Tech Tour 09" along with the diva of Social Media "@starfocus". I may have play this song as an intro!

Happy Sunday and TWEET On!

Posted via web from Michael's posterous

Not for the faint of heart . . .

via mashable.com

O.M.G.I.G.P (Oh My God, I’m Gonna Puke)

The Microsoft ad for their browser IE 8 has certainly made an impression on our household. Loved the SNL feel, almost like when Dan Akroyd would step in to bring balance to the commercial.

Would love to know what the web page was, of course I would never need a private browser service . . . I use the clear history, that seems to work for me!

Now where do I pick up New Shimmer, the desert topping or is it a floor wax?!

Posted via web from Michael's posterous

United Breaks Guitars

via youtube.com

I don't know who out there hasn't been victim to travel woes, I've had my share of luggage come back beat up but this story if quite amusing. I think the best part of this is how an artist took the incident viral!

Goes to show what a few million hits will do when you get creative and Dave Carroll did just that, got creative. http://bit.ly/DrLsl This link is his follow up statement on the incident. We should all be this lucky!

The power of the pen, or in this case the zeros and ones!

Posted via web from Michael's posterous

Tormented Squirrel

via facebook.com

In a sense this has to be poetic justice, I've had squirrels torment my bird feeders, rip holes in my screened in deck to get at the bird feed - it could be worst, this could have been the video for the Squirrel Ball of Death as invented by my good friend Chuck Epps.

I can't go into details but picture this:

- a bird feeder hung by a long wire
- the wire is greased with a lubricant
- midway on the wire . . . an embedded nail ball
- smart squirrels work their way down the wire, hit the grease, pick up speed, hit the nail ball with their tiny heads, they then fall to the ground with a thump, dazed and confused.
- bird feeder remains in tact
- birds are happy
- humans are entertained

I didn't create the contraption, I'm just relaying the concept! Happy Squirrel watching!

Posted via web from Michael's posterous

Who's a spammer and who's for real

I am a believer of collecting followers that matter - not using these services that advertises "get thousands of tweets in a single click" is not what I'm trying to accomplish building my twitter network.  I've had this conversation many times, it's the quality not the quantity that counts.

But there are times I get "followed" and I have to wonder . . . are they real or is it just another scam? 

Last week I attended this awesome session at USA Today about Cause Marketing.  The timing was perfect as it led into some amazing discussions I had with colleagues, co-workers and friends looking for advise and guidance in this area.  Since the conference which I tweeted about http://twitter.com/#search?q=%23u2MAD , I have had a slew of new "followers" - I have a rule about "followers" - 

• I don't follow in return unless I like what I see posted by the follower, 
• they have an actual avatar and not John Cussacks face - only Joe Meehan can get away with that, and preferably the avatar should not be wearing a bikini - not that there is anything wrong with that . . .
• and they have to have something written in their bio - anything
  

I came across a recent follower I almost decided to follow until I saw their tweets.  Here is a sampling:

1. Deleting a few hundred spam followers. When will they ever learn?
   

2. 6:09 PM Jul 4th from web
   

3. Make a living on twitter, check it out http://bit.ly/tjUUL
   

4. 4:42 PM Jul 4th from web
   

5. Noticed there is not much swearing on Twitter... how does that work?
   

6. 4:01 PM Jul 4th from web
   

7. Getting ready to celebrate the Lakers wining the NBA Championship!
   

8. 3:58 PM Jul 4th from web
   

9. Make a living on twitter, check it out http://bit.ly/tjUUL
   

10. 1:03 PM Jul 4th from web
    

11. Been sat working in McDonalds all day, like a lonely loner...
    

12. 12:31 PM Jul 4th from web
    

13. I got laid off, making money on twitter saved my lifehttp://bit.ly/tjUUL
    

14. 11:50 AM Jul 4th from web
    

15. too much to do so little time
    

16. 9:25 AM Jul 4th from web
    

17. Taking the day off today
    

18. 7:11 AM Jul 4th from web
    

19. Jobless, but now I am even making more money on twitterhttp://bit.ly/tjUUL
    

20. 7:11 AM Jul 4th from web
    

21. Make a living on twitter, check it out http://bit.ly/tjUUL
    

22. 3:49 AM Jul 4th from web
    

23. Thanks to all the people following me! Looking forward to your Tweets!
    

24. 3:34 AM Jul 4th from web
    

25. I want a sexy business man with a brain, who's single
    

26. 3:09 AM Jul 4th from web
    

27. Let twitter pay your bills http://bit.ly/tjUUL
    

28. 2:58 AM Jul 4th from web
    

29. Want something stronger than tea to drink.
    

30. 2:52 AM Jul 4th from web
    

31. Jobless, but now I am even making more money on twitterhttp://bit.ly/tjUUL
    

32. 2:22 AM Jul 4th from

Call me crazy but why do I think this is nothing but a spammer trying to sell or promote how to make a living on Twitter?  I don't believe the in between posts.  I think they are trying too hard to do the "balance" thing of sharing "personal" and mixing in professional. 

I think there should be balance on the twitter front, it's how we build and earn relationships but this . . . maybe I'm getting too suspicious in my middle age but I just don't know anymore who's real and who isn't.
In the kingdome of blind men the one ey'd is king. [1640 G. Herbert Outlandish Proverbs no. 469]

Posted via email from Michael's posterous

Making the Digital Switch - Hello FiOS

We made the switch this week from Comcast to Verizon FiOS mostly to avoid the rate increase after the promotional period ended and the need for increased web speeds. So besides getting use to the new menu options I have to say so far I don't miss the tiling that would occur on the digital channels and there are certainly more channels in High Def offered by Verizon. On the Internet front, I don't miss my old wireless router and this one has more range bringing the hammock and laptop together again. Up-speeds are in the 20mb range where as download speeds are in the 4 - 5 not great when you consider all the gaming happening, not by me of course but by the boys - yeah that's it, the boys. on the down side, Verizon didn't make it easy to access the router, in fact they don't even allow you to access the admin menu, at least they never shared the password. . . . here's what else I don't like, and in no particular order: - the guide menu is way to crowded, too many words - it takes much longer to figure out what channel I'm on. - no FX On-Demand. How the frak am I suppose to catch up on Rescue Me, Always Sunny - all the other twisted shows? and am I crazy, but FX is not available in High Def!!! - a week later I had to reset the Internet router - like in turn it off, press and hold the reset button. It just stopped working for no reason, that better NOT become a normal occurrence. - and now comes the worst infraction: Both AMC and WE owned by Cablevision - like Fx not only are neither of these stations on-demand but they are NOT available in High Def. Evidently the Dolans who own Cablevision hate Verizon. Hey Dolans, the hate goes both ways, as they say on Southpark "you bastards" bottom line - I can't finish catching up on Mad Men previous seasons and if I miss an episode life as I know it may end. I could care less about WE. - it was also noted that the little interface cable box that each TV HAS to have, requires an AC adaptor, more electricity AND it included ALL the subscription channels except the High Def. no wonder the 16 year old started camping out in his room late at night - Max at Nite was available as was HBO's Cathouse and Real Sex . . . not that I watched those shows, noooo, well at least he doesn't have access to them. Many more channels but surprisingly the same "there's nothing on" has been uttered more then once.  

Go figure.

Posted via email from Michael's posterous