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Paul Konrardy has spent the last several years literally engulfed in learning the ins-and-outs of running a successful website. He's gone from webmaster of a hugely trafficked online resource to COO of a start-up in this time. Along the way he's picked up several ideas that help create online success and shares these thoughts in the Blog category.

His ever-expanding curiosity about life and how it works has led him down many paths where he's absorbed a thing or two. These things often combine with the unexpected; resulting in a unique view of the world - something he shares in the Musings category.

And then there's Reiki - the Japanese technique for stress reduction and relaxation that also promotes healing. Paul has followed a Reiki path the past few years and shares his journey in the Reiki category. 

What else do you want to know? Rather than bore you with a bio like: "Paul was born in Minnesota in the heat of July in an un-air-conditioned hospital (something his mother never let him forget)", Paul's created a list of intentions that can be as revealing as a resume.

Intentions:
-to treat others as he'd like to be treated 
-to honor his parents and all they have given him
-to be respectful of all
-to not judge (as difficult as that is)
-to be independent in thought and action
-to be as genuine as possible
-to follow the path that is laid in front of him

If you need more details, check out Paul's LinkedIn profile or contact him directly, He's pretty much an open book.

Reiki (pronounced Ray - Kee) is a Japanese stress reduction and relaxation technique founded by Mikao Usui Sensei in the late 1800s. A Reiki session consists of laying on hands at various points of the body to direct life force energy. This process results in helping the recipient relax and balance their energies.

The word "Reiki" is loosely translated as "Universal Life Energy." The word actually consists of two Japanese words, "Rei" meaning air or spirit and "Ki" meaning power or energy. "Ki" is equivalant to the Chinese word "Qi" also known in the west as "Chi". 

A Reiki practitioner goes through various attunements to increase their ability to interact with energy and help direct it to a recipient. Additional training and internship practice is part of this tradition.

While there is a spiritual component to Reiki, it is not a religion. There are guiding principles that help inspire practitioners to be the best they can be. 

I would hardly call my Reiki a "practice" but that is the official term for such an offer. While I no longer charge for this service - at least for now - it remains a gift I provide friends, family and pets.

It's become evident that the world can always use more healing and Reiki is such a perfect healing medium. Of particular effectiveness and convenience, Reiki can be provided from a distance - in physical location as well as time. If I can be a service to you, please contact me with your request. I will do my best to add your intention to my list of prayers. And if you are in the Pheonix area, we may be able to connect in person for a hands on healing session as well. It never hurts to ask.

Much has been written about the Reiki Principles and it has been helpful to look at the original text from Usui Sensei (translated):

"JUST TODAY, don't get angry, don't worry, be grateful, work hard, be kind to others."

It should be noted that Usui Sensei was influenced by the Meiji Principles  of the period which include many of the same ideals.

There are now many versions from various translations and paraphrasing. My favorite is from the Usui/Hayashi/Takeuchi/Takamori lineage:

Just for today, I will not anger. Instead, I will cultivate peace in my heart.

Just for today, I will not worry. Instead, I will develop trust.

Just for today, I will do my work honestly.

Just for today, I will not harm any living thing. Instead I will honor life.

Just for today, I will give thanks for my many blessings by practicing generosity.

Put into practice, these principles provide guidance and a place to start the day in a good place. To me the practice of living in the moment or being present is most difficult. It really helps to remember "just for today" and apply it to many live experiences.

If one reflects on these principles in times of stress - they can provide the perfect antidote to worry, frustration and fear.

Reiki is largely an oral tradition with knowledge and expertise passed from Reiki Master to the student. As such, noting a Reiki Practitioner's lineage is an important component in determining authenticity.

Mikao Usui is recognized as the founder of Reiki - some call him the rediscoverer. Whatever he is called, he is at the head of the "Reiki Family Tree" and all lineages start with him.

In the Eastern Lineage I'm 8th generation. This lineage includes:
Mikao Usui
Dr. Chujiro Hayashi
Takeuchi Sensei
Seiji Takamori
Ranga Premaratna
Constance Fait
Mae Clayton
Jean Formo
Paul Konrardy.

In my other lineage (which I like to call the Western Lineage) I'm 7th generation. This lineage includes:

Mikao Usui

Dr. Chujiro Hayashi

Hawayo Takata

Barbara Weber Ray

John Lauks

Dee Millard

Lucille Crow
Paul Konrardy.

An important Reiki tradition is to honor all our Masters and Teachers. The acknowledgement of our lineage is one way to provide that honor.

My first experience with Reiki was in approximately 1990. My mother-in-law, Trudy, introduced it to me calling it a healing modality that is non-invasive and spiritually directed. My first session was during a Reiki Circle in Palo Alto, CA. As I lay on the table with three practitioners providing Reiki, little did I know my life was about to change. I was transported to a place in my being I had never been to before. Wonderful, peaceful and warm were the best adjectives I can remember from this experience. Of particular significance was the aurora-borealis-like light show that was going on behind my closed eyes. I felt great, open and wanting more when it was over.

Years passed and while still wanting more, it didn't come. I did not seek it out nor do I know why. About three years ago, my dear friend, Julie, and I had embarked upon an entrepreneurial journey as eBay retailers. After a few months we had a few dollars in the bank and looked at each other to ask "what do we do with this?" One day - and seemingly out of the blue (right) - Julie called me asking if I would be interested in taking a Reiki class. The memory of my Reiki introduction flooded back and I was delighted to answer "yes". 

We took Reiki I and II in the Usui/Hayashi/Takata Lineage (Western Lineage) at a local community college. It was a good experience overall and led me to offer Reiki to my friends and family. These sessions felt fulfilling and my "clients" reported amazing things ranging from communicating with those who have transitioned to "you have such hot hands!" to past-life memories to falling asleep on the table. My intent at that point was to continue on the path to Reiki Master. However, my inquiry was met with an unexpected curve: our Reiki Master Teacher encourages her students to pursue a different healing program of her creation rather than traditional Reiki Master training. I searched my feelings and discussed this proposal with my confidants. Upon reflection, it became very clear that this was not the path I wanted to follow. I felt guided to another.

Meanwhile, Julie had done some research and located Reiki Master Teacher Jean Formo's website. She shared it with me and after reviewing the site I decided to call Jean for more information. "Welcome home" was the feeling I had during our first and subsequent conversations. Jean is from the Usui/Hayashi/Takeuchi/Takamori lineage (Eastern Lineage) which meant we would need to be attuned again from the beginning - including repeating Reiki I and II. While this entailed additional time and resource, Jean made the experience wonderful and the Eastern Lineage seems a much better fit to my sensibilities. The path appeared to be set in place and I was happy to follow it.

From the beginning, the intent has been to become a Reiki Master - which occurred in September 2010. Master/Teacher level was reached in August 2011. Having now been attuned in two lineages, I feel an amazing open-ness to Reiki and know how profoundly it has impacted my life.

While on this Reiki path, there has been a pull to learn more, experience more and be open to what is in store. I've felt more at peace with myself and my historic foibles than ever before. Good health has followed - better health than at any time in my life. Reiki has become my go-to place of peace in the midst of chaos. It is a gift to share with others in crisis and out. Reiki is my constant companion and has made a tremendously positive impact on my life and willingness to allow my path to unroll before me without need of my interference.

Reiki circle image credit: in2energy.com

It's not often that a product is launched with such strong response as the Google+ project (aka G+). So what's all the fuss about?

What is it?
G+ has been called a social network. It's been called the anti-Facebook. It's been called a lot of things. Google calls it "a project" and something they've "been working on (by) adding a few new things to Google: to make connecting with people on the web more like connecting with them in the real world." My take is it's the best new way I've found to connect your online life; providing multiple ways to share/collaborate within the complexity of that online life.

With G+ you can communicate with your friends, share information with coworkers, find people with similar interests. It's definitely a social network but one that will grow in ways we cannot begin to dream of.

Why It's a Game-Changer
If sign-up numbers are any indication, G+ has already established itself as a force to be reckoned with: it took G+ 24 days to sign up 20 million users - something that took Twitter 1035 and Facebook 1152 days to accomplish.

Which brings us to the inevitable Facebook comparison. Is G+ an alternative to Facebook or simply a copycat? It depends on how you use it. This infographic provides a good feature comparison. As far as I'm concerned, though, features are not the only thing in play here; consumer trust is a huge factor in adoption. With Facebook's multiple privacy issues, G+ has a huge competitive edge if Google can keep privacy front and center.

Product Integration
What the infographic outlined above doesn't display are the many Google products that are integrated (or soon will be) with G+. Things like Google Docs, Gmail, Calendar, Maps, Places, etc - I think you get the picture here. Google has spent the past dozen or so years creating helpful tools & apps that people have integrated into their daily lives. G+ has the promise to pull these all together for an experience that is unlike anything out there - total integration.

I'd be more concerned about this one-stop-shopping if I didn't have a good impression of Google's privacy stance. It pleases me no end to have all my security defaults private until I decide to share them.

The power went out at my house in Arizona a couple hours ago. Apparently a transformer exploded. I threw blankets on the fridge, grabbed my 'puter and drove to a Starbucks to continue working. Oh - I forgot to mention it's 110 degrees out. No AC in AZ in summer is pretty brutal.

Once I slid into Starbuck's 3rd place coolness, I pulled up SRP's website (the utility) looking for updates to this debacle. They posted smack-dab in the middle of the page a link to their Twitter account for updates. Albeit a tad sceptical, I pulled it up, followed them and have been graced with updates and cooing words of humility by SRP. As well as - and more interesting to me - messages from other customers reporting the power slowly coming back to various locations around the city (though not near my house yet).

Bravo to @SRPConnect for being there to respond to your customers. And for answering my inane questions. Not that you had much to share, being there you have allowed crowdsourcing to happen spontaneously as your customers report where the power is back. You may not have anticipated this when you got online, but it's effective and should be encouraged.

Anyone in a business wondering if it's worth being online during service disruption is nuts. This situation is proof positive that your customers are out there. Without an outlet they could say untrue things. Or worse, create their own versions of the story. SRP is a good example of being in the right place at the right time no matter how uncomfortable - and hot - it may be.

As QR codes become mainstream, there remain many questions about what a QR code is and how best to add them to marketing campaigns. (For the basics - check out the QR code primer I added to our company blog). If you've decided to actually implement a QR campaign, be certain to include these thoughts in your planning:

1) Create value
Make sure your campaign will actually be valuable to the participant. While still new to some people, QR Codes are gaining in common use. If you use them simply to spam your customer, you’ve lost an opportunity to establish a relationship. Like anything else in the social marketing sphere, it's all about trust - don't make people afraid to scan your future QR codes by messing up the first few.

2) Think strategically
Will this campaign deliver one-way communication or will it provide a means to start a conversation with a new customer? Think contests, subscriptions or give-ways. If you can continue the conversation beyond the initial attraction phase you are planning properly.

3) Be unique
Most QR Codes result in a webpage while missing the opportunity to use a text, email or phone link to connect. Know your audience. Maybe a recorded message would work better than a webpage to further your engagement. Perhaps a SMS would work even better. Don't be afraid to experiment with various methods to see what works best for your intended audience. Creating the unexpected may build your brand more effectively than the “tried-and-tired”.

QR codes have great potential and are gaining acceptance at an amazing pace. They will likely have a short half-life but while they are in the public eye it's important they are used to their full potential.

Social Marketing is a customer-expectation more and more each day. Businesses are acknowledging the value SM brings but have taken differing paths implementing how they are getting there. Some are "doing" social while others are "being" social. Which are you?

Let's talk about how they differ...

"Doing" social is having a toe in the water. You may have a blog on your website and even set up Twitter & Facebook accounts. Only 1 or 2 people are involved and are likely in the marketing department. However, you may have hired someone to do this for you. It's a valiant effort and allows you to say you are "doing" social marketing.

On the other hand, "Being" social is including your entire company to engage customers. It includes the blog & social media presence but it also includes allowing your employees to participate in the process.

Let's look at a couple of businesses that are "being" social.

American Family Insurance has 8000 employees who are encouraged to participate in social media. They provide "listening" services - expanding the reach of the company to hear what is being said. They also can "amplify" message by sharing company-related information within their networks.

AFI has also created the HERO team - Highly Empowered and Resourceful Operatives. Team members come from marketing, customer service, sales and other areas of the company and engage customers on behalf of the company. Forrest Research's Josh Bernoff reflects "Embracing HEROs gets innovation coming from everywhere in the company.”

Source: Social Pro Files

Southwest Airlines has been in the social marketing space for a long time, at least in SM years (kind of like dog years :-). When they refreshed their blog, they increased their innovative employee-centric structure to improve internal and external engagement. They recruited a team of 30 employees from around the company in most departments and taught them how to be content providers. Armed with flip-cams and the smarts to know when to say something and when not to, these bloggers add content that is fresh and customer-focused on a regular basis. Talk about a customer engagement opportunity!

Check out the Nuts About Southwest blog.

Is it wrong to be "doing" social? No. But IMHO it will eventually lead to struggle. For me it boils down to saying something for yourself or letting someone say it for you. And eventually will likely lead to market shifts as the increasingly saavy customer moves their business from those "doing" social to companies that embrace "being" social.

For a very long time I've espoused the notion that intent is the core to a good content marketing strategy. Having good intent means you are creating a good resource for your current and potential customers. This will lead to revisits and sharing.

While good intent remains incredibly valuable, the meaning of your content has rising value that may someday eclipse intent. Meaning is the collective value that is placed upon your content. Collective being the filter of people placing value on your content by listing it or sharing it.

Search will likely remain very important but its influence will continue to erode as personal networks create the meaning filter consumers are craving. As self-described webthropologist Stowe Boyd puts it "Google is only the echo of our linking behavior, a second-order derivative of our combined gestures." This is, of course, true. If you think about how a search engine works, most web properties are spidered by a search engine 'bot. What the spider "sees" is put into an algorithm that spits out a result when we search for a topic. Part of that algorithm addresses the content on the page. Another part looks at the linkage that your content has with other sites. As hard as search companies try, they can't completely remove gaming from blackhat SEO marketers and others who are trying to manipulate the results. Sadly, spam and lower quality/manipulated search results start to bubble to the top instead of well intended content.

Add user behavior and expectations to the mix. With the increased role of social networks - and their inspired link sharing from friend to friend - you have a recipe for a new way for people to locate content. This points to a future we know is coming where the generations that will soon be in the consumer driver's seat have finely-honed BS filters, the smarts to get to the truth and the willingness to share what they know. This type of customer behavior will sink businesses that hide from their customers and thwart their employees from truly engaging internally and externally. Yes, via meaning.

So what to do as a content provider? First up and low hanging: Continue to hold to your intent to provide helpful, resource-rich content and make it simple to interact with and share. The value of owning your hub of information will not diminish.

More long term, include your people in the process so they can be willing, helpful filters for your content within their networks. This means you will need to trust. At the end of the day, it is because of mistrust that people are relying more and more upon their trusted connections to filter the world. Why not provide a reason you can be trusted by trusting the very people who make up your company?

In the end, meaning will provide the elusive means by which to find, maintain and nurture customers for long-term enriching relationships. Now's as good a time as any to start down the meaning path.

Image Credit: IMDb

The Twitterverse is abuzz with pronouncements regarding the need for email marketing in the post-social media world. Platitudes of "Email marketing is dead" fall in the stream almost as often as "Emails get more website traffic than Social Media" - you can guess which type of marketer is making each argument.

As with most arguments, the truth lies somewhere in the middle. To determine the best course of action, it's important to consider who you are marketing to and why. The particular demographic of your audience should be noted but so should having a particular marketing intent. Consider:

• Age is a huge factor. Using Pew Research Center data about generational use of the internet, you could deduce if you are targeting people between 18-33 you had better be using Social Media - 83% of them are there.
• If you are trying to connect with your customers, be aware that 64% of them would prefer to communicate with you via email versus 8% via social media. Source: ForeSee Results report

The social marketing vs email marketing battle does not have an either/or answer. They both can have positive impact on the bottom line if used with these general factors in mind:

• The younger the audience, the more likely they will respond positively to social media.
• Targeting a business audience? email is much more likely to be effective in the current market.
• Using the above: target a person at work - use email. At home - use social media.

The social vs email argument will likely not go away anytime soon. What's most important is to know how to use both social marketing AND email marketing effectively so you are prepared to address your audience where they are - not where you want them to be.

I was contacted by a client who sought online resources to better understand the SEO and Search Marketing process. In a flash, dozens of terrific blogs came to mind. Sorting through them, I thought, would be as easy as looking through my Google Reader and picking the top contenders. Well. 2 hours later I was still getting through the list.

Here's what resulted. It's not really a list of SEO or SEM experts - though there is expertise in what they say about those subjects - but more a list of blogs that have impacted my view of online marketing in ways I cannot begin to describe - nor give proper thanks for sharing what they know.

Here goes:

http://www.problogger.net - Targeted to bloggers but has amazing tips for increasing traffic to any kind of website. Truly a gift to those starting out as well as continuing to grow. 31 Days to Build a Better Blog is mind-boggingly good (no, I don't get anything for mentioning it).

http://www.copyblogger.com - The title can seem deceiving, it's really more about copywriting, content marketing and SEO copywirting than blogging - though bloggers will find those skills critical for success. Content Marketing 101 is amazing. (again, no, I'm not compensated for that plug either).

http://www.chrisbrogan.com - IMHO The new media marketing guru and a man who provides so much heart to the world it's hard not to like/respect him (go ahead and try). He's affable and humble in person as well. What you read is who he is - which is the best way I know how to teach people - by example.

http://sethgodin.typepad.com - Amazing forward-looking marketing author/blogger. He sets the example for how to make 2-3 paragraphs set the tone for the day.

http://www.briansolis.com - A new media marketer who uses human behavior and other psycho/sociological research in developing why people do what they do and why it's important to marketers. He provides tons of proof that doing the right thing by others without manipulation is the path to success.

http://www.heartofbusiness.com/blog - Heart of Business' Mark Silver added a human touch to business that I find extremely appealing. While his blog is not about marketing, per se, it is the perfect example of blogging about what you are passionate about and finding success as a result.

http://www.socialprblog.net - Marcie Bell and her team at The Foundry House never stop amazing me with how they interprete current social media trends in a way that new entrants to the space - as well as those already playing - can find useful. This is a terrific blog to start following when you've decided to join in.

Admittedly, this is a short list. Must-read lists should be short, non? Trust me on this one, my friends, if you don't subscribe to these blogs, you will miss out on some of the best online marketing information available.

Have some links of your own to share? I'd love to hear from you.......

If you haven't followed Google search lately, you are in for a couple surprises. Not long ago, Google announced implementation of Instant and Place Search - both of which will impact your site's search results in pretty big ways.

First up, Google Instant.

If you've done a Google search lately, you probably noticed that as you enter text into the search box, the results on the page change. This provides the user the opportunity to peruse the results quickly and continue to add words to their search in order to hone in on the answer they are seeking.

This user behavior radically changes how SEO works. Gone are the days when a simple individual key word rules how results are ranked. The best way to adapt to this new reality is to have good, helpful content on a website that is updated frequently. "Why is that?" you may ask. Here are a couple reasons why:

1) Helpful content is naturally full of the words that people are looking for - particularly if written in a conversational style. (see Creating Content Doesn't Have to be Difficult for more details). These words - when indexed by Google's search spiders, provide a better match to the words that are being entered into the search field.

2) If you've uploaded a sitemap to Google Webmaster tools, a website that is updated frequently will likely be indexed by the Search Engine spider with each update. Each visit  is more comprehensive and deeper - resulting in more of your good content being added to the search database.

Bottomline: Don't be afraid that your content isn't "Instant optimized" - just be sure to check that your content includes enough rich content that your visitors are looking for. Take a look at it with new eyes and revise what's there if you're unhappy with what you see. Also, start adding content on a regular basis so the Search Spiders will come back more often to spin their webs thicker.

Second - Place Search.

As I noted in my latest ClickWrite blog post (Google Place Search + Microsites = A Winning Combination), Place Search is a pretty phenominal opportunity for local search success.

Even if you don't have a microsite network you would be foolish not to utilize Google Places. Not only will you have one more "outpost" to connect to your "homebase" but you will continue to provide helpful content to your potential customer. This has an amazing attraction potential and increases your awareness

Bottomline: If you have a local business and are not yet on Google Places - RUN, don't walk and get your ad set up. You will see something amazing - and it's free. Still have an excuse? I didn't think so...;-)

Part one in a series.

Creating online content has a reputation for being difficult and somewhat mysterious. I've seen grown adults flinch at the thought of creating content saying things like: "It's too complicated", "I'll say something stupid" or "You need to add meta information and I have no idea where to start!" Oh dear - the fear is palpable.

If you think about it, creating content is something everybody does any time they use social networks to interact with their friends. Every time you write an email, you are creating content. Anytime you post a comment on a blog, you are creating content. It's not an uncommon task in today's online world and will only increase as the social web evolves.

Some would argue that you need to really know what you are doing in order to find success. I say BS - content is no more difficult than communicating with integrity. Of course if you tend to be a person who doesn't communicate well, then you may have some difficulty creating content. But who really doesn't want to communicate well? Beside, all my years on the couch have shown me that communication skills can be learned - just like creating content skills can be learned.

This is the start of a series of posts about creating good online content. I'm pretty certain it will be helpful to most people just starting out - and the experts may learn a thing or two as well...

Creating a Resource

The most important concept to remember about online content is that you are creating a resource for real people. You are building a place that people will come to, stay on, be engaged with and come back to - every one of these actions is captured in search analytics as: visits, bounce rate, time on site and stickiness (click here for more information about analytics). However, as you create content, it's far more important to think about the intention of helping people find what they are looking for and explaining concepts than to focus on one particular aspect of analytics.

Content Creation Golden Rules

If you follow these rules, you will find success. They aren't difficult. In fact, they are really easy to do. Just think of what you like about helpful content and try to emulate what you like best.

Use your customer's perspective
This is a vital step to create something people will find valuable. The trick here is to remove yourself from the task at hand and look at what you're building from your visitor's perspective. Ask yourself questions like this:

-What do I look for when I go to a website?

-If I were visiting my website for the first time, what would I want to know about the business?

If you can't get out of your own head, ask for help from a trusted friend - or better yet - a client who's a big fan. These people will hopefully be honest with you and help you see what you're missing.

Use simple, conversational language

The most successful websites use a conversational tone that people can relate to. Try really hard not to include technical jargon that only your engineering staff can understand. If you must use terminology that is unique to your industry, include definitions and use the terms sparingly. Conversational language is much more engaging and makes your website a comfortable place to visit - and revisit.

Ensure facts are accurate

Content is your resume to the world. Just like you wouldn't want a prospective employer to find out you lied on your resume, don't let a potential customer find inaccurate statements on your website. I promise you the average website visitor is savvy enough to do a search if they even smell a little bit of deception. You will be called out. All it takes is once and "poof" there goes your online reputation. Always tell the truth and use accurate facts while doing it.

Run a spell check

I know it's a crazy, fast-paced world, but take the minute it takes to run a spell-check. Nothing ruins your credibility faster than a typo in the middle of your text. This is a simple but often overlooked step in the process.

Use Images/Video that contextually reflect the content on the page
That's a mouthful, isn't it? The basic rule here is to use images that are appropriate for the text on the page. For example, don't display an image of a bird when you are writing about dolphins. It's really a no brainer but think of the examples you've seen of images that have little or nothing to do with the text. What did you think of the website/company when you saw it?

Use humor appropriately
Humor can be hugely successful in creating memorable and sharable content. Just remember that everyone has a different sense of humor. Try to avoid sarcasm as it can backfire very easily (besides, sarcasm comes from the Greek word meaning "to tear flesh" - is that what you want to do to your visitors? Rip them to shreds? I didn't think so :-).

Creating content is an ever-increasing expectation for most jobs and for just living online. Using these golden rules you will find the process easier and less threatening. Go forth and create!

I recently sent my 1000th Tweet, an occasion allowing me to revisit the Social Media Rites of Passage concept and add another milestone.

Progressing through the rites of passage by using any social media over time, a sense of comfort is achieve that is hard to replicate without actually experiencing it. For example, I would never have known the role actual conversation on Twitter would have on me unless I'd actually done it. Before say, Tweet #200, I wouldn't have known it is perfectly acceptable and encouraged to contact people who post things of interest to you. As a result of starting to do this I've had great conversations leading to new connections. As well as horribly spam-like chats that led me to unfollow people. And sometimes, I've attempted to start a conversation only to be ignored. It's a lot like a cocktail party with strangers - you need to avoid the drunks and find your copasetic people. But gradually you hone your group to those you find have value - personally and professionally.

The education you gain from experience is invaluable. I've come to realize that the knowledge I've gained from using the Twitter "slot machine of information" regularly is vital to my growth as a professional. And the personal connections have a value I can't really describe. Something akin to finding one's community, I guess. It's been a hell of a ride so far and I can see it's just the beginning.

I think adding to the original 8 Rites of Passage would be appropriate. 

Milestone 9 - Gaining insight and expertise.
Expertise is gained while immersing oneself into social media and experiencing the real human connections that are made. It's not too difficult to see what happens when you spend some time but the results present themselves in ways you didn't expect. 

An example of this happened recently to a client - new to social media marketing - when they posted an announcement about an event. The post was Tweeted and sent via LinkedIn (the client believing them to be one way distribution channels). Traffic to the post was good and the event went well. What was unexpected to the client was the connections made through Tweeting the event and the corresponding retweets that led to thousands of Twitter impressions - classic message spread. The interconnected web obviously made this spread relatively easy, what surprised the client was the number of new connections that resulted - they were followed by several new people. It was like being the proverbial pretty girl at the party. Suddenly the client "got it" - social media is not a distibution channel exclusively, it's a networking opportunity as well.

It should be noted, however, that the insight gained from this experience couldn't have happened if the client didn't participate with a full toolbox of social media tools i.e. website base for posting and outpost social media presence for sharing, receiving and connecting. It seemed to the client that social media opened their business up to a new world that was ready to embrace them.

It's been said "the only way out is through". While it's usually said when one is in the thick of crisis, I think it's equally appropriate for muddling one's way through the Social Media Rites of Passage. You need to have some awkward moments to learn from. You also need to try and fail so you can determine where your comfort and community are. With time and experience you gain insight and expertise - an enormously valuable outcome for the effort.

In July 2008, Starbucks announced it was closing hundreds of stores. Reaction to this announcement was intense with multiple bulletin boards and forums lighting up with comments. One such outlet was the website www.SaveOurStarbucks.com - one of our user-generated community websites. SOS became a sensation. At its peak, thousands of hourly visitors were viewing with dozens of comments and petitions coming in each day. Traditional media took notice using its founder - me - as a (somewhat reluctant ;-) spokesperson for the movement.

Fast forward to September 2010. Howard Schultz, Starbucks CEO, credits social media with saving Starbucks by rebuilding customer trust. At the core is the direct communication vehicle MyStarBucksIdeas.com which has logged a quarter million ideas since launch. Add to that 13.000,000 Facebook "fans" who use FB to express themselves. Add 1,000,000 Twitter followers. And 5,000,000 YouTube views. I think you get the picture. Starbucks' trust rebuilding campaign has reaped stunning rewards.

So how did SaveOurStarbucks.com help save Starbucks? A direct correlation is impossible, of course. However, it's pretty plain to see that customer reaction - including SOS - played a huge role in Starbucks' decision to implement a customer trust rebuilding campaign. With so much customer complaining on a global stage, something had to be done to staunch the bleeding of customer goodwill. While I can't say SOS was the reason they took a long look at their inability to communicate with customers, I can say that our analytics included more than a handful of visits from the geographic region surrounding Starbucks' headquarters - many more.

I believe SaveOurStarbucks.com played a role in Starbucks' good decision to reach out to its customers with a smart customer trust rebuilding campaign. And further proof that creating an easy way for direct customer communication is critical for success in today's environment. 

When discussing what marketing strategy is most effective, the concept of Content Marketing cannot be overlooked as it is the core for any online marketing strategy. As outlined in What is Content Marketing and Why Should You Care? - originally posted on LoudClick.net - Content Marketing's aim is to provide a resource for your customer so they with engage with you, visit you repeatedly and purchase your goods or services. New research shows how critical this is now and will be in the future.

It's not really too far fetched to say Content Marketing is essential. A recent Pew Research poll found "58% of Americans have researched a product or service online" when making purchasing decisions. And on a typical day, 21% of adults search for product inforation online. These numbers make creating good content critical to a successful enterprise.

Add to that another Pew Research poll which revealed 93% of teens (12-17) & young adults (18-29) go online, the future will require a good content strategy just to stay competitive in the future.

To put this a simple as possible, spend some time thinking about the value you add to your content to make it a helpful resource for people. That is how you will gain relevance and repeat visits.

What is Content Marketing and Why Should You Care?
For a long time now we have been talking about the virtues of having an online marketing strategy. At the core of our idea is the concept of Content Marketing - but what exactly does that mean? Read More

Lee Odden recently posted a terrific article - 5 Deadly Sins of Corporate Social Media Marketing - in which he highlights how companies sabotage their Social Media Marketing Campaigns. Specifically, Odden addresses:

• Fear
  'Remember when companies feared putting up a blog with comments because, “What if someone says something bad about us?”' 
• Arrogance
  "There are quite a few big brands that have decided they’re too big and important to listen to customers via social channels or to create two-way communication and engagement opportunities." 
• Frugalism
  "Paying lip service to social participation and not allocating resources that can help it be successful is probably one of the most common sources for failure. " 
• Egocentric
  "Marketing and Sales react to pressures by customers and competitors to become active on the social web and subsequently, marketing and sales tries to do what they know best: Market and sell."
• Pigeonholing
  "If and when an outside consultant is engaged and paid for advice, but tasked only look at certain aspects of a social media program..."

I can totally relate to all 5 "sins" and have seen clients commit each one. In some cases, I've committed them - and will likely continue to learn by trial and error. You know as well as I that the only way to truly learn is to try and fail.

To prove this point, we created an experiment that tested what Odden calls "frugalism" - in this case we were frugal with engagement time and resources and proved how deadly that sin can be.

The "My Big Left Toe" project was one of the most entertaining experiments we've conducted at LoudClick. In it, we barely dipped our toe in social media waters and never really committed or engaged fully. In the experiment, we purposely created outposts on Facebook and Twitter yet did so without a homebase or a strategic plan. As you would expect, the results were less than stellar and proved what we've been preaching: you need to create a homebase website (or microsite). From there, creating outposts and actually connecting to people is critical - you need to fish where the fish are. But most importantly, if you go to all the trouble of creating the homebase and outpost, you need to engage people rather than simply broadcast at them.

The "Toe" project led to a series of posts on LoudClick.net that you may find educational and entertaining. Then again, you may just want to look at my sexy big toe (yes, it's mine....;-)

Sticking A Toe In Social Media Waters Is Not Enough
I was chatting it up with my partners here at LoudClick about a new blog post and we battered back and forth as usual. This time, however, we came up with an idea that I'm going to pursue - something based upon an off-handed comment of "Not a lot of people are understanding social media so I'm going to write about my left big toe." Absurd, yes, but there is something here.....you'll see. Read More

Build it And They WON'T Come - Not Without A Reason
Sticking A Toe In Social Media Waters Series - Part 2
OK, last week I started this experiment by signing up for a Twitter account and built a Facebook Fanpage. Here are week one's results: Read More

Stubbing Your Toe With Inadequate Social Media Engagement
Sticking A Toe In Social Media Waters Series - Part 3
Engagement without purpose is a recipe for frustration. Just being there is not enough - you need to add value to the conversation or you will end up being that person at a party that sits in the corner alone. Read More

Get A Foot In The Door - Not Just A Toe
Sticking A Toe In Social Media Waters Series - Part 4
In this final post in the "Sticking a Toe" series we will discuss what didn't worked in our experiment and why.  Read More

Originally, this idea came about because of an experience I had with a local blogger. As noted in the original post on LoudClick.net, my comment in reaction to a post went un-acknowledged despite my best effort to engage with the author. Apparently, my thought was not of sufficient interest for a response. Or so I thought. After looking through the entire blog, I noted there were no comments on any of the posts. As a result of this discovery, I unfollowed this person on Twitter and unsubscribed to their RSS.

As with most things in the wild west of social media, learning as we go is the name of the game. In this experience I learned how important it is to check a blog out before commenting. If the author doesn't include comments, it's a sign that there may not be much engagement going on - I won't waste my time commenting on something in this situation. On the other hand, it could be a signal that it's a fairly new blog - in which case I'll cut them some slack and comment if the spirit moves me. Do your research and you will discover who is worth your time and who is not.

Back to the story...

Months after the original snubbing post comment experience, I had the opportunity to meet the author of the blog in person. I didn't initially put 2 and 2 together (I'm kinda lame that way ;-). We had a 15 minute conversation during which they didn't seem the least but interested in my thoughts; spending the majority of our time together talking about themselves. It was only after we went our separate ways that I realized this was the author of the blog in question. Lightening bolt - this behavior was their personality! Their blog reflected them perfectly as the broadcasting bore they are in real life. It was an "ah-ha" moment in the extreme.

The moral of the story is that you need to cultivate your online conversations in a way that reflects your in-person conversations. This means you need to conduct yourself in a way that makes you attractive to others. Don't be a broadcast bore. Don't only talk about yourself, Don't forget to say thank you now and then. And most importantly, think of two way communications as worthy of your time and energy. If you don't, you will lose out on the value of maintaining relationships.

Two Way Conversations Use 'em or Lose 'em

This post resulted from reading Dwight Silverman's What are the basics of computer literacy? The gist is what additional skills are needed to participate in social media beyond basic computer operating skills?

It's really quite a simple answer - you need people skills. As I've discussed over and over, social media communication should be viewed no differently than real life communication. As such, the basics of people skills will serve you well:

• Listen
• Add to a conversation rather than be the center of it
• Be cordial and positive at all times - avoid being negative
• Use appropriate humor
• Treat people as you would want to be treatedFollow through

Of course I fill in the blanks a bit more than this in the actual post but I think you get the idea.

What Skills Do You Need to Participate in Social Media?
(originally posted on LoudClick.net)
Article Excerpt: The skills necessary to be successful with social media are not necessarily technical skills - they are more people skills. What? People skills? When using social media to market your company or product - a huge component of content marketing - the need to be socially adept is even more critical. Read More

My thoughts on this subject remain pretty strong - no matter how much advice a person can read or hear, failure is the best teacher when it comes to a Social Media Strategy, And as for determining if failure is in your future, there's really only one way to find out - you need to try first.

Here is another take on this idea (orginally posted on LoudClick.net).

Social Media: Try It, Fail, Try Something Else
 

Article Excerpt: ...(this) plan points out a very important axiom regarding social media: Try. It really is that simple. I've run into several people who are not yet convinced that social media is important. I can't decide if it's because they are not willing to try or not willing to fail. In either event, they miss the opportunity that comes from expanding your box and learning something new. Read more

This 2-part series focuses on making your site's content as searchable as possible. Some may call this Search Engine Optimization (SEO), I guess it is. In my world, though, it's much more imporant to understand what content is, how it's used and how to become a great resource for others rather than trying to game the system. Trying to trick the system gives SEO a bad name is not something I'm interested in doing. In the end, Search Engines are trying to figure out what you are offering in order to provide a good result to their users in good faith so do the same?

Article Excerpts from articles originally posted on www.loudclick.net:

Searchable Content - Part 1: Successful Content
Content can be best described as the text, images, video and audio presented on a website. Successful content will make a website the online asset it should be; providing real value to the reader, high search engine rankings and multiple return visits. Read More


Searchable Content - Part 2 - How to Make Search Engines "See" Images
Images, video and audio are not easily scanned by search bots. The bots are beginning to include image recognition and video scanning capabilities but this technology is still awhile from being as effective as text in search. If you plan to use image-heavy or video content, there are ways you can add to your site's search-effectiveness. Read More

This article (originally posted on www.LoudClick.net) came about because of client reaction to another post - Using Social Media To Distribute The Content Of Your Website. This reaction points out a couple things:

• It's good to offer comments on your blog so you can interact with clients for obvious customer service reasons - it's just good practice.
• These conversations can provide you topics for future articles....

Article Excerpt:
Social networks can make you crazy - but no more than anything involving other people. Knowing how valuable the concept has become is the proverbial carrot to dig in and learn what you can. There are a few basic themes that apply to most social networks and provide a roadmap of what you can expect as you begin to use them.

1. Social Networks should be fun.
2. Be genuine
3. It takes Time
4. It takes some work

Read More

Since writing this article for www.LoudClick.net it's been pointed out repeatedly that just distributing your content isn't enough. I couldn't agree more. You really need to engage people. Don't just think of adding content as one-way communication - that is so old-school and downright selfish. If you are looking for online success, just broadcasting your stuff will not help you get there. You really do need to engage, converse and be willing to defend your thoughts - just like in face-to-face dialogue. Not hard to do and oh so rewarding.

Article Excerpt:
Using social media to distribute the content of your website is a proven formula for success. Always remember that social media is not the heart of the matter - the content of your website is. Your website and its high quality content is the asset to be distributed and social media helps you do that. Read More

This series of articles were originally published on www.loudclick.net. They have become some of the most popular pages on the site with visitors from around the world. This points out yet again how important it is to create content that is helpful and a good resource that helps people. Oh yeah, that's my mantra, kids....

Article Excerpt:
Google Analytics is one way to determine how people are finding and using your website. Many people use this free service yet do not know exactly what they are looking at. Google Analytics is a very powerful tool with lots of features. Consequently, this series of posts will concentrate not on every detail but on the features you will interact with frequently and those that provide you a basis to know how it can make your website successful.

Part 1 - Dashboard
Right out of the chute is the Dashboard - the first page that displays when you open your Google Analytics profile. On this page is a load of facts and figures and charts. Read More

Part 2 - Visitor Overview
The Visitor Overview provides information about the people who have visited your website. The most important thing to remember with the Visitor Overview is that the term visitor is different from the term visit. Read More

Part 3 - Map Overlay
The map overlay allows you to see where your traffic is coming from. This is done by displaying a map of the world and highlighting the countries that have provided traffic to your website. Read More

Part 4 - Traffic Sources Overview
There are 4 main traffic sources tracked by Google Analytics: Direct, Referring, Search Engines and Other. Let's dig into these traffic sources a tad more. Read More

Part 5 - Content Overview
The content overview answers the question: what pages are visitors viewing? It also provides other details regarding their visit. Read More

The following compilation of day trips came about because friends are visiting us in Arizona. Hope you enjoy this diverse list of activities:

ATV through Bulldog Canyon
Just up the street from the Retreat is a real off-road gem of a ride through Bulldog Canyon OHV Area, part of the Tonto National Forest. You’ll need to have a 4 x 4 to get through here as well as a Tonto Pass & Bulldog Permit but it will definitely take you off the beaten path into the beautiful Goldfield Mountains.
Learn more here

International Markets
Experience the Valley of the Sun through the gastronomical viewpoint of ethnic supermarkets. Highlights of this experience include:

Lee Lee International Supermarket - take a spin around the globe at this amazing and huge place.

Super L Ranch Market - Every Asian culture is represented here. Sometimes stinky yet intriguing.

Pros Ranch Market - Take a trip south of the border without thinking about how to get back through Customs & Immigration. Where else can you get baby goat and chicken feet? Menudo anyone?

Tucson for Smart Lunch
Take a ride through the back roads of Arizona to visit Tucson - a world away from the East Valley’s milk cartons in the sand. A highlight of Tucson is the Old Town Artisans located in the El Presido Historic District. This 150 year old adobe building has a Spanish-style courtyard where La Cocina is located. Drink cocktails and/or eat wholesome grub as you listen to live music and soak in the ambiance. Favorite menu item: GLB sandwich.

Learn more here

High Tea
The Arizona Biltmore offers two seatings for an elegant tea repast: Noon and 3:00pm. Put your pinky up and enjoy the Frank Lloyd Wright inspired resort.

Learn more here

Mesa Swap Meet/Flea Market
For a more earthy experience, pull into this open air assortment of mom and pop run booths featuring everything you can think of - from dried fruit to Mexican terra cotta. The people watching is amazing as is the on-going PA announcements “2 eggs - any style - at the snack bar”

Learn more here

The 9/11 attacks had such a profound impact on many lives, it seems a little trite to discuss in on a personal level. However, the sheer size of the ripple effect this event had on people's lives is hard not to reflect upon. Ours was hugely impacted despite not being directly involved.

In my generation's "where were you when...." moment, I was on the treadmill in the basement of our 1950's rambler in south Minneapolis. Trudging through another boring cardio routine trying to alleviate the boredom by watching the Today show. When the news broke that a plane had hit one of the Wortd Trade Center towers, I dismissed it initially as an errant pilot in a crowded airspace. When the video showed the first hole in the tower, it was tragic but not unreal.

I gawked at the smoke billowing on the screen as another plane hit the other tower. I knew right then, this would change our lives forever.

Peter came home from an errand and ran downstairs to see if I had heard the news he had gotten on the car radio. We embraced. We were both frightened.

At this point in time, we had been Flight Attendants for over 15 years and knew then and there that our work lives had just changed. Ever since we were hired, terrorism was always part of our daily work life. We were trained annually on how to deal with hijackers. What do with a bomb on the plane while in the air. How to identify the type of weapon an assailant might had. Strange as it sounds, it was part of everyday work life.

We were both on the Go Team for a union - the team that assembles when there is an aircraft "incident" including crashes. When the news came out that all planes were being grounded in the US airspace, we pried ourselves from the television and headed to the union office to see what - if anything - we could do to help. We knew there would be a groundswell of member concern that would require attention.

The union office was abuzz. The leadership was at the company offices gathering information. Little additional detail was available. There was a state of bewildered fright as it was reported another plane hit the Pentagon. Some aircraft were still not accounted for. One of our airline's aircraft was rumored to be hijacked (unfounded). The tempo of fear escalated throughout the day.

Not having an aircraft involved in the incidents directly, the Go Team was released. We went home to ponder the day in a calm, clear, ear-ringingly quiet autumn afternoon. We talked about how frightened the day's events had made us. Would the airline industry survive this? Would we be laid off? What would we do next? What will our future hold?

In the 10 years since, our path has changed dramatically.

At work, the response to the 9/11 attacks was not as supportive of the Flight Attendant role as any one would like. Seemingly "window dressing" security measures were put in place. Security training for the Flight Attendant first response role was not required - and when it was made available, it was about a year later. From my perspective, all efforts for securing the aircraft protected the pilots. In hindsight I guess it makes sense to apply your resources toward the thing that would make the biggest impact. Securing the flight deck door, allowing pilots to carry weapons and other pilot focused initiatives came high on the list of priorities and were implemented. However, for those of us working on the other side of that secure door, it made for an uncomfortable acknowlegement of our expendablity.

Back in our union, this collective frustration in the lack of action was one of the contributing factors in our group's decision to change union's in 2003. Both of us stepped up to help and became part of the building team upon certification. Who knew this would lead to us both changing careers years later?

So, as I sit in Santa Clara, CA (getting ready to attend a technology conference) reflecting on 9/11 and the changes that have occurred in our lives, it's impossible to ignore the tital wave the 9/11 ripple became. Our lives are the quintessential example of how impactful the event has been even though we had nothing directly to do with the actual 9/11 events. We no longer do the job we once did. We no longer live in the house - or even city - we lived in. We no longer have a sense of false security.

But through the loss, we have gained a greater sense of independence and wherewithal. We no longer wait for things to happen. We no longer see the future as a line but a broad horizon. We no longer think someone else should do things - we should.

We've ridden the wave and reached a new level of awareness of people, life and ourselves. In the end, that is what comes of tragedy and change.

Test of excerpt editing, image manipulation, image linking — other editing capablities.

This will also be the page used to demonstrate anchor links.

Test of excerpt editing, image manipulation, image linking and other editing capablities. Test of excerpt editing, image manipulation, image linking and other editing capablities.

Test of excerpt editing, image manipulation, image linking — other editing capablities.

Test of excerpt editing, image manipulation, image linking and other editing capablities. Test of excerpt editing, image manipulation, image linking and other editing capablities.

Test of excerpt editing, image manipulation, image linking — other editing capablities.

This will also be the page used to demonstrate anchor links.

Test of excerpt editing, image manipulation, image linking and other editing capablities. Test of excerpt editing, image manipulation, image linking and other editing capablities.

Anchor Link Text, image manipulation, image linking — other editing capablities.

Test of excerpt editing, image manipulation, image linking and other editing capablities. Test of excerpt editing, image manipulation, image linking and other editing capablities.

Test of excerpt editing, image manipulation, image linking — other editing capablities.

This will also be the page used to demonstrate anchor links.

Test of excerpt editing, image manipulation, image linking and other editing capablities. Test of excerpt editing, image manipulation, image linking and other editing capablities.

Test of excerpt editing, image manipulation, image linking — other editing capablities.

Test of excerpt editing, image manipulation, image linking and other editing capablities. Test of excerpt editing, image manipulation, image linking and other editing capablities.

Test of excerpt editing, image manipulation, image linking — other editing capablities.

This will also be the page used to demonstrate anchor links.

Test of excerpt editing, image manipulation, image linking and other editing capablities. Test of excerpt editing, image manipulation, image linking and other editing capablities.

Test of excerpt editing, image manipulation, image linking — other editing capablities.

Test of excerpt editing, image manipulation, image linking and other editing capablities. Test of excerpt editing, image manipulation, image linking and other editing capablities.

Test of excerpt editing, image manipulation, image linking — other editing capablities.

This will also be the page used to demonstrate anchor links.

Test of excerpt editing, image manipulation, image linking and other editing capablities. Test of excerpt editing, image manipulation, image linking and other editing capablities.

Test of excerpt editing, image manipulation, image linking — other editing capablities.

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There are really no other words for it. Moving sucks. In spite of the mayhem that it causes, it gives perspective that only transitition can provide. More on that in a bit.

Maybe you've heard the story already but in case you missed it - or I wasn't in a sharing mood at the time - Peter and I moved. We are now located in the Phoenix area.

But let me back up a bit to describe what can only be described as Universal Intervention.....

 

A couple years ago, my dad decided he wanted to move back to Minnesota. Since he doesn't really like to have assets around that he won't use, he offered his place in Arizona to whomever in the family wanted it. We thought it was a terrific opportunity to create a retreat and accepted (along with one of my brothers and his wife). We've gone down a few times and made some cosmetic changes to build a retreat-like atmosphere but haven't really used it nearly as much as we'd liked. In fact, we were in preliminary discussions to get rid of it.

Fast forward to about a year ago. Peter's position at work morphed into something that was not exactly in his area of expertise or interest. He threw it out to the Universe to find a perfect solution for his desire for a new career path. Heck, if it could be in a warmer climate - all the better.

Not long after his intention was released, things started happening with a LinkedIn connection made years ago leading to interviews and eventually a job offer. Not only is it in an industry he is thrilled to be in but it is also in an area of his expertise. On top of it all, it was in Phoenix where we already had a place to live should we need it.

It would be difficult to ignore the fact that his intention and the end result were exactly in line with the Universal Law which states: Ask for what you need and then wait for it to happen. Be prepared for it to come to you in ways you did not expect. And once you receive what you have asked for, say thank you and shut up.  
More on this here

I can assure you, this is not how I expected things to work out. My seemingly closed mind thought he would find a new job closer to home; thinking "most people get jobs because of their local network". Well, golly, guess that network no longer needs to be local. And my own intention for him (to find a new job) was met in ways I could not foresee. Quite humbling.

Also, I can't help but be amazed that we have been protected in ways large and small. Large in that we were provided what we needed long ago (my dad's old place) and small in that the worse thing that's happened during the move was a cracked windshield and a missing bike fender. [Some would argue that avoiding the "Snowmegadon" storm of Dec 9-10 in the Twin Cities where 17.1 inches of snow fell - the 5th highest all-time snowfall for Minneapolis - is a huge level of protection. Can't say I disagree.]

So as we accept the transition and settle into a new normal, I remind myself that no matter what the struggle, I've got to throw out an intention to make that struggle far less a burden. Peter's experience is a testimonial to this power. Knowing that we all can tap into it at any time is quite comforting.

Oh, and as for moving sucks. Yes it does. It's hard to remember where you packed your underwear and figure out how to get the water heater to work. But in the end it's all part of the path that's laid in front of each of us. If we let the little things get in the way we'll never get anywhere.

Your thoughts on all of this are welcome.

Without trying to be too philosophical, I can't help but reflect on how much Americans value being treated equally. At least that seems to be the goal from the beginning:

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

While those words actual effect pertained to a sliver of humans on this continent at the time (i.e. white, land-owning men), they have painted the ideological picture for hundreds of years. Time and again, the American ideal of equal treatment prevails - despite numerous stumbles and gaffs along the way. American's are all too human....

Even less lofty language is part of our common vernacular while still reflecting the concept of equality:

All for one and one for all.

Treat others as you would like to be treated.

With this as background, it's hard for me to understand how much social discourse is spent trying to affect the opposite: "how do I get ahead of the next person while still espousing equality for all?"

Frankly, it's hypocrisy.

When any group faces inequality, we all suffer. Take marriage for example - and only if we can put aside the religious arguments for the time being (I know it's hard, but just try it for a few minutes). Marriage as a civil institution is a contract between two adults to share their life and responsibilities. This contract provides the blueprint of how to address various transactions from property rights to estate disbursement. Without the marriage contract, civil society would be a mixed bag of regulations, contracts and various agreements.

Again, please put aside the religious argument for the time being.

Now, in the context of a civil contract, marriage is currently applied to only a segment of our American population, albeit the majority. However, a significant group currently faces inequality: same-sex couples. Without the marriage contract available to them, they face many negative consequences.
 
From a civil perspective, America needs to reconsider what marriage means. I know, I know, Americans have been doing this for decades now. What is truly amazing is that the argument always seems to boil down to the religious aspect of marriage. It is by inserting these religious beliefs into the civil marriage discussion that the ideology of our country's founders gets muddied. Despite all such protestations, the statement "all created equal" holds sway and I believe in the end will prevail.

Patience is the virtue that is in short supply these days. I know I share in that impatience. As I have stated before, hypocrisy seems to rule this issue and hypocrisy only fuels my impatience. Why one group - in this case the majority - thinks that applying religious standards to a civil, secular contract justifies unequal treatment is the hypocrisy I speak of. Think about that when you hear people discussing marriage inequality.

These sentiments led to the creation of a grassroots, community website: www.FacesInEquality.org. Please check it out, read some stories and contribute your own. Applying equality across the board is the American way. Historically, currently and hopefully forever.

December 2008: I have a Smart car. Yup, those goofy micro-cars that recently hit the US market. I've been really happy with it and have loved driving it since getting it in July. Today, I'm even happier about it given the accident that I had yesterday.

I got rear ended while driving on the freeway. Yes, at highway speed no less. I'm OK - a bit sore today - and may go see the doctor - but I'm OK. Dang, I was still in one piece after getting pushed into the ditch so it's all good.

Here's what it looks like to be rear-ended in a Smart car:

(Sorry for the crappy cell-phone images...)

When the tow truck pulled the car out, it pulled the other car about 6 feet as well because we were so entangled together. The other car was a VW Touareg - yup - an SUV. See, you can survive being rear-ended by an SUV in a Smart!!

To my amazement, even after this accident I was able to drive the car to the dealership. I'm absolutely astounded this little car took getting hit in the rear so well. Remember, the engine is in the back on this little puppy.

When I got to the dealership, I couldn't believe how fantastic they treated me. I had parked in the service lot to call my insurance company when someone actually came out to see if I was OK and to offer the use of phones inside - it was about -5F at the time.

The smell of coolant and melting plastic was redolent through the shop when I got it into the bay. I was a bit embarrassed to bring the baby home in this condition but I felt genuine concern from everyone at the dealership.

A cheerful, professional Smart dealership staff member gave me a ride home to retrieve my other car. Upon return (to collect my stuff in the Smart car - don't forget it's holiday shopping time) I tried to give my ride-home driver a "little something". He refused politely explaining that taking care of customers is just what they do. 

The technician told me they've had a couple of totaled Smarts this winter. In both cases the occupants walked away from the accident. I'm hopeful I won't have a "totaled" situation on my hands but I can attest to being able to walk away from a fairly serious crash.

I'll keep you posted....

Quick update...later that day....
Got some really supportive responses to this post already - particularly from fellow Smart car owners. One has a great website all about Smart and its general terrificness. Check it out at http://www.itibitismart.com/home.htm

42 days later....
Yes, I finally got the car back. After the machinations of the insurance company the funds were finally released. The actual repair took about 5 days. Not happy with the insurance company but VERY happy with Smart. Great work, great service and I'm happily cruising around again feeling safe and snug.

Year and 1/2 Later....
Gotta tell you, have not had a single problem since. OK, maybe a burnt out lightbulb, but that's it. This is one heck of a car.

Some expressions take me back, like "Hair of Gold" and "Sweet Mary" and "Running to Me". The sweet sweet songs that cloud your eyes - nostalgia supplies.

These lyrics by the amazing Paddy McAloon threw me for a loop. I heard them for the first time in two decades recently. Indeed they took me back. Back to think and digest and hurt and relish.  Who can argue the effect your past experiences have on your present situation? Yet as I look back, needle pricks of regret well up while I smile knowingly. 



Silliness. That's what it could be called. Yet oh so valuable.

The sweet sweet songs that cloud your eyes - nostalgia supplies.

Prefab Sprout is one of my all time favorite bands. Add their albumSwoon to my 10 all time favorites, please. They came into my life in the early '80s with a sound I liked. No, rephrase that - LOVED. Strings. Disparate vocals. Interesting lyrics. Best of all, they were from the UK. No one in the states really knew them; no one in my Midwestern sphere at least. 

I remember (here it goes, folks) walking to my classes with my Sony Walkman blaring. Bumping into people on the University Ave. Bridge cause I was looking out the windows and dreaming of being anywhere but there. Late, late adolescent angst. Post self coming-out blues. All the dark feelings of "holy shit, I'm an adult now!"

The sweet sweet songs

To hear these tunes so many years later is such a kick in the pants. With a very different life and a very different perspective, they hold an appealing illumination of past and present. 10 years ago I would have likely been in a funk for days; swept up into self-pity and all that other self-indulgent crap. Now they have a different home. A place of energetic memory almost like a cold water jolt in the still-sleepy not-coffeed-yet morning. They remind me of a less encumbered time when it was fun to think of the possibilities instead of dreading reality. A place of creativity that has been lacking yet yearned for. 

Some Expressions take me back

Indeed.

Have you ever played Cat's Cradle? (No, not the song by Harry Chapin - that's actually Cats in the Cradle.) Cat's Cradle is the game played between two people with a long string tied in a large circle. The string is then wound around one person's fingers and then manipulated by the other person into various figures or arrangements. The players go back and forth with this game until all the various figures are made. 

I used to play this game as a kid and wasn't very good at it. In fact, I usually ended up frustrated with a knotted string before it was all over. In analyzing the basic nature of the game, I realize that it begins with a linear object becoming more and more complicated as the game progresses - particularly if errors occur. 

What a metaphor for life! 

You start a project with a goal in mind, only to have that direct path curve, turn and become something altogether different. Sometimes those curves and turns cause a beautiful thing (Cat's Cradle - diamond configuration) and others end in a mess (Paul's knotted string). The trick is to know when you've reached a point at which you can transform your situation into something better and when you should get the scissors. 

When your head fails to know the next move, just relax. There's always another piece of string to tie together and try again.

A dear friend called yesterday in a down-very-low state. She was way concerned for the future - particularly if her latest project would be successful. 

She recently made a huge plunge into uncertainty by leaving a relatively stable job to start a company with her fiance and another friend. She's not exactly the risk taking kind so this new world is full of pitfalls and potholes. 

As we talked, various concepts of reassurance came tumbling out from no where. At least it felt like no where. But actually it was the teachings I've read, experienced and choose to believe which were being shared at that moment. Originally, this teaching came to me from a wide variety of sources. Various religious beliefs teach it. Common sense dictates it. Even spirit-starved science offers clues to it.

"It" is the Universal Law which states: Ask for what you need and then wait for it to happen. Be prepared for it to come to you in ways you did not expect. And once you receive what you have asked for, say thank you and shut up. 

OK, I'm being a tad loose with the actual written Law and perhaps seemingly flippant, but this version captures the pure essence of the Law. If you break it down a little, there are 5 ideas in "it."

While it is important to remember the seriousness of asking for what you need, don't ever think that this Universal Law doesn't come with a sense of humor. All too often a need is identified and a curveball is thrown in response. Just go with it and laugh, friend. It's not like we are in control or anything.

Oh, by the way, my friend called today. She had an unexpected meeting which provided her with what she was looking for. Yes, her need was met. Sure hope she has a thank you note and duct tape laying around.

It all seems out of whack: our perception of time. Sometimes time drags and sometimes it leaps. Mostly, in our culture there is never enough. Yet in our cells, there is a definite clock that clicks and ultimately decides it all: "our time."

More than a play on words, "our time" represents the driving factor for most of the decisions we make - whether we perceive them or not. Think of how often you have the thought, "I better do that before such and such." If you distill it down, it's likely tied somehow to "our time."

Who doesn't think that? On second thought, there are a lot of people who likely thing that. People who are not in the place to want to do more. People who are currently in unbearable pain or torture. These people's experience of time if vastly different that most.

Loads of cultures view time differently. Except when it comes to "our time." the body pretty much makes that decision for us all.

Not sure what I'm getting at today. Just some thoughts of time, I guess. I need to take the time to value the day and the memories my time on this earth has brought me. Maybe that's how a person gets away from obsessing about never having enough time. Maybe that's the key to knowing you have enough time for everything. I think we ultimately have exactly enough time as we should. Bitching about it certainly isn't going to change a thing.