This morning I was walking my dog down the foggy streets of my historic neighborhood and on the sidewalk catty-corner from us we see a white cat with a gray marking on his face. We begin to cross the street and the cat does the same. I stopped in the middle of the street and the cat did too - I look down the street and it was covered in an erie fog that made the green of the trees stand out and the eye search on until it was impossible to see and feel anything but fog. My eye snapped back to the white cat who was looking right at me.
"Hello cat" I said
"click" went my brain camera
http://www.flickr.com/photos/gismaster/4127718574/ It was kinda like this - but not really
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
My new place
I am now renting a multi-family house in a very distinguished neighborhood. It is a $600k house and I only live in 1/3 of it, but I'm going to make it seem like I live in all $600k. I've decided I need to decorate as soon as I get in the house. This way it feels more like home sooner rather than later. I stopped by yesterday to take some measurements. The living room is 11'x11' but the walls are at least 10ft tall. I'm thinking of painting the walls either blue or yellow both with an accent of black and white.
a) I don't own a latter
b) I don't trust myself not getting paint on the ceiling
c) I'd really just like to pay someone $100 and get it over with - is option c even possible? I'm looking on craigslist for someone. I bet the paint and supplies would be $100 alone, so maybe a day of my own labor is the best option.
I also want to add these silver tiles as the back splash - my sink is a nice deep stainless steel sink and the vent over the stove is silver, so I think this would look very nice. 
Here's the BEST part. My space is small, but I found these FABULOUS well decals that will work to make the space look larger like this cut out for the kitchen wall from ragingvinyl.com
and this chandalier for the "dining" area. I don't even have a dining room table yet, but this will define the space for sure! (also from http://www.ragingvinyl.com/) 
For the bathroom I think I'll use these stick ons from www.2jane.com to look a like tile border going around the bathroom: 
Other sticker options:
This coatrack hanger from http://www.domestic.fr: 
This might really be the Coat Rack I want to buy (in black?)
This might really be the Coat Rack I want to buy (in black?)There are also some cute decals that would look great in the closet and there is even dish decals that should which cabinet is for which dish (cups, plates, etc.)
Needless to say, there are many options out there. It is interesting that alot of these decals are from european stores (probably because they don't have much room in their "flats").
I know, I haven't really even gotten to my bedroom yet - but as along as there is a bed in it that room is functional!
Goal for today: stop by Lowes for paint samples and pricing.
Monday, March 1, 2010
Being Nice is Good Business
I just finished reading and commenting on this Nice Guy Blog. I also re-tweeted it so that others could read along. But now I must continue the discussion in my head. Cara Stewart with Remarx Media left the following comment for Peter:
"Peter, after reading this post, I don’t know whether to cry, cheer or break something. You’re right on. I’m nice. And female. Which translates into “she must be weak.”... I always take the first call, meet for that cup of coffee and share a piece of advice that could prove useful to someone. I participate in my community. I trust employees, clients, friends and relationships. Until I no longer do because they’ve proven that they’ve crossed that line; they confuse nice with weak and take advantage or worse...."
I didn't even think of it from a female point of view! But this is extremely valid - it's difficult being a female in the work place vs. being a man. Women can be portrayed many different ways in the work place. A few examples:
a) the 100% complete b*tch - as a woman I am not afraid to say this person does exist
b) the woman having a bad day and people still call her the B word - again, sad but true
or
c) the really nice girl who gets walked all over (and quietly hides her fangs)
Most of the men I've worked with show off their 'fangs' weekly and not to benefit the company, just to make sure everyone knows they are the ones with the bigger fangs. *Note: this is not the case in my current working environment - for those of you who know the men in my workplace, you know they are the nicest guys...and my boss is a woman.
A while back a friend of mine commented on my tweets. He said it was like an extremely happy cheerleader was typing them - overly excited, overly happy, borderline annoying cheerleader. I don't consider myself overly happy - I am happy, but I do see the negative in the world. This person is not a very positive person to begin with. He obviously wasn't reading into my tweets or clicking on the links I Re-Tweet. He would see my avatar pop up, put the high pitched cheerleader voice in his head and portray me in that way he felt fit.
This person is actually a personal friend of mine who I haven't seen in 2+ years. We reconnected on twitter, but we haven't physically seen each other in a while. We've both changed during our absence. He's been traveling the world and I've established myself as a career woman. He might remember me as this overly optimistic person (and heck- I'd love to be that girl again too) but as Peter says in his blog: Nice people have fangs too.
Like I mentioned earlier being a woman with fangs can come across in different ways than a man with fangs. Men are the "hunters" who are out there "killing" for profit. While in some cases it's the women who comforts the client and builds a true B2C relationship. I'm going along with Peter and Cara, I'm going to be the nice person I genuinely am. That's the way I want to do business. I will love my job and my clients better if I am acting as my true self and being true and nice is good for business.
"Peter, after reading this post, I don’t know whether to cry, cheer or break something. You’re right on. I’m nice. And female. Which translates into “she must be weak.”... I always take the first call, meet for that cup of coffee and share a piece of advice that could prove useful to someone. I participate in my community. I trust employees, clients, friends and relationships. Until I no longer do because they’ve proven that they’ve crossed that line; they confuse nice with weak and take advantage or worse...."
I didn't even think of it from a female point of view! But this is extremely valid - it's difficult being a female in the work place vs. being a man. Women can be portrayed many different ways in the work place. A few examples:
a) the 100% complete b*tch - as a woman I am not afraid to say this person does exist
b) the woman having a bad day and people still call her the B word - again, sad but true
or
c) the really nice girl who gets walked all over (and quietly hides her fangs)
Most of the men I've worked with show off their 'fangs' weekly and not to benefit the company, just to make sure everyone knows they are the ones with the bigger fangs. *Note: this is not the case in my current working environment - for those of you who know the men in my workplace, you know they are the nicest guys...and my boss is a woman.
A while back a friend of mine commented on my tweets. He said it was like an extremely happy cheerleader was typing them - overly excited, overly happy, borderline annoying cheerleader. I don't consider myself overly happy - I am happy, but I do see the negative in the world. This person is not a very positive person to begin with. He obviously wasn't reading into my tweets or clicking on the links I Re-Tweet. He would see my avatar pop up, put the high pitched cheerleader voice in his head and portray me in that way he felt fit.
This person is actually a personal friend of mine who I haven't seen in 2+ years. We reconnected on twitter, but we haven't physically seen each other in a while. We've both changed during our absence. He's been traveling the world and I've established myself as a career woman. He might remember me as this overly optimistic person (and heck- I'd love to be that girl again too) but as Peter says in his blog: Nice people have fangs too.
Like I mentioned earlier being a woman with fangs can come across in different ways than a man with fangs. Men are the "hunters" who are out there "killing" for profit. While in some cases it's the women who comforts the client and builds a true B2C relationship. I'm going along with Peter and Cara, I'm going to be the nice person I genuinely am. That's the way I want to do business. I will love my job and my clients better if I am acting as my true self and being true and nice is good for business.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
All these foreigners
2.24.10
Let me preface this by saying: I understand why some people think Social Media, Twitter, Facebook, etc. are a joke and a waste of time. They are looking at the people who sit in front of a computer all day and tweet things like "I just saw a bird that looks like a dinosaur" or "I'm hungry" or "I hate my job". However there is a HUGE world on the other side of twitter full of people who network the HELL out of these social media tools. They not only tweet, they are in relationships other tweeps supporting their businesses, supporting their blogs, their lifestyles, etc.
Last night I attended a San Antonio tweet up. There is a conference going on next week in Austin and this was a pre-party for San Antonions going to the conference. I know that the internet connects people internationally. I didn't realize that these international relationships existed in a physical sense as well. I'm standing in this room with my fellow San Antonio tweeps and I the more I get to know people the more I learn they are NOT from San Antonio. 2 people from Los Angeles, 1 from Mexico, 1 from Colorado, 1 from Nebraska, 1 from Minnesota...I'm thinking am I the only true San Antonian at this tweet up - oh wait, I'm from Dallas!
I was proud of myself for taking advantage of twitter and making the physical effort of showing up at these events. If I didn't attend, I would be stuck in my St. Mary's University, San Antonio bubble (no offence to StMU, but that bubble is pretty boring to me- esp. compared to these characters I'm meeting).
I'm looking forward to Austin this Saturday for a "San Antonio tweet up" for San Antonians attending SBSW - let's see how many foreigners I meet this time!
Social Media Guru Colleen Pence's Photos from last night
Correction: SBSW San Antonian "tweet up" is March 13th - same day as Luminaria...deciding between the two will be tough!
Let me preface this by saying: I understand why some people think Social Media, Twitter, Facebook, etc. are a joke and a waste of time. They are looking at the people who sit in front of a computer all day and tweet things like "I just saw a bird that looks like a dinosaur" or "I'm hungry" or "I hate my job". However there is a HUGE world on the other side of twitter full of people who network the HELL out of these social media tools. They not only tweet, they are in relationships other tweeps supporting their businesses, supporting their blogs, their lifestyles, etc.
Last night I attended a San Antonio tweet up. There is a conference going on next week in Austin and this was a pre-party for San Antonions going to the conference. I know that the internet connects people internationally. I didn't realize that these international relationships existed in a physical sense as well. I'm standing in this room with my fellow San Antonio tweeps and I the more I get to know people the more I learn they are NOT from San Antonio. 2 people from Los Angeles, 1 from Mexico, 1 from Colorado, 1 from Nebraska, 1 from Minnesota...I'm thinking am I the only true San Antonian at this tweet up - oh wait, I'm from Dallas!
I was proud of myself for taking advantage of twitter and making the physical effort of showing up at these events. If I didn't attend, I would be stuck in my St. Mary's University, San Antonio bubble (no offence to StMU, but that bubble is pretty boring to me- esp. compared to these characters I'm meeting).
I'm looking forward to Austin this Saturday for a "San Antonio tweet up" for San Antonians attending SBSW - let's see how many foreigners I meet this time!
Social Media Guru Colleen Pence's Photos from last night
Correction: SBSW San Antonian "tweet up" is March 13th - same day as Luminaria...deciding between the two will be tough!
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Why Women hate cars
Everyone dislikes things they don't understand such as: dumb people, taxes, and for women - cars.
I just don't understand why we are supposed to pay $20k++ on an item that we KNOW will break down. We KNOW it will need new tires at one point and it WILL need oil every few months and it might just stop STOP WORKING all together one day and they only way to fix it is to get screwed over by a man who thinks you're in idiot for not changing the oil (which you are - well, I am)
I just don't get it. When I buy a new pair of pants it comes with extra buttons in case one button falls off and when I buy a new phone it comes with at least a 2 year warrenty in which I can take it back for a brand new phone....those 2 years are just enough time for technology to change and a new phone/contract to be purchased and signed. But the hunk of metal I call my car needs gas EVERYDAY and I have to change the oil every 30,000 miles...(isn't gas made from oil - why both?) and heaven forbid the tires go flat - it may be one tire, but they sell you 4 anyways!
When you purchase a car we should get extra tires along with a 2 year supply of gas and maybe some of that stupid oil. I doubt it really costs 20k to actually make those cars - how much is pure profit anyways? Save the flashy super bowl commercials for someone else - I'd like to buy mine wholesale.
Ok, I know the 'gas' you put in your phone is the electricity and I do pay my electic bill but still. My legs aren't broken and after I use my car to move me into my new house, I'm locking the doors and letting the birds have it- as I walk to work everyday!
go urban.
I just don't understand why we are supposed to pay $20k++ on an item that we KNOW will break down. We KNOW it will need new tires at one point and it WILL need oil every few months and it might just stop STOP WORKING all together one day and they only way to fix it is to get screwed over by a man who thinks you're in idiot for not changing the oil (which you are - well, I am)
I just don't get it. When I buy a new pair of pants it comes with extra buttons in case one button falls off and when I buy a new phone it comes with at least a 2 year warrenty in which I can take it back for a brand new phone....those 2 years are just enough time for technology to change and a new phone/contract to be purchased and signed. But the hunk of metal I call my car needs gas EVERYDAY and I have to change the oil every 30,000 miles...(isn't gas made from oil - why both?) and heaven forbid the tires go flat - it may be one tire, but they sell you 4 anyways!
When you purchase a car we should get extra tires along with a 2 year supply of gas and maybe some of that stupid oil. I doubt it really costs 20k to actually make those cars - how much is pure profit anyways? Save the flashy super bowl commercials for someone else - I'd like to buy mine wholesale.
Ok, I know the 'gas' you put in your phone is the electricity and I do pay my electic bill but still. My legs aren't broken and after I use my car to move me into my new house, I'm locking the doors and letting the birds have it- as I walk to work everyday!
go urban.
Monday, February 22, 2010
This is how it should be
Last week I was up at 5 a.m. and in the office by 6:30 a.m. dealing with staff and clients. As my groups slowly packed up to leave, Thursday afternoon never looked so beautiful. Then my boss walked into my office: "I'm surprised you haven't asked me for the day off yet." What? I started 3 weeks ago, it wouldn't be appropriate. She completely read my face and responded, "Usually after such a busy and hectic week I give you the day off to recover" at that moment the heavens parted and the tension in my back disappeared.... perfecto!
What a great boss! What a great workplace - this is how it should be. You put in everything you have and it's respected and compensated. If I had to work Friday I probably would have fallen asleep at my desk or at least had a nervous breakdown in the copy room (ok-that's an exaggeration). But less than a month ago I was a workaholic who could barely stay above water only working 8-5. Now, I am at a peaceful and happy place in my comfortable working environment!
Lesson #1 on how to have great employees who respect you and their job.
What a great boss! What a great workplace - this is how it should be. You put in everything you have and it's respected and compensated. If I had to work Friday I probably would have fallen asleep at my desk or at least had a nervous breakdown in the copy room (ok-that's an exaggeration). But less than a month ago I was a workaholic who could barely stay above water only working 8-5. Now, I am at a peaceful and happy place in my comfortable working environment!
Lesson #1 on how to have great employees who respect you and their job.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
When it rains it pours
When it rains, it pours....
As I take the time to read blogs written by my collages and comrades I realize while some blogs are direct and instumental to a certain industry (tech reviews, wedding trend forcasts, etc) many have an underlying philosophical message.
I read one from a self-proclaimed Blackberry addict/enforcer. His underlying message was to ask for what you want. If you don't ask, you'll never know what you can't have...
Another "professional" blogger discussed social media in 2010. The saying "It's not personal, it's business" doesn't pertain to the buisness world anymore. Today business is extremely personal and on many different levels. People are putting themselves out there on blogs and they are tweeting what they are doing at every moment because they want you to know! They want you to know them - they want your product to work for them. These same people read blogs and their "tweeps" tweets because they want to know you too. Some people even want you to know where they have been throughout the city all day...
My last blog example: a mother of 5, who I shouldn't be able to relate to at this point in my life, is blogging every day about her children, her past and her future. I just finished reading her 4th of "100 days of blogging" and I'm excited to read about her journey. Her thoughts could be any woman's thoughts and I am any woman.
As I take the time to read blogs written by my collages and comrades I realize while some blogs are direct and instumental to a certain industry (tech reviews, wedding trend forcasts, etc) many have an underlying philosophical message.
I read one from a self-proclaimed Blackberry addict/enforcer. His underlying message was to ask for what you want. If you don't ask, you'll never know what you can't have...
Another "professional" blogger discussed social media in 2010. The saying "It's not personal, it's business" doesn't pertain to the buisness world anymore. Today business is extremely personal and on many different levels. People are putting themselves out there on blogs and they are tweeting what they are doing at every moment because they want you to know! They want you to know them - they want your product to work for them. These same people read blogs and their "tweeps" tweets because they want to know you too. Some people even want you to know where they have been throughout the city all day...
My last blog example: a mother of 5, who I shouldn't be able to relate to at this point in my life, is blogging every day about her children, her past and her future. I just finished reading her 4th of "100 days of blogging" and I'm excited to read about her journey. Her thoughts could be any woman's thoughts and I am any woman.
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