Hey All,

Just taking some down time this week. Spending time with family and enjoying the Olympics. Look for some new posts next week!

Cindy

Day Two from the New Media Expo - As the sun sets on the second day of the New Media Expo, my head is spinning with information and is full of endless new opportunities to put into action. If new media tools are your passion, then I highly recommend putting this convention on your schedule next year - you won’t be disappointed. The cost of attending this convention, especially if you are out of town, is well worth the education you will receive. You can’t buy this stuff.

The day started out with a “blend” of the best example of a new media corporate marketing idea and continued with discovering new web tools to make the life of a PR pro easier and relevant.

The keynote speakers have been worth the price of the admission. Today, George Wright, the VP of Marketing at WillItBlend.com talked to us about the genesis of this ground-breaking and unprecedented marketing tool. It was just amazing to hear how a $50 pilot idea turned into a global phenomenon. It is such a wonderful concept and it solved their problem of breaking-out their blender in an already cluttered marketplace. It was a non-traditional marketing method that has out shined anything a traditional media buy could have ever achieved. In case you haven’t ever witnessed the wonder of WillItBlend, take a look at this fun video below.

Genius, don’t you think? Over 2 million people have viewed this video on YouTube. Amazing. And to top it off. You won’t believe this if you are a marketer. Gary’s marketing department now generates money. How great is that. He collects money from Revvler and also from clients who want their items blended. One such client was Nike. Not bad huh. (FYI, I own a Total Gym too.)

We were also treated with our own live demonstration. Gary blended the handle of a rake for us and then one young conference attendee came up to the podium to say that he’s getting a new cell phone on Monday so he wanted his current phone blended. So we had an extra treat. And guess what? Both blended. What a fun presentation. What a fun company. Kudos to Blendtec. Well done Gary.

As I continued to sit through sessions, I continued to be blown away by the “friendliness” of this medium. I keep hearing over and over that you need to reach out and find others that blog or podcast on your same subjects and contact them. It is emphasized that we all need to help one other and allow them to be contributors on our site and we need to comment on theirs. This field is all about helping out one another and is not about competition. They all want everyone to succeed! How nice is that! Traditional media should take a lesson.

With this type of cooperation and friendliness - the new media followers will be at the forefront of making the world a better place

to live, don’t you think? Problems that affect everyone like global warming have a shot of being solved with attitudes such as these.

I’m proud to be a part of this communicative bunch. It’s all for one and one for all. In closing, I’m packing and getting ready to bid adieu to the Expo, my view and new friends. Until tomorrow…

Notes from Day 1 from the New Media Expo - It was a great day at the New Media Expo. I heard some very inspiring messages, learned some key marketing techniques and met other early adopters. I only wish you all could be here as well.

I could go on and on, but in this post, I want to chew on a statement made by our keynote speaker today, Gary Vaynerchuk of Wine Library TV. He was awesome and full of great information. But, he mentioned that what people are doing with podcasts and live broadcasts will supplant TV one day. Basically, he said that what those using new media tools are doing is the future.

I have to agree with that statement. I once was in attendance at a News Corp. meeting years ago where Mark Cuban was informing us that Napster was not going anywhere. It was here to stay. And look what it did to the music industry. So with Stickam and UStream and the other user-friendly tools now available - these are not going anywhere. But with that being said…what do you think the future of content will look like?

I mean will TV producers start producing their own channels themselves and not align themselves with studios or networks anymore? Will there be “must see TV on Thursdays” in the future? Will the future look like Current TV? How will money be made?

What will TV look like? I’m having a difficult time wrapping my head around it. But, if I could guess, I’d say it would be brought to us by Google.

I mean we’re almost not relying on TV sets anymore. I followed the Olympics on my computer today since I was in sessions. It was fine.

I’ve been telling people in my circles that life is becoming more personal with so many people embracing social sites as Facebook. We’re able to extend our personalities and share them with the world with blogs, podcasts and myspace pages. So with this being the case, we will be able to be our own TV schedulers. We won’t have to rely on the networks anymore. I can watch content when I want it and I think that’s what the future will look like. It will be Mycontent and not the five major networks or cable channels anymore.

I wish I could go on more about this, but I have to get some shut eye for tomorrow’s keynote is George Wright of Willitblend.com. How cool is that!

I’ll write more tomorrow.

Gas Prices Are Decreasing

I have to admit that I was a bit shocked that our government or someone that mattered did something about our outlandish and exorbitant overinflated gas prices. This was the price of gas near my house a couple days ago - I never thought that I would see gas cheaper than $4 a gallon in my lifetime. In fact it’s a bit cheaper now - it’s $3.95.

But I am happy to point out when I am wrong, especially if it means we keep more cents in our already thin pockets. This is a good savings, let’s hope is continues to keep trending down.

So we’re getting some relief from gas at least. But nothing has changed in the unemployment arena. In fact, it is getting worse.

Not only did the jobless claims rise to a six-year high, California State Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger had to cut part-time state employees adding to the problem.

Our state is in quite the fix…errr mess. For as I read in a recent LA Times article, the people who were downsized wondered why they have to lose their jobs when others apparently aren’t doing there’s? I mean didn’t our state legislators see this coming? And if so, why didn’t they do something sooner?

Granted, this was a tough decision I’m sure for the Governor. He did say he was sorry that he had to do such a measure, laying off 10,300 workers, but he had no choice. I do understand we’re in quite the pickle and something has to be done. But how do these folks pay their next mortgage? How long will this last?

Email Picture

Rob Gauthier / Los Angeles Times

California Department of Transportation employee Bob Thorpe, left, joins other state employees in front of the Reagan State Office Building in protesting Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s proposed pay cuts.

Our government is promising that the budget stalemate will be resolved by the end of the month and then people can return to their jobs. However, there is no guarantees made so far they all will be hired back. I do hope the budget will be signed by August 31, but I am not holding my breath. Does anything happen in record time anymore? Are our state officials who still have a job meeting around the clock to resolve their differences about the budget. I’m not hearing as such. Are you?

So with this many new employees filing for claims, aren’t we in the State paying for it anyway? Isn’t it a Catch -22 sort of situation?

Anyway, it all just stinks to me. We need jobs now more than ever, not more job loss. People are packing colleges in record numbers, but for what? Where will they go to? Even trade jobs are down.

Do you have an answer short of prayer? I don’t.

We’re in quite the mess. Good thing we have some diversion at the moment with the Olympics and um… lower gas prices to boot.

Talk to soon - I have to go fill up my tank and file my claim!

Cindy

Actual Birthday Cake

Well as another birthday comes and goes, I felt I would be remiss if I didn’t write about a revelation I had yesterday as I as I got ready for a fancy birthday dinner hosted by my friends. I have a relatively small nuclear family and most of my relatives live out of the state and with being single and all, friends do become a major part of your life. And as I got ready for my dinner, I remembered back to how many birthdays I have spent with these particular friends. Year in and year out they have stopped their plans for the night of August 4 to either come to my house or my mom’s to wish me a happy birthday.

As I pondered this thought I realized that I couldn’t come up with an exact number. It may even be around 20! How lucky am I. But, then I had another thought. Do I take their friendship and others for granted?

Special Birthday Dinner (l-to-r: Mom, Me, Carla, Pam)

I am a blessed person…I have complaints and struggles…but for the most part as a whole I REALLY have nothing to complain about. Among my fortunes, my biggest are my friends. (Please note that I am not writing this as a form of boasting, it’s meant in gratitude.)

Since I love to communicate, either in spoken or written word, it’s been easy for me to stay in contact. So that’s probably why I still connect with friends from my childhood to my last co-workers. Facebook helps me stay in touch too.

But, going back to my original question-do I take them for granted? Probably yes in that I don’t give this enough thought. And no, because I never want to.

My daily successes in life have come as a result of my family and friends. I know it, but I don’t know if they know it. I wish there was a way besides this post to let them know how much they each mean to me. Everyone has been an influence in my life and each are as diverse as the next. I have friends that I’ve met through church, sports, jobs, school, friends, etc. as you do. From every walk of my life.

As I pondered this thought even more, I’ve realized that everything I do has been learned or improved through a friend. I learned how to set up my blog through a friend. I’ve learned different tennis strokes through a friend. I learned how to garden through a friend. My house was decorated by my friends. I’ve gained self-esteem through the love of a friend. I understand God through friends. I could go on and on.

As such, God has given me the proper mix of friends and for that I am so thankful. A counselor once told me, that God will give you the tools you need to get through life. Sometimes it’s a book you’ve read, but most often it’s a note, a visit or a phone call from a friend that helps you get through.

I would love to list the names of each of you, but I hope you know who you are. I am eternally grateful to you for the time we’ve spent or spend together and hope you know that’s the best present by far. As I write this, I have tears in my eyes for I wish I could tell you this in person about how much you mean to me- Today and always.

But there’s another person whom I must properly acknowledge and thank for everything. And that’s my mom. Most likely if you know me you know my mom. I cannot find the right words to convey what she means to me and what she’s done for me my um 29+ years. And if you are a friend, then she’s probably been there for you too. She loves people and it shows. She doesn’t judge them. She accepts them and always gives everyone a hug. But, that’s not why I love her. It’s that she’s been the one teaching me how to love you and others. And if I ever have the good fortune of getting married, she’s shown me what true love is. I was able to observe how she cared for my dad through the end. You see, everything my mom does exudes love. Her love runs deep and you know its real.

Here’s a photo of me and my mom taken last weekend. One of my birthday traditions is spending a day at my favorite lake. It’s usually me, my mom and my best friend Carla. Sometimes a few others have joined, but it’s mostly us three. Mom doesn’t want this posted, so I cropped it the best I could. I love this photo of us, but there’s something you aren’t seeing. She’s holding my hand. Does it get any better than that!

So my dear friends I’ve hoped I have been able to convey my deep respect and sincere gratitude to you for all that you have done for me. You mean the world to me and thank you for holding my hand through the years! Thank you for showing me how not to take birthdays for granted.

With love,

Cindy

I am a girl who has always loved to dance. I’ve twirled in my kitchen since I was knee high and begged either mom or dad to teach me how to waltz or swing dance well since that time.

Dancing always has represented happiness to me. I love it because the world and its stresses vanish for awhile when you’re lost in dance and swaying to the music.

The picture to the left is of me and my favorite dance partner, my dad. This photo is not the best quality, but it still is the most precious to me. It was taken at a church Father/Daughter Valentine’s Dance.

This was one church dance that I never had to beg someone to dance with me. Those near to me know that at this particular time, my dad’s Alzheimers was in full boar. Although, he may not have been able to tell anyone my name, he still knew I was his daughter and dance partner that night. I know the tune was one from his favorite artists, Frank Sinatra. Every Frank song that was played that night, we danced to.

This blog post is a result of a very interesting and insightful conversation I had last night with two of my closest guy friends who happen to be in the same boat as me. We’re still single and are involved in some fashion in single groups at church. I don’t quite remember how the topic came up, but I’m sure glad it did for these smart men solved a life-long mystery for me.

For you see, as I’ve stated, I just love to dance. I can dance to the beat. I can vary my steps and I just have fun. I am in no way an embarrassment if asked to dance. I may look like her, but I’m no Elaine Benes from “Seinfeld.” Here’s a clip from “Seinfeld” of Elaine’s infamous dance moves.

Now if I danced like that, I could definitely understand why men would turn me down for dances. But I don’t. I also have good hygiene. I dress appropriately and I can converse with anyone. But at church dances, I have a devil (pardon the pun) of a time convincing a guy to leave the wall for a dance!

This is a little bit more understandable when in junior high, but come on guys! We’re in our 40s now! Surely, you’ve gotten over your shyness, coolness, whateverness by now!

But this doesn’t only apply to church dance functions, but any function with dancing like weddings and work events. A couple months ago I was at my cousin’s wedding and guess who I ended up dancing with. My 8-year-old second cousins. At least they were boys. Mostly, I’m dancing with a large group of girls, because all the men are standing to the side-gawking or whatever they do when they aren’t dancing.

Thank goodness there are always are few guys that get it. They love to dance too. The problem is that all the girls who love to dance want to dance with these guys too. Often at dances I have a string of dances with one guy, but have to relinquish him up so another can have a dance too. These guys get it. They have fun the entire night and realize that on that night they get the cool chick because the cool guys who won’t dance don’t get to dance with her!

Anyway I was chatting about this with my buddies and they filled me in on the little secret about this. You ready for this. They told me that guys are afraid that if they dance with a particular woman who asks them to dance, that it will appear to the girl and to all at the dance that they might be interested in particular woman.

Okay, I’m willing to give a brother some slack here. I know that some members of my gender who ask you to dance may have googly eyes for you and it’s best not to lead them on. But, really, at our age - doesn’t a guy know how to not lead a girl on. I mean it’s only one dance. You dance and then you politely say thanks and go back to the wall. And if you can tell she likes you and you don’t like her, just say no the next time she asks. Is it really that hard. And if appearances are what you are concerned about - there’s a bigger issue you need to deal with - why do you can care so much about what others think.

I mean can you possibly tell me that one of your guy buddies will call you up the next day and say, hey man, you danced three dances with Sally. You must really like her! I hope that that wouldn’t happen and that people have more going in their life then memorizing your dance card.

And I guess I can’t exclude women in this post. When guys ask you to dance and you say “no” are you worried about appearances? This dancing thing definitely swings both ways.

But where I am coming from is that I just like to dance and I’d rather dance with men than a group of women. So when I ask a guy to dance I’m simply asking a guy to dance. I can assure you I don’t want to marry you or bear your children. I just want to dance. I want to blot out the problems of the day. Get a bit of exercise and perhaps make a new acquaintance. There’s nothing more, I’m sorry.

Now I have to admit that I have turned guys down for dancing. My reasons have mostly been two-fold. 1). The song was a slow-dance and I wasn’t comfortable dancing cheek to cheek with them. A fast dance is fine with them and I usually say come ask me later. But slow dances I’m a bit more selective about. And 2). Hygiene. Need I say more.

So I guess what I’m concluding is - guys get over it! Get off that wall and ask a girl to dance. Don’t wait for her. I’ll let you in on a little secret guys - 99 percent of us women all like to dance. We most likely won’t turn you down. We just want to be asked. It’s embarrassing for us to ask you and then when you turn us down-that’s not fun either. Give a girl a break. Look at all the cool guys that have been on “Dancing With the Stars.” Do you think Adam Carolla would have said yes if it wasn’t cool to do. Heck no.

Since all women like to dance - single and married men - start dancing. If your marriage is a bit lifeless, throw on a great tune, grab your wife and give her a twirl. You’ll see her get a big smile. And single guys start dancing. You have to get ready to teach your daughters how to dance when the time comes. You are her role model for the man she chooses to be her lifelong dance partner.

Don’t miss out guys. Get off that wall!

I’ll never forget any of my dances with my dad. When I’m in heaven one of the first things I’m going to do is find my dad and we’re going to dance for I know he will never say no.

One to Three Cha Cha Cha!