http://nacrepearl.blogspot.com/
I don't like the title of this blog, so I'm migrating. I choose Nacre because it's pretty, but more importantly, it's very strong, resilient, and iridescent.
Monday, December 20, 2010
Friday, December 17, 2010
21st Century Marketing for Professional Services
Article from the Society for Marketing Professional Services that I'm reading:
http://www.smps.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Research&Template=/CM/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=4948
http://www.smps.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Research&Template=/CM/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=4948
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Font Architect. Indescribable Witchery.
I just received an interesting interview from myfonts.com with Ryoichi Tsunekawa, and architect of display fonts. Read the interview here: http://www.myfonts.com/newsletters/cc/201012.html
I like finding interesting and unusual fonts and wonder how they are designed digitally. Also, in the course of the interview, Mr. Tsunekawa says, "vernacular letterforms are adorable to me...they have indescribable witchery."
If the output of Japanese foundries represented on MyFonts is anything to go by, Nagoya must be the number one font city in Japan. Not only has Ray Larabie established his Typodermic foundry here; it is also home to Flat-It, one of our most prolific microfoundries specializing in lively retro and script fonts. Flat-It is run by Ryoichi Tsunekawa, who also created two specialist labels — Prop-A-Ganda and Holiday Type — to celebrate and market letterforms inspired by… well, propaganda and holidays. His taste is eclectic, his skills are remarkable, his production is huge. Meet Ryoichi Tsunekawa, architect of display fonts.
I like finding interesting and unusual fonts and wonder how they are designed digitally. Also, in the course of the interview, Mr. Tsunekawa says, "vernacular letterforms are adorable to me...they have indescribable witchery."
If the output of Japanese foundries represented on MyFonts is anything to go by, Nagoya must be the number one font city in Japan. Not only has Ray Larabie established his Typodermic foundry here; it is also home to Flat-It, one of our most prolific microfoundries specializing in lively retro and script fonts. Flat-It is run by Ryoichi Tsunekawa, who also created two specialist labels — Prop-A-Ganda and Holiday Type — to celebrate and market letterforms inspired by… well, propaganda and holidays. His taste is eclectic, his skills are remarkable, his production is huge. Meet Ryoichi Tsunekawa, architect of display fonts.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Let It Go Follow-Up
I had posted this in November:
Let It Go
The other morning I had an extreme round of self-doubt...sort of imagining all possible kinds of things that were wrong. It was a really tough hour for me, but I got through it by holding each one of my fears up and really looking at them honestly, before telling myself to "Let it go." Breathing helped, too. When you stop breathing, it's not good.
I just learned that despite letting it go, sometimes your worst imaginings are true.
And you still have to let them go.
Let It Go
The other morning I had an extreme round of self-doubt...sort of imagining all possible kinds of things that were wrong. It was a really tough hour for me, but I got through it by holding each one of my fears up and really looking at them honestly, before telling myself to "Let it go." Breathing helped, too. When you stop breathing, it's not good.
I just learned that despite letting it go, sometimes your worst imaginings are true.
And you still have to let them go.
Inspiration
I always have a notebook on the right hand side on my desk. So keyboard at 12:00, mouse+funky paper mousepad at 1:00, notebook at 3:00 (I don't do anything at 2:00). I take notes in my notebook (counter-intuitive, I know), but also use it as a running record of everything. I don't often go back and look at my notebooks, because it's mostly work assignments, but I really like them.
My most recent notebook is from Staples. Usually I get the biggest college-ruled notebook I can, but this time, I found that Staples has a product line called Sustainable Earth (eco easy) and this notebook is made from 80% sugarcase plant fiber waste. I couldn't find 300 page Sustainable Earth notebook, so I bought three 100-pagers, which cost less in the end than the Universal 300-page college-ruled notebook that I usually buy. The paper is good quality and I am happy that it is made from the waste of sugarcane production.
So the point is, I'm trying to use the notebooks as less of a boring to-do list, and more of a hardcopy source of inspiration. Getting back to my funky mousepad (http://www.galison.com/Pinwheel-Floral-Memo-Mousepad-P2366C0.aspx), I often write lyrics or quotes on my mousepad where the stay for several weeks until it gets too full or dirty, when I tear the page off. Now I will tape those pages in my notebook so they contribute to the record.
What is on the page I just tore out and taped in my notebook?
"You owe it to us all to get on with what you're good at." -W.H. Auden
"We imagine that when we are thrown out of our usual ruts, all is lost, but it is only then that what is new and good begins. While there is life, there is happiness. There is so much before us. I say this to you." - Tolstoy
P.S. Aside from these inspirations, I'm working with Dreamweaver to do some web design (or try) and I'm excited to try to create some beautiful web pages. I have a lot to learn!
My most recent notebook is from Staples. Usually I get the biggest college-ruled notebook I can, but this time, I found that Staples has a product line called Sustainable Earth (eco easy) and this notebook is made from 80% sugarcase plant fiber waste. I couldn't find 300 page Sustainable Earth notebook, so I bought three 100-pagers, which cost less in the end than the Universal 300-page college-ruled notebook that I usually buy. The paper is good quality and I am happy that it is made from the waste of sugarcane production.
So the point is, I'm trying to use the notebooks as less of a boring to-do list, and more of a hardcopy source of inspiration. Getting back to my funky mousepad (http://www.galison.com/Pinwheel-Floral-Memo-Mousepad-P2366C0.aspx), I often write lyrics or quotes on my mousepad where the stay for several weeks until it gets too full or dirty, when I tear the page off. Now I will tape those pages in my notebook so they contribute to the record.
What is on the page I just tore out and taped in my notebook?
"You owe it to us all to get on with what you're good at." -W.H. Auden
"We imagine that when we are thrown out of our usual ruts, all is lost, but it is only then that what is new and good begins. While there is life, there is happiness. There is so much before us. I say this to you." - Tolstoy
P.S. Aside from these inspirations, I'm working with Dreamweaver to do some web design (or try) and I'm excited to try to create some beautiful web pages. I have a lot to learn!
Songs
I just heard Andrew Lipke's cover of Just Like A Woman, which I really hope he will release with an upcoming cd.
http://www.andrewlipke.com/
Very very wonderful.
http://www.andrewlipke.com/
Very very wonderful.
Social Media and Marketing, Google Analytics
Today I'm reasearching social media marketing for professional services firms. Some of the things I have learned about social media marketing for professional services firms is that I need to come up iwth a plan and guidelines to make sure that every post is relevant and well-crafted. The goals of our social media outlets should be to be a relevant hub for other professoinals and to enhance corporate reputation in our markets. Content should focus on how our company solves probelsma nd benefits the client and should be focused and specific.
I feel like it's important to explore this arena because I am finding that I am constantly getting most of my information from social media sites....what have other marketing professionals in professional service firms learned utilizing social media strategies? Similarly, I am finding recommendations for products that are unusual or local through blogs that I enjoy, kind of creating a community, a network, of people who are interesting. I continually refine and prune this network, and it continually provides me with a steady stream of ideas and information.
The devices that I have used to capture that information have been facebook, RSSFeeds (FeedDemon), and EverNote (for clipping interesting items/inspiration and availability of access). I don't know if this blog is going to morph as I learn more about the dynamics of weaving social media/microblogging/networking, etc., but I am interested in learning more about how to mine this network for real opportunities and real connections. Take my dad's blog for example - if he consistently posts interesting and high quality information, he will be rated higher in search engines and people who appreciate his work should start to follow him, and refer him, and recommend him and his products. You can find him here: http://jbsmallcabinetshop.blogspot.com/
I don't have a real physical product to market, but professional services. There's also a line in social media that is sort of screwy for me - I have individual thoughts/opinions/recommendations, but as a professional services marketer, I need to accurately represent an entire firm, which still keeping the information personal. It can't be so general that it loses meaning. Also, a facebook page, for example, is managed by an authorized representative, but still accessed by my individual account. Maybe I have that set up wrong, but it still seems like I should separate individual from corporate. Or maybe not. At the end of the day, marketing is about developing relationships and those are essentially individual.
I also added Google Analytics to my company's web pages and am looking forward to mining the data the is returned in the reports.
I feel like it's important to explore this arena because I am finding that I am constantly getting most of my information from social media sites....what have other marketing professionals in professional service firms learned utilizing social media strategies? Similarly, I am finding recommendations for products that are unusual or local through blogs that I enjoy, kind of creating a community, a network, of people who are interesting. I continually refine and prune this network, and it continually provides me with a steady stream of ideas and information.
The devices that I have used to capture that information have been facebook, RSSFeeds (FeedDemon), and EverNote (for clipping interesting items/inspiration and availability of access). I don't know if this blog is going to morph as I learn more about the dynamics of weaving social media/microblogging/networking, etc., but I am interested in learning more about how to mine this network for real opportunities and real connections. Take my dad's blog for example - if he consistently posts interesting and high quality information, he will be rated higher in search engines and people who appreciate his work should start to follow him, and refer him, and recommend him and his products. You can find him here: http://jbsmallcabinetshop.blogspot.com/
I don't have a real physical product to market, but professional services. There's also a line in social media that is sort of screwy for me - I have individual thoughts/opinions/recommendations, but as a professional services marketer, I need to accurately represent an entire firm, which still keeping the information personal. It can't be so general that it loses meaning. Also, a facebook page, for example, is managed by an authorized representative, but still accessed by my individual account. Maybe I have that set up wrong, but it still seems like I should separate individual from corporate. Or maybe not. At the end of the day, marketing is about developing relationships and those are essentially individual.
I also added Google Analytics to my company's web pages and am looking forward to mining the data the is returned in the reports.
Friday, December 10, 2010
Genie Pig!
S to me, J
show details 9:16 PM (15 hours ago)
Reasons to get me a genie pig:
•I will take care of it
•I will clean out the cage (in the time I have) mostly once a week
•I will feed it
•I will care for it and not abuse it
•I think that I would be able to handle a genie pig because I take care of dog and fish sometimes
•and I think baby brother would like it to
• And no dog will not eat it dog did not eat the gerbils....
•all I ask from you is to take care of it in weekends when I'm not here
•and we could get the type of bedding that docent make so much dust I know it could cost more and I would be willing to help pay for bedding or food
So please please please whith a cherry on top.........
is so posed to be a guinea pig but it docent look like one
show details 9:16 PM (15 hours ago)
Reasons to get me a genie pig:
•I will take care of it
•I will clean out the cage (in the time I have) mostly once a week
•I will feed it
•I will care for it and not abuse it
•I think that I would be able to handle a genie pig because I take care of dog and fish sometimes
•and I think baby brother would like it to
• And no dog will not eat it dog did not eat the gerbils....
•all I ask from you is to take care of it in weekends when I'm not here
•and we could get the type of bedding that docent make so much dust I know it could cost more and I would be willing to help pay for bedding or food
So please please please whith a cherry on top.........
is so posed to be a guinea pig but it docent look like one
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Songs on the List
The Boy in the Bubble - Peter Gabriel version
The Cave - Mumford and Sons
Late for the Sky - Jackson Browne
Galang - M.I.A.
I Will Buy You A New Life - ?
Free Girl Now - Tom Petty
The Cave - Mumford and Sons
Late for the Sky - Jackson Browne
Galang - M.I.A.
I Will Buy You A New Life - ?
Free Girl Now - Tom Petty
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Recent Quotes
"You owe it to us all to get on with what you're good at." -W.H. Auden
"We imagine that when we are thrown out of our usual ruts, all is lost, but it is only then that what is new and good begins. While there is life, there is happiness. There is so much before us. I say this to you." -Tolstoy
"We imagine that when we are thrown out of our usual ruts, all is lost, but it is only then that what is new and good begins. While there is life, there is happiness. There is so much before us. I say this to you." -Tolstoy
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Songs
It is amazing the the right songs find me at the right time.
I have a list that I'd like to share sometime, but first I have to see what the next week brings.
I have a list that I'd like to share sometime, but first I have to see what the next week brings.
Monday, December 6, 2010
Cool stuff
I am finding some really neat websites for Christmas stuff:
http://www.gnr8.biz/categories.php
I will post more as they come up.
http://www.gnr8.biz/categories.php
I will post more as they come up.
Monday, November 15, 2010
Women & Work
http://www.slate.com/id/2274736/
Going Dutch
Women in the Netherlands work less, have lesser titles and a big gender pay gap, and they love it.
This article addresses something I think about sometimes...how women in the US struggled for equality in the workplace, but ended up working full time on top of all the same duties in the home. I am waiting for 5:00 so I can pick up Austin and work on dinner and I am jealous of part-time workers who have the time and freedom to cut back on hours on the job and balance life the way they determine it should be balanced.
(Note: I am not complaining about my job, or my pay check. I realize that I decided to work and I could just as easily decide not to.) This is not a whiney post.
Here is an excerpt from the article that says what I'm thinking:
Women in the United States have become defined by the compromises we make. More than 75 percent of American women work full-time jobs. As our responsibilities increase at work, they do not shrink at home. We give up time with our families for our careers, and after work we give up other interests for time spent with our children and spouses—because there are only so many hours in a day. Because of part-time work, Dutch women are able to develop themselves and their relationships in ways many of us simply don't have the time for.
In the end, the article makes the point that American women tend to strive for perfection, which is a hefty solid wall that I run myself into quite regularly, usually with nasty consequences. Maybe this is a better way. What if we did "go Dutch"?
Going Dutch
Women in the Netherlands work less, have lesser titles and a big gender pay gap, and they love it.
This article addresses something I think about sometimes...how women in the US struggled for equality in the workplace, but ended up working full time on top of all the same duties in the home. I am waiting for 5:00 so I can pick up Austin and work on dinner and I am jealous of part-time workers who have the time and freedom to cut back on hours on the job and balance life the way they determine it should be balanced.
(Note: I am not complaining about my job, or my pay check. I realize that I decided to work and I could just as easily decide not to.) This is not a whiney post.
Here is an excerpt from the article that says what I'm thinking:
Women in the United States have become defined by the compromises we make. More than 75 percent of American women work full-time jobs. As our responsibilities increase at work, they do not shrink at home. We give up time with our families for our careers, and after work we give up other interests for time spent with our children and spouses—because there are only so many hours in a day. Because of part-time work, Dutch women are able to develop themselves and their relationships in ways many of us simply don't have the time for.
In the end, the article makes the point that American women tend to strive for perfection, which is a hefty solid wall that I run myself into quite regularly, usually with nasty consequences. Maybe this is a better way. What if we did "go Dutch"?
Baby Babbling article in NYT.
Also, it is amazing to watch my toddler acquire language skills. I want to read more about how language develops, but I am too busy participating in his life to do the reading!
Also, it is amazing to watch my toddler acquire language skills. I want to read more about how language develops, but I am too busy participating in his life to do the reading!
Lately
I have found a lot of interesting content lately and I am thinking about starting to post some of it...to recycle it for others to enjoy:
Evernote
I have been collecting interesting things using Evernote, which is sort of like the ultimate digital post-it notebook. You can take pictures of things that interest and inspire you, write text notes, capture screen shots, Microsoft Outlook links to it, so you can automatically add emails, and it all syncs via a website, so I can access it on the iPhone, at home, at work, any where that I feel inspired. You can tag all of your notes so that when it's time to redecorate the living room you can easily pull up all the "House" inspirations. I can easily grab all my "Style" inspiration shots to show the hairstylist how I want my updo for a wedding (side chingnon). I like it because I can collect and catalogue things of interest without fear of losing them.
Wallpaper
Currently it is the deer shot from http://happymundane.com/2010/11/wtf-posters-by-minga/: I know, I know...inappropriate. But funny.
Let It Go
The other morning I had an extreme round of self-doubt...sort of imagining all possible kinds of things that were wrong. It was a really tough hour for me, but I got through it by holding each one of my fears up and really looking at them honestly, before telling myself to "Let it go." Breathing helped, too. When you stop breathing, it's not good.
Joint Finances
I am excited to have our finances combined, instead of operating like two single people. I have been reading a lot about personal finance and I hope that we start making great decisions for our family. I have found some inspiration at http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog and although I don't see us selling our cars, it's been good to think about the best ways to pay off the debt (not much now) and plan/invest in things that matter to us.
Family
I was proud to stand by my husband's side at his best friend's wedding last weekend. Congratulations to the happy couple who should be on their honeymoon now. Here's to a very happy future. Not that I was asked, but my advice would be to always put each other first, something that I am only now learning how to do. Side note from the wedding: My family is gorgeous.
Last night the baby (toddler) and I were playing for a while in the living room, just laughing and playing with blocks and climbing up on the coffee table and harassing the dog. It was really fun. He's saying so much now. After he went to bed it was The Amazing Race with my amazing 12-year-old. Any suggestions to plan an amazing race locally for her and her friends would be welcome.
Finally
I have no stated policy about posting or comments, since no one reads this, but I reserve the right to completely moderate anything that is posted in response to my posts. You are warned.
Evernote
I have been collecting interesting things using Evernote, which is sort of like the ultimate digital post-it notebook. You can take pictures of things that interest and inspire you, write text notes, capture screen shots, Microsoft Outlook links to it, so you can automatically add emails, and it all syncs via a website, so I can access it on the iPhone, at home, at work, any where that I feel inspired. You can tag all of your notes so that when it's time to redecorate the living room you can easily pull up all the "House" inspirations. I can easily grab all my "Style" inspiration shots to show the hairstylist how I want my updo for a wedding (side chingnon). I like it because I can collect and catalogue things of interest without fear of losing them.
Wallpaper
Currently it is the deer shot from http://happymundane.com/2010/11/wtf-posters-by-minga/: I know, I know...inappropriate. But funny.
Let It Go
The other morning I had an extreme round of self-doubt...sort of imagining all possible kinds of things that were wrong. It was a really tough hour for me, but I got through it by holding each one of my fears up and really looking at them honestly, before telling myself to "Let it go." Breathing helped, too. When you stop breathing, it's not good.
Joint Finances
I am excited to have our finances combined, instead of operating like two single people. I have been reading a lot about personal finance and I hope that we start making great decisions for our family. I have found some inspiration at http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog and although I don't see us selling our cars, it's been good to think about the best ways to pay off the debt (not much now) and plan/invest in things that matter to us.
Family
I was proud to stand by my husband's side at his best friend's wedding last weekend. Congratulations to the happy couple who should be on their honeymoon now. Here's to a very happy future. Not that I was asked, but my advice would be to always put each other first, something that I am only now learning how to do. Side note from the wedding: My family is gorgeous.
Last night the baby (toddler) and I were playing for a while in the living room, just laughing and playing with blocks and climbing up on the coffee table and harassing the dog. It was really fun. He's saying so much now. After he went to bed it was The Amazing Race with my amazing 12-year-old. Any suggestions to plan an amazing race locally for her and her friends would be welcome.
Finally
I have no stated policy about posting or comments, since no one reads this, but I reserve the right to completely moderate anything that is posted in response to my posts. You are warned.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Cotter the Real Deal
I just found www.cottertherealdeal.com and was enjoying his Sept 9, 2010 post. I don't know why I can't link to it properly, but in a search for a better life, I think his instructions might be helpful.
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