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Badge of Honor

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This week, I deserve a badge of honor. For years now my mother has been begging me to listen to audio books. I have resisted as any child does. Why, I just didn’t think I’d like it. I mean, if you have to listen to the CD, you have to pay attention, and with our busy lives when would I have time to mentally focus?

The Rosie Project

The Rosie Project

My mother, in her Italian accent would say, “Cicciolino, listen to the books while you are cleaning the house, you’ll want to clean, because you’ll want to hear the entire story.”

I’m laughing, can you imagine that? I thought she was really digging deep now. An audio book that will make me WANT to clean the house? I imagined myself wearing a cute Italian apron, with a funny duster, humming opera tunes while listening to audio tapes. That’s the perfect Italian wife!

This past week, my mother got her wish. I actually listened to an audio book. It was by complete accident.

Our Book Club is reading “The Rosie Project,” by Graeme Simsion. All the print versions at the library were checked out, EXCEPT (did you hear that), except for the audio version. YES, I smiled; OK Mom, you’re getting your wish!

A miracle happened! I popped the CD in my car and was pleasantly surprised to hear the narrator (Daniel O’Grady) speaking in an Australian accent. His voice, reading the story of a “nutty professor looking for a wife,” was so amusing that, my mother was RIGHT, I wanted to keep listening to the story! NOW, I needed a long road trip somewhere…

Cat O'Nine Tales: And Other Stories

Cat O’Nine Tales: And Other Stories

I’m hooked… next audio book, “Cat O’Nine Tales: And Other Stories,” by Jeffrey Archer!

Here’s a perfect example of not being open to someone’s viewpoint! Mom, you are ALWAYS right!

Becoming Irish!

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Fighting IrishI started learning about the Irish when I met my roommate Freshman year at Saint Mary’s College. She came from a big Irish family in upstate NY. She had freckles, strawberry blond hair, great sense of humor, real prankster and enjoyed drinking beer. We were in luck that her brother was a senior at the University of Notre Dame that year. I had just graduated from Miss Porter’s School and suddenly my world went from Daisy Chains to the Fighting Irish and a Leprechaun mascot!

Now, my daughter is going to the University of Limerick and we are getting to know the Irish even better. Last year on an interview with a book publisher, I found an Irish cookbook. The other day I was driving home, no rain, but there was a rainbow on the skyline – no leprechaun though, trust me, I looked.

The Irish have had their influence on my daughter. She now eats biscuits, not scones. She drinks tea, not coffee. She said sugar goes in before the milk and no Irish house is without a tea kettle. She said she’s learned that to “shift” means to “make out.” The term “crack” means to be happy and a black person is not an African American (grin).

She’s learned patience and time management (see sheep photo), enjoy the beautiful countryside, there is no rush! Embrace driving on the “other side” of the road. Oh, and Dublin is now becoming a magnet to American companies as their European headquarters.

Irish Sheep

Irish Sheep

Do you see where I am going here? We have the potential of becoming Irish. After four years of College, my daughter might have an Irish accent and decide to stay there.

Irish beer clinkingAfter watching the film The Quiet Man with John Wayne, I thought the Irish have the temperament of the Italians (my background). Fiery one minute and toasting the next. Irish / Italians – this could work!

So, here’s to becoming IRISH!

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

Where do Blogs fit in?

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Well, here you go, social media explained in one easy graphic from http://www.themetapicture.com. At least that seems to be where it came from. Does anyone understand the use of online content (graphics, videos, articles, etc.) that are floating around the internet? When can we use them? How can we use them?

Social Media Explained

Social Media Explained

There must be copyright laws that apply. I did some investigating on this subject; however, rules and regulations were not clear.

I’m sure this has crossed ALL of your minds when you are passing along a post, a graphic, a video, an article, etc. How does an author “own” their own content. This is a big question, because social media is about “sharing.” I think rules/regulations are evolving on a “case by case” basis. Yes / No?

I just read an article about cyber thieves stealing domain names from up and running companies. The company realizes this has happened when they are not receiving foot traffic or any orders. They think their site went down. They investigate and find their site was stolen. Lots of legal work to get their site back!

One thing I have noticed is that some authors have started putting their name / website address on their graphics. Like this one I am sharing with you. This way, we all know where the content came from. Excellent idea!

Back to this social media graphic. Great, right! What a concise way to explain marketing using social media. It looks like the graphic came from a Google marketing meeting. When put in layman’s terms suddenly social media is easy and understandable.

So, if you are good at social media, the sky is the limit on how you can market yourself and your company. Where do Blogs fit in on that white board though!

Crossing the Sahara Desert

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I’ve always been fascinated by the Sahara Desert in Morocco. A few years ago I was reading the travel section of the Chicago newspaper and there was a beautiful picture of runners in the desert. The caption read, “Marathon Des Sables: Toughest Footrace on Earth!” That caught my attention.

I started reading and was fascinated from the start. Why so tough? Well, the race is six days long. You basically are running a marathon each day in extreme heat. On the 4th day they really putMarathon des Sables you to the test by having you run about 46 miles. Keep in mind that you have your entire week’s supply of food, clothing, sleeping bag, etc. on your back as you run.

Did I mention extreme heat of over 100˚ Fahrenheit? During the day runners are given water at different rest stops. At night you sleep in a designated tent with seven other people, who become your family. Yes, there could be scorpions, but it sounds like you don’t care… at that point you are so tired and dealing with blisters that you plop down to sleep.

I fantasize about doing this race; although, I know it’s not realistic. I cannot take the heat, I really dislike running, I have never been in a marathon, I am currently not in marathon shape and I am not in my 20s – 30s. Did I miss my chance?

The appeal for me with this race is crossing the desert – having an adventure. Of course, there is the question of stamina, endurance, and determination as well. So, when are we too old to attempt something like this? They say some people in their 60s have walked the race. Yes/No? What do you think?

FYI – registration for 2016 is now.

Calling ALL Inventors

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I was first introduced to the TechShop (www.techshop.ws) by Bret Jacoby. I met him at the manufacturing company where I worked.

Bret's Grill Tender

Bret’s Grill Tender

Bret was in the process of building a prototype charcoal barbeque grill that used a built in computer to control the temperature, so he could smoke meats. The smoked meats were delicious. I wanted to learn more.

I was helping Bret order the interior grills from China, that’s how I got involved. Through Alibaba we found three companies who made grills. I wrote asking for prices and samples.

Bret took me down to TechShop San Jose. This place was an inventor’s dream shop. The employees were so helpful. Even more interesting were the people. The folks who were making projects were so friendly and ready to show me “how” to use various machines and tools (i.e. woodworking, laser, welding, sheet metal, plastics, machining, fabrication, automotive, industrial sewing machines, sand blaster, vinyl cutter, etc.).

Techshop Cello Inventor

Luciano’s Bass Instrument

There was such camaraderie at the TechShop that you could learn from others. Take a look at Luciano Golia’s cello project in Detroit. Golia had immigrated from Italy and was looking for a place to build his artisanal cellos to continue his 24 year old business. Do you see? You get inspired by other people’s projects.

The TechShop was founded by Jim Newton and first opened in California. Now, they have expanded to Arizona, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Washington, D.C., and Texas.

For fun, I wanted to make a leather bag. I used their industrial sewing machines. Was it photo worthy? Not this time, remember, I am a beginner, but I tried and plan to go again.

How about YOU?  What project do you have? Take it to the TechShop, they will teach you how to do it!

Goat or Sheep?

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Chinese New Year is here!

Years ago I worked for a manufacturing company. As Chinese New Year approached, the Asian employees shared stories of how their families were preparing for the celebration.

Chinese Red Envelope

Chinese Red Envelope

As a Buyer, I had to rush to order my parts from Asia, because in Asia most employees take 3-4 weeks off for holiday, so they can go and visit family. Apparently, their families live in the country and it would take about 4-8 days just for traveling round trip. That meant the factories and UPS services would shut down. If parts were not “pre-ordered” and “shipped” before Chinese New Year started, we would not have parts.

While I am not Asian, I was still part of the team. One day one of the Vietnamese employees came in and handed me this beautiful RED envelope (see photo). I smiled really big. He said it was tradition for elder family members to give a red envelope to children, grandchildren, etc. with at least one crisp dollar bill inside. The tradition was true at work too, to give the red envelope to employees wishing them “happiness and good fortune.”

If you have an Asian friend, and you’d like to give a gift, remember NOT to give the following: handkerchiefs, sharp objects, anything with number 4 on it, umbrellas, clocks or shoes. They are very superstitious and you would ruin their celebration!

Question: Is this the year of the Goat or the Sheep? While I am not a Goat/Sheep, my Asian hairdresser says that Rabbits are expected to have a good year. I like Chinese New Year and their focus on the family.

Do you believe in astrology? Do you know what animal YOU ARE? Maybe you are a Goat, or is it a Sheep, and it is “your year!” Better find out…

Happy Chinese New Year!

Ghost in the House

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TV Ghost photo

Old Panasonic TV

It’s “official,” I have a ghost in my house. Before you say I am crazy, let me explain.

I have an old Panasonic TV set, see photo. About a year ago, around 3 am, I heard noises like people talking and saw flickering lights coming from the living room. Was it a burglar? I tip toed to the living room and the TV was on. No one was there – very strange.

At breakfast, I did my “Sherlock Holmes” investigation quizzing everyone on “who” left the TV on. Of course, no one fessed up.

That afternoon we went shopping. When we came home the TV was on again. We looked at each other in surprise. I felt vindicated that the TV had turned on by itself and my family members felt validated that they had not left the TV on the night before. Indeed — something strange was going on.

Over the months this kept happening at odd hours. We had a family joke that our “little Ghost” was “trying to get attention.” Suddenly, it stopped for about four months until the other night.

This time 2 am, I heard the voices and saw the TV flickering. I went to the living room and on the TV screen was actor Spencer Tracy in The Old Man and the Sea. I was tired, but stayed up to watch.

What a movie! Spencer Tracey, as the 85 year old man, showed such determination of mental and physical strength to bring that marlin to shore in that small boat with sharks surrounding him. He fought hard!

Apparently, my “little Ghost” knew that job hunting requires that same determination.

Ghost photo

Our “little Ghost”

This time, instead of being annoyed by my “little Ghost,” I smiled and thought “you sure are a clever one,” aren’t you!?

Ok, I got the message – No matter what, DON’T GIVE UP!

Your choice… Rectangular or Round?

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I was struck by something this week. I read a story on how a jury’s verdict can be swayed and quickenimageed by the shape of table they sat at.

Paul Smith in Lead with a Story, discusses how the shape of the table impacts a jury’s decision. If they sat at a rectangular table, where one juror was at the head of the table, that person dominated the conversation, so other jurors were reluctant to share their point of view. While if the jurors all sat at a round or oval table the conversation was discussed equally amongst them.

That made me think of family dinners. It sure made sense. Take the show, Blue Bloods for instance, when they are at their big family dinners. Actor Tom Selleck, at the head of the table, certainly commands the conversation. The head of the table does seem to always dominate and orchestrate the discussion. Maybe that is why the young startup companies have business meetings sitting on couches. If you have a relaxed atmosphere there is more sharing and not as much dominating.

So, I propose that at our next family dinner or business meeting, we observe the seating arrangements and how the conversations are going. Do we need to bring in a new shaped table? OR, here’s a FUN idea, put the quietest person at the head of the table. NOW that would be a HOOT!  Would this theory still be true? Let me know if you find out!

Giving

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It’s a new year and that means trying to fulfill goalsOrangebyJesus – right!

For years, I have wanted to write. My friend suggested starting a Blog. 

I know, my thought was the same… A Blog?? What in the heck would I write and who in the world would read it?

As this idea germinated in my mind it seemed that everywhere I turned I found a story I could share.

This week it is about charity. Look at this photo from my church. Do you see what I saw? I’ll give you a second…

I saw an orange and I was moved by that. Someone felt the need to pray and not having money offered an orange to baby Jesus. Isn’t that what life is about. Sharing to help someone or sharing to thank someone.

Which makes me think of my friend, Joan Hardy, who decided after her granddaughter died of cancer that she would start the Small Miracles Foundation (www.smallmiraclesfoundation.org), so that she could perform “small miracles” for children suffering from cancer.

This is their 10th year anniversary. I remember being struck by the story on the website where she spoke about the small miracles that can help a cancer patient’s family (paying for a cab/phone bill, bringing food, etc.) When our lives are going well, we don’t think of other’s pain and suffering.

The gift of the orange by baby Jesus reminded me that no gift is too small. We all need small miracles in our life and whomever left that orange was either ASKING for a miracle or GIVING THANKS for a miracle! I am inspired by that orange, I hope you are too. Now, let’s all perform a “small miracle!”