I have a love/hate relationship with Facebook. I mostly hate it until I connect with someone interesting or re-connect with someone I miss, and then I love it. It really has helped me stay in touch, even minimally, with people I deeply enjoy but don’t get to see often.
I can’t help but wonder, though, is it just me or do you all have to purge some “friends” periodically? For me, I find that I purge about every three months. Usually someone will post some comment that makes me no longer want to be associated with them, for either personal or professional reasons, and I’ll end the cyber relationship. One deletion always leads to a few more—“Oh, that’s the person who posted THAT nasty comment that one night I was too sleepy to figure out how to delete them”—and away they go, too. Granted a few innocent bystanders, or alphabetically close names, have accidentally gone in my haste, but overall, my general purging schedule seems to get the job done.
Today, we’ve come upon another deletion day. I don’t want hate comments or hate language on my news feed, bottom line. There’s enough negativity in my daily life that I will not allow a cyber acquaintance to perpetuate even more.
Oh, but that’s not the point of this post.
This is probably just me, but if you’re going to use Facebook as the ultra-marketing tool for your business, then sending me daily “become a fan of” emails is a good way to make me hate your business. Why? Because I don’t want to have to clear out your stupid email every day. So, I’m going to delete you from the entire friend list instead of becoming a fan of your business. It is a matter of principle.
-b
Monday, March 22, 2010
Friday, March 12, 2010
20 Things About the Cable Guy
I've been dealing with a lot of service people during this move. I must seem friendly. Here are just a few things I learned about the cable guy while he was at my house installing my lines (and he did a good job, I'll add.)
1. He moved here from Orlando a year ago.
2. He has been married twice.
3. He has a thirteen year old son.
4. His thirteen year old son sees ghosts.
5. The lady who lives across the street from him spies on him.
6. He threw away a couch.
7. He threw away an old green chair.
8. He moved to Nashville to sing.
9. He used to be roof installer and roof cleaner.
10. His first wife gives his son back some, but not through the courts, and so he is still liable for child support during those times.
11. His second wife was from Denmark.
12. He speaks a little Danish.
13. He lives 20 miles out of town in a condo.
14. He would like me to fix him up with one of my hot friends--any of them will do.
15. He makes $20 for installing three lines in my house. The cable company gets the rest.
16. He works 60 hours per week.
17. He has no time for a social life.
18. He would like to make a demo of himself singing.
19. He is afraid it is too late for him to get into the music business.
20. He gives his Mom money.
1. He moved here from Orlando a year ago.
2. He has been married twice.
3. He has a thirteen year old son.
4. His thirteen year old son sees ghosts.
5. The lady who lives across the street from him spies on him.
6. He threw away a couch.
7. He threw away an old green chair.
8. He moved to Nashville to sing.
9. He used to be roof installer and roof cleaner.
10. His first wife gives his son back some, but not through the courts, and so he is still liable for child support during those times.
11. His second wife was from Denmark.
12. He speaks a little Danish.
13. He lives 20 miles out of town in a condo.
14. He would like me to fix him up with one of my hot friends--any of them will do.
15. He makes $20 for installing three lines in my house. The cable company gets the rest.
16. He works 60 hours per week.
17. He has no time for a social life.
18. He would like to make a demo of himself singing.
19. He is afraid it is too late for him to get into the music business.
20. He gives his Mom money.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Kindness
It goes a long, long way.
I'm not a big crier. Or, maybe I'm in an age-defined denial. The older I get, the more I get weepy on someone's behalf. Regardless, my friend T. got me today with this quote: No one has ever said they will handle something FOR me. Can I give you a hug to thank you?
She had big crocodile tears streaming down her face. I had recommended two people to her to help her realize her "one dream." "Call them," I said. "Stop being intimidated by your unknowns."
She is beautiful, and she has been dealt a much more difficult deck of cards than I. And, two of my friends, one old and one new, showed a beautiful kindness today. I called them both to tell them so, and to thank them. "You made a difference in someone's life today," I said to both of them.
Kindness matters.
We should be more conscious of that.
-b
I'm not a big crier. Or, maybe I'm in an age-defined denial. The older I get, the more I get weepy on someone's behalf. Regardless, my friend T. got me today with this quote: No one has ever said they will handle something FOR me. Can I give you a hug to thank you?
She had big crocodile tears streaming down her face. I had recommended two people to her to help her realize her "one dream." "Call them," I said. "Stop being intimidated by your unknowns."
She is beautiful, and she has been dealt a much more difficult deck of cards than I. And, two of my friends, one old and one new, showed a beautiful kindness today. I called them both to tell them so, and to thank them. "You made a difference in someone's life today," I said to both of them.
Kindness matters.
We should be more conscious of that.
-b
Monday, February 8, 2010
Here's One for the Songwriters
When I'm included on the faculty at songwriting worshops and seminars, the one thing I've noticed over and over that the registrants want is access. They want a few minutes of time from someone is who doing what they want to do. People just want to talk, some people just want you to listen to their songs, some people really want honest feedback, and then some people just want you tell them how great they are (whether they are or not.)
My awesome friend and songwriter J.P. Williams called me several months back and invited me in on a writing session with someone who I think most any writer worth their salt would love to be in the room with. Since then, I've written many times with Rory Bourke. Here's just the first paragraph of his bio:
During a career of more than thirty years, Rory Michael Bourke has had songs recorded by Anne Murray, Elvis Presley, Bonnie Raitt, Cher, Phil Vassar, Dolly Parton, Tom Jones, The Oak Ridge Boys, Ronnie Milsap, Julio Iglesias, Tim McGraw, and many others. He was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1989 and has been named ASCAP Writer of the Year three times: 1976, 1979, and 1983. He is a four-time Grammy nominee and the recipient of two CMA triple play awards. He served on the Board of Directors of the Nashville Songwriters Foundation for many years.
It's been such a pleasure getting to know Rory and Rita. He's not even billing me for hanging around so much (yet.)
I say all of this to say that if you're interested in writing songs, and truly writing those songs that last a lifetime, Rory is an expert proven time and time again. While I can't offer you access, I can get you the stories. Well, actually, you'll have to get those yourselves, too. Check out Rory's blog:
www.rorybourke.com
Enjoy-
-b
My awesome friend and songwriter J.P. Williams called me several months back and invited me in on a writing session with someone who I think most any writer worth their salt would love to be in the room with. Since then, I've written many times with Rory Bourke. Here's just the first paragraph of his bio:
During a career of more than thirty years, Rory Michael Bourke has had songs recorded by Anne Murray, Elvis Presley, Bonnie Raitt, Cher, Phil Vassar, Dolly Parton, Tom Jones, The Oak Ridge Boys, Ronnie Milsap, Julio Iglesias, Tim McGraw, and many others. He was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1989 and has been named ASCAP Writer of the Year three times: 1976, 1979, and 1983. He is a four-time Grammy nominee and the recipient of two CMA triple play awards. He served on the Board of Directors of the Nashville Songwriters Foundation for many years.
It's been such a pleasure getting to know Rory and Rita. He's not even billing me for hanging around so much (yet.)
I say all of this to say that if you're interested in writing songs, and truly writing those songs that last a lifetime, Rory is an expert proven time and time again. While I can't offer you access, I can get you the stories. Well, actually, you'll have to get those yourselves, too. Check out Rory's blog:
www.rorybourke.com
Enjoy-
-b
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Satisfaction
I've been looking over my tax returns. Fun stuff. I just put down the tax return for 2003, actually. Looking back over the years of self-employment, the up's and the down's, has gotten me to thinking.
Over the past ten years, I've turned down two big-salary job offers outside my creative field, and I've basically done everything I can to keep my time focused on my creative passions. I've passed on the kind of security many people work their whole lives for. I've chosen my dreams over common sense options time and time again.
I'm not saying that my life choices would be for everyone. Certainly not. But, I can say that I'm okay with how I've done what I've done. I may never own my personal island in the tropics, but I've made a good life, with good friends and a good family. I can pay my bills, I have food on my table and I get to travel a little. Most of my dreams have already come true. That's a big thing to be able to say.
So, no, I wouldn't change how I've done things. I definitely would not.
I'm satisfied.
-b
Over the past ten years, I've turned down two big-salary job offers outside my creative field, and I've basically done everything I can to keep my time focused on my creative passions. I've passed on the kind of security many people work their whole lives for. I've chosen my dreams over common sense options time and time again.
I'm not saying that my life choices would be for everyone. Certainly not. But, I can say that I'm okay with how I've done what I've done. I may never own my personal island in the tropics, but I've made a good life, with good friends and a good family. I can pay my bills, I have food on my table and I get to travel a little. Most of my dreams have already come true. That's a big thing to be able to say.
So, no, I wouldn't change how I've done things. I definitely would not.
I'm satisfied.
-b
Sunday, January 31, 2010
The Winter White Wool Coat
I don't remember how I old I was, but there was one year in high school that I decided I wanted a full length winter white wool coat. Since it was going to cost a little more than our standard issue, Dad had to make the final approval.
I went to Dad and asked, explained the do-or-die necessity of this grand investment, and he finally agreed with the following stipulation: it had to be made in America.
So, off to the Charleston Town Center mall we went. After searching the racks of the various stores, I walked in to the final place and the clear blue sky rolled back giving way to the Heavenly choir's "Hallelujah Chorus," and there hung the perfect--PERFECT--winter white wool coat. It was floor length, lined with silk, pleated in the back from the collar down, with flawless subtle tan buttons. Oh, it was a glorious find, and I was going to look like a million bucks.
I bought it right there and we drove the hour home. As I unwrapped this brilliant piece of fashion iconism and carefully placed it out on my bed, my brother looked over my shoulder and asked, "Is it made in the USA?"
I'm not saying it was right or it was wrong, but sometimes a girl's just got to have her 80's winter white wool coat. When you know it is right, sometimes you just have to do what you have to do and figure the rest out later. I said, "Well, if it's not, then I'll cut the tag out."
I checked tag there was it was: Made in the USA.
Life lesson learned.
-b
p.s. I had never planned to mention the whole thing to Dad until my brother so helpfully retold the story at Christmas. And, the truth is, I had been so overcome with perfection that I'd totally forgotten to look. I'm really not a bad person, Dad.
I went to Dad and asked, explained the do-or-die necessity of this grand investment, and he finally agreed with the following stipulation: it had to be made in America.
So, off to the Charleston Town Center mall we went. After searching the racks of the various stores, I walked in to the final place and the clear blue sky rolled back giving way to the Heavenly choir's "Hallelujah Chorus," and there hung the perfect--PERFECT--winter white wool coat. It was floor length, lined with silk, pleated in the back from the collar down, with flawless subtle tan buttons. Oh, it was a glorious find, and I was going to look like a million bucks.
I bought it right there and we drove the hour home. As I unwrapped this brilliant piece of fashion iconism and carefully placed it out on my bed, my brother looked over my shoulder and asked, "Is it made in the USA?"
I'm not saying it was right or it was wrong, but sometimes a girl's just got to have her 80's winter white wool coat. When you know it is right, sometimes you just have to do what you have to do and figure the rest out later. I said, "Well, if it's not, then I'll cut the tag out."
I checked tag there was it was: Made in the USA.
Life lesson learned.
-b
p.s. I had never planned to mention the whole thing to Dad until my brother so helpfully retold the story at Christmas. And, the truth is, I had been so overcome with perfection that I'd totally forgotten to look. I'm really not a bad person, Dad.
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Convenience
I've had a slight toe in the real estate market this weekend. Let us not get carried away, it was just a toe, and a pinky toe, at that.
Nonetheless, I called and made an appointment to view a home in a "transitional" neighborhood. Because, you know, I'm cool...I'm hip. Er...right. Anyway, I made Jim go, too, mostly because he just loves that kind of stuff...er...right.
Anyway, so we made the left turn onto the street of what could be my brand new home and we both started laughing out loud. Not an "lol," which we all know really means "chuckle out loud," (col), but an actual audible laugh.
Jim looked over and said, "Well, the good thing about this neighborhood is that if it's eleven o'clock at night and you need some crack, all you have to do is go out on the porch and say so. All the dealers will be able to hear you."
...I do like me some convenience...
-b
Nonetheless, I called and made an appointment to view a home in a "transitional" neighborhood. Because, you know, I'm cool...I'm hip. Er...right. Anyway, I made Jim go, too, mostly because he just loves that kind of stuff...er...right.
Anyway, so we made the left turn onto the street of what could be my brand new home and we both started laughing out loud. Not an "lol," which we all know really means "chuckle out loud," (col), but an actual audible laugh.
Jim looked over and said, "Well, the good thing about this neighborhood is that if it's eleven o'clock at night and you need some crack, all you have to do is go out on the porch and say so. All the dealers will be able to hear you."
...I do like me some convenience...
-b
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