Underwraps

As you may know I try to stay current on all the trends and news in social media and I've decided to find a way to put all of the research to good use.

I've begun working on a new project that will take the information I've compiled and put it into layman terminology that will help you, your club, your business or your friends take their social media use to the next level without embedding yourself into internet.

Stay tuned for more info soon.

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

This summer I had the opportunity to visit St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis and I can truly say it was an eye opening experience.

While in college I understood the importance of donating to St. Jude, because it is my sorority’s national philanthropy, but I did not really understand what an amazing place it is until I saw it for myself.

Children from around the world are treated, without any expenses that would bankrupt their families. They have tutors to make sure they don't fall behind in school and specialists who make sure their emotional wellbeing is being taken care of as well as their body.

These kids are sick, but you can feel the hope as you walk through the halls. Kids like Sean, need our support to keep that hope alive.

I am volunteering to recruit teams for the Give Thanks Walk in Dallas, taking place on November 21. There is no entry fee to sign up, and no minimum number of team members. To learn more visit the Give Thanks Walk Web site and or leave me a comment if you have questions.

There are also a number of walks around the country, so if you aren’t in the DFW area check to see if there is a walk near you!

Yup... I'm a stalker

I read blogs. I like blogs. I might even love blogs.

I vaguely miss the newspaper, although I can get most of their news on twitter faster than reporters can produce it.

I do continue pick up magazines, if only to have something to read while on a plane somewhere. Otherwise they just take up space, get saved for an undue amount of time, and left on an end table until I move.

But I love blogs.

As I spent the last half hour reading past entries on the blog of someone I knew in high school it dawned on me how entirely creepy blogs really are.

I don't know these people. I sorta knew the person who's blog I was reading at that moment, but really I wouldn't recognize the bloggers I read if I met them on the street (except maybe Pioneer Woman because shes my blogging hero).

Yet, that is ok. It is completely welcome and actually invited that I peek, daily, into the lives of total strangers. The difference is when it's someone I know, or used to know. Thats when I feel like I'm creeping in someone's bushes taking pictures of them in the shower and that is surreal.

Why is it ok to be a daily part of someone's life whom you've never, and probably never will meet and invasive feeling if its someone you do know?

Its befuddling, and a little creepy, and I'm inviting strangers to hear about my befuddlement.

First Crochet Pattern! Hugs & Kisses

I finally finished my first crochet pattern and it is now in testing by some wonderful volunteers on Ravelry.

It is a neck warmer, originally designed as a gift for a my aunt who's birthday was in September. I swear I'm putting it in the mail this week.

The picture at left is courtesy of ddrevia since my camera is on the fritz.

Once I hear back from the last of my testers I will be putting the pattern up for free on Ravelry so stay turned for the completed project.

Goals

New goal.

Write one blog post a week.

It's football season and I've thus far watched 2 college games, attended a cowboys game, and am planning to go to a high school football game in a couple of weeks. While I'm not really a huge fan of the sport I think I'm starting to understand the Texas passion for it. I may need to buy a cowboys jersey to prove my sudden interest in the sport but I think the Bronco's fan in me would prevent making it all the way to the check out line.

I think it all spawns from the years of sales tax I've paid, and really you have to agree, Invesco field beats the Cowboys Spaceship any day of the week.

Is social media a Dr.'s note excusing lazy journalism?

I had planned to go to the gym today but since I'm battling with the pollen counts outside I thought it might be nice to not sneeze all over the equipment. I planned to go last week too, but I got a tetanus shot and already felt like I'd worked out.

Granted these are a lot of excuses. I could still have worked out last week, or today with a large box of tissues in tow, but when it's all said and done, I didn't feel like it.

One of the list serves I subscribe to sent out this blog post today asking if Young PR people are getting Social Media Tunnel vision.

I think that there becomes a point where instead of writing a good release, or learning the finer aspects of AP Style [or basic grammar for the matter] is too difficult and therefore a social media blast is an excuse for not doing it.

There is a fine balance between not recognizing the potential of social media and not doing the basics of brand management. If you know the basics and recognize when you should still use them, social media is a fine compliment to the entree.

The concern raises when we stop learning the basics or forget how to use them. Everything else is just an excuse.

My appologies

Now I hope no one is reading my blog thinking that someday you are going to find a parable of wisdom that is useful to you, because lets be honest I usually write about crap. (Can you say that on the internet and not get spam filtered? O’well)

Anyways, usually it’s about what critter is hanging out in my apt parking lot or the parking lot at work, or the giant guy I found in my apt, or Texas shaped waffles.

Occasionally it’s my knitting / crocheting / yarn loving habits.

Every once in a while is my yoga addiction, which has become less since I can’t seem to find a studio in TX that doesn’t want my soul in exchange for a few enlightening hours.

And maybe if you’re lucky it’s rambling about social media, ROI, marketing, etc. And that’s really only when you’re lucky.

Which I feel might be slightly telling about my life. Hopefully not, since I’d like to believe I don’t have that much crap going on, but clearly that might be the most interesting parts