Social Media Snores

A young cousin recently asked me what “on-line” meant.

Some still aren’t in the know.

If you’re not on Facebook does that mean you are faceless?

How’s anyone to know? 
Where you are, how you’re feeling, what you’re doing or what you’re working on.

The potential was unleashed six years ago for me. The new wave of technological infrastructure.

Yup, I jumped into it. Sunk my teeth into it.

You’re either in, or you’re not.

Nowadays the world grapples to status update or tweet or pin or plus or post or gram.

But like texting, it is so impersonal.

Frankly, I’ve grown bored of it.

This century has defined it.

Life at our fingertips. 
Out of person.
Out of face.

Not in person.

What does the world need now?

Connecting through the Internet. Some magic wireless connection that we can’t even see?

Sure I crave to be a trend spotter. Hook into what thought leaders are saying. To be in the know. I monitor the airwaves.

But I’d much rather define that for real.

Talk back. Listen. Share.

Feel the moment.

Understand the words with the emotions.

We’re spending our lives in front of a computer screen.

Is it really helping us to live richer, fuller lives?

Or is it hindering us?

Nov. 23, 2012
Came across this SocialNOMICS Infographics Video.
Powerful statistics which illustrates the force that drives the future for branding, marketing and all advertising...
Social Media = "The World of Mouth."

Tag Them AND Shame Them

The mass excites of riots that ensued after the Stanley Cup final game play last night, which saw our home team the Vancouver Canucks loose - won’t get cleaned up anytime soon.

In absolute horror I watched as station after station broadcast live the so-called action.

It is beyond understanding how these young adults who have so much thought it OK to violently attack other people’s property in hell-bent destruction. Even looting.

Shame on them.

I watched the end of the game last night. Made a few family calls in reflection. Then tuned into a movie, which was disrupted by the live broadcasts.

Utter disbelief had me flicking from channel to channel till late into the night. This can’t be happening. This is Vancouver. Home of Vancouver 2010. Not Lebannon or Egypt.

There’s no reason for this horror. It shows absolute disrespect, not only for Vancouver – but for the sad souls celebrating in it.

Shame on them again.

Why? I wake up this morning. Was it all a bad dream? How can this be?

I shutter to calculate the cost to taxpayers, let alone businesses, the City of Vancouver, Police and Fire Departments, BC Ambulance Service, the Health Authority.

Did Social Media play a part in the action? With the majority posing for photographs and Smart Phones recording their glee?

Absolutely. Fueling the fire.

But today, let’s hope Social Media helps to clean it up and make those who stoked the fires accountable.

Tag them. Shame them. Make them pay.

See Facebook: Canucks Fans Against the 2011 Vancouver Riots

One Step Forward

Didn’t realize I’d become so dependent on other people. Little things like opening the door for you. Holding the door open.

Buying groceries.

Doing laundry.

Driving a car.

Caring.

Loving.

Sympathy.

I need it.

It’s been since Sunday. I’m doing super good. Except for last night. I torqued my pelvis out so bad I thought I was back at square one.

This morning when I got up at the ungodly hour of 3 a.m., I wondered if I’d last the day.

Pretty much said it out loud by the time I got to Government Street and Belleville.

Then I was instructed to walk a block to where I needed to activate and appoint a Captain of a smozzle of volunteers I’d had to recruit for the start/finish area.

An angel appeared with a cushion and a chair.

Thankfully I didn’t have to man it long and was recruited to the plush office at Parkside for activating the Social Media.

My gosh. I barely got time to amble to the washroom to pea!

My 4pm when I looked up it dawned on me.

Who am I doing this for?

I hadn’t eaten. I didn’t really have anyone I could call.

I was stuck.

Yet, I pressed on until the blindness set in. Fuel was needed for the fire. Morphine for the pain.

I launched myself away. Away away.

And then again I said.

Who am I doing this for?

One step forward, three steps back.

Changemakers

Respect for one other. Important.

Saw bits of the World Debate on BBC News. Part of the World Economic Forum.

Talk of leadership, global action  - taking action. With a shortage of conviction.

Talk is cheap. Lip flap. Gabble. The tongue wag.

A man in the audience says the power is with the people.

True enough. But for the people, where is the guidance on the planet today? With our global political leaders?
The political realm is filled with issues of transparency.  Mistrust and corruption fill the airwaves.  The truth is unheard. Honesty, integrity – all questionable. Why?

Are we breeding influential leaders I ask? Values in the cream of the crop. Moral ethics for humanity. Global Changemakers?

Will they rise up? Take a stand. Act.

The fire is all around. Look at Egypt. 

The Internet revolution and the power of influence in Social Media shut down in a day. How so and why?

I hear the good opt out. Too much grief working in government. It’s the affairs of the people. Them and us.

Then and now.

Does it have to come from the top?

Can’t it be from the bottom up?

Changemakers.

Don’t look back with regret.

Act now.

Shout it out.

How Sponsorship Works

As I cross the finish line I’m greeted with hugs. The belt buckle goes around my neck. I’m asked my shirt size and I receive a ‘Finisher’ t-shirt. Then I get a bag of Kicking Horse Kick Ass coffee beans stuffed into my Camelbak. That was July 3. I’ve been drinking it ever since.

I did the BC Bike Race Challenge Course and Kicking Horse Coffee was one of the sponsors of the race.

Years ago I was told I had to quit the dark stuff. Something to do with Irritable Bowel Syndrome.  At that point in my life I was only a triple shot dark Italian Roast Americano lady a day. Couldn’t leave home without it. Camping trips even. The espresso maker came along. No more then one a day.

During the seven-day stage race I took to the coffee. Like a magnet on the fridge. First things first. A cup of Kick Ass. The flavour was strong and soulful. Lots of depth. My days were grand.

I’d picked myself up a fancy new boddum from NOOD not long ago. When I got home I started filling it up.
Mum came by one weekend for a coffee. She likes it black. I gave her the Kick Ass. She thought it kicked butt and went out and bought herself some. Stuart came by and had a cup. He took note.

Had some neighbours do me a favour. I asked them if they drank coffee. They got a bag.

Went to my local Country Grocer the other day and the Kick Ass was on sale and sold out. Wahhhhhhh. I picked another dark roast - the Grizzly Claw. I tweeted my take and heard from someone that she switches between Grizzly Claw and Kick Ass and that she figured I’d be fine. Later I got a tweet from Kicking Horse saying to try the 454 Horse Power (like to know the origin of that name) and to make sure my local grocery store keeps Kicking Horse Kick Ass in stock.

I reckon I’m getting through a bag a week. Not bad. I got to thinking, Kicking Horse Coffee made a smart move sponsoring BC Bike Race. 

That’s how sponsorship works!

Why I Blog

I wear my heart on my sleeve. I speak my mind. I’ve been known to show the Poker Face. I can say out loud what some people may think but are too afraid to. I dare to be different.
Writing is something I’ve always been passionate about. Many years ago I wrote for community papers and a business magazine. I loved it. Because of a grave family member’s illness I gave it up and in doing so lost my parking spot so to speak.
Years later I moved into television. Combining words, visuals and sound. Super fun. Loved it a lot. It was heart wrenching loosing that kind of job to lay-offs.
Some more years later I find myself here. Wanting to write. Hanging out with Social Media. The gist of journalism still in my blood. It never leaves. Soon I’ll be combining more visual and audio to my blog site. In the meantime, if you’re still reading I want to share with you a comment a woman made to me this morning which made my soul shine.
From June 26 – July 3 I did the BC Bike Race Challenge course. I blogged about it everyday after my ride. Had a blast doing it and writing about it. This lady told me she read my blog everyday and felt that what I wrote was inspiring and made anyone feel they could go about setting goals and achieving them like I did.
The smile on my face is still shining. For me, writing or blogging is telling a story in some way I hope that will inspire others to share, do or dare. Today, that’s why I blog.
Thank you for reading.