Categories
rant

what’s right?

Do you watch TV? I watch TV. I’ll admit it I’m a junkie. The TV is always on. If I had the resources I’d have a wall of TV’s, four maybe six. Today four might be enough with all the crap that’s on. By crap I mean “reality” television.

Reality – dictionary.com
1. the state or quality of being real.
2. resemblance to what is real.
3. a real thing or fact.
4. real things, facts, or events taken as a whole; state of affairs: the reality of the business world; vacationing to escape reality.

Interesting. Quality, fact…what have these shows done to how we live or see the world? Is the reality an exaggeration of some altering reality? I thought that I was safe by being a news junkie. But now what happens on these shows and to the people on these’s shows is news.

You can’t pass a news cast, magazine or online news outlet with out seeing something about someone who is now famous because they can’t sing, eat bugs, can throw other’s under a bus with a smile on their face or have buckets of kids. Like these things are acceptable. Well doesn’t it? Or have these things always happened, its just now there is more coverage in the media? Hey, I’m just asking.

Why all of a sudden am I talking about this?

“Jon & Kate” Ratings Record: 9.8 Million For Season Five Premiere

And this today;

‘Jon & Kate’ Brother & Sister-In-Law: The Kids Are Being Exploited, The Parents Blinded

Hey! Where’s my fame and fortune!? So Jon’s family has now put themselves in the “spotlight”, for the sake of the children of course. I’m not going to provide links to the actual stories. If you are so compelled you can go find them on your own.

For the last month or so I kept seeing some reference to one of them having an affair (Jon or Kate) with someone. A bodyguard or…I don’t remember! And WHO CARES!!! GAD! As Mary and Earl Childs would say about the ridiculous when I was a child.

I’ve said this before, not just here. But what does this say about us as a society? That it is acceptable to humiliate, abuse and generally treat people horribly for the sake of winning something. Coming out on top for acting something unbecoming a decent human being. Also in this vein … I’m going to put it out there … wait for it … is having anything more than 2 maybe 3 at a time are these shows and the attention around them making it acceptable to have litter’s of children. You want a big family, bunch of kids and aren’t Angelina and Brad. What about adoption or foster care?

At an event I attended a couple of months ago in response to the speaker a discussion kicked off between a two people in attendance. As it started to heat up a bit the speaker said an amazing thing. He said, “stop trying to invalidate each other.”

We try so hard to be right. We try so hard to be right sometimes that we alienate and push people away. Which brings me to the question, what is right?

I have a conservative friend; yes that’s right, a conservative friend who wrote after the election, “The hatred of our prior President was visceral. It invaded everything, most especially journalism. It invaded many of the meetings I endured, small talk sessions, football games, you name it. I say let it go … What has been lifted are the complaints. For you the sky shines, birds chirp, etc., and I am deeply appreciative to have had a day without the complaints and the hatred. Thank you for this small gift you may not know you gave me.”

I thought that was interesting considering Rush, Bill and Sean. I guess for some it’s only visceral if it’s in contrast to what you believe or want to be true? And I’m a liberal so this will sound liberal; I’ve always thought that no matter who, the conservative side of the coin, or the side that gets airtime is beyond visceral. And whenever the “liberal” side of the media talks about the “conservative” talk they run through a list of error’s in fact long enough to collectively wrap around several time Rush, Bill and Sean!

He also wrote, “To my friends who learn of this and can’t separate my politics from your friendship with me, it was nice being your friend. I hope someday you heal.” He’s still my friend, I think? But doesn’t that sound just like a conservative? I hope someday YOU heal? It’s the arrogant self-righteousness I don’t care for, not the conservatism.

Sorry didn’t mean to mix a political statement in the middle of my rant about the state of television. But maybe it helps make a point about perception or impression, maybe even interpretation.

It’s the differences that people don’t seem to want to embrace. Individually, they want the world to be their world, roll the way they roll, think the way they think. Be in total agreement with their views and beliefs. Really…really??

I think it would be great if people didn’t think it was okay to humiliate other in public. To deem others unworthy of basic human rights. If society wasn’t about who had the most toys at the end. If we could have somehow kept celebrity at the movies. If “E” and “Entertainment Tonight was just that entertainment and Charlie, Katie and Brian reported “news”! Someone muddied the water’s. But then I guess that’s me imposing my idea of news on the rest of you. Sorry….

If it were about fairness, equality, patience and compassion, imagine that?

What’s right anyway? No really, I’m asking!

Categories
don't speak...don't speak!

stories

I write stories from time to time. I have several started and saved in a folder on my computer. I think there are about 8 or so. No one has read anything I’ve written since college. Well except for one, The Uncurious Adventures of Knod Knowingly. I started that for National Write a Novel Book last November. Like the rest of them it isn’t finished. I’ll finish it someday, promise.

Most of the stories I write start with reality. A moment in my life, a sentence from a conversation or a thought. Like Knod Knowingly and the land of the Kneverbodies. After that I change everything. Complete creative license. But I need to put on my brave hat and starting putting stuff out there to be read. Good or bad, liked or disliked.

One of those stories, black-and-white-bridges started with one sentence, my friend Jana mentioned all the bridges in Portland the weekend I came to look for a place to live in 1987. There is more to this story. But this is enough for now. Gotta start somewhere.

So that the story doesn’t freak anyone out (tinyelvisgirl). Yes I did go to art school, yes I did give Jana the photo and I moved to Portland. The rest, that creative license thing.

Categories
don't speak...don't speak!

the pit of my stomach

I know that we can all say, at some point in our lives, “I have this amazing friend.” My life’s crazy journey crossed the path of another; that I will forever be thanking whom ever I need to for the rest of my life for. Today I cast aside all others and say that no one compares to my friend Colette. And I have some pretty amazing friends! (so temporary apologies to the rest)

On April 6th, Colette got that call that none of us want to get or deserve to get. You have breast cancer. From that moment she went into survival mode like no one I know. (previous post)

On April 17th, with a bottle of wine and the amazing Brenda at Mosiac, Colette, Melissa and I got our haircut and celebrated after with yummy food in The Pearl.

On May 5th she had her first chemo treatment and 4 days later we all walked in the American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk.

Coco & Mel

May 21st a second cut.

May 24th, “Ladies, today is the day… No more hair… Michael shaved the rest of it off! I’ve got a beautiful scarf on, shades and a little sad smile…” And I know that sad little smile won’t last too long or that she will allow herself to let many see it. She might.

It makes the pit of my stomach feel that feeling that is so hard to describe. It’s not empty, it’s not turning, it’s up near my throat. It feels like your arm or leg just after it starts to wake up from being asleep from prolonged unusual pressure, heavy.

I’ve never considered myself a strong person. Although, I do think people think I’m tough. I just am really good at the mask maybe? I don’t know what makes me that way, somewhat closed off? I’ve been amazingly lucky with family and friends to love. With Colette and her family it’s no exception. Her strength carries us all. How will I ever repay her for her friendship?

Categories
creative don't speak...don't speak!

collaboration

I’m still sorting out my thoughts on this. Collaboration is hard. But it seems that people love to talk about it. I’m also thinking about this great post on author Bob Sutton’s, “sir we don’t actually do what we propose we just propose it.”

Ground Hog Day the movie, have you seen it? This is the best way I can think to describe the dialogue and conversation about the topic of creative industry in Portland. Each conversation starts at the same spot and get’s one word further each year. This is at least year 9.

Why are we still JUST talking about creative industry in Portland? Agendas? Strategy? Value proposition? Egos? Mixed messages? Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, YES!

If done right, creativity can be very glamorous. So the fascination is so compelling you could charge admission. But who really has been successful with creative? Think about it. I’m not going to say.

I don’t say mainly because it would be my opinion and my perception of the product.

Part of the problem, I think, is that the creative process never stops. So you are never really done. So how can you put it into a functioning, organized organization or association? And how can you let one person manage that? What is their agenda?

In the last two weeks I’ve been to two separate events, in the creative space, topic being communication and collaboration.

The most interesting thing for me was the Oregon Arts Summit, the Art of Collaboration. There were about 300 people there. I knew 5 people. Which seems odd to me, only because I’ve been involved in the arts and creative industry in Portland for more than 10 years. Who was this audience?

What was very clear to me is that people communicate an idea of collaboration but no one really knows how to implement it. They let their fears or take over. Or they don’t think outside of their immediate reach. They limit their resources. Or let the lack of resources dictate what is possible. Maybe if there were a LinkedIn for interests and causes. Then you could actually see your true network of resources to enrich your program, organization or company. They seem so stifled by what they don’t have, the big gap of what ever it is that makes them a real success that they can’t see past it. They can’t see past, we don’t have enough money, we don’t have enough time…we don’t, we don’t, we don’t. I’m reminded of my “I think I can” talk with my little friend Sophia.

I’m sure I will come back to this topic again.

Categories
that social media place

UPDATE! Multnomah County Social Media Coordinator postion

As Multnomah County Chair Ted Wheeler announced on Twitter yesterday, he has decided to suspend his search for a Chair’s Office Communications Director/Multnomah County Social Media Coordinator at this time.

I want you to know that we appreciate your interest in working for the Multnomah County Chair’s Office. We hope you will watch for future career opportunities with us.

~ I’ll write more later ~

Categories
rant

Seriously?!

Okay, I’m going to have a little rant. I wish that former Vice President Cheney would retire and go home! What is he doing? Me thinks he doth protest too much!

Now his daughter Liz all of a sudden has a platform to be heard. Who is she? According to her, her father talking about President Obama’s making the country more vulnerable is like former VP Al Gore talking about the environment.

WTF!? Can the environment point and set off a nuclear missile? Is she serious?

And…

“Vice President Dick Cheney’s daughter, Liz Cheney, accused Barack Obama of finding it “fashionable” to “side with the terrorists” during a Tuesday appearance on Fox News.”

FASHIONABLE?

I’d like to say, “Liz Cheney shut up and sing!” But I don’t know if she can sing?

The United States was attacked under the Bush administration. No matter how you slice and dice it, on your watch Mr Cheney.

The finger pointing continues. Because no one has solutions!

You can’t have your cake and eat it with ice cream, whip cream and toppings on a silver Haliburton brief case!

K. think I’m done for now.

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Categories
that social media place

Social Media Coordinator

Read my newest post at, Webmanual.org in response to the new position that Multnomah County posted last week.

Categories
don't speak...don't speak!

Social Media~Web 2.0~PSU

One of the newer classes at PSU in the Multimedia program is Social Media and Web 2.0. The instructor John Anthony Hartman created a blog for the class Webmanual.org. PSU is building a curriculum to offer a certificate in Social Media next year. John created the blog so it could become a living document of the class and program. I was the first student to post! Here is that post;

It might just be me? This new thing, this new space “social media” for some is a very scary place. I sat in a seminar this week listening to people talk about twitter, blogging, facebook and etc. All of the questions asked about social media came from a place of fear. What if this happens? What if that happens? What if the sky fall?

Now I’m no brand expert, but. What if someone starts talking about your brand for you and it’s off message? (btw-they are!) What if they don’t like you or don’t understand what your brand represents. If they have an audience, (many do) they could put you in reactionary recovery instead of a proactive space of retaining and managing your brand message.

At the very least, use social media as a tool to LISTEN to what is being said about you or your brand. Don’t have your story reported via, as Gillmor says, twitter the new AP wire.

Categories
don't speak...don't speak!

no title needed

Entrepreneures can change the world

Categories
that social media place

thinking about a show

A few years back I started something called Breakfast for Five. Ok, so not an original idea. Jon Favreau had Dinner for Five on the Independent Film Channel.

The dot com bomb dust was about to settle and I thought this could be a very informal way for 4 principals from the creative industry in the Portland market to get together and share stories, no agenda.

My partner in crime at the time, Colette put together a great invitation that we hand delivered buzz. We had 4 or 5 I believe, then we got jobs and ran out of time and money. But we did start a small buzz. I’ve been thinking about doing this again.

Another friend and I, Melissa, while unemployed for the last several months have been hanging out in a coffee shop at South Water Front. We call it “the office”.

While setting in the office a while back I asked the owner if I could have a breakfast there the first Friday of every month. He said, “of course!” He loves that we hang out there.

Last week I was watching Leo on Ustream at “the office”. I said to Melissa, “hey we can have a show too!” Right then I created a show, “Chatter at Rilassi”. This will be the new venue for Breakfast for Five.

It may take a bit to get all the details worked out. But I’m working on it.

Stay tuned!