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One Small Step For Man, One POWERleap for Mankind

Some of the most brilliant ideas come from the simplest of places, an apple falling out of a tree, a child playing with a kite, the every day occurrence of a bird flying through the air.

Elizabeth Redmond and her newest invention POWERleap, falls into this category it stems from the act of people walking, and it's just simply brilliant.

Elizabeth Redmond invented the POWERleap, a flooring system that generates electricity every time you move on one of the tiles. Constructed with glass and concrete, the energy generating tiles can bear a heavy load and are being designed to be placed in areas that experience high-foot traffic. It is Elizabeth's intention to have cities powered by the people who live, work, and play there rather than outside energy sources.

Elizabeth explains her invention on the Sundance Channel :

Now that it is out there this idea seems so obvious. It makes you wonder why we haven't done anything like this until now, and what other absolutely obvious things we are missing?

The science behind POWERleap from Elizabeth's website:

At rest, your body is emitting 100 watts of power. That is more than enough energy to power the computer on which this is written. Given this, imagine how much energy we are emitting while walking to [or at] work, running at the gym, or dancing at the club! It doesn’t take a genius to appreciate the thought of that energy doing something more for us than dissipating into the ground or environment…

POWERleap is currently manifested in an installation of urban sidewalk tiles designed and engineered by Elizabeth Redmond. The system utilizes the phenomena of piezoelectricity: electricity from applied stress, founded by the Curie brothers in the 1880’s. A piezoelectric material when compressed distributes a charge across the surface of the material that can be harnessed and used to generate electricity.

Project POWERLeap has come up with a solution to the problem of wasted human kinetic energy. We have designed a flooring system that will harness your exerted kinetic energy, and use it to generate electricity for us to enjoy. By integrating these interfaces that generate electricity from our daily activities in public and semi-public built environments, each individual will have the ability to generate electricity for their community.

WHERE WILL POWERleap BE USED?

CITY SIDEWALKS AIRPORT TERMINALS
TRAIN STATIONS SPORTS STADIUMS
CONFERENCE HALLS DANCE CLUBS
CORPORATE CAMPUSES UNIVERSITY CAMPUSES
FITNESS CLUBS PUBLIC PARKS

POWERleap is still in it's infancy stage and looking for backers, investors, and contributors to get it into the mainstream. Here are some other sources for more information:

Here is a link to her NPR radio interview

http://www.here-now.org

Here is a link to her Earth Keepers at Changents

("Changents is an entertainment-driven online destination that enables "change agents" to tell their amazing stories while building a network of fans around the world who want to help them. Through videos, photos, blogs, mobile messaging and podcast dispatches from the field, change agents draw in "backers" to lend a hand - virtually or in person.)

http://www.changents.com/powerleaper

POWERleap website:

www.powerleap.net

Fusing Gotta-Have-It Technology with Social Responsibility

In my previous post Sexy Bluetooth I wrote about the Jawbone 2 Bluetooth headset and how necessity, function, and fashion can all merge together in one device. The Aliph company is the owner of the JAWBONE but the designer is Yves Behar and his company Fuseproject.

Yves Behar is unique in that he believes that it is his mission to bring technology into the human experience. Behar uses design to transform every day items by considering the human need, finding new functionality, while also merging utility and beauty.

Yves Behar felt that the JAWBONE should be more than just a headset and designed it in such a way that it becomes a useful attribute rather than an annoying distraction.

Humanistic technology rests on your skin, knows when you are talking, take out all the techie and nerdy pieces and make it beautiful. If it isn't beautiful it doesn't belong on your face.

Behar's designs go far beyond a Bluetooth headset, to watches, computers, home interior and technology, footware, as well as architectural pursuits. Yves Behar proves that the merging of art with science not only enhances an object, but can improve the performance and function of that object.

The tag line for Fuseproject is Design Brings Stories To Life, watch this Ted.com video to see the story behind Behar's designs.

Yves Behar on Ted.com

From the Ted website:

Over the past decade, Yves Behar and his firm fuseproject have become the design group that companies turn to for a game-changing idea. Take the re-invention of the Bluetooth headset, for one; or the re-envigoration of the venerable but dowdy Birkenstock line; or Behar's LED-chic Leaf lamp for Herman Miller.

And yes, Behar and fuseproject are the people who put the green bunny ears on the XO laptop -- and are redesigning the next-gen XOXO laptop due in 2010. This quirky but deeply felt project encapsulates much of his recent work, fusing gotta-have-it design with a mission of social responsibility.

"[Behar] has the ability to strip something down to its basic functional logic and then apply a set of emotional and aesthetic considerations to create something unique. It's an art."

Chris Hacker, chief design officer at Johnson & Johnson

Sexy Bluetooth That Proves Crime Does Pay

I know, I know women can make an accessory out of anything!!

Hear me out here though. Now that it is mandatory to be hands free while driving, I really think that we need to discuss stylizing the Bluetooth. I know you think I am just being a girl, but there is one company that not only agrees with me, but is already capitalizing on the changing laws.

The company is Aliph, the product is the JAWBONE 2, and I have to say I like them a lot.

Let's start with the name Jawbone...love it! They only have one product -in three different colors, a Bluetooth device that doesn't fit on the jawbone. It goes around the ear but it points towards the jawbone. Do you see it now? I thought so, me too! Seriously it's good branding, catchy and easy to remember.

Next we move into the very hip, stylish, and goes with so many of my outfits, necklaces, shoes, and handbags look. Oh yeah it looks like it walked out of Gucci, Prada, or a Louis Vuitton store doesn't it?

JAWBONE 2

Note: The first one had a few issues, with charging and it was too bulky, but # 2 (a lot like Aliens compared to Alien) is getting better reviews.

Now aside from being just to die for cute, this product is actually pretty high tech. Oh yeah, Sexy and Smart. It has a patented VAS and an Advanced DSP Algorithm, no it can't drive you to work, what that means is it has a voice activity sensor and NoiseAssassin (I know that should be two words, talk to them it's their trademark) technology. In plain English now - it detects the frequency of your speech, even in the presence of noise, and then assassinates the background noise so the listener only hears you. The whole NoiseAssassination Algorithm thing, they say was developed for DARPA (Defense) but, is now available for the common folk. Check out the DEMO.

Finally the cashing in on crime thing, I know it's in the title and you were wondering what that was about, well they have this area on their website that helps those poor unfortunates that have gotten caught by mister law talking on the phone, by discounting their Bluetooth purchase.

Here's the Ticket Processor:

If you're busted breaking the Hands Free Law, JAWBONE will help soften the blow.

How? When you buy a new JAWBONE online we'll deduct $20 from the purchase price. (The phones are $129)

Why? Because having a conversation shouldn't be a crime.

So now the Smart Gals:

5 out of 5 Smart Gals on this one! Was there ever a doubt!!

You've Arrived....Blogger Recognition

So recently, actually a while ago I am late on this post-so very late, I received an award from another blogger. Getting the award felt a lot like winning the blue ribbon at a spelling bee. Ok, I was never part of a spelling bee, I was on the debate team but that analogy just didn't seem to work here. In any case I was touched and very flattered by the gesture. I tell clients that if you are going to jump on the blog/social networking train you better be real, there is no faking it here. So to have someone that visits my blog regularly say hey I'm not bored yet I like your style is a real honor.

Heidi over at the Health Nut Wannabee Mom blog is the blogger that bestowed the special award, known as the Arte y Pico Award, on me. What you haven't heard of it before? Well let me tell you, that is because it is a very rare, prestigious, and selective award that not many people get. Come on it's my first award so of course I think it's the best award out there!! Seriously I am touched and very thankful for the recognition, it is a lot of pressure an honor. I hope I can continue to provide award worthy content and support those other blogger's that are doing the same.

Ladies and Gents:

The Arte y Pico Award

The "Arte y Pico" Award was created and to be given to blogger's who inspire others with their creative energy and their talents, whether it be writing, artwork in all media's.

It was so meant for me...look at the hot smart chick on it!

Part of receiving this award is sharing it with at least 5 other blogger's. So now I get to bestow this wonderful award to you people....drum roll please!

This Brazen Teacher

About Site - I am an Art Teacher.This site is a revenge against my career. Against my paycheck. Against Politics. Against the standardization of everything. And I mean everything. We have a couple of teachers in the family and let me tell you these ladies are wild! As a kid I knew but could never prove it this blog does that for me. I am giving her this award even though she has gotten a few others, because I want to. She has Calvin & Hobbes on her page, Paulo Coelho in her roll, Crotchety's seal of approval, and I am never bored when I stop by.

Crotchety Old Man Yells At Cars

His Bio - I'm a crotchety old guy who enjoys ranting and raving about the injustices of the world. While many of my rants are political in nature, I can complain about almost anything. If I were a cartoon character, I'd be Grandpa Simpson or an elderly Eric Cartman. I personally love his rants they are intellectual, informative, and incredibly amusing. which is difficult to accomplish, but so wonderful when done well.

Secrets of a Black Heart

Lunanik is a wonderful blogger, she's been doing it for quite a while and it shows. Her writing style is wonderfully engaging. she is witty, funny, and most importantly real. She writes about every day things which could get boring, but the way her personality comes through I cant wait to see what she is going to write about next. Lately Miss Lunanik feels a little drained, a bit uninspired, and has been thinking about pulling back. I sincerely hope that she doesn't, she is a great blogger.

A Little Piece of Me

Blog Description-"Just a general blog about me and my life. You will find anything from my counseling homework, photography, hiking, traveling, doodles and more on this blog." I personally do not visit this blog enough, when I do happen by I am always happy I did. She is one of those people that you would want to know in person, if you like that full package perfect chick thing (just kidding). Seriously great blog, great commenter-if you see her comments you know they are going to be interesting, with envy inducing doodles. Check her out.

Regretful Morning

The tag line "We Laugh At Your Misfortune. Initially I thought this blog would be one of those blogs that I would check out once, hate, and never return. I was wrong! Though it is not a blog for the faint of heart (good humor never is), it is hysterical. This blog could have been one of those uninspired, nonsense, shock effect, fall short blogs but surprisingly it is not. Jason takes alcohol induced regretful stories (we all have them), mixes in his own humor, and throws it out there for the wolves to devour. All of this makes for a fun blog.

So there you have it, those are the chaps I think deserve an award whether they like it or not!

Social Networking...Keeping It All Together!

In order to capitalize on the social networking phenomenon, you need to ask yourself some questions....

Who are you?

What are you looking for?

Where do you want this machine to take you?

Why are you here?

When will you have the time?

How do you exchange your ideas?

I am sure you know this but there are oodles and oodles of social sites out on the web to join, and though your first inclination may be to jump on as many as possible, if you become part of too many you will never keep up! Your efforts will be diluted and counterproductive. The idea is to connect, build mutually beneficial relationships, and enjoy a little self expression.

Are you a music buff, does your business fall into or compliment the music world? Then you may like one of these:

Bebo * Imeem * Pandora * Ijigg * Last.FM

http://www.social-music.info/

Are you an art or photography connoisseur, or perhaps you are trying to promote a creative business endeavor? Here are a few sites for you:

Flickr * Stumbleupon * Mixx * Squidoo * Myspace

Are you a news or information addict, does your business provide a service that would be benefited by the exchange of information? Then here are some sites to check out:

Digg * Reddit * Del.icio.us * Mixx * Twitter * Plurk

Are you part of the video revolution or would video help your business? Then these sites may interest you:

Youtube * Vimeo * Seesmic * Dailymotion * Break * Stumbleupon

Are you looking for business collaboration and networking? Then pop on by a few of these:

LinkedIn * Plaxo * Startupnation * Zoom Info * Biznik

I haven't even scratched the surface with this list, I could literally go on for days maybe even months listing social and networking sites. So how do you choose which to join and spend what little time you have on? Your personality, motivation, business style and/or type will dictate which social sites you should sign up for.

Whichever way you go the trick with these sites is to know the website's demographic, to be active, and like the name says BE SOCIAL. If you are not meeting people, creating rapport, and establishing mutually beneficial relationships these sites will not help you. Like high school the more popular you are, the more people you will meet, and the more visible your business and website will be.

Finally do not fake it until you make it, the posers are easy to spot, and they will eat you up and spit you out. Don't waste your time, if you can not be there and be real find another way to market yourself and your business.

Here are few more sources you may want to check out:

Wikipedia Social Website List

http://www.mobile-social-network.info/

http://www.social-travel.info/

http://www.social-tv.info/

Brought to you by: GetSmartWomen

Women in Business vs. Men

We know women in business are different then men in business, but how different are they and is being different really a bad thing?

Men control the business world, men hold higher and more influential positions than women, and men get paid more. So why do women even bother? I am a woman and I am in business, and I do not worry or even think about what positions men hold, or how much they make. In business my greatest concerns are how to do business well, be ridiculously successful, while also living life on my terms. Don't get me wrong I am competitive but the competition starts with me and moves to those companies that are in my market place.

In sports if you are a basketball player do you tryout for the football team? You are both athletes but football and basketball are very different and you do not have to be good at one to be good at the other. So why would a women try to be a man, what does one have to do with other? The competition is not between men and women it is between your company and the competing company.

The Author of "What Men Don't Tell Women About Business," Chris Flett, believes that women are missing the boat by not studying successful businessmen, learning from them, and conforming to them. Mr. Flett recently appeared on Donny Deutsch's The Big Idea to plug his new book and to take on some pretty opinionated women. I watched the episode and I must say that Flett didn't do too well, in fact there were times when he looked downright scared. So much for the "Alpha Male" dominating the "Submissive Females"!

The biggest problem Flett has is that he is naive which makes him seem condescending. I am giving him the benefit of the doubt here, really he could be just clueless or worst case a pompous ass, but let's just go with well meaning in a bungling sort of way. Flett portrays women as being weak in every manner possible, yet the demographic he is targeting are those women who had the strength to get where they are and now just need help getting to the next level. News flash Chris you wrote this book for women to learn from and yet you do not know women at all do you?

Chris contributed to The Big Idea Blog after the show and there a few points that I find interesting so let's look at them and discuss...shall we?

When a woman says, "It's us against them, I don't need to know what men think", you know that at some point in her past, she has been excluded from the conversation and is not happy about it.

How like a man to think that? I personally do not treat business like a war, where there is war there is turmoil and plenty of casualties, I am not looking for either in my business. I also do not need to know what men think. I need to know what successful entrepreneurs think, and then I need to incorporate that into who I am and how I do things.

One guest said that she couldn't "get into the board room so she left to form her own company". Having knowledge like we talked about today IS only available in the board room, but some are so furious about past experiences that they disregard it and refuse to even listen to what is being offered.

Chris, Chris, Chris - you make this sound like a bad thing! A woman who chooses to create her own successful company as opposed to trying to do it on someone else's terms is inspirational not weak. If I am not wanted in that boardroom then you are damn right I am going to create my own. Work on your weaknesses but play to your strengths, that is how you win the game. Chris did you have this same opinion of Steve Jobs, when he wasn't being listened to in the Apple boardroom and went his own way in 1986? I don't think so.

There is one area I agree with Mr. Chris Flett and that is knowledge is power, you should keep yourself educated, informed, and never be afraid to learn from others be they men or women. I am not that interested in reading this book and is not that he doesn't make some good points, rather that there are other books out there that would provide more value for me.

Choosing people to learn from and business acumen to incorporate into your company should be done based on your industry, business style, and ultimately your goals. I will say Flett seems to spread his naivety beyond the female gender and into the corporate domain by insuating that all boardrooms are equal. Fortunately all men and women are not created the same. Warren Buffet and Donald Trump are two very successful men but I would wager that they are very different in the boardroom. Martha Stewart, Susie Orman, and Oprah all very successful women and how much alike do you think they are behind closed doors?

I know I could learn from all five of these individuals but what I would choose to take from each would be dependant on who I am and what I want. Business is not about conformity it is about inspiration, innovation and just getting out there and doing it. Mentors are important but they are meant to be learned from and improved upon, not cloned. So by all means go out there and learn from others, there is no reason to recreate the wheel, but don't forget who you are in the process.

www.getsmartwomen.com

In Business Your Body Language Says It All

What does your body language say about you?

In business it is not just what you say but how you say it that matters. When preparing for a meeting, a presentation, or a networking event most people will work on what they are going to say, set out the outfit they are going to wear, but rarely do they practice the body language they will use.

Do you know that guy or gal in your industry that isn't as knowledgeable or capable as you but everyone seems to be drawn to? Drives you crazy right? Knowledge is immensely important but unfortunately it is not everything. Over the long run your expertise will keep your clients coming back but in the initial meeting it is how you present yourself that will catch their interest.

So you know what to say, how to dress, but not how do you impress?

The first step in any endeavor is investigation, start by finding people who impress you and/or those who impress others to begin your study. Now watch, listen, and learn. What facial expressions, hand gestures, body posturing are they using and what messages are they pairing with these gestures?

The second step is emulation, once you have found your research subjects and have studied their body language can you imitate those actions? Practice, practice, practice. Start with a few gestures that you are comfortable with and that you can easily incorporate in your day to day business dealings.

The third step is personalization, you have practiced the proper body language to impart your message, now you need to make it your own. Confidence is key in any business situation if you are not comfortable with your gestures they will not have the desired effect. You want your actions to be fluid, natural, and used appropriately so as not to lose their power.

Janine Driver, also known as the Lyin' Tamer, coaches individuals on their communication skills for a living and she teaches that small changes in body language can make a big difference. She has been on most of the major news and business shows, but on Donny Deutch's: The Big Idea she picked out a few famous people and gestures that are powerful communicators.

Famous Examples:

• Donald Trump - The steeple, hands in a steeple position exhibits power.
• George Clooney - Superman pose, demonstrates openness and confidence.
• Angelina Jolie - Hands behind the back, is exposed but a sign of strength.
• Brad Pitt - Hand in the pocket, need thumb exposed to avoid weakness

Body Language:

• Strong handshake is confident and strong
• Open up throat, belly button, and naughty bits shows confidence and strength
• Take up space in your chair own the area
• Women do not cross legs creating a block between you and everyone else
• Open hands, beggar pose creating openness and trust
• Pulling hands towards body bringing needs and wants in, you deserve it.

In business you are not just selling a business or product you are selling you. Take the time to make sure your body language is sending the right message, if done properly your body can do some of the talking so your mouth doesn't have to.

Janine Drivers' website

Janine on The Big Idea

The Funny Web....Where Creativity Rules

Monday is my day to set the tone for the rest of the week!

So show a little inspiration/ show a little spark/ show the world a little act when you show it your heart/ we've got two lives--one we're given,/ and the other one we make/ and the world won't stop/ and actions speak louder/ listen to your heart. ~Mary-Chapin Carpenter

The way we look at Monday's can be with resignation because we know that it means 5 days of work, or we can look at Monday with anticipation because it means 5 days of work! In order to do the latter you of course need to like your work, or like the people you work with, or in the very least like the life your work affords you?

Each day is an opportunity to make a difference (I know cliche much? But it's true). To affect change you do not need to act in a grand scale, it can be as simple as making someone smile.

So how are you going to set the tone today?

Well in my search I stumbled upon a great website (literally it was on Stumbleupon-Thank you Tindink!) that I think charges the imagination, fuels the creative juices, and just makes you smile...

The Funny Web I am not sure why they call it the funny web, there are some funny pictures but most of the artists, photographers, and authors are just amazing not necessarily humorous. Well whatever the case this website is truly incredible, so go check out these awe inspiring images.

These are just a few of the artists who's work is posted on this site:

Painting by Archann

Photos by Julio Segura

Cool photos by David Doubilet

If I have made Monday just a little bit easier for you, then I have reached my goal for today-and if I do nothing else today it will still be a very productive day!!

Enjoy~

Bridget www.getsmartwomen.com

Favre seeks unconditional release - So The Battle Begins

And so it begins....Favre has asked for an unconditional release in writing, the Packers have the choice of reinstatement or release.

ESPN - Favre seeks unconditional release from Packers, sources say - NFL

HATTIESBURG, Miss. -- Three days after a conference call with Packers team officials in which quarterback Brett Favre emphatically expressed his desire to play in 2008, Favre on Friday formally asked by letter for his unconditional contractual release, sources close to Favre and the team said.

Sounds like the Packers are going to take a hard stance....come back and play backup to Rodgers we are not releasing you so you can be picked up by a team in our division!

FOX Sports on MSN - NFL - Sources: Favre flip-flopped before draft

FOXSports.com has learned that the organization has no intention of granting that request. If anything, sources say, the team would be prepared to welcome Favre back as a backup to quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

Favre seeks return, requests release from Packers

"As always," the team's statement said, "the Packers will do what’s right and in the best interest of the team. As with all Packers greats, Brett's legacy will always be celebrated by our fans and the organization, regardless of any change in his personal intentions."

Personally this is hard for me, like I said yesterday I love the packers and I love Brett. From what I have found fans are going back and forth with this but the majority support Brett's decision. As emotional as we can get with football it is a business, and as a businessman can you really blame Brett for wanting to play even if it is not as a Packer?

FOX Sports on MSN - NFL - Favre comeback rumors hurting his legacy

Every year he says he's retiring and this time every year he wants to come back.His act is tired. Go FISHING,HUNTING,to LAS VEGAS do something else with your life.Its not fair to Rogers or the Packers to go through this every year. GET A LIFE!!!

Bottom Line...Brett has proven to be a great QB and has earned the right to play if he wants. Look at the stats he put up last year, can anyone honestly say he doesn't have the ability any longer? At his age he is still one of the very best to step onto the field and every team he plays against knows they are in for a fight..you can't say that about over half of the teams out there today. He took the Packers to the NFC Championship game and ran into a juggernaut that also knocked off an undefeated team to that point. Brett...you have earned the right to play if that's what you want and many welcome you back and would love to see #4 back out there again.

Let's look at Favre's resume: A resume any CEO would be proud to boast about!

The NFL's all-time leader in passing yards, touchdown passes, completions, attempts, interceptions and wins by a quarterback.

Last year, Favre posted a career-best 66.5 completion percentage while throwing for 4,155 yards, 28 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. He won his seventh division title and played in his fourth NFC championship game as Packers quarterback.

Looking at other Veteran Quarterback record holders:

John Elway after a period of decline made back to back Super Bowl appearances and wins, with their first Super Bowl title by defeating the Green Bay Packers, (very sad day for me) 31-24, in Super Bowl XXXII. The Broncos repeated as champions the following season in Super Bowl XXXIII by defeating the Atlanta Falcons, 34-19. Elway was voted MVP of the Super Bowl.

Making Elway 37 & 38 years old...hmmm same age as Favre

Joe Montana In 1990 led the 49ers to the best record (14-2) in the NFL. Injured 91 & 92 was replaced by Steve Young and then traded to the Chiefs (I can only imagine how hard this was for the 49er fans). He was injured for part of the 1993 season, but still led the Chiefs in two come-from-behind wins in the 93 playoffs and reached the AFC Championship Game. Including their two playoff victories that year, the Chiefs won 13 games, tying the franchise record for wins in a season. Montana was also selected to his final Pro Bowl at the end of the 93 season. In 1994 Montana led the Chiefs to another playoff appearance and then retired.

Making Montana 36 years old...not too bad for an "old guy"

So as hard as this may be do we really want to keep this incredible athlete from fulfilling his dreams? Coming off of an unbelievable last season, still breaking records and setting the bar just that much higher for the younger QB's, is it really that far fetched to believe that he could come back? The reason sports are so addictive is that the impossible becomes possible on any given Sunday, or Monday, or the odd Thursday.....

This aint going to be easy but whatever Brett Favre does and wherever he goes I support his decision to Go For It!

Brett Favre....Will He or Won't He???

The real glory is being knocked to your knees and then coming back. That's real glory. That's the essence of it.

The price of success is hard work, dedication to the job at hand, and the determination that whether we win or lose, we have applied the best of ourselves to the task at hand.

~Vince Lombardi

I haven't brought sports, politics, or religion into this blog-until now. All three topics touch a deep cord in people, and can get pretty heated, but I am going to throw caution to the wind and bring sports in. It's been on my mind and of course it's all over sports news right now. These are just a few links, if you go to Pro Sports Daily you will see that for the last week this has been a hot, super hot topic!!

Favre's rumored comeback has players buzzing

Nightmare in Green Bay: The Saga of Brett Favre is far from over

The Favre option

Packers: Kids grill McCarthy about Favre

Favre rumors live on: Rodgers, McCarthy don't foresee comback

Brett Favre News: Pro Sports Daily

So will he or won't he? If Favre comes back what will that mean? They absolutely will not let him be a free agent, so keep him or trade him?

Packers honestly will not, could not, and probably should not keep him, so you trade him. Oh the absolute and utter horror.....it is making me sick to my stomach to think of Brett Favre anywhere but with the Packers! (no I wont-absolutely not) How do you reconcile it? I am a Packer fan and have been for nearly two decades now, but you have to be honest, it's the team, history, community we love but also (BIG also here)the players that make up that team.

Would the love for Green Bay be there without Curly Lambeau, Vince Lombardi, Bart Starr, Reggie White, Brett Favre and many many more, including Favre the Packers will have 22 Hall of Famers? Not to mention those players that aren't Hall of Famers, but Pro Bowlers, mvp's, and just damn incredible that have in their own right contributed to our deep devotion to this team.

So I understand that if Favre comes back he will not be wearing the "Green and Gold" so what team will I be watching on the sly? Will it be the Bears, the Bucs or the Vikings (not likely, GB could never let that happen) or the Panthers, the Ravens, or the Dolphins? There is even speculation about the Raiders my worst nightmare that would be a knife in my chest, when Jerry Rice went there I was saddened but to have Favre there would be unbearable. I tagged January 20th and March 4th, 2008 as dark days, but the day Favre plays for the Raiders would be the start of Armageddon!! I am not even going to give this another thought, it's highly improbable and in my world impossible.

Well I have said my piece and from here it is all speculation anyway. I know that to worry is a waste of energy but to know and to do are two very different things.

So we wait.............

Picture by Karinacoma http://karincoma.deviantart.com/art/vector-burn-91348082

Technorati Tags: brett favre comeback,vince lombardi,green and gold,green bay packers

Do You DIGG it?

So it looks like DIGG is changin it up a bit!?! Hallelujah! I am a DIGGer but I have not really DUGG as much as I should. The idea behind this site is great:

"Digg is a place for people to discover and share content from anywhere on the web. From the biggest online destinations to the most obscure blog, Digg surfaces the best stuff as voted on by our users. You won’t find editors at Digg — we’re here to provide a place where people can collectively determine the value of content and we’re changing the way people consume information online."

I find that the reality doesn't meet up with the concept, what I mean by that is that the site is a bit congested and convoluted. When I joined DIGG I thought it would cut down on my web scroungin. I search the net for interesting information, and enjoy it-can we say nerd! This site touts the discover and share component, ergo no need to spend hours searching the web right? Aaah no!

There so much stuff on this site that doesn't interest me it is hard to find the stuff that does. Also if I find something out there I like unless the site has a DIGG button I wont DIGG it, and though I have DIGG Bro's that shoot me shouts that doesn't lead me to those interesting tidbits I am looking for. DIGG, DUGG, shoot, shout if you need the primer for the DIGG Lingo let me know?

So what are they changing over there in the DIGG world? On June 30th the DIGG Blog announced the roll out of the Recommendation Engine

"Now that there are more than 16,000 stories submitted to the Upcoming section every day, it’s difficult to sort through everything to find the best content." The Recommendation Engine uses your past digging activity to identify what we call Diggers Like You to suggest stories you might like.

It's like they read my mind!!

But what exactly does it do and how does it work, will I meet more people-this is a social site right, and will I finally be able find the good stuff?

Well I think that Technology Review's article answered my questions the best: Technology Review: Digging a Smarter Crowd.

Every time a user digs a story, the system compares that action with the actions of everyone else in the system, and it finds which users have the most digs in common. To keep recommendations from being all over the map, the system calculates connections for each topic separately, so that two users who share an interest in video games won't necessarily be thought to have, say, like opinions on political stories. To keep recommendations diverse, the system shows only a certain number of stories from each compatible user and, each time the user requests recommendations, fills out its quota of suggestions employing stories selected by less compatible users. The recommendation engine also limits the effect that a single dig can have, so that someone who digs a very popular story won't suddenly become connected to thousands of other users. Because the system calculates correlations in real time, using separate servers devoted to performing the computations, Kast says that a new dig will affect the recommendation system within one or two minutes.

That was a mouthful, well in essence they are trying to cut down the clutter and get people connected....good concept. I will wait to see the reality of it though, in the meantime I guess I will get back on the DIGG train and see how this new feature plays out. How about you?

Technorati Tags: DIGG,Recommendation engine,Technology Review

Wade Davis on Ted.com

It's a Ted.com day....yeah!!

It is an amazing world we live in and Ted.com is one of those resources that allows us to take a moment to reflect on that fact.

Ted Davis: The worldwide web of belief and ritual

"The measure of a society is not only what it does but the quality of its aspirations."

Anthropologist Wade Davis muses on the worldwide web of belief and ritual that makes us human. He shares breathtaking photos and stories of the Elder Brothers, a group of Sierra Nevada indians whose spiritual practice holds the world in balance.

It's a Small World

Today we are focusing on the big world of little technology. I'm considered a "little girl"-in stature that is.....and I love small tech that I can put into my purse, bag, or even pocket.

I picked out a few essentials gadgets that could prove useful for that person who wants to be able to work from just about anywhere!

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Aiptek PocketCinema V10 pocket-size projector

(This isn't out yet but man when it is this little gadget will complete me! I will be able to record, print, and now project all on the go from gadgets that will not break my back to carry!)

Photo: Company, June 5, 2008

Aiptek showcased its PocketCinema V10 mini projector at Computex 2008. Aiptek's PocketCinema V10, is a pocket size media player projector equipped with 3M's revolutionary miniature projection technology, which can project a 50-inch image.
The display content can come from a video capable device via the 3-in-1 AV jack. The device can also playback videos and photos from the 1GB internal memory or the SD/MMC/MS Pro card. The V10 supports JPEG, ASF, AVI and MPEG-4 formats and features a stereo speaker and built-in battery

AIPTEK USA

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IS-DV2.4 (Red)
Small, Compact Camcorder w/ 2.4" LCD Display

Photo: Company, June 30, 2008

Multi-function camera: The Aiptek IS-DV2.4 functions like five devices in one—a digital still camera, digital camcorder, MP3 player, voice recorder and data storage device.

8-megapixel photos: Equipped with a 5-megapixel CMOS sensor, the still image resolution of the IS-DV2.4 can be enhanced to 8-megapixels. Enjoy high-quality photos—perfect for prints up to 8” x 10”.

Records movies in MPEG-4 format: Easily record 720 x 480 video clips at 30 frames per second— share them over the Internet by e-mail, post on Web pages or view on your PC or television. State-of-the-art MPEG-4 format lets you capture more video in less disc space.

Up to 8 Mega Pixel Digital Camera
● Record 720 x 480 MPEG-4 Video
● Digital Video Stabilization

● Stereo MP3 Player
● 4x Digital Zoom
● 2.4" Swivel-Reversible LCD

● Flash Strobe
● LED Lights
● 4GB SD Card Slot Expansion

● TV/VCR Output

AIPTEK USA

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Canon Pixma IP90

The Canon Pixma iP90 is a sleek, lightweight, go-anywhere portable inkjet printer that creates full-size documents and color graphics, as well as 4x6-inch color photographs. Thanks to built-in PictBridge and infrared (IrDA) ports, you can print directly from your digital camera, PDA, or cell phone without a computer. You can also add Bluetooth functionality, a battery, or a power adapter for your car.

Turned off, the iP90 snaps shut into a tight, seamless capsule. When open, the front cover becomes an input tray for plain paper or glossy photo media, from legal to credit card size. You can fill the paper tray with either 30 plain pages, five envelopes, or 10 sheets of 4x6-inch photo paper. If you're printing 8x10-inch glossy photos, you'll have to feed them into the machine one at a time.

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Brother MPrint

This has got to be the smallest portable printer out there. The MPrint family of ultra-portable, mobile printers measure just 6.3" x 3.9" x 0.7", and weigh less than 11 ounces! They produce crisp, quiet, 300 dpi printing on five different media cassettes, including notepaper, self-adhesive labels, and 2-ply carbon copy sheets.

Brother MPrint mobile printers interface with Windows^® notebooks and tablet PCs, Pocket PC, Palm, and BlackBerry devices, and Windows Mobile-based Smartphones. Current MPrint models include: the MW-100, with USB and IrDA interfaces; the MW-120, with USB, Serial, and IrDA interfaces; and the MW-140BT, with USB and Bluetooth interfaces.

Included with each printer is a 50-sheet paper cassette and a built-in, rechargeable lithium ion battery capable of printing up to 100 pages on a single charge. Their compact size, internal paper cassette and variety of output media make them a perfect addition to many mobile applications. Software development kits are available for the major OS platforms to integrate mobile printing into new and existing vertical applications.

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Solar Style Solar Charger

Now that you are completely mobile you need to be able to charge those gadgets and let me tell you finding an outlet is not always easy so here is a tool that will help you get the energy you need anywhere.

Recommended for:

·Standard Mobile phones
·Smart phones
·PDAs
·MP3 players
·And other electronic devices with similar or lesser energy consumption/battery needs.
Charger
Output Voltage- 3.6/5.5V
Output Current- >300mA
Dimensions- 107.5x72x22.5mm Weight- 131g
Full Charge- AC/Car= 4-5 Hours Sun= 6-8 Hours
Battery-On-Board (Li-ion)
Capacity- 750mAh
Voltage- 3.7V
mAh- 750
Solar Panels
Output Voltage- 7.0V
Output Current- 180mA(x2)

You do not need direct sunshine to charge, any light will work, and you can continue to charge at night since the energy is stored in the device. It is not waterproof, only works with one device at a time, and though they are working on it the charger can not charge laptops. You can get more information on the Solar Style website.

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Sierra Solar Laptop Charger

Because we can't forget about the laptops. Power your laptop when you’re away from the power lines. Two or three- 10 watt PV modules provide enough power to run and/or charge most laptop computers including nearly all Macintosh as well as PC portables. Anywhere you go, just unfold the solar array, put it in the sunshine, plug in a 12 volt DC lighter adapter and you’re set. A 10 foot cord allows you to be in the shade (like under a tree at the beach) while the solar module is out in the sun working. The Notepower solar charger can charge other 12 Volt DC powered devices with rechargeable batteries too. Cell phones and other devices with DC chargers can be plugged into the Notepower solar charger and recharged as well.

Sierra Solar has three laptop chargers checkout the Sierra website for more info.

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Cardscan Products

I get so many business cards and most of them end up at the bottom of my bag, to be found weeks or months later. I love this little guy, it plugs into my laptop, I scan the card in immediately (front & back) add in notes on where, when, why and then sync it with my Outlook. Bam!

A little snippet from there site:

• Scan up to 30 cards a minute
• Easy-to-use software is a complete contact management solution, contact information from almost anywhere (business cards, email signatures, web pages and more)
• CardScan puts your contact information where you want it and keeps you in sync (Outlook, ACT!, Notes, GoldMine, Palm or Windows Mobile, Blackberry and more)
• CardScan keeps your contact data safe, securely backing up your data to our CardScan at Your service online service at no charge

Get more info on the Cardscan website

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So there you have it....small tech solutions that will keep you organized and Green!!

Stumble Upon A Visual Stimulant

"If there was ever a time to dare, to make a difference, to embark on something worth doing, It is now. Not for any grand cause, necessarily... but for something that tugs at your heart, something that's your inspiration, something that's your dream." Author Unknown

Thursday I wrote about startin the day off right with the help of your Ipod, today is going to be about visual inspiration or expression. Like many of you I have a Stumble blog, in the beginning I didn't know what to do with this social site-I joined because it is "the thing" to do. I have found lately though that Stumble is a great place to get inspired, offload, meet people, and really get as creative/off the wall as you want to be.

My world is in a bit of an uproar here, I am being pulled in so many directions that sometimes just getting out of bed seems like too much work, because I know that my day will be hectic and overwhelming. I have been in the lending/financial industry for more than 6 years now and though I still have an aptitude for it I am losing the passion. I love the numbers, I love my clients, I love helping people but the turmoil in this industry makes it hard to accomplish those goals. So to tap into that passion again I started a new company Get Smart Women Consulting, which teaches business owners how to brand/build their business on the Internet with the new Web 2.0, social, and Internet marketing trends.

The new company is everything that I want it to be and more, but in this transition I feel like I am working 6 full time jobs. I am still a lender (can't walk away from this just yet, need the money and I can't let go), I am web developer (The website had to be designed, loaded with information 200 pages of videos & articles, updated, maintained, and so much more), I am an owner, marketer, researcher, networker, trainer, IT girl......need I go on. I am excited, inspired, empowered, and totally OVERWHELMED!

This picture fits me perfectly right now:

So what to do; well it is one day at a time for me. I take it as it comes and I try to keep in mind that I am actually pretty lucky to have so many choices, as well people that support me. I use anything that I can get my hands on to get inspiration and Stumble Upon has been such a wonderful place to do that. When I feel like Alice there (The picture is an interpretation of Alice in Wonderland-one of my fav stories, click on it to see other Mad pictures) I go on Stumble, Flickr, or just Google and I start looking for that thing that will give me the pick me up I need.

This picture from the works of Jamey Stillings (Click on picture to get to the website) with this quote "The few wonders of the world only exist while there are those with the sight to see them" -Charles De Lint, for instance made me smile and get back to work.

There is so much to find on Stumble (pictures, poetry, stories, videos, website reviews) that I am just enthralled. Like finding this picture below, that again just put life into perspective for me. The other great thing is that on Stumble you can grab an image and post it, no words or explanations needed-unlike this ridiculously long blog post here. Just kidding we all know I like talking.

So if you are not on Stumble you might want to check it out as a social medium, or as a visual blog source, or just to get inspired. You can take some of those images and post them on your real world inspiration/motivation boards, like the one below.

Not my board, I got it on Flickr from ArtjunkGirl

Startin the Day off Right....It's an Ipod Thang!

So life is tuff right? Yeah I know...duh! So how do you deal with it, do you let it build until one day your doctor says no more spicy food or caffeine (oh the horror!) because you have an ulcer the size of a grapefruit or are you the proactive sort that faces life head on?

My life is filled with stress as I am sure is true for most of you. Between work, family and friend obligations, and those unexpected curve balls that come out of nowhere I feel like I am on a never ending roller coaster. Honestly though....I wouldn't have it any other way. I can't remember who said it but I heard it asked once that if you had a choice between an uneventful, even keeled, somewhat bland existence and a life of incredible highs accompanied by some pretty hard lows which would you choose? For me I didn't really have to think about it I would choose door number two Bob!

Don't get me wrong, I am not a glutton for punishment and I haven't lived a totally charmed life making me unaware of what a series low can be. From very early on I have been a part of and seen some pretty horrible things but I have also had some amazing experiences in my life. So looking at the big picture, some of those amazing experiences are tied to the horrible ones and I couldn't-wouldn't trade any of it in. It took me a long time to get to this state of mind and a constant and consistent effort to stay here.

So with all of that being said, how do you keep yourself from wallowing in the pits? Well for me it is a daily, sometimes hourly struggle. I find that I need to start my day off right, I do this a couple of ways, first it starts with the playlist and then moves to the quote or saying. I get the quotes and sayings from all over, books, songs, websites. If you are looking for some quotes John over at Ezgreatlife had some really good ones this week in his Get Motivated post.Later in the day I may need to throw in a couple of short meditations/deep breath routines and a few more playlists depending on how bad or good the day is.

I have a docking station for my Ipod all over the house in the bathroom so when that shower starts to get the body ready to begin a new day I can also get the mind in a state to do the same. I usually begin with a short meditation, Deepak Chopra has a great Heart Meditation, Wayne Dyer has an Om meditation that is helpful, Shakti Gawain also has a great Creative Visualization exercise. After the meditation I start the music and the playlist varies depending on my mood.

Mood 1 - My life has thrown me challenges lately, recognize those challenges, learn from them, now move on:

• Matchbox Twenty
• Matt Kearney
• Marvin Gay
• Gnarles Barkley
• Fergie
• U2
• Sinatra
• James Morison
• Ray Charles
• John Lee Hooker
• James Brown

Mood 2 - Come on Girl you know your hot, find your mojo, it's all good: (This list could go on and on)

• Van Morrison
• Al Green
• Marvin Gaye
• Mat Kearney
• Maroon 5
• Joss Stone
• Duffy
• Amy Winehouse
• James blunt
• Dave Mathews
• Sean Kingston
• Paulo Nutini
• Fergie
• Massive Attack
• Akon
• Damion Marley

Mood 3 - Let loose, sing as loud as you like, no one can see you (and hopefully hear you) let it out:

• The Police
• Beastie Boys
• James Brown
• Nickleback
• Papa Roach
• Daughtry
• Sublime
• Timbaland
• The Killers
• Lilly Allen
• The Chalets

Ok I have plenty of other moods (like the let's get it on....better left for another time), but this gives you the general gist of how I use my Ipod and the playlist feature-I am not sure how we survived before the Ipod, I can't even remember life before it!! Records, tapes, walkmans, cd's, radio stations....we've come a long way baby. Props to that man Steve Jobs...holla back now!!

Your outlook on life isn't going to be good all of the time, sometimes you need a little help to regain your perspective. So what's in your playlist, do you have one, if you don't-get on it!!

Here are a few of the songs I groove out to, depending on the mood.

George Carlin

George Carlin for nearly three decades (1977 to 2005) has been provoking, challenging, and questioning just about everything. One of the funniest and most incredibly intelligent man out there....he'll be missed.

I picked a few pieces from his website that made me laugh, http://www.georgecarlin.com/.

I wish I could say more, but I think he says it best himself so check out his website and any of the cable specials when you can-you won't be dissapointed

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WHEN WILL JESUS BRING THE PORKCHOPS?

George Carlin spends a lot of time pondering the universe. For example, he worries about the gloves that deli sandwich makers now use. Where have they been and who wants latex on his sandwich? He wonders, too, about the PC police who refer to ugly people as "people with severe appearance deficits." And why do they lock the public bathrooms at gas stations? Are they afraid that someone will clean them? In When Will Jesus Bring the Pork Chops?, Carlin probes life's deeper mysteries and emerges with many answers and very dirty hands.

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NAPALM & SILLY PUTTY

In the expression "topsy-turvy," what exactly is meant by "turvy"? George Carlin asks many more nonsensical questions like that one in the 256 pages of this new hardcover collection of mockery. If you've read his first book, Braindroppings (and if you haven't, buy it immediately) you're going to devour this new collection of Carlin-isms.

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LIFE IS WORTH LOSING

This is the audio version of the recent HBO show.

1. A Modern Man
2. Pussy Fart, Dingleberry, Cornhole
3. The Suicide Guy
4. Extreme Human Behavior
5. The All-Suicide TV Channel
6. Dumb Americans
7. Pyramid Of The Hopeless
8. Autoerotic Asphyxia
9. The Save-A-Pussy Foundation
10. Yeast Infection
11. Coast-To-Coast Emergency

You've Got Mail

I don't know about you but I have tons of email accounts, six business and three personal. Now I know that I probably have more accounts than most of you out there but even if you have two or three accounts keeping up on them can be pretty hard.

So what can you do to cut down the time, effort, and frustration of trying to keep up with all of these accounts?

First you should get the accounts to come into your desktop email program. I have Outlook 2007 and Vista as my operating system (wooh is me...Vista is the bane my existence) so you are going to see a lot about Outlook in here but most of these links will address multiple programs and methods of accomplishing this same goal.

I am including links to other websites and blogs, and I know that this may look a bit complicated...perhaps even scary, but it's really not. There are too many Outlook versions and operating systems for me to do it any other way, trust me you will be fine, the links will link you directly into the method that best suits your individual computer setup.

I am not outlining business email accounts as those are easy to pull into Outlook, if you do not know how to do it talk to your company tech support or web administrator they can walk you through POP, IMAP, or Microsoft exchange servers. If your work email comes in as an IMAP or from a Microsoft exchange server it will automatically separate the files out, but POP accounts need to be manually separated so scroll down to the last link.

Now onto the freebie email accounts.....

Gmail is easy to get into Outlook:

1. Tools

2. Account Settings

3. Add Email

4. Name, email address, password, remember password

Vwala...it's that easy!

Hotmail/MSN email accounts couldn't be done previously on the free accounts, now there are a couple of ways to do it. My favorite and the easiest is downloading Outlook Connector 2007 (which is free) and it will do the work for you. You can also use Windows Live this is the program we talked about in last week's post A Blogger's BFF. Finally if you are still old school and have older versions of Outlook the Other Methods section is for you.

Getting Hotmail and MSN free accounts into Outlook:

Outlook Connector:

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=7aad7e6a-931e-438a-950c-5e9ea66322d4&displaylang=en

Other Methods:

http://www.mydigitallife.info/2007/11/02/set-up-and-add-hotmail-account-in-microsoft-outlook-2007/

Now Yahoo, to get Yahoo into Outlook there are a couple of ways to do it. If you have Vista expect problems-well if you have vista you already know that, and I cannot promise that if and when you do get it to work that it will continue to work. Outlook 2007 needs a special download which is the Ypop link below and it too is in testing/beta phase so check out their discussion group for updates and fixes.

Getting Yahoo free accounts into Outlook:

http://email.about.com/od/yahoomailtips/Yahoo_Mail_Tips_Tricks_and_Secrets.htm

Ypop download for Outlook 2007:

http://ypopsemail.com/download

For those Firefox users you can actually get to your email accounts through your web browser, check out this link below for more information.

http://mashable.com/2007/08/27/firefox-email/

Segregation is a Good Thing!!

Now that you have all of the email accounts coming into good old Outlook, you should separate them so they do not come in as a mass jumble to your in-box. The Outlook Connector will automatically create a separate file for hotmail, but for the remainder you will have to do it yourself. The link below will walk you through each version of Outlook and how you can accomplish email segregation. It took me some finagling with the first one, as a new task often does, but from there it is like clockwork!

Separating all those email accounts:

Separate mail coming from multiple POP3 accounts HowTo-Outlook

I highly recommend taking the time to do this, systematizing and organizing doesn't sound exciting, but it will save you time and money in the end. Who couldn't use more time and less headaches!!

I'm a Superstar.....Vanity

Week Seven of the Seven Deadly Sin Series, this is a momentous occasion to be sure!! I am behind, today is Wednesday not Terrible Tuesday, but in all honesty this was the best post to be late on because it shows how self absorbed I am. I am a workaholic and proud of it, so if other things need to be put on the back shelf while I superstar shine at work well then so be it.

From my new favorite website: deadlysins.com

What it is: Pride is excessive belief in one's own abilities, that interferes with the individual's recognition of the grace of God. It has been called the sin from which all others arise. Pride is also known as Vanity.

Why you do it: Well-meaning elementary school teachers told you to "believe in yourself."

Your punishment in Hell will be: You'll be broken on the wheel.

The Travelers' Guide to Hell says that Pride is "the mother of all sins... the thin line between righteousness and self-righteousness."

Vanity/Pride, this really is the attribute I most need to work on. I have to be the best at whatever I do, I can't even tell you where that comes from, but if I am not the best then I will nearly kill myself until I am. I never take all of the credit for my achievements I know that it takes a team, but even in that there is that pride factor. My Team! I feel a little sorry for my future children, I don't take well to halfass anything, give it your all and I will be happy. I have five younger brothers and I know that I have driven a few of them crazy with my "passionate" personality.

I call it Passion; determination = passion, bossy = passion, overbearing = passion, meticulous = passion, the best = passion. Do you see a pattern here? I do not take on a task, a goal, a job, or a project unless it taps into my "passion". I don't always start out the best at what I do, but if I am stepping up to the plate I will go head first and all in so I can become the best. I can't begin to tell you how much stress this creates in my life, I think part of it is the addiction to adrenaline. If I look at non-work areas of my life I am an adventure/adrenaline junkie, skydiving, rock climbing, flying lessons, traveling solo, temples/pyramids, deep jungle treks, active volcano climbs, shark/deep/wreck/drift dives, and on and on. If it scares me I want to do it. I have this insatiable need to conquer my fears, to meet challenges head on, internally I think it proves I am bad ass. Little gal syndrome much?

If I went a little Jung here it is probably some deep seeded childhood, collective unconscious, past life thing rearing its head in this incarnation. The one area in my life that I do not have that all consuming jump right in mentality is in the relationship zone. I am the exact opposite, cautious, critical, and standoffish. I jumped in when I was younger and then decided it got in the way so shelved it. It is driving my mother crazy-she's starting to get that I'll never have grandchildren fever thing. In many of my sin posts I have talked about balance and moderation this is a perfect example of needing both. Intellectually I know that being the best at anything really has no intrinsic value it is a compulsion, not the worst one out there, but still a trait that should be tempered a bit. I also understand that the relationships in your life, family, friends, and loved ones hold the most value in the greater scheme of things. I will always believe that anything worth doing should be done passionately, now I just need to spread that passion throughout my life and I should be just fine.

So that's it, you have seen my posts on all seven sins. This has been the hardest undertaking to date on my blog journey, but well worth the occasional discomfort. I want to thank Caffeine Court for getting this going, Lunanik and Huckdoll for throwing it out there to the rest of us. It's been fun ladies....but I feel like I just got my sin hall pass for the rest of the year!!

To feed into my vanity even further Tim Fox over there at Sogeshirts has posted a review of my blog. He didn't call me a superstar in so many words but its there you can tell he wanted to(ha,ha)....Stars are really aligned for this post today!!

Don’t forget to check out the other Sin Sisters: (They probably did their post yesterday)

Ssgreylord

Huckdoll

Caffeine Court

Secrets of a Black Heart

CableGirl

April

Inspiration Monday - Amy Tan on Creativity

Ted does it for me again...if you are not checking out Ted.com you should be. Truly amazing!

Why you should listen to her:

Born in the US to immigrant parents from China, Amy Tan rejected her mother's expectations that she become a doctor and concert pianist. She chose to write fiction instead. Her much-loved, best-selling novels have been translated into 35 languages. She's writing a new novel and creating the libretto for The Bonesetter's Daughter, which will have its world premiere in September 2008 with the San Francisco Opera.

Tan was the creative consultant for Sagwa, the Emmy-nominated PBS series for children, and she has appeared as herself on The Simpsons. She's the lead rhythm dominatrix, backup singer and second tambourine with the Rock Bottom Remainders, a literary garage band that has raised more than a million dollars for literacy programs.

"[She] has a wonderful eye for what is telling, a fine ear for dialogue, a deep empathy for her subject matter and a guilelessly straightforward way of writing."

Orville Schell, New York Times

TED | Talks | Amy Tan: Where does creativity hide? (video)

Novelist Amy Tan digs deep into the creative process, journeying through her childhood and family history and into the worlds of physics and chance, looking for hints of where her own creativity comes from. It's a wild ride with a surprise ending. (Recorded March 2008 in Monterey, California. Duration: 22:52.)

Sogeshirt.com.....I Love You Man!

Today I have decided to do my first blog & website review, I have held off thus far because though I feel I know everything about everything, I am still in research mode when it comes to the blogsphere. I also just enjoy blogging and the interaction within the blog community and I don't want to lose that with my tactless reviews. Yes it's self preservation that motivates me-I am not afraid to admit it!

Lucky for me I am picking a blog & website that I like, so this will be a good review. Drum roll please....who is the lucky duck getting the Smart Gals today? Anticipation, are you ready for it, you'll never guess....ok it's Tim Fox over there at Sogeshirts.

Tim has a t-shirt company and a hysterical blog to accompany his t-shirt website. From a business standpoint, Tim is bit luckier than most because his shirts and his blog work well together. What I mean by that is, if your business has more of a corporate platform your blog in most cases must mimic or target that profile, which equates to an informational rather than a super personal-say what ever you want blog.

Let's start with Tim's blog (by the way if a word is underlined it is linked to a website in most cases) it's hysterical! I absolutely know that when I check it out it's going to make me laugh. Now that is a bit of a double edged sword, to be funny all of the time is not easy. In most cases you will find that the humor comes and goes or must be supplemented by someone or something external. Tim is unique in that his humor is all inside, he takes external stimuli and pulls it into what I would call Soge's world. (If you use that Tim, I want some kind of royalty payout!)

There are blogs out there that share funny pictures, videos, stories, jokes, etc. add in a bit of their own commentary and it's some great stuff. I am one of those people that can spot something funny add a "witty" little comment and share-that is perfectly acceptable. But then there are those people that take something that maybe didn't start off funny and make it hysterical-that's Tim.

Here are a few posts I really like, in no particular order and I could fill this blog post up with a lot more:

M. Night Shyamalan effect

Founding fathers: a present day conversation

Dr. Phil on Sesame Street

The Second most interesting man in the world

Mr. Potatohead vs. Plastic Surgery

Now let's discuss the t-shirt website Sogeshirts.com (This is where Tim may regret letting me do this review) first I am going to say he doesn't promote it enough. Now I know for the hardcore bloggers your blog is about being real, sharing your opinions and/or life experiences, and keeping annoying advertising out if possible-but for Tim I think the shirts and the blog posts would compliment each other.

It took me a month to check out his shirts and really they are as funny as his blog posts. The ones I like, again in no particular order, and there are more:

• Still Interested
• Phone sex
• Spelling Bee
• He sells beer to kids
• Karmic Bliss

Second and my last recommendation-thank heavens right, is you may want to think about splitting Sogeshirts.com into two websites, the funny, obnoxious, over the top site and the kid, cutesy, teacher, artwork site. The demographics are really different and you will find that the second target market (wholesome funny) will never get past the the first (not easily offended funny). That's just my opinion though.

The tag line for the t-shirt company is "Soge Shirts You'll Get Noticed!", that is a great tag line and absolutely true, their shirts are as funny as their blog. So go check out Tim's blog and don't be afraid to delve into the archive, there is some good stuff in there! Then go buy a t-shirt because if you are honest with yourself you couldn't think up this stuff on your own, and you know that being noticed is at the top of your list!!

Now the rating...5 out 5 Smart Gals: