every now and then an ad pops up online that speaks to you. in my case, it was a shoe ad yesterday on facebook that grabbed my attention. it didn't look sexy or promote shoes that i'd even be interested in buying. but it did offer a bit of creative inspiration and immediately i was intrigued. i clicked it and was introduced to a new world of personalized shoes from keds.
not the hottest brand, unless we travel back to 1991, it has created a unique marketing proposition: design your own keds, add personal pics, colors, designs and express yourself.
check it out and let your design skills soar...
http://www.keds.com/text/kedsstudio/
Saturday, September 27, 2008
the amazing things dogs do...
this is just one example of why they call me the dog stalker:
http://www.usatoday.com/news/offbeat/2008-09-14-dog-911_N.htm
PHOENIX (AP) — "Man's best friend" doesn't go far enough for Buddy — a German shepherd who remembered his training and saved his owner's life by calling 911 when the man had a seizure.
And it's not the first time Buddy has been there for owner Joe Stalnaker, a police officer said Sunday.
On a recording of the 911 call Wednesday, Buddy is heard whimpering and barking after the dispatcher answers and repeatedly asks if the caller needs help.
"Hello, this is 911. Hello ... Can you hear me? Is there somebody there you can give the phone to," says the dispatcher, Chris Scott.
Police were sent to Stalnaker's home, and after about three minutes Buddy is heard barking loudly when the officers arrived.
Scottsdale police Sgt. Mark Clark said Stalnaker spent two days in a hospital and recovered from the seizure.
"It's pretty incredible," Clark said. "Even the veteran dispatchers — they haven't heard of anything like this."
http://www.usatoday.com/news/offbeat/2008-09-14-dog-911_N.htm
PHOENIX (AP) — "Man's best friend" doesn't go far enough for Buddy — a German shepherd who remembered his training and saved his owner's life by calling 911 when the man had a seizure.
And it's not the first time Buddy has been there for owner Joe Stalnaker, a police officer said Sunday.
On a recording of the 911 call Wednesday, Buddy is heard whimpering and barking after the dispatcher answers and repeatedly asks if the caller needs help.
"Hello, this is 911. Hello ... Can you hear me? Is there somebody there you can give the phone to," says the dispatcher, Chris Scott.
Police were sent to Stalnaker's home, and after about three minutes Buddy is heard barking loudly when the officers arrived.
Scottsdale police Sgt. Mark Clark said Stalnaker spent two days in a hospital and recovered from the seizure.
"It's pretty incredible," Clark said. "Even the veteran dispatchers — they haven't heard of anything like this."
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
job satisfaction
job satisfaction seems to be missing these days from my circle of friends. and this realization...or basic fundamental of today's young workers put me in search of answers. why is it that a great work environment, genial work colleagues and a basic ease is not enough?
i've personally read book after book...what color is my parachute...the power of now...the four hour work week...and yet these popular texts are not doing the trick. So here are some reasons from tammy erickson (harvard publishing group) that gen x'ers are not satisfied with corporate america today. i agree with some, like 3 and 4, but others do not necessarily apply...this could be perhaps, because like many, i'm on the cusp of gen x and gen y. you be the judge:
1. X’ers’ corporate careers got off to a slow start and many are still feeling the pain. You graduated when the economy was slow and the huge bulge of Boomers had already grabbed most of the key jobs. As an article in the May, 1985 issue of Fortune said: “[T]hese pioneers of the baby-bust generation are finding life on the career frontier harsher than ever . . . they’re snarled in a demographic traffic jam . . . stuck behind all those surplus graduates of the past decade.”
2. When you were teens, X’ers witnessed adults in your lives being laid off from large corporations, as re-engineering swept through the business lexicon. This engendered in most X’ers a lack of trust in large institutions and a strong desire for a life filled with back-up plans, just in case. Many of the adults you saw laid off and then struggling to reintegrate were in their 40’s – about the age X’ers are reaching today.
3. Most corporate career paths “narrow” at the top – the perceived range of options diminishes as individuals become increasingly specialized in specific functions or roles. X’ers crave options, which assuage your concerns about being backed into a corner, laid off from one path. The sense of narrowing career paths and increased vulnerability is often most palpable at the transition from middle to upper management – just where many of you are today. This step also often brings demands for relocation and separation from established social networks – an additional assault on your sense of self-reliance.
4. Just your luck – the economy was slow when you entered the workforce and now its slowing once again – just as you are standing at the threshold of senior management. Stepping into leadership roles right now looks more difficult and the roles themselves, more vulnerable than they have at any point in the past decade.
5. And then there are those pesky Gen Y’s. Many X’ers are charged with “managing” Y’s which – let’s face it – is an impossible task, at least if you define “manage” as controlling their channels of communication. While vying for promotions and trying to look good, many of you feel that Y’s are doing an end run around.
6. X’ers are, in fact, surrounded by a love fest – and not feeling the love. As I wrote in last week’s post, Boomers and Y’s are learning from each other – and enjoying their interactions. It’s easy to feel left out.
7. X’ers are the most conservative cohort in today’s workforce – and you’re surrounded by “shake ‘em up” types on both sides. In your personal lives, X’ers are not particularly keen on rules, but you had to follow them in the workplace – and you resent it when others now don’t. It seems unfair to be rewriting corporate etiquette when you’ve had to toe the line for so long.
8. Many X’ers’ are guarding a closely held secret: you’re not all as comfortable with the technology that is changing the way things are done as everyone seems to think you are. While it’s perfectly acceptable for Boomers to feign ignorance and ask for help, it’s embarrassing for X’ers to do so.
9. And if Boomer colleagues are annoying, the Boomer parents of your Y reports are down-right over-the-top. X’ers can’t believe the frequency of Y-parent interactions and are deeply turned off by parents who make their presence felt in the workplace.
10. Finally, your own parenting pressures are at a peak. You’re deeply committed to spending more time with your kids than your parents did or were able to spend with you, but juggling is getting more and more difficult.
i've personally read book after book...what color is my parachute...the power of now...the four hour work week...and yet these popular texts are not doing the trick. So here are some reasons from tammy erickson (harvard publishing group) that gen x'ers are not satisfied with corporate america today. i agree with some, like 3 and 4, but others do not necessarily apply...this could be perhaps, because like many, i'm on the cusp of gen x and gen y. you be the judge:
1. X’ers’ corporate careers got off to a slow start and many are still feeling the pain. You graduated when the economy was slow and the huge bulge of Boomers had already grabbed most of the key jobs. As an article in the May, 1985 issue of Fortune said: “[T]hese pioneers of the baby-bust generation are finding life on the career frontier harsher than ever . . . they’re snarled in a demographic traffic jam . . . stuck behind all those surplus graduates of the past decade.”
2. When you were teens, X’ers witnessed adults in your lives being laid off from large corporations, as re-engineering swept through the business lexicon. This engendered in most X’ers a lack of trust in large institutions and a strong desire for a life filled with back-up plans, just in case. Many of the adults you saw laid off and then struggling to reintegrate were in their 40’s – about the age X’ers are reaching today.
3. Most corporate career paths “narrow” at the top – the perceived range of options diminishes as individuals become increasingly specialized in specific functions or roles. X’ers crave options, which assuage your concerns about being backed into a corner, laid off from one path. The sense of narrowing career paths and increased vulnerability is often most palpable at the transition from middle to upper management – just where many of you are today. This step also often brings demands for relocation and separation from established social networks – an additional assault on your sense of self-reliance.
4. Just your luck – the economy was slow when you entered the workforce and now its slowing once again – just as you are standing at the threshold of senior management. Stepping into leadership roles right now looks more difficult and the roles themselves, more vulnerable than they have at any point in the past decade.
5. And then there are those pesky Gen Y’s. Many X’ers are charged with “managing” Y’s which – let’s face it – is an impossible task, at least if you define “manage” as controlling their channels of communication. While vying for promotions and trying to look good, many of you feel that Y’s are doing an end run around.
6. X’ers are, in fact, surrounded by a love fest – and not feeling the love. As I wrote in last week’s post, Boomers and Y’s are learning from each other – and enjoying their interactions. It’s easy to feel left out.
7. X’ers are the most conservative cohort in today’s workforce – and you’re surrounded by “shake ‘em up” types on both sides. In your personal lives, X’ers are not particularly keen on rules, but you had to follow them in the workplace – and you resent it when others now don’t. It seems unfair to be rewriting corporate etiquette when you’ve had to toe the line for so long.
8. Many X’ers’ are guarding a closely held secret: you’re not all as comfortable with the technology that is changing the way things are done as everyone seems to think you are. While it’s perfectly acceptable for Boomers to feign ignorance and ask for help, it’s embarrassing for X’ers to do so.
9. And if Boomer colleagues are annoying, the Boomer parents of your Y reports are down-right over-the-top. X’ers can’t believe the frequency of Y-parent interactions and are deeply turned off by parents who make their presence felt in the workplace.
10. Finally, your own parenting pressures are at a peak. You’re deeply committed to spending more time with your kids than your parents did or were able to spend with you, but juggling is getting more and more difficult.
Monday, September 15, 2008
susan g. komen
yesterday was a big day. we ran for something bigger than ourselves, we ran for the cure. in celebration of grandma mac and all those who have suffered, battled and conquered breast cancer, j and i ran in spectacular fashion -- smiling, taking pictures and sharing the love.
we ran 5k in 30 minutes and 20 seconds! if you haven't already read about susan g. komen, check it out. we were 30,000 strong yesterday and it was amazing.
Sunday, September 7, 2008
change is here
"there is nothing more difficult to take in hand, more perilous to conduct, or more uncertain in its success, than to take the lead in the introduction of a new order of things."
— niccolo machiavelli, the prince (1532)
last week was full of wanted, warranted and wished for change. it came to me unexpectedly and in such a whirlwind that i had very little time to believe it happened. that was, of course, until i found myself reading empowering emails minus the nastiness i'd grown accustomed to over the last year. what relief. what deserved change. now i need sleep.
but that is not an option, as side projects mingle with the need to catch on to a new industry...and of course the evolving scope of my personal life takes new shape. change is everywhere. and for certain people i know -- near and dear to my heart -- we have this way of inducing change, preparing for it and then freaking out two days before it arrives.
oh sweet stress. oh dreamed of change. why is it that we grow uncomfortable with you as your head peeks over the horizon? is this bipolar relationship with you different, distinct from others or is it simply an innate response that we all share? either way, i will heed machiavelli's words and continue to face the perilous act of change head on.
— niccolo machiavelli, the prince (1532)
last week was full of wanted, warranted and wished for change. it came to me unexpectedly and in such a whirlwind that i had very little time to believe it happened. that was, of course, until i found myself reading empowering emails minus the nastiness i'd grown accustomed to over the last year. what relief. what deserved change. now i need sleep.
but that is not an option, as side projects mingle with the need to catch on to a new industry...and of course the evolving scope of my personal life takes new shape. change is everywhere. and for certain people i know -- near and dear to my heart -- we have this way of inducing change, preparing for it and then freaking out two days before it arrives.
oh sweet stress. oh dreamed of change. why is it that we grow uncomfortable with you as your head peeks over the horizon? is this bipolar relationship with you different, distinct from others or is it simply an innate response that we all share? either way, i will heed machiavelli's words and continue to face the perilous act of change head on.
Monday, September 1, 2008
dad in the city
a weekend of tourist exploration and expeditions into the big bad world of nyc. new experiences everywhere. main take away. taxis are a great way to tour the city. the smell, the insanity, the diversity mixed in one expensive experience (several times over).
sheraton towers
rosa mexicana
yankees stadium
brooklyn bridge drive
the bronx
mario's
chicago (the show)
d train
battery park
4 hour work week
walking and waiting
waiting and walking
liberty island
ellis island
st. marks ave
dakota house
imagine
central park
madison ave
in no particular order.
sheraton towers
rosa mexicana
yankees stadium
brooklyn bridge drive
the bronx
mario's
chicago (the show)
d train
battery park
4 hour work week
walking and waiting
waiting and walking
liberty island
ellis island
st. marks ave
dakota house
imagine
central park
madison ave
in no particular order.
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