Use @CDCemergency to follow the Swine Flu outbreak. Check out those that are following. The full CDC emergency and preparedness site is here. The tweets are clear and reassuring.
My first introduction to Twitter was back during the Fall gas shortage in Georgia. Useful in finding a station that had fuel.
Makes the celebrity rush to 1,000,000 followers seem trite.
Monday, April 27, 2009
Friday, April 24, 2009
Life, interupted
Attended the This American Life broadcast last night at a local cineplex. Seemed weird to go to a movie theater to view a radio show but this program is always entertaining as well as challenging. The pre-show visuals were entertaining and clever as we played Hangman with a return to the scene of the crime theme. Sample, Part of a Spring dress - MAYHEM. We also solved word anagrams that set the stage for the event. Lights down and Ira Glass entered screen right, sat at a desk with a mixing board and two digital cart machines (hard disk drives to play audio segments.)
Act 1 in return to the scene of the crime. In Putnam County, FL (it's east of Gainesville) those convicted of shoplifting serve a portion of their sentence in carrying a sign stating "I shoplifted at this store." Ira read his copy and deftly inserted music and then recorded quotes from those involved; the judge, corrections officer, the defendant and citizens on the street. Rather than seeing Ira talk, the screen was filled with supporting animation. Ten minutes in, a thunderclap then deluge, the staccato of large rain drops pelting the roof, probably hail too. We call it a toad choker. The digital satellite signal was lost for 30+ minutes until the storm and lightening passed. Remember this was a live event, weather happens. AMC treated the audience right by giving out passes, offering refunds and inviting us to view another film while the storm passed.
The signal was restored at Act 5 with a monologue by Dan Savage on returning to the Catholic Church after the death of his mother: a touching and emotional story that was so genuine as performed in front of an audience versus the clinical, sterile radio studio. Act 6 featured Joss Whedon singing some of the director's comments on the DVD of Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog. Watch Dr. Horrible here on Hulu.
I'll do this again. It's fascinating to watch the solo man, script, machine interface tell stories. Check it out.
Act 1 in return to the scene of the crime. In Putnam County, FL (it's east of Gainesville) those convicted of shoplifting serve a portion of their sentence in carrying a sign stating "I shoplifted at this store." Ira read his copy and deftly inserted music and then recorded quotes from those involved; the judge, corrections officer, the defendant and citizens on the street. Rather than seeing Ira talk, the screen was filled with supporting animation. Ten minutes in, a thunderclap then deluge, the staccato of large rain drops pelting the roof, probably hail too. We call it a toad choker. The digital satellite signal was lost for 30+ minutes until the storm and lightening passed. Remember this was a live event, weather happens. AMC treated the audience right by giving out passes, offering refunds and inviting us to view another film while the storm passed.
The signal was restored at Act 5 with a monologue by Dan Savage on returning to the Catholic Church after the death of his mother: a touching and emotional story that was so genuine as performed in front of an audience versus the clinical, sterile radio studio. Act 6 featured Joss Whedon singing some of the director's comments on the DVD of Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog. Watch Dr. Horrible here on Hulu.
I'll do this again. It's fascinating to watch the solo man, script, machine interface tell stories. Check it out.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
The resume format
Recently I posted the question: Curious as to the best format for an experienced professional's resume, 1 or 2 pages? I posted within professional groups in LinkedIn and Facebook as well as Twitter.
So what did I find? It depends. However I received loads of advice on networking, networking, networking. And did I say networking? When the discussion was on topic, the results were evenly split as to the number of pages. Some proposed "custom" resumes targeting the job's requirements. Seems a management nightmare and a possible conflicting resumes out there. One suggested a cover letter only and complete online profile; e.g., LinkedIn.
Interestingly, no responses from a Facebook group "owned" by a well known learning personality and none from Twitter. I need to work on my number of followers.
My action item: create a one page resume.
So what did I find? It depends. However I received loads of advice on networking, networking, networking. And did I say networking? When the discussion was on topic, the results were evenly split as to the number of pages. Some proposed "custom" resumes targeting the job's requirements. Seems a management nightmare and a possible conflicting resumes out there. One suggested a cover letter only and complete online profile; e.g., LinkedIn.
Interestingly, no responses from a Facebook group "owned" by a well known learning personality and none from Twitter. I need to work on my number of followers.
My action item: create a one page resume.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Reflections on Earth Day
Reading the NYT Magazine for April 19, 2009, this chart in The Way We Live Now, Natural Happiness, caught my eye.
As I'm getting older, I do observe nature and take note of subtle changes from day to day. As we tend the multiple gardens or walk the dogs, I study for changes in the leaf pattens, the hint of fragile tentacled asparagus, watch for the explosions of flowers and perfumed air. The birds twitter about (not microblogging) as they gather food for their young. Bunnies hop around scoping the gardens while the hawks circle lazily above. The box turtle begins the migration from the bog to the salad greens. I appreciate the sunrises and sunsets as well as the Spring storms. Using the rich compost for nurture our garden keeping a good amount of waste out of the landfill.
A few years ago I doubt I would have noticed. Didn't get into this although I enjoyed being outdoors, even mowing the yard. My bandwidth was devoted to other processes - career and office politics.
I now have a much deeper appreciation of diversity and I hope that makes me a better person.
Happy Earth Day.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
April 21-22, Learntrends event
THIS EVENT HAS ENDED
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