Purple Wren

Remember, blogging is about you...

and your business. I was reminded today (after reading a guest post at remarkablogger by Holly Jackson) that blogging isn't only business. It's about the person behind the business, too. After a lengthly hiatus I recently find myself wanting to write -- and not always about business -- so her post was just what I needed to read at this time. Yes, I have a lot to say and by stifling myself about the personal side it also affected my creativity as far as the business posts go - at least that's my reasoning.

So bear with me as I sort out what the topics of conversation are here, outloud and in public.

Photo by squeezle on flickr

Car Held "Hostage" by "Disgruntled" Garage Door Opener

That was my original blog post title - until I read that "hostage" and "disgruntled" applies to people.

So the next title I came up with was Car Stuck in Garage because Garage Door Opener is too Cold. That's kind of boring though. I was looking for more descriptive language. And then I worried my little blog might attract unwanted attention because of the wording (kind of like making jokes that are not funny when you are boarding a plane). So I checked out more blogs that might use some of the same wording and found one about books and another about a diploma and even one about a duckie. And I worried that people might think my making light of these words meant I was insensitive to the plight of people and circumstances that truly warrant the use of these words. Seems like that is way too much thinking for a quick blog post.

Tuesday afternoon the door opened because I got out my favorite shovel to take care of the latest snowfall this week. I had an early-morning appointment Wednesday and several other commitments. It's been really cold out and the door hesitated when I tried to close it; however, it really didn't cross my mind that this might be a larger issue. Wednesday morning the door would not open at all. And same Thursday, although I was better prepared with a ride to my early-morning appointment.

The remote doesn't make it work, or the key, and there is plenty of power. We are blaming it on the cold. We have a brand new window in the garage and it's lock works really well. And the new back door opens inward and there is a lawn mower and other miscellaneous stuff jammed in, as well as my car, so it doesn't open. And the garage door does not have any windows. And the emergency lock is painted over (which I'm working at getting off) and I can't find a key that fits.

Yesterday some words that described me were frustrated (with the door), grateful (I have a home and work out of a home office and the most I have to worry about is language), discouraged (because I could not get to the grocery store). Today is better - resigned, accepting, hopeful...

We're waiting until warmer temperatures might allow us to open it just one more time. And then it probably means we need a new opener. You can be sure I'll park my car outside for awhile. Can the weather hold someone hostage?? A lot of us have felt this way during the winter of 09-10. Even the newscasters last night said this winter has been "brutal." Guess that's another post - and then maybe one about language and common usage. 

I'll let you know when my car is released. How's your day going??

Wordless Wednesday: Pink Glove Dance

This brightens my day every time I hear it. The employees look like they really enjoyed making this video. Have you heard/seen any great music/videos lately?  

I would guess a lot of people have heard about Providence St. Vincent Medical Center in Portland because of their use of social media. I'm constantly amazed at this wonderful new world of communication and who is using it effectively. Do you have examples of social media that you really liked/disliked?

Wordless Wednesday: Hoarfrost in Grinnell

It's January and time for hoarfrost in Grinnell. Here are some beautiful photos taken on January 18th by James G. Lindberg. Here's a link to last year's photo of hoarfrost in Grinnell.

(Click on image to view it larger.)

 

...today's going to be a good day.

I first saw this video on Friday even though it happened last September. When Firefox crashed and I restarted it today, the site popped up again. Love the song - love the performance. What a wonderful way to engage the audience. Seems like a great way to start the day, too.

Happy Holidays 2009

Let the spirit of love gently fill our hearts and homes. In this loveliest of seasons may you find many reasons for happiness.

Robin, originally uploaded by martinbuck119.

Are you putting out positive or negative energy today??

Today I plugged the word "positive" into the search field of YouTube and came across this video about Dr. Emoto and his research showing the effects of positive and negative energy on water. It is a compelling visual for me. Here is a link to the website World of Water. There's a video there that shows how they prepare the water specimens. Another interesting link is the Emoto Peace Project, the mission to carry his messages about water to the children of the world.

Some believe his research was a hoax.What do you think? No matter what any of us think - water is vital and we need to protect our sources.

How to incorporate FUN into everyday life

Here's a site guaranteed to make you smile. Looks like fun does change our behavior and they are proving it. The Piano Stairs are my favorite, and the Bottle Bank Arcade is a close second.

Wordless Wednesday: Creative Weddings

Using visuals to enhance life.

I love the creativity of this couple and their wedding party. It makes me smile and LOL every time I view it. And they have used the response to their video to collect donations for Sheila Wellstone Institute - an organization working to end domestic violence. How have you used visuals?

Cast your vote in the Doodle 4 Google contest

If you're like me, you probably use Google a lot and don't always pay attention to the links on the home page. Yes, the changing designs of the name are neat to watch (like on holidays). It's the strength of the Google brand that allows them to be creative with the look and yet people still know what it represents. I don't always take time to see what's going on though.

To get to my point - for some reason I clicked on this link recently and read about the Doodle 4 Google contest. The contest was open to K-12 students and the challenge was to play with the Google logo and come up with new designs. This year the theme was "What I Wish for the World" and open to U.S. kids.

Go ahead, take a break and see what the kids are thinking about. It's thought-provoking and their art is amazing. And best part is you still have time to cast your vote in the online public vote through May 18. The winning art will be showcased on May 21st.

SOBCon09 is Next Week!

Can you believe it's almost May?

SOBCon is next week. If you're serious about blogging - or want to be - you have to attend this event. Check out all the people who are already signed up. Look at all the opportunities to learn and socialize with other bloggers.

I still am unsure if I can attend. It's been a scary year so far for me and I have not been working as much as I would like. So my reasons for not attending have been based on finances. And then today a fellow blogger, Deb at debworks told me that Naomi from IttyBiz is unable to attend and is giving away tickets. You can be sure I went right over and signed up. And I told Jim about it because he really enjoyed SOBCon08.

I figure "if it's meant to be" we'll get tickets. It was a "meant to be" event that brought Deb and me together just as I am contemplating my future as a blogger.

Time is running out! Sign up today.

I'm sorry Naomi can't make it though. Be sure to check out the IttyBiz blog.

Purple Wren Teams Up with Kelly Moore Consulting

Purple Wren has formed a strategic alliance with Des Moines-based PR consulting firm Kelly Moore Consulting to expand the services offered to communications clients.

After collaborating on a Web and blog development project for a southwest Iowa biodiesel producer, we saw an opportunity to repeat the success for more clients.

With a team of expert writers and new media consultants, Kelly Moore Consulting brings editorial skills to Web development projects. The team helps organize information, writes copy and edits existing documents for online publication. 

The firm focuses on media relations and writing for clients in a range of industries. Other services offered include copy and ghostwriting, Website development, social media consultation, tradeshow support and media training. For more information, visit kellymooreconsulting.com.