Purple Wren

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.

Scene on Saturday: Ice Storm

Today an ice storm has pretty much shut down this part of the country. It's a good time to hunker down beside the fireplace with a good book. What are you doing?

Ice Storm - Dec 1 2007, originally uploaded by Overduebook.

 

Youth Saves Best Friend: Learned Heimlich Maneuver on Cartoons

What a neat example of what kids are learning while watching cartoons...

A 3rd-grade boy saved his friend from choking. They were eating lunch at school when one of the boys started turning red and tears were streaming down. The other boy did the Heimlich maneuver - something he said he learned from watching cartoon movies.

I love finding examples of how images improve our lives. I don't appreciate the commercials that we have to put up with to see the video.

9-year-old is Heimlich hero

Third grader saves best friend

Try the NaBloPoMo Randomizer

One of the fun things about NaBloPoMo (National Blog Posting Month) is the Randomizer. Click on the link to see a random blog that is participating in the challenge. The interesting thing is you don't know what site you will see next.

Did You Know About NaBloPoMo?

It's November and that means it's National Blog Posting Month (NaBloPoMo). The challenge is to post every day this month.

That's all there is to it.

It's not always easy though. I got so busy yesterday, the day slipped away and alas, no post.

It still good for me to participate though. Keeps me focused on posting, even if I'm not perfect.

How about you? Are you posting consistently? Would a challenge help you?  It's not too late. You can still join in in the fun for 17 more days.

The Gratitude Dance

It's November, and the month we celebrate gratitude. In that spirit I want to post this video. Last week a friend emailed it to me. It's one of those videos that is so quirky that I have to smile - and the music is great! I dare you not to smile.

Would you be smiling as much without the pictures and music? In other words, just reading the text? Another example of the power of graphics.

Don't Forget to Set Your Clock!

Love this image from Three Squirrels in a Pressure Cooker

Don't forget to re-set your clocks tonight! Here's a little history about the event.

Worldwide Collaboration: The Age of Conversation Available July 16

Get ready - you will soon be able to read it . . .

The Age of Conversation will be available in three formats on July 16. Prices will be:

• e-book $9.99 ($7.99 going to charity)
• paperback book: $16.95 ($8.10 to charity)
• hardback book: $29.99 ($8.55 to charity)

All proceeds from sales of the book will be donated to Variety, the Children's Charity.

It's always fun to be involved in projects with other bloggers, and it's an honor to participate in this venture. More than 100 marketing professionals from 24 states and 10 nations collaborated to write a book. Most of the people have an online connection and have never met in person.

Background
Dedication

The authors:

Gavin Heaton
Drew McLellan
CK
Valeria Maltoni
Emily Reed
Katie Chatfield
Greg Verdino
Mack Collier
Lewis Green
Sacrum
Ann Handley
Mike Sansone
Paul McEnany
Roger von Oech
Anna Farmery
David Armano
Bob Glaza
Mark Goren
Matt Dickman
Scott Monty
Richard Huntington
Cam Beck
David Reich
Luc Debaisieux
Sean Howard
Tim Jackson
Patrick Schaber
Roberta Rosenberg
Uwe Hook
Tony D. Clark
Todd Andrlik
Toby Bloomberg
Steve Woodruff
Steve Bannister
Steve Roesler
Stanley Johnson
Spike Jones
Nathan Snell
Simon Payn
Ryan Rasmussen
Ron Shevlin
Roger Anderson
Robert Hruzek
Rishi Desai
Phil Gerbyshak
Peter Corbett
Pete Deutschman
Nick Rice
Nick Wright
Michael Morton
Mark Earls
Mark Blair
Mario Vellandi
Lori Magno
Kristin Gorski
Kris Hoet
G.Kofi Annan
Kimberly Dawn Wells
Karl Long
Julie Fleischer
Jordan Behan
John La Grou
Joe Raasch
Jim Kukral
Jessica Hagy
Janet Green
Jamey Shiels
Dr. Graham Hill
Gia Facchini
Geert Desager
Gaurav Mishra
Gary Schoeniger
Gareth Kay
Faris Yakob
Emily Clasper
Ed Cotton
Dustin Jacobsen
Tom Clifford
David Polinchock
David Koopmans
David Brazeal
David Berkowitz
Carolyn Manning
Craig Wilson
Cord Silverstein
Connie Reece
Colin McKay
Chris Newlan
Chris Corrigan
Cedric Giorgi
Brian Reich
Becky Carroll
Arun Rajagopal
Andy Nulman
Amy Jussel
AJ James
Kim Klaver
Sandy Renshaw
Susan Bird
Ryan Barrett
Troy Worman
Neil Vineberg

Business Conference 2007: Secrets of Successful Professionals Revealed

UPDATE: This business conference has been postponed until later in the year. Stay tuned for further information.

Calling all business people!  There's a local business conference on the horizon that you don't want to miss.

Topics include:

• Brand Strategy
• New Networking
• Blogging for Business
• Managing Office Politics
• Business Mobility
• Leveraging Technology
• Making Work Fun Again

The lineup includes presenters from Seattle, WA, as well as Iowa.

• Kevin O'Keefe
• Drew McLellan
• Mike Sansone
• Adam Steen
• Jim Goodman
• Shirley Poertner
• Tre Critelli
• Victoria Herring
• Timothy Johnson
• Mitch Matthews

What are you waiting for? Check out the detailed speaker info and conference updates.