"I Can Make That... er... Wait a Minute..."

Thank goodness for our technology today. I subscribe to several blogs and web pages for all kinds of reasons. I got one today from Oddee posting the 12 Coolest Steampunk Gadgets. You know how I love me some steampunk stuff! I particularly liked the laptop ... opened and closed. I also like the cool brass switchplates on the link. I look at this creative looking gizmoes of ordinary objects and say to myself "I can make that"... yet never do. Glad to know it's out there for purchase.

Another site, Mrs. Blandings posted this very cool photo of glass pendant lights. I love the large simple glass with the industrial feel of the metal... and the earthy wood on the countertops. Aaaahhhh... Here are more lighting options in a deliciously steampunk fashion.

Meeting the Guys from TRAIN Didn't Go As Planned...

It went so much BETTER!

Yaaahoooooo! Yesterday, I had to muster up a little intestinal fortitude to take advantage of an opportunity (and subtle hint) to meet... (in order in the photo) guitarist, Jimmy Stafford, drummer, Scott Underwood and my old friend and lead singer, Pat Monahan (yeah right... met him once at a meet n greet in 2007)... the guys of Grammy Award winning TRAIN. If you've read previous posts, you know I adore this band!




I'm pretty sure I was too giggly, a little over animated and I'm certain my hands were shaking. Good grief... how old am I? LOL! I had to take this opportunity for they were in Kansas City playing for a private party last night. Kansas City is not on the first leg of their tour for their new album "Save Me San Francisco" coming out Oct. 27th. I was crushed. With Jimmy facebook'n about being in town and their tour manager, Thomas O'Keefe, doing the same and then the band tweeting about it too... I couldn't just sit and do nothing. What kind of a fan would I be if I didn't try? I'd been giving them so much grief and ribbing through social networks, for leaving KC off the tour... this was inevitable. I caught up with them post interview and acoustic set at radio station Mix 93.3 in Westport, a cultural and music mecca for Kansas Citians. As expected, all three were charming and made me feel comfortable and left me feeling like they weren't in a rush. It would have been very easy to take a picture with a fan and then bolt... but they didn't. I am so glad. Of course it makes me love them even more. Tour manager, Thomas O'Keefe, was also friendly and helpful. He took the photo so I had to include him in one as well. The band assured me they'd be coming through town on the 2nd leg of their new album tour. Fantastic! We'll catch up more then. (LOL! In my dreams) On a side note... you should have seen this cool wide leather bracelet Scott was wearing... kind of steampunk and you know how I like that. His necklace was a little industrial too, check it out in the photo.






A friend of mine sent this quote to me today... completely oblivious of what went down yesterday... "Of all sad words of tongue or pen, the saddest are these, 'It might have been'." -John Greenleaf Whittier.


I'm so happy I took the opportunity to meet these amazing artists... no regrets baby!!!


Follow TRAIN... Train on Twitter Train on Facebook Train on the web for schedules of their latest tour and information. They put on some of the funnest concerts I've ever been too... (my husband too) and I'm a concert whore. I've been to too many! I can't wait to see TRAIN in action again!

The Only Downfall Is... Now I Have to Wear More Makeup

I did it... I acquired a web cam.

"Acquired" only because my husband did the actual hopping in the car, to Micro Center and purchased the camera for me and installed it. (shout out to Matt! You're the BEST!) He even seemed a little excited to do it too. So much so, the box he got had TWO cameras in it. One for him and one for me. Now... what's he going to do with his? hmmmm... I keep hyping up the idea that I'll get a camera and start a chubby chasers porn site and make tons of money and retire. I figure I could sit topless and eat a big ol' juicy 6" sub sandwich with turkey, cream cheese, sprouts and bacon on wheat from my favorite sub sandwich store... Planet Sub... and some guy will think that's the sexiest damn thing he's ever seen. A little juice from the hot toasted sandwich running down my cleavage. Easiest money I could ever make.

But alas, that is not the plan and far from it. I'm doing a little social media contract work for my friends at Socialology, Inc. They are a social media company out of NYC who are helping businesses brand themselves better on the web. It's been VERY interesting and really rewarding. From the git go though, these guys wanted to SKYPE conference call, twice a day. I had heard about Skype'ing... so what a great time to jump in and get a web cam. Conference calling will never be the same.

I quickly announced on my status update at Facebook during my first video conference call "I'm Skype'ing! I'm Skype'ing!" and the requests for "contact" on Skype came pouring in! Apparently many of my friends and biz contacts have web cams too. Fabulous!!! I feel part of an elite club now, sitting way up on a hill, looking down at all the people who are still using audio calls only. Those poor people. If only they could see the view from up here. LOL! A married couple who are friends of mine that live nearby, told me they Skype each other frequently throughout the day ... despite sitting 20 feet from each other at their home based business! Bwahahaha! Check them out... Felice and Bryan Azorsky at Bagettes. They make photo bags and purses and cosmetic bags... so damn clever. I still laugh imagining them Skype'ing and discussing who's going to walk 15 feet and let the dogs out the back door. LOL!

I highly recommend a web cam. They are affordable at $10 to $20 apiece and the Skype software is a free download on to your computer and of course there are packages with upgrades I haven't even delved into yet, that you can purchase. Apparently web cams today come with built in microphones, so you don't have to purchase that either. So really, if you have family, friends or clients more than a few hours drive away, this is fabulous! Send one to a client that you work with frequently. Save your gas. Use your valuable time more wisely. With a web cam, very little can get lost in translation. Let me know if you get one... we'll Skype!

Curious Sofa's FREAK SHOW!

The Halloween Freak Show starts Friday, Sept. 11th. The Curious Sofa is at 3925 W. 69th Terr. in Prairie Village, KS 66208 phone: 913 432 8969 Their website is www.curioussofa.com and the owner, Debbie Dusenberry, has a dynamite blog HERE . Please take a moment to check it out... she always has great communications as to what is coming up at the store and what is going on within the retail industry. The bonus is... she takes fabulous photos. Sweeeeet blog Deb! (You'll see Deb with her tophat in with the crazy lit up doll heads in one of the photos)

I got a sneak peek of the Halloween FREAK SHOW... hope you like the shots.

Hysterical Blindness ... Apparently

My elementary age school children did not get to see, while at school, Obama's lovely speech about the importance of staying in school. Let's think about this... an educational institution did not show the students a speech from our President about the importance of education. Tell me that sounds as crazy to you as it does to me. And what about the parents who were willing to pull their child out of school so they wouldn't have to have the message of "stay in school" crammed down their throats? omg. I could weep. The only explaination... hysterical blindness. They got so crazed, they lost sight of the simple message.

I was so concerned about this decision, I had to find out what happened. Where did this ball get dropped and can we put it back up in the air again? I spoke with our school principal who post speech, seemed a bit embarrassed. He said he fielded 15 - 16 emails/phone calls the week before against showing the speech. I told him I would have called in favor of it, however never in a million years did I not think my school would not show it. Do I really need to contact him every time I feel he's made a good decision? He's phone would ring constantly. He said the staff and he talked about it and decided that parents would eventually show the speech to their children via youtube or other links that were quickly posted on social networks and websites. (thank God we have that technology in a large percentage of homes and certainly in public libraries today... This would not have been so easy even a decade ago. The district said they would provide the speech, going forward, for teachers to show in their classroom. Whew.) Here's my concern about the alternate plan... we're relying on parents to do this. It might not seem like a big deal, but the kids who's parents are disconnected from their children's education and perhaps most of their children's lives, won't show that speech to them. Why? Because more than likely, THEY did not see the speech. They are just that "way" and for numerous reasons. More than likely, they will not get on a computer and find the speech for their child, despite links and emails to guide them there. (My sons teacher is sending a link to print out the entire speech and link to watch the speech at home as often as we want). There are parents of all socioeconomic backgrounds who just won't. Disinterest? Maybe. Intentionally wanting to mess with their children? Very doubtful. It's just the way they are. Heck, there are parents who still hope their public school will teach their child about sex education!!! ( On the flip side, there are parents who do not want the public school teaching sex ed.) I fear these are the same parents who are not having discussions with their child about the importance of an education. About expectations we have about them being not only what they want to be, but finding joy in what they do too. As a parent, we are their BEST advocate. How good of an advocate are you for your child? If a parent can't be a good mentor, leader, guide, advocate... thank God there are others out there. Neighbors, granparents, aunts & uncles, teachers, coaches, family, our President, parents of your child's friends... there are a lot of people out there root'n for the success of your child. Every child should know they have a team behind them. People they've never even met, are wanting the best for your child. That's a lovely comforting truth.

I think for many children, hearing President Obama say he has expectations of them, is huge. That may be the only time in their life they hear that from an adult. It could be an epiphany... a turning point... a realization that there is a way out. I love this quote from the speech "Where you are right now doesn't have to determine where you'll end up. No one's written your destiny for you, because here in America, you write your own destiny. You make your own future." President Barack Obama. Seriously... who doesn't want their child to hear that? As an adult, I WANT TO HEAR THAT! Especially some child caught up in a gang... or they are watching their parents working two jobs each to make ends meet... or they are having to work themselves to help the family pay the bills. This isn't a cast system here in the United States. Obama made sure kids knew that we adults are going to make sure you have the tools to get where you want/need to be. You just have to demonstrate it's what you want. Kind of a "you don't get anything unless you ask for it" route... and I like that.

One friend on facebook said he thought President Obama was the wrong messenger for this speech. WHAT? Really? REALLY???????? Who better... and I'm serious about that? Who better than our President? My husband sarcastically suggested Jay Z. But seriously... my kids school spent 3 days on a mock election last year. President Obama is the most recognizable and most credible person to give this speech hands down. My father actually suggested that Obama should have given that speech to only the parents. After a little discussion, he and I both agree both students and parents need to hear it. The problem is... getting the attention of the parents who don't want to hear it. How do you reach a full grown adult who knows better, but won't do better? I don't know. Then I had another person say the Democrats are simply wanting to brainwash our kids. Thankfully another friend on Twitter said he sent his children to school with tinfoil hats so the brainwashing wouldn't work. LOL!!!! Oh... I needed that. Brainwashing? Wrong messenger? Hysterical Blindness I tell you.

Even sweeter... I have a nutty neighbor who has put her child in 4 different schools in almost as many years. Her son is currently at a Catholic school, despite them not being Catholic. She was telling another neighbor "Praise Jesus that my son goes to a Catholic school where they won't push a political agenda down the kids throats". I am happy to report, her school SHOWED the speech! LOL! Classic. And I am so glad they did... because there was nothing political or religious about it. It was a good old fashioned pep talk about staying in school and why we need kids to. You all know how much I like pep rallies...

So really. Hysterical Blindness. I'm hoping that's all it is.

SEC "Revises" Their Stance on Social Media Ban

Well... it looks like the SEC has quickly come to their senses and realized they cannot stop a freight train. Here is an article from Mashable regarding the SEC's revision to their ridiculous ban on social media in their college stadiums. It basically states fans can still Tweet and do status updates and take photos for their social networks (Facebook, Myspace, etc...) as long as it is not for commercial use. Video during games is still banned though... Read here for more details. In the mean time, enjoy football season and keep on acting like we're in the 21st century for heaven's sake!

Confession Time...

I have a confession to make.... I want a webcam.

I didn't want one for a long time. The stigma behind it was too related to porn. But I heard about a application coming out now, that will allow you to do video email. I think I'm liking that idea more every second.

My friend, Amy Barickman, has a few companies that involve a lot of crafting and working with designers. She could literally hold a project up and say "move this piece over here..." as she emails a designer... or hold up a different fabric and say "I want this one". I get chills at thinking how this could help her and her business partners.

Another friend of mine, Mark Sudermann, is an interior designer. Imagine what he could do! Not only could he send a photo of a piece he found for a homeowner, but with this application he could video it... walking around the table... or a couch... sitting on it... talking and video'ing. I think it would create a ton of excitement with a client... I love it!!!!!!!

If you remember my other blog where the Southeastern Conference is not allowing social media to be used during their college games ... so I wonder, is email social media? Maybe... it's on the fence. Or not. It just seems so "old" compared to the newer technology. But think about this... you could video a great play and email it out. Awww, it's probably frowned upon too at the SEC, but it's going to happen. A lot.

I'll keep you posted if I make this webcam and software purchase. The application will be available on an iPhone. Which I don't have... but want. hmmmm... yet another purchase.

Social Media... changing every day I tell ya! EXCITING!

I Love a Good Pep Rally!

Call me old fashioned... but I love a good pep rally.

I like the thousands of energetic people, coming together for one common interest. In this case, the Kansas Jayhawks. More specific, the football season right around the corner. (It was announced today in the AP Poll, Kansas is ranked #25 preseason. That alone is worth celebrating!) As fans show up, I enjoy how KU fans reconnect instantly and for some of us, this is the only time of year we see some of these people. We pick right back up where we left off ... a year ago or maybe longer. The pep rally last night was the perfect storm... a friday night, clear with a few clouds and about 70 degrees in late August, reminding me "this was meant to be."

Though the skirts are shorter and the tops are cropped too small, the cheerleaders still do the same fight song moves and throw in some modern chants and cheers for a little flavor. The large "Big Jay" and smaller "Baby Jay" mascots are easily found in the huge crowd, with a gaggle of children following closely behind as they make their way to various groups for photo opportunities. Like my family, I wonder how many others have used those photos for holiday cards. LOL! Back at the podium and the stage, the traveling KU pep band enthusiastically bobs and weaves their heads in perfect unison to their own music and it's loud enough you can feel it all the way to the center of your being... The crowd loves it and cheers for more!

Several presenters greet our enthusiastic crowd. The newest and 17th KU Chancellor - Bernadette Gray-Little, Kevin Corbett - the charming President of the Alumni Association and others I might have missed while getting our hair sprayed blue and red. Then KU's Head Basketball Coach, Bill Self, gives an inspirational speech that seems genuine and sincere. He knows the power of KU alumni and friends in the community... he knows how to get us fired up. He then introduced the Head Football Coach, Mark Mangino. He's literally a very large man with a large presence. The crowd is silent as he does his best to hammer home his prediction for an exciting football season... yet being very edited. Though it wasn't the greatest of presentations, he gets a very generous and appreciative response and as he exits the stage. The band strikes up again and the cheerleaders and Crimson Girls dance to the school fight song "I'ma Jayhawk". Then everyone links arms over shoulders to sway slowly to the KU School Song... followed by the world famous ROCK CHALK CHANT! When it's over, the band plays longer... the crowd claps along to the beat... nothing but a sea of smiles the entire time.

Change the coaches names and you could put any year, in the last 100 years of KU, in front of this description and it would be believable. It's a good old fashioned pep rally and every school should have one. At Kansas University, we are very fortunate that alumni, such as Pat Roberts at Johnny's Tavern in Prairie Village (and Lawrence KS) have the interest and means to make it happen. I went this year with my 80 year old father, my husband and my two elementary age children. It's an event our three generations can participate in together and reminisce on... well... forever. My children look just as forward to the excitement and festivities as my father does. Most of my life, I've kind of been one to buck tradition. However, when it comes to pep rallies... what's old is still new. Once a Jayhawk, always a Jayhawk!

Are You Kidding Me?!

I love the smell of football in the Fall. I like it when the air gets chilly enough for a sweater but yet still nice enough for shorts. I can't wait for the faint smell of someone illegally burning leaves (it used to not be illegal around here) in their backyard. Most of all, I love that Fall brings with it, football season! I'm gearing up for a rock'n 5th grade tackle football season, maybe a few high school games with the SME Lancers, hopefully a KU Jayhawk football game and maybe catch a Chiefs game. I'll be snapping photos and video left and right and submitting them to friends and family who I know will want to see the hilarious and amazing moments of these games. Some of the best photos I have taken in the last 3 years, are of these games. (see the photo on this blog). I've posted them for many to see, especially on Facebook. The SEC (SouthEastern Conference consisting of 13 colleges) however, doesn't want its fans doing the same.

Yesterday, the SEC announced they are banning social media from their college football stadiums. This means no excited tweets about a great play or concern over an injured player on the field. It also means no "you better get over here to see this" type of enthusiastic messages to friends and family on Facebook or Twitter, which invariably increase college revenue. No Twitpics posting the latest spiritwear surrounding the fan. Again, a loss in revenue. So what's the reward in this for the SEC?

Apparently the SEC, not really comprehending the power of social media (and especially the reverse psychology of telling teens and college age kids not to do something... are you kidding me!) they are protecting their interests of their broadcasters... ESPN and CBS which the SEC are paying $3,000,000,000 over the next 15 years to show the SEC's games. User generated clips, which are easily accessible from mobile devices like a phone, completely undermine the need to carve time to sit down in a chair and watch it on the ol' television.

How the heck do you think those college officials are going to enforce this new rule? Social media is like a freight train right now... and sadly, I think alumni and fans will tweet and message through Facebook and sports blogs about their disappointment regarding this stance. What faster way to turn off your clientele? It leaves me scratching my head and asking "Are you kidding me?!"

Good luck to those colleges and their fans: University of Alabama, Auburn University, University of Florida, University of Georgia, University of Kentucky, Louisiana State University, University of Mississippi ("Ole Miss"), Mississippi State University, University of Tennessee, and Vanderbilt University

"We're going backward, in order to go forward"

...I think we've all had to do that at some point...

One of my all time favorite bands, TRAIN (woot!), is coming out with a new album/DVD, SAVE ME SAN FRANCISCO on October 27th.

side note: I'm about to do something I don't recommend. I'm starting out with a negative. Not against TRAIN, but you'll see... and I have to in order for you to understand where they've been and what's coming ahead...

Their last album, FOR ME IT'S YOU, was absolutely fabulous! However, it didn't do well in sales. Why? Because their management company, Sony Music, in usual historical fashion, did not promote it or the band. No sir, not well at all... in fact, it was pathetic! Tour attendance was low because no one knew they were coming to their towns. I'm not really even sure if radio spots were bought, promotions or cross promotions made. In fact, the TRAIN band members eventually had to go back to their roots and rely on street teams that they contacted, to get the word out. I'm sure it's not the impression TRAIN wanted to leave anyone with. I feel certain Sony wouldn't have wanted it that way either, if they had known how poorly their client was being treated. I could do a whole other blog on the bands that have been dissatisfied with SONY MUSIC over the last two decades. Why anyone signs with them now, I have no idea. But TRAIN learned and they sought out innovative clever professionals. This time, they have a new management company, CRUSH Management and TRAIN couldn't be more excited. All I know is... Sony couldn't have eff'd this up more in the past... and it can only get better from here. In fact, it already is...

Check out TRAIN's website and you'll notice up toward the top of the initial page, links for social networks and other social media sites so you can connect with them quick and easy! I love this, because lead guitarist, Jimmy Stafford, is tweeting from the road and posting photos. You can get real time photos as they get to locations, sound check, on stage. Guest guitarist, Hector Maldonado, is doing the same thing. Lead singer, Pat Monahan, has always been available on through his blogs and is as open about the successes and challenges they face as a band... another way to reel the average Joe and Jane like you and I, in. As for their website, it's a great place to hear the first single "Hey Soul Sister" on their album SAVE ME SAN FRANCISCO. This single is available for your listening pleasure, although it just became available on for purchase on iTunes today!!! Nice going guys and to web guru, Justine Foreman at the band's website! Nothing like a good teaser to build a frenzy. The title of this album, SAVE ME SAN FRANCISCO, is a homage to the city and reflective of their efforts to get back to their roots (and hard core fan base in San Fran)... going backward so they can go forward. Getting back to their rootsby way of connecting with fans again... one on one, mano y mano. What better way to do that, than through social media. You can find them here on their twitter page, Facebook fan page, Myspace page and Youtube. Yes, they do respond to comments and questions... Yes they do give a huge hoot about you and what you think. Yes, they are gearing up to tour!

I hope you get to see them too. Then post your photos... WOOT!