Communicators Anonymous

Zany: If you can't be famous, be infamous

And so I am tonight. I would rather you hear it from me. So grab your tissue... No, you won't be sad at the telling of this story, but you will be howling with laughter so hard you will be crying.

I have publicly stated that I am book smart, but I have gaps in common sense.

Tonight I proved that...

It might be possible that I am the sole person who did not recognize Chris Pirillo tonight at the DFW tweet-up hosted by Giovanni. I talked to the man for 20 minutes after being introduced and then...

You guessed it...

I asked him who he was and what he did.

Yep. Open mouth, insert foot.

The man's brand is HIS FACE.

I must say, though, he needs to work on his elevator pitch.

Yes, I know who Chris is and what he has accomplished. No, I don't watch his live stream every waking minute. I may have other things going on... The last time I saw him live streaming was Gnomedex last year. And his Twitter avatar is a cartoon image.

Forgive me. I did not recognize the Internet celebrity.

This on the heels of a whirlwind five days at SxSWi where the entire trip is about meet and greet. I was in the zone.

Apparently.

Chris handled my F*up with grace. Quite humbling, really. In fact I saw less important people than him at SxSWi this past week who frowned upon others and took their miniscule fandom a bit too seriously. Not Chris. I am mighty impressed. Of course, in the scheme of things, Chris will most likely not remember me or my screw-up...I wish I could bury it, but it was done before Giovanni!

Tough luck, kiddo.

Here is an important lesson. Just when I think a little to highly of myself and my talents...my ego gets flattened. This is a good thing.

So, thank you to Chris for laughing it up tonight and playing along.

(Photo courtesy, the man himself, 10ckergn0me.)

Zany: "To thine own self be kind," says Gilbert

This past Tuesday, I had the opportunity to listen to Elizabeth Gilbert at the Eisemann Center in Richardson, Texas as part of the Arts & Letters Live series hosted by the Dallas Museum of Art. If you haven't already guessed from previous posts, Gilbert is one of my favorite (currently living) authors. Her easy and authentic prose is a style I try to emulate.

I want to share the gold nuggets of inspiration Gilbert passed along to her audience...Enjoy:

• "Listen to the whispers or soon you'll be listening to the screams." Gilbert's Brazilian husband reminded her of this saying as Gilbert struggled with the writing of her latest book. Surprisingly, the book is about marriage. The day she went to Kinkos to print out the manuscript for her publisher, Gilbert realized the book did not sound like her and she could not connect with the writing on the pages. Gilbert asked her publisher to delay the book after she became physically ill with the notion of releasing the book as is. Gilbert took six months to clear her mind. She packed the book in a box and hid it underneath her bed. Gilbert built a home, started a garden and got a cat named Clifford...all firsts for this energetic and travel-bound author.
• "Drawing is taking a line for a walk." Gilbert quoted artist Paul Klee and said she followed this line of thinking when she took the manuscript from underneath her bed and began to work once again on the project. The manuscript (recently completed) was reborn with a perfect first sentence giving birth to another sentence building another sentence.
• "Writing is how I figure out what I am thinking." If you read EPL, you know it was Gilbert's intention never to remarry. Life changes. Gilbert married the Brazilian from EPL and now they live happily in New Jersey. However, marriage was a necessity enforced by DHS! For ten months, Gilbert and her fiance lived in Southeast Asia while his visa requirements were put in order. During that time...before the dreaded "m" word took place, Gilbert researched the history of marriage and examined her opposing feelings.

Gilbert wrapped up the one hour talk and twenty minutes Q & A by saying, "To thine own self be kind." Listen to your body for it will speak truer than your mind or heart.

A positively brilliant and inspiring talk! Gilbert even signed both of my books (EPL in English and Portuguese)! I am still riding the high...

Some zany related elements to share:

• Right Brain Exercises for Artists: Taking a Line for a Walk
• Elizabeth Gilbert: Thoughts on Writing

Zany: Creative Genius

I have shared this before... Each Spring, since it was published, I have read Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert. I relate and feel connected to her words about her physical and spiritual journey. Reading the book now is like Spring cleaning for my soul. I know the book like the back of my palm. In many ways it is my story too.

Next Tuesday, I will have the opportunity to listen to Elizabeth Gilbert at the Eisemann Center in Richardson, Texas next Tuesday, 24 February. I am psyched! I will be bringing both of my Eat, Pray, Love books (English and Portuguese versions) in hopes that I can get an autograph or talk to the author I strive to emulate.

While you probably cannot join me on Tuesday evening, I invite you to view Elizabeth Gilbert recently speaking at TED:

Zany: Dallas Twestival met and exceeded goal to raise $4,302!

Three weeks ago, I did a crazy thing, I signed up Dallas/Fort Worth to be a participating city in the global Twestival. Three weeks ago, I put out a call over Twitter asking for volunteers to help put on such a venture. Thirteen other crazy people I had never met before volunteered to make Dallas Twestival happen. In three weeks, over Twitter, email and numerous conference calls, we organized our first Twestival…not to be our last. Although, we will start planning at least 51 weeks in advance of Dallas Twestival 2010!

The Twestivals were held in Europe, Africa, Asia, and North and South America. Dallas’ event was at Mockingbird Station, where tweeters and non-tweeters, alike met to enjoy live music by local artists, take in a free film at Angelika Theater and eat good food and drink.

The Dallas Twestival was 100% volunteer and donation driven. There was no overhead for the event. All proceeds benefited Charity:Water. Dallas’ goal was to raise $4,000, roughly the cost of drilling one water well in Central Africa. We met and exceeded goal to raise $4,302 and counting!

Thank you to the brilliant people I worked with to make this event a reality, our generous sponsors in tough economic times and to the Dallas Twestival goers who came to the event.

(I am the crazy person with purple glasses in above pic! Those in pic are volunteer chairs.)

Zany: Wear Your Red Proudly

Late last year, I had the privilege of working with one of the American Heart Association affiliate marketing communication teams. We discussed how to integrate social media tools in their programs. See their progress!

Today is Wear Red Day...check out http://www.goredforwomen.org/! Are you wearing red today? My pal, Connie Reece colored her signature pink boa red today, so why don't you slip on something red and get involved in this community.

Zany: Want some social media with your delicious juice?

Then you "wannajuice"!

As you may know or inferred from my tweets, I took a blissful trip to Paris to celebrate the coming of 2009. I also went completely dark on the blog(s) and Twitter for an entire week. Now when you are in Paris, it is not difficult to distract yourself from the daily drama of social media.

However, I was ecstatic when we popped into a juice shop and saw this sign! Oh my fingers were tingling with the itch to find a keyboard! Just seeing the words "blog" and "facebook" made my mouth water! So, if you want to test out your French or perhaps visit this fabulous juice shop in Paris next time you are there, get social first!

(Photo courtesy leonardocsouza.)

Zany: I resolve not to be resolved

I am not fond of resolutions. I prefer to set goals I work toward fulfilling. Perhaps I will not complete this year, but the objectives I set to support my goals keep track of my progress and depict I am moving forward. One lump sum resolution is not fulfilling.

One of the many objectives I have set this year for personal and professional development has been to increase my meditation time. Last year, I allowed circumstances to control my life and could never find time for me. Such neglect led to the insanity of making the same mistakes multiple times.

Meditation and the creative process go hand-in-hand. I invite you to read this article by Centeno, The Meditation: The Creative Process. Please share your mediation techniques. Take the time to nourish yourself this year. Doing so will help you and those around you grow in abundance!

(Photo courtesy nsmchris.)

Zany: Seven Things You Don't Know About Me

Disclaimer: This is not a futile attempt to build my personal brand! Ha! Ok...had to say that because I was tagged by dear friend, Geoff Livingston.

1. I used to do a spider dance before going to bed to keep spiders from biting me while asleep....deep rooted arachnophobia because I lived in a renovated basement in Oklahoma where brown recluses are abundant...of course, this also stems from OCD!
2. I despise drinking water.
3. My dream of seeing Paris in winter is finally coming true.
4. I named my daughter after a title of an Anne Rice novel.
5. Diamonds are not this girl's best friend. I prefer emeralds, moonstone and amber gems. Although I will not frown on anything that appears in a blue box.
6. One day, I would like to complete falconry training.
7. Ketchup belongs on everything.

Here are the peeps I would like to hear from:

Lauren Fernandez; Terry Morawski; Trish Forant; Laura P. Thomas; Leonardo Souza; Sherry Carr Deer and Barbara Nixon.

(Picture courtesy parakeetpeach.)

Zany: Or not so much...Protect yourself from identity theft

If you don't think it can happen to you...think again. Identity theft is on the rise and you may be the next victim. Be proactive.

Yes, I live my life online, but the theft of my identity did not happen online...it began with my mailbox. The day before I left on vacation, I placed the only two bills I pay by check in my home mailbox. When I raised the mailbox flag, little did I know I was also waving the red flag for the bull to come charging and steal both bills and checks from my mailbox. From there, the thief bought blank checks from an Office Depot or Wal-Mart, copied my personal information, bought my drivers licence number online and wrote almost 50 checks with my account number and name.

By the time I caught the checks clearing, my account was virtually wiped out. I spent the next two days at my bank and local police department. I was surprised that my bank was not familiar with any procedures of what to do in the case of identity fraud. I filed a report with my local police department, but because none of the checks were written to merchants in my city, I had to file separate police reports in each city the checks were written. A nightmare! Did I mention the kidlette was sick with the flu during this time? This single mom was flying around the metroplex like my hair was on fire!

It has been two weeks since I realized my identity had been stolen. After multiple account and ACH/Direct Deposit errors, my bank may have things in place now. No matter, I am switching banks. The lack of associate education about identity theft and institution's disregard to assist getting my finances in order were despicable. I am disgusted with the way one is treated when identity is stolen. All of a sudden I have become the criminal. Multiple suits have been filed against me by the merchants who had checks returned. My name is also on a national registry to not accept checks through digital readers.

I tell you all this not to complain, but perhaps I can prevent this from happening to you! Please take a moment to visit the FTC Identity Theft site. Begin by reading the Avoid Identity Theft Tool Kit. If you have been a victim of identity theft, Take Charge and Fight Back! (Even if you have not been a victim, please read this and stay alert.) The FTC estimates that as many as 9 million Americans have their identities stolen each year.

How do thieves steal an identity?

Identity theft starts with the misuse of your personally identifying information such as your name and Social Security number, credit card numbers, or other financial account information. For identity thieves, this information is as good as gold.
Skilled identity thieves may use a variety of methods to get hold of your information, including:

1. Dumpster Diving. They rummage through trash looking for bills or other paper with your personal information on it.
2. Skimming. They steal credit/debit card numbers by using a special storage device when processing your card.
3. Phishing. They pretend to be financial institutions or companies and send spam or pop-up messages to get you to reveal your personal information.
4. Changing Your Address. They divert your billing statements to another location by completing a change of address form.
5. Old-Fashioned Stealing. They steal wallets and purses; mail, including bank and credit card statements; pre-approved credit offers; and new checks or tax information. They steal personnel records, or bribe employees who have access.
6. Pretexting.  They use false pretenses to obtain your personal information from financial institutions, telephone companies, and other sources.  For more information about pretexting, click here.

Protect your identity!

1. Minimize the amount of personal information you carry.
2. Keep personal information in a secure place in your home. Shred before throwing away sensitive information.
3. Do not give sensitive information to unsolicited callers
4. Shield your hand when entering your PIN at a bank ATM. Take your credit card receipts and ATM slips. Shred them before throwing away.
5. Pick up new checks or reissued debit/credit cards at your bank. Do not have your SSN or driver's license number printed on your checks.
6. If your bank or credit card statement does not arrive on time, call the issuer to make sure it is being sent to proper address.
7. Do not mail sensitive information from your home address. Choose to mail from a secure mail location.

(Photo courtesy e453753.)

Zany: Top Ten Favorite 80s Songs

Friend, Geoff Livingston, tagged me in meme to list my all time top ten fave 80s songs. Ah, I loved the 80s! Whenever VH1 features Best of the 80s, it is a must-see!

1. Purple Rain - Prince (1984)
2. Girls Just Want to Have Fun - Cyndi Lauper (1985)
3. Girls, Girls, Girls - Motley Crue (1987)
4. White Wedding - Billy Idol (1983)
5. Welcome to the Jungle - Guns N' Roses (1987)
6. Sweet Dreams - Eurythmics (1982)
7. Livin' On A Prayer - Bon Jovi (1987)
8. Every Breath You Take - The Police (1983)
9. Hungry Like the Wolf - Duran Duran (1982)
10. Thriller - Michael Jackson (1984)

I want to know what your fave 80s songs are: Leonardo Souza, Mihaela Vorvoreanu, Karen Russell, Kami Huyse and Trish Forant.

(Photo courtesy Sakurako Kitsa.)