First, let me start by saying this is NOT a political post. Having said that, a year ago who ever heard the term "fake news" or "alternative facts"? Today, we know these terms all too well. Just in case you've been on the moon for the past 6 months, "fake news" is an article that grossly exaggerates, and in some cases, presents false information. "Alternative facts" are actually defined by a particular event (look it up on Wikipedia), but generally are statements presented as facts, without evidence (and maybe evidence to the contrary) to support them.
I am soooo over fake news and alternative facts. So what do you do to avoid this stuff? Facebook is working on a filter which is good because most of this stuff is on social media. If you need relief before that, here are my rules:
1. If the title leaves you hanging ("...and You Won't Believe What Happened Next!"), it's probably a ploy to get you to click a link to a story that has very little or no content.
2. If there is a sensational photo attached to the title, especially if the title suggests something that seems implausible, it's fake news. You may end up looking at stock photos with lots of ads.
3. Look at the name of the website associated with the link. If you've never heard of it before, it's probably not a reliable source of news.
4. Finally, if no mainstream news sources are reporting a fact, it's probably "alternative." You can also use Google and confirm that if you don't see similar information from reliable sources.
We are living in some strange times, and there is enough craziness out there without dealing with fake news and alternative facts. Just say no to the clicks and keep your blood pressure down!
cindy
Showing posts with label social media. Show all posts
Showing posts with label social media. Show all posts
Sunday, February 12, 2017
Friday, April 12, 2013
Bloggy Boot Camp - Day One
8:00 a.m. It begins today. BBC in beautiful Scottsdale, Arizona, my home. It's my first and I'm a little nervous. My dear friend was supposed to go with me, but at the last minute she discovered her adoption journey was speeding up. (see my previous post). So, I'm going to a new forum, not knowing anyone, not sure this blog is "big enough" for this more advanced conference. Sounds pitiful, right? On the bright side, I've been to lots of professional conferences where I don't know anyone. How scary can it be?
2:00 p.m. Ready for the conference to begin. Got my name tag and table assignment. Our lovely hostesses Tiffany and Francesca the SITS Girls welcome us. We get the official hashtag for the conference #bbcphx.
2:30 p.m. First session from our keynote speaker Missy @verymissy (everyone here uses their Twitter handle as her name). She introduces us to branding - very interesting. One of my table partners, Joyce from Dragonfly Creative Design Studio is hearing impaired and her poor husband is using sign language to interpret. Problem is, Missy talks REALLY fast. He's holding his own.
4:00 p.m. Now that my world is rocked by the possibility of working with PR firms, we hear from Kim Byers @celebshoppe. She talks about the 5 Secrets we need to monetize our blogs. Great talk. I especially like the emphasis on loving what you blog about. The tweeting is going fast and furious all around me. I especially like reading the tweets of people at my table - it's like telepathy because I can read their thoughts and their mouths aren't moving!
5:00 p.m. Next up - Gigi +KludgyMom. She's really "knocking it out of the ballpark" with her talk about writing sponsored posts. She showed some great examples of different bloggers who posted about the same product but in very different ways. Gigi is driven! Most of us are starving!! During the break a half dozen of us run over to the Zona lobby. We nearly cleaned them out of candy. Ahh . . . much better
5:45 p.m. Beth @bethanimalprint is here to talk to us about YouTube. This is a very good talk - too bad it's at the end of the day which is running late. The cocktail party was supposed to start at 6:00 p.m. and eyes are wandering out to the patio where the bar is being assembled. Beth tells us all about the YouTube Partners Program. YouTube helps you set up your own channel and create the best videos for your branded blog. It's obvious most of the people in the room don't have much experience with YouTube other than watching cat videos. It's too bad because YouTube is a fabulous place to advance a blog.
6:30 p.m. Time for some drinks and appetizers! Tiffany reminded us after the last talk that we're having dinner after the cocktail hour. WHAT?!? Many of us didn't remember that dinner was included in the price of our ticket to the conference. BONUS! By now I have collected over 25 business cards. I ran out of my cards before 5:00 p.m. (note to self - must bring bigger stack of cards tomorrow). Funny thing - I'm used to the "business card shuffle" that each person does at a professional meeting by passing cards around. At BBC, each time we changed tables (which was after every talk), I saw the "business card shuffle." At a blogging conference! Cool - something that was in my comfort zone.
7:15 p.m. Dinner - very yummy. I finally found my niche for the day sitting with some very lovely ladies during dinner. They are members for the Generation Fabulous group (or "tribe" to use the word flying around today). I realize that while the women talking about Huggies diapers are cute, I really identify better with these "mid-life bloggers." I had a wonderful dinner and actually met some people I know more by their first names than their Twitter handles.
8:45 p.m. Our little dinner group finally breaks for the night and we're one of only two tables left in the room. As I drive home, I'm feeling a little less overwhelmed and looking forward to tomorrow.
I think I'm going to take the information for what it is - advice on monetizing/branding/promoting my blog and then decide later whether it's applicable to me.
I think I'm going to take the information for what it is - advice on monetizing/branding/promoting my blog and then decide later whether it's applicable to me.
Hey, if any corporate product sponsors are out there, I really do write a nifty blog and there are products I really LOVE! Just check my other posts. :)
cindy
Monday, January 28, 2013
Social Media!?#%!
One of my blog resolutions for 2013 was to increase my use of different kinds of social media. Just in case you don't read the right column on this blog (c'mon, you know I'm talking to you), I'll tell you all my social media outlets:
- Etsy - Pretty Pretty Cindy
- Facebook - Straddling the Gap
- Twitter - straddlinggap (notice the shortened name)
- Instagram - straddlingthegap
- Pinterest - ccisme
- Flickr - straddlingthegap
- I'm also on Hellocotton, Blog Frog and Bloglovin
- Google +
I've added a place to subscribe by email or RSS feed (I actually had someone complain that I didn't offer that!). I try to keep up with each of these by following a lot of people, adding pithy comments to each one, visiting other blog advice blogs (Really, there are blogs to give advice on writing a blog.) I'm excited to say I'm going to Bloggy Bootcamp in April to learn how to monetize a blog (uh huh). Did I mention I work full time and am raising two tweens who seem to always have someplace to go every evening? Did I mention I have a husband?
I'm exhausted. I love blogging and I am interested in being better at it, so I want to do all of these things. Problem is, every time I think I get a tiny grasp of one social media tool, another one comes up! It's like playing Whack a Mole. The new one is Twitter's "Vine", but I hear it has pornography problems so I think I may have a reprieve from that one for a while. I tried Tumblr but ultimately gave up. I'm still new to Flickr (but I am enjoying it for photo storage).
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| Photo attribute Momastery |
What's a girl to do?
I know one thing - it won't make any difference if I master the tricks of social media to promote my blog or Pretty Pretty Cindy on Etsy if I don't have enough time to write the blog or make the stuff for the store. I'm going to keep chipping away at it, so if anyone out there has any suggestions for how to conquer this, let me know.
I have an idea - maybe I should develop a new social media tool (including a smartphone app) to manage all my social media accounts! It could keep me actively engaged in all media, including writing little pithy comments, reading others' blogs and pithy comments and following and including others in my circles. Now that would be something.
In the meantime, come visit/follow/pin/tweet/subscribe/like/favorite/circle me. I promise to do it back to you.
cindy
Sunday, January 20, 2013
My Baby Has Discovered Social Media
As parents, we love to celebrate the milestones of each of our children. First steps, first day of kindergarten, learning how to ride a bicycle are all scrapbook events. But for this current generation of kids, technology is the norm and milestones as techies are more common.
My son discovered his newest obsession - Minecraft. He would play it 18 hours a day if you let him. If you don't know what Minecraft is, it's a building game where the player can create homes and villages and more, with detailed features like vaulted ceilings, hot tubes and treasure chests. The weird thing is that the graphics are very crude - all blocks with few pixels. You can play the game in creative mode or survival mode. Survival mode includes evil characters, but more importantly, interactive play on the internet. Enter social media. He has "met" other players online with very little real interaction, but he looks for his "friends." He also has his real live friends join him remotely. Minecraft is not my favorite activity, mostly because of the YouTube videos where older players have live screen shots but commentary that may not be appropriate for children and tweens. However, if you can avoid YouTube and monitor Minecraft, it's not a bad activity.
When I bought my new cell phone, I had an extra one that my daughter immediately appropriated. Although it doesn't have phone service (like she wanted), it does have Wi-fi. Enter Instagram. Wow - who knew that a 9 year old with a private account could have such a good time! All her friends have Instagram accounts and they exchange some crazy pictures. Here's one special one:
But best of all, she has discovered the art of using Instagram to tell the world what she's having for dinner:
My son discovered his newest obsession - Minecraft. He would play it 18 hours a day if you let him. If you don't know what Minecraft is, it's a building game where the player can create homes and villages and more, with detailed features like vaulted ceilings, hot tubes and treasure chests. The weird thing is that the graphics are very crude - all blocks with few pixels. You can play the game in creative mode or survival mode. Survival mode includes evil characters, but more importantly, interactive play on the internet. Enter social media. He has "met" other players online with very little real interaction, but he looks for his "friends." He also has his real live friends join him remotely. Minecraft is not my favorite activity, mostly because of the YouTube videos where older players have live screen shots but commentary that may not be appropriate for children and tweens. However, if you can avoid YouTube and monitor Minecraft, it's not a bad activity.
When I bought my new cell phone, I had an extra one that my daughter immediately appropriated. Although it doesn't have phone service (like she wanted), it does have Wi-fi. Enter Instagram. Wow - who knew that a 9 year old with a private account could have such a good time! All her friends have Instagram accounts and they exchange some crazy pictures. Here's one special one:
I'm relieved to see that all her friends have private accounts too. It seems as if they can't take enough pictures, even the most mundane:
She does take some good pictures:
But best of all, she has discovered the art of using Instagram to tell the world what she's having for dinner:
I'm so proud of my children's accomplishments - they've discovered social media - in a safe and age appropriate way.
cindy
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
Blog Resolution
Yesterday I talked about how most New Year's resolutions die very quickly and I offered a SMART method for setting goals and sticking to them. Now it's time to apply it to myself. I have some blog resolutions.
Obviously, I have the same resolution of most bloggers - to get more traffic, write more interesting content, develop a following and maybe monetize. Great resolutions, but are they SMART? More traffic - is that attainable? How do you gauge that and more importantly, how do you control it? That's just an example of why these broad open ended resolutions won't work.
OK, let's turn to my resolutions. Well, they are exactly SMART just yet. In fact, I haven't passed the S yet. So here are my non-specific blog resolutions:
1. Get myself on a regular blogging schedule and plan ahead.
2. Increase my traffic by 25% over the year.
3. Get involved in a community - see this great article about that from the SITS Girls
4. Improve my social media skills generally.
I will readily admit these are not yet SMART goals. However, here's what I will do. I will spend the month of January researching each of these general resolutions and come up with a SMART goal with a plan. Hopefully, I can transform each of these into a SMART goal and blog about it once every week beginning next week.
Yikes - this is scary stuff. Now that I've put it out there, I have to at least carry through to February - or maybe through next Tuesday. Baby steps . . .
cindy
Obviously, I have the same resolution of most bloggers - to get more traffic, write more interesting content, develop a following and maybe monetize. Great resolutions, but are they SMART? More traffic - is that attainable? How do you gauge that and more importantly, how do you control it? That's just an example of why these broad open ended resolutions won't work.
OK, let's turn to my resolutions. Well, they are exactly SMART just yet. In fact, I haven't passed the S yet. So here are my non-specific blog resolutions:
1. Get myself on a regular blogging schedule and plan ahead.
2. Increase my traffic by 25% over the year.
3. Get involved in a community - see this great article about that from the SITS Girls
4. Improve my social media skills generally.
I will readily admit these are not yet SMART goals. However, here's what I will do. I will spend the month of January researching each of these general resolutions and come up with a SMART goal with a plan. Hopefully, I can transform each of these into a SMART goal and blog about it once every week beginning next week.
Yikes - this is scary stuff. Now that I've put it out there, I have to at least carry through to February - or maybe through next Tuesday. Baby steps . . .
cindy
Sunday, October 28, 2012
Family Wedding
Sometimes it's good to go home. I'm getting to that middle age when you only get to see your extended family at funerals. Last weekend we traveled to Illinois for a joyous purpose - my brother's wedding. My four brothers and sisters, husbands and wives as well as most of their children, were there to celebrate. We are really quite the crowd:
I didn't realize my immediate family was so big until I looked at this picture. Not only did my immediate family attend, a good number of my cousins with their kids (and a few grandkids) showed up. I had 23 cousins on my mother's side growing up and counting their spouses, children and grandchildren, there were 21 family members there representing the original 23. That might not sound like a lot of family members to some people, but my cousins are scattered from Boston to Virginia, from New Orleans to Eau Claire, Wisconsin, and everything in between, especially southern Illinois. The best part? Because of social media, I feel like I still know what my cousins are doing most of the time. Gotta love it.
We don't get too many chances these days to gather for occasions like weddings. My mother was one of five girls and in the last four years, 3 of them have died, including my mother. It's wonderful to know that even as my mother's generation is waning, their children still enjoy getting together and introducing new members of their families. How ironic that probably the last wedding of the cousins is my brother's, the oldest cousin.
My kids were very surprised to find out how many "cousins" they have. Here are the first cousins:
My daughter kept asking how she was related to all the other family she was meeting. I kept repeating that they were all "cousins," some just farther removed. During her week in Illinois, she also visited with my husband's family, including "cousins." After we returned to Arizona, she missed being so far away from her extended family on both sides. As the unofficial family genealogist, I was thrilled to see both of my children so interested in their family roots.
My cousins used to comment that such a large family came from the five "Wilbourn girls" (my mother and her sisters). As we get older, our families have become very extended. My kids and their cousins will now look to the five "Hendricks kids" as their source.
Mom and Dad would be so proud.
cindy
I didn't realize my immediate family was so big until I looked at this picture. Not only did my immediate family attend, a good number of my cousins with their kids (and a few grandkids) showed up. I had 23 cousins on my mother's side growing up and counting their spouses, children and grandchildren, there were 21 family members there representing the original 23. That might not sound like a lot of family members to some people, but my cousins are scattered from Boston to Virginia, from New Orleans to Eau Claire, Wisconsin, and everything in between, especially southern Illinois. The best part? Because of social media, I feel like I still know what my cousins are doing most of the time. Gotta love it.
We don't get too many chances these days to gather for occasions like weddings. My mother was one of five girls and in the last four years, 3 of them have died, including my mother. It's wonderful to know that even as my mother's generation is waning, their children still enjoy getting together and introducing new members of their families. How ironic that probably the last wedding of the cousins is my brother's, the oldest cousin.
My kids were very surprised to find out how many "cousins" they have. Here are the first cousins:
My daughter kept asking how she was related to all the other family she was meeting. I kept repeating that they were all "cousins," some just farther removed. During her week in Illinois, she also visited with my husband's family, including "cousins." After we returned to Arizona, she missed being so far away from her extended family on both sides. As the unofficial family genealogist, I was thrilled to see both of my children so interested in their family roots.
My cousins used to comment that such a large family came from the five "Wilbourn girls" (my mother and her sisters). As we get older, our families have become very extended. My kids and their cousins will now look to the five "Hendricks kids" as their source.
Mom and Dad would be so proud.
cindy
Thursday, August 9, 2012
Random Olympic Thoughts
We're getting closer to the end of the Olympics now and my DVR is full. I'm sure I will miss it when it's over, although I must admit that I'm getting a little overloaded with all the events. With only 53 medals up for grabs, the U.S. is in the lead over China. I think we got past all the Chinese Olympic events.
After watching over a week, there are a couple of things that occur to me:
1. Bob Costas is the next Dick Clark.
2. If Tim Daggett or Elfi Schlegel says a gymnast "shouldn't have a problem here" or "she's absolutely the best vaulter in the world right now" or any number of positive things about upcoming gymnastics, it's the kiss of death.
3. You can't help but smile at our fun Olympic swimmers (but you will have to click through to YouTube to see the video):
4. Best quote from my husband: "Watching the volleyball finals. Hoping the hot chicks in bikinis win."
5. McKayla Maroney is not impressed
6. Most photoshopped Olympic athlete - McKayla Maroney
7. The German heavyweight weight lifter who dropped the 432 pound weight on the back of his neck - ouch!
8. Not to be outdone, a German diver lands on his back.
9. Did anyone else see that short piece of former Olympic gymnasts (Shaun, Nastia, Carly, Mary Lou & Nadia) right before the women's all around started? They were so serious, saying things like "this is the most important moment of your life" and "this will change your life forever". Heck, why not try a little more pressure: "If you blow this your life will be ruined." "If you screw this up, don't bother coming back to the U.S.A, loser." Excuse me, but no matter how important the Olympics are for these teenagers, I hardly think it will be THE MOST IMPORTANT day of their lives. If so, everyone but Gabby Douglas would have hanged herself.
10. Samuel Jackson is the most prolific (and profane) Olympic tweeter ever! (If you have sensitive eyes, don't go there.)
After watching over a week, there are a couple of things that occur to me:
1. Bob Costas is the next Dick Clark.
2. If Tim Daggett or Elfi Schlegel says a gymnast "shouldn't have a problem here" or "she's absolutely the best vaulter in the world right now" or any number of positive things about upcoming gymnastics, it's the kiss of death.
3. You can't help but smile at our fun Olympic swimmers (but you will have to click through to YouTube to see the video):
4. Best quote from my husband: "Watching the volleyball finals. Hoping the hot chicks in bikinis win."
5. McKayla Maroney is not impressed
6. Most photoshopped Olympic athlete - McKayla Maroney
7. The German heavyweight weight lifter who dropped the 432 pound weight on the back of his neck - ouch!
8. Not to be outdone, a German diver lands on his back.
9. Did anyone else see that short piece of former Olympic gymnasts (Shaun, Nastia, Carly, Mary Lou & Nadia) right before the women's all around started? They were so serious, saying things like "this is the most important moment of your life" and "this will change your life forever". Heck, why not try a little more pressure: "If you blow this your life will be ruined." "If you screw this up, don't bother coming back to the U.S.A, loser." Excuse me, but no matter how important the Olympics are for these teenagers, I hardly think it will be THE MOST IMPORTANT day of their lives. If so, everyone but Gabby Douglas would have hanged herself.
10. Samuel Jackson is the most prolific (and profane) Olympic tweeter ever! (If you have sensitive eyes, don't go there.)
Wow, this has really been a fun Olympics! AND it's not over!
cindy
Monday, July 30, 2012
Chance Encounters
A friend of mine lost her teenage son to leukemia today. I haven't spoken to this friend - ever. I've never met her in person. Yet I've known her for over 9 years and have been there during many of her major life events - bankruptcy, divorce, her son's diagnosis, bone marrow transplant and now his death. If that seems strange to you, you probably aren't a blogger.
I met my friend online over nine years ago when I was a SAHM. We both sold children's clothes on Ebay. There was a big group of us - women in Louisiana, Florida, Georgia, Washington and Ohio. During Hurricane Katrina, we were online with one of our friends who was in Slidell with her two kids waiting for her husband before she evacuated and another who fled to Florida during her third trimester and returned to find nothing left of her home in Port Arthur. There are many other stories, including my own, but you get the idea. Blogging wasn't quite as popular then as it is now, so most of our conversations took place in a chat room format. Eventually we created private chat rooms, especially for one particular friend, because she always seemed to draw the trolls.
It's really hard to explain to someone how you can be so involved in the lives of people you have never seen in person. Sometimes I can hardly understand it myself. Yet today I find myself in tears, worried about how she will make it financially. I worry about her loss of faith during her son's illness. I'm not sure how she can make it without leaning on God. I'm also worried because her son was her life. She is disabled and doesn't work outside of her home, so it's going to be a lonely place for her.
I do know that she has plenty of friends around the country, just like me, and we are all praying for her tonight. Many of us will send her cards and a little money or a gift card to help out. I just hope and pray she will reach out to at least one of her friends who, like me, have never met her in person.
cindy
I met my friend online over nine years ago when I was a SAHM. We both sold children's clothes on Ebay. There was a big group of us - women in Louisiana, Florida, Georgia, Washington and Ohio. During Hurricane Katrina, we were online with one of our friends who was in Slidell with her two kids waiting for her husband before she evacuated and another who fled to Florida during her third trimester and returned to find nothing left of her home in Port Arthur. There are many other stories, including my own, but you get the idea. Blogging wasn't quite as popular then as it is now, so most of our conversations took place in a chat room format. Eventually we created private chat rooms, especially for one particular friend, because she always seemed to draw the trolls.
It's really hard to explain to someone how you can be so involved in the lives of people you have never seen in person. Sometimes I can hardly understand it myself. Yet today I find myself in tears, worried about how she will make it financially. I worry about her loss of faith during her son's illness. I'm not sure how she can make it without leaning on God. I'm also worried because her son was her life. She is disabled and doesn't work outside of her home, so it's going to be a lonely place for her.
I do know that she has plenty of friends around the country, just like me, and we are all praying for her tonight. Many of us will send her cards and a little money or a gift card to help out. I just hope and pray she will reach out to at least one of her friends who, like me, have never met her in person.
cindy
Monday, June 4, 2012
Who Will Be Little Miss Coppertone?
If you are of a "certain" age, you remember the iconic "Coppertone Girl"
Now Coppertone is looking for a new little girl (ages 2-7) to be Little Miss Coppertone. Don't worry - there will be no dog pulling off swimsuits or revealing pictures of your child. In fact, they are not replicating the iconic image, so your child doesn't need to look like the little girl or even wear a swimsuit in the picture.
Here's how it works: You submit a picture of your little girl, ages 2-7 on Coppertone's Facebook page. No purchase is necessary. Contest ends June 22, 2012 (6/22/12). Click HERE for official rules and FAQs about the contest. Allison Sweeney will be one of the guest judges who will determine the finalists. On or about July 13, 2012, voting for the finalists will begin on Coppertone's Facebook page. Be sure to see the FAQs and official rules so you can send in a picture that meets the requirements of the contest.
I'm sorry to say my Little Miss Coppertone is too old to enter, but Coppertone is the only way I can leave her in the Arizona sun in the pool.
I'm not really that old, but I do remember a slightly updated version of this image when I was a kid. The Coppertone Girl represented a "healthy tan." Now we know Coppertone has always protected us from the harmful effects of the sun. Actually, Coppertone has been a staple in my beach bag since I was a kid, once to get a suntan and now as a sunscreen for my children.
Now Coppertone is looking for a new little girl (ages 2-7) to be Little Miss Coppertone. Don't worry - there will be no dog pulling off swimsuits or revealing pictures of your child. In fact, they are not replicating the iconic image, so your child doesn't need to look like the little girl or even wear a swimsuit in the picture.
Here's how it works: You submit a picture of your little girl, ages 2-7 on Coppertone's Facebook page. No purchase is necessary. Contest ends June 22, 2012 (6/22/12). Click HERE for official rules and FAQs about the contest. Allison Sweeney will be one of the guest judges who will determine the finalists. On or about July 13, 2012, voting for the finalists will begin on Coppertone's Facebook page. Be sure to see the FAQs and official rules so you can send in a picture that meets the requirements of the contest.
I'm sorry to say my Little Miss Coppertone is too old to enter, but Coppertone is the only way I can leave her in the Arizona sun in the pool.
If you do enter and your little girl becomes a finalist, please let me know so I can vote for her on Facebook! I can't wait to see the next Little Miss Coppertone!
Disclosure: I was entered for a chance to win a gift card in exchange for this post. No monetary exchange took place.
cindy
Friday, June 1, 2012
I'm Naked -Where's My Phone?
The last week has been scary. I've been disoriented and disconbobulated. I've been without a phone!
More accurately, I've been teased with a phone only to have it snatched away. It started about a two weeks ago when my HTC Rhyme started to get hot - really hot. After the guy at the Verizon Store burned his finger on the SD portal, he suggested we send it back for a replacement. Two days later I had a "like new" Rhyme. I meticulously reloaded all of my lost apps and thought the unpleasant experience was over.
No. Two days later my "like new" phone wouldn't turn on and it was hot. I called Verizon and they agreed to send me a new type of phone. After an endless holiday weekend, it finally came - another Rhyme?!? I had to change SD card because the phone practically burns up with the old card. It's still hot with the newer card, but not as bad. I'm trying to deal with it. Who knew this would be so traumatic?
My daughter thinks I grew up with cans strung on twine, but I can say as a kid I was excited when we got a phone on the wall with a long cord. It was awesome because I actually talked on the phone with my friends. The best game we "played" on the phone was the one where we pranked the lady down the street by asking her if her refriverator was running. I remember being amazed in the 80s when I saw Michael Douglas in "Wall Street" walking on a beach with a shoe phone. So rich! So futuristic! Now I can't go 5 days without a phone, and I don't even talk on it.
Definitely the worst part about being without my phone was my recent jump into all things social media. I just started with Instagram and haven't been able to take a single picture because I didn't have my phone (15 years ago people would have looked at you funny if you said you couldn't take pictures without your phone).
I'm recovering nicely from my traumatic adventure, thank you. I'm getting reacquainted with my "new" phone. Hopefully this one won't leave me in the cold (wait, the problem was with heat so we should be OK).
It's a love affair I tell you. (Just don't tell my husband)
cindy
More accurately, I've been teased with a phone only to have it snatched away. It started about a two weeks ago when my HTC Rhyme started to get hot - really hot. After the guy at the Verizon Store burned his finger on the SD portal, he suggested we send it back for a replacement. Two days later I had a "like new" Rhyme. I meticulously reloaded all of my lost apps and thought the unpleasant experience was over.
No. Two days later my "like new" phone wouldn't turn on and it was hot. I called Verizon and they agreed to send me a new type of phone. After an endless holiday weekend, it finally came - another Rhyme?!? I had to change SD card because the phone practically burns up with the old card. It's still hot with the newer card, but not as bad. I'm trying to deal with it. Who knew this would be so traumatic?
My daughter thinks I grew up with cans strung on twine, but I can say as a kid I was excited when we got a phone on the wall with a long cord. It was awesome because I actually talked on the phone with my friends. The best game we "played" on the phone was the one where we pranked the lady down the street by asking her if her refriverator was running. I remember being amazed in the 80s when I saw Michael Douglas in "Wall Street" walking on a beach with a shoe phone. So rich! So futuristic! Now I can't go 5 days without a phone, and I don't even talk on it.
Definitely the worst part about being without my phone was my recent jump into all things social media. I just started with Instagram and haven't been able to take a single picture because I didn't have my phone (15 years ago people would have looked at you funny if you said you couldn't take pictures without your phone).
I'm recovering nicely from my traumatic adventure, thank you. I'm getting reacquainted with my "new" phone. Hopefully this one won't leave me in the cold (wait, the problem was with heat so we should be OK).
It's a love affair I tell you. (Just don't tell my husband)
cindy
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Social Media Maven?
Hardly. But I have spent a good deal of time recently getting plugged into all things social media. It started with the SITS Girls Spring Fling, in which the amazing ladies of blogging showed us how to spruce up our blogs and become social media mavens in just two weeks. I didn't keep up, but I did get connected with a bunch of social media. Here's my list. I would love if you would "like" "share" "Tweet" "pin" "join" "become a fan" "include me in your circle" or "follow my blog" (or two or three of them!)
1. Facebook - My favorite and best (other than my blog). Now, I'm not only me, I'm "Straddling the Gap" This is the easiest one and I'm having a good time with it. Click and like me.
2. Twitter - I'm just starting to get this after my initial confusion. I have a few friends who actuallytalk respond to my tweets. I'm starting to build some followers. I irritated some atheists the other day and I wasn't even trying. (See below) If you would like to be one of my followers, I'm straddlinggap or you can just click this link and follow me too.
3. Pinterest - No one had to tell me to do this. I've been a Pinterest fan for a long time. If you are one of the 5 people who hasn't joined yet, let me know and I'll send you an invite. Or you can check out my pins by clicking below:
4. Instagram - I have yet to take a picture because I have a little cell phone issue (I'll get to that tomorrow), but I do have an account and I'm really looking forward to using it. I should have some pictures later this week. In the meantime, I am straddlingthegap (notice a pattern here?)
5. Google + I signed up, but I don't really understand this quite yet. I'm trying to click on the plus button when I like a page, but I'm not sure what else to do with it. If anyone has any suggestions, I'd be happy to hear them.
6. Klout - I'm in, but this one feels like watching the stock market. My score is up, my score is down. Heck, Klout thinks I'm an influencer on Atheism because I made one comment on Twitter and was spammed by 10 atheists.
7. Tumblr - Again, something I have, but I'm still not sure what to do with it. I think the tool is for following blogs, but maybe there's more. I use Bloglovin and like it very much,
So, that's my resume for a social media maven. I doubt it will be a profitable career, but I'm giving it the old college try. I'm sure I will stick with some of these, especially the mainstream ones, but who has enough time in the day to work with these and write a blog too?
Just my 2 cents.
cindy
1. Facebook - My favorite and best (other than my blog). Now, I'm not only me, I'm "Straddling the Gap" This is the easiest one and I'm having a good time with it. Click and like me.
2. Twitter - I'm just starting to get this after my initial confusion. I have a few friends who actually
3. Pinterest - No one had to tell me to do this. I've been a Pinterest fan for a long time. If you are one of the 5 people who hasn't joined yet, let me know and I'll send you an invite. Or you can check out my pins by clicking below:
4. Instagram - I have yet to take a picture because I have a little cell phone issue (I'll get to that tomorrow), but I do have an account and I'm really looking forward to using it. I should have some pictures later this week. In the meantime, I am straddlingthegap (notice a pattern here?)
5. Google + I signed up, but I don't really understand this quite yet. I'm trying to click on the plus button when I like a page, but I'm not sure what else to do with it. If anyone has any suggestions, I'd be happy to hear them.
6. Klout - I'm in, but this one feels like watching the stock market. My score is up, my score is down. Heck, Klout thinks I'm an influencer on Atheism because I made one comment on Twitter and was spammed by 10 atheists.
7. Tumblr - Again, something I have, but I'm still not sure what to do with it. I think the tool is for following blogs, but maybe there's more. I use Bloglovin and like it very much,
So, that's my resume for a social media maven. I doubt it will be a profitable career, but I'm giving it the old college try. I'm sure I will stick with some of these, especially the mainstream ones, but who has enough time in the day to work with these and write a blog too?
Just my 2 cents.
cindy
Monday, May 7, 2012
Spring Fling With the SITS Girls
I'm participating in the Spring Fling! It's sponsored by the SITS Girls, which is a collective of over 40,000 bloggers who work together to promote each other's blogs. The Spring Fling is a two week effort to help participating bloggers (like me) to improve our blogs and traffic.
What does that mean to my readers?
Well, you should watch for some subtle changes coming to Straddling the Gap. I will be fully using social media, including Facebook (getting my own STG page), Twitter (I'm already there as straddlinggap), Pinterest (there as Cindy Campbell) and even Google + (which I know absolutely nothing about). I'm going to work at sprucing up the look of the blog. I might even host a linky party or blog hop. (For those of you who are not bloggers, don't worry, it's cool stuff).
What's all the fuss about? Well, Straddling the Gap is celebrating its one year anniversary next month and I want to make it big. I also may be taking another internet step that I don't want to talk about just yet, but hope to reveal in June.
Hopefully you will like all the changes and improvements. Stay tuned.
cindy
What does that mean to my readers?
Well, you should watch for some subtle changes coming to Straddling the Gap. I will be fully using social media, including Facebook (getting my own STG page), Twitter (I'm already there as straddlinggap), Pinterest (there as Cindy Campbell) and even Google + (which I know absolutely nothing about). I'm going to work at sprucing up the look of the blog. I might even host a linky party or blog hop. (For those of you who are not bloggers, don't worry, it's cool stuff).
What's all the fuss about? Well, Straddling the Gap is celebrating its one year anniversary next month and I want to make it big. I also may be taking another internet step that I don't want to talk about just yet, but hope to reveal in June.
Hopefully you will like all the changes and improvements. Stay tuned.
cindy
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
If Our Mothers Had the Internet . . .
Every time I go to a linky party I see some amazing things. It's mind boggling. I'm speechless when I see all the creativity and talent from bloggers and on Etsy. You can use the internet to find anything and learn to do anything. It makes me wonder what our mothers could have done if the internet existed in the 70's and 80's. I suspect there would have been less valium prescribed.
We could have linky parties featuring macrame plant holders and owl swings.
We could have linky parties featuring macrame plant holders and owl swings.
Just imagine what we could do with Jello!
Ponchos, legwarmers and tie dye, O MY!
Somehow Brats dolls don't translate as well to cakes
Don't forget those latch hooked rugs!
If our mothers had the internet they could have been more crafty, thrifty, and fashionable, even with mod podge, felt and egg cartons
Wait - I think I saw that last week in a linky party!
cindy
Saturday, December 31, 2011
My Favorite Blogs of 2011
This is my first year of blogging and the best part of the experience is finding the whole world of wonderful blogs written by creative, witty and talented women. I have been inspired by many of them and this is a list of the best of the best. I follow all of these blogs on Bloglovin. They are in no particular order because I had a hard enough time picking just 10:
Songs Kate Sang - I'm proud to say Kate is a personal friend and the person who got me started. She can inspire with the fewest number of words and the best photographs.
Simply Simon & Company - These ladies are the most creative and talented clothes designers I have seen. There clothes are extraordinary and their web design is sleek and calming.
The Girl Creative - Another great creative blog. Diana designed my blog - thank you again - and she does so many creative endeavors, it's hard to know where to start.
Ruffles & Stuff - All I can say about Disney can be summed up in the immortal words of Wayne and Garth: "We're not worthy!!" I honestly don't know where she gets the time and energy to make so many beautiful things.
Quilted Euphoria - This was the first quilting blog (and only so far) that I have found and Amber creates gorgeous quilts! Because I'm trying to learn to quilt, I know I will be visiting this blog more in 2012.
An Irish-Italian Blessing - Katherine writes a witty, hysterical blog that I just recently discovered. (She's the Italian one.) I can't wait to see more of her family in 2012.
Craft-O-Maniac - The name says it all. How Jen can make all the beautiful crafty items she does with four kids is nothing short of amazing.
It's a Crafty Life - Kim has lots of cute projects and "Ten on Tuesday" a super linky party. She's got some big changes coming in her blog design and resolutions I'm happy to join.
Aesthetic Nest - This is another AWESOME sewing/crochet/crafting blog. The designs and photographs are stunning and I can't wait to see the next project (and try to look at the patterns from this past year in hopes of making one or two)
The Shabby Nest - This is the only decorating blog I follow, mostly because I don't have as good of an eye and sense of style as Wendy. Her style is so classy and subdued, it just makes you want to invite her over and save your home. This is also the blog that drove the most traffic to my humble blog from her linky party.
These are all blogs I will be following in 2012. They make the internet so much more interesting and are a constant source of ideas and inspiration. Thanks for sharing.
cindy
Songs Kate Sang - I'm proud to say Kate is a personal friend and the person who got me started. She can inspire with the fewest number of words and the best photographs.
Simply Simon & Company - These ladies are the most creative and talented clothes designers I have seen. There clothes are extraordinary and their web design is sleek and calming.
The Girl Creative - Another great creative blog. Diana designed my blog - thank you again - and she does so many creative endeavors, it's hard to know where to start.
Ruffles & Stuff - All I can say about Disney can be summed up in the immortal words of Wayne and Garth: "We're not worthy!!" I honestly don't know where she gets the time and energy to make so many beautiful things.
Quilted Euphoria - This was the first quilting blog (and only so far) that I have found and Amber creates gorgeous quilts! Because I'm trying to learn to quilt, I know I will be visiting this blog more in 2012.
An Irish-Italian Blessing - Katherine writes a witty, hysterical blog that I just recently discovered. (She's the Italian one.) I can't wait to see more of her family in 2012.
Craft-O-Maniac - The name says it all. How Jen can make all the beautiful crafty items she does with four kids is nothing short of amazing.
It's a Crafty Life - Kim has lots of cute projects and "Ten on Tuesday" a super linky party. She's got some big changes coming in her blog design and resolutions I'm happy to join.
Aesthetic Nest - This is another AWESOME sewing/crochet/crafting blog. The designs and photographs are stunning and I can't wait to see the next project (and try to look at the patterns from this past year in hopes of making one or two)
The Shabby Nest - This is the only decorating blog I follow, mostly because I don't have as good of an eye and sense of style as Wendy. Her style is so classy and subdued, it just makes you want to invite her over and save your home. This is also the blog that drove the most traffic to my humble blog from her linky party.
These are all blogs I will be following in 2012. They make the internet so much more interesting and are a constant source of ideas and inspiration. Thanks for sharing.
cindy
Friday, December 30, 2011
My Personal Best of 2011
Unlike many people, I am ending 2011 feeling rather satisfied with the year. 2011 was the year in which I regained (or found) my emotional stability. It was also the year I embraced the fact that I am getting older (although I'm not sure these two things were related). I also had three jobs this year, each one better than the last. I started writing this blog in June of 2011 and I'm really enjoying it. Thanks to my friend Katie (SongsKateSang) for suggesting it. While I don't have a full year to choose from, here are several posts I am proud to say I wrote. I've divided them into three categories:
1. Craft projects: I personally like the "No Sew Bed Canopy" I made earlier this year because I thought of most of it myself. Mackenzie still loves it, which is a sure sign of a successful project for a kid. The most popular craft project in terms of hits is definitely my first Rag Quilt. I made it before I started writing this blog and I thought there must be a lot of rag quilts out there, but evidently not. I'm also fond of the "Scrap Fall Wreath" which can also be adapted for any time of year.
2. Reflective/inspirational/
3. Photography: I'm not a photographer, but there are a couple of posts I surprised myself. I'm thinking of "Lilies in Indiana" and "Winter Solstice".
Even though the year ended with a bit of a whimper in this area, I am very happy with my 30+ pounds of weight loss. It was (and is) the most personal stuff I have written on this blog, but based on the number of hits, it is popular.
It was a pretty good 2011. I'm looking forward to 2012.
cindy
1. Craft projects: I personally like the "No Sew Bed Canopy" I made earlier this year because I thought of most of it myself. Mackenzie still loves it, which is a sure sign of a successful project for a kid. The most popular craft project in terms of hits is definitely my first Rag Quilt. I made it before I started writing this blog and I thought there must be a lot of rag quilts out there, but evidently not. I'm also fond of the "Scrap Fall Wreath" which can also be adapted for any time of year.
2. Reflective/inspirational/
3. Photography: I'm not a photographer, but there are a couple of posts I surprised myself. I'm thinking of "Lilies in Indiana" and "Winter Solstice".
Even though the year ended with a bit of a whimper in this area, I am very happy with my 30+ pounds of weight loss. It was (and is) the most personal stuff I have written on this blog, but based on the number of hits, it is popular.
It was a pretty good 2011. I'm looking forward to 2012.
cindy
Monday, December 26, 2011
Share the Gift
Santa was good this year. No matter what your religious persuasion, during this holiday season it is likely that you gave or received a gift from someone who cares about you. Last night my wonderful sister-in-law and I thought of a novel idea - what if every person who received a gift this season gave 1 penny ($0.01) to a children's charity? It's a simple idea - but imagine how powerful it could be!
We're calling this "Share the Gift" and I would love my readers and Facebook friends to get in on the "ground floor". Go to your family, church, school or community and start a small "Share the Gift" drive. Collect a penny from anyone (adult or child) who received a gift. When you finish your drive, pick a children's charity (Ronald McDonald House, UNICEF, Heifer International, Boy's and Girl's Clubs, etc) and DONATE. Better yet, PASS ON THE WORD! Tell your friends, family, neighbors, co-workers, church members and anyone else who will listen about Share the Gift. Tweet! Post! Blog! Let's put social media to work. I would like to see this year how well this idea is received and if it is, perhaps make it even bigger for next year.
Please note - I AM NOT ASKING YOU TO SEND ME MONEY. I would prefer you put together your own little collection. What I am asking is that you SHARE YOUR RESULTS! Send me a comment here or post on the Facebook page "Share the Gift". Tell us how you raised the money, what you raised and what charity received it. If you don't want to organize a full blown campaign, you can contact me and I will give you information where you can send your donation (no matter how small). Remember, it's just a penny. "LIKE" the Facebook page so you can see the updates.
Let's see if we can Share the Gift.
cindy
We're calling this "Share the Gift" and I would love my readers and Facebook friends to get in on the "ground floor". Go to your family, church, school or community and start a small "Share the Gift" drive. Collect a penny from anyone (adult or child) who received a gift. When you finish your drive, pick a children's charity (Ronald McDonald House, UNICEF, Heifer International, Boy's and Girl's Clubs, etc) and DONATE. Better yet, PASS ON THE WORD! Tell your friends, family, neighbors, co-workers, church members and anyone else who will listen about Share the Gift. Tweet! Post! Blog! Let's put social media to work. I would like to see this year how well this idea is received and if it is, perhaps make it even bigger for next year.
Please note - I AM NOT ASKING YOU TO SEND ME MONEY. I would prefer you put together your own little collection. What I am asking is that you SHARE YOUR RESULTS! Send me a comment here or post on the Facebook page "Share the Gift". Tell us how you raised the money, what you raised and what charity received it. If you don't want to organize a full blown campaign, you can contact me and I will give you information where you can send your donation (no matter how small). Remember, it's just a penny. "LIKE" the Facebook page so you can see the updates.
Let's see if we can Share the Gift.
cindy
Monday, November 7, 2011
Super Woman (Almost!)
Today I was almost Super Woman. It's amazing considering that the day began poorly with a repeat trip to the doctor. Right now, as the day ends, I have written my blog (you're reading it), read to my daughter, made my son's bed and almost made two school jumpers. I didn't want to "almost" be Super Woman. I wanted to BE Super Woman. All night as I worked on those jumpers I kept thinking about how I would write this and how proud I would be. After all, I successfully argued a motion in court, reviewed some ordinances, made it home for dinner with the family, worked with the kids (see above) and cut and (almost) sewed two school jumpers. All of this while fighting off a very nasty chest cold. Tah daaa!!
Even though I didn't make it (when I saw that bias tape, I buckled), I'm going to bed pleased with myself. I'm not sure if I can "do it all," but some days I get close enough to be satisfied. And that's just fine with me :)
cindy
Even though I didn't make it (when I saw that bias tape, I buckled), I'm going to bed pleased with myself. I'm not sure if I can "do it all," but some days I get close enough to be satisfied. And that's just fine with me :)
cindy
Saturday, September 3, 2011
Twitter Twerp
O.K., I've been testing Twitter (@straddlinggap) for some time now, and I must be tweet challenged, because it's a trial. I'm following some Tweeters and some Tweeters are following me, but where are we traveling?? I need a Twitter tutor to think of what anyone is trying to utter. I see some posts that begin with "RT" and I've been twisting my brain to think of what that means. I've also realized that Twitter Tweeters don't talk to each other. They tease their blog, and tantalize with giveaways, twitter event, etc. It's tiring to watch the solitary who tweet on Twitter to TELL something.
I'm troubled by the use of @ and #. These twins of tweets test my patience. Tell me, what do they entail? I would be traumatized to trip up and try the wrong type. It's tiring to try to tweet when your trilling isn't thrilling.
There have been some timely things about Twitter. We're traveling to a gratis movie tomorrow at the AMC Esplanade theater (and the public hasn't been treated yet!). I'm testing samples, and tragically, I "liked" so many Tweeters on Facebook, they are taking up my time (and space!).
This twit will keep training on Twitter in anticipation of teriffic tweets. If any of my peeps have some positive problem-solving possibilities for me, it would please me to peruse them.
cindy
I'm troubled by the use of @ and #. These twins of tweets test my patience. Tell me, what do they entail? I would be traumatized to trip up and try the wrong type. It's tiring to try to tweet when your trilling isn't thrilling.
There have been some timely things about Twitter. We're traveling to a gratis movie tomorrow at the AMC Esplanade theater (and the public hasn't been treated yet!). I'm testing samples, and tragically, I "liked" so many Tweeters on Facebook, they are taking up my time (and space!).
This twit will keep training on Twitter in anticipation of teriffic tweets. If any of my peeps have some positive problem-solving possibilities for me, it would please me to peruse them.
cindy
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