As I sit in my car just south of Chicago Ave on Rush St waiting for my wife to get out if work, I think “Hey! I should blog!” Maybe it’s the plethora of plans and to-do items streaming through my mind, the Wilco blaring from my iPhone and out of my car stereo, or my overwhelming fatigue from the 10 Days of Session 1 at Camp, but I feel inspired to write.
Given all that, expect a handful of grammatical errors. It’s time like this that I wonder how this type of post might differ I I was a frequent blogger with a loyal following, rather than a sporadic writer who is also likely to be his only reader. Despite the very public nature of the Internet on which this blog resides, yepsen.net remains a secluded spot where most ramblings will remain undiscovered.
But does that affect the posts I DO write?
Would I be more forthcoming about my thoughts if I had an audience to whom (“whom” is right, right?) I felt a sense of loyalty? Or would I be more protected and even less giving if I knew every word would be read?
Frankly, I am not sure if there is much more information to hold back. My initial thought was that I would withhold more, but upon writing that I believe the contrary. As of now, I am writing for no one, to no one. Why bother talking when you’re alone in an empty room in the crowded hotel of the Internet?
But there, I suppose, lies the rub. To garner readership I must promote and to promote I must write something to promote.
Let’s try this again… After I pick up my wife who is walking out the door…
You hear so much talk about thinking “outside the box” that the phrase itself has firmly rooted itself backing inside that very box. The idea of “outside the box thinking” has lead us to focus on what more we need in order to create something new and exciting. Lately, I have come to completely disagree with this way of thinking. Can I be more creative with limitless resources, or when I am forced to create more with less?
Of course it sounds great to have limitless resources, it makes things easier. But ease is where creativity goes to die. Why dream up an original game when we could just have a basketball court installed? Why create a new craft when we could just order a prepackaged set from any number of catalogs and websites? Why imagine when we could just implement?
2010 is the year we create. This is the year we do what we do best, and we do it even better. No matter what you do this year, be sure to bring your imagination and creativity, because it is time to re-imagine the way we do things.
Sometimes, in order to get out of the box, we need to take a look at what’s inside.
“Difficulties are meant to rouse, not discourage. The human spirit is to grow strong by conflict.” – William Ellery Channing
My most recent article for my staff newsletter, Exit 30.
Work Hard & Be Kind
Whether or not you have followed it, I am sure you have heard the news surrounding Conan O’Brien’s sudden departure from the Tonight Show. Though most anyone who watches late night television has an opinion on the matter, I do not wish to discuss the inner-workings of network television. However, while watching Conan O’Brien’s last Tonight Show, I was moved by a particular sentiment he expressed: “If you work hard, and you’re kind, I’m telling you, amazing things will happen.”
If you watch the clip, you will see that Conan also states that “Nobody in life gets exactly what they thought they were going to get.” This is a universal fact, but it is nonetheless a painful reality for all who experience it. If you ever fell in love in High School, applied for your dream job, or spent any amount of time in a casino, chances are you have felt the pain of disappointment. And it is easy to allow this type of let-down make us cynical.
Those of you who worked at camp last summer probably had those moments—when a camper you had connected with acted out and misbehaved, or when a counselor you were friends with talked about you behind your back. There are plenty of opportunities at camp to feel hurt or let down and become cynical. But for every reason to get frustrated, there are dozens more to be filled with hope and enthusiasm. When something at camp doesn’t go your way, remember the camper who sought you out for a hug during the finale, or the ones who lit up when they learned something new in your program area. Remember the looks on the campers’ faces as they looked up at the stars or down on the campfire, and remember the lasting friendships you formed with your fellow counselors.
It seems that all too often we focus on the negative. But we have the choice. Do we hold on to the frustrations or the celebrations? Do we choose cynicism or optimism? Do we give up, or do we work hard and work to be kind? We know that you know the right answers to those questions. When you are hired at cam,p you are hired to be a role model, and to make the right decisions. It is up to you to do what you know is right, whether you are at camp, in college, or at home. Choose optimism, choose to let the frustrations go and embrace the fun. We’re counting on you.
Admittedly, I believed in the power of Social Media before today; but today I was born-again – I experienced it.
For anyone who might not know me and might be reading this blog for this first time, I am the Program Director and Recruiter for the Chicago Youth Centers – Camp Rosenthal. Today, this position presented itself with a need for some graphic design beyond my experience-level. So I took it to the online world via Twitter and Facebook with the simple message: “Any designers out there who would like to donate ~1hr of time to design 2 banners for a summer camp for inner-city kids?”.
Within SECONDS I was ReTweeted by @TrekLightGear and within minutes I was sent all around the Twitterverse by a number of Tweeps who have no other connection to me than a shared online community. Shortly thereafter, I had 1 Twitter offer, 2 Facebook offers and 1 more Twitter inquiry.
I have now communicated with 2 people who made offers, supplied info to the inquiry, and let one off the hook who was willing to help but ready to submit to the stronger talents of her offering peers. I am looking forward to seeing the next steps progress and finding out how powerful the world of Social Media can be.
I realize this is no Mayor Shoveling my Grandfather’s Driveway kind of story, but nonetheless it shows the power inherent with people. As a nonprofit camp in 2010, budgets are tight and I was concerned that design fees would push us out of the running to design these banners we are using to help recruit campers and counselors (as well as spruce up the dining hall a bit). But people stepped forward to donate a hand and those without the ability lent a hand in finding one that could.
I look forward to keeping you all up-to-date with how this all pans out.
And let me know if there is anything I can do to help you!
With the help of a former Radio Production teacher of mine, I received a Google
Submit Yourself to the Google
Wave invite yesterday. Add this to the Google Voice invite I received organically from Google last week and this has been a heck of a November. I have definitely found that my immersion into the Google Cloud has been getting deeper with each passing day.
I use Google Docs more than MS Office due to the mobile nature of being me. I am using Google Voice for a variety of purposes beyond the phenomenal Voicemail options. I am using GMail not only for my gmail account, but also for a variety of other accounts including those at my personal domains. All of my email, contacts and calendars are synced using Google Syncs push services for my iPhone.
And now, Wave. Though still in infancy, the hype is dying down a bit though is still very much earned. I have very few contacts on Wave, so it is still a glorified chat or IM client for me, but the potential is more than apparent. I look forward to adding contacts in the future as the expansion continues and using it for a variety of collaborative efforts. I can’t wait to see what developments come are due out in the future from this development team.
Seeing as research indicates that 18-24 year olds are using Facebook less and less for friendships and more for event planning and other coordination (here), I think Wave really does hold the potential to be a Facebook killer. Also, its live nature could poise it to be a Twitter killer with the right developments; especially since Google can pretty well monetize anything, an area where Twitter has failed thus far.
At times, it can be scary to know that most everything that comprises me is in a Google data center somewhere, just a crash away from devastation. But I’m pretty sure it will work out… Nonetheless, I continue to be impressed by Google and am actually considering ditching the iPhone for an android-based phone when upgrade time rolls around in late summer 2010. And thanks to Google Voice, I don’t even need to worry about losing my number if I switch carriers.
So far, it’s great! Here is the first of what I’m sure will be many voluntary Feedback forms I have filled out to send to Google:
What do you like about Google Voice?
I received my invite less that 24 hours ago, so I have not had much time to really dig into Google Voice, but what I have used so far has been great! Setting up everything is so easy! Within, literally, seconds of signing up I had my cellphone synced with Google Voice. Since I already use Google Contacts, all of my people were immediately available to set custom voicemail for which is both amazing and remarkably simple! So far my Mom, Dad, Wife and even a Client or two have custom greetings – phenomenal! SMS is great, Voicemail transcription is not quite perfect, but has already allowed me to forget that I ever thought Visual Voicemail on my iPhone was cool. So far, this is just another amazing Google App – Thank You!
What do you NOT like about Google Voice?
Honestly, I have not yet found much that I do not like. The one thing I have noticed that is rather frustrating is that all of my voicemail messages are immediately clangy beep and a couple of clicks. Though it is less noticeable when you call, it is still there. I am fairly certain this is not my phone, as I do not have the problem with messages I recorded while using AT&T voicemail.
I know this is out of Google hands, but AT&T and/or Apple need to wise-up and approve the Google Voice App. Without it, I am seriously considering ditching the iPhone for a Droid; and that is coming from a pretty devout iPhone/Apple fanboy. Another feature I would really enjoy would be the ability to see incoming Caller ID while I am logged onto the Google Voice website. Also, live updating would be great rather than having to refresh to check for a new text or voicemail; the listen-into voicemail feature is great – would it be feasible to allow this via the web portal?
I couldn’t agree more. This song has always struck home with me; why bother looking forward to tomorrow if we’re so stuck on yesterday? Why bother trying to be better today when yesterday was so great? There were never any good old days.
If we are here not to do
What you and I wanna do
And go forever crazy with it
Why the hell are we even here?
There was never any good old days
They are today, they are tomorrow
It’s a stupid thing we say
Cursing tomorrow with sorrow
When we stand here in a row
Looking like a bunch of heroes
I know that deep inside
Nothing more but bunch of zeroes
Skolko utetchki tepla
Vot takaja vot sudba
Nam segodnja suzdena
A bit mezget chto kogda da-j povezet!
Steppin’ on the trail of Ultimate
I would never choose to die
so give me rest of all the secrets
give me new culture of life
Week 3 was an exciting week for Exit 30, because it marked the first time I “borrowed” from my dad who sent a slightly similar email to his staff a few years ago and then forwarded it along to me. I also used a slight variation of this in my past life with the Boy Scouts for both my Camp Director team at Owasippie Scout Reservation and my Arrowhead District Management Team last year.
Who have you recognized with a thank-you or appreciation this week? Do you think you can muster up one sincere thank-you/recognition a day over the next week, May 5 to 11?
In order to begin to draw the hidden potential from ourselves, our peers and coworkers, and our campers, we must catch people doing the right things. When given time it’s a much more effective behavior modification practice than punishing for things done wrong. Like moths to the flame they will be drawn to your influence and seek ways to exceed your performance expectations.
Consider the alternative, do you think a person that’s only given attention for failure will ever know the path to success?
Try it. I challenge you. Seek out one person every day next week. Thank them for something and be specific. Then just go on your way. It might take 2 minutes out of your day.
Be intentional about change in our world and our camps. Lead it.
1 year ago today, I married the most awesome woman I know.
I have heard before that the first year is one of, if not the, hardest. If that is true, we have a lot of great years to look foward to. I am constantly shocked at how lucky I am to have her in my life.
I love you, Katie.
Wish enough, wise man’ll tell you a lie
Window broke, torn up screens
Who’d have thought that you’d dream
Of a single tragic scene
I just wanna sing a song with you
I just want to take it off of you
Cause Blue Eyes
You are all that I need
Cause Blue Eyes
You’re the sweet to my mean
Fess it up, dot on the palm of your hand
I can help you to stand
Saved it up for this dance
Tell me all the things you can
I just wanna sing a song with you
I just wanna be the one that’s true
Cause Blue Eyes
You’re the secret I keep
Cause Blue Eyes
All the lights on and you are alive
But you can’t point the way to your heart
So sublime, when the stars are aligned
But you don’t know
You don’t know the greatness you are
Cause Blue Eyes
You are destiny’s scene
Cause Blue Eyes
I just wanna be the one
I just wanna sing a song with you
I just wanna get it on with you
Cause Blue Eyes
You’re the secret I keep
Cause Blue Eyes
I just wanna sing a song with you…
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