Yoga Anonymous

I know some of you won't think that yoga is an art. Some might say it is a philosophy, science, practice, or it's even... sacrilegious!

To me, it is more of a lifestyle.

Anyway.

One of my talented friends who is a yogi and a musician told me he was blogging for a sight called Yoga Anonymous. My Friend Ian, "DJHI" makes his living touring around the country DJing for yoga classes. He's amazing.

This sight, Yoga Anonymous, is filled with social media revolving around yoga, yoga events, festivals, podcasts, freedownloads, etc. The list really goes on and on. I found it resorceful as a teacher and student for various things.

If you are interest in yoga personally or as a musician, actor, dancer, painter -- Jump into a yoga class and try it. It will only inhance your performances and discipline in your art. I promise. Plus, it feels good and it's pretty awesome. If you are around in GB and want to try a class for free, come to one of mine!

Show them... Don't tell them.

The last week in my life was completely crazy. After my night class on Monday night I ran to the store to get some groceries for the week. Sure enough, I get a flat tire. An inconvenience, but not the end of the world. I jacked my car up and started to take the nuts off, but they were put on too tight, I couldn't get them off. My friend who has AAA called them for me. Once the AAA man finally came, he couldn't get them off either. Even with his big rig! Two hours later I called for a ride home and let my car sit in the parking lot.

I had my car toed to the auto mechanic on Tuesday where they pulled a file from my tire. I had to get a brand new tire. Simple-- problem solved! sigh.

As I was running around from school, to the auto repair shop and working, I got a call from my step mom. Last Friday my dad went in to have a calcium scan done on his heart. His scores came back extremely high and was recommended that he come back for more tests. He was hesitant since he had plans to head to Mexico that Sunday.

His results were eye opening. In some of his veins, they were blocked up to 99%. Wednesday he went in for open heart surgery. My dad is in good health. He is at a healthy weight, doesn't have high blood pressure or cholesterol, never smoked and exercises... Heart disease can happen to anyone. Be kind to your ticker! Since is in such good health, he is recovering really well. I'm just so grateful that he made it and has a heart of a 21 year old now. So many more years on this earth!

I thought I'd show you my craziness. And really, it's not that crazy. It's just life and it's pretty sweet. 

The file I ran over on Monday...

All my dishes... Stacking up...

My Laundry... Half of that is clean!

Baker, the cutest creature in the world. Pretty sure he's wondering where I've been lately...

My Babu. Happy to be alive.

wifi n' business

I was really interested in class when we talked about businesses that want to build community by using the internet, like Panera Bread.

From a business point of view, I see free wifi killing profits. Wifi is great for travel, homework or just killing time being at your favorite coffee shop. From a customer point of view, I love it. But, for businesses, does it break even?  But, I guess it does create community if people are just sitting on their laptops? What if people sit get a cup of coffee and hang out for hours on end, will that ultimately effect business negatively?

Anyway. I go to coffee houses and do homework. I get some java or maybe even lunch and sit and do homework for a while. It's nice to get out of my house and work.

Where do you prefer studying? Panera or some local establishment? What do you like about it? Would you still use free wi-fi if customer service at a place was crappy? Tell me your take.

Posting on Sunday.

I apologize for posting on Sunday...

What do you think of social media... is it an art? Check out what the Guggenheim is doing and post your comments on what you think of it.

Help.

Please look at this. I saw it advertised when I went to Youtube tonight. I have to talk about it after seeing it...

Barbie. You will never empower young minds. You have perfect hair. A never ending supply of skanky clothes and oh, wait... You're made of plastic only promoting consumption. How the hell would you empower a young person?

I admit, I associated with their slogan, "If you can dream it... you can be it." Yes I wanted to be a rock star when I was a kid. I even had a rock star Barbie named Midge - she came with a glow in the dark guitar. I had her cutting up lines of baking powder on my moms kitchen table in no time. What a 7 year old I was...

But really... What is this saying to young girls? 

I checked out the Barbie web page and once the page loaded, I was greeted by Barbie as she introduced her "Fashionistas" who have fierce fashionable style. Annoyed, I reminded myself this site is aimed towards 10 year olds. Realizing what I told myself, I became angry. Mattel is telling young girls, our future, to be fierce, fashionable, and dream to be a dentist with DD breasts and a short glittery skirt. Girls, be fierce, be fashionable but be responsible. I don't know if Barbie teaches values...

Parents, tell your kids they can be rock stars. Older brothers, tell your little sister she can save lives. Little sisters, tell your older sister she can go back to grad school.

My problem is advertising. Since birth, young girls are molded by advertisments. You might not even realize how much you are owned by corporations. You don't need mascara or Halle Barry telling you "You're worth it." You're worth it without mascara.

Advertising, I am above you. I am just afraid that the rest of the world isn't. And that - is an awful shame.

what's yo' media?

Most of you don't know a lot about me... But for the sake of this blog post, I have to share.... and I'm warning you it might sound egotistical...

I'm an awesome cook and baker.

I can't help it, I come from a lineage of talented chefs. Well, just my mom. She's a pastry chef. She even went to school at The French Pastry School in Chicago. I grew up with her testing goodies upon goodies on me. Leme tell ya, I was a chubby lil' kid.

Cooking and baking is one of the art forms I actively participate in. I used to have a blog where I'd take pictures and post recipes of my food I'd create. I'm a little too busy to do either of these things anymore.

I'll get to the point...

Whoever mails me a double spaced one page paper on how they use social media and their artistic media will get a prize on Monday. Just kidding. But really, tell me in my comments about what your media is, and if or how you use social media with it... For those who respond... You will get a a lil' sumthin' sumthin' on Monday.

Arriba!

a thing of the past?

What was your favorite book as a kid?

Mine might have been Animalia, by Graeme Base. It still might be one of my favorites. Each page is dedicated to a letter in the alphabet and illustrated just beautifully. On each page, it is filled with things the reader can look for, all starting with the same letter. I might not be doing the best job at explaining this right now... If I'm not, go to the public library and check it out. It's awesome.

With new technologies of iPad and Kindle... Do you think that books, like printed newspapers are a dying breed?

I like the iPad and Kindle for environmental reasons... Less books in print, less trees cut down. However, I love going to the library and actually holding a book. I like having the experience of turning the page, feeling the cover and even how it smelling it. Oh, the smell of library books!

If you think books and newspapers are things of the past like vinyls and cassettes, how do you think it will change childhood development? If I were a youngster again and The Runaway Bunny with my mom, I might not like it that much. I loved that book, too. But, I love it because it had a cardboard cover that I could put in my mouth and chew on after story time... Imagine if I did that to a Kindle? Goodness, I would not be on Santa's good list - how stressful! 

How do you see technology changing literary world in the next decade?

Break from Monday

Thank goodness for social media... I can take breaks from studying and laugh at this.

Sigh...

I am so tired of staring at my computer screen.

I may sound like a complete downer right now... But, this is my blog and  I can write about whatever the heck I want.

Technology is great. It has done great things for society. Right now, I wish I wasn't so consumed with it. As much as I try to avoid it -  I can't. Everything I do for school is on the internet. Online homework, e-mails, e-portfolios, papers, etc. Sure, I go to class, but outside of class It's all virtual, digital, analog, whatever.

All I have to say is that my butt is tired and my readers are denting the bridge of my nose from sitting and staring at my frickin' lap top.

Go outside on this beautiful day and enjoy life. Frankly, I see nothing enjoyable about sitting infront of a computer screan waiting for the first person that "likes" your Facebook status or e-mailing a collegeue or friend back. Call them, go for a walk with them. BE with them. We have become so far removed from what matters.

As hipocritical as Adbusters can be, I suggest everyone participate in this....

turn that fan on!

Over the weekend, I was at a conference with the woman I intern for who owns her own jewelry business. She returned from chatting with another small business owner saying "They have 850 Facebook fans and they just put their page together a few months ago... How do I get more fans? What should I be doing more of to get more fans?" The question definitely brought back some middle school nostalgia... Either way, it got me thinking.

Do fans really matter?

Yes: if you're hot in the summer.

Maybe: I am having a hard time coming to a conclusion if Fans on Facebook are really that important to have for a small business... Yes, it is easier to reach the people that are interested in your product. I know I am fans of people that I like, Mark Bittman, The Dali Lama and couple restaurants. They post things on their walls and occasionally I read them. Sometimes, I don't. It does not directly effect me. But, are businesses and individuals really reaching their audience through pages that people can like?

Step back and see how many friends you have on Facebook. How many of them do you really know, personally? How many of them do you keep in contact with on a regular basis? Are there any strangers you are friends with? It is so easy to accept a friend request or like a page online... Its simplicity makes it mindless. I know I sent out a request to a selected group of my Facebook friends asking them to like my friends business... Sure, some liked it... But were they really interested in the business or just trying to be supportive of me?

I think small business owners should worry less about how many friends or followers they have on Facebook. Do good work and people will like you on and off line. Simple as that. 

Social Media and your Identity

I remember the first time I was asked if I was on Facebook. I was living near the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis going to school at the Aveda Institute. Of course, this was not considered a university and therefore, I could not be on Facebook. At the time, I felt a little left out... and now, I just want to get out of it! I am being half serious... But, I do think it is a bit obnoxious. Goodness, with some of the stuff people post. It's enough to make me blush!
Speaking of what people post... How do you regulate your Facebook page? Do you put everything and more on your page or keep it pretty secure? Earlier this week I was reading the New York Times online and saw a discussion form about identity theft on social networks. Twitter, Facebook and other social sites that have been hacked. See the little blurb here and it's discussion. Will it change what you post or how you share your photos and personal information? Hmmmm....

Woof

 

targeted audiences?