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Mar 09, 2010

There's power in visuals. A picture is worth a thousand words. Visuals tell a story--a story that would take so many words to tell. Even Jesus, probably the greatest teacher ever, painted pictures with words--he told stories visually, by creating visuals in people's heads.

A great place for a visual is your computer's desktop. What do you have on there now? If it's Aurora (you Mac user) or some ambigous hill with some sky (still using XP?) you're missing out on a great opportunity to remind yourself, visually, of something important. Like your family. Like a scene of Italy (if it's your goal to go to Italy), a big buck--if that's your thing--there is a tremendous opportunity to burn into your brain a visual that keeps you on course and drives you toward a goal.
 
My desktop background is Van Gogh's "Sower with Setting Sun." This painting is beautiful in and of itself, but it also speaks to me. The man's stride is confident. In the blazing setting sun, he's seeing his work through to the end (diligence), a few crows go after his seed but he doesn't care. He knows he has done what it takes and losing a seed here or there doesn't affect him. The sower is still working hard as the day draws to a close--perhaps he's working an hour later than the other sowers...? He is planting a new field, yet a great harvest is in the background. He already knows from the past that hard work produces fruit.

Work hard, be diligent, confident and...

How the web is forever changing the music industry
Mar 04, 2010

About five or six years ago, I rang the death knell on Rock n' Roll.  Anything on local radio was pretty much trash in my estimation, and finding anything new by any other means just wasn't easy enough to draw me away from my CD collection.  Things didn't change overnight, but it almost seems that way. 

A long, long time ago, say 1999, if you wanted new music, you went to the music store.  Either an Earshot or a big box, buy the CD, and pop it in your car on the way home.  You probably bought the CD because you heard the band on the radio at some point, or saw them on MTV, when they used to play videos.  Essentially you had two (three if you read Rolling Stone or Spin) channels from which to hear about new music.  Things are a little different today.

I love The Black Keys.  You know how I heard about them?  An EA Sports game via Playstation 2 about 4 years ago.  A little embarrassed to admit that, but glad I found them.  How 'bout a band you've probably never heard of, Dirty Sweet.  They are from San Diego and get zero radio play. I found them through the iTunes store looking for new Black Keys stuff and stumbled upon them through the "Listeners also bought..."  One of my favorite bands now.  What about a band I'd...

A quick non-profit success story
Mar 02, 2010

For our non-profit friends out there, here is a quick success story of a grassroots organization and their use of the web and social media to make a big splash from day one. 

Fall 2009 - The Red Shoe Society (RSS) Board is formed, comprised of eleven volunteers.  The goal from the outset is to be the sought after young professionals philanthropic organization in the Upstate while creating awareness and raising funds for the Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Carolinas.

November/December 2009 - Planning begins for the year, with the first introduction to the public to be held on February 10, 2010, the "Open Your Hearts for the Ronald McDonald House."

December 2009/January 2010 - The board secures Good Life Catering, the Next Innovation Center, Highland Brewing Company and West End Wine and Spirits to provide the space, food and drink for the event.  All of which donate in kind (a good portion of their costs, if not all their costs in most cases) for the event.  

January 2010 - The invitation process...