Do you Twitter?

I feel a bit behind the curve on this one, but I've finally joined the masses who can be seen on Twitter. It's a platform called "Micro-Blogging" and is a bit of Instant Messaging combined with a bit of Blogging.

For purely social networking motives, users post throughout the day what they're doing, what they're thinking, reply and comment on other's posts, and post pictures.

For more business-related motives, users post new products, links to useful websites, ask business related questions and respond to other's questions. Here's an article on how large companies like Dell & Zappos are using it: Brands Turn to Micro-Blogging

I admit I was a bit skeptical, but after using it for a week or so can definitely see some benefits and advantages. If you're brave enough to give it a try, look me up under copong!

A Daily Puppy!

Need a pick-me-up? It's impossible not to smile when you visit The Daily Puppy...

Unique Gifts - or just a chuckle for your day!

Yep, it's that time of year again. Time to search for that ever-eluding perfect gift for a family member or friend. While scouring the internet for ideas, here's a fun site that offers some ideas that could be perfect for some of my unique loved ones:

Perpetual Kid - Unique Gifts to Entertain Your Inner Child

Beat up your PC!

Frustrated with your computer? Relieve some of that stress with this game!

Beat up your PC - use your fists to smash your computer to pieces

Beagles and Goldens and Mutts...oh my!

If you're into the animal thing or the charity thing, check this out: Beagles and Goldens and Mutts...oh my!. My big sister is walking in the Denver Furry Scurry and needs donations. Go Sya!

And we have a Winner!

I never win anything. Ok, there was the time in college when I won a gift basket from 9News for filling out a survey on the new StarTrek exhibit at the museum. (no, I'm not too embarrased to have been a Trekkie in my former life!) But other than that... My sister has always been the lucky one for things like that. We used to exchange scratch lottery tickets at Christmas. The 10 tickets I bought her invariably ended up netting her $30 or more. The 10 tickets I received netted... $3. And if I had bought 10 tickets for myself, I'd have the same result. Just last year, my big sister won a fabulous trip through her work to the Caribbean. I just don't have that kind of luck.

But this week was different. I won where it counts - exposure to my business. A few months ago, I joined yet another online networking group - WorldWIT (Women, Insights, Technology). I'd known some other VAs who were involved and had success with the group, so I decided to give it a try. Shortly after joining, I placed their logo and link on the home page of my website alongside several others. I had forgotten about it entirely. Until I received a phone call last week from the National office for WorldWIT. They'd had a contest running and out of all the members nationwide who linked to them, I won their contest! Woo-hoo! I never win!

They had several prizes to choose from, and frankly, I would have been happy with either the iPod Shuffle or the free marketing exposure through the WorldWIT newsletter. But I chose to take the free registration for Camp WorldWIT, their national conference coming up in May. I love conferences and know how much they can help with networking and promoting my business, in addition to giving me a big boost of energy to work on my business when I get home.

It's not quite to the level of winning the lottery (I'd have to buy a ticket to get that, anyway!), but it's certainly more beneficial to my business. Thank you, WorldWIT (and my local group, RockyWIT!), for supporting women in business. I look forward to meeting you all at the conference in May!

Christmas fun!

Take a break from work and enjoy this Christmas light show! Created by a retired engineer, perhaps?

Christmas Gifts

As a child, one of the best times of the Christmas season began a few days after Thanksgiving. I couldn't wait until Mom posted that piece of paper on the fridge - a blank sheet divided into 4 sections with each family member's name in one of the quadrants. The gift list. Helpful of course to know what I should get Mom or Dad (they were always good about posting something in my budget!). But the best part was writing down, for all to see, my wants, wishes, hopes and desires. Some were outrageous, some surprising, some predictable. I added to the list as ideas popped into my head, sometimes trying to do so only a few days before the big day!

As the years progress, it gets harder and harder to make list - when I need something, I buy it for myself! But as the family continues to ask, here are a few ideas for this year...

- Items from my bridal registry at Bed, Bath & Beyond is, of course, always a sure bet. Gift certificates for this store as well.

- Good maps of Colorado Springs - laminated folding version as well as a spiral detailed area by area version.

- Uncle Jimmy's new book!

- DVDs: MASH season 9, Oprah 20th anniversary

- PC Magazine subscription

- Gift certificates: Kohl's, Best Buy, Office Depot/Max

- Sweaters

- Charity Donations: Marion Medical, Red Cross, Cancer Society

- Storage space? :)

A Wedding! A Wedding!

Yes, it's true, I'm getting married... again! When Ishmael and I finally set a date and started planning this shing-dig, I thought, "This time, it's going to be small and simple". But when so many of Ishmael's friends committed to coming in from out of state, it quickly became clear that "small" was not to be. With a count of around 25 from my own family alone plus a hoped-for 20-30 out-of-towners, our 75 seat decided-on venue wasn't going to work (how do I cut my list down to a mere 20 people?). So now we're having it in Denver at a larger facility and invited practically everyone I know (and still talk to!) .

It could still be simple though, right? Not! When you're talking excited African friends, simple isn't what comes first to mind. But since they want to plan, cook, coordinate, and pay for the reception food... Plus, I had the excellent foresight to plan my wedding on a big party holiday (New Year's Eve). I planned it early enough that the locals could easily get to any party in the area, even if it was a dinner party. But now I have 30 out-of-town guests to think of... so I had the brilliant idea of having our very own New Year's Eve Party! No problem right? Problem. Expense. Actually, I found a great location, just have to work out the food costs (they require use of their caterer).

But all in all, it's coming together. I have the important things -- the groom, the venue, the dress, the cake, the guests. Much of the planning is the capable hands of friends so I can focus on moving and an upcoming trip. It's definitely a day to look forward to.

All is One narrated by The Wombat

A cute (short) video illustrating why we're all one on this planet called earth...

Foundation for Global Community - The Wombat

Scots, Pipes, and Sun

It's that time of year again - time for the Scottish-Irish Highland Festival in Estes Park! I spent the weekend at a friend's cabin (thanks Jodi!) in Estes, compliments of my roommate who insisted I leave the house to avoid the fumes caused by his sealing the new wood floors. Gorgeous weekend for a Festival! No clouds in sight and I put sunscreen on too late, resulting in quite a red face & neck... ah well.

Highlights of the weekend included listening to my new favorite band Seven Nations and my sister's pipe band the Isle of Mull. Check out my pictures here.

Here we go...

So I've finally bitten the blogging bullet. While re-vamping my business marketing plan recently, I decided to start a business blog to disseminate information to my clients. In thinking about appropriate posts to that new blog, I realized I have lots to say that really should be somewhere else. Hence, this blog.

Bear with me as I get into the routine and forgive me if my writing style doesn't suit your fancy. My sister seems to have taken all of Mom's writing genes, leaving me only a few bits that appear at random moments. And that's exactly what this forum is likely to be -- random. Feel free to add your comments and forward to anyone who might be vaugely interested.

Cheers!
Cindy