Hound Dog Blog

For Rachel, you never forgot...

I've written a few times about how important it is to tell the ones you love that you love them... all the time... everyday - if you have to... and I know I am guilty of not doing this also... but I can't stress the importance of this.

You see, FACEBOOK (and social media in general) has a limitless connectivity factor that actually cannot be factored at all. 

I read the news today ... (my facebook news... we all have one) ... and it was not good news... A good friend of mine lost her husband, tragically. 

It is hard to find the silver lining in anything of the sort but this was Rachel's last update: 

 Rachel Loves her sweet Poopsie!! (that would be Greg) You can       all stop rolling your eyes anytime now!on Thursday

All I can say is this Rachel... nobody is rolling their eyes at you ... 
all of us that know and knew both of you... are in complete 'awe' 
that YOU didn't forget this... you are brilliant, beautiful and bold... 
there are no words for your sorrow . . . you are wise beyond us all...  

Mark Twain Truths

Mark Twain said these things (I like Mark Twain)

Almost all lies are acts, and speech has no part in them.

Anger is an acid that can do more harm to the vessel in which it is stored than to anything on which it is poured. 

I don't give a damn for a man that can only spell a word one way.

If you tell the truth, you don't have to remember anything. 

It usually takes me more than three weeks to prepare a good impromptu speech. 

It's not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog. 

Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see. 

Life would be infinitely happier if we could only be born at the age of eighty and gradually approach eighteen. 

Man is the only animal that blushes - or needs to. 

My mother had a great deal of trouble with me, but I think she enjoyed it.

The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.

Good People at extension 4212

I am fortunate. I am fortunate for a lot of reasons. One happens to stick out in my mind and it is: I spend all day, almost every day next to some amazing people. Not amazing because they swinging on a trapeze or walking on a tight rope... but amazing because of their strength, courage, wisdom and humility.

I share a working environment with this person: Within about one year ... got into a life threatening car crash (where he was literally comatose for 21 days) and a few months ago lost everything in a 'fire.' Yes... I work next to a guy who... LITERALLY almost lost his life and LITERALLY lost ALL of his possessions to an arsonist.

The point to this post is... you would think that this person would be 'woe is me,'... 'how could I be stuck with such a lot...,' ... but I have to say... the guy is literally one of the most positive, upbeat, energetic persons I have ever met... 

In contrast, in the same office space there is person that has a few healthy children that are well on their way to successful careers, has a wonderful healthy wife... and . . . spends the whole day . . . and I mean the whole day. . . in wantonness . . . makes no sense does it? 

That is why it always pays to tell the truth. You reap what you sow. You pay for what you get... and people always get what they deserve. People like the first person will have everything they want while the second have to deal with their contemptuousness on their own.

Facebook's Facelift

Have you ever had someone 'palm' you a business card? You know, instead of shaking your hand, they (literally) cup their business card into the palm of their hand and proceed to shake your hand. I have never done this but have had it happen to me. These 'palmers' are presumably trying to 'get real' with you - but the 'get real' part is 'let's do business.' 

It's ok with me - though I would prefer you shake my hand first, then give me your card (if you wish) - or vice versa. Then I don't feel like I am at a used car lot.

This is what the 'new' facebook caters to... Because of the preponderance of 'naysayers' who were putting down facebook, now can't help but to put their entire weekend - every weekend - facebook has borne a new culture indeed - and another - one in which people actually preconceive before the photo is taken that it is going to be on facebook. Again - this is ok. I like to see them...

But to all of us who aren't so sure we 'like' the new facebook... this is who it caters to... Not those of us who enjoy keeping in touch with our friends.

Don't get me wrong, I am not 'social media' expert, but it seems that I have a bit of time to explore some of the intricacies of these platforms - at least in the way the user experiences them.

By and large, most people use facebook the same way they join 'any' subscription based anything. 

Yes - there are fanatics who 'explore' all the intricacies, settings and loopholes - just for fun (me). I do this because I see these platforms as 'media gateways.' I am in the media biz, the publishing biz, and the 'search' biz - so, these technologies (i.e. facebook, twitter, linkedin, etc.) seem to be worth, at least partial mastery.

You almost have to just be selective - because the people that crashed the facebook party are running it now - because they are the most active users, thus driving the most advertising revenue. . . I guess that is socialist capitalism at its finest!

Squidoo is Good

Waited too long for this but ... there's no time like the right time:

My Squidoo lenses... they are new... but I encourage you to create just the same...

I donate whatever traffic to charity, just as I do not have ads on my blog... but... that is me . . . 

Today is A Gift 

you should do it... it is good

12 Reasons Why I Do NOT Blog

Someone asked me today: "Why are you so bizarre?"

I assumed the question was rhetorical so I did not answer, however it was in reference to this post about 'Cynicism' and how it was supposedly 'about the person in question.' 

While this is certainly (and I clearly define that in my About page) a collection of personal opinions. I claim not expertise in anything, but if blogging makes me bizarre - what does 'not blogging' make a person?

Blogging makes my mind slow down. It forces me to think. (I realize a cynic does not like thinking). It affords me the opportunity to critique my life. It is almost akin to an online 'self-help' book.

1. I don't do it because I have nothing better to do. 
2. I don't do it because I am an expert at anything. 
3. I don't do it to lambaste people or things. 
4. I don't do it because I am have literary aspirations.
5. I don't do it casually.
6. I don't do it well.
7. I don't do it for money - I don't utilize it for profit in ANY way.
8. I don't do it to meet single, like minded women. 
9. I don't do it for attention.
10. I don't do it because I think it will lead to other ventures.
11. I don't do it because I want a pulpit.
12. I don't do it because 'it's the thing to do.'   

News FLASH

If I asked you 10 years ago if you would be 'reading' blogs, the digitization of information and the transfer of the same would be the world we live in today, would you say ... oh... sure.... absolutely! ... Let's think . . .  no. . . I remember . . . (personally... 'hotmail' was the coolest thing then).... 

far cry... what's more . . . 'FLASH' nay-sayers... in regards to the internet, websites and the way we view the web. . . are foolish. . . I would be going against my own hypo here to say that 'I know' 'FLASH' will be the way in which we utilized the internet . . . but to 'categorically' deny the beauty, and the utility of flash is . . . well . . . just following a 'herd' of people who don't understand its utility.

Here's the thing about FLASH... not enough people 'understand' or 'comprehend' its value with the web yet . . . what's more is. . . there is this notion that it is 'clutter'... how far from the truth that is... 

NewsFLASH... (pun intended)... soon... we will ALL have extremely fast internet connections that ALL support FLASH. 

I'm not Nostradamus - I'm not even smart enough to make predictions, but I know that Flash is and can be one of the most elegant, intriguing and interactive exchange of information on the World Wide Web. So... if you condemn it - you may want to look again... or perhaps ... learn what it is before you trash it. It may the future flashing before your your next next post.

Communicate, Communicate, Communicate is the new Location, Location, Location

This is a great summary of personal branding from a MediaPost blog Online Spin. 

It's not a new idea, though I am surprised that it is still up for debate or social networking's credibility. There is no question the 'Information Age' has ushered in an entirely new way of thinking, new opportunities and even (to some extent) revolutionized business practices.

Again, there is a fundamental problem with raving about 'personal' branding. The same problem exists for the very blog credibility. So many people just jump into a 'blog' with little regard to the work that they involve and use them the same way they use a 'beautiful new winter coat in while in Florida.' Thus becoming impossible to keep momentum, ideas and natural and sincere dialogue. In other words, if your blog is 'processed,' it loses credibility - even if you have only 2 readers - like this one.

To do this with a 'blog' per se, it involves an enormous amount of time, thought and curiosity. If you aren't curious about why people blog, or why organizations use blogs as marketing tools, or why anyone would be energized to do so, it is impossible to optimize one's personal brand.

If you look at personal branding (i.e. blogging, linkedin, facebook, twitter) as part of your business - and you are successful in your business, you will see the value. If you look at these 'internet based' tools as 'time consuming childish indulgences' than you, IMHO, ought to do one of 2 things:

1. Look again at their intrinsic value as pertinent to your business
2. Find users of social media who recognize the value, and 'politely' ask them, most bloggers or tweeters are happy to share - it is precisely this 'notion' that makes them so valuable.  

Of course you don't need these tools - but I would suggest this... in this economy, you may want them (or at least consider their relevance). 

The Cynic's Acceleration Clause

I make no claims of cosmic rationale in this blog. I make no claims of expertise on this blog... But... as cynical as this may be, I will never be slow to point out the ways of cynicism, especially when it directly impacts my life. Cynicism is tiresome. Mainly because usually the claims from the cynic are founded in their mediocre lives they lead. Perhaps their greatest achievement was fixing a lawnmower or a friends 'pocket door.' (neither of which I know how or want to acquire the know-how)

The problem, among others, of the cynic is that their lack of faith in anything always secures the cynic with an abundance of 'excercised acceleration clauses.' By that, I mean, they are always regretful, constantly owing apologies... and never sure who they can trust because their negative aura secures an 'uneasiness' - even when the cynicism is at bay. I know . . . this is cynical . . . but don't ASK me a question you know the answer to (or at least think you know the answer to) ... this is beyond cynicism... it's obnoxious (with a splash of deceit and a twist of rude)

Sorry for the rant... but asking me why I blog, and launching into your theories about it because don't do it, or care to know about it ... is what makes you a cynic ... though I will gladly entertain your questions.

When the Show is Over

The Load Out / Stay by Jackson Browne is one of the greatest songs because what it evokes about performance art.

The best performance artists I have ever seen are the ones that 'after the show,' are ready for the next show. That is what makes Buonaratti's David amazing - it is David about to take on the great Goliath.

Not only are they ready for the next show, but they learned what mistakes they made during their performance that allows their craft to take a new shape, form and meaning.

Performance art as I know it, consists of tirelessly rehearsing songs with a band, tweaking the songs for the 'would be' audience, then 'full preparation.' 

The best performers (and you can define artists however you want - novelists, street clown, comedian, actor, musician, sculptor, news reporter, etc. - if it requires an audience - it can be construed as some performance), don't think of their immediate craft as art, which is exactly what makes it 'interesting,' 'imaginative,' or 'worthy.' 

I'm not going to get into 'what is art' and does it imitate life or vice versa, however when Michelangelo was awarded that enormous, deteriorating slab of marble, he had no intention of creating a piece of art... This is because, to him ... the David was already in the marble. It was just something that had to be extracted, and he was the man to do it.

It was through his vision, humility, skill, intellect, and promise of a new day that he was able to pull David out of the marble. 

What's even more amazing, a couple of years later he was asked to paint a ceiling. If you've never seen the David or the Sistine Chapel... you should. I count my blessings that I was able to do so. 

If you have never 'performed,' you should (in any aspect)... because then you can appreciate real 'performances' and real 'art.' ... and what it's like once the performance art is over.

Why do we always want more of The Bachelor, and the What box is the Million Dollars in show, and what can I get to instantly to satisfy me... 3 years is a decent run for these shows right? That's how many years Michelangelo spent extracted the great David from the marble... and 4 to paint a ceiling... I wonder if he turned on the TV after these remarkable endeavors.