If this is their best, I can’t wait til they have competition

Back in the early ol’ days of my blogging, one of my first-ever posts was about the astounding lack of detailed information in PayPal transactions. This evening, I’m combing through some transactions now to confirm a rebate, and I once again find myself astounded by PayPal’s lack of evolution. Come on, PayPal people. I love [...]

Oh, the irony.

Late last night, I published a post I’d written ages ago but for which I had just never hit the “publish” button. It was about #foursquare, how a venue/biz can use it and my mayorship at the East Branch Library in #theHoCo. So, what email do I get this morning? This one –

Blog posts from the crypt

Cleaning out some files, I am. Found this bit. Never published it. Must have written it in late 2007, I’m guessing. It’s for the people in #theHoco and those GenXers who find themselves no longer willing to let others dominate the conversation about cities, citizenship, the public and the people. For those not in #theHoco, [...]

My kind of world.

I’ve had some exquisite experiences living in my kind of world. Here’s a little story to give insight about what I mean. Just yesterday, my BFF and I both noticed that a mutual friend we know from #theHoco, @jahantab, had checked in on foursquare and was at SFO. Independently, we both sent him messages saying that [...]

Tilapia: my go-to protein source

I’ve become quite the fan of tilapia in the last few years. Cheap, bland, easy to cook and farm-raised. It’s also sold in ready-to-cook, single-serve packs. When I’m looking for a quick protein-source for a meal or snack, I often turn to tilapia. And here’s how I cook it; it’s crazy easy. In a large [...]

In the hands of god.

In a fog I’ve been lately. Not emotionally or mentally, but literally. I’m in SF and the city is doing what it does in the summer: being crazy foggy with an endless sky of fog. Not a bit, a ray, a drip or drop of sun poking through. And then, late this morning, kazam: the [...]

Word choice.

I like words. I like to think about them. To use them. To find the right ones at the right times for the right moments. Sometimes I find myself a little baffled by others’ word choices. For example, I purchased two tickets to a concert via Ticketmaster. They charged me a “convenience fee” of $9.45 [...]

Richmond Riveters Seed Saving campaign… and my charming sister!

But, Alicia …

A few months back, I heard of and got a vibe an interesting-sounding job. Rock-pop-R&B star Alicia Keys was hiring a “head blogger.” Curious, I read about the position and how Monster.com and Ms Keys had partnered in announcing this position. I like partnerships, collaboration and this “the sum is greater than its parts” approach [...]

She sold me on the details.

I was approached by a maybe-homeless-definitely-panhandling woman today. She was friendly. She nodded at my friend and I as we passed her in a sure-feels-like-the-suburbs-large-strip-shopping area. We had a cart full of groceries. She looked like her life had been a bit tough. We knew she was a panhandler. She knew that we she was, [...]

My partner of 10 years

I arrived in SF yesterday. On a most gorgeous day. High 70s, sun shining and, most wonderfully, also the Fab-40 anniversary of the Gay Pride parade. Needless to say, the city was hopping! Cherie, my BFF, a relatively new resident of SF, and my destination home spot in the city, happens to live in SOMA [...]

It was critical.

It was critical that the US win today’s World Cup game. Not so much because they needed to move up through the ranking, which they did. And not so much because I’m a US citizen and fan of the team, and I am both. No, I think they needed to win today because of how [...]

Opera, theater … who needs ‘em?

I’ve got a bit of the #worldcup bug. Not so much in tracking teams, divisions, wins and that sort of thing. Just watching. The skill, the exquisite movement and form the human body can take, the teamwork. As a soccer-kid from back in the day, I enjoy watching the masters of the sport and art. [...]

Dipping into the melting pot

I’ve never been much of one for politics. Or, for that matter, this thing called “politicians.” At one point in my younger adulthood life I fancied myself a Democrat because, well, of course, that was the sane and compassionate party, right? But then one day, when I was in my late 20s, someone with whom [...]

Beware of linen in wolves’ clothing

I decided several years ago to beef up the amount of linen clothing I have. It’s a beautiful fabric that while wrinkly as all get out, wears well, breathes and has, I believe, a natural elegance about it that faux-fiber clothing simply can’t match. One of my best sources for linen clothes is thrift stores. [...]

Knowing your customer

I’ve always loved marketing and communications. Even as a kid, I was fascinated by messaging, by what worked and didn’t. And, over the years, I’ve come to understand and believe that the profession is one of respect and efficiency. Really, why bother communicating (marketing, pr, social media, media buys in advertising … whatever your tools), [...]

My favorite beet recipe

Simple from the outside. And relatively simple to make, this beet recipe has been my favorite way to eat beets ever since I was turned on to it. I’ve even brought this dish to potluck parties a number of times, and I always come home with an empty bowl. Here’s what I do – Roast [...]

The Facebook Thing

Last year, when I asked my mother what she wanted for Mother’s Day, she told me she wanted “the Facebook thing.” And so it was. I helped her set up “the Facebook thing.” For me, it was a moment where I could take a deep breath and relax a bit. My world view has Facebook [...]

I am (a super) woman. Help me roar.

I’ve decided to apply for a most-interesting job. Alicia Keys is hiring a Head Blogger for a new site she’s launching: I am a Super Woman, and I’m going for it. But this isn’t any ol’ Head Blogger job. This is an event. The whole selection process is, in and of  itself, a rather well-conceived and [...]

Stuff

I’ve had fair enough reason to think of stuff lately. In the last few weeks, I’ve been helping my 76 year-old father — ensconced for 27 years in one office — move to a smaller office. I’ve spent time at a farm, with little concern for my clothes and possessions other that I be appropriately [...]