CyberMinions.net

20 years ago I was swinging weapons and sporting an afro...

I got a link to a really cool "members only" post here on ActiveRain, but my aircard can't handle all the pictures in the comment section. Bummer... I really want to see the rest of those shots (LOL).

I was trying to add this one and join the virtual party, but I'm currently in the "Bad Gateway" lane for now.

I don't want to not acknowledge getting an invite to play on Jeff's blog by my pal Jesse, so here's the picture and I will try to add it by WiFi over there later.

I had to move a milk crate of opera records to find this album buried in the back of my hall closet. I was going to three martial arts schools at the same time back in the day. Law enforcement officers are serious about working out (although I will admit to enjoying an awful lot of play time with my wu shu friends and not always being so serious because we had a stellar time whacking each other about - LOL).

P.S. I don't do afros anymore but I still play with weapons. Kung Fu is mad fun (especially the movies). I'm going to get my kids signed up for Wing Chun when I get back to FL. I hope to eventually teach them Tai Chi. Noah likes the swords. Stephen, the Minion Blur is particularly fond of movement so getting them enrolled for the Summer will make for an interesting wee people adventure. ;-)

Dear Facebook Moron...

There's no other way else to say it. Some of you are f*cking idiots. Do you not understand that HOME is not the same as PROFILE, so when people have multiple business pages linked to a single profile (like I do) and they syndicate a post link to all of their business pages (and/or single profile) IT WILL SHOW UP IN THE HOME NEWS STREAM NOT BECAUSE IT IS SPAMMY BUT BECAUSE IT GOT SYNDICATED TO SEVERAL FACEBOOK PAGE SITES THAT ARE SEPARATE PAGES REPRESENTING MULTIPLE, INDIVIDUAL BUSINESSES???

Translated: If you see a popular post floating through your HOME stream news because you claim to be friends with someone and have friends in common, reporting them as spamming you specifically because you see it when you log in makes you a SOCIAL MEDIA MORON WHO DOESN'T GET FACEBOOK. 

The HOME stream is like a Twitter stream. It's not your personal profile page, but a stream of information from all of your "friends" running in real time. The info changes. The info drops off. New info streams through. It's a social media process.

You are not anyone's friend if you are stupid and petty enough to report them as spam because their stuff gets shared more than your stuff in Facebook.

Feel free to un-friend me.

Seriously...

Go ahead.

Do it.

Then I wont have to waste time verbally kicking your dumb social media a$$ in public because your virtual eyeballs started to bleed because people like my posts and actually share the links...

Facebook wanted me to contact them about me being spammy.

Consider yourself contacted.

According to my Tweetpeeps, the official reading in Central Park is approximately 19 inches.

According to our NYC Mayor, "This is roughly twice the amount of snow that yesterday's evening National Weather Service forecast told us to expect. And we have now had the snowiest January in New York City history. We have had 36 inches since January 1st, breaking a record last set in 1925. The heavy overnight snowfall - which amounted to a foot or more of new snow by the early morning hours - is why we decided to close schools today. Emergency agencies, like police, fire, and the public hospitals, have remained open. And as I said over the course of a dozen or so interviews with TV and radio stations this morning, as transportation options get better, City employees should come in to work."

If they (city employees) live in my building they're not going anywhere anytime soon because maintenance staff is still digging out the garages and the streets have yet to be plowed... I will not bore you about the state of the sidewalks. ;-)

We are, however, looking to high-jack some little kids to build a few snowmen. As much as I'd love to participate with my neighbors with coordinating the stroller brigade, my elevator is not working and the idea of being half frozen and forced to climb to the fifth floor when done does not appeal to me at this time (LOL).

I will watch their progress from my bedroom window while thinking of my shorties hanging with Mikey down in FL. Had our kids been here, declining would not have been an option... Doing so would have sparked a miniature World War III with death to the electronics consequences (LOL). ;-)

Penelope Trunk on Social Skills Boot Camp

Here's a link you guys definitely need to be clicking. It's a great read by one of my favorite writers, Penelope Trunk. I love lurking on her blog and I found myself laughing over how my kids can read each other when they get in cahoots to go create some mischief.

Sometimes they spend so much time scripting YouTube and Netflix movies with each other that I find myself periodically memorizing the movie lines as well (including in other languages - LOL). It's mad fun when the wee people finish their sentences for each other or crack up laughing when one forgets his lines.

Mr. Autism got Mr. PDD-NOS scripting, which turned out to be a huge boon regarding my two speech delayed sons improving their vocabulary. Too bad their common sense/comprehension hasn't caught up with their catch phrases yet (LOL). We're working on that, but it may take a while and several really good movies to switch their gears into place.

They're smart but easily distracted kids who habitually absorb what they decide is useful and casually disregard the rest no matter how hard you try to get them to hang onto useful material. Of course, if they happen to find it aids and abets a bit of cool mischief they will look into the subject matter again. This is why I frequently include them in everything I do. You just never know what event is going to push their "desire to learn" button. ;-)

I'm grinning the cool aid grin because it's neat to discover Penelope chatting about her girlfriend Melissa, who also has Asperger's Syndrome, completing her sentences (among other things). Reminds me of my boys being close and the best of friends...

Very cool post...  :-)

Life With Wee People: The Chocolate Couch

I guess for a kid, walking about in shorts during the middle of Winter is kinda neat. You can smile at Christmas lights on palm trees, marvel at surfers defying gravity and dig out the boardwalk hunting for Woody's hat (LOL). 

Both of my kids happen to love shopping. When out and about, Stephen, the Minion Blur has a chocolate fetish. He likes chocolate cars, chocolate kisses and chocolate houses. Noah could care less what color the furniture is in the den, but not Stephen. Stephen has a preference and an agenda. It must include a chocolate couch...

When your mom is a writer who also produces illustration, photography, video, film and music you sometimes get to travel a lot as a kid. You get to go on location and help with tiny little tasks and pretty soon the idea starts to grow that you can boss everyone else around because Mommy's the boss and you're the boss of Mommy... :-)

They are sweet, direct and to the point Little Minions when it comes to their immediate wants, needs and desires. "The apple doesn't fall far from the tree," is what my hubby usually says when they get stubborn and/or quirky about an issue. There is usually a pregnant pause for effect while Mike makes a significant raise of an impish brow as if to say, "Your kids, your kids, your kids... YOURS." (LOL)

Of course, when they get things right their proud Papa immediately proclaims, "MY boys." (LOL)

I will admit to making the dreaded mistake of inadvertently creating an opinionated, four year old yuppie. I love my little guy pie, so he can be what ever he wants to be. I'm cool with it.

Since I am responsible for the current couch missive of the wild wee one, I am now on the hunt for a chocolate couch to placate and soothe the den bouncing needs of Stephen, the Minion Blur (who actually likes the ones with the chaise lounge attached and/or electronic loungers).

Did I mention it has to be leather? Cloth will never do for the little man who habitually spills his juice pouch. Got links and suggestions? Feel free to embed them in the comments section. ;-)

Life With Wee People: Den Monsters

You do realize that we're never getting this room back, right?

The invasion of the wee people is complete. The den, more often than not, is officially off limits to adults during daylight hours (hint to Florida school officials - place them in a school seat already! We want our room back!).

My shorties are never speech delayed when it comes to telling you to get the heck out of dodge, so we frequently have to negotiate slot time with the wee inmates running the computer room (LOL). The hard line and wireless router is located in there, so the kids have mad leverage over us when it comes to going on-line, among other things we will be spoofing on later...

Mikey has been taking lots of cell phone pictures so I can keep up with my Den Monsters. We usually create a cave and take turns crawling out to chase the other inhabitants of the house around in circles while growling ominously about munching on body parts.

Stephen Monster is mad cool. He's a neck nibble kinda guy who repels you with the Spongebob attack. Mommy Monster is just plain silly. I usually squeal opera while they repel me with towel attacks (and launching hot wheel cars - LOL). Noah Monster is a dragon attack and Daddy Monster is complicated because he actually hides while you are not paying attention, then jumps out to scare the bejesus out of you (which is usually what triggers the start of the game).

Mikey can make you pee before you make it to the bathroom, so you have to really keep an eye out for my hubby if you are here for a sleep over. You will also be required to play, so get your game face on because my kids enjoy a good wrestle (LOL). ;-) 

We took out the exercise chair that lets you hang upside down and installed it in our bedroom (which did absolutely nothing to stop them from hanging upside down - LOL). The idea was to set up the home office and provide them with more room. They love having lots of space and we enjoy watching them wreck the place with toys. We figure it's time to turn our den into the Little Man Cave because this is turning into their fave room. We need bookshelves, a proper desk with lockable draws, a decent couch and their TV from NY.

Noah is turning 9 in a couple of days so I have to ship his toys down. It's snowing, so going to the post office is going to be an adventure. ;-)

My favorite David Abrams: We don't need no stinkin' Court Order...

When you spend as much time lurking on the Internet playing in social media as I do, you tend to develop a bookmark folder of some of your favorite "Ahhhhhhh moments." One of mine that you may find useful is a report by David Abrams regarding creative ways people use the DMCA.

For those of you who never bothered to read the DMCA, here's the official Copyright Office summary in PDF.

It is a portion of the last line of David's report that will make a smart cookie sit up and take notice of the significance of the trend that has been growing on-line: "...where the information is arguably of public interest, the DMCA allows the copyright holder to circumvent the normal weighing of interests that a court would make in deciding whether to issue a preliminary injunction to stop distribution of the document."

If you really want to understand the significance of this to you as a writer, Standford University did a wonderful link summary on Copyright & Fair Use.

I am going to have breakfast and settle in at Starbucks to do some research writing after I finish my morning jog. Will check in with you guys later and see what kind of e-mail this puppy generates. ;-)

http://www.chillingeffects.org

The Chilling Effects Clearinghouse is a website writers should take the time to explore. Because I spoof on all sorts of subjects, I like the idea of having a resource around that "aims to help you understand the protections that the First Amendment and intellectual property laws give to your online activities."

They state, "We are excited about the new opportunities the Internet offers individuals to express their views, parody politicians, celebrate their favorite movie stars, or criticize businesses. But we've noticed that not everyone feels the same way. Anecdotal evidence suggests that some individuals and corporations are using intellectual property and other laws to silence other online users. Chilling Effects encourages respect for intellectual property law, while frowning on its misuse to "chill" legitimate activity."

I was trying to give a heads up to some of my Facebook peeps and third party friends of friends when I wrote this post pointing out how people sometimes put other people down because of their writing habits. Maybe the light-bulb will brighten up a wee bit for a few folks when you/he/she/they get a peak of the bigger picture from the real life examples writers have suffered through posted at the Chilling Effects Clearinghouse...

I love blogging for business and for fun. I realize that sometimes how you mix the two can have unintended consequences when people take your words out of context and try to use them for agendas that don't quite work out like they planned. I think that's why I stick to chatting about my life and the things that interest me. Translated: I am not going to sue myself for confessing shorty tried to toast our cell phones (LOL). ;-)

Sometimes a stray comment left un-moderated on a blog post can open up a can of worms that leads to litigation. I know some of you don't believe me, but it's a sad fact of life which happens to be true...

You have to start to consider the fact that some people are going to treat your comments like micro-blogging on Twitter. If you are not clear, what you intended to say and what people believe you said can turn out to be two very different conversations...

Adding insult to injury is being caught between a rock and a hard place not for anything you did, but for something someone else said on your blog or social media wall...

Question: Do you know what Fan Fiction is?

Question: Do you think John Doe is really anonymous with IP mapping available?

Question: Did you know the wrong hyperlink on your blog could possibly drag you into a copyright squabble?

Still wanna send me silly e-mails about my long blog disclaimer or telling peeps not to put certain things on my Facebook walls? There is always a reason why I write some of the things that I do...

I also mean it when I state at the end of each post that, "Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from the re-blog authors (when appropriate)and Carolyn Tann-Starr is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Carolyn Tann-Starr, (the re-blog authors when appropriate) and Wordy C's Blog with appropriate and specific direction to the original content."

Your intellectual property is valuable people. Even your silly posts. ;-)

When one road closes, go find another path to get you where you want to be...

A lot of people give a lot of advice about blogging. Some pro, some con, but regardless of the package it is delivered to you in you have to understand it is always another person's opinion.

Sometimes that opinion can help, hinder or harm a third party if they act upon what they read without fully understanding the true nature of the uniqueness of their situation.

That's why most writers have disclaimers making it clear they are not responsible for the brilliance and/or stupidity of readers, prospects, competition, customers and/or clients.

A person with a problem should go retain the appropriate professionals of their choice and respect if a professional declines to represent you/he/she/them and/or gives you a referral to another source.

Sometimes not accepting an assignment by a person who really wants to work with you can piss them off and create problems. What the problem child has to realize is no one is  perfect, we're running various businesses and depending upon our workload we may be sufficiently obligated to the point where we really can't service your needs due to the time constraints of our busy schedule.

Wouldn't it suck if you gave your listing to a broker who "ignored your concerns and needs," relying on the buyer's broker to bring traffic to your home because they rather hand hold the more expensive clients and pawn you off to the new agents in the office when you insist on having your open house? The Internet is full of complaints by people who do not understand scheduling time is a balancing act. Feel free to Google them. If a broker is busy, then the broker is busy and you need to find one who has time for you or wait your turn and stop whining when it isn't your turn. I can't do ten open houses on the same day at the same time, which translates to asking other brokers in the office for help or telling a person, "NO. Here are the slots available. Pick one. That's your open house."

Client confidentiality means we are not obligated to report to you why we can not take your business or do every single thing you want when and how you want it. Seeing bloggers have fun at an event doesn't mean we are not working, it simply means our work is sometimes fun. Since readers have no idea what meetings we are taking between playtime, competitors, sellers, buyers and/or vendors should be careful not to create blog wars by putting another practitioner down because of what they do or don't decide to post or interfering in an established business relationship  by trying to use how we spend time with other clients against us on Facebook and other social media forums.

You are working blind without a lot of information you do not happen to be entitled to. It can backfire horribly if a firm decides to sue for business torts created by an electronic paper trail directly resulting in a loss of revenue and harmed reputation...

Some people transact business during a golf game. Some transact business over drinks at dinner. I've signed contracts on school grounds, in a daycare center and on the hood of my car in a parking lot.

You have to understand that the goal of a professional is to meet the needs of their clients, not the expectations of non-clients or criticisms of competitors. If the hairdresser is where you want me to meet you because you have a wedding to attend out of state, then at the hairdressers will I be. My dedication to my clients needs is a simple, uncomplicated thing. I go where the signature is when the person says they are available if it fits my schedule opening. Case closed. Period.

Having unrealistic expectations is why so many people miss out of so many beautiful moments in life. They are too busy criticizing others ability to meet people half way rather than discovering the adventure and freedom a laptop, aircard and cellphone can bring them. If you don't have a mobile office where you can meet people on their turf at their comfort level, that is fine. For those of us who do, be careful how you put down our social media business models. I get a lot of work done with kids in tow... I also know people who work with pets in tow... One writer friend wrote half her book while visiting her mother in a nursing home.

Does it really matter where a writer works from? Isn't it just more important to write and keep writing if that's what you love to do?

It is a recession, so I am thankful that I am working and have multiple little businesses that keep me laughing on my way to the bank. It's the little things that eventually add up to great rewards and my writing brings me business opportunities. Some I share, some I don't... It's my blog. I can write what I want...

If you are going to blog, just remember there are millions of ways to connect with people. When one road closes, go find another path to get you where you need to be. Sometimes, simply wanting more out of life is enough to motivate people to try to write and build a readership. Writers are searching for dialogs, they are publishing a body of thought that will lead to conversations. No one writes not to be read. There is always the hope of making a connection.

You should be encouraging writers to get better at their craft, not bash them because they post live from Starbucks, the hot tub, or granny's backyard... BTW, I am posting this from the laundry room and have to wrap it up because I have someone coming over that needs their papers notarized (LOL). ;-)

I've been commenting less in the forums not because I'm not lurking on your blog posts, but because I am reading hundreds of writers a day. I set aside a significant bit of time to do that. If you have never done it you have no idea what that entails. It's like having a job...

Also, I've been calling all over the country having interesting conversations based upon your articles. Don't you understand that some of your greatest works have no comments on them because sometimes people are moved and there is nothing left to be said. You've said it quite brilliantly, but then ruin the effect by whining on your next post about how people wont comment on your previous blog post. QUIT THAT STUPID HABIT!!!

Look at your views and be happy people read it instead.

Look at the posts that you previously received the most comments on in your stats and craft similar posts to keep those types of conversations going. You already figured it out the last time (that's why you got a comment) but you keep looking for that magic pill to keep an unrealistic expectation happy. Sort of like the why haven't I been featured mantra some of you habitually engage in. That needs to be curbed as well... after all, you're whining in public making an impression on the people who may have to one day consider doing business with you.

That includes quirky people like me...

If you don't have a disclaimer, now is the time to get one. As a social media writer without one, you've been putting it off waaaaaaay to long and it is better that you remind your readers of the true nature of your virtual relationship rather than have your posts be part of someone's future litigation. People who comment and write you e-mails asking for advice can sometimes inadvertently, or deliberately, drag you into their drama. It's not a Teflon shield, but it would help deflect a few hits, so go find a professional to help you craft one.

No one has a crystal ball regarding how good or bad advice is formulated. Most people who write believe they are giving out good advice. What may be true for the writer doesn't mean it will turn into a truth for the reader so you have to be careful and understand bloggers start conversations to get people to think about a subject that interests them. 

If you read something you agree or disagree with, you have the same right to your opinion that all the other people in cyberspace have to theirs. Sometimes, what you write may open a door for you. Other times, what you write may slam a few opportunities shut.

If you keep moving forward with your blog and social media commenting, you will have options to step across the thresholds of new avenues of experience simply by accepting or rejecting invitations to participate in a dialog.

What you decide to do with your  blog is entirely up to you.

My advice is simple: be yourself and have fun with it.

If you write something that turns out to be unpopular, just remember people actually took the time to read it and you have an opportunity to  explain yourself more effectively the next time if you listen to the negative comments and actually learn why your opinion created the backlash. You can bring them around to a different level of understanding simply by addressing their objections with respect. Sometimes it is a matter of poor  presentation rather than defective ideology.

In my case, being blunt serves my purpose. You are going to have to figure out how to be what you wish to be on your own, then let your voice serve your own purpose, what ever that conversation may be...

http://www.armatosvideo.com

This firm has a wonderful reputation with the camera crews I've spoken to. It was suggested we visit and establish a business relationship with them because their reputation is built "on serving the professional industry for over 35 years, with sales, service, support, custom modifications and system design. Our knowledgeable sales staff is here to offer advice to help customize a package to suit your needs. Along with these services we also accept trade-ins, do training and installations and accept City, State, and Government BIDS."

I love my creative tweetpeeps because if you need advice they are only a direct message or quick text away. Yesterday's pre-production meeting took place in Manhattan at the Hard Rock cafe. Our AVCHD camera of choice for the street scenes is the Sony HXR-MC2000U.

This camera is suited for file based work-flow (the Avatar and Matrix projects were all digital). It records high-def, AVCHD or DVD quality MPEG-2 standard-def onto its built-in 64GB solid state drive (or to readily available, consumer memory cards) and the full-raster high-definition 1080i recording capability suits our production needs.

When renting or purchasing industrial, broadcast cameras it is very important that you speak with several professionals on the subject because every photographer is going to have a personal preference as to why they enjoy working with a particular type of camera set up.

Dennis D. Hopkins, the General Manager at Armato's, was very patient and helpful when I presented him with the opinions of the camera operators who recommended his firm and made stellar suggestions we're going to implement at the end of this month. I was told that this industry is based upon growing the right business relationships. I am really looking forward to working with the Zackschewski brothers and Armato's.

Camera supports, tripods and cranes fascinate me because you can do so much fun stuff with the right supports. Take a look at this VariZoom system. It has a balance and weight system that lets you run in the street and get a relatively stable shot from your pro camera.

The thing that makes this so neat is that you can capture a lot of fluid motion angles and circle the action and/or follow behind your actors with ease while eliminating the shake normally associated with running with a live camera. 

Pro cameras are not light people, so having a crane, tripod and/or body harness will influence how the director sets up the shots.

The nice thing about being involved with a movie production is the fact that you get to make new, professional friends who will explain the pros and cons of a story's evolution from script to film every step of the process. Your available equipment will sometimes determine what you can and can not do at a particular location. I'm looking forward to seeing what set-ups get selected for which scenes. Will let you guys know what the next steps are as we come to them. Right now, the budget for equipment has been set and our vendor selected. I have to go thank my tweetpeeps for their help and text some more actors, then get back to scouting locations after I take my jog.

I love Flushing Meadows Park. It would be really neat if we could film here... ;-)