CyberMinions.net

Life With Wee People: C Pulse

Taking the emotional pulse of a learning disabled child can be tricky, especially if you have two of them. Mr Autism, Noah, the Net Geek is a tough act to follow and Mr. PDD-NOS, Stephen, the Minion Blur is a book unto himself. They both like music. They both like electronics. When Stephen is not engaged in their ritualistic sacrifice sometimes he manipulates them quite well.

I promised them they could edit a song and drag and drop the video images into the time-line. They had fun mutilating this one and picking out lots of pictures. Nine horn and guitar tracks bit the dust. So did the vocals. I would have been happy with a few more deletes and additions regarding an improvement to their version of grove and quantize but a promise is a promise. After all, music is math and they have to learn how everything works, especially since they refuse to let me work alone (LOL).

Regarding the critical loss of important tracks: How much math can you expect from an opinionated four year old? The Little Minions didn't do half bad considering what was left. Can't wait to see what they do to the next single. Yeah... I gave them two to play with (one for each kid).

Will she really release them in iTunes?

Um...er... yeah... I am a proud, quirky Mommy. The shorties come first. They can each help produce a single if they want to. Besides, this was mad fun. We've been laughing over their edits for two days now.

Is Stephen the youngest PDD-NOS music producer in NY? Hmm... (LOL).

This was fun. The wee people were a trip dragging and dropping files with me. Seems they like the visual time line even if they can't read (LOL). Will it be useful? Hmm... Maybe... I have five more of these to do so lets see if I improve as we go along.

Someone asked me to do a stick figure animation for a non-profit. My kids are going to love our next multimedia project. They can hang with squiggly lines and stick figures. Come to think of it so can I (LOL). ;-)

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Make sure your documents match when you contract a listing... Agency designations matter.

If NY agents contract a specific commission with a seller, advertise a split, not file as a dual agent when working for both the buyer and seller on the same transaction, there is a distinct possibility one may discover that they may not be entitled to the percentage of payment they believe they earned for wearing two hats working hard on one deal. Markets are local and state laws vary, so some of the issues presented here may not pertain to a lot of people outside of NY.

If you do two jobs and value your time/work you may have an expectation to be compensated for holding down both positions. Everything is negotiable, however one should be careful to ensure that what one negotiates is clearly reflected in the contracts and documents accurately. When an agent's advertisement of compensation does not match what was authorized in the contractual agreement bad things might happen if (a) there was not a meeting of the minds or (b) a misunderstandings occurs based upon an erroneous belief of entitlement.

Brokers have an obligation to cooperate, not compensate, so if a Listing Broker negotiates a 4% fee split but advertises 2%, imagine the surprise of all when the LB finds a buyer yet does not receive the 4% fee assumed. For example:

http://www.dos.state.ny.us/ooah/decisions/appeals/2008/28DOSAPP08Razik.htm

To get this you really need to read that entire case. This isn't a post about squabbling over commissions and splits it is a post about MLS truth in advertising on all points of the listing and the issue of being very clear about who is being represented by whom in a real estate transaction and the ensuing bi-directional obligations agency triggers.

Agency is very serious business... The buyer's agent is not automatically a sub-agent of the seller and listing broker. Customers and clients choose who they want to represent them and we as agents either accept or reject those business relationships.

New York State law "requires real estate licensees who are acting as agents of buyers and sellers of property to advise the potential buyers and sellers with whom they work of the nature of their agency relationship and the rights and obligations it creates." Dual Agecy is permissible in New York State so if you have a listing and find the buyer for that listing and intend to represent both parties to the transaction NY agents have to remember a very important little detail: "A real estate broker may represent both the buyer and seller if both the buyer and seller give their informed consent in writing. In such a dual agency situation, the agent will not be able to provide the full range of fiduciary duties to the buyer and seller." http://www.dos.state.ny.us/forms/licensing/1736-a.pdf

Had the agent in the case previously cited had written consent from both parties in writing (and matching documents) there is a distinct possibility the expense of litigation might have been avoided because the seller would have been made aware of the complexity of doing twice as much work in order to facilitate the closing of escrow on the transaction. Sometimes sellers and buyers make erroneous assumptions regarding what we are and are not supposed to do for them. If we do not take the time to carefully explain ourselves to our customers and clients how will they be able to distinguish the true value we bring to the negotiation table? 

Buyer's Agency is not a myth. It is an actual position recognized by the laws of agency governing real estate transactions. It is a separate and distinct form of representation which differs from the obligations of the Listing Agent. The Listing Agent has the best interests of the seller in mind and the Buyer's Agent has the best interest of the buyer in mind. The Dual Agent holds a complicated position as he or she concentrates on fair and honest dealings that balances the needs of both clients while efficiently and effectively facilitating a close of the transaction at hand.

Read page two of this PDF: http://www.dos.state.ny.us/forms/licensing/1736-a.pdf There are six hats for three categories of representation to choose from designated there. Each one is a distinct position that all agents should be aware of. If you do not understand what those positions entail as an agent, one would do well to have a consultation with their Broker-in-Charge and/or their MLS hot line attorney. You can pooh-pooh the thought if you want but if you deal with re-locations and referrals you may want to remember every member on the team may possibly suffer if the weakest link fails and litigation ensues because some people assumed instead of actually understanding and knowing the roles and obligations of agency relationships.

Job of the Day Examiner: Brooklyn Museum Career Opportunities

Job of the Day Examiner: Museum of the Moving Image Afterschool Animation Instructor

NY Working Moms Examinor: Recovery.gov is where the government claims we can track the money. Want to paint a bridge?

Life With Wee People: Curb Swimming 101

One of the best things about letting kids take the lead is the fact that they know how to jump in and have fun. I was supposed to be working on an outline of "How To" videos to produce over the Summer with the help of some very talented friends.

Instead, I found myself making a "quirky-quickvid" with my shorties and deciding I should let them show me how to do stuff... Guess what I learned how to do this weekend (LOL). ;-)

Club Chaos Eye Candy: Alice In Wonderland Pavilion, Central Park, NY

I love this place. The wee people and I go here a lot. We are looking forward to sharing our fave eye candy spots this Summer.

New York City is amazing when it comes to monuments. You can spend the entire day admiring street art. I happen to have a thing for the arch at Grand Army Plaza in Brooklyn (LOL). We even hang out on the Brooklyn Bridge. The wee people and I have been on the hunt for some statue eye candy. If it happens to be connected to a park, that makes the game even better (especially if I get to play phone tag with Jessica. She makes me wish I had a smart  phone - LOL). ;-)

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It is not easy being a photo-journalist when you are emotionally involved...

I am working on a project with my gal pal Jessica Klein and plan on sharing my by-line with her. I mentioned in Facebook that I was covering a 4-alarm fire that still has my neighbors and I in shock because we frequented the businesses that were destroyed in Rego Park.

Jess and I are doing a YouTube regarding the aftermath of the blaze and the music, photo-montage and video clips are edited, arranged but waiting for the final audio overlays for publication. This story is still unfolding and the Fire Marshalls are actively investigating the incident. I am still conducting eye witness interviews to get my facts straight. It is not easy being a photo-journalist... especially when you are emotionally involved. Investigative reporting requires a lot more effort than me being facetious about my kids. This is going to be a major Localism series because each business has a story. Jess and I aim to tell a couple of them...

I got to shadow a number of professionals who were on the scene and decided I'd tease you guys with a little eye candy of Tai Hernandez and Kristen Shaughnessy. They happen to be two of my fave people to watch when I do get around to catching up on the news while peeking at Internet TV. I am very pleased to be linking back to their coverage because I got to observe them create their reports. It takes hours of dedication to give you guys a two minute news snippet. Both news teams were very methodical, courteous and patient. I bet you'd be surprised if you really knew how much video was shot to make those little editorial news clips.

The ladies will bring you guys up to speed until Jessica and I finish our follow-up to this event. I go to the NY Sports Club just up the block so covering this is personal because the fire didn't just destroy some great Mom and Pop businesses, it emotionally and financially decimated a group of people I happen to care about.

http://www.myfoxny.com/dpp/news/local_news/queens/rego-park-fire-aftermath-20100524

http://www.ny1.com/content/top_stories/119143/four-alarm-fire-destroys-queens-business-row/

http://www.ufanyc.org/cms/contents/view/8353

uberMental: What's Your Elevator Pitch? Got A Passport? Alicia Keys Is Hiring A Head Blogger...

So, my phone rings and I hear, "The infamous Carolyn Tann-Starr. What's your elevator pitch?"

Without batting an eye I go into my elevator pitch: "Got questions about leveraging social media madness into a monetized, marketing strategy to blast your business into the blogosphere to help improve your public relations and bottom line that will leave you laughing on your way to the bank? Call me…"

Then I start cracking up because blogging on ActiveRain makes life soooo much more interesting than when I wasn't. I know, I know, some veteran marketers may be thinking not quite a Twitterpitch (140 characters or less) but done in 30 seconds, which is what an elevator pitch is really all about: (1) Direct. (2) To the point. (3) Interesting.

Guess what? People routinely call me so if you don't have one you better figure it out and memorize that puppy. It has to be true. It has to be real. It has to be you. It has to be what you are about and what you and your firm are known to do. If you stutter, you will miss the one shot at getting their business card before they get off. BTW, I always hand them my cell phone so they can call their cell phone when I tell them to call me. Just sayin' better safe than sorry if you really want to make that instant connection... The move frequently gains compliance (LOL). Of course, if your personality and pitch sucks you ain't getting um.. er... you know... (fill in the blank - LOL).

Just because Real Estate happens to be a major focus in my life it doesn’t mean it is the only focus that I have (LOL). For those of you who think that line can’t possibly help me sell real property, introduce my music and art, think again.

More often than not the response to that statement is a variation of: “What do you do?” and “How do you do it?” If they invite you to get off the elevator with them you would do well to have an outside office habit like I do. Nothing like a laptop and air card to keep the conversation going. That’s when I get to show off my ActiveRain portfolio and other 30 plus websites. In order to service sellers and attract buyers I have to market myself on the fly. In the process of marketing my business interests I expose prospects to my firm, my friends, my relatives, my likes and dislikes.

I routinely show off the places I work and play because people can relate to business versus home and vacation life. I do it to the point where you, the reader, decide you do or don’t want to read and/or work with me. The cool thing is while I am hanging out with you chatting about life and business in general I get to branch out into other streams of revenue while in pursuit of interesting things to do. Some of you even decide we should be friends because you don’t mind doing them with me (LOL). If you’ve been hanging around on my blog you know I have this Wednesday morning gig where I’m doing radio with The Value Pages Group. Since I owe you guys a post on Web Syndication, I’m updating a draft that I have been working on for months that should be useful and dovetail very nicely with Josef’s pending presentation April 28th.

The Wordy C 101 has to continue because it appears you don’t like me not answering your questions (LOL). So, time to answer some of my marketing e-mail so you can decide for yourself if tuning in to our Blog Talk Radio show will be worth it. I am steering this towards the business person point of view but I am quite sure there are a few of you out there who may also find this a wee bit useful if you are thinking about entering the job market (your resume is only half of your marketing strategy) and/or to supplement and enhance what you have already done.

If you are finally going to take the plunge and start a new business you might want to troll sites like Monster.com to see who is looking for contract/seasonal help to start building your client base. You also may want to hire someone like Josef Katz to help you market your business interests. I will use me and my industry as an example to give you an idea of what I am talking about, but feel free to plug in the industry of your choice and absorb what is useful, disregarding the rest.

Realtors either own their firms or are independent contractors to brokerage firms. Ergo, every real estate practitioner you meet has and is running a business. When I approach someone like Josef Katz for branding, marketing, advertising and public relations help, his firm is hypothetically going to assume that I am (a) looking to expand my brand’s reach, (b) break into a new market, (c) am a clueless person because I am just starting in the marketing / public relations career field as a "do it yourselfer" who can’t afford the dedicated employee I need to handle this type of work and realize I am way over my head, and/or (d) I am a small business owner running my own marketing / public relations campaigns who wants to get the best bang for my buck and have budgeted for his professional services to enhance the social media madness I created on my own.

Use your imagination and figure out where on the wide spectrum of possibilities you belong. If you find yourself with a great professional resume but are out of work due to the recession and downsizing, I want you to consider becoming an “independent contractor” in addition to the “normal employment venues” most people gravitate towards because they like working as an employee for others. You can do both. If you are creative, organized and great with your time management skills you can do several without having to quit any of your day jobs (LOL).

What position(s) you do land depend upon your ability to market yourself. You have to promote yourself well before you can promote others. There are a lot of people looking to have their interests promoted. Take Alicia Keys for instance. She needs a creative blogger with the gift of gab, a passport, social media experience and who is computer literate in Adobe and MS Office, etc.

Who wouldn't want that as a primary position? I do, I do, I do, I do... (LOL)

Too bad I don't have a passport (sigh). Oh well... good luck to the candidates who do try. I am afraid I have to sit this one out because it takes a while to get those bio-metrically enhanced puppies. Besides, I do have a Minion Blur who would make it his life's mission to engage in the ritualistic sacrifice if not total destruction of her electronics in a devious, PDD-NOS scientific experiment if she gave my three year old five minutes near anything in her office (LOL).

What? If you read me you know perfectly well I take the little minions everywhere (LOL). At some point they would have to come to the office. Seriously... It's Murphy's Law meets Parenting Karma (LMAO). Oh well... Some dream jobs you just have to let go for the best interests of others. I shall make myself content by just lurking on her website and promote the fact she needs an excellent blogger. Why? Because I am a huge fan looking forward to the new launch just like everybody else. After all, I can follow along and write what ever I want about it over here (LOL). That's what makes social media so great. It's about being social. It's a fave point I like to remind people of. ;-)

My other point? There are fabulous jobs out there just waiting to be discovered so go discover them.

BTW, Alicia Keys really is looking to hire a Head Blogger. I am not being facetious (this time, - LOL). Lots of travel involved... Did I leave out the travel thing previously? Oops. My bad. First trip is London, UK. Home of my gorgeous gal pal Poppy Dinsey. Now there's a blogger who would be perfect for the job. I may have to send her a link (LOL). Why? Are you kidding? Who wouldn't want Poppy in New York??? She'd set Manhattan on its digital ear and tip that puppy into the virtual ocean (LOL).

She's friggin' Poppy. Duh??? (ROTFL)

Go update your resumes people. You can apply on Monster.com so go log in or create an account. According to this article she will be selecting her writer in May:

http://www.nypost.com/p/news/business/jobs/now_hiring_alicia_keys_rkAoZTMbkc0BeDPE23dA9J

Cool...

Need marketing tips for your business? The Value Pages Group is LinkedIn to some of the best minds in the industry. We are very happy to interview business professionals like Josef Katz to help you get more business.

Autistic Photographs of Noah E Starr: Canarsie Pier At Sunset (Brooklyn, NY)

When I was a kid taking the bus to get here was a big deal. Born and raised in Brooklyn, I know Kings County like the back of my hand. It's fun to pack the boys up and hang out at the National Gateway Recreation Area. It spans a couple of counties and has some very interesting sites for the family to check out. When on the hunt for eye candy make sure you're in position at least an hour before sunset. It's the magic hour where little people can become fascinated by God painting in the sky to make fishing and kite flying a fascinating experience to observe. Here is some of Noah's work...

Kids doing Localism... I am in love with my wee people. Their awe and wonder is captured in a blink of an eye and a click of a shutter. Who knew the silence of an autistic 8 year old could be so eloquent...

New York Music & Arts

113-25 Queens Blvd Suite 107-110 Forest Hills, New York 11375 (718) 362-9887

Life With Wee People: Saturdays Are For Bagels, Sam Ash and NYMA Music Classes

This is a great block to have fun with your kids on. We started our morning having bagels, oat meal cookies, carrot cake, orange juice and snapples at Bagels For You. Above it is New York Music & Arts (NYMA). To get there, you have to go to the entrance right next to Sam Ash.

My kids love getting their munchies and snackage together when we go on our little musical excursions. Saturday mornings are definitely bagel time because it's a quick, easy painless tasty treat when you are about to oogle instruments, sample the drums, finger the keyboards and drool at guitars (LOL).

We purchased the Korg and Yamaha here (as well as all of the percussion instruments that Shephen, the Minion Blur destroyed) and a couple of really nice student guitars that the shorties manhandle with glee (LOL). Our last guitar purchase for Noah is doing relatively well because Stephen keeps forgetting we are hiding it in the bedroom closet. Dude becomes El KaBong when he gets mad. We're working on that trait (LOL).

While shopping in Sam Ash I asked around for a music teacher or therapist and Carl suggested the music school above the store would be a good spot for my son since he is a beginner. I liked what I heard about them so off we went to enroll the shorties in their first semester of music school.

I spoke to them over the phone about my kids taking classes before we came and was delighted to discover they have a family plan where two children in the same family on the same learning level (beginner, etc) can enroll in their "Family Combo" plan if they are learning the same instrument.

I decided to select the piano for them both because I can give them headphones and let them have at it on the keyboards when they are home (LOL). Plus, they can play together if they want to (and I can make them turn the volume down if I have to - LOL).

I've been letting Noah use the Korg while Stephen has been killing the Yahama. I am hoping he doesn't decide to engage in the ritualistic destruction of those two particular bits of musical electronics because I enjoy programming with them. Touring keyboards are not cheap and I could have brought a motorcycle if I add up all the hardware that went to the grave with the help of my wee people (LMAO). Their attitudes are changing and school has a lot to do with that. Stephen is always asking "Can I try?" now, regardless of what someone is doing. That's pretty cool. They are learning to channel their curiosity so I'm learning not to get mad at them when mistakes are made. I do get upset but get over stuff pretty quickly after spoofing with my friends on how their minds appear to work. You have to roll with the flow as a parent or you will loose your ever loving mind. Curious, quirky kids... ya gotta love 'em (LOL).

I figure those tiny little fingers need something positive to do and those easily distracted minds could use something fun and educational to keep them occupied beyond their usual school routines so Saturdays are for music lessons. I may even toss in some art classes because a semester at NYMA is for 20 weeks and they have an introductory art class that includes all of the materials. Since they teach piano every day I figure that's the best bet for them. However, I don't know if I want to do the 2PM to 8PM slots available for Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday or just stick to the 9AM to 5PM slots for Saturdays and Sundays with Saturday being THE day.

The shorties were pretty excited to be there. Stephen kept insisting I needed to take his shoes off. He only does that when he's really comfortable somewhere so I was instantly impressed with the people who run the place because that's what we do as soon as we get home. We dump our bags, toss out jackets and kick our shoes off (LOL).

We determined that keeping them in the same classroom for their private lessons were best. The 45 minutes are going to be split up with Noah learning for 30 minutes and Stephen for the remaining 15 because 3 year olds usually don't take piano lessons. Most people start them around 5. I figure since Noah is going to be in class with Stephen watching Step might as well learn something new too. That's another reason why I am thrilled with NYMA. Having a family plan so both kids can learn and being flexible because my kids have issues means I shall periodically be bragging abot this place while I update you all on how the little minions are progressing.

Make no mistake about it: taking turns may become an issue because my boys love musical instruments (LOL). I was prepared. Step can easily be distracted with toys and two oat meal cookies while Noah works (LMAO).

When Spring Break is over we are going to have a lot to talk about with their public school teachers. Gotta run. The shorties and I have to go on our next educational play date. I have to hit the park, hit the museum and hit studio to arrange some music. My gal pal Alicia is coming back to New York so I have to get my tracks down so we can edit and record more songs. :-)

Will get back to the Roman column story shortly. I figured since I threw so many of you off about posting I had to get them to school on a Saturday I'd show you which school I was talking about (LOL). If you are looking for something interesting to do with your kids now that the weather is warm, go take a class the whole family can enjoy together. Music? Art? Cooking? Swimming? It's up to you... I'm looking forward to all the new families we are about to make friends with at NYMA.

Might even youTube a few lessons. I'm sure there'll be something to spoof about. After all, it's the little minions. They are always up to something (LOL).  :-)

Cunningham Park Through The Eyes Of A Seven Year Old (Noah E Starr)

It's the grin and the body motion that makes watching him take pictures so interesting for me as a parent with an Autistic son. He doesn't say much, but he starts moving with this happy, half dance step, using his body to zoom in and out while floating the camera around to snap shots. It always makes other kids come over to see what he sees. My fave part is when I get to see what he sees... I may have to start taking the video camera instead of catching him work with my cell phone (LOL). ;-)