Twitter, TV and Sullivan and Son

Television has been around in one form or another for close to a century. As with any invention, countless improvements, modifications, and accessories have substantially improved the TV experience. The biggest improvement since HD, in my opinion, is social media. Not simply a chance to interact with the stars, but to combine the two forms of media. Many shows and their stars, writers, and production personnel have been "Live Tweeting" during episodes for some time now. One of the best examples is Sullivan and Son, a sit-com airing on TBS. And yes, it is Very Funny. All principal actors have Twitter accounts, highly active accounts, and are as funny there as on the show. The live tweeting, which I first thought would be a distraction, actually enhances the experience. Think of it as DVD commentary, but live. What it was like to film, who struggled with certain scenes, or simply make fun of each other. And the interaction with the fans/followers is what amazes me. Valerie, Steve, Ahmed, Owen, Jodi, and the rest are incredible. And the best PR staff a show could ask for. The show alone is a must see, but the fact that you can talk directly to the individuals responsible for it only makes it that much better. I highly recommend the show, but even more so, the cast and crew. Great people putting out a great product, and putting themselves out there socially, while enhancing the television experience.

Celebrities and the social internet

We have all had, or have television stars, movie stars, singers, or models that we become fans of. When I was a teen, the most you could hope for was to tape a poster on your wall, maybe send for an autograph, or join a fan club. With the Internet, we get the chance for much more. On the negative side of the spectrum, we can get bombarded with information, rumors, and arrest records. However, and the part I love, we also get to see the person. The human being who simply chose a very public occupation.
  An attractive person will catch your eye. If there is talent, that will likely keep your attention. If the project is good, then you become a fan. At least that's the way it works with me. With Facebook, instagram, Twitter, and countless other outlets, we can actually get to know some of these people. Some more than others, but it's real. Not a role, or a song they sing. The person. And I love it. Not all celebs are interactive, or even handle their own accounts, but most are electronically approachable. I've built more than one friendship with TV personalities that would never have happened 20 years ago. In my opinion, that trumps a poster any day.

U.S.M.C.

from Marines in Iraq, pass it on

This came from a Marine unit over in Iraq . Their wish is to send it to as many people in the country as possible. (Be sure to read their note at the end of the e-mail). Hopefully we can help them achieve their goal. I HOPE I DO NOT HEAR OF ANYONE BREAKING THIS ONE OR SEE DELETED This is a ribbon for soldiers fighting in Iraq . Pass it on to everyone and pray. SLEEP LAST NIGHT? Bed a little lumpy... Toss and turn any.... Wish the heat was higher... Maybe the a/c ! Wasn't on... Had to go to the john... Need a drink of water... ? ? Scroll down Yes.. It is like that! Count your blessings, pray for them, Talk to your Creator And The next time when... The other car cuts you off and you must hit the brakes, Or you have to park a little further from Walmart than you want to be, Or you're served slightly warm food at the restaurant, Or you're sitting and cursing the traffic in front of you, Or the shower runs out of hot water, Think of them... Protecting your freedom! The proud warriors of Baker Company wanted to do Something to pay tribute To our fallen comrades So since we are part of the only Marine Infantry Battalion left in Iraq the one way that we could Think of doing that is By taking a picture of Baker Company saying the way we feel. It would be awesome if you could find a way to share This with our fellow countrymen. I was wondering if there was any way to Get this into your Papers to let the world know that 'WE HAVE NOT FORGOTTEN' And are proud to serve our country. ' Semper Fi 1stSgt Dave Jobe.' The attached photo was forwarded from one of the last U.S. Marine companies in Iraq They would like to have it passed to as many people as possible, to let the folks back home know That they remember why they're there and that they remember those who've been lost.

Goals, and the steps along the way

Everyone in my life - parents, teachers, friends and employers have told me to set goals for myself, but not one of them ever told me how to do that. It's one thing to say to yourself "I'm going to be rich" or "I'll be the boss someday", but it's quite a different thing to actually get there. Setting goals should be like asking for directions. You wouldn't want to hear "yeah, that's 54 miles away, on the corner". More steps along the way need to be included. How are you going to get rich? What are you doing right now to become the boss? It could be getting a degree, or just taking a few classes, it could be taking some initiative at your current job and doing things that are not required, or simply doing exactly what is asked of you better than anyone else does it. I think of it like climbing a ladder. True - a bit of an overused analogy, but accurate. Whether you're at the bottom looking up, or on a rung somewhere along the way, It's definitely a step by step journey. Sure, you can attempt to skip a rung here or there, but those rungs are there for a reason. Someone who made that journey before you figured it all out. Skip a step, and you could slip back even farther. At the very least, trying a new shortcut could mean you're missing out on something you need. Take your time, follow the steps required, and don't skip ahead. In most cases, the journey - every part of it - is as important as the destination. Everything that has happened in your life has brought you to where you are, and everything you do from now on will get you where you need to be. Don't avoid rungs on the ladder, use them. Enjoy them. Even linger on them for a while before moving on. So set goals for yourself, but create a road map that gets you there. Call them intermediate goals, short-term achievements, or rungs of the ladder, follow the steps and you'll find that whatever your personal or professional goals are, you can get there. One step at a time.

09.11.2001

There are many types of people effected on 9/11/01. Those that perished, those that were in the buildings but made it out, those that witnessed the attacks first hand, those that knew and loved people lost, and those that watched the catastrophes on TV. Let's remember everything that happened, everyone lost, and how we felt that day. Think about them, pray for them, remember them in your own way.

I was working as a delivery driver for a remodeling company that morning. I arrived at one of the job sites just after the first collision and watched the news there for 15 minutes or so, but had to get to the next job. Arrived there just after the second one. Watched the events unfold there for a couple hours. Not a lot of work got done the rest of the day. I still remember the actual locations and the customers at those jobs more than any others. We shared that historic, terrible, and life-changing day. It is our generation's "where were you when JFK was shot?" or "where you were when Pearl Harbor was attacked?".

I still cry every time the footage of that day is replayed. I wasn't there, I knew no one who was there or was lost, I knew no one on any of the planes or on the ground at any location involved. But that day changed me. Changed the nation, and even the world. Devastating. That's the most fitting word I can think of. A feeling of helplessness, of loss, confusion, anger. Simply devastating.

Please put your political views, your opinion on the reaction to the attacks, and any partisan preferences aside just for today, and comment on this with your thoughts, prayers, or what you were doing on that fateful day, eight short years ago.

Everything is relative

Just catching up on early morning tweets a short while ago, I couldn't help but notice the diversity of age, attitude, and stages of life among those I follow, as well as a bit of whining - for lack of a more suitable word - about their particular situation. A tweet from an eighth grader going to the school bus, a mom whose daughter was starting kindergarten, "where did the time go?", and a woman celebrating her 105th birthday.

I'm somewhere in the middle - I have a son in the eighth grade,but also another son who is married, in the Marines, with a six month old son himself. It's quite interesting, at least to me, to see so many people, with such varied backgrounds and at different points in their lives. The teens want to be older and get more respect, the 20-somethings are for the most part happy where they are in life, the mid-lifers want to be 20-somethings, and the seniors are happy to wake up and get through the day. (not all, just generalizing - not something I do often)

Aside from a bad decision now and again, I'm actually quite happy where my life has gotten me. I'd never be a teenager again, my twenties were awesome but I don't think I want to relive them, thirties were basically a blur for some reason (NOT drug or alcohol related), and now I'm in my forties. A wonderful wife of almost 20 years, two fantastic sons, a daughter-in-law, a grandson, fairly good health, and with any luck, a good job soon.

While it's human nature to wonder or even wish for things to be different or better, I prefer to believe that I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be. Perfect? nope. but perfect for me. It's great to set goals, aspire to better yourself, and want the most out of life. We should all do just that. Just don't second guess where you are right now. The past is over, and you did it right if you're reading this - you're still here. The future is going to happen, so don't wish to be older and wiser. You will be - and you'd simply be wasting a wish.

Live for the now, and make the most of it.

Twitter: Why do you follow who you follow?

I've been using Twitter for a while now, and have roughly the same number of followers as those I follow. I was just browsing my lists, and got to thinking. Why are these people there? Most are people I previously knew from other websites and social networks. Many are those with common interest in blackberry devices. Some I have added because I agree with their views and opinions on current events, and some because I Disagree with them - just for exposure to differing views. There is a large number that were recommended by others I was already following, and yet others that were following me, and I liked what they had to say after viewing their posting history. A lot of celebrities are on my list - actors and actresses, comedians, models, and the like.

I still get random followers, and I have to wonder - Why? How does a person find me, what search terms did they use, which of the several links to my account did they use, and then - what prompted the decision to click that "Follow" button? I make an honest attempt to keep up with all of the updates, and reply as I can, or when needed. I do have quite a varied and interesting group of Tweeters, and am glad I have them.

With over 500 followers (which by no means is a huge amount), I just had to wonder. Why? Leave a comment and let me know what goes into your decision to follow certain people or not follow them. Tweet content, notoriety, large followings, looks... whatever it may be. Just curious.