I want to be Fat

If I tell myself that I want to be fat, I won’t feel bad about being the person with the most filled plate at the teacher’s luncheon today. If I tell myself that I want to be fat, I won’t feel guilty about eating not two, not four, but six miniature candy bars and a cookie after piling on the most food at the luncheon. I will also not worry about eating at least half a pie crust of leftover pieces after making miniature pumpkin pies, and having one, in kindergarten today. The snack time cupcake for a child’s birthday will not deter me from dinner. It won’t bother me to have a sandwich, a bag of chips, an apple, a piece of candy bar, skittles and whoppers for dinner. The above is in addition to sausage and toast at 6:30 am.
The truth is, I don’t want to be fat, but I’m sick of the remorse that I feel after having a chow down day, especially when I have a passion for doing it again tomorrow, at the school Thanksgiving meal and the Kindergarten Thanksgiving feast. I love to eat.

Teaching: A Dream Job?

As a fairly consistent substitute teacher, I've seen the daily rigors of a teacher in elementary and middle school. Recently, however, I took on the job of a kindergarten teacher for two weeks straight. When I substitute, all the lessons are laid out and the sub can show up at 7:30, review the plans, teach the plans, take an hour for conference time and leave at 3:30. It seems that the teacher's job must be just as simple. It's not.
For one thing, With the responsibility of 12-26 children (in elementary school), the teacher is accountable for those children's future learning. With this responsibility comes excellent lesson plans, good teaching style and a compassionate disposition. This is not including the intelligence to impart what is important to future generations, organization and a passion for the information passed on.
Besides lesson plans, teachers are in charge of developing relationships with the kids and dealing with the student's parents, caretakers and other interested parties. Plus, the teacher must work with other instructors, the principal, counselors and the school district personnel.
Before school, a teacher must prepare for the day, and steel him or herself for any unruly children or unhappy parents. Plans must be in order, and specific duties should be in order for the day to run smoothly. This means that after school, preparation must take place in building the curriculum. Ideas must be researched, plans produced, copies made and supplies obtained. Other after school duties include grading papers and entering grades, setting up the classroom, and meetings with other teachers. Teachers work long hours when you include organizing and attending extracurricular activities that occasionally take place on evenings and weekends. Overtime is not unusual for a teacher.
I admire any person who wants to be a teacher full time, and thank all of those who dedicate themselves to our future citizens. I especially admire the teachers at Spicewood Elementary in Spicewood, Texas.

Social Media Marketing - Part III

Getting started on social media marketing is the stumbling block that is in the way of many entrepreneurs who want to put their information on the internet for review and commentary. A good way to do this would be to set aside a couple of hours to dedicate yourself to establishing your presence. You most probably have a few of the tools in place, such as an email account, a Facebook account, and/or a website.

Once you have a blog, LinkedIn, YouTube, Twitter and other accounts set up, block time on your calendar to monitor and update on a weekly basis at the minimum. An hour a day is most desireable, but if you can't do this, make sure your readers are aware that they could wait a few days for answers to any questions posted.

Making social media a priority will enhance your business and will help you learn more in the process. And don't make it difficult or drudgery. Enjoy yourself!

VI. Starting your Social Media Marketing

A. Your website – add a blogspace and monitor
B. Facebook – Business application – research what is out there and post timely info. You can also list events that relate to your business, sales made and short but interesting experiences.
C. LinkedIn – professional version of Facebook
D. Blogger website – Blogspot.com, Squidoo Lens, HubPages, many others. Just Google "blogging sites."
E. YouTube - People love watching video. If it is a dynamic posting that relates to your business it is possible to make a name for yourself overnight!
F . Monitoring your success – do your efforts have goals, ie: 2 orders/mo, 5 calls/mo, 10 posts/mo? Be humble at first, but constant updates and review will establish you on the web. People are reading about you and talking about you, but when you don’t participate they can’t either.
1. List (for yourself) channels that you’re using – CHANNELS are methods or media forms through which social media is made available to social media participants. Keep a handy list and check off your progress.
2. For each channel, what is the success value? The failure value?
3. What is the current value?
4. What did you have to do to justify it’s use? When will it be reviewed?

Social Media Marketing - Part II

Here is part II of Social Media Marketing. You may need assistance in setting up your profile and blog to ensure transparency and truthfulness, so share it with a colleague or work with an expert if you are new to this. Next, I'll address starting your own program and the basic elements of Social Media Marketing.

III. How do you implement/maintain Social Media - ½ - 1 hour a day as an ADJUNCT to overall marketing

A. Social Media Marketing – An Hour a Day, by Dave Evans
B. FastStart or take it slower with book
C. Tag you email messages! Applicable quotes, product promo, short profiles
D. Facebook Business, Blog
1. Set up Profile
2. Share dynamic testimonials, photos and videos

IV. How Social Media is Termed

A. Platforms – social networks (Facebook, myspace) along with White Label community and forum applications.
B. Content – ratings, reviews, photos, videos, podcasts and similar content created and shared on web
C. Interactions – Bits of info that “float” around through email, feeds and SMS (twitter/brightkite – text-based messaging) that tells participants what is going on across the Social Web.

V. Social Media Marketing Rules

A. No SPAM – email filled with questionable content
B. You must show Transparency
1. If you simply don’t have the time to implement on a daily, weekly, monthly basis – state that in your initial and subsequent messages. This makes people aware that you’re not delaying purposely.
2. Your reputation is on the line w/social media, so don’t “joke around” if it could get you into trouble.
C. ANSWERS in your communication – answer the questions posted on your site/blog
D. Content – valuable, truthful information

Don't Be Scared about Social Media Marketing

So many people want to know more about Social Media, but it can be a BIG topic. Taking baby steps, however, is the best way to "get your feet wet" in this new arena of marketing. I will offer some basic information about it. Below is a first posting of some tips about Social Media. Next posting will address How to Implement, Terms and Rules.

What is Social Media Marketing?

A. Online, internet marketing that is FREE!
B. Marketing that is more casual in nature – incorporates the personal aspect of you and your business
C. Two way communication – it is viral – passed from person to person - Users have some control.
D. Channels – blogs, photo sharing, video sharing, personal social networks, events and services, email, white label social networks, wikis, podcasting, microblogs, SMS (texting). In the big picture – what are your clients interested in using? You may not know, so try more than on channel.

II. Why do you need it?

· All demographics use the internet – from the online junkies to the occasional browsers, old and young, men and women, all races, all over the world.
· People use the internet for information and communication
· A real person is communicating
· Purchases are influenced by commentaries
· Users of the web are all purchasers
· Many are trying to get away from ads – they want help, social perspectives, fun!
· Ads are interruptive. Spam is interruptive. In social media, interruptions do not result in a sustainable conversation – which is what social media is. Engaged in by choice to share opinions/preferences/assistance.
· Marketing without ads – with social media, it is showing the benefits of product/service and not the product/service itself.
· With good commentary/sites – word will spread
· It is measurable

I am ...

... but a fallen leaf from a tree,
a chunk of gravel on the road,
a blade of cut grass,
or a grain of sand on a beach.
I am but a tiny piece of the great interlocking puzzle of life on this earth.
So why does it matter that I make that phone call, write that letter or do a task?
Because if I do not accomplish the things God has for me to do, there is a hole in the puzzle.
And although the puzzle changes by the second according to what other leaves, chunks, blades or grains do, it all fits together as a complete picture.

Stay Away from the Flu

I may just be naive about keeping away from the flu bug, but a shot or a snort of flu meds are not the way to prevent the flu. The main message, instead of "get a flu shot" should be to just build your immune system so that you don't get the flu. Other methods to prevent it are keeping the bug at bay. Below are a few practical suggestions that have kept me healthy for years without ever contracting flu.
1. The basics: eat healthy (min 5 fruits and veggies daily + protein), exercise and get enough rest.
2. Drink plenty of water - at least 64 oz. daily
3. Wash your hands consistently throughout the day - especially after grocery shopping, being around kids (at school???!!!), after handshaking and after pumping gas.
4. Replace washcloths and hand towels in bathroom and kitchen daily.
5. Wash pillowcases 1-3x per week.
6. Drink decaf green tea nightly.
7. During "the season" take a multivitamin or at least vitamins C, E and D.
8. Use common sense and when you're feeling run down and get in an afternoon nap, go on that brisk 20 minute walk, wash your hands and towels and take that extra supplement.
This is very simplistic, but has kept me in flu avoidance for years. Take care of yourself and don't get sick!