Steve Jobs is dead.
He’s passed the mortal world and there is sadness.

As many mourn, I find myself wondering what Steve’s next move would be.
Thought not a personal contact, I believe I have some idea.

Steve pursued his vision. Passion drove him. Yet he wasn’t cold. It seems he went for joy along with the ride to success.

In that, I find my truth.

Hang your head only a moment, then get moving.
Face forward, head high, with confidence.
Go after that joy.

RIP Steve Jobs – you moved me from tech geek to finding elegance and joy in tech

Todd

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Click through to the Ultimate Blog Party 2011

The 2011 Ultimate Blog Party has kicked off.  April gets rung in big with @5minutesformom and 5minutesformom.com blog party.

What is it?

The Ultimate Blog Party is just that — the ultimate place to party and meet new friends, (but no babysitters, airplanes, or tickets necessary!)

I’m on board with that!

The party is not just about having a bit of fun and vacation; it’s about introducing bloggers to one another.  Ice breaker on steroids!

In that spirit, here’s a bit about me.

Sharon, my wife, and I have been married 27 years this April.  It’s been a roller coaster ride of ups and downs.

Shortly after being married I entered the Navy, heading off to Chicago while leaving her and son in Missouri. It was a long two months as a newlywed.

The Navy brought her to Chicago with me for school, then Orlando and finally Massachusetts.  It was time then to ship out.

Somehow we survived two tours being on submarines, another school, and a final tour of duty in New Orleans.

It was in Nawlins that we really entered the digital world together. She helped me kickstart Assassin’s Lair BBS. Sharon helped me vet new members and keep the discussion going.

Since leaving the Navy after 11 1/2 years, we’ve settled in St. Charles County. We’ve raised our boys and had a hand in raising our granddaughters as well.

Blogging

Bulletin boards, participating and running them, lead directly into Internet use. In turn, that lead me to blogging.

I’ve been on Livejournal, Geocities, Angelfyre, and more of the early systems. Ended up on WordPress self hosted version. It gives me a lot of flexibility with not a lot of rules.  The framework is well worn in and well supported.

What do I blog about?

It’s all about social networking, books, and technology. Okay, that sounds dry but I like to spice it up a bit here and there.  I’m a big believer in supporting causes as well, so you’ll see posts on fund raising, feeding the hungry, and promoting voting.

I’m also a big fan of giving people some insight into best practices, worst choices, and finding peace with the rest.  It’s easier than you think to fit in with the social networking than you’d think.

Party time

My ultimate party time? A room filled with friends, the music not too loud, and snacks and beverages. There’d be places to sit, room to stand, and great wifi. ( You gotta know that’s important.)

No costumes required nor the ability to dance. Low stress rocks.

And how about you

What’s your story? What has brought you were you are? What’s your idea of a great party? Give it up!

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@tojosan beard trim at SxSW by @evokesalon

This is what makes a man feel like at king at SxSW.

The team from @evokesalon were on the scene in Austin to trim and tease for the ordinary and the mavens.

Obviously I’m a maven as @GaryVee got his done second.

Evoke Salon can be found on the web at http://www.evokesalon.com/. These guys brought the tools and the skills, not only trimming me up, and freshening Gary Vaynerchuk, but making over several ladies in between.

It made a splash in the bloggers’ lounge, lightening things up a bit while people watched and wondered.

Would I submit to a public trim again?! You bet. Bring it on Evoke!

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The Red Cross and Apple are partnering to make donating easy.

Visit the iTunes Music Store, find the Japan Earthquake and Tsunami Relief Donate Here button and go.

It’s that simple.

Not a fan of Apple or iTunes? GIve at SxSW Cares!

Click the image and go see how #SxSW is rocking the donations.

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I could write volumes about how awesome she is. She’s my wife.

Celebrate International Women’s Day by showing how much you appreciate the women in your life.

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@nanna_j salutes our veterans

Veterans Day is a time to to reflect solemnly on those that have served our country, the United States of America. Celebrated with parades, dedications, and ceremonies, Veterans Day still brings moments of quiet reflection to those of who served.

Soldiers don’t all have the same experiences, and not all have fought face to face with an enemy. Seeing foreign soil isn’t a requirement though for a veteran, but simply to have served.

Each person who spends time in the military faces stresses and situations often unknown to those outside. Even men and women who have scars though from their service do feel pride for having been in.

Please take a moment out today to show respect for those veterans alive and long gone. Show respect not for the wars they fought in, or the enemies battled, but for their decision and commitment of service to this country and to you.

Consider too showing that respect with something personal, perhaps reaching out to a veteran you know or have known personally. If you can’t give them a handshake, flowers are a great choice. Fly a flag if you can.

Thank you to my father and father-in-law, my uncles, my extended family, and my friends for your service. May that always bring you honor as you’ve honored us with your lives.Similar Posts:

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Speaking about blogging is always a good time. Presenting in front of the PRSA crowd had me nervous though. Here is a group of highly educated and seasoned professionals giving up an hour to listen to my take on things.

It was a pleasure to be asked to speak at the PRSA St. Louis Tech Day event. Beyond speaking, I made some exciting connections as a result.

My hope was to return some value for their time. Below I’ve captured a reflection on that effort.

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The St. Louis Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America is putting on a PR Technology Day. Several speakers will come to educate and share.

I’m honored to have been asked to speak on Blogger Relations:

Bloggers are becoming increasingly important influencers for consumers all over the world. Maintaining good blogger relations can be critical to keeping your brand top of mind with consumers. Find out what tactics and strategies can help you excel at blogger relations.

It’s a topic somewhere in between the tools of Facebook, Twitter, and Google Analytics. Those topics and more will be covered at this half day event.

Running in three parallel tracts, attendees will need to pick and choose. There are no bad choices though and the speakers are experts.

PR Newswire and Maryville University are sponsors for this PRSA St. Louis event.

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I voted and I’m proud of that. Across the United States on November 2nd it’s the General Election vote.

Celebrating that, Facebook prompted users to claim they voted as they visited the Facebook home page.

Making it more exciting, users could see the count rolling up live as each user laid claim to voting.

Nifty stuff! Thank you Facebook team.

Go.Vote.Claim.Enjoy

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Postcard Day was the first of it’s kind event at Have House St. Loius, HavenHouseSTL.org.

Postcards were brought in for residents to fill out and send. Pens, postcards, and stickers were provided. Postage was paid by Haven House.

Each family was able to choose as many postcards as they liked.

Haven House provided snacks, and invited a photographer and other guests along.

For me this was an eye opening event. Though I speak no Spanish, I was able to share the joy of the experience. Their smiles. Their questions. The fun they had. Those things need no words.

I’m looking forward to a follow up event.

*Haven House St. Louis

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