Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Unreleased Material From Jimi Hendrix Reflects A Life Of Music And Money Woes : The Record : NPR

Unreleased Material From Jimi Hendrix Reflects A Life Of Music And Money Woes : The Record : NPR

I love when new versions of tunes (especially acoustic or un-distorted versions) come out. It's so clean and pure, I wish it didn't have to get muddied up by this dispute every time. Goes to show that you need to hope for the best and prepare for the worst - or someone else will make the decisions for you.

Friday, November 19, 2010

Big bear hunted, killed in PA

Now I generally have no problem with hunting. It's not something that I would do, but I can appreciate the thrill that some may get from it. At the very basic level, I feel good about anything that involves people getting of their asses and getting outside. There's nothing I hate more than someone talking, acting or legislating from an Ivory Tower (armchair conservationists included). Hunters, are "out there" doing what the do, getting dirty, wet, cold etc. in nature: sure, they may have driven a gas guzzling 20 yr old pickup truck to get there, but what other harm are they doing?

But reading this news item recently really did not sit well with me - and I'm not sure why. Was it the age (17) of the bear? (and how did they find that out?) or its size (879lbs) which was also so delicately re-stated as "field dressed @ 744lbs"? I guess it might have been the fact this bear had been well known in the area for years- even tagged by wildlife researchers - and had (seemingly) caused absolutely zero harm, damage or threats to anyone. To be sure, if the hunter had simply taken out his camera instead of his bow, and taken a photo of the bear, would The Pocono Record (and the rest of the WWWorld) thought his story to be newsworthy.

In the vein of "no opportunity wasted" I would hope that the killing of this animal will be somehow vindicated by putting its meat, hide to some good use. I'll be disappointed to learn that its only use turns out to be a trophy for the lucky SOB who happened to be at the right place at the right time.

I'm reminded of a line from the movie "Jurassic Park" that has stuck with me over the years, when the scientist questions why dinosaurs were ever brought back to life from DNA sealed in a drop of resin. "We were so busy trying to figure out if we could - we never stopped to think if we should."

Indeed, this hunter had the same choice. He did what he did because he could. It's a dam shame there wasn't anyone around to question if he should. I'll be interested to see how he withstands the inevitable court of public opinion as undoubtedly this story will be publicized and debated over the coming weeks.

Forgotten

Forgotten

Will I ever see, something as sad
As a tree?
A tree barren of leaves still laden
With fruit.
A tree full of promises kept
But left untouched.
Many go hungry and doctors prescribe.
Still, no one sees.
Scattered below, apples in states
of decay.
Slowly, sadly, go away.

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

It's not what you say - but how you say it.

Similar to what helped me become a successful PR & Communications pro in the high tech industry, I think it's very important for someone to be able to digest and understand complex issues and processes - but then take that knowledge, uncover its core truth and communicate it simply and perhaps even memorably...to multiple audiences.

I believe that facts, figures and terminology can all be be learned in short order. However, as any chef, brewer or conductor will tell you, having the best ingredients is only half the battle. Identifying and communicating both the effort and unique characteristics - the steak and the sizzle - is what often leaves a lasting impression. That's what "sticks". ~ Tim

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

MediaPost.com Article: Reviving The Dead

A MediaPostPublications.com article sent to you by: editorial@mediapost.com

Some good tips on cleaning up your outreach. Why waste time, money and energy reaching out to folks who have moved on ? ~ Tim

Reviving The Dead
Morgan Stewart

Guess what? If your company sent out a commercial email today, there is a good chance that some of those emails went to dead people. Not just "inactives" or "unengaged subscribers" or whatever term-du-jour we want to use, but real, bona fide stiffs. People who, God willing, are looking down from heaven and wondering, "What else do I need to do to stop getting emails from those people?"

Read the whole story on the MediaPostPublications.com website.