State of the Linkage (1_27_12)

January 28, 2012

Uncle Sam I Want You - Poster

Since most people seem to be talking SOTU this week these links trend toward the political — that is what I’ve been reading this week so that is what you are getting. And hey did you know that “Uncle Sam” dates to the war of 1812 and barrels of meat delivered to the front lines? (via Dinner Party Download on iPod for BikeRide) – look it up. History is neat! Which brings me to…

Information

“Hark a Vagrant!” – It’s history only funnier.

The importance of curation in the rising tide of information.  (and I use both News.me and Percolate – like the former a little more as my click-thru seems to be better and it comes a little earlier… and if for no other reason then they have an incredible, almost snobbish, love of coffee.)

I confess I didn’t actually watch the SOTU – instead I read this live-annotated version. (just as good without waiting for applause)

I wish that Jed Bartlet was real and that he had delivered a rebuttal if no the speech itself. Instead, at least we have his Twitter persona (@Jed_Bartlet – he is good) and this education-centered response written in character.

RedHeadWriting on Politics says everything I would love to be able to say so well summing up what is wrong with the US political system and how Entrepreneurs are better than our elected officials.

Finally, the non-political but uses flame-worthy headline. Sitting is Killing you. Redeeming factor is they provide solutions, though getting a yoga-ball to sit on isn’t one of them. Hmmm… future blog post…

Inspiration

Motivation and gut check. (much needed for me right now as I am WAY behind in my Italian.

Ditto. The reminder: What are you working on today to build your “overnight success”?

If anyone is wondering what to get me for my birthday, I suggest this book of photographs of photographers with their iconic images (love on so many levels)

Music meets astrophysics – this reaches a new level of geekery that seems magical.

Loving the mundane to make it extraordinary.

How do you change? “Small Steps Sparks.” Or maybe no steps at all.

Intentional Enjoyment:

This makes me laugh every time I open it. The Ostrich Nap-enabler. Yes this exists… for you know… naps at your desk. (via @brainpicker)

And hey! Check out my Pinterest board of Random Bits of Fun in pictures.

Bonus-that-doesn’t-fit-cleanly-but-I-love-so-much

RedHeadWriting is on fire this week (maybe it is the decongestants) and provides this much needed bitch slap on over-reliance on communication through technology.

 

Had a good/bad/indifferent reaction – share it in the comments and start a conversation! Or if you read something interesting this week I’d love to have return linkage!

Image via Flickr under CC License: “Uncle Sam I Want You – Poster” by DonkeyHotey

Leave a Comment Filed Under: Linkage Tagged With: , , , , , by

What is in a Name?

January 26, 2012

Hi My Name is Jo

“No” Dad said, “you have to sign your entire name.”

“That is my name”

“No, like what is on your ID.”

“Yeah, Dad, that is it.”

“Oh.”

This was more than a year after my divorce.

Ah yes, the big D. The turning point and legal process that began almost exactly 5 years ago and eventually led me to this place. This is long enough without delving deep into the divorce yet but suffice to say: the EX and I are cool but yea, public failure on the record and it was the reason I am now just Joanna June. 

Most of us are all saddled with our formal name yet it comes to define us in so many ways. I heard recently from a new Impossible League friend Deborah that she draws an extra measure of strength from her name as it means in Hebrew “bee” or “bumblebee.” She writes, “I’ve read that the flight of bumblebees defies all that we know of aerodynamics…. But, to Mark Twain’s point, nobody told the bumblebees this so they buzz around just the same!” Deb unquestioningly loves her name and uses it as a reminder that she too “can fly!”

I love that sentiment. I think that your name should be one you are proud to own and share.

“Joanna June” has always been a part of my moniker but I am not the progeny of a long line of Junes. 

[Read more…]

2 Comments Filed Under: Blog Post Tagged With: , , , , , , , , by

The Horizon

January 11, 2012

Whilst playing To Do List whack-a-mole over the last two weeks I’ve had rumblings and churnings of posts but nothing that I feel like is complete. This is a common problem I know, as is last minute writing before deadline to get it done.

My issue is neither starting nor finishing right now. My problem is creating the head space to concentrate on anything longer than the next three minutes or think about that which is past today.

I’m onsite in Orlando and part of the squeeze is the work I’m being paid to do is supposed to take priority. I’ve also been distracted by friends, start of the semester concerns and projects with their own imminent or past deadlines… and of course the always shiny internets.

I’ve felt anxious and scattered in waves while trying to concentrate on my project and deal with whatever is most screaming for attention. Not ideal productivity conditions.

Horizon
This morning, after about 4 hours of sleep, bleary eyed and slightly congested I awoke in time for a beautiful sunrise. (my picture doesn’t do it justice)

That image combined with watching some corporate speak powerpoints in 80foot wide aspect, sprinkled with planning and goal posts I’ve been reading during renders (some of which are below) and a caffeine kick, coalesced an idea in my monkey brain. Fair waring: because of the ingredients at play, it might not make a lick of sense.

With the economy and election, protests and priorities for the new year, the idea of a fresh horizon appears to be permeating culture right now.

I’m not a design expert but from the small lines of serif fonts, to election logos, to striking whitespace between blocks, horizontal is making a comeback. It seems we are drawn by the implied space between disparate objects and the promise of something cleaner.

Or maybe that is where I am. Caught in the frenetic of my day-to-day I keep thinking that my pace will be more calm in a few hours/days/weeks and then I can plan/write/meditate/work on that one thing. Then reality strikes again and methinks mahaps the beautiful distant future will always be just that.

Yet the horizon can always be an idea or ideal to be working towards.

Jeff Goins has some interesting thoughts about not making plans though still starting step by step to accomplish towards your goals. Certainly the blunt “I have no idea what I’m doing” finds resonance here as does his advice on plans (which echoes in other verbiage my musings on schedule). Mostly, I like the idea of doing to become habit to become process to become achievement.

I have yet to define my plans for this year. I have some goals and objectives but a defined work-set is one of many items hanging on my honey-do list. I know when I get back to Athens things will naturally take more shape and, with intention, I’ll find a positive routine. That, however, is all tomorrow-thinking and really I just have the attention and mental capacity right now for today.

My positive-step habit for this morning was: stop and appreciate the sunrise.

I tried to quiet all of the other soundlings of my mind and Be IN. Mischief managed.

Yes, the calm lasted all of 30 seconds before my alarm reminded me I was needed in the shower but it was a good reprieve while it lasted. It allowed me the space to ramp back up with a little more spring.

Like looking into the distance when feeling seasick, a few moments contemplating the horizon can ease a little of the tension and pressure of immediate and focus on the positive and possible.

A calming and helpful thought as I settle in to bop more off my list.

Sunset

If you’d like some interesting reading that has found purchase in my brain this week here is some linkage:

PS: Software salespeople seem happier than accountants. Make of that what you will.

Anyone else giving up on plans and instead focusing on the horizon?

Leave a Comment Filed Under: Blog Post, WednesdayPost Tagged With: , , , , , , by

Being

January 4, 2012

Herein is the the thematic underscore to this site. The mission. The objective. The ideal.

Ready?

Be In

That is it.

4 Letters. Believe me if I could have made it 3 I would have.

Ready for the longer version?

BE IN YOUR LIFE.

That is my message.

Go all IN.
Be IN it to win it.
Be happy/content/blissful/thankful/joyous IN the moment.
Be INto you.
Be the central hero or heroine IN your story.
Be IN.

The Why

For far too long I wasn’t IN my own life. I was living a life — a fairly good life — but it wasn’t mine. It took one resounding wake up call where I literally turned around to see who had made the statement in my own head to start me on the path towards change and a better life for me.

It took years to make adjustments and shifts to create a better reality for myself — and that process is ongoing — but I first needed the reminder that I am in control here. I belong IN the driver’s seat IN my own life.

It’s not too late.

You can make the choice to do the same.

BE IN

Under that theme there are the routes: INspiration (coffee), INnformation (books) and INntentional enjoyment (beer).

There is great crossover but generally here is how I break it down:
 

Moments of INspiration (coffee)

Coffee LoveLike the coffee that starts your day, these are the fuels that light your fire. They come in the form of life experiences, lovely images, passionate posts of fellow bloggers, great conversations, great cups of literal coffee, interesting people or the latest workout-high creative inception.

What ignites your heart’s desires and motivate you to be IN and contributing to the world?

Make sure your life is full of them. Treasure them. Use them to kickstart your passions and push you forward.

 

 

INformation about varied and various paths (books)

342/365: BooksThis starts with understanding our own steps forward and steps back. I also love meeting and telling of the INdividuals I meet who are living the Be IN mantra.  If I can pinpoint or posit on them, I’ll share the keys to their engagement with their life.

My lit lover self also enjoys escaping into a novel, reading about a different life, and discovering different people, places and events through a good tale. It is this process that further INforms us as individuals and, by looking at others and having an emotional reaction to a story, INforms you about you.

 

INtentional enjoyment rounds out the triad (beer)

Craft Brew in candlelightAh yes, the beer. Drinking fully of life (and beer) but not to excess or to escape reality. The ideal is to be fully engaged IN where you are. To be able to laugh and be merry IN the moment (with or without beer).

I think that you can find experiences, observations, elements, opportunities and simple pleasures whenever that is what you want.

I strive for the positive spin and search for joy unbounded.

(and I like beer)

 

These three things contribute to a life of being IN.

The objective isn’t to “be different.” The objective is to find our own engaged and happiest normalcy.

We are IN when we appreciate and surround ourselves with the ideas and physical things that we are INto and provide ourselves with happy purpose.

We are writing our own story every day and have the choice to make and mold it to be what we want.

Whatever you are INto, you should be INto you.

I’m Joanna and CBB is let beginning of my process to share my story and be further IN myself. I hope you are able to find inspiration, information and enjoyment here as well.

Now go BE IN YOUR LIFE.

IMG_0475

A note from the (future) archivist: After working over this idea in my head for the last few months I finally googled “Be In.” Apparently Be-IN was a cultural phenomena of the 60s (what wasn’t?) that has seen some recent resurgence in the digital sphere. As I don’t disagree with their calls I’m sticking with mine.

Class dismissed.

Images via Flickr under CC license by yours truly and Magic Madzik (342/365)
3 Comments Filed Under: Blog Post, WednesdayPost Tagged With: , , , , , , , , by

(Un)Flinching

December 28, 2011

The Universal FlinchI forgot my book when I left the house this morning so started “The Flinch” on the train into work. I arrived home this evening and I got into a very cold shower.

No, not like that — read the book.

I don’t know how long exactly I was in there but it was at least the requisite 5 minutes.

I listened to all of the screaming voices in my head saying that it was stupid and dangerous and pointless… and I did it anyway. Stepping into the spray. Shivering. Feeling the needle pricks on my legs over and over and over. Counting my breaths.

Even now as I am typing it sounds so foolish because it was so little.

Yes, the inevitable comparison to how others live: As I switched over to hot water I thought about all those that don’t have that option.

I also thought about how I wished I had just talked to the person on the subway platform instead (read the book). I thought about talking to my boys at the bar. It doesn’t really scare me to go into an unfamiliar place alone and sit and either be by myself or talk to someone.

I smiled at some folks on the tubes. Made space for someone who needed a seat. But “no problem” was the only conversation I made. While I know I could have done more, I flinched and talked myself out of it.

Lesson learned.

I also did do was more difficult for me: I came home and got in the cold shower. I’m glad I did. [Read more…]

3 Comments Filed Under: Blog Post, WednesdayPost Tagged With: , , , , , by
« Previous Page
Next Page »