Giraffe Spotted Sticking Its Neck Out!

There is a good chance you have heard about The Long Tail. This is a short tale about the Long Neck!

We were driving to dinner in Panama City, Florida, futzing with directions to a recommended restaurant when Sue called out, "Look, a giraffe!" Sure enough, as we approached a red light, there, across the street, was a giraffe, sticking its head up above a tall wooden fence. A giraffe, across the street from the beach in Florida! We pulled over to take a closer look and a few pictures. It turns out we were approaching the back of Zoo World, a non-profit Zoological and Botanical Conservatory. The sign and entrance to Zoo World was around the corner and down the block from the giraffe, but we probably would not have noticed if we hadn't seen him sticking his neck out.

Like the giraffe in Panama City, sometimes we, too, have to stick our necks out to get noticed. We have to step outside our comfort zones and share bits of ourselves that we might otherwise feel better hiding behind the fence.

When was the last time you acted like a giraffe, stuck your neck out, and got noticed?

See and download the full gallery on posterous

Posted via email from Kiss My SASS!

Natasha Tsakos' multimedia theatrical adventure (must see if you like live theatre & tech)!

via ted.com

As someone who is a geek and who was also immersed in Theater Arts in college I was blown away by this TED presentation by the very talented and passionate Natasha Tsakos. I have spent a fair amount of time on the stage, behind the stage and in the audience in front of the stage and I am always filled with a special sense of awe and excitement from any perspective at a live theatrical performance. This video (especially when viewed in HD on a big screen) captures the essence of everything that is wonderful about live theater, and how technology can enhance the experience and truly add magic to the magical. With brilliant choreography, stunning visuals and immersive sound design, Tsakos' one woman show, "UP WAKE" leverages state of the art projection technology to turn her solo performance on a bare stage into a true theatrical extravaganza.

Even more impressive is how she manages to literally bring portions of her show onto the TED stage with her for this presentation.

I happened upon this video while playing with the Internet Video features of a Sony Bravia TV on loan to me as part of the Sony DigiDads project. It was an unexpected treat to view this via the Internet on a 40" 1080p HDTV, without the need for a computer or set top box. Cool stuff!

I hope to have the opportunity to see "UP WAKE" in its entirety in person. What do you think?

Posted via web from Kiss My SASS!

Scott Sigler Is No ROOKIE Author!

If you have been reading my blog or following my online exploits you may have gleaned that I am an huge fan of the uber talented writer and new media marketing whiz Scott Sigler.  I have been a fan and a friend of Scott's since 2005 when I was among the early listeners of EARTHCORE, the first "podcast only" novel at the time.  Today I received my "signed" copy of THE ROOKIE in the mail and I couldn't be more excited for him or more proud of Scott.  Scott has singlehandedly created his own destiny by grabbing the publishing world by the bal- er, horns and turning their perceptions of how to create a publishing powerhouse inside out and upside down.

When I met Scott he was an unpublished "Podcaster" pursuing his passion part time.  Today Scott is a full-time writer, a "New York Times Best-Selling Novelist" and now, with the release of the gorgeous hard-cover edition of THE ROOKIE, Scott is himself a publisher, with his aptly named "DARK OVERLORD MEDIA" imprint.  Sure, he has a multi-book deal with Crown Publishing, but why should Scott stop there when he has more content and even more rabid fans scrambling like junkies to listen to, watch and read everything he creates.  With a simple goal of total world domination by becoming our Future Dark Overlord (FDO), Sigler is clearly bigger and bolder than what any single publishing house can handle.  His work is truly CONTAGIOUS!

If you are ready to get INFECTED by his writing, here is the Scott Sigler page on Amazon.com (affiliate link).

As much as he is a brilliant writer and on his way to becoming the next Stephen King, Scott's meteoric and methodical rise to the top is a case study in Social Media and Interactive Branding and Marketing worthy of the Harvard Business Review.  Follow Scott and you will not only be thoroughly entertained in mind blowing proportions, but you will also LEARN enormous lessons in how to build a loyal and thriving community.

Scott is no rookie!
 

Posted via email from Kiss My SASS!

A Bravia New World: Turning “Movie Night” Into “Review Me” Night! | Dad-O-Matic

via dadomatic.com

I love Animoto and used it to create the above video for my review of the Sony Bravia XBR9 40 TV and Sony BDP-S560 Blu-ray Disc player as part of the Sony DigiDad Project. Please check out the full story and review at www.dadomatic.com.

Posted via web from Kiss My SASS!

It Doesn't Take A Village When You ARE The Village!

Becky McCray was one of my early Twitter friends and for over two years we have not only enjoyed many online exchanges but we have actually had the pleasure of meeting in the "real world" a few times. Becky is truly a delightful person and she has built a solid following and a great name for herself as a Small Business expert with her popular "Small Biz Survival" blog. Here is the part I find incredibly cool:

Becky lives in Alva, Oklahoma, population 4,848.

Becky also lives in Twitterville, and HER population there is 4,852.

That's right, Becky's personal "community" on Twitter is now larger than the entire population of the town she lives in. Every Tweet Becky sends out has the potential to inform, entertain or influence an audience that is larger than her entire home town. MUCH larger if you consider the power of re-tweeting.

Now, perhaps this is not as eye-popping as I am making it sound. Surely Ashton Kutcher can make the same claim as the 3,373,626 Twittizens that follow him far exceeds the population of Ketchum, Idaho, where I believe he often resides (population 3,234). However, Becky McCray is not one-half of a globally know Hollywood couple. Becky is a small town, small business owner, who, without Social Media, could not have dreamed of having the circle of influence and reach she now commands. Becky is one of us!

I suspect that many of the residents of Alva, Oklahoma live their whole lives without leaving and certainly without interacting with thousands of folks from cities and countries all over the world. "Social Media" has given Becky (and all of us) the opportunity to broaden our horizons and enrich our lives through a bigger community... one that has no borders and no boundaries - only bits and bytes and great people like Becky McCray to make it interesting!

It doesn't take a village... WE are the village!

Photo Credit: (cc) Shashi Bellamkonda Social Media Swami Network Solutions

Taking pride in a dying art...

"They say it is a dying art, but its not dead 'till the guys like me are gone..."

That's what he said as he brought my well worn shoes back to near new brilliance.  He has been working the same spot in Fort Lauderdale airport, Terminal 2, for 16 years.  He works hard, 12 hour days, and he takes incredible pride in his art and skill, polishing, waxing and buffing with a professional air and flair worthy of a master tradesman.  In truth, hands flying by, brushing with rhythm and reason, his shining shines as only a great performance can.

Rather than applaud, I thanked him and happily handed him twice the stated fee, as had the gentleman before me, and as I was confident his next customer would as well.

It is easy to admire, appreciate and reward someone who takes such pride and pleasure in what they do.  Note to self: don't forget that!

-- Sent from my Palm Pre

Posted via email from Kiss My SASS!