BEIJING—Chinese President Hu Jintao emphasized the need for cooperation with the U.S. in areas from new energy to space ahead of his visit to Washington this week, but he called the present U.S. dollar-dominated currency system a "product of the past" and highlighted moves to turn the yuan into a global currency.
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Associated Press
Chinese President Hu Jintao delivers a speech at a plenary session of the Communist Party of China Central Commission for Discipline Inspection in Beijing on Jan. 10. Mr. Hu's state visit to Washington begins Wednesday.
"We both stand to gain from a sound China-U.S. relationship, and lose from confrontation," Mr. Hu said in written answers to questions from The Wall Street Journal and the Washington Post.
Mr. Hu acknowledged "some differences and sensitive issues between us," but his tone was generally compromising, and he avoided specific mention of some of the controversial issues that have dogged relations with the U.S. over the past year or so—including U.S. arms sales to Taiwan that led to a freeze in military relations between the world's sole superpower and its rising Asian rival.
On the economic front, Mr. Hu played down one of the main U.S. arguments for why China should appreciate its currency—that it will help China tame inflation. That is likely to disappoint Washington, which accuses China of unfairly boosting its exports by undervaluing the yuan, making its products cheaper overseas. The topic is expected to be high on U.S. President Barack Obama's agenda when he meets Mr. Hu at the White House on Wednesday.
Mr. Hu also offered a veiled criticism of efforts by the U.S. Federal Reserve to stimulate growth through huge bond purchases to keep down long-term interest rates, a strategy that China has loudly complained about in the past as fueling inflation in emerging economies, including its own. He said that U.S. monetary policy "has a major impact on global liquidity and capital flows and therefore, the liquidity of the U.S. dollar should be kept at a reasonable and stable level."
More
Q&A With Hu Jintao
U.S. Presses China for Deals
Quick Biography: Hu Jintao
Hu Takes Confident Tone on Inflation
Hu Goes to Washington
See photos of past visits.
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Getty Images
Mr. Hu arrived in the U.S. Apriul 12, 2010.
Mr. Hu's responses reflect a China that has grown more confident in recent years—especially in the wake of the global financial crisis, from which it emerged relatively unscathed.
Mr. Hu reiterated China's belief that the crisis reflected "the absence of regulation in financial innovation" and the failure of international financial institutions "to fully reflect the changing status of developing countries in the world economy and finance." He called for an international financial system that is more "fair, just, inclusive and well-managed."
Mr. Hu, who also heads China's ruling Communist Party, rarely interacts with the international media. The Wall Street Journal submitted a series of questions to China's Foreign Ministry for Mr. Hu to answer. The Washington Post also submitted questions. The Foreign Ministry supplied Mr. Hu's responses to seven questions—but did not address questions about imprisoned Nobel Peace Prize winner Liu Xiaobo, China's growing naval power and complaints about alleged Chinese cyberattacks, among others.
Mr. Hu's veiled criticism of the Fed reflects widespread feelings among developing nations that U.S. interest-rate policy is devaluing the dollar, prompting flows of capital overseas and creating inflation elsewhere. China and other developing countries would like the Fed to factor in those consequences when it makes decisions. Fed officials counter that their mandate is to bolster the U.S. economy and that a stronger U.S. economy is in the interests of China and other countries, which depend heavily on trade and investment from the U.S.
This could be a major issue of contention between Messrs. Hu and Obama. The U.S. blames Chinese currency undervaluation—not Fed policy making—for worsening competitive and inflation problems overseas.
"This is a new ballgame in the first inning," says Eurasia Group's Ian Bremmer about China's rise. In an interview with WSJ's Rebecca Blumenstein, Bremmer discusses the growth of Chinese economic and military power and President Hu's U.S.visit.
Some of Mr. Hu's most significant comments dealt with the future of the dollar and currency exchange rates.
"The current international currency system is the product of the past," he said, noting the primacy of the U.S. dollar as a reserve currency and its use in international trade and investment.
The comment is the latest sign that the dollar's future continues to concern the most senior levels of the Chinese government. Beijing fears not only that loose U.S. monetary policy is fueling inflation, but that it will erode the value of China's holdings of dollars within its vast foreign-exchange reserves, which reached $2.85 trillion at the end of 2010.
China's central bank governor, Zhou Xiaochuan, created an international stir in March 2009 by calling for the creation of a new synthetic reserve currency as an alternative to the dollar. Mr. Hu's comments add to the sense that China intends to challenge the post-World War II financial order largely created by the U.S. and dominated by the dollar.
Mr. Hu called attention to China's accelerating effort to expand the role of its own currency, describing recent moves to allow greater use of the yuan in cross-border trade and investment—while acknowledging that making it a fully fledged international currency "will be a fairly long process."
China's moves already have spawned a thriving market for offshore trading of yuan in Hong Kong, and are widely seen as first steps toward making the yuan an international currency in line with China's new prominence as the world's second largest economy. Mr. Hu offered an enthusiastic endorsement of what are officially described as currency "pilot programs." They "fit in well with market demand as evidenced by the rapidly expanding scale of these transactions," he said.
Mr. Hu didn't signal any changes on the most sensitive aspect of China's currency policy: the exchange rate.
Last week, U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner reiterated the U.S. position that a stronger yuan is in China's own best interests, because it would help tame rising inflation that has become a key risk to China's rapid growth, which is underpinning the global economic recovery. A stronger yuan would reduce the price of imports in local-currency terms.
But Mr. Hu shrugged off the U.S. argument, saying that China is fighting inflation with a whole package of policies, including interest-rate increases, and "inflation can hardly be the main factor in determining the exchange rate policy."
Further, Mr. Hu suggested that inflation was not a big worry, saying prices were "on the whole moderate and controllable." He added: "We have the confidence, conditions and ability to stabilize the overall price level."
The U.S. argues that the yuan's real exchange rate—that is, the exchange rate as adjusted for the higher inflation level in China than the U.S.—is rising at a 10% annual rate. Treasury officials have argued to China that its policy options are limited—either it can boost the exchange rate to fight inflation, or inflation will effectively boost the value of China's currency.
While the U.S. says some Chinese economic officials buy that argument, it hasn't been widely adopted within China, as Mr. Hu's comments illustrate. But the U.S. feels that economics and time are on its side. Even so, the administration and Congress will continue to press China to boost the pace of its currency appreciation.
Mr. Hu renewed a Chinese pledge to offer a level playing field in China for U.S. companies, which have complained about aggressive Chinese moves to usurp their technology and shut them out of massive government-procurement contracts.
"All foreign companies registered in China are Chinese enterprises," Mr. Hu said, responding to concerns that China discriminates in government procurement against foreign businesses as part of its drive to encourage so-called indigenous innovation.
He added: "Their innovation, production and business operations in China enjoy the same treatment as Chinese enterprises."
The U.S. has been pressing China to revamp its plans for indigenous innovation, which foreign companies say put them at a disadvantage in competition with China's state-owned firms, which limits the types of government development projects and requires that companies get government approval to participate. China has pledged to join the World Trade Organization's government procurement agreement, which limits a country's ability to discriminate. But the U.S. and other countries say that so far China's WTO offer is inadequate because it exempts provinces, municipalities and state-owned enterprises. Last month China pledged to amend a buy-Chinese provision. During the Hu visit, the U.S. hopes to see some other commitments on this front from China.
Mr. Hu began his answers with a relatively upbeat assessment of China-U.S. relations, which he said had "on the whole enjoyed steady growth" since the start of this century.
From the WSJ:
He spoke of expanding cooperation from economy and trade into new areas like energy, infrastructure development and aviation and space. "We should abandon the zero-sum Cold War mentality," he said, and "respect each other's choice of development path."
On the diplomatic front, Mr. Hu entirely glossed over what has been one of the most dramatic developments of the past year—a series of disputes between a more assertive China and its neighbors that has given the U.S. an opening to shore up its relations with a part of the world that felt neglected by Washington while it fought wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
In the past year, China has feuded with Japan over the seizure of a Chinese fishing boat and its crew off disputed islands; opened deep differences with South Korea because of its subdued response to military provocations by North Korea; and alarmed countries in Southeast Asia by declaring the South China Sea and its energy and mineral riches one of its "core interests."
"Mutual trust between China and other countries in this region has deepened in our common response to tough challenges, and our cooperation has continuously expanded in our pursuit of mutual benefit and win-win outcomes," Mr. Hu said, ignoring the regional turmoil.
Sunday, January 16, 2011
The Future Explained in Data for My 10 Year Old Daughter
My daughter asked me the following question today: (while I was mulling over the current taxes, muttering about responsible spending): "why do we pay taxes? And “why do they always want to raise them”?
I have a very strict policy with myself (never say I don't know and walk away) If I don't know, I admit it immediately and the research ensues TOGETHER so we BOTH learn something new.... Let the dialogue begin and research light up the atmosphere! "Ah another puzzle to solve" says my daughter. I wink and say, “Are you ready Detective Daughter"? Her reply "Let it ROCK"!
After both of us scouring the Internet and Wikipedia: I mulled over the data in my mind.... I told her, “I need a little quiet time to try to digest my pencil scribbles on my scratch piece of paper”...She said, "Mommy take a deep breath you are getting those lines between your eyebrows...relax".
An analogy of a Praying Mantis from PIMCO's William H. Gross really hit a disturbing cord in my being:
Little did I know how much our "puzzle solving expedition would upset me"....
I tried to hide my extreme displeasure at the "Reality" of her future (and mine for that matter) I wanted her to draw her own conclusion from the data. So I began by explaining to her, “there are "good taxes" and "bad taxes".... “Good taxes are Police, Education, Hospitals, Veterans Benefits and things that provide for the future that make us grow”.
Then she asked how much we spend on "good taxes" vs. "bad taxes"?
I said, “The United States Government spends in her name (yes hers!) (And also per capita, all those other nameless taxpayers):
You Pay: $3,000.00 per person per year on the Defense Budget
In comparison to the:
Paying $450.00 for her teachers and education. (What is wrong with this picture Jeeze a WHOPPING $450 per person to educate people? Argh, I didn’t say it but I wanted too)
That got me a serious look, the serious look of a 10 year old girl... a crinkle of the left eye and a tilt of the head....
“So I pay $3,000 a year to kill people?”
And $450.00 to educate me?"
I couldn't contain my complete disdain at this point any longer...but I maintained my calm non-inflected voice and said:
"Oh it gets much better Sweetie"....
The United States Government has taken out an "invisible credit card" in your name and decided that they would charge $48,000.00 to that "invisible credit card". So not only do you have to pay off the $48,000.00 BUT in addition to the principal you have to pay another $800.00 in interest on a yearly basis and it's going up as we speak.
You also pay $2,500.00 per year to pay for the retirement pension for those people in the government who got you that "invisible credit card"...
I tried to turn the discussion around to the positive side (but as one of my friends says: "you can put lipstick on a pig...but it's still a pig)...(Thanks SK)
"So Sweetie: lets focus on the good taxes"...
You pay: $2,800 so that your grandma and mother can get cheap health care. Although cheap doesn’t necessarily mean good.
You pay: $330.00 for transportation and roads.
You pay: $183.00 for courts.
(This one killed me!!!! Of which I will go into a full-blown rant next post!!! Remind me)
You pay: $50.00 for Basic research...(Will someone please define what "basic research" is exactly?)
She will also pay about $60.00 on something called "farm income stabilization"...."But Mom what's that"? She says. I state: (we will have to do some more detective work but I think) "that's when they pay "Federal Crop Insurance" and into something called the "Credit Commodity Fund".
I try to reassure her with: "Honey, Don't worry about the small things". (Although they do all add up)...."It's kind of like your brother pick pocketing you versus him taking your debit card and stealing all your allowance and savings".... Focus on the BIG things. Remember what I always quote.... she says, "Yes, I know.... Mom...Sun Tzu: Choose your wars wisely".
Back to the "good things" taxes go toward: You pay: $1,500.00 for welfare on your behalf...
You pay: $611.00 for something called "social exclusions". "What's the heck is that Mom?"
(My head is going to explode.....)
"Eeeeeekkk! I don't know...we will have to research that"...
She states the obvious: "So we spend $611.00 for something we don't even know what it is? And $450.00 for education and $50.00 for BASIC RESEARCH?!!!"
“So by the time you start working you will be paying 2,500 in interest per year and who knows what your entitlements will be?”...
“What the HECK!”!!!!!
She pauses then says, “So let me get this straight: If I asked congress how to spend my allowance and savings : they would say from your allowance: We will give a 1/3 to your brother to buy air soft guns to shoot people, give us another 1/3 to pay for “their” retirement and another 1/3 for health care “? I say, “Yes, but don’t forget to add an extra 1/3 for paying interest to whichever country we owe the interest and debt”? “Mommy that’s 4/3'rds”... “Yes, I know dear...They expect you to borrow an extra 1/3... Congressmen like to spend 4/3. You just borrow it.”...
WAKE UP AMERICA! Stop being the “Headless Praying Mantis”
For our children’s sake!
I have a very strict policy with myself (never say I don't know and walk away) If I don't know, I admit it immediately and the research ensues TOGETHER so we BOTH learn something new.... Let the dialogue begin and research light up the atmosphere! "Ah another puzzle to solve" says my daughter. I wink and say, “Are you ready Detective Daughter"? Her reply "Let it ROCK"!
After both of us scouring the Internet and Wikipedia: I mulled over the data in my mind.... I told her, “I need a little quiet time to try to digest my pencil scribbles on my scratch piece of paper”...She said, "Mommy take a deep breath you are getting those lines between your eyebrows...relax".
An analogy of a Praying Mantis from PIMCO's William H. Gross really hit a disturbing cord in my being:
We are all, more than likely, doomed to be mantis-like – some of us eating, some of us being eaten, but none quite aware as to why we are at the dinner table in the first place.~William H. Gross
Americans, unlike their developed world counterparts, have been eating their fill lately, and supping at a dinner table laden with pork and tax breaks for all. Unequivocally, we have been playing the part of the female mantis, munching on the theoretical heads of future generations, while paying no mind to the wretches that will eventually be called upon to pay the bills.
Little did I know how much our "puzzle solving expedition would upset me"....
I tried to hide my extreme displeasure at the "Reality" of her future (and mine for that matter) I wanted her to draw her own conclusion from the data. So I began by explaining to her, “there are "good taxes" and "bad taxes".... “Good taxes are Police, Education, Hospitals, Veterans Benefits and things that provide for the future that make us grow”.
Then she asked how much we spend on "good taxes" vs. "bad taxes"?
I said, “The United States Government spends in her name (yes hers!) (And also per capita, all those other nameless taxpayers):
You Pay: $3,000.00 per person per year on the Defense Budget
In comparison to the:
Paying $450.00 for her teachers and education. (What is wrong with this picture Jeeze a WHOPPING $450 per person to educate people? Argh, I didn’t say it but I wanted too)
That got me a serious look, the serious look of a 10 year old girl... a crinkle of the left eye and a tilt of the head....
“So I pay $3,000 a year to kill people?”
And $450.00 to educate me?"
I couldn't contain my complete disdain at this point any longer...but I maintained my calm non-inflected voice and said:
"Oh it gets much better Sweetie"....
The United States Government has taken out an "invisible credit card" in your name and decided that they would charge $48,000.00 to that "invisible credit card". So not only do you have to pay off the $48,000.00 BUT in addition to the principal you have to pay another $800.00 in interest on a yearly basis and it's going up as we speak.
You also pay $2,500.00 per year to pay for the retirement pension for those people in the government who got you that "invisible credit card"...
I tried to turn the discussion around to the positive side (but as one of my friends says: "you can put lipstick on a pig...but it's still a pig)...(Thanks SK)
"So Sweetie: lets focus on the good taxes"...
You pay: $2,800 so that your grandma and mother can get cheap health care. Although cheap doesn’t necessarily mean good.
You pay: $330.00 for transportation and roads.
You pay: $183.00 for courts.
(This one killed me!!!! Of which I will go into a full-blown rant next post!!! Remind me)
You pay: $50.00 for Basic research...(Will someone please define what "basic research" is exactly?)
She will also pay about $60.00 on something called "farm income stabilization"...."But Mom what's that"? She says. I state: (we will have to do some more detective work but I think) "that's when they pay "Federal Crop Insurance" and into something called the "Credit Commodity Fund".
I try to reassure her with: "Honey, Don't worry about the small things". (Although they do all add up)...."It's kind of like your brother pick pocketing you versus him taking your debit card and stealing all your allowance and savings".... Focus on the BIG things. Remember what I always quote.... she says, "Yes, I know.... Mom...Sun Tzu: Choose your wars wisely".
Back to the "good things" taxes go toward: You pay: $1,500.00 for welfare on your behalf...
You pay: $611.00 for something called "social exclusions". "What's the heck is that Mom?"
(My head is going to explode.....)
"Eeeeeekkk! I don't know...we will have to research that"...
She states the obvious: "So we spend $611.00 for something we don't even know what it is? And $450.00 for education and $50.00 for BASIC RESEARCH?!!!"
“So by the time you start working you will be paying 2,500 in interest per year and who knows what your entitlements will be?”...
“What the HECK!”!!!!!
She pauses then says, “So let me get this straight: If I asked congress how to spend my allowance and savings : they would say from your allowance: We will give a 1/3 to your brother to buy air soft guns to shoot people, give us another 1/3 to pay for “their” retirement and another 1/3 for health care “? I say, “Yes, but don’t forget to add an extra 1/3 for paying interest to whichever country we owe the interest and debt”? “Mommy that’s 4/3'rds”... “Yes, I know dear...They expect you to borrow an extra 1/3... Congressmen like to spend 4/3. You just borrow it.”...
WAKE UP AMERICA! Stop being the “Headless Praying Mantis”
For our children’s sake!
Monday, January 10, 2011
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Paul! Hurry UP! I can't wait to see the rest of the dang movie!
I always seem to meet people when traveling! This is one of my many finds on the road, actually a diamond out of nowhere. Had a my favorite seat in American Airlines Terminal with the outlet next to him and a Louisville Chuggers Shirt on and the ONLY open seat next to him in the entire bar! SCORED the plug for my laptop! Thank goodness no one was sitting next to him...I didn't get any work done because as fate has it...His t-shirt made me ask the question: Are you from Louisville? "Yes" Really what part? "You've probably never heard of it"...Try me..Well ends up he grew up in the same dry town that my brother lives in and the same tiny town with one stop light as my nephews....Paul Perez...NYC JFK-LAX now that is a whole nother story! Laughter for many years...and years to come!
PAUL!!!! FREAKING release the movie so I can find out what happens! Jeeeezus! Stop being a perfectionist AND PROFESSIONAL secret keeper! I'm going to get Marky B to tell me on my next trip to Louisville....Dang Chuggers!
PAUL!!!! FREAKING release the movie so I can find out what happens! Jeeeezus! Stop being a perfectionist AND PROFESSIONAL secret keeper! I'm going to get Marky B to tell me on my next trip to Louisville....Dang Chuggers!
Pretty Little Boxes: Part IV Why Portland Rocks!!
EMBRACE IT ALL.... Remember in history when:
Showing your ankle was immoral (kind of like ehhhmmm some places where it is still considered immoral today)
It's much more fun to wear victorian era clothing now! (Because you don't have too!) Change is inevitable! Thank who ever you pray to! Otherwise we would all be tottering around in humongous crinolines and corsets unable to breathe!
THANK YOU PINK! FOR SAYING WHAT I WAS TRYING TO SAY IN MY BLOG!
Showing your ankle was immoral (kind of like ehhhmmm some places where it is still considered immoral today)
It's much more fun to wear victorian era clothing now! (Because you don't have too!) Change is inevitable! Thank who ever you pray to! Otherwise we would all be tottering around in humongous crinolines and corsets unable to breathe!
THANK YOU PINK! FOR SAYING WHAT I WAS TRYING TO SAY IN MY BLOG!
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Nathalie Walker - quicksand thievery corporation remix
Tonights Bedtime Music ~HUGE hugs to the WORLD, ~S
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY COLLABORATION WITH DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE AND GENERAL MOTORS IN HAWAII - TheCypressTimes
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY COLLABORATION WITH DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE AND GENERAL MOTORS IN HAWAII - TheCypressTimes
Can someone please explain to me: Why we are not using geothermal micro turbine engines to produce electricity in Hawaii and Guam? Ie. It's the ring of fire like philippines: produces 27% of its electricity via Geo thermal for thousands of tiny islands (or Iceland Geothermal) why can't we? If you are worried about seismic activity created by H20 injection use a closed natural topside water pond cooled loop system....Just my 2 cents...
Can someone please explain to me: Why we are not using geothermal micro turbine engines to produce electricity in Hawaii and Guam? Ie. It's the ring of fire like philippines: produces 27% of its electricity via Geo thermal for thousands of tiny islands (or Iceland Geothermal) why can't we? If you are worried about seismic activity created by H20 injection use a closed natural topside water pond cooled loop system....Just my 2 cents...
Pretty Little Boxes: Part 3 of WHY Portland Rocks!
So I get a few days notice that my fellow BRC citizen will be in PDX. Right after I leave . I am really bummed....because she IS NOT ONLY unique but a GEEK GIRL! (well most BRC people are unique...but for that matter...She is PURE Radiant Gift Culture ENERGY!)! The Alchemy of life always prevails if you have an open mind and open heart....listen to what it tells you....make sure to be aware...
So needless to say if I were any other person on the planet: I would think to myself WTF: Why is this "random chick" (me) trying to give me a hand and see if we can get a hacker space! However, that is the special thing about the Random BRC universe. The things you can do if you only ALLOW yourself to imagine (without fear :)!
I commented about several things today but dear to my heart and soul is the following:
This video truly shows the amazing fusion of what bringing a collective "family" can do to together: art fueled by passion of the collective synergies (think creativity, design, engineering, technology and the ability to DREAM outside the box) of different talents through the conduit of open minds, hearts and brought together by some dust in the wind in the desert of NV.....It's a beautiful thing called Burning Man :
To Lynne~
Thanks for dreaming and being you! You are appreciated. Let me know the next place you drop in and the community will again come together and find the "right place to be, at the right time....Just where we are all supposed to be when we are supposed to be there"...Until then, be well my fellow BRC Citizen...Remember sometimes when we are alone we are stuck in the weeds, but gather all the weed wacker's around and look what beautiful paths we can create! "Be the change you wish to see in the world: ~Gandhi Hugs to the world, NOW let's go WACK some WEEDS! ~S
"Thanks PDX 2 being AWESOME! "Portland rocks ETextile innovations at their local hackerspace The Brain Silo with physical therapy knee braces, RFID necklaces and some glow! I love you PDX!" ~Lynne Bruning!
And the post from the amazing: www.sparkfun.com/news/502
Home | News - 2010.12.10
E-Textile Meet-Up
by Emcee Grady | December 10, 2010 | 10 comments
Today we have a guest post from our friend Lynne Bruning, E-Textile master:
Last week I embarked on a hasty trip to Portland to see Rose City Vaudeville, visit a very pregnant girlfriend and size-up the Stump Town geek factor.
Within a couple of hours I found cheap airfare, called my friend and blindly emailed the Portland Dorkbot , home of the Teensy++. They agreed to host a free E-Textile meet-up at the BrainSilo hacker space on Friday night. With only a few days notice, very little planning and a rainy evening, I anticipated a few friends, a six pack of beer and a couple of curious inventors. If I had known it would be standing room only with about 30 artists, hackers and researchers I would have thought twice about speaking. Seriously, ‘this’ was my holiday? Fortunately - they brought PBR, a space heater, great projects and a sense of humor.
I brought samples of conductive fabric and threads, Lilypads and Aniomagic Schemers, shared sewing tricks and talked about e-textiles, adaptive technology and the best blogs to follow the wearable computing trends. Monty asked about the dangers of lithium batteries and we contemplated destroying one. Loki discussed the semantics of ‘eTextiles’, ‘wearable computers’, ‘smart clothing’ and ‘glamtronics’ yet none of us came to a conclusion for accurate terminology.
Shannon Henry brought her Skirt Full of Stars - a Lilypad, accelerometer and fiber optic confection.
Janna from Third Brain Studio shared her physical therapy LED project that motivates a patient to complete their physical therapy through LEDs.
Amy Johnston arrived fashionably late, however she offered up a fresh pomegranate and a project I was super excited to learn more about. Hidden Agendas is a necklace composed of 45 RFID tags that are programmed to display an image, quote, or question that address the topic of tracking, surveillance and identity. The necklace is currently on display at the Science of Contemporary Craft in Pittsburgh.
And a special shout out to members of Makers Local 256 from Huntsville, Alabama who took time out of their busy travel schedule to attend the meeting and invite me to their hackerspace for some southern hospitality. I think that means moonshine and a pig roast!
Portland, you impress me with your desire to foster a community of creative thinkers. Your food carts, fashion and brew pubs. And most of all your ability to embrace innovation, especially on short notice. I’ll be back for more, until then please keep the beer cold and the BrainSilo warm.
Blogs Lynne follows (Me too but I'm just a "newbie without an awesome sewing machine and glue gun)....but I'm working on saving the world efficiently too, but until then...~COVETING these Blogs! :
Talk2MyShirt
http://www.talk2myshirt.com/blog/
Fashioning Technology
http://www.fashioningtech.com/
Computational Textiles
http://computationaltextiles.blogspot.com/
How To Get What You Want
http://www.kobakant.at/DIY/
Institute for Unstable Media
http://www.v2.nl/
Soft Circuit Saturdays - how to projects
http://softcircuitsaturdays.com/
LillyPond - craft project bb http://lilypond.media.mit.edu/projects
"Do you have one to add to the list?" Let the world know so we can HELP!
Thanks to all to cool people out there who listened to what the universe told them! ~S
So needless to say if I were any other person on the planet: I would think to myself WTF: Why is this "random chick" (me) trying to give me a hand and see if we can get a hacker space! However, that is the special thing about the Random BRC universe. The things you can do if you only ALLOW yourself to imagine (without fear :)!
I commented about several things today but dear to my heart and soul is the following:
This video truly shows the amazing fusion of what bringing a collective "family" can do to together: art fueled by passion of the collective synergies (think creativity, design, engineering, technology and the ability to DREAM outside the box) of different talents through the conduit of open minds, hearts and brought together by some dust in the wind in the desert of NV.....It's a beautiful thing called Burning Man :
To Lynne~
Thanks for dreaming and being you! You are appreciated. Let me know the next place you drop in and the community will again come together and find the "right place to be, at the right time....Just where we are all supposed to be when we are supposed to be there"...Until then, be well my fellow BRC Citizen...Remember sometimes when we are alone we are stuck in the weeds, but gather all the weed wacker's around and look what beautiful paths we can create! "Be the change you wish to see in the world: ~Gandhi Hugs to the world, NOW let's go WACK some WEEDS! ~S
"Thanks PDX 2 being AWESOME! "Portland rocks ETextile innovations at their local hackerspace The Brain Silo with physical therapy knee braces, RFID necklaces and some glow! I love you PDX!" ~Lynne Bruning!
And the post from the amazing: www.sparkfun.com/news/502
Home | News - 2010.12.10
E-Textile Meet-Up
by Emcee Grady | December 10, 2010 | 10 comments
Today we have a guest post from our friend Lynne Bruning, E-Textile master:
Last week I embarked on a hasty trip to Portland to see Rose City Vaudeville, visit a very pregnant girlfriend and size-up the Stump Town geek factor.
Within a couple of hours I found cheap airfare, called my friend and blindly emailed the Portland Dorkbot , home of the Teensy++. They agreed to host a free E-Textile meet-up at the BrainSilo hacker space on Friday night. With only a few days notice, very little planning and a rainy evening, I anticipated a few friends, a six pack of beer and a couple of curious inventors. If I had known it would be standing room only with about 30 artists, hackers and researchers I would have thought twice about speaking. Seriously, ‘this’ was my holiday? Fortunately - they brought PBR, a space heater, great projects and a sense of humor.
I brought samples of conductive fabric and threads, Lilypads and Aniomagic Schemers, shared sewing tricks and talked about e-textiles, adaptive technology and the best blogs to follow the wearable computing trends. Monty asked about the dangers of lithium batteries and we contemplated destroying one. Loki discussed the semantics of ‘eTextiles’, ‘wearable computers’, ‘smart clothing’ and ‘glamtronics’ yet none of us came to a conclusion for accurate terminology.
Shannon Henry brought her Skirt Full of Stars - a Lilypad, accelerometer and fiber optic confection.
Janna from Third Brain Studio shared her physical therapy LED project that motivates a patient to complete their physical therapy through LEDs.
Amy Johnston arrived fashionably late, however she offered up a fresh pomegranate and a project I was super excited to learn more about. Hidden Agendas is a necklace composed of 45 RFID tags that are programmed to display an image, quote, or question that address the topic of tracking, surveillance and identity. The necklace is currently on display at the Science of Contemporary Craft in Pittsburgh.
And a special shout out to members of Makers Local 256 from Huntsville, Alabama who took time out of their busy travel schedule to attend the meeting and invite me to their hackerspace for some southern hospitality. I think that means moonshine and a pig roast!
Portland, you impress me with your desire to foster a community of creative thinkers. Your food carts, fashion and brew pubs. And most of all your ability to embrace innovation, especially on short notice. I’ll be back for more, until then please keep the beer cold and the BrainSilo warm.
Blogs Lynne follows (Me too but I'm just a "newbie without an awesome sewing machine and glue gun)....but I'm working on saving the world efficiently too, but until then...~COVETING these Blogs! :
Talk2MyShirt
http://www.talk2myshirt.com/blog/
Fashioning Technology
http://www.fashioningtech.com/
Computational Textiles
http://computationaltextiles.blogspot.com/
How To Get What You Want
http://www.kobakant.at/DIY/
Institute for Unstable Media
http://www.v2.nl/
Soft Circuit Saturdays - how to projects
http://softcircuitsaturdays.com/
LillyPond - craft project bb http://lilypond.media.mit.edu/projects
"Do you have one to add to the list?" Let the world know so we can HELP!
ALL of US TOGETHER WILL do ANYTHING! Go 2 the END of the World!
I have hope: For the whole...~Thanks 2 DMB
And For Tonights Bedtime Music: Courtesy of Mr. Freewell of Palo Alto, CA: DMB ( I danced and sang with Soph before bed tonight with this one...An amazing compilation of artists...Would have loved to have been a fly on the wall hanging for this one! ~HUGE hugs to the WORLD, ~S
You And Me lyrics
want to pack your bags something small
take what you need & we disappear
without a trace, we'll be gone, gone
The moon & the stars follow the car
& then when we get to the ocean,
we're going to take a boat to the end of the world...
all the way to the end of the world
oh and when the kids are old enough
we gonna teach them to flyyyyyyy
you & me together we can do anything, baby
you & me together yes, yes
you & me together we can do anything, baby
You & me together yes, yes
You & I we're not tied to the ground,
not falling but rising like, rolling around
eyes closed above the roof tops
eyes closed we're gonna spin through the stars
our arms wide as the sky, we gonna ride the blue
all the way to the end of the world,
to the end of the world
oh and when the kids are old enough
we gonna teach them to flyyyyyyy
(chorus)
you & me together could do anything, baby
you & me together yes, yes
you & me together we can do anything baby
You & me toghter yes, yes
we can always look back at what we did
always remembering you & me baby
But right now it's you and me forever girl
you know we could do better than anything that we did
you know that you and me we could do anything
you & me together c' do anything, baby
you & me together yeah, yeah
two of us together we c' do anything, baby
you and me together, yeah yeah
the two of us together yeah, yeah
the two of us together, we can do anything baby
something small, told her at least, the end of the world,
And For Tonights Bedtime Music: Courtesy of Mr. Freewell of Palo Alto, CA: DMB ( I danced and sang with Soph before bed tonight with this one...An amazing compilation of artists...Would have loved to have been a fly on the wall hanging for this one! ~HUGE hugs to the WORLD, ~S
You And Me lyrics
want to pack your bags something small
take what you need & we disappear
without a trace, we'll be gone, gone
The moon & the stars follow the car
& then when we get to the ocean,
we're going to take a boat to the end of the world...
all the way to the end of the world
oh and when the kids are old enough
we gonna teach them to flyyyyyyy
you & me together we can do anything, baby
you & me together yes, yes
you & me together we can do anything, baby
You & me together yes, yes
You & I we're not tied to the ground,
not falling but rising like, rolling around
eyes closed above the roof tops
eyes closed we're gonna spin through the stars
our arms wide as the sky, we gonna ride the blue
all the way to the end of the world,
to the end of the world
oh and when the kids are old enough
we gonna teach them to flyyyyyyy
(chorus)
you & me together could do anything, baby
you & me together yes, yes
you & me together we can do anything baby
You & me toghter yes, yes
we can always look back at what we did
always remembering you & me baby
But right now it's you and me forever girl
you know we could do better than anything that we did
you know that you and me we could do anything
you & me together c' do anything, baby
you & me together yeah, yeah
two of us together we c' do anything, baby
you and me together, yeah yeah
the two of us together yeah, yeah
the two of us together, we can do anything baby
something small, told her at least, the end of the world,
Monday, December 13, 2010
Marble Sounds - The Time To Sleep (2010 Video & Lyrics)
<<<<I Need Sanctuary>>>>
To tune out the background chatter, focus and breathe!!!
You're falling in a lower gear
A little rest is what you need
You're rolled up on the seat
Your arms around your knees
We met by chance, talked on the phone
We kept in touch
I took you home
Sure, it proves we get along
And it will only get better from now on
We found a place to which we drive
And i offer you the time
To sleep - to dream
To wake up when we arrive
We found a place to which we drive
And i offer you the time
To sleep - to dream
To wake up when we arrive
Right moments come out of the blue
But when there's one it's up to you
Even when the time was up I couldn't stop
I was floating all day long
We found a place to which we drive
And i offer you the time
To sleep - to dream
To wake up when we arrive
We found a place to which we drive
And i offer you the time
To sleep - to dream
To wake up when we arrive
Monday, December 6, 2010
What is really logical anyway? Other strangely thought provoking conversations...
As the obvious alchemy continues to rain down into my world (that is a positive thing not negative) and as the patterns emerge I see a common conversation continuing to surface in my head.
Let me back up for a moment and explain: I met this gentleman (and yes, an actual gentleman) by random coincidence through a friend of mine. He had come to pick up my companion for the week....a fluffy little ball of barkie spunky love of a Maltese whom I adore to no end (that said I like almost any animal but especially loving ones). He had come to take Mr. Fluffy to his house to watch for me while I went on travel.
You see I didn't really want to leave my fabulous sun room, fluff ball of a friend and embark on an adventure, I was quite content working in the silence of the empty house with the ball of love at my side. However, I had triple pinkie swore to do two things and I had already been delayed by 4 days do to other overwhelmingly emergent "stuff"!
Just to note when/if I ever triple pinkie swear it is serious business. (I don't do crossie's or backsie's EVER) I would rather die trying than not give it everything I have. Most serious of any type of commitment I will enter a contract about. Kind of like having to see the family Vastu for a reading in India before signing a deal....I digress (a whole story for that one...remind me some day).
Just ask my kids. Their father thinks that "pinkie swearing doesn't count" you just promise. Nothing bad on his part (he's just very black and white) but for me a promise is a word and yes you promise with the word and you seal it with an action of trust a triple pinkie swear. When I promise: I promise to do the best I can at making it happen and managing expectations if for some un foreseen reason I can not complete what I had said what I would do. Now that said: If I promise with a pinkie swear...watch out world...I'll be damned if something is going to get in my way to completion.
So I triple pinkie swore I would help one of the most giving kind amazing women I have met in my lifetime move into her new place. (I still am very excited for her as I sit here typing after finally finishing the computer re engineering in her new place. She finally bought a place of her own. I am thrilled beyond belief to have the opportunity to be a part of such a joyful occasion. So I was 4 days late due to circumstances beyond my wildest imagination. I never in my life would have thought my week would go as oddly as it did.
I was able through friends to maintain my triple pinkie swear. How from 5 hours North? I called in my personal Calvary. Without my personal Calvary I would not continue to exist on this planet.
So a huge shout out to the following members of my personal Calvary: GC, JST, MK, G&PL, RIL, C, BRB, JMT, CA (too many to list if I don't do your initials you know you are loved I just have to get back to unpacking :) and my virtual cheering squad. As always I must thank you for your unwavering friendship and pinkie swearing commitment from infinity in the universe.
Now this was supposed to be about an entirely different subject but I need to get back to unpacking for my wonderful friend.
So just a thought until later regarding the next extended topic:
So the gentleman and I had a two and a half hour long discussion on "what really is reality or is this reality or are we just dreaming"
Which reminded me of one of my favorite songs in which I completely identified with the lyrics while "illegally" listening to them on my sister's 8 track tape Hi Fi Stereo of which I was NEVER allowed to breath on let alone touch! Good thing she liked to go to the library :D
Well since I've outed myself for my serious indiscretions of violating her forbidden property, I suppose I won't be receiving a holiday card with the obligatory family picture and associated updates this year.....Oh well then, less tree's killed, less recycling it will all work out in the end :D
The Logical Song lyrics
Songwriters: Davies, R; Hodgson, R;
When I was young
It seemed that life was so wonderful
A miracle, oh it was beautiful, magical
And all the birds in the trees
Well they'd be singing so happily
Joyfully, playfully watching me
But then they send me away
To teach me how to be sensible
Logical, responsible, practical
And then they showed me a world
Where I could be so dependable
Clinical, intellectual, cynical
There are times when all the world's asleep
The questions run too deep for such a simple man
Won't you please, please tell me what we've learned?
I know it sounds absurd but please tell me who I am
I say, "Now what would you say for they calling you a radical
Liberal, fanatical, criminal?"
Won't you sign up your name? We'd like to feel you're
Acceptable, respectable, presentable, a vegetable
Oh, ch-ch-check it out yeah
At night when all the world's asleep
The questions run so deep for such a simple man
Won't you please, please tell me what we've learned?
I know it sounds absurd but please tell me who I am
Who I am, who I am, who I am
'Coz I'm feeling so illogical
D-d-digital
Oh, oh, oh, oh
Unbelievable
B-b-bloody marvelous
Let me back up for a moment and explain: I met this gentleman (and yes, an actual gentleman) by random coincidence through a friend of mine. He had come to pick up my companion for the week....a fluffy little ball of barkie spunky love of a Maltese whom I adore to no end (that said I like almost any animal but especially loving ones). He had come to take Mr. Fluffy to his house to watch for me while I went on travel.
You see I didn't really want to leave my fabulous sun room, fluff ball of a friend and embark on an adventure, I was quite content working in the silence of the empty house with the ball of love at my side. However, I had triple pinkie swore to do two things and I had already been delayed by 4 days do to other overwhelmingly emergent "stuff"!
Just to note when/if I ever triple pinkie swear it is serious business. (I don't do crossie's or backsie's EVER) I would rather die trying than not give it everything I have. Most serious of any type of commitment I will enter a contract about. Kind of like having to see the family Vastu for a reading in India before signing a deal....I digress (a whole story for that one...remind me some day).
Just ask my kids. Their father thinks that "pinkie swearing doesn't count" you just promise. Nothing bad on his part (he's just very black and white) but for me a promise is a word and yes you promise with the word and you seal it with an action of trust a triple pinkie swear. When I promise: I promise to do the best I can at making it happen and managing expectations if for some un foreseen reason I can not complete what I had said what I would do. Now that said: If I promise with a pinkie swear...watch out world...I'll be damned if something is going to get in my way to completion.
So I triple pinkie swore I would help one of the most giving kind amazing women I have met in my lifetime move into her new place. (I still am very excited for her as I sit here typing after finally finishing the computer re engineering in her new place. She finally bought a place of her own. I am thrilled beyond belief to have the opportunity to be a part of such a joyful occasion. So I was 4 days late due to circumstances beyond my wildest imagination. I never in my life would have thought my week would go as oddly as it did.
I was able through friends to maintain my triple pinkie swear. How from 5 hours North? I called in my personal Calvary. Without my personal Calvary I would not continue to exist on this planet.
So a huge shout out to the following members of my personal Calvary: GC, JST, MK, G&PL, RIL, C, BRB, JMT, CA (too many to list if I don't do your initials you know you are loved I just have to get back to unpacking :) and my virtual cheering squad. As always I must thank you for your unwavering friendship and pinkie swearing commitment from infinity in the universe.
Now this was supposed to be about an entirely different subject but I need to get back to unpacking for my wonderful friend.
So just a thought until later regarding the next extended topic:
So the gentleman and I had a two and a half hour long discussion on "what really is reality or is this reality or are we just dreaming"
Which reminded me of one of my favorite songs in which I completely identified with the lyrics while "illegally" listening to them on my sister's 8 track tape Hi Fi Stereo of which I was NEVER allowed to breath on let alone touch! Good thing she liked to go to the library :D
Well since I've outed myself for my serious indiscretions of violating her forbidden property, I suppose I won't be receiving a holiday card with the obligatory family picture and associated updates this year.....Oh well then, less tree's killed, less recycling it will all work out in the end :D
The Logical Song lyrics
Songwriters: Davies, R; Hodgson, R;
When I was young
It seemed that life was so wonderful
A miracle, oh it was beautiful, magical
And all the birds in the trees
Well they'd be singing so happily
Joyfully, playfully watching me
But then they send me away
To teach me how to be sensible
Logical, responsible, practical
And then they showed me a world
Where I could be so dependable
Clinical, intellectual, cynical
There are times when all the world's asleep
The questions run too deep for such a simple man
Won't you please, please tell me what we've learned?
I know it sounds absurd but please tell me who I am
I say, "Now what would you say for they calling you a radical
Liberal, fanatical, criminal?"
Won't you sign up your name? We'd like to feel you're
Acceptable, respectable, presentable, a vegetable
Oh, ch-ch-check it out yeah
At night when all the world's asleep
The questions run so deep for such a simple man
Won't you please, please tell me what we've learned?
I know it sounds absurd but please tell me who I am
Who I am, who I am, who I am
'Coz I'm feeling so illogical
D-d-digital
Oh, oh, oh, oh
Unbelievable
B-b-bloody marvelous
Beautiful......~Toni Childs
I was introduced to the music of Toni Childs at the right time and the right place. 1991 DVC Thanks to my amazing friends who broadened my scope of music and life. Thank you Toni Childs for your music and work!
Beacuse You're Beautiful from Michael Shaun Conaway on Vimeo.
I see angels
i see devils in me too
and yes
i am angry and frustrated too
im no different, different than you
and I've been hurt
and wounded
and yes, I've been abused
now i can see you
holding out your hand
hoping that, someone will, finally understand
that you're beautiful
yes you're beautiful
you are beautiful
you are beautiful
deep in the silence, before the dawn
the wounded, the battle scarred
the nicks and the cut
don't let it define you, let it all blow away
reach for the stars, the moon please
find your way
don't you know you're beautiful
cause you're beautiful
cause you're beautiful
i see angels
i hear devils in me too
and yes, i am human
and i want nothing from you
don't you see you're beautiful
yes you're beautiful
we are beautiful
yes you're beautiful
its the time to choose, what you want now
its the time to declare, who you are now
its the time to, reach for the stars now
its the time to believe in yourself now
dream with me now
dream with me now
dream with me now
dream with me now
dream with me now
dream with me now
Beacuse You're Beautiful from Michael Shaun Conaway on Vimeo.
I see angels
i see devils in me too
and yes
i am angry and frustrated too
im no different, different than you
and I've been hurt
and wounded
and yes, I've been abused
now i can see you
holding out your hand
hoping that, someone will, finally understand
that you're beautiful
yes you're beautiful
you are beautiful
you are beautiful
deep in the silence, before the dawn
the wounded, the battle scarred
the nicks and the cut
don't let it define you, let it all blow away
reach for the stars, the moon please
find your way
don't you know you're beautiful
cause you're beautiful
cause you're beautiful
i see angels
i hear devils in me too
and yes, i am human
and i want nothing from you
don't you see you're beautiful
yes you're beautiful
we are beautiful
yes you're beautiful
its the time to choose, what you want now
its the time to declare, who you are now
its the time to, reach for the stars now
its the time to believe in yourself now
dream with me now
dream with me now
dream with me now
dream with me now
dream with me now
dream with me now
Friday, November 19, 2010
The Most Popular Question of the Month
I've been dwelling on this for a few weeks now....
I keep being asked the following question:
"So Susan, what do you want to do now?"
My reply several times when people inquired with that question:
"Well I can tell you what I am good at, finding diamonds in the rough, seeing patterns, the ability to filter background noise and simplify things. I am good at getting people to play nice in the sandbox. I am resilient and seasoned enough not to let the small stuff bug me. I still smile at very simple things. I can remind myself of how fortunate I am even in the worst situations. I can manage a whole herd of people in the midst of chaos without losing my calming voice and smile....I can compartmentalize to survive..to stubborn to die. I understand data it's black and white. One's and Zero's. On and Off. It is logic in it's most pure form. Don't tell me what can't be done. Tell me what you can do first. Tell me your end goal you seek. Let's figure out in an unfettered way what hurdles we need to overcome, either perceived or actual. Give me a white board, a cocktail napkin let me think outside the box with a development team, get them to stretch their imaginations. Because nothing is impossible. Sometimes, I think so far outside the box people I have a hard time without a white board explaining things. That and I am usually so passionate and excited about what I am thinking I talk at warp speed. So excited I want to give every minute detail of the logic involved in my thought process. I am so passionate I want to make sure I give you everything...Virtual Vomit to make sure I am presenting it in a way in which different factions of my audience can all understand.........WHEW!"
Response: "But Susan I didn't ask you what you are good at, I asked you what do YOU WANT to do?"
I said: "I'll have to get back to you on that one, I've never taken the time to truly contemplate what exactly I want to do."
So it started me stretching my own thoughts... A very good exercise in personal growth and an awesome reality check.
So let's see the patterns: I love kids, I love animals, I love old people, I love puzzles, I love researching, I love learning, I love helping people who are in need of help.
Little known facts: My first job (after babysitting) was I had a paper route, bought my first pair of ski's with my earnings. Bought my second pair of ski's. Taught skiing to little kids. Worked as a lifeguard, camp counselor, I was trained as a CNA in the Decca program in high school...worked at St. Mary's in the kitchen for the retired nun's...(Obviously they didn't talk me into being catholic a nun or nurse) I couldn't stand the way people were treated at the nursing home I was working at when I was 17...Gave up on medicine. Knew it would kill me emotionally. I've made cookies, worked in a factory making wiring harnesses for washers and dryers. I can change my own tire, oil, replace the regulator and take out my radiator and replace it with one I pulled out of another VW 1977 Rabbit at the junk yard. Enough random facts about me. I've worked my whole life and I'm never going to be embarrassed about it again. (remind me to write about that one)
I've always wanted to be an explorer of sorts, hang with Jane Goodall and embrace all the diversity that exists in this wonderful journey of a life.
I feel most alive when I am pushing every personal limit to the edge (not just for the adrenaline)....I believe that is what LIVING is all about in every cell of my existence. I could be among those who are just waiting to die....But to hell with that in a hand basket! If I don't go get what I want no one else is going to do it for me....that I know for damn sure.
So I still don't know what the answer is...yes or maybe there is no definitive answer. Perhaps, it is all about traveling, tasting, feeling, breathing, loving, helping, embracing chaos that is this life in which we live.
What's on my bucket list?:
Happy Friday!
I keep being asked the following question:
"So Susan, what do you want to do now?"
My reply several times when people inquired with that question:
"Well I can tell you what I am good at, finding diamonds in the rough, seeing patterns, the ability to filter background noise and simplify things. I am good at getting people to play nice in the sandbox. I am resilient and seasoned enough not to let the small stuff bug me. I still smile at very simple things. I can remind myself of how fortunate I am even in the worst situations. I can manage a whole herd of people in the midst of chaos without losing my calming voice and smile....I can compartmentalize to survive..to stubborn to die. I understand data it's black and white. One's and Zero's. On and Off. It is logic in it's most pure form. Don't tell me what can't be done. Tell me what you can do first. Tell me your end goal you seek. Let's figure out in an unfettered way what hurdles we need to overcome, either perceived or actual. Give me a white board, a cocktail napkin let me think outside the box with a development team, get them to stretch their imaginations. Because nothing is impossible. Sometimes, I think so far outside the box people I have a hard time without a white board explaining things. That and I am usually so passionate and excited about what I am thinking I talk at warp speed. So excited I want to give every minute detail of the logic involved in my thought process. I am so passionate I want to make sure I give you everything...Virtual Vomit to make sure I am presenting it in a way in which different factions of my audience can all understand.........WHEW!"
Response: "But Susan I didn't ask you what you are good at, I asked you what do YOU WANT to do?"
I said: "I'll have to get back to you on that one, I've never taken the time to truly contemplate what exactly I want to do."
So it started me stretching my own thoughts... A very good exercise in personal growth and an awesome reality check.
So let's see the patterns: I love kids, I love animals, I love old people, I love puzzles, I love researching, I love learning, I love helping people who are in need of help.
Little known facts: My first job (after babysitting) was I had a paper route, bought my first pair of ski's with my earnings. Bought my second pair of ski's. Taught skiing to little kids. Worked as a lifeguard, camp counselor, I was trained as a CNA in the Decca program in high school...worked at St. Mary's in the kitchen for the retired nun's...(Obviously they didn't talk me into being catholic a nun or nurse) I couldn't stand the way people were treated at the nursing home I was working at when I was 17...Gave up on medicine. Knew it would kill me emotionally. I've made cookies, worked in a factory making wiring harnesses for washers and dryers. I can change my own tire, oil, replace the regulator and take out my radiator and replace it with one I pulled out of another VW 1977 Rabbit at the junk yard. Enough random facts about me. I've worked my whole life and I'm never going to be embarrassed about it again. (remind me to write about that one)
I've always wanted to be an explorer of sorts, hang with Jane Goodall and embrace all the diversity that exists in this wonderful journey of a life.
I feel most alive when I am pushing every personal limit to the edge (not just for the adrenaline)....I believe that is what LIVING is all about in every cell of my existence. I could be among those who are just waiting to die....But to hell with that in a hand basket! If I don't go get what I want no one else is going to do it for me....that I know for damn sure.
So I still don't know what the answer is...yes or maybe there is no definitive answer. Perhaps, it is all about traveling, tasting, feeling, breathing, loving, helping, embracing chaos that is this life in which we live.
What's on my bucket list?:
- I'd love to write several books. I have a lot to say. It is just an overwhelming task that I can't do by myself right now. I would love to help people through my stories. I want to leave a legacy for my children.
- I want to go to Svalbard, Norway lie under a big furry blanket on a lawn chair and stair at the Aurora Borealis and dream of all the possibilities that exist in space and on earth.
- Along with that I'd love to dog sled across the tundra and live in an igloo.
- I COVET shoes. That said I can never find ones that I like. I have a design in my head. I would love to make custom shoes and I will. I've gone as far as how to make "lasts" when the holiday break settles me I will make my first pair of beautiful woman's shoes for myself.
- I would love to have more kids, adopt them whatever. Im adopted. I think I turned out fairly well. Why not give a child a home...
- Ride a horse across India with Relief Riders International and bring school, medical supplies to villages in Rajasthan
- Help people in poor parts of the USA. Reintroduce responsible agriculture, citizenship.
- My goodness this is just off the top of my head.
- Children are our hope for peace. We need to invest in them...Not just make factory workers. Teach them how to learn for themselves.
But all of this takes money (the necessary evil) so now I have to figure out how to profit from what I want to do and do the other things for the rest of humanity.
Happy Friday!
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Managing Chaos With A Smile!
“The harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly; it is dearness only that gives everything its value. I love the man that can smile in trouble, that can gather strength from distress and grow”~ Thomas Paine Thank you Mr. Paine!
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Why Projects Fail: Are you listening? The beginning
Why Projects Fail: Reason #1 Plus a HUGE "fictional" rant! #1 :D
Someday's I want to scream at the top of my Executive Management/Klingon Translator/Psychotherapist/Sociologist GEEK lungs:
STOP the HEMMORGAGING! NOW!
I have seen this so many times in my professional career I can't count...People seem to forget the most basic principles of having a successful on time, budget project:
Listen to your CLIENT!
You are not making this uber cool flashy gadget that doesn't meet the fit, form and function of what is desired by the CLIENT! Turbo Geek!( That's what being a game designer is about!) YOU are creating this product with the CLIENT's FIT, FORM, FUNCTION and PRICE POINT for the CLIENT! (Remember, the guy who is paying your bills)
Cut the project until you realize what your client (internal or external) actually wants AND needs! What does the end product, the tool/infrastructure/process need to accomplish? Fit, form, function with price point in mind.
The ideas for the intended solution are usually well formed in someones head and spot on to solve a REAL NEED. So idealistically this would both translated clearly by the analyst and executed, and implemented by the assigned team. Now back to reality: Pragmatically speaking, during the meetings, which are about upcoming meetings preparing for meetings everything is garbled and lost in translation. The original intent, fit, form and function have been molded into something entirely different than what was actually the business need in the first place.
Nine times out of ten, when I walk into an organization (usually to resolve something no one else wants to deal with A.K.A. they are going for a Executive Director promotion or incentive bonus and don't want to ruffle feathers or say the things that are usually hard for someone in that position to say. Like we are #FAILING to produce a product you actually need...Or we look like we are on budget because we have been cutting corners...
So "we" continue building something that meets some "check in the box" for a milestone (but really doesn't actually because we just skewed the statistics a bit) and looks like a nice shade of Green on the C-Level dashboard for the morning meeting.
The fact that the C Levels usually are so hands off or don't understand what is under the hood is is a good thing for this type of manager. They will most likely get the promotion. The user will be frustrated. The "profit center" will continue to think of the IT Shop as a "cost center" that looks like a bunch of pocket protector douche bags.
Hence, the vicious cycle continues...Economic downturn "profit center" who rules the house says cut "the cost centers" the COO says darn "IT" they are a huge "cost center" look at all that "stuff" they keep buying and OH the care and feeding costs! The CIO is now running around trying to figure out how to strategically keep the business running without people or equipment.
<<<Begin "fictional" rant>>>:
Then, as I like to say: Sooner or later they have a moment of clarity when things start failing and/or falling apart the guy they hired to be the "IT Manager" is now supposed to not only be a manager but SME in Networking, Security, Help Desk, Telecommunications, Fix the BES the CFO's Blackberry crashed. Then you run frantically to try to restore the CEO's hard drive which failed (usually because they were surfing something they shouldn't have been (if only they were security savvy). Of course this all happened while he was travelling. It couldn't possibly be the CEO's fault! CEO get back to the office jet lagged from traveling and starts yelling! Now all of the sudden you are both an A+ tech and a forensics expert. It needed to be done NOW! You now barely audibly whisper "Do you know when you last backed up your hard drive, or plugged it into the network?" RAGE ensues you worthless IT minion!
Back in your office (maybe just a cube now) You begin to try to surf and figure out what is wrong and how to fix it. Is the hard drive spinning at all? Is it the blue screen of death? You call "insert whichever laptop vendor" and pray either it is still under warranty or we have a service contract with vendor X......you sit waiting on the phone for 4 hours listening to elevator music and AHAAAA! you figure it out! Thank goodness!
However, while looking at the log files as to why they failed you realize your has a virus which he successfully installed while traveling in China. The CEO most likely bought a DVD from the "Ubuy DVD Man" on the side of the street in Shanghai bored of watching the only English news station recycle the censored stories for the 50th time. The CEO inserts the DVD which boots up (the embedded exe takes off and viola, phone home to Mao Tse Tung's Momma with all that corporate intelligence) Your "pristine church going" CEO's computer is infected because he watched porn. (How do you look at the CEO the same way without giggling silently under your breath?) You drop a hint he got a virus and VIOLA miraculously the CEO realizes you are NOT an IT GOD/GODDESS that is an SME of everything that plugs in the wall. AND FINALLY they realize they can't function without both the Equipment and IT staff to run it. Sometimes they get away with a "band aid approach of outsourcing for awhile. So everyone is unhappy and nothing useful has been accomplished.
So you wonder how long your job will last.. at the company because the CEO can not have you potentially exposing the secret. Tick Tock Starts the clock....Here we go again.
<<< End of fictional RANT>>>
So my main point is:
It is not technology that solves the problem! It is understanding the people and the processes they use to try to reach the goal! Technology just enables! Understand the people, the processes and the goal and you will WIN! Not the other way around!
More later....I'm tired!
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