Twitter killing blogging killing meaningful communication?

One man's twitter feed didn't load his tweets for 2 months. He didn't notice. Nor did a single one his 10K followers.

Is twitter ultimately meaningful for more than status updating? Point argued here.

Twitter killing blogging killing meaningful communication?

One man's twitter feed didn't load his tweets for 2 months. He didn't notice. Nor did his 10K followers.

Is twitter ultimately meaningful for more than status updating? He argues his point here.

Business greeting etiquette

As young children, my siblings and I were regularly trained by an graceful, elderly woman in the art of etiquette. As a young adolescent, I frequented our city library, checking out books by Emily Post and her contemporaries.

I still find matters of etiquette interesting, and challenging, in an increasingly technological, removed and globalized world. Basic codes of human kindness and morals will never change. How we function in our communication and interaction does evolve, however, as our surroundings evolve.

This article speaks to the issue of greeting someone in business gathering setting. The principles may be expanded to any social gathering, I believe. Some good insights to keep in mind when approaching semi-/strangers.

Here.

In short, writing well

I love the challenge writing presents. Its process is rigorous, demanding, and the finished product stares me in the face, daring me to refine it. Streamline the body. Use more economical and efficient text. Pare down. Use clearer language.

This post referencing Earnest Hemingway's style is interesting and helpful in this effort.

A snippet capturing the work of clean writing:

Use vigorous English.

It’s muscular, forceful. Vigorous English comes from passion, focus and intention. It’s the difference between putting in a good effort and TRYING to move a boulder… and actually sweating, grunting, straining your muscles to the point of exhaustion… and MOVING the freaking thing!

Ruling against Wells Fargo makes me happy!

Let's just say that there were a few college years (upon leaving the safety net of my parents) where I learned priceless lessons in personal financial management. Enrolling in the practical course of "managing your bank account," my primers were primarily near-poverty and sour banking practices (read here).

I don't feel sorry for myself, since much of America has (at one time or another) experienced such conditions -- or continues to -- and may not be fortunate enough to learn have learned the lessons offered by these hardships. Many lack the ability or can't find direct opportunity to find an exit door from them.

My #1 Lesson learned: if one is living from a debit card, is absolutely critical to never let your bank account balance fall below $100.
My #2 Lesson learned: Bank with a credit union, or some other institution with truly transparent and fair banking practices and fee system.

Admittedly, ever finding $100 extra in any month seemed impossible at the time. I tried, for example, to do it in $10 increments each month, and I nearly made it. Unfortunately, the bank made it literally impossible to ever get ahead, as the article's quote explains:

In a decision handed down late Tuesday, U.S. District Judge William Alsup accused Wells Fargo of "profiteering" by changing its policies to process checks, debit card transactions and bill payments from the highest dollar amount to the lowest, rather than in the order the transactions took place. That helped drain customer bank accounts faster and drive up overdraft fees, a policy Alsup referred to as "gouging and profiteering."

Even though I tried to reset my brain into equating $99 as overdrafting (aka -$1 balance), the unfair Wells Fargo practices still rocked my world. And those $26.06 bean burritos ($1.06 burrito + $25 overdraft fee) wouldn't have had such a bitter aftertaste (as the draft went down). Impeccable financial planning has no strength against unfair/scammy bank practices in their armor. Unfortunately, the situation so entangled me during this period that I never could get it together to leave this bank (always pining, "But I've been with them for 10 years!").

My secondary accounts still exist, but that is because a-my financial situation has bettered with the exit of this college phase, and b-the scammy practices they employed have been changed.

I have had every statement, organized by month, with overdraft charges highlighted, going back 7 years, and I have had them waiting for this day for over 4 years.

I look forward to hearing from you on this issue, Wells Fargo, even if it will only be my children who see the benefits from this legal decision.

Pregnancy's shadows and light

I am currently in the geographical location called Baby Bliss [somewhere between mile markers Total Exhaustion and Total Baby Independence]. Our babies are adorably affectionate, yet increasingly self-reliant (14 months). Every week their personalities unfold like little flowers in the heat of day.

I realized this because the post of a friend landed me back almost two years ago where the journey bringing these babies to our family unfolded. Through my first trimester and beyond, the road and the burden I carried felt at times incredibly lonely. No one but my husband and doctor knew about the pregnancy, and I felt like such a baby/wimp/loser for feeling so yucky all the time! Nausea and vomiting were part of the morning/afternoon/evening landscape into my 19th week. Exhaustion, depletion and emotional upheaval were unexpected and unwelcome house guests that I had imagined sheer force of will could put away. Wrongly so.

To read someone else describe her difficulties of pregnancy was an important experience for me. Jen's experience, while different, is yet similar, and validated my own. My pregnancy was wrought with divine miracles, intervention from Heaven, and continued direction from God. I am confident and grateful for the peace and surety of a Divine Creator that delivering two children has given me. It is an experience that furthered my conviction of the meaning of life. It was a holy time and these months are among the highlights of my short life.

In this reflection, I remember that is important to recognize the shadows and the brightness in the experiences of my life. Sometimes I want to flood out the dark with bright light: not wanting to be pessimistic, focus on the negative, or get stuck in missing out in beauties by seeing only what isn't bright. Finding peace with the shadows in our lives brings balance and counter to the light. Of course, without the darkness there would be no comprehension of light!

Accepting the challenges, pain, heartache, struggle and difficulty of our lives is one thing. Being able to live with them without allowing them to diminish all that is lovely and good is something more exquisite. A challenge well-worth the undertaking!

I am grateful for the rigors of pregnancy: they prepared me to understand something of the depth of emotion, selflessness and strength that motherhood is carving out of me. It hurts so good sometimes. And I love it all of the time. Even through an occasional tear or two. Motherhood is rigorous and absolutely delicious. I thank God, our Creator, that my husband and I are partners with Him in this work of parenthood.