Here a Tweet, There a Tweet, Everywhere a Twitter May 24, 2009
Posted by Chris in Blogging, Facebook, Pop Culture, Technology, Twitter.add a comment
On the local Hackettstown, NJ town forum, someone made the remark that pretty much said that people who use Twitter are either kids, lonely, or unemployed with nothing better to do with their time.
Yikes.
Quick inventory – - checking to see if I am a kid or at least what one would call “young”, void of social connections and accomplishment. Nope. That’s not me. (Well, I like to think that at 42, I am not ready for Shady Pines yet, but I digress). I’ve done pretty well for myself, yet, oh God, I Tweet. It’s true. I confess. I Tweet in the morning, I Tweet during the day, I Tweet at night. And I have not gone blind.
I have a professional Twitter account, and a personal Twitter account. I’m on LinkedIn and Facebook as well. I am even old-school: Long before the days of MicroBlogs like Twitter or Social Media sites like Facebook, I Blogged and continue to do so on WordPress. I must say, however, I have my limits; I dumped MySpace. it got a little too trashy for even me.
What do I tweet about? Politics (ever wonder how all of these politicians get elected when no one admits to voting for them?), travel (I’ve got accumulating airlines miles down to a science and really DIGG(.com) keeping up with fellow Cruise Line followers who like to take to the seas on occasion ), automotive (Hemi Power & Cops and Rodders – fun stuff), current events and pop culture (ever wonder how an American Idol gets elected with no one admits to voting for them?), daily frustrations and blessings (and I am that, for sure). Nothing is sacred: I even Tweeted from my Granny’s funeral, and she would have LOVED it, too.
I think I am in good company. At this very moment, astronauts are Tweeting from the Space Shuttle (fellow tweets, check out @Astro_mike) as they wonder if the weather will ever clear in Florida so that they can land. Along the way, though, they are also Tweeting about how they feel to be looking down on Mother Earth from orbit. All sorts of celebrities Tweet, though there are imposters so be careful about who you follow. Local and national media type’s Tweet. Lawmakers on both sides of the isle and in all 50 states Tweet, and its gotten a few of them in trouble. College professors and Nobel Peace Prize winners Tweet.
Different people gravitate to different things. Cable TV vs Sat TV vs broadcast, text messaging vs a phone call vs a postage stamp, traditional print newspaper vs online news vs news tweets from CNN, sedan vs convertible vs bicycle.
So what is Twitter anyway? Technically speaking, it is a Microblog. Think of it as a stream of mini blog posts, limited to 144 characters each. If a blog is a short story, a Twitter is the title. Think of it as an interesting news feed and don’t judge it by the continuously updated public timeline that often consist of pointless chatter (“I love my cat” blah blah”) . The value of Twitter is in your own online community of people who follow you, as well as those people you choose to follow. You are in control and you shouldn’t care what any crowd thinks, but rather you should care about the wisdom of a carefully selected crowd.
Why might you want to Tweet? If you are a student of current events and understand the importance of the human connection, both for personal enjoyment and professional growth, you might actually enjoy the opportunity to learn new things. There are tons of daily thoughts and ideas from experts and leaders like Tony Robbins for example. I am sure that you also have expertise in your own area – something important or informative to impart to others. Why not share that expertise? If you are in business, why not use it to help communicate your message, such as Chrysler is doing right now through bankruptcy?
Another reason to Tweet is to become a better student of rapidly developing technology. Look at how quickly the online universe is changing? I am found Twitter to be great way to learn about fresh new tech ideas, and the very nature of Twitter with its 144 character limit forces focused communication. You won’t have to worry about reading anything as lengthy as this one blog entry. You can keep up while you are on the go using text messaging or Twitter on an iPhone if you are the type to be always on and plugged in. It’s a matter of preference.
The bottom line for me and the millions of other people who use it is that Twitter is just one more communications tool. If you check it out and don’t like it, the world won’t end. No blood will be shed. And if you do decide you like it, that doesn’t make you an unemployed bum with too much time on your hands.
And the next American Idol is…. May 21, 2009
Posted by Chris in Observations, Pop Culture, Ramblings, Television.add a comment
I don’t watch American Idol religiously. In fact, I only watch the last 4 or 5 weeks of the competition, and during that time I felt like Adam Lambert, Kris Allen, and Danny Gokey were the 3 best musicians in the group.
The more I watched Adam Lambert, the more I observed that he didn’t seem to have as much variety in his performances. He’s a good show man – a good concert musician if you like the whole makeup and tongue hanging out of a wide open mouth kind of routine. If there was a place to possibly scream in a song, he took it. To his credit, he can definitely scream in key, and KISS was definitely successful – in the 70s’ – but I started growing tired of the lack of variety in his performances.
I also started noticing the more well rounded abilities and voices of Danny Gokey and Kris Allen. They both seemed much more humble to me at the same time Adam seemed to be buying into and basking in the overblown praise that was being heaped on him every week by the judges. At the same time, Danny and Kris just seemed to showcase their own abilities, staying true to the musical rather than theatrical aspect of their talent.
So in the final competition it came down to two very talented people – - Adam was born to perform and has the confidence to excel on broadway or in Vegas, and Kris, who, though he doesn’t scream rock music, plays guitar and piano and can carry a vocal performance all by himself. In my mind, its about who is more radio-ready, and maybe even who is more mature. In the end, they are both have incredible talent and both can have terrific careers, but I think the right performer won American Idol.
Any other Grey’s fans out there? May 18, 2009
Posted by Chris in Pop Culture, Television.2 comments
I have been watching Grey’s Anatomy since the beginning. I felt like the writing suffered a bit last year after the writer’s strike, and they never really hit full stride for the short season that followed. This season I thought the writing rally improved. It was like the first season. Sharp and crisp.
This season’s finale really took be my surprise. I knew where the story line was going with Izzy, but never guessed the guy who got his by the bus was George until he did the “007” thing. WOW! I should have known it. Normally I see those things coming, but I was totally caught off guard by that one.
The real question is what happens to Katherine Heigel & TR Knight? Hollywood has produced any number of television celebrities who, after reading their own PR and perhaps feeding their own egos, moved on from what was working into relative oblivion. It will be interesting to see if that happens with Heigel and Knight.
I Tweet. Do you Tweet, too? March 1, 2009
Posted by Chris in Blogging, Pop Culture, Technology.add a comment
I have added TWITTER to my Facebook account and to this webpage. Basically that means that I now do all of my Facebook status updates via Twitter, either on the Twitter website, through Facebook’s Twitter application, or (very cool) via a Text Message directly to Twitter. Whatever status I sent to Twitter and via Twitter to Facebook will also show up on the front of CTCLARK.COM. How cool is that??? I am still figuring out and thinking through all of the possible real word social and business implications of Twitter, but for now, I am having a good time with it.
Return to CTCLARK.COM
Return to MY FACEBOOK PAGE
Meet a Couple of Championeers March 23, 2008
Posted by Chris in Pop Culture, Real Estate.add a comment
The founders of my company have a new website they would like you to take a look at:
My Next Toy October 21, 2007
Posted by Chris in Photo Blog, Pop Culture, Technology.1 comment so far
The new HTC Touch phone. It is Sprint’s version of Apple’s iPhone. I think I will have to have one.
Congratulations Eric & Rachel October 7, 2007
Posted by Chris in Family & Friends, Pop Culture.Tags: engagement, eric, friends, hawaii, paris, rachel, wedding
14 comments
Saturday, December 23, 2006
When my friends, Eric and Rachel, mentioned at my recent Christmas party that they would be spending the following week in Paris for Rachel’s birthday, I silently hoped that Eric would use that opportunity to pop the question to Rachel. After all, its the holiday season, and Rachel’s birthday, and you are in a beautiful romatic city like Paris – - – it was just a perfect setting.
That, and the fact that I have never seen someone light Eric up the way that Rachel does. They are truly perfect together.
So I was pumped big time when I got word from Eric that he did ask for Rachel’s hand in marriage – right on top of the Eifel tower. And, of course, she said yes. I couldn’t be more happy for you guys! You are the best. Congratulations.
Here are some pictures of the romantic couple on their vacation to Paris.
April 14, 2007
Eric and Rachel on our weekend trip The Villiages on Lake Palestine
UPDATE: SUMMER 2007
The official wedding announcement
UPDATE:
Sunday, September 30, 2007
One week away from the big day. We have the big rehearsal on Thursday. Excactly what does an usher do anyway? I am sure they will fill me in.
Saturday Morning, October 6, 2007
I got up early today to get a haircut and a fresh press on my pin-striped suit for the big wedding. I have never had such responsibilities before. An Usher! I was wondering exactly what my responsibilities are – - sounds so important! But I got the 411 on it at the rehearsal. Ya’ll think I am kidding, huh? Nope, you know I don’t do weddings or funerals, so this is all new to me. Anyway, the whole usher thing – - that means I can seat people wherever I want to. And if I don’t like them I can make them wait in the hall. Oh, the power of it all. The rehearsal Thursday was a lot of fun. It’s really amazing with my event coordination background that I really haven’t been involved in more of this type of thing. Anyway, good thing – those rehearsals – because I was, indeed, clueless. I will try to take some pictures and get them up on line tomorrow for everyone.
Sunday, October 7, 2007 – The Day After
Well, I did say I promised Rachel that I would be have myself. Hmmmm. Well, you’ll just have to ask her if I really did. Ooooops. Anyway, what a fabulously wonderful event in which to be involved! I could not be happier for Eric and Rachel. I cannot think of another couple that go so well together. They both just light up when they see each other, and they also envelope the people that are around them with that same warmth. In sitting with them at the end of the evening, Eric looked at Rachel, smiled and said – “Hey honey, this was all for us. We just got married!”, and they both had the most incredible look on their faces. Great Kodak moment, really. Sorry, I didn’t capture it – would have ruined the moment. But alas, I took a few pictures which I will share below. Unfortunately if you want to see the good ones taken by the real photographer you will have to wait a few weeks.
Eric trying to remember how to tie a necktie. A little nervous, but best man Andy went to the rescue.
Best Man Andy, and Maid of Honor (and Rachel’s sister), Sarah. And thank God for Sarah, who kept all of us buttoned properly, handled the lint patrol on our suits and overall made sure we didn’t make fools of ourselves. Or tried to, anyway.
See Eric stand very still. See Sarah with the scissors – demonstrating what she will do too him if he hurts her sister. I don’t think we will have any problems there. I don’t think I would want to be on the receiving side of Sarah’s wrath.
The Groom – - waiting.
US Congressman Ralph Hall, signing the marriage certificate after the ceremony.
The newlyweds entering the reception. Good looking couple, huh? I thought I had a cool video of them dancing the first dance but I guess my camera screwed up, so you’ll have to wait for the real video later. Sorry folks.
Eric and him mom enjoy a slow dance.
Sorry about the bad lighting – but here they are as Sarah offers her toast. No Jon Bon Jovi appearance unfortunately….
I wish now that I had taken more pictures but a lot was going on. It was great to get to know some of Eric and Rachel’s friends that I had not met before, or in some cases, it had been years since I had seen them. Before this week, I had not seen Mr and Mrs Hedstrom in probably ten or more years. Eric’s cousin came all the way from Germany for the wedding which was pretty cool. It was also an absolute blast to meet and spend some time with the Blacketers. Rachel’s Mom and Dad are two of the nicest and friendlest people I have had the pleasure of meeting, and I also got to escort both Rachel’s mom and her grandmother to her seat. Her grandmother reminds me a lot of my own Granny. Grandparents are so special! And, of course, crazy Sarah, Rachel’s “little” sister. She made me smile and feel very welcomed. She brings energy into any room she enters.
Eric and Rachel – - thank you for including me in your special day. I am humbled and honored, and wish you both all of the love and happiness in the world. Enjoy Hawaii!
Backstage with Wynonna June 4, 2007
Posted by Chris in Feel Good, Photo Blog, Pop Culture, The Good Life.Tags: chris, las vegas, wynonna
1 comment so far
This was taken when I was backstage in Las Vegas with Wynonna.
This is what “Hilton Honors” points will get you upgraded to May 12, 2007
Posted by Chris in In the News, Pop Culture.add a comment
This picture is from KCBS-TV in Los Angeles and it shows the interior of Paris Hilton’s new home away from home. She was sentenced Friday, May 4, to 45 days in the LA County pokey for violating probation in an alcohol-related reckless driving case by driving with a suspended license.
Say Goodnight, Sanjaya April 18, 2007
Posted by Chris in Pop Culture.1 comment so far
Finally, he got voted off tonight; about four weeks too late.
