Sallying

Oct
27th

Tue

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Oct
10th

Sat

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Oct
1st

Thu

An interesting social media analogy

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Sep
30th

Wed

Unread Books

normblog: Suppose you read four books a week every week for 70 years. Allowing for a day here and there where you’re unable to read, we can call that 200 books a year, and 14,000 books over the whole three score years and ten. It’s a lot of books. But relative to all the books there are, it’s a tiny, tiny fraction. According to the guy who manages the Google Books metadata team, at the latest count the books in the world now total 168,178,719. Your 14,000 books are just 0.008324477724 per cent of that. You can think of it as follows. Suppose all the books in the world made up a single calendar year, and you were reading through the pages of that year, cover to cover. Then, 14,000 books - and that’s going some - would only get you through the first 44 minutes of the year. There’d still be 364 days, 23 hours and 16 minutes that you hadn’t read. And if you get through fewer than 14,000 books in your lifetime, it will look even worse. Comforting in a way.

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Sep
29th

Tue

So I have freed myself to put me on the priority list and say, yes, I can make choices that make me happy, and it will ripple and benefit my kids, my husband and my physical health.” “That’s hard for women to own. We’re not taught to do that. It’s a lesson that I want to teach my girls.

— First Lady Michelle Obama

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Sep
11th

Fri

Domain Crazy

My latest purchase makes me happy. Last night through an international site, I found and snapped up the domain name Sally.sm. I want to use it to market my social media training classes, but for now it’s pointed to my online resume (http://HireSallyAlbright.com).

I confess I’m a bit of a domain junkie. My habit started when I worked at the U.S. Internet Council, where our Vice President was a full blown addict. He registered new domains almost weekly. He bought ILoveYouJanet.com for his wife, SeeBusterRun.com for his dog, and HappyBirthdayJulie.com for his daughter. (Names have been changed.) This was back when you could still get a good dotcom domain pretty easily.

So under his influence, I started buying domains. While most of them expired before I bothered to point them anywhere, I’m glad I grabbed http://SallyAlbright.com when I did. (Sally.com was taken years ago, and an artist in California has it locked up for another decade.)

My habit didn’t turn chronic until I discovered GoDaddy. Now that I can have the domain of my dreams in a matter of minutes for around $12, I’ve gone a little crazy. I’ve purchased several different versions and spellings of my name as well as my husband’s. I’ll buy them for my blogs, for new business ventures, for books I might someday write, for parties I host, even as gifts for my friends. Sometimes, I’ll buy one just because it’s cool.

Do you own a personal domain name? If not, you should get on the ball. Besides GoDaddy, there are hundreds of registrants. Just type in what you want and they will show you what’s available. You may not think you need a domain name now, but chances are you’ll want one at some point. Best to choose sooner rather than later.

You should definitely try to to buy your first and last name followed by dotcom or dotnet. You can also get away with dotorg or dotus. If you have a common name that is already taken, try a nickname, add a middle initial or reference your location. Get creative. If down the line you think of a better one, buy it too!

As far as I’m concerned, you can’t have too many.

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Sep
9th

Wed

The Southwest Waterfront metro plaza. The first photo looks up the new 4th Street from M Street, SW. In second is an aerial view. Both show the facade of the building that will replace the old Safeway, which is moving to the East Tower.

H/T Southwest…The Little Quadrant That Could

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Sep
7th

Mon

Social Media 101

The other day I ran into a colleague, a woman I’ve always looked up to who also works in communications. We exchanged business cards and briefly caught up. When told her that I had branched into social media consulting, she sneered, “I don’t do all that social media nonsense. If someone needs to reach me, they can email. I do email.” Looking at my card with contact info for half a dozen social networking sites, her companion exclaimed, “There’s no mailing address on here!”

I can’t remember the last time I sent a mass email. I’m pretty sure any lists I used to use are tragically out of date. I haven’t received anything business-related through snail mail in years. And even my mom uses Facebook.

Were there really smart, savvy professionals out there who weren’t taking advantage of social media? I had no response. When I related the incident to Leslie Bradshaw, Director of Engagement at the powerhouse New Media Strategies, she shrugged. “Tell them social media is an accelerator for business and networking. Why drive 45 when you can drive in the fast lane?”

Why indeed? I was hardly an early adopter of social media, but I recognized its potential right away, and now I am fully immersed in the technology and the culture.

New media isn’t a fad, it’s a new way of life. I know there’s a huge learning curve for people who have always worked a certain way, but there is no excuse for getting left behind. My friend Wendy laments, “It’s like our parents not knowing how to program the VCR,” and she’s right.

I’d like to be a resource for my peers who are hesitant about using social media. There is a lot of information out there, but I can break it down for mid-career professionals who don’t know where to start (or fear they will do something wrong.)

Look for regular blog posts on tips and tricks for getting started in social media, branding yourself online, and integrating new technology into your every day life.

(I have a strict policy against blogging about my clients, so I’ll be looking for case studies. I’d love to offer individual consulting for anyone who will allow me to blog about the process.)

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Sep
4th

Fri

To My Foster Dog

I used to hold you
in moments stolen from my own
Before I delivered you into loving arms.
They took care of you while they could.
And you were happy,
content to wait.
You knew you’d come around again.
And when you did
you’d get to be
my dog.

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Aug
14th

Fri

Perspective

Me: I need a hair cut. Or maybe I should let it grow out some.
Him: No way. I've seen pictures of you with long hair.
Me: You mean pictures of me from the '80's?
Him: I guess
Me: Come on, it wouldn't look like that!
Him: (Laughs) I'm just saying... you look way hotter now.
Me: Um, thanks?

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Aug
2nd

Sun

At its most repugnant, the belief that women must be subjugated to the wishes of men excuses slavery, violence, forced prostitution, genital mutilation and national laws that omit rape as a crime. But it also costs many millions of girls and women control over their own bodies and lives, and continues to deny them fair access to education, health, employment and influence within their own communities.

…

The truth is that male religious leaders have had — and still have — an option to interpret holy teachings either to exalt or subjugate women. They have, for their own selfish ends, overwhelmingly chosen the latter. Their continuing choice provides the foundation or justification for much of the pervasive persecution and abuse of women throughout the world.

— Fmr. President Jimmy Carter, on leaving the Church over treatment of women. (Politics Daily)

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Jul
30th

Thu

Having spent my academic career trying to bridge differences and promote understanding among Americans, I can report that it is far more comfortable being the commentator than being commented upon. At this point, I am hopeful that we can all move on, and that this experience will prove an occasion for education, not recrimination. I know that Sergeant Crowley shares this goal. Both of us are eager to go back to work tomorrow. And it turns out that the President just might have a few other things on his plate as well.

—

Henry Louis Gates Jr. writes on The Root:

“An Accident of Time and Place”

(Via POLITICO.com)

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Jul
15th

Wed

…We have to be part of the solution when we see a problem. It takes everyone in a city, we need your help! We are working so hard everyday to make DC a great place to live, but whether its fighting crime, bettering our schools, or creating opportunity for all, we need the help of everyone. Please become a literacy volunteer, join a local neighborhood crime watch organization, and remember that we are one people, whether we are white, black, Hispanic, male female, young, old, gay, lesbian, rich or poor. This city belongs to all of us and we all have a stake in what is going on in our city and we all have a duty to get involved and to make a difference. Don’t ever discriminate! Give everyone a chance! Treat everyone as you would want to be treated!!!! Please feel free to contact me at DesiDeschaine@DC.gov if you want to get involved and make a positive difference in the District of Columbia. Don’t forget to VOTE VOTE VOTE.

— Desi Deschaine, quoted in Small Friendly Planet when he worked for Mayor Fenty in 2003.

Read more about my friend Desi Deschaine here.

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Jul
14th

Tue

Desi Deschaine

On Sunday my friend Desi Deschaine invited me to go boating. I couldn’t go. In fact, I didn’t even reply. I knew he had sent a mass text and that all his friends were welcome. I thought I would have time to respond after the weekend. I thought there would be future invitations.

I was wrong. Desi drowned Sunday night.

Known for his enthusiasm and charm, Desi could coax people into anything. He was a social creature with ties to many D.C. communities. Because of his high profile job, his death is all over the news. One headline fittingly calls him “Beloved.” Desi loved this city, and worked tirelessly to serve the public with his infectious passion. His memorial will be crowded with mourners from across the District and across the country. We will all share him in our grief.

Remembering Desi makes me smile. Desi celebrating his graduation from Catholic, Desi at my wedding, Desi in Rehoboth Beach, Desi at Taste of the South, Desi at Hamburger Mary’s, Desi mixing drinks in my kitchen at one of our late night parties, Desi drafting me to wave signs for various political candidates, Desi working to bring baseball back to DC, Desi marching in the Pride Parade. Desi was everywhere. I am blessed to have known him.

I pulled up his last message, sent Sunday morning.

Weather calls for a sunny day on the water. We r setting sail by 1pm from the Baltimore Marine Center. It’s gonna be a great day for boating in the harbor. Call or text if u have direction or parking questions. We hope you can join us!! :) not sure when we will be boating next sooo…. :)

Even though no one will ever read it, I had to send him one last text. I simply said, I love you, and hit send.

Links:

Beloved D.C. Council Staffer Dies in Baltimore Drowning
D.C. Council Aide Dead in Apparent Drowning
District Council Aide Dead in Apparent Drowning
Gay D.C. Council Aide Drowns in Baltimore

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Jul
7th

Tue

The Southwest Waterfront Metro Plaza (via SWDC Blog)

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