Now I've (not) seen everything - an invisible cycling helmet 
Really hope these 2 become millionaires off the back of it.

edit> FYI this is not a prototype.. the invisible helmet is on the market > http://www.hovding.com/en/hovding

RECIPROCITY
Give & Take

Phil collins knows it. Dr Robert Cialdini knows it. Heck, even I know it!!!
Now, YOU know it too. Happy Friday Plussers. :§)>

The Hierarchy of G+ Needs

As +Google+ is a social network it makes sense to think of it in terms of Maslows Hierarchy of Needs. The technology, features & addons in the G+ system are there to facilitate our social interaction.

I've looked at the needs with a view to how individuals & small business need to integrate Google+.

Its based on a full 10 minutes day-dreaming based research gleamed during my morning coffee ;§)>


Here's the How to's I mention:
- Adding Google Badges to your: http://goo.gl/6ok9u
- Add an author’s credit link on web pages to their G+ profile: http://goo.gl/TXIUu
- How to add a +1 button on your site: http://goo.gl/2leaj

How Do We REALLY Feel About People Using Google+ Profiles for Marketing Purposes?
SURVEY RESULTS are at
http://product-ivity.com/survey-results-to-what-degree-is-marketing-punished-in-google-plus

The results from last weeks G+ survey are in and available on my blog below. I've included the responses to each question along with the interpretation & analysis of the various nuances of the survey design.

I would welcome any feedback on the results & analysis and have tried to provide suggestions about how to apply digital marketing techniques within Google+ using the findings.Please use this thread for discussing the post results.

SURVEY DISCUSSION HANGOUT THIS THURSDAY

Feel like talking bout this? I can do a hangout this Thursday to discuss at 8PM GMT (= 9PM CEST Paris / 3PM EDT New York / 2PM CDT Chicago). I'll be online for 30 minutes if you wish to drop by.

A massive thank you to everybody on Google+ who shared the post, those who +1’d it and everybody who participated filling out the survey. In addition, several people contacted me directly with votes of support, fresh ideas and viewpoints and possible suggestions for future surveys which was most helpful. Finally, thanks to +Patrick Sharpe for reviewing and contributing question ideas prior to the survey going out.

Cheers, Rod :§)>


+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
FAQs about the survey

Why did the survey focus on your first impressions & reactions to marketing techniques in G+?
http://product-ivity.com/survey-results-to-what-degree-is-marketing-punished-in-google-plus#GOAL1

Why did the survey focus on negative punishment reactions only?
http://product-ivity.com/survey-results-to-what-degree-is-marketing-punished-in-google-plus#GOAL2

Why did the survey focus specifically on detailing sole traders who use Google+ Profiles?
http://product-ivity.com/survey-results-to-what-degree-is-marketing-punished-in-google-plus#GOAL3

Why did the survey NOT cover prolonged exposure to marketing by an individual you know?
http://product-ivity.com/survey-results-to-what-degree-is-marketing-punished-in-google-plus#OUTOFSCOPEA

Why did the survey NOT cover the upper limits of tolerance to post frequency (e.g. reaction to 5/10/15 marketing posts from one person)?
http://product-ivity.com/survey-results-to-what-degree-is-marketing-punished-in-google-plus#OUTOFSCOPEB

Why did the survey NOT query the positive reactions and rewards of marketing?
http://product-ivity.com/survey-results-to-what-degree-is-marketing-punished-in-google-plus#OUTOFSCOPEC

And lastly an FYI: Heres the original G+ post promoting the survey https://plus.google.com/100807029253466370478/posts/34KNorx1rdv

#googleplus #marketingonline #digitalmarketing #socialmediamarketing #marketingsurvey #survey

CGI!... Actors no longer needed.
Audrey Hepburn Galaxy Commercial

The 3 Social Networks within Google+ and The Part You Play

You thought Google+ was just one social network, right? Technology-wise it’s all bundled in as one application - true. But the ecology of this knowledge network contains 3 different hidden networks we all overlook.

I’ll show you the 3 hidden networks, the part you & your collaborators play in this and why you should even care... especially if you’re doing business on G+.

[SPOILER ALERT] If you just can’t wait... the 3 social networks in Google+ are:
1: Collaborative innovation networks
2: Collaborative learning networks
3: Collaborative interest networks

None the wiser? – Read the full article on my blog… :§)>

#collaboration #COINs #CIN #CLN #CKN

How do you feel about people using Google+ profiles to market their wares?
Quick 30 Second Survey all About Google+

HERE IS THE SURVEY LINK
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dFBGNW84bVRJYjZ0NHo5YVVOd0t2RkE6MQ

One unwritten rule in G+ I find very interesting is the idea that blatant marketing of products/services is frowned upon. However, this rule is not explicitly defined for exact contexts and types of promotion. It's unwritten.

I have created this short survey (6 questions - 60 seconds max) to evaluate perception to marketing of products and services in G+ and would love you to take a minute to complete it for me.

I'll openly publish the results once it has at least 500 replies.

Cheers, Rod :§)>

Please SHARE this post too: The more participants, the more likely the results reflect a larger consensus.

Major props to +Patrick Sharpe for helping me out contrbuting some great ideas & text for the survey content.

Disclosure: This is NOT being done for any company/agency, but for my own personal interest in social psychology & normative behavior in social media.

41 Lessons Learned From My 41 Years on This Planet

I decided to take an evening off from the serious posts and do a fun brain-dump of my life lessons. Hope you enjoy this tour round my grey matter ;)

I may never discover what potpourri is for. Stephen Hawkings doesn’t know either. That makes us equals in my books.

Most people don’t know what they want to do when they grow up. And most folk never will. The fun part is the journey so try to do as many jobs as possible. It’s easier to filter out those you don’t want to do.

Love is a Battlefield. And you carry the battle scars for life.

Fear of the unknown and worry about what might happen in the future are excuses for inaction.

Nobody has a bloody clue what’s going on, anytime, anyplace, anywhere. Everybody is winging it. It’s just some people look more confident than others.

Saying nothing and having a quizzical look on your face is highly recommended. You can never put a foot wrong.

Family are more important than work. Workmates are not mates. Don’t lose sight of which ones are important.

Being fired from a job is one of the most exciting things that can happen. I only regret waiting until my 30s to start getting fired.

I was a lot better looking than I thought when I was 20.

Having to report to a boss is life sapping. Most bosses have been promoted far above their ability.

Having to be the boss is life sapping. All your employees actively do things to ensure your objectives will fail.

Regretting things in the past is pointless. You can’t change it so move on.

The music I liked as a kid has never been beaten since. And nothing that came before it was as good either.

Nobody actually looks good naked. That’s why dimmer switches were invented.

Every five years I change into someone better than I was. I’d hate to meet me when I was 20. By 100 I’ll have been 20 different people.

Most TV is completely pointless. It took me a long time to realize that non-productive time watching soaps really didn’t feed my mind or my bank balance. All it is is the lettuce in an advertisement sandwich.

You don’t need the latest gadgets. You’re just being exploited by marketing departments and advertisers to think you just can’t live without these things. Drive your car until it falls apart.

Most people are generally quite nice and up for some banter. You can find common ground with just about anyone.

I will never like classical music. This does not mean I’m a Neanderthal. It just doesn’t float my boat. Ditto rap music. Sorry Snoop - but I do dig your style.

Everyone is looking out for their owns interests. When push comes to shove people become selfish and will shaft you at the first opportunity. Don’t let this weigh you down, but likewise don’t be the one to get caught saying I didn’t see that coming.

People who don’t buy a round of drinks after you bought the last round deserve a slap in the face. I will never talk to you again if this happens. Never. Ever. Ever. This rule will not change.

There is no point worrying about what people think. You’d be surprised to realize how little they do think. And it’s rarely about you or me. Its usually about food or smartphones.

Most people are really just big babies. They continuously try to see what they can get away with due to their inherent selfishness, just like a child. If you let them away with this once then they’ll continue doing it.

Very religious people make very boring dinner guests.

Nearly everybody will try to avoid conflict. They’ll freeze or try to make flight. I’ve discovered it pays to stand up to people who are bullies or oppressive to you. The person who is more belligerent and persistent will win the argument or discussion. Perseverance is a virtue.

Starting up your own business is easier than you think.

As I grow older I like more of the things my parents like. Music, films, art, everything.

I may never understand why some people walk really fast to work. You’d swear they really loved their job.

Brainstorming sessions are a way of avoiding work. Everyone knows this.

Look before you leap, but don’t look too long.

Academic knowledge is great in small doses. Applying what you learn in real world situations and testing what fails and succeeds is much more beneficial.

I don’t like pictures of cute animals. That does not make me evil. It just means I’m thinking of other things.

All governments are flawed. I’d love to think politicians are a cut above the rest but most are veering towards corruption or being outright zealots. Zealots believe they champion causes for the greater good but usually only satisfy their moral codes. At least corrupt politicians can be paid off and do some good for some portion of society.

The state of the shoes you wear tell a lot about the person you actually are. They are the furthest thing from your head. All women know this at some sub-atomic level. All men who wear tuxedos with casual shoes don’t.

The shower in swanky hotels are always better than the one you have at home.

All creativity involves destruction of some kind. Even bushfires occur so that fresh growth can happen.

You only truly fall in love once. Anything after that is a compromise.

Don’t do what everyone else does as it’ll only get you the same results. You are an individual after all so apply your individual flavor to everything you do.

Working late nights and long hours in a job will not get you the big promotion & pay increase. Bosses will just see you as the big Patsy they can’t afford to replace or promote as they’ll need two people to do your job.

Painting, music and dance are primitive art forms. We’re hardwired to enjoy doing them. Anything else we fill our hours doing in our civilized society will never compare to those three art forms.

I’m just one person spending one hour to write this one little list. Every person you pass by, see or interact with each day could make up just as big a list too. We all have stories to tell though some choose not to share them.

This is a full excerpt of my own thoughts, not rehashed quotes. If I see any of these turned into memes then may the fleas of a thousand camels infest your armpits. Just sayin.

Full post on my blog at: http://squidinky.com/41-lessons-learned-from-my-41-years-on-this-planet

Discovering the Lost Tribes of the Google Plus Ecosystem
(or why curating & sharing your own circles is mission-critical social strategy)

After a week curating posts on Google Plus I came to a revelation. Namely that curating circles is a MUCH more critical social strategy for strengthening your bonds & engagement levels online... i.e. uncovering YOUR tribe.

This revelation came to me thanks to a community of G+ Bellydancers. In particular, a shared circle curated by +Sabrina Rakkasah of 160 Professional & Semi-Pro Bellydancers communicating on G+ thanks to their shared interest.

You'll need to read the full article [linked below on my blog] to understand why curated circles hold the key to Google Plus's & Your social success.

[FYI: Sabrina’s circle is actively looking to include more bellydancers, especially for connecting dancers internationally. Heres the circle details where you can connect. https://plus.google.com/u/0/106634103094186665612/posts/VkDheipcdQF]

[PROPS: To Sabrina's friend +Jason Wells for resharing the circle originally.]

Finally Unleashing My Sci-fi Novel - Terra Swarm
The first of my sci-fi series featuring autonomous anti-hero Linien Primae
Now available to buy/preview on Amazon Kindle - http://goo.gl/YuqpJ
ePub edition - http://goo.gl/M4XXu
or you can buy a paperback copy via Lulu - http://goo.gl/YWLVj

Please SHARE this on to your Sci-Fi friends

The Back Cover Teaser

Linien Primae is awoken to answer the call of duty every Terra Swarm space explorer must face – rejoining a long established hive mother ship on the way to habitable planets. But what he finds aboard the hive makes him question the very logic and voluntary servitude his mission demanded of him.

Commercial enterprise had used cues from social animals in nature to form terra swarms of individual space craft to explore, probe and infest the galaxy. As suitable terra firma was identified swarms of craft consolidated as hive ships. They were all meant to be bound by swarm intelligence directives to ensure the best chance of long-term survival.

The nature was right. The execution flawed.

What’s the book about?

On the surface my books deal with major themes. The first installment ‘Terra Swarm‘ focused firmly on positive & negative liberty.

The sci-fi genre is used as the catalyst for putting these themes across, without myself and the reader getting hung up by modern day baggage.

My writing contains a natural sprinkling of suspense, intrigue, romance and humor. But dig deeper and you can unearth sub-text relating to psychology, politics, sociology, religion and philosophy.

Terrasodes: More to Come From Linien Primae

I’m currently working on a series of Terrasodes – episodic books detailing deep space exploration and terra formation. The books will delve into the odyssey of autonomous anti-hero Linien Primae.

My current blueprint for the series consists of 6 books in total, though the number increases as I keep thinking of new themes to cover and adventures for Linien & Co. to experience.

Cover Art/Design

The cover art is called Barcelona Muse (Acrylic on Canvas) by Rod Dunne.

It’s a piece I did previous to the book, and YES, it does have a bearing on the story… but you’ll have to read the book to find out :c)

=== === === === === === === === === === === === === === 
This excerpt taken from my blog post launch:
http://squidinky.com/terra-swarm-linien-primae-terrasodes

Only 1% of the Internet Ecology are actually creating..... Thats all !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So heres the scoop. I'd not heard of the 90-9-1 principle (aka the 1% rule of Internet culture) before this morning. The "90–9–1" version of this rule states that 1% of people create content, 9% edit or modify that content, and 90% view the content without contributing.

If this holds (and its based on research of forums) then theres really not that much creation goin on is there :c|

Oh, and 90% of people are lurking... thats a lot of folk hanging back. Pity.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/90%E2%80%939%E2%80%931_principle

Your Project Manager circle needs You!

If you, or someone you know, are a:
- Project Manager
- IT Project Manager
- Project Management Office Manager
- Scrum Manager
- Agile Team Manager
- etc....

I'd like to build a SMALL Circle of PMs. Irrespective of methodology (agile, waterfall, PMP, Prince2, SPM, etc.).

How small? Very - I'd rather it stay a small group interested in discussing the academic nature of our work, ways to improve process etc. I'd also hope its not a chance to hawk something.

Interested? Add your name to the comments if interested or share on.

Mitt and Ann Romney secretly pleased they don't have to move into a smaller house. ;)
#election2012  

Perception in the Advertising World
#advertising

Googles new 'Your Circles' option - Whats it for then?

After posting about Google+'s 'Your Circles' option last night, +Chris Lang rightly asked what the point of it was... its certainly not apparent.

Get a coffee, settle into your chair/beanbag/hammock/tree-house and prepare for the Lord of the Rings of G+ posts.

A little testing
So heres what I did (see screengrab pic wayyyyyyyyy below - or a clearer version here > http://cdn.product-ivity.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Your-Circles.png)
- I used a second G+ account and posted to 'Your Circles', which included my 'Rod Dunne' account.
- I then logged in as 'Rod Dunne' to see what I could do with the post.
- The only standout item is that recipients cannot share the post to Public

So it doesn't seem like a security feature in that sense. Its just keeping it to extended circles, maximum.

Hmmm: Ok, still no clearer. Whats the benefit then?

Well it just seems like a handy way of picking a group of circles you wish to share to (family, acquaintances, etc.) as one big sharing bundle and posting to them.

By default the Following circle is disabled from Your Circles.

Think of it then like people you're okey sharing posts with, being kept separate from people you just want to stalk follow.

Google Chat: The possible real benefit

In Googles FAQ it says: By default, only people in “Your circles” can chat with you.

Now, maybe THIS is the security feature.

I have 600 followers - enlightened, good-looking, salt-of-the-earth beings one 'n' all. Always up for virtual canapes & champers in the VIP Circle. However, I've had 5 prank Google Chat popups from Followers in the past week.

Ok, no biggy you say. 1% ain't bad.

Think how Lady GaGa or Bono or Shakira must feel. They have 500,000+ followers all of whom can ping them for a chat. If 1% ping them that makes 5000 unwanted pings a week!!! That'd put me off using G+ rapidly. Chat being enabled - across the board - doesn't scale with your increasing number of followers.

G+ is still in early days. In 12 months time I hope to build up more followers and I certainly don't want all followers being able to Google Chat via G+ to me.

Its a privacy thing.

Being able to pull down someones jolly post off the stream is grand. But having my day interrupted is another.

So, I suspect Your Circles is there to protect anyone with big followings from constant harranging and the inevitable sales pitches yet to come. And also future-proof the rest of us as our beguiling, debonaire & endearing followers increase.

P.S. I will not feel harassed if Shakira chooses to Google Chat with me :§)>

NSFW: Its like Edison said - Genius is 1% inspiration and 99% getting your name out there

If your social media ego is getting a little inflated, or you know someone who is 'Twitter Famous' then they need to be sat down and forced to see this witty satire.

Its a house of cards built on sand.

Tip o' the hat to +Irma Walter for the find & ego-realignment ;)

Milky Way over the Cliffs of Moher
by Damien Stenson
Super take on what is a normally an over-seen view of one of Irelands landmarks.
Original on http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=394842770585888&set=a.223193854417448.52085.223011774435656&type=1
#ireland #irelandphotography

RESHARE:
Would You be More Loyal to a Social Network YOU Part-Owned and Profited From?

So here we all are. Freely contributing content and socialising on a great social network, which I'm very fond of.

But when advertising comes along will we profit from it? Chances are, nope, we won't.

This is the elephant in the room here in G+.

If followers = ad revenue then it'd turn into a big(ger) game to get followers and have as many eyes as possible seeing your advertisements and clicking through.

You don't profit from page ads on FB so why would it happen in here.

So whats the alternative? A network you profit from being on

How about if you owned or part-shared in the social network. Zurker. eu is in BETA and is following this model. Before you rush over to see it - its still in development.

Now this I like.

Think of it. The more friends & colleagues that join, the more (virtual?) shares you receive.

Ultimately, you gain some kind reward outside of the pleasure & fun of being on board.

Which, if you've been on G+/FB/Twitter for a few months You should be starting to think - What am I getting out of this?
- Peer recognition
- Ego massage
- Social validation of your view points

Maybe if you're a photographer then G+ is the ideal showcase for your 'wares'. And you get some residual business that way.

But if you want to promote your brand in any other niche then G+ is not the place to be.

I'm looking at the many writers on G+ and wondering how many get the same benefit you get on Twitter. Over there, you post a link to your blogpost about writing/some facet of your book and - BINGO - folks head on over and buy your book.

On G+ the model is different. To a greater extent the need & expectation is to remain on G+ and in-stream. Not clicking out to the external blog.

And before you shoot that thought down - think of how many posts today on the stream with links to blogs you clicked through to? Now remove the big bloggers from that list - the ones you're always going to click through to. Whats that leave? Hmmmmm, thought so.

So then if all You & me are doing is socializing and sharing interests then there has to be a tail-off point where interest fades. Or if your interest is widespread (e.g. Formula1, Psychology, yoga) then surely your interests are better catered for elsewhere in niche forums?..... You tell me!

Springwise article about Zurker http://goo.gl/HFgXO

Major Props also to +martin shervington whose post on Adsense integration had me thinking all week about Social Monetisation techniques.
https://plus.google.com/u/0/114918475211209783081/posts/cDfBW1cCNdx

Reshared text:
Would You be More Loyal to a Social Network YOU Part-Owned and Profited From?

So here we all are. Freely contributing content and socialising on a great social network, which I'm very fond of.

But when advertising comes along will we profit from it? Chances are, nope, we won't.

This is the elephant in the room here in G+.

If followers = ad revenue then it'd turn into a big(ger) game to get followers and have as many eyes as possible seeing your advertisements and clicking through.

You don't profit from page ads on FB so why would it happen in here.

So whats the alternative? A network you profit from being on

How about if you owned or part-shared in the social network. Zurker. eu is in BETA and is following this model. Before you rush over to see it - its still in development.

Now this I like.

Think of it. The more friends & colleagues that join, the more (virtual?) shares you receive.

Ultimately, you gain some kind reward outside of the pleasure & fun of being on board.

Which, if you've been on G+/FB/Twitter for a few months You should be starting to think - What am I getting out of this?
- Peer recognition
- Ego massage
- Social validation of your view points

Maybe if you're a photographer then G+ is the ideal showcase for your 'wares'. And you get some residual business that way.

But if you want to promote your brand in any other niche then G+ is not the place to be.

I'm looking at the many writers on G+ and wondering how many get the same benefit you get on Twitter. Over there, you post a link to your blogpost about writing/some facet of your book and - BINGO - folks head on over and buy your book.

On G+ the model is different. To a greater extent the need & expectation is to remain on G+ and in-stream. Not clicking out to the external blog.

And before you shoot that thought down - think of how many posts today on the stream with links to blogs you clicked through to? Now remove the big bloggers from that list - the ones you're always going to click through to. Whats that leave? Hmmmmm, thought so.

So then if all You & me are doing is socializing and sharing interests then there has to be a tail-off point where interest fades. Or if your interest is widespread (e.g. Formula1, Psychology, yoga) then surely your interests are better catered for elsewhere in niche forums?..... You tell me!

Springwise article about Zurker http://goo.gl/HFgXO

Please +1 this post if you have SEEN it and also have me circled
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A social experiment called #viewershiptest
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

My # of followers = 12,000
Viewership rate as a percentage =
    (Number of plus ones / Number of followers) X 100

Implies the following viewership rates would be witnessed with 12000 followers
2% = 240 plus ones
1% = 120 plus ones
0.1% = 12 plus ones

================================================
If you want to join in then
- Copy and paste this post (changing the figure for YOUR # followers above)
- Use the hashtag #viewershiptest so others can follow the results.
- (optional) Post your results after the post is live for TWO DAYS in the following Google form I set up https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dHR2ZEp1d2RqbjZISkl2RFY3SlpPUEE6MQ

================================================
Purpose of this test

I'm curious to see just how many people view or see my posts.
- It may indicate viewership is quite high... just that folks generally don't interact with my posts.
- Or it may show that the viewership is low, or people think this is spam, or that posting on a Saturday is always going to have low results.

Either way, if you too are curious then try posting it for yourself to see your viewership rate.
- Maybe you have 100 great engagers in your timezone all actively participating.... in which case kudos.

MICRO LEVEL: In the absence of Google providing engagement rates this was a makeshift approach I thought may work at a micro level.

MACRO LEVEL: If folks join in posting their own #viewershiptest post results to my form ( https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dHR2ZEp1d2RqbjZISkl2RFY3SlpPUEE6MQ ) then it may be useful for showing some independent statistics.

Cheers, Rod Dunne

Maps in Fiction Books? Good? Bad? Tacky? Useful?

Little question, what's the vibe about providing basic maps of fictitious lands/locations/cities in fiction novels... is this useful or just tacky?

- One argument is that if the writing is good enough then no map is needed?
- But doesn't a picture tells a thousand stories?
- Is having a map stealing something from the reader's imagination?

E.G. I seem to remember Lord of the Rings having maps in.

Q: You concerned about how to talk on G+?
A: Just be human. Forget whatever business-speak you've had drilled into. Talk to me like you would if I were sitting there with ya. Thats your voice and its unique to you!
:§)>

Robert Cialdini's Psychology of Persuasion - A 12 minute animation

.... What get's us to saying YES!

I really enjoy RC's books so this is a great/fun overview

#psychology #persuasion #animation #persuasionscience  

The Birth of the Reciprocal G+ Share Drivebys
G+ Town - A cold winters night on a social network near you

G+ Town was a fickle mistress. Just when you thought you knew this ole town it turns around and smacks you in the kisser.

Sure I'd seen the lurkers-a-lurkin before. You know how it is - 10 people circle you then 3 days laters you see 3 or 4 uncircle you. Heck, I guess they didn't like that your humble private eye can't keep track of those he's circling already.

This is different though. A new beast has come out to play.

There we are goin about our business in G+Town sending out our posts, running the numbers and living it up. And lots of great people sharing them on. Thats what makes the whole darn town keep on spinning.

Then it struck me. There's all these new beasts lurking in and sharing on posts only to delete them a few days later (pic). It ain't one or two neither.. more like 6 or 7.

Strikes me the lurkers ain't too happy if they don't get circled off the back of sharing your post.

What the heck!!!

Well, I'm onto ya. We all know how this plays out. The bad guy gets a slug in the chops and the good guy gets the dame. The G-Men keep watchin, lurkers keep lurkin and the crazy-carousel takes another spin until the next point of weakness is found in G+ Town.

#reciprocalgoogleplussharedriveby
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FYI: Nope, I've not lost the plot. There's a serious point to this. Plussers are sharing then DELETING posts in some bizarre game to gain circlees.
See the ripple with its deletions here: http://goo.gl/0BV5R

[props to +Miguel Rodriguez for highlighting the ripple changes in his post: https://plus.google.com/u/0/115970504272079730559/posts/5uqMP2Uu8Ji ]

I was about to post a rant about 'Events' when I got the popup to say events are a new addition.

Rant: I had 17 notifications (via little red box up top). 10+ were invites by people I don't know to stuff I don't care about. Pointless!!!
And as I could only view 10 notifications, i didn't see my regular notes. Bummer.

Not impressed.

EDIT: Went straight into config - https://www.google.com/settings/plus - and disabled the bloomin lot.

Small OR Faraway?
(... or big table & chairs)

Farmer denied permit to build horse shelter. So he builds giant table & chairs which don't need permit.
.. via twitter

Windows XP & Chrome & Google+

It may well just be my setup but its worth checking the Task Manager and/or closing Chrome when using G+ for long periods to clear the RAM cache.

Depending on how many tabs I have open (1 for each circle I'm scanning) the memory levels can go over 400mb fairly quickly. Only becomes a problem if I open resource-heavy apps in conjunction.

This is more so an FYI for anyone who keeps browsers open for days on end :)

The Revolution was Not Televised

While Greeks, Cypriots, Italians & Irish pay through the nose for failing banks, with payments that are only paying off foreign investors, you have to wonder why we were so lazy, so fearful of revolting against the Government and Banks.

Think it wouldn't work?
Think it would involve violence?

Think again... and Think of Iceland.
How to start a revolution: Learn from Iceland!

Clawing Back Ownership of the Word ABOMINABLE

For far too long now that snowman fella (gal?) has had the monopoly on the word abominable. Nowhere else is this adjective used in common language.

I believe this to be unfair.

I wish to reclaim it for use in mixed company under the creative commons agreement. One adjective to rule them all!!!

Yours,
The Abominable Rod Dunne ;§)>

Happy Mondays peeps - Gotta get these silly posts out to kickstart the week!
#abominable

Some days, it feels like this is all I see on social networks :(

#caturday #bacon #ingress #googleglass #blackfriday

http://squidinky.com

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Lest yee forget...

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It’s about who you follow, not your followers

I’d a great conversation with two of the original Twitter adopters yesterday evening. They put it so well : it’s not about gathering numbers, it’s about who you follow, it’s about finding the best out there and sharing their expertise and brilliance.
I’m following lots of brilliant people here on G+ and loving it, …Thanks
Forget about counting sheep…..

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lmao x 1,000,000
via +Mike Milton  & + bob marchand

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A new perspective on the Republican Candidates...Bwhaa, ha, ha, ha, ha!!!!!

Q: Why are folks marking a lot of their posts 'Public (locked)?

I've seen some popular G+ folk use it on a bunch of their posts. I assume this is how it appears when the comments are disabled on the post alright. Is it just something folk like to do to reduce the noise on old posts? Maybe when going on hols?

Or is it something else? He says worrying that its some kinda security mechanism to restrict comments by readers who've been blocked

Little clear transparent things
We overlook in a deluge
But up close when looking through
Just so perfect

Photo: Raindrops macro Google Image Search is at http://goo.gl/7KB4b

Inspired by +Annie Yim's umbrella pic... I'd forgotten how much I like macro raindrop shots

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Universal truths..
[via +Vincent Murphy]

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True story.

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The joy of playing.. upstaging the rest of the group.
via +Steve Faktor 

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Now this? THIS is how you upstage someone!

via +Kristin Guttormsen 

Body Language Question: Do you focus on the left or right eye of people you're talking with?

I have a hazy memory of reading about reading peoples attitudes based on whether they focus on your left eye or right eye during a conversation.

From recollection:
- They focus on your left eye: They are taking a weak stance in the conversation (good in a severe conflict scenario).
- They focus on your right eye: It can be perceived as a more direct stance. Depending on the context this could be aggressive (in a conflict negotiation), stronger interest levels (in a discussion) or more caring (romantic scenarios).

Any body language experts point me toward something definitive on this?

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Zen Roddy moment ;§)>

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Life Lesson #5

5/41 @ http://squidinky.com/41-lessons-learned-from-my-41-years-on-this-planet

#lifelessons #humor

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Where Do Clouds Come From?

Where do clouds come from? Big chimneys on the sun
And where do dreams come from? Your mother weaved them all

Don’t you forget my son I told you not to hurt no-one
You’ll be the judge of that
Another You, another Me, another pharaoh taking liberties
And just don’t stand for that
Some day this all will seem like petals lost amongst a stream
Don’t let this hold you back
These clouds and dreams you want cannot be gifted only fought for liberty

How does freedom sound? Much better by the pound
And why is mum still mad? Shes had enough of lying

Where do clouds come from? Look kid go ask your mum

These clouds and dreams you want cannot be gifted only fought for liberty

Words by Rod Dunne
From http://squidinky.com/where-do-clouds-come-from

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Where Do Clouds Come From?

Where do clouds come from? Big chimneys on the sun
And where do dreams come from? Your mother weaved them all

Don’t you forget my son I told you not to hurt no-one
You’ll be the judge of that
Another You, another Me, another pharaoh taking liberties
And just don’t stand for that
Some day this all will seem like petals lost amongst a stream
Don’t let this hold you back
These clouds and dreams you want cannot be gifted only fought for liberty

How does freedom sound? Much better by the pound
And why is mum still mad? Shes had enough of lying

Where do clouds come from? Look kid go ask your mum

These clouds and dreams you want cannot be gifted only fought for liberty

Words by Rod Dunne

The art of the politician's kiss

The writers at the Guardian can really hit the funny bone... the caption on this pic reads:

Sam Cam: "OMG! If David gets to kiss her that means I get to kiss … OMG, OMG! Just try and stay cool, Sammy girl! Stay cool!"

The other 7 pics in the series are class too.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/shortcuts/gallery/2012/jul/25/psychology-davidcameron#/?picture=393605113&index=2

It was like Christmas morning today - Awoke to find Santa Postman delivering the first print copies of my book Erebus... 440pgs of bliss :)

Get a load of my '2001 Space Odyssey' Monolith book posing ;)

http://squidinky.com/erebus

Project Management Interest Circle

Following my call to arms post a few week back (http://goo.gl/sLfHz) I can now re-share out a small circle focused around Project Management & PMO interests.

Rather than just restrict it to anyone in PM/PMO/Scrum roles it seemed fair to open this to anyone with an interest in project management, or who use the methodologies within their roles.

We're starting with a tidy group of 22. I'm up for engaging on any academic nature of our work, ways to improve process, and so on.

As I said in the post, this is irrespective of methodology as we all have our favorites and each approach have benefits. As one Managing Director said to me before "_I don't care which methodology use Rod, as long as you settle on properly using one alone_"

I'll periodically share this out again as more interested parties come forward.

Cheers, +Rod Dunne

#projectmanagement #pmo #pmi #prince2 #scrum #agile #waterfalldevelopment #xp #extremeprogramming #kanban

Circle Clearout Time - Who Made the Cut?

Now it's time for the easiest part of any coach's job. The cuts.
Although I wasn't able to cut everyone I wanted to, I have cut a lot of you.
Wendell is cut. Rudy is cut. Janey, you're gone.
Steven, I like your hustle [Steven smiles]
That's why it was so hard to cut you [Steven's smile drops]
Congratulations, the rest of you made the team! [random sighs of relief]

Except for...
... Dead to Me Circle - You're cut!
... World politics Circle - You're cut!!
... Cat people Circle - You're all cut!!!
... Bacon-Infatuators Circle - You're definitely cut!!!
... Irritatingly Talented Photographers Who Get to See the World Circle - You're all cut too!!!

Ok lots of cuts.

In reality.. I just used Uncircle Inactives+ chrome app to clearout 150 inactive peeps :)

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G+ with or without a link to external blogs?

I'm firmly in the camp that any decent post I write lives on external blogs and only gets referenced here in G+ land.

Pros:
... External blog gets some link love
... G+ provides a teaser
... External post lives on wayyyyyy past the G+ post has flew through the stream.
... At least this way you can monetise your work (take your pick on weapon of choice) since you get no ad revenue back from freely putting your content on G+

Cons:
... G+ just becomes a thin wrapper... link baiting your external work.
... G+ becomes a discussion forum not intended for bigger posts (i.e. > 300+ words)

Just wanted to garner some feedback after +Irma Walter had pointed me to her post about this linky/no-linky concept.

Anything I'm missing? Is G+ then destined to be a cat-meme, bacon-obsessed, youtube linking machine?

If its an interest network, then all the interesting stuff will be external! If its to become a collaboration network then all it becomes is the communication medium (maybe thats enough)!

Someone get me in off the (purely metaphorical) ledge on this one. :§)>

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By now it bothers me when people make G+ their main output, like a blog.
Inzwischen stört es mich wenn jemand G+ als Hauptsprachrohr, wie einen Blog benützt.

I don't say this with either a negative or a positive connotation, just noting a habit I've developed. If a G+ post doesn't have a link to the outside, it feels like something's missing. My mind doesn't readily absorb long posts on G+, as they look the same and the distraction of scrolling on is just too much. The stream calls 'let's keep going'. A blogpost invites you to rest.
Dies sage ich weder mit negativer oder mit positiver Einstellung, sondern bemerke einfach nur eine neue Gewohnheit. Wenn ein G+eintrag keinen Link nach draußen hat, dann fehlt irgendetwas. Ich kann mich nicht lange auf G+einträge konzentrieren, da sie alle gleich aussehen und die Versuchung weiterzuscrollen ist eine zu große Ablenkung. Ein Stream ruft 'und es geht weiter', ein Blogeintrag lädt zum Verweilen ein.

Online Cog Notes - John Cleese on Creativity

In addition to the PNG image files of my MindMaps from yesterday

John Cleese's talk on Creativity floated my boat. He managed to tie together several psychology concepts in a fun way. But as is the case in modern life I, like you, see dozens of videos a day so his concepts can so easily be forgotten tomorrow. Which is why I did up some cog notes so I'll remember.

Some parts are full transcription of Johns speech. Others is me paraphrasing.

Dynamic brower mindmap: https://www.mindmeister.com/154553644/creativity

Image exports: https://plus.google.com/100807029253466370478/posts/fbYBMeVKgtm

Mindmaps by +Rod Dunne

What is Your First Memory & What Age Where You?
Can you remember your earliest memory as a child? And approximately what age you were?

I used to ask people this quite a bit and was amazed by how far back some people could remember.

I'm asking it again today, here, due to Haruki Murakami's book "1Q84" where the protagonist goes around asking everyone he meets what their first memory was. The author was aptly reminded to me by one of +Thomas Morffew's earlier posts.

Please, if this memory was something harrowing then I recommend NOT sharing it on such a public forum. I'm not being rude. Its just, some things are best not discussed with strangers. Close friends & family would be a much better option.

#memorylane #childhoodmemories #firstmemory #murakami

Testing the theory which says the equation for maximum viral-icity (MV) is

MV = ((cG + Q) ^ b)/R

where
- cG = confirmed genius
- Q = quotation; smarter the better; needs explaining to others => best of all
- b = buns (real or painted on vase).
- R = Relativity (to computers/internet/geekology)

Please, please, please...
please update your profile pic if you've left it just as the default blue thingy.

I'm chuffed to bits that folk circle me but it gets so impersonal to see my 'added to' emails and 40 - 50% of the profile pics are blueheads.

I know some folk are concerned over privacy, are camera-shy or feel they don't look good in pictures.. Well take a look at my profile pic!!! Hairy potato head might sum me up ;) The perfect face for radio ;;)

So c'mon - do one thing today and update your profile pic for me :)

EDIT: As +Eileen O'Duffy pointed out in the comments-- this seems to be a bug with the email notifications not showing the profile pic. I'm seeing only 10% of the 'blueheads' are using the default pic... the remainder have personalized pics. My mistake

Monet Inspired Music

Credits:
Written, performed, and produced by +Patrick Sharpe & +Rod Dunne

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Fable | The Cat And The Pepper
by Rod Dunne from my blog http://squidinky.com/fable-the-cat-and-the-pepper

Chinese fable commonly attributed (wrongly?) to Chairman Mao

The Grandmaster summoned two of his advisers to help with an important issue. Two gentlemen arrived in his quarters and asked how they could help.

The Grandmaster looked around and made eye contact sternly to evaluate the mood of the room. His reputation for being surly and inpatient with subordinates was widely known so all those in his presence walked on egg shells throughout their days.

“How would you get a cat to eat pepper?”, he bluntly blurted. The two advisers looked bemused but cautious as to what the Grandmaster meant. Perhaps it was a ploy. He was prone to asking such questions to evaluate appointees.

The first advisor stepped forward and looked to the Grandmaster. “Simply, by holding down the cat by one person and forcing pepper into its mouth by another”, he proudly declared. The Grandmaster’s frown grew deeper.

“Brute force will get the job done but create an enemy which will someday come back to challenge you”, the Grandmaster said.

The second advisor stepped forward, thinking he now understood what the meaning of the question was and how to provide an answer the Grandmaster wanted.

“Grandmaster, I would starve the cat for several days then place the pepper inside a juicy piece of meat. The cat would be so famished it would eat the morsel without chewing and swallow it whole”, the second advisor confidently declared.

“No. No. No! Such deception would still court anger and feelings of revenge for the cat”, the Grandmaster shouted.

“So how would you proceed, Grandmaster”, the advisor asked.

“Simple. By rubbing the pepper on the cat’s behind. It’s natural instinct once the pepper started burning would be to lick the pepper off. And it would be happy for the opportunity of doing so”.

Interpretation

Manipulation of persons and people can be done in many ways. Using direct brute force or deceit will only foster hatred by your adversary and the risk of revenge.

The key to manipulation is making the target think they have control over their actions, and are in a better situation for enacting the choices they make.

Application

Politics: How many times have governments feinted with some large scale policy/war that adversely affects citizens in order to sneak in stealth taxes or other lesser demands. The larger policy is never intended to succeed (if it does, all the better). The public get to feel good that they have manipulated the government while not realizing the smaller policy/tax was the politicians main goal.

Society: Whether in the workplace or in relationships, applying brute force to coerce others rarely works. It simply feeds feelings of rebellion. Planning circumstances which leads others to make decisions that are aligned to your own goals can better achieve this and the target the feeling empowered.
Yours, Rod

P.S. No cats were harmed during the making of this fable.

P.P.S. Nor is this tale intended to incite cat-related manipulation or coercion. Be good to your cat.

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1 In case you hadn't noticed.
2 I've spent a chunk of the day testing the bounds on Google+
3 Seeing how far I can stretch its bounds. Its only natural
4 I do like pics and contribute many myself
5 But I'm more into words... lots of them
6 So I've been trying to work out how to get as many of my words..
7 Onto G+ real estate as possible following the changes
8 The solution for now >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

- Your first post displays un-expanded with only 8 lines of text
- However when reshared the text limit is larger. I've not worked that out yet... but guess what the shared post I'm doing {'Fable | The Cat And The Pepper'} is the test :)

So scribblers, ranters, ravers, raconteurs and writers... For maximum screen space of your text post it in a reshare

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What the man says... +1 :C)

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If this does not make you smile then there is no light behind your eyes ;-)

Great-great Grandpa Dunnes arrest mugshot in 1864 #NYC .
http://c.bbca.me/5m2f

Great-great grandpa Dunne was a gentleman & a scholar, running the numbers, and the rackets on the side. He did the Big Con up in Indiana for the mobsters, grifting the old-timey widows out of their millions so had to dress smart.

#backintimemugshot  

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Google+ is a Digital Woodstock!
Not my words --- but I wish I'd thought of it :). Great post from +Ricardo Nuno Silva about the inherent joy of G+

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From where I stand... Google+ is my digital Woodstock

It just dawned on me (yes, I'm new here)... What I've been feeling here in G+ for the last couple of months is a mix of energy, enthusiasm, fresh air, informality and courteousness like I've never seen anywhere online since the advent of the web in the 90's.

Maybe it's because...
... everyone has a name and a reputation attached
... sharing and appraisal mechanisms are the core of the system
... easy tracking allows to monitor and gauge each other reactions
... there's little friction following and unfollowing people, and
... there's also self-control by 1-click reporting of misbehaviors

I suppose this is kinda Woodstock back in 1969: great party, music to reach the stars (knowledge is the "music" in G+), nice and groovy people, love in the air (among other substances ;) and an overall great "user experience" of being, sharing and networking!

And yes, I also noticed the less glamorous stuff: the anxiety of sharing real-time stuff (the Twitter syndrome), the race to gather followers, the obsession with circling.

But I think time will bring balance... I hope... before people start burning-out ;)

All in all, for me, the combination of tools and collective behavior of plussers is (for the time being) a truly unique mix.
Yup, this "ghost town" is very much enjoyable ;-)

#googleplus #woodstock #ghosttown

This just blew my mind - Intravenous Injectable Foam Oxygen

I really feel a Homer Simpson moment coming on... you know. 
"What the heck am I doing breathing all this oxygen when I could just inject some in."

Seriously though - It has some major applications if it gets past prototype.
- Providing oxygen to those who are chocking/drowning/trapped underground in confined spaces.

http://www.springwise.com/health_wellbeing/injectable-foam-delivers-oxygen-intravenously/

Crowdsourced Lyrics: The Whitespace Rap

As a wee test of engagement on G+ with its funky new design, lets see if we can't crowdsource the most cliched, pun-driven rap we can. In fact, you know what... its a new rap offshoot we'll call GRAP.

I'll get the ball rolling with the first line:

Yo wave yo hands in the mother plussing air, an wave them mothers plussers like ya just don't care

Who's up? Add a line or two then give a 'holla' to your homies you'd like to see add to it.

Prompted by MC #whitespace himself (nee +Mark Traphagen ) MC G (nee +martin shervington) and MC ROFLMAO (nee +Lee Smallwood ) over at da club > http://goo.gl/REqsA

Experience Autism through Carly's Eyes
Words from Carly Fleischmann:

So today is the wrap party for Carlyscafe.com and my dream and my wish is that today the world gets to experience Autism through my eyes. I have never asked this before but I think that social media can connect with the world unlike any other medium. This is Why I am asking for your help to turn social media into autism media for tonight. I need everyone to share Carlyscafe.com on any social media that you have.

For tonight autism should be a buzz word not a word that people dont want to talk about. You and I are all the same and tonight we are going to do something so amazing that everyone is going to talk about it tomorrow. We are going to re tweet this, share it and post it on every social media site and even get the attention of reporters stars and politicians.

A wise man once told me that life is about understanding but how can we understand some thing when we don't talk about it. 
Tonight we talk about it. Tonight we share it. Tonight we start something amazing. 

Tonight we see autism @ Carlyscafe.com
http://carlyscafe.com/

Project Management Interest Circle

Following my call to arms post a few week back (http://goo.gl/sLfHz) I can now re-share out a small circle focused around Project Management & PMO interests.

Rather than just restrict it to anyone in PM/PMO/Scrum roles it seemed fair to open this to anyone with an interest in project management, or who use the methodologies within their roles.

We're up to having a tidy group of 26. I'm up for engaging on any academic nature of our work, ways to improve process, and so on.

As I said in the post, this is irrespective of methodology as we all have our favorites and each approach have benefits.

I'll periodically share this out again as more interested parties come forward.

Cheers, +Rod Dunne

Whats Your Guilty Pleasure?

Something you enjoy (keep it clean folks) but feel guilty about doing or letting others know about.

This is where the healing/ intervention/ exorcism process can begin ;§)>

Social Media for Time Travelers
A guest post by H.G.Wells from 1912
http://squidinky.com/social-media-for-time-travelers

#googleplustips #humor #timetravel #hgwells

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Understanding Autism, and giving hope to familys with autistic children.
Incredible story.
Via +Chris Robinson

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This is a remarkable video of a young autistic girl who learns to communicate. It would definitely be interesting to read her blog. Here's her facebook page: http://goo.gl/wl1NI.

The need for reframers in Innovation environments

A great piece by +Haydn Shaughnessy on a key role in innovation - that of the Reframer. It ties in nicely with some of the integrative thinking techniques that author Roger Martin deals with ('The Opposable Mind').

Happy 130th Birthday to James Joyce - Feb 2nd 2012

For those here in Ireland, the Irish Times have a supplement to celebrate his life & literary work.
And for those who've not read his books... Start with Dubliners before attempting climbing the north face of Ulysses ;§)>

[EDIT: Just spotted on a seperate thread by +Susan Broe that Ulysses is now part of an iTunes classics collection by +Ideal Binary - linky link to it on iTunes bit.ly/tw_classic ]

So much for the clean interface for Facebook on mobile. Ads to be on moby's within weeks.

Next question is
- Where are they going to place the ads in Mobile?
- How obtrusive are they going to be?
- Is this the downside for getting IPO? The need to make profits for shareholders

Project Management Interest Circle

Following my call to arms post a few week back (http://goo.gl/sLfHz) I can now re-share out a small circle focused around Project Management & PMO interests.

Rather than just restrict it to anyone in PM/PMO/Scrum roles it seemed fair to open this to anyone with an interest in project management, or who use the methodologies within their roles.

We're up to having a tidy group of 26. I'm up for engaging on any academic nature of our work, ways to improve process, and so on.

As I said in the post, this is irrespective of methodology as we all have our favorites and each approach have benefits. As one Managing Director said to me before "_I don't care which methodology use Rod, as long as you settle on properly using one alone_"

I'll periodically share this out again as more interested parties come forward.

Cheers, +Rod Dunne

Thought for the day: Talking about music is like dancing about architecture.
Its an old quote but i like it.

Redux of the old John Glenn gag... ;)

If we'd worn the masks it would have been exactly like this > The Simpsons - Dr. Zaius [Planet Of the Apes]

Wave bye bye to free Google Apps.. for Business

How long before email/drive/other storage heavy apps get a price tag?

Crossing the Rubicon...
3 quotes happened across my transom all about BOUNDARIES _ in the space of 60 mins._

#kismet #boundaries #crossingtheline  

Tonight, I shall be mostly watching - The Third Man - on DVD.

Written by Graham Green. Welles is killer diller though is only in it for a few minutes (great writing, everyone talking about Harry Lime the whole time building tension).

Also features Joseph Cotten as the grumpiest man alive.

Remember the zither music? Do- pee- doo- pee- do, p- do- pee- doo- pee- do, ba- do- pee- doo- pee- do- bee- doooooo...

And sure what did 500 years of democracy and peace produce for the Swiss?

ba- do- pee- doo- pee- do- bee- doooooo...

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Why has no-one thought of this before???? it seems so fundamental.
Venture capitalists take note as this is gonna be big in 2012

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An Absolute Genius Of An Idea

So simple and yet so true

This totally amazing website shows you in one incredibly easy way how to start thinking for yourself:

http://howtothinkforyourself.co.uk/

If you find it useful please do pass it on

BRILLIANT evening at the +Propellerhead Producer Conference Dublin yesterday. Well worth getting along to these.

Props to Gary Bromham and James Bernard for some great presentations.

Highlights for me:

- JB's One block approach to tunes in Reason
- JB's multiple hat approach to creation/mix/mastering
- JB's whistle-stop tour of Reason 6.5... Polar is a standout and can't wait to get my mitts on EtchRed

- GB's mixing overview incl (a) start a mix with master bus comp enabled (b) using racks for grouping visually instruments/fx (c) the proprogressive Q (d) dup'ing bass to give the hi end some scream/UN16 (e) master bus config base setting recommendations
- GB's mastering setup with dual compressors

.. have a notebook full of great suggestions ready to start mangling my tunes to the max ;c)

Don't think it was recorded for uploading, but if possible it'd be great if the London show could be recorded as the advise was absolute gold!

Ping: +Patrick Sharpe You would have LOVED the mix/mastering section with Gary... superb info and tips that are all highly applicable. Gary does a similar Mixing masterclass at: Reason 6 Mixing Masterclass mit Gary Bromham (Englisch)

Tool recommendation: Trello - organising tasks with collaborators, or your own to-dos
#taskscheduling #todolist #projectmanagement

Over the years I've collaborated within many teams and the bug bear has always been organizing tasks in some central system, making the work list visible to all and keeping people honest accountable for work they commit to doing.

Tried MS Project, Basecamp, JIRA, Greenhopper, ... etc. And have oftern reverted back to old school spreadsheets (maintained in Google docs) to get the most flexibility I'm looking for. If I'm on co-located teams then whiteboards are the go... but most teams these days I'm on aren't even in the same continent!

So I've found this online tool - Trello.com - and am loving it. I'm using it to organise personal tasks and just starting to roll out to dispersed teams. Whats more its free.

Yes. Theres heaps of tools like this. Its just a buzz to find tools that do well what should be simple functionality :)

FYI: I'm not affiliated with these guys.. Just felt compelled to get quality s/w makers like these some kudos

Smorgasbord of 30 great posts on G+

Some of these were in my 5@5 lists at the start of the year, but that page/idea never took off so this list is just to put it out there, complete, with all the goodies I found

1 Neuroscience The role of visual processing in neuroscience Andrej Karpathy https://plus.google.com/100209651993563042175/posts/RpmWaYgQvHv

2 Art Making Magic... erm, Paint: Yellow Series Abigail Markov https://plus.google.com/115029186078239273995/posts/5aqLUQTi3d4

3 Music Songwriting Tips: Don’t Let Perfection Kill Your “Perfect” Song (part 1 of 8) Greg Kocis https://plus.google.com/111899272101870509760/posts/7uqrpHeTc67

4 SEO Google+: Destroying SEO and Why That’s a Good Thing Jon Cilley https://plus.google.com/111375948281096990867/posts/E5WkVDnaGdA

5 Health People Need Oil Changes Too Marie Meservy https://plus.google.com/109609033365821520549/posts/frXHzNo8KpD

6 Astronomy NASA Celebrates 50 Years of Americans in Orbit Jason Rhian https://plus.google.com/115508351532350603485/posts/abtd3HeiY6z

7 Food Sweet Thai Chili Marinade Liz Lui https://plus.google.com/114208209189461132868/posts/ga7gu1mFuHD

8 Dance Tijeras, Argentine Tango Brett Long https://plus.google.com/109234384849465502427/posts/8up2DuVbL1B

9 Politics Bacchus or Back-us? Conservatism, Hypocrisy & Taxation—US and UK Colin Lucas-Mudd https://plus.google.com/100324134371388101482/posts/23Eh2aU8rFT

10 Writing Writing Tip: Number vs. Amount Amanda Patterson https://plus.google.com/103636214904400746295/posts/KVmGJjxPpyV

11 Comedy Facebook Parenting: For the troubled teen. Dartanion London https://plus.google.com/105849067982327218754/posts/UWbjtyamZgH

12 Copywriting Dear Freelance Writer: Remember You're Running a Business...Or at Least You Should Be Joshua Monen https://plus.google.com/109442862262900171091/posts/BeuTzBe6Brx

13 Photography 360º - The Art of Framing Sassi Sassmannshausen https://plus.google.com/110784099379805584044/posts/gMYx9SUrqkT

14 Fashion We are just paying for the label Amit Anand https://plus.google.com/117670476597177414362/posts/cyMbm9N9wof

15 Travel "The Crush" - A travel romance Jeremy Branham https://plus.google.com/102450352305115433979/posts/PMSb6ZM79UV

16 Investor relations Stop Making Excuses! Social Media IS Investor Relations Serena Ehrlich https://plus.google.com/112198627258727043899/posts/efqVM9radGy

17 Pilates Pilates on the foam roller, a quick series of 5 exercises Lisa Johnson https://plus.google.com/100573313303107965390/posts/Auy51GGjkGk

18 Films Things Learned in Monochrome #120: Knock the Opening Scene Out of the Park. Ryan Dunlap https://plus.google.com/109982584584852213935/posts/9dXsHPQ82kY

19 Social Business/Strategy The realistic pace of change Peter Kim https://plus.google.com/113227252986293896064/posts/FPkezxNzwum

20 Innovation Innovation in story telling Rowan Norrie https://plus.google.com/110908444150012188782/posts/axpWVA2od99

21 Animals Scamp, a former stray dog, saved the lives of six kittens izzi cornelissen https://plus.google.com/113139375288791617641/posts/Tw7AbYrqzzg

22 Fitness Kettlebell Therapy: Spine Wellness, Physio-Style (Part 2) Dr. Ben Fung, PT, DPT https://plus.google.com/101126379769662945506/posts/Ppg5YgB6eaM

23 Finance Bootstrapping a Business Mike Southon https://plus.google.com/100537640715301759863/posts/hDP7MJ2Qmca

24 Design Very cool visualization on users activity on G+ Cinthya Yukari Urasaki https://plus.google.com/109280758276914754699/posts/gLBFHintcMM

25 Music Production Live remixing (DJs will get it) Monika MHz https://plus.google.com/101390634499212890400/posts/ExqPgz3puRD

26 Journalism/Political Science Polisci in the Kansas Media Mark Brandt https://plus.google.com/101829990343558867698/posts/gCbPXHfNvdA

27 Project Management Long, boring meetings are a waste of time and create stress at work Project Management by Lise Halskov https://plus.google.com/113307840205986434475/posts/G5Awej7rJTq

28 Marketing How Companies Learn Your Secrets Ward Plunet https://plus.google.com/115785601687445616629/posts/T9ssUaGwydN

29 Public Relations Tebow Mania Teaches Eight Timely PR Lessons Laney Cohen https://plus.google.com/107556263402046419201/posts/PHbDhhtzoRS

30 Health End of Life Issues are partisan issues in politics Gary Levin https://plus.google.com/114503806689722509896/posts/b4BG6QhNKFr

ENJOY!!! +1 & share

Does the phrase proto social rapport mean anything to you?

I'm writing about it and wondering all of a sudden if maybe I'm going too far off-piste with some of my ideas :C)

#protosocialrapport

G+ Circle Management Made Easy

1: Please watch the 30-Second Bunnies version of Jaws below.

2: If you fail to laugh then please add yourself to (a) my 'Dead to Me' circle or alternatively (b) to my 'Time Travelling Series-800 Cyborg with Emotion Chip Removed' circle.

Apol #1: Busy with work & writing so this is all I can muster for Googlopolis - I'll be back!
Apol #2: The 30-sec Bunnies are ancient.... but damn it they are golden.
Apol #3: You're gonna need a bigger boat.

Ripley-tastic

Some wild skankin going on :C) 1st wave dancehall days. Makes ye wanna be there and jump in the fun.

Great story for a Sunday - Irish surfing champion invades Iran... Oh okey, she's there to promote surfing with the Iranian women. Major kudos to her for surfing in that heat, in a hijab, in a stretch of water I wouldn't feel confident goin through on a boat.

Really great spirit to doing this too:
"I've seen a lot of newcomers fall in love with surfing and I hope to be back in Iran next year getting a few of those women I met out on a board for the first time. That would be something to get them out frolicking in the ocean, with all the freedom of the sea to enjoy."

#surfing #iran #empowerment #reclaimsport  

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If Google+ Was a Car Then CIRCLES are the Engine!

Put it this way. Adding circles, sharing circles and curating circles is the primary way for you & me to expand into the web of plussers, ideas and interest networks (props +Gideon Rosenblatt).

Who's putting petrol/gas into the G+ car? Today its +Shamil Weerakoon who has curated a killer-diller list of top quality circles - one list to rule them all ;)

Lovin it.

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TOP SHARED CIRCLES ~~ Curated by +Shamil Weerakoon.
"I don't always share circles, but when I do, I make a list of the best ones." ~ Gabriel Vasile

** View on Full Screen for better and easy reading.

00. The Google+ Suggested User List - by Google
https://plus.google.com/getstarted/follow

01. Out of the box into a circle by +Max Huijgen
https://plus.google.com/112352920206354603958/posts/TRozRwKLEkz

02. 10000 Photographers by +Robert SKREINER
https://plus.google.com/117000139571713536948/posts/S1RDgE5MUXm

03. B & W Photographers by +David Bowden
https://plus.google.com/112022983294967948367/posts/7636HuJ3HPJ

04. Must followers for Newbies by +Amanda Blain
https://plus.google.com/107982618909749811163/posts/abM2sjCLqKx

05. Google+ Interaction Circle by +Peter G McDermott
https://plus.google.com/108541235642523883716/posts/TAW7sAi5wts

06. Google+ Mentors by +Lee Smallwood
https://plus.google.com/100034828195835575273/posts/SemZTYEKsn2

07. Artists by +Charles Lupica
https://plus.google.com/103236949470535942612/posts/7sRQwRe6SQi

08. Google+ Gamers and News Circle by +Joe Martinez
https://plus.google.com/106382433884876652170/posts/HRCHpzMtG22

09. People who has not been recognized enough on G+ yet by +Sean Cowen
https://plus.google.com/103333429938529668020/posts/TUNP5tCWqwy

10. Top Google+ Tips Posters by +Mark Traphagen
https://plus.google.com/107022061436866576067/posts/RMvS5mAN2CT

11. Must Follow peeps on Google+ by +rahul roy
https://plus.google.com/109008933900993103361/posts/SfZtYk8SkS5

12. Top Gplussers who deserves more followers by +rahul roy
https://plus.google.com/109008933900993103361/posts/9ZJme9vfi7T

13. Your Recommendations Circle by +Mike Shaw
https://plus.google.com/102518365620075109973/posts/9he73o8e6FS

14. Google+ Users the Community Couldn't Live Without by +Dan Leveille
https://plus.google.com/101269616518480136760/posts/iKpWK1DgAof

15. Google+ Goodness Circle by +Jaana Nyström
https://plus.google.com/107742059751171695340/posts/3qnGysx8wCC

16. Developers Circle by +Jason Calacanis
https://plus.google.com/103716847685048716973/posts/a9fp1kyvjwm

17. The engagers circle by +stephanie wanamaker
https://plus.google.com/113067760031784364231/posts/WUF42yzCphn

18. Wildlife photographers by +Adam Kumiszcza
https://plus.google.com/104042965789095032304/posts/4dTkHb8d2kH

19. Best of the Best Google+ People to Follow by Joe Martinez
https://plus.google.com/106382433884876652170/posts/PtyD913YfMC

20. Top Europeans on Google+ by +Max Huijgen
https://plus.google.com/112352920206354603958/posts/PDUi13o9dB1

21. G+ers who were Featured on Best of Google+(unOfficial) by +Shamil Weerakoon
https://plus.google.com/109471940039062886080/posts/gM59bnqibRH

22. Google+ Mockup Artists by +Jacob Dix
https://plus.google.com/100152754393360938972/posts/H8y8ZrbSoL8

23. Android Circle by +Amanda Blain
https://plus.google.com/107982618909749811163/posts/2MgYqDGupuR

24. Start Hangingout with them by +Peter G McDermott
https://plus.google.com/108541235642523883716/posts/1aj2gRxaNE9

25. See the Magic of Google+ by +Amanda Blain
https://plus.google.com/107982618909749811163/posts/abM2sjCLqKx

UPDATE :
26. Science circle by +Fraser Cain
https://plus.google.com/u/0/107022061436866576067/posts/cgekE7Y1x3s

27. We Are the Community by +Anthony Fox
https://plus.google.com/107632017202083922980/posts/ZiCZkd9BgaW

28. Suggested user circle by +Christopher Franko
https://plus.google.com/105699527508121484553/posts/G3B5BaJhQ4B

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

*BEST GOOGLE+ CIRCLES EVER SHARED* by +Gabriel Vasile
https://plus.google.com/106393478695568433143/posts/3CGaFRVrGK8

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Recommended Searches to find more Shared Circles:
1. +CircleCount : http://www.circlecount.com/sharedcircles/
2. Public Shared Circles : http://publiccircles.appspot.com/
3. Google+ Shared Circles : https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0Ao1OX3UN25EvdHRWR3lwWXQ0a0RhWnFuWml5RnJHdkE&hl=en_US

I know I haven't included all top Circle shares.
So, please be kind enough to suggest the other Top Shared Circles on comments with links.

Thank You!
#sharedcircles #sharedpubliccircles #circleshare #ddstips

2 Hours of Prince & the Revolution back in 1985
... another of my guilty pleasures. Killer diller band. 2 hour show complete.
Probably won't be on YouTub for long (usually gets blocked rapido).

Me & My Maps

Part of the reason for asking about maps in fiction earlier today was due to my own map making efforts.

I'm finishing the preliminary work on my 2nd fiction book and had to visualize for myself a settlement on some new terra firma way out in space.

It was a fun little exercise and greatly helped me to 'design' the book. 

However, given the positive impressions most readers have for fiction maps I'll have to transform my own doodles (below) into something more presentable.

The pic shows 
- Left: The topology on Erebus
- Right: The Citadel at Senan

My earlier post about Maps in Fiction: Good, bad, tacky?
https://plus.google.com/100807029253466370478/posts/e5RQwSyf1EP

#maps  

Congrats to +martin shervington - Number 1 Highly Engaging Content on +CircleCount! *

I don't know whose bed you had to put a decapitated horses head into to scoop this Martin, but I suppose your great content coulda had something to do with it :)

The fact that the losers (cough, cough, snigger) were for the most part big brand-y blog-y types goes to show the old saying still holds true:
"Little mouse roar, big elephant run"... I'm paraphrasing something from Karate Kid of course.

Scoop 2: Martin, you're Prom King with Britney at the Circlecount G+ Ball.
Scoop 3: 'One' can drop 3 dress sizes apparently with some fangled new diet ;)

* Don't know if this is specific to 'zones' - but its good all the same

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Let's not breakdown why this is funny... just that its killing me with the smarts ;)

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18 Mins Well Spent... if you love #nasa and #space

http://www.upworthy.com/some-strange-things-are-happening-to-astronauts-returning-to-earth

Finally!!! I've found the job I was born to do!!!

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So Shining was just a prequel to Good As it Gets.... Who'da thunk! %c}
The power of editing & soundtrack... brill stuff via +M Sinclair Stevens.

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Shining
The Shining reimagined as a family romantic comedy.

Having just spent a week tracking down & reporting those sites scraping my blog content this article goes into some ingenious ways of stopping it happen and/or making it work to your advantage.

Why “Hangouts”?

Why did Google choose the word ‘Hangouts’ and not ‘Chat Rooms’? Or ‘Chat Room 2.0’?

In this post I want you to don your NLP hat (neuro-linguistic programming) - I’ve got mine on - and spend far too much time pondering one single word - Hangouts.

While I’m using some humour here to point out some elements, there is a serious point. You can be sure the Google crew thought long and hard about the choice of feature name. So, I am too. Poor brand names can kill a business, no matter how good the product is.

<Just an FYI - Other post titles I thought of using:
- Rebranding Chat Rooms: Hello Hangouts!
- Revealed: The dirty reason Google don’t want you to call their Hangouts Chat Rooms. This will rock your very being to the core.
- Hangouts: Pervs Not Welcome. Obama could rock up ye know.
…>

Act 1: Scene 1: Any office in downtown corporate-land

Ok so here’s the scenario around the office coffee machine throughout the nation. Fade in to our 2 protagonistas:
Sue: Hi Ellen. You tried out the Google+ Hangouts?
Ellen: No Sue. Whats that? Some kind of Google sponsored lynching app?
Sue: Nope. It allows you to video-conference online with lots of people.
Ellen: Huh. So its a chat-room!
Sue: No, no, no. Its much much more.
Ellen: Still full of pervs though showing you their bits?
Sue: <indignantly>Definitely not!!
… and the debate goes on with neither side making ground.

Chatroom 2.0 - The Great Rebrand

Joking aside (for a moment). Google have done a good job rebranding Chat Rooms. Sure, the Hangouts allow you to screen-share and collaborate on Google Docs while hanging out. But, c’mon, lets face it. This is an upgrade to what chat rooms did.

Crucially. I think the rebranding does come back to 2 things:
- Distancing Hangouts from the seedy image Chat Rooms have.
- Re-establishing Trust and Openness in a self-regulating free & open environment that users will willingly choose to be a part of (i.e. they don’t need to be coerced into it, or pay some membership fee*)

_ - Yes, I realize you do need to have a G+ account.. but that’s free_

The trust element comes in a big part because this is a Google app. Locked in with your Google+ profile. It feels more legit. Folks aren’t signing up to some third-party site pretending to be 16-year old school girls. You have to give your real name on Google+ to get in.

_ For the record - full disclosure - I was christened Roderick Dunne but use ‘Rod’ in Google+. Shameful I know but I don’t want you thinking I’m Lord Roderick of Snodsbury. If I’m kicked off G+ for this indiscretion then I’ll miss you all immensely ;) Its been a blast. I’ll be over on MC Hammers Social network* if you need me_

For a lot of people that are not web-savvy its still a worry putting anything personal online. I’m in IT since 1993 (so should know better) but still worry about security.

The clue is in the word “Hangouts” - NLP hat back on.. if not already

What does the word hangout mean to you?

To me. It paints a picture of hanging out, lolling about with some buddies, pondering all the worlds wrongs, goofing around about some dumb thing that happened, brainstorming how we’ll be millionaires this time next year, etc.

Its relaxed, open dialogue. Hanging out! Put some free-form jazz on, pull up a beanbag and lets improvise like a good thing!! Biddley bop!!!

Its not a business meeting. Its not a serious conference call. Its not a chat room which has the connotation of being enclosed, within an enclosed space, surrounded by 4 walls. What happens in the chat-room, stays in the room. (though some do record it for later delectation - pervs ;) )

Hangouts includes the word out. Now what does that conjure up for you? Out-side, out-doors, out and about in open spaces. In a word - Openness.

NLP visor can come off now - Time for an insight

So whats the sweet bit about the upgrade/rebrand? Well. This bit I do like. Its clever stuff. And its about the rules of engagement & operation.

In chat rooms, they invariably had rules set down to enforce behaviours, norms, etc. For example (i hear you holler) the rules around safety and integrity. Users had to be members. Had to conform to being a specific age in some circumstances. Room owners had to warn users about the use of inappropriate language. Some even have moderators.

The rules on Google+ Hangouts? Okey, sure there’s terms of usage you agree to by joining G+. But who of you have read them? I couldn’t even find the bloomin thing!! And have these Hangout rules been forced upon you? Nope.

We interact in Hangouts in what appears to be a self-regulating environment. If users perceive someone is breaking the rules they can block/report them. You/me/we decide the rules of engagement and what it means to cross the line.

But everyone has different rules & perceptions so this can change from group to group. The soundbite = Google don’t force you into accepting their vision of rules. Meaning more involvement as every person can set their own rulebook. Kudos Googlie-peeps! That’s clever.

Whatcha reckon? The ramblings of a madman or do you think its the secret sauce and a sneak-peek behind the curtain at what the Wizard of G+ is up to?

+1 your pref in the comments below :§)>*

Doubtful Sound - Jan 2013. Spent 2 days on a boat in this wonderful place... and this is one of the few cloudy shots I got (at daybreak). I'd show the other (sunny) shots but given the poor weather in Europe at the mo it may be rubbing it in a bit to show em :)

GMail - Dropdown for Contacts & Tasks + Showing Tasks in Full Screen

Nice little change I've just spotted in GMail - top left.
The GMail text has a drop down for Contacts (in page) and Tasks (popup)

Tasks is invaluable to me so I'm always looking for it :) You can also show tasks in the full browser by going to:
https://mail.google.com/tasks/canvas?pli=1

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This has to be grounds to get these #NRA crack pots sectioned under the mental health act?

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Defiant #NRA leader rejects gun controls, asks to put police in schools

National Rifle Association CEO Wayne LaPierre defiantly blamed violent video games and movies, the media, gun-free zones in schools and other factors during the organization’s first public statement following the elementary school shooting in Newtown, Conn. last week. 

Read more: http://nbcnews.to/XULBBk

Memo to Google+ developers.

Adding a 'You May Know' link to a profile that is almost completely empty, incl no profile pic, is pointless... actually gets up my goat.

No offense to Robert... this profile was probably recommended as I've remarked on author Robert Greenes books a few times.... dunno if its the same person (since they provided zero info).

Not even Blue Thunder used to land on glaciers - #coolasflip  

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With Google+ adoption rates growing rapidly, its a good chance to evaluate how people's thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are influenced by the presence of others.

This in a nutshell is social psychology - And Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs provides the stepping stones for how our interactions here on Google+ and the technologies involved can help us discover our tribe...

Hope you enjoy this tribe-sourced piece on how G+ fits into the hierarchy

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Discovering Your Tribe on Google+

Two weeks of G+ powered tribe-sourcing has resulted in the following +Media Tapper post on How to Discover Your Tribe in Google+. It takes the ideas within Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs as a framework for how you/your business can find/create a tribe within the social network.

Its the first collaborative effort I've (Rod) been involved with as a result of being here on G+. The resulting work hopefully brings a refreshed angle to how we view social media/Google+ and what its potential is.

Hopefully, this is just a starting point for discussions on the hierarchy’s potential use as we all learn, test, collaborate and form our tribes here on G+

The Tribe for this piece who’ve helped form it are: +Miguel Rodriguez +Denis Labelle +Giselle Minoli +Grace O'Malley +Jack C Crawford +Rod Dunne

Thanks guys for being part of bringing this collaboration to fruition!

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Get the jump on using Google Analytics now for the various G+ social interactions you wish to track. Daniel's post is a great primer on applying the data GA and hopefully making sense out of where your efforts in engagement/promotion can be best spent.

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Using Google Analytics to understand customer behavior on Google+

This article is a comprehensive guide on how Google Analytics can be used in order to help brands understanding interactions with them on Google+. Great resource if you are into +Google+ Your Business.

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Quite literally the only Google Glasses video I wish to see :§)>

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Google Glasses: A New Way to Hurt Yourself


#googleglasses #google

More #nightmusic - Ryuichi Sakamoto - 'Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence'
Solo piano performance
This is just beyond beautiful.
On the technical side theres all sorts of jazzy 4ths (?) and 7ths in the chords  as each chorus is played.

March 1st - How Was Your Day, Sweetie?

I was taken aback and touched with +Alan Shapiro's idea for a G+ love letter back to +C. Corey Fisk - https://plus.google.com/114056084994793924628/posts/JvLM916zkZW so just had to contribute.

Here is my picture of sheer JOY for me. This was taken at a very happy time for me and represents a place I'd always wanted to get to.

One of my heroes in life has been the actor Patrick McGoohan & his program The Prisoner from the 60's. This allegorical story tried to show how we're all prisoners of something (society, work, relationships,...) but ultimately had the promise of hope that we can escape these things. The picture shows Portmeirion where McGoohan filmed the show. The little house on the right was his in the program.

The picture was taken at a time when I managed to escape my own shackles of corporate life and realize those things that really matter - family. I went to Portmeirion with my parents and it was the first holiday we'd had together since I was a kid.

In a sense it felt like a pilgrimage back to McGoohans greatest moment. To thank him for what his ideas & his show had thought me about being an individual and never being pushed, filed, stamped, indexed, briefed, debriefed and numbered. My life is my own.

READ: Alan Shapiros post and submit your own PHOTO OF JOY on March 1st for +C. Corey Fisk https://plus.google.com/114056084994793924628/posts/JvLM916zkZW

[ta to +Gideon Rosenblatt whos own Picture of Joy got me curious about this]
#howwasyourdaysweetie

Photo: by Rod Dunne, The Village (Portmeirion in North Wales)