Just got this note from a client in response to a quick editing / rewrite task I did for her this afternoon:
"Thanks for the feedback. . . . I knew it needed help. Sometimes an objective eye is the just the thing needed! It reads great now. Thanks."
Made my day!
Friday, February 13, 2009
Friday, January 23, 2009
Would I lie to you?
Last October, I blogged about micro-expressions and how understanding these subtle bits of body language can help reveal what's going on inside someone's head.
This week, Fox debuted a fun new crime show starring Tim Roth called "Lie to Me," which is built around the science of micro-expressions. The show's Web site offers a primer, along with video from the show.
The pilot was fun, tho I'm not sure the series can sustain over the course of several weeks without feeling like a college course practicum. . . . See this bad guy? I know he's lying because he shrugged his right shoulder. Did you see that woman look down before answering the question? She was honestly trying to recall what really happened . . . . Worth checking out though. This is a show you can play along with at home!
Perhaps more important for those of us out here in the real world, it's a great reminder to take a look in the mirror and analyze what inadvertent messages we're sending our clients and customers. Do we say one thing and "broadcast" another with knitted brows, raised shoulders or pinched lips?
This week, Fox debuted a fun new crime show starring Tim Roth called "Lie to Me," which is built around the science of micro-expressions. The show's Web site offers a primer, along with video from the show.The pilot was fun, tho I'm not sure the series can sustain over the course of several weeks without feeling like a college course practicum. . . . See this bad guy? I know he's lying because he shrugged his right shoulder. Did you see that woman look down before answering the question? She was honestly trying to recall what really happened . . . . Worth checking out though. This is a show you can play along with at home!
Perhaps more important for those of us out here in the real world, it's a great reminder to take a look in the mirror and analyze what inadvertent messages we're sending our clients and customers. Do we say one thing and "broadcast" another with knitted brows, raised shoulders or pinched lips?
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Looking out for what makes us real
"A sense of place" is important to help us feel at home, what the academics call "psychologically comfortable in our environment." Beyond climate and geography, small businesses help define a city's character.
I've been thinking about this ever since a Denver burger chain opened up a restaurant on the east side of my hometown, Wichita. The new place was all the buzz, so I went to check it out. I guess the food was OK, but the place had a definite Strip Mall Vibe and I came away thinking: We've already got better than this here. And I feel a certain loyalty to them, these places that give Wichita its flavor.
I can't pick just one homegrown burger joint that's Quintessential Wichita; each one feeds our souls in its own way. I'd start with Dog N Shake, with history going back to 1948 and the slogan: "We butter toast our buns for you!" It makes a mighty tasty cheeseburger, despite leaving that fact out of the name. Then I'd move on to Bionic Burger, which not only has some of the best fries in town, but serves kids' meals in cardboard classic cars just right for Barbie and Friends.
Then there's TJ's Burger House, a cafe in the revitalized Delano neighborhood that compliments its burger baskets (did that photo get your attention?) with a mean "Hamburgers (sic) Stew." I've gotta include Nu Way, the original non-patty burger, whose creed "Crumbly Is Good" still draws oldtimers to the little white brick place on West Douglas. (Then again, it might be the house-recipe root beer. Yum.) And I've gotta give props to both the the Oasis' burger on the west side and Heroes' sweet pepper bacon burger in Old Town.
As my waistline shows, I could go on. . . . I'll leave it to others to explore the True Wichita to be found cruising for comfort food at our Mexican, Vietnamese, Thai, Lebanese and other specialty restaurants. I've got my opinions. I'd love to hear yours.
I've been thinking about this ever since a Denver burger chain opened up a restaurant on the east side of my hometown, Wichita. The new place was all the buzz, so I went to check it out. I guess the food was OK, but the place had a definite Strip Mall Vibe and I came away thinking: We've already got better than this here. And I feel a certain loyalty to them, these places that give Wichita its flavor.
I can't pick just one homegrown burger joint that's Quintessential Wichita; each one feeds our souls in its own way. I'd start with Dog N Shake, with history going back to 1948 and the slogan: "We butter toast our buns for you!" It makes a mighty tasty cheeseburger, despite leaving that fact out of the name. Then I'd move on to Bionic Burger, which not only has some of the best fries in town, but serves kids' meals in cardboard classic cars just right for Barbie and Friends.
Then there's TJ's Burger House, a cafe in the revitalized Delano neighborhood that compliments its burger baskets (did that photo get your attention?) with a mean "Hamburgers (sic) Stew." I've gotta include Nu Way, the original non-patty burger, whose creed "Crumbly Is Good" still draws oldtimers to the little white brick place on West Douglas. (Then again, it might be the house-recipe root beer. Yum.) And I've gotta give props to both the the Oasis' burger on the west side and Heroes' sweet pepper bacon burger in Old Town. As my waistline shows, I could go on. . . . I'll leave it to others to explore the True Wichita to be found cruising for comfort food at our Mexican, Vietnamese, Thai, Lebanese and other specialty restaurants. I've got my opinions. I'd love to hear yours.
Friday, January 9, 2009
Now playing
The long-ago promised video clips of Tom Otterness are finally here! Thanks to Lonny Quattlebaum, Greg Matthias and Rik Dubiel of Wichita State's Media Resource Center for their fantastic videography and more.
Former Wichita Eagle publisher Lou Heldman, creator of "Wichita State & The World," interviewed Ulrich Museum of Art director Patricia McDonnell.
Tom Otterness' fascinating introspective of his work included slides ranging from childhood paintings to computer-assisted designs for recent projects.
Former Wichita Eagle publisher Lou Heldman, creator of "Wichita State & The World," interviewed Ulrich Museum of Art director Patricia McDonnell.
Tom Otterness' fascinating introspective of his work included slides ranging from childhood paintings to computer-assisted designs for recent projects.
Please stand by . . .
Dreaded "technical difficulties" prevented Episode 5 of "Wichita State & The World" from airing Thursday night. Reportedly a problem with an air conditioning unit caused massive overheating in master control, which . . . well, the bottom line is, this hourlong show featuring A-list sculptor and native Wichitan Tom Otterness will debut at 7 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 11 instead. WSU TV is on Cox cable Ch. 13.It's worth the wait — and I'd say that even if I wasn't the producer. Really. For more about the show, check out www.wichita.edu/provost.
Monday, January 5, 2009
Tom Otterness, sculptor
I'm wrapping up work on Episode 5 of "Wichita State & The World," featuring Tom Otterness. An acclaimed figurative sculptor based in New York City, Tom is a Wichita native best known for public art that combines whimsy and social satire.
The show, which debuts at 8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 8, on Channel 13 on Wichita's Cox cable, will feature footage from the installation of "Millipede" on the WSU campus as well as an illustrated lecture by Otterness.One of my favorite things about this hourlong episode — aside from the fact that the art is a treat for the eyes — is how well it captures the fact that despite living virtually all his adult life in New York City, Otterness is still clearly a Guy From Wichita.
Check back for an update; I'll add video clips here when available.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
YouTube as battle strategy
The Israeli army is taking its public relations war directly to a global audience: It has created a YouTube channel to disseminate video that documents recent precision-bombing operations in the Gaza Strip as well as humanitarian aid distribution efforts.
"The blogosphere and new media are another war zone. We have to be relevant there," says IDF Foreign Press Branch head Maj. Avital Leibovich.
Although graphic content — including a clip showing an air strike on men who were apparently loading rockets into a truck — has since been removed by YouTube, "The intelligent audience watching the footage will know that people killed did not have peaceful intentions toward Israel," Leibovich had told the Jerusalem Post. "I don't believe they'll be disturbed. The important thing is to get the truth out there."
And on YouTube, there's this posting from Leibovich's office (note the last sentence!): "We are saddened that YouTube has taken down some of our exclusive footage showing the IDF's operational success in operation Cast Lead against Hamas extremists in the Gaza Strip. As the State of Israel again faces those who would see it destroyed, it is imperative that we in the IDF show the world the inhumanity directed against us and our efforts to stop it. It is also worth noting that one of the videos removed had the highest number of hits (over 10,000) at the time of its removal."
The IDF Foreign Press Branch has also delivered briefings to bloggers around the world, and staff members are preparing to start their own vodcasts — video diaries — to discuss their feelings about the conflict in English and Arabic. They rightly calculate that this personal approach will affect audiences very differently than traditional news coverage and pundit commentary.
Since the beginning of the Gaza air strikes this holiday season, Israeli politicians have held frequent press conferences to defend the attacks, but when their words are broadcast on the news over images of mayhem, destruction and crying children, it is hard to listen to speeches. The IDF is making a smart tactical move.
"The blogosphere and new media are another war zone. We have to be relevant there," says IDF Foreign Press Branch head Maj. Avital Leibovich.
Although graphic content — including a clip showing an air strike on men who were apparently loading rockets into a truck — has since been removed by YouTube, "The intelligent audience watching the footage will know that people killed did not have peaceful intentions toward Israel," Leibovich had told the Jerusalem Post. "I don't believe they'll be disturbed. The important thing is to get the truth out there."
And on YouTube, there's this posting from Leibovich's office (note the last sentence!): "We are saddened that YouTube has taken down some of our exclusive footage showing the IDF's operational success in operation Cast Lead against Hamas extremists in the Gaza Strip. As the State of Israel again faces those who would see it destroyed, it is imperative that we in the IDF show the world the inhumanity directed against us and our efforts to stop it. It is also worth noting that one of the videos removed had the highest number of hits (over 10,000) at the time of its removal."
The IDF Foreign Press Branch has also delivered briefings to bloggers around the world, and staff members are preparing to start their own vodcasts — video diaries — to discuss their feelings about the conflict in English and Arabic. They rightly calculate that this personal approach will affect audiences very differently than traditional news coverage and pundit commentary.
Since the beginning of the Gaza air strikes this holiday season, Israeli politicians have held frequent press conferences to defend the attacks, but when their words are broadcast on the news over images of mayhem, destruction and crying children, it is hard to listen to speeches. The IDF is making a smart tactical move.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
6: and tag you're it
The fabulous Suzanne Tobias, of Notes for My Kids' Therapist, tagged me in the latest blogger game making the rounds in Wichita and elsewhere. In typical fashion, I've put this off as long as I can, so here we go:
Here are the rules:
* Link to the person who tagged you.
* Post the rules on your blog.
* Write 6 random things about yourself.
* Tag 6-ish people at the end of your post.
* Let each person know he/she has been tagged.
* Let the tagger know when your entry is up.
Six random things about me:
1. Childhood pets included a dog named Puppy and cats named Kitty and Cat. And yet I went on to a career working with words. Go figure.
2. I like Wizard Rock — grassroots music inspired by the "Harry Potter" series. I was introduced to the all-musical-genres fan-based phenom last year by my teenage daughter (who has amassed a large collection of tunes by bands such as The Whomping Willows, Draco and the Malfoys, Obliviate! and The Hermione Crookshanks Experience). The Girl appears to be outgrowing her obsession for songs written from the perspective of fictional characters, but I'm still hooked. At least on mother-daughter roadtrips, we can agree on the playlist, and it doesn't include German Techno Scream anymore. Ugh.
3. When I was in sixth grade, I was a Safety Patrol crossing guard on the corner of Murdock and Edgemoor in Wichita, in front of what a short time later became known as The Otero House when four members of the family were killed by serial killer BTK. I grew up to direct my newspaper's coverage of the investigation after he resurfaced, and to lead a team that wrote the definitive book on the case.
4. I once crashed through a jungle at night without a flashlight to view Halley's Comet from the top of an ancient Mayan observatory. (Crawling up the pitch-black no-room-to-back-up double-helix stone staircase, which was covered in years of who-knows-what, was a very Indiana Jones moment.)
5. I am the world's worst penpal. If you write me a letter, chances are extremely high that I will eagerly write you back but never mail it. (Exhibit A: I packaged a Christmas present for mailing to a dear friend in the mid-1980s and still have it in a closet.)
6. My personal motto is: Take the Initiative to Make Things Better.
And now, who to tag? I think it shall be...
Dan, Lou, Andi, Daniel, Ron, Martha
Here are the rules:
* Link to the person who tagged you.
* Post the rules on your blog.
* Write 6 random things about yourself.
* Tag 6-ish people at the end of your post.
* Let each person know he/she has been tagged.
* Let the tagger know when your entry is up.
Six random things about me:
1. Childhood pets included a dog named Puppy and cats named Kitty and Cat. And yet I went on to a career working with words. Go figure.
2. I like Wizard Rock — grassroots music inspired by the "Harry Potter" series. I was introduced to the all-musical-genres fan-based phenom last year by my teenage daughter (who has amassed a large collection of tunes by bands such as The Whomping Willows, Draco and the Malfoys, Obliviate! and The Hermione Crookshanks Experience). The Girl appears to be outgrowing her obsession for songs written from the perspective of fictional characters, but I'm still hooked. At least on mother-daughter roadtrips, we can agree on the playlist, and it doesn't include German Techno Scream anymore. Ugh.
3. When I was in sixth grade, I was a Safety Patrol crossing guard on the corner of Murdock and Edgemoor in Wichita, in front of what a short time later became known as The Otero House when four members of the family were killed by serial killer BTK. I grew up to direct my newspaper's coverage of the investigation after he resurfaced, and to lead a team that wrote the definitive book on the case.
4. I once crashed through a jungle at night without a flashlight to view Halley's Comet from the top of an ancient Mayan observatory. (Crawling up the pitch-black no-room-to-back-up double-helix stone staircase, which was covered in years of who-knows-what, was a very Indiana Jones moment.)
5. I am the world's worst penpal. If you write me a letter, chances are extremely high that I will eagerly write you back but never mail it. (Exhibit A: I packaged a Christmas present for mailing to a dear friend in the mid-1980s and still have it in a closet.)
6. My personal motto is: Take the Initiative to Make Things Better.
And now, who to tag? I think it shall be...
Dan, Lou, Andi, Daniel, Ron, Martha
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Fun with words
Pop art, poetry and technology merge in Wordle, an applet that allows users to create a "beautiful word cloud" from a blog, RSS feed or copyblock with one click.
Fun to do, but even more interesting to people watch: The gallery includes everything from love poems to a master's thesis.
Fun to do, but even more interesting to people watch: The gallery includes everything from love poems to a master's thesis.
The results are in
The informal survey of Twitter users (see post below) yielded some interesting stats:
— 9 in 10 of those responding said they had volunteered this year.
— 1 in 4 volunteer on a set schedule
— 3 in 4 volunteer as events or their heart moves them
Tweeples were most likely to split their time between:
— Mentoring and
— Sitting on boards and advising organizations
Half of the respondents chose those activities.
Next most-popular was political action — which makes sense, given that this is a presidential election year.
That was followed, in descending order, by:
— Fundraising
— Tutoring
— Faith promotion
— Other, which included: feeding the homeless through a church program, working in the arts, being a Compeer match, collecting items for battered women at the holidays, and working with at-risk kids at school (I'd likely have put that under mentoring or tutoring, but for the respondent it didn't seem to fit those categories so OK)
How often do the responding Tweeples volunteer? We are split:
1 in 3 volunteer monthly
1 in 3 volunteer randomly
1 in 5 volunteer weekly
and a very small set volunteer yearly (at the holidays) or never.
Why do Tweeples volunteer? Lots of motivations. Here's a sampling:
— "I believe in the causes."
— "I believe in humanity."
— "I makes me feel good, and I have skills to share."
— "To give back."
— "I am blessed with a little money and a little time — happy to help others."
— "Sense of civic responsibility inherited from my grandfather."
— "I think there could be a revolution, parents' overall inability scares me these days, the future is delicate."
— "To make a difference in the community."
— "Why not?"
Thanks to all who participated!
— 9 in 10 of those responding said they had volunteered this year.
— 1 in 4 volunteer on a set schedule
— 3 in 4 volunteer as events or their heart moves them
Tweeples were most likely to split their time between:
— Mentoring and
— Sitting on boards and advising organizations
Half of the respondents chose those activities.
Next most-popular was political action — which makes sense, given that this is a presidential election year.
That was followed, in descending order, by:
— Fundraising
— Tutoring
— Faith promotion
— Other, which included: feeding the homeless through a church program, working in the arts, being a Compeer match, collecting items for battered women at the holidays, and working with at-risk kids at school (I'd likely have put that under mentoring or tutoring, but for the respondent it didn't seem to fit those categories so OK)
How often do the responding Tweeples volunteer? We are split:
1 in 3 volunteer monthly
1 in 3 volunteer randomly
1 in 5 volunteer weekly
and a very small set volunteer yearly (at the holidays) or never.
Why do Tweeples volunteer? Lots of motivations. Here's a sampling:
— "I believe in the causes."
— "I believe in humanity."
— "I makes me feel good, and I have skills to share."
— "To give back."
— "I am blessed with a little money and a little time — happy to help others."
— "Sense of civic responsibility inherited from my grandfather."
— "I think there could be a revolution, parents' overall inability scares me these days, the future is delicate."
— "To make a difference in the community."
— "Why not?"
Thanks to all who participated!
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