Archive for January, 2009

January Reflections

The first month of 2009 is almost over – I’ve got mixed feelings about this, to be honest. I walked into the new year with so many questions and uncertainties. As it winds down, I appear to be approaching a good place with direction, focus and blindingly obvious reasons for why the chaos and avalanche of work ahead is necessary.

I took photos today for the first time in ages and it felt Girl With Cameraextremely good. That was one of my new years goals…so here’s to keeping it up for more than a day!

Girl With Camera has also been ‘revolutionized’ with a classic  theme from Brian Gardner. As soon as the idea took hold, it had to be done. The Black Canvas theme is a huge improvement from what was there before (too bad I don’t think ahead when I get this urge and take a screenshot for a ‘before’ look…) – and thankfully is also insanely easy to use. Publishing photos should always be this easy.

Alright – enough said…bring it on, February.

2009
01/31
POSTED BY
Rachel
CATEGORY
Personal
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Online Personas, Roles and Quirks

One thing I’ve grown to realize is how difficult it is to truly get to know someone when you’ve never spoken on the phone or seen them in person. Now, there are exceptions to every rule and I’m grateful that a number of people in my life and work are steady eddies who are frank, honest and don’t hide keyboardbehind their online personality to be something different than how they are and who they should be.

Then I see folks who hide behind their keyboards and do things that you wouldn’t typically see someone do in “real life” or a face to face situation. Being a “username” and having a gravatar all of a sudden gives the license to say or be anyone you want. It makes it difficult to get to know someone, let alone build a solid foundation of trust.

I’m glad I have people who shrug the drama queens off and are happy to move right along with me. It’s too much of an emotional drain to wonder why someone would be malicious – with these fanciful interwebs it’s usually a simple answer.

Because it’s just so darn easy.

2009
01/20
POSTED BY
Rachel
CATEGORY
Learning
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Odds and Ends and New Beginnings

I suppose it shouldn’t surprise me how every day seems to be blending together into one long stream of typing, laughing and thoughtful contemplation. There are ideas floating around in my head that I can’t seem to capture fast enough. But compared to December, this will do. Last month I was just itching to get started with things that I’m so excited about and wish I could mention here. It’s funny how what “is” seems like old news once there is a shiny new-ness right around the corner.

I wasn’t excited for this year. There has been so much economic speculation these last few months and it doesn’t seem to be ending any time soon. I avoided mainstream news before because it felt as though every news item was about an accident or traumatic event. Now I avoid it because if I spend any concerted amount of time reading about how awful things really are, I want to start breathing into a paper bag and hide under the couch.

I’m focusing on the small wins, little battles, and things that are in my control. The rest, I will cautiously observe and try not to think about too much. There are more important things on the agenda.

2009
01/17
POSTED BY
Rachel
CATEGORY
Observations
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What I learned this weekend

There is only one product manager in this partnership. And it’s not me. I’m lucky enough to live with a great guy who happens to be able to take the clutter and muck spilling out of my mind and turn it into an intelligible document that will prove useful in order to make this a success. There is order where there was once a puddle of words and unprioritized wants – I feel so much better now.

2009
01/12
POSTED BY
Rachel
CATEGORY
Work
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I think I can, I think I can…

Blog more than once a week.

2009
01/11
POSTED BY
Rachel
CATEGORY
Random
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