Archive for the ‘Random posts’ Category

A cat who hits it’s tush for photos? Taken by Annmarie Hill, in Alison Viejo, CA on her Blackberry.

Okay, let’s take a quick break from the business of blogs, social media design and writing and pay a little attention to the real world. Right now, some of the most incredible men and women are working as hard as they possibly can to leave Canada as Olympic gold medalist. Let’s just say I am amazed to watch them. They are so driven, so focused, and some? Just a little insane. Have you seen the ski jumpers?

Image courtesy of NBC

Like I said…a little insane. Anyway, what I find interesting is the people who are involved in the sports: their personalities, characteristics, etc. For example, I watched the US women’s curling match against Germany yesterday. The women were very quiet throughout the match – the talked with each other and yelled some while throwing and controlling the stones, but as a woman who played soccer forever…quiet + athletics is just a little strange. But, that is what allows them to stay so composed and calm while throwing the rocks, and making sure that each one is accurate and smooth. I love to just watch them, and see their facial expressions and how they react.

Then there are the ice skaters…while both sports are on ice, they are in a whole different world. It’s all about the power in the jumps, the music, the lines…it’s also phenomenal to watch. This, and pairs skating, are so unique to me. They speak so differently about their sport – with such a high reverence and with such a softness, it’s beautiful. I am not sure what it is about the skaters, but I honestly forget that I am watching an Olympic sport and just feel lost in whatever music it is. I know that the jumps are difficult, and I would probably be puking after just one spin, but something about their movement makes me forget the levels of difficulty. Of course, that is unless I look at pictures like this, then all I can think is OUCH!!

image courtesy of NBC

Lastly, you have the crazy athletes. I already mentioned the jumpers, but the skeleton? Really? Lying on your belly on a tiny little ice skate and hurtling yourself down a ramp? Yeah, definitely not my sport of choice. And then there are the half pipe snowboarders…despite how fun it looks, I have been on the receiving end of a snowboard fall at no where near as high and it hurt. Definitely leaving that one to the pro’s. Finally, the freestyle skiers? Now those athlete’s are just insane. Impressive, talented and amazing…but totally insane.

Image courtesy of NBC

This group of athletes (the crazies) are a lot of fun to watch, and listening to their interviews are great. It’s like they have zero comprehension of just how insane what they do is. They are still calm and composed, but are definitely a little more high energy than those in the less insane events.

All in all, I love the Olympics, and the time it gives us to see the most incredible athletes from all over the world!

What is your favorite sport to watch? What do you love about the Olympics?

I read a lot of business blogs (right now, there are 53 in my rss feed that are business/design/social media related), but I get bored with business blogs. So, I mix it up with a small helping of fun blogs as well. My favorites?

• FailBlog
• CakeWrecks
• Not Always Right
• Photoshop Disaster
• Text’s from Last Night
• Awkward Family Photos
• The Oatmeal

And, since it’s mid-week, and usually the toughest day for all of us, I wanted to give you a break and share one of my favorite posts from the last week from each of my favorite funny sites:

• FailBlog – Golfing fail (me thinks you had one too many!)
• CakeWrecks – Something’s missing (or let’s play “fill in the blank!”)
• Not Always Right – One adapter to rule them all (ahhh technology, thy mythic beast!)
• Photoshop Disaster -Alien Shape-shifter (one word: yikes!)
• Text’s from Last Night – Every college kids dream first job (wonder which company it is…)
• Awkward Family Photos – Bedtime stories (no wonder the youth is in trouble!)
• The Oatmeal – How to tell if your cat is plotting to kill you (…and why I don’t own cats!)

Do you have any favorite funnies to share?

What would happen if the original 8 Disney Princesses started their own business? Who would do what? And how would they work together?

Here are my thoughts on their roles and behaviors…and whether or not it would be a successful company.

(Described from left to right)

Jasmine - Foreign Relations: Being the daughter of a Sultan, she has a lot of experience with foreign dignitaries. Add that, with her strong personality and cleverness, and she will be great negotiator. Of course, the fact that she keeps a tiger as a pet might help convince them to deal with her business as well…

Snow White – Human Resources: If she can handle seven obnoxious men with Napoleon complexes, I think she can take on hiring and managing an entire staff. She is strong willed and as long as we keep her away from the (apple) juice, she’ll do great.

Mulan - Chief Financial Officer: She was well educated by her tutors as a young girl, and her time as a man in the military will give her great insight for dealing with the tough world of finances. Her bravery and strength, mixed with her lack of focus on love will allow her the freedom to work late (and odd) hours that money business demands.

Aurora - Chief Executive Officer: The only one of the women who was a Princess by birth, she will use that station to gain the upper hand and her daddy’s money to finance the company, making herself the CEO. While the rest will worry at first, her mellow nature and love for all people will prove her to be a fair CEO.

Cinderella - Operations Manager: After running an entire house for a bunch of demanding step siblings, she finds it easy to slide into the role of operations manager, directly below Aurora, making sure that everything runs smoothly. Other than her occasional conversations with a supposed “fairy godmother”, everyone respects and appreciates her hard work.

Pocahontas - Eco-development: She is independent and a free thinker who loves nature. She would be in tune with the other women because she is caring and compassionate but would also be tough on the rules. She would require that the company be green and promote health – benefiting as many as possible with their product.

Belle - Marketing Manager: If this woman can turn a beast into a man, there isn’t anything she can’t do with some serious marketing. Give her the products and free space to go promote it, and she’ll have those shelves emptied in no time!

Ariel - Product Development: Look at what she did with a fork, a sheet and some rope? She is resourceful, driven and will stop at nothing to get to where she needs to be. She can survive without talking, and definitely knows how to make a splash. If she were in charge of product development, she would be sure to create incredibly useful products.

All in all, I think these women would run a killer company – and would definitely take the world by storm.

One simple tweet from @sbonnin to the world… “For our family’s that don’t get us, we need a t-shirt that says “I’m a Pretty Big Deal on the Internet”" …has become a reality today!

Maybe…

…You have tons of twitter followers.

…You blog like a fiend and have lots of great readers.

…You take pictures of your food so you can talk about it.

…You are the online poker pro.

…Your BB/iPhone/Pre/etc is always attached to your hip.

…You can Whrrl with the best of them.

…You love Facebook and the connections it provides you.

…You seriously rock at online games.

And no IRL understands why you do what you do??

Then this is your shirt

It tells everyone, that while they may not get you, there are a lot of people that do! Of course, it is 100% cotton and made by District Threads so you know they are going to be super comfy! And don’t forget…Free Shipping on EVERY order!!! So what are you waiting for??

And if you want to show off your internet power with a button on your site? Grab the code below the text:

<a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=37091415"><img src="http://wrightcreativity.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/justtextsmall.jpg">

And if you want to help get the word out to your readers on how they can order, you can grab one of these buttons (a variety of sizes and styles for anyone!):

<a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=37091415"><img src="http://wrightcreativity.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/shirtbutton150blue.jpg">

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Today is the last two-words of 2009…and as much as I have enjoyed the series, it will be the last two-word tuesday [insert scary music] EVER!

It is being replaced with a very fun and exciting new weekly short, that will be showing up starting [insert exciting music] THIS FRIDAY!

So, for the final two-words I want you to tell me:
Your Favorite

Yesterday I mentioned that I thought I had the flu. So, I called the dr. and they gave me a prescription for Tamiflu without even having to go in (yay!) with the warning that if I wasn’t a lot better today, that I would need to come in (boo!). Of course, I woke up this morning (I’ll spare the details) feeling a lot worse (double boo!). So, I headed to the doctor for stronger meds, and am now eating some soup and then sleeping for the rest of the afternoon.

So, I figured today would be a good day to send you to visit some friends! Check out some of the other blogs I love to read, and maybe you’ll find a new blog to read!

Today, I gave my followers a chance to create their own two-word tuesday. Here are their two-word responses to the tweet “In two words – what are you feeling right now?”

chrispenner super hungery

HennArtOnline Fiery Passion!

TravelCostaMesa Too cold!

caflowergirls it’s raining!

PaulTTran Cock Tail?

tsc0809 slightly demented

parksdesign time delayed

AngryJulie Monster Energy

RicDizon Manage Priorities

OakleyOC Pleasantly surprised

GregoryPerez Distantly focused

HyattIrvine Cautiously Optimistic

Thanks to all my followers for chiming in today!

*And don’t forget to register for the Business Strategy Workshop!!*

The mission in Santa Barbara. As beautiful as the architecture is, the rose gardens and the rolling front lawn were my favorite (and my moms puppy Bella’s favorite) of the area.

The clock tower in downtown was magnificent. 360 degree views of Santa Barbara, but not for those afraid of heights…

After walking through all the stores downtown State St. (surprisingly I didn’t buy a thing!) we went to Arigato’s (thanks to a recommendation from @LarryBroughton). The sushi and sake with both incredible, if you are in Santa Barbara it is a must stop. We had a mixed sushi sampler, halibut carpaccio, and Wakatake sake (daiginjo and delicious!), oh and being able to sit on the patio with our puppy made it perfect.

Today (forgot the camera!), we decided to take it easy and had a leisurely morning drinking coffee and catching up with a family friend who lives in Carpinteria. The weather was a little overcast, and so we were really in no hurry to hit the town. Around 12:30, we finally headed out and went to an Italian pottery outlet, where it was really difficult to not buy and entire wine goblet set….but the price tag and knowing what my hubby would have said, stopped me. We then headed out to the wharf for some incredible calamari and clam chowder in a bread bowl at the Santa Barbara Seafood Company, and wouldn’t you know it, the sun deided to come out just as we sat down! After lunch, we picked up some fresh fruit and cheeses to go with the bottle of Gainey Chardonnay we picked up during wine tasting on Thursday, for dinner tonight, and then wandered a bit down Shoreline to enjoy the sun. Now, we are relaxing and catching up on emails before opening the bottle and starting our evening.

TOmorrow, we head back to Solvang to get the aebelskivers we missed out on, and to wander around a local bookstore we found. I am a sucker for old books (and real bookstores…I can’t stand the chains), and am hoping to find a couple romance novels to get me re-inspired to start writing again. The boys will be back around dinner time, and Steve and I will be ready to head back to reality (and work) Monday morning.

Our first day in Santa Barbara started with the boys getting up around 6am to start their drive up to Rubicon. My mom and I slept in, and after getting up at 9am to cappuccinos and checking a few emails, we headed towards Santa Ynez and Los Olivos for wine tasting. We took hwy 154 out, and I snapped quite a few pictures along the way…

And then we hit the first Winery..Gainey Vineyards. Absolutely gorgeous and the wines were great. For a moment, I almost forgot about the tasting as I wandered the grounds…it takes your breath away to see the natural beauty of the vines combined with their architecture. But, once I started tasting, I realized that the true beauty was in their wines. Unbelievably well done…We picked up a bottle of their Chardonnay (2007) and a Syrah (2006).

After Gainey, we were starved and headed up the road to Los Olivos. It is one of the cutest towns, still only 1,000 people live there! We stopped for lunch at the Wine Merchant Cafe, and the pictures do not do it justice. The food was awesome and so was the atmosphere. Minus one woman who was speaking as if she was at a concert to the 2 ladies sitting at her table. But the incredible food and a glass of wine helped me get over that one…

After lunch, we wandered through town and found Tre Anelli winery. They are known for their Spanish reds, and being a sucker for good red wine, we stopped in. I was not disapointed. We left with 2 bottles, their 2006 Sangiovese and their 2007 Dolcetta. After finishing our walk through the town (didn’t take long, it’s really tiny), we headed towards Solvang.

We stopped at one final winery, Rideau, known for French wines. My parents had been there 13 years ago, and my mom remembered how beautiful the building was. We decided to stop so I could see the building, were surprised with how good some of the wines had gotten!

Our last stop of the day was Solvang. Honestly, one of the most interesting places I have visited in California…

It is time for day 2…right now I am sipping my coffee and then we are headed to downtown for shopping, sushi lunch and maybe another glass or 2 of wine!