Wisdom in Pieces: The Value of Twitter Conversations

I'm hosting guest bloggers who share a slice about things I love. Twitter is one of those affections.

Wade Kwon is a tweeter I follow. Possibly too closely.

Enjoy.
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I share something every day on my blogs. And I share a whole lot more on Twitter.

It is a natural fit for people with something to say, and I have something to say.

But Twitter is daunting. It has a reputation for superfluousness and confusion. Why would anyone want to share their lives, much less read about other people's lives, on this ethereal network?

For me and millions of users, it accommodates a hunger for learning. I learn so much from my tweeps: news, ideas, personal moments, witty observations, catty observations and more.

I asked my 2,000-plus followers at @WadeOnTweets for their words of wisdom to share with you.

Working on a guest post for @JamiesRabbits. @ reply me your 140-character words of wisdom. Best ones go in the post. [link]

The response was amazing. Allow me to share their tweets, along with my notes.

"It's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice." My words of wisdom by someone unknown to me. [link]

Danielle, @DanielleBlevins, is a fellow Birminghamian. Being nice costs nothing, and Danielle was nice enough to share her thoughts. But it goes beyond that.

Jamie works in a meaningful job, helping children through a nonprofit organization. To me, her work is more important that what I do in my daily duties as a communications consultant. She is not only a nice person, but her career is an extension of her personality. She cares, and she cares enough to make it a career.

I like to pile on the nice, so even something as small as a guest post is my way to contribute.

Re: words of wisdom -- Get it in writing. [link]

My friend Chance, @crewless, is a talented filmmaker in Birmingham, Alabama, and a friend and neighbor. It's ironic that someone who works in video would tweet about writing, but he knows all too well the deals and promises and ideas that slip away without a piece of paper to document it.

Be the type of person that doesn't need to back it up with paper. Follow through on your promises.

Live fully by: spending less, earning more, being debt free and Investing for life. [link]

Eric, @Ewesban, is a financial planner in Birmingham. I don't think we've met, but he was kind enough to add something he knows very well: living within your means.

We all need help with something. Guest posts, electrical work, babysitting, money. Some of us struggle with breaking patterns of overspending and bad planning, or putting off how to save for the future. But that doesn't mean we have to fail. It doesn't mean we have to do it alone.

Getting help can be easy as contacting Eric and asking, "What should I do next?"

this, too, shall pass. #wisdomwords [link]

Kenn, @insomniactive, is a dear friend since we were lads knocking abo ut Hoover. He has a relaxed attitude about most things in life, as you can see in his tweet.

While I'd like to think niceness abounds, a few meanies seem to be intent on ruining our day. Don't let the meanies win. All the drama, the whining, the jabs mean little now and nothing in a day or two. Let it pass.

"Ideas don't work, unless you do." [link]

Trav, @tsutrav, is yet another Birmingham pal. He has some great ideas about books, technology and publishing, which he shares on his site, {head}:sub/head.

I know Trav is willing to put in the hours and hard work to make ideas fly. I know Jamie is willing to sacrifice other things to keep her blog up to date. Most people have ideas; few ever see them become reality because they don't try. Or they give in to fear. Or they try and give up too soon.

You may be the only one who believes in your idea. Are you willing to work to make it happen?

Bonus from Facebook: "When women go wrong, men go right after them." - Mae West -- wisest thing I have read this week! [link]

Amy, @amydormi, is another Alabama friend from the high school days. All I can add is, if women are wrong, I don't wanna be right!

If you started on Twitter today, what could you learn from your friends and followers? And what could you share with them to make their lives a little better?

Wisdom comes in surprising ways. Be open to them, and never stop learning.

Wade Kwon is a communications consultant and writer. He shares news and features about his hometown on his site, Wade on Birmingham.

The Post About Spelling It Out

I'm back.

I have been to adoption camp and I have overcome.

It was actually delightful. I'll share what I learned later this week.

Lesson #4: Don't turn your back on a kid with a stick. Especially if "baby got back."

Now for some randomness related to spelling.

First, I love Words With Friends. My user name is "Words15." Come find me and we'll play indefinitely.

I brought the heat yesterday with this mother of a game starter.

Please ignore the fact I used a word of which I have no knowledge. Mom, I pinky swear.

61 points later and Nicolag23 was so over me.

...TRANSITION...

My friend Allison is thoughtful. In all the ways I am not thoughtful. She remembers your birthday and your favorite movie and what size you wear in everything. I'm lucky if I remember we met.

Or dated.

Allison also buys you things. Things you don't hate or want to return.

In honor of a long impending week of camp, she gifted me with my favorite Scrabble Cheez-its organized in an encouraging fashion.

The intentional poor use of you're/your is gravy.

{images: Jamie}

The Post About The Rabbit Recommends v.72

Each weekend, I post a readable, a watchable, and a listenable of which I'm fond. You can choose what happens next. Earlier volumes can be found here.

Read

I promised a new rec and I have it. One Day by David Nicholls is the perfect summer read. Maybe not for those who bass fish or have chest hair, but definitely for the rest of us. We catch up with Emma and Dexter on the same day every year for 2 decades. It's a journey through the years filled with humor, romance and great writing.

Watch

My youngest godson now insists you call him "Luigi." A child at my work camp last week carried a Luigi doll everywhere. The toy had goggles for the pool. Mario Brothers is all-powerful.

Listen

Singer songwriter time. I first heard Matt Wertz on tour with Dave Barnes and I was sold. This is my favorite song "I Will Not Take My Love Away." Might I also suggest "Carolina" and "Sing My Lonesome Away?"

The Post About Guest Blogger: Joseph Kinnaird

You are reading me because Jamie is off doing what Jamie does. She is helping make life a little better for children who really need life to be a little better. Jamie asked me and others to write about something she loves. While others will no doubt write about baking, gadgets, baking gadgets, and naps, I will write about one of the things we have in common.

Faith.

Jamie is a person of deep faith. She is a disciple of Jesus and all that comes with it. The work she does for children in need of “forever families” is not a career. It is a calling. She does this because she believes this is what Jesus would do.

Simply put? Yes.

Cliché? Absolutely.

But her faith dictates the steps of her life. She is an Emory educated woman who will work a long time in her current field to make what was spent on her education. Callings are funny that way and God has a sense of humor that will get your goat sometimes. Having said all that, you are reading her blog and hopefully you will be a better person for it.

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

I absolutely love how different people picture Jesus. Try this one day. Google "Jesus," then hit "images." You will see Korean Jesus, black Jesus, velvet Jesus (or is that Willie Nelson?), NRA Jesus, woman Jesus, and many others. I am waiting on Twilight Jesus as he “sparkles” coming out of the tomb and into the sunlight.

(Shameless plug: Go to my blog and look at my thoughts on the Twilight Saga)

But I have a favorite image. It is the White American Republican Jesus. There he is with his Roman nose, luxuriant straight brown hair, and light olive complexion. I don’t think the world is quite ready for the Scotch-Irish Jesus in a kilt, playing Amazing Grace on the bag-pipes. But this would be the Jesus were I to create Him in my own image.

Jesus is confounding to people who attempt to define him. When I read the Gospels, I see a man that did pretty radical things. Many have reduced him to an image closer to Mr. Rogers than what is the truth.

We have made him nice.

Last time I checked, nice guys don’t throw a city into an uproar with their presence and die hanging on a cross surrounded by thieves and enemies. Nice just doesn’t fit.

What really sticks out to me when I read the Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John is the way he walked in the world. He used common images and simple stories to tell cosmic truth. The people he chose to follow him were screwed up. He did not seem at all interested in what people thought about him. When the crowds that followed got too large he would turn and say the most ridiculous things. Things like, “If you want to follow me you have to eat my flesh and drink my blood.” Or my personal favorite, “If you love me then you have to hate your mother, father, brothers, and sisters.” In his circle of 12 were tax-collectors (the ancient equivalent of ambulance chasing personal injury lawyers), revolutionaries, and foul mouthed fishermen.

He had infinite patience with sinners. He had no patience with self righteous religious leaders and hypocrites. "He laughed and shared stories with the thief and the whore.” (Thank you Bethany Dillon) He heaped burning coals (figurative of course) on the heads of those who would look down their noses at those “sinners.” He would answer honest questions with grace. He would answer dishonest questions with more questions. He was infuriating to those who sought to trap him and living water to those who sought him. He loved people whom no one else loved. He liked wedding parties. He loved his friends and said no greater love can be shown in this world than when you are willing to give your life for them.

This man was good news to a world that needed good news. He talked about God’s love for the world and then showed the world that love.

Vaya con Dios my friends.

Joseph

Joseph writes regularly at Joseph's Blog-O-Log. It is one of Jamie's favorite things to read - second only to Entertainment Weekly.

The Post About Home Depot Giveaway Winner

My Dad loves Home Depot.

He would rather receive HD currency than a tie or a coupon booklet or anything handmade.

In honor of him, I hosted a little giveaway. All you had to do was tell me what you love about your home. You had great things to say about fireplaces and porches and big backyards and paid off mortgages. Most answers made me fuss at my own lovely home.

It needs a pool.

The winner is:

Jennai. She actually won for being a follower of Jamie's Rabbits on Twitter. But what she loves about her home is this:

"I love our house and neighborhood because there are so many kids playing around outside. It's very family oriented."

Jennai and I would surely be great friends. But I don't think I want to live in her neighborhood.

Kids steal your sleep.

Jennai - contact me at jamiesrabbits@gmail.com to get your prize!

{image: Jamie}

The Post About The Rabbit Recommends v.71

Each weekend, I post a readable, a watchable, and a listenable of which I'm fond. You can choose what happens next. Earlier volumes can be found here.

Read
I have a stack of 7 books by my bed that need to be read - some of which you have suggested. I promise to recommend one of them next week.

If it is worthy.

Watch & Listen

I'm combining "watch" and "listen" this week. So You Think You Can Dance is back for the summer and it really is the best guilty pleasure. I picked this recent performance of the Samba by All-Stars Pasha and Anya and contestant Cristina. I'm sure I picked it for its technical merit and not because of 1:13. Do not stumble.

The listen is the song they dance to which is "Work" by Kelly Rowland. I liked it and then discovered I really think she is snazzy as a solo artist. She's not just the former 2nd fiddle to Beyonce's violin in Destiny's Child.

The Post About My Mom Not Coming Out of The Closet

My mom is as pure as the driven snow.

Have you heard that saying before?

It simply means she's kind and gentle and long suffering and nurtures with food.

All things I don't deserve.

She called this morning and offered to bring by an extra sausage biscuit on her way to her job at my church. I never turn down free food - a lesson she taught me - and I met her on the porch.

Here is a transcript of our conversation:

Me: You look pretty in your purple shirt.

Mom: I was concerned about wearing it because at my high school you weren't supposed to wear purple on Thursdays.

Me: Why?

Mom: I never really knew, but once a girl told me it meant you were...

Me: What?

Mom: (whispering) It meant you were gay.

Me: Well, I'd stand confident in your sexuality today and wear it with pride. But don't kiss Ms. Ruth, the financial secretary, on the mouth.

{image: Jamie}

The Post About $35 Home Depot Giveaway

I'm a homeowner.

This means:
1. I save money for things like a paved driveway and a new roof. Not an iPad.

2. If my neighbor's kid hits my window with a football because he stinks at football; there's no Amanda Woodward or Mr. Furley to call.

3. I pay property taxes, but I don't get to vote any more than a renter. I should.

4. If I want to be a nomad, I have to first work through things like escrow and amortization and baking cookies for open houses.

Good news? I get to go to Home Depot and buy all kinds of junk.

Better news? You can too if you win this giveaway of a $35 Home Depot gift card.

***COMMENTS ARE CLOSED - WINNER ANNOUNCED TOMORROW***

How To Enter: Leave a comment answering the question:
What's one thing you love about your current residence?

**2 Extra Credit Entries**
Each of the following will give you one extra entry in the giveaway. Please make sure to leave a separate comment for each thing you do!

1. Be a follower of Jamie's Rabbits on Twitter.
2. "Like" Jamie's Rabbits on Facebook.

**You can accomplish both of these tasks by clicking on the links.**

Important Details: Open to anyone in the US. Must enter before noon CST on Saturday, June 19 to qualify. Winner will be chosen randomly using Research Randomizer and announced on Sunday. Obviously, anonymous folks can't win unless they leave a name/email in the comment. P.S. The orange aprons of HD don't even know I exist. Except when I drool on their showroom appliances.

{image: Jamie}

The Post About Sleeping Away a Longer Life

I am surprisingly healthy.

Surprising since I swim in a genetic pool that includes high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer, and premature white hair. That last one seems to be my floaty of choice.

Also surprising since I have been shaped like an apple since I fell for Benji Knight in the 3rd grade.

Love will add on the pounds.

Recently, I went to a health fair and discovered:

• Blood pressure - great
• Cholesterol - great
• Blood sugar - great
• Bone density - great

My pill-popping consists solely of a multi-vitamin and the occasional ADD pill for those days when meetings make me want to stab someone with a Bic.

So what's the key to my good health?

I posed that very question to my general practitioner and she confidently guessed "sleep."

She said the consequences of bad health habits can be delayed by almost 10 years if you get at least 8 hours of sleep a night.

I love to sleep. I crave it like a smoker craves one more drag. Or a drag queen craves a smokin' pair of pumps.

I can make it through long days, just by repeating the mantra "You'll get to sleep late on Saturday."

On Sundays, I wake up extra early for Jesus, say "Hi" and then immediately think "I can't wait for my Sunday nap." I can prompt instant hyperventilation at the very thought of birthing children who will selfishly steal my drug of choice.

I walk fast, talk fast, type fast, eat fast, and watch TV fast to support the theory: Get more done while awake, sleep even longer.

And now I have medical support for my addiction.

Do you get enough sleep? Why or why not?

{image: StreetFly JZ}

The Post About The Rabbit Recommends v.70

Each weekend, I post a readable, a watchable, and a listenable of which I'm fond. You can choose what happens next. Earlier volumes can be found here.

Read

I've already recommended The Pioneer Woman's blog. Some like it because she's a homeschooling mom. Some because she's living on a working cattle ranch. Some for the regular incredible giveaways. I love it for the photography. Which is the very same reason I love her cookbook, The Pioneer Woman Cooks. Every recipe (just like on her blog) includes pictures for every step of the process. I'm not really that skilled at the cooking and such so having photographic evidence of what my bowl should look like is always a good thing.

Watch

I've become Mac-obsessed as of recent. And I only own an iPhone. But I adore that lil' gadget so much that I'm in for the long haul. I secretly want a MacBook Pro and that Apple sticker on my car. I watched this documentary last year and loved it as kooky as Macheads really are. You can watch it in full from here or at Hulu.

Listen

I try not to love Beyoncé but I must. It took me a little longer to warm up to "Sasha Fierce" but here I am gathered around her Mrs. Jay-Z fire all warm and toasty. This single "Scared of Lonely" is perfect for dusting ceiling fans while feeling vulnerable. Or whatever.

Disclaimer: I don't recommend anything because I get it free or because I have some sort of illicit relationship with an author or producer or musician. I save all of those questionable dealings for major stockholders of Cheez-its.

The Post About I-40 and 40lbs

I flew to Amarillo and then spent the next 55 hours trying to get back.

It was Jamie and Caryann's Morbidity & Munchies Tour 2010.

Every stop was a touch of sadness. Either because of the tragic events that occurred at that location or because of the overwhelming number of calories we were ingesting.


There's more than one of these in Texas, so keep your eyes peeled. It gave us sour LifeSavers, chewy SweeTarts, coffee, 128 oz. of soda and a winning lottery ticket.

I DO NOT GAMBLE. Except on sure things.


The Oklahoma City National Memorial.


It's a moving tribute to the 168 innocent men, women, and children who lost their lives on April 19, 1995.


Cheeseburger and curly fries from Nic's Grill in OKC. The restaurant seats 17. Even less after you inhale this gorgeous meal. Thanks be to Guy Fieri for the recommendation.

We never saw a cop in Oklahoma. This would explain the astounding quality of the roads. Good job Sooners.

Arkansas had us staying with Caryann's Mom. She and I got along famously.

In spite of this loved one on the fridge.

I also discovered Braum's Ice Cream. Twice. In two different states. I want it here in Alabama. Specifically in my kitchen.

With someone to scoop it.


The Lorraine in Memphis.


Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated on the balcony of room 306 on April 4, 1968. It's now the site of the National Civil Rights Museum.


Believe it or not, those are BBQ nachos. BBQ spaghetti lingers in the background. A crazy great meal at Neely's BBQ on Jefferson.

Last stop was Nashville.

Where the only stop was The Loveless Cafe.


Scratch biscuits with homemade blackberry, peach, and strawberry preserves.


With a side of fried green tomatoes, hash brown casserole and macaroni & cheese.

Heavenhelpme.

And please help my muffin top.

{images: Jamie}

The Post About Pesky Pests in the Garden

I'm back. Back from flat Texas and rough road Oklahoma and Clintonesque Arkansas and greasy Tennessee.

Road trip recap arrives tomorrow.

While I was gallivanting all over the heated interstate, my yard was thriving.


Hydrangeas are the crown and glory.


The jewels are colorful.


And fluffy. Yes, jewels can be fluffy.

I'm road-weary.


But there is a danger lurking.

And the predator wraps its hair in toilet paper, eats dinner at 5pm and is known most often as "Nana."

She will lie in wait until she's sure the risks of capture are at a minimum.

And then she pounces. And prunes.

My only line of defense is to convert these flower bushes into touchscreen phones that play Kanye on a loop.

Then she's sure to stay away.

{images: Jamie}

The Post About On The Road Again

I'm boarding a plane to Amarillo right this second.

So I can hop in a Honda and drive back to Birmingham.

There will be stops in Oklahoma City, Little Rock, Memphis, and Nashville. And anywhere else boasting the biggest ball of twine or boiled peanuts.

This quick trip is thanks to my friend Caryann moving from California to Tennessee for new employment. I will be in the passenger seat for just under 1000 miles. We'll be staying with her family along the way.

How did she bribe me?

With good Pez.


And Pez from the dark side.


She threw in some advice for good measure.

Follow me on Twitter for mile by mile marker updates...

{images: Jamie}

The Post About My Favorite iPhone Apps

I love this little gadget. Maybe too much.

I thought I might share the applications I care for more than my plants and my eyebrows.

And then you could suggest some.

Then we would know better and therefore could do better.

I know for a fact that Maya Angelou was referencing technology.


Angry Birds. There's a reason it's the #1 game app in 49 countries. Premise: Angry birds exacting revenge on pigs who stole their eggs. I love it mainly for the sound effects and the swine who taunt me. Cost = $0.99 and worth it.


My Fitness Pal. There are mucho calorie journals, but this one wins a rabbit prize. First, you can join up via the website so no fancy phone required. Huge database of foods that not only tracks calories, but also fat, protein, cholesterol, fiber, and much more. There are inspiring message boards, a place to keep a blog, and you can have a "wall" similar to Facebook. Friends help keep you accountable. If you join or already love it, come find me - jgold15. I've lost 4 lbs thus far. Cost = FREE


Photoshop Mobile. Once you start Photoshopping, it's hard to stop without some methadone. Pictures from your less-than phone camera can be a smidge better with this handy app. Includes basics like cropping, but also has effects, color features, and filters. Plus, you can access you Photoshop online account. Cost = FREE


Evernote. It's a digital post-it note. I use to snap pictures of store displays or anything that inspires a blog post or a work project. I use it to take notes in church. Yep, I'm one of those people - but it's perfect when you want to search for a scripture or great corny joke your pastor told. I use it to record voice memos to remind me of things that don't linger due to all the aspartame I ingest. Best part - it syncs nicely with the Desktop version. Cost = FREE


Nerts. My friends have always called this Solitaire on crack. Very fair. Very fun. Cost = FREE


Movies by Flixter. This is ideal for watching trailers, getting showtimes at your favorite theaters, reading reviews from Rotten Tomatoes, and manage your Netflix queue. It's also #1 for a reason. Cost = FREE

So do tell. What apps float your boat?

The Post About Voting for The Least Absurd

Today is primary day in Alabama. Here are my observations as I anticipate a visit to my local polling place.

1. I'll probably vote in the Republican primary. Not necessarily because that's my affiliation, but because that line is crazy short. And when poll volunteers are fighting cataracts and an irritable bowel, you have to pick your battles.

2. I'll be assessing some candidates based on the names of their children. If they picked some androgynous uncommon maiden name for every one of their kids, they're not the choice for me.

3. I'll vote for any candidate who's referred to his opponents as "thugs and villains." That makes politics seem more like a comic book which I enjoy.

4. I'm more likely to vote AGAINST a candidate than actually FOR a candidate. It just makes sense. {pause - look down - look back up} Does it to you?

5. I will not be happy. Some races will simply not go my way. And I'll have an inalienable right to whine because of that "I voted" sticker.

Vote. Even if you vote for the wrong candidate.

{image: Jamie}