Ami Chitwood's Blog

Thought for the day, September 23, 2009

achitwood@gmail.com (Ami Chitwood) — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 11:21:00 +0000

Surfing in New England takes a certain something.

Thought for the day, September 22, 2009

achitwood@gmail.com (Ami Chitwood) — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 16:50:00 +0000

Eat a live toad in the morning...day will only improve.

Thought for the day, Monday, September 21, 2009

achitwood@gmail.com (Ami Chitwood) — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 16:59:00 +0000

You really want to hit the wave and not be hit by the wave.

Surf Camp 2009

achitwood@gmail.com (Ami Chitwood) — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 15:20:00 +0000

Survived Surf Camp 2009

Horseneck - Camping w/ Lairds

Kayaking is ON!

achitwood@gmail.com (Ami Chitwood) — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 21:11:00 +0000

Picked up boats at Zoar on last Saturday.
Man on man - got them on the water in Padanaram - can they spin! That skeg, though, does just what it should and I can go in a relatively straight line.
But the spinning! Can I tell you about the spinning?

So - better 1/2 and I look like Rainbow driving down Turnpike - hers is yellow - mine is mango and the car is red! I like the colorful spectacle we made on Saturday - drove to Padanaram -put boats in water for 25 minutes (mind you - the water is still 41degrees, so we had on booties, wet suit, chaffing layers, spray shirt, spray skirt, gloves, PFDs...took us 20 minutes to suit up!)

Paddles (Sherpa - custom) fit like proverbial glove. I'm so excited to have a boat and paddle I can really learn on. Switching boats and paddles gave me flavor for available choices, but having a single thing to learn on - so key.

Didn't wear helmets as we were in flat water.

THEN...decided to see what Round Hill looked like - loaded boats back on car and went out there.

Flat flat water, but really had a fun time.

This weekend looks likea trip down to Seapowet - high tide - 8:37am on Saturday - I think we can get there during high tide and get into the marsh...maybe take the Ugly Sticks w/ us?

Bought the Boat

achitwood@gmail.com (Ami Chitwood) — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 21:26:00 +0000

Put in order for Liquid Logic Remix XP 9 - Mango in color.

Also sprung for a Werner paddle and put in special order for a "Flirt" sprayskirt from Snap Dragon.

Had time to go to El Jardine Bakery, Hillside/Hilltop Pizza, and, of course, the smokehouse.

Should receive by the of March. My way of helping the economy without benefit of a "kayak stimulus package."

Lookout.

Kayak - Almost there...

achitwood@gmail.com (Ami Chitwood) — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 20:41:00 +0000

So, for those of you waiting - with baited breath - I'm getting me a kayak.

[Finally, you say - enough about the kayak...]

Just talked to the good people at Zoar Outdoor today. Got a list of things I need to consider and provide (including my waist size...) prior to making that order. Once that order is in, I will update post.

My waist size.

For the sprayskirt - yeah. Apparently, I'm supposed to tell the truth...

Well, I trust the good people at Zoar won't go blabbing about my waistsize. Thanks!

New Year Nots

achitwood@gmail.com (Ami Chitwood) — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 22:04:00 +0000

New Years' Resolutions - Part Deux:

Not going to blog about 2.0 or tools unless they are connected to things I care about - including, but not limited to - books, kayaking, knitting, Roz Chast. This includes, but is not limited to - blogging about Twitter (unless conected to books, kayaking, knitting or Roz Chast)

Helmets and Gear

achitwood@gmail.com (Ami Chitwood) — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 00:24:00 +0000

Big step taken this weekend. I got a brain bucket for kayaking.
Most folks don't wear helmets unless they 1) whitewater or 2) surf kayak. I'm doing the surf part.

However, on my visit to Zoar Outdoors on Saturday, I did realize that I might not be giving this whitewater thing the attention it could deserve. So what if there isn't salt in the water? Looks like the Deerfield River would be a lot of fun.

My bucket is called "Vixen" - the model of the Shred Ready helmet I'll be sporting as soon as the water gets warmer (probably late april at the Earliest...sigh). It is the color of wood and looks like a helmet made of wood. Makes me laugh.

What struck me during this experience was how much I had learned in less than a year - what kayaks I like (and don't like). How jellyfish still scare me a little. How important it is to look up when the start of duck hunting season is in Rhode Island (where we paddle). The importance of filing a trip plan - even for a couple of hours - with someone.

I'm sensitive to PFDs - I feel that if you are in a boat (kayak, surf kayak, canoe...) you should wear a PFD. I hear too many stories of "experienced boaters" just going to their sailboat who drown - I'm too respectful of the elements to know that you could still get in trouble in still water (did I mention the jellyfish?)

February is almost over, and I've started dogearring the Canoe & Kayak buying guide for 2009. If I had my way, in addition to a kayak, I'd also like to try SUP (stand up paddling). The good folks at Osprey have been fooling around with a discarded windsurf board and a sweet Werner stick. I was able to stand up on it and make it move without falling. Looking forward to seeing it action at one of the Surf Expression Sessions. I'm making a commitment to go at least 1X per month during the season. I will schedule my work around it - I work 12 hour days all year including some weekends, so a little work/life balance will be in order once that water turns warmer!

Gear builds up just as knowledge about the sport. I have brand names and jargon at the ready. I also know my "weakest links" in the boat so far which include 1) thinking too damn much 2) using that death grip on the stick 3) not relaxing (with so much to learn, this is sometimes hard to do). I have learned a couple of things, too - 1) I get edging 2) active sitting instead of Barkalounger 3) I have wet exits - Down cold! 4) I'm so close to rolling I can taste it.

What I have also realized I've entered a culture, too. More than one. We've been quite fortunate to learn from the Osprey folks and introduced to what I consider the best kayaking culture has to offer - a sense of fun, a sense of responsibility, and sense of stewardship, and a sense of awe and willingness to learn more. If you read some of the magazines, kayaking might seem like a machismo culture in which the next trick or squirt is something with which to notch your stick by - I dislike many of the magazines for this reason - with few articles about women kayakers nor many women writers or photographers, it sometimes feels like a wetter NASCAR.

Thank goodness I have met people on the water and in the world who are not representative of these types of magazines.

Not sure where I'm heading here - just looking forward to Spring and for the next things I learn.

WIIFM - RSS, Social Media and Kayaks

achitwood@gmail.com (Ami Chitwood) — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 11:12:00 +0000

So...Anyone who knows me knows that I've been obsessed with kayaking. Starting in May of 2008 when I first sat my hind parts in the cockpit of a kayak, not a day has gone by when I haven't thought about kayaks, water, edging, how I use the "death-grip" to paddle and really need to stop, reading magazines, books, websites, and boring anyone who would stop and listen for a half a second about how I finally understood edging when a wave threw me to the sand in October.

I've also been in the position to need to "explain" social media, RSS and other such technologies to people. I, and others in my position, entertain such questions as:

Why would I ever read blogs?
Why would I ever blog?
What is the point of RSS if it goes into my email - doesn't that just increase the things I need to pay attention to?

I was thinking this morning as I was checking out videos on YouTube of kayaks on whitewater that I've pretty much used most types of social media on my kayaking obsession so far:

1. Twitter - I blab about going to pool clinics and brag about Osprey Sea Kayak Adventures.
2. Blog - I blog about kayaking and what types of kayaks I like to work with.
3. YouTube - I consume videos on Kayaking.
4. Blog - I convinced the folks at Osprey Sea Kayak Adventures to turn on comments on their blog so I can comment on their excellent posts and photographs.
5. Craigslist - I've set up RSS alerts on searches for a number of boats I'm looking at. Makes it so easy to keep up with the boats on the market.
6. Discussion Boards - I've been keeping up with the crazy surf kayaking groups by tracking where they are heading - even in February. (Hopefully, I will be one of this crazy group once I get my roll down.)

Not sure if this would make any sort of case study, but I thought of it this morning - I am passionate about kayaking, and the WIIFM is that I can be kept up to date on doings, use RSS to scan, participate in forums and blogs, and watch and learn what others have done on YouTube (including what not to do sometimes...)

Nothing earth shattering here folks, just reminding myself that making the social media discussion and tool use relevant is most of the battle.

Companies really don't want/need to be transparent

achitwood@gmail.com (Ami Chitwood) — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 11:06:00 +0000

For years, I have been advocating, educating and pleading for increased transparency in communication inside the firewall. Thinking that most of the issue had to do with change management, not seeing the benefits of transparency and employee engagement, and just learning what the technologies and techniques have to offer, I really have been ignoring the main barrier/obstacle - It isn't always in the companies' (read leaders? Board Members? Leaders? Partners?) best interest to increase transparency - keeping information close and among a few tends to reduce risk, right? Fewer people know of XYZ issue means only those few people had either the opportunity or responsibility to act. If you are an internal communications professional, it probably make you shiver to think of just anyone participating in the message - not just offering an opinion and/or insight but also having the opportunity to help create the message without going through committees of approvals.

Recently, I was working with a group internally who are drafting (by committee) blog comments coming from leaders in the organization. I simultaneously had requests for us to alter code in our blog system to allow for "delegate" access to comments so that someone could post blog comments in the name of the leader. Both of these conversations left me feeling not only have I not succeeded in getting across the message and importance of authenticity and transparency but also that the methods and beliefs of leaders and internal communicators is much stronger than my or others' desire for a more open workplace. Is it the leaders who don't "have time" for such communications channels as blogs (or even posting an encouraging blog post comment) or is it a case of communications leaders not wanting them direct access to employees in this way? Both?

Not sure where I'm going with this, but this is one of those KMUANs I have.

[KMUAN - Keeping Me Up At Night]

Friday - Obligatory laugh courtesy of LolCats

achitwood@gmail.com (Ami Chitwood) — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 23:00:00 +0000

more animals

90/10/1 rule true with employee generated content?

achitwood@gmail.com (Ami Chitwood) — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 12:07:00 +0000

Participation inequality inside the firewall? Does the same Zipf Curve apply?

This is a question which has been on my mind lately - connected also to who are we creating collaboration spaces for? the 90% who lurk? the 10% who contribute/comment? or, the 1% who do it all?

I suppose that that primary user would be that lurker - make the portal/ecosystem easy to lurk - easy to search, and, while we are at it, easy to contribute?

Connected to this, and perhaps not obvious to folks who primarily deal with external sites, is the role the official "Company" information/news/announcements/content plays with the Employee Generated Content. Do we really want to create forums for folks to comment on the PTO policies (I think yes, but I'm not a leader in the organization...) - Ultimately, if an organization wants to know what is on folks' mind, create an environment where they can comment (and not on those yearly employee opinion surveys....)

Pretty much done here

achitwood@gmail.com (Ami Chitwood) — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 00:32:00 +0000

Pretty much done here
Originally uploaded by amiwithani

The Great Book/Shelf Migration 2009 is now officially over. We survived the process, Ikea, Budget Car Rental, ZipCar, Snow/Ice, instructions w/o words, Lowe's, and uneven floors, walls and ceilings.

The great book giveaway is underway!

Living Room Reading Corner with Lights

achitwood@gmail.com (Ami Chitwood) — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 00:31:00 +0000

Living Room Reading Corner with Lights
Originally uploaded by amiwithani

Here is the view of the new Living Room bookshelf setup - Added the lights.

First Bookshelf done

achitwood@gmail.com (Ami Chitwood) — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 05:55:00 +0000

First Bookshelf done
Originally uploaded by amiwithani

Just wanted to show of the first of 4 we made today. Learned several things today:

1. Fish tape works better going up wall rather than down.
2. Cleaning as you go makes finishing seem so much better.
3. We will easily fill these bookcases.

Had dinner at a friend's house - he is a social worker and let us know that 1/2 of the staff at his state agency were being laid off. In addition, he is having to cut clients. We still managed to have a good evening full of tales of bravado with the MA Transportation Department, good food, tall tales, and promises to see each other again soon.

Wollaston Beach Walk

achitwood@gmail.com (Ami Chitwood) — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 00:08:00 +0000

Wollaston Beach Walk
Originally uploaded by amiwithani

Just reminding myself that cold weather and wind will end as the seasons change.

This was taken back in November at Wollaston Beach.

1 Cart filled

achitwood@gmail.com (Ami Chitwood) — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 23:38:00 +0000

1 Cart filled
Originally uploaded by amiwithani

Friday, January 2, 2009 - Second Day of the Great Book Migration 2009. Included:

1) Pick up Budget Cargo Van - no - wait - the place didn't have a van for us
2) Made mobile reservation on ZipCar for a Tacoma Pickup Truck.
3) Drove to Ikea.
4) Picked up shelves
5) Ran them home
6) Treated ourselves to a fried seafood lunch.
7) Put together TV cart.

Saturday - the shelves get built! Stay Tuned.

Great Bookshelf Migration 2009

achitwood@gmail.com (Ami Chitwood) — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 23:47:00 +0000

For those of you who know me, you know several things about me:

I don't get rid of anything.
I can't pass up going to a bookstore.
I can't leave a bookstore without a book.
I love books - the physicality of them, the print, the smell, etc.
I have too many for the shelves in my home.

So, after 5 years of hard petitioning, and, after several years post-Ikea placement in Stoughton, MA, I'm getting new bookshelves.

126 inches across - 93 1/4 inches high - 4 BILLY units with height extensions and screwed to the walls.

And, bonus is that the shelves which where in the DiningRoom are going into the Living Room - taking up this odd corner that I suppose other folks put their TVs.

For photos - check out my set at Flickr.

I'm also blabbing about this on Twitter and Facebook.

Happy New Year!

New Year's Resolutions - 2009

achitwood@gmail.com (Ami Chitwood) — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 15:15:00 +0000

From what I gather, Americans are consistent with their New Year's Resolutions:

Lose Weight
Manage Debt/Save Money
Get a Better Job
Get Fit/Eat Right
Get a Better Education
Drink Less Alcohol
Quit Smoking
Reduce Stress Overall/at Work
Go Somewhere
Volunteer

http://www.usa.gov/Citizen/Topics/New_Years_Resolutions.shtml

What are yours?

Here are mine:

1. Learn to roll a kayak (first lesson is January 11 – so I'm getting an early start)
2. Enjoy the good things life has to offer
3. Spend less time on what doesn't provide value
4. Get the blood pressure down.
5. Take Mother In Law to Nova Scotia and visit my mother there

Happy New Year!

Cool - Riot Kayaks to try out at Osprey Sea Kayak Adventures

achitwood@gmail.com (Ami Chitwood) — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 21:47:00 +0000

Ok.
May - October 2008, I went kayaking once a month.
(Sat in my first kayak in May - tried out surf kayaking in September.)

Surf kayaking, as far as I'm concerned, has changed everything for me. While I enjoy the graceful paddling of a 16 foot sea kayak, those little surf kayaks are what I really want to be in.

And...

Osprey Sea Kayak Adventures looks like they are going to have Riot Kayaks for 2009!

Nice. Something to look forward to! That, plus the rolling clinic I'll be taking in January.

Take a look at some of these Riot Kayaks in action - something to look at and remind me why I'm working for the man.

John Cleese "Sorry Michael, you just aren't the funniest Palin anymore"

achitwood@gmail.com (Ami Chitwood) — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 13:12:00 +0000

Something else I guess I'm going to be blamed for...

achitwood@gmail.com (Ami Chitwood) — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 18:55:00 +0000

Hey Sarah Palin - With Hat Tip to Steve Garfield

achitwood@gmail.com (Ami Chitwood) — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 22:50:00 +0000

Thank you Steve Garfield for posting this and making me laugh today.

Slate's Video Response - Oh Canada!

achitwood@gmail.com (Ami Chitwood) — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 22:49:00 +0000