Tales Of The Nomadic CIO....

Dear Dad: "Drive It Like You Stole It"

2013-07-24T21:51:00.000-04:00

Dear Dad,

Today's Thoughts: In the "Drive it like you stole it" File:

Every "Pre"-Birthday I deeply reflect on my time on this earth. There is no earthly reason I should still have a beating heart and exist today on this planet. I should be dead soooo many times over BUT I'm NOT.... and you know this....

So every day I still exist and breathe, 6 feet above the ground. "I drive life like I stole it" (Think of life chasing you like a police car...Drive fast, Drive Hard, Drive Smart, But PUSH) Because I always feel like I'm stealing...stealing time... Because this life of mine....It's all on borrowed time.

I'm consistently amazed, and eternally grateful for each moment, I breathe, smell, taste, feel and am afforded TIME to spend w/ my tribe of beings on this planet attempt to make a positive dent in this universe and give it all away... with "my stolen time"...

Going back to "Driving My Life Like I Stole It" (Clarification for you Dad: In my case does not mean wildly or recklessly.... as I always say, I have no fear BUT I "act" most times on calculated risk scenarios)

Thanks for being a huge part in my "stolen time" ♥ ♥ ♥

Much Love,

Your (Slightly Irreverent, Completely Independent, Consciously Thinking) Daughter

Ps: Don't click on the link below Dad.... It's not Frank Sinatra....

AND REAAAAALLLLLY Don't click this one Dad.... Thanks George.... I can feel the tires sliding through that curve...

Dear Dad...Articulating a part of what I actually do....

2013-04-22T17:13:00.000-04:00

Many people ask: What do you do Susan?

Susan's standard answer: "I'm a geek".

Which suffices for many... but then there is my wonderful Dad.

Boiling it down into a very simple statement sometimes is difficult (especially when explaining it to people who really despise the computer, like my Dad).

"Dad... I figure out what to do with "digital stuff".... 1's and 0's".

Which is quickly followed by a "Huh"?

I try to explain: "Dad, If you were a business: I'd ask you what do you have, what do you do with it, and why does it matter?" Essentially why do you do what you do, How do you do it, What do you do it with, how do your competitors do it better.... and then in the end Explain: Why does it matter?"

Followed by another quizzical look.....

"Dad, I am in part a researcher, an analyst and.... and.... I am kind like a glob of glue....that holds it together. I listen to the client, then understand the business context of different kinds of (sometimes very diverse) information: why it was created, how it's currently being used to create value (if any) and understanding the inherent future value of that information in your business context."

"Hmm-mm, so why does that create value?" (Bottom line mentality of my Dad)

Note: Oh goodness... If I can't explain it to my Dad... then I must need remedial communication classes.

"Dad, I'm also a kind of information firefighter meets fire code inspector, meets... well you get the picture .... in an information risk perspective.... After figuring out the Who, What, Why and Where, I then examine and apply the risks associated with different kinds of information: the risk of losing, of not having it available, of inadvertently allowing to leak outside the organization, etc. and how it will affect you then how can we provide people, processes or technology to mitigate that risk back into an acceptable level."

Dad: "OK so you are a firefighter.... I kind of get that.... but what exactly do you do with the information to create value, besides mitigating risk to acceptable levels"?

Me (realizing my audience and being patient): "Dad, if you understand the opportunity associated with unlocking additional value of existing, and future information gathered, (that could be correlating it in new directions, presenting to new parts of the business, or using it to create a new untapped revenue stream in the business, mitigating substantial risk) THAT is value added.

This is followed by an emphatic series of hand waving, scribbles on a white board, any available piece of scrap paper, or if none of the above are available.. I always have a pencil, so then... on the top of my laptop.

So I ask myself.. trying to make my scribbles mean something in my head before going back to scribbling: "What does technology do for you?" I understand the potential of what technology can do.... and often wonder if people & businesses truly understand exactly why they utilize technology in the first place? However, many businesses don't completely understand what information they have, why it is important, how to use it best, and how to protect it? Let alone what risk exposure it causes their business.

I=Information (which we seem to have forgotten: Data is our product) which is enabled by T=Technology. I+T= IT----> Information Technology

We gather, store, analyze and provide information... remember? Getting the right information to the right people at the right time in your business so the "Profit Center" can make better decisions which then effect your bottom line.

Digest...Digest... Digest... and....

"Dad, think of me as a architect on a house... why these discussions (load bearing walls) are important to have...but I don't get wrapped into the minutiae of building that wrestles with the color of the (load bearing) walls (usually... but sometimes)."

As I always say: We need to create it with fit, form and function clearly understood and in the front of our mind.

Dad: "And the glop of glue thing"?

Me: "Well I speak geek and business so I translate business into klingon :) I'm the conduit.... the glop of glue..."

Dad: "That sounds like a good thing... but you might need to come up with another analogy... that's kind of gross"... LOL

I research, analyze and understand exactly how a technology is used to support different business processes, the risks associated with mishandling or misusing technology, the people and the technology associated with that risk. How the current state technology could be enhanced, through searching and correlating with other types of information, maybe about customers for the business..... Then articulate in clear business terms exactly why this technology (or its replacement) is important to this business, and not just an individual business function.

Then I plant the SME (Subject Matter Expert) seeds: (The A'ha moment Giving SME technologists direction on how to think about potential technological applications from a business perspective, then how to evaluate various approaches to that technology in a larger context with added business value..... ) So I guess Im an Architect AND a Farmer :) (Note: I always wanted to be a farmer... slow food :)

Think my business= Figuring out the puzzle pieces of: People, business & processes then creating effective, efficient technology to streamline business and increase your bottom line.

That Dad is what I do....Plus a couple other things.... Love you.

My Brain is Full of Rocks, Mountains & Dirt.....

2012-08-03T17:12:00.000-04:00

As I sit here in the sun, reflecting on all that I have done, seen and am currently stumbling into....

Im thinking of my birthday this year:

Walking through airports, boarding planes, fielding phone calls, barfing out revisions on documents & emails… Sounds dreadful? Well…. it was one of my best birthdays in my years on this planet.

I woke up to hugs & breakfast by friends circled in happy energy….And even though I was physically disconnected from my friends they carried me along my journey with chirps from Twitter, Text Messages & Emails right next to me all along the way…Unexpected completely spontaneous fun...

I am a fortunate woman to have surrounded myself with "people" in my little part of the universe that provide unconditional support & energy.

I stand on the shoulders of giants…. We are all unique pieces of the big village puzzle. When our synergistic talents are combined and positioned in the same medium.... white flashes of lightning streak across the dark sky. It is an amazing feeling to know that so much good in this universe exists, fights and drives on...

Here is the test to find whether your mission on earth is finished. If you're alive, it isn't.

~Richard Bach

I love rocks…. I've have an equally polyamorous relationship with the mountains as I do with the ocean. I make love to the mountains as much as embrace the ocean with every inch, cell & energy of my being.

When I push, When I stretch.. the current confines of Susan's world mentally & physically pushing past what is considered "possible" is when I am happiest. I wonder if their is a "job title for something like that" LOL

On this adventure I finally got my butt kicked back into the arms of my long lost lover.....The Rocks.....Feeling my lungs fill with hot 110+ desert air inhaling, breathing, sweating, tasting the heat, pushing, feeling the tug at the muscles that had long been asleep.

It always becomes clear when I push….

In -15 sunshine….My ski's itching to drop off piste (it's that Oh C-R*P Moment Where I squinch up my nose & eyes with a big huge smile spread and my eyes sparkle….and I push over the edge)

I smiled suddenly knowing that "this" is only the beginning…. Only the very first drop of a taste of what lies on my road ahead… My heart and energy was full of light and love. I'm calm & smiling, as if the winds of life have finally blown back into my soul full force CPR and the blip is back on the EKG machine, stronger than ever….

Thanks Rolex... For kicking my *ss back to where it belongs.... Pushing the limits...

Letters/Conversations with My Dad #1

2012-07-25T17:33:00.001-04:00

Dear Dad,

Im bursting with excitement that you made it to Alaska ;-)

I only wish I was there to share in the excitement and see your eyes sparkle with your first amazing sighting of various wildlife.... The birds catching thermals soaring among the beauty in natures quiet paradise....

It's been almost two years since Mom's passing. I remember looking you directly in the eye at the funeral and what I said... I'll paraphrase what I said once again:

You have worked every day of your life... Now, You are completely free.

So what do you want to be "when you grow up"? What makes you happy? Do you know? Have you every had the opportunity to find out? What did you dream of doing when you were a kid.... Do you want to visit the pyramids? See the Eiffel tower? Do you want to run for president? Sit by a lake in South America? Go to college for something random you wanted to study but never had the opportunity to delve into?

Whatever, you decide to do, however, little or grand, I have your back Dad. 100% and will support you whatever your adventures in life morph into over time.

One of the (many) greatest joys in my life was spending time with you in DC after Mom's death and finally showing you "my world" watching you smile, drink in the atmosphere, participate & enjoy, learning about your daughter and experiencing her friends..... It was a simple as that... and it rocked (Thank you for that moment)

You have done an amazing job 2 years into this new adventure. YOU have traveled AND gotten a passport!!!!! ( <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 can't say that enough) Seeing you thrive, dream and experience brings me great joy.

One of the better early birthday presents I've experienced was yesterday... Just hearing your smile on the phone ;-)

Keep it up. We/you have soooo much yet to feel, taste, smell & be in this life!

Love as always your daughter,

Susan

Fireworks & Fourth Of July For C&S

2012-07-19T17:48:00.001-04:00

Many moons ago (In my other life as Great Grandma used to say) I lived in a fabulous NYC apt in which every window overlooked "The Lady With The Fire" (AKA The Statue of Liberty ;) It was magnificent and every Sunday the Queen Mary 2 would sail down the Hudson River.

My kids had THE most spectacular time watching "the boats" parade by the floor to ceiling windows.... EXCEPT there was one problem:

Fireworks... Thrilling to most kids... but my kids at that age didn't like the noise & light.... So I improvised and came up with a pretty darn good/easy solution... and I wrote about it for them years ago so they could share it with their kids some day ;)

Fireworks For S&C:

Fireworks are noisy

Fireworks are bright

Fireworks surprise me

Always in the night

The first time I saw them

I got scared and cried

I called to my mommy

So here's the plan we tried

The booms and the flashes

felt like thunder and lightning

she bought us sunglasses and earplugs

and pinky swore that all would be right

In our big snuggle chair

My Mom held me tight

We cuddled up close

And I felt allright

Fireworks will be noisy

And they will be bright

but now they amaze me

with so many pretty lights

So I took out my "mickey mouse ears" I used at the range, bought 2 pairs of kids sunglasses and sat them down between me in my double papasan chair with pretzels and milk and the rest is history...

For you S&C you are my sun, my stars, I love you more than the universe & up to the sky.... Googolplex Infinity (Yes, C&S I know there is nothing bigger than infinity... I just still like to say it that way) Love, Mommy

What happened to the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence

2012-07-04T14:32:00.002-04:00

Have you ever wondered what happened to the 56 men who signed the

Declaration of Independence ?

Five signers were captured by the British as traitors, and tortured before they died.

Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned.

Two lost their sons serving in the Revolutionary Army; another had two sons captured.

Nine of the 56 fought and died from wounds or hardships of the Revolutionary War.

They signed and they pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor.

What kind of men were they?

Twenty-four were lawyers and jurists.

Eleven were merchants, nine were farmers and large plantation owners; men of means, well educated.

They signed the Declaration of Independence knowing full well that the penalty would be death if they were captured.

Carter Braxton of Virginia, a wealthy planter and trader, saw his ships swept from the seas by theBritish Navy. He sold his home and properties to pay his debts, and died in rags.

Thomas McKeam was so hounded by the British that he was forced to move his family almost constantly. He served in the Congress without pay, and his family was kept in hiding. His possessions were taken from him, and poverty was his reward.

Vandals or soldiers looted the properties of Dillery, Hall, Clymer, Walton, Gwinnett, Heyward, Ruttledge, and Middleton.

At the battle of Yorktown , Thomas Nelson, Jr., noted that the British General Cornwallis had taken over the Nelson home for his headquarters. He quietly urged General George Washington to open fire. The home was destroyed, and Nelson died bankrupt.

Francis Lewis had his home and properties destroyed. The enemy jailed his wife, and she died within a few months.

John Hart was driven from his wife's bedside as she was dying. Their 13 children fled for their lives. His fields and his gristmill were laid to waste. For more than a year he lived in forests and caves, returning home to find his wife dead and his children vanished.

So, take a few minutes while enjoying your 4th of July holiday and silently thank these patriots. It's not much to ask for the price they paid.

Remember: Freedom Is Never Free!

I hope you will show your support by sending this to as many people as you can, please. It's time we get the word out that patriotism is NOT a sin, and the Fourth of July has more to it than beer, picnics, and baseball games.

Via Ladee Texan By way of BR

4th of July: Independence Day

2012-06-25T15:57:00.001-04:00

In honor of 4th of July: Independence Day

She was revving up Independent, Irreverent Engine's at a very early age......

"Caged birds accept each other but flight is what they long for."

~Tennessee Williams

If Susan was born in many other countries or at any other time in history:

"she would have been killed off, jailed, traded out, sent to an orphanage for ill behaved, gender maladjusted children by the age of 6...."

That age has now been unilaterally revised by friends with the addition of the above picture to the ripe old age of 4 MAYBE pushing 5 ;) Cause girls don't do stuff like that...

"True freedom is tolerant. It gives people the right to live and think in new ways."

~John Twelve Hawks

So in honor my Independence & Freedoms granted by The blood of my forefathers:

Here is the Text of The Declaration of Independence" which I hold dear to my older but still irreverent heart:

IN CONGRESS, July 4, 1776.

The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America,

When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.--Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.

He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.

In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.

Nor have We been wanting in attentions to our Brittish brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which, would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends.

We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.

~ <3 A GRATEFUL DAUGHTER OF AMERICA

Thoughts for today....

2012-06-21T19:28:00.000-04:00

Reminded once again... Thanks MB :-) I am grateful for all of my amazing friends and so many other things in my life....

"Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence.

As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant, they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism. Be yourself. Especially, do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love, for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is perennial as the grass.

Take kindly to the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be, and whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world.

Be cheerful. Strive to be happy."

Max Ehrmann c.1920

...: Part III

2012-05-02T14:39:00.000-04:00

Breathing life once again....
Pieces of the past, new pieces of the potential future come forward bringing themselves in the present....
Learning from the fabulousness, love, those who have surrounded me and just as much if not more from trips, falls, mistakes of the past that will shape the moments forward. Feeling lucky, grateful to have the opportunity to be here and move forward.

“When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be.” – Lao Tzu

Time to Return

After a long deep pause

2012-04-26T15:36:00.002-04:00

After a long deep pause...

Sitting semi-sheshin in the woods...

It is time to re emerge from the quiet reflection of my introverted self...

I've been preparing to "Open up my suitcase" and share many of the things I have been guarding while reflecting...

My friends: bring out the Champagne Glasses & Sky Diving Equipment let's collaborate and share once again.

Thank you Susan Cain for eloquently explaining "me" to the "whole" so I don't feel the need to uncomfortably stutter through why I am who I am... You rock and thanks for opening up your suitcase ;-)

When Fear Is Not An Option

2012-04-24T17:40:00.000-04:00

If you knew you were covered in fresh steak and walking into a cage filled with lions....

If you knew your life would never be the same..

Would you step in the cage?

If you still had a heart beat when "it" was over...

If "it" was ever over..

Would you give it all away?

Would you take a stand when everyone is sitting down... and tells you not too?

When they tell you, "You need to be quiet, sit nicely, play the game, be happy with what you have"...What about your job, what about your life, what about your stuff... Or...

Self Preservation?

If you knew it was the right thing to do...

You stand...Because fear is NOT an option... You stand knowing that if nothing else (even you) is left when the dust has cleared... Not one thing...

You and whatever "spirit" belonged to you did what was right...

The moral compass points me home...

My life was only worth living if it is an honorable one.

War is Ugly...The On /Off Switch..Random thoughts

2012-04-19T11:39:00.000-04:00

I'm trying to digest and understand a few things this morning one is :

Photos of soldiers w/ dead people. Yep, I agree it's not a pretty sight. Not something I want to see over breakfast..

BUT maybe we need to see it...

At the same time maybe the WORLD NEEDs to see equally how horrific the actions of the {Insert numerous countries here} atrocities are on a daily basis ...What leaders are capable of doing to their own people... Women, Children...Acid Burns, Mutilation, Rape of 6 year old girls, SLAVERY?....MAYBE then WE the People will understand the true cost all of this hate has to humanity.

We as a human race SHOULD be OUTRAGED... We claim to be "civilized" We claim to be enlightened yet we still treat each other as enemy predators.

Here are my random efforts to understand the "International Incident" that is now circulating with photos around the world....

While normal people have expressed outrage and find this practice 'grotesque, wrong, disturbing' I would ask as humans: Who are we to cast the first stone from our glass houses?

"We the people" through our "elected representatives" (Which is supposed to be the case in America at least) have asked/allowed these young men and women to go KILL (YES KILL) other HUMANS on behalf and in the name of our country. They are HUNTERS (A majority NOT highly trained ON/OFF Friend/Foe Kill Switch/ like our SOF teams)

This is their job. This is what they train to do.

So you send them away from their families, kids, loved ones. We have asked them to be the judge, jury and executioner of other HUMANS similar but usually speaking foreign tongues and wearing different types of clothing. (Just as their leaders have told them of you...) Confusing to a normal human mind to say the least.

Our Governments have deemed these other HUMANS to be a danger/menace to "our greater safety, health and well being" of OUR (supposedly) CIVILIZED society. They send SOLDIERS to execute their strategy.

WAR IS UGLY

War is nasty, dirty, smelly disgusting It SUCKS the last of the HUMAN out of you (the one they have trained out of you).... Let's be honest here...You wonder why soldiers have such a high rate of PTSD, SUICIDE? Good grief it's not rocket science.....

It's NOT glamorous, fun or pretty. (Doesn't come with background music like in the movies)

So if ANYONE should be blamed for this disgrace it is ALL OF US.... Not some young soldier WE Trained and sent TO KILL people. In essence these are hunting trophies.... (YUCK it curdles my blood to think that way... BUT it is the only way I can think of it) (Go where it has NOTHING to do with you being a HUMAN...Watch Humans skin Humans alive, sell them as easily as a goat, drag them through the streets (Like Mogadishu) and kill their own people with no conscience whatsoever)...

I'm not excusing it by any means... I'm only saying in my humble opinion WE NEED to take a long hard look at why we are expecting soldiers to exhibit super human psychology and "act appropriately" in such a completely inappropriate insane environment.

Until world leaders leave the safe confines of the "Waldorf Astoria" lifestyle and go spend some time "hunting" and equally being "hunted" by other HUMANS in a harsh environment...Please stop pretending that this doesn't happen on a daily basis globally... Do not make examples of a few individuals (when this is far from an isolated incidence) out to be evil and start throwing stones at glass houses.

Time For Me To Fly...

2012-04-12T10:50:00.001-04:00

When I was a kid, I would pretend I could spread my wings and fly (Like Isis or Wonder Woman) to places I've never been. I was never content to watch it on television or read it in a book. I wanted to do it ;) I still want to just do it... I have so much on my "bucket list" still left to explore and share in my life.

Although my container is a bit older and worn, I'm still that same kid.... With a glimmer in my eye, a giggle in my heart and the curiosity of a cumulative population of kindergarteners in a small country.

I've been in this sort of ...."holding pattern" for a while now.

Not of my own accord for a majority of it...Waiting for others to give me "permission" to take off and fly again. But, in a sense that is of my own accord, because I listened. (It was a really wise decision for the majority of it).

However, the thoughts in my head continually echo the words of wisdom from another curious individual whose "escapades" in books have inspired my thinking for years.

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” ~Mark Twain

So it's the 12th.... The variable inputs closed on the 1st (until this version has been thoroughly tested and ready for retooling) I gave myself until the 30th to plan. Major execution begins sometime before or around then. I've already begun executing the smaller already well designed pieces. It's the base jumping kind that still are in plan phase.

Its really a relief to have an unfettered head and a completely open heart. It's refreshing to freely be able to dedicate myself to the things that matter most to me in my life. Life is good, I'm breathing, have all my fingers and toes, two healthy, happy exquisite Harrdegau creatures, amazing friends and an entire adventure ahead of me.... whatever it brings, I'm rolling with the changes ;)

I had totally forgotten (maybe repressed) an entire block of music from my life between the ages of 10-15 until couple of friends posted a few songs for me. Kind of like Invictus this stuff means so many other things to me now than it did then. Though, I am still haunted with memories of dancing around my friend Cindy's living room and getting busted by her mom for using the "Hi-Fi" turntable and blasting the speakers to Journey... LOL Too much fun.

Last thought on that note. I'm really really REALLY excited to see one of my oldest childhood friends soon. (Escapades to follow) She's one of those friends where we don't speak for eons because we have "real" lives... and we call and it is like no time has passed.

I'll never forget walking off a plane in Miami... I'd been through an earthquake & a few other things and lost everything, she had been through 2 hurricanes (rode one out in a bathroom with her mom and somehow made it with only the bathroom & the roof above it still existing when the force stopped then moved back to Miami and had it all ripped away again...) both poor as crap college students and I finally made it (lots of hours waitressing, cleaning houses & studying) to see her over spring break... and it was like we never left each others side. We laughed, danced, stripped into and swam in the ocean at midnight and lived life large with nothing.

Life is a journey and it is so much fun when you have awesome friends to share the ride with along the way. It's time.... For me to fly.

Twitter Unfollowed Me.... UH UH No I DIDNT!

2012-03-28T17:25:00.001-04:00

Problem:

Twitter keeps un following my tweeps!

(The average user doesn't care about Ruby or the lack of SQL, so I'll post tech light and then follow up with the XLS comparison next post)

Quick fix:

1. Apparently the bug does not affect your lists. (I've tested this over the past week, I haven't had an issue with it yet)

A little about lists:

You can put people on lists without following them.

In the past when I've been placed in "Twitter Jail" not being able to follow anymore Tweeps (but found that diamond in the rough), I wanted to make sure I continued to follow.

I simply put them into a private list as a holding pattern and then follow when I am released from Twitter Jail.

Quick Fix Solution to this irritating problem:

Place all the Tweeples into lists as an "insurance policy". Then you don't really "lose" and you have some way of tracking the losses.

2. I've started testing out different stuff to manage lists but my favorite thus far:

www.socialbro.com

If you look at the below screen shot you will see the "recently unfollowed"

The dropdown box at the top gives you some awesome flexibility.

The various interfaces can be a bit busy for an average user but has some awesome functionality when you dig into it a bit. I've had fun playing with the dashboard.

I usually update it once per day and see how wacked out Twitter is acting on that day.

The export and compare function for the more geek heavy solution is up next. SocialBro has an export function.

So if you combine Number 1 and Number 2 you should have a pretty accurate comparison without going deep into the next solution.

Im sure that there are really smart people that have come up with something far more elegant than my immediate band aid little solution. If so could you share :-)

Comment below if you think there is something else I need to try to for a good solution (I'm great at breaking stuff, testing it, etc.)

Invictus ~William Ernest Henley

2012-03-28T15:06:00.003-04:00

Invictus

Out of the night that covers me,

Black as the pit from pole to pole,

I thank whatever gods may be

For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance

I have not winced nor cried aloud.

Under the bludgeonings of chance

My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears

Looms but the Horror of the shade,

And yet the menace of the years

Finds and shall find me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,

How charged with punishments the scroll,

I am the master of my fate:

I am the captain of my soul.

~William Ernest Henley

Things that make you go Hmmm

2012-03-26T11:25:00.000-04:00

Random Thoughts Going Through Susan's Grey Matter:

“If you must play, decide on three things at the start: the rules of the game, the stakes, and the quitting time” ~ Chinese Proverb

Clearly Communicating Rule One, Two and Three:

Explaining the Rules (Rule One):

Date To Note: 28 April 2012 (Rule Three)

Dear World:

Please note April 28th=drop dead date. (Rule Three)

No further consideration will be given to random variables post 1 April . (Rule One & Two)

Thank you, The Management

Speak now or forever hold your peace. (Rule Two)

Mulligan Sequence On Boarding: Time To Create a New Ending.

I Miss My Neighbors: Part II

2012-03-21T19:51:00.003-04:00

Im feeling nothing more than 140 today but I promised a few random pictures to a few people.

The game with friends is:

Where in the world (Where's Waldo) is Susan (Carmen) San Diego Today?

Here Fishy Fishy! Explorations w Fish

2012-03-18T14:02:00.000-04:00

The fish story inspiration:

From Twitter:

Me: Wishing I was floating in the warm waters of an ocean..it's Where I do my best thinking.. Bathtub will have 2 do 4 2day..#firstworldproblem

Scott: I've never been to the ocean :\

ME: ?????? Never? How about great lakes or lake Michigan?

Scott: nope.

Me: D*mn.....growing up land locked I watched Cousteau & knew it was a place I had to find ;) ! It was all I thought & more ;)

Then my tiny wheels in my head start spinning.... I start thinking about how I stumbled my way into the ocean. Remembering how many hours I spent in the bathtub as a kid sniffing the Coppertone Bottle dreaming about what it must be like to be in the ocean actually looking at fish, swimming beside them, exploring the quiet beauty of the ocean. With those dreams in my noggin I made it a long way.

I dreamed of water. We went to Florida many times when I was growing up, I swam across entire lakes as a kid on a dare, or for lifeguard qualification tests at Campfire Girl Camp.

I fished my fool head off. But as anyone growing up in the MidWest knows...The water is not exactly crystal clear to hang with and observe the fish.

Fast Forward

A lot of people attack the sea, I make love to it.

~Jacques Y. Cousteau

I finally, I end up on the West Coast. San Francisco (I thought EVERYwhere in CA was warm, palm trees & etc. oops minor mistake believing what little TV I watched)

I had a minor adjustment to make... instead of crystal clear warm water, flip flops and a bikini...I ended up in a full wet suit, mits, booties and hood (learning very quickly that peeing in your wetsuit is an awesome thing when your lips are blue) LOL...

I learned to sail something larger than a 24ft boat on Lake Michigan. The bay is pretty unforgiving with tidal pulls that would throw you out to the Farallon Islands. We boat camped next to Angel Island after sailing all day, BBQ in floating and hiking the island.... (Reminds me I'll have to find a picture I took after getting hoisted up the mast).

I would get up at 4 am to surf in Pacifica, Fort Point or various other places before work or school... Had a big brown "thing" (seal) surf next to me (nearly scared me half to death) I stumbled across my first whale (Unfortunately, it was beached near the range at Ft. Barry)

BUT STILL NO FISH TO HANG WITH THAT I COULD SEE

Fast Forward

My sister decides to get married on a cruise. Yippee ;-)

The cruise is going from Miami to the Bahamas for 4 days with a stop at a private island on the way.

We arrive at the private cove, Its gorgeous sunny, 80, I have my bikini (screw the lotion the chit chat and the fluffy coconut umbrella drinks)! I have my snorkel gear ( I'm really really REALLY excited) ready to finally get into seriously tropical warm water (Ok surfing Baja Mexico: Rosarita, & Ensenada are warmer than Half Moon Bay but not tropical) for the first time in FOREVER!!!!

Picture and entire cruise ship worth of people laying on the beach working on their tans getting their mellow on and I'm full blast into the water. Giddy as can be.

So I put on my fins, mask and prepare to finally pretend that I'm finally hanging out with Jacques Cousteau....Stick my face in the water for like 45 seconds and see FISH!

IM so completely excited, I pop my head up and yell: OMG there are FISH down there! Hystarically laughing.. I AM so happy I can't contain my excitement!

The ENTIRE beach stopped and looked at me....(yep, I'm a little touched...H*ll I'll never see them again so who cares) and I laughed harder, I cried I was so happy to finally see FISH!

It was such a huge moment in my life to finally fulfil a simple childhood dream.

I spent the rest of the day smiling, swimming with a happy smile in my heart.

I've hung out with many fish all over the globe since that moment. Me staring at them, them staring at me.

"Don’t give up. There are too many nay-sayers out there who will try to discourage you. Don’t listen to them. The only one who can make you give up is yourself."

~Sidney Sheldon~

Random Thoughts... Out Loud

2012-03-13T22:37:00.002-04:00

Random fun thoughts:

If I ever wrote a book two of the fun titles I've come up with are:

Tales of an Accidental Intellectual

(My friend SG says : Suuuuuuuuurrrrrreeeee "accidental" ....besides you're blonde you can't be an "intellectual"....duh :-P )

That thought has now morphed into:

Adventures of an Insatiably Curious (Though Often Clueless) Undefinable, Eclectic Creature & Her Menagerie of Really Smart Fun Friends ;)

I think one of the most amusing things to come out of my discussions in #140 chars on Twitter with my "followers"

Disclaimer:

(I still have NO clue why they follow me LOL, except for a few)

Is that in an effort to stimulate Peace and Kumbaya they DM me that they think I (yes me) should sign up for (get this) match.com etc... Needless to say I thank them for their initiative (while ROTFLMAO) and move along.

What THE H*LL would I even BEGIN to say on a site like E-Harmony, Match etc.... (OH the humor never ceases)... Fill in the blank...

For My IC: Long Overdue

2012-02-18T18:18:00.000-05:00

I need to take the time to thank all of my amazing Inner Circle for all your unconditional love, support and understanding.

It has been an intense year. Thank you for listening to my humming bird on crack techno-political babble at light warp speed.

Even though most of you didn't understand a damn thing I was saying...You did something that many didn't...You listened. That simple...

Completely even keeled through the chaotic cacophony of my completely made for movie situation I had been placed in, your support never wavered. You stayed by my side listening when all I could do was breathe, and be silent, isolate and try to plan every permutation, combination possible....

I especially need to thank a few people for their complete presence:

G~ (you listened and gave me amazing advice and a place to lay my head that was safe)

K: Giving me style and a fabulous laugh.

R: (It's been an amazingly long road since 1997 we have been on...thank you for all you have done and continue to do...especially my fluffy white therapist that sits by my side quietly because he knows I need love, and I don't think they have discovered a barking translator yet so he keeps good secrets)

RC: You put up with me cause your wife does...LOL :D

P: As your adopted dweller, I can't even begin to thank you and the family for being my sounding board, my surrogate parents, my rock and my favorite place to be during passover...you mean the world to me....up to the sky into the stars...(for G)

The "socialites" with PUBLIC people: I can't tag you but thank you.

W: Thanks for talking me out of the tree

G&M: For listening and connecting me to wonderful people.

and the rest of the unmentionable crew.

First and foremost I need to thank: JG for holding my hand through all of this. For letting the truth prevail, saving lives, money and giving me the right person to work with beyond a shadow of a doubt. J, without you, I would either be road kill in the Jersey Flats, silent or who knows where.... Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Now the Trumpet of truth goes to M: J, you positively picked the best person to write it... M, thank you for your time, persistence and amazing ability. Although I would have used much more strongly worded language. You are amazing. Thank you.

SG: We will not only survive, we will see, breath and rise with the Valkryies again.

WS, GC, JT.... Don't even know where to begin...

This is far from over, it is only the beginning....

I am one as you can see,

But close your eyes, go to sleep,

When you wake, surprise surprise,

It's not just one it's one plus three,

Because I am a starfish you see....

Cut my leg off and you'll find,

I will survive and be just fine.

Each and every one of you on my inner circle list have played a major role. Not once did you EVER waiver. This I will never forget. I am like an elephant you see .....

Love to you all.....

I am thankful to be here for another day.

I Miss My Neighbors Pt 1

2012-02-03T13:11:00.001-05:00

I havent been feeling very "wordy" or even like speaking in more than #140 characters this week.

In leu of my usual banter, I thought perhaps I would post some interesting pictures from Susan's World.

Enjoy and embrace the diversity of this world....It is an amazing place and I havent even seen a fraction of it... More to follow....

The beginning of change NYC to Guam 2 Jan 09

2012-01-28T11:38:00.000-05:00

The beginning of change NYC to Guam

When I hit the ground from NYC on 2 January 09 after flying the kids back I entered my empty house and sat down and cried.

It was a very lonely place with out my tropical monkeys to keep me company.

I went to bed, woke up the next morning and sat back strategizing on how I could possibly get my entire house packed into 2 shipments to the U.A.E. and NYC and the yard sale stuff by the 15th of January.

Then the knock at my window came. I went out and it was my friend J.

He had been begging me to do this great ocean swim to a cave for as long as I could remember. Until now, I could never go at lunch because I only had a half hour. The kids (who are amazing swimmers & snorkelers) could not have made the swim.

I grabbed my tennis shoes and goggles, put on my bikini, jumped into J's island boonie beater truck and headed to a hidden beach.

The waters were very (understatement) rough. (I knew there was a tropical storm headed in..even on an average day this isn't something exactly most "normal" people would ever do) We threw caution to the wind, (calculated risk...he did the math, crazy submariner nuke nutter) and set out to swim past the reef into the place where you can not see the bottom (pretty creepy but beautiful) into the Philippine Sea. Out and around the tip of a tremendous rock to a place not many will ever see.

Behold the giant cave (GET THIS) WITH a rope swing in it. (Que Pirate music (Japanese Pirate Music...Nah...ok thats a stretch)) The trick to get to the swing was timing & climbing. There's also the small matter of the intake to small cave to the left. If you got caught in the wrong current you would get pulled into and stuck in the small cave getting smashed against the coral. (YoHoHo and a bottle of rum LOL good thing I don't drink rum)

J gave me explicit instructions on how to catch the current at the right time and my foot positioning once I got the spot in the cave to climb up.

Thank you J.

On a normal day I would have laughed at this as an easy challenge but still been cautious. Today the waves were enormous. It was fabulous, freaking surfing without a surf board.

The only time I think I ever remember such a strong current (until last recently, before another hurricane on another coast) was when I was a white water rafting guide in college...After rafting ended, we used have the guy who drove the truck drop our kayaks w/ boogie boards bungied on top downstream.

Walk down the trail, stand on the rail and jump off a bridge (trying not to get busted) into the river, ride the current to our kayaks get to the rapids, to take boogie boards and go into the rapids and surf and crash..until it was almost dusk. Then kayak the rest of the way back to the campground and sleep till the next day...Rinse, repeat...LOL At any rate....The cave...

J went in for the first go at the rock and I watched…He missed….He went in for another go when the lull came it.. He made it! RAWR Success!

So out of the safety of my floating in the open Philippine Sea I patiently waited for a lull and then went for it….getting bashed by waves and currents all the way…(I've been swimming, surfing, in the water my entire life, this was a challenge) I swam in, missed the pull into the small cave (whew) and made it to the face. Got my feet on the rock and went to pull up higher to climb onto the first ledge and a huge wave came in and pummeled me against the coral face.

I only cut my hands, elbow and knees in a couple of places so no big deal. But boy was I tired from the fight with the currents. I might be a "little touched" according to some, but not full blown stupid. So instead of going back in straight away, I swam back out into the open sea and rested for about 10 minutes.

I really love just hanging out looking at all the beauty and silence (well the roar of the surf but thats music to my ears) So I floated on my tummy and looked at fish (the beautiful fish...man do I miss that place) Thinking I am all alone in the sea...I spy the spear fishermen who appeared below my feet LOL!

One pops up next to me, and I say "Haifa"! How’s the fishing? It was really quite funny to have a conversation with a few guys with spears in the middle of the sea while I was hanging out with my tennis shoes on and bikini and goggles LOL….Neptune was watching out for me that day.

I waited for a lull in the waves (not much of a lull with the oncoming storm) and went at it full force. Gave it everything I had. Got into the flow, felt out the pull, drew down and kept out of the pull into the small cave and finally caught my feet on the rock. Another HUGE wave was coming in, I could feel it tugging at me, the pull out waiting for it to come in….I climbed faster than I have ever climbed the face of any rock in Utah, Idaho, California, Wyoming, Oregon, Washington... anywhere.

I made it up to the first ledge by the skin of my teeth, just before the wave hit. It was inching at me...teasing me...baiting me to draw me back into the sea. It actually came up to the first ledge and almost got me.

Thank you J for being so patient with me. J threw his arm down from the second ledge just in time to give me my three points of contact on the face to fend off the wave and use the leverage of the force to propel my body up instead of out. (Thank G_D for strong MAN arms)

So the waves were coming in harder, inching higher and higher. We kept climbing higher into this amazingly beautiful coral cave. Finally, at the top, I rested. Laying back taking all of it in. Soaking in the peacefulness. It was amazing. Looking at the washed up creatures in the pools of water.

J the manly adrenaline junkie wasted no time and just had to swing off the rope! So I was lucky to just hang and observe.

The rope swing was an entirely different challenge. I'm not afraid of heights, swinging, gravity or kerplunking into the open ocean. That is the fun part. Its the particular nature of the swing on this very blustery day that has me kerfluxed.

Instructions and observations after watching J's first swing: Keeping mental notes in my mind: HUGE jump to swing body way out, but at same arching lower back and rotating hips swinging legs at same time to position body weight to keep force ensuring you curve around to the left. WAY Important: If you want to miss the big *ss piece of coral on the right and then get pulled into the smaller cave.

Being pummeled with coral and low probability of getting your somewhat sane (minutely bleeding body) out of here alive and floating over to the Philipines during a tropical storm...wasn't on my agenda if I could help it.

So crazy man J goes up to the very top of the cave, flings his big ole manly dude body into the air and makes it. So amazing, breathtaking really.

I however am still resting. Realizing that after all of this....I have to have enough energy to swim all the way back to Tipalo beach where our towels are (like another hour swim at least in these waves LOL) (This of course is less than 12 hours after I got off of a 33 hour flight from NYC LOL)!

J climbs and swings 3 more times. The spear fisherman out in the distance are watching and I’m quite sure thinking we are lunatics. I get my energy back and am done looking at the beautiful blue starfish and small fish in the tidal pool and tell J I am ready to swing.

He once again patiently gives me instructions on how to swing out and around… I push my hardest off the rock and WWWOOOOOHOOOOOO what a blast! Hit the water and have my usual happy kid smile on!

We swim back through the strong currents to the beach slowly going down and holding our breath trying to be spear fishermen without spears LOL…enjoying the waves, the water, the sun, the fish and a great experience with a wonderful friend.

Thank you J, I am so happy we finally got to do that swim. Unfortunately due to my ear we weren't able to do it again before I left. But someday I hope we make that swim again. Perhaps not right before a humoungous storm (I think we should go kite surfing next to gov Guam building instead LOL). So many things left to see, taste and feel in this world....

So back to reality: we went back to my house and immediately both of my neighbor friends saw my arrival popped into my driveway carport, M and L giving me a firm but nice scolding telling me it was time to get down to business and off we all went into sort out my house….

Love....The World...Love The Child...They Are "OUR" Future

2012-01-25T12:19:00.001-05:00

“If you want to see the brave, look at those who can forgive. If you want to see the heroic, look at those who can love in return for hatred.”
― Krishna Dharma

新年快乐 Happy Chinese New Year 2012! Enter The Year Of The Dragon!....

2012-01-23T16:42:00.000-05:00

I make it a point to incorporate many different "celebrations" into my life. It's a part of Susan's Personal Nomadic Global Social Exploration Project. (Sounds really fancy right? Well, it actually not...LOL But it certainly was fun adding some fluffification to something so positively simple).

Why? Many different reasons but primarily: I believe that with knowledge, patience and understanding the world petrie dish might actually learn to listen instead of react. If we proactively listen maybe we will learn to behave better on the world stage than the local kindergartners. So in my little petrie dish, I strive to learn about cultures, celebrations and people to engage and understand them. Which produces the desired effect (in my little petrie world) Respect, Tolerance, Kindness and creates a common ground in which we can begin to engage and push a mutually beneficial agenda (with appropriately managed expectations) providing for our growth forward instead of stalling it.

I know you want to say it....Go ahead...I'm coming to terms with my "HippieDom" LOL If you must label it, to make yourself feel better, please go ahead.

What in the world does this have to do with Chinese New Years Anyway?

One of the most important Chinese New Year customs (which I have failed miserably at for many years now to observe) is:

Cleaning the house from top to bottom. It is meant to clean all the "bad luck" that you gathered in the previous year.

Quite frankly, I don't want ANY FORM of bad luck from my prior year (or all of my years) to carry into the New Year... My shoulders ache from the burden I've been carrying around. I'd prefer a nice fresh start and a little yoga to stretch out those well worn and sore shoulders :D

So in Susan's petrie dish: Cleaning house means I've been going through hard disks, multiple journals (AKA random scraps of paper, actual journals, electronic entries of randomness) I have been barfing out all around the globe in one fashion or another since around 1987...

Cleaning out my mental house, organizing it and trying to make sense of all of it...

I've cleaned, now I'm digesting....Interesting food for thought...

Always learning and stretching...It's going to be an interesting 15 days of Celebrating Chinese New Years Susan Style...

Virtual Vomit On Boarding...

Wishing peace for all.

Ennuideluxe: The Katrina Diary, SOPA, and me.

2012-01-11T17:54:00.000-05:00

ennuideluxe: The Katrina Diary, SOPA, and me.: I would like to clear one thing up, if I may. I'll try to be brief. My name is Amy Rohde, and I wrote a book, The Katrina Diary. It's gott...