z a y k o

Introducing Ginalog

2008-07-10T16:24:00.005-04:00

After 3 years, 9 months, and 14 days of service, my old Personal Blog is being retired. That's right... the blog you're reading right now, right here, is no more, starting July 4th. No more news will be posted here.

All is not lost! A new blog is taking this blog's place: Ginalog. Hop on over there to see the first post.

So be sure to update your bookmark. Because there will be plenty of news...

See you all over at the new blog!

Little Miss Sunshine

2007-02-26T18:47:00.000-05:00

I was a little disappointed with last night's Oscars ceremony because Little Miss Sunshine (my favorite film for 2006) didn't win a Best Picture Oscar... Anyway, I'm so glad the film was nominated and I am trilled to see it win two Oscars for Best Original Screenplay (Michael Arndt) and Best Supporting Actor (Alan Arkin).

The last days of Summer 2006

2006-09-19T22:56:00.000-04:00

Summer is almost over... It's time for falling leaves, for cool fall mornings and evenings.

But this past weekend was an absolute blast! About 83 degrees and sunny... Just perfect for swimming!!! Saturday we spent at the pond (Mendums), Sunday--at the beach (The Singing). The weather was perfect, and so was the water... Such a great way to end the Summer and to say goodbye to all the exciting activities that come with it...

We had the most wonderful weekend of the entire Summer!

Hello Autumn... but not for a few more days... the actual Autumnal Equinox is not until September 23...

Mendums Pond, NH
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The Singing Beach, MA
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The Singing Beach, MA
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Mendums Pond, New Hampshire

2006-08-14T22:02:00.000-04:00

Mendums Pond
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Mendums Pond
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This past Sunday I enjoyed the view above water from my kayak... completely mesmerized by the silence, the warm, turquoise water of the pond, and the sound of my own paddle moving through the water. Dreamy... Heavenly... I only wish I could have taken more pictures.

Re-designing your website

2006-08-12T18:14:00.000-04:00

If you are currently dealing with an outdated website and trying to find the best way to manage the web re-making process you are not alone. Redesigning a large website can be an overwhelming task, demanding much effort and expense. In some cases, the re-design can do real damage. Here is an interesting article on this topic. It shows that even a task of such magnitude can be achieved... if taken step-by-step... in small portions.

My True Self Revealed

2006-07-20T20:28:00.000-04:00

Seemingly I am a Faithful Leader... :)

My Personal DNA Report

Boston 4th of July 2006

2006-07-05T16:11:00.000-04:00

Boston's Fourth of July celebration is arguably the best in the country. It's renowned for the splendor of its music and fireworks show, which draw a huge crowd to the banks of the Charles River.

Here are some of the photos I took last night:

Boston 4th of July 2006

Boston 4th of July 2006

Boston 4th of July 2006

Join Project R&R's National Campaign

2006-04-10T18:08:00.000-04:00

Zayko just completed a large website for the New England Anti-Vivisection Society (NEAVS).

Project R&R aims to mobilize public support to secure the release of chimpanzees now in labs into permanent sanctuaries. Most chimpanzees in U.S. labs have been there for decades, and many have been used in multiple experiments. Some of the oldest were captured as infants in Africa.

The site is the most comprehensive and informative resource on the Internet covering the use of chimpanzees in research labs.

Project R&R is a campaign of the New England Anti-Vivisection Society (NEAVS). There are many ways to support it:

Make a donation

Simply sign the online petition

Tell your friends

Thank you!

Merry Christmas and Happy 2006 everyone!

2005-12-27T15:34:00.000-05:00

The Glass Between Us

2005-10-17T12:16:00.000-04:00

Nata (on my window) with a friend.

Bird of Paradise Revisited...

2005-10-14T18:31:00.000-04:00

Bird of Paradise

Work is so much more fun when...

2005-10-06T21:17:00.000-04:00

Nata
Well, yes. Work is so much more fun when Nata watches me closely from the window... and she does this every day.

Fall is here...

2005-10-03T14:12:00.000-04:00

Fall 2005
Yes, Fall is definitely here... no doubt about it.

Access by Design

2005-09-29T22:24:00.000-04:00

A website is a necessity in today's society. Hundreds of millions of users are connecting to the Internet from all over the world. But for people with disabilities this can be an uncomfortable, and sometimes frustrating, experience. Clearly new design approaches are needed to address specific needs of people with disabilities.

Sarah Horton's goal is universal usability, and she wants to get there by educating Web designers on how to put sites together that don't exclude anyone.

Is her new book Access by Design: A Guide to Universal Usability for Web Designers worth buying? Find out how James McNally, contributing writer for the Digital Web Magazine, criticizes her work.

ePhilanthropy Awards Inaugurated

2005-09-28T21:38:00.000-04:00

Innovative use of the Internet has become a mainstay for nonprofit organizations, with many using interactive technologies for education, collaboration, member communications, management of meeting attendance, and publishing. What was once considered innovative is probably mainstream today, as both nonprofit organizations and their members become more comfortable going online.

Yesterday [September 22], in mid-town Manhattan, four nonprofit organizations were honored for their outstanding work in ePhilanthropy. Hosted by the ePhilanthropy Foundation, the 2005 International ePhilanthropy Awards recognized 23 finalists whose innovative use of the Internet in meeting their missions set them above the rest of the nominees. The awards, distributed in four categories, consisted of a $500 cash award to a charity and an original glass sculpture, and were presented to the winners during a two-hour ceremony led by Bob Carter, President and CEO of Ketchum.

Click here to find out which organizations won the awards (article by Kate Golden, OnPhilanthropy).

Feathery Caterpillar

2005-09-06T20:44:00.000-04:00

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Here is a shot that I took this past Labor Day weekend on my quick trip to Lake Willoughby in Vermont.

The Best Of Boston Self-Promotion

2005-09-01T15:20:00.000-04:00

Have you heard the buzz?...

I (dba Zayko) was featured in the main story (Branding Your Creative Business) of the Fall 2005 Boston edition of CREATE Magazine.

We unravel the mystery behind cutting-edge branding by revealing what creative types in Boston are doing to brand their own businesses - says CREATE Magazine.

I was very surprised when I learned I was selected along with only three other creative professionals from the Boston area! There is always this feeling of "am I worthy of this?"... but apparently, the answer is "yes."

Linda K. Pilgrim (the writer) has truly captured and communicated the essence of Zayko brand:

Sotirova's brand is simultaneously linked to her personally - as is her approach to her work as a designer.

I am so happy and hopeful this wonderful opportunity will open doors for new friendships.

What is AidPage?

2005-08-31T16:10:00.001-04:00

You are a tourist on a city street... trying to find your way. How do you get help?

Aid Yourself
You use a map or a booklet with information about the city. That's ok... although... feels a bit like work... and is somewhat lonely.

People Aid People
You ask a passer-by for directions... Or simply, a passer-by recognizes your "tourist" behavior, stops on his/her own will and spends 30 seconds (often much more) helping you. You feel good. The passer-by feels even better. Witnessing onlookers feel good too. What happens is an easy, almost instinctive "give and take"... so natural that we don't even think about who "gives", who "takes", or why is this happening. This is not "giving". People just help each other.

So... What is AidPage?
AidPage is a free public space on the Web where you can speak out about (1) your needs, and (2) your desire to help others. AidPage fosters informal communication among AidMates (simply posting on AidPage makes you an AidMate), sharing of experience, and mutual support.

E-Bay enables the simple, direct "people buy from people" over the Internet. AidPage enables the simple, direct "people aid people" over the Internet.

Ah, Something to Brag About...
Aidpage is a classic Web2.0 social service by People Networks—the new company of my husband Emil.

Burgundy Clay Flame-Top Ceramic Cookware

2005-08-25T20:02:00.000-04:00

ceramic cookware

I love to cook, and I love fancy kitchen stuff, but good cookware is expensive. Naturally, everything I can't afford to buy immediately is going straight to my Wish List.

The newest wish item is this amazing flame-top ceramic cookware, just introduced by Emile Henry. It's ceramic, but CAN handle a direct flame! It can be used directly on the stove, in the oven or in the freezer without fear of cracking or breaking.

Ceramic is a natural material made from clay. Cooking in ceramic remains the best way to preserve the flavors and nutritional qualities in the food, and to develop the aromas. What's more, the small bumps on the underside of the lid flavor the condensation process : the vapor falls back onto the food, which remains full of flavor.
...
The ceramic stewpot is 30% lighter than cast iron. It is designed for everyday use : you can serve directly at the table and cut inside thanks to its extremely resistant glaze. It can also be taken from the freezer and put directly on the gas or in the oven. It also slips easily into the dishwasher.

It comes in a few sizes and in either black or red (personally, I prefer the red). Modern technology is amazing!

Currently Listening...

2005-08-24T17:10:00.000-04:00

Amadou & Mariam:

Amadou and Mariam are two very talented and creative artists from Mali. A blind couple whose life story is as remarkable as their music. My favorite song is: Coulibaly... A totally addictive CD!

Past Favorites...

Guero by Beck:

Beck is my favorite artist... His latest album, Guero, is every bit as funky as Odelay, complete with grooving hits like "E-Pro" and "Black Tambourine." This album is amazing!

Scissor Sisters:

Some may call them "evil"... I call them fresh. A great album!

How to Give Your Donors What They Want

2005-08-15T21:07:00.000-04:00

Today's donors know what they want. They know how they want to accomplish it. They are direct and decisive. They want to know what's going on, where their money is going, how it is being spent, and what their last donation did, before you ask them for more. They want to understand what you do, how it's different from what other organizations do, and what you've accomplished...

So, what should nonprofits do for their donors? Here are a few guidelines to follow in shaping your nonprofit organization's communications strategy:

Donors want to feel appreciated...
Donors want to feel involved...
Donors want to be recognized...
Donors want to help solve problems...
Donors want to help people...
Donors want to feel more than think...

Yes, you will definitely raise more money, but first, please, give donors what they want. Read more...

Online giving is growing

2005-07-22T17:40:00.000-04:00

The Internet can provide us with a wide range of opportunities to help others quickly and easily and more and more people are donating and engaging online.

The tsunami online fundraising experience is a good example. After the disaster, there has been a remarkable increase in the number of online donations. An interesting article on SeattleBusinessJournal.com, Nonprofits' new target: Web donors give more than check writers, discusses this developing trend:

Following a surprisingly large jump in online donations to aid victims of December's Indonesian tsunami, Northwest relief agencies are aggressively beefing up their Web operations… By adding staff, increasing online budgets, buying more Internet advertising and through other means, the region's top charities are trying to tap into a funding stream where the average contribution tends to be greater than those received through mailed-in checks and phoned-in pledges.
.....
“Perhaps the anonymity might have been a motivator for certain people to give,” she said. “You need all the avenues.”

The article says a lot of things that make sense to me.

Revenge of the Right Brain

2005-05-31T15:30:00.000-04:00

by EMEK from the original article in "Wired"

Does the whole left brain/right brain debate sound familiar to you? Well, I think, yes.

Left brain types are thought to be analytical and orderly, while right brain types tend to be artistic, unpredictable and creative...

Of course, things are more complicated, but this is not the issue here. The issue is this: if you haven't heard much from your left brain lately, don't worry! This might save your job... If you are interested to learn why, read this article.

Bird of Paradise

2005-05-06T22:43:00.000-04:00

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Visitor

2005-04-14T15:37:00.000-04:00

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I had a new visitor today... just stopped by for a nap...
My backyard, obviously, is becoming a popular destination.