Milwaukee Moments

Today I was Mr. MAPSCO!

noreply@blogger.com (milwmoments) — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 17:16:00 +0000

Mapsco is the map system that rules in some metropolitan cities. In Dallas, for instance,(corporate home to Mapsco) , this ever expanding metropolitan area is completely cataloged in a book of 81/2 X 11 pages, each designated by number and letter. Newspaper classifieds refer to and are grouped by their respective Mapsco page number. No Dallas car is without this old school tool.

I had always referred to my Dad as Mr. Mapsco. Whenever I was confused, or needed a quick alternate route, he was my first choice for driving info. (Diagonal streets are my personal Achilles heel.) Since his death, I have filled this void with google maps on my iphone and a wonderful free app from White Pages which performs phone number lookup but also includes a map.

Well today, I received an SOS from my Mom who had gotten turned around somehow. Within minutes, I had found her a phone number and guided her from her current position (in real time) to her meeting place. Not only was it great to be able to get her out of this jam, but after hanging up, I realized that I had done exactly what I'd promised my Dad that I'd do. In one small way, I'd been able to step in and fill his shoes for her when she needed me. Today I was Mr. Mapsco!

My "Memorial" Day

noreply@blogger.com (milwmoments) — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 14:19:00 +0000

I am the family repository of history. I have grandma Becker's dishes which I pair with grandma Lamb's silver for family occasions. I kept my great aunt's gardening books as reminders of her.This, unfortunately, leads to an excess. Mentally I know the memories are separate and exist apart from these items. Yet I have always been a very visual person, and seeing these things is often a trigger for me.

At some point in adulthood, I developed my own ritual for remembering my generations of passed relatives. I travel to their graves, once a year with tiny mementos from me to them. It is my own form of the ancient placing of pebbles to signify a visit. In the course of each year I will come across something, often a poem, that resonates with me. I then computerize the text, printing it out in the tiniest size possible, creating a small piece of paper about 1/2" by 1". I head North to the small town I was born in, taking the "old roads" that we traveled about a million times in my childhood. I tuck my token next to the gravestone, secretly stashed, where it will begin a journey of disintegration much like the bodies of those I love. This year is especially difficult because my father has now become a part of the Lamb / Chvarack generations that reside in Sheboygan. Service to our country is represented, and it is only in the last decade that this has moved to become a defining decision in the way I understand my ancestors.

Each one of us is allowed to personalize they way we memorialize and whom we choose to remember. This is, in fact, part of the freedom that was fought for, this choice we are allowed to make for ourselves. Excercising this freedom is as significant a sign of respect for those who fought as the waving of a flag.

Memorial Day

noreply@blogger.com (milwmoments) — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 14:17:00 +0000

Memorial Day

This is Chris Brogan's post. It inspired me to share my own "Memorial" ritual above.

My first "Pops" Concert: Cirque de la Symphonie

noreply@blogger.com (milwmoments) — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 13:24:00 +0000

Last night I went to my first Milwaukee Symphony "Pops" concert. The Pops series is usually lighter and less formal - think of the famous "Boston Pops" often seen on public television. Movie soundtracks, Broadway shows, and popular favorites often make appearances on the evening's program. Don't get me wrong, this wasn't my first Symphony concert. I've been enjoying live classical performances since childhood.

Now I'm not sure we're "Pops People", but lats night's Cirque de la Symphonie was an engaging combination of familiar music and beautifully lit acrobatic routines. Each featured a single performer, some on vertical fabrics or ropes, others on equally simple bases, tied together by a lighthearted, funny juggler. One particular pose drew a collective "ahhhh" as the undulations that facilitate flight were skillfully portrayed by horizontally split legs on an upside down acrobat.

The best was saved for last, however. Two golden men, clothed only in loincloths, went through slow motion, gracefully choreographed poses that could only be the result of breathtaking balance and incredible strength.

Sometimes it's fun to choose the popular crowd pleaser, and in this case our New Year's began with a memorable evening of music and entertainment courtesy of our own Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra and Cirque de la Symphonie.

New Year's Goals

noreply@blogger.com (milwmoments) — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 02:05:00 +0000

I have never been one to set New Year's Resolutions, but for 2010 I am going to write some goals down. This new year, I feel the need for greater regimentation.

I will hold myself more accountable. I have an analytical mindset that is aware of the changes I seek and how my decisions move me closer to my goals, or not. I hold myself accountable in broad strokes but I am going to try for smaller accountabilities this year. I am a list maker by nature but now will be using more grids, more detail, and more frequent assessments. Since I often work solo, this should have as much a positive effect as negative, providing the validation that one normally finds through coworkers as well as highlighting a course of adjustments.

I will not procrastinate. I came to realize I work best under pressure and this was a necessary element for peek performance as far back as I can remember. I do not, however enjoy drama. I differentiate between pressure and drama by believing that pressure involves only me while drama involves others. I am becoming increasingly sensitive to how I introduce drama, however unwittingly, into other's lives and now work towards change so I am a calming influence.

I will remain present. I am shocked by how weeks, months, and years fly by. This more frequent evaluation will keep me in the now more, I hope. Also, what I imagine is a product of my age, I often find myself thinking back to past decisions and wondering about the effects of having chosen a different course. I have never really been one for regrets, so this is strange terrain for me and not particularly productive.

I will return to journaling. I have at times been an avid journal keeper, although coming from an art background my journals were initially visual records. I will move towards more consistent work, having noticed a tendency to only need this outlet during crisis. I want to have records of all states: good, bad and neutral. Narrowing my time frame will also work with the other areas I want to tend to more regularly: one of which is writing on a schedule. If I lower my need for perfection and begin to produce more regularly, I know my skill will increase. Twyla Tharp is my mentor here: The Creative Habit.

I will seek out more "homework" books, spending time to find readable, enjoyable writing and not hold myself to reading dry, scholarly tomes. Recent reads by Gretchen Rubin and Malcomb Gladwell were completed in a day or two because I enjoyed the writing style. I will keep a book list for 2010.

I will respect money and its power. Having grown up just after the 60's, I have never equated success with money. I now will acknowledge my need for financial success, and take the necessary steps to move forward. I will assess my financial business worth and bravely seek the corresponding compensation.

I will move from a mind set of scarcity and acknowledge the abundance in my life. I will pay and bill in a timely manner. Having lived in different places, I've accumulated the accessories of the different stages of my life. While all these represent a part of the person I am now, I no longer need or use the same things I once did. I can part with them knowing that should the need arise, I will be able to find exactly what I need again.

I will plant a new garden. Gardening has long been source of great joy and is an advantage of my new location. It will more than offset whatever disadvantages seem to currently challenge me.

I will adopt a dog. I have always described Basil, Sadie and Sunshine as bringing pure joy into my life. I need this again, having been too long without the companionable presence pets bring.

And perhaps, most important for the near future, I will seek infinite patience for family times, knowing I can instantly change the dynamic to one of patient acceptance.

Jan 1, 2010 -k

Happy New Year

noreply@blogger.com (milwmoments) — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 20:34:00 +0000

"For last year's words belong to last year's language and next year's words await another voice. And to make an end is to make a beginning." T.S. Elliot

May your new beginnings involve friendships, love, laughter and joy. -k

Holiday Add-Ons to Decorate your Computer

noreply@blogger.com (milwmoments) — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 00:44:00 +0000

For the growing number of tele-commuters and those with home offices, getting into the holiday spirit can be more difficult than it is for those working with larger organizations. All the usual group activities like cookie exchanges, secret Santa gifts and holiday parties are usually not a part of the smaller, self employed work place. This seems to be even more true in service industries.

These two easy add-ons are the perfect solution to including some holiday cheer in your daily computer tasks.

Smashing Magazine has hosted, for years, a monthly contest for graphic designers to create desktop wallpaper calendars. Some are more closely tied to the seasons than others, but all include a monthly calendar as part of the design. Some graphic artists, additionally, also offer the background designs alone. Each choice lists various screen resolutions, some cataloging almost 20 different sizes.

Click here for the December 2009 link.

Once there, click on the screen resolution you need and the file will open up on your screen. Right click anywhere and chose "Save as" then decide if you want to set up a new folder or merely save in your "My Documents". I have one folder that's all different calendars, arranged in folders by month or source.

Another new holiday option is the Google desktop iGoogle. Based on a Gmail account name, you choose various RSS feeds that comprise your home page. Take advantage of the numerous customizations possible based on your interests, from food to news to horoscopes. Signing up for a free Gmail account is easy. With Gmail considered one the leading email formats, it doesn't hurt to be familiar with this system.

Within the last few days a whole new group of iGoogle mastheads has been introduced based on gourmet themes and food celebrities. Some are irresistible, like the "12 Days of Cookies". All the expected names are included: Emeril, Martha, Alton Brown, Sara Moulton, Paula Deen. You'll also see Cat Cora of Iron Chef fame and the smiling face of Jamie Oliver, also known for his Naked Chef cookbooks. Go here to take the tour and choose whatever strikes a chord with you.

This should set you on the right course for finding some holiday spirit that's both charming and upbeat.

Raspberries and Economic Models

noreply@blogger.com (milwmoments) — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 20:58:00 +0000

When I was in graduate school, I had an economics professor who used the price of raspberries to illustrate a “corner solution”: that point at which a product is so expensive that nobody will buy it. He sighted many reasons for the expense - prickly barbed branches, masked berry location, long growing season, short storage time, and the fragility of the berries themselves.

More than 20 years later, much of my business school knowledge has been proven to be irrelevant. Yet the corner solution has stayed with me; its real life script played out late every summer.

This year, the raspberry season has been especially long. For weeks I have purchased, and consumed, what I thought was my final bowl only to be pleasantly surprised when the price has remained below 40% of the usual raspberry winter high.

I found a local baker making raspberry scones, and promptly became addicted. I made a batch of raspberry vinegar after discovering a neglected bottle of wine hidden in the back of my refrigerator. And, of course, I have started my day, more mornings than not, with an unadorned bowl of perfect, ripe raspberries that I didn’t have to sacrifice skin or endure sunburn to obtain. As Thanksgiving nears and I slowly savor the sweet, seedy, satisfying berries, I can’t help wondering, “Is this one really, truly the last?”

Best etiquette should rule, especially in social media

noreply@blogger.com (milwmoments) — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 19:53:00 +0000

A public relations firm I was familiar with was looking to expand. I had attended a seminar given by one of the partners and was really impressed with the technical skill set of the speaker as well as their compelling presentation style. They said they were easily reached in many online forums and preferred to be contacted through one of these, I imagined, as a test the applicants social media proficiency. This emphasis on social media savvy found me helping a colleague redesign her resume to include links to both personal and client social media projects. She also linked past employers to their respective websites. She chose to submit her reformatted resume with a cover letter describing how she had come to know of their work. She then dropped notes to both indicating her interest through traditional email and two separate social media forums. She followed up after about 10 days with a “checking in” message. She has never received any type of response.

What made this particular situation especially annoying was the very transparency that social media prides itself on worked against these potential employers. Through the various social media platforms, we followed as rather snarky comments were posted about applicant’s cover letters and resumes. The very transparency that was carefully crafted and channeled for the benefit of clients had been disregarded when the client was, in fact, themselves. A simple indication of the start of a new employee or an acknowledgement of the abundance of applicants would have been sufficient to communicate with those applicants following through social media, a requirement of this position. When discussing this with another colleague, we concluded that lack of experience had probably been most responsible.

With all the lists that have appeared about the dos and don’ts of social media, the predominating sentiment is “Play Nice” and “Do unto others…”. These are also the most basic tenants of real life socially preferred etiquette. This should be even more important when what is written is chronicled and archived online. It will be there forever. This experience of my friend has certainly forever changed how I now view this public relations firm that I once considered a professional leader.

Sundance Airs Great Fashion with "The Day Before" Series

noreply@blogger.com (milwmoments) — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 02:11:00 +0000

Photo courtesy of Sundance Channel

Sundance Channel is once again airing some quality fashion based television. Loic Prigent is adding to his documentary roster with a new 4 part series “The Day Before” which chronicles the 36 hours leading up to the fall 2009 runway shows of Sonia Rykiel, Jean Paul Gaultier, Lazaro Hernandez and Jack McCollough of Proenza Schouler, and Karl Lagerfeld for Fendi.

Prigent has previously produced Signe Chanel in 2005 and Marc Jacobs & Louis Vuitton in 2007 which offered insight into the creative process of Marc Jacobs who has single-handedly renovated the Louis Vuitton label and redefined luxury handbags. Prigent’s last projects involved shooting footage over a six month period and this new series was born because he was looking for a shorter time frame that would be considerably easier to edit.

These new episodes of “The Day Before” offer moments of levity as well as tension. “The Day Before – Sonia Rykiel” premiers Wednesday, September 9 at 9p.m. central and subsequent episodes air Thursday, the 10th through Saturday the 12th.

Websites offer Fun Photgraphic Effects to your own photos.

noreply@blogger.com (milwmoments) — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 17:27:00 +0000

With all the social networking sites I find myself using, especially for work, I have been grappling with privacy. I only show my face in one place, and I do that because I joined as a means to connect better with my niece. I do not use my face despite most forums advising that you upload a photo of your face because people will respond and interact better with you if they see your likeness.
I have always used a picture I purchased on the Internet. This photo is distinctive enough to be memorable and I think if it as my personal brand logo. It tastefully shows a great set of legs wearing very high heels and a fur coat. I think of this photo as my alternate self - the person I wish I could be who wears fabulous sky high heels for long periods of time.
However, lately as I have been interacting with a more conservative client, I feel that for some things this might not be a business-like image. I, of course, have used my redesigned business logo as an avatar, but in some forums I use the voice of an individual, not of my company, as an industry professional.
My niece had come across a website that places a picture of you in interesting environments: at a gallery as an Andy Warhol quartet, on scenes of billboards, and in a store display. There are dozens of variations and I'd been meaning to spend some time there fiddling around. Today I did it. The keywords that yielded the best results were "photo effects".
There are four sites which were all a gas to play on: PhotoFunia (described above), Rollip, WishaFriend, and BeFunky.
Rollip offers a limited selection of templates which turn your pictures into old fashioned Polaroids. The finished product even has a ring from a coffee cup. I love the Polaroid format and this makes the conversion easy.
WishaFriend's primary business appears to be custom background for MySpace. Along the left side, on top of a long list is a link called "Fun Photo Effects". This takes you to a gallery of more than a hundred images which all have the Mona Lisa inserted in them. Substitute your face and you get the idea. The upload is easy and saving can be accomplished with a right click "Save As". This way doesn't require joining or signing up.
BeFunky was my favorite. Along the left are categories and once this is chosen, another set within the category appears in the upper left corner. Once you've uploaded your picture from your computer, (you need to know where your photos are stored, usually in Owner's Photos or My Photos) you can apply dozens of effects to the same picture in a matter of seconds. It is worth the time to see them all, even if they sound uninteresting because within each category there are very different filters. Again, you may save to your computer without signing up using BeFunky's own interface options.
All these sights offer the same diversity you find in Photoshop but without the complicated filters and many layers. Just a single click will initiate the transformation. These distinctive new images could be used for greeting cards or for fun family archives. They will even produce an image suitable for business, while still maintaining my privacy.
You might want to simultaneously open a photo viewer which shows the image to first identify your pictures. These sites only recognize and display file name, which can be tricky if you download directly from your camera with only numbers used to identify different pictures. I am in the process of compiling some Photographic tutorials aimed at the novice computer user. Once completed I will link to them from this blog. Spend some time fiddling around on these fun websites: PhotoFunia, Rollip, WishaFriend and Befunky, and you'll find tons of uses for your newly designed photographs.

Fresh Figs? Oh My!

noreply@blogger.com (milwmoments) — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 22:08:00 +0000

I have lived my entire life in climates that produced snow except for the 3 years I spent in Dallas. My experience as a gardener was the basis I used to chart the many differences of life in The South. Spring arrived in March and equaled June becuase the irises were blooming. By early August, all summer blooms were spent(annuals were too tall and tired to continue in 100 degree heat) and a 2nd planting was added. Winter, where nothing grew, only lasted 3 months and rarely dipped below 30.
Of course, there's a very scientific system in place to categorize this called the United States Department of Agriculture Plant Hardiness zone map.
Two things I most remember about southern living were Caladiums and fresh figs. I was first served fresh figs at a grocery store tasting. The grower was present and had paired the figs with fresh marscapone cheese. It was heavenly. Of course this was no ordinary grocery store - this was Central Market: the bastion of foodie worship.
Yesterday, while shopping at Wauwatosa Sendiks I spied about a dozen small baskets of fresh figs almost hidden on a very low shelf. Half were deep plum and half were light green and I immediately took one of each. Fresh figs are terribly fragile and correspondingly were terribly expensive, but having not seen a single fig in 5 years allowed me to know this was a time to be extravagant. I then wandered back into their cheese aisle and found both a good marscapone and a triple creme brie(when tossing cholesterol to the wind go for the the whole package!).
Upon returning home I was as excited as if I'd just procured a new pair of shoes. I quickly unpacked everything else then sat down to some smooth eating - slighly sweet and so creamy - while watching a tape of one of televisions guilty pleasures. I was 2 for 2 in the guilty pleasure department. Fresh figs - oh my!

My Pictures and Voice in this commercial!

noreply@blogger.com (milwmoments) — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 17:43:00 +0000

Ever wonder what I do to keep out of trouble? This is one of the fun parts of my job.

The Perfect Summer Day

noreply@blogger.com (milwmoments) — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 20:55:00 +0000

I have a friend who loves being outdoors. He often works sitting on a bench near Lake Michigan. His favorite spot is barely a block from his house, which is also located near Lake Michigan’s shoreline. He is a pen and paper guy but just recently received a laptop as a gift so this has enhanced his ability to work outdoors. When planning activities together, I often fail to take into consideration this outdoors factor. It has surprised me to find my preferred location seems to be indoors.

I lived for 18 years in Colorado, an outdoors epicenter. I loved Colorado, and spent the last 9 years on a spectacular piece of land with a great house. Since I lived alone, I could craft my environment as I chose to and by the time I left, had remodeled the first and second floors and installed extensive gardens. Gardening found me outside every day and when the day ended, or more accurately when my energy waned, I was to be found on my back porch with its corresponding deck. This extended nearly the width of my house and I had furnished it with rugs and comfortable weather resistant furniture.

My favorite place was a garden bench that my grandmother had given me. With cushions and pillows, this was perfect to recline and read or merely zone out as I gazed at my gardens which were terraced up the back of my yard. Extensive and mature landscaping was provided by numerous tall aspens mixed with silvery Russian olive trees. What I remember most was the sound the large, flat aspen leaves made as the wind moved through them. Everyday, as the heated ground met with the cool air flowing down from the surrounding mountains, there would be late afternoon breezes.
I recently realized that almost by accident, I have been able to rather effectively recreate those conditions where I currently live. I reside on the second floor of an old house surrounded by mature trees. Old house means no central air because radiators provide the heat. And old house also means windows which are missing screens and sometimes, barely open more than a few inches. Because of this, every available window is always open. I do, additionally, have 2 porches and a sunroom with French doors. And because I must, by necessity, open as many windows and doors as possible, I find I can hear the trees’ leaves rustling and feel the cross breezes and I’m reminded of my favorite Colorado porch. However, the greatest value lies in replicating the porch’s serenity while sitting at a computer screen. I can work efficiently while in a formerly leisure related environment. I smile as a breeze moves across my keyboard and work to the calls of the birds that nest in the curve of the old rain gutters.

This integration of outdoors and indoors has minimized my need to maximize planned outdoor activities. I feel as if I have spent my entire day outdoors while my friend associates his office and house with closed windows which will contain the cool air generated by the central air system. When he says, “Wasn’t this perfect weather?” I can reply “Yes” because despite working a full day at my desk I was serenaded by the breezes and bird songs of my surrounding landscape. It was for me, too, a perfect day.

Time is Precious - Who Knew?

noreply@blogger.com (milwmoments) — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 20:19:00 +0000

About 6 weeks ago I blooged about my parents (see June 7 - Time is Precious). Little did I know that a month later, my active, young at heart father would be facing his last day with us. Our family, small but with all 3 generations present, stood and prayed with the Priest after last rites and with each other as my niece held her bible (the bible itself was also a surprise.) It's been 14 days, and my father is returning from a rehab facility to his home.

The doctors are amazed, as are we all. Yet as I spoke with the doctor in ICU, I kept referring to the ways my Dad's surprised me recently. Well, needless to say, never more so than in his return from that precipice.

Thanks Dad. I wasn'y ready yet.

Truly Joyous Video

noreply@blogger.com (milwmoments) — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 20:08:00 +0000

This made the rounds on Twitter and I've kept it minimized and wateched it several times. It is impossible not to smile as you sense everyone's surprise and then elation at this wedding.

Storming the Bastille

noreply@blogger.com (milwmoments) — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 21:07:00 +0000

After our evening began with the Florentine Opera open air concert at Alterra, we proceeded to move on the Main Event, the Storm The Bastille evening run. The Bastille Days celebration is a project of the East Town merchants, with the run commemorating the time of day that coincides with the original event.
Forget about personal body space. The entire area was packed with human bodies, which after the run became hot and sweaty human bodies. Yet, there's something to be said for such an inclusive event. It was impossible not to see friends and local luminaries.

The Bastille days celebration continues through Sunday with music and food and general cavorting. Sunday's highlight, for me, will be when the 15 piece "big band" Swing Nouveau takes the stage in a special "Sunday Jazz in the Park". The concert runs from 1-3:15. Swing Nouveau brings a never-miss-a-note big band sound that is always a treat to listen to. (Some braver souls have been known to swing dance in the aisles). If you miss them Sunday, Swing Nouveau will also perform at the Wisconsin Lutheran outdoor series on Thursday, July 16th from 6:30 - 8:30. This is the music my dad loved before I made it my own.

Double Booked with Alterra's Opera then Bastille Days

noreply@blogger.com (milwmoments) — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 18:04:00 +0000

There is a Sex in the City Story about the always socially correct Charlotte. It chronicles her short foray into double booking her dates (scheduling one immediately after another.)

Last night was a double booked night combining Opera with Running the Bastille. We began at the Lakefront Alterra with the open air Florentine Opera Concert. Alterra has a weekly rotation of Latin Music and the Florentine Opera on Thursdays. Last night featured all male voices and was a stellar combination of traditional opera and old time favorites like "Maria" from West Side Story. Additionally, I arrived hungry and the Turkey Club was surprisingly perfect. White bread and only 2 slices(my preference), thick bacon, what's not to love?
Bring a lawn chair and enjoy one of Milwaukee's summer staples: outdoor free music that doesn't sacrifice quality.

Time is Precious

noreply@blogger.com (milwmoments) — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 04:10:00 +0000

I have been living in the place I grew up for almost 4 years now. My priority, after 20 years of living across the country, was to spend time with my parents. In this most recent time there have been both tears and laughter, but mostly I am in that bittersweet frame of mind where I am aware of change and the approach of endings.
All time is to be valued, but I am trying to experience time in the present. The past offers comparisons, none of which will change what's now, and the future holds the promise of loss.
Today I sat next to my mother at a concert. I could smell her perfume as we watched my father perform music that decades ago he had taught me to love. I was acutely aware that this current moment contained references both forward and backward. Also on stage was a friend who'd just days ago, lost her companion of 42 years. As illness creeps slowly into almost corner of my parent's life, I try to honor their preferences while initiating future options. I give hugs and kisses and say the words, "I love you." I want them to know that they are loved beyond measure.

Milwaukee Art Museum's Art In Bloom Creates Accessible Art Environment

noreply@blogger.com (milwmoments) — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 23:46:00 +0000

Art Museums often have a reputation as places for intellectuals and snobs. Art rhetoric can contain obscure references and contextual dialogue. These create a rarefied atmosphere that by its self referencing and exclusionary nature limit accessibility.

The Art in Bloom annual exhibits of the Milwaukee Art Museum are a triumph for inclusionary events. This 4 day show assigns participating florists a work of art which they must use as a springboard for their floral design submission. This inclusion of flowers appeals to one of the largest leisure time demographics: the gardener. Second only to golfers, gardeners cross economic and cultural divides and came out in huge numbers to view the Milwaukee Art Museum’s 2009 offering of Art in Bloom.

Over 40 local Milwaukee florists, nurseries, and landscape firms participated this year offering floral arrangements as stylistically wide-ranging as the corresponding works of art. The most successful translation from paint to flowers was Sheryl Dix’s simple vase of flowers placed in front of the large abstract painting “East is the Place” by Milton Resnick. Dix represented Tulipomania European Flower Market a South side Milwaukee fixture known for it’s location in a working windmill. Another arrangement which reflected back the nature of its assigned painting was the Milwaukee Art Museum’s Garden Club arrangement for the realistic depiction by Philippe de Champaigne of “Moses presenting the Tablets of the Law”. The clean lines of callas lilies and bear grass played against a roughly textured grey tablet.
One lush and complex arrangement by Matheau Recht featured multiple vases filled with single flower type and was teamed with “The Rivals (Little Kittens): by Mihály Munkácsy.

Tim Garland and Karen Bartel representing Gardens by Garland presented an arrangement of brilliant red floribunda rose stems and peonies to compliment the impressionist canvas “Three Sisters – A Study in June Sunlight” by Edmund Tarbel.

The Milwaukee Art Museum drew what appeared to be record numbers as galleries were very crowded with patrons enjoying this event that must be short-lived, given the ethereal nature of the focus. Beginning on a Thursday and ending on Sunday, next year the weekdays might be preferred viewing days if your goal is to avoid the crowds. However, watching the interaction between viewer and art / arrangement was rewarding when all too often a cool appraisal is what’s most often observed in museum galleries.

Twitter is like a Movie Soundtrack

noreply@blogger.com (milwmoments) — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 18:29:00 +0000

I have always liked buying movie soundtracks. I am already familiar with many of the songs but consistently find something new to enjoy mixed in with the old favorites.

Twitter is like a good soundtrack for me. I follow a certain number of people I already know and through them find new, interesting postings. Of the hundreds of "tweets" I see each day there are a few that make me laugh, some that cause me to reflect, and at least 5 that I print out. A recent day brought a step-by-step how-to Photoshop guide for building a photo-collage as a masthead. Also 20 plug ins for Twitter and a detailed analysis of 17 non-profit websites and their usability issues for accepting donations.

I am participating in a Beta writing workshop as an advisor, and have begun taking a free HTML class to learn that programming language, all found through Twitter.

I am following a few Australians and someone from Spain which allows my mind to briefly wander as I imagine their local. There is one girl who posts what she's wearing every day, someone who sends songs , and many who describe what they're cooking or eating. I couldn't possibly follow this many blogs, yet the brevity involved - each post is limited to 140 characters- is perfect for a quick snapshot.

Follow this link to find me and who I follow.

Old Media gets Boost Through Creative Thinking

noreply@blogger.com (milwmoments) — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 01:23:00 +0000

Over the last month, a very interesting development could be seen in Milwaukee from the I94 freeway, just east of Miller Park. A billboard suddenly grew a 3 dimensional Jack-in-the-Bean-Stalk size vine. It grew up the support and around the billboard frame and then stopped growing for a while. Suddenly there were tomatoes on the vines. Big, HUGE red tomatoes. As it turned out they were 5 feet tall by 13 feet around and weighed 150 lbs. They sat ripening for another 10 days or so. Then finally, their meaning became clear as two gimungus cans of Red Gold tomatoes were added. I say well done.

Later while researching this event on the company website, I found out the best part. Today, March 27th Red Gold will donate 10,000 lbs of tomatoes to Milwaukee’s Hunger Task Force on behalf of Roundy’s.

With all the talk of viral social networking and new media, here was old media: a billboard. One of the oldest marketing mediums – this plain old rectangular billboard- had just had used to great effect in a new and innovative way. Bravo Red Gold on both counts!

Plan a London Vacation around the great Gardens of Britain

noreply@blogger.com (milwmoments) — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 18:51:00 +0000

Day Trips to Historic Gardens Offer the Best of Great Britian

Every gardener owes a debt to the great gardens of Britain. These monumental achievements are the result of a culture that breathes botanical terms. Everyday garden conversations are based in the Latin botanical genus and variety.

Rosemary Verey wrote "A Countrywoman's Year" which gives insight into the routine tasks and observations that shaped her world. It could have been written by any avid gardener, so mundane were the tasks. Verey, however, was one of England's greatest horticultural teachers
and in viewing common tasks she elevates these through her exceptionally strong ties to the land around her. It is this steady, workman-like approach to gardening that makes the British version of gardening so all inclusive and universally reverent towards British horticultural history. From such a large base, truly extraordinary figures were nurtured and received widespread support.

Most British Gardens open to the public sometime in March or very early April and continue receiving guests until November. Opening dates do vary, so check each individual garden that you add to your itinerary. Also be sure to confirm the days of the week each garden is open. A detailed guide for the logistics of London travel is available. With the addition of a rental car, you are ready for a visual learning experience that is unique to Britain. The key is to arrange for lodging that provides parking.

Take the time to communicate with the gardens you wish to visit. The most memorable tour was conducted by Tintinhull's head gardener, our personal guide on an otherwise questionable rainy day because we had written ahead and communicated our schedule.

One easily accessible grouping of historic British gardens is the National Trust. Hundreds of properties throughout Britain are maintained under this umbrella foundation. Yearly memberships run £39.58 as an internet discount off the regular £47.50 for those 26 to 59 years old. Older and younger age groups save about £30. If you plan on visiting more than five National Trust sites, yearly membership is the way to go. It allows for a last minute inclusion of neighboring properties at no additional expense. Since this website is location based, including extra stops can be easily planned. The following is a short list of notable British Gardens. All make perfect day trip destinations from a London base.

Sissinghurst Castle Garden
Near Cranbrook, Kent TN17 2AB
A National Trust garden

Sissinghurst Castle Garden is the creation of Vita Sackville-West and her husband, Harold Nicolson. A noted and prolific writer, Sackville-West described her 25 favorite flowers in "Some Flowers" originally written in 1937. There is a 1993 version where the original black and white photos have been replaced with the artistic watercolors of Graham Rust. Known for the theme based "rooms" where tall hedges serve as walls, Sissinghurst is a must see. Sissinghurst opens March 15 and entry is £8.80.

Tintinhull Garden
Farm Street, Tintinhull, Yeovil, Somerset BA22 8P2
A National Trust Garden

Tintinhull's gardens surround a 17th century mansion. It is considered a jewel of a small garden with intimate borders and water features. Keep in mind this is small as defined by British standards. There is a kitchen garden included which elevates the level of design one might consider when planning your home kitchen garden. Entry is £5 and Tintinhull opens March 15.

Great Dixter
Northiam, Rye, East Sussex TN31 6PH

Dixter was acquired by Nathanial Lloyd in1909. The central house was a mid 15th century original which was joined by architect Edwin Lutyens with another similarly styled 16th century that had been moved from Kent. This medieval style manor house with thatched style roofs, was then renamed Great Dixter. Nathanial's son, Christopher Lloyd, "Christo", is credited for the recognition in recent times, often because of his popularity in television and as a writer. His book, "The Cottage Garden", is filled with pictures of the gardens surrounding Great Dixter. The most memorable Great Dixter features are the giant, immaculately trimmed topiaries, which are both strictly geometric and whimsical at the same time. Often small topiary animals like birds top the larger, simple base shapes. Great Dixter has a modern, clean website with an especially nice monthly diary, the online version of that centuries old garden diary tradition. Entry is £8.80 and opening is April 1.

Barnsley House
Near Cirencester in Gloucestershire GL7 5EE

Barnsley house was called home by one Britain's most loved writers, Rosemary Verey. Her attention to natural elements and nature's rhythms guided all her design decisions. Since her death, Barnsley house has evolved into a destination hotel, spa, and restaurant located
only 90 minutes outside of London. Reservations are available for lunch and a garden tour ranging from £29 before and after summer season to £49 during summer.

Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Richmond, Surrey, TW9 3AB

The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew is located 20 minutes by train from central London on 300 acres in Southwest London along the Thames. Celebrating its 250 year anniversary, Kew is a place full of superlatives. With numerous historic buildings including Kew Palace and the world's largest glass house there are three destination greenhouses: the Palm House, the Temperate House, and the Princess of Wales Conservatory. For years, Kew displayed an exclusive group of Henry Moore sculptures, the most memorable outside the Palm House. This exhibit closed in 2008 and is scheduled to re-open in Atlanta this spring. Kew is open year round and entry is £13.

Royal Horticultural Society's Chelsea Garden Show

For those traveling in late May you can add the garden event of the year: The Royal Horticulture Society's (RHS) Chelsea Flower Show. 2009 dates are from the 19th to the 22nd of May. Months ahead of time some events begin to sell out so be sure to book your tickets online to insure availability. They will run £43 for all day to £24 for the afternoon. The displays are unlike anything seen in America. Large, constructions of fantastical gardens only exist for Chelsea's 4 day run. This is extreme gardening - extremely opulent and extremely over the top.

TinyURL.com

noreply@blogger.com (milwmoments) — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 18:56:00 +0000

It’s rare that I’m the slow girl on the block but recently I had one of those light bulb moments. I’ve been doing some Twittering and kept seeing this link that everyone was using with a “tinyurl.com” component so I checked out their website.
TinyURL.com will convert your long URL string into a short, 25 characters or so string.
My first thought was “cool” (yes, I grew up in the 60’s).
Then it dawned on me that Twitter only allows 140 characters for your posting so this was a move to maximize available space. This time, very cool.
Here is a whole new service spawned by a very specific need within the web. Outside of Twitter, the only other use I could think of was to covert those strings you often pass along into shorter, easier copied lengths – your blog; published page references; your website, etc.
I admire the ingenuity to recognize and fill this type of need. I hope TinyURL reaps big revenues.

New Businesses take advantage of Economic Downturn

noreply@blogger.com (milwmoments) — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 20:12:00 +0000

I have started to see an increasing number of opportunities to pay someone who’ll teach you and your business how to survive in our recent economy. I don’t know whether to congratulate those offering the services for savvy marketing or be repelled by their opportunistic nature.

I began in small business and recognize that the unsettling environment that most small businesses operate in was the perfect training ground for today’s economy. I needed to adapt quickly to seize upon opportunities, calculating gain vs. loss in basic, efficient indicators. This made me agile. It also taught me how to reinvent both myself and my product.

My corporate experience was most valuable for showing me the things I am not suited for: lengthy evaluations and slow moving analysis; rules and guidelines that in promoting uniformity negate opportunities specific to region or demographic.

The biggest advantage corporate life has always offered was stability. Larger meant deeper pockets where ups and downs could be weathered without effects as devastating as those that a smaller entity would suffer. This is no longer the case. Security is gone. Large entities should be seeking those with small business backgrounds, if they’re smart, because they will benefit from the fresh approaches and insights that come with a small business background.

My advice to those who are tempted to pay someone for lofty advice is this: find a friend or associate who has operated a small business and talk to them instead. They, too, are businessmen (women) who are able to deliver both quantitative and qualitative analysis. Their suggestions will be completely different than those contained by large business advocates both in brevity and specificity.

I have always admired those who had the temperament to stay the course. Mine has always sought change. That’s why I am in small business. I just need to remind myself that I’ve trained for this time my entire life.