Old dogs .. er broads .. can learn new tricks!

In my world of PR/Communications, the new buzz is all about social media. What I haven't noticed anyone really stressing is that social media = multi-media. The worldwide-web isn't solely comprised of cleverly-worded phrases set in pretty typefaces with strategically-kerned headlines. Social media requires quick, concise messaging, intriguing links, tweets, retweets, forwards, and even, gasp, video.

I've managed to avoid learning HTML. My video-editing skills go back to 3/4 inch tape cassettes .. and unfortunately haven't completely kept up. I've used digital video editing equipment, but very little, and that was too long ago.

Up until the last couple of days that is. After months of hoping somebody else would do this, I bit the bullet and dove in (how's that for mixing metaphorical cliches!) I ground my teeth, clenched my jaw, bit my lip til it's swollen, have a splitting headache and a sore tailbone, but by golly, I posted three new videos to the company YouTube channel, added a link to the FaceBook fan page I created, and then Twittered the link .. Success!

Videos, I might add, that I had to learn to "capture" "cut" and "export" to the right file type (and had to figure out the right file type" using software I'd never used before this week .. softwre that is much less than user-friendly. Oh, I had to print and bind the manual for it too .. and I'd never used that binding machine before either.

This ol' broad is kind of proud of herself tonight. Tired, but satisfied. I can still learn new tricks, and enjoy doing so .. what's to come next? God only knows, and He has a great sense of humor. Can't wait to discover what He has in store!

Reconnecting

I'm the first to admit that I don't do a good job of keeping in touch with people. I dislike phone conversations for the most part, have all but quit writing letters or sending cards (something I used to do well), and actually rarely even email. Pretty much, if you're not on Facebook, I don't know what's going on .. not too friendly of me. But Facebook has helped me reconnect with a dear old friend from my (last) college days. She's the only friend not connected to work down here in the metroplex. And she's great at connections.. persistent at sending holiday cards and making the occasional phone call over the last nearly 20 years since we walked the graduation walk at MSU together.

Still, we haven't seen one another in about 10 years., and that was a quick visit.

Today was finally the day! Cindy cleared her schedule (not easy for the busy mom of four, ages 2 to 11) and came to see us. We talked, laughed and reconnected for a couple of hours .. the kind of time spent together that too many people don't have any more. I can't wait to see her again, and to get to know her family.

I cherished today, and again, praise God for sending people to me who like me (love me even!) for who I am, take me as I am, but positively encourage me to be better. I have been blessed with wonderful friends in my life, and it's time to start showing my appreciation. Cards and letters coming up!