Rebecca's Notes

Reading this book there were mixed feelings, Joel hits the nail on the head in theory of the uses and methods of social media but there were some ideas and information that seemed simplistic or obvious. For instance when talking about Google and the digital footprint "everything you do, good or bad, is online forever." or embracing "community as the new currency."   Doesn't everybody just know this by now?

There was some outdated information, a whole chapter on the unconference or real-world meet ups: The Real World - Chapter 6.  Joel has continued his work through his blog, where he addresses things like the unconference - http://www.twistimage.com/blog/archives/the-death-of-the-unconference/ - and live presentations and even a new book release just this month.

This is all indicative of what is being written about  - social media, how fast it moves and changes. That doesn't mean there isn't learning to be done from this book, showcased by my pen marks and highlighted sections but this is no longer the 'aha' book. I am sure to use some of his examples as models for moving our business forward, like the example of the CMA's blog with multiple bloggers, each blogging about what speaks to them under an overarching theme.

I have gone ahead and tweeted and retweeted quotes from people who I thought were key individuals mentioned in the book - https://twitter.com/rhartcooper (@rhartcooper) and I have identified interesting ideas and themes through Pinterest - www.pinterest.com/rwhart.

I do look forward to reading Ctrl Alt Delete and soon, who knows how quickly things will change now. And I will keep up with Joel's blog, as he has fantastic insights, I just wonder if a book is the medium to be using.

Rebecca

Turning the Tide on Chronic Disease: How a Province Is Using Evidence to Build Quality Improvement Capacity

  Canadian Health Services Research Foundation

October is a month of transition for our family. The BBQ cover stays on the BBQ more than not and the slow cooker finds it's way out of the cupboard over the fridge to the kitchen counter. School has already started and by October the panic is over and we are into our fall routines.

Thanksgiving is this weekend, that means 1 last trip to the cottage and a thanksgiving meal with all the trimmings. And although we will be emptying the fridge, putting away the deck chairs and doing the final clean up, we will also be collecting pine cones and going for hikes in the woods. The kids get the wheelbarrow out and laugh while they are cleaning up pine needles and oak leaves. The boat will get put away in the garage while the smells of turkey come from the kitchen.

Our other weekends in October are spent in the city, cleaning up the yard, getting out the heavier blankets and maybe we will even get to turn the fireplace on one night. We also get to go on family outings, picking apples, petting goats, riding on tractors and running through hay mazes, these activities equal happy, exhausted children which in turn equals happy, exhausted parents. My favourite weekend in October is my wedding anniversary, we usually keep the celebration small, get a babysitter and spend an evening or even the whole night away but it is time for just the 2 of us.

But than back to reality and the reoccurring conversation of 'how much longer to Halloween?'. Costumes have been picked out and purchased, test runs are going on to make sure everything is perfect. One kid is wondering what is wrong with his suit because webs don't come out of the wrists after he puts it on and the other is practicing 'trick or treat' as this is her 1st year of truly understanding what Halloween is all about - Treats!

Ode To Autumn

Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness, Close bosom-friend of the maturing sun; Conspiring with him how to load and bless With fruit the vines that round the thatch-eaves run; To bend with apples the mossed cottage-trees, And fill all fruit with ripeness to the core; To swell the gourd, and plump the hazel shells With a sweet kernel; to set budding more, And still more, later flowers for the bees, Until they think warm days will never cease, For Summer has o'er-brimmed their clammy cell.