Enklings Studio

Interdependence

Simply,

Tim

Being A Part Of The Change

There's been a LOT of talk this year and last about being a part of the solution.  I for one think Obama has done a great job in being inclusive.  It's not the Government's problem, it's not the Corporation's problem, it's not the Poor People's problem and it's not the Rich People's problem.  It's OUR problem - or set of problems to deal with.

I've said before that since we are a Republic, WE The People have to take responsibility for what WE do, what WE vote for, and how WE will proceed as a nation through this generation.  It's not who YOU voted for or what YOU or I do that matters, it's what WE do and will do that makes the difference.  Political rhetoric is the worst kind of cowardice.  It's easier to say something than to do something.  LET'S accept responsibility and move on.

Clearly the world is not doing well.  WE are not doing well.  You can look back and point to blame, or you can look ahead and point to solutions. Pick a cause that will make the world a better place and volunteer.  Maybe you could even make it a full time occupation.  That's exactly what I'm trying to do - won't you join me? 

Better yet, be out in front and show US the way to a better world.

Simply,

Tim

Enklings Studio - What's Tim Up To?

Just a quick update on the world of Enklings Studio.

New tools I'm using:
Dreamweaver - CS4
Photoshop - CS4

What I'm reading:
What Google Would Do - Jeff Jarvis
Memorial Day - Vince Flynn

What's Ripe at the Blair Urban Ranch:
Apricots - almost done - hundreds of pounds this year, fed the neighborhood and the raccoons
Plums - pounds and pounds a day - feeding the neighborhood
Apples - Anna apples ripe and ready
Tomatoes - mostly Sweet 100's
Lemon Cucumbers - two huge plants that are going crazy!
Blueberries - a handful a day keeps, well, no one away, but they're really good
Lemons - too many to count - lemonade anyone?
Strawberries - sharing these with the critters, but the ones we get are beautiful

Current Work:

REALLY enjoying working for Sharefaith!  New contract through the end of the year working with them as a freelance writer, SEO guy, Social Media maven and marketing manager.  Lots of stuff to do there and huge potential - this will be a big chunk of my time through the end of the year.  Looking forward to working with them for a long time.

Working with an author to help them self-publish a book in the "grandparenting" category.  Too much fun seeing how this will turn out.  More later.  Publishing, website, social media and blog.

Just finished a small gig with a cool company in SoCal helping them decide how to get some social media love out to their members.

Doing some work with Fillerup Marketing Communications - social media, blog, web design and marketing consulting.  Not too much going on just yet, but it's coming!

Solstice - Green Directory.  Just started selling ads and helping Margaret over at the Solstice Green directory with the online presence and social media.  These are fun folks.  Deadline for getting an ad in is this week for the fall/winter directory - give me a call if you're interested.

Still being Tim, the farm laborer, on Saturdays with my son-in-law and daughter's organic farm - SLO Grown Organics.   Cathy and I did the whole deal this weekend from picking to selling while Darin was out of town - pretty darn fun and all the free veggies we can eat.  Well, at least the ones that don't sell!

Loving the interaction happening on Twitter For Food!  I've met SO many heroes in the the hunger aid world.  August 1st, we're working on taking twitterforfood offline and doing a tweet-up food drive here in SLO.  Hopefully others will happen all across the country.  Very rewarding stuff personally!  If you want to help locally with a tweet-up food drive or just want info about what's going on email me at: twitterforfood@gmail.com

Still volunteering with SLO Green Build as their social media guy and just got asked to help a local candidate with his online presence during election time.

Still have some time to help you or your company figure out what works best, both online and offline, to attract, keep and delight your customers.  Give me a call at 805-544-7169 or e-mail me at tblair@enklings.com.

Simply,

Tim

Holy Roller by Julie Lyons

Holy Roller by Julie Lyons

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
Wow, here's an unexpected book, Holy Roller really surprised me. Having grown up in a pretty conservative household and attended, for the last quarter century, a very conservative evangelical Church, I have had little contact with the Pentecostal movement. I did join a Nazarene Church when I was in High School, but that was more about a girl than the denomination. : ) Though I don't really consider myself a staunch evangelical or conservative now, I certainly felt that foundation factor while reading this book!

Julie Lyons does a masterful job of engaging the reader in the fascinating story of her own life as a white, evangelical who joins a black pentecostal Church in South Dallas to, at first, get a story, but ultimately to belong. There are beautiful and funny moments in the book about her challenges adapting to the culture. Ultimately the result of her adaptation was really a life change for her, her husband and her son.

Some of the things that happen in and around this Holy Roller Church are foreign to me, so I really appreciated her candor and honesty regarding the gifts of the Spirit and practices of the Pentecostal Church. It was an enlightening, fun and yet sometimes heartbreaking read. Highly recommended.

Simply,

Tim

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