Lane Joplin

Facebook and Smartphones Don't Want You in a Relationship

2011-10-12T09:32:00.005-05:00

Today I realized Facebook really doesn't want me to ever be in a relationship. Here is why.

It happens like this, I met someone on Sunday, who upon parting ways told me to friend him on Facebook. And that is how it begins.

Facebook you have turned everything into friends. We all know that once you enter the "friend zone" it is hard to become anything more than that. Facebook has setup every possible relationship to fail from the start!

Then there is the important question of "How long do I wait to "friend" the person?" You don't want to do it immediately because then you seem desperate when you're not. Enter the smartphone.

Many people now have smartphones. I am one of them. So the person who said to "friend" them knows you have a smartphone and could friend them immediately which leads to confusion on their end.

So we find a comfortable amount of time to pass and we "friend" them, but we must wait until they accept our "friendship."

What does Facebook do next? They start displaying their family members as "People you may know" because you have friended the person you are interested in. While you might know their family members, you now have the decision of whether or not to friend them. But again there is the uncertainty of, yes, you know the family member and could friend them, but does that scare the person you are interested in?

And thanks to Facebook chat you know whether or not the person is online while you are online. Enter another confusing moment. Do they notice you're online? Do they see you and are having the same thoughts of whether or not to chat with you?

Thank you Facebook and smartphones, you have made relationships more complicated than ever before.

Papa John's Got It Right

2011-08-10T15:24:00.003-05:00

There are many examples of poorly executed 2D barcode campaigns out there. Most of the time, the focus is on these poor examples. However, there are well executed campaigns which never get any of the spotlight.

Let’s change that…

The other day I was at my friends’ house, and we ordered pizza. When we picked it up, I was excited because not only was I very hungry, I was intrigued by what was on the box.

There a barcode on the box, but there was also a reason to scan it. The biggest complaint about barcode campaigns is there is never a reason to scan the code.

Right on the box I had a reason to scan. “What makes Papa John’s better? Scan this code to hear John tell you our Quality story.

Since the documentaries Food Inc and Food Matters, there has been a shift in wanting to know more about our foods’ origins. Papa John’s took note of that and gave consumers the information.

The next biggest complaint I hear about barcodes is the poor experience. This experience was great. I took my phone out, opened the reader, scanned the code and watched the video. Four easy steps.

Of all the barcodes I’ve seen, I will have to give this one an A+!

Why DQ's QR Campaign Failed Me

2011-08-03T15:51:00.004-05:00

This morning I came across an article about Dairy Queen using QR Codes in their fundraising effort this year. I got excited! What I hoped for was to scan the code and be able to donate right from my phone.

That’s not what happened, and it aggravated me.

Many times, when you scan a code you get taken to the standard company site. I wasn’t even taken there! (Frustration level rises.)

Here’s what happened:

I scanned the QR Code.
The screen that came up stated that the code only worked when scanned with a specific reader.
(At this point, I should have given up. But what’s one more free app on my iPhone?)
I download a new reader to my iPhone.
I re-scan the QR Code.
I’m taken to a screen that says, “You have to register or sign in to proceed.”
I abandon the code.

I did abandon the code my first time, but as today progressed, I became interested in how many steps it would take to actually be able to donate. Here’s how it went the second time:
Starting at step 4:

Scan the QR Code
Create an account
Dairy Queen mobile page through Mobio loads
Scroll to find the donate button. (4 links down, by the way)
Loads new page, which again you have to scroll to see the options.
New page loads, once again says I have to register.
This step includes putting my credit card information in. The credit card information isn’t on the Children’s Miracle Network page, but it’s for the reader application.

This is where I stopped. I don’t like using my credit card when it takes me 12 steps to get what I want to accomplish.

Here’s how the process should have went:

Scan code
Donation page loads. Select donation amount.
Enter payment information
Thank you page loads.

Four steps are all that’s needed for a donation campaign. With the Dairy Queen campaign there were three times as many steps.

When designing QR Code campaigns, you must think about your user. How many steps can you have before you start losing their attention? The most important step in any campaign is to test it. Have others outside your team use the code. Watch them through the process. If they struggle, then change the process.

As with everything KISS.

QR code is to 2D barcode as Kleenex is to tissue?

2011-07-15T13:57:00.007-05:00

As products begin to penetrate the marketplace, there comes a point with some products that a specific name dominates. For example, Kleenex tissue. Kleenex is a specific type of tissue, but when you need to blow your nose you typically ask for a Kleenex and not a tissue.

Sometimes it depends on the location you are in as to what name takes over. When traveling in the southern part of the United States and ordering a soda, you may ask for a coke. Many times the waiter/waitress will ask “What kind?” While in northern parts of the country you will receive a Coca-Cola. Coke in the south is equivalent to soda and not a specific brand.

This is starting to happen in the 2D barcode marketplace. There are many different types of 2D barcodes. Some barcodes are proprietary and are specific to products from that company and only work with the company’s barcode reader.

Take a look at the barcodes below*:

These barcodes have one thing in common, and that is they are 2D barcodes. But many would call them QR codes.

Recently, there has been a transition to calling all 2D barcodes QR codes. One prominent example of this is the recent news article about a man getting a “QR code” tattooed on his chest.

In an article on 2d-code.co.uk, the tattoo artist, Karl, said the tattoo was not a QR code but an EZ code which would hold up better through the years as the tattoo fades.

When the news article broke almost every online tech site had a story about the tattoo and called it a QR code. Was this the final push needed to make QR codes the generic name for all 2D barcodes? I believe it was.

A lot of time has been spent educating people what 2D barcodes are. As marketers continue to grow their use of 2D barcodes in advertising, I believe the term QR codes will be used more than 2D barcodes. I say this primarily because 1D barcodes are known as barcodes. Introducing a new type of barcode with a different purpose and essentially naming it barcodes 2.0 was not going to with stand the tests of time.

Two-D barcodes look very similar, with the exception of some proprietary codes such as Microsoft Tag. Since there isn’t a differentiating look to them they will merge into the one name. While fundamentally they are 2D barcodes, pretty soon everyone will know 2D barcodes as QR codes.

_______

*These barcodes were chosen at random through a Google search.

Tipping Point: Mobile Barcodes

2011-07-12T09:45:00.003-05:00

With any new product or service there is a tipping point. A tipping point when it takes off. Before the tipping point, many people will say the product or service will not take off. They say it will die off. Some will even ask what the point of supporting the product since it’s not going to take off.

Depending on location, different products will tip and others won’t. Let’s take Groupon for example. Groupon each day features a coupon for a discounted service or product. Each day the coupon has a tipping point. Groupon calls this tipping point “on.” Sometimes the deal tips quickly and other times it does not.

Once the deal tips, it takes off. In 2010, on average there were 543 sales per groupon daily. When the deal tips, many more people rush and buy. However, there are times when a product is dependent on another product tipping before it tips. Two dimensional barcodes are an example.

For 2D barcodes to tip, they are dependent on smartphones tipping first.

2D barcodes originated in Japan in 1993. Japan had a greater number of smartphones the past several years than the United States. Since Japan reached the tipping point of smartphones, 2D barcodes were able to tip quicker there than they have been in the US.
Smartphones are now starting to permeate the mobile phone market in the US. Over the past three months 55% of mobile consumers purchased a smartphone. For the first time, smartphones have overtaken feature phones in sales.

With smartphones now being sold more than feature phones, I believe we have reached the tipping point of smartphones and soon will see 2D barcodes take off.

The tipping point of a product coincides with the product life cycle.

When the product hits the maturity stage, it begins to tip. 2D barcodes are still in their growth but will shortly mature.

Even though Google ended its support for support for QR codes in Google Places in March, Google made a move this week back into 2D barcodes with acquiring Punchd.As Google moves back into the mobile barcode arena will this cause an increase in 2D barcodes? I believe so.

There are even cities becoming coded. Asheville, North Carolina is making a move to get every business a mobile barcode.

My suggestion, don’t wait until everyone is doing it to get on board. Start now so you will be prepared and ahead of the curve. When creating your mobile barcode, make sure you have mobile content to send your user to. Websites are complex enough when looking at them on a computer. Don’t make your consumer view your website on a screen that is less than a quarter the size.

Social Media is more than updates

2011-01-05T11:47:00.003-06:00

Many believe posting updates to Facebook and Twitter is Social Media. If this is true then traditional broadcasting would still be just as effective. We no longer want one to many communications. We crave engagement.

This crave for engagement might be because we are becoming more connected online causing our real life connections to become less.

When we become connected online we begin to create a community.

Dictionary.com define community as

a social, religious, occupational, or other group sharing common characteristics or interests and perceived or perceiving itself as distinct in some respect from the larger society within which it exists

Community is what makes Social Media successful. While some follow Kanye West on Twitter for his amusing tweets and others "Like" brands on Facebook for their coupons, the successful brands are ones who listen and contribute.

For example, Oreo runs weekly campaigns on Facebook for their Fan of the week. Once the fan is chosen their picture appears in the Fan Page Profile icon.

Then there are those who don't respond to consumers or are defensive and negative. These tend to harm the community.

For example, in March 2010 Nestle came under attack on their Facebook page for using Palm Oil from a company which harvests in rain forests of endangered animals. The administrators for the page caused arguments and frustrated users trying to voice their opinions.

So how should you approach Social Media? The same way you approach the communities you are a part of offline.

Listen - You have twice as many ears as mouths for a reason. Listen first, then speak.
Think - Sometimes I wish the distance from our brains to our mouths were further. Maybe then we'd remember to think before we spoke.
Contribute - Add to the conversation and be helpful. Don't be defensive. Accept that you might be wrong and be open to other opinions.

50 List: Ride in a Limo

2010-10-25T20:08:00.003-05:00

I've always thought it would be amazing to ride in a limo. Many of my friends were able to ride in a limo to prom or other high school dances, but I never had that chance.

I thought maybe I would ride in a limo for the first time to my wedding. However, this past week I was able to ride in a limo for the first time! I was in Vegas for a conference. I met several friends at the airport and we split a limo from the airport to the hotel. We had a blast!!

I can't wait until the next time I get to ride in a limo!

How one bad campaign can ruin you forever

2010-09-10T13:10:00.001-05:00

Recently, GameRadar.com posted an article about The 8 Most Embarrassing Ads For Gaming Colleges. Out of the 8, our university as well as 3 of our competitors made the list. In the first paragraph they insult gaming schools by saying, "Video game design is the new gun repair, a cash-grabbing "live your dreams" scam which takes urges that really shouldn't be encouraged and convinces people who watch daytime TV that, despite what they're doing at that moment, that they could have a career."

Many students who graduate go on to work for companies such as Blizzard, THQ, Rainbow Studios and more.

But let's move past that...

These ad campaigns are several years old. The latest date for ours that we have come up with is 2006. A lot of things change in 4 years, including how colleges advertise.

The article goes on to personally attack people who were "quoted" in the ads without a full understanding. Unfortunately, sometimes marketing companies do stupid things such as making up a quote and attributing it to someone who never said it. Did you ever think that things happen in someone's life that cause them to change career paths?

So a word of advice for colleges and universities, your campaigns never die with the internet now. When you end a campaign that was bad it could possibly come back years later to haunt you.

Packaging: Create something worth keeping

2010-06-07T22:43:00.008-05:00

I recently purchased a new running accessory. For anyone who knows me, I'm a little obsessed with my running gear. All my running shoes and socks are Nike. It takes me a good month to choose a new pair of running shoes even when they are the same style and make. It took me 3 months of trying on shorts to buy new running shorts.

So it should be no surprise that it took about 6 months to choose a ID to wear while running just in case of an emergency.

After doing some research and finding a coupon code, I decided upon RoadID ShoeID. But this isn't about the fact that I bought an ID. This is about the commitment from RoadID.

It is rare for me to really be stunned by a product shipped to me that I ordered online. This one stunned me.

RoadID takes the time to make sure the package is unique to them. I expected to receive a brown box like all other shipments, but instead I received this:

The back of the package explains how RoadID came about, and thanks you for purchasing.

There's even some humor at the top:

Once you open the package you find a brochure of their other products, coupons and a comic depicting the run that caused the creation RoadID:

How are you packaging your product? Have you found a creative way to get your consumers to share it with others? You have to send your product in something, why not use it as another touch to reinforce your brand.

I received my RoadID about 2 weeks ago, and I still have the packaging to show friends. Is your package worth keeping?

**If anyone is interested in purchasing a RoadID, I have a few coupon codes I can share. Leave a comment and I will give it to you.

Students are addicted to information

2010-04-22T14:40:00.003-05:00

The ICMPA out of the University of Maryland released results from their study of students and media today. I came across the study this morning when I saw a headline of "College Students' Dependence of Social Media is akin to an Addiction." The first few places I read about the study said this "addiction" was like a drug addiction. Most places quoting this study, focus on just the Social Media aspect of the study.

When I was reading the study I found not only did they ask students to go with out Social Media, but they asked student to go completely media free! The research team identified 8 sources of media to avoid. These include email, text messaging, phone, iPod/Radio, Facebook, television, internet, and print (Newspaper and magazines). Basically, anything that can deliver a message.

It surprises me people are surprised that students had an issue with this. Yes, students will have an issue with this because we just sent them back pre 1700s for 24 hours.

Imagine for a moment trying to find a friend to go to lunch with. Now you have to get in your car with the radio off avoiding all billboards on the highway to get to a friend's house to see if they are there just to ask if they want to go to lunch.

In the video of the research presentation, one of the speakers said it best. "It's not the syringe one's addicted to, it's what inside." Students have the need for information no matter what the channel is to get it.

You can see video of the research presentation here (skip to about min. 10)

Is technology putting children ahead of the curve?

2010-02-04T14:15:00.003-06:00

After church last night, I was talking with a few friends when my friend's two year old, soon to be three, son, Drew, came up showing off pictures someone had pulled up on their phone. He kept asking his mom for her phone so he could see more pictures. I pulled out my iPhone because I had a picture of Drew and his friend Noah from a few weeks ago. Drew right away knew how to push the pictures to get to the next one. He's not even three yet!!

Today when I was browsing Mashable, I came across the new Sesame Street iPhone app, Elmo's Monster Maker. The article included a brief video of Elmo showing how to create a monster.

So how do these to things relate?

Technology is becoming simpler and simpler that children as young as two, if not younger, are able to use. But do they understand what they are using? And what are the implications of children adapting to technology at such a young age?

Children know how to navigate their parents cell phones, how to use computers and how to program the DVR to record their cartoon shows. Are schools able to keep up with the technology to provide children everything they need to make learning interesting? Or will we be able to "unplug" children long enough to memorize their multiplication tables?

I guess my main issue/question is: are children ahead or behind the curve intellectually because of technology?

I would love to hear your input!

Can we unplug the digital nation?

2010-02-03T10:08:00.002-06:00

When I was in college, there were several specials we watched in class. We watched Still Killing Us Softly twice, we watched several specials about advertising, we watched Growing Up Online and many more.

Growing Up Online was one that struck me the most. The majority of my life I have been in one way or another around computers and technology. I was not 100% immersed in it like the sixteen year olds today are. I remember having an old Apple computer we had to write prompts to play until about kindergarten.

The biggest turning point for me with technology and the internet was probably around third grade. For Christmas we opened a new color computer, and our parents bought AOL dialup connection for us.

Yesterday PBS aired a followup on Growing Up Online called Digital Nation.

Digital Nation is about how everyone is wired in. People are always using a phone, an mp3 player, a GPS or a computer. The time people spend away from technology is shrinking and soon might only be the time we are sleeping. Which that might not even be possible seeing how I have sleep texted before, and I have a few friends who have as well.

I started thinking about how if we unplugged for just a little longer during the day we could perform better at what we are doing. For example, volleyball practice. I help coach two different volleyball teams. Each practice the girls walk in while texting, listening to music or talking on the phone.

First of all, why a fourth grader has a cell phone blows my mind. I didn't have one until I was 17.

What if there was a buffer in place on each side of practice? Ten minutes prior to practice all electronic devices should be turned off and would stay off and out of sight until five minutes after practice. The girls would then only have volleyball to worry about instead of who is texting me.

Now how can we apply this?

Unplug at night. I know it can be hard. I have tried my best to make sure when I get home to leave my computer stowed away until the morning or only use it for no longer than 30 minutes a night. This has caused me to find other things to do in the evenings. But the hardest part is having an iPhone. I can jump on my phone and do almost everything I could do on my computer.

Buffer your morning. This is by far the hardest for me. Don't use your computer or phone until a specific time. Since I love sleeping, when my alarm goes off for the fifth or sixth time in the morning I usually check all my email from my phone before getting up.

Try this for a few days and see what happens. See how much extra time you find in your day that you think you are missing. Those extra 5-7 hours you want to put into the day you might find.

Are you using the right SM station to broadcast your message?

2009-11-20T19:59:00.005-06:00

The past few months there has been debates about linking Twitter with Facebook. With the introduction of Twitter to LinkedIn updates, I'm sure the debate will continue. Here's something to keep in mind:

Social Media is like television stations.

Think about that for a moment or two. When you're watching TV there are certain channels that appeal to different demographics, but there is some overlap.

Let's take the news for example. Fox, CBS, NBC, CNN all can have a different take on a story, people will tune into the station they feel best suits them. Or they will change stations to get a different perspective on the story.

The same is true with Social Media. While there is overlap from Facebook to Twitter to LinkedIn people use each for a different purposes and perspectives. The university might have similar audiences across channels, but they tune into each for different reasons.

While you can send out the same core message on each platform about an event or announcement change the messaging to fit the audience.

There is a reason we have so many news stations and there is a reason we have so many Social Media sites. Utilize them to their fullest.

Where are the two missing sides of the HighEdWeb Keynote situation?

2009-11-20T16:36:00.006-06:00

Last week, over a month after the event, The Chronicle came out with an article about the David Galper Keynote from the HighEdWeb Conference in Milwaukee. After about forty comments, The Chronicle posted a follow-up article. Comments on both articles represented two sides of the situation, those who attended the conference and those who didn't.

Those who did not attend the keynote took the stance the Twitter Back Channel virtually "lynched" Galper, and the Tweeters like "hyenas" wanting blood. For the attendees, they reasoned what happened and attempted to give their side of the situation. But there are two perspectives of this story that have yet to be shown, the perspective of the HighEdWeb Association and the perspective of Galper himself.

The past five or so days, I have tried to contact Galper through everything short of calling him. I'm not one to just cold call someone, especially in this situation where I was in attendance at this particular keynote. I reached out to him via LinkedIn,

Hi David, I attended a conference you spoke at this year and would like to speak with you further about it. Please add me to your network.

I have yet to hear back from him. I disclosed the fact that I was in attendance at a presentation he gave because I did not want him to feel as if this was a bait and switch or that I was trying to harass him.

After doing some more searching, I went to the HighEdWeb site to see if his presentation was available there because he put all of his contact information on his last slide. It was not. I was informed by a HighEdWeb representative that the keynote presentations are the intellectual property of the presenter and they were not asked to let the association put it online.

Okay so what to do next? I asked for his email. No one on Twitter seemed to have it. So I asked HighEdWeb and was informed they would not give it out because they were trying to do what's right from the association perspective.

I have yet to ask anyone one from the HighEdWeb Committee for their opinion on this. After a few direct messages on Twitter with a couple, I'm not sure they would really have much to say on it, in the interest of the association.

Update: I missed this post. It does give some insight to the HighEdWeb perspective.

So will we ever see these two missing perspectives? I would enjoying hearing what they have to say. I think it would make this conversation come full circle.

Get Your Audience to Make the Decisions You Want

2009-11-12T19:44:00.008-06:00

Another conference come and gone. SIM Tech 09 was just as good as HighEdWeb. Great people doing great things with not so great amount of money. There was so much information going back and forth that it was hard at times to absorb it all.

But, during presentations something small would be said and it would trigger a line of thoughts and tweets that would get attendees to collaborate on an issue. Or something would be said that would trigger and "ah ha" moment. Many times these "ah ha" moments were just clarifying and reinforcing what we already knew.

One of the biggest take aways was:

Create great usable content that will drive your audiences to the predetermined goals you wish them to get to through the tools that target them.

What does this mean?

Content, Content, Content. Create content that is engaging and of use to the audience. Draw them in and make the call to action. After you draw your audience in, give them the option for the outcome you have decided you want them make. But don't broadcast your message everywhere.

Do your research and find out where your audience is.

There are reasons why certain television shows are aired on certain stations. While there is some over lap in audience, different demographics go to different places. If you think about Websites, Blogs, Facebook, Twitter, etc. as different television stations you'll start to see the that each is geared towards different audiences.

Make them make the choice you want them to. Don't send someone to buy milk in the chip aisle.

No matter what tool we use, we want our audience to do something. Unfortunately, there are so many options for them to take they miss the one thing we want them to do. If you send someone to a landing page to request information, don't give them 20+ options to navigate from the page. If you want someone to apply, don't bury the info 3+ links into your website.

So what can you do?

Re-evaluate your tools. Are you broadcasting on the right channels? Make sure your audience is making the choices which align with the goals you have set forth for them

Girls under Trees says "American"

2009-10-14T19:45:00.007-05:00

Last week at #heweb09, I sat in on a presentation by Mark Heiman of Carleton College. Mark spoke about what they found high school Juniors were liking and looking for on college websites. One thing he noted was pictures of people under trees were more of a turn off than pictures of buildings. We came to know this as "Girls Under Trees."

Today I came across this website and tweeted "People under trees!! Ack!"

I thought I might get a few response from those who attend #heweb09, but to my surprise Wassan Humadi responded with an intriguing view point.

I never thought about it this way before. "American College" stereotype is not conveyed to me through pictures of people under trees. This opened up a great conversation. Wassan pointed out that we see the same things over and over. They seem staged. To me, staged pictures are an issue. If we could make pictures of people under trees seem more real there wouldn't be as big of an issue for me. To a 17 year old new to the college search process, they all look new. Each seems unique.

I haven't been very involved in, well "not very involved" actually means I haven't had anything to do with, international recruiting, yet. So I wonder what would say "American College" more than people under trees. Here in Arizona would people under cacti be just as "American" as "people under trees?" Come to find out, the changing of colors of the trees is the part that makes it seem more American.

Wassan also noted that "multicultural pics" of kids sitting around is the biggest turnoff.

So to us, we see people under trees as a complete turn off while international students see multicultural pictures a complete turn off.

Before you go changing all the pictures on your website, take into consideration who you want to market to the most. Are you wanting to increase your international student base? Maybe you ought to keep the "people under trees." Or you could just take time to better develop your international pages.

Out of all of this, take into consideration your international market. Your "Girls under trees" might be the deciding factor for a student.

HighEdWeb09 Recap

2009-10-14T11:31:00.001-05:00

After about 10 months of trying to attend a conference for higher education professionals, I was finally able to convince my boss to let me attend one. I am very excited it was the HighEdWeb09 Conference.

I work each day with people across the country. The willingness to share ideas and help each other is the backbone of our community. It was this that made the conference such a success.

Some of us came having only met a few others, who were attending, in real life prior to this week. Others came never having met one. But we knew we would finally meet the person behind the avatar.

As a n00b to the higher education arena, I was prepared to meet meet meet people. What I didn’t expect were the number of people who knew who I was and were wanting to meet the Lane of #lanesintown and the Lane of #pancaketweetup for the first time.

The sessions were great! The presenters studied and prepared for us to ask questions on how they did what they did.

We came together as a community to tweckel a presenter and to help a friend in need.

The keynote will go down in the history of HighEdWeb, as a turning point in how presenters need to be aware of who their audience is and the power of a multitude.

After a computer was stolen from a session room, we were able to raise enough money in less than 24 hours to replace the computer.

Of all the conferences I’ve missed, missing this one would have been a huge mistake.

I'll see your photo challenge and raise you...

2009-09-08T14:10:00.005-05:00

Last week was the first week having new students on campus. In an attempt to direct students to our Facebook Fan Page to interact with each other, we launched a photo challenge during our orientation program.

The challenge:

The team who uploads the most photos to our Facebook Fan Page by 2pm on Friday will receive an award at the awards presentation Friday.
Also the team who uploads the most interesting photo will receive an award Friday.

Before we announced this to the teams, we made sure all the group leaders were aware of what we were doing to make sure they encouraged their team to participate.

There were a few other rules we gave teams on the first day.

Duplicates do not count
Only photos that have the team name in the description or tagged will count

**Note to self: add a few more rules next year.

The Stats:

After lunch I checked to see how everything was going. About five hours into the challenge we had 20 new fans, 84 photos uploaded and links to 343 more photos.

At the end of day one we were at:

30 new fans
216 photos
343 more photos linked to

Awesome!

Day Two stats:

50 new fans
1053 photos
370 more photos linked to

1053 photos??? Yes that number is correct.

Day Three Stats:

59 new fans
3300 photos uploaded
5000 more photos lined to

However, after you take away the duplicates and pictures that can't be made out, we had approximately 2800 photos uploaded.

One student posted a non statistical breakdown on the photos:
Although not 100% accurate at times it seemed like it was.

The Unexpected:

I was leading an orientation group. Our first activity was to check out a camera from the library, take a group picture and upload it to the Facebook Fan Page. What?! No one told me there were going to be activities having us upload things to the Fan Page. There were two activities to earn points that involved the Fan Page. Great Idea! Just wish I could have had a heads up.
5000+ pictures! Let me say here I truly only expected between 500-800 photos.
One of our staff members put together a small contest to help with the "Most Interesting" Photo contest. This is what came of it.

Where we messed up...

I guess duplicate means one thing to one person and another to a freshman college student. The most common photo series uploaded where ones of rapid fire photos going around the room that should have been stitched together in Photoshop and then uploaded. At one point we had a group leader hang his camera around his neck and set it to go off every 5 seconds.

Also, we need to state what is classified as a photo. To me, it is clear enough to make out what is happening in the photo and is not of walls, skies and railings unless the walls, skies and railings help tell a story of what happened.

Success?
All in all I believe this was a success. Since the end of the contest, we have had more activity on our Page. However, we will not find out if it was a true success in getting students to come to our Fan Page to interact until later in the year.

(Checkout other great examples of Social Media use in HigherEd at .eduGuru)

So you want to make a Facebook group?

2009-08-23T17:55:00.004-05:00

There is one major thing that bothers me about Facebook groups, when they are abandoned. Time and time again, I do a search for a group and see that it hasn't been updated or posted on in the last 3+months. It is because no one thought about goals and conversations.

Over the past few weeks, several people have approached me wanting advise on starting a Facebook group. It's great to see everyone finally acknowledging students and alumni are on Facebook, but my response is always "Don't!....yet."

A few of you are thinking I'm crazy, but let me explain. 99% of the time they haven't thought through what it will take in making and maintaining a group.

I ask them a few questions before I let them run out and create a group:

What are your goals for it?
Is there a conversation you can create?
Do you have time?
Are you going to keep it up?

After I ask about goals, the conversation usually ends, but isn't this where the conversation should begin? Even if your goal is to bring people together, it's still a goal.

The conversation you plan on creating is the most important part. Working towards the same goal, creating a place where everyone can grow as a community and help each other out. It's like having a meeting without an agenda. No one wants to meet to talk about nothing or have every person talking about different random things that are not connected.

This brings us to time and keeping it up. They go hand in hand. Maintaining the group or page means taking the time to answer questions and build relationships.

Next time you are approached with someone wanting to create a Facebook group, make sure they at least have a goal and understand there is a time commitment to what they create. To me there is no bigger let down than joining a group or a page to find out in a few weeks there really was no reason to join.

Facebook groups with created and used correctly will build a community for everyone to gain from.

8 Months in Review

2009-08-09T18:13:00.002-05:00

In January I took my new position within the University as the Digital Strategist, as some would say a fancy way of saying I get paid to be on Facebook. But it's much more.

It wasn't long until I ran into my first hurdle and needed some direction and help. I came across a blog post by Rachel Reuben that intrigued me. A few emails later and I was on the phone with her talking about Social Media and the problems I was having. We exchanged Twitter names and within the next hour my network expanded by more than 75 people. Little did I know where this new network would take me.

As a newbie to the community I sat back for a while learning more than I could have ever thought.

A couple months into everything, a breakfast of pancakes turned into so much more. My friend Tim, @timnekritz, asked if he could join my breakfast virtually. Next thing we know it's a #pancaketweetup. March was our first event, and we had between 5-8 people attend in one way or another.

We are now six months into our #pancaketweetups and have grown to 25-30 people with more adding each month. Not only are #pancaketweetups growing virtually, #pancaketweetups in real life are growing as well!

Besides just enjoying pancakes, I have been lucky enough to have a friend overnight me one of the most delicious Jimmy John's sandwiches.

I know, I know there is more to life than food. Which brings me to #lanesintown.

I've never been to New York until last week. Thank goodness I've found some Twitter friends there. I have promised my friends I would come to visit at some point, but never thought it would be so soon. After starting #pancaketweetup with Tim from NY, and getting myself and Jimmy John's from Mark in NY as well, it was time to pay them a visit.

A friendly visit turned into a weekend event of tweetups, #pancaketweetupirl and meeting of wonderful friends outside of the twitter realm.

So what can you do with Twitter? A lot!!! Thank you everyone who has helped and/or participated in #pancaketweetup, #lanesintown and my Jimmy John's sandwich.

Rock On!!

My Dream "Intervention"

2009-07-15T17:26:00.003-05:00

Last night I broke up with my boyfriend of 6ish months. (aww...I know) But it was for the best. The relationship just wasn't fair to either of us because we both wanted different things. It had been coming for a couple weeks, I just needed to say it was over.

The strange part was the dream I had later.

In the dream, I believe, I had just broken up with this guy. I knew he wasn't the right one for me, and I guess many people around me knew he wasn't the right one. A group of ladies from my church had formed some sort of "intervention."

I don't really remember who all was there, but the one person I remember, kinda led the "intervention." I don't know a lot about her because we haven't spent a lot of time together, but she is pretty cool and fun to be around.

Michelle had written out several reason why I needed to end my relationship. As she started, I informed her I ended the relationship earlier that night. So in turn she made create a list of all the qualities and things I was looking for in a relationship. From there, the married women would look it over and give me insights and feed back on it.

Then I woke up. I think I created the list in my dreams, but I'm not 100% sure.

I kinda want to say thank you to her. But I think it would be weird to say I respect your opinion, and my subconsciousness had created situations for you to give me advice.

Oh well. If I never tell you, Thanks!

Rock on,
Lane J

Life is like Interval Training

2009-07-09T11:38:00.002-05:00

As a runner, I have several different types of runs. There's the long run, the short run, the speed workout, and interval training. Lately, I've been focusing on the short run because I've been lazy. That's beside the point though.

During interval training, you pick a distance, usually a 1/4 mile, and you run that as fast as you can. Once you run the 1/4 mile, you recover for a few seconds, catch your breathe and repeat. The point of interval training is to improve your endurance.

Life works the same. You work 5 days a week doing the same thing week after week with no recovery. Yes, I know there's weekends for that. But what did you do last weekend, and the weekend before and the weekend before that? Chances are you did the same thing.

Even if you're not going as fast as you can week after week, you get tired. And you will at some point need a recovery.

Hello Vacation!!!

I've been working full time for a little over a year now. I take off on holidays. On Christmas and Thanksgiving I went home to visit but just long enough for the holiday.

This past weekend I went home and spent 5 days in St. Louis. 5 days? I know it doesn't seem like a lot. But when you keep yourself busy in things other than sitting around the house it makes for a very refreshing time.

Remember even the best need a time to recover! Take a weekend and go somewhere fun!

~Lane

Sometimes you just hit a wall

2009-05-26T10:15:00.002-05:00

When you get into a habit of doing the same thing over and over, you dig a rut deeper and deeper and eventually you hit a wall. You might not hit the wall until your rut is so deep that you hit the Great Wall of China, but you will hit a wall.

With the changes in Social Media happening daily, you can no longer do the same thing you were 6 months ago. If you are, your results will plateau. The steady climb you may have been seeing over the past 3 weeks may abruptly stop or slow to minimal numbers.

In order to break through this wall you need to mix it up a little. Add a new interactive feature to your website. Try different types of links on your Facebook fan page. What about a mashup somewhere?

Just adding something new will help break through the wall. Change something up if you think you are heading towards a wall. It will be easier to change it now than once you hit the wall.

Today's Battle: Blog vs. Twitter

2009-05-11T15:55:00.002-05:00

Today's winner is Twitter.

In honor of my tweet today, I have replaced this post with my twitter feed.

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Enjoy!

How to Get a Jimmy John's Sandwich in PHX

2009-05-05T18:23:00.008-05:00

It started with a simple craving, and a plead for someone to eat a Jimmy John's Pepe for me. This craving turned into a $42+ sandwich.

For some unknown reason, Jimmy John's has not allowed franchises in the Phoenix area yet. Not having a JJ's nearby causes problems for anyone who loves their deliciousness. The yummy warm bread, the sauce, the cucumbers, the...Wait! I digress.

Knowing that someone out in Twitterville would help me out, I put my precious desire in the Twitter gods hands not knowing who would be able to help me out.

Not even 5 minutes later I received this in my inbox:

I knew the Twitter gods would come through!!!

With a little creative thinking, @mhaithaca did some research to see how to best pack the JJ's Pepe sandwich to get it to Phoenix and it still taste amazing. After several IMs and tweets, my JJ's sandwich was in the mail. Now all I could do was wait, wait, and wait.

I'm sure you all think I'm crazy by this point, @mhaithaca sure did, but that didn't stop me.

Around 10am on Wednesday, over 15hrs and 100's of website refreshes later, the FedEx Website said my sandwich had arrived. However, it wasn't at the front desk!! Panic! Did I just pay (well still need to send the check, sorry @mhaithaca. The check's coming!) for a sandwich I will never see?

Where else does FedEd deliver? Student Support Desk! Nope not there either.

The Bookstore?! Yes, it's there. My sweet, delicious sandwich had arrived!! Off to eat it!

However, whoever packaged it wanted me to work for it. Or maybe they wanted to make sure all the wonderful smells were kept inside.

Five + minutes later I finally got the package openned.

More to open?

Okay by this point I'm ready to eat through everything! I guess it's alright. At least nothing was soggy.

No one said "Some Assembly Required!"

Once everything was together it was time to enjoy! And was it good! It has been about 2 months since I had a JJ's. The extra 15+ hours was worth the wait.

Yes, everyone at work thinks I'm crazy for this. However, it goes to show the relationships you build online are priceless. I can gurantee that my family and friends in St. Louis would never have gone through this to get me a sandwich.

Huge thanks again to @mhaithaca! You will be the one I visit if/when I make it to New York!

Rock on,
Lane J

Why I almost quit Facebook

2009-04-22T19:02:00.002-05:00

All the statistics that have came out recently have shown that increase in Facebook users 35 and older. No big deal. I just keep my profile security pretty tight. It is hard for people to find me. Usually, I have to request for someone to be my friend.

The other night I was at a gift exchange with some ladies from church. It was a lot of fun. But at one point, the hostess pull out the camera, snapped a few pictures and the yelled "I'm tagging you all on my Facebook."

I guess to get a better idea of this I need to explain the group of people. I single-handedly brought the average age down by at least 5 years. Out of 27 women, eight of us do not have grandchildren.

The hostess was the age of my grandmother. I'm finally getting over the fact that my mother is on Facebook and now I find out people my grandmothers age are on Facebook! What on earth is happening?

...and Now there's CampusBuddy?

2009-04-03T17:07:00.004-05:00

Facebook √, MySpace √, Twitter √, YouTube √, CampusBuddy __

Wait! What on earth is CampusBuddy?

Good Question.

Campusbuddy.com is a partnership between Campus Buddy Inc and Facebook. In October 2008, the two announced their partnership to help students choose classes and meet classmates.

Now almost 6 months later I come across it. I did some searching to see what other universities are doing with it. The first few search are of universities I have friends/tweeps working for.

Quick run down of the number of users for them (in no particular order):

SUNY Oswego: 2
SUNY New Paltz: 1
Butler University: 1
University of Advancing Technology: 1
Lindenwood University: 1 (this is me, the only one for my Alma mater)

No too many users. Now for a few in the Phoenix area (again in no particular order):

Arizona State University: 1440
University of Arizona: 92
Northern Arizona State: 34
Grand Canyon University: 0

Ok, so who gave ASU, UofA and NAU students the heads up? Not that it's a big deal.

Here's my thing, all the information on the site is generated by students. "Woo, that's a good thing," you're saying. (See I can read your minds.) Content included on CampusBuddy includes grades.

Who is completely honest with their grades, unless they truly have a 4.0GPA. Perfect example, percent of F's fro ASU=0%. I have a very good feeling that's incorrect. I think the only grade from college that I let people know is my "F" in Shakespeare. (Sorry Shakes you failed me just as much as I failed you.) On this student forum, students argue the accuracy of the grades and GPAs.

How are we to keep an eye on this as it grows? Since it is run by students, we as institutions have no say in editing the information. For the time being, we should observe and see how it begins to evolve. Those students on now are the early adaptors. I guess it's up to them to see if it will sink or swim.

What's your opinion of this? Hands off? Monitor? Let it go to the wayside?

Rock on,
Lane J

Today's Path: "See a Laker's Game"

2009-03-09T20:06:00.002-05:00

So I should have written this a week ago, but at least I'm writing it.

Last Sunday, I was able to go see the Lakers play. Since about 7th grade I have loved the Lakers. Not sure why. Maybe it was because St. Louis decided to have every other sports team BUT a basketball one!!! (No, I'm not bitter).

I would have loved to see the Lakers play in L.A., but beggars can't be choosers. The Lakers were in town playing the Suns. Unfortunately, until this past Tuesday I didn't own any Lakers attire (thanks for the shirt Mer) so I couldn't represent my team.

The game was great! Close the entire game. Up until the last 25 seconds of the game, I honestly believed the Lakers could win. But I guess the Suns put something in their water, and they lost.

I enjoyed the game, I am thankful for Nancy and Glenn letting me have one of their tickets!

Rock on,
Lane J

Social Media Takes on a Pancake Breakfast

2009-03-06T16:34:00.003-06:00

How do you try and host breakfast for all of your friends? I mean ALL of your friends. It's simple really. You make pancakes Saturday March 7th at 10:30am EST and you post them all over social networks (Twitter, Facebook, MySpace, Blogs and Beyond).

It started by just my small breakfast club of 4 people. I was responsible for making blueberry pancakes last Sunday, but I couldn't figure out how to get the rest of my friends involved. Yes, my friends extend past the few people here in Phoenix.

@TimNekritz decided he wanted to join us but the @BlueFuego jet was being used by the Prime Minister of Togo leaving @TimNekritz no way to get to Phoenix. So with a little magic we made it happen. The best way to share pancakes with all of your friends...Virtually!

So this tomorrow morning when your making breakfast (no it doesn't have to be pancakes @RachelReuben but it would be nice if they were), take pictures and videos, tweet and blog about it. Real time would be amazing. I think I might get out the video cam and stream mine on Ustream.

Yes, I know if might be early for you West Coasters, but I have to work at 9:30am tomorrow. We almost made it 9:30am EST.

Don't forget your hashtag (#pancaketweetup) when uploading and twittering.

Can't wait to see everyone's breakfast tomorrow!

Rock on,
~Lane J

Boost Mobile - Who Gave the Green Light?

2009-02-20T11:25:00.002-06:00

A couple nights ago, I was watching television, and it seemed like every commercial break the Boost Mobile Unwronged Commercial would air. If you haven’t seen the commercial yet, please watch it…

According to Mobile Marketer, 180LA became the Advertising Agency for Boost in May of 2008. It is said that the new campaign “employs humor to reposition Boost as a carrier that has no unpleasant surprises.”

Boost who used to typically target the younger, hipper market that is into extreme sporting events has now turned to target those feeling the stress of the economy.

However, when I saw the commercial the first, second, third and fourth times (most likely more) on Tuesday, I thought they had completely missed their target in placing this commercial.

Many of us are feeling the effects of the downturned economy. However, a couple riding a tandem bike down the street with the girl’s “gift from mother nature” blowing in the boy’s face did not appeal to me or make me want to switch wireless providers. Am I wrong?

Even though the campaign name is “Unwronged,” I feel wronged by this commercial.

So it comes time when we ask, “Who gave the green light on this campaign and why?”

Rock on,
~Lane J

Free Web Ad Courtesy of MySpace

2009-02-02T20:34:00.002-06:00

Who would have thought the one class that my professor never taught would have been the most helpful class. My Introduction to New Media class my third semester of college. Yes New Media a.k.a. Web 2.0.

What I should have learned: CSS, Web Design, HTML and much much more. Where does this come into play, you ask? Welcome to my new job (I did reference this job in my last post). So what's the solution? Ask lots of questions, read lots of other people's code, and trial and error.

This brings us to my latest excursion in the world of Web 2.0. MySpace. What many people consider dying or dead is a way for a free one page web advertisement.

As much as I love free things, like we all do, the way of out smarting MySpace defeats the purpose it was set up for; Social Networking. There no longer is the interaction of brand with consumer. There is no way for us to respond to what consumers are saying on their forum.

But to get around the MySpace format here's what you need to do:

I used the original MySpace. Don't upgrade. From there create your CSS code. You will also need the code to block the MySpace applications (if you need this shoot me an email and I will get you some code, but this might need to be trial and error on your part too, or do a Google search for div overlays).

From there take your CSS and your MySpace div overlay code and paste it in the "About Me" section. Then you can write your content and paste it in you "General" section. And there you have it. Your customized full page free web advertisement courtesy of MySpace. Enjoy and let me know what you create!

Rock on,
~Lane J

January Check-In

2009-01-29T20:20:00.004-06:00

It's been a while since I blogged. I know I know I need to do a better job at keeping up with this.

I've been quite busy the past few weeks. I've been learning CSS and more HTML coding, learning the ins and outs of MySpace, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Zinch and all my other choices for Social Media. Who would have known so much was out there?

But there's more going on still beside Social Media for me. There was the PF Chang's Rock 'n' Roll Marathon where I helped my friend out. There is the amazing Arizona Cardinals who made it to the Super Bowl. There was my decision to train for the IMS Half Marathon on February 15th. I think that is about it.

I guess I will check in in about another 2 weeks. Hopefully sooner!

Rock on,
Lane J

Facebook Fiasco Turned Good

2009-01-13T17:48:00.004-06:00

For the past month, I have been working with my university's Facebook (FB) account. Someone had set it up before I took over. I was trying to update the information and keep it updated.

Last Friday I sent an email to Facebook because I was trying to set up a Fan Page for the University and was having issues putting something together.

Monday night, the last email of the day was from Facebook. We had violated a term of service with the profile we had.

Per our Terms of Use, Facebook profiles must represent a single individual. Users are not permitted to maintain an account under an organization's name, or use personal accounts primarily to promote themselves professionally.

With this, our entire profile was locked and almost everything was lost. Before having lost our profile, I had started working on a Fan Page to be launch the same time our latest marketing pieces hit mailboxes.

By the generosity of Carly at Facebook, they were going to move the Fan Page to my personal account. We had also found a Fan Page that was unauthorized. No one from our university had set it up. Our outside marketing firm had no idea. Hoping my new friend Carly could help, I sent her a quick email seeing if she could take down the unauthorized page and transfer the fans to the new page I had created.

Fingers crossed and Wednesday afternoon, our fan page went from 16 fans to 206 in less than 5 seconds.

In sending an email the ended up closeing what I had worked on building for a month, we were able to condense everything into one page. My Facebook fiascon turned out to be great!

Thanks Carly at Facebook!!!

Rock on,
Lane J

Do nots of Text Messaging.

2009-01-12T21:46:00.003-06:00

My family has never had texting. There was the occasional trial period when we signed new contracts but other than that no.

Since moving out on my own, I have had texting. Recently my family realized it and well now they have texting.

So this brings me to things you shouldn't do when you have text messaging:

Text your daughter during your anniversary dinner
Text your daughter while she is at a playoff game
Text someone telling them you are texting the person across from you.
Text a family member a time zone away to ask them if they are awake at 6am on a Saturday.

Four things I wish you will not do.

Rock on,
Lane J

Another thing I need for Christmas...

2008-12-23T13:47:00.005-06:00

There are 2 things that I can cook, Chicken Enchilada Casserole and Chocolate Chip Cookies. However, both of them require my measuring cups. My 1/4 cup especially.

Yesterday I baked cookies and a Skookie. A few of my friends requested cookies last night before they were done. Sorry couldn't fly them to St. Louis. And for those of you here in Phoenix, you have to come and get them.

The Skookie

Well back to my measuring cup. I try to clean up as I cook. I put things in the dishwasher when I'm finished with them, and I put away ingredient as I go. When the cookies were in the oven, I put my measuring cups in the dishwasher. Put them on the top rack where I always do.

The cookies came out of the oven. I tried a couple. YUM!!!! Then as I was getting ready for bed I turned on the dishwasher.

I was having issues falling asleep last night. So I got up to get some water and noticed an unusual smell. I couldn't figure out what it was. Finally, I realized it had to be something in the dishwasher. It was. My 1/4 cup measuring cup had come loose from the top rack, fell through the bottom rack and landed on the heating element.

When you add a plastic cup to hot metal, you get this:

The Aftermath

If you are still looking to get me something for Christmas, I need a new measuring cup. Or, my friends, if you would like anymore cookies or Chicken Enchilada Casserole, I will need a new measuring cup.

~Lane J

Today's Path: Hope and friends...the only way

2008-12-04T18:13:00.004-06:00

With the economic situation, several people are starting to doubt. Doubt the current. Doubt the future.

Just in case you didn't know...doubting will NOT help! Because when you think nothing can help, there's hope. I have told friends there's hope when it came to sports, family, jobs and much more. As Cicero said,

"While there's life, there's hope."

Hope and friends help us through life. They help us in good times and in bad. As Aristotle once said,

"Without friends no one would choose to live, though he had all other goods."

How true was he is saying this? This is why anytime a friend moves away or leaves, you feel sad. Remember true friends will never forget you. And if someone does forget you, you still have the impact they made on you.

Every person you meet helps in making you you. Whether it be they helped you or made you learn something. Even the bad people you meet, it reassures you you don't want to be like them.

Today take the time and call an old friend. Let them know you remember them and how they helped you or why they are important to you.

Even through the hardships in the economy today, take with you hope and friends.

One last quote for today:

"Many people walk in and out of your life, but only true friends will leave footprints on your heart."

To all my friends, far and near,
~Lane J

Happy Thanksgiving!

2008-12-01T20:06:00.002-06:00

I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving! I decided at last minute to go home and surprise the fam for Thanksgiving. All went well. No one had a heart attack which is always a plus.

Yummy turkey. Occasionally for some reason my family will have ham and no turkey, but this year we had turkey. Mashed tatoes. No green bean casserole this year. =(

All day football. Life is good.

Today's Path: 8 Things I've learned since my last post

2008-11-20T12:09:00.003-06:00

I know I have been a little sporadic with my postings the past few months, but I have come to learn things. These little things have made it interesting and until now haven't really brought interesting ideas for posting.

I have compiled these little things into a list for you. Without further ado...

Drink lots of water to avoid headaches.
Sometimes what seems right feels oh so wrong.
Trust your intuition...it knows what it's talking about.
Indianapolis isn't as bad as Bill says it is
There needs to be a limit on family time
Life doesn't go on pause because you're not there, no matter how much you want it to
Ask because chances are someone else feels the same way
Any stories about skiing and orange juice are hillarious

Hope you enjoyed. I will try and post more often.

Rock on,

Lane J

This so could have happened here

2008-11-17T09:20:00.002-06:00

I was surfing my random stash of blogs I frequent when I came across this entry...

3PM You Must Be from Quba

Enrollment counselor on phone with student: The first letter is I, like "eyeball."

Phoenix, Arizona

Overheard by: Literate Listener
Over Heard in the Office

Not saying that this couldn't happen anywhere else, but the fact it was said by and Enrollment Counselor makes this hilarious to me.

Presidential Election Day 2008

2008-11-04T18:02:00.002-06:00

As I sit here in my hotel room in beautiful Indianapolis, CNN is playing in the background. If anyone didn't know today was the USA Presidential Election, please crawl out from under your rock for the next one in 2012. Unfortunately, I was not able to vote today. I registered on the last day to vote in Arizona, but it was too late for me to absentee vote. I take full responsibility for not getting in in time. I guess I should preface this with: If I would have voted, I would have voted 3rd Party.

Alright my vocal friends, I am going to voice a few opinions here, and I understand you will post your opinions whether you agree or disagree with me. I am fully prepared for it.

I am on the road this week for work which means I am getting the chance to see how others view things. This is great most of the time. But a few things happened today that made me think twice and wonder if I was naive when I was in high school. I remember my senior year of high school was an election year. I was not yet 18, but the guy I was dating was so we both watched the election until midnight seeing what was happening. Today I was at a high school presenting to student on the university for which I work. It was about 50% white. As I was driving off, I passed a car with a young man hanging out the window yelling "Vote right, vote white." WTF? I could keep but wondering if he was following in his parents footsteps.

I also saw several people wearing attire to support different candidates. Are these kids doing their research? Or are they getting their information from SNL or the Daily Show or Facebook? Facebook has become a fighting ground. It has made it easier to voice your opinion without the fear of your peers attacking you face to face. Yesterday and today several of my friends donated their status to candidates. Hello free advertisements.

As a young voter, I don't want to be part of the statistic that says I am part of the largest group to not turn out for elections, however, this year I am. I believe several of my friends feel the same way, but I still question "Do we do our research?"

A Paris Hilton commercial just aired. I thought she was doing okay until the camera pulled out and showed her in a swim suit. Sorry, I guess you still don't have my respect.

I see myself as a middle ground person, not extreme right, not extreme left. But that is all we had this year. No one was close to the middle this year.

Over the next few days we will find out the outcome of today. Whatever the country has decided we will live with for four years. Until we can vote again. One thing to keep in mind, the president only has final say. Congress makes the laws, the president okays it. All these changes to the healthcare system inevitably has to go through Congress. Well we will have to wait and see what will happen. Good Luck and may your candidate win!

Rock on,
Lane J

PS- Go Nader!! (just kidding)

Today's Path: Tag, Can Someone Else Be It?

2008-10-23T19:52:00.006-05:00

It's been a while since I last posted. So I thought I would fill everyone in on the craziness of the past few weeks.

I have finished up training for my job, and then I jumped in head first. I was in Cincinnati with one of my co-workers. After Cincinnati, I went solo in St. Louis. I had presentations everyday. I now appreciate my teachers and professors even more. High school students are crazy! Those who were interested in what I was saying paid attention. Those who weren't interested did everything else.

My luck with flying is now gone. When I was leaving Cincinnati, my flight was canceled after we boarded the plane due to mechanical issues. So I was off to get on another flight. Well everyone was trying to get to Chicago. Therefore, most of the flights were booked solid when it was my turn. I was on stand-by for one flight and booked on another. Because of this, I was booked on two flights out of Chicago to get to St. Louis.

I was able to get on my stand-by flight. So I was off to Chicago. Once in Chicago, I realized my original flight had not left. At this point I just want to get to St. Louis, so I am running through the airport to get to the gate. I get there, and there had been a delay. So I was able to get on the flight.

As I am having my boarding pass scanned, they say I have already boarded the flight, but they let me on anyway. I am in the air again.

When I get to St. Louis, as the luck of my day, my luggage wasn't there. The next flight I could have been on arrived 20 minutes later. So I wait. No luggage. I go and file my claim. However, they wanted to compile my itinerary. "What flight did you fly out of Cincinnati on?" By now I have no clue and am not sure what boarding passes I used. We finally get it figured out, and I am off.

So four o'clock rolls around, and I get a phone call. My luggage arrived. Yay!!! But they want to know what flight I came on from Chicago. This is the only flight I know. Flight 761. "Um, we don't have a record of you boarding that flight." Really??? Because I did and that is how I got here.

I go on with my business for the week. Yesterday, I flew back to Phoenix from St. Louis. By this time I am an expert on making it through the airport and checking in. I thought. I go up to the kiosk and it won't let me check in. Now I proceed to the ticket counter. "I tried to use the kiosk, but I must have written my code down wrong." The lady behind the counter puts in my info and can't find my flights. She does notice that I didn't fly into St. Louis from Chicago. ????? At this point, I am confused.

I explain to the nice lady my dilemma from the week before. However, they no longer have access to the records from 8 days prior. She gets on the phone and tries to get everything figured out. Since they didn't believe me that I flew in on Flight 761, they locked my tickets, and I couldn't get out of St. Louis. After the nice lady speaking with what seemed to be 9 people, my tickets were opened, and I could proceed to security.

Woo Hoo!!!

I get to security. I have been tagged! Eff!!! I now have to go through extra security. I can only deduce it is because I was scheduled on 6 flights in one day the week before. But really? I don't think I fit the terrorist profile.

I am now back in Phoenix. The Valley of the Sun. I love my warm days!!

Wordless Wednesday

2008-10-08T11:06:00.000-05:00

I remembered this week!

This is from my recent trip to Austin. I was at the Capital enjoying the shade.

Really Windows?

2008-10-07T20:25:00.002-05:00

For several weeks now I have seen the commercial for Windows Mojave. It bothers me!

It just doesn't make any sense to me that you should have to teach everyone how to use your system. If Microsoft is going to try this hard to get everyone to understand Vista, wouldn't it be easier and more cost effective to make Vista more user friendly?

For those of you scratching your head still thinking Windows Mojave is the newest from Microsoft...enjoy!

Rock on,
Lane J

Today's Path: Secret Mission...well just a mission

2008-10-02T17:18:00.002-05:00

This week was a week of travels and fun. It was my first week traveling with my job. I left last Saturday for Seattle. After two days in Seattle, I hopped on a plane Monday afternoon for Austin. Around 1am Tuesday morning I made it to the hotel. Wiped out, I passed out on the bed.

Tuesday I enjoyed a little piece of heaven. What I have wanted for 3 months. I found a Jimmy John's on 6th St. in downtown Austin. I was so excited to be eating some JJ's, I changed my status on Facebook. Little did I know this little action would cause a wave of JJ's craving through the Phoenix area. A few of my friends were so disappointed they couldn't enjoy one. Thus starting my mission.

I somehow had to get a JJ's sandwich to Phoenix. How I was going to do it was a mystery, but I was going to try. Not have a car to drive made things a little more difficult, but my friend Marcus was up for the challenge. The plan was to go make high school visits, eat lunch, go get JJ's and then go to the airport. With the airport restrictions I was afraid I was going to have to smother it through security somehow with the avocado spread and mayonnaise.

So we finished are visits, ate lunch and now were left to navigate through downtown Austin during rush hour. OMG! The traffic and drivers were horrible. (sorry for any of you reading this that live in Austin) Once we made it to downtown, we realized most of the streets were one way. You would think after spending most of a day in downtown I would know this, but you can walk anyway on the street so I didn't pay attention.

Twenty minutes into our search for which street went which way we found 6th and Congress. I jumped out of the car and ran to JJ's. I ordered the Veggie sandwich all liquids and pastes on the side. After strange looks and me explaining why I got the sandwich. We were off for the airport.

At the security check point, I hid the sandwich in my bag and made it through free and clear. No bag check! Whew! Now I sit at the gate waiting to get the precious package back to Phoenix. Hopefully the sandwich is as wonderful 2 hrs from now as they are fresh.

Rocking out in Austin,
Lane J

Today's Path: What makes up what we are

2008-09-20T20:49:00.003-05:00

I am a Scrubs fanatic! Zach Braff is my hero, or maybe John Dorian is. I'm not sure. But back to my main purpose here...

I was watching Scrubs a couple days ago, and it came to the point in the show were someone says something significant. The point where even the most ridiculous movie or TV show it makes you stop and think, "I guess that makes some sense."

All the craziness was coming to an end and Dr. Cox came by and said something, but J.D. put it all together and said,

We all know that Dr. Cox was right. Your memories make up who you are. The joyful ones and the painful ones.

We sometimes wish we could forget our painful memories, whether it be losing someone close to you or something done or said by a friend that hurts you so bad you wish they weren't your friend anymore. These memories help shape who we are and who we will be.

Yeah, I wish there were days I wasn't as close to people who have hurt me because then it would be easier to forget them. But on the flip side, sometimes you are so close to someone you rationalize what they have done to make it hurt less. Yet, you still remember what they did and the initial hurt.

Even though we hate these feelings, they are a part of you. You come out on the other side stronger.

Rock on,
Lane J

Today's Path: "Run a 5K" - Check

2008-09-14T19:43:00.003-05:00

After starting running in Mid-June, I completed my first 5k Race today! Yes that is right I got up at 5am today to run 3.1 miles with 180 other people. Today was the Remember 9/11 race.

My only goal today was to run the entire race. NO walking! And not only did I run the entire race, I ran it in 30:50. For those of you trying to do the math, that is a 9:56 mile. I finished 88 over all. Right in the middle of the pack.

However, the best part was finishing 3rd out seven in my division. No not the slow people division. The 18-24 female division. The next closest person was three minutes behind me. Finishing 3rd means I got a medal.

I think the best part of the day was having my friends run with me. Rachel finished first in her division and first female over all. Meredith finished 2nd in her division. Mike finished 3rd in his division, and Dennis finished 4th in his division. 4 out of 5 of us got medals. Not a bad outing for the day.

The sad part of today, we all forgot our cameras. So this is the first of My 50 List that doesn't have a picture from the event. But here are some clips from the Results Site and my number and medal.

Next race is TBD, but the PF Changs Half Marathon is looking good!

Rock on,
Lane J

Today's Path: Gum vs. Meals

2008-09-11T19:22:00.003-05:00

At lunch there is always some random conversation going on. The good thing about today's conversation was it didn't make me turn five shades of red. It also brought about several good points.

Work has been busy lately trying to get the fall semester started, and, well, we are kind of stretched for time. Time is a premium. And lunch is school cafeteria food. We could go out for lunch, but I don't have mucho dinero right now seeing how I just bought a car.

So back to the main point...

We were trying to figure out how to have a delicious meal and at the same time maximize our time. This is what we came up with. Listen up now bubble gum industry and food industry.

Remember back to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Violet was the one who ate the bubble gum and turn, get this, violet. The main point, the bubble gum. We were trying to figure it out if there was a way to create a bubble gum that went through five different courses and gave us the calories that we needed with out the carbs.

In summary this is what we are looking for:

A bubble gum that will substitute for lunch
It still gives us the nutrition and calories for energy
5 course meals in gum
The packaging displays the nutritional value of each piece of gum
And most importantly it can't change us colors!!!

So if someone could start making this, you have some buyers here in Phoenix!!

What are you discussing during lunch? Anything interesting?

Keep being the Rock Stars you are,
Lane J

Things from Missouri you most likely won't use in Phoenix

2008-09-06T13:10:00.002-05:00

I was cleaning out my old car the other day, and I just threw everything in bags and brought it into my apartment. Today I was picking up my apartment when I realized some of the things that were in my car. Things I most likely won't use now that I am in Phoenix.

For example my ice scraper. If I have to use this here in Phoenix, I think I will move to the Sahara Desert. If it snows there, it will be the end of the world.

I also found a blanket I stashed in my spare wheel compartment. I kept it there just in case I ever got stranded on a cold night and needed to stay warm. I think if my car were to break down out here I would need a fan to stay cool.

I also found two sets of jumper cables. I kept one set because of the great chance of car batteries dying. But TWO? I guess I really didn't have faith in my Mazda at all. Oh well, it's not my problem any more.

Still rocking out in my new car,
Lane J

Today's Path: Buying My New Car

2008-09-02T17:30:00.003-05:00

So many things that I am doing that should have been on My 50 List...

This past weekend, I took a couple friends to the Toyota Dealership in Gilbert and bought a car. Yes, I ventured into untamed waters and bought an '09 Scion xD. A little history on my previous cars...

I have never bought a brand new car.
My last car was paid in full when I bought it.
Both of my previous cars had over 100k miles on them, when I bought them.
Both of my previous cars were '98s.
Both were black.
Both had sunroofs.
Both were purchased from private dealers.
Both were automatics.

Now to the new car. Take everything from about and make it the opposite. I have now bought a brand new car. It had 44 miles when I drove it off the lot. It is red. No sunroof. And it was bought from a dealership. It is a standard transmission. Woo hoo!!!!

I think the best part of buying the car was test driving. I test drove 4 cars. The xD, a Suzuki Reno, a Yaris, and an xB. I think my friends had the most fun making fun of me. Since I have only been driving a stick for 4 days now, and I was only on my 2nd day when we test drove, and I stalled on an overpass. So my friends continue to make fun of me because I manage to stall at least once each time I drive.

What was your first car buying experience like?

Rock on,
Lane J

Today's Path: Learning To Drive a Manual

2008-08-26T19:43:00.001-05:00

Okay, so this isn't on My 50 List, but it is now accomplished. This past Sunday, my friend took me to a school parking lot and we drove in circles for what seemed like forever.

Now for the back story:

My car has reached the point in its life that I need to trade it in or sell it. However, when I get rid of my car I am going to need another one. To broaden the amount of cars that I can buy, I decided I needed to learn how to drive a stick.

Back to the story:

My friend walked me through what she was doing when we went to the school. Once there we switched spots, and it was my turn to drive. Who would have known getting it into first was going to be the hardest part of the day? Of course I stalled the car a couple of times...well more like 20 over the course of the day (Honestly, I lost count).

The second hardest thing was conquering the hill. When I say hill, I mean most likely not even a 1% grade hill. I killed the car a couple times, but I made it through.

About 90 minutes later, my friend asked me to drive her home. WHAT?!?!?! Are you kidding me? Drive on a road where there are other cars? I laughed at her and then took the bull by the horns and drove her home.

YES, after 90 mins. I drove on the road. The best part was I didn't kill the car once on the way home. So it can be done.

What do you want to conquer?

Rock on,
Lane J

Today's Path: Define Who I Am - Part Two (of many)

2008-08-23T18:37:00.005-05:00

The past week was a very interesting and exhausting week. I was having issues sleeping. I was getting about 3 1/2 - 4 hours of sleep a night. It came to a point where I was not functioning but not being able to even take a nap. After a talk with a good friend Thursday evening, I took a walk to a nearby park, laid on the ground, watched the stars appear and then had a heart to heart with myself.

Back in February, I started defining who I am in my post Defining Who I Am - Part One (of Many). I started by defining words that describe who I am or affect me. Now it is time for Part Two.

As I was laying on the grass under the stars, I realized something very important. For the past, oh probably, six months, I have been trying to fit into a mold that I couldn't fit into. It wasn't a mold that anyone else created but me.

I had set standards that I thought I wanted to be. Now I know that was not anything near what I wanted. I traded who I was for an idea of who I thought I wanted to be. I tried to conform to a new environment instead of being myself.

I am by no means saying that you shouldn't ever change. Change is good. It took me a long time to realize but change IS good. I am merely offering the advise of "Don't change everything about you at once, because then you might get yourself stuck between your own beliefs."

So for a few more words on who I am:

Adventurous: I love trying new things. Usually things others would never do and might even say I was crazy for doing (i.e.- Skydiving, getting a tattoo, bungee jumping). It's the high I get of knowing I did something many of the people I know would never try.

Outspoken: So this one is hard at times. I have always spoken my mind. The issue is it isn't always welcome. I have learned to bite my tongue. However, I realized recently that I wasn't speaking what was on my mind, especially when things were bothering me because I was afraid of the reaction I would get.

Energetic: Okay so the past week, I haven't been. If something new is happening around me or if I am asked to help out I am usually there with bells on. I mean come on, who do you know who would be excited about getting pied in the face and would where a shirt that said "Bring It"?

Rock On,
Lane J

7 Lessons Learned from Pie Throwing

2008-08-22T19:27:00.003-05:00

Today at work we pied several people. We have been raising money to build the first level of Super Mario Bros out of canned food which will be donated to St. Mary's Food Bank here in Tempe. We raised over $600. Today at around 12:30pm the throwing commenced.

And here is what you learn:

There is no getting out of it. Smile and take it.
Cool whip is a fashion statement.
No matter where you put your shoes, they will get pie on them.
If you ask me to not be a wimp and throw the pie at you, I will!
If you throw a pie at your friend, be prepared to run.
Keep your shoes on! When you run on concrete in Phoenix you will get blisters!
After 2 showers you still smell like spoiled milk!

Photo Credit: Kari McBride

Rock on and eat pie,
Lane J

The Higher Being was in Phoenix

2008-08-18T20:56:00.002-05:00

This past weekend was CRAZY!!! Lots of things happened...well two things happened which resulted in me losing sleep last night.

First, a couple friends came over for pool time on Sunday. While at the pool they decided to tell me about a robbery they heard about. HELLO? New to living on my own! I really didn't want to hear about robberies.

The second event happened on Saturday which resulted in lost sleep Saturday night and Sunday night. I was driving my friend back to my place, and I was telling her a story. For some reason, I did not see the upcoming light. It turned red. I kept driving. Somehow, only by the grace of the Higher Being, did I avoid a car in the middle of the intersection. I swerved missing the car by only inches.

It was very weird missing the car. Thinking back I don't remember having control of the car. It was like someone else was driving my car instead of me. Whatever happened, whoever was there, Thank You.

Many thanks over the past two days have been sent above to whatever it was that was with me.

Are Objects Capable of Wrong?

2008-08-16T12:00:00.002-05:00

Many of you know I lived somewhat of a sheltered childhood. As a result, I can be naive at times. Other children who live sheltered childhoods don't object to things they are told. I, too, use to take everything in stride and not object to what I was told. But I have to put my foot down...

My family is quite religious. I'm not saying there is anything wrong with that. I believe it is healthy to have a sense of there being a higher "One." However, the issue I have is when an object becomes blamed for wrong. Yes, an object.

For as long as I can remember, television has been blamed for evil in the household within the my family. The television? What can it do? Can it turn itself on? Can it change the channel by itself?

The television can do nothing on its own. It takes a human to turn it on and change its channels. So why then is the television being blamed for such immorality? It is the parents/users that should be blamed. They have the ability to change the channel, moderate the channels or turn it off.

The television is one of the greatest inventions. How else would we know what Africa or the rain forest is like? Thanks to National Geographic we can see and hear first hand what it is like. We can see what it is like when countries set aside their differences and come together to compete for Gold in the Olympics.

Television is an object. It cannot be blamed for wrong. It is the user that must be blamed.

Today's Path: The Only Mosquitoes

2008-08-15T11:06:00.003-05:00

I have now been in Arizona for close to three months. These past three months have been awesome. Sunshine, pool time with friends, sunshine, new faces, less humidity, and did I mention sunshine?

But when I left St. Louis in May, I was told I was leaving the bugs and mosquitoes. In the past few weeks I have come to find out that I have probably brought a few with me. I have had about 5 or 6 mosquito bites over the past 2 weeks. Where did they come from? Don't they like to live by water? There isn't much here in the desert.

Therefore, I have concluded the mosquitoes enjoy St. Louis blood. Hopefully by next summer I will not have as much STL blood in me so the mosquitoes will leave. But on the bright side, if I was in STL I probably would have had closer to 20 bites in the past 2 weeks. So I will settle for 5 or 6.

Keep enjoying the summer. Rock on!

Lane J

Today's Path: 5 Life Lessons You Can Learn From Facebook

2008-08-10T22:12:00.004-05:00

With the internet now reaching 1,463,632,361 people world wide, the influence of the internet is growing. People are capable of finding anything and everything they want to. The internet can offer life lessons that are both positive and negative. One website that has a large influence is Facebook.

Facebook has two applications which may be more addicting then Facebook itself and possibly crack, Flair and Bumper Stickers which offer life lessons. I have picked a few from my profile to share with you.

1. Never do anything you wouldn't want to explain to the paramedics

2. Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass...it's about learning to dance in the rain.

3. Dream as if you'll live 4ever & live as if you'll die tomorrow

4. Dance like no one's watching.
5. Forget about the people from the past. Theres a reason they didnt make it to your future

Are you on Facebook? If so are there any life lessons you learned from your or your friends Flair or Bumper Stickers?

Rock on,
Lane J

The Country's Best Pizza

2008-08-07T10:13:00.000-05:00

My BFF is in town this week. We have been hanging out and showing her around the Phoenix area. Last night we went to Pizzeria Bianco, which in recent months has been voted the best pizza place in America by Yahoo!.

So after work yesterday, I ran home to get my BFF and head towards downtown to meet with our friend Kammie. Knowing that Kammie was going to be on a conference call on her way to the pizzeria, I went online before we left and got directions to E Adams St.

As we were driving along 7th St., where the directions told us to go, I couldn't find E Adams. The directions end at 7th St. After driving around for a little while longer, I decide to get out my GPS system my parents gave me for graduation. Unfortunately, GPS cannot find streets which don't exist. I end up calling a friend who has actually driven in Downtown Phoenix.

When we arrived at Pizzeria Bianco, I went in and put our name on the list for a table. The nice hostess informed me it would be a 1-2 hour wait. I was excited because usually the wait is 4 hours for the best pizza in America.

So what do we do, we wait.............................

Okay so we are starving by the time we get a table around 7pm. We enjoy a nice salad. They were good, but we are still unsure if it was because we were so hungry that it is good or if it was because it was good.

Then it was pizza time. One Margherita Pizza and one Wiseguy please.

They were so good. We ate all but 3 slices. YUMMY!!!

All in all, great time with friends, YUMMY food. If you don't like waiting then you should probably try somewhere else. But remember you missed out on the countries best pizza.

Today's Path: Life lived backwards?

2008-08-02T14:00:00.003-05:00

Earlier this week a friend sent me an email entitled "A different perspective on life." It went like this:

I want to live my next life backwards...
You start out dead and get that out of the way...
Then you wake up in a nursing home feeling better every day...
Then you get kicked out for being too healthy...
Enjoy your retirement and collect your pension...
Then when you start work and you get a gold watch on your first day…

You work 40 years until you're too young to work....
You get ready for High School: party...
Then you go to primary school you become a kid, you play, and you have no responsibilities.
Then you become a baby, and then...
You spend your last 9 months floating peacefully in luxury, in Spa-like conditions - central heating, room service on tap...

I rest my case...

At first I was seeing how that could be an interesting concept, but then I realized something. For your entire life you would have the knowledge you did when you died. I don't want to be 5 and worrying if there are people in my community who don't have a job or money for food.

There is a saying that goes:

The more you know, the worse off you are.

When I was younger I didn't know a lot of things that I do now even though I wanted to. Looking back I'm glad I didn't. Recess was meant to have fun and not to contemplate the meaning of life or world peace.

What do you think? Do think life truly would be better lived backwards? Think about and share your thoughts below.

Rock on,
Lane J

Today's Path: Excellance vs. Perfection

2008-07-29T10:23:00.002-05:00

"I am careful not to confuse excellence with perfection. Excellence, i can reach for; perfection is God's business." ~Michael J. Fox

Many times, heck most of the things I do, I try to make to perfection. The only issue is it takes a lot more energy to do make things perfect. You end the day tired and not wanting to do anything but go to bed and sleep until your alarm goes off the next morning. Even if what you where working on isn't perfect, you still don't have the energy to do anything because you are worrying about why it wasn't perfect.

I am not saying that you shouldn't strive for perfection in any way shape or form. But maybe, just maybe, you can save some energy, excitement and thrill of life if you strive for excellence. Just a thought. Anyway isn't perfection overrated? How many people can do you know that are perfect in what they do? If you know anyone, they themselves probably don't believe they are perfect. Why? Because you are your own worst critic.

Some of the greatest monuments are not perfect. One example is the leaning tower of Piza. All of the time spent to make it great makes it lean more and more each year. Even if someone were to straighten it, it would no longer hold the magnificence that it does. What about Neil Armstrong? The first man to walk on the moon. He prepared for what to say when he stepped on the moon, and he messed up. Yet it is remembered by so many people.

Perfection is overrated! Strive for excellence and in the mean time, be yourself!

Rock on,
Lane J

When life isn't from the freezer to the oven...

2008-07-22T22:08:00.003-05:00

Tonight was the first time since I moved to AZ I have not "cooked" something that went from the freezer to the oven to the table. I made some chicken pasta salad for dinner, which I cannot even eat until tomorrow because it is suppose to be chilled.

Here is what it looked like in my kitchen after I cooked dinner:

I hope your dinner tonight was not as messy as mine to clean up.

Rock on,
~Lane J

Wordless Wednesday...2 Days Early

2008-07-21T21:52:00.004-05:00

For several weeks now I have been wanting to participate in Wordless Wednesday, but I keep forgetting to take my camera with me on Wednesday or forgetting it's Wednesday all together.

Tonight I was sitting in my apartment when I realized the sun reflecting off the clouds in the east. (There's gonna be rain tonight!!!) So I grabbed my camera and I was off to take pictures in the hopes to participate in Wordless Wednesday tomorrow.

Then I realized today was Monday. (Frowns) So I decided that I would post the picture anyway.

Enjoy the Semi-Wordless Wednesday two days early!

Rock on,
Lane J

Today's Path: Breaking Limitations by Thinking Positive

2008-07-18T08:55:00.003-05:00

It has been a hard week out here for me. For some reason, my mind has been playing the "what-if" game with me. But guess what mind...What if I succeed? Take that!

Okay now that I have that out of the way let's continue...

Living on my own in a new city on the other side of the country has given me the chance to explore the internet world even more. I have time in the evenings and in the mornings, after I run (3.3 miles today), to just surf. My favorite thing is to find a good blog and then surf their blogroll for the time.

Yesterday, I woke up late so I had more time to surf than usual because I didn't have the time to run before work. So I went to a good friend's website and linked to Phil Gerbyshak's site. WOW! (and not the game) It was what I needed. Phil's blog for the day included two quotes which helped put this week in perspective:

“Once you choose hope, anything's possible.” — Christopher Reeve

"Argue for your limitations, and sure enough, they're yours!" - Richard Bach

Arguing for my limitations is exactly what I had been doing. I was in the mind-set that I couldn't do what was expected. But after a little thought, I realized there are so many things I thought I couldn't do and I did them. One example is with running. 6 weeks ago if someone would have told me I would be contemplate running a 5K tomorrow successfully, I would have been the first person to be rolling on the ground laughing.

Now, I am contemplating it. A 5k? I have run 3 in the past 7 days. The main reason was because I didn't say I couldn't do it. I woke up 5 days a week and ran. At first it wasn't even a mile. Then gradually it got longer and longer. Now look at me!

What walls are you building which you really want to not be there? Are you adding to your limitations? If you are stop! Make a commitment to yourself to say you can do it!

Think Positive and see what happens, I dare you!

Rock On,
~Lane J

St. Louis and Phoenix Similarities

2008-07-13T21:18:00.003-05:00

There is not much, heck there is only one thing I can find that makes Phoenix similar to St. Louis. The crazy thing is it's the weather. It's not the crazy weather of 80 degrees then 30 degrees and snowing like St. Louis. Or the 3 months with no sun. The similarity come with the change in the temperature.

Currently, Arizona is in the middle of monsoon season. This means it could rain everyday, or it could not rain at all. On the days it does rain, the temperature is amazing. When I was outside around one this afternoon, it was probably about 105 degrees. About 2 or 3 hours later a storm rolled in and it was about 75 degrees. It was, as Bruce Almighty would say, B-E-A-utiful. I sat outside at my friend's house and watch the lightning.

When I made it back to my place, it was still raining and gorgeous out. So, as I write this blog post, I am sitting on my balcony in jeans taking in the sounds of the storm. It is relaxing and peaceful with the occasional car passing by.

Storms are great to just sit and be still as you take in all the elements from the soft sound of rain drops in puddles to the brilliance of the light show of lightning. What else could one ask for on a lazy Sunday in July?

Today's Path: The Phenomenon That Gets Me Up at 5AM

2008-07-12T08:12:00.003-05:00

My friends and I will be running in the Remember 9/11 5k race here in Tempe in September. I started out running a mile at a time, but this week I not only broke my 2 mile goal, this morning around 4am, I ran 5ks. CRAZY, I know, but I did it.

The one bad thing is in order not to die from the heat, you have to run around 5am. I dreaded waking up and running that early, but this week I found one of the amazing reason to wake up and run..

The other day when I was making the final one mile stretch of my run, I saw one of the most beautiful sight ever: the sun breaking the horizon.

Thursday and today both were amazing seeing the bright fireball climbing into the sky to light and heat the world for the day. It seemed in a way to be struggling to get out of bed from its night like I was thirty minutes earlier. There is something about being able to witness this phenomenon that gets me up in the morning to see it.

My crazy friends I have made here in Phoenix, are big runners. They love to run. Many of them have ran 5K Races, and others have ran marathons. The first few weeks that I was here they tried to get me to run. I just wasn't wanting any of it. But several of them took it upon themselves to remind me running a 5K race was on My 50 List.

Today's Path: Decluttering your office and life

2008-07-07T20:00:00.004-05:00

"We must be willing to get rid of the life we've planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us." ~Joseph Campbell

Today was a day of clutter cleaning. From what I hear, every July in service at work is a cleaning day. It was like a very late spring cleaning. Many people went and cleaned their desks and tidied their lockers, but I do what we call hoteling. I don't technically have a space to call mine except what is my space on the server.

So as everyone else went about their decluttering, I went about thinking. (I know, I know, it is a very scary thing when I think.) I was thinking about what I could declutter. What better thing to declutter than life itself.

Life can be crazy sometimes because of things that hold a sentimental value that we keep that have no other use beside reminding us they once had a use. Whether it be an item or a relationship we keep trying to revive because we don't want to let go of remembering what it once meant. Letting go of the clutter lets go of the energy associated with it. And clutter carries only negative energy.

The opening quote was emailed to me last week in a daily email I get from Kim and Jason, The Kim and Jason Insider. (By the way if you do not get their email, SIGN-UP for it today!) It makes me think about how many people are to worried about making their life their way that they don't remember the universe already has a life planned for them.

I'm not saying to quite making plans for your future, but to be willing to change your path when the entire universe had built the enormous sign in front of you which you keep ignoring. It's like in the movies and old cartoons where there is the huge road ends sign that the character keeps ignoring completely.

So what in your life can you declutter? Is it the physical objects sitting in your house? Is it a relationship that you know isn't going anywhere but still wish to hold onto it because you don't want to miss the times that were good? How much space can you make for positive energy?

Go forth, rock out and Declutter your life,
~Lane J

Today's Path: A life Lesson from Dr. Seuss

2008-07-01T18:21:00.003-05:00

"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind." ~Dr. Seuss

We all grew up with the Doctor. I learned to read because of him. If it weren't for Green Eggs and Ham and The Cat in the Hat I don't know if I would have ever learned to read. But today's post is not about reading.

I am a sucker for quotes like those above. There is something about them that makes you go "I guess that is true." I always think about how it can or has applied to my life.

With the Seuss' quote, I think about my friends who have never really minded if I ranted about something crazy in my life that ended up not being important at all. I have been blessed to know so many people that don't care it I rant or not. I try my best to return the favor, but there are times I know I have not.

But truly to all of my friends out there in the world and blogosphere, I want to say thank you because you matter the most to me. I probably have told you several times already, but I just did again.

Thank you to everyone that is my friend, because you all matter to me.

Rock on,
Lane J

Ode to Rachel Smith

2008-06-26T11:42:00.007-05:00

In commemorating her last day at UAT, I thought I would write an "Ode to Rachel Smith." (granted she told me I had to, but oh well.)

So here is my Ode:

In the short, but somewhat long four weeks that I have been at UAT, Rachel has become one of my greatest friends. She is a great friend for several reasons, such as:

I can make fun of her and she usually doesn't understand why

Well the above is the main reason, but I will continue:

She will make you laugh at yourself more than anything else when you are being a dork
She speaks her mind, sometimes even when it isn't welcome
Sometimes she will check her brain at the door when she comes in
She can jump and take successful pictures of the end of the marathon . Example:
She loooooooves skulls!
She is a Traitor

I guess this is a decent Ode for now. Rachel you will be missed!

Feel free to add your own odes, memories and special moments below.

Rock on Rachel,
Lane J

Rock Star High-Fives Class

2008-06-25T10:43:00.003-05:00

Welcome to Lane's online class on giving Rock Star High-Fives.

There is always that one person that you dread giving a high five because they never can give a good one. They miss to the right or the left, or they miss altogether.

You now do not have to worry...just email them this post, and they will land AMAZING high-fives with you from here on out.

There is one simple key to high-fiving...Are you ready? Really ready?

Both high-fivers must look at the other persons elbow. It is a given then that the high-five will be amazing.

I have been giving lessons in Rock Star High-Fives all week here at work! Most people here don't have to worry about if they are going to get hit in the face by a bad high-fiver anymore.

"It's Amazing! I was able to high-five my delightful but completely uncoordinated husband Mike." -Meredith B. of Phoenix

Feel free to pass this along to any bad high-fiver...the world will be a better place when we all can give Rock Star High-Fives.

Rock on,
Lane J

Today's Path: Looking stupid and Living Life

2008-06-22T19:17:00.003-05:00

"There are worse things than looking stupid. Sleeping through life is one of them."

--Laura Preble

Last night, I did something that I haven't done since freshman year of college. I karaoked!!! It was so much fun.

It was a friends birthday, and we got together and celebrated. We decided to spice the night up and busted out the mics. Three or four hours later we hung up the mics, for now at least.

We probably looked pretty stupid, but we were having fun. For some reason, though, the guys wouldn't karaoke as much as us girls. But we were not sleeping through the night.

For as long as I can remember, I have never wanted to conform to the "norm." I didn't always want to have the coolest clothes or do the cool things because that wasn't me. I sometimes worried about looking stupid...but after last night I don't think I could look any stupider.

Who cares if you look stupid doing something. Sometimes when you have the most fun is when you think you are looking stupid.

Live life and Rock on,
Lane J

Today's Path: Regrets?...What for?

2008-06-16T09:39:00.004-05:00

The past couple months I have found myself being asked the question, "What is your biggest regret in life?" several times. It hasn't even been younger people asking me the question. It has been friends and others my age asking me the question. Let me explain in my eyes why I could understand if it were coming from someone younger...

I am only 21, and I might have had a quarter life crisis recently, but I see it as a 1/5 life crisis if it was one. When I was younger, I always thought that people who were 15, 10 or even 5 years older than me had done cool things in life and might have done something stupid. I probably asked them if they wish they could undo something in their life.

But now that I am 21, I don't know why I ever asked that question or why anyone my age would ask that question.

If you are only in your 20's and you regret something, how much more are you going to regret by the time you are 50, 60 or even 70?

I don't regret things in life. I take and learn from my "missteps." If I were never to have made these steps, choices, or whatever you wish to call them, I never would have known the things I know now. Nor would I probably be where I am now.

The edge of the cliff that we stand on throughout our life, trying to decide to play it safe and step back where there is ground or to jump and have faith and hope that our parachute we packed will open or that the net we built below will hold is how we learn.

But even if our parachute doesn't open or our net break, we know that the friends and family we have will be there to catch us or at least remind us from the side of our hospital bed that we were braver than most to take the chance.

From the mug that sits on my counter at home:
"Live Boldly, Take Risks, and make someone ask: 'What the hell was that about?'"

From the edge of my cliff, JUMP!

~Rock Star Lane J

Today's Path: "Live Somewhere besides Missouri" - Check

2008-06-13T18:24:00.002-05:00

Today I have officially moved out of Missouri. Technically, I have been out of Missouri since Memorial Day weekend, but my furniture and everything arrived today! YEAH!!!

The movers came this morning with my things and in about an hour everything was in my apartment. By about 12:00pm, I had everything unpacked. This might surprise some people, but when you only have about 10-15 boxes it's not hard to do.

Currently, I do not have any pictures, but I will make sure that I get some and post them soon. I will post a few here, and I will post all of them on Flickr and Facebook.

The next phase of my life is here and I love it.

Rocking it in PHX,
~Lane J

Today's Path: Grocery Shopping

2008-06-12T09:34:00.001-05:00

Today I went to the store on my first grocery shopping excursion by myself. I did quite well... until I went to get some peanut butter.

I was trying to make sure I compared prices, quality and the like. And up until this point, I had bugged most people in the store because I would pick up one item look at it, put it in my cart, take it out, put it back on the shelf, pick up a new one and continue the cycle several times for one item.

However, I did not realize how many different types, brand and styles of peanut butter there were. I had a horrible time trying to choose just one. I considered buying one of each but decided my cupboards (I have never spelled the previous word before, and I have no clue if that is correct.) were not big enough for all of them.

Stress level escalated and after about 5-10 minutes on deciding what peanut butter to buy, I bought the 25% reduced fat off-brand. Was it a good decision? I haven’t tasted it yet so I don’t know.

Spreading the Link Love

2008-06-09T21:43:00.002-05:00

I have spent some time checking out other blogs in the blog-o-sphere lately. In light of that, I thought that I would spread the love.

Jason Levine- Healing People Daily with the Power of Digital Video and Audio Check out the travels and tips of Jason Levine, a World-Wide Adobe Evangelist
No Shoes on the Carpet Don't forget to take off your shoes before stepping on Brandon Duke's Carpet
Bakedblog.com What is life without sweets? Need a baked recipe for the night? Stop by and pick one up.
One Dad's Life Gregg shares his daily insights of family and work.
PassiveAggressiveNotes.com For your daily laugh at random acts of stupidity.
Postcards From Your Momma You thought your mom was crazy.
Passion Meets Purpose Although on temporary hiatus, check out the archives for the inspiration to keep on keepin' on

Enjoy the blogs and let me know if you have any that might make me smile!

~The One The Only, Rock Star Lane J

Today's path coming to you from the top of a mountain

2008-06-05T21:34:00.003-05:00

Since I have been in Phoenix, I have wanted to climb one of the mountains surrounding the city. Yesterday I did.

Several people are new to work, like myself, and we are all from the Midwest originally. (It doesn't surprise me that we all wanted to leave the crappy weather.) One of the other newbies and myself took on South Mountain. By the name hopefully you could tell it is south of Phoenix, but if you couldn't, it is.

We hiked probably 150ft up from where we parked to the summit. It was AMAZINGLY breath taking. Truly it was. The wind picked up once we reached the summit and it cooled off and we just sat there taking in the view. I will post a few pictures below, but make sure you also check out my flickr site for more. (I have tried for 4 days now to get the pictures posted here and they won't, so you will have to check out the flickr.)

Also along the way, we saw a Roadrunner, a rattle snake and another black and yellow snake.

Things You Learn In PHX

2008-06-03T23:31:00.002-05:00

I have been in Phoenix for a little over a week now. Along the way I have learned several things. I know I will learn a lot more over the years that I will live here.

Here is a short list:

mailboxes? not in front of the house...you have to walk to the designated part of the subdivision to get your mail
cell phone reception? yeah right...I have no bars of service in the places I have been staying...is that a good thing or a bad thing
Do not leave a book in your black car...all the glue with lose its adhesiveness and the binding is ruined (my book is in a least three separate sections)
Everything is more laid back...deadlines...who needs them
Everything is more laid back with the exception of driving...still haven't figure out why yet...if you don't drive like a mad man beware (Please reference my post from last week)

And my favorite:

Flip-Flops are considered professional attire

For any of those out there who would never let me wear my fuzzy flip-flops to work...I am wearing them this Friday...They have become my signature flip-flops around here.

Learning to speak like Generation Millennial...WTF

2008-06-02T23:38:00.003-05:00

I came across this article on a forum at work.

I don't know if this is what they think 20 somethings for Arizona talk like or what. However, I have not ever used a single phrase off of the list. I believe if you want to understand what a 20 somthing is saying you need to brush up on your txting.

The most used phrases I hear include, but are not limited too:

and the ocassional BFF

Today's Path: The Surreal Life

2008-06-02T23:13:00.003-05:00

I have been in Phoenix for a little over a week now. It still doesn't quite seem real. It seems a little too perfect..kinda Surreal. I have great job. I work with great people. The atmosphere is amazing. At night you can see the stars. There are mountains in every direction.

I guess what makes it not seem real is that I am bouncing around from place to place living. Don't get me wrong. I have greatly enjoyed staying with each family; I just want my own place to do what I want. (I'm not sure if that sound selfish, if it does, I am not trying to be.

It is just when I am staying with people, I don't want to be rude and go and do my own thing because it gives me a chance to get to know each one better. But at the same time it seems as if I should give them some space and let them have their own family time.

---

Sorry that was my little Red Hat soap box for the day...on another note...I downloaded Stickys today for my computer. They are similar to Post-It notes, only they are electronic. They come on Macs, but you have to download them for PCs.

Two days down...I must be a pro

2008-05-29T22:45:00.002-05:00

The first two days of my new job have been just that, my first two days. It has been the usual paper work and training. I am still learning a lot about the University itself and the dynamics of those I am working with.

I have spent time with each of the other liaisons and have learned a great deal from each of them. They each have their own take on what it is like, and they have their own pros and cons about the job.

The biggest challenge is being new to the area. It is only my second day, and I have already been late to work.

This morning there was a a really bad accident on I-10 that backed-up traffic on every road going North and West. Unfortunately for me the only two ways I know how to get to UAT are the I-10 and 48th Street. The accident was at the intersection of these two. I was suppose to be at work at 8am this morning. I left around 7:15am ish and got there at 9am. Yes, that is 1 hr and 45mins ish.

So Addie, in answer to your question, the first and second days have went well. I am very excited to have found such a great place to work.

My last day before Adulthood

2008-05-27T21:27:00.002-05:00

As my friend Susan said today was my last day before adulthood starts. Tomorrow I start my job at the University of Advancing Technology.

But as my last day before I start my 8-5 job I went exploring. I drove all over town this morning. I went to Jamba Juice and got my Bright Eyed and Blueberry Smoothie. I then drove all over Tempe to find a park where I could sit and read a little on a few books. I found some time after that to go to Arizona Mills Mall. Didn't buy anything, except lunch.

So tomorrow is the big day and I am EXCITED!!! I haven't worked in 2 and 1/2 weeks, and I miss it. I find there are too many hours in the day not to be working.

Well I must be on my way. I hope all of you are rock starring it up in the STL, or Angie in Hawaii.

The Soon to be Adult Worker,
~Rock Star Lane

Day One of Freedom

2008-05-26T22:51:00.002-05:00

This morning around 10:00am, I dropped my dad off at the airport, gave him some hugs and said goodbye. Not goodbye for good, but goodbye.

Don't get me wrong I love my family, but I am now free. I no longer have a midnight curfew, nor do I have to tell them where I am at every waking moment. And I don't have to make sure I have on SPF 30 Sunscreen (thanks for sending it mom, but 15 will do).

All the little things that don't really matter when you are 10-15 even 16-18 years old, I don't have to do anymore. You know the things that when you come home from college you just want to be done with, but mom and dad don't want to cut the cord yet.

I spent the evening at a friend's family Bar-B-Q. It was pretty good. I am not really sure what I am going to do tomorrow. I think I am going to go exploring the area before I start my 8-5 job on Wednesday. I guess we will have to wait and see.

From PHX,
~Rock Star Lane

Welcome To Phoenix!!

2008-05-24T20:32:00.002-05:00

My dad and I made to Phoenix today around two this afternoon (that would be 4:00pm in STL).

In the past two days, I have been in 5 different states, Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico and Arizona. I have also seen every temperature from 38 degrees to 95 degrees. I have been through rain, fog and seen snow on the ground.

Seeing the country from the front seat of the car is amazing. There is heavy populated areas and then there is nothing for as for as you can see. I have also paid $3.71 for a gallon of gas, as well as $4.40 for a gallon of gas (if you are ever in NM don't stop at Clive Corner, shady, very shady).

Well here are some more photos from the day. For more visit my Flickr Photo Stream.

~Rock Star Lane

1050 miles down, 400 to go

2008-05-23T21:27:00.005-05:00

After leaving the house at 3:30am, we arrived in Albuquerque around 6:00pm MDT (that's 7:00pm for you in STL). It was a long day of driving. Dad knocked out most of it. I drove from Oklahoma City to right inside the New Mexico border.

We passed several interesting scenes and several wide open spaces. Let's see, we passed 3 or 4 windmill farms, a cadilac graveyard and what I believe is the mountain in the movie Cars.

Here are a gew pictures from the trip. We will finish it up tomorrow. We only have about 400 miles left to go. Then I will be in PHX!

Rockin' in NM,

~Lane

Should be nervous, scared and that the entire thing should be hard

2008-05-21T10:53:00.003-05:00

In less than 48 hours I will be on the road to Phoenix. I will close one chapter of my life to start another.

People keep telling me how I should be feeling. They say I should be nervous, scared and that the entire thing should be hard.

I guess I should fill in any newbies here. I am moving to Phoenix for a job, since I have recently graduated from college.

Why should this be hard? So what I am moving across the county. I have lived in the same city for 21 years, and, well frankly, I am ready for a change. Yes, I am going to a place where I have no blood relatives. But I have some great friends there.

Why should I be nervous? When I was younger I was terrified of change. I did not handle it well. I would always end up in tears. But I have learned to embrace change and that change is a good thing.

Why should I be scared? I made a decision to move, and I am ready to take it on. Growing up children are always told they can do what ever they put their minds to. Why now do people doubt that? Is it because parents just want children to feel good about themselves, even though the parents themselves don't believe it?

Well, I know that anyone can do anything they put their minds to and can be successful. I have set my mind on success in my new job, and I know that I will be successful. I am not nervous, scared and it is not as hard as everyone is trying to make it.

I am excited about the change, as I should be. Look out PHX, Lane is on her way, and she is going to rock!!!

Today's Path: "Graduate College" - Check

2008-05-17T22:42:00.002-05:00

Today was the day that closed one chapter of my life and began another. Today I graduated college!! I walked across the stage with my head held high and accepted my empty diploma holder.

After three long years of hard work and a lot of help from friends, professors and family I accomplished what many may never do.

Once graduation ended, we celebrated. Friends and Family came to our house, and we enjoyed the company and the good food.

Here are some pictures from today:

Granny and Papa Payton

Angie and Dallas

McKenzie and Dallas

Mom and Dad

Grandma Joplin

What would graduation be without a best friend?

Angie

And what would graduation be without cake?

Today's Path: Family Time?

2008-05-16T08:44:00.004-05:00

"Screaming Time is still Family Time."

Next week I leave for Phoenix. There was an argument earlier this week about when I am going to leave.

Some things came up and I wanted to leave Monday and follow a friend of mine who is driving out there as well. However, my parents were insistent on me leaving on Friday next week. It looks like I will be spending another week here in Missouri.

In the course of our argument, my mom brought up the point that "Screaming time is still family time!"

I am still trying to figure this one out. How is screaming time family time? Is it because someone is usually screaming at someone else in the family?

The one good thing that came from the quote is that it is all of my friends favorite quote.

So if at some point you and your parents end up screaming at each other, just remember "Screaming time is still family time!"

Today's Path: "Go Skydiving" - Check

2008-05-08T22:08:00.005-05:00

Today was amazing!!! This afternoon, three of my friends and I took about an hour and a half drive to Bowling Green, Missouri. Once there we jumped out of a perfectly good airplane.

That's right. Angie, Beth, Josh and I went Skydiving.

It was like nothing I could ever describe. Once we reached about 10,000 feet we opened the door to the plane. And then we jumped. AHHHHHHHH! After free falling for 45 seconds to 1 minute. We then had the chance to pull the rip cord.

Once the parachute opened, Bryan, our tandem took us in circles around the area before safely landing us back on the ground.

It was amazing! I was able to release the parachute.

I cannot wait to get to go again!

Box Count: 5

2008-05-07T07:44:00.002-05:00

Yesterday, I spent most of the afternoon packing. I pack another four boxes which brings my total count up to 5. I believe all of my belonging, with the exception of my clothes for the next two and a half weeks are packed. I'm not sure if that is a good thing or a bad thing that everything I own fits into 5 boxes...oh well.

I have a bunch of stuff for the kitchen that still need to be packed, but I don't have any of it yet. Everyone keeps emailing me saying they have things for me, yet I haven't seen any of it. I'm not sure how many sets of plates and things I need, but I believe my count is up 4 sets of dishes. I guess everyone is expecting me to make Thanksgiving Dinner this year. Sorry but I don't think my apartment will fit everyone.

Well it is off to class for me. The last day of Senior Seminar. Yahooooo!! (whoops did I really type that).

An Airplane First...Well for me

2008-05-03T10:08:00.003-05:00

On my flight to Phoenix this evening, I saw something I have never seen before; a can of water. Not a bottle but a can.

I knew that I was going to see several things this weekend that I have never seen before, due to the fact that I was going to be in a different city and state. But I never thought that it would be in the first 45 minutes of the trip.

So the goal this weekend is, above all, to have fun. I also need to scout out a place to live. I found several places online, but I don’t know exactly where they are. Well, I know they are in Tempe/Phoenix area but that is it. I don’t know if they are in the good or the bad parts. Luckily, I have a local who has graciously offered to help in my search.

Also this weekend, I get to see Peanut. I miss her so much!! I can’t wait to get to play. But there is another 2 hours in the flight to get there.

So with that it is time for me to sign-off and take my nap for the flight.

Keepin’ it real in PHX,
~Lane~

The Process Has Begun

2008-05-01T21:25:00.002-05:00

Today, I started packing for my move. I now have packed, get this, one box. My first box for the move is packed. I packed my mug collection.

Over the past few years I have collected about 10-12 mugs from different places, such as Shreveport, Ukraine and other mugs given to me from friends and family.

It has just been a day of packing. I also had to pack for my trip this weekend to find a place to live.

So many things are still falling into place and on the right path.

Hello Arizona!!

2008-04-27T16:27:00.004-05:00

Graduation is creeping closer and closer. With less than 3 weeks until graduation, it is hard to finish getting things together, projects, finals, etc.

But it is a little easier since I have a little stress off. I have recently accepted a position with the University of Advancing Technology in Tempe, AZ. Yes, that's right Arizona. Now that I have a job, that worry is gone. The only problem now is getting everything packed, finding an apartment and finishing school.

But it will all be worth it. I am excited about the chance to experience new things. I have yet to move away from home. However, it is time for me to break away.

Today's Path: Bouncy Ball

2008-04-22T21:13:00.001-05:00

Tonight my brother and I decided to enjoy the nice weather. We played one of our favorite games, "Bouncy Ball."

About 2 or 3 summers ago, my brothers and I were enjoying our new trampoline, and we were getting bored with just jumping. Our love for baseball and being outside got our creative juices flowing.

We created the game “Bouncy Ball.”

It’s very simple. It is a mix of jumping on the trampoline and baseball.

You need at least 3 people, a trampoline, a tee ball bat, a tennis ball and a decent sized yard.

Each person is their own team. One person is the pitcher, one the batter and one the catcher.

The rules are very flexible and can be changed depending on who is the least favorite at the time. For example my younger brother has to get the ball no matter what fence it goes over.

So now the basics.

As the batter jumps on the trampoline, holding the tee ball bat, the pitcher pitches the ball to the catcher over the trampoline. The trampoline is the plate. If it goes over the plate in front of the batter it is a fair ball.

The batter has to hit the ball while in air or in the process of jumping.

In our yard, the ball has to stay in the yard and not be caught before it hits the ground for it to be a hit. Over the fence and a catch is an out. Three outs and the batters out.

Three strike rule also applies. Swings and/or good pitches are strikes. Sometimes it is good to have an umpire. The best and safest view is from a deck above the playing field.

**Caution** Jumping while holding a baseball bat is dangerous. Play at your risk!!!

I will try and get a few pictures of us playing put up here soon.

Today's Path: Seven Things in Seven Days

2008-04-20T22:37:00.003-05:00

It has been exactly one week since I have had Internet connection at my house. In that one week so many, many things have happened.

I turned 21.
We had an earthquake.
I was offered a job at UAT.
I accepted the job with UAT.
I had to give Peanut back to her family.
I celebrated my 21st many times.
I realized what great friends I have.

Seven things in seven days. And none of which I could post about because I had zero Internet at night when I enjoy writing.

Well there is the quick run down, but I have to go.

I am going to die!!!

2008-04-13T15:27:00.002-05:00

That is exactly what I thought was going to happen Thursday afternoon for about 5 seconds.

On my way to Phoenix, Thursday afternoon we had to fly around a few thunderstorms on our way to Kansas City. It was a rough ride, but we made it. The Captain required the flight attendants to stay seated the entire flight.

Usually, as the plane starts its decent the flight attendants come around and tells everyone to turn off all electronic devices and the such. This trip they didn't.

I fell asleep, as I usually do on a flight. I woke up right before we landed. My seat was window seat, so I woke up as we were a mere feet from the ground. All I could think was, "We're crashing, and I am going to die."

Well I survived to make it to Phoenix and back all in one piece.

Today's Path: The Universe and Numbers

2008-04-05T22:24:00.004-05:00

Today, as I was sitting down to post, I realized this is my 100th post. Yes, that's right. In a little over a year I have posted now 100 times. Wow!! I didn't think I was close to 100 yet. But what makes this even more crazy is that I was going to post about numbers. Creepy how the universe works.

Now for my post...

If you have talked with me in the past, oh let's say, 4 months, I probably have mentioned that my birthday is coming up. For any of you that missed that, my birthday is on April 14th. However, that is somewhat besides the point.

Last night started my birthday celebration. (I try and carry it out as long as I can. It's just more fun that way.) I went to the movies with my friend Ryan. We saw 21 at the Great Escape Theater. The movie was great. But there kept appearing these numbers that had to do with my birthday.

Try and follow me here. The first one isn't that big of a deal because I knew it before we went. On my birthday I will turn 21 and the name of the movie is 21. Yeah, I know big deal. But once we handed our tickets to the usher he said, "Screen 14 on to the right." Screen 14?!?! If you remember, my birthday is on the 14th. Coincidence? I think not.

During the movie there were at least 3 incidences where the numbers 4 and 14 appeared together. 4/14? My birthday.

I just think it is so cool how the universe works sometimes. Oh, also, if anyone wants to go to Vegas, I know how to count cards now if you want to make some money.

Here is the trailer for 21 if you are interested...

Today's Path: Are You Meeting Life's Challenge?

2008-03-31T22:32:00.004-05:00

"Life Is A Challenge - Meet It! Life Is A Song - Sing It! Life Is A Dream - Realize It! Life Is A Game - Play It! Life Is Love - Enjoy It!"

~ Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba

"There are people who put their dreams in a little box and say, 'Yes, I've got dreams, of course I've got dreams.' Then they put the box away and bring it out once in awhile to look in it, and yep, they're still there. These are great dreams, but they never even get out of the box. It takes an uncommon amount of guts to put your dreams on the line, to hold them up and say, 'How good or how bad am I?' That's where courage comes in."

~ Erma Louise Bombeck

"A dream can be nurtured over years and years and then flourish rapidly. . . . Be patient. It will happen for you. Sooner or later, life will get weary of beating on you and holding the door shut on you, and then it will let you in and throw you a real party!"

~ Les(ter Louis) Brown

Contrary to what it may seem the past few posts, I am not trying to become the quote queen. I am sure there is someone else who has far surpassed me on the quote quota. But to the real post...

It always seems to amaze me how many people will say they want to do or be one thing, but as you watch them you don't see them achieve it. It's not their intentions were that it wasn't what they truly wanted. They didn't take the dream or goal by the horns and dig in.

Life and dreams are meant to be successful. But like anything else you get out of it what you put into it. If you are always on the sidelines watching others do things you want to do, you won't have the feeling of I accomplished something today or this week or this year.

Maybe it's the fact that I enjoy knowing that I did something I wanted to do. Maybe it's that I had fun doing it or I learned something from it?

It takes more than just saying "I have a dream." The great Martin Luther King, Jr. took his dream held it up for the world to see. He made the world hold him accountable to his dream.

Who's holding you accountable? Is it your children? Even when you think they are in bed asleep, they listen to you. There were nights I acted as if I were asleep just to hear what was going on.

Is it your friends? People listen at the strangest times. When I was interning with KMOX, I had said something once in passing about wanting to ride and ostrich. The one statement spurred conversations for two weeks about what people wanted to do.

Is it you? Do you look back and see what you wanted to do and see if you are any closer to doing it than when you said it?

Hold your hand to the fire. Bite the bullet and do it. Honestly, what is there to loose? At the end of the day, it you still have your name then you have come out ahead.

Good luck in all your goals and dreams!! Accomplish them because you never know who is holding you accountable!

Peace and happiness,

~Lane J~

Free Advertising and a New Slogan will Make Me Better, right?

2008-03-27T23:10:00.004-05:00

Name the company (a few of these are local, some may be the same company):

Mmmmm...toasty!
Freaky fast, freaky good.
We build strong kids, strong families and strong communities
More than Y more than Z
Your momma wants you to eat here
Like a good neighbor
The Voice of St. Louis
St. Louis moves with us
Expect more pay less

And an easy one
10. I'm Lovin' it

How many do you think you got right? The reason behind this is because there is one specifically that just bugs me...It just doesn't seem to me that you would use it because it is free advertising for two of their largest competitors. And there's another that at one point I was confused on what the slogan really was.

The answers:

So here's my issue...

Movin' 101.1 is giving advertising to it's two biggest competitors, Y98 and Z107.7, with the slogan "More than Y, More than Z." Why are they doing this? This is no way to win over the listeners that are the channel flippers, like myself. I have three stations I listen to, Z107.7, Movin' 101.1 and Y98. Granted I listen to Movin' the most, but every time I hear this, I want to change the station.

Movin' here's what I have to say, "Quit giving free advertising to competitors!!!!"

Then my other issue...

Jimmy John's why are you changing your slogan all the time. In the past year I have heard, "Subs so fast you'll freak," "Freaky Good, Freaky Fast," and "Your momma wants you to eat here." There was even once that I heard all three in one commercial, and I asked myself, "What is their slogan?"

Jimmy John's here's what I have to say, "Pick one, and use it!!!"

If you are ever looking for a slogan remember to find something that will (1) be memorable, (2) is short, sweet and to the point, and (3) Stick to it!!!

Make Yesterday and Tomorrow Great by Living in Today!!

2008-03-25T19:17:00.004-05:00

Today well lived makes yesterday a dream of happiness and each tomorrow a vision of hope.

-Ancient Sanskrit Poet

How many times have you found yourself daydreaming about what happened yesterday or who is going to ask you out tomorrow? Maybe you just find yourself lost in everything but the moment.

I have been there, and I know what it's like to want to get out of the daydreaming moment. Recently a friend of mine said he couldn't focus on the moment.

The above quote is for you. Remember if you cannot live in the moment yesterday becomes a dream of sadness and tomorrow becomes a vision of fear. Living in the present allows you to look back on the past and be excited about what you have done.

Everything becomes a vision of today, yesterday and tomorrow. Live the moment to the greatest.

Yet another reason to want to move away

2008-03-23T16:38:00.004-05:00

It is Easter Sunday and the third day of my Spring Break. But that is not the reason to hate the weather. The reason to hate the weather is...

Yes, that is snow. It is on it's third time snowing today.

When I was younger, all I wanted was for it to snow. Well, I have had more than my share of snow for a lifetime or at least the next 4 years.

Spring Break is suppose to be a time where you can be outside and enjoy the change of seasons. Not this year, at least in Missouri.

Any of you who had the chance to go somewhere warm for the week, I hope you get sunburned!!! (I really don't mean it, but I am stuck here with rain and snow this week.)

Today's Path: "Get a Tattoo" - Check

2008-03-16T22:19:00.007-05:00

Me and Angie

Disclaimer: Mom, if you are reading this, Angie made me do it!!!

Disclaimer #2: If anyone tells my parents, I kill you!!!

I am still working on crossing things off My 50 List.

Yesterday, we were out to lunch at Tortilla Joe's, in Downtown Disney. For some reason we started talking about tattoos. Well, one thing led to another and Angie remembered that was on my list.

We asked a few people working at the Tortilla Joe's were was the closest Tattoo Parlor. They all said that there was one close but not within walking distance. We went back to the hotel to look it up online. Yellowpages.com said Fanatic Tattoo was about 1.4 miles away.

To us that was still within walking distance, so we took off. I had an idea of what I wanted, but Angie wasn't 100% sure.

In my head, I was telling myself that if they were playing heavy metal music, I was going to leave, and the tattoo would have to wait.

We got to Fanatic. There was no heavy metal playing so I picked out mine. Angie had them draw one out for her.

I was up first. Paul was my tattoo artist.

Paul and Me

I was a little nervous, but I was going to do it. Angie told me the entire time she was going to hold my hand. She did. I don't know if she regrets it now because of how hard I squeezed.

Paul finished, and as I was paying, Angie said she was going to punk out. What a wimp!! Thank goodness she knows I can kick her butt. Let's just say she got one.

So for those who want to know what I got here you go:

It is Kanji for Happiness.
One way to look at it is I will always have happiness.

Disneyland Disneyland Disneyland

2008-03-15T11:19:00.004-05:00

Yesterday we spent all day at Disneyland. We were there at about 10:30am and left at midnight. We road everything we wanted to with the exception of 2 rides, It's a Small World and Dumbo. Dumbo was closed because of the fireworks, and It's a Small World was closed for remodeling.

Disneyland rocked!! I don't know if it was the place or the fact that I was able to go with my friends...I will go out on a limb though and say it was the friends.

The Gang

Tracy, Erin, KC (in back), Beth, Tim (in back), Angie, Josh, Neal

We did find out that it is possible to put 5 college students in one tea cup and spin it fast enough to almost get sick.

The Tea CupDoug, Angie, Me, Josh, Erin

I hope that you will take the chance and come to Disneyland,
Where dreams come true...for $370.

P.S.-We did find out that if you don't have reservation on a Friday night out here, then you will not get into a restaurant.