A Gem of Wisdom

@danschawbel: Personal Branding Tip: Be who you are, not who *they* want you to be!

As I was surfing my Tweet feed between product demonstrations this morning, I came across this gem. And I think it very much sums up the relationship that needs to be. Sure it sounds very simple. It sounds like common sense. But is it?

I am new to the world of blogging and developing a community, in fact I don't even have followers yet. But I hope as I move forward, I can always remember this wisdom. As one moves into the world of seeking recompense for the interaction within the social media world, it seems natural to court those people with the ability to deliver such recompense. Following blogs has always been something I have done on a casual level previously, but the ones that keep me coming back are those who keep to what they know best: being themselves.


On to other things:
The President gave out 16 Presidental Medals of Freedom today. I must say that I was impressed with the crossover of many genres that the recipients represented. Cultural, Entertainment, Political, Sports, Religious and Scientific. The Presidental Medal of Freedom is the highest honor the President can award to a citizen.


(Image: Desmond Tutu)


The Recipients:
Nancy Goodman Brinker: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nancy_Goodman_Brinker
Pedro José Greer Jr.: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pedro_Jos%C3%A9_Greer
Stephen Hawking: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Hawking
Jack Kemp: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Kemp
Sen. Edward Kennedy: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ted_Kennedy
Billie Jean King: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billie_Jean_King
The Rev. Joseph Lowery: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Lowery
Joe Medicine Crow-High Bird: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Medicine_Crow
Harvey Milk: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harvey_milk
Sandra Day O'Connor: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sandra_day_o%27connor
Sidney Poitier: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sidney_Poitier
Chita Rivera: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chita_Rivera
Janet Davison Rowley: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Janet_Davison_Rowley
Desmond Tutu: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desmond_Tutu
Mary Robinson: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Robinson
Muhammad Yunus: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muhammad_Yunus

Also take a look as to the history of this incredible honor : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Presidential_Medal_of_Freedom

And here is the official White House Memo:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/President-Obama-Names-Medal-of-Freedom-Recipients/

Now I prior to my reading about this round of recipients, I did not know that a non-US citizen could receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom, so when I saw Bishop Tutu and Mary Robinson honored, it was a bit surprising to me. But without going into a large disertation about the great things that each of these people have done, take a few moments and look them up. Truly we can honor the past and our future by looking to see what each person can do in their lives no matter how humble.

Have a great day!

Image source : http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/08/12/medal.of.freedom/index.html

Image Copyright 2009 : Getty Images / CNN / Turner Broadcasting: All rights reserved.

Entropy is fun...... really!

I always find it interesting the way the mind works. Sometimes the strangest questions or cosmic nudges will prompt our brain to go down some rabbit trail. Take for example when a friend of mine asked me about how clean I like to keep my house. I could have simply answered "I'm a clean freak" or "Slobsville: Population 1". But no.... my brain had to come up with a justification for my actions or lack there of.

Thus I realized that my house was not merely a house, it was an example of the continuum. And this continuum was much more than just a room, it was a metaphor for my way of life. For you see I believe in Entropic cleaning.

Entropic cleaning is the process by which the entity which is monitored by the continuum (in this case my house) moves from a state of pristine cleanness to utter disparity. For I tend to clean my house within an inch of its life and then I let the cosmic forces grab hold and slowly break apart the order into Chaos. Entropy at work.........

But welcome to Have Viking Hat - Will Travel. I have finally decided to augment my existence by creating my own blog. Sure....... what can this crazy citizen of the world offer to said planet? well stay tuned and you shall find out. But you can be sure it may have something to do with Disney World, Lighting, God, kayaking, travel, games (board, dice, card, video, or other), life with a wonderful fiance, photography, or maybe just sharing a moment of worth.

I do have to say that it probably would have been a bit longer in the making if it was not for Drew over at http://www.benspark.com/. His ultimate IZEAfest contest
(http://www.benspark.com/ultimateizeafest.html/) prompted me to finally start this. So in answer to his desire to know the 11th reason to attend IZEA fest and the 11th item to bring with me - I say:


the 11th reason to go to IZEAfest:

Because @Shamu is holding my kidney for ransom and he won't give it back until I meet some amazing people, see some amazing sponsors, plow some cake, and take the Viking Hat out for a stroll!

and the 11th item to being to IZEAfest:

A great hat! An Amazing Hat! A hat that would make the Visigoths tremble in fear!
Have Viking Hat - Will travel



So thanks again Drew (benspark.com / marketleverage / and all Drew's great sponsors) and I do hope to see you all at #izeafest but even if I don't get to go I will still listen to what a great friend of mine often told me:

Play Hard