Showing posts with label creativity. Show all posts
Showing posts with label creativity. Show all posts

Friday, May 6, 2016

Folklore, fantasy or fact?

Wow .... I loved sharing cool stories ... with my blog to be fueled with commentaries.  I think I'm developing my style and my voice on here.  What many don't know, and perhaps I didn't know until recently, is that these are the stories that capture my interest and draw me in for a little read or instigates the desire to learn about little everything that catches my eye :: like the "cloud" and I realize how I was in the leading edge of the cloud, about to fall off the MicroSoft cliff into lil creations like Adobe Photoshop​ .... which by folklore, in case you didn't know was another invention from a retired or departed colleague, scientist and innovator obviously saw a very big problem.  

What was the problem?
Well, Xerox, had a very big problem.  Hidden behind fantasies and fact we should remember the folklore.
If you did a little following or reading up on Steve Jobs was considered one of his single most impactful discovery :: the "mouse".
What others may or may not know or never heard, but Xerox had and to this day has a very innovative center of excellence.  p.s. That is an elegant descriptive that escaped from investor-adverse term like R&D (Research & Development).  
R&D had a really bad reputation.  Corporations reported on profits, and authored wording so carefully to avoid that word now.  
Why?
Because in itself, just beginning to understand spreadsheets of data that MicroSoft created, I picture a guy having a scotch with a colleague, a neighbor, friends over a dinner party.
These people were pretty tuned in to what was going on around them from a technological viewpoint.
This was a time, in the late 70s to early 80s, when scientists, environmentalists started to electrify us with reports on doom and gloom if we don't take care of our planet.  
As computers and printers began imploding because all of the great discoveries and creations emerging had to be printed on paper.


I remember those times.  I lived through those times ... but I was still not in tune with what was going on.  I had to hit a few walls, fall out a number of windows, but in this sweet spot I found a home : digital printing, document management, and file store :: the first hint of mist that would evaporate into "the CLOUD".  Really funny, sorta.  Xerox and MicroSoft were prolific, profitable and leading edge in the 80s.  What is amazing was that behind the scenes, companies like HP and dinosaurs called Attari were nurturing a duo of natural and expansive vision on the direction of aesthetics in printing and design.

A company with a logo of a fruit, was trying to solve a problem:  how do you create a world where 200 year old printing press with massive engines spitting paper in increments of thousands within just one of your eye blinks.  They recognized a problem with the appearance of printing or printed material generated from the awkward, mechanical, functional computers known on that day.  Steve Jobs and the other Steve :: yeah, the guy who created and then dropped out :: him!

It is a fact.  Steve Jobs attributed one very important truth about his brand of computers, that were synonymous together :: graphic design and fonts.  Of course, most of didn't realize how limited the machines, software creating most of the material on these environmentally poisonous inks lacked style.  I'm trying to remember the name of the predominate graphic design at the time.  Darn, I'll have to pop back in and edit later ... or maybe one of my readers who lean against both aesthetic design and functionality will remember?

So how do what sounds like a fantasy epic like Adobe, and an inventor in technology and a fruit like Apple have in common?

Back to the earlier problem of Xerox showing how profitable printers at speeds of light were going to consume the world of paper.  Ironically, all the stats were never showing that the mass of printed material was going to decline.  Why? Well because the products were going to get smaller OR MUCH BIGGER but the numbers of items would be be individually drastically lower in numbers.  BIG, MASSIVE signs and impressively designed items like menus could be designed in color, incorporate graphics arts with magnificent photography and you saw how this problem was going.

So Apple decided not independently, nor do I know if a folklore, that function, form and utility could be merged and expounded with incredible imagery and design.  By the 1990s, nobody could create an Annual Report, that would come out like symphonies of grace in not just the screen, but also in the appealing imagery and how words (or the industry types call text) flowed in and around this incredible design.

One of the most inspirational contributions was the mouse.  Probably back at the time it just looked like something you tooled around with when you weren't entering just text.  

Well, this is the truth and Steve Jobs even admitted it as one of his not so hidden secrets:  that he ripped off Xerox with the technology, science and invention of the mouse.  Yet so many people that is a fantasy to believe that Steve Jobs imagineered the mouse.  You have to give him credit because he was solving so many problems all at once.  And if Apple played its cards right, it would create a language, a loyalty and a dedicated audience that would brave anything than to have anyone think that the MAC was anything but the most fantastic single contributor, cutting down massive hours of work, allowing customers who paid for printed material to have output to the most high quality caliber even difficult to be detected by the most revered premiere printers in the world (think "Franklyn Mint" ? ) 

So the design and functionality was joined at last.  Apple victorious over legions of won-over fans in the creative universe imagined and output to the devices that Xerox was still in development in Pal Alto.  Perhaps it is fantasy to think that they would have taken their eye off the ball.  Like technology.  Like talent.

Watching organizations brain drain is going to be a commentary at another time.  It is one of the most downward spiraling corporate philosophies that is going to burst the most healthiest bubble called talent pool or loyal employees.  These organizations have boasted so broadly on how they look after their customer, or then their employees.  

Which is the GREATEST FANTASY:  that they care for anything other than their shareholders.

Back to the other part of this non-edited story is how another scientist at Xerox's Center of Excellence (or R&D disguised) left Xerox after I don't know how many years.  I don't know if he had imagined the problem or discussed it over dinner, drinks with their social circle.  

This part I know as fact.  There was this big giant obstacle obstructing the progress of where design meets these great big powerful paper spitting machines on material that was soon diverting from the more traditional magazine stock:  Luna Gloss.  How even that word can still cause me to cringe to this day.

There was this big enemy or distraction from design and power, revenue generating machines that would make Shareholders really happy, and stock prices to soar.    The marriage of the two was hampered by one really really big (now, I sound like Donald Trump Canadian girlie version anyhow eh?)  THING:  

The two could not talk!
Imagine me at the forefront of this explosive industry in its very infancy ready to collapse almost to mythical proportions.  

Well, it shouldn't really be rocket science:  The two companies Xerox that built machines and Apple that was exceptional for designers did not have a language in which they could communicate.  Sounds like a merger of two conflicting cultures like EDS and HP (that's another folklore story or commentary I've been writing behind the scenes for quite a few months).

Back to the scientist who had left Xerox.  Maybe he'd invented the mouse and was really ticked off that he did not any copyright rights?  That could be an interesting story as a fantasy or fact as a commentary later on.

He lived in a place in California.  Don't ask me the name because I'm a one person personality army waiting to emerge as a social media voice!

Beside the place where this scientist lived, ran a brook along side his property called Adobe.  He named his creation after the brook beside his house.  How's that for fact that sounds like folklore?

So this genius inventor recognized how the two massive allegiance we so far miss-aligned because they could not communicate.  

I was living those days.  Ha!  The sword thee doth yield.  (A little Cdn ShakespeareGIRLanese)
The biggest executives coming into our shop so that we could print their power point (OK, MicroSoft gets credit here, jeesh). They were about to hussle to the airport to get to an investors meeting in either New York or Toronto, it all started to sound the same:  problem.  Print fast, look nice, or nearly as nice as the generations old printing technology could.  

Then there is the gestapo at the now dubbed digital printing company is telling this executive that he had to have a conversation with his designer because he/she had to create a separate file in a separate language, then proof it because often things jumbled around, accompanied separately with Font codes, graphic files and Images (photography) all had to go where they were meant to.  The executive's disbelief that the rumored in an instant, sparkly, crisp printed design over night was fantasy!

So what Adobe did was bridged the language between the Apple designs/computers and the print engines invented predominantly by Xerox could communicate in harmony and keep everything together until at least the last printed sheet on glorious Hammermille (instead of Luna Gloss that ripped apart during the process and was so thin that both sides were shadowed :: shudders).

That could be a new Blog or story line:  the life and trialing times of a print sales executive.  

We know we all have called a photocopy a Xerox, as in "will you please go xerox a few of these for ..... please and thank you".  But the folklore of inventions by Xerox scientists are so behind the scenes.  It hasn't been really since Steve Job dying words were captured like information instead of confessions in his last authorized biography.  That story is one of the greatest salesman maneuvers of all time!!

Let's imagine examining what secrets were stolen or what technology borrowed to address a problem that needed to be solved either when it met near explosion so great that it could cause an implosion of profits, revenue and shareholders.

That is the true genius of the many greatest innovators.  There is folklore behind some that their greatest achievement would tarnish a few bazillion coins in investments if the real facts were discovered.

Yeehaw, that gets my creative juices going.  Uncovering and commentaries dedicated to the folklore or rumors from Silicon Valley by the giants of our world.  Now, that almost sounds like a NetFLIX special.  Hmmmm, someone who would appeal to both the Millennials and their parents :: will give it some thought and planning my goals on creative control.  (Inspired by the learning and knowledge gathered about PRINCE's true mastered gift:  creative control!


  

Friday, February 26, 2016

Discover your super POWERS


::: ___________________________________________ :::
"Some days are summersaults
 while others need headstands"
                                  Jeannette Marshall
                                     Author of Meanderings
                                    SocialMEdia @optioneerJM
::: ___________________________________________ :::


I swear every time I'm asked to put up a BIO, I get more creative :::   


knowledgeJunkie +visualCurator+socialmediaEnthusiast+greatGal http://meanderingsabout.blogspot.ca/

http://www.pinterest.com/optioneerjm/
@optioneerJM #bestofeverything  #smilingwords 

::: ___________________________________________ :::




Have a little listen while you read or stop and have a watch 
these guys R fantastic #Canada 
PLEASE show em sum love :: 
discovered by U here on socialMEdia 
@New Swears 
::: ___________________________________________ :::

The more succinct you are the more you dig in to gain insight into who you really are :::  you are subconsciously creating your super POWERS.

Wit reigns supremely with rising stars  who surround themselves with the #positivevibe crowd and #smilingwords to represent the #bestofeverything.  

Why not battle with humor? ( humour in #Canadianeze ) instead of heartbreak, pain, violence abuse or whatever is bothering you on any given day.  



::: ___________________________________________ :::

Not that you're a victim or any sort of whiner or ranter ::: remove yourself and stay far away of the negative force you can get sucked in so easily on this #socialMEdia sensation.

Be a source to be reckoned with as in a creative force that circulates only among the IN crowd who are inspirational, humanitarian, motivational, super POWERs.



::: ___________________________________________ :::

Be the voice of many ::: the poor, the hungry, the bullied, the ill, elderly and the sick ::: never forgotten :::  the unlikely who would be paid much attention to on this new 

MEdiumDOM 


of me, myself, I buy.  Because I can, I want it, not necessarily need.  

Create a chain of unified voice who are synonymous with optimism, gratitude and honesty.  Who stifle the mentally unstable, negative, violent, bullies or terrorISMisms.

Show there is a unified voice to form a consortium of only the #bestofeverything best of anything circulated by #smiling words :::  

Where only the most peaceful, loving, humanitarians become citizens of a community.


This is pure magic ::: and I'm Canadian .... eh?

::: ___________________________________________ :::

The community is bigger than a country, continent, religion, culture, or company. 

Creating a culture that does not rely merely on one thing.  But a collaboration among many.

Dedicated to serving their fellow woman, man, child, and living things.

Reach your super powers hidden under-neath the surface ::: ready to be discovered and revealed to yourself along with others.

::: ___________________________________________ :::


::: ___________________________________________ :::



Please share if you were inspired and want to help others be the #bestofeverything by communicating #smilingwords
::: ___________________________________________ :::

Thursday, January 21, 2016

Getters and Go-Getters #bestofeverything




IMAGE:  is my face saying "oh crap, caught on camera!" like this gem, or catching your attention to established true #klout as the author/initiator of #bestofeverything hashtag for the populace.  

The early adopters will be the #socialmedia #influencers:  who really know that networking in the www.sphere is truly the most amazing experience, very few grow inner awareness that channels.  Those people who become authorities on relationships: networking, friendship, talent pool, think tank who rise above the rafters from the very big, crowded, noisy environment. 

 Almost to the heavens in the proud connection that would blow the mind anyone not a member of this very unique club.  A lot of the offshoots of superstardom stemmed from the use of #hashtag on Twitter.  These very clever folk traded ideas around and formed this very safe, secure web of trusted peeps, tweeps or simply said friends. 

 Some of us emerged as visionistic visionaries:  purveying information, usually connected, fueled and powered by their passion.   Others became notable names in the traditional media via their writing for big brand media names or dominance in print ::: to allow them to emerge as a bigger, stronger, collaborative, connected to mindset:  

BIG example being MASHABLE.  

Now that I've been a Blogger for only five years, I am humbled by the visionary risk they took, expelling the most compelling sources of news via media.  They are so "finger on the pulse" that what we are thinking, buying, considering or evaluate partaking in.  To whom they have extended to the Millennials attitude, capturing that audience as well.  



MASHABLE's unique perspective:

Appeals to such a wide, ginormous mass audience.  As any over-achiever usually does, I evaluate:

  •  what I am doing, 
  • wonder what I should be doing, 
  • am I doing what I should.  


That inner reflection implodes a mass of stronger goals, beliefs, values that become deal makers or deal breakers.  Only the very elite will really GET this.  They can relate.  They may be a champion, a leader, a successor of a train of this powerful voice.  As mentioned, as some have already re-immersed themselves back  into the mainstream fold, to observe, take in, understand, humanize, intellectualize so that they can bring it back to the very few (in comparison) crowd of GETTers and GO-GETTERS.  

Which one will you be?  Have you decided?  Well, you will if your inner quest sent out to the universe or God or Allah to send back your path. (your cheat sheet, Coles Notes, memory bank).

 I hope you will stay for the ride with me, laugh over our journey of understanding our true purpose, so that others can eventually celebrate this as one of your accomplishments.  The further upward mobile you become, the far-reaching and widespread you will be recognized for.  


Two amazing people from forever ago:  Helen Keller and Charlie Chaplin


Some of you already of you have.  Others unsettled looking for a new reinforcement of staying firm with your goals, your antennas on high alert on something that resonates with you, and have discovered a club of and for the gifted, enlightened, creative force.  

The catch being, you cannot join the force, unless you recognize it within you.  There will be mentors, chaperones , winers and emoters standing on the sidelines cheering you on and push you to strive higher and better.  

Each individual having a unique goal that can almost be linked to DNA. 


" #bethebest of #bestofeverything "                                  
Please follow me on #Twitter :::                                                                                                                               @optioneerJM
  

Tuesday, December 29, 2015

Farewell 2015, bring on 2016

So close, yet so far away .... the count down to 2016 and the farewell to 2015.  Time to fold up the bitter thoughts that may have lingered and shed its unproductive head.  Syonara baby to all the naggy little irritants that floated above my head, ready to *PUFF* and become a cloud, waiting to pour the negative imaginations.  Take a snow blower to the tenacious icicles that make you freeze, instead of live high on life.  Hit those memories like a volleyball.


You know you have some, we all do.  Granted, some seem to have more than others.  Is it because they exhaust them, some appear to be too willing to share their grief?  When so many others, will bottle it up and without a leak, the smallest of shaddow will egnite an explosion of rage, or rant, or retaliation.  How calm those can seem unless you are around when it catches alight.

You wouldn't be harboring any resentment towards anyone or anything per chance would you?  Sometimes masked in blame, you gurgle and ripple when a reminder flickers before you:  a transit bus sign, a song soothes you before it reminds you of a time, when things were less complicated.  

The burden of security.  Laying in our minds in varying capacities.  To one it may mean safety, while distinctions apart:  a warm bed to sleep in, a healthy meal to eat, the last drag on the cigarrette and the final withdrawal of a needle.  Where being clothed is always a choice and having clothes to wash and change is always a blessing instead of a chore.  

To have hands to pick out vegetables or fruit because we are grocery shopping.  The littlest things gone missing.  New ones to be discovered.



Let 2016 be a time of peace.  A peace of mind, a peace sign, a peaceful time.  Void of explosions, where those in need are given safety and men and women are only friends.  

Rejoice in the peace sign.  Let it be renewed symbolism of hope.  Those who want * P E A C E * have their wishes granted.  Let art and music along with all means of expression carry that one unified theme * P E A C E * to you, to me, to your neighbour, to mine, to your church, to my prayers, to your job and all that entails:  be paid, love what you do, help others become better.

2016 brings about a freshness and spirit.  Avoid casting a noose around your neck called "Resolutions" that are high, wide and difficult to reach.  Instead find steps you can make in that ultimate destination.  Health equals exercise, mental health, security, love, vegetables, fruit and food we can learn to like.  


Replace "Resolutions" with absolutions.  Things that are possible for you to accomplish one minute, one hour, one day, one month, arriving at another year.  You have cast aside the negative in 2015's wind, to allow the sun to shine on optimism, hope, pride, and opportunity.


Look into your left hand.  It is almost time to blow the molecules left of 2015 away.  Your right hand trying to force you to look ahead.  Don't look down, look up.  The horizon is changing with you at the wheel.  Of your destiny.




Saturday, December 12, 2015

My Honey Do Christmas





"Joyful" by Jill Ankrom 

Life is awesome!  I have today (Saturday), tomorrow (Sunday), and the day after (Monday) off .... life is good.

I had a little sleep in, which I had planned to be oh, about noon, because I can.  Instead, my dog Buddy decided it was way past my up-time.  Which made me realize, I had Christmas to do.

Click the links as you read along to this blog so that you can enjoy along with me:



The one, the only, Nat King Cole, 1950


Not surprising, I put my collection of iTunes music on, with Canadian Johnny Reid, the first to burst forth, singing:  "Angels we have Heard on High".  Gloria, indeed.  Then the masterful Michael Blube, another Canadian, melodic genius singing about good cheer.

Okay, I'm all set.  My to do list floating in my head.  What about that part about writing it all down lest we forget?  Well, I've been anxiously anticipating this weekend off all week.  The whiners, the complainers, the demanders, fading with each strum of a guitar.  

The main thing I have to do this weekend is a Gingerbread House to represent my team at work, to be unveiled at our team celebration on Thursday.  There goes Bob Dylan with "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" (I've never thought he had much of a voice, but I guess the raspy wordsmith is a bit of a legend.) 

  I picked up the "some assembly required" Gingerbread House along with adornments on Wednesday.  Last year, my house, was chosen as the winner for our floor, to go on to challenge the building, then off to our downtown tower.  Unfortunately, the spirit of Christmas can sometimes flutter in competative spirit.  It got disqualified by the rules, 100% edible products only .... when the soldier wrapped with tinfoil became the culprit in what I dubbed "Tinselgate".  Even three team fellows offered to eat them to demonstrate they were, in fact, edible.   Well, not this year.  Everything is 100% edible as the label states.  Even though as most of it is 85% sugar, makes that debatable.

Gingerbread House to represent my team at work, to be unveiled at our team celebration on Thursday.  There goes Bob Dylan with "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" (I've never thought he had much of a voice, but I guess the raspy wordsmith is a bit of a legend.) 

  I picked up the "some assembly required" Gingerbread House along with adornments on Wednesday.  Last year, my house, was chosen as the winner for our floor, to go on to challenge the building, then off to our downtown tower.  Unfortunately, the spirit of Christmas can sometimes flutter in competitive spirit.  It got disqualified by the rules, 100% edible products only .... when the soldier wrapped with tinfoil became the culprit in what I dubbed "Tinselgate".  Even three team fellows offered to eat them to demonstrate they were, in fact, edible.   Well, not this year.  Everything is 100% edible as the label states.  Even though most of it is 85% sugar making that debatable.

My husband just walked into the kitchen where my armor of Christmas music is playing, when the Chipmunks holiday song just happened to play.  Reinforcing in his mind that I'm a corny Christmas sucker, who loves to get in the mood of giving.  I may not have the money to dole out randomly, but more enough spirit and giving than most.

Why am I so caught up in the holiday spirit?  Well, definitely because of my "Honey Do" list, which happens to be minus the Christmas shopping -- I finished that a couple of weeks ago.  I'm intent to put a dent in the wrapping this weekend, to avoid the glasses of wine to keep me awake and pushing on to wrapping the heap of Christmas bootie for others to happily unwrap.



The funner side of Christmas with this Kelly Clarkson melody: "4 carats"

I've had to adapt my expectations.  I no longer have wide-eyed children at home, giddy with excitement decorating the Christmas tree's meaning:  Santa is on track.  Yet traditions evolve, instead of making lopsided Gingerbread houses, one each, for their own creativity to unfold, I am making one for my work team.  

The Christmas music is playing .... a tradition that I will keep on for all the years I'm allowed to be around to enjoy it, even if the songs change with the times.  The classics like "White Christmas" by Bing Cosby, will never dim or cease to lift the harmony of spirits in good cheer.

My husband will continue to lift his eyebrows at the choice of music, when he'd choose "Thunder" by ACDC instead.  He never complains.  Content in the air of preparation one associates with happy memories, from childhood to parenthood to husbandhood to blending familydom to empty nest dom. 

Our adult children, aged 24 to 27, will be coming over tomorrow to join in the festivities to celebrate his birthday.  I don't know if he expects anything except his daughter's visit.  My youngest is off in Vancouver creating her future, yet a bit despondent I'd guess because I had always created the Christmas atmosphere.  Not about the gifts, about the spirit, the anticipation, the decorating, and whatever inspiration popped out.  My elder daughter is off to Los Angelos this weekend, the city of Angels.  Yes, the holidays' spirit reaches everyone in a unique way.  


Masterful talented duo Mary J. Blige with Andrea Bocelli

The kids and their fiance will be charged with putting up the tree, decorating it, while I will reward them with dinner.  The hubby may even get into the act, who knows.  The peaceful contentment of our lives does not force him to do anything he doesn't want to.  However, he is the man of the house and hides his enjoyment of being in the thick of things.  Doling out jokes at my son, who flourishes in the attention that is not harsh or sarcastic like his father tends to do.  The epitamy of stepparrentdom can be enjoyable.  Our daughter is the first one in line to absorb our traditions of decorating and embracing Christmas.







I'm excited for Christmas this year.  Hell, (I mean heck) I am every year.  Yet, as your children age and grow with character you are so proud of, instilled in family values that they instinctively know they own.  They move on to relationships (one engaged), journeys (one in LA), adventures (one in Vancouver) and peaceful safety of what home means (one who stays close to home).

Yes, I would like more money, who wouldn't?  But one knows that being content with what you have is the most wise definition we can exude.  Regardless of religion, this is a time of reflection.  Our values.  Rejoicing in peace, family and loved ones is what it should be about.

So, it's time to lift my fingers from the magnetic keyboard that exhausts my brain from stress and levels into enjoyment of what my weekend has in store.  I just may get one or two presents wrapped without the aid of wine, and a good night sleep instead.




Peace, harmony, love and the spirit of the Holidays are yours to be inspired by.

Shaken' Stevens "Echoes of Merry Christmas"





Music source:   The UK's Telegraph  asking what are the all time favorite Christmas songs of all time with my top favorites:




The self-described "Queen of Christmas" Mariah Carey



Can you even remember this one?  If not, you're too young and I'll have one for you in a minute:





The first real HIPSTERS: WHAM!




A timeless classic by Bing Crosby: White Christmas







What newcomers will bring forward this season's good tidings:

Justin Bieber's take on Christmas with "Mistletoe" came out in 2011.




"Mistletoe" by Justin Bieber came out in 2011.






This just came out this year (music only) "Home this Christmas"