07.21.2010 by Shannon
When it comes to “progress,” why is it always two steps forward, one step back? When they say “life is a dance,” I didn’t know it would be so tedious.
(And my inner dance partner has two left feet. How many times do I have to tell her to just feel the goddam rhythm before she stops stepping on my toes?)
Category Daily1, Over in Oakland, This Modern Life | Tags: life is a dance,two left feet,two step | 1 Comment
06.14.2010 by Shannon
So it seems that 29 is the lucky age where I get to become acutely aware of this whole “age” business — or, rather, the “stage of life” I’m in — or, rather, “should” [?] be in.
That is to say, I have been attending a shit-load of weddings and baby showers. (more…)
Category Narrative, Over in Oakland, This Modern Life | Tags: flower girl,getting older,married,single,wedding | No Comments
03.26.2010 by Shannon
Yes, I’m aware that it’s a Friday night. Such is life at 29.
Category This Modern Life | Tags: | No Comments
03.21.2010 by Shannon
20+mile bike-ride. Burger. Beer. Hour massage. Cup of tea.
At the end of 28 (oops! 29) years, I am SO ready for bed.
Category This Modern Life | Tags: | 1 Comment
03.14.2010 by Shannon
Hike. Beautiful. Art. Bridge. Family. Love. Celebration. Sing. Children. Rest. Gentle with self. Sunshine. Early bed:
(Happy 50th, Don.)
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03.06.2010 by Shannon
Today I auditioned for an improv troupe training!
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03.01.2010 by Shannon
Amazing how, day after day, I manage to love more — humanity, the world, myself, and this strange, fluid substance we call life.
Thank you to everyone out there: you are included.
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02.27.2010 by Shannon
I know this guy who was dating this girl named pandora. But he broke up with her because eveyone told him not to go near her box.
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02.26.2010 by Shannon
Happy birthday, Elizabeth.
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02.22.2010 by Shannon
…Another busy Monday, another uneventful post.
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02.15.2010 by Shannon
Valentine’s weekend: check. Next up: slinky, St. Paddies, and turning 29.
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01.29.2010 by Shannon
This is an op-ed / obit from the brilliant (and incredibly well-read) writer/composer Ian Gray on the recently departed J.D. Salinger. If any of you are a fan of Salinger, the true Salinger, in all of his “Teddy”, “F&Z”, “Carpenters”, “Banana Fish,” “Down at the Dinghy” glory — then you will enjoy:
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01.27.2010 by Shannon
Yes, yes — so everyone knows Apple’s new baby sounds like a personalized feminine product –
And as a “Professional Namer” (and as a plain old consumer) — no. I don’t love the name, I don’t even like it. And yet — I don’t think it was a stupid move, either.
Now, first of all — I know what they were thinking. They were focused on brand consistency, and nice streamlined naming architecture, and wanted to keep it all in the ‘iP—’ family: iPhone, iPod… iPad (although, I would argue, the initial ‘i’ serves that purpose just swimmingly: iMac, iBook, etc.)
But, intentionally or not, this move will not be a deal killer (user experience will be) and, in fact, the name that everyone is touting as only one step away from “iTampon” might even work to their advantage.
Don’t forget the ridicule of Wii when it first came out:
“Sounds like someone needs to be potty trained!”
or even of Google:
“how do you SAY that… man, that’s a mouth full… it has nothing to DO with search!”–
The process of coming up with a name is important. Really important: it determines how to communicate positioning, audience, description, functionality, benefits, evocative “lifestyle” qualities. It also pays my rent.
But a name can not carry a product completely, and it certainly is never meant to live in isolation from the brand.
Which brings me to my next point: the iPad is under the Apple brand. Never, ever, underestimate the value of viral buzz (“No PR is bad PR”) and if you are Apple: you, like Google, get brand PR by scratching your nose.
And when it comes to naming the next anything in Apple’s product line, you must always remember that their marketing strategy is banking on their #1 commodity: coolness.
Category This Modern Life | Tags: apple,brand,google,ipad,itampon,name,naming,pr,snl,spoof,wii | No Comments
01.26.2010 by Shannon
Just that.
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01.21.2010 by Shannon
Also using:
(how did we live before cell phones?!)
Category Over in Oakland, This Modern Life | Tags: | No Comments
01.19.2010 by Shannon
Forgot to post!
Friend in town!
Projects at work!
Car broke down!
Rain!
All excuses, none of them good!
A sure way to fail at New Year’s resolutions: make them.
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01.15.2010 by Shannon
Category Location-Location, This Modern Life | Tags: | No Comments
01.13.2010 by Shannon
1. My loyalty to ATT (still typing on iPhone… Stupid “U-verse”
2. Coffee at 4pm
3. Attempting to make risotto in under 10 minutes
4. Telling new coworkers I write a blog
Category Celibacy Vow, This Modern Life | Tags: | No Comments
01.12.2010 by Shannon
Rain.
Pasta.
Orchids.
Tea.
Exhausted, but happy.
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01.11.2010 by Shannon
For the early retirement into pajamas this evening.
For loving my job and loving this change, however unexpected.
For new adventures, so close to home.
For the comfort of words and poetry; of pause and silence.
For a wealth of amazing people that have crossed my path over my lifetime…every single one I love.
For the streetlamp’s reflection upon the still of the lake, thin wobblings of light.
For my wide-mouthed bay windows, a panorama to enjoy over tea.
For centeredness.
For clarity.
For aloneness feeling different than lonliness.
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