From the category archives:

Social media

Happy 4th of July!

by Joe Doyle on July 4, 2008

I don’t what it is, but this year I appreciate our independence even more. It could be recent conversations with Corky, my father-in-law, about soldiers and policy. But I also think some of it stems from an upcoming election and our nation coming together to grumble about gas prices and such. Seems we’re all in the same boat.

I’ve always had a deep sense of patriotism - from tending to the flag in grammar school (making sure it was presented right on the pole, and stored in the proper folded fashion) to the ever-present Stars and Stripes outside the door of my house.

That doesn’t mean I’m brainwashed into believing everything our government throws at me – I’m quite the opposite. I’m just proud that I’m American.

Yesterday I exercised my right to help others at the Austin Tweetup Blood Drive. What a huge success…instead of the usual 40 online sign-ups, they received 100! Social networking has amazing powers.

I arrived on time, spoke with @DaveIAM for a bit and discussed how much fun it is to hear people try to describe Twitter to the retired volunteers at the front counter. After being approved, I was brought into the “bloodletting” room, where they sat me next to the Tweetup co-organizer, @MichelleGreer. It was nice to meet people you interact with online based on their common geekiness for all things social media.

Michelle was being interviewed by WKUT, the local PBS station. You can hear the interview here, and there’s a bonus image of good-looking fella on the page. Here are some images from my blood donor chair:

Erika from WKUT was nary seen without her camera, mic and earphones.

The bank said no images of needles, so I’m sure they won’t mind a blurry image of Michelle giving blood instead.

These kids were touring the facility and hammed it up when I brought out the camera phone. I think the boy in back is flipping me off.

Today calls for a nice, leisurely bike ride downtown for a picnic under the stars and fireworks with accompanying music by the Austin Symphony Orchestra. Stacey is looking forward to riding for the first time in a long time, and I’m excited for us to get out with the Thompsons.

Be safe, and enjoy your Independence Day.

{ 6 comments }

This post has nothing to do with Chicago baseball.

by Joe Doyle on July 2, 2008

It was great to sweep the Cubs, but I’m a little over it now that the SOX appear to be on a decent winning clip (at home).

OK, so the post has a little to do with baseball.

First, if you’re in Austin, consider donating blood through the Tweetup Blood Drive. I’ll be there at 10:15am. I can’t think of a better way to celebrate your Independence than by helping others with vital materials for life. I don’t donate enough.

OK, maybe if they lit off fireworks while your arm was being tapped – that would be a better way.

If you’re unfamiliar with a Tweetup, it’s an event started by someone on Twitter, but open to all. I’m @joeyTWOwheels, if you dare join the microblogging world (Stalelife is on there, too: @Stalelife).

There’s no cost, and Twitter is a great way to keep up with friends, news and companies – some people use it for polls, to find work and/or hired help. All the uses are still being created every day, by people who use it.

Second, for you Austinites, if you watch videos online, consider filling out this survey for KLRU, the local PBS station. It will help them greatly. Psssst - you could also win two tickets to a live taping of Austin City Limits.

Pre-Independence Day Goods:

The carwash is very cool, but I didn’t always think that. As a kid I imagined the carwash eating the car. Scary. As seen through my moonroof. ^

Does anyone know what the hell that is? We’ve got a few of them hanging around on the house.

When people ask to see pictures of the kids (in person), these are the most recent ones on my phone.

Of course, they couldn’t both look at me at the same time. But they do love their Red Wagon.

Have a wonderful Independence Weekend!

{ 7 comments }

New look for this old blog.

by Joe Doyle on June 12, 2008

I feel it’s time. Hell, it’s been time for at least a year.

So this weekend I’m hoping to re-launch this bitty with a new, evolving design.

The WordPress template I settled on is called Thesis, and it appears very versatile. Users are “open sourcing” their code for all to pilfer, and the support looks great.

Time will tell, but that’s all we have in this blogging world. Lots of time…

Check out this site’s past designs on the Wayback Machine. Scary shit, given what I know today.

Here we are in 2002, after a friend mistakingly deleted the wrong files on my site. No worries, the old one needed to go. This placeholder lasted a long, long time.