for the birds

For the Birds Has Flown the Coop.

But you can find us here: http://forthebirdsblog.com

Cheers!

Did Somebody Turn out the LIGHTS?

A few weeks ago For the Birds celebrated it's one year mark -- picture me sitting at the keyboard with a party hat on....vodka bottle rolling on the floor...  silly string still stuck to the monitor.. I mentioned in my post that FTB has built a following with over 20,000 site visitors. This is a rough estimate, because  -- come on, really. You don't think that I actually believe that 20,000+ of you are out there reading these almost daily observations... And thanks to all of the lovely comments that I received pointing this out. Side note, I am not that BOARING Ms. Kelly from Kentucky -- and although you don't know how to spell, I might have better things to do with my time but I choose to do this -- and if it's just not that interesting to you -- then STOP visiting. But, keep checking in if you must, I am into all things that depreciate. 

So, getting to the point, I do know -- thanks to those smart heads over at Feed Burner, that we do have a factual regular readership of 25 concrete, real-live people. That's right - a lovely and lucky 25. And to you I am calling out. In the next few days the following will be happening:

1. For the Birds will turn out the lights for a much needed beauty rest.
2. For the Birds will return, refreshed and better than ever—but only viewable at the new (still shiny) URL - http://forthebirdsblog.com
3. The old ugly domain http://designsigh.typepad.com/forthebirds will GO AWAY, so DON'T GO THERE
4. Those of you that have the old domain/URL in your readers, you will need to change to the new domain.
5. For the Birds will only be accessible from http://forthebirdsblog.com
6. This has very little to do with the evil birders over at forthebirds.com 

Unfortunately, I don't have specific timing on this event—otherwise I would fill you in. But the wheels are in motion. We've checked the logs, Batman, and will make a swift return... So, if you happen to be settling in for the evening, and pull up to FTB for some mild entertainment, please don't be alarmed if you receive some sort of error message or blank screen—We are still here... we are coming back—this has very little to do with the evil birders at forthebirds.com AND, the best is yet to come... More shameless self-promotion of multiple personality abundance -  I want you to know but I don't anxiety disorder...  have I mentioned most of us here are geminis? Any questions? Email me - rmsatbwdstudiodotcom.

Twitter - Tweeps, Twits, and (my personal fave) Twanks

I'm new to Twitter—joining the site a few months back but not really "getting it" until now. In fact, I think that most people that use Twitter are unaware of everything that it has/does/wants to be. But here it is -- and I'm using it... Tweeting about things, passing out ideas - thoughts, links... it's fun. And, although it may boost my geek status to an all new enviable level (thanks to Mr. BV for pointing out this new addiction) I am finding my place among strangers, associates and friends.

So, in short, I invite you to follow me, but a few things to know beforehand:

When I'm not playing with my son or spending time with my family I am designing or working on something for a client. When I'm not designing or working, I am blogging. When I'm not blogging, I am seeking out interesting stuff online for myself and my family. When I'm not online, I am probably doing laundry. When I'm not doing laundry, I am beating back the massive vine that is trying to eat our house. When I'm not de-vining, I am working on our family's wall of pictures and art galleried collection. When I'm not fendshui'ing art and pictures, I am on the phone—probably with my Mom. When I'm not on the phone, I am thinking about food. When I'm not thinking about food, I am eating it—while reading something--probably about food or art. When I'm not reading something, I'm watching television. When I'm not watching television, I am enjoying new words like Quelm and Twanks. 

I blog about things in my life, daily observations, designing, parenting—general stuff. I very rarely post images of my son online in fear of exploiting his own born-given right to free self-expression. I can be completely hypocritical about what I recommend to people versus how I live my own life, and I think that nepotism is an ugly word that should be banned from existence. I also contribute to other blogs including Artistic Things, play with my dog as much as possible and obsess about spreading the love equally.

So that's it. Follow Me and I will Follow You - and maybe in-between we shall meet.

365 days later...

Year one has passed!

I began publishing For the Birds on this date circa 2008—wow oh wow have things changed since. Initially, For the Birds was to be a marketing tool for Breakwater Design Studio, and although it does serve that purpose, FTB has also opened up whole new worlds for me... Writing and Internet Social Media. Once shunned—Facebook and Twitter are now common tools that promote, engage... Once feared, writing a very public diary of almost daily observations has given me a personal boost that I never could have imagined... Sharing accounts with readers who then become friends with common interests and concerns... And then my favorite -- sharing our lives with existing friends and family scattered all over the world. In short, connections have become a way of life and For the Birds has allowed my family and I to have a mini piece of the pie—actively participating on an almost daily basis.

So, I guess that I need to thank me for jumping into a way of life that I never knew possible... but -- as I take my place at the podium to accept the award for 2009 Ego of the Year—I really thank all the readers... to date a shocking 23,247—even those that hit the website and went "what the f is this" and x'd the browser out... I have kept my word and emailed everyone back that has commented—and I have kept most comments private... knowing that privacy is still a major player in the evolution of For the Birds.

On another note, I really want to acknowledge a few other blogs out there that have given me the courage to share in this open forum... In no particular order:

Dooce
Mighty Girl
Suburban Bliss
Gotham Gal
Designing Moms

I don't think that any of these authors are aware of me or how much they have influenced... If they were aware—I'm sure that restraining orders would be issued. At any rate, I read their posts with the hope that someday FTB will boast it's own URL (damn you—you evil birders at forthebirds.com) and claim a regular readership. Until that day—keep stopping by—I promise generous helpings of almost daily observations... blood, sweat, tears all mixed with a fine selection of mundane tribulations.

PS. If you want to hear me talk more (The floodgates! Typepad you're killing me!)—visit me at Twitter.

My Happiness Project [ part one ]

Before going out to fight the Memorial Day weekend acutremont gatherers, a morning of calm....

• 2nd cup of tea
• Baby swan
• No messages
• http://www.lenneganandmarantz.com
• The new Citarella is now open in the old Red Market in Bridgehampton
• Open windows
• Monday is a holiday making today [Thursday] the new Saturday
• Pizza night
• The IRS is surprisingly understanding
• Will's haircut
• Fun people coming to visit this weekend—arriving on an early Jitney
• Gardening, playing, updating
• Thai food this weekend
• I understand Flickr
• I'm beginning to understand Twitter
• Bluedog is all better

 

Can I borrow your headlamp?

Almost 10 years ago (yikes!) I worked at a company that was deep out in the New Hampshire woods... a company that developed ground penetrating radar equipment and software. I will give you a second to think about this.

The radar tools were used worldwide for things like major infrastructure projects, highway repairs, and my favorite -- archeology and hidden treasures. I was titled the "Graphic Presentation Specialist" and spent a lot of time looking at pictures of digitized rebar. It was my job to make radar look sexy. I have always had a slight interest in science, so this was it wasn't too mundane for me... most of the time.

My co-workers were all scientists—geologists mostly... and when I needed approval on the latest product shot I would have to go on a scouting hunt through the woods to find the individual in question.. Once found, they were usually dressed head to toe in protective jump-suits, not as a precaution—just because they wanted to—testing equipment in the dank woods. Headlamps were also big in this office... when at their desks, they all seemed to need the extra light—despite the mind-burning fluorescents in the ceiling.  Gas masks were also in abundance, although I don't recall ever seeing or catching a wiff of any hazerdous chemicals. These were all regular people... just really smart and into the world underground.

There were some creepshows— the guys that lurk around unibomberesk. But for the most part everyone was really friendly and upbeat. They had organized runs after lunch—big groups of geologists running on the country roads talking about rocks and rebar. I'm not going to lie—it was amusing... And, it was a good job. They had awesome beneifts and, because we were owned by a larger Chinese oligarchy, the 401K was-a-rollin. I probably would have stayed with the company longer than I did (about 1.5yrs).. but I began to laugh at the rebar jokes... I began to recognize the flaws in the digitized software accounts of cracked concrete... I started to think that the lights weren't bright enough—can I borrow your headlamp? It was time to move on... and so I did.

In 2001—after 9-11 and during the clean-up of, I was watching the news. Still living in New Hampshire -- although no where near the woods, I was of course somber about the course of events when... WAIT - in the background there... That man... I know him... Hey that's STEVE from GSSI—he's holding a peice of Ground Penetrating Radar equipment!

To date, the company is still going strong, and I will always have fond memories.

Hoarding—the Facebook way.

We have started many posts about Facebook and then deleted them... it's actually a very touchy subject, but one that we feel deserves to be recognized. Firstly, social networking sites are good things—Most any kind of networking is positive and functional. But they do not come without abusers.

We have recently noticed that there seems to be some sort of surge with Facebook "Friending"—people signing up left and right... which not only proves that people are not working at thier desks, but also leads to the purpose of this post... A few observations of bizarre behaviors and uncomfortable situations...(in no particular order)

• There is a Facebook etiquitte that seems to require people to agree to "Friend" invites.. For example: One indivdual (that many hold at a distance)...  signed up recently and within a few hours contacted several hundred people that he 1) Once went to school with 2) Is related to 3) Once dated 4) Once dated a friend of 5) Once dated a relative of 6) Once met through a former friend 7) Once met through a current friend 8) Once worked with. Some—not knowing who he was, and Most—knowing exactly who he is and not liking him... agreed to be his friend and opened up their Facebook lives to him. Now he knows.
• Ex's contacting ex's and their friends to become "Friends". We just think this is odd.
• Asking to "Friend" someone you went to nursery school with, but haven't talked to since—without a "Hey how are you?, We went to nursery school together"... 
• Asking to "Friend" someone you went to nursery school with, but haven't talked to since—The brain morphs you know... they could be insane.
• Putting your phone number up there ... Not knowing that the person you just "Friended" from Nursery School is psychotic.
• That girl you knew in college that acted like she didn't know you when you ran into her on the street in New Orleans in 2000—she now wants to "Friend" you... 

We just want people to behave.

Calling all Freelancers (in the hamptons)

Breakwater Design Studio is currently reviewing portfolios for a Freelance Graphic Design position. This position requires that you work onsite in our Bridgehampton location. Join us, we're fun. Please email all resumes, samples, portfolio links to create@bwdstudio.com. Please, we are very busy - no stop ins or calls.