Feds pushing hard for census participation

One of the more effective channels has been social media and specifically YouTube.

Check out this video that targets the Taiwanese population. According to the video, only 800 Taiwanese residents filled out the form — that's missing about 80 percent.

At the same time, they are used to the slew of ads that pop up in the right hand side of the page. While blended into the experience, it's still advertising.

Why not remove the ads and replace it with social content related to the sender of the email you're reading?

That's the premise behind a new tool making the social web rounds called Rapportive.

Immediately, Steve Perry was yelling at me, "Don't Stop Believin'" -- the classic rock song that, unless you're a robot, has to get you amped up.

So, as I sang along like a fool, I found myself thoroughly enjoying the beats. As the song came to an end, I felt pretty amped up after the song was over until the call ad came on for the radio station. You know, the little advertisement that the station uses to promote the brand. In this case, the promo was for Oldies 103.

OLDIES? WHAT? HUH? Journey? Oldies?

Man, I felt old. This lead me to think about what other things make me feel old, so here they are:



Kudos to Newsweek for the link.

Bogus Ad for Bogus Bridal Show

I wrote the piece below for Technorati earlier today, but wanted to add a little more to the upfront -- really just a simple warning to you brides out there: do your homework. Research every vendor you work with. Get references. Be smart. Trust your gut. Ask for documentation, receipts and customer references. The day is too important to simply trust the internet.

Post originally appeared on Technorati.com

Later this week, thousands of people could descend upon the Hynes Convention Center in Boston, MA for a bridal show that doesn't exist.

Boston Police tell the Boston media that someone set up a bogus website and created accounts on Twitter and Facebook, all to promote "The Boston 411 Bridal & Home Show 2010." The promotions claimed it would be held at the convention center March 5-7.

Canon G11

However, not everyone can go out and afford a camera and lenses that equal to paying your mortgage for four months. Even so, there comes a time where the big gear is just too much to carry around. Believe me, I've done the Disney-type vacation with the pro gear and while the quality of the pictures are top notch, you're going to end up with a sore back even if you have comfortable traveling gear.

One of the questions I always get is what sort of camera should families invest in that are in the point and shoot category, won't break the bank, but take photos that are worthy of framing.

Here's the straight answer: the Canon GX (fill in X for one of any models from the 9, 10 or 11).

Do you believe in two miracles?Article originally posted on Technorati.com

Today the USA will face off against Canada for the gold medal for hockey in the 2010 Olympic games. There hasn't been a hockey game of this magnitude since 1980, better known as the "Miracle on Ice."

When Team USA beat the ever-mysterious Russian team — who up to that point, set the gold standard of hockey around the world — patriotic pandemonium ensued at Lake Placid, NY.

Video icons rumored to be included in the development "stuff" for coders

To me, these are game changing features and prove yet again, why mobile devices will grab more and more market share over traditional computing devices. 

This also tells me to wait to upgrade my iPhone 3G to the 3Gs and hold off on getting my wife's new phone until the 4G comes out. And yea, maybe I'll get that iPad...once the second version comes out with the front facing camera.

Six things I've learned in six years of parenting

Patience

As Axl Rose sang, patience is a virtue. Kids are going to have their cranky days and those days where they are bouncing off the walls. Match those days with moments when you're trying to do something (work, maintenance around the house, paying bills, relaxing, etc) and it's like oil and water. They just don't mix. Kids don't have an off switch so you need patience to get you through those situations where you want to explode.

Just a quick shout out to Eddie House who was traded to the Knicks today. Eddie was a core member of the Celtics for the past few years and was instrumental in the run to the 2008 championship. He's going to basketball purgatory in NY.

Ironically enough, I took this picture during the '08 championship parade. And as the sign reads, Eddie House, departing.

Thanks Eddie.

Everyone needs a little motivation

You see, I don't push it too much. I typically get a handful of jobs throughout the year that suck up some weekend time, but that's ok. The money is good and the people I meet and connect with are great. 

However, my referral-well has dried up as of late and I've thinking of ways to re-engage with existing clients as well as ones that are on the verge of being clients. 

One of the things I've been thinking of doing is offering incentives. For example, if someone hires me for a family portrait session and refers me to another family who also hires me, I'm thinking about throwing the initial family a $25 iTunes gift card or maybe gift certificate to a restaurant. For more referrals or bigger referrals (job wise), the bigger the incentive.

Then I quickly got over my immaturity and cried just like I was watching the last scene of Field of Dreams, "Dad, you wanna have a catch?"

However, while Kayla was balling because she was ripped from a comfortable, warm and secure place, I was balling because I just became a dad. There's no feeling in this world -- natural or unnatural -- that can replicate it. Ever.

To date, I've heard nothing directly from the city. I image that's probably because no one in City Hall reads my blog. That's fine, for now.

Regardless, the eye sores are gone -- the orange construction barrel and the Christmas tree. That's fantastic and I thank whomever is responsible for their removal. I know it's a small gripe, but it was important to me.