The 'Spooky' Blogosphere

Since I grew up with web 2.0 in my back pocket (if you will) terms and sites like blogging, SEO, social media, Flickr and tweeting are part of my everyday jargon.

My friends make fun of my technical antics and I try to tell them there are people far geekier than I am, but they just don't understand. Nonetheless, that is why I feel so at home working at Lijit. We're a group of intelligent progressive people, but geek tech talk is discussed over lunch just like people talk about shopping or the movies: OPML files, ad networks, pageviews...I love it!

I wanted to give a shout out to some of my fellow (newish) Lijiters as one of my favorite co-workers, Tara wrote a great post on what we do and what we write about. Having your individual voice is important in the wild west world of the web. Check out her newest post with the newest Lijit additions and blogs at I Quit For Lijit, "All In A Day's Work, The Office Edition..."

I will be posting on our company blog soon about the beauty of Lijit' s office, what we do, how we do it, and the fun we have along the way. Stay tuned...

Cheers and Happy Halloween (boo).

"CHANGE"

Change: First of all, I wanted to note the change in my blog design. The new logo art is by one of my favorite designers, Mateu. It provides fresh perspective heading into the Colorado winter season.

Photo courtesy of Rocky Mountain News, Matt McClain

Second, this morning I took the opportunity to hear Obama speak one last time (live) before before the November 4th election. The rally was held in Denver's Civic Center Park, under a blue sky and fresh crisp air with 100,000+ supporters. Talk about inspirational. The event almost equaled the surge of power that I experienced at Invesco in August when he accepted his nomination to run for President. For me, it wasn't so much about what was being said, if you pay attention at all to this election-debates, speeches, or the media the facts are known. It was more about the collective attention and consciousness of everyone there. From a statistics perspective for Colorado, Rocky Mountain News/CBS 4's poll published that Obama had a 12-point lead in a survey of 500 registered voters.

Check out the pictures and videos below. It might give scope to how many people were there and the exuberant energy everyone possessed. For more rally pictures check out my Flickr stream here. Watch for this first video as Obama steps onto stage and the cheering begins...

My friend Denise and I making our way through the massive crowd

Dear FDA:Please Label Properply

Whether it's from my old college professor in Biology of Nutrition and Fitness or my nutrition-minded mother I've been pretty conscious of food labeling, or the lack thereof.

Recently, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has proposed a rule that would allow gene-altered milk or meat to be sold without the proper labeling. This would involve dangerous genetic engineering with animals and we don't know the repercussions or danger this could cause. My friend Linda, over at Forced Green wrote about the same proposal. Her frustration is legitimately apparent as she declares, "the FDA is going to set into motion rules that keep the consumers in the blind about what they are going to buy, cook and eat by not requiring the labeling of these products." I couldn't agree more. Ignorance isn't bliss, especially when it comes to what we're eating and our health.
Bill Freese, science policy analyst with the Center for Food Safety says that 90% of consumers want identifying labels on genetically modified foods. However, it doesn't seem to matter--U.S. laws don't require them.

With that being said there is a petition you can sign to prevent gene-altered food. However, you must sign it before October 31st. If you're moved, I urge you to at least check out the facts, think about what we could be dealing with and then sign the petition.

Led By Inspiration

I have grown up with both parents working in interesting occupations. My Father, is a certified Gemologist and my Mother, a Transformational Life Coach.

Lenora (Ma) teaching at a Women's Conference, April 2008

Jay (Dad) in Thailand, examining a Yellow Sapphire

Nonetheless, I've grown tremendously from their varied knowledge. Ie: Traveling to Thailand with my Father on a gemstone buying trip (from Bangkok to the jungle). As my father owns his own gemstone business, he also is the Senior Gemstone Buyer for Jewelry Television (JTV) an American television network similar to Home Shopping. JTV is one of the top 15 largest jewelry retailers in the world and it is the world's largest retailer of loose gemstones. I always say my future husband is going to have no problem getting me the 'rock' of my choice :) Thanks, pops.

Dad in Moguk, Burma near the Ruby mines. A 7 hour truck ride up the mountain to reach the rare and hardly visited mine.

With my father's gemstone expertise he travels directly to the source (South America, Thailand, Burma, etc.) to find natural, precious gemstones. He also goes live on JTV often (over 65 million live viewers nationwide) to speak about the latest stones. I enjoy watching him speak in his Calvin Klein tuxedo because it's humorous to me, but I also learn a thing or two and of course "ooh" and "aah," even though I grew up working in his business with gemstones of all rarities.

Check out his bright pink tux vest and recent insights on Tanzanite here. And of course, if you're interested in a gemstone or jewelry...you know who to contact.

Vote For Hope

As a fan of hip hop, music and of course liberating politics (i.e. Obama) check out this awesome music video Obama '08 - Vote For Hope from MC Yogi on Vimeo. Share the love...


Obama '08 - Vote For Hope from MC Yogi on Vimeo.

The List (revised via Miss Bargerstock)

As we have officially transitioned into the Fall season, I think it's appropriate to create a list of things that keep us going, inspire, and make us cock our head slightly to the side and ponder...

One of my dearest friends, Miss Bargerstock over at Saint Thanatos posted her version of The List. I couldn't agree more (with most of them) but I decided to tailor the list, adding to the love.

Miss Bargerstock's List as she denotes, "some things are worth the sight:"

1) Real jack rabbits
2) Squirrels rocking it in the fields digging holes and scurrying
3) The perfect mango, hedgehog-style
4) Waking up before your alarm
5) Talking to customer service for too long
6) Gentlemen
7) Smiles from passing cars
8) Looking at things you cannot understand but other people do: mathematical equations, Big Macs, fruit flies and their general existence, germs, clutter.
9) Billy Blanks Tai Bo Bootcamp DVDs hiding in my desk never to be taken out from sheer embarrassment.
10) Body language in the checkout line.
11) Do you like making lists?
12) Nothing is more satisfying than a list, and crossing them off.
13) When I was thirteen I had no idea that my life would be what it is right now. "Not Knowing" is always worth it.

Grace's Addition:
14) Eye contact with a stranger
15) Failing and mistakes
16) A genuine smile that can't be held back
17) Receiving a hand-written letter or card in the mail (I firmly believe in this lost art...)
18) Realizing or experiencing the 6 degrees of separation phenomenon (it's real and affirmative)
19) Experiencing the sort of silence that's deafeningly loud
20) Belly gripping laughter
21) Intelligently progressive coffee talk
22) The feeling you get as the plane takes off on the runway, as you head off to...
23) Checking off your list
24) Giving is living
25) Gentlemen, chivalrous ones
26) The feeling of deep, fresh powder as your board (or ski's) slice through it
27) The journey not the destination
28) Deja vu (really, what's up with that?)
29) People that ask how you are, then care to hear the answer
30) Perfected sarcastic wit (it's an inherent skill, not acquired)
31) Seeing the exchange between lovers when they think no one else is watching

What's on your list?

A Lijit Event

I started off this weekend with a Lijit company outing to race go-karts at The Track At Centennial. Although I wasn't the prized winner (didn't come in first, didn't come in last) I think I had the most spin outs. Does that show I'm fast, reckless, but also fearless? Probably. Either way, it was exhilarating and a great way for our hard working team to get out, release, have fun, exercise some competitive juices, and of course enjoy. Check out Jeff's Flickr stream of photos and Daniel's Picasa pictures from the shenanigans (my personal favorite are the racing outfits some of us chose to wear-we weren't messing around).

Photo's Courtesy of Flickr: jkriese

Earth From Above

With my background and interest in photography and the slew of close friends living in New York City, I thought this post was appropriate.

Photographer, Yann Arthus-Bertrand is bringing his work to the U.S. in New York City starting in 2009. The launch article covered in the Boston Globe says his work aims "to inspire people to think globally about sustainable living." Arthus-Bertrand has been "photographing unique views of our planet, seen from the sky, since 1994 - and has produced an exhibit of over 150 4-ft. by 6-ft. prints." These spectacularly breathtaking prints will be on display in New York City at the World Financial Center Plaza and along the Battery Park City Esplanade from May 1, 2009 to June 28, 2009. If you're in the area, I highly urge you to partake in viewing this show. In 2010 it will be moving to California. These vantage points are ones that we as humans usually can't view, and forces your paradigm to shift. I hope you enjoy these shots as much as I did. Enjoy...

Mountainous countryside near Maelifellssandur, Myrdalsjökull Region, Iceland.

Village in the Rheris Valley, Er Rachidia region, High Atlas Mountains, Morocco. Fortified villages are frequently seen along the valley of the Rheris, as they are on most rivers of southern Morocco, inspired by the Berber architecture built to protect against invaders.

Stacks of wood at a wood pulp factory near Mörrum, Blekinge province, Sweden.

Iraqi tank graveyard in the desert near Al Jahrah, Kuwait.

Icebergs and an Adelie penguin, Adelie Land, Antarctica.

Photographs and captions all courtesy of Yann Arthus-Bertrand.

Voting Rights

Currently, I am still registered in the state of Iowa. I caucused in the primary as first in the nation back in January (see pictures below) so I decided to have an absentee ballot sent out to Colorado for this Presidential election one last time before I changed my registration.

Caucusing in Iowa as a family-"All in favor, raise your hand and say I" Old school politicking.

For more on Iowa's primary and my direct pivotally, political experience, check out my mom's blog post on it.

So, today on October 3rd I carefully took a black, ballpoint pen and filled in my party vote. I couldn't believe with all the preparation, debates, media, primaries, and promotion led up to this piece of highly important cardstock. Nonetheless, it felt good. I'm hopeful for this election, and already on the edge of my seat.

I've hand my 'hands' in this upcoming election more than any other one in the past. I actively caucused in Iowa as the first major electoral event for nominating the future President of the United States, and as Iowa was an important state I was fortunate enough to see candidates coming through my small hometown frequently to speak. I then worked the Democratic National Convention this August in Denver. In addition, Colorado is now a pertinent swing state in determining the election so it seems I have conveniently found myself in prime positions for this election (Iowa, now to Colorado). Which of course, I will be keeping you posted. Good luck on voting, register as there's still time left. November 4th, 2008-Until then...

Excitedly being an absentee ballot voter (I'm impatient by nature, so this way I didn't have to wait).