http://activerain.com/blogs/ctannstarr en-us http://activerain.com/blogsview/1390493/life-with-wee-people-insanity-is-the-quest-for-santa-at-the-queens-center-mall <p style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img title="Carolyn Tann-Starr 2009" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/1/5/4/7/3/ar126109077237451.jpg" height="619" alt="Carolyn Tann-Starr 2009" width="411" /></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Life With Wee People: Insanity Is... The Quest For Santa At The <a href="http://www.queenscentermall.com/prsec/page/queens-center-mall" target="_blank">Queens Center Mall</a></strong></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><strong>Insanity Is...</strong> Riding the escalator 15 times to hear your 3 year old squeal with glee <em>because the steps are moving</em>...</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img title="Carolyn Tann-Starr 2009" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/1/6/5/7/1/ar126109110117561.JPG" height="304" alt="Carolyn Tann-Starr 2009" width="407" /></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><strong>Insanity Is... </strong>Repeatedly chasing a squealing 3 year old around the base of a two story Christmas Tree because Mr. PDD-NOS thinks the Glowing Menorah next to it is an Olympic Torch...&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img title="Carolyn Tann-Starr 2009" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/9/1/2/6/5/ar126109141956219.JPG" height="305" alt="Carolyn Tann-Starr 2009" width="404" /></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><strong>Insanity Is... </strong>Paying $7.00 to rent a double decker kiddie cart to temporarily strap your 3 year old down (because he wont stop diving into the holiday decorations and running marathons, startling the shoppers) only to discover the 7 year old is hell bent on cramming himself into the front like a human hood ornament. When Mr. Autistic and Mr. PDD-NOS see the watch counter, "Ooooooo shiny," becomes the mantra of the moment and they hastily abandon the cart to drool at very expensive jewlery... <em>The cart gets stolen by another shopper with kids while I am chasing mine</em>... (the nerve of that Mommy - LOL)</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong> </strong><img title="Carolyn Tann-Starr 2009" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/1/4/4/3/3/ar126109185833441.JPG" height="304" alt="Carolyn Tann-Starr 2009" width="403" /></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><strong> </strong></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img title="Carolyn Tann-Starr 2009" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/2/0/6/6/2/ar126109319926602.JPG" height="302" alt="Carolyn Tann-Starr 2009" width="400" /></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img title="Carolyn Tann-Starr 2009" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/1/6/1/8/3/ar12610930838161.JPG" height="300" alt="Carolyn Tann-Starr 2009" width="399" /></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><strong>Insanity Is...</strong> Having so much fun watching them have fun that you freeze your a$$ off on the mall roof counting airplanes with your kids because anything that makes your speech delayed children talk is priceless. :-)</p> <p style="text-align: left;"><strong></strong></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img title="Carolyn Tann-Starr 2009" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/3/3/8/1/7/ar126109291271833.JPG" height="303" alt="Carolyn Tann-Starr 2009" width="402" /></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img title="Carolyn Tann-Starr 2009" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/2/2/3/8/4/ar126109365148322.JPG" height="309" alt="Carolyn Tann-Starr 2009" width="404" /></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><strong>Insanity Is... </strong>Bribing your kids with Food Court food so you can say "blogging live from <a href="http://www.queenscentermall.com/prsec/page/queens-center-mall" target="_blank">the Queens Center Mall</a>..." (LMAO). BTW, they have those really cool and comfy message chairs you can try out here... Makes for a very nice outside office if you happen to have an Air Card. Just sayin... (LOL)</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img title="Carolyn Tann-Starr 2009" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/1/0/3/3/ar12610942933017.JPG" height="306" alt="Carolyn Tann-Starr 2009" width="407" /></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><strong>Pssssst... From my insane family to yours: Happy&nbsp;Chanukah (Hanukkah) and Merry Christmas! ;-)</strong></p> <p style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</p><div class='agent_signature'><p>&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://ctannstarr.activerain.com/" target="_blank"><img title="Carolyn Tann-Starr Outside Blog" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/1/1/5/2/0/ar126107626902511.JPG" alt="Carolyn Tann-Starr Outside Blog" width="114" height="86" /></a> &nbsp; &nbsp;<a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Carolyn-Tann-Starr-Outside-Blog-Minion-Report/57970087341" target="_blank"><img title="Outside Blog Minion Report on Facebook" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/4/3/0/7/1/ar126107635417034.png" alt="Outside Blog Minion Report on Facebook" width="64" height="64" /></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://carolyntann-starr.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img title="Carolyn Tann-Starr on Blogger" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/6/9/9/0/ar126107648509967.png" alt="Carolyn Tann-Starr on Blogger" width="64" height="64" /></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://twitter.com/CTannStarr" target="_blank"><img title="CTannStarr on Twitter" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/4/2/8/4/ar126107664648247.png" alt="CTannStarr on Twitter" width="64" height="64" /></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/CTannStarr" target="_blank"><img title="Tann Starr on YouTube" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/3/4/6/1/6/ar126107680261643.png" alt="Tann Starr on YouTube" width="64" height="64" /></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://www.tannstarrcarolyn.people-realty.com/home/default.aspx" target="_blank"><img title="Carolyn Tann-Starr Remax People Realty" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/9/0/6/9/5/ar126107707659609.gif" alt="Carolyn Tann-Starr Remax People Realty" width="80" height="59" /></a>&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong><a href="http://www.TannStarr.com" target="_blank">TannStarr.com</a></strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p></div> C Tann-Starr (TannStarr.com TannStarr.ws REMAX People Realty) Thu, 17 Dec 2009 18:05:39 -0600 http://activerain.com/blogsview/1390493/life-with-wee-people-insanity-is-the-quest-for-santa-at-the-queens-center-mall http://activerain.com/blogsview/1389704/just-got-off-the-phone-with-jane-peters-i-m-still-smiling- <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Just Got Off The Phone With <a href="http://activerain.com/janepeters" target="_blank">Jane Peters</a>...</strong></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><strong>What a gorgeous voice.</strong> Jane, <a href="http://activerain.com/shelbrit" target="_blank">Sheldon Neal</a> and <a href="http://activerain.com/poppyd" target="_blank">Poppy Dinsey</a> make me want to go visit London (LOL). I've got an invite to show in a gallery over there <em>and I really should pay more attention to answering those puppies</em>.</p> <p style="text-align: left;"><strong>I am very casual about my painting because it relaxes me.</strong> Fine art can be mad fun if you have the right models and good friends make it seem less like work and more like something fun to do between lunch and dinner (LOL). I've got quite a few quirky pals in the line-up for 2010. I also have new paintings and sketches to show you guys later on... Gotta run. Sana is waiting. Will pop in later and show you guys some of my sketches of her.&nbsp; ;-)</p> <p style="text-align: left;">&nbsp;</p><div class='agent_signature'><p>&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://ctannstarr.activerain.com/" target="_blank"><img title="Carolyn Tann-Starr Outside Blog" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/1/1/5/2/0/ar126107626902511.JPG" alt="Carolyn Tann-Starr Outside Blog" width="114" height="86" /></a> &nbsp; &nbsp;<a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Carolyn-Tann-Starr-Outside-Blog-Minion-Report/57970087341" target="_blank"><img title="Outside Blog Minion Report on Facebook" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/4/3/0/7/1/ar126107635417034.png" alt="Outside Blog Minion Report on Facebook" width="64" height="64" /></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://carolyntann-starr.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img title="Carolyn Tann-Starr on Blogger" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/6/9/9/0/ar126107648509967.png" alt="Carolyn Tann-Starr on Blogger" width="64" height="64" /></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://twitter.com/CTannStarr" target="_blank"><img title="CTannStarr on Twitter" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/4/2/8/4/ar126107664648247.png" alt="CTannStarr on Twitter" width="64" height="64" /></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/CTannStarr" target="_blank"><img title="Tann Starr on YouTube" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/3/4/6/1/6/ar126107680261643.png" alt="Tann Starr on YouTube" width="64" height="64" /></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://www.tannstarrcarolyn.people-realty.com/home/default.aspx" target="_blank"><img title="Carolyn Tann-Starr Remax People Realty" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/9/0/6/9/5/ar126107707659609.gif" alt="Carolyn Tann-Starr Remax People Realty" width="80" height="59" /></a>&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong><a href="http://www.TannStarr.com" target="_blank">TannStarr.com</a></strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p></div> C Tann-Starr (TannStarr.com TannStarr.ws REMAX People Realty) Thu, 17 Dec 2009 11:00:29 -0600 http://activerain.com/blogsview/1389704/just-got-off-the-phone-with-jane-peters-i-m-still-smiling- http://activerain.com/blogsview/1389261/motivated-sellers-who-are-not-motivated- <p style="text-align: center;"><img title="Carolyn Tann-Starr 2009" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/5/1/5/4/3/ar126104787834515.JPG" height="335" alt="Carolyn Tann-Starr 2009" width="446" /></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Motivated Sellers Who Are Not Motivated...</strong></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><strong>I have to tear this porch down...</strong> I knew this when I visited the little minions fields this past Fall and realized the shorties could get hurt because it is becoming unstable. I also have some legal work pending, so I have another road trip I need to go on because my previous road trip went to hell in a hand-basket over a pipe leak in my bathroom. Halfway where I needed to be<em> I had to turn around</em>. Needless to say, that was <em>very</em> time consuming, annoying, necessary and <em>not the least bit fun</em>...</p> <p style="text-align: left;"><strong>I missed out on some really cool eye candy and a stellar visit with my friends. Bummer...</strong></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><strong>This next one should be fun because no one has any expectations (except my lawyer - LOL).</strong> I habitually get in the car, think about writing, drive, then randomly stop after I make a few phone calls to see if people can come out to play, then drive some more and make up what I want to do as the scenery flashes by and I sing along to my fave songs.</p> <p style="text-align: left;"><strong>If you're there when I get there, I'll pop over.</strong> If not, I'll say hello on your voice mail (or send a text) and meander around collecting my eye candy, then move on until the next urge to stop over. Being retired and having a minion sitter is fun. You periodically get to wander off to do interesting things between working. ;-)</p> <p style="text-align: left;"><strong>My cousin suggested a new spot for me to write from.</strong> I'm thinking about it because I have never been to Redding, PA. Amanda Marie really wants to go, rented a very nice compact car, so I figure <em>why not be a passenger</em> and drive her crazy with my laptop, TomTom an a wee bit of quirky side seat driving between blogging and serial commenting? (LOL) My Sprint Air Card can actually keep up if you drive 60 miles per hour or less. This should be <em>very interesting</em> because I have never seen Marie drive. I'm usually driving her...</p> <p style="text-align: left;"><strong>Hmm... Does that make me a control freak? (LOL) ;-)</strong></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><strong>Marie driving... What a novel idea... Who knows how far I can get her to stray across state lines.&nbsp; </strong>Yes, I know, I am sooooo easily amused (LOL). I <em>like</em> invading states. I need to get more of my brick and mortars in on the game. We once took five cars down to VA <em>but that's another blog post entirely</em> (LOL). :-)</p> <p style="text-align: left;"><strong>Oh... yeah... about that title...</strong> <em>It's a chapter in my book</em> (LOL). I am watching some real estate slides and thinking about the year in review and wondering why people put "motivated seller" in the MLS <em>when the sellers are anything but motivated</em>.</p> <p style="text-align: left;"><strong>They, some of the sellers, like to say that they are, but in reality consistently reject decent offers all the time.</strong> It makes the buyer and listing agents crazy when people refuse to budge over a few thousand dollars, <strong>especially if the profit margin is 203.125%.</strong> Ever lose a good deal because someone brought their home in the mid sixties for $65k who have a six figure number stuck in their head that people just wont pay and they just wont let go of?</p> <p style="text-align: left;"><strong>I just did... with a "motivated buyer" who <em>really wants to move</em> (ROTFLMAO).</strong> Does this mean my next chapter has to be "Motivated buyers Who Do Not Buy?" (ROTFL) Oh, the things I could say here but wont (Hahahahahaaaa!) My editor is going to have <em>a field day</em> with these two chapters, eh? My book is going to be mad fun because I am sooooo anal retentive with detail. I and my friends are constantly howling with laughter as I write it and ask for their take on the subject matter. They think I should get out of Real Estate entirely and just write. <em>What a scary thought</em>... I keep telling them I can't have adventures in Real Estate if I leave Real Estate. They are smarter than me and seem to think I can. ;-)</p> <p style="text-align: left;"><strong>I bet I am going to have a lot of fun spoofing about this topic later when I get finished being disappointed that my buyer didn't get the house.</strong> <em>There is a lot of irony in this situation</em>. I just have to figure out a nice, generic way to tell the tale the next time I engage in Blog Post Therapy. What? You didn't see that coming?</p> <p style="text-align: left;"><strong>Puh-lease...</strong> How could I not? Seriously (LMAO).</p> <p style="text-align: left;"><strong></strong></p><div class='agent_signature'><p>&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://ctannstarr.activerain.com/" target="_blank"><img title="Carolyn Tann-Starr Outside Blog" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/1/1/5/2/0/ar126107626902511.JPG" alt="Carolyn Tann-Starr Outside Blog" width="114" height="86" /></a> &nbsp; &nbsp;<a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Carolyn-Tann-Starr-Outside-Blog-Minion-Report/57970087341" target="_blank"><img title="Outside Blog Minion Report on Facebook" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/4/3/0/7/1/ar126107635417034.png" alt="Outside Blog Minion Report on Facebook" width="64" height="64" /></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://carolyntann-starr.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img title="Carolyn Tann-Starr on Blogger" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/6/9/9/0/ar126107648509967.png" alt="Carolyn Tann-Starr on Blogger" width="64" height="64" /></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://twitter.com/CTannStarr" target="_blank"><img title="CTannStarr on Twitter" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/4/2/8/4/ar126107664648247.png" alt="CTannStarr on Twitter" width="64" height="64" /></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/CTannStarr" target="_blank"><img title="Tann Starr on YouTube" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/3/4/6/1/6/ar126107680261643.png" alt="Tann Starr on YouTube" width="64" height="64" /></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://www.tannstarrcarolyn.people-realty.com/home/default.aspx" target="_blank"><img title="Carolyn Tann-Starr Remax People Realty" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/9/0/6/9/5/ar126107707659609.gif" alt="Carolyn Tann-Starr Remax People Realty" width="80" height="59" /></a>&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong><a href="http://www.TannStarr.com" target="_blank">TannStarr.com</a></strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p></div> C Tann-Starr (TannStarr.com TannStarr.ws REMAX People Realty) Thu, 17 Dec 2009 06:03:16 -0600 http://activerain.com/blogsview/1389261/motivated-sellers-who-are-not-motivated- http://activerain.com/blogsview/1388873/generosity-should-reflect-one-s-passion-to-help-others-is-this-part-3-yup- <h2 style="text-align: center;"><img title="Carolyn Tann-Starr 2009" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/9/4/4/5/2/ar12610162125449.JPG" height="344" alt="Carolyn Tann-Starr 2009" width="458" /></h2> <h2 style="text-align: center;">Generosity Should Reflect One's Passion To Help Others...</h2> <h2 style="text-align: center;">Is This Part 3? Yup ;-)<br /></h2> <h3>"Generosity is not solely based on one's economic status, but instead, includes the individuals pure intentions of looking out for society's common good and giving from the heart..." Wikipedia</h3> <p><strong>Part 1</strong>&nbsp;<a href="http://activerain.com/blogsview/1381177/willard-gaylin-expressing-anger-is-a-form-of-public-littering-hmm-does-that-make-me-a-digital-litterbug-lol-" target="_blank"> http://activerain.com/blogsview/1381177/willard-gaylin-expressing-anger-is-a-form-of-public-littering-hmm-does-that-make-me-a-digital-litterbug-lol-</a></p> <p><strong>Part 2</strong>&nbsp;<a href="http://activerain.com/blogsview/1384030/dear-michael-put-an-h-on-your-chest-and-handle-it-lol-" target="_blank"> http://activerain.com/blogsview/1384030/dear-michael-put-an-h-on-your-chest-and-handle-it-lol-</a></p> <p>I would like to thank you all for the e-mails in support of this project and for showing my friend such loving kindness by giving what you can.<strong> The official pay-pal email is michael@somad.org</strong> (s.o.m.a.d. stands for Save Our Mothers and Daughters).</p> <p><strong>One of the things that I love about the ActiveRain community is the fact that so many people blogging here clothe themselves with compassion, kindness, humility, patience, gentleness and love.</strong> I have made a lot of beautiful friends here <em>who are dearly loved</em> and I do not have the words to express how thankful I am for the kindness and affection you have extended towards Karen's husband and my friend, Michael George.</p> <p><strong>Please help him as your heart leads you, and may God bless and keep you all. Thank you. :-)</strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p><div class='agent_signature'><p>&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://ctannstarr.activerain.com/" target="_blank"><img title="Carolyn Tann-Starr Outside Blog" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/1/1/5/2/0/ar126107626902511.JPG" alt="Carolyn Tann-Starr Outside Blog" width="114" height="86" /></a> &nbsp; &nbsp;<a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Carolyn-Tann-Starr-Outside-Blog-Minion-Report/57970087341" target="_blank"><img title="Outside Blog Minion Report on Facebook" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/4/3/0/7/1/ar126107635417034.png" alt="Outside Blog Minion Report on Facebook" width="64" height="64" /></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://carolyntann-starr.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img title="Carolyn Tann-Starr on Blogger" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/6/9/9/0/ar126107648509967.png" alt="Carolyn Tann-Starr on Blogger" width="64" height="64" /></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://twitter.com/CTannStarr" target="_blank"><img title="CTannStarr on Twitter" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/4/2/8/4/ar126107664648247.png" alt="CTannStarr on Twitter" width="64" height="64" /></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/CTannStarr" target="_blank"><img title="Tann Starr on YouTube" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/3/4/6/1/6/ar126107680261643.png" alt="Tann Starr on YouTube" width="64" height="64" /></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://www.tannstarrcarolyn.people-realty.com/home/default.aspx" target="_blank"><img title="Carolyn Tann-Starr Remax People Realty" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/9/0/6/9/5/ar126107707659609.gif" alt="Carolyn Tann-Starr Remax People Realty" width="80" height="59" /></a>&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong><a href="http://www.TannStarr.com" target="_blank">TannStarr.com</a></strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p></div> C Tann-Starr (TannStarr.com TannStarr.ws REMAX People Realty) Wed, 16 Dec 2009 21:32:16 -0600 http://activerain.com/blogsview/1388873/generosity-should-reflect-one-s-passion-to-help-others-is-this-part-3-yup- http://activerain.com/blogsview/1385134/new-activerain-group-philanthropy <p><a href="http://activerain.com/groups/philanthropy" target="_blank">http://activerain.com/groups/philanthropy</a></p> <p>I am looking forward to being a member of this group and posting here. I believe we, as a community, can make a difference in each others lives and effect change. We can choose to help people and we can use the power of the Rain to do wonderful and marvelous things all over the globe.</p> <p>The beautiful thing about Freedom of Speech is you can dare to dream and share those dreams with others. You can also blow the whistle on injustice, take action as you see fit and inspire others to act on the behalf of people and causes.</p> <p>What do you want to do with your blog today? You can do anything you want... <a href="http://activerain.com/blogsview/1384030/dear-michael-put-an-h-on-your-chest-and-handle-it-lol-" target="_blank">one post at a time</a>. :-)</p><div class='agent_signature'><p>&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://ctannstarr.activerain.com/" target="_blank"><img title="Carolyn Tann-Starr Outside Blog" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/1/1/5/2/0/ar126107626902511.JPG" alt="Carolyn Tann-Starr Outside Blog" width="114" height="86" /></a> &nbsp; &nbsp;<a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Carolyn-Tann-Starr-Outside-Blog-Minion-Report/57970087341" target="_blank"><img title="Outside Blog Minion Report on Facebook" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/4/3/0/7/1/ar126107635417034.png" alt="Outside Blog Minion Report on Facebook" width="64" height="64" /></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://carolyntann-starr.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img title="Carolyn Tann-Starr on Blogger" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/6/9/9/0/ar126107648509967.png" alt="Carolyn Tann-Starr on Blogger" width="64" height="64" /></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://twitter.com/CTannStarr" target="_blank"><img title="CTannStarr on Twitter" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/4/2/8/4/ar126107664648247.png" alt="CTannStarr on Twitter" width="64" height="64" /></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/CTannStarr" target="_blank"><img title="Tann Starr on YouTube" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/3/4/6/1/6/ar126107680261643.png" alt="Tann Starr on YouTube" width="64" height="64" /></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://www.tannstarrcarolyn.people-realty.com/home/default.aspx" target="_blank"><img title="Carolyn Tann-Starr Remax People Realty" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/9/0/6/9/5/ar126107707659609.gif" alt="Carolyn Tann-Starr Remax People Realty" width="80" height="59" /></a>&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong><a href="http://www.TannStarr.com" target="_blank">TannStarr.com</a></strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p></div> C Tann-Starr (TannStarr.com TannStarr.ws REMAX People Realty) Mon, 14 Dec 2009 20:07:37 -0600 http://activerain.com/blogsview/1385134/new-activerain-group-philanthropy http://activerain.com/blogsview/1384686/andrew-j-lenza-is-back- <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://activerain.com/blogs/andrewlenza" target="_blank"><strong><a href="http://activerain.com/blogs/andrewlenza" target="_blank">Andrew J Lenza </a>is Back!!!</strong></a></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><strong>How cool is that? VERY!!!</strong> I absolutely adore him. He's is such a cool writer...</p> <p style="text-align: left;"><strong>Go lurk on his blog...</strong> when you least expect it he will surprise you in such delightful and interesting ways. He's my blogging Hero.:-)</p> <p style="text-align: left;"><strong>Hey Newbies!</strong> Wanna learn how to write? Just go hang around with Andrew, watch, wait and see.</p> <p style="text-align: left;"><strong>I am very serious about this.</strong> Watch him people. He has a very interesting and unique perspective on just about everything. :-)</p><div class='agent_signature'><p>&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://ctannstarr.activerain.com/" target="_blank"><img title="Carolyn Tann-Starr Outside Blog" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/1/1/5/2/0/ar126107626902511.JPG" alt="Carolyn Tann-Starr Outside Blog" width="114" height="86" /></a> &nbsp; &nbsp;<a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Carolyn-Tann-Starr-Outside-Blog-Minion-Report/57970087341" target="_blank"><img title="Outside Blog Minion Report on Facebook" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/4/3/0/7/1/ar126107635417034.png" alt="Outside Blog Minion Report on Facebook" width="64" height="64" /></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://carolyntann-starr.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img title="Carolyn Tann-Starr on Blogger" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/6/9/9/0/ar126107648509967.png" alt="Carolyn Tann-Starr on Blogger" width="64" height="64" /></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://twitter.com/CTannStarr" target="_blank"><img title="CTannStarr on Twitter" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/4/2/8/4/ar126107664648247.png" alt="CTannStarr on Twitter" width="64" height="64" /></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/CTannStarr" target="_blank"><img title="Tann Starr on YouTube" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/3/4/6/1/6/ar126107680261643.png" alt="Tann Starr on YouTube" width="64" height="64" /></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://www.tannstarrcarolyn.people-realty.com/home/default.aspx" target="_blank"><img title="Carolyn Tann-Starr Remax People Realty" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/9/0/6/9/5/ar126107707659609.gif" alt="Carolyn Tann-Starr Remax People Realty" width="80" height="59" /></a>&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong><a href="http://www.TannStarr.com" target="_blank">TannStarr.com</a></strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p></div> C Tann-Starr (TannStarr.com TannStarr.ws REMAX People Realty) Mon, 14 Dec 2009 15:20:32 -0600 http://activerain.com/blogsview/1384686/andrew-j-lenza-is-back- http://activerain.com/blogsview/1384030/dear-michael-put-an-h-on-your-chest-and-handle-it-lol- <p style="text-align: center;"><img title="Carolyn Tann-Starr 2009" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/1/9/9/7/2/ar126080603227991.JPG" height="270" alt="Carolyn Tann-Starr 2009" width="360" /></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Dear Michael... Put An H On Your Chest And Handle It (LOL)</strong></p> <p style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</p> <p><a href="http://activerain.com/azmortgagelady#" target="_blank"><strong>Dear Michael...</strong></a></p> <p><strong>Who knew my first sermon as an Evangelical would be me warmongering on a blog post about giving you the gift of love (LOL)</strong>. Regardless of what you have and/or have not done in your lifetime, it will never change the fact that the God that I serve is the God of second chances and one of love. It will also not change the fact that this same God loves you, <em>has counted your tears and the tears of your wife</em>, which have not been in vain and has touched so many lives <em>for the better</em>. I have read <a href="http://activerain.com/blogsview/1381648/a-huge-thank-you-to-activerain" target="_blank">your gracious protest</a> and I understand your reservations and the tenderness of your heart, however, it will not change the fact that <a href="http://activerain.com/blogsview/1381177/willard-gaylin-expressing-anger-is-a-form-of-public-littering-hmm-does-that-make-me-a-digital-litterbug-lol-" target="_blank">the money is coming</a>. I tried to give it back and my friends, who are your friends,<strong> said no.</strong> They have sent me to do what it is that I do so well (with a new twist): I am starting a blog war in the name of God (LOL). Bet you didn't see this one coming, eh? ;-)</p> <p><strong>Sometimes our tragedies can trigger a series of events that lead to divine appointments.</strong> Those appointments are not always for us. Sometimes, those appointments are for others. As we go through life and engage in free will, we come to <a href="http://activerain.com/blogsview/1379956/comon-active-rainers-a-call-to-action-show-the-world-what-active-rainers-are-made-of-" target="_blank">various crossroads</a> which will allow us to change the paths of our destinies (one decision at a time) as well as the destinies of others. Some decisions can set off a life ripple or domino effect well beyond the original event triggering the responses.</p> <p><strong>Hindsight is the only venue we have to determine if a decision we made was good or bad for us and others.</strong> I will not judge you for the decisions you have made, nor will I judge you for the decisions you will make in the future, but I will judge myself for my own,<em> so I write this knowing I am going against your wishes</em> because I do care about you and what happens to you matters a great deal to me. I will not simply stand by as your friend who is here when needed, whenever needed <em>as someone who has to be asked</em>. <em>Friends don't wait to be asked</em>. Friends jump into the water and attempt to save those who are drowning because it is the right thing to do.</p> <p><strong>Deuteronomy 10:12</strong> And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you but [reverently] to fear the Lord your God, [that is] to walk in all His ways, and to love Him, and to serve the Lord your God with all your [mind and] heart and with your entire being... (Amplified Bible). I have a lot of flaws but I love God. I've done a lot of things wrong but I love God. I am a woman of periodic unclean lips, but I love God. If God can use me to help people then he can use anybody. All you have to do is trust Him.</p> <p><strong>John 3:16</strong> For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life... (KJ) <strong>I believe in Him. </strong>I know that a God who would give his only son so we would have a chance at life would have no problem giving quirky people like me the gumption to tell you that the gifts of God are not to be repented. <strong>Accept your love gift for what it is: a gift of love.</strong></p> <p><strong>I want you to be strengthened and encouraged...</strong> The hand of the Lord my God <em>is upon us all</em> and we are gathered together today as outstanding men and women of the Rain who in friendship with you <a href="http://activerain.com/blogsview/1379956/comon-active-rainers-a-call-to-action-show-the-world-what-active-rainers-are-made-of-" target="_blank">will go letter writing to your lender</a> while we raise funds to stop this foreclosure. The two are not mutually exclusive and only money can ensure that the proceeding does not go into effect. Letters do have the potential <em>but money has the power</em>. In your case, I choose power over potential so I am <a href="http://activerain.com/blogsview/1381648/a-huge-thank-you-to-activerain" target="_blank">respectfully disregarding your plea</a> not to send the very thing that you need. I have no pride and no shame where my friends and family are concerned. You are part of my ActiveRain family. Why would you expect less of me than I expect of myself?&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>This quote: "I cannot, for the second time in three years, take money from the people of ActiveRain." </strong>made me realize how truly wonderful a man you are. You would do for anything for your wife, but not do the same for yourself because you are determined to stand on your own two feet no matter the cost. I can not let someone as kind as you sacrifice everything you have worked so hard for because of a strong sense of pride. You do not deserve to fall because you have made mistakes. We all make mistakes and we grieve privately for our deep losses. Sometimes our grief spills into the open and people respond because they understand what it means to have loved and lost. Your wife would never desire that you give up hope and stop fighting.</p> <p><strong>We, your friends, will stand with you and fight for you. We will even fight <em>with you</em> if it comes down to that. </strong>That is what families do. They meddle and squabble. As tender as your heart is towards the tragedy you have suffered, I will not let that stand in my way of kicking your a$$ when push comes to shove because we are talking the roof over your head and a chance to heal in familiar surrounding so you can have a new start with the rest of your life knowing you did your best, regardless of your flaws, mistakes, accidents and all else.</p> <p><strong>HE has answered your prayers and knows the desires of your heart and the desires of your wife.</strong> She is a daughter of God, has gone home to be with the Lord. Know, recognize, and understand therefore that the Lord your God, He is God, <em>the faithful</em> God, Who keeps covenant and steadfast love and mercy with those who love Him and keep His commandments, to a thousand generations... You do not have to be perfect for God to love you, you only have to believe He is who He says He is and will do what He says He will do. God's word will never return to Him void.</p> <p><strong>The prayers of your family and friends are constantly set before Him because people like me pray quietly for people like you. </strong>Just because readers lurk on a blog and rarely comment, it doesn't mean we do not care about the writer or the post. You have more friends than you think you do. You have more people willing to give than you think you do.</p> <p><strong>GOD moves in very mysterious ways.</strong> HIS ways are not our ways and how HE views the world is not how we view the world...<strong> How you have viewed this gift is not how we view this gift.</strong> It is <span style="text-decoration: underline;">not</span> charity.<em> It is a gift of love, given freely from our hearts...&nbsp;</em></p> <p><strong>If I have to choose between listening to you or listening to God, I choose GOD.</strong> What you do with the money is entirely up to you. As for me and mine, we will serve the Lord <strong>and we will give you the gift of love HE has written on our hearts to provide for you.&nbsp; </strong>If you do not provide us with an official address and Paypal link, <em>one will be provided for you</em>. <strong>Dianne Hicks will set up a trust account on your behalf.</strong> <em>Make no mistake about it</em>...</p> <p><strong>I am retired law enforcement.</strong> <em>I know how to find you</em>. You can't hide, Michael. Besides, God is on my side (LOL). :-)</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p><div class='agent_signature'><p>&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://ctannstarr.activerain.com/" target="_blank"><img title="Carolyn Tann-Starr Outside Blog" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/1/1/5/2/0/ar126107626902511.JPG" alt="Carolyn Tann-Starr Outside Blog" width="114" height="86" /></a> &nbsp; &nbsp;<a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Carolyn-Tann-Starr-Outside-Blog-Minion-Report/57970087341" target="_blank"><img title="Outside Blog Minion Report on Facebook" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/4/3/0/7/1/ar126107635417034.png" alt="Outside Blog Minion Report on Facebook" width="64" height="64" /></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://carolyntann-starr.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img title="Carolyn Tann-Starr on Blogger" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/6/9/9/0/ar126107648509967.png" alt="Carolyn Tann-Starr on Blogger" width="64" height="64" /></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://twitter.com/CTannStarr" target="_blank"><img title="CTannStarr on Twitter" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/4/2/8/4/ar126107664648247.png" alt="CTannStarr on Twitter" width="64" height="64" /></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/CTannStarr" target="_blank"><img title="Tann Starr on YouTube" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/3/4/6/1/6/ar126107680261643.png" alt="Tann Starr on YouTube" width="64" height="64" /></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://www.tannstarrcarolyn.people-realty.com/home/default.aspx" target="_blank"><img title="Carolyn Tann-Starr Remax People Realty" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/9/0/6/9/5/ar126107707659609.gif" alt="Carolyn Tann-Starr Remax People Realty" width="80" height="59" /></a>&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong><a href="http://www.TannStarr.com" target="_blank">TannStarr.com</a></strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p></div> C Tann-Starr (TannStarr.com TannStarr.ws REMAX People Realty) Mon, 14 Dec 2009 10:56:04 -0600 http://activerain.com/blogsview/1384030/dear-michael-put-an-h-on-your-chest-and-handle-it-lol- http://activerain.com/blogsview/1381469/life-with-wee-people-cyberjam <p style="text-align: center;"><img title="Carolyn Tann-Starr 2009" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/6/6/3/9/0/ar126063901909366.JPG" height="390" alt="Carolyn Tann-Starr 2009" width="477" /></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Life With Wee People: Cyberjam</strong></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><strong>If I could keep the Wee People in their clothes I'd make a film, but alas, my shorties like playing in their shorties (so no musical clips of the wee people today). </strong></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><strong>Ever deal with hyperactive, learning disabled kids?</strong> Makes for a very interesting blog life (LOL). I can barely walk in my house. <em>There are toys everywhere</em>.... Hmm... Can we benefit from less shopping? Yeah... probably... Can we benefit from a change in snack-age? Yup. Too much sugar can be a bad thing... My shorties are prone to do just about anything once they get going <em>and in fast forward mode</em> if you give them enough Vanilla Waffers (LOL). Maybe I should go <span style="text-decoration: line-through;">eat</span> hide the cookies... Sometimes, <em>we have to protect or kids from themselves</em>... (LOL)</p> <p style="text-align: left;"><strong>Okay. I admit it. I am a cookie monster, so I think they get their Vanilla Waffer fetish from their Mama (ROTFL).</strong> I don't give them all of their fetish ideas, but I wish I could influence them more regarding their quirky behavior (said their very quirky Mama - LOL). I do not know where Mr. PDD-NOS gets his "good ideas" from, but it has to be from <em>a very interesting section of his tiny little three year old brain</em>. Mr. Autism isn't too bad because he seems a bit more self-aware regarding what is going on around him. Thank God. There are days when my seven year old is my first line of defense (LOL). Noah knows when Stephen is starting to act crazy... How do I know? He keeps announcing that, "it's Stephen's fault..." I think we're up to the fifth announcement right about now... When that happens, that is usually a red flag for me to immediately go into their room because Step is doing something <em>even more inappropriate</em> than his usual inappropriate routine... (LMAO) I don't go in for the first four. Those are routine madness Noah interrupts on his own... ;-)</p> <p style="text-align: left;"><strong>When my crazies start acting crazy, I can't afford to be lazy.</strong> I have to stop what ever it is I am doing and go entertain/distract the little buggers or they will <em>entertain themselves</em> by... um... er... well... hmm... Oh snap, the list is kinda long... (will <em>burning down the house</em> do? Just sayin - LMAO). ;-)</p> <p style="text-align: left;"><strong>Today, I am distracting the little minions from their usual wreck the room routine by letting them wreck the keyboards under the guise of playful occupational therapy.</strong> It is time for their music lessons, which usually makes my eyeballs twitch because Noah tries to follow the glowing red keys <em>but not Stephen</em>.</p> <p style="text-align: left;"><strong>Stephen, the Blur minion, is doing his usual hyperactivity routine.</strong> He's more interested in choo choos and hot wheel cars than learning how to play, although he does bang away on the keys with an awful lot of gusto. Maybe I will make a music video of them later. If I can get them to keep their clothes on long enough for me to write and present an offer for my buyer. Will keep you posted on the upcoming music spam (LOL). I don't want Heather and Karen to think I forgot about them.</p> <p style="text-align: left;"><strong>Time to go into the office... :-)</strong></p> <p style="text-align: left;">&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img title="Carolyn Tann-Starr 2009" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/4/9/8/9/5/ar126063911459894.JPG" height="358" alt="Carolyn Tann-Starr 2009" width="476" /></p><div class='agent_signature'><p>&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://ctannstarr.activerain.com/" target="_blank"><img title="Carolyn Tann-Starr Outside Blog" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/1/1/5/2/0/ar126107626902511.JPG" alt="Carolyn Tann-Starr Outside Blog" width="114" height="86" /></a> &nbsp; &nbsp;<a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Carolyn-Tann-Starr-Outside-Blog-Minion-Report/57970087341" target="_blank"><img title="Outside Blog Minion Report on Facebook" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/4/3/0/7/1/ar126107635417034.png" alt="Outside Blog Minion Report on Facebook" width="64" height="64" /></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://carolyntann-starr.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img title="Carolyn Tann-Starr on Blogger" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/6/9/9/0/ar126107648509967.png" alt="Carolyn Tann-Starr on Blogger" width="64" height="64" /></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://twitter.com/CTannStarr" target="_blank"><img title="CTannStarr on Twitter" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/4/2/8/4/ar126107664648247.png" alt="CTannStarr on Twitter" width="64" height="64" /></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/CTannStarr" target="_blank"><img title="Tann Starr on YouTube" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/3/4/6/1/6/ar126107680261643.png" alt="Tann Starr on YouTube" width="64" height="64" /></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://www.tannstarrcarolyn.people-realty.com/home/default.aspx" target="_blank"><img title="Carolyn Tann-Starr Remax People Realty" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/9/0/6/9/5/ar126107707659609.gif" alt="Carolyn Tann-Starr Remax People Realty" width="80" height="59" /></a>&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong><a href="http://www.TannStarr.com" target="_blank">TannStarr.com</a></strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p></div> C Tann-Starr (TannStarr.com TannStarr.ws REMAX People Realty) Sat, 12 Dec 2009 12:24:56 -0600 http://activerain.com/blogsview/1381469/life-with-wee-people-cyberjam http://activerain.com/blogsview/1381346/google-goggles-is-going-to-be-mad-fun-for-searching-for-pictures <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Google Goggles Is Going To Be Mad Fun For Searching For Pictures</strong></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><strong>Gotta Android phone? You may want to try <a href="http://www.google.com/mobile/goggles/#contact" target="_blank">Google Goggles</a>. :-)</strong></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><strong>Come on...</strong> <em>You know you want to click that link even if you don't have an Android phone</em> (LOL). Why? Because you'll learn something new.</p> <p style="text-align: left;"><strong>My kids are learning disabled so the fact that Google now makes it possible to do a search by taking a picture is awesome.</strong> My three year old doesn't have site words yet, suffers from PDD-NOS and my seven year old is Autistic (both have speech delays). They love electronics. Maybe Stephen the Blur Minion will stop drowning my cell phone in the toilet if I get him one that he loves (LOL). Think of the possibilities - <em>think of the fun</em> - think of all the games you can play with your friends the next time someone sends you a text asking, "where r u?" (LOL)</p> <p style="text-align: left;"><strong>Digital hide and seek will never be the same again (LMAO).</strong> What? <em>You don't play that</em>? Why not? It's <em>mad fun with the right social media peeps </em>(LOL).</p> <p style="text-align: left;"><strong>Come on...</strong> Try it. You need to get out more and frolic like a little kid. <em>Seriously</em>... ;-)</p><div class='agent_signature'><p>&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://ctannstarr.activerain.com/" target="_blank"><img title="Carolyn Tann-Starr Outside Blog" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/1/1/5/2/0/ar126107626902511.JPG" alt="Carolyn Tann-Starr Outside Blog" width="114" height="86" /></a> &nbsp; &nbsp;<a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Carolyn-Tann-Starr-Outside-Blog-Minion-Report/57970087341" target="_blank"><img title="Outside Blog Minion Report on Facebook" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/4/3/0/7/1/ar126107635417034.png" alt="Outside Blog Minion Report on Facebook" width="64" height="64" /></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://carolyntann-starr.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img title="Carolyn Tann-Starr on Blogger" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/6/9/9/0/ar126107648509967.png" alt="Carolyn Tann-Starr on Blogger" width="64" height="64" /></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://twitter.com/CTannStarr" target="_blank"><img title="CTannStarr on Twitter" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/4/2/8/4/ar126107664648247.png" alt="CTannStarr on Twitter" width="64" height="64" /></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/CTannStarr" target="_blank"><img title="Tann Starr on YouTube" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/3/4/6/1/6/ar126107680261643.png" alt="Tann Starr on YouTube" width="64" height="64" /></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://www.tannstarrcarolyn.people-realty.com/home/default.aspx" target="_blank"><img title="Carolyn Tann-Starr Remax People Realty" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/9/0/6/9/5/ar126107707659609.gif" alt="Carolyn Tann-Starr Remax People Realty" width="80" height="59" /></a>&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong><a href="http://www.TannStarr.com" target="_blank">TannStarr.com</a></strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p></div> C Tann-Starr (TannStarr.com TannStarr.ws REMAX People Realty) Sat, 12 Dec 2009 10:38:10 -0600 http://activerain.com/blogsview/1381346/google-goggles-is-going-to-be-mad-fun-for-searching-for-pictures http://activerain.com/blogsview/1381177/willard-gaylin-expressing-anger-is-a-form-of-public-littering-hmm-does-that-make-me-a-digital-litterbug-lol- <p style="text-align: center;"><img title="Carolyn Tann-Starr 2009" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/4/4/5/8/4/ar126061671748544.JPG" height="348" alt="Carolyn Tann-Starr 2009" width="464" /></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Willard Gaylin: "Expressing anger is a form of public littering..." </strong></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Hmm... Does that make me a digital litterbug? (LOL)</strong></p> <p><strong>I am trying to let go of my anger...</strong> I have not slept well. I keep writing blogs and deleting them because I am intelligent enough to realize no good will come of it if I prematurely post them publicly while my wrath is still raging...</p> <p>Lawrence J. Peter once said, <strong>"Speak when you're angry, and you'll make the best speech you'll ever regret."</strong></p> <p><strong>I don't want to regret this...</strong> I want to help the spouse of someone that I cared about who passed away last August, <em>but I don't know how</em>. I tweeted a question... I tweeted a statement...&nbsp; I fired off an e-mail asking a blogger at the entity for explanations and help. Now, I sit and wait for my explanations knowing that they may never come because this entity has no obligation to respond. I am not a party of record, nor do I represent the party, I just want to help the party... I sit, waiting with a disquieting pins and needle anticipation because I passed along the cell phone number of the person who needs the help, hoping he gets a helpful call... While I wait, I fret about which social media favor I'm about to cash in on behalf of another Rainer who may or may not want the blogging machine to mobilize on his behalf. I am quirky enough to mobilize the troops anyway. It's what I do. I hope I do it well...</p> <p><strong>Meddling? Yeah... How dare I? Well, why not? She wasn't one of my bay-bays, but we had an awful lot of fun together in Positive Attitude for the Weary Soul...</strong> I was there every step of the digital way and shared so many intimate moments writers and readers do when they connect and start having conversations across blogs and gradually become friends. I don't know her spouse on the same level that I knew her, but loved ones have a way of being an extension of each other. Her hubby was her best friend and she loved him more than her last breath, so how can I not meddle on behalf of the memory of a friend and good wife?&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>The good will of a good spouse does not die with their death.</strong> I care about what happens to him and the only connection we have is we loved the same person...</p> <p><strong>The death of a social media friend <em>who is your friend</em> hurts just as much as the death of a brick and mortar...</strong> We all mourn in so many different and complicated ways... Sometimes, we can't let go of our emotional&nbsp; attachments because soul ties are a very curious thing... they are hard to break and are the most treasured of our heart's possessions. When I periodically think of her, I automatically wonder about him, never hesitating to care about him simply because the process of thinking about her triggers a need to go silently lurk on their blog for an update. I want to know how he is doing and if he is okay... quietly visiting on his terms, looking forward to a word about his day, hoping and praying that he will gradually become happy again. She always wanted him to be happy, no matter what. I admired that so much about her. I also lurk because I want to hear more about my friend, who is very much loved and missed by so many people.</p> <p><strong>It is hard to write when your heart is breaking... It is hard to write when you are feeling lost... My heart is breaking because he is not okay...</strong> I am not okay with that fact. I can not escape the rage I am feeling because he did everything humanly possible to save his wife's life and stand beside her, no matter what. <strong>How can we not stand beside him?</strong></p> <p><strong>He could better be if we help him, <em>so I am asking you to <a href="http://activerain.com/azmortgagelady#" target="_blank">help him</a></em>.</strong> If one thousand people send him a Christmas card with $5.00 in it, it would be enough for him to redeem their house. He has lost so very much and I just can't stand seeing another good person fall... I am praying that more than one thousand people read this and that more than one thousand people send him a love gift. <strong>They lost the battle against cancer and if we do not loose the battle against our own apathy he will lose their home if no one will help him...</strong></p> <p><strong>A redeemed house by Christmas is what I am praying for.</strong> Please pray with me. <em>Please help me help him</em>...</p> <p><strong>If expressing my anger about the loss of my friend and feeling so frustrated and helpless is a form of public littering, you would make this digital litterbug a very happy blogger by helping my friend survive... Show us both a kindness this Christmas by helping the hubby of a loved one. If I am going to litter cyberspace with my words, I would like to make it worthwhile... </strong></p> <p><strong>This post is written in loving memory of Karen George.<br /></strong></p> <p><strong>12/16/2009 UPDATE:</strong> THE OFFICIAL Paypal email is<strong> michael@somad.org</strong> (somad stands for Save Our Mothers and Daughters).</p> <p><strong></strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p><div class='agent_signature'><p>&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://ctannstarr.activerain.com/" target="_blank"><img title="Carolyn Tann-Starr Outside Blog" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/1/1/5/2/0/ar126107626902511.JPG" alt="Carolyn Tann-Starr Outside Blog" width="114" height="86" /></a> &nbsp; &nbsp;<a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Carolyn-Tann-Starr-Outside-Blog-Minion-Report/57970087341" target="_blank"><img title="Outside Blog Minion Report on Facebook" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/4/3/0/7/1/ar126107635417034.png" alt="Outside Blog Minion Report on Facebook" width="64" height="64" /></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://carolyntann-starr.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img title="Carolyn Tann-Starr on Blogger" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/6/9/9/0/ar126107648509967.png" alt="Carolyn Tann-Starr on Blogger" width="64" height="64" /></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://twitter.com/CTannStarr" target="_blank"><img title="CTannStarr on Twitter" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/4/2/8/4/ar126107664648247.png" alt="CTannStarr on Twitter" width="64" height="64" /></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/CTannStarr" target="_blank"><img title="Tann Starr on YouTube" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/3/4/6/1/6/ar126107680261643.png" alt="Tann Starr on YouTube" width="64" height="64" /></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://www.tannstarrcarolyn.people-realty.com/home/default.aspx" target="_blank"><img title="Carolyn Tann-Starr Remax People Realty" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/9/0/6/9/5/ar126107707659609.gif" alt="Carolyn Tann-Starr Remax People Realty" width="80" height="59" /></a>&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong><a href="http://www.TannStarr.com" target="_blank">TannStarr.com</a></strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p></div> C Tann-Starr (TannStarr.com TannStarr.ws REMAX People Realty) Sat, 12 Dec 2009 08:10:00 -0600 http://activerain.com/blogsview/1381177/willard-gaylin-expressing-anger-is-a-form-of-public-littering-hmm-does-that-make-me-a-digital-litterbug-lol- http://activerain.com/blogsview/1379807/road-trip- <p><strong>I am going to go invade a state.</strong> Will let you guys know how it goes when I get back later tonight. Wont be blogging live for this one because Noah has my Sprint Air Card so he can log in and do his school work. Jumpstart and K to the 8th Power are very cool. Autism issues makes it hard for him to learn how to read, <em>but he is learning</em> and the fact that he has site words is very exciting to me as a parent.</p> <p><strong>Google and YouTube gives my son incentive to read.</strong> My kid Googles and YouTubes <em>everything</em>. He understands you can find anything on-line (and frequently does - LOL). He's smart in a very quirky way. <em>I just have to work on the common sense part</em> (LOL). Time to gas up and go. Maybe if I find a cool WiFi spot I'll send you guys an update. :-)</p> <p>&nbsp;</p><div class='agent_signature'><p>&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://ctannstarr.activerain.com/" target="_blank"><img title="Carolyn Tann-Starr Outside Blog" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/1/1/5/2/0/ar126107626902511.JPG" alt="Carolyn Tann-Starr Outside Blog" width="114" height="86" /></a> &nbsp; &nbsp;<a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Carolyn-Tann-Starr-Outside-Blog-Minion-Report/57970087341" target="_blank"><img title="Outside Blog Minion Report on Facebook" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/4/3/0/7/1/ar126107635417034.png" alt="Outside Blog Minion Report on Facebook" width="64" height="64" /></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://carolyntann-starr.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img title="Carolyn Tann-Starr on Blogger" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/6/9/9/0/ar126107648509967.png" alt="Carolyn Tann-Starr on Blogger" width="64" height="64" /></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://twitter.com/CTannStarr" target="_blank"><img title="CTannStarr on Twitter" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/4/2/8/4/ar126107664648247.png" alt="CTannStarr on Twitter" width="64" height="64" /></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/CTannStarr" target="_blank"><img title="Tann Starr on YouTube" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/3/4/6/1/6/ar126107680261643.png" alt="Tann Starr on YouTube" width="64" height="64" /></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://www.tannstarrcarolyn.people-realty.com/home/default.aspx" target="_blank"><img title="Carolyn Tann-Starr Remax People Realty" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/9/0/6/9/5/ar126107707659609.gif" alt="Carolyn Tann-Starr Remax People Realty" width="80" height="59" /></a>&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong><a href="http://www.TannStarr.com" target="_blank">TannStarr.com</a></strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p></div> C Tann-Starr (TannStarr.com TannStarr.ws REMAX People Realty) Fri, 11 Dec 2009 09:44:01 -0600 http://activerain.com/blogsview/1379807/road-trip- http://activerain.com/blogsview/1379784/the-top-five-things-a-charlie-brown-christmas-can-teach-us-about-real-estate- <p><strong>Nancy was kind enough to make this available for a re-blog. Enjoy! :-)</strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <div id="reblogging_tag">Via <b><a href="http://activerain.com/blogsview/1378243/the-top-five-things-a-charlie-brown-christmas-can-teach-us-about-real-estate">Nancy Milton REALTOR/GRI GoshenRealtyGroup.com (RE/MAX Preferred Partners in St.Louis' Illinois suburbs)</a></b>:<br/><blockquote><p><a href="http://amzn.com/B001CO42J8" title="A Charlie Brown Christmas Amazon Link" target="_blank"><img title="A Charlie Brown Christmas Link to Amazon.com" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/2/1/1/5/ar126046565451127.jpg" height="400" alt="A Charlie Brown Christmas Link to Amazon.com" style="float: right;" width="286" /></a><span class="rkr">As I was re-watching<a href="http://amzn.com/B001CO42J8" target="_blank">"A Charlie Brown Christmas"</a> (ACBC) this season, it struck me that the terrific life lessons contained in this beloved holiday special could easily apply to those of us who work in real estate -- especially during a year of recession. <br /></span></p> <p><span class="rkr">1.)<strong> MAYBE SMALLER IS BETTER.</strong> Charlie Brown's sad little Christmas tree was reviled and then revived with love, faith and a warm, blue blanket. The Peanuts gang understood that -- like a home -- its size didn't matter. In real estate, I am noticing of my clients embracing smaller homes -- both existing homes and new construction. Maybe its the financial lessons of this recession or the lack of time in their lives to care for an oversized residence, but the drive for bigger and bigger McMansions seems to have lessened. Nationally, according to census data, the average size of a new home fell in 2008 for the first time since 1990 and that trend is expected to continue when figures come out for 2009.<br /></span></p> <p>2.) <strong>SET IT TO MUSIC.</strong> ACBC is set to one of the all-time best soundtracks ever created thanks to the genius of Vince Guaraldi. His trio -- playing piano, bass and drums -- created a jazzy, atmospheric groove that almost didn't make it to air when CBS thought a jazz soundtrack wasn't appropriate for children. (Remember, this was 1965.) If you're selling your home this season, think about leaving this soundtrack on softly for showings or open houses. It's guaranteed to create a warm feeling in potential buyers who are taking a look at your place. Music that will appeal to a wide range of people is always a great idea in the background in any season. Select the Smooth Jazz or Singers &amp; Standards channel from the cable or satellite sytem for example.</p> <p>3.) <strong>EVERYONE WANTS SOME REAL ESTATE</strong>. Feeling blue over the commercialization of Christmas and his inability to get into the spirit, Charlie Brown visits Lucy in her lemonade stand psychiatry office. She agrees that it's hard to celebrate the season when she just gets a bunch of dumb toys for presents. What does she really want? Real estate. It's true. The buying and selling of real estate will always be with us. However, the market downturn has shown us that it's the market-priced homes in good condition (like Snoopy's decorated dog house) that will sell.&nbsp; Sellers, if your home has sat on the market for longer than the average time it takes to sell a comparable property, have your agent examine the price against the last three months of comp sales. You may be overpriced for your market, your home's condition or your location. If you're in-between agents or selling by yourself and need a professional, impartial price opinion, give me a call. Buyers, keep in mind that a "Buyer's Market" doesn't mean that you can aquire any home at any time for a penny on the dollar or a lowball offer. It does mean that you can get a good home at a good price based on recent comparable sales. (And right now you also can get it at near-record low interest rates and with a federal tax credit.) The market dictates what a house is worth and every market is different.</p> <p>4.) <strong>TAKE CARE OF YOUR FAITHFUL PET</strong>. In various Charlie Brown cartoons, Snoopy and his bird pal Woodstock play hockey on a frozen water bowl.&nbsp; Don't let your furry friend's water turn into a skating pond. Please make sure your pets are brought into a warm and safe place during the chill of winter or the heat of next summer. If your house is on the market, please leave instructions regarding your pets for agents who will be showing your home. Kennel dogs prior to a showing, make sure cat litter boxes are clean and pick up pet toys. Sellers, if you can take the animals and their things with you during a showing, it may help your home appeal to a broader ranger of potential buyers who might not love Fido and Fluffy as much as you do.</p> <p>5.)<strong> EXAMINE THE TRUE MEANING OF HAPPINESS</strong>. In ACBC, Linus reminds the kids about the true meaning of Christmas by simply and beautifully quoting scripture from the Book of Luke. In real estate we can take these messages to heart as well. Buyers: Don't expect a new house to make you happy. A new house will give you a warm place that meets your location and structural needs. Then you get to put friends, family, faith,pets and love inside to create a home that <em>will</em> bring true happiness. Sellers, your family home may have given you years of service, but it is just a shell without you and your family and friends inside. Your real home will be wherever you are moving next, so let go of the anxiety and embrace the change whether you're faced with downsizing, rightsizing, upsizing or moving across the country.</p> <p>Have a wonderful, merry season and don't forget to pop in the <a href="http://amzn.com/B001CO42J8" target="_blank">DVD or Blue Ray of "A Charlie Brown Christmas"</a> to enhance your holidays.</p><div class="agent_signature"><p>___________________________________________________________________________________________________</p> <p><img title="Goshen Realty Group Logo" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/1/6/6/0/5/ar125498210850661.jpg" height="116" alt="Goshen Realty Group Logo" width="150" style="float: left;" />About the Author: Nancy Milton, GRI, is a REALTOR with the <a href="http://www.goshenrealtygroup.com" title="Goshen Realty Group" target="_blank">GoshenRealtyGroup</a> at RE/MAX Preferred Partners in Edwardsville, Illinois. She and Kristina Pratt help their customers buy and sell homes and investment properties in St. Louis' Illinois suburbs with special emphasis on&nbsp;homes for sale&nbsp;in Madison County and the communities of Edwardsville, Glen Carbon, Maryville, Collinsville, Troy, Bethalto and surrounding areas.</p> <p>Goshen Realty Group takes its name from the earliest nickname for Madison County, Illinois -- the Land of Goshen -- coined when the region's first settlers compared their new home east of the Mississippi River to the biblical land of peace and plenty.</p> <p>For more information, visit <a href="http://www.goshenrealtygroup.com" target="_blank">GoshenRealtyGroup.com</a> or e-mail Nancy at <a href="mailto:nancy@goshenrealtygroup.com" target="_blank">Nancy@GoshenRealtyGroup.com</a>. Text or call Nancy at 618-791-8007. REMAX Preferred Partners is located at One 157 Center, Edwardsville, IL 62025.</p> <p><em>Please note that individual listings periodically mentioned in this blog are accurately described in terms of availability and price at the time of the posting. Because properties are constantly coming on and off the market, please contact Nancy for the latest</em> <em>information on those that are of particular interest to you</em>.<a href="http://www.facebook.com/nancymilton" title="Nancy Milton" target="_TOP"><br /></a></p></div></blockquote></div><div class='agent_signature'><p>&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://ctannstarr.activerain.com/" target="_blank"><img title="Carolyn Tann-Starr Outside Blog" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/1/1/5/2/0/ar126107626902511.JPG" alt="Carolyn Tann-Starr Outside Blog" width="114" height="86" /></a> &nbsp; &nbsp;<a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Carolyn-Tann-Starr-Outside-Blog-Minion-Report/57970087341" target="_blank"><img title="Outside Blog Minion Report on Facebook" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/4/3/0/7/1/ar126107635417034.png" alt="Outside Blog Minion Report on Facebook" width="64" height="64" /></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://carolyntann-starr.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img title="Carolyn Tann-Starr on Blogger" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/6/9/9/0/ar126107648509967.png" alt="Carolyn Tann-Starr on Blogger" width="64" height="64" /></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://twitter.com/CTannStarr" target="_blank"><img title="CTannStarr on Twitter" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/4/2/8/4/ar126107664648247.png" alt="CTannStarr on Twitter" width="64" height="64" /></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/CTannStarr" target="_blank"><img title="Tann Starr on YouTube" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/3/4/6/1/6/ar126107680261643.png" alt="Tann Starr on YouTube" width="64" height="64" /></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://www.tannstarrcarolyn.people-realty.com/home/default.aspx" target="_blank"><img title="Carolyn Tann-Starr Remax People Realty" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/9/0/6/9/5/ar126107707659609.gif" alt="Carolyn Tann-Starr Remax People Realty" width="80" height="59" /></a>&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong><a href="http://www.TannStarr.com" target="_blank">TannStarr.com</a></strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p></div> C Tann-Starr (TannStarr.com TannStarr.ws REMAX People Realty) Fri, 11 Dec 2009 09:32:16 -0600 http://activerain.com/blogsview/1379784/the-top-five-things-a-charlie-brown-christmas-can-teach-us-about-real-estate- http://activerain.com/blogsview/1379544/took-a-mental-health-day-yesterday-and-saw-four-movies-with-a-client- <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Took A Mental Health Day Yesterday And Saw Four Movies With A Client...</strong></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><strong>It didn't start out that way.</strong> It started out with me (a) going to see a client, then (b) having lunch with the client and his family, then (c) being invited to the movies by my client, then (d) being invited to see another one, and another one, and another one (LOL). Well... this is a first for me... <em>my first movie listing</em>. Who would have thought such a thing was possible. Now you know (ROTFL).</p> <p style="text-align: left;"><strong>Ninja Assassins</strong> was Spanking-A. I have soooo gotta go see that movie again. Maybe three times (LOL).</p> <p style="text-align: left;"><strong>2012</strong> had fantastic special effects and made me wonder what the government is really up to (we shall not speculate - LOL). <strong></strong></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><strong>Armored</strong> was fascinating... we were all stunned with that one. :-) <strong></strong></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><strong>Precious</strong> was hard to watch (it's complicated) <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em>but well worth the effort</em></span>. The acting was simply amazing. They selected a newcomer who nailed it and Mariah Carey was fascinating to watch as a social worker. We kept poking each other going <em>that's Mariah Carey</em>??? Everyone nailed their parts in this movie... To think we went just because it slipped into a convenient movie marathon time slot of shows about to start. It's very slow in the beginning, but it draws you in...</p> <p style="text-align: left;"><strong>Notice how I didn't ruin it by telling you anything significant or about my fave parts?</strong> I hate when people give up too much info about a movie. I like to be surprised when I go to the movies. <em>You will be surprised</em>. Go see them. If you see them, rest assured,<em> you will have fave parts</em>. Precious may even make you cry. <em>Wasn't a dry eye in the place</em> and I kept pretending I didn't see any of the men get emotional (LOL).</p><div class='agent_signature'><p>&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://ctannstarr.activerain.com/" target="_blank"><img title="Carolyn Tann-Starr Outside Blog" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/1/1/5/2/0/ar126107626902511.JPG" alt="Carolyn Tann-Starr Outside Blog" width="114" height="86" /></a> &nbsp; &nbsp;<a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Carolyn-Tann-Starr-Outside-Blog-Minion-Report/57970087341" target="_blank"><img title="Outside Blog Minion Report on Facebook" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/4/3/0/7/1/ar126107635417034.png" alt="Outside Blog Minion Report on Facebook" width="64" height="64" /></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://carolyntann-starr.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img title="Carolyn Tann-Starr on Blogger" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/6/9/9/0/ar126107648509967.png" alt="Carolyn Tann-Starr on Blogger" width="64" height="64" /></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://twitter.com/CTannStarr" target="_blank"><img title="CTannStarr on Twitter" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/4/2/8/4/ar126107664648247.png" alt="CTannStarr on Twitter" width="64" height="64" /></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/CTannStarr" target="_blank"><img title="Tann Starr on YouTube" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/3/4/6/1/6/ar126107680261643.png" alt="Tann Starr on YouTube" width="64" height="64" /></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://www.tannstarrcarolyn.people-realty.com/home/default.aspx" target="_blank"><img title="Carolyn Tann-Starr Remax People Realty" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/9/0/6/9/5/ar126107707659609.gif" alt="Carolyn Tann-Starr Remax People Realty" width="80" height="59" /></a>&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong><a href="http://www.TannStarr.com" target="_blank">TannStarr.com</a></strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p></div> C Tann-Starr (TannStarr.com TannStarr.ws REMAX People Realty) Fri, 11 Dec 2009 07:22:46 -0600 http://activerain.com/blogsview/1379544/took-a-mental-health-day-yesterday-and-saw-four-movies-with-a-client- http://activerain.com/blogsview/1377397/google-alerts-for-real-time-tweets-bite-me- <p style="text-align: center;"><img title="Carolyn Tann-Starr 2009" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/6/6/2/1/0/ar126041414901266.JPG" height="214" alt="Carolyn Tann-Starr 2009" width="284" /></p> <p style="text-align: center;">Stephen, the Minion Blur</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Google Alerts For Real Time Tweets? Bite Me...</strong></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><strong>I like serial commenting, but not if Google is going to index and send me an alert <em>for all of my tweets</em>. </strong>Have you lost your social media mind? Who thought this was a bright idea? Seriously... Did you know that some of us have thousands of tweets floating through cyberspace? You are now telling me what I first tweeted and what my friends have re-tweeted from <a href="http://twitter.com/CTannStarr" target="_blank"><strong>@CTannStarr</strong></a>? (As if I didn't know... sigh. Oh... wait... tweets are <em>news</em> now... LOL)</p> <p style="text-align: left;"><strong>I understand the need for reporting real time news, but to give me an alert because I say, "Bite Me?" Hmm... You may want to rethink that (LOL). </strong>If this keeps up I may have to send my thoughts on the matter to the people who do <em>John Bell Stupid News</em> (ROTFLMAO).</p> <p style="text-align: left;"><strong>Google alerts on my tweets will definitely make me tweet less.</strong> So much for serial commenting... Maybe I should have some fun and play a new social media game, <em>especially with the lists feature </em>since a search of our handles brings up our lists that we like (LOL).</p> <p style="text-align: left;"><strong>Hmm...</strong> I wonder if I can get to page one of Google for the phrase <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em>Bite Me</em></span> (Hahahahahaaaaaa!)</p> <p style="text-align: left;"><strong>Shall I start a Bite Me List?</strong> Shall I play Bite Tag with my Bite Me faves? Are you confused yet? I may be just a wee bit confused myself because I'm not sure how the indexing is going to work. Lets start with this post and see how fast my Google Alerts go off when I send that puppy over to Twitter (LMAO).</p> <p style="text-align: left;"><strong>Real time tweets might be exploited for SEO if we figure out how. </strong>Wanna take a crack at it? <em>Oh come on</em>! You know you want to see <strong>Wordy C</strong> try. <em>We all know how easily amused I am</em> (LOL). Just sayin... ;-)</p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>UPDATED:</strong></span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><strong>Wikipedia:</strong> "Bite Me" is a phrase first heard in Burbank, Illinois in 2001. It began as a slang expression for discontent by a group of preteens in 2001 in what was known as the city of Burbank in Illinois. Bite me is typically used as an idiomatic expression of discontent or annoyance with another party."</p> <p style="text-align: left;"><strong>Why did I update?</strong> <strong>So people don't read something into this that is not here</strong> <em>and leave me stupid comments on my blog</em> (LOL).</p><div class='agent_signature'><p>&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://ctannstarr.activerain.com/" target="_blank"><img title="Carolyn Tann-Starr Outside Blog" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/1/1/5/2/0/ar126107626902511.JPG" alt="Carolyn Tann-Starr Outside Blog" width="114" height="86" /></a> &nbsp; &nbsp;<a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Carolyn-Tann-Starr-Outside-Blog-Minion-Report/57970087341" target="_blank"><img title="Outside Blog Minion Report on Facebook" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/4/3/0/7/1/ar126107635417034.png" alt="Outside Blog Minion Report on Facebook" width="64" height="64" /></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://carolyntann-starr.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img title="Carolyn Tann-Starr on Blogger" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/6/9/9/0/ar126107648509967.png" alt="Carolyn Tann-Starr on Blogger" width="64" height="64" /></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://twitter.com/CTannStarr" target="_blank"><img title="CTannStarr on Twitter" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/4/2/8/4/ar126107664648247.png" alt="CTannStarr on Twitter" width="64" height="64" /></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/CTannStarr" target="_blank"><img title="Tann Starr on YouTube" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/3/4/6/1/6/ar126107680261643.png" alt="Tann Starr on YouTube" width="64" height="64" /></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://www.tannstarrcarolyn.people-realty.com/home/default.aspx" target="_blank"><img title="Carolyn Tann-Starr Remax People Realty" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/9/0/6/9/5/ar126107707659609.gif" alt="Carolyn Tann-Starr Remax People Realty" width="80" height="59" /></a>&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong><a href="http://www.TannStarr.com" target="_blank">TannStarr.com</a></strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p></div> C Tann-Starr (TannStarr.com TannStarr.ws REMAX People Realty) Wed, 09 Dec 2009 21:05:21 -0600 http://activerain.com/blogsview/1377397/google-alerts-for-real-time-tweets-bite-me- http://activerain.com/blogsview/1372547/social-media-networking-is-a-lifestyle-your-brand-is-your-culture-what-drives-your-blog- <p style="text-align: center;"><img title="Carolyn Tann-Starr 2009" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/6/6/2/5/8/ar126020567585266.JPG" height="344" alt="Carolyn Tann-Starr 2009" width="459" /></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Social Media Networking Is A Lifestyle... Your Brand Is Your Culture... What Drives Your Blog?</strong></p> <p style="text-align: center;">(<strong>Wordy C is in the house</strong> so don't read this it if you ain't got 11 minutes and 16 seconds - LMAO)</p> <p style="text-align: left;"><strong>I don't know about you but my blog is driven by whim, curiosity, creativity and crankiness coupled with a dash of humor, facetiousness, affection and warmongering. </strong>Sometimes, when you least expect it, I actually write something useful (LOL). Wanna learn something new and useful today? Cool. Stick around... I have plans and every intention of surprising you because I'm chilling with the newbs today. :-)</p> <p style="text-align: left;"><strong>BTW, </strong><strong>I like giving them new angles to pursue.</strong> Mentoring newbies is a fave thing of mine to do because helping them improve <em>actually helps me improve</em>. You want to get what you want? Simple: Help someone else achieve their goals <em>and they will help you</em>... Today's improvement project (or cow pie talking point)? <strong>Wordy C</strong> is about to teach you something neat about why group dynamics work and what happens when people fail to understand the synergy behind leveraging your blog posts in the right virtual network.</p> <p style="text-align: left;"><strong>Fact # 1: Social Media Networking Is A Lifestyle...</strong> If you are alive, you can't escape your life and you have a lifestyle (LOL). It doesn't matter if it is stellar or if it sucks,<em> it's yours to tweak or ignore as you please</em>. If you are in social media, then you have a social media presence and persona, both <em>facets of your lifestyle</em>. Your virtual lifestyle is a spin off of your brick and mortar lifestyle. Hey - you- newb - I need for you to get this, so we're gonna do a two step virtual dance until you do (LOL).</p> <p style="text-align: left;"><strong>Step #1: Get everyone on the same page regarding the phrase "Lifestyle." Lets go Wiki that puppy:</strong> "In sociology, a lifestyle is the way a person lives. A lifestyle is a characteristic bundle of behaviors that makes sense to both others and oneself in a given time and place, <strong>including social relations</strong>, consumption, entertainment, and dress. The behaviors and practices within lifestyles are a <strong>mixture of habits</strong>, conventional ways of doing things, and reasoned actions. <strong>A lifestyle typically also reflects an individuals attitudes, values or worldview.</strong> Therefore, a lifestyle is a means of <strong>forging a sense of self and to create cultural symbols that resonate with personal identity.</strong> Not all aspects of a lifestyle are entirely voluntaristic. Surrounding social and technical systems can constrain the lifestyle choices available to the individual and the symbols she/he is able to project to others and the self." You can read the full article <a href="In sociology, a lifestyle is the way a person lives. A lifestyle is a characteristic bundle of behaviors that makes sense to both others and oneself in a given time and place, including social relations, consumption, entertainment, and dress. The behaviors and practices within lifestyles are a mixture of habits, conventional ways of doing things, and reasoned actions. A lifestyle typically also reflects an individual's attitudes, values or worldview. Therefore, a lifestyle is a means of forging a sense of self and to create cultural symbols that resonate with personal identity. Not all aspects of a lifestyle are entirely voluntaristic. Surrounding social and technical systems can constrain the lifestyle choices available to the individual and the symbols she/he is able to project to others and the self." target="_blank">here</a>.</p> <p style="text-align: left;"><strong>Step #2: Get everyone thinking about how their blog is an extension and reflection of their lifestyle.</strong> I am an advocate of original content. I am a cheerleader for original content. I harp on original content. <em>I crave original content</em> (LOL). When a writer writes original content they are exposing facets of their lifestyle and personality in their blog. Your attitudes, values and world view are laid bare for all the world to see. People who fake it usually get busted by someone who knows better sooner or later. Sometimes sooner,<em> especially when he/she/their stupidity is repeatedly revealed through their strife filled, nit picking comments</em> (among other things - LMAO).</p> <p style="text-align: left;"><strong>Are we done dancing the two step yet? Cool. Lets move on to fact two...</strong> BTW, if you didn't get it and want to argue, repeat steps one and two until you do <em>because I am not going to argue with you</em> on this blog post. Seriously (LOL). ;-)</p> <p style="text-align: left;"><strong>Fact #2:</strong> <strong>People like and dislike you based upon what they know and what they think they know about you.</strong> Perception is reality. You can not control how people see or feel about you <em>but you can influence them for the better or worse</em>. If you are a transparent writer you will connect on deeper levels with your readers and forge new social media relationships. Sometimes, they blossom into beautiful friendships. Other times, friendemies full of hatred, jealousy and strife. Some people are ambivalent and swing back and forth between the two. Keep who you like in your life, absorb what is useful, discard the rest and move on with dignity. Just because you forgive someone doesn't mean you have to take them back. Never obligate yourself with anyone... you have to be comfortable with your virtual life as well as your brick and mortar.</p> <p style="text-align: left;"><strong>BTW, people do business with people that they like, so if you would take the time to pause from incessantly trolling for business you will discover that the people who like you will actually start sending you business because they trust something intangible about your writing and already feel connected. </strong>How do you get people to feel connected? By branding yourself and your projects. Branding adds value to your business and personal reputations. People make the mistake of branding and marketing their business while ignoring branding their name. If you change profession and leave the industry, who gets all that good will and SEO? Martha Stewart gets this. Warren Buffet gets this. You need to get this (LOL).<strong></strong></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><strong>Fact # 3: Your <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brand" target="_blank">Brand</a> Is Your Culture... </strong>Think I'm kidding? Hmm... I'm quite serious. So serious that I am going to use my 2 cents to talk about approximately 2% of the 166,293 members writing in this forum under three particular group brands with similar, yet distinct characteristics:</p> <p style="text-align: left;"><strong> Members: 0896 (0.005388% of AR), Posts: 23,016, Ratio 1:25.6875 for the ActiveRain Group: <a href="http://activerain.com/groups/ClubChaos" target="_blank">Club Chaos</a></strong></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><strong> Members: 0959 (0.005766% of AR), Posts: 18,962, Ratio 1:19.7727 for the ActiveRain Group: <a href="http://activerain.com/groups/whacked" target="_blank">Whacked</a></strong></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><strong> Members: 1796 (0.010800% of AR), Posts: 23,389, Ratio 1:13.0228 for the ActiveRain Group: <a href="http://activerain.com/groups/diary" target="_blank">Diary of A Realtor</a></strong></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><strong>Now that we have defined who the 2 percenters are (LOL), lets talk about what they habitually do... </strong>(1) They are notorious for creating original content <em>and the ones who don't have been busted for plagiarism and swiping photographs and tend to don't last there long</em>. (2) They are notorious for writing a wide spectrum of topics <em>in addition to posts about their professions</em>. (3) They are notorious for chatting among themselves (serial commenting - LMAO) and fostering a sense of community and fun. (4) They are notorious for helping other people, frequently blogging for causes... Hmm... Are you ready for the Fifth Element? (5) They are notorious <em>for being notorious</em> (ROTFLMAO). ;-)</p> <p style="text-align: left;"><strong>It's true! Think I'm kidding? Okay... Webster time:</strong> <strong>"Main Entry: no&middot;to&middot;ri&middot;ous</strong> Pronunciation: \nō-ˈtȯr-ē-əs, nə-\ Function: adjective Etymology: Medieval Latin notorius, from Late Latin notorium information, indictment, from Latin noscere to come to know &mdash; more at know Date: 1534 : <strong>generally known and talked of; especially : widely and <span style="text-decoration: underline;">unfavorably</span> known (synonyms see famous)." </strong></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><strong>Why are we considered notorious?</strong> Because blogging purists made us notorious (LOL). Those self proclaimed BPs who only want this network to be about Real Estate only b*tched and moaned sooooo much about us being on the fringe that <em>people actually came over to see what the fuss was all about</em>. They lurked, then some made up their own minds to stay and play in the Rain with us (LMAO). They liked the idea of having an on-line diary/journal. They also liked the idea of having a place to let your hair down and take a break to be just as whacked, jacked and chaotic as they see fit. People even e-mailed me and asked <em>how do I get an invitation</em>? So I read their blog and if they made me laugh I sent them one (LOL).</p> <p style="text-align: left;"><strong>People </strong><strong>with a quirky sense of humor tend to gravitate towards people they can share their humor with.</strong> We all enjoy having a good time and would rather laugh than not, so our groups make real estate fun simply by having periodic bouts of spontaneous laughter and teasing 24/7/365. You just never know what to expect if you hang out with us. Bring your listings. Bring your blogs. Bring your cats. Bring your dogs. As long as you bring you what more can blogging buddies ask for? :-)</p> <p style="text-align: left;"><strong>Expect the unexpected is a subconscious precondition fostered from being exposed to adventurous writers.</strong> Groups were created so that people could share an adventure with their fave wordsmiths. SEO? Marketing? Career Advice? Cooking? Reading? The category doesn't matter. Readers have an expectation that us writers are going to take them on a virtual ride to somewhere... Pssst... check this out: Writers are also readers, but some of you act as if you need to be reminded of that little factoid (LOL). Stop trying to edit someone else's work and go write your own blog post if inspired with an idea that you think is better. Most people love their own ideas so don't be mean to them if you don't. Play nice in the electronic sand box people. You can agree to disagree and or simply move on. ;-)</p> <p style="text-align: left;"><strong>Now that we have defined what some of the writers do, lets talk about what some of the</strong> <strong>founders, admins and moderators of these group do <span style="text-decoration: underline;">to encourage their writers to keep on writing</span> (LOL).</strong> Ready? The secret to our success is the fact that we advocate Google Domination. <strong>Richard Weisser</strong>, the founder of Whacked, likes to "<em>own" his search terms</em>. Yours truly, one of the founders of Club Chaos, seconds that notion in spades.</p> <p style="text-align: left;"><strong>I am a Google Whore and am very proud of that digital fact.</strong> Search Engine Optimation and Social Media Optimization is what I do and why I go to so many diverse places on my blog. People find me because they are searching for something else, a topic in common I took the time to write about. The term "Club Chaos" holds two positions on page one of Google that I am trying to virtually "own." <strong>Within Results 1 - 10 of about 15,300,000 for club chaos, look for ActiveRain Group: Club Chaos and ClubChaosAgents.com (our team blog). </strong>BTW, LittleMinionTV Club Chaos videos are on page two because of the search term (LOL).<strong><br /></strong></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><strong> Moderators who care help our writers do this as well by teaching them to share link love and promote other groups.</strong> Ooooo. Did I shock you? Learned something new, did you? We have 5 groups we can syndicate to. Why wouldn't a founder encourage writers to overlap into another group? It grows both groups. If I am in a mood for a mini-rant my brain is already thinking BanannaTude, MANCROW, Whacked, Jacked and Club Chaos. If I am being serious my mind is already thinking Realtors, Dedicated Bloggers, Donald Trump Fan Club, Seth Godin Fan Club, Club Chaos (LOL). Perky and full of sugar and caffeine? Positive Attitude for the Weary Soul, Fraishe Air, Happy at ActiveRain, Club Choas...</p> <p style="text-align: left;"><strong>Groups have flavor. A single stupid moderator can ruin the experience for writers and readers if they have a personal agenda contrary to the flavor of a group. </strong>Delete a writer you personally don't like enough simply because you don't like them and they will eventually withdraw from your group. With them, the readership that they bring to your table. Less readers equals less branding power. Branding is about creating value in associations. Free no-name brand versus free Nikes - <em>which free sneakers will you choose</em>? I am going for the Nikes, even if the same factory made both shoes. Why? Because I KNOW Nike.&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: left;"><strong>Branding Club Chaos is fun for me.</strong> Helping other founders brand their groups is fun as well. We learn a lot from each other. Lets do an experiment on a brand name that has been picked on unfairly. Wanna Google <a href="http://activerain.com/groups/CosmicCowPie" target="_blank">Cosmic Cow Pie</a>? Go ahead. Dare ya. It's a brilliant branding mechanism created by Carra Reilly, who dominates the phrase out <strong>of about 238,000 for cosmic cow pie</strong>. Who likes cow pies? People all over the world (LOL). You don't get six figures worth of Internet entries unless there is an interested population. Whether it be the game (cow pie bingo), the candy or cakes and pies, guess who they find first when they Google the phrase? They find Carra. How cool is that? Very! (LOL)</p> <p style="text-align: left;"><strong>Lets also discuss the fact that these three groups each have more than 30% of their membership overlapping with each other.</strong> If you add Cosmic Cow Pie into the equation it is more like over half (LMAO). Psssst... If you want the true numbers with decimal point fractions you're gonna have to bribe me with Hagen Daz <em>or do your own bean</em> <em>counting</em> (LMAO). But I digress... The members overlap because the type of posts we nurture fit so well within our group charters, flavors and personalities. We're attracted to each other, rely on each other, help each other and talk among ourselves every single day. Since there are approximately 6092 groups (and counting) to choose from on the ActiveRain Real Estate Network, you should be aware that you don't need to be in a huge group, <em>you need to be in a group that fits your personality</em>. In order to figure that out you need to visit a group, observe it, comment with your fave writers and carefully consider <em>what it is you are joining</em> and <em>why you are joining it</em>.&nbsp;</p> <p>These three groups are about cultivating personal relationships and sharing personal thoughts. They are not real estate centric as a primary goal. Your profession is secondary to you, the person if you are in these groups. We put the person first and the profession second and you need to get this because if you don't you will inadvertently create strife trying to turn us into something that we are not. We are about what interests a person. If your job is the only interest you have, then you have my empathy, sympathy and condolences for a wasted life (LMAO).</p> <p><strong>Did I piss someone off?</strong> Excellent! Now you're thinking about your life <em>and the things that matter to you</em>.</p> <p><strong>Founders who care believe their groups matter to them. They are our virtual children.</strong> We will protect them from your crap. Do yourself a favor and look at the individual branding of each group, rather than the people you love to hate who happen to be running a few of them, because you think we have something that you don't have. You do have it, you just refuse to do the work it takes to make it happen.</p> <p><strong>Wanna knock the 25 rivals you think you have off of page one of the groups page?</strong> Here, let me help you (I really am going to help you). You can start by learning two extremely important points about the dynamics of branding from Wikipedia's definition page:</p> <p><strong>Point #1:</strong> ";;Some people distinguish the psychological aspect of a brand from the experiential aspect. The experiential aspect consists of the sum of all points of contact with the brand and is known as the brand experience. The psychological aspect, sometimes referred to as the brand image, is a symbolic construct created within the minds of people and consists of all the information and expectations associated with a product or service.";; Wikipedia</p> <p><strong>Point #2:</strong> ";;People engaged in branding seek to develop or align the expectations behind the brand experience, creating the impression that a brand associated with a product or service has certain qualities or characteristics that make it special or unique. A brand is therefore one of the most valuable elements in an advertising theme, as it demonstrates what the brand owner is able to offer in the marketplace. The art of creating and maintaining a brand is called brand management. Orientation of the whole organization towards its brand is called integrated marketing.";; Wikipedia</p> <p><strong>All groups have certain qualities or characteristics that make them special or unique: The people writing for them. </strong></p> <p><strong>If you are not willing to help and protect your writers, then what makes you think they would be willing to protect, help and write for you? </strong>Remember that the next time you say something incredibly stupid in Facebook, on ActiveRain and/or a host of other social media accounts. The people who gravitate and hang around with me learn pretty quickly that I only pretend to be a silly social media boob. Spoof might as well be my middle name (LOL). Silly is disarming... and for the people who are having a really tough time surviving in this economy, disarming fun can be quite appealing and charming.</p> <p><strong>Who wouldn't want to enjoy a moment of laughter to forget about the fact that their heart is breaking in real life?</strong></p> <p><strong>Play nice in the electronic sandbox, people. You have no idea how many people count on our playful misbehavior.</strong> They look forward to it, which is why some of us write some of the things that we do write... We are not as stupid as the self proclaimed blogging purist would try and make you believe... We have a life that we love to share so we share it. Not a complicated concept. There is beauty in simplicity...</p> <p><strong>A final word for my dear newbies:</strong> Go have fun with your blogs. Feel free to send me your links. I love visiting your posts, do not always comment, but do lurk a lot. You can talk about anything you want that you are comfortable with. Take your time and have fun with it.</p> <p><strong>You can even cry if you want to... :-)</strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p><div class='agent_signature'><p>&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://ctannstarr.activerain.com/" target="_blank"><img title="Carolyn Tann-Starr Outside Blog" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/1/1/5/2/0/ar126107626902511.JPG" alt="Carolyn Tann-Starr Outside Blog" width="114" height="86" /></a> &nbsp; &nbsp;<a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Carolyn-Tann-Starr-Outside-Blog-Minion-Report/57970087341" target="_blank"><img title="Outside Blog Minion Report on Facebook" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/4/3/0/7/1/ar126107635417034.png" alt="Outside Blog Minion Report on Facebook" width="64" height="64" /></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://carolyntann-starr.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img title="Carolyn Tann-Starr on Blogger" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/6/9/9/0/ar126107648509967.png" alt="Carolyn Tann-Starr on Blogger" width="64" height="64" /></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://twitter.com/CTannStarr" target="_blank"><img title="CTannStarr on Twitter" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/4/2/8/4/ar126107664648247.png" alt="CTannStarr on Twitter" width="64" height="64" /></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/CTannStarr" target="_blank"><img title="Tann Starr on YouTube" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/3/4/6/1/6/ar126107680261643.png" alt="Tann Starr on YouTube" width="64" height="64" /></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://www.tannstarrcarolyn.people-realty.com/home/default.aspx" target="_blank"><img title="Carolyn Tann-Starr Remax People Realty" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/9/0/6/9/5/ar126107707659609.gif" alt="Carolyn Tann-Starr Remax People Realty" width="80" height="59" /></a>&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong><a href="http://www.TannStarr.com" target="_blank">TannStarr.com</a></strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p></div> C Tann-Starr (TannStarr.com TannStarr.ws REMAX People Realty) Tue, 08 Dec 2009 12:34:44 -0600 http://activerain.com/blogsview/1372547/social-media-networking-is-a-lifestyle-your-brand-is-your-culture-what-drives-your-blog- http://activerain.com/blogsview/1373637/oh-snap-we-got-invited-to-do-live-concerts-just-got-a-very-cool-booking-e-mail <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Oh Snap! We Got Invited To Do Live Concerts... Just Got A Very Cool Booking E-mail</strong></p> <p style="text-align: left;">I told them we were interested and explained we're working across three states: PA, SC and NY (so getting together can sometimes be a wee bit tricky). I am very excited and nervous because working live is always so unpredictable (said the Queen of Chaos, Mother of Mayhem and Madness <em>who is rarely ever predictable</em> - LOL).</p> <p style="text-align: left;">To think I was about to go watch some Internet TV with the little minions... (That is soooooo not happening now. Hahahahahaaaaa!)</p> <p style="text-align: left;">BTW, I just sent an answer back. Thank goodness I'm anal about reading my e-mail (LOL). I may have to recruit more peeps to help me with my iTunes project. I also need to change the battery on my Korg.</p> <p style="text-align: left;">I know, I know, <em>bad some-timey composer</em>. You're supposed to keep your equipment running like a top (LOL).</p> <p style="text-align: left;">Oh well... I might not get a nap in tonight. Time to get back to work. I have got to finish this album...</p> <p style="text-align: left;">Oh snap! <em>I have to talk Alicia into coming back to New York</em>. Chicka is going to <em>kill me</em>. It's <em>my turn to go down south</em>. <em>Seriously</em>...</p> <p style="text-align: left;">Being charming might not get me out of this one <em>because we both have whacked schedules</em>. We've been together since the sixth grade. Sweetie knows me like the freckles on the back of her hand (LOL). Will keep you guys posted. <em>I may have to beg</em>. We shall see... (LOL) ;-)</p> <p style="text-align: left;">In the meantime, <a href="http://activerain.com/blogsview/1369380/i-was-checking-on-my-widget-account-and-i-noticed-something-peculiar-" target="_blank">please go help me out over here</a>. I need <em>more ideas</em>.</p> <p style="text-align: left;">&nbsp;</p><div class='agent_signature'><p>&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://ctannstarr.activerain.com/" target="_blank"><img title="Carolyn Tann-Starr Outside Blog" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/1/1/5/2/0/ar126107626902511.JPG" alt="Carolyn Tann-Starr Outside Blog" width="114" height="86" /></a> &nbsp; &nbsp;<a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Carolyn-Tann-Starr-Outside-Blog-Minion-Report/57970087341" target="_blank"><img title="Outside Blog Minion Report on Facebook" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/4/3/0/7/1/ar126107635417034.png" alt="Outside Blog Minion Report on Facebook" width="64" height="64" /></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://carolyntann-starr.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img title="Carolyn Tann-Starr on Blogger" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/6/9/9/0/ar126107648509967.png" alt="Carolyn Tann-Starr on Blogger" width="64" height="64" /></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://twitter.com/CTannStarr" target="_blank"><img title="CTannStarr on Twitter" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/4/2/8/4/ar126107664648247.png" alt="CTannStarr on Twitter" width="64" height="64" /></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/CTannStarr" target="_blank"><img title="Tann Starr on YouTube" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/3/4/6/1/6/ar126107680261643.png" alt="Tann Starr on YouTube" width="64" height="64" /></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://www.tannstarrcarolyn.people-realty.com/home/default.aspx" target="_blank"><img title="Carolyn Tann-Starr Remax People Realty" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/9/0/6/9/5/ar126107707659609.gif" alt="Carolyn Tann-Starr Remax People Realty" width="80" height="59" /></a>&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong><a href="http://www.TannStarr.com" target="_blank">TannStarr.com</a></strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p></div> C Tann-Starr (TannStarr.com TannStarr.ws REMAX People Realty) Mon, 07 Dec 2009 20:38:44 -0600 http://activerain.com/blogsview/1373637/oh-snap-we-got-invited-to-do-live-concerts-just-got-a-very-cool-booking-e-mail http://activerain.com/blogsview/1372857/sometimes-critical-alerts-suck-especially-when-you-receive-them-after-the-fact-lol- <p style="text-align: center;"><img title="Carolyn Tann-Starr 2009" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/1/0/5/5/ar126021282555017.JPG" height="332" alt="Carolyn Tann-Starr 2009" width="441" /></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Sometimes Critical Alerts Suck... Especially When You Receive Them After The Fact (LOL)</strong></p> <p style="text-align: center;">Stephen, The Blur Minion</p> <p><strong>I have two very important quotes I would like to share... </strong>Ready? Read:</p> <p>"If you secure files using the AuthenTec TrueSuite software, <strong>the access keys cannot be copied when backing up files and will be deleted during the Windows 7 upgrade.</strong> The data in the secured file <em>will not be accessible</em> under either Windows 7 or Windows Vista."</p> <p><strong>Hmm...</strong></p> <p>"It is important therefore, to remove any encryption <span style="text-decoration: underline;">for all protected files</span> and <em>then properly uninstall</em> the AuthenTec TrueSuite software <span style="text-decoration: underline;">before</span> starting the Windows 7 upgrade. After completing the upgrade, install the Windows 7 compatible Toshiba Fingerprint Utility. <em>At that point you can encrypt and lock any files you wish to protect</em>."</p> <p><strong>Am I happy that I wasn't the technogeek who installed Windows 7 on one of my client's Toshiba laptops? You betcha. </strong></p> <p><strong>Am I pissed off that I am now the technogeek trying to find files <em>I apparently will not be able to retrieve</em>?</strong> Um... er... geez... well... Let me take a moment to think about that...</p> <p><strong>Well, whuddayah know... @#$% _____ friggin' YEAH!!! (LOL) ;-)</strong> Ladies and gentlemen, please read the instructions before you install Windows 7 over your old operating systems, <em>especially if you use your fingerprints to lock your laptops</em>. Windows 7 appears to be mad cool, but I don't use it so I can't tell you too much about that puppy.</p> <p><strong>Anyone using it?</strong> Let me know what you think. Inquiring minds would really like to know... :-)</p><div class='agent_signature'><p>&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://ctannstarr.activerain.com/" target="_blank"><img title="Carolyn Tann-Starr Outside Blog" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/1/1/5/2/0/ar126107626902511.JPG" alt="Carolyn Tann-Starr Outside Blog" width="114" height="86" /></a> &nbsp; &nbsp;<a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Carolyn-Tann-Starr-Outside-Blog-Minion-Report/57970087341" target="_blank"><img title="Outside Blog Minion Report on Facebook" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/4/3/0/7/1/ar126107635417034.png" alt="Outside Blog Minion Report on Facebook" width="64" height="64" /></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://carolyntann-starr.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img title="Carolyn Tann-Starr on Blogger" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/6/9/9/0/ar126107648509967.png" alt="Carolyn Tann-Starr on Blogger" width="64" height="64" /></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://twitter.com/CTannStarr" target="_blank"><img title="CTannStarr on Twitter" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/4/2/8/4/ar126107664648247.png" alt="CTannStarr on Twitter" width="64" height="64" /></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/CTannStarr" target="_blank"><img title="Tann Starr on YouTube" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/3/4/6/1/6/ar126107680261643.png" alt="Tann Starr on YouTube" width="64" height="64" /></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://www.tannstarrcarolyn.people-realty.com/home/default.aspx" target="_blank"><img title="Carolyn Tann-Starr Remax People Realty" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/9/0/6/9/5/ar126107707659609.gif" alt="Carolyn Tann-Starr Remax People Realty" width="80" height="59" /></a>&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong><a href="http://www.TannStarr.com" target="_blank">TannStarr.com</a></strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p></div> C Tann-Starr (TannStarr.com TannStarr.ws REMAX People Realty) Mon, 07 Dec 2009 13:23:22 -0600 http://activerain.com/blogsview/1372857/sometimes-critical-alerts-suck-especially-when-you-receive-them-after-the-fact-lol- http://activerain.com/blogsview/1372442/i-did-what-any-tech-savvy-southerner-would-do-i-googled-barbie- <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>I love this post. How could I not reblog it. Enjoy! :-)</strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <div id="reblogging_tag">Via <b><a href="http://activerain.com/blogsview/1370892/i-did-what-any-tech-savvy-southerner-would-do-i-googled-barbie-">Cherimie Crane, www.Marine1Realty.com (Marine 1 Realty For Those Who Serve)</a></b>:<br/><blockquote><p>This past week I found myself in one of those rare moments in life that one can either rise above or sink miserably below. Thank goodness for that little voice inside my head (sounds an awful lot&nbsp;like my grandmother) that warned me against being drawn into silly arguments or foolish banter, even when every bone in my body is screaming otherwise.</p> <p>I have struggled with even justifying it by writing this post for several days. <strong>I suppose the voice inside my head wears off after a while.</strong></p> <p>Trying to keep a positive attitude in this profession can sometimes take the strength of a pot of black coffee along with <strong>the dogged determination of a Southern Woman with a head as hot as coals in a fire.</strong></p> <p>Most days I am just that woman.</p> <p><img title="real estate agents" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/9/5/3/0/7/ar126011431070359.jpg" height="164" alt="cat fight" style="margin: 3px 5px; float: left; border: black 5px solid;" width="166" /></p> <p>&nbsp;A few days ago, I attended a Realtor Open House hoping to hear good&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; news and enjoy the company of fellow Realtors.</p> <p>&nbsp;Not even four steps into the door, and I was greeted with a comment that on most occasions would have certainly landed me in federal prison.</p> <p><strong>&nbsp;"Oh look, It is real estate Barbie."</strong></p> <p><em>&nbsp;Breathe. Violence is not the answer!</em></p> <p>&nbsp;Those words stung like a hornet with a vengeance. <strong>And that is exactly&nbsp; what she wanted</strong>. "Smile Cherimie, don't kick her in the teethe, it just&nbsp; isn't lady like." says the voice in my head. Not to mention it would be a waste of a great new pair of boots, the voice adds.</p> <p>Several other attendees heard the sordid greeting, <strong>and it was apparent I wasn't the only one</strong> who thought it was less desirable than a simple welcome. Over the years I have mastered the art of hiding certain emotions, this was a new emotion.<img title="Barbie" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/3/8/9/5/9/ar126011482695983.jpg" id="__mce_tmp" height="127" alt="" style="float: right; border: black 5px solid;" width="119" /></p> <p>So for several days I have pondered (and steamed) over the public display of humiliation. <strong>So I did what any tech savvy southerner would do,</strong><a href="http://www.honors.umd.edu/HONR269J/projects/wolf.html" target="_blank"><strong> I googled Barbie</strong></a><strong>!</strong></p> <p><strong></strong></p> <p>It just so happens that<strong> Barbie</strong> has done fairly well for herself over the years (since 1959 to be exact). Is it possible that this woman (can't really call her a lady, now can I?) was bestowing me with&nbsp;a compliment?</p> <p>So as I read on about <strong>Barbie</strong>, I realize I certainly could be called worse things. <strong>I mean, Barbie is extremely successful, seems to care about her appearance, manages to level the field with her male counterparts, AND is constantly being imitated. Hmmm...there are worse things.</strong></p> <p>This industry is difficult enough, it saddens me&nbsp;the lengths that some will go just to bring others down.</p> <p><strong>Real Estate Barbie? Ok, I can handle it.</strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p></blockquote></div><div class='agent_signature'><p>&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://ctannstarr.activerain.com/" target="_blank"><img title="Carolyn Tann-Starr Outside Blog" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/1/1/5/2/0/ar126107626902511.JPG" alt="Carolyn Tann-Starr Outside Blog" width="114" height="86" /></a> &nbsp; &nbsp;<a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Carolyn-Tann-Starr-Outside-Blog-Minion-Report/57970087341" target="_blank"><img title="Outside Blog Minion Report on Facebook" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/4/3/0/7/1/ar126107635417034.png" alt="Outside Blog Minion Report on Facebook" width="64" height="64" /></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://carolyntann-starr.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img title="Carolyn Tann-Starr on Blogger" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/6/9/9/0/ar126107648509967.png" alt="Carolyn Tann-Starr on Blogger" width="64" height="64" /></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://twitter.com/CTannStarr" target="_blank"><img title="CTannStarr on Twitter" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/4/2/8/4/ar126107664648247.png" alt="CTannStarr on Twitter" width="64" height="64" /></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/CTannStarr" target="_blank"><img title="Tann Starr on YouTube" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/3/4/6/1/6/ar126107680261643.png" alt="Tann Starr on YouTube" width="64" height="64" /></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://www.tannstarrcarolyn.people-realty.com/home/default.aspx" target="_blank"><img title="Carolyn Tann-Starr Remax People Realty" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/9/0/6/9/5/ar126107707659609.gif" alt="Carolyn Tann-Starr Remax People Realty" width="80" height="59" /></a>&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong><a href="http://www.TannStarr.com" target="_blank">TannStarr.com</a></strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p></div> C Tann-Starr (TannStarr.com TannStarr.ws REMAX People Realty) Mon, 07 Dec 2009 10:25:59 -0600 http://activerain.com/blogsview/1372442/i-did-what-any-tech-savvy-southerner-would-do-i-googled-barbie- http://activerain.com/blogsview/1370556/penelope-trunk-is-an-amazing-writer-check-out-there-s-no-magic-pill-for-being-lost- <p><a href="http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2009/12/04/theres-no-magic-pill-for-being-lost/" target="_blank">http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2009/12/04/theres-no-magic-pill-for-being-lost/</a></p> <p><strong>Penelope Trunk Is An Amazing Writer... Check Out "There's No Magic Pill For Being Lost."</strong> It had me staring at the ceiling for an hour thinking about just how hard keeping a marriage together can be... I am a huge fan and frequently lurk on her blog and remember the day she tweeted she was getting married. We fans were celebrating and rooting for her because she has been through an awful lot and has a quirky sense of humor and pathos about it. She's a pretty cool tweet peep and amazingly transparent writer who deserves to be happy. Now things are unraveling <em>and she may not be getting married</em> and I found myself wishing her circumstances would change for the best.</p> <p><strong>Sometimes, when our virtual friends hurt, we silently hurt with them.</strong> If you want to read an amazingly honest post go click the above link...&nbsp; Her blog is incredible... I always look forward to checking in. She's feeling a bit lost right now so a prayer and a kind word would be very much appreciated. :-)</p><div class='agent_signature'><p>&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://ctannstarr.activerain.com/" target="_blank"><img title="Carolyn Tann-Starr Outside Blog" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/1/1/5/2/0/ar126107626902511.JPG" alt="Carolyn Tann-Starr Outside Blog" width="114" height="86" /></a> &nbsp; &nbsp;<a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Carolyn-Tann-Starr-Outside-Blog-Minion-Report/57970087341" target="_blank"><img title="Outside Blog Minion Report on Facebook" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/4/3/0/7/1/ar126107635417034.png" alt="Outside Blog Minion Report on Facebook" width="64" height="64" /></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://carolyntann-starr.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img title="Carolyn Tann-Starr on Blogger" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/6/9/9/0/ar126107648509967.png" alt="Carolyn Tann-Starr on Blogger" width="64" height="64" /></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://twitter.com/CTannStarr" target="_blank"><img title="CTannStarr on Twitter" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/4/2/8/4/ar126107664648247.png" alt="CTannStarr on Twitter" width="64" height="64" /></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/CTannStarr" target="_blank"><img title="Tann Starr on YouTube" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/3/4/6/1/6/ar126107680261643.png" alt="Tann Starr on YouTube" width="64" height="64" /></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://www.tannstarrcarolyn.people-realty.com/home/default.aspx" target="_blank"><img title="Carolyn Tann-Starr Remax People Realty" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/9/0/6/9/5/ar126107707659609.gif" alt="Carolyn Tann-Starr Remax People Realty" width="80" height="59" /></a>&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong><a href="http://www.TannStarr.com" target="_blank">TannStarr.com</a></strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p></div> C Tann-Starr (TannStarr.com TannStarr.ws REMAX People Realty) Sat, 05 Dec 2009 22:14:50 -0600 http://activerain.com/blogsview/1370556/penelope-trunk-is-an-amazing-writer-check-out-there-s-no-magic-pill-for-being-lost- http://activerain.com/blogsview/1369380/i-was-checking-on-my-widget-account-and-i-noticed-something-peculiar- <p style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/5/7/6/7/6/ar125998598267675.jpg" height="343" alt="" width="613" /></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><strong>I was checking on my widget account and I noticed something peculiar...</strong> According to my social media statistics it has 15,492,788 views, 24,706 installs (I am assuming that means embeds) and 52 comments. <em>Those are really strange ratios</em> (LOL). Think about it... 52 friggin' comments? Seriously??? Obviously, I need to work on that aspect of the Ambassadors of Chaos Recording Studio because I have fantastic conversations on ActiveRain but suck regarding Global music chatter. Maybe I should bring those people over here to meet and engage my Activepeeps. Should I start an AR Musical Blog? I'm talking with hubby about it. He thinks I'll crash the servers if I start directing all of my bounce pages over to my Activeprofile (ROTFLMAO).</p> <p style="text-align: left;"><strong>Hmm...</strong><em> </em><strong>Ma</strong><strong>ybe I should talk to ActiveBob before I do this.</strong> The lack of musical comments is really bugging me but I don't want to ruin our bandwidth... ;-)</p> <p style="text-align: left;"><strong>I know I have been working very hard to promote my iTunes project.</strong> We were talking about releasing a couple of new songs as free downloads to launch our upcoming album and are hoping if we do this from ActiveRain they would have to come here to get the next set of widgets and promotional codes for the free-bee stuff. The Outside Blog Minion Report now has swag being created for it to reflect the Gigglefest crew, the upcoming animations for the AR Cartoon Network group (where we will be plopping our music videos, cartoons and Ambassador RE SEO tutorials, etc...)</p> <p style="text-align: left;"><strong>I have been working on this all year.</strong> I own 27 websites, serial comment and blog all sorts of random thoughts all over cyberspace all the time... constantly teasing that it's coming. Now, we're kinda here and the fact of the matter is we don't know what we're doing (LMAO). It really is nice that people are going viral with the word of mouth and widget promotions, <em>but 52 comments? What does that tiny number mean</em>?</p> <p style="text-align: left;"><strong>Part of my strategy appears to be working just fine because I am certainly being found by people, however, I am not inspiring conversations for a major segment of people I've been branding myself to across global markets.</strong> I need help to change that so I am sharing my private thoughts on the matter with my fave think tank, the ActiveRain Real Estate Network. <em>So what if it isn't real estate I'm concerned about marketing right now</em>. This is an "effective branding" question and I want to hear ideas on how to improve and channel the flow of creating a brand more efficiently. One that will inspire more musical comments (LOL). I want to interact and engage with my tiny selection of fans who bothered to comment <em>so more fans will bother to comment</em>.</p> <p style="text-align: left;"><strong>My writing, music and art are very important parts of my life and sharing it with my friends and the public is a lot of fun for me. </strong>It never would have happened if I had not started blogging here because I started back up with the music to make original, creative content for my real estate blog. Looking at my peculiar stats made me realize a lot of people like lurking and viewing what we do... It got me thinking all sorts of thoughts and I have a lot of unanswered questions... What do you do when you suddenly discover social media has the potential to open any door at any given time anywhere in the world if the right person reads or listens and likes you? In this case, the majority of people exposed to my name don't just read me. They <em>listen</em>...</p> <p style="text-align: left;"><strong>I would like to give them something worthwhile to listen to...</strong> I would also love to bring them over here so we can engage them in conversation. I would like to know your thoughts on the matter... I would hate to squander such a stellar social media opportunity. What say you?</p><div class='agent_signature'><p>&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://ctannstarr.activerain.com/" target="_blank"><img title="Carolyn Tann-Starr Outside Blog" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/1/1/5/2/0/ar126107626902511.JPG" alt="Carolyn Tann-Starr Outside Blog" width="114" height="86" /></a> &nbsp; &nbsp;<a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Carolyn-Tann-Starr-Outside-Blog-Minion-Report/57970087341" target="_blank"><img title="Outside Blog Minion Report on Facebook" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/4/3/0/7/1/ar126107635417034.png" alt="Outside Blog Minion Report on Facebook" width="64" height="64" /></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://carolyntann-starr.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img title="Carolyn Tann-Starr on Blogger" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/6/9/9/0/ar126107648509967.png" alt="Carolyn Tann-Starr on Blogger" width="64" height="64" /></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://twitter.com/CTannStarr" target="_blank"><img title="CTannStarr on Twitter" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/4/2/8/4/ar126107664648247.png" alt="CTannStarr on Twitter" width="64" height="64" /></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/CTannStarr" target="_blank"><img title="Tann Starr on YouTube" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/3/4/6/1/6/ar126107680261643.png" alt="Tann Starr on YouTube" width="64" height="64" /></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://www.tannstarrcarolyn.people-realty.com/home/default.aspx" target="_blank"><img title="Carolyn Tann-Starr Remax People Realty" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/9/0/6/9/5/ar126107707659609.gif" alt="Carolyn Tann-Starr Remax People Realty" width="80" height="59" /></a>&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong><a href="http://www.TannStarr.com" target="_blank">TannStarr.com</a></strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p></div> C Tann-Starr (TannStarr.com TannStarr.ws REMAX People Realty) Fri, 04 Dec 2009 23:08:08 -0600 http://activerain.com/blogsview/1369380/i-was-checking-on-my-widget-account-and-i-noticed-something-peculiar- http://activerain.com/blogsview/1369115/-rosepena-posted-a-really-interesting-intel-link- <p><a href="http://www.crn.com/hardware/222000747;jsessionid=IYBDWZMNLPWAHQE1GHRSKHWATMY32JVN" target="_blank">http://www.crn.com/hardware/222000747;jsessionid=IYBDWZMNLPWAHQE1GHRSKHWATMY32JVN</a></p> <p>Being a tad bit geeky, I'm into this sort of news because I love computers and this has been going on for a while now. The idea of them receiving a $1.5 Billion fine amazes me... Take your time and click the links embedded within the paragraphs inside this article. <em>Very interesting reading</em>...</p><div class='agent_signature'><p>&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://ctannstarr.activerain.com/" target="_blank"><img title="Carolyn Tann-Starr Outside Blog" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/1/1/5/2/0/ar126107626902511.JPG" alt="Carolyn Tann-Starr Outside Blog" width="114" height="86" /></a> &nbsp; &nbsp;<a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Carolyn-Tann-Starr-Outside-Blog-Minion-Report/57970087341" target="_blank"><img title="Outside Blog Minion Report on Facebook" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/4/3/0/7/1/ar126107635417034.png" alt="Outside Blog Minion Report on Facebook" width="64" height="64" /></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://carolyntann-starr.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img title="Carolyn Tann-Starr on Blogger" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/6/9/9/0/ar126107648509967.png" alt="Carolyn Tann-Starr on Blogger" width="64" height="64" /></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://twitter.com/CTannStarr" target="_blank"><img title="CTannStarr on Twitter" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/4/2/8/4/ar126107664648247.png" alt="CTannStarr on Twitter" width="64" height="64" /></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/CTannStarr" target="_blank"><img title="Tann Starr on YouTube" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/3/4/6/1/6/ar126107680261643.png" alt="Tann Starr on YouTube" width="64" height="64" /></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://www.tannstarrcarolyn.people-realty.com/home/default.aspx" target="_blank"><img title="Carolyn Tann-Starr Remax People Realty" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/9/0/6/9/5/ar126107707659609.gif" alt="Carolyn Tann-Starr Remax People Realty" width="80" height="59" /></a>&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong><a href="http://www.TannStarr.com" target="_blank">TannStarr.com</a></strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p></div> C Tann-Starr (TannStarr.com TannStarr.ws REMAX People Realty) Fri, 04 Dec 2009 18:14:47 -0600 http://activerain.com/blogsview/1369115/-rosepena-posted-a-really-interesting-intel-link- http://activerain.com/blogsview/1368570/introducing-heather-d-amico <p><strong><a href="http://twitter.com/heatherdamico" target="_blank">@heatherdamico</a> (LinkedIn <a href="http://www.linkedin.com/in/prheather" target="_blank">Profile</a>) is a very cool tweetpeep looking to relocate to NYC.</strong> She is also mad fun to tweet with so go follow my social media buddy and give her a warm hello.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Check out her LinkedIn Summary:</strong> "I graduated in June 2009 with a public relations major and journalism and speech communication minors from Otterbein College. Along with serving as Otterbein&rsquo;s former Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) Secretary, I have completed three public relations internships, a temporary event planning/public relations position and a media relations specialist position. With an interest in international public relations, I traveled to Europe for two months and visited 10 countries and 25 cities. With a passion for public relations, my career goal is to help companies build their brand and create audience awareness by using innovative PR strategies. I plan to begin a public relations career in New York City or Europe."</p> <p><strong>I love interesting writers and chicka wants to move to New York so how can I not help her? (LOL)</strong> Right now we are having an interesting "twitter dilemma." Seems a hoodie owned by a certain someone (another fabulous tweet peep) is being held hostage until Heather reaches 3000 followers. She's close, <em>but not quite where she needs to be to give up that particular article of clothing</em> (LOL).</p> <p><strong>We have until Wednesday to free the hoodie, <em>so come out to play with us and go follow my girlfriend</em> (LOL).</strong> You can follow me <a href="http://twitter.com/CTannStarr" target="_blank">@CTannStarr</a> if you want to keep up with the banter/saga.</p> <p>Social media can be <em>mad fun</em> sometimes. ;-)</p><div class='agent_signature'><p>&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://ctannstarr.activerain.com/" target="_blank"><img title="Carolyn Tann-Starr Outside Blog" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/1/1/5/2/0/ar126107626902511.JPG" alt="Carolyn Tann-Starr Outside Blog" width="114" height="86" /></a> &nbsp; &nbsp;<a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Carolyn-Tann-Starr-Outside-Blog-Minion-Report/57970087341" target="_blank"><img title="Outside Blog Minion Report on Facebook" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/4/3/0/7/1/ar126107635417034.png" alt="Outside Blog Minion Report on Facebook" width="64" height="64" /></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://carolyntann-starr.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img title="Carolyn Tann-Starr on Blogger" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/6/9/9/0/ar126107648509967.png" alt="Carolyn Tann-Starr on Blogger" width="64" height="64" /></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://twitter.com/CTannStarr" target="_blank"><img title="CTannStarr on Twitter" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/4/2/8/4/ar126107664648247.png" alt="CTannStarr on Twitter" width="64" height="64" /></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/CTannStarr" target="_blank"><img title="Tann Starr on YouTube" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/3/4/6/1/6/ar126107680261643.png" alt="Tann Starr on YouTube" width="64" height="64" /></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://www.tannstarrcarolyn.people-realty.com/home/default.aspx" target="_blank"><img title="Carolyn Tann-Starr Remax People Realty" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/9/0/6/9/5/ar126107707659609.gif" alt="Carolyn Tann-Starr Remax People Realty" width="80" height="59" /></a>&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong><a href="http://www.TannStarr.com" target="_blank">TannStarr.com</a></strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p></div> C Tann-Starr (TannStarr.com TannStarr.ws REMAX People Realty) Fri, 04 Dec 2009 12:55:01 -0600 http://activerain.com/blogsview/1368570/introducing-heather-d-amico http://activerain.com/blogsview/1368345/wanna-win-a-free-icny-pass-from-inman-get-to-writing-people-go-here-for-details- <p><strong>Wanna win a free ICNY pass from Inman? I most certainly do.&nbsp; </strong><a href="http://ow.ly/IBhm" target="_blank">Go here for the detais.</a></p> <p><strong>Short. Direct. To the point.</strong></p> <p><strong>Bet you didn't see that one coming, eh?</strong> Not after this mornings<em> mini-rant </em>(LOL).</p> <p><strong>Don't worry.</strong> I got other wordy posts on the way (which may or may not be a good thing - ROTFL). After all, I want a crack at winning a free Inman Connect pass too. Besides, I always find something to talk about. <em>I like sharing</em> (LOL).</p> <p><strong>Get to writing people. I want more bay-bays coming into NYC.</strong> Ann Allen won a pass. Lets see who else can get their hands on one of those puppies. ;-)</p><div class='agent_signature'><p>&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://ctannstarr.activerain.com/" target="_blank"><img title="Carolyn Tann-Starr Outside Blog" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/1/1/5/2/0/ar126107626902511.JPG" alt="Carolyn Tann-Starr Outside Blog" width="114" height="86" /></a> &nbsp; &nbsp;<a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Carolyn-Tann-Starr-Outside-Blog-Minion-Report/57970087341" target="_blank"><img title="Outside Blog Minion Report on Facebook" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/4/3/0/7/1/ar126107635417034.png" alt="Outside Blog Minion Report on Facebook" width="64" height="64" /></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://carolyntann-starr.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img title="Carolyn Tann-Starr on Blogger" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/6/9/9/0/ar126107648509967.png" alt="Carolyn Tann-Starr on Blogger" width="64" height="64" /></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://twitter.com/CTannStarr" target="_blank"><img title="CTannStarr on Twitter" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/4/2/8/4/ar126107664648247.png" alt="CTannStarr on Twitter" width="64" height="64" /></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/CTannStarr" target="_blank"><img title="Tann Starr on YouTube" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/3/4/6/1/6/ar126107680261643.png" alt="Tann Starr on YouTube" width="64" height="64" /></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://www.tannstarrcarolyn.people-realty.com/home/default.aspx" target="_blank"><img title="Carolyn Tann-Starr Remax People Realty" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/9/0/6/9/5/ar126107707659609.gif" alt="Carolyn Tann-Starr Remax People Realty" width="80" height="59" /></a>&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong><a href="http://www.TannStarr.com" target="_blank">TannStarr.com</a></strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p></div> C Tann-Starr (TannStarr.com TannStarr.ws REMAX People Realty) Fri, 04 Dec 2009 11:04:49 -0600 http://activerain.com/blogsview/1368345/wanna-win-a-free-icny-pass-from-inman-get-to-writing-people-go-here-for-details- http://activerain.com/blogsview/1367867/oh-my-word-people-are-crazy-said-the-insane-blogger-lol- <p style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/2/8/8/1/8/ar125992854881882.JPG" height="293" alt="" width="391" /></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Am I About To Tantrum? Oh Hell Yeah...</strong><strong></strong></p> <p style="text-align: center;">Joe A Galarza with his Godchild, Stephen, the Blur Minion (Pawling, NY)</p> <p><strong>Oh my word... people are crazy... (said the insane blogger - LOL). </strong>Insanity is being such a self-proclaimed blogging purist<strong> </strong>that one writer has the nerve, the audacity, the unmitigated gall to contact another writer about their effectiveness in encouraging readers to join the ActiveRain Real Estate Network (even when they are not trying to and <a href="http://activerain.com/blogsview/1367105/lighten-up-bloggers-activerain-rocks-" target="_blank">had absolutely no idea readers actually joined</a> because of their <em>creative blogging</em> - LOL).</p> <p><strong>You would think a bunch of grown people wouldn't act so childish</strong> <strong>over which platforms writers decide to publish their work on</strong>, but some social media self-proclaimed gurus think they <em>know it all</em> and what works for them "must" work for others. <strong></strong></p> <p><strong>Reality check: </strong>Just because a writer shares what is effective for them doesn't mean it is automatically effective for another. <em>Brain cells are like snowflakes, no two minds are exactly alike, people are very unique and what makes one person smile can make another person tantrum</em>. It doesn't take a rocket scientist or brain surgeon to figure that fact out. Just ask a mother with two kids. She'll school you pretty quick on the differences between people (LOL). I don't write write like Paddy Pizappi, Richard Weisser, Gary Wotal, Susan Mangigian, Sheldon Neal<em> and a host of other stellar people</em> <strong>but I love and enjoy their work.</strong> We're great pals. If not for social media I would never have had the privilege to know them. <strong>If you are going to teach social media classes you should be teaching people how to connect with other people, not trash platforms.</strong> Writers have the right to choose where they write and no one can do that except the person creating the content. They get to say where their content goes, not some self-proclaimed coach or blog guru. &nbsp;<strong> </strong></p> <p>Different people make up their minds in different ways and select different platforms to try. <strong>Insanity is having thousands of friends in a social media account but having a cow pie when three cross over to another platform "without a friend's permission."</strong> Was it your spouse? Was it your mother, father, sister, brother, children? Ooops... no... wait... <em>it was three virtual contacts on Facebook out of 2000 plus people</em>... Hmm... You must really hate the SEO of ActiveRain to respond so vindictively. After all, you did feel the need to call the person you burned to b*tch more after you unfriended them... <em>Kept their contact info did ya</em>? Or did you Google them? ActiveRain makes it pretty easy to be found (LMAO) Hmm... just sayin' (ROTFL)</p> <p><strong>Since when does having a social media peep mean you have the right to tantrum when they expand/switch platforms?</strong> Are you a control freak? Seems like control issues to me, especially when you feel the need to try to hurt another writer by pissing them away as if what you proclaimed to be building (your social media empire) means nothing when you don't get your way. Burning them as your social media contact for inspiring people to write more <em>then calling to whine about it makes me want to do a cartoon</em> (LOL). Teaching social media classes doesn't mean you get to pick a student's platform. Unfriending, then "stalking" another social media peep because you blame them for your Facebook friends <span style="text-decoration: underline;">deciding on their own</span> to get outside blogs on AR tells me you are a stupid, stupid, stupid person.<strong> </strong></p> <p><strong>Triple stupidity is an artform most morons don't aspire to, so you, my unfriendly friend, have captured my attention and inspired this post.</strong> See how blogging works? We write about what interests us and tell the truth about what we know. We don't need a degree to blog. We just need to have something to say and a place to park that puppy. Blogging basics 101. :-)</p> <p><strong>Hey newbies - Social Media Fact: Teaching people about using social media means teaching them about being social, not trashing platforms</strong>. How effective or ineffective people are depends upon the effort each individual makes to create content and engage in conversations on the platforms of their choice. (Triple stupid: Not your choice, THEIR choice.)</p> <p><strong>Fact: Original Content creates readership. No interesting content. No interested readers. </strong></p> <p><strong>Don't make me get all Freudian on you as to why you feel the need to attack/discredit another writer who had created work other people enjoyed and decided they wanted to write on the same platform.</strong> If you do, I shall start writing about the parallels of blogging envy being similar to and/or versus penis envy. <em>Think I wont</em>? (You obviously don't read my blog - <em>I go everywhere</em>... and I mean EVERYWHERE. I have transparency issues - LOL)</p> <p><strong>BTW, being ordained doesn't mean I'm going to turn into some hypocritical, pious, sanctimonious religious coo coo overnight because my paperwork is now in order. It simply means I get to be me, officiate at weddings and share my faith from a personal witness or scholarly perspective while working on my flaws and issues.</strong> Yup. It's true. I actually have a "scholarly perspective" <em>and pretty high GPA that I periodically dust off and kick into good use when I'm not enjoying being a silly social media boob</em> (LMAO). I am forensically inclined with a smear of anal retentiveness, a quirky sense of humor and an avid motor mouth. Don't knock it. <em>I am supposed to have a big mouth</em>. God designed me this way, so lets put that puppy to good use, eh? Bring it on dumb-dumb. Lets see how truly stupid you really are. Did I mention I like to say what I mean? Blunt people do stuff like that...</p> <p><strong>I have a lot to say and I enjoy Blog Post Therapy (LOL). </strong>Today's Cow Pie Talking Point: Practice what you preach and preach what you practice. If you are a social media hypocrite your own actions will out you and people like me will have fun chatting about people like you. I have lots of issues and tell people how flawed I am all the time. There are very few surprises here...</p> <p><strong>Why did I write this? Because I can... I say a lot of things people are afraid to say.</strong> Besides, you know how I get when people mess with my bay-bays. I'm<em> very protective</em> of my bay-bays. Dont be messing with my bay-bays. I've been known to start blog wars over 'em (LOL). It's instinctive to protect the people you love, <em>so don't make me come over there</em>. I habitually invade states (virtually and in real life - LMAO).</p> <p><strong>Consider this a Wordy C Social Media Class on ________</strong> (Hahahahahaaaaa! My Activepeeps who know me have <em>already filled in the blank</em>). Psssst.... wanna Outside Blog? E-mail me. I'll hook you up. Yes, it's true... I am a Google Whore pimping blogs (LMAO).</p> <p><strong>Last thought before I leave? All I want for Christmas is MORE ACTIVEPEEPS... (ROTFL)</strong></p> <p><strong>Let the blog wars begin... ;-)</strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p><div class='agent_signature'><p>&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://ctannstarr.activerain.com/" target="_blank"><img title="Carolyn Tann-Starr Outside Blog" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/1/1/5/2/0/ar126107626902511.JPG" alt="Carolyn Tann-Starr Outside Blog" width="114" height="86" /></a> &nbsp; &nbsp;<a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Carolyn-Tann-Starr-Outside-Blog-Minion-Report/57970087341" target="_blank"><img title="Outside Blog Minion Report on Facebook" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/4/3/0/7/1/ar126107635417034.png" alt="Outside Blog Minion Report on Facebook" width="64" height="64" /></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://carolyntann-starr.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img title="Carolyn Tann-Starr on Blogger" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/6/9/9/0/ar126107648509967.png" alt="Carolyn Tann-Starr on Blogger" width="64" height="64" /></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://twitter.com/CTannStarr" target="_blank"><img title="CTannStarr on Twitter" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/4/2/8/4/ar126107664648247.png" alt="CTannStarr on Twitter" width="64" height="64" /></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/CTannStarr" target="_blank"><img title="Tann Starr on YouTube" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/3/4/6/1/6/ar126107680261643.png" alt="Tann Starr on YouTube" width="64" height="64" /></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://www.tannstarrcarolyn.people-realty.com/home/default.aspx" target="_blank"><img title="Carolyn Tann-Starr Remax People Realty" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/9/0/6/9/5/ar126107707659609.gif" alt="Carolyn Tann-Starr Remax People Realty" width="80" height="59" /></a>&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong><a href="http://www.TannStarr.com" target="_blank">TannStarr.com</a></strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p></div> C Tann-Starr (TannStarr.com TannStarr.ws REMAX People Realty) Fri, 04 Dec 2009 07:27:02 -0600 http://activerain.com/blogsview/1367867/oh-my-word-people-are-crazy-said-the-insane-blogger-lol- http://activerain.com/blogsview/1366427/i-want-to-have-a-skype-par-tay-with-connie-harvey- <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>I Want To Have A <a href="http://skype.com/" target="_blank">Skype</a> Par-Tay With Connie Harvey :-)</strong></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><strong>Come on... you know you wanna click that link (LMAO).</strong> Go ahead. I dare ya' to get on board the par-tay line. Wanna come out and play? Then you hafta click the link, make an account and let us know your handle so we can add you to our mayhem and madness list. Will e-mail my peeps the who, where, when, how and why of it later...</p> <p style="text-align: left;"><strong>That's the fun of Skype par-tays. They're invitation only, twentyfour people at a time. (LOL)</strong> If you have more than one computer then 24 becomes 48 (ROTFLMAO). We have six people with laptops... Hmm... ;-)</p><div class='agent_signature'><p>&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://ctannstarr.activerain.com/" target="_blank"><img title="Carolyn Tann-Starr Outside Blog" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/1/1/5/2/0/ar126107626902511.JPG" alt="Carolyn Tann-Starr Outside Blog" width="114" height="86" /></a> &nbsp; &nbsp;<a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Carolyn-Tann-Starr-Outside-Blog-Minion-Report/57970087341" target="_blank"><img title="Outside Blog Minion Report on Facebook" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/4/3/0/7/1/ar126107635417034.png" alt="Outside Blog Minion Report on Facebook" width="64" height="64" /></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://carolyntann-starr.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img title="Carolyn Tann-Starr on Blogger" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/6/9/9/0/ar126107648509967.png" alt="Carolyn Tann-Starr on Blogger" width="64" height="64" /></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://twitter.com/CTannStarr" target="_blank"><img title="CTannStarr on Twitter" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/4/2/8/4/ar126107664648247.png" alt="CTannStarr on Twitter" width="64" height="64" /></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/CTannStarr" target="_blank"><img title="Tann Starr on YouTube" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/3/4/6/1/6/ar126107680261643.png" alt="Tann Starr on YouTube" width="64" height="64" /></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://www.tannstarrcarolyn.people-realty.com/home/default.aspx" target="_blank"><img title="Carolyn Tann-Starr Remax People Realty" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/9/0/6/9/5/ar126107707659609.gif" alt="Carolyn Tann-Starr Remax People Realty" width="80" height="59" /></a>&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong><a href="http://www.TannStarr.com" target="_blank">TannStarr.com</a></strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p></div> C Tann-Starr (TannStarr.com TannStarr.ws REMAX People Realty) Thu, 03 Dec 2009 10:48:43 -0600 http://activerain.com/blogsview/1366427/i-want-to-have-a-skype-par-tay-with-connie-harvey-