Alexandria Jaycees: Have Fun. Do Good!

Do You Tweet?

I consider myself to be a pretty web-savvy woman... I blog, podcast, have many social media profiles, have created RSS feeds, shared photos, and organized meet-ups. So, when I heard about Twitter, I decided to find out more. What I found, I didn't really "get." Sure, the basic concept is easy to understand: you post messages to your own mini-blog (or respond to others' messages) in 140 characters or less.

A Tweet, which these mini-messages are called, can be something like, "I just had the best cuppa joe," "I just signed up for a hatha yoga class," or "Did you see who got kicked off Idol last night?" I thought I must be missing something - who in the world would want to know that I think Kona coffee rocks?

I asked one of my colleagues who Tweets regularly what's in it for her. As it happens, Jill Foster has her own Twitter page and uses it to catch up with friends; but, she also uses it for her social media consultancy. She sends out ideas, questions, comments and the like to her "followers" (those that subscribe to her Twitter feed) and gets real-time client (or potential client) feedback.

Since I don't have a social media-based business, I moved on to other forms of social media to explore. Until today, when someone in the DC Web Women group (which Jill chairs) that I belong to sent out a link to a YouTube video explaining what Twitter is and why I should care.

I'm still not sold on Tweeting, but at least now I "get" it. If you've been wondering what this phenomenon is all about, check out the video.

Thanking Mom

I loved this list and thought you might, too... if you want more, visit the source: Mother's Day Celebration.

Mother's Dictionary of Meanings

• Dumbwaiter: One who asks if the kids would care to order dessert.
• Feedback: The inevitable result when the baby doesn't appreciate the strained carrots.
• Full Name: What you call your child when you're mad at him.
• Grandparents: The people who think your children are wonderful even though they're sure you're not raising them right.
• Hearsay: What toddlers do when anyone mutters a dirty word.
• Independent: How we want our children to be for as long as they do everything we say.
• Puddle: A small body of water that draws other small bodies wearing dry shoes into it.
• Show Off: A child who is more talented than yours.
• Sterilize: What you do to your first baby's pacifier by boiling it, and to your last baby's pacifier by blowing on it and wiping it with saliva.
• Top Bunk: Where you should never put a child wearing Superman jammies.
• Two-Minute Warning: When the baby's face turns red and she begins to make those familiar-grunting noises.

Voices

Blogs give any of us a chance to put our thoughts out there and share what we know; ask readers to share what they know; and highlight interesting facts, photos or stories.

Here are some voices in the Northern Virginia area:

• Urban Places and Spaces. Thought not the exclusive focus of this blog, the NOVA area is covered. "This blog focuses on historic preservation, urban design, transportation, asset-based community development, arts & cultural development, commercial district revitalization, tourism & destination development, and quality of life advocacy.
• Washington Times blogs. Several blogs, covering politics, general news, religion, technology, culture, and sports.
• Northern Virginia Daily. Political coverage of Virginia.

Stay tuned... I'll be adding to this list!

And... is there a NOVA blog you follow? Use the comment form to share!