social media

Morning Music #7 – the @davidusher edition

When I woke up this morning I really didn’t have anything specific in mind for today’s Morning Music. It’s raining and cold again after a week of sunshine and spring and I’d likely have gone with something moody to suit the rainy day.

As I was doing my usual morning caffeination and catch-up I noticed that Canadian music superstar David Usher had made a comment on Chris Brogan’s blog post this morning which inspired me to tell you a a little about David Usher and post a video for today’s morning music.

I’ve been a fan of David Usher since I first heard him as the singer for Moist in the early 1990s. Moist’s early cds Silver and Creature got a lot of play around my house in the 1990s. David Usher later went on to a successful solo career and he’s currently in studio working on a new cd.

I could tell you how David Usher has been successful not only in Canada but world-wide. I could tell you that he’s won 5 Juno Awards (the Canadian Grammy) and how he’s been involved in War Child International among other humanitarian organizations. All of these things you can learn about on his website. What I find really interesting at the moment about David Usher is not just his music (which I love) and not just his pretty face (he’s yummy) but the fact that he’s become interested and active in the social media world lately. Not only does he have a twitter account where he posts updates on his studio work but he now has, in addition to his official music site, a social media blog where he speaks about ebooks, digital music, and social media. He’s posting videos as he’s working on the new album, giving fans a taste of the cd to come and an glimpse into the recording world. I really admire how he’s using social media to interact with not only his current fanbase but beyond that into the social media community.

A fav of mine – from Morning Orbit – Black, Black Heart. Be sure to check out David Usher’s YouTube channel for more videos and an inside look at his recording. You can find where to buy David Usher’s cds on his official music website as well as on his YouTube channel. Enjoy! Happy Friday!

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Merlene’s “Bucket List” 2008

In response to being tagged in Jeff Pulver’s “Bucket List” 2008 note on Facebook I’ve spent a day thinking about what should be on my own list. In 2007 I made the decision to end my marriage. A relationship that I’d been in since I was 14 years old. This means that pretty much every part of my life is changing. There’s a new Merlene here. I’m not 100% who she is just yet but for now let’s call her Merlene 2.0 (or Merlene in Motion! Thanks Pistachio!)

So here, in no particular order, is my “Bucket List” of things I’d like to accomplish in 2008:

- learn to drive a car. I’m 39 years old and I’ve never driven a car. Since I was a teenager I was discouraged to get my license with comments such as “not everyone was meant to drive” or “I’ll believe it when I see it.” What was originally something I was discouraged about has evolved into a complete phobia to the point where I feel physically ill at the thought of getting behind the wheel of a car. So this is the year that I take a driver’s course. Hell I’ll take 2 or 3 if that’s what it takes. I will get my license.

- take some training courses and certifications. I’ve been wanting to get my certification in home staging and professional organizing for several years now. This year I’m planning to stop thinking about it and start doing it.

- start my own business. Again something I’ve wanted to do for years but have been discouraged by another not to. This year combined with the training above I’m going to start my own contracting business in the areas of professional home staging and organizing. I’ve built up some great contacts in real estate sales and in the world of general contracting. It’s time again to stop thinking about it and start doing it.

- travel. Specifically I want to travel to at least 2 shows/conferences in the new/social media world. I’ve met some great people who I think are doing great things in the changing world of media and I’m excited to learn more and get more involved in things.

- be visiable. I’ve spent much of the last 18 years at home. Literally. I have gone as much as 7 weeks at a stretch without leaving my home. This year I plan to get out and get involved in things: community groups, Toastmasters, local social media groups, etc.

- write. I’ve several book ideas (both fiction and non) and hundreds of blog post and article ideas but I never seem to get myself organized to just write. Again a level of discouragement in that area that’s being eliminated.

- learn. I’m constantly learning new things and I want to continue that. Always.

I have a longer “Bucket List” of sorts that’s more of a 10 yr plan but that can wait for another day.