Enjoy this internet meme. Did you know Albert Einstein’s Birthday is March, 14th? 3/14
I don’t always eat Pi But when I do its on my birthday
FDA says walnuts are illegal drugs
Heres the read on it “Your walnut products are drugs” — and “new drugs” at that — and, therefore, “they may not legally be marketed … in the United States without an approved new drug application.” The agency even threatened Diamond with “seizure” if it failed to comply.
I made a pointless meme
Five good reasons why blogging is important
Attention customers, our store is closing in ten minutes.
Have you ever gotten that intercom message during your weekday trip to the store while grabbing milk and bread? Some people still don’t have 24/7 service, and it’s a typical thing in smaller towns – 7pm or 10pm – its quiting time. So how does this mambo-jumbo talk relates to our first reason why blogging is important?
Reason #1: Inform
Blogging is the same as blowing the horn, screaming, yapping, talking, informing, etc. Blogging may come in different forms, but mostly it is a journal of some sorts. People tend to jeer away when someone says “You should start a blog”. The first thought that comes in mind is “Getting personal and I don’t want to share a picture of me half-naked during summer camping”. But, people forget what blogging can be used for. Blogging is important because it can be useful at informing readers about a cause, event, business, or just “whining about nothin’”.
Reason #2: A Digital Playground
Blogging can be a writer’s playground. It is true, what better way is to keep your writing thoughts and snagbits on a blog for future uses. Are you working on that magical novel that will blow Steven King out of the water? Don’t worry, you can actually keep a blog post private or password-protect them. Especially if you only want your family or your writing buddies to see it, but not the internet zombies!
Reason #3: Self-Expression
If you are creative like me, I tend to use words to expression whatever I am trying to get at – The old adage states “A picture is worth a thousand words”, I agree with it, but a picture sometimes cannot be put into words, and vice-versa. Words are also powerful, if you write about something, and another person relates to it, you practically make a connection with your reader. Self-expression is important in blogging, it helps your reader find that “personable approach”, and it can offer the blogger an escape from life’s burdens. I did not mention that blogging can take on other forms, such as Vlogging (Video Blogging ) and Photo blogging.
Reason #4: Good Mental Heath
Have you ever been depressed? I have found that blogging can help with depression. I mean, blogging allows me to “think out” about my feelings and sort them out. Yes, I know – it might sound corny but getting your emotions out will help you. Then again, you don’t have to make your thoughts public, you can make your blog post private.
Reason #5: Better Writing
Some people think that a good writing is a natural born talent, but sorry to burst your bubbles, good writing ability come from practice and lots of it! You won’t believe this, but 7 or 8 years ago, I wrote at a very low level writing. I mean, I wrote a 3rd grade writing level, and I knew my writing was horrible. The good news is that writing on a daily basis or (every other day) can really help with your writing structure, thought, spelling, grammar, and punctuation. If you don’t believe me, then Google it. So if you got kids, get them started on a blog – and of course (Keep an eye on it) While, you can blog as well.
Can you give me a few good reasons to blog? So, you already have a blog, but its not self-hosted? When you self-host your own blog you can control everything that goes on with your blog. Need some hosting and domain service to get that dream started? You can click here to get started. Bluehost is my provider, if you decide to signup – I will get a small percentage of the sale. Just to let you know. Every little thing helps and I appreciate it!
Heartwarming experience at State of NOW #SmallTown2012 reflects as a speaker and attendee
The human element in IRL social networking surpasses all electronic communications -Brian Allen-
Last week, I attended the State of Now SmallTown2012 conference and all I can say at this point is overwhelming.
Last year, I attend this and loved how I was able to interact with many people with different walks of life, but this year I was accepted to be a speaker. My topic was “Social Media to Kill the Cultural Stigma.” The current class, “Digital Media II”, attended as a whole, helped film the all day event. I can say that my experience would probably different than my classmates, but I will explain my experience.
As I prepared for my talk, I thought hard about how I would present – it has been long time since I am been on stage in front people I admire. Can anyone say nerves?
Anyways, my journey was started the night before, staying a hotel, and meeting with my mother for dinner in Hutchinson, Kansas. I was freaking out – my pinstripe suit was wrinkled – so as anything I do – Google to the rescue. I was able to dewrinkle my suit by filling my hotel bathroom with steam vapors for 45 minutes, then my sweet mother “pressed it” with an iron. I enjoyed the night for some Chinese food and cheap wine in a papercup, then reviewed my “talk” before going to bed.
I woke up and got ready to go – I arrived earlier than I needed to do, so I scouted out my seat. I spoke with other speakers, and I felt part of the club 
Each speaker on stage spoke with passion, I was deeply touched by Carrie Mess’ talk “How one tweet turned into hope during the drought” she talk about how the power of social media aided her as dairy farmer during the current drought , people around the world sent hay for her Cows, when hard times are pressing. her twitter tag is @DairyCarrie
Another speaker, Internet Celeb Greg Peterson (@gregpeterson33), aka “I’m farmer and I grow it” speaks about the power of Social Media, his advice was to go out and do something that is passionate to your cause. He is down to earth and loves God.
When it came to my talk – My nerves popped out but was excited. I want to share a meme with you that describe my experience at first
I lost my words, and stage fright kicked in. Then, the audience calmed me, and was very forgiving. I was able to say somethings that inspired others in the audience. Basically, I want to say that social media is allowing me to interact with others that I would not necessarily meet in IRL due to place, culture, and disability.
Before the quick 10 min ran out, I started to relax, and speak from the heart. People there were not there for my mistakes, but there for support and open heart for the human element.
The day was long – Met many people with open hearts. For Lunch time, I was able to interview various people who blog for a living. It was great experience for me, Becky McCray a co-host for the event, even gave me kudos for interviewing her and fellow bloggers. We wrapped the day by going to Applebees to debrief. I miss my fellow State of NOW family members. Hope to attend next years.
The Passion for Social Media and the Truth about Networking #SmallTown2012 #140conf
Dear Friends,
Inside of this blog and the bits of my social media world, lies only the tip of the iceberg of Who I am. While I prepare for the State of NOW conference, I am in constant passion about social media.
What is social media mean to you?
Social media means many things to me. Social media is the connection to other cultures, my education, my freedom of self-expression, and it is my start of working digitally. I find comfort knowing that I am connected to people that I would not necessarily meet on a daily basis in real life. I have passion towards social media because I know it works. People around the world share and teach me things, and as the same token, I share and teach others. As a process, I allow myself to reflect the growth in my professionalism and academia . Not in the sense of Twitter or Facebook connection numbers, but how I develop digitally. I try to harness what I learn, and of course, I want to share what I learn. As I look back, I notice that I have changed the way I think about social media, and I know it is a good thing.
I used to use the term as I knew what it meant. Like a child using big words without knowing what the meaning was. You see – My thoughts using social media is like engaging in a classroom, except there is no primary teacher. Each person in the room helps bring the ideas to the front of the class, and with the power of internet packets, a beautiful mess is created. I am talking about an engaging environment that fosters growth of shared ideas. And with those charmed ideas, like-minded people can CREATE new things for others to enjoy. It is screaming innovation, a change in what people do.
I remember being in high school, and the career counselor harping about the important of networking with people. He would says, ” You never know who you will meet, and you might be the next Bill Gates.” The ringing thoughts running in my head, my former employer continually said, “It is not WHAT you know, But WHO you know.” These fine men in my life were right on the money, you need someone to teach you. Yes – You can teach yourself new tricks, but where does some of that aspiration come from? Your mentor – your messiah -your mother – or Madonna? Each person that I know – Had someone believe in them – I hope you have made the connection that each person that engages in conversation feeds that model – and many cases, the use of social networks.
At any rate, social media has helped me shape into who I am, and the future will only tell where social media will take me. My firm principle stands, network with whom you desire, find your mentor, and engage in the environment you love. Trust me, you will be surprised how far it will take you.
So, I invite you to share, “What does Social Media mean to you?”
- Brian Allen, Digital Media Expert in Training
Social Media Conference #140conf State of Now is more than a Conference. #SmallTown2012
As next week rolls in, I will be in Hutchinson, Kansas. Hutch will be a hosting town for the worldwide known conference – State of NOW . Twitterspherly known as the #140 Conference. The State of NOW conferences are held throughout many parts of American cities, and parts of other countries, such as Tel Aviv, London, and Barcelona. Hutchinson compared to the rest of the hosted conferences is uniquely small. Therefore, we have #SmallTown2012.
Last year – I was a volunteer with my Digital Media class. I was excited – But not certain to expect. I just opened up my twitter account a few months before. And I thought, How can I make this work? I was a social media noob, even though I am a pioneer in this field. I mean – I had a facebook account when it first came around like wildbrush on fire, but What about this twitter thing? I said – What in the hell would you need micro-blogging, when you got blogging services up to the sky, and All you needed back then was Facebook to get your social media wheels rolling. Then I realized a crucial part about twitter compared to Facebook — Facebook is based on the notion that you already know someone in real life, then search and connect. On the contrary, twitter has created a platform that will encourage new-connections based on similar content. That is the power of twitter and success of a working social network. Once I understood this – I began finding ways to “play” and be part of the engaging conversation. This part was simple, but I was scarred of being shut-out from those who had high twitter followers. With my mentor pushing me forward, he gave me the “ok” to spread my wings and soar. I truly soaked in the power of social media – I began tweeting to high-powered people such as Kathy Ireland, Scott Kelby, or Jeff Pulver. And guess What – They responded back, and at the same time I was gaining twitter followers. The reason why – people follow me is because I SHARE, and that connects people together.
So how can The State of Now conference be related to a social network?
The State of NOW is not just some conference, When I went last year, I became overloaded with passion of people and Lots of talking. But what I did not see is the powerhouse speakers, the powerhouse speakers were in the transparent twitter-infused audience, who killed the wifi connection. The speakers who were on stage SHARED a piece of their passion on any related topic of living in a small town. That is what connected us together in the same room. Each story that was given mattered, and touch someone…someway. I was particularly touched by Laura Girty, her honest emotions as a mother whose son was affected by TBI, She used social media to reach out to other mothers, and kept key notes for friends and family for strength and support. I connected with her story the moment she opened her mouth because I am a survivor of a traumatic brain injury. The conference was less than a conference but more like a true human experience. Before I have soaked in as much as a human can – I reflected in my heart, and in my mind. I knew that I want to SHARE my story. So, This year I am attending as a speaker – My chosen topic is “Social Media to Kill the Cultural Stigma”. Those who are attending, make sure to bring tissues, and a open heart.
I think I should stopping babbling about now.
Writing in school used to suck, and now, I want to be an educator
I am in an inspired mood for some apparent reason, and for some reason, I find myself reflecting my educational growth as student. As finals week is approaching quickly, I am alarmed that I would have one year’s worth of my degree. In fact, Monday will be the start of a week long journey of finals, and the birth of vigorous coffee drinking. In reality, I suppose late night, early rising, all-nighters might be an exaggeration to the truth of finals week, but I must say that we might appear to be underneath the pressure of last minute changes to a paper. Whatever the case may be, finals week is surely not the same fashion as a weekly ritual for a college student. What is the meaning for college? I mean, can going to classes, study your ass off, and graciously buzz through a three section test for about four years to say that you are qualified enough to work for a higher paying job? All of these types of questions used to swim in head, but now they do not because I find meaning and purpose in the academic lifestyle. I suppose each person is different, but as for me, I am excited about learning and growing academically. Can the building excitement for education inspire us?
What inspires us? How can the college lifestyle allow us to become inspired? I think for the most part, at least for me, inspiration comes from hard work. I love the quote from one of my professor’s door. The quote from Jim Fay, “Building self-respect comes from struggle and achievement, not from being made comfortable.” is truly something I really agree with because I can totally relate to my own struggles and achievements in the academic spectrum. But, in my other personal experiences, I can safely say that I experience various physical and cognitive disabilities that render my work a tidbit harder compared to if I did not experience the firsthand disabilities. With or without disabilities, hard work is hard work that creates self-respect. The first time I attended college, the quote aforementioned was hanging on the professor’s door, and used to think differently about it. I used to think that my self-respect needed to come from my educators and peers, but of course, I think differently about it now. Self-respect needs to come from the inside of us. People get to choice what formulates as hard work. The moment we start setting and achieving harder goals for ourselves is the moment we begin the process of having self-respect. Once we create and build our self-respect, I believe that it could be a harnessing tool to be inspired.
With that said, I am inspired because I have worked hard to be where I am now. With my language mechanics department in part of my cogitative disabilities, I used to agonize over the thought of writing, grammar, punctuation, and writing structures because I failed many, many, many times to the point of giving up. The giving up part started at a young age right after my accident, and I was constantly informed that my brain was damaged. Although, my educators and my parents under no circumstances told me that I would never achieve the normal excellence of a writer, I found other methods of communication to be much easier than to find ways to write properly. Before graduating high school, I maintained only an excellence of third grade writing level, and fifth grade reading level. I hid from my poor language skills through the invention of a word processor. I went to college for the first time to only to have the attitude of a “pricked-up-know-it-all” because I knew a few HTML codes. Short story of that – I flunked college and had to find other way to go about my life. Fast forward five years, and I ended up where I left off.
My first semester back, I enrolled for a developmental English course, where I would learn the very basis of English formality. I took the class very seriously, and allowed my English professors to perform open brain surgery on me. Once in my life, I rewarded myself with small but important steps to becoming a better writer. Once in my life, English writing made sense to me. Once in my life, I understand the importance of academic writing. All of these, “Aha” moments tie into the works of communication, and of course, I seek communication, knowledge, growth, and professionalism on a daily basis.
So how can these experiences make me desire to be become an educator? During of the course of this semester, my peers would come to me for assistance in our technology program courses. I enjoy helping students achieve success, and I always wondered why. I made the realization that the reason why I enjoy it is because I have empathy toward students. In essence, I was that lost student at one time, but today was different; I had one of my peers asked for my advice in a given subject. Can you guess the given subject? Yes! Writing – I felt honored because writing used to my weakest link, and of course, overcoming the struggles to be a lending hand in editing or advices surely gives me inspiration of what I am supposed to become. This post is a reminder for everyone to never ever give up! If you say you can’t or can-You are correct! I tell myself that I want to become an educator, but I have already realized, I am an educator and a student.
Empowering Videos that touch my heart #empower the #heart
I find that sometimes I hold in things emotionally that stir me. I find it disappointing that I find something good on the internet and then do not share it with the world around me. Here are some videos that stir me emotionally for a level of empowerment.
1. Jonah Mowry – What is goin on…
His story about the experience being bullied that I can relate to during my younger years in school. To the last slide of his video chills my bones “I have a million reasons to be here.”
2. Girls first Ski Jump
My instructor in college shared this video with me. I am person with a disability, and learned to overcome many things in life that most people take for granted, including me. This video inspires me because I hear the fear that I have felt, but overcomes by willingness to try and defeat fear .
3. Opera duo Charlotte & Jonathan
I love this video because I see myself in this video, the nerves this young man deals with, the fear of rejection because of his weight. I wasn’t the popular and skinny kid in school — I wish I had least an ounce of his bravery. I love opera, but you don’t like opera, then you might afterwards. I shared this video in class Friday, and my classmates were stunned with chills — I guess the act to share is the inspiration for this post. You can the ability to move people and teach other about yourself without telling them verbally. Actions speak louder than words.
My Skull Was Crushed and the Impact in My #Life #BrainInjury @V7N
I was only a child, and I think back 15 years ago. I remember that day like it was yesterday. Dark clouds rumbled through the town, seemly kids waiting for the county parade. While sweat dripped from people’s face onto the sizzling brick pavement, we cheered as it was beginning. I was only a child, so happy to be a part of something HUGE. I remembered that I was going to reinvent myself, since I was the outcast, I just moved into this town, and I was asked if I wanted to be in the parade. I thought I was the lucky duck.
I daydreamed to be the popular boy in school, I imagined to be like “Zack Morris” from Saved by the Bell, cracking the new jokes and giving advice to the nerds. In Reality, I was lower than Screech. So I had a plan: 1. Get Popular by being in the parade 2. Get in the newspaper starring ” Brian “Cool” Butters, surfing the crowd and throwing candy 3. Start a trend in grade school.
Sadly, these plans were only my imagination.
July 19th, 1996 – it was my mother’s birthday as I recall. My mother and father were going to be in the parade. It was hot and windy, and the mid-day in Kansas. My mother’s camera needed new batteries and I knew that I had to run home to get them. As I returned, a boy my age stopped me and said “it’s not safe to be in the parade” I shrugged my shoulders carelessly, and proceeded to walk to where the float would start. A tractor trailer full of hay bales was hooked to a silver Chevy truck. I was super excited and I wanted to ride on the float. My mother stopped near me and said that I would be riding in the back of the truck to throw candy. I pouted and somehow go over it.
I climbed into the back of the truck and sat down. There was one adult and two kids that were younger than me in the back. I was sitting near the tailgate of the truck facing the front end of the truck. There was the biggest bowl of candy that I have ever seen in my life. I knelt down on my knees and grabbed a hand full of candy, ready to the throw it to the crowd when the parade started.
I remembered the excitement filling up inside me. The truck roared with passion and the sound of horsepower revving for a place to go. The adult reminded us to be safe and have fun.
The crowd smiled and shouted of with glee, begging for the sugary madness, I threw my first hand load of candy. I smiled back and grab some more. It was the greatest feeling in the world. I was on a moving stage, and felt like a hero. Somehow, I managed to change positions from the floor area to resting upon the tailgate. Sadly, we ran out of candy.
The truck stopped.
I stood up.
The truck started to go forward, and I was still standing up.
The driver popped the clutch and I lost my balance, then I fell out of the truck.
While head first, I jabbed my head on the ball hitch, and got swept into the moving tractor trailer.
I landed underneath one of the tires. I was trapped. The tire sucked my hair into it a greedy monster and parts of my skull was pulverized, and then it proceeded to run over my body. I felt alone, I was screaming inside, and the pain was more than most people would ever know. My skull was like a child chomping on a jawbreaker, biting, and chiseling with their teeth.
I had a vague memory seconds later. Before closing my eyes, I saw the crowd, in a still frame, frozen in time, I was dead.
I woke up a week or so in ICU.
I was mute. I could not speak. Weak and paralyzed, I suffered a Traumatic Brain Injury.
I can continue with more details of my recovery later on, but for now, I am alive today! I can speak again, in spite of learning how to and leaned how to walk again. This experience is my life. Most people leave or learn from their experiences, but live my experiences every day. I don’t consider myself disabled, but to say that I am person that experiences a disability. These experiences have led me into a nurturing life, full of passion, and to love others: more importantly myself. The reason why I am so upbeat and positive in life is because I choose to be. I am the one that can make me happy! I have a second chance in life. By God or not, chances like these only come once in a lifetime.
So I ask you this – What is your story? Any major things in your life have impacted you?
Signing off,
Brian “Cool” Butters
Who Am I?
Name: Brian Allen Butters
Age: 25
Location: Kansas
So, Who Am I? I am…
A lover
A fighter
A musician
A designer
An Artist
A calmer
A wind chaser
A student
A photographer
A singer
A Believer
A poet
A critic
A person with a disability
An idea bank
A geek
A writer
A survivor
A blogger
A leader
An angel
An devil
A dreamer
A driver
A movie lover
A person
A motivator
A coffee drinker
The list goes on, the most important thing is that I am me, a person who is true to oneself. I survived a major brain injury, with low chance of living through the night, I am a lover of people.
