“I’ve put this off for far too long” — Bilbo Baggins, The Fellowship of the Ring
This is something I’ve wanted to do for myself, for you all, and more importantly for my daughter whom you may hear me refer to here and elsewhere as Sonic Boom. I closed Comments on this entry as I think condolences and criticism people would express have already been made on Facebook, Twitter, and on my 5-word blogpost. If you have something to ask, something to share, or otherwise, it’s not like it’s hard to find me. I am visible on my respective networks once again, and my virtual door is open.
I’ll also tell you straight-up a motivation behind this posting has been the conjecture and criticism that others have expressed at both my expense, and at my daughter’s. As it is in a Community, there are a few that have been accusing me of not being up front, of misleading the Community, and taking advantage of the support and compassion I have been receiving over these past two months. Sure, you can’t have the positive without the negative, but this for them, too. “Put up or shut up,” you say? Gladly.
I don’t consider this blogpost “total transparency” because even with my love of Social Media I still believe some things are best kept private. This post is my perspective on a relationship spanning over ten years that took an unexpected turn and then came to a tragic end. No mudslinging. No ugly, sordid details. This will be my story, from the beginning.
I hope you will take a moment to read it. Read more…
Tags: contemplation, emotion, forward, Life, loss, love, Natalie, perspective, reputation, respect, retrospective, separation, tribute, truth, video
With a whopping 42 comments to it (and as that is the big answer, I thought the time was right for this post…), I think it’s pretty much common knowledge by now that I got a new job. I didn’t really consider how quickly the wheels got rolling on getting me in there; but on retrospect, this place did not diddle around. I was offered the job on August 4, taught my final class on August 14, and then on August 17 I walked in, filed paperwork, went through the orientation, and was then literally thrown into the thick of it. I didn’t hit the ground running. I bitch-slapped the ground, made it call me a pretty girl, and had it beg for more when I was through with it.
And the really frightening bit? After a week, I’m still not sure how my voice mail works.
But what exactly is the job? I didn’t really go into detail on that in “Perseverance and Peter Gabriel” as that post was less about the job itself and more about the job hunt. Amidst the comments of congratulations and inspiration, a few of you have wondered “So what is this job you got?” I wanted to wait until I finished the first week before I shared details, and I’m glad I did. Last week was overwhelming, amazing, and eye-opening, on a lot of levels.
I was also beat at the end of every day. Slept a lot. Now, with some of the blur that was last week processed, here it is…
Intersections is a security firm, based out of Chantilly, VA. Since 1996, Intersections has dealt with credit history and digital identity protection. They are in the business of making electronic transactions, be they financial or personal, safer; and I have been hired as their Social Media Manager. (I’d like to point out that this job falls under Corporate Communications, not Marketing. That thrills me like you wouldn’t believe.) They were looking for someone who could not only apply Social Media, but understand the different initiatives out there and what they offer.
They were also looking for someone who could write. Yeah, I think I got that covered, too.
What I’m particularly excited about with this job is the angle Intersections takes with Social Media. Obviously, I’m being called upon to manage blogs, create podcasts, edit video (which I’m doing right now), and manage an outreach program with Twitter and (soon) Facebook; but I am also being asked to investigate and research security in Social Media, something I’ve touched on in Bird House Rules but only scratched its surface. On Friday, I was forwarded some news about Social Media from a security perspective and I was floored. The ironic bit is, that morning I was catching up with The SpyCast and listening to a fantastic interview with Dr. Terry Gudaitis who specializes in cyberintelligence gathering. (That’s the June 15, 2009 show if you’re interested.)
I feel as if I am starting all over again in Social Media, this time from a new perspective I hope Blogworld will let me speak on this year. I am officially on their schedule. I’ve confirmed “But Honey, It’s For the Studio” but am working to change topics concerning my second talk. So, if you’re at Blogworld this year, stop me and say “Hi.” It should be good fun in Vegas this October!
A cublicle in transition
So in the end, I am using my knowledge and background on Social Media for good, not for evil. While I will help in the promotion of what Intersections does, I will also be their on-call specialist in Social Media while I find out more about security matters with Twitter, Facebook, WordPress, and the like. My brain has been firing on all cylinders since Day One, and I’m soaking it up like a thirsty sponge. The first week just blinked by, and I’ve not slowed down yet.
If you were wondering, though, how the day job will affect my writing, it will only make me more productive. Now that I know my hours, I can regiment and manage my time efficiently. I’m still writing for AppAdvice; and this weekend Pip and I completed the first draft of Books & Braun: Phoenix Rising, our Steampunk CSI peppered with hints of James Bond. I’m also planning to dust off Whiskey Tango Foxtrot and start working on that. I’ll give up details with an upcoming Survival Guide to Writing Fantasy…and yes, that will be its final episode.
It’s a long story and a hard decision concerning The Guide, and I’ll save the rest for that show.
My job at Intersections is now underway, and my writing is moving forward. From here, all that I have to face now are the possibilities.
Tags: Bird House Rules, blogging, Blogworld, Books & Braun, day job, Facebook, International Spy Museum, Intersections, Philippa Ballantine, podcasting, security, seminars, Social Media, Social Networking, Steampunk, Technology, Tee Morris, The SpyCast, Twitter, video, Whiskey Tango Foxtrot, WordPress, Writing
Posted by Tee Morris on Apr 5, 2009 in
Geek Chic,
Macintosh,
Technology This morning, I completed the ninth chapter of All a Twitter, but I may have to reconsider everything — and I mean, everything — and call up Que Publishing to renegotiate the book we agreed I would write.
This is going to be the next big thing in Social Media, and I want to write the first book on it!
Say hello to “Flutter.”
My editor at Que reads this blog, so let me say I’M JUST KIDDING!!! Seriously. I’m three chapters from wrapping up, and you think I want to do a rewrite from the beginning?!
Been there, done that, got a tee shirt, and I had said tee shirt ripped off me when the publisher tried to stiff me out of the advance.
I am hoping with where I’ve seen this video mentioned on Twitter that it goes viral on an apedemic scale. This is some funny, funny stuff. Consider me the first in line for “Sttr” and a pair of “Flutter Eyes.”
Tags: All a Twitter, competition, developers, funny, humor, laugh, parody, production, satire, silliness, Social Media, Social Networking, spoof, Twitter, video, viral video
Posted by Tee Morris on Mar 9, 2009 in
Geek Chic,
News and Appearances,
Technology Imagine That! Studios presents…
A FIVE-PART
EPIC MINISERIES
VIDEO PODCASTING
EVENT!
*explosions — screams — kittens and puppies*
Yes, Tee Morris premieres his seminar, ANTI-Social Media: What NOT to Do with Web 2.0, today! Running exclusively at Imagine That! Studios, Tee brings his opinions and commentary on Social Media askew in this…
FIVE-PART
EPIC MINISERIES
VIDEO PODCASTING
EVENT!
*explosions — screams — kittens and puppies*
…and critics are raving!
@PodcastJunky says:
“It’s coming from the house of awesome so it is nothing less than fabulous.”
@akaMonty raves:
“Tee Morris once again proves that he’s more than just a beefcake”
Social Media trendsetter Chris Brogan…
…didn’t return my calls and I don’t know what the restraining order is all about.
@zard proclaims:
“Tee Morris is holding me at ransom unless I write this blurb. Send help!”
Podcasting’s Rich Sigfrit pushes you down, presses his foot against your trachea, and states:
“If you can’t be a good example, be a bad example: Tee Morris brings you Anti-Social Media.”
So you — yes, YOU — must stop whatever you’re doing, focus on the screen, and bask in the awesomeness that is this…
FIVE-PART
EPIC MINISERIES
VIDEO PODCASTING
EVENT!
*explosions — screams — kittens and puppies*
(And if you really dig what you’re seeing, the rest will be made available in installments at Imagine That! Studios. Thanks for playing along, everyone, and thank you, Jason, for the “Epic Miniseries” idea. Nice way to kick off a week!)
In Your Right Mind — Episode #04: ANTI-Social Media (Part One):
Play Now |
Play in Popup |
Download
Tags: blogging, blogs, blunders, business, commentary, corporate image, flogs, Imagine That!, lessons, Marketing, mistakes, Playstation, Podcast, promotions, public relations, public speaking, seminar, Social Media, Sony, Tee Morris, video, Wal-Mart, Washington D.C., Washington Network Group, Web 2.0
Posted by Tee Morris on Oct 28, 2008 in
News and Appearances My kid’s day school teacher heard (from my mother-in-law) that I used to be a professional puppeteer. She asked me if I would be interested in putting on a show for her kids. Even with the schedule I have, I couldn’t refuse because this was for Sonic Boom.
I was told to come up with something that the kids would enjoy, and following a History Channel documentary on Halloween, some shopping on the official store of TAPS and Puppet Universe, and a night of testing sound equipment and recording rigs, this was the end result. As I found myself flying completely solo in the morning, I can’t say this footage will be winning me a Parsec anytime soon…
…but it was a lot of fun, and it will probably not be my last trip there. Laugh with me, or laugh at me — you choose. Whatever the case, Happy Halloween!
Some Halloween fun...:
Play Now |
Play in Popup |
Download
Tags: comedy, fun, ghosts, Halloween, haunting, holiday, paranornal, parenting, puppet, puppetry, TAPS, video
This is something I’ve wanted to do for myself, for you all, and more importantly for my daughter whom you may hear me refer to here and elsewhere as Sonic Boom. I closed Comments on this entry as I think condolences and criticism people would express have already been made on Facebook, Twitter, and on my 5-word blogpost. If you have something to ask, something to share, or otherwise, it’s not like it’s hard to find me. I am visible on my respective networks once again, and my virtual door is open.
