Blog.Treo

Fork in the Road

Last night I was having an IM conversation with a friend of mine (which has become the norm lately, I’ll talk about that later) and it kinda spilled out that I often have thoughts I want to blog about, but I hold TreoBenny 2008 to such a high standard, many of those thoughts go unblogged.

I wonder if starting a new space is the answer. But, there is so much functionality here, I could try to come up with an inventive way to keep my unbranded thoughts apart from the branded ones.

I hadn’t cognitavely had this thought until it was massaged out through my conversation last night. I knew that I’d have a thought, and contemplate blogging about it, but would often change my mind because I felt posts here had to contain proper media and formatting and such. My friend didn’t suggest this ‘personal space’ idea to me, and it’s not the first time I’ve had an epiphany-like thought while talking to her. She makes me feel good, and as such I think that increases my creative thought capacity. I love that she stimulates my mind in these types of ways..I compliment her all the time, but I rarely thank her for the things she does for me that she could never appreciate. So thank you Hon!

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TreoBenny in Your City?

I don’t consider myself someone who ‘travels.’ I may leave Chicago once a year on average. Well…the tentative plans I have now are for a fairly robust travel schedule, and the list continues to grow.

– Anika {@faboomama} is having a Halloween party at her house…in L.A. This is a tentative event for me, but it sure sounds like fun.

– Nov. 21 – 23 is East Coast Seesmic Meetup Raleigh, NC. I’m going to this if I have to walk! Now way am I passing up a chance to meet Taylor {@TaylorBarr} the host and coordinator of the meetup. It shouldn’t be too bad, last I looked the flights were pretty cheap.

– Jan. ’09 (approx.) This is the crown jewel of my upcoming travel calendar. I’m organizing a New Media Meetup in L.A. I’m calling it a bowling meetup. Why bowling? There are few activities that are as social as bowling, and I feel as though I’m bringing a bit of mid-west culture with me to the West coast.

Not in the chronological list are several New Media-themed events in Milwaukee that I might attend. Since MKE is so close it doesn’t take formal planning. As the mood may hit me I’ll just hop a train and swing on over.

Tracy {@tapps} is an avid member of the New Media community and is organizing several upcoming events such as Queercamp.org {@queercamp} and AngryCampTracy’sBasement. {#ACTB} I wouldn’t be surprised if she had a significant role in barcamp Milwaukee 3 {@barcampMKE} as well. Tracy is GOOD people…and an accomplished New Media artist. Check her out at tracyapps.org

Could TreoBenny be in your city soon? Damn right I could! The closer to Chicago you are, the easier it is for me to make the trip. But there are certain cities that I have a particular interest in visiting. Shoot me a note {@TreoBenny} if you want to have a fun, New Media Arts-driven meetup.

Also, be on the look out for the Chicago Twitter WinterGames.

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All That College…And For What??!?!

Below is an excerpt from an email conversation between myself and an individual interested in an educational program. Basically, this program requires a specific list of several ( >5 <10 ) classes to be completed within a specific period of time to be eligible for consideration. I’ve cleaned up any identifying info. Why am I blogging about this? Because it’s important that we all understand that having all those letters behind your name does NOT:

• Make you better than the rest of us
• Put you above the policies the rest of us must adhere too
• Necessarily mean you are more intellectually talented than the rest of us.

I like a quote from Fight Club: “Sticking feathers up your butt does NOT make you a chicken.”

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Genius:

I am very interested in applying for your program, I have:

*  __ years’ of global work experience in [highly regarded industry]

* Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from [highly regarded] University in [a highly regarded science];

* No doubt that I will score very highly on the [required aptitude test] – my last IQ test result was [ >170] (apparently meaning this individual is intellectually talented…FAIL.);

However, looking at your website, I’m not sure if I would be eligible for the program, since:

I graduated in 199_, but your website says that candidates must have graduated in the last [less than the time since Genius' graduation] years;

I have not taken any of the required classes …

TreoBenny:

Having completed none of the required courses, you might look at our [different] program.

Genius:

does this mean that even if I took all [the] classes, I could not be considered for the … program?

TreoBenny:

… eligibility is very straightforward; if you completed the courses, you would be eligible. [I again explain the other program is better, since none of the courses are completed.]

Genuis:

Are you saying that if I completed the courses, then I would be eligible despite having graduated more than 7 years ago?

TreoBenny:

… eligibility is solely comprised of the required courses within the required time frame. Any other studies are irrelevant.

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I just have one question: Why do all your intellectual talents stop working when you realize you aren’t eligible? You obviously understand the policy, yet you can’t understand that you don’t fit it. My dad used to say “a fool is known by the multitude of words he uses.” Basically, we don’t know how stupid you are till you say something that tips us off…

I’m currently in college, seeking my first degree (AS in Web Design.) I’m not knocking college in any way, nor am I discouraging advanced degrees. However, I am 110% against the concept that any combination or quantity of degrees or other certifications mean that you have “arrived.” The true geniuses of history and today, in their pursuit of knowledge, discovered not how much they know, but how much they don’t know and strive to remain teachable, not haughty.

Birthday Plans? Not Really…

Tomorrow I’ll officially be 32. But with the sports I play and the energetic mindset I have, I feel like I’ve gotten younger each of the last couple years.

What do I have planned? As little as possible Maybe bring the TV out on the deck and watch the Olympics all day…grill a steak…smoke a cigar. Yeah…that sounds good

TreoBenny

voice | 773.351.6655
SMS | 847.644.4414

Bear With Me…

I’m working to squeeze the most functionality and design out of this, so I’ll be test driving several new themes until I can find a suitable one. I’ll try to update more often to keep ALL my loyal subscribers in the know…all 6 of you…LOL!

TreoBenny

voice | 773.351.6655
SMS | 847.644.4414

Mobile Blogging at Its Finest

This is somewhat of a random thought, but one could argue that’s what mobile blogging is all about.

I play co-ed softball. I’ve only ever played on one organized team. The name of that team NOW is Diamond Dominators (3rd season.) But…the former name, (first two seasons) was Diamond Pimps. A few of us (guys) thought it was a cool name. We patterned it after the Max Julian film, “The Mack.” However, as time passed we realized that the name had much to be desired when revealed in a mainstream setting…like securing sponsorship for example. In fact, many of us became embarrassed when the associations to the word ‘pimp’ arose. Solicitation – prostitution – degradation – intoxication – smackabitchforplayinwitmymoneyation.

Tonight as I was walking from practice, I realized something. I’m wearing a Diamond Pimp (DP) jersey and a brutha waiting for the bus says to me: “y’all be pimpin dem diamonds huh?” To which I felt obliged to reply: “All the time…all the time.” It seems that, now that my team’s name ISNT Diamond Pimps, I can wear the shirt with pride. Go figure…

Day Two…

Yesterday my arm was totally numb. Today I have some feeling but not much.  I’m using the speech recognition feature in Windows Vista.  It’s a little tricky but seems to be working fine.  I’m not sure when I can use both hands for typing but hopefully soon.  Below you’ll see some before and after pictures.  My son took one of them, (the bordered one) I used the timer for the rest.

Countdown at 0…

It’s been a while since I posted, so I have much to say, but I’ll start with the title subject, my shoulder surgery today.

I hurt this shoulder almost a full year ago, and after many painful days, (and scolding by my friends) I finally took some action. My surgery is today, in about an hour actually, and the only thing on my mind is FOOD. I’ll post a before pic:

My surgery is on my right shoulder, a labral repair (for a torn labrum) that I tore playing softball. It’ll be until at least July before I can return to sports…officially Since I’ll be “laid up” I’ll be posting with much more frequency. Also, if you ever want to initiate a discussion rather than wait for me to blog about it, visit my forums: TreoBenny.com/forums

Wish me luck!

Just Like High School…

Today, I “got in trouble” at school. It seems going to college online comes with its own overly self-conscious faculty members, just like high school.

Friday I’ll give more updates about school, my upcoming shoulder surgery, and the Mall of America.

So, So Tired…

I don’t have the time or energy to say much, but I do want to thank those of you that have contributed thus far.