Google Wave - What is it?

A much anticipated platform was released today ... Google is at it again ---

Google launched their highly anticipated new communication and collaboration platform called, Google Wave today. It's not open to everybody just yet (much like their staggered release of Gmail, you need to receive an invitation), but several key Bloggers and media people are already neck-deep in creating their own waves and inviting those they know to dive on in (pardon the pun). In brief, Google Wave is being heralded as "an online tool for real-time communication and collaboration. A wave can be both a conversation and a document where people can discuss and work together using richly formatted text, photos, videos, maps, and more," according to the Google Wave website.

Powerful Photo Editing Tool

I’ve often found the need to edit images and photos on the fly and don’t have access to my image editing software. Now, instead of purchasing expensive software like Photoshop, or if you can’t access image editing software, you can now edit your images with an online service.

Splashup (splashup.com) is a powerful editing tool and photo manager. With the features professionals use and novices want, it’s easy to use, works in real-time and allows you to edit many images at once. Splashup runs in all browsers, integrates seamlessly with top photo-sharing sites, and even has its own file format so you can save your work in progress. You can create layers, layer effects, and filters, and access a variety of brushes — all online.

Splashup will let you access and edit photos stored online in Facebook, Picasa, and Flickr, for starters, as well as from your computer or from photos stored online at your Web site.

It’s not mandatory to create an account in Splashup to begin to edit an image. However, if you want to save works in progress with the Splashup file format so that you can return later to finish the editing, you will need to create an account. There’s also an easy photo editing version, Splashup Light, that you can download to your computer. All versions are no-charge.

6 Tips for Raising a Relationship-Savvy Child

Another great blog from Keith Ferrazzi - #6 was the most meaningful one for me - what about you?

6. Enforce No Cell Phone/Blackberry family outings: Yes, your kids will hate you. And it you’re hooked on the Crackberry yourself, you’ll probably mean it when you say, “This is hurting me more than it’s hurting you.” But it’s good for everyone to take a break. For a few hours, anyway.

---- Here is the .2 - from Keith ::::::

Those who are the best at building relationships will always have a competitive edge. Relationships drive success; everything we do in life is with and through other people. That’s not changing.

Storytelling 101

If you are a parent, leader, pastor, teacher, communicator, professional or novice public speaker, (I guess that covers almost all of you) please take the next 3.5 minutes and watch this very entertaining presentation on storytelling!

Click ... Storytelling 101 and let the fun and learning begin.

ENJOY!!

Father Knows Best ... Always!

The Bible and a Haircut

A young boy had just gotten his driver's permit and asked his father if they could discuss his use of the car. His father said he'd make a deal with him. "You bring your grades up from a C to a B average, study your Bible a little, get your hair cut and we'll talk about the car." The boy thought about that for a moment decided he'd
settle for the offer and they agreed on it. After about six weeks his father said, "Son, I've been real proud. You brought your grades up and I've observed that you have been studying your
Bible, but I'm real disappointed you haven't gotten your hair cut."
The young man paused a moment then said, "You know, Dad, I've been thinking about that, and I've noticed in my studies of the Bible
that Samson had long hair, John the Baptist had long hair, Moses had long hair and there's even a strong argument that Jesus had long hair."

To this his father replied, "Did you also notice they all walked
everywhere they went?"

2 quotes by leadership professor Dr. John Kotter

Embracing Change and Stability -- below are two quotes by leadership professor Dr. John Kotter -- re-read a couple times. 

Management is about coping with complexity. Leadership, by contrast, is about coping with change.

Managers promote stability while Leaders press for change; and only organizations that embrace both sides of that contradiction can thrive in turbulent times. 

Marathon Info

Marathon = 26 miles 385 yards

385 yards = 1155 feet

3 feet in a yard