The Reason Behind NatsJobs

If you saw the announcement a few minutes ago, I’m starting a new job posting venture called NatsJobs. It is where companies and organizations post jobs during Nats baseball games. You can get the details here. You’re wondering how did I start this?

It actually started in October during hockey season where I started to dabble on posting jobs during Caps games. It had some responses, but nothing broke through. My guess is hockey fans want to see the action more than the outside stuff, which was reasonable.

After the Caps playoff season was over against the Tampa Bay Lightning in May, my focus shifted to baseball and the Nats. At that time, Cheryl Nichols forwards a list of our mutual friends on Twitter to me of who are looking for jobs. I help gave most of the Twitter friends’ advice on their job search. It was then I decided to post jobs during Nats games just for the heck of it. To my surprise, there was a huge response of my job tweets during the Nats game. My guess is that people want to watch something other than baseball to pay attention, which can be tiresome for some fans. Posting jobs during baseball games probably was that outlet. Many people have asked, retweeted, and favorite (I have Tweetdeck, FYI) my job tweets. Some asked for me to transition this to part of my business. It was getting a lot of attention, but how was the end result?

There were two factors why I created NatsJobs. The first reason is the business aspect started to creep up during a discussion I had during an awards dinner this past week. It was the rare time I wore a suit and tie and add in the heat during the summer; it affected my decision. The second and main reason was my job postings were getting results. A few people have contacted me and got hired as a result from the job tweets I posted during Nats games. That to me puts a smile to my face and at that moment, it was time to put it to the next level. Thus, NatsJobs was created.

The purpose for NatsJobs is for companies and organizations to tap into the Nats community, which is diverse in every way from skills, ideas, and personalities. NatsJobs is also a way to communicate who you are looking for and the one area everyone is looking at one setting. NatsJobs is not only for Nats fans; it is for job seekers and businesses that are looking for and want to be part of an open community like the Nats organization and their fans. NatsJobs is always an open door for both the job seeker and business (though not sure about the Phillies).

Now, NatsJobs is part of Tran Recruiting and although my staffing firm focuses on nonprofits, associations, and small businesses; NatsJobs is a job posting service for any business that needs to advertise their job to a diverse market at a reasonable price.

In addition, no one or few businesses will dominate all the job postings during the Nats game(s), so I’m asking for 17/18 different businesses if they have a job to advertise for each game. I know there are businesses out there who want to advertise their jobs, and NatsJobs is a great avenue to go to.

Finally, and I didn’t mention this on the initial announcement, but when we post your job, it will not only be on my company’s Twitter and Facebook page, it will be also on my personal Twitter page, Linkedin profile, and my Google+ Buzz section (Oh, my whole Google+ page if you’re interested). In addition, you can add the Tran Recruiting twitter account to your RSS feed/Google Reader and follow via text messaging when a job is tweeted, so your job posting will get more bang for your buck.

I can’t wait for July 26 when NatsJobs officially begins and it will be a new arena for not only to attract talent, but keep the Nats community growing as a baseball town and a tight community people can rely on.

#TWTRCON DC 2009

Last Thursday, I attended #Twtrcon in DC. Twtrcon is a conference for businesses that have applied Twitter in their business strategy, so no novices here.

The main reason I went to Twtrcon is to meet people I met before and finally see the faces of the people I met through Twitter the past year so they wouldn’t think I’m a fake  I can say I have reach double digits meeting the HR/Recruiting people, although I have 700 HR/Recruiting pros to meet.

Twtrcon had several sessions throughout the day. The ones I was most anticipated were Michael DiLorenzo of the NHL on real-time branding since if you go to my all-around Twitter feed you know I’m a bit “devoted” to the NHL.  I also wanted to listen to Jessica Lee and Kerry Noone’s presentation on Twitter for Recruiting since that’s my area of expertise. Both were great discussions on how to use Twitter.

Twtrcon also provided a few memorable quotes:

• “Free the Nerds”
• “People should tweet, not brands”
• “There is no social media expert”
• “Twitter is a sushi conveyor belt moving at 100 mph”
• “Twitter: blogging for lazy people”
• “If you aren’t failing you aren’t trying”
• “What wine pairs up best with bacon?”

The presentation that had everyone’s attention was Scott Harrison’s charity: water. Scott showed video and stats of how much people have donated and how their donations help in Africa. Almost everyone agreed that it was a powerful presentation, although some question that his presentation has nothing to do with Twitter. In hindsight, I agree that it wasn’t focusing on how Scott was utilizing Twitter, but I really think Scott made the point that if you have a powerful message, it can be transmitted anywhere, no matter the source. 

There are some things I want to change for Twtrcon like the 5 minute real-time tools “ad”.  I found it more promotional than informative and I wouldn’t mind if they gave us 30 minutes to walk around the area to see the new products for Twitter, which for the most part, are very useful.  Another adjustment Twtrcon should make is have a screen in front of the speaker or panel to see what questions arises, they can answer it, although if they put a screen outside the Grand Hyatt to let everyone see what people are tweeting about, that will be much better.

Overall, I thought the sessions were useful, but Tonia Ries made the greatest point in the beginning of Twtrcon that the conference is for the people to share their ideas and network with other tweeple and this conference drive that point.

This brings me to the future of Twtrcon if it is going to continue when Twitter’s popularity fades.  I remember 5 years ago people were holding local MySpace parties and everything thought it was a great idea.  Then, MySpace is off of anyone’s radar (except for the creeps).  What Twitter brought that no other social media did is involve anyone who wants to contribute of anything.  While Facebook, Linkedin and other social media do have some barriers, Twitter is making a small world even smaller.  Case in point: I met a guy who is a patient of my brother.  However, the world and technology is going fast and Twitter will eventually be in the bottom of the totem pole.  That said, there will be conferences about social media or any speciality involving social meadi and its impact.  This year is Twitter;  next year, there will likely be a Google Wave Conference;  and 5 years from now, there’s going to be a Hologram conference where people stay at their homes and bring their holographic self.  Either way, all of these conferences have one thing in common: the people, which the conferences should always be about.

Resources:

Pictures from ReadySetDC
Twtrcon Presentations
Official Twtrcon Site

Tracy’s Random Thoughts: June 2009 Edition

Summer is coming up and I have to say this has been one of the mildest summers I have encountered. I really enjoying this, but then there’s always next month. Let’s get to it:

1. Domestic Terrorism

The past two weeks with the shooting of an abortion doctor at church and the shooting at the Holocaust Museum involving an 88-year old man.  Congress warned us the most dangerous threat to our country is not international, it’s domestic.  Sadly for some, the hysteria mentality looms large and some have this end of the world thinking that the world is crumbling down.  We can debate issues about gun control and abortion, but with these activities, we need to have a harder look at ourselves and not the issues at hand.

2. Iran Elections

I would write a whole blog on the Iran Elections and would like to share some information, but it is too gruesome for me to show it.  I do think the elections were rigged and influence by Ahmadinejad’s staff and Mousavi should of won the election.  Instead, a green revolution came to Iran and it is a huge mess (just look at the tweets and videos of the protests).  Mostly everyone in the western world knows where they stand.  I am also glad Obama is keeping quiet of the situation as he knows he has a powerful voice, but must be on the mark.

As for the news coverage, it has been shoddy as usual and I don’t want to beat a dead horse, but if you want great coverage of the Iran situation, go to:

• The Huffington Post
• The Daily Dish
• Twitter

3. The Lovable Losers

The Washington Natinals Nationals are pitiful and I’m going to keep saying that.  However, there might be hope.  The Nats did draft Stephen Strasburg number one and sign their second first round pick, Drew Storen already.  Now, there’s word that if the Nationals get last place again this year (ok, they’re going to be in last place), the prize for next year’s draft: Bryce Harper.

Seriously, I think the kid needs to slow down and enjoy life.  After his sophomore year, Bryce will take the GED and go to community college and be eligible for the 2010 MLB Amateur Draft and will be picked by the Nationals in all likelihood.  I hope the kid success, but he needs to be social and get out and enjoy being a teenager.  I would take full precaution.

4. Twitter and Facebook

Some of friends and family have been complaining about that I tweet too much and need to stop syncing my tweets with Facebook.  Okay, I admit I tweet a lot, but at least I don’t tell you everything I do like “I’m brushing my teeth” or “I’m in the bathroom.”

Now as for the syncing Twitter with Facebook…you have to live with that.  If you have different sets of rules for each profile from Twitter, Linked, and Facebook, that’s totally up to you and I’m fine with that.  In my case, I blur the line in all my profiles.  I would rather have a mix of my personal and professional details in all my profiles because I want everyone to get a real sense of me.  It will be never 100% but at least you get a good picture of who I am.  In Linkedin, you would know my skills and accomplishments, in Facebook, you would know my character, and on Twitter, you would know who I fit in the best.  All f them comes back to one thing…me.

Now I will warn you when a conference or a Capitals game comes up, I’m going to tweet a lot, so if you’re on Facebook, I’ll give you the signal to hide my statuses and tell you in advance how long it would be.  Now, isn’t that simple?

That is all for me…see ya.

#mrtony explained

Since everyone is explaining their hashtags on Twitter in their blogs, it’s my turn.  You heard the news that Tony Kornheiser left Monday Night Football.  This has open speculation that Tony would probably be back on the radio, live webcast, and/or podcast in the D.C. area.  This is where the Mr. Tony Twittles play a role.  

If you want Mr. Tony back on the air either by radio, satellite radio, public radio, internet show, podcast, or a Q and A luncheon like Carol Joynt does;  just tweet it under 132 characters and use the #mrtony hashtag so the topic can be visible for everyone to see.  You can also make your mark on @PTIShow or pester through @Redskinsinsider (Cindy Boren).  

Remember, the #mrtony hashtag is not only we want Mr. Tony back on the radio/podcast airwaves…this is a plea to stop the Animal Revolution that has been daunting us for the beginning of time.  

If you’re out on riding your bike tonight, do wear white.

Tracy’s Random Thoughts: May 2009 Edition

Summer is coming soon and I’m starting to get sweaty.  Let’s hurry this up:

1. Torture Debate

Everyone knows that waterboarding is illegal and everyone knows Dick Cheney and the CIA lied to Congress about utilizing torture and not disclose it.  Now there’s a debate on doing a criminal investigation on Cheney’s practices.  However, Obama has repeatedly said that we have to move on as country and not look into the past.  People who study constitutional law and pundits have said the government must prosecute who is responsible of handling these torture tactics or we’re going to be the world would view us as losing credibility.

This seems like a chess game Cheney wants to play and the thing is, he does not care and eventually he will get his checkmate, but which route does Obama takes?  He could take the short approach and let Cheney go scot free or he takes the long approach where there’s an investigation, the review of evidence, the charge of Cheney for using torture tactics, the trial, and the decision where it could take 2-4 years, which would be the front page and the other stories from the economy and healthcare will be in the back burner no matter what Obama does.  Simply, Dick Cheney is the Joker.  He wants chaos, make people suffer and challenge the heart of America.   Cheney is doing a great job at it, just ask Nancy Pelosi.  In my opinion, Obama is playing his cards right, but he ain’t getting any help from the media who let Cheney have his talking points.  No wonder people have a disdain with traditional media.

2. Governor Chet Culver

I really hate politics when it gets personal.  People who hold these powerful positions are using their personal agenda and put it to their own use and leave out the government and the people like a dictator would act.  This is where Chet Culver steps in.  He has stated that he is against gay marriage.  When gay marriage was passed in the Iowa Supreme Court, Culver decided not to support an amendment because he read the Court ruling and it was fair.   This goes to show you might not like it personally, but when reason comes to play, you understand why they made the decision.  Governor Culver is moving high on my top politicians list.

3. Washington Capitals

The last game against the Penguins was a killer for me since this could of been the year the curse would of been lifted. However, the Caps gag and its on to next year.  I do hope they get a tough defensemen and play solid D for the whole season.  Only guy I can think of is Chris Pronger, but with the Caps luck, he might get penalized for every time he skates on the ice.  Whatever they do, they earn the trust for D.C. sports fans.  This is an exciting time to be a Caps fan.

4. Twitter

I really enjoy Twitter a lot.  It brought me new friends and met nearly half of my follower list.  The problem is now when is the next big thing.  Twitter is hot right now, but when you have Ashton Kutcher promoting your product, you tend to hesitate that Twitter’s hot streak is short live.  It might have started with the fix replies situation where everyone is up in arms, but will be soon when people join the Twitter bandwagon and the geeks will create and go to another route and the bandwagon effect comes when the product is hot.  That’s how social media goes.

See, that was quick.

Last Weekend of April 2009

I rarely type anything personal on my blog since I go to Twitter a lot, but for this post, it’s pretty big to fit in 140 characters.

I am going to be live tweeting today (midnight as I’m typing on the East Coast now) at the Young Non-Profit Network (YNPN)’s National Conference in DC, then going to happy hour following the conference, then stay to enjoy Game 5 (well, if the Caps win, then I’ll enjoy it) and live tweet there.

Saturday will be non-stop NFL Draft action and on Sunday, a little NFL Draft and if the Caps win Game 5, then possibly going to a DC NHL Tweetup in the afternoon. 

I’m also mentioning this because it has been a bizzaro week.  Monday, I was wearing my hockey jersey and jeans and won a signed Chris Clark hockey stick. On Wednesday, I carpooled on Earth Day and wore business casual.  Likely today, I will be wearing business formal…on a FRIDAY!!!  That’s is so messed up (but it will be all messed up if the Caps lose the series).

Alright, so I see you in DC on Friday for the YNPN conference, Rock the Red, and follow my insanity on the NFL Draft, where it’s likely the Skins will officially become DC’s 2nd team if they trade up for Mark Sanchez.

Bye for now.

The Earth Hour Experience

Yesterday, I participated in the one hour Earth Hour turn off.  For the record, I didn’t like the timing of this because of the NCAA Tournament. I wish it was on a Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday (if you’re wondering, I don’t care about Idol, you can see terrible singing and talent on YouTube).  I took the challenge because I was at confession earlier in the day and take my self-punishment for the heck of it.  Also, I really like this cause and one hour won’t hurt.  I did realize I was going to miss the Pittsburgh-Villanova match and the Kids Choice Awards for pop culture fodder.  So everything was off, except zee Blackberry.

Full Disclosure: My house was not completely lights out since my parents were watching TV and don’t want to disrupt them since my mother would be incest if she missed any minute from the Saigon Broadcasting Network (I’m serious). So think of my room (and bathroom next to it) as my rent of the house.

On the blackout, I was refreshing scores and reading Twitter updates on my Blackberry. I have to say, my room was very dark and could see why people would want their lights on.  It was a surreal experience but I’m glad I did it…until I read the Twitter updates.

The last 10 minutes of the turn off campaign really killed me and based on the updates, I was missing an instant classic. At the 9:20 PM mark (yes, I was watching for the time) here was the conversation:    

• Me: Its karma: I’m doing good for the environment, but the Pitt/Villa commentary is killing me and close to forcing me to turn on #earthhour
• Me: I hope to see Pitt/Villa go to OT. I got 10 minutes left #earthhour #ncaa
• A lot of stop and go action for several minutes.
• toddkmiec: @tracytranincredible you may get ot. Nova made a stupid play trying to go full court pass. almost out of bounds Pitt took it down #ncaa
• Me: @toddkmiec There is a God!
• Everyone simultaneously tweeted that Nova scored on the buzzer beater.
• Me: DANG!!! Now I have to check the highlights

I finally turn everything on at 9:30 and caught the desperation shot from Pittsburgh.  Here’s the Pitt/Villanova full-game highlight, if you’re interested 
http://bit.ly/19sN1a
.  That was very brutal for me, but thank goodness for technology to carry me through the night (March Madness on Demand I’m speaking of).

Let me thank the people who entertain me throughout the one hour on Twitter:

• Todd Kmiec ( @toddkmiec )
• Steve Boese ( @sbjet )
• Charlie Meisch ( @meitweet )
• Dave Maes ( @dash8dx )/ For the Kids Choice Awards updates
• Kim Fox ( @ohradiogirl )
• Joseph Robinso ( @JG_Here )
• Laurie Ruettimann ( @lruettimann ) / Just for ranting
• Jeff Beardsley ( @jbeardsley )
• Dan M ( @likuidkewl )
• Dan Levy ( @OntheDLPodcast )
• Becky Allen ( @beckyallen )/ For entertainment purposes

For pre-game coverage:

• Mike Gessner, Ph.D ( @calbears96 )
• Cindy Boren ( @RedskinsInsider )

Finally, a couple of requests for Earth Hour:

1. As I mention before, have it on a Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday.
2. If you read this blog, I’m requesting…er…demanding a crank TV/Radio for next year so when someone asked how I get defined biceps and triceps, my answer will be, “Cranking the TV each arm for 30 minutes…and Twittering on the other hand for Earth Hour”  Please email me if you can deliver the goods (yes, it’s a bribe).
3. More people to be involved for this great cause.

Tracy’s Random Thoughts, March 2009 Edition

You’re glad that my picture is blacked out, don’t you?  Anyway, on we go:

1. The Economy

It seems the Dow Jones (or for the real hard finance heads, the S&P 500) has rallied the past 4 days after possible doom if it would go to the lowest levels since the Great Depression.  To me, this seems short-lived since confidence n the markets can be shaken easily if there are any bad news.  Now, Obama’s finance team is on the move with interviews and pressers, which is good, but can it sustain?  I do hear most “experts” say the recession will end in the 3rd quarter.  It could be heading that way.  Now, this leads me to this:

2. Stewart vs. Cramer

I finally saw the interview between Jon Stewart and Jim Cramer and I have to say that was cringeworthy.  Let me say that this was Jon Stewart’s best interview ever and since he’s getting near 50, he has change from jokes about the news to become the heir apparent to David Letterman.

 As for Jim Cramer, I think he knew that Jon was right about everything he said and was caught in the middle.  He can make all the apologies he wants, but it did give CNBC and other business networks the shaft. 

I would say though that CNBC did have reports about the markets failing (please Google Peter Schiff), but the big personalities overshadowed the people who should be trusted.  I did think Stewart was off that CNBC was the face of the financial crisis (you know who that would be), but I do think the other business networks need to step up and focus.

There would have been one solution to solve this: MORE BETHANY MCLEAN COVERAGE!!!

3.  How to improve the economy

Last week, Delaware introduce a bill that legalizes professional sports betting in the state.  By all accounts, Delaware can do this because they have no professional sports teams in that state.  The other states that have legalized betting are Montana and Nevada.  Then, New Jersey State Senator, Raymond Lesiak, is suing the federal government to overturn sports betting and make legalize nationwide.  In this case, he would lose because there are teams involved in the United States and that would cause huge chaos in the sporting scene.  

However, his thought process has brought me something that maybe states need to think about to improve the economy.  I remember people were laughing at the suggestion that Jesse Ventura  would legalize prostitution.  In a sense, that would of been risque, but with the economy in a downturn, why not.  

Hey, how about marijuana?  Apparently from a Phish concert, the police seized more than $1.2 million in value of drugs.  If pharmaceuticals were to hand out marijuana, would the economy get a boost?

Oh don’t forget Prop 8 and how it can open doors:

I’m not an advocate of any of the positions, but if the economy is troubling for your state, why not go after each person’s desires and hopes to help the state out?  Go after the perverts, the gays, the hippies, the degenerates, anyone can be fair game.  Also, if the religious right is very upset about this, they can move to Utah or Southern Virginia.  Hey, another money making opportunity for the state.  Time to open up, people.

4. The EFCA

Usually, I would do advice and case studies on my weekly HR segment, If I Was Running A Company.  I have discussed about the EFCA, but here’s my opinion of it by asking this…can we get along?

There are apparently two sides to this.  If you’re a Republican, you’re pro-business, hence the numerous pro-employer bills from 1995 to the last administration.  If you’re a Liberal Democrat, you’re more in favor of unions, hence the EFCA introduce in Congress last week.  Apparently there is no middle ground if you’re pro-business or pro-union, you dealing with a nasty rivalry that there is no end to it.  

My opinion of this is the bill is more what Donald Fehr would want…big favor to the unions, where they can step in to countercontrol the employers.   In that case, peer pressure might set in and productivity and culture changes for the worse.  However at this time, business does not have the leverage it use to because look at the news of what’s going on…corruption, incompetence, and undeserved bonuses.  Also, the Democrats have control of both the executive and legislative branches, so businesses lost that power.  

I’m also not kind of unions as well because there are instances the union leaders have more interest of themselves than the union.  The MLBPA was a great example of corrupting the system, as well as the Screen Actors’ Guild (SAG) where Alan Rosenberg is asking a lot of money for studios to pony up during these times, which is not a good sign.  

The problem is apparently, there’s supposed to be a winner and a loser.  Should that be only for games or all of life?  Right now, people are losing jobs because of the mistakes by both sides.  It’s time Congress, employers, and unions to collaborate on a deal that would be efficient for the workforce in the next generation, instead of bickering.  Sadly, I don’t see it coming and they’ll “compromise”.  

5. Facebook —> Twitter

It looks more and more that Facebook is not only trying to be Twitter, but are becoming like MySpace.  How that happened?  It’s called catching up.  Facebook use to be the cool kids on the block with their simple design and their independence.  However, the rise of Twitter and Facebook’s trouble outreach to the public, have them scrambling to update themselves.  By first look, I really like that they didn’t replace my statuses, but they took away the live feed and what friends have joined Facebook.  Facebook is still a good destination for friends, fan clubs, events, photos, and storage, but Facebook just became a tad late that people want to engage in conversations and like to jump in the conversation. For that, Twitter became the hot product now and Facebook is in a mid-life crisis.  Now the interesting part is how Facebook will react to the ever-quickly changing environment.  Seems Zuckerberg’s Billion Dollar status might be shot.

6. The 2009 NCAA Tournament

This is the most exciting time of the year and everyone is filling multiple brackets for their multiple pools (guilty).  Four matchups to look for:

• Villanova vs. American- In Philly, or as I like to call it, the David Aldridge Classic.
• California vs. Maryland – Maryland returns to the tourney and could be the only D.C. team advance to the 2nd round.  However, Cal can shoot the lights out from 3.
• Arizona State vs. Temple – The best individual matchup between ASU’s James Harden and Temple’s Dionte Christmas.
• Binghamton vs. Duke – The matchup I’ve been waiting for 25 years:  Tony Kornheiser vs. John “Junior” Feinstein.

That is all for this month.  I’m taking it slow on the blog because I’m trying to get new business (and Twitter), but next month, I got something in store for you.  Take care.

Twitter Love

Normally, I would do a shout out of all my Twitter followers on Friday for #followfriday.  However, two things: 1) I would of send a lot of tweets on to who follow on Friday and decided that a nice post will do the trick and 2) yesterday was Friday the 13th, so I use that for everyone to follow my friend @TheBopper since he bashed Twitter of being anti-social, but yet he’s on it. 

Anyway, I’m going to use Valentine’s Day to say thank you to the people who I saw at the DC Twestival (plus that I’m single and have no one to hold to *sigh*).  The Twestival was a very unique event in that everyone had their cell phones out twittering to their friends of the scene and yet carry a conversation at the same time.  It was kind of surreal in the first hour, but I hopped on the bandwagon and started doing it as well.  The event went very well and it was one of the better events I attended in long time.

If I have one slight complaint, I saw the silent auction on my Caps tickets since I was one of the sponsors

(Wait, I got to stop here.  Your company was one of the sponsors? Who the hell did you sleep with by getting this sponsorship?)

No, I donated my Caps tickets to the event to raise awareness on water and the people who need it.  Back to the topic, I was amazed that the Philadelphia Flyers tickets was bidhigher than the Pittsburgh Penguins tickets.  I guess DC loves people fighting, but if that were the case, ummm…Malkin and Crosby vs. Ovechkin?  Who wants to see that fight? I was a little thrown back, but it could be everyone still remembers last year in Game 7 between the Caps and Flyers, which still haunts me as a fan.

Back at hand, I want to give thanks to the people who setup the event in less than a month.  These people worked so hard of finding a location, planning out the event, get a couple of guests and djs, threw out the dress code (very important in my case) and promote it heavily on Twitter and the other sites.  Thank (and/or follow) these people:

• Peter LaMotte, who was the mastermind of setting up the DC Twestival / @peterlamotte
• Susan Strayer, who recognize me for the t-shirt from the poll I did the past week/ @susandstrayer / @DailyCareerTips
• Nicole Stipp /@nicolestipp
• Jem Bahaijoub /@jembelly
• Kaitlyn Soligan

Here are the other tweeple I met, in no particular order:

• Mauricio / @wtFrak /@petoveritas
• Kevin L. / @kasrael
• Shannon Evans / @sevan7
• Steven Asher / @StevenAsher
• Sandra Giarde / @sgiarde
• Maia / @MaiaKG
• Marcel / @marcelh
• KiKi L’Italien / @kikilitalien
• Lindsey Mastis / @LindseyMastis
• Lindy Dreyer / @lindydreyer
• Meg Gleason / @megleason
• Maddie Grant / @maddiegrant
• Qui Diaz / @beautifulthangs
• Glennette / @glennette
• Joe Zuccaro / @WebConsigliere
• Tom Dawkins / @tomjd
• Thinklynsen / @thinklynsen
• Jared Goralnick / @technotheory
• Aaron Brazell / @technosailor
• Rob Pegoraro / @robpegoraro
• Paul Hyland / @paulhyland
• Patrick McGary / @patrickmcgary
• Patrick OBrien / @obrienmedia
• Nakeva / @nakeva
• Maggie / @maggielmcg
• Darius Roberts / @jdar
• ohappy / @ohappy
• Peter Corbett / @corbett3000
• LauraLee Dooley / @lauraleedooley
• Adam Shake of Twilight Earth / @TwilightEarth
• Noah Wolfe / @NoahWolfe
• Danielle Brigida / @starfocus
• Kristin Johnson / @ksuzj
• Elisa Ortiz / @emortiz
• Washington Capitals (the official Twitter site and none that I know of it made it, but thank them as the only DC team that doesn’t suck) /@washcaps

And for the people who I met, but do not or I forgot to write down their Twitter usernames:

• John Blair, fellow George Mason Alum (School of Management ot be exact)
• April, who has a picture of me with a drink on one hand and the cellphone of the other.
• Beth
• Emily Troutman

As I do with every Valentine’s Day on Facebook and my blog (it was the only source I had before a few months ago), I’ll play the quintessential Valentine’s Day Song:

If I forgot anyone who I met…please forgive me and bash me either on Twitter and your blog, and then I’ll follow you and beg for mercy.

Finally, Happy ))<>((‘s Day (I love that logo so much, it’s the official Valentine’s Day logo to me).

My DC Twestival Photos

Tracy’s Random Thoughts October 2008 Edition

Well, this is the first October random thought in two years and there are a lot of things to go through and also I’m tight on budget.  Let’s go:

1.   The Economic Crisis

The number one spot would normally be one month to the elections, but the economic crisis has been a big issue since the stock market took a plunge a few weeks ago.  I’m not a financial guy, but all I know is there were so many factors caused by:

·         Sub-Prime mortgages banks shouldn’t hand out.

·         Liquidity on credit

·         Out of control spending

·         Golden parachutes

·         Excessive loans everywhere.

To me, I think most of the economic crisis is all true that I mention above, but I think behavioral economics play a role as well.  People thought of buying stock and getting houses during the Bush administration thought the surplus would cover it.  However, with war costs almost at a trillion dollars and people believing in false advertising has now caused the economy to drop.  Right now, people do not believe in the current administration and any word Bush says, the market will drop.  Think of it as a roller coaster of emotions and right now, everyone is angry and stocks are on a down slope because of audience reaction.  This indicates the markets and financial structure need an overhaul.  They can’t do anything because they have a lame-duck president and administration that caused this crisis, they have a critical election coming up in three weeks, and when a new president is elected, the person has to start very early.  Of course, the United States can call Paul Krugman now since he is a Nobel Prize Winner in Economics.

2.   The Presidential Election winding down

This leads me to the Presidential elections.  We all know the economy is the number one issue to most of the people.  Obama gets the point.  David Leonhardt points it here; Andrew Sullivan has the copy of his most recent speech in Ohio; and John Talbott has a book called Obamanomics. 

As for McCain:  Here are the crowd reactions about it:  “Terrorist,” “Treason,” “Kill Him!”  It doesn’t mean economics, just trying to put down Obama since McCain’s only answer to the economic crisis is spending freeze, “That One,” “My Friend(s),” and $300 billion mortgage package, which conservatives did not like.  Unfortunately, the negative attacks have given Obama double digit leads in both the national and state polls.  Then last Friday, McCain had to take the microphone off this woman who said Obama was an Arab and he heard enough.

I honestly think this was not McCain’s presidential campaign.  I think he knew he lost the control of the election when Obama made a great speech at the Democratic Convention and he had to top that.  He wanted Joe Lieberman so he can cover both sides of the political aisle.  However, the neoconservatives took over McCain’s campaign and needed the next neocon leader and found one in Sarah Palin.  She has the same demeanor as George W. Bush with a laid back attitude, which would have been great except on this election, it is real policy issues people care about.  If you want to know about this election and their campaigns, one had all the pressure to be a “politician” and play the straight and narrow because of his color, and the other had a possible winning campaign, but sold his soul to the other side for more attention and more voters and it’s costing him.  You already know the picture.

3.   Washington Sports

Redskins – I’m amazed that their 4-2 right now and wins against Arizona, Dallas, and Philly does help on tiebreakers, but they lost to the former winless Rams have second thoughts, but oddly, I knew it was coming, and now they know they have to be focus each game because the division and conference will only get tougher.

Capitals – After that terrible opener against the Atlanta Thrashers, the Caps have won two in a row and looked very strong.  I hope this season will be a Stanley Cup season because the Capitals are now DC’s second favorite team and have the best star in DC in Alex Ovechkin.  By the way, I have the 11-game plan; I already used one last Saturday on the home opener.  Here are the ten games I have and contact me if you’re interested of going:

·         November 8 – New York Rangers

·         November 14 – New Jersey Devils

·         November 28 – Montreal Canadiens

·         January 31, 2009 – Detroit Red Wings

·         February 20 – Colorado Avalanche

·         February 22 – Pittsburgh Penguins

·         February 24 – Philadelphia Flyers

·         March 8 – Pittsburgh Penguins

·         March 27 – Tampa Bay Lighting (Or Melrose’s Mullets)

·         April 3 – Buffalo Sabres

Of course, all these tickets are on the nosebleed sections, but the view is still good.  As I’ve said before, hockey is the best viewing experience of all the sports.

Wizards – Arenas is out, Jamison is hurt, Haywood has a glass wrist.  The Curse of Lez Bullets have hit again.  We’re back to the 80s again.

Nationals – Well, the Nationals have the worst record in the majors and you know that means:

·         Jim Bowden potential firing

·         Sucking up to people to renew their 2009 Season tickets (I’m one of them, but I’m going for the 6-game plan next year and we have the Red Sox at home.  Who wants to join?!).

·         The DC Government can rest on the $3.1 Million office.

·         Stephen Strasburg will be the Nationals number one pick in the 2009 draft, unless the front office really screws this up, which will not shock me.  I heard he’s very good.

D.C. United – There’s no buzz with this team since Freddie Adu was a benchwarmer.  Although they won the MLS Cup in 2004, they can’t win a playoff series.  I’m telling you, it’s the Curse of the Adu (or that Adu has a voodoo doll with pins).

4.   Twitter

This week, I just started up my Twitter profile.  I wanted to see what the rage is all about.  Here are my observations:

·         I can get quick updates on the news.  News alerts are very helpful.

·         It’s the same as the Facebook Status lines.

·         It’s really an enhanced version of the Status line.

I can see why people are enjoying it and its usefulness.  Do I have to describe everything I do?  Here’s what I’m doing:  Doing my blog in shorts, watching Countdown with Keith Olbermann, sad that the Rays are whooping the Sawx, and thinking …. 

Whoops, I’m all out of characters.

5.   Randor Bierd

Something a little special during flu season.  If you are sick or having a bad day, have a picture of Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Randor Bierd on your screen or a frame picture.  I hear a smile from him cures the sick and releases negative energy of your body.  Here you go:

 

That is all for today.  Just a reminder, I won’t be live-blogging the Pushing Daisies episode because I have other commitments that evening. I will twitter on the last Presidential debate just to be important.  And now, your moment of Zen:  I have none.