Friday, July 29, 2011

Video Interview with PJ's & Coffee's, Chris Durante Visco on How Social Media Works

Great interview with Chris Durante Visco (my boss), whom I subcontract for in her social media business.

It's 22 minutes long, but it explains a lot about how social media marketing works, and what we actually do to promote our clientele.

Visit the PJ's & Coffee website by clicking this link: PJ's & Coffee


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Thursday, July 28, 2011

Alot to Say in 140 Characters or Less

Dear Ryan,

Happy 24th birthday.

24 years, 1 week ago, your mother and I were separated, she was due to deliver you, and I had heard nothing from anybody. I found out from your mom's friend, Dawn, that you were born. The phone call went exactly like this:

B: Hello?
Dawn: Bill, it's Dawn...I think you should know, you have a son.
B: uh, ummmm, a son...when?
Dawn: He was born on the 28th. His mother made me swear that I wouldn't tell you, but you have a right to know. Now go see your son.
B: (incoherent blubbering and crying)

You were a week old before I knew you existed. it took another couple of weeks before I actually got to see you., It was love at first sight.

Ryan, I've loved the very thought of you from the day I found out that you were conceived. Your mother and I really tried to work out our marriage, but that wasn't meant to be. I fought every day for 15 years to be your father, to be part of your life, to help raise you, and she tried to sabotage us every step of the way. (she went so far as to offer to have her second husband adopt you, just to get me out of your life)

She spent much of her three marriages trying to make my life, your life, and the lives of my loved ones miserable. You know there was no end to the lies and falsehoods said to keep us apart. At some point, a judge saw through the bullshit and stripped her of her parental rights.

What I'm trying to say here is that there was never a time in your life where I haven't loved you, wanted to see you, wanted to hang out with you, go fishing, just do father and son stuff.

On the day you were christened, my Pop-pop took me aside and told me "Billy, thank you so much for giving me a grandson to carry on the family name. That meant something to me, and I never forgot it.

Why am I telling this to the world? Well, for starters, nothing is perfect, not even our relationship. It was a rocky road, with lots of hazards thrown in the road by a woman who made it her sole purpose in life to sabotage our relationship. That didn't work. there were ups and downs, alot of downs, but, through it all, I never stopped loving or caring about you.

I just wanted to say, Happy birthday, son. I'm proud of you, love you, and am longing for that first grandchild with the last name "Shaw" myself.

In due time, that is...enjoy your birthday today,and if you need a ride home after all the partying, call me, you have the number.

Love, Dad.



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Tuesday, July 26, 2011

PJ's & Coffee Social Media, Chris Visco Interview

Here is a nice interview with my boss, Chris Visco, on the importance of social media in today's marketplace, on KikScore.

I started working for Chris as a subcontractor back in March of this year, and have watched her business grow by leaps and bounds in the few months I've been doing graphics, landing pages, and editing copy for her social media marketing strategies.

It's well worth the read.

B.




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Sunday, July 24, 2011

The Skin I'm In.

About 40 years ago, my folks bought me a mini bike and a biker was born. I used to ride trails, race in the Acme parking lot, literally ride it all day just to get my face in the wind. When I was 12, someone stole it out of my back yard. I never saw it again, but I yearned for the wind in my face.

I traveled everywhere on my bicycle from that point until I got my license, at age 19.Then, I bought another motorcycle, a 350 Honda CB350. It was a quick little bike, street legal and I could wheelie in three gears...the biker that laid resting, dormant until then, was aroused and I once again enjoyed my face in the wind

By time I was 21-22 years old, I had the misfortune of having two accidents on that motorcycle. Fixed after the first, my father thought it prudent that it not be fixed after the second one. I sold it for parts sometime a few years later, and that was that, for many years.I was a bit reckless on that 350, mainly because I was young and stupid, taking unnecessary chances when I didn't need to.

20 or so years passed, and that biker once again laid dormant. 5 or so years ago, we were doing OK financially and I decided that I'd like to entertain the idea of getting another bike. Gas prices were soaring, and we owned two gas guzzlers. Karen and I talked about it in depth, and after countless discussions (and promises to always wear a helmet) I started actively looking for a motorcycle again. I looked on eBay, checked the want ads, looked at private sales, Craigs list, but found nothing. Until that one day...a beaut of a bike, and right in my own "backyard", just a few miles away in Norristown.

I took Scraps with me to check it out, and after a test ride, decided I wanted this bike. I didn't care that it wasn't a "Harley", I'm not hung up on labels like some...the bike just "fit" me perfectly. Went home, talked it over with Karen, and bought my 2005 Yamaha V-Star Silverado.

The biker was yet awoken, again. As per a pre-arranged agreement with Karen, I signed up for and passed the advanced PA motorcycle skills course, with an 88% score. I learned a lot, for someone riding since he was 7 years old.


My love of motorcycles started when I was 7. It's not a mid-life crisis, I'm not enjoying a second childhood, I'm finally living in the skin I seem to have been born in. I'm happy, but not in a "f*ck you, look at the bad biker dude" kind of happy, I'm happy that I can finally be myself.

I've learned a lot about myself in these past 4+ years of owning a bike again, too...and I like what I've learned. I've learned acceptance. We're all different and deserve to exist, equally, in this world. I've learned that I will always use my phone hands free when I drive, because too many assholes have almost hit me while driving with their phone attached to their ear. I've learned that I love more madly, deeply and with a greater passion...both my wife, children and my friends. One left turn by an idiot who doesn't see me could shut it down for good, and I want everybody to know what they mean to me.

I've learned that I don't care if you don't like my long hair, cut & colors, or my tattoos. I love being me, and you're not going to make me feel bad for doing so. I've learned that life is way too short and you should live it...really live it, every day. I almost died back in 1998 (sepsis) and my total outlook on life has evolved & changed. I've learned not to judge. What you do, who you love, how you earn your living, where you live, doesn't matter to me. Used to, but that was back when I was an asshole...well, I'm still an asshole-LOL, but a more tolerant and loving one.

The best advice I could ever give anybody, at this point in my life is twofold...First, find what you're really passionate about and figure out how to earn a living doing it. Second, be yourself, even if others don't like it. The hang-ups are theirs, not yours. Get your ink, get your piercings, get your hair dyed sky-blue-pink...but be true to yourself and be the best you possible. I guess I have to add a third...Love with all of your soul and energy. You may get hurt, but to never have experienced that kind of love is sad.

Keep your heels up, your face in the wind and ride it like ya stole it. Love, Peace and good times to all!

B.




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