Follow Friday

A well-known blogger had the idea to post Follow Friday recommendations to your blog to help clear out the Twitter feed a little bit and drive traffic to your site instead.  I've participated in #ff a couple of times, always listing people individually with specific reasons listed why I love their feed and think you'd like it too.  Since there are few things I dislike on Twitter more than a list of @s with no reasons why (I've literally NEVER followed someone from one of these lists),  I like this suggestion very much. So, first #ff list will be the people whose posts I never miss.  Sure there are people with billions of followers that I try not to miss but why would I list them here?  You're likely already following.  Next week, business related.  Then, maybe art/food/music/bikes/hilarity.....in no particular order.

@lotaleesparkman - She has a dreamy, other-worldly language all her own.  Most courageous person I know, bestie, and business partner of sorts.  Owner of paperlily design + photography.  Extraordinarily talented.  (Disclosure: most of the photos I will use are hers.  The thumbnail for this post is hers.  She loves toast.  Sometimes, we'll have chats 100 lines long about toast and toasters.  Overshare?  Maybe.  But it's toast.)

@brokenhalo - His brain is represented.  And it's a really good brain.  Tells great stories.  Consistently makes me laugh and I'm tough on funny.  He's a freelance writer, which means you can read more than 140 almost anytime.  Don't miss his wife's hilarity either - @misskittypryde.  The banter between them is snort-worthy.

@winnerbowzer - For her swears, both imaginary and real.  I am a swearer and her feed is cathartic.  New friend & cutie pie.

@dena33 - My share-a-brain.  Matching enthusiasm & passion. Publisher of @metromag, amongst others.  Between local hip-hop, food porn, paper pimping, and books, she's got me covered (and I, her).

@billybillybilly - My friends call him the only one of our parents cool enough to be allowed on Twitter.  My Dad.  And while he doesn't post too often, when he does, it's hilarious or very profound and educational.  Perfect balance.

Now you have my quick list.  Who are some of the people you never miss?

Pulse

I try to be right here, in the moment, aware of things that interest me, that I love, that I want to be involved in.  People often ask me how I keep my finger on the pulse of so many things at once.  It's pretty simple.  It's also how I manage requests (for anything). I pay close attention to my initial physical and mental reaction to things.  Am I automatically energized by it?  Does is make my mind sparkle?  If the answer is yes, then without hesitation I commit to it (after checking my calendar, of course).   If no, then I let it rest until another time.  I'm not serving anyone well by saying yes to something that doesn't.  Right?

Doubly Good

I did the work I normally do to make an event extraordinary.  All of my extras.  The giant internet campaign.  The tireless face to face conversations.  Giant heaping sides of genuine enthusiasm.  I invited everyone that I think would be even slightly interested in music, photography, hanging out, anything.  I connected with all the local press individually.  I had my "feeling" about it.

One week out from the Jennefit, I received word that another local photographer had attacked what we were doing for Jenn (why, exactly, we'll never know).  In addition to that, he attacked Jenn's work.  It was low class, rotten, I was upset.  Even though I've been through my share of tragedy and drama, I am always surprised by haters.  It catches me off guard.  Call me sweet, old fashioned, faithful, whatever you want.  It just does.  Always will.  The other organizer, Elli Rader,  a group of people in the local arts community, and I had a late night Twitter rant about it.  Names were spewed.   We had new goals to take this photographer down.    The last hashtag of the night on the subject was #blindirishrage.

I woke up the next morning and the first thing in my mind was:  our goal is the same as ever.  It is to raise money to buy this indispensable photographer a new camera.  Then!  The press started rolling in.  The entire community rallied over the next few days after hearing about the attack,  and then we had an overwhelming number of people show up to support Jenn.  The spirit was undeniable.

It started as a fundraiser for a friend.  It ended in a new camera for her and a commitment to each other and an unbreakable community.  Search for the good in the rotten.  It's there.  Sometimes it's just hidden beyond a vengeful hashtag or a good night's sleep.

Thumbnail photo:  Molly Maher by Jenn Barnett