To Follow or not to Follow, THAT is the Question...

Recently while at a conference, I was asked if I follow back everyone that follows me on Twitter. I'll be honest, I completely avoided the question like the plague because I knew that no matter WHAT I said, I was going to be the recipient of a lecture about how their "philosophy" was far more effective blah, blah, blah...(You know, the "typical" conference behavior)

BUT, after a couple of weeks of thinking about it, I have decided to answer.

Here's the deal...
NO, I don't automatically follow back everyone that follows me. Yes, I admitted it. I don't. Why you may ask?
It's simple, really:

I choose to follow people that actually engage WITH me. I don't think that is mean, or incorrect, it is just my preference. I have no problems if someone doesn't WANT to engage, and would rather just be a silent onlooker, but if that is the case, don't get all butt hurt if I don't follow you back. I am sure some of you reading this disagree with me right about now, but before you do, let me tell you all that I absolutely DO look at every single profile that follows me. If at a first glance I don't automatically recognize or know the person IRL, then I don't click follow right away.

The way I see it, if a person follows me it is probably for one of the reasons:

1.) They are just adding a TON of people in the hopes of growing their own following.
2.) We recently met at a social media event.
3.) They enjoyed one of the back and forth Twitter conversations they saw me involved in.
4.) They read one my blogs and decided to check out my tweets.
5.) OR they are just simply curious what I am all about.

All of the above reasons are totally fine by me, but unless I have recently met you IRL or at an event, I am NOT going to click follow right away.

*NOTE* I said right away...not never.
I actually just wait.
For what?

To see WHO actually interacts with me. IMHO, if you interact with me (genuinely and not spamishly), I will not only follow you back, but I will most likely add you to a list as well. (Oftentimes several different lists)

And you know what? I don't think I am mean for operating in this manner, and I personally think it's totally fair. If someone is purely adding, adding, adding to gain new followers, I could care LESS if they drop me because I don't follow them back. To be honest, they are not the kind of audience I choose to cultivate anyways.

I am not on Twitter trying to win a popularity contest, and I honestly don't care about my numbers. For me, it's all about the quality of my reach versus the quantity. And if for some reason I was to one day reach a gazillion followers, I would know that my numbers slowly accumulated due to the fact that I have a very qualified and genuine audience.
Now THAT would make me happy.=)

(Photo courtesy of: http://polygeek.com/)

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Lost In Twitter Translation?

A common list of Twitter abbreviations, and what they DON'T mean:

b/c = big crap
BFN = boogers from nose
bgd = big guy dater
BTW = Big Topped Women
da = little attorney
deets = bug sprays
Dweet = Dumb tweet
fab = feeling all bloated
fav = festering a virus
FTF = Feel The Force
FTL = Feeling The Love
FTW = Force The Wind
FYI = Forgetting Your Intelligence
Hashtag = Price tag attached to marijuana
IC = Idea Change
IMHO = Icing My Hang Over
IM = Ironic Moron
IOW = Instant Open Wound
IRL = In Ripped Leggings
JSYK = Jokingly Saying Your Kind
JV = Jealous Vegan
LMAO = Loser Making An Omelette
LMK = Little Miss Kitschy
LOL = Lush Over Lunch
mistweet = Mr. Tweet's Wife
OH = Overly Hairy
OMG = Over Marginally Gay
OMW = Overly Man Waxed
peeps = Delicious Easter treats
PPL = Perpetually Pushy Losers
props = Items found in @mayhemstudios bedroom drawer
ROFL = Randomly Offering Foot Love
TIA = Twittering In Air
ttyl = talk to your lady
ttys = try taming your slut
Tweeps = T-Pains tears
Tweet-dropping = Twitter bird poo
Tweetard = Twitter Leotard
Twistcuffs = Item found in @Ribeezies kitchen
TYT = Tweet Your Tryst
TYVM = Total Yahoo Vegan Man
TY = Total Yahoo
V2V = Virus to Virus
YVW = You're Very Wasted

And now for the REAL translations (Even though I like the top list better, lol) 

b/c = because
BFN = bye for now
bgd = background
BTW = By The Way
da = the
deets = details
Dweet = Tweet while drunk
fab = fabulous
fav = favorite
FTF = Face to Face
FTL For the Loss or For the Lose
FTW For the Win
FYI = for your information
Hashtag = Adding categorical metadata to tweets by using the # tag such as #SPANDEX.
IC = I see
IMHO In My Humble Opinion
IM = Instant Message
IOW = In Other Words
IRL In Real Life
JSYK = just so you know
JV = Joint Venture
LMAO = Laughing My Ass Off
LMK Let Me Know
LOL = laught out loud
mistweet = A tweet that was sent in error or that one later regrets.
OH = overheard
OMG = oh my god or oh my gosh
OMW = on my way
peeps = people
PPL = People
props = proper respect
ROFL = rolling on the floor laughing
TIA = thanks in advance
ttyl = talk to you later
ttys = talk to you soon
Tweeps = Twitter
Tweet-dropping = Eavesdropping on another member’s Home page in With Friends mode.
Tweetard = A Twitter retard.
Twistcuffs = Fighting with a fellow twitterer over twitter.
TYT = Take your time.
TYVM = Thank you very much.
TY = Thanks
V2V = voice to voice (chatting on the phone)
YVW = you’re very welcome

If you enjoyed these whimsical translation follies (aka WTF's) be sure to follow http://twitter.com/staceysoleil

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Twelve Days of Christmas

Originally we had planned on getting our tree last Friday since my parents were in town visiting, but due to an unfortunate incident (Ahem, a deadly shooting...)  we were prevented from making that come to fruition until just today. You can watch video footage about the shooting here: http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?section=news/local/orange_county&id=7166906
We were actually THERE when the shooting occurred, but were fortunately out of the line of fire since I decided to stop for a cup of tea at Kelly's prior to parking our car by the tree lot. The shooting occurred EXACTLY where I always park to pick up my tree...INSANE! I must say that I am NOT a big fan of Wal-Mart to begin with and I thankfully only find myself there once a year  since you can get a HUGE tree for $30 bucks there...which in SoCal is amazing!

But seriously, talk about DRAMA...a deadly shooting? Really? Ugh. :/

Our tree pickup was delayed by yet another day due to the ridiculous rainstorm we experienced yesterday http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-storm13-2009dec13,0,2513247.story?track=rss&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+latimes%2Fnews%2Flocal+%28L.A.+Times+-+California+|+Local+News%29, but thankfully today we had clear skies and cool weather, so we went back and picked up our coveted tree.

Nothing quite like a SoCal Christmas, huh?

12 Days of Christmas (Final Verse)

• On the twelfth day of Christmas,
• my true love sent to me
• Twelve drummers drumming,
• Eleven pipers piping,
• Ten lords a-leaping,
• Nine ladies dancing,
• Eight maids a-milking,
• Seven swans a-swimming,
• Six geese a-laying,
• Five golden rings,
• Four calling birds,
• Three French hens,
• Two turtle doves,
• And a partridge in a pear tree.

See and download the full gallery on posterous

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Joel Tenenbaum: Record Companies Try To Gag Student, Stop From Promoting Illegal Downloads

Very interesting case...I have mixed emotions regarding this topic having worked within the music industry for years. Will be interesting to see what happens. I know how musicians and labels feel, but I also know how the consumer feels. At the end of the day it will come down to which side of the fence the judge is actually on. Tricky. Where do YOU fall?
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

THE Hashtag of all Hashtags #FiestaMovement

* The Fiesta Movement Celebration *
(And sneak peak of the new Ford Fiesta)

When: December 1st @ 8pm-Midnight PST

Where: Hollywood Palladium (6215 W Sunset Blvd, Hollywood)

For the last six months, 100 Fiesta Agents have been taking to the streets with the Fiesta Movement. On December 1st a select few were able to join the Movement and get a sneak peak of the 2011 Ford Fiesta. Attendees such as Ford Fiesta Agents from around the country, as well as a handful of social media tastemakers from the greater Los Angeles area, were there to witness the unveiling before it went public and simultaneously joined in on one of the biggest TweetUps ever.

The party was highlighted with a live performance by Parachute- Featuring their hits "She Is Love" and "Under Control" from their debut album Losing Sleep

The Fiesta Festivities Included:

• Sneak peek of the 2011 North American Ford Fiesta
• Fiesta Movement Awards Celebration
  
• Performance by Parachute
• DJ set featuring DJ Pesce

To check out the goods on the Ford Fiesta and to see highlights from your favorite Fiesta Agents: www.fiestamovement.com

Social Media Tastemaker Mentions: @staceysoleil @rynda @alanajoy @mayhemstudios @ribeezie @techfrog @acoolong @natasha @markjeffrey @jonathan360 @niecee @adventuregirl @michaelpilla @delwilliams @weileycoyote @shiralazar @hennartonline @bigheadasian @curiousjosh @efren @bakespace @scottmonty @daveygjohnson @staceybroadwell @mikeprasad @ollada @DvinMsM

See and download the full gallery on posterous

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Aint No Party Like A Tech Party...

It's true...
Just because more people spoke more fluently in programming language than in conversational English, don't let that fool you. The Underground @PDC09 was an event not soon to be forgotten.
When I first arrived on the scene there were lines circled around the block outside the Conga Room, and rows of alphabetized check in tables once you managed to get past the bouncers. (Don't ask me how I bi-passed the long lines) ;)
Once indoors you were immediately greeted by the friendly Microsoft folks handing out literature and name tags, while live Conga players got the anxious attendees in the party mood. Upstairs the club was filled to capacity with PDC attendees being pampered with catered food, several open bars, hand rolled cigars, Laker Girls, a product demo room and of course the keynote presentations by:

Scott Guthrie, Corporate Vice President Microsoft .Net Developer Platform

Loic Le Meur - CEO of Seesmic

Andy Lapin - Kelly Blue Book. Mickey Williams - Newdesic & David Chou - Microsoft

Loke Uei Tan - Windows Phone

Danyel Fisher - Microsoft Research

Hosted by Matt Thompson - General Manager Microsoft West Region Developer and Platform Evangelism

I was pleased to run into several of my favorite tech and social media folk at the event, and I enjoyed the mingling, live time tweeting, and brain picking of the over flow of genius attending the event.

Thank you Microsoft, you sure know how to treat your people right! =)

*Special thanks go out to Lynn Langit (@llangit) for putting together yet another amazing event and Mike Prasad (@girlgamer) for extending the invitation.

*Featured in the awesomely FUZZY Blackberry Curve photos @staceysoleil, @mayhemstudios, @lakergirls, @loic, @seanpercival, @vodka_absolut @markjeffrey, @techfrog, @mikeprasad, @michaelpilla, @natasha, @bing, @scottgu and @ribeezie

See and download the full gallery on posterous

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Cassette Tapes Making A Comeback?!?!

Since the 80's are back and more in our face than ever, I starting thinking about the days of good ole cassette tapes. Are any of you old enough to remember those bad boys? I am, in fact, I remember having to untwist the tape when it would get jammed in my player, and then I would attempt to roll it back up so that my favorite Michael Jackson song would play. Uh huh, I totally got "Thriller" on cassette AND LP back in the day. Do the math. ;)

These days, I am looking at my massive pile of CD's and I keep thinking "What a waste of space!" I mean really...Every time I get a new CD I automatically upload it to my iTunes, and from that moment forward the CD just sits there collecting dust and wasting my precious space. Yet I have this hang up with getting rid of them. What if my computer crashes? Ummm duh, you back it up! What if my back up crashes? 0_o (I can go on for hours) So needless to say, regardless of how useless my stash of CD's truly are, here I am, still staring at them. (Can you say OCD?!)

I think someone should create digitized cassette tapes that play in vintage looking "walkmen". I mean since 80's retro is so hot right now, why not create a novelty item for all the cute little flashback 80's boys and girls running around in their flannel shirts, neon glasses and spandex pants. They would "Totally Freak".

Just a thought...have at it developers ;)

 

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By Popular Demand...

I made the mistake of ASKING what content you guys wanted to see on this blogsite and in the attempt to make good on my word...(Drumroll please)
Here is the much anticipated, "Me & my girls wearing bikinis alongside monkeys juggling..."
HA! And you thought I couldn't do it ;)
So much for quality content all in the attempts to keep the viewing audience happy.
Ooooh-Ooooh-Ooooh-Aaaah-Aaaah-Aaaah.
Now go slip on a banana peel!

Rockstar Super Rescue

After a recent visit with my pals Lukas Rossi (Winner of the hit show, "Rockstar Supernova")and his lovely wife Kendra Jade, I got a new appreciation for an "animal friendly" household.
While music is the number one passion in the Rossi household, rescuing pets from the local shelter is on the top of their priority list as well.
Check out this recent ET Canada Exclusive to get a first hand peek...

What IS the RedGorilla Music Fest?

RedGorilla Music Fest launched six years ago as the DreamScapers Artist Showcase and grew each year under that name. In 2007, the showcase branded the event RedGorilla Music Fest, and over 200 artists participated in shows at venues on 6th Street in Austin, Texas. In 2008, RedGorilla hosted 300 bands, solo artists, and DJs and expanded the event to eight stages. The 2009 festival will boast even more artists and venues, and its mission still remains the same: to promote up-and-coming independent music in all genres and help independent artists further their careers.

The 2009 RedGorilla showcases will take place from Wednesday, March 18 to Saturday, March 21 in venues on 6th Street, right in the heart of all the action. The event continues to be a “No Badge Required” event, it is free to attend and is open to the general public.

RedGorilla Music Fest takes place during one of the most important music weeks of the year. The city of Austin, TX hosts the music industry's premier destination, and thousands of fans and industry professionals descend upon Austin to network and check out new talent. The festival has been an overwhelming success and continues to uphold its reputation as the cool, rebel showcase that caters to talented artists from all parts of the world! RedGorilla offers performance slots to bands, solo artists, and DJs so they can take advantage of this excellent opportunity. RedGorilla Music Fest prides itself on making these showcases the best experience possible for participating artists as well as their fans.

Over the years, some of the hottest up-and-coming acts in the world have been showcased by RedGorilla Music Fest. As a result, RedGorilla Music Fest has received international media attention and a reputation for being the showcase for new music. Showcasing acts have included: Rachel Sierra, Family Force 5, Earl Greyhound, Dropping Daylight, Luna Halo, Landon Pigg, Alternate Routes, American Bang, The Colour, AbsentStar, Ligion, Red Monroe, De Novo Dahl, AutoVaughn, Born In The Flood, Radiant, H-Beam, The Hero Factor, Uncrowned and many more…

Mtv Teen Cribs is 'Held Under the Knife'

Los Angeles based singer/songwriter Rachel Sierra was recently added to Mtv's latest show creation 'Teen Cribs' music library once the shows music supervisor came across her debut album 'Held Under the Knife'.
Rachel is signed to the record label, Arthropoda Records and will be showcasing her talents at the upcoming Red Gorilla Music Festival
(adjunct to SXSW in Austin, TX) http://www.redgorillamusic.com/

Rachel will also be performing March 1st @ 8:45pm at the House of Blues Foundation Room (Sunset Strip Hollywood)

http://www.myspace.com/rachelsierraproject

To get a copy of your own click the banner below:

The Top 40 Album of My Life!

There are no and's, if's or but's about it...I am a music JUNKIE!!!!
I absolutely have to listen to music everyday, all day long or else I lose it. In fact, I am so emotionally connected to music, that I have a song for almost every circumstance...And if I can't off the top of my head think of a song to fit my mood at that moment, I search until I find one that does. ;)
YES, I KNOW I AM WEIRD, but that is just how I roll folks...so bear with me!
It occurred to me tonight that I think I should have a top 40 soundtrack for my life. You know, just like when you watch a great movie, the music always pulls you in and when you hear that song during some moment in your life later down the road, it always brings you back to that feeling you had when you originally watched that scene.
I think my soundtrack would be a complete fusion of music genres (sappy ballads/good ole rock/a little rap /smooth r&b soul /alternative angst...) Perhaps I could come up with an album that covers a song for each year of my life...hmmm
If I did, I think it would go something like this:

Track (1972-73) -Age 0 The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face - Roberta Flack
Track (1973-74) -Age 1-2 Your Mama Don't Dance - Loggins & Messina
Track (1974-75) -Age 2 Time in a Bottle - Jim Croce
Track (1975-76) -Age 3 That's the Way (I Like It) - K.C. and the Sunshine
Track (1976-77) -Age 4 Baby I Love Your Way - Peter Frampton
Track (1977-78) -Age 5 Dancing Queen - Abba
Track (1978-79) -Age 6 Can't Smile Without You - Barry Manilow
Track (1979-80) -Age 7 Don't Stop Til You Get Enough - Michael Jackson
Track (1980-81) -Age 8 Fame - Irene Cara
Track (1981-82) -Age 9 Waiting For A Girl Like You - Foreigner
Track (1982-83) -Age 10 I Love Rock and Roll - Joan Jett & The Blackhearts
Track (1983-84) -Age 11 Let's Dance - David Bowie
Track (1984-85) -Age 12 Like A Virgin - Madonna
Track (1985-86) -Age 13 All She Wants To Do Is Dance - Don Henley
Track (1986-87) -Age 14 Kiss - Prince
Track (1987-88) -Age 15 Fight For Your Right (To Party) - Beastie Boys
Track (1988-89) -Age 16 Sweet Child Of Mine - Guns N Roses
Track (1989-90) -Age 17 Wild Thing - Tone Loc
Track (1990-91) -Age 18 U Can't Touch This - MC Hammer
Track (1991-92) -Age 19 O.P.P. - Naughty By Nature
Track (1992-93) -Age 20 I'm Too Sexy - Right Said Fred
Track (1993-94) -Age 21 Wild Night - John Melloncamp & Me'Shell NdegeOcello
Track (1994-95) -Age 22 Hurt - Nine Inch Nails
Track (1995-96) -Age 23 Just A Girl - No Doubt
Track (1996-97) -Age 24 Mo Money Mo Problems - Notorious B.I.G.
Track (1997-98) -Age 25 Special - Garbage
Track (1998-99) -Age 26 Last Kiss - Pearl Jam
Track (1999-00) -Age 27 Oops! I Did It Again - Britney Spears
Track (2000-01) -Age 28 I'm Like A Bird - Nelly Furtado
Track (2001-02) -Age 29 Don't Let Me Get Me - Pink
Track (2002-03) -Age 30 Bring Me To Life - Evanescence
Track (2003-04) -Age 31 She Will Be Loved - Maroon 5
Track (2004-05) -Age 32 Because of You - Kelly Clarkson
Track (2005-06) -Age 33 Feel Good Inc - Gorillaz
Track (2006-07) -Age 34 Call Me When Your Sober - Evanescence
Track (2007-08) -Age 35 Big Girls Don't Cry - Fergie
Track (2008-09) -Age 36 Pocketful of Sunshine - Natasha Beddingfield

Interesting ebb and flow of my life to music. In the beginning it is innocent and sweet, full of zest and life. As I grow older you can see my love of music and dance evolving as the lyrics tend to feature a lot of the words "dance" or "rock and roll" in them..LOL! Suddenly the focus changes to "boys", "kissing" and then, watch out..." loss of innocence". And before you know it, my music reflects PAAARTY TIME!
Then sadly, for many years the music is reflective of being caged in, feeling sad and resonates some disparity from the loss of my sense self. (yeah I know...woe is me-ha!)
But finally once we reach current times the song is that of self confidence and optimism...Oh yeah, I am back baby!!!!!
It really is funny how music really can write our lives!

My Evolution of Static Electricity

I was recently invited to attend a show at The House of Blues Sunset Strip, to watch My Evolution perform featuring Wayne Static(of Static X) on guest vocals.
Now I had listened to the first My Evolution CD and had seen some of the clips on their website, but I truly had no idea how magnetic this band was until I saw them perform live.
Each band member brings energy and synergy to the stage and when you combine the music, the personalities, the lights, and the audience together you have one KICK ASS rock-n-roll vibe.
Take a peek at the video clip below to see for yourself...
To hear more from My Evolution visit their official website at
http://www.myevolutionmusic.com
or their MySpace page at
http://www.myspace.com/myevolution

You KNOW You've Got a HIT When...

You Google your song title and find 8 different sites already providing your songs lyrics and links for downloads.
All this PRIOR to even officially launching the song to radio.
Talk about on a roll...

But this past week Saving Jane's latest single 'Butterflies' has started hitting the airwaves. So far the word is that on the stations it's being played, it is ALREADY the top requested song by the listeners!

So, here's a toast to yet ANOTHER Saving Jane HIT!
Stay tuned for the latest juicy info on what happens next...

In the meantime, you can get your copy of the hit single by clicking on the banner below


And to learn more about SAVING JANE visit them on their MySpace page http://www.myspace.com/savingjane

http://www.getalyric.com/listen/Kcsql7sCpx4/saving_jane_butterflies_hq_new_single_lyrics_w_download_
http://www.metrolyrics.com/butterflies-lyrics-saving-jane.html http://www.lyricsreg.com/lyrics/saving+jane/Butterflies/ http://musicremedy.com/s/Saving_Jane/videos/Butterflies-32499.html
http://www.lyricsmode.com/lyrics/s/saving_jane/butterflies.html http://epr.brighterplanet.org/butterflies/saving-jane-butterflies-hq-new-single-lyrics-w-download http://www.lyricsty.com/lyrics/s/saving_jane/butterflies.html

10 Reasons You Should Subscribe to My Blogs...

(1.) I am pretty damn outspoken and not afraid to share my sometimes twisted views- lol
For instance...Can I tell you guys that I am so friggen glad that I am no longer stuck in the whole neatly packaged suburbia, cookie cutter lifestyle, where every single Mom looks the same...you know, either they are frumpy as hell, or a fusion blend of "Cookie Lee" meets the Stepford Wife clones-ugh!
(NO THANK YOU!!! I think I would rather join a nudist colony...hahaha KIDDING that is just gross actually!!!)

(2.) I love my unique sense of style and I will always unapologetically march to a "rhythm" of my own as both an individual and as a single Mom!
And NO I am NOT a Femme-Nazi, I just have my own ways of doing things, that's all!

(3.) I have learned the hard way that putting all of your time and energy into one specific area of your life is a sure fire way to destroy that very part of your life, as well as all of the other neglected parts as well.

(4.) I have found that I am actually quite a force to be reckoned with once I realize (which sometimes can take a while for me to figure out...) that someone or something is trying to gain some sort of unhealthy control over me...But know this, I will bite back and fight to protect my dignity & self respect!

(5.) So what if I am not the world's greatest cook...I can read directions on a box , make a mean salad and know the guidelines of the Food Pyramid, so as long as the kids and I are getting what we need...it's all good right?
Besides, being a crappy cook makes you appreciate being wined and dined THAT MUCH MORE ...hahaha! :)

(6.) The people we should consider to be our family aren't always going to be of our own"flesh and blood". In fact, sometimes the people we should consider our REAL family are those people that love, encourage, respect, understand and unequivocally accept us exactly as we are without any judgement or preset conditions. Not to mention all of the hugs and admiration some of the young ones offer up to those of us that they look up to and admire.
Ironically even our own "flesh and blood" can turn their backs on us and never look back...so that right there tells you that DNA doesn't guarantee you unconditional love or commitment!
But GENUINE love can...that is, if you can see it when it is right in front of you.

(7.) Rearranging my apartment has a magical affect on my wellbeing...So does IKEA :)

(8.) I don't care how unhealthy inscense may be...it still friggen ROCKS and makes me feel all Zen and shit...so I am going to keep it burning and I will also continue to light enough candles around my place to make the neighbors think I'm a witch or something...hehehehe ;)

(9.) Men and women's razors are still NOT created equally, so until which time I can get a kick ass pink razor that is sharp enough to slit a throat, I am sticking with the "boy toys" to get the best possible shave I can get! Our legs, pits and girlie parts need precision too ... Not just burly, bearded men and stubbley, whiskery boys!

(10.) Never let anyone make you think your inner voice/instincts are crazy or untrue. Usually the emotions or feelings being projected towards us by others tends to speak louder and more clearly than the actual words that would admit the feelings first hand.

*The End* (or *The Beginning*...depending on how you look at things!)