tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14538239039570413332024-03-14T03:51:19.034-07:00REBEKAH off the recordRebekahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01228039468664204913noreply@blogger.comBlogger60125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1453823903957041333.post-27516110331452450862014-01-28T12:07:00.001-08:002014-01-28T12:10:47.326-08:00My Mentor, Pete Seeger<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b><i><span style="line-height: 200%;"> Pete Seeger called me for the first time in 2008, to offer advice as I was planning the first global Solstice Sing for Peace event. Over the next several years, we communicated by phone and mail. He mentored me in my efforts for peace, and later agreed to be featured in a book I hoped to get published about everyday peacemakers. His openness, encouragement and kindness struck me immediately and continuously. I will be forever grateful for his generosity of spirit and how it inspired me. Following is a recollection of our only face-to-face meeting, which </span><span style="line-height: 32px;">occurred in September 2008</span><span style="line-height: 200%;"> in Brattleboro, VT.</span></i></b></div>
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Some people are
compelled to perform. Pete Seeger
is one of them. Whether he’s on
stage, with a small group of people or talking on the phone, this legendary
folk singer/songwriter will break out in song. Yet, in many ways, he’s like any other grandpa. He built his
house with his own hands, taps his trees for maple syrup and loves homemade
strawberry shortcake. He’s
personable, has a million stories to tell and still carries a bit of boyish
charm. </div>
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I have heard that
the singer can be ill tempered, but I have spoken with Pete a few times and
interviewed him in person once, and each time he has been more warm and
charming than the last. Like
many other performers I know, Pete infuses each conversation with his art, in
this case, the art of song. </div>
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When
we met in Brattleboro, Vermont, the then 90-year-old was preparing for a
concert with his grandson, Tao Rodriguez Seeger. Pete had agreed to take an
hour or so from his busy day to speak with me. Yet his grandson seemed hesitant about our meeting. The two had traveled to Brattleboro
with their publicist, who would accompany Pete to the hotel room for our
interview. She was both his
protector and his aide. She explained
that she and Tao were tense, because they and Pete had experienced an
“unpleasant fan incident” on their way into the hotel. Pete seemed unfazed.</div>
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I had brought my
daughter and a cameraman along, and about halfway through the conversation,
Pete taught us a new song. We sang
together for a few minutes. Later,
when we had finished our chat and my cameraman was putting his equipment away,
Pete stood, strapped his guitar to his back and stared out the window at the
nearby mountains. “I’m going to
climb those someday,” he declared quietly. </div>
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I don’t remember
if I responded. I was struck by
the beauty of the moment, and by the image, so simple and so profound. Pete seemed at once a fully empowered
man used to setting goals and achieving them, and a little boy dreaming of
adventure. </div>
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<b><i>To read the rest of the chapter about Pete Seeger from the unpublished book, "Everyday Peacemakers," or to request Pete's recipe for Strawberry Shortcake, <a href="mailto:rebekahlfraser@gmail.com" target="_blank">contact me</a>. </i></b></div>
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Rebekahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01228039468664204913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1453823903957041333.post-81402765802362013272012-08-21T10:58:00.000-07:002012-08-21T10:58:21.931-07:00The Taste of Science<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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“That was fascinating,” Kenzie said as we stepped onto W. 21<sup>st</sup> Street. She had to speak above the din of the Manhattan afternoon. </div>
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“Really?” I wondered if my teen was being facetious. “You seemed to be staring at your iPod the whole time.”</div>
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“I was playing Temple Run. It’s mindless, so I can stare at it without having to think. That way I can listen.”</div>
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Of course! How could I have forgotten the meetings at the start of each school year from kindergarten through 6<sup>th</sup>grade, when I would explain to the new teacher that my daughter would seldom look their way during lessons, would appear to be staring out the window or at the floor, but would be fully aware of what was happening. Why had I expected this to change just because she is older and more socially aware? Of course it wouldn’t have changed. So while I was interviewing the founder of the <a href="http://naturalgourmetinstitute.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Natural Gourmet Institute</a> for <i>Real World STEM</i>, and my daughter appeared to be playing a game on her iPod, she was in fact listening intently.</div>
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“It seemed like it wasn’t going that well at first,” Kenzie said.</div>
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“Yeah. Some interviews are like that. I had to really draw her out. But what did you find so fascinating?”</div>
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“I guess what she said about whole foods.”</div>
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The interviewee had a lot to say about whole foods, versus fractionated food. She was drawing a connection between quantum physics and food. I had booked the interview expecting to find out the science behind taste, and learned something completely different.</div>
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Kenzie and I chatted a bit more about the interview and how it would connect to the mushroom experiment that she and her friends in the <i>Real World STEM</i> teen corps had conducted at our shoot in June. </div>
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I’ll begin editing the footage in the next few weeks. The experiment video and the follow-up interview will be live on the <i>Real World STEM</i> website later this fall.</div>
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Video production is expensive, and so is website development. There are people to pay; materials to purchase in order to conduct the experiments; and travel expenses to get to interviews, like the two we did in Manhattan last week. Every contribution makes a difference and goes toward creating an awesome <a href="http://www.indiegogo.com/RealWorld" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">curriculum supplement for teens in need of a little educational boost.</a></div>
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Wondering what you’ll get in return?</div>
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If the warm, fuzzy feeling of being helpful isn’t enough, check out all the goodies available to you for supporting the<a href="http://www.indiegogo.com/RealWorld" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Real World STEMindiegogo campaign!</a> There are only 40 days left to contribute at <a href="http://www.indiegogo.com/RealWorld" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">www.indiegogo.com/RealWorld</a>, so please don't delay.</div>
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Thanks!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFuX0gjInDzyCgfM7IK6y-IzgU7x3ZmH-rAq8hbZXAqNHImX7xhyphenhyphenarsN0URj45vgkbfohhg9BP9K1T-mmqRrx4E90dfe6n-uLktC5CJzpuFpMdaA1Mng_BCUtnVSYckuFqh_YUjScYI_g/s1600/IMG_3702.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFuX0gjInDzyCgfM7IK6y-IzgU7x3ZmH-rAq8hbZXAqNHImX7xhyphenhyphenarsN0URj45vgkbfohhg9BP9K1T-mmqRrx4E90dfe6n-uLktC5CJzpuFpMdaA1Mng_BCUtnVSYckuFqh_YUjScYI_g/s320/IMG_3702.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Rebekah, Kenzie & the <i>Real World STEM</i> teen corps</div>
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Rebekahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01228039468664204913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1453823903957041333.post-52630040883761811772012-08-02T23:40:00.001-07:002012-08-02T23:40:45.294-07:00Wildlife Sighting by Moonlight<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
The sound was what caught my attention. I looked up, presuming bats were flying near my head. Saw only the full moon. The sound grew closer, like hoof beats. I felt the breeze as the animal whizzed out of the shadows behind me, followed closely by two larger creatures.<br />
<br />
I stopped walking, and held my breath. They hadn't noticed me in their hunt, and I didn't want them to. As they sped past me and into the town common, I could see them more clearly: something like a silver fox stealing away from two coyotes. They gave up their pursuit, regrouped, and ran behind the library into the open field.</div>Rebekahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01228039468664204913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1453823903957041333.post-6452170434435909742012-08-02T23:16:00.001-07:002012-08-02T23:16:25.926-07:00A Burst of MicroFiction<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Helvetica;"><span>Jeannie pressed the envelope against her chest, then to her lips, and slipped it into the post box. To ensure the letter would reach him, she had covered the envelope in huge letters spelling his name: Samuel. She thought of nothing else and no one else on the long walk home. Then, entering the house, Jeannie saw her father at the table with a brand-new Barbie doll just for her, and she quickly forgot about Samuel.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br /></span></span></div>Rebekahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01228039468664204913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1453823903957041333.post-20190160530637369922012-02-03T10:18:00.000-08:002012-02-03T10:20:15.352-08:00Traveling for Peace<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 20.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 13pt;">I've started exploring my travel options for <a href="http://kck.st/yHWJiE">Everyday Peacemakers</a>. There's a lot of travel required to finish researching for this book. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 20.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 13pt;"><b>OFF THE RECORD</b>: I don't really love flying. In fact, I intensely dislike it, but it's a means to an end.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 20.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 17px;">So I'd like to begin in Costa Rica, where I'll meet with Rita Marie and her colleagues. More importantly, I'll get to see her work up close. We've spoken over the phone. Rita Marie is remarkably forthcoming about personal events in her life that motivate her to work for peace. The TX native founded two non-profit organizations in Costa Rica to teach kids & adults peacemaking methods. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 17px;">She swears by <a href="https://dl.dropbox.com/u/2536770/BePeace%20Summary%20Handout%2010-14-2010.pdf"><span style="color: #0000f5;">the program</span></a>, and I want to see it in action. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 20.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 17px;">Also, I want to feel what it's like to be in a nation with no military. Can you imagine?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 20.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 13pt;">Thanks for dreaming with me. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 17px;">Hopefully, in the not too distant future, we'll all be able to hold a book called <a href="http://www.kickstarter.com/wymeditor_iframe/www.everydaypeacemakers.com"><i><span style="color: #0000f5;">Everyday Peacemakers</span></i></a> in our hands, sit in our favorite comfy spot with a cup of tea or cocoa, and read about Rita Marie.</span></div></div>Rebekahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01228039468664204913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1453823903957041333.post-62219187467753970572012-02-02T20:25:00.000-08:002012-02-02T20:25:02.782-08:00Book Trailers & Other Self-Promotional Videos<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing> <w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing> <w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery> <w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/> </w:Compatibility> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--> <!--[if gte mso 10]> <style>
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<div class="MsoNormal">Someone sent me a link to their book trailer via twitter last night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or at least I thought it was a book trailer while I was watching it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The images seemed totally disjointed from the text scrolling across the screen, and the music, while evocative, was also unconnected to the text and images.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It turns out the trailer I was watching was an advertisement for a self-help writing program.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Interesting idea, poorly executed in my opinion.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><b>Off the Record:</b> </span>If you're going to put a self-promotional video online, make sure the message is clear!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I think the message is clear in the self-promotional video I produced last week to raise funds via kickstarter.com. You can see it here: http://kck.st/yHWJiE</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I posted a comment about this on my linked In writer's group. Someone responded:</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, 'Nimbus Sans L', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px;">"One of the issues I've had is trying to find cheap background music that will fit the theme - I think I've got one now off of Incompetech, but it took a lot of searching. I also just created my first totally original animated .gif! Fun! But I am worried about it coming out just a bunch of images and music...so what makes a trailer good & what makes it suck?"</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, 'Nimbus Sans L', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, 'Nimbus Sans L', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times; font-size: small; line-height: normal;"></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">My answer: </div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, 'Nimbus Sans L', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px;">The trailer has to make sense, the way a movie trailer does. It gives you a taste of the storyline, without revealing too much. A good book trailer hits on the central conflict of the actual book. The book trailer must be compelling in its own right. The music should fit the tone of the book and, in my opinion, the protagonist's character. </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, 'Nimbus Sans L', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, 'Nimbus Sans L', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times; font-size: small; line-height: normal;"></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Here are a couple of great examples. The first is for a memoir; the second is for a YA fiction book.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/mE5j8NIrXRg?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/G1tEPKqY7Ow?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"> </div><div><br />
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<!--EndFragment--></div>Rebekahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01228039468664204913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1453823903957041333.post-64924565518843898992012-02-02T14:39:00.000-08:002012-02-02T14:39:12.855-08:00TRASHIONISTAS PART...?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">In answer to the last post: YES! I am back into the dumpster! (...well, not literally. I just clean my food wrappers, fabric scraps & odd bits & save them for art projects. I don't dumpster dive. People who know me know I'm a wee bit too squeamish and pre-occupied with cleanliness to crawl, dive or even reach into a vessel filled with refuse.) The point here is that <a href="http://www.recojeans.com/blog/2011/12/trashion-fashion-turns-garbage-into-glamour/">TRASHION</a> will reign in my small town again for one glorious night.<div><br />
</div><div>Since joining the Local Cultural Council, I've had opportunity to foster all sorts of artsy fartsy activities. When we realized we had some extra cash in our coffers, I humbly suggested my peers consider the idea of holding a trashion/re-fashion ball. To my amazement, they agreed without even batting an eye. (Realize, this is a somewhat conservative small town in Massachusetts, folks, not Brooklyn or New Haven). </div><div><br />
</div><div>So... we booked a DJ, booked a space, put out a call to all locals to save their trash, and have begun collecting prizes from local biz for the most glamorous, silliest, and creative costumes. We will have a community <a href="http://madduxpress.com/index.php/2012/01/18/trashion-designers-sought-for-5th-annual-trashy-fashion-show-39736/">trashion</a> creation event prior to the dance, for those folks who'd rather not surf these wild waters alone. Food, dressing rooms, extra duct tape, safety pins, and contact paper... it's not too much work, and we're looking forward to having a ton of fun. </div><div><br />
</div><div>OFF THE RECORD: I already made some barrettes from magazine pages. And today I bought an extra large bag of rice. We will eat all that rice eventually, and the bag will make a nice base for my flapper dress. I'm inspired by the many trashionistas who have gone before me, and who are devoting their entire artistic lives to this art form now. </div><div><br />
</div><div>Check out this video of an intense fabric scrap recycling process. This is not just fashion; it's engineering!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/jVtES-svMww?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div><br />
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</div></div>Rebekahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01228039468664204913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1453823903957041333.post-78494281549007505842011-12-02T14:57:00.000-08:002011-12-02T15:00:23.275-08:00Trashionistas recycled<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Packaging and printed material comprise nearly 40 percent of the U.S. municipal solid waste stream. ~ Product Stewardship Institute</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Writing about electronic waste for Environmental Management magazine a few years ago inspired me to start the <a href="http://www.consciouscow.blogspot.com/">Concsious Cow</a> blog, as well as to hold a trash fashion party for my daughter and her friends. We made all sorts of fashion-somewhat-forward outfits from recycled packaging, newspapers, fabric scraps and duct tape. (see the Trashonistas photo in the sidebar).</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I was recently asked to hold a trash fashion workshop at our local craft center. Initially, I said no, but reading the email from PSI today has me rethinking this. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Off the Record: my sewing skills are seriously lacking, but I can do a lot with duct tape. Maybe it's time to get trashy again - and have some fun with my local peeps, making trash into trashion. More news later.</span></div>Rebekahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01228039468664204913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1453823903957041333.post-62482362373016302782011-11-17T12:15:00.000-08:002011-11-17T12:15:49.160-08:00Disconnects stymie Mass. STEM agenda - Mass High Tech Business News<div>Off the record: my tech skills are so pathetic, I often describe myself as a "technidiot." (eg. I needed someone to show me how to change my profile pic on Facebook).</div><div><br /></div><div>Just because I'm not a techie doesn't mean I can't write about it. Is there a disconnect there? Nope. It's called research. It's through copious research that I am able to produce a new issue of the educational webzine, "STEM matters" every trimester. I'm grateful to the Office of School Partnerships at UMass Lowell for giving me the opportunity to do this fulfilling and fun work and grateful to MA legislators for pushing the STEM agenda that necessitates this work (and, more importantly, will benefit our children).</div><div><br /></div><div>Last month, I attended the MA state STEM summit, a meeting of over 650 people from preK-16 education, legislators and business people involved in science, tech, engineering and math. My response to this all-day event is here, at the Mass High Tech Business News blog. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><a href="http://www.masshightech.com/stories/2011/11/14/daily32-Disconnects-stymie-Mass-STEM-agenda.html">Disconnects stymie Mass. STEM agenda - Mass High Tech Business News</a><div><br /></div><div>I'd love your feedback!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Rebekahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01228039468664204913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1453823903957041333.post-50825317850059316122011-08-04T09:53:00.000-07:002011-08-04T09:53:13.569-07:00Jordan Hospital Breast Health Center Video<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">OFF THE RECORD: I slipped into journalism, branding and book editing through a side door - screenwriting.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">Recently, I got to use the screenwriting skills I honed at <a href="http://www.yale.edu/filmstudiesprogram/undergrad.html">Yale</a> and in Hollywood to help other women! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">For this joint project with <a href="http://www.ravision.net/">RA Vision Productions</a>, I stayed present to the emotional and physical health of women affected by breast abnormalities.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">The video will be online soon at Jordan Hospital Breast Health Center's website. Stay tuned!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Rebekahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01228039468664204913noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1453823903957041333.post-9722968319041095092011-04-20T11:11:00.000-07:002011-04-20T11:11:43.120-07:00TIPS FOR WORKING WITH A WRITER, Part 2: feedback<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><!--StartFragment--> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><b>OFF THE RECORD: </b>Hiring a writer to handle your business communications isn't always a passive process. If you've hired a great writer, you should feel comfortable enough to set her free to work her magic on your business communications. Even still, you'll need to read the copy and provide appropriate feedback. This can be tricky.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">If you are not 100% satisfied with the work, don’t presume the writer didn’t take your project seriously. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The strong writer mulls over every single word she puts on the page.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">When you offer your feedback, forget comments like, “I don’t get it,” or “I don’t like it.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This type of feedback is not specific enough to help the writer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead provide feedback that steers the writer in the direction you need her to go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How do you do that?</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">If you question the use of a word or phrase, ask yourself what you are reacting to. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Consider the following:</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Do the tone, style, and substance match your other promotional materials?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Is the writer misusing or not using a term specific to your industry?</li>
</ul><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">If the tone, style and substance are off kilter:<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"></div><ol style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Show the writer the Creative Brief generated during your most recent branding session.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(If you don’t have a Creative Brief, <a href="http://bit.ly/tipsww1">click here to read my previous blog post about the Creative Briefing process</a>. When you’re done branding call the writer back to finish your copywriting.)</li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Show the writer other promotional materials that were the outgrowth of your branding session.</li>
</ol><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">If key industry-specific terms are missing from the copy or misused within the copy,</b> simply elucidate this to the writer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every industry has its own terms or way of using common terms that differs from other business sectors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A strong writer will be able to “translate” industry language so that your materials will be easily understood by your primary audience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can help her by providing the information she needs to translate your industry’s lingo into lay terms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">In my next post, I'll share my thoughts about who gets the final say in editing.</div><!--EndFragment--> </div>Rebekahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01228039468664204913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1453823903957041333.post-69310339323896307552011-04-18T08:46:00.000-07:002011-04-18T08:46:13.634-07:00TIPS FOR WORKING WITH A WRITER, Part 1: If You Don’t Have a Creative Brief<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><!--StartFragment--> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal">OFF THE RECORD: The best copy is a natural outgrowth of a carefully crafted business or messaging strategy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Before you begin working with a writer, make sure you clearly understand and can communicate your messaging strategy. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">You'll probably get the best results if you </span>find a branding specialist whose values align with yours, and get busy developing your Creative Brief. You could also consider the five strategic questions listed in my previous blog post, <a href="http://bit.ly/idubyC">"How to Hire a Business Writer or Copywriter."</a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">In the non-profit world, the term <i>branding</i> is sometimes considered crass.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>NGOs and other 501(c )3s may refer to the same process as “Strategic Planning”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whatever you call it, defining the vision, mission, and method for your organization, as well as the primary audience for your communiqués is essential before you embark on any messaging campaign.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal">Read "Tips for Working with a Writer, Part 2" tomorrow.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><!--EndFragment--> </div>Rebekahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01228039468664204913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1453823903957041333.post-24300055868150488502011-04-05T10:35:00.000-07:002011-04-05T10:35:54.786-07:00How to Hire a Business Writer or Copy Writer<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><!--StartFragment--> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><b>OFF THE RECORD:</b> Hiring a writer is not as easy as it seems. </div><div class="MsoNormal">Maybe you need help with web content, or brochure copy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perhaps you need a business proposal written, or a series of blog posts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Recognizing that writing is not your forte is a great first step to getting clear, concise copy that meets your needs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What else do you need to know?</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>What tone of voice the writer should adopt</li>
<li>What style of writing your piece needs</li>
<li>Who will participate in the editing process</li>
<li>Who gets final edit</li>
</ol><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal">If the writer was in on your branding process, you’re off to a great start.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The process will be easier, because the writer will already know what tone of voice and style to adopt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She’s familiar with your business and the terms that are specific to it.</div><div class="MsoNormal">In this case, you’ll have minimal editing to do, and you can probably trust the writer to represent you and your concerns accurately and well, with minimal input from you.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">If the writer was not in on your branding process, you need to bring her up to speed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A savvy copywriter will know to ask the following questions, but if she doesn’t, then make sure to inform her:</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;"></div><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>Who is your target audience</li>
<li><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>What you want them to know</li>
<li><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Why they should care</li>
<li><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>What you want them to do</li>
<li><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>What misperceptions about your product, service or business you need to overcome with the material the writer will provide.</li>
</ol><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal">After that, simply present the assignment in clear terms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Communicating clearly with the writer from the outset will help each of you to give and get what you need from your collaboration.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Later, I’ll share my tips for working with a writer.</div><!--EndFragment--> </div>Rebekahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01228039468664204913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1453823903957041333.post-73756665203840900612011-01-27T10:28:00.000-08:002011-01-27T10:28:43.569-08:00Snow Day<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><b>Off the Record:</b> My kid's had so many <b>snow days</b> this year, I'm beginning to wonder if we should just start homeschooling!<br />
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While there's nothing like sharing a cozy day at home with loved ones, there's also something to be said for a <b><a href="http://www.writermag.com/en.aspx">writer</a></b> having her space and quiet time. A lot of work happens between the ears, and that's more challenging with more people in the house. <br />
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My solution: put the wee ones to work! (Okay, my "wee one" is a teenager who's chomping at the bit to earn money.) Today, she has updated my paper files, and is now transcribing an interview for me. Both tasks are essential to keeping the writer productive. Yet I have shoved both tasks onto the back burner for far too long. <br />
Keeping my files updated helps me keep my life in order.<br />
The interview transcript will be the primary component in a chapter of the <b>non-fiction book</b> proposal I'm developing. <br />
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The subject of the book? That's a secret, but I will divulge that the interviewee was the legendary folk singer <b><a href="http://www.peteseegermusic.com/about.html">Pete Seeger</a></b>. He is one of many generous individuals who support my book idea. We had a great phone conversation several months ago, and I'm excited to read the transcript and then put it to good use!<br />
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Back to writing!</div>Rebekahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01228039468664204913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1453823903957041333.post-85288295808950969412011-01-21T10:16:00.000-08:002011-01-21T10:17:11.980-08:00Government Nutrition Policy as Illustrated by Banksy<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><b>OFF THE RECORD</b>: I'm a foodie, a <b>health</b>-obsessed foodie. Few things frustrate me more than hearing <b>news</b> reports of the <b>national health crisis</b>, while information about proper <b>nutrition</b> is silenced by huge ad campaigns promoting "food" products that degrade human health.<br />
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I was delighted to discover this fantastic illustration by <b>Banksy</b> today. Check it out.<br />
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<a href="http://www.banksy.co.uk/indoors/donut.html">http://www.banksy.co.uk/indoors/donut.html</a></div>Rebekahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01228039468664204913noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1453823903957041333.post-22269531085694054782011-01-13T08:25:00.000-08:002011-01-13T08:35:59.474-08:00Trust-Based Relationships in Business<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">It's not personal; it's business. </span><br />
<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">Wasn't that the mantra of the last era in business? Surely, folks are still holding fast to the ideal that the ends justify the means.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">Take off the gloves and throw yourself into the fight. At any cost, make sure your company comes out on top.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">And how did that paradigm work out for us? Looking at the state of the economy these past few years, I would say </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">not very well</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">. Looking at the reports of increasing stress-related health problems, such as depression, obesity, and heart disease, plaguing the United States, I would say </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">not very well</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">My mentor and friend, Mitch Anthony, an ad guy with a conscience, agrees. In his post "Uncovering the Logic of Deep Change, " he writes:</span></div><div><blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #d9ead3;">The time has come to look beyond the four walls of existing enterprises and instead focus on connecting people across large numbers of institutions, shaping much broader ecosystems of participants and helping them to build long‐term trust‐based relationships that encourage and enable a new kind of human synergy.</span></blockquote></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 130%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;"><br />
</span> </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 130%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">Off the record:</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;"> It IS personal and it IS business, and trust-based relationships are the foundation of the new world. Like it or not, we've got to start tearing down the walls that separate us from our colleagues, clients and competitors. "Competition" is old-school. Collaboration is the way of the future. </span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 130%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;"><br />
</span> </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 130%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">I, for one, am forging connections with professionals who, in the old paradigm, I would have considered competitors/threats. The experience is enriching, enlivening, and increasing my career satisfaction. These mini-"think tanks" bring me a wealth of camaraderie and knowledge, and stimulate my creative juices, leading to a higher quality product for my clients. </span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">I invite you to join the new paradigm, and share your experience with collaboration here.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 130%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 130%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;"><br />
</span> </span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 130%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 130%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">Read </span><a href="http://www.hereitistomorrowagain.com/site/post.php?id=539&cat="><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">"Uncovering the Logic of Deep Change."</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;"><br />
</span> </span></span></span></span><br />
<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;"><br />
</span></div><div><br />
</div></div>Rebekahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01228039468664204913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1453823903957041333.post-90866205517364787722011-01-03T17:10:00.000-08:002011-01-03T17:10:48.723-08:00Good Bye to Conscious Cow<b>Off the Record:</b> I have a hard time letting go.<br />
<br />
This is why I have held on to my alter-ego, <a href="http://consciouscow.blogspot.com/">Conscious Cow</a>, for almost a year without posting any new blogs on "her" site.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7SWl9DRQ1TiB4u1Rphsn5aQvzbjhvIML0k6kODyI4X1Mg4QdFVJ-0YeWGbiEvpgwYv1uNFzrwrbmcfceYYAwU8HoJNSfigC2akz-doznMYFqnFyXbTqJvKlTOPkzKgO7SO8SduAjmDi0/s1600/cow+banner+sanskrit1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="118" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7SWl9DRQ1TiB4u1Rphsn5aQvzbjhvIML0k6kODyI4X1Mg4QdFVJ-0YeWGbiEvpgwYv1uNFzrwrbmcfceYYAwU8HoJNSfigC2akz-doznMYFqnFyXbTqJvKlTOPkzKgO7SO8SduAjmDi0/s320/cow+banner+sanskrit1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
I had the best of intentions to get something new out there. But...<br />
I haven't posted anything new for two reasons:<br />
<br />
1. re-purposing, recycling, re-using, and composting are more mainstream today than when I launched Conscious Cow in 2008. You can find books, websites, and magazine articles (<a href="http://rebekahlfraser.com/clips/environmenteco-lifestyle/">a few written by yours truly</a>) covering these topics. <br />
<br />
(Other resources on the web include: <a href="http://www.greenlivingtips.com/">www.greenlivingtips.com</a>, <a href="http://www.focusorganic.com/">www.focusorganic.com</a>, and <a href="http://www.howtocompost.org/">www.howtocompost.org</a>.)<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_UBC4XzlJdjc13MOzehz7OL_4tpAOMYIvMaNQAYfW8-4soFFWijthkcPSxu6iygRpTwMYPxi6lzR72sG5SX6nH8N_DnXuUVfjp5bxcm1o83qrhU5IzG04LA42nA1nHOErchaUGxsSe6k/s1600/cow+digitally+enhanced.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_UBC4XzlJdjc13MOzehz7OL_4tpAOMYIvMaNQAYfW8-4soFFWijthkcPSxu6iygRpTwMYPxi6lzR72sG5SX6nH8N_DnXuUVfjp5bxcm1o83qrhU5IzG04LA42nA1nHOErchaUGxsSe6k/s200/cow+digitally+enhanced.jpg" width="141" /></a>2. I had been doing it as a public service. Keeping a blog like Conscious Cow fresh and relevant requires a ton of time and effort in the form of research. Business ramped up in 2010 (yay!), and I suddenly found myself super busy with paying projects, family obligations, and activities in my local community. <br />
<br />
Hence, I bid my alter-ego a fond adieu, and thank all those who visited her and took her message to heart.<br />
<br />
(Surprise to me: it feels good to let go!)Rebekahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01228039468664204913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1453823903957041333.post-50247715792627171102010-10-06T13:12:00.000-07:002010-10-06T13:13:27.322-07:00What's Your Thesis?<b>OFF THE RECORD:</b> I probably need a new website, with a new design, typeface, etc, etc, etc... but it ain't happening any time soon. ?Por quoi pas? I've been so on the go, this is the first moment I've taken to write a blog post, let alone update my website, let alone design a whole new website.<br />
<br />
Ah, well. What sparked this little confession was, while searching for the perfect web design for one of my projects at <a href="http://www.uml.edu/">UML</a>, I discovered a totally fun site, with a great look, written by a web designer. She uses <a href="http://diythemes.com/">Thesis</a>. So, my friends, one day I probably will use Thesis, also. Of course by the time I get around to redesigning my site, I will have found a different, totally gorgeous web look to cop.<br />
<br />
Maybe I should just hire a web designer. I'm such a DIY type, though. Speaking of which, I need to go take my peanuts out of the oven, and make my family the peanut butter I promised them.<br />
<br />
For more regular updates, check <a href="http://www.twitter.com/RebekahLFraser">my Twitter feed</a>. @RebekahLFraserRebekahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01228039468664204913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1453823903957041333.post-68809889594145881732010-07-24T21:17:00.000-07:002010-07-24T21:17:56.560-07:00Behind the Times?<b>Off the Record:</b> It's a busy, busy time for me. Between moving, editing a book about business leadership, writing multiple articles, developing a science website for kids, and taking on a few new clients, I've been on the go! The upshot (or downside, as it were) is that I've been remiss in blog posts and in updating my website, <a href="http://rebekahlfraser.com./">rebekahlfraser.com.</a><br />
<br />
Never fear, I will eventually post updated materials. However, if you want more info about my work, like my latest writing credits, before I have posted it on the site, just drop me a line, and I'll get you clips or whatever else you need.<br />
<br />
By the way - pick up the latest issue of <i>Vegetarian Times</i> at your local news stand to learn more about <i><b>urban composting</b></i>. That little blurb is my contribution to this month's issue.Rebekahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01228039468664204913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1453823903957041333.post-91355321463520570792010-06-20T06:21:00.000-07:002010-06-20T06:23:37.685-07:00Gulf of Mexico - the responsibility is also ours<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;">OFF THE RECORD:</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;"> One thing the disaster in the Gulf of Mexico shows me is that we as a species and a society are not at peace with this planet!</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;"><br />
</span> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;"><br />
</span> </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;">As a teenager struggles for independence from it's parents, we fight against mother earth and her natural order.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;"><br />
</span> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;"><br />
</span> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;">Its easy to blame a corporation, but each of us plays a role in this disaster by living as we do. Do you drive a car? Do you heat with oil? Do you use personal care products or cosmetics made with petroleum derivatives? Do you purchase toys, home goods, office supplies or disposable items made from petroleum-based plastic(most plastic is PET based)? Did you side your house with vinyl? Do you see how this is a global problem? We are all creating this mess. The good news is we have the power to STOP hurting mother earth.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;"><br />
</span> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;"><br />
</span> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;">We may even be able to begin a healing process.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;"><br />
</span> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;"><br />
</span> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;">I encourage you to commit to changing one thing each day to lessen your reliance on petroleum products.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;"><br />
</span> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;"><br />
</span> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;">We are not powerless and we do not have to point fingers. The path of peace puts the responsibility and the power in our hands and voices.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;"><br />
</span> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;"><br />
</span> </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;">I will </span><a href="http://solsticesingforpeace.com/2010/04/22/welcome-to-ssp-2010/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;"><b>sing and chant for peace on Monday</b></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;">, and my first commitment to environmental change is to stop purchasing products made from petroleum based plastics.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;"><br />
</span> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;"><br />
</span> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;">Will you join me?</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br />
</span>Rebekahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01228039468664204913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1453823903957041333.post-17897138827687454422010-06-03T15:04:00.000-07:002010-06-03T15:04:11.955-07:00Confessions of a Typeface JunkieI'm envisioning a website to get tweens psyched about science... thinking about fonts, layout, etc...<br />
<a href="http://www.fontsquirrel.com/">Font Squirrel</a> has an excellent assortment of opensource typefaces. So far,<br />
my fave is<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.fontsquirrel.com/utils/makeFont.php?font=946/VeggiMed.otf&size=18&width=190&text=&case=mixed&prepend=Veggieburger%20&scale=115" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.fontsquirrel.com/utils/makeFont.php?font=946/VeggiMed.otf&size=18&width=190&text=&case=mixed&prepend=Veggieburger%20&scale=115" /></a></div><br />
<br />
It's fun to look at, and it's got a great name. But, I wonder if kids might be more drawn to headlines in<br />
<div><br />
</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.fontsquirrel.com/utils/makeFont.php?font=698/3Dumb.ttf&size=18&width=190&text=&case=mixed&prepend=3Dumb%20&scale=125" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.fontsquirrel.com/utils/makeFont.php?font=698/3Dumb.ttf&size=18&width=190&text=&case=mixed&prepend=3Dumb%20&scale=125" /></a></div><br />
3dumb also comes in 2dumb (a 2dimensional hand-drawn typeface). I love the movement and irreverence of both. There's hundreds to choose from. Here are a few more of my faves:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.fontsquirrel.com/utils/makeFont.php?font=899/VAG-HandWritten.otf&size=18&width=190&text=&case=mixed&prepend=VAG-HandWritten%20&scale=125" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.fontsquirrel.com/utils/makeFont.php?font=899/VAG-HandWritten.otf&size=18&width=190&text=&case=mixed&prepend=VAG-HandWritten%20&scale=125" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://www.fontsquirrel.com/utils/makeFont.php?font=567/JINKY.TTF&size=18&width=190&text=&case=mixed&prepend=Jinky%20&scale=170" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="http://www.fontsquirrel.com/utils/makeFont.php?font=373/desyrel.ttf&size=18&width=190&text=&case=mixed&prepend=Desyrel%20" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.fontsquirrel.com/utils/makeFont.php?font=373/desyrel.ttf&size=18&width=190&text=&case=mixed&prepend=Desyrel%20" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="http://www.fontsquirrel.com/utils/makeFont.php?font=555/UglyQua.ttf&size=18&width=190&text=&case=mixed&prepend=UglyQua%20" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.fontsquirrel.com/utils/makeFont.php?font=555/UglyQua.ttf&size=18&width=190&text=&case=mixed&prepend=UglyQua%20" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My daughter just walked in. These are her top 3:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.fontsquirrel.com/utils/makeFont.php?font=307/YESTERDAYSMEAL.TTF&size=18&width=190&text=&case=caps&prepend=Yesterdays+meal%20&scale=60" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.fontsquirrel.com/utils/makeFont.php?font=307/YESTERDAYSMEAL.TTF&size=18&width=190&text=&case=caps&prepend=Yesterdays+meal%20&scale=60" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.fontsquirrel.com/utils/makeFont.php?font=435/CollegiateBlackFLF.ttf&size=18&width=190&text=&case=mixed&prepend=CollegiateFLF%20&scale=95" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.fontsquirrel.com/utils/makeFont.php?font=435/CollegiateBlackFLF.ttf&size=18&width=190&text=&case=mixed&prepend=CollegiateFLF%20&scale=95" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="http://www.fontsquirrel.com/utils/makeFont.php?font=773/techniqu.ttf&size=18&width=190&text=&case=mixed&prepend=Technique%20" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.fontsquirrel.com/utils/makeFont.php?font=773/techniqu.ttf&size=18&width=190&text=&case=mixed&prepend=Technique%20" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">OFF THE RECORD: Veggieburger's got me looking for ketchup.</div>Rebekahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01228039468664204913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1453823903957041333.post-26848333785756111432010-06-01T20:37:00.000-07:002010-06-01T20:37:06.456-07:00Good Stuff<b>OFF THE RECORD</b>: I'm not that hip to the Beantown scene.<br />
<br />
Although I grew up in MA, and moved back to the commonwealth a few years ago, I never really got into Boston life. So, magazines that cater to Bostonians have never really "done it" for me... until recently.<br />
<br />
While eating organic vegan sushi in Brookline, I picked up a copy of the freebie rag, STUFF.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://cache.stuffboston.com/i/SAN/SLogo-main.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://cache.stuffboston.com/i/SAN/SLogo-main.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Why? Who knows, but I'm glad I got it, because otherwise I wouldn't have discovered this extremely well-written, informative, useful and moving article, <a href="http://stuffboston.com/good/archive/2010/05/03/renewed-self-revamped-style.aspx">"Renewed Self, Revamped Style,"</a> written by Scott Kearnan.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://stuffboston.com/blogs/good/GOOD_STUFF_renewed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://stuffboston.com/blogs/good/GOOD_STUFF_renewed.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Check it out, and then visit www.myrecycledhandbag.com to support a great business and a great cause.<br />
You'll probably also be interested in www.rosefund.orgRebekahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01228039468664204913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1453823903957041333.post-4455325782658782642010-05-08T08:59:00.000-07:002010-05-08T08:59:48.865-07:00An Interview with Me on "The Get Inspired Project"<div>The Get Inspired Project is a yearlong project founded by Toni Reece. She chose to interview me because of Solstice Sing for Peace, the movement I founded in 2008. </div><div><br /></div><div>Click here to listen:</div><a href="http://www.getinspiredproject.com/2010/05/08/day-220-rebekah-fraser/">Day 220: Rebekah Fraser</a><div><br /></div><div><b>Off the record:</b> being interviewed was a bit nerve wracking. I'm used to being the interviewer, not the interviewee, and Toni asked some tough questions. Enjoy!</div>Rebekahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01228039468664204913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1453823903957041333.post-84149668303336135502010-05-05T06:59:00.000-07:002010-05-05T06:59:48.681-07:00Twitter is Over CapacityHas the world gone mad? "Twitter is over capacity! Try back in a moment." This was the message I received when I tried to sign on just moments ago.<br />
<br />
Now, I'm no twitter-addict. In fact, I don't even tweet every day. But, now that I can't do it, well... I think I'm starting to twitch. What does it mean when Twitter goes over capacity? What is happening to our communications systems?<br />
<br />
Oh, that's right. Mercury is in retrograde - communications glitches are par for the course until the 11th. Sound freakish?<br />
<br />
<b>Off the Record:</b> I don't understand most astrological lingo, nor do I wish to. But this one thing - Mercury in Retrograde - is something I have found to be consistently spot-on. Whenever Merc goes Retro, I and folks I know experience all sorts of glitches in our interpersonal and electronic communications. My question is, what does it actually mean, or look like, when Merc goes Retro? Any Astrologers care to comment?Rebekahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01228039468664204913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1453823903957041333.post-37132335370595652492010-05-05T06:46:00.000-07:002010-05-05T06:46:38.770-07:00Caffeine in a Time of Crisis<b>OFF THE RECORD: </b>Although I write a lot about coffee, I don't usually drink it. I generally prefer the way a hot cup of Yerba Mate makes me feel in the morning.<br />
<br />
Yesterday was a different story. Operating on a few hours sleep, I started a new gig at UMass Lowell (very exciting and wonderful!), then zipped into downtown Boston for a meeting with a potential client. I was tired, hungry and desperate for a cup of coffee! I knew I needed not only to be "on" for the impending meeting, but also that I would need to stay "on" for the networking event I would attend afterwards at the Intercontinental. <br />
<br />
Alas, there was no coffee to be found. Places were closed at 4:30 in the afternoon; the city was winding down from a water crisis. Fortunately, I found inner reserves of energy and effervescence and enjoyed both a wonderful meeting and a great networking event. <br />
<br />
This morning, my friend <a href="http://twitter.com/RodneyEqEx">Rodney</a>, who works for Equal Exchange, sent me this note:<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">As you may know Starbucks, Dunkin’ Donuts and most all the<a href="http://www.boston.com/news/local/breaking_news/2010/05/how_to_give_a_g.html?p1=Well_MostPop_Emailed4" style="color: #24466b;" target="_blank"> local coffee shops went “dry”</a> and had nothing to serve.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">But not our café. Not only did our intrepid staff manage to stay open and serve coffee <b>but they served 15% more customers than usual.</b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; padding-bottom: 1pt; padding-left: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">The following note to staff from our co-President, Rob Everts, gives you a glimpse of the accomplishment.</div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><i>Good morning Causeway Café Team,</i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><i>I know you are in the midst of another morning rush, creatively working around the water issue and keeping customers happy. Meanwhile, when you come up for air, check out what you did by the numbers yesterday: </i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><i> <u>Transactions</u> <u>Total Sales</u> <u>$/trx</u></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><i> 533 $1,829 $3.43</i></div><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 245px;"><tbody>
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</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><i>That is 80 more transactions than the prior Monday and $200 more in sales. And the lower $ per transaction reflects being handcuffed not being able to sell higher dollar espresso drinks. So congratulations and thanks for busting ass under arduous circumstances. </i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; padding-bottom: 1pt; padding-left: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><i>. . .At 533 transactions yesterday, clearly the word was out that the EE Café on Causeway Street was the place to be!</i></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b>And this note to staff from one of our lead baristas, Miranda, helps to paint the scene.</b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><i>Hey there :)</i><br />
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<i>I've had a blast these past few days. But I tend to enjoy stepping up to the plate under pressure. :)</i><br />
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<i>Customers were impressed that we were open and brewing coffee and remarked that it seemed absurd that the big chains didn't have the necessary equipment/know-how to do so. Someone today said, that "you'd think they would just go out and buy this kind of brewer and put it into place rather than shut down coffee completely." </i><br />
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<i>In the few minutes here and there when I wasn't in a brewing frenzy, I remarked to customers that because we often do events and brew coffee in tents at festivals, and such, that we were well-versed in using pour-over brewers (and pumping bottled water). I even joked and told a few people to imagine that we were under a tent in the middle of a field with rows of vendors and live music. I told them this is what that would look like (if stopping by the festival happened to be part of their morning commute).</i><br />
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<i>While I know our coffee didn't taste the same this morning, as it was an experiment to find the right dose/grind/water combination (on the fly), people were able to get coffee and that seemed to be all that mattered to them. Some of our regulars even remarked that they liked it better than what they usually had (as many were forced to get a roast they were unaccustomed to since we were only brewing Mind Body and Soul, and then switched to Peruvian Medium).</i><br />
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<i>(For me) It was fun and fast and adrenaline pumping. I usually say ‘hi’ to all my regulars but didn't have the chance to do much more than dose, grind, brew, pour, pump, repeat. All of us morning peeps are intuitive and we work together so well that this wasn't that big of an adjustment. We trouble shoot, make decisions, and share tasks - picking up in the middle and switching places so smoothly that everything just worked out as it usually does (even when plugging in the brewers shorted circuits, etc.).</i><br />
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<i>We had long lines and they moved much more slowly than usual (due to our ability to brew the equivalent of two truck-stop pots at a time) but we got through it and only today did customers start to grumble. They didn't understand that though the water ban was lifted we had many regulations to go through as a food-service establishment (i.e. flushing lines and changing filters). Having a technician in the middle of everything created a lot of sidestepping/dancing around, but it didn't slow us down. :) . . .</i><br />
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Next time there's a crisis, I'm heading to the <a href="http://www.equalexchange.coop/">Equal Exchange</a> Cafe!Rebekahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01228039468664204913noreply@blogger.com0