Three Utmost Important Twitter Tools

I've been using twitter pretty heavily this last few weeks because my company is jumping into this social networking bandwagon, and as a avid users myself, I am getting the privilege to manage it. For this purpose, I've been looking for several twitter tools that could make my twitter experience easier, like managing followers, deleting mass followers, looking at trends, etc. And in this post, I'd like to share with you three tools that I consider are the utmost important.

1. Refollow

I really think this is the most comprehensive twitter tools ever. You can search and filter your followers based on several variables like who haven't tweeted in the last 90 days, those tweeps who do not follow you back, and even those who have no profile picture. You want to do mass follow / unfollow? Piece of cake, just "select all" after you do the filter, and then "delete" or "unfollow" or "block" or whatever your like. So, it is a very fun and helpful application to use, especially if you have more than 1000 followers. For good complementary reading on refollow, click here.

2. Twitter Analyzer

Don't let the word "analyzer" scares you off, it sounds a bit geeky admittedly, but this is a very fun tool to use as well. First, unlike many other twitter tools, this one does not require you to sign up or to follow them on twitter etc, just type in your username and let them do the trick.

One distinct feature that I like from this tool is that it can find who are your closest tweeps, who mention you the most, who you interact the most and, to be fair, who you disregard the most. Thus, you can either keep your friends close or, identify who seems less influenced by your tweet, and start building relationship with them (keep your enemies closer right?). If you are a data-driven type, or wanna still sound smart although what you do is tweeting all day, justify your action and impress them with Twitter Analyzer.

3. @unfollowr
This is not even a twitter tool, but this twitter account really provides solution to the pressing question - who are those people who have the audacity to unfollow me? I used Qwitter before this, which worked pretty good until it started getting drunk and sending inaccurate report.

Nice thing about @unfollowr is you don't have to log in or whatever, just follow the account and it will send you DM whenever someone decides to unfollow you. Yes, it is heart-breaking when someone does that, that's why I need this tool to know whose names I should write-off from my Christmas list.

Visit to Passion Works Studio

Around two months ago, we had an opportunity to visit Passion Works, a social business entrepreneurship located in Athens, OH. Basically, Passion Works is about doing a collaboration between artists with and without disability problems. It is originated from the belief that every humans are innately precious and are capable of doing something valuable to society. Patty Mitchell, its owner and founder, sees beyond their disability, and started to use this opportunity to help them restoring their sense of self-esteem while at the same time building her own company . Thus, you have the term Social Business, a for-profit company with a social vision.

At Passion Works Studio with founder, Patty Mitchell

So, how does the collaboration actually work? Sketch is drawn by disabled people; they are the one who come up with ideas which then being actualized by full time artists. Tons of wonderful ideas and drawings sprung up from their creative mind, one of them is the Passion Flowers which is now being recognized as the official flowers of Athens, OH. The products that they carry range from decorative item to functional items like guitar or even luggage.

It was unfortunate we didn't take more pics

As my eyes observed all the amazing artworks before me, my mind can't help to wonder. It doesn't take a special set of eyes to look at these people and realized that they are uniquely created. It doesn't take a master or Phd degree to acknowledge that they possess certain kind of abilities which often times are being overlooked. Patty sees through that, and I believe we can also see that. However, it takes a tender and courage heart to go beyond what we see or believe or acknowledge and actually turn that into an action. Often times, doing is much harder than believing, because doing is another level of commitment, and that is why people who are actually a doer, are those who are able to bring huge impact to the community. Patty Mitchell did this several years ago; starting with only a strong determination and bold courage, she brought her vision to reality, and thus has become an inspiration for lots of people, including me.

Learn more about Passion Works:
Follow them at Twitter http://twitter.com/PWStudio
Be their fan at Facebook http://www.facebook.com/pwstudio
Click here for video, and here

My Birthday Gift

This post is one month due, but I'm gonna write it anyway because it concerns me and anything concerning me is absolutely essential to be posted. I've written one post about the kind of untypical birthdays greetings that I got for my 23rd birthday, and I think to be fair, I need to write about the gift that I got as well, which is equally untypical. They're unprecedented.

I have received a watch, gift-card, clothes, electronic-stuff or even Gundam as my birthday presents, but this kind of gift, like what I alluded, is unprecedented. I guess it takes a strong urge of determination and mountainous efforts to even set the project in motion, let alone finish it in a meticulous fashion. Thus, hail to my good friends for spending hours creating this scrapbook, and for effortlessly lying to me regarding their whereabout several days before my birthday. I certainly appreciate the thoughts and energy that you guys have put into this book.

Bits and pieces of the scrapbook, displayed nicely before being binded together

One of my favorite pages, I like how the bird hovering over my head.

Road trip to Boston, beaten by the mad crab

My dark and secret desire, massage gift card!! haha. Ecstatic. 

 Thank you guys, really appreciate everything. (setting: at our secret study center, dare to guess??)

Places To Visit in Columbus - Part 2

I posted the part 1 several days ago, and here is the continuation of my visit to several unpopular but worth visiting places in Columbus. 

Franklin Conservatory - If biology is your favorite subject in high school, this is the place you don't want to miss. Showcasing various exotic plants and botanical gardens, this is a great place to learn and also to take pictures. 

Alum Creek Dam - again, a collection of the beauty of nature:  beautiful dam, green and vast pasture, clear blue sky, and the lake. Enjoy the breath-taking scenery or be active and do some kayaking, fishing or even windsurfing. 

That's all for now folks, I will post more pics if I get more chance to go around Columbus. As of now, I look forward to visiting Amish County which I haven't get the chance to visit. So, stay tune and anticipate more postings. 

Places To Visit in Columbus - Part 1

When you think about Columbus, you and maybe the other 95% of people will think about the renowned Ohio State University, which is good because that's what Columbus, OH is well-known for. However, it is unfortunate that places like Goodale Park, Hoover dam, or Hayden Falls, beside their pristine beauty, remain untouched by visiting tourists, locally or nationally or even internationally. That's what prompted this post; I've had the chance to visit these places and I truly believe that their beauty should not be overlooked. Below are some pics which I hope will convince you to visit these places right after you're done visiting Ohio State University.

Goodale Park - With its natural beauty, this park is perfect for picnicking, jogging or even for playing around with ducks. 

Santa Maria Boat - I did not go for the tour so I have no idea what this boat is all about. I'm pretty sure it has some interesting historical stuff if you're really interested. For me, this pic is enough. 

Hayden Falls - I was so close to sending this pic to several magazine editors out there. I'm sure the splendor of the Falls plays a bigger role aesthetically, but surely you can't dismiss that guy right there. 

Topiary Park - a very beautifully landscaped park, with a pond at the center of the park which provides you with a very comfortable place to chill and appreciate the art of topiary. Where's the picnic basket?

to be continued.... 

Retract, Retreat, and Refuel

Take a 360 degree look at your surroundings and you will notice that we are bombarded by all these advertisements and articles which promise one ultimate thing:instant gratification. We are being taught to get everything in a split of a second, from losing 7 lbs in a week under the tutelage of Jennifer Aniston to getting an instant healing under the miraculous power of Benny Hinn.

Yes, we want everything now, and it has to be now. Why? Because we are told to be hurry, to follow the world's accelerating pace. I think it is just about time when one-minute microwavable food is not fast enough, and waiting 1.02 second for Google to display its search is a waste of time.

In contrary to the contemporary culture, The Bible teaches a very opposite approach. We frequently heard the exclamation "Hurry Up!", but The Bible tells us to slow down and be still in the Lord. When all the instant messages, email, text keep us occupied, The Bible urges us to slow down and reflect. The Bible teaches a very aberrant approach: retract, retreat and refuel. Retract from the noisy culture, Retreat to a quiet place, and Refuel your spiritual tank.


And with regard to that, I found the prayer of St Anselm to be profound and relevant, especially in times like this when people have to learn that is is okay to press the "esc" button, or it is even highly recommended to shut down your computer, your ipod, your blackberry, facebook notification to escape for a moment and listen to the voice of God.

Come now, little man, turn aside

for a little while from your daily employment,

escape for a moment

from the tumult of your thoughts

Put aside your weighty cares,

let your burdensome distractions wait,

free yourself awhile for God,

and rest awhile in Him.

Enter the inner chamber of your soul

shut out everything except God

and that which can help you in seeking Him,

and when you have shut the door, seek Him.

Now my whole heart, say to God,

"I seek your face,

Lord it is your face I seek."

St Anselm

The Untypical Birthday Greetings

A typical birthday greetings, anywhere in the world, contain the platitude "have a blast" or "wish you all the best" kind of happy smiley hopeful messages. Yes, people should share happiness on that special day; birds are singing, trees are dancing, and the universe joins in that joyous chime of festivity.

However, that was not the case for my birthday this year. As I learned about my mom's malady a day before I am entering the age 23 demographic, there was really not much to be happy for. Thus, it is interesting to note how the birthday messages that I got from my friends this year deviate from the normal common greetings.

Mostly taken from The Bible, all these messages brought comfort and console to my weary and chaotic heart. They do not hope for 'my wishes to come true' nor for me to smile 'on this special day', but they do promise strength and hope during this specific times of trouble. I found these to be profound and timely, and I can't help not to share these blessings with you

2 Chron 16:9

For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.

Isaiah 41:10

So do not fear, for I am with you. Do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Psalm 9:9-10

The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.

Isaiah 54:10

Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed," says the Lord, who has compassion on you.

Psalm 121:1-2

I lift up my eyes to the hills - where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth.

Career in Sales?

As a person who had spent months and months job-searching and interview-hopping, I think my credibility in the area of giving job-search and interview tips is undoubtedly well-recognized. Even if you objected to that claim, I will still shamelessly insist in writing this entry, simply because there are still some lessons worth-sharing coming from these excruciating months of unemployment.

Having sending tons of resume to whatever job postings with the word 'marketing' on it, I discovered, some after the 1st interview and some after further Googling, several shady and fishy companies that are worth watching out for.

All of these companies have a peculiar interest in changing their names as often as changing a diaper. Some has undergone four different names in the course of only one or two year; this fact itself must have made you wonder what kind of scheme these companies are up to. Yesterday I checked, Google has not changed its name, and it is still Google today and I believe will remain Google tomorrow.

One, and the only, example I will mention here is this sales and marketing company now being introduced as Fission Inc. Further research (and you can do it yourself) reveals that it has progressed under names like Marketing Concept, Athens Consulting, and Midara Inc.

As I slowly learnt, all these companies share one common similarity in their business model: a newly hired employee will have to start out doing face-to-face marketing be it inside a store, door-to-door or B2B. Then, they sugar the pill by promising office ownership in just eight to twelve months time if you are 'hardworking' enough, and by that I mean completely dismantling your social life and crushing your bones for sixty hours per week including weekend.

This model obviously and thankfully is not for everyone, and my simple point here is if you are a person who are deeply corrosive to direct marketing and just want to live a happy and balanced life, stay away from all job postings from a 'sales and marketing firm' promising 'rapid promotion to management', and especially be more concerned if they have just changed their name from Google to Hoogle. Let's somebody else apply for that, please.