Archives for October 2008 | Real Tech Mom

Free Hugs? Mitch Joel in the flesh!

October 17, 2008 By erincarrasco 3 Comments

This week I had the privilege of attending a Power from Within conference. The keynote speaker of the event was Anthony Robbins. He was the actual reason that i bought the tickets in the first place, but I can actually say that all 6 speakers brought something important to the table. So I’ll do a little blurb about a few that I found the most inspiring.

When Mitch Joel came out, I didn’t really know what to think, I’m not in the business of marketing in the professional world-although after hearing him speak, you could argue that we are all in marketing, we all sell ourselves to every person we meet, even if it is unconsciously.

When Google wanted to explain online marketing to the top retailers in the United States (including Wal-Mart, Costo, Sears and Sephora), they brought Mitch Joel to the Googleplex in Mountain View, California. Marketing Magazine dubbed him the, “Rock Star of Digital Marketing” and in 2006 he was named one of the most influential authorities on Blog Marketing in the world. Mitch Joel is President of Twist Image – an award-winning Digital Marketing agency based in Montreal, Quebec. He is a marketing and communications visionary, interactive expert, community leader, Blogger, Podcaster and believer in doing the impossible. He is also a passionate entrepreneur and speaker who connects with people worldwide by sharing his marketing insights on digital marketing and personal branding.-From the Power Within Website.

I have to say I was impressed. He spoke a lot about the power of conversation and expanding your social network. One thing he said that I thought was neat was that as children we are taught to “never speak to strangers” and as adults it’s so engrained in us that we tend to shy away from people. How many times do you look down when you’re in an elevator so you avoid having a conversation with someone else?

He also played this video. It’s interesting that the more “connected” we become (in terms of technology) the easier it is to be disconnected from each other. I’m sure some of you have seen this before, but for those who haven’t, take a look!

He encouraged everyone to attend 3 social networking events by the end of this week, and as most people groaned he reminded us that it can be as simple as turning around behind you and introducing yourself.And no he wasn’t giving out free hugs, that’s Juan Mann’s job!

The Bottom Line

Mitch’s message was clear, stop being afraid to have a conversation with someone you don’t know. There are so many free tools for us to use to market ourselves and our business, don’t be afraid to use them.

With the advent of the internet, we all have the same ability to market ourselves to millions of people, without footing a huge PR bill. So with that being said, if you’re into social networking sites and you want to hear more about my ~~boring~~ amazing life, follow me on twitter! Mitch also wants you to follow him scroll to the bottom of this page and find out where you can find him!

Even if you don’t believe a word I’m saying in this post, you have to admit that this video is pretty amazing! Juan Mann is the man in this video, and has appeared on Oprah! So go out and hug some one, it’s free.

Filed Under: Product Reviews, Random thoughts, Videos

Yet another funny Cat Video

October 16, 2008 By erincarrasco 1 Comment

My Cat used to do this to our printer, I love how they think they can take on the printer.

Filed Under: Humor

Tag you’re it!

October 13, 2008 By erincarrasco 3 Comments

I think my life has definitely become enriched by my online community of friends and mommy blogger’s. For those of you who read this blog, and think I’m crazy for holding so much respect and awe for people I don’t even know, let me assure you, you haven’t been part of a fantastic community that speaks to you—there are many good luck in finding yours.

Since becoming pregnant last year, and meeting so many wonder women on BBC.ca (most of which were March Mommies like myself) it has opened me up to a fantastic community of support.

Many people look at me a little strangely when I say something I heard from my ladies online or some other mommy blogger’s but I don’t care, I have learned so much from so many intelligent women, it rocks! Ok but I’m getting off topic, god I tell you baby brain never goes away-quite sad really.

So back to my point, I’ve been tagged! Organic Yoga Mom has been kind enough to tag me in this online blogging game much like the idea of paying it forward. She is also the wonderful lady who introduced me to the MiEssence products that were reviewed a few weeks ago. The idea is to

Link to the person who sent this to you
Share 7 random/weird facts about yourself
Tag 7 random people at the end of your post and link to them
Share the good news with those people!

My Randomness

1) At Starbucks my preferred drink is: A double tall, one pump hazelnut, non fat, no foam, latte. If it’s Christmas time: tall, non fat, half sweet peppermint, with whip hot chocolate.

2)I cannot play the guitar on rockband 1 or 2 but I rock out to the drums and can hold a tune-no one has told me differently. yet.

3)I’m obsessed with “The Simpsons” and quote it quite regularly. (ie. “latex condo, boy I’d like to live in one of those”—Grandpa Simpson)

4)I met my husband when I was 16 but we didn’t marry until I was 23. Gosh doesn’t that sound like I’m a redneck.

5)I’m a computer gaming geek. I was really into the Sims, and am now learning how to play spore, I’ve also been known to stay up until 5 am playing Civilization and rockband.

6)If I was single, I’d be the crazy cat lady from the Simpsons and probably house at least 10 cats. Also one of my cats pays hide and seek with me.

7)My husband and I spend hours on the computer across from each other, and use instant messaging to talk to one another when we’re blogging.

Here’s to you fellow bloggers!

1)Moomette’s Magnificent’s

2)Junction Mama

3)The Young and Relentless

4)Soapbox Mama

5)A cup of Coffee and a story

6)Travels With Children

7)Being healthy for busy people

Sorry I have to add one more!

Healthiest Life For Me—coming soon!

There you go Pay it Forward, and even if you don’t, I hope my readers read some interesting posts by some very interesting ladies!

Filed Under: Mom, New Mom, Random thoughts

Forward of the Month: Politics

October 12, 2008 By erincarrasco 2 Comments

Warning: this forward has some mature subject matter and language.

A little boy goes to his dad and asks, ‘What is Politics?’
Dad says, ‘Well son, let me try to explain it this way:

I am the head of the family, so call me The Prime Minister.

Your mother is the administrator of the money, so we call her the Government.

We are here to take care of your needs, so we will call you the People.

The nanny, we will consider her the Working Class.

And your baby brother, we will call him the Future.

Now think about that and see if it makes sense.’
So the little boy goes off to bed thinking about what Dad has said.
Later that night,! he hears his baby brother crying, so he gets up to check on him.
He finds that the baby has severely soiled his nappy.
So the little boy goes to his parent’s room and finds his mother asleep. Not wanting to wake her, he goes to the nanny’s room. Finding the door locked, he peeks in the keyhole and sees his father in bed with the nanny.
He gives up and goes back to bed.

The next morning, the little boy say’s to his father, ‘Dad, I think I understand the concept of politics now. ‘
The father says, ‘Good, son, tell me in your own words what you think politics is all about.’
The little boy replies, ‘The prime Minister is screwing the Working Class while the Government is sound asleep. The People are being ignored and the Future is in deep shit.

Filed Under: Forward of the Month

Joke of the Month: Even if you tell your children about birth, they might not “get it”

October 9, 2008 By erincarrasco 1 Comment

I was browsing along on Twittermoms tonight and Lisa posted this hilarious joke! I thought it was too cute not to share it. I LMAO when I read it, thanks Lisa!

The ‘Middle Wife’ by an Anonymous 2nd grade teacher

I’ve been teaching now for about fifteen years. I have two kid’s myself, but the best birth story I know is the one I saw in my own second grade classroom a few years back.

When I was a kid, I loved show-and-tell. So I always have a few sessions with my students. It helps them get over shyness and usually, show-and-tell is pretty tame. Kids bring in pet turtles, model airplanes, pictures of fish they catch, stuff like that. And I never, ever place any boundaries or limitations on them. If they want to lug it in to school and talk about it, they’re welcome.

Well, one day this little girl, Erica, a very bright, very outgoing kid, takes her turn and waddles up to the front of the class with a pillow stuffed under her sweater.
She holds up a snapshot of an infant. ‘This is Luke, my baby brother, and I’m going to tell you about his birthday.’
‘First, Mom and Dad made him as a symbol of their love, and then Dad put a seed in my Mom’s stomach, and Luke grew in there. He ate for nine months through an umbrella cord.’
She’s standing there with her hands on the pillow, and I’m trying not to laugh and wishing I had my camcorder with me. The kids are watching her in amazement.

‘Then, about two Saturdays ago, my Mom starts saying and going, ‘Oh, Oh, Oh, Oh!’ Erica puts a hand behind her back and groans. ‘She walked around the house for, like an hour, ‘Oh, oh, oh!’ (Now this kid is doing a hysterical duck walk and groaning.)
‘My Dad called the middle wife. She delivers babies, but she doesn’t have a sign on the car like the Domino’s man. They got my Mom to lie down in bed like this.’ (Then Erica lies down with her back against the wall.)
‘And then, pop! My Mom had this bag of water she kept in there in case he got thirsty, and it just blew up and spilled all over the bed, like psshhheew!’ (This kid has her legs spread with her little hands miming water flowing away. It was too much!)
‘

Then the middle wife starts saying ‘push, push,’ and ‘breathe, breathe. They started counting, but never even got past ten. Then, all of a sudden, out comes my brother. He was covered in yucky stuff that they all said it was from Mom’s play-center, (placenta) so there must be a lot of toys inside there.’

Then Erica stood up, took a big theatrical bow and returned to her seat. I’m sure I applauded the loudest. Ever since then, when it’s show-and-tell day, I bring my camcorder, just in case another ‘Middle Wife’ comes along.

Filed Under: Humor