talking about social media in San Francisco

This past weekend I went to San Francisco to talk about social media with the National Association Personal Financial Advisors, Northern California study group. I had a chance to meet the financial advisors in the group and bring to life people I talk to and follow on Twitter:

• Cathy Curtis, Curtis Financial Planning - a fee-only financial planning practice, Cathy specializes in women entrepreneurs and women-in-transition. Twitter: @curtisfinancial
• Kristin Luke, Wealth Management Marketing - Kristin specializes in helping financial advisors market their practices. Twitter: @KristinLuke
• Chuck Rylant, CJ Rylant Wealth Management - Chuck is most enthusiastic about using Facebook to connect both personal and professionally. One of my favorite quotes about how/why to use social media for business is from Chuck, "People want to do business with people they know, like and trust." Twitter: @ChuckRylant

More posts and photos from my trip coming soon! Including another cool Twitter connection I made in San Francisco!

Remembering Our Soldiers on Veteran's Day

Tonight I'll be part of the Studabaker Girls crew and helping out at the Tribute for the Troops USO benefit, organized by Studabaker Classic Cookies. Heidi and Chris have pulled together a great night of entertainment: 1940s style USO show with The Alan Gresik Swing Shift Orchestra, swing dancers and lessons from The Galaxie, Chicago Starlets burlesque dancers, and a Photo Booth of the Stars.

This afternoon Heidi, Erin, Mary and I are getting our hair and make-up done by Tigerlilie Salon, which specializes in hairstyles from the 20s to the 60s.

Last month we helped out at the annual USO Gala (where this photo was taken) and we had a great time. Gary Sinise performed with the Lt. Dan Band, and we had a chance to meet men and women who are serving our country in active duty. One of the young men we met has served in Iraq and was off to Afghanistan for his next deployment. Meeting a Marine like him made the reality of how our soliders serve our country much more real, and I'm honored to be part of an event that supports the USO and serves our troops and their families.

cool find: 1920s transit posters

I learned something new today, thanks to following @NutsonClark on Twitter and the link they posted about http://www.chicago-l.org/.

The Chicago Rapid Transit Company commissioned artists to produce posters that encouraged people to use the Chicago transit system. Approximately 160 posters were produced between 1921 and 1929 and featured parks, museums, and destinations outside the city limits. This one of the toucan is one of my favorites. You can check out more posters here. What's your favorite?

marathon birthdays - a family tradition

My Grandma Maki was the queen at making her birthday last as long as a week, if not longer! And I’m proud to say for my 40th birthday, I was able to carry on with a fine family tradition. I had a chance to go home for a Michigan weekend and started things off with a family dinner and birthday cake (Carrot! Delicious!) Then that Saturday night at my sister Julie and her husband Joe surprised me with a BIG decadent chocolate cake at their annual Halloween party. Here I am, looking like the Vanna White of cakes...

The night before my birthday, I hosted book group and some of my book group pals brought lots of good wishes and cards and chocolates! I took the day of my actual birthday off work and celebrated with getting my hair freshened up and my nails done. If I’m going to be 40, I’m going to enter this next decade looking good, or at least well-preserved sans Botox. My family surprised me again and sent me a sweet miniature rose plant. My mom called and sang Happy Birthday on my voicemail (which I saved). On Friday, my boyfriend (Yes, for my 40th birthday, I also decided to get myself a boyfriend!) brought me roses and we went to see a very funny play, Lettuce and Lovage, at the RedTwist Theater.

Saturday night my friends and I celebrated Halloween and fellow-Scorpio Erin’s birthday. Sunday was another birthday brunch. When I got to work on Monday, I discovered my friend Tena had sent me a lovely arrangement of gerber daisies. My brother and his wife sent me a taxidermied puffer fish – a memory of our trip to visit them, which totally made me laugh when I opened it. (If you check this previous blog post, you’ll get an idea of what it looks like!) I’ve received so many wonderful the cards, wishes via Facebook and phone calls.

It's worth sharing that Shelley "insisted" that she talk to me before my birthday. I said (via text), "YOU insist?" And her response cracked me up: "Yes, I insist. Asking you to share my seat on the bus lo those many years ago did earn me SOME rights you know. Speaking to you before you get all busy and sh** on your birthday is in our Friendship Constitution." (Hmmm... I need to find a copy of this Friendship Constitution...)
So this birthday also marked a decade in Chicago. I made my way through my 30s here in Chicago, having moved here ON my 30th birthday (which I chronicled in this post).

I think we all want to believe that our lives matter and that *we* matter to the lives of those around us, our families and friends, and I've been so touched by all the love and thoughtfulness. I’m embracing my 40s with enthusiasm. It will be interesting to see what this next decade brings -- I hope to make my Grandma Maki proud, who also embraced life with determination and gusto. You only live once and I'm going to make the most of it!

my brother suggested this costume for NEXT Halloween

My brother Brian sent me this photo, suggesting Chachi might like to wear a school girl outfit (complete with a pleated skirt) next Halloween. Very funny!

hang on... we're currently experiencing technical difficulties

So in the past couple of weeks, I haven't been able to use my computer because it's had a Malware virus. I've had a couple visits from a computer tech guy and each time he finds new problems. Last night he had to reinstall Internet Explorer and then Adobe Flash Player because it was so badly damaged by the virus. He's also discovered some "hassle" viruses, which cause the computer to run SUPER S L O W. Agonizing. SO. I haven't been able to update my blog. Stay tuned. I hope I'm up and running again soon!

Image source: icanhascheezburger.com

why dogs hate their owners

Chachi's been pretty tolerant of me making him wear a costume in previous years for Halloween. He's been a skeleton and a lobster. This year when I showed my mom the dragon/dinosaur costume I found at the store, and she made him an awesome MUTT-A-SAURUS-REX costume, and I think this is the year we pushed him to his limit.