We are grilling this guy for dinner tonight, but he is almost too anthropomorphized to cut up
To Russia with Love
It sounds like the type of thing James Bond movies are made of!
The Russian government has given the go-ahead to begin development of an underground rail line that would connect Alaska and Siberia.
The tunnel (not being built for personal or commuter traffic) is expected to be an efficient means of transporting freight. (Can you imagine the easy access to China?)
The engineering marvel would be twice the length of the Chunnel in Europe.
Why Google+ Will Allow Us To Get Geekier
Too often, I have skipped sending the “geekiest” of my tweets and facebook posts, because they just won’t make a ton of sense to the most of my friends and followers.
This is where the ability to target with Google Plus may be a big help!
I am actively involved in a number of communities.
Faith, Running, Interactive Media, WordPress Development.
I have cringed once in a while when sending a tweet, realizing that… while many in my communities may appreciate it, many others may just view it as noise.
That doesn’t mean I intend to completely “silo” my Google+ content. It just means I can be a little smarter in getting my content out.
I may push a status like “Just completed my 5th marathon!” out to everyone… but “10x800s today… had negative splits!” is probably best left for my running friends.
“Launching a new site today” may be worth sharing. “Upgraded my PHP to version 5.3… reminded I need to replace my include() statements.” can be shared with my development friends only.
If nothing else… Google+ will allow me to get geekier.
7 (Missing) Things That Will Make Me Love Google+
I’m playing around a bit with Google+ this week.
As I’m writing this, it’s still in a rapidly expanding private beta.
Let me start by saying I will never rip on a products stability or functionality while it’s still in beta.
That being said, there are a few things that could tip me over the edge and make me fall in love to G+
1 – iOS app
It is, apparently, on its way! The mobile-web version is nice, but I’m just missing too much functionality. I’m seeing a lot more interaction from my Android friends (…wait… friends with android devices… I don’t actually have any android friends… that’d be cool)
2 – API
Also… on it’s way. The beauty of Facebook and Twitter right now is my ability to leverage other applications (Tumblr, Instagram, SocialCam, WordPress, etc…) to organize my social media flow. Right now that development really hasn’t happened for G+. When it does… I’ll be a little more on board.
3 – Mobile Hangouts
My phone has a better camera than my laptop. I’d love to hang-out… on the go.
4 – Broader friend finder
I’ve exhausted my Google Contacts, and really don’t have any on Yahoo and Hotmail. I’d love to mine my other socnets.
The other issue I’ve come across is that most of my G+ friends are of the “tech-set”. The more of them I add to my circles, the more my suggested follows center around that area.
5 – +1 Trends
Google has added the items I’ve “+1’d” across the Internet, to my profile. I’d love to see what’s trending. Not only globally, but in my circles!
6 – A place for brands
Again, Google says this is coming. I’ve seen a few brands (primarily content publishers) jump on the account creation process already.
I have just been a part of migrating too many brands from Facebook profiles, to groups, to pages – to want to jump on this TOO quickly. I am glad it’s being acknowledged, and hopefully we will avoid significant brands trying to fit their round persona into the square hole of a personal profile.
I’m glad they are recognizing this need, and are developing a place for it.
7 – My friends
Most of you who read this are still following a link from Twitter or Facebook. Frankly… I have no loyalty to any social network… I just hang out wherever YOU do.
What about you? If you are on Google+, what will prevent this from being “just another status update I have to worry about”?
Running in the Heat
Yesterday and today, my homestate of Minnesota kisses 100 F for the daily high.
I’ve had a few friends ask me how I handle running in these conditions. I thought I’d put down my hot-weather running process.
Get up EARLY.
The morning temps have been in the mid to lower 70s the last couple of days. Still humid, but a little cooler. While rolling out of bed to go for a run may not be your idea of a good start to the day. I have NEVER regretted getting up with the sun. Just experiencing the world come alive is amazing
Get indoors.
I have the luxury of working at a place with an indoor gym and track. It’s not as fun, and gets a bit repetitive, but it’s something. Perhaps it’s a good day to work on some track based speed work.
Check with your local community centers. See if your local fitness center offers a day pass option. Even if you have to find a treadmill (Dreadmill), you can get your mileage in.
Cross Train
Hot days are a nice time to hit the cycle and get a little wind in your face. But it is still important to take it easy and drink a lot of water. Cyclists can over heat too. And sometimes that wind can be a little deceptive.
Yesterday, I spent the time at the beach with the girls. A few laps in the river couldn’t hurt.
Spend the time doing some core work or strength training. I tend to be really bad at taking the time for strength training. Hot days are a great time to take care of that.
Slow Down!
I love using Jeff Galloway’s heat adjustment guide. For every 5 degrees over 60, add 30 seconds to your pace. So if you are comfortable running a 10 minute mile – Adjust it to 13-14 minutes per mile when the temps are 90-100.
Skip it!
I have run in sub zero temps, but hot weather is just plain dangerous. There is a reason Marathon’s have a black-flag when the weather gets hot.
A military friend once said “There’s no bad weather… just bad clothing”. But I’ll counter that, in winter, you can ALWAYS add another layer. My neighbors are pretty insistant that I can only take so many layers off.
You won’t lose your fitness progress if you have to skip a day because of the heat.
Sometimes… it’s just not safe out there.
What else?
So, I’m not a running expert. I just run. What do you do to escape the summer heat? How does it impact your training schedule? I could use any tips/tricks/ideas you have! Please share them.
[Vid] What do you run for?
Why do you run? I love this video.
I’m running the Twin Cities Marathon in October with Team World Vision. I’d love to have you join my team and run with me! Training officially starts this week!
Not interested in running? I’d love to have you participate with a financial gift to my team! Let’s change some lives together.
Francis Chan on Hell
Introducing Pro226.com
This weekend, my wife and I launched Pro226.com at our church.
The goal of the site is simple. Allow parents to collaborate to effectively disciple their kids.
- Share ideas of what has worked in your family.
- Share stories of God at work, to help inspire other parents.
- Share struggles, and allow other parents and friends to come along side you and offer support.
If you are a parent (of little ones or big ones), or just have a heart for this newest generation, we’d love your help.
Create an account and join in the conversation at http://www.pro226.com
My Twitter Follow Algorithm
Every week I take a look at my new Twitter followers to see who I want to follow back. I want to follow as many genuine followers as possible.
So I realized I go through a simple assessment each time I look at a new follower. It goes something like this:
- Do I know who you are? (+10 pts)
- Do I like you? (+5 pts)
- Do you know who I am? (+5 pts)
- Do you live in within 50 miles of my home? (+10 pts)
- Have we had a meal together (+5 pts)
- Was it at one of our homes? (another +10 pts)
- Does your Twitter description include the word “coach” (-10 pts)
- Wait… do you actually coach an athletic team (+10 pts)
- Does your Twitter description include any of the following: “Global”, “Strategist”, “Thought-leader”, “Client” (-15 pts each)
- Did we attend the same conference or seminar (+5 pts)
- Do you @reply people? (+5 pts)
Score Assessment
45-65 – We’re buds! I probably have you in a Twitter list, and we text message each other more than tweet.
20-45 – My network! We’re probably not getting the kids together this weekend, but we’d drop each other a DM if we needed an opinion. I will probably follow your links. You just make Twitter better.
0-20 – You were at that thing I went to that one time.
Less than 0 – Sorry. I wish you the best in your upwardly mobile endeavors. I just can’t come along for the ride.
Anything else? What is it that makes a good Social follow for you?
(photo: flickr)
Creating a Personal Mission Statement
I’ve sat in on more than one long meeting, wordsmithing a mission or a vision statement. But, they are an important part of any organization. A clear, concise summary of what the organization seeks to accomplish.
A mission statement needs to be specific (so as not to justify any undertaking), but general enough to not limit the tactics you use.
A number of years ago, I created a personal mission statement:
My purpose is to bring glory to God through my relationships and responsibilities
I wanted it to be general enough to not be tied into any occupation, but specific enough to direct the decisions I make.
What about you? Have you made a personal mission statement? I’d love to hear it!