Hi All! So I've moved and changed, etc since last year - I'm finally blending all my skills together: Multimedia, Writing, Design and Creativity - into one blog. To be honest, I can completely understand where Neri Oxman of the MIT Media Lab is coming from - I'm a bit of a hybrid careerist myself and the level of technology has changed DRASTICALLY in the last year or so.

To keep up with this, I've spread myself to two new locations:

Design/Multimedia/Creativity - Honestly, 'nuff said. I cover so many things here, including some writing exercises. Lately, I've been trying to teach myself web design and doing a bit of a foray into multimedia storytelling using video, audio and stills. I'm still FASCINATED with interactive/multimedia spaces and using my audiovisual career background (and design training) to update/create learning & sharing spaces for all people. While I do all that, I'm still working as a Multimedia Specialist and staying on top of work projects.

Which leads me to Twitter! lately, I've been so busy with all of this that I haven't been able to update as frequently as I'd like on the blog! So, I tweet. And it is good. Follow me?

I'm excited at what the future holds - I see so much potential in using multiple skills in the local community since the meaning of community is so important now! Let work together to keep informed, connected and successful in the future...

In my Multimedia Journalist research, I've come across some AWESOME blogs on the topic. But being a Multimedia Specialist (not just editing, but also pulling wires, terminating cables, programming user interfaces and such), I wonder if some of the audio tools being used are really giving the quality of sound that the final package deserves?

At the moment, I'm only using a cheapo Panny voice recorder and capturing it through Audacity. But if I could dream for a sec? I would totally get a Marantz PMD-660K . Yeah, it's totally clunky looking, but with the card option, XLR & USB options...it's completely sweet. I have a suspicion that I'm still stuck on the lessons I got from grizzly old broadcast guys, though. I see the need for an external storage or a raid setup is in my future.

As far as cameras, I'm hoping to upgrade to a Canon (Powershot SD 700/800 series...maybe). Multimedia Shooter recommends the SD series in their Starter Kit. I'm tackling audio and photo composition now, as well as testing out Windows Movie Maker and Soundslide. I have a bit of experience with Final Cut Pro at work, so once I get the audio/photo/video down I can test my newsmaking skills with that as well.

Maybe I won't have to go to grad school if I can scrape together my kit, skills and j-abilities? (Speaking of which, I came across a great blog about whether or not people should go to grad school for journalism from Mindy McAdams. I don't know if I'm in the execption, but plan to post a question and possibly get some advice.)

In the meantime, check out this example of using Soundslides: the day after Obama's win in photos/audio (by Erik Castro).

I've spent much of the last few years discovering and developing my voice as a writer. The truth is that I do this because I have a love for it...a passion.

But my blind spot, as a writer and a multimedia specialist, is that I can get so caught up in making sure it's my authentic voice that I write/develop media only every so often - not on a weekly or daily basis that all the big bloggers and journalists recommend.

So what are some ways that I can capture my thoughts/images quickly, but still maintain my voice?

I have some ideas of my own, but certainly open to other suggestions. I def. need to keep a notebook/sketchbook of my ideas (in ONE notebook! I am notoriously collecting notebooks and things to writie in.) I think that way, my ideas can be sketched out in one place.

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Yesterday was one of the most historic days in American History...in world history....it was just fantastic!

Barack Obama is OFFICIALLY PRESIDENT Barack Hussein Obama, 44th President of the United States of America!! The First person of color to HOLD this OFFICE!

I'm telling you... fantastic!! I don't even know how to describe the emotions I had and still have! I was jubilant, exuberant elated and...HAPPY!

But what struck me most was something President Obama said during his Inaugural Speech. He challenged America and the world, saying "it's time to put away childish things". That phrase struck a chord in me and I didn't really get the impact of it until I was on my way home from visiting a group of women that I met through my alumni network. (I don't think they know how much just being in their WONDERFUL presence for that short time taught me!)

I have the trappings of adulthood: good job, mortgage, car, and able to take care of myself...but I realize (after a nice Q & A session with myself) that there are too many people that I've allowed to define my "adulthood" to me. Don't get me wrong, all the people that guided me, mentored me and advised me on right and wrong as I was growing up were all awesome people...especially my parents. To be truthful, I was blessed. But not since I've gained this age/status/ownership-defined "adulthood" have I taken the time to really examine what kind of adulthood *I* needed! For so long, I've been working to meet some generalized "adulthood".

So, I asked myself: "Self," I said "What does being an adult mean to me?"

Softly and gently, the answer came to me on the drive home: Being an adult, to me, is knowing that in any situation, wherever I go, no matter what happens to me...I'm assured that "Aisha" is there.

It was another a-ha moment, but without fanfare or trumpets...it was more like one very bright flash of light. This was something deeply personal that I'd been working with for the past year or so - really getting to know myself.

Who is the "Aisha" that I need when a challenge arrives or when the Universe asks something of me that requires me to go beyond the security of comfortable "things"? Again, the light flashed. That "Aisha" is strong, independent, bold, beautiful and can stand her ground ANYWHERE she plants herself or finds herself positioned. She survives and thrives and is successful in any circumstance because she is resourceful.

This realization was like a shot of steel in my backbone. For the first time in my adult years, I sat up straight, realizing and honoring that Aisha, (and President Barack Obama!)...had arrived.

Now, don't get me wrong. "Know Thyself." is a quote I hold dear to my heart. However, it's my honest belief that our labels should not precede us, but hold us up as our common Humanity takes the lead in this world.

So, Thank you, President Obama for letting your light shine and for inspiring and challenging us all to do the same!

Audio of the 2009 Revolution...

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Early on, I should have sensed something was different. You were filled with illusions...sometimes I felt like I was walking on the set of a very weird "B"-movie. There were some actors (people I valued very much) who changed roles, completely. And there were those who didn't seem to know how to leave their role once they left the set. Some of them believed that the movie was actually their life...it kinda scared me. I wanted to shake them and ask them where their senses had gone.

But, ever the observer, I sat and watched. I found friends who watched all the craziness and madness right along with me (I had fun being the comic relief) and consoled me in the sad parts. I even yelled at the screen a few times. Sure, I had bit roles...but even in playing myself (and being true to myself), I was played...then found myself played out.

In the end, 2008, you were a pretty bad movie. However, I did learn something:  how to see through illusion and decide whether or not I want to buy into it. I learned who my real friends were and I reinforced my support system.

I once read a book that said "Life's most moving moments are found right in the middle of sadness and loss". I took it to mean that we grow best in times like these. I don't hate you 2008...not at all. I consider you time well spent.

But while you're here, can you tell 2009 to bring good friends, lots of healing, the following of career & spiritual passions and a bit of overseas travel here and there ?

Thanks.

I keep wondering if I'm going to get bored with grown-up Christmas. Do you? It's beginning to grow on me. I keep thinking back to when I was a kid and how early in the morning we used to scramble to open gifts and discover what toys Santa left for us.

Now, well...the race to the Tree has slowed considerably. These days my siblings and I wake up early, help mom finish baking, help dad season the turkey, straighten up the house and set the table. In between, we're all joking, taste-testing (lol) and remembering Christmases past while a Motown's worth of holiday music serenade's us. By the time we open gifts, we've almost forgotten that there were even gifts under the tree.

I think...I think I'll take a grown up Christmas any day. The memories are just too priceless.

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I love RV's. Especially Airstreams (who doesn't?). In fact, sometimes I just want to say "F**k it.", pack up all my stuff, and roam the US, like this PR girl did.

I wish they had a Roadtrip Nation for adults.

This is an entry from a journal I keep and update regularly - This was actually written back in 2004 when I worked for a VP who understood how important people were to a great business.
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So I met with my VP last Thursday and I heard him speak two words I hadn't heard since sociology 101: self-actualization. We were having a meeting about training and I was racking my brain trying to figure out how to get people motivated to seek training (b/c you can't just force it on them). He said: self-actualization.

I am a self-help nut - totally into Dr. Phil [this was before he went off the deep end], etc and all that, so when he said those words, I had to investigate: who is the self-actualized person? So I googled and got a few interesting answers.

(Background: Self-Actualization is the highest peak in Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. The pyramid goes in this order from bottom to top: survival, security, love, self-esteem and self-actualization. in order to be self-actualized, a person must have satisfaction in the preceding levels of the hierarchy.)

1. Self actualizing people do not fear the new and unknown. They have a real view of the world around them and can deal with what they see. They are aware of the imperfections of humans and their nature, but they are not critical...they respect and esteem others.

2. They are not posers - they are open, honest and genuine.

3. They are spontaneous and seek growth for internal reasons, not external.

4. They are compassionate and focused on problems outside their own.

5. They are able to be alone, but not lonely. They actually enjoy privacy.

6. They continually experience awe and wonder in their everyday world. They see endless horizons and beginnings.

7. They have deep interpersonal relationships. Their circle of friends is often small.

8. They do not discriminate. The opportunity to learn a lesson may lie in the face of any color, race, gender or age. They are also highly ethical.

9. They have a very philosophical sense of humor intrinsic to the situation or person.

10. They are creative - not in talent, but in thinking - bringing a fresh perspective to any situation.

11. They are childlike but wise. Work becomes play.

Of course this is all paraphrased from several websites and not every self-actualized person has 'all' of these traits. And being self-actualized is not confined to an age or stage in one's life. What’s important is the act of reaching self-actualization.

How do you reach self-actualization? Through self-exploration and action. "The deeper the self-exploration, the closer to self-actualization you become".

Now I need to find out how to inspire self-exploration...Any suggestions?

Over the Thanksgiving holiday, I was able to finally take a break and just breathe. It was revitalizing to be at my grandmother's in the mountains of southwest Virginia.

All the same, I still had internet access at the hotel where I was staying some 15 minutes from my grandma's house. The night before we left, I got an email offer from Valerie Young of Changingcourse.com to download audio from a seminar featuring two of my favorite entreprenuerial guru's: Barbara Sher and Barbara Winter (if you don't know them, google them!! My favorite works of theirs: Refuse to Choose and Making a Living Without A Job). Of course, I jumped at the offer. The audio has been keeping my inspiration flowing. However, I'm noting a few things as I listen:

1. I need to network with a positive, cheerleading group of sucessful female entreprenuers. I've always seemed to seek out information in a bubble, and quite frankly, that bubble has burst - it's time to join the crowd!


2. I have to make sure I'm always keeping track of my passion! In wanting to develop and start my business, other really cool ideas have popped up. When they do, I keep track of them and write down the initial idea and preliminary plan. This leads me to number three...


3. I need to find others to sign up to help me! When I put #1 and #2 together, I see I need to surround myself with those who have similar goals and passions that not only support me, but can help develop and bring in business!

Moving forward, I believe I'm getting closer to some of the real secrets of being successful in business. And how do I know these things are true? I see them in action everyday by other passionate business owners, even in (what some would consider) the most mundane of businesses.