AT&T iPhone Uh-Oh’s

You get all dressed up for your special event. You have painstakingly made sure every detail of your dress and attire are just right for your special date. You step out the front door, smile to great the day, step up to the curb, and a truck drives by splashing mud and grime all over you! “AAaagh!” you scream in frustration. You wipe the goop from your eyes and glare at the truck as it moves on down the street without a care.

This is, in essence, what has happened to the Apple iPhone roll-out. You spent hours getting ready for your date with your new phone and then — WHAMO! — the AT&T truck drives by and ruins your day. What will you do? What can you do?

All you can do is wait.

In the interim, see what Tech Recipes had to say the morning after the iPhone release:

You finally get your iPhone and what happens during activation? Error city! Many people are reporting various errors… the one I have seen a couple of times is the following:

We’re sorry, AT&T has determined that your current account cannot be used with the iPhone.

Other people are seeing this error:

Your activation requires additional time to complete.

read more…

Seems like someone didn’t have their act together for the big roll out. I wonder how they’ll spin this instance of poor customer service?

Additional
- AT&T Support Forums: Activating Your iPhone (rants and issues)
- AT&T Forum: iBrick
- AT&T Forum: Old phone disconnected, waiting for iPhone Activation

NOTE: Typically, at the end of my posts I say, “Have Fun!” but that just wouldn’t be appropriate, now would it?

Doit: Free To-Do List Manager

Here’s a free, Mac OSX only, To-Do List manager called Doit. LifeHacker first posted this and I am downloading it. It looks like a great little time management tool.

Each to do item can be linked with a file on your computer, a URL, such as the address of a website, or a contact from your address book. The linked item can be opened directly from the Do It window. To do items can also include notes, priorities and deadlines, which can be set as reminders in iCal.

Mac users can download Doit from jimmcgowan.net
Let me know what you use and if there are comparable free Windows apps like this.

Have fun!

Thoof Went The News

Look out Digg, another news/sharing portal is in town. Thoof  pushed into the market today as a competitor with a twist. Not only can you write and read about recent news (and other odds and ends) but you can edit the stories as well!

Sound like Wikipedia? Well…sort of…keep reading.

On the homepage your are greeted with:

Welcome to Thoof! Thoof lets you share interesting news articles, websites, videos, photographs, and other links with your friends and other Thoof readers. You can let Thoof know what interests you just by clicking on stories you like— each time you visit, we’ll be able to show you more of what you want to see.

Originally concepted by Ian Clarke, founder of the Freenet Project, Thoof presents users with a personalized page of news that interests them. All they have to do is read what they like and Thoof takes care of the rest.

As the staff at Thoof describes:

We created Thoof because we found, as we surfed the web for things that interested us, that we seemed to have only two options: Either visit dozens of specialized sites, or visit general news sites where what we wanted was often buried under a pile of what we didn’t want— if it was there at all. On either type of site, we often had to read through lots of stories just to find one that was interesting. User-contributed sites provided the most interesting articles, but were often duplicated and inaccurate, and there was no way to fix them. Thoof tries to solve these problems.

Try out Thoof today and let me know what you think. Is Thoof here to stay or just a “flash in the pan”?

Inspiring Photos From NASA

Not what I typical write about, but you have to see these pictures — they are truly inspiring! Scroll down the page to enjoy them all.

Have fun!

Human Interface Design

Here is a good reminder from Sharon Lee of Richapplefool, a design consultancy based in Sydney, about the need to create environments for humans to experience on the Web. It is easy to get caught up in the eCommerce model of money and product centricity (hey, a new word! Remember, you read it here first). While you may argue that the primary motivation behind Web development is financial gain, how one leads and engages humans is tantamount to ongoing success online.

From Sharon’s article on A List Apart:

It’s not new to say that we now live in an age in which survival in business depends on your ability to communicate effectively through the internet.

What is new is the realization that just having any old website isn’t enough. The quality of your site and the nature of its content are paramount and your ability to communicate with your audience is the key.

A good website is built on two basic truths—that the internet is an interactive medium and that the end user is in fact human. In other words, it is meant to be an experience. As with any adventure, a little strategic thought is needed to ensure that the experience is enjoyable.

read more…

How do you promote and engage humans in online environments?

Has it been successful for you? How do you know?

Tickler Files

Ever used a Tickler File? A “what”? If you’re prone to organization and time management techniques and tools, a Tickler File is a wonderful way to keep you on task. I first tried it several years ago and personally lacked the discipline to go into the file each day. Instead, I found myself quickly jotting down a handwritten To-Do list and then jumping right into work.

However, some I know use the Tickler File and find it very effective. Some use it for meeting notes, reminders, lists, articles, creative source material for brainstorming, or training and learning tips. If that happens to be you, see the article that LifeHack posted recently.

A common practice with tickler files is throwing everything required for a particular day in one file, without any distinguishing labels or notes to differentiate what action is required for each item.

Usually it’s enough to see a bill and know you have to pay it; but what if the actions aren’t so clear?

When using a tickler file, you want to be able to quickly, for instance at the beginning of the day, open it up, action what’s in there and then get on with your day.

read more…

If you’re like me and tried it, but couldn’t keep it up, let me know what works for you. Comment here.

Dvorak Hits the iPhone-Wall

John C. Dvorak has had it up to “here” with the iPhone hype. He has hit the proverbial “wall” and wants to see nothing else written about it on his blog until all the dust has settled. He has instructed his writers to drop anything related to the iPhone.

See some of John’s rant below:

This is the last week of Apple iPhone hype, hyperbole, and hand-wringing. Oh wait, I mean the last week of pre-iPhone hype, hyperbole, and hand-wringing—we have a few more post-iPhone months left on the calendar. I am sick of it. It’s all anyone talks about. It dominates the news. It dominates the podcasts and videocasts and magazines.

Exactly what new meditation sequence Steve Jobs learned recently that could create such a flurry of fawning interest is beyond me. He should become a guru and teach it to the likes of Chrysler Corp. executives. Seriously, this whole thing is creepy in some mystical way.

I know at least two guys who are big fans of this unseen phone. It is all they talk about no matter what the topic of conversation. Both have glassy eyes and stare straight ahead.

read more…

What do you think — had enough iPhone hype or are you planning on camping out at the nearest Apple or Cingular/AT&T store? Let me know.

10 Mistakes Managers Make During Interviews

Often, I see articles about interviewees making mistakes when looking for a new job. Tips, books, and lists abound, instructing the potential employee on how to prepare for an interview. Conversely, managers need similar help. Many hiring managers can make the same kinds of mistakes that the people they interview make.

See the article by the staff at BNET. They hit on 10  mistakes that managers make while conducting job interviews.

The first three mistakes hit me between the eyes.  I have been guilty of the following:

1. Talking Too Much
2. Gossiping and Swapping War Stories
3. Not Asking the Tough Questions

read more…

How about you? What mistakes have you made in interviewing? What mistakes have you seen an interviewer make?

10 Tips For Virtual Teams

Virtual Teams — at best, project driven groups of very talented people pulled together from around the country and/or globe. At worst, vision lacking, communication hampered groups of talented people pulled together across disparaging timezones. When they work well – they are a thing of precision and beauty. When they fail, they are an unwanted nightmare.

Dr. Lynda Gratton has written a useful piece on creating, working with, and maintaining virtual teams. She covers 10 helpful tips for success in this unique environment. She covers such topics as finding team mates that know one another, breaking the team into regional work groups, encouraging frequent communication, and making sure that the project tasks are challenging and interesting.

Around the world, a wide range of corporate tasks are being performed by teams of employees who rarely if ever meet in person.

The rise of so-called virtual teams is hardly surprising, given the vast investments corporations are making in internal communications and networks. Technically, it’s no longer a challenge to work closely with colleagues in distant locations or to hold meetings with participants scattered around the globe.

In practical terms, however, plenty of hurdles remain. Among them: time-zone differences that make quick exchanges difficult, and cultural miscues that can cause misunderstandings. Teams that don’t meet in person are considered less likely to develop the kind of chemistry seen in teams that do — an element that’s often seen as a key factor in making teams productive.

read more…

For anyone working virtually, this is a must read. Pass this around for others on your team to read as well.

Finally, let me know what you have found useful (or dreadful) in a virtual team environment. Comment below!

Are You Ready To Telework?

From Web Worker Daily | By Mike Gunderloy

Millions of people already telework – but we know that at least some of our readers are still on the inside, looking out and wondering how to get started with this new world of work. If you’re trying to figure out how to convince your manager to let you start doing at least some of your work remotely, surf on over to the Eligibility Gizmo at the Telework Exchange web site. This is a simple web form that asks a few questions and then calculates a score on a 0-100 scale to indicate how suited you are for teleworking.

read more… 

Now you too can help eliminate gridlock and save on pollutants!

NEW – Plaxo 3

Plaxo is allowing users to kick the tires of the new public beta 3.0 for free! Touted as being the only online address book and calendar that syncs with Microsoft, Google, Yahoo!, AOL, the Mac, Thunderbird, and your mobile phone, Plaxo 3 promises to be the best release yet.

If nothing else, Plaxo is one of the biggest from-evil-to-useful stories around. As Plaxo VP of Marketing John McCrea says in an interview with Robert Scoble, they’ve moved away from their “overly viral” focus to a model focused on sync and sharing.
(From Web Worker Daily | By Jodi Sohn)

read more…

Quotable Quote

Dad, how come you don’t have pictures on your underwear like me?

- My Son
(It just made me laugh and then stop and wonder why we lost that sense of fun as adults…)

The 10 Commandments For Leadership

I got this from Don Boykin (Originally titled, What I Wish I Had Known Before I Got Into Management)

Leaders don’t start out as leaders. For example, we started out as writers, then someone put us in a leadership position. The inclination is to drift back to what we know (i.e. writing). What often gets missed here is the connection we should make with those whom we lead and work. Everyone is looking for someone to follow.

10 Commandments

1. It is always about people and relationships.
We tend to focus on the work, rather than the people. Don’t do it! We have to keep our eyes on the people.

2. It’s more about being than doing.
Dr. Henry Blackaby says that leadership development is synonymous with personal growth. The best thing a leader can do for their organization is to grow personally.

You can’t lead by trying to be someone else. Its faulty to try to lead by imitating someone else. Their methods may work, but you cannot BE them. Make the style your own.

3. You lead by serving.
Check your motivation — don’t use people — use tools, but never use/abuse people. Become a Servant Leader.

4. Your employees are your most important resource.
Tied to number 3, unless you understand this, you have failed as a leader.

5. Be the first one in and the last one out.
Not really in reference to hours; in relation to your involvement. Remember, you’re setting the example for others to follow.

6. You need to achieve critical business objectives while satisfying people’s personal needs.
This comes from getting to know your people. Know their strengths and weaknesses. Know their ambitions and goals. This allows you to uniquely position your people per objective to get the job done while inspiring moral.

7. Feedback is important to leadership.
Be honest with your people. Tell them what they need to know — point out strengths as well as weaknesses. Be careful not to neglect your most skilled people and do not take them for granted.

During performance reviews, be specific. Don’t just tell them what needs work — tell them what they can do to get where you’d like to see them.

8. Performance achievement is a shared responsibility.
It is not enough to simply expect the people to get there. You, as the leaders, have to help them to do it.

9. You are a coach and a catalyst.
Coaches celebrate, encourage, suffer, teach, rise, and fall along with the team. While, a catalyst is someone who sparks actions in others.

10. Open communication results from sharing your thoughts, reasoning, and feelings.
When you listen and understand, you leave yourself open and approachable. You gain trust.
Be vulnerable. Show them your thoughts and feelings. Help them understand your perspective and feelings. This is hard for many — especially if you’re insecure.

Provide support without removing responsibility. Don’t just move them over and do it yourself. Help them to succeed on their own!

GOLDEN RULE
A gifted and competent leader will display genuine humility. Don’t give them your ego and arrogance. If you are serving them, there isn’t room for your pride.

Networking For The Introvert

These notes were taken at an EPA conference from a talk given by John Richie. I hope you find them as valuable as I have.
(Thanks Allen for the copious notes!)

Overview on Networking

• The average person knows 250 people. A “modest” network is around 3500 people.
• Networking is not really about being outgoing, collecting business cards, knowing everyone in a room. Networking IS the investment of your lifetime. It is the people you know, and your ability to keep up with them and stay connected to them.
• A Contact Manager is your most important business tool. Your greatest asset is the collection of people who take stock in your life.
• A Network consists of individuals who share info, resources, and goals to meet common goals. It is a process of acquiring resources and building power by linking resources.
• Networking is creating linkages. The network, then, is the people involved.

Networking = Helping
It is not about me, it is about helping the entire network. Don’t think of it as a means for others to help me, think of it as my ability to contribute to the network. It is symbiotic.

To start, we have to figure out what we can offer to others. We have to know our strengths, so we can know what we can contribute to the network. When you’re looking for work, it seems like no one is hiring. When you have a position to fill, it seems like there’s no one out there. People who can connect the job seekers to the job needers are valuable!

Networks, essentially, are for passing along information. You can offer info, people, skills, training, experiences, etc. Pay attention to casual referrals. You have no idea what value you create in your network when you connect two people.

• Networking is purposeful. It doesn’t do much good to network people if there is no purpose in the the relationship.
• Commonalities include business goals, personal interest, spiritual, training oriented, etc.
• Plan out who you’ll network with each week. Know on Sunday who you want to talk to throughout the week.

Three Levels of Networks

1. Innermost – will do anything you ask
2. Peripheral – people you’re trying to move into your innermost circle
3. Outside – loosely connected; passive relationships.

Constantly scan this group for people you can move into the 2nd circle. This process is professionally and personally rewarding, as you draw new friends in and keep them there.

Raw material: Business card. Then, track it in an organized system (electronic, etc). That is, review your contact list and update the info as needed.

Focus on them: The reason we often forget people’s names is that we are too focused on what we are going to say to them that we do not really take in what they are saying to us.

Disciplined network: If I can only talk to ten people this week, who would they be? How much time do I have to devote to managing my network?

The best way to build a network is to talk to people face to face. Find a place where you can be a “regular” and use it as a setting for consistent relationship-building. (i.e. John’s Starbucks budget is as big as his house payment!) A phone call is also good, if its all the time you have. Just a good way to touch base with someone. It keeps you on their radar. Use these discussions as a way to stay up to date with them, not to just spread around your own needs.

Remember, the network is about the network, not about you. Who can resist being called and asked if you can help them? Offer yourself to them, and they will be there for you when you need them.

Set reachable goals: Your weekly goal cannot be “Build my network.” How could you measure that? You have to set up specific ways you will do it. Make a list of people and phone numbers you will use for that specific week. When looking for work, the bare minimum is 20 people a day.

Helpful Hints About Networking

1. Master the little things about people (birthdays, spouse names, kid’s names, assistant’s info, etc)
2. Don’t give someone the wrong card by mistake! Keep your own business cards in a different pocket than the ones you are collecting! The person’s identity is wrapped up in their card. Treat it with respect.
3. It is more important to get someone else’s card than to give out your own. Get their card and follow up soon after with a quick notes, etc. Remind them how you met, email your vcard, etc. The person may trash your card, but if you email the vcard, they’ll probably save it by default.
4. Once the contact is made, figure out how you are going to grow and maintain the relationship. Follow up and offer to buy a cup of coffee. If they won’t sit down with you, you may have to write them off and move on.
5. Don’t ask for something that they cannot give. Never ask someone for a job in that situation — and, never let their ability/inability to help affect your view of them.
6. Never let your irritation over their behavior (dropped lunches, unreturned calls, etc.) affect your treatment of them. These are the moments when we can stand out from the crowd in dealing with them.
7. Focus on offering more than you are asking.
8. Maintainence matters. These things often take little energy to maintain, but when you stop putting energy into it, the momentum dies. The effort you put into it opens the door for meaningful discussion and relationships.

Additional
- Seek out networking business events in your area such as hosted breakfasts, lunches, special interest groups, etc.
- Read books on the topic. A good place to start is, Make Your Contacts Count.
- Check out your local Chamber of Commerce (or similar entity) for networking business groups.
- Join formal organizations such as the Rotary Club.

Leading Where You Are

By E. Brown

I remember when I was a new manager. I was on fire with excitement. I was going to set the organization “on its end”. I remember the feeling of becoming the boss — I had a huge sense of responsibility. I also remember the first time I reported to my Executive superior about the issues I had seen in our organization and the changes that, in my opinion, needed to be made.

Reality Check
I had been with the company for over six years and I had seen a lot of mismanagement and turn-over. Communication was poor, at best, and the gossip grapevine was running rampant with unchecked growth. “Why did it have to be this way?” I asked myself.

Having worked from the line-level up, I understood the plight of the average employee. The lack of training “because money was tight”, while seeing the parking lot re-striped so that there could be specially marked parking spaces closer to the building for senior leadership. The hypocrisy spoke louder than words. No one was being fooled and many were being seriously demoralized and ticked off.

I wanted to be a leader who made a difference.

My boss listened attentively to my ideas about change and even said they were good, but then proceeded to tell me why they would not work. Was I disillusioned? You bet I was. I almost wanted to give up.

The thoughts that sailed through my mind were ones of futility. If I was in a position of leadership how could I make a difference? Nobody upstream seemed to care — either that or they were unwilling to rock-the-boat. Everyone in management seemed to be covering their own bases and giving little heed to others in the organization with whom they interacted on a daily basis. How could this be good for any company when all the managers were out for themselves and making sure they looked good compared to peers?

In-fighting, back-biting, and silos were the sure signs of a sick and/or dying business. In spite of all this, it hit me — I might not have influence upstream, but I had a sphere of influence around me and downstream. Wow! The revelation hit me like a ton of bricks. I still believed in the original mission and vision of the organization and truly wanted to see it fulfilled. I could make a difference.

Yet, could I become a catalyst for positive change?

Temptation
How would I use — and not abuse — my influence was the key question? There is a certain temptation that goes like this, “I deserve it. I have worked hard for many years. I have worked from the bottom up and I deserve it!”

“I deserve the corner office.”

“I deserve first class seating.”

“I deserve a reserved parking place.”

“I deserve new office furniture.”

“I deserve upgrades.”

“I deserve a bigger house, longer lunch hours, leaving early, and more!”

My best advice is to run from that thinking. Why? Because your employees are watching you and taking cues from the way you lead. Because, whatever you feel you deserve can be gone the very next moment.

Be Intentional
I did not want to set that kind of an example. Eventually, I was given a corner office to work in but I made sure my employees had top-notch equipment and furnishings before me. I made sure I worked with a folding table for almost a year before I got a new desk. I wanted the department to understand they came first. They were the reason we got the job done.

I decided to start and correct everything departmentally that I was experiencing organizationally. I made sure communication was open, honest, and frequent. I got my people training and when they could not go off-site, I provided it for them through one-on-one coaching and mentoring. I “chopped up” the gossip grapevine and treated people like adults — telling them the good news and bad — leaving nothing to guess work. I encouraged and equipped those around me.

And you know what? Things began to change.

People started to care about and trust each other. Employees pulled together and were enthusiastic and that enthusiasm spilled into their relationships with others employees from other departments. Next thing I knew, I had people calling and emailing me asking if they could be part of our department and team.

Take the Lead
What did all this teach me? I learned that no matter where you are in an organization, you have a sphere of influence. You do not have to be at the top or in a C-level position to lead. If you see a need for change start talking about it, take initiative, build up grass-roots support, and communicate it to as many people as you can. Encourage the people around you, build them up, and support them.

Don’t get sucked into the destructive self-talk, “I’ll never be a leader,” or “I’ll never be able to make a difference.” You can and you will. Stand out and take a lead from the middle — it’s not too late to start.

Vischer Tales

By E. Brown

I recently finished the book, Me Myself, & Bob, by Phil Vischer, the creator of VeggieTales®. I will admit, at times the book was hard to read. Not because of Phil’s writing style (which is quite casual and conversational) but because of the memories and feelings it evoked within me. I understand this is not uncommon with many who have read the book.

Phil describes the creation, rise, fall, and acquisition of his former company, Big Idea®. He is very candid about his personal strengths and his weaknesses that caused him to make poor decisions regarding business planning, employee hiring, fiscal attentiveness, and personal accountability matters.

Toward the end of the book, Phil enumerates the lessons he learned throughout his venture. I have summarized these below.

Thing I Learned #1: Never lose sight of the numbers.
Do not ignore your financial health. Always know where the numbers are – even if you’re a nonprofit. Ignoring your organizations financial health is like ignoring your own health, Vischer says. Ignore your physical health and you’ll be gone – same goes for ignoring your company’s financial health.

Thing I Learned #2: Ignore the voice that says, “You deserve it.”
Once you’re in a position of leadership and success, it is easy to start “upgrading” because “you deserve it”. You’ve worked hard for it, right? Once you start upgrading, you’ll upgrade everything – travel, spending, home, etc. and your employees will too. They are watching you. Additionally, Phil warns, this promotes an air of superiority – an “I’m better than you” attitude.

Thing I Learned #3: If you successfully identify a need and create a product that meets it in a unique way, you are the expert.
“Even if you’re a twelve-year-old junior high dropout,” Vischer says, relating to himself. While all employees bring value and experience to the table, make sure they know what you brought in order to bring the company to life.

Thing I Learned #4: Know yourself.
Have a good handle on your personal strengths and weaknesses. Be intentional in looking for the right people to fill out your weak areas but remember, you have strengths to fill out their weak areas too.

Thing I Learned #5: Bigger is no longer better.
Having more overhead means having less flexibility as a company when new and unexpected opportunities arise. “Smaller – and smarter – is better,” Phil says.

Thing I Learned #6: If I had to do it all over again, I would let my business model determine my pay scale.
“The point is, some things are more important than money. Don’t give up on a great idea just because the business model doesn’t support “market” pay scales,” says Vischer. Let the employees decide for themselves if they want to go elsewhere for higher pay. Many will stay because they love what they are doing.

Thing I Learned #7: Build a team that rows in the same direction.
Make sure all employees and new hires are raving fans of the company’s mission, core goals, and values. Repeat these often to ensure all are headed in the same direction.

Finally, Phil has some very interesting words of wisdom regarding personal dreams for success. This section alone has provided him with ample speaking opportunities on the subject. It has revolutionized his new company, Jellyfish, and will shake up your paradigm regarding business goals.

If you’re a fan of VeggieTales or Big Idea, I recommend getting a copy of the book. You will laugh and you might cry — but you will definitely be challenged.

Have fun!

Handling Conflict

I got this from an acquaintance, Karen Hunter-Lowery, whom I’ve met on several occasions. I think you’ll find these points helpful and multi-purpose. You can apply these principles at work, in social settings, and amongst family.

Basic Truths About People

1. Mood changes affect receptivity
2. People have different working styles
3. People are more sensitive than they seem
4. Don’t judge a “book by it’s cover”

Needs (Personal)
Whether you choose to recognize it or not, we all have personal needs that, at a conscious and subconscious level, we need to have met. We all have developed habits to get these needs met in various ways. Some ways are healthy and some are not so healthy.

• To feel valued, important, heard, and understood
• To be involved in decisions that affect them
• To feel cared about

Needs (Practical)
More commonly, we recognize our practical needs. These tend to be the ones staring us in the face when we wake up. These are often easier to see in others as well as ourselves.

• Problems solved
• Information and answers
• To obtain products and services
• Assistance in tasks

3 Conflict Traps
1) Having the Last Word
Maintain or enhance the self-esteem of others. They should not leave less valued after leaving my presence than when they entered it.
Listen and respond with empathy.
Involve them in the decision:

• If someone feels bad, don’t rub it in.
• If someone is embarrassed help them feel at ease.
• If poor judgment, help them walk through the decision – it may have been a lack of knowledge.
• Mistakes happen – don’t beat people up.

2) Saying “It’s all OK…”
There may be conflict in me that has not come out yet. It is not “OK”.
Sympathy or Empathy:

• Sympathy – a shared experience.
• Empathy – trying to understand another’s feelings.

Acknowledge:

• Fact of the situation
• Feelings caused by the situation
• Listen with intent to understand, not to respond.
• Listen silently.

Be assertive, not aggressive or passive.
Don’t try to smooth things over:

• Acknowledge there is an issue.
• Clarify the situation – probe if you have to.
• Meet the need.
• Confirm understanding and actions.

3) Not Wanting to Talk About It
2 Kinds of employees: Talkers & Walkers

• Involve them in decisions.
• Work with them.
• Explain why I am doing what I am doing.

Finally, Take the HEAT
H ear them out.
E mpathize.
A pologize.
T ake responsibility.

The Donut Hole

By E. Brown

Next time you’re in Destin, Florida you have to make sure and visit a local favorite, The Donut Hole. With two locations, one in Santa Rosa Beach and the other right outside Destin. All the donuts are made in-house and we’re not talking the fluffy puffy “fresh hot now” full-of-air variety — we’re talking about donuts with substance. The Donut Hole specializes in the delicious rich cakey donuts in many flavors, colors, and coverings. You name it — chocolate glazed, chocolate covered, sour cream, buttermilk, plain glazed, key lime, plain, creme filled, jelly filled…they aim to please. Yum!

But, don’t stop with only the donuts. The Donut Hole is more than a sweet treat. They offer breakfast, lunch, and dinner. If breakfast fare is your preference, the Egg Sandwich is one of my choices. For those of you who love fish, the Seafood Omelet is out of this world. None of those float your boat? Try the raisin-walnut French Toast.

If breakfast is not your meal, be sure to try swinging by for lunch or dinner. There are a variety of items to choose from for even the most versatile eaters in your family or group.

Be informed, the prices are a little higher than your average restaurant but the portions are plentiful. I have never come out feeling hungry.

Whether tourist or local, The Donut Hole is a must stop next time your in sunny Destin. Oh yes, be sure to come early or you may find yourself waiting in line. (*You may wait 15 minutes – the line moves pretty fast)

*For more on restaurants, food, and recipes, visit the Grub category of WeirdGuy Blog.

NEW – Pixar’s Wall-E Movie Trailer

The trailer for Pixar’s 2008 movie WALL•E is attached to Ratatouille. WALL•E is the story of one robot’s comic adventures as he chases his dream across the galaxy. But you don’t have to wait until June 29th to see it. Watch it here right NOW!

Official plot synopsis: The year is 2700. WALL•E, a robot, spends every day doing what he was made for. But soon, he will discover what he was meant for.

read more | digg story

Get Involved in PhotoShop User Community

Just a reminder — for all you PhotoShop users, if you have not joined the community of users at the National Association of PhotoShop Professionals (NAPP), now is the time! Yes, NAPP has been around for a while, but if you have not joined you’re missing out on inspiration, training how-to’s, tech support, a whole community of PS users, conventions, magazines, and more.

“Is this a commercial?” you ask. No! This is encouragement to get the most out of the $650-1000 software package that you only use 20% of on a regular basis. I see this so often — artists and designers have thousands of dollars worth of software and only know how to use a small portion of it. There is so much more to offer (especially in PS) and a community of like-minded PhotoShop Pros is the way to go.

Be inspired, innovate, learn, make contacts and friends, and become the best PhotoShop user you can be. Who knows, it might even get you some better paying gig$!

Addition: There is a cost for joining NAPP: $100/1yr. or $180/2yr. They also offer educational and corporate memberships — a small price to pay for the value you will receive in return.