Tag Archive - Cali Lewis

5 reasons I’ll follow you back on twitter

June 17, 2011 in All Things Tech, Friends, Twitter Tweets with 0 Comments

Twitter has transformed communication.  Seriously twitter has transformed my life since March of 2007.  Sitting on my sofa I’m able to connect with folks all over the world in real time. Twitter is my main source of news.  Twitter is where I go when I hear a big clap of thunder. Our community has begun using the hashtag #TriStateWx for meteorologists and local people to share whats happening with our weather. Oh and I run outside in the midst of most weather events *especially when there is a possibility of a rainbow* like a nut taking pictures and video’s to post to twitter.  (hope I’m not killed in the process)

My life has been enriched with new and really interesting friendships (many crossing over into real life) by twitter. Like my tweetheart, @NibbyP We met virtually in 2007 when we were both new to twitter using a location based app called Twinkle.  Found out we lived right across the  Ohio River from one another and shared many interests. Finally on Valentine’s day of 2010 We had a tweet-heart meet-up  which only reinforced our  admiration for one another.

Through twitter and a podcast I was listening to Tommy & I  were able to meet the Taviano family @GabeTaviano & @MarlaTaviano during their 52Zoos in 52Weeks tour.

During on of my visits to Vanderbilt Medical Center  I got to meet-up with a favorite tweeting lady, Gail Hyatt @GailHyatt.

I was also blessed to meet my geekette idol, @CaliLewis when they had me out to Dallas to be on GeekBeat.TV And during that trip I also had the treat of meeting the Curlee family  @DaveCurlee @KatCurlee

So, back on topic- I struggle knowing who to follow back on twitter.  My settings are set so I get an email when someone follows me.  I save these up and ultimately go through them.  I used to automatically follow everyone back. Yet, that seems to defeat the uniqueness of twitter.  That uniqueness is that you can make your twitter stream what you want it to be.  You choose who interests you to follow.  It’s not like facebook where you must be friends and mutually see each others posts.

5 Things I look for before following someone back on twitter:

  1. A Profile Pic (See that generic egg- I don’t go forward- unless it’s a friend new to twitter who doesn’t know)
  2. A bio (I’ve got to know something interesting about you if I’m going to follow you)
  3. Website link (Yes, having a link for a website assures me that this person is an individual and not a business venture)
  4. Conversation going on (Seeing that the people I’m following are interacting with others on twitter- not all about them)
  5. RT’s (I’m seeing that they are using social media to spread links & news of others)

Surprise Appearance

February 3, 2010 in All Things Tech, Multiple Sclerosis, Video with 0 Comments

Was thrilled this morning to see that I was mentioned w/ picture on GeekBrief.tv Especially since this was the historic 700th episode!

Why I love New Media And Granny’s Big Trip

July 14, 2009 in All Things Tech, SwitchingGranny's Stuff with 2 Comments

New online media is different in so many ways from the media I grew up enjoying.
With online media you are able to watch whenever the time is convenient for you.
The days of arranging your schedule around the time a particular television show airs is past.

Another unique plus is online media often involves a relationship between the broadcaster and the audience. They often include chats and discussion boards with the podcasts promoting community between themselves and the viewers.

So when I first got involved with Podcasts I found a few about Mac’s and the internet.
Almost immediately I found Cali Lewis and Neal Campbell at GeekBrief.Tv
I was just making my switch to mac. Cali was always available to answer my questions. She was the first person I’d ever had a video ichat with. I was excited about the application yet knew no one personally who had a mac. So Cali took time to ichat me! In my youth this would compare to Lucille Ball calling a fan with a video chat just to say “Hi an I’m excited about your new computer”.

But these new media folks don’t see themselves as some kind of celebrities who are unaccessable. They purposely make themselves available to the community of people who enjoy their podcasts. In fact in many ways we become like family.

My life has been so enriched by the friendships I’ve formed participating in social online media. And these cyber friends are a huge part of my world. With a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis often times I’m unable to get with real world friends. Yet illness doesn’t prevent me from engaging with a group of great friends just because I can’t go out. I can always place my macbook on my lap and enjoy the internets!

To make my point about how close friends can become online. I am sharing the news that Neal & Cali have sent this SwitchingGranny a plane ticket to come and visit with them for a week!! I am so excited I am about to burst.

Tommy and I met them last year briefly at the annual GeekBrief.tv Christmas party in Nashville. But because they were streaming the event live we didn’t have much opportunity to hang out. Cali & Neal at work: Our GBTV producers & stars at work From the GBTV Christmas Party:

So next week.. My online family reunion begins. I’ll also be blessed to meet up for the first time with Dave & Kat Curlee and their girls. They also produce a video podcast titled Cooking with Kat. KatCurlee.com

Oh how exciting this is. I know I’ll learn so much from these dear people. I can’t wait and had to share with you. They so kindly offered to bring Tommy with me- but next week is his very busiest week of all having state police inspections for the school buses. He is so precious to be supportive of my Big Trip.

More to come!!