Tag Archive - friends

A twitter story

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Today is my tweet-heart’s birthday.  And I’ve been wracking my brain for ideas as to what I could give him.  Suddenly it occurred to me that a blog post in his honor might be just the perfect thing. 

First you need to know that my “tweet-heart” isn’t my hubby!  He is an “online” acquaintance.  In fact we were referring to one another as tweet hearts for almost two years before we met in person.

A bit of history on our relationship, because I’m sure that inquiring minds are dying to know :)

I was an early adopter to using the now hugely popular micro blogging platform known as twitter , it was 2007 and it seemed most people I knew hadn’t even heard of twitter.

Having my 1st iPhone as well as being new to the twitterverse, It was fun checking out different 3rd party apps that brought new options to tweeting.  One was called “Twinkle”.  The unique thing about Twinkle was that it allowed you to see tweets from people nearby.

Tommy and I were at a festival in Henderson, Ky.  Twinkle informed me that @NibbyP  was tweeting nearby.   As I checked through his stream of posts I realized that I had tons in common with him.  Soon we began following one another’s tweets, as well as friending each other on facebook.

We began sharing emails, which included prayer requests and new things going on in the world of technology that excited us, we both absolutely love gadgets, (especially Apple ones) new applications and useful internet sites. We both share a passion for real foods, cooking and leading healthy lifestyles.  Also we quickly found that we both held deep devotion for Jesus Christ.

I was quoting my new friend  Nibby Priest all the time! Tommy would often come home from work and ask “So, whats going on with Nibby today?”

For a long time we referred to one another as tweet-hearts who lived right across the Ohio River from one another but had never met in real life.

On Valentine’s Day 2010 A dear friend planned a surprise tweetheart/tweetup  dinner so Nibby and I could meet. We felt like we’d been friends for our entire lives. My life is greatly enriched by knowing Nibby!  He is vibrant, kind and genuinely authentic.

Nibby spends most of his life doing things that encourage others. To some he is known as Mr. Henderson because he so enthusiastically tweets and blogs about his hometown. He passion for all things tech blossomed with his use of social media to promote people and causes.  Nibby has provided me this blog and spends considerable time maintaining it and encouraging me to post.  And I know he does this out of a desire to see me engaging with others as I am often somewhat home bound due to multiple sclerosis.

I can’t say enough great things about my tweet-heart.  I can encourage you to benefit from his passions by following his blog:

 Life On Purpose


 Have a very Happy Birthday Nibby! 

 

5 reasons I’ll follow you back on twitter

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)

Excited for Another family’s Big Trip



Friends

Do you remember last year when Tommy & I had some people stay with us that we’d never met in real life? Gabe and Marla Taviano and their children?

We’d gotten to know one another through Gabe’s podcast God’sMac Anyway.. Marla is an Author.. and felt lead by God to write a book called 52 zoos * 52zoos *
And they have 3 little (beautiful) girls.. and felt that this was of the Lord.. so He would provide.

We were one family of many around the country who had the pleasure of having the Taviano family stay in our home so they could tour our zoo.

They accomplished this 52 zoos in 52 weeks on the 1st of Aug.

They’ve had a lot of publicity since. One thing Marla had hoped was to get to fly the family to California to go to their zoos. But that did not work out.. they drove 22 thousand miles total!

But today their flying dream came true as God has planned for them to be on the Early Show tomorrow on CBS!

This is so exciting.. but also a huge prayer request.. These folks want to give God the Glory.. so will you pray for their interview tomorrow?

Thank you

Here is a link to Gabe’s blog post about the trip: Gabe’sBlog

Here is Marla’s Blog

Here is a link to a blog post about their visit to Evansville.. and a picture with us!
Marla’s blog about our zoo in Evansville

We feel like we’ve been a little part of this Big Trip and are totally excited.

martha