Social Media Relationships

I am asked all the time from my friends why I tweet.  In my local sphere of friends only my BFF uses social media.  My yoga chickees nor my co-workers or anyone else that I hang with uses social media.  They can't imagine any real relationships being formed without the face to face time put in.

This week, more than ever before, has shown how important social relationships are. Two people, both very important in the social media world, passed away.  The shock and sadness is very real.

I didn't know Trey Pennington but from all the tributes he was a kind and generous soul.  He embraced social media to the fullest.  Trey's website is full of tips and suggestions on how to get the most out of your social relationships. Shock and sadness filled the Twitter stream on Sunday and Monday as word of his passing spread.  Hopefully some important dialogue will follow.

Imad Naffa was part of my world, the AEC world: Architects, Engineer and Construction.  Imad was an engineer who's specialty was building codes and breaking down the lingo so a person could actually understand it.  He was available and generous with his time and knowledge.  The man rocked all of social media and on his website he used the word Twitterologist.  You know what?  Imad was just that.  He mentored so many.  Again the Twitter stream filled with shock and sadness as news of his death spread on Wednesday and Thursday.  I didn't interact with him a lot but my heart was heavy...for his family, for his friends and yes for the social media world.

I consider my tweeps my friends.  They cheer me on when I tweet something good and cheer me up when I tweet something not so good.  Friday mornings I know the first tweet with a mention will be from Sean with SLS Construction.  It always makes me smile.

It isn't just 140 characters.  It is the first 140 characters of a conversation.

Historic Shed

The cool thing about writing a blog is being able to toot a horn when you come across a great company.  So this is me tooting about Historic Shed.

I met Historic Shed on Twitter.  I am not sure how our tweets crossed but I am glad they did.  I do remember seeing a tweet with a picture attached and given the name of the business was intrigued. Once the picture came up I drooled.  I am sure I have mentioned I have a large backyard and in my vision a cute shed with a little porch, and a couple of chairs out front sits on the southeast corner.  I could pick any shed from their website and be happy.  I told my BFF about it, she checked it out and drooled. Seriously some incredible workmanship.

Months past and @HistoricShed became Jo-Anne as we got to know one another.  What was funny is how we hadn't crossed paths before.  Jo-Anne is very involved in preservation and since I live in Seminole Heights with 1920's bungalows all around that word carries importance here in the 'hood. We know some of the same people.  Heck they have even  advertised in previous Seminole Heights Home Tours.

We finally ended up meeting a few months ago when a day trip came up between Jo-Anne, Amanda (BFF) and myself.  We went to Lakeridge Winery in Fl but that is for another day.   We decided to meet at Historic Shed in Brooksville since that was a good middle spot and it meant Amanda and I were able to take a tour!

I had never been to Brooksville so naturally I got lost.  Once I was on the right road I was able to find their shop quickly because out front is the cutest little shed!  Isn't it nice to meet people for the first time and yet feel like you have known them forever!  Jo-Anne, with her husband Craig, gave us a tour and luckily for us they were in the middle of two projects.  The first will be a guest cottage for a client in Ybor.   The quality of material and craftsmanship is just superb.

Cottage

Front Door to Guest Cottage

Side of guest cottage

The second project was born knowing how challenged homeowners are these days. Jo-Anne and Craig wanted to come up with a shed that was more economical without giving up the quality.  A few tweaks here and there and here it is!

Board and Batten Economy Shed

Great details

Another aspect of working with a customized company is if you want to make modifications Historic Shed is willing to work with you.  You can't get that from the box stores.  All the sheds are Florida Wind Load approved.  Also offered are some delightful garden accessories (think Christmas and Birthdays people).

Someday I will own a shed from Historic Sheds and until then I will continue to dream.    

The Chihuly – Part III A door really isn’t just a door

How many doors have you walked through today?  Did you notice the door?  What type of material was it? What type of handle was on the door?  As long a door works it is just a door, right?  Well it doesn't have to be. 

A door definitely should be functional so get you through to the other side without hassle.  However a door can be a piece of art.  Did I just hear a scoff? Well let me share with you a door that is, without a doubt, the most beautiful and functional door I have ever seen.

That door is at The Chihuly Museum located in St. Petersburg, FL.  When plans fell into place to visit the Chihuly (see Part's One and Two) all I could think about was THE door.  It had been discussed with fellow local industry professionals so I was anxious to see it. 

This door is 10’ x 10’ of steel which hangs on pivots and I think is quite the manufacturing marvel!  The door handle is wood and installed within a cutout of the steel.  

Wayne David Atherhold, Director of Marketing/Communications

The door hangs on both a top and a bottom pivot that are installed through the piece of metal that is being used as the door frame. I have no idea what this door weighs but I would think it is comparable to some of the lead and vault doors the company I work for, a-fabco, inc., makes.  We use pivots to hang our doors also.

 

Top Pivot

 

The thickness of the steel door

Not only were Alfonso Architects the architects and designers on the project but also served  as the contractor.  They were able to conceive, design and build their vision. There is nothing standard about this door.  On Interior and Sources blog   the steel fabricators are listed as Alfonso Architects and Stack Design.  I would have loved to have seen the this door being fabricated.  

Top of door in a almost closed position 

The bottom of door also in an almost closed position

The very slick looking door floor stop

This is a very simple but streamlined looking door stop that, as you can see, is installed into the floor.  

The combination of steel for the door, marble floor and wood walls along with the fantastic wood door pull really makes this whole opening a feast for the eyes.  Ok maybe just my eyes because I like doors but it really is beautiful! 


The doors in your office or home don't need to be this elaborate but you also don't have to settle for the off the rack door either.   Feel free to post any cool doors you have seen along your way.

The Chihuly Part II

Twitter and Social Media rocks, in my opinion.  I started tweeting in September of 2008 and the first local tweeter I met was Paul Anater.  Paul is the king of connections and it has been a joy to watch his life evolve as he embraced social media.  Paul is a designer and has met many other designer tweeps both locally and throughout the world through some pretty cool trips.  It was one such trip that brought a group of local tweeters together.  Luckily they decided to get together again and that is how this tweet up was born.   My name was suggested (thank you thank you thank you) and I was game.   During the on-line discussion JoAnn Locktov (see Part I) asked if we would be interested in touring The Chihuly.  Everyone jumped at the chance!  

I was excited because my industry had been buzzing with the fact the space was designed by local architect Albert Alfonso and by all accounts it was stunning.  There was also a door I was very interested in seeing but that is Part III.

We were met at the Morean Arts Center by the Director of Marketing and Communications Wayne David Atherholt.  All I could think of is how the heck was I lucky enough to get to do this!  The tour was phenomenal.  Wood, metal, light and glass brought together to create dazzle.  Again pictures are going to say so much more than I could possibly.  A cool effect was that each room had a glimpse into the next, a tease if you will.

After the tour we walked down Beach Drive to Ceviche Tapas Bar and Restaurant where we enjoyed many delicious dishes, laughed and got to know each other a bit better.  I really had a wonderful time and want to say thanks to  Eric Miller, Carmen Christensen, Tom Wiebe, Michelle Wiebe, Jeremy Parcels, and Paul Anater .  Please check out what they had to say about the evening.  A very big thank you to Wayne for taking the time to conduct such a wonderful and informative tour.

 

I highly recommend touring The Chihuly and if you can take a stroll and have some gelato afterwards, all the better!!

The Chihuly First in a Series of Three

Downtown St. Petersburg

Here in the Tampa Bay area we are in what’s known as the dog days of summer; where you are drenched in sweat just going from your house to your car.  For me I am all about the a/c this time of year and I know just the place to recommend.

If you are anywhere near downtown St. Petersburg (and I suggest you should be) stop in and visit The Chihuly Collection housed in the Morean Arts Center.   

I was able to take the tour thanks to a wonderful Tweeter JoAnn Locktov.  How that all came to be will be in Part II.  All I will say is how can you not love social media!

Anyway visiting the Chihuly Collection is a wonderful way to spend a few hours out of the heat and it is a treat for your senses as well.  If you haven’t heard of Dale Chihuly he creates the most amazing pieces of glass.  I had not previously seen his work and it was breathtaking.  Here is a sneak peak.

Now if you have kids you are currently saying there is no way this will work for my family.  Ah but it would because once a month a few blocks from the Arts Center there is a center where you and your family can make glass yourself! 

This just touches the fringe of beauty at the Chihuly Museum.  I will be writing more about how the Museum was created by one of the premier architects located in Tampa, Florida, Mr. Alberto Alfonso.  His use of materials, lighting and space to house the collection is amazing.  Of course there is THE door too.  Oh the door will be a post of its very own because 16 years in the door industry I have never seen anything like it.

Stayed tuned and if you have experienced the Chihuly please share in the comment section.

My Oasis (written on August 20th at 2:30pm)

George

I am currently sitting in a house of some dear friends.  I am here because when they go away I am sometimes lucky enough to watch their cat.  I love my dogs but sometimes a cat to curl up on your lap is nice too.  Unfortunately this cat doesn’t do that but he is great fun and sometimes allows me to pet him.

I take pet watching very seriously as I know how much of a relief it is when I know my dogs are taken care of while I am away from home.  Each pet owner has their own level of comfort and I try to make sure I do whatever is necessary for my friends to feel at ease. 

This couch beckons

There is a more selfish reason I like to watch their cat though.  Their house is my oasis.  Yes it’s true.  When I am here I don’t see any chores that may need to be done.  The house is spotless and typically a lovely spot of food is left for me.  Always yummy but made more so because of the thoughtfulness behind it.  The living room is a cool relaxing place where I can get away from the heat of the day.  Their sunroom (my favorite) is where I typically set up camp with laptop or book, settle into the easy chair and watch the squirrels and birds on the large oak trees outside. 

My favorite spot

There is a peace here created by two loving people that must touch all who enter.  I can’t explain it but I feel it.  It makes my shoulders ease up, my breathing slow and frees my mind.  So I stay a few hours, talk to the cat, and write or draw or nap even. 

I know my friends think I am the one doing them the favor but really it is the other way around.  This is my moment of peace and I am grateful.

Let’s Blog Off – 2031

Every two weeks Bloggers unite for a day to write about a communal topic.  This week LetsBlogOff asks the question where do you see yourself in 20 years? 

In 20 years I will be just shy of 70 which is very shocking to me.  I am on the shorter side of this chapter now.

The age of women of my yoga group range from 38 to 60 and most of us are kid free. We talk about this subject a lot.  Several of us are dealing with aging parents and some parents are handling aging and the next chapter pragmatically and others not at all.  Death is inevitable how you face it is not.

Historic Shed

I have had an idea for several years now of many tiny cottages built in a U.  The open end of the U would have a large outdoor screened in kitchen with gardens filled with vegetables, herbs and flowers.  The gardens would be in containers about 35” off the ground and on wheels to help ease back issues.  The cottages would be very simple 1 bedroom/1 bath with a kitchenette to offer privacy and personal space.  The outdoor kitchen would be the heart of the complex.  I think everyone would have to own an equal share almost like a co-op. 

When this idea started floating around in my head I didn’t give a lot of thought about location except it would need to be near health care.  Tampa isn’t necessarily the quaint town that I imaged yet Seminole Heights could be.  When I bought my current home 9 years ago the idea wasn’t in the forefront of my decision.  I live on a ½ acre about 10 minutes from downtown and also near hospital and medical facilities. It is also ½ block from a bus line.  The neighborhood is currently zoned for single family homes but a new type of zoning has been discussed with the city called formed based zoning.  If it passes my block would be zoned mixed so I think I could actually build the cottages. 

For me life is being surrounded by friends, family, having laughter and joy, and also having a purpose be it volunteering or with a job.  It is just the simple things.

Please check out the other participants life in 20 years.