DISQUS

With the digital trails we leave today, it is more important than ever to be yourself all the time because it is too easy for folks to determine who you really are anyway. Why hide or try to change? Who you are is your greatest asset. Wear it proudly and find those that appreciate it, as is. Those that don't.. "F 'em!" LOL. Now that I've heard all the cussing, I feel MUCH BETTER about some of the jokes and stories I shared with you at CES. ;-)

Thanks Chris!

As that other great writer said, "words, words, words." I am addicted to words, and toil over every one I commit to.

Your words in this post are great, and well chosen. Thanks for that. I, too, am writing at all times, and I attribute it to three things I am ALWAYS doing:

LISTENING. OBSERVING. THINKING.

That is how I write. The hard work is done long before the pen hits the paper (or the fingers hit the keyboard keys....)

The other wonderful thing about writing as an avocation (or occupation) is that it truly requires no tools other than your mind. If you can think, you can write. How many other jobs/hobbies are that simple (and yet that complicated).

Good stuff!

- Sass

Thanks Pete! It's hard to pick one post as my favorite for 2008, but I chose this one from January, since I know you and your audience are Twitterholics like me. It is called "Gone Fishin' In The Twitter Stream." Enjoy, and HAPPY NEW YEAR!

http://sassholes.blogspot.com/2008/01/gone-fish...

Do they sell Panasonic products at Kmart??? ;-)

I look forward to seeing you in Vegas, and of course what ever happens there... will be debated, debunked (and never degaussed) on Twitter!

Danny, the FOUR I's are great, thanks! I am a glutton for acronyms and recently wrote similarly about L.E.A.R.N., which stands for Listen, Engage, Accept, React and Nurture.

In particular I like that you included the concept of "INVEST." Too many folks and companies seem to think they can dive into Social Media and somehow gain instant results. Not so, as you clearly and consisely explain.

<abbr>Jeff Sass´s last blog post..Learn Baby Learn: Turn Your Social Media Addiction Into An Asset</abbr>

Tim, I "vant" to thank you for your comment. Bluh, bluh, bluh. Yes we had fun then, and are still having fun now, but with less make-up! Have a great Halloween!

Marc, thanks for the great comment (and the great Steve Martin lines!) I think you have a great plan, and reverting to #1 makes good sense. Kids at all ages are often smarter and more perceptive than we give them credit for, so when we give it to them, trust and responsibility go a long way. Enjoy the tweens!

Thanks Stu. It does go fast and little girls very quickly develop "a mind of their own" so (to steal another movie cliche) hang on, it's gonna be a bumpy ride ! That said, it is going to be a wonderful ride! Enjoy it! :-)

Ann, time does seem to move faster as we (and they) grow older. The good news is that we will always be the parents, and they will always find ways (intentionally or not) to make life "interesting" for us. At any age there is never a dull moment. Thanks for commenting. Great to see you here ;-)

Ed, Yes, time flies and yes, as the father of a little girl you will constantly be dreading the day she "grows up" and you have to choose to be the jerk or not when she starts bringing boys by. LOL. Cherish 9, it is a WONDERFUL age for little girls! Thanks for your comment!

- Jeff

Lisha, thanks for the tip about Fring. I will check it out. Chutzpah, thanks for sharing some of your UK chutzpah! LOL.

Thanks "Mom." I agree that those "Luv U" notes at the end of a text exchange with your kid is a nice and welcome touch. Enjoy your "back to back" chats!

LaDonna, thanks for the link to the "Text2Connect" tutorial pdf. I saved it and like the glossary of common lingo. Clever of AT&T/Cingular to create that. Thanks for sharing!

Char, that is great to hear. Texting with your kids is acknowledging their "language" and just as if you travel abroad and speak the language you may have a better time communicating, if you open up to your kids' preferred "language" you may find you have a better time at well. It is not a replacement for face to face, but rather an addition (and for me, a welcome one). Thanks for sharing!

Thanks Charlie (Alden). The "R U up" text message is the first communication of the day, and by no means the only one. We walk to the bus stop together every morning, talking up a storm along the way. It is always one of the highlights of my day, and something I will sorely miss when she moves on to college. Texting, like all Social Media tools, is just that - a tool - to facilitate things we already do and make them more efficient and in some cases more effective. If I can know she is up and getting ready without traipsing to her room, I can go on with walking and feeding the dogs, etc. and see her in the kitchen for breakfast a few minutes later. Its all good, and I do appreciate your adding to the conversation. Thanks!

Eric, Stacey, thanks for your chiming in. The sense of constant connection the phone provides is a great relief for parents. I think one of the reasons our kids are happy to txt us is that they can easily do it "incognito" when they are with their friends. It is a lot easier (and less embarrassing) than openly having to "call my parents." It gives them a sense of independence, and gives us a sense of security!

Hi Merlene. You are right! I forgot that this really started with IM when the kids were younger. Now that they are older, with cars, school, jobs, and lives of their own, there is a certain piece of mind I have knowing I can send a quick text of "Where R U?" or "Everything OK?" and get back instant gratification that they are safe. As parents we must be natural worry warts, and texting can relieve some of the worries... Thanks for commenting!

As always, good conversation, Chris. One way to help kids grow up knowing how to accept compliments is to give them lots of compliments! If they are used to much praise, encouragement and positive feedback at home, they will be well prepared to deal with it appropriately outside the home. Of course, kids (and especially hormonally active teens) are prone to bouts of moodiness that may temporarily wipe out even the best "training." ;-)

Great thoughts, Joey, and a great reminder that the best things in life are FREE -- especially from a child's point of view. How many times has the BOX been more fun than the TOY, or a rock, stick or sea shell a better prize than anything you could buy in a store. Thanks for sharing!

Great reminder! Seeing what really goes on at your kid's school is very rewarding, and your kid's will love to see you around. If you can't volunteer on a regular basis, it is great to at least participate at things like "Career Day." I used to give a fun presentation to my kid's grade school classes and always got a kick out of kids coming up to me in the supermarket and other places in the neighborhood saying "Hey, you're (Zach, Ethan, Olivia)'s Dad! I saw you on career day!" Fun stuff, and your kids will remember it forever!

@DaveDelaney Naw, YOU rock! With your improv skills I am sure YOU can take this story and run with it! Have fun!

Danny, Jeff, CK Lunchbox and Joey,

Glad you like the scary story telling tips! Let me know how it goes if you give the Tale of the Poisonous Spitting Python a spin! (or should I say a "spit"?) Happy Halloween!

Thanks for sharing your comments, and glad to hear many others are happily engaged with the L word! Love ya!

Thanks for your comment Fran. You are correct, there can be fees associated with certain uses. In my experience with Visa Buxx the fees have been nominal if at all, and when they do occur I pass them along to the kids. It is all part of their learning experience to know that there are ATM charges for cash withdrawals and penalties for overdrafts. Most importantly I hope they have learned to be aware of their balances and budget their spending accordingly. Using "plastic" is not a perfect system, but it is the system our kids are most likely to inherit and I've found Visa Buxx to be a good introduction for my teens. Thanks again!

Congrats on Dad-O-Matic! As a father of three, it is great to see this blog and another place to share tips, insights, frustrations and elations! Great to see your post on Mobile Phones.... Coincidentally, last night I posted "From BARBIE to Blackberry!" about getting my daughter a Blackberry for her 17th birthday today!

http://sassholes.blogspot.com/2008/09/from-barb...

Geek dads unite! LOL.

All best,
Jeff