It's a busy life

I know, I know. Everyone's life is busy. Well so is mine, and this is my blog, so I can write about it here all I want.

Well, first off, my daughter is 10 1/2 months old going on 2 years. Yikes. How has the time flown by so fast? She started crawling almost a month ago, and she's pulling up on the furniture and "cruising". Soon, she'll be walking. We've already started baby-proofing, but as my wife indicated, she now knows how to open the kitchen cabinets, so I'm going to have to install those door stops we bought the other day...

My wife is working two jobs right now, and taking care of our daughter while I work and try to get through grad school. Needless to say, I couldn't do it without her. (Honey - I love you!) I am about 25% of the way done with the program; the last class is in November of next year. I am learning a lot (and not just going to school, an important difference Seth Godin points out in his blog).

I have managed to find time to golf this summer, and I've probably been out about 10 times this year. I wish I had unlimited time and money for golf because my scores are falling, and I'm really enjoying it. I think my wife would kill me if I golfed any more...

Twitter for Business? Help!

If you didn't know, I'm pursuing my MBA.

I am currently working on a research project trying to discover the effects of Twitter on productivity at work. Here is a good article about how people can get started using Twitter for business.

I started with this preliminary question: What is the effect on employees’ productivity if they are utilizing social networking tools for work-related purposes at work? Does it result in greater productivity, or is it just a waste of time that results in more internet surfing?

My problem statement has been revised to read as: How can use of the social networking and micro-blogging service Twitter increase productivity in the workplace?

My hypothesis is that the use of Twitter actually decreases the amount of time necessary to disseminate ideas and also promotes quick and easy conversations. I'm sure there are more benefits, and some are outlined in the article from above, especially under the heading Some Positives to Throw Back.

Please, if you have any thoughts on this topic, or articles to share, respond in the comments section.

On a side note: You can follow me on Twitter @jessepalmer

Quarterassed

My new term is "quarterassed".

We've all heard of halfassed work, but it's time to recognize the new low - quarterassed.

Think of it as halfassing a halfassed job.

The Root Beer Stand (2009)

The Root Beer Stand opened yesterday. I had to stop by after work for a chili-cheese dog with the works.

Excellence in a bun.

The prices went up $0.10 across the board from last year (an average per item increase of 6.5%). Seems about right.

iPhone 3G's Sell-Ability

This is an amazing sales chart I saw on my endadget rss feed. It shows how many days it took to sell a million of these handsets. There's not much more to say. Amazing.

Thank Goodness for the House of Reps

The House of Representatives defeated the bill to delay the DTV transition after it was unanimously passed by the US Senate just days ago. It would have been a huge mistake to do this. The House of Reps is now my favorite part of government.

Stifling Progress: The US Senate Does it Again

UPDATE: 12:10 PM EST - I spelled "stifling" incorrectly. I blame George Bush, and Internet Explorer 6.



The US Senate passed a bill yesterday to delay the digital TV switch. It was originally scheduled for February 17th. However, it has now been switched to June 12th of this year. Huge issues with the coupon program are partly to blame for the delay. There is also a fear that the poor and those in rural areas will be without TV come February.

The more likely reason: Telecom lobbyists in Washington are pushing for a delay so AT&T and Verizon will have longer licenses on the airwaves they bought at auction last year. Other lobbyists were against the delay. Hmm...

I warned of how bad the transition was going to be back in December. I couldn't believe the wait for my coupons. I requested them in early December, and didn't receive them until last week.

The problem with this delay is that it also delays the possibility of seeing rural wireless broadband access any time soon. Many Americans are "left in the dark" when it comes to high speed internet access.

Obama supports this delay, so there's no chance of a veto...