the President is coming!

Today is the day.  President Barack Obama is coming to Chattanooga to give a speech about jobs and the economy at our local Amazon fulfillment center.  (Not sure how Amazon fits with high paying manufacturing, but I guess we'll find out.)

Teams from the White House have been here since last week, and parts of Chattanooga have gone berserk.   I love Chattanooga, but our little twitter community didn't quite know how to handle the impending Presidential visit.  The debate over what hashtag to use even made nbcnews.com, and if you look closely, you'll see a quote from me that was meant to highlight how ridiculous I thought people were being.

As silly as the immediate reaction was, I expect some pretty awesome online coverage of President Obama's visit today.  If you want to follow along online, here are my tips.  If you have any additional links let me know, and I'll add them as the day goes on!

What Hashtags I'm following:
#POTUSinCHA
#ObamaNooga
#BarackIsInTheHouse [It'll probably just be me, but who knows ;)]

Who to follow:
The main hashtags will be flooded today, so I recommend setting up at group of trusted people to follow.  This is a good place to start, or you can follow my list here, I'll be updating it all day.
@ChloeNooga (from Amazon)
@wrcb
@antwanharris
@Drew_BolleaNC9
@JamesNooga (from the airport)
@ChadHenderson (An on-site, non media perspective from Amazon)
@DanOKennedy (from the airport this morning, lots of photos)

Who not to follow:
I'll only add to this when people get annoying.
My first thought is @Newschannel9 with polls this morning and not actual coverage.

Live Coverage:
TimesFreePress - real time twitter feeds. LINK
WRCB  - Live video stream of their coverage starting at 11am, and including the President's speech. LINK

Twitter ettiquite tips:

• When you're actually following a hashtag, it gets pretty annoying when RTs take over.  If you're not adding anything new to the tweet, switch to the old school RT style, and drop the hashtag.
• Give credit where credit is due.  RT's do this inherently, but if you're linking an article, name the source in the tweet, or add their twitter handle.  Reporters will be working hard today, and they deserve the credit.
• If you want to be RT'd, keep your tweet short.  Leave people room to RT & comment on your message.
• Thank people for RTs.  Please and Thank You go a long way in the online world as well as the real world, and after all, we are in the south.

If you're not interested:
Take advantage of twitter filters to filter out unwanted tweets.  You won't get rid of everything, but it helps a lot!

my favorite use of twitter - #HOTNOW

So this is a little random, but yesterday was Fat Tuesday, and I didn't eat a single donut or dessert.  I'm not sure I can (or want to) hold out again today.

Since there is a Krispy Kreme donut in my future, I thought I'd share one of my favorite twitter gems,  @KKHotLight. You can tweet #HOTNOW + your zip code, and @KKHotLight will tell you if there is a Hot Now sign lit up near you.

There may not be a donut in my jump-in-the-car-right-now immediate future, but I'm not ashamed to admit that moment is coming.

If you're not on twitter, Krispy Kreme has other ways to keep up with the Hot Now Light in real time in the form of apps, search pages, and a desktop widget.

Click here for the website, not my blurry shrunken screen capture

It's like they know that sign pulls cars into the parking lot.

election night twitter tips

Tonight promises to be one of the biggest nights in the history of twitter.  If the presidential debates were any indication, the tweets will be flying so fast it will be hard to keep up.  If you're planning on being on twitter tonight, it will probably help to go in with a strategy....and my strategy starts with TweetDeck.(Yes, I know there are alternatives to TweetDeck, but it's still my favorite.)

TweetDeck is a organizational tool that, among other things, helps you filter and sort your tweets.  You can create different columns of tweets based on groups of users, search results, and direct interactions.  TweetDeck can be used as a stand alone desktop program, in your web browser, or on your cell phone.  I'm a huge fan of one of the older desktop versions (38.1 is the BOMB) but all of the versions have the same basic functionality, and will help you survive tonight without information overload.

If you are as excited about watching the news unfold on twitter tonight as I am, here are a few of my tips:
(Tips for anyone who want's to be on twitter tonight, but avoid the crazy talk are at the end.)

1. Allow yourself some time to get your TweetDeck set up for tonight.  This goes for new users and TweetDeck pros.  It won't take long, but you're going to want to give yourself some time to customize your view of twitter tonight. 
2. Set up a column for trusted sources.  If you want to know what Tom Brokaw has to say about the election, look him up.  Most of your favorite news organizations, anchors, bloggers, and pundits are on twitter.  If you haven't already followed them, look them up.  You can always un-follow them tomorrow.  If your best friend has the big scoop of what's going on in Ohio, by all means put him in this column.  Think about whose tweets you don't want to miss, and put all of those people together in one place.
3. DO NOT use #election2012 as a search column in TweetDeck.  Tweets will be scrolling faster than the eye can see.  Seriously.   Generic hashtags are not going to work tonight. 
4. Use specific hashtags as your search columns.  If you don't know what hashtags you want to follow, look at what your politic-savvy friends are using in their tweets and start with that.  If you're interested in state specific information use the state abbreviation + either 2012 or the district.  So #tn2012 would be any election for Tennessee, and #tn03 would be the third district of Tennessee.  If you're interested in a specific issue, use a buzzword or abbreviation for that issue. Searching for #equalrights, #equalpay, #economy #DADT (don't ask, don't tell).
5. Use filters.  If you don't want to hear about what the other side has to say, filter it out.  My version of TweetDeck Desktop has filters (include/exclude) specific to each column.  The web version I just checked out has global exclude filters that apply to all of TweetDeck, so you have to be careful since the filter will apply even to the columns you have set up for specific users.  If you're going to be on twitter tonight, but don't want to be inundated with election mess, filters will be your best friend tonight.

A trusted sources column really is going to be your best resource tonight, and here's a look at who I will be watching closely:

• @tombrokaw Special correspondent, @NBCNews, New York, NY
• @naterawlings: high school friend and @Time reporter
• @AnnCurry, NBC News, NYC
• @TheDailyShow: believe it or not, Comedy Central does news pretty well.
• @RoryAlbanese: Daily Show Exec Producer & Writer, Stand-Up Comedian 
• @CharlieRose: host of @CBSThisMorning and @CharlieRoseShow
•  @ClayTravisBGID, sports author & funny person
• @andersoncooper: CNN anchor, NYC
• @jimmyfallon:late Night TV
• @nooganews: local news
• @janabarnello: former local news anchor, now in ME
• @topolk: college friend & NC resident
• @trueparallels: college friend & SC resident
• @gracevancleave: high school friend, former DNC employee, IA resident
• @phatsdawg: interwebs friend & IN resident (are you seeing the trend here)
• @barackobama: no introduction needed
• @sree: @ColumbiaJourn professor
• @support: twitter user support, in case something goes wrong
  

Please let me know who you will be following so I can add them to my tweetdeck tonight!

It's also worth mentioning that I'll also be spending a good amount of time on digg.com & tumblr tonight.  Those guys always have something interesting to say!

EDIT 11/6/12 18:23: If you're looking for a good hashtag to use and to follow try #TIMEVote!

election day

Happy Election Day everyone!  First I want to thank everyone who has already voted (early voters & absentee voters, I'm looking at you too), and encourage everyone who is registered to vote today!  There's a lot on your ballot, and your chance to have your voice be heard on national and local choices.  You may not think your vote matters on a national scale, but it does.  Also, think about the impact you have on local issues.  School board choices, mayors, local resolutions, these are all things on your ballot that really could be decided by single digits, and have a direct impact on you and your neighbors.

If you are worried about long lines today, I encourage you to try and vote at an off peak time.  Try to take an early or a late lunch today, and plan on eating while you're standing in line. It's just a guess, but I imagine there will be quite a difference in wait times at 1:30pm vs 12:30 pm.

Here are a couple resources for anyone who is voting later today.  First, if you're not sure if you're registered, or need to know where to vote, you can Google the word vote, and you'll get some great information.  The old adage, when in doubt: Google, is extremely relevant on Election Day.

 

Second, if you encounter any problems when trying to vote today you can call the Election Protection hotline at 1-866-OUR-VOTE.  More information is available on their website, http://www.866ourvote.org/, and they have an app available as well.

Most importantly I encourage you to vote, I hear they're giving out stickers!

PS: Check back later for some tips on how to take in all the election coverage tonight.  Twitter's about to go bonkers, and there are a few things you can do to filter down all the noise, and get some really good information in real time :)

A little garden advice

I am not a gardening expert.  I do not have acres of corn, and I am not responsible for any of the homes on your local garden tour. (yet) I am just a girl who played in her mom's garden and has grown a thing or two in pots.   I'm sharing a little of what I consider to be gardening advice, well, just because I can.  If you agree, disagree, or think I've left something out please leave a comment and maybe we can all learn something, and have pretty pretty outside spaces this summer.

  

Two words - drought tolerant.

• These words on a plant tag are a southern gardeners best friend. Even though I'm still getting to know my yard (in all of it's shady glory) I know that without a doubt it is going to get hot this summer, and there will come a point when I won't water as much as I should. Solution: drought tolerant plants.
• Garden newbies, friends with 'black thumbs', when you see this on a plant tag, seriously consider putting it in your cart. It's one of the secrets to not killing plants.
• These are especially good words for container gardening.

Mulch

• Organic (ie not rock) mulch is great because it does 4 things:
• Holds moisture so you don't have to water so much
• Keeps the weeds out 
• Breaks down and feeds the soil
• Looks all neat and pretty without have to fill every space with plants

Read the plant tag

• All of the information on the plant tag is important.  It will tell you what conditions the plant needs to survive.   No matter how hard you try, the plant has already made up its mind about what it needs, and if you ignore what it wants, the plant probably won't make it.
• It's not a bad idea to keep the tag too. You can put it in the ground by the plant, or toss them in a drawer. This way you have a baseline for what works and doesn't.
  

Put plants where you will see them.

• Most plants will let you know when they need to be watered, so if you're worried that your thumb is more black than green, place plants in your daily traffic pattern.  
• You'll be less likely to forget to care for the plant, and more likely to enjoy it. After all that's the point right?

Fertilize your plants

• Whether you use organic compost, or miracle grow, I won't judge.  The important thing is that plants get hungry and need more than just water.  
• Starting with good soil helps, and the plant tag will tell you if it has any special fertilizer needs.

Perennials

• Who doesn't love plants that come back year after year?
• The cool thing about perennials is that once they are established most require less and less care to look good.

Five of my fav 'plant & forget it' plants:
Info & photos from Dave's Garden Plant Files

1. Day Lily more info (especially the common ditch lily) 
2. Mint more info, (boarder line invasive, great for mojitos)
3. Lantana more info, (comes in lots of colors)
4. Succulents in general
5. Confederate Jasmine More info (one of my all time favs)

Seed update #1

I posted a picture of some of my seeds on twitter this week and got the response: "Awwww...they are so cute at that age!" And gosh darn it they are. 

My growing system is the opposite of high tech this year. I have used egg cartons, strawberry containers, and toilet paper rolls & plastic wrap to start my seeds....and believe it or not its worked. They might be doing better if they were under grow lights, or on mats, but I'm not in any hurry, and they are doing just fine.

I started with Chives, Cilantro, Basil, Lavender, Alysumm, Yellow & Pink Brandywine Tomatoes, and a wild flower mix. Then I was temped by Love Lies Bleeding, more Lavender, & Four O'Clocks.

Everything is doing well, and here are a few pictures taken this week:
 

  My fancy setup & A closeup of the cilantro.

 

 Left: Baby Basil, Right: Baby Lavender

 

Left: 1/2 of my Baby Heirloom Tomatoes, Right: Baby Love-Lies-Bleeding

The tomatoes are almost to the point where I can put them in larger pots, and by pots I mean soup cans with holes drilled in the bottom.  I'm bringing thrifty back.

tornado tips - what I learned last year

As I'm watching the news, and we have a potential for tornadoes tonight, I thought I'd share my mental be prepared list.

1. Charge your cell phone. It's best to have a full battery going into storms.
2. If you do loose power turn off your GPS features and any unnecessary push notifications on your phone. This will help you conserve your battery.
3. Have your emergency kit in the place *where you will seek shelter* in case of a tornado.
4. Make sure your emergency kit it stocked. Working flashlight/candles and matches. First aid kit. Home insurance information/important paperwork.
5. Make sure your emergency kit is waterproof or at least has a lid.
6. If you don't have a weather radio, go ahead and download a radio app or bookmark a 'stream live' webpage for a local radio station.
7. Cook a dinner that won't go bad :) Something that's not bad cold, and won't spoil in a day never hurts to have around.
8. Keep your (closed toed) shoes on. Now this is for when the weather man says you've got X number of minutes before a tornado hits your neighborhood. But how awful would it be to barefoot after a tornado hit your house.
9. Put your wallet in your pocket. Again, not something you want to have to hunt down last minute or after a tornado.

This is by no means an official list of any sorts, just what I'm thinking about. If you have anything to add please let me know in the comments.

mini blinds, lots of mini blinds

The downside to having 15 wonderful windows in a 2 bedroom house is that I have 15 mini blinds that probably haven't been cleaned in the 10 years since the remodel.  They're dusty and starting to yellow.  I wasn't sure the best way to clean them so here's what I've done: I soaked them in the bathtub in a mixture of hot water, dish soap, & oxyclean for 20 minutes, then brushed over both sides, rinsed & hung them up to dry on my shower curtain rod.(I just wrapped the chord around the hardware & the rod in 2 places and it worked well) I did the first two last night, so I'll see what they look like when I go back tonight. If they're still yellow, I'll switch to bleach. If you have any ideas on how to clean mini blinds, let me know! **

Since I got my keys 2 weeks early, I took Wednesday off of work to get started on the house.  With my mom's help, I got a lot done!  I've picked out paint for the entire house.  Everything is getting repainted except for the ceilings, and the trim in the living room.  We even got 2 coats on the master bedroom.  We'll do the trim this weekend, and then we'll be done with my bedroom!  As soon as we're finished I'll have before and after pictures to post.

I'm having a 'painting party' this weekend, and I'm hoping to get the walls in the living room and kitchen done, and maybe even the trim.  The living room is not going to be too bad, but the kitchen walls need a lot of work before we can paint.  The work will be worth it though.  I really can't wait to move in!

** Thanks to @ChanteDNewcomb for this link on cleaning Mini Blinds!  Almost exactly what I was doing :)

In My Kitchen

I'm not a chef, but I like to play around in the kitchen. I like to try recipes and ingredients when I'm entertaining and/or have time on my hands. But honestly, a lot of the time I stick to a few staples. One of my 'go to' dinners is pre-marinated baked chicken.


When I catch chicken on sale, I grab a family pack. When I get home I put individual portions in freezer bags with a marinade. Sometimes I make my own, sometimes store bought. I always try to do a couple different ones, so I've got choices depending on my mood. I toss them in the freezer and I'm done. (you can let them sit overnight in the fridge first if you want) When I'm feeling like chicken, I'll just move one down to the fridge on the way to work, and as it defrosts, it starts marinating. By the time I'm home, I throw it in the oven, and I'm well on my way to dinner.

Easy-peasy

Today I did drumsticks. A few plain, some Honey BBQ, Lemon Pepper, Sweet & Sour, and Greek. I have chicken for over a month.