We make association leaders think.
At the heart of improvisational theater is the phrase "yes, and" The key is to accept what’s given to you and
build on it.
Seems like good advice for all of us in this economic climate: accept what's been given to you and move forward.
For more on improv techniques…
January 6th, 2009 | Ann Oliveri | Comments | Continued
Half rock opera, half classical tragedy, Next to Normal is a manic-depressive musical that blurs boundaries and hints at the power classical Greek choruses must have once held over their audiences.
The Off Broadway, now Broadway bound, musical is playing at the Arena Stage until January 18 and is an emotional roller coaster…
January 5th, 2009 | Ann Oliveri | Comments | Continued
Reading can be a guilty pleasure, but now book buying is too. The business model for publishing and bookselling is crumbling, and book buyers are conflicted. Writing in Sunday's NY Times Week in Review,
David Streitfield confesses to contributing to the demise of the general interest bookstore, not by buying from Amazon,…
We live off River Road, the commuter artery that became a river yesterday morning in Bethesda, Maryland. The 65" diameter pipe was a feed from the Potomac and one motorist compared the experience to rafting the Colorado River.
The dramatic water main break, complete with LA-style helicopter footage and rescues,…
December 24th, 2008 | Ann Oliveri | Comments | Continued
Here's a thought. Instead of a list of New Year's resolutions, I pledge:
To laugh often and much;
To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of
children;
To earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false
friends;
To appreciate beauty; to find the best in others;
To…
A gift for your Mother Earth, that is. Friends in advertising forwarded a creative appeal for supporting Arm & Hammer's spray cleaner, a blog at SaveEssentials.com. Here's the pitch:
SOCIALISM
COMMUNISM
You have 2 cows.
The State takes both
and gives you some milk.
FASCISM
You have 2 cows.
The State…
Looking for a simple explanation for the financial meltdown? Look no further than Jon Methven's delightful 'letter' on McSweeney's: The Economic Crisis Hits the Markson Family Monopoly Board.
"I believe our major issue was the
housing crisis, which began with your properties on Ventnor Avenue and
Marvin Gardens. But in order to…
"Do people hold up
meetings, waiting for you to arrive to make important contributions or
interpretations of current events?
"Do people remember what you say and
perhaps quote you in other places and venues?
"Do people tell your
stories and share your lessons as though those stories belong to them?…
If you have ever been trapped in automated call center hell, you know that there's a way to get a human being but you just can't figure it out.
Now you can get there faster by referencing the online cheat sheet at get2human.com. Since 2005, these bloggers have maintained a…
December 8th, 2008 | Ann Oliveri | Comments | Continued
Reality TV is anything but. Still, three shows keep us engaged.
The best is the Amazing Race. We love it because we travel and some of the stunts engineered to test contestants are not unlike those you can find for yourself.
We also watch Top Chef because my husband cooks and…
December 7th, 2008 | Ann Oliveri | Comments | Continued
The future belongs to those who give the next generation reason for hope. Pierre Teilhard de Chardin
The Zen of Associations is powered by Typepad.com, simply the best, most intuitive platform I have ever used. Today, the Everything Typepad blog asked us for support of One Laptop Per Child, founded…
Malcom Gladwell's new book, Outliers: The Story of Success, is out this week and the weekend Wall Street Journal features an interview, a book review, and an excerpt. The interview by Jeffrey Trachtenberg looks at the writer's method, exploring the nature of talent, curiosity and the importance of practice.
A journalist, Gladwell…
November 16th, 2008 | Ann Oliveri | Comments | Continued
Williamsburg it's not, but what else can you do with an abandoned Soviet Bunker if you are an entrepreneur in Lithuania? History is where you find it.
A recent post at Environmental Graffiti by Katherine Liew outlines the noir theme park experience. "Tourists pay 120 LTL ($US 220) each to step back…
November 15th, 2008 | Ann Oliveri | Comments | Continued
Ready for an escape but worried about the time and money? Check out NPR Music's Discover Songs page for a Virtual Vacation, a musical swing through unusual destinations.
Or for a shorter burst of adventure, subscribe to Song of the Day, ideal for those of us needing assistance in discovering new…
November 14th, 2008 | Ann Oliveri | Comments | Continued
Done (just love having a to-do checked off so quickly). Thanks. Now to practice writing that on checks ;) 
I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I ...
I am guilty of leaving book orphans everywhere - airline pouches, cabs, etc. Some I keep, as mind candy ... Just read Social Media Predictions and zeroed in on Rohit BHARGAVA piece on things marketers did in 2008 and won't ...
The NBA marathon is back and there are bound to be some unexpected injuries. Fortunately, NBA players also have someone ...