February 17, 2009
The Mic Is On: We’re Talking Ideal Workplace, the Ideal Work
ME Liz Strauss wrote this at 7:00 pm
It’s Like Open Mic Only Different
Here’s how it works.
It’s like any rambling conversation. Don’t try to read it all. Jump in whenever you get here. Just go to the end and start talking. EVERYONE is WELCOME.
The rules are simple — be nice.
There are always first timers and new things to talk about. It’s sort of half “Cheers” part “Friends” and part video game. You don’t know how much fun it is until you try it.
Where Do Circus People Run Away to?
So running away isn’t such a good idea … BUT, if you could set up work anywhere, where would you be right now? How could balance what you’re doing with where you’d most love to do it?
- private island?
- Monte Carlo?
- mountain cabin?
- a favorite city apartment with a penthouse view?
Now that you’ve got the location … what would you be doing?
And, whatever else comes up, including THE EVER POPULAR, Basil the code-writing donkey . . . and flamenco dancing (because we always get off topic, anyway.)
Oh, and bring example links.
–ME “Liz” Strauss
image: sxc.hu
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132 Comments to “The Mic Is On: We’re Talking Ideal Workplace, the Ideal Work”
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Timothy Johnson said
Howdy all.
ME Liz Strauss said
Hiya!
Where do you wish you were working now?
Timothy Johnson said
Actually, perfect spot Liz. In a hotel room overlooking the plaza in KC.
ME Liz Strauss said
What’s in the plaza in KC?
Timothy Johnson said
Country Club Plaza is a shopping and retail area done in spanish colonial, lots of lights, stream running through it, very tranquil and beautiful.
ME Liz Strauss said
I’m wishing I was on deck with a balmy beach breeze about now.
ME Liz Strauss said
That does sound like nice visual. People behave well in such places usually. Good food?
Timothy Johnson said
A nice variety of restaurants of all genres. I ate at a mexican place called Baja600… excellent service and great food.
ME Liz Strauss said
I had Mexican tonight too … at the Strauss House in Chicago. It’s slightly colder here.
Timothy Johnson said
beautiful and 50′s here… have the door open to the balcony.
ME Liz Strauss said
I’m so jealous!
Joe said
Hey Liz,
Hey Tim
Joe said
I want to be in a place where everything works the way it’s supposed too!
ME Liz Strauss said
Oh, that’s a great place to be, Joe. That and a place where everything isn’t frozen.
Timothy Johnson said
Howdy Joe. I agree with you there… like getting my new laptop to behave… I HATE VISTA
Beth R said
I would love to be working near a beach too( wonder if they get wifi near the ocean)…sounds good about now, just wanted to pop in and say hello, have to run a kid to tennis, in fact thats what I love to do too..spend time with the kids and be on the computer…
Joe said
Too bad Phil (I can’t spell Puxatawany) saw his shadow, or was it not see his shadow, anyway we sell have a month of this ~~COLD~~
Joe said
Tim, you don’t know how many times I’ve said that very same thing.
But I’ll join in the Chorus
I HATE VISTA!!!
Joe said
Have either one of you tried Pamela for Skype?
THAT is almost as bad as that “V” thingy.
ME Liz Strauss said
VISTA is the reason I still have an old laptop.
I wonder how many mac users VISTA has made.
Joe said
Liz, don’t forget, I spoke with your techie husband, He knows how to get rid of Vista and install something worth using/
Timothy Johnson said
OK, here is a really weird technical question and I’m not sure if it’s caused by Vista or by Toshiba.
If my mouse is positioned anywhere on the page, my cursor will sync to where my mouse is every few seconds (which makes typing ANYTHING a royal pain in the carriage return)
Suggestions?
ME Liz Strauss said
Hi Beth!
I don’t know about wifi near the ocean. Gotta be some towers somewhere near there.
Erica Ross-Krieger said
Howdy all, stoppin by for few minutes before supper. Pouring cats and dogs here. so much rain is good for agriculture, bad for attitude. Love what Joe said in #13 – I need a t-shirt with that on it. I have not been in that place today at all. I have either been cold, on hold, or not feeling too bold:)
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
in my ideal work place, technology would always work and do what I want. right now, I’m trying to get captions to work in powerpoint.
Joe said
Tim, believe it or not, it may be the way you position your hands over the pad when you are typing.
It happened to me until I actually raised my hands just a little off the prone position. (Better for Carpel Tunnel too).
Try that FIRST.
ME Liz Strauss said
Hi Erica!
I’m so tempted to keep that rhyme going that I know it’s wrong.
Glad to see you here! You’re smiling on the inside. I just know it!
Marti said
Timothy, you’re in KC at the Plaza! OMG! You’re like 25 miles from me! Sending you virtual hugs through the air (which is very nice today) Whatcha doing in town?
Erica Ross-Krieger said
Oh, Liz…you know me too well. It must be because I use a mac:)
ME Liz Strauss said
[watching the electrical charges rushing through the KC atmosphere]
Marti said
Hi Liz, Joe, Glenda, Beth, Erica!
Erica Ross-Krieger said
the smile I mean.
Timothy Johnson said
Hi Marti – I’m consulting with a client down here… here a couple of nights a week since October (and looks like I’ll be continuing a few more months)
ME Liz Strauss said
Erica!
You’re too funny. I saw that smile of mischief when you typed that.
Erica Ross-Krieger said
Hi Marti,
Where is your ideal work spot? Are you there? Ever been? Do tell.
Erica Ross-Krieger said
Liz, the mischieviousness must be because I was born in the year of the money. Oops, I mean monkey:)
Timothy Johnson said
Joe – you have got to be kidding – hand position??? are keyboards that wimpy?
Marti said
Well I hope you have a wonderful visit, Timothy. Weather is supposed to turn a bit uglier I’m afraid. Going to get colder and rain/snow mix is expected. Still nice to feel so “close” to you!
Erica, my “work” is caring for my mother-in-law who has Parkinson’s, and writing, which I do right here at home where I am now
How about you?
ME Liz Strauss said
Wow! Erica,
I’m liking the year of the money better.
ME Liz Strauss said
Glenda,
Captions in powerpoint never work. I think they’re only there to frustrate people like me.
Joe said
Tim my Dell 1501 Inspiron Lappy IS that way, the pad is right where I position my hands when I type!?!
Maybe it’s just me, but when I type correctly, the problem goes away.
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
Hot damn! I just got this working!
Marti said
Timothy, I am no genius about computers, but I recall there is some sort of setting that will set your mouse to automatically go to a certain spot on a web page…like if you have a choice between yes or no on a form, the default is “yes”. But I don’t know that the setting would be what is causing your issue. Sorry to hear you’re having trouble though!
Joe said
Either that, or check your settings for the mouse in the Control Panel, that may help too.
ME Liz Strauss said
Glenda,
You’re so sexy when you swear!!
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
Liz, I did it!
Marti said
Yes, Joe knows w-a-y more than me *grin*
Timothy Johnson said
Marti – we’ll have to connect for drinks or dinner while I’m down here. Seems silly to be this close to another blogger and NOT meet.
Marti said
Hooray for Glenda!
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
ME Liz Strauss said
I think Open Comment Night may be everyone’s favorite place to work. heh heh
Erica Ross-Krieger said
Liz – me too now that it Freudianly slipped out:)
Marti – I do a collage of things – life coaching, writing, financial literacy coaching, managing a team that sells internet ads, nap, QiGong, eat organic. And swear sometimes:) All of which I can do from anywhere…but my favorite spot to do so is in the San Juan Islands off the coast of WA state where I can watch the Orca whales at the same time.
Timothy Johnson said
Joe – do you know which mouse setting it would be?
Joe said
Ok, Glenda, I knew you could do it!
Now, we have to see if Tim can figure out his little mouse in the house running around rapidly ruining his rampages of rabit ravings/
Joe said
*rabid*
Marti said
Yes, Timothy, I feel terrible that I get out so seldom. There are several local social media groups and tweet-ups held here, but I never get to attend. I could send you links for their groups so you could meet other locals, they sound like really nice people. My schedule is usually filled with taking grandma to doctors or hospital appointments. She has a lot of falls and pains due to the Parkinson’s.
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
Mr T, what is the problem with your rodent?
Erica Ross-Krieger said
Liz,
never ceases to amaze me here – I was writing the bit for Marti and included swearing for some unknown reason – I hit submit and read what I missed – lo and behold there is the swearing banter with Glenda and Liz. Love serendipity. Think that is the subliminal S to the SOB site:)
Erica Ross-Krieger said
A few more blurbs here and I’m off to eat swiss chard and chicken. Hope you all figure out the rodent thing.
Joe said
Tim, there is a setting called “Snap To” make sure it’s UNclicked.
And you may want to set the setting for “Visability” to Hide Pointer while Typing.
See if that helps.
Marti said
Liz, this is definitely my favorite night spot
Erica, LOL on the swearing. Your San Juan spot sounds fabulous!
Erica Ross-Krieger said
G’nite all. I’m off to eat and taking a Klondike bar for dessert:) Liz, I owe ya one.
Marti said
Joe, you are SO smart! That’s what I was talking about but I didn’t know what it was called.
Rajesh Setty said
Hi Liz and All,
Late to the party, but here is my $.02
Both the ideal workplace and ideal work are created first in our minds. Whether you are in the ideal workplace and whether you are doing ideal work, the first thing we should do is to THINK we are in the ideal workplace and we are doing ideal work. Only then can we give it our best shot for what we are doing at PRESENT.
Here are a few more things to consider. An ideal work is one where:
1. You are GROWING
2. You have an ability to CONTRIBUTE to the world in a BIG way.
3. You are in a FLOW
4. You wake up in the morning WANTING to engage in your craft
5. What you are doing is MEANINGFUL
and lastly,
6. If you stop engaging in your craft, you create a big VOID.
Have a great evening all of you.
Best,
Raj
Timothy Johnson said
Unclicked snap to and hid pointer while typing… no dice.
Marti said
Hope you have a wonderful evening, Erica!
Marti said
Hi Rajesh, great list! Wonderful to see you.
Rajesh Setty said
Thank you Marti.
Have a great evening.
Best,
Raj
Amy said
I scrolled really fast and saw the words “circus” and “rodent” — I’m pretty sure I belong here!
ME Liz Strauss said
Good Night, Erica!
Marti said
Sorry to hear that didn’t work, Timothy.
Marti said
Hi Amy!
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
HEY AMY!
ME Liz Strauss said
Raj!
Thank you! I love what you bring when you drop by here.
Timothy Johnson said
oh well…
Howdy Rajesh! How is life beyond code?
Joe said
Tim, I think I know what you are talking about now, it’s not a mouse problem, it is something to do with the position within the active typing field.
Not sure of what causes it, but move the “arrow” “curser” OUT of the active field when you are typing.
THAT should Help!
Marti said
I’m getting frustrated with Facebook. People keep asking me to join a group or some kind of thing that requires adding an application, so I try and it tells me that Facebook is having “issues” and to please try again.
Facebook is NOT my favorite place to work (or try to do anything)
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
Mr T, there’s a setting to your mouse pointer when you hit Ctrl. Would that help?
Joe said
Marti, I’m not too sure FaceBook is the best place to try anything new, especially with their ne TOS.
I stopped using them long ago because I didn’t like the TOS then, NOW it seems they OWN ALL your stuff.
Just my $.02 but I want to own what I write, no matter How Bad it is!
ME Liz Strauss said
Joe,
Facebook has always owned everything you put there. That’s why I don’t post my blog posts there. I’m thinking about leaving it altogether.
ME Liz Strauss said
Amy,
Where should we go to work?
Timothy Johnson said
Joe and Glenda… will give both a try… thanks for the pointers!
Marti said
I’m thinking of working with “Smashwords”. They are a new site that lets you upload a manuscript and they convert it to all sorts of digital (e-book) media, then they sell it for you on their site. The author keeps 85% of the sale. God bless Chris Brogan, he mentioned me to the fella who runs it at a conference they were both at, and the guy (Mark Coker – he’s on Twitter under that name) contacted me to try their service. Only problem is to format for them you have to strip out all kinds of Microsoft Word embedded stuff and (as previously noted) I’m no whiz at technology. They have a very detailed guide on how to do it though. Now I just need time.
Amy said
How is everyone? I’m still waiting for that warm deserted island with internet connection.
Bean said
I have made my favorite place to work. I don’t always get around well and so I have a great set up on the living room couch. My front yard is park like and tall cedar trees obscure the house from the street. I have a huge picture window that looks out to a birch tree. There are lots of bird feeders and a bird bath in the tree and I have a 3-season garden planted at the base. There is a hummingbird feeder at the corner of the porch, directly in my line of sight.
That cat has her spot on the back of the couch so she can supervise me and the birds. The dogs have their dog bed under the huge coffee table by my side. The coffee table was an old futon frame and it is high enough to be out of the range of wagging dog tails. It is at elbow height when I am sitting so I can reach over for a beverage, the phone or a note pad.
On the couch I have pillows to elevate my legs and a soft warm down comforter if I get cold.
Sure I wouldn’t mind a beach view but I have worked really hard to maximize what I do have. It is a 1,000 times better than when I was relegated to a cubicle under fluorescent lights!
Joe said
Yes Liz, I knew that, but NOW even if you leave, they own anything you already have online on their service.
Before, when I stopped using them, when you deleted your account, everything disappeared with you.
Amy said
Bean, that sounds nice. I work in bed most of the time. I need some of those trees of yours.
Liz, you are coming with me to the island – k?
Joe said
Bean, that sound like an idea setup. I bet you can’t wait until Spring to really spruce up the view.
Rajesh Setty said
Thank you Liz.
Timothy, Life Beyond Code is great as there is not much of GUST here
Have a great evening.
Best,
Raj
Marti said
Yes, I heard all the stuff about Facebook. Someone asked me to add an application called “My Girls” that supposedly notifies your friends about your birthday and status updates. I don’t add a lot of Facebook stuff but an old friend (from high school!) just added me as a friend at Facebook then she added the “My Girls” thingy and asked me to add myself to her list. Since she is new I didn’t want to hurt her feelings and decline, but I think I may just e-mail her and let her know about this latest stink with Facebook.
Thank you all for mentioning the problems with Facebook. Anyone think they’ll back down on the “we own you even if you leave” business?
Timothy Johnson said
well, everybody… need to pack it in for the night… big morning meeting to facilitate… great catching up with yall… mouse problems notwithstanding.
Marti said
Bean, that sounds awesome! Nice to meet you.
Bean said
@Amy I can’t claim credit on the trees but I sure enjoy them. They are very old trees, they were mature when they started building the houses here in the post WW@2 housing boom. They called the area Cedar Park in the 1940s due to the towering cedar trees here.
It means I get very good at shade gardening in the front yard!
ME Liz Strauss said
Trees make me want to write more, Bean.
I like trees around me when I’m thinking.
Marti said
Sweet dreams Timothy, and all the best to you during your visit to my fair city (and always)
ME Liz Strauss said
Good night, Mr. T
Bean said
@liz it is the trees and the birds for me. I have several flocks a day and there is something about all that flurry of activity amongst something so strong and stable that gives me balance from becoming too static or too flighty
Marti said
Bean, I live on 10 acres that is heavily wooded (just east of Kansas City, MO) and I love seeing and hearing the birds. The magical songs of nature.
Joe said
Nite Tim, I hope your mouse calms down without having to give it any Prozak or anything.
Amy said
I have to run. Hugs to all.
Amy said
PS I will be back for the poem.
ME Liz Strauss said
Amy,
I love that you hold out for the poem.
Joe said
Nite amy, I hope I can live up to your expectations.
Todd Smith said
Hi Liz, My ideal is an office in a laptop. I’d love to be able to do everything I do from anywhere. I’m getting there, but not quite yet.
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
Night Mr T!
ME Liz Strauss said
Hey Todd,
I’d like to be able to leave my laptop home.
Marti said
I always subscribe to the comments so I don’t miss Joe’s “Burma Shave” prose.
Hi Todd!
Joe said
Awww, I didn’t think anyone cared about those little dittys but Liz.
That’s so sweet. *blush*
ME Liz Strauss said
How else would we know when the night is over, Joe?
Marti said
Joe, sometimes if I haven’t been able to participate in a chat,and I’m short on time, I read to your poem to see what I missed.
Marti said
Well, I think I shall leave you all as well. It’s been delightful to get to chat with all of you. Peace and joy to everyone!
ME Liz Strauss said
Good night, Marti!
Enjoy the rest of your evening!
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
Joe, nights I leave early, I always pop back for your poem. No pressure though!
ME Liz Strauss said
We’ve all got lots going. So it’s okay to get on with what we need to do.
Joe said
Yeah Glenda, No Pressure. From You, and Amy, and Marti, and Liz and all te other people who actually read the “poems” at the end of OCN.
No Pressure. :-}
Amy said
Heh. Joe, just the “burma shave” makes me laugh. You could just write that, and I’d be happy. I’m easy.
ME Liz Strauss said
Amy,
I read that on a wall somewhere.
Amy said
Yeah Liz — my facebook wall! HAHAHAHAHA! Ok, I’m going to go make tshirts now.
Ideal Workplace and Ideal Work… | Life Beyond Code said
[...] at Successful Blog, ever-amazing Liz Strauss was having a comment-party tonight talking about Ideal Workplace and Ideal Work. I was late to the party but here is my perspective on the [...]
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
LIZ, thanks for tonight. Need to finish this presentation for Saturday’s AccessCamp San Antonio. I am doing an acrostic for accessibility – didn’t realize the word had so many f’n letters. Sleep is optional, right?
ME Liz Strauss said
Sleep is optional, Glenda.
But I prefer it to eating.
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
Depends, Liz. Eating isn’t as optional for me.
Joe said
One thing that we have in common
Is we want to work in our comfort zone
Sitting on a beach on an island
Or under a tree in the backyard of our home
We want all of our stuff to work
With no problems with programs or rodents
All things being equal we don’t need all the extra components
Because where ever we happen to be working
It’s our style, our feelings that need not a bit of stoking
And if you ever need a break
From the paradise that you have made
Come to Liz’s house on Tuesday night
For some Klondikes and Chocolate and Lemonade.
Burma Shave
Nite Liz
Nite All
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
Awesome Joe, g’night!
Amy said
I like that one Joe.
Night everyone.
Bean said
Great poem, Joe
thanks!
ME Liz Strauss said
Good night, Joe,
Sleepy swell!
Marti said
Ah Joe, a true genius you are…to work Klondikes and rodents into the same poem – magnificent!
Robert Hruzek said
Howdy, Liz & Company! Dialing in late from Durango, Colorado this week.
Robert Hruzek said
Alas; looks like I missed everybody.
Ah, well; tip o’ the hat, y’all!
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
Howdy Robert!
Robert Hruzek said
Oh! Howdy Glenda! Anyone else still hangin’ around?