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13.1 Meet Glenda Watson Hyatt

February 26, 2007 by Liz

Glenda Watson Hyatt’s Virtual Book Tour

It was the photo, Glenda’s photo, that led me to write to her.

After Wendy suggested that Glenda would be someone Successful Blog readers would love to read about, I went over to Glenda’s blog. I poked around a bit. I read some posts about Glenda and her book. Then I did a Google search, and I read a few other interviews from her Virtual Book Tour.

But I kept coming back to the photo at the top of Glenda’s blog. It was what I saw and what I felt in that photo. I’m right there when it comes to meeting someone who knows the feeling of joy.

Joy that’s what I saw.

Glenda Watson Hyatt has achieved incredible things. She made a life as an author with cerebral palsy, typing with only her left thumb — hey, becoming an author is no small feat for us with two hands to type. But that’s not why I introduce you to Glenda Watson Hyatt.

I want you to meet her, because she is a woman who has felt joy.

Hi Glenda! First let me tell you, one reason that drew me to write was your photo. I take photos of people very seriously. I look in their eyes. In yours I saw intelligence, but more than that I saw joy to match the smile on you face.

So, darn it, how are you? and who are you?

Hi Liz, thanks for the warm welcome and for conversing with me in this manner. This is great because the written word is my best means of communication. IÃ¢â¬â¢m awesome, and extremely busy with my virtual book tour, promoting my autobiography IÃ¢â¬â¢ll Do It Myself.

To introduce myself, I am Glenda Watson Hyatt from Surrey, British Columbia, on the westcoast of Canada. IÃ¢â¬â¢m married to a wonderful, supportive man Darrell. Faith is my four-legged feline baby. I am forty and am excited to have reached that milestone.

I have been self-employed for eight years; initially, it was out of necessity because job prospects for someone with a significant physical disability werenÃ¢â¬â¢t plentiful. I began my business Soaring Eagle Communications as a web accessibility specialist and several interesting projects in the field but the work was sporadic. Right now the Eagle is undergoing a transition and finding a new direction. I am seeing new opportunities everywhere and I sense the Eagle will soon catch an updraft and soar to heights unimaginable.

Despite my cerebral palsy, I have lived a fairly full life. I focus on what I can do and what I do have; so many have much less than I do. I believe in possibility thinking and making things happen for myself. I am in a point in my life where life is good and I truly believe the future is mine.

Thank you, Glenda! You are awesome! See you tomorrow. I can’t wait to hear more.

–ME “Liz” Strauss

A 4-Part Series: An Interview with the Amazing Glenda Watson.Hyatt

February 25, 2007 by Liz

Glenda Watson Hyatt’s Virtual Book Tour

Wendy Piersall wrote to me that I must meet this amazing woman, Glenda Watson Hyatt. Wendy was about to interview Glenda for eMoms at Home as part of Glenda’s Virtual Book Tour for her new book, I’ll Do It Myself.

Glenda’s new book I’ll Do It Myself chronicles her story of growing up with cerebral palsy. This beautiful, bright woman with the engaging smile and intelligent eyes was a pleasure to interview, and I missed her when it was over.

You really must meet her.

I’ll be sharing Glenda this week in a four-part conversation.

Monday, February 26 — Who iis this author and why is she smiling? 13.1 Meet Glenda Watson Hyatt

Tuesday, February 27 — What surprises happened while writing the book? 13.2 Glenda Watson Hyatt, published author

Wednesday, February 28 — How did Glenda learn to be a writer and find her wonderful writing voice? 13.3 Glenda Watson Hyatt, Learning to Write

Thursday, March 1 — What message would this author like to give the world? 13.4 Glenda Watson Hyatt, the person I met

Thanks, Glenda! It was wonderful that you let it be such a two-way conversation. I hope you really will come to Chicago so that we can meet person to person.

–ME “Liz” Strauss

Bloggy Question 38: You’ve Just Won a New Design!

February 25, 2007 by Liz

And You Said You Never Win Anything

For those who come looking for a short, thoughtful read, a blogging life discussion, or a way to gradually ease back into the week. I offer this bloggy life hypothetical question. . . .

At the grand opening of a social network, they gave away prizes. By some stroke of luck you won the grandest prize of all. It’s a $10K blog vacation on an island in a luxury private home for two weeks while your blog gets a $10K makeover by a famous blog designer.

You were excited, bought the sunscreen, made the plans. Then you met with the famous designer. He didn’t listen to a thought you had. Even worse, his favors a color — one that you absolutely cannot stand.

You’re getting a bad feeling.

The rules are that the vacation and blog design are one package. As part of the prize you get to live with new blog design for one year or you happily get to pay the designer.

It’s time for you to accept the prize by signing your permission and releases.

How do you respond?

–ME “Liz” Strauss

Business of Design Online is LIVE!!

February 25, 2007 by Liz

Bravo! Cat, nt, and Jay!

I have the pleasure of announcing an important new entry in the blogosphere. Ladies and Gentlemen,

Go meet BoDo! The Business of Design Online. It’s the genius brainchild of the team of Catherine (cat) Wentworth, Neil (nt) Tortorella, and Jeanette (jay) Wickham. It’s been months in the making and boasts series and services, resources, and a list of guest authors that outflank anything I’ve seen.

Click the screenshot and see for yourself! It’s downright amazing!

So much all in one place. Do you think you have to be a designer to get value from this site. Heck, you’ll even find me there.

Congratulations BoDo Team!

–ME “Liz” Strauss

What is He Talking About? Chris Cree on Research

February 25, 2007 by Chris Cree

“Basic research is what I am doing when I don’t know what I am doing.” –Wernher von Braun

You may remember the name Wernher von Braun. He was a true rocket scientist. One of the first.

He headed up the rocket program for Nazi Germany in World War II and when the war was ending surrendered to US troops and was moved to the States to continue working on his rockets.

I remember him as the mythical hero of the main character in the movie October Sky. You know. The one that the main character met in his moment of triumph and didn’t even recognize.

I can relate to that moment.

Anyway. There is no question that von Braun was a brilliant man. Even if I’m not.

Phraseology Power

Words are powerful.

How we phrase things can make all the difference.

I sometimes tell people “I’m deadline motivated.” My wife says that’s a polite way to say that I’m a procrastinator.

If you had a choice, which one would you share with folks?

Now I see there is a polite way to describe all the time I’m on the internet. I used to think I was just cruising the web, surfing the internet. Mostly just poking around. My wife is often tempted to say I’m wasting time.

Now, in those moments when the subject comes up, I can honestly say, “No honey. I’m doing some basic research.”

Talk about a better say to say it! Perfect.

Research in Action

During my research time (I gotta start practicing this one now) putting this post together I found that Homer Hickam, the guy that wrote the book that the movie October sky is based on, has a web site.

I think that’s cool because Gorgeous and I listened to one of his other books on tape during our road trip over the holidays. We really enjoyed it. In fact, I liked it enough that the author’s name stuck with me. And that’s saying something.

You can even check out Homer Hickam’s blog.

Well its sort of bloggish. A little bit.

I guess blogs are starting to become cool, even if folks don’t quite get it completely yet. But that’s just the Way I C it.

–Chris Cree, SuccessCREEations.

Sandy’s Great Graphic Find: IconArt

February 25, 2007 by Liz

Compact Program for Creating Icons and Cursors

Great Find: IconArt

Permalink: http://www.conware-pro.com/products/ia/

Target Audience: All Computer Users

Content: This Windows-based utility allows you to create your own icon or cursor from scratch or by uploading a graphic. You can create static or animated versions. It’s an easy-to-use, paint style tool that supports text, rotation, color palette options, and gradient fills.

Here’s three things I like about IconArt:

It’s free (only $9.95 for commercial use)
It’s easy to use
You can design from scratch or import art to convert

Let me know how you use it!

–Sandy, Purple Wren Communications