Letters home

Technology QotW: Technology & Success

nobody@vox.com(Erin) — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 09:28:27 -0400

What is the most important technology every business should understand to make his/her business successful?
Sponsored by HP.

Search.

It's like my dad told me back in the 90's, when the internet was becoming more mainstream, "Erin, the key to success is knowing how to do a good search."

And then, in 2006, after Google was WELL established and it turned out that search really was as important as he had forecast, he had this piece of wisdom to share: "Erin, now the key to success is knowing how to get yourself or your client on that first page of Google results."

He's so right. Hello, success! </wave>

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QotD: My Holiday Wishlist

nobody@vox.com(Erin) — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 22:30:01 -0500

What's on your holiday wishlist?

Oh, goodness ...

A GPS system for my car, a new iPod, a set of pearls, money for my trip to EUROPE!!, a gift certificate for a massage (or several), mooooooovies (the last LOTR, The Holiday, A Beautiful Mind, etc.), anything from my Mikasa registry, a new set of pedals for my piano, those darn shoes that I can't find, Mellow Mushroom delivery (it could happen), TV series on DVD (Sex and the City, Friends), GAMES ... lots and lots of games, a little something from Tiffany's, or ... you know ... anything from my Amazon wishlist ...

Now, what do YOU want??

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QotD: Book Recommendations

nobody@vox.com(Erin) — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 21:35:17 -0400

Where do you get recommendations for new books to read?

A raaaaaandom variety of places. Friends. Other readings - such as magazines, the news, blogs. Oh, and Olsson's (there's one right near my apartment) has those nifty sticky notes with handwritten reviews/recommendations right by the books on the shelves. (Huge fan of those!)

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QotD: Life-Changing Decision

nobody@vox.com(Erin) — Tue, 21 Aug 2007 23:53:19 -0400

What decision changed the course of your life?
Submitted by Ally.

Oh, gosh. To pick one ... going to Auburn instead of AMDA. That was the difference between ending up an actress in New York or LA ... and what I do now, working in PR in Washington, DC. Crazy, huh?

That's really just one of many, many, many ...

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QotD: Famous Last Words

nobody@vox.com(Erin) — Fri, 09 Mar 2007 13:35:01 -0500

What will be your famous last words?
Submitted by ngocaroo.

Shmay.

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QotD: Chez Me

nobody@vox.com(Erin) — Fri, 05 Jan 2007 19:05:12 -0500

If you could open a restaurant, any kind you want, what would it look like and what's on the menu?
Submitted by A is for Amy.

Oh, this is too easy. Anybody wanna take a guess?

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QotD: This Song Makes Me Festive

nobody@vox.com(Erin) — Mon, 04 Dec 2006 00:07:00 -0500

What song gives you the most holiday cheer?
Submitted by Roxy.

I'm a southern girl, so naturally, it's the Alabama Christmas album. (Naturally.) From that, it's nearly impossible to pick a favorite. "Christmas in Dixie" is classic. "Thistlehair the Christmas Bear" was my favorite when I was little, so it holds a special place in my heart. "Happy Holidays" reminds me of making holiday cut-out cookies with my mom and my sister. "Christmas Memories" ... makes me cry now. (sigh)

I tried to listen to that album while I was baking the other day. I had to switch to something else. Turns out, I can't handle listening to that if I'm not at home, surrounded by my family. That's special, though. I don't mind. I'll keep that a family thing.

I admit, the one thing that got me through my hectic travels over Thanksgiving ... was Christmas music. Interestingly, I love the Kenny G Christmas stuff. (I bought some massive pack of songs through iTunes last year.) My favorites from those: "The First Noel," "O Holy Night" and "Ave Maria." There's something about all these ... I find myself taking a deep breath and relaxing without concious effort.

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QotD: Google Me

nobody@vox.com(Erin) — Sun, 26 Nov 2006 15:15:07 -0500

Have you ever Googled your own name? How did you feel about the results?
Submitted by elen.

Well, now that you mention it ...

I hadn't in a while, and now those other "Erin Caldwells" in the world are creeping up in the rankings! Most of the whole first page used to be me for a while. I guess I have a fairly unique name. Among Web mentions, at least.

The others range from a marketing professional in New York (who has a blog about the Green Party of Monroe County) to a staff member at a church in Fairfax (guess that would make her my neighbor :). Oh and this is way cool -- there is also an Erin Caldwell who is a certified energy system healer.

Erins are ultra cool. :-)

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QotD: Heartbreaker

nobody@vox.com(Erin) — Tue, 21 Nov 2006 23:39:15 -0500

What's your favorite heartbreak song?
Submitted by esta86.

Hmm. I don't think I have a "woe is me" kind of heartbreak song. I've had my heart broken. Once. Mmm ... about three years ago. It was devasting. In that heavily-guarded, only certain people saw the real effects kind of way.

The music I listened to at that time is the music I relate to heartbreak. The funny thing is that it's the stuff I listen to now when I'm gritting my teeth, bearing down hard, blasting through a cardio plateau to kick my heart rate up a notch when I'm on the elliptical.

Hmm.

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QotD: Pizza Preference

nobody@vox.com(Erin) — Wed, 08 Nov 2006 22:37:06 -0500

How do you eat your pizza: folded, flat or with a fork and knife?
Submitted by danimass.

Hmm. Depends on the pizza. Generally flat. (Stuffed crust is kinda hard to fold.)

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