Going Dark In Honor of #Paris, #Ankara.....

Our team decided to go dark for the next 48 hours in honor of all victims of the terror attacks throughout the World.  As the facts continue to be sorted out, one statement our team noted in the notations published throughout the #Outsider properties was simple yet profound thought that We Shall Overcome as I take comfort in this fact that we have to all do our part to live up to this admonition: 

We have to Hang On, Because Pain will End....

On This Horrific Day in Paris: Thoughts....

Fridays typically is a day where our team looks forward to as it reflects upon the week, decides on the musical interlude and plans out the week-end notations, today was frankly horrific as reports started coming in around 1:00 PM of the heinous attacks in Paris.   It left me speechless.   

Our team was working on updates throughout the day.  It is as challenging as it gets as the magnitude of the attack has become clear.     Our team finished off a Notations earlier tonight as updates came through.   President Obama was absolutely on pointe as he noted that this attack was an attack on all humanity.   

I was on the Social Grid as I finished thoughts and made it a point of visiting the Elyesee Palace Facebook page to simply say: Vive L'France.   As I was on Facebook, I noticed that Facebook had activated its' "safe" feature and three of my facebook friends marked themselves as safe.    As I finished off to have the team take the night off, I was on the prowl for at least some semblance of motivational thoughts as I hope all take solace in this--It is not easy, but we all must.

Our team finished the notations with the simple thought which I underscored when I made the rounds on Facebook:   Vive L' France (Long Live France).

 

15 Uplifting Quotes for Positive Vibes We are so often hit with negativity—negative news, negative perspectives—from pessimistic people that it might seem next to impossible to continue on with a positive spirit. Here are 15 quotes about positivity from well-known people who have faced failure and success, who despite certain odds and challenges stayed positive. READ MORE

 

Working Away In the Network: Brief Thoughts.......

It has been a whirlwind of a morning as the team finished a series of notations, decided on some tenative projects for 2016 as it also continues the work on Daily Outsider 2.x.    It was also gratifying to see the Fortune BusinessPersons of the year that I shared on my LinkedIn & Personal Twitter Feeds earlier today.

It is also an exciting day as I saw this:

 

Exoplanet the 'most important' ever found

A small planet, just a bit bigger than Earth, has been spotted in our stellar neighbourhood, just 39 light-years away.

But, as always, I can't help but be thankful as the team approved for me to share this from the daily thoughts by +Jonathan Huie as I wish all a fab Thursday :-) 

Could Not Keep the Team Away....:-)

The team was on the "prowl" this morning as it released a few updates (including a special edition on Veterans Day which I found to be quite a nice touch by the folks at @GovLoop).   It was also quite a day on the political front as our team was assessing the aftermath of the latest GOP debate and prospects for the future.   The field continues to be as volatile as ever.

I could not help but again take comfort in what the fabulous Victor Frankl noted which +Jonathan Huie recently published and the team was gracious enough to allow me to share here in my "Corner":

A lesson to be remembered for us all...

Happy Veterans Day!!!

Working Away w/Brief Thoughts on the Eve of Veterans Day.....

As #Outsiders goes dark for Veterans Day, I wanted to share this clip on Iran that a friend shared to underscore the true nature of Iran beyond the "hype" out there.    I was reflecting upon this as I caught a glimpse of the "Kids" Debate (that Chris Christie and Mike Huckbaee got demoted to) as all talked about a "Bad Iran Deal" without a clear alternative and constantly bashed Government.    

As I write this, the "leaders" are beginning their debate with the pundits hard at work saying Jeb has to have a stellar performance, Marco has to emerge stronger, etc. etc.     Our team decided not to watch the debate and will continue to assess the state of the campaign as has been done with outreach efforts, direct virtual engagement as necessary along with a sense of what is before it by consulting.   It is interesting that Bobby Jindal's campaign that "Bobby Crushed it".    My reaction was: So!?!?!   What the country needs to realize is that the conservative alternative is in full force in Kansas:  It is not working unless one talks to Sam Brownback, The Governor.

I have not formally decided on who to endorse--but what I did find very hillarious was what Hillary's Campaign did which I wanted to share:

https://twitter.com/TheBriefing2016/status/664244276612751360

https://twitter.com/TheBriefing2016/status/664243156234452992

https://twitter.com/TheBriefing2016/status/664245187808464897

https://twitter.com/TheBriefing2016/status/664246917430452224

(Update:  Marco Rubio's Campaign apparently is already fundraising on it...the team will have some updates on it later on this week--as the team is also working on change in Canada and change in Colombia).

On a More Important note, I wanted to wish all Veterans in the United States and their families a Happy Veterans Day and underscore that their service will never be forgotten as I also hope all enjoy this beautiful clip depicting the real Iran: 

On Another Day in #Outsiders: Brief Thoughts.....

It was another busy Monday here in #Outsiders as our team finished off a series of Notations for the day before being "off the grid" to work on on-going research for on-going initiatives including "NASSIM", Daily Outsider 2.x in addition to the on-going daily assessment.    It has been yet again a whirlwind.

As I prepare to go "dark for the night", I saw this on Sea World stopping the Orca shows.   I personally never attended one and frankly am glad I never did and welcome this development:

SeaWorld to End Killer Whale Shows

But this does not negate the broader challenge we face as I saw a very disturbing story in the Orange County Register (my Home Town Paper) on why fishes are no longer off Catalina Island.   Our team will be pursuing this as part of its' on-going research on the environment as it released a Notation in the Education Channel earlier tonight. 

There is one ray of hope I was quite gratified that the team reported on in the #outsider twiter feed:  Elections in #Burma (known as Mynamar).    Two of the top leaders have conceded defeat and it clearly appears that "Madame" (Aung San Suu Kyi') has won.   This is as I have seen very disturbing reports that 500,000 Syrian kids are shut out of schools in Turkey and as the violence continues in Israel, Sisi continues his reign of terror in Egypt as the insurgency rages on.    

Truly challenging times.....

 

On the Eve of the New Week: Personal Thoughts (Updated)

Our team released a Notation earlier tonight on the changing Iran.    It prompted me to remember another milestone as I remembered the Green Movement and looked up this beautiful clip as Mir Hossein Mousavi launched his campaign: 

As I write this, he is still under house arrest along with his wife.      The other leading internal opposition leader, Mehdi Karoubi, continues to be under house arrest as well.   I welcomed President Rouhani's warning against the media--even though what I view as dead-enders in Iran seem to have the upper hand as reported so eloquently by the New York Times' Thomas Edbrink earlier.      This was picked up by Jeb Bush on Twitter as an example of why the "Mullahs" cannot be trusted--even though he did not seem to reaize the realities on the ground.   

Our team also released a Notation on India and the aftermath of the elections--it is one of the on-going projects we'll be working on in the aftermath of the elections.    Part of the explanation has to do with the so-called commuanlization of the country that the BJP had which led one of my favorite actors, Shahrkoh Khan, to speak out on it:

Interesting times as a new week is before us.....

Working Away with thoughts on #attitude and #humanity

This week has been a bit of a reflective throughout #Outsiders as the team has shared thoughts and ideas and settled on the artist of the week featuring Nina Simone.   But, the work of the outsiders is never ending as epitomized by a number of updates the team released throughot the properties.  I was surprised by the rejection of the KeystoneXL pipeline now --but not shocked by it since the economic viability was suspect. 

The team was gracious enough to allow me to reflect upon this as we see off another week by featuring this +Jonathan Huie released last night.    This from Victor Frankl goes to heart of what life is about despite all the injustice and inhumanity we're subjected to in our World today:


As I was finishing this off, the Guardian of London reported on the brothers charged with hate crimeis and how they say they were inspired by Donald Trump.    This is as Trump and Carson have just been approved for Secret Service Protection.  What I found so hopeful was seeing humanity in action yet again at St. Timothy's Parish this morning on one of my Community Outreach commitments to see the wonderful souls joined to get the Pantry prepared to serve.   

The beauty and majesty of life....May we be ever so blessed.

I wish all a fabulous Week-End.

On the Prowl w/some brief thoughts.....

The team was gracious enough to issue a series of virtual tokens earlier today to express appreciation for this wonderful journey so far.  It has been quite challenging.    

Before I personally go "dark" for the day, I wanted to release this from one of my favorite Actors, Shahrukh Khan.  He's an icon in India and wanted to feature this with a message that truly resonated:

 

It also reminded me to truly celebrate life--and be grateful for it.  I especially salute him as he responded to the fools in this manner, "..."this is a country where my father fought for freedom and he gave me a piece of it. So I am very proud of it and I am not giving away what my father gave (me) to anyone or leaving any which way. So please shut up."

Working Away With Mid-Week Thoughts.....

It has been quite a week and our team has been hard at work assessing the World.   It was so distressing as our team finalized the Notations On Our World on the Russian Plane that got blown out of the sky and some of the reporting our team was reviewing was disturbing.    It was also quite a day on the political scene in the United States with Kentucky electing a Republican Governor our team continues to assess as part of the on-going assessment of the US Political Scene--including the truly challenging times the Democratic Party is in right now.     

Interesting times we live in as I take comfort in the following thoughts:

As This month of #thanksgiving begins: Thoughts 4 the Week.....

Walmart "GreenLight a Vet" Campaign (Source: Walmart.Com)

It has been a challenging time over the past 24 hours as the horrific aftermath of the Russian Plane disaster becomes ever so clear.    But, it was also a joyful time in Southern California as Halloween was celebrated. 

It is also the advent of Thanksgiving Month in the United States.  Although I gave the team a reprieve for Halloween, the consesus was to "get back to work" as some curation was done on Twitter and a number of week-end notations was released.    It is about serving in trying to live up to the Biblical admonition that from those who have been given much, much is expected.

As this month of Thanksgiving commences, it is also a day to honor the Veterans of the United States.    I look forward to November 11 to join the celebrations in Laguna Niguel as I hope to be able to get myhands on a "Green Light" to honor the veterans.     I commend Walmart to have been able to spreahead this and was so proud to have added my name to it:


As November has begun, the team was gracious enough to let me borrow this from the archives that +Jonathan Huie & his team comply that is ever so timely to remember all that we're blessed with:

On the Eve of Halloween W-End 2015: Thoughts.......

It was early this morning when the team finished off an Early morning curation and featured "Modern Talking" as the artist of the week.   It was a bit "different" and I was a bit leary--but the upbeat and tone of the music was frankly gratifying to hear which I hope all have enjoyed.

It has also been a very interesting few days on the political scene.    It was fun to be witness to history yesterday as I also was distressed by some of the discourse coming out of the Republican Party in the aftermath of the debate.   The moderators had tough questions but the Republican Party felt "disrespected" and attacks on the "Mainstream" media continued.   I for one was so glad to see John Kasich speak up for the craziness that seems to the order of the day in The GOP field today.  I made it a point of thanking him over Twitter earlier this week.   It was of note, though, as the 2-Year Budget Agreement was passed which showed how Governing can be achieved--even though 2/3's of the House and 1/3 of the Senate Voted against it.

The World continues to be ever so challenging.    This is as the team was assessing the latest out of Syria as the Inferno contiues to burn with the US deploying a contingent of Special Forces.   I caught glimpses of the White House Press Conference as the White House Press Secretary was going to great lengths trying to explain that the President's Basic policy had not changed--my response was:   Yaah Right!!!

It is also the eve of Halloween here in Orange County.    I have given the team Halloween Week-End Off.  But as we march towards the week-end, I ran across this from +DARREN HARDY  which was quite timely as this journey has been indeed "scary" at times--but one has to dare as our team aims to continue to live up to the mission to "Transform the Convesration about Our World One Notation, One Tweet & One "Weibo" at a time.

Happy Halloween Everyone!!!

Happy Friday!
This weekend while many of you celebrate Halloween, I dare you to remember and do this:

Action for today: ... Go to post

Working Away: Thoughts On the Day in #Outsiders As History was Made......

It has been another busy & engaging morning here in #Outsiders.   As the team was working on updates throughout the #Outsider properties, I was witness to history today as Paul Ryan was elected Speaker of the House.  It was quite a moment as I was witness to every single member of the House stood up as Paul Ryan was elected.   It was quite a moment!!!

Mitt Romney and the Ryan Family were in the Visitors Gallery as they were witness to history like the rest of the us.  As The House bid farewell to John Boehner, I could not help but realize how the promise of America was epitomized in John Boehner.    He rose from a ordinary guy to be Speaker of the House.    It was so gratifying as Speaker Ryan noted that he wants to change things, go back to "regular order", have the Committees begin the work and work to transform. 

It will be interesting to see how things pan out.

A Busy Day @ #Outsiders: Brief MId-Week Thoughts

It has been a busy day after the team took a day of "reflection" as the evolution of Daily Outsider 2.X continues.    Our day began featuring a "special musical interlude" from Bob Baldwin that underscored how we felt!!! :-)

As I supported the team's assessment of the US Political scene on the eve of the GOP Debate tonight,  I have been amazed by how John Kasich came out as he did "telling it like it is".  It will be quite a scene to see what happens tonight at the GOP tonight as the team finished off a new edition of "Notations" on the eve of the debate.    Some folks are continuing to eye Marco Rubio--the jury is still out.   

Paul Ryan is about to be Speaker as he noted that the House will be "Unified" and the chaos will end despite his praise of the outgoing speaker as he says he would "turn the page" as the so-called conservatives continue to be restless.      Beyond the shores of the US, I viewed it as a fabulous day when I saw that Nepal had elected its' first Woman President.   As I wrote earlier when I did my "Virtual Good Turn" on the "Grid", I had the pleasure to visit Nepal and it is one of the most beautiful places on Earth as epitomized by the Earthquake which is still trying to recover from:

#jnj @donateaphoto https://t.co/MeYs319DAa

— Mike Pouraryan (@mikepouraryan) October 28, 2015

Beyond Nepal, I was also very gratified as I saw reports out of Colombia as the President of Colombia offered a Bilateral Ceasefire as the march to peace continues,   Our team will have more to say on it soon.

I continue to be excited as our team as decided to join this effort on the eve of the Paris Conference that our team released the telling Video Clip in in the Education Channel as "Senator Snowball" has plans to Crash the conference in Paris:  

24 Hours of Reality and Live Earth: The World Is Watching, a global day of climate action and music hosted by former US Vice President Al Gore, is right around the corner. And with the historic UN climate talks beginning in Paris on November 30, now is the time to speak up louder than ever before.  By participating in The World Is Watching, you can personally make a difference in the greatest challenge of our lifetimes. Join our Thunderclap and tell your friends, family, and social media networks that you are urging world leaders to create a strong agreement in Paris.  JOIN OUR THUNDERCLAP When you sign up for our Thunderclap today, a post will automatically be published to your Facebook, Twitter, or Tumblr at the start of the live broadcast onNovember 13—14, spreading an instant message that you’re calling for world leaders to take bold action at the UN climate talks ­– and asking your friends to do the same.  The more people see your message, the more world leaders have to listen and act. Join our Thunderclap and help us use 24 Hours of Reality as our megaphone to leaders in Paris. - Your friends at Climate Realitywww.climaterealityproject.org I also just added my name to this that +J Street sent out to honor a hero, Yitzhak Rabin: View this email as a web page. Mike- Say "thank you"! Twenty years ago, Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin was assassinated--murdered at a peace rally, by an extremist opposed to his vision of a peaceful future for Israelis and Palestinians. Now, as Israelis and Palestinians once again confront the reality of what a one-state future might look like, we're called not just to remember Rabin's legacy, but to act: it's time to make his vision a reality. Thanks to Senator Dianne Feinstein -- and her co-sponsor Senator Barbara Boxer -- the US Senate has the opportunity to do just that. With 1 click: Thank Sens. Feinstein and Boxer for supporting Rabin's vision today. This important resolution honors Rabin by asking us to recommit to engaging on Israeli-Palestinian peace. Rabin was a man of action, and--as we face the current violence--it's time to act. Join us. Say "Thank you!" to Sens. Feinstein and Boxer for honoring Rabin and his vision. - Jeremy I am at a loss to explain how his sacrifice was so laid to waste by successive Israeli Governments.

On the Prowl with this brief thought for the week

I ran across this while on the "Grid" late last night and wanted to share this on the eve of a new day.  

I wish all a fabulous Tuesday.

On the Eve of a New Week: Thoughts....

It has been a whirlwind of a week, yet again!!   October is coming to an end and November is beginning as the Middle East Inferno continues to burn with no end in sight.   As I work on this, an Al Jazeera Special on the rise of Daesh (known as IS/ISIL in the west) is playing in the background--and it is chilling to listen to it available here.   

The team was working on on-going development work as it finalized the Friday Musical Interlude and worked on weekend Notations.    This was also a week that saw Joe Biden walk away from another run at the Presidency.   I had a chance to catch his interview on 60 Minutes and it was frankly classic Joe Biden that I first got to know truly during the Bork Hearings:

View More: 60 Minutes News|Live News|More News Videos

I will have more to say on Joe Biden here in "Founders" soon.   As I have been reflecting upon this, I also was amazed as another leader in action: Prince Charles, the heir to the British Throne.

The President of China was in the UK on a state Visit.   The UK rolled out the red carpet and 46 Billion Dollars worth of deals were signed.    The Queen's second son, Prince Andrew, accompanied him as Prince Charles stayed away due to his friendship and long association with the Dalai Lama.   I viewed this as quite consequential and something to be admired despite the fact that the UK truly needs the China deal as its' influence continues to wane and its' long-term viability is questioned due to the continued challenges in Scotland--even Wales is starting to raise its' voice.

It was also a week that saw Mugabe win an award from China:  

sickening beyond belief as I saw this that the butcher #Mugabe wins China's alternative to Nobel Peace Prize https://t.co/T0arO0bRpI

— Mike Pouraryan (@mikepouraryan) October 23, 2015

This I did not get--Mugabe is a man that has presided over the destructoin of Zimbabwe.   I initially began experimenting with what eventually evolved into #Outsiders today by reporting on Zimbabwe  and the horrific nature in which Robert Mugabe ran the country.    What I find even more disturbing is that he is trying to elevate his wife--who was able to secure a Ph.D. in 30 Days from the University of Zimbabwe.     I was sickened as I periodically review reports of a state of utter desparation in the country.

Onward with the new week--as this is also Halloween Week in the United States.  On behalf of myself and the #Outsiders team, we wanted to be early to wish all...

What a Week....

As the team worked to curate the Friday Musical Interlude with selections from Michael Jackson, it was also quite a week on the political, economic, diplomatic and local front.    The entire #outsider team has been "Virtually Breathless"--but it has been fun.      I have been thinking about Vice Presidet Biden's decisioni as well as the moral stance that Prince Charles took in the UK to skip the State Dinner.    

It is Fridays though that our team takes a moment of pause for the Friday Musical Interlude as I also pause to remember and reflect with this that the team allowed me to use from the archives courtesy of +Jonathan Huie:

We want the facts to fit the preconceptions.
When they don't, it is easier to ignore the facts
than to change the preconceptions.
- Jessamyn West

Losing an illusion makes you wiser than finding a truth.- Ludwig Boerne 

Working Away w/ "Thoughts 4 the Week": Beautiful Sentiments

It is "Mid-Week" in #Outsiders as our World is celebrating Back to the Future Day and as the leadership dilemma continues in Washington.     I could not help but embrace these I received from a dear family member which is quite a mantra to live up to:

Working Away: Brief Personal Notations & A Personal "Musical Interlude" Hope all Enjoy.....

It has been a very busy night here in #Outsiders as I supported the release a number of notations on Canada and the United States.   This is as the team continued its' daily work on the Daily Twitter Curations.   I also decided to release the Notations on #Canada on Medium and excerpts on it on LinkedIn.

As I was working away, I decided to do a token backing of a Kickstarter Project which intrigued me: 

You're the best! Thanks for showing your support. This project is one step closer to being a reality!

BLOCKS - The World's First Modular Smartwatch By BLOCKS Wearables

Thank you! We'll send you all the updates and behind the scene views of everything happening at BLOCKS

If this project is successfully funded, your card will be charged on: Thu, Nov 19 2015 6:00 pm EST When your reward is ready, BLOCKS Wearables will send you a survey via email to request any info needed to deliver your reward (mailing address, t-shirt size, etc). They have already exceeded the funding and I for one will be keen to see how it all goes--The team @ #Outsiders had already been on the record supporting a number of interesting projects including the NFC Ring--which is right now at 90%. I wanted to finish this "Notation" w/this very disturbing trend while "on the Grid" which is critical to embrace and recognize:   Apparently it's now official, 1% of the world's population now has half the world's wealth. Climate change and... Posted by 350.org on Sunday, October 18, 2015 It is one of the number of new initiatives the team will continue to research and reflect upon.   I also took a little of time to catch an oldie but goodie, Cry Freedom--The story of Steve Biko and the Journalist Donald Woods that made sure his story was told as the campaign against Apartheid gathered steam.     If only the spirit of men like Steven Biko, Govan Mbeke and all who strove for freedom and equality was embraced today.   This song sends shivers down my spine even after all these years: We shall overcome.