On the Prowl w/Brief Thoughts 4 the Week.....

 It is a day of retrospection of sorts personally and for the #outsiders team.   This was as one of our long-term friends suffered a profound tragedy this week  .       The team @ #released a "thought 4 the week" they picked up from my Facebook Feed.    I also  picked this up while On the "Grid" which underscores a simple art of the possible as I wish all a fabulous rest of the Week: 

On A Very Interesting Week.....

I don't mind noting how "Virtually Breathless" I've been as I have been assessing our World and continuing to assess the on-going roadmap for #Outsiders.    As the Obama Adminstration is coming to an end, it has been quite a journey to say the least.    

One extra ordinary event that happened this week was a win by the US House on a lawsuit they filed against the President regarding Obamacare which Professor Turley reflected upon in his blog after the victory:   

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES WINS HISTORIC RULING IN CONSTITUTIONAL CHALLENGE UNDER THE ACA by jonathanturley

This afternoon, Judge Rosemary Collyer issued a final ruling in United States House of Representatives v. Burwell, the challenge to unilateral actions taken by the Administration under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Judge Collyer ruled in favor of the House of Representatives and found that the Administration violated the Constitution in committing billions of dollars from the United States Treasury without the approval of Congress. The historic ruling reaffirms the foundational “power of the purse” that was given to the legislative branch by the Framers.
Read more of this post

It was also interesting how the office of the House Speaker also celebrated the ruling as the Speaker ws also trying to make "nice" with Donald Trump:

A big win for our Constitution

May 12, 2016 | http://spkrryan.us/1WtmIiM

Today, we had a big win in our fight to restore the separation of powers under our Constitution. I wanted to tell you a bit about it.
A federal court sided with the House in ruling that the administration unlawfully funded parts of Obamacare without a congressional approval.
Time and again, this White House has gone too far. So we took up this fight to defend Article I of the Constitution. The fact is this: President’s don’t write laws. Congress does.
We The People cannot accept an executive branch that acts outside the consent of the governed.
Now our fight continues. Click here to learn more about this critical legal action.
Sincerely,

 What is critical to observe is that this battle is not over by any stretch of the imagination--with the faith of millions on Obamacare hanging in the balance.  

The environment was also of concern that the team released a notation on it and the Secretary of State spoke to it:  

Kerry warns: 'Entire countries swallowed by the sea' Secretary of State John Kerry warned Wednesday that climate change is "the greatest threat that our planet has faced in modern history, in all of our history." Speaking at the University of Oxford in the UK, he said, "If you think current conflicts are all-consuming, imagine what happens when we add food shortages, water shortages, stronger storms, longer droughts, steady rises in sea levels, which are already being predicted, and entire countries swallowed by the sea." INSANE HYPERBOLE, THE ONLY EFFECTIVE WEAPON AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE

The Washington Examiner inserted its' own "take" on John Kerry's Speech which I found quite amusing.    What I was not amused by is when I saw the reporting out of Afghanistan as one of the key roads was taken over by the Taliban.   I found it further chilling as the Stretch of the so-called "Ring Road" between Kabul and Kandahar was known as Highway 1--Vietnam came to mind!!

Beyond politics and the Environment, there were two areas of concern that was notable.   One had to do with what Facebook is doing with determining what is "Trending" or "Not Trending" as it continues ot evolve into the true "World Town Square". Facebook's founder rejected the accusations--but the question of Facebook's dominance continues to be of concern.    What I found interesting in my periodic forays is how I am not seeing some of the so-called "New Media" Players like Vox in my Personal Feeds.   Vox, for instance, launched an exclusive Facebook-centric channel within the past few weeks.      This is also as I have been assessing the State of the BBC as it continues onward with the White Paper that was uneviled by the British Culture Secretary--I am at a loss to explain how they could consider tinkering with a distinct British Institution that we here @ #Outsiders have featured periodically in our on-going development.     

I have been assessing the on-going state of the Tech Space this week as well--as I saw Symanteic, Autodesk and a number of other leading players initiate layoff proceedings.  The anemic nature of earnings season (with the exception of Amazon) is a potential harbinger of challenging times before us especially as Europe continues to muddle through.    I was quite amused when I saw this comment on the plight of Francois Hollande as he continue to languish in the polls, "....Mr. Hollande's smile is all that's left ..."    What Emmanuel Marcon, the Economy Minister, is doing is also quite interesting as a third force in French politics since there is somewhat of a view that there is no left in France.  Some may even contend that there is no Real Right in the United States.

Despite a challenging week, I thought to end these thoughts with this "oldie" but "goodie" as I am reminded of Saint Junipero Serra's admonition: Sempre Adelante (Always Forward);

Onward to the new week w/all its' possiblities

On the Eve of the W-End: Quite a Challenging Week....

It has been an interesting week in our World.   The World has been as challenging as ever as Islands have disappeared due to rising oceans, Iraq continues to bleed, Brazil lost a President and Irans new Parliament conveyed.   This is also as one of the most pivotal countries in Africa, The Democratic Republic of Congo, is becoming increasingly unstable in addition to another pivotal country, Turkey.   

It was not easy to be optimistic.    As the team at #Outsiders decided to release the first edition of the Friday Musical Interlude in the Beta Site,     I ran across these two thoughts as I was on the "Grid" and they are as eloquent as they come about wanting to be aware, to make a difference and never give up for anything!!!

Wishing all a fab Friday and a fab W-End!!!

 

Working Away....

It has been an interesting week as the development work in #Outsiders has been continuing--at times with challenges.     I was reflecting upon this as I was also working away on other projects as I ran across this from +Jonathan Huie whose thoughts have been featured in the legacy sites of #Outsiders and a recent one was also featured on the new Beta Site:

Faith is realizing that you always get what you need.
- Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

If I could tell the world just one thing
it would be we're all okay,
and not to worry cause worry is wasteful
and useless in times like these.
I won't be made useless.
I won't be idle with despair,
I will gather myself around my faith.
Light does the darkness most fear.
- Jewel 

I  also decided to have a little fun as I ran across this while working away at the Walden University E-Campus.  This was featured on BuzzFeed:  

https://www.buzzfeed.com/javiermoreno/whats-your-keirsey-personality-type?utm_term=.elarOEj2v&sub=4002574_6753121#.ykEDB1YMl

This was my result: Artisan

You’re creative and value the arts along with other creative outlets. You’ve always had a sense of adventure and are spontaneous. You’ve always valued expression, and don’t hold back on saying how you feel. You love personal freedom, and are always looking to discover new things.

It has also been a challenging week  around the World.   Over 90 people lost their lives as the thugs of Daesh attacked markets in Baghdad as the war in Iraq continues with no end in sight.     What I view as the greatest show on Earth is also continuing--as the US House Speaker Paul Ryan and the presumptive Republican Nominee Donald Trump had a meeting and promised party unity.      It is fascinating to see the upheaval in Republican Circles.

Fascinating times.....

On This Working W-End: A "Virtual Token" to Share......

I wanted to share this courtesy of @TED  as I wish all a great Mothers' Day W-End and a fantastic Week:

PLAYLIST OF THE WEEK

Talks to help you focus on what really matters

It's easy to get caught up in the daily dramas of life. These talks can help you step back, slow down and appreciate the bigger picture. Watch »

8 TED Talks • Total run time 1:52:07

I

On the Eve of Mothers' Day 2016.....

It has been quite a day--and finished this in #Outsider2.x Earlier!!

On the US Election Front, it has been a day of political jockeying as Senator Lindsay Graham came out strongly against Donald Trump and as Jeb Bush became the third member of the Bush Family to note that he would be sitting out the Campaign.      Donald Trump talked about it during a rally in Nebraska--Senator Ben Sasse  Home State who noted this not so long ago in regards to both candidates:

AN OPEN LETTER
to those disappointed in both of our presidential candidate choices:https://t.co/vbwOi1UGhg

Goodnight.

— Ben Sasse (@BenSasse) May 5, 2016

This is also Mothers' Day Weekend here in the United States.    I ran across this on Pandora which I wanted to feature as I wish all the Mothers' amongst us a Happy Mothers Day!!!

This weekend, celebrate all the Moms who Rock with a special mixtape.

Listen Now

:

On this "Cinco De Mayo 2016" & On the Eve of Mother's Day: A Virtual Token of Thanks....

Today is officially Cinco De Mayo.     As a small "Virtual Token" of thanks to all who have visited the Legacy properties of #Outsiders and for all who have had a chance to visit the current Beta Site for #Outsider 2.x as it has been developed , (Ordinary Faces; Visions; Education & Community), I hope all have a chance to check this out as I wish all "Happy Cinco De Mayo" and Happy Mothers' Day to All!!!

To commemorate this festive day, here is a soundtrack of must-have tracks at any Cinco de Mayo party.

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On the Prowl....

It is mid-week as the #outsiders journey continues nonstop.    As I reflect upon the journey on the second month of Outsider 2.x, it was quite poignant that I ran across this  daily "minute w/Maxwell" which I wanted to feature here as I wish all a great rest of the week: 

Today's word is RESILIENCE

Thanks for joining me. What you do TODAY matters. Each day, I hope to inspire, challenge, and equip you with leadership teachings that are as timeless as they are true. I am excited to share these short, powerful, FREE video messages with YOU. I encourage you to pass these on to others, and together we can intentionally enrich the world. WATCH SHARE

As May 2016 Dawns......

It was a day again of Social Curation and assessment  as I continued supporting our ever changing World.  It was amusing to me personally as I saw speculation on Donald Trump's VP prospects.   This amusement was tempered, though, by chaos in Iraq and the continued tragedy in Syria.   For the record, I still refer to those countries in a unitary way even though both countries effectively ceased to exist as a country long ago which will be further assessed in #Outsiders over the course of the ensuing weeks.  

It was also a weekend of service as I was witness to a joyous time at the Taste of Aliso Niguel 2016. This is an event that has been held for the past 9 years supporting Aliso Niguel High School's Activites that also provides an opportunity for the various Atheltic Programs to also raise funds for their programs through an auction process.   The Food was great, the music was fabulous and the vibrancy of the community was ever so evident.      As I was also "on the Grid", this "popped up" on my personal Facebook Wall:

Embracing a sense of hope is key as  I look to what I view as another challenging month  with the ongoing daily challenges of #outsiders and other projects.   What  I took comfort were the thoughts I looked up from the great Michael Jordan which I hope continues to an inspiration to all:

On This Working W-End: Thoughts On #Outsides & #Success & Remembering Carl Sagan & Space....

Today has been exactly 30 days since Daily Outsider 2.x Beta  Began.   As I have noted, it has been a challenging transition as the tweaking and build-out is continuing.  

One of the key focus points for me is to relaunch and revamp the community channel in the new channel including on-going developments throughout my home community of Laguna Niguel and Beyond.    It is exciting as I have a unique interesting chance to put Laguna Niguel on the map with what I will be doing with the Traffic Commission Initiative that was just concluded.

These I ran across go to the heart of  this journey of hope that I picked upon +EdCast on Friday:  

10 Great Rule For Success: A youtuber has mined some of the best insights from Elon Musk over the course of several interviews. This is a fantastic...

As I refleced upon the last thirty days, I could not help but embrace this from the great Carl Sagan and lamented the fact over Facebook as I worked "on the Grid" tending to commitments at the Daily Outsider on how he was missed :

“In science it often happens that scientists say,

‘You know that’s a really good argument; my position is mistaken,’and then they would actually change their mindsand you never hear that old view from them again.They really do it.It doesn’t happen as often as it should,because scientists are humanand change is sometimes painful.But it happens every day.I cannot recall the last time something like thathappened in politics or religion.”

..and of cousre this from Space courtesy of The International Space Station as reported by Dr. Firouz Naderi of NASA: 

Happy May day to all!!!

Working away @DailyOutsiders with Brief Thougths & a "View of the Week" To Share

It is mid-week as I have been supporting the on-going transition for the Daily Outsider and of course on with my own personal Twitter Curation.  It was kind of disappointing as I reviewed of Twitter continuing to struggle as it came out with its' latest earnings announcement.    It was also of interest that I saw that somewhat Yahoo seems to enter a reasonable period of calm as new members of the board were appointed to Yahoo's Board.  

It has also been quite a day on the political front as I have also just reviewed the speech by Donald Trump on Foreign Policy--and it was telling that he was introduced by one of the leading Neo-Conservatives, Zalmay Khalilzad who was US Ambassador to Iraq, Afghanistan,  and the UN during the Bush Administration.  From what I have seen so far, it is classic Neo-Con orthodoxy.    The team had noted that it would refrain from commentary although we did reporting on it as the results were coming in yesterday.   It is also of interest that Senator Cruz is touting a major announcement later on today which will be interesting to be witness to.    

I was so happy to read up on this which I hope all enjoy:

working away..hope all enjoy this...some fab common sense "food 4 thought"..wish all a great rest of the wk...:)) https://t.co/13yvZMm961

— Mike Pouraryan (@mikepouraryan) April 27, 2016

On the Prowl 4 the Day as I am attending Enhancing Your Digital Presence to Increase Citizen Engagement

As I work away, I have joined this sponsored by @GovLoop on Enhancing Your Digital Presence to Increase Citizen Engagement.   There are some very interesting lessons that can be potentially applied as our work continues on the continued Transformation of the Daily Outsider.

On the Eve of a New Work Week.......

I took a "daycation" of sorts yesterday to reflect upon the #outsiders' transition and other initiatives as I joined Boy Scouts for our District Annual Camporee 2016.   It has been challenging on all more than I thought frankly.   As I reflected upon it, it was of note how one column I saw after I returned reflected upon how the death of Prince was covered as it was--and yet the untold  story of migrants, the on-going world challenges and the transformation is not truly be addressed unless one digs and digs.   It was also quite disconcerting as I saw this on the New York Times.    One statistic is worth noting:   The top 1% of American households control 42% of the Wealth.    The .01 Percent control 22 Percent alone. Businesses cannot be blamed for "going where the money is".  

The business scene this week has been challenging.    Alphabet/Google has missed its' numbers and lost some 820 Million on "other bets".    Microsoft is also not as "vibrant"--although they are not going anywhere just yet.     Intel's layoffs and Yahoo's implosion is also part of the change we are witness to.   What was hilarious was a note on how Facebook and Google can be brought down not by business fissures, but by nature.     Beyond the Business World and the realities all of us have to contend with, the political realities are also of profound concern.    The so-called "Brexit" debate (UK leaving the European Union) is of profound concern as President Obama has embarked on a so-called 'farewell tour" of sorts.    While he was in the UK, he forcefully intervened and received a push back from Boris Johnson who called the President a "Half Kenyan" which invoked outrage from across the Political Spectrum--even Nigel Farage of the UK Independence Party noted that Boris Johnson went too far.+

As I look to the new week, I took comfort in this which is quite poignant thanks to the good work by +Jonathan Huie as I wish all a great week.    

We shall draw from the heart of suffering itself
the means of inspiration and survival.
- Winston Churchill

Although the world is full of suffering,
it is full also of the overcoming of it.
- Helen Keller

Fall seven times, stand up eight.
- Japanese Proverb

Expect to have hope rekindled.
Expect your prayers to be answered in wondrous ways.
The dry seasons in life do not last.
The spring rains will come again.

- Sarah Ban Breathnach    

On this #EarthDay2016.....

It has been a challenging month as the transition to a new platform is continuing. This is as the team has continued its' Daily Social Media curation with the key watch area     It was also quite a week in our World as the World was witness to Queen Elizabeth II celebrating her 90th Birthday and the musical legend Prince dying at a young 57.

Today is also Earth Day.    As the team will be releasing a notation in celebration of Earth Day today, I ran across this on this #EarthDay2016 to remember how Earth is so good to us and how we must do everything we can to protect it:

Did you know? In a single year, an acre of mature trees absorbs the same amount of CO2 produced by driving the average car 26,000 miles. FIND AN EARTH DAY EVENT NEAR YOU My local city, Laguna Niguel, is no exception as residents from throughout Orange County will gather at the Niguel Botanical Preserve to plant, clean and support this hidden gem. Happy Earth day to all!!!

On A Late Prowl For the Night....

As I write this, it is increasingly likely that it will be a Clinton-Trump match based on the results of the New York Primary.     Although the #Outsider team has decided not to engage in any political updates beyond the results of New York over the Twitter Channel, the probability is becoming increasingly likely even though Senator Sanders has underscored that he is not going anywhere despite the odds against him as Hillary Clinton is beginning to look towards the general election.    Mr. Trump noted that Senator Cruz has been "Mathematically eliminated".        

As I was supporting the new Beta Site throughout the day (and the team released a first special edition of the Musical Interlude), I ran across this which moved me greatly.  It is simply about continuing to remain hopeful and go beyond the "hype" that is seen in the so-called mainstream media.     This is one of the reasons that The Daily Outsider has been born.     These thoughts underscores a sense of hope and optimism that is vital:

I keep my ideals, because in spite of everything,
I still believe that people are really good at heart.
- Anne Frank

The best thing to hold onto in life is each other.
- Audrey Hepburn

It is wonderful how much time good people spend fighting the devil.
If they would only expend the same
amount of energy loving their fellow men,
the devil would die in his own tracks of ennui.
- Helen Keller

America's present need is not heroics but healing;
not nostrums but normalcy; not a revolution but restoration.
- Warren G. Harding 
Appreciate good people, wherever they are.
Appreciate friends, family, and community.
Appreciate those who serve you.
Appreciate  those you serve.
Give thanks that most people really are good people,
despite the best efforts of TV news to tell you otherwise.

Working Away with thoughts on @Yahoo; #Courage, #Media & other Thoughts....

As a new week dawns, our new beta site just had two "notations" published which I was happy to facilitate and support. The team's decision to avoid any direct mention or comments on the state of the US Elections until after the primary was courageous in some respects--this is as the fight will more than likely continue through to the conventions not withstanding what the so-called "punditry" class may or may not say.






One very interesting development I found of note was how +Snapchat seems to be the "media" of choice for the Teens right now.    As our network evolution continues, one of our plans is to leverage +Snapchat--the challenge is to make it so in a way that is appealing.     I have also been on the prowl regarding +Yahoo 's fate as bidders have apparently submitted bids on the eve of Yahoo's earnings' announcement tomorrow.   The "word" is that it is not a question of if, but when, the Marisa Meyer era will end at Yahoo and how what I deemed the "garage sale" will ensue.    Despite all their profound challenges, they have still gotten over 1 Billion Visits a month--however monetization is a problem just like any Virtual Site--including #Outsiders.




Beyond the +Yahoo story, there is also the other emerging media before us.    +BuzzFeed (that Comcast invested $ 350 Million in) missed its apparent earnings target and from what the folks at the Business Insider noted, this year is not looking much better either.     It appears that @BuzzFeed wants to move more into TV just as +Mashable has done.    It will be interesting to see how +Vox reacts to this changing landscape as I have seen some of their personalities also featured prominently on the so-called mainstream networks.




As I finish off these brief thoughts, I wanted to conclude by sharing one hopeful sign from the Middle East on the emergence of a new Palestinian Moderate Movement that may present a third way beyond what we have been witness to called "Zimam".    It is on Facebook and so far has over 200,000 likes.     



  


It is also with a sense of courage that the journey continues as I ran across this during one of my recent delay forays into the Web:

I hope all enjoy this as I wish all a great week!!!

Got a case of  the Monday's?

Well, it’s nothing that a little A.R. Rahman Radio can’t fix. Head into the week with your favorite jams.

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