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My foray into the Twittersphere

Thursday, April 22nd, 2010

I had to see what the fuss was all about. I joined Twitter for the first time about a year ago and just didn’t get it. So I deleted my account. I tried again a few months later; I still wasn’t getting it. But then I noticed that so many organizations and individuals I have an interest in were saying, “find more information on Twitter,” “get updates on Twitter….” I figured the third time would have to be the charm and, sure enough, it was. I finally “get” Twitter and I’ve become an active participant. I’ve realized, too, how useful it is in keeping up with the latest information from and about, say, my favorite sports teams and animal welfare organizations. But I’ve also realized that there are a whole lot of self-important people out there, seemingly self-proclaimed experts, compiling numbered lists of the “best of”, and dictating “the dos and don’ts” of this and that. But my favorite (sarcasm) tweets or tips of all are the ones that outline how to tweet and what exactly to tweet about. The explanation most provided is that your followers don’t care about petty details, or you shouldn’t clog your followers’ feeds with stuff that doesn’t matter. Well ya know what, followers? It matters to me, and if you don’t like what I’m tweeting or how often I tweet, then unfollow me. I don’t take myself that seriously. My bio lists that I’m a working mom, travel nut, animal advocate, and sports freak; I don’t keep any of that a secret, and that’s what I’ll be tweeting about most of the time. If that’s not what you’re into, then, again, unfollow me. It won’t hurt my feelings.

And, yes, I do follow Alyssa Milano on Twitter. #dontjudgeme

Posted by Francesca

Hope For Paws

Saturday, June 27th, 2009

Dallas - rescued from gang members, originally uploaded by Eldad Hagar (Please support Hope For Paws).

The owner of this photo, Eldad, is one of my contacts from Flickr, and, along with his wife, Audrey, runs the non-profit organization, Hope For Paws. They are based in Los Angeles where Eldad can often be found in some of the most dangerous neighborhoods rescuing injured or stray animals. The pair also rescues animals from shelters who are facing euthanasia. Eldad & Audrey open their home to these animals, pay for any medical attention, even surgery, that the animals may need, and work to find forever homes for the animals. How do they afford all of this? Eldad & Audrey have published a book, Our Lives Have Gone to the Dogs, that contains pictures of and stories about many of the animals they have rescued. The price of the book is $9.95, and 100% of the proceeds goes directly to paying veterinary and surgery bills, and to providing general care for all of the animals. I already have a copy of the book but my donations won’t stop there.

I would like to think that such an organization exists here in Chicago but I don’t know of one. Anyone know of something similar to Hope For Paws in Chicago?

Posted by Francesca

I need to vent

Friday, May 22nd, 2009
After listening to broadcasters and commentators from two different networks (Versus and CBC [Hockey Night in Canada]), I've realized that the media and the rest of the hockey world believe that the Blackhawks have no chance against Detroit in this ... [Continue reading this entry]

Thoughts from the first 2008 visit to Wrigley

Wednesday, April 16th, 2008
Before last night, it had been almost two years since I went to my last Cubs home game. It was good to be back at Wrigley and see the Cubs beat the Cincinnati Reds 9-5. Felicia and I ... [Continue reading this entry]

Someone call the Punctuation Police!

Tuesday, April 1st, 2008
Yesterday, as part of Opening Day ceremonies at Wrigley Field, the Cubs unveiled a statue of Cubs legend, Ernie Banks. I watched the replay of the ceremony during the 40-minute rain delay and, shortly after the statue was uncovered, I ... [Continue reading this entry]

Chained dog update

Friday, March 14th, 2008
Dogs deserve better, originally uploaded by FrancescaM. This could be good news or bad news. Within days of my original post reporting the plight of this poor dog in South Haven, Michigan, ... [Continue reading this entry]

Cruel: Chained up in South Haven, Michigan

Monday, February 25th, 2008
Dogs deserve better, originally uploaded by FrancescaM. This poor guy belongs to a family that lives behind my in-laws' property in South Haven, Michigan. The family moved in about a year ago and ... [Continue reading this entry]

Handmade Market

Sunday, February 10th, 2008
This is an event worth checking out for anyone who is into anything that is one-of-a-kind. The Handmade Market happens on the second Saturday of every month at The Empty Bottle (1035 N Western). I went this ... [Continue reading this entry]

Journeyman arrives at the end of the road

Wednesday, December 19th, 2007
Seriously, America, why didn't more people watch Journeyman?? The series finale just ended and I am still in denial. I refuse to believe that this show will not return. It's so good! Oh, but it's ... [Continue reading this entry]

Save Journeyman

Tuesday, November 20th, 2007
I normally do not write reviews for movies or television shows, and this post isn't so much a review as it is a plea. Remember not too long ago I wrote about the HBO program, Rome, and about ... [Continue reading this entry]