I always find Chris Brogan’s commentary to be spot on, to be insightful and always compelling. I was listening to Chris Brogan’s new book Personal Branding in the audio format recorded by Rob Blatt. Although the main focus of his book was personal branding, something he wrote towards the end was what impacted me the most.

“Life doesnʼt have a do-over button, and you learn really quickly who gets mired in the past and whoʼs focused on making the experience of the present and future better”

If you know anything about me, you know I’m a sucker for a good quote. Not only is that a fabulous quote, but it made me take a second to evaluate just how this fits into my life and thinking at this very moment. These past couple of months have been filled with a lot of personal challenges and some great victories. While I do not regret any the decisions that have brought me to these crossroads, I can’t help but take a second to appreciate how being in a transitional period of any kind can serve as a great litmus test for any relationship. You realize who is genuinely there for you, who is there only superficially, and often are surprised to find support, love, and encouragement where you least expect it.

I am in no way perfect. There are things about myself that I am making a conscious effort to change. It is uncanny how Brogan’s quote covers the two most challenging aspects I am seeking to change. I want to focus less on the past. I don’t hold on to the past with resentment, that’s not how I’m built, but I often overanalyze things in the past as some sort of precedent.

I have an uncanny memory, and sometimes I surprise myself with what I recall. What I want to do is to shift my focus, not ignoring the lessons of the past, but remembering that they are behind me. That people change, life itself changes, and that I should enjoy right now for the gift that it is. They don’t call it the present for nothing right? As far as the future, it’s still unwritten, and I have a lot of great ideas and goals that will be my crayons to write all over it! I might even doodle outside the lines!

Besides disappointing others, my biggest fear is to be hurt. To be let down by someone I let in. While I am very outgoing and social, there are very few people whom I share the most intimate details of my life. Even with them, it’s a struggle for me. For one, I don’t like to make things about me. My first instinct is to be there for my friends, not to seek them being there for me. It’s easier for me internalize things, digest them, and once I have an assessment or a handle on the situation, I am more apt to share.

Perhaps this is my way of claiming authority over a situation I have truly have no control over. Its hard for me to verbalize that something is bothering me, or that something is just not right in my little world until I have had some time to process it. My huge problem with this defense mechanism of mine is that often, my friends who know me well enough, can pick on my slight behavior changes and realize something is wrong. I hate that when I get in my deep thought and hermit mode, I am alienating them, when they are seeking me out to be there for me because they love me.

I don’t ever want my friends to feel that I don’t appreciate their concern, or think that I don’t trust them enough to tell them what is going on. I am making a concerted effort to be more open, or at least help my friends fill the puzzle pieces in my head a lot faster. Chris Brogan’s quote reminds me to move on, and to appreciate the amazing people,whom I love dearly, that are here to support me in whatever crisis I may have. Those who with their friendship and affection make my present better, and are the biggest supporters of the extraordinary things my future holds. So there you have it. It’s on the blog, on the interwebs, so my dear friends, I give you full permission to call me out on bs if you see me obsessing or analyzing the past, or going into hermit mode. After all we could all use a little accountability!

I challenge you to right now go appreciate those who make your present better !!
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I have become in love with new media, I have said that over and over again. But I am always amazed at the power of what new media and web 2.0 can do. I host a podcast called Geek Is Chic. I have been doing it for a while now. In getting involved in this Web 2.0 world I began to realize that I could provide entertainment and knowledge, but actually make a difference. I felt compelled to do something for a cause I am passionate about, Breast Cancer Awareness. I am proud to announce the Geek Is Chic Podcastathon raising funds for the Susan G Komen foundation. The event will take place on October 11 at noon EST, and concluding October 12 at noon EST, Geek is Chic Podcast will be broadcasting live for 24 hours to increase breast cancer awareness, and raise funds for the Susan G Komen foundation.
Geek is Chic is a podcast, where technology is fashionable and practical. Nothing could fulfill this creed better than using the technology available in New Media and in web 2.0 to benefit such a worthy cause. We will be live and interactive throughout the entire 24 hours. You can listen to the broadcast, call in, and even chat on Talkshoe.com. We’ll also be showing live video footage during portions of the podcastathon using Ustream.tv. You can find directions of how to join us right here on our website.

I hope you will join us from October 11th to the 12th. We will have different podcasters stop by like Liana Lehua of Girls Gone Geek and various other Podango productions, CC Chapman host of Accident Hash and Managing the Grey, Whitney Hoffman of the LD Podcast and Podcamp movement, Cliff Ravenscraft of GSPN.tv and many more. We’ll also have some great live music by Carlos Bertonatti and Matthew Ebel. There will also be some great trivia, and all and all a good time raising funds for a great cause. You can help us reach our goal, “Imagine life without breast cancer.” - Susan G Komen Foundation.

Bring on the coffee!!!
Your crazy friend,
Andrea Zuñiga :)

FYI : If you're a podcaster, and you\'re interested in being a cohost, don't hesitate to contact me and let me. I'm excited to have you guys join in the fun.


LET US KNOW YOU'RE COMING, RSPV AT THE FACEBOOK EVENT!
DONATE TODAY!!!

Leave us a comment
listener line (786) 693-2290
email contact@geekischic.org


Download the Podcastathon Promo
Special Thanks to Kim Fenolio and Alison Lukan for lending their voice talents to the promo!
Make sure you Subscribe or Leave an itunes review for Geek Is Chic!



Andrea Zuniga
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I have fallen hook line and sinker for the world of New Media. I have said it before, but believe it bears repeating, If you had told me last year that I would forge significant relationships online, I would honestly look at you like you where a crazy person. It seems like such a far out concept, but it is one that today, I believe to the core of my being.

Sometime in spring of last year, Thanks to my friend Dani I got into the show LOST. Lost is some of the best written television currently on the air. It's romance, action, comedy and mystery brilliantly rolled into one. It's a captivating show, and the viewing experience is enhanced by sharing theories and just the excitement about the content with other people. I started playing with my itunes and discovered some Podcasts all about Lost. I got all excited and decided to explore. I searched for Grey's Anatomy, another fave show at the time. I noticed that GSPN came up as the author for podcasts about both shows. I decided to check out these podcasts, and I was blown away. Little did I know I would not only fall in love with podcasts, but that thanks to these two shows, I had just discovered not only three of my favorite podcasters today, but three people I can genuinely call my friends. Cliff Ravenscraft, the executive producer of the Generally Speaking Production Network, His lovely wife, Stephanie Ravenscraft who cohosts the Weekly Lost Podcast with him, and who at that time co hosted the Grey's Anatomy podcast with Kim Fenolio. These three amazing people where the solid foundation for my love for social media and new media as a whole. I would venture to say that they probably are completely unaware of the impact they had on me then, and on my life ever since.


Thanks to the three of them and their wonderful shows, I fell in love with podcasts. Today, I am an avid podcast listener. I am subscribed to about 40 different podcasts, and I even produce my own show called Geek Is Chic. Since these shows where recorded live, I began to notice familiar faces at the shows and began to interact. Shortly after, I signed up for the micro blogging site Twitter and began to form deeper connections with those I was interacting with during live recordings. Though it may seem mundane, the simple answer to twitter's question "What are you doing?" opens a door into someone's life, it lets us see the idiosyncrasies of their day. The perception of anonymity allows us to take of the masks so to speak, look past superficiality, and get to know and love people for who they are.

Stripping away the superfluousness allows us to forge relationships, meaningful and lifelong friendships. Friendships that with time and interaction transcend the computer screen and keyboard. Friends we can text anytime, call up and talk to for hours about nothing, and everything. Friends who we travel hundreds of miles to see. I can honestly say, I would not have it any other way. Don't get me wrong, I am not in anyway saying that they are replacing my close circle of friends. The friends I have made online are like a piece of the puzzle I never realized was missing.

In April this year, I traveled to New York City for Podcamp NYC. An unconference about the social media movement. I met some incredibly talented and brilliant people people there. It was a rush to be with like minded people, meet listeners of the show, and great friends like Chef Mark who was the most amazing tour guide. This was also where I first met Cliff and Stephanie Ravenscraft. I had an incredible time, I cannot wait to repeat it!

Sometime in June when Twitter began to have some serious scalability issues, I began to see word of Plurk popping up left and right. I was totally skeptical, I got some private messages asking me to join, but it wasn't until Kim actually took the time to email me, that I actually decided to follow the Link and actually sign up and add people on the site. I am so glad I did!! The fact is twitter is open to dialogue, but often times you don't want to be a spammer and have a full out conversation on there. Also its hard to follow the conversation sometimes as others tweets come through in the middle of a conversation. However, the conversational model of plurk, allows for just that, free flowing threaded conversation. It has solidified some of my most significant online relationships.

On plurk I have created incredible relationships with the women of the Plurk Girl Mafia, Melissa, Alison, and Beth. They have been an incredible comic relief and support system for me during the past couple months of my life. This summer has been filled with a lot of transitions in my personal life and career, and they have been there to hear me vent, support me in my sometimes insane decisions, or just to make me laugh at some random and inappropriate joke.

The amazing thing is when you have the opportunityunity to actually meet. To end my birthday month with a bang, I got to travel to meet friends again for the Girls Night In Podcast Meetup. GNI is another show that has a great story behind its creation, and a wonderful community around it. I got to meet the incredible hosts of show, Jaime, Rachel, Maggie and Kim! Funny how it all comes full circle? I had gone from a girl wanting to get a LOST fix, to a podcast obsessed freak, who had now met the three people who inspired her love for new media and social networks. The icing on the cake was that at the meetup I also got a chance to meet fellow Mafia member Melissa, and some of the other wonderful members of the GNI community.'

What prompted me to actually write this post was that today our little online community was rocked by a really difficult day, and what I saw was simply marvelous. Last night, a tornado touched down where Kim lives. Thankfully, she and her family are fine, but they are obviously dealing with with the aftermath of the storm. It was remarkable to see how from the second that Kim sent tweets and plurks about the green sky and sirens, a floury of concern erupted. Even from people who have not even met her in person! As she shared her story, the beauty of the compassion and genuine concern for her, and family was moving.

The day was coming to an end, I was heading home, when I get a frantic call from my mom. She was putting away dishes, a dish broke, and she sliced her hand. She was scared because she couldn't get the bleeding to stop. My first instinct, after making the most ilegal u-turn of my life, was to use ping.fm to update my social networks. I had spent the better part of my day worrying, and watching the concern for my friend in Indiana, and although my situation was no where near as serious, or life altering, I was now on the receiving end of that concern. I got so many @ replies and comments and all sorts of well wishes for my mom, that it really made the panic induced from all that blood, and the waiting for her to be taken care of that much more bearable. I want to again thank everyone who sent well wishes for my mom and every single person who has opened up to me, and forged a relationship online with me. I thank God every day that you all are in my life! I can't name every single one of you, but you know who you are ... and I truly do appreciate and love you guys.

Ooodles of love,
your friend Andrea

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