CircleCount helps you better understand Google+

2013-05-18 04:36:46 (12 comments, 0 reshares, 19 +1s)

I just saw the best "tag line" under +Marc Velez 's profile. It said "When I was young I knew everything". 

I can't say enough how much I love that. I am pretty sure at 18 I thought I knew a lot more about everything than I do now. The older I get the more I realize I don't really know much about almost anything.

2013-05-18 04:26:07 (4 comments, 5 reshares, 21 +1s)

Shhhhhh!  Don't give it away. 

2013-05-18 00:26:15 (18 comments, 0 reshares, 30 +1s)

  Conversations with my 4 year old.

Him "Mom milk comes from a cow penis".

Me "No J. pee comes from a cow penis, milk comes from a female cow's udder"

Here I show him a picture of a cow being milked.

J. "Well, that looks like a penis".

And suddenly I realize, again, how teaching your 4 year old is a two way street.

#kids #conversationsWithmySon  

2013-05-17 22:25:21 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 10 +1s)

I was at the local bookstore and and saw a book called "Pat the Husband" which was obviously a parody of "Pat the Bunny". 

It don't know if I should admit in public how funny I thought the book was--but I have been married almost 13 years now so I leave you to figure out if I got a few good laughs. 

2013-05-17 01:03:02 (11 comments, 0 reshares, 54 +1s)

I was by the Seattle waterfront doing a photoshoot today.  This isn't a professional photo obviously.  I shot this with my iPad while waiting for the photographer.  Cheers Plussers.  Have a lovely Thursday.  :)

2013-05-16 16:14:24 (2 comments, 1 reshares, 11 +1s)

New interview up by +Maria Stepanov Sommerfield on the website. Maria interviewed +HEATHER FAY recently. Head over to the link below and read all about it!

http://www.artistsintheplus.com/#!news--blogs/c1ldv

2013-05-16 00:00:19 (23 comments, 2 reshares, 27 +1s)

I walked by the very first and original Starbucks in the world.  It's located here in downtown Seattle.  They keep the original logo at only this store.  I thought I would take a picture for those of you who have not had the chance to visit.   

2013-05-15 23:00:49 (33 comments, 0 reshares, 28 +1s)

Hi Plussers!  Are you still here?  Hopefully most of you aren't going to get scared away from Google+ with all the new changes.  Everyone still with me or are you all clicking around as clueless as I am?  Did you get the new changes yet?  What do you think?

2013-05-13 18:19:48 (5 comments, 2 reshares, 18 +1s)

I saw this quote at the Video Game exhibit at the Seattle EMP yesterday.  It is referring to video games as an art form.    Since I am not a gamer, but a social media person, the quote spoke to me on another level. I do use social media as a form of self expression, I try and be artistic with it. I don't really think I have the right to say I am an "artist" per se, but I think social media is an emerging art form. I am glad to have watched it from the very beginning. I also found the people who I have learned from and who inspire me the most on social media, besides the journalists, are those who use it as an artistic platform. So here's to what I do consider a newly emerging form of art--social media.

Do you agree or disagree?  I love when you guys talk to me.  As I often say your comments are often better than my posts.  

2013-05-12 22:38:16 (7 comments, 2 reshares, 46 +1s)

Where does a husband take his nerdy wife on Mother's Day?  To the Fantasy and Sci Fi exhibit at the EMP in Seattle, of course!  We saw lots of cool things, including the costumes from The Princess Bride, Superman, and The Matrix.    We even saw a Dalek.  Neither of us were exterminated.  I don't know if this is because I am a really bad or a really good mom, but I survived my first Dalek encounter.  

2013-05-11 17:53:09 (7 comments, 21 reshares, 88 +1s)

To all the supermom's here on Google+ may you have a fantastic Mother's Day weekend. :)  And may you receive all the love and pampering you deserve.  

2013-05-10 23:43:09 (6 comments, 2 reshares, 12 +1s)

And this might just go down in history as the first ever flying car crash.  It's probably the first of many more to come.  

2013-05-10 22:19:22 (1 comments, 1 reshares, 3 +1s)

Just because I like this song.  It's the theme song for a show I have been watching recently.  I like the haunting melody, it's been newly added to my playlist.   

2013-05-10 19:54:09 (3 comments, 3 reshares, 18 +1s)

18 Oscar Wilde Quotes that might have been said by "The Golden Girls"

This is the most entertaining this I have seen online this week.  http://goo.gl/ZaKP4

I included one of the images, but the whole serious is brilliant and very entertaining.  Oscar Wild quotes+ "The Golden Girls" makes for great entertainment.  Enjoy!  Oh, and don't forget to click on the link--lots more brilliance.

2013-05-09 19:18:40 (18 comments, 28 reshares, 73 +1s)

 5% to 10% of people from Melanesia, a group of islands northeast of Australia, have naturally blonde hair. In the world, blond hair is exceptionally rare outside Europe.  However, Melanesians  are one of the few non-European people and the only dark-skinned group of humans known to have blond hair. This has been traced to an allele of TYRP1 unique to these people.  A study of people shows that they evolved the striking blonde trait independently of people in Europe.

Another point of interest  from the Wiki article was "Some recent studies suggest that all humans outside of Africa have inherited some genes from Neanderthals, and that Melanesians are the only known modern humans whose prehistoric ancestors interbred with the Denisova hominin, sharing 4%–6% of their genome with this ancient cousin of the Neanderthal."

Information taken from Wikipedia.   #ScienceEveryday  #Scie... more »

2013-05-09 16:16:53 (12 comments, 7 reshares, 11 +1s)

I thought this article was worth passing on.  Apparently it isn't that uncommon to accidentally swallow one of the tiny wires from grill brushes.  If you do accidentally swallow one, it can cause a lot of damage to your body.  It's recommended that you find another way to clean your barbecue-grill.  I have always used this type of grill brush in the past, but for the future I plan to clean my grill some other way.

2013-05-09 04:38:40 (4 comments, 8 reshares, 37 +1s)

The Artist and His Model by  Alexei Harlamoff circa 1875.  This painting generated a lot of interesting discussion on my FB page.    On there I am www.facebook.com/maria.sommerfield if you want to check out the discussion.

2013-05-08 22:17:19 (22 comments, 1 reshares, 15 +1s)

My winner of a targeted ad
This is my daily winner of a FB targeted ad.  Not sure exactly why I find it so entertaining but this one really made me chuckle.  In the decade that I have been using Google, I don't think I have ever (not ever, really,  I promise) clicked through on one advertisement.  For some reason the FB format works better for me, I do actually notice the ads there, and sometimes click through.  They clearly have to do a better job with personalization since often times, the ads the put on my page are pretty far off the wall.  

Oh, yes, and if you don't know I have been married for 12 years and together with my partner for 15 or so, no signs of any amount of pulling away as yet.  Of course maybe they know something I don't know.  ;)

2013-05-08 04:12:59 (10 comments, 3 reshares, 27 +1s)

Mom power
Somewhere along the way I missed my calling to be a drill sergeant.  I am  pretty good at organizing people it's one of my hidden talents. Still,  I think in order to be a mother of little kids in the modern world you have to be able to juggle and organize people in an efficient manner.  

Today I had to get all 3 of my kids to the dentist by 9 am for 3 cleanings and 3 dental check ups in a different city.  Then I had to  drop my son off at his preschool and  rush to the elementary school where my daughter and I had to be there at 10:00am  to catch the school bus that was departing  for her class field trip.  

I was told by my spouse there was no way I was going to pull this stunt off.  I kind of looked at him and though "there is no way YOU would pull that off, but don't under estimate the capability of a mother of 3 kids to juggle aninsane sch... more »

2013-05-07 21:53:28 (5 comments, 2 reshares, 17 +1s)

More Seattle spring Euphoria.  I was down at the water front today, on my daughter's class field trip.  We took the kids to the Seattle Aquarium.  I used to live across the street from there for a while so this practically still feels like my back yard.  I can't get over how magnificent it is in Washington State when the sun comes out during spring time.  

2013-05-07 06:04:49 (9 comments, 0 reshares, 16 +1s)

Funniest comment of the night.  "How you use Windows 8 is you go to Google and you search, "How do you find X in Windows 8" and you follow the instructions. " 

I have been using Windows 8 for the past few days.  I actually do like it once I get over the initial frustration of not having everything I am used to being in the same place.  

2013-05-06 18:16:13 (3 comments, 0 reshares, 24 +1s)

Namaste Plussers

I was sitting on the top of Crystal Mountain yesterday, enjoying a few minutes of peace and quiet.  I was surrounded by snow but it was warm and sunny.  In the distance I could see Mnt Rainier and even a glimpse of Mnt St. Helens.  Today is back to the weekly grind, but I wanted to wish you all a  peaceful week.  May you all catch a quiet breather no matter how busy you are.  Peace and thank you for circling me on here.  It's an honor for me that you chose to put me in your circles.  

2013-05-06 00:49:36 (8 comments, 3 reshares, 37 +1s)

Just in case any of you were wondering where I was today, on such a beautiful day in the Pacific Northwest.  I took this shot from the top of Crystal Mountain.  I am looking towards Mnt Rainier.  I have been uploading most of my shots to Flickr.  If you want to see them you can find me here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/maria_stepanov/

2013-05-04 23:03:52 (9 comments, 1 reshares, 34 +1s)

I shot this yesterday and just uploaded it.  It's one of my better photos of The Space Needle in Seattle.

2013-05-04 06:11:06 (4 comments, 5 reshares, 40 +1s)

Thomas Dodd is an Atlanta, Nashville based Photographer & Artist

I "discovered" his work on Facebook through the Steampunk community.  He is pretty active on his FB page, and some of his work is really quite good.  I messaged him asking if I could share this piece here and he gave me his permission.  I think it's lovely.

You can find his page here:
https://www.facebook.com/ThomasDoddPhotography

Slumber (© 2013) — with Thomas Dodd.

2013-05-03 20:56:26 (8 comments, 4 reshares, 36 +1s)

How did I not know that the Seattle Center fountain sprays water in time  to different musical pieces? It was one of the most beautiful moments of my life to watch and listen to Beethovan's 3rd while the water sprayed in time and dance to the music. All these years in Seattle and I somehow missed that the fountain does this!  Happy Friday Plussers!  

2013-05-02 23:16:44 (16 comments, 3 reshares, 71 +1s)

Just because I am listening to this right now.  

"Life is very short and there is no time for fussing and fighting my friend"

2013-05-02 18:43:42 (10 comments, 25 reshares, 24 +1s)

A Boy and His Atom
the world's smallest movie

I am sure this has been shared on Google+, but just in case you haven't seen it this is worth watching.  It is the  the world’s smallest movie and was made by moving actual atoms, frame by frame. Its creators used a 2-ton scanning-tunnelling microscope that operates at minus 258 degrees Celsius to shoot the movie.

You can read more here:
http://goo.gl/njTHv
#ScienceSunday   #ScienceEveryDay   #Science  

2013-05-02 02:48:27 (3 comments, 3 reshares, 51 +1s)

Goodnight Plussers.  I snapped this just about 20 minutes ago while on my way home for the day.  Now to get the kids fed, and ready for bed.  Enjoy your evening.  :)

2013-05-01 18:41:24 (3 comments, 4 reshares, 12 +1s)

Interesting article of the morning
and where I ask those wiser than me to tell me what they wish they knew when they were 30

Kareem is a famous American Basketball player in his mid 60's.  I thought this was an interesting article, and I love to read the advice people who are older (and hopefully wiser)  give out.  I realize this is his unique perspective, but I thought it was well thought out and written.  So far my 30's have been extremely busy, mostly because of the unfortunate fast pace of life, 2 tech parents with 3 small children have.  I wonder what advice I will give myself when I am in my 60's.  Those of you who are older and wiser I would love to hear from you.  *What are some things you wish you knew when you were 30?*  

2013-05-01 18:30:25 (8 comments, 2 reshares, 27 +1s)

Interesting Photo of the morning
Leia, Luke and Han at a read through for The Empire Strikes Back around 1979.  

2013-04-30 23:14:14 (3 comments, 4 reshares, 21 +1s)

I just saw a 67 year old man riding his bike, get hit by a car.

After helping the gentleman out from under the car, and lifting the car with two other guys to get the bike out, I heard the woman crying and trying to explain that she was just texting her friend to let her know she was on her way and didn't mean to do it.

I'll the the first to admit that I mess with my phone while driving occasionally.... But not anymore - not after that. People need to stay the hell off their phones while driving.

2013-04-30 20:56:19 (14 comments, 2 reshares, 17 +1s)

What is the story behind this picture?  
Caption This Picture

Put in your story, or header in a comment.  The comment with the most +'s wins.  What does this picture say to you?

from http://goo.gl/N15iv

2013-04-30 17:39:35 (14 comments, 0 reshares, 19 +1s)

Proof that I have gotten less squeamish through the years

I was drinking tea at a local restaurant  and I noticed there was this spider floating around in my cup.  Years ago this would have bothered me, but now I just picked up an empty cup and poured myself a new cup of tea.  I think this shows how much I have "grown up" or changed in the past 10 years.  I didn't even mention it to anyone, and seeing a bug in my tea didn't cause me to blink, where as years ago, I would have been grossed out.  I took a photo because,  I had my camera and I was taking photos of lots of things.  

 Are there things you have become desensitized to as you have grown older?  

2013-04-30 15:09:12 (8 comments, 20 reshares, 24 +1s)

Happy Birthday to the World Wide Web

20 years ago today the WWW went public. "20 years ago today, CERN published a statement that made the technology behind the World Wide Web available to use, by anybody, on a royalty free basis."

2013-04-30 00:39:06 (28 comments, 2 reshares, 17 +1s)

I was just watching this video that I saw via a friend of mine.    I haven't had commercial TV in my house for years so I missed seeing a lot of these images.  No wonder we are having some of the problems we are having in American Society, when women are objectified to this degree.  And I was surprised to see the use of violence towards women in advertising.  How do they justify that to themselves as an acceptable way to sell things?

2013-04-29 20:58:06 (7 comments, 3 reshares, 38 +1s)

Hello Sweeties

Since I got a lot of likes for my Whovian themed meme yesterday I decided to pretend to be River Song this Monday and blow all my Plussers a good luck kiss for a fantastic week.  

I hope you all have a fabulous last few days of April and beginning of May this week.  

2013-04-29 04:41:57 (10 comments, 14 reshares, 50 +1s)

From the latest Doctor Who episode.  I couldn't resist making this line into a meme.

2013-04-28 18:02:01 (8 comments, 4 reshares, 52 +1s)

I saw this over on FB and I really liked it.  There's almost nothing that can cure any mental fatigue or sadness than getting out into nature.  I can't be anything but happy when I am out in the wild, especially in beautiful Washington State.   Do you use nature as a mental pick me up or do you turn to something else?

2013-04-27 16:48:43 (34 comments, 2 reshares, 13 +1s)

I keep seeing this when I drive through downtown Bellevue.  I haven't had time to actually walk by and write something.  I am not sure what I would write if I did.  I would love to live to see my grandkids before I die.  There are also a few other things...

What would you write on the "Before I die..." board?

2013-04-26 18:59:56 (1 comments, 2 reshares, 19 +1s)

A true artist is not one who is inspired, but who inspires others
                                                     -Salvador Dali

There are some really terrific artists on Google+.  Some who are artists with photos, or with paint, others who make music or write.  It's a very inspirational place to come and visit if you connect with the right people.  Thank you --all of you who inspire me.  I would love to know who inspires you, either on Google+ or elsewhere?  Who are some of your favorite artists?  Is there someone new I should check out? 

I encourage all of you to get in touch with your creative self this weekend.  And if that is too difficult, get in touch with someone who will inspire you.

2013-04-25 18:56:13 (0 comments, 2 reshares, 28 +1s)

And one more of Deception Pass Yesterday.  

2013-04-25 19:02:11 (3 comments, 0 reshares, 20 +1s)

A favorite photo from my trip yesterday.  You can see Mnt Baker in the background.

2013-04-25 16:16:28 (8 comments, 0 reshares, 25 +1s)

Yesterday was this spectacular day here, so I decided to play hooky from real life and when my kids got home from school, we drove up to La Connar and Deception Pass.  I have more photos I will share but these are just a teaser.  The Pacific Northwest is remarkably beautiful. 

2013-04-24 18:53:49 (18 comments, 0 reshares, 12 +1s)

I don't know if this is any good or not, I am just about to drink it. They started selling these drinks at my yoga studio and I picked one up this morning.  I asked them what the "Love" tasted like and they told me it tasted like champagne.  This makes sense to me.  If love has a flavor I would guess that it would taste a lot like a fantastic champagne.  

2013-04-24 04:43:18 (2 comments, 1 reshares, 21 +1s)

Marilyn practicing her facial expressions. It's really hard to do ditzy-- not that I am an actress or anything-- but I swear it's an expression I can't pull off for dear life. I wish I could, it would be useful sometimes.

2013-04-23 18:31:07 (8 comments, 6 reshares, 18 +1s)

The Modern World Powered by Ancient Technology

Did you know that parts of  our transportation and military infrastructure, and even some modern businesses, rely daily on technology that hasn’t been updated for decades?

The New York City Subway and  certain older ATMs,  are powered  by IBM’s OS/2,  "A recent federal review found that the U.S. Secret Service uses a mainframe computer system from the 1980s. That system apparently works only 60 percent of the time."  

Also interestingly "The U.S. Navy’s ship-based radar systems and Britain’s Atomic Weapons Establishment, which maintains that country’s nuclear warheads, use PDP minicomputers manufactured in the 1970s by Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC). "

If you are interested in technology or computers this article is a very interesting read.

2013-04-23 16:17:11 (5 comments, 2 reshares, 21 +1s)

The commentary is really funny.  This made me laugh this morning.   I love a good laugh to get the morning rolling.  

2013-04-22 22:38:33 (15 comments, 1 reshares, 30 +1s)

Happy Earth Day everyone

Let's enjoy this magnificent planet we have been gifted with and remember how remarkable and beautiful it is.  It's been horrible weather in Seattle, but mother nature gifted us with a spectacular Earth Day.  I snapped this just a few minutes ago.  

2013-04-22 18:54:24 (12 comments, 0 reshares, 30 +1s)

Happy Monday Plussers

Do you ever look at the world upside down or shake things up in an usual way?  Recently I decided to take a series of photos of myself without makeup  for a series I am doing called RawSelf.  I have no idea what I will do with it when I am done, but it's fun to be creative sometimes.  I normally wear makeup and take photos with makeup on.  It's fun to flip things around and try something different.  I have a lot of good stuff I want to write about this week, assuming I have the time.  If you have something interesting you are writing or posting on here and you think I might miss it, I don't mind getting tagged (ever so often clearly don't go overboard with that).

I hope you all have a great week and turn a few things upside down to get a different perspective.  Sometimes getting a new perspective on an old idea is eye opening.  Havea great ... more »