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Cursive Handwriting: A thing of the past

Is cursive writing a lost art form? Will penmanship be something that students read about in history books? While this may seem like an exaggeration – it could quite possibly become true in the near future.

My mom is a high school art teacher with impeccable penmanship. Her every stroke is controlled and each word is perfectly legible, or so she thought. Last week she was writing on the white-board when her students informed her that they couldn’t read her handwriting because they didn’t learn cursive. My response to this: “WHAT?!”

How is it possible to not read cursive? I still remember the lined newsprint paper that I used to practice on along with all the techniques. So this got me thinking about how much I wrote as a kid – I had pen pals, wrote thank you notes, recorded my thoughts in a journal, practiced my cursive and even passed notes in class (but only occasionally). I took advantage of every chance I had to write, not because I had to, but because I enjoyed it.

Nowadays everything is electronic. Students use computers, tablets and smart phones to jot down thoughts, messages and notes rather than turning to the good ol’ pen and paper.

The diminishing use of cursive and whether or not it should be taught in school has become a topic of debate across the nation but there’s no right answer. Schools can determine whether or not to include cursive in their curriculum and most likely more and more schools will shy away from cursive lessons.

It makes me sad to think that cursive writing may become a thing of the past. When that happens though, I can assure you I will submit my mom’s handwriting as a specimen at the history museum.

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Posted by Liz Viscardi on 02/15 at 02:37 PM
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Whoa! What?! They were not taught cursive writing?! Which school is that again?

Posted by Lily @Catalog Printing Service  on  02/22  at  08:41 AM

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Do any of these grammar mistakes sound familiar?

Whenever I read Facebook I am astounded at how many individuals murder the English language on a daily basis. I ran across an article titled “Top 25 Grammar and Language Mistakes.” It is definitely worth a read. Don’t you wonder if you are guilty of any of these? Now if only it were required reading by all Facebook and Twitter users…

For those who do not have time to read this piece, here are my top five gripes pulled from their list of 25:
• Writing that something has “peaked your interest.” We’re not talking mountain climbing here. The correct word is piqued.
• Saying you made a 360-degree turn, when you changed direction. I’ve had many (otherwise bright) bosses say they made a 360-degree turn when they meant that they turned around completely. But think about it: If you turn around so that you’re facing in the opposite direction, you’ve actually made a 180-degree turn.
• Saying something is a “mute point” instead of “moot.” Moot means open to discussion or debatable. Mute means silent. Much as we all might appreciate more mute points, they’re not only ineffective, they’re also incorrect.
• Using “irregardless.” While irregardless does appear in some dictionaries, it’s always listed as “non-standard.” That’s because it’s meaningless. The “ir” cancels out the “regardless.” Stick with plain old regardless.
• Using “it’s” when you mean “its.” This is a mistake I see every day—whether on the Web or in print. The rule is so breathtakingly simple that everyone should learn it’s stands for it is. The possessive version, “The dog chewed on its bone,” somehow prompts people to throw in an errant apostrophe. Whenever I see it’s, I always reread the sentence to ensure the correct meaning is it is. And when I see its, I reread the sentence to ensure it doesn’t mean it is.

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Posted by Laurie Meza on 02/01 at 02:05 PM
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All of them are! hahahah. At one time or another, I’ve done all of them. Heck, I still catch myself doing these things every once in a while! smile

Posted by How to Improve English  on  02/18  at  03:42 PM

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Brake for Bela’s up and running…literally

CIG has created a Brake for Bela team for the 2012 Colfax Marathon! While some are reluctant to do it (ahem….Liz) the CIG crew - Karen, Matt, Kristi, Joy and Liz - will hit the pavement in preparation for the 26.2 mile relay taking place on May 20. Wish us luck!

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Posted by Liz Viscardi on 01/24 at 12:12 PM
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For the love of books

So, Santa brought me a Kindle. Hmmm.

It seems like an ideal gift, really. I have been an avid reader from the day I could string a sentence together. My life revolves around words – in my job and in my leisure time. I love magazines, books, newspapers, and word games, and you can get all of that in one place on a Kindle.

The truth is – I’m not sure what to think of this Kindle thing. It’s smooth, it’s slick and it is determined to propel me into modernity. But, as with all new technology, I may go kicking and screaming. Yes, I love words in a book, but I also love the feel of a book. I love the way paper feels, and I love the way it smells. Steinbeck is not the same on a smooth, slick computer screen.

One of my favorite childhood memories was spending hours and hours on my grandma’s farm, in the front room of the farmhouse, reading the entire Anne of Green Gables series. Even then, those books were old. The covers, which were covered in some sort of light fabric, were worn thin and reminded me that all four of my aunts, my grandma and probably her grandma had all touched and read those books. They smelled so old, and I loved it. When my grandparents passed away last year and the family was cleaning out the farmhouse, those books were the only things I wanted. They now sit on the bookshelf in my front room, and when I open them and smell them, I am brought right back to endless, lazy summer days reading at my grandma’s.

Will the Kindle evoke the same memories? That remains to be seen.

But like my transition from film to digital photography and from a flip to an iPhone, I will embark on this new journey. I have downloaded one book so far, which I have started reading, but I also have a hardback version of East of Eden on my nightstand. I may keep one foot in both worlds for awhile.

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Posted by Kristi Estes on 01/06 at 01:36 PM
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I to was reluctant to embrace readers as I love books also.  I bought my mom one for Christmas and she did not like it and gave it back to me.  So I decided I would use it, and now I love it because I like to read in bed at night and it is so much easier to hold an e-reader than it is to hold a heavy book!

Posted by Doug Abney  on  02/19  at  01:27 AM

“I will embark on this new journey.” it is totally a good journey.

Posted by rasa  on  02/20  at  02:40 AM

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The reports of Twitter’s demise are greatly exaggerated

Just as I started becoming complacent toward the power of social media, I was sucked back into its command recently when my husband read an email from a relative lamenting Jon Bon Jovi’s death.

By now, most people have come to realize this report for what it was – a hoax (or at the very least a clever marketing ploy to capture the public’s attention). But while this issue has been laid to rest, the stir created in its wake is somewhat intriguing.

The benefits of social media platforms are undeniable. People use Skype to visit with relatives serving overseas in the military or Facebook to reconnect with long-lost friends. YouTube has even been used to launch the careers of previously unknown musicians.

For all the benefits social media brings us, however, it also has its downside. Personal privacy has become a thing of the past and the overload of inane information is at times unbearable. Do I really need to know that someone has just “checked in” at Starbuck’s or that they need a chicken and two pigs to complete their farm?

For better or worse, it’s clear that social media is here to stay. And anyone not eager to jump on the bandwagon might want to think twice about standing in its path. With that in mind, here are a couple things to remember to avoid becoming a speed bump on the new information highway.
 
Do not underestimate the power of social media. Just like the wildfire spread of chicken pox through a kindergarten classroom, when a message goes “viral” across the Internet, nothing can stand in its way.

Look before you leap. Do not feel obligated to jump onto Facebook because everyone else is doing it or to launch headfirst into an online conversation. It’s alright to sit back and watch what other people are doing or listen to what they are saying before joining in.

Use it cautiously and sparingly. Unlike a phone conversation that is soon forgotten, social media conversations are indelible. If what you say today might come back to haunt you years later, don’t say it. Be judicious with your comments. Those who continually dominate the conversation are soon ignored.

Go with the flow. Once a message is out there you can’t do anything to retract it. You might, however, be able to redirect it or refocus attention. Just like a true marketing professional seizing the opportunity at hand, Bon Jovi himself quelled the rumor of his demise while getting in a shameless plug for his beloved New Jersey.

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Posted by Joy Wasendorf on 12/21 at 11:33 AM
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Black Friday ≠ Black Hearts

I hate to admit it, but I was one of those crazed shoppers in line at Target at midnight on Black Friday. At 11:30 p.m., as the rest of my family was in a Thanksgiving feast coma, my sister, mom and I slipped on our shoes, grabbed our coats and snuck out the door.

We were greeted at Target by approximately 750 other people in the line that wrapped around the mega-store. We stood patiently in line, mentally preparing ourselves for the chaos that lay ahead.

When we got to the front of the line, a man was screaming at the Target security guard who was there to keep order. This man’s obscenities and disrespect for the Target employee both shocked and saddened me. Have people lost the true meaning of the holidays?

According to a recent survey by Consumer Reports – the answer is yes. When asked what people dread most about the holidays, 35 million Americans say they don’t like having to be nice.

Clearly the screaming man at Target didn’t get the memo about being nice around the holidays – or he threw it right into the recycling bin. The holidays should not about the tangible gifts or being forced to be nice – it’s about being with loved ones.

Even though I was one of the crazies on Black Friday, I didn’t do it for the actual purchases, but rather for the tradition this has become for the three of us. We’ve done this every year for as long as I can remember and while I can’t recall what we bought each year – besides my mom’s splurge on laundry detergent on Black Friday 2010 – I relish in the memories and inside jokes from each year. – That’s what the holidays should be about.

Now I know this blog doesn’t exactly tie into communications but I think we can all use a little reminder this time of year to put the cheer back into the holidays. Forget the 35 million Scrooges in the world and have a happy holiday season!

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Posted by Liz Viscardi on 12/13 at 01:44 PM
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Mind Your Meeting Manners

I have sat in a number of meetings in my life and have observed many different behaviors, from people being extremely late and unprepared, to individuals actually closing their eyes and falling asleep.

The trend I have noticed of late is the idea that since we have instant access to a variety of information, we feel like we should be plugged in at all times. I sat in a meeting recently where three out of the eight people texted or sent emails on their phones the entire time they were in the meeting. I doubt they got much out of the meeting, so I wonder why they didn’t excuse themselves, opting instead to deal with what must have been extremely pressing issues that required their immediate attention. 

According to a survey done by etiquette expert Anna Musson, one in five respondents admitted to answering their phone, and one in ten to browsing social networking sites during meetings. In total, 51.7 percent of respondents confessed to secretly checking their phone during a meeting – while still sitting in the room.

In honor of this 51.7 percent, I have taken a list of the “Top 10 Rules for Proper Business Meeting Etiquette,” found on www.smallbusiness.chron.com. Please review this list to remember you manners, but not during your next meeting!

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Posted by Laurie Meza on 11/21 at 06:10 PM
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The Human Nature of Business

At a time when communication is nearly synonymous with technology, we need to remember the importance of person-to-person, human interaction in the world of business.

Face-to-face interaction is fundamental to communication and leadership. I wish that all university business schools taught this simple premise in their course work. I believe we need to learn how to strike the balance between when to rely on electronic communication and when to interact face to face. It can make all the difference in building relationships, growing credibility and nurturing trust.

The world is complex. We are bombarded with information. There are job insecurities; pressure for results that move any number of “needles.” We are pelted with conflicting priorities. Leaders have to be qualified to fill the role of interpreter for their teams and firms. This reduces confusion, minimizes misunderstanding and shines the light on the correct path forward.

It isn’t just a matter of giving the right message or providing the right training. Leaders have to be accountable to their words and their behaviors. Leaders can be “grown,” trained and developed. And beyond these things, they need to follow through on the direction they provide and measure the results.

With their “eyes on the prize,” they need to build trust and credibility by sharing a clear vision of their business goals. More importantly, they need to come out of their conference room and board room cocoons and talk face-to-face with the people doing the work. By demonstrating they are accessible and showing their understanding of the tough work in the trenches, they will build successful teams and firms. Business success and employee engagement demand the human touch.

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Posted by Mary Ann Strombitski on 11/10 at 08:10 AM
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The Core of Apple

In the wake of his death, so much has been written about the legacy of Apple co-founder Steve Jobs that it feels to me like a little bit of idol worship is taking place. I agree that he is without question the greatest capitalist, marketer and visionary of our time, but what isn’t as reported is the fact that Steve Jobs was at times an especially difficult person to be around. According to most reports, Jobs was a terrible person for whom to work.

He was brilliant – intelligence off the charts – but in my estimation didn’t contain an ounce of what is known as Emotional Intelligence (EI), which I explain to my friends as the capacity of a person to identify, assess and control the emotions of oneself, of others, and of groups.

I first learned of EI from a former client of ours, Dr. Laura Belsten. Dr. Belsten is an executive coach who works with clients from across the United States. She explained to me that by developing higher levels of EI, we can become more adaptive, build strong relationships, be more optimistic and experience lower stress levels. Perhaps most of all, we can all be more effective leaders.

We all benefit from the genius who was Steve Jobs. I wonder though – did his people perform well because of his style, or in spite of it? Was he such a success because he was so exacting, or could he have been an even bigger success had he spent more time working on his core EI?

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Posted by Matt Wittern on 10/25 at 11:10 AM
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Dogmatic approach to improving communications

Now that I’m a pet owner (or guardian according to the People’s Republic of Boulder) my life has officially become a Gary Larson cartoon. You know the Far Side cartoon that compares the dichotomy between what people say to dogs and what dogs actually hear. The master barks “Okay, Ginger! I’ve had it! You stay out of the garbage! Understand, Ginger?” At the same time the dog perceives “blah, blah, Ginger, blah, blah, blah, Ginger, blah, blah, blah…”

The quizzical looks and shameful eyes flashed on occasion by my puppy have me wondering exactly what’s going on in that fuzzy little head of hers.

Dogs undoubtedly understand a lot more than we often give them credit for. Much more than that, I think there’s a great deal we humans can learn from our four-legged friends when it comes to communication and understanding.

Unlike some people, my dog actually considers a person’s tone of voice as an important factor in the communication process. Say her name nonchalantly and she might ignore you in favor of her chew toy du jour. Add just a hint of excitement or urgency to your voice, however, and she’s all ears.

She has also mastered the art of sitting with a hand command only, suggesting body language is something to which canines are in tune. Sure, it might be the “Pavlovian” response to simply elicit a tasty treat, but at least dogs can learn through repetition. We can’t always say the same thing about people when they act the same way over and over again despite experiencing an undesired result the first time.

In fact, if doing something repeatedly while expecting different results is the definition of insanity, my dog might be the only sane one in my household.

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Posted by Joy Wasendorf on 10/07 at 12:42 PM
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A Different Kind of Exploration

When I read, I want to be moved. When I write, I want to move others. To do this, I have become an explorer of people. I do this in a humble attempt to become a translator of the human condition.

We laugh, we cry, we stomp, we clap—sometimes in anger, sometimes out of pure joy. We plan, we strive and we mull. Sometimes we get to be a part of something extraordinary. We become a parent. We stand at the foot of a Giant Sequoya and marvel at all that it has seen. We get the chance to cheer someone across a finish line or to mentor someone from adolescence into adulthood. Sometimes we experience the extraordinary by looking at an issue in a way we have never considered before. It is really all about being an explorer.

As you launch your next human “exploration,” consider how you can move people in positive ways. Think about how you want to shape your next human adventure.

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Posted by Mary Ann Strombitski on 09/29 at 10:07 AM
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Great Expectations

The Urban Dictionary defines expectations as “a guaranteed way for you to make sure that people will consistently disappoint you.” While Urban Dictionary isn’t necessarily a credible source, let’s face it, many of us have felt this way.

Expectations, whether in our personal or professional lives, are not always met. Yet it’s in our nature to set high expectations for ourselves and others in all aspects of our lives.

Take something simple like a car repair. Last week I took my MINI Cooper into the shop for a routine oil change. I was told it would be done in two-and-a-half hours and, thanks to my thrifty coupon, would cost less than $50. Halfway through the day, I received the call everyone dreads – the call from the mechanic. I was told they found a few things wrong with it – something’s leaking, something’s worn and something needs replacing. Needless to say, that was not what I expected.

In any given profession, you are constantly trying to manage the expectations of your boss, clients, vendors and colleagues all on a daily basis. You can set expectations by following the rule of “under promise, over deliver.”  By under promising something you are setting a more reasonable expectation; and if you exceed expectations, or over deliver, then you can reap the benefits. For example, if you are working on a project that doesn’t have a set deadline but you think it will take three days to complete, set the expectation that it will be completed in the next week – under promise. Then submit the final project before the deadline – over deliver. This allows you more time to do quality checks on the project and shows that you can manage your time wisely, therefore pleasing your audience.

Unfortunately, most projects don’t have week-long deadlines; instead, the deadline was yesterday. That doesn’t mean that you can’t still manage the expectations. If you’re swamped with X, Y and Z and are asked to drop everything to work on W, politely remind your boss or client that by working on W, it requires you to put X, Y and Z on hold. Then, in case they come back later and ask for those three items, you can say, “I was working on W per your request but I will complete X, Y and Z in the next hour/day/week.”

A “few things” wrong with my car totaled more than $700 and required an overnight stay at Hotel MINI. This blog might be lost on mechanics and cable guys everywhere but at least I can pass the “under promise, over deliver” rule onto other worthy professionals.

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Posted by Liz Viscardi on 09/14 at 10:46 AM
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What Goes Around, Comes Around

As many of you know, this year CIG launched the Brake for Bela campaign – a public service campaign that aims to combat the seasonal increase in neighborhood automobile/pedestrian accidents during the summer months when kids are out of school.

Last weekend, the entire CIG crew went to a Rockies game as the “grand finale” of the inaugural year of our Brake for Bela safe summer driving awareness campaign. Decked out in our Brake for Bela T-shirts and armed with more than 2,000 campaign stickers, we pulled out all the stops in an attempt to give the campaign one final push and spread the word before the end of summer. It was the perfect day – great weather, good company and a sold-out stadium full of people. But no day at the ballpark would be complete without the ritualistic “wave.”

I’ve participated in many waves at sporting events over the years, but I have never been a part of the effort to originate a wave – and I have to say, it was really quite fascinating. Originating a wave takes perseverance, teamwork and patience. The CIG section set out to orchestrate an epic wave, one that would make the even the biggest waves look like ripples in a pond. Recruiting other members in our section and with all the energy we could muster, we threw our arms overhead, stood up, quickly sat down and waited for the impressive effect to immediately make its way around all 50,000 spectators.

Ok, so the first attempt fell a little flat. The wave made it about 50 feet to the left and died. So again, we engaged the crowd around us, pumped up the energy and tried again. This second attempt went a little further – about 70 feet. We continued this pattern for at least a half-inning, refusing to give up. We knew it was only a matter of time until the momentum would overwhelm the apathetic fans that were inadvertently crushing our dreams.

And then… finally… the floodgates opened and our very own wave wrapped around the entire, packed stadium a total of five times!

Throughout this whole process, I sat back and watched our little seedling wave slowly roll its way 50 feet around, then 70 feet, then 100 feet, then 300 feet, finally gaining enough force to slingshot itself around the stadium. Watching the wave and its development got me thinking about this first year of the Brake for Bela campaign.

As with any grassroots effort, Brake for Bela started off small. We’ve worked hard to spread the message through social media, traditional media and word of mouth. So far, the results have been incredible, and we plan to continue the campaign’s momentum throughout 2011, making an even bigger splash next year. With a little perseverance, teamwork and patience, I’m entirely confident that within a few years, Brake for Bela will become a household name, raising awareness and saving lives all over the world. And, just like at the Rockies game, CIG and our supporters can look back and say, “we started that wave.”

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Posted by Megan Rees on 08/29 at 03:04 PM
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Listen with Care

Summer is over… which means my kids are officially going back to school. Last night I was talking with my daughter about what second grade was going to be like. Of course, being seven, my daughter already knows everything so there isn’t much more for her to learn this year. We started talking about “listening” and I explained that maybe if she listened very close to her teacher, she would find new and exciting things to learn about (if it is even possible with her vast knowledge of life.) This conversation got me thinking about listening, and how it is a highly underrated skill that very few people do well.

On Life Coach Susan B. Wilson’s website she discusses the importance of active listening and what problems arise when you don’t participate in it. She discusses that ancient wisdom has told us, “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.” More recent research indicates that we spend about 40-45 percent of our waking hours listening, but only at 25 percent efficiency (“The Power of Listening” by Dr. Tony Alessandra, Ph.D.).

A common cause of conflict is that we don’t listen carefully enough – to content or to emotions.  Three barriers to careful listening are our presumption (knowing everything already), impatience and pride.  So what happens when you use poor listening skills?
• Miscommunication
• Errors
• Lower productivity and morale
• Lost customers
• Increased turnover

The funny thing is, it is really easy to “listen with care,” but few people take the time to try. The next time you are listening, try these easy steps to ensure that you are actively listening and not just pretending to be engaged. Maybe you too will learn something new!
• Know why you are listening
• Focus on content and the non-verbal messages
• Organize what you are hearing through observation, reflective listening and note taking
• Give your attention; if you cannot, say so
• Avoid distractions
• Avoid giving advice, moralizing, predicting the future or asking questions
• Avoid interrupting
• Listen with your heart as well as your head

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Posted by Laurie Meza on 08/17 at 07:06 AM
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The New Frontier

“Helloooo!”

“Is there anybody out there?”

That’s what it is like (or so I’ve heard) for the first brave explorers who have ventured onto Google+. Similar to Facebook, Google+ is a social networking site that has generated a lot of buzz since its launch in late June. Is it the next big thing? It’s hard to tell since its 20 million users can’t compare with Facebook’s 750 million, but it’s got potential with a few features that make it stand out.

Circles. Circles is a feature on Google+ that allows you to categorize your friends, thereby making your information a little more targeted and private. You can put your family in a circle, your colleagues in a circle, and your kickball team in a circle. Whew! No longer do pictures from the bar need to be shared with the boss or the things that only my sisters care about need to be shared with my other 273 friends.

Hangouts. As far as I can tell, this is similar to a chat room but with video. You can have more than one person “hanging out.” I find this one a little weird and awkward and likely won’t use it much since I can’t even Skype with my family until I have put on some make-up – a rare occasion when I am at my home computer.

Instant Upload. Now, this I like. You can take a photo or video from your phone, and it will instantly upload to your Google+ account in a private album. You can then decide who to share it with. But, even cooler is the drag and drop feature for uploading photos. As a photographer and a mom, I upload a lot of photos. Drag and drop is very, very cool.

Sparks. The people at Google call Sparks a “sharing engine.” You enter your interests and hobbies, and Google will create a library of things you might like related to that interest – blogs, links, books, articles, anything. I am wary of Sparks as I think it may lead me to have to go through a whole lot of crap.

Is Google+ the next social media phenomenon? Who knows. Time will tell, but for now, I am sticking with the time-suck that is Facebook.

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Posted by Kristi Estes on 08/05 at 01:59 PM
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