I gotta take more days off

March 14, 2006 By

You know, I gotta take more days off. I realized that during lunch. Sitting on the top floor of the Iron Works in the Austin sunshine. Eating BBQ. Damn, I’m getting fat but I’m fat and happy. Lots of great memories from SXSW. Sitting at the table was the Liz Lawley. Craig Newmark. Lili Cheng. Jenny Lam. (Jenny and Lili do a lot of design work on Windows). Nothing important got said, just a fun lunch relaxing in the sun. I just pinched myself and thought that at some point someone will wake me up from this dream.

Speaking of fun stuff, yeah, Microsoft did the iPod box design parody video. Yes, we can laugh at ourselves. The marketing team did it to challenge the box designers for our products to do better. We need more of this stuff. Microsoft is a consensus culture and consensus (which means everyone has to sign off on things) does avoid trouble, but it also makes for uninspired products and marketing. That is our internal challenge to figure out, that’s for sure!

Speaking of designers, I love Alan Cooper. Some of my favorite memories of the 1990s are sitting around with him having conversations with him. I was lucky enough to record part of a conversation I had with him recently after he spoke at a conference so you can see part of his interesting personality. He says bombastic things. But he always gets me to think and that’s why I love him.

Welp, I’m off to get on a plane heading home.

Oh, one other thing. Some people said “get over yourself” because of my last post. I’m so tired of people telling me I can’t (or shouldn’t) be irritated, egotistical, or just a jerk. It’s my blog. Deal with it. Sometimes I +am+ an arrogant, egotistical, jerk. But, who are you to tell me I can’t be that way? What? You trying to outdo me in the arrogant/ego/jerk department? Heheh!

Have a good one. 134 emails to go.

Filed Under: 1, Blog Tips

Pace

I second the above

sounds like you need more Vitamin C =P
Mihail Molin

>The problem with Microsoft is that too many things are designed by committees

No problem when it is the right solution. The solution for everyone who has a mobile phone – that’s all 30 people. It’s a persistent need – a keypad for comfortable typing like on a standard keyboard. Where do you want to go today. Go ahead.
Mihail Molin

>The problem with Microsoft is that too many things are designed by committees

No problem when it is the right solution. The solution for everyone who has a mobile phone – that’s all 30 people. It’s a persistent need – a keypad for comfortable typing like on a standard keyboard. Where do you want to go today. Go ahead.
Mihail Molin

>The problem with Microsoft is that too many things are designed by committees

No problem when it is the right solution. The solution for everyone who has a mobile phone – that’s all 30 people. It’s a persistent need – a keypad for comfortable typing like on a standard keyboard. Where do you want to go today. Go ahead.
Mihail Molin

>The problem with Microsoft is that too many things are designed by committees

No problem when it is the right solution. The solution for everyone who has a mobile phone – that’s all 30 people. It’s a persistent need – a keypad for comfortable typing like on a standard keyboard. Where do you want to go today. Go ahead.
Mihail Molin

>The problem with Microsoft is that too many things are designed by committees

No problem when it is the right solution. The solution for everyone who has a mobile phone – that’s all 30 people. It’s a persistent need – a keypad for comfortable typing like on a standard keyboard. Where do you want to go today. Go ahead.
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http://www.eccosys.net/ Gerard

Hey keep going and be yourself! Your blog, and some of the actions of MS of late have turned this 100% MS hater around.
http://www.eccosys.net/ Gerard

Hey keep going and be yourself! Your blog, and some of the actions of MS of late have turned this 100% MS hater around.
http://www.eccosys.net/ Gerard

Hey keep going and be yourself! Your blog, and some of the actions of MS of late have turned this 100% MS hater around.
http://www.eccosys.net/ Gerard

Hey keep going and be yourself! Your blog, and some of the actions of MS of late have turned this 100% MS hater around.
http://www.eccosys.net/ Gerard

Hey keep going and be yourself! Your blog, and some of the actions of MS of late have turned this 100% MS hater around.
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http://www.piedcow.com/blog Mike Lopez

I’m gonna be in Seattle this weekend – any non-things going on? I have a loose plan to visit some Celtic Bar on the Ave Fri night but a lot of stars would have to align.
http://www.piedcow.com/blog Mike Lopez

I’m gonna be in Seattle this weekend – any non-things going on? I have a loose plan to visit some Celtic Bar on the Ave Fri night but a lot of stars would have to align.
http://www.piedcow.com/blog Mike Lopez

I’m gonna be in Seattle this weekend – any non-things going on? I have a loose plan to visit some Celtic Bar on the Ave Fri night but a lot of stars would have to align.
http://www.piedcow.com/blog Mike Lopez

I’m gonna be in Seattle this weekend – any non-things going on? I have a loose plan to visit some Celtic Bar on the Ave Fri night but a lot of stars would have to align.
http://www.piedcow.com/blog Mike Lopez

I’m gonna be in Seattle this weekend – any non-things going on? I have a loose plan to visit some Celtic Bar on the Ave Fri night but a lot of stars would have to align.
http://www.piedcow.com/blog Mike Lopez

I’m gonna be in Seattle this weekend – any non-things going on? I have a loose plan to visit some Celtic Bar on the Ave Fri night but a lot of stars would have to align.
http://forevervoyaging.blogspot.com/ Mike Drips

“Eating BBQ. Damn, I’m getting fat but I’m fat and happy.”
Robert, BBQ is not fattening. That’s a myth made up by wives who are concerned that their husbands do not have enough life insurance. I grew up in Kansas City the BBQ capital of the universe, and while I may now in my late 50s be a tad rotund, it has nothing to do with eating BBQ.
It’s because of, um, global warming.
http://forevervoyaging.blogspot.com Mike Drips

“Eating BBQ. Damn, I’m getting fat but I’m fat and happy.”
Robert, BBQ is not fattening. That’s a myth made up by wives who are concerned that their husbands do not have enough life insurance. I grew up in Kansas City the BBQ capital of the universe, and while I may now in my late 50s be a tad rotund, it has nothing to do with eating BBQ.
It’s because of, um, global warming.
Guy Pelletier

Hey Mike, thats it, KC is in the middle and global warming does affect your size. I live in KC and it does serve up the best BBQ in the world!
Guy Pelletier

Hey Mike, thats it, KC is in the middle and global warming does affect your size. I live in KC and it does serve up the best BBQ in the world!
http://www.njconcierges.com/ Serge Lescouarnec

Robert
More, more (or too much) is a distinctly US thing.
We often forget that it’s quality rather than quantity that matters.
Being able to talk with others about various things be it music, food, wine rather than our current obsession or work. We forget to chill and listen to others, open our ears and eyes.
Enough said
Serge
Biz:
http://www.montclairconcierges.com
Blog:
http://sergetheconcierge.typepad.com
http://www.njconcierges.com Serge Lescouarnec

Robert
More, more (or too much) is a distinctly US thing.
We often forget that it’s quality rather than quantity that matters.
Being able to talk with others about various things be it music, food, wine rather than our current obsession or work. We forget to chill and listen to others, open our ears and eyes.
Enough said
Serge
Biz:
http://www.montclairconcierges.com
Blog:
http://sergetheconcierge.typepad.com
http://scobleizer.wordpress.com/ scobleizer

>Guzzard: that shows that you don’t have any concept of what goes on when you publish a popular blog. I get hundreds of emails a day. You ever try to answer hundreds of emails? Every day? Sometimes they come in faster than I can answer them. I answer each and every one (or try to).

Second, what happens when you get popular? People invite you to speak. In just the past week I’ve been on dozens of radio stations and given a couple of presentations.

Third, you get asked to consult. Lots of groups inside your company want help in doing what you are doing better. More meetings/presenations/consultations.

Fourth, there’s my day job. That’s Channel 9. Ever try to keep fresh content coming nearly every day for more than two years? That requires calling, emailing, networking, and more.

Fifth, there’s the blog itself. Needs to be written. How do you write it? Gotta read. I read hundreds of feeds.

Sixth, back to #1. I’m paid to be an evangelist. That means helping developers build software on our new platforms. So, when a developer asks for help, I gotta get it for him/her. That requires building tons of relationships and working to make sure people get paid attention to. In a company with 60,000 employees that’s not easy.

Seventh: since I read a lot of feeds and get a lot of email, I tell a lot of executives to get their acts together. You ever tell an executive to buy a company, take care of a customer or change his/her behavior? It’s not something that’s particularly easy to do.

So, while it might look like all I’m doing is having fun, it isn’t as easy as it looks.
http://scobleizer.wordpress.com/ scobleizer

>Guzzard: that shows that you don’t have any concept of what goes on when you publish a popular blog. I get hundreds of emails a day. You ever try to answer hundreds of emails? Every day? Sometimes they come in faster than I can answer them. I answer each and every one (or try to).

Second, what happens when you get popular? People invite you to speak. In just the past week I’ve been on dozens of radio stations and given a couple of presentations.

Third, you get asked to consult. Lots of groups inside your company want help in doing what you are doing better. More meetings/presenations/consultations.

Fourth, there’s my day job. That’s Channel 9. Ever try to keep fresh content coming nearly every day for more than two years? That requires calling, emailing, networking, and more.

Fifth, there’s the blog itself. Needs to be written. How do you write it? Gotta read. I read hundreds of feeds.

Sixth, back to #1. I’m paid to be an evangelist. That means helping developers build software on our new platforms. So, when a developer asks for help, I gotta get it for him/her. That requires building tons of relationships and working to make sure people get paid attention to. In a company with 60,000 employees that’s not easy.

Seventh: since I read a lot of feeds and get a lot of email, I tell a lot of executives to get their acts together. You ever tell an executive to buy a company, take care of a customer or change his/her behavior? It’s not something that’s particularly easy to do.

So, while it might look like all I’m doing is having fun, it isn’t as easy as it looks.
anon

Microsoft did the iPod box design parody video.

It’s pretty sad that Microsoft paid somebody to do that.

Sometimes it’s better to make a mistake on a SHIPPING product.
anon

Microsoft did the iPod box design parody video.

It’s pretty sad that Microsoft paid somebody to do that.

Sometimes it’s better to make a mistake on a SHIPPING product.
http://quebonita.wordpress.com/ quebonita

Whoo – Hoo…. Remind them there’s always that little X in the corner if they have a problem with what you write!
http://quebonita.wordpress.com/ quebonita

Whoo – Hoo…. Remind them there’s always that little X in the corner if they have a problem with what you write!
http://jackyan.com Jack Yan

Too right, mate: just be yourself. If others can’t handle it, it’s their problem. This is your blog. And wasn’t “being yourself” the whole idea of having a blog?
http://www.jackyan.com/blog Jack Yan

Too right, mate: just be yourself. If others can’t handle it, it’s their problem. This is your blog. And wasn’t “being yourself” the whole idea of having a blog?
http://drellencutler.wordpress.com/ drellencutler

Hi, I am offering my services with enzymes. It can help you not gain weight. I emailed you, so whenever you want to come see me, i would love to help you. I am a Next Now member and heard you speak on blogs. have been blogging every since.
Let me know anytime you want some advise.
drellencutler.wordpress.com
http://drellencutler.wordpress.com/ drellencutler

Hi, I am offering my services with enzymes. It can help you not gain weight. I emailed you, so whenever you want to come see me, i would love to help you. I am a Next Now member and heard you speak on blogs. have been blogging every since.
Let me know anytime you want some advise.
drellencutler.wordpress.com
Mike

Scoble said “I get hundreds of emails a day.”

How many of these are WordPress comments? You could dish all those and spare some time off.
Mike

Scoble said “I get hundreds of emails a day.”

How many of these are WordPress comments? You could dish all those and spare some time off.
Guzzard

“Fourth, there’s my day job. That’s Channel 9. Ever try to keep fresh content coming nearly every day for more than two years? That requires calling, emailing, networking, and more.” –

Okay – I get it, I was wondering what your CORE job is. I think you need some help. Microsoft should have a Scoble support team, or quit Microsoft and then start ScobleSoft consulting, hire a few people who know their stuff and share your similar passions. You will then be able to work your own schedule. Make Microsoft your first customer. BTW I evangelize MS at work, so much so that one of my bosses goals for 2006-2007 is for me to get training in other software products, I asked her, “Like what?” the only thing she could muster is, “Oracle”.

Thanks for keeping it real!
Guzzard

“Fourth, there’s my day job. That’s Channel 9. Ever try to keep fresh content coming nearly every day for more than two years? That requires calling, emailing, networking, and more.” –

Okay – I get it, I was wondering what your CORE job is. I think you need some help. Microsoft should have a Scoble support team, or quit Microsoft and then start ScobleSoft consulting, hire a few people who know their stuff and share your similar passions. You will then be able to work your own schedule. Make Microsoft your first customer. BTW I evangelize MS at work, so much so that one of my bosses goals for 2006-2007 is for me to get training in other software products, I asked her, “Like what?” the only thing she could muster is, “Oracle”.

Thanks for keeping it real!
http://www.damnralph.com/ Ralph

LOL ScobleSoft … that sounds more like a personal problem then a Business.

That’s why my blog is called Damn Ralph folks.
http://www.damnralph.com Ralph

LOL ScobleSoft … that sounds more like a personal problem then a Business.

That’s why my blog is called Damn Ralph folks.
http://acidzebra.blogspot.com/ Michiel

“Microsoft is a consensus culture”

Bwhahahahaha! Yeah, and linux is a dictatorship. Pigs fly, and cows jump over the moon every day. Also, hell is experiencing a major freeze.

Sorry for the troll comment, but I couldn’t resist.
http://acidzebra.blogspot.com Michiel

“Microsoft is a consensus culture”

Bwhahahahaha! Yeah, and linux is a dictatorship. Pigs fly, and cows jump over the moon every day. Also, hell is experiencing a major freeze.

Sorry for the troll comment, but I couldn’t resist.
Dmad

Again, if I use your blog as a resume the first thing I learn about you is that you cannot manage your time and you have a hard time prioritizing your job from your hobbies. From the list above the only thing important to a potential employer is how you handle #6. And it seems to me that is falling down the list. (given that it wasn’t mentioned until #6). You’re not being paid to blog (or so you say) or take world tours (since you’ve mentioned many times that you fund a lot of these junkets yourself), so if that is causing your inbox to fill up and taking time away from your real job, then…stop blogging. Will Microsoft care? If so, then have them adjust your committments to account for it. If they won’t care, then that’s something you have to let your ego deal with.
Dmad

Again, if I use your blog as a resume the first thing I learn about you is that you cannot manage your time and you have a hard time prioritizing your job from your hobbies. From the list above the only thing important to a potential employer is how you handle #6. And it seems to me that is falling down the list. (given that it wasn’t mentioned until #6). You’re not being paid to blog (or so you say) or take world tours (since you’ve mentioned many times that you fund a lot of these junkets yourself), so if that is causing your inbox to fill up and taking time away from your real job, then…stop blogging. Will Microsoft care? If so, then have them adjust your committments to account for it. If they won’t care, then that’s something you have to let your ego deal with.
solomonrex

A life unexamined is not worth living.
solomonrex

A life unexamined is not worth living.
http://mihailm.wordpress.com/ mihailm

>(2.8′) and a keyboard fitted on the palm for *typing*.

for everyone.
http://mihailm.wordpress.com/ mihailm

>(2.8′) and a keyboard fitted on the palm for *typing*.

for everyone.

I gotta take more days off

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