July 11, 2008
Four For Friday
Q1 - Can I See?: Almost everywhere I've lived, I've had neighbors close enough to my own home that I've often wondered what the inside of their house or apartment looked like. How well do you know your neighbors floor plans? If not at all, are you curious to see what the inside of their homes look like?
Q2 - Four-day Work Week: Many states now offer a four-day work week option for state employees, but according to published media reports, later this year, Utah will become the first state to switch over to a mandatory four-day work week for its state employees. Utah's Governor says he's making the change to reduce the state's carbon footprint, increase energy efficiency, improve customer service and provide workers more flexibility. How do you feel about state workers moving to a four-day work week (regardless of which state you work in)? Do you think it will help the core metrics Utah's Governor says it will (i.e., carbon footprint, energy efficiency, customer service, and worker flexibility)?
Q3 - Virtual Worlds: During the months of April, May, and June of this year, investors poured an astounding $160 million into 16 different companies that build, manage, and host virtual reality worlds online. Perhaps even more surprising is this: leading research firm Gartner predicts that 80% of all active Internet users will be members of virtual worlds by the year 2011. Have you ever visited or joined a online virtual world (i.e., Second Life, The Sims Online, Disney's Toontown, Habbo Hotel, IMVU, Barbie Girls, Gaia Online, World of Warcraft, Lively by Google, etc.)? If so, how often do you participate? If not, do you think you'll adapt and become part of the 80% of us predicted to be active by 2011?
Q4 - Music: What song or album are you hooked on right now?
Posted by Mikal at July 11, 2008 10:38 AM
| TrackBack
1- Living in an apartment complex, I know exactly what my neighbors floor plans are... but in the real spirit here, I love looking at floor plans, trying to update my image of the perfect house for me.
2- I would enjoy the 4 day week as an employee, but as a consumer, I'm less impressed. The advantages that Utah's Gov is looking at I think are not going to completely come through, but if there are more evening hours when I can interact with local officials, I think its worth experimenting with.
3- I never have, and as long as they want me to pay for the opportunity to join the world, I find it unlikely that I ever will.
4- Wraith Pinned To The Mist And Other Games by Of Montreal
1. I have no idea what they look like, and I really have never been that curious. They're kind of weird.
2. I like the idea because it will at least help cut down my own gas consumption. I don't know much about the carbon footprint thing. I dont buy that it will help customer service though.
3. Never done it and I will surely be in the 20% that are not involved. Just not my thing.
4. I wouldn't say 'hooked', but the new Jason Mraz album is really good.
1. living in a duplex, I go over to my neighbors place and it's the mirror opposite of my own place. like I entered the bizaro plane.
2. might be cool for those needing to do state run business after or before hours, however they work it. I think maybe that those are pretty long hours and the burnout factor may set in during the day. Carbon footprint, hmm seems to me on a saturday gets pretty busy, so I don't know about that ...
3. I played everquest as a wood elf online -- as nerdy as that sounds it was like living in another community, because you just don't have fun without meeting up with people. I can see that maybe happening, but not by 2011. Tack another 10 yrs maybe. People actually got married on that with many scandalous affairs (elwon has stories : )
4. I like the Badly Drawn Boy - about a boy album. Got it on rotation. Either that or Cannibal Corpse
Q1 - Can I See?: I haven't seen in any of my neighbors homes, and I don't really care too. But, when I first moved into the neighborhood, one woman came and introduced herself and we invited her in, and she said it was the first time she had ever been in the home, and she had lived two doors down for more than 30 years!
Q2 - Four-day Work Week: If it's a carbon footprint thing then I'm not buying it. Just because the people aren't coming to work doesn't mean they are staying in bed all day at home. Most people will take advantage of the 3-day weekend for recreational activities and trips, which may actually increase the footprint in the end.
Q3 - Virtual Worlds: Never done it, never will.
Q4 - Music: Coldplay's new album, Viva la Vida. Good stuff!
1) I have seen one of my neighbors' homes on the inside. I'm not that interested in seeing the others. My neighbor's cat though, seems quite interested in mine, since it visits regularly to share my cat's food.
2) Four-day work week. I think there are more pros than cons. Start-up and cool-down time is the least productive time of the day. If that time remains the same each day, there will be more productive hours in the week. Also, people may do more "consuming" during the three-day weekends, and that may boost the local economy.
3) I tried Second Life, and couldn't really see the point. I have a pretty good REAL world and would rather spend my time there.
4) I'm pulling out the old CDs and I'm currently playing XTC's "Black Sea" - hooked again after 28 years.
1. I like to go into peoples homes. I like people in my home. I think 40 years ago this neighborhood had 2 or 3 floor plans, but over the years & different owners, the houses hvae become custom.
2. 4 day work week, not just for the carbon footprint, but a better lifestyle. 2 days off is not enough. Those of us who work from home, never stop working.
3. No virtual world for me.
4. Dashboard Confessions/Screaming Infidelities.
1 - We are just starting to look for a house to buy and I'm realizing that I can figure out what most homes look like on the inside, ie, what the floor plan is before I even step inside. One of my criteria of the house I buy is to walk inside and go: "oooOOOohhh..." in amazement that it's not laid out like I thought it'd be.
2 - 4-day work week is brilliant for many many reasons, less gas used, better overall morale. It's been proven that people actually work harder.
Right JER!?! : )
3 - Nope. I like my real world. I play video games with friends online from back home, but not with people I don't know.
4 - The Decemberists - Picaresque and Vampire Weekend
Q1: I've been in 3 of the homes next to our corner lot. I was never dying to find out what their floor plans looked like prior to seeing them, though.
Q2: I'm self-employed right now, so my biggest fear would be that customer service from government agencies would suck on Fridays.
I guess overall I don't buy into the energy efficiency thing, as most people are going to drive to do errands, recreate, or do other things.
A bolder and smarter move would've been to commit to mass transportation improvements with rail and bus service and reward commuters for carpooling.
Q3:What? Who? No! People get outside and enjoy our natural resources before THEY become virtual!
Q4: Jonah Smith by Jonah Smith--Check out the song "My Morning Scene"--very under appreciated sleeper artist who will make it big in time. www.jonahsmith.com
1 - The apartments in my building are all the same. ...I have no interest in others apts.
2 - Regardless of the new programs 'green' effectiveness, I love the fact that Utah is attempting to take the lead on environmental issues . Plus, now I'm able to pay those stupid parking tickets after work!!
3 - I have a hard enough time handling my 1st life to deal with a second life. I spend enough time during the day in front of a computer anyways.
4 - The new Thievery Corporation album "Versions" . Good stuff.
Q1 - Can I See?: My current neighbors, never been in their home, nor have I ever been curious. I'm still trying to figure out how to get around my own home.
Q2 - Four-day Work Week: Customer service? There's such a thing as that when dealing with the state? The rest of the stuff... I guess it could help reduce the carbon footprint. Haven't really looked into it though.
Q3 - Virtual Worlds: Never did join one, but know plenty of people who have. I can see its attraction, and I think someday I might try it out. My goal would be to get virtually married to three virtual women (who are probably being played by guys) in different parts of the virtual world, and see how long I can trick them into thinking I'm only married to them and have to go on the road a lot for my virtual job.
Q4 - Music: How Far We've Come by Matchbox 20.
1) I have been in my neighbors homes and I am acquainted with the floor plans.
2) I am all for the 4-day work week. I don't believe for a second that it makes workers more productive. I think it makes people waste more time and I would guess that people would do the same amount of work in 10 hours that they did in 8 hours and the other 2 hours would be wasted. But I think people work too much in general, so I support less work.
3) I have never been to a virtual world and I don't plan on it. I prefer to read books.
4) Vampire Weekend
Q1 - I live in a house, in a small town. No idea what my neighbors floor plan looks like, but often wonder. However, not enough to make the effort to get inside. :)
Q2 - I don't think it will. But, I hope it will :)! I want a 4 day work week - that would rock. I just think if people get an extra day off, they will still drive somewhere and do something consuming energy - its too much a part of our daily lives. If you got a day off, would you stay home and not drive anywhere, and shut off your electricity? Come on. Some may, but most won't.
Q3 - I used to play a lot of Quake 3 online, Instagib, Capture the flag, etc. Loved it! I didn't think of it as a Virtual World at the time, but I suppose that qualifies. I really enjoyed it and made a lot of friends online that I never saw, only spoke to via the game chat. I don't play much anymore. I thinks its reasonable to think 80% of users will be a part of some kind of online world or virtual world in the next 10 years. Look at myspace and Facebook.
Q4 - right now, I'm stuck on INXS Kick. This is a new and rare change, just came across the album and it stuck. I'm typically stuck on any given Nine Inch Nails album - it rarely leaves my Zune play list.
Q1 - I live in an apartment complex, so I know the floor plan of most other apartments in my building...but wouldn't mind seeing how they decorate their place to see if there is a better arrangement for my own place.
Q2 - I would love to work 4 10's, but wouldn't alter my day to day living habits to try to conserve energy. Although, I would love to spend my day off doing absolutely nothing.
Q3 - I have facebook, but that is about the extent of my online-ness world stuff.
Q4 - Incubus or Linkin Park are always a safe bet for the work place, but I have really been into Slightly Stoopid. They have a Sublime mixed with 311 sound and "ease my pains." But, that new song, "I kissed a girl" by Katy Perry is a catchy tune I can't seem to get away from.
1. I love looking at floor plans of buildings and seeing how people arrange furniture and decorate. Which means that I also love going to open houses and looking in windows if I'm in the passenger seat of a car.
2. My workplace used to be the 4-day a week plan, and all my co-workers hate how it's changed to 5 days. I'm not sure if it would really help with efficiency, but I'm all for the 4-day work week.
3. I played this old online game where I ran around killing scorpions and did quests. I thought it was a lot of fun, but I would never pay to play an online game.
4. I can't get that "I kissed a girl and I liked it" song out of my head either! She performed on "So you think you can dance" last night and now I'm hooked.
Q1: I live in condos that are all the same so I know what they all look like. I do like seeing other's decorations though!
Q2: I personally would love a 4-day work week. And I would prefer to have every Monday off. Also, it doesn't really make a difference to me if state employees move to a 4-day week. I'm not really sure if it will help the green movement or not.
Q3: About a year ago I signed up for Second LIfe. Back then my life was so great that I literally wanted a second one. In my second life I was also a paper salesman and I was also named Dwight. Absolutely everything was the same.
Ha ha. I love the office. I personally have never had a virtual life.
Q4: The Beatles, One
1) Of course, I am always curious of the unknown. But I am more interested in how it is decorated rather then the layout.
2) I would love a 4 day work week! I don't see a downside at all. I do believe employees would be more productive and moral would be higher.
3) No. I look at a computer all day long. Why the hell would I go home and play pretend on a computer.
4) I am hooked the Alkaholics.
Q1 - I live in a townhouse so my neighbors are really close. There are only six different floor plans so I know what the layout is of each house but I am curious about how people decorate.
Q2 -It think there are a lot of positives with a four day week. I think it would help with worker moral to have three days off a week, being able to spend more time with family. As far as energy efficiency I am not sure how it would save since workers will be there longer on days they work and I don't think they will close down the government one day a week? Who knows?
Q3 - I guess I will be the 20% since I have no idea what a virtual world is.
Q4 - I am not really listening to music at all right now.
My answers are posted on my blog.
Q1. I don't care about other people's homes/lay-outs until I need to sell mine and consider comps. When it comes to comps, I could care less how other people decorate their homes as my husband and I tend towards a more classic/neutral color base and theme (we just are that way, anyway). We don't have to worry about the leopard skin design wall paper and bright orange walls!
Q2. LOVE the idea of a 4 day work week! I think more companies/employers should move in this direction. I also believe that more people should work from home and lose the corporate overhead of an office.
I am shocked reading the responses for today's post - people not concerned about their carbon footprint that they don't even understand in the first place. Get your heads out of the sand, people! Using resources efficiently will become an increasingly BIG issue - unfortunately, we should have been less wasteful all along.
Q3. I could CARE LESS about a virtual world. Our children are missing out on the beauty of nature, conversation, reading and direction human interaction. Shut off the computer, take a walk or a hike and TALK to the REAL people in your life before they leave this planet in death. The virtual world will never replace the human experience - mostly, love.
Q4. Kenny Loggins (best of). I'm alright, don't nobody worry 'bout me! OR, for the 'head in the sand-ers' on this blog... highway to the DANGER ZONE!
INQUIRY TO THE BELI-BLOG MEISTER...
Will you be polling your readership on the untimely and sad passing of Tony Snow?
I hope so.
We lost another public press 'Great': first Tim Russert and now Tony Snow. Both of these gentlemen brought strong family values, religious faith, genuine beliefs and hearts of gold to the American press and the political leaders they covered. They exemplified American hard work and patriotism; most uniquely, they earned tremendous respect from both political parties.
Tony Snow and Tim Russert deserve our time in honoring their memories. We need their inspiration and life achievements to drive us to great things.
I look forward to hearing from you and your readership.
1. I don't really want to see inside my neighbor' house, but there are some houses I drive by often that I'd be curious to see inside.
2. Four day work weeks are long overdue. I think every employer should offer them. I'm sure working one less day per week could save a lot of energy with less wear and tear on the facilities.
3. No. Not interested in the virtual stuff. I think the real world is much more interesting.
4. I'm not listening to anything right now. In fact, I'm on the prowl for some good new tunes.
Q1: I've been in the homes of the neighbors to either side of me and a couple other houses in the neighborhood. Heck, yeah, I'm curious. Whenever I attend a party at someone's home, I ask for a tour, because I don't want them to feel as though I'm snooping around. Most people just tell me to explore on my own, which is my preference, but some seem to either be proud to show me their pad or prefer to accompany me so I don't get too snoopy.
Q2: I think the four-day work week is a good idea and will probably help with all the things you mentioned, but I'm baffled (given the price of gas and all), that more companies and organizations (including government offices) are not allowing workers to telecommute when it makes sense for them to do so. Ten years ago, telecommuting seemed like it would take the country by storm, but I still see loads of people who could really be doing their jobs out of their homes driving hundreds of miles a week back and forth to work. What a waste!
Q3: I joined Second Life just to see what all the hubbub was about, and I wasn't impressed. I still prefer reality. In fact, when I'm out walking, jogging, or riding my bike, I even prefer the ambient sounds over listening to music on an iPod or some other such device. I can't believe that with all the wonders of reality surrounding us so many people are choosing to tune out. What's this going to do to our real world when 80% of everyone is choosing to tune it out?
Q4: Recently, I attended a Weird Al Yankovic concert, and I can't get his song "White and Nerdy" out of my head.
1. I love seeing my neighbor's houses - but I'm more interested in how they've decorated (and how clean it is in relation to mine based on how many kids they have... there's a whole algorithm... it's an obsession...).
2. I wonder if the only way this would work is if only some sectors got a 4 day work week. It seems that a worker could be more productive if they could do all the errands and appointments they would usually do on a work day on the "5th" day... but if everyone started the 4 day work week - we'd be in the same situation we're in now.
3. My kids and I are part of VMK (Disney's Virtual Magic Kingdom) - but that's only so that I can get my Disneyland fix when I'm not there.
4. Opera Babes!
1. I know them all pretty well. I've been in most of my neighbors homes and even made a short film in a couple of them.
2. I think it's a good idea. I don't know that it will have a huge impact on carbon footprint, but I think that the extended hours can be good for customer service once you get used to them being gone on Fridays. And it's great for worker flexibility. At the very least, I think it's good that people are making an effort. I wish our company would move to a 4-day work week.
3. No, I don't participate in any of them and really don't see myself becoming a part of them anytime soon. I don't know how people find the time for them. I've got enough to do in the real world without having to worry about spending time in virtual ones.
4. None at the moment, though I did get a sneak preview of Wes's new Doba song and I'm pretty sure to be hooked on it once I get a copy. Hurry it up, Wes!
Q1 - I don't know any of my neighbors floor plans, except the ones across the street. I saw that house when it was being built and got a tour then. Of course, that was the original owners, and that was 2 or 3 neighbors ago...
Q2 - It seems to me they tried to do this several years ago and it never worked. Now maybe it will. I personally think it's a great idea for those businesses that can manage it. I would have loved the idea of working 4 days a week. Now as a business owner, I find myself working 7 days a week more oft than not.
Q3 - Not a member of any virtual worlds, per se, but Facebook seems to take over things online when your friends are active on there!
Q4 - Nothing lately. I just keep seeming to vascillate....
Post a Comment:
|
