CounselingBlog

iPhone

Well, the iPhone was released this evening. I had a client, so I did not go to the big unveiling, but I did drop by the Apple Store in La Cantera this afternoon - I saw the preparations. The staff was excited - they are always cheery anyway, but it was clear that this was a BIG deal.

Outside the store, there were about 150 people in line - in lawn chairs actually - waiting to buy their iPhones, making friends and talking about the iPhone, of course. There was even a guy who had made an iPhone costume for the occasion - I would have loved seeing the giant iPhone guy actually buy an iPhone - hopefully someone took a photo - with their new iPhone, no doubt.

I did not buy an iPhone today and I have to admit, it was hard NOT to be swept up in this.

I love Apple products. I am a new Mac owner, and iPod owner, and I think the design and usability are fantastic. So I know I'll love my iPhone whenever it arrives.

I have a friend who is planning to buy his iPhone when the 2nd generation of iPhones is released - presumably next year - because the 2nd generation iPhones will be better than this first go-round. I would like to do that too, but I am not at all sure I can wait it out. The iPhone seems to have the ability to do so many handy things - and it looks like a lot of fun.

So I have a tad bit of iPhone envy tonight. And, I'll probably pop by my Apple Store tomorrow to check one out - I am hoping seeing the iPhone is not like going to look at a litter of puppies...you know, if you go to look at puppies, you are going to come home with one.

iCynthia
************
Cynthia McKenna Counseling
www.cynthiamckennacounseling.com

Pursue the Passion - eBook

I asked Brett Farmiloe to let me know when his new, FREE, eBook was released. Well, it is out and ready for you to download. Here is the blurb Brett sent me for my ezine, The Occasional Newsletter.

"Four recent college grads are undertaking a project this summer entitled Pursue the Passion, where they are embarking on a 14,000 mile journey in a gigantic 30 foot tour bus to interview 200 professionals who are passionate about their work.

They want the tour and the material they gather to inspire, guide, and support other aspiring individuals that are seeking to find their passion in a career.

The 90-day Pursue the Passion tour launches from Phoenix July 2nd, and will be going through Texas October 5th-10th. You can learn more about the project or sign up for an interview at www.pursuethepassion.com "

Brett Farmiloe, the founding member of Pursue the Passion, has just issued a free e-book about last year's journey. Here is the link, Pursue the Passion - eBook

Do check out the eBook - it took a while to download onto my computer - don't despair, it is worth the wait.

So - what are YOU passionate about?
I would love to hear from you - just click the "comments" button below and let us all know.

Cynthia
*************
Cynthia McKenna Counseling
www.cynthiamckennacounseling.com

Is it a conspiracy?

I walked outside this morning to put some Sun Tea out to brew, and I noticed that I could see the koi in the pond - swimming around.

That wouldn't be strange at all, except my pond is usually covered with lovely water lilies like this one

I walked down the rock steps - and gasped - literally.

ALL the lilies, and the lily pads were gone, completely gone.  The poor fish were hovering in the bottom of the pond with no shade and no cover. 

I checked the skimmer basket - no lily pads in there - so something must've eaten them all.  My guess is that deer came, in the night, and had a feast.

The actual lilies bulbs are in the bottom of the pond, but it will be weeks before they put on enough leaves to shade the pond.  Ponds need shade, not only for the fish, but also to keep the algae from running rampant.

So I spent my day at Water Garden Gems - a lovely pond place about an hour from my house.  I bought new plants, and some other things to help the pond.  The folks there are really nice.

Now to the conspiracy part...

A quick check of my blog posts from last summer shows that exactly one week ago (last year) the deer and the raccoons raided all my tomato plants and spoiled my tomato crop - and my mood.

Last year the land was dry, so the animals foraging was understandable.  This year, we are lush and green - there is NO reason for them to eat all my lilies.

Stupid deer.

So I am heading out now to replant my pond and give the poor koi a break.  I keep imagining the raccoons coming tonight to go fishing, since the fish have no where to hide - it could be a massacre.

Next year, you all are invited to a campout at my house - from June 17 -24.  We'll divide up in teams and some will sleep by the tomatoes and some by the pond.

Cynthia
***************
Cynthia McKenna Counseling
www.cynthiamckennacounseling.com

Hey SBU - Welcome!

I was checking out my Blog stats for CounselingBlog and I saw some referrers from sbu.edu A quick check told me that it is St. Bonaventure Uni in New York.

Looks like someone in the College of Education has listed me - or rather this blog - on their class syllabus. CounselingBlog is there as an example of an educational blog.

I think that is soooo cool.

Maybe I am touched by this because I have a bachelors and master's in education, so some bit of this excitement feels like old friends dropping by. Unfortunately, when I was getting my bachelor's, the first apple computers were in the library and there was no such thing as surfing around the www for a class.

Maybe it is just fun to have someone think about my blog and appreciate the posts.

Whatever the reason, to all of you @ SBU, welcome. I would love your feedback on the site, and any other comments you feel like making. Also, keep your eyes open for a guest blog post from the Pursue the Passion folks - They'll be stopping by fairly soon.

Cynthia
*************
Cynthia McKenna Counseling
www.cynthiamckennacounseling.com
210 557-1715

Pursue your passion

A few weeks back, my cousin Greg Davis www.gregdavisphotography.com was here for an art show. Greg used to work for corporate America and has left that salary (and all its hassles) to follow his dream.

He is now pursuing his art full time - taking photos, talking to interesting people, and generally living life.

While Greg Davis was here, Suzanne Falter-Barnes blogged about some guys who are traveling cross-country, interviewing people who are passionate about what they do. They call this trip Pursue the Passion www.pursuethepassion.com I immediately thought about Greg when I read that - and actually, I hope they'll interview me as well because I think I am pretty passionate about what I do.

In July I'll be doing a workshop about creating the life you really want. In preparation for that, I have been wondering about the many things that keep us from pursuing our dreams. Sometimes it is fear, or social pressures, or maybe it is just someone saying, "You can't do that."

So to all of us, here is a heartfelt, "You ABSOLUTELY can pursue your passion!" The first step is to let yourself dream - imagine what you would like to do, what the rhythm of your life could be, and start taking steps to make that happen.

As I write this, I remember an essay on what our world would be like if we had all become what we wanted to be when we were children. It was a funny commentary on a world filled with ballerinas, firemen, astronauts, and cowboys. I don't think I mean, "pursue your passion" in that way - not exactly. But there is a quality of, "I can do anything" to that ballerina world. I can't help but think we'd have less violence if we were all busy dancing.

Cynthia
*************
Cynthia McKenna Counseling
Healing relationships - one heart at a time
www.cynthiamckennacounseling.com
210.557.1715