Last week I promised to share some goodies and I’ve [...]]]> It is my turn to host the Blogging Boomers Carnival, installment number 107.  I have the privilege of being the first host in daylight savings time.  This week, I’m all about innovation, imagination, reengineering, revisioning.  Creativity, inspiration, and the first breaths of spring a’comin’.

Last week I promised to share some goodies and I’ve got the goods, thanks to many of our intrepid Carnies.  So, in addition to many of the posts, this week, our favorite bloggers ALSO share some of the websites and/or blogs that THEY have found innovative or inspiring.  Enjoy.

A wakeup call about social networking from John Agno, at So Baby Boomer:  Anecdotal evidence suggests that Baby Boomers have discovered Facebook in a big way.  However, SoBabyBoomer suggests that we must be clear about the lies we tell ourselves regarding the use of this social network.

To her surprise, when Barbara Weibel at Hole In The Donut traveled to Ocracoke Island - one of the most isolated places in the country – she understood the unique brogue spoken by the locals, leading her to a discovery about her family roots.
Barbara sends her recommendation to a wonderful blog  authored by Ruth Pennebaker, who is an amazing writer. Barbara tells us: “Sometimes I cry when I read her posts; other times I laugh out loud, but her writing always touches me profoundly.”  Visit the The Fabulous Geezersisters.  (I’m heading over there just because of the name!)

Laura Lee Carter, AKA “The Midlife Crisis Queen”,  asks: How does real human change occur?  Let’s ask an expert on the human mind and brain function Dr. Joe Dispenza.  Laura Lee asks us to spread the love check out the blog of her Australian friend.  It’s called Hot Middlescence! 

“I have a relative who retired at age 53, and I’m envious”, says Carnival co-founder, Rhea Becker at The Boomer Chronicles.   Nuff said.

This one cracks me up:  Over at Menopause the Blog, Wendy Lawson explains why mid-life women have so many bad hair days… (Refer back to The Boomer Chronicles, above.)

Do you have a passion for photography? Check out SoFoBoMo over at Contemporary Retirement.  And Ann Harrison’s points us to Jeanette Maw’s Good Vibe Blog - all about the Law of Attraction.  That’s good…I’m going to check it out…I’m trying to attract some money.

Ron Enderland never fails to evoke nostalgic memories at I Remember JFK   This week he brings us “Essential 60′s Accessories: Ashtrays and Lighters –Let’s step back in time and step inside a typical home of the 1960′s. We’ll use my modest Miami, Oklahoma dwelling, of course. It was a 1950′s era tract home sitting on a modestly traveled street. Very typical of what WWII veterans were raising families in. If you have time-traveled from the 21st century, the first thing you will notice when you step through my front door (three small staggered vertical windows placed at adult-viewing level) is a pervading odor of stale cigarette smoke.”

Intrepid co-founder Wesley Hein brings me great joy this week:  More and more people are becoming obsessed with Twitter. Why this is happening and how you can use it are the focus of the LifeTwo article Twitter: What It Is And Why You Should Know (And How To Find Us); “Twitter Power”  And his recommended favorite web site is the satirical website The Onion

Good listening is pure love. What? Has listening become the lost art of relationships?  Dina, at This Marriage Thing shares why and her favorite StoryCorp moment.

Don’t know about you, but fashion IS all about innovation.  Spring Styles are starting to pop up in stores and there’s plenty of choice out there. What are this season’s latest trends, and how can you wear them without looking too old, too young, but just right? Visit Fabulous after 40 to find out.

Nancy, at VaBoomer, brings some perspective to the table.  Becoming a Human Hub in challenged economic times:  connect, connect, connect!

What is indoctrination and what isn’t – and does it matter?  A children’s ceremony raises questions over at Don’t Gel Too Soon

And as for me, already filled with such great thoughts from these wonderful writers, I’d like to turn your attention to another great writer, my mother, Corinne Copnick  (http://Cryo-kid.blogspot.com), who breathes life to the written word while exploring innovation at the Cultural Olympiad in Vancouver, BC

Always go to the source:  http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2009/jan09/01-22fy09Q2earnings.mspx

In light of the [...]]]> The hurt keeps on coming.  This morning Microsoft announced their 2nd quarter results and with the global economy still limping along, put plans in place to lay off 5,000 staff over the next 18 months, included 1400 who got their pink slips today.

Always go to the source:  http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2009/jan09/01-22fy09Q2earnings.mspx

In light of the further deterioration of global economic conditions, Microsoft announced additional steps to manage costs, including the reduction of headcount-related expenses, vendors and contingent staff, facilities, capital expenditures and marketing. As part of this plan, Microsoft will eliminate up to 5,000 jobs in R&D, marketing, sales, finance, legal, HR, and IT over the next 18 months, including 1,400 jobs today. These initiatives will reduce the company’s annual operating expense run rate by approximately $1.5 billion and reduce fiscal year 2009 capital expenditures by $700 million.

Business Outlook

“Economic activity and IT spend slowed beyond our expectations in the quarter, and we acted quickly to reduce our cost structure and mitigate its impact,” said Chris Liddell, chief financial officer at Microsoft. “We are planning for economic uncertainty to continue through the remainder of the fiscal year, almost certainly leading to lower revenue and earnings for the second half relative to the previous year. In this environment, we will focus on outperforming our competitors and addressing our cost structure.”

And for stockholders, Microsoft is not going to make projections to the end of the fiscal year, given the volatility and uncertainty of the global economy.  What that really means, is that no one can figure out what the heck is going on and how long this deterioration is going to continue.  Tough day for Microsoft employees.