Duckworking

Some weeks ago, I was driving with my sons, we wanted to have some "Tacos" and meanwhile we where chatting. All of a sudden, Mauricio told us, "Look, there is a lady walking a duck.".

In the beginning we didn't understand, the sentence was meaningless, so we asked him, what are you talking about? So he ask us to turn around and look at the sidewalk, and we will find the woman.

It happens that a lady, with some Asian characteristics, was walking down the street, with what it should be her pet, a duck. And not a small one, a big size duck, adult, with all his white feathers, and his yellow duck beak.

It was kind of a strange picture, this lady, hasn't her pet with a strap, as if would happen if her pet was a dog. But when she walked, she was talking to her duck, and tell him to walk faster or to move to the right. Something totally strange for me and my sons. When she arrived to the corner of the street, she take the duck with both hands and they both cross the street, and when arriving to the next side, she place the duck back for him to walk with her.

We couldn't get down the car, but watch was happening, we could see some people stopping her and asking about her unusual pet. We could imagine some of this questions: How do you get a duck for a pet? What's his name? How old is him? How did you train him?

Some of my suggestions when you have a duckworking:

1.- Having different pets, could give you the opportunity to meet a lot of people, moreover if you take them for a walk. Give yourself the chance to answer all the questions you've been asked and seize the opportunity to increase your network.

2.- Consider the fact that in some cultures, some people may be offended, if you are not hurting your pet, and you learn about the caring of it, you have nothing to worry about, just think that it may be someone that do not agree.

3.- If you are the type of people that do not has a pet, give yourself the opportunity to meet people that does. Ask them about the care they should have, the space, among other things. Maybe you won't go and buy a pet, but you will seize the chance to meet another people.

Transportation Networking

Arturo, my youngest son, enrolled this semester to a high school that is far away from where we live. This has made that he develop some networking skills. He says that he didn't learned that from me... but I love to tell this story, because the parents example is then copied by the kids.

It happens that there is a transportation that takes him and brings him back from his high school, but the nearest point that the route could bring him is about a 50 minute walk, it means its about 5 kilometers (3 miles) from where we live. In the mornings, we organize ourselves to drop him in my way to work. But in the afternoon, he usually arrives earlier than me, so he has made some arrangements to solve his transportation problem.

The first thing he do, was to meet his bus peers, then he watched the ones that lived on his way, and when the mother of one of his friends offered a ride to the other bus stop, he took her word and get the first walk free.

When he arrived to the bus stop, he realized that there was a lot of people waiting, and when the bus finally arrived, it has no place to get up. That happened with 3 different buses. So one of the guys standing there say out loud: "I'm heading to Cacalote, do someone want to share a cab?", with my son, 2 more people say yes, and shared a taxi, they save some money, and get to know some other ways to solve the transportation problem.

The last time, he didn't get to board the bus, neither share a ride, so he started walking and eventually the former owner of the transportation company that give him service, ask if he want a lift, of course Arturo, get into the van and thank "Pepe" his gesture.

With this story in mind, my recommendations to do some networking are:

1.- Get to know the people that do the same activities than you, like being students at your same high school, it will give you some confidence token and you may seize the advantages like getting some free rides.

2.- When some other people need the same service than you, try to share, this will become really useful if you are on vacation, you may get the opportunity to meet people, and get some good discounts.

3.- Have some friends with people that you used to have services from, and having a good relationship, will allow you to get recognized and offer you some type of help.

Have you lived an experience that you want to share?

Conduct Networking

I received a video related to the crowd control or mass control. In this example, you can easily watch that a girl starts doing the same activities than the group without making any questions. 

As you see this girl, when at the doctor's place, and started to see what the other patients do. she wanted to adapt to the group customs, so each time the bell rings, she do what other people do. She didn't make a question, just mirrors the attitudes from the people surrounding her. 

When the people leaves the room, she still continue with the behavior that has been developing, for about 5 minutes. Then an outsider arrives and it's suppose not being conditioned, so this boy does what I recommend to do, ask the people, Why are you doing this?

Her answer that it is because everyone else does, is not a grounded answer that explains her behavior. Until here the video facts. Relating this with the Networking Theme, you may understand why people chooses to do what they do.

Everything can be asked, so you may take an action to do what the rest of the people do, without knowing the causes and just act or ask the people about their actions and then act. In a personal relations context, this second attitude, allows you to make some more interactions and learn about the causes of making some ordinary activities.

When you are a small child, you are generally taught to obey without making questions, and when you are a grown up adult, you have the obligation to make them. So for people that studied around the 80´s or back, for sure your education be a little more rigid or traditional, where students not easily make questions to teachers. Nowadays its easily to collaborate because of the development of new teaching-learning techniques. Now is expected that the students make intelligent questions to understand the different possible answers.

Getting back to the point, the networking gives you a chance to understand causes. Some recommendations include:

1.- Ask to understand causes, be an observer, and ask questions, no one should get mad if you make some questions. Maybe you could get some insights.

2.- Be careful on your asking manners, avoid being offensive or rude and that your question is not a mock of the people or their customs. Only ask why they are doing the things that way, and  maybe you find some other ways of thinking or acting.

3.- Once you get the information in a correct way, then you can decide if you want to continue with the behavior or not.

Have you asked some of this questions before?

TeenCultural Networking

Almost two weeks ago I went with my teenage sons to a museum exhibition for them to appreciate the Anish Kapoor art at the MUAC, this is part of their cultural background, and also a homework for a class. The thing was that one of my kids was really interested in doing this job, the other one, not so much, but he came with us.

The one that has his homework, insisted 2 or 3 times to visit the museum so we decided and went a Sunday morning to the exposition. I feel really glad that both of them not just liked the experience, but also became involved in it, just by watching the first 2 artworks they both were throwing "OOOOOHHHH's" and reading about the names, asking to the volunteers for the meaning, and doing this exercise for each piece.

It was an interesting experience, museums now are quite different as they used to be, and there are a lot of features that explain you about the art and become an interactive experience. At the end of this exposition, we realize there were 2 more exhibits, and of course we all wanted to continue the visit.

And because we were already there, and that the first experience was quite good, we thought that the other exhibitions were also good. One of them was called "Los Carpinteros" (The Carpenters) and was about the art that could be produced by this craftsmen. The third exposition was a sound exhibit, and you were introduced into a closed room, with the lights off, so you could pay attention only to the sounds and have the feeling of them. The visit was quite interesting.

After that we went out and walked through this space that is an art place from the UNAM and at the room on the side of this museum, called Sala Nezahualcóyotl, there where a lot of people, elder people in their majority, but we approached and realized that it was going to be held a concert by the Orquesta Sinfónica de Minería (Symphonic Orchestra) in one of their season concerts, this event will start 4o minutes later.

In front of the fact that the 3 of us haven't being at a symphonic orchestra concert, we thought that it will be interesting to stay and also listen to this concert. There where more than 50 musicians up in stage, of course master performers. This opportunity to live a concert with 2 teenagers was also an interesting experience, in fact, because their point of view is quite different from mine. They perceive this experience with their own approach to their past living and knowledge.

For example, I was quite impressed, that the first music, was identified by both of them as the soundtrack from Indiana Jones, but not the familiar one, else wise was the one used in the scenes about the spiders inside a cave. I didn't identify anything, even though I presented to them some years ago this movie trilogy.

We commented about how the musicians sharpened their instruments, how the orchestra director coordinates all the performance, how each musical instrument has their special place at this performance. We also commented about the "movements" and that in between them we shouldn't clap. 

My own reflection has to do with:

1.- Appreciate cultural expressions, is better when you can share them with more people and talk about different perspectives.

2.- Is more interesting if you prepare a little bit in advance for the experience. My kid that has the homework was better known about the artist against me that I didn't had the complete context.

3.- If you haven't prepared previously, you may do it latter, and get to know better about the performer. In my case I wanted to learn more when the concerts are held, so I can previously arrange my weekends to listen with a better organization.

And you... Can you tell us about your own experience?

Premier Networking

The past week I had the opportunity to be invited to the movies for the National Premier of the wedding movie from my friends Javier and Juan. Usually this events are held in a private environment, like in a weekend, and with some family and friends. In this case, Javier has created expectations among his friends because he decided to be the editor and producer of his own movie.

I just want to remind that less than a year ago, I posted some events and activities they have being doing as preparation to their wedding party. Remember the time I write about the mask producing and the paper flowers? I also dedicate a post to their wedding event at a garden in Morelos State.

This time I couldn't miss the opportunity to tell you about their commitment to their own events, the work and dedication they put into this movie premier shined all over. First the idea of renting a movie place, I think it was awesome. They could invite at the same time to all their family and friends again. Javier again make some "Save the date" invitations. He also previously asked me if me or my team will have an event on that same day. If he was so careful with me, I can imagine how about the rest of his friends. How could I miss this Premier then?

Of course the event details couldn't be forgotten, we had a red carpet, memories photographer, posters, after party, decoration, toast. Everything you could think for a movie premier, but in this case all the memorabilia will refer to their wedding.

As I told you before, the movie was edited and produced by Javier, and he prepared the best shots, paying attention for not being to long or boring. The movie lasted one hour, and included also pictures and moments that the grooms had with their guests.

At the end of the movie, and when the credits were passing by, they dedicated time to print the names of all the people that in one way or another contributed to their special moment. They thanked the maids of honor, the invitation makers, the mask creators, the food tasters, everyone had their name on the credits. Personally I liked a lot reading my name in this credits, it was an extra plus for this event.

The after party consisted in a toast in the cinema cafeteria and they also thanked the guests again. Of course almost everyone asked them to make another wedding the same as fun as the first one. It was a innovative and different event.

Y left here some recommendations I had about this experience:

1.- Details matter, if you have the time, the observation skills and the ability to put some interest in details, make sure you include them, if you do not have this qualities, make sure you ask someone that does, so your event will have the best of your intentions.

2.- The event is for your guests, you want them to have fun and enjoy, so dedicate some time to know if the date is an available one, if it is accessible, if they could participate in activities, like the red carpet. I can assure you that your friends feel included.

3.- Seize the chance to become closer to your friends, every time you consider them and have some details, they will be considering you for further invitations.

Vlogger Networking

Fernando Mol, finally decided to start a new venue and start his Video Comments in YouTube. As I told you before, he is this Blog editor, and is the most influential person on this proposal. So when he launched his Vlog I immediately get in touch with him to know what it was about, and also why he started this adventure on his communication proposal.

It´s interesting to know that a lot of the activities we start, answer to an internal need and a mental process to experience a new knowledge. In this case, even though that Profe Mol has previous experience in Blog Posting, writing Cinema Critics and also in Science Fiction literature, making this video comments will be the next step for making continuous innovations on his communication skills.

Considering that the technology is always transforming, and that the communication tools that are related to the technology do it so, sending comments by the social media, involves a learning challenge and also documentation. Learning in the way that he has to use different means and techniques to make the information get into the Internet and documentation to properly broadcast his comments related to his experience and with the subject he regularly speaks.

When I ask him about the format, he told me it will be a free style, based in his previous knowledge and experience, by blending 2 of his hobbies, the video games and the movies. In fact that is the visual proposal of this Vlog. He explained that when you are playing on line, you could find a video game screen that is shared by several players, and therefore, broad casted. Mol, find a way to use the YouTube tools and merged both technologies in his YouTube Channel, where he can approach several users, because there is no need to be exclusively in the gamer network.

And related to the time and comments, it will be about his own inspiration and related to the information he already has, without any previous edition, he will launch the information directly and also you may find it at his channel.

My personal comments to this adventure:

1.- If you want to start a new project, do it.... do not wait until every single element is perfectly established. The modern innovators haven't stopped  by fearing mess up things, with some time the projects can be upgraded and last for some time.

2.- Receive the comments of your followers and friends, without taking it personal, every criticism will help you to improve the process and will teach you the ability to learn from your own mistakes.

3.- Not every comment from your fans will be bad, in a lot of moments you will have positive answers and congratulations for your job. Learn how to thank this positive opinions, you will be encouraged and happy to continue with your venue.

4.- Don't worry if something or everything goes wrong, remember what the entrepreneurs say, they have failed in some of their projects, in order to learn and get some experience when starting new proposals. 

Baptism in a different way

Enrique is a friend of  mine, and had his baby born a few months ago, so he shared with me the story of the Baptism of his child. This type of events are a good opportunity to increase the friendship and of course a good way to do some networking.

In Mexico, in the Catholic Church the Baptism is done in a traditional way, this means that the Parents and Godparents go to the church, and after taking some classes, they could ask to Baptize the child. Then you choose a specific day to return to the church and the Priest starts Baptizing all the Children. This religious rite is done by pouring some Holy Water over the child's head. This is done in the Mexican Tradition.

In the case of Enrique, they had to travel to an American Church to ask for his kid to be Baptized. When they arrived to the Parish, the where asked if they wanted the Traditional Baptism or the Immersion Baptism, At the beginning, and without any knowledge, they choose the traditional one, the one I described before. But when they discover what an Immersion Baptism was, they give a second thought and ask for a change.

Instead of describing what happened at the Baptism, I want to share with you the following video so you can have the complete image of what happen at this type of ceremonies;

The elements that caught my attention of this ceremony where, that the water of this pool should be all Holy Water, that the Priest keeps his complete Cassock even if he is half body into the water. You may observe that in this pool are also stairs to walk in and walk out, for sure those are used to Baptize elder people.

The next thing you may watch is the Priest experience when he immerse the kid inside the water, on the first two times the boy just touches with his back the water, but in the third time, he is submerged completely into the water, and he didn't look worried at all. The best thing about this ceremony is that Parents and Godparents enjoy the moment and will always remember it.

If you had the opportunity, how do you like your Baptism to be? Tell us about it.