Just another day with Howard Mortman of ExtremeMortman.com and New Media Strategies. He has some hilarious one-liners in here, very much worth the watch. And I love how he blends in with the background of the Rotunda — well played, Howard… like a Hill Ninja.

(The Heavens, North Island NZ)

As some of you may know, I have been traveling throughout the North Island in New Zealand with my partner in all things, Jesse Thomas. This has provided me with some much needed rest and perspective. One of the biggest take-aways from this time off has been: I need to spend more time focusing on these three things (1) family, (2) health and (3) intellectual cultivation. That is not to say that I am not currently focused on these things, but rather, the amount of time it takes to maintain everything online and with my many jobs and professional commitments, these three things don’t get my best energy.

I have read about this elsewhere in the blogosphere and the Twitterverse: folks just getting burnt out on the ‘net. Similarly, working a full time job as well as contributing to a startup (JESS3) is also a challenge on all fronts. And for all the things that I love about what a fast connection, entrepreneurism and social platforms afford me, my friends, my clients and others… It’s time to get back to the basics, which will include a lot less ‘net and new media related activities. Wait, wait… I am not leaving for good or anything.

In fact, let me be a little more clear: I am not pulling my endorsement of the importance of things like Twitter and blogging and Wikipedia — far from it. I am also not backing down from being entrepreneurial in all things I do… if anything, I have only just begun. Rather, I am just working to put it back into a larger context of my life/health, the lives of the people that matter to me (many of whom aren’t mass consumers of the Internet’s many gems) and the larger issues facing our world.

And the ‘net, while an easy scapegoat, is not really the full-picture-problem. Rather, it is just an enabler of my love of learning about new (and old) things, helping people, connecting people, looking at shiny things, laughing out loud, participating in the system of innovation that our country fosters… the list goes on. But when I am on it all day and all night, checking phones and blackberries for alerts, not being present with people because of all the white noise and screens floating around… I have to say: ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.

Breathe in, breathe out. Look up and around, there is more than this monitor.

(Water Flows to the Pacific, NZ)
Anyone else ever feel this way? I would say: “let’s start a group about it,” but I am more inclined to spend more time working these things through offline. Through movement. Walking, jogging, stretching. Thinking, reading hard copies of things. Even gazing down at my own shadow for contemplative reflecting.

(Tall Boots, NZ)

Do stay in touch. Let me know how your strive for balance works — or doesn’t. As a society, I believe we have all just begun to understand the power — and the dangers — of the online world. Nothing new or profound. Just truly felt to the core of my being as of late.

Wow. I am usually on the promotional end of things for others (Jesse/JESS3) and brands (e.g., Intel for New Media Strategies and Busboys & Poets for JESS3). This is my first entree into the world of serious “self” promotion and it is at once exciting and amazing. I want to thank everyone for spreading the love and the word — I will definitely do my best to live up to the hype.

Hit me with questions and thoughts while I am out and about — let’s really show Mainstream Media the POWER of the people.

Check out how my inbox is blowing up!

And folks are Tweet-linking too! Thank you all so much.

New Media Jim - https://twitter.com/newmediajim/statuses/797601775

Jen - https://twitter.com/HumanFolly/statuses/797589447

Jimmy - https://twitter.com/jjgardner3/statuses/797577873

Andrew (Hyde) - https://twitter.com/andrewhyde/statuses/797572831

Shana - https://twitter.com/dcconcierge/statuses/797583010

Aaron - https://twitter.com/technosailor/statuses/797576734

Andrew (Wright) - https://twitter.com/batterista/statuses/797586575

No, I didn’t qualify for a March Madness basketball slot. Rather, I will be joining my colleague and Team Public Affairs head coach (at New Media Strategies), the esteemed Howard Mortman at the White House Correspondent’s Dinner (which some beltway-ers know is called “Prom,” referring to the fancy-schmancy-meets-pre-party-meets-invite only-meets-see-be-scene-meets-after party nature of the event)

It gets even better… Howard and I will be conducting onsite interviews via my Twitter account. If you are interested in checking out a new angle on covering this event, please follow me by going to the site, or putting my “track” on:

www.twitter.com/leslieann44

I will also take your questions, if you @ message me, or Direct Message (”DM”) me

More details from Howard at his blog, www.ExtremeMortman.com here (he is calling it “Prom 2.0″ — how fitting, the Wit is strong with this one)

I wonder if anyone will roll-deep in a stretch limo like these prom-goers I found via Google images:

Kind of amazing. H/t to JESS3 trtl + ninja connect, Sean G of DLUX. Props to Chowder fan Chowderrockz for the overlay.

Ready to win at everything today? What do you want to win at? Let’s get another thread of AWESOMEIDEAS in the comments here =)

These videos are brilliant. I can’t get enough. So, what is you flavor? My friend Brian Devine and New Media Strategies co-worker is BRIANSTORM. Get creative today and hit me up!!I am TRTLBERRY!!!!