March 2006

Thinking about your profession in a setting with many other practicioners can be an exhilarating activity. I’m amongst my peers this weekend at the IA Summit. I’ve seen many talks, participated in workshops, discussions, and activities. Yesterday I lost my voice and today I continued to have coughing fits, but I’ve powered through.

The biggest thing that seems to be on people’s mind is the future. I think I’m lucky to be in that kind of profession. There are many things I don’t agree with but I do welcome the opportunity to have those kinds of discussions. You always learn more from someone when there is a difference of opinion.

Some people here are saying that the title of Information Architect will go away. I’m not sure why they feel it is necessary to declare that. Maybe they just want to be first so they can say, ‘you heard it here.’ I think people like that are actually completely missing the point.

The web is an integral part of our lives. More now than ever before. There will always be complexity humans will find themselves interacting with. Since I work for the company that believes the network is the computer, I agree with those that believe information architecture is beyond a ‘web page’. These kinds of problems are out there and they need people to solve them. Call me whatever you like, my work will continue to evolve and I will continue to ‘Design’ for people.

Big thoughts for the weekend….

You can’t define what we ‘do’
You can’t control what ‘they’ do

Once you accept the above and remember that humans are messy, things become a lot more interesting and a lot less stressful.

The news was talking about the Season Opener of South Park last night. They basically made Chef into Chef Vader. The story is Issac Hayes quit South Park because they made fun of Scientology.

A family nearby was listening to the story with fervent intent and when the story was over the mom said, ‘That’s just like those liberals, South Park has made fun of every religion, but they sure don’t like it when they make fun of their’s……”

Did I miss the memo? When did Scientology become the liberal religion?

Wow people, we sure have some f***ed up perceptions about each other.

You’ve been hearing about Northwest Airlines quite a bit in the news lately. Just like all the other major airlines, they are on the brink of bankruptcy. I told you about my in-laws. I booked flights for them using my frequent flyer miles and somehow they got upgraded to first class. I pondered if this had to do with my ‘Northwest Airlines’ sucks blog post.

I’ve been thinking about this post and how it’s a great example of the Long Tail. I put that post out there a long time ago. Recently I’ve seen a bunch of traffic. I guess there must be a whole lot of people searching on the google keywords ‘Northwest Airlines Sucks’. My blog comes up third when you search that set of words. The post initially got hardly any attention. It was out there and once in a blue moon someone with another bummer of a story posted a comment. Well the last month or so has been much more active. I’m up to 69 responses as of now. I know that’s not a ton, but think about the fact that I put this blog out here, I told approximately 3 or 4 people it was here. Give it some time and the right topic and people gather, they comment, they share.

Now I have a confession to make. I took a Northwest Airlines flight today. I had to. Remember, hub city. I had to get from home to Vancouver, Canada, to San Fransisco and back home in a week’s time. If I went the Northwest way it meant a total of four flights. The next best routing with all other airlines (this was booked through my work travel agent, so there were plenty of choices…) was 7 flights. I kid you not. Well, this was a case in which Northwest was the clear winner. I was not about to take 7 flights (and spend way more money) to avoid Northwest. I simply had no choice. This is what happens when you live in a hub city. The strange thing about the flight today was that everyone working on the plane seemed pretty happy. I even overheard a conversation about vacation getting cut for flight attendants, still happy.

So even though plenty of people think it sucks. It seems like they aren’t the only ones that suck.

I’m flying away to Vancouver, Canada today. I’m heading out to attend the 7th Information Architecture Summit. I’ve made it to this conference for 5 of the 7 and it’s been a big part of my career as an Information Architect. I’ve learned, seen, and evolved over that time. I’ve been doing this IA thing now for more than 7 years. I remember that first conference. It was such a rush to actually meet other people that had a job such as was describe in the O’Reilly Polar Bear Book. A third edition of that book has been commissioned by the original authors.

It’s been a thrill to be part of something like this. It’s given my career that sense of adventure and challenge I didn’t think was possible when I was in college. I never dreamed I’d be doing this. Now it’s off the Canada to meet up with my peers internationally and find out what’s been going on out there.

On my way home I get to stop by the campus in Menlo Park and meet with my co-workers about big project stuff. I’ll miss my husband and my doggies a ton. A week is a very long time when you are away from home. But as with all things there are trade-offs and I think they’d agree that this trade-off in order to be home all the time the rest of the time is a bargain.

On the road, new perspectives to be had. See you in Canada.

I’ve been getting more serious about my photography hobby. I’m going to my last session of the workshop I am in with artist Wing Young Huie in the morning. I’m reflecting a bit on what this workshop has done for me in terms of advancing my skills, abilities and interests as a photographer.

Tonight I went to see my friend Leslie Rich play his guitar at the Acadia Cafe in Minneapolis, MN. I decided to take my camera along as it seemed a very good opportunity to find some fantastic photos. I’ve been working on conquering a fear of asking people to take their picture. Strangers always present fascinating photographic possibilities. Sometimes you need to ask them if it’s ok with them that you take their picture. I had not been able to do that until tonight. I asked these two young ladies in coordinating hats if I could take their picture. It was great. They were really something to see together. I did not do them justice in my photos, but the last one I took they were emailing me so I could send them the pics. That one turned out pretty well. I’m posting the pictures on flickr and sending them the link.

I also had a really interesting idea about how to illustrate all the fear that surrounds us. This could be a fascinating photo exploration. I’m having all kinds of ideas. It’s a very exciting and creative time for me and my photography.

Oh and you were probably wondering about the rock and roll photographer. I was one tonight. I was outside with my friend Les after he played and I was wearing my camera. A person standing outside with us called me the personal photographer of the musician. Which technically makes me a rock and roll photographer.

Did you Get Democracy yet?

Yesterday was a double whammy day.

South Dakota banned abortion and Kirby Puckett died.

I’m from South Dakota. I can tell you I’ve never been proud of that fact. I had a hard time growing up there because I’m a bit of a freak. Freaks aren’t very popular in small towns in South Dakota, in case you were wondering. I got out of there as fast as I could and as soon as I could. It’s funny because recently friends and I have been talking about moving back. It’s cheap, it’s vast, it’s got some potential……. Well, yesterday was that hit you over the head reminder for me, I can’t go back there. Not only is it just as closed and scary as I remember, now it’s worse. I saw one of the legislators talking about this on television and I couldn’t believe the things he said. He was likening women that have abortions to Scott Pederson. You know, the Scott Pederson that was convicted for killing his pregnant wife. Yeah, I can see how that’s the same thing…..(sarcasm).

It was the New York Times quote of the day today:

“The sponsors and supporters of this bill believe that abortion is wrong because unborn children are the most vulnerable and most helpless persons in our society. I agree with them.

”
- GOV. MICHAEL ROUNDS, of South Dakota, after signing a bill that largely bans
abortion.

I wonder what kinds of plans the governor has in mind for caring for the unborn children once they are born. This is the thing that always get me about ‘respect for life’ is that life doesn’t get respected after birth. How do we feed, clothe, educate, and love these children? We don’t have respect for life in this country. The facts and figures about homelessness, hunger and disregard for the poor in a country that is drowning in abundance prove it.

and then Kirby

He was one of those bright stars. He had so much talent. He gave a ton. He knew what he wanted, he always talked about knowing he wanted to play baseball since he was 5. His career was taken from him early as was his life. It’s really sad. It’s a loss for humanity.

I didn’t grow up with baseball. I learned it when I got older. My husband was patient and taught me over time how to really love the game. I never saw Kirby play, he was before my time in terms of my consciousness around baseball. I did get to witness his induction into the Hall of Fame. We were in the dome with my husband’s family when it happened and they showed it on the big screen. He was one of those people that has so much they just burn out way too early.

Yesterday was a rough one.