BeckyBlanton - Latest Comments

Re: The Things We Remember

jdesperida — Wed, 30 May 2012 23:47:15 -0000

Our memories are what define a part of us, after all. Visiting my memories always liberates me.

I watched your talk on TED today and I was deeply moved. You are a great writer. I aspire to be able to emit the same confidence as you do as a writer and as an individual. :)

- jdesperida

Re: My IKEA bedroom—not for the homeless

Justa Vet — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 07:37:43 -0000

A bit out of my price range and I really don't have a place to put the stuff!!!!!! lol, But it is okay for now.

Re: My IKEA bedroom—not for the homeless

Ragtimelil — Sun, 08 Apr 2012 12:22:28 -0000

I'm living in a camper with 3 dogs. (not Rotties, although I love them). Saw your article on a camping page and took your advice, signed up for Squidoo and your news letter. Thanks for your insights!

Re: I’m not just frustrated, I’m hysterical.

beckyblanton — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 23:28:55 -0000

I just learned my inner child is probably a DNA altered alien implant. Which makes sense since three of the four million voices in my head make continual references to sitcoms that take place in a different galaxy and for the life of me I can't find them on Hulu.com or Netflix.

Re: I’m not just frustrated, I’m hysterical.

Marri Hill — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 22:29:12 -0000

If Becky Blanton joins a nunn'ry - I'm buying the movie rights.

Re: SXSW Critics Still Don’t Get It

beckyblanton — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 13:20:27 -0000

Steve, that's awesome about the gentleman who started his own laptop rental business! That's exactly what needs to be happening—experiments that allow the homeless (and anyone drowning in poverty) the resources, help and creative spark to think outside the box! I do use strong language because I learned that speaking softly didn't get anyone's attention. They mistook my quiet demeanor as an invitation to use me as a doormat. So I changed a bit. Intimidation doesn't work anymore. Thank you for posting and sharing the good news of how SXSW WORKED. I doubt the critics and haters will appreciate it. I know the major critics are just looking for some reason to stir up trouble and get traffic to their websites. Since they can't deliver content they offer drama in its stead.

Re: SXSW Critics Still Don’t Get It

Steve Clark — Sun, 01 Apr 2012 13:58:12 -0000

I appreciate your writing and your strong language Becky. I just happen to be writing from a homeless shelter, where I have a job. I am so very grateful to have been welcomed by the men upon whom I rely for my daily sustenance. Yes, I make my living working with homeless individuals.

I couldn't agree more that we need to think outside the box with experimentation and risk taking endeavors. But before any of this we need to walk with and among the homeless so that when we do act it comes from wisdom and not from our sense of guilt or desire to make it better.

It's interesting in light of the experimentation at SXSW to see a fellow I've know for more than a year beginning a small laptop rental business. He's put together 3 older very used laptops and rents them out at hotspots for a very low rate. 3 weeks after launching...he no longer uses our facilitiy.

Re: I’m not just frustrated, I’m hysterical.

Rachel Z Cornell — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 22:15:51 -0000

Screaming at inanimate objects does not help. <--Are you sure?Funny cat videos on YouTube does. <--I’ve actually suggested this for frustrated clients!Trying to give up a soda addiction and working on a complex project is bad timing no matter how you look at it. "Looks like I picked the wrong week to stop sniffin' glue!” -Airplane

Re: The Pumpkin Plan-I LOVE This Book!!

beckyblanton — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 11:21:31 -0000

Mike, It's a brilliant book and I LOVE it! I am keeping the details secret, but so excited because they're really the best tips for growing a business I've seen in quite a while! Congrats on a winner!

Re: The Pumpkin Plan-I LOVE This Book!!

Mike Michalowicz — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 11:00:03 -0000

Thanks so much for writing this Becky. I am so flattered that you enjoyed the book. A big thanks for keeping the details secret. July 5th will be the big reveal. Also, I want to welcome you to the community of us Pumpkinheads - you are officially in. So, for now, it is me and you as Pumpkinheads (my ego has me calling myself Head Pumpkinhead).

Re: SXSW Critics Still Don’t Get It

beckyblanton — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 14:32:27 -0000

Thanks! I agree. People DO have an overinflated sense of self-worth when they think they have a RIGHT to tell someone what to do, what work is "acceptable" or not and how to live their lives based on what they think is right. Homeless people, those on welfare and the poor listen because their sense of self-worth is so low they don't know how to speak up and fight back. I speak up now and I fight back because I know that others will see it and say, "Hey! She's right. No one has the right to tell ME how to live MY life!" Hope only requires we believe things will and can get better. Glad you're following/not stalking me! ;-D

Re: SXSW Critics Still Don’t Get It

Justa Vet — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 10:16:54 -0000

Wow!!!! I have started following in you! On line not stalking. I am glad someone other than myself is outraged at the dissenters. Where do they get off telling someone what they can do to make a buck as long as it is legal and they are willing to do it. They really have an over inflated sense of self worth. Maybe it was because they did not want to be reminded that there are homeless people out there.

Re: SXSW Homeless Hotspot a Brilliant Idea

Justa Vet — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 08:42:28 -0000

Now the only problem is coming up with the funds. Be nice not to have to depend on others to keep the lappy charged. Thanks for the info.

Re: SXSW Homeless Hotspot a Brilliant Idea

beckyblanton — Sat, 17 Mar 2012 14:02:13 -0000

They DO make solar chargers for laptops! They're very small and fit into a backpack. They also make backpacks with a solar panel on the back (flexible, not rigid) so you can be charging your laptop when it's inside. The cost is reasonable too, from $25 to $100 (high end). But if you're looking for them, they ARE out there!

Re: SXSW Homeless Hotspot a Brilliant Idea

Justa Vet — Sat, 17 Mar 2012 10:58:32 -0000

I am logged on and logged into many homeless stories around the country. I also spread my story through the Tallahassee Homeless Speakers Bureau. There are many spots in Tally to get "free" wi-fi. Sometimes the problem is finding a place to recharge the laptop. Free wifi is one thing, using companies electricity is another. I wish someone would invent a solar powered laptop charger lol.

Re: SXSW Homeless Hotspot a Brilliant Idea

hardlynormal — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 22:25:04 -0000

Vendors were paid $20 (set by the shelter) with a $30 daily guarantee PLUS 100% of the donations went to the vendor.

That's far better than what the college kids were paid. Basically, BBH hired 13 homeless people instead of college kids. That's a very good thing

Re: SXSW Homeless Hotspot a Brilliant Idea

beckyblanton — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 19:01:41 -0000

Not defensive. Just sad. You obviously didn't get all the facts about the money. BBH wanted to pay them more, but the SHELTER set the $20 limit. Ask ANY of the men who participated and they all made more than minimum wage. Re: politics. Really? You actually think Bush and Perry were "elected"? Try bought their way into office.

Good try though. Love the typical liberal trust fund baby sequeway from one emotional argument you're losing into one you hope will draw the attention away. Hmm...there's always religion...or guns. I support gun rights too. And a woman's right to decide what is done with her body, and I believe Jesus Christ was the Son of God and died for our sins, even yours! Keep trying troll bait.

Re: SXSW Homeless Hotspot a Brilliant Idea

Guest — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 18:49:24 -0000

Someone's feeling defensive, I see.

You can lash out at your critics all you like, but that doesn't change the facts.

How is $20/day for a couple of weeks "honest wages"?

I guess now I understand how both GW Bush and Rick Perry were elected multiple times in TX.

Re: SXSW Homeless Hotspot a Brilliant Idea

beckyblanton — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 18:38:41 -0000

It really won't matter WHAT SXSW is all about now. The critics have branded SXSW as "that homeless experiment." Good luck getting sponsors for next year. Oh wait, you think it was a publicity stunt. uh huh...The "bigger question of human dignity" is homelessness. The GOVERNMENT is the one violating it on every level, not BBH. I challenge you to LIVE in a shelter for a month with no money, no phone, no credit card, no job. Obey the rules, panhandle during the day. Don't tell anyone you're NOT really homeless. Just listen and learn. Then reconsider whether or not an honest job for honest wages at SXSW is "demeaning." Demeaning is begging for change for food or sleeping in doorways, or taking a crap in an alley and smelling like shit because you don't have any toilet paper. Demeaning is a society that thinks, because you're homeless that they can control your life, your morals, your decisions, how you spend your money and what choices you make—like working for a job like this. You're an arrogant, narcissistic, uninformed critic. What's YOUR solution to helping the homeless?

Re: SXSW Homeless Hotspot a Brilliant Idea

Guest — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 16:06:34 -0000

SXSW is certainly not "all about" marketing and sales. While the interactive segment is certainly about technology, the marketing angle is one that's a part of the whole.

The fact is that this was a callous publicity stunt that is going to arouse a lot of enmity directed at BBH. We rightly are appalled by sweatshop laborers getting paid slave wages, despite the fact those people choose to work in those sweatshops.

There's a bigger question here of human dignity, and it's pretty clear this violates it on every level. I think it's appalling that our country is in such a state that this is what people are reduced to (and I'd include sign twirlers or booth bunnies in that list of people degrading themselves to eat).

Re: SXSW Homeless Hotspot a Brilliant Idea

beckyblanton — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 13:44:05 -0000

What a great friend! I "won" a laptop in an online contest and it, along with the cell phone I had made all the difference in the world. Not only can you connect with friends and community, but you can find jobs, housing, help and so much more. I agree. Don't look down on the homeless. So many people who see you have a cell phone or a laptop think you're not "really" homeless because you're not naked and sleeping in a ditch. I remember the media getting all in a snit because a homeless man photographed the first lady and they attacked him for having a cell phone and claiming to be homeless. They don't understand the difference between needing to earn $10-$30 a month to have a cellphone is not the same as needing to earn $1,200 a month to keep a roof over your head. I'm glad you're logged on!

Re: SXSW Homeless Hotspot a Brilliant Idea

Justa Vet — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 11:13:28 -0000

I am a homeless vet and have a laptop that is my only means of communication with the outside world. It does amaze people that a homeless person would have a laptop. I have managed to keep my laptop over the last 5 plus years. It was a gift to me from a friend so that I could communicate with the world. This person did this out of the goodness of their heart. I have thanked this person more times than I can could for this precious gift. Being logged in and logged on has helped me through the years keep my sanity and hopes up that things will get better. Many of my homeless friends have told me that they wish they had a laptop. Don't look look down on us, the homeless, who happened to be logged on and logged in to the electronic world. We are not the mindless dolts or drug/alcoholic addled. I am in my mid 50's and am glad to be logged on the world!!!!

Re: SXSW Homeless Hotspot a Brilliant Idea

Justa Vet — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 10:43:58 -0000

Wow, Fantastic Article!!!!!
Actually, being a homeless vet, I would welcome the chance to be a Hot Spot. I would help get my story out and maybe through the networking something better might come of it. It possibilities are endless. Come to Tallahassee and let's try an experiment with it.

Re: SXSW Homeless Hotspot a Brilliant Idea

jmacofearth — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 02:00:14 -0000

Well, trying to stir things up. It's not all "drama." Some of it is just writing. (grin)

Re: SXSW Homeless Hotspot a Brilliant Idea

jmacofearth — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 01:59:03 -0000

I hope the efforts continue. I'll be reading you and Mark and seeing if I can help or participate. Thanks for your passion about the subject.