Music keeps me working. It’s as if I do more work when music is playing in my ear.

I finally end a “never-ending” conference call, and the appropriate “f*ck that b*atch” song comes on and I’m back in the swing of it all cursing and designing.

It’s great.

I usually have the Pandora website playing in the background because I like being able to select an artist and having them create a playlist based on who I chose. They’ll play my favorite songs, but they’ll also throw in some new ones that I usually like as well. If I like the new songs, I’ll open up Google and download the song to add to my iTunes to throw into my daily run or workout.

Today, I thought about simply purchasing Pandora One so that I can take advantage of some of the features that they’ve listed.

• Unlimited Listening
• No Ads
• Higher Quality Audio
• Fewer Interruptions
• Custom Skins

Now, I’m a designer, so you know when I saw ‘Custom Skins’ my thought was, “Suh-weeet! Maybe it’s like FireFox and WinAmp! Maybe they’ll have a Community where I can create and share my own Skin!” But I don’t think Pandora does that yet. If someone in development hasn’t come up with that idea yet, they need a new development team. My ideas are available for hire…kinda.

I think I might purchase it today and see how it is. I’ll let you know.

If you have it, let ME know what YOU think.

Last year was an interesting year for me. I learned a lot about my health and myself. I learned about the things I do like, as well as the things that I don’t like; whether it was about myself or the people around me.

I’m not setting a New Years Resolution. It never works for me. I end up selecting either one bad thing or creating a list of things that I won’t do, instead of things that I will do. The list of “wonts” just never works for me.

So, I’m doing things a little differently this year. I’m setting some goals that I’d like to meet this year. And then I’m going to make the strides to reach them. I’m creating my list of goals in my 43 Things (http://43things.com) account. And I’ll be checking in each week to either check a goal off, add a goal, or remind myself of the goals I’ve set.

I like 43 Things because I can check the list from the web or from my BlackBerry and iPhone. I can even modify that list on the go. I’m even able to write notes on each goal and receive comments and cheers from friends on Facebook. My notes will be the steps I’ve taken as I’ve taken them. I can even edit a progress slider to indicate how far I’ve gotten in reaching each goal. 43 Things makes goal setting much easier.

My goals will be short term goals that I can reach; goals that I can see and almost touch. Ya see, it’s easy for me to set the goals and get things in motion, but I have a hard time with the follow through. The largest goal that I have set by far is to follow through on the goals that I set in motion.

This year will be better.
I’ve got a primer now.

Let’s go.

Phrase of the week: Scope Creep

Scope creep (also called focus creep, requirement creep, feature creep, function creep) in project management refers to uncontrolled changes in a project’s scope. This phenomenon can occur when the scope of a project is not properly defined, documented, or controlled. It is generally considered a negative occurrence, and thus, should be avoided.

Typically, the scope increase consists of either new products or new features of already approved product designs, without corresponding increases in resources, schedule, or budget. As a result, the project team risks drifting away from its original purpose and scope into unplanned additions. As the scope of a project grows, more tasks must be completed within the budget and schedule originally designed for a smaller set of tasks. Thus, scope creep can result in a project team overrunning its original budget and schedule.

If the budget and schedule are increased along with the scope, the change is usually considered an acceptable addition to the project, and the term “scope creep” is not used.

Scope creep can be a result of:

• disingenuous customer with a determined value for free policy
• poor change control
• lack of proper initial identification of what is required to bring about the project objectives
• weak project manager or executive sponsor
• poor communication between parties

It happens often: a high maintenance client contacts you after their current web designer “magically disappeared”.

The “my web designer suddenly disappeared” explanation (read: excuse) should be a red flag line for you. There isn’t that much magic in the world. It’s an illusion, remember? An illusion no greater than the idea of your current desire to “disappear” once you heard those words. I bet if you wanted to “disappear”… you. could. too.

However, you, the contractor, must take a minute to analyze what that client just said to you and ask yourself a few questions:

1. Why did their previous designer / programmer disappear?
2. Have I worked with this client before?
3. Did I LIKE it?
4. How much is it worth to me, to maintain my sanity and still gain revenue, all the while, providing a great service and product to this client who could potentially be the real reason why the previous designer / programmer disappeared?
5. How much do I want to add to my service cost for having to deal with this client who will now micro-manage me because they’re concerned and now… “broke” due to their previous contractor.

If you got past #3 with a smile, and/or this statement is not that much of a red flag for you and you decide to continue to work with the client, it’s very important that you remember these 3 things:

1. YOU chose to ignore the red flag.
2. It’s not the client’s fault that YOU chose to ignore the red flag.
3. The red flag will NOT magically disappear.

Here’s the kicker…

No matter how many times you run from a red flag, there will still be times when you forget.

But have no worries! Live with no fears!

That client will surely remind you.

The truth is…

How you respond to this client from here on, is what will determine your fate.

If you choose to work with the client:

1. Be sure to keep a smile on your face and try to remember why you accepted the project in the first place.
2. It will benefit you to endeavor to find out why your client “thinks” their previous contractor “disappeared”. Note: Trying to go the cheaper route and getting stiffed by a company from India IS second common. Having an entitled high maintenance attitude and thinking that their $50.00 project is what pays your mortgage, car note, and health insurance is usually first.
3. You may not be the previous contractor, but you’ll bare the brunt of having to reassure the client that you won’t cause the same sort of issues. Take it in stride. It was “worth it”…remember?
4. Emails can sometimes be misconstrued.  Sometimes a phone call works best. Pick up the phone.
5. Set a clear project scope. Be sure to be clear and concise with what you’re providing and what you’re NOT providing. Repeat yourself…multiple times. Note: This person is now emotional because they feel wronged. They may try to forget what they wanted.
6. Get it in writing and keep records.

If you choose not to work with the client:

1. Be kind and provide them with the contact information of a rival designer / programmer.

Hopefully you chose the latter. It seems like less of a headache. Piece of mind is hell of a drug.

While the recession is slowly coming to an end, things are still rough. Taking on that demanding client may be a must for you in some cases. But keep your eye on the prize. Be mindful of the end result.

And Godspeed.

x0x0, boon

If this isn’t easy… I don’t know what is.

TeuxDeux is an online To-Do list designed by swissmiss and developed by Fictive Kin.

If you’re like me and you usually have a long list of things to do each day and usually are only able to mark off HALF of those things…unless you have ADHD *hangs head*, then chances are…you’re just forgetting what you’re supposed to be doing.

Well, TeuxDeux makes it a little easier to remember.

One of the cool things about TeuxDeux is that – if the due date of a task is today and you don’t complete it in time (read: ADHD), it will automatically be added to your next day’s pending task list.

Something else to think about: You can manually drag tasks and pending items to any future date. Buuuuuut…your pending tasks will always be… pending.

I mean… it’s just a list… and sometimes…that’s all you need.

I’m still a huge fan of Google Calendar…mainly because it syncs with my Blackberry and my Outlook…remotely…without having to be tethered to my laptop / desktop.

But TeuxDeux might be something you want to look into if you just need a random list without required times.

hmmm. it’s just a list. just a thought.

Just a note to let you guys know that I’ll be writing at the Examiner.com as LA Social Networking Examiner. I’m really excited to get started and will be doing a bit of crossposting as needed.

We’ll see how it goes…God’s in control…

Bookmark it, puhlease! ^_^
LA Social Networking Examiner

Everything else in my world has been on the up and up…I can’t really complain too much.

I DO miss my blog though…a lot. Its just easier to post to mobile blog at girldriven.com than it is to login and post on the main one at courtneyelizabeth.com.

But I recently installed an update to the WordPress for Blackberry Application, so I think this will make it much easier.

Alright…lemme get back to my NCIS Marathon here…

x0x0, Boon

…because I was soo excited!

When I got to the office this morning…
There was a box waiting for me with a Georgia address, and I just KNEW it had to be my box from Jazz..
She told me it was coming…
And I’ve been patiently waiting…and it’s here!

I’ve been asking for one of these for over two years. lol! And she remembered little ol’ me!

And it’s cute! ♥

I waited until I got home to open it because I wanted to be able to relax and unwind and…be…non-stressed.

Delayed.Gratification.Crucial.

Thanks, Jazz!!

Check her out ya’ll! She does great artwork!
Custom Tees, Mugs, Mirrors, Ceramics, Pillows

http://www.fabfunkydiva.com

Mug from Jazz @ FabFunkyDiva.com

My hatred for Internet Explorer runs deep.

But my need for sanity runs deeper.

I installed Multiple IE on the Office Network today.

Of course I had to upgrade to Internet Explorer 7 first. Not fun in my opinion, but a necessary evil.

Anything involving Internet Explorer is a headache.

But I did what I had to do.

I get tired of rendering and validating in Firefox sometimes.

So it was just easier to just install the crap.

If you’re like me…you might want to go ahead and do the same.

Just make sure that you read the “Important Notes” first before you start throwing yourself out of buildings and what not.

Ciao!

Dear Readers…

Meet $data (affectionately named by punchdouble).

She’s small..she’s pink…and she’s been enhancing my life…for less than 24 hours. Her cover flip excites me.

My blog posts have become more and more sparatic lately.
I apologize.

You’ll find me somewhere in between office and home on any given day – minus saturday and sunday. And even on those days, I’m usually at home doing some work. I’ve managed to go out a few times in the past two weeks, but one would hardly call it a social life.

My end of the rainbow surfaces next Friday, when we head to the Bahamas for 7 whole days of relaxation and no-work. Oh Bahamas…how I miss you so…

• Jesus be a gorilla shaped coconut filled with rum and pineapple juice.

Until later…Love, Court

Dear Blog,

• I’m sorry.

• I’ve been busy.

• I’ve been working like a mad woman.

• I’m leaving town tomorrow night…and I wont be back until Sunday night.

My birthday is on Monday.

• I’ll post then and tell you all about how I plan to get shit faced over the weekend and how I don’t feel any older.

Cheers, Me