AlbertIdeation
Hello, and welcome to another edition of The Eleven, my monthly e-letter where I tell it like I see it. If you'd like to unsubscribe, there's a handy link below. And, if you'd like to know more about what I do for work, please click the "update profile" link below and join one or more of my biz lists that will appear!
OK, first of all, I've been secretly and not so secretly giggling over my new found love of NextDoor!  NextDoor is a new platform that is a super-local bulletin board. It allows you to connect with your immediate neighborhood (our cat is missing, is a common announcement (our cat actually is missing - come home, Scooter, we miss you!)). Then, you can also connect with the 7 neighborhoods nearest you. This makes finding others with similar interests (spanish conversation group, anyone?) a synch. I have been waiting for something like this all my life, and I am very excited to share this with you and see what you think. For those of us wishing our lives were lived closer to home, this is a Godsend.
 
For 3 years I lived at a big group house. Downstairs was The Happy Clam and upstairs, The Lucky Cock. Last month, the last folks who lived upstairs moved out and we had a great, sweet goodbye to our communal home. I had some of the best times of my life in this house on 13th and Hancock (thus, Alex Kain dubbed the house - The Lucky Cock :)  We had many great parties; lived with some close friends; and the house is a beautiful 1910 craftsman - a beautiful, historical Irvington house - a great home for all of us in so many ways. I'll miss this house and the community we experienced there. 
Beloved: Photo by Zippy Lomax
Last weekend, at the last minute, I decided to attend the Beloved Festival for my 7th year. I'm glad I did. It's one of the most beautiful festivals I've ever been to - the music, food, people, setting (Oregon temperate coastal rainforest), dancing, art (lots of live painting), camping, community, purpose, (the porta-potties had Rumi and Hafiz poems in them this year!) and general evolved communication and connection - is a welcome change from how our society generally connects. I've often mentioned to friends that it's also a "mens' retreat" for me. It's a chance to hang out with my men friends in a relaxed environment where we don't have to be anywhere else - and so can hang out for long stretches - over a meal; watching some incredible music or going for a walk together. I don't know, but somehow I find it hard to have that kind of ease with my men friends in the city. I applied to lead a mens' workshop this year at Beloved, but the workshop was not accepted. I'll definitely apply again as I think it would be a great addition to an already incredible experience. I could write a book about this year's experience - here are some quick highlights:
  • Rafe Pearlman's shabbat invocation on Friday night was like nothing I've ever heard before - part mystic, part kirtan - it was other-worldy and beautiful. 
  • YogiTunes. They did some sound-scaping at the yoga dome which was delicious. I'm enjoying continuing to learn about them. Kristen, Ryan and Jon R's sound-healing offering was super-fine, too! 
  • The fountains of green drink, oxygenated water and vitamin C water that was provided by Healthforce Nutritionals.  Kept me dancing and hydrated all weekend long. In the food category, I was also elevated by Lydia's Kitchen, Get Fried Rice, Coconut Bliss - you get the idea - delicious, conscious food, at a reasonable price, available all weekend long.
  • My friends. Their friends. The kids - bouncing all over the place and having the time of their lives. 
  • the art - and especially all of the alters.  Annie and her crew were at the festival a week early to install dozens of little and big alters all over the grounds. They were beautiful - temporary - created by Nature and Annie Eshaia.
  • Here's a nice collection of pictures that can give you an idea of what the Beloved Festival is all about.  I look forward to going back again next year - it keeps improving from year to year.
  • Oh yeah, I almost forgot - hanging out talking to Michael Meade for a while - definitely a highlight! 
Work-wise, I've been going a bit lighter this August. Meeting with clients (feel free to refer people to me who are seeking to up their on-line presence through email marketing and social media!). I've got a couple free classes coming up (see below). 

Yeah, Summer! - heat, sunshine, friends, playing guitar, and being my activist self, too :)  Making sure friends are registered to vote (for labeling foods with GMOs in them in Oregon this Fall - to Legalize Recreational Marijuana here in Oregon this Fall, and more).  More on these issues this Fall. 

I hope life is treating you extremely well. Rest, relax, and please take some time to have a Summer :)  

Much love,

Albert

Upcoming Events

Getting Your Business Thriving with Email Marketing

Wednesday August 20, 2014 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM PDT

Getting Started with Email Marketing is the most cost effect way to build your business - join me, Albert Kaufman, for a a guided discussion about how email marketing works and how to get up and running. 8.20.14 - great inner NE PDX location.

Holladay Park Church of God

 

Social Media Marketing for Small Business Success

Wednesday September 24, 2014 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM PDT

Come learn about social media from local expert, Albert Kaufman. This presentation is a guide for small businesses or nonprofits who have been using social media marketing, but need some tips to take them to an intermediate level and/or add new channels to their marketing efforts. Heather Fulton, social media expert, will also be speaking!

Uptown Billiards