Duck Call

If I could give you anything in 2010, it’d be the gift of time. Time seems to be increasingly in short supply these days- and there’s always too much to do, to read, to see.. sometimes we forget to breathe. Since only your boss/partner/diety can actually give you time, I’ll have to go to Plan B and share some resources that might help you spend your time better.

First, the following blogs are great reads that will help you stay on top of communications issues that impact nonprofits:

• Getting Attention, by Nancy Schwartz
• Beth’s Blog, by Beth Kanter
• Chris Brogan
• Pew Internet
• the Duck Call (of course!)

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Nothing brings people together like music. This year I decided to share a handful of my favorites with all of Big Duck’s friends. In the cold winter months to come, it’s important to have some warm soothing sounds to get you through those brisk days. Enjoy!

Bob Dylan

Bob Dylan – New Morning
After Dylan’s 1969 motorcycle accident he ducked into hiding, mostly to spend time with his young children and take a break from touring. Recorded in 1970, “New Morning” shows a more endearing and less abstract side of the world famous pop star. There’s an unmistakable timber in songs like “Sign on the Window” and “The Man in Me” that’s reminiscent of love and family. The album has a gentle optimism that some of his earlier work lacks. Not to be lumped in with some of the lesser works Dylan produced in the 70’s, “New Morning” is a testament to fresh beginnings, love and family. A true classic, and a great way to start the new year.

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Ach, ye wee nonprofiteers! Hae ye a poke o’ goodness!

My wife hails from Scotland, and if there’s one thing the Scots know, it’s unhealthy food. Some of that unhealthy food is completely delicious. Tablet (sometimes called “all-butter tablet”), for example, is one of the finest sweets ever invented, and for the life of me, I can’t figure out what (aside from the name) is keeping it from being popular in America. It’s sort of fudgy in its final form, with a harder consistency.

This recipe is an Americanized version of the one in Maw Broon’s Cookbook, which one of my in-laws told me was the top selling book in Scotland two years ago, other than the final installment of that boy wizard series called Harry Potter. The cookbook is full of delectable Scottish traditions, sure to cause pleasure. And heart disease.

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I’m a big fan of budgeting, and I use the worksheet below to make my household budget every year in December. I’ve been promising my coworkers that I’d share it for a while now, so here it is.

You can make edits directly in the spreadsheet above, or you can open it in a new window. You can also save a copy to your computer as an Excel file (just click the “Save as Excel” link in the upper right).

The worksheet follows a pretty simple structure. It compares your anticipated income to your projected expenses, and it breaks expenses down into two types: fixed expenses (the ones you can’t change, like rent and health insurance), and flexible expenses (like going out to eat, traveling, etc.). The categorization may differ from person to person—for example, clothing is a flexible expense for me, but it might be a fixed one for you if you have young children who’ll grow out of all their clothes in the course of a year.

Speaking of children, a disclaimer: this worksheet mostly reflects my budgeting experience, so it’s a little thin on some categories (like children and their attendant expenses).

Happy holidays!

More Big Duck new year gifts

With 2009 behind us, my gift is a simple reminder — when those tough times happen, pause and get in touch with that inner child of yours. The one who found wonder in all things and didn’t take herself too seriously.

In 2009, we lost many greats — including my pseudo namesake, Farrah Fawcett and my childhood hero, Michael Jackson. For my Big Duck Holiday Wish, I’d like to share this trip down memory lane. The Farra of yesteryear – 1984 to be precise. On the off chance you can’t remember your inner child, take a quick peek at mine.

And in case you want to dazzle your friends with some fresh moves, check out this handy guide on how to moonwalk.

What would the you from 25 years ago say to the you of today?

More Big Duck new year gifts

While looking to the future, it can be useful to re-visit the past. Hope this brief look backward will inspire you for all of 2010!

More Big Duck new year gifts

I love celebrity gossip. I read US Weekly, Star Magazine, and InTouch (just to name my favorites). But before you totally judge me on my shallow guilty pleasure; there, is in fact some useful information in the pages of my weekly smut. Groan if you will, but the list below highlights some celebrities who are using their fame to raise awareness, promote fundraising, and spread general love for their favorite causes.

Brad Pitt, actor

Organizations supported:

UNICEF, Cure Autism Now, Human Rights Watch

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I thought that this year for the holidays I would share my favorite YouTube clips. I thought long and hard about which videos over the past few years really made me think, roll on the floor laughing, or get up and start dancing (which is not a pretty sight). I hope you enjoy a few of my top picks, and if you’re interested in the top videos of 2009, YouTube just published the 10 most played videos of the year.

1. Flute Beatbox- I will never understand how this is physically possible.

2. T-Pain Obama Auto-Tune- Really made me chuckle.

3. Lost Generation- Maybe there is hope for the future.

4. Arianna Dancing to Single Ladies- Little kids are cute, but she has real talent.

5. Beijing Welcomes You- It’s a couple years old, but it holds a special place in my heart.

6. Muffins- It’s a Big Duck favorite.

7. Charlie bit my finger- This one never gets old.

8. Inbox Zero- I now  swear by it or at least my inbox does.

9. Sony Bravia (Bouncy Balls)- YouTube doesn’t do this one justice, but it’s one of my favorite commercials.

10. I’m Yours (Ukulele)- What a talented little kid; he plays the Ukulele better then he speaks.

More Big Duck new year gifts