So when Godin launched his Kickstarter to publish his latest book, The Icarus Deception, I partly thought “there is no way he could top what he has already written.” I was wrong. Very wrong. As a backer I received Icarus earlier in December.

I was pleasantly surprised by the main theme of the book. Seth outlines a major shift that is happening right now. We are experiencing a time in history where the connection economy is replacing the industrial economy. Connections trump all other influence.  Icarus, describes this new world where artists thrive and those willing to be vulnerable and share, change the world. Truly I could write a long review here but, I would suggest watching the official trailer instead, Brent Underwood shared with me. What you see in it gives you an accurate preview of what you will find within its binding.

As I have given these copies away I have noticed something remarkable. Each recipient has expressed what I can only describe as epiphany. They are photographers, filmmakers, non-profit evangelists, writers and other world changers. Beyond that I am excited to see where those epiphanies take them next.

If you are near Portland, Oregon I also want to invite you to the first Icarus Session Jan 2nd at 2pm. I chose to start my own in the burbs (Newberg, OR) since the Portland one has grown pretty large. You can find the details here on the meetup site.

So here is a shout out to good friends already out there and an even bigger one to the friends just showing up on the scene. Go make it happen. Find someone who will disrupt you daily and keep you on track. I have only come this far because of friends like that.

And if you have not read Guillebeau’s The Art of Non-Conformity, I highly recommend it. It made me mad the first time I read it, mainly because it exposed dreams I did not feel were possible. I am now doing those exact things.

Here is C.C. Chapman’s Flickr Slideshow I have been enjoying as the weekend rolled by.

All the works from The Taming of the Shrew to Much Ado About Nothing, helped shape my appreciation, respect and ultimately love for what I believe is the embodiment of God’s characteristics of beauty, power, compassion and gentleness; women.

As I have stated before, my favorite of the bard’s work is Henry V. And you would probably think it odd that I would mention it when speaking of the feminine half of humanity. But in the play I remember being captivated by the character of princess Catherine of Valois. Here we have royalty being thrown together in the midst of such turmoil. Their countries are at war. But in the end as the play portrays and reflects historical truth, they both being of tempered and stubborn stock, ultimately fall in love. Henry died two years later from sickness on the battlefield but his captured heart is forever accurately portrayed in the treaty signing scene when he asks to be alone with her.

“If thou would have such a one,
take me;
and take me, take a soldier;
take a soldier, take a king.”

At forty two I find myself deeply in love with a woman. And I love all her characteristics from feistiness to gentle femininity. I recognize them because of Shakespeare’s words and those years hoping that one day I would find my own true love.

I am not a fan of country music but there is one song by Rascal Flats that gets me every-time and reminds me of all I have learned along the way.

“I couldn’t see how every sign pointed straight to you
That every long lost dream lead me to where you are”

And so as I look at my beautiful daughter and her lovely mom, I see how through tragedies, romances, comedies and yes histories, I marvel how Shakespeare’s work has taught much of what I know and love about women.

Here is to that continued education on his birthday. Join me in celebrating with others at: http://happybirthdayshakespeare.com/

Here is the first installment:

Chris brogan is a great writer and thinker. He has continually added value to my business life.  Today he popped up on my radar with a really good post about experts and trying new things called We’re No Experts.  I hope you check it out.

Here is a list of Chris’s books.  I hand out copies of Trust Agents all the time.  If you have not read it, you should. It will revolutionize how you connect with others. Chris’ new book is all about Google Plus.

Google+ for Business: How Google’s Social Network Changes Everything

Trust Agents: Using the Web to Build Influence, Improve Reputation, and Earn Trust

Social Media 101: Tactics and Tips to Develop Your Business Online

@CarissaO Fascinating conversation with my cab driver about the entrepreneurial spirit and the power of social media. #austinrocks #SXSWi

Was the driver moonlighting as a guru or VC. Regardless it reminded me of all the great conversations I have had with taxi drivers.

This isn’t about taxi drivers though. Really it is about being present enough to your surroundings to engage in conversations with everyone you come in contact with. I think we miss so many opportunities to learn from others by just ignoring people throughout our day.

My stepdad Glen, who I count as one of the most influential people in my life, led by example in many ways but this was one that I love to practice. He would engage with the grocery clerk, gas station attendant, janitor and anyone else that came across his path. What stood out to me were the people who could not possibly benefit him as a salesman. And a good salesman he was. Better yet though he valued people. Over time all of these people came to know his name. So when I would travel with him it seemed he knew every one in the world. Now I do know this. He always got the best service wherever he went because he had invested in people that served him.

Now back to taxi cab drivers. It is very easy to ignore them. When I get into a cab, no matter what my first impression is, I strike up a conversation and usually try to learn a bit about the driver. It has been rare that I have been disappointed. There have been times that I have been disturbed by the cab driver. One in Vegas stuck with me. He gave my business partners and I a history (his own sordid version) of the decline of the city since the mob lost control. Oh the good ole days. I was hoping not to see a shovel in the trunk when I went to get my bag. Yeah. Mostly the drivers are great.

So next time you take a cab surprise yourself with an opportunity to connect. Try to learn a little something about the person pumping your gas (we can’t pump our own where I live). When the check out clerk asks you how your days was, reply and then honestly inquire about theirs.

Share some of your cab stories (both great and crazy) or how you have connected with people you encounter throughout your day. I would love to hear them.

So consider a professional them like Standard and get back to writing. Isn’t that why you started blogging in the first place.

One last note. Before you pay for a theme ask around. Many have minimal support and sloppy code. The research will pay off.

The answer to the first question has three parts.

The thank you shout out

I like to highlight businesses that are pretty remarkable.  When I visit them I like to give them a nice shout out as a way to say thank you for doing good work.

Shared experience

The next reason I use it is to share with others cool experiences I am enjoying.  I like to hear about my friends experiencing interesting things so in kind I hope they like to hear about mine.  I can’t remember who said it (and please leave a comment reminding me) but they said that today wealth is being gained more in experiences than money things.

The joy of unexpected meetup

The last reason is so that I can have chances for others to meetup with me or visa-versa me. Two weeks ago I was on a business trip, travelling to the Content Marketing Retreat held on Whidbey Island.  My friend and business partner Chris Skaggs decided to tag along and go to the conference as well.  About twenty minutes from the Seattle train station, I saw that our friend Jen Grant had checked into her client’s restaurant Art at the Seattle Four Seasons. Jen and I live only about 10 miles apart but it might as well be around the world due to our busy schedules.  I showed the checkin to Chris and we both had the same idea.  We decided to surprise her for lunch.  Minutes before we had been talking about how we have not seen her in a while.

After getting off the train we walked up to Four Seasons and surprised her as she was walked out the front door.  We ended up having a great lunch and caught a rare chance to catch up.  All of it happened because we both use Gowalla.

Last, to answer the second question. How do you choose which tool to use?  This comes down to convenience and utility.  When I am trying to check-in someplace I want to be able to find the location easily.  I don’t usually have time to add a place if it is not currently listed.  This is very important if I am with others.  I try to post discreetly since my experience I am posting on is with friends in meatspace.  I want to focus on them and not technology.  Second, it depends on what I want to do when checking in.  Often I take a photo to or leave a useful tip to others that will follow.  Whichever tool makes the easiest is the one I choose.

Jen Grant shared a great article on how diners are using location-based technology.  It is a good read.  Remember though that they are tools, and you the user are showing us all their real value.

*Both Whrrl and Gowalla are no longer in business.

I believe we need two things to succeed today.  We need to continually learn and we need to lead a thriving tribe. So with those two, there is a need to both consume and engage.

So back to the tools I mentioned above.  Do they work for you?  Are they helping you carry out those two goals?  For many they help synthesis lists and friend updates into a formats that are both visually pleasing and easy to read. They have even changed the way website design.  I changed my WordPress template to look like a Flipboard magazine because I found it easier to process. Hopefully it is easier for my readers to read as well.

Are you using any of them? Are you sharing your lists via Paper.li and is your tribe reading them?

One last note: I use the tool on the fly every-time I get a post idea.  I get them in the middle of conversations, while travelling, watching a movie, you name it.  Instead of making a note on my iPad, sending myself an email, writing it on my hand, I now open up the Editorial Calendar, think of a quick title and maybe write some notes or add a link.  That is it.  I think I have nearly thirty draft posts waiting for me to finish.  This has given me plenty of material to work with.  I absolutely love it and recommend it.

The bulk of the book retells stories of Eric’s climbing the Seven Summits, bookended by the beginning and then the summiting of Everest by Eric and his blind climbing partner Erik Weihenmayer. If you have ever been told you could not do something, The Summit will inspire you to shed all that binds and climb your own Everest.

As a novice climber, I was fascinated by the stories of so many high altitude adventures. One chapter describes Eric and Erik’s climbing Russia’s Mt. Elbrus, and then skiing off the summit in a 9,000 foot run. Descending any alpine peak is a challenge, even when done the conventional way. There are so many stories like this that Eric’s faith in the impossible truly is driven home.

The Giveaway:

At first I had planned to give a copy of the book away with this post, but for a while I have wanted to give something special away. So I decided to make it a new wifi Kindle. The Kindle will have The Summit installed.

Here are the details on how to win: (some methods are borrowed from Scott Williams)

1. Leave a comment here stating that you would like to win the Kindle with the Summit installed. Feel free to share a story of your own overcoming an impossible adventure. The story is not required to be an entry though. To be able to be entered you need to leave a comment on this post or I won’t be able to find you.

2. Post a message on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn with these specifics.

-On Twitter: This url http://bit.ly/f5jMt4  mention Eric’s twitter name: @highersummits the term #thesummit, and that you have entered to win the kindle with The Summit installed.

-On Facebook: Mention the Higher summits page url http://bit.ly/f5jMt4 http://www.facebook.com/highersummits, this url and that you have entered to win the kindle with The Summit installed.

-On Linked: Mention Eric’s site http://www.highersummits.com/ this url http://bit.ly/f5jMt4 and that you have entered to win the kindle with The Summit installed.

Also, If you are not on any of the above mentioned (this is my favorite of Scott’s ) please state that in your comment here. I would love to interact with you and find out why.

3. Watch the book trailer here or on youtube and share with your friends.

Note: Winners will be selected from the comments on Flurrycreations.com/theblog. Please only leave one comment per person. I will randomly choose one name to win the Kindle, from those that followed the steps mentioned above by 11:59 pm Pacific Standard Time 12/27/10. I will then announce the winner here and ship the Kindle Thursday December 30th. Good luck and thanks for reading!  Also, Merry Christmas!