Jodene is the co-founder of:
and founder of:
Published May 26th, 2011
The standard ‘project me’ joke is that I say I don’t complain often (but I do) and it’s going to be a short blog (but it never is). So tonight I’m going to try not complain, but fok it’s cold. Keeping it short might be on the cards because I’ve had a very offish day!
Of course I didn’t tell anyone around me, but it’s also why I’ve left blogging until the very last moment.
Blog wise, it’s been so exciting that I don’t quite know what to do with myself, so let’s share the positive. Today I got to interview Stephen van Niekerk for Your Project Me Story. For my international friends, he is one awesome South African actor and I have been honoured to get to know Stephen and slowly share my passion for blogging and social networking and its endless possibilities with him. When everything fell into place and one of the charities he supports had it’s national day on the same day as the scheduled interview (ok, I coordinated that a little), I woke up so excited.
The rest of me woke up freezing cold and irritated that the landlords haven’t sorted out what they promised to and I ended up acting like a big baby and sleeping with my mom behind locked doors last night, because the alarm still isn’t working.
Back to the excited part of me that had a glimmer of being a part of the National Soup Day in Stephen’s featured post. The whole start to the day got me thinking and I couldn’t quite shake the feeling that a part of ‘project me’ will always be the platform to allow others the use it as a voice. I’m very stuck on not calling people needy, less fortunate and I watch how I use the word charity.
In combination with the build up to the Twitter Blanket Drive and the CANSA event that Lifeology is a part of and that my very talented business partner, Greg Arthur is singing in, I felt the need to explain what ‘charity’ means to me. I won’t do it tonight because I said I wasn’t in the blogging mood, but I know it’s going to become an integral message in ‘project me’.
Tomorrow is Greggie’s birthday and it’s dinner at my house. My dearest friend, Hustler Girl is stressed because life is in that scary about to fall over the edge part of the journey. So the other part of my day was filled with what to cook for my special friends in the combination of happy and scary times. Last night I invented an awesome recipe of chopped herbs, lemon, garlic, chilli and reduced fat cream for the grilled chicken. Of course it was a hit, but I can’t repeat one day later … sigh! That also got me thinking that it seriously is time to start recording some of my recipes. As a Pagan witchin’ in the kitchen, I should be …
I’m obviously very nervous to begin ‘project body’ and I’ve decided to start it when we return from Cape Town on the 14th of June. Oh, did I forget to tell you that? Thanks to the incredible peeps of 6 on Thirteenth, Greggie and I are off to combine some work and writing (well, I’m writing) for a good few days. In the time that I have been writing my novel, two of my friends have published theirs. My dad was still alive when I started writing it … I mean really! So it’s time to get down and do it and I’m hoping a wet winter in Cape Town is the perfect place.
Okay, about 200 words short of normal … but about 400 words more than planned! See you all on day 512 … the big Birthday!
With courage, consciousness & a sense of humour
Published May 6th, 2011
The other day I put on my Blackberry messenger status that the only thing constant is change. Some people have positive affirmations, other people remind themselves to breathe and I churn the reality into my head … the only thing constant is change! It’s a common saying but to let it sink in has made a lot of my life liquid is the most positive of ways … in my opinion!
I remember having coffee with a friend years ago. I had started the novel, though of the childen’s book, dabbled in social networking and still owned the Spa and recruitment agency while announcing that Greg and I were considering partnership. Instead of praising me or supporting me he told me that I sound all over the place. A huge part of ‘project me’ has been to trust my personality and not allow other people’s perception of me change me. If I did that then the change would be so out of integrity and that would be a huge ‘project me’ fail.
In the last 24 hours I’ve had to chant ‘the only thing constant is change’ and almost do a little chanting dance to convince myself that I am equipped to trust the change.
It’s been on again, off again negotiation deals with business and one thing I’ve learned is that nothing is a deal until there are all the signatures on a dotted line. My dad was a big one for the loyal handshake but I don’t think times are the same anymore and the anticipation is biting at my nature a bit. So one moment I’m all systems go and the next I’m holding back for that pen to paper moment … but for some reason I know it’s worth fighting for.
At the same time I’m trying to organise ‘project me day 500′. What started out as the thought of a little gathering has grown into a sizable event with special guests, sponsors and media. All had fallen into place so nicely, besides the fact that Greg and my little sis spent hours fighting to get the invitation layout email friendly. The fight finally ended at some ridiculous hour and we called it a night without invites going out. Thank heavens because the venue have their own changes that they need to deal with and they can’t accommodate the function. So after this post goes live a new fight begins. The fight to make this day a success and the event that I know I deserve for each and every day put into this blog and this way of choosing to live.
My last fight is a difficult one to explain to the world unless you have ever had one of those friendships. One of those friendships that sometimes does you the most harm and isn’t fighting for at all and then the same friend emerges with a retaliation filled with patience, admittance of miscommunication and the willingness to give it their all. It’s like table tennis with The Jock and myself and friends can insert an eye roll here. But after the ‘fight’ last week, which he doesn’t consider a fight at all and after not pulling through for me in the way I think a friend should … he didn’t see it as a fight at all, but rather what friends go through. I can’t even say I had a leg to stand on because in reverse, this is what Twinkletoes and I went though. I was telling him that friends fight and then they say sorry and it’s acceptable so why don’t the same rules apply to The Jock? Maybe they do! Maybe they don’t … but an hour and a half phone call and truth and I’m sorry’s and I want to fight for this (on both sides) is something I believe in.
So boxing gloves on … then boxing gloves … and boxing gloves on again … because the only thing constant is change!
With courage, consciousness & a sense of humour
Published April 21st, 2011
So, how do you like the look?
Yes, there are a lot of looks in that one loaded sentence.
There’s the new design and layout that has been implemented because advertising is officially a reality.
There’s the ‘um’ of red hair that is still out with the jury and then there’s the look of the gorgeous handbags that I’m hanging onto with the fresh new owners of 6 on Thirteenth.
That’s a lot of ‘new’ and I get the feeling that it’s only the beginning. I can feel something within me that is slowly growing into more of the ‘in your face’ individual that I was born to be.
That’s why there has been such a burst of fiery red that has changed the look of the blog. As I said, I’m not so sure that the ‘Bree’ red suits without reverting back to some quirky ‘Desperate Housewives’ drama that I worked so hard at dropping. This new look me has more to do with putting myself out into the world and being noticed. Yes, yes … if you have been following this blog for long I fully entitle you to roll your eyes at the fact that I was crying not so long ago and wondering how the hell I was going to do what is now coming so naturally to me.
Take last night’s function at 6 on Thirteenth for instance. The dynamic duo of mother and son, Matt and Bev Counihan launched their Kathy van Zeeland handbag business and there I was, invited as a blogger and introduced to people as a speaker. No mess, no fuss … just a girl doing her thing and making her way in the world.
I say it again, as I do so often on this special space that I have created: Tell yourself the truth, make it all about you and if it’s still your dream … fight on and never give up. It might be a slightly premature statement when my ego takes a peak at it, but from where I’m standing (in my project me shoes) it’s freaking awesome.
All of a sudden I am realising that hanging onto the believe in myself has sparked the most unbelievable belief in me by others. In a meeting today we were discussing how there is nothing new under the sun. That is true, but in the same breath there is no one as unique as me either.
The new look goes beyond Project Me and I am humbled to call Greg Arthur my business partner (I’ve boasted more than enough about the incredible friendship). Just this week I have watched our business speak for itself through the sheer magnificence of his presence, confidence in each other and our brands and ability to spark up new ideas in the midst of chaos.
It’s the long easter weekend and there are moments of works and scatterings or rest, which never seems to come at a good time for a business owner. I’m not taking away from the religious aspect or the fact that people in business sectors might truly revel in this time off, but it really has come when things are tapering on the edge of booming and business meetings are lining up by the dozen. So while everyone lays low and takes in the holiday time, I’m working on my new look … a look as carefully crafted and uniquely manufactured as the very handbags on the shoulders of the friends I welcome into the world of entrepreneurship … hold onto your handbags, it’s one hell of a ride.
A very special thank you goes out to my sponsor, Bruce Young for all the changes and the awesome design of my blog.
With courage, consciousness & a sense of humour
Published February 21st, 2011
There are many reasons for social networking but one of my favourites is meeting people who inspire me to do more, try harder, dream bigger. It has become my joy to share those people with all of you and I have been waiting to introduce you to Fred.
Here’s his story and my answers to the 10 questions he asked me. I got to ask Fred my curious questions too … so check them out on his blog (after you’ve read my answers of course! 
)
He is busy with his next book a mixture of poetry, short stories and photography.
He is also a motivational speaker and does seminars on Twitter 101, Facebook 101,
Email 101, Youtube 101, how to market online and how to write a blog.
He is also a IT consultant and Business Consultant.
Sometimes you can also find him doing voice over work and acting.
It’s Q & A time:
1. You are quite the blogger. What is your advice for someone starting to write a blog for the first time and which blog sites should they use?
Write about what you want to say and not what you think people want to hear. There are more blogs than stars in the sky most probably and in order to be unique and stand out you have to separate yourself from the collective and shine through with the uniqueness of who you are.
I am the greatest fan of WordPress because it has so many brilliant features that help your blog become very socially versatile in the networking sphere. You don’t have to know much got go far with it! Join blogging communities … lots of them … and make friends because you never know who knows who out there
2. Sea or Forest? And Why?
The sea! I have a very special bond with sea even though I don’t live close to it. My novel (that I am in the final stages of editing) is based on a woman’s journey to self discovery when she moves to live by the after she falls ill! Ironically … I’m scared of the sea and like to splash in the baby pools that the gods have created for kids and scaredy-cats like me!
3. If you could take one book with you to a deserted island which one would it be and why?
Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts. It’s the most powerful book I have ever read and there are so many profound statements that I could read it forever and never get enough of the lessons and messages within this incredible story.
4. Tell us about the latest film you just saw?
I watched Tangled last night. I’m still in awe at 3D and took my glasses home because I know that eventually we’ll own a pair. Maybe Dolce & Gabbana will bring out a range of them. It was a gorgeous movie, but then Disney always is.
5. Why is twitter so amazing?
I have made some of my dearest friends through Twittering. Beyond the sphere of the power that it has a social networking tool, it turns the world into one big cocktail party and I could mingle all day. Well, it introduced you and I, didn’t it Fred?
6. What is your advice to writers?
Just write! Don’t ever delete anything you have written and don’t underestimate the power of returning to a piece of writing at the perfect time in your life.
7. Why is South Africa such a beautiful place to live in?
As much as I envy those who have white Christmas’s and get frustrated that American Country music is not beg enough here to ever feed my thirst for it, I love being South African beyond words. The vastness of cultures, most beautiful sunshine, rainbow nation and eternal hope of the people are the roots that ground me.
8. What funny things have you have seen in your neighbourhood?
I live a few blocks from Wanderers cricket stadium so I have the time of my life after a cricket match. Drunk girls and boys staggering down the road, singing songs that make no sense and shouting for the winning team even if we got our ass whipped.
9. What is this Project me all about?
It started as a daily blog that I needed to drive me to never give up on my dreams no matter how tough life got. However, project me has been a part of my life for years. It’s my commitment to myself to live each day with courage, consciousness and a sense of humour. I never, in my wildest dreams, thought that the blog would grow to what it is today and that my life would change with each passing entry. We all have a ‘project me’ and I have now expanded my blog to include a section called ‘Your Project Me Story; where others share their stories too because you never know who needs to hear exactly what you have to say. We are all that powerful.
10. Give us 10 websites you like and why do you like them?
1. Obviously I’m on Twitter all day and use it as my tool to grow my following as well as interact with some of the most inspirational people in the world.
2. Facebook is my place to escape form it all and enjoy my time with my friends and followers. I can honestly say that it sits open at the bottom of my screen the entire day.
3. I’m a social networking tart and check my stats like crazy. I challenge myself to do better and so I am always on My Scoop which is a social networking aggregator. I can check my rankings on so many different platforms and it inspires me.
4. I use a lot of images for my blog and I’m always on Stock.xchng.
5. I follow a lot of bloggers but have some of my faves and the one dearest to my heart is my friend Nikki who has a blog called Lunatic Cafe. We met on a blog networking site and are the perfect example of the gifts of blogging.
6. My business partner, Greg Arthur, is an incredible writer and through is blog ‘Oh God Knows’ I get my inspiration to be that individual.
7. If you’re waiting for a news, sports or weather site, you won’t find it. I listen to the news once a day and then I got to my other fave places like Wisdom Quotes. I also like to drop a few of those into Twitter every so often!
8. She’s the geek is a blog that inspires women through technology. It is a South African award winning blog that motivates me daily.
9. Website marketing is as vital as it sounds. It is a blog that keeps up to date on all the tools and information about marketing on the web. With a blog, trust me I need it.
10. Youtube … I get my fix of Country Music there and have to admit that I listen to a few to many songs a day, but maybe that’s where all the inspiration comes from
PS … Fred, you’re up there with my faves but me thinks the peeps are going think I just said it as a schmoozling marketing ploy
With courage, consciousness & a sense of humour
Published January 11th, 2011
I did a search on my blog to see if I had use this title before but I’ve used the word LOVE so many times that it was a pointless exercise … LOVE THIS!
Going back to Dan for some aggressive body stress release treatments because my back is getting too sore to work again … getting nervous … HATE THAT!
Had an awesome blogging week and feel part of an awesome community all of a sudden … LOVE THIS!
Still battling to get us SA bloggers to be open about following on Twitter and commenting and so my international following grows while I really want my SA friends to jump onboard … HATE THAT!
The year has started off with a bang work-wise and I’m so proud of my incredible business partner, Greg Arthur (yep, that’s my Greggie) for the rocking way it’s all begun … LOVE THIS!
I, on the other hand, have hit a low self esteem wobble and my nasty brain is trying to convince me that I’m not as productive and all codependent on him … HATE THAT!
I have finally settled into an understanding with food though … getting to grips with quantity thanks to the help of the Weight Watchers concept … LOVE THIS!
I don’t feel as though I’ve lost anything and I’m hitting back into my ‘mean to me when I’m trying my hardest’ mode … HATE THAT!
I am recognising the signs and consciously being nice to me. (Just in case Niel is reading and is ready to call me and tell me to get positive … onto it my friend!) … LOVE THIS!
I think this blog is cheesy … HATE THAT!
But doing it anyway … LOVE THIS!
Hair dude cancelled for Monday so I’m still blonde … HATE THAT!
Rescheduled for closer to my sis’s wedding so I will be bright and shiny for then. Good thinking sparky … LOVE THIS!
My roots are totally showing … HATE THAT!
Decided to paint my nails different colours this year (even though Greggie and Twinkletoes have turned their nose up so far) … LOVE THIS!
It keeps chipping and I can’t paint my nails to save my own life or anyone else’s … HATE THAT!
Focused on making money this year … just by doing what I love … LOVE THIS!
Don’t know where to start today … HATE THAT!
So I’m drinking tea and blogging while chatting to some peeps on Facebook and Tweeting nonsense … LOVE THIS!
While feeling totally unproductive … HATE THAT!
But never fear, Greggie is coming to have some lunch before we go to see Dan … LOVE THIS!
There’s actually no part of me that hates … there’s only the girl who knows that everything is an opportunity and a ‘project me’ moment! It’s good to have a little rant every once in a while, but now the smile is back on, the blog is still cheesy and lunch is only a few moments away … LOVE IT … ALL OF IT!
PS … a bit thanks goes out to my daily blogging friend Ms. Girl who wasn’t even trying, but helped me save a huge dilemma on The Project Me Community that needed to fly stealth until I figured on little detail out … all credit to you Ms. we had a brainstorming session and you didn’t even know it! “Project J” … you rock!
With courage, consciousness & a sense of humour
Published December 23rd, 2010
Sometimes I sit back and wonder what other people are doing at that moment. I even find myself wondering where the man that I am going to share my life with is at that very moment. I wonder if he will remember what he is doing at a specific moment and if I had to ask him a few years later. I do it with friends and sometimes with strangers. I’ve even found myself wondering what famous people are doing while I’m lying on the couch daydreaming. Continue reading
Published November 1st, 2010
In the gorgeous company of JC Snooke and Stephen van Niekerk at the tea for CANSA hosted by 93 0n Jan Smuts
It’s the morning after an incredibly rewarding day. On the very rare occasion I miss a day of blogging and after all the excitement and medication to get through the day I literally collapsed into a heap last night. That doesn’t mean the events of the day didn’t play over in my mind and left me drifting off to sleep with so much gratitude.
I’m taking a break from any medication today because I dosed myself up yesterday (and added a dash of wine for an extra pain-free kicker) to get myself through two very important events. Continue reading
Published October 16th, 2010Tackling something completely none life threatening over the past 2 months has been an experience that has changed my life. There were days when I lay in bed sobbing from the pain and thinking I couldn’t carry on for one more moment. My mother, Greggie and I have had many conversations about the power of our body and whether on not I or anyone else chooses pain or sickness. Continue reading
Published August 27th, 2010Seriously, my back was healing even though I did have a draining day that kept me aching the whole of yesterday, but after a good night’s rest I woke up not feeling that bad.
I was upset when a friend of mine cancelled our arrangements for breakfast this morning. Here’s here from Cape Town and though he would find time to sneak away from the family to say ‘hi’ to me … and thank goodness he cancelled. Continue reading
Published July 5th, 2010Thank you to She’s the Geek for the acknowledgement of my contribution to empowering women in technology. This is the interview that marks a very proud moment in ‘project me’:
