I use Evernote for keeping notes during calls and meetings. Often something comes up that I want to add to my to do list, and I write it this way in my note:
*TODO: Send an email to Clint Flamblemast re pumpkin rodeo
Then at the end of the call, I transfer all those to dos to my master to do list. I can also search “*TODO” and find all the notes with “todo” in them.
What I want, though, is for that to somehow happen automatically, so that something noted as a to do item gets automatically populated to a master to do list.
Is there a way to do that? I’m happy to change my taxonomy or procedures.
We went to a toddler party this morning and a librarian party this afternoon. As we drove gratefully down our street heading for home, we saw people parking on our street and walking up to our neighbors’ doors. I realized that it was only 7:30, a perfectly normal time for normal people to begin parties, and also a time that some of the people I used to party with took their pre-partying Saturday evening naps.
I think I’m going to lie down, but not so I can get up at 11:00.
I’m taking a risk here, but it’s necessary. I realize I am crossing a line. I try to keep my social media presence friendly, informative and funny when I can. In the last few weeks, you’ve seen a lot of posts from me that have been more serious and not at all funny. If you’ve been following me here, on Facebook and on Twitter, you know I’m talking about the effort to Help Bring Noor and Ramsay Home.
If you know the story, skip this paragraph. My friend “and now my boss” Colin Bower had sole custody of his two sons Noor and Ramsay. His ex-wife kidnapped them and took them to Egypt more than a year ago. He has not seen them since. The only thing that can help at this point seems to be public pressure on the US and Egyptian governments. And in this day and age, the best way to do that is on the Internet.
We have been told that the State Department is watching the Facebook page and gauging public interest by the number of “likes.” The more people who click the “like” button, the better chance Colin has of seeing his sons again.
Have you gone to the page and clicked “like”? Have you shared it with your friends, told people about it, even clicked “Share” to post it to your Facebook wall? Many of you have. I notice and I genuinely appreciate it.
I see posts from my friends today promoting their blogs, their bands, sharing music videos and encouraging their friends to support restaurants and food trucks and other causes. That’s fine; I do that stuff too. But can you please spend five minutes to help Colin see his sons again?
If you’ve seen my appeals and those of many others and you haven’t done it yet, respond here and let me know why, or email me privately at dave at dbthomas dot com and tell me why. If there’s something holding you back — technological reasons, you’re not on Facebook, you’re not sure you want to commit before you know all the facts, whatever — let me know.
Maybe you are concerned about the facts. Understandable, considering all you know is what you’ve read online. But know this: I’m not. I know Colin, I’ve seen how he’s conducted himself through much of this ordeal. I’ve read what his old and close friends have said about him. I’ve met Noor and Ramsay’s grandfather.
If that isn’t enough, then think of it this way: more attention on the issue will at least help resolve it, which is best for the boys.
PLEASE do it now. If you’re tired of hearing me talk about this, imagine what Colin is going through, spending more than a year wondering if his sons are alive, what they are being told about him and wondering if he’ll ever see them again.
If that doesn’t move you to click “like,” then go ahead and unfriend me now, because I’m not going to stop talking about this until Colin is with his boys.
