Random follow #226 - @ItsKieranTime

"To be young, gifted and .....  Wellingtonian?" I am not sure thats quite what Nina Simone had in mind when she sang that song but those descriptive words are apt for for @ItsKieranTime.  Coming at you out of the Nations capital Kieran is a social media buff who tweets and shares his adventures through life with ease.

He's the sort of guy who you meet at a pub and you know he's an all right kind of guy.  Cool enough to kick with the hip crowd yet grounded enough to be able to hold a conversation with those of us at the older end of the scale too.

If you're wanting to know how cool he is then here is the evidence -

"What is my life? I'm sitting in a hip cocktail bar - mixology, in Hollywood."

Here's the evidence he can kick it with the older tweeter -

"The poverty here is unreal, for such a developed country."

And then when he tweets this you KNOW he is from the coolest little capital in the world  -

"Waking up to see another #eqnz rattled Wellington last night. Is FOMO a thing when it comes to earthquakes? Because I think I have it."

Being younger he brings a different angle to social media.  A different feel and view on whats happening in the world.  He is a source of interesting topics and thoughts and isn't afraid to let you know what he's really up to every now and then.  Such as -

"So what if I'm watching Keeping Up With The Kardashians in bed on a Saturday night."

So why follow @ItsKieranTime - he tweets original content, he is currently travelling across North America and tweeting about it, he is a really nice guy with a fantastic taste in style and he's an all round really great guy. Having the ability to keep a 'clean' timeline. That is tweets that are either funny, interesting or giving information that you may not have known before.

Final word - if I weren't already following @ItsKieranTime I would now.

 

Random follow #197 - @BKKJase

Sometimes you find great tweeters.  Sometimes they find you.  @BKKJase is a totally random follow who actually chose to follow me first.  And in turn I hit the follow back button.

Being an international man of mystery makes him a very appealing person to follow on twitter.  He is very much a metropolitan tweeter while also managing to not give away all his credibility.  There is a great mix of the cafeésque tweets about coffee and lunch but these are easily offset by the call to engage with beer.

He enjoys sharing his thoughts and engages in a good debate with people too.  There are lots of lots and lots of conversational tweets going which says he is very much a people person.  Topics you'll find in his timeline range from food to travel, fashion to t-shirts.  Whats even more interesting is his twitter bio which reads a little something like this -

"The Jaseverse: Where math, history, syntax, and perfectly-shaped stubble intersect. BRB.
WINNING AT LIFE."

Jase is a really nice guy who won't give up his man card (even if his dog has a sparkly pink collar) without a fight.  And whats really surprising to me is that he follows @evilkud and I DID NOT KNOW THIS!  So why follow Jase?  What follows now is a comprehensive list of really good reasons to.  From here on I am going to describe Jase in the third person.  Why?  Cos it works.

Jase is super observant. "Wow. That bathroom blowing device really dried my hands awesome - said no one. Ever."

Jase is forward thinking - "I saw this dude riding a motorised unicycle device today and I now want one."

Jase is thoughtful - "Just gave this old dude busking out Irish tunes on his guitar a dollar. He was super nice and appreciative. Love the Irish."

Jase is tall.  "Once, just ONCE I’d love to have a hotel bed where my feet are not hanging out the end."

Jase is good looking.  See here for proof - https://twitter.com/BKKJase

Jase is health conscious.  "Is beer vegan?"

Jase is a very friendly chap. "BRB. WINNING AT LIFE." 

Jase is awesome.  That is all.

Random follow #182 - @WardrobeFlair

Taking a risk and pursuing your dreams and passions is something that not everyone has the ability or the courage to do.  Some people stop at the point of comfort and enjoy their day to day employment.  Other people see an opportunity to do something they love, something that inspires them and makes them whistle and sing as they think about the tasks that lay ahead of them for the day.


@WardrobeFlair is a very attractive, bright, beautiful and bubbly lady whose job allows her to work in an area of complete passion for herself while also helping others to better themselves.  One garment at a time.  And the twitter name really does say it all - try adding some flair to your wardrobe.

A few years ago when I first joined twitter there was a lot of conversation about 'your brand'.  Making sure that you projected yourself as a brand and that professionalism always shone through etc.  And most of those points are true.  But social media is about more than a sales strategy via tweets.

And @WardrobeFlair proves that you can have both a professional brand while also engage with real people in the real world with real tweets and stories.  And she totally does it with style! (of course).  

Lets have a brief look at how she accomplishes this through her tweets -->

"Always have 1 dress that makes you feel a million bucks in yr wardrobe"  Pure wisdom.

"Random thought 378 - I need some rugby players on my LinkedIn to counterbalance the mix of media, fashion, CEOs and Defence Staff! #eclectic"  Pure work.

Of course having a job like styling people and helping them to spice up their wardrobe cant occur in a place with no shops or style.  And in all of New Zealand there is one city that (in my mind) absolutely rocks it out when it comes to shopping.  

"Took the out-of-towners round Wgtn today. Brilliant. Makes me remember why I love this little city. #IloveWelly"  Pure Wellington.

She is also a mum and a partner to a very, very lucky man. And alongside her home life she has HEAPS of friends who love and support her.  Both virtually and in real life as well.  So if you're in Wellington, are a legitimate tweeter and person and would like to meet one of the absolute superstars of lovely 

@WardrobeFlair is a lady in high demand.  Both on twitter where she spends so much time interacting and conversing with others and also in her day to day business practice.  And in reality there is very little difference in what she is able to achieve between the two.  In both she assists and encourages people to add some spice, change up their views and see themselves in a different way.  

Random follow #180 - @MinxOnehunga

Shoes, boots, bags and jewellery.  Those are the core products that @MinxOnehunga sell from their wee shop based in Onehunga, Auckland.  And to many people (like all the men) that is probably not that appealing an idea for a twitter account to follow.  And for the ladies they may think - "YES - all my dreams have come true! A twitter account that sells everything I love and need!"

What I can tell you is that both of those reasons for following (or not) don't stack up when it comes to the ladies at Minx.  This group of ladies tweet about so much more than just the items they sell or have in store.  The twitter team bring much more depth and fun to twitter.  Their twitter presence captures the fun and bubbliness that you will encounter in person should you go in store.

The twitter team have lots and lots of fun engaging with their followers.  And to say that the team are interactive would be a very fair statement to make.  By my reckoning there are more interactions with tweeters than there are stand alone tweets.  Yes they do tweet about the shop (thats what the account is about) - 

"lots of ladies rifling through the sale stock today...get in quick if you want to get a bargain!!! up 50% off EVERYTHING #sale"

But they also have diet tips - 

"wanted a pie. Ate an apple instead. Feel virtuous. And hungry."

And of course good ideas for gifts - 

"My Mr15 wants me to take him shopping for his gf's birthday pressie. Shes turning 16. Wonder what shoe size she is?? #EasyPresent lol"

This account is also about supporting the twitter community.  If you look through their timeline you will see a number of retweets of articles, blog posts and other bits and pieces from friends of the store.  The curators of this account understand that social media is about more than just your voice or the promotion of your own product.  A great twitter presence is about supporting your friends, family and the community as well.

This account is an exemplar of what makes a fantastic account for a shop or business.  It is about creating a personality, building a community of followers and engaging with your clients.  I for one know that if I engage with a business online then I will always go there first for a purchase before anywhere else.  Because at the end of the day its about people connecting with people.  And the ladies in the @MinxOnehunga store and the best example of what it means to be people people.

Having just recently cracked the 300 followers mark this twitter account totally deserves more twitter love from all of us out there.  And you don't even have to like shoes.  If you like fun times, great tweets and a brilliant sense of humor then you've hit the jackpot with @MinxOnehunga.

Random follow #150 - @kitty007darling

There are no defined canvases upon which the beauty of art must be out.  Art is broad in its appeal, rapid in its change and diverse in its application.  There are many, many talented people in the world who have the gift of being able to create something mystical and magical from a few colors and a blank surface.

@kitty007darling is one of those people.  She has been blessed with a mind that can see a vision of a finished image that is matched by her ability to create that special something.  I live in awe of those who have this ability.  I personally love great art be it a card, a photo or a tattoo.

This very lovely lady hails from the South Island and plies her trade upon those whom are willing to have someone else impart upon their body something unique and beautiful.  What I REALLY like though is that Kitty has also crossed mediums and is just as gifted on a canvas as she is upon the human body.

Want to know something else?  If you're smart you can get a two for one offer right here.  If you follow @kitty007darling you will very quickly discover that she has a very special person in her life --> 

@docscoffee.  They are an engaged couple and from what I understand if you're into coffee then Doc is one person you really want to follow.

And if you're down Dunedin ways call in and say hello.  Grab a coffee, kick back and enjoy yourself.

As a FYI @kitty007darling would really appreciate some more followers on twitter.  She currently has a really great presence on Facebook where she showcases her tattoo work and I am pretty sure that if she could carry that presence over into twitter as well then that would be a good thing.

So what do you get if you follow her?  Well lets take a look - 

"It's been over a week but today I can go swimming! Yay for healed tattoos! And special effects class after work tomorrow - so excite"

"Good morning world. I'm feeling inspired. Think I may go purchase some frames and display some sketches. Possibly sell some. #Art #life!"

And LOTS and LOTS of work in progress and completed tattoo tweets.  Kittys work is pretty spectacular.  While I personally don't (yet) have any ink I do enjoy seeing great pieces on people.  And the tweets and instagram photo's that she shares REALLY make me want to get some ink work done.

@kitty007darling's work could easily grace the pages of a magazine like Juxtapoz with its certainty and elusiveness.  Some of this art is completely world class.  And her ink work is right up there with the very best artists in the world.

You can also check out some really thought provoking video over here at Vine.  If you head over to her Etsy page you will find some small ways to enjoy her handiwork in a small and meaningful way that will benefit both yourself and her in her expanding her art presence in the world.  

So in summary @kitty007darling is a very talented lady who not creates art be it on canvas or through ink but she also wears her art as well.  And that right there is true testament to her abilities as an artist.  Oh and just for the record she has some really funk dress styles as well.  If you like tattoos, art or a mixture of both then this is the account for you.

(I sincerely apologise to Kitty if I cause offence by 'borrowing' her image but I LOVE this picture!)

Random follow #144 - @LifeOfTheRiley

International world traveler, fashionista and ex-pat kiwi are the first three descriptions that come to mind for @LifeOfTheRiley.  Now it is a bit of stretch saying Riley is a kiwi tweeter given that she has been living in the UK for over 10 years but hey - if you spent any time at all growing up in New Zealand then we'll happily let you say you're one.

@LifeOfTheRiley is a twitter account that through humor and honesty gives you some insight into how life works in the great metropolis of London from the perspective of a professional young lady.  She is honest, open and really funny.  Oh and engaging too.  Really engaging.  I believe with her that the maxim of 'once a friend, always a friend' rings true for her.

Whats really nice about this twitter account is that she is totally engaged with people here in New Zealand.  Okay so she may have been living in England for 10 years but on twitter its like she lives just around the corner from you.  And that's the absolute best bit.  Knowing you can log in to twitter see whats going on and have a friendly face tweet to you like you've known each other since you were kids.  It makes the twittersphere a much nicer place to play.

Riley is not one to shy away from sharing on twitter.  With over 30,000 tweets that's quite some record.  What I struggle to understand is how so many people on twitter haven't discovered her yet.  Her insights on life can be hilarious - such as musings about men in suits, men in uniforms and men in general.  Well not general men but good looking one's!

And shoes.  She LOVES shoes. Shoes of all shapes, colors, trends, whatever.  As soon as you mention shoes her radar flicks on and she is in like a shot.

@LifeOfTheRiley is the quintessential girls girl.  Fashion, beauty, make up, clothes, lip gloss, nail gloss - if its a girl thing then Riley will know about it.  And if she doesn't know about it yet you can bet your bottom dollar that she will start researching straight away to find out what it is you're talking about.

So if you are looking for an attractive, young, jet setting, girls girl, professional tweeter then @LifeOfTheRiley is just who you are looking for.  I leave the choice of whether you will go for it or not.  I did and it has proven to be a fantastic choice!

Random follow #106 - @emmawehipeihana

Social media is a kingdom dominated by cats.  Cats, cats and even more cats.  Everywhere you look there they are.  Be in on twitter, Facebook, pinterest or instagram.  Social media is full of moggies, pussy cats, grumpy cats, wet cats, silly cats and yes even more cats.

Why are there so many cats?  Because people love them.  I don't think it would be too much of an over-generalization to say that a majority of women love cats.  Yes guys do occasionally post photos of cats too but the volume and frequency of those posts is far less.  Today's random follows is one of those ladies who loves cats.

@emmawehipeihana is about much more than cats though.  She is a high flyer in the world of corporate recruitment and helps companies, boards and governance groups to both seek out and employ executives of the highest caliber.  Sound easy enough to do?  Well its not.  It takes a blend of both academic smarts as well as street smarts too.

Emma is a lady who has a very broad perspective and understanding of the world.  I can't confirm it for sure but I think Emma may have been a few different places around the globe and has many more to see yet.  She is also a very loyal and thoughtful person.

Here are a few things I really, really like about Emma.  She is an individual who isn't afraid to be true to herself.  "Just made the most uncool nostalgia playlist imaginable on spotify. It has Mariah, and old Disney tunes. So excited."

She has a really great and thinking sense of humor.  "Does IRD record what you say on hold? If so, some poor trainee is going to wonder what the Feelers did to make me so violently furious."

You can take the girl off the marae but you can't the marae out of the girl. "Aucklanders ... is it possible to buy boil up or hangi anywhere in Auckland today? Random craving for marae comfort food."

And she has a keen fashion sense.  "The sad inevitability of winter in New Zealand: the puffer jacket. Soiling urban landscapes since ages ago."

So what does @emmawehipeihana bring to twitter?  She brings a diverse set of interests ranging from HR to cats, cooking to art.  She brings an individual sense of humor that is both observational as well as just a little bit bent.  So slapstick humor you probably won't find here but you will find tweets that will make you sit back, breathe in and have to muse on their meaning.

Emma is a tweeter who stands on her own two feet, isn't swayed by public opinion or the direction that the crowd is headed in but stands her own ground, tweets her own thoughts and above all deepens the overall twitter experience for everyone.

If more people on twitter could be like @emmawehipeihana the world would be a better place :)

Random follow #53 - @thesewphist

Not everyone who uses social media is open about themselves.  Some people, like today's tweeter, do a great job of keeping their real identity secret.  Its like twitter allows them to showcase their skills, talents and creativity in a safe and public way without the hassle.

@thesewphist is someone I have tried to write a post on before.  but I just couldn't get the right angle or approach to this person.  This is my attempt to try and correct that now.

Here are a few things that I think I do know -

1. This person is a teacher or works in education.  And they also have to deal with all the struggles that go with working in an educational environment. 
   Tweet exhibit #1 - "Arggh, someone nicked all the whiteboard markers from my room AND left a packet of flip chart markers under the whiteboard. #grumpy" 
2. This person loves to express them-self but waits for the right opportunity to do so.  I am picking up a bit of shyness here.
   Tweet exhibit #2 - "Husband popped out for a quick photoshoot, neighbours are away. I'm honour-bound to take up this opportunity for solo SingStar, aren't I?"
3. This person is bubbling with creative talent and skill.
   Tweet exhibit #3 - "Hmm, being in the midst of the workroom makeover, my ironing station is rather obscured. But I have the urge, nay, the need to sew..."
4. This person has a keen sense of nostalgia and appreciates the memories of yesterday. 
   Tweet exhibit #4 "I'm going to gaze out the window at the Avalon studios and imagine the Goodnight Kiwi snuggling down, then do the same myself. #NightNight"

@thesewphist is yet another hearty soul who hails from the nations capital of Wellington.  (What is it with Wellington and the use if twitter???).

In reading through @thesewphist timeline and in observing the way she interacts with people I am 100% confident that she is a very sweet, warm and loving person.  She is also very shy but still carries within her a definite strength that can at times be overlooked and undervalued by others.  She also is an encourager of others and looks for the positives in any and every situation.

If you would like to tweet @thesewphist go right ahead.  If you would like to see some of her sewing work then you can check it out at her website - http://www.thesewphist.com/.

 @thesewphist is a total gold medal tweeter.

random follow #47 - @sonyacole

There must be something secret in the water that people from Taranaki drink.  They have beautiful skin, fine personalities and all round really lovely people.  Today's random kiwi tweeter absolutely ticks all three of those boxes.

@SonyaCole is a very lovely lady.  One particular characteristic you will pick up straight away is that she is a lady of style.  Her current twitter profile photo I believe captures her essence nicely.  The red hair piece nicely offsets the darker tomes of her dress.  So here you find a lady of both substance and style.  Panache and positivity.

Sonya is a mum, a social media fan, a blogger, an iphone owner (no further comment needed - LOL),  and she owns her own business.  And she is married too.  To whom I have no idea but he is a very lucky chap indeed.  And I am not too sure when Sonya actually manages to find the time to fit in all these different takes in a day but fit them in she does.  Especially the tweeting.  Then again mums to tend to have exceptional time management skills and I'm betting Sonya is no different in this respect.

(Yes - I have 'borrowed' this picture - without permission. 

But only because it is such a lovely photo)

You aren't going to discover or unearth any of the secrets of the universe by reading Sonya's tweets.  What you will find are short and sweet tweets that won't waste your time.  She doesn't waste her words that is for sure.  And to be honest I have looked high and low and I have struggled to find a tweet that used up the 140 character limit.  But she does enjoy engaging with others and keeping in touch with what is happening in the global conversation that is twitter.

One really nice thing that reinforces my view of @SonyaCole being lovely is that she isn't a twitter snob.  She will tweet anyone and everyone in a nice and positive way.  And even her tweets that are about not so fun stuff like insomnia are still a joy to read because you the reader can relate to what she is trying to say.  For example - "That sinking feeling when you wake up during hell TV hour!"

And it appears that the insomnia is not just confined to one day a week but it may actually be a repetitive issue.  And again tv is not helping!  "Kill me now! Watching Proactive ads to avoid evangelists on the other channels! FML"

To conclude I can hand on heart say @SonyaCole is a lovely (attractive and single) woman and mum who is also a social media butterfly. She is kind and thoughtful and like everyone - a little bit of praise and encouragement goes a long way.

To finish I have three recommendations today - 

#1 - follow @SonyaCole on twitter
#2 - check out her beautiful website http://sonyacole.com/
#3 - give credit and praise to someone completely random when you finish reading this.  It will make someone's day.