Random follow #193 - @billbennettnz

Having the ability to think for oneself and to communicate those views and thoughts in a manner that is both accessible to the masses while at the same time challenging enough to keep the intellectuals on their toes is a skill that few have.  @billbennettnz is a holder of these skills.  As a freelance journalist he has the interesting predicament of writing stories that are provocative and interesting while also ensuring that he gets employed.

The good thing about freelancing is though that after you have put in as many years as Bill has then the papers are magazines have a fair idea of the style of writing and what the content may look like.  The other side of the story is that is takes years of practise, hard effort, along with blood sweat and tears to make in an industry like this one.

Bill is no stranger to a good conversation and he knows where to go looking to find a really great one.  Its no surprise then that he has such a great presence on twitter.  His cool, calm and collected style is appealing because he hardly ever gets into a flap about anything.  Apart from mornings -

""Mustn't grumble". How passive aggressive is that expression?"

And he also knows how to conduct a good debate without being drawn into pointless diatribe or circular reasoning.  he can string together a whole series of tweets but when they hit your timeline rather than having the crushing power of a tsunami they act more like the incoming tide at the beach.  Whats interesting though is that while he can spin together 10 or 20 tweets in a conversation they tend to be at times when I (the blogger) am not actually online.  Which makes me wonder if twitter is a distraction?  (joking)

And then there are always the communications industry usual stories - 

"Unnerved when a PR offers an exclusive, which turns out not to be an interview or hard news, just a boring product press release."

Bill is also a techie geeky sort of guy at heart.  Not one of the hardcore ones for whom writing screeds of pages of code is fun.  But a down to earth and fun guy who enjoys uncovering new technologies and developments.  And he enjoys having a crack at them too -

"Amused by Google Glass users being described as "Glassholes". Witty and appropriate."

As far as twitter goes Bill will engage with pretty much anyone about the subjects that are near and dear to his heart.  He is highly entertaining, super engaging and very energetic.  Go and follow him.  You might learn a thing or two.

And to end this post it is important that we acknowledge the important people -

"My tweets do reflect the views of my employer."

Random follow #174 - @WanderlustRehab

Getting outdoors and enjoying the fresh air and natural beauty around us is something we need to do more of.  For some people that may mean a 5 minute walk or a 10 minute jog.  For other people it means setting aside a few hours, strapping on some shoes and then going exploring.  For today's tweeter being outdoors is absolutely the very best place to be.

@WanderlustRehab is a man after my own heart. It takes some real passion and determination to be a race director/organizer and Paul ooze's that in spades.  Its tweets like these that best describe his spirit and enthusiasm for life - 

"Today is going to be pretty busy, one of those productive days where you fall into bed at the end of it and go "well done lad, good day"!"

There is hardly a negative word ever crosses his twitter stream.  That alone speaks volumes about his patience, optimism and ability to see the best in other people.  Whats neat too is that Paul's tweets just appear.  They don't announce themselves or need a pedestal to stand on.  They just are.  You look up at your timeline and there in front of you is this -

"Good morning folks, hope you've had/having a great weekend? Anything to report? Monday is here in NZ and another cracking week lies ahead :)"

Paul is a husband and a really great guy.  I really enjoy it when people tweet or talk about their spouse's.  To make an effort to talk about that person whom you love really means something in my book.  

What else?  Well Paul  is also the organizer of the head2head walk which is an epic walk for a relay team that will cover 125kms.  Teams will cover the distance from Manukau Heads Lighthouse and ends 125kms later at Huia in Titirangi.  125kms is no short distance in anybody's book. And its all for a really good cause so if you can get a team together - get out there and walk 25km's then you'll be making a difference in someones' life.

So to finish up @WanderlustRehab is a really nice guy with a super generous heart and is someone who is willing to give up his time to assist others.  He is an optimist, positive and someone willing to go the extra mile and do whatever it takes to succeed.  I totally recommend following Paul and supporting him as he works hard to make the lives of others better.

Random follow #127 - @ShannonandDrift

Two tweeters from the Bay of Plenty in two days.  People we are on a roll.  Todays tweeter is another fantastic person who hails from THE REAL BAY.  @ShannonandDrift claims to be a professional sports person who tweets for a hobby.  Sounds like a pretty good lifestyle to me!  And he makes damn sure that while the rest of us head off to the office to peck away at our keyboards under fluro lights, he is outside enjoying the New Zealand outdoors for all that they are worth -

"Awesome day for a spot of white water kayaking. Hate my job. Really I do."

I don't know a whole lot about Shannon but I can say he is a bloody good guy and top bloke.  Being a surfing type guy certainly helps in that it creates a relaxing lifestyle that ensures you to mellow and leave all your issues out in the waves.

And you can also count on the fact that he enjoys a really good laugh.  Don't we all?  Here is an example of that -

"IF YOU DON'T HAVE ANYTHING NICE TO SAY, come sit by me and we can make fun of people together"

Shannon is one of the people who make twitter a success.  He engages with lots of cool tweeters and takes the time to listen to other peoples opinions.  It appears that for a while now he has been a bit of a lonely bloke.  But don't worry twitter!  Help is at hand - 

"3 more sleeps till my girl leaves London and heads home #maketimefly #blueballs"

And his girlfriend either doesn't know he is on twitter or has a long suffering sense of humor when he fires off wisecracks like these - 

"Google has to be a woman... It starts suggesting things before you can even finish your sentence"

@ShannonandDrift is not one to hold back his opinion.  Not in a nasrt, trolling kind of way.  But he uses social media as the platform for which was designed - a place to have a rant, get your issue off your chest and then let others come back to you with what they think about what you've said.  All is fair in love and war really.

And as I try to do so often, the last word goes to the man himself - 

"Shorts and tee shirt in the middle of May? Mother Nature's loving us"