I think I have finally recovered from an extremely hectic, albeit interesting, week.

Often times, during the latter part of a busy work week, I have fantasies of lounging around on the weekend. However, as soon as Saturday rolls around, my list of “things-to-do” grows and I end up running around town, like a chicken with its head chopped off (excuse the imagery for those vegetarians out there).

Today, I finally lived out my fantasy. Not because my mind did not desire to run around, but alas my body was exhausted. I only made it to the gym for an hour today and spent the rest of the day oscillating between consciousness and slumber. The heat wave that has hit the Bay Area was likely a contributing factor to my lethargy.

I spent most of the week up at the San Franscisco Fairmont for Adobe’s annual CIO Council. I always enjoy talking to CIOs from very diverse businesses at this event. Companies represented spanned the gamut from multimedia giants, national sports leagues, government agencies, banks and insurance companies. Seeing the views out from the balcony of the penthouse was also a real treat.

Throughout the week, I had seen online news flashes of the earthquake in Sichuan, China, which is said to be the country’s deadliest earthquake in 32 years. However, the magnitude of the event didn’t hit me until Friday when I drove back down to Adobe’s headquarters to present to a government delegation visiting from  Beijing, China.

I spent quite a bit of time yesterday night reading about the event. What struck me was not only the extent of the tragedy, but also the swiftness that the world community answered by helping with donations of time and resources. Call it Web 2.0 or any other buzzword of the day, I really think that social collaboration has not only enabled greater information sharing, but it is also promoting social awareness and empathy.

Loni Kao Stark

Loni is a self-professed foodie, adventure travel seeker and aspiring artist. It's been said her laugh can be heard from San Jose all the way to the Golden Gate Bridge. She's been known to dance and spin across Napa and the Baja. The former Ms. Global Petite runner-up is host of WineTube TV, SSC Presents and The Artist Diaries. In a former life she was simply: "sushiweakness." More »

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