Okay, smarties, I need help with a workflow question that has me stumped.

When it comes to writing, managing the detrius I need to track for articles and blog posts is pretty simple. I have a couple of different methods I use, depending on the cllient, and my system just purrs along like a kitten.

I've taken on a fantastic new client and, though I'm having the time of my life, the usual tracking processes to manage my client-related stuff just isn't cutting it. I need you brainiacs and fellow nerds to help me dream up a new workflow so nothing falls through the cracks.

My work with this client involves two things: being a part of a larger remote team, and overseeing lots of micro projects. I need to track emails (usually multiple threads, often with overlapping topics; some emails are directly to me, others are from aliases), spreadsheeets, timelines, text docs, notes from conference calls and brainstorming sessions, lists, lists, and more lists. I've got data coming in from a million directions -- some actionable, some information-only, some save-for-later.

With the exception of notes from my concalls, everything comes to me in digital format packaged in different ways (.doc, .docx., .txt, HTML, email, etc). In some contexts, I'm the point person. In others, I'm simply acting on tasks others need me to tackle. On top of that, I need to save links to webpages under my purview that need my attention today, tomorrow, or next week. Get the picture? It's madness.

Now, the obvious answer here is Google Docs, which I adore. I toss the majority of my data in there and, really, one of the only issues that drives me nuts is that I can't access the source code of a doc when editing a file  (I know @RonMiller feels me on that one). GDocs on its own, though, isn't enough to manage everything that needs my attention.

GDocs lets me easily convert everything I get in Gmail into workable/editable stuff, allows me to create folders, etc. Awesome. The problem lies in how to organize and prioritize the shitload of data I've got in front of me. I'm a visual/tactile person so printing out every piece of paper and making tickler files would be my Nirvana. Unfortunately, that would kill about 9,000 trees and require seven toner cartridges so, not an option. For the most part, I'm gonna need to go digital on this and I can't for the life of me figure out the most streamlined approach.

So, lay it on me, folks. How would you manage this workflow? I need to be able to access the solution anywhere but if part of it is paper-based, that's cool. Bonus points for a solution that relies exclusively on Google tools.

Email me or enlighten me in the comments. Go!

I got a wonderful holiday message today from one of the dearest people in my life. It really helped me put what I'm feeling right now into perspective, and reminded me that I'm not alone. Here's the email I received:

 Dear Lisa, 

I get this poem every winter & every winter I love re-reading it. It's a beautiful poem and very well written. Thought it might be a comfort to you, it was to me.    . Fuck! It's cold! The End.

 

I mentioned on Twitter last night that I went to see The A-Team. A lot of people asked me to tell them about it so I figured I'd just write something up quick for you all. First, I don't review movies because what I take away from flicks will be far different than what other people will; second, I'm no film expert so, you know, there's that.

Next, a confession -- although I'm of the generation that grew up watching the original A-Team, I don't remember a damn thing about it. I must have liked it at the time because I watched pretty much every episode, but I don't remember why I liked it. At least I had no pre-conceived ideas of how the movie should have been so that's probably one of the reasons I liked it.

More reasons:

1. Explosions. Lots and lots of explosions.

2. The dialogue was freakin' hilarious. No, seriously, it was laugh-out-loud funny (that's "LOL" for all you hipsters).

3. It had a pretty well thought out, if somewhat improbable, plot.

4. It was kid-friendly so I'll be able to take my boys to see it without covering their eyes or ears. (Parents, there are a few curse words but nothing over the top.)

5. Did I mention the dialogue was a scream?

Some things that weren't so great:

1. Heavy on the CGI. I mean, some parts of the movie were so loaded down with special effects they might as well not bothered hiring actors and just CGI'd them in, too.

2. Jessica Biel is just the worst actress ever. Well, maybe not ever, and maybe she's better in other movies (not sure what else I've seen her in), but my cat has more flair hacking up a hairball than this chick delivering her lines.

3. Some things in the movie were just outlandish and took creative licensing too far. For instance, after a particularly harrowing situation, the guys are covered in blood, sweat, and god knows what else in the middle of nowhere. The very next scene cuts to them at a nearby airport wearing $1,000 suits. Was there a Men's Wearhouse somewhere in the back forty that they forgot to show?

4. This is not high cinema, folks. If you're looking for a deep movie that will change you, see something else. This film just flings humor and explosions in your general direction for two hours and leaves you as empty-headed as you were when you went in. If you were empty-headed to begin with. Which you aren't. I love you all.

5. The cheese factor is off the charts. How these actors delivered some of these lies without smacking themselves in the face for being dorks, I will never know.

6. B.A.'s epiphany halfway through the movie is utterly ridiculous.

Some random stuff:

1. Nothing beats bright orange popcorn salt. If the concession stand only has regular table salt, get Milk Duds instead.

2. Based on the trailers we saw before the movie, don't expect much in the way of good flicks this summer. *yawn* Except for this one. This one looks awesome! http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0446029/

3. Don't wear a low-cut blouse when your date is 6'7". It's roughly the equivalent of having someone looking down at you while standing on a table. He was the perfect gentleman but I was so self-conscious I almost cut a new shirt out of the popcorn bags and a handful of napkins.

4. Stay til the end of the credits. Trust me.

5. The plot sets the stage for a sequel.

So that's my take on The A-Team, for what it's worth. Now you see why I review software and not movies -- Roger Ebert, I'm not. Who else out there saw the movie? What'd you think?

Okay, here's the phone number issue I'm trying to solve. I have:

1) A land line because the cell signal in my house sucks.

2) A cell phone with a number assigned by T-Mobile.

3) A Google Voice number.

When I give someone my number, I give out the GV number. If they text me, they get the reply from my T-Mo number. Not a huge deal, right? But then when I reply from my keyboard, it's coming from my GV number. Okay, not the end of the world, but still confusing to the recipient.

Now, add to this issue that I often return calls from my land line because of my cell signal issue. Now they've got THREE numbers to track with me. No one knows where to call or text me and it's irritating for all concerned.

I'm not willing to give up my GV # because, even though it would be easier on the people I talk to, 1) I need to be able to quickly text from my keyboard, not poke around on my iPhone all day, 2) I can answer via email and, 3) GV organizes and archives my texts which is awesome beyond compare.

Is there some easier solution I'm overlooking? I can't be the only person trying to deal with this. I text a lot. I mean, a LOT, so my main concern is streamlining the numbers that the people on the other end have to deal with. Whoever solves this for me gets a cookie!

I'm pretty sure Cosmo thought he was invisible. I didn't have the heart to break it to him.

Practice for world domination begins on Boardwalk.