Jon & Kate Should Hibernate May 13, 2009

It’s hard for me to look at any of the articles about Jon and Kate Gosselin and actually feel bad for them.  The quote in this People article in particular strikes me as absolutely ridiculous.

Ultimately, Kate says she does not know what she can do to stop the insanity. “The scary thing for me is [the tabloids] are going to take information and create a story. It’s a matter of, ‘When will they stop?’ They’re going to keep going, and they’ll make up stuff to connect the dots.”

Um….how about you stop exploiting your family for the sake of money?  You’re not a celebrity.  The only thing you did was give birth to 8 babies and put them on national television.  You invited this scrutiny into your home.  If you want it gone, then send the cameras away.  Focus on your husband and your kids.


Jon has been fodder for celebrity magazines as well.  Apparently he wasn’t aware that sneaking around a bar with a 23-year-old was sketchy.


I’m not suggesting that anyone deserves to have nasty rumors spread all over the Internet and pages of gossip magazines, but in this particular case, when there are kids directly involved, it’s a simple fix.  You should do everything you can to protect your family.  Putting them out there for the world to see, critique, tear down and manipulate is not protecting your family.


On a side note—why is TLC constantly capitalizing on the large family dynamic?  How many of these families would actually be able to support themselves if they didn’t have a TV show?  Which brings me around full circle to ask why people are rewarding this irresponsible behavior by watching the shows, which then creates good ratings, which leads to another year of family spun drama (and in the case of 18 Kids and Counting, another baby).

California Controversy April 30, 2009

Miss California has caused quite a stir since making her opinion clear on same sex marriage. 

 

I can’t fault her for her opinion, despite the fact that I whole-heartedly disagree.  That’s the beauty of this country: your freedom of speech is protected.  I do wonder, though, how exposed she has been to the gay community.  She attends a Christian college, was welcomed with open arms at her church, which praised her for “refusing to compromise her faith”, and is surrounded by members of her family who have, based on her answer, molded her opinion on same sex marriage.  Has she ever worked with, attended school with, or even just talked to a gay man or woman?  Isolation breeds ignorance, which then breeds fear and prejudice.  I’m not saying she can’t hold her opinion; I just wonder if she’s ever considered the other side of the coin before forming it.

 

And while we’re on the subject of gay marriage, can everyone just stop using the “sanctity” excuse?  We live in a country where you can have a drive-thru wedding in a town that practically screams cheating, gambling and prostitution.  The U.S. divorce rate is 50%.  And people want to protect the sanctity of marriage?  Spare me.

I Was Just Trying to Mind My Own Business… April 27, 2009

Having just returned from a lovely two week vacation, I am relaxed and rejuvenated.  Oh, and reminded of how the simple act of flying can turn into an “is this really happening?” moment.

 

For an international flight, my travel was actually fairly easy; however, it was not without its bumps in the road.  There are simple flight rules by which one should abide.  You would think that anyone with an ounce of common sense (or someone who has at least flown once in their life) would get it.  Unfortunately, there are people out there with no concept of social rules, and being stuck in an uncomfortable, confined space such as an airplane will bring out the idiot in anyone.

 

Let’s take the guy who sat next to me on the last leg of my trip.  I’d been traveling for 20 hours, and all I wanted to do was eat, shower and sleep.  I did not want to hear a stranger apologize to his girlfriend for a sketchy email, his dominance fantasies and Craigslist postings.

 

Yeah, that’s right.  There is actually someone out there who has so little shame that he broadcast the entire saga that is his love (or should I say kinky sex) life to his fellow passengers.  The conversation went a little like this:

 

“Hey baby, I just wanted to let you know there is nothing going on between me and Sebastian.  She’s interested in me, and I’m attracted to her, but I told her that nothing would happen because I’m with you.”

(Silence as he listens to her response.)

“Yes, Sebastian is a woman.  I don’t have any homosexual tendencies.  She’s a woman in her forties, and I didn’t do anything with her.”

(Another response on the other end.)

“Yes, I admit in the past I’ve had dominance fantasies.  But I’ve never acted on any of them.  And I don’t regret not acting on them.  You are more important than that to me.”

(Response)

“It’s fine that you saw the email.  But it was just something flirty that she sent to me, and it doesn’t mean anything.  I really don’t want this to mess up anything with us.”

(Response)

“Yes, I’ve posted my dominance fantasies on Craigslist, but it doesn’t mean anything.  I’ve never acted on them.”

 

So the conversation went.  I was so uncomfortable that I eventually tried to tune it out by listening to the nice, innocent conversation in front of me regarding the cute little 3-year-old who was ready for a nap.

 

News flash:  I don’t care what you do behind closed doors.  And knowing him, they’re probably not closed, and neither are the blinds.  I do care that you’re sharing it with me, a captive audience who has nowhere to go and must sit next to you for the remainder of the flight.  Save your dominance-sketchy-email-jealous-girlfriend-themed conversation for the privacy of your own home or hotel room.  Spare the public a glimpse into your world.

 

Freckles the Guru April 9, 2009

 

 

See that crazy beast?  Yep, that’s my pup.  Adopted about a year and a half ago from the Humane Society of Western Montana, Freckles has become a part of my life I couldn’t live without. 

 

This picture was taken a few weeks ago on one of our favorite hikes. 

 

Today, a much warmer, snow-free, almost spring-like day, I came home from work, thinking about all the items waiting for me on my to-do list, took one look at Freckles’s face and strapped him to a leash, not because I was looking forward to a leisurely walk, but because I couldn’t resist the hopeful look in his eyes.  It was out of guilt that I leashed him and drove him down to the river.

 

Of course, it only took 10 minutes before all thoughts of my to-do list, dinner plans and friend-related drama disappeared.  Freckles found a path down to the water, jumped in immediately, and began splashing around like he’s never seen a river before.  My quick trip to the river turned in to an hour-long stroll through brush, sand and melting snow (resistant little suckers, those drifts…). 

 

People who don’t own dogs will never understand what they can teach you.  The first time I walked into Freckles’s kennel at the shelter, he tried to make himself melt into the floor.  If he could have dug out and run away, he would have been long gone.  I suspect that he was abused, though it was never confirmed.  I sat on the floor of his little cell until he got up and sniffed my hand.  As I walked with him along the path behind the shelter, I knew he would be coming home with me.  I’d taken a volunteer position to temper my need to own a dog; instead, it was God’s way of helping me find my perfect match.

 

Freckles was considered a “hard adoption”.  He had been in 2 different shelters and 3 different foster homes in his first year.  I took him home as the fourth foster parent a month before his first birthday.  On the day he turned one, I adopted him.  He refused to go under bridges; he was terrified of men, having accidents on the floor every time my boyfriend would walk in the room without me; and he didn’t like to be petted.  He much preferred to sit across the room and examine you skeptically.

 

 A little over a year later, and this happy, splashing dog in the river is hard to compare to that sad, scared animal who hid in my closet the first day I brought him home.  He meets me at the door everyday, wagging his tail.  His favorite activities include hiking, being brushed, chasing his squeaky football and going on playdates.  Freckles has learned to trust, love, nurture and beg for every piece of food he can.  Regardless of what happened to him in the first year of his life, he has moved so far past it that as he walks down this river path with me, the only thing on his mind is the sunshine, the river and the golf balls he could snag from the course next to us if I would just let him off leash. 

 

It might sound cliche or even a little cheesy, but I wish I could be that carefree.  Instead of worrying about things I can’t change with work, family, friends, enemies; I wish I could just brush it off and stroll alongside the river in the sunshine.  At least for today, I can.

Blog Redesign April 7, 2009

It’s been a long time since I last posted something here.  After that fact came up in conversation the other day, I thought it best to confirm that this blog is not dead.  I haven’t abandoned it; I just haven’t been motivated.  I could blame it on the blah weather we’ve had lately (except for this weekend, which I’m hoping isn’t a cruel joke!) or my crazy schedule as of late.  But the truth is, I haven’t really been interested in any recent marketing topic lately.  In reviewing some of my previous posts, I’ve found that even with the best of intentions, my posts have started to slide into my personal life.  I really wanted to focus this blog on the field of marketing and pr, given my position in the professional world.  However, I find my personal life much more interesting.   I’m not bragging, but it’s full of great stories.  And since my entire family is 2000 miles away, this will give them something besides a phone call to keep up.

I don’t plan to abandon the marketing world for good.  I just want this blog to live up to its title and become a random collection of stories that reflect me and who I am as a person.  I do also stay involved in the marketing and pr side of things through my tweets (@uncgrl84) and by posting comments on several trade publications.  On a related note, check out my take on the downfall of marketing in the current economic situation and my plan B.

I’m hopeful that this change of course will keep me more involved, more focused and more interesting.  Let me know what you think!

GIS…What? March 12, 2009

A year ago, I started working for a geospatial software development company.  Of course, everyone asked me what the company did and what my role was, and for the first few months, I was at a loss.  My experience is not in GIS or software development.  I am a public relations guru through and through, and luckily, my resume got me in the door and my interview got me the job.  My boss had the guts to trust that I knew what I was doing and could learn enough about the software to market it successfully.

 

That was a year ago, and I’m happy to say that I do understand GIS now; I can explain what my company does and how I fit in; and my track record has proven that I can market our products successfully.  Now, for all of my family members and friends who still don’t quite get it, please visit the Geospatial Revolution Project.  No, I don’t work for them; but while trolling around the internet to find out what people were saying about my company and our competition, I stumbled upon this public service outreach initiative taken on by Penn State Public Broadcasting.  Take a look at the trailer.  It’s slick.  And it will give you a great idea of the technologies I see every day. 

 

I’ll admit it: I was slightly bored when I started my job.  I knew nothing of the industry, and I couldn’t relate to the projects that our clients were doing.  Now, after a year of reviewing projects with customers, talking to people at tradeshows and finding scores of applications for our software, it’s wildly entertaining.   

 

Let me know what you think of the video and the project.

Loving the Tar Heels (and Tyler!) March 10, 2009

I watched Tyler Hansbrough’s last game in the Smith Center on Sunday with mixed emotions.  Nervousness, since the game was close the entire 40 minutes; excitement, as we earned a W over Duke; and sadness, because Tyler Hansbrough’s tenure at UNC have been such a huge part of my life for the past four years.

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill was my backup school when I started applying to college.  I had big dreams of getting out of North Carolina , a place I’d called my home since the day I was born, and exploring the world.  My mom encouraged me to at least apply to one in-state school, and as it always is, it turns out Mom was right.  Senioritis kicked in as I finished high school, and getting myself together to get out of town never happened.  I chose UNC and never looked back.

There is something so special about that campus.  From the non-air conditioned dorms freshman year to the Student Union, where I studied because the library was so quiet I felt like I was missing something, to the Old Well, Bell Tower and Pit, I wouldn’t trade my four years at Carolina for a full ride anywhere else.

When I was a senior, Tyler Hansbrough joined the men’s basketball team.  Since then, Carolina basketball is something I hate to miss.  I’ve watched him break record after record while playing with the heart, integrity and talent most people couldn’t even dream of.  I’ve run up to Franklin Street to celebrate big game wins, jumping over bon fires and screaming with my friends.  I was in Ireland when Tyler ’s nose was broken during a Duke game.  The entire group I was traveling with had attended UNC, and as soon as we got word that Tyler had been injured, we scoured YouTube, Fox Sports, several blogs, anything that would give us the clip of Gerald Henderson’s elbow to Tyler’s face.  And I have to say, I’ve never forgiven Henderson.

I’ve since moved from NC, out to Montana to really discover the Wild West.  I wish, just for the day, I could have been back in Chapel Hill to watch Tyler ’s last home game.  He, and the rest of the team, did an amazing job.  I can’t wait for March Madness to heat up, and I definitely wish Tyler all the best as he closes one door and opens another!

The Art of the First Impression March 3, 2009

I recently worked at my first recruitment gig.  The company I work for is hiring for summer interns, and we decided to recruit at the local university’s annual career fair.  It hasn’t been an eternity since I was out there looking for post-grad work; quite the contrary—I only graduated 3 years ago.  So imagine how old I felt when I found myself thinking, “What are kids these days thinking?”

I was genuinely appalled at the casual attire that adorned many of the attendees.  Jeans (some with holes), t-shirts, track pants, messy hair…I saw all of these and more.  I should probably confess that I live and work in Montana , one of the most laid back states in the country.  I go to work everyday in jeans, sweatshirts, flip flops.  When I went to my interview, however, I was in a suit and heels.  My makeup was done and I at least glanced at my hair in the mirror before meeting anyone at the company.

A first impression is so important.  When making one upon a potential employer, it is even more critical, as your appearance can reveal more about you than an interview or a resume.  If you don’t even take the time to iron your clothes, brush your hair or coordinate your outfit (a suit with tennis shoes isn’t any better than jeans and a t-shirt) when you are trying to impress me, then how would I expect you to perform your job duties any differently once you become employed?

I am by no means an expert on this subject, but here are a few absolute no-nos I would offer to someone looking for work:

No jeans.  Jeans have become the most versatile wardrobe staple around.  Pair them with a graphic tee and flip flops, and you’ve got a day at the beach.  Throw on a dark pair with heels and a wrap-around top, and you can head out for a night on the town.  I don’t care about all the different outfits you can create with a pair of jeans.  Don’t wear them to a career fair or interview.  Men—khakis or suits.  Women—skirts and hose, or if you can’t bear that, black pants work just as well.  But don’t trick yourself into believing that glittery shoes make up for the fact that you’re wearing denim.  And if there are holes in your pants, then don’t even stop at my table.

No zip up sweatshirts, hoodies, flannel shirts.  Let’s assume you’ve got the pants (or skirt) down pat.  None of these articles of clothing would match up with business casual attire.  And if you’ve paired them with jeans, again, keep walking….right on past my table.

Bottom line:  Dress to impress.  I like suits.  Although they are becoming less and less common, I have found ways to pair them with a bright shirt, unique jewelry or fun shoes that lend a younger feel to a tired staple while still appearing professional.  Even if you’re not quite as formal, especially at career fairs and recruiting events, please steer clear of anything you would wear on a comfortable Saturday afternoon.

Here are a few non-attire pieces of advice as well:

If you have a resume, make sure it doesn’t get crumpled.  Pulling it out of a purse, book bag or anything that threatens to wrinkle or tear it is a nightmare.  Use a folder or some kind of carrying case that is easily accessible.

When you approach a table, shake my hand, look me in the eye and tell me your name.  Speak clearly!  Walking into a room swarming with recruiters can be overwhelming, especially if there is a particular company from which you would like to gather more information.  Here’s a secret from the other side of the table:  we won’t bite.  We actually like confidence, knowledge and a little bit of attitude.  So if you’re not feeling it, fake it.  Eventually it will become easier.

It’s that time of year when most college grads will be looking for jobs.  The quickest and easiest way to stand out is by a positive first impression.  It’s easier to make a great one than shake off a negative one.

She Should Have Her Tubes Tied February 11, 2009

I have tried to withhold judgment ever since news of the “octuplet mom” came to light.  I am very strongly pro-choice, and as a result, I think people have just as much right to choose a large family as they do to choose not to have children.  I didn’t flinch when they said she had 8 kids; I quieted the criticisms in my head when I found out she had 6 others; and I refrained from making a crack about how irresponsible her doctor was for implanting so many embryos. 

 

But this new Web site pushed me over the edge.

 

I’ve seen the brief Today Show interviews with Nadya.  I’ve heard her talk about how she doesn’t want to become a welfare mom and that she will find a way to provide for her children.  She’s going to finish her Master’s program and support them with her student loans.  Apparently, she’s going to use charitable donations from the public as well.

 

This is a troubled, disturbed, media hungry woman.  She is desperate for attention and love, and unfortunately, she’s brought 14 kids into this world who will suffer for it.  Would it be different if she were A) married; B) employed; C) wealthy; or D) all of the above?  Yes, it would.  And that is not a judgment on single mothers.  This is about responsibility and her ability as a parent.  Children need to be nurtured, loved, held, rocked; but they also need shelter, food, diapers, clothing.  That takes money.  Money that shouldn’t have to be provided by the public simply because she was selfish and irresponsible.  This woman can’t even pay her medical bills—medical bills that were incurred because all she could think about was herself.  Oh, and that comment that she wouldn’t be a welfare mom?  That was untrue too.

 

Which begs the question—what will happen 3 years down the road when she wants more babies?  Nadya is fortunate enough to live in a country where her reproductive rights are protected, but unfortunately, she is a shining example of why they should be controlled.

 

Finding Hope In Economic Turmoil February 5, 2009

I’ve got two fun stories highlighting some good news on the job front.  It has been doom and gloom for months.  Mounting job losses, countless store closures, every headline is full of bad news.  Then, I stumbled upon an article on CNN that outlines the hope that lies ahead.  Not only can you get a frappucino at Starbucks; you can also get a job and turn your life around.  With every layoff, there is the bad news–what will I do for money, how will I pay the bills, buy my food or keep up with those who are still working?   It’s refreshing to see someone use the bad and turn it into something good.  While I know this isn’t a good fix for everyone, it’s worth noting that this will pass.  There are still jobs out there, even if they don’t pay what you might expect.  Ten bucks an hour is better than none.  Congrats, Michael!

 

For those of you who might not fancy working as a barista, check out Jobaphiles.  While I have my own reservations about it, there’s a lot of buzz surrounding this new site.  Visitors can bid on jobs, much like shoppers can bid on Ebay.  There are many categories ranging from babysitting to finance to customer service.  Need a job?  Check it out.