My Inner Child Made Me Vote

** Photo credited to the Detroit Free Press.

Today is a very significant day in my "I'm all grown up" world. Today, I voted at my local precinct for the very first time. Yes, I know it's sad that I'm nearly 24 and have just voted for the first time. But I wasn't persuaded to vote by the political signs and fliers splattered across my neighborhood, or the campaign ads running on TV. I was swayed by a billboard of a little girl standing on her tippy-toes trying to reach the voting booth. I was motivated by this billboard that simply read "Kids would keep the zoo if they could. Vote yes August 5th." And that's it -- that's all it took for me to figure out that I indeed registered to vote when I was back in college and to mosey on over to my local precinct. I proudly filled in that little oval next to the word "yes" to approve the passing of a property tax increase (about $10 per year on a house worth $200,000) to establish long-term, sustainable funding for the Detroit Zoo.

I have to give mad props to Doner Advertising, the company behind the zoo's creative and eye-catching advertisements that called out our inner child. Not to mention the fact that Doner has been doing pro bono work for the zoo for 26 years!! Now that's a true display of dedication and commitment. Check out this Free Press article about Doner's work on this most recent and previous zoo campaigns.

Maybe the catchy ads didn't phase everyone, but they sure reminded me about the significance of the zoo and what it means for metro Detroit -- and all the little kiddies who visit the zoo each year. I went to the zoo twice in the past year, once on a hot summer afternoon last year with MAL (it's always fun to go on dates to the zoo!) and once this summer for the Sunset at the Zoo event. Both times I was reminded of how I love the fact that Detroit has its own zoo that is pretty well renowned across the country. MAL and I have talked on several occasions about taking his niece on her first trip to the zoo. I can't imagine what it would be like if the zoo were no longer a part of metro Detroit. Not only would it be devastating to lose this historical gem, but considering that the zoo draws about 1.1 million visitors a year, the loss of it would be another low blow that Detroit simply can't take.

I sincerely hope that voters took note of those clever billboards and TV ads that gave a voice to the ones who can't vote -- the ones who will truly miss out if the zoo can't afford to sustain operations in the future. I think Tom Walsh's closing words in the Free Press article I referenced above sums it all up: Here's hoping they pull it off, for the kid in all of us.

One Magazine, Many Things Learned

I love having something to look forward to. It always seems to make the dragging days/months (although since I've started working I can't recall many days that have dragged!) breeze on by. People look forward to a variety of things - weddings, concerts, vacations, movie premiers, etc. I look forward to all of those fun things too, but sometimes I just look forward to reading a good book or one of my favorite magazines at the end of a brain-numbing day.

As the end of each month approaches, either or LDub or I make a point to stop by one of our local Panera Bread bakery-cafes and pick up a copy of Strut Magazine. Now of course I would be a fool to not monitor this woman-empowering pub every month for client purposes. But on a more selfish and self-indulging note, I read it for my own personal pleasure...AND because I always seem to learn something new and inspiring after I read it. The writing and article topics are just so darn creative and witty! So I thought I'd share the wealth and write about some of my favorite parts of August's "Moving On" issue.

First off, I'm a quote fanatic. Back in the day, I had time to log my teenage thoughts in a journal and search hours on end for quotes and poems that moved me. I may not do that now, but I always make sure to take note of quotes that catch my eye. Here are a few favs from Strut's August issue:

"Never regret. If it's good, it's wonderful. If it's bad, it's experience."

Victoria Holt

"Pick the day, enjoy it - to the hilt. The day as it comes. People as they come. The past, I think, has helped me appreciate the present - and I don't want to spoil any of it by fretting about the future."
Audrey Hepburn

"If you must leave a place that you have lived in and loved and where all your yesterdays are buried deep - leave it any way except a slow way, leave it the fastest way you can. Never turn back, and never believe that an hour you remember is a better hour because it is dead."
Beryl Markham

While I basically read Strut cover to cover, I'd have to say that the article I most align myself with is six surefire secrets to stand out from the crowd from a local PR pro (duh, it's advice from a female PR pro - of course it's my favorite!) When people ask me what my advice is about landing a job in PR straight out of college, I always say the same exact thing: Stand out from the crowd. Looks like I'm not the only one! Here are Sharlan Douglas' ways for job hunters to make themselves shine among the fierce competition:

• It's not about you. Research the company you're applying at online, the name of the person who would hire you and be able to explain why and how you would make this person's life easier.

• Know your competition. Vocalize your unique selling proposition and articulate those differences in a way that positions you against the competition.

• Think strategically. Consider trade-offs to reach your long-term goals, i.e. does the employer offer generous education benefits, or will you have time to participate in a professional association?

• Network. Tell people you know that you're job hunting. People with experience in our field love to share their knowledge.

• Make cold calls. You'll probably have to do this at some point during the job search, just like you'll DEFINITELY have to do this at some point if you work in the PR industry.

• Motivate yourself. Job hunting is a job, so if you don't put your all into it, who will?

FINAL THOUGHT (OK sorry that's very Jerry Springer-ish): Sometimes I wish I could get paid for reading books/magazines/blogs and sharing words of wisdom with anyone who cares about my opinion. Another notch added to the "Things I'd Like to Accomplish One Day" post :)

My First Jewish Wedding

This past weekend was wedding number three out of five that MAL and I have committed ourselves to in 2008. I'm a sucker for weddings and all, but five is a bit much in a short span of four months! However, I have to say that our wedding experience this weekend was rather enlightening. Not only did it take place on beautiful Torch Lake, but it was the first time either one of us had attended a Jewish wedding. I wasn't skeptical by any means because a union of two people in love carries the same meaning across a variety of religions. But being the born-and-raised Catholic that I am, I was interested to experience the differences in wedding rituals.

Let me just say, I was moved...almost to the point of converting! OK, so maybe that's a bit extreme, but I was deeply touched by the intimacy of the ceremony and how much emphasis was placed on the two individuals committing their lives to one another. I am Catholic (and God knows I put in my time at Mass while I was attending Catholic grade school!), therefore I feel I can harp a bit on the Catholic religion. Most Catholics will admit -- it's a bit formal and ritualistic. We stand, we sit, we recite prayers in unison, we kneel, we stand again, we come forward to take the Body and Blood of Christ, etc. The Jewish ceremony was nothing like that. Sure there were rituals, like the couple sharing a cup of wine with each other then each other's parents, standing under the chuppa (canopy) and the reading of the ketubah (marriage contract). Maybe it was the way the rabbi spoke so sincerely about the couple, or maybe it was the fact that although there were rituals, they didn't seem particularly rigid. All I know is that my attention was focused the entire time at the ceremony and I have a newly-discovered appreciation for weddings that aren't strictly Catholic.

My two favorite parts were when the rabbi read letters that the couple had written to each other. They, along with those in attendance, were hearing the confessions of a "forever commitment to one another" for the very first time. Yes, I choked up. I also really liked the Seven Blessings, where different members of the wedding party stood up and read seven separate blessings that were bestowed upon the newly married couple.

All in all, the Jewish ceremony could be summed up in three words: short, sweet, sincere. It really opened my eyes to the way different religions celebrate the matrimony of two people in love.

Mazal Tov!

What's the Rush and Where's the Fire?

I have a full time job and maintain a relatively active social schedule, but sometimes I feel like I could make a full time job out of keeping in touch with friends and family. It shouldn't be a chore to call your best friend or your cousin who lives out of state, but I tend to feel that way on occasion. Maybe it's because I hate losing touch with people. Maybe it's because so many of my friends and family either live out of state or in a different part of the state. But keeping in touch with those nearest and dearest to my heart makes me happy. I just had dinner with four amazing and incredible women, who like myself, work (or have worked) in the communications industry. They are inspiring, effervescent and so totally unique that I find my thoughts lingering on our evening together days after it takes place. It makes me so happy that even in our crazy, hectic and chaotic lives, we find time to come together every other month or so and share life stories and lessons. OK, so maybe we just talk about men and our social lives for a good portion of the night, but whatever -- we are women after all :)

I am sure there are many people out there, old and young, who feel my same woes -- that nothing in this world makes them happier than to spend time with friends and family. Yet, they don't find enough time to arrange for those reunions on a regular basis. My lovely married gal L-Dub (she no longer can be referred to as L-Pan, how sad!) found this great blog post through a Google alert for Panera Bread. The author sat in Panera and took some time to observe and reflect on his surroundings. And what did he notice but none other than people from all walks of life rushing around, except for a few "older folk" who actually seemed to grasp the concept of relishing in relaxation.

I ask myself this question frequently -- what is the point in rushing through life? Does it really matter if I leave work for the gym at 6 or 6:15? Does it really matter if I finish three projects today or only two? Does it really matter if I rush to call five friends after work, or should I call two and have longer conversations?

I am learning that I am a much happier person (and I have much less anxiety and spare my sanity!) when I savor moments rather than blow right through them in hopes of accomplishing another task for the day. So I'll keep reminding myself that there's no need to hurry so much -- maybe one day I'll finally learn for good :)

D-town Gets Some Poem Love from Jack White

I think it's great how many famous people are from the Detroit area - Aretha Franklin, Eminem, Kid Rock, Jeff Daniels, to name a few. Another one of those celebs is Jack White of the White Stripes and Raconteurs (check out this site, very cool!) Now, I will not even pretend to be a quasi-fan of Jack, his music or his band. I've heard he's quite a talented artist, but I've also heard that he's snubbed his so-called beloved hometown on quite a few occasions (joining Madonna in the not-so-proud-I'm-from-D-town category). However, contrary to the way Jack's feelings toward Detroit have been portrayed recently, he holds a great deal of admiration for the city. And he's proved it to Detroit, the music industry and all those who've ever doubted his hometown pride by offering the Detroit Free Press a poem about how strong he believes the city is, titled "Courageous Dream's Concern." You can check out Brian McCollum's article here.

So I'm not a Jack White/White Stripes/Raconteurs fan, so why the heck do I care about this? I care because I think his poem is creative, and the fact that he took the time to write a poem about Detroit rather than doing a boring interview or writing lyrics to a song is enough to make me care to read the darn thing. Yes a song may have gotten the point across, but a poem is classic. It's timeless....it's meaningful...it's straight from that big red organ pumping life into your body. He writes/sings songs for a living...so it's much more intriguing that he wrote a prose-like poem. Some people look at this as a stunt to gain some publicity and think Jack White needs to get over himself (check out the comments on the Freep story). But I look at it as a guy who stepped back, realized his words were misinterpreted and found a unique and interesting way to set the story straight. And then again...maybe his publicist got a bit creative and thought "Hmm, you should write a poem and give exclusive rights to the Free Press. That will get people's attention!" Regardless, it was a creative and bold move...and it DID get attention, so it worked!

"The following poem is the Detroit from my mind. The Detroit that is in my heart. The home that encapsulates and envelops those who are truly blessed with the experience of living within its boundaries."

'Courageous Dream's Concern,' by Jack White

I have driven slow,
three miles an hour or so,
through Highland Park, Heidelberg, and the
Cass Corridor.

I've hopped on the Michigan,
and transferred to the Woodward,
and heard the good word blaring from an
a.m. radio.

I love the worn-through tracks of trolley
trains breaking through their
concrete vaults,
As I ride the Fort Street or the Baker,
just making my way home.

I sneak through an iron gate, and fish
rock bass out of the strait,
watching the mail boat with
its tugboat gait,
hauling words I'll never know.

The water letter carrier,
bringing prose to lonely sailors,
treading the big lakes with their trailers,
floats in blue green chopping waters,
above long-lost sunken failures,
awaiting exhumation iron whalers,
holding gold we'll never know.

I've slid on Belle Isle,
and rowed inside of it for miles.
Seeing white deer running alongside
While I glide, in a canoe.

I've walked down Caniff holding a glass
Atlas root beer bottle in my hands
And I've entered closets of coney islands
early in the morning too.

I've taken malt from Stroh's and Sanders,
felt the black powder of abandoned
embers,
And smelled the sawdust from wood cut
to rehabilitate the fallen edifice.

I've walked to the rhythm of mariachis,
down junctions and back alleys,
Breathing fresh-baked fumes of culture
nurtured of the Latin and the
Middle East.

I've fallen down on public ice,
and skated in my own delight,
and slid again on metal crutches
into trafficked avenues.

Three motors moved us forward,
Leaving smaller engines to wither,
the aluminum, and torpedo,
Monuments to unclaimed dreaming.

Foundry's piston tempest captured,
Forward pushing workers raptured,
Frescoed families strife fractured,
Encased by factory's glass ceiling.

Detroit, you hold what one's been seeking,
Holding off the coward-armies weakling,
Always rising from the ashes
not returning to the earth.

I so love your heart that burns
That in your people's body yearns
To perpetuate, and permeate, the lonely dream that does encapsulate,
Your spirit, that God insulates,
With courageous dream's concern.

Love Comes in Many Forms

I'm all about love...as evident from the title of my blog and many of the items I post about. So of course I tend to read articles that have to do with love or that have love in the title.

I was perusing through the Detroit Free Press Web site as I so often do throughout the day when I came across an article by Rochelle Riley titled "Love left no room for hate at friend's wedding." Rochelle -- you go girl. I've read quite a few articles by Rochelle and each time I'm impressed not only by her words, but also by the topics she chooses to write about. She's a very passionate woman who is heavily involved in the community (she was the MC at the Governor's Service Awards last week). That was the first time I heard her speak, and she was as effervescent and inspiring in person as she is in her column.

This article is about a different type of love, one that despite being prominent in our world nowadays, is still unaccepted and bashed by many. The article is thought-provoking and makes you realize just how many variations of love exist. Doesn't matter if it's traditional or non-traditional -- love is love. And love makes the world go 'round.

Twist Magazine Needs Your Help!

If you haven't read my recent post about the death of newspapers and the ever-changing world of journalism, you should because what I'm about to write about aligns perfectly with that post. I learned today that one of my favorite publications, Twist Magazine (part of the weekend edition of the Detroit Free Press), will no longer be published come August. The Detroit Media Partnership announced today a voluntary buyout program in response to dwindling advertising revenue and a challenging economy. Along with that comes the elimination of Twist and the Community Free Press sections. Not to mention, this probably means a good portion of the journalists that my company has solid relationships with will no longer be at the Freep or Detroit News in the next few months -- which is another enormous disappointment.

I was so fired up today that I e-mailed Twist's editor to express how sorry I was to hear about this change and to let her know that every weekend, the first thing I do is dig Twist out from among the sales paper and read it word for word. The stories are heartwarming, inspiring and connect with readers on a variety of different levels. The editor, Laura Varon Brown, was just as genuine in e-mail interaction as she is in her weekly column. She expressed her gratitude for my kind words and stressed that she is working relentlessly to ensure the Twist brand and content continue making a solid impact in the Sunday main edition of the Freep. She did note it's important that she hears from readers like myself who are in opposition to the Freep editors calling it quits with Twist. If she hears from enough people, it will help her make her case against why this decision is wrong and why it will affect a large amount of loyal readers, not only of Twist, but of the Free Press in general. Laura may compile some expressions from readers in an expanded letters column in print.

So, if you read Twist religiously on the weekends, if you've only read it here and there, and even if you don't know a darn thing about it, trust me when I say that many people will thank you if you take the time to send a note expressing your thoughts to Laura. Her e-mail is lvaron@freepress.com.

I hope enough people create a voice that's loud enough for Freep editors to hear. I'm sure other people in the communications world who pay loads of attention to the news can attest to the fact that pubs like Twist give us a pleasant departure from what the media deems "news" nowadays....i.e. shootings, fires, crime, robberies and every other depressing thing that happens on a daily basis in Detroit, Michigan and around the world.

I'll be rooting for you, Twist!!! Best of luck.

Target Fireworks Light Up Detroit's Sky for 50th Year

** Photo obtained from DetroitYES forum, taken from Coach Insignia in the Ren Cen.

In my world, fireworks = happiness. Every year, I look forward to the Target Fireworks (it was the 50th annual this year!) on the Detroit River. Back when I was a youngster, I would go over to the Canada/Windsor side and spend the entire afternoon and evening there anxiously awaiting one of the best fireworks shows in the country. Now that I'm an old-timer and have a job, I unfortunately cannot spend "fireworks day" lounging on a blanket and stuffing my face. But luckily, I was fortunate enough to have General Motors passes to watch the fireworks up close and center on the gorgeous Riverfront Plaza. And it just so happens that classic rock diva Pat Benatar is kicking off the summer's COOLEST concert series on the Riverfront this Friday (sorry, had to get a plug in for Rockin' On The Riverfront!)

OK, back to the fireworks. I'm not really sure what it is, but fireworks and the Fourth of July really do make me happy and melt any worry or stress that may be encompassing my world. Even though I've seen the Target Fireworks annually for about seven or eight years now (shout out to my BFF Natalie in Arizona who I used to watch the show with every year!), the show never ceases to awe me. Yesterday, just like every year before, I sat wide eyed through the entire show with a gaping jaw admiring the bursts of colors lighting up the sky (and trying to make MAL enjoy the show as much as I was!). The show and the fireworks themselves are a bit nostalgic for me (if I tried to elaborate I would go on forever), but it's a spectacle that I really look forward to every year. It was so nice to see Detroit and the Riverfront filled with people all joined together for a common cause -- to start the Fourth of July and fireworks season off with a HUGE bang!

So congrats to all involved and the city of Detroit for pulling off another great fireworks display -- and for giving me a much needed excuse to chillax, sit back and enjoy one of my favorite events of the year.

The Future of Newspapers Doesn't Look So Bright

It's the question that keeps circling around and around in the fields of communication and journalism: How much longer will newspapers survive? When I say newspapers, I mean the actual hard copy of a newspaper...not the concept of newspapers in general.

A group of prominent Illinois/Chicago journalists came together to discuss this very topic and share their thoughts about the future of newspapers and journalism as a whole. Check out the videos (they're short, I promise!) here and here. Here are a few snippets from the videos that I found to be the most interesting:

• Hard copies of newspapers will not exist in 40 years.
• Journalism isn't dead, but people get their news in different ways now than in the past.
• People want free and immediate. We live in a "right now" type of world.
• One journalist gave the example of her 21-year-old son only reading the newspaper if it was put right in front of his face...literally! But once he had it in front of him, he read it front to back. For the "youngsters," journalists need to give them the news wherever they want it and whenever they want it.
• Every story is chosen with more care in order to sell the newspaper...meaning that typically only very local and very relevant news will make the cut.
• If and when hard newspapers are gone, people will still find news on a variety of Web sites just as fast as they turn the pages of a newspaper now.
  

The whole "newspapers are dying" theory is really quite disturbing for PR professionals. Sure we've adapted quickly to the whole Web-based and social media revolution, but it's still extremely gratifying to see that article you worked so hard to get in the print copy of a newspaper. And to many clients who haven't quite gravitated toward the Web revolution, it means more to them to see an article in the hard copy of a newspaper as opposed to online. It will be interesting to see which path newspapers take in the future.

On a more positive side (and because I have to give props to my alma mater), Central Michigan University's student newspaper, CM Life, will celebrate 90 years of publishing on Aug. 21 of this year. 90 years is amazing!!!! I worked in the ad department at CM Life and it was by far one of the most beneficial experiences of my life, so I have mad love for that newspaper! But this just goes to show that not all newspapers are dying. Some are still plugging forward full force. Maybe the answer is that newspapers need to be free...would that solve the problem?

Whatever the solution is, I am very intrigued by the way journalism, communication and the media is changing right before my eyes. It makes the PR profession more of a challenge...which isn't a completely negative thing because challenges build character, right? :)

A Little Kindness Goes a Long Way

I am a self-proclaimed emotional sap. I've mentioned that in my blog before, and I'm sure I'll mention it many more times. I get choked up when I watch the news and see how the Red Wings took the Stanley Cup to Children's Hospital to visit with those poor little kids...and how a 90-year-old man who is finally getting his high school diploma is being honored.

I don't think people realize it, but expressing gratitude and taking the time to display random acts of kindness can make or break a person. We're all stressed...we all work too much, vacation too little and don't spend enough time with friends and family. We don't know how to take a minute to just sit back and relax (c'mon people, I know I'm not the only one feeling this way!). Life zips by you at 80 mph speeds. One day it's 15 degrees in January, the next day it's 95 degrees in the middle of June. So when someone goes out of their way to make me feel appreciated, or I witness this happening to someone I know, it makes my day...heck it probably makes my week! That's how much I appreciate knowing that I'm not taken for granted, and the way I live my life and the things I do for other people and my job/clients does not go unnoticed.

Two very spontaneous and random acts of kindness affected me and L-Pan (only four more days until it's officially L-Weber!) in the past week at work, and I can't express how much of an impact it made on the both of us. Of course we know we are appreciated. I would never work in a setting where I felt I was taken for granted. But according to The 5 Love Languages, I am Words of Affirmation...meaning I need to hear things to truly believe them. This may be my quote unquote love language, but I think it applies to all facets of my daily life. Deep down I may know that I do a good job at something or that I'm appreciated, but it won't really sink in until someone affirms it. I could be criticized for this, but hey I am what I am. So needless to say, the spontaneous expression of appreciation meant more to me than the tangible gift itself.

Being kind to others and caring more about someone than I do about myself makes me who I am. My best friend of 19 years lost her best friend and grandfather this past week. It broke my heart to see her in so much pain, and although I was looking forward to nothing other than dressing in 80's gear (check out the Facebook photos!) and celebrating Lauren's last weekend as a single woman, I took time out of my bachelorette celebration weekend and stood by my friend's side as she buried her grandpa. She told me how much it meant to her, and I appreciate that through her suffering she still expressed gratitude. So even though I balled my eyes out, I was happy to know that my presence alone brought her comfort.

Random acts of kindness and expressing gratitude for others can cure so much. There's even an Acts of Kindness Foundation! I know how much I appreciate the "little things" in life. Because it's really the little things that matter most after all...at least I like to think so.