Wo_ds _ _th F_ _en_ds

Morning Folks! Here's another post that has been sitting in the reserves for over a month waiting to be published:

Last October my good friend Martin came to visit, and he unleashed a hidden monster: The Words With Friends Beast.  For those unfamiliar with the game it is basically a Scrabble application that you play on your device against friends and strangers. The game is addicting.  At first only the elite a.k.a. Apple  users had access to The Precious Words.  However,  the Droid owner can now play  You better believe that my Droid friends jumped on the bandwagon as soon as they had the opportunity. I think my opponents doubled when the game became available to them. Over the last few months I have witnessed a growing number of people playing the game in public: on the bus, El, standing in line, even during a conversation with yours truly.  It is everywhere.

This is not a game played by me.

Let me explain why I believe Words With Friends (WWF) is one of the best apps out there: you play your friends (or strangers that become your friends over time), there's trash talking, you need a strong grasp of the English language- which means it makes you smarter, it brings out your competitive side,   it's portable, and you can play 24 hours a day.  If you want to play a friend in person you can use the  pass and play option.  Did I mention it's free?  YES!!! There are also paid versions without ads.

The popularity of Words is growing by the day as I see more and more Facebook statuses reading, "My words with friends name is ________"  followed by replies with their friend's user name.  Other users are updating their status  with a high playing word.  Don't think I didn't share with the world about my 90-point "enslaved." It needed and deserved recognition!! 

In my opinion, Words is one of the best games out there, because it stimulates your mind and grows your vocabulary.  They should make a kiddie and/or classroom version for children who don't like spelling or reading.  I bet it would yield positive results.  Call  me Words With Friends--I am full of ideas!!

Lastly, people, please don't cheat.  Recently I found one of my real-life friend opponents (who shall not be named) cheating.  They had pulled up a list of words that were high-scoring 2,3,4-5, 6, 7-letter words.  When my sister and I told them they were cheating they replied they were merely "studying."  In their eyes they weren't cheating because they weren't using it in the actual game. I think it's cheating, because their intent was to learn a word (and not it's meaning I might add!) just to score points in the game!!  What do you think????

And, now for the information you have been waiting for: my user name is Gloface Killah. 

Game On.

Charlie Sheen Isn't Funny...you read that right IS NOT

Last night, like many Americans I tuned into 20/20 to watch Charlie Sheen discuss the current situation of his life.   I would like to state that I did not see the interview in its entirety, but what I saw was enough.  The media whirlwind around him needs to stop. NOW.

We live in a society where we love watching people rise from the poorest of the poor and turn themselves into a superstar (Michael Jackson).  Likewise, a celebrity's fall from the top is perhaps even more entertaining (Michael again).  It is quite obvious that Charlie Sheen is in the midst of a very public fall from grace.

I believe Sheen is mentally ill.  As someone who has friends and family with various mental illnesses I see the danger of the media circus surrounding him.
With mental illness, people tend to have very distorted perceptions of the world.  The mentally ill believe that their perceptions are the absolute truth that only they have been blessed with the ability to  recognize.  They are extremely stubborn in this belief, and it takes a lot of time, love,  patience, and (usually) medication to get them back to a  healthy mental and emotional mindset.  In creating platforms for Charlie Sheen to share his ramblings to the world we (the fascinated viewers) are actually reinforcing his illness. 

The public is, in essence,  feeding the thoughts and strengthening his maniac resolve.  Even worse, we are showing those that may be considering treatment that their behavior is not only acceptable, but it's fascinating.  Glamorizing this choice. "But MMM, we are clearly NOT showing him that!! We want him to get help!"  That's the thing with mental illness.  It allows you to shade your eyes to the entire reality and focus on the reality in which you exist and create.  All of this coverage is lengthening Charlie's road to beginning  a recovery process.

Part of me wonders why an executive would give him the network attention (beyond competing with your competitors of course).  Would you want to see your daughter, son, even wife on TV during the height of their mania or depression?  Want them to become the laughing stock of the country? Consider his family, not the "goddesses"-but his parents and children. In this consideration I am going to request that the next time you think twice about supporting his madness.  The less public interest in his antics might be the first step to seeking a healthy mindset that Sheen needs.

Better late than never?

Ugh. I feel like I have been trying to update the blog forever.  This draft has been sitting in the edits since the day after the Super Bowl.  I figure it has some good stuff in it so why not post it for the world....better late than never right? (It's in blue.)

I survived the Snowtorious B.I.G. aka Snopocalypse-Windy City edition aka Snowmaggedon 2011.  It was quite an interesting week filled with snow, wind, idiots stranded on LSD (that's Lake Shore Drive to all you non-Chicagoians) and of course the wonder that is THUNDER SNOW.  I was one of the lucky that did not lose power, heat, or even sleep over the blizzard. I attended a snow bunny party in my building and watched the flakes fly.  Of course Rex decided that he would not use his wee wee pad, and I took him out at 9:30 pm during the peak of the 70mph winds.  We were only out there for approximately 90 seconds.

Anyway, Super Bowl Sunday just passed.  I am so sad that my Steelers did not defeat my arch enemy the Green Bay Wackers....oh I "meant" Packers.  Anyway, as a participant in the most watched television show ever I will give my obligatory Super Bowl winner and losers wrap up.

Winner: Clearly Chrysler.  I loved the "We are Detroit" theme. I thought it was intense, and the Eminem voice over coupled with his song "The Moment" was a nice touch.  The ad fought back against the criticism that Detroit is wasting away into a ghetto; that it is a scab and scar America would be better without.  Instead this ad showed what Detroit people are proud of, they will not give up, and they will rise again.  In my classes we question are the ads clear, motivating, and distinct? If yes, you have a great ad.  This ad was all three.  I am quite sure I wasn't the only soul who felt compelled to buy American again. 

Losers:  I have two choices.

The American public as we were also forced to endure limitless sub-par commercials. WHAT HAPPENED TO BEING CREATIVE?! It's the Super Bowl for goodness sake. Do not pound out your usual work!!!!!!!!!!!!  I also felt there were too many movie previews.  Boo.

Coke.  What happened to making sense? They were all over the board, with the soldiers on opposite sides of battle putting their differences aside to share a Coke and then re-drawing lines in the sand.  What about the fantasy world that just left me scratching my head and thinking yet ANOTHER horrible Coke ad.  I say this from a place of love.  I love the products. Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite, Cherry Coke, Coke Zero=Mad Media Maven YUM. One of my favorite commercials of all time is a Coke commercial "Cake Mix, Wheat Bread, Coca Cola, Shaving Cream."  I REMEMBER the list years later!!!!!! I beg you Coke. Fire your creatives and hire me. This showing was for the second year in a row abysmal.  It was unclear, unmotivated, and indistinct. FAIL.

We all know that Groupon did a bad job.

Anyway-this semester is way busier than I thought it would be.  The weeks seem to fly by.  I am learning a ton at my internship.  The job hunt is......going.   Hoping to land the job soon.  Still pursuing lots of leads. 

Tonight is Chicago's much hyped mayoral election. Should be interesting to watch.  Ciao!

He's Baaaaaccckkk!!!

The Old Spice Guy is returning!!!  As his biggest fan you know I couldn't be happier.  The creative did not disappoint as he retained his ridiculously comedic banter: calling earth a blue marble, discussing his physique, and the opportunity to preview the commercials by staring into his beautiful brown eyes. 

The commercials will hit the air in February. (That's next week!!!)  I can only wonder what else Old Spice is going to attempt this time around with Old Spice Guy. Another level of viral infused social media campaigns? Whatever happens I am relieved, because February is starting to look a lot hotter and more tolerable.

Happy New Year.....and a MASSIVE update

Welcome to a new decade!

Ok. Now that I said that..WAIT--we're in a new decade?! I cannot believe that it's 2011! Ten years ago at this very moment I was a freshman in college beginning my second semester as a Zoology (pre-med) major.  Ten years later, I am beginning my last semester as an Integrated Marketing Communications graduate student and an intern in said field. I never would have guessed this ten years ago-EVER!


I know my posting has been shoddy at best the last two months or so.  Such is the life of a girl in the city.  I guess in a way I should be grateful, because that means I have a plethora of friends who invite me to all their activities and I try to participate as much as I can.  I will not complain about feeling the love (especially in these days) and you should take my absences as a something positive, because that means I'm gathering more material for us to sift through together.  So let's discuss some of the highlights...

One of the reasons that I began this blog, was to market myself because I am in the midst of making a career change.  For anyone considering switching careers, to tell you it is difficult is an understatement.   I knew that it would be a challenge, but I was not prepared for how discouraging it can be to one's optimistic mindset. As a career-changing student set to enter the workforce in May, one of my focuses has been to secure an internship.  Why? Because I need relevant industry experience.  Sadly my degree is not enough to guarantee entry into my field.  Truthfully,  I have been searching for an internship off and on since I began my program.   I will not sugar coat the facts, and say it's been cake walk.  It has not been easy.  At all. It is frustrating, and time consuming.  Rejection can make you want to rip your hair out, and even worse, doubt your academic  (and sometimes personal) prowess.  To the nagging self-doubt I say do not get discouraged everything ALWAYS works out for the best!

Anyway, remember how waaay back in the beginning I said I had some things on the horizon I was hoping  would pan out?? Well- they have!!!  I am an intern!  WHOOO!!!  Last week I began my internship at a multicultural (yes!) advertising and pubic relations firm.  When I interviewed I was placed in the account services (advertising) division, but after some company restructuring I am working in both account services and public relations! At first, I was shocked and a little weary.  Truthfully, I did not have a good view of PR from the class I took.  After working on a public relations project the last few days my opinion is changing.  It feels great to finally start advancing up my career path.

Yesterday evening I had my first class of my last semester. Ever (I think).  This semester I am taking Creative Campaigns and Campaign Planning with my two favorite professors.  I know they will challenge me, and as a result of those challenges I will be the best IMC Maven I can.  Ending my studies with these two individuals teachers is priceless and words cannot suffice. I cannot wait to see what tonight's class will bring.  Can you feel my joy and excitement?!

During class I had one of those indescribably rare moments where I KNEW that I am in the right place on the right track. Whenever I have one of these incredibly rare moments I smile and my heart warms.  I honestly feel it is God's way of letting me know that in the end it's ALL worth it!!  I have these moments at work as well.  I am learning so much as I apply my schoolwork in the real world.  On Monday I tweeted, "It doesn't feel like work if you like what you're doing!" If you think I'm lying consider this: I have more fun working as an unpaid intern than I do as a (considerably more) paid paralegal!  In all seriousness, I urge those readers who have not found their passion to take the time this new year to seek that which fulfills you. You only live once, and shouldn't you enjoy where you spend the majority of your day/week/life?  Also, living  life will put you through enough pain and suffering. So why not avoid some of it if you enjoy your career??

A few other miscellaneous things:
I know this is a blog about media and recently I have gotten away from that a bit.  Don't worry, there will be media reviews in the upcoming posts.  While I'm speaking om the blog format, I am going to include another facet: the graduate student on the job hunt.  I have some definite ideas of where I want to go with my career and leads to pursue, but I thought it could be fun to chronicle my journey.  Lastly, I am also tossing the idea around of having this be an informal journal of my last semester of school (maybe?) ever.  I hope these changes don't bother you. If they do, go read Ad Age or Ad Week. They're straight media no personality. (Not to say they aren't great reads, but here you get a personal take from yours truly).  Let me know what you guys think. I always love to hear it.  I'm not quite sure how to get alerts on comments, but I LOVE them and try to respond when I can.  Oh, and can you do me a favor? Would you mine spamming the crap out of the blog on FB, Twitter, email blasts, WHATEVER?! I'd like to increase my readership!

Thanks and Happy New You!

A Small (but serious) Request

First off, Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah and any other holiday season occurring now that you may choose to celebrate!  My final final is tonight and I could not be happier!  I know it's been awhile since I've updated, but I feel required to write this blog at the core of my existence.

As you know, this blog is 90% about my thoughts on media and 10% about me (if even).  However, in the last few weeks I have had some really wonderful and really awful things occur to me (to be updated in a future post).   I have seen a lot of death as the holidays have approached.  It is nothing short of painful to witness people you care about pass away or endure a loss in their life.  You are helpless.  The only comforts to offer are to be there for them, listen, and encourage them to take life day by day.  Unfortunately, we cannot take some of the burden on their behalf.

Life is short.  I hate to say I am speaking from experience, but I am.  Twice in my life I have been about to talk with or make plans with my friend, and then they were suddenly no longer among the living.  Devastated is putting my feelings mildly.  From these lessons I have learned to always tell those in my life how I feel about them.  I have also realized not to sweat the small stuff. It is just STUFF.

I made a decision earlier this week that as my 29th birthday approaches (tomorrow) I am going to start living my life a little differently.  I am going to throw caution to the wind and listen to my heart rather than my head.  As a pragmatic person, this was a scary thing to do.  But if I'm given ONE life am I really living if I'm living in a world of fearful, rational explanations? I'm not. I've done it for 28 years, and for 29 it is time to try something different.

Therefore, I implore you to tell those that you love and care for that you love and care for them.   I'll go first:

 

 

Some of my Favorites on a memorable night

To all my friends old and new I LOVE YOU!!!!!

Da Mayer

As your music-loving media maven I feel it is my duty to introduce you to some of my wonderful musician friends.  Oddly, the two I plan to feature first are friends in the same hip hop crew.  I believe in these men and their music, and I think you could too.


First up: Mayer Hawthorne

Me, Karla, Mayer

I have to say I am sort of a music snob.  If you discuss music with me, than you discover my general disdain for today's R & B genre.  To say I think it is terrible (with the exception of Neo-Soul) is an understatement.  The quality of the material within the songs and the lyrics has decreased exponentially, and the artists themselves cannot sing.  When people ask me why I feel this way I explain that I grew up listening to my parents music: Motown, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder etc.   I wish that quality of music would revive itself.  Generally those that disagree with my stance on today's R & B concede that the music of our parents generation is unquestionably better.  Fortunately, there are now a group of artists that have focused on soul, and one of them happens to be Karla's (my sister) close friend!

Yesterday Drew was in the New York Times, and needless to say we were beside ourselves with excitement.  If you are  unfamiliar with Mayer Hawtorne here is a taste of loveliness that your ears have been begging for.  Maybe So Maybe No,  is my favorite song.  The video is pretty sweet and I have to give Henry DiMaio some major credit for standing out above the pack:

North Coast Music Festival 9/5/10

You know when you listen to a CD that you love over and over, and finally see the band live and it is beyond disappointing? I hate that!  It leads one to feel they have been tricked by the sound engineer.  Well, I am happy to say you will NOT have this problem when you see Mayer Hawthorne.  Seriously.  I can say this with authority, because I have had the opportunity to see Mayer Hawthorne live three times within the last six months.  I have also seen them in a variety of venues: in a large theater with awful acoustics, at the North Coast Music Festival, and in an intimate club setting.  They rocked it every time, and I was never disappointed.  Quite the opposite, in fact.  Each time their show has gotten better and better.  The show is a fusion of hip hop, classic soul, and a little funk.  It is also a fun dance party guaranteed to have you leave with a smile on your face.

 One of my favorite aspects of the show is the eclectic crowd.  In a city as segregated as Chicago it is rare to see the races, ages, hipsters, hip hop heads interact.  Mayer Hawthorne is one of the rare catlysts that bring these groups together-that in itself should explain the magic of these performances.  

Finally, I would like to add Strange Arrangement is one of those CD's that you can listen to straight through on repeat.  Yes, it is in the ranks of "Nevermind" "College Dropout" "Rage Against the Machine" "Off the Wall" "Reasonable Doubt" "Are You Experienced?" and "Midnight Marauders." I'm sure you're thinking "Yeah, right you're just saying that because you know the dude."  To that I say: if you remotely like or love any of the aforementioned albums I implore you to check out Strange Arrangement.  It would behoove you to give it a try.  Trust me your ears and soul will dance.