Shop Talk

Almost every single morning, I hop on a bus heading to downtown or some other point in close proximity to work. Sometimes, I find myself people watching as I grab a seat and wait out the eight-minute commute (sometimes much longer depending on the traffic o’ the day and how many people need to get on and off - if you live in a sizeable city, you can surely relate).

In my little bouts of watching, I tend to notice that many people have iPods or similar mp3 devices and it’s made me wonder … Do people use them as a means of amusement, to make the commute more pleasant? Or, is it a way to avoid people - to hide behind a pair of earbuds and ignore existance as we know it? Surely, no one would even dare to speak to you over the deafening thrashing of guitars from an industrial German-rock band. (And yes, I am guilty of this, just so we’re clear).

Even more to my wonderment is how much people have become more reliant on technology than each other. But in this day and age, is it really hard not to be? Oh, I am definitely a digital baby by all means. I made e-zines for a subscriber base of hundreds of teens when I was 14-18 (little known fact #275) and wrote in an online journal long before I considered PR. I can remember my first time on the internet, which was AOL back in the day. Now, I can’t even begin to fathom how I, or anyone else for that matter, would live without all of this.

We know that people make it work like the Amish, for example, whose communities don’t depend on technology, but upon individuals working together as a whole - building relationships, communicating and solving their problems face to face. Perhaps we can take a page and realize that even with all of this technology that can figure out everything for us, we still need each other.

During the last several months, the idea of community has become so much more significant to me as I’ve started to really connect with many different people across multiple online platforms. Each person brings something unique to the table and while I may not interact on a routine basis, I do love to read and wrap my head around what’s important to them.

From this, I realize that community is just as important offline as it is online and it’s always been my personal goal to continue to grow my relationships, most importantly offline within the Pittsburgh PR community. Building relationships can be hard, especially when you have tendencies to be an introvert, like me. Yet, I’ve discovered there are two important things to establishing good relationships:

1. Picking up the phone. Here and there, I see much older professionals convey a sense of bewilderment that some of the younger professionals won’t pick up a phone. E-mail works, sure. It’s fast and easy to succinctly convey your thoughts to someone else. Still, I think there’s a necessity to pick up the telephone and speak to an actual human voice on the other end. The bad thing about e-mail or instant messaging is that a word, phrase or tone can be interpreted in an entirely different way than intended. I think that there is less chance for something to be misconstrued in an actual telephone conversation, unless of course, one person is having a bad day. (And yes, I know we could launch into the Shannon-Weaver Model of Communication, etc., but we won’t). True, I can say much more in an e-mail when I’ve had time to think, but I still enjoy making conversation and forging that connection with others via a simple phone call. Most importantly, you demonstate that you care - that the person is more than just an email address or a handle and he/she is worthy of your time.

2. Take risks. Stepping out of your comfort zone is key to creating new relationships. Yep, I hear this all the time and I’m sure you do as well, but it is very true. Putting yourself in an entirely new situation can be scary, but empowering at the same time. Just remember to swallow and take a deep breath before you take the plunge. I’ve made it a point now to either pursue new contacts on my own by introducing myself on the street somewhere or at an event. It’s hard because I can be pretty shy at first meeting, but I know that to fully get over my fear, it’s what must be done. Isn’t this what it’s all about, however? We’re going to be pushed in PR to do things we may never have done before, whether it’s a one-on-one with a client’s representative or a big presentation to the CEO.  Why not take risks and try new things? We’re engaging with so many different people who all have different goals in mind. The best way, in my humble opinion, to fully understand their needs is to take the time to actively pursue them, start a conversation and maintain that dialogue with the best intentions and full transparency.

So, perhaps the next time we’re on that bus, train or plane, we should start that conversation with the person sitting next to us. We never know where it might lead.

Wow — What started as a simple musing on an everyday occurrence has turned into a long-winded ramble. Sorry, folks! LOL.

Editor’s Note v1.0: It’s going to be a pretty busy week. We have a theater company in from London and the production kicks off tomorrow.

Because I’ll probably be too spent to string together coherent thoughts, I thought I’d share a bit of creative writing that I posted on my personal blog over the summer. Sometimes, I like to think I’m funny. Well, I at least made a few people laugh for sure.

Dear Starbucks,

I don’t know how to say this, but I have a confession to make … I cheated.

I didn’t know what I was thinking that Saturday morning when I walked past you, crossed the street and took a risk, opening myself up to a new experience, diving into world that was so new, so strange to me. His name was Caribou.

Long had I heard his whispers. His flashy neon beckoning me to him. The looks of those who came from him satisfied. Men and women alike. All in blissful gaits as they walked the streets. He had this uncanny ability to quench their aching desires. It was written across their faces. Temptation gnawed at me day after day. Yet, I resisted. For I knew how long we’ve carried on and I couldn’t fathom breaking our bond.

Finally, it became too much to bear. I had to know what he was like. I strolled in that morning, not knowing what to expect. Would I too join these men and women or be left with emptiness and disappointment? One of his associates asked me what I desired of him. Breathless, I responded. I knew what I wanted. I had craved it for so long. I was going mad without it. Venti nonfat raspberry mocha.

With a knowing smile, the associate whispered to another associate and he set to work. Before my eyes, his gift had appeared. Long had that been our special drink, but alas, you told me I had to satisfy myself in other ways until June 25.

Our time together was brief. I departed from him as quickly as I came and didn’t look back. I took one sip as I strode up the walkway and plunged into oblivion. The taste. My God. I knew that there was no turning back. A smooth swirl into ecstasy where flavors of chocolate and raspberry tangoed on my tongue before taking a dive down my throat, a velvety combination, so warm and soothing. I found myself in that blissful state like so many before me had been. He had given me what I craved.

I know not when we shall meet again, but I know that I will not be able to resist the next time I find myself near him.

It breaks my heart to tell you all of this now, but I couldn’t go on with this secret much longer. I hope that we can be friends even after all of this. I will still come to you in my time of need because you, yes only you can provide me with the sweet taste that I crave on a warm, sunny day. 

We’ll always have the venti sweetened Passion Iced Tea.

I promise.

Love always,

Jenn

Editor’s note v1.1: Starbucks is still my morning staple, but I’ve switched to nonfat vanilla lattes. Sometimes, I’ll go for a skinny vanilla latte - if I’m feeling adventurous. So, in essence, my affair with Caribou Coffee has been short-lived. I feel so cheap.

For more than 126 years, people around the world have joined The Salvation Army in helping those who are in need. A simple red kettle and the ringing of a bell have since become synonymous with holiday giving. This year, The Salvation Army is pleased to introduce a new initiative that takes the drive from the streets to the World Wide Web. With the introduction of the Online Red Kettle, the organization continues to promote its message of “Doing The Most Good,” while forging ahead into the continuously growing realm of online giving.

Simple to operate, safe and secure, the Online Red Kettle allows individuals, companies and groups to create and maintain their own virtual kettles without experiencing the winter chill. Registrants are able to customize their kettle pages, set their own fundraising goals and invite friends, family and colleagues to donate or create their own kettles. Donors will have the option of designating their donations to go to a specific Salvation Army Corps, organizational program or zip code.

The fundraising drive has officially started. To learn more about the Online Red Kettle campaign, visit www.onlineredkettle.org.

I have one set up as well right over here: http://sausa.convio.net/goto/jnschooley

Just remember, a little goes a long way.

On my way home from the library yesterday, I started thinking about the project that I had talked about here. I’m not even sure what made me think of it, but there it was just stuck in my head.

I’d still like to do it … I just have no idea where the hell to start. Ugh.

Yesterday, I realized that I don’t read books much anymore. I wasn’t an all out bookworm, but I liked to read for pleasure and enlightenment. I think it all went downhill when I started as an undergraduate. Now, I have read a few here and there since then, but nothing regularly. Heck, I just find myself skimming textbooks nowadays. The only things I truly read are news articles and blogs. Although I’m kept in the know, I feel as if there’s something missing.

So, I went to the library at the university today. I decided to go for books in my discipline first, and then I’ll expand to include other subjects. First, I must say this: Dear library, while your offering of more current books through an internet database is certainly commendable, please think about offering some of those books in print! I found that most of the public relations books in the library collection are rather old. The university does have a good PR/Advertising program and it is a shame to see such a pitiful collection of largely older books. Not to negate that there are the aforementioned ebooks, but sometimes it’s better to have them in print. I’d rather carry around a book than sit staring at a screen for hours or waste about 400 sheets of paper to print, which I’m sure violates copyright. OK, that’s all.

So, I pulled up a few books and saved a few ebooks to my virtual shelf and this is the rundown. I’m rather excited.

1. Talespin by Gerry McCusker

2. Cause for Success: 10 Companies That Put Profits Second and Came in First by Christine Arena

3. An Army of Davids by Glenn Reynolds

4. Citizen Marketers: When People are the Message by Ben McConnell & Jackie Huba

And for fun … Well, OK not entirely fun, but for career aspirations as well .. Don’t laugh! (I guess these are more textbookish).

1. The Sports Event Management and Marketing Playbook by Frank Supovitz

2. The Business of Sports by George Foster with Stephen Greyser & Bill Walsh

3. Men at Play: A Working Understanding of Professional Hockey in Canada by Michael Robidoux

I’ve just started Talespin - so far, so good.

Anyone care to share what’s on your list?

I’ve recently started volunteer work with one of Pittsburgh’s premier performing arts organizations. Yesterday marked my first opportunity to work one of their events. While sitting with the other female volunteers, the discussion progressed into cell phones. An interesting topic indeed, given that I was the only 20-something year old and the rest were senior citizens. Of course, they had their opinions – some people seem to have a phone attached permanently to their ear, some people think their conversations are important enough for others around them to hear as well and so on. Actually, I couldn’t disagree with them. Having experienced the types of people they were talking about, I would say they were right, or at least, on the surface.

One of them brought up the subject of blogs. I don’t remember exactly what she said, but the basic gist was that bloggers profess themselves to be self-important, as if their words have actual meaning. In other words: WHO CARES?

Instead of saying nothing, I should have opened my mouth in a defense of blogs, if not for myself as a blogger. We all have our reasons for getting into blogging. I’d like to think that we’re all here in the long run for selfless motives, though that’s not always the case. She is correct, however, in some regard. We all know of bloggers out there who do think that they are top dog just because they blog and have a ton of traffic.

One of my peeves? The term, “A-list blogger.” It sounds more like a high school popularity contest. Unless that’s what all of this really is and I missed the boat somewhere along the line.

Anyone can set up a blog and write something, but what’s important is that the blogger is properly engaging his or her readers to think. In addition, the blogger should possess the means to participate beyond just writing an entry. Why blog if you’re not willing to read and respond to what other people have to say?

While I admittedly do not keep up with my feeds as much as I used to, I do still feel like I learn something new with almost everything I read. It’s like an intimate look into the mind. I’m invited in for a peek and allowed to leave with a new piece of information, a tiny section of that person’s brain. After time, the pieces fit together and I can take that information and store it into my own knowledge bank. I hope that, at times, people feel like they can take a trip inside my mind as well. I’d advise to watch out for cracks and cobwebs. There’s some major renovations underway. :Insert wink here:

The free exchange of information and ideas - that’s what this is all about. Not self-importance or meaningless conversation. Not everyone will see it that way, but those of us who have the means to convince people otherwise should remember that silence is not always golden. Speak up when you have the chance.

These testing kits actually run about $70. They are being provided to you at no cost, however, due to the generosity of the National Marrow Donor Program. Please consider doing this! It’s quick and painless. You can really help make a difference in someone’s life. - Jenn.

I finished my internship with The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society on Friday. It was weird, in that, it totally did not feel like it was over. I was working right up until the end of the day, mostly by choice. Yet, here it is Sunday and I won’t have to wake up as early tomorrow. How sweet and strange it shall be.

It was a great learning experience and wonderful to work with everyone at the chapter. Their commitment toward raising awareness and funds for blood cancers is evident in their work. You definitely don’t know what it’s like and how much of an effort it truly takes, until you’ve worked on the inside. I can say, however, that it is all worth it.

Now, I’m back to figuring out where I go from here. I have various things on my mind and I’m still trying to sort out everything. I know what I want ultimately, it’s just a matter of choosing the path that’s right for me.

Please keep the students, faculty and staff of Virginia Tech in your thoughts …

Instead of the usual PR/news/whatever post, I’m saying something of great importance. Something that has now affected me personally.

It’s dangerous for a single woman to live in a large city. She always has to watch her back, keep alert and never let her guard down.

Well, tonight, the inevitable happened to me …. I was the victim of a robbery.

 I won’t go into much detail other than to say it happened in an area I walk through almost every day. I should have known better than to think walking through that area close to 9 p.m. would be OK. I disregarded the fact that lowlifes are a problem and loiter in the square constantly. I didn’t even think.

When I was approached from behind, my mind went blank. It all happened so fast that I didn’t know what to do. I handed over my wallet and my pin number to my ATM card. I didn’t see a weapon, but he ordered me not to turn around. The object that initially poked me in the back could have even been his hand, but I don’t even know. I walked away unscathed and reported the incident to the security guard at the parking garage across the plaza. We cancelled my card after a police officer showed up and I filed a report.

I’m lucky to be alive. I think a higher being was definitely with me tonight and it makes me appreciative of life. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to walk alone again during the nighttime hours.

I felt the need to share my story while it’s still fresh in my mind. I’m still in shock, as you would probably guess. I never dreamt that I would be in this situation … not in a million years. If there’s anything I want anyone to get from all of this, it’s to please be careful. Even when you think you’re safe and nothing could happen, you’re really not. So please, single women (and men in cases because you guys get robbed too), always make sure that if you’re going to be out at night, be out with someone else. Never let your guard down. If you ever find yourself in this situation (and I hope to God not), don’t try to be a hero. It’s better to lose something as trivial as a piece of plastic rather than lose your life.