I realize that I’m in marketing and that I’m supposed to speak/write a certain way; however, the over-use of certain words drives me absolutely insane. Don’t get me wrong; I’m just as guilty as the next person, but there are just some clichés and buzzwords that need to just die already. You know this is a legit issue, if there’s a Wikipedia entry to back up my buzzword claim.
Here’s my short list of most despised words. And, because I’m a professional list maker, I’ve even alphabetized them for your reading pleasure.
Action item
Award-winning
Best of breed (are we competing at Westminster?)
Best practice
Brain-child
Circle-back
Customer-focused
Cutting edge
Easy-to-use (duh…why would you market something as super difficult to use?)
Facetime (as in meeting with someone face-to-face, not the super cool facetime on my phone)
Ground breaking
Innovative (if you have to tell people you’re innovative, are you actually innovative?)
Penetration
Pick your brain (that’s just gross)
Real-time (versus fake time?)
ROI
Run it up the flagpole (it’s just lame.)
Synergy
Think-tank
Thought-leading
Top-of-mind
Value proposition
Win-win
I hope all of you found this cutting-edge list to not only be innovative and thought-provoking, but provide some true ROI for your time. Make sure to keep this post top-of-mind during your next campaign, and it’s sure to be a win-win situation for all involved, creating true synergy and increasing message penetration.
xoxo
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Day One
I miss you, Facebook. :(
"There's a hole in my heart that can only be filled by You." - Extreme (I love the 80s!)
"There's a hole in my heart that can only be filled by You." - Extreme (I love the 80s!)
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Hello, Lent.
Every year for as long as I can remember, I have participated in Lent. I’ve given up alcohol (not so successful), queso (surprisingly, quite the success) and numerous other material items without fully analyzing the point of giving stuff up for Lent and the true purpose of the season. Like a lot of people, I get bored about halfway through Lent and pick back up whatever bad habit I thought I was going to get rid of.
What is Lent? Lent commemorates Jesus’ fast and temptation by Satan in the wilderness of Judea, which according to the Gospel lasted 40 days. Lent begins on Ash Wednesday (Feb. 22, 2012) when pastors mark the heads of parishioners to humble our hearts and remind us that we are created from dust and to dust we will return. The ashes are a symbol of penitence and help us to develop a sprit of humility and sacrifice. Lent ends on Easter Sunday (April 8, 2012), when we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus (woohoo!).
Basically, Lent is about stripping down all of the barriers between you and God. It is a season of reflection, devotion and focus on strengthening your relationship with Him. We remember all that He gave up for us by fasting and abstaining (from certain foods, not necessarily THAT kind of abstaining). It's a period where we confront and confess our sins and repent and grow as Christians.
That being said, looking back on my Lent history, I’m not so sure that sacrificing my love for melted cheese necessarily helped strengthen my relationship with my Creator. So, I decided to make a change. I’m going to actually fast and abstain from things that will challenge me – food and Facebook.
Food. During my pregnancy something happened (I just realized that I start out a lot of sentences this way); I just gave into whatever food I was craving. Sweet, salty, spicy, fattening, greasy, the gross list just runs on and on. The smell of lettuce made me want to hurl. The thought of baked chicken and vegetables disgusted me.
I gave birth 392 days ago, and not a whole lot has changed in terms of my super healthy lifestyle. I have not treated my body like a template, which apparently as a Christian I’m supposed to do. Since part of Lent is denying the body its usual comforts to encourage self-reflection, it seems pretty fitting that I should, oh, I don’t know…actually deny my body comfort foods? Now, I’m not saying that I’m going to starve myself for 40 days, but I’m going to take the time to reflect on what I put into my body and eat things that nourish my temple rather than destroy it.
My name is Heather, and I am a Facebook-aholic. And, Facebook? That’s just silly, right? To me, not so much. I am literally constantly on Facebook – in the morning before getting out of bed, all throughout the day, at stoplights, in the evening before bed. I’m on Facebook when I should be doing other things, like homework or spending time with my family, friends and God. As soon as I pick up my phone to look at the time or check an email, my little index finger automatically takes me to Facebook. When I should be getting up in the morning and devoting my time to the Big Guy, I’m checking to see what random updates my friends posted since I went to bed. I’m fairly certain that while it’s fun and mind-numbing, I could use the break and my mind could use some thawing.
When I sat down to think about things that I could NEVER give up for Lent because it would just be too hard, these are the two things that instantly came to mind. Can I give up all the comfort foods I've been enjoying and my countless time on Facebook for 40 whole days? This is kind of what Lent is all about, right? Sacrificing the things that we think we can’t go without so that we can focus our energy on the one thing we truly can’t live without – our God. Wish me luck!
Xoxo
Heather
What is Lent? Lent commemorates Jesus’ fast and temptation by Satan in the wilderness of Judea, which according to the Gospel lasted 40 days. Lent begins on Ash Wednesday (Feb. 22, 2012) when pastors mark the heads of parishioners to humble our hearts and remind us that we are created from dust and to dust we will return. The ashes are a symbol of penitence and help us to develop a sprit of humility and sacrifice. Lent ends on Easter Sunday (April 8, 2012), when we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus (woohoo!).
Basically, Lent is about stripping down all of the barriers between you and God. It is a season of reflection, devotion and focus on strengthening your relationship with Him. We remember all that He gave up for us by fasting and abstaining (from certain foods, not necessarily THAT kind of abstaining). It's a period where we confront and confess our sins and repent and grow as Christians.
That being said, looking back on my Lent history, I’m not so sure that sacrificing my love for melted cheese necessarily helped strengthen my relationship with my Creator. So, I decided to make a change. I’m going to actually fast and abstain from things that will challenge me – food and Facebook.
Food. During my pregnancy something happened (I just realized that I start out a lot of sentences this way); I just gave into whatever food I was craving. Sweet, salty, spicy, fattening, greasy, the gross list just runs on and on. The smell of lettuce made me want to hurl. The thought of baked chicken and vegetables disgusted me.
I gave birth 392 days ago, and not a whole lot has changed in terms of my super healthy lifestyle. I have not treated my body like a template, which apparently as a Christian I’m supposed to do. Since part of Lent is denying the body its usual comforts to encourage self-reflection, it seems pretty fitting that I should, oh, I don’t know…actually deny my body comfort foods? Now, I’m not saying that I’m going to starve myself for 40 days, but I’m going to take the time to reflect on what I put into my body and eat things that nourish my temple rather than destroy it.
My name is Heather, and I am a Facebook-aholic. And, Facebook? That’s just silly, right? To me, not so much. I am literally constantly on Facebook – in the morning before getting out of bed, all throughout the day, at stoplights, in the evening before bed. I’m on Facebook when I should be doing other things, like homework or spending time with my family, friends and God. As soon as I pick up my phone to look at the time or check an email, my little index finger automatically takes me to Facebook. When I should be getting up in the morning and devoting my time to the Big Guy, I’m checking to see what random updates my friends posted since I went to bed. I’m fairly certain that while it’s fun and mind-numbing, I could use the break and my mind could use some thawing.
When I sat down to think about things that I could NEVER give up for Lent because it would just be too hard, these are the two things that instantly came to mind. Can I give up all the comfort foods I've been enjoying and my countless time on Facebook for 40 whole days? This is kind of what Lent is all about, right? Sacrificing the things that we think we can’t go without so that we can focus our energy on the one thing we truly can’t live without – our God. Wish me luck!
Xoxo
Heather
Friday, February 17, 2012
What. The. Crap.
I love my hubby unconditionally; however, it is a royal pain in the you-know-what when I stumble into the bathroom at 5:45 a.m. after he's left for the day, and I find this:
Seriously? Seriously?!?! What. The. Crap. Now, I could understand if the tp was far, far, away. It's not. It's here:
On the back of the toilet.
Is it really that hard to replace the roll of tp? Apparently, it is.
Seriously? Seriously?!?! What. The. Crap. Now, I could understand if the tp was far, far, away. It's not. It's here:
On the back of the toilet.
Is it really that hard to replace the roll of tp? Apparently, it is.
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Happy birthday, little man!
It's insane to think about how fast the past year has gone. It seems like my little man went from this:
To this:
In a freaking milisecond. I'm not sure where the last year went, but I know one thing...they grow up too, too fast.
Here are some pictures from my tiny human's first birthday party. Enjoy!
The invitation, courtesy of 505 Designs.
The decorations:
Here's a close-up of the baseball cards one of the designer's at my work created. Cutest. Thing. Ever.
Super cute, right?! OK, more decorations:
And, the food...
I totally ordered customized ketchup! Look!
And, now, for the moment you've all been waiting for...CAKE!!!!
(Side note: the kid is obsessed with balloons.)
CAKE!!!!
Le sigh...it was a supremely perfect party, a perfect day.
I love my family!
Now, to start planning birthday number two! It'll be here before I know it. :/
To this:
In a freaking milisecond. I'm not sure where the last year went, but I know one thing...they grow up too, too fast.
Here are some pictures from my tiny human's first birthday party. Enjoy!
The invitation, courtesy of 505 Designs.
The decorations:
Here's a close-up of the baseball cards one of the designer's at my work created. Cutest. Thing. Ever.
Super cute, right?! OK, more decorations:
And, the food...
I totally ordered customized ketchup! Look!
And, now, for the moment you've all been waiting for...CAKE!!!!
(Side note: the kid is obsessed with balloons.)
CAKE!!!!
Le sigh...it was a supremely perfect party, a perfect day.
I love my family!
Now, to start planning birthday number two! It'll be here before I know it. :/
Monday, January 23, 2012
Hello, stranger!
Hi, kids. It’s me, Heather. I know it’s been awhile. When I started this lovely little blog, approximately 1,280 days ago if anyone is counting, my child-like view was to use this tool to expel some of the genius creativity coursing through my veins. Well, obviously that didn’t happen. Life took complete control, and while I’d like to say that I was busy solving world hunger or some other humanitarian issue, I was probably just busy on Facebook.
Now, I’m enrolled in a communication technology course at Gonzaga University, where I’m pursing my MA in Communication Studies/Leadership (woop!). The lovely professor of said course has strongly encouraged his pupils to partake in blogging. Fine. I suppose, if I must…
So, let me bring you up to speed on what’s happened in the last 3 years, 6 months, and 1 day since we last visited. Sit back, relax, and get ready for an exciting trip down my memory lane.
July 28, 2008
Blogging commenced; however, you already know that.
August 2008
My crazy-pants boss was let go (tear), and I was promoted to marketing programs manager (woop).
October 2008
I met my bestest bestie, Hedda.
Oct. 31, 2008
I had my first date with my future husband, John.
Christmas 2008
We went home to “meet the parents.” Trip went well! Phew.
January 2009
John and I survived our first vacation together – the inauguration of our 44th president, Barack Obama. That was intense. The inauguration, not the first vaca with the boy.
March 31, 2009
I turned 29.
May 16, 2009
We got engaged! (Side note: Beyonce’s “Single Ladies” song was uber-popular at this time. I really over-used the “He liked it so he put a ring on it” line.) By the way, this date also happens to be my hubby’s birthday…conicendence? I think not!
Nov. 19, 2009
We signed the paperwork on our first home…in San Antonio! So exciting…and super scary to move to the epitome of suburbia.
Nov. 19, 2009
The date also happened to be my last day on the job at Neverfail. They weren’t too keen on my relocating to San Antonio.
Dec. 25, 2009
Happy birthday, Jesus!
Jan. 16, 2010
We got married! Woohoo!
Jan. 18, 2010
We went to Hawaii for our honeymoon. I didn’t want to leave.
Jan. 25, 2010
I started my new job as a marketing programs developer for SWBC.
March 31, 2010
I turned 29…again.
May 20, 2010
Rock a bye baby...We found out I was “with child!”
December 2010
The infamous “Belly versus Belly” shot.
Jan. 26, 2011
Declan Lee Carleston was born at 8:57 a.m., weighing in at 8 lbs 5 oz, and measuring 19.5 in. long. Absolute. Heaven.
Jan. 29, 2011
The hospital sent our happy little family home, absolutely clueless about what was in store for the next few weeks.
March 17, 2011
Declan’s first St. Patrick’s Day!
March 31, 2011
I turned 29…again.
April 4, 2011
I had to leave my baby at daycare so I could come back to work. Sad face.
April 2011
I kicked John’s butt at March Madness…winning!
October 2011
I began a two-year journey to my master’s.
Oct. 31, 2011
Declan’s first Halloween.
Dec. 18, 2011
John started a new job at Apple. (It was a long 10 months of unemployment, my friends.)
Dec. 25, 2011
Declan’s first Christmas! Happy birthday, Jesus!
Dec. 31, 2011
Happy New Year’s from Knoxvile (aka FoxyKnoxy).
So, kids. There you have it. Three years and some change, in a nutshell. Wasn’t it better to read the abridged version?!
Granted, January may be ¾ of the way over, but is it too late to make a New Year’s resolution? If not, I solemnly resolve (fingers crossed) to make weekly blog updates. With this new class, you’re at least guaranteed three new blog posts between now and July 25, 2015.
Xoxo,
Heather
Now, I’m enrolled in a communication technology course at Gonzaga University, where I’m pursing my MA in Communication Studies/Leadership (woop!). The lovely professor of said course has strongly encouraged his pupils to partake in blogging. Fine. I suppose, if I must…
So, let me bring you up to speed on what’s happened in the last 3 years, 6 months, and 1 day since we last visited. Sit back, relax, and get ready for an exciting trip down my memory lane.
July 28, 2008
Blogging commenced; however, you already know that.
August 2008
My crazy-pants boss was let go (tear), and I was promoted to marketing programs manager (woop).
October 2008
I met my bestest bestie, Hedda.
Oct. 31, 2008
I had my first date with my future husband, John.
Christmas 2008
We went home to “meet the parents.” Trip went well! Phew.
January 2009
John and I survived our first vacation together – the inauguration of our 44th president, Barack Obama. That was intense. The inauguration, not the first vaca with the boy.
March 31, 2009
I turned 29.
May 16, 2009
We got engaged! (Side note: Beyonce’s “Single Ladies” song was uber-popular at this time. I really over-used the “He liked it so he put a ring on it” line.) By the way, this date also happens to be my hubby’s birthday…conicendence? I think not!
Nov. 19, 2009
We signed the paperwork on our first home…in San Antonio! So exciting…and super scary to move to the epitome of suburbia.
Nov. 19, 2009
The date also happened to be my last day on the job at Neverfail. They weren’t too keen on my relocating to San Antonio.
Dec. 25, 2009
Happy birthday, Jesus!
Jan. 16, 2010
We got married! Woohoo!
Jan. 18, 2010
We went to Hawaii for our honeymoon. I didn’t want to leave.
Jan. 25, 2010
I started my new job as a marketing programs developer for SWBC.
March 31, 2010
I turned 29…again.
May 20, 2010
Rock a bye baby...We found out I was “with child!”
December 2010
The infamous “Belly versus Belly” shot.
Jan. 26, 2011
Declan Lee Carleston was born at 8:57 a.m., weighing in at 8 lbs 5 oz, and measuring 19.5 in. long. Absolute. Heaven.
Jan. 29, 2011
The hospital sent our happy little family home, absolutely clueless about what was in store for the next few weeks.
March 17, 2011
Declan’s first St. Patrick’s Day!
March 31, 2011
I turned 29…again.
April 4, 2011
I had to leave my baby at daycare so I could come back to work. Sad face.
April 2011
I kicked John’s butt at March Madness…winning!
October 2011
I began a two-year journey to my master’s.
Oct. 31, 2011
Declan’s first Halloween.
Dec. 18, 2011
John started a new job at Apple. (It was a long 10 months of unemployment, my friends.)
Dec. 25, 2011
Declan’s first Christmas! Happy birthday, Jesus!
Dec. 31, 2011
Happy New Year’s from Knoxvile (aka FoxyKnoxy).
So, kids. There you have it. Three years and some change, in a nutshell. Wasn’t it better to read the abridged version?!
Granted, January may be ¾ of the way over, but is it too late to make a New Year’s resolution? If not, I solemnly resolve (fingers crossed) to make weekly blog updates. With this new class, you’re at least guaranteed three new blog posts between now and July 25, 2015.
Xoxo,
Heather
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
It's my first time, please be gentle
OK, so here goes my first foray into the wide world of blogging. I never really felt the need to "blog" about anything before. I was always able to release my ample supply of creativity and wit through other outlets - school projects, work writing assignments and the occasional Myspace bulletin.
The times they are a changing...
I no longer have school projects (yaaa for never having to work on a group project again where one person (me) ends up doing the majority of the work). I know, I know...there's always grad school, but unless I meet a sugar daddy who feels like helping momma out with the tuition that's at least a year (or two) off.
My work writing assignments now consist of pitch/follow up e-mails. And, one simply cannot be as creative and witty as he or she desires in an e-mail discussing the numerous benefits of participating in a customer reference program. (If you are curious, the benefits are exponential.) Granted, I do get tossed the occasional bone of a press release, award submission or case study, but, my friends, it's difficult to let the creative juices fun free when you are drowning in technical mumbo-jumbo.
As for the occasional Myspace bulletin? One can grow rather weary of continuously finding new and original answers to questions like:
- Did you ever sneak out of your house?
- Who in your top eight (10, 12, 300) would you or did you make out with?
And my personal favorite...
- What do you regret?
Seriously??? Answering this question eleventybillion times!
And, so I've reached an impasse...I am of the belief (instilled in me by my wonderful mother) that one needs to "use it or lose it." Therefore, out of shear fear that my creative juices will cease to flow entirely I have made the executive decision (because in my world, I'm the CEO) that the blogging must commence.
Enjoy, mes amis!
xoxo
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