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Showing posts from 2012

Shifting Gears on the Job Front

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The welcome sign at my desk. This week I wrapped my first week at the new job. From my view point it was good. I met new colleagues and quickly began to get acclimated to my new environment. I was treated to lunch with my new communications team, which I really appreciated. I still have a pretty big learning curve ahead of me but I'm confident that all I need to know will eventually become second nature once I get used to the new company policies and procedures. In retrospect I'm glad I had last week off to mentally prepare for the change. I was in my last position for seven years. That was my longest work stint with an organization and leaving the position was bittersweet. Despite having time off, I still had work to do. I had to finish an assignment for my strategic communications class, an exit interview with my previous employer, concluded personal professional coaching sessions (also very helpful), attended a social media training sponsored by PRSA in New York City

Getting More Social Media Savvy: Day One

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Months ago I signed up to take PRSA 's Social Media Boot Camp with Eric Schwartzman . While I've been using social media for a few years,  I'm not a social media expert.  Today, I woke up at 4:45 a.m. to catch the New Haven line Metro North train to New York City for a two-day workshop that will hopefully put me on the path of being a more social media savvy communications professional. I was ready to engage and dig deeper in the subject of social media. After an eight-hour day, I'm still trying to process all the information I received. Did the rubber meet the road? Yes and no. Some of the main concepts in Eric's overview I already knew and those I didn't I grasped fairly quickly, which was a relief. However, the nitty gritty of how to strategically incorporate social media in communication and media relation outreach efforts remains a challenge. It will boil down to applying what I've learned and retained.  There was a lot of information to dige

Reflecting on the ProduceHERS Women Artist's Showcase

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Q&A with the artists. The past two weeks have been a whirlwind for me. I'm glad that hosting my first Thanksgiving is behind me. It was small dinner, which is fine by me. Thanks go out to my mom and mother-in-law for helping me prepare the staple items such as the turkey and the stuffing. I've been running on close to empty going into this holiday weekend. It was filled with travel to Baltimore for a training on Results-based Facilitation and then a trip to St. Louis to record interviews for an anniversary video. I also finalized my team's script for the 2012 Action on Film Writers' Room Invitational and said good-bye to one job as I prepare to start another. Halima rehearsing with the actors. During this time I also squeezed in coordinating the second ProduceHERS' event, a Women's Artist Showcase with partner Halima Flynn. The  Showcase was held at the downtown New Haven Public Library and ran from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Although we got off to a late s

Canvassing for the First Time

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Many in the Northeast are still recovering from the aftermath of hurricane Sandy. I'm one of the lucky ones. I have a roof over my head, heat, and luxuries such as cable and Internet. My heart goes out to my fellow neighbors both in and out of state that are still trying to get back to their  pre-hurricane lives. I was getting a little bit down on myself because I haven't posted a a blog or restaurant review in a few weeks. I have eaten out at a couple of local New Haven restaurants, but between starting my next class, gearing up for a job transition, and life in general, I've dropped the ball on the writing front. While I have my regrets I realize there are more important things to consider. The most important thing for me at the moment is tomorrow's election. It's been a grueling campaign on both sides and I think it's an illustration of how high the stakes are for all Americans, no matter what side of the political aisle you may fall. This past Saturday,

Nini's House of Tapas

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I'm getting ready to head out to Salute's for Karim's birthday dinner. But before I go here's my restaurant review of  Nini's House of Tapas , located at 40 Orange Street, in downtown New Haven. This past Wednesday, I was busy at work and stopping to eat lunch wasn't a priority. Before I knew it, it was 2 p.m. and I still had not had lunch. I was hungry. The sun was shining and it was a beautiful fall day, I felt the need to take advantage of it. I walked by Nini's quite a few times but never dropped in. Back in the summer, there was a Nini's restaurant takeout menu hanging in the Casey lunch room and I remembered that they offered $9.95 pasta and pizza lunch specials that come with a house' salad and beverage. I said to myself, "Today is the day, I try Nini's. Jessica, one of my department colleagues also worked through her lunch and decided to join me. It would be two for lunch. House salad that comes with lunch. Nini's serv

Lunch at Temple Grill

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This week's restaurant review is Temple Grill , located at 152 Temple Street, New Haven, Connecticut. It's just a couple blocks walk from where I work and close to the green, the center of Elm city's downtown. I have been to Temple Grill before, but it's been  a while. Since I was having a lunch with my colleagues, I'd thought I take advantage of the outing and make it my blog post this week. The Grill has a steady lunch crowd and for me that is a good sign. However, one of the downsides is that their dining area is fairly small and gets packed quickly. Although they have a patio for outside dinning, this is not an option when it rains. Be prepared to wait during the lunch rush if you plan to dine-in. Lucky for us our wait was only five minutes. They provide American-style entrees with an international flair and a homecooked feel. You can create your own salad or pasta, a popular choice for their lunch crowds. I like that they offer half  portion sizes for some

Coffee Break at Willoughby's

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Greetings from Atlanta, I had the wonderful opportunity to come south for a work-related project and have decided to chill for the weekend with a bestie that lives in the area. Before I flew to Atlanta, I made my first visit to a New Haven food establishment. Wanting to be budget friendly since I was traveling I opted to check out a coffee shop. My choice was Willoughby's Coffee and Tea shop , located at 258 Church Street in downtown New Haven. It's right on the corner between Church and Groove Street.  Willoughby's window display Around three p.m. Monday afternoon I was ready for a caffeine pick-me-up and headed to Willoughby's. When I arrived in front of the building I was drawn to their window display. It was very decorative and I instantly learned that they were voted "Best Place" to buy coffee beans in the New Haven Advocate's 2012 Reader's Poll .  They roast their own beans. Upon entering the building I saw that it was standing room

Tasting and Reviewing New Haven's Restaurants

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Pacifico's Paella I'm still adjusting to the fact that the drive-in I've grown accustomed to these last seven years will be over on December 21, 2012, maybe sooner, if I can manage to line up a new job. Traveling to New Haven takes me about an hour, if the merge onto Interstate 95 isn't backed-up due to an accident or everyday traffic. Since Gateway Community college re-opened downtown, I've added another 10 to 15 minutes getting off the highway and into the parking garage.  New Haven is more than one of Connecticut's largest cities and home to Yale University , the prominent Ivy League college. It's a cultural center with a rich history, that boasts diversity and character that makes it unique. Although I have been driving to and from New Haven for seven plus years, I have to acknowledge that I haven't taken full advantage of all the city has to offer. Especially when it comes to all the great dinning options. That's going to change. 

TGIF and Week in Review

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TGIF everyone, So glad it's Friday. I'm looking forward to the weekend. Tomorrow Karim and I will be heading to the city to see Spiderman: Turn Off the Dark  on Broadway. Shout out to Travelzoo for their entertainment discount on Broadway tickets. The shows aren't typically Broadway's best sellers, but the shows are popular with good reviews and one can save from 30 to 50 percent off standard ticket prices. I remember when the Spiderman preview week was the talk of the town and not in a good way. Julie Taymor, the show's original director was forced out of the production after actors injuries and a slew of bad audience and critic reviews.  Despite the rough start, cast and crew managed to turn it around and word on the street says it's a spectacular show. This week has had many national news highlights. Trending topics on Twitter included the passing of actor Michael Clark Duncan , the US Open ,  hurricane Issac , Love and Hip-Hop Atlanta's reunion s

Saying So Long to Summer

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Classes have officially started.  For some reason I had it in my mind that classes didn't start until after Labor Day. Wishful thinking on my part. I'm glad I decided to check my Gonzaga email yesterday. Class introductions on Blackboard are off my to-do list. I'm kicking-off this semester with a course in organizational leadership. I find it ironically fitting considering the transitional phase I find myself in. Being focused on the subject of leadership for the next eight weeks is a good thing. After all, a critical election is less than three months away. My mind is made up, but many independent/unaffiliated voters in swing states are still up in the air on if they should throw in the towel with President Obama and give presidential candidate Mitt Romney an opportunity to lead the United States back in time. Even if Obama squeaks out a win, the GOP still has a shot at taking back the Senate. While many pundits and political strategists think Rep. Akin's " le

Being My Own CEO and Building My Brand

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How do you define brand? A couple of months ago I would have given you a list of products and organizations that reflect a distinct brand in the marketplace.  Today my answer is different. I am my own brand. When I was acting in and/or producing video, film, and theatre projects I was more inclined to think of myself as a brand because I was either pitching a story or auditioning for a part. I needed to sell my skills and ideas. Now that I'm in a transitional employment stage I've been reminded that my individual brand identity and how I promote myself is just as important  today as when I was  acting. I've been working with a career consultant and have been reading a lot of articles related to the job search process, career development, and resume writing. There has been common threads through all of my research and reading. They include defining goals, focusing on core strengths you bring to your work, and highlighing when and where you've added value to an organiza

Final Days of Fasting for a Non-Muslim

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I really try not to think about food during Ramadan but it's tough. Tick. Tock. Tick Tock. That is what I hear as I get close to the time when Karim and I can break fast. For seven years I've been fasting Ramadan with him and have acclimated myself to the routine. However, now that its taking place during summer and one of the hottest summers on record, it feels like more of challenge than past fasts. Ramadan is the most sacred month for Muslims and takes place during the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. The month of Ramadan is when the Quran was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). During the month, Muslims stop eating and drinking from dawn until sunset. They also abstain from sex during the day. The act of fasting is meant to bring one closer to Allah (God) and redirect his/her attention away from the daily worldly focuses to embracing empathy for those who are less fortunate. It also teaches self-discipline, self-control, and encourages charity. 

Time for a Refresh and More Summer Olympic Games Chatter

In most cases change is a difficult process, however I was ready for a face lift to In the Mix . Do you like it? Eager to hear your thoughts in the comment section, Facebook, or on Twitter @dirtywater22. I opted to go with an orange design template since it's my signature color. I love orange! It makes me pop and stand out. I'm hoping it works for the blog as well. I do wish Blogger offered more template designs in my signature color that were customizable. I didn't have much to work with. This is one area where WordPress has them beat. I'm feeling especially upbeat today. Not sure why either. I don't have any really great news to share. I have met a few goals this past week like finalizing my resume, finishing the latest draft of Quarter Year Dilemmas, submitting it to a play competition, and I've finally started reading Harry Belafonte's memoir, My Song . I received it as a holiday gift this past December and just haven't made the time to read it.

Ready for the London Olympic Games

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The Summer Olympics , also known as the Games of the Olympiad grace us with its presence every four years. It's finally back and set to kick off this Friday, July 27, 2012 with what I expect to be a fabulous opening ceremony. I'm not sure if it will top Beijing's 2008 games, but I'm ready to watch them try. I'm ready for the Games of the XXX Olympiad (the official title). When I was a kid I used to think four years was forever, not these days. I always look forward to the summer games and my anticipation for the March of Nations continues to grow now that we are just two days away. When Karim and I break fast this Friday, we'll be watching opening ceremonies. I'm not sure why I have such a fascination with the games, but part of me believes it's because we get to see the best athletes compete on a world stage representing their country. Go team USA!! Although U.S. athletes are my top priority, I am also inspired by the story profiles I see of athl

Gearing Up for Grafton, Vermont

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The Grafton country side Since my last post I've been trying to adjust to my new reality of being laid-off. One new development is that I can keep my job, but in order to do so I have to relocate to Baltimore. Just as I got used to feeling one way about this transition a game-changer comes into play. At this point I'm still considering my options and am trying not to stress out to much. On a more positive news front, I'm excited to report that I'm done with my summer courses. I don't have my grades yet, but I think I should be getting an A in both courses. I should know for sure in a little over a week. I am so relived that I have five weeks without reading course materials, posting to Blackboard, and writing papers. IT FEELS GOOD! I will get to read books and watch television shows and films for enjoyment and enteratinment. Netflix is about to get kicked into high gear. To celebrate and recognize this small achievement, I will be having dinner at Puerta Val

Emerging Women Series: Interview with Kimberly Wilson

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Kimberly Wilson Courtesy of Anthony Cork Photography Back in February, I had the privilege of meeting and working with Kimberly Wilson for the ProduceHERS'  staged reading of Quarter Year Dilemmas. Originally from Minneapolis, MN, Kimberly first pursued theater while in high school, after studying Theater at Howard University, she returned home and continued her acting career performing in plays and television commercials. Wilson has written a one-woman show, "A Journey..." which she tours in and around Fairfield county Connecticut. Q: Where did you receive your acting training? A: My acting 'training' continues to come from unique and diverse forms and experiences.  When I was nine years old, I took drama at Cultural Arts Center in Minneapolis. I later attended the Minneapolis Children’s Theater School Summer Institute.  In 1976, I was a founding acting company member of Mixed Blood Theater in Minneapolis. More 'training' was hands-o

No Guarantees

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There are no guarantees in life. I was reminded of this fact yesterday when I received news that I will be getting laid off along with some of my fellow colleagues.  I can't say that I'm 100 percent shocked. However, even when you a hunch it's coming, it doesn't make hearing the news that much easier. It's hard. It hurts. It's devastating. During my drives to work I listen to WNPR 90.5 , my local NPR station. The news they report covers so many issues. There are stories I hear there that I know I won't hear anywhere else. Right now, I'm thinking about the stories that gave me a look into how our nation's economic crisis impacted families.  I heard stories from across the country where people shared their personal experiences about losing their jobs and the impact it had on there families. Some of the stories made me cry. Today I empathize that much more. It's not the first time I've been laid off. I've traveled this road before and

Emerging Women Series: An Interview with Joan Verlezza

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I'm pleased to feature my interview with colleague, friend and author Joan Verlezza in this week's blog. Verlezza has been researching and collecting family anecdotes since childhood. She believes every family has stories worth telling. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Romance Languages, and has worked in law and communications. Warming Up is her first novel. Q: Why did you write Warming Up ? Where did you get your motivation? A: A few years ago a friend told me someone broke into her uncle’s house and took a valuable harmonica. A few days later he thought he heard someone playing it in the neighborhood and was sure it was local kids who were responsible for the break-in. I thought it would be a great story and I tucked it away. When I sat down to write I asked myself the logical questions: What could an old man do about that? Who’s telling the story? Where does this all take place? Why would someone steal an old man’s harmonica and refuse to return it? I decided to place

Spokane Check In

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Hello all, It has been raining for the last two days, but despite that fact, I've been enjoying my trip out here in Spokane. I should have been prepared for this weather, but some how I neglected to remember how much rain this region gets. COML Summer Students (June 3-6) Flying into the city was a breath taking experience. I highly recommend it if you have the chance to come out west. I'm actually looking forward to coming back to this area one day, because I haven't really had the opportunity to experience the city. I've spent the majority of my time on campus in classes and working on my group multimedia project. Gonzaga's campus is beautiful. Both staff and my fellow students have made this a memorial experience. Tonight, Gonzaga program staff hosted a dinner where I got to let loose and talk about subject matter not related to our course work. Boy, did that feel good. I also had the opportunity to visit the Zag's home court, the McCarthey Athletic