Need a little Christmas...

Brace yourself NYers, a BIG storm is coming, cue the "Winter Storm" logo on all major new stations and interviews with different salt truckers/plowers on their "preparations." Sorry if I seem a little Debbie Downer tonight but for some reason I'm just not feeling very jolly this season. Can't quite put my finger on it--it could be a few different reasons that I won't fully go into here--but I think it's a combination of everything. Missing some old friends, adjusting to my new apt, focusing on some life goals for next year, etc. I haven't done any traditional Christmas things this year whereas last year I was in full NYC cheesy tourist mode. Maybe tomorrow's pending storm is just what I need to catapult my holiday cheer.

I even tried to do some festive holiday shopping tonight but was immediately irritated--not by the crowds for once, but by the overeager sales clerks from The Body Shop. I was asked by no less than 6 employees if I was "finding everything OK" and their awkward hovering while I smelled different products reminded me of having someone read over my shoulder when I'm typing (a pet peeve of mine). One lady even said (in an obnoxious sing songy voice mind you), "what-cha DOin - trying to decide on scent--I know I know they all smell great!" Ugh--shut up lady I'm just trying to sniff some holiday cheer in the form of your "Merry Cranberry" lotion, and yes, I somehow wound up purchasing some Merry Cranberry lip gloss. Then I quickly made my way across the street to Bath & Body Works for a cheaper and better selection of random stocking stuffer products, and oh yeah, I bought some aromatherapy sheet spray which I am enjoying right now--I think it's working I feel slightly less stressed than usual...

Hopefully tomorrows snow will be the pretty fluffy peaceful kind that blankets the city and makes me feel alive and giddy. If so, I'll post some pics!

2010--The List

FF mentioned recently that we should make a list of things we want do/accomplish in 2010. The list will not only consist of the tradional goals, resolutions, etc but also contain little things that for whatever reason we have not done, despite saying we have wanted to a million times. I'm making my own list here and hopefully his will be similar :)

Here goes...

1) Travel Internationally--My passport is ready, I read travel blogs daily and I've got a whole separate list of all my preffered destinations but I will be happy with one "out of North America' trip per year starting in 2010. I WILL DO THIS IN ONE!

2) Go to More Plays--I work walking distance to the theater district and live a subway ride away. There is just no excuse for not culture-ing it up more. Yes, theater tickets are pricey, but I actually just edited the title of this one from "Broadway Shows" to "Plays." Off-Broadway are probably awesome too, and there's deals on Broadway shows if you look for them.

3) Buy Stock--Random, I know but I think it's time to get into the stockmarket game. I mean I follow tech trends, have tons of brands I am passionate about and I live in NYC. Gotta get in the game! Any hot tips for me? :)

4) Cook more--This one actually requires a bigger kitchen and a lot more "supplies" but I would really love to learn how to cook and bake better and think this is something I would really enjoy once I have the right space.

Specific Places I want to go in 2010:

Musuems! (MoMa Tim Burton exhibit, the Met, etc.)

Weekend getaway in the Mountains (snowboarding, lodges, fireplaces--maybe upstate NY, VT, NH, etc)

Beach Vacay (hopefully to be tied in with my Number 1 'International Travel"

I will be back to add to this--this was just my random middle of the day on a Saturday start!

The tale of two New Yorks

This past weekend FF (that's my boyfriend--I figured he needed a code name already!) had some friends in town and I was reminded once again that there are two very different New Yorks. Don't get me wrong, I love them both--but in very different ways.

The first NY is the one I came to as a child--looking up at the buildings, visiting the tree and the statue of liberty, going to see shows and generally having a grand old time. The one that in my mind was this magical place that if I just lived in (see previous posts about wearing Easy Spirit walking shoes on the subway...), I would lead a fabulous, TV show-like life. This NY is for tourists and the wealthy. Some would say that the tourist's NY and the privileged NY are different--but after some thought, I think they are very similar. They both involve a carefree, breezy outlook on life here. Neither the tourist nor the Park Avenue Princess thinks about how much money they are spending, they only think about having a good time and enjoying the bright lights and big city. I myself lived in this NY for a while--while I was young growing up on LI and coming to the city for fun and excitement and I even lived in this NY when I worked part time in the city, commuting from LI and always enjoying my adventures in the city. I have since moved to "the other NY."

The other NY is just as fabulous if not more so than the NY I described above. The other NY is the real NY. The NY that Jay Z and Alicia Keys are really singing about in "Empire State of Mind." The NY that may be a struggle but you do it because you know at the end of the day, you are lucky to be living and working here. You live in the greatest city in the world and have opportunities that no one else has. In honor of this NY I have decided to start writing more about the fun things I do in my NY. The good thing about this city is there is something for everyone. The meatpacking district may not be my scene (and to be honest, even if I had all the money in the world, it probably wouldn't still wouldn't be my scene) but there are a million great things to do here that don't cost a million dollars and are just as amazing, inspiring and fun.

Check back often as I will begin to diligently record all the things I do and all the places I go both in and out of MY NY :)

Trendspotting--Volunteering on T-Day

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving and is shopping like a champ today! $13 toasters, $200 dollar laptops, $30 cashmere sweaters, what's not too like?? Oh yeah, the insane crowds, long lines, traffic jams, etc. Ehhh count me in anyway, who doesn't love a bargain?? :)

Yesterday I had a nice Thanksgiving with family and am very thankful for my close-knit family, plenty of food to go around, the health and employment of all my family and friends-and also for the opportunity each day brings!

Yesterday I had the well-intentioned idea of wanting to volunteer at a soup kitchen in NYC before going home to LI for a feast with the fam. I had a rough year myself and am very thankful for all my blessings and I really wanted to do something with my time to give a little back. Well let me tell you the good news first--our homeless were well fed yesterday--just not by me!

I started researching places to volunteer about 3 maybe even 4 weeks prior to Thanksgiving Day. At that time, several of the "most popular" soup kitchens, including the Bowery Mission and some others were already "booked." Some even offered to put me on a "waiting list" if someone cancelled. No, I am not kidding. Only in NYC can someone be "wait-listed" to VOLUNTEER on Thanksgiving. One church shelter right near my apartment told me they had all the volunteers they needed through the end of the year, but could probably squeeze me in one Sunday in January. Another place told me that I could bring some homemade pies by, but they didn't need anymore volunteers (umm try making a pie in MY apartment, sorry...). Now I know that some people only think about volunteering on Thanksgiving day or Christmas day and it has even become sort of a "cool" thing to do. Many celebrities and athletes can be found photo-oping it up at shelters all over the city on these holidays and that's very nice and all but I was pretty shocked to actually be turned away from being able to help people. I have no problem helping out any other time of the year and am going to make a committed effort to do more volunteer work in general (and Yes, I will be taking that random Sunday in January for starters!) but I thought starting it off on THANKSgiving would be very appropriate.

I guess much like getting a table at Butter or The Waverly Inn, it's all about who you know and calling well in advance. I will be booking next year's Turkey Day volunteer opp. this week--who wants in?? :)

My first Manhattan Address

Well it's official--I have finally have my NYC mailing address! Email me if you want to send housewarming gifts :) I'm writing this post from my new bedroom with the NYC white noise buzzing in the background. What has this experience taught me so far?

1)NYC is the most expensive place to live in the world

2) NYC has the most expensive grocery stores in the world

3) NYC is where anything is possible and no dream is too big

4) If I'm going to achieve my dreams, I need to start putting myself outside my comfort zone, taking chances and making moves

5) I need to do something everyday that I never did before

Things I will be doing in the near future that are outside my comfort zone:

1) Joining a gym (and actually going)

2) Volunteering because it will make me feel good, and hopefully others too

3) Making new friends

4) Making my own way

5) Submitting my work for more freelance writing opportunities

Live from the Bolt Bus...

it's the quintessential grey day in New England day as I ride the Bolt Bus up to Boston for a weekend with old friends. I, of course, am pensive as a listen to my ipod and think about my future, my career, my life choices, etc. (you know, the usual).

In a few weeks I will have my first official Manhattan address (after 6 months or so with an "unofficial" one...) in a great little starter apartment. I'm calling it a starter apartment because it is exactly how I imagined my first NYC apartment. Nothing fancy, but charming in it's own way and right in the center of all the beautiful chaos the NYC (in particular the east village) has to offer. I went the widely accepted "Craig's List" route and I'm looking forward to this new chapter for me.

Apartment hunting in NYC is quite a comical if not a harrowing experience, especially if you don't have $4,000 a month for a luxury studio (which in all reality is probably still the size of a non city dweller's bathroom or kitchen). Things that are acceptable in NYC as living conditions would NEVER fly in the suburbs. I was appalled to find out that the rumored "bitchen" (combo kitchen/bath) actually did exist...AND it still costed an absurd amount! Other frightening conditions include the "loft" style living which more times than not means that you sleep in an attic-like alcove the only fits your bed and that would induce a head injury if you actually stood up when getting out of bed. No thanks!

When I told my mother that I had finally found a place, she innocently asked, "does it have a doorman?" Haha, I just laughed. She had remembered that when I first ambitiously started looking for apartments in NYC, I listed doorman, roof deck, and pass-through kitchen as some of my must-haves. My new apartment has none of these. These can only be attained by wealth, living in an un-cool, inconvenient neighborhood (hello FiDi) or extreme luck. These things are still on my list of eventual necessities for my future digs, but for now, I'm happy with a place that isn't a 5th floor walkup, has windows in the bedroom, and has a separate space for showering and cooking. Hey, it's the little things...

Quick post

Just wanted to write my first post from my new lovely and sleek Mac Book Pro. Problem 1 of why I wasn't writing often enough is now solved so I must think of a new excuse :)

My apartment hunting saga is also drawing to a close so I have to get that post in order as well. Tonight I had a weird, scene from a movie/epiphany moment walking back from the subway through Midtown. This random Mary J Blige song came on my iPod (I think it was called Baggage?) and all the sudden the words and the beat and the lights of the Empire State Building just aligned and I found myself smiling, holding my head up a little higher than normal and swaying to the music while I tried not to shiver from the cold (yes west coast readers-fall has arrived here in NY...). Anyway I felt like I should be the opening scene to some movie where the main character moves to NY with just a suitcase and a dream and by the end she overcomes hardship to find love, success and money. So who would play me? I'd be happy with a Natalie Portman/Keira Knightley type I think :)

Fall Post

Wow, it's been so long since I've written, it's not even the same season anymore!

Excuses:

1) I really need a new laptop or netbook (send all donations to allie.herzog@yahoo.com )
2) I've been in the process of moving/apartment hunting (whole looooong seperate post to come on that)

Also, I've been trying to figure out what exactly I should be posting on here. I see my blog and as a place for me to publicly document my life and write about random things I experience, feel, observe, etc. I hope I'm not oversharing but at the same time I've enjoyed having this outlet as a strictly fun and non-work related place to write and express myself. So that's what I'm going to keep it as. As much as I love reading fellow marketing, PR and social media people's blogs that focus on the business, I kinda like the alliezog blog as a (mostly) non-industry related space. Of course from time to time my love for social media, technology and all other things geeky will show through, but I hope I can maintain this blog as a place to ramble on about my life, whether anyone will read it or not.

So stay tuned for my experiences on apartment hunting in NYC (EPIC TORTURE), bits about my favorite TV shows (Gossip Girl, Mad Men to name a few...) and other random things that fasicnate me. As for my opinions on the state of print journalism, the world of politics, and fun new social media tools (all topics of great interest to me) they may seep in from time to time but for now, they are not the main subject of this blog :-)

"If I can make it here, I'll make it anywhereeeee.."

Ever get in those "only in NY" kinda moods?

Sometimes, especially after spending some time outside of the magical city (recently I have been in LI, RI and Buffalo, NY) I find myself momentarily questioning what the "expletive deleted" I am doing here? Why am I putting up with the crowds and the subways and the $12 deli sandwiches and the fast-paced, high priced lifestyle? Then I give myself a minute and remember why millions of people come to NYC from every part of the world. They come here to "make it." To achieve their dreams and be someone. To make a better life for themselves, to experience the things that only NYC has to offer and to feel the pulse of the city where truly *anything* is possible. Then I remind myself that growing up on LI I always imagined myself breezing through the city streets passing celebrities and bums and whatever else may be in my path, and being a confident, independent and successful career women. This fantasy also included a strange desire to be one of those ladies that wore skirt suits with Easy Spirit walking shoes on the train and then changed into heels at the office but that part of the dream has thankfully been abandoned. Then I think about all the people that came here with nothing-literally nothing-the people who may have risked their lives to seek opportunity here, the people who may be sleeping on a dirty mattress in a room with 10 other people just to have the chance to wash dishes here. The people long ago who came through Ellis Island and what the Statue of Liberty meant to them...OK so this post is now taking a really cheesy turn but you get the drift...

For every one of us who sometimes feels worn out just trying to make it here, for those who are waiting for the day that they can say "I have arrived," and for those of us loving every minute of it, this post is for you. I would love to hear how other people living in this crazy, beautiful, but sometimes overwhelming city get over than occasional *freak out* feeling. Let me know!

Until then, queue Sinatra...

Epiphany in the Nail Salon...

The other day I was getting my eyebrows waxed when I had a mini life-changing moment--I realized I was at that age that your mother is referring to when she says,"You'll see when your older." Well you're right mom, I finally "see!"

So back when I was young and "wild," I got my eyebrow pierced in a short-lived phase of being an "alterna-chic." The phase lasted maybe 6 months, until I realized I couldn't skateboard and the eyebrow ring was becoming more of an eyesore than anything else. Flash forward now almost 10 years as the kindly women doing my brows noticed my scar and asked if I had gotten injured there. I laughed and told her that it was from an eyebrow ring I once thought was cool and she began to tell me about her 19 year-old daughter who just got a tattoo. I had sort of this outer body experience where I found myself telling the women how her daughter will realize when she's older that her mom was very wise and that a Chinese symbol on the back of your neck may seem cool now, but probably won't look very cool with your wedding dress or in 50 years when your old and saggy. I think I even said something like, "have her call me, I'll talk some sense into her."

As I walked home from the nail salon, I realized I was no longer in the stage of my life where I can blame my age or my naivety for my actions. From now on, I have no excuses for rash decisions and I will be held fully accountable for my choices. Kind of a scary thought for an admittedly impulsive risk-taker. But I also realized that I had grown up a lot since my eyebrow ring days. Although I'm still more impulsive than I am cautious, and would probably still be considered a bit "free-spirited" by some, I think that I definitely have made some strides in the "stopping to think things through" category.

Where do I begin?

Well July is nearly over and I haven't written one post. Let's see, what have I been up to/thinking about/doing?

• Worked a full month at the new job. It's challenging and rewarding and hey, they pay me...can't complain so far :)
• Visited my favorite town in the world, Newport, RI and had a great time seeing old friends, old hangouts and lots of sun, sand, food and bev
• Started my search for an apartment in NYC...if you have ever done it, then you know, this is no easy task...requirements for me include actual windows, close to subway, balcony/roofdeck a HUGE plus, near grocery store or laundry (if not IN building) oh yeah and lots of closet space and maybe one of those cute breakfast nooks in the kitchen...am I asking too much?? I'll keep you posted!

There's so much going on in my life I have found it hard to find the time to write. Also, I realized how easy it was to write when I was working for myself (or hardly working) because I could say whatever was on my mind...and there was A LOT. But now things have changed and I realize there are some things I should save for my private journal (or a super secret blog site!). I do plan to write more especially about things that interest me and that I am passionate about such as music, travel (which I hope to do A LOT of in 2010) and more. So thanks for sticking with me folks....I promise not to disappoint :)

Makes you think...

Today was an emotional and strange day in the world of celebrity and news. We lost not one but two legends. One was tragic yet somewhat expected and one was seemingly out of the blue, although many people said they weren't surprised by it.

The craziest thing about the deaths of Farrah Fawcett, Michael Jackson and even Ed McMahon a few days ago is that I found out about all three of them through twitter. Not once when the stories were unfolding did I turn on the radio or the TV, and for the most part I didn't even visit any major news sites. I literally followed the entire thing on twitter, noting who got the stories first and who was most accurate. Breaking News On (@breakingnewson) seemed pretty quick with updates and the celebrity bloggers and other celeb enthusiasts were quick with Retweets, updates and opinions. It was a true testament to the changing times that I essentially needed nothing more than my phone and twitter app to be completed up to date on Michael Jackson's death. I saw a quick tweet at the end of my work date that mentioned him being taken to the ER but didn't pay much attention to it in the midst of the Farrah mourning. Then, on my hour train ride, I settled in and checked my twitter stream, only to find out that history was being made. I teared up a few times from a combination of the obvious sadness of the death of an undisputed music legend, and also a bit from the impact of just getting all this info and reading all these people's heartfelt messages all while sitting silently on the LIRR. At one point as I was deep in twitterland, I considered announcing MJ's passing to my train car, or striking up a convo with the sleeping businessman next to me, but decided that would be too odd. It just felt so weird to be finding out such dramatic news while the people around me seemed to be clueless (at least those not on their phones). I also found it fascinating that TMZ legitimately broke the story first, followed by other celeb bloggers and less credible sources, and further more, they were totally on point. Next came the LA Times and finally after a few others came CNN. A lot has changed from the days of tuning into CNN because it was the ONLY source of 24 hour news around...

I just wanted to write something today to honor the deaths of three people who were legends in their own way. Putting all personal stuff aside (personal stuff which everyone has in one way or another) Michael Jackson was one of the greatest entertainers our generation has ever seen. Ed McMahon was a household name that everyone loved. Farrah Fawcett was the embodiment of sexy and in her final days became an inspiration to us all with her brave battle. Although I never met any of these people and do feel that sometimes it's crazy the way the public obsesses about celebs that they know nothing about personally, I think that these three people clearly impacted the world, and for that, they deserve our blessings. My thoughts and prayers are with their loved ones tonight.

On a completely unrelated note, I am off to Fire Island again this weekend, and plan on writing an epic post (or maybe event multiple posts) on my experiences there so far. I know, I'm a slacker!

Full Speed Ahead...

This past week has been really cool! I had a really awesome experience attending various seminars, conferences, parties and the likes, while covering Internet Week as a social communicator for Pepsico. I met some amazing, smart and quirky people, and got to meet people whom I previously had only known by their twitter avatars or their blog pen names. I am happy to report that they were all just as intelligent and interesting in real life :)

The events ended on Monday and I have just been relaxing and enjoying my last few days of independent work before I go back to a full-time position next week! This weekend I will be spending with 10 of the coolest people in NYC at our summer share on Fire Island. I haven't been there since like, our 6th grade field trip to Watch Hill and maybe one mid-high school 4th of July after that. Anyway--I'm excited. We will staying in Ocean Beach Park and I fully intend on reporting back about the charm of the town when I return. I'm not bringing my computer so I will have to rely on my Iphone for my necessary doses of info each day. I'll end this post with one of my favorite quotes because it just seems appropriate.

"The cure for anything is salt water-sweat, tears or the sea."

Crazy week!

You know how they say, when it rains, it pours? While it is, quite literally, pouring out right now. As I sit in Subtle Tea, the place that has been my home away from home for the past 4 months that I have been "offficeless," I can look back on the last 5 days and appreciate all the things that have happened. For one, I was lucky enough to be covering Internet Week for Pepsico and have been basking in the glory of being involved in all the excitement of the week, whether its been the seminars, the parties or just the tweets, its been fun to be a part of it. Check out all my posts so far, here, and keep checking back for more details here on my blog!

The second bit of excitement of the week is that I have officially accepted an offer for a full-time job starting very soon. Expect the juicy details soon...but I am very excited about this new opportunity and can't wait to continue my professional adventures at a new place.

So, on this rainy Friday, I am looking forward to my future and saying goodbye to Subtle Tea (at least Monday-Friday...). I'll miss you yummy Chai Lattes!

Good Stuff

Just a quick post to plug myself and a great event happening now in NYC. Internet Week 2009 is here and I was lucky enough to be chosen along with 8 other people as a social communicator for Pepsico. I will be blogging, photographing, video taping, tweeting and friendfeeding (not sure if that's a word!) for the next week about all the exciting things going on.

Check out Pepsico's website for great coverage of the event.

The Boycott Ends...

It's been over a month since my last post. Shame on me! Well I wrote that post at a hopeful time when I thought my next big thing was right around the corner. A month later here I am, still at a crossroads, still interviewing as if it's actually my job and still offering up my well rehearsed spiel to anyone who will give me a chance. I must admit I think I am starting to sound pretty good! Practice makes perfect I guess...

Anyway, I was putting off writing until I could announce some colossally exciting new title or that someone offered me a book deal, a column, anything! No such luck...yet :)

I'm still interviewing, picking up odd gigs, pimping myself out as a social media whiz, pr maven, brilliant writer etc. and waiting for someone to bite. I've met A LOT of cool people on my search so far. Some have been amazingly helpful and inspirational and some have made me question whether human decency and common courtesy exist at all anymore...

The funniest thing about interviewing for me is the little sayings or situations that have continually occured for me. For one thing, the standard procedures of "scheduled phone call" to deem you worthy of an in-person interview, followed by actual in-person interview, usually with an HR type, possibly if your special enough to be immediately (or not so immediately) followed by the coveted "second interview" with big wig, head honcho-decision maker, only to be followed by...silence. Yes, no response. No email. No phone call. Not even an old-fashioned rejection letter.

The kind-hearted souls that I have met in the business have explained to me the different reasons for this black hole of communication after a seemingly positive string of interviews. A) They aren't ACTUALLY hiring at this time B) They chose someone else but want to keep you on the back burner in case new person doesn't work out C) They REALLY didn't like you (I highly doubt that is possible though) D) They are just TOO busy to even respond with a one-lined email (this excuse seems really lame to me!)

So there you have it, this is what I've had to deal with at my current freelancer/consultant status. (editor's note, I'm totally getting one of those T-shirts that says, "I'm not unemployed, I'm a consultant!")

One other funny little tidbit is the actual scheduling of the interview. People always ask, "what's your availability? " or say "Why don't you check your calendar and get back to me?" It's like Hello, what do you think I do all day? You're right, let me check and see when I can squeeze you in between my leisurely breakfasts, people watching in the park, and watching Oprah. Obviously I am willing to come in anytime that is convenient for you because I am flexible, dedicated and a hard worker (really, I am, pick me, pick me!). I just find it funny when people ask me that, I mean I guess it's courteous and sometimes I may have something to do but at this point there is almost nothing that I couldn't reschedule for a great job opportunity.

I'm trying not to get discouraged but it's just frustrating knowing that I have the talent and would be an amazing asset to many of these companies. I can write, I am creative, I am passionate and dedicated, and I know what I'm doing when it comes to social media, public relations or anything online. If I am doing or saying something wrong in my interviews, I really wish someone would just tell me so I can fix it! Anyone have any pointers for me?

Stuff to do to keep your sanity...

People are always telling me to enjoy my temporary unemployment and do all the things I've always wanted to do but didn't have time for. Unfortunately without a steady paycheck most of these things are not actually do-able (for example, my yet to be taken trip to Central America) but these people do have a point. I know I should be using my time wisely because I plan on working, at least in some form, for the next 50 years or so.

Some days I think sleeping late, watching Ellen and reading the newspaper is a wisely spent day, but lately I have been really trying to fill my time with meaningful activities or at least I plan to from today on! Hopefully my free days are limited as I have some hopeful opportunities brewing...(fingers AND toes crossed!)

In no particular order, here are some things I have been doing/plan on doing/recommend doing until your back among the employed:

1)Drink coffee--especially at random spots. Since I have been laid off, drinking coffee has become more of an activity than something I just do at my desk as a quick way to fuel up before a hard day's work. I now have the time to leisurely sip coffee at relaxing/cool places such as coffee houses, parks, etc. Plus coffee is pretty cheap so it's a great time-passer for the unemployed. Tea works too :)

2)Read a lot. I have always loved to read but was usually too tired/burnt out to read leisure books. One of the first things I did when I got laid off was head over to Border's and pick up a few good books to get lost in.

3)Get organized. Make to-do lists, clean out your closets, organize photos, music, etc. It costs nothing, makes you feel motivated and is something you will NEVER have time for once you go back to work.

4)Visit museums, art galleries etc. I keep saying I am going to do this. I don't really know why I haven't yet, it seems like a lovely idea. I'll let you know when I finally cross this one off my t0-do list!

5) Get in shape. Again, this is one that I have SAID I am going to do, but have only taken very small steps in actually doing. I bought a new arm band for my ipod, dug out my spandex and Nike's and plotted all the scenic places I will run. I've only actually gone like 3 times but as the weather gets warmer I promise to go more!

If I am still unemployed in the summer, I will add a number 6, spend every free moment at the beach, but here's hoping that I'll be blissfully trapped in an office this summer dreaming of my weekends on Fire Island :)

Anyone have anything else to add to my list?

A little perspective...

Sometimes the right atmosphere can really put things in perspective...Some acoustic, soul-searching tunes, a little coffee and some creative vibes makes things suddenly seem OK...at least for now...

I realize more and more that I don't always follow the norm and that sometimes my idea of a great life is different than the typical American Dream. Sure, I want to be rich, who doesn't, but I want my riches to come from chasing my dreams and pursuing my passions, from leading a creative, adventurous and fulfilling life and from making a difference in the world at least in some small way. I don't want a cushy, high paying office job and I would be very happy to donate all my pinstripe suits to goodwill tomorrow.

I realize it's a little naive to think that I can make it without a "real job" right now. I know that my secret dream of being discovered and paid well to blog and twitter all-day long or to write a book is pretty far-fetched, but I'm hoping that this time to reflect will lead me to the life I have always pictured for myself. I am learning to be OK with waiting, I think I have slowly developed patience, which is a virtue I definitely didn't have until recently. I know that one day I will have my perfect Manhattan address, a jam packed social schedule, a creative job and a nice paycheck.

I would call my current state one of both peace and transition. I am enjoying the extra time with loved ones, the days free to read, write and learn and I'm trying not to take anything too seriously. I just read a blog post by a woman who quit her job after eight years to give herself one year to make it as a writer. It was really inspiring and also comforting. I figure if she can take that risk than I should look at my temporary unemployment as a gift and an opportunity. Some may call me a dreamer, but I think my day will come. Until then, I think I am doing all the right things and I am not going to let this setback change who I am and how I live.

Venting...

Sorry I haven't written in a while, but I've been tangled up in the web that is "the job search." I have been lucky enough to go on several interviews for several different jobs, but so far, nothing has been "the perfect fit." Am I absolutely nuts for wanting perfection, especially in "these economic times??" Sorry for all the quotes, but I am getting so frustrated!!!

Major gripe numero uno of my job search thus far...PEOPLE NOT GETTING BACK TO YOU!! Lately I have noticed the striking similarities between the interview process and the dating process. You go on that first interview (first date) and feel each other out. You may think it went really well and they may think otherwise or vice versa. Either way, it usually ends with those three little words..."I'll call you." Why, oh why do people say they are going to call and then make me sleep with my phone under my pillow waiting for said call?? Thank you to all those people who did get back to me, whether it was good news or bad...but for those of you that simply never called, never responded to my follow-up emails, etc...shame on you! One extremely well-known PR firm in particular whose name I won't mention but who really should know better promised to call me "either way"...I'm still waiting...

My other issue is that maybe I am living in a dream world, and not factoring in the whole economic meltdown, but I think there is a certain amount that is needed to live and work in Manhattan. How some positions can expect their employees to live off what they are offering is unreal to me...I mean, I totally get that times are tough, but rent is still rent and bills are still bills. Not all of us have a trust fund or some big savings account to fall back on. I think you get what you pay for and if someone is not willing to pay for talent and experience than they are not are not being realistic about what they can expect from a potential employee.

Am I being crazy for not refusing to settle?? I definitely want a job that I will love and be excited to go to everyday...I am totally willing to prove my worth, and I have always been willing to pay my dues. Life usually throws me opportunities at the randomest times, and most of the choices I have made and chances I have taken have proved worth it in the end. I'm sure whatever I end up doing next will be no exception. Until then, I'll keep on writing, keep on truckin' and keep on dreamin'!

Engage the Geeks, Conquer the World!

Last night, in my opinion, was one small step for Late Night TV, one giant step for Social Media!

Lately, more and more buzz has been seeping into the mainstream world about Twitter. My friends and family have asked about it, people have brought it up to me at bars or in casual conversation and many talk shows and news shows, outside the tech and internet genre, have begun talking about it and using it. Last night Kevin Rose and Alex Albrecht of Diggnation were guests on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon and they introduced a whole new audience to Twitter and Digg. They conducted an experiment where they attempted to make an audience member (Bryan Brinkman) who was new to Twitter, more popular than Barack Obama (on Twitter at least). Last I checked this morning he has more than 23K followers from 7 the previous day. For those who still don't get it, that means he can now communicate instantaneously with 23k people from all over the world and engage in an ongoing conversation with these people.

In my opinion, Mr. Fallon has the right idea by choosing to gear his show towards the techies of the world. Twitter's active users have grown 900% in the past year. Digg.com gets more than 35 million hits a month. It's no secret that the brilliant minds and key influencers of the world are spending their time on these sites. I've always been a huge fan of Jimmy Fallon since his days on SNL, but now, thanks to his Twittering and his new tech-focused show, I am joined by millions of other tech-savvy, innovative individuals. I was lucky enough to attend a taping last week and had a great time. The Roots are quite possibly the best house band any show has ever had, and Jimmy's awkward charm is even funnier in person.

Since Jimmy has begun tweeting I have heard Twitter being mentioned more and more on TV. Just in the past day, Ellen DeGeneres has joined Twitter and already has almost 70K followers. Jay Leno mentioned it on his show last night as well and this morning, Martha Stewart was at it again trying to become "twitter-famous." She has been on Twitter for about a week, has almost 100k followers and I have to give her credit for trying to turn her typically less than tech-expert audience into loyal Twitters. This morning she asked for a show of hands as to who Twittered and about 5 people raised their hand. She did her best to explain it and probably contributed to more than a few first-time users jumping on the bandwagon.

In my opinion, Facebook has already become pretty mainstream and even the technically challenged folks are more willing to join it than Twitter. CEO Mark Zuckerberg has been on Good Morning America and other talk shows recently and will be on Oprah this Friday. Even my Dad is joining the Facebook cult!

But at least among the people I know, folks seem more hesistant to start Twittering, and don't seem to fully understand how it can benefit them. If you're still skeptical ...just ask Bryan Brinkman!

For Love or Money?

Lately, in my quest for my dream job, I have been struggling with the familiar internal conflict of a job I love, or a job that will make me rich. Which is more important - money or happiness?

I have always been a firm believer that happiness is more important than money. I have further been a believer that doing something I love will eventually bring the money. Call me a dreamer, call me ignorant or just call me plain crazy, but ever since I was young, I always thought I'd be rich and famous for something. When I was really young, I wanted to be a marine biologist, mostly because I thought dolphins, sea lions and whales were really cute. That dream died when I found out that being a "marine biologist" wasn't just swimming with dolphins every day, and oh yeah, I was really bad at science...

When I got a little older I realized that I was a born writer. I started writing a Nancy Drew type novel when I was in elementary school called "The Adventures of Jillian Rhonda." The yet to be published mystery was tragically accidently erased from our old computer and was never recovered...

When I was in high school I decided that I would be an investigative reporter or a war correspondent. It was then that the alias "Allie Waters" was born. I was sure I would be on CNN with bombs exploding behind my head or writing for the NY Times.

When I got to college I found my niche to be more of a feature writer. I wrote for our college newspaper for a couple semesters as a news editor but longed for more interesting assignments beyond campus construction and the played out "dry campus" controversy. It was then that I developed an interest in public relations and marketing. I had a great professor, Gail Alofsin, who runs the Newport Yachting Center in Newport, RI who taught me about the wonderful world of PR and event planning. I even interned there in the summer and helped promote music festivals, food festivals and boat shows. It was a learning experience and sparked a new interest for me beyond journalism.

After college I took some time to find myself, taking various jobs from marketing at a hotel, to waitressing at a slew of hot spots on the water in RI. In my spare time I was a freelance writer for The Newport Mercury which was the closest thing to my dream job I've had to date. Only problem was that it paid barely a 100 dollars a week. It was more of a hobby than a career but brought me more inspiration and pride than I had felt in years. Having people read and praise my quirky articles about bars and restaurants in town was an amazing feeling.

So flash forward to the present. I had a good run working at a boutique PR firm, excelling at the creativity and social media aspects of the job. I found a new love for blogging, social networking and technology.

So now, as I try to determine what the perfect job for me will be, the job that will make me rich AND famous (and by famous, I mean well-known and respected in my field and invited to fun events and parties, not like "Paris Hilton famous") I continue to wonder, If I stick to what I love and what I know I'm good at, will success inevitably follow? Is it really that simple, or will I have to at some point, give up on my dreams to make the big bucks? For now, however naive it may sound, I am sticking to my guns and holding out for a job that will allow me to do what I love...and from there...I know the money will come! Until then, you can find me tucked away in a coffee shop writing on my laptop by day, and maybe waiting tables at a local hot spot near you by night...

One Day at a Time...

Sometimes inspiration can come from the most unlikely places...

My quest for a new job has been pretty encouraging so far, and it's only been a few weeks. I have gone on several interviews, connected with amazing contacts, both old and new, and learned a lot about myself and my goals in the process.

This week, I had a few days where I started to feel sorry for myself, and considered stay in bed all day long. But someone wise told me to take advantage of this free time and to use it wisely. I have been forcing myself to get up, get dressed and go out and experience the world, if only to keep my sanity. As I sit here in my absolute new favorite place, Subtle Tea in Murray Hill (shout out--love the chai lattes, potato bacon soup and friendly employees), I realize that my journey is just beginning and my dream job awaits me. This place is filled with people trying to live their dreams and they don't seem to be deterred by unemployment, the economy or anything else. I've heard people say that if you are passionate about something and love what you do, you will be successful. I think that greatness awaits me, and one day (hopefully soon!) I will be writing or publicizing for a living, mingling with fabulous and creative minds, and working at an amazing place in NYC doing what I love. Until then...I am enjoying the free time to catch up on my reading, surfing of the interwebs and soul searching...

Until I'm invited, I'm boycotting the Oscars!

There are certain TV events that as an informed citizen who likes to keep up on current events, I feel it is my duty to watch. Obviously the Oscars (along with the Grammy's, the Superbowl and the season finale of American Idol) is one of them.

So last night, I settled in for a night of red carpet delight. If I'm being brutally honest here, I found it dull. Boring, dull and just not worth my time. Sorry Hollywood. Sure I liked watching the red carpet interviews along with the mandatory and oh so stimulating "reporting" that consisted of the same two questions over and over. "Who are you wearing?!" and "Whose your date?" Umm, can't you think of anything else??

The awards ceremony started and I did enjoy Hugh Jackman's opening skit, it was creative and funny and I thought it might be a good show after all. But no, it was boring and not worth all the hype in my opinion. I could have just as easily found out the winners via Twitter, which I did towards the end of the show when my boyfriend couldn't handle it anymore and switched to ESPN. At least on Twitter, each award and presenter was described with snarky commentary and made it much more interesting!

Also, I saw all these news stories prior to the Oscars about how celebs were going to "tone it down" and not flash their diamonds and pearls to all the unemployed, homeless people who were watching the Oscars on their rabbit ear TV's and eating Ramen Noodles. Maybe I missed something but no one seemed too dressed down to me. I especially thought Angelina Jolie's Emeralds said "these are tough times."

Sure, if I was sipping on some Moet and watching the Oscars from some fabulous Hollywood soiree, it may have been entertaining, but until someone personally invites me to the awards, or at least a really good party, I think I'll make it a Blockbuster night next year.

Good Karma

Since my last post, I have received a lot of love and support from friends, friends of friends, colleagues, and even people I have only met a few times or haven't talked to in years...so first off, thanks for reading!

I am completely convinced that I am on the track to greatness and have had a lot of good things happen already since "the lay-off." I have several leads already, have been meeting with people and finding that there is definitely opportunities out there, you just need to set yourself apart from your competition by being smart, sassy and persistent! I'd like to think I am all three :)

I feel a sense of freedom and a new beginning because to be honest, I was ready for a new challenge anyway. I can't wait for my next adventure to begin. I am ready to work hard and conquer the world, somewhere great where I can write, be myself and be associated with people who are revered in their industry, whether it's writing, blogging, online or in PR. I want to be part of the social networking extraordinaire and be encouraged to utilize my sites to further my influence and grow my community.

So today, even though it is Friday the 13th, I am feeling optimistic and once again telling myself that everything happens for a reason. This time, I think I already know what that reason is :)

On two final notes, I just wanted to say a quick prayer for the victims of the Buffalo plane crash and the community of Buffalo. My boyfriend is from the area and it's sad that this week's plane story didn't turn out as good as the last one :(

Also, I promised a friend I would mention the devastating disease that is affecting her close friend's 16 month old daughter. Spinal Muscular Atrophy(SMA) is a really horrible disease that she will eventually die from. The life expectancy is usually 2 years old, it is really heart wrenching... There is a petition which will enable non-profit and research organizations to help find a cure Check out these links if you want to help!
http://www.petitiontocuresma.com/
http://www.gwendolynstrong.com/

The Official Anouncement

So it's been almost a week now and I am finally in a mostly non-bitter, non-angry, minimally bummed place where I can let the world know of my current employment situation and not write anything I will later regret out of anger or shock. Yes, as of last Tuesday, I became another victim of "these economic times" and got laid off from my job of two plus years as New Media Director at a boutique PR firm. Since getting the news, I took some time to reflect on my life and evaluate what to do next.

Ironically, I sensed the end was near. Through what I believe was no fault of my own, my place of work was simply not doing well, and although I'd like to believe that I was indispensable, a part of me knew my days were numbered and that I would be the next victim.

I now plan on concentrating my efforts on finding the kind of work that will motivate me day in and day out, that will challenge me to be better, smarter and more creative than I ever thought I could be, and that will provide me with opportunities to meet new people, learn new things, build new communities, touch people's lives with the written word (or at least make them laugh) and rise above the glass ceiling. My first real job in the industry taught me a great deal, gave me a good basic knowledge of the PR industry and the corporate world in general, taught me what I do want to do and what I don't, showed me my strengths and weaknesses, and showed me that I am capable of being a lot more than just a waitress with a passion for writing.

So onward I go, to the next chapter of my life. As I may have mentioned before, I am a strong believer in the "Everything happens for a reason" mentality and am confident that this little "bump in the road" will lead me to a better place (Manhattan address) and a better job (six figures). A year from now, I hope to look back at this post and say, "yup, you were right!"

All that being said, friends, foes and random readers, please feel free to contact me at allie.herzog@yahoo.com if you know of a job I may be a good fit for! I can write, set-up blogs, set-up social networking sites, build online communities, do publicity, marketing and more. And if you're willing to pay me to do something I may not have mentioned, well just ask, because I'm a quick learner :)

To suit up or not to suit up?

My first suit ever was bought for me by my older and wiser brother the summer after I graduated college. I opened the box excited for what is usually my best gift and there it was. A horrible looking pinstriped suit. My reaction could not be concealed. I think I laughed, said thanks and tossed the box aside. That suit sat in my closet, tags on, pants too long, for nearly two years before it saw the light of day. It became my "interview suit" and landed me my first "real job" in PR. I'd like to think my sparkling personality and my resume landed me the job, but I guess the professional looking suit helped...

Since then, my suit collection has grown significantly and includes some slightly trendier suits, some suit separates (what me and my favorite coworker like to call "fake suits") and some classic pin stripe numbers for when I meet with those "important people."

Lately though, I've been noticing less and less women wearing suits, especially in my line of work and on the streets of Manhattan. Even at meetings or events, I tend to see the PR gals of the city sporting trendy ensembles that look professional and put together but not in that "I'm a banker" sort of way. All the women in my office wear suits or at least blazers whenever they meet with clients or go to any kind of event and for the most part so do I, although I usually find myself trying to spice it up with funky jewelry, bright colored shoes, etc.

I've posed this question to friends before and have gotten mixed responses. I think men in the city tend to wear suits to work everyday because they are easy and professional looking. Especially those Wall Street types, they are never spotted without the classic suit and tie. In my opinion though, women in certain fields may need to wear a suit to be taken seriously and fit in with the men, like for instance, bankers, lawyers or accountants. I think that for the most part though, people that work in creative professions can get away with dressing nice, but don't necessarily have to go pinstripes? My boss once told me that wearing a suit makes me look older and will make people take me more seriously, especially men. I do totally agree with this point so I guess there are pros and cons. I'd love to know what others out there working in a creative field in a city or suburban area have to say on this matter!

Twitter this!

I originally wrote this article for my company blog...

Since I started using Twitter almost a year ago, I have seen lots of new and creative ways to use it. I have seen companies branding themselves, media seeking sources, strangers with similar interests planning “tweet-ups” and even seen breaking news like earthquakes and terrorist attacks being reported live via this ingenious networking tool. But one thing that was a first to me, was reading “tweets” (what Twitter calls the short messages people post) about a couple getting engaged on Twitter!

After further investigation and immediately adding both parties to my followers, I found out that @Grobertson (Grant Roberston of Download Squad) did indeed ask @film_girl (Christina Warren) to marry him via a twitter post. She was attending the MacWorld convention and he just couldn’t wait to ask her. The tweet read this: “@film_girl i just can't wait one minute longer to ask you this. Will you marry me? i want to share the rest of our lives together.”

She said yes (obviously) and the rest is history. Although this allegedly wasn’t the first proposal on Twitter, it was the most publicized one by far. The story was “retweeted” (or reposted by different users) and was also written up by dozens of bloggers, tagged on the social bookmarking site Digg and even written up here by the Examiners marriage columnist.

The reactions by the blogging community was mixed. Some thought it was romantic, some cheesy, some just plain geeky. Have we become so dependent on internet communication that the notion of getting down on one knee will soon be a thing of the past, or was this just a creative way for two techies to get engaged in a non-traditional way? Personally, I think it’s kind of cute and after reading up on them both it seems like it suits who they are. What do YOU think?

The big 5-0!

No I'm not 50, but this is my 50th post according to my blog dashboard. It was almost exactly a year ago that I wrote my first blog post ever. So if you break it down, I have averaged about a post per week. Not bad, but this year I hope to write a lot more than that, and I also hope to contribute a lot more insightful, useful tidbits and share a lot more of the life and times of Allie Zog :)

In the past year I think I have learned a lot about the world of blogging and social networking. By know means would I dare to call myself an "expert," "guru," "maven" or any other cliche, I have read the many Twitter posts poking fun at self-proclaimed experts and I know better, but I definitely would say that my knowledge has advanced from beginner to at least intermediate, if not advanced...

Shortly after getting into the blogging craze, my boss and I attended The Ragan Communications Social Media Conference in Vegas and I was officially transformed from semi-geek to full on internet addict. The conference is coming up again this year and I would LOVE to go and further sharpen my skills but as you all know "in these economic times" budgets are a little tighter and educational trips to Vegas are a little harder to swing. I am accepting donations if anyone wants to sponsor me!

Are there other comparable conferences out there? Any offering discounts this year? Let me know!

Welcome back cheesy teen dramas, I missed you!

Is it weird that I still watch/slightly obsess over unrealistic teenage soap operas? This week has started off especially fantastical for me due to Monday night's doubleheader of dramatic overload (Gossip Girl and One Tree Hill). I would literally love to BE Blair Waldorf...I am not alone here am I? Her clothes, her hair, her attitude...team Blair all the way for me! And don't even get me started on Chuck...

Tonight I cozied up to the new season of 90210 and although it's obviously not as good as the Brenda/Kelly/Dylan love triangle of my youth, I find myself tuning in and being moderately entertained episode after episode.

Maybe I just need a little mindless escape and these shows offer it. Maybe I am subconsciously reliving my teen years through these silly little shows, or maybe I just really enjoy a good tale about a nanny-stalker, daddy-killer, illegitimate child, millionaire half-sibling romance every now and again. And for those of you not familiar, yes these are all real plot lines! Intrigued? Tune in to the good ole' CW-11 Monday's and Tuesday's and check it out...and no I don't work for them!

In other news, I have been keeping up with two of my "goals" so far. Writing more (on this thing and at work) and I have been less stressed the last 2 days (baby steps). As for the running and money saving, I have planned to do them, but haven't actually implemented the plan yet. I will though, just wait. I think I am going to continually add to my goals list throughout the year to keep on track. Tonight I would like to add a broad yet happy, dreamy goal for the year. I would like to get a passport and get it stamped at least once this year. And preferably not in Canada (no offense Canada, just thinking a little more exotic). OK I'll sign off with that one. More to come-stay tuned!

2009!

Along with the rest of the bloggers of the world, I would like to publicly list some of my goals for the upcoming year. I would call them New Year's resolutions but those tend to get forgotten by about January 12th or so (at least for me) so I will call them goals to make them seem more concrete. In no particular order here's my fired up goals for 2009:

• Write more. Simple, but this is a one I really hope I keep. This weekend I was reading through some old articles I had written while freelancing for a newspaper in Newport, RI and I became really nostalgic. I especially remembered the joy that writing a really awesome article brought me, and the pride and rush of exhilaration I got when people told me they had read/loved my work. Whether it's professionally, personally, on my blog or just in my journal, I vow to write more this year and keep the "writer's high" going.
• Run more. "Runner's high" is another favorite high of mine. I used to run track in high school and even considered running in college. I think the last time I ran was to catch a train, hail a cab or catch up with a fast-walking companion on the city streets. That's embarrassing to admit, so yeah, I'd like to run more, you know, for exercise. I'm thinking that downloading some new "workout tunes" on my i-pod, purchasing one of those armband thingys and maybe a new pair of spandex will spark my motivation. Any other tips?
• Worry less. This one will be tricky for me. I mostly have always thought of myself as carefree but in recent years I have actually discovered that I am an overly emotional person that was actually pretending to be carefree while really stressing about everything and constantly making mental lists, plans and entire life paths in my mind (and sometimes in a little yellow notebook). This year I would like to focus more on fixing the things I can fix, changing the things I am unhappy with and working confidently towards all my personal and professional goals. While doing that, I would like to stress less, let the little things slide, maintain a positive outlook and know that everything will fall into place one way or another. I would like to really live by the "everything happens for a reason" mantra that I once really believed in, and know that my future will indeed lead me to the crazy/strange/beautiful/peaceful life I have already dreamed up for myself. Make sense?
• Find inner harmony. Oh my god did I just say that? But really, going along with the worrying less thing, I need to find a way to maintain a healthy and stress free existence, seeing as I sometimes literally worry myself sick. I would like to get more into yoga, meditation, whatever. Perhaps take a weekly class, read some books, and take some time each morning to stretch, reflect and relax. I would like to take less medicine, and instead, try herbs, vitamins, diet change etc. to feel good (both mentally and physically). I would like to continue reading everything I can, newspapers, magazines, books, websites, blogs, EVERYTHING. I love reading, it makes me feel smart and happy. Any other ways to find balance? Let me know!
• OK last one, and I debated even writing this one down, but it has to be said. I would like to at least be on the track to financial freedom and comfort in 2009. Even though I was a late bloomer so to speak in the "real job" department, I think at my age, I should have a little nest egg, rainy day fund, etc. I would like to pay off my debts, have a respectable savings account, and maybe even a little left for luxuries like travel, wining and dining and Christian Laboutin shoes (OK maybe these red healed wonders will have to wait until 2010...) Also, going along with this, I would like to maybe live on my own for a while, which would require a certain amount of income. I have never lived completely alone before and I think it's something I should maybe experience?
  

So that's it for now (I think), any suggestions on how to keep up with these goals are more than welcome! Happy New Year everyone!