Tag Archives: life

Bringing the Kid Out

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Yesterday marked “Bring Your Child to Work Day.” For the first time, MW hosted programming for employees’ kids to come in and spend time with each of our departments while learning a little bit of the Werkers’ lifestyles. I got to spend some time with the kids when we had them create logos for themselves.

And I finally figured out why Mom was also so persistent in bringing me. Because adults that bring kids get a much needed free-esque day in the office. I was super jealous the whole time. But it wasn’t because of my co-workers–it was their kids.

This day used to be one of my favorites growing up. It meant a free day out of school. A day to color with Art Directors and swing on the wooden swing behind the Travel Company building at Maritz. I can remember standing in a TV studio not really paying attention, because I was so entranced with the lights. I can remember meeting Mom’s friends who were “copywriters” and thinking they did things like “© 1994.”

Looking back, I saw those days as more of just a time I got to dress up and pretend to be something other than a kid. Little did I know how much those “copywriters” at Maritz would affect my life and career. So thanks Mom for always pushing me to go. For showing me that a cafeteria doesn’t necessarily mean an elementary cafeteria (though it often does). And thanks for showing me your secret hideaways at work. All of these moments instilled in me that you can have a messy desk full of toys and still be productive. You can walk away and shoot out zingers while still being highly respected by your co-workers. And that a day at the office where you weren’t ready to pull your hair out and wasn’t spent 50% of the time laughing, is not complete.

Thanks for all that. But should I lose those lessons between now and next year, you might be the recorded employee with the eldest child at the annual day.

Still Flippin’

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I tweet like crazy. I blog (obviously). I keep Facebook up-to-date. I get excited about the new possibilities about social media campaigns.

And I own a flip phone. Or rather, I don’t own a flip phone, I refuse to use anything but a flip phone. I realize it dates me. It’s clunky (yea, it’s not even a Razor). And I’m sure my friends, and Mom, are probably tired of me calling them to look up an address because I’m lost and can’t remember where I’m supposed to go (they have become my Google Maps). But I still have no desire to power off my flip.

I’ve been throwing around a bunch of excuses over the years: It holds a great charge! If I lose it, my life’s not over! I get great service! But I’ve finally figured out the real reason I haven’t.

After reading Why I Refuse to Use a Smartphone on The Grindstone, I have finally learned that I don’t want one because I like my life and work balance. I check my work email far too much outside of the green/orange walls. But I do it on a computer. If I’m away from my place all day and you’re sending me emails, I’m not responding.

And it’s awesome.

It’s awesome to only have people calling you or texting you. And that’s it. It’s awesome to carry a phone that has limited capabilities ensuring I don’t spend my days with my head pointed down staring at a screen. And it’s awesome to see people’s faces and hear their comments upon finding out I still flip.

Sometimes I do feel like I’m missing out with the apps and what not, but then I think about how much I enjoy life by experiencing it, soaking it in, reading books on the way to work and not constantly freaking out that I left my phone at home.

The 1990s can keep calling, I’m not giving it up.

Ad of the Day: Museum of London

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The coolest part of this ad is the fact we’re rolling out something similar for one of our client’s next year. I’ve never had any desire for a smartphone, but after seeing this, I want one, solely so I can do this. I’ll also then be in London, which is I guess okay too. And this ad basically brings to life Inception which I’m equally okay with. And I promise, proper posts coming soon, life is just moving a mile a minute.