With 365 days to fill with adventure, new experiences and travel,
it's hard to narrow down a single special location that really stood
out throughout the year. But I (actually) did it. Just one. I can't
believe it either.
My favorite 2009 spot was, of course, theHouston Zoo.
I've
always liked the Zoo well enough, but only this year got the bug big
time. Having Ella be old enough to really get the experience and be at
the age where she is consumed with passionately learning about the
animals we visit really makes it a totally different experience.
I was also honored to be asked by the fantastic Kelly Russo
and team to come and take part in a mommy-focused day to chat on what
the Zoo is up to and where it's headed from a parent's perspective. Jenny and my fab gal Sara joined me in enjoying some behind the scenes fun and great conversation with various parts of the Zoo team:
Ella fell in love with Toby the Red Panda (and vice versa, I like to believe):
We even celebrated Ella's birthday with a bunch there of friends and family:
Then held our annual company Web and social media marketing conference, SchipulCon, at the Zoo (see our conference photos here)!
And had a Schipul company sponsored Christmas tree that Caitlin, Courtney, Ben and I decorated with a Twitter-geek-beautiful theme (photo thanks to @mctello):
Buying a family Houston Zoo membership was definitely one of the best investments we made all year - animals, long walks and a happy short person. Not only is it a beautiful place with gorgeous wildlife, but our member card gets in 7 adults + kiddos -- so a fun group outing where everyone goes home smiling doesn't have to cost a dime. Couldn't ask for anything more.
The writing workout continues with Gwen Bell's Best of 2009 Blog Challenge - today focusing on the conference or workshop that gave us a good cerebral workout.
This year'seTech (and the very last one of all times too, unfortunately) was hands down my best conference experience of 2009. Unlike a lot of other conferences and events I attend, the attendees were not 1) Social Media technologist types or 2) public relations pros or marketers.
Rather there were demolition experts, robot builders, laser wranglers, avant garde musicians (like Zoe!), digital cartographers, government information architects and many other brands of creative geniuses.
Ed took some great photos (as usual) and you can check out my obsessive compulsive live Blogging of the workshops and presentations I made it to here in my eTech category pages. My favorites:
I am a homebody through and through - there are few nights that are more enjoyable than the ones that find me cooking and making beverages for my family and the friends that hang out in my kitchen.
Considering it is almost midnight (hours after the game has ended) and I just now bothered to look to see who won the Super Bowl this year, you can probably tell pretty easily how wildly non-sports enthused I am.
BUT! having said that, I am very happy that the Steelers won. My parents were born there, an aunt, uncle and all of my cousins still live there and my aunt in Houston proudly displays her black and gold pride painted on her curbside. It's in the blood, if not on the television screen.
What's always been interesting to me about the Steelers is the appearance and feverish waving of the Terrible Towels. Besides the silly big cheesehead hats for Green Bay Packers, I don't know that any other sports-related paraphernalia that sticks out in my mind so much - great branding :)
What's even more interesting than the fact that these utilitarian pieces of fanboy/girl cloth are so darn popular, is how they now contribute to so many peoples' lives - specifically by sending all proceeds to the Allegheny Valley School to help the mentally handicapped residents there.
After Myron Cope came up with the Terrible Towel idea in 1975 to help rally Pittsburgh fans in a playoff game against the Colts, he later transferred all profits to AVS in 1996 to thank the non profit for having helped his son (who lived there at the time) lead such a good life. The money is specifically to go to individuals at the school, equipping them with communication devices, wheelchairs and other equipment that is simply life changing.
“He came into my office, and he had a pile of papers,” Champ said. “He threw them down on my desk and said, ‘Regis, I’m giving you the Terrible Towel.’ I said, ‘Myron, I have about 10 of them. I’ll take another one, but ...
“He said, ‘No, I’m giving you the rights, and you’ll be able to get all the proceeds from the Terrible Towels.’ I was speechless. I knew that this would be the legacy that outlived Myron.”
So from team spirit to a dramatic change in the direction of a non profit school and their residents - as football fanatics went ballistic today in Florida, it warms the cockles of my heart to know that because of one man Doing Good and saying thank you - countless will be touched for decades to come.
The 2008 election was a powerful experience, so what better way to start a new presidency, live blogging, with mimsoas and with some of my favorite gals:
6:30am Inauguration party people stumble bleary-eyed to Chookoolonk's coffee maker. Delicious caffeine wake-up juice.
7:20am Just finished our first live feed with Karen at the mic with Fox news and awesome anchorman John. Coffee conversation have ranged from explosive diarrhea to the 'dark side' of Texas history to... oh yeah, Obama.
8:46am Jodi rocks the follow up interview with John on the religion and the election.
8:56am Laura Mayes shows up with champagne. Mimosas and couch-side discussions begin on more Texas state history DIRTY ROTTEN LIES, children that bite and champagne. And the Quaker Oats guy on a stick. Anchorman pretty-boy facade drops and hip hop and college dorm stories ensue.
9:03am Quaker Oats caterer guy shows up with oatmeal. But we've already moved on to champagne. They mix right? Jose, the very cute catering guy just announced that this election was his very first vote since he became an American - much cheering ensues. And glass refilling.
9:48am Oh!!! There he is!! Obama and Bush hit the road in the limo. Laura explains the symbolism of church, coffee and limo riding together. Peaceful transfer of power time.
10:01am First lady-to-be outfit discussions happening - a little bling in the daytime. We are impressed.
10:08am Oatmeal is served (thanks Jose!), the Gores and Bushes make their appearance. A very brief discussion on hot octogenarians. Unrelated.
10:27am Laura and Lynn on their way out -- Laura says: 'Hey everybody'. Gotta' love those Texan ladies :) Kind of wondering why they've got the mics on folks as they walk out onto the stage (lots of 'holy crap it's cold comments').
10:29am Things got quiet. Absolutely amazed at the sheer numbers of people ready to witness this event. Consensus in the room (beyond the fact that the Obama girls are ridiculously precious and lovely) is a cliche feeling of HOPE.
10:31am George and Michelle make their way out -- the phrase 'peaceful transfer of power' has been repeated at least 10 times in the last 2 minutes. Repetition hopefully will work...
Dick Cheney makes his way out in a wheelchair, Bush is doing the hand shakes and yup, there goes the Hail to the Chief (enter selected lyrics here). Mrs. Obama has the Lincoln Bible in her hands. No pressure there. Hasn't been used since 1861, when Lincoln was inaugurated. Wow.
10:39am Obama appears. Alone. What is he thinking right now? Chookooloonks thinks he might have had a hit of something to get up on that stage -- WOULDN'T YOU NEED IT TOO!?!? :)
10:42am Obama enters for real this time. Lots of 'second coming' references, squealing, clapping, cheering. Yah, this is a totally a chick inauguration party. How is Obama looking so calm and collected? This is almost un-human. WOW!
10:45am Senator Dianne Feinstein: "We come here every 4 years to bestow the power of presidency on our democratically elected leader."
"They will look back and remember that this was the moment that the dream that once echoed across history... finally reached the walls of the White House.... we not only inaugurate a new administration, but pledge ourselves... to a new call to greatness by our 44th president Barack Obama."
10:48am Rick Warren: "History is your story. Hero is real. The Lord is our God. The Lord is one... We celebrate a hingepoint of history with the inauguration of the first African American president of the United States."
10:51am "May we have a new birth of clarity in our aims, responsibility in our actions and civility in our attitudes even when we differ. Help us to share, serve and seek the common good of all... we now commit our new president and his wife MIchelle and his daughter Malia and Sasha to your loving care."
10:53am Aretha is ON with "My Country 'Tis of Thee'. And a really bow-tastic hat. She's fabulous. I'm seeing tears here on our end.
10:58am Joe Biden takes his oath of office. The peanut gallery says: "Looks kinda' like a boxer saying the pledge of allegiance."
10:59am Yo-Yo Ma and Itzhak Perlman present a lovely interlude.
11:00am!!!!!!!!!!!! President Obama is officially PRESIDENT Obama. Noon has struck. Our world has changed.
11:05am Obama: '... less measurable, but no less profound is the sagging confidence across our nation... today, I say to you that hte challenges we face are real. They will not be met easily or in a short amount of time... but know this America, they WILL be met. We gather b/c we have chosen HOPE over fear. Unity of puprose over... discord."
11:11am "It has been the risk takers, the doers, the makers of things... that have carried us up the long rugged path towards prosperity and freedom. For us they toiled in sweat shops and settled in the West. For us they fought and died. Time and again, these men and women worked and sacrificed until their hands were raw, so that we could have a better life. This is the journey we continue today... we being the work of re-making America. Everywhere we look, there is work to be done. We will act, not only to create new jobs, but lay a foundation for growth.... We will harness the wind, the sun and the soil... All this we can do. All this we will do."
11:14am "The stale political arguments that have consumed us for so long, no longer apply. It's not whether our govt is too big or too small, but whether it works."
11:16am We will not give our ideals up for expediency sake. To all other people and government who are watching today... know that America is friend of each nation and ever man, woman and child with a dream for success.
11:18am Our power grows through its prudent use. The tempering qualities of humility and strength. We are the keepers of this legacy... We will not apologize for our way of life... our spirit is strong and cannot be broken. You cannot outlast us and we will defeat you. For we know, that our patchwork heritage is a strength - not a weakness... we are shaped by every language and culture... and since we have tasted the bitter swill of civil war and segregation, we cannot help but believe that the old hatreds will someday pass.
11:20am TO the Muslim world, we seek a new way forward based on mutual interests and mutual respect... know that your people will judge you on what you can build - not what you destroy. To those who claim to power through corruption and decieit... know that you are on the wrong side of history and will extend a hand if you will unclench your fist.
11:21am The world has changed and we must change with it... it is ultimiately the faith and determination of the American people upon which our success lies. Our challenges may be new, the instruments with which we meet htem may be new - but those values upon which our success depends... these things are old. These things are true. They have been the quiet force of progress throughout our history. What's demanded then is a return to these truths... a new era of responsibility. Duties we do not begrudgingly accept, but take willingly. This is the price and promise of citizenship.
11:24am "Let it be told to future world, that in the depth of winter where nothing but hope and virtue could survive... America, in the face of our common dangers, in thi swinter of OUR hardship - let us remember these timeless words. With hope and virtue, let us brave these icy currents and brave what storms are to come... With eyes fixed on the horizon and God's grace upon us, we carried that great gift of freedom that we carried safely with us."
11:27am Elizabeth Alexander (poet): "Praise song for the day - Each day we go about our business walking past each other catching each other's eyes - or not - about to speak or speaking. All about us is noise. All about us is noise and bramble, thorn and din. Each one of our ancestors on our tongues.
Someone is stitching up a hem, darning a hole in a uniform, patching a tire... repairing the things in need of repair. Someone is trying to make music somewhere..."
So... yeah, I don't really get oatmeal connection either. But by jove, we will watch the inauguration in good company and with a belly full of much substance. More info on the nationwide event (found on MOMocrats):
...guests will breakfast on hot oatmeal with delicious
toppings (including BACON), all for a very worthy cause. Now
through February 28, you can visit Start with Substance
to enter the UPC (barcode) from any variety of Quaker hot cereal.
For
every UPC entered, Quaker will donate a bowl of nutritious oatmeal to Share Our Strength,
an organization dedicated to ending childhood hunger, up to 1 million
bowls of oatmeal. (You must be a member of Facebook in order to enter
UPCs.) But get this: even if you can’t be bothered to track down your
UPC and enter it, or you are not a fan of oatmeal, you can still help.
All you have to do is enter 030000013809 as a valid UPC.
I started the Houston group in January 2008 (almost one year old - wowee!) with help from Ms. Monica/Cosmopolitician, Jaymac our amazing DJ, Tasty Tiffany and the Adam hippie. We meet every month at a really cool venue (Avant Garden) with a model, a rocking set of beats and the occasional cheeky drawing prize and Sketchy shot.
What makes this event a gift to me is the Community that has built around it. Every month I look forward to seeing familiar faces (and new ones too!), some of my favorite people congregate here.
We get all sorts of artists (of all strengths and skill levels), a superb group of photographers (with a special hat tip to Groovehouse and Ed Schipul) and an extra-special set of models.
I look forward to 2009 bringing even more fun parties, good conversations, tasty libations (thanks Joe!) and beautiful art (with the best lazy Sunday afternoon soundtrack ever). And I hope very much to spend time with you there!
Congratulations to Kami - commenter #94!! Her winning comment:
Happy
Katie has a Wiii. Weeeee.
Wining this Wii would change my life because there is absolutely no way
I would get one otherwise. My husband would consider it an
extravagance. Since I am having a THIRD baby in January, winning a Wii
would allow me to get some exercise and also have some fun with my
4-year-old who will need some extra Mom 1-1 time with the two smaller
babies vying for attention. Moreover, due to the aforementioned
addition of a new child and the already taxing routine of a 4-year-old
and 1-year-old, I don't think I will be able to get to the gym for some
time to come. Having a Wii would make a good excuse for adding the Wii
Fit.
Hubby couldn't refuse me. ;-) Could he?
To select the winning comment (as there were nothing but great entries), I used the Random Integer Generator and, because I am this random myself, decided to pick the randomly generated integer found on the bottom row smack in the middle. Turned out to be the #94 and, after much finger counting, that number matched up to Kami!
Congratulations!! Kami will be receiving a Wii and Wii Fit to kick some post-partum BUTT!! Wow, I so almost felt like Vanna White there (and tell us what she's won!!!). Thanks to all those who commented and a huge thanks to Nintendo for sponsoring this giveaway!
Are you a Crackberry addict or an iPhone junkie? Or are you just plain confused watching people walk around with headset in ear and cell phone in hand 24/7? Perhaps I can help :)
I am speaking on Mobile Web for PR pros at PRSA Houston's PR Day tomorrow (my first PR Day speaking gig ever!!) and will be leading 2 30-minute table talks about the basics of Mobile Web.
So what the heck does that mean? Basically, it means that soooo many people on a global level have access to cell phones than computers (over 2.7 Billion cell phones out there vs. under 1 Billion personal computers) that savvy PR gurus have to change with the times and communicate with their Web visitors where they actually are.
The Mobile Web = Mobile people (not the hottest new handheld or the latest iPhone). People are on the go - whether they are customers, friends or family - and have easier access to the Internet through their cell phones than ever.
I have included my general 'what to know about Mobile Web' outline after the jump -- or you canopen up this PDF as well for easier printing. If you're attending tomorrow, you'll also get to hear Ed Schipul speak in the first breakout session on Strategic PR with Social Media! DOUBLE WHAMMY!! :)
