My first story on Storify - Basics of LinkedIn

Storify is an easy publishing tool. You can source quotes, pics, video (using Twitter, Flickr, YouTube and more) right from the platform. There are a few things I would tweak about this platform. But so far it is a winner. See below for a cut/paste of my first Storify post...

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What is LinkedIn, why you should join, tips and keep your professionalism on this social network.

1. 

   jennyoung

   21 minutes ago

2. LinkedIn is a professional social network. It can connect you to your peers and those you have worked with in the past. It can also help you find companies and groups that collaborate and share information that pertains to your field of work. 

    

   First step: Set up your page. You can import your resume to make the initial process less painful, but be sure to proofread and fill out what is missing from the LinkedIn fields. If you do not have a resume you can use their resume maker which allows you to fill in the information using populated fields. Also note the profile completeness gauge (see pic above), this will let you know how far you are in the process of completing your profile.

    

   Tips to consider:

    

   Professional photo -  Make sure your photo is your professional self. Don’t use an object or a logo as your avatar. Absolutely do not use a photo of you that is unprofessional in nature. 

    

   Spelling - Spelling counts when you fill out your LinkedIn profile and correspond with people and companies. Grammar is also important. This is a social network for work not for fun.

    

   Share professional things - Do not link your Facebook or Twitter to this network if you talk about off work/professional topics.

    

   Importing your contacts from other sources -  It is good to import who you know but make sure your contact is relevant and someone you want to be associated with.

    

   Recommendations - If you are connected with people you have done business with and have a good repertoire with you, make sure they write a recommendation about your work on LinkedIn. It gives others that read your page an idea on how you work with others or what you can possibly do for them. You can ask for recommendations from people, but make sure you have done relevant work with them. Do not ask people you have not worked with in the past -  It makes you look like a spammer.

    

   Other things to consider: 

   The portion underneath your name is for your specialties. Don’t put your last or current job there. I have made that mistake. This is SEO at it’s best, put your skills there. 

    

   Take advantage of your customized URL. This way you can put your URL on your resume that you send out.   

   (Use "Edit Profile" and click "Public Profile", you will see "Your current URL"- You will be able to change that URL to one that is not currently taken)
   

    

   Be active. Search, connect, constantly learn and build your skills.

    

   Good luck! Persistence is the Key.

    

    

   See a video why LinkedIn is valuable:

3. 

   Why join LinkedIn?

   LinkedInMarketing

   2 years ago

 

Posted via email from Jennifer's epiphanies

BlogWorld in a post

Another year of BlogWorld has come and gone. How do I feel that the conference moved from Las Vegas to Los Angeles? I was skeptical at first but when I got there,  I actually enjoyed it. First of all the car ride was a bit over 2 hours instead of 5 hours. I felt it was a bit more intimate. I actually got some sleep, I was in both nights by 10 pm. I got to have a "slumber party" with my roomies Liz and Nat. Yes there are drawbacks for the show moving to Los Angeles... Vegas is a bit more easier to get around, no scented air in the lobby, no Cirque show and no slot machine alarm clocks to get your adrenaline pumping so you are up at 2 or 3 am in the morning. But overall great job for Los Angeles and BlogWorld team. The people were nice, I got to see what Staples Center and Nokia Live...well live. What were my take aways? I took away that there is a global connection...thousands of people gathering because they want to learn or already share content in some medium...breathing in the room they are in and taking in the energy, so inspiring and to true to yourself, create and share because you want to and not because you have to, it is not a competition, everyone has their own path to this madness (btw, I say "madness" as a good word).

The New Media Live Show which is the last "keynote" of the conference was well worth it alone. I laughed so hard, yet got so much valuable information and just reaffirmation that there is a purpose to this madness of content creation. There are thousands of reasons why people do what they do. You are one person making that little dent in the blogosphere, podcastosphere, ebookoshpere, authorshiposphere, social mediaosphere, and videosphere. But you are that one person who can affect one, two or a zillion of your followers/fans/readers/watchers/listeners with a story. The story real or true; to sell a product or not to sell a product; to influence or just to be. This is what Blogworld is...it is a celebration and learning experience. I met some wonderful people and had great reunions with those I already knew. I connected people who I knew but didn't know each other. I represented Social Media Club, which has brought me to meet other Social Media enthusiasts that do what I do from cities in this country, in Mexico and Puerto Rico...Another reaffirmation that this is a great social space and that getting people that enjoy information, storytelling and sharing is well worth the effort. 

PS. There are slideshares/flickrs of BlogWorld Expo presentations out there. Go find them...Here are a few I found on twitter that were curated and shared. I didn't see any of these talks live, so I am glad this info is out there.

Find your Voice by Jill Foster and Aliza Sherman

Shifting from Social Business to Social Media BWE presentation by David Armano...recap by WebproNews and Flickr presentation photos of visuals designed by David Armano.

Mari Smith's Slidedeck from her presentation of The New Relationship Marketing! 

Did you go to BlogWorld? What was your takeaway? I would love to hear it. 

Jennifer

 

 

 

 

Posted via email from Jennifer's epiphanies

I get the protests, I get it, I really do....

People stand up for their rights, their beliefs and their passions.  I get that. There are also people who that let things just roll with whatever happens. But what is the goal of these protests? Is it so that people are heard on the 99 different causes they stand for? Is it because they don't have a home or a job. There really needs to be a common message to be effective. I can camp out for weeks but what is the goal for my campout? To be seen on the news? To bitch about the lack of solidarity this country has? There are a million different reasons why people are camping out in San Diego and the world.  What is your message? Are you mad that you get in trouble for smoking weed in public? (Yeah, that is not a good reason). I am for medical marijuana, but please have a real reason why you need to have it. What is the root of the problem?  For me, the problem stems from government not working effectively. There are two parties that can't get along. There is a divided nation. Shifting blame doesn't help for either side. The government has this I rub your back, I'll rub yours mentality. That is what is wrong. Do what is right and not because I put your kid through college for you. There are laws for the better of mankind and some laws are just erroneous and not well thought out. 

I vote, I pay my taxes, I work. I feel fortunate. I get the 99% movement. But why call it 99%? From my understanding, the fall of Wall Street, mortgage corruption, the real estate bubble bursting and corporations moving jobs overseas has caused many to lose their jobs, homes and livelyhood. The commonality of these people is the feel unjust and this can be 99 different reasons. Let's take this the other way...what are you blessed to have. I am blessed that I have a roof over my head and freedom to express myself. Pay it forward...Do something and yes continue to stand your ground. Do what is right, be kind to others, have intentions to not harm. Is that so hard?

 

* This is an opinion by me. 

Posted via email from Jennifer's epiphanies

Grocery Strike of 2011?

I just read an article on signonsandiego on how the workers may be striking soon. These are my feelings and just my opinions on unions. Unions were a necessary way back in the day to make sure people got treated fairly by their employers. My understanding and I may be wrong is that Unions are not necessarily needed in certain industries anymore because of state and federal employment laws that have been established since the inception of the labor union. The question is what are they striking about? What I read is they are striking about that they have to pay for some of their health insurance. In the Washington Post, I read that it is because they have to pay 10 percent of the health insurance from their employer. 

"Doyel has said her company currently pays more than 90 percent of health coverage costs. Ralphs workers hired before 2004 pay nothing toward their premiums and those hired later pay either $7 a week for single coverage or $15 a week for family coverage." - excerpt from Washington Post article.

Am I missing something? I work for a public company and I have to pay a little for my health insurance. The amount all depends on the plan I choose (HMO,PPO, deductible). It would be a small chunk of my paycheck (close to $300 a month or so), but I wouldn't complain, if you were to buy your own insurance for a family, you could pay upwards of $1000 or more a month. (Since my husband currently has our insurance, I don't have to pay for the medical but we are covered under my insurance for dental and vision). 

To me I am not sympathetic. If the were striking for something that was causeworthy (a made up compound word) I might. This to me is not causeworthy, in my opinion. If the grocery stores were making you work in the dark, giving people who used to make $20 down to minimum wage or something like that maybe, but not because you have to pay a little of an insurance premium. 

In a world where there are choices and better "non-union" grocery stores out there, as well as a "high" unemployment rate. I am not sympathetic. The union box stores are continually losing money, they are not the only guys on the street anymore, it is a miracle that they offer what they do to their employees these days, it is not like they are an oil company or something. Wasn't the strike of 03-04 enough? Do you agree? Are unions useful in this industry anymore or is it just another bullying conglomerate?

Disclosure:  I do shop my occassional Albertsons and Vons but lately I been shopping at Keils and Fresh and Easy so if they do strike, I probably won't notice much.

 

Posted via email from Jennifer's epiphanies

Dealing with Death

Not my favorite subject, not at all. But I feel compelled to write something. So yesterday when I was strolling through the mall I get a Facebook messag

e from my sister. It was an obituary from my hometown, I didn't recognize the first name but the last name I did. It was the last name of my 5th grade teacher. 5th grade is a fog, but I do remember some things. My 5th grade teacher was funny, he loved the SF Giants, made me play sports and what I recall made us write in our journals. I don't really remember what I wrote, I am thinking I wrote about the guy who sat next to me in class. My class was a combination class, half our class were 6th graders. I always thought, it was great hanging out with the older crew. I ended up with friends that were older but like all most childhood friends, you part ways; the same way you part ways with those who teach you. My 5th grade teacher died of cancer and he was my mother's age, which is still very young. It is crazy to think all that life you remember is no longer here but in a memory. I got a lump in my throat walking through Fashion Valley last night. This I know, Mr. Donohue touched lives from early on, those are the moments that matter the most, a glimmer of inspiration. True hope. You will be missed.

Posted via email from Jennifer's epiphanies

Oh I get it, it's sisterhood - My experience at BlogHer 11.

My first time at BlogHer in my hometown. Nothing can top going to a conference where you live. Love that I didn't have to travel. I hate airports and long car rides. So here is my lowdown of this estrogen-enriched filled weekend.

My impressions:

Before Blogher = Swag, Panels and Parties

After Blogher = Relationships, Parties, Swag

My experience by importance:

Relationships - I created relationships from BlogWorld (another conference but not the same as Blogher) and saw some of my friends.These relationships extended. I hung out with my local crowd and caught up with my out-of-town friends. I also met some new friends and learned more about my old friends. It is all about the genuine relationships to me. I am grateful to of found more people I share common interests with. I have to admit, I learned more off-site than I did on-site. My conversations with having meals with my friends at the Melting Pot and Urban Solace were priceless. Everyone I met I felt it was a genuine connection and it was a friendly (at least for me). I guess I wouldn't leave it at just sisterhood, but also brotherhood as well. I have a select few guy friends who I consider in this group.

Parties -  Parties is an extension of relationships. I kept running into the same new people. It was nice because the new friend label quickly wore off. I have to admit, 

 

there were some great parties I went to. Surprisingly, the McDonalds CheeseburgHer party impressed me. I think it was the comfy beds and the fact I could eat in bed without feeling guilty. 

Panels - I guess I didn't pick the inspiring panels. I can't say much about this since I only went to the official Blogher for one day. I did learn something from the Video Panel but the other panel I chose wasn't what I envisioned and ended up walking out early. The keynote lunch with the Pepsi CEO, Indra Nooyi was worth the ticket, there needed to be more of that. That was a great format with a one on one interview style with a Q&A from the Twitter community. I missed the closing note speech but in-lieu of our dinner conversation at the Melting Pot,  I honestly can say it was probably worth missing.  I did attend the non-BlogHer sponsored  "Women Create Media" workshop on the "first official day" was worth it. The talk by Brene Brown about authenticity and meeting Aliza Sherman was a great way to start this experience. I made a speed collage and I was satisfied by the way it turned out. It now is pinned to my bulletin bar and is a constant reminder that I like flowers, Paris and spas. Next time I go to Blogher, I must think out of the box this conference is about inspiration and sisterhood, not learning the latest and greatest ( I need to choose my panels wisely next time). I also have to remember that inspiring can give you that boost you need to get your life that extra spark. And everyone can use those sparks in life.

 

Swag - As I hit the expo floor, my first glimpse into product insanity is a big oversized Pringles Character (Logo IRL) staring at me. I think this sparked a bit of excitement. I am a sucker for people dressed up in costumes and cartoon mustaches. Immediately, I gravitated to "him" and scored a picture. My nickname for the Blogher Expo floor-Swagcity. It was a crazy experience, never in my life I got so much attention and stuff. I have to admit I like stuff. My inner brain is a minimalist, my outer brain is a hoarder. That struggle was apparent in my head. Blogher is an eye opening conference. Brands need bloggers. Influence is key to their survival. A symbiotic relationship? Only time will tell. That in itself is a whole research paper. I digress. The aftermath of my swag-o-rama?  A pile of shopping bags and medicine to last me for years. Cups, flip-flops,mints, pens, paper, chicken stock, fruit cups, post-its, kitchen sponges, bathroom cleaners, toothpaste, crayons, coupons, netti-pots and more. This to me seems like a strange mix, but in the world of BlogHer, this is the norm. My decision to make the Tempurpedic Ergo Adjustable bed just became more clear - Awesome bed (not sponsored).

In conclusion, I say BlogHer isn't something I would travel cross country to attend but knowing there are women (and men) who aspire to inspire. I can see why BlogHer is a big deal in the blogging community. 

 

Posted via email from Jennifer's epiphanies

Dear Netflix (RANT)

Dear Netflix,

Remember when there were brick and mortar stores that carried DVDs. You pretty much put them out-of-business. I remember when your "streaming" service was a value-added product for thanking the subscriber for the DVD service. You give us service at a price we are accustomed to. Is this really the right time to raise your prices? Raising costs maybe a dollar or two could be understandable but up to 60%. I assure you that you are making money. My 2 DVDs have been sitting on a table collecting dust This leads me to believe I need to downsize my service.  I am sure that you have market research saying cable providers are losing customers over Netflix and Hulu. It is ok to raise costs. But what does it do to your existing customers? It decreases our trust. I already have cable and just recently got HBO and Showtime. I can easily unsubscribe to you. It is pretty easy because I also have Amazon's streaming service, though the choices are not as good, I have HBO GO. So maybe the combination of those two will suffice. I actually am thinking of turning you off, not because I am angry but because other people are angry. It hurts me to see other people in uproar over something like this. Is it rising costs of licensing of movie studios? Maybe you can tell us that. Is it that you just gave raises to your employees? You can disclose that, maybe people will understand. I just don't know how you thought the public would react. Because Netflix you have decided that you rather take $8 to nothing from me a month from what I am paying now which is $20 a month for your service. I was on autopay but now that I know you are raising my costs another approx. 25%, I gives me reason to return the 2 DVDs I have collecting dust that I was going to watch at my leisure. Not a smart move Netflix, there are services out there that can replace you in a second. I urge you to change your ways while it is not too late. People have choices and in this tough economy it is good to exercise those choices.

Signed, Me

Posted via email from Jennifer's epiphanies

Mia Hamm Is My New Role Model

Mia Hamm will be making an appearance at the San Diego County Fair this Tuesday, June 21st at the Dannon’s “Live Your Active Culture” Booth. Hamm will be there to be setting a “Soccer Goal Record” for fair attendees to break for a chance to win a prize. I had chance to talk with Mia in a conference call where we talked about soccer, promoting a healthy lifestyle, San Diego and her favorite Dannon yogurt flavor.

___________________________________________________________________
Mia’s favorite flavor of Dannon:
“I really like blueberry, I’ve always liked blueberry and their new Greek yogurt is really good too...  ___________________________________________________________________
Jennifer B (SecretsInSanDiego): Do you still play soccer for fun?

Mia Hamm: Occasionally, It was always fun when I played. But I played at a much higher, competitive level. I love getting out and kicking around the with my kids. I just did a camp in Dallas...Trying to stay involved in the game and just share kind of my love and passion with as many young kids and especially girls as I can.

JB: My kids are 9 and 13, a girl and a boy. Both my husband and I work, what are a couple of tips you can give for a busy family to stay active?
MH: I think as much you can do together and that may be hard, but even if that is you with you with your daughter or you with your son.You know I was just doing a camp and saw how many parents out there would just kick around with their kids. I thought that was great. Even before practice... I think that time together is just as important for your physical and mental health. When you think about it your connecting with your kid, you are not telling them what to they should be doing or hey its time to go grab your stuff, did you do your homework? Your really not doing the strict part of parenting you’re more like spending time together. Growing up those are the moments I remember the most. I mean we would drive cross country and stop at camping grounds because there was 8 of us. Those were the times I remember. Going swimming there. Having my dad throw me in the pool, my mom paying pickup soccer with my siblings. Nothing really organized, just so much more kind of organic.
JB: Sounds great, sounds like you were a busy family as you were growing up.

JB: What are your favorite healthy activities in San Diego?
MH: When I went to San Diego, I was playing (soccer), in 2000, we trained for the Olympics so we were down at the Olympic Training Center. So would come into Downtown San Diego usually for fun to go to a nice restaurant...and then with the WSA coming in and playing. I was talking to my mom about this cause she’s from the Los Angeles area so when we would come and visit she had friends in San Diego. I’ve been to San Diego Zoo growing up and SeaWorld. I’ve been to Coronado Beach, I’ve been down to PETCO (Park) with my husband playing professional baseball, we’d go down there... what a beautiful stadium. Beautiful area of the city. I was able to take my daughters there too...We also went down to Seaport Village. I have a picture of my daughter with a little parakeet on her arm... We are just walking around there with the girls. When their one and half or two it is like the most exciting thing for them...

JB: ...I know that San Diego is basically the playground of healthy activities...You just need to get out there and have parents encourage their kids to be active.
MH: There is no excuse in San Diego for not being active. I’m here with my parents in Texas right now and it is going to be 105 degrees today. So in San Diego your like its raining, or its way to hot or way to cold it is pretty much near perfect there.
JB: So there’s no excuse to go out there and be healthy
MH: You pretty much said it, Jennifer!

JB: Thank you Mia for being a role model and taking the Dannon Live your Culture Pledge.

Come see Mia Hamm at the San Diego County Fair on Tuesday, June 21 from 1pm-3pm at the Dannon “Live Your Active Culture” Booth located near “Livestock Way” and take the Live the Active Culture Pledge.

THE DANNON LIVE THE ACTIVE PLEDGE:

• Provide a healthy snack for my family every day
• Add more occasions of 30 minutes of fun physical activity
• Bring the family together for a healthy dinner

What activities do you do to live healthy? I'd like to hear from you. 

Posted via email from Jennifer's epiphanies

Smart and Final Cattleman's Finest Event

I find it hard to decide what to eat for dinner. I covered the Smart & Final Cattleman's Finest Event last Saturday and they helped me discover simple recipes to use on my grill at home. New Country 95.7 was there to promote Cattleman's Finest and to give prizes out. Here is my coverage of this event. Grilling up my summer with submitted recipes is probably the best thing I should do, since I am so undecisive. For your chance to win a $50 Smart & Final Gift Card and Webber Q220 Grill visit Smart and Final's Grill Up your Summer Contest (One winner per week from 6/15/2011 to 7/15/2011). All you have to do is vote on your favorite recipe and enter the contest.     Disclosure: This project has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for #collectivebias.

 

Posted via email from Jennifer's epiphanies

Buying a Dog Charm from DogCollarCharms.com

Purchasing a Dog Charm from DogCollarCharms.Com was quick and easy. The Step by Step instructions and ease of upload made making the charm for my dog a 5 minute process. I think if I were to do it again I would use a photo editing site such as Adobe Elements to embed words in the photo. The site was user friendly and the variety of framing colors really worked well for the color of my dog's collar. Below are screenshots of my order process. 

See the full gallery on Posterous

Posted via email from Jennifer's epiphanies

My New Love XOJane

(Kind of Satire-Kind of True)

This Blog XOJane ( http://www.xojane.com/ ) is genius. It is from the brainchild of old-school teen magazines "Sassy" and "Jane", Jane Pratt. Jane who is a few years older than I am wrote an article, "Yes, I'm Exactly Twice As Old As When I Started Sassy -- Want To Make Something Of It"? I guess that makes her...(38???).  I was 13 when I started subscribing to Sassy. I had libraries of teen magazines. I wouldn't throw them out. I eventually got rid of them. After all, I'm trying not to be a "pack-rat" or a "hoarder" (I think it runs in my family). But if I was, I would have these glorious memories of what it was liked to be pranked, vintage Maybelline ads, articles on how to date a guy dresses like Kurt Cobain, maybe even read an interview with Kurt Cobain himself. Damn my non-packrat tendencies. Why am I writing this muse to this new finding? Because I am bored out of my mind. My job right now is ideal for a high schooler. I do nothing but answer the phone, make coffee and occassionally send out a Fed-ex.  But I won't complain,it has been like a vacation away from home. I guess I could do things like I am doing right now like write about things, maybe do real work like write about trends in Social Media, master the game of Empire Avenue or work on getting my own Social Media consulting business up or a job that utilizes my skills, but right now, I am reading XOJane. I am intrigued reading the posts on putting various items in my water to make it "not taste like water" and why the American Idol boys should stop staring at me through the TV. I especially like the articles "I can't date you unless you own a smartphone". Give these Gen A/Bers something to look forward to. If they are not on Foursquare, don't date them, if you can't track their whereabouts then what's the use. These are the tips that make XOJane a keeper. After all, I could be writing a white paper on the future of Social Media, why Angel Investors invest millions in dud start-ups or perhaps brush-up on my QR code art.

Posted via email from Jennifer's epiphanies

oh the people the places you'll go, the people you will meet

Life can bring you surprises. I always have to say take the high road. Don't sweat the small stuff. Read the fine print. Learn from your mistakes. God knows I am human. I think we all are. Sometimes, people forget to treat people with dignity and respect. I was talking to someone and they spoke of someone who just had their birthday. I asked how it was. The person said that it was small and intimate. From the conversation I take that the guy doesn't have many friends who care enough to go to his party. I told him, that was maybe better because you can have a conversation etc... The reality is that this person burned bridges and just simply didn't have people in his life. I don't want to burn any bridges. I think people would generally understand that if there is a reason to forgive that you should. Life is too short to be bitter and to take jabs at people. The first inclination is to, but at the end of the day, you do what is in your heart. I am happy in my skin. My core values are true and I have to learn that those core values are different from person to person. My main value is if you say you are going to do something, you do it. If you can't, you let someone know. This is why things falter. But yes, we are human and sometimes this is not done. That is where talking about it and moving on comes to play. Forgive and set your next steps in life. I can tell you right now my friends are my family and my family are my friends and they are priceless. Don't put a price on your friendship. In the end it will backfire on you. Just give what you got and let it flow. We have one life to live. Make it count. Be genuine and the rest will follow.

Posted via email from Jennifer's epiphanies

My crazy ride

I admit, I haven't been blogging or writing as much as I'd like to. I have been preoccupied in a few things. I am almost done with my Digital Media Certificate at SDSU. I made a silly video in my last class. Yep, I'm on YouTube, I admit it was fun to make this video. I did multiple takes, but only did that experiment once. I admire those who can share stories through video and their blogs. But even a new found admiration for an video editor. That dinky one-min video took me a few hours to play with and experiment and it is still not Oscar quality.

In addition, to this stint back into college, I took on a big feat by putting on an all-day event. Social Media Camp San Diego at Sony. How did this happen?  Social Media Club relaunched earlier this year and I wanted to be a part of the San Diego's chapter and boy did I. This event wasn't a mixer. (though we also threw a great Afterparty at Urge Gastropub - Thanks @Eraj for sponsoring/planning). It was an all-day event/conference. Social Media Camp required gathering sponsors, speakers, coordinating volunteers, working with Sony's talented team with logistics/food, selling tickets, PR/Marketing the camp, schedule making and keeping everyone happy day of the event. It was done. I had a great team, I mostly worked with this extraordinary, multi-talented phenom Richie Edquid. He brought his entourage of volunteers and his brother Vincent was my calm. I am grateful for both of them and Richie taught me that quirky is good. Though I have to admit, yesterday was a bit surreal, maybe this is how real life is supposed to be. Event planning is a lot of spinning components. I actually enjoy doing this even though it is stressful, and I might of looked like I hadn't got any sleep yesterday, but that adrenaline kept me going.  I think the rewards outweigh the stress. I got to meet some amazing new friends. I don't think camp will never take on a better meaning. I saw people walk away with Klout T-shirts, Mayhemstudio's #TwitterMaster T's, USB keychains and even Sony Bloggies. My friend won a Bloggie and his response "It was the best Saturday ever". He drove up from the OC.  But what was even more rewarding was all this sharing of knowledge and people having lightbulbs go off in their heads. Those nuggets of information is why I decided to take on Social Media Camp and in the end it was well worth my months of planning and dedication to this project. Crazy as it was, I would do it again in a heartbeat.

Lastly, my job woes are sutured temporarily. I did get a full-time gig, for the moment. I can now say I work for a publishing company. My dream was to work for a magazine when I was a growing adolescent. Why? i can't answer that. I subscribed to Seventeen, Teen and read all those fashion magazines. I guess it was this glamour appeal. I actually interned at San Diego Magazine while I was in college. I put together media kits, wrote form letters and laminated advertisements for their clients. Ok, sure sign it wasn't all that glamourous. My last project in Integrated Marketing was to do a plan for Time Magazine. Again, not glamourous. This time around again not glamourous, I am surrounded by years of Sports Illustrated, Swimsuit issues and Golf magazine. Would be a glamourous if I played golf or cared who the final four was. I think the glamour of this gig is that a subscription of In-Style lines the top half of my desk and I can read this while working. I did get lucky and it pays the bills for the moment. Nice boss, not a corporate atmosphere and I can eat Lean Cuisines for lunch. Not bad but not the dream job.

Ok, enough of me, what about you? How crazy is your ride?

 

Posted via email from Jennifer's epiphanies

Quick and Easy Room Makeover using HP Wall Art

HP Wall Art is a unique way to quickly change the look of a room. My daughter wanted to design her own wall and after I set up the dimensions, she looked at the templates colors and themes that were available using the Nickelodeon characters. Next we waited a few weeks and the Wall Art came to our delivered to our door with the detailed instructions and supplies. The key to putting up the wall was to watch the instructional video on the website. It took a couple of hours of prepping and a couple of hours of putting up the wall art but it was well worth the transformation. 

Before the Wall Art:

 

After the Wall Art: 

Here is an animoto video with the photos I took of the process:

 

<p>Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com.</p>

 

And here is the video of my daughter creating the initial wall art:

Download now or watch on posterous

VID00012.MP4 (20804 KB)

Posted via email from Jennifer's epiphanies

Life Revisited

I posted back in July about having your face on a Life Cereal Box. Well here is the finished product.

 

If we could do it again, I would of put a picture of her with her mouth like she was about to take a bite of cereal. I wish they had picture blend into the actual cereal box instead of just putting the picture I submitted on top of the box. But overall it is a cute little keepsake for $4.95.

Posted via email from Jennifer's epiphanies

My Obsession with Bacon

What is the deal? Ever since Christmas, I have been looking at bacon recipes and making bacon for the kids for breakfast. I don't really love bacon. It's ok, it is something I can do without. Maybe, it is the people with the passion of bacon that I see everyday that has influenced my recent obsession?  I am not sure. Maybe it is the fact, I purchased bacon flavored gumballs for my son's Christmas stocking? I am not one to admit my fascination for bacon. But it has been taunting me lately. I did have R-Gang's Bacon and that was some good bacon. They even have a chocolate-bacon sundae. Don't get me wrong. It is good to like something. It makes you want to talk about it, like I am in this post. I just bought a two pack of "Premium Middle Cut Maple Bacon" from Costco. This stuff looks like the cadillac of bacon. There is Bacon Bingo taking place every Wednesday in January at El Take it Easy. Yes, I am thinking of going next Wednesday. Ok, let me obsess alone or maybe not. Any takers?

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Posted via email from Jennifer's epiphanies

Oh 2011- What will you bring?

So yesterday, I bought some lottery tickets. Oh yes, they say if you don't play you don't win. The pipe dream of some may be a reality to very few. Why not me. They say the odds of winning the big thing is a gazillion to one. But I guess if you played the "Lost" numbers last night you would of won $150. I didn't play the "Lost" numbers and gave my $10 to the pot of whatever. C'est la vie. I guess that is why they call it gambling. If you never try, you will never know. Which brings me to this thing called life. In 2010, I went on a gazillion job interviews. More or less to see what's out there and the pressures of family life to get a paying gig. In retrospect, all these fails were a good thing.  It got to me to learn about myself...what I want, what I definitely don't want, the robotics of the interview process and ignoramous questions they ask - I am finished with this. I feel like that episode of the "Middle", where he spews out the stupidest answers just to show how stupid the questions are.  That brings me to doing more reading in 2011. I just finished Chris Guillebeau's book "Art on Non-Conformity." I think this book solidified that I am not a conformist and I don't want to be someone's bitch for the rest of my life. But at the same time, I know myself and know if the right opportunity came along, I would want to learn from it. So I think 2011 for me is going to bring discovery and risk taking. Last year, was the year of observing. I currently am re-reading (because I have a short-term memory) "The Four-hour Workweek" by Timothy Ferriss. From what I read so far, both the Art...and The Four-hour Workweek compliment each other. I am getting the notion not to waste time doing things I don't want to do and simplifing my life will be a good thing. Life is to short to do stuff you don't want to do. If you can live within your means and find that happy place, why not? I think that is what 2011 has in store for me.

Posted via email from Jennifer's epiphanies