ex(PR)essed

I got tagged by my blogging husband in some crazy “tag, you’re it!” scheme going on amongst bloggers. Apparently, I am supposed to share eight random things about myself, and then tag eight additional people and challenge them do the same. I suppose the result is that we’ll all know more about each other and, therefore, love one another even more? Let the loving begin:

1. There are some songs that I absolutely must turn up when they come on the radio: “Sweet Child of Mine,” by Guns-n-Roses; “Radar Love” by Golden Earring; “LaGrange” by ZZ Top; “More Than a Feeling” by Boston; and “Pressure” by Queen. I actually danced around the kitchen just last night to “Pressure.”

2. I don’t like talking on the phone. This will come as a particular surprise to my parents who spent a good 15 years trying to pry the phone out of my hands. Now, I would much rather email or Facebook than call someone. I especially hate talking on my cell phone. And, I have no patience for people who talk on their cell (or Bluetooth) all the time.

3. I hate numbers, and I have no memory for them. My salary? No idea. Price of my house? Not sure. Simple math? Give me a calculator, piece of paper, and plenty of time. Or, better yet, give me the option to call Jeff. He was on the math team, after all.

4. I disagree with my denomination’s stance on women in ministry. Sometimes this is hard for me to reconcile. But, I love my local church and the people in it.

5. I am tempted to have a Starbucks every day. Thankfully, I don’t pass one on my way to work or church. And, I’m conscious of the impact a Starbucks-a-day would have on my wallet and waistline.

6. I am frustrated by picky eaters.

7. I like attending Catholic mass. I grew up with a Catholic father and Catholic grandparents. I was raised in a Methodist church, but I certainly attended a fair share of masses. In college, I used to get up early for 7 a.m. mass on occassion. I like the tradition and liturgy. And, I love the space — stained glass, stations of the cross, candles, creaky pews, the dominant presence of the cross. I hope I never see a Catholic church modernized to look like a movie thea, er I mean megachurch.

8. I would rather have a variety of cheap jewelry than expensive, diamond-studded jewelry.

I’m not sure whether I’ll tag eight people or not. How about if I leave it like this: the first people who come to mind that I would want to tag are Berlea, Brandie, Dan, Erin, and Lisa. I’m not sure whether any of them regularly read my blog like I read their’s, but, if so, “Tag. You’re it!”

Happy Friday, friends! Greetings from a girl who is feeling pretty giddy about leaving for vacation tomorrow. Jeff and I are looking forward to a week of merry-making in western Pennsylvania and western New York. Once the business of the vacation is over — Jeff’s marathon on Sunday morning — it will be all about sleeping in, reading, relaxing with family and friends, shopping, and leisurely days.

My goals for the week are pretty modest: finish reading “East of Eden,” do some Christmas shopping, have a good visit with Jeff’s grandpa, and hike at Watkin’s Glen.

We’re taking our mountain bikes with us, which means that we’re driving the Element instead of the Civic. Who cares, you ask? We do. That means we have the pleasure of listening to XM in the car instead of shuffling through CDs and my MP3 player, which seems to have major trouble understanding the word “random.”

If I feel like it, I will post an update about the marathon next week. (I know Brandie will be waiting anxiously for a few photo of Jeff in an aluminum foil cape.) But, I will be on vacation (did I mention that?) so I’m not making any promises.

Yesterday was a double whammy confirmation of a dawning realization that I have feared for quite some time: I am being left behind in the dust of technology.

A few of us participated in a webinar yesterday about how podcasting can help build your corporate reputation. The webinar began with a very interesting conversation about how social media is changing corporate communication, a trend we are certainly seeing at Messiah: Prospective students now place more value and trust in student blogs and informal conversations about Messiah on Facebook than they do on officials admissions and promotional materials from the College. As a matter of fact, many consumers in general are skeptical of official spokespersons and professional communications, both of which consumer perceive as sanitized in a day and age when they can shape their media choices based on their very specific preferences.

Obviously, these types of consumer perceptions are having profound effects on the public relations world. Even doing PR for a small-ish organization in central Pennsylvania, I understand that while communicating clearly will certainly remain the core of my job, I must think creatively about which outlets I will use to most effectively communicate to Messiah’s various audiences. I can no longer simply rely on this blog as my big foray into Web 2.0!

Last night, my 20-year-old friend Brenda came to our house to mooch off our neighbor’s wireless internet connection. Brenda attends college in northern California, and at 8 p.m. (EST) she was auditioning for a part in a California community theater’s musical production of “The Secret Garden.” She was auditioning for a part more than 3,000 miles away from our loft! Using her Mac’s video chat capabilities, Brenda sang for and talked with the play’s director while Jeff and I tidied up around the house. She performed acapella, but not without once again using a feature on her Mac to “find her first note.” Amazing.

What’s great is that I don’t necessarily feel overwhelmed by the advancing technology…I feel excited about the potential and possibilities! I feel challenged to think creatively, to think beyond my blog or my Facebook page and start exploring the myriad opportunities out there!

Oh my goodness — the coolest thing happened to me this morning! Most of you know that I’m a huge fan of the television show “The Deadliest Catch.” It’s the only show that Jeff and I clear our schedules for, and we (ok, mostly me) have gotten very attached to a few of the captains and their crews, including Phil Harris of the Cornelia Marie.

Earlier this week I blogged about all the changes in my life, not the least of which is the impending season finale of “The Deadliest Catch” and the lingering questions about Captain Phil Harris’ health. And, here’s where it gets really exciting: Morgan Howard, son of Cornelia Marie Collins, the primary owner of Phil’s boat, commented on my blog entry! I am a smidge excited; just ask my co-workers or my husband!

Isn’t the blog world crazy? I get to write about things/people that I love, and, sometimes, I even make an unexpected connection with a stranger. Love that.

I’m convinced that today will be far better than yesterday. Besides the blog excitement, my favorite Amandas are meeting me for lunch and it’s the last night of VBS! My VBS kids have been so much fun, and I love seeing the Patton girls every night.

One more thing would add to the fabulous-ness of this day: Sig…Edgar…Johnathan…are you out there?! I would love to hear from you too!

I have a new blog theme. Don’t you love it? Huh? Don’t you? Huh, huh? Do you?

Thanks, Matt.