O Snow, O snow, why don't you go?

I wrote that lovely poem when I was 16 - that's right, it took me 16 years to find that poem inside me and put it down on paper.
I am not a snow person - well obviously, cause they have twigs and stuff for hands which makes typing awkward at best, impossible at worst. Anyway, me and snow? Not so much.
But here it is. The first real snowfall. We have had ground covering in Guelph up to now, but this is the first day I think you could truly measure it with a ruler and be a bit wowed by the result. We have a foot now and it's still coming strong, with the promise of freezing rain to come.
Lovely.
So, here I am tap tap tapping on my laptop and working from home. Work - blog, you say potato, I say...
Alan stayed home from work too. He's a bit more anxious than I am about it. But he cannot do any work from home. He has no way to tie in to his AS/400 (not that it couldn't be done, just that he doesn't have it set up), so he is off to shovel as I "work."
I'm going to babble for a while as this is likely my last blog until well after Christmas.
Olivia is home with us for the morning at least. She's napping now. I think today is the holiday party at her daycare, so we may take her over in the afternoon - if Al decides he must journey to work, then he can drop her off on his way. Alan is mostly anxious because today is present day in his department and we made up these baskets of goodies and if they don't go today, then what do we do? The baking won't make until the 4th of January. I'm willing to just believe it'll all work out.
Oliv has not been in the best of moods lately. She's still her happy content self 50% of the time, but the other half? Yikes! Whinge and whine. Maybe she's coming into some terrible twos? Who knows?
Last night we finished wrapping presents for everyone but each other. And the house is semi clean for tonight - I have invited the neighbours over for treats and drinks. I will have to brave that terrible white stuff to go to the grocery store. We have the presents sorted and in baskets for each house they have to go to and I have started my packing list. So, all in all I'd say we're in good shape.
All right, I've bored the two people who seem to look at this blog enough for one day. Happy Holidays Folks, wherever you may be.
V

Bloginar??

Yesterday I attended a webinar on blogging and how to use blogs as a marketing tool. This of course ties into the task of figuring out how to use blogs to a corporate advantage that I was assigned (and referred to) earlier.
I found the webinar to be really interesting. It echoed a lot of what I had said about television advertising and other "older" channels being ineffective, but that the power of word-of-mouth lives on. And Bloggers are really influencers. I also liked that it was stressed that bloggers are smart and won't be fooled for long by marketing teams seeding sites with product pitches and false comments.
As the host said, "When you play soft and loose, you get outed." One way to use blogs is to monitor them for nameshare and hope for the best. Another one was to run a corporate blog, that builds the brand but is honest and promotes honesty. That, the host said, is likely to be rewarded. There are some good corporate blogs out there, according to the webinar folks. There are corporate blogs that have managed to become extensions of the brand.
They gave some interesting stats too: top news story linked to by bloggers? Jon Stewart's appearance on CNN's Crosswire. Top book citations and links? Unfit for Command, the DaVinci Code, Eats Shoots and Leaves. Most cited people - President Bush, John Kerry - not too shocking given the past year, right? - Harry Potter, Britney Spears and Michael Moore.
So basically, blogs create buzz. Marketers want to tap into that buzz. Marketers cannot be tricky, it will eventually make them look bad. Marketers have to seed bits of honesty wither on a corporate site, or (and this is mine) create relationships with bloggers who are already promoting/mentioning their companies. Give them nuggets to work from and they'll reward you with positive mentions.
"You'll know you're doing well if bloggers start sending it along." --Webinar host.

It's a marshmallow world in the winter...

The snow has struck - but not with a vengeance or anything. Just a crisp topping on the browned and yellowed earth. And as it's sunny out today, the layer of white doesn't seem so awful. Earlier in the week when it snowed and was grey and blah, it just seemed terrible to me to have that cold cold stuff back with us.
The other reference I'm going to make to the title of this post is about marshmallows - kind of.
Tis the season of sweets, no? Never mind the baking I did - we made these chocolate crispy balls that are rock hard, but really good - every day at work, someone is bringing in new treats. It's wonderful, and horrible, and wonderful. I just finished an orange chocolate meltaway. It's my new favourite thing.
One exec fell a little bit in love with some peanut brittle (but she wouldn't put out, so you know... ;-) I kid). And apparently the chocolate covered pretzels are really good. Uh Yah. So loads of junk, but also loads of merry merry making.
Today I also tried Calaloo Roti and then I remembered I don't like spinach that much - but if you like it, it's worth a try.
Off I go. Have a good one,
V

Take your big black cow and get out of here

One of my more famous mondegreens would be thinking Steely Dan was singing about a guy in a bar with his cow... and not his drink. (real line: DRINK your big black cow and get outta here).
I love misheard song lyrics - http://www.kissthisguy.com and I've misheard them myslef a number of times. In Procol Harem's Whiter Shade of Pale: Real line - And so it was, baby. My line: (first I thought it was) I'm sowing wild oats baby. (then I thought it was) Eyes open wide, baby.
Little River Band's Heard it in a Love Song becomes Purdy Little Love Song.
Sometimes the misheard one really stays with you. Beck's I'm a loser - the chorus (and I have no idea what he's saying) becomes Soy on my candy corn, and that's how it will always remain. That one wasn't mine - I read it in a book called "Scuse me While I Kiss this Guy" (another pretty well known misheard lyric, up there with There's a bathroom on the right and Revved up like a douche, another hummer in the night).
Another one I use whenever I hear Ain't no Woman Like the One I've Got? Ain't No Woman Like the One-eyed Gott.
Anyway, if you have any of these, and feel like sharing, please do.
Have a good one,
V

So Close

I can almost taste it now. The feeling of being totally done and prepared. It's within view.
I baked like a madwoman for some of Saturday and most of Sunday (had to stop at 8 p.m. for Survivor). So, the fudge is ready and wrapped, the many loaves (banana and lemon) are ready to go, shortbreads and cranberry cakes are done and lots of chocolate treats too.
Alan and I were also able to get one of the calendars we will make printed. We'll lay out number two tonight.
I have two more presents to buy and I even know what they should be. Then I just have to wrap and make baskets, so the end is near!
I am about to try Scottish dumpling. It smells great - raisins and currants in bread dumpling. It's good. A little Christmas cake-y, but good.
Warms my Scottish heart. (Canadian-Scottish, that is!)
I cannot wait to see Olivia on Christmas morning. We got her two great building toys. One that she can build up and then send a pingpong ball through her creation and one that is kind of stacking shapes. We are looking to cull the existing toy pile a bit. We'll box up some stuff for the next one (IF) or ship some stuff to Gramma B's for play time there. Did we have this many toys as kids. I always remember having a lot of them, but I don't remember them spreading from room to room to room like this.
All right - off to work. Pay no attention to the list from Friday - I think I got the press release done and that's it.
Survivor note: "Chris is such a liar" blah blah blah, "Twila swore on her son" blah blah blah. Like they wouldn't have lied cheated and stole for a million too. It's a game! This is not who those people are. It's not actually "reality", just TV. At home, these are all good people, I'm sure. But they went to that island to try to win a million dollars. They didn't go with friends for a vacation. It just bugs me when people have a bit of sour grapes on shows like these. All I can say is I'd do it too, if winning was what was important to me - and I wouldn't sign up if I didn't want to win.
Take care,
V

Plan for production

Today I am going to be productive. I will have blogged by 9 a.m. and by 10 a.m. I will have a press release in the review process. By noon, I hope to have much of a reviewers guide updated, and the rest of the day will be spent finishing said reviewers guide and getting my stuff together in terms of a couple of PR plans I need to build.
With that, I will be really on track for next week.
"With that." Catchy, no? I use it a lot. It's a lot like my what if, or would have. I "with that" quite a bit. It doesn't mean something is done, it means I have looked ahead to the end of all the plans and the execution to the rewarding feeling of being done.
Often when I catch myself saying "with that," I will stop and say "with that with that with that with that. Vic - just get it done." Because the truth is, "with that" is often my downfall. It takes a long time to get to the wiping of one's hand, end-of-the-project stage. And as I've said to others, I am incredibly, intrinsically lazy. And I get frustrated easily. Not the best combination, I know. So there I go getting frustrated and the project is not done, or in some cases, if I'm honest, not even started.
Time check - 9:25 (altho I did do a fact check sheet for a reporter in that time).
Bye bye old list, hello revised list.
Blog by 10 a.m. - push all others back an hour... or two...
Take care,
V

And we all shine on

"Life is what happens while you are busy making other plans." --John Lennon (Oct. 9, 1940 to Dec. 8, 1980)

A site with John Lennon quotes: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/j/john_lennon.html

One of my earliest memories (and I was six - which makes it old to be having an early memory, but I know this is a memory and not a picture, if that makes any sense to anyone but me and my monkey) is coming home to find my mom with her head on her arms, on the table, sobbing. When I asked what was wrong, she told me that someone had shot John Lennon.
Well, I cried too - but mostly because my mom was sad.
I have a lot of early memories that involve the Beatles. Riding in a circle on my new big girl bike with a friend singing help. She had seen the movie, so this had more meaning for her than me, but it was fun!
I remember spending a summer with a friend and wearing out Side 1 of the White Album (on tape). Same friend, different summer, we wrote poetry (really bad poetry) to Beatles' songs.
When I had Olivia - one of my hospital CDs was a Beatles' love songs mix I had put together. And now, it's her lullaby CD.
I won't speculate on what John Lennon would have been or done if he had lived, but people sharing all the world and not getting too fanatical in their beliefs would be an interesting place to be.

Before you go to sleep
Say a little prayer
Every day in every way
It's getting better and better
V

It's like rain on your wedding day

I firmly believe that I am even more confused as to the definition of irony than Ms. Morissette seems to be in "Ironic."
But this may fall into the category - someone else can straighten me out on this later...
One of my new assignments at work is to research Blogs. (and here, I just started one) Huh. From answering what is a blog right up to how can it be used as an information tool, or a marketing tool, or as I read recently the newest form of media.
Wait, no, I don't believe that is ironic, just odd. Alas and alack Alanis and I still have it wrong.
I'm going to look it up...http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=irony
Irony:
a. The use of words to express something different from and often opposite to their literal meaning.
b. An expression or utterance marked by a deliberate contrast between apparent and intended meaning.
c. A literary style employing such contrasts for humorous or rhetorical effect.
d. Incongruity between what might be expected and what actually occurs: "Hyde noted the irony of Ireland's copying the nation she most hated." (Richard Kain).
In Other Words: Nothing that is remotely close to what I just said.

Moving right along (go ahead and sing it, you know you want to - muppet freaks)
There is talk about blogging being used as an effective advertising tool. I say effective because radio and television advertising is going the way of the newspaper ad Dodo. How often do you hum a jingle or reference a commercial, but have no idea exactly what the ad was for? Ineffective. Sure, it was funny, cute, sad, emotion-evoking, but the company isn't actually getting the nameshare it needs or desires.
What are we, this desensitized generation, turning to for product tips? Each other, right? Word of mouth - the marketing Mecca. Buzzzzzzzz
Enter the world of Blogs. It's pretty easy to find Blogs that give consumer advice - it's easy to find blogs that are thinly veiled corporate sites. As such, it's easy to avoid them.
And yet... blogs as a marketing tool makes a strong case, in a bass ackwards way.
Here goes. Already on my blog I've advocated a web site that I find really amusing - homestarrunner. Homestar sells loads of stuff - t-shirts, bumper stickers, hats, figurines, lots, so have I in fact advocated buying these items? OK - at no point do I say you should purchase anything there, but I avidly point you in the direction of the site. I know I am the type of person to tell you if I find good deals (note the Zehrs reference in my last post) and to let you know if a store has unappealing aspects (more on Wal-Mart another time!). Will I influence anyone? Anyone? Maybe one... and there it is.
The downfall of blogs as a marketing tool - the sites corporations most want their company mentioned on are likely personal ones - where the corporate being has no control over what a person posts, says or recommends.
Perhaps some pay for play is in order... Zehrs? Hello?

It's the most wonderful time of the year

Unless you count my birthday, cause that's all about me, me, me!
It began in earnest this weekend. The big IT. The holiday scramble. Friday was not so much holiday as a friend's 30th birthday shenanigans, but it still marked the beginning of the Berry rush and run around.
Olivia went to stay with Gramma B on Friday night - had a great time and much mac and cheese was consumed. On Saturday we went to pick her up and help mom B put up her tree. Good times - the tree may be my favourite part of Christmas decorating. (We put ours up that morning sans decorations, but the lights are pre-attached, which makes for less grumblies about the whole process from Al.)
Once we had the girl, we went home to give her a bath - after a quick stop to pick up her Christmas pictures from Zehrs (good deal!, but book early) and then back in the car to Al's work Kids Holiday party. Olivia was a lot braver than me on the ferris wheel. How can dogs frighten her, but a ferris wheel? No big deal. And this one's cars' shake around and stuff. I forced a grin and quietly told Al to F-O when he started rocking the car.
The Carousel - now that's a good time. Her smile was huge as the breeze blew through her wisps (let's not go all crazy and mention "hair." She just doesn't have it).
Then for an even better time, I went and kicked several kids collective asses at a skee-ball game that's a horse race (ok so it was my fifth try. And in my defense, before me some other mom was making the kids cry).
Olivia had her picture with Santa - I've named that portrait of despair "Why have you forsaken me?" No tears, but arms outstretched and an incredibly hurt look on her little face. Thank you Al's work for another noisy gift with no off button. What's with that? Seriously though, it was a good night and really nice of his work to do.
Then off to Grandparents J for the night (an awake little dancer until close to 10 p.m.) and shopping (DONE!) the next day. Lastly dinner with Great Gramma (Happy 85th, lady!) and then a thing called home.
Next weekend - I bake!
Safety and happiness in this holiday season to all.
V

A whole new world

New job has begun. I've been kept hopping, learning all I can about the wireless world.
Quite a steep learning curve, especially in terms of my role. I've never done PR full-time before and my experience up to this point has been very light.
Also interesting to see how a big corporation works. So much of my experience comes from small companies. Many more forms to fill out!
all in all, I think I'm going to be happy here.
Little Miss O still doesn't want to talk. I haven't told you about the silent girl (well, not silent - she babbles constantly, if incoherently). She is 15-months-old now. That's incredible to me.
She kind of says up (and sometimes I even think it means "up") and mom and dad.
Dad took her to get her Holiday photo done (look at me and my now-ingrained political correctness, making with the "holiday" where once I said Christmas). Daddy bought 8 sheets of photos. I'll get to see them in another two or three days.
Link I like: www.homestarrunner.com
See you real soon,
V