My PeRspective

Normally this blog is used to showcase my knowledge of public relations, but my quarter life crisis has required so much of my attention that I find it necessary to share my experience with those who frequent this blog. I can’t imagine that it’s anyone other than my close friends and colleagues, but whatever I need to vent….publicly.

Recently, a “friend” told me he’ll be accepting a new job and moving to another state soon. The news crippled me. I learned about this move and then attempted to have dinner with myself like every other woman who’s trying to find herself does. I couldn’t sit in the restaurant to eat, nor could I sit and wait for take out to be prepared. Yep! I admit, I lost it. Completely. I sat at the bar in P.F. Changs and cried. Completely embarrassed and feeling like I had taken a million steps backwards, away from becoming the stronger, emotionally self sufficient woman I’d like to be, I reached out to my boss(because we’re cool like that).

At lunch she said this…(in a nutshell)

As a kid, when my mom would take me shoe shopping I would always want to get the first pair I tried on because at some point in life, my mom said “If you can’t pick one, you won’t get any”…so I was afraid that if I didn’t choose the first ones I tried on, I wouldn’t get a pair at all. For some reason, that’s how many women view men. We’re often afraid to let one go because we think, if we do, we won’t have the opportunity to have one again. But you have to remember that there’s a perfect pair of shoes for everyone, but sometimes you have to try on several pair before you find the one pair that fits perfectly! And also remember that your mom never took you to get a new pair of shoes until you outgrew the ones you had.

Mind you, I am super emotional at this point in my life so after hearing this my tear ducts were on overload and I was literally about to have another P.F. Changs moment. She’s absolutely right.

Finding the perfect shoe takes time and experience. I gained experience from buying a few pairs that caused a tremendous amount of pain (Nine West…but that’s another blog post for another day). Now, I never leave the store without trying on a few pairs to see how they fit, to see which ones are the most comfortable, which pair is the best. Sometimes I buy a pair and wear them until the taps fall off or wear them so much, they stretch and don’t fit as well as they did when I bought them. I’ve even wanted a shoe so bad that I’ve gotten blisters from purchasing and wearing an 8.5 because there weren’t anymore size 9s in the back.

So yeah, when I think about it, I’ve tried on lots of shoes and dated a few guys. I’ve always tried to make things work because I was afraid that if I didn’t, I’d end up with nothing. I can count my experience with this guy as another experience learned from trying to squeeze my foot into a shoe that’s too small. Because of this, my feet (I) have blisters, calluses and corns (not really), but I’m headed to the spa for a pedicure. After that, I’m headed to the mall. But this time I’m looking for THE pair… they’ll  be cute, they’ll fit and they’ll last forever. Let’s face it…I’m looking for Jimmy Choos

Thanks Brad! I’m dusting myself off. He won’t knock me out of the shoe store that easily.

I just finished reading Helena Andrew’s Bitch is the New Black! As I suspected, it was the ultimate read for where I am right now.

Recently, I was asked to suggest a book for the July 2010 issue of Birmingham Magazine’s “What You’re Reading” column. Pleased that I had been asked and also assuming it was because there is clearly a lack of ethnic presence in the publication, I decided to share BITNB with its readers. Having a 50 word minimum, I said this:

I picked this one up for fun, to use as a get away from my quarter life crisis. Once I began reading, I realized I am not alone. The author truly captures the peculiar traits of any young, single Black woman who’s trying to mature, succeed professionally and date. This book is witty, real and encouraging! A must read.

To expand upon my 50 words (which actually turned out to be 59)…

This book gave me life! My quarter life crisis started early. I’ll be 24 in two weeks, but recently I’ve been faced with the loss of my first “real job” (budget cuts), loss of my first true love (four year relationship turned “we can still be friends”) and a plethora of family issues (ongoing sense I can remember). To say the least, I’ve been going through. But hey, it happens.  This book has literally been my companion over the last few weeks. If reading it did nothing else but allow me to see that I wasn’t the only person in the world going through this and assure me that it’s OK to not think of the issues in a “world is ending” way, it did enough. It’s definitely not the usual “I’m So Sad, I Lost My Love, My Family Is Crazy and Everything In My Life Sucks” sappy novel. Which I’m completely thankful for. Andrews examines all of her issues using wit and sarcasm. I enjoyed it! It inspired me to see my glass half full. 

I suggest EVERY woman pick up a copy of this book and immediately read Helena Andrews memoir. Or as she calls it, “a memoir of my 20s”.

It seems like there has been an increase in the number of corporate crises recently. In the past few weeks, the media has focused heavily on Toyota, SeaWorld and Nissan. All are now working to protect their brand. When I heard the news about Citibank today, I almost hit the floor. I admit, I get excited about crisis. I like to image what it would be like on the corporate communications team and work through steps to try to fix the problem. I’m a PR nerd.

Apparently, Citibank has exposed 600,00 of its customer’s Social Security numbers. WHOA! With the state of the economy and people losing jobs, theft is definitely on the rise and I’d be terrified if I were one of the 600,000.

Citibank did a great job remaining transparent by sending letter to all who were effected offering them a free 180-day credit monitoring service and providing a toll free number for each person to call should they have questions. However, the letter reads in a way that offers no comfort to the people who could be at risk for identity theft. In fact, Citibank officials said they believe there is “little to no risk” to customers. HUH? WOW!

Here’s what I would’ve done.

Like Citibank, I would alert those effected immediately via e-mail, letter and phone (yes, even after providing a toll-free number in the letter). From personal experience that is one of Toyota’s biggest hurdles. The company isn’t contacting owners of the recalled vehicles fast enough. In the mean time, they remain a moving target for more crisis. Customer care representatives would’ve been trained to handle all calls concerning the matter. I would’ve also offered the credit protection, but for an entire year. No real reason why. To me, it sounds better. I would NEVER say that there is “little to no risk” to anyone who’s Social Security number has been released. Everyone in this business knows that issuing a statement like that, especially in print, could come back to haunt the company. I hope no one experiences having their identity stolen. If they do, that could mean back peddling for Citibank and that’s never good.

The holiday season is when I do most of my volunteer work. Since my days as an American Red Cross (ARC) intern, I find myself volunteering with that organization the most.

This weekend, I will be at the Riverchase Galleria in Birmingham, Ala. helping the ARC host its annual Day of Giving. Disaster can strike at any time. When it does, families are often left with nothing. Contributing to this worthy cause can help in so many ways.

I encourage you all to visit one of the six locations listed below on Saturday, Dec. 12th between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. or make a financial donation online at www.redcross.org

Colonial Promenade – Alabaster

Colonial Brookwood Village – Homewood

Colonial Tannehill – Bessemer

The Pinnacle at Tutwiler Farm – Trussville

Riverchase Galleria

Legion Field – SWAC Championship

Watch the Holiday Giving Campaign video.

Lately, I’ve gotten to work on some interesting projects for Talladega College. The latest is a campaign created by the outstanding team at the Tom Joyner Morning Show (TJMS). If you’re looking for a new car or a new way to give back to a historically black college or university of your choice, this is a great way!

Visit BlackAmericaWeb.com and download and complete the test drive form (remember to include your drivers license number). Once you’ve completed the form, drive to the nearest Ford dealership and test drive a car. For every Ford that is test driven, a college of your choice will receive a $25.00 donation.

This is an excellent way to raise money for a worthy cause. So in your spare time, GET UP AND DRIVE a Ford with the TJMS!