diversity is key.

i've always considered myself a diverse person based on a few things including the range of activities i enjoy from making mud pies and kayaking to fashion shows and sipping champagne. well apparently miami ad school has the same theory considering i have flash this quarter as a copywriter. i'd love to see the look on every other copywriters face who spent the last quarter kicking and screaming through illustrator when they now see they have to take flash. but hey, maybe i just got lucky in being scheduled to take it.

either way. i think it's good and bad. miami ad school has two main selling points, at least to myself. number one obviously the quarter away experience and number two the ever-evolving curriculum to stay up to date and ahead of the industry in terms of ideas and techniques. most people tend to overlook this and just think, 'well no copywriters i know have ever taken flash.' exactly. so while my first instinct was to drop the class instantly, while those other copywriters and i have our books laying on a CD's desk, when the work is good across the board, theyre going to look at my resume and see that i have a knowledge of flash and that is something that will definitely stand out, or at least make them stop and think, 'why does a copywriter know flash?' so while i may never actually use it, although i have big plans for some fun side projects to kill many valuable hours of my time, it's definitely on thing that would give any copywriter an edge up. because that's what this business is all about. and i think this is a good example of how the school is trying to stay up to date and ahead of the game. because flash is the next big thing according to most of the professionals at the recent portfolio reviews.

so while i'm still undecided about switching out, i'll probably keep it. because i believe if you are really good in one thing, then dabble in a few others it's better than 100% focusing on one thing, but then only being good for one thing.

and to keep up with my new diverse theory of life, my morning television viewing was as follows:
curious george. [the cartoon.]
veggie tales. [in spanish.]
then cnn.

because you have to keep life interesting.

i'm going soft in my old age.

it's sad but true. i've gone soft. and i'm officially in love with a dog. recently beef, my 450lb trucker of a father, got a 2lb dog and named her snuggles. my first thought, why in the hell is a 450lb trucker naming anything snuggles? and second, great i have to deal with this little shit when i go home for easter.

i was in for a huge surprise. it was love at first sight. meet snuggles. [she is in fact quite snuggly.]
although sab and i made many valiant attempts to change her name, beef wasn't having it. and snuggles wasn't having the foot of snow we woke up to on saturday morning.
i attempted to convince him to let me bring her back to south beach so i could join to army of fembots with their miniature dogs. i even pulled the 'my apartment has a doggie day spa.' but no dice.

now don't get me wrong, this doesn't mean i've begun liking animals or dogs, just this dog. and i am in fact quite in love.

so meet beef and snuggles. because a pictures worth a thousand words.

top o' the morning to ya.

ohh st.patricks day. one of the greatest holidays that has cinco de mayo syndrome [celebrated more in the US than the country of origination]

what a great day to be irish. everyone's irish on st.patricks day. and for those who are actually irish and have proof, like oh say an apostrophe and two capital letters in their last name [ahem O'Keefe] have you ever noticed they are extremely arrogant about it? [i'm self-admittedly one of those assholes.] i've never noticed a holiday where people are so arrogant about actually being of that heritage. this may however, have something to do with the mass amounts of killians red, guiness, irish carbombs, and green beer that we as americans use to celebrate the holiday.

i miss the days at home with my irish family and our massive st. patricks day party. complete with lamb stew, corned beef and cabbage of course, scones, and other traditional irish food. then we all sit around and get hammered. oh the good ole days.

but once again this year i can not celebrate my favorite holiday. [a favorite among many who like to drink way too much and dress extremely ridiculous. those who just like green everything. or slutty girls who like to abuse the phrase 'kiss me i'm irish.'] for the first time, i'm not a bartender on st. patricks day and thought, yesss i will finally be able to celebrate. thank you david barton gym for killing those hopes and dreams and making me work from 5pm-midnight tonight. and thank you also andrew speyer for not showing up twice to our one on ones so they are rescheduled for 9am tomorrow morning. so much for luck o' the irish.

so this is for you davidbarton and intro to strategy:
but i just hung my final piece of work on the board for the quarter and i have to say, i definitely had the luck o' the irish on my side this quarter. i can't believe it's over already and i'm excited to see what the next quarter brings, because all and all i'd have to say this was a successful one.

so on that note, happy st. patricks day, enjoy this one for me and kiss me baby, I'M IRISH!

spice things up a bit.

so while i may say some not nice things about south beach, i have to admit there are things i love. one of which is diversity in things to do. this past week was filled with so many different experiences from a daycruise to the bahamas to a picnic and kayaking, well trying to. but the best example is that last night i was chugging carbombs [which you could only do if you have two capital letters in your last name, a new rule ryan and i came up with] to prove my irish heritage with 9 guys and christy, and we were just one of the boys. all the while wearing jeans and a tshirt and screaming our faces off to journey. then tonight i went to the forge [a really nice restaurant/club where youve never seen so many old men with barbies on their arms] with some girls from work and drank free champagne in our little satin dresses and heels. you've got to love the variety. maybe next week i'll go drop three grand on dinner then go to deweys and chill with the homeless people.

thanks southbeach.

little busy.

it's been a while since my last post. i've been really busy because sab and maryjo were here and we had an amazing week. i love visitors because i do tons of touristy stuff and things i normally would never get a chance to do. anyway, i'll post all about it later, but i just uploaded my pictures from the week and i wanted to post my favorite one. it's a sign at jimbo's. a little something most people around here should think about.


thank you jimbo.

rain rain stay and play.

i'm pretty sure i have some of the cheesiest titles ever. but i love it. anyway, its a mad thunderstorm right now and i realized how much i'm loving it. [mostly because i don't have to go outside.] but it also made me think of when sarah was here and it was cloudy and i was all pissy about it and she was like, 'dude, its 75. this is still amazing.' and i was like no, this sucks. and i realized how jaded we become in miami and how much i take for granted the amazing weather day after day. if i were home in pennsylvania i would be so miserable that i was raining. [well first of all, it would be snow not rain.] but because im so used to 80 degree, bright and sunny weather everyday, the dark gloomy storm is refreshing. the same goes for last week when it was only about 65 degrees. now don't get me wrong, i only like it because it only happens once in a while. i just think its funny how things like that change even after only about five months of living. i can't imagine how things would be if i lived here and moved to pennsylvania.

plus this weather is motivation to stay inside and do work. which i need to do since in exactly one week i'll be in the bahamas. so i'm going to go enjoy the weather and revel in work. as long as it stops before i have to go outside.

would you buy me?

it's so surreal that this is the final week of classes of my second quarter. i'm going to have to go and say, although we haven't had review week yet, with fingers crossed, i think it was a successful quarter. if not for the work that i got, definitely for the experience.

but my first one on one assignment, for my intro to strategy class [which i love] i have to give a creative briefing to my teacher. ok, should be slightly challenging but we've been working with briefs all quarter. so here's the kicker. the brief has to be on me. to sell myself. faaaantastic. first i have to come up with an objective. to get laid? to get a job? to get a visa into russia? it could be anything. then i have to convince him on all the reasons why. not only does he want to the brief, but some possible support for inspiration such as music, videos, pictures, quotes, other advertisements.

so basically i have look introspectively and decide my self-worth. awesome. i just thought i'd get to photoshop a few pictures and call it a quarter. anyway, i have no clue what to do. so i'd greatly appreciate any input or ideas. criticism good and bad welcome.

all warm and fuzzy inside.

so this is a little outdated to everyone in florida, but for everyone at home who have known me for years and year with my long hair, i cut over 12inches off for locks of love. i just got the thank you note in the mail and i'm not gonna lie i got a little choked up because i felt like i really did something good. i miss philanthropic activities. i need to join a service organization. but as bip asked me yesterday 'carren, do you have more than 24 hours in your day?' [in her cute little indian accent] no bip. but theres certain things that you must sacrifice like eating and sleeping. minor details. anyway, i just found my camera and came across the picture of the hair i cut off. it looks like i'm holding a small animal in my hand. no, thats just my hair.


so from this:

to this:
i'm still undecided if i should let it grow or cut it again, or about the fact that i just wrote a whole blog about hair. but regardless, some little girl has hair now. so it's worth it.

duh dun nah nah.

just as promised, here is my illustrator portrait. it still needs a few tweaks such as color correction [i currently look not caucasian] and a few minor things. but it's almost there.


and to be honest, over the past few weeks, illustrator is kind of growing on me. you can do so much with it and i've basically become a pen tool master. as a writer, it's kind of fun to design somethings every now and then. considering i used to be a painter [past tense because painting on a college kids budget is basically impossible] makes me love the control of the creation and ability to express through the art. here is a poster i designed for the red dress campaign for women's heart health.


in other news, i believe i'm involved in some miami ad school conspiracy. if not, it is all way to coincidental. i have no had a single real class this entire week. with sarah here all last week, i was feeling the pressure of getting work done, especially because my sister and maryjo are coming in less than two weeks and we're taking a cruise to the bahamas [can't wait ps.] but this tues we had a sub for strategy class. so no homework. then my class yesterday and BOTH classes today were cancelled. not only do i not have work to do, i actually have time to get my work done. i was in such shock/felt guilty about having free time today, i literally did work from 8:30am to around 6pm. as started in a previous blog, i'm a workaholic. while this all sounds too good to be true, it won't be so glorious when i have three classes rescheduled for next week since it's the last week and there's no other time. wonderful. either way, i can't believe there's only one week of Q2 left. all and all i'm going to have to say it was a successful quarter. but it's not over yet. fingers crossed we end on a good note.

redefine communication.

we are always told that we need to look to other categories in the advertising world and borrow from them to set our advertising apart. for some categories this is extremely difficult such as banks, airlines, insurance, etc. the ones who successfully do, are most certainly set apart not only in terms of the ads but the brands themselves. case in point: jetBLUE, virgin atlantic, geiko [whether you hate the ads or not they stand out]

one category that i truly thought would never be cracked is politics. whether you play clean or dirty, political campaign has had the same tired feel since the beginning of politics. perhaps the invention of radio, television and new media spiced things up a bit, but essentially its all the same messaged delivered in all the same way. however, someones finally attempted to do it. with all politics aside, not saying the message is good or bad, anyone in advertising has to appreciate the genius of this ad and it's merit for breaking apart.

back in action.

so i haven't posted in awhile. mostly because i took a five day hiatus from life. sarah was here and it was basically like i had a mini vacation. i worked my ass off before she got here so i wouldn't have any obligations while she was here. and we had the best time. we did everything from deep sea fishing with wine juice boxes [no joke. we're so classy.] to eating strawberries with fondue and champagne while watching the lunar eclipse on the beach.

the week definitely provided just what i needed and some amazing insights to miami beach.

1. nexxt cafe may be the greatest thing invented since sliced bread for a plethora of reasons. one being the ridiculous portion size that i'm sure has a direct correlation to the obesity problem in america. and two, the miso salmon.
2. weam [the world erotic art museum] is a hidden treasure that everyone should experience. only of age 18 and above of course. and catherine the great, the empress of Russia, has officially made it to the top of my list of idols [aside marilyn monroe of course, ironic? nah.]. mostly because of her throne which was featured at the museum. while a picture would be appropriate to show you what i'm talking about, i'm trying to keep this blog pg 13, so google her. but one website captured my love for her in a few sentences. "Catherine the Great was one of the great strong women in history. Starting out as a young German countess married to the heir to the Russian throne, she accused her weak and unpopular husband of treason, overthrew him and was made empress. Once on the throne, she consolidated power, expanded Russian territory, instituted modern government reforms and lavished money on the arts." i mean really, how could she not be my idol?
   
3. miami beach is ten times more beautiful off the coast.
4. if you want to catch big fish, you have to fish at the back of the boat. they give people in the front the heavy weights so you don't tangle everyones line, so you just catch the guppies. [apparently the front is more for people who plan on drinking more than taking the fishing seriously. not sure why they put us there then.] im basically a pro at fishing now. i'm available for guided tours on weekends and evenings after 5.
5. always good to have a birthday girl with you for the perks including free bottles etc. and in this case, birthdays constitute a minimum span of five days.

anyway, all and all a great week. but now its back to reality and nothing is more of a snap back than having every campaign i submitted to the clios be rejected. luckily i've become somewhat of an optimist and see it as a challenge. [that's the catherine the great in me.] so bring it. game on miami ad, game on.

nothing is as refreshing as a good bitchfest.

there are certain things that will never get old. like a quality matching sweat suit, singing at the top of your lungs in the car, or a good bitchfest with an old friend. miami ad school has kept me very busy ever since i moved here. in turn keeping me very distracted and not a lot of time to think about my past activities or friends from home or undergrad. this by no means implies i've forgotten. but i definitely don't stay as up to date or in touch as often as i'd like. which after certain news about a certain organization, i'm almost glad.

but amidst this news, i got to let loose and bitch with a one miss courtney faust [here's your shoot out. not quotes to protect the innocent], just like the old days. and i have to say, it really made me miss lock haven. the days of quarter drafts, anna nicole smith/quote unquote nights, floating on the river, and spending 24/7 with the zetas. bitching the whole time and loving every minute of it.
but to the present. sarah wilderman [note above.] will be gracing south beach with her presence tomorrow. dear lord have i missed that girl. sarah is a blend of miami beach and the rest of the world. shes an up-all-night party girl but unlike miami beach, shes the most real person ive ever met in my life. she doesn't change who she is depending on who is around and what they'll think of her. likewise, she appreciates everyone as they are, and doesn't try to improve them or judge. but basically shes just crazy. i believe the steelers tattoo on her ass is enough proof of that.

and now that i've professed my love for sarah and spent 200 words reminiscing, i need to get my work done. the next four days [one of which is sarah's birthday] is going to consist of large amounts of sun, alcohol, and quality sarah/carren time. [wow i'm gay.]

i feel like a mom. so have some doritos kids.

i love mornings. i dont know what it is, whether its the smell of the coffee or what. but i love them. just not the getting up part. right now i kind of feel like a mom. i'm up. showered and dressed, made my coffee and reading the news while the rest of the house [morgan and kristina who stayed over last night] are still sleeping. morgan's phones dead so i have to wake them up and about every ten minutes i go in, and i get the 'ten more minutes' response.

anyways, finally some concrete doritos work has arisen from doritos hell. here is our guerilla stuff. the basic idea is to paint life like doritos on real things that are going to be crunched, like monster truck cars or buildings to be demolished. input welcome.

randoms.

just a few random thoughts of the day.

first. while i may have built a resistance against doritos, i'm officially in love with the blazin' buffalo and ranch.

second. working at a gym has its ups and downs. one up is the private ab class mark gave morgan and i yesterday. not to mention a few weight loss and training tips. down side, i can't cough without pain today.

third. i will only put my heart and soul into projects i truly believe in from here on out. and sometimes i wish i had it in me to half ass something.

fourth. i want blissberry.

fifth. amanda just sent me the video from our thanksgiving here in miami. this was a little video tribute we did for jonathon to thank him for having us.



and finally. i love bubble baths. and im about to go take one.

it's bliss baby.

so it's been a crazy quarter so far and i can't believe that it's already the end of the 5th week. i thought Q1 went fast, but it felt like an eternity compared to this one. i think thats mostly in part to me becoming a workaholic. it took branden, who is in the most demanding class of the school, calling me one to finally realize it. but thats what i thrive on. and while i get a little sad at moments because i feel out of the social loop recently and like i have no life. i love it. i love the stress, the deadlines, and the 14hrs of work. i love coming home and feeling so absolutely exhausted and knowing it was from productivity. after all, thats why i'm here. and that's why i'm going to love this business.

however another thing i love about the business is all the insights and knowledge we gain on random products that the average consumer might not know. any good ad campaign is grounded solidly in research and product insights. therefore lots of research is necessary. this can be good and this can be bad.

on the side of doritos, the one show brief that literally the entire school is working on, it's bad. if i see, smell, or taste another dorito i may throw up. from making dorito bricks to shoveling handfuls into my mouth to make a crunch language, never did i image the things OTHER than advertising i would be doing at this school.
on the positive side, i was just assigned a brief for BlissBerry frozen yogurt. lots of people may have heard of PinkBerry, the now famous frozen yogurt store taking over LA and NY. well this store is 100% a knock-off of PinkBerry. however, considering PinkBerry isn't smart enough to capitalize the miami market, and PinkBerry itself is a knock-off of the asian Red Mango frozen yogurt stores, i feel no shame in highly endorsing BlissBerry.

purely for the sake of research today, christy and i found our way to BlissBerry on alton and lincoln. they combine the art of all natural lowfat frozen yogurt with simplicity. two main flavors, regular and green tea and then tons of toppings from fresh mango, strawberries, etc. to captain crunch, fruity pebbles, and christy's favorite, rice krispies. after reading the health benefits and how it's low in fat, all-natural, no sugar, blah, blah, i presumptively thought that like everything else that's good for you it must taste like shit. i was in for a surprise. its like heaven in your mouth. it's so good and knowing how good it is for you, you feel no shame eating it. in fact, with all the probiotics youre actually doing your body good. so lets just say i'm hooked. doing some research on PinkBerry, a common theme was that people just kept saying it has something in it like crack that gets you hooked. i mean people eat this stuff two, three times a day. i thought they were crazy until i experienced it myself.

sorry dad, i'm officially addicted to CrackBerry.


ps. this is the result of the dorito brick.