Sorry I haven’t posted anything in over a week. My hope was to have at least three videos up before now. I haven’t even come close.
I’ve actually been working, and grateful for it. I recently took a part-time job (or at least I thought). Don’t get me wrong, I’m not complaining. It was just my impression that “part-time” meant 10-20 hours a week. I’m scheduled 35 hours this week and 37 hours next week! I also have two freelance jobs I’ve been working on, so needless to say my time has been tight. The paycheck will be nice, though.
Some things of note:
I added an events calendar to my blog. I post marketing and communications networking events, conferences or meetings I feel would help out other job seekers. Check it out and let me know what you think. (P.S. If anyone knows how to embed a Google Calendar into a wordpress.com platform, please send me an email. I couldn’t figure it out.)
Thanks to Apple for making “washing machine-proof” headphones. My heart sank when I opened the washing machine door and found my iPhone headset coiled up in a ball. I don’t recommend trying this out because I felt like I lost my puppy or my favorite toy. I was a little upset earlier that day because I had a conference call and had to listen to it on speaker, rather than on a headset. But, I think I was more mad at myself for being dumb and allowing them to get washed. I thought, “what the hell” and plugged them into my phone. They ended up working like nothing had happened. Even the mic worked. Thanks Apple for making my day. (As an aside, I wonder if Zune headphones would hold up the same way? Perhaps it was a sign to head to Apple store and buy a PowerBook.)
I’ve managed to score a couple of interviews this week for full-time communications positions. Keep your fingers crossed.
Ok, I’ve got lots to do so I’m cutting this short. I wanted to post something for you. The next video’s going to be good. I’m going to discuss Penelope Trunk’s twitter scandal, some job hunting tips and the piece I’m working on for Ragan Communications.
Until next time…
Dear Mr. Grayson and Vanity Fair editors:
I’ve been a fan of your magazine since I was a teenager. I’ve always found your articles are intriguing and your journalism insightful. It evokes thoughtful points of view. I enjoy your magazine because you discuss things in a way mainstream news can’t provide. I also love your fashion spreads, your advertisers and overall ability to market to a certain clientele. Heck, I even know that Madonna graced your cover more than any other person in the magazine’s history! However, I was deeply disheartened when I opened this month’s edition, finding your feature on Levi Johnston, former boyfriend of Bristol Palin.
Honestly, Mr. Grayson, what gives?
This is a guy who impregnated an underage girl, then may or may not have walked away from the relationship. As the tabloids ran to snap photos this past winter, he (or his hired publicists) leveraged the situation to exploit the Palin’s day-to-day activities. I think what hurts is that your magazine endorsed him.
Johnston criticized the Palins for “bringing him into the spotlight” back in April 2008, then in the same exclusive CBS interview, contradicts himself by discussing the family’s activity. He talks little to nothing about himself in your feature – or in any other interview for that matter – probably because there’s nothing to tell (oh, except for his willingness to pose in Playgirl Magazine).
Who’s helping out with the parenting while he’s out at Vanity Fair photo shoots and Tyra Banks interviews? More than that, what will his kid think when he gets older? Will he say, “my dad sold my mom and grandma out.”?
Salon.com’s comments on your recent article sums it up nicely:
The article is a gold mine for those still feasting on the picked-over carcass of Sarah Palin: One can go the trashing-working-women route; the political-scandal route; the please, God, why are we still talking about this family route. But to me, the most conspicuous thing about this article is what’s missing: namely, just about any information about his relationship with Bristol, his relationship with his son, his plans for school, and how he plans to get through it all.
As I question your, “Enquirer-esque” judgment in putting Mr. Johnston in your magazine, I’m a bit hurt by your decision to enable his activity or cast him in such a positive light. Honestly, has he contributed to society? Why does he deserve fame at all, much less a book deal, a movie role or valued space in your esteemed periodical? Shame on you, Mr. Grayson. I’m sure you could have found something more newsworthy or entertaining to write about.
Gilt Groupe took online upscale shopping, added a little exclusivity and got things right.
To take part in Gilt sales, you need an invitation. A current member must invite you, thereby allowing you to take part in weekly sales at up to 70% off retail. Items are offered in very limited quantity and when you recommend people, you get a little kickback. Gilt offers its subscribers a $25 credit for every referral that purchases something from the site.
Offering everything from Ralph Lauren to Bulgari to Thom Browne – in limited supply – Gilt sells menswear, women’s clothing and accessories. Sales are offered daily and items generally remain listed until quantities are exhausted. But don’t worry, you can plan ahead. When you sign up, Gilt provide a weekly email summarizing upcoming sales, so you can add dates to your calendar accordingly. Each daily sale begins at noon.
The Gilt web page offers an extremely streamline look. It’s interface is easy to use, user friendly and coincides with their upscale image. And, if something needs returned, no problem. But be warned, they don’t offer cash refunding but will happily issue Gilt credit for future purchases.
I also love their blog, which provides a great mix of fashion and business. It discusses current labels Gilt is selling, covers recent photo shoots and discusses the new labels to the scene. It’s a well thought out concept and if you’re into fashion, worth your time.
Started in 2007 by Alexis Maybank and Alexandra Wilkis Wilson, Gilt Groupe formed out of a bond of friendship. Maybank, a West coast dot com mogul, and Wilson, an East coast luxury goods dealer, decided to broaden the country’s fashion sense from their New York City offices. As their site states,
Alexis and Alexandra set out to take the New York invitation only sample sale “on the road” via the Internet superhighway; they made what was once accessible to New Yorkers, accessible to the country. With the launch of Gilt Groupe, ecommerce met fashion and your closet breathed a huge sigh of relief.
