Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving!

May you have a wonderful day of relaxation, food and thankfulness while spending time with family and friends!

Lessons from the L

Lessons from two months of riding the Chicago CTA "L" - or elevated train transit through the city. 

Silence is golden.
On the Metra and other trains I've taken, it's normal to chat with the person sitting next to you or talk on the phone. On the L, this is silently banned and you are the odd ball out if you even speak to your neighbor or dial someone. 

Reading is not a hobby, but a talent.
As the trains take constant turns, it's easy to get jerked around and difficult to maintain balance. Those that are reading books, newspapers & magazines, tablets or material on their smartphones are not just in it for the ride, but are challenged to actually read the material (especially if they are standing up). Moving and reading is hard! 

Sunglasses in the dark are normal. 
Maybe it's laziness, maybe people haven't done their makeup yet, maybe they want to avoid eye contact...but even though the red line is an underground Subway, many riders keep their sunglasses on.

It changes from the city to the suburbs QUICKLY.

Especially on the blue and purple lines of the L - you are seeing urban neighborhoods one minute, and then immediately transition into seeing grass and brick homes. It's crazy how fast you can get from Chicago to Wilmette, or Chicago to Rosemont. 

Weird people exist, and a lot of them ride public transit.

There are a lot of strange individuals you come across on public transportation. It reminds you that cities really are diverse not only ethnically, but personality-wise. I regularly see men and women singing along to their headphones, whispering to themselves and taking on other strange habits, and remember how transit exposes you to every type of person in a large city. 

Documentary power

A few years ago, conversation around the documentary How to Die in Oregon caught my eye and I added it to my list of movies to watch. Now that the Roku is finally set up and homework isn't a distraction in post-graduate life, I took the time to sit down and watch it. 

Watching this showed me the important role of documentaries in our lives, and the power they have to educate us on history, figures and important societal issues. Physician-assisted suicide is legal in only three states: Oregon, Washington and Vermont. The documentary, for the most part, takes a pro view on physician-assisted suicide by interviewing multiple individuals interested in the medication and their family members. It provides insight into non-profit organizations that support and go against the cause, especially a group called Compassion of Oregon. I'll never forget the scene where volunteers at a calling center are calling households in Washington to try and sign the petition in support of physician-assisted suicide, and when a man starts to argue on the phone, the caller says, "We are offering choice, not selling a process."

In fact, it comes at an interesting time in society when views on end of life medical treatments continue to fluctuate, as shown in this Pew Study released late last week. As someone who had heard about this debate but wasn't very familiar, the nearly two-hour documentary was an insightful and personal way to learn about the matter. 

#Millennialproblems: the Roku

Last summer, I won a Roku at work. A Roku is a box that connects to a wireless network and streams Netflix, HuluPlus and online subscription TV shows straight to your television, instead of plugging an HDMI cord into your TV or watching shows on a computer or tablet.

After 15 months of sitting in the box, I finally went through the step-by-step manual and the Roku up to the TV at the apartment. After logging into Netflix, setting everything straight and selecting a movie, the sound was not audible. The Millennial in me was about to call & complain, or just give up - but a friend nearby fiddled with the audio cord's fit to the TV, and found a more practical solution.

In the photo above, she used our coasters to prop up the audio cord into it's true spot, and now we have a functioning Roku and I've already watched two movies on the big-screen TV.

What this taught me: as we drown in technology, it's important to realize the simple solutions in life before blaming it on the devices themselves.

My first hockey game

Last week, I was invited last-minute to go to a Blackhawks game at United Center with some clients at work. Of course I took up the free offer, especially having never attended a professional hockey game. This was the case because when I grew up watching more American sports, and never saw its appeal. A mixture of the Stanley Cup victory halo and an extremely loyal fan base in Chicago quickly proved me wrong, ans I was shocked at what I observed at the game.

Out of all of my Chicago sports experiences (the Bulls, Bears, White Sox and Cubs), I've never seen a more energetic fan base present. Every seat was filled, every fan wore a red Hawks jersey and everyone was engaged in the game. After every goal, the whole audience stood up to sing the Chelsea Dagger goal song, cheering like crazy. Although the game went into double overtime and ended in a shoot out, no one left.

Overall, I'm incredibly impressed with the Hawks spirit and don't attribute it to the Stanley Cup, but rather a loyal base of hockey fans in the Chicagoland area. My high school hockey team won the state title back in 2006, and because of the sport's niche appeal, people who follow it REALLY follow it. In the meantime, I'll be a Chicago fan more than a hockey fan, but will always recognize the momentum of a Blackhawks game and never turn down an invitation to one :).

Airport customers: priority travelers are special

A few Mondays ago, I arrived at O’Hare Airport for a 7:30 a.m. flight. Monday mornings are notorious for business travelers and consultants for the week, so I anticipated long security lines.

When I got to security, there were two lines:

1. The regular line

2. The “priority” line

Frustrating observation from the line: the single priority line had two security lanes, and the normal travelers only had ONE. As I stood in the ‘normal traveler’ line for a long 30 minutes, I thought long and hard about why this would be the case.

It’s one thing to cater to your most loyal customers and spenders, but in an industry such as travel – why are airlines inconveniencing the average travelers that are paying for their flights…themselves? And don’t want to continue traveling and buying flights if they have negative airport experiences? 

As Millennials age and digital communication works to make life more convenient (i.e. – apps like Passbook), customers expect to feel SPECIAL. It’s no longer a privilege to have these special rights; it appears that priority groups feel like they earned and deserved the right to wait in a shorter line. 

This “special” treatment and entitlement to priority customers continues throughout the airport, like when you board the plane itself. When I checked into my flight early, I was excited to see that I was in boarding group 2. I later learned that this doesn’t mean anything anymore, because people board a plane in the following order:

• First-class
• Priority access
• Group 1
• Those only traveling with one bag
• Group 2
• Everyone else 

So much for my excitement! I was pretty much the last person to board the plane anyway. While the ideas of fast-passes and priority treatment to loyal, high-paying customers have been around for awhile with Disney rides and more, it appears that consumers seem to be actively pursuing control in this space. Earlier this month, two frequent flyers sued United Airlines for charging different amounts of mile balances for the same flights, using preferential pricing. How far will the special generation go to get what they want?

Restroom mirror ads: they exist

Spotted in the Time Warner Center in New York city: mirror ads in restrooms. What stood out here:

• The ads were subtle yet noticeable. They weren't covering the mirror entirely, and still had a faded 'subliminal' effect.
• There were no patterns in the types of advertisers - everything from food, to business, to data, to the AARP. 
• Each ad only lasted about ~five seconds, running very quickly.

Check these out!

AARP screen advertisement

Who isn't thinking about big data in the restroom? Even Experian advertises here.

The power of jewelry

This past January, my mom brought her mother’s jewelry collection home from Ohio as Yiayia Sophie moved into an assisted living facility. As she laid the items out on my sister’s bed, I curiously walked in the room to take a look at what Yiayia owned. As I sifted through the variety of necklaces, earrings, costume and real jewelry that was placed on the bed, one ring in particular caught my eye. Shaped like a football or ‘evil eye,’ this silver diamond ring fit perfectly on my pointer finger. I was destined to have it.

When my mom’s Nouna (godmother) passed away, my mother, Thea and Yiayia went over to her house to pick up the jewelry and other objects they had all inherited. My Thea to this day describes this distribution scene at her house as utter chaos; I imagine it in my head as a group of Greek women acting like a pack of wolves over household objects. I never could fully comprehend how people could be so sick and competitive over material items like tables and jewelry.
But at this instant, I had the ‘ah-ha’ moment and finally understood. I was not going to let anyone have this ring.

Every day in January, I asked my mom if I could take the ring back to grad school with me. Each of my best friends was shown the ring when they came to my house, or photos if they weren’t in Chicago—all fully aware of my lust for it. When my Dad came to visit in February, I asked him to sneak it in his suitcase, but my mom wouldn’t give in. It became a sick obsession with a piece of jewelry that I didn’t even own, and my Yiayia is still alive and could ask for it back.

May came along and my family arrived for graduation weekend. We sat down for family dinner and before even looking at the menu, my mom handed me the ring box. I put it on then and have worn it every day since.

Waiting five months to put the ring on my finger was worth it, as I received it at pivotal point in my life. The ring not only carries emotional weight knowing that it’s from Yiayia Sophie, but wearing diamonds has validated my transition to adulthood. It was there when I defended my master’s thesis, it was there on my first day of work—it gave me confidence when I attended my first conference alone as a young professional. I never realized the power a single piece of jewelry could have. I look down at the ring and am reminded that someone as selective as my grandmother trusts me wearing it, and if that is the case, I can conquer anything. Could I do some of this without a piece of jewelry? Sure, but the ring provides a daily boost of faith and memories of someone I love.

This all might sound insane, but jewelry is empowering. I smile as I ride my bike and it shimmers in the sun, feeling invigorated and ready to keep moving forward. The ring’s impact in a business setting makes me feel like the employee I am, not a 22-year old who somehow got a seat at the table. Its sheer presence on my finger enables me to share my voice and reach out to people I might not have approached. Wearing it makes me want to have good posture. It gives me the confidence to be a businesswoman and not a post-graduate finding her place.

Aspiring for the ring for five months has translated to being aspirational in my everyday professional life. Jewelry, when you let it affect you as I have here, has the power to influence your validity.

Average day gone exciting

Lesson of the week: maintain relationships, because you never know where people will show up.

Continuing on the “city living-tagged” stories, I had some exciting proof of this on the Monday-vacation day I tacked onto my last business trip of the year to New York City. I met my friend Alyssa at Penn Station in Manhattan to hang out for the day, and as we stood there deciding our next steps, I heard my name called. I looked up to see Kosta, a friend my age from Sts. Peter & Paul, on his was from one class to another, after just moving to NYC from Boston. Talk about right place, right time—just like walking onto a train car in Chicago and happening to see people from my sorority and Mizzou on the exact same car, you can’t make some of this stuff up. We chatted and caught up!

Later that day, after Alyssa and I explored lower Manhattan and Central Park, my pre-emptive, impatient self wanted to have a cab waiting for me instead of having to hail one when I picked up my luggage. On the previous trip to New York, I received a business card for Miguel, the cab driver who took me to the airport, so I decided to call him up. After a brief conversation on the phone, he agreed to pick me up and I texted him the address and the time. Sure enough, he was waiting promptly there and took me to LaGuardia on a flat rate instead of a running fare.

He knew I was from Chicago from our last ride but we hadn’t chatted much more than that. By the end of this day’s cab to the airport, I learned about his family, upbringing in the Dominican Republic and neighborhood in New York. He learned about my job, study-abroad experience and we spent the rest of the ride conversing entirely in Spanish about the media industry, social networks and how digital communication affects the business world.

The ride flew by, and I got to the airport to see that all the O’Hare flights were delayed. Great. As I competitively got in the standby lines for the two flights before mine, I looked up to see Helen, a senior individual at my company who I’ve worked on projects with, standing right there. We caught up about her board meeting, her family and upcoming travels and discussed my client projects and NYC trip too.

By developing a relationship, I’ll always have a cab driver to call in New York, who I’ll maybe one day refer to as a friend. By chatting with Kosta in Sunday School in 6^th grade, we were still happy to see each other on 7^th Avenue in New York. By connecting and effectively communicating on projects with Helen at work, we got to know each other and were happy to spend time together at the airport. She ended up flying standby on my flight and getting on at the last second.

Even if these are extrovert examples, don’t underestimate the power of small talk and getting to know others.

What do photos add to news stories?

Last month, I was reading up on unpaid intern stories in the media and came across this  BusinessWeek article. The first thing that caught my eye once I clicked on the link was the photo it uses at the top of the webpage.

In Journalism School, the Strategic Communication program and marketing conversations in general, there is plenty of proof that images enhance a person's likelihood to click on an article or check out a story. I was appalled when I saw this photo paired with the story on sexual harassment:

It's absolutely vital for publications - online and offline - to use good judgment when evaluating an image to go along with a story. Does this photo enhance reader's understanding of the story?
What does it contribute? What about this picture in particular insinuates interns? Is it helpful or not that you cannot see their facial expressions?

As the reader, I was perfectly capable of understanding the situation without this photo. Even if photos increase click-through rates and other key sales and effectiveness metrics, consider the image's value and the purpose of the story. Some serious matters like this don't need to be portrayed visually just to put something there, especially when they don't align incredibly well.

Effective planning: a "secret to success?"

Sometimes, I wonder what the world has come to when news and articles online have to write up that a COO's "path to success" is holding effective meetings (see: this OpenForum article). Is this something new? Are that many individuals in the weeds with a lack of effectiveness and efficiency that this even needs to be reported?


Don’t get me wrong, Sheryl Sandberg is one of my corporate role models and I respect her views, work ethic, how she manages her role at Facebook and manages others.

My takeaway of the article is that Sheryl cares about others’ time and is forward-looking by discussing action items and next steps. She moves on and avoids clutter, not needing to save agendas from meetings and touch-bases that will never be brought up again.

I'm upset rather than inspired when seeing articles like this because I'm sure many corporate leaders user these tactics; this isn't a "secret to success." Have so many leaders in corporate America been unproductive that the media needs to highlight when someone is?

While Open Forum and 99U (where this was published) probably have good intent in posting such items, I urge reporters to look into more interesting story angles for America's businessmen and women. Furthermore, I hope business leaders don't drag out their meetings and that reporters' impression of them is productive regardless, so someone's effective meeting strategy doesn't have to be framed as mind-blowing news.

Quote list: October Edition

Last month, I published this post with funny quotes from my friends during the month of September. Let the tradition continue and check out some funny tidbits recorded from October! It's a bit long, so take some time and be ready to laugh.

On working at an advertising agency:

"It’s kind of like living in the sorority house walking into work. You look at the reception desk and it’s like oh, an edible arrangement from someone’s fiancé. Flowers from someone’s boyfriend. My life is awesome." -Meredith

And working at a TV station:  

“And everyone who works at the station on Saturday, it might as well be college. People come in and are just like yup, hung over!” -Stacey

On online shopping: 

"Did I tell you about my first online shopping experience? I decided it was time I finally learn how to work the internet. Then Mom called and was like did you order something online? It got mailed to the house." -Eleni

On dating:

"And his pickup line was “The government is shut down but I'm not. He's a kU grad, what do you expect." -A boy to a friend on Tinder

"And this funky dress is for the dates I haven’t been asked out on yet. Dream big." -Hannah

"If selfies are more than three of their photos, I’m rejecting them. And if they have their shirt off in more than 3 of their pictures." -a friend on Tinder

“They met on Tinder and he’s Greek Orthodox." -Maria on one of her friends

“If you can’t see from her Facebook picture she’s probably not pretty.” -Dinner in NY on Sherman’s blind date

On the name of a publication the civil engineering major is entering an article in: 

It's called Poultry Material Monthly. -Laura

PACKAGING MATERIAL TECHNOLOGY. -Ryan

Some Greek Orthodox humor:

"And you should all buy raffle tickets..." -a Priest

"Things you would never hear your father say." -Mom at another church

"Chris, you come from an Orthodox family. ...Toni, you come from a priest's family so it is not necessary for me to give you advice. You know everything." -Bishop Iakavos at Toni & Chris's wedding

“Don’t worry I have the whole service up on Go Arch.” -Angie, on looking up women's names mentioned in a wedding service

   

"I've never seen kolyva in a McDonalds cup before." -Penelope

"Every Sunday I keep thinking to myself I hope that nobody’s here."-Yiayia Nikie, on greeting out of town guests at the parish in DeKalb

“They advertise on the Greek hour.” -Yiayia Nikie, people do recognize advertisements!

On growing up and learning real life things: 

“I haven’t been to any collegiate sporting events all year and I’m feeling bad for myself.” -Hannah

"ComEd likes to pretend they’re Amish. There’s an upcharge if you pay on the phone." -Someone at work

"It’s a blessing and a curse. It’s too easy. I spent $50 on cabs this weekend." -Stacey, on Uber cabs where your credit card is saved in the app to order taxis 

"I always get such a great work out going to the grocery store." -co-worker, on living downtown

"That’s the burden piece of furniture that just moves around." -Katie

"That’s my favorite chair in the house and that shows how much I matter around here." -Dad

“I’m not acknowledging real life or maturity so I put this in my bag at the last minute *takes out Mr. Bear stuffed animal*” -Susan

  

They didn't know my other option is watch Netflix & get fat. -Susan, on portraying other job options, 10-10

   

“What’s the difference between a modem & a router?” -Hannah

"Why do they think we need to buy a keg? It’s not like we’re a frat." -Hannah, on our housewarming party

“And he was all like 'You didn’t activate your Ventra card' and I was like BUT I DID. Then people on the bus were laughing because I was right.” -Hannah

“That’s not news, that’s history!” -Anna Burkart, on the “News” trivia question from 2007

“I’m really impressed with your egg cracking skills. I suck at cracking eggs.” -Andrew, on living alone

I’m surprised that as OCD as we both are, we’re not leveling things. -Hannah, on hanging frames in our apartment

“Whoever I have is getting a gift card then because postage is expensive.” -Andrew, on Secret Santa gifts in the mail

“It’s amazing how little you need when you’re one person.” -Andrew, on furniture

From the workplace...

“We’re exhausted editing this survey, how are they supposed to take it?” –my boss at work

“I have Apple products but I don’t smoke Apple crack.” -Someone interviewed at work

“The kids had some clever tactics this year. This bag’s for my niece, this one’s for my brother and this one’s for me. And I’m like oh really what’s your brother’s name? Where is he?” –someone at work on Halloween

     

"It’s going to be 82 degrees tomorrow." -me on the train

"I’m not going to see it anyway." -Ian, our resident Eeyore and accountant on the Metra

And just some funny ones to end...

"You know who we really have to thank? James Franklin because he’s the reason we have a 6 pm game." -Kathryn, on our evening Homecoming game and plenty of tailgating time

"Getting more exercise tailgate hopping across campus than during the average work week. Post grad problems."

"Is it really a hostel?" -pizza delivery man to Andrew at Homecoming, after seeing the hostel sign on the friends' apartment

"Does the wienermobile ever get pulled over?" -the car

"Sometimes cops want to take pictures of them pulling the wienermobile over." -Ben, about his year driving it

“I’m just shocked that it’s 2013 and people still wear lightwash jeans.”

"The senior center is having a PJ party." -Mrs. Gouletas at Target in the pajama aisle

“They carted her off in theatrical form.” -Becca, on her car accident. “I’d call it a fender bender plus.”

  

“Just because we’re both Jewish and have brown hair doesn’t mean we’re the same person.” -Shaina, on people confusing her with someone at an event

“I’m going to be a mutated pumpkin that has a 6-pack.” -Drew, 8-year-old cousin on what he's being for Halloween

“I hated that kid. We were both the fat kids and he wanted to be the better one.” -Nouno Peter, on another Greek kid