The day I trekked across Chicago...and back again

I'm so glad today is over. I literally went all over the city searching for a special type of portfolio for a presentation. Did I know what I was looking for? Nope. It was like "Where's Waldo" without knowing what the hell Waldo looks like.

My day started like any other normal day. I got to work, went to my morning meeting and grabbed a Starbucks. As I walked back in from my coffee run, the art director was yelling my name from the associate creative director's office. I went straight in there and was informed that since I wasn't busy today (according to my boss), I was to run around the city doing errands for the big new business presentation that had to get finished today.

I was a bit annoyed. Perhaps if they would have asked me, I would have told them that I did in fact have a huge copy project due tomorrow that I had barely started on. But no, I couldn't say anything, so I put a little smile on my face, grabbed some petty cash, signed off of Gchat and set off on my adventure. 

5 cab rides, 4 blank stares from salespeople, 3 calls to the art director and 2 hot flashes from running in and out of the cold with my heavy coat on later, I arrived back at work with four different options for the one type of portfolio I was supposed to find. No one had actually seen the type of thing I was looking for, they just thought they knew it existed. 

And guess what? None of them worked. 

So I was sent back out after I scarfed down a quick Lean Cuisine. I was told to try Staples and this time I decided to walk. I knew it would be a fruitless effort. No way would Staples carry it. But as I walked into the store and started to wander down the aisles, I had an idea. It was like one of those lightbulb over the head moments.

The art director had vaguely mentioned something about the portfolio I was looking for having something to do with photos. So I whipped out my iPhone (I'm obsessed), searched for camera stores and found one only a block from where I was. I quickly walked over there and found one of the shadiest buildings in Chicago. It was totally unmarked, the lobby was all torn up (not for a remodel), there were light fixtures and wires hanging from the ceiling and random puddles on the floor. It was straight out of a horror movie. 

Needless to say, the camera shop I found nestled somewhere on the 5th floor of that building wasn't what I needed, but the guy did point me in the right direction...to a store about 6 blocks away. 

So I finally found the real camera store and found what I needed instantly. It was exactly what the art director described. I hopped in a cab, raced back to the office and was welcomed back as a hero. Ok, not really. But they were pretty happy.

It was late afternoon by then and I still hadn't worked on my project. And today was a day I had to leave at 5 on the dot to make it to my haircut appointment at 6.

But 5 rolled around, things still needed to be proofread and the creative team (AKA my team) was busy finishing the new biz presentation. When it started getting later, I apologized to my coworkers, ignored their dirty looks, said I had to go get a haircut, put on my coat and left.

When I got outside, another lightbulb went off in my head. What the hell was I doing? I was totally cutting out early for a haircut (yikes, pun) and I felt really guilty. I didn't know what to do. So naturally, I called my Mom and asked for advice. After a 10-second debate, I called my hair place and rescheduled. (Sigh). My hair will have to wait until Saturday.

I ran back upstairs and though my coworkers surprised, I could tell that they were happy I hadn't bailed. And two hours later, the job was done and we all went home. I was really proud of myself for getting everything done today. But I don't know why I didn't think of rescheduling earlier. Yikes.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

I love Christmas. It's my favorite time of year. The traditions, the memories, the decorations, the songs, the movies, the lights, the excitement...I love it all. And I love sharing it with my family and friends.

As soon as fall hits, I'm ready for the holidays. People complain about the decorations going up too early and the radio stations switching to Christmas music too soon, but I love every minute of it. It doesn't last nearly long enough for me. I try to savor every carol, every commercial and every Starbucks Gingersnap Latte. 

 As soon as I see this commercial, I know Christmas is officially here:

When I got back from my parents' house this afternoon, I immediately put up my little Christmas tree. I initially set it up on the ground, but it was too low, so I put it on a pedestal (aka a TV table) and covered the base with my lime green scarf. It came with lights already on it, but I as I assembled the tree, I noticed large chunks with no lights at all. Alas. Thank goodness for my bright Target Christmas ornaments. They filled in the little dark spots...

It needs a little work, but it makes my apartment feel much cozier already. 

Hooray for the holidays!

Are you selling me a scarf or a cheesy line from a romance novel?

My name is Pam and I'm a copywriter.

Ok, ok...a junior copywriter. I prefer not to mention the "junior" part. It makes me sound like a girl scout in training or something. But you have to start somewhere, right? And copywriting is what I love to do. It's my realistic dream job. (My REAL dream job would be to be the next Samantha Brown...it could happen).

And to those outside of the world of advertising, my job lets me play with words all day. I brainstorm, come up with concepts, create headlines and teasers, write body copy in ads, etc. It's a blast. And clearly it has altered my ability to write in complete sentences. After writing in the ad world all day, I tend to write conversationally. Short, choppy and easy to read.

As I've learned in my 1 and a 1/2 years in the profession, it can be very difficult to make really, really uninteresting things sound interesting...irresistible...something everyone wants. I've had to do it for everything from insurance policies and cell phones to tractors and eye-glass cutting machinery. It can seem nearly impossible, but I've learned there are always ways to make the product "pop", no matter how mundane it may seem. All you need is a little time and a lot of imagination.

So today was a slow day at work and I decided to spend some time virtual window shopping. I was perusing the Old Navy web site, looking up scarves on sale, when my eyes caught the little box of copy in the upper right hand corner of the page. Naturally, I had to read it. And this is what it said:

As soft and romantic as a lover's whisper, this gossamer light knit scarf adds enchanting texture to any ensemble.

Seriously, that's what it said. I laughed out loud. A lover's whisper? REALLY?

So of course I had to keep reading. And some of the descriptions absolutely amazed me:

Ruby slippers might have been de rigueur for Oz but neither the wily Wizard nor the Wicked Witch will stop you from easin' on down the Yellow Brick Road in style with our shiny, patent polished ballet flats.

Long on looks and short on sass, this fleece hoodie dress gives her an effortlessly stylish base on which to build her own personal fashion statement. Accessorize appropriately.

You've been waiting for these. Just so you could catch yourself in the mirror and think how cute they are on your feet, and how happy they make you. Soft, chenille, fuzzy slippers make everyone happy.

Everything from cars and computers to sodas and DVDs are getting upgrades, so why not flip-flops? Meet the Old Navy Flip-Flop 2.0. It's got the same great style and value, only with new bells-and-whistles, like improved materials and enhanced comfort.

Even in the dead of winter, your boxers will have plenty of life left in them, thanks to bright seasonal patterns and durable double-stitched cotton that keeps its shape after repeated washings.

Tehehee life in the boxers. Very sneaky, Old Navy copywriter. Have you ever heard $3 flip flops sound so jazzy? Or a pair of ballet flats sound so bewitching?

It's copy like this, though a tad cheesy, that makes me appreciate my career even more. Sure, people may laugh at a detailed description of the psychological lift you get as you wear your Old Navy slippers, but I love the fact that the writers were able to come up with that many ways to describe every article of clothing on the web site. Each one is different...it's amazing. It must be quite difficult to come up with different ways to say "comfy long-sleeve t-shirt" or "silver flats". So cheers to you, Old Navy copywriters. Your work is hilarious...and a bit inspiring, too.


Sidenote: I just finished the fourth and final book in the Twilight series. AMAZING. If you haven't read it, you need to. Now.