And then there was "Beardy"...

I was working on a project where no one liked to meet in person - everyone LOVED to have conference calls. The culmination of the project resulted in a series of in person meetings. Day one was a little awkward - as each person walked in the door you instantly starting trying to match a face with a voice. A person almost NEVER looks like what they sound like on the phone before you meet them. After day one of introductions, everything was cool. No real shockers. But as we wrapped the day, someone mentioned "Beardy will be here tomorrow." Beardy? lol. Yep. Beardy. And you can guess what his most prominent feature is upon meeting him.

So of course, I forget about Beardy until I walk into the building the next day and press the elevator button. And for a brief moment, I'm excited! I'm looking forward to meeting Beardy...Is his beard long? Is it patchy? Does he dye it? How will I react? I pull myself together as I arrive on the floor. As soon as I walk in the door, there he was. Beardy.

It's funny that people give random nicknames to colleagues. I have to admit, I've done it! I'm actually laughing to myself right now thinking of the names that i've heard. This all my leaves me to wonder what people call me at work? I really don't know! Corporate thug maybe? lol

What do you think people call you behind your back? What are some of the nicknames you've heard for colleagues? Dish!

The Oprah Effect

Unless you're living in a cave, you probably know that this week was the last week of the Oprah Winfrey show. Oprah has meant a lot of different things to a lot of people. I think we can all agree she's been an inspiration to us all in one way or another. She's shown an interest in people, topics and places that otherwise might not have been known. She grew from being a Mississippi-born black baby into one of the most powerful women in the world. Sometimes people underestimate the magnitude of the significance of her success. Oprah is BLACK and a WOMAN who rose to a position of power and influence on a talk show in a country where just years prior she couldn't even use the same toilet as her fans! She is a public figure that has transcended race, socio-economic circumstances, gender and physical appearances in a world where "image" is everything. I can't think of anyone else off the top of my head who has done that or even come close.

And while there aren't many days that I've been able to be in front of my TV at 4:00, Oprah has affected me. She has shown me the power of giving. I watch her "favorite things" and dreams shows not wishing I was on the show, but rather wishing I was capable of making people's dreams comes true, improving people's lives and rewarding those who have made measurable efforts to make this world a better place. There are many times I cried with joy watching the smiles and happiness of perhaps a young girl severely burned in a fire that is still going strong or a mom that survived the death of her kids to go on and adopt four more. Oprah has provided a platform for the revelation of stories that touch your heart no matter who you are or where you're from. Lastly, in the final hour, she went public with her faith in GOD and acknowledged her blessings as she is truly a woman of much FAVOR. Though I believe this acknowlegement was late in the game, it's important for people to see that she is not taking all the credit for her success and recognizes the role God has played in her life. She leaves me inspired to dream big, take action and give back.

Hats off to Oprah for 25 years of greatness.

Food for thought: Will anyone care when Jerry Springer finally goes off the air?

A H*e Without a Pimp has no Protection

Tonight I went to dinner with a colleague and while we discussed an array of topics, guess what we ALWAYS discuss??? Work. What else? Both of us pawns in the hands of "the man" reflected on how over the years we've watched senior management identify the "chosen" ones. You know, the one who is always sought after, always busy, always in the spotlight. The person that is always recommended for the company task force attacking critical issues like how often should leadership leave four minute voicemails, how do people feel about the coffee mugs distributed as part of the green iniative or conducting interviews for the company newsletter. I'm not diminishing the importance of these company initiatives or downplaying people's roles, I'm just saying people are typically involved in those things because they "got chose" or they aspire to be chosen.

Getting chosen has it's pros and cons. On one hand, it's flattering and beneficial to career success to be recognized by senior management as a go-to person that gets things done and is willing to take on tasks that extend beyond pre-defined responsibilities. It's these auxiliary activities that get people put on the fast track up the ladder or at a minimum a personalized desk plaque. But let's be real, all of these extra activies get you no more money, take up your free time and potentially could lead to more aggravation in the short term. Your cheerleader, sponsor or mentor can also be referred to by another word - your pimp. This is your "procurer of opportunities" who in return is molding you into a competent member of the organization in hopes that your rise to management over time will lead to higher profitability, increased stock prices or perhaps a fully funded pension (a person can dream). There is also the bonus of being the person that "discovered" you before your rise to the top. Yep - you were made.

So wait, if your cheerleader is the pimp, then you are...? Yep. You guessed it. You're the h*e. And while it sounds bad and you think about all the work that you'll put in for your pimp, remember - a h*e without a pimp has no protection. That is, those who aren't chosen, can slip through the cracks unrecognized, unmotivated and lacking support. You need someone in your corner, guiding your moves and keeping you abreast of the silent rules of success.

Now go out there and GET CHOSE!!!
(cue the Project Pat)

My "Four Letter" Words ~ F@#D

As I mentioned previously, I've have several failed attempts at starting a blog, one of which was "My Four Letter Words". I'm not talking about those words that got you beat as a child - @zz, B*, D@#%, S^&!. I'm talking about words that might not be bad for everyone but they're bad for me. The first word that might single handedly be ruining my life is...FOOD! And if you want to know how I really feel, I have to say F@#! F@#d!!!

I've been in an ongoing battle with food over the years. One minute we're friends, the next we're enemies. One minute it's comforting me, the next I can't stand to look at it. The root of this struggle stems from the way I view food. On a day when I work hard and late (and I'm privy to a company food allowance), what better way to reward myself than with a glass (or two) of wine, truffle fries, candy? Boss stressing me out, colleagues getting on my nerves, what's the cure? That good Baskin Robbins run...Pralines'n cream, chocolate chip cookie dough in a waffle cup of course. Or my new-new find - the birthday cake shake from Zaxby's (it's the devil!)

As I look back at pictures, I see the evidence of how my battle with food has yo-yo'd over the years. Summer 2008 #winning. Summer 2010 - not so much. Whether I admit it or not, the way I look in pictures affects my mood (and in some cases my memory). If someone says, "Hey girl, you remember Homecoming 2007...we had so much fun!", my mind automatically recalls an image of me in 2007 (bronze dress, micro-braids, one chip away) and in a matter of seconds, I can respond, "'07 was aight but you know which one was da bomb**??? Homecoming 2008!!!" (bandage dress sans equipment, defined "guns" and calves).

Sure, it's not all about what's on the outside but what's on the outside affects the inside and vice versa. I want to live a long, healthy life. I want to have my money in my pockets and not in the hands of insurance providers, doctors and pharmacists. I also don't want to pay for drinks, entry for the club, be hassled when I make store returns or be "that" friend - you know the one that stands in the back of the pics, always offers to take the pics or hates all the pictures she's in and secretly deletes your memories because she doesn't like how she looks in the pic (not that I've ever done that ;-/). The reality is people are influenced by your appearance including you!!! In having a conversation with my better half about my ever changing hair (topic to save for another day), he pointed out that I project my self-image onto other people thus influencing how they interact with me. So does he mean on those days when my freshly done hair is blowing in the wind, make-up is on point and stilettos on deck, people aren't checking for me because I look better but rather it's my confidence garnering the attention? n#$%@ please lol.

All that to say, it's time to make a change. Today I end my love affair with f@#d. Today I identify new ways to comfort myself, better ways to reward myself and steps to achieve an all around healthier lifestyle. I know I can't do it overnight but what I won't do is weightwatch, fat smash, quicktrim or any other unsustainable methods. I'm going old school - eat less/more responsibly and workout more. Revolutionary, I know. No more games. It's time to just do it.

Ice cream better MOUNT UP!!!

Just the Beginning...(I hope)

I've been trying for some time now to start a blog. I've tried so many different themes, titles and sites that wordpress and blogger will most likely start charging me for all the names I'm holding hostage. Hair, finance, fashion, corporate america, fitness....all topics I've wanted to write about at some time or another. But, why choose? Why commit to a topic knowing that my thoughts change more frequently than Nicki Minaj changes wigs?

I needed a universal blog title that is linked to what makes me unique...why am I me? The first thing that popped in my head was "12 schools". My claim to fame is 12 schools before college and it had nothing to do with military, foster homes, etc... the typical reasons people would expect. My parents were just always on the move for one reason or another (career, love, sanity) which is why I believe I am genetically pre-dispositioned to seek, create and love CHANGE.

So after talking this over with my better half, here it is...Twelve. Four. One. - Twelve schools...four states...ONE experience. Join me as I continue the odyssey that is my life shaped by my diverse experiences over the years. Watch me change. Watch me grow. Join in!!!