Just because the media shows up doesn't mean....

Well, I helped execute a media campaign recently.  The client was so happy when ABC7 showed up with a camera.  After all, that is the #1 station in the Chicago market.  It was impressive that the cameraman stayed awhile. With such good footage, and with visions of a good news feature, the client salivated.

Until...

Until it didn't run.  They tried to blame me but I told them I have no control over what happens when they get back to the newsroom.

Sometimes decisions are made and they may deem that this wash't newsworthy enough to make the cut.

That is, apparently, what happened.  And, there's nothing you can do about it.

Men of Courage - An Association through AKA

So honored to be pulled out of retirement to work on Ford Fund's Men of Courage program.  This is an extension of my work as head of Alpha Kappa Alpha's Communications Committee where I met Cheryl Hudson, whose client is Ford.

She has brought me in on some dynamic campaigns and I'm honored that the association made through Alpha Kappa Alpha has blossomed into a wonderful occasional project.

So what if it's cold

I went to the Chicago Botanic Garden today.  It was 10 degrees and everyone seemed to be surprised that I was going to an outdoor odyssey.  Even when I drove up, the parking attendant wouldn't charge me the $25 because she said there was "nothing to see."

But there was a lot to see.

There were three greenhouses filled with exotic plants, ferns, cacti and everything imaginable.  I spent an hour in the three greenhouses, marveled and took selfies in front of a tangled fern.

Even through the cold, I walked through the gardens and imagined that they were blooming.  I could see the architecture within each garden and that gave me some visualization of what it will be like in the spring/summer.

It was a magical day and nicer because I was almost the only one there.

But I will go back in the spring and summer to see all in full bloom.

The tipping point

I've subscribed to the New York Times for years!  I love this newspaper and spend Sunday reveling in the Sunday Magazine, the "Modern Love" feature, the "36 Hours in..." and so much more.

I've endured the increases in price.

Until this year.

When I got the e-mail that the subscription cost was increasing, it had finally reached the tipping point.

So, I'm cancelling.

But, luckily, I found a great deal that will allow me to get the newspaper at a fraction of the cost -- THANKS TO E-BAY.

So, while the company reached the tipping point, my love for the newspaper, forced me to get resourceful and creative.

Tipping points can yield results.

One pound

It's the end of the year and it is time to get my annual weigh in.

The goal is to gauge the progress from year to year.

On January 1, 2016, the goal was to lose 10 pounds.  Well, I went in for my weigh in today and had only lost one pound.

Not much progress.  So, there is no reason to celebrate.

So, what did I do? I treated myself to Popeye's Chicken wings.  I'm sure if I'd gone back for the weigh-in after that, I would have gained the one pound....and then some.

So, my goal for next year is to lose more than one pound.

Now, that may be doable!

Benefits of senior citizen status

OK.  Every morning I feel the creaks, have difficulty getting the legs working and notice that my stamina isn't as high.

Welcome to Senior Citizenland.

But, there are many senior benefits and "I'm a senior," as my favorite expression.

One of my favorite perks is having my snow shoveled.  My town of Markham makes that kind concession to seniors and on days, like this week, when the snow is coming down furiously, I appreciate this "give."

Thanks, Mayor David Webb of Markham, Illinois, for making this a benefit of being a senior.

It saves me money, stress and annoyance.

Loss of someone I knew but didn't know

Today, I learned of the death of Stanley Abernathy.  He was a high school classmate and one of the most talented and coolest classmates ever!

I admired him from afar and had a crush on him since forever.  His talent as a trumpet player only made him more alluring.  Through the years, he made it as an entertainer with a band that did so well that he lived in a posh section of Nashville.

A few years ago, there was a high school reunion and he was there.  I lit up when I saw him. We chatted briefly and I felt there was a connection because unlike so many of our classmates, we'd done well after high school.  There was that common bond there.

He was a Facebook friend and I followed him...but not regularly.

So, today I went back to his FB page and saw that he'd spent the last few months in a bad place.  His illness was chronicled. His pain was apparent.  His death was imminent.

He'd stopped performing.  He'd moved back to Chicago sensing that his days were numbered and he wanted to be with family.

And it happened.  He died.

StanleyAbernathy, I hardly knew you but I admired you for the Renaissance man you are and for your passion and for being a trendsetter.

I will be at the services to say goodbye.

I'll miss you.