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Creative Careers on 11.11.11

11/11/11 has certainly marked itself as a day for creativity. Today, I attended an event at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) called Creative Careers Seminar. I am not an Ivy League student, but certainly should have been at CMU when Mark Zuckerberg was there recruiting software and computer gurus with the intention of finding new talent. Nope, I am more of your passionate spark in the mix of students. And this is where Creative Careers comes into play.

Creative Careers Seminar is sponsored by 14 surrounding colleges and universities in Western PA like CMU and Point Park University to engage their students with professionals in creative fields. This year was Point Park’s first year to be involved and I am giving a warm thank you to Amy Bittner the Career Counselor from Point Park that came to me first about this event looking for on-campus marketing ideas. She was a positive contributor throughout the event and I am happy to consider her as an “ally” (a new word I am learning to use from the book I am currently reading and not telling anyone until I have written a review of it…lol). Yes, thank you Amy!

So, the seminar was very successful in terms of attendance. There were so many students dressed in professional attire as you should be when going to networking functions like this and the panel discussions were very informative and light. I don’t recall anyone sleeping during the session which is a good thing.

Deborah Hosking, a media and professional artist, was the keynote speaker for the event and she did a wonderful job illustrating her journey and experiences. She has been to China and originally planned out for a three-month excursion there, but the game of life had her stay for a little bit longer…. try nine years she remarked.

While listening to her words and watching her photography being projected onto the screen, I delved into the mindset of asking myself why this specific speaker. The answer quickly came to the surface and I realized I am here for others who cannot attend. Hosking’s presentation spoke to me for my mother.

I made this association purely on the fact that my mom’s favorite store is JCPenny (R) and Hosking had worked there. Yes, you can make a connection like that and suddenly realize profound things. Well, my mom’s life has been strictly constructed around the roots of bearing and raising children. From her embedded family values at a very young age to remarrying and still living up to this feminine role today. Hosking’s journey did not consist of being driver’s license-less (she did say she didn’t have a car though) or not having a high school diploma like my mother’s past shows, but it did whisper into my ears that my mom can continue her passion of art, scrapbooking, photography, reading, writing and speaking her Aries mind for her future work in a creative career.

I have witnessed and learned that technology makes it possible for stay-at-home moms to get ahead while tending to their children. The power of the Web 2.0 establishes a playground to write, post and share information easier and the advances of social media has stepped this up even more. I believe the Internet is a great waiting room for people trying to discover their purpose or what they want to do in life because hobbies come together online and jobs at home are easily manageable through your computer. Maybe that’s why I love the idea of Freelance so much because the will and drive is in your hands. Through Hosking, I was reminded that my mom and anyone else has the ability to achieve great things even if it seems the odds are against them (and they aren’t…positive thoughts here). So believe me, I am determined to pull this flower from the mud and show the world all she can do. My awesomeness does come from her, duh.

After Deborah Hosking’s moment the event followed with panel discussions in areas of arts management, public relations, and performing arts to name a few. Including more awesome advice like “Marry well” as Nancy Martin, author of 48 pop fiction novels, recalls advice given to her and others from Kurt Vonnegut as well as somewhat controversial guidance “You don’t need to actually go to graduate school.” But the overall goal of Creative Careers was accomplished; students networked with professionals from companies like Brunner, Women in Film and Media, and ModCloth.com. In addition to absorbing what it takes to be in a creative career of the 21st century on a day that only comes once every 100 years.

For more information on Creative Careers and panelists biographies go to Creative Careers Seminar.

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Categories Blog, Careers, Family, Life

You think Dr. Pepper is only sexist?

11 Oct

Not only does a 10 calorie drink being advertised as a man-only beverage unleash sexism so did a class field trip to KDKA-TV.

As my honors mass media class entered the doors for our KDKA tour today, no one would have thought that our tour guide would be sexist. And sexist to who? Me. Yes, today during the tv station tour I was called out for sitting in a chair.

After standing on the main floor of the studio, we moved to the control deck where one person controls the cameras and the TelePrompter resides. As we make our way in this small long space, I end up in front of a chair and instead of dealing with that awkward feeling of “Oh there is a chair behind me and I am standing right in front of it, I don’t want to fall over.” So I sat down and within seconds the tour guide tells me that “Young men should not sit when young ladies are standing.”

I let her repeat herself a couple of times because I wanted to see what she is insinuating with her tone of voice. Well, I got the picture that she wanted me to move out of my seat for a girl who was around me. So I asked the girls around if they wanted to sit down. They all declined. Then I turned back to the guide and said they all said no. Well, I then asked if she herself would like to sit down in the chair. She smiled and said no. Then she muttered that we will suck it up and as she was about to turn to continue her presentation I explain to her that I am gay.

I said that because I wanted to get the point across that I am gay and by that I feel more like a woman as oppose to a straight male. I naturally feel more for women. She responded I know. And then I tell her that she was being sexist. She denied it and we repeated ourselves twice, then I quickly knew oh lets move on because obviously she wasn’t going to budge. So I say okay and with my look on my face told her that she needs to continue her presentation.

_______

That was the story of the day for me. The epitome of negativity that I experienced thus far. I was appalled by the simple fact that she knew I was gay and still categorized me under gender specific qualities to tell me when to sit and when not to sit. Blatantly being sexist. It might be a misfire to manners, but like my mother said chivalry is dead. It has been dead for many years. And because I am Gay that should prescribe me with some notion that I have a feminine essence stored within my personality to relate to women and fit in more smoothly. Greater than that, no one cares about who got to the seat first. Males and Females, Females and Males are the same.

I am deeply impacted by this situation and will not be giving KDKA my time or efforts for anything. What took place is uncalled for and even if the station is in the top 20 for the market, I rather not become sexist in any industry I choose to work for.

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Categories Blog, Blogging, Careers, Culture, Debate, Late Night, Life, Opinion, Television

Certified Crystal Healer

9 Oct

Oh, yes!

Bernard is officially certified in crystal healing thanks to Margaret Ann Lembo, author of Chakra Awakening: Transform Your Reality Using Crystals, Color, Aromatherapy & The Power of Positive Thought. For a five hour workshop at Journeys of Life in Shadeyside, Bernard and his executive board for The Human Element, a newly found student group on campus devoted to love and acceptance, entered a realm of Universal Laws, Color, Chakras, Crystals, and Aromatherapy. All basics that are mentioned in Chakra Awakening. (Purchase the book by clicking on the image)

The new age shop was lit by the early morning light and as we got out of the taxi cab, I knew instantly that this place would become my new safe haven away from trouble and despair. We entered the store like any other store, but something seemed to wash us clean. It eventually became a hot spot for all walks of life like ourselves to come and learn about the ancient ways as the bustle of the day awakened even more. After we checked ourselves in for the Crystal Healing workshop, I noticed just how fun, vibrant, and miscellaneous everything looked. But as I quickly assimilated to the cosmic air there was indeed a method, an order, to where everything was placed. There was a Halloween section, Egyptian section, candles, oils, salt lamps, and my favorite… crystals!

I plummeted to the ground immediately when I saw the assortment of crystals and gemstones. I later learned in the class that we can use those terms interchangeably, thank goodness because I was wondering if there was a difference. It is all about your preference. We always have choices as it was clearly stated by our teacher. Well, there were your common crystals like quartz and amethyst to your more intricate structures like pyrite and lapis lazuli snuggled in their little plastic compartments. All fairly priced I will say, which made me even more giddy with joy. Everyone in the group was flowing to every place in the store and it remained that way until we had to go.

After we browsed the store of every nook and cranny we could find, it was time to meet the one and only Margaret Ann Lembo and let our minds soak up her wisdom and knowledge that she carries from all over the world. Like a stream of energy each participant walked up the stairs, but this time the sight of books, tarot decks, magazines, and light hugged our eyes and even mine as big as they were from seeing a new floor could not pull from the gripping sight of books. Another money snatcher from my wallet. I just love my books.

Because there was no time to stop and sniff out the best books, I and the gang went to the classroom that was conveniently located next to a little kitchen and the bathroom. Time just evaporated after that and light poured into all our souls and the room was filled with peace and love. Something quite extraordinary to experience in a room full of strangers. But us being in that room on that very day, could mean that we’ve interacted with those beings before just in a different lifetime. so are they really strangers?

I’ve learned about the universal laws of everything being energy and energy vibrating. Thus in turn everything affecting everything else. I also learned more in depth that we have an aura which is made up of our past lives, memories, and chakras. Chakras were described in class like spinning wheels of light that actually don’t stick out like cones in front of your body, but like a hoola hoop around your body. This was a pretty sight to feel. Like any pretty sight, usually there is color. Color was mentioned in great detail, because each chakra has a different color and there are 7 chakras.

Root- Red

Navel- Orange

Solar Plexus- Yellow

Heart- Green/Pink

Throat- Blue

Third Eye- Purple

Crown- White

This bond between chakras and color pave the way to match specific crystals to each chakra. Margaret did a very good job in teaching us how to remember the crystals and in what ways they can be used for healing based on chakra teachings. For example, if you are in a situation where you need to work with someone or some people you would rather not soak up or digest their draining energies, then wear or surround yourself with the crystal of amber. This gemstone clearly defines what is your space and what is theirs. Because we are all vibrating energies, some of us are overly powerful than others. In using amber along with the Solar Plexus chakra which is about ingesting life both physically and spiritually this combination will help you balance the situation to deter any negativity.

Even though the class must end at some point, I was really moved to purchase Chakra Awakening, Smudge in Spray (a helpful mist to banish negativity), and a little vial of Auntie M’s Anti (natural anti-Bernard-Getting-Sick tool) all part of Margaret’s product lines to help people transform their own realities. I did get a chance to talk with her one on one and she immediately sensed my passion and drive and interesting enough she was swept away when I told her I am aspiring to become a talk show host.

“Will you let me be a guest on your show?” She asked. I did not have my business cards at the time, so I made a cute makeshift card and wrote down that she was amazing and yes she will be welcomed to come onto my show. I only allow genuine and life changing people to come on, so of course she fits the bill. The experience is worth posting on The Bernard Charles Show because it is another example of how my personality just shines through wherever I go. I know it will get me to where I need to be because even Auntie M. herself said so…