Tuesday, May 16, 2017

Tea with Jan Schakowsky

When we fight, we win! -- Jan Schakowsky

 

Enjoyed witnessing the exchange between neighbors who are honing their community activist skills and Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky--one who has been working it as least as long as we've had expiration dates on our food--at neighbor Janice Page's home.


Discussion included running for local office, Morton Grove's pending welcoming community ordinance, minimum wage opt-out ordinance(s), politics in among our representatives and senators in Congress and likelihood of impeachment. 


Participants included Kim Moldofsky, Janice Kantro Page, Laura Frisch, Elizabeth Jones, Tammy Astor, Shabnam Syed, Margaret Grau, Jill Alali, Anjum Ali, Sharon Maitino, Ruth Goldman Helgemo, Janice Cha, Mari Blechman Plotnik and others.

Wednesday, May 10, 2017

Making conversation with family and strangers


Killian Kring, my oldest nephew,
graduated from UIC this month.


Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.

~ Ferris Bueller


A new friend of mine just said “May is crazier than Christmas”. I’m feeling that too: Graduations, weddings, bridal showers, baby showers, Mother’s Day, birthdays, oy.

If you have trouble making conversation at family events, here’s some conversation starters. Consider putting them in a handy place on your mobile device to consult with when you get stuck. These are meant to be light questions, but can get heavy in a hurry, so if you’re not in the mood to get to deep, choose wisely.


Who would you invite to your ultimate dinner party, living or not?

What do you do for fun?

What was the happiest moment of your life?

What are some of the best lessons you’re ever learned?

What kind of a student were you?

Who was your favorite teacher?
Favorite topics?

Who has been the kindest to you?

What is your earliest memory?

Do you believe in love at first sight?

What are you proudest of?

Who are your best friends?

Who are your favorite relatives?

Have you ever experienced a miracles?

How would you like to be remembered?

If you weren't doing what you're doing now for a living, what else might you be doing?

When you meet God, what do you want to say to Him/Her?

The above questions are inspired by StoryCorps’ Great Questions.

The following are all mine. Two of my go-to “cocktail party” questions are these: 1) Have you ever been arrest? 2) Imagine that you’ve just spent the night with someone special, exchanged all kinds of bodily fluids, would you use their toothbrush in the morning?

Got any of your own questions you like asking? I'd love to hear them.

Tuesday, May 9, 2017

BizPics: Headshots for Business, Sunday, May 21

If you need a new headshot for social media, a website, media relations or other purposes, I'd love to make it for you. My next BizPics shoot is at Creative Coworking in Evanston Sunday, May 21, 2017.

If you find the prospect of getting your portrait made daunting, but you know you need one, this is the shoot for you. These shoots are fun, a cross between a fashion shoot and a party. If you come, you'll get some smart pictures made of yourself while having a good time. In fact, consider bringing a friend or loved one.

Skokie's Dr. Susan Becker Doroshow
 

This in from Skokie dentist, Dr. Susan Becker Doroshow, about BizPics: The business portrait that Karen made was literally the springboard for a revitalized practice image, new marketing materials, and a clear brand that truly resonates with my patients and staff. I never knew that a photograph could accomplish so much. Karen is an artist and creative genius!

From non-profit executive Thomas Applegate: I finally took advantage of the opportunity with...BizPics to get new photos for use online at Linkedin, Facebook and all of the rest. A great current photo is essential for my professional and social image online.

Karen and her crew are great to work with at the shoot. Even though I wasn't nervous about having my picture taken, I was pleasantly surprised at how much fun it was. Karen...made it fun and easy. I met other professionals while we waited for our turn and that casual conversation helped my photos look relaxed and natural. The process from sign up to selection of my favorite shots was quick and easy.

My only regret is that I waited so long to sign up for a shoot.

Registration and details for the May 21 shoot are up at https://bizpicsmay21.eventbrite.com.