by Nancy Colasurdo on September 29, 2010
So a gentleman wrote this in response to my last blog post with a link to my latest Game Plan column called Thank You, Mark Zuckerberg:
Let me confirm it for you. You are blazingly naive.
Thank you, sir, not just for taking the time to react to my column but for your insight. I’m not being sarcastic. It’s kind of true. I am, in some ways, naive — optimistic? decidedly unjaded? — and mostly proud of it. Two years from now, should Cory Booker and/or Chris Christie prove me wrong here, I’ll eat my words. I promise.
Until then, I choose to believe they’ll do the right thing.
by Nancy Colasurdo on September 29, 2010
Last week the buzz was all about education as the film Waiting for Superman was released — what an eye-opener! — and it was announced that Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg was donating $100 million to Newark schools. Newark Mayor Cory Booker and New Jersey Governor Chris Christie appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show and held a press conference stressing this was about the children.
Thoughts on what it all means in today’s Game Plan: Thank You, Mark Zuckerberg
by Nancy Colasurdo on September 27, 2010
I guess I shouldn’t be surprised that the book signing event at Barnes and Noble in Union Square for Earth, A Visitor’s Guide to the Human Race was by far the funniest and weirdest book signing event I’ve ever been to. The book was, after all, written and edited by the team from The Daily Show.
With Jon Stewart at the lead microphone and 18 writers joining him onstage, the floor was open to what was supposed to be a few questions; Stewart graciously decided to give more time to the Q&A. And what a Q&A it was. The tone ran the gamut from bizarre to angry and Stewart handled each exchange with aplomb and wit.
Right out of the gate, a woman wanted to know why there were only two women on the stage and how much of the book Stewart actually wrote himself. There were serious questions about what The Daily Show’s popularity might say about the state of the country, but Stewart the comic/thinker was at his let’s-keep-things-in-perspective best when he simply said, “We’re going to be OK.” Really.
A couple of really angry fellows made their way in and shouted comments from the back of the room. Stewart was intent on hearing them out. The first wanted to know when he started aligning with Glenn Beck on 9/11 and then yelled it was an inside job. The second asked, “What year did you sell your soul to Satan?” Again, Stewart was amused but gracious in his replies.
Friends Kathi, Susan and I leafed through Earth as we waited for the event to begin. Its humor is so clever, at times shocking and, well, sometimes just plain frat boy. A favorite section so far is the one on prayer. A sample of a “typical prayer” in Wicca:
Goddess, please use your eternal powerness to make those bitches on the pep squad stop picking on me.
Even the signing portion of the program was smooth and allowed for some banter with the writers, all of whom signed all the books. Even got the chance to have a laugh with Wyatt Cenac and John Oliver as we made our way down the table.
Terrific evening. I’ll bet the whole crew is still there signing books. Impressive.
by Nancy Colasurdo on September 24, 2010
Loved this insight — and OK, the shout-out given to moi — about “Why New Year’s Resolutions Suck” by my friend Todd over at Skadaddle Media. This is the time for change!
by Nancy Colasurdo on September 24, 2010
So enjoyed my interview with jewelry designer Sarah Cavender at the Hotel Gansevoort in the Meatpacking District this week. Love when creatives find a way to make a living with their art.
Today’s Game Plan: An Artist Sustains Her Business
by Nancy Colasurdo on September 24, 2010
Mike Dooley’s daily TUT.com messages from The Universe always make me smile, but today’s gave me a real chuckle:
The tendency to settle upon a cursed how, Nancy, as a means to achieve a particular goal, is simply a sign that you’ve momentarily forgotten how unlimited, creative, and powerful I am, and that I tirelessly conspire on your behalf when you leave me every option.
Let me loose,
The Universe
by Nancy Colasurdo on September 22, 2010
A simple conversation on the beach with a dear friend a few weeks ago prompted me to think about how over-taxed some of the good listeners among us are. Maybe we can do something to change that.
Today’s Game Plan: The Lost Art of Listening
by Nancy Colasurdo on September 20, 2010
Yesterday I walked into a major department store and made a return. Not just any return, but one that had exceeded the strict 30-day return policy by nearly three months.
I waited in line for about 10 minutes and when it was my turn, I said simply this to the cashier:
“I am here to beg (smile on my face). This jacket is well past the 30-day return period but I am asking you to make an exception. It’s in season, so it will likely sell. I bought it with good intent, but when I went to wear it recently it just didn’t look right.”
I handed her the jacket and the receipt. She said nothing. The next thing I knew, she was asking if I’d like it credited to my American Express. I said, “Yes, I cannot thank you enough.” She handed me the new receipt and off I went.
No “dog ate my homework” or “I’ve been sick” story. No hard-charging nasty scene. Simple human contact.
Works wonders.
by Nancy Colasurdo on September 17, 2010
I had no idea what I was in for when wardrobe consultant Jenn Davis, a.k.a., The Closet Junkie, came to my home to go through my closet and drawers. OMG. It really makes you look at yourself in the mirror, so to speak, when a professional goes through your clothes piece by piece and you’re trying them on along the way. Startling.
For the whole enchilada, check out today’s Game Plan: Refresh Your Wardrobe, Refresh Your Life.
by Nancy Colasurdo on September 15, 2010
To say I’ve been having a fun Fashion Week is an understatement. I kicked things off with some time in SoHo on Friday, otherwise known as the second annual Fashion’s Night Out. I was psyched to run into Ken (you know, Barbie’s ex), trail celebrity stylist and “fashion alchemist” Mia Morgan at a Connect the Dots event, and top the evening off by running into an icon.
For a rundown of the fun, today’s Game Plan: Connecting the Fashion Dots.
Stay tuned for another fashion twist in Friday’s Game Plan.
