Two years ago, maybe two and a half, who’s counting, I started this blogaganza, hoping to keep my writing skills derusted and hoping to make some pithy observations about this bizarre world on which I am planted. A world of communications and health care public relations, a world of politics, of rowing and general “stuff” that seems interesting or contrary.
This is my first new post in more than a year.
So what happened? What happened is exactly what befalls many wannabe bloggers. They overthink, they feel that every entry must be perfect beyond words and they freeze realizing that they can’t live up to these expectations once or twice a week. So nothing happens.
Having just completed David Meerman Scott’s The New Rules of Marketing and PR, I am convinced that excuses are for sissies, and if I really am a marketer, then I better start acting like one. Start more conversations. Consider social media as the earth’s cocktail party. Start getting “me” out there again. So here it goes.
So, Michael, what’s happened in the last year or so?
No need to go into details. They’d bore you anyway. But I am obligated to mention a few items, some happy, some not.
Starting with the negative side of the ledger, last year both Marlene and I lost our remaining parents: Marlene’s dad died last January, simply not waking up from a “routine” operation. My mom passed away in her sleep last March. We are now the senior generation around the Thanksgiving table, the keepers of the traditions and the secret recipes.
I briefly worked full-time for a British communications agency that desperately tried to learn the ways of the USA.
The good stuff is far more entertaining.
My consulting business flourished last year, thanks to a wonderful opportunity to promote a dramatically different way of treating major depressive disorder. Thanks also to some extra-special corporate assignments, writing messages for several of the world’s greatest health care organizations.
Marlene left the legal profession and became a fair-housing advocate; for the first time she really loves her work.
And last, but not least, I’ve gone back to school, sort of. Last summer I enrolled in the Boston University MS in Health Communications program. It’s an unforgiving commitment of way too many hours, but it’s a great, great learning experience. And to those who say, “why, you could teach that course,” I just say “bull.” There’s so much I do not know. That keeps me happy. As does getting back on this blog.
Me
Better late than never, completed my MS at Boston University
