31Ways2GetItStarted™!: January 22, 2013

31Ways2GetItStarted™!: Day 22

Watching high-lights of the presidential inauguration this am at the gym, I was really struck by what amazing times we are living in. You disagree? Listen, in 1966 the NYC Dept. of Housing, on my mother’s behalf, had to threaten to sue the landlord of the building she wanted to move in, since he did not want to admit non-white tenants. (Fun fact: When she did move in, several tenants gave her bottles of champagne to celebrate.)  When my parents got married in 1968, it was only one year after Loving vs. Virginia, the landmark civil rights decision of the US Supreme Court, invalidating laws prohibiting interracial marriage. One year.

Yesterday, we watched an interracial president get sworn in—second term, b*tches—and his VP was sworn in by the first Latina on the Supreme Court.  Richard Blanco, the poet chosen to give the inaugural poem is an openly gay Latino male. We have senators and congresspeople who are openly gay, female veterans, Indian-Americans, etc. etc.  We even have orange politicians who cry easily.

Things are far from perfect, that is true, but given all that we have, if you’re really going to kvetch to me about your life of unimaginable suffering and why no one has ever had it as hard as you, and why the universe will not allow you to do the hard work necessary to achieve your dreams…you better think twice, Sunshine.  I’m your coach, not your girlfriend: I’m here to help you achieve your potential, not listen to your bullshit. 

AND I LOVE YOUR POTENTIAL!

Tell me what you think in the comments, or email me @carlotazee@gmail.com, or visit my Facebook page, "Carlotaworldwide Creativity Yenta," for a free consultation.

31Ways2GetItStarted™!: January 21, 2013

Day 21: Inauguration Special

Before we begin, come take a short trip with me down memory lane. Back in 2001, when I was still "living" in Washington, D.C.--a place where people will invite you to boring dinner parties, bragging, "...and we're expecting the Senator from Rhode Island!" Okay, I guess, whatever gets you through the night. But I'm from NYC, so why would I care? In fact, why would even someone from Rhode Island care? Short answer: They wouldn't.--and I was working in the bowels of the most glamorous, reasonable, fun, rewarding, intellectually-stimulating business in the world...TV news. #contradictioninterms 

Anyhoo, I was told that I had been chosen to be overnight assignment editor (sort of like a glorified traffic cop), on the night of W.'s first Inauguration. Now, having covered President Clinton for years, I was naturally thinking, "Inauguration = ka-ching, bitches," since Bubba was always always always 3 hours behind schedule, which meant we all went into overtime. At that time of irrational financial exuberance--and at that network--overtime started at $50.00. (My first year in TV news, my accountant shook my hand after he did my taxes, he was so impressed by how much money I had made. I was 26. Then, he told me how attractive he found Latinas. Okey-dokey. Pretty sure I said something like,Well if I run into any, I'll be sure to let them know! #Zimmermanout) 

So, here I am, sauntering into the newsroom--think of a CIA "black site" secret prison, but without the charm--excited by all the cash I'm going to make.  http://youtu.be/zUKCVH67fWo

I swear to god that W. was in bed and the press pool dismissed by 10:30 that night. My shift lasted until 12am. Hence: No overtime. Hence: Rage. Tremendous rage and frustration and cursing. Ohh, Yahweh bless the dear, sweet faces of the D.C. press corps tonight...those hacks are going to need it!  

In light of today being both a kinda special day for President Obama and Martin Luther King, my hint is: Have a dream, but have the courage to make it happen. You and I are reaping the rewards of people who came before us, with tremendous dreams. And with amazing personal courage to take the risks to make those dreams come to life. Almost unimaginable courage. 

I Have A Dream 

Email me @carlotazee@gmail.com, or go crazy in the comments or visit me on Facebook: "Carlotaworldwide Creativity Yenta!"