1213: How Traveling Alone in Chicago Changed Me

I'm from Oklahoma City. A map dot, encompassed in green pastures and oil field pump jacks. A cozy place, but a place where things aren't always "up to date". There is a great thing happening in OKC right now. A renaissance if you will, to revitalize the city, and make it better. I love the city, but lately I have been feeling like I need to spread my wings. 

I landed in Chicago on a warm Monday evening. I navigated Chicago's Midway airport, found my checked bag, and headed out to the Orange Line. Follow that with a train change to the Red Line, and a short walk from the L station at Grand and State, to my hostel: The Freehand Chicago. 

I check in with a very friendly guy named Alec. He is nice, and helpful. A breath of fresh air to me, after having walked half a mile in the wrong direction, and feeling lost in a giant city with a 30 pound bag on my shoulder. I finally get to make my way to my room, 1213, a 4 bunk room right smack dab in the middle of The Magnificent Mile, with a view of Bloomingdales Home store. 

My first "roomie" in this hostel is from Istanbul, Turkey. She's also in marketing and she seems very sweet. She tells me she will be up early; and when I left at 6:30 AM, she was still asleep. I slept great in a twin sized bed with 1 pillow. 

Fast forward through AAF's Mosaic Career Fair, where I met with and talked to recruiters from a ton of agencies in Chicago. I had a blast there, but that's another post for another day. 

I was exhausted, not enough sleep resulted in me really wanting to nap. So, I did. 4 hours later, I had 2 new roomies. One, Lisa, from Minneapolis by way of the Bahamas. The other, Monica, from Germany. Monica has never been to the States before, and asked me for some suggestions on what to see and do in Chi. We chatted about Europe, and Chicago, and my experience in the states. We talked about eating alone (which I did, and it was amazing!), and how I figure if I can do that, I can do anything. Then she said something to me about traveling, and becoming a person. She said, "it's all about ending up with a story, and I think you will have a good one."

Becoming an adult and getting ready to make the transition to post-graduate has been really hard for me. My security blanket is disappearing and I am struggling to sell myself to others. At the end of the day, we are all stories. That's what we have and what we share with one another.

As I lay here, listening to the sounds of the city 12 stories up, I have never felt so humble. I am moved by my passions for advertising, which brought me here in the first place. I am moved by my passion for travel, and my versatility in all situations. And finally, I am moved by my love for  other people's stories. I am moved by my interest in others, and my passion to know where others come from. 

So, thank you Monica. For wandering the city for a cup of coffee with me. For trying something new and getting an Uber with me. For taking the Red Line for one stop with me. Thank you for broadening my horizons, and letting me be a little piece of your experience here in America. When I come to Germany, I will definitely look you up. 

"We are all stories in the end, just make it a good one." -Doctor Who 

It Does Require a Vote: Elections and Advertising

And So, it is just past Super Tuesday and the polls and rumors are going insane. In my home state, the democratic primary is kind of like a mystery. Everyone has heard of it, but very few people see it. The majority of this state votes red; and then there is me: a very well educated 20-something with a bleeding heart for all things helpful toward my fellow person.

(This is a photo of how OK voted in the 2012 presidential election; the first presidential election I voted in!)

Because I'm not going to turn this blog post into some sort of "all republicans are wrong, and all liberals are right" (or vice versa) finger-pointing fest, I think now is a great point to introduce the point of the post! 

I'm going to critique some political advertisements! I will start with local (Oklahoma) spots and end on national spots for the presidential nomination. To make things a little more interesting, I will separate them by color/political affiliation. I will also only be reviewing political advertisements I have actually seen, so I am sorry if there is a candidate I might miss out on.

Local Okies: Republicans

So, here we are. The only local election we had during the primary was an election for court clerk in my county. Rick Warren had the only commercials I saw, and I can't even begin to tell you how obnoxious they are. I watch the local news channel for 4.5 hours every morning, and for the past few days, I have probably seen his commercial 20 times a day. I can't even show you, because the commercial is not online. I can't let it go though, and I had to make my thoughts known.

Editor's Note: I saw no democratic advertisements for the court clerk office.


National: Democrats

Bernie Sanders:

Well, I voted for Bernie. I guess you could say I #FeelTheBern, that had nothing to do with his commercials, and everything to do with how he communicates with and encourages unity and younger voters. We the people, right? 

My favorite commercial, "Together". It is quite the emotional visual, all about making things happen in our country together. Being a united people, not segregated by age, experience, wealth, passions, or skin colors. It matters to me, because unless we stand united, we fall divided. 

Hillary Clinton:

I didn't vote for Hillary because she didn't do well at collecting the "young" vote. She reached out to us, but she reached out in a way that was more "Netflix and Vote", than "People working 40 hours a week, shouldn't live in poverty".

I really love Morgan Freeman, and I need to know how to get him to narrate my life. So, props to Hillary for getting this really interesting thing to happen for you. Nothing to do with Hillary for me, it is everything to do with Morgan Freeman!

National: Republicans

Ted Cruz: 

I had to use the "butter cow" image, because to be honest, I find it hilariously American that it exists. Butter sculptures aside, Ted Cruz is America's evangelical candidate. He has the support of the Tea Party, and the majority of the Christians. 

In all fairness, I am not as creeped out now by Ted Cruz as I used to be. I don't like the support he receives from the extremes, and I don't really get it. The commercial is a pretty boxed response. The lens flares, and the music is basically it, as far as political commercials.

Donald Trump:

Donald Trump. Where do I even begin? The spray tan? The hair? The wall? The sheer racism? Who knows. Apparently we are building a wall and Mexico is paying for it. Trump and I don't share a lot of ideals, mainly because I have them. I haven't actually seen an ad for Trump, here in Oklahoma. But I have seen Trump's campaign miss spell my state's information each time he has come here. 

Three Times... THREE. Spell Check must not be for the 1 percent. 

Marco Rubio:

He is actually kind of cute, right? In this photo though, he kind of looks like he is in pain/trying not to poop his pants. Not that it bothers me, but I would have voted for him had I been a registered Republican. He seems like the least insane one. 

I didn't actually see this one, but I refuse to post the American/Canadian morning commercial. I don't know, I hope you enjoy it.

So there you have it. My review of a couple of political advertisements, and some of the candidates. I hope you all get who you want, unless you want Trump.