11 Years Later

I was fine until I walked to work today.

Now that I live in Manhattan and my office is once again in Soho, my view on the way in is the same as it was that morning 11 years ago, when I was walking down Broadway from the Prince Street subway station and looked up to see sparkles of glass in the air.  (Here's the link to my full 9/11 story.)

So when I turned south from my street and looked up on this identically clear day to see the Freedom Tower rising above the downtown buildings, I lost it in the middle of Sullivan Street.  Luckily, my dad was up early on the West Coast and he talked me through it enough to get a few blocks further, until a moment of silence came on the radio (yes I even walk-commute with WNYC, I'm an addict) once on West Broadway and I lost it again.  I can't quite place it; I suppose it's the same remembrance that anyone has when they suddenly miss someone they lost, triggered by some small thing like an object or a holiday or a smell or a song.

Being from the West Coast, I'm so grateful that I was here in New York on that day.  It was my first year here, and I think it somehow cemented me as a New Yorker early on.  I love this city despite how crazy it makes us; I love this country despite all the problems we face and how different we all are.  Here's to us.

The Marketing of the President

Last night I went to a panel hosted by ProPublica on "The Marketing of the President" - of particular interest to me of course, as a marketer and a political junkie.  The other draw was that it was hosted by Farai Chideya, of whom I'm a big fan. 

The discussion was less about marketing in general, and centered around how campaigns are using online data - information we voluntarily (though often accidentally) share via free sites like Facebook and Pandora.  Lois Beckett, Kate Kaye, and Joseph Turow brought lots of interesting points that I wasn't even aware of as a marketer re privacy (or lack thereof), digital footprints, data storage, and the algorithms advertisers build around our actions and potential actions.

My favorite point was made by Turow - something I believe in and have been sensing for awhile now - that eventually there will be so much information online about all of us that it will become moot. 

At least, I'm hoping this is the case, otherwise The Mayoress will never become an actual mayoress (this blog, case in point).

NYC: Vote on Thursday, September 15

As you know, one of my top causes is getting New Yorkers to vote in the district where they live.

Local elected officials are the ones that affect your day to day life, and the ones who will actually listen when you call, write, or email.  None of this "I'm still registered in my home state" even though you live and pay taxes in New York.  It's just foolish.  This is not the '08 presidential election and you can still influence your friends and family in your home state while being a participating member of your actual current community.

The primaries are MORE important than the November elections for locals because in NYC, the Democrat almost always wins.

SO, the important thing is getting the RIGHT Democrat on the ballot. The only time to do this is in the primary election, and you must be registered with the Democratic party to cast this vote. While I respect the philosophy of registering Independent, guess what?  It's a waste of your vote in New York. So make your vote count and register and vote as a Democrat, and if you don't like the system, do something to change it.  Opting out is irresponsible.

This year the primary elections are on Thursday rather than the usual Tuesday, probably because of 9/11.  So plan to vote this Thursday, September 13.  Here is a link to everything you need to vote in New York State.

Get Vito Lopez Out

Good riddance.  Sexual harrassment and backroom dealing aside, the last thing Brooklyn needs is someone whose political priority is behaving like a cast member of The Wire or Goodfellas.

I am loving the article in the Times today outlining just how ridiculous Lopez behaved as a "public servant."

I personally came up against Lopez's power monopoly in '08 when I tried to relaunch the Brooklyn Young Democrats.  Everything was a pretty simple and direct process - I had everything ready to go for the charter - but nothing could happen without Lopez's direct approval, which was going to be a series of jumping through hoops and pledging allegiance.  No thanks.

Way to make New York a better city, Lopez.  Don't let the door hit you on the way out.