June 17, 2009

What is Sydney’s deal?

Nice to see you again. Follow me, @SydneyOwen. Thanks for being here!

I’m sitting on “my chair” at my parents house for the last time before I move to Chicago. Not the last time ever, just the last time. You’ll notice that I’ve added a bunch of password protected posts on here. I know my family reads my stuff, so I know that if I write to them here, it will get through to them, past the barriers of spam filters (Mom works at a hospital, Whitney works at Disney and Dad has every spam guard available), and into where the words need to go.

My family is single-handedly the most important thing in my life, and to say that I’m terrified of what I’m about to do in just a few short hours is an understatement. Though I know they’re always there for me, they are no longer a 2-hour car ride away. This is the farthest I’ve ever been from home, ever. And it’s terrifying. 

So if you’re an email subscriber or an RSS subscriber, I apologize in advance for the posts in your inbox or reader that don’t pertain to you. But like I said, my family is my rock, and it’s important to me that they see these things here. 

Thank you for your understanding. And let the madness begin. My next post will be written from somewhere on the way to or in my apartment in Chicago. There’s roughly 1200 miles between this door and my new one. That’s a lot of miles.

Mom, Dad, Whitney, thank you for being a part of this. I couldn’t have, and wouldn’t have done this without your support. I have a credit card with no balance that serves as my flight home fund for when I’m the brokest of broke that I’ve ever been (hopefully won’t be too broke, but you know what I mean).

To those of you new to the journey, welcome, it’s gonna be a wild ride.

  • In the event that you are "stating the obvious of what everyone is thinking", I'll address "everyone" now.

    For me, this blog is not just about building my personal brand. It is a part of my exploration of social media, web 2.0 and all of the other terms applied to what is, at the end of the day, a means of communication.

    Could I send an email? Absolutely, and I have. Some have gotten lost in the black hole of spam filters at my family members' places of employment. Sometimes I just feel like writing on here more than anything else.

    Yes, this blog is about Sydney Owen on: New Media. But the key words of that tagline are Sydney Owen. I am in PR, yes. But I am also a sister and a daughter to three people who mean the world to me. And today (well, two days ago) I chose to use this medium as a form of communication with them.

    Does it detract from the content posted here? No. Will it dominate the content here? No, in fact, that was the only time I'm posting it to the blog.

    Part of building your personal brand is being personal. The content of this blog reflects new media, PR, my career and my life, and how I see it (through my gen-y perspective). Relocating across the country is part of my career. Writing for my family is part of my life.

    Thanks for reading, I look forward to your comments in the future.
  • I'm probably stating the obvious of what everyone else is thinking but...

    Why make private blogs to your family members that get sent out to your entire readership? You have individual posts for individual members of your family.

    Why not just send them an email?

    You are knowingly writing to an audience that you want to grow. You're building a personal brand. It seems out of place especially when there are better channels for personal, private messages.

    It's something I see that's very MySpace/Facebook to create personal messages in public spaces whether they are private or not.

    This wouldn't even be an issue on another personal blog but, you do PR for a living. PR geared toward new media. It seems odd that you would build your brand this way.

    I came here from an interview you had on Viraolgy that touted you as a voice on PR for new media. Strange to find those blog posts here.
  • Well at least you know there's a bunch of Chi-towners who are stoked to have you! Ready-made blog and twitter friends:)

    Enjoy the ride..I'm watching it on Twitter right now!
  • It's funny how closely our stories parallel. I put the two week notice in on Monday and am heading up to Chicago myself on July 1. I still don't know what I'll be doing when I get there. But I'm excited - scared as hell - but excited nonetheless. Good luck to you, and here's to our paths crossing sooner rather than later!
  • Dad
    I love you.

    Without hessitation, unconditionally, without barriers, with no regard to time, people or distance. I am always here for you, now and forever. I have been with you since birth and will be with you every step of the way in your life.

    Your world is about to be a crazy place, or so it will seem. Remember me and use me to your advantage. You know and understand me and how I think better than anyone else ever has or will.

    That knowledge and understanding works both ways. Feel free to share my mind as often as you need to. And listen carefully to yours; it holds the courage and answers you need.

    When you were born I prayed to God to watch over you. He's done a pretty darn good job of it so far and I have no reason to believe he won't stick with you forever.
blog comments powered by Disqus

Previous post:

Next post: