Returning to the Hunt After a Week of Seattle Sunshine

Unemployment finally caught up with me last week. After a few months of adventures around Seattle and a number of freelance projects, I found myself with a rather empty schedule and inbox. At first I was thrilled by the thought. It seemed almost too perfect. My to-do list had run out of boxes to check just as the sunny spring weather arrived in Seattle.

In honor of the sun I kicked off my shoes, lost my shirt, and planted myself in the yard to catch some rays and finish a few good books. This sense of calm didn’t last long however. With my natural state being mobile and fluid, I quickly became uneasy with this stationary life style. It’s safe to say that I have a hard time relaxing.

Sun kissed and mentally refreshed, I’m returning to the hunting trail reenergized for a new round. Opportunities don’t come knocking after all. It’s more of a hunt. You need to be at the right place at the right time to make things happen.

A bit about what I’m looking for below.

###
Digital Strategist and Storyteller Seeking Organization Interested in Digital Media and Collaboration

Smart and versatile communications professional with a passion for cultivating authentic relationships and stories for brands. I’m industrious, eager to learn, and filled with optimism.

I have over three years of experience helping organizations communicate effectively via traditional and new media. I love cuisine, travel, technology, trains, and urban environments. For a complete download about my history visit my resume here

I’m looking to create a long lasting relationship with an organization that has similar values and interests. If interested, please feel free to ping me on twitter at @jholland218.

[Photo Courtesy of waggingtales]

Five Years of Shiba Love

Judo as a puppy in Orting, Washington

Similar to many pet parents I wasn't prepared to be a dog dad at 20. Thankfully my dog Judo has been patient as I learned the location of the best dog parks and tasty snacks. Originally I was worried about raising a dog in my early twenties fearing lack of time and resources. While it has certainly been a challenge at times, adopting Judo is one of the best decisions I've made to date.

Judo is an anchor in my life. He keeps me grounded even when other parts fluctuate between crazy and calm. Judo also helped teach me the importance of selflessness and responsibility. Having someone who looks to you for care and love changes your perspective on the world.

It feels like we just met yesterday but Judo turned five this week! Join me in wishing him a happy birthday on Facebook! In honor of my pup I’ve dedicated this post to him which explains some of the most commonly asked questions about his origins.

Why Judo?
Originally named Waung, Fuzz and I renamed Judo shortly after we adopted him in the summer of 2008. According to Fuzzy mythology, Judo’s name is a combination of Joshua and Fadzrul. It also means the gentle way in Japanese which is a perfect fit for his temperament.

What’s a Shiba Inu?
Judo is a Shiba Inu – a spitz type of dog from Japan. The breed was originally bred to hunt in the mountains. It’s extremely agile and loyal to its master. Rearing has a strong effect on Shibas' personality. Early socialization and training helps prevent disobedience and improves interactions with other dogs later on in life.

Where Did Judo Come From?
Despite being a Japanese dog, Judo hails from Huntsville, Arkansas. Fuzz found him online after having difficulty finding an affordable Shiba Inu in the Northwest. Judo came to Seattle via a Boeing jet and fell in love with the region's mild summers but strongly dislikes the wet winters.

Judo Quirks
If you’ve ever had the opportunity to spend time with Judo you quickly discover he has his fair share of quirks and is full of personality. I’ve outlined a few I’ve noticed living with him for the past few years.

Dislikes
Grates
Guitars
Skateboards
Basketballs
Puddles
Camping
Long Walks
Getting Wet

Likes
Car Rides
Jelly Beans
French Fries
Belly Rubs
Sun Bathing
Dog Parks
Napping
People Watching
Toe Licking

Josh and Judo in Seattle, Washington

PRSA Jumpstart Springs to Life at Saint Joseph

Content originally published in the spring addition of PRSA Puget Sound Newsflash

Jumpstart returned to Seattle this spring with a new location and fresh set of speakers. The event was held at the Saint Joseph School on Capitol Hill. It attracted over 50 aspiring and working professionals from around Washington.

This year’s event was keynoted by Whitney Keyes – author of Propel: Five Ways to Amp-Up Your Marketing and Accelerate Business and professor of Strategic Communications at Seattle University. Her presentation focused on the importance of being open to an evolving career path which may not be linear. Other speakers included Kyle Warnick – Microsoft, who spoke about the importance of personal branding and Mark Firmani – Firmani+Associates, who gave attendees practical advice on how to obtain their first job in PR. Other activities at Jumpstart included mock interviews, resume reviews, a media panel, and  small roundtables featuring seasoned PR professionals from various fields.

New to Jumpstart this year was a raffle which featured prizes donated by speakers. Prizes included
inspirational books, gift cards, and additional 1:1 time with speakers over coffee or lunch. Attendees were very satisfied with the event and mentioned they thoroughly appreciated the access to seasoned PR professionals.

Thanks to the Jumpstart planning committee for all of their hard work this year. Members of the group included:

Amy Boyd
Emily Nauseda
Erin Applegate
Dominique L’Eplattenier
Joshua Holland
Jay Peters
Kate Hudson
Shefali Sain
Shelsea Rawson
Stephen Odell

Interested in being a part of the Jumpstart 2014 planning committee? Contact Jay Weisberger at
Jay.Weisberger@skanska.com. with inquiries about opportunities. In the meantime, stay connected to the Jumpstart by following it on Facebook at Puget Sound PRSA for Students and Twitter at
@PRJumpstartSEA for the latest news.

New Town, Same Look and Feel - Sim City

Sim City has returned with a new mix of addictive gameplay. Like its predecessors this edition is a sandbox style game focused on the dynamics of city building. The game thrusts you into a simulation where you can craft a city in your own image. While easy to get started the game gets more challenging as you progress.

Pros
Mega Projects Are Outside of Your Domain
As mayor you no longer have complete control of mega projects such as freeways and railroads. These elements are built into maps. Not all mega projects are out of your reach however. Big ticket items such as international airports, large power plants, and mega buildings can be completed in the Great Works portion of the region’s map. These colossal projects can be undertaken by a single mayor but the amount of resources required makes it much more beneficial to collaborate with others in the region.

Your Buildings Level Up
Many of the core civic and economic buildings in the game are no longer stagnant and can be upgraded. A majority of them feature snap on modules such as an additional bus stall for schools or a new wing for your hospital. Other upgrades become available after completing a specific goal. City Hall for example levels up based on your population.

Discover Your Specialty
Specialization is one of the most intriguing new features of the game. Mayors now have the choice to make use of natural resources inside city limits. Resources include coal, oil, and ore; availability highly dependent on your location however. This dynamic forces mayors to carefully evaluate maps before laying down streets. After all you may not want to pave over a valuable oil well. Would you?

Cons
Always On
To create a dynamic Sim world Maxis now requires players to remain online to play the game. While this feature creates interesting dynamics such as a global market for goods and the ability to play with your friends, it also presents some challenges. One major issue with this approach is the game is unusable offline. It’s also heavily reliant on the Maxis’ servers which were not fully operational during launch and continue to show reliability issues.

Hop on the Bus
Maxis decided to remove the subway from the game. While always an expensive option for city’s in the past, it was one of the most effective ways to move your Sims around. Options have been severely cut back. Buses now serve as your city’s primary means of public transportation. The most advanced option available is the streetcar which is not as fast as the subway and more difficult to place in  the city.

You Can’t Grow Without City Hall
Government takes a more active role this time around with a handful of the game’s advanced buildings being tied to the level of city hall. From schools to stadiums, you won’t be able to build some of the larger items right off the bat. Luckily Maxis has built a workaround for this dilemma. For example, if another mayor in your region already added a specific wing such as utilities to their city hall your city will gain access to advance utility features as well.

Verdict
Overall the game is a solid addition to the series. It’s new challenges and tools create  a fresh experience for seasoned mayors and newbies alike. Find me on the U.S. West Coast Server. Mayor name: SeaTrain.

Happy building fellow mayors!