Having just checked my diary and I can't believe that Christmas is so close! Its my daughter's birthday today and up to this point I always feel that I've got lots of time - but not any more. Not a single present bought or a Christmas card written and lots of client work still to do.
One client's Christmas campaign kicks off next Wednesday with a day of Festive Fun on Bridlesmith Gate - may be I'll get more into the spirit then!
Dianne
There's a lot of talk in the media at the moment about empty nesting with students going off to their various universities.
Not experiencing empty nest syndrome myself yet - still got a daughter at home - but my son did go off to Birmingham University for the first time 10 days ago and I must say it was mixed emotions. Clearly proud that he managed to get his place to study medicine - particularly with the fierce battle for places this year - but also missing him. The house just isn't the same - it's quieter, there's less washing and ironing to do and there's more food in the house! Can't wait to see him when he comes home for a weekend though!
Dianne
Isn't the great weather we are having at the moment just wonderful! You just feel so much better and you can forget that Autumn is only just around the corner.
I'm going to enjoy going home tonight and relaxing a little - might even be able to get a chair out in the garden if I'm not too late. Will definitely pick some more of those delicious apples in our garden - a bumper crop this year - clearly the result of all the love and attention our trees get - or maybe not!
Dianne
Its particularly pleasing as PR consultants when your clients have success in awards - and that's exactly what happened on Friday night and we were there to enjoy it too.
Djanogly City Academy won the Excellence in People Development Award in the Nottinghamshire Chamber of Commerce Awards beating off some stiff competition.
North Midland Construction plc was shortlisted in the Sustainability Award too but didn't quite manage to take the title, being narrowly beaten by the Hardstaff Group.
A good time was had by all - and congratulations to both clients.
Customers of Castle Sound & Vision are getting their first taste of 3D home cinema tonight.
Castle is the first retailer in the country to have the new Lumis 3DS projector from SIM2 on demonstration - the only consumer projector that uses the same triple flash technology developed for commercial 3D cinemas. This eliminates flicker and ghosting giving a smoother motion.
A national reviewer visited Castle recently to review the projector and he was certainly impressed! Check out what he had to say.
http://www.hdwars.com/news/2011/06/hdwars-gets-hands-on-with-sim2s-new-3d-projector/
Yesterday we were at the launch of the new retail floral trail in Nottingham city centre. Funded by the Nottingham Retail Business Improvement District, the trail is a stunning new addition to the retail landscape and is already creating a bit of a stir amongst shoppers. With a series of eight willow sculptures decorated with flowers and plants around the main retail areas of the city, its definitely worth checking it out.
There's a chair at Canning Circus, a shoe on Bridlesmith Gate, a jacket near the Brian Clough statue etc etc
Check out the We are Nottingham website for full details and download a map:
http://www.wearenottingham.co.uk/nottinghaminbloom.php
I have just read this article on the Guardian website and found it quite interesting and amusing. Not that us PR types would ever make a story up for the sake of getting news coverage, or ever try to trick journalists, but it is a funny read.
It would be interesting to see how many of our press releases have been used, I may just check the website out sometime.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2011/feb/23/churnalism-pr-media-trust
I have recently started going to a weekly Zumba class - and if you have not experienced Zumba revolution that is sweeping the nation yet I definitely recommend it! It is a combination of various styles of dancing and aerobic moves, set to different songs. It is something to look forward to at the end of the day and a way to let your hair down and shake the stresses away...as well as a good form of exercise.
Jenny
I spent the evening at Jamie Oliver's new Italian restaurant yesterday, as part of their training week. I can't fault the menu or the interior but I am glad it was 50% off as in my opinion the food did not vary in quality much more than a few of the other Italian restaurants in the city centre. The staff were all friendly and trying their hardest, but a but more confidence is still needed, which I'm sure will come with experience. I'm sure it will do really well as the city definitely has a gap in the market for a celebrity restaurant.
Dianne has been invited to the launch of Carluccio's restaurant later this month so look out for her review...
Jenny
So the issue of sexism is back in the media spotlight this week due to sports commentators being caught off air discussing a female referee.
I think this is a serious issue when it relates to the workplace and implying that women cannot perform a role as well as men, but can't help thinking this has been blown out of proportion now that more footage is coming out of the woodwork of other presenters off air chatting about women. It makes me wonder who is leaking this to the press - and what the benefit is for them?
I'm all for equal opportunities, and think us women should stick up for ourselves and be noticed as competent and successful in the workplace, but not at the expense of purely gaining media coverage.
Jenny
The team at Gemini is back after a refreshing break over the festive period. For some of us it was pretty hard to get out of bed this morning, but now we are planning ahead for our clients for the coming year and getting on top of things.
We hope you had a lovely rest as well and are ready to face the challenges and exciting times that 2011 will bring!
