Stephanie Holland - Plinky Answers

Stuck in an elevator with Michael Jordan

2009-04-06T17:27:02-06:00

Michael Jordan
Since he's only the greatest basketball player EVER, and in honor of THE MAN being inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame today, there is no one else that I would rather be in a elevator with than the one and only, Michael Jordan.

Now, this has been a long-time dream of mine—being in a space with Michael small enough that I could actually look at him closely...close enough that I could study his face and his greatness. Heck, I might even muster up the courage to talk to him if I was in an elevator, because I would have the knowledge that I would never ever have the opportunity to be as close to him again; thus I would have to say something.

Maybe I would tell him how much I respect him for never quitting. Like in 1997, Game 5 of the NBA finals, MJ made 38 points in 44 minutes on the court, fighting the flu the entire time. Even though he was dehydrated, unpracticed from vomiting the entire night before, and exhausted from no food and no sleep, he kept playing—helping lead the Bulls to victory over the Jazz with a 90-88 final.

So maybe that's what I would say to him—"Michael, you never quit. You played your last game with the same heart as your first, and that is something to be commended for."

Or maybe I would be so star-struck that I couldn't say anything at all. Either way, just to be in his presence would be a dream come true...

Who Says A Retiree Can't Ski?

2009-03-23T15:12:16-06:00

There's no question about where I would want to retire and that's on a lake-preferably on Smith Lake in Alabama. There is no place that I would rather be than on the front porch of a cabin in the morning with a cup of coffee, watching the mist rise off of the water. There's nothing better to me than the peace and quiet that the lake offers, with the occasional roar of a wave runner or ski boat speeding by. I would love to have a pontoon boat large enough to fit all of my family on (and of course, the dogs would want to come too).

Not only would I enjoy the daily quiet of the lake, but the cabin would be a great draw for my family (it might even bring my California son home for some time on the water). I would love to have cook-outs for my extended family as well. Being able to get away from the hustle and bustle of daily work and having time to host a weekend getaway for the people I love the most excites me more than anything. And, there's always the water sports; though it's been some time since I've skied, I would love to renew my skills and try my hand at slalom skiing. After all, who says a retiree can't ski? Well, maybe I'll get to find out one day...

I solve problems for a living.

2009-03-13T11:00:48-06:00

What do I do on a daily basis? I solve problems-that's what I do. As President and Executive Creative Director of an advertising agency, I am faced daily with a new set of fires to put out-some easy and some not so much. The first thing I do when I get up is check my Twitter. I am officially obsessed. Then, I feed my kids. When I say kids, I mean my two attention-starved dogs. By the time I get out of the shower, I have already written a blog and sent it to the agency to proof, so by the time I get there it is posted. I get to work and respond to my latest hits on Twitter, check on client emails, and check in with the creative team. Knowing my luck, this is when the emergency of the day happens-a client panic, an agency issue, or a typical "Stephanieism," as my husband likes to say.

Once the crisis is handled, I grab lunch with a client, friend, or the team. By this time I have checked Twitter for the 224th time today, and it's time to check Google analytics again. The afternoon brings a client meeting or concepting meeting with the team. In the meantime, I am checking to make sure that everything is up-to-date in the billing department, grab an afternoon snack, and answer the fifty emails I just got within the last hour. I check in with everyone, pack up, research reports (or a book on social media), and grab layouts to review later on tonight, after I check my Twitter, of course-all of this in an effort to solve the world's advertising problems during a recession. Solving problems for a living? No problem.

The Peter Pan Dogs

2009-03-04T14:43:22-06:00

If you know anything about boxers, you know that they need lots and lots of attention. In fact, they are called the Peter Pan dogs...they "never grow up." I have two boxers, Holly and Bailey, and although they look as if they are grown up, they are far from it.

I have come home many days to find lots of fun surprises from my dogs. One day, shortly before Christmas, I came home to a winter wonderland. No...it wasn't actual snow, unfortunately. I had a micro bead pillow from Brookstone- one of those really soft ones that is filled with 1 trillion little white beads that move around depending on where your head is placed. It was the kind of pillow that you curl up on the couch with to take a nap or watch your favorite tv show. This particular day, though, my house was transformed when Holly and Bailey found my pillow and decided that it needed to be ripped apart and distributed all over the house. I walked in to see my house covered in little white micro beads. Let me tell you a little secret—these beads NEVER go away. After vacuuming, cleaning, shaking, and kicking I have come to the realization that nothing will ever be able to remove all of those beads.

When they were puppies, people would come to the front door and knock, and they would run to the door and slide across the foyer, eventually slamming into the door. As they got older, they continued to do this. The only problem with this is that they both weigh 70 lbs. a piece. One day, I got a call from my husband wanting to inform me of their latest destructive act. As an innocent UPS guy came to the door to deliver a package, the dogs ran across the foyer, slid into the door, and much to the surprise of the deliverer and my husband, the dogs' weight actually shattered the leaded glass out of the door. So, for two weeks (until I actually called to get it fixed) my door had two pieces of large tape across it. Yes, it definitely looked like a crime scene. Although the dogs have done their share of turning my house upside down, they are not actual criminals...just overgrown puppies that need lots of TLC.

Send a Taste of the South

2009-02-27T14:43:58-06:00

Dreamland Ribs
I would send Dreamland Bar-B-Que's stack of ribs and a loaf of bread along with some sweet tea and lots of extra napkins, as you definitely will need them when you dive into these ribs. There is nothing like it anywhere else. You can only eat at the restaurant in Alabama or Georgia, but they actually do ship orders for the true Southerner who needs to have them somewhere else.

the latest issue of Southern Living
This magazine always makes me feel like I'm at home, as it offers the best of Southern life. Not only does it display beautiful Southern homes, but it also features Southern meals, decor, and highlights Southern destinations. While other magazines may offer the latest and greatest, this one does so with Southern flare and reminds me of my roots.

a copy of Lynyrd Skynyrd's
No matter where I am when I hear this song, it instantly takes me back home. "Sweet Home Alabama...where the skies are so blue..."

Some people might laugh at it, but this is a true favorite for any Alabamian. Somehow, it never gets old.

Sure, reduced fat, double-stuffed Oreos are a healthier option...

2009-02-26T11:31:27-06:00

I am not an advocate of lying. On the flip side, I might be okay with someone not being 100% honest with me occasionally..."You look great today!" Okay, whatever. I worked on a pitch all night, had chips and coke to keep me going, got 2 hours of sleep, and I threw on the first thing I could find this morning. Maybe we should call this encouragement rather than lying.

"Mom, I really miss you, and I wish I was at home right now!" This statement is coming from my 23 year-old son who now lives in Los Angeles and goes surfing every other day. He does not wish he was at home.

I'm standing in the grocery store when I see reduced fat, double-stuffed Oreos. "Okay, these are lots healthier...I think I'll buy them." Everyone knows that the concept of reduced fat Oreos is ridiculous, but it sure does make me feel better as I dip my third one in milk at midnight.

So, sometimes, I think I'm okay with someone not being completely honest with me or, in the Oreos case, not being completely honest with myself.

My Spastic Blood Bath

2009-02-24T15:14:08-06:00

no brakes

In an effort to help my brother and the paper route that he did not have time for, I gained one of my most noticeable scars.

My brother had football practice one day and didn't have time to deliver his afternoon route. Being the bored 11 year-old that I was, I decided that I would tackle the challenge and help him out by attempting to deliver the papers. As I started down the massively steep hill, papers in my front basket and on the back of the bike, I started to lose control. As I gained more speed and lost more control, I started tumbling with the bike until I finally flew into a rock embankment. Papers flew in every direction, most of them now marked by blood.

As I examined the situation and saw my extremely bloody knee, among many scratches and bruises, I picked myself up and headed to the nearest house to call my mom. I knocked on the door and was immediately taken care of by a compassionate older lady whom I did not know. She drew a bath for me in an effort to clean off some of the embedded rock and oozing blood. By the time my mom got to the house to pick me up, I was sitting in a bath of bloody water, my own blood bath, in a stranger's house. I'm not sure, but I believe my mom passed out. She probably has a scar from the day as well. After a hospital trip and 15 stitches, my knee eventually healed; however, I still have a scar that reminds me of my fall–all in an effort to be the best little sister I could be.

My Empty Wallet is Constantly With Me

2009-02-20T16:19:27-06:00

Empty Wallet
I think I should probably list what is not in my purse instead...

My purse is filled with loose change, random receipts, and an empty wallet; hence I can never find my credit card. Another thing that should be in my purse that is constantly escaping is my set of keys. I've found them in the freezer, in the bathroom, and more often than I wish, in the door. I'm pretty sure that the purpose of the purse is to safely keep all of your important daily things together, but somehow my two most important things like to scurry off to who-knows-where.

Maybe I should give up on the purse.

A Touch of Urban Style with a Side of Conversation

2009-02-19T09:31:17-06:00

With its exposed brick walls and conglomeration of different tables and chairs, Urban Standard is the perfect place for an exceptional cup of coffee and a good chat with a friend. Not only is the coffee fitting for even the biggest coffee snob, but it also houses a bakery and is the perfect place to eat breakfast or lunch. Grab one of their now famous cupcakes, and you will receive it carefully wrapped and placed in a folding box. Its eclectic atmosphere is covered with framed prints and pieces of art for sale, and one section of the shop offers an array of vintage trinkets and quirky, but well-designed stationary. The best place for a chat in Urban is on the big couch pushed against the brick wall. My personal favorite drink is a large cup of hot chocolate with a heart-shaped dollop of creme on top (I'm not making this up). The atmosphere is laid-back and artful – an around-the-corner, hole-in-the-wall place you would expect to see in a larger city. It may be too hip for me, but I can't stop thinking about those red velvet cupcakes...

Sweet Relief

2009-02-17T10:04:20-06:00

Heaven in five boxes.

I was working on my taxes yesterday while watching the updates on the economy and feeling like I can't get everything done. However, my stress seemed to dwindle a little when I had a sweet little Girl Scout come in to deliver my favorite little bites of comfort. I could barely see her face for all of the boxes-Thin Mints, Tagalongs, Shortbread, Samoas...I now have 6 remaining boxes on my desk and worried about...what?

Wii Fit for Sale

2009-02-16T13:08:03-06:00

We have a Wii and love it. For my birthday last year I got the Wii Fit and had great enthusiasm and high hopes. Unfortunately, it has been in my closet collecting dust for 7 months...still unopened.

I now walk...sometimes.

The Dreaded Red Dot

2009-02-12T09:37:24-06:00

About a year ago, I got a red Motorola Razor. Though it was nothing too fancy, I was thrilled about it. It had the best speaker phone I had ever used, which is very handy for me since I'm always juggling fifteen things while trying to take the next call. After two weeks with my new red phone, I got in the car and without a thought dropped it in my cup holder as usual. However, I failed to realize that I had actually dropped it into a cup of water instead. Several minutes later, I regrouped, took the phone apart, and hoped that it would air out over the night, giving it at least some chance to work half-way decently again. After a couple of days of trying to rejuvenate it, I decided that I would try to take it back and not mention the water damage that I had recently bestowed on my phone. Before I took it, I looked up some things about water damage on the internet and found that my solution was not going to work. As I took off the back cover, I found the secret, dreaded red dot that tells of the water damage thus giving me no hope in returning it. As a result, I suffered through the next year with a phone that worked only half of the time.

This has been my luck with cell phones, so I've never depended on them as much as I could have. In spite of all of the cell phone drama, my husband gave me an iphone for Christmas. Needless to say, I fell for it, and I have become attached to it with its many apps and features. If I lost it now or dropped it in a cup of water, I would probably call in sick to work.

One sweet bite of the Apple, and I'm irrevocably addicted.

It's a Wonderful Life...Now.

2009-02-11T10:07:01-06:00

It is Wonderful!

"We must give up the life we've planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us." These are words of wisdom from Joseph Campbell, a respected American mythologist, lecturer, and writer and were passed along to me from my mother after some plans of my own took a different turn than I had imagined.

How often do we so confidently proclaim our plans and dreams while surging ahead without realizing that maybe we are living our purpose now. I am reminded of George Bailey in "It's a Wonderful Life." The movie encompasses this thought, as George so desperately desires to get out of Bedford Falls- to see the world and become something of "importance." Only when he loses everything is he reminded of his true wealth; his eyes are opened to the love of his family and friends and how he has unknowingly touched the lives of so many with the Bailey Building and Loans, which he has so often despised. He finally realizes that he is not on the way to his purpose, rather he has been living his purpose; thus his understanding comes full circle as he acknowledges that it truly is a wondeful life.

So get on with your life in the now, and don't miss what's waiting for you because your plans may look different than you once envisioned.

"To George Bailey-the wealthiest man in town."

A Search for "The Greatest Thing You'll Ever Learn"

2009-02-10T09:34:21-06:00

Moulin Rouge is a great movie for a sick day, as you will really have time to take in the many emotions that it inevitably evokes.

The story is one of a turn-of-the-20th-century poet, Christian, living in Paris and enamored with the Bohemian movement of freedom, truth, beauty, and love. As he delves into the fantastical lifestyle and pursues a career in writing, he falls in love with the city's most desired courtesan and star of the Moulin Rouge, Satine, and becomes involved in an emotional love triangle.

With it's witty humor and plays on classic movies and songs, this musical develops it's own style as it incorporates a wide variety of remakes to fit the story. You will hear renditions of everything from "The Sound of Music" to Elton John, Nirvana, Madonna, and even an emotional tango remake of The Police's "Roxanne." Everything from the art direction to the costume design is immaculate, and the movie is constantly captivating with vibrant color specific to each scene. Not only is it a story filled with passion and the search for "the greatest thing you'll ever learn," it is also a cinematic experience.