Lara Kretler’s blog

I’ve been thinking for a while now that bloggers and PR people are like those couples who keep breaking up and getting back together, over and over again. While they’re apart they talk trash about each other to anyone who will listen, but then when they’re together they can’t keep their hands off each other. Turns out I’m not the only one to think this, only Saul Colt said it better than I ever could in his truly awesome blog post. Hilarious, and so true! Hmmm, I wonder what that says about me, being both a blogger and a PR person.

Okay, the other blog post I want to respond to is on a kitty blog called The Cheezits: Colby and Cheddar. They are clever cats indeed because how could they possibly know that I love both cats and cheese, and would therefore be unable to resist doing the 7 useful things meme they tagged me for? I was putty in their paws. Without further ado, here are 7 useful things about me:

1. I’m good at reviewing and editing documents. My husband is in school right now going for his Master’s and he has me proof and edit his papers before turning them in. Lots of other people send things my way too. It must be that English major of mine, still making me useful after all these years.

2. My critters all think I’m a pretty awesome mom. I’ve been mom to dogs, cats, a ferret and a parrot. Currently my pack includes one husband, two dogs and a Quaker parrot. I’m quite good at feeding them, giving them lots of love and affection and treats, and even taking them for walks.

3. I love to help and care for animals in general, even those who don’t live with me. All winter long I poured feed corn down and around the bunny hole in our backyard. I have been known to stop in busy traffic at the side of a road to help lost or wandering animals. I even tried to help a great blue heron last year. My husband and I wrapped her in a towel and took her to the Ohio Wildlife Center. Unfortunately, she didn’t make it.

4. I have a crazy habit of journaling everything and keeping impeccable records and photo scrapbooks. This can be quite useful, such as when neither my husband nor I can remember what year we went on a particular vacation or where we ate. It never takes me long to look up the answer in a scrapbook, planner or datebook. I can tell you how much I weighed pretty much every year of my life, every trip or vacation I’ve ever taken, how many times I’ve worked out each year for the past decade, and all the places I’ve had my passport stamped. I even keep a book log of everything I read. I love maintaining lists and keeping track of things!

5. I’m quite a foodie and can hook you up with the best restaurants in town – both Columbus where I live as well as anywhere I’ve lived before or traveled to for business or pleasure. I’m a culinary traveler, meaning I research the best local eats even before I set foot in a strange place. I especially love ethnic foods like Thai, Vietnamese, Mexican, etc. Yum! Don’t get me started.

6. I’m an extremely positive person. I’m far more likely to rave than rant. I can see the good in almost anyone or any situation. I’m told that I’m good at lifting people up and helping them feel better about things. My husband and friends tell me this all the time, and so does my Mom. And since my Mom is the most positive, uplifting, cheerful person I know, this is a real compliment. If I have even half of her gifts in this department, then I am blessed indeed.

7. Last but not least, I seem to be making myself very useful at work lately as the resident social media evangelist. Almost every day I have someone stopping by or calling me with a question about blogger outreach, social networks or Twitter. It’s great and I love it! I like to feel useful and I especially like to get my coworkers excited about social media.

And now I’m supposed to tag four other bloggers, but I can’t bear to do it so I’ll just ask four people to voluntarily tag themselves after reading this. Ready?  Just post 7 useful things about yourself to your blog, and link back to this post so I’ll know you’ve done it. Tag, you’re it!

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