Friday Favorites: Edition One

9th October 2015

Last week, I stumbled upon a new blog series from a favorite photographer on Instagram, Amy Demos, called Friday Fun and immediately knew I had to jump on the bandwagon.

Another blogging friend of mine, Jessica Lawlor, runs a similar series at the beginning of each week, called Links and Goals. Both are such a great ways to kick, or end, a week, and follow along with the amazing work they are both creating.

I’m especially guilty of focusing my blogging time only on the bigger updates in our lives: the exciting adventures, projects or big things around the corner. Inevitably, this leads to fewer updates and some of the best details being left out of the story.

Starting this Friday, I’m going to try something a bit different: highlighting a few of the weekly wins I often overlook, and hopefully give share a few high five hands (?) for the week.

Here’s a quick recap of some of the fun adventures of this week worth sharing:

On being a professional

This week, I had the opportunity to speak at SuperNova South, a digital conference here in Atlanta, on game theory. Guys, I was able to somehow intelligently speak about game design and all of the great work we’re doing over at Dragon Army. It was a ton of fun, even though I still haven’t managed more than a 15 on Paper Trail.

https://instagram.com/p/8i4LNjj1uq/

On running

I discovered there is a Hogwarts Running Club. While I still haven’t received my acceptance letter, HRC turns running miles into really cool medals, with registration fees to support charity. This month’s run was the Patronus 5K, which was a great excuse to run with a friend over on the west coast. Registration benefits Noah’s Light Foundation, a nonprofit supporting pediatric brain cancer. If you’re interested, the run is virtual and you can still enter and complete it this weekend. I’ll also be adding this shirt to my Santa List in a size small.

The best selfie I could muster up to send to friends in Seattle also running.

On #TBT

Timehop shared this gem with me this week. I’m not sure what the “claiming” comment is all about, but what I do know is nine years ago I was invited to stalk some boy named Patrick on Facebook, we were set up on a blind date and the rest, as they say, is history.

On animals

I wish I could record the antics of our crazy cat and loving dog everyday. In the meantime, here they are both proud and confused about the Halloween fun to come.

On what’s ahead for the weekend

My baby sister is making her modeling debut on the westside with an event called A Really Good Strut. She works for Anthropologie and was somehow roped in. P and I will be there for the champagne and embarrassing photo documentation supporting her future wedding slideshow.

With no little rain in the forecast, we’re planning to make good on these goals and with a trip to Burt’s Pumpkin Farm and the mountain biking trails.

When you document it, Monday through Thursday doesn’t look too shabby. If you have a cause for celebration this week, let me know, I want to hear all about it.

Looking Forward to October

27th September 2015

Atlanta may have done its best Portland impression this weekend, but at least the temperature is giving a hint of what’s to come in the next few days…October.

I’m not alone in this excitement, a 2005 poll by Gallup asked Americans for their favorite month of the year and October was only bested by May (I’ll attribute that to our Northeastern friends). Despite popular belief, there is more to October than pumpkin spiced things (though picking pumpkins is on the list). I’ve already made a solid list of October activities for P, so sharing the highlights here seems like a good place to start.

What to look forward to in October in Atlanta

1. The Spirit of Oakland

I have a thing for visiting Oakland Cemetery any season of the year, but their annual Halloween tours are a must. The tour is historical, having volunteers dress up as “residents” to share their stories and their contribution to Atlanta history. There’s also beer, wine and live music. Tickets sell out fast (they go on sale in July), but you may still be able to snag a last minute spot if you jump on it.

2. Trail running

There are plenty of great places to get off of the asphalt and into the dirt around the city, but Cochran Shoals along the Chattahoochee is my personal favorite. Take the gravel path around to mile two and head up into the MTB trails. They’re largely single track, so play nice, leaving the headphones at home and running opposite the daily traffic for bikes.

Bonus: while no longer open to the public on weekends, if you’re nearby on a weekday, swing over to the Chattahoochee Coffee Company riverside location, easily the most relaxing spot in the city.

3. Pumpkins (not the latte version)

I’ve been going to Burt’s since I was a kid and we still make the trek every year. Sure, they’re pricer than Kroger, but can you take a hay ride at Kroger? Expect crowds and don’t sit on the pumpkins for your selfie. With endless hiking trails nearby, it’s easy to make a day out of it.

Amicalola falls is right around the corner, and while beautiful, it’s always a little too crowded for our taste. Check out Jake and Bull Mountain as nearby alternatives. Both are more MTB focused, but offer great hiking options too.

4. Hocus Pocus

I confess, I already gave in on this one along with the candy corn that was purchased in August. #sorrynotsorry. Do yourself a favor and order the DVD. Money well spent.

If you’re looking for more October-ness, we’re also embarking on gourd season. So there’s that.

October, let’s do this.

Going Digital: changing your name in social media

17th September 2015

You might have noticed a few changes around here. It only took ten months, but I can officially check another item off of the name change list: this website (and Instagram and Twitter).

People can complain about the lines at the DMV and the Social Security office all day long, but I’m here to tell you, after getting married, changing your name in the digital world is infinitely more agonizing. Especially when you go from a Dennihy (hello no competition) to a White. While I’m loving my new last name and all the perks that come with it, defining a new digital identity has been no easy task.

Becoming a White was pretty great. Here’s to digitzing it.

Today, I’m moving over to KaitlynWhite.com and blogging under a new header as well: A Great White Adventure. When I started this blog, it was a requirement of my job. If you scroll way, way back, you might find a few posts describing my thoughts on the social media universe as a result. Like this one.

Why I made the switch

Over time, my thoughts changed from the occasional post about life in the real world, to sharing the everyday surprises and adventures that I love most. So much so that #AGreatWhiteAdventure was even the hashtag at our wedding (another detail I put far more consideration towards than the average human should). Although I’m still working on finding my blogging voice, I’m certain that turning everyday into a curious, unexplored, figuring it out one step at a time adventure is exactly where I want to be.

How to change your name. AKA, I should change my name there too?

Guys, when I say this was more painful than the DMV, I am not kidding. Especially when there was no line at the DMV (that really happened). I’m a big believer in creating and maintaining your personal brand, even more so when your job nearly depends on it. I went back and forth for a long time, do I keep the consistency and name recognition of my online identity? Or do I risk losing some of that clout and go for consistency in the real world?

This has to be a personal decision on what’s best for you, there is no manual (surprise). I am all for people who keep their professional and personal names separated, but for me, the positives didn’t outweigh the negatives.

After ten months of thinking on it, real world won.

My job requires me to meet new people on a regular basis as well as speak in front of the unknown audience from time to time. It’s a lot of fun and so is introducing myself. When someone goes to find me online, that doesn’t always match up. Considering I’m in this White thing for the long haul, it started to make more and more sense.

OK, so how do I make this happen?

Funny you ask. Here’s a handy little chart. Enjoy!