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Friday Favorites – Moving Sucks So Much

September 28, 2018 By AJ Leave a Comment

The day before I moved, I had a boxing lesson. Between that and lifting boxes, I thought my arms and legs might fall off. Like, actually FALL. OFF. I was jello. Moving sucks so much. I am relieved, though, to have that behind me and to be settling into the new place.

WHAT I READ

I finished this book called “More Beautiful Than Before: How Suffering Transforms Us.” It wasn’t a gem from start-to-finish, but a good chunk of it really moved me and I’d recommend it to anyone who’s struggling.
Padma Lakshmi wrote a powerful Op-Ed for the New York Times. Read it. All of it.
Also quite powerful and moving, this piece from Huffington Post called “Everything You Know About Obesity is Wrong.”
If you are not acquainted with Justin Tranter, you should be. Read this. His is an amazing man with a big heart. I am proud to say I know him a little from my NYU days.

OTHER BLOGGERS & INFLUENCERS

Our Best Bites strikes again with this amazing recipe for QUESO.
Lindsay hit the Fancy Foods Show and found some cool, new products! I love reading stuff like this.
And how about Munchies’ recipe for beer-bettered glazed shrimp?!

PR & SOCIAL MEDIA

This is good news. Twitter will allow you to make your feed chronological.
The artist behind the ‘Awards for Good Boys’ Instagram isn’t afraid to piss off her trolls.
Kinda interesting — Facebook pages can now join Facebook groups.
Did you know ABC news is earning half a million views on their weekly “selfie style” news program? Good on them.

EARLIER THIS WEEK

An AX THROWING BAR opened in Los Angeles. AX. THROWING. WHAT?! (I’m totally going to take a lesson. No joke.)

I binged the second season of “Handmaid’s Tale.” And then I needed to take a Xanax and sleep it off.
I moderated a terrific discussion for Social Media Club LA on crisis communications. It was a great experience and I loved the three women I got to present with!

VIDEO SPOTLIGHT

This rather special seven year old brought some serious soul to the National Anthem at a recent soccer game.
Fall in love with this cheeky little Rhino:

Friday Favorites

June 29, 2018 By AJ Leave a Comment

Greetings from my cozy perch with extra leg room aboard Alaska Airlines, flight 1404 to New York. At least, that’s when I’m starting this post. The world changed for me when I lost weight and could suddenly sit in an airplane seat comfortable and put the tray-table down. I find I am deeply productive on planes as a result, and that once I am over my initial anxieties about take-off, I look forward to the isolation solo travel brings. (UPDATE: I am finishing this post from an even cozier perch – my hotel bed in Manhattan.)

And in other news, I have added a new section to my “Friday Favorites.” Something a little more professionally relevant to me and, hopefully, informative to you.

WHAT I READ

I started a new book called The Power, recommended to me by a friend. In its not-so-distant future setting, a power is awakening in women, throwing the world into conflict. What if women had all the power? I am enjoying it.
Great article about something I enjoy: dining out alone.
Looks like” TanaCon” was a total flop. Color me shocked. (Read: Not at all.)

OTHER BLOGGERS & INFLUENCERS

Lindsay wrote a beautiful letter to her daughter on her first birthday.
This post from Pajiba — “There has never been anything false about hope.”
WOW. Presley’s recipe for a Burrata sandwich wins my heart.

PR & SOCIAL MEDIA

Facebook is testing a feature that allows users to mute a certain keyword for 30 days. Good way to avoid spoilers!
There is a Google Chrome extension that endeavors to change any photos anywhere of Donald Trump into kittens.

Facebook is also exploring a subscription model for Groups that allows Admins to charge a membership fee. I don’t know how I feel about that on the heels of Mark Zuckerberg’s “Facebook will always be free” testimony before a Senate committee. There would certainly have to be a strong, proven ROI for me to fork up money for such a thing. But I doubt I would.
What’s with the latest PR trend in which publicists are jumping ship from their giant, illustrious PR agencies, to set up their own boutique agencies?
Tips on how to curate your Instagram Stories highlights. Right here.
And speaking of Instagram, in case you’re sleeping under a rock, they rolled out a long form video content platform, IGTV.

EARLIER THIS WEEK

I discovered a Bloody Mary that is now my favorite Bloody Mary. And I also tried Scottish Rarebit. Read that carefully, because it is NOT Scottish RABBIT.

Somehow, of all things, I got hooked on Gilbert Gottfried’s podcast. This week I loved his interview with film composer Michael Giacchino.
Thursday night, I saw the Broadway play, Boys in the Band, and it was AMAZING. AH. MAZE. ING.
I attended a screening of a documentary called Three Identical Strangers, and it BLEW. MY. MIND.

VIDEO SPOTLIGHT

Colbert. Fallon. Conan. The trifecta of late night hosts together for some short-n-sweet Trump mockery.

I enjoy this web series, “The Hot Ones,” in which the host and a celebrity guest chat whilst eating progressively spicier chicken wings. It’s taught me a lot about the Scoville Scale. Great, new episode with Natalie Portman:

Introducing: AJ Feuerman Communications

March 8, 2018 By AJ Leave a Comment

As some of you may know, I’ve recently begun freelancing full-time as a publicist and social media strategist.

After more than a dozen years working alongside some of television, music and film’s most talented artists and executives, I am proud to announce the launch of my own full-service public relations and social media consultancy, working with content creators, networks, distributors and more. I’m thrilled that I have already had the opportunity to work on some terrific independent films in 2018. It’s been a really fast and exhilarating turnaround and I am so blessed to have the support of so many.

I’ve been surrounded by many talented professionals in diverse fields that have all contributed to my past projects’ successes as well as my own professional growth and it is my hope those relationships will continue as I move forward with this next stage of my career.

Please also know I am working on a website revamp (see that “New Business” menu item up there?) but did not want to wait on that to reach out to all of you lovely readers and share this news!

Giveaway: Everybody Loves Pizza But How Abou white pizza?

December 29, 2017 By AJ 3 Comments

Win a Fresh Brothers prize package!

Apparently, National Cheese Lovers Day is January 20, but that’s like EVERY DAY for me. Hence, this Fresh Brothers Giveaway. (You’re welcome.)

I was under the weather recently, and took to Twitter to whine about it as one does, and who else but my friends at Fresh Brothers responded to wish me well AND to send me dinner. Not too long after, a few emails later, a white pizza and some chicken arrived at my door and it was appreciated. I am not a good patient and couldn’t have been happier to have a meal delivered to my home. You know, anything that allows me to remain in my pajamas and fixated on the television.

What’s more, Fresh Brothers‘ new white pizza is absolutely delicious! Added for the holidays, it has dollops of creamy ricotta, romano and crushed garlic, with all natural mozzarella, on a fresh-made crust drizzled with extra virgin olive oil. It’s my new favorite thing on their menu — and that is really saying something because I am a FB fangirl. I am obsessed with their meatball sliders, their chicken parmesan sliders and their customizable salads. Their website is so user-friendly and if you order pick-up through their app, they give you a discount. What’s not to love?

So here are the details — enter below and GOOD LUCK!

Prize value: $50

One Medium Cheese/Pepperoni Pizza, One Medium White Pizza and an order of sweet knots (3x) from Fresh Brothers.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

FINE PRINT: The host did not receive any financial compensation but the free pizza and chicken didn’t hurt nobody. Delivery only available for residents within 3 miles of Fresh Brothers stores throughout Los Angeles. No expiration, service charges or dormancy fees. This virtual gift card will not be replaced if lost or stolen. Not redeemable for cash, except as required by law. Not valid at LAX.

What’s In My Pocket Friday – Some Much Needed Laughter

April 21, 2017 By AJ 2 Comments

Best of the web

It’s been ages since we’ve all connected and I apologize. But life, right?! And boy has there been a lot of life for me these days. Accidents and injuries and dancing and dieting… Insanity, guys, I assure you. And in my “real life,” I’m overseeing PR and social for more than a dozen films, so needless to say, my time has become…. well, more valuable. But the web lives on! It is here for you. It is here with the love and the laughter (and the news, but let’s overlook that)… On with the glorious things I’ve saved in my pocket for you — the best of the web:

Speaking of work, I am OVER THE MOON excited to be working on a documentary called “SCORE: A Film Music Documentary.” Entertainment Weekly premiered our trailer! Watch it here:

A friend of mine who knew I needed to laugh sent me this article, written by a “toddler” strategizing on how he will eat things he should not be eating. It’s called “So Help Me God, I’m Going to Eat One of Those Multi-colored Detergent Pods.”
This piece from “Scary Mommy” also made me laugh: “Pardon My F*cking Language, But I’m Sweary AF And That Ain’t Gonna Change.”
Um…. Guys? FRED DURST (Yes, of Limp Bizkit) is hosting a weekly JAZZ night in Hollywood. Dafaq?!

Of course I love this article about local brunch places you may not have heard of. For the record, I actually have not heard of some!
More laughter needed? Ok, then read about this woman who brought her dog to a FURRY CONVENTION because she thought it was a gathering for pet owners. (If you don’t know what “furries” are, you should see this documentary called Fursonas.)
Do you ever watch those amazing “how to” recipe videos from Tasty? They’re great, right? They make cooking look EASY! And here’s a parody I LOVED:

Did you know Bill Gates, Warren Buffett, and Oprah Winfrey all use “Tthe 5-Hour Rule?” I thought this was really interesting – read about it here.

An “eff you” to Cancer

March 13, 2017 By AJ Leave a Comment

When one of your favorite people in the world tells you they have Breast Cancer, what do you do? Well, you do a lot of the clichéd things and if you’re me, apparently you also make a Bingo card so that when you and everyone else is doing said things, they can laugh their way through it:

Cancer sucks. It takes so much from all of us. Please don’t let it take away your sense of humor. It doesn’t deserve that privilege.

My friend, I love you.

What’s In My Pocket Friday

January 13, 2017 By AJ Leave a Comment

Best of the web — and in the world

Best of the web. Yes, please. Look, the other day I watched our President-elect stand in front of American flags, at a podium, with Trump-branded products like wine and steak to either side of him on display, cruelly mock journalists and refer to the news as “crap.” So I needed to laugh and laugh good before I started to punch things.

Hence this week, you’ll find everything in my Pocket induces laughter. Much, much needed laughter.

When I got home from work last night, I immediately turned on that day’s episode of “Ellen.” I record it every day and have for years. Sometimes she also makes me cry but at the top of the show, she had my hysterical:

If I’ve really gotta force a laugh to get to a place of feeling better, I flip on a comedy special. My favorite these days is John Mulaney’s “The Comeback Kid” on Netflix. It doesn’t seem to matter how many times I watch it — I end up nearly wetting myself. I also watched Joe Rogan’s Netflix special this week and it was a lot funnier than I expected it to be! (See also: John Mulaney’s bit on Donald Trump.)

I also find, especially because my drive to and from work is so long, that podcasts can really get me through. Here are a few of my faves:
And speaking of, just plain, old fashioned reruns of the “Golden Girls” still make me laugh my ass off. Can’t see them on Logo, TV Land of Hallmark Channel? THEY ARE COMING TO HULU!

So what about you? What makes my smile and laugh? Share in the comments so I can join in, please. 😉

September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month

September 12, 2016 By AJ 1 Comment

One of my goals in 2016 is to use my online platforms to raise awareness for a worthy cause. On Sat., 10/15, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) will host the Santa Monica Out of the Darkness Community Walk. My friend Alyssa and I have formed a team to participate and to raise awareness for mental health-related issues and funds for suicide prevention. There are two simple ways to help us out: join our team and/or donate (no amount is too big or too small)!

It is also important to spread the word that September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month which helps promote resources and awareness around the issues of suicide prevention, how you can help others and how to talk about suicide without increasing the risk of harm.

It’s important to remember that suicidal thoughts can affect anyone regardless of age, gender or background. Suicide is the third leading cause of death among young people and is often the result of mental health conditions.

Crisis and Information Resources – What can I do?

LOTS! In addition to supporting my October walk team, consider using your own online platforms and influence for good! Here is some reading material, information and graphics to help.

Know the Warning Signs and Risk of Suicide
Preventing Suicide as a Family Member or Caregiver
Being Prepared for a Crisis
National Suicide Hotline 1-800-273 TALK (8255) (or dial 911!)
Get Involved
Donate

Share the images and graphics below (click for full size) during the month of September to help promote awareness of suicide prevention resources and promote discussion of suicide prevention awareness. You can also use #suicideprevention or #IAmStigmaFree on social media.

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What I Should Be Doing Today

March 19, 2016 By AJ Leave a Comment

What I Should Be Doing Today…. But I’m Not

Here is what I should be doing today, everybody:

Cleaning my apartment
Shopping for groceries
About three loads of laundry
Getting a pedicure
My taxes
Baking those cookies I bought all the ingredients for like two weeks ago
Getting my car washed
Getting my car serviced
Calling people I haven’t spoken to in a while
Writing about half a dozen blog posts I’m behind on
Taking out boxes to the dumpster
Running a number of quick, easy errands I’ve put off
Cleaning out my refrigerator
Making room in my hall closet for the storage bin that’s been living in my living room
Unpacking from my last two trips

Here is what I am actually doing today:

Sitting on the couch
Watching TV
Writing this post