Happy Birthday Laura

Today is my niece Laura's birthday.  I doubt she got up early today to see if I featured her here.  Well I did, although she probably won't see it until much later (I would hope she would have better things to do than rise early and look here).  Still, whenever she does look, here it is!
I knew Laura before she was born, as I rode the metra train with her mom during her pregnancy.  I remember eagerly awaiting her entrance into this world.  It has been a pleasure watching her grow ever since.
Over the last few years, we have had a couple long road trips to get to know each other again (uncle-niece bonding).  She's a great young lady and I love her dearly.
Happy birthday Laura.  I hope it is your best ever.

Laura Fitzpatrick in Chicago, IL-Early 1990's.

Happy Birthday Laura

Due to circumstances beyond my control, I was unable to make this post yesterday. It is a day late, but the message is very much from my heart.
Yesterday was my niece Laura's birthday. I can't believe that Laura turned 23 already. It seems only yesterday that she was a happy and playful little girl. She is still happy and playful, but she is no longer a little girl.
I missed too many special occasions with Laura as she was growing up. I was in a blue funk and I stayed away. I always loved her (and my whole family), but I can't make excuses. I handled bad times poorly.
A couple years ago, I had the opportunity to drive to New York with Laura and her mom (my sister). Last year, I had the chance to make the same drive with them. I know it doesn't erase years of missing out, but I am so happy to have spent that time with her. I learned a lot about Laura and I had a great time.
Laura has blossomed into a great young lady. She's smart, funny and courageous. She is the best.
Happy belated birthday, Laura. I love you!

Laura (and Iggy) and me in Elmwood Park, IL-early 1990's.

Friendly Encounters

This is another in a series of meetings of my friends and celebs.

My niece Laura (aka Lorelei Diego) has been featured on this site before in a piece about an ad I ran which featured her. Today, Laura makes her 'Friendly Encounters' debut.
While shopping at Woodfield Mall in Schaumburg (IL), my sister Nancy and Laura saw Hello Kitty. Nancy urged Laura to get a picture with Hello Kitty.
I am not sure why either would want a picture with Hello Kitty (because this was before this blog and the awesome exposure that comes with it). Yet, I am not sure why I want pictures with backup catchers. So who am I to mock?!
Here is my niece Laura in her 'Friendly Encounters' debut with Hello Kitty! Thanks to Nancy and Laura for sharing this photo.

Laura Fitzpatrick and Hello Kitty in Schaumburg, IL-mid 00's.

Steve Trout, NIE and an Ad

When I was running the NIE program at Lerner Newspapers, I did whatever I could to promote the program. Since our budget was literally zero, I relied on advertising in our newspapers. Aside from the Lerner Salutes Literacy ad series (mentioned here several times), I also attempted to do as many other NIE-related ads as possible.
One such ad involved former major league pitcher Steve Trout, who had just written a book, Home Plate, about his father (Dizzy Trout) and him and their careers. Trout is a Chicago favorite, having pitched on both sides of town.
I was helping out at AU Sports in Skokie (IL) when Trout was doing a book-signing there. When I approached him about appearing in an ad promoting NIE and also his book, Trout quickly agreed.
Pictures were taken with a disposable camera (remember...zero budget). A few days later, I took a picture of my niece, Laura Fitzpatrick, reading a book. This picture would be presented as happening at the event.







Later that week, I presented all to our Graphics Department. They produced a decent, but uninspired ad, throwing all of the elements together. Had Laurie (the driving force behind the beautification of the NIE ad series) been involved, I am sure the ad would have looked much different. However, with the way things were at Lerner at the time, I was happy with what was produced (meaning I was happy that anything was produced).