tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-168703322010-01-06T00:54:21.321-05:00Welcome to my Personal and Professional Weblog for Missy Blankenship (aka Melissa Grubbs Blankenship) sharing the best of Hampton Roads and Marketing/CommunicationsMissy Schmidt (formerly Missy Blankenship)http://www.blogger.com/profile/04987558117420426717noreply@blogger.comBlogger364125http://creativecommons.org/images/public/somerights20.gifMissyBlankenshipsHomepagehttp://feedburner.google.comThis is an XML content feed. It is intended to be viewed in a newsreader or syndicated to another site, subject to copyright and fair use.tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16870332.post-87402427016756704662010-01-03T00:48:00.005-05:002010-01-03T01:01:52.479-05:002010-01-03T01:01:52.479-05:00

"Climate change is a really abstract thing in most of the world. Whether or not you believe in it is based on your sense of whether, for example, it is raining more or it is raining less, on whether it is getting hotter or colder. Or on what the computer models say about this, that and the other measurement? All of that, strip it away. In the world of the arctic and alpine environments, where the

Missy Schmidt (formerly Missy Blankenship)http://www.blogger.com/profile/04987558117420426717noreply@blogger.com0http://mgblankenship.blogspot.com/2010/01/seeing-is-believing.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16870332.post-17605025786690490232009-12-28T01:25:00.004-05:002009-12-28T01:46:56.038-05:002009-12-28T01:46:56.038-05:00

Looking for signs of life in 2010?√v^√v^√♥(that's an EKG, btw)You can find/follow me over at:Facebook.com/Missy.SchmidtTwitter.com/Missy_SchmidtLinkedIn.com/in/missyschmidtYouTube.com/MissySchmidt08Follow my work at:SmartRegion.orgHRP.orgAnd, if you're a fan of fancy emoticons, symbols and art shapes, check out: http://facebook-emoticons-symbols.blogspot.com/I haven't given up blogging here...

Missy Schmidt (formerly Missy Blankenship)http://www.blogger.com/profile/04987558117420426717noreply@blogger.com0http://mgblankenship.blogspot.com/2009/12/2010.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16870332.post-87110339429585541462009-09-08T16:26:00.003-05:002009-09-08T16:26:00.125-05:002009-09-08T16:26:00.125-05:00

Yes, Hartford Insurance, I'm coming for you! No, not because of any health care issue, but a customer service issue. And, not even MY customer service issue. It's an issue with literally hundreds of your customers and your customer's customers.Confusing, you say? Explain, you say? Here goes...I moved to Hampton Roads, the 757 area code, in May 2007. I did not want to give up my one and only

Missy Schmidt (formerly Missy Blankenship)http://www.blogger.com/profile/04987558117420426717noreply@blogger.com4http://mgblankenship.blogspot.com/2009/09/hartford-im-coming-for-you.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16870332.post-69597256527260352772009-09-03T16:24:00.000-05:002009-09-03T16:25:38.543-05:002009-09-03T16:25:38.543-05:00

I finally had the opportunity to listen to the 8/31 Hearsay with Cathy Lewis radio show on WHRV via iTunes.Someone called in and blasted the region for the moniker “Hampton Roads” again. It prompted me to share this with Cathy and her staff via her Facebook page and her new blog and now here:Your caller re: "Hampton Roads" prompts me to suggest a future show on Regional Awareness. The

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Is social media a fad? Or is it the biggest shift since the Industrial Revolution? Welcome to the World of Socialnomics ...

Missy Schmidt (formerly Missy Blankenship)http://www.blogger.com/profile/04987558117420426717noreply@blogger.com0http://mgblankenship.blogspot.com/2009/08/its-people-driven-economy-stupid.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16870332.post-70671577984099026132009-07-19T10:34:00.003-05:002009-07-19T10:41:16.055-05:002009-07-19T10:41:16.055-05:00

by Felix Dennishear the author read the poemI was the better at getting and keeping,You were the better at spend and spend;I was the better at grubbing and heaping,But who was the better man in the end?Yes, who was the better man, my friend?Who was the better man?You were the better with lords and ladies,I was the better at pillaging Troy;You were the better at kissing the babies,I was the better

Missy Schmidt (formerly Missy Blankenship)http://www.blogger.com/profile/04987558117420426717noreply@blogger.com0http://mgblankenship.blogspot.com/2009/07/glass-half-full-better-man.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16870332.post-63375312044537866172009-07-07T07:58:00.002-05:002009-07-07T08:00:51.907-05:002009-07-07T08:00:51.907-05:00

I'm missing my family's reunion this weekend... an all day steamed crab eating and cold beer drinking extravaganza. Anyone know where I can pick some great steamed Chesapeake Bay blue crab around Hampton Roads?While I like Dungeness, Snow, King, etc. crab, there's just nothing like Old Bay all over some succulent steamed blue crab.Help!?!?

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Bertel under "DeVine," a human-grapevine hybrid gyrating around Town Point Park!Parade of Sail from atop Norfolk's World Trade Center:The new Town Point Park and tall ships from the Half Moone Cruise Terminal:Bertel and his Independence Day cupcake... his words, not mine...and the pièce de résistance.... an outrageous dual fireworks show!

Missy Schmidt (formerly Missy Blankenship)http://www.blogger.com/profile/04987558117420426717noreply@blogger.com0http://mgblankenship.blogspot.com/2009/07/harborfest-in-norfolk-virginia.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16870332.post-75790234486340163572009-07-04T08:59:00.005-05:002009-07-04T09:18:11.202-05:002009-07-04T09:18:11.202-05:00

Jillian, me, Bertel (Bert XI), Bert and Representative Nye at the CapitolJillian and Bertel in front of the CapitolThe two Berts, Bert X and Bertel XI, at the FDR MemorialJillian and Dad pose at DC's Newseum (my fave - the museum of the news) at the front page of The Virginian-Pilot on Saturday, June 27th.Bert at a section of the Berlin Wall, DC's Newseum.The Big Backyard BBQ on Pennsylvania

Missy Schmidt (formerly Missy Blankenship)http://www.blogger.com/profile/04987558117420426717noreply@blogger.com0http://mgblankenship.blogspot.com/2009/07/visiting-our-congressman-glenn-nye-and.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16870332.post-75875893159094214372009-06-15T22:02:00.002-05:002009-06-15T22:09:51.684-05:002009-06-15T22:09:51.684-05:00

Bert and I enjoyed watching Sonya "The Black Widow" Thomas of Alexandria compete in Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest at MacArthur Center in Norfolk (blocks from our house) on Saturday, June 6th. The place was mobbed!Thomas, 41, weighs 100 pounds and won the competition by eating 36 hot dogs in 10 minutes, earning her a spot in Nathan's Fourth of July International contest in Coney Island,

Missy Schmidt (formerly Missy Blankenship)http://www.blogger.com/profile/04987558117420426717noreply@blogger.com0http://mgblankenship.blogspot.com/2009/06/can-you-eat-36-hot-dogs-black-widow-can.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16870332.post-9356834305922451912009-06-14T19:28:00.002-05:002009-06-14T19:32:39.386-05:002009-06-14T19:32:39.386-05:00

I'm proud to say that my stepson (nine years old) has taken a special interest in computers, graphic design, social media, etc. He's on Twitter, started a blog and talks to his Dad and me with Skype video. What a cool kid! Way to go!

Missy Schmidt (formerly Missy Blankenship)http://www.blogger.com/profile/04987558117420426717noreply@blogger.com0http://mgblankenship.blogspot.com/2009/06/bertels-blog.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16870332.post-64189870937071466262009-06-14T18:35:00.003-05:002009-06-14T20:25:57.118-05:002009-06-14T20:25:57.118-05:00

My 12-year old stepdaughter makes very cool music videos. She could show me a thing or two! Makes me proud to see such creativity...

Missy Schmidt (formerly Missy Blankenship)http://www.blogger.com/profile/04987558117420426717noreply@blogger.com1http://mgblankenship.blogspot.com/2009/06/jillians-videos.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16870332.post-7159101083897106332009-04-15T09:05:00.003-05:002009-04-15T09:12:27.765-05:002009-04-15T09:12:27.765-05:00

I've been a bit busy with several websites and creating a blog for my work at the Hampton Roads Partnership. Be sure to visit SmartRegion.org to learn more about Hampton Roads and sign up to receive the HRP e-News, too.

Missy Schmidt (formerly Missy Blankenship)http://www.blogger.com/profile/04987558117420426717noreply@blogger.com0http://mgblankenship.blogspot.com/2009/04/smartregionorg.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16870332.post-49652348035216727782009-03-16T07:01:00.000-05:002009-03-16T07:03:32.657-05:002009-03-16T07:03:32.657-05:00

Missy Schmidt (formerly Missy Blankenship)http://www.blogger.com/profile/04987558117420426717noreply@blogger.com0http://mgblankenship.blogspot.com/2009/03/your-chance-to-be-heard-and-learn-how.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16870332.post-24387744120037265052009-02-13T18:56:00.001-05:002009-02-13T18:57:59.127-05:002009-02-13T18:57:59.127-05:00

My honey sent me a V-gram! awwww!Missy "hearts" Bert, too!

Missy Schmidt (formerly Missy Blankenship)http://www.blogger.com/profile/04987558117420426717noreply@blogger.com0http://mgblankenship.blogspot.com/2009/02/happy-valentines-day.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16870332.post-84919731972476932652009-02-09T14:04:00.000-05:002009-02-09T14:04:01.148-05:002009-02-09T14:04:01.148-05:00

... sorry, I missed "Thanksgiving." But, better late than never.My honey, Bert, first and foremost.My family and friends. New and old, near and far.My job and the opportunity to work with others who truly want to make a difference in our community.My geekness; geek is the new "cool."My job. Did I mention this already? With the walls falling down around us, we should all be grateful to have our

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Hampton Roads really DOES have it all. PolarPlunge is for a good cause, Special Olympics. It's cold, but heart-warming. If you missed it, there's always next year...

Missy Schmidt (formerly Missy Blankenship)http://www.blogger.com/profile/04987558117420426717noreply@blogger.com0http://mgblankenship.blogspot.com/2009/02/polarplungecom.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16870332.post-12423541404202707572009-02-07T15:12:00.001-05:002009-02-07T15:19:31.892-05:002009-02-07T15:19:31.892-05:00

From Graphic from my Homepage Picasa Album

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Missy Schmidt (formerly Missy Blankenship)http://www.blogger.com/profile/04987558117420426717noreply@blogger.com0http://mgblankenship.blogspot.com/2009/02/honeymoon-in-vegas-helicopter-ride-over.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16870332.post-39176181787003780052009-02-05T07:23:00.000-05:002009-02-05T07:23:00.732-05:002009-02-05T07:23:00.732-05:00

Ok, watch this to the end: here's a NY student at ODU who knows the proper pronunciation!

Missy Schmidt (formerly Missy Blankenship)http://www.blogger.com/profile/04987558117420426717noreply@blogger.com1http://mgblankenship.blogspot.com/2009/02/its-spelled-n-o-r-f-o-l-k-but-not.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16870332.post-71373974179113693572009-02-04T14:16:00.000-05:002009-02-04T14:16:01.044-05:002009-02-04T14:16:01.044-05:00

We missed seeing the Tony Award-winning "Avenue Q" in NYC in 2008; go figure, it was sold out! But, luckily, we got tix during their Norfolk VA show.In a word, "Avenue Q" is AWESOME! Sesame Street for adults! Loved it!

Missy Schmidt (formerly Missy Blankenship)http://www.blogger.com/profile/04987558117420426717noreply@blogger.com0http://mgblankenship.blogspot.com/2009/02/avenue-q-came-to-hampton-roads.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16870332.post-72322649102377219762009-02-02T07:25:00.000-05:002009-02-02T07:25:00.757-05:002009-02-02T07:25:00.757-05:00

The Inauguration on Tuesday, January 20, 2009 of our 44th President, an African-American man, prompted this post. My prediction of many years ago has come to pass.I've always said - since I was old enough to understand such matters, i.e. knee-high to a grasshopper - that the U.S. would have an African-American man as President before a woman. Here's why:The Fifteenth Amendment (Amendment XV) to

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by Keith CarradineJust a workin’ man without a jobIt got shipped off to China via Washington, D.C.And I know I’m nothin’ special, there are plenty more like meJust the sameI thought I knew the rules of the gameI stood up for this country that I loveI came back from the desert to a wife and kids to feedI’m not sayin’ Uncle Sam should give me what I needMy offer standsI’ll pull my weight you give

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One of my favorite moments of the Inauguration on Tuesday, January 20, 2009 was this performance. John William's new "arrangement" for Barack Obama's Presidential Inauguration, featuring Itzhak Perlman, Yo Yo Ma, Gabriela Montero and Anthony McGill.Mr. Perlman has appeared in Hampton Roads many times with the Virginia Symphony, and we've had the pleasure of enjoying his music.

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Missy Schmidt (formerly Missy Blankenship)http://www.blogger.com/profile/04987558117420426717noreply@blogger.com0http://mgblankenship.blogspot.com/2009/01/schmidt-gutenberger-family-christmas.html