It's Been A Long Time...

...I shouldn't have left you, without a strong [blog] to step to (ode to Rakim, in case you aren't so hip-hop-classic inclined). I've been absent from Grown People Talking for the last two months, the longest such break I've ever taken from this blog I started in 2008. But lemme explain.

At the end of October, I ended my six-and-a-half year run as a full-time freelancer, during which time I wrote, blog, edited, interviewed, strategized, and more for a number of media outlets--in print, digital, and broadcast--and others. I launched GPT in April 2008, a month after diving into my freelance career, and over the years it's provided me with a platform to opine on many things, usually deriving from the numerous people, places, and events I encountered as a freelancer in Charlotte.

Credit: LGA

My decision to go back to work on staff somewhere was in the making for a long time, and the opportunity I was looking for and the transition I desired all came together when I was hired mid-fall by one of Charlotte's--and the region's--leading creative firms. So over the last two and a half months, my new job has been my top priority, as I've focused on learning the ropes there, and, most impactful, adjusted to having a Monday through Friday office schedule again. I'm drinking more coffee than ever these days! LOL. But it's going great.

Now that I'm settled, I can start giving GPT a little TLC again, and I hope you will follow along. Thank you for reading the blog over the years, and I look forward to continuing to offer you my perspective, insight, and tidbits on these pages.

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Party Photos from 'Charlotte’s Web: A Celebration of CLT Bloggers & Digital Tastemakers'

Last Saturday, May 4, I held an invitation-only event titled "Charlotte’s Web: A Celebration of CLT Bloggers & Digital Tastemakers" at Oak Room in South End. It served as a five-year anniversary party for my blog, GrownPeopleTalking.com, as well as an opportunity for me to partner with some other great sites: CharlotteHappening.com, HistoricSouthEnd.com, and MAC330.com. Each of them played an important role in helping make the event a success.

The event began at 7:30 p.m., and ran until Oak Room opened its doors to the public at 10 p.m. We featured delicious food, catered by All American Pub, while DJ Shogun played an awesome mix of music. The highlight, easily, was when I gave away prizes throughout the night such as: a 5Church gift card, two pairs of tickets to the Charlotte magazine BOB Awards (May 23), two gift certificates to The Boulevard at South End, two tickets to the Urban League of Central Carolinas Young Professionals Leadership Awards (June 22), a Chobani gift basket, a Workout 180 from Edison Nation, two passes to the final round of the Wells Fargo Championship, and more.

When the event started, I tweeted the #CLTweb hashtag for the first time. And over the next three hours, our guests tweeted using the hashtag more than 100 times.

It's 7:30. Time for Charlotte's Web: A Celebration of CLT Bloggers & Digital Tastemakers. #CLTweb | twitter.com/HollidayInk/st…
— Jarvis Holliday (@HollidayInk) May 4, 2013

Below are a few photos from Charlotte's Web. You can view more than 50 photos from the event on the Grown People Talking Facebook page. Photos by Jon Strayhorn/MAC330.

On the right, I'm addressing the crowd. On the left is my twin brother Marvis, of CharlotteHappening.com.

Ted Boyd of HistoricSouthEnd.com.

My girlfriend Andrea chatting in front of the Twitter screen.

Glenn Burkins of QcityMetro.com and Mike Kitchen of the Sol Kitchen.

Freelance writer Lauren Bongers and TV news reporter Katie Burcham.

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Five Years of 'Grown People Talking'

Five years ago today, I launched GrownPeopleTalking.com. Below is the gist of what I said in the very first blog post on April 11, 2008:

"There are a million blogs out there. Some good, some bad (some pointless). What I hope to add is insightful commentary with a mixture of wit and humor. I also offer a local perspective, reporting to you live from Charlotte.

I'll be blogging about issues purely from my perspective, resulting from the many things I am fortunate (or unfortunate) to experience. Topics I'll cover are culture, entertainment, nightlife, music, sports, politics, social issues, fashion, Man Law, and just about anything else that goes on in everyday life.

I'll be posting several times a week, so I hope you will visit often."

What I'm most proud of today, April 11, 2013, is that over the last five years I've done what I said I would do with this blog. And I'm appreciative of all of you who have visited.

When I started GPT, I was a month into my new career as a freelance journalist. I'd spent the previous six years on the staffs of magazines, when I decided to venture out on my own, so to speak. I figured this blog would be a great way for me to share my voice and perspectives, keep you all informed on relevant topics and interesting events, and, most importantly for me career-wise, it would serve as a place for me to link to articles I write for other publications. In effect, it became a way to develop myself as a Charlotte media personality and person who knows a little bit about a lot (I've gotten numerous opportunities and paid gigs because of this blog). I'm not all highfalutin, but I quickly learned that in my industry (and in just about any industry, for that matter) it's important that you create a platform for people, whether it be consumers or potential employers/business partners, to know what it is you do and what you have to offer.  

Back in the spring of 2008, social media was in its infant stages. Facebook hadn't yet reached 100 million users worldwide (now there are more than 1 billion), many people didn't know what Twitter was or thought it wouldn't last (I would stubbornly resist joining for another three years), and Myspace was the most-visited website in the United States. My, how things change. Today, I use Facebook (Facebook.com/GrownPeopleTalking) and Twitter (@HollidayInk) to share links to my blog posts.

Also in 2008, launching and maintaining blogs was all the rage. It continues to be popular today, but I can't name many other Charlotte blogs that have lasted five years. That's not to toot my own horn--okay, maybe a little--but it's really to say that I've come too far to turn back now.

Photos of me rarely make it onto GPT, because this blog isn't about "me".

I have several ideas for where I can take this blog creatively, but what I never want to do is over-promise and under-deliver. So when the changes are ready, you'll see them, and I hope you likey. In the meantime, I plan to continue giving you "insightful and entertaining commentary about life in and around Charlotte," as this blog's tagline states.

I'm also planning a party at one of Charlotte's newest venues to celebrate this milestone. Sorry, but it's going to be private, for my industry peers and friends (invitations go out next week). But what I am planning to do is invite several of you GPT readers who have commented on blog posts and sent me thoughtful emails (jarvish@grownpeopletalking.com) over the years (so be on the lookout).

I've written exactly 1,064 Grown People Talking blog posts, as of today. Cheers to all the good things we've experienced over the last five years!

P.S. Make sure you regularly visit Dusk Till Dawn, the Charlotte nightlife blog I've written for Charlotte magazine since December 2010 (the recent headlines from that blog's posts are listed at the top of this blog via FeedBurner).

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Look Mom, I'm On a Billboard!

I was honored, and a little nervous, when the good folks at Levine Museum of the New South asked me back in June if I would pose for a new branding campaign they would be unveiling, highlighted by new signage, graphics, and window boxes on the exterior of their building. If you drive or walk past the museum on Seventh or College streets this evening or tomorrow, you'll see many of the new pieces being put into place. One of the first things to go up is this new billboard on the side of the building facing Seventh Street Station parking deck.

The branding makes use of Levine Museum's slogan, "Come To Understand," which it has used for several years, but now presents in a more contemporary way. The museum celebrated its 20th anniversary last year, and this is the first extensive change to the building's exterior since a major fundraising campaign concluded in 2000 with the expansion of the beautiful building you've gotten to know--and come to understand--in Uptown. I think you'll be pleased with these new changes (not just saying this because my likeness is used), which should be completed by this weekend.

New window boxes are under construction. 

Those iconic images in the 12 window boxes facing Seventh and College streets, such as the photos of Joseph Benjamin Ivey, who opened J.B. Ivey and Sons department store in the early 1900s, and Betty Freezor, who hosted a local cooking show on WBTV from the 1950s to 1970s, have been removed and are being replaced with photographs of new people, including myself, and artifacts to showcase the diversity of the New South. Above them, corresponding green-colored boxes are being added showcasing the museum's logo. The building will look especially cool at night, as shown in this architectural rendering below.

UPDATE: Below, me visiting me a few nights later (I promise you I'm not too vain).

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Watch the Pilot Episode of '282', Charlotte TV Show

My latest gig as a freelance journalist is an exciting opportunity to work on a new, Charlotte-based television show called 282 (represents the first three digits of the city's zip code, by the way). This new venture is derived from a partnership between CLT Blog and WTVI (Charlotte's PBS affiliate), and it's a weekly, roundtable news show where media personalities will discuss hot topics prevalent in the Charlotte area. Former Creative Loafing Charlotte editor-in-chief Carlton Hargro is the host of the half-hour show, and my role is Andy Rooney-esque (but not so angry) in that I'll be contributing a three-minute-or-so editorial segment each episode about a current topic I happen to feel strongly about or that I think you will be interested in.

We taped the pilot, or first, episode of 282 at noon today at WTVI's studios, and it's now posted online. The show is in beta right now (so please pardon the flubs), and the first few episodes will run online only. After we've gotten some practice and worked out the kinks, 282 will begin airing weekly on WTVI on Mondays at 6:30 p.m., starting January 30, 2012 (WTVI is channel 42 on digital television a.k.a. regular TV, DirecTV, Dish Network, and AT&T U-verse; channel 5 on Time Warner Cable). And because it's important that the show has a strong web and social media presence (Twitter @282tv), beginning next Monday, December 12, we’ll be live-streaming the show online each Monday at noon at cltblog.com/live. So you'll watch it as we tape it.

Below is today's episode, embedded from YouTube. Featured with Carlton are three guest panelists: freelance journalist Rhi Fionn-Bowman, restaurant/nightlife connoisseur Larken Egleston, and The Charlotte Observer columnist Mark Washburn. My segment begins at the 14:07 mark. "I'm on TV talking like it's just you and me."—Kanye West

Click here to learn more about 282 and the pilot episode, and expect to see the show grow, evolve, and get better over the next two months (an improved set—we hope—enhanced graphics, presentation, its own website, etc.; but the one thing that's already great is the opening theme music—love it). There are some talented people involved with 282 so I think it has the potential to be something you'll look forward to watching each week.

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I Joined Twitter Today, Follow Me @HollidayInk

I joined Twitter this afternoon about the same time we felt the effects of the earthquake in Virginia. I'd been avoiding joining the social networking/microblogging site, despite at least once a week a friend or colleague telling me I should be on it or them being appalled when I said I wasn't. I have nothing against Twitter; in fact I often read the timelines of some of my favorite celebrities and of a few friends and colleagues. I just didn't want another social media tool to have to maintain and manage--I'm already on Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, and I have two blogs, Grown People Talking and Dusk Till Dawn (Charlotte nightlife). But it's primarily because I have a third blog launching in September that I realized that Twitter would be the best way for me to share links to my content because, those blogs coupled with the magazines I write for that post the stories online, I'm cranking out a good bit of content into the World Wide Web.

Follow me @HollidayInk.

My hope is that Twitter will provide a seamless and effortless way to share information with you. But I know, of course, what also comes along with Twitter is the retweeting, direct messages, and strategies to build followers, all of which can become time consuming (as if I don't have enough unread emails in my inboxes). But I've taken the leap and you can't put that genie back in the bottle. Perhaps I'll grow to love Twitter, and hopefully people will follow me @HollidayInk.

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In Honor of Social Media Day...Follow Me

Since today is Social Media Day 2011, I'd like to plug my forays into the genre.

Facebook: If you haven't yet, please "Like" my Grown People Talking Facebook page. I often post useful links and news bits there. www.facebook.com/GrownPeopleTalking

YouTube: When I occasionally shoot a video of something I've seen while I'm out somewhere, I upload it there. www.youtube.com/GrownPeopleTalking

Twitter: People often ask me why I don't have a Twitter account or tell me reasons why I should, but I've yet to be convinced.

Blog: Dusk Till Dawn is the nightlife blog I've written for Charlotte magazine since last December. It's a good place for you to find out about cool local bars, nightclubs, and parties. Also, you'll notice that the top of this blog features links to my most recent DTD blog posts. www.charlottemagazine.com/Blogs/Dusk-Till-Dawn

Blog: Grown People Talking is this blog, which I started in April 2008, that provides, I hope, "insightful and entertaining commentary about life in and around Charlotte." Also, if you look over to the right column on this blog, you'll find a couple of tools that give additional ways to follow GPT. You can enter your email address to subscribe to receive blog posts by email, powered by FeedBurner. And scroll down the right column a little more and you can click to follow using Google Friend Connect. www.grownpeopletalking.com

If you'd like a statistical account of how prevalent social media has become in our lives, read this list of social media records compiled by Guinness World Records.

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Third Time's the Charm: 'Grown People Talking' Celebrates Another Year

Grown People Talking turned three years old today. Unlike some milestones, it actually does feel like a significant amount of time has passed since I launched this blog on April 11, 2008. I guess it's because I've chronicled so many experiences, moments, and topics, which almost always pertain to Charlotte. And I've had a lot of fun doing it, which is why I believe I've continued to keep it going whereas I've seen plenty of other blogs come and go.

Over the past year, some things have changed however. Most significantly, in December I began writing a nightlife blog for Charlotte magazine called "Dusk Till Dawn". That's been so far so good as well, but because of it I don't blog on GPT as much as I have in the past and is why you don't find much about nightlife on here anymore. But when you add up the number of posts between the two sites, I'm probably blogging as much as ever. It's been nice to have a blog with a singular focus, which is what DTD allows me to do as I opine on Charlotte nightlife ranging from happy hour to late-night. If you haven't been reading it, you might want to if you're looking to navigate the party and social scene in this city. And here on GPT, I pretty much write about everything else related to Charlotte: sports, music, entertainment, arts, education, business, politics, philanthropy, community issues, and more.

From the beginning of GPT, I've blogged about what I want, when I want, which is the kind of creative control most creative people love to have. It's a great balance to my "day job" as a freelance writer when I'm writing stories that first begin as an idea I usually pitch to an editor, which he/she must first approve of before I proceed to write the story, that he/she then edits or asks me to revise. I respect the process, though, because it usually makes the story better, but sometimes it's just good to say what you want, how you want. And since day one, this blog has helped me become a better freelance writer, I think, because it keeps me plugged into the city and people I cover in between the articles that appear in monthly magazines.

But while there are some selfish reasons as to why I maintain Grown People Talking, there are also reasons I do it that I think others appreciate. I often get emails from readers who thank me for keeping them informed on what's going on in Charlotte and for adding my perspective. And I especially take pride in being able to write about a community event or nonprofit organization, and do a small part in helping spread their message and perhaps be the reason a few more people showed up to volunteer at an event.

GPT is getting more traffic than ever, so that's more motivation for me to continue it. Like I do each year, below I've listed the top-five blog posts that received the most page views during the past year. In parenthesis are the dates the articles were originally posted, and I measured the traffic from April 11, 2010 to April 10, 2011, which is for the last twelve months. So when you take that into consideration, it's remarkable that interest in Sonya Curry continues to lead the way after more than two years and that the Sun Drop post ranks so high after being up less than a month. According to Google Analytics, 45 percent of my traffic comes from search engines, and there are just certain topics and names that draw people to the site.

1. Two Things I Realized About Sonya Curry (February 13, 2009)
2. CIAA 2011 Parties and Events: The List (January 17, 2011)
3. Sun Drop Is Dropping It Like It's Hot in Funny Commercial (March 15, 2011)
4. Charlotte's Kendra James Is a 'Bad Girl' (December 2, 2009)
5. Facebook Campaign to Bring Jacinda Back to 'The Beat' (April 29, 2010)

Cheers to another great year as I celebrate this third birthday! And may the best be yet to come. Thank you for your continued support.

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'Grown People Talking' On Facebook

Yesterday, I created a Facebook page for Grown People Talking: facebook.com/GrownPeopleTalking. My plan is to use it to connect with people more/better, since many of us spend an unbelievable amount of time on Facebook (even though Betty White joked that it's a complete waste of time). The FB page will allow me to post info more frequently, particularly links to other sites and events, and make better use of some of the beneficial info I receive often in press releases. And in keeping with the Grown People theme, I hope it will be a place where you'll find that the content is befitting of your maturity and intelligence. For example, when it comes to events, I'll post stuff about networking opportunities, art exhibit openings, fundraisers, fashion shows, dining events, and primarily places to meet young professionals. Will you "like" me?

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Terrible Twos: 'Grown People Talking' Another Year

I realize that I have a lot going on, but I can't believe I almost forgot my birthday. Actually, the birthday of my blog, Grown People Talking. GPT turned two years old today--I launched this site April 11, 2008. So here, on April 11, 2010 at 10-something at night, I'd like to briefly reflect on my past year of blogging.

(I borrowed this cool image from a fellow blogger).

I tend to blog a lot about famous people visiting Charlotte, people from Charlotte who are becoming famous, when a cool place opens or goes out of business, when Charlotte gets an interesting top ranking on a cities list, as well as when this city is the focus of a national story regarding a certain trend. And then there's the shameless self-promotion when I post links to articles I've written for magazines and newspapers. Admittedly (and regrettably), I've slacked on my posting of Events for the Week, which, when I do it lately, has been Events for the Weekend. I have had several GPT readers scold me about this and I plan to get back to posting events consistently.

Like I did last year, below are the top-five blog posts that received the most page views during the last twelve months:

1. Two Things I Realized About Sonya Curry (February 13, 2009)
2. My First Time: Club 935 (January 11, 2009)
3. History Channel Profiles Hidden Valley Kings (April 10, 2009)
4. The List: 2010 CIAA Events and Parties (February 2, 2010)
5. Charlotte's Kendra James Is a 'Bad Girl' (December 2, 2009)

I hope I'm able to continue to find the time to blog on this site, and I hope you'll continue to find the interest to read it. Cheers!

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One Year Later: Still 'Grown People Talking'

I started GrownPeopleTalking.com exactly one year—and 344 blog posts—ago today. Not to toot my own horn here, but I'm proud that I've kept it up (that's what she said) and it's become what I hoped it would be ("Welcome to Grown People Talking"). It's been a great way for me to channel my thoughts and creativity while hopefully providing you with "Insightful and entertaining commentary about life in and around Charlotte, NC." Thank you to those of you who read it on a regular basis.

If you've been following this site then you know that I blog about a variety of things. But what the entries all have in common is that they are about people, places, and events in or related to Charlotte. I enjoy living here and even in my "real" job (I write for magazines) I'm fortunate to be able to write about the Queen City.

It's always interesting to me to see which of the posts garner the most traffic and it's not always the ones I expect. Most people who find this site get here by searching for keywords through Google or other search engines and when I'm lucky I guess I pick a topic that people are really interested in. Below are the blog posts that have received the most page views during the past year:

1. Club 935 Opening This Weekend (December 4, 2008)

2. Two Things I Realized About Sonya Curry (February 13, 2009)

3. 2009 CIAA Week Is Getting Near (February 10, 2009)

4. Bank of America's Ridin' Big (June 22, 2008)

5. Fantasia and Young Dro...I Didn't Know (May 5, 2008)

If you have time, you should go through some of the posts from the past year (under Blog Archive in the right column of the page). It truly is like reading a recap of what's happened in Charlotte: when celebrities have visited; when big parties and events have happened; when Charlotte natives have appeared on TV; when new clubs, restaurants, and stores have opened (or closed); and sometimes my opinions on what Charlotte needs to do to become an even better place to live.

Thank you for reading and I'm looking forward to another exciting year. As I blow out the candle on this first birthday, "I wish for you a hundred years of success. But it's my time!"

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Welcome to "Grown People Talking"

If you're reading this, then you've decided to visit my new blog. I appreciate it.

There are a million blogs out there. Some good, some bad (some pointless). What I hope to add is insightful commentary with a mixture of wit and humor. I also offer a local perspective, reporting to you live from Charlotte.

I'll be blogging about issues purely from my perspective, resulting from the many things I am fortunate (or unfortunate) to experience. Topics I'll cover are culture, entertainment, nightlife, music, sports, politics, social issues, fashion, Man Law, and just about anything else that goes on in everyday life.

I'll be posting several times a week, so I hope you will visit often. And if you feel so compelled, which I hope you do, please leave a comment, whether you agree or disagree with what I've said.

But if you think reading this blog is a waste of your time, "It costs you nothing. Pay me no mind!"

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