Author: Becky Sarwate

It May Not Be Trending, But Rahm Emanuel Is Still Ruining Chicago

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Rahm

“Why has the #FireRahm inferno cooled, fully ablaze as it was just months ago? Self-serving media/political laziness is one factor. Why fight a stubbornly intransigent and still powerful City Hall when an election-year Trump is the headline-grabbing gift of a generation? I appreciate The New York Times keeping this story nationally alive. Summer is coming and there’s no reason to believe the soaring 2016 murder rate will decline in a hot city torn apart by cynical, dehumanizing leadership. I said it in December 2015 and nothing has changed. Rahm has got to go.”

Read the full post at Contemptor.

Missing in Action: The Week’s Overlooked News Stories

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missing

A big personal week for the BeckySarwate.com staff as we prepare to accept a trove of writing awards for our 2015 work on this very site. Since we are grappling with so many professional feels, why not add a heartwarming graduation story, a sexy Prime Minister elbowing opponents of a “death with dignity” law and a new celebrity baby? Read on….

Single mom graduates from college, credits son for her success

This week’s feel-good story brought tears to our eyes. A 24 year-old woman graduated from North Carolina Agriculture and Technical State University this week after overcoming an incredible amount of obstacles. Jelina Sheppard took to Instagram to write a beautiful tribute to her 4 year-old son Karter, in which she describes times when he fell asleep in a library or took care of her when she was sick – all so that she could walk across the stage to make him proud.  We hope this incredible little family stays strong together and continues to enjoy success in life. Toss that mortarboard high in the air, girl. You earned it!

Canadian Prime Minister shows signs of being human

Large portions of the United States continue to look for ways to move to Canada, due in no small part to the liberal views and dreamy good looks of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. But the seemingly perfect Canuck leader showed a blemish this week when things got heated during a session of Parliament. To be fair, no punches were thrown (it wasn’t a Trump rally) and it all appears to be much ado about relatively nothing. But an apology was issued  – and a very dignified one at that. So exhale. We can all resume our dual citizenship research.

Hollywood couple keeps baby a secret for months!

If you thought the Eva Mendes/Ryan Gosling baby mystery was well-shrouded, they have nothing on another famous duo. Gilmore Girls star Alexis Bledel and husband Vincent Kartheiser of Mad Men fame had a baby LAST YEAR as we learned this week. We have no idea how the entire pregnancy and birth remained safe from the glaring paparazzi eye, but we give them mad props for evading intrusion and for keeping things private. This is unheard of in Hollywood. The identity of the story-leaker is the best part. If you’re a rabid Gilmore Girls fan (like the BeckySarwate.com staff), you want to click the link above.

Missing in Action: The Week’s Overlooked News Stories

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missing

April showers apparently bring…more of the same in May. While much of the country dries out, take a look at a few stories you may have missed this week. A stubborn American in Syria, a graduating granny and possibly the most ungrateful and entitled newlyweds in history caught our attention…. 

‘Last American in Damascus’ tells a different side to life in Syria

The BeckySarwate.com team was shocked to read that any Americans still inhabit the war-torn region, but even more surprised that this gentleman has a positive outlook on his residential future. 71 year-old Thomas Webber landed in Syria back in 1975 to start a business and never left. Though he recalls a day when a rocket mortar landed at his doorstep, he maintains that he feels safe and has no plans to leave despite the urging of the U.S. government. We’re not sure if that is admirable or crazy, but we’ll continue to follow this story.

85 year-old great-grandmother fulfills a life-long dream

As the 2016 graduation season approaches its climax, we thought this article needed to be shared. Lottie Jacks will receive her diploma from Samford University this weekend – nearly 50 years after dropping out of college in 1948 to marry and start a family. Earning her degree was a dream that never died and damn it, Lottie did it! As an emotionally satisfying cherry on top, the new grad will share the stage with one of her granddaughters. The young lady is receiving a Master’s degree from the same university. This inspiring story reminds us that adages like “you can do anything to which you set your mind,” or “it’s never too late” are repeated with good reason.

Wedding couple apparently has the biggest balls of all time

This story out of somewhere in the UK (editorially inferred by the use of English Pounds as well as the word “gobsmacked”) is jaw-dropping in its sheer gall. Newlyweds, disappointed with the financial gift of a reception attendee, actually sent a letter to the guest to tell her as much. The couple even cited the woman’s recent inheritance as a reason for her to “send an adjustment.” The shocked and offended party took to an online forum to ask how for advice on handling this incredibly rude correspondence. The responses received are as entertaining as the original story. Click the link above for your daily LOL.

Professional Geek Podcast Episode 4: Becky Sarwate

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Pro Geek Pod

“Professional Geek is a podcast where hosts Blaire Knight-Graves and Mark Beers interview professionals with geeky tendencies from various industries. Featured you will hear stand up comedians, video game writers, music composers, accountants, copywriters, Foley artists, journalists, sales people, actors, directors, publicists, authors and much, much more. Our guests will offer listeners sage advice for how to break into your chosen industry, and tell some funny stories of how they got into the jobs they’re in now. Each episode includes a discussion on the different ways that being a geek can help you become a better professional, and advice on everything from copyright law to networking, and turning your favorite thing into your career.”

On May 11, 2016, Becky Sarwate was interviewed by the hosts about her passions for writing, literary history, the late and great Prince, the Chicago Cubs and her experiences teaching her course, Making Your Liberal Arts Degree Work: Writing for the Professional World and Internships, a class that focuses on helping budding creative professionals learn to ply their skills in a variety of employable settings. Becky is well-suited to teach this subject, following a creative career working in the corporate sector, while publishing her own creative non-fiction works.

You can listen to this and other Professional Geek interviews here.

Imposter Syndrome: Your Success Is REAL!

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AW Podcast

“The Imposter Syndrome is that feeling and question we ask ourselves – Is my success real? It’s that feeling that everyone else knows what they are doing but ourselves. That feeling of, “When will someone call me out and tell me I don’t belong here?” That feeling that our success is based on luck and timing and that we didn’t earn it.”

On July 24, 2015, Becky Sarwate appeared as a panelist on this edition of Nikki Nigl’s About Women podcast. Edited by Cat Pants Media, you can download this and other important conversations here on iTunes.