Transitions

I am not a tech guru. Actually, the extent of my tech experience stems from the use of my outdated flip phone. My heart belongs to consumer beauty PR and beauty supply stores – the aqua blues of Catwalk products and hot pinks and greens of Bed Head must-haves. I guess you can say my consumer beauty roots always show… But when Emanate offered a change of pace, I strolled right over to the tech aisle and never looked back… well maybe once or twice. But life is all about transitions, right?
My recent transition from Michigan forests to Manhattan’s Avenue C was a little bumpy, too. Instantly, I knew I adored the parks and trees and little boutiques that fill this artistic corner of Manhattan, but adjusting to the sleep deprivation from endless mariachi music playing in the bar beneath my apartment was rough.
One sleepless Thursday night, I gave in, got up and went downstairs. I walked into Baraza (www.barazany.com) for the first time and watched a live mariachi band and authentic salsa dancing. I was impressed. I ordered a margarita, practiced my fading Spanish, and went back upstairs feeling like I had accomplished something.
Walking home from work the next day, I stumbled upon a cow roasting outside of the bar next door to my apartment. The aptly named Sunburnt Cow (www.thesunburntcow.com) turned out to be an Aussie bar that couldn’t be passed up, so I walked inside and was presented with a James Bogues beer – free of charge! I walked home feeling just a little closer to the East Village.
Every day my adventures on Avenue C continue as I acquaint myself with the bars and restaurants born from the cultures of Turkey, Serbia, France, the Caribbean and Germany. Every day I get braver and embrace new opportunities… okay, drinks. But I also recently stopped in a Verizon Wireless store on the avenue, bought a Smartphone, downloaded the Bank of America mobile app and started depositing my checks through image-enabled ATMs. Bye bye lip applicator. Hello iPhone apps. My tech conversion was nearly complete.
Actually, my transition into mobile banking/consumer tech PR from consumer beauty PR has not been so different from my relocation to Manhattan from Michigan. There have been big changes, big investments and big growth. And after a couple months, it’s like I was born to talk tech – while looking fab, of course. A girl never forgets her roots.

Angela Altus