#NerdsUnite: I'm 23 and in less than a year - I'm getting married (& we've planned nothing)
<editorsnote> Nerds, meet my buddy Jack. We met on the twitter not too long ago, and the dude has a lot going on. First up, like many of us - he works in social media, but in less than a year he's going to get married. Oh and did I mention that he's only 23? And his bride to be is only ... ::gasp:: 22? Holy crapsicles Batman, this is going to be good ... I only have one more thing left to say ... HIT IT JACK! </editorsnote>
I’m Jack Appleby, and I have a lot on my plate. I’m working full-time in social media, running a music website, freelancing in PR and journalism, co-managing bands, and trying to stay in shape via an app. Last month, I put together a tour that took three unsigned bands from California to Texas and back. Oh, and I’m getting married in 8 months, and we’ve planned basically nothing.
Let’s back-up and break that down a bit. My nerdom began via MindEqualsBlown.net, the online music publication I co-founded three years ago with some dude from University Of Florida who ran an awesome blog. We’ve covered everything from Warped Tour to Bamboozle to Epicenter, uncovered major internet fraud, and reported on anything the music scene has to offer.. MEB has always been my baby, and I’m proud to report our staff of 25 international students is stronger than it’s ever been.
Now, the job. After graduating from Hope International University in Fullerton (a private Christian school you’ve never heard of), I accepted an Associate Producer position at the Social Method, a marketing firm in Orange County that specializes in social media. In my three months here, I’ve worked with one of the largest video game companies in the world on some of 2011’s top titles, addressing communities pushing 10 million members and soaking in as much experience as fast as I could. 60 hour weeks never seemed so possible, and I’m paying my dues to get ahead in an industry that evolves daily.
Those responsibilities haven’t left much time to plan my upcoming wedding. On August 4, 2012, I’m all set to marry my beautiful fiancée, at an age most readers may find a tad young. Then again, I’d argue I’m not your average 23 year old, and she definitely isn’t your average 22 year old (she’s a sweetheart and an accountant; that already makes her nearly fictional).
My other pastimes include trying to get back into shape resembling my college basketball days, putting on muscle from a workout program app I’m testing, and eating every fast food item I can get my hands on (current obsession: Subway’s $3 Breakfast Flatbread deal). I’m a dollar menu fiend, which is seriously digging into my push-ups.
No need to break the bank now; I’ll be back to chat about all those fun topics, my opinions on Spotify and Turntable.FM, the Clippers not sucking, plus my frustrations as an owner of both a Microsoft Zune and HP Touchpad. Chat soon?
#nerdsunite
click here to follow Jack on twitter
