blogs, blogs & more blogs.

Dooce.com has officially become my number one source of entertainment. I hop on this site between classes, after writing three sentences of a paper (therefore "rewarding" myself with a little blog reading), before I go to bed, when I wake up, during my lunch break at work...you get the idea.

This woman is brilliant! She's writing a novel that never ends! (All of these “!” are appropriate to show my excitement). She takes the trivial things that go on in her life and turn them into a standup comedy show. She’s not only is she funny, but she's strong. I am fascinated by what she has done with her life. She really takes life and swings it around. You know what I mean?

One thing about blogging that I think people need to keep in mind is that they have the option of going to the blog and reading, or never opening up that post. Because of this, negative comments are ridiculous (however completely unavoidable). These people (the ones who feel they have to rip everyone apart and share their anger with the world) are often labeled "trolls" by the internet world. Totally appropriate label.

I enjoy blogging, and actually spent my summer blogging about my experiences while I was in Germany. However blogging does take dedication. Being back in school I have been slacking on keeping up with my blog. I hate this though. I have always found it important to try to remember random details about my life. I think people are alike in that way; we all like to remember the things that have helped us become who we are today. It doesn't surprise me blogging is as popular as it is today. Plus it beats writer's cramp you get from a hand-written diary; give me a monitor and keyboard any day.

Reading about blogs in regards to a profession is new to me though. I ended up reviewing The Harte of Marketing, PR-squared and Fahlgren Mortine’s blog. I did enjoy Fahlgren Mortine’s blog because it showed a face to the company. It gave me perspective on life at a PR agency as well as advice for social media and advertising. While the posts are not as interesting as dooce.com I will probably review them from time to time to keep up-to-date on the PR world.

As for PR-squared, I feel weird reading about social media on a social media outlet (aka: blogging). I understand people need to review social media “as much as possible” because it’s out there booming in the PR and advertising industry but after a while I find there is only so much you can say about social media before you feel like a broken record- social media, social media, social media, social media, social media, social media, social media, social media.

Beth Harte’s most recent post was interesting. She talks about wanting to find a solid direction for her blog. This just proves to me that blogs are like novels that go on forever; novels need direction and so do blogs. Her blog was my favorite out of the three however because she was the most genuine. I could see a real person behind her writings and enjoyed reading about what she had to say.

I’m not sure I could ever see myself writing a professional blog even though it’s recommended. At this point in my life I wouldn’t have too much insight; however that may change.

As for reading blogs, Dooce.com will always be number one, but I could probably find time to sneak in a PR blog as a reward for myself after writing a few sentences for a paper :X

Twitter

I can't remember how I actually began using twitter or even WHEN I began using it, but I liked the idea of becoming more involved on social networking sites so I jumped right in. I was surprised at first about how many responses I could get by just posting a question (e.g. posting "what's the best photo printing site?" would result in at least five genuine answers). And then there was this whole "you can only speak in 140 characters" thing. No wonder I couldn't explain Twitter without sounding like the website was a complete waste of time. Twitter will always be that site that people have trouble wrapping their head around though. I'll just take a stab at trying to explain...

The uses for Twitter:

1. Remember what you had for breakfast/snack/lunch/snack/dinner that day- maybe these people are trying to be more aware of what they are putting in their mouths.

2. State what they were able to accomplish at the gym- ah the people who need a self-esteem boost. I'll give it to them though; I think anyone who goes to the gym deserves some recognition. As for those marathoners on Twitter, tweeting about how they just ran 20 miles...well, I would tweet that too.

3. Used as a marketing tool- this has been one use that has completely taken off since Twitter's "birth." Even though I get annoyed at NBC4 taking over my livefeed, I do find it helpful having up-to-date news at the click of a button. As for companies that have a product to sell, if you can get the public to click on your link to seek more information about your new product, all power to you. Luckily on twitter you have the option of not following organizations that constantly try to push things in your face.

I was at work the other day, and they were talking about hash tags used on Twitter. For an event coming up on Friday and Saturday they planned on developing a hash tag that everyone could use while they were tweeting on their iphones from the event. These are the types of ideas that mesmerize me. To have a group come together through a website is something you would never have heard of before. Plus, it allows you to document events and memories in ways never before been possible.

4. You can't forget about the stalkers...always nice to have another outlet for them to reach out to their obsession.

5. Twitter is also important for the youtubers/dailyboothers/tumblrs- you must let your followers know you updated on every outlet possible.

6. Celebrities- "They're just like us..."

7. And then there are people like me, the college student (aka: the "gap" on Twitter). At this point I mostly use Twitter to stretch my mind and and attempt at being creative. I often times find myself starting at the "What are you doing?" screen, trying to figure out what genius thing I could say in 140 words. Although this rarely happens (once in ever 100 tweets), I do enjoy getting on Twitter, updating, and spending time catching up on what is going on with the people I am following.

I love to follow people I have interacted with on other social media sites. It's nice to follow people on Twitter that you already know something about. Then, when you see their daily tweets, you see a glimpse into their lives. Other than those people, I'm guilty of enjoying following a few celebrities. Call it my guilty pleasure, but I can't help to find interesting what African tribe Selena Gomez is helping out that week. And then there is Ellen DeGeneres- love her! Hilarious woman. Any hilarious tweeters who update semi-regularly are going to be followed...by ME!

So while Twitter takes on the face of what ever party is utilizing it's services, it will always be an outlet for the common Joe, for the small business owner, for the celebrity, for the made up Disney character and for the large corporation taking over mankind. What ever Twitter is, I like it.

Dresden, ja!

As of last week I am officially heading to Germany this summer!

Ich werde nach Dresden, Deutschland von Juli bis September, AH!
("I will go to Dresden, Germany from July to September, AH!")... I think "AH" is globally known for meaning: "WOW IT'S REALLY HAPPENINGS!

I am participating in the Dresden Language Study Abroad program and will be taking two language courses and a culture course. Every Thursday in my culture class we will be taking field trips.

With Dresden being bombed in 1945, 12 weeks before the surrender of Nazi Germany, much of its history had been wiped out. Since then however, the city has put a lot of money into reconstructing Dresden.

One landmark I would like to see while there is the Frauenkirche which was reconstructed in 2008. The Frauenkirche took 7 years to reconstruct by architects who used 3D computer technology to analyze old photographs and every piece of rubble that had been kept.

Another former landmark I would like to visit is the Semperoper, which is the Saxony State opera house. The Dresden State orchestra is actually one of the world's leading orchestras (they play at the opera house).

Even the University I will be staying at is a landmark in itself. The architecture is amazing, and the opportunities to discover new things lay all around the campus. The first few days there we will be meeting with German students that we will hopefully be able to get to know better over the next few weeks. I'm hoping they'll be up to showing us the parts of Dresden that our teachers will not be including on the tours (aka: bars...Deutsch Bier ist gut!...I think.) I guess I will find out.

The Zwinger Palace wouldn't be too shabby to tour either (alright, I'll admit it was the name at first that drew me in: Zwinger. Now that's an interesting name.) Anyways, the Zwinger was used to place the cannons between the outer wall and the inner wall. I could witness some hard-core 18-century artillery. Now however, the Zwinger now houses collections of fine art and scientific treasures (paintings, armory, weapons; all dating from the 16th and 17th century).

Apart from the typical tourist attractions, I am looking forward to opening my eyes to a new culture (yes I'm actually looking forward to not being in my own element.)

I know there are many stereotypes for Americans. One of my friends who I speak to on DailyBooth lives in Saxony, Germany. Out of curiosity I asked him what stereotypes he thought of when he thought of Americans; here is what he answered: "no culture;
fat, arrogant, shallow people who think they are the best thing in the world."

Yea. Makes your eyes bug out. I think it's important for more and more students to study abroad JUST so their ignorance of other cultures does not portray to the rest of the world that Americans are just shallow people who think "they are the best things in the world."

Like I mentioned before in a post, the world is becoming more reliant on each other and we are becoming more global. Therefore, studying abroad is one of my most important life decisions you can make...a part from that whole marriage and having kids thing...

Technology.

I cannot wait to see what our generation comes out with next regarding technology. Already I have witnessed so many amazing things, and have been able to add these wonderful inventions into my everyday life style.

One thing that never seizes to amaze me is the internet.

How insane is it that I can waste 6 hours randomly searching the web, watching Youtube videos, taking picture on Daily Booth, browsing Facebook, checking on the news at Digg, updating Twitter and watching last night's episodes of Secret Life at the click of a button.

GASP! It's overwhelming!

I think it's more overwhelming that it has been just in the recent months that I've turned myself over to the world wide web and consumed myself in it. In fact, I have only been a Twitter user for three days now which goes to show I'm still a newbie in the internet community. (Or should I say "n00b" which is what the pro-interneters call us who have just joined the "community.")

Now I don't want to give the wrong impression. I'm not a gamer and I don't base my existence off of how many views my Daily Booth photo receives. But I, like many others I am sure, find people on the internet I find fascinating. The internet community out there is unique, and genuine. There must be something about hiding behind a computer screen that allows people to just "let go."

The other day I came across vlogs (vlog was created to mean: blogging through video form). I knew vlogs existed, but I had no clue as to the extent in which they were used; for example, there are people out there (there=everywhere)who have a following of over a thousand people who tune in to see their new video postings.

One "vlogger" (yes I think I made that word up) had over 84 videos and 8,000+ subscribers!

I wonder if people try to live vicariously through someone else on the internet? Just a thought...

As technology continues to change, and the internet continues to become larger and larger and full of more opportunities, how will human interaction change? Will social development take different forms via the internet?

While I am not sure of the answers to the ^^^ questions, I do know that the internet has been very positive for the world to come together into one community. Children, students and adults can discuss ideas, share their culture, and spread their words by a click of a button.

With businesses going global, this is a very positive thing.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Wonderful Valentine's Day news:

With the final vote coming late in the night, Congress yesterday approved a $787 billion stimulus package that aims to spur millions of jobs through massive new investments in energy, transportation, education and health-care projects, while reviving social safety-net programs that have been shrinking for nearly three decades.


Going to celebrate this holiday by going tubing at Mad River then maybe making dinner back at my place.

The End of an Era.

Tonight marked the beginning of the end for me being involved as an officer in Block "O": the first meet-and-greet for those interested in becoming an officer for the next term.

The meeting in general went well, however it made me extremely nervous wondering what would come of my public relations position. Everyone there was mainly interested in doing the football director position or the basketball director position…wanting to bask in the glory. However, a majority of the people there also just wanted to have a position so they could have the title of a Block “O” officer. They were walking around asking which position would be the least amount of work. Sigh.

What happens next year is out of my hands, I know that. The thing is though, I have made the PR position my own; I’ve put my own voice to it and put so much of my time into making Block “O” the organization I want it to be viewed as. When people read things I write up about the organization, they are getting to know me along with the org. I just hope who ever we find next year to replace me has the same passion I hate. I’m sure anyone in my position would have the same view with something they’ve “made their own.”

It took me a long time to figure out whether or not I would be as active in Block “O” my senior year. Once I thought about it though the decision was easy for two main reasons. The first reason is that next year will be my senior year at Ohio State; my last year! How the hell did that happen? I want to make sure I end my college career the way I want to: hanging out with my friends as much as possible and accomplishing everything I wanted to accomplish while here. The second reason:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/02/11/AR2009021104311.html?wpisrc=newsletter

AND

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/02/11/AR2009021101836.html?wpisrc=newsletter.

Early next year I will begin my process of trying to find a job, so when I graduate I can have a source of income, whoo! With the economy in shambles and the job market continuing to be extremely competitive, I really need to find internships during the school year to build up my resume. Although being the PR Director for Block “O” was a great resume builder, I’ve done it for two years now. It’s time to move on and continue to build onto knowledge I have already received.

The economy is really a scary thing though. I am terrified to see where our country is headed over the next few years. I believe electing President Obama was one of the best decisions our country made for our future. The first time I saw Obama speak I knew we had one amazing candidate; once he was elected I realized the majority of our country saw that also. Hopefully the stimulus package is a success, and my resume/personality is appealing to companies so I can find a job with ease.