Blogging about blogs

As a Mass Communications major I am very interested in emphasizing in Public Relations, so I chose to follow a blog called Life Before Noon: A Millennial’s Manual. I found this blog fascinating, aside from the lack of multimedia components. But I think the valuable information in the blog made up for it. In a specific entry titled All About Intentions the author, Marilyn Coates, focuses on networking – which is something my dad has taught me is extremely valuable in communications or any job for that matter. Networking provides outlets to step up in the world when looking for a job. But, as the author notes, if you don’t have good intentions then networking will not get you anywhere. I believe that she brings up a great point. It is important to know people and “have the inside scoop,” but if you are just getting to know people just to put yourself out there how far will that take you in life? I think this is important to everyone, especially us – Gen Y – and all of the students not only at Lindenwood, but colleges across the country. For me, in four short years I will be out of school and, ready or not, destined to find my “dream job.” With the people I already have made close relationships, I will be able to enter the spider web of networking, with great intentions.

This blog reminded me of something I already knew, but don’t think about every day. It was effective to me, and I will continue to check this blog for beneficial information towards my future.

Television and Internet Convergence

Like many other high school and college girls, and some guys, I am a die hard One Tree Hill fan. I own all five seasons on DVD, I watch every episode on Monday nights, and if there is that slight chance that I miss an episode – things could get ugly. Maybe it is the constant drama that captures my attention or the attractive actors like Chad Michael Murray and James Lafferty, but whatever it is, I am hooked. I did, however, miss one episode last spring during season 5. At first, I panicked. But with the easy access on the internet to download already aired episodes, I was comforted. I simply went onto iTunes and purchased the full episode that I had missed, and watched it with NO commercials! (This was before you could watch full episodes on One Tree Hill’s website)

Every so often I check the CW website for new updates or any new news going on with One Tree Hill and the characters. And of course while I’m already there, I have to check out the ever so popular Gossip Girls and 90210. On the website there are interviews with the actors and actresses, information on upcoming episodes, Podcasts, and pictures. For people who just can not get enough of One Tree Hill, the CW website is great for extra information. Not only with One Tree Hill, but most television shows have their own website with inside information. It is very rare today to have a popular TV show with out a website to go along. TV show’s websites provide more reasons to get attached and add something to talk about. Now it is not a big deal if you miss a television episode and forgot to TiVo it. With convergence, there are many different ways to download episodes on the internet. Maybe one day we will be watching all of our favorite episodes on the internet…

"Hey can I call you Joe?"

Recently, on October 2, 2008 I tuned into NBC to watch the Vice Presidential Debate between Senator Joe Biden and Governor Sarah Palin. This is the first ever political debate that I have watched, so it was a good learning experience for me. It shocked me that Governor Palin asked the question, “Hey can I call you Joe?” I think she did it to be humorous or folksy, but it came off to me as unprofessional.

I thought that Gwen Ifill, the moderator of the debate, did a good job and was fair and equitable on both sides. It was interesting to me that she was the only person that knew any of the subjects and questions, and that they were not shared with anyone dealing with the campaign or the commission on debates.

As for the specific questions that were asked, those brought up were good, but there were a lot of issues that were not even touched on. I would have liked to hear from the vice presidential candidates on issues concerning social security and more about solving the gas prices. Given the time constraints, I am sure Gwen Ifill had to think carefully and prioritize the list of questions. The first question asked was a good one to start on though. Gwen Ifill asked Senator Biden about the bail out bill, which was still currently being dealt with that night in the House of Representatives. Many people would ask what does this have to do with me, or how does this effect me? For years, some think that because the government has not regulated the amount of loans given out or who can receive loans, we are now being affected and punished for this not being watched more closely. Senator Biden responded with a good point that, “it’s neither the best or worst of Washington, but it’s evidence of the fact that the economic policies of the last eight years have been the worst economic policies we’ve ever had.”

This Vice Presidential Debate helped me realize how the media impacts our opinions on politics as well. I had not directly seen or heard anything from Governor Palin until I watched this debate. The only impression I had from her was the hype about her glasses and Tina Fay’s impressions of her on Saturday Night Live. After having an opinion put in my head from the media, it changed how I viewed her while I was watching the debate. Instead of having all biases put aside, I saw her as the soccer mom.

I do not believe that there was a clear winner or loser in this debate. Although Governor Palin often dodged the questions and did not directly answer them, I thought both sides made great points and responded well. I went into watching this debate with an open mind; I had an idea who I wanted to vote for, but was not sure. This Vice Presidential Debate taught me a lot and cleared many issues up, but it all comes down to the Presidential Candidates. After all, we are voting for our next President of the United States, not Vice President.