Welcome to the Waiting Room

Next week my Fulbright application will be on its way to New York to be evaluated. For those that don't know, my proposal focuses on the role of community media in a media landscape predominantly owned by a few conglomerates. I strongly believe this ownership model of many outlets being controlled by a few players is the future of American media.

If selected, I would depart next July to spend a year abroad studying at the University of Sydney. Through the power of the internet I have established connections with professors and community media organizers in Sydney.

This truly once-in-a-lifetime opportunity would allow me to grow as a media scholar and researcher while going abroad for the first time. The first cuts of Fulbright applicants will be made in January and final decisions will be made in March/April.

Coincidentally, Australia recently launched their new tourism campaign. They don't need to convince this ozzie at heart.



I can't wait for my walkabout. ...Go on

Whiteboarding

The lunchroom at the office has an erasable white board, which often has probing questions like "Favorite Full House character?" and "Best Memory from the '80s." Being the dutiful and diligent worker I am, I recently scribed this question on the board:

Most important lesson from Kindergarten?

The responses:

* Do unto others as you would have others do unto you. (This person is clearly a product of the Catholic school system).
* Don't eat glue. (It's an acquired taste.)
* Don't run after boys. Let them run after you. (Is power-walking acceptable?)
* Mrs. Adelman doesn't like me. (Sadness.)
* Guinea pigs will die if you drop them. (2 out of 3)
* Wash your hands before you eat. (Over-rated.)
* Be nice.
* Never, ever, forget $.35 for a Jell-O pudding pop.

I learned that I'm, according to Mrs. Smith, dyslexic. She was wrong.

To answer honestly, thanks to P.J., I learned to tie my shoes, a skill that has served me well every day.

What is the most important lesson you learned in Kindergarten? ...Go on

Chi-Town

Pictures from 9/30. Cubs rally in Daley Plaza and shots from the walk home.

...Go on

In case you missed it

Watch CBS Videos Online

On the upside, Palin knows basic geography. Russia IS next to Alaska. As is Canada. Well done! ...Go on

It's Not You. It's My Genes.

Swedish researchers have discovered that there is a gene that affects a man's "monogability" (my word, not theirs).

The Week provides brief synops from editorials/opinions in The Times, both New York and London, and the Baltimore Sun

I just envision all the future conversations.

-"Honey, would you stick this Q-Tip in your mouth?"
-"I do love you dear, but my genes have made me a skirt-chaser. Don't take it personally."


Maybe future research should be done to explore why women ARE monogamous. Just a thought. ...Go on

Does that come in anything besides 1T?

First go here. I'll wait...

I want his outfit. His shoes are off the heezie. ...Go on

SNL is Back

Loading up for the election.

...Go on

Zoot Suit Riot - The Distracted and Silent Press

t r u t h o u t | St. Paul's Police Protest the Press

Source: www.truthout.org

Police in full riot gear arrest protesters, and members of the press, at the GOP convention in St. Paul. (Photo: Reuters)

Arrests were made of journalists and the protesters they were covering at both political conventions these past two weeks, but as Michael Winship of PBS' Bill Moyers Journal writes here, only the St. Paul police actually targeted the journalists, from a wide variety of news outlets and political leanings, both before and during the large events.
This premeditated and concerted effort at stifling wide and more complete coverage of events of national and public significance, especially through physical abuse and arrest, is an abomination, as well as being illegal and unconstitutional.

Why is this abuse and arrest of journalists not being covered by any mainstream media? This is news and journalists should be making it known - such abuse affects all of us, not just those who dare to have the guts and chops to shine a light on it. When there is corruption, we're supposed to follow it, not run away... It's like being a tornado chaser. We're not wishing for it to happen, but if it's there, it's there.

In a world where federal governance and law enforcement are relied upon with increasing frequency and without regulation and checks of power, how can we possibly expect to extricate ourselves from partisan politics if we cannot even recognize our responsibility to society and fulfill our duty to question authority's restraints over discourse and information?

...Go on

Is A Gift A Gift Without The Effort?

Facebook’s virtual gifts may make more than $40 million this year » VentureBeat

Source: venturebeat.com

Are virtual gifts replacing life-size ones? Is this a good thing or a bad thing? It certainly saves on clutter and hey, it's the thought that counts for some people, right? Plus, it leaves less mess and can be shown off to more people in more places wherever they are. ... And I guess flowers last longer this way.
But ultimately, as lucrative as it is, it seems to me more an alternative or additional gift option than a replacement one. I'm pretty sure that most people still prefer the enjoyment of ripping wrapping paper to shreds and excitedly tossing tissue paper in the air to end the suspense of best-gift-ever or gag-gift-extraordinaire.
There's nothing like flaunting that great gift in other people's faces, right? ... Oh, just me?** Oh well.

** (just kidding)

...Go on

McCain's Motivation

Humorous.


There is also a good analysis of campaign ads here.

My observation was how Obama is in front of Biden, while McCain and Palin are seemingly equals. ...Go on

The Intangibles

I should have known when I was asked my height and how much I could bench press that my real title would be "office muscle," not marketing project intern.

There are certain things that cannot be conveyed on a resume like body measurements, ability to boost office morale or to think quickly and solve problems. In my first two days interning I believe I have given a glimpse of my potential for greatness.
First, however, we'll need to discard the story of how I jammed the copier in my first hours on the job. Sabotage?

My fringe skill set that can't be conveyed on card stock was first displayed when I was asked to grab a binder from a high shelf. This is nothing new for me as honorary member of the Cincinnati Shrine Circus. At least once a month some hag, I mean sweet old lady who confused moth balls for perfume, asks me to get her the jar of pickles on the top shelf at the grocery. I love pickles as much as the next guy, but do the geriatrics think this preserved cucumber has magical properties?

My other strong showing came yesterday with the shuttling of several heavy boxes filled with festival guides. The boxes needed to be sent to various arts outlets in the city. A glut of the boxes were in the conference room and needed to be in the vicinity of the reception area for the messenger service. After lifting two heavy boxes, I used my brain.

I loaded a wheeled chair with three boxes and slid the chair to the front. Brains over brawn. Every day. This saved not only time but precious back muscles. While I do trust that my pilates regimen has been doing wonders to strengthen my lower back, I save all the energy I can. I also saved the company from potential workman comp claims for physical therapy which could have reached tens of dollars.

So, future employers (whoever you might be), when you hire me and give me the sweet corner office and keys to the corporate bathroom remember that you are getting more than a sometimes hard worker with diverse experience, and more than the experience listed on my resume. You are getting all the intangibles. ...Go on