Craziness

So, I started a new class last week, and it is a crazy amount of reading and work, but I feel like I am learning all of the things I thought I still would not know how to do even after I finished my masters.  I’m pretty psyched about that. 

I’m still recovering from Italy, and surprisingly still very jet lagged.  I don’t get it.  oh well. 

I’ve been reading all of these articles about framing this week.  I have to admit that I really didn’t get it until recently.  Framing is all about language choice and how you choose words to effect people’s impressions of what you are talking about.  For instance, one article talks about the use of the words “tax relief”.  Ok, big deal.  Well, it is.  The word relief implies that there is something oppressive happening that needs relief.  I honestly never even thought about it.  Cool huh?  Do you have any frame examples that surprised you?

And, I have been having a lot of “what if” moments that have taken me a ways down the road in my thinking process.  Ok, it scared me.  I have decided to live the day I have now, and worry about the “what ifs” another time.  Is that naive?

And, check out the next cover of The New Yorker…I mean really.

One Last Weekend

I can’t believe it but I have finally reached the final weekend before I leave for Italy.  The last few days have been amazing.  While it has been practically impossible to think about anything but the trip, I have still managed to enjoy my last few days here before I leave.  Luckily, things at work are starting to calm down and I am starting to realize what an amazing experience this trip is going to be.  I just bought tickets for Carmen at the Arena di Verona.  I mean seriously, are you kidding me?  I am going to see Carmen at an outdoor arena in the city that housed the story of Romeo and Juliet.  I am beside myself excited.  I’m still having a little trouble with the packing issues.  Oh well.  Worse comes to worse, I will just buy a new wardrobe in Bologna or Milan or Florence….:) 

Ok, enough about me.  Are you taking any fun vacations this summer?

Sunday Night

Well, I’m sitting here watching Army Wives, and I have to say it is one of the best things I’ve seen on television in a long time.  It is no nice to see something so amazingly heartwarming on TV.  So, if you have a free hour at 10 PM on Sunday nights…give it a watch.  I know, I know, it’s a girly show, but we all need a little feel good at the end of a long week. 

Life is Grand

Hi All!

So, I’ve been reading D.C. Confidential and Politics and Propoganda.  Both are interesting books.  Both leading to many similar assumptions.  America considered themselves to be an untouchable super power prior to 9/11 and public relations/propoganda contributed significantly to keeping Americans in the mindset that America is still that untouchable super power.  It is amazing what a great photo and a catchy slogan can convince people to believe.  

The Dark Heart of Italy

So this week, I dove into The Dark Heart of Italy by Tobias Jones.  In a mere month, I will be traveling to Bologna and this book has already proven itself invaluable.  I really had no idea how disappointed Italian people are with their country and their government.  Also, I was excited to read that opera is a daily topic of conversation.  I will fit right in.

For class, we are supposed to pick apart what this book tells us about public relations in Italy.  Well, from what I have seen, focusing on family ties is always a winner.  Something like 40% of Italians live in the same house or compound with their mothers.  Also, do not waste your time basing a public relations campaign on national pride.  It will not work.  Numerous sectors of the government require Italians to be tied up in red tape.  Something as simple as paying a phone bill can take hours even days to resolve.  So, the Americanized “do it for your country” campaign would not fly in Italy.  Especially in this time of uncertainty in our country, advertisements, blogs and everything in between are preying on our American pride to sway our actions.

Anyway, I have found this blog really interesting.  I have learned everything from which museums to visit in Bologna to where the nearest fruit market will be on the weekends.  So, for all of my fellow Italy goers…check it out.  Otherwise, take a look and be jealous, be very jealous!    

 

OK, so blogs can be scary

I am sitting here watching this week’s episode of CSI NY, and I must admit it is a little scary.  The recent episodes have followed a serial killer and a young blogger follows the case by blogging to the masses.  Day by day people open the blog to read who this person has killed and what he is doing.  In the latest episode, the young blogger is kidnapped and his blog is used to tell the story of the killer up to the minute.  As much as I want to believe that a story like this could never happen in real life, the fact is, it could.  It could happen any time. 

Like I said yesterday, the news of the China earthquakes broke to many on a blog post or a Twitter feed.  The life of a serial killer could just as easily be displayed in a blog.  Scary isn’t it?

Trying this out!

Hello Everyone!

I must admit I have no idea what I am doing.  However, I am excited to report I have set up a blog and a domain and my head did not explode.  I cannot wait to read all of your blogs throughout the semester and hopefully beyond that.  Read you soon!