YOUR SCREW UP, OUR ENTERTAINMENT
Although I begin with a PR story, this is an Editing Print and Online Media post.
I remember when we were in one of our first PR classes, first semester of last year. The topic of the day: blogs. The assignment for the day: blog. PR instructor Melanie proceeded to show us her blog and the blogs she followed.
"Oh, here's one I love. You know when people use quotation marks incorrectly? Yeah... The "Blog" of "Unnecessary" Quotation Marks!"
The class laughed in unison as she scrolled down the blog, displaying photo submission entries where public signs mis-used quotation marks. I admit, I laughed too. Actually, I still do! I check that blog occasionally from time to time, only when bored and needing a good dose of random entertainment. Take a look for yourself, right here.
Take a look at this blog, The Grammar Vandal. It hasn't been updated in over a year, but she posts her own submissions, and reader contributions about bad spelling and grammar examples - in a comedic fashion.
I'm curious as to why we find these blogs so entertaining? I can admit, along with a few fellow CreComms, that I've been the victim of an autofail once or twice due to bad spelling/grammar. I, personally, felt pretty embarrassed and angry with myself. I was comforted, however, by the support of my fellow CreComms when I shared the solemn news.
Mystery CreCommer: "Lennie, what'd you get?"
Me: "Autofailed... *sad face*"
Mystery CreCommer: "Don't even worry about it, I autofailed the last two. This 6, even, is barely a pass!"
So why do we laugh? Is it the relief that we were not the ones victim to public scrutiny? Is it a reminiscent gesture that we, once, were that naive? Is it all just entertaining?
I guess these blogs have been produced to teach us a lesson - just like what we learn in class. I much more appreciate the blog copyblogger. Some of the titles sound harsh, but along with basic tips and lessons in terms of language, spelling and grammar, the blog shares some interesting points about professionalism overall. How to be politically correct on Twitter, What NOT to wear in an interview, How to be more search-engine available are all listed topics. Take a read!
Labels: copyblogger, Editing Print and Online Media, Public Relations, The "Blog" of "Unnecessary" Quotation Marks, The Grammar Vandal
OBVIOUSLY
I haven't updated in a while. Duh. Under construction.
A GIRL'S BEST FRIEND?
Diamonds. Well, apparently. See, I don't understand if it's just me who is a little off the boat with diamonds? While slacking off from Final Cut Pro-ing my video Montage for T.V. Production class, I decided to read up on my Popular news on Yahoo. You can read the article I found here, announcing that a rare 5.16 carat blue diamond sold for 6.4 million US dollars 2 days ago in Hong Kong. The original price of purchase was estimated at 5.9 million dollars US. Not as much, but still pretty much insane.
So what 's the deal with diamonds? According to the article, another blue diamond sold for 10.5 million just last may, and is currently the world per-carat record holder for a blue diamond. The overall world per-carat record holder for a diamond in general? A "five-carat chickpea-sized vivid pink gem" for 10.8 million just this past December. What is it with diamonds?Remember all the hype about JLO's pink diamond engagement ring from then-fiance Ben Affleck? Remember their break-up? I remember magazine upon magazine cover questioning, "Who gets the ring?" Or "Will she keep the ring?" etc. etc. Anyone Remember Paris Hilton's short-lived engagement? That ring got waay more attention than the groom himself. Throughout their entire engagement, the 24-carat ring produced questions such as, "The ring is a fake?", "Family does not want Paris to give Paris a genuine ring?", "Relationship doomed: Ring unnecessary?" And even after their break-up, the ring was still making stories, as the 4.7 million dollar ring was auctioned off by Paris for Hurricane Katrina Relief. It sold for 2 million dollars.
I pretty much blew up when I read this article, questioning who in their right mind would spend so much on a piece of jewelery. I, myself, have the worst luck with jewelery. From losing a diamond ring in a public pool, to tangling a necklace to the point of no return, to splitting the chains of a bracelet because it caught on a shirt rack - I have the absolute worse luck. Then I realized that people probably question all of my spending habits. People can think of my purchases as "Who in their right mind would spend X amount on X item?" I realize my choices are foolish and at times, ridiculous, but in all they're my choices.
So as the year creeps closer and closer to a close, I just want to remind everyone that fashion is their own state of mind. It's what you want and what you want it to be. Ciao.
Labels: Ben Affleck, diamond, fashion, Jennifer Lopez, JLO, Paris Hilton, Yahoo
JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE: SOO NOT LAST SEASON?
Hello? Is sexy back? Do you know where he went? (Gaah, that was lame. Well excuse me, I've been up for quite a number of hours now trying to edit some footage for this montage. Yaawn.). Anywhoo, remember Justin Timberlake? He released Future Sex/Love Sounds, went on tour (which BTW, one of the best concerts of my life), was in a few movies, then did a lot of featured vocals on a number of Timberland and Nelly Furtado tracks? Where has he gone!? I think I heard one of his songs on the radio last week and I was slightly bummed that the only thing we've seen of the Prince of Pop lately has been relationship rumors and his signature voice on Tiberland's tracks.
Have no fear, JT is back! And, by the way, he's growing out his fro again. Aside from that, no, he is not releasing an album anytime soon, but according to Perez "Hottie" Hilton himself, it has been confirmed that Timberlake will be starring in a movie titled Friends with Benefits. Well if that's the case, hey Justin must have a number of ladies clamoring to be his bestie!HAIR TREND ALERT
Side braids, baby! Sorry to discriminate against all shorter haired folk in this post. I'll get you next time.
ANNIE LEIBOVITZ FORGETS HER FUNDS
Does anyone remember the whole Miley Cirus photo scandal? Bare back? Bed sheet? Red lipstick? Hair disheveled? CNN? Regardless, if you don't remember, you should take note of the famous photographer who was literally behind the eyes of the scandal. The very talented Annie Leibovitz has worked with Vanity Fair since 1983, and has shot the likes of Angelina Jolie, Demi Moore, and Miley Cirus as said.Word has just gotten out now that she has been facing a number of financial issues, and after hiring a consulting firm to identify potential investments, she forgot to pay them. The famous phot-og is now facing a lawsuit for forgetting to pay about $803 000 to the investment firm.
On a side note, I will be increasing the number of blog posts this week, because as you can see, I've been a little MIA. Blame the RRC Magazine Fair! A magnificent collection of magazine displays presented by the ever-so-talented CreComm first years. This said magazine is the product of months upon months, weeks upon weeks, days upon days, hou... (you get it) of work. We were divided into groups to make a magazine, all contributing to our Creative Writing, Journalism, Advertising, Public Relations and Electronic Publishing marks! With the help of the talented Jess Chapman and Jeff Ward our group created Rebel Yell, an activism magazine. Hoorah, we won Best Content! For your copy of Rebel Yell, please throw a loonie our way and we'll be happy to send you a PDF. Toodles!
WHILE PROCRASTINATING ON MY MAGAZINE AD
... I was looking at magazine ads - only for inspiration, I swear! But coming across a few ads, I was amazed at what people could come up with. I'm not sure what creative juices they're on, but it's definitely not in the water that I'm drinking.
Take this ad for AT&T for example. The ad shows carefully painted detailed works of art onto the hands and arms of the models holding their phones. The big idea is their ability to work all over the world, using the cultured works of art as visual examples.
Labels: advertising, creative, magazine
