One of my friends asked me the other day what the purpose of Twitter is. And he stumped me. I hadn't really thought about it, and wasn't prepared to come up with an answer to his question.
I took a moment to think about it, and this is how I replied:
"Twitter can be completely useless to some, and super helpful for others."
I explained to him that I am still learning to use Twitter strategically myself, but from what I've learned it can be an extremely useful tool for businesses, organizations and anyone else who wants to get some publicity.
Facebook is a more personal form of social media and can be used by people to connect with friends. But, it too can be used as a media tool. Social media is a quick and easy way to get the word out to hundreds of people with one click.
From my personal experience, I see people use Facebook mostly to connect with friends and family through messages and photos. However, it is a convenient way to publicize events and groups. I see Twitter being used to connect people through news and links that they think others will appreciate. But, don't be fooled. Twitter is used multiple times within minutes by people who post utterly useless messages about their day-to-day activities. I am still unsure of how this is helpful to others within 140 characters.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Monday, February 8, 2010
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Books Can Change Your Life
If you're looking for the next book to put on your reading list, I have just the one! A few weeks ago, I sat down and read Tuesdays With Morrie by Mitch Albom.
It was an eye opening experience and I feel it really did change the way I look at life.
Many times I've heard Oprah and others say, "this book will change your life", and it has always seemed like a stretch to me. But, Tuesdays with Morrie proved me wrong. It was a fantastic book written by a sports journalist and his real life experience with Morrie, a wise man in his last days.
The book reminded me to appreciate the simple things in life, like watching the sunrise and taking a walk in the park. I would recommend everyone to sit down and take the time to read this short book of Morrie's teachings on life.
Albom also wrote other wonderful books, to check them out visit his website.
It was an eye opening experience and I feel it really did change the way I look at life.
Many times I've heard Oprah and others say, "this book will change your life", and it has always seemed like a stretch to me. But, Tuesdays with Morrie proved me wrong. It was a fantastic book written by a sports journalist and his real life experience with Morrie, a wise man in his last days.
The book reminded me to appreciate the simple things in life, like watching the sunrise and taking a walk in the park. I would recommend everyone to sit down and take the time to read this short book of Morrie's teachings on life.
Albom also wrote other wonderful books, to check them out visit his website.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Zooey & Adam Is Raw
I had my first experience watching an "art house" film at the Cinematheque theatre on Friday. I first learned of the theatre this year from people in my program. I have only ever been to see Hollywood budget movies at theatres like Silver City. And to be honest I hadn't intended to go see a movie at the Cinematheque, until we started a project in our public relations class that involves promoting local film maker Sean Garrity's new film Zooey & Adam.
To avoid boring you with a long story, I'll keep it short. In a nutshell, I had a great experience. I really enjoyed the movie and I would recommend everyone, male or female to check it out. Sean Garrity did a fine job portraying an emotional battle a husband goes through after his wife is raped and she gives birth to a child with the dad unknown. The movie is raw, emotional and impacts both genders. It creates heated discussions between both sexes on what they would do in the situation. Listening to people talking after the movie you could tell there was a definite divide between men and women and their opinions.
I was really impressed with the acting and gained respect for the actors once I found out it was all improv. And the movie was not predictable at all, the ending especially took me by surprise. For those wondering how disturbing it is, I'd say it's not that bad until the end. I left with an eery feeling in my stomach, but I believe Garrity made the right choice with the way it ended, because it could have been worse.
After watching Zooey & Adam, which was filmed entirely in Manitoba (which I thought was so cool), I would give the Cinematheque another go!
To avoid boring you with a long story, I'll keep it short. In a nutshell, I had a great experience. I really enjoyed the movie and I would recommend everyone, male or female to check it out. Sean Garrity did a fine job portraying an emotional battle a husband goes through after his wife is raped and she gives birth to a child with the dad unknown. The movie is raw, emotional and impacts both genders. It creates heated discussions between both sexes on what they would do in the situation. Listening to people talking after the movie you could tell there was a definite divide between men and women and their opinions.
I was really impressed with the acting and gained respect for the actors once I found out it was all improv. And the movie was not predictable at all, the ending especially took me by surprise. For those wondering how disturbing it is, I'd say it's not that bad until the end. I left with an eery feeling in my stomach, but I believe Garrity made the right choice with the way it ended, because it could have been worse.
After watching Zooey & Adam, which was filmed entirely in Manitoba (which I thought was so cool), I would give the Cinematheque another go!
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Another Awkward Michael Cera Performance
I watched Youth In Revolt tonight. If you aren't aware of the new movie it's another Michael Cera tale. You know, the awkward kid from Superbad? How about the awkward kid from Juno? And now the awkward kid from Youth In Revolt!
Michael Cera plays the same character in every movie he is in, the socially awkward teen going through a rough time trying to find his identity, or to be honest lose his virginity.
This got me thinking... Cera is not the only actor who usually portrays a similar character profile in every performance. Many actors are known for a certain "Schtick" and get picked for that wanted role each time. For example, Will Ferrell in Old School, Talladega Nights, Anchor Man, etc. And Jim Carrey in Liar Liar, Dumb and Dumber, Yes Man, etc. (Don't get me wrong, these are two of my favourites, even though they always play the same character).
I am curious, from a writer's perspective, do they have an actor in mind that they would like to play a specific part? Or do they just pass the script along and not care which celebrity gets chosen to play the coveted role in Hollywood movies?
Rarely do I sit and ponder what the writer was thinking before his script got chosen to be a blockbuster hit. It's kind of fun though! When Gustin Nash was writing the screenplay for Youth In Revolt, was Cera in his yellow Juno shorts running through his mind? Or did he want one of his friends or small time actors to get the part? Or maybe he didn't care!
Next time you are watching a movie, try to think of yourself in the writer's shoes, would you be happy with the way it turned out or disappointed?
Check out Gustin Nash's bio, this is the best source I could find, sorry I know it's WIKI...
Monday, January 18, 2010
Falling Asleep in The Rachel Brown Theatre
Her neck slowly and gracefully fell to her shoulder, until she twitched and caught it. Slowly she nodded off several times and finally succumbed to the peacefulness of a deep sleep in the Rachel Brown Theatre on January 14th.
This is a story of a woman sitting in front of me at the showing of 2010's edition and the 5th anniversary of "In the Chamber", a series by Theatre Projects Manitoba. I attended a play in the Theatre Projects' 20th season, with high hopes because most plays I go to I am pleasantly surprised with the outcome. But, not this time. This time I tried really hard not to fall asleep, like the woman in front of me, who failed terribly.
Gordon Tanner and Steven Ratzlaff performed two monologues with the same theme, mid-life crisis. I have to say, their acting was well done and I give credit to the two because they each performed monologues over 45 minutes long. They didn't stumble through their lines at all, or if they did I didn't notice. In my opinion it would be very hard to perform a monologue this long.
The problem I had with the play was how boring and dry the content was. I thought the idea for the central theme was well thought out, but not delivered. A very large group of people can relate with the theme, but I found it was pointed at a older audience. I haven't gone through mid-life crisis yet as I am 20 years old.
I still don't have the confidence to tell people what the play was about because I didn't fully understand what was going on half the time, and I was fighting my sleepy eyes.
This is what I got out of it:
In the first act, "Last Man in Universe Alpha-11”, Tanner played a businessman who was holed up in a hotel room filming himself giving his honest opinion to a man unknown to the audience on a controversial issue that he was supposed to present at an Ag-Fair. He was playing tug-of-war with himself and the issue.
The second act,"Last Man in Puntarenas”, was performed by Ratzlaff in an empty hotel restaurant at a celebration of his retirement. He gives a long and dry speech about his son's death in the health care system.
I think the biggest problem was how long and tedious the play was and the large use of vocabulary in the play. It made it hard to follow and frankly I didn't want to follow along.
I want to point out that what I wrote here is what I interpreted the play to be about, and I could likely be wrong. Forgive me if I am under wrong impressions.
This is a story of a woman sitting in front of me at the showing of 2010's edition and the 5th anniversary of "In the Chamber", a series by Theatre Projects Manitoba. I attended a play in the Theatre Projects' 20th season, with high hopes because most plays I go to I am pleasantly surprised with the outcome. But, not this time. This time I tried really hard not to fall asleep, like the woman in front of me, who failed terribly.
Gordon Tanner and Steven Ratzlaff performed two monologues with the same theme, mid-life crisis. I have to say, their acting was well done and I give credit to the two because they each performed monologues over 45 minutes long. They didn't stumble through their lines at all, or if they did I didn't notice. In my opinion it would be very hard to perform a monologue this long.
The problem I had with the play was how boring and dry the content was. I thought the idea for the central theme was well thought out, but not delivered. A very large group of people can relate with the theme, but I found it was pointed at a older audience. I haven't gone through mid-life crisis yet as I am 20 years old.
I still don't have the confidence to tell people what the play was about because I didn't fully understand what was going on half the time, and I was fighting my sleepy eyes.
This is what I got out of it:
In the first act, "Last Man in Universe Alpha-11”, Tanner played a businessman who was holed up in a hotel room filming himself giving his honest opinion to a man unknown to the audience on a controversial issue that he was supposed to present at an Ag-Fair. He was playing tug-of-war with himself and the issue.
The second act,"Last Man in Puntarenas”, was performed by Ratzlaff in an empty hotel restaurant at a celebration of his retirement. He gives a long and dry speech about his son's death in the health care system.
I think the biggest problem was how long and tedious the play was and the large use of vocabulary in the play. It made it hard to follow and frankly I didn't want to follow along.
I want to point out that what I wrote here is what I interpreted the play to be about, and I could likely be wrong. Forgive me if I am under wrong impressions.
Twin Singing Sensation
I saw these talented twin boys on Ellen today. They are adorable and
make you smile!
make you smile!
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