Another Semester Comes To An End

It’s been another long semester, filled with lots of studying and long nights. I always feel relieved at the end and to get another one over with. There’s the constant worrying about grades and how they will all fair out. Contemplating on the good ole GPA, and fretting whether or not you will make the Dean’s list again. Oh how mother was proud, I think she even took me out.I am thankful for the patient professors I have had over the past years. I will be graduating early in December, and I am sad that I will have to leave so much behind. At the same time I am happy to finally go out into the world and accomplish my goals and dreams. I fret about leaving my sisters behind and venturing out into the world alone, but I know they are proud of me and want me to succeed in whatever I do.What to do next is the question? I want to do so much but I feel that there’s never enough time. It seems lime yesterday that I just graduated from high school and now I am about too graduate from college. It’s crazy; you never imagine the day you will be out on your own. I guess we will just have to see what the future has in store for me.

What the future holds

The future is a vast entity. The future cannot be trifled with such dubious questions or doubts. I do not know what it holds for me, but I can only with great earnest hope for the best. In hoping for the best, I must stay positive that the outcomes will favorably go my way.

I have recalled the days of my youth, and with brash resistance I fan them way. I want to only to look towards the future, no regrets. One can never regret, for it brings about nothing useful. It only makes them self loathe on what something they can never change. I am content for the most part in my life, but I must admit I do feel as if I want growth in many parts of it. Relationship, career, and self growth can always off set any uneasiness.

I hope to eventually, focus on career goals and end up where I want to be in the end. I definitely would like to get out of Texas as soon as I graduate. I have been here the whole 20 years and 3 months of my life. I’m not complaining, it’s a great place but a change in scenery will do me some good. I really hope all goes well for the people graduating this semester, and I am really proud of the hard work that they have put in and I hope they too, go out and make their dreams come true. God Bless!

Case Study Project

I really enjoyed doing the project for our last class grade. It was lots of hard work and I am glad the class got a great discussion out of it. There was so much information to talk about in our paper, but we finally had to scale it down to 16 pages.

Sarah and I both started out doing our own papers and we and over 10 pages ach alone. When we put it together it was difficult trying to see what should stay and what should go. It was interesting that we both got different information on the project. That made for some good conversation among us as well as the class. We happened to find information that could only be found if you dug a little deeper into the case study. The case study had more layers than most people really knew.

There was so much going on other than clothing discrimination at Southwest Airlines. A lot of the other stuff wasn’t made so public until the Kayla incident happened. I feel that was definitely the tipping point of the whole case story. A lot more people were willing to come out and talk about the injustices they had experienced from Southwest. It was one incident that ruined the clean reputation or “seemingly” clean reputation of Southwest Airlines.

There was great information about how Southwest was being criticize for being hypocrites. They were telling the media and consumers that thy are a family based airlines who uphold strong values, but they had a past of flight attendants with short clothing and advertising sexy images to sell more tickets. With such things behind them they should be more lenient in allowing customers to dress the way they want.

Conclusion of Tipping Point

Getting a message to become sticky does not entail a huge event or change. In this chapter, Gladwell concludes with an account of the type of solution that reflects an understanding of the concept of the tipping point.

A nurse is seeking an effective, yet inexpensive way to raise breast cancer awareness among African-American women. She strays away from traditional routes and enlists the help of hairstylists all over to get her message out. In the hair shop environment, she figured, most people are relaxed and are more willing to take in new information. This way definitely makes them more receptive to such messages.

Gladwell acknowledges that this type of thinking is often derived as being a “band-aid” solution that treats symptoms, rather than masking problems. This band-aid solution is faster and some might not feel that it can be adequate. It actually is and has made the lives of so many so much easier.

A Program Worth While

I love the book the Tipping Point. It is so inspiring. I definitely feel that the techniques and rules can definitely be applied to everyday life and even the business we choose to be in. I really do fell like all of the books we went over in the class have been a great tool for the real world. The knowledge it provide us with is priceless. We can definitely be equipped to handle anything that our jobs throw our way. I definitely feel that the journalism program at UNT is the best. I had a conversation with someone the other day and when I told them I was in the journalism program at UNT they were like oh yea, I know about North Texas. It is very rewarding to receive an education from a place that is accredited and others know about our program. I really am thankful for great professors who actually care about the students. They don’t think of us as just a number but as a person. It’s just a great feeling. Hanks for letting me vent again.

Enron

I am really glad that we had a chance to watch the movie about Enron. It was a very interesting story that was made into a remarkable movie. It is always good to learn about our companies past mistakes so when put into a situation one can see the red flags before it’s too late. The story of Enron was very compelling and it traced the mistakes of a company whose greed led to it’s ultimate demise. The mistakes they made were mistakes any company could make and any person should be cautious when such warnings appear. What was so interesting to me about the story were the different characters. We weren’t just shown a company but we got to take a look at the masterminds behind the company. I feel the downward spiral of Enron could definitely be seen as the fall of Caesar type story for today’s society.

A Crumbling Society

I am outrage by the way our country has regulated our energy. Recent discussions in class have got me thinking about ways we can stand up and reverse these adverse effects. I am appalled that our government would let such horrible grievances fall upon our great country. They seem to love repeating history. The fall of great companies and the destruction of many economies. I feel a though our own country is supporting terrorism withing our own boarders. For them to allow these treacherous acts that our energy companies are partaking in to continue is a travesty. When will it all stop. When are economy has finally fallen. When we are so disgusted with ourselves that we finally start fighting each other. I wonder how far can we go before we finally crumble. Enough is enough!!!

A Divided Society

I am finally to the point where I am tired of having to hear about race being a factor in a presidential election where both of the running mates are Americans. Why can’t qualifications as well as the ability to get the job done, be the factor. Why does everyone have to focus so much on race, and worry about if the world is ready for a ‘black man’ or a ’white woman?’ In school why are we constantly being force to digest the word “diversity?” Why do we have to try to act like everyone is so different that we have to develop programs just so we can show that we are all getting along? I am so tired of it! When will we live in a better world? Sorry I just had to vent today!

Meeting Obama

I finally met the love of my life, j/k...but I really was excited to finally get to meet Obama. I was really bummed out when I missed him in Dallas, so to get to go to the one in Fort Worth and get close enough to shake his hand and thank him for coming to Texas was a real treat. It was so exciting to see all kinds of people of all different walks of life united for one common cause. It was a thrill to see how excited everyone was over one man, who promised them things that they really don’t know if he could deliver on. I had heard his speech a million times before so, I was rather bored with the whole presentation. The only thing that kept my attention was Obama flashing a pearly white smile every now and then and the cute secret service that seemed to be everywhere. I really was impressed but how much he could talk without getting tired. Well at least I got to get a front row seat at history unveiling itself.

Links for Wikipedia Assignment

http://flogmaime.blogspot.com/

http://www.askoxford.com/concise_oed/flog?view=uk

3 informal focus on or promote to excess.

http://fakesteve.blogspot.com/

Meet the fake Steve Jobs, he invented the friggin iPod,

http://www.newsgroper.com/barack-obama/



http://jeremy.zawodny.com/blog/archives/004143.html
McDonald’s fake Blog
http://www.adrants.com/2006/01/coke-lies-misleads-with-fake-zero.php
coke fake blog

http://www.fake-blogs.com/


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parody
sometimes referred to as a parody
http://www.cnn.com/SHOWBIZ/Movies/9905/04/star.wars.sites/index.html

http://beancounters.blogs.com/parodies/

http://www.newsgroper.com/christopher-walken
fake cleb blogs

http://www.whatreallyhappened.com/archives/cat_911.html
fake Alceda Blog

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fake_blog

http://theflack.blogspot.com/2006/07/blog-pruning.html

Spinning

http://kevin.lexblog.com/2006/10/articles/public-relations/fake-blog-walmart-gets-caught-with-its-pants-down/

Living out my life?

I am contemplating my life and the future of PR, marketing and surprisingly acting. I am a student at the University of North Texas who’s majoring in Journalism with a concentration in PR, and a minor in marketing. I have a strong passion for acting and many have encouraged me to pursue my dreams. I still I have a love for helping people so I would still like to do Pr and marketing work in non-profits. I guess it’s always good to have plan B if everything does not work out. I have always been one to keep a plan and I don’t plan to chase my dreams and live on the streets. Life is getting pretty crazy for me I am graduating a semester earlier than I am supposed to be. I am happy yet scared, I don’t know exactly what I want to do with my life, but I must say I do have a good start. I guess all I can do is let go and let god, as my mom use to say. It’s hard to try to step out on your own when your use to being surrounded by so many counterparts. (My sisters in my case) I need to find some liquid courage before now and my birthday. I need a CHANGE! Wow this word has become an anthem in my life and I guess the country as well!

A Civil Debate

I am watching the debates I Austin and I am a little bit upset because my friend gave me the wrong channel and I couldn’t find it until half way through it. I really studied the candidates and how they reacted to each other’s comments. Obama had me on my feet the whole time. He was so calm whenever Hilary attacked anything about his campaign. He just sat there and pretended or maybe he actually did right down something in his book. It was so hilarious to me. It seemed like he was just looking ahead all of this--the debate and Hilary-- to the future of his Presidency. It seemed as though he knows he has already won but he just wanted to be nice and keep it civil. It’s amazing the things that go on right in front of you but you have to really be looking for it to notice it. He always looked Hilary in the eyes and she seemed to avoid his eyes. I don’t know what that was about but it told me something. I just hope the outcome I expect happens!

Change is coming!

So it’s the day of the Barack Obama rally and I am stuck in school wishing to God that I had the courage to skip and go out. I am so mad that I missed it that I think about it almost everyday. My sister got to shake his hand and talk to him just because she told him that our mom was a police officer. It would have been the happiest day of my life if I had got to go. I am still planning the day that I will get to meet him. I believe in his campaign and I know that he will be our next president. It makes me feel really good to know that this day will come before I die or am really old. I don’t think MLK would have ever thought he would see the day…or maybe he did and that’s why he did the things he did for desegregation. Wow is all I can say this country ahs really changed!

The Downfall of Humanity

It is interesting to me that so many set up these non-profit organizations just for some tax write off or the publicity it gets them. These days almost every celebrity or person of wealth has a non-profit organization. I think that journalist should go in and investigate all of these allege non-profits who aren’t really doing anything for the community. They should also investigate the ones who are just doing things that are in the spot light at the time. The phrase there is no selfless deed has always bothered me. It is a wonder that our world isn’t a much better place with all of these non-profit organizations around. Some of these “phony” ones are just taking money from the ones that are actually doing something. If someone doesn’t put a stop to it soon we will surely see a downfall in interest in people genuinely doing good just to benefit humanity as a whole.

A commonality between brethren

In the case studies of the Valdez Exxon and the Blue Fly there are examples of how to do the right public relations as well as what happens when the wrong course of action is taking. It saddens me that our society allows such cruel behavior to be bestowed on each other. It is no one’s right to treat others in such a manner. In the book cosmopolitanism we learn that if the world cold share one positive mind set, than we would all be better off. If we were descent to our neighbors, shared common values and conduct ourselves by one common law than such horrific behavior demonstrated by Exxon would not ever take place. The lack of moral and social responsibility that Exxon showed would not be tolerated in a world that went by the rules set in the book cosmopolitanism. It is no enough that they disrupted the continuum that our world thrives on, but they knowingly took advantage of their own brethren. If we all held the same social obligations that the CEO of Blue Fly upheld not only could be peace on earth but also a positive commonality between all who dwell on earth.

Ethics in Companies

Dr. Sidney Wolfe, director of the Health Research Group for Washington-based advocate Public Citizen, said he isn't surprised the ads continue to run. "There's a $20 billion market for cholesterol-lowering drugs, and companies will do whatever it takes to get as much of that market as they can, even if it means letting people continue to take prescription drugs that they know are not beneficial and that even may be harmful," he said. "What's much more likely is that the companies put their stockholders above their responsibility to public health."
----Advertising Age


With such monopoly on pharmaceuticals companies,could it be that we are all to blame for the greed that many have just simply taken advantage of. If we didn’t fall so gullible to the tricks and lies that some miracle pill could take away all are sicknesses, than pharmaceuticals companies couldn’t so openly exploit us like they do.

Unlike Merck's Vioxx, which in 2004 was found to contribute to heart attacks in some patients and was pulled off the market, Vytorin is safe and can still be sold. It does, the study found, reduce the levels of LDL in patients. It just doesn't, according to the study, live up to its claim of reducing plaque build-up. That's why Peter Pitts, a former associate commissioner for the FDA and now the president of New York-based Center for Medicine in the Public Interest says, this won't be the death knell for DTC that some think it is.
----Advertising Age

It is disappointing that even with the bodily harm the medication generates; some still feel that this company has a chance and the right to stay in business. I feel that because of the deception the company should be put out of business and face harsh legal issues. There is no cure for the mistrust generated by the way this pharmaceutical company handled this situation. It not only destroys its image, but also the image of other pharmaceutical companies that could possible have the cure for our bodily afflictions.

Clemens' Case

The story concerning Clemens seems very deceptive. It seems as though no one knows exactly what the truth is. His lawyer along with his public relations teams allowed Clemens to dig himself in to a hole. If they had been quicker with a response about the allegations as well as allowed any positive truths to come to light the situation would not had progressed. Allowing their client to unknowingly hang himself at news conferences and on television was the end all for his career. Perception is reality, and the way he was perceived by the media after his out bursts of anger brought his credibility down.