Today someone...

There is so much that will go on today...

Someone will become a mother
Someone will become a father
Someone will buy a new shirt
Someone will receive their first promotion
Someone will lose their job
Someone will have their first kiss
Someone will have their heart broken

Today someone came out of surgery
Today someone gave blood
Today someone beat cancer
Today someone found out they had cancer
Today someone came out of rehab
Today someone had their first cigarette
Today someone woke up and saw Spencer Pratt in the mirror
Today someone had their first driving lesson
Today someone will lose their license
Today someone got engaged
Today someone celebrated their 50th anniversary


Today...

Someone received citizenship and a new start to life
Someone received a scholarship to college
Someone closed their Facebook account
Someone discovered Twitter
Someone will be a victim of gang violence
Someone made lots of money in the stock market
Someone moved away from home
Someone took their first steps
Someone took their last breath

Live life to the fullest and don't take today for granted...

Future Camp!

Although I was not able to participate in Future Camp at Humber on Wednesday, it is amazing to see how the use of social media will impact the jobs that we will have both for our internships and careers in public relations.

With regards to our personal brand plans it was shocking to see who I had gained views from and who I had received comments from aside from my mentor and classmates. Although they provided very useful insight, it was very refreshing to see someone's comments who, before posting this, would have never heard from unless I sought them out.

The use of Twitter is becoming more popular every day. We see the use of social media every day, and although I was unable to attend, my thoughts of how social media is used in a corporate setting more and more is astounding.

For the past two days, I was a part of the FIFA World Cup Trophy tour. With the 2010 World Cup just over one month away, Coca-Cola and FIFA made Toronto the third last stop on an 85 country worldwide tour, showcasing the trophy to avid soccer fans all around the city. The use of social media (Twitter in particular) was seen by not only fans taking pictures with the trophy and "twitpic'ing" it, but also by popular media sources, who were documenting the trophy's whereabouts every step of the way. From the time that the Coca-Cola-FIFA jumbo jet landed at Landmark airport, to the trophy making its way to the CBC Building, Capitol Theatre and even Muchmusic to be seen during a K'Naan interview, there was an overload of pictures and tweets that not only showcased the trophy, but the many logos branded "Coca-Cola".

In the future, I do not know what line of work I will end up in. Ideally, I would like to do something in sports PR. However, one thing is confirmed. Regardless of the setting that you work in or the career path you choose, there will always be a demand for social media. The connectivity it provides to people for business will only continue to grow.

Again, although I was not able to be there, please check out some of my peers' blogs, to hear their thoughts on their experiences with Future Camp.

Andrew Bartucci - My take on it - edgy lists and humorous twists

Aneeta Parmar - Green Eyed Moon

Zack Sandor Kerr - Pizza Friday

Shelley Burgoyne - Tipped and Pointy

Bar vs. House party

Perhaps the most common concern for any group of friends when getting together to drink is deciding whether or not they plan on on going out to a bar or staying in and having a house party.

We all enjoy going to bars, gettin' our fist pumps on and tearing up a dance floor. Personally, I love going out, but after a conversation about weighing out what makes more sense, it provoked some pretty interesting discussion between a few friends and myself over a hung over breakfast at Benny's.

It seems although we ALL LOVE going out, it really does make more sense to have more house parties than go to a bar. Here are my reasons why:

1) The company you keep (and the air that you breathe)

When at someone's house for a predrink or house party, you are (for the most part) surrounded by people you WANT to be around. You don't have to worry about bumping people's drinks and feeling bad about it, or feeling compelled to buy them a new one. You also don't have to worry about possibly getting into a fight with a steroid popping jackass. Remember, it's not where you are, it is WHO YOU ARE WITH that makes it count.

2) LET'S F*CKIN' RAGE!

If you're at a friend's house, although you may have to clean up in the morning, you tend not to shy away from being outrageous and letting loose. Although some things might break or there may be a ton of alcohol spilled in the process, you do NOT need to worry about:

• Being on your "better" behaviour because you're in a public place
• Getting tossed from a bar/club by someone significantly bigger AND stronger than you
• Having to pay for a cab by yourself because you were the only one that got kicked out

3) $MONEY$

I'll be the first to admit that I do not mind spending money at the bar (as my bank account would attest to) but, really, what are we paying for? We bring booze to our pre drink and spend money there, and unlike Laurier, where I went to school, Toronto is a hell of a lot bigger, so there's cab fare, and cover, and then I'm expected to pay $7 a drink while waiting in a ridiculous line, slowly inching my way up to the bar and making sure some douchebag doesn't cut in front of me?

...I could have just had three beers in the time it took me to write that...kinda see what I'm gettin' at?

4) MOST IMPORTANT: Drinking games...obviously...stupid...

I mentioned above that it's about the people you are with. That was just to get you to keep reading. The real reason house parties are becoming my new favourite are because of the ample amount of drinking games you can play that are much harder to get away with unless you're at an all inclusive resort in Cuba. Whether it's learning something embarrassing about a new friend in Never Have I Ever, or rubbing in the sheer humiliation of being the weakest link on your team in Flip Cup or Beer Baseball, drinking games are the BEST ways to "bond" with friends!

All in all, I'm saying that although I do love going out with the people that mean the most to me, I think I would rather party in a place where we can still have a lot of music, I can save a bit of money, I don't have to scream for a conversation, and we can achieve our original goal of the night...that is...to GET F*CKED UP and LIVE.IT.UP.

"Americanized" reality shows all follow same suit

First, Pop Idol turned into American Idol. Britain's Got Talent eventually became America's Got Talent. NOW, Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares serves as the latest in reality television debauchery. Originating in Europe, Chef Gordon Ramsay travelled all over the United Kingdom helping struggling restaurant owners turn their business around to keep them from closing it.

Today, like many other shows originating in the UK, Kitchen Nightmares made its way to the United States as Ramsay attempts to help struggling American restaurant owners.

The show encompasses the common theme of American-made television, that is, to have a foreign personality (in this case British) exhibit this hard-fought, tough-love, a**hole personality! Don't believe me? Look at this type of television with British personalities and notice that with the exception of Sharon Osborne, they ALL possess that character persona of being hard-nosed and "stand-offish". Since Anne from The Weakest Link, there have been many shows that utilize this brand of television including:

• America's Got Talent - Piers Morgan
  
• American Idol - Simon Cowell
  
• So You Think You Can Dance - Nigel Lythgoe
  
• Dancing with the Stars - Leonard Gordon Goodman
  
• Hell's Kitchen - Gordon Ramsay

Listen, I'm all FOR mindless entertainment and sure, when someone gets ripped apart on national television, who doesn't feel a LITTLE bit better about themselves? If nobody felt this way, shows like Intervention and many MTV shows wouldn't exist!

*Tangent*

Back to my point, this mundane form of entertainment is continuing to overshadow the quality and useful programming out there. I mean, how many different ways can you tell someone they suck at cooking or that their outfit looks horrendous?

I'm not saying that I won't watch these shows from time to time, but if regurgitating ideas for shows that originated halfway around the world is where we stand with forming new ideas for shows, then SIGN.ME.UP.

NCAA 2010 Final Four proves NO TEAM is SAFE!

The NCAA Division I Men's Final Four basketball tournament has always lived up to its expectations. This includes, seeing highly ranked teams making an early exit in unlikely upsets. Also this year, defending champions North Carolina did not even qualify for the tournament.

So far, Kansas (1), Villanova (2), Georgetown (3), Pittsburgh (3), New Mexico State (3), Vanderbilt (4), Maryland (4) and Wisconsin (4) have all bid farewell to their seasons and the NCAA Final Four tournament. All of these teams have been eliminated BEFORE reaching the third round of the tournament (at the very furthest). This year, just eight out of the remaining 16 are ranked in the top four.

The NCAA Final Four tournament has always had its share of upsets and "cinderella stories", most recently in 2008 when Davidson, led by Stephen Curry almost defeated eventual champions Kansas in a 59-57 showdown. However it is hard to remember when the last time so many highly ranked teams made such an early exit in the tournament. My research shows that:

• In 2006 - 10 teams ranked #4 or higher in region made it to the third round
• In 2007 - 12 teams ranked #4 or higher in region made it to the third round
• In 2008- 11 teams ranked #4 or higher in region made it to the third round
• In 2009 - 14 teams ranked #4 or higher in region made it to the third round

Not since 2005 have so few top ranked teams made it through to the Sweet 16 (eight also). The most surprising bracket thus far has to be the East, which has the top two ranked teams in the region (Kentucky and West Virginia) facing number 11 and 12 ranked Washington and Cornell. It is also worth noting that #10 ranked St. Mary's has established itself as a threat with upsets over #7 Richmond and most recently over #2 Villanova.

Now it is unlikely that Washington, St. Mary's or Cornell will win the tournament, as three of the four remaining number one seeds are still in the tournament (Syracuse, Duke, Kentucky). However, it is definitely worth pointing out that this year's tournament has lived up to its entertainment standards; a tournament full of upsets, close games, and overtime thrillers!

Q: What's Victoria's Secret? (Social Media Campaign Analysis)

A: A solid social media campaign

Victoria Secret's PINK campaign is a nationwide project designed to target a younger audience by utilizing a variety of tactics to identify with today's growing online community. With over one million members, this campaign has proved very successful. Becoming a member of Pink Nation offers many benefits, including discounts on products, useful shopping suggestions and the opportunity to follow them on Twitter and Facebook. In fact, their Facebook fan page has well over two million members, making it one of the most followed pages on the entire Facebook network.

SWOT Analysis

Strengths

• Membership is FREE! The target audience for this campaign is for University/College students, who are not the most financially stable. Thus, signing up for a free membership is much more appealing.
• A very interactive website that provides a chance to participate in effective two-way communication.
• Addressing students' love of music by listing top 40 songs that have been released that are popular among targeted demographics
• An opportunity to win a Pink Party for their respective college campuses.

Weaknesses

There were not many weaknesses in this campaign because it is free to sign up and have almost four million followers. However a few noted weaknesses include:

• Exclusive to the United States only. You must have a US address in order to sign up for Pink Nation. Victoria's Secret is notorious around the world. An expansion of membership should be taken into consideration.
• Facebook fan page > Pink Nation membership. The promotions team should be pushing membership and look to expand the 59 member campuses across the United States.

For more information on this campaign, check out the following blogs!

Aislin O'Hara - Kiss on the Lips
Casey Mundy - Casey's Thoughts
Catherine Flint - The Way I See It
Christiaan Rapcewicz - Q is for Queer
Laura Phillips - Adventures in Public Relations

O Canada...our anthem is not sexist...Get over yourselves...

So this morning on the Z1035 morning show, I was informed that along with this being Federal Budget day, that there is a proposal to change a line in our country's national anthem.

The line that currently reads "True patriot love, in all thy sons command" is under review to be changed to "True patriot love, thou dost in us command". This has only won the praise of Liberal Senator Vivienne Poy. "I am thrilled," said Poy after hearing that this change may in fact go through. In addition, Queen's University professor Adele Mercier was also pro-change. "The national anthem should reflect its population and Canada consists of 51 per cent women," said Mercier. The complete article by the Globe and Mail can be seen by clicking here.

OK Canada, where do I begin with this?

We get it. As Canadians, we are labelled with an ideology of being a country that represents diversity, change and improvement to the societal standards that, to some, may be seen as outdated and in this case, sexist. Mercier said that a national anthem that should reflect its population, and Canada consists of 51 per cent women.

However, is it really that big of a deal? For example, not a single female athlete who was standing on the podium for Canada after winning gold refused to sing that line because of the word "sons". A national anthem is about uniting a country through the powerful source of music and poetry.

I don't see the Italian national anthem being changed because the first line is "Brothers of Italy" so why should Canada? Also, it may be just me, but many times when Canada as a country is mentioned, is it not referred to as a "her"? As in, a country is something to protect, love and praise (which I feel that most men would agree are their feelings towards their mothers, sisters, wives and girlfriends).

Let's not get sidetracked though. I don't know if it is a coincidence that this issue happens to fall on Federal Budget day or not, but it seems a bit strange that on the day when Harper's government is proposing new financial strategy plans about where tax payers' money, that this issue is the one that they knew would spark a lot of conversation and one that people would definitely be passionate about. What are you trying to slip by us Harper? What do you think we won't notice in the budget? We're onto you...

All in all, I heard a recording on the Z1035 morning show with the new line. I don't hate it, but at the same time, do that many people really care?

Ms. Mercier and Senator Poy, just because you find a hair doesn't mean you have to split it. Our country's values will not be questioned because we have "son" in it. Get over it and love life. Its too short to be wanting to be "remembered" for changing one line to prove a point.

Women's rights are increasing and are being valued more and more everyday, which is a sign of how your beliefs and contributions to this issue are already successful. Don't ruin it with this.

Until next post. Live.It.Up.

Just a quick heads up...

Hello everyone! Just a quick heads up that you can also follow my personal brand blog titled

Bridging the Gap

This is for people who want to know which area(s) I will be aiming to work in the future!

Thanks so much!

Live.It.Up.

Houston...we have a problem..OHNOOOO"

For those who of you who were not watching the Olympics over the last two weeks...what the hell were you doing all that time? In case you need a recap...all you need to know for this discussion is that Canada has won the most gold medals of any other country in the world. What could top that? American athletes and journalists eating their words. In this case, it was US speed skater and ballroom dancer extraordinaire Apollo Anton Ohno, and USA Today journalist Erik Brady.

Apollo Anton Ohno...where do I begin with you? You haven't done anything personally to me, but is it just me or do you give off the vibe of a cocky speed skater who is better recognized for winning Dancing with the Stars? Okay...well in saying that let's recap why I am so happy about the events of Friday night.

There is no question Ohno is a talented speed skater, but I can't help but notice that every time an American is asked a question regarding the Canadian Olympic program, the tone of the conversation seems very patronizing and sarcastic. In a recent article in USA today written by Erik Brady, Ohno stated, "They can own the podium, we just want to borrow it. Just for the month of February and then we'll give it back."

Hahahahaha okay Brady and Ohno listen up...take your heads out of your rear ends and take a look at the Olympics with just two days left.

APOLLO ANTON OHNO: Your Olympics end with you having a silver medal, two bronze medals and a disqualification...Congratulations on owning the lower stems of the podium and celebrating by having to listen to every anthem except your own. I mean, yeah Canada did let you borrow the podium...we pretty much rented you the basement apartment. Doesn't it sting knowing you were never invited to party in the penthouse suite this Olympics? No worries... maybe if you tag along with Evan Lysacek and Shaun White, they'll get you in with them!

In an interview following the race, TSN personality Darren Dutchyshen quoted Ohno saying he thought it was a "conspiracy done by Canadian officials to ensure two Canadians hit the podium." Apollo, you are the face of United States speed skating, but GET OVER YOURSELF. Maybe if you didn't push Francois-Louis Tremblay out of the way, you would have come away with yet another ALMOST GOLD...

Take off your bandanna, cut your hair, stop polishing your Dancing with the Stars trophy and start practicing for 2014!

ERIK BRADY: Excellent job on framing your article and point of view that makes the Own the Podium program look like a joke. In fact, Canada finished with more gold medals than any other country. That's right...O Canada has been played more times than any other country's national anthem, including the "Silver Spangled Banner." From no gold medals on home soil to the most in the world, next time you write an article like this, just keep in mind that when a United States flag is shown flying high at the Olympics...the Canadian flag is flying just a LITTLE BIT HIGHER! That's what happens when you win GOLD! =)

Check out Team Canada's highlights in short track speed skating from Friday night. GO CANADA GO!

Live.It.Up.

*I do not own the video. I merely subscribed to CTV's Olympic Youtube Channel and found the video on there. They own it and it is only intended to be used in this blog.*

"Facebook me...Tweet it...yo Google that ish"

The importance of PR 2.0

Deirdre Breakenridge emphasizes that PR 2.0 places a higher value on the profession by connecting the world through online communities.

The Internet and online communities serve great importance to the PR industry. It outlines the benefits of a connecting a world online, and provdies a realistic point of view of the challenges that PR practitioners will face with this movement. With PR 2.0, it is easy to propose ideas to a large audience. Ideas that receive widespread exposure will succeed. PR 2.0 gives consumers a voice and includes them in decision making processes.

Challenges for PR practitioners

The biggest challenge that face PR practitioners is that information is so readily available that there may not be a need for their services to keep the public informed. With PR 2.0, "PR people have this incredible opportunity to embrace and engage in PR 2.0 communication and allow their brands understand the value and meaningful conversations with customers," Deirdre Breakenridge, author, PR 2.0: A Communicator's Manifesto.

Is this type of connectivity good or bad?

PR 2.0 is beneficial for the world for the following reasons:

1) The PR practitioners who can adapt to new environments and be quick thinkers, especially in times of uncertainty and rapid change will flourish with the help of PR 2.0.

2) PR 2.0 eliminates traditional communication barriers and brings the consumer voice to the companies, as well as the company's voice to the consumer.

3) PR 2.0 helps establish a feeling of trust through an online community where information is free and readily available.

The rise of PR 2.0 ensures that "public relations can now participate in the online discussions that define our markets" (Brian Solis). You can hear Brian Solis' thoughts in an interview giving his perspective on PR 2.0.

Concluding thoughts

Mitch Joel's book Six Pixels of Separation is a play off of the quote "six degrees of separation". This means that with technology dictating change within the PR industry, that people are separated by no more than a click of a computer mouse or "six pixels on a computer screen". PR 2.0 allows for a personable experience without face to face interaction and is a key networking tool to keep this industry alive.

For more information on the buzz about PR 2.0, see an interview conducted by social media manager Robert Sears.

Live.It.Up.

The only "tragedy" is NBC's perspective...

Canada may as well be in a depression the way that NBC is framing their coverage of the Olympics.

On Saturday night Jennifer Heil was second last to go in the Women's Mogul's ski finals. After a sensational run, she found herself in first place with American Hannah Kearney still waiting to do her final run.

Kearney, as any fierce competitor would, put up the run of her life and took the gold medal, leaving Heil with silver.

Alright so now that that recap is done, let me tell you what really gets on my nerves. NBC...you douchebags...you one sided, narrow-minded douchebags.

For those who were not watching the Olympics Sunday, NBC aired a midday segment hosted by Al Michaels that framed this event's story to make it seem as though this result would dampen the hearts of Canadians and that are Olympics were ruined.

Also featured in this segment was a video montage "recapping" the events of the previous night. During this video were video shots of Kearney celebrating (understandably) but also of Jennifer Heil in tears. Towards the end of the video when attempting to "capture" the essence of Canada, they also showed a shot of a tractor...because apparently a tractor is a valid representation of Canada.

Alright rant almost over. First of all, NBC, as proud Canadians, we recognize the efforts of our athletes. To any Americans who buy into this travesty of a video and believe that Canadians are depressed over Jenn Heil's silver, get over yourself.

The Olympics are not about focusing on the fact that until last night, Canada had not won a gold medal on home soil, it is about recognizing our extremely talented athletes who may not receive the recognition they deserve outside of these games.

The ONLY person who should be disappointed is Jenn Heil, and seeing as she is NOT, we should not be either. All Canadians, including myself, are so proud of Jennifer and the effort she put forth. Perhaps CTV should make a few video montages showing how Apollo Anton Ohno's silver medal in short track was a let down for his country. Oh wait...it isn't a tragedy and CTV has this quality called class...something NBC may want to think about.

Hannah Kearney had the run of her life and deserved her victory. A huge congratulations to her is in order, so congratulations Hannah!

However, Jenn Heil will always be among the top names in Canadian sports and we want her to know that her name is held in very high regard!

Live.It.Up.

Hot Topic: WHAT'S UP NOW HARVARD?!?!

Having worked in recruitment as an ambassador at Laurier, I was made aware of this video titled That's Why I Chose Yale. This promotional video takes prospective students on an interactive tour around the campus. Sections include residence life, student life and program information.

The video first gained exposure when Rainn Wilson, better known as Dwight Schrute from The Office tweeted about it. Once fellow tweeters viewed the video it gained a lot of recognition in a very short amount of time.

YouTube identifies with multiple demographics, with videos that appeal to people of all ages and types of humour. Yale's idea to upload a promotional video, coupled with musical numbers that keep the viewer engaged as they take a virtual campus tour is a brilliant idea.

The tune is catchy and leaves a lasting impression on those who view it. It has only been up for three weeks and already has over 355 000 views.



What I disliked about the video and the settings on YouTube

The only thing that did not sit well with me for this video were the stipulations that the account user set in regards to rating and commenting on this video. Aside from the account holders who really have nothing constructive or intelligent to say, there is no room for feedback as "Adding comments has been disabled for this video". This can be frustrating for prospective students who may have had questions that could have been answered regarding the school and all it has to offer.

The elimination of two way communication for this video is a barrier for students to find out more information regarding certain aspects of the school. In addition, there is no way for alumni to give feedback or comment on how much they liked/disliked the video.

An effective PR/recruitment tool

I very much liked the idea that Yale's ambassadors created and uploaded a video that has gained massive popularity among young adults applying to, or already attending Yale. The spirit and commitment of the students to make this video would definitely entice more young students to consider applying to Yale; and for some, it may confirm their decision to attend once they graduate high school. This is a very effective way of reaching a specific target audience; as well as enlisting the help of a popular television actor who is easily recognizable with the public.

Why did I choose this as my hot topic?

Although not as thorough as the Yale video, I was apart of a virtual campus tour video that focused on the Athletics and Recreation at Wilfrid Laurier University.

UPDATE

In just two months, this video's views have jumped over 200,000 people. Not bad considering the academic year is coming to an end. If enrollment standards increase, this video may have had a larger impact than originally thought!



For those who want to see and poke fun at me more than you already do on Facebook, check it out here!

Live.It.Up.

Coach Taylor: Exceeding all expectations

Eric Taylor; a football coach, loving father/husband and community leader. A former Texas high school state champion coach of the Dillon Panthers, coach Taylor finds himself resurrecting a new program at East Dillon High as Head Coach of the Lions.

A damn good football coach

Coach Taylor takes his job very seriously as it depends on one thing; winning. He coaches a team loaded with potential an talent. Thus, finding a balance between winning on the football field and inspiring these young men to succeed in life becomes challenging. However, through football coach Taylor teaches valuable skills to his players such as:

• Teamwork
• Discipline
• Communication
• Respect

These skills help his players succeed both in football and in life; it is because of him, that these opportunities present themselves.

A loving father/husband

Eric Taylor's home life personality is one people would never expect to see after having witnessed "Coach" Taylor. He deals with his 15 year old daughter Julie, who happens to be dating the starting quarterback of his team and his two year old daughter Gracie-Belle. When his wife Tami becomes the new guidance counsellor and eventual principal of Dillon High, it only adds to Taylor's ordeals. He now has to not only deal with the stress of his job, but he has to separate his personal and professional relationships from his wife, daughter and quarterback.

A respected community leader/father-figure

Anyone who has seen coach Taylor agrees that he is the pillar of support for his team, his family and his players. There are many responsibilities that he takes on in his position. The most important role he takes on is a father-figure for his three star players, all who do not have fathers in their lives. It is crucial, though, that Taylor does not ever cross the line between coach and father. His role is to impart his wisdom and guidance so that his players succeed on the football field and are able carry themselves past high school.

If you do not watch Friday Night Lights I hope that you will consider it after reading this!

Live.It.Up.

Anyone can find love...with a good credit rating...

What d' you know ladies and gentlemen?

So for this review of a social media application I chose match.com; an online dating website to help people find true love. Founded in 1993 by Gary Kremen, match.com currently holds its headquarters in Dallas, Texas. With over 20 million users and offices in cities such as Madrid, Tokyo, Paris, London, Stockholm and Munich. In 2004, it set the Guinness World Record for largest online dating website.

How it works

Match.com, like any online dating site, asks visitors to create an account before entering. You are a "______" seeking a "______" aged "___" to "___"...and here is my postal code. From there new members are asked to fill out more questions about themselves.

The site's demographics range from anyone who has had trouble finding someone compatible or for people who may have lifestyles that do not accommodate going out and meeting people.

Once your profile is completed, you are then provided options on how you want to pay for your membership, so that you can "instantly connect" and meet new people.

I had to create my own profile in order to see how involved the process actually is in order to join this social network and in my opinion, I do not see myself paying to meet people anytime soon.

Usability and Utility

This site is pretty straight forward in the sense that it is very easy to access your inbox with emails, view your daily matches and see people who have winked at you. Unfortunately, if you do not pay for this site and just want to meet people, your options are limited. I do not pay for this membership, so although I can view my new matches and navigate around other services with links at the bottom of their website, the main purpose is nullified if you are not willing to pay. Users will have no difficulties navigating around the site to find out about the company, legal policies, as well as information on how to contact staff with questions or concerns.

The misconceived "art" of successful online dating

Don't care what I think? That's okay...you've read this far anyways...

I will be the first to admit I have zero game. This so called "macking" that guys apparently "lay down" on women boggles my mind (Keys to the VIP). However, for those who are not always the most comfortable in crowded clubs, surrounded by beligerent people and having to scream conversations, this site is ideal.

Many people who shun online dating because of a lack of success may have to do with their approach. Although I have never attempted online dating, I have definitely attempted flirting. Some would label me as a flirt...that's fine. Here are some tips that I feel people can use in order to effectively meet new people online.

1. When sending emails, STAND OUT and BE CREATIVE!

• Simply sending an email saying "I think you're cute" or "Your profile caught my eye" is just asking to be sent to the trash can. Stand out and use your intellectual skills to catch your match's attention! They will be willing to read if they see the time and effort put into a message.

2. Not every match has to be your wife/husband.

• When trying this out for the first time, HAVE. SOME. FUN. Whatever happened to just going on casual dates and taking it slow?
• Be patient with the people you end up meeting or matching up with. Not every person is going to be an exact match with you, so do not get discouraged. The more open minded you are, the more doors will open.

3. Perhaps the most important...Do NOT get hung up on email!

The WHOLE purpose of online dating is to get a BRIEF idea of who a person is. Once that is done, GET OFF THE COMPUTER and meet face to face asap. As much as people may click online, there is nothing that compares to a face to face interaction. An obvious statement perhaps, yet I bet there are many missed connections online simply because the initiative was not taken to meet in person. Search. Flirt. Meet.

These are obviously just my opinions on this website. I have no doubt that match.com and other online dating services work for people. I have never paid for an online dating site but am open to it in the future when I am more settled and in the right place to do so.
Is match.com the easiest site to navigate around? No, but it is far from the most complicated.

You can also check out Zack Sandor-Kerr's blog to read his stance on match.com.

The bottom line is that anyone can be successful using this website; it just takes the right amount of time and patience...and a credit card.

Live.It.Up.

"Wikipedia...is the best thing ever..."

Wiki...Wiki...Wiki...What?!?!

Whether it is finding out general information about a particular topic or merely "updating" information on a rival university's mascot, Wikipedia is a source of social media that allows its users to post information on certain subjects without any peer review or verification.

Although it is banned from most post-secondary institutions as a credible source of information, it is a great outlet to help layout a general overview of a given topic.

When did it all start?

Established in 2001, Wikipedia has grown to be the world's 8th most visited website, behind sites such as Facebook, Google and Youtube. Translated into 31 languages, it allows users worldwide to access the site, perform searches and add information to topics they have knowledge on.

When will using Wikipedia benefit you most?

For those people who are new to Wikipedia and just discovering all of the information that has been posted on that website, there are various methods to help make searches and information gathering much easier. It is not so much how to use Wikipedia, but when it will be most effective and beneficial for the reader. What is scary is that there are some who possess the same thought process as Steve Carell when it comes to effective Wikipedia usage.

Allegations discrediting Wikipedia

There have been many issues in the past with the validity of information that has been documented on this site. Time magazine wrote an article about the users of Wikipedia and provide examples of a few stories that have been misinformed and that contain untrue facts. A specific example illustrates a 2007 example when a user posted inaccurate information regarding the death of John F. Kennedy Jr.

Joining "Wiki" nation

To further assist those new to Wikipedia and still wondering how to post information on a particular issue, Wikihow provides step by step instructions on how to properly post a topic or contribute to one that has already been made.

You wanna know what I think?

Whatever your opinion on Wikipedia, there is no doubt that it is still a rapid-growing social media outlet. It does not matter if you want to find out about Scientology, where Jessica Alba was born or how much the Dallas Cowboys stadium costs; there will always be users that are eager to give an opinion, whether credible or not.

I stand by the fact that Wikipedia is a very useful source for information once the user learns how to filter the information presented. Because of the nature of the site, it is clear why many institutions do not accept this as a credible information source. However, when it comes to knowing a little about a lot, there is definitely a reason why Wikipedia is one of the most visited sites on the planet.

In case this page was not enough to entice you to learn how to use Wikipedia, visit Casey Mundy's blog for more tips and strategies!

In addition, click here for a list of various "How To" blogs that have been completed by my hard working classmates.

Live.It.Up.