Thursday, September 30, 2010

Road Trip!

I've only been thinking about it, not really going on one, though I wish I could. I'm 29-years old and I'm thinking I want to go on a road trip that allows me to discover myself and see who I really am. Nah, just kidding about that crap, but really, I do want to go on a road trip. It would be fun and see something I haven't seen, all the while being on a trip with my close friends.  From Oklahoma City, does anyone have any suggestions for a three-day road trip? 

I wouldn't want to go on a road trip like it's portrayed in movies and shows where drugs and women are a norm, and one mishap after leading to the backwoods where one encounters hillbillies that are cannibalistic.  I want to go on a road trip for the experience and the fun of it. Though I'm married something like this wouldn't affect the marriage.

So, now that's off my chest, who's with me?

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Public Figures and Tweeting

Maybe I'm beating this into the ground, but do people not consider the consequences of their Tweets?  These tweets are made public; it's not something that's kept private in the comfort of your own home.  Everyone who wants to will see it.  I'm referring to Jaz Reynold's asinine tweet about the shooting on the University of Texas campus on Monday.  How insensitive do you have to be to make a tweet like that.  Does he not know how scary a situation like that can be and what kind of a toll that can leave someone emotionally for life?  Even a fierce rivalry like OU/Texas loses its luster when someone has to tweet a tweet about suicide.  It's something to be taken seriously, Jaz. Grow up and watch what you say.  You're a role model, whether you start or not.

I hope Texas is fired up about that comment.  I truly hope you hang your head in shame, because quite honestly, you shouldn't be on the team.  


Tuesday, September 28, 2010

No Ordinary Family: A Small Review

I saw the series premier of "No Ordinary Family" this evening and it was interesting.  Think of it like The Incredibles meets real life.  The superpowers are different to an extent, but the show is fun nonetheless.  I think the superpower aspect of it I think works as a mere distraction to the fact the family is having problems.  The family is an "ordinary" family with "ordinary" problems. The superpowers, though, acts as a rabbits foot, in the literary world.  This refers to an object that helps move the story along. It doesn't matter what it is, but it gives the characters a reason to be there and to advance in their tenures.  I think if the show was marketed a different way, i.e. without the superpower aspect of it, it would still be just as effective of a show.  The show isn't about the powers being used for good (though it's developing that way), but it's about a family trying to put themselves together.  It's a good show and this was just a small review, but I had to at least give you, the reader, a glimpse into what to expect. 

Monday, September 27, 2010

Untiitled Post

It has become commonplace to have Facebook on cell phones, but when does it become acceptable to check it on your phone in church, boot camp, in the middle of an interview, or even when you're talking to a friend.  You can enjoy Facebook when all these (and more) are over, can't you?  If not, then the idea of Facebook is taking on a life of its own. The other question then becomes is Facebook changing the way we look at what's acceptable in society?  It almost certainly changes the way people plan their day. It affects the way people set up their business.  There are a number of scenarios that one can think of.

Yes! I will write a part 2 and possibly a part 3 on this.  I'm ambitious, and I'm going to tackle a lot of common norms in today's society, many of it involving teens and cell phone use. 

Warning: If you think you'll be offended by the post, just don't read it. I don't know when it will take place, but it will.

Sunday, September 26, 2010

Politics In the Workplace

I'm not talking about talking about politics in the workplace, I'm talking about the way people manage emulating the way you lean politically. For instance I'm a Conservative (but leaning Libertarian). I manage the four guys in my office by giving them space to work, not overseeing every single aspect of their work throughout the day. I merely give them instruction and they take it from there. Of course I would supervise and ensure that the daily goings-on are handled.  Anything that goes wrong lies with me and I'm okay with that.  Supervision can be done effectively.  The way I look at it, if I oversee every individual person the office with an eagle eye, my day would be spent doing only that. That doesn't become very effective in the thing we call time management.  I'm developing this idea so stay tuned for another (or two) blog post about this subject.

Saturday, September 25, 2010

I've Never Been Prouder

My wife had a State Fair performance this morning in which she both performed and directed.  It showed a few things to me that made me think through a few things.  She is a trooper. Despite doing a lot of things going on in her life and her willingness to take on a ministry of sorts that takes on a lot of her time she still shined brightly.  She was doing a great service to God and she made me proud to be her husband. I know.  It's a mushy post, but she's been through a lot and she showed me a lot of courage.  I'm glad that she's my wife. I married well and thinking about what she does on a daily basis (a selfless attitude) I have to reevaluate some of things I take for granted.  I love her.  And I'm happy to have her in my life.

Friday, September 24, 2010

State Fair Ideology

I'm not a scholar on everything State Fair, but I've often wondered what is it all about?  It seems to me that it's really nothing more than just a bunch of exhibits come together with the occasional freak show.  Maybe I'm just naive to the details of it, but even from my days in the Texas, one of the biggest State Fairs in the world, I still didn't quite understand the appeal. It's fun to go. There's a lot of food and other things, but it's not something that I move heaven and earth to go to. Some people do, but I've never interviewed them to find out why.  Who knows. I don't care. I just needed something to put in here.

Thursday, September 23, 2010

My Ode to Stuff

I looked into the mirror
Stop
Eating an ice cream cone
Melting
Dressing in the morning
Painful
Dizzying
Working toward a future
Determined

The above was a crappy attempt at a poem.  I don't really care. I don't write poetry. In fact I write violent literature and it's not for the faint of heart.  Sometimes I write in different genres, but not that often. The above poem I was kind of being pretentious and at the same time boring. 

Really, though, what makes good poetry? I took a class on this topic in college, but we never really came across any conclusions. It is what it is, but that's not good enough.

O well.  Not much to say today. I'm tired and I don't care.

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

People These Days

It's amazing knowing that there are people who suffer from such psychosis that they can't admit they're wrong, even a little bit.  In fact, it's a little distressing, but then again, it's not surprising.  We do live in this sinful world and as a product of that, we are sinful creatures.  It's not fun for us to deal with, but there are people of all walks of life that look at life a different way.  We know this; some people acknowledge it while some don't.  Some view things the way they aren't and are prideful enough to not admit it and in the process hurting other people mentally and physically. 

Honestly it's a sad affair.  People need to understand their faults and their issues before real progress can be made.  However, because of the world we live in, it simply won't happen.

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

I'm Not Here to Offend People

Really I'm not.  It's not my goal and if that's how people take it, so be it.  I'm only writing what I feel is on my mind. It isn't always serious, though some of my posts have been. What interests me is the fact that there are people who insist I'm doing a dangerous thing and I could "potentially" hurt people's feelings.  I'm a writer.  I'm not going to satisfy everyone.  You have to have tough skin and if you don't you don't need to be doing it as a profession.  If you think my material is offensive -- or even boring then don't read it.


Those who know me know I don't knowingly offend people.  It's not in my nature.  My response to those people who think I'm doing a danger to people by being offensive is get over it.  If you read the news at all, there is more offensive material in that (and biased, too). Give me a break and suck it up.




Monday, September 20, 2010

The Annoyance of Facebook

I understand the fun that can be had with Facebook. In fact, I'm an avid surfer and I play on it for work purposes.  But what annoys me is the fact that people use Facebook more as a sounding board than anything else. Whether it's an academic who posts articles that geared toward their profession or people who just post something in an effort to offend people, there's always a motive.  Facebook is fun, I'll admit, but what medium should Facebook really be used.  I enjoy reading academic's conversations about an article posted from a news source that no one has ever heard of and just harp on the minute details in the article.  Then it gets into a blown conversation where the OP (original poster) is just waiting on pins and needles to respond.  What bothers me more is when you tag another person to purposefully bring in someone into your conversation on that article.  To me that's rude. If you want to hear their thoughts, then send them a message, or talk to them in private.  Leave your pretentions at the door, please.  Yes, I do have a reason for this pre post.  I am developing an article on narcissism and the Facebook world.  It's going to be four parts.  This post is only focusing on the first part.  There's a direction I'm going with this.  Wayne Lin signing out.

Sunday, September 19, 2010

Headaches

I've had headaches so large before that it's knocked me out, literally.  The one I'm sporting now comes pretty stinking close, but I'm hiding it from my wife in fear that she's going to baby me.  As such, this post is going to be extremely short, probably barely reaching the 100-word limit.  I was at Youth Group tonight when it started. It might be compounded by the fact that there were a ton of kids, adults, and everything in between.  I love the kids to death, but I almost lost it this evening.  It even hurts my head to type because the little pecking sounds sound like jackhammers.

Good night, people.

Saturday, September 18, 2010

The OU Game Today

OU fans shouldn't fret about the game.  Why? Because they played a team that doesn't give up and always keeps playing.  Air Force can play with any team in the country and perhaps one should look at their devotion and dedication not to the game, but what they're going to do after they graduate. None of them will see a professional field until after their 4-year commitment as an officer.  They way they played today, though they lost, should give us hope that their overal team effort is going to serve us well over a course of time.  They don't have one "star" per se on any side of the ball and that showed this evening.  It's fun watching them play because you know even if their down they're going to keep playing and playing hard until the clock hits zero.  It wouldn't matter if they were 0-12, they're going to push it until the end. 

It wasn't the typical blowout OU fans are used to, but c'mon.  You played a team with a lot more going for them than a pro career. Military academies don't get the top-notch recruits.  They get dedicated, non-selfish people that are going to do something a lot of people don't have the motivation or the courage to do. 

Friday, September 17, 2010

Survival Shows

It first started with Survivor Man, a lone guy who's out in some remote place all by himself.  Then came Man vs. Wild, followed by a show with a hippie and an ex-Marine.  Now, you have a show with a man and his wife.  How many stinkin' survival shows are there and how long can you really stretch the premise? There's really only so much drinking your own urine, eating bugs and making fires that you can do. Quite frankly it does get old after awhile, yet so intriguing because it's almost like a train wreck. It's hard to peel your eyes away because you think you're going to get something new and exciting but you just run into the same thing.

Perhaps I should make up my own survival show.  It's not hard to make a fire and eat a bunch of weird stuff. 

I'm curious as to how far the premise is going to go.

Thursday, September 16, 2010

Rudy: The Best Sports Movie of All Time

I had the opportunity to watch Rudy again and I have to say I never get tired of that movie.  It ranks as the best sports movie ever made (by my standards). I don't care if I live in Sooner country and there's a lot of animosity toward Notre Dame.  The movie stands on its own and I get chills every time the crowd at the end of movie starts chanting "Rudy, Rudy, Rudy, Rudy..."  Of course the chant starts off slowly with just a few people then the whole stadium gets into it and the infamous music goes on and then he makes the last tackle of the game. I almost cry and sometimes do when I see that scene.  How can people not like the underdog?   I cried in Rocky, too, when he faced Apollo Creed the second time.  The music might have had something to do with it, but that doesn't negate the message of the movie.

I'm not going to go into a diatribe on how that's a reflection of my life.  Not only is that lame, it's not true.  I just genuinely like sports movies with a fantastic ending that sends shivers down your spine.   

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Is the Internet Dying Out

I think the answer to that is yes.  It's an interesting thing when you start to see the trends in technology.  The Internet, as popular as it was grew practically over night. Then, in a flash of brilliance it started to create websites and social media and programs to make our lives a lot "better".  There is a new phenomena today called apps. These apps do take on a life of its own; it really does and it affects everything we do whether we think about it or not. If you're listening to Pandora while you're cooking dinner you're using an app. If you're playing X-Box 360 you're using an app.  Checking the weather on your iPod or sports scores, you're using an app.

The world of apps is taking over. Make no mistake about it, the Internet has seen its brightest days. With the invention of apps and other mobile devices, no one needs to have the Internet anymore. It makes it interesting in the long scheme of themes. Mobile apps don't need to be powered by Google or other search engines. What makes it even more interesting to think about is what technology will replace apps. That's far off, but being the industry of technology, in particular Internet technology, you have to look at the future.

With the Internet gone, what else would we have? After apps are gone, what will we have?  Furthermore, how will it dictate our lives? Again, there will be a second part to this story.  I just don't know when yet. 

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Interesting Thought

Could this country survive without a two-party system or without a government?  This thought has plagued me for a long time, because I'm often left wondering what would happen if we weren't governed, or governed to its max.  What would society look like and furthermore, would society degenerate to the likes of some countries without governments.  I'm not an anarchist, nor do I claim to be. I can't imagine a country without a government, but maybe it could work. 

Or maybe it couldn't.

I'm a Conservative, but leaning toward Libertarianism (not liberalism--there's a huge difference), but I'm thinking the complete absence of government would force us to death and destruction.  This blog is going to take a lot more thought on my end, and I'm going to follow up on this topic. 

Disclaimer: I know that posing the question of living without a two-party system or living without a government are two completely different things, but both ideas will be explored.

Monday, September 13, 2010

If It's One Thing That Makes Me Mad

I had the opportunity to attend an OU game last weekend. While it was fun and exciting, I had a particular issue with the pre-game.  The Star Spangled Banner is sung and the last words of the song are, "And the home of the Sooners."  Seemingly it's a harmless use of a word -- or is it? To me, it's not a harmless use of the word.  It's disrespectful to those who so valliantly fought for our country long ago, and today -- and tomorrow.  It's tradition and it's school spirit, blah, blah, blah.  I get that.  But if the 80 + thousand people there who really knew what a Sooner is in the first place or realize the implications of the line in speaking, then would I would be writing this blog in the first place?  I'll take a lot of heat for this blog.  I knew I would and some people have even warned me against doing it.  But it is what it is.

Our soldiers and sailors fight every single day.  They are doing something that probably 60,000 or so of the fans sitting in that stadium won't do, can't do, or even dream about trying to do.  Ironically, I heard on the Sports Animal on my way home from work this afternoon, a caller who addressed the same sentiment.  He said, in more words than I can put here, that the true heroes aren't the 22 guys who fight it out on the field each day.  Their fight ends in roughly three hours on game days. The real heroes are the men and women who are taking their nights and days away defending us.  Their game doesn't end in three hours.  It's until the job is done and that can take anywhere from three hours to thirty years. The caller was a Marine whose unit was ambushed in Afghanistan.  He, along with a team member were thrown from a Humvee; his team decimated.  Facing death in the face, a private jumped on top of him and took a bullet from the enemy.  He has to live each day knowing that he can live today because of an unselfish act of bravery. Said caller said won't ever go to another OU game again until that last line changes. 

I don't blame him. I wouldn't either. 




Sunday, September 12, 2010

Yes! Pro Football Season is Here

I made a post about my excitement for college football, but I'm ultra excited about the Cowboys starting their season against some lesser competition. I like college ball better, but I'll root through and through for the Cowboys.  They have a great chance to make the Super Bowl this season and the road starts in Washington. I've been a loyal Cowboys fan since I understood what football was.  It would be a great way to end my quest for satisfaction with a Super Bowl, a World Series, a BCS National Championship, and an NBA Championship all in one full calendar season.  I don't see it happening, but you never know.

For the most part I do get stressed out watching my teams play so I don't watch them nearly as much as I should, but that's all part of fandom, I guess.  Hopefully tomorrow I'll have a more thoughtful post.

Saturday, September 11, 2010

Let Us Never Forget

We all know what happened on this day nine years ago.  It's no secret and that one event thrust us into military, political, economic, and social action.  It was the debate of the ages, but despite the nay sayers or the apologetics of the situation, let us not forget about the incident.  Let us not forget about the people who lost their lives and the family members who have to deal with that every day, even more so on its anniversary.  To say the least, this is a stressful day, even for those who weren't "involved".  In the long scheme of things, though, we all are, and forever will be. 

It's appropriate to remember the heroes and the fallen.  Without it, their memories would be lost by our indecency to forget.  I was in the military the day it happened.  It was confusing because I didn't know how to react to it. Was it training, or was it the real deal.  I remember vividly--like it was yesterday.  Every year after I made it a point to remember: remember the fallen, remember my reaction, remember the heroes, remember my friends and family. 

On this day, I ask you one thing.

Remember.

Friday, September 10, 2010

A Blast to the Past

In my boredom on a Friday night, I decided to flip channels thoroughly until I could find something that was suitable to my mood.  Didn't feel like watching Diners, Drive-in and Dives, so I forged ahead and kept clicking the "Channel Up" button.  Then, a familiar intro came on.  It was the voice of Zordon from the original Mighty Morphin Power Rangers.  I was stuck -- and yes I watched the whole episode.  It was episode where the Green Ranger gets introduced, but he's a high school punk with a crush on the Pink Ranger (they didn't know their identities yet).  It's finally revealed at the end of the episode and now I have to wait until next week to see the showdown.  I'm a nerd, I know.  But I'm okay with that. 

I can't for the life of me remember why I thought that show was so cool to begin with.  O well. It was a nice trip down memory lane, but there's a good possibility I won't revisit that long road to the past.

Thursday, September 9, 2010

People These Days

I went to an Asian restaurant to eat dinner to gather some thoughts about marketing and social media.  It gave me some time to think and reflect on how buyers think and why they think the way they do.  Then, the waitress asked me what I wanted to drink. I told her, "Water."  She then responded with, "Are you Vietnamese?" I responded with, "No, I'm afraid not." 

It was funny because she kept pushing me telling me I was Vietnamese. Just because I eat at a Vietnamese restaurant doesn't make me Vietnamese.  Of course I was in shock, but I found it comical.  I think I know what I am. I'm a half-German, half-French, half-Swedish, half-Australian female. I thought it was obvious.

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

A Magazine Idea

It was a pretty uneventful evening, one that didn't really have me thinking through anything.  It was a lazy day, but considering how much I've been working and how much I've been thinking, it's okay to take a day off.  However, there is something that I'm going to throw out there for you, no matter who's reading this, to let me know your thoughts. Part of this was discussed in yesterday's blog, but I'm thinking of doing a website myself; only this is going to be an online magazine.  That's right.  An online magazine that talks about the latest and greatest things of today. It will include sports, politics, entertainment, art, things.  For now, I plan on it just being in the Oklahoma City area, but I need your help.  What should be in the magazine?  How should it be designed? To what crowd should it be devoted to? 

Of course I won't be doing this when I'm on my normal 9-5.  It will happen outside of work and it will be updated every week.  I hope to sell ad space, use Adsense, and other means to bring in revenue to help bring in writers, but this is where I need your help.  If you're interested in writing for me, or interested in helping me decide what this magazine should look like and how it can be different from other magazines let me know. I'm open for suggestions.

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Upsetting Trend--Follow up from Yesterday

As I wrote yesterday I was disappointed in the fact I was let go because someone charged a cheaper rate.  As I thought about it more, I think the culprits to blame for companies paying minuscule wages to writers is because of the ease of being a writer.  You don't need to have an advanced degree to be a writer. A guy with a GED can be a writer.  I chalk it to up to the fact that with technology today it's so easy to make websites and work off of adsense.  People assume that makes them qualified to be a writer.  Sure, it works sometimes, but in the end, they're really hurting the people who truly work toward writing as a career.  A friend once told me he designed and created an online magazine in one day and asked for writers to "build their freelance portfolio" with articles to be published on the site.  While my friend was making adsense money, he was essentially screwing his writers. He didn't ask for the writers to know AP style or MLA style formats.  It didn't matter. Good marketing can make a site look legit, sans the proper writing style.

Is this a problem? Yes, it's a big problem because there are genuine writers who write correctly to writers who don't know the difference between AP style or MLA style.  It's maddening knowing that "writers" can be anyone.  ANYONE.  Not everyone can be an engineer, and not everyone can be a doctor, etc.  But the one field that I tried so hard to get into, anyone can be.  I think I got the short end of the stick on this one.

I have more to say, but I'm going to take a few days off because it urgs me thinking about it. Maybe I'll have a much happier post tomorrow.  

Monday, September 6, 2010

Business is Business

I got a disturbing email from one of the freelance companies I worked for that said they didn't need my services anymore.  Trying to get a response as to why that happened, I got the answer, "We're going with someone who will work cheaper."  Writing How-to articles aren't bad, but I charged a reasonable rate, and produced high quality, one that was highly praised by the clients.  While it doesn't urg me to be let go (after all it is a freelance job) it does bother me when the person I was "fired" for is selling himself cheap.  Writers shouldn't shortchange their selves. I thought I charged a low price for what I did, but going any lower than that is, pardon my French, whoring yourself out.   Writers should never work for free or cheap. It's a craft that warrants meticulous detail and creative ingenuity.  It's one of the hardest crafts because you do have to learn the hundreds of grammatical rules in our lexicon today. 

I understand that as a business it's important to save a buck, but when you have millions of dollars of expendable income then it shouldn't be a problem.  With them, it is, apparently.  I'm going to read some of the articles this other person writes.  I'm a little upset, not because I'm losing a little extra income, but I'm a little upset that companies like this are essentially exploiting writers. 

Sunday, September 5, 2010

Labor Day

I know what the day is all about, but I find it funny that many of the working class personnel get that day off.  You would think that a day called Labor Day would force people to work, but we're not in Communist Russia or Communist China.  I know it's a linguistic play with "Labor Day," but it's still funny and rather ironic that many have the day off on "Labor Day".  I'm not complaining and I'll certainly take the day off. It's rather nice in fact. I have a day planned of doing nothing and resting. Now, what I really don't understand is how some people have Columbus Day off.  That "holiday" has always bothered me because there has always been debate about whether his contributions were really his contributions.  But who cares, we get a day off, right?  Well, no.  It should be commemorated with something that really counts where historical accounts of the people involved is confirmed and not put in any negative clout. I will follow up on this like three of my other blog topics, but you'll just have to keep looking for it.  Hahhh...

Saturday, September 4, 2010

Norman Needs It

I'm referring to the city, not the friend.  Norman is a "small" city in its own right, but it does have the University right in the middle.  Let's put it this way: you can definitely tell when the students go home for the summer.  Not sure what it is but Norman is a city that needs the football team. I'm more and more convinced that the city functions on the common bond of football and in essence brings together the people in Norman that they probably wouldn't get in other means.  I'm going to develop this idea and write a more cohesive blog on it, but I'm only writing this from an observation standpoint from being at the game this evening. The next blog about this will be cutthroat sociological analysis about the matter.

Norman is a great town, don't get me wrong. It's quaint to certain people's standards, but it's a city that's built by the university (more to explained later).  A common interest in football seems to bring the best (and the worst) in people. People fellowship more and they certainly become different when they wear the crimson and cream.  My next blog about this topic is sure to offend people, but I'm okay with that. I couldn't care less.

Friday, September 3, 2010

A Great Date

It's been a long time since my wife and I had a date where we could spend some time together without being interrupted by someone we know.  We went to Half Price Books and it was fun because we're both English graduates, have our own quarks and like the smell of books.  Don't judge me. 

It was nice to get out for a change. The book store is probably the most lame date anyone can think to take someone, but I couldn't pass up a chance. I didn't want to sit around the house and twirl my fingers on a lovely Friday evening. 

Maybe next week we'll upgrade a little and go to the clothing store.  Next time, we might even have dinner. I'm getting a little crazy here. This is certainly going to the extreme.

Thursday, September 2, 2010

College Football

I promise I won't make the majority of posts about sports, but that time of the year is upon us and I was watching the first two games on ESPN, which made my blood boil with excitement.  There's something about the season that makes me excited. For starters there's the weather that's associated with the season.  Then, there's the BCS debate that rages, and I can annoy all Sooner fans about how they're going to choke it away in the end.  This football season feels different. Don't know what it is, but it feels great. There is a lot to enjoy about football season even if you don't like football. Can't really think of what that would be, but that possibility's still out there.

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

A Real Challenge

I knew going into my position as Social Media Marketing Specialist that it wasn't going to be easy. The problem I'm seeing is that the results are coming fast enough--for me at least. I'm a results-driven individual. I want to see results fast and I know it takes time.  It's like a new adventure; it really is.There's nothing easy about the job. People often think if you set up a Facebook page, you're going to be successful. However, what they don't consider is this: there are other social media programs, you need to find fans and followers, and you have to market the marketing device.  There's a lot going on and a whole lot of options in social media it's hard to know where to start, but results are coming in slowly. 

I sometimes feel that it's going to bloom overnight, but I haven't quite gotten there yet. I'm on a quest for knowledge and to figure things out.  Social media is big so I want to make sure I get ALL the nuances of it down to run successful campaigns.