I kept hearing about this show "The Secret Life of the American Teenager." I had never seen it before because I didn't have ABC Family channel. But Time Warner was nice enough to give me all these channels I didn't have before when I agreed to a two year commitment.
So while I was waiting for the "Important Announcement" on Jon & Kate Plus 8 on TLC I decided to watch an episode (or two). I thought ABC Family would be a cross between the Disney channel and Nickelodeon. But I'm almost 30 with no children and I didn't feel completely comfortable watching the show. I almost wish I had a DVR so I could have counted how many times the teenage characters in the show said the word "sex." And the way the adults/parents interacted and talked to the teenagers was more blunt than I expected for a TV show on ABC Family. I guess I should have paid attention to the slogan for the channel, "A New Kind of Family."
Maybe ABC Family is a reflection of the changing times. Maybe I would have appreciated a channel like ABC Family that offered tweener programming with more mature topics when I was that age. But again I'm not a parent yet I don't think I could sit down with my 13 year old and watch an episode of the show.
Have any of you ever watched ABC Family? The TV Show "The Secret Life of the American Teenager?" Am I more old-fashioned than I thought?
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Social Media: Photos and Video
I'm working on the next lesson for my class on Social Media. The next topic is supposed to be about photos and video. I want to write about online photo sharing programs (like Flickr) and the #1 user generated video site YouTube. I also want to talk about Skype.
So I need your input. What online photo sharing programs do you use? Do you rely only on Facebook to post your photos online? What other video sites do you use besides YouTube? What are you using to record video? Your cell phone? A camcorder? Flip Camera? Do you edit your own video? If so, what programs do you use? Do you use Skype? Anyone experimented with video in Google chat?
So I need your input. What online photo sharing programs do you use? Do you rely only on Facebook to post your photos online? What other video sites do you use besides YouTube? What are you using to record video? Your cell phone? A camcorder? Flip Camera? Do you edit your own video? If so, what programs do you use? Do you use Skype? Anyone experimented with video in Google chat?
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
The Death of Newspapers: A Laughing Matter
I don't play a lot of video games. But since I was a kid I was always fascinated to watch others play video games. I would sit and watch my nephew play Super Mario Brothers for HOURS. So I remember watching one of my friends play Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City. On one of the missions they stole a trunk and the message on the side of the truck at one point said "Yesterdays news today." I laughed because those 3 words define newspapers as we know them. I was just surprised to see it mentioned in a video game.
And then Jon Stewart had to touch on the subject just in case the masses didn't notice the demise of newspapers. The video is sadly hilarious because it is so true. And it's not just newspapers. All of mainstream/traditional media is struggling to redefine themselves in the age of the internet and getting the information NOW.
It just makes me wonder who will be our credible sources for news and information?
And then Jon Stewart had to touch on the subject just in case the masses didn't notice the demise of newspapers. The video is sadly hilarious because it is so true. And it's not just newspapers. All of mainstream/traditional media is struggling to redefine themselves in the age of the internet and getting the information NOW.
It just makes me wonder who will be our credible sources for news and information?
Monday, June 22, 2009
MySpace Layoffs
MySpace has been a social media juggernaut. Notice I'm talking in the past tense. In the last year Facebook has surpassed MySpace. Sadly this means there will be layoffs at MySpace.
"Beverly Hills-based Myspace confirmed today that it will lay off about 30% of its workforce, which is approximately 425 employees. " according to Mediabistro LA Fishbowl blog Read what the CEO said in his memo about it...a not to be missed quote.
Anyone that reads my blog/Facebook notes knows that I'm working on developing a class about Social Media. I mention MySpace in the course but I don't go in to detail of how to use it like I do for Facebook. I don't think MySpace is not a viable social media platform for professional networking. I have a MySpace page that has nothing on it and the only reason why I joined was so I could look at friends photos. But the majority of my friends post their pictures on Facebook or Flickr so I don't remember the last time I logged in to MySpace.
I hate for anyone to lose their jobs but MySpace is headed on the path to extinction.
Do you have a MySpace profile? Do you still check MySpace? Do you use Facebook or MySpace more? Do you know anyone who is still dedicated to MySpace?
"Beverly Hills-based Myspace confirmed today that it will lay off about 30% of its workforce, which is approximately 425 employees. " according to Mediabistro LA Fishbowl blog Read what the CEO said in his memo about it...a not to be missed quote.
Anyone that reads my blog/Facebook notes knows that I'm working on developing a class about Social Media. I mention MySpace in the course but I don't go in to detail of how to use it like I do for Facebook. I don't think MySpace is not a viable social media platform for professional networking. I have a MySpace page that has nothing on it and the only reason why I joined was so I could look at friends photos. But the majority of my friends post their pictures on Facebook or Flickr so I don't remember the last time I logged in to MySpace.
I hate for anyone to lose their jobs but MySpace is headed on the path to extinction.
Do you have a MySpace profile? Do you still check MySpace? Do you use Facebook or MySpace more? Do you know anyone who is still dedicated to MySpace?
Friday, June 19, 2009
Not Just Another Father's Day
As most of you know Father's Day holds little meaning for me. Not because I don't love my Father but he has been dead for 23 years. Over the years my Mom would encourage me to get cards for the male influences in my life at Father's Day. But it's not the same as when it's your own Dad.
I have been blessed to have a few good father figures in my life. The other day I went to Hallmark and they had a new category "Like A Father." So I found an appropriate card and sent it to the current "Like A Father," figure in my life.
But this Father's Day is different for me. The stars, moon and calendar have aligned in such a way that Father's Day is also my Father's birthday. If he had lived he would have turned 60 on Father's Day.
A few weeks ago my brother said that our Mom's birthday was his birthday. And I said why? He said, because if she wasn't born we wouldn't be here so it's our day too. That's an interesting concept. My Father's birthday is also my birthday.
If I still lived in Atlanta I would have made the 2.5 hour drive to Tifton, GA. That is where he is buried. But logistics as they are I can't do that. I feel like I should do something but I don't know what to do. Maybe I'll call my father's brother but it's probably a little strange to do that given that I am estranged from his family.
To those that still have your Dads, whether the relationship is good, bad or indifferent, give them a call...send them a text...cause whether they are active or not in your life, you wouldn't be here if it wasn't for them.
I have been blessed to have a few good father figures in my life. The other day I went to Hallmark and they had a new category "Like A Father." So I found an appropriate card and sent it to the current "Like A Father," figure in my life.
But this Father's Day is different for me. The stars, moon and calendar have aligned in such a way that Father's Day is also my Father's birthday. If he had lived he would have turned 60 on Father's Day.
A few weeks ago my brother said that our Mom's birthday was his birthday. And I said why? He said, because if she wasn't born we wouldn't be here so it's our day too. That's an interesting concept. My Father's birthday is also my birthday.
If I still lived in Atlanta I would have made the 2.5 hour drive to Tifton, GA. That is where he is buried. But logistics as they are I can't do that. I feel like I should do something but I don't know what to do. Maybe I'll call my father's brother but it's probably a little strange to do that given that I am estranged from his family.
To those that still have your Dads, whether the relationship is good, bad or indifferent, give them a call...send them a text...cause whether they are active or not in your life, you wouldn't be here if it wasn't for them.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Whose Line Is It Anyway?
Lately I have been watching a lot of old movies. I'm talking black and white classic movies. And I'm amazed at how some of the best lines in modern movies and TV shows pull from the classics.
In the finale of Army Wives, Season 2 a female character kisses a male character. Male character says, "What are you doing?" Female character responds, "Well, If you don't know I must be doing it wrong." And kisses him again. I thought that was a great line.
Two days later I'm watching "Born Yesterday," a movie made in the 1950's and low and behold similar scene, same exact lines. Only difference was this time the male character kisses the female.
Is anything original anymore? We already know that music gets recycled thanks to sampling but what people from our generation watch movies from the 1930's, 1940's, 1950's to really be able to catch when an already used famous line is being used again.
I guess it just goes to show that if something is really good, it's probably worth repeating.
In the finale of Army Wives, Season 2 a female character kisses a male character. Male character says, "What are you doing?" Female character responds, "Well, If you don't know I must be doing it wrong." And kisses him again. I thought that was a great line.
Two days later I'm watching "Born Yesterday," a movie made in the 1950's and low and behold similar scene, same exact lines. Only difference was this time the male character kisses the female.
Is anything original anymore? We already know that music gets recycled thanks to sampling but what people from our generation watch movies from the 1930's, 1940's, 1950's to really be able to catch when an already used famous line is being used again.
I guess it just goes to show that if something is really good, it's probably worth repeating.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Summer Sun
It has been a month since my vacation in St. Thomas and I'M STILL PEELING!!! I don't think snakes peel this long.
On my vacation I was very good about putting on sunscreen and reapplying throughout the day. Those that know me know I usually put on suntan lotion but not sunblock. But I realize you can put on sunblock and still get a healthy tan. So what had happened was that I fell asleep in the sun one day at the beach thus I didn't reapply. When I woke up I knew I was burned.
I hope the peeling stops...soon...but let it be a lesson to all. Light skin or dark skin, wear your sunscreen and remember to reapply.
On my vacation I was very good about putting on sunscreen and reapplying throughout the day. Those that know me know I usually put on suntan lotion but not sunblock. But I realize you can put on sunblock and still get a healthy tan. So what had happened was that I fell asleep in the sun one day at the beach thus I didn't reapply. When I woke up I knew I was burned.
I hope the peeling stops...soon...but let it be a lesson to all. Light skin or dark skin, wear your sunscreen and remember to reapply.
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