Confused by Net Neutrality?

If your friends don't understand your paranoia surrounding net neutrality, trying showing them this video. I mean, Time Magazine's person of the year is YOU, not communications giants who are trying to skew a somewhat level playing field.

I love that social media is getting all of this media attention. I saw on the news yesterday that a Hamilton police department is using Youtube to track down criminals. They posted a video of the perpetrators at a "hip hop" concert, and were asking Youtube users to identify them. Their reasoning was that the concert's attendees are of the same demographic as Youtube users. Downside: journalists' hilarious pronunciations, ie Youtube = YOO - long pause - TOOB.

It's Christmas in three days. Bring on the David Bowie and Bing Crosby.

Reel Funny

Dear Empire Theatres,

I really don't like your pre-previews. Shamelessly advertising the option of having "real butter" on your popcorn, quizzing us on the "Who is this funnyman from The Santa Clause 3", and soliciting badly contorted ads from universities.

But really, did you need to say, "ROCKY SEVEN (sic), COMING SOON TO A THEATRE NEAR YOU"? That made me really, really sad. I know it's hard to keep track of the rapidly expanding movie franchise that has been around for longer than I've been alive, but for the sake of Stallone and his bulging claymation-like face, a little fact-checking would be nice. Please go track down movie voice man and get it right.

Love,

One who was forced to see Rocky VI.

My co-op time is almost up!

It has come down to my last week of my last work-term – it’s been a long time coming! I have definitely learned a lot being immersed in the work of a provincial non-profit who feeds 40,000 hungry Nova Scotians per month. That number skyrockets during the holidays. Besides shipping extra food all over the province, we’re also providing toys for families who need a little extra help with their shopping.

This work-term has been very rewarding, as I’ve been able to see immediate results of my actions through local food banks and their patrons. If you haven’t ever given time at a food bank, soup kitchen, or other meal program, I recommend that you do. A few hours a week will mean the world to a family who has trouble supporting themselves and their children.

In January I’m going to be back in class at Mount Saint Vincent University. This is my second-last term of my BPR degree, and I’m sure it will be very busy. I’m taking classes in Media Relations, Crisis Communications, Employee Relations, Advanced PR Writing, and Modern Film. I’ve heard rumours that my Employee Relations professor Dr. DeNel Rehnberg Sedo is going to do a class on Second Life – a big step in the right direction, I feel. Our education in social media has otherwise been very lacking (“blog” is a huge buzz work professors like to throw around, but we haven’t delved any further than brief remarks on blogging, podcasting, RSS, and wikis).

I have not written anything for the Dartmouth-Cole Harbour Weekly News in a while. Full-time work, and the fact I have to restrict any writing to this side of the Harbour, has been very trying. This means I will be looking for a part-time job this January (along with working on a few freelance web-based projects).

Over the Christmas break I have a very small list of things I’d like to accomplish, and that lists involves catching up on four months of lost sleep. I’m going to get right on that!

Lastly, some music news. Matt Mays and El Torpedo are going to be on Conan tonight! That is a huge amount of publicity for a guy from Cole Harbour who went to my high school. I'm definitely going to be watching -- I'm hoping they go for "Cocaine Cowgirl". That song blows me away every time. If you haven't heard Mays' eclectic solo project yet, you can stream it on the album's website. Love the inclusions of Buck 65 and Scratch Bastid. Support the locals and tune in tonight!