Monthly Archives

December 2008

Shopping, Travel

Dear Santa…I just want a parking spot

December 21, 2008

With the holiday season upon us, shopping malls and centers around the country will be packed from the minute they open their doors to the minute they close. Not only does this mean long lines to pay and hours and hours of finding the ‘right’ gift, but it also means crowded parking lots.

I enjoy the holiday season like most, but find that the worst part of this season is not so much the time it takes to get the gifts, but the time and stress involved in getting a parking spot at the mall or shopping center. Just watching what takes place in the parking garage at the local mall is like watching lions stalking their prey. Only this time, the prey is a parking spot.

Just the other day, I spent 30 minutes looking for a parking spot at the mall and it was only 11 AM in the morning. I can’t even begin to imagine what it would be like during the busy hours of 3PM – 6PM. One of the most obvious signs that it is the holiday season is also evident by the decrease, or should I say lack of “driving etiquette.” Cutting off cars that are waiting for a parking spot, blocking whole lanes so that no one can get a spot except you, and yelling obscenities at people who take too long to park are considered ‘normal’ during this time of year.

It may be unrealistic to say that we should all be ‘nice and patient’ since in all honesty no one is perfect. Still, it is possible that we can all do better.

Here’s a start:

1. The “F bomb“ never helps a situation.

Whether we choose to believe it or not, the “F bomb” usually doesn’t help a situation. Especially one that involves stressed out people in cars.

2. Those white lines mean you have to park between them, not on them.

No, those white lines don’t mean “park here on top of me.” It is hard enough to find a spot and even harder when you find one and you can’t fit because someone is taking up two spots.

3. Signal left or right

While it would be great if we could all read minds, unfortunately we can’t. Therefore, please use your signal when you are waiting for a spot or driving around the parking lot, otherwise we don’t know where you are going. Not doing so can lead to accidents and discussions that start off with “Didn’t you know I was turning left..”

The last tip I have for all you potential shoppers is that the worst time to go shopping is of course, the day before Christmas and after. If you can, shop early in the morning to beat the rush or don’t go at all if you don’t have too. Better yet, shop online!

Happy holidays!

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Photo by Latitudes

Social Media, Technology, Web 2.0

The Hour The [Social] World Stood Still

December 16, 2008

For some, in a matter of moments, the  words plastered across the screen as shown above meant the world was at a stand still. For the hundreds and thousands of Facebook ‘followers’ and ‘stalkers,’ site maintenance of the Facebook site means trying to find something else to do while tirelessly refreshing the Facebook page in hopes that Facebook is able to finish fixing there site after only 2 minutes.

Today after speaking to a some friends, I realized just how attached some people are to Facebook. Facebook has become not only a social phenomenon, but also a cultural one.

For college students, Facebook has become a class in itself. Spending countless hours looking at friends photos and there updates has become a daily activity. Finding out something about that girl in your Chemistry class that you’ve been dying to talk to has never been easier. When asking my friends what they are doing, “facebooking” is a common response.

It is easy to see why when Facebook closes its site for maintenance, users all around the world feel lost for the few hours it is down. When you look at what Facebook has done, they have assimilated themselves into peoples lives by making life easier.

How is life easier?

No, Facebook cannot do your dishes or clean your room, but Facebook can help you stay connected with friends, co-workers, and help you network. Facebook can notify you of events, sell or buy items from the “Facebook marketplace” and even help you remember your friend’s birthday.

The social world is dominated by sites just like Facebook. The melding of these social ‘tools’ into people’s everyday lives has not only made using these sites daily tasks but in some extreme cases, necessary.

Career, College, Economy, News, Social Media, Technology, Web 2.0

Dear Blog, Please Get Me A Job

December 13, 2008

https://i0.wp.com/blogs.e-rockford.com/applesauce/files/2008/07/professional-blogger_id3720781_size480_2row.jpg?resize=565%2C343

As I was flipping through various news articles on the web, I came across an interesting article written by Adam Nichols of the New York Post. The article, entitled “Better Sign of Times“, was about a banker who was recently put out of a job due to the economic situation. For many of us,  ‘standard protocol’ when looking for job involves:

1. Looking for job openings

2. Submitting our resume

3. Waiting for an employer to ask us to interview with them

Joshua Persky, the un-employed banker from the article, thought of a different way to look for a job. Using his creativity, Joshua Persky used a sandwich board sign saying he was looking for a job and wore it around Park Avenue. Not only did Persky attract plenty of attention from New Yorker’s, but Persky also attracted many job offers. So popular was Persky’s approach to finding a job that he created a blog where he documented his experiences.

Eventually, Persky got a full time offer from Manhattan firm Weiser LLP. When looking back at his experience Persky states in the article that

“Obviously, I had vigorous interviews, but I think it was [the blog] which sealed the deal,”

A blog.

Not his resume, not his interview, and not his sandwich board, but his blog. That is what sealed the deal.

As college students and young professionals prepare to apply for jobs, one advice that I would like to give is this. Company’s that are looking for someone to fill the position that they have an opening for get hundreds and hundreds of applications. Just like when you apply to get into a college, you have to write a personal essay, in essence, a personal blog can serve just the same purpose. A personal blog gives the interviewer a chance to look at many different aspects of you that a resume would never be able to show. From your writing style and use of logic, to what you are interested in and motivated at; your blog is an extension of yourself and everyone should have one.

It is not hard to find two applicants that have great GPA and great community involvement and drive, but what is the key determinant in deciding who gets the position is who is able to leave that lasting impression. In the case of the sandwich board banker, Persky was able to differentiate himself from the rest of the field by not only having a creative way of ‘applying’ for a job, but by having a personal blog that tells ‘his story’ and builds his personal brand.

Whether you write about fashion, music, what your favorite cartoon is, or even what you think the government should do with the economy, always remember that a personal blog is a tool that tells people who you are, where you’ve been and most importantly, where you want to go.

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Article: Better Sign of Times, Adam Nichols


Career, College, Social Media, Web 2.0

Web 2.0 in 4:32 mins

December 11, 2008

After many hours of browsing on youtube, I found this cool video that was made by Professor Wesch at Kansas State. The video is in summary, Web 2.0 in under 5 minutes. Didn’t think it was possible to explain it all, but he did a pretty good job doing it.

Got any other great video recommendations? Let me know.