Tag, You’re It!
Similar to the game of ‘tag,’ I am now it. No, I am not going to run around tagging you, but instead am going to mention you in my blog. James Walker, mentioned me in his blog so I am “it.” Here are the rules:
- link your original tagger(s), and list these rules on your blog.
- share seven facts about yourself in the post – some random, some weird.
- tag seven people at the end of your post by leaving their names and the links to their blogs.
- let them know they’ve been tagged by leaving a comment on their blogs and/or twitter
Without further delay, here are the seven facts of me:
1. Lived in the Los Angeles area my whole life.
Since I was born, I have lived in the LA area and wouldn’t have it any other way. Their was a period in my life when I thought that I would want to grow up and live somewhere cold, but I quickly realized that snow and rain just weren’t for me. The thing I love most about LA and its surroundings is its diversity as well the beach. Drive west for 20 minutes and you are bound to hit a beach. Also, the weather is a big plus.
2. I had an appendectomy when I was 11 years old
When I was 11 my appendix burst. Doctors say that it can happen to anyone when they get an infection in the area, but mine was burst because I got hit in my side (appendix area) when I was playing basketball during recess. I remember lying their in pain and the playground supervisor saying that it was just a ‘boo boo.’ I wish I could tell her she was wrong.
3. I am still in love with my first car.
Their is a saying that every boy falls in love with their first car. Well, that is true for me. My first car, an Acura Legend, is still a car that I love. Unfortunately, it was totaled in a car accident. Still, I plan to one day buy another one and restore it to the condition my old one was. It may not have been a Ferrari or Corvette, but it was mine, which is why I loved it. Good times.
4. Growing up I wanted to be an architect.
My favorite thing to play with when I was younger were Lego’s. Seriously, who didn’t like Legos? I would spend hours just sitting there at my ‘Lego Table,’ building boats, houses and cars. To this day, part of me wants to just get back to building Lego towns.
5. I am a horrible artist
When it comes to drawing, painting, or anything of the sort, my sister got the artistic genes, not me. She can paint beautiful canvases while I struggle to draw stick figures. I was so bad at art that in high school, the art teacher told me she would just give me a B+ cause she didn’t want me to come back again just for art. Hopefully my children don’t inherit my artistic genes.
6. I have been to a Disney theme park 11 times in the last 5 years.
Whether it be Disneyland or Disneyworld, Disney is a fun place to go. Their really isn’t a real explanation to this other than it always seems that someone I know wants to go. I wish Disney had a frequent flyer type card for their parks so I could earn back some of that cash I spend on their theme park food.
7. I have known my girfriend since kindergarten.
How many people can say that? I would bet not many. I have known my girlfriend since kindergarten and started dating her during highschool. From the high school prom, to graduation, to a long distance relationship during college, to graduation again, and to now, I have come to love everything about her.
Now that I have shared a little about myself, it is time to pass it on.
Here are the people who get tagged:
Okay guys, you’ve been tagged so here are your next steps:
-Link your original tagger(s) and list these rules in your post.
-Share seven facts about yourself in the post.
-Tag seven people at the end of your post by leaving their names and the links to their blogs.
-Let them know they’ve been tagged
I hope you guys have fun in our little game of tag!
I Am Superman
Growing up, if you were to ask me who my heroes were I would have probably responded by saying Batman or Superman. Today it is a totally different response. Today I would respond with my parents. So what has changed? The better question should be what hasn’t. Nothing has really changed, rather I have a better understanding of life.
As a young child you grow up with an un-clear idea of fear. As a child, being scared of the dark and eating vegetables could be comparable to now being afraid of a major economic collapse or sky rocketing gas prices. Looking back, their was a period of time in my life where I would say that I fell victim to the ‘Superman Complex.’
What is the Superman Complex
The ‘Superman Complex’ is appropriately named after the classic DC comic hero Superman himself. Superman seemed to be the “unbeatable” superhero. Nothing seemed to impossible for him, nothing seemed to stop him. Still, Superman was not invincible. His weakness was kryptonite. Similar to the story of Superman, many of us in society fall victim to this mind set which is feeling that we are able to do anything without failure or consequences. Individuals that have the Superman Complex also feel the need to save others while feeling ‘invincible.’ Some of us go our whole life living with the mind set of the Superman Complex. While it is not necessarily a bad thing, I wouldn’t say it is a good thing.
One of the classic examples of the Superman Complex can be seen in teens around the age 15-19. Around this time, teens begin to have fewer rules and more trust from their parents. After years of telling their children what is right and what is wrong, parents feel that their children will make the right decision. Unfortunately this is not always true. As teens begin to explore their new found freedom, most go out into the world with no real understanding of what ‘fear’ is. Teens will drive at high speeds only thinking of how fast they can go and how to weave in and out of traffic without slowing down. During this age, teens also will have to face the hard decision of how to deal with drugs and alcohol. It is not an easy age by any means.
Still, the thought process that goes into making these decisions are what separates those with the Superman complex and those who don’t. The teen that drives at high speeds and disregards the safety of others has the mindset that they are ‘invincible.’ Most people I have talked to that have been in major car accidents have told me that after they had the accident they won’t drive fast and are in some ways scared too because they know what can happen. Without this ‘fear,’ teens that decide to drive the way they do will always have the feeling that they are immune to the consequences or that ‘it won’t happen to them.’ In a way, the Superman Complex can be thought of as ‘living life without fear or realization of consequence.’ As mentioned, the Superman Complex can apply to anyone.
The Superman Complex revolves around the idea of being fearless, but in reality it is important to not live in fear, but learn from it. As Louisa May Alcott once said:
“I’m not afraid of storms, for I’m learning how to sail my ship”
Let us not be afraid of living life, but learn how to live it.
Services Marketing: How Disney Got It Right
In the realm of services marketing, their are companies that don’t have any idea what they are doing, and then their are those that just get it and do a great job. Among those that got it right is Disney and the experience of guests at their parks. For the past 50 or so years, Disney has established itself as one of the leaders of the entertainment world. From their iconic “mouse ears” to their ability to crank out musical child stars such as Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera, Disney has always been associated with providing the best in entertainment.
But how does Disney do it?
Their are many reasons as to why Disney has become so successful, but among the major reasons for their success is their attention to services marketing. Disney believes in providing the customer or guest the best experience they can possibly have. For example, when entering a Disney theme park, guests are not just entering an amusement park, they are entering a ‘magical place’ as is the motto in the photo above. Disney believes in making every effort to make the guest feel like they are part of something special. Disney even addresses there workers as ‘cast members’ not employees.
Not only does Disney pay close attention to its customers, but Disney also does a great job with there servicescape.This is an important detail that all businesses should think of. When a customer is going to your store, the customers first interaction with your business does not start when they enter the store, but when they first see it. Having the appropriate setting and physical environment has a direct correlation to the experience the customer has. Looking at Disney, not only do they ’say’ that you will have a magical day, but the setting and decor make you feel like you are.
Going back to the role of the Disney cast members, they play one of the most vital roles in their parks. Not only are they necessary in the day to day operations of their parks, but cast members are important in the personal interactions with guests. Most guests would agree that they have had positive experiences with Disney cast members. One of the ways to assure that the quality of the service being provided by employees is at its best is to implement a good training program that will allow employees to not only learn basic operations but also to learn the company culture. Employees that understand the company culture will be able to better serve the customer.
While Disney is a great example of a company that understand the importance of services marketing, some companies still don’t. Many will tell you that it just costs too much to train and put in the time to make sure they are doing a good job. In all honesty, this is true. It is also true that it costs more money to acquire a new customer than to retain one. Also, that an angry or unsatisfied customer will tell on average 12 people negative things about your business and happy customers will tell 5 people positive things. In the end it may come down to a numbers game and what is most cost efficient, but companies should remember that while the motto “customers are always right” may not always be true, it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try and provide the best service possible.
LA Goes Wireless, So Should Companies
Los Angeles has always been known for being a hot spot for social trends and cultural change, and recently I noticed something that I hadn’t really taken the time to notice before. Driving down Melrose and La Brea, I noticed just how few payphones their were. In fact, I was unable to see one for almost 3 blocks.
Not only was it just in this vicinity that I was unable to find a payphone, but in other surrounding areas as well. This lack of payphones leads me to believe that LA has gone wireless. Today, cellphones have replaced the need to carry around quarters except to pay for the parking meter. Cellphones are no longer for the rich and powerful as they once were back in the early 90’s, but are now common ‘toys’ for teens and necessary tools for students and professionals.
LA’s new direction in regards to communication is something that businesses should be aware of as well. Consumers can now get the weather, find out what’s for dinner, look up directions, and update there Facebook all from there cellphone. Businesses should take advantage of this and find new ways to target consumers. While payphones do exist in remote locations, such as near the bathrooms at shopping malls, LA for the most part has made the transition from landlines to wireless.
With the addition of Wi-Fi, 3G networks and reasonable wireless service plans, a cellphone has become standard for most. When email became preferable to ’snail mail,’ companies jumped onboard, trying to tag every page with there advertisements. Now that cellphones have become the new ‘communication’ tools, companies should recognize this and latch on to it. Whether it is through text advertisements, which many companies have already been utilizing, or through cellphone apps, ‘wireless advertisements’ will be the new way to advertise and the new way to communicate with this new generation.
Dear Santa…I just want a parking spot
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
The Hour The [Social] World Stood Still
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.
Dear Blog, Please Get Me A Job
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
The LA love story
Just like a romance novel, so goes our story.
Boy sees car, boy falls in love with car, boy loves to drive car, boy runs out of gas, boy sees gas prices, boy falls out of love.
While the gas prices have dropped substantially, with the economy being the way it is now, consumers are being more careful with their decisions when it comes to cars. Still, being a native of LA, I can say that I can hardly tell. While it is true that the number of riders on the metro system has increased, cars still dominate the streets and freeways of LA.
Driving in LA is not just a normal task. It is so much more than that. From the “way” you drive, to the kind of car you drive, driving is an expression and way for you to let everyone in LA know who you are. For example, seeing a Ferrari pull up to a McDonald’s is not uncommon in LA. While everyone is aware of the economic situation and unstable gas prices, LA will continue to be crowded with cars. With the gas prices on the down at the moment, it is fair to say that LA will see an increase in the number of cars on the road. We should be starting to go green, but for some us, going green means changing our image. To some, the $60,000 luxury car that gets 12MPG in the driveway means that we’ve accomplished something and are well-off. Some of us don’t want to change that.
While some of us drive out of necessity, some drive because
1. They enjoy driving
2. They want to show off their car
3. They don’t want to use the public transportation
While LA has made great strides to improve there public transportation I will admit that aside from one time when I was very young, I have not ridden the public transportation since.
Yes, I am guilty. I am guilty for being one of the hundreds and thousands of drivers that drive because they don’t want to use the public transportation and enjoy driving. As a result my car and the way I drive have become an extension of who I am. Some may even classify me as the “college student driver.”
So now I ask you, what kind of driver are you?
Learn To Love It: College
As I entered my fourth year at UC Riverside, I looked at my current surroundings and realized how much I would actually miss this place. Looking back to the first day I arrived at the dorms I remember thinking how I couldn’t wait to get out of this place. From the desert surroundings, to the staggering number of homeless individuals around University Ave., UC Riverside looked far from home.
It took four years of sleepless nights, countless energy drinks, ridiculous pranks, ‘psychological warfare’ with the girlfriend, and hours of studying for me to realize how much my college had become my second home. Speaking to many of my friends who have graduated, they tell me how much they miss school and how they wish they could go back. Sometimes I think, “really?” Were these not the same people who the first day of school said they wanted to go back home. Now I hear how they want to get away from there “real” home.
For some of us, life after college means moving back home and going back to a house of rules and structure. No longer are you able to stay up as late as you want blasting your music. And no longer is leaving your dishes in the sink for weeks on end an option (yes, it happens).
I have been blessed to have been able to attend a UC school and have been able to experience the quality education that they offer. The UC system is unique in that it gives prospective college students in California a chance to go to a four year university and receive a top tier education without having to go to far. From UCLA to UC Berkeley, they have campuses all over the state for all types of students. If you are considering attending a UC, I would strongly suggest visiting the campuses to make sure you know which one would suit you best, because you have to remember, it will be your ’second home.’
With my ’second home’s’ lease ending soon, I wish to offer some advice to soon to be graduates as well as those who are still in college.
1. Enjoy it
Plain and simple. As the saying goes, “You only live once.” Applying that concept, you will only be an undergraduate once in your life. Whether it’s re-inventing your image or building life long relationships, enjoy this time of your life.
2. Don’t Be Afraid to Say “Hi”
All of us have seen the freshmen who go up to other classmates and introduce themselves and try to be sociable. Some people laugh at them and some find them awkward. What other people think in the end is irrelevant. Unless you plan to work with them for the next 10 years of your life, they can be one of two things in your life: Significant or Nothing. Why let fear of what other people think stop you from meeting someone significant or meaningful?
3. Relationships and Balance
Everyone hears about the one night stands that happens in college. While this does occur, finding someone that means something more to you than just a physical attraction is a part of the college life many college students find. The key to this is to find a ‘happy medium’ where you are able to balance both your love life and school work. Remember, no one wants to date a bum.
4. Be Active
For most of us, college will mean being in the best physical shape of our life. From the weight rooms, tennis courts, a numerous treadmills, it is hard to say you can’t find a place to be active. Go out there and be active, because when your are out of college, staying in shape and finding ways to be active is harder and might even cost your wallet more.
5. Plan Ahead
College teaches us that time management is important. It is also important to look at the big picture and plan ahead. Use all the available resources to make sure that you are not only prepared for your classes, but life after college.
It may be too late to do everything I’ve wanted to do while at college, but it is not too late for others. Hopefully someone will read this and go out and say “hi” to someone or find someone meaningful in there life. If not, I can say that I have found someone meaningful in my life and that I no longer laugh or question when people introduce themselves to strangers because I know that this is college. Anyone can be anything.
