Just When You Need to Look For Hope This Christmas

Once before I saw a lady in the bus seated all by herself by the window- she looked so sad and her eyes weepy. I wondered what could be troubling her? After I looked at her, I switched direction and concluded that after all, it's not my business. I didn't even know her. That scene happened again, just yesterday. But this time, it's me who's looking so far away. It's like a case of déjà vu but the moment was real; clinging close to my chest; immersing me right into the moment. In as much as I didn't want to cry, tears were streaming down my cheeks; uncontrollably, silently, and shamelessly covering my face that I felt like it's so inappropriate at this time of the year to be crying. I should be happy, right?... Well, I can choose to be happy but at that moment in the bus, something within me just can't stop from expressing what I was feeling deep down into the very chambers of my heart. Once I was already aware that I was riding the bus and there were strangers around me, I quickly wiped the tears away with my favourite scarf that's been keeping me warm and cozy all throughout that cold afternoon. I tried to stiffen up a lip as if everything's just fine. Hopefully, everything will just be fine.

When I took off the bus in the heart of downtown Winnipeg, I was already walking in the midst of a myriad of different people. I can feel the happiness ensuing in the many shopping bags they were holding for Christmas but the sense of sadness was so strong; it's like it's floating in the air that I can almost grasp it with my hand but it's invisible. Why would I care to grasp it? Sadness is surely one thing that I wouldn't want to hold on to; but sometimes, it’s just there and it helps to acknowledge it.

People are so busy buying gifts for themselves and for their loved ones, and I already did my share, too. I'm glad that I've done my shopping already, at least I only have my hubby and two wonderful angels (and some friends), to give gifts to. Christmas cards were already given out and the 'joy' of Christmas is building up- I simply can't wait for it, and go about with our family tradition of baking our ever favourite fresh apple pie topped with ice-cream, some baked goodies, and cooking up some fave dishes for the season. As I think about these things, I feel happy and so blessed to have a family of my own- even though we're living far away from our parents and siblings, who would also want to be around us at this time of the year. Every single thing that we hear about this season from the people we love is good; but what if the news that you hear about yourself isn't?... How will you take it?... How will you react to it?... How can you explain it to the people you love? Will you simply deny it and go about with the merry-making of the holidays? Somehow, it's still there lingering in your thoughts. It's something that needs to be dealt with. How you handle it, really counts.

I have gone through personal tragedies in my life that I know how it feels to be in such situations. In return, my compassion for others who are suffering in a similar situation or feeling the same things that I've felt or have been feeling, simply increases.

These past two years of being a full-time student have given me the opportunity to be young again as a student who's flocked with other happy people who are so full of life and whose dreams and hopes for the future are something that you can almost touch. Frankly, it's like magic. But what makes me different from them is my load of responsibilities as a homemaker, a wife, and as a parent. Despite of my obligations, I am so blessed to have a husband who is so supportive. He's the one wearing the apron now so I can concentrate on being a student and attend to the rigours and demands of my full-time program. How could my life be possible without him? I simply couldn't imagine.

My coming back to school is not in vain but it's out of need. I already have my degree long time ago but I needed to upgrade myself so I can get a better job; not for me, but for my family. Like other parents, I have dreams for my family and for my children who also look up to me. It's also my responsibility to give them a better future and so I sacrificed my time with them; the many moments when they had their field trips when I should have been around to show my support, or in other activities which I used to attend to, before coming back to school but just possibly can't.

Our set-up now is just temporary, I know; and we just have a few more months to go before school is over. I know that I'm close to achieving my goal and I can almost feel it. The grades I got (most of it are As and one course is an A+) is something I am proud of not because I've 'achieved it' but because it's a reflection of our sacrifices as a family. It's the kind of teamwork that we've been doing since I started school in 2009. I can almost smile now because my late nights are paying off. The short sleeps I have (5 hours at the most) and some nights, I didn't get to sleep at all didn't happen for no reason. Whatever little successes I have as a result of my studies is a symbol of endurance and the unending support and understanding of my two little girls, who would often try to understand and comprehend, "Why does mommy have to go to school again?"... in their young minds, they know that I am doing this for them and not for myself.

We have our hopes and dreams as a family, and I have my own hopes and dreams for my own children but when the results came out that the possibility that it recurs again, (just a few days away from Christmas) is something that I need to put into perspective now. Once again, I have to look for that bright light that has been leading me all these years. It's hard to take but I am coping. I have been a survivor once (or have been a survivor in many instances) and I know that deep within, this is no time to give up. I have a semester to go and I'm close to getting my diploma; I have an art event coming up and I know that countless of homeless people (who are genuinely in need) will surely benefit from this event; I still hope to get a good PR job in the near future and will be happy to be working with great people; I still hope to have that much-awaited vacation with my family who's been beside me all these years.

Life still goes on, and I choose to be happy. How ironic it is that my event is called "Colours of Hope," but I am one person who has so much hope to share (and who is in need of hope at this time). But now since it's Christmas, it is my prayer to have many fruitful years ahead of me so I can be part of that hope for others to take.

Story on Sexual Ambiguity Goes Skin Deep in Winter's "Annabel"

Here is a book review that I did for my Canadian Literature course. We were told to choose and read a recent work by a Canadian author, who's nominated in this year's Giller Prize. Here is my book review on the novel Annabel by Kathleen Winter. A book which I chose to give a review on, and I think I wasn't disappointed. Read on and you'll find it interesting.

Books on the subject of intersex are not common. Annabel, a debut novel by Montreal-resident Kathleen Winter, devotes her strength trying not to explain the medical condition, but focuses instead on probing the dilemma and challenges of sexuality and self-knowledge in a world where there are fixed gender roles. It is a novel that revolves around the territory of human emotions and a person’s journey to self-discovery.

Set in the pristine and ethereal beauty of Croydon Harbour, Labrador in the 1970s and 1980s, Wayne Blake was born with two genitals.  His parents, Treadway and Jacinta, and their neighbour Thomasina, are the only people who know about the baby’s condition. Soon after the baby’s birth, Treadway decides to raise the child as a boy in the male-dominated hunting culture of Labrador. While Wayne is growing up, Jacinta and Thomasina nurture his female side in their own respective ways. Wayne’s true sexuality is unknown to him but his latent female side is manifesting and can’t be ignored. Already an adult, Wayne moves to St. John’s in his quest to rediscover his true self. Despite the odds and the pain he experiences, Wayne emerges to be more courageous than the people around him.

The novel brings its reader into the characters’ emotional journey and humanity. It is not a grave attempt to explain the medical side of intersex or the condition known as hermaphroditism, but it gives the reader an intimate portrait of a person struggling to live an identity which the society views as a big mistake. The story also covers other conventional issues such as the breakdown of a family due to a married couple’s lack of communication as seen in the life of Treadway and Jacinta; and the contrasting pull between rural and urban life.

Author Kathleen Winter was raised in Newfoundland and now lives in Montreal with her husband and two daughters. She loves to read since when she was a child and says that she wanted to be a writer from the time she learned how to read. Kathleen used to write a weekly column for St. John’s Telegram; wrote for television and CBC documentaries; and wrote segments and songs for Sesame Street. Although Annabel is her debut novel, Kathleen wrote her first book, boYs which is a collection of short stories. Winter’s debut novel Annabel is the only book nominated for all three major literary prizes in Canada for 2010: the Giller Prize, the Governor-General’s Literary Award for English fiction and the Rogers Writers’ Trust Fiction Prize.

Winter’s Annabel is inspired by her first visit to North West River, Labrador while working as a journalist for CBC, where she learned of several people who were born with hermaphroditism. From that point, Winter wrote her thirty-page story. She revealed that she didn’t know so much about the subject beforehand but it was a constant discovery and learning for her while writing the book.

Annabel is written in such a fashion that it’s like a fascinating lyrical prose. Readers can vividly taste, smell, feel, touch and experience the uniqueness and raw beauty of Labrador. The words simply jump off the pages of the book, giving readers a rich perspective into the lives of the characters and their unique situations. The novel is a third-person narrative and started with a prologue that describes the mythical allure of a white caribou seen through the eyes of Annabel, before she and her blind father fell into the water and drowned to death. The incident sets as an undertone of what could be the possible conflict or goal of the central character. The white caribou is also meant to be a metaphor to suggest the self-discovery of Wayne, who is the central character in the novel. The story progresses at a slow pace, in which the author is trying to narrate every possible milestone in Wayne’s childhood days. There are a few scenes in the novel which I think wouldn’t matter if it were omitted because those few scenes hardly contribute to the development of the plot. The ending on the other hand stays away from the usual storybook formula where resolutions are given. Rather the readers are left to draw their own conclusions of what could be the fate of all the characters. Readers are left with a glimpse into the characters’ individual situations. Each one is constantly evolving and changing. Every character shows a glimmer of hope despite of a past that was painted with despair and the harshness of life.

Annabel is a novel that manifests a lot of the traditional conventions found in modern literature. It has a straightforward plot and there is an emphasis on the individual’s inner thoughts and feelings as seen in the character of Wayne and that of the other main characters including Treadway and Jacinta. There is also a good portion of the story where time is seen from the perspective of the character especially in the case of Treadway who spends most of his time in the terrains of Labrador. The story has an open ending which is more representative of what reality is. After reading the novel, readers will find that this story is a celebration of inner strength in the face of adversity.

Since Winter’s objective is not to give a full explanation of what intersex is all about, she achieves in drawing the emotions and humanity of the characters to her readers. As in the character of Treadway, he’s known to be an expert hunter and good provider, despite the fact that he’s silent and inexpressive of his emotions and thoughts towards his wife and son. But as the story progresses especially in the last few chapters of the book, one can see Treadway’s transition into a sympathetic and understanding father, who finally accepts his son for who he really is.

Adult readers who find how people handle adversities and their personal struggles interesting, might find Annabel just the perfect book to read. Readers don’t necessarily have to have prior knowledge on intersex in order to understand the book. It has always been the author’s intention to draw the human side of the story and dwell into the territory of each character’s emotions.

The language used is simple which makes it easy to understand. It’s not written in a scholarly fashion where words are hard to grasp, nor was it written with medical terms that could easily turn-off a vast majority of potential readers. I admire the novel for the way it is written and presented. It is unpretentious and bears so much reality in it, that one can relate in some way or the other, with each of the character’s loneliness. The subject of intersex may be of great interest already to anyone who hardly knows what it’s all about; but the other issues involved merit the novel a good number of readers.

Kathleen Winter’s Annabel is a unique and moving story that appeals to anyone who is in a search for a good and inspiring read. This is not a story of pure sorrow but a story of triumph that celebrates the courage and hope in every person, to express the true self within. Annabel is a must-read this 2010 and will serve as a good addition to anyone’s library of contemporary Canadian literary works.         

Human Rights Complaint May Lead to a New Direction

The Winnipeg Free Press covered the news on New Directions which already filed a human rights complaint against the Rural Municipality of Springfield for preventing two intellectually disabled men from living in the community.

It was a month ago when I discussed this issue as my 'PR in the News' presentation in class and before I started my presentation, I gave a scenario to my classmates that should they have a new neighbour living next to them who's intellectually and/or physically challenged (and a male at that), would they ever allow it?... The answer was a strong 'yes.'

The presentation and discussion lasted for almost an hour and I wouldn't be surprised if there was great sympathy towards the two intellectually challenged males and their families who are being 'rejected' by the area residents of the RM of Springfield.

There was certainly a level of ignorance by those who rejected the application filed by New Directions to  rezone its property from residential to institutional so it can be allowed to operate its group home in that community. Ignorance in respect to the real conditions being experienced by these two developmentally challenged individuals; that they are not criminals nor sexual predators but two intellectually and physically challenged individuals who have genuine needs and who require 24-hour assistance from their caregivers.  The issue also lies on the ignorance of some (or probably most) people on the operations of New Directions and its extensive range of services to children, youth, adults, and families of Winnipeg; providing counselling, assessment, education and training, and providing residential and support programs. The organization's services may be too extensive but it's definitely an organization that is meant to help and support people, as well as an agency that makes a difference in the lives of many Winnipeggers.

Given the benefit of the doubt, there could be some or many area residents who are aware of the operations of New Directions but have simply shunned themselves from the idea of allowing the organization to house two intellectually challenged men. The area residents do have legitimate concerns and I am not disregarding this. They have chosen to live and buy properties in the RM of Springfield because of its country-like settig - peaceful, quiet, and away from the hustle and bustle of city-life including the fact that the area doesn't have the presence of industrial businesses. But somehow what we're talking about here is allowing two intelletually and developmentally challenged individuals who would benefit from the quiet and country-like environment, that will be helpful in their overall health and ongoing treatment.

In our class discussion, it's possible that people may have a negative perception on the term 'group home' that it is always associated with troubled teens who may be uncontrollable and who may have been involved in drugs and several crimes. The community may be worried because of this and it simply wants to leave things as it is and is just concerned to keep their community quiet and safe especially in the years to come.

Based on my research from the news and information that I've gathered in preparation for my presentation, New Directions gave out information about its intention to put up a group home in that neighbourhood and its applicationn to rezone the property, but as to how the information was disseminated or shared (whether the organization printed flyers or letters) is still a mystery to me. I was also thinking at that time on how the organization wrote its message and whether it's just intended for the local officials to read or for its area residents to know. Somehow it's clear that even before the issue became big or even before the local public hearings took place in the area's community centre, no town hall meetings took place that would give area residents the opportunity to voice their concerns or questions, and for New Directions to answer every concern directly. This could have given New Directions the opportunity as well to present its plan or proposal to the community residents, and educating them on how the organization operates, who their clients are, and how its proposed group home will affect the entire community. The town hall meeting should have taken place at the time when the organization was just planning the group home; even before the time when an application for rezoning was required. The supposed feedback from area residents could have helped New Directions strategize its plan. The feedback could also be very valuable in addressing major concerns from area residents at the same time. The two-way communication would certainly bring a lot of things to the surface and would have given New Directions a better platform to introduce itself to the community. This could have also saved New Directions some great deal of time and pain (especially for its clients and their families).

At this time, it comes to no surprise that New Directions had filed a human rights complaint against the RM of Springfield- it does have a valid ground. I anticipate that the legal battle would be a challenging one but no matter what, I think that the community in Springfield needs to relearn that the people they are rejecting are the vulnerable ones. These people could have been their relative, brother, or child.

I just hope that other communities won't copycat what the the RM of Springfield did to New Directions. In a situation like this it's important to ask ourselves this question: "If we won't open our community to people with intellectual, physical, and developmental challenges, who will?"

Face-to-Face Is Still The Best

Even after many years of experience in client relations and account management, I still find interpersonal communication to be the best. Interpersonal communication usually applies to spoken communication between two or more people on a personal face-to-face level. Some types of communication that takes place in the workplace include interviews, client meetings, board meetings, and sales visits.

In this day and age, the internet and social media have gained so much popularity on how businesses communicate with their stakeholders. There is no denying that the continuous evotuion of communication through the use of technology would still have its hold 10 or 20 years from now. This still leaves me to believe that interpersonal or face-to-face communication is still the best form of communication when dealing with your audiences because of two reasons:

* It allows for immediate feedback - There are situations when we simply need to find out what our audiences think of a certain product or service, or maybe yet, know their views on extremely sensitive or important issues. One good example of this is a town hall meeting. A few weeks ago, I presented my 'PR in the news' in class. I've discussed about the situation of a rural municipality's opposition to a group home to be operated in their community. I made some research on the ways the group home operator communicated its proposal to the residents of that community and found out that there was no element of interpersonal communication that took place between the organization and the area residents of that municipality. If only a town hall meeting was conducted, the group operator could have known and received very important information from the area residents which in turn could have allowed them to communicate their position very clearly. Feedbacks are always important; it helps us know what our audiences think and feel about certain issues. In knowing these, people in public relations will be able to take a second look at their communication strategies and see how effective they are, and whether they need to change or improve their existing messages. Feedbacks will also allow for the development or improvement of products, services and even established procedures in an organization.

* It's more personal - We live in a world where everything runs on a fast pace. People are often busy and companies adapt ways that will allow them to communicate their messages to their audiences. We see how lucrative advertising and marketing can be; millions of dollars are spent on flyers, direct mailers, billboards, newspaper ads, etc. For some companies, resorting to a seemingly personal way of communicating would mean calling on the phone or sendng an email but these things don't define nor replace the significance of interpersonal, face-to-face communication. There is something special when people talk and see one another in person (although nowadays, the use of certain technology and programs allow us to conduct interperosnal communication). Even if a client has a complaint but if handled well and personally by let's say, an account manager, matters are expected to run on a better course. From a public relations point of view, I think nothing can replace the importance of face-to-face communication. Even if we are bombarded with technology and by all the different gadgets that we use to communicate and reach out to our audiences, we still need to incorporate that element of interpersonal communication in order to build and hasten our relationships with our audiences.

So next time we do anything that will require us to communicate with our audineces, let's consider the possibility of including interpersonal communication (if allowable). This will surely make a difference in delivering our messages and finding out where our audiences are coming from.

How I wish I could edit this boy's smoking habit

You may already have heard of the news of a two-year-old boy who smokes up to 40 cigarettes a day. This Indonesian tot is so addicted to nicotine that he throws tantrums every time he's not given a cigarette.

Well this was the news that spread like wild fire last May and videos showing Ardi smoking created international outrage that even the Indonesian government was criticized for its loose policies on smoking. The tobacco industry is said to be contributing billions of dollars annually to the government and local economy, and there are in fact many young children (as young as 7) who are already into this bad habit.

Looking at the photo of Ardi, there definitely is something wrong with the picture. Unfortunately, this photo wasn't photoshopped or edited in such a way that the toddler was previously holding a bottle of milk instead of a cigarette. The truth hurts even if he's not our own child but just come to imagine young children who are already into this habit. This leads me to think of Ardi's parents. His father once said, "I'm not worried about his health. He looks healthy to me." This statement left me wringing in disgust but thinking about it in a very objective manner, Ardi's father is simply ignorant of the bad effects of cigarette smoking just like thousands of other Indonesians. If there's only a way to edit Ardi's father's train of thought, I could already have initiated the move to make him change his mind.

It's sad to think that illiteracy and ignorance affect a big population of Indonesia. I wouldn't bother editing the photo of Ardi smoking a cigarette- that is simply the truth; a harsh truth at that. But if there's  a way to educate Ardi's parents and other Indonesian parents about the hazards of smoking, I believe that will make them think twice about offering it to their children in the first place. Overall, it's hard to edit what's already been practiced and believed; their ways are deeply rooted in a system that should have been edited in the first place. 

I think we just need to continue hoping that the government will take the time to reflect on its tobacco regulations and hopefully, edit most of them.

Here's the latest news so far on Ardi.

Getting ready for your work placement

A few weeks from now, students from the Creative Communications program will make their transition from school-based training to applied learning in a real world setting. Although I must say that the students in this program (including me) are no neophytes working in a real world. A majority have in fact, started applying all their skills in a real setting. A good number of students have worked prior to entering the program and have gained valuable knowledge and insights.
Now, it will be a bit different. We are about to work in a field that has something to do with our acquired skills and knowledge. The work placement is something to look forward to.

So in preparation, students in CreComm would probably need a reminder or two of my 10 tips to getting ready for your wok placement.

1. As soon as you get the organization's contact information, connect with the organization by sending an email or make a brief call. Companies would find that you are interested in the internship.

2. Know more about the business and activities of the organization that you’ll be working with (including the people, too).
Nothing is more terrible than for an intern who doesn’t have the slightest clue of what business the company is doing. In your research, be sure to gather and read as many materials you can get. Use the internet; read the company’s brochures; annual reports; etc. Ask around and interview people of what they think the company is or maybe yet, ask people who have worked with that company.

While doing research on the company or organization, find out about the key people who work for the company or organization. Most of the time, you'll get to know the key people listed under 'staff' in the company website. If this is not the case, acquaint yourself with the people you'll be working with on Day 1 and try to remember their names.

3. Make a good impression.
On your first day, don't forget to make a good impressin- inside and out. Wear a smile. Greet people. Be the first one to extend your hand for a handshake. Be interested on what the company is doing. It may happen that you won't be doing anything yet on your first day and your supervisor or manager would just simply show you around. But for the succeeding days, don't forget to put your best foot forward- your work placement may turn into a job offer in the future.

4. After you have made your initial contact with the company you’ll be working with, be sure to drop them an email or give them a call a couple of days before you start your work.
This will allow you to establish relations with the company but this will also be good in letting you know of any last minute reminders from their side if they haven't done anything prior to that. It may be possible that there'll be specific instructions on how you'll get into the building, for example. Or there could be a special dress code that you would have to follow. You'll neverr know. Better yet, a follow-up email or call won't hurt to help better prepare yourself for the job that's awaiting you.

5. Eat well, sleep well.
In preparation for your work placement, be sure that you’re keeping yourself healthy and fit. You just don’t know how demanding your work is going to be.

6. This may sound vain to some, but be sure that you have enough suitable clothes to wear at your work placement.
You don’t have to have that many clothes but make sure that you prepare it in advance.

7. Plan out your lunches.
At this time, you might consider planning on how to come up with quick and easy-to-prepare lunches. It’s possible that even if it’s already lunch time at your workplace, people would still be sitting doing their work. But of couese, you can't just eat at your desk. You still have to know what policies are set into place. If you are not the type who prepares lunches, well by all means, go to the canteen (if there's one) or nearby restaurant and order your lunch from there.

8. Bring your CreComm 'cheat sheets'
If you would be working in a PR related function, don't forget to keep your news release, media advisory, pitch letter/email, communication plan, or anything else that you might find use for, handy. If you feel that you don't have to bring these stuff, that's fine. My point is, for some of us who want to make sure that we're ready for the 'challenge', it's always best that we're ready for it at that particular time. What if your manager would ask you to prepare a news release within an hour? Of course, you wouldn't want to come unprepared. Simply bring your stuff in a neat folder, envelope, or even in a portfolio case if you have one, and when you find a need for it (especially if they don't have a template to work with), you can simply pull it out. Don't worry if the people there will find out about it. First of all, they would be busy doing their own stuff. Second, your manager would be more concerned of getting the job done.

Remember- you're there to learn; it's an internship. But as a student still in the CreComm program, coming to work prepared will do wonders for you. Before anything else, always look into the company's previous works like news releases and media advisories. You would normally follow or do things the way it's done. Your 'cheat sheets' would only be for your reference in case you need them.

9. Come early on your first day.
We all know this- we have to come early on our first day of work. Not only will this ensure that you're there 'on time,' but this will also help ourselves adjust to the place and new environment. Coming early will also be helpful to those who haven't seen the place yet. This will alllow you to find directions getting there especially if you'll be looking for a spot to park your car. Make sure that you make this clear with your contact person; parking, hours of operation, and all. And for some who'll be taking the transit, allow more time on your part. Although there are set schedules for the bus to come at your particular stop, it's possible that there could be delays. And yes, who would ever forget about weather and road conditions? Always keep tuned to your fave radio.

10. Think positive!
Our work placement is very important and I believe that all of us are particularly excited about it. To expect for the best things to happen (whatever it may be), always think positive! You can do it! Bring out your creativity; your talents; your skills; every single bit that you're made of.  From the time that you're reading this post, always remember to think positively about your work placement and don't let any negative things blur your mind.

So there you have it! A few simple reminders that will help you prepare for your work placement. If you have anymore good suggestions, please comment on this post.

Editing exists in kids' schools, too!

I received my child's book report evaluation from her school and I must say (not just because she's my child) but she did a very impressive job. Even in school settings, there is an editing process going on.

My child prepared a book report for her class and she presented a couple of weeks ago. She brought with her a 'mini television' which her dad made out of cardboard and paper rolls (yes, you can make a television out of it- only thing is, you have to provide the picture tube). Being an artist herself, she drew pictures of the main highlights of her story on paper; coloured them; and glued the ends together and voila!- a whole reel of movie was made.

Looking at the evaluation sheet she brought home from school, her teacher created a criteria on which her students were evaluated on. The criteria served as the teacher's guidelines in editing the different presentations. In this situation, we can consider the students to be the 'authors' and the teacher the lone 'editor.'

So here is an excerpt of the criteria used by the teacher for the book presentations:

WRITING
 1) Visual
-Coloured drawings accurately represents the written content. (3 marks)
-Coloured drawings somewhat represent written content, lacking detail. (2 marks)
-Drawings lack colour and detail and/or do not represent the written content. (1 mark)

2) Writing
-Writes complete sentences and includes punctuation and conventions. Proof of editing/revisions. (3 marks)
-Writing lacks sentence structure and does not provide adequate proof of editing and revisions. (2 marks)
-No sentence structure, lack of details. No proof of editing. (1 mark)


The criteria is a long list, too many to mention. Overall, my child did a great job! She got 29 out of 30. The only comment her 'editor' wrote on the paper was, she just needs to shorten it by selecting the most important events.

I think we all can relate to that!

Sarah Palin takes on the race as the next reality TV star

Discover the pristine beauty of Alaska, its majestic scenery and stunning wildlife; not with somebody from the National Geographic nor Discovery Channel, but with the former U.S. vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin.

I have heard about this new show months ago and finally, the premier is this coming Sunday, November 14th. Don't mistaken me to be a Sarah Palin fan, although I admire Tina Fey's impersonation of her. I'm more interested on how this new reality show is going to fare with the other reality shows on TLC but most importantly, how its different audiences and critics will take it in.

Mark Burnett, the brain behnd the reality shows Survivor and The Apprentice, had meticulously put together the concept for this show. It was said that there were no scripts while they were shooting but what viewers can expect is the casual and fun-loving Sarah Palin with her family, taking the outdoors of beautiful Alaska and sets out in a true American fashion.

What interests me more is the content strategy that TLC's Brian Reich talked about for the show. Sarah Palin's Alaska doesn't rely on tradditional marketing but heavily depends on social media. Reich mentioned in an interview with Social Media Examiner that the show aims to give audiences the things they're interested in. There will be two podcasts in a week which will compel audiences to watch and learn from the show. There will be four blogs repromoting and repurposing the show. The reason behind these four different blogs is to cater to the show's diversed audiences. In its entirety, the social media aspect of the show will expand conversaations through content strategy. The show wants to listen to audiences by allowing them to review each episode via Facebook, Twitter, etc. Through podcasts, the show will be able to give audiences the opportunity to discuss the show.

The content strategy developed by TLC for the Sarah Palin's Alaska show is definitely acknowledging the massive influence and imprtance of today's social media. Interaction will be encouraged because many Americans have access to wireless devices and many watch shows straight from their laptops or computers. There is no stopping this show from getting 'hooked' into the social media hype. There is real-time transfer of information which will allow TLC to interact with the show's viewers and fans. After all, once the show caters to all its audiences and establishes that level of interaction in a timely manner through social media, the ratings will surely plummet to the edge of the 'last frontier.'

So this coming Sunday, we'll see Sarah Palin in a different light; not as a politician but as an ordinary family woman. I know that it will be hard to separate her from her political ambitions. Some say the reason why she agreed to take on this show is because this will increase her popularity even more which will be beneficial to her political ambitions (to run as president?) but we'll leave that to next time; right now, let's just concern ourselves whether we'll be able to draw some learning from the show or not. After all, it's TLC- The Learning Channel.

Do you have any views?

The 'shame' that will leave an indelible mark

I had my opportunity this week to present my 'PR in the News'. It's an individual assignment in our PR major class where we had the chance to choose a news topic or an issue that happened recently or in the last couple of years. The important thing we have to consider is whether the news topic or issue has a public relations angle to it.

I chose my topic few weeks ago and it's about the opposition of area residents in the rural municipality of Springfield to the proposed group home by New Directions. It's a topic of interest especially that it concerns a wide range of audiences and deals with the very humanity of the people involved.

I won't be discussing the public relations aspect of this issue now but I will be talking more about it at a later time. I just want to focus on the message sent across during a peaceful demonstration by 100 protesters in front of the Dugald Community Centre.

The protesters held placards to show their disgust to the council's decision that showed the council's vote of 6-0. But one placard stood out and encapsulates what some people think about Springfield.

"Shame on Springfield" is what the placard says. The whole issue on the two men with developmental challenges who are slated to move into the bungalow house will most likely have to wait. After seeing this placard,  I told myself that this is one matter that many people won't easily forget.

The message implies the area residents' and the council's collective decision to not allow New Directions to operate a group home along Glen Aspen Drive in the rural municipality of Springfield.
Many residents feared that the group home will be inhabited by sex offenders who have mental issues. For the others, they feel that if they would allow the group home to operate in their neighbourhood, it would be detrimental to their property values, as the supposedly group home will  cause the properties to depreciate in value.

It's surprising to think that these area residents had made their own conclusions-- I don't  blame them for doing so but they have 'edited' out the possibility of accommodating these types of people.

The placard sign "Shame on Springfield" is something not to be proud of especially by its own residents but photos of these demonstrators will forever be in the virtual world of the internet. In this case, the words will be hard to edit--a three-word message that area residents will either admit or edit it out in their minds. The placard bearing this message  may only be written with a Sharpie marker but it will forever be made available on the internet, leaving an indelible mark.

Credit others for a job well done

Many times we talk about a project that was handled or even an event that took place wherein a few or several people made a contribution to make things happen. It's such a great feeling to talk about the efforts of everyone especially the teamwork that was formed.

In as much as there's a myriad of talents and skills in a group, there's also a wide spectrum of personalities. The interesting part is, there's definitely no two people who are alike; there may be individuals who have the same set of work ethics but when it comes to personality types, each person falls under a certain hue.

It may not come as a surprise to you that there definitely are people who would credit themselves for the work that was done. It's alright to acknowlege your efforts and the superb performance that you did in last month's fundraising, but if you were the one to compliment your own work instead of highlighting the efforts of other members in the team, other people will definitely think that you are bragging or just a plain conceited person.

Wouldn't it be nicer if other people compliment you for a job well done? It's much sweeter to acknowledge such compliments and wonderful remarks instead of lifting up your own pedestal to make yourself look higher than others.

In any team project, it's much better to see the good things that others have done. It's more humbling to know that there definitely are people who are way better than you. Be happy and acknowledge their achievements.  In the same way, other people will also compliment you for a job well done

The world will be a nicer place to live in if we loosen the focus on ourselves and bring the spotlight on others.

Here's a video that you may find interesting.

Yearning for more sleep

Since the start of the semester, I haven't gotten enough sleep. I surely have no one else to blame but myself.

This may sound like more of a confession rather than a regular blog post but I have been yearning to get more sleep these past few days. If I'm fortunate, I can get five hours of sleep on a weekday after a busy day in school and at home.

I do enjoy every bit of work that I do whether that would be in the college or at my home but frankly, I once thought that there should have been 28 hours in a day instead of 24. This says something about the amount of work that I do; I feel like that things never get done when I have piles of newly washed clothes to fold and a long list of errands to do during the week. Somehow to wish that there were more hours in a day is like going against the natural course of order (whatever that may be). If there's only 24 hours in a day, I better 'take the time' and get a good night's sleep whenever I can. I believe that there are many things in life that we can edit, but we can't surely edit the number of required hours of sleep that we should be getting each day in order to keep our bodies functioning well and healthy.

Today I had my wake-up call with regards to taking care of myself. I had 'edited' myself too much in terms of the hours of sleep that I'm getting each day that it already came to the point that I'm already justifying to myself that 4 or 5 hours of sleep is good; well in fact, it's really not.

So in the course of the next few weeks before we say 'goodbye' to this wonderful semster, I will try my best to get some more sleep even if it means leaving some things undone. After all, shouldn't our sleep be a priority? Be careful not to edit this one out.

Social Media and the Election

The election is definitely over and we already have our winners but I won’t be talking about the loss of my candidate for councillor who should have won.

The recently concluded election saw a variety of campaign styles from candidates running for different positions. Many candidates in my ward used the expertise of campaign operatives to ensure that they were able to communicate their messages to their audiences. Candidates in my ward used posters, brochures and lawn signs, and just a few of them used social media (Facebook and Twitter) to further expand their campaign strategies.

I think that the use of social media by a few of the candidates in my ward was effective in a sense that there was an exchange of messages happening as well as ‘conversations’ between candidates and their constituents.

My candidate used social media effectively in a way that he exchanged conversations with the voters. Aside from his virtual presence on Facebook, I appreciated the fact that my candidate for councillor visited all residents in my street during the campaign period (Talk about the effectiveness of interpersonal communication!). When he dropped by my house to talk to me about his agenda and of course, introduce himself as a candidate running for councillor, I was very impressed with his people skills (and his wits, too); I said to myself, “This is the guy who should represent my ward.”

Just like in any ‘major’ decisions in life, I treated the election seriously. I made some research on my candidates online by looking at their websites, Facebook pages, etc. and even bothered reading the newspapers and printed materials given out. My candidate for one prompted interest among voters to talk about issues concerning our ward—I think that this was a great and honest move made by my candidate and to find out as well what the residents thought about certain issues was a definite plus.

How many candidates out there who ran for public office (including those who just won) really took the time to ‘listen’ to their constituents? I am in a way disappointed that the candidate who just won the councillor seat in my ward didn’t even bother to pay his constituents a visit during the campaign period nor even bothered to ‘engage’ himself through an exchange of discussion or conversation (either in person or even through social media—if he ever used one which I doubt).

The use of social media as an election campaign tool is very effective. Not only is it a way for the candidate to promote himself but it’s a good way to engage with your voters. I think that replies coming from people through social media are valuable feedbacks that can be assessed or evaluated. Information once gathered and evaluated can help a candidate re-formulate his agenda or plans once in office. This information can be useful too, in a way that it can give a candidate a reflection on how the voters really feel towards his campaign or a certain issue.

I guess that to talk about whether social media really does increase one’s chances of winning is yet another topic to blog about.

It would just be hard to 'edit out': The Russell Williams' case

There is an unsettling feeling when I read news that talk about crime; maybe because I feel for those people who fell victims in the hands of calloused and cold criminals.

This morning, my classmate presented the case of disgraced ex-colonel Russell Williams as her 'PR in the News'. It was a well delivered presentation that showed us the timelines of the case. As PR majors, we listened to the facts objectively and analyzed the situation critically; it was in that position that we were looking at the situation from a third-person's point of view and looking at the situation from different angles, considering the audiences or people affected by the case.

In the news, the facts were presented and have to be presented. In as much as anyone who has a weak heart and doesn't have the strength to hear all those horrible details, the facts have to be told and have to be known. It's just like the investigators who handled the case; they didn't know what to expect but because they have to follow certain procedures in order to help them solve the case, their being objective led them to solving the case. The facts were laid out to them in all of its horrible details.

Now it makes me think that even after Williams was convicted of the terrbile crimes he committed, it would be hard to forget or 'edit out' what really took place or even forget about the facts that were made known to the public. The decision also to keep the videos and photos in a safe place will be a contant reminder of the terrible and shameful things he had done. This case is now part of history-- he's now considered one of Canada's worst criminals. That will surely be hard to edit out no matter what he plans to do many years from now.

Not So Glee About 'Glee' On GQ

Glee spirals its popularity not only among the younger audiences but also with the older audiences, too. In the November 2010 issue of GQ magazine, actors Lea Michele (Rachel), Dianna Agron (Quinn), and Corey Monteith (Finn), posed for the popular men’s magazine. The racy photo shoot raised eyebrows particularly The Parents Television Council (TPTC) watchdog group, which said that the photos “border on pedophilia.” High heels, short skirts, skimpy panties, and provocative poses dominated the November issue.


Glee is a musical comedy-drama television series on Fox. It is a story about a high school glee club New Directions competing on the show choir compettion circuit, whose diversified members deal with relationship, sexuality and social issues. Since its debut on television in 2009, it became a pop-culture hit among millions of viewers in the US and gaining momentum worldwide.

There are many views regarding this photo shoot. There were those who said that Glee is not really a show for teens but it has always been an adult show. So its photo shoot for the November 2010 issue of GQ magazine is no big deal. The photos were catered for older audiences (men, in this case). On the other side of the spectrum, many people said (including TPTC) that the photos in this issue "is an example of overt sexualization of young girls in entertainment."

After I have read the news and glanced at a few photos, I cannot believe but be surprised. I have always viewed Glee as a top-rating show for teens and young adults, and since the concept of this show is set in high school, it is something for teenagers to watch. And mind you, young children as well watch this popular TV hit series since it aired on primetime television. My concern over this issue is this- even if the people responsible for this photo shoot said that the cast who appeared in this November issue are in their 20s or near their 30s and are already adults, a lot of the show’s younger audiences idolize these actors and view them as role models (unfortunately now). The branding set by the show made the cast an indispensable item in almost every American household; with millions of teens looking forward to watching every episode, every week. When you walk into a grocery store with your young child and see this issue, what would they think? Obviously, children and teenagers alike will recognize their Glee idols but shown in a different light. You may argue that GQ is a magazine for older men and that no teenager (I do hope so) in his right mind would buy it; but the issue here is, Glee has been exploited to the point that it’s bordering into this kind of sexual tolerance. Yes, sexuality is a thing that many teens face these days, but should you push it over to the limit that you're like saying, "Okay, it's alright to see my teenaged girl in scanty panty and doing a provocative pose with a lollipop in her mouth." The reason also on 'why' girls are viewed as sexual objects is because of the fact on how media depicts them; and an example of this are the photos shown on this issue. We all know that older men read GQ and when you have such photos of girls in teenage-like attire, you're already giving these men unfavourable ideas towards women (especially towards young girls). It's also like teaching and showing girls how to be promiscuous. In simple terms, it's like playing on deadly grounds. Overall, it’s not just appropriate. Glee is a brand well liked by many young people and there’s responsibility that goes with it. Whoever thought of this photo shoot never thought about the fact on how this will affect the show's younger audiences.
Glee would still continue to be a popular show (or may even get more popular after this issue), but what is your stand regarding this? Should Glee (including cast and the people behind the show) have considered thinking about this racy photo shoot in the first place? How do you think this will affect millions of its fans?... share your thoughts.

Tricky Words Only Push Us To Be Better Editors

I came across an article entitled "English is Too Hard to Read for Children," by Anushka Asthana in The Observer (Sunday, 8 June 2008). In her article she said that the English spelling system is "unspeakably, absolutely awful." That is because of a conclusion in a research that found children facing around 800 words by age 11 which hinder their reading because of the way these words were spelled. These words challenge kids just because they contain letter combinations. Such examples would be monkey, asparagus, spinach, caterpillar, and handkerchief. 

Literary researcher Masha Bell thinks that there were words in the list that could be made simple by dropping certain letters.  An example would be dropping the letter i in friend and u in shoulder. The tricky spellings make English particularly difficult for children with dyslexia and those from disadvantaged homes who are less likely to be read to by their own parents.

This reminds me that in editing, we have to custom-fit our writings to the audience we're writing to. It wold be wishful thinking to say that we can edit in whatever way we want. There are still correct sentence structures to follow; proper writng formats to bear in mind; and several other guidelines to look into every time we work on an article.

When it comes to spellings, editors like myself have to be alert when scrutinizing bodies of copy. Somehow this is a test on how well I know my vocabulary by heart; words that I've learned while growing up; and words that I'm still learning along the way.

If only editing could be as simple as taking a letter out from a word but still, that would be wishful thinking, and absolutely too far from becoming a reality.

The Peak of Unprofessionalism: What'sYour View?

Fox News commentator Bill O'Reilly irked fellow guests Whoopi Goldberg and Joy Behar at Thursday's The View on ABC, when he commented that Muslims were responsible for 9/11. The heated exchange of arguments between O'Reilly and the show's guest co-hosts, prompted Goldberg and Behar to walk-off the set.

The now infamous disagreement was on the topic of the proposed building of a New York mosque near Ground Zero. O'Reilly was heard commenting, "Muslims killed us on 9/11" and as a reaction, Goldberg and Behar went off the set leaving O'Reilly with the other co-hosts of The View. At that particular moment, the discussion was far from over. Barbara Walters did some damage control and said,

”You have just seen what should not happen. We should be able to have discussions without washing our hands and screaming and walking offstage. I love my colleagues, but that should not have happened.”

I watched the video at least a few more times and frankly, it was very untoward of Goldberg and Behar to leave the set like that to show their disagreement with O'Reilly. I was expecting a far more civil and professional reaction from these ladies, but they just realized my worst nightmare. Whether you are an interviewer for a day-time or night-time show doesn't really make a difference. I think that there is still an unwritten code to be followed in leading a proper interview when on-air. It's alright to express different views about a certain topic and I can understand that in most times, the discussions can get out of hand but the control should be with the interviewers themselves and should show a level of professionalism at all times. You cannot simply walk-off the set and leave your interviewee (and the rest of the world)... that is simply setting a bad example. Ironically on the other side of things, The View is  a top-rated day-time show (although I am not one of its avid viewers) and the co-hosts themselves have a penchant to talk on top of each other (like chickens clucking endlessly in a barnyard; 'sorry' but this is the closest illustration I can give you) and somehow, that has been the show's identifiable mark. Overall, what happened is just like mere 'entertainment,'-  'for your 'pleasure' so to speak; but I wouldn't settle with that. I would rather see a more professional handling of this matter, which Walters did with such grace and ease.

So, what's your view?...

Editing & Parenting Go Together

One time in our online and editing class, our instructor asked us to name some areas or ways where and when we can use editing. I didn't share my answer at that time, maybe because I was busy contemplating on how I can use editing into my parenting skills. Images started to flood my mind- situations when my little angels were subjected to my disciplining or to my sweet doses of reminders and helpful instructions.  So now, here are the ways on how editing can be used into my parenting skills:

1. When giving instructions to my kids, I make it very simple and clear.
Children have a very short attention span (and sometimes, adults too!) so if there's anything that I need to come across, I make sure that my instructions are given in bits and pieces, and not in big chunks. Children are more prone to follow if simple and step-by-step instructions are given. As a parent, my supervision and guidance are things that I offer all the time. This reminds me that just like editing big chunks of written material, it's also good to be concise and straght to the point.

2. I am a parent, so I should act like one.
Being a parent doesn't have to be a serious and awfully boring job;  In fact, being one is a whole lot of fun!  To be a parent is a 24-hour job just because  everything that you do is for your kids' welfare and that you always have to be there when they need you. To be a parent is a full-time position and there is no resignation allowed. In raising kids, parenting is something that I do all the time. I look after my kids' best interests by being concerned with their physical, mental, social, emotional, and spiritual health. If there are occasions that I need to discipline my kids especially when they needed to go to bed early for school, I have to let the 'parent' in me control the situation by reminding them not to eat too much before bedtime so they'll be able to sleep more easily. Just like in any editorial work, the editor has to wear his hat when editing and feedback is given so as to improve the writer's job.

3. "I walk the talk" & "I talk the walk" as a parent.
Kids are keen observers- frankly, you cannot fool them. Once they hear you say something and you don't do what you've just told them, they would be quick to point out your mistake. Being a parent is surely not an easy job; as a parent, I am definitely not immuned from committing mistakes. Most of these are unintentional but a great deal of effort is done on my part to "mean what I say," and "say what I mean." You will gain their trust more easily if you are sincere in  every word you say and do. Tough job, isn't it? Once you know how to go about it, it will be much easier to 'edit out' anything that doesn't belong in the picture.

In general, different parents have different parenting styles; so far, these are the ways that work best for me. I do my editing as a parent on a constant basis trying to see, feel, and study the 'pages' where my kids are in.

Good PR from Pirate Jack

Pirates of the Caribbean star Johnny Depp turned up at a south-east London school to the surprise of many students. Nine-year-old Beatrice Delap wrote to "Captain Jack Sparrow" (played by Depp in the movie) asking for help with an uprising against teachers. "We are a bunch of budding young pirates and we were having a bit of trouble mutiny-ing against the teachers, and we'd love if you could come and help," Delap wrote in her letter.

Captain Jack Sparrow is the big draw in the Pirates of the Caribbean sequels. It's this movie franchise that gave Depp his chest of enviable treasures, that even actor Kevin Kline admitted to feeling jealous towards Depp's great success. Even before the Pirates of the Caribbean movie, Depp had already established a niche in Hollywood. His first acclaimed movie Edward Scissorhands showed his versatility as an actor and the idiosyncratic persona that goes with it. Edward Scissorhands is a fave of mine because from the moment I saw the movie, I knew then that Depp has great potential to make it big. I already believed since then that he has what it takes to be a league of his own and carve a name for himself in Hollywood.

Going back to the primary school where Depp made a surprise appearance, it's interesting to know that he dropped by in his full pirate regalia; the students (and I believe even the teachers) were ecstatic and that by the mere presence of Depp, made a lot of students cheer and call out his name.

Depp's surprise visit definitely brought this kid's show and tell a higher level up. Not only is he an actor loved by many because of his great portrayals of many characters, but Depp also knows how to please his audience- well, his very young audience in this case. Depp was in London at that time filming for the next instalment of the Pirates of the Caribbean movie. We can tell that he had a very busy schedule but he found a way not to disappoint his nine-year-old fan.

If Johnny Depp would appear in your school as Captain Jack Sparrow, wouldn't you feel ecstatic that a pirate like him, is so accomodating? Captain Jack surely knows how to please his audience. So the next time you see yet another instalment of the Pirates of the Caribbean movie, you can easily predict that Depp will probably get nominated for the nth time and that his character Captain Jack will win the hearts of many adults and children alike.

Junk the bad copy

Everyday I receive a lot of mail-  it's a combination of 'very important' ones like personal letters, subscription magazines, and bills as well as 'junk mail.' Like what most companies do especially those who still believe in the power of direct mails, they would send thousands of coupons, subscription offers, samplers, catalogues, and other direct mailers to clueless residents in Winnipeg. Just like most of you do, I am not exempted from receiving these stuff in my mailbox every week.

There is this one particular direct mailer that I didn't bother reading from the start (or maybe at least I've read it a couple of times). In fact, I have been receiving the 'same letter' (same copy, same layout) from this local company for the past five years. It came to the extent that this letter starts to annoy me, and somehow, I feel a bit of pity towards the marketing guy or even the owner himself for a badly written copy. I have a feeling that he's not getting the marketing mileage he wants; but the point is, why waste thousands of paper printing the same bad copy, year after year? If you're a business owner, think about the promotional value of your direct mailers for instance. Make every cent count; even if it's just one piece of ordinary paper. But I believe that with the case we have in hand, the owner doesn't mind after all. Is it maybe because he's 'content' getting let's say, 50 leads out of the 1,000 direct mailers he printed in one quarter?... Still, the value for your money doesn't add up.

So here is the infamous copy I was talking about. Note the redundant punctuation marks used. Obviously, this copy is subject to editing. Read on!


"Our No Tax Event ... Plus Don't Pay For One Year!"

Why should you have to pay sales tax?? During our No Tax event, we will pay the taxes on any purchase of a Premier or Optimum furnace and air conditioning bundle. That's right, you can get a top-of-the-line furnace and air conditioner now and save hundreds of $$$$ in sales taxes during this limited time event!

Dear Homeowner,

Is your furnace ready for the cold winter ahead? For a limited time, I am going to pay the tax for you on any Premier or Optimum furnace and air conditioning bundle you purchase from me. You can use the omeny save to pay for family vacation, a new TV, or whatever you like.


...and the copy goes on. Maybe after reading this, you have found a few or several mistakes which need to be corrected. After typing the excerpt from the direct mailer above, I have also noticed that the copy broke a couple of rules. For one, if you want to emphasize a point in your direct mailer (especially in the body copy), it's either you highlight the words or simply underline it. To use both in the same text or words is overemphasizing and it just doesn't look good- it's just like throwing a pie on someone's face. The other thing I've found is the 'cliche' that some companies use in selling their wares. Can't they think of something more original and exciting?...

What's your verdict?... Feel free to share it with me.

How I Appreciate You, Public Relations!

In yesterday's Winnipeg Free Press, I've read an article about the successful fundraising effort of Raise-a-Reader  which took place Wednesday, Sepember 29th. The local event was part of a national campaign that started in 2002 by the Asper family with their chain of newspapers. This campaign is now run by Postmedia Network. The local event saw the support of many volunteers stationed at 17 locations around the city who were hawking copies of the Free Press. The event raised $46,000, including corporate sponsorships, donations, and money raised from the RAR concert series.

This may sound like a simple event but I believe (just like any PR peep would agree), that a lot of planning and preparation were involved in coming up with a successful endeavour. If I were to rewind and give a flashback of what probably took place behind the scenes, the people responsible for this event did their job really well. So what makes this event successful? Research including evaluation from the previous Raise-a-Reader event, and a strategic communication plan.

A year ago when I started on my first year in creative communications, I would never have thought of the bulk of work involved in coming up with an event. Not to mention the dynamics of coming up with a publicity plan and the logistics of sorting out and managing the different areas, which I believe is a real challenge to anyone who is focused to meeting the objectives and achieve the desired outcomes. What inspires me to look into the different fundraising  events in the city (and elsewhere) is the creativity involved in reaching out to the  target audiences. Who is it for ? Why would they care? What's in it for them? As an aspiring public relations practitioner, I would know for sure that these are not the only questions I would be asking myself. I would undoubtedly get right to work and do a thorough or comprehensive study of the situation considering the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats involved. I also want to make sure that a solid foundation is established for my communication plan and the only way to do that is to come up with a solid research that will pave the way to a strategic plan.

As I continue to read and find out more about different 'creative' initiatives done by different organizations in helping raise funds for various causes, the more I appreciate the role of public relations and effective communication in the life of a community.

Pictures Help Tell The News

When people hold their newspapers, they notice the big headlines and the pictures. These are the things that draw their attention. If the pictures look interesting, they will read the captions which are the short pieces of text or descriptions beside or below the picture.

If I don't have enough time to read the newspapers, I normlly glance through the pages and if I find the pictures very interesting or intriguing, I would stop briefly and just read the accompanying text.  If I find time to read the papers later on the day, I would go back to those pictures again and read the stories beside it.

It's interesting to think how photos or even graphics on newspapers and magazines help 'sell' the news stories to the readers. Photos and graphics have become marketing 'tools' to help promote a news story, and sell the publication- at least in my own opinion. I would know an attention-grabbing photo with a very good caption when I see one. Photos in general should be able to tell you the news. Although photos cannot do it alone, it cannot give readers all the answers to the story like Who? What? Where? When? Why? and How?  In this case, captions should be able to make it clear to the readers what's happening in the picture or who is in it.

If you're able to see today's paper, is there any picture that caught your attention? And, did you ever bother to read the caption? I thought then that looking at pictures (including graphics) and the corresponding captions serve as a good exercise to anyone interested in copy editing. We undoubtedly use our common sense when we look at pictures and see if the caption helps explain what's being told in the picture. If you were in-charge of putting photos and captions in a print or online publication, you will surely need to have an eye on this stuff but for everyday readers of the Winnipeg Free Press for instance, readers don't necessarily have to build up on that skill; their quick response to look at the picture and read its corresponding caption is enough to tell you that you have succeeded in getting their attention.

Profanity Posted On Facebook

These days, almost everyone goes to Facebook. Even people working from their offices use this site to send messages. But where do you draw the line once somebody sends you an email through Facebook or any other social networking site that contains profanity?

An incident that happened early this year broke out and created public outrage at least in the area of St. Croix Falls when the vice-president of Evergreen Entertainment (Steven Payne) replied to a customer’s unfortunate movie experience with profanity.

The complainant Sarah Kohl-Leaf of Taylors Falls, Minn. Complained in her letter that Payne’s theatre offered no option to purchase tickets with a credit or debit card which left Kohl-Leaf paying for herself and her husband’s ticket in cash.

Sarah Kohl-Leaf complained in her letter that the theater offered no option to purchase tickets with a credit or debit card, meaning she and her husband had to use their cash to see the movie “Shutter Island.” At the time of the incident, the ATM machine located at the theatre lobby was also out of cash. Kohl-Leaf wrote in her letter to the company, "I did not pay 18.00 to have a distracted experience," which was later posted on Facebook. “I would rather drive to White Bear Lake, when they know obviously how to run a theater than have this experience again."

In response, Payne wrote back and said, “Drive to White Bear Lake and also go f*** yourself. If you don’t have money for entertainment, get a better job, and don't pay for everything on your credit or check card. You can also shove your time and gas up your f****** ass. Also, find better things to do with your time. This email is an absolute joke. We don't care to have you as a customer. Let me know if you need directions to White Bear Lake.”

This response to a patron’s complaint is surely not the way to go. In as much as the email was intended to be between Kohl-Leaf and Payne, it’s an email that is virtually available online. This may not be an email for the public to see but after the untoward reply, Kohl-Leaf surely made the issue public by putting up a Facebook group page called “Boycott St. Croix Falls Cinema 8."

This incident is surely a good topic not only in my online print & media class but also in public relations. The damaging comment made by Payne created a stir and more than 4,000 people boycotted his theatre. The comment posted online was beyond repair.

The Breath Of Autumn

It's a Friday today, and I can't help but feel sentimental. I know that I will have a great weekend, spending time with my family and yes, a bit of 'alone' time for myself. The week went by so quickly, maybe because of school and all these coursework but I feel like time just slipped by so fast without me knowing it.

This morning when I walked out of the main door to pick-up my papers, I can't help but notice the leaves of our basswood tree turning yellow. I marvelled at the sight of it although its leaves started to cover the entire front yard which we have to rake at a later time.  The morning air was cold and a bit uninviting, but I made sure I was dressed warmly for the day.

Earlier on today, I was planning to write about a news article I've read the other day but something came over me at this instant and just decided to write something about the coming of this season. I have so much to share and communicate with you but I believe that there are times like this one when we need to pause, step back, and let nature speak to us.

I have always been a chatterbox (at least to my closest friends & family) but I welcomed the idea of 'slowing down' even for a brief moment. Every time I entertain the idea of 'listening' to nature speak, the poetic side of me emerges. I think music composers, poets, and artists alike find the time to be alone and be inspired of what nature has to give. For a communicator like me, I think getting inspiration this way would also be good to help me refresh myself and help renew my mind especially from spending a very hectic week.

This particular post is defintiely not the intellectual type where we can discuss about a certain issue or share our opinions with, but this post is simply a way for me to be inspired and renew my love for writing.

I am sure that I will have a wonderful weekend and that my autumn will be a time for wonderful recollections, past and present.