Equally Cursed and Blessed

Today was one of just plain awfulness. Almost every aspect of the day that could have gone badly did so.
Woke up tired - hurried to finish PR Research Methods and Assessments paper before work - found out halfway through giving a tour that my school group was part of the ESL program and could barely understand English - printers were backed up in Hammer Lab - kept nodding off in PR RM's and A's - got charged too much for Chinese food - had my Physics teacher randomly talk about the importance of insects - got a migraine - called my grandmother since it was her birthday and she just sounded...old - tried on Halloween costume, doesn't fit - dinner (more Chinese food) was an hour late - had two trackers sign up for my Airwave slot (thankfully both didn't show up).

It sounds terrible for anyone to rant and rave and whine like that, but one must understand that these past two weeks of midterms have by far been the worse since starting college. What with all the Jewish holidays and the Debate, I've missed so many classes and put off work that I just ended up overwhelming myself. Not to mention I can't say no to helping some one out and I'm an overachieving perfectionist (goddamn me). It is somewhat encouraging to think I can't be the only one with constant migraines, lack of sleep, and a tendency to cry in front of the entire Marketing Department.....it's all worth it in the end though, right? Character building? Maybe one day I'll show off my bicep?

And to THINK they wanted to place trackers during my slot so I couldn't have the ONE thing that is all mine. I am too young to have children, I have no significant other, and my family is two hours away, all I have--- I spoke too soon...a tracker just walked in. GAHHHH

This was fun to find from PR week - student run agencies. The article made me think about how I want to take PRestige, call it my baby, and rework it to something better. Right now, we meet twice a week with just the main staff. I wish we could set it up more as a conference and include everyone involved with the committees. If only, if only.

Oh! and I just got Glue . What happens is that you download this application that sits in your toolbar. It is supposed to track sites you visit and take note of books, music, and movies you look at. "Friends" can follow you and track whether they have the same interests. It doesn't work on all sites - for example, I listen to music on thesixtyone primarily. Glue doesn't acknowledge the artists I look up on that site, but it does on Last.FM. Also, when listening to music and opening Glue, the song stops and you have to restart the browser all over again. I'm trying to be as fair as possible and not to purposely look at sites. I want to see how well Glue tracks what I look at. Hopefully in the future Glue will track what blogs and sites you visit.
what really matters is what you like, not what you are like. books, records, films -- these things matter! Call me shallow, it's the fucking truth." -High Fidelity-

This week's Airwave Playlist:

artist	song	album	C/A/R
Portugal the Man	Lay Me Back Down	Censored Colors	C
Amanda Palmer	Runs in the Family	Who Killed Amanda Palmer	C
Boy Eats Drum Machine	Planets + Stars	Booomboxxx	C
Arctic Monkeys	Brainstorm	Favorite Worst Nightmare	A
Miniature Tigers	The Wolf	Tell It to the Volcano	C
Thao	Fear and Convenience	We Brave Bee Stings and All	A
Shugo Tokumaru	Green Rain	Exit	C
El Guincho	Palmitos Park	Alegranza!	C
Black Lips	It Feels Alright	Good Bad Not Evil	A
Lykke Li	Dance Dance Dance	Youth Novels	A
Santogold	Creator	-----------------	A
Karl Blau	Mockingbird Diet	Nature's Got Away	C
Hot Lava	Blue Dragon	Lavology	C
School of Seven Bells	Half Asleep	Alpinisms	C
Beirut	Postcards from Italy	Gulag Orkestar	A
Deerhoof	Offend Maggie	Offend Maggie	C
TV On the Radio	DLZ	Dear Science	C
Pop Levi	You Don't Gotta Run	Never Never Love	C
Ratatat	Falcon Jab	LP 3	R
Rafter	Sassy	Sweaty Magic	C
Hot Chip	Wrestlers	Made In the Dark	A
The Heavy	Set Me Free	Great Vengeance and Furious Fire	A
Her Space Holiday	Same Song Sing Along	Sleepy Tigers	C
Mad Gregs	White Out	Big Nun	C
Dan LeSac vs. Scroobius Pip	Thou Shalt Always Kill	Look for the Woman	A
M.I.A.	Paper Planes	Kala	A
Peter Bjorn and John	Objects of My Affection	Writer's Block	A
The Receiving End of Sirens	Disappear	The Earth Sings Mi Fa Mi	A
Self Against City	Record Store	Pigs	A
VHS or BETA	She Says	Equally Cursed and Blessed	A
Starf*cker	Myke Petyson	Starf*cker	C
The Mountian Goats	Lovecraft in Brooklyn	--------------------	C
Karl Blau	Make Love that Lasts	Nature's Got Away	C

Over 600 Sarah Palin costumes have been sold at Ricky's Halloween Costume Superstore in Manhattan - courtesy of NYTimes

I spent two hours last night rewriting my resume and updating my Linkedin profile. I have three papers due tomorrow and Friday as well as a French test I NEED to do well on. As of late, what with so many priorities, it is hard to choose what deserves more attention. I value my education above anything else. When I selected Public Relations as my major, I should have realized that I had to cast my scholarly self aside in order to enhance my chances of recieving a successful career in PR.

I've been fully more appreciative of Mark Twain's philosophy: "I have never let my schooling interfere with my education." Steve Rubel wrote a blog entry earlier last week about how PR professionals need to find new ways to simplify their lives. I'm doing so by listening to my French textbook Francophone on audio while blogging and skimming my Google Reader. It's not working. I signed up for a tutor, who I know only as "Sarah". I am meeting with her today for the first time. I'm wondering how to explain to her that my biggest problem with French is my inability to feel motivated to study it - period. Despite the fact it's a beautiful language, I would rather spend my time gaining more points on thesixtyone than listening to recorded voices speaking French and having no idea what they are saying.

Professor Frisina has asked if I could help her create a blog or web album or what not in order to post pictures taken of PR majors at the Presidential Debate. Somehow I have become the "new media" girl despite that fact I am still a novice. I don't think a blog is the right way to go - since it would show photos of the debate, it is dated material and something temporary must be used instead.

In the future I envision making some sort of web source primarily for PR majors to get news about the major, read updates about PRSSA and PRestige, share experiences about internships, or write opinions about PR in general.

I should probably learn French first.

I was going through Gawker and despite the fact this was posted yesterday, this post still cries out for attention. Pepsi spent millions of dollars to create a new logo - probably just to give one lucky graphic designer something to do. Let's compare and contrast:

Money well spent. It reminds me of sailing.

"better a Republican than a drug dealer"

Just left the Educate '08 event "A Daily Briefing: Former White House Press Secretaries Dee Dee Myers and Ari Fleischer" in Monroe Lecture Hall. PR majors were reserved seats in the front from second to fourth rows. Thanks professors and University Relations!

Fleischer said McCain initially had a chance to win this election but due to his reaction to the economic crisis he lost the race. The introduction of Palin as Vice President boosted enthusiasm and "reinforced McCain's maverick convention". Where McCain made his error was by "introducing an unknown" before Palin had a chance to prepare herself, according to Myers. Fleischer stated Palin was a victim of "brutal and biased press coverage". Obama declared his candidacy early enough in the race to make mistakes with little reaction. McCain also erred when misreading the depth of the financial crisis (but we all knew that already).

Myers said the Internet was a large factor in changing the way we view presidential politics. The Obama campaign successfully utilized the Internet to raise funds, transfer info, and to organize and implement their strategies. In general, the role of all media has been redefined. Myers reiterated that even CNN and The New York Times, "mainstream media", have their own websites and blogs. Instant Internet access to information has created "pressure on journalists" according to Myers, having short deadlines and therefore running the risk of inadequate fact checking.

Fleischer predicted that Obama will win and Democrats will be given more power in the government by acquiring more seats in the House and Senate. Democrats will also start to "meddle". Fleischer also said that Palin's "star will rise" and to "not be surprised" if she becomes the first female president (yeah right). Fleischer and Myers both predicted the economy is going to get a lot worse (no shit).

Both Fleischer and Myers said 2008 was a monumental year for one of the longest campaigns in history. Myers compared the lengthy campaign to the 8th inning of the greatest baseball game but "they stopped serving beer two hours ago". Myers said that Election Night will be "uplifting" for all Americans.

Both speakers were excellent, sharing personal stories and cracking jokes. Myers was a pro at creating similes for certain points, such as the fact that trying to find a message in McCain's campaign is like searching for "the prize in the cereal box". Showing the ability to relate is the sure fire way to have an audience place their trust in you.

Myers said that what Obama has over any other candidate in the past is his ability to not get disturbed easily. As a Public Relations enthusiast, how one presents themselves, to me, is a deciding factor of their accountability. Especially in the debates, Obama has presented himself cool, calm, and collected.

sidetrack - it's raining today and I forgot my umbrella. Even when I do remember, it's a miserable experience because the wind always catches on it's red and white hearted nylon brilliance. It never fails that when it is storming on Long Island, I feel like I could fly away like Poppins.

take a trip and multiply

This is leading to be the most glorious weekend ever. I have planned for weeks to go see my friends MR. HURT at Club Europa tonight, but it is also my friend Tiel's birthday. We planned originally to go into the city around 3 to the MOMA and then get Japanese around St. Marks.

THEN

I get an email first from University Relations and then from Assistant Dean Susan Murphy from School of Comm. asking to interview me for WRHU's "Studio South" today to talk about my art show! I'm going in about an hour to record the interview and then we are off. GAH so exciting. Talk about affirmations!


I should have known this day would have been glorious. It was all because I listened to Jamie Lidell's "Multiply" as I fell asleep. I also had a wonderful nutritious midday snack of dark chocolate "autumn color" M & M's and cereal that was a combo of Kaski Go Lean! and Flax Plus Pumpkin Raisin Crunch with vanilla soy milk inside my Tomagotch bowl.

what do you want from me?

It's been a while since I have had an entry. What with the debate, the art show, and midterms, I have had to keep priorities in check. Sadly, I realized that as much as I love writing ALL about myself and my fascinating life, I need to devote more attention and affection to academics.

The gallery reception went wonderfully on Sunday night. Thank you to the 30-odd friends who attended. Throughout the past few days people from every walk of life at Hofstra have come up to me saying what a great exhibit it is. I'm creating a slide show to share on this blog of pictures of my paintings and drawings. I was going to put it up earlier but I didn't want to spoil the surprise for those attending the gallery reception.

There have been many occurrences involving the debate, PRSSA, my job at the LICM, my friends, etc., that have made me think about fairness and debt and being given what you are owed. Margaret Atwood, one of my favorite authors, contributed to the Op-Ed of the New York Times about the "Matter of Life and Debt" today. She brilliantly discusses the economic crisis over debts and then applies it to life and how from an early age we have been concerned over fairness. We forget the "human factor" of being given what we are owed. We work with others in order to recieve a "mutual benefit".

I've read before how the baby boom generation believes that in the work force, it is the amount of time you work at a company that entitles you to a promotion. Younger generations believe that by proving your work ethic and skills make you more deserving of a promotion. I was raised believing that the time AND dedication you give to something, the more rewards you will reap. That is why I have been frustrated as of late. Though random affirmations are great (the assistant dean Susan Murphy has been reading my entries on the PRestige blog. Professor Frisina said my entry about the debate was outstanding.), I have an innate feeling that others are receiving more favors and opportunities than I. It's difficult though; evidently I have a habit of always wanting to do more - family and friends and professors alike tell me I shouldn't worry so much.

It may just an affect of being at this point in college - the "what am I doing with my life" period. Compared with last year, PRSSA meetings have gained almost double the members. I've observed that many majors (mainly broadcasting, journalism, and marketing) have been trying to learn more about public relations because "it's where the money is". It is great for PRSSA, but it doesn't decrease the pressure of having to compete with more students.

In separate conversations with my friend Sara, my committee member Lindsay, and Stacey from LICM, they have all said I'm impressive with all I have done and what I can do. Stacey especially stressed that all of this work and energy spent will be worth it in the end. It will take time though - but the best things are always worth waiting for.

Lately I have been receiving positive karma: tips from work, successful art show, positive feedback about the blogging.

It's all about perspective I guess.

Two trackers in one slot....mehh

Antonio the Truck Driver called again to request Skamper's Number 9. I love having fans.

Tonight may be an all-nighter save 3 hour nights. I have so much to catch up on school work due to volunteering for the Presidential Debate.

This weekend is my show and I'm super excited.
Here is tonight's playlist and concert calendar. I'm sitting here typing this during Greg's slot of Aggressive Edge. The producer, Vinny, is here too. Greg mocks me for blogging now, but eh, he enjoys the gloriously charming company.

Artist	Song	Album	A/C
Women	Shaking Hand	Women	C
Moving Units	Pink Thoughts	Hexes for Exes	A
Land of Talk	Young Bridge	Some Are Lakes	C
Hot Lava	Blue Dragon	Lavology	C
Thao	Fear and Convenience	We Brave Bee Stings and All	A
Flight of the Concords	Business Time	Flight of the Concords	A
Deerhoof	Offend Maggie	Offend Maggie	C
Miniature Tigers	The Wolf	Tell It to the Volcano	C
Portugal the Man	Lay Me Back Down	Censored Colors	C
XX Teens	Sun Comes Up	Welcome to Goon Island	C
TV On The Radio	Dancing Choose	Dear Science	C
St. Vincent	Jesus Saves, I Spend	For AB & Rough Trades Seen and Heard Comp.	C
Deerhoof	The Tears of Music and Love	Offend Maggie	C
Bloc Party	Flux	Flux Single	A
Dirty Projectors	Gimmie Gimmie Gimmie	Rise Above	A
Skamper	Number 9	Thunder Beasts	R
M.I.A.	Paper Planes (DFA Remix)	Paper Planes	A
Starf*cker	Myke Ptyson	Starf*cker	C
Natalie Portman's Shaved Head	Slow Motion Tag Team	Glistening Pleasure	A
Rafter	Sassy	Sweaty Magic	C
Youth Group	Forever Young	Casino Twilight	A
Tobacco	Hairy Candy	F***cked Up Friends	C
Japanese Motors	Coors Light	Japanese Motors	C
Concrete Blonde	Roxy	Group Therapy	A
The Ugly Suit	Chicago	The Ugly Suit	C
The Cribs	Men's Needs		A
Caw! Caw!	Escape the Red Giant	Wait Outside EP	C
Madgregs	The White Out	Big Nun	C
Headlights	Cherry Tulips	Some Racing, Some Stopping	C
TV On The Radio	Love Dog	Dear Science	C

Concert Calendar

Fri 10/17
7:00 PMBeach House, Jana Hunter, Santa Dads, Lexie Mountain Boys, Lesser, Teeth Mountain, Nautical Almanac, Lizz King, Creepers, WZT Hearts, Ed Schrader, Sandcats(le) poisson rouge (Baltimore Round Robin)18+$8

7:00 PMFrom Monument to Masses, Kalpana, Golden City Knitting Factory $8a/$10d

8:00 PMRa Ra Riot, Walter Meego, And The Moneynotes

Music Hall of Williamsburg18+$15

Sat 10/18
11:45 PMDan Deacon, Adventure, Videohippos, Future Islands(le) poisson rouge $8

7:30 PMJohn Vanderslice, Michael Showalter92YTribecaAll Ages$12a/
$15d

CMJ

Tue 10/21
12:00 PMOxford Collapse, Women, Dan Friel, Bridges and Powerlines, The Antlers, Secret Life of Sofia, Hot Lava, Brownwater Cake Shop (Downstairs)21+tba

8:00 PMProject Jenny / Project Jan, Hottub, French Horn Rebellion, Menya, Henny C

Lit (CMJ)21+tba

10:00 PMDeerhoof, Fat Worm of Error, Nymph Spiegeltent18+$16

Wed 10/22
7:00 PMFujiya & Miyagi, Tobacco, Who Made Who Mercury Lounge (CMJ)21+$15

Thu 10/23
8:00 PMThe Magnetic Fields Landmark Loews TheatreAll Ages$35

7:00 PMCrystal Castles, Fujiya & Miyagi, Who Made Who, Lymbyc System

Webster Hall18+$20

Fri 10/24
7:30 PMBroken Social Scene, Land of Talk Brooklyn Masonic Temple (CMJ)18+$25

9:00 PMGang Gang Dance, Growing, Psychic Ills, Sian Alice Group

Santos Party House (CMJ)18+$15

Debate '08

This is how Reb dresses
business casual :
a stellar, Jackie-o like halter dress that is the envy of all the women in the Media Filing Center. Also got recognized by the gorgeous Secret Service Men...but that is simply an aside....this is what happened in the past 36 hours...




At the Long Island Children's Museum yesterday, "Every Child Matters" was created as an event to let local and national leaders to remember the well being of children in politics. A press conference was held as well as a town hall meeting with a panel consisting of David Foulk, Dean of Education and Allied Human Services from Hofstra University and Dana Friedman, Moderator and Executive Director of The Early Years Institute among others. Activities were held for school children such as making "crazy election" hats and voting for their favorite gallery. Since summer school children throughout Long Island were asked to submit tracings of their hands, hoping to decorate the museum with about 1,000 pairs of hands. They received 3,000.


This room has been my home for three days : the prison-like, somewhat barren concession stand of the PFC. The piles of the New York Times and CNN on TV adds to the homeyness. The actual Media Filing Center is something to be impressed with; hundreds of rows of flat screen TVs and seats that will be filled be all important media for tonight's debate.



In the Media Filing Center I answer phone calls from journalists all over the world and people asking if they can buy tickets for tonight's debate. Occasionally there is the frantic phone call from a relations person screaming that they need to speak to so and so right away, CNN needs to do an interview. Occasionally we have had to take messages down for Obama and McCain that will never get to them. Yesterday I typed up the same fact sheet three times in order to print out fifty copies and then throw out to fix an error. I see Professor Geyer and Professor Frisina in action making phone calls and hurriedly typing out press releases. This morning I met Art Harris and tried to help him make it to the Student Center to take pictures of the "action" = Hofstra students. Technically, I got a business card from him, though it was just in order to call about where the van would pick him up.

There are two separate and confusing worlds on campus today. Near the PFC and the Arena is the air of many people waiting around aimlessly, excited but anxious. Fellow students I know carry themselves differently due to the badge around their neck and the business attire they have donned. A new security measure was created today - only a certain amount of Media Center overlay passes were created for those to actually be in the Media Filing Center during the debate. Samuel Rubenfeld of The Chronicle was not happy.

I left from my shift on two and walked onto campus, leaving the high security area. I found mayhem, with the air of a political Woodstock. Demonstrations were in the parking lots, in the Student Center, outside, everywhere and from every walks of life.