Summer TV isn't all crap

It's like 99% crap but the 1% that's cool is pretty legit.

The weirdest combo

Last week I attended a seminar and networking session organized by the ESADE New York Chapter. The seminar was on the changes in communication methods brought about by the digital age. Pretty interesting stuff but what I somehow honed in on was this topic about how messages travel. 

Another alumni mentioned how certain messages are somewhat nebulous in nature and how Obama's political slogan of "Hope" was a perfect example of how such a  message is quite strong. 

We live in a day where we are constantly force-fed messages and slogans. The constant input of messages from corporations and public figures are designed so that the message is ingrained into our brains. McDonalds: I'm Loving it. George Bush. No New Taxes. But, these aren't powerful, lasting messages. They are catchy phrases that cater towards the lowest common denominator.  

What happens with these generic, mass produced messages is that it creates a lack of attachment to the message. People do not identify themselves with the message. They identify the message with the person or business, but that's it. 

What is great about messages like Obama's Hope slogan is that a simple message like that can be analyzed and individualized for a person. I will hear the message of Hope and immediately create imagery and scenario that will match what Obama's Hope is supposed to entail. You will do the same. Every person who has hope for the future, unless you're a stone-cold robot, will craft a story about how Hope fits into their lives. You now believe that Obama will bring Hope, whatever that is. A simple message has transcended into a powerful, meaningful, personal story for each and every person who hears those words. 

The SO is gonna once again think that I'm a closet Twilight fan, but Stephanie Meyer does the same thing with the Twilight series. The Oatmeal did a brilliant analysis of Twilight stating how Edward Cullen is painstakingly described while Bella is a shell of a character, which is exactly what makes Twilight so popular with girls. Because Bella is such a shell, girls can live vicariously through her and be with Edward. They live the romance, they live the angst, they live the godawful vampire-werewolf-Volturi-human crap story. 

The danger with these types of messages/stories is the lack of cohesiveness. What one message/story means to one person will not be consistent with another person's interpretation. A weak link amongst the message receivers. But, as the message grows and spreads, people identify with the other people who have heard the message or read the story. Hey, you've read the book. Hey, you're an Obama supporter. What brought you together was the original message. What strengthened the bond was that you had your own identification with that message and are now believers of the message. A collective. 

I can't believe I just connected Obama to Twilight. I'll never be a respected writer.   

Reliving my childhood one video at a time

Thanks to AC who forwarded me this youtube clip.



Hoping to provide all you oldies with fond memories.

Happy Father's Day!!

The pops and I are gonna get our seafood and steak on in a couple of hours. We keeping it manly fo' sho'.

Couple of videos to pass away a lazy Father's Day Sunday.



Sadly this actually makes me miss West LA. I guess I'll always be a SoCal kid no matter what. Westsiiiiiiide bitches



Crazy Japanese and their sandwiches. How do you say sandwich in Japanese? It's actually just sandwich just said with a Japanese accent. Sandowichi.

I miss 80's and 90's sitcoms

Nostalgia is a powerful thing. I'm pretty sure if I rewatch old sitcoms like Perfect Strangers or Family Matters I'll realize they aren't that great. Maybe they are though? I'd rather not find out and keep that sense of nostalgia so I can always tell the young whippersnappers how sucky their generation is.

In any case, found this youtube clip of The Office recut as an 80s/90s sitcom. It's perfect. 

So after watching this I went on youtube to hunt down the intros from my favorite shows of my childhood. No particular order.

















I'd post more but embedding has been disabled on a bunch of the shows. I was hoping to put up Alf and Saved by the Bell but couldn't find a good video. God I miss my childhood. 

Don't question my sexuality

I love musicals. The production, the costumes, the music. It's really quite fabulous. I've seen Miss Saigon, Les Mis (LA and London productions), The Phantom of the Opera, Damn Yankees, Lion King, Wicked, Spamalot. Now that I live in NYC I really hope to catch more. 

Thank god NPH let everyone know Broadway is not just for gays anymore because I was starting to get worried.

OVERLOAD OF CUTENESS

Stuff like this makes me look forward to being a dad.

The start of my metrosexual-ness

I just added the Kiehls tinted moisturizer with SPF 15 to my morning routine and three nights a week I use the Kiehl's Epidermal Re-Texturizing Micro-Dermabrasion to get "smooth, radiant skin".

This might get out of hand very quickly.

No, I am not plugging my company's products...

Return to sender

I've been busy getting adjusted to my new job and other related and unrelated crap. Life's been good in NYC but it's hectic. Maybe I'll have more time in the future but this summer may be pretty minimal in decent blog content. So you're left with random internet crap.

If my kid ever did this I may just send him back to the manufacturer. I mean come on...

I promise its not disappointing

For Windows users

1. Click on My Computer
2. Click on C:
3. Click on WINDOWS
4. Click on Media
5. Click on onestop
6. Listen

Just trust me.