An evening with Widespread Panic

Widespread Panic will be playing their annual two-night run for New Years this year at Phillips Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. Need I say more? An Athens based band who has been touring the country and a few tours in Europe since 1986 will rise again this year to a sold out crowd of 30k full of wookies and spun out hippies roaming around wondering where they are. Me personally? I go for the music, been seeing them since 2000. First occasionally a few shows a year, then as I graduated from high school, I knew I wasn't ready for college. The greatest three years of my life was traveling around the country seeing them anywhere from the Gorge, the the Beacon in New York to Red Rocks and all the way to Paulo Soulari, NM. Their music bleeds through any other that I have ever heard. A band who started out with just Mikey Houser and John Bell playing around Athens while going to school at UGA during the early 80's formed into a family type of band, they had no try outs, they formed a element within themselves that let them to one of the top touring acts throughout the 90's and the 21st century. The name Widespread Panic developed from their lead guitarist who was called "panic" in college because he was known to have frequent panic attacks sadly passed away August 12th, 2002. A day I will never forget. John Bell, lead singer who undoubtedly has the best voice in music today is the best kept secret amongst music, as well as the band themselves. They have never been in the business for money, but to spill their soulful music out to thousands of dedicated fans night after night as they have continually been on tour since the early 90's. You will not find Widespread Panic playing your routine BS Rolling Stones act, same song after one night. No, they have never played the same set list twice. After the sad death of Houser, they picked up guitar legend Jimmy Herring, who has been filling the shoes of guitarists such as Dickey Betts, Jerry Garcia and now Michael Houser, and he has proved that he is fit for the band. This year I am going with my buddies I have not hung out with in a few years, Johnny and Brian. If Johnny's got my right side, then Brian has my left and my buddy Brock must have his fist around my soul, yeah boy howdy this is gonna be a good one. This is no dress rehearsal, we ARE professionals and this IS the big time. It's been fun. These are your holidays.

What are you thankful for?

Thanksgiving is a very important holiday to me and has become more important to me as I have progressed through college. Before this year, Thanksgiving was just a few days off. Now this year I am thankful to have the entire week off to start those projects that are due at the end of the semester. I am thankful that our school lets us out for an entire week instead of 3 days. This week lets me focus more and gives me more time to get the little things done. I am also very thankful as usual to be spending Thanksgiving day with my inner and outer family. There's nothing better than frying a turkey in my opinion. Also, love the smell going on in mom's kitchen all day today and tomorrow. Looks like this year is gonna be a winner. Happy Thanksgiving.

Go Eagles

This week is homecoming week at Georgia Southern University. I love the spirit in the air, the only problem I have is the scheduling for homecoming, I have never liked it. Every year it is so close to the end of the semester that I am usually overloaded with school work to actually go to any of the events, except for of course, the game. Besides my rant about the scheduling my favorite part of homecoming week is voting for homecoming queen (I don't vote for the kings) and of course the game. However this year, GSU even though they don't exactly have a killer squad, I will still be attending the game. I am not in a fraternity so I can't really say too much about organizations....... Anyways, not my favorite time of the year, but you can definitely feel the spirit in the air. In high school we got the next day off if we won our homecoming game, I wish that same rule applied at GSU. Until next time...... Go eagles!

Favorite author?

My favorite author that I have came across does not fall under any of the ones I read when taking world lit 1 and 2. I would have to say Hunter S. Thompson would have to be the most appealing writer/author/journalist of all time. Dr. Gonzo, his name from creating what is called "gonzo" journalism, was a very witty man with his words. After being required to read The Great Shark Hunt in one of my classes, Mr. Carr opened up my eyes with the real life, gaunt wrenching writing that could make you smile and also make you wonder about what "really" goes on. Although he took his life, he was a crazy man. From The Great Shark Hunt possibly my favorite short story of his is his hands on experience and journalism of the events that go on during Kentucky derby. The Kentucky Derby is Decadent and Depraved is the name of the story, which includes Thompson's account of swindling people and reporting on the decadent and depraved people of the Kentucky Derby. His writing is too hard to describe in words really, so I will leave it up to you the, reader of this to go out and read some of his work. If you don't like reading than you can view, Fear and Loathing and Las Vegas, which was a movie with Johnny Depp where her portrayed Thompson to a T. Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas was Dr. Gonzo's most popular book, although the movie isn't as good, it's still worth the viewing.

Halloween....

Halloween is my favorite holiday. Seeing how much I love much and traditionally bands play some of their best concerts on Halloween. ex. Widespread Panic, who I have seen them play the last 4 Halloween shows. I'm not quite sure what makes Halloween so special, but I certainly do enjoy dressing up and is usually a time when I regroup with all my old friends that I don't get to hang out with on a regular basis or haven't seen in a long time. For some reason, the Halloween spirit is brought out when bands play. For example, Panic always plays songs that aren't on their usual repertoire. Songs like band on the run by the Beatles, Won't get fooled again by the Who have been some songs they have done in the past. Anyhow, they will not be playing in their usual spot - UNO lakefront arena, New Orleans this year, where voodoo fest also happens in that mess of a town every Halloween. So this year we have decided to venture down to my buddies football college season house, the only house in the neighborhood where you can see the scoreboard of the UGA/FL game. Good people horseshoes and whatever antics that kids my age do. The music choice this year however is something I am looking forwards to. Ever heard of AC/DC? Yeah me too. Never been to one of their concerts, but they are playing friday night in Jacksonville and we got some tickets. Saturday, gameday, probably won't make it to the game or dress up as usual. Not to sad about this, it's gonna be a good time. Definitely looking forwards to the change this year. Next week I will continue with results of how the weekend went, although UGA needs sto straighten up or do something. Hope everyone has a good Halloween.

when dreams come true

There are a lot of jobs and other things I would like to dream of being. Any professional sport is already out of the question, except golf. If I could be on the PGA tour, I will have to say would my dream "job." Watching golf on Sunday evenings has been a habit of mine for awhile. And every time I watch a tournament my mind starts wandering. "How awesome would that be to do something so fun and safe opposed to other sports, I mean you can play golf until you can't see anymore." Professional golfers generally have the longest careers of all professional athletes. What would make being on the PGA tour so fun is the competition. If you want to win money you have to perform to your highest potential. You don't sign 5 year contracts as you would with other sports, so its pretty much up to you to make your money by winning tournaments. - I want to be on the PGA tour, but it's gonna take a lot more practice and steady playing.

Pet peeves.......lets see, I'll start off with pets.

Cat's fur is a huge pet peeve of mine, could it possibly be my allergies? Probably so. Otherwise, pet peeves in my daily life are prominent. In no specific order I will list them. Ok, yeah, when people don't use their turn signals while driving either costs me time or either almost gets me in a wreck. Another one, how awesome is it when your roommates (everyone has had one) that eats all your food, and pretty much contributes to nothing when it comes to cleaning up your house, that he made a mess out of with your own food. Pet peeve. Another pet peeve of mine is people who don't know how to drive, seriously, their should be a 5 year test for all senior citizens just to see if they can drive over 45 miles an hour. Capabilities.

Right now those are the only pet peeves I am going to name because I don't want to sound like I hate the human race. What a sticky situation.

edited for prca tag.

Best TV show? hands down. Seinfeld

Why?
The show is genius because theres never been another like it, honestly. Its a show about nothing, yet everything. Its about life's daily occurrences along with things that people all think, and feel, but the characters actually do. There will never be a TV show similar to Seinfeld, holding up strong for 9 seasons and the collaboration of Larry David and Jerry Seinfeld made this TV show so special. The timing of its era on television also makes it quintessential to its surroundings and timing of the late 80's and 90's. Now Larry David has his own show called Curb Your Enthusiasm, which currently is in its new season, and Larry David pretty much is the same character of George Costanza. Hopefully, I don't need to let you know who George Costanza is, because if you have never seen a Seinfeld episode, you are in the dark.
If you get a character breakdown on this show - the personalities are all perfect for the setting of a show about nothing, with nothing but bottomless relationships, George always getting screwed, Elaine always struggling with relationships, Jerry who the main man with a witty mind and then crazy Kramer. Kramer was actually a character that Larry David lived next in an apartment complex. ( seinfeld trivia for you )
The way the whole show was put together was a masterpiece in itself. From the opening conversation in the very first episode about the top button of a button up shirt and it's non-importance when you're not wearing a tie is the same conversation they have in the last episode sitting in a jail cell for all the petty crimes they committed throughout the years. (theres a little more Seinfeld trivia for you)
There will not be another show similar to Seinfeld for many years to come, if at all. Because they only make one Larry David and one Jerry Seinfeld.

This weekend, the whole Seinfeld cast will appear on Curb Your Enthusiasm on HBO at 9 p.m.


PRCA #3330

great topic class.

Obama's case for health care reform - good or bad?

When it comes to the new health care reform, I believe we are taking the right steps. Obama's administration is doing a good job with the tactics lined up for his reform. Personally, I have health insurance, and this reform is supposedly to give those with health insurance more stability and more security. However, I have heard those who don't have health care will be receiving it out of our pockets. I know that not everyone can afford health care, but I believe they should make some kind of law that if you make over a certain amount of money per year, it should be mandatory. Our country will always, have people who can't afford health care. Just like car insurance, if you can have a car, you should have health insurance. However, there are a lot of people who don't believe they need health care when they certainly need it. I don't want to cover someone's emergency room bill that could afford it, when they opted not to. You never know what is going to happen from moment to moment. Therefore I am all about his health care reform, however, I do realize that some people cannot afford, and I am willing to pay out of my pocket for their expenses.

#PRCA 3330

Seeing Store Shelves Through Senior Eyes

What makes this news story that was in The Wall Street Journal on 9/14/09 so newsworthy?

This article talks about seniors and their ability to go shopping and what restraints they go through when shopping. As I read this article I realized its importance in a few different ways. The glove simulates an old person who could possibly have arthritis attempting to pick something off of the shelf, along with the glasses he is wearing to represent impaired vision.
By the time we are in the year 2011, baby boomers, who take up 20% of our consumer buying will be 65. They are expected to spend over $50 billion over the next decade on consumer products nit he US. Old people are not going to buy something if they cannot see it. therefore measures are being taken by Rite-Aid and Walgreens amongst others to snsure that colors and lighting are used correctly to facilitate the elderly needs.
This article shows how important the elderly are in our environment. Larger printing ads for stores that elders often shop at such as Rite-Aid will inform them of better deals in their weekly coupon books. The significance of this article is based mostly on baby boomers and those who are already in their older ages, of 65 and above. Although this does not relate much to generate Y or X, if these actions are taken now to assist the elderly then we will have little to worry about when we hit that age. This news article shows how certain companies care about their consumers and how they are taking action in facilitating them. #PRCA 3330

Let's talk about the legal issues of Public Relations

Public Relation writers as well as firms along with all other responsibilities have to watch what they say. Anything you say, create, or distribute can hold you to legal trouble. First I will talk about libel and defamation. According to the AP stylebook, "libel is injury to reputation. Words, pictures or cartoons that expose a person to a public hatred, shame, disgrace or ridicule, or induce an ill opinion of a person are libelous. Today we refer to this as defamation. Which kind of reminds me of being a situationalist. There is a wide spectrum that can be considered defamation, it pretty much all comes down to that person knowing INTENNIONALY hurting someones, pride, hurt them monteraly, damage of reputation or suffering to name a few.
When in front or juries there comes 4 points that can be proved to be defamation to any party, including corporations. Truth has always been the traditional defense against libel charges however, opinions do have an effect on the outcome. Through the U.S. Constitution which protects freedom of speech brings up the concept of the fair comment privilege. The fair comment defends mainstream journalists, sometimes radio show hosts, mainstream journalists, and also, probably one of the most important, critical comments of organizational exec's.

When talking about defamation, you can't not have infringement and copyright come into the equation. Copyright by definition is the protection of creative work from unauthorized according to our text book. The US copyright law of 1978 says "copyright protection subsists, in the original works of authorship fixed in any tangible medium of expression now known or later developed." By authorship they are referring to literary works, musical works, dramatic works, motion pictures, pantomimes, pictorial and other graphic work. However, a copyright does not protect ideas, but how the ideas are expressed. For example, you can use a concept for a movie, but you couldn't express that particular idea with the same characters in the same text etc.... Copyrights protects material for 70 years and 95 years from publication rights held by corporations for example The Walt Disney Company. Copyright infringement is referred to the unauthorized use of material that is protected under the copyright law, which goes hand in hand with plagiarism.
Lastly, trademarks are another topic for discussion when it comes to these topics. A trademark is pretty much a word made up by a company or slogan of the same. For example "have it your way" which I am pretty sure is Burger King's slogan. Anyways, burger king or mcdonalds, I think we get the point. There are three basic guidelines for trademarks according to our book and those are, that trademarks are proper adjectives, and should be capitalized and followed by a generic noun or phrase. Trademarks should also no be pluralized or used in the possessive form. And lastly trademarks are never verbs. #prca3330

it's been fun, see ya next week, world.

Gov't pushing for more clean energy manufacturers

Manufacturers that start the use of equipment that uses cleaner more environmental friendly equipment will receive a direct tax credit. This will eliminate them having to wait for a tax credit refund. Companies that will receive this benefit will have to produce equipment for eligible clean energy products such as wind, solar, geothermal, fuel cell, and energy conservation technologies. In this 2.3 billion recovering acts form, the gov't hopes to push more companies to using these clean energy products. I think this is a great way for more companies to go green. The fact that they will get a direct tax credit is a suitable condition for them to go green, especially in this economy. In the words of John Hanger, Department of Environmental Protection Secretary, ""This direct payment tax credit not only stimulates the economy, but will also support the continued growth of clean energy industry and keep Pennsylvania moving forward in its quest for energy independence." This information was taking from prnewswire.

more to come
#PRCA 3330
-jj

First blog via class PR writing

I just gave my introduction to the class. I have been living in California all summer. Working on different film sets for Matt Muschamp. I had a blast and am looking forwards into getting into the film business. Although what I learned out there this summer is that a lot of the film industry has been moving out of LA in to the south. So I am looking forwards to where my future leads me.