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BlogCamp 2009: Success!


Describe your BlogCamp experience, what you’ve learned, observations, etc.

When I first heard that BlogCamp was going to be nine hours (!!), I was a little daunted. I thought the time wouldn’t go very fast.

That is not AT ALL how it’s been! There have been so many things going on! Time really has flown. There are only about 15 minutes left now.

I’ve met so many cool people today. I had a great time with the sponsors who were here (Sonic Intern Army, the guys from Toybox Media, the Youth Emergency Shelter, among many others)! So many friends dropped by to cheer me on, which was amazing. The support from everyone has been wonderful. I know a lot more people than I thought! :) I hope everyone who was watching the live cam enjoyed seeing me sing along to “Business Time” and go all Godzilla on that piece of veggie pizza!

I got to meet Mike and Lenny, which was definitely a highlight. I can’t wait to see the rest of the webisodes. In part 2, when Lenny forcefeeds Mike the coffee, I started laughing out loud, which was a little embarrassing, since I was watching it online with my earbuds in, so it definitely looked like I was laughing at nothing.

I’d like to thank Walter from FusedLogic for all his hard work today and for the past few weeks promoting BlogCamp. It’s been a really fun event.

Peace out! Thanks again, everyone! :)

p4020004

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Government in social media


What role should any level of government take in social media? (federal, provincial ,city, crown corporations, educational institutions, etc)

I would be so excited if governments and educational institutions made better use of social media. In particular, I think governments should take advantage of the widespread use of social media among younger demographics in order to raise voter turnout in elections.

The voter turnout for Alberta’s last provincial election was a dismal 41%. That is the lowest turnout for a Canadian provincial election in the last 50 years!

I think a lot more young people would be inclined to vote if a couple of things were to happen:

1) There were a way to vote online without having to go to the polling station. It’s not as big of a deal here in Edmonton to stop by the neighbourhood polling station, but for people in rural areas, the nearest polling station could be a 20 minute drive away, and they might not always be able to go. Also - let’s be honest - people are lazy. I think a lot of people would be more inclined to vote if they could do it without leaving their home.

2) Politicians got more involved with social media and interacted with their constituents directly. It’s hard to be an apathetic voter if your premier/MLA/MP/mayor etc. solicits your feedback and responds to it. This sort of interaction would be a way for youth to be directly involved in policy and feel as if their opinions actually mattered. Websites like dearmrpremier.ca are a huge step in the right direction!

What do all of you think? Would you like an online voting option? Would you use it?

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It’s business time!


I can’t help it. Every time I hear “business,” I think of Business Time:



Ahem. :D

At MacEwan, I’ve learned that business is all about relationships. You have to build them carefully. I guess the above video is not that far off, really: you have to try your best to nurture all your relationships, even if they are sometimes difficult. Being successful in business - in anything! - means persevering!


What have I learned about business? Well, I’m a lot more interested in it than I used to be. A few years ago, I would have never thought I would be a student in the School of Business. As I said earlier, it took me awhile to get here, but I’m so glad I did. Business has a lot of possibilities. I would love to own my own business one day and be able to work for myself.

I think that’s what the most worthy part of business is - the opportunity to go as high as you want. If your ambition is to live in a penthouse in Honolulu and run your own consulting firm, you can do that. Business means making your own life what you want it to be. Just google “business innovation” and see what comes up - over 29 million links about how people all over the world have done amazing things.

I think what all of us in the School of Business want is the opportunity to challenge ourselves. Fortunately my classmates and me, there are lots of challenges to be had. I don’t know about you, but I’m thrilled to start my life and see where it leads. See you in Honolulu!

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Relationships and Technology


As a member of Gen Y, I particularly appreciate technology. I love the internet. I love all the people I’ve met through blogging. I know people from almost every continent, and I’ve been able to share my experiences with them and share

I also love texting. I love how convenient it is. I don’t actually know how I ever managed before. I long for the day when I can have my very own Crackberry.

Facebook? I love it. I have been able to find and talk to people I haven’t seen in years. It makes me so happy to keep in touch with my high school buddies, my public relations classmates, my family, etc.

I know several people who believe technology impairs personal relationships. I can’t agree. I don’t think I’m particularly socially impaired, despite my frequent use of technology. I interact more with people because of social networking than I ever did before.

What do you guys think? Would it be better if we could turn back the clock and not use social networking anymore? Are computers the ruination of civilization? (My uncle said this to The Boyfriend, who has two degrees in computing science. It was hilarious.)

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Oodle Noodle - the tastiest food in E-town!


Oodle Noodle serves some of the tastiest food in the city. I didn’t know what butter chicken was supposed to taste like before I went there. Oodle Noodle’s Bombay Famous (the name of their butter chicken dish) is among the best in the city. It has ruined me for all others.

The cooks sing and dance while cooking your food in the woks. It’s infectious and amazing. They always have the best music playing in there. The food is really reasonably priced, too. Two people can have two generously-portioned entrees and two drinks for $20.

All the staff there are super friendly, too. The Boyfriend and I went there so often that the exchange became like this:

Employee at cash register: (recognizing The Boyfriend) Bombay Famous?

Boyfriend: (meekly) Yes please.


In fact, I think I am going to trek down to Whyte tonight to satisfy the butter chicken craving. Hope to see you guys there!


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Mike and Lenny: Bachelor Auction


I desperately want Lenny to orchestrate a most eligible bachelor auction for Mike. They could have it at the MacEwan caf. I can just see it now: all the attractive MacEwan Business School ladies feverishly bidding, Lenny cackling in the background…

The twist at the end of the episode would be that Lenny gets more bids than Mike. He and Mike would have a pushup contest, and Lenny would win, taking the School of Business by storm!

This scene could be concluded a la Chariots of Fire, with Mike and Lenny fleeing like rock stars from hordes of adoring Grant MacEwan students. It would be epic.


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The Alberta Advantage?


Alberta has an advantage simply because  it is part of Canada. Thanks to the restrictions on Canada’s banks, Canada isn’t sinking into recession as much as the U.S.A., a fact I am thankful for, especially since I am about to enter the job market this summer.

Alberta has a decent chance of weathering the current economic climate simply because we have less debt than other provinces - no debt at all, in fact. This puts us in a unique position in Canada, since every other province is trying to control their debt load.

I think all Albertans are aware that there has been some slowdown in our province this past year.

“The big reason why there’s not much going on in Alberta is the fact that more than $13 billion in oilsands spending has been shelved this year, because of the global economic crisis. In turn, Alberta consumers aren’t buying things like homes or cars, further eroding the money that’s going around.

But, according to the Conference Board of Canada things should start to improve in a year, when demand for oil will pick up.”


I do wish that Alberta’s economy was a little less homogeneous. During the boom years, the Alberta economy became less diversified because companies not involved in the energy industry couldn’t afford labour. These companies then moved their operations to other provinces. Now that oil prices have plummeted, that lack of diversification is hurting.

The economies of Saskatchewan, Manitoba, P.E.I and Newfoundland are all continuing to grow. I think Alberta can start growing again, given some time.

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Thomas A. Swift Electric Rifle (TASER)


Tasers have always made me uncomfortable. The idea of being electrocuted scares me. This does NOT look comfortable.


I understand the appeal of the taser. The police can subdue a violent person without (theoretically) permanently injuring them or having to use force. Being a policeman or policewoman is dangerous, and anything that can help preserve their safety is beneficial. Tasers seem like they should be a good alternative to using guns.

However, all the articles about deaths caused by tasers concerns me very much. According to Amnesty International USA, over 90 people in North America have died after being tasered.


“Nobody is entirely sure whether the Taser caused their deaths, or if a confluence of unique medical factors was the culprit. For all their dramatic power, there is a surprising lack of scientific research documenting the physiological impact of the Taser charge. Yet for years the weapon has been promoted to law enforcement and civilians as a safe alternative to lethal force.”

I have to wonder whether adequate research has been done in this case. Tasers can’t be a better alternative than guns if people are still dying.

I would argue that more research needs to be done and more regulation needs to be implemented. Paul Kennedy, head the Commission for Complaints Against the RCMP, recommended that officers with less than five years’ experience not operate the tasers. Perhaps the RCMP could restrict the usage to members of SWAT or other high-risk task forces where there is more likelihood of encountering violence.

What do you guys think? Shoot me a comment!

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On Amy Winehouse.


Dear Amy Winehouse:

I love you. No, I really do. Not in the creepy sort of way, but perhaps in the I-dressed-up-as-you-for-a-costume-party-and-think-your-voice-is-amazing sort of way. Er, well, maybe that IS the creepy way. Oops.

carla_winehouse2


Ahem. Anyway, what was I saying? Right, I love you.

I think what has happened to you is unfortunate. Do you remember how you used to be, Amy? You know, back when you were still healthy?


I’m torn, Amy. You are so talented. And I do feel that to some extent, you’ve been a victim of your own success. It can’t be easy living in a fishbowl. The media are everywhere. Those in the public eye have more pressure on them than ever before, especially since every single stumble, every single mistake can be broadcast across the world within seconds of it happening.

That being said, I don’t know if I can entirely approve of your current lifestyle, Miss W. Drugs? Seriously? Have you never asked your mom or asked your dad about which drugs are good and which drugs are bad?



What I’m saying, Amy Winehouse, is that I want to be listening to you when I’m an old(er) lady, so you should consider laying off the crack. Even Whitney Houston says it’s bad.



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Ethics is never an oxymoron.


Ethics in any sort of field is a necessity, not an oxymoron. “Business ethics” is not the equivalent of “jumbo shrimp.”

I think that some people still picture skeevy used car salesmen handing stacks of money under the table when they imagine the business world. It’s not the case.

In order to be successful in business, there have to be transactions, right? Business is based on relationships, and if you screw your partners over and don’t treat your clients well, then you won’t be in business for long.

Beyond the monetary motivations to conduct business ethically, I think it’s necessary to act ethically in order to have a career you can be proud of.

After all, why be the used car salesman when you can be woman (or man) of the year?

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