I am always wired

I like books. I actually enjoy sitting and reading a great book in my spare time. Key word being spare which leads me to never actually getting to read, but nonetheless I enjoy it. I know exactly why books are not very popular among young people. I see their downfall. Its the lack of interactivity. When you read a book it is up to you to make the images in your mind. All you can do is sit and read the words. The Internet used to be the same way. That was known as Web 1.0 or "suckiness". The interactivity was non-existent. And now look where we are. Youtube is a cultural phenomenon. Everyone can be famous. All you have to do is record yourself dancing. Think about blogs. Blogs actually influence presidential elections. Some fat guy sitting at home on his Mac can actually cause people to vote a certain way. Now that is connection. Cell phones are complete computers that send text messages. They even have some phones with full Internet browsers. You can always check your email on the way to Kroger. The web is always looking for ways to be more interactive. Site designers work not stop to bring more people in. Life will never be the same now that the whole world is getting connected. Trust me, you get addicted and have withdrawals like Lindsay Lohan in rehab.

There is a place called Sardis, Tennessee that only has dial-up Internet! How do I know you ask? That is where I call home and visit on school holidays. I can barely check my email without losing my mind. You absolutely feel lost with the world after being there only a few days. That shows the importance of Web 2.0.

Event in history

America celebrates a milestone

The United States of America is turning 200. This Fourth of July celebration is special because it is the bicentennial. July 4th, 1976, marks the all important milestone for the red white and blue. People across the nation will come together to honor their country with special ceremonies and celebrations. The celebration is underway with special events to honor the event. he United States Treasury is issuing bicentennial coinage and a special $2 bill. Television networks are having historical programming about the nation's history. The fireworks and barbecue will have even more meaning this year.

Proposed media:

• Video footage of celebrations at nation's capitol
• Interactive timeline of America's history
• Pictures of people with captions of what America means to them
• Video footage of firework celebrations
• Links to recipes for a good Fourth of July meal
• Polls of what is the best thing about America
• Trivia game to test knowledge of America

Video about UT

Proposed Story Idea

This story would be extremely interesting to the audience of Sports Illustrated. Obviously, since it is a sports magazine the readers would like to know about this important sporting event. However, this game even transcends the normal sports fan. The fact that both teams are undefeated the game takes on historical importance.

Game of the decade

The New England Patriots travel to Indianapolis to take on the Colts. both teams are undefeated and clearly the class of the NFL.

Video and Audio clips from the players talking about the game.

Highlights from the previous games this year.

Bios for all the key players and coaches involved.

I would have a poll asking who the people think would win.

Have another poll to see what would decide the game.
Link to experts predicting the games.

Social networking

I guess there was a time in history when everyone did not know what everyone else was doing immediately after deciding to do it. I really guess there was such a time. Like a time before cell phones when you had to tell your friend to meet you at the movies at nine and they had to be there or else you were watching Top Gun by yourself. Or what about before Facebook when you had to put up fliers for a party. Or everyone did not know you loved Boy Meets World because you could not join the group on Facebook. It must have been a more simple time. Alas, would anyone want to live in that time again? I for one would not.

Sure social networking sites have become tad bit pervasive. Facebook, the choice for most college students, has status updates so you can let everyone know exactly how you are feeling. It's like look at April she is "worried about her pregnancy test" or look at Mike he is "so drunk he should not have driven home". These are things most of us probably did not want to know. So that is a problem I have with Facebook. (just changed status Tim is "really hating all these 222 assignments and is a hypocrite clearly by changing his status") Twitter took the status to a whole new level. That site is insane! The site is basically one big status update. Talk about crazy.

Myspace, or as I like to call it stalker space, is a way for losers to think they have way more friends than they think they do. Look at me I am friends with this hot chick in New York City. Well guess what, she is actually a he from Dothan, Alabama. I am not a fan of that site. Plus, it has turned into a walking advertisement for movies and music.

I don't wanna sound like I hate being connected. In fact, I take all the bad with these advancements and relish in the good. Like being able to stay friends with people from back home. Or being able to show off my hot girlfriend. Overall, these sites are just a natural progression of human nature to have friends. And who doesn't want that.

Beware of taking this teacher....NOT

I remember how surprising it was to hear an ominous voice loom over the classroom without seeing the speaker. Was it the Wizard of Oz? Was it the voice of a higher being? It was neither of these but something even better. It was the voice of Peggy Collins. Okay so maybe she is not better than pulling a Joan of Arc and hearing the voice of God, but when it comes to knowledge of journalism it is a close race. Peggy has provided great information that backs up everything that our teacher says in class. She is working in the "real world" and provides information about our field that we haven't yet experienced. As for the phone meeting, it was a very unique experience. Usually when a number calls my cell phone that I don't recognize it is a stalker. This time it was Peggy calling to check on the progress of our class. We had a good conversation about where the class has been and where it is going. I felt that she really listened to what I had to say. Plus she praised me and that felt really good. Let's just say that teachers usually scold me instead of bestow praise. Overall, I think Peggy provides a great addition to the class. Now if she can just help me get a job I would nominate her for teacher of the year.

I believe that during the semester I have developed a new found respect for online journalism. The work that it takes to make online work enjoyable is substantial. I learned that online journalism is not for me, but I do not hate the field. I am just to good looking not to be on TV and have to good of a voice not to be on radio. However, with my amazing wit and fantastic blogging I could see myself always having a blog to entertain the masses. Or at least my mom.