How is This Humanly Possible?

When I first watched this advertisement I thought "How does this guy do this?? It's truly mind-boggling!"

For the launch of their Economy Comfort Product KLM put a man sitting on air in Manchester Airport. The man is Ramana, a magician from the Netherlands. He looks to be comfortably sitting on air and reading a newspaper while passersby look in awe at the magician. The mechanism used is a chair installed inside the clothing which holds him up the way he is.

Maybe It's Time to Let it Go

So Nike released a new commercial featuring Tiger Woods, on the eve of his return to golf.

This commercial is wrong on a few levels. First off, the voice over used is of Tiger's deceased father. The actual clip of his father talking was at the time, directed at his wife, not his son. However, Nike decided to take this clip and splice it together for this commercial.

Also, it's slightly ironic that his father is saying these words to Woods, as he himself was unfaithful.

Isn't it time for Nike to move on? I sure think so. Let Tiger return to golf without bringing up his past indiscretions. I think it's time to bury the subject and let the dust settle. By rehashing the matter, the public doesn't have the chance to forget about the scandal and begin to move forward.

Why Bother if You're Just Going to Censor?

The controversial best-seller, Ann Coulter is scheduled to give a talk at the University of Ottawa . But even before she stepped inside the campus, the school's provost warned her of Canada's tradition of "restraint, respect and consideration." Judging by some of her interviews, Coulter's talk should be, in a word, interesting. Here's one of her interviews on The Today Show:



National Post reports that University of Ottawa Academic Vice President and Provost Francois Houle e-mailed Coulter:

"Our domestic laws, both provincial and federal, delineate freedom of expression (or "free speech") in a manner that is somewhat different than the approach taken in the United States. I therefore encourage you to educate yourself, if need be, as to what is acceptable in Canada and to do so before your planned visit here."

He continued, "Promoting hatred against any identifiable group would not only be considered inappropriate, but could in fact lead to criminal charges."

In response to Houle's e-mail, Coulter wrote that she was "hoping for a fruit basket" from the university -- "not a threat to prosecute."

Coulter, while known primarily for her barbs aimed at the Middle East, has been critical of Canada. In the following video she remarks that Canadians "are lucky we allow them to exist on the same continent."


So my question is, why ask Coulter to speak in the first place if you are just going to censor her speech? I can understand why the University of Ottawa would want to invite a speaker that would expand horizons and cultivate discussions, but there are so many other people they can choose to come talk to the students.

I feel Coulter has the right to express her opinion and speak her mind even if I don't agree with what she says, but why bother spending the money on a speaker of you are just going to the censor them?

Graphic Design Art Auction and Festival

Today I attended Red River College Graphic Design students' Art Auction and Festival at The Forks Market. Instead of using computers, the students used traditional mediums such as painting, sketching, and even using a pen. It was inspiring to see the work of the students in the faculty.

Over the course of today and yesterday, the students created their works of art right in front of the public's eyes.



As well, Steve Vogelsang, former CKY television personality and current RRC Creative Communications instructor was the auctioneer of the event.

My favourite piece of work was of four wine glasses that were colored according to the seasons - fall, summer, winter and spring. I tried to bid on the work, but I was quickly outbid! Everyone was so generous and it was really nice to see as proceeds from the event were split between Winnipeg Harvest and the graphic design program. Congratulations to everyone who helped out with the event and in the Graphic Design program - it was a great turn out!

He's Baaaaaaaaaaaaack!

For those of you a little sick of watching Seinfeld reruns (I'm not sure anyone could really be sick of Seinfeld)... but if you are, Jerry Seinfeld is making appearances again because of his new show The Marriage Ref. Personally, I've watched the show twice, and I could take it or leave it. However, what I do appreciate, is now Jerry Seinfeld is making appearances on the late night talk shows circuit. Here is a clip of Seinfeld doing stand-up on the Late Show with David Letterman. Priceless!

Uh Oh! Talk about Inappropriate!

So this is what happens when teachers decide to throw all professionalism out the window and forget the rules.

How else do you explain the lap dance that two teachers performed in front of approximately 100 students at a pep rally at Churchill High School in Winnipeg?

Teachers are supposed to be setting the example for kids, and this is definitely not setting the bar too high. The two teachers in the video were sent home without pay and The Winnipeg School Division is investigating the situation. What do you think? Do you think this whole situation has been blown out of proportion or do you the think the joke went a little too far and the teachers shouldn't be suspended?

Here is the cell phone video that one of the students captured of the incident:

The Tonight Show will return with a Bang!

The Tonight Show with Jay Leno will be returning to NBC right after the Olympics, on March 1, 2010. The show is coming back in full force and the all-star line-up reflects it:

Monday, March 1 - Guests include Jamie Foxx, the Olympic skier Lindsey Vonn and a musical performance by Brad Paisley

Tuesday, March 2 - Guests include Sarah Palin, the Olympic snowboarder Shaun White

Wednesday, March 3 - "Jaywalk All-Stars" with the cast of "Jersey Shore," Chelsea Handler, speed skater Apolo Anton Ohno and a musical performance by Avril Lavigne

Thursday, March 4 - Guests include Matthew McConaughey and Jason Reitman

Friday, March 5 - Guests include Morgan Freeman and Meredith Vieira

Monday, March 8 - Guests include Simon Cowell

Tuesday, March 9 - Guests include Christoph Waltz, the animal expert Dave Salmoni and a musical performance by Joan Jett and the Blackhearts

Wednesday, March 10 - Guests include Kristen Stewart and Guy Fieri

Thursday, March 11 - Guests include Dana Carvey and Kim Kardashian, with a musical performance by Colbie Caillat

Friday, March 12 - Guests include Dakota Fanning and Judd Apatow

Viewers Taking it a Little Too Far

Viewers everywhere have fallen in love with James Cameron's new film, Avatar (2009) and to be honest, I don't blame them. Rarely does a film live up to its expectations after you've heard such hype about it. However, I will give Cameron a lot of credit, his movie is a truly a spectacle and a film you get completely involved in. I was captivated by the world of Pandora and the Na'vi characters.



However, Cameron's completely immersive spectacle may have been a little too real for some fans who say they have experienced depression and suicidal thoughts after seeing the film because they long to enjoy the beauty of the alien world Pandora.

A user named Mike wrote on the film's fan website Na'viblue that he contemplated suicide after seeing the movie.

"Ever since I went to see 'Avatar' I have been depressed. Watching the wonderful world of Pandora and all the Na'vi made me want to be one of them. I can't stop thinking about all the things that happened in the film and all of the tears and shivers I got from it," Mike posted. "I even contemplate suicide thinking that if I do it I will be rebirthed in a world similar to Pandora and the everything is the same as in 'Avatar.' "

This idea of fans taking a movie so seriously and to heart is nothing new. These days, the rule of fandom is anything worth doing, is worth overdoing, often to a terrifying degree. Just take a look at what's going on in 'Hometree', Wisconsin...

Who Dat?

In honour of the New Orleans Saints winning the Super Bowl! Congrats Who Dat Nation! Who knew a doggy would be such a huge fan? :)

A Serious Man

I recently went to go see the Coen Brothers' new film, A Serious Man. I didn't know much about the film before I went, but my brother saw it previously and was dying to see it again. First off, I must say, I can't imagine the film is as funny if you're not Jewish. My mom, brother and I were the only ones laughing at parts because the Coen Brothers hit it right on the button. The Coen Brothers grew up in a Jewish home in Minnesota and use their personal experience to create the setting for the film.

A Serious Man opens with a dimly lit folktale prologue about a dybbuk — the dislocated soul of a dead person who curses a home into which he’s been invited — and a thrust dagger that might permanently seal the fate of the Gopnik clan.

From this, the Coens cosmically deliver us into the 1967 world of Larry Gopnik (Michael Stuhlbarg, sweaty and strangely resembling Joaquin Phoenix).

Larry is is a brilliant but tormented physics university professor up for tenure, who suffers through a number of endurance tests. His life is suddenly coming apart in all directions and he can't understand it since he considers himself a good person.

Larry learns, out of the blue, that his wife Judith (Sari Lennick) wants a divorce with a gett (a Jewish ritual divorce so she can have a rabbi perform the ceremony when she remarries) to marry of all people, the film's ironically called serious person, an overbearing recent widower named Sy Ableman (Fred Melamed).



As Larry's tsuris (woes) intensifies, with even more incidents thrown into the mix like a fender-bender, and having to pay for his wife's new interest's funeral, we catch him consulting with his high-priced divorce attorney (Adam Arkin) and with three learned rabbis to help him understand why things have gone awry.

The young rabbi speaks in metaphorical clichés. An older rabbi offers gnomic stories including a hilariously pointless one told in flashback about a dentist who discovers a message written in Hebrew on the back of a Gentile's teeth. The last rabbi, an ancient figure from the European past, is too deep in thought to give him an audience, though he later turns up in a comic and extremely moving scene with Danny after his bar mitzvah.

Eventually, Larry, who always tried to be a serious person, live up to expectations and be a good person who helps others, finds there are no such things as definite answers to the meaning of life. After all, no one said it would be easy to find out what God wants us to do.

At first, the film is slightly frustrating because it leaves a lot of open-ended questions. However the film makes you think, and stays with you a few days after your first viewing. A Serious Man is definitely not your average blockbuster - but something new and refreshing! Check out the trailer:

Is the Right Messaging Coming Through?

Happy holidays everyone - I hope everyone had a great break and is enjoying the new year!

So over the holidays, I noticed the Microsoft Windows 7 commercials on television. You know the ones where the person has a flashback of themselves thinking up a concept, informing Windows of their idea and... boom- it becomes a reality. If you don't know what I'm talking about here's one of the commercials:



The whole concept for the set of commercials is -"I'm a PC and Windows 7 was my idea". This statement suggests that the consumer feels as though the new innovations Microsoft is making to their system was his/her idea that he/she passed along to the company and the company listened.

When I first saw the commercial, I thought it was slightly humourous that when the guy has the flashback he is a much more attractive version of himself. However, after I saw a few other versions of this commercial, I wondered if it was humourous at all.

With these ads, Microsoft is telling users that they realize Vista was a bomb, they’ve listened to their suggestions and complaints, and used them in the design for Windows 7. As such, Windows 7 is the idea of the people.

I understand that they are trying to highlight the ideas of "regular people", however why include reenactments where people are a better looking version of themselves? Are the commercials suggesting that these people are delusional? That they have low self-esteem? Perhaps these commercials are suggesting that we all want to have, or do have, an image of ourselves that is slightly better than what others see.



At first the commercials seemed funny to me, but after seeing a few, I didn't understand why they incorporated the reenactment, and didn't just focus solely on their program being the idea of the people. Because if Microsoft is trying to say people like you and me helped to create Windows 7, why not have everyday, regular people talking about it?

Besides, the people in the commercials are fairly attractive to begin with, so why make them look like completely different? I feel by bringing in this switch of actors in such a short amount of time, it is more likely to cause confusion and a chance that the viewer will miss the main messaging of the commercial.

Pure Cuteness!

If you're feeling the stress of the end of term right now, here's something that will make you smile. Especially the little guy who chuckles at the end! :)

Follow up on Tiger's situation

So today, December 2, 2009 - Tiger Woods released another statement regarding his accident and the media attention he has been receiving.

He comments on his official website:

"I have let my family down and I regret those transgressions with all of my heart. I have not been true to my values and the behavior my family deserves. I am not without faults and I am far short of perfect. I am dealing with my behavior and personal failings behind closed doors with my family".

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Although he never comes out and states his infidelity, I'm assuming that's what he means by "transgressions"?

What I find the most interesting is on his official website is comments from viewers are allowed. I'm surprised that this is allowed as I'd assume most comments would be negative towards Tiger. However, when going through the comments posted, I noticed a lot of the posts were supportive of him and fans offered their love and support during his difficult time. I would have assumed a majority of the comments would have been negative.

I wonder if his sponsors will be as understanding and keep him as the face of their products?

Something Sure Seems Fishy

Why you should always tell the truth, tell it all and tell it first...



On Friday, November 27, 2009 golf's superstar Tiger Woods was in a traffic accident. A Florida Highway Patrol report says Woods pulled out of the driveway of his $2.4-million home in a black Cadillac Escalade at about 2:25 a.m, struck a fire hydrant and then a tree on a neighbour's property. Police arrived at the scene with his wife Elin, standing over him. The back window of the car had been smashed out.

Tiger and his wife have both declined comments to the media and even to the police regarding the issue. However today, Tiger made a comment regarding the crash on his website.

Woods said the crash was a private matter, and he intended to keep it that way.

“Although I understand there is curiosity, the many false, unfounded and malicious rumors that are currently circulating about my family and me are irresponsible,” he said. “The only person responsible for the accident is me. My wife, Elin, acted courageously when she saw I was hurt and in trouble. She was the first person to help me. Any other assertion is absolutely false.”

Although I can understand why Tiger would want to keep the accident a private matter, he is a well-known celebrity and unfortunately doesn't get that luxury. When an incident like this occurs to a celebrity, especially one with a reputable reputation, the media and public want to know all the details. However, because he and his wife are hush-hush on the matter, it seems slightly suspicious and leaves the possibility for a few questions:

— Where he was going at that time of the night?

— How did he lose control of his SUV at such a speed that the air bags didn’t deploy?

— Why did his wife smash the rear windows of the Cadillac Escalade?

— If it was a careless mistake, why not speak to state troopers trying to wrap the investigation?

By not answering these questions, it seems as though Tiger has something to hide, especially since the accident came two days after the National Enquirer published a story alleging that Woods had been seeing a New York night club hostess, and that they recently were together in Melbourne, where Woods competed in the Australian Masters. Tiger should have released a statement immediately to prevent suspicions and such questions.

Social Media is Constantly Evolving

One of the biggest shifts in media in recent years is the introduction of Twitter.

Using only 140 characters, Twitter provides a one-stop, real-time service for all of a person’s content. It allows us something that in the past only huge corporations could have: our own broadcasting network. If you’re on Twitter, and to a certain extent Facebook, you are in the broadcasting business. You can literally reach thousands with what you tweet.

One of the most interesting aspects of Twitter is the fact that it is a shared media. Though one person initially creates a tweet or links to a story, whatever you broadcast on your network, I can also rebroadcast too. On Twitter, this is called "retweeting".

Not too long ago, it was considered advanced in a technological sense to email a friend to inform him or her of something going on in the news. But now, in a matter of seconds you can share this information via Twitter with tens, hundreds, or even thousands of people.

Social media is constantly evolving and Twitter is no exception. Not only is Twitter used to post information and updates, but the site is also being used to create interesting online virtual art projects - 6 Incredible Twitter Powered Art Projects. Tweets are being visualized and mashed up with other content to create stunning online art.

Can You Feel the Love?

I knew there was a reason I liked Starbucks for more than just their Gingerbread lattes (if you haven't tried it, I highly recommend it!)

For this holiday season Starbucks has announced they will be making a big push in social media, calling it "Starbucks 2.0" because they recognize that their customers want to get more involved.

"It's like we've taken the version 1.0 of last year and now we're really doing it at scale and going to a lot more places where our customers already are," said Chris Bruzzo, VP-brand, content and online at Starbucks. "People are saying this is going to be a big year for social media and we're a microcosm of that. Whereas last year it was a curiosity, this year it's a core part of the program."

The chain is continuing its partnership with Red, launched last Thanksgiving, and created a new partnership with Pandora by offering a free "All You Need Is Love" CD, with tracks from U2, John Legend and the Dave Matthews Band, when consumers spend $15.

What I find most interesting is that Starbucks has also found a faster and easier way for consumers to get involved, even if they're not yet comfortable in social media. For these less-comfortable folks, Starbucks created the "love drawing," at StarbucksLoveProject, for visitors to create a digital drawing using different paints and colors. For each of the first million drawings, Starbucks is donating 5 cents to Red.

The Starbucks initiative is a great example of how to create an entire integrated campaign around the web and include all types of target audiences.

New Moon, Or Should I Say Three Wolf Moon?

November 20th is soon approaching and you know what that means... The Twilight Saga's second installment: New Moon!

To be honest, before the summer, I never even knew what the Twilight Saga was or why it was so popular. My 16-year-old cousin in Vancouver had the opportunity to meet the cast of the film while they were shooting and she posted a picture of herself with Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner as her Facebook profile picture. Everyone seemed to be commenting how lucky she was to have met these people.

Obviously, I needed to know what all the fuss was about, so I messaged her asking who these people were. This was the first time, I truly felt out of the loop (uh oh, am I getting old??) Anyways, as expected she was shocked and appalled that I had never heard of the popular craze and informed me that I HAD to watch the film because my life would not be complete without doing so (dramatic much?)

So one night, my friend and I ventured to the video store and rented it. Needless to say, I wasn't blown away by it, but I thoroughly enjoyed watching it. I thought some of the special effects were lacking, however later on I learned their budget was not overly large, and that the sequel to the film would have a much higher one.

With all the hype of New Moon soon to be hitting theatres, there's always bound to be spoofs and knockoffs, such as this one for your viewing pleasure:

YouTube and Target Team Together for the Holidays

I personally shudder at the idea of going to the mall to shop for gifts during the holiday season - the crowds, the elbows, the lines - no thank you! As a result, I assumed savvy shoppers that wanted to avoid the crowds would use the internet in order to purchase gifts and get ideas for the holidays.

Social media is not only changing holiday shopping habits, it’s also changing how major retailers try to reach you with their messages of holiday cheer.

YouTube and Target have partnered to launch a custom channel that is themed entirely for the holidays. YouTube Holiday Solutions includes videos on everything from home and party ideas to recipes, gift giving tips, and Target-specific holiday videos and a Target gift guide.



I feel this was a great idea by YouTube and Target to leverage social media as a way to provide useful resources for consumers this holiday season. I just wish Target was in Canada!

Where the Wild Things Are

On Tuesday, I decided that I was taking the evening off and seeing a movie. My friend and I went to see the new movie Where the Wild Things Are, director Spike Jonze’s adaptation of Maurice Sendak’s children’s story. Now to be honest, I don't really remember the book from when I was younger, truth be told, I only recognize the title's font (oh, the foreshadowing to my life as a CreComm student!)

The film stars newcomer Max Records as Max, a sensitive, creative kid who's adjusting uneasily to his parents' divorce. The opening scene sets the tone as a hand held camera shakily follows a screaming Max as he chases his dog through the house. We soon learn that Max is starved for attention and hypersensitive to boot, bursting into tears when his older sister’s friends trash his igloo.

I don't mean to sound so negative, but my immediate thought when I watched Max, was "his irratic behaviour is probably due to the fact he has some form of ADHD, and emotional issues dealing with his parents divorce".

The viewer watches and is almost forced to analyze Max's behaviour and feelings to his igloo being destroyed, his sister not sticking up for him and his mom not giving him attention - because each of these individual feelings finds its physical representation later in the story, giving Max a unique and unexpected opportunity to look outside himself and see not only how he really feels, but how those feelings impact the others around him.

After throwing a temper tantrum when his mom (Catherine Keener) chooses to pay attention to her new "friend" (Mark Ruffalo) instead of Max's latest flight of fancy, he runs out of their house and out into the night. Taking to the sea in a kid-sized sailboat, Max crosses the sea, finally landing on the rocky shore of a mysterious island inhabited by strange, monstrous beasts. But when he proclaims himself their ruler, Max decides he's discovered a place of refuge where he can create his own happiness – that is, until the problems of the real world begin to work their way into the supposed fun of his fantasy kingdom.



During the movie, I had trouble deciding if this was truly a film for children, or adults. There were scenes that were quite violent, like the mud war- where characters were getting pummeled by huge boulders. I was worried for the little five year old girl beside me, who was cuddling up to her mother during this scary scene.

However, in the same breath, perhaps this movie was intended for kids, because it basically spelled out the message over and over again nearing the end. To the point where I leaned over to my friend and whispered "Ok! We get it, wrap it up!" (One thing I can't stand in movies, is when filmmakers do not give the viewer enough credit, and feel they need to repeat their point or make it more obvious so the audience comprehends.)

What I do appreciate though, is how Spike Jonze focuses on the intimate and personal interactions between characters. He not only creates a world that seems directly born of Max's imagination, but one where those feelings and thoughts are raw and immediate, seeming fun, scary, and strangely human all at the same time. However, because of that balance between the exciting and the scary, it remains to be seen whether kids will really identify with Max, since so much of what he goes through is so painful.

The movie was quite touching and sad. My heart went out to Max because I felt bad for him and understood he was experiencing the negative emotional impact of his parent's divorce and as a result acting out because he doesn't how else to deal with his situation. By the end, I was tearing up, and so was the little girl beside me. However, I think she was crying and sniffling because Max had to say goodbye to his furry friends he made.

New Eco Smart Billboard Toilet Splashes on the Scene

Just when you thought advertising in the bathroom was only on the walls...

How about on the actual toilet? Say hello to the Wow Toilet, a snazzy new toilet that can post ads. Not only can you put advertisements across the back, you can also display your family pictures for toilets at homes. Just think of the possibilities, maybe Pepto-Bismol would be a good fit?

My personal favourite is the toilet with SpongeBob SquarePants' face across the back. Like the website states: "Decorate your restroom for special holidays, baby showers and birthday parties." Who wouldn't want to see "Happy Birthday" on their toilet? Hmm...

However, not only is this toilet used for decorating purposes, it's also environmentally friendly. Wow Toilet has certified fill valve that helps in conserving water and with it's certified dual flush system.

On a side note, I enjoy the fact that in the video the toilet they have for birthdays says "Happy Birthday Mikey", Mikey is my brother's name and he would burst out laughing if he ever saw that in our house!