Mobile Blogger

Blogger has finally come up with a quick and easy way to convert your blog to a mobile site. This is awesome because just the other day I was frustrated with my blog for not being able to view it on my phone (while at the grocery store...without a grocery list...shopping for a specific recipe...) I had to call my sister to look it up for me!

The downfall to the mobile templates, so far I don't see a search feature. That means I can't search for my specific recipe when I'm at the grocery story looking for the ingredient list. So...I guess it really doesn't help me with my mobile dilemma. But...it does help mobile readers view my blog, so that's cool!

Blogger...add me a search feature and we'll be cool! : )

For all you bloggers out there - here's the link to how to convert your page.

It's not just another wedding

After reading several posts on Twitter, Facebook and blogs this morning, I thought I would put my two cents worth in about the royal wedding. This morning at approximately 11:00 a.m. in London, His Royal Highness Prince William of Wales took Miss Catherine Middleton as his bride. A historic day for all of Great Britain, this marked the union of two future sovereigns.

I have heard a lot of backlash about the media coverage of this event, particularly in the wake of the devastating storms that ripped through the Deep South this week. Most of the negative commentary has come from men, with no surprise. And I believe most of it is coming with a lack of appreciation for the historic relevance of this event.

Britain’s royals are one of the most well-know monarchies in world history. Queen Elizabeth, the current head, has reigned since 1952. When she wed Prince Philip in 1949, her wedding was broadcast on BBC Radio, with highlights shown on TV. Her son, and direct heir to the throne, Prince Charles wed Princess Diana in one of the most talked about weddings in history. The 1981 television broadcast attracted more than 750 million viewers worldwide. Needless to say, the world has always been interested in royal weddings.

I do agree there has been a bit of overkill about Will and Kate’s wedding. I mean…there was a Lifetime movie. I admit I watched it. And it was super cheesy. And there have been endless news programs dedicated to introducing the world to the background of the event. It has most definitely been overemphasized.

However, being overplayed in the media does not neutralize the historical significance of this wedding. I mean, it’s still a pretty big deal. A prince married a commoner today, a commoner that will one day been queen of one of the most powerful countries in the world. I realize the British monarchy doesn’t have as much political power as it used to, but it is still a very significant figure in British life.

I am not afraid to admit that I am interested in the royal wedding. Apart from having a crush on Prince William since…as long as I can remember, I am a girl, and I enjoy all the pomp and circumstance that even the most common, simplistic wedding has to offer.

This Sunday, I am hosting a royal wedding brunch at my house with several of my girlfriends. Because we all have busy lives, I recorded the event on my DVR, and we will watch it on Sunday after early church. The brunch wasn’t my idea, but that of a friend, however I am very exciting about hosting, and seeing all of the extravagant details the wedding brought forth.

I have to confess that I did take a peek this morning for about 15 minutes. I couldn’t wait to see the dress. Kate looked radiant in her gown, and to me, much like Grace Kelly. She was the picture of elegance and grace, and I’m sure will be quite the inspiration to future brides. William looks dapper in his regal attire, the picture of Prince Charming in Cinderella. And the hats…I love all the British hats! I really should have been born in a culture that incorporates modern headwear into every day fashion!

Many have asked why the wedding is such a big deal. My explanation is simple. Girls love weddings. Its one of those things ingrained in us from birth. Because most women are wired to respond to relationships, romance and emotions, we love the fairytale sentiments weddings invoke. As sappy and silly as it appears to most men, it’s just a part of who we are as women.

In my humble opinion, those complaining most about the royal wedding extravaganza are those that are most vocal about it. I don’t see anyone else posting on Facebook or Twitter. Just the complainers. So in their futile attempts to combat the media exaggerations, they are in fact feeding it more. I find that kind of hilarious.

I wish Will and Kate the very best, and hope their marriage lasts as long as his grandmother, the Queen. My only negative comment will be to Princess Catherine – Girl, I wish it was me!

AFTERTHOUGHT - I really love how Princess Catherine was veiled going into the cathedral. People don't do that anymore. I love the symbolism. If I ever get married, I'm totally walking down the aisle veiled!

Don't quit your day job

As a marketing and communication professional, I found the following video interesting. Business cards are an important way to brand your organization, while communicating important contact information. They also serve as a method to win free food when you drop it in a local "fish bowl" at a restaurant. I mean...they have lots of different uses. But all seriousness...business cards are often the impression you leave behind after meeting a new business contact.

What is your card like? Mine has three spot colors (gray, maroon and gold), and is on 130 lb. double thick cover. Its a sturdy card, and stands up really well when handing them out or carrying them in your purse.

If you are interested in design, branding, PR or advertising, the following video might be worth the watch. I thought it was!

OMG...I think I luuuuuv commercials

Super Bowl Sunday is rolling around this week. And though it is in my stadium of choice, my team of choice is not going to be there. In fact, I could care less about either team playing. Similar to two years ago. But whatevs....I'll pull for the Packers.

What I am looking forward to, though, is:

1. Hanging out with friends

2. Eating lots of yummy football food

3. Watching hilarious and thought provoking commercials during the game. Its all about the commercials anyway!

Right now Radio Shack has a very stupid commercial that makes me laugh. I don't know why. Probably the cat's Southern accent and the fact she's so silly. I think its hilarious though!

What I hope to see during the Super Bowl are more mayhem commercials by Allstate. They are very cleaver, and just...great! My two favorite are the GPS (recalculating) and the one where he is a teenage girl. I mean....that dude is just great!



I haven't had much time to read up about the Super Bowl ad hype this year. Sometimes I catch snippets from Ad Age, but I am admittedly behind on the gossip. However, I did see this bit on "Cooking with Snoop Dog and Pepsi" this morning. Ummmm...yes please! I hope to see this hilarity during the game. Do you think I could get Snoop to do a guest post on my blog? I mean...his 8-layer dip with chicken wings just looks....fantastic! Ha!

Happy Super Bowl week!

An open letter to whoever makes up the AP Stylebook rules...

Dear AP Style Decision Makers,

You have totally crimped my style today. I like correcting grammar. I like telling people, nicely albeit, when they are wrong. I like the fact that I am one of the few people on my block that knew that Web site was supposed to be spelled out like Web site and not Website or website. But then you went and changed the rules today at your silly little conference. Now all those folks out there they always misspelled Web site get to be correct because you changed the official spelling from Web site to website.

I realize this affects only a small portion of the world's population. But for those of us who make a living by following your rules, its just an annoyance. I really liked being right. I really liked telling people I was right and pointing out in my handy dandy Stylebook that I was right. But now they are right, and that's just wrong!

Thanks for listening to my complaints today. I know you changed the spelling because lots of other folks complained. They are just dumb. And wrong. And I"m right. Except now I'm wrong. But the thing is...I know the correct way to spell website now, so when all of my fellow colleagues and PR folks spell out Web site, I can start correcting them.

Thanks
a right writer

Our Teacher of the Year

Yesterday a team of camera crews and media types stormed by brother-in-law's classroom and named him the 2010 teacher of the year for his school district! Dan teaches at me and my sister's high school alma mater. We are very proud of him!

Marketing 101

So...word is on the street that the current @thletic @dministr@tion at my current place of employment is trying to adopt a new spirit phrase to combat "roll tide" and "hotty totty." Here's what the locals are saying....

dancin babies....

Below is the 5th most watched video on YouTube in 2009. Why is it December 17th and I am JUST NOW SEEING THIS????




Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha....

Most Watched YouTube videos (Global):
1. Susan Boyle - Britain's Got Talent (120+ million views)
2. David After Dentist (37+ million views)
3. JK Wedding Entrance Dance (33+ million views)
4. New Moon Movie Trailer (31+ million views)
5. Evian Roller Babies (27+ million views)

Give me a V! Give me a ICTORY! Give me a 2009 Egg Bowl Champs!!!

The only game that really matters all year long is the one that happens around Thanksgiving. This year's Egg Bowl was one we were dreding at first, but one of THE BEST games I have been to in a while. Why? Because we freakin KILLED "that school up north!"

Now, to give you an idea of where the name came from, when Dan Mullen started out as our head coach last winter, he decided to stop referring to our biggest rival by their name. He just calls them "that school up north." It caught on around here, and even ESPN decided to use the phrase in their wrap up about Saturday's game. I bet that really pissed some Rebels off! Ha! So here's the clip (found curtosy of my grad student). I'm proud to be a Bulldog! GTHTSUP!

I bake caramel delights

I don't care what you think. I love Taylor Swift!

Question of the day...

Will there? Or will there not be? An NSync reunion at Jacob's wedding? That is the REAL question!

Football, here we come!

I heart these dudes!

Getting pumped for Wimbledon this weekend!

Gimelstob - Nadal from Matt Guerra on Vimeo.

Gimelstob - Federer from Matt Guerra on Vimeo.

My first attempt at a homemade video

This is for my nephew, Will.





All that is missing is "OH TOODLES!"

Upfronts

Upfronts were released today. What's coming and what's going according to tv?

Here are my thoughts on the shows that record on my DVR:

On loses: Not a lot going on here, but two shows I really did enjoy are out.

Life (NBC) - Really? We will never know if Crews and Reese really fall in, as alluded to by the almost hand holding in the season finale. We will also never know the end of the tangled web of drama that led up to Crews being arrested. I liked that show. It was quirky and interesting. I'm sad its not coming back.

Cupid (ABC) - NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!! Cupid is one of my favorite new shows! It's so sweet and endearing! Please say that Trevor and Claire get together before its all said and done. This show is so happy and uplifting, and it made me smile every time I watched it.

Samantha Who? (ABC) - Honestly, I can live without this one. I wasn't on the edge of my seat waiting on it to come on. It was, at times, funny, but overall, not real catchy.

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Coming Back: Only the ones I am very excited about....

Chuck (NBC) - Guess the SAVE CHUCK campaign with Subway worked. (Was it really going away though?) Will Chuck and Sarah finally get together? What about Chuck's new intercept package that makes him a super spy? I think Bryce Larkin isn't really dead. He faked it, they moved his body, and then he got up and ran.

Bones (Fox) - Finale still very much in my opinion in need of personal critic. It was wonderful! I have watched it many times. I did predict that the episode would be a dream sequence where Booth would wake up and Brennan would be next to him in the hospital. Did not predict the amnesia though! Wow! The episode was really great for Bones fans because it brought in former characters and references to many pivotal past episodes. Very creative and fun!

Lost (ABC) - Of course it is coming back. It's Lost. I have 10 episodes on my DVR right now. I haven't seen much of this last season.

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The CW hasn't released their upfront listing yet. Its supposed to be out on Thursday morning. I really hope Privileged comes back though. I really love that show! It's cute!

Other shows I adore on other networks:

My Boys on TBS is pretty funny. (Tuesday nights at 9:30. Catch it tonight!) I also really love Psych (USA)! That show is freaking HILARIOUS! New season starts this summer, so I'm not worried about it disappearing quite yet.

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For those of us fans who have favorite shows with crazy cliffhangers, the fall 2009 season is a long way away. But we'll have to be patient to see what happens. Sometimes I wish I could just fast-forward time like I do commercials with my DVR! Ha!

Harmony

I have to admit, when I saw this during the Bones finale I was seriously impressed. One of the best TV ads I have seen in a LONG time, and it didn't even preview during the Super Bowl. (Season finale week is good though.)

Advertising Age ranked this as one of the top 5 for the week. Props to Toyota and the team at Saatchi & Saatchi in LA. Great commercial!



PS - Check out the other videos if you get a chance. Nomis is on to a great idea about connecting a product with the people! Go to where they are! Don't make them come to you!