Social Media Notes

My class in Writing for New Media exposed us to several tools of social media used today. Practicing more actual writing for the web and critiquing other's writings would have proved beneficial to learning. Some may hestiate to share but in a class sometimes it is best to stretch ourselves and learn from others. Posting comments on other blogs would also have been reviewed in class.
The links and up-to-date information provided were excellent. However, the text for class started off as interesting and quickly got bogged down by the tools and not much about journalism on the web. The text also provided a broad overview of information that is a bit outdated.
I believe the PowerPoint presentations can be more engaging and interactive instead of just reading what is listed. Maybe talking about the links you provided for homework could be incorporated but more in depth.
Once, I came across a book about online content at the UW library that actually dissected the ways in which people read a book and how people read online. I believe this book could be a valuable addition to the class. It was written several years ago but their information still holds true. In fact, it may be more imperative to study this than trying it and failing. I'm afraid I can't remember the exact title and author but I can search for it online and let you know by email.
Overall, the class was open to discussing their uses of social media. The more knowledgeable students provided useful input and clarification. Their help was invaluable.
More detail to the content of the course would be recommended. The website project seemed to stretch everyone's abilities beyond what they knew which was great but a bit overwhelming. Stretching this course over a whole semester is advised.

Alternative Media - A powerful form of communication

We've seen how alternative media has worked to help people stand up for their rights in Egypt and other countries. Egypt shut down the internet and people were still able to get tweets and other communications from family and friends in the United States and elsewhere.
The magnitude of that uprising and the one we are having here in Wisconsin, as well as, Ohio is not as large, but still prominent on our social landscape.
In a recent video assigned in class "Brown is the New Green: George Lopez and the American Dream" we see the actor instrumental in portraying a family that is essentially American with a Spanish flavor. Lopez demonstrates that we all go through universal struggles despite the color we are. Actors like Bill Dano, with his contrived accent did nothing to elevate the new immigrants; in fact it perpetuated myths of a culture that is far rich and interesting than the one-dimensional character Dano played. Reaching this rich and vibrant culture has been neglected by our mainstream advertising and such. Let's see more real life advertising that speaks to everyone and not just a select few.

Which types of social media should you use for your website?

The three social media sites that have the most people viewing are You Tube, Facebook, and Twitter.
My job at Madison College is to help create a website for the Communications & Performing Arts page using social media. Flickr is good choice for me because I can utilize theatre photos of recent productions. Twitter is also an option to reach out to students. Students are texting throughout the day studies have reported. Facebook is another useful tool to help create a community for a particular group.
Eric Stoller, in his presentation about Social Media, says that doing a few social media initiatives, and doing them well, is more important than having many and doing them poorly (you can follow him on Twitter).
I agree with his recommendation because most of these sites offer some useful reading. The information is located on the particular site, so you won't have to go elsewhere to find it.
It's much better to learn how the sites function before jumping right in. Another tactic is to read what other people are posting to these sites. It will help spark your own creative way of reaching out and getting your message across.
Speaking of goals and message, being clear about what the goal of your social media initiatives are will help you craft a clear and well-thought plan of action.

Slow Food UW

We've had a couple of very good dinners at this event on Monday nights near campus. We are looking forward to more dinners. The students' cooking exhibits a great understanding and respect around food, where it comes from, how to nourish others with it, and how to build community. This small community of foodies has an enthusiasm that is infectious. I may be persuaded to cook myself. The volume of food to be made is a bit daunting but there is plenty of help.
I'd like to research the Slow Food Movement some more. I know it originally began in Italy and has been publicized more in large food cities like NY and California.
My parents are familiar with the practice of it, although they did not know a movement was created around it; they just did it as a way of life. They taught me on how to make fresh pasta, stuffed pastas, and more. Every summer we had a small production factory going in the backyard as we bottled a couple of hundred tomato jars. We use the jars for making my aunt's wonderful sauce.
I'll admit to using canned varieties of crushed tomatoes from the supermarket today because they are just as good. I've learned not to mention this fact again to my aunt, after I realized this tradition was part of their life in Italy. They have a strong need to preserve it here because it gave them the identity they still wanted to cling to. I don't know if, when my aunt dies, will the tradition continue?

"Talk" Through Social Media

My class at Madison College is focused on the "social" part of new media. We don't want to forget that our main aim is to build community; "talk" with one another. A librarian at the library introduced us to the resources on social media. Since "new" things come on the scene pretty quickly it is best to stay as informed as you can.

Madison Children's Museum, Noodles & Co., Ella's oh my!

My sister Lisa came for a visit to Madison from Brooklyn, New York. She was here for 5 days and I was stressed. Would she like my place? Would the kids like it too? etc. She came with her husband, (and fellow foodie) Stephen and their 7 year old twins. I wanted to give them a great experience, mostly around food. And I knew the kids were going to be fussy.

Anyway, my partner and I made a list of food places we love and found it frustrating since we had more restaurants listed than days available. When they arrived on Thursday we met them at Water House Foods in Lake Mills, midway between Milwaukee and Madison. It is a cute sandwich place that makes yummy spreads for their sandwiches with names like the Juliet, Romeo, Petruchio, you get the idea. Anyway, after filling up they followed us home passing barns and cows so the children could see them close instead of an image on a milk carton. Of course, they did not like the smell, it gets some getting used to.

My brother-in-law remembered Noodles and Company on his last visit and wanted a bowl of their noodles. If the kids enjoyed Asian food';I would have taken them to Wah Kee for homemade noodles! We took the kids to the indoor park at the Dells the next day where they road the rides and played games. Since it was raining it was a good day to make the trip.

Another hit was Culver's for pretty good hot sandwiches and fries and don't forget the custard!
Remember, we had kids along and wanted kid-friendly places. The biggest hit of all was Ella's Deli, not so much for the food but for the collection of carnival like objects. They were amazed and delighted and the ice cream wasn't bad either.

We wanted to babysit the kids so my sis and husband could go to Osteria Papavero, a great Northern Italian cuisine restaurant, but they didn't want to. My nephew also informed me that babysitting was so "old school." LOL.

Do we really eat with our eyes? Is bigger always better?

Last June 2010 I took a trip to New York City, where I'm from. It is exciting because it is always an opportunity to try some great food. I do my research but being with my family plans go awry. You see my parents are from Italy and they make some great tasting food. My partner, on the other hand, told me stories of ketchup and Wonder Bread and stewed tomatoes that I can't even mention here. Anyway, we enjoyed the copius meals they prepared but when we had some breathing space we went to the local deli.

Steve loves a New York style deli. Mountains of food on display and so many varieties. How do they keep all this fresh I wondered. The display of food now looks very excessive to me and unappetizing. And I've lived here for most of my 40 some years. I found myself beginning to miss my meals in Madison. I've always enjoyed cooking and also taught cooking classes here in Madison at places like Dean Clinic and Whole Foods. Anyway, the products I get here are the freshest I've found anywhere. The famed farmer's market(s) goes from May to November - a nice long stretch. Anyway, I've made some great tasting meals, just ask Steve. Besides missing my own meals; I missed the wonderful food in restaurants we go to.

Our tastes are as simple as a burger at the North Street Pub to Osteria Papavero's menu, classic homestyle Tuscan food. I crave the variety and quality of products used in restaurants here where you don't have to go far to get a great meal.