Taking this to a whole new level.

Dear World human viewers, and Pets that may control their keyboards: I am hoping that starting soon, I will be re-making this blog, or another blog source yet to be determined, into something where I can tell the news from my advantage point. I promise to stay FACTUAL and will not bring you something that CNN or Fox News might bias the crap out of. My news will be short, to the point, and full of sources. Why now you may ask? Well, I recently heard that the U.S. Supreme Court has stated that bloggers ARE indeed "Journalists". Now, I do realize that anyone with half a brain could write something that I am doing right now....on a blog, and call it "Journalism". But since I do have a college degree in communication, I am hoping that some people might be able to take a blog that I write a little bit more seriously than a teenager girl who is into fashion and talking about 'cute' dudes. So I will try to 're-vamp' this system here and will see if I can make it more 'newsy' as they say in the business. My links and stories posted will most likely follow national headlines, weather, sports, or just something I might find interesting. So I hope you stay tuned as we begin this process (or as I like to call it "Caution: Construction Ahead"). Happy Blogging! Michael

I'm back?!?

So with a lot of time on my hands as of late due to a nagging illness (my voice has been lost on and off for 4 weeks now!!) and now being unemployed for the last 4-5 weeks, I have been thrown back into an internet regime. However, that too has changed where I have gone in recent weeks/months. I used to hate Twitter...and in some cases, I still do! But being a political and news junkie, I have somehow pulled myself into the realization...that if I want to make it in the industry, you have to join the pathetic social sites of non-reality. Facebook is still number 1 to me....and I want to use LinkedIn more. But until someone shows me the true way of meeting new people, where to find a full time job, or where the nearest McDonald's is and self-servicing it to my home....I stay where I am at.

I was also just on another site I found (Called 'sporcle') and it asked about top 10 websites. Surprisingly, Blogspot came in at No 8! So on that notion...after forgetting about this site for about 8 of those 12 months, I decided to take a peek back at what I wrote, as well as give you an update on anything new.

Unfortunately, the 'new' portion is also of sadness and despair. I lost my grandfather last week after a long illness. So we are in the process of morning and moving on. So I don't like to bring up all the hardships of the past month....but with no money, no jobs, sadness around the house, and the onset of winter....well, that is where I am at right now. I know this is just a 'minor' setback in the world of life. I am hopeful that this too shall pass, and while I somewhat enjoy easedropping on social finicinatos (I'm not going to attempt to make a good spelling on that) I am hopeful that something will inspire me soon, and bring me back up into an area of self-belonging.

My Sports team is leaving on a jet plane to *blank*??

2 teams. 2 different leagues. 2 new places to play come 2013 *or sooner...*

First off, the NFL's Minnesota Vikings. The Metrodome is done. The lease is up, and the explosion devices will soon be up and along with it, many years in the NFC North. Despite the many people asking the State of Minnesota and city of Minneapolis to save their team, the congress/state government didn't want to pay.

Kinda ironic since 5 years ago, they were willing to chip out hundreds of millions to put the Minnesota Twins in a new venue, don't you think??

Regardless, it is over. 2 cities...far away from Minnesota are now vetting for an NFL team. The Cities, respectfully are the favorite Los Angeles....who haven't had an NFL team since 1995, and the underdog but hold on....city of San Antonio, Texas.

In order to begin in 2013, a decision will have to be made soon in order for renovations to occur. LA would be playing in the Memorial Coliseum (See the 1984 Olympics and current home of the USC Trojans) for at least 2-3 years and would have to swap home games with the forementioned USC. The other option is believe it or not, the Alamodome. It currently holds about 2-3 football games a year, and last saw any major NFL action in 2005 when it was home for 3 games for the New Orleans Saints after Hurricane Katrina.

Now people of both states will be complaining that California and Texas have too many teams (Cali would have 4, Texas would have 3) but unless Oklahoma City decides to take a shot, or the NFL wants a new team in Utah, I honestly don't see any other places right now....

The other team bound to move, is in the NBA. That's the Sacramento Kings.

The Kings are owned by Ralph Maloof. He has for YEARS been dissapointed in the city of Sacramento, a small, undermined city by sports standards. Arco Arena is too in disarray, and the Kings are constantly towards the bottom in terms of yearly attendance in the league.

So after Sacramento announced they wouldn't help build a new arena as well, 2 places with arenas in place are at the top. One is only about 200 miles down the road, the other is about 1000 but it would keep the Western Conference in tact.

The further one is considered the favorite. Kansas City has the Sprint Center, a nice modern arena built in 2006 that has been home to the NCAA Big 12 Basketball championship the past 2 of 3 years. The other one going around the water cooler...surprize! It's the city of San Jose :O

HP Pavillion is home of the NHL San Jose Sharks. Rumor has it that such a big, thriving living city (not known for the big buildings) might actually be a great place to have an NBA team. San Francisco doesn't have one and god only knows how much longer Golden State will be in that poor Oakland area.

So there you have it. The next few weeks/months should be really interesting for these two teams. For the NBA, it's the first move since Seattle left for Oklahoma City (sorry "King" city...your on the other side looking in right now). For the NFL it could lead towards a much more dramatic shift in conference play and cold also invoke franchise teams or other moves. So stay tuned!

Want to Contact Me??

 Of course you do! The easiest way to get in touch with me is through EMAIL.

and I have 2 addresses.

1. My primary email: michaeloptv@yahoo.com
2. My secondary email: mo303564@gmail.com

I will take requests for things to write about. I will also listen to any job offers ;)

Thanks for stopping by. Check back later for more!!

A little Update

Since the "Business Communication" Blog has ended, and Christmas has come and gone...I wanted to update you on what has been going on in my life.

1. I graduated from Western New England University in Springfield, Massachusetts (yay!!)

2. I recently got employed at Pet Supplies "Plus" at a new store that will be opening next month.

3. I am pissed, but content and trying to move on, about the Patriots last minute loss to the NY Giants...Again.....in Super Bowl XLVI. And for the record. Please all the stupid Celebrity shows, MOVE ON about Giselle's Comments. She didn't mean anything bad, she was frustrated with the wide receivers play and the loss on a major stage (Madonna had a good show, but next year let's just make sure no other strange singing "flipping camera" wannabes take the stage).

4. I seemed to have caught the "Post School blues" and have been fairly bored as of late. But the XBOX360 I got just before Christmas has tried to give me some company.

5. Finally, I eagerly await the day I move out of my parent's place, as they have driven me up the creek these past few weeks...but knowing my luck, that could be a while :(

In the meantime, I will be around trying to catch up on sporting games/events. For example, I saw UNH take on UMaine at a frozen Fenway Park last month, and hope to catch a good ol Manchester Monarchs game hopefully soon. You can also perhaps see me at a movie cinema. I recently saw "Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close". It was an average movie. Had some real dramatic pieces to it. The child in the movie has Aspergers Syndrome. While it's not a bad portrayal, I never myself threw a tempertantrum and went on a speaking rampage like that lol.

I've also been interested in the political process that is... "who will challenge Obama in 2012?" My odds on favorite (and money) still seems to be on Mitt Romney, BUT I'm not saying this race is over. Be on the lookout for Rick Santorum to make a MAJOR comeback and make this one interesting all the way to California (Gingrich will be done via Super Tuesday in 4 weeks, leaving it a 2 and 1/2 [paul] man race into May).

Enjoy!

Michael

How Email's Can Cost Employees their Jobs

In order to appeal to the masses, I have come back to deliver one final business blog. In part because my computer hates me and I am too busy right now to do any more at this time (Be lucky I am doing this one!)

Today's blog is on how email's can cost employees their jobs. Here are some tips that were given....

NEVER use the "Bcc" unless you have to when sending an email. The Bcc (or Blind Carbon Copy) sends an email in carbon copy to someone who does not appear in the seen email list. In other words, if you accidentally send out a "CC" to someone who wasn't supposed to get that particular message, it could backfire severely! This is the only time a Bcc is used (when there is a reason someone has a message but others in the group aren't supposed to know- Like a boss for example!) So if you accidentally CC someone who wasn't supposed to get the message; that is an issue if others don't want that person to know the situation. However, if you leave someone out, it's also an issue. So emails are a very important tool in the workforce.

Secondly, you should never seem too arrogant in an email. Some workers have a feeling that since they are not seeing eye-to-eye with someone, that they can get away with more and ask for more in return. Your boss or co-worker may think otherwise. So always act as if you are talking to them in person when writing an email. 

A big thing with email writing is respect. If you do not respect your co-workers, they will not respect you. You are to treat your workers with the respect and dignity they deserve when you send out an email. DO NOT use slang terms, vulgar language, or anything pity just to tell them they are wrong. As adults, people have to professionally explain the situation, ask for some advice on how to work it out, and do so without having too many other people get involved.

Finally, never use an auto-response email unless it is the company's policy or you are on vacation. People can usually tell when a message is automated to signify the business of the worker. They feel that even if the message says " Thank you for your interest. We will respond soon," that well...you may NEVER respond because it will get lost and buried. People could also feel frustrated with these messages, lowering the work output levels. Always try to respond to each email you receive. It is work, but it is well worth the reward.

Also...make sure when sending out an email, you give people time to respond. Wait a day or so. Don't give them an hour!! Don't be an impatient brat!! We do have a lot to do people. Don't wait til the last minute to tell us an important issue, because even though email is fast and efficient, we don't check it every freakin minute of our lives! If there is an emergency email/attachment for someone, in actuality the best way to get that message to a person fastest is to call them. Telephones are noisy and if that person is at his office, at least he will hear it.

That it is for today. Hopefully I will have more time soon since I'll be looking for work. Enjoy! :)

7 Tips For Better Work Ethic & Motivation

This week’s blog is focused on the secrets of high motivation….something that I unfortunately lack sometimes. Granted, we all lack it on occasion. Hopefully though, these seven tips from Business Insider and Dumb Little Man will help get you back on trap. I’m sure they will bring you a great deal of higher enthusiasm, and be able you to get a whole lot of work completed in no time!

1. Understand your “Peak” time of the day

- People tend to work best during a certain time of day. It varies from person to person. My peak hours for example tend to be around the early evening hours (6-9PM).  Use your peak hours for things that you will need energy for! So if you need them, don’t waste them!

2. Focus on one task at a time

- Multitasking actually isn’t a good thing, who would have thought that? It can be useful when you are in a rush, but in terms of good productivity, you need to do one thing at a time in order do the work properly. This means putting away the iphone and logging off of Facebook if you have a paper due the next day. You can check your text messages later.

3. Eat healthy foods.

- Eating healthy food gives you energy bleh bleh bleh. Stay away from McDonald’s and all the greasy French Fries. But in all seriousness, an apple or a granola bar is good for you. Energy drinks are also good, provided you actually USE that stored energy.

4. Allow others to help you when needed.

- This one basically explains itself. In other words, if you are rich and you don’t have the time for all the housework, hire a maid!

5. Say “NO” to unwanted commitments.

- If you simply don’t have the time, prioritize your needs. It may hurt your friends and yourself sometimes (involving social life), but in order to get something important done, you might have to say no if you know you are not going to have the extra time to accomplish a more necessary task.

6. Exercise Regularly.

- Well what do ya know? Eating healthy + Exercise=energy!! I seriously don’t know how some people do it, but perhaps it is because they find the TIME in their busy lifestyles, then they create something meaningful out of it. And if you don't have time for a full workout, a ten minute walk doesn’t hurt either.

7. Invest in your time.

-  Finally, spend time on something important now, so that you will have the time for other great things in life….later. Not procrastinating or waiting till the last minute is easier said than done, but if you ever find you actually have a moment, try it! Look for other efficient methods of doing a repetitive task faster. In other words, try some maneuvers to see what works best in getting your work done fast, but effectively.

 Be back soon! :)