Inappropriate Language

In my opinion, there’s a time and place for everything. Whether it is joking around or even using inappropriate language. Today in class I dropped the F bomb during a very important presentation! Yes, I know, it was uncalled for and not professional.

I was speaking in regards to a project I had been working on with a local band called The Deepest Red. I accidently said it when I was trying to quote an attendee from the band’s show last week…he said the banding was “f***ing awesome!” Actually he said the whole word but I am trying to be clean here. I meant to say that in the way I just wrote it…however…the whole word came out. All my classmates laughed and my professor was shocked…I was mortified. I guess that woke up the class! I quickly apologized about the incident and explained that I was quoting someone and had all the intentions of “cleaning” up the word, but as one can tell that didn’t work out!

I learned for the next time to be very careful…even when quoting someone else’s words. Or maybe just not even try to quote such a quote because regardless if it is in class or for a business meeting, it is still inappropriate language and disrespectful.

Ethics

When I first started studying Public Relations, one of the aspects of the field I was taught was in regards to ethics. Ethics was and is still important in anything you do, but more so if you're in the public eye. Once you sign next to that little X on the line, you now belong to the public and you better believe everything you do is under the microscope!

It seems as if a few pop stars may have been blinded sided and forgot their ethics at home. Rolling Stone reported artists such as Usher, Beyonce and Mariah Carey performed private shows for dictator Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi of Libya...whom I know you know has been in the press lately when he "ordered security forces to open fire on citizens protesting his rule."

It is assumed these artists may been paid as much as a million dollars for these private shows.

Now I don't entirely blame these artists for wanting to get paid if this information is accurate....but I would think somewhere a line would be drawn between money and one's ethics...unless you don't have any....and now their colleagues within the industry are seriously considering their actions and not in the best light. So next time a great opportunity comes up, just make sure you get all the details or you'll end up in the wrong limelight.

Friendship

This month I'm taking two classes for school...but then again this isn't so new...and I'm fortunate enough that one of these classes is with my two GREAT friends: Brodrick Renfro and T-Ray (both artists you will soon know).

I used to be in the same classes with them until I fell behind due to recovery for an accident I had almost a year ago. But now we're all together for the time being and I love it! Whether its cracking jokes or driving our professor nuts (in a good way...I think he gets a kick out of it), which reminds me of old times.

This past weekend was the first time in a long time that we got to spend some actual time together...even though it was working on a project...it was still fun.

The point of today's post is to cherish those great friendships you have, because sometimes its these relationships that keep you going through good times...and bad...I know I do.

Professionalism

So I was in my producing class today when my professor was going over lecture which was about being paid upfront or by project, and so forth...when he mentioned a very well-known producer that tends to rip people off. I won't say the name but what I can tell you is this person didn't pay him for the project he worked on and has done this to many people...what a shame that he works with famous people yet doesn't pay the staff when they should get paid.

Like I said I won't say his name because that would just be wrong, but am informing all of you that when you screw someone over....word gets around! My professor even told us that he makes sure to tell everyone about this individual so that they don't get taken advantage of! He doesn't tell them to not work with him, but to be careful...but if you ask me, if someone warns me about working with someone...I wouldn't really trust them at all. Therefore, don't screw anyone over!

Your site on a tag?!

This past weekend I got to do a little shopping and thank goodness for coupons! Student on a budget here! But this is not what is important…what is….is the tag on one of the items I purchased. What caught my eye was the tag informing me that I could download a free iPhone app for that merchant and then scan the barcode for more info for this particular item!

What better way than to grab anyone’s attention on where and how to get more information!? I mean imagine what it would do for those artists who are up and coming and trying to reach their fans? Just put a tag on, for example, your T-shirts (or merch that you’ll be selling) at your gigs with your webpage and boom!

Now I know not everyone has an iPhone or app but the concept behind this little tag wasn’t so bad after all! Kudos to whoever came up with this idea! I’m so jealous!