Like Moses, I am full of excuses.
Like Pharaoh, I am prideful.
Like Esther, I am scared.
Like Jonah, I am disobedient.
Like Peter, I lose sight of the Lord.
Like Thomas, I doubt.
and despite these flaws,
the Lord will use me for his glory.
In 10 months I will be graduating from Texas Christian University. In 10 months a new season of my life will begin. The thought of this new beginning is exciting but at the same time it is quite terrifying. For the past 17 years I have gone to school, I have turned in homework assignments and have taken tests. School is all I know.
In 10 months graduation will not simply mean that I have completed 124 hours of classwork, graduation will mean that I am leaving the biggest comfort zone I have ever had in my life.
So what comes next? Where am I suppose to go? What am I suppose to do?
Recently the answer has been made clear: I am to go throughout the world and proclaim who Christ is.
This answer has brought such a peace to my heart and has calmed my frantic mind because the Lord has been clear as to where I am to go and the plan he has for me after college.
Beginning in January of 2013, I will begin a trip, through a mission organization, to 11 countries around the world where I will spend a month participating in different types of ministry with the ultimate goal of presenting the gospel to people who have never heard of Christ.
In 10 months I will be traveling to China, Philippines, Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala, India, Romania, Albania, Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania.
What a journey! I can't wait!
--Melanie Hairston
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Ahhhhhh! The Life of an RA!
Life as an RA never ceases to be interesting. As an RA, you don’t have to be
handling policy violations or writing reports in order to have something or the other
going on that gives you a story to tell. Take what’s happening around me right now as
an example: I’m sitting at the front desk in my residence hall–Clark Hall—next to one of
my favorite residents. He has his guitar out and is playing songs by AC/DC, Led
Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones and Guns ‘n’ Roses. With us are one of my colleagues,
my hall director and a friend of my hall director’s. Our conversation over the past two
hours has spanned topics as diverse as the way our weeks have been, life in Hawaii,
food, music and my ability to perform voices of famous characters. Things like this
happen to me every day.
Being an RA is perhaps one of the most rewarding experiences I could ever
have hoped to have had. I’ve laughed and cried. I’ve woken up at 2:30 in the morning
to respond to a medical emergency and checked in about a 100 residents in two hours.
I’ve hosted movie nights for residents to have fun on a Friday night, and I’ve stayed up
all night on a Monday night after having responded to an incident that required me to
invoke our suicide ideation protocol
Through all of this, I’ve learned stress management and time management. I’ve
learned the value of putting my heart and soul into the work I do. Most importantly, I’ve
learned about the value of caring for others, no matter how small the acts that
demonstrate it are.
--Varun Pramanik
handling policy violations or writing reports in order to have something or the other
going on that gives you a story to tell. Take what’s happening around me right now as
an example: I’m sitting at the front desk in my residence hall–Clark Hall—next to one of
my favorite residents. He has his guitar out and is playing songs by AC/DC, Led
Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones and Guns ‘n’ Roses. With us are one of my colleagues,
my hall director and a friend of my hall director’s. Our conversation over the past two
hours has spanned topics as diverse as the way our weeks have been, life in Hawaii,
food, music and my ability to perform voices of famous characters. Things like this
happen to me every day.
Being an RA is perhaps one of the most rewarding experiences I could ever
have hoped to have had. I’ve laughed and cried. I’ve woken up at 2:30 in the morning
to respond to a medical emergency and checked in about a 100 residents in two hours.
I’ve hosted movie nights for residents to have fun on a Friday night, and I’ve stayed up
all night on a Monday night after having responded to an incident that required me to
invoke our suicide ideation protocol
Through all of this, I’ve learned stress management and time management. I’ve
learned the value of putting my heart and soul into the work I do. Most importantly, I’ve
learned about the value of caring for others, no matter how small the acts that
demonstrate it are.
--Varun Pramanik
BADvertising
Americans continue to see advertising that is irritating, annoying and upsetting. It is as if marketers purposefully set out to annoy the American population. Why do we see this so often? According to Henderson (2008), "all marketers want consumers to remember their ads and this is a proven way to do so. To be irritating is to be memorable and thus effective."
Advertisers set out to do something that will grab your attention. Even if it infuriates you, it still makes an impact. Luke Sullivan, in his 2008 book, “Hey Whipple, Squeeze This,” references an old Charmin ad featuring an old supermarket manager named Mr. Whipple. The ad is cited as one the most hated ads in history . There were groups of people that wanted to boycott Charmin and people even lobbied to remove the ad. But Charmin stuck with it. They had hit badvertising gold and weren’t going to let go. During Whipple’s run (60s-80s), Charmin was number one in sales. Mr. Whipple literally sold over a billion roles of toilet paper.
Oscar Wilde once said, “There is only one thing worse than being talked about, and that is not being talked about.” Just ask Go Daddy if they mind those who are offended by their sexual advertising. It’s offensive to some but Go Daddy is by far the largest company in its category; four times the size of its closest competitor. Word-of-mouth pushes badvertising over some of the top award-winning ads in the super bowl. Which has more YouTube hits: The Montgomery Flea Market commercial or that last years top CLIO award winner? Badvertising will increase your brand recognition and image saliency (the ad’s ability to stick in your mind). It’s cheaper and if you truly advertise badly enough, the ad can spread through social media like wildfire.
--Matthew Ross
Advertisers set out to do something that will grab your attention. Even if it infuriates you, it still makes an impact. Luke Sullivan, in his 2008 book, “Hey Whipple, Squeeze This,” references an old Charmin ad featuring an old supermarket manager named Mr. Whipple. The ad is cited as one the most hated ads in history . There were groups of people that wanted to boycott Charmin and people even lobbied to remove the ad. But Charmin stuck with it. They had hit badvertising gold and weren’t going to let go. During Whipple’s run (60s-80s), Charmin was number one in sales. Mr. Whipple literally sold over a billion roles of toilet paper.
Oscar Wilde once said, “There is only one thing worse than being talked about, and that is not being talked about.” Just ask Go Daddy if they mind those who are offended by their sexual advertising. It’s offensive to some but Go Daddy is by far the largest company in its category; four times the size of its closest competitor. Word-of-mouth pushes badvertising over some of the top award-winning ads in the super bowl. Which has more YouTube hits: The Montgomery Flea Market commercial or that last years top CLIO award winner? Badvertising will increase your brand recognition and image saliency (the ad’s ability to stick in your mind). It’s cheaper and if you truly advertise badly enough, the ad can spread through social media like wildfire.
--Matthew Ross
Believe it or not, some students that go to TCU or any Texas school for that matter are not from Texas! Shocker, I know. I am one of them. My name is Kelsey, and I am originally from Las Vegas, NV (yes, people actually live there). My first time visiting Texas ever was in October of 2008 for my campus visit to TCU, and honestly I fell in love. Not just with the campus because who wouldn’t, but with Fort Worth itself. Even though this town may seem quaint and simple, it really isn’t. There is so much to do, and over the past few years I have made this city my home. And I want to share with you some of my favorite places, as a “non-Texan.”
One thing that I did not realize when I moved here was that the Fort Worth area is quite the cultural hotspot. Honestly, I was surprised that most people drove cars and did not go on horseback everywhere. From operas to the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo, Fort Worth always has something exciting going on to get you out of the house. This past week my all-time favorite musical, Rent, came to Casa Mañana, a local play house close to TCU On University near 7th Street. I almost crashed my car when I saw the bus stop bench on University advertising the performance. It was one of those awesome moments when you get so excited about something that everything you try to say comes out in a jumbled mess because for some reason your brain and mouth decided that they don’t want to work together anymore.
All in all the performance was amazing. Back home I would go see shows done by local theatres all the time, so it was nice to get back into that culture. You would be amazed at the amount of talent Fort Worth has to offer. Rent is a musical that calls for powerful voices from both men and women. The characters are diverse and very controversial. The actors who performed in this production done by Casa Mañana did not hold back. They became these characters, and really brought the show to life. I can honestly say that I will definitely recommend a production of Casa Mañana’s to anyone in the future.
One thing that I did not realize when I moved here was that the Fort Worth area is quite the cultural hotspot. Honestly, I was surprised that most people drove cars and did not go on horseback everywhere. From operas to the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo, Fort Worth always has something exciting going on to get you out of the house. This past week my all-time favorite musical, Rent, came to Casa Mañana, a local play house close to TCU On University near 7th Street. I almost crashed my car when I saw the bus stop bench on University advertising the performance. It was one of those awesome moments when you get so excited about something that everything you try to say comes out in a jumbled mess because for some reason your brain and mouth decided that they don’t want to work together anymore.
All in all the performance was amazing. Back home I would go see shows done by local theatres all the time, so it was nice to get back into that culture. You would be amazed at the amount of talent Fort Worth has to offer. Rent is a musical that calls for powerful voices from both men and women. The characters are diverse and very controversial. The actors who performed in this production done by Casa Mañana did not hold back. They became these characters, and really brought the show to life. I can honestly say that I will definitely recommend a production of Casa Mañana’s to anyone in the future.
--Kelsey Thomas
Good Eats
Getting Back To The Dinner Table
In the fast-paced world we live in, it is often difficult to find the time to sit down and have a good home-cooked meal with the people we love. Before I moved to TCU for college, my family would enjoy a big dinner every night prepared by my parents. The dinner table was the place where the whole family gathered at the end of each day. We would eat and talk about what happened at school or work and we would discuss our schedules for the rest of the week. During this short, yet meaningful, time we were all able to relax and take a break from our hectic days of school, work, and extracurricular activities.
Now that I am a college student, sitting down for a home-cooked meal is a very rare occasion. I don’t live with my parents anymore and my friends all have their own agendas that keep them from having the time to cook something up. I find myself eating more fast food and takeout than ever before, as do my friends.
This needs to change. College students should understand that they DO have the time to cook healthy, quick meals. I believe that my fellow students need to once again learn to appreciate taking some time out of their busy schedules to sit down at the dinner table with friends to relax and reflect on the day.
I am dedicating this blog to college students who are looking for easy, healthy dinner recipes that they can make in a reasonable amount of time. Beginning with my next post, I will suggest certain main-course dishes and sides to put together for a traditional home-cooked meal that college students can manage to make and enjoy.
Picture source: http://hd-wallpapers.dumbs.info/wallpapers/food-background/food-background-breakfast-classic-kitchen/
Gluten Intolerance
I found out I was gluten intolerant in the 8th grade. Growing up it never crossed my mind that I would have some sort of food allergy or that something was wrong with me. My constant headaches seemed normal to me. I grew up chewing on children’s chewable Motrin. My parents did not think much of it either. “It’s probably just the Houston pollen giving you headaches,” they would say. “You need to drink more water,” my mother would tell me.
My mom seemed to always have something wrong with her as well. It seemed like everything she ate made her feel sick. First my mom thought it was sweets that made her feel sick; then she thought it was dairy; the next thing was bread or yeast. The guessing game continued for years, and no doctor could figure it out. Then one day a doctor gave my mother some news that would change my family’s life forever. He told her that she was gluten intolerant and that the condition is genetic. My mother had our whole family test and it turned out that I had it too.
Gluten intolerance, also known as Celiac Disease, is a condition that damages the lining of the small intestine and prevents it from absorbing parts of food that are vital for good nutrition. Intestinal damage is caused by a reaction to eating gluten; gluten is found in wheat, barely, rye, and oats.
At first I was devastated. I thought I would no longer be able eat all the foods I loved. Pizza, pasta, bread, cake, and cookies all contained gluten. Then my mom started doing some research and discovered the world of gluten free. Living gluten free is easy now, a piece of cake.
My mom seemed to always have something wrong with her as well. It seemed like everything she ate made her feel sick. First my mom thought it was sweets that made her feel sick; then she thought it was dairy; the next thing was bread or yeast. The guessing game continued for years, and no doctor could figure it out. Then one day a doctor gave my mother some news that would change my family’s life forever. He told her that she was gluten intolerant and that the condition is genetic. My mother had our whole family test and it turned out that I had it too.
Gluten intolerance, also known as Celiac Disease, is a condition that damages the lining of the small intestine and prevents it from absorbing parts of food that are vital for good nutrition. Intestinal damage is caused by a reaction to eating gluten; gluten is found in wheat, barely, rye, and oats.
At first I was devastated. I thought I would no longer be able eat all the foods I loved. Pizza, pasta, bread, cake, and cookies all contained gluten. Then my mom started doing some research and discovered the world of gluten free. Living gluten free is easy now, a piece of cake.
--Tessa del Grande
Blog Problems? Google Reader to the Rescue
In the age of technology and social media it can be hard to keep up with the overabundance of blogs. The bookmarks bar on your computer can be overwhelmed by the amount of links that are saved, and Mac users can relate to the annoyance of the spinning, colored pinwheel. But there is a solution to this problem, and that solution is Google Reader. Google Reader is an RSS feed that allows blog lovers to view their favorite blogs in a newspaper format. It is easy to use and helps organize reading material.
The steps to obtain this convenience are simple. First, users must log in with their Google account. If you don’t have one, then you will have to create one. (Don’t worry it’s free.)
Then go to your favorite blogs and find the RSS button that looks like this → Then you will either click subscribe to Google Reader or you’ll copy and paste the URL to the Google Reader’s subscribe button (found on the home page) and click add. You now officially have your first subscription!
You can also arrange your blogs into folders in order to stay organized. Google reader will also recommend other blogs similar to the ones you follow. Every time your favorite blogger posts, it will appear on your homepage. Once you read it the post will not appear in bold on your homepage, but you can still view it on your side bar.
The amount of blogs online can be overwhelming, but with Google Reader a blog lover has the ability to be savvy and organized. Below, includes a picture step-by-step process about the Google reader process.
--Aiden Terry
The steps to obtain this convenience are simple. First, users must log in with their Google account. If you don’t have one, then you will have to create one. (Don’t worry it’s free.)
Then go to your favorite blogs and find the RSS button that looks like this → Then you will either click subscribe to Google Reader or you’ll copy and paste the URL to the Google Reader’s subscribe button (found on the home page) and click add. You now officially have your first subscription!
You can also arrange your blogs into folders in order to stay organized. Google reader will also recommend other blogs similar to the ones you follow. Every time your favorite blogger posts, it will appear on your homepage. Once you read it the post will not appear in bold on your homepage, but you can still view it on your side bar.
The amount of blogs online can be overwhelming, but with Google Reader a blog lover has the ability to be savvy and organized. Below, includes a picture step-by-step process about the Google reader process.
--Aiden Terry
Cooking in College: As Easy as ABC
You moved into your first apartment with new roommates. Gone are the regular trips to the college cafeteria, where you had your choice of meals; you did not do the cooking or the dishes. Mom is too far away to come over with a hot meal. What do you do? Where do you start?
I am here to help you, especially those college students, not living in dorms, figure out easy recipes that taste almost as good as your mom’s cooking. Cooking takes creativity and thought but with the right ideas and the right products it can be very easy. To begin you have to know how to find deals at the grocery store and find products that can be used in other dishes that you make. For example many dishes call for olive oil, therefore “splurging” on a bigger bottle of olive oil could turn out to be a better deal. Another example would be teriyaki, this Asian sauce adds flavor to many dishes that could be potentially bland. To be creative think of flavors in other food that sticks out to you and your senses; next time you are at a restaurant, or watching the food network, pay attention to all of the flavors and spices added to the meal.
The next time you cook you will be coming up with ideas that you remembered. It is good to be creative and try something different when cooking, you never know how a mixture of flavor will taste, don’t be afraid to make something that doesn’t taste great, it happens to everyone. Prepare for constructive criticism from your roommates and friends, it will help you not make bad dishes in the future.
Future ideas for this blog will be actual dishes that I will make during the week with my roommates. Cooking is tons of fun and a great way to involve all of your roommates, even if one of them is only in charge of playing the background music.
I am here to help you, especially those college students, not living in dorms, figure out easy recipes that taste almost as good as your mom’s cooking. Cooking takes creativity and thought but with the right ideas and the right products it can be very easy. To begin you have to know how to find deals at the grocery store and find products that can be used in other dishes that you make. For example many dishes call for olive oil, therefore “splurging” on a bigger bottle of olive oil could turn out to be a better deal. Another example would be teriyaki, this Asian sauce adds flavor to many dishes that could be potentially bland. To be creative think of flavors in other food that sticks out to you and your senses; next time you are at a restaurant, or watching the food network, pay attention to all of the flavors and spices added to the meal.
The next time you cook you will be coming up with ideas that you remembered. It is good to be creative and try something different when cooking, you never know how a mixture of flavor will taste, don’t be afraid to make something that doesn’t taste great, it happens to everyone. Prepare for constructive criticism from your roommates and friends, it will help you not make bad dishes in the future.
Future ideas for this blog will be actual dishes that I will make during the week with my roommates. Cooking is tons of fun and a great way to involve all of your roommates, even if one of them is only in charge of playing the background music.
--Michelle Mattar
What will you eat?
TCU’s campus is surrounded by restaurants based on different cultural influences. Classic American, Italian, Asian, and Latin cuisine all can be found within walking distance of campus. There are also great sandwich, smoothie, and yogurt shops.
For an American favourite you can head to Dutch’s , a great neighborhood burger joint. They have many burgers that are full of flavor and hand cut fries. If you are not in the mood for a burger, they also have many other choices, including salads, sandwiches, nachos, and more.
If burgers aren’t your thing them you can go right next door to Buffalo Bros for some tasty wings, pizza, and subs. Even if you are not hungry you can head to Buffalo Bros grab a drink and watch the games that are on because they have over 12 HD TV’s so every sports fan is pleased. It is a great place to relax, watch the game, and be surrounded by TCU fans. Both Dutch’s and Buffalo Bros are located on University.
If you just want the Italian favorite of pizza and pasta there are many choices to choose from. On Berry alone there is a Domino’s Pizza, Little Caesar’s, Pizza hut, and Crazy Jay’s Pizza and Pasta. There is also Perrotti’s Pizza located on Greene. Together they have many different pizzas to please all. Crazy Jay’s, Domino’s, and Perrotti’s have pasta dishes that will satisfy.
For fast food McDonalds, Jack in the Box, Taco Bell, Whataburger, and Wendy’s are all just a walk away. All located on Berry.
There are many choices to choose from if you want American, Italian, or fast food. Watch for my next blog when I will take you on a gourmet trip through Asian and Latin cuisine.
--Ruth-Ann Palmer
For an American favourite you can head to Dutch’s , a great neighborhood burger joint. They have many burgers that are full of flavor and hand cut fries. If you are not in the mood for a burger, they also have many other choices, including salads, sandwiches, nachos, and more.
If burgers aren’t your thing them you can go right next door to Buffalo Bros for some tasty wings, pizza, and subs. Even if you are not hungry you can head to Buffalo Bros grab a drink and watch the games that are on because they have over 12 HD TV’s so every sports fan is pleased. It is a great place to relax, watch the game, and be surrounded by TCU fans. Both Dutch’s and Buffalo Bros are located on University.
If you just want the Italian favorite of pizza and pasta there are many choices to choose from. On Berry alone there is a Domino’s Pizza, Little Caesar’s, Pizza hut, and Crazy Jay’s Pizza and Pasta. There is also Perrotti’s Pizza located on Greene. Together they have many different pizzas to please all. Crazy Jay’s, Domino’s, and Perrotti’s have pasta dishes that will satisfy.
For fast food McDonalds, Jack in the Box, Taco Bell, Whataburger, and Wendy’s are all just a walk away. All located on Berry.
There are many choices to choose from if you want American, Italian, or fast food. Watch for my next blog when I will take you on a gourmet trip through Asian and Latin cuisine.
--Ruth-Ann Palmer
Foodies Rejoice! New Food Park in Town
I’m a bit of a nomad when it comes to going out to eat. I don’t prefer going to the same restaurants every time I venture out. If I do frequent the same places, I always have to purchase a meal I’ve never tried. Call it what you want, but I consider it broadening my horizons.
When I got back to school this semester, I heard through the grapevine that Fort Worth’s very first Food Park had opened behind Target in Montgomery Plaza over on Weisenberger Street. The concept of a food park itself is extremely unique, and a concept that has only been unique to Austin until Chris Kruger brought it to life in Fort Worth last December.
On a whim one Friday night last month, my roommate and I ventured over to the Fort Worth Food Park. Two inclined concrete driveways that evidently were used for the food trucks themselves greeted us besides the sign that read “Welcome to Fort Worth Food Park.” We walked up the hill to find a narrow open area abuzz with crowds of young families and students enjoying their food on picnic tables. We noticed that the food park was BYOB, as many young couples were enjoying a bottle of wine or a 6-pack of beer under blankets and the provided space heaters since it was a chilly evening. Stationed around the picnic tables were the six food trucks that were making an appearance that weekend. My roommate and I walked around to all the trucks reading their menus indecisively. To our surprise, each food truck was conveniently able to take debit cards. Eventually, we both decided on gourmet sandwiches at Lee’s Grilled Cheese food truck. After that exceptional meal, we both promised to look up the food park calendar every week to see which food truck would be coming. Our hope was to be able to try every single one as they pop up randomly on the calendar each week. As the weather continues to get warmer, I can imagine the food park reaching its peak of business this spring. They are expected to have misters there on the warmer days as well. The food park has even boasted it will be hosting live bands, games, and even movie screenings for its “foodies.” After a few visits and becoming a loyal “foodie,” I’ve discovered that The Bacon Wagon is my favorite food truck. If you catch it there one weekend, I would highly recommend the #5 “Cheeessy.” I promise you won’t regret it, especially if you like goat cheese.
When I got back to school this semester, I heard through the grapevine that Fort Worth’s very first Food Park had opened behind Target in Montgomery Plaza over on Weisenberger Street. The concept of a food park itself is extremely unique, and a concept that has only been unique to Austin until Chris Kruger brought it to life in Fort Worth last December.
On a whim one Friday night last month, my roommate and I ventured over to the Fort Worth Food Park. Two inclined concrete driveways that evidently were used for the food trucks themselves greeted us besides the sign that read “Welcome to Fort Worth Food Park.” We walked up the hill to find a narrow open area abuzz with crowds of young families and students enjoying their food on picnic tables. We noticed that the food park was BYOB, as many young couples were enjoying a bottle of wine or a 6-pack of beer under blankets and the provided space heaters since it was a chilly evening. Stationed around the picnic tables were the six food trucks that were making an appearance that weekend. My roommate and I walked around to all the trucks reading their menus indecisively. To our surprise, each food truck was conveniently able to take debit cards. Eventually, we both decided on gourmet sandwiches at Lee’s Grilled Cheese food truck. After that exceptional meal, we both promised to look up the food park calendar every week to see which food truck would be coming. Our hope was to be able to try every single one as they pop up randomly on the calendar each week. As the weather continues to get warmer, I can imagine the food park reaching its peak of business this spring. They are expected to have misters there on the warmer days as well. The food park has even boasted it will be hosting live bands, games, and even movie screenings for its “foodies.” After a few visits and becoming a loyal “foodie,” I’ve discovered that The Bacon Wagon is my favorite food truck. If you catch it there one weekend, I would highly recommend the #5 “Cheeessy.” I promise you won’t regret it, especially if you like goat cheese.
--Meg Shakelford
Wanted: KONY 2012..A Social Media Campaign
Joseph Kony, rebel African warlord, is spreading across social media outlets. His name is written as if it’s a part of a presidential campaign: KONY 2012. The sudden spark of popularity stems from an organization founded in 2003 called Invisible Children. It was created on two strong passions of filmmaking and human rights. Invisible Children plans to bring Joseph Kony down and free the children in his rebel army by using one powerful tool: social media.
Social media is changing today’s world. People care about what’s trending on twitter, liked on Facebook, viewed on YouTube and shared on LinkedIn. There’s real power when one can master them. In Jason Russell of Invisible Children’s case, he used a YouTube video to give fuel to his message. Now, everyone’s buzzing about his fight to make Joseph Kony famous and save the lives of children in Africa.
Jason stated in his YouTube video that “humanity’s greatest desire is to belong and connect” – and there’s some truth to that. That’s why, according to Mashable, Facebook alone passed 800 million users in 2011. Jason calls his video and request for support a “social experiment” – and by its popularity, I’d say it’s definitely working. His KONY 2012 video has now reached almost 41 million views after only three days of being online. He’s found a way to make his human rights movement become a cultural movement using social media; thus, change the way that the people in this world fight for what they believe in.
Social media is changing today’s world. People care about what’s trending on twitter, liked on Facebook, viewed on YouTube and shared on LinkedIn. There’s real power when one can master them. In Jason Russell of Invisible Children’s case, he used a YouTube video to give fuel to his message. Now, everyone’s buzzing about his fight to make Joseph Kony famous and save the lives of children in Africa.
Jason stated in his YouTube video that “humanity’s greatest desire is to belong and connect” – and there’s some truth to that. That’s why, according to Mashable, Facebook alone passed 800 million users in 2011. Jason calls his video and request for support a “social experiment” – and by its popularity, I’d say it’s definitely working. His KONY 2012 video has now reached almost 41 million views after only three days of being online. He’s found a way to make his human rights movement become a cultural movement using social media; thus, change the way that the people in this world fight for what they believe in.
--Shannon Listorti
Woodshed Smokehouse: Authentic Texan
About a year ago I was visiting the River Walk in San Antonio with several friends. The river was the surrounded by entertainment with restaurants, bars, and people surrounding the San Antonio River in its beauty. The attraction to the river walk isn’t the great restaurants, bars, or even music. Those aspects all play a huge role in the fun of the river walk, but the thing that brings people down there is the atmosphere and the connection it gives the to the city of San Antonio.
I remember after visiting the River Walk in San Antonio I immediately thought to myself, “what if the Trinity River in Fort Worth followed a similar trend?” About a year later a restaurant called the Woodshed opened along the Trinity River right next to the TCU campus on Riverfront Drive. Before the restaurant even opened its doors I knew it was going to be a special place. The hype around the restaurant was mainly geared towards the fact that the owner is Chef Tim Love. Love is known for his exceptional food and restaurants around Fort Worth, which I was definitely excited about, but the thing that attracted me most was its location and atmosphere.
When first walking into Woodshed I didn’t really know what to expect. Before going there I knew the food and drinks were a little bit pricy, but I didn’t know how that would reflect on the set up. I walked in and was very impressed by the uniqueness of the restaurant. The inside has a modern casual feel and is really appropriate for any occasion. That is what I really liked about Woodshed, although the food is high quality and maybe a little pricier, the atmosphere is still casual. The restaurant’s menu is mainly barbecue but it has plenty of variety.
Overall the thing that sold me the most was the back patio. Woodshed’s backyard overlooks the Trinity River and the trails along the river. It’s the ideal place to go for a couple of drinks with a group in the afternoon. With Woodshed smokehouse it is a win-win, you enjoy delicious food in a really unique atmosphere. Hopefully in the future more restaurants and bars will follow suit and develop along the Trinity River. For now though, I’m pretty satisfied with the Woodshed.
-Elliot Mulkin
I remember after visiting the River Walk in San Antonio I immediately thought to myself, “what if the Trinity River in Fort Worth followed a similar trend?” About a year later a restaurant called the Woodshed opened along the Trinity River right next to the TCU campus on Riverfront Drive. Before the restaurant even opened its doors I knew it was going to be a special place. The hype around the restaurant was mainly geared towards the fact that the owner is Chef Tim Love. Love is known for his exceptional food and restaurants around Fort Worth, which I was definitely excited about, but the thing that attracted me most was its location and atmosphere.
When first walking into Woodshed I didn’t really know what to expect. Before going there I knew the food and drinks were a little bit pricy, but I didn’t know how that would reflect on the set up. I walked in and was very impressed by the uniqueness of the restaurant. The inside has a modern casual feel and is really appropriate for any occasion. That is what I really liked about Woodshed, although the food is high quality and maybe a little pricier, the atmosphere is still casual. The restaurant’s menu is mainly barbecue but it has plenty of variety.
Overall the thing that sold me the most was the back patio. Woodshed’s backyard overlooks the Trinity River and the trails along the river. It’s the ideal place to go for a couple of drinks with a group in the afternoon. With Woodshed smokehouse it is a win-win, you enjoy delicious food in a really unique atmosphere. Hopefully in the future more restaurants and bars will follow suit and develop along the Trinity River. For now though, I’m pretty satisfied with the Woodshed.
-Elliot Mulkin
Welcome to Stratcom Blogs of 2012
We are back again with our random postings from the spring 2012 semester. I hope you'll enjoy reading my students' posts--all 14 of them.
Please leave a comment or questions about any of the blogs.
Thank you.
Amiso
Please leave a comment or questions about any of the blogs.
Thank you.
Amiso
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