The Game of Life

Yesterday I had the unfortunate experience of learning of a death to a brother of a close friend of mine.  He was only 22 years old.  Even though I wasn't extremely close to him, it was still heartbreaking to me for my friend and the family I had grown close with.

Later in the day, one of my friends tweeted a picture of this..

"Longest game ever.. #life"

She tweeted saying, "Longest game ever.. #life."  However, I read in a different way.  Yes, I have learned after babysitting many children that this board game is a long game, but the real game of life is not long enough for anyone really. For some people this "game of life" that we live everyday, is far too short.  Many people say life and its contents are not fair, and sometimes it truly is not.  I believe there is a reason why these tragic things happen though, and it's for people to realize to live everyday to the best of their ability and not take advantage of anything.  We need to remember to be happy and do what makes us happy.  It won't benefit us to do only what makes others happy to make ourselves miserable because we cannot take any day back.  I believe that everything happens for a reason and these moments happen to every one of us every single day, whether it's good or bad.

The Media has a huge impact on lives and deaths today too.  News travels fast through Facebook and Twitter when the horrible news of a loved one has died, and it has good benefits and bad.  It gives people the ability to say goodbye one last time or see the stories that friends and families have of that person.  However, it also doesn't give the family much privacy from all the contact they are receiving about it.  It is so interesting to see how in today's world of modern technology one can see the entire life span of certain individuals, when in the past you could know nothing about the person unless you were face to face having a conversation with them.  How will it be in another 20 years?

Coincidence that this all hit me in the same day?  I'm not quite sure, but it's these unfortunate events of young deaths that remind me everyday to not take advantage of any day, person, or experience because you just never know when the tragic event could happen to yourself.   

Is the Economy Getting Better?

What's Not To Love?

As summer begins, more and more people want to do things outside and enjoy the weather.  It makes people happier and more enjoyable to be around as well.  Over memorial day weekend, my family went out to dinner in the Historic Third Ward of Milwaukee to a restaurant on the Milwaukee River called Rustico.  There were many people out and about because of the holiday, the phenomenal weather, and the beautiful atmosphere of Milwaukee's waterfront.   

However, as we walked throughout the Third Ward, we found many empty buildings and thought with all the business and attractions in Milwaukee, more specifically the Third Ward, how could not every building be filled?  It was disappointing to see that the economy has still not brought up Milwaukee to the potential it has.

There are three main restaurants along the riverfront where Rustico is located; Rustico, The Milwaukee Ale House, and Water Buffalo.  Even in between Rustico and The Milwaukee Ale House there was a vacant spot where it was obvious a restaurant used to be.  Hopefully this isn't a sign that beautiful and enjoyable restaurants are going to begin to disappear at relaxing locations like pictured above, the view of the river in the beautiful Historic Third Ward.  

Foster Parents Rock

I recently saw this billboard as I was driving into Milwaukee.

It really caught my eye how it was displayed with how there is an adult and a child with the phrase, "turn a life around."  The picture is that of a child that looks thrilled because of the company of an adult making them happy.  And then I noticed the website for http://fosterparentsrock.com/Home.aspx.  This billboard and the organization truly shows how important an adult figure is for a child's life.

I then started researching the website and noticed a familiar picture that was from Marquette University.  The picture was from the event that Marquette and other Universities around the state called Flash Mob.  I remember hearing about the event, but never truly understood what it was about.

As I continued to search the website, it all came together.  Featured on the website under the link foster parent stories, was this video shown below.  It was truly touching and inspirational and explained the Flash Mob took place on campus here at Marquette and around the state.  It showed the great importance of foster parents in this short one minute video.  I hope this is something that Marquette and the state of Wisconsin does again because I'd love to take part in it and help make a difference in the lives of less fortunate children.

 Truly inspirational.

A Tip From A Nonsmoker About Former Smokers

Being a student at Marquette University, I have seen a lot of interesting things in downtown Milwaukee.  One of the most interesting things I see on a day to day basis is the different advertisement promotions posted on the Milwaukee County Transit Systems bus stops because there are many bus stops on campus.  Below are two photos featured in their newest display of advertisements.

In the first photo, all I noticed was the whole in the mans neck and was instantly disturbed.  I then went to read the advertisement and learned that it was the result of smoking.  In the second one, I noticed the large scar first as well, and then read about having her entire lung removed from her body.  

Then recently I saw this commercial.

After seeing the photos around campus and seeing this commercial, I did some research on the overall project.  The Center of Disease Control (CDC) has been promoting these ads to help people who are smoking to stop and to prevent nonsmokers from ever starting.  Putting these photos on a college campus was a very intelligent idea.  Many people believe that smoking helps stress, which is why many college students begin to smoke.  I see many students and professors who smoke on campus, so providing these photos is a great way to show people what could happen to them if they continue to smoke. 

Both of these photos were something I walked past everyday.  I have never smoked and having to see these results everyday made it clear in my mind that I never will.  A lot of people have lost loved ones to smoking, myself included, so I'm sure seeing these photos hits home as well.  The video itself was the most shocking and heartbreaking because hearing her hoarse voice and seeing her start her day by putting herself together was truly frightening.  

If these advertisements don't shy people away from smoking, I'm not sure what will. 

In Her Day...

I recently saw this commercial while I was watching TV with my family and instantly thought how clever it was. It proves in many ways how times have changed in many aspects of everyone's lives.

The first thing that is clear that has changed in both of their views is Oatmeal itself.  The older women remembers it as being just "oats and meal", when now it is known to have many flavors and toppings added to it.  I see the addition of fruit, toppings, and other flavors as a type of marketing to make it more appealing for people to eat because many people assume Oatmeal has a very bland taste.  This is a way to target more people than just the older generation that grew up eating the original Oatmeal.

A second idea I noticed that shows the changing of generations is the fact that the older woman has a Smartphone and she utilizes it to take a picture of the Oatmeal to blog about it.  It shows how the older generation is embracing the new forms of technology and are actually interested about it.  I know that my Grandparents know almost nothing about cell phones, computers, and the "world wide web", so it is interesting to see that some generations are learning to embrace the technology of our world today and trying to adapt to it, when others are still struggling to understand what technology really is.

I thought it was a unique addition to this commercial by showing the relationship between a young adult and an older adult and the underlying message of how each of them have adapted to different lifestyles.  It is fascinating to see the young adult eating a healthy meal of oatmeal and the older woman busy on her dazzling purple cell phone busy blogging about it, showing how the roles of people today have almost switched.

McDonald's created a clever commercial that focused on attracting the attention of multiple generations to come in and have a healthy breakfast through their transition of healthier choices, which is what caught my eye in the first place.