Question for class.

Will you actually continue to blog after this class is over?

Calf Fry 2011

Twenty years ago Tumbleweed had their very first Calf Fry, it was such a huge success that it soon became a three-day event. This year it starts Thursday, April 28th and goes till Saturday. A few musical artists you can expect to find are Eli Young Band, Randy Rogers Band, Turnpike Trubadours, and many others. I've never actually been, but always wanted to go for the music. I'm not big on calf fries. I may actually make it this year, but not until Saturday. Which sucks for me because my favorite band is Eli Young Band. Maybe next time they come to town I'll actually make it to a show. 


If you want more information about Calf Fry you can check it out at http://calffry.com/

MUSICAL DIVAS

I have a new respect for band managers, publishers, tour managers, booking agents, promoters, producers, lawyers, accountants, journalists, photographers, merchandisers, etc. Basically anyone that ever has to deal with a musical artist. I had never noticed how disrespectful people can be until I began my internship with the Brawlers. I know you're probably thinking, aren't the Brawlers football? Yes they are, but we have to have a half time performer of some sort. It has just been easiest to get singers. Well we live and we learn right? We picked a lot of local artists that don't really have their foot in or do and just want the extra publicity. That's great, we will do each other a favor, we win and they win. Right? Wrong. I personally didn't expect any of these people to be the divas that they are, they sure showed me. Numerous times I get told "I need something to drink." Not asked. It's like hey I think I'm awesome so you should wait on me. So they first time is acceptable I'll get you one. But after you're done I feel like you're just as capable as anyone to go get you one. Just saying. And the second thing is they're never on time. We have other things to do then wait around for you to show up for your sound check. So please I actually encourage you to walk out on the field while the team is warming up and if you get hit by a football....OOOPS! And bands are the absolute worst because they all need about 1,000 things EACH or forgot their extra mic, equip, etc.....well dang, can't help ya out there. 


Excuse my little rant. Have a good weekend. 

BRICKTOWN BRAWLERS STUDENT NIGHT

This Saturday, April 23rd OKC's own Indoor Football League, the Bricktown Brawlers, will be facing Sioux Falls Storm. Kick off is at 7pm. The theme for this game is student night. The first 100 students that bring their school I.D’s will receive free admission into Saturday’s game, after that it is only $5 dollars with your student I.D. We will be giving away FREE koozies at the door. Special half time appearance by Reality and the New Era. Check him out before the game at www.reality.bandcamp.com or on youtube/reality and the new era. You won’t want to miss this performance!


Now that I got my interning duty out of the way I must add that my goal for this game is to get as many people out as possible, why? Because I feel as though the people Thai and myself work for have little faith in our planning abilities. They feel as though children will not be entertained by rapper, Reality, but they didn't tell us this until we were already a week away from the game, which leaves zero time to change anything. So if anyone has any ideas of what we could add to the halftime show, let me know. Because apparently I don't understand the mind of small children. I was more concerned about the high school/college age range I thought we were targeting for this game. 

Some Remember While Others Try to Forget

April 19th, 1995 at 9:02am was a day that would affect the state of Oklahoma as well as the United States. Many lost family members and friends, I'm one of the many. My cousin was employed at the Murrah Building and I knew it would change our families lives. I was only 5 years old, but I remember being in school when it happened. No one wanted to tell us what was going on, but I could tell from the fear in my teacher's eyes. After my mom picked me up at noon she told me what had happened. It wasn't until later that day that we discovered what happened to my cousin. We went to his dad's house and sat with them for hours in shock. Today will forever be a day that will bring back the memory of this loss. I respect the other families that actually lost mothers, fathers, and children, their strength is phenomenal.

SAS @ UCO

Does anyone one know what SAS is? Most people I talk to about SAS have no idea what it is. SAS stands for Students for an Accessible Society, it is an organization here on campus. The main purpose of SAS is to bring awareness to others about how disabilities effect students in school as well as in life. Many people don't understand how hard it is to be a college student that is deaf, blind, have learning disabilities, handicaps, etc. On Monday I will be giving some what of an acceptance speech to take on Presidency of SAS for the Fall 2011-Spring 2012 year. You couldn't tell by simply speaking to me that I have A.D.D and 3 learning disabilities. That is because I don't allow my disabilities to affect my life. I didn't always have such confidence in myself until my sophomore year at UCO. I realized how cruel people could be when I heard someone talking behind me in my physical science class about the "retards" in the class. They were referring to myself and about four others that also had disabilities. From that day on I have made it my goal to bring awareness about disabilities, because though some disabilities are visible, most are not. This brings the statement don't judge a book by its cover. Everyone has a story, everyone has faced a battle, so think twice before you speak. You could truly offend someone. There are so many things I want to do for SAS my last year in college and I believe it will change the lives of many. Or at least that is what I hope to see happen.

Don't Sweat the Small Stuff

Don't Sweat the Small Stuff
It is very difficult for me to embrace this statement that I am constantly hearing. For the last month, my mom has been telling me to slow down. She isn't talking about the speed I drive my car, but the speed of my life. I am guilty of taking on more then I can handle because at the time I feel like it won't be a big deal. Examples of this would be my internship with the Bricktown Brawlers and my volunteer work at my church. I have been stressed for a number of reasons mostly because I discovered I can't graduate until Spring 2012 due to one course. I don't remember which professor advised me last semester, but they failed to mention I couldn't take PR Methods, PR Case Studies, and PR Campaigns all together. I recently found out that I have to take Methods and Case Studies first. Therefore, I will be taking one course my last semester of college. Oh joy. I think this is just an example that we shouldn't be forced to see advisors before enrolling.

As far as everything else that is stressing me out, as an intern for the Brawlers we are having Student Night, April 23 and Thai and myself are in charge of planning this game. I have been running around like a chicken with my head cut off to find a halftime show and get the small things planned out by next week. It has been extremely difficult to get people because everyone wants to give you the go around and let you know last minute. I guess this will be a learning experience. I'm glad I'm taking Event Planning as an intersession course because I need some guidance.

And lastly I have been working on the brochure for our non- profit we met in Wales, which will be sent out to them on Sunday to see if it is what they are looking for. It is hard to work with a company that is in another country especially when there is a six hour difference. This is my rant of the day.

Brianna Gaither

Brianna Gaither performed a halftime show this previous Sunday, April 3rd at the Bricktown Brawlers vs. Colorado Ice game. She is a phenomenal artist straight out of Edmond. She has been writing songs as long as she could remember. Gaither's performance was in order to boost non profit Give a Goat. She was loved by the crowd and of course I became a fan. Taken from her Facebook fan page Gaither stated her bands goals and interests, "Presenting truth in a way that is utterly transparent, creating art that is authentic in every sense of the word, and making music that emulates the affect of uninhibited, unconditional love." They were very sweet kids to talk to and I enjoyed meeting them. I wish them the best of luck. If you're interested you can check her out at briannagaither.com


Grayson Boyer is a 7 year old, Charlotte Church, if anyone knows who Charlotte Church is. You would look at her and expect her to have a child's voice. As soon as she opens her mouth and starts to belt it out you're in awe. She sang the national anthem for the Brawlers game on Sunday. I was absolutely amazed at how well she could sing and to not be nervous in front of so many people at her age. I wouldn't of been able to do that at age 7. I was totally impressed. She took the crowd by storm and got more applause then any singer we have had this season. I can safely say we will be asking her to come back! 


The next couple of shows I will be attending is the band For Today at the Conservatory, a band I've never heard of, but I'm sure it will be great. The other show is  Ink Life Tour Tattoo and Music Festival at the Cox Convention Center.  This three-day mega-event features world-renowned and local tattoo artists including Amy Nicoletto from the hit TV series LA Ink competing for the Best of Show award and an exclusive feature in Tattoo magazine. Besides over 150 of the worlds best tattoo artists, the event in Oklahoma City also includes a Battle of the Bands competition with a $2,000.00 cash prize. Live performances by Siva Addiction, Rob Zombies' band ’Scum Of The Earth” and the best local bands Oklahoma City has to offer. Tickets are $20 dollars for admission. I'm very excited for the battle of the bands competition, it is going to be intense.