Marvel vs DC's Movie Plans

Batman vs Superman was supposed to be approaching $1billion at this point. After being out for three weeks, DC is unsure whether or not their highly anticipated film will reach that mark. After seeing a 69% drop off in ticket sales from opening weekend to the second week, it appears Batman vs Superman may not live up to expected revenues that DC was hoping for.

Lots of marketing went into Batman vs Superman prior to its release. The film was marketing and discussed heavily in hopes of creating a huge return at the box office. Opening weekend proved fans were willing to see it then. The following weekend proved negative reviews may have killed off interest from those sitting on the fence.

DC was shocked by negative reviews of the film. It was stated that the rough cut received a standing ovation by DC executives and a stand alone movie with Ben Affleck as Batman was put into plans as a result.

Days before the theatrical release was available to the public, negative reviews from critics started pouring in. Critics thought the film was complicated, Henry Cavill didn't play a convincing Superman, the movie was too long, and that the plot was complicated. It was apparent early on that negative reviews were starting to fill the Internet on what DC hoped to be a huge blockbuster and set the path for future films such as Wonder Woman, Justice League, and the stand alone Batman film that will be starring and directed by Affleck.

Did DC executives make a mistake by letting Zack Snyder direct the film? That is a question that has come up several times. Snyder can portray action on screen and has been known to make long films with complicated stories. A lot of his films have been said to be complicated and violent. One of the main criticisms for Snyder's Man of Steel was that it was too violent for what the Superman character represents.

Could DC have taken a more spread out approach like Marvel did? Seeing that Batman vs Superman may not reach the profits that Man of Steel did, this could very well be the case.

DC's main competitor, Marvel comics, took a more spread out approach to its film franchises with simpler stories and more films. Instead of trying to pack everything into one film, Marvel took several films such as Iron Man, Captain America: The First Avenger, Thor, and The Incredible Hulk to build up to first Avengers film.

By utilizing this method, Marvel didn't have to simply rely on one film to set the path for future movies. Story lines involving a smaller set of characters in each film could be focused on one at a time instead of trying to overload the characters into one big film. By the time Avengers came out, most fans who had seen the movies leading up to it were familiar with the characters, could understand what was going on, and set the path for future films.

Marvel was also very careful in choosing the directors for its films and minor characters became household names overnight. Director Jon Favreau's approach to the first two Iron Man films made the character an overnight sensation. Robert Downey Jr. was able to revive his career as a result of the success of the films. Joe Johnston, who previously directed the Disney superhero film The Rocketeer, was chosen to direct Captain America: The First Avenger due to his previous experience with working in the genre. Byran Singer has had success with the X-Men film franchise and was even able to take a complicated story with X-Men: Days of Futures Past and make it easy to follow.

Marvel has also been known to switch directors when needed. After using Ang Lee to direct 2003's Hulk starring Eric Bana, Marvel decided to change directors and reboot the franchise after Lee's film received negative reviews. Some say Marvel was not pleased with Lee's vision and the final product. When it came time to reintroduce the Hulk years later as an Avengers character, Marvel decided to reboot the franchise with a new director and Edward Norton as Bruce Banner. Norton would not go on to reprise the role in future films but the reboot revived the character. 

Singer and Avengers director Joss Whedon have been known to spend lots of time working with other directors on how to incorporate different characters and stories into one film. By how complex the Avengers and X-Men movies were, Whedon and Singer spent numerous hours figuring out how to incorporate so much into one film. Lots of different elements were eventually used in their respective movies but both could create films with a story line that was easy to follow. Some have stated Batman vs Superman did not have an easy enough story to follow.

Weeks before Batman vs Superman hit theaters, Marvel released Deadpool. In a matter of weeks, Deadpool became one of the top grossing R-rated films of all time and was an overnight sensation. Marvel proved again it could take what was perceived as a minor character and make it a hit.

With any business, research and consulting is often done in order to compete in different markets, reach different audiences, and develop plans for generating revenue. Instead of consulting with outside sources, it appears DC may have tried to work on Batman vs Superman without much outside help. Other filmmakers outside of the Marvel franchise have created films with complicated stories and DC could have done some consulting on how to make Batman vs Superman an easier story to follow.

DC has also had experience with using directors who can make complicated films. Christopher Nolan is known for reviving the Batman franchise with the The Dark Knight saga. Some of Nolan's films outside of Batman have been known to be complicated but he has a way of telling the story so that it makes sense in the end. Nolan was one of the producers for Batman vs Superman and DC let Snyder have a lot of creative decisions with the film. Whether or not letting Nolan have more control would have made a difference, however, DC has his experience to use for future films.

DC is starting to hit the panic button and is committed to Snyder for future films. How the future films will pan out has yet to be seen. DC can't change what they did in the past but can change how they move forward.

Music Makes a Difference

Hockey is a game that sells itself. It is fast paced, there is plenty of action, and these elements add excitement to the sport.

The game is played in arenas as large as Quicken Loans Arena to small 500 seat rinks. Jam packing 20,000 into an arena makes for an awesome atmosphere for the game. When you have just 500 seats to work with, the game is still fun but more can be needed to add to the atmosphere.

When I did some public address announcing for a local high school hockey scrimmage, we didn’t play any music during warm-ups or throughout the game. We (myself and the people working the game) were using the scrimmage as an opportunity to work out any issues before the first regular season game. None of us had thought to coordinate music ahead of time.

I will admit it felt like a huge element of the arena experience as missing without the music. It felt strange not having anything playing the background when teams were warming up or in between periods.

Before the first regular season game, I decided to use my iTunes to create a Playlist specifically for hockey. I put songs used by the Monsters, the Cleveland Lumberjacks, St. Louis Blues, Columbus Blue Jackets, and Pittsburgh Penguins on the mix. I also included the Vince Guaraldi Trio “Linus and Lucy” from the Charlie Browns cartoons as well. This playlist was downloaded onto my iPod to use during the game.

With the iPod hooked up and ready to go before the first regular season game, I started playing the music and it made a huge difference. I noticed the crowd getting to the action more, enjoying the songs between periods, and it created a great atmosphere.

Hockey is a game that sells itself but the music on this day did as well.  

Taking Time to Be Thankful for a Facebook Message

Sports announcing is a passion of mine. The passion developed in my teenage years when I started announcing games for Solon Educational Television. Being behind a microphone and doing play-by-play excited me then and still excites me to this day.

I continued to announce games throughout college but the gigs dried up when I graduated and entered "the real world." I got my first job out of college as a salesman and had to learn how to make deals, bring in business, and be an adult.

This transition was not easy for me. Going from college student to working adult was harder than I imagined. I went to work each week and didn't create a life for myself outside of work. There were no opportunities to call games and I struggled with trying to find a balance in my life.

I eventually changed jobs and slowly started building a life for myself outside of work. I started taking up photography by taking pictures at local Solon High School football games and sporting events. I didn't know it then but this would eventually pave the way to get behind the microphone again.

It was New Year's Eve and a Facebook message from a neighbor down the street got me behind the microphone again. I was asked if I could do play-by-play for a Solon hockey game. It took me a second or two for it to register but the opportunity to announce again fell right into my lap.

The first gig back was rusty but I didn't care. Taking the time to create notes for the announcing gig, learning the rosters, and being back behind the microphone reminded me how much I missed and still loved calling the games.

This opportunity paved the way for me to call other Solon sports such as wrestling, volleyball, and basketball. Similar to that hockey game, being behind the microphone made me happy and I realized my passion for calling games was still strong.

Football had been my main sport to announce in high school and the opportunity to call games from the press box inside Solon's Stewart Field eventually fell into my lap. I served as a fill in color commentator for Solon's home opener one season and a year after that, I was back doing play-by-play for every Friday home game. Being back in the same press box I developed my passion for calling games makes me feel grateful I can still do what I love.

These announcing jobs for Solon eventually paved the way for other opportunities to do public address announcing. The public address announcing is different from announcing on television but is just as fun for me.

I think back to where I was before that Facebook message on New Year's Eve a few years ago. A special part of my life had been dormant for a long time and I often wondered if I would ever get a chance to announce another sporting event. I didn't realize it at the time but that Facebook message has made me thankful for the doors it has opened up.

Napster Changed the Music Industry

The music industry used to be driven by CD, tape, and record sales. In some ways, it still is but a revolution on the Internet changed that over a decade ago when Napster was invented. Even though Napster was determined to be illegal, it's effects on the music industry still linger to this day.

Prior to Napster, how often would we go to the store to purchase a CD after hearing a new song on the radio or on MTV? Chances are, you probably did that often and had to pay $15-$20 for the entire CD. Singles were sold at the time to but oftentimes, you had to buy the rest of the album to get the one song you wanted.

While this helped many musicians earn money, there were times you probably wondered why you spent $15-$20 for the song you wanted and the entire album. There were times you may have ended up with a CD with other songs you didn't care for that much and walked away scratching your head why you purchased it.

Napster changed this when individual songs could be downloaded for free. Instead of purchasing an entire album, you could download the song you wanted without paying a cent. This made it easier to find the music you wanted and was user friendly.

This revolution was not favored by most artists in the industry but created an online market for music. Napster was determined to be illegal and went by the wayside, however, it proved consumers were willing to find their music online.

One of the first companies to capitalize on this was Apple. Understanding the market was there, Apple created iTunes and the iPod after Napster crumbed from the lawsuits. Apple understood where the market was shifting and legalized Napster's model. Both continue to be a success and have become profitable for Apple.

In addition to iTunes, Pandora and other online music services have proven to be successful. Instead of tuning into MTV, consumers could use online services to find music and different artists. These services have continued to grow in popularity and MTV rarely plays music anymore.

Even though Napster didn't last as long as many predicted, it's effects still linger today. By creating an online market for music, Napster paved the way for iTunes and online music consumption.

Football Becoming Family- How Solon Football is a Huge Family

It's often been said sports bring groups of people together. Yes, watching the big game brings many people into someone's living room with the big screen TV but there is more to it than just ordering food and turning on the game.

Sports bring us together for a common cause, to give us something to look forward to, and to give us a common desired outcome. Cheering on a favorite sports team unites a group of people looking for the same goal (in all cases, a win).

Every fall, I am reminded of this with my activities surrounding Solon football. For the home games, I am in the press box announcing the games for Solon Educational Television (SETV). On the road, I take my cameras with me to take digital pictures of the action. Whether the game is at home or away, the same goal and unity among the Solon fans takes place.

My football family for the home games includes the Solon television crew and just about everyone in the press box. It always makes me smile driving to the games knowing I have an awesome crew and broadcast partner in Chuck Chokenea to work with. As a crew, we are united to provide the best broadcast possible for viewers later on (all games are on tape delay). The workers in the press box are always my halftime friends to talk to about the game. It is always a great feeling knowing you have family to work with the tape the game and to talk to at halftime.

Whether the game is home or away, the parents of the players become family as well. Interacting with the parents is one of my favorite things to do. I enjoy hearing their perspectives on the games, discussing the team, and future games with them. As the season progresses, these people become family as well and united for a common cause.

Some of the parents that have come out of their way to always support me have been Karla Terry-Crumbly (one of my best friends), the Lesko family, Matt Knight, the Camiener family, Svitlana Trofymchuk, and the Pohle family to name a few. These parents have always supported me and I thank them for their friendship and support.

In addition to the parents, those involved with the Solon Marching Band have become family as well. Band Director Ed Kline, Assistant Directors Mark Mauldin and Robert Luce, and Starlettes Coordinator Kelly Wilson are all friendly faces that are fun to talk to and see each and every game. The shows they provide at halftime are always incredible and talking music with them is always a pleasure. 

On the sidelines for the away games, my sideline buddies who have stood with me to take pictures include Doug Wolfe, Victor Heyman, Brandt Heinrich, and Hilliary Benjamin. All of these people are huge supporters of Solon football and I always know I still get to see these people when the team is on the road. These people have become close to me like family due to the common goal of cheering on Solon football.

Lastly, the coaching and those who support the coaches have become family as well. Head Coach Jim McQuaide, his son, his family and coaching staff have always been supportive of me and become united each year in helping the team grow and succeed. Athletic Director Mark McGuire is always helpful and supportive. It's always a pleasure to discuss football, family, and life with these people during spare moments.

Sports have proven to unite people and I am reminded of that each year with Solon football. When the season ends, it leaves me sad and happy at the same time. I am always said the the season ends but happy I will get to see my family again next fall.

More Tips for Obtaining Your MBA

One week ago, I wrote a post in regards to tips for obtaining an MBA. Since that post was published, I came up with some other tips to reach your goal of getting an MBA:

1) Do Not Leave Any Assignments Until The Last Minute

As an undergraduate, it's easy to procrastinate on assignments until the last minute. When working as a graduate student, procrastination will not be tolerated as much and could cost you a good grade in a class.

If handed an assignment, do not wait until the last minute to complete it. Take the time to put the effort into it to make sure it is professional, well thought out, and complete. As a graduate student, the professors will expect a higher level and quality in the work and leaving it until the last minute will show.

This is true for group projects as well. If you wait until the last minute to complete everything, your professor will notice and possibly your other classmates. During group presentations, it will be more apparent to notice which groups worked on the assignment all along and which ones waited until the last minute.

2) Give 100% and Nothing Below That

By working full time and going to school part time, it can make for an exhausting week. There will be times it will be tough to complete assignments but don't put in an effort below 100%. If needed, wait until you can put a full effort into the work. Cutting corners won't help you in the long run and could affect your grade later on in the course.

3) Study in Groups if Needed

I understand this may not be what everyone prefers but it can make a difference when a big exam is coming up. Studying for a hard exam can be exhausting for one person. Doing it as a group can help you cover the material more efficiently and help you retain it for the test.

4) Read The Wall Street Journal

One of the best ways to retain the information from class is to read through The Wall Street Journal and look for articles where the content of the material applies. Take the time to read it on an app or a hard copy each day. You may also have some classes where you have to research or present an article and this is a great place to start.

5) For Group Presentations, Learn the Art of Public Speaking and Dress Professionally

Chances are, you will have to do group or individual presentations throughout your MBA program. Public speaking can be intimidating but it is a skill worth learning. Dressing professionally will show your professor and classmates you are serious about the material you are presenting.

Public speaking is a skill that takes practice. If you do not have much experience with it, take time to read books, consult with others who do it on a regular basis, and find ways to improve. This is a skill you will need to have for inside and outside of the classroom. Understanding how to present your message effectively will help you in the long run.

Make sure you are also dressed professionally for the presentation. Don't show up in cut off jeans, sloppy clothes, or look like you just rolled out of bed. As a working professional, you will want to show your professor and classmates you take your appearance seriously. Dress as if you are presenting to a board of directors or your boss.

Tips for Getting Your MBA

You Want Your MBA – Here Are Some Tips to Get You To Graduation

Going back and earning my MBA was one of the best experiences in my life. It taught me more than just business. It taught me how to be a working professional and create a life for myself outside of work.

I wasn’t sure how I was going to handle being a working professional and part-time student at first. I often wondered how I was going to be able to juggle working all day and then homework and school at night.

Going back turned out to be easier than expected. It was an adjustment but once I got over that hurdle, it got easier to create study schedules and time to do homework.

For those of you thinking about earning your MBA, don’t let anything stand in your way to obtain that degree. The experience is incredible and helped me grow up and become an adult.

Below are tips for getting through to graduation:

Make Time to Study

You can always have the excuse you don’t have time to study. To keep up with the class content, make time to study. This can either be before work, after work, on lunch breaks, or weekends. Making the time to study will help you learn the content and keep up.

Your best study times will be on the weekends. Without having to work, take the time to get reading done, assignments, and go over the content. Make time each weekend to get through the content.

For Group Project, Don’t Become the Person No One Wants to Work With

You will be in several classes with the same classmates throughout your MBA program. As in most programs, group projects will be assigned.

Make sure you put your best foot forward and give the most effort towards these group projects. Don’t force your group members to do the work for you or pick up the slack. Most of your classmates will be working to get reimbursed by their employers after the class and a bad grade could put that in jeopardy.

If you gain the reputation for not pulling your weight, you may be on the outside looking in when people form groups in other classes. When it comes to getting closer to graduation, you don’t want to be the person no one wants to work with as you complete your final classes. Not doing your share creates headaches for everyone in the group and these people may not want to work with you inside or outside the class because of it.

If Problems Arise With a Group Member During a Project, Don’t Be Afraid to Discuss with the Professor

I am not saying be a tattletale or a snitch. If someone is not pulling his or her weight, don’t be afraid to discuss with the professor for the class. If this person is risking your grade in the class, there is nothing wrong by reaching out to the professor to discuss. Be professional about it and ask to discuss in private.

Show Respect to Your Classmates, Professors, and Other Campus Workers

Not every professor or classmate will be the same but show everyone respect along the way. You may not like every professor your have or every student you are in class with but showing these people respect will go a long way. Take time to get to know the people who work on campus and assist the students outside of class. This will go a long way throughout the program and you never know when you may need a hand from these people.  

I will admit to seeing instances in my program where certain people went out of their way to embarrass, criticize, or disrespect other classmates. It is not necessary to embarrass someone in front of everyone and if there is an issue, ask to discuss in private. Disrespecting someone in front of the class never goes over well. You may never know when you may need help from that person or anyone else in the class and that negative image will last a long time.

Don’t Bite Off More Than You Can Chew

Taking more than one class may or may not be easy to do depending on your work schedule or life outside of work. There is no race to be the first person in the program to graduate. Take one class at a time if needed and don’t overload yourself with too much to do outside of class. Take your time through the program and don’t be afraid of taking one class at a time.

Bad Attitudes Are Not Invisible

In my adult life, I have dabbled in the world of online dating. This world has led to some strange and exciting stories as I have met women from all walks of life. Online dating involves interacting with people you probably don't know from previous experience and in a lot of ways, is like going on blind dates.

I have had the good dates and the bad and have learned a lot along the way. One of the key aspects I have learned from these experiences is that a bad attitude in someone is more visible than you think.

Online dating involves reading profiles on these sites and trying to find someone who can be a good match. Some profiles have more information than others and I will admit, some were outright bizarre.

Reading through the profiles and participating in online dating does have a learning curve and after a certain point, I started to notice how negative attitudes came across in certain profiles. There were some that mentioned the particular dating site "sucked", "didn't work" and was "worthless". These people may have been frustrated when writing this and not thinking but it was apparent a bad attitude was there. These types of profiles became a turn off and I often skipped these to go to the next.

I didn't always see a bad attitude in a profile but sometimes saw it in the person I eventually dated or went out on one date with. There were instances in which it was apparent the other person was not happy in life based off their attitude towards their situation, how they interacted and talked to me and what was mentioned during the discussion over dinner, lunch or coffee. The attitude came out and was more apparent than the other person realized at times.

In addition to speaking with me, I often would look at how my date interacted with the server at the restaurant we were at. I sometimes would listen closely to see how this person behaved towards the server and could make an attitude assessment. If my date was rude and impolite, it came across that the person didn't have much respect for the server and it was often a turn off.

While my examples have specifically dealt with online dating, a bad attitude can visible in other settings. It can be visible where you work and where you interact based off how you talk with others and treat others as well.

Learning To Be a Champion

There was a time period where I didn't have confidence in myself. I often felt insecure because I wasn't as smart as some other people, had to put more work into studying for tests at school and was nowhere near the top. I also wasn't a superb athlete and didn't felt like I fit in.

I was a teenager in high school when I felt this way and often wondered at the time if I was ever going to fit in. I was so focused on what other people had and lost sight of the things I did have at the time. Needless to say, it was a very difficult point in my life.

My attitude and feelings changed when I went away to Otterbein College (now University). Moving away for college was a huge step in my life and it taught me how to move on and start over. I was able to put away the frustrations I had in previous years and being a new chapter.

Not too long after I started this chapter, I found that I could make my own success by working hard. I started off only knowing two other people on campus and eventually built a friendship base within the first couple weeks of starting college. This fresh start made me a different and new person and I found myself happier than in the previous years before.

This new found happiness became more apparent when people on campus noticed I had an ebullient attitude and personality. My personality may have been overwhelming at the time to some but I remember feeling that I was much happier in life and didn't want to let that go.

In my classes and extra-curricular activities, I found I could make a difference with a positive attitude and hard work. Yes, there were still people who were smarter than me but I could still make an impact with hard work and dedication. I realized I could become a champion by being who I was and working hard.

When my college years ended, making the transition from college student to worker professional was hard but I found some consistency in what I learned in college. I found that having a positive attitude and working hard can still take you places. Who I was in high school mattered less and it was more about who I was now and how I could make an impact.

Places of Happiness Can Come in Many Forms

As a teenager, I dreamed of being a sportscaster and working in some of the best sports arenas in the nation. I hoped to work in all of the sports arenas I grew up seeing on ESPN and other sports networks.

I did play-by-play for various sports games in college and high school but found talents elsewhere. I found I had a good mind for marketing and also did a couple of sales internships along the way. When I graduated from Otterbein in June of 2008, opportunities to do sales came about and I used that to start my career. With the economy the way it was, I had to take the opportunity provided to me and my sports announcing was put on hold.

After not announcing a single game for three years after I graduated, an opportunity came about to call a Solon High School hockey game. A neighbor of mine at the time had a son on the team and they desperately needed someone to announce the game. After not having called a game in three years, I took the opportunity.

The arena I called the game in was cold, cramped and nothing like the professional sports arenas I watched on TV growing up. To be honest, I didn't care at that point. After not being able to announce games for three years, I was happy to have a microphone in front of me and a game to announce. The press area was small but that place felt like heaven that day.

As I started to announce games more often after that hockey game, going back to some old stomping grounds to call games felt like going home. Solon's football stadium had provided many great memories for me growing up and I always walk out thinking how happy that place makes me. Solon's gym is the same way. Neither facility is high tech or state of the art like the press areas you see at the larger arenas but calling games in these places makes me happy. Going back reminds me how happy I was as a teenager calling games in these high school venues and how grateful I am to keep announcing the sports I love.

Online Dating Tips

Online dating is a popular trend in today's society. Those looking to find a romantic partner have signed up for and gone to various sites for this purpose. While it is a great way to meet others, it is also not an exact science.

From personal experience, meeting someone online is much different from meeting someone in person. For the online experience, you probably won't have any background information on the person prior to making contact. All you will know about this person is what is on the profile.

Below are some strategies for online dating:

1) Look to see what you have in common with the person reaching out to you or the person you are trying to reach - this will be key if you end up meeting the person. It is easy to go through the profiles and find random people to go out with; it may be harder to find someone you have a lot in common with. Try to find those with similar interests so that it can give you a basis for conversation during an initial date. You may still not feel a connection with this person, however, it will help in the long run to have common interests should things progress.

2) Try to have a phone conversation with this person prior to the first date - it is easy to e-mail and text over and over; it isn't always easy to have a conversation in person. One of the best ways to test if the person can hold a conversation well is by talking on the phone. Sometimes a person is more willing to talk on the phone than in person, however, it is better to get an idea what could happen before agreeing to meet someone. This is also a great way to gauge how interested the person really is and whether or not it is worth pursuing.

3) Stay away from those with bad attitudes - I know this sounds obvious but from personal experience, it will make a difference. I've seen people that put that the site they are on "sucks" and "doesn't work". I also came across one where the person thought "coffee dates were too cheap so don't bother asking." Personally, I read these profiles and was turned off by reading this information. I didn't think it was worth pursuing someone who didn't believe that the online dating was working to begin with and wasn't going to waste my time with someone who was most likely going to have a bad attitude.

4) Find those who are willing to return your calls, are interested and want to develop the relationship - it can be frustrating having to chase down someone who doesn't return calls, texts or communication in a timely manner. This can dampen the dating experience and put your time towards those who are really interested. It's a much better experience putting the time into someone who is willing to work at building the relationship than chasing someone who isn't willing to return correspondence. Your time is probably limited and put it towards someone who is willing to make the effort to get to know you.

Don't Judge a Person By a TV Show

I've never had an interest in watching The Jerry Springer Show. Growing up during the height of its popularity, I never understood why so many people spent time watching a show where people fight, argue and act inappropriately on national television.

My freshman year at Otterbein, I had an opportunity to hear Jerry Springer speak in person. My first thought was why should I spend the time to listen to this man speak? His show never appealed to me and I never understood why he gained popularity.

On the other hand, it was an opportunity to see someone who had an impact on American culture and a celebrity live in person. For that reason, I decided to go to his talk. I was young at the time and figured I may not get another opportunity to see him speak again.

I still don't have any desire to watch his show but Springer was more dynamic and well spoken in person. He only made a couple references to his TV show but the main focus was on the importance of voting (keep in mind this was an election year). Springer, who holds a degree in political science, clearly understood how politicians worked and made his message clear. Voters have the opportunity to vote who they want in there and influence how decisions are made.

My perception of Springer changed after seeing him speak. I understood better how intelligent he was and why he achieved the success he had. He had his facts in line, knew how to communicate his message and was an incredible speaker.

As mentioned earlier, I have never watched his TV show but understood the man he was beyond what you saw on television.

Don't Be Afraid to Change

I hadn't posted on this blog in quite some time but I decided it was time for a change. I started Networking, Interning, Marketing and More before I started my MBA program through Baldwin Wallace University. I thought the name was cool and would get the point across.

As I got further into my program, I realized the name for this blog had several issues with it. It was long, hard to remember and the URL took forever to type. It wasn't easy for anyone to remember and I realized that maybe the name I took wasn't so good after all.

I also used the blog to talk about online dating. I intended this to be a business blog so posts about using Match.com and eHarmony didn't fit the model I originally hoped for.

On Facebook and Twitter, I started posting messages of inspiration with the hashtag #dailywisdom. A lot of these posts started getting a lot of likes on both forms of social media. Many commented that these posts are helpful and I was making a difference. I didn't realize how much I was making a difference until some of my Facebook friends told me so.

I decided to change this blog to widen the topics it could cover and change the name. I had given thought to making this change and didn't have any fears to do so.

So here it is...welcome to Weekly Wisdom!

Leaving a Phone Message 101

Networking can easily be done through the Internet but there are times in which a phone call may be required. Reaching out to a potential contact or employer always requires a good first impression over the phone.

Talking on the phone isn't hard but there are several items to consider when leaving a voicemail:

• The message needs to be direct and clear
• A concise message can get your intention across than a long dragged out message
• Not speaking clearly can hinder your chances of getting a response from the desired contact 

Below are some tips on leaving a phone message:

1. Make it concise and to the point - state your name, where you obtained the contact's name from, your intention and a phone number. It doesn't have to be long and dragged out. Making it too long can lead to confusion on the other end
2. Speak clearly - how do you feel when someone leaves you a phone message you can't understand?  You probably did not want to call that person back because you could not understand what the person was saying
3. Leave a contact number - you will be surprised how often people forget to leave a phone number on a message. Make sure the person can call you back. Don't assume the person has caller ID

Key Tips for First Dates

Two years ago, a friend of mine suggested I try the world of online dating. I wasn't opposed to idea and knew it was going to be a learning experience. I hadn't dated for a long time prior to that point and knew there were going to be some ups and downs.

Like regular dating, online dating consists of a lot of first dates and trying to see which one makes the best connection. Finding someone through an online search is a much different process but the concepts for a first date are essentially the same. You still have to try and make a connection with the person and make a good first impression.

Below are some tips you can use when going out with someone for the first time:

1) The Small Favors Can Go a Long Way - Being polite to the server (if at a restaurant), opening doors, and showing an interest in the person (more on this later) can really go a long way on a first date. On a personal note, I was usually turned off whenever a date was rude to the server or didn't take the time to show much of an interest in me. In one particular instance, I had a date who constantly said rude things to the server and didn't show much of an interest in me the entire dinner. As a result, it came across to me like she really wasn't interested in me and her poor manners towards the server were really a turn off. If someone is taking time out of his or her day to meet with you and go out on a date, minding your manners can make a huge difference.

2) Take the Time to Listen and Learn About the Other Person - It's okay to be a little nervous but don't let it effect your listening skills or taking time to learn about the other person. If you show and interest and listen, it will make for a much better conversation. You may not always have a connection with the person but you won't help yourself if you are constantly babbling about yourself or random things. I always found it easier to find things to talk about if I listened to the other person rather than giving someone my own verbal autobiography. I can recall one instance in which my date constantly babbled about random items and didn't take any time to get to know me as a person. It made it difficult to have a conversation after a while and it came across at times that this girl was more interested in talking about herself rather than getting to know who I was as a person.

3) Try and Pick a Place Comfortable for Both of You - You don't necessarily have to go all out and to the most expensive place in town for your first date. Keeping it simple helps at first and keep in mind that while you may be able to converse with someone through e-mails and text messages, you may not have a connection in person. Something simple like a coffee shop or going out for drinks is a nice casual way of setting up a first date. Going out to dinner works as well but can be a lot of money down the tubes if the date is a bust and things don't pan out. Try and pick something that will be comfortable for you and your date and go from there.

4) If Things Don't Work Out, Be Respectful to the Other Person - It is hard when you have a bad evening on a date or something doesn't work out with the other person. Sometimes it is hard to take and you may feel like you wasted your time but learn from the experience as much as you can. You may not feel a connection with the other person or the other person may not feel much of a connection with you. It is hard at times to get rejected like that but avoid being rude to the person or doing something that could hurt his or her feelings. A situation where there is no connection or a rough date can be hard to take but going out of your way to embarrass the other person won't help the situation. Keep in mind that you probably wouldn't want someone to go out of his or her way to embarrass you after a bad date.

5) Learn What You Can From Each Date - Not every date will work out but keep in mind what you can learn from each opportunity. The more you date, the easier it will be and learn from each experience as much as you can. It will help you learn how to develop a relationship with the person you want to keep seeing and help you soar from there.

Tips for Online Dating

The New Year has started and chances are, some of you may be taking to the world of online dating as one of your resolutions. Having grown in popularity over the past several years, online dating is becoming one of the best ways to meet new people and start relationships.

Having done online dating in the past, I have learned many lessons but one comes to mind right away; it is not an exact science. A lot of the process is based off trial and error and there is a lot to consider before diving in.

Below are some tips on getting started to the world of Online Dating:

1) Be Open Minded - I am not saying that you should simply go out with anyone that requests to speak to you on the online dating site you choose but keep in mind that you don't know these people from previous experience either. In a way, online dating is almost like going on a blind date. You may be able to e-mail a person back and forth easily but not be able to hold a conversation when meeting in person. Keep in mind that while online dating is a great way to meet others, you never know what will happen until you actually meet that person face to face.

2) Try and Have a Phone Conversation Prior to Meeting in Person - It is easy to get caught up in e-mails back and forth and not have an actual phone conversation prior to meeting. While meeting times can be set up easily through e-mail, you may find that you can't hold a conversation with that person face to face. Having a phone conversation sometimes alleviates any nervousness prior to a face to face meeting and can also be an indication as to whether or not it is worth it to meet. You may find that you have difficulty finding common ground to talk about on the phone or find the other person really isn't that interested.

3) Plan a Budget - I am not saying to go cheap on first dates or any dates but doing multiple dates can get expensive if you are going to lots of different restaurants on a weekly basis. Meeting for dinner can be a great way to meet someone, however, it can get expensive if done multiple times. Meeting for coffee or drinks can be a great alternative especially if you are not sure if things will work out.

4) Keep in Mind You Do Not Know These People From Previous Experience - You may come across one or two people you know on these dating sites but keep in mind you won't know a good percentage of the people with profiles on these sites. While the profiles can give you a good indication as to what these people are like, you won't know until you meet someone in person. Someone may come across one way in his or her profile but completely different in person.

5) Things May Not Work Out With Someone for Reasons Beyond Your Control - It is unfortunate but there may be instances in which the other person may not want to move forward with another date or a relationship for reasons beyond your control. There may be work issues, personal issues, the other person not feeling a connection, etc. that may prevent a relationship from moving forward.

6) Each Experience is Different - You may find someone you click with right away from the first date and it may take much longer. It is hard to predict and you may be on a site for a few months before finding the right person. Each experience is different and keep in mind a relationship may not material overnight.

Looking Back For Reflection

2012 is coming to an end and it's hard not to think how the year may have flown by for many. Like all years, events happen, things change and we move forward as the New Year rolls upon us.

Before the New Year begins, take a few moments to thank those and reflect on the good parts of the year. Ask yourself the following:

1) Who helped me out the most this year in terms of personal and professional growth?
2) What person has always supported me no matter what?
3) What events were fun and successful in part to a certain person?
4) Where was I a year ago in terms to my personal goals and where am I now?
5) What are all of the things I can be thankful for?

Take the time to list all of this out before the New Year begins. You might be surprised what you come up with in a positive way.

Soldier's Silent Night

A Soldier's Silent Night
TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS, HE LIVED ALL ALONE,
IN A ONE BEDROOM HOUSE MADE OF PLASTER AND STONE.
I HAD COME DOWN THE CHIMNEY WITH PRESENTS TO GIVE,
AND TO SEE JUST WHO IN THIS HOME DID LIVE.
I LOOKED ALL ABOUT, A STRANGE SIGHT I DID SEE,
NO TINSEL, NO PRESENTS, NOT EVEN A TREE.
NO STOCKING BY MANTLE, JUST BOOTS FILLED WITH SAND,
ON THE WALL HUNG PICTURES OF FAR DISTANT LANDS.
WITH MEDALS AND BADGES, AWARDS OF ALL KINDS,
A SOBER THOUGHT CAME THROUGH MY MIND.
FOR THIS HOUSE WAS DIFFERENT, IT WAS DARK AND DREARY,
I FOUND THE HOME OF A SOLDIER, ONCE I COULD SEE CLEARLY.
THE SOLDIER LAY SLEEPING, SILENT, ALONE,
CURLED UP ON THE FLOOR IN THIS ONE BEDROOM HOME.
THE FACE WAS SO GENTLE, THE ROOM IN SUCH DISORDER,
NOT HOW I PICTURED A UNITED STATES SOLDIER.
WAS THIS THE HERO OF WHOM I'D JUST READ?
CURLED UP ON A PONCHO, THE FLOOR FOR A BED?
I REALIZED THE FAMILIES THAT I SAW THIS NIGHT,
OWED THEIR LIVES TO THESE SOLDIERS WHO WERE WILLING TO FIGHT.
SOON ROUND THE WORLD, THE CHILDREN WOULD PLAY,
AND GROWNUPS WOULD CELEBRATE A BRIGHT CHRISTMAS DAY.
THEY ALL ENJOYED FREEDOM EACH MONTH OF THE YEAR,
BECAUSE OF THE SOLDIERS, LIKE THE ONE LYING HERE.
I COULDN'T HELP WONDER HOW MANY LAY ALONE,
ON A COLD CHRISTMAS EVE IN A LAND FAR FROM HOME.
THE VERY THOUGHT BROUGHT A TEAR TO MY EYE,
I DROPPED TO MY KNEES AND STARTED TO CRY;
THE SOLDIER AWAKENED AND I HEARD A ROUGH VOICE,
"SANTA DON'T CRY, THIS LIFE IS MY CHOICE;
I FIGHT FOR FREEDOM, I DON'T ASK FOR MORE,
MY LIFE IS MY GOD, MY COUNTRY, MY CORPS."
THE SOLDIER ROLLED OVER AND DRIFTED TO SLEEP,
I COULDN'T CONTROL IT, I CONTINUED TO WEEP.
I KEPT WATCH FOR HOURS, SO SILENT AND STILL
AND WE BOTH SHIVERED FROM THE COLD NIGHT'S CHILL.
I DIDN'T WANT TO LEAVE ON THAT COLD, DARK, NIGHT,
THIS GUARDIAN OF HONOR SO WILLING TO FIGHT.
THEN THE SOLDIER ROLLED OVER, WITH A VOICE SOFT AND PURE,
WHISPERED, "CARRY ON SANTA, IT'S CHRISTMAS DAY, ALL IS SECURE."
ONE LOOK AT MY WATCH, AND I KNEW HE WAS RIGHT.
"MERRY CHRISTMAS MY FRIEND, AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT."

Online Dating Tips

With more and more people getting busier these days, finding someone to date via online services has grown in popularity. Going to sites like Match.com or eHarmony has become a popular method for people of many different age groups to find people to date.

Online dating is a unique method for meeting people and there are two key concepts to keep in mind:

1) Online dating is not an exact science - based off personal experience and talking with others, online dating is definitely not an exact science and can take some trial and error. People who may not have luck on Match.com may have better luck on eHarmony or vice versa. A lot of it does take trail and error and seeing how to move forward from there.

2) You don't know the people you will come across on there - I understand this sounds obvious but keep in mind that you don't know the people on these sites from previous experience. It's not necessarily a blind date but keep in mind that the only information you know about the people you will find online is in the profiles they have created.

Below are some tips to help you get started in the online dating world:

1) E-mailing back and forth helps get to know someone but try and have a phone conversation prior to meeting - with e-mail, it is easy to get to know the person and feel there could be something there but try and have a phone conversation with the person prior to going on a date. While you may be able to e-mail the person back and forth and feel there will be a connection, you may find the total opposite when trying to talk to the person. Phone conversations could be a way to gauge how interested the other person is and whether or not you two can easily converse with each other on a date. You may have instances in which you may not be able to have any chemistry when meeting someone in person but having a phone call first could indicate that beforehand.

2) Determine how much you want to spend on first dates - when doing online dating, you will end up going out on a lot of first dates and depending on what you do, the amount of money spent can add up quickly. There is nothing wrong with not wanting to go cheap on a first date but keep in mind that if something doesn't work out or if the date doesn't go well, you could be spending a lot of money if you choose to meet at a restaurant or place that is expensive. Sometimes starting at by meeting for drinks or coffee could be a casual way to go especially if you are not sure how the date will pan out. I am not saying go cheap but keep in mind that things may not work out after a first date.

3) Be open minded - as mentioned earlier, you may not have chemistry with the person you are out on a date with. While you the two of you may be able to talk on the phone and e-mail back and forth, meeting someone face to face could result in a totally different experience. You may find that the other person behaves differently in person or that there isn't much of a connection there. There may also be instances out of your control that prohibit the relationship from moving forward as well. Remember to be open minded and take things slow if possible.

4) Be patient - dating online does have it's ups and downs and does take a lot of trial and error. It can be frustrating at times but learn from mistakes and bad dates and move forward. Bad dates will happen at times and take what you can from that and learn from that experience. There may be times in which you feel like you are not meeting anyone you want to move forward with in a relationship. Remember to be patient and learn from each and every experience.

Finding My Way Back Again

The pressbox at Stewart Field in Solon (home of Solon Comets football, soccer, track and lacrosse) felt like home to me during my high school years. I had spent so much time working a camera during broadcasts my freshman and sophomore years in high school and spent the remaining years as a play-by-play announcer in that pressbox for a lot of Solon Comets football games. I had seen so many games and had built up so many incredible memories from that pressbox in just four years.

The last football game I announced back in that stadium was 2003 and I wondered if I would ever call a game from that pressbox again. The far left hand side of the box is where I called home during those broadcasts and I always wondered if I would ever get an opportunity to call a game from there again after I graduated high school.

Several years went by and while I didn't return to the pressbox, I managed to find my ways to the sidelines as a photographer. Photography is a passion of mine and being able to take photos of the games brings joy and excitement to me. It is my way to stay in the game and follow a team I grew up watching.

One day before the 2012 season was to begin, I received a phone call I always wondered if I would get:

"Jeff, we need someone to help announce the Solon football game on Friday. Can you help out?"

Right in front of me, the opportunity to return to the pressbox was there. I took the job as quickly as I could and could not wait to return to the booth the following night.

After doing a pregame spot with my broadcast partner, Dan Henderson (who would do an awesome job doing play-by-play in the game), both of us headed back up to the left side of the pressbox that had been my home for Solon Comets games during my junior and senior years of high school. Some of the items I remembered had been rearranged but I couldn't help but smile when remembering the great times I had in that area of the pressbox.

I ended up doing color commentary for the broadcast and calling the game with Dan was a lot of fun. His enthusiasm came through during the broadcast and it was such a joy calling the game with him. I couldn't help but have fun analyzing the game with him and feeling happy to be calling a Solon football game again.

The game ended in a comeback win for Solon and seconds after we signed off, I took off my headset and told Dan he did a great job. He mentioned to me he learned a lot from me during the game and he appreciated the help I provided. I was glad he learned a lot from me during the broadcast and that I could help him out.

The following week, I was back on the sidelines and a few fans and friends mentioned to me that they thought I did a good job. I was happy to hear they tuned in and was grateful for the kind words.