Not really. But it certainly seems like it.
Next week marks the final week of my year-long adventure as a Diploma-level student of media and communications. It's insane. I feel as though I've been here for a lifetime and have gotten so used to my environment at school: my teachers, classmates, our 'chill' table during lunch. It seems impossible to let it all go. Despite my day-to-day raging on how I don't ever want to look at another camera again or touch anything that has the word 'Adobe' in it - I feel like I'm leaving home.
My experience at TAFE has been an interesting one. I've evolved in so many ways and what I value most is how the course has changed my outlook on not just the media, but life as a whole. I was lucky enough to have a teacher who not only put all of her effort into shaping us to be the best that we possibly can in our chosen industry, but moulded us to be better people. Better humans. Through everything that I have learnt to do with communications, I also learnt about world issues - about governments, politics, laws and ethics. About things that are wrong with our world today, and things that we have the power to change. Things that matter, reaching far beyond the glorified piece of paper I will be getting in the mail in a couple of weeks as a gratis to my hard work.
On top of everything, I've made life-long friends. And no matter where my path leads me next, whether that be sound design, directing, photography, journalism or some 9-5 PR office job, I'll be glad that I can always look to these individuals who have gone through this journey with me, and call them my buddies.
It is the end of an Era for me, but it is also the beginning of many things to come. For one, the only reason I started this blog is for an assignment. But it's somewhat turned me into a word-hog. I bloody love blogging and I will keep doing it. A prime example of how education can leave you with something invaluable. Stay in school, kids!
I truly have enjoyed my year as a media student, and I hope to keep updating you guys on the direction which my life takes me next.
Adios, TAFE!
-Dahlia
04:31
04:07
EB Games Expo 2012
The circus of gaming is coming to town. And up to 30,000 people are expected.
The EB Games Expo is making its second return to the public this year as Australia's biggest gaming event. If you're like me and love anything to do with gaming, sci-fi or technology then you should strongly consider making an appearance. Or you'll most probably be kicking yourself for a long time afterwards. A really, really long time.
The Expo started off as an industry only retailers event and last year, its gates opened to the public for the first time on sunny Gold Coast where it was welcomed with huge success.
This year, EB Games Expo will be migrating down south to us Sydney-ers, where it will be held at the Sydney Olympic Park - usually the home to a number of music festivals such as Big Day Out and Stereosonic. I've been to both festivals several times, and let me tell you - that area is huge.
-Dahlia
The EB Games Expo is making its second return to the public this year as Australia's biggest gaming event. If you're like me and love anything to do with gaming, sci-fi or technology then you should strongly consider making an appearance. Or you'll most probably be kicking yourself for a long time afterwards. A really, really long time.
The Expo started off as an industry only retailers event and last year, its gates opened to the public for the first time on sunny Gold Coast where it was welcomed with huge success.
This year, EB Games Expo will be migrating down south to us Sydney-ers, where it will be held at the Sydney Olympic Park - usually the home to a number of music festivals such as Big Day Out and Stereosonic. I've been to both festivals several times, and let me tell you - that area is huge.
The Expo will host an impressive array of exhibitors - with last year's lineup featuring representatives from Activision, Bethesda, EA, Konami, Logitech, Nintendo and Ubisoft to name a few. According to the official website, the exhibition floor will be the life of the event and feature a euphoric atmosphere. Dark lighting, DJs and games. Sexy.
If you're not chilling at Kez and Sergio's Gamepad, excreting all of your energy and adrenaline at the Arena Spectacular or taking advantage of your Express Gamers Pass to head all of the queues - then I certainly hope you're cosplaying. And glomping someone. Or something.
Whatever you chose to do on the day, it's definitely a day that you do not want to miss. I hope to see you there.
If you're not chilling at Kez and Sergio's Gamepad, excreting all of your energy and adrenaline at the Arena Spectacular or taking advantage of your Express Gamers Pass to head all of the queues - then I certainly hope you're cosplaying. And glomping someone. Or something.
Whatever you chose to do on the day, it's definitely a day that you do not want to miss. I hope to see you there.
-Dahlia
02:29
How 'News Feed' feeds on us.
Ads have always been around. But lately - gradually - they've taken over the World Wide Web. I remember a time when I glorified Facebook due to it's simplistic, ad-free, almost painfully clean layout.
Luckily, it remained like that for a while. But lately - discreet as it may be - Facebook has dedicated the right side of its site to other brands. Okay - sponsored ads I'm used to. The vast majority of the social media world are bloody used to them. What choice do we have? We can't watch a 10 second YouTube clip these days without being forced to watch a 30 second pre-video ad for Libra Pads or something.
But what really makes my pet peeve growl is how specific these ads are becoming, especially on Facebook. I log on, as I do every day, and notice that these ads are freakishly appealing to me. 'Pledge to Quit!' - well okay, Facebook seems to somehow know that I'm trying. 'Sacred Witch's Heart Den'. Well, that seems interesting. Especially because my religious status on Facebook is listed as 'Wiccan'. And then I get an ad from Commonwealth - 'Can your bank keep your savings flexible? CommBank can.' Hang on a minute. Just the other day I left a comment on my friend's wall. Something about being broke, and constantly having to dip into my savings account.
Call me paranoid, but I'm seeing a pattern here. Facebook appears to be tracking people's individual details - whether it be from page likes, status updates, photos or general profile information.
Lately I've read a number of articles on the topic of how social media giants, such as Facebook, are exploiting their power within the industry to produce marketing material for their clients. This year, we are seeing more and more advertising content and commercials appear on many of these sites as companies move more and more into the world of advertising and marketing through social media. Sites such as Twitter are actually revamping their website in order to suit the needs of advertisers. Twitter is making deals with big names such as Pepsi and offering them promotions such as self-serve ads and banners which will display across the entire Twittersphere. Oh, and they're also offering our right to privacy by seemingly exploiting a very specific demographic about their users. Well done, guys. I'm sure the big guys must really love you now.
So continue liking things, Tweeting away and posting interesting photographs of your cereals onto Instagram or whatever cool social media website you're using. Just keep in mind that it's not necessarily your own status that's being updated, but an entire army of advertisers who are burning to feed on your news - literally. Ah, you gotta love the puns.
-Dahlia
Luckily, it remained like that for a while. But lately - discreet as it may be - Facebook has dedicated the right side of its site to other brands. Okay - sponsored ads I'm used to. The vast majority of the social media world are bloody used to them. What choice do we have? We can't watch a 10 second YouTube clip these days without being forced to watch a 30 second pre-video ad for Libra Pads or something.
But what really makes my pet peeve growl is how specific these ads are becoming, especially on Facebook. I log on, as I do every day, and notice that these ads are freakishly appealing to me. 'Pledge to Quit!' - well okay, Facebook seems to somehow know that I'm trying. 'Sacred Witch's Heart Den'. Well, that seems interesting. Especially because my religious status on Facebook is listed as 'Wiccan'. And then I get an ad from Commonwealth - 'Can your bank keep your savings flexible? CommBank can.' Hang on a minute. Just the other day I left a comment on my friend's wall. Something about being broke, and constantly having to dip into my savings account.
Call me paranoid, but I'm seeing a pattern here. Facebook appears to be tracking people's individual details - whether it be from page likes, status updates, photos or general profile information.
Lately I've read a number of articles on the topic of how social media giants, such as Facebook, are exploiting their power within the industry to produce marketing material for their clients. This year, we are seeing more and more advertising content and commercials appear on many of these sites as companies move more and more into the world of advertising and marketing through social media. Sites such as Twitter are actually revamping their website in order to suit the needs of advertisers. Twitter is making deals with big names such as Pepsi and offering them promotions such as self-serve ads and banners which will display across the entire Twittersphere. Oh, and they're also offering our right to privacy by seemingly exploiting a very specific demographic about their users. Well done, guys. I'm sure the big guys must really love you now.
So continue liking things, Tweeting away and posting interesting photographs of your cereals onto Instagram or whatever cool social media website you're using. Just keep in mind that it's not necessarily your own status that's being updated, but an entire army of advertisers who are burning to feed on your news - literally. Ah, you gotta love the puns.
-Dahlia
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