University Police Department

Recently on the Montana State University campus, there have been 2 reportings of rape here close by the school. These reports concern me, as a woman and as a student that walks to my vehicle alone, no matter the hour of day. With the photo emailed to students across campus, I wonder why he has not been caught. This subject is frightening to any girl, and I would like to see this stop. 2 reports in 1 month is far too many if you ask me.

After searching the campus police site from "www.montana.edu", I realized that there are options for those of you (including myself) who feel unsafe after these reports of rape. Montana State University police offers a 24 hour escort available for anyone who may be walking alone.

Stating,
      "In the interest of the safety of MSU’s students, faculty, staff, and visitors, the Police Department has escorts available on campus 24 hours a day. Contact the University Police Department at 994-2121. Our Safety Escort program is available to anyone on campus.Simply call the Police Department and request an escort from any point originating on campus to any other point on campus or a contiguous location to the campus. Don’t hesitate to ask us for assistance. We’re here for you."

Because this is my fourth year at Montana State University and I was unaware of this in the previous years, I feel like it is important for others to be aware (including parents and incoming freshman) to understand that there are options like this available.

After many years of being on the top 100 safest cities in America, Bozeman has fallen in recent years below the top 100 mark. (Money Magazine, 2010) Luckily, Bozeman is still the number one safest city in Montana, nearing close to Helena and Billings. I was able to find a lot of interesting Montana city information at this website.

Growing up in Billings, I found it interesting to see that Billings topped the charts in other categories such as "smart rank" and "overall ranking" ... Maybe people will stop dogging on Billings if they knew it was a top city in climate and economy among other things! 

Books turned into movies...

A couple of weeks ago, my new favorite Trilogy "The Hunger Games" came out with their first movie. I went and saw the movie right away, and can't wait to go back again! This topic made me curious as to what other books have been turned into movies, and how many have been popular. Besides Harry Potter and Twilight, teenage and young adult readers haven't been as excited for a movie until this movie came out a couple weeks ago. There are SO many books turned into movies that people do not even realize!

The obvious sequels, Harry Potter and Twilight...

There are so many others,

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, The Lorax, The Lovely Bones, The Help, The Time Travelers Wife, Water for Elephants, Charlottes Web, The Notebook, and SO many more...

Behind Harry Potter (Deathly Hallows part 2) and The Dark Knight, The Hunger Games comes in with an opening day of $152,535,747 dollars.... This coming from a girl who didn't want to make it "BIG" in movies.

On Chelsea Lately, Jennifer Lawrence surprised me with her quirky/funny/sarcastic personality, making me TEN TIMES more excited for this movie. If I were to give any suggestion to those going to see The Hunger Games, read the book first. The movie was great, do not get me wrong! BUT you will understand the plot more with the books background.

Jennifer Lawrence on Chelsea Lately.....

http://youtu.be/H5Pr29nu-54

Oscars

Last night was the Academy Awards, aka the OSCARS. I actually did not get a chance to watch the entire thing, but read about it through my twitter account (#Oscars) - and on the news through google and E!. Did anyone else get a chance to catch the whole thing? I thought it was interesting Angelina Jolie's leg now is a top trend on twitter... "Jolie-ing" ???

Recap from E! online... Oscar Recap

Many were shocked to see Billy Crystal as the host... (Because of his age?)
Maybe that is exactly what society needs is an "Older Perspective", and older humor, for the audience. Numerous news stories approved of Crystals act over Hathaway and Franco the previous year, which I found to be interesting. But, I also thought the duo didn't do a very good job last year. Speeches were spoke about as shorter than usual, and the entire show to be less lengthy as usual.

For a complete list of Oscar winners, I found these from a random newpaper website...

Best Picture: “The Artis”
Best Director: Michel Hazanavicius, “The Artist”
Best Actress: Meryl Streep, “The Iron Lady”
Best Actor: Jean Dujardin, “The Artist”
Best Supporting Actress: Octavia Spencer, “The Help”
Best Supporting Actor: Christopher Plummer, “Beginners”
Best Original Screenplay: Midnight in Paris, Woody Allen
Best Adapted Screenplay: “The Descendants,” Alexander Payne, Nat Faxon and Jim Rash
Best Animated Feature Film: “Rango”
Best Foreign Language Film: “A Separation” (Iran)
Best Original Score: “The Artist,” Ludovic Bource
Best Original Song: “Man or Muppet” by Bret McKenzie, The Muppets
Best Documentary Feature: “Undefeated”
Best Film Editing: “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo,” Kirk Baxter & Angus Wall
Best Cinematography: “Hugo,” Richard Richardson
Best Visual Effects: “Hugo,” Rob Legato, Joss Williams, Ben Grossmann & Alex Henning
Best Sound Editing: “Hugo,” Philip Stockton & Eugene Gearty
Best Sound Mixing: “Hugo,” Tom Fleischman & John Midgley
Best Art Direction: “Hugo,” Dante Ferretti & Francesca Lo Schiavo
Best Costume Design: “The Artist,” Mark Bridges
Best Makeup: “The Iron Lady,” Mark Coulier & J. Roy Helland
Best Live-Action Short Film: “The Shore”
Best Documentary Short Film: “Saving Face”
Best Animated Short Film: “The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore”

Any that you were upset about that didn't win? Did you enjoy the show this year more than last?

Random Thoughts

With the 4 day weekend wrapping up, I've officially gotten nothing done. Bozeman finally gets to see some snow, and all of the skiers can sleep soundly.

After the first busy weeks of school, I've finally gotten back to the blog with a couple random thoughts and updates.

For our book review, due Wednesday, I've decided to read "Predictably Irrational", and only have a couple chapters left. This book has made me curious as to the minds of consumers and why do we all behave the way we do, thus Consumer Behavior. This book is interesting because it incorporates Psychology into Marketing. (Kind Of) Which are both things I am highly interested in. With the concept of FREE and Social Norms, I have quickly applied these thoughts to my own life. When at the grocery store, or while talking to my mom... I've explained to her these different concepts. Sounds interesting enough, so she has decided to read this book. Anyone else who is interested in people's thought processes towards purchases should definitely read this book. 


I was also thinking about the Superbowl this year (It HAS been that long since I've blogged), were there any good commercials? I thought that this year was a let down for advertising, which is upsetting to those of us with Marketing Minds. Anywho, my favorite had to of been the dog fetching Bud Light, although it was a little long. OR the John Stamos commercial, although it was cheesy. Any that I missed anyone else thought were funny or catching??

Pinterest - Social Commerce Game Changer?

Looking through my "pinterest", I thought this was interesting...

 

Pinterest - Next big thing? 

Pinterest is a new "blog type/social media" website, where one can bookmark the things they would like to remember to do. It's almost like a TO DO or Wish List, but easy to access online. Many people use Pinterest to plan weddings, remodel their homes, find new recipies, etc. Basically, anything you can think of, you can find it on pinterest. Pinterest is driving more consumers than google+ (which is kind of like a new type of facebook, but found on your google account). Many companies and marketers are using pinterest to gain followers and new ideas for their industry. I think pinterest could possibly be a new marketing strategy, if used correctly. It drives consumers towards products, and helps promote new products. 

This poster (above) just has some interesting facts and is put together nicely, and brings being "social" online to the next level.

Death Defying Pastimes

After class today, and talking about death defying passions, I thought of this video I saw on 60 minutes that people might enjoy watching. This is the story about a guy, I believe in his twenties, who frequently does death defying climbs without ropes. Watching this video made me wonder, is he taking his passion too far? What if he were to have children, or a wife, would he give up his passion? How do his parents cope?

He mentions that he will not be climbing forever, but what if his 'forever' is too late? It's an interesting story, and I'd love to hear what others think about such a dangerous sport.

The ascent of Alex Honnold - Follow this link to the 60 minutes website, this should be a direct link to the video.

--Casey

Superbowl Ideas

After a long weekend, I always take Sundays to relax and get caught up on the homework I have to do. With lots of football to watch (my teams out...so - Go Pats!), and studying to do, I spent my Sunday the best way I know how... Thinking of the delicious food ideas for the superbowl! Now, I have made each of these recipes in the past, and highly suggest them for you to try!

Ranch Stars - Easily the most delicious appetizer I've ever tried... Everyone's favorite!! 

Superbowl DIP - Traditional Delicious Dip