How to own "creative".

“The creative is the place where no one else has ever been. You have to leave the city of your comfort and go into the wilderness of your intuition. What you'll discover will be wonderful. What you'll discover is yourself.”
—Alan Alda

What a smart guy!

Is there anyway to make this Friday any better than it already is?

Answer- YES!

By watching the video below your day will get even better. Trust me.



So if you can't find a good party tonight head to the cod fish ball!

How to own your childhood dreams.

In class we are reading, The Conversations: Walter Murch and the Art of Editing Film, by Michael Ondaatje.
I love it. I love that Walter Murch turned an odd childhood hobby into a fun and fulfilling job.

Thus today's lesson.

Tapanga Malanga presents, How to own your childhood dreams.

What did you want to be when you were a kid?

A Policeman, a Fireman, a Nurse, maybe a Teacher?

How about a Rock Star? Or a Movie Star?

The first step to owning childhood dreams is to think about what it is that makes you happy and what used to make you happy.

Then do that thing.

Was that easy or what?

One day I hope to make a speech similar to this one,



then at that point I will have completely owned my childhood dreams.

Keep owning my friends!

How to Own a Popular Web Video.

Tapanga Malanga presents, How to Own a Popular Web Video.

Step One: Create a totally awesome video.
Check!

Step Two: Have it posted somewhere that everyone can see it.
Double Check!!
You can see it at:
 http://www.latenightwithjimmyfallon.com/video/clips/submitted-by-tapangamalanga/1158405/

Step Three: Post it to your blog so that your friends and classmates and comment and rate it.
Triple Check!!!

Step Four: Sit back a enjoy the accolades.
Quadruple Check!!!!

How to Own a Makeover.

The Mission: makeover my blog.
The Outcome: a revamped blog along with sweet makeover tips.

Tapanga Malanga presents, How to Own a Makeover

(It worked for Susan Boyle)

-start with a clean slate
-then get a facial (wash out wordiness)
-get your hair done (this sets the tone-aka- theme of the blog)
-get your nails done (paint on a fresh color scheme)
-get a new wardrobe (change the template)
-don’t forget shoes and accessories (add videos and pictures, the perfect blog accessories!)
-and the most important, finish up with the right attitude. (that way you can truly own it!)

For more makeover tips check out: http://www.dailymakeover.com/.

Now here’s a clip from my favorite makeover movie, She’s All That.

I bet your prom wasn’t this staged….

How to Own Critiquing.

I really don't like critiqing others, not one bit.

BUT, sometimes you have to.

And those times that you really don't want to do something are great times to practice owning.

Tapanga Malanga presents, How to Own Critiqing.

Critiqing others affects others. (Easy to understand, right?)

So it is important to take this lesson seriously.

Watch the video below to get in a more serious mood.

Oh, sorry that clip is down right horrifying... oops. No time to fool around though.

Get to work while following these tips:

Un) Be as clear as possible.

Duex) Think things out before realying your opinion.

Trois) Be ready to explain what you mean in case the person you are critiqing doesn't understand.

Quatre) And last but not least, share the positives as well.

Here's my critique of my own blog:

As for use of media, I think I do a pretty good job. I use a lot of pictures and videos on my blog... I figure it will look more appealing. I also link a lot of things just incase people want to know more.

With scanability I give myself a big fat F. I write too much and I ramble... a lot.

I like my site but it is pretty busy not to mention the fact that it looks very "ametureish". I'm woring on it!

Something I want to work on right away is making it more accessible! It be a shame if someone came across this site and couldn't fully enjoy it...

Well, I'm all done! Are you?

Good!

Now you can stop being so serious! This clip will definitely put you in a goofier mood.

 Enjoy!

And remember, keep owning my friends!

How to own a rainy day.

So it's miserable outside... like seriously.
But don't let the weather bring you down! Do something with your time!

You could- curl up with a good book. (One of my favorites is As the Romans Do: An American Family's Italian Odyssey.) Do you have a favorite that you would like to suggest?

You could- bake someting. (I love to bake. I don't really ever need a reason but if you do I think a rainy day is as good as any. If you want to bake but don't have any good ideas as to what to make check out this site: http://www.joyofbaking.com/)

You could- play cards. (My roomate Emily suggested this one. Her favorite card game is Rummy.)

You could- watch movies. ( If you have a lot of time watch a long movie or consecutive films, like all of the avaiable Harry Potters. Or you could watch classics like The Sound of Music, Gone with the Wind, The Wizard of Oz, The King and I, etc.... hahahahaha get it.... etc, etc.)

You could- surf the web. (That's what I'm doing!)
Here are two great youtube vids that I just came across:





Now do you get my lame joke? lol
And finally if you have to go outside.. own it...
Take the opportunity to sport some funky rainboots.
Here is me with my pair-

If you need any help accessorizing check out these sites:













Start with: http://www.collegefashion.net/fashion-tips/what-to-wear-on-a-rainy-day/ (Each of the outfits featured will make help you own!)

You should also check out: http://www.thefashionablehousewife.com/06/2009/outfit-ideas-what-to-wear-with-rain-boots/ (The looks on this site are a little more mature.)

And my favorite rainy day site: http://www.shoprainco.com/productdetail/catid/1/item/202/ (If you need some help coming up with rainy day styles this is the place to go!!!)

Have fun, be safe, and remember to keep owning my friends!

Webby Winners: How to own a Webby.

While I was browsing the Webby Award Winners page I had a lot of trouble picking a page to observe. They were so many different categories. I eventually chose http://www.sundancechannel.com/home/. While I was playing around on the site I noticed that all of the aesthetic engagement points we learned about in class were applied. Which lead to the realization that to own a Webby one must own those points.

Let me eleborate by presenting: How to Own a Webby (Sundance Edition)

To win a Webby one must own a stellar site. It has to meet certain criteria. The easiest way to own  a Webby is to make sure your site hits certain Aesthetic Engagement points.

The Sundance Channel is one of those winners so I thought I would use them as an example of how to own.

Sensory: Whe you arrive on the main page you are struck by the images. The site is sleek and very modern yet somehow timeless.

Representative: While browsing the site you are hit with many symbolic photos and videos. (I urge you to check out the work of Brue Weber, he is a genius!)

Appreciative: Everything that Sundace posts has a deep meaning behind it so pretty much everything you see is appreciative.

Formal Connections- Logos: The style is unique. It's very mod and very SUNDANCE.

Emotional Connections- Pathos: I get a calm feeling when browsing this site. How does it make you feel?

Individual Connections- Ethos: I can totally relate to this site because of m love of indeoendant films. Do you have any conection?

Sundance has a great site which is totally how they won. They own by touching on all the Aesthetic Engagement points... do you want your site to own too? Take notes from them.

Keep owning my friends!

How to own dinner... in college.

Last night was magnifico! (That's “magnificent” in Italian)
Why so wonderful, you ask? BECAUSE, I hosted a dinner party… yes… a dinner party. I know what you are thinking. How did you host a dinner party? Aren’t you just a college student? Why, yes, yes I am but that didn’t stop me from transforming my humble apartment into Rome for the night.

Sometimes it pays to be creative. Sure Kraft Macaroni and Cheese is a college staple but there are times when you need a little pick me up perhaps a dinner that reminds you of home.

Curious?

Watch and learn as Tapanga Malanga presents, How To Own Dinner…. In College. 

Step One: Pick a theme.

( I chose, An Evening in Roma, mostly because we had A LOT of pasta, sauce, etc.)

To add to the atmosphere you should play fitting music. My playlist consisted of: Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, and the FABULOUS Louis Prima.

Step Two: Get "fancy".

(Not really fancy.. more like mock fancy. Set the table with glass plates instead of the normal plastic.)

Don't forget place cards... nothing makes a dinner fancier than place cards!

You can make them using tape and construction paper (very simple).

To really own, give people names that go with the theme. (I traded in Tapanga for Noemi.)

Step Three: Pick a menu that compliments your theme.

(I served spaghetti with caesar salad and garlic bread. Mmmm!)

I even served pizza shaped brownies!!

Step Four: Think outside of the box!

(My roomates and I only have 4 of each of our plates so when we were faced with setting the table for 5 we had to get creative. Our theme was An Evening in Roma but we came across some stars and stripes themed bowls and plates in our cabinets... so we decided that one of our guests would be the resident American.)

Step Five: Invite proprer company.

(Good Friends + Good Food = Good Fun... wait.. strike that... it equals an owned dinner.)

Hope these tips come in handy!

And remeber, keep owning my friends!

Question: How do you own creativity? Hint: it's a trick question!

Answer: You can't.... but... you use creativity to own just about anything else!

In class today we watched two TED videos. They were both entertaining, insightful, and they both preached about the importance of creativity. I couldn't have agreed more with Sir Ken. Besides being hilarious his speech was true too. Creativity is one of the attributes that separates us from the animals and I know that my life would be totally different without creativity. Even the simplest tasks would be like pulling teeth.

Owning wouldn't exist without creativity.

Creativity can be used in just about everything you do and own.

Without creativity there would be no art, no literature, no entertainment, and no fun..... ever!

In coming up with an example for using creativity to own the possibilities were endless... time, however, was scarce so I decided to put my roomate, Emily, and the Rashford Hall elevator to work.

The outcome... Tapanga Malanga presents owning the dorm elevator.

Anyone can just push a button, wait, and board an elevator... but you're with me now... we don't just do the ordinary- we OWN!

Below are examples of what normal people do and how extraordinary people own dorm elevators.

You could just push the button.

BUT to own you have to get creative.

Try pushing the button with something other than your finger. You could use your foot, your nose, or even your butt. Me? I chose my elbow.

You could just wait around for it to stop at your floor.

OR you could own by practicing yoga, showing off some funky fresh dance moves,  memorizing birthdays, or even learning about the earth.  

Once boarding the elevator you could just stand silently.

OR you can own by making a new friend.

(Whether that person is interested or not.)

I hope you give these ideas a chance! Let me know if you have any other ideas!

And remember, keep owning my friends!

How to own traffic stops. A very basic lesson.

Before we begin this lesson check out this lovely music video courtesty of Ace of Base:

This song is 90's classic and eventhough it isn't really about traffic signs it still works here.

Some people think they are too cool to stop at stop signs....

.... this is a HUGE pet peeve of mine so I thought that I would quickly teach you all how to own stop signs that way you will look forward to stoping.

Tapanga Malanga presents, How to Own Stop Signs.

Option One: If you notice that there are no other cars around at a stop put your car in park. Then announce to your passenger that there is a Chinese Fire Drill taking place. Exit the drivers side so that the passanger can take over at the wheel. Once you both are safely buckled remove the park brake and countinue on.

Option Two: Show off your knowledge of music. Before departing from your start point inform passangers of a fun music fact stop sign game. At each stop sign passangers are to name a song that features the word stop or sign. (Examples, Stop In The Name of Love, Stop Me, Stop and Stare, Signed, Sealed, Delievered, etc.) The trick is that once a stop or sign song is named you must name another song by the artist and another and another until the next stop sign. No winners or losers just good clean fun.

Option Three: Strike a pose. Treat each stop like a fashion shoot. Pretend that onlookers and neighboring cars are photographers and act out Madonna's Vogue video.

Know of any other stop sign games, or want to make one up! Feel free to share!!

And remember, keep owning people!

Some of my fave blogs!

I just quickly wanted to share some of my favorite blogs with ya'll.

This first one is great for beauty tips! Check out the “Cries for Help” category, it's my fave! http://www.jackandhill.net/jack_and_hill_a_beauty_bl/


I follow this next blog to get delicious recipes. I love to cook and I can always find a new and tasty recipe on this site. If you ever want to recreate a meal that you have eaten at a restaurant this is the site to find/ request a recipe. http://www.recipesecrets.net/blog/


The last blog I habitually follow is http://www.tmz.com/. It is ridiculously trashy and full of juicy tidbits about my favorite stars... I just can't resist!


Do you have any blogs you think I would be interested in? If so, let me know!

The future is SCARY ...but you can SO own scary!

Have you ever seen the videos, The Future of Communication and Epic 2015?

I was personally "weirded" out by both. I really didn't like the way in which they presented their predictions... which is all it really is, predictions... so why did it bother me so much?
Well, probably because of the way they made their points.
Both videos made up company names and that gave it a believability factor. In Epic 15 they used peoples names and I didn't like that one bit. Both videos looked like trailers for upcoming scifi movies and I found them to be a little over the top. At some points I felt like their predictions could be spot on, if they simply pushed the dates back a couple more years.
There's just something about these videos that really creeps me out and if you haven't watched them you should def give it a go. Let me know what you think about them!

Okay, now let's own it!

Tapanga Malanga presents, I'm Scared!

Being scared, even by stupid youtube videos, can be owned.
You just have to accept that the video or whatever else is scaring you that it is legit going to come true or in the case of monsters/vampires/ghosts/clowns/serial killers is going to eat/ kill you.

So, how does one own being scared?

Step One: Work up some goosebumps. (Nothing weirds me out more than getting goosebumps when I'm not cold)

Step Two: Make the people around you scared too. (There's nothing worse than being the only scaredy cat so don't be. If you see a weird shadow or hear a strange noise point it out!)

Step Three: Make the Home Alone scared face, your own. (Macaulay Culkin def knew how to act scared couldn't hurt to learn a thing or two from the master just make it your own!) Below is a picture of my version which is just like Kevin in Home Alone minus the hands on the cheeks and my friend Rachels verison which is a total rip off.

Step Four: SCREAM!!! (Loud and often. This step really pulls the other steps together.)

Example:

On a unusually warm September night you decide to watch T.V. with your roomate. The show is then interuppted by the news in which it is reported that a man has escaped from the nearby mental institution.  While watching the breaking news your roomate mentions that she heard something. You get goosebumps. You decide to go check the thermostat. You realize that its set to 76 and that the chills you just got make no sense. You quickly turn around to greet your roomate but no one is there. Suddenly you hear a creak! While you scream your mouth hits the floor. You run into the other room to tell your roomate. Sadly for you, you haven't practiced and enough and they aren't scared. Intsead your roomate laughs and adds that you look like a wannabe Macaulay Culkin.

Better luck next time :)

Keep owning my friends!

How to own a blog, Tapanga Malanga style.

Howdy! I'm Ta-Ta-Ta Tapanga Malanga.


Hmmm, Tapanga Malanga, you are probably wondering what that's all about. My name is not Tapanga, but you probably guessed that. I mean, what kind of parents would give their child such a ridiculous name, well they wouldn't but high school would. At least it did in my case. It started due to a resemblance to a certain Boy Meets World character, a resemblance that I do not see. It quickly turned into a very catchy nickname, mostly due to the fact that it rhymes with my last name.


I haven't always liked that nickname but as I sit here and write this I realize that it is a part of who I am. I own it.


I own a lot of things and that is actually what this blog is going to be about, owning stuff.


I don't mean purchase I mean OWN. You own something by making it yours with no questions asked... I'm kind of an expert and I am going to make it my mission to help you own too.


Still don't get it? Here's a few examples of things you can own:


The way you walk
The way you talk. .
The way you wear your hair.


And soooo much more.

When it comes down to it it's all about confidence. And that is one thing I am familiar with. You could actually call me overly confident, something that I REALLY own.

On top of doing my communications homework on here I plan on making this an interesting and applicable blog for anyone who comes upon it.

I would love to get suggestions on what people would like to own... like how to own (properly wear) a cowboy hat or how to own (rock) a hole in your tights.

Speaking of owning a cowboy hat.

You name it and I’ll show you how to own it.

I'm looking forward to a great semester and a great year! Let's own it!!!