Doppelganger Week

I'm not even sure I spelled it right.

This week has dubiously been designated "doppelganger week." I'm not sure such a designation is grounded in anything, but it basically means people change their facebook pictures to reflect the celebrity they allegedly look like the most.

Why is it that no one actually looks like the celebrity they think they look like? Is it wishful thinking? Do you really think you're as hot as Jessica Alba or Brad Pitt? Or is that you've been told that and you unquestioningly accept the parallel, despite the fact that whoever told you that was either trying to get into your pants or was your mom?

In any case, I'm wondering who I look like? I don't think I look like anyone, but I've been told I do. I won't participate in this Doppelganging nonsense, but I'd be interested to know nonetheless.

TELL ME!

My other blog...

As part of my new job as a Communications Intern with the Innovation Team at CFED - The Corporation for Enterprise Development, I am managing the initiative's blog.

For the past few months, posts have been few and far between. As we work to revamp our communications strategy, I'll be posting there a bunch. Please check it out when you get the moment, and, if you're so moved, sign up for the innovation@cfed community. We're still working on the community part, but I'd love input from my people "outside the field."

And, this doesn't mean I won't be posting here anymore. This will still be your personal space for all things Sean-related. In fact, I'd say blogging there probably means more blogging here. In any case, check out both blogs...please!

And Speaking of Selling Out...

LOLZ @ Sarah Palin today for joining the Fox "News" team. I have little to say about it that's intellectually intriguing. Rather, literal side-splitting laughter at 7:00 this morning as I read my copy of Express on the way to work. Is she serious? Doesn't she remember that they're also part of the "media elite" that has created a "strong liberal bias" and that they're "evil" and "ought to be punished?" Apparently not.

AND, her official statement, about her excitement for joining a team so committed to "fair and balanced" reporting? Really? She was making a joke, no?

Yes, I realize that Fox "News" recognizes that they aren't really news and they are ridiculous on purpose -- but what benefit do they accrue by pretending?

That's all.

Selling Out 2.0

It took me a few days shy of forever, but it's finally official: I tweet. I'm not sure what this means, nor am I entirely sure why now seems like the right time. I think it was partly guided by a new project I'm working on - a communications internship of sorts - but why it didn't happen sooner is unclear to me. In any case, I am skeptical that it isn't as useful as others insist. Furthermore, I'm not totally sure how it works. I mean, I clearly understand that if you want to tweet you type your message in the box - I'm not totally inept. However, there is an entire nomenclature associated with it, a vocabulary to learn, and a wide range of symbols that to me only used to mean "at" and "pound."

SOOO, follow me @seanluechtefeld. I can't promise consistent tweets (although you could have guessed that by looking at the date of my last blog post). I will, however, see what Twitter offers toward optimizing my life.

Also, I signed up for a LinkedIn account. My friend, @cmlaprade, who is on the job market, pointed out all the ways that LinkedIn connects job seekers with organizations. For those of us not on the market, I'm not sure its utility. So, for now, I'm sticking with Facebook and Twitter as my social media outlets du jour, but if anyone can explain to me how LinkedIn will make my life better, I'll give it a shot.

Thus, I repeat - @seanluechtefeld.

kthx.

TMI!

Dear Students,

Over the past two months, I've discovered that I really enjoy teaching. I get somewhat of a high off of seeing the light bulbs go off in your brain or seeing you progress from simple to more complex ways of thinking. While I find this invigorating, there is one element of my job I hate: the TMI emails. What does this mean, you ask?

For starters, I don't need to know about your reproduction system. Your pregnancy is truly a beautiful thing...for your family. I don't need to know about what you threw up this morning or how your baby is sitting on your bladder making you pee. Second, I don't need to know about your legal run-ins. Telling me about how the cops busted your party last night because you and 46 of your closest underage friends were doing beer bongs in your underwear. I also don't need to know about your DUI's, or about how your boyfriend filed a restraining order against you because you bit off a chunk of his shoulder. Finally, I don't need to know about what sickness you missed class for. It is sufficient to bring a note saying you were ill. Knowing what was coming out of what hole with what consistency is unnecessary. Also, don't tell me about your urinary tract infections (as a friend's student described). That's okay -- I'll trust you on this one.

I know you think I can relate to you because I'm young. However, I was never pregnant, arrested, or ebola-ridden when I was an undergrad; I don't want to share experiences here.

With deepest affection,
Sean

Dear Moving Expenses

I know you think you'll win this battle, but I'm relentless. I will win, even if it means I carry my belongings from NC to DC.

Just letting you know in advance,

Sean

Summer Fun...

This is somewhat out-of-the-ordinary for me, but I'm posting what I've been doing this summer as a means of identifying potential fun for you all. Granted, I'm always trying to post things I find, but the difference is none of these things happen online. Should you be intrigued, ask...

1. I joined a bowling league. Even if you're just a beginner, there's probably a league for people at your skill level. It's a cheap, fun way to meet friends and occupy an evening that might otherwise be empty.

2. I joined a fantasy baseball league. Okay, this one does happen online. But, if you're competitive like me, it's another opportunity to show that world (and more importantly, your friends) why you're better than them.

3. I'm taking golf lessons. You should, too. It's cheap...ish. Where I live, some of the driving ranges have golf pros there to help you improve your shot. They're not formal lessons, per se, but they'll go a long way in helping you be a better golfer. Why golf? Not only is it surprisingly fun, it also provides a great mechanism to network.

4. Find something outdoorsy. This seems obvious, and perhaps cliche, and almost certainly undesirable. But remember, outdoorsy doesn't mean strenuous. Go tubing on a lazy river or walk laps in your backyard. That's what I've been up to, and it's been awesome.

5. If all else fails, drink. Or, of all else succeeds, drink.