I’ve been a huge fan of Oprah for as long as I can remember. I don’t agree with every single thing she says or does, but her shows provoke my deep thoughts and there’s no way to ignore her presence in the global society. She did a show about two weeks ago dedicated to the new (RED) campaign (specifically a business model, not a charity) that several major retailers have adopted in an effort to raise money for AIDS assistance in Africa.

The whole deal is that consumers don’t have to go out of their way to donate money to a charity that they see no results from. This isn’t like buying one of those paper shoes for $1 so it can be hung up at a CVS check-out register (not that those programs don’t do good stuff, that’s not the point). Gap, Armani, Motorola, Apple and American Express are marketing unique (RED) products that fit the company’s signature styles and passing a percent of the proceeds on to buy anti-retroviral drugs for those with AIDS. This month Motorola is releasing a new (RED) Razr, and Apple’s got a (RED) iPod nano already in stores. All you have to do is buy what you would have bought anyway. Their website goes much more in depth, and it’s definiately worth a looksie. The (RED) blog has been posting real people stories about where the money is going complete with pictures of once-sick and now healthy school children smiling from ear to ear. Check it out. I dare you to resist those little faces. So go shopping. This time it’s totally justified.

And if anyone wants to get me an “It’s the first of November” gift, this would be perfect. I’m not a huge fan of trance-y music, but the soundtrack to Project Runway just makes me feel fabulous, and would probably do the same for you. And who doesn’t deserve to feel fabulous?

Withholding any opinion about Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry’s latest headlines, it’s still a little frightening to think that saying one sentence could wipe your face all over national television and stamp your name on headlines all over the country. All hail the power of the media.

If you’ve read this far, take one more click and check out Chevy’s latest PR stunt. Their hosting “Livin Large in an Aveo” to promote their newest car in the perfect 18 to 24-year-old market. Eight universities have a two-person team living in a car until Friday, leaving only to go to class and take “body breaks.” They’re all keeping their own blogs, and you can peek in on their webcam. They’re counting on voters, (like YOU!) to help them each win a new Aveo and a few cars for UF. Vote everyday! It’s fun!

I’ll keep posting fun or interesting stuff that I come across. You can check back for news stories that strike a chord, YouTube videos I might be playing on repeat or tidbits of journalistic multimedia that excite me about this road I’m on. Stay tuned!

And for fellow Wikipedia addicts: their page on Halloween
Happy trick-or-treating/scantilly-clad dressing up/typical college debauchery!