Next Episode playing in 14 seconds...13...12...

Has this ever happened to you before? Do you fall under the spell of the "Next Episode" option? Do you look up at the clock and realize that you have been staring at your computer screen for almost 5 hours? Do you ever think to yourself "wow, I may have a Netflix addiction..." Netflix has taken the Internet world by storm with their endless (well somewhat) lists of TV shows, movies, documentaries,   and even some of your childhood favorites that you haven't seen anywhere else except for in VHS box. I consider myself a "Netflix junkie" because not only is my "Recently Watched" record really long, the entries are only separated by a small span of time.

One of the most popular trends I have noticed since being in college is that college kids LOVE Netflix to watch TV shows. Whether the show has ended or still being aired, Netflix is the best way to see for yourself what all of the fuss is about the blue meth (Breaking Bad), doctors being shot at (Grey's Anatomy), or who this Chuck Bass character is (Gossip Girl). I think I can speak for everyone when I say that there is little second-guessing time when an episode ends and you instantly have the option to move on to the next episode. "I'll watch one more..." "Okay just one more..." "Last one..." "Ahh I have to find out what happens next..." More than likely, all 2.9 million Netflix subscribers have said one of those comments at least once in their streaming marathons. Here is a list of the TV shows I have so far fallen victim to the "next episode" option (I recommend every one of them):

• Grey's Anatomy
• Breaking Bad
• Gossip Girl
• Lost
• Friday Night Lights
• Scandal
• Sons of Anarchy (still finishing...)
• Downton Abbey
• The Walking Dead
• Prison Break
• The Vampire Diaries
• Desperate Housewives
• Revenge
• House of Cards
• Orange is the New Black

[Obviously this list is proof enough why I call myself a Netflix junkie]

When I first started to become a 'Flix junkie, I began to think to myself, "the person who invented this is either an angel sent from God or just someone who stumbled upon a great idea." While I tend to think he falls under both categories, Reed Hastings got the idea for Netflix in 1997 after he was charged a $40 late free from Blockbuster for his rented copy of Apollo 13. About a month ago, Buzzfeed released a video with a list of facts that not a lot of people now about the most popular website for streaming videos. Here's the "Surprising Facts about Netflix": (clink title for link)

1) Netflix is watched more than any cable network in the U.S.

2) The average subscriber streams 87 minutes of Netflix per day, that's 4 episodes of 'Family Guy'

3) [how Reed Hastings got the idea for Netflix]

4) Blockbuster turned down many offers to buy Netflix for as low as $50 million...TOO BAD because Netflix is worth $20 billion (we saw who came out on top in the end)

5) Netflix employees are sworn to never reveal the locations of the DVD warehouses

6) A Netflix DVD inspector inspects and cleans 650 DVDs per hour, that's 5,200 a day!

7) In 2006, Netflix held a $1 million competition to see who could create the best DVD recommendation algorithm. The most difficult movie for the algorithm to recommned...

NAPOLEAN DYNAMITE

8) Netflix instant streaming is the single largest contributor to Intenet traffic. It accounts for almost 1/3 of all Internet traffic in the U.S. 

9) Netflix made a test movie that still exists on the site, it's called 'Example Show'

10) What's the most watched show on Netflix? (my favorite) Breaking Bad

So thank you Reed Hastings for giving us the greatest reason to procrastinate studying or just lay in bed all day. Next time you acess your Netflix account remember to ask yourself this question, am I going to turn into this?...

HAPPY STREAMING Y'ALL

Love it or loathe it?

Whether you love or hate the day of roses, chocolate and oversized teddy bears, there is no escaping it all this time of year. Personally, I L-O-V-E Valentine's Day! And not just because I get roses from my boyfriend or that it's a great excuse pig out on chocolate, it is a day to remind your loved ones how much they mean to you. We have Thanksgiving to express our thankfulness and Christmas for giving, but Valentine's is our chance to love. I have always had a soft spot for V-Day, even when I was still single. Call me a hopeless romantic but I love the sappy cards, abundance of hearts, the little chalk heart-shaped candies and the stuffed animals that are as big as a small child.

 

Women absolutely love the surprises they receive on Valentine's Day while men on the other hand are typically only surprised when they wake up and realize it's a holiday from the reminder their woman set on their iPhone. Surprisingly enough, my dad seems to remember V-Day more than my mom's birthday or their anniversary. I love to just walk in Walgreen's or Kroger on V-Day and see the card/floral aisles just completely swamped with husbands/boyfriends buying last minute treats. Men, this is your time to shine! Impress your woman with a nice bouquet of flowers (roses are pricey), get her a little box of chocolates or even just a simple card will suffice.

My most memorable V-Day was my junior year of high school when I had my wisdom teeth removed, nothing about that experience was "lovable" at all. While I was confined to my bed and gauze in my mouth, my friend JD payed me a visit that night with V-Day goodies in tow. That night was spent with me laying helpless in bed with a box of chocolates that I obviously couldn't eat yet, and JD sat on the floor while we watched Semi-Pro. It's just the simple things that are proof enough to show someone how much you care for them. So whether your V-Day will be spent on a date with your significant other or watching rom-coms and stuffing your face with chocolate, don't forget to your loved ones just how much you love them. Love it or loathe it, HAVE A HAPPY HEART DAY Y'ALL!

[pictures courtesy of Pinterest]

 

Five-months-to-graduation Anxiety

The evil question: What are your plans after graduation? What field of work are you going in to? What city do you think you will end up in? These were the questions that never seemed to quit flowing my way over Thanksgiving and Christmas breaks. When they were asked, all I heard was "it's growing up time!" I have always been one of those people that went back and forth on what kind of career I wanted to start for myself after leaving Rocky Top. One week I wanted to go to law school, the next own my bakery, the next sell wedding dresses, and after that one be a teacher. This never ending cycle of not making up my mind has put me in this position, not being to answer that dreaded question.

 Being a part of the Volunteer Team, I have discovered my passion for showing hospitality to visitors and my deep love of the world of football. When I answer those questions with "I want to work in collegiate football in the recruiting process," everyone looks at me as if I have lobsters crawling out of my ears. The job market for these positions is very slim and a major game of "it's not what you know, it's who you know." Throughout my time working with the recruiting office, I have met so many influential people that will help propel me in this industry and get me to where I want to be.

You're probably thinking, why football recruiting? Isn't that a man's job? It is a man's world but being able to plan out visits for potential student athletes, and help them fall in love with the school I love so much is truly gratifying. This is all scary to think about because I still feel like I live at home, have to call my parents every night before bed and make sure to obey their rules. It's time to put the big girl panties on, throw on a suit and hit the ground running to answer that dreaded question because it is coming up on me faster than Roadrunner chasing Wiley Coyote.

xoxo-
AC

Super Bowl XLV-3: Horses vs. Hawks

 

Ever since I was young, I have always been that girl sitting in a sea of testosterone, buffalo wings, and team banter watching the battle for the Lombardi silver football. If not listening to men carry on about how they could coach better or play someone else, one could see me explaining the game of football to my fellow females. "Three points is a field goal"..."that's what an on-side kick is"..."no, there is no such thing as a homerun in football." Luckily for you ladies, Buzzfeed has released a cheat sheet so you can not only understand what is going on but even impress the men with your new found knowledge of the gridiron game.

Ladies, if you do not retain any of the information about the influential players, which team has the best defense, or even who coaches them, remember the last section (it is hysterical). It is called "How do I sound like I know what I'm talking about?" First point is pick a quarterback and say "Let's go, [insert name here]." I suggest you ladies pick Peyton Manning, the greatest quarterback in football. And if all else fails, Buzzfeed says to "agree with people and repeat what they say." You will look like a P-R-O!

Horses vs. Hawks. Peyton Manning vs. Russell Wilson. What will Richard Sherman say next? Those are the questions that will be answered after million dollar commercials, useless ESPN commentary and zoom-ins of the coaches yelling at referees. In true Tennessee Volunteers fashion, I will be cheering for Peyton and the Broncos to hoist the Lombardi and make confetti angels on the 50-yard line. So brush up on your facts with this cheat sheet and start preparing the homemade salsa, the countdown to the kickoff is on!

GO PEYTON!!!!



Here is the link to the cheat sheet:
http://www.buzzfeed.com/mrloganrhoades/everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-two-teams-in-the-super

xoxo-
AC

Hello My Name Is

Hey y'all! My name is Anna Claire Bradshaw, and I am a senior Public Relations student at the University of Tennessee. Originally, I am from a small town on the banks of the mighty Mississippi known as Dyersburg, TN. I was born and raised a Volunteer so it seemed only natural that after high school graduation I head for good ole Rocky Top. I am a member of the Alpha Delta Pi sorority where I have served as the Bid Day and Carnicus chairs for the past two years. Also in my time at UT, I have been a part of the Volunteer Team. This a group of undergraduate students who give campus and facility tours to potential student athletes, in particular football players.

During my time at UT, I have discovered my passion for working with people through my work in the Public Relations undergraduate program. I will officially graduate in May with my Bachelor of Science in Communication with the future still yet to be determined. Through working with the Volunteer Team, my dream career is to work in collegiate recruiting of potential student athletes. I would particularly love to work in the Southeastern Conference so I can stay under the Mason Dixon Line. If not for athletics, my other career aspiration is to work in event planning. I have always had a knack for planning events, organization, decorating, etc. I like to consider myself as having a creative mind so I would like to bring my abilities to the public relations world.

I am your typical 22-year old girl, engaged in every form of social media and checking them countless times throughout the day. Embarrassingly enough, I check my social media outlets even before the first cup of coffee is brewed. While I like to consider myself profficient in the social media world, one of my main goals for this course is to learn how to create a professional side of my social media use. Also, I would also like to learn how companies use to social media to their benefit in the hopes that it will benefit me in being able to apply these skills in the work world.

As far as my history with the blogging form of social media, I had a blog back in high school where I posted randomly about music, movies and other high school problems. I am going to enjoy this assignment of blogging weekly because it will help me further develop my writing skills, creativity and Internet professionalism. My main long term goal for this blog is to use it to my advantage in showing future employees of my various skills and personality.I hope to continue blogging after graduation, but only time will tell.