Yeah, I haven’t blogged the entire year of 2011. #EpicFail on my part. So, anyway, I thought I’d wish a happy new year to those of you that didn’t get one from me. 

If you’re in Southern California and do not have anything to do tonight, here are three great events you can be a part of that actually make a difference.

Restore Tour: Child Solider No More

This epic live event tells a tale of the tragedy and the triumph of the child soldiers and the greater community of northern Uganda, who have endured some of the worst atrocities known to man. Oasis Church LA (5100 Wilshire Blvd) is hosting two FREE concerts tonight at 5:30 pm (now sold out) and at 7:30 pm. Registration required.

Discover The Journey: Mwisha Event

Come out for a night of music, story, and art at Seed People’s Market in Costa Mesa (5pm-7pm). Join Discover The Journey as they advocate to bring one child home from fighting in the war in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The event includes live music, food, drink, a photo gallery, shorts films, interactive art, and peace apparel. This event is also FREE. Details here.

More about DTJ

Catalytic! Indie Rock Benefit Concert

The 24 Foundation is hosting a benefit concert at Señor Fish in LA tonight from 9:00 pm to 2:00 am. The 24 Foundation is an organization that works with at-risk LA youth and uses the arts as a catalyst for their healing. Every ticket donation directly support the 24 Foundation’s upcoming November program. Entry to the event is $10; 21+.

I just don’t get it. Maybe it’s ‘cause I just saw The Social Network and my distaste for Mark Zuckerberg has been renewed, but Facebook’s New Groups suck!

I was in line at the movies last night when I received a notification that I had been added to a new Facebook Group. Huh? How did this happen? I didn’t request to be added to this particular group?

When I got home, logged in to Facebook, and found the following:

Did you catch that? Right there in Facebook blue and white! We can not prevent one of our FB friends from adding us to any group they choose!

Yes, I realize that I can leave a group at any time, but that’s not the point. Suppose I don’t realize that one of my “friends” has added me to “Bring Back Captain Planet to Stop Global Warming” group, and I don’t notice for a few days. Who’s going to know that I really don’t like Captain Planet and I have my doubts about global warming anyway?

Come on Facebook. I’m not one of those people who complain every time you decide to change the interface or try and act more like Twitter. All I ask is that you respect the rights of your users. But I guess it’s kind of hard when you’re being led by compromising CEO.

By the way, I saw Red with Bruce Willis last night. It’s surprisingly entertaining and John Malkovich steals the show.

You should have a general idea of your personality type. When it comes to business, however, I like the way William J.H. Boetcker defines the four classes of people: 1) Those who always do LESS than they are told. 2) Those who will do what they are told, but NO MORE. 3) Those who will do things WITHOUT being told. 4) Those who will INSPIRE others to do things. Which one are you & why? via @TheRealLesBrown

Good article on using Facebook to reach your target group.

Back in the summer of 2008, I was working in the marketing department of a bi-coastal law firm. I’ll never forget the excitement when our mail clerk told me that the Dodgers had just traded for Manny Ramirez. 

I was excited because 1) I’ve been a Dodger fan my entire life and; 2) because our law firm had season tickets in the Dugout Club and a few more games reserved in the press box suites. Working in the marketing department meant that I’d have a good chance to see one of the greatest hitters* of my generation play at Chavez Ravine.

If you were fortunate enough to go to Dodger Stadium during Manny’s two months with the Dodgers in ‘08, you witnessed something that hadn’t hit LA since Fernandomania. That place was electric every night. People were actually talking about the Dodgers and not the latest drama from Kobe. The four games I was able to go to those two months were some of the most exciting I’ve ever been to. Adiós Manny!


*Including players that used PEDs.