Ten Years from Now...

As a second year senior, I have been forced to think about my future all too often in the recent year or so. I know that when people ask me, "What are you doing after you graduate?", I always end up listing my plans by importance, without regard to a budget. The list is short, but if each was fulfilled, I would be completely satisfied. It is as follows:

1) Travel to Europe.
This is first on my list because I have never been, and I feel it necessary to experience before I continue on any other endeavor. The only issue is my finances, and if they will hold up enough to allow me to go to all the European cities I would like. They include: Barcelona, Paris, Amsterdam, Genoa, Rome, Athens, among others.

2) Get a job.
I would like an entry-level position in a financial analyst firm. I cannot be too picky on a location, but I am hoping to get a job offer somewhere in the southeast. My preference would be Charleston, then Greenville, and then Athens or Asheville. I have been very interested in my new major (Economics) and am anxious to begin work.

3) Buy a new car.
I have always driven the lower priced cars (Corolla, Camry), so when I start getting a decent paycheck, I would like to purchase a new, more valuable car. I am a sucker for speed and beauty, so an Audi (or something comparable), would be my vehicle of choice. I am also excited about learning how to finance assets, build credit, and manage money, and buying an expensive car will force me to do that.

4) Buy a house.
To finally settle down in a house and have a place to call home will be a great feeling. My dog will hopefully have a big yard to run around, and I will have the perfect kitchen. I would obviously like to call one of the aforementioned cities home, but I am prepared to move most anywhere. If I become successful in my profession, I will likely have to live around larger cities for some amount of time.

5) Build a family.
A wife and a few kids will complement my dog, Penny well. All I can ask for is a woman who invests the time and love that I hope to invest in her. I would probably like to have two or three children, at least one girl and one boy. Having a supportive, loving family is the most important thing about my future, and if all goes well, the list can end here.

I'll be 34 in ten years, and I would like to have accomplished all of the above by then (minus one kid, maybe). Now when I'm asked that question about my post-grad plans, I can simply say, check my blog.

Web 2.0

     I found this video particularly interesting, and watching it actually introduced me to the term and concept of Web 2.0.   The title Web 2.0: The Machine is Us/ing Us is a clever way to express the notion that while we feel that we use the web, its vast utility is actually reshaping the way people live.  

     Web 2.0 is the recognition of a "new" Internet, not in any technical sense, but in a way that is allowing people to interact through social-networking sites, podcasts, wikis, blogs, video feeds and the like.  The implications that new and faster "connect-ability" offers is astounding: people can find old friends, apply  for jobs, place ads, send entire files or portfolios, and even find a soulmate.  

     Once the web became known for its effectiveness, it molded the way software developers and web masters developed web pages.  No longer are our audiences bound by geographic barriers; Web 2.0 allows interconnectivity on a global scale.  Anyone with access can have their own web page, introducing them to the rest of the world.  Businesses that take advantage of the benefits that this "new" Internet can offer are able to operate on an elevated level.  Those that are currently part of the workforce must keep their business agile and flexible to adapt to the changing face of day to day operations, while those entering the workforce must anticipate the wide use of Web 2.0 applications in today's global community.  

     This is what Professor Wesch meant by "We need to rethink everything."  We must all consider the expanding of the web and its correlation with each and every aspect of our daily lives.

Hello Class!

My name is Grant, and it is nice to meet all of you electronically! This is officially my first blog and I am taking a liking to it already. I posted a survey question on the side of this page about the Tiger football season if you would like to share your input. There is more about me there as well if you care to know. The picture I chose is of my dog Penny Lane, who is a Dalmatian/Pit-Bull mix. She is almost three years old and lives with me in Clemson. Here are some of my favorite shots of her:During the week in the evenings you can find me in the scoop shop (Ben&Jerry's) downtown. If you come in and I am there, mention to me that you are in my business writing class and I will give you a free scoop! This also applies to you, Professor Rogers. Now that is bribery at it's very best. I will try to make my blogs interesting, and my page easy on the eyes. I am looking forward to a great semester and to meeting all of you in person. See you in class!