Archive for August 18th, 2010

Twitterview #132 – With Patrick Oshaughnessy (@p_oshan)

Posted by on Wednesday, 18 August, 2010

@JoelECarlson – Hello everybody and welcome to the Twitterview of @KARE11 “sports guru” @p_oshan. Lets make like Favre and play today!

@p_oshan – Guru might be a bit of an overstatement…

Q – #1    So @p_oshan, where did you grow up and what were some of the life steps that you took to get you where you are today?

A:    Grew up in Burnsville & graduated from U of M in 04. Started an internship at @kare11 in Jan ’04 & eventually offered paid gig

Q – #2    So did you choose the focus on sports, or did sports choose you? Was yesterday a “dream sports day”?

A:    I chose sports. Growing up, sports played such a big part in my life, it felt natural to follow that for a career

Yesterday was busy. It was pretty close to a dream day for sports fans – Favre circus & Thome walk-off HR

I think a dream day in our world would be covering someone winning a championship

Q – #3    Do you agree with Favre’s quote from last year “The pieces are in place” for them to go to the SB this year?

A:    I agree the pieces are in place (if everyone stays healthy) but I don’t think the “magic” will be there again this year

Q – #4    Interesting take! So who is your early pick from the NFC and AFC to make it to the Super Bowl?

A:    Tough to say in mid-August, but (like a lot of people), the Jets look good in the AFC. NFC could be Cowboys or (gasp) Packers!

Q – #5    It is early. So besides sports, what are some other interests that you dabble in?

A:    I love to travel and play golf (neither of which I do enough). Like microbrews, sushi, music and time with my fiancee

Q – #6    A nice variety.So do you use Social Media in your work for topic or information research? How long have you been on Twitter?

A:    SM has revolutionized all news gathering/sharing. We definitely use Twitter/Facebook to find stories and spread info

I’ve been on #twitter for (guessing) 18 months or so. I use it for work every day

Q – #7    Who are 5-15 people/orgs that you find you benefit from following personally or professionally?

A:    @conanobrien, @jimmyfallon & @funnyordie for humor, @espn_nfcnblog for #Vikes info, @pitchforkmedia & @hypem for music

@12barsmpls (a non-prof some friends and I started), @wwe & @mikethemiz because I’m a big wrestling fan

@JoelECarlson @perkatplay @david_watkins & dave_schwartz because they’re my cohorts and they “get” #twitter

I could go on and on with how people I follow benefit me, but I’ll spare you all!

Q – #8    Thanks! :) Now for the FAVS: Favorite – restaurant, store, summer activity, national sports person.

A:    Restaurant: White Castle! Store(s): Savers, Unique, Buffalo Exchange, Tatters; Activity: golf

Fave sports person is hard! Mike Tice was always good for a laugh. I don’t know if I have a favorite anymore

Q – #9    I meant NAT person that covers sports. Also, what was it like meeting Conan O’Brien?

A:    I’m a real big fan of John @Buccigross – ESPN hockey geek. He’s good on air and writes great stuff online

Surreal moment meeting @conanobrien – he’s a hero of mine and he could not have been a nicer guy when we met

Q – #10    Final point – What mantra or thought would you like to share with everyone?

A:    Mom always said be nice to everyone. I believe it; I try to live it. And the golden rule is hard to disagree with!!

@JoelECarlson – Good Mom! :) Thanks @p_oshan for your time and comments today. Have a good afternoon! #GoVIkes #TwinsWin and #GoWolves

@p_oshan – Thank you, @JoelECarlson! That was fun! Time to go see Brett Favre!


Your desk – What is it saying about you?

Posted by on Wednesday, 18 August, 2010

If you work from home or you work at an office space, you know doubt have a desk or work surface area to call your own. A place to do your work at and get things done. What does yours look like?

Do you have a very sparse looking desk where it would be hard to tell if a person even uses their desk? No pictures, no calendar, no papers or pens lying around. It looks like a ghost town. Maybe you have a cluttered desk with piles and piles of papers, books, binders, pictures and maybe some stress balls. You might even have a desk that’s right in the middle, where it looks lived in with a few pictures  a desk calendar and papers, but there’s space to do actual work at too.

Some may say that a cluttered desk is the sign of a busy person, and that could be true, but it could also show that you don’t take enough time for yourself. Your desk can be a real reflection on who you are. Just like a persons clothes, home and car appearance and condition can be a reflection on who they are.

A desk should should something about the person that uses it. Are they young or older. Do they have a family or pets.  What kind of interests do they have and are they a clean, organized and detailed person. Do you agree, and what does your desk say about you?