Wow. I really do feel that my writing has been affected by this class. I feel that I've kind of learned to think outside the box. When I say that I mean it literally. I feel like I've learned more than just five paragraph format, the general-to-specific specific-to-general type of thing. I feel like now, after seeing that that is not the only type of writing out there, that I can have more creativity show through in my writing. I actually really appreciate it because it seems like before, all of my papers were so bland and all the same. Now, I feel like I can spice them up with the techniques we learned.
Another thing that I learned and liked was he fact that your thesis doesn't have to be your last sentence. I know how stupid that sounds, but honestly, I never knew that. It kind of gives your paper a new spin. Honestly.
Yet another technique I will not forget is the MLA documentation. I know I still have a problem with it sometimes, but honestly, I've never felt more comfortable with it than I do now. I'm also really happy that we can't sell the SFWriter back because I totally would, and we can't so I know I'm gonna have it for a long time lol. All in all though, I think this class, with the topics we wrote about, helped me to become a more comfortable writer. After all, it's college now and it's intimidating and I think that going into further English classes down the line, that I will FINALLY feel comfortable in putting my own twist on things.
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Thursday, April 5, 2007
Blog # 9 Responding to McGowan
Reading the sentence given on our syyllabus doesn't do the actual sentence from the book's excerpt justice. I 100% agree with McGowan. Since the invention of the printing press, news getting to the masses has played an ever so important part in politics. I definitely agree with his claim that it has become a "propaganda organ of the state." I think if you look at that statement, it answers all of your questions. It truely is an organ. I think personally what McGowan meant by this was that to be an organ of something means to be a necessity. How could something function without its organ? I think that is why he chose that language because he's making a very important point; a dig if you will. He's saying that the state (the government) now (more than ever) needs the media. It is fueled by the media. However crooked and biased it may be. As I matter of fact, I think that the more crooked and biased it becomes, the happier the politicians. I think that if 100% neutralized news came out, (which I think would be impossible), people would be shocked by its contents. There are so many important, life threatening things out there that we don't know about, but it doesn't matter because if we at least know that 400 pound Bill Spencer is on "our side" at the end of the day. I mean look at my reaction the other day, everyone, including myself, were all laughing about my reaction to hearing all of this stuff. But it was genuine. I mean I think this could be the big one. I think that this is the one that could do us in. It's this type of dishonesty and corruption that is the silent killer. Why? Because people don't know about it. People know that our troops need to get out of Iraq; that's a widely known view. But, people don't know that every night, the television they sit in front of to gather the world's events isn't giving them the whole picture. Not saying everyone doesn't know, because I'm sure, some more well informed people do, however, I think that if that many people knew, they would be abandoning their viewing seats and heading to the streets right about now.
Thursday, March 29, 2007
Blog # ? Where do we get our news?
Well, in a perfect world, I totally would have time to sit down and watch the 5 or 6 o'clock news. But, unfortuantely, I don't. However, when we (Matt and I) go over to for example, our friend Paul's house, it's so funny because we'll all sit around and watch the news and discuss the world's events. One news show I do always make sure to catch is either The Daily Show, with Jon Stewart or The Colbert Report, with Stephen Colbert. Now, to be perfectly honest when I first watched these shows, I didn't like them because sarcasm is my biggest pet peeve, but then I listened to the message, as opposed to the message that comes from say FOX 2 *cough*republican*cough*. It's very amusing to me that two comedians have gotten to the bottom of more (ie-although this is just one example, all of the U.S. Prosecutors that were fired being like 75% democrat), than any of the other newscasters. Honestly, I truly enjoy these kind of shows now, they get what's in there, out there. And that's the biggest step. My grandparents are HARDCORE REPUBLICAN, therefore, they adore the FOX new station (they live down in Flordia so I don't know if it's channel 2). I can honestly tell you that they firmly believe, and will fight you on it, that we found weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. That's because 4 years ago, when "the search" was going on, it was the darling Republicans of FOX news that claimed that they had found weapons of mass destruction in multiple trailers. This was all an unbelievably well used scare tactic. I have told them personally that I would send them the actual video footage of Bush and Cheney saying that it was a "mix-up" and that they never did really find anything, and they STILL don't believe me. I know what I'm watching, and I know it's kind of hypocritical and all, to talk about a Republican biased news station while I watch a Democrat biased news station, but what to do when you've found that the leader of your nation has lied to us all.
Another news station I like that I think is pretty fair, now mind you, I haven't gotten in depth depth with it, is MSNBC, it just kind of seems like it gets it all out on the table. I also really like a show they have on there quite often call LOCKED UP, and they do it on a different prison every time.
I also watch The Soup :) with Joel McHale, but I guess that's not news News
Another news station I like that I think is pretty fair, now mind you, I haven't gotten in depth depth with it, is MSNBC, it just kind of seems like it gets it all out on the table. I also really like a show they have on there quite often call LOCKED UP, and they do it on a different prison every time.
I also watch The Soup :) with Joel McHale, but I guess that's not news News
Friday, March 23, 2007
Blog #7 Presentation Analysis
Well, well, well. It was nice to get to hear everyone in class talk you know. I really enjoyed it. It was really interesting to me because I had never seen some of those movies and it really gave me insight into them. I definitely enjoyed the one done by Dottiana on Belly because I happen to enjoy that movie a lot and I also realized that there were all types of stereotypes that I not necessarily never noticed, but, I never really thought about. Also, I thought it showed what a stnad up guy Herman was to do his presentation on Rush Hour a day early and STILL it was so well spoken and put together!!! Another presentation I really admired was Ali's which was about Thr Pursuit of Happyness. I really appreciated how he gave his own life experiences as an example. It was really big of him and I think it got the point across really well. Another one I really enjoyed was Rudy's. If you looked at his slides, his background totally correlated with what he was talking about, for example when it talks about the guy becoming a cop, it had a Massachusetts Police Academy seal on the background. Jillian is just as cute as she can be and really illustrated Shopgirl to everyone. She really looked past the simple dialogue of the movie and looked into the color tones and wardrobe of the cast which shows she really payed attention. The other presentation that made me want to see the movie is Bend it Like Beckham because it seemed like it would be funny from his presentation. I saved my favorite for last. Everyone did a great job, but I think that the award goes to Chris S. He rocked the house down. Star Wars has never been something I was into, but he made it interesting and it was nice to see someone do a movie that really affected them. You could tell when he spoke he knew what he was talking about and he's a true fan. Dude you did great!!! I loved it, because a couple weeks ago, me and Matt's friend Stevie watched them all and I caught the end of that movie when the guys legs burn off and you DEFINITELY made me want to watch them. Good Job Everyone!
Wednesday, March 7, 2007
Analysis 6 Analyze Comic Book Movies
Comic Book Movies
What to say, what to say? Well, to be honest, I am actually not that big of a fan, but my boyfirend TORTURES me with them. X-Men, Batman, Superman, I've had to see 'em all.
However, I will say there are a few good ones. I just saw GhostRider that is out at the show, and that is a remake of an old comic book.
But, back to analyzing. So, in my opinion, comic book movies are exactly like what we talked about in class. They SCREAM a certain theme. For instance take Ghostrider (which probably was the coolest comic book movie I've seen), the "ghostrider" is the rider who was sent to collect a list of 1,000 souls and bring it to the Devil. Well, the original ghostrider was on a horse and he ran away with the list. So, the new Ghostrider, Nicholas Cage, becomes the new fiery skeletal motorcycle rider, who in obvious glance is bad because he works for the devill, but becomes good because he stops the takeover of the world.....WOW...
But this relates to the screaming theme part because it is. It is the classic battle of good vs evil, and just as it looks like evil will prevail, good's got it.
That is classic comic book movie stuff right there. That's how they run it. Or take X-Men, at the end (of all of 'em), it looks like the bad guy is about to take over the world, but at the last second, the good guys have it.
I think that that is why comic books/movies are so appealing. It takes you on a sort of journey, but in the end, you know the good guy, the guy that everyone idolizes, is gonna take it all.
What to say, what to say? Well, to be honest, I am actually not that big of a fan, but my boyfirend TORTURES me with them. X-Men, Batman, Superman, I've had to see 'em all.
However, I will say there are a few good ones. I just saw GhostRider that is out at the show, and that is a remake of an old comic book.
But, back to analyzing. So, in my opinion, comic book movies are exactly like what we talked about in class. They SCREAM a certain theme. For instance take Ghostrider (which probably was the coolest comic book movie I've seen), the "ghostrider" is the rider who was sent to collect a list of 1,000 souls and bring it to the Devil. Well, the original ghostrider was on a horse and he ran away with the list. So, the new Ghostrider, Nicholas Cage, becomes the new fiery skeletal motorcycle rider, who in obvious glance is bad because he works for the devill, but becomes good because he stops the takeover of the world.....WOW...
But this relates to the screaming theme part because it is. It is the classic battle of good vs evil, and just as it looks like evil will prevail, good's got it.
That is classic comic book movie stuff right there. That's how they run it. Or take X-Men, at the end (of all of 'em), it looks like the bad guy is about to take over the world, but at the last second, the good guys have it.
I think that that is why comic books/movies are so appealing. It takes you on a sort of journey, but in the end, you know the good guy, the guy that everyone idolizes, is gonna take it all.
Tuesday, March 6, 2007
Analysis Blog 3: Currently Airing T.V. Show
Grey's Anatomy: aired on February 15th (part 1 of the 3 big ones)
Grey's Anatomy in an amazing show that is almost like an E.R. type show. It is on on Thursday nights at 9:00 and conveniently is replayed on Friday nights at 8:00 on channel 7/ABC. Grey's (slang for Grey's Anatomy to the true fans) is a show that takes place in Seattle Grace Hospital in Seattle Washington. The main characters of the show are either interns, or already doctors, but they can all work on people. The namesake of the show Grey's is in reference to the main character who herself happens to be an intern whose name is Meredith Grey.
In this particular episode that aired on February 15th, it was the first part of a 3 week drama. This all began with the crash of a ferry at a pier in Seattle. Many people were thrown into the water and buried under the wreckage. One can assess the temperature outside as being cold because everyone is wearing flannel coats and the doctors and people on site of the crash all have jackets on. The ferry is still in the water and you see mass chaos all around. Without getting into each character to deeply (which it is almost neccessary to do because there is so many reasons why everything pans out the way it does), the main character Meredith is frantically running around trying to help as many people as she can when she finds a young girl who appears to be in a type of shock; she won't speak when spoken to and it is apparent that she is lost from someone. This is very important because it is comparative to the main character; when she was younger and would be scared, she would not speak. This is a representation of Meredith's fear.
One of the other main character's named Izzie, is in charge of trying to save a man who is pinned in between two cars. This represents a great challenge for Izzie as well because she has recently lost a fiance through her own neglectful and selfish reasons (she tried to perform surgery on him and he ending up dying in the end of season 2). So, this is a great challenge for her both physically and emotionally.
McDreamy, the very good-looking main character that has had an ongoing affair with Meredith ignores her pleas for help, and Meredith ends up being pushed into the water by a man she is trying to rescue when he cannot take the pain anymore.
This definitely sounds like a very dramatic, soap-opera like show but it is amazing. This episode ended with Meredith falling in the water and the little girl just looking on.
It was pretty intense and I FOR SURE recommend it to anyone. Another thing that is really good about the show, like I stated before in my blog about The Sopranos was/is that you can start watching it in whatever season you pick, and you can still understand what's going on. IT's never like you missed too much, or it's too late to start watching it because I started watching it in the middle to end of the second season, and now it's in the third season and I know everything there is to know.
Just another note, these three episodes were aired all in a row, and were all continuances of each other. They did this because for three weeks literally Meredith was either drowning or dying on the table, but I'm happy to tell you she pulled through after 3 weeks and an out of body experience ;)
Grey's Anatomy in an amazing show that is almost like an E.R. type show. It is on on Thursday nights at 9:00 and conveniently is replayed on Friday nights at 8:00 on channel 7/ABC. Grey's (slang for Grey's Anatomy to the true fans) is a show that takes place in Seattle Grace Hospital in Seattle Washington. The main characters of the show are either interns, or already doctors, but they can all work on people. The namesake of the show Grey's is in reference to the main character who herself happens to be an intern whose name is Meredith Grey.
In this particular episode that aired on February 15th, it was the first part of a 3 week drama. This all began with the crash of a ferry at a pier in Seattle. Many people were thrown into the water and buried under the wreckage. One can assess the temperature outside as being cold because everyone is wearing flannel coats and the doctors and people on site of the crash all have jackets on. The ferry is still in the water and you see mass chaos all around. Without getting into each character to deeply (which it is almost neccessary to do because there is so many reasons why everything pans out the way it does), the main character Meredith is frantically running around trying to help as many people as she can when she finds a young girl who appears to be in a type of shock; she won't speak when spoken to and it is apparent that she is lost from someone. This is very important because it is comparative to the main character; when she was younger and would be scared, she would not speak. This is a representation of Meredith's fear.
One of the other main character's named Izzie, is in charge of trying to save a man who is pinned in between two cars. This represents a great challenge for Izzie as well because she has recently lost a fiance through her own neglectful and selfish reasons (she tried to perform surgery on him and he ending up dying in the end of season 2). So, this is a great challenge for her both physically and emotionally.
McDreamy, the very good-looking main character that has had an ongoing affair with Meredith ignores her pleas for help, and Meredith ends up being pushed into the water by a man she is trying to rescue when he cannot take the pain anymore.
This definitely sounds like a very dramatic, soap-opera like show but it is amazing. This episode ended with Meredith falling in the water and the little girl just looking on.
It was pretty intense and I FOR SURE recommend it to anyone. Another thing that is really good about the show, like I stated before in my blog about The Sopranos was/is that you can start watching it in whatever season you pick, and you can still understand what's going on. IT's never like you missed too much, or it's too late to start watching it because I started watching it in the middle to end of the second season, and now it's in the third season and I know everything there is to know.
Just another note, these three episodes were aired all in a row, and were all continuances of each other. They did this because for three weeks literally Meredith was either drowning or dying on the table, but I'm happy to tell you she pulled through after 3 weeks and an out of body experience ;)
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Blog 5 My Favorite T.V. Show
Oh My Goodness, I am so excited that I get to talk about The Sopranos for class. That is my favorite show of all time for many reasons. I became utterly addicted to this show when I learned that it was coming on A&E because I do not have HBO. So I counted down the day until it came and and the night before I watched my friends DVD of the first episode.
I preceded to rent the seasons with my boyfriend and it's like a drug addiction.
O.K., now for the reason for this obsession. The show in itself. As we talked about in class, like in that show "Sledge Hammer!" the characters have no longevity. That is probably my favorite part of the whole show. Throughout the seasons, the character's personality develops more and more and goes deeper and deeper. For those not familiar with the Soprano family, the show stars Tony Soprano, a leader of the New Jersey mob. The tagline for the show is "If one family doesn't kill him; the other one will." This could not cover the show anymore. In the beginning episodes, like any other show, it establishes characters and basically tells you why things are the way they are. Back to the continuity of the character though. For example, the show starts with Tony having a panic attack and ending up in a "shrink's office." This is showed in the first episode, but like I said earlier, the plot gets deeper and deeper and really goes back to why he is the way he is and nothing is left out. That is why I think I love it the most. It is a look at a person's life entirely and you are not left wanting at all; you are given reasons for everything that happens.
Another reason why I think I love this so much is the actual characters themselves. It is a relatable family. Obviously, my family is not the mafia, nor Italian, but we are loud, colorful, and Lebanese. Anyone who comes from an ethnically raised background can relate to them.
All in all I would defnitely recommend this show. It is very entertaining and I guarantee it will have you on the edge of your seat. Another awesome point about this show that is not true for every T.V. program is that you can start in the middle of the 4th season and still get completely into and understand what is going on. That is the reason why I don't watch too many T.V. shows because they've all been on for at least a couple seasons and you just figure "Ah, I missed too many episodes and there'd be no point to start watching it now because I won't know what's going on." I think many people share this feeling with me. But, like I said, whether you're an avid fan or have just watched a few sporatic episodes, or even none at all, I defnitely guarantee this show...you'll LOVE Love love it!!!!
I preceded to rent the seasons with my boyfriend and it's like a drug addiction.
O.K., now for the reason for this obsession. The show in itself. As we talked about in class, like in that show "Sledge Hammer!" the characters have no longevity. That is probably my favorite part of the whole show. Throughout the seasons, the character's personality develops more and more and goes deeper and deeper. For those not familiar with the Soprano family, the show stars Tony Soprano, a leader of the New Jersey mob. The tagline for the show is "If one family doesn't kill him; the other one will." This could not cover the show anymore. In the beginning episodes, like any other show, it establishes characters and basically tells you why things are the way they are. Back to the continuity of the character though. For example, the show starts with Tony having a panic attack and ending up in a "shrink's office." This is showed in the first episode, but like I said earlier, the plot gets deeper and deeper and really goes back to why he is the way he is and nothing is left out. That is why I think I love it the most. It is a look at a person's life entirely and you are not left wanting at all; you are given reasons for everything that happens.
Another reason why I think I love this so much is the actual characters themselves. It is a relatable family. Obviously, my family is not the mafia, nor Italian, but we are loud, colorful, and Lebanese. Anyone who comes from an ethnically raised background can relate to them.
All in all I would defnitely recommend this show. It is very entertaining and I guarantee it will have you on the edge of your seat. Another awesome point about this show that is not true for every T.V. program is that you can start in the middle of the 4th season and still get completely into and understand what is going on. That is the reason why I don't watch too many T.V. shows because they've all been on for at least a couple seasons and you just figure "Ah, I missed too many episodes and there'd be no point to start watching it now because I won't know what's going on." I think many people share this feeling with me. But, like I said, whether you're an avid fan or have just watched a few sporatic episodes, or even none at all, I defnitely guarantee this show...you'll LOVE Love love it!!!!
Tuesday, February 6, 2007
Analysis Blog #2// Analyzing a Song
For this, I have chosen to analyze the song "One," by Metallica.
Here are the lyrics:
I Can't Remember Anything
Can't Tell If this Is True or Dream
Deep down Inside I Feel to Scream
this Terrible Silence Stops Me
Now That the War Is Through with Me
I'm Waking up I Can Not See
That There's Not Much Left of Me
Nothing Is Real but Pain Now
Hold My Breath as I Wish for Death
Oh Please God,wake Me
Back in the Womb its Much Too Real
in Pumps Life That I must Feel
but Can't Look Forward to Reveal
Look to the Time When I'll Live
Fed Through the Tube That Sticks in Me
Just like a Wartime Novelty
Tied to Machines That Make Me Be
Cut this Life off from Me
Hold My Breath as I Wish for Death
Oh Please God,wake Me
Now the World Is Gone I'm Just One
Oh God,help Me
Hold My Breath as I Wish for Death
Oh Please God Help Me
((Bridge))
Darkness
Imprisoning Me
All That I See
Absolute Horror
I Cannot Live
I Cannot Die
Trapped in Myself
Body My Holding Cell
LandmineHas Taken My Sight
Taken My Speech
Taken My Hearing
Taken My Arms
Taken My Legs
Taken My Soul
Left Me with Life in Hell
Metallica was often overlooked by people as just another heavy metal band. However, in this song, "One," it goes a lot deeper than just big hair and death metal...it is about the global unrest that was going on in the late 1980's and the war (Desert Storm). First off, they have chosen an intense beat that switches a lot to keep the listener on their toes. If you actually listen to the beat, as soon as the listener gets used to it and almost memorizes it, it switches. Metallica did this on purpose so people would listen and get the message. Between each main part, there are a lot of guitar solos, and then the beat switches. In the beginning of the song, it is almost calm, and beautiful, however, you do hear machine guns in the back. After he starts singing, the music in the background gets more intense, and as the subject they are singing about becomes more sensitive, the beat gets harder.
In the actual lyrics, there is not a lot of symbolism going on: he basically just tells you how it is. It's almost as if he is talking from a personal point of view, but speaking for everyone. His basic message is that the "war is through with me," meaning it used him up for everything that he had in him and now he's just here. This song and these lyrics definitely appeal to a certain audience. It is intended for a rough crowd, who has been through a lot, who can relate to these words.
At the bridge (I have written bridge before it), it is a whole other story. There is a long guitar solo and then the drums come in and the song gets to its hardest point. After the softer music and him explaining what has happened almost calmly in the past due to the unrest, the music gets heavy and he starts singing about what has made him angry and how he feels trapped. In the lyrics "Darkness/ Imprisoning me/ All that I see/ Absolute Horror," it's almost like a cry for help because he says he "trapped in myself." It's as if he cannot get over how this "war" ravaged him.
Earlier on, it had been established that this song was written around a sensitive time, in 1988. However, with this song it is easy to draw parallels to other things. Another reason why I think that this song is intended for a certain type of "rough" crowd who have experienced a lot of turmoil is that this song is almost empowering. Definitely empowering actually. If you listen to the actual song with the music and everything and yo ulisten to the lyrics about his "war," and "darkness imprisoning" him you start to think about other things. Many people go through their own personal, whether it be public, or private wars. This could also mean it's is a war within himself and he's fought it so much that he cannot possibly do it anymore. In the lines "Trapped in Myself/ Body my holding cell..." the listener really gets the idea that he is going through some angst in his life and he can't get away from the problem...himself.
Whatever the war may be, this is a very intense song, and it's a must-hear.
Metallica. "And Justice for All..." Elektra Records: 1988. Songname: "One"
"One." Metallica. http://www.darklyrics.com/lyrics/metallica/andjusticeforall.html#4
Here are the lyrics:
I Can't Remember Anything
Can't Tell If this Is True or Dream
Deep down Inside I Feel to Scream
this Terrible Silence Stops Me
Now That the War Is Through with Me
I'm Waking up I Can Not See
That There's Not Much Left of Me
Nothing Is Real but Pain Now
Hold My Breath as I Wish for Death
Oh Please God,wake Me
Back in the Womb its Much Too Real
in Pumps Life That I must Feel
but Can't Look Forward to Reveal
Look to the Time When I'll Live
Fed Through the Tube That Sticks in Me
Just like a Wartime Novelty
Tied to Machines That Make Me Be
Cut this Life off from Me
Hold My Breath as I Wish for Death
Oh Please God,wake Me
Now the World Is Gone I'm Just One
Oh God,help Me
Hold My Breath as I Wish for Death
Oh Please God Help Me
((Bridge))
Darkness
Imprisoning Me
All That I See
Absolute Horror
I Cannot Live
I Cannot Die
Trapped in Myself
Body My Holding Cell
LandmineHas Taken My Sight
Taken My Speech
Taken My Hearing
Taken My Arms
Taken My Legs
Taken My Soul
Left Me with Life in Hell
Metallica was often overlooked by people as just another heavy metal band. However, in this song, "One," it goes a lot deeper than just big hair and death metal...it is about the global unrest that was going on in the late 1980's and the war (Desert Storm). First off, they have chosen an intense beat that switches a lot to keep the listener on their toes. If you actually listen to the beat, as soon as the listener gets used to it and almost memorizes it, it switches. Metallica did this on purpose so people would listen and get the message. Between each main part, there are a lot of guitar solos, and then the beat switches. In the beginning of the song, it is almost calm, and beautiful, however, you do hear machine guns in the back. After he starts singing, the music in the background gets more intense, and as the subject they are singing about becomes more sensitive, the beat gets harder.
In the actual lyrics, there is not a lot of symbolism going on: he basically just tells you how it is. It's almost as if he is talking from a personal point of view, but speaking for everyone. His basic message is that the "war is through with me," meaning it used him up for everything that he had in him and now he's just here. This song and these lyrics definitely appeal to a certain audience. It is intended for a rough crowd, who has been through a lot, who can relate to these words.
At the bridge (I have written bridge before it), it is a whole other story. There is a long guitar solo and then the drums come in and the song gets to its hardest point. After the softer music and him explaining what has happened almost calmly in the past due to the unrest, the music gets heavy and he starts singing about what has made him angry and how he feels trapped. In the lyrics "Darkness/ Imprisoning me/ All that I see/ Absolute Horror," it's almost like a cry for help because he says he "trapped in myself." It's as if he cannot get over how this "war" ravaged him.
Earlier on, it had been established that this song was written around a sensitive time, in 1988. However, with this song it is easy to draw parallels to other things. Another reason why I think that this song is intended for a certain type of "rough" crowd who have experienced a lot of turmoil is that this song is almost empowering. Definitely empowering actually. If you listen to the actual song with the music and everything and yo ulisten to the lyrics about his "war," and "darkness imprisoning" him you start to think about other things. Many people go through their own personal, whether it be public, or private wars. This could also mean it's is a war within himself and he's fought it so much that he cannot possibly do it anymore. In the lines "Trapped in Myself/ Body my holding cell..." the listener really gets the idea that he is going through some angst in his life and he can't get away from the problem...himself.
Whatever the war may be, this is a very intense song, and it's a must-hear.
Metallica. "And Justice for All..." Elektra Records: 1988. Songname: "One"
"One." Metallica. http://www.darklyrics.com/lyrics/metallica/andjusticeforall.html#4
Friday, January 26, 2007
Analysis Blog #1 PoP CuLtUrE TeXt
So I'm fresh out of class with analysis in my head. My pop culture text that I analyzed in class, and am about to analyze now is my iPod.
Up until a few years ago (can't remember exactly) the WalkMan was still the cool thing to have. The portable Cd players and all of that. Obviously, when things like LimeWire and Napster and Kazaa came around, the music industry was in trouble due to illegal downloading. They were losing money so Apple decided to come up with something that would #1 spread popularity fast, #2 bring money back to the music industry, and #3 create a design that would be marketable to everyone.
I think that #3 is probably the most important one. As it was spoke about in class, certain music-listening devices had racial connotations in the past. But the company didn't make the iPod for race, because I think that when it comes to music people are way more open minded when it come to race. But I think that they made the iPod the way they did for different age groups. Speaking from personal experience, my father is obsessed with mine. It's easy for him to understand how to use it. They have made it very easy to download the program onto you PC at home, and putting the actual songs on the iPod is extremely simple. I've never seen him have it so easy with my CD player. All he does it put on like one song ("Heard It Through The Grapevine," by Creedence Clearwater Revival). That leads up to another strong marketing point of the iPod.
Another reason why the iPod is marketed the way it is because it is a device that can be used for people of every music genre. I guess it could be stereotyped because especially down here at Wayne, it has become a status symbol...BIG TIME. But, I have seen all different types of people carry them. It is an extremely good design because you can have a little bit of everything on yours. It also is de-sexed. They come in different colors and have different colored cases and accessories to go with everyones including both male or female users.
Also, the simplicity of the design is amazing. My own personal iPod plays videos and movies so that's a plus for people who live life on the go like myself ;).
Back to numbers 1 and 2 on the list of reasons for making the iPod. The Apple company knew that this trend would spread fast. Everyone knows the iPod commercial with the dancing shadow, which illustrates even more the fact that the iPod is for everyone. When you market something the way that the iPod was marketed; for everyone, they knew that people would catch on to it fast.
Lastly, due to the decline of the CD industry, the iPod fit in perfect. The sale of CDs is still down, but at least now on the iTunes program (for downloading music onto the iPod), they have gift cards and you can use your credit card as well for you to pay fast, with no strings attached and get your music immediately.
And that's about it regarding the iPod....I strongly recommend them though, they rock it out!!!
Up until a few years ago (can't remember exactly) the WalkMan was still the cool thing to have. The portable Cd players and all of that. Obviously, when things like LimeWire and Napster and Kazaa came around, the music industry was in trouble due to illegal downloading. They were losing money so Apple decided to come up with something that would #1 spread popularity fast, #2 bring money back to the music industry, and #3 create a design that would be marketable to everyone.
I think that #3 is probably the most important one. As it was spoke about in class, certain music-listening devices had racial connotations in the past. But the company didn't make the iPod for race, because I think that when it comes to music people are way more open minded when it come to race. But I think that they made the iPod the way they did for different age groups. Speaking from personal experience, my father is obsessed with mine. It's easy for him to understand how to use it. They have made it very easy to download the program onto you PC at home, and putting the actual songs on the iPod is extremely simple. I've never seen him have it so easy with my CD player. All he does it put on like one song ("Heard It Through The Grapevine," by Creedence Clearwater Revival). That leads up to another strong marketing point of the iPod.
Another reason why the iPod is marketed the way it is because it is a device that can be used for people of every music genre. I guess it could be stereotyped because especially down here at Wayne, it has become a status symbol...BIG TIME. But, I have seen all different types of people carry them. It is an extremely good design because you can have a little bit of everything on yours. It also is de-sexed. They come in different colors and have different colored cases and accessories to go with everyones including both male or female users.
Also, the simplicity of the design is amazing. My own personal iPod plays videos and movies so that's a plus for people who live life on the go like myself ;).
Back to numbers 1 and 2 on the list of reasons for making the iPod. The Apple company knew that this trend would spread fast. Everyone knows the iPod commercial with the dancing shadow, which illustrates even more the fact that the iPod is for everyone. When you market something the way that the iPod was marketed; for everyone, they knew that people would catch on to it fast.
Lastly, due to the decline of the CD industry, the iPod fit in perfect. The sale of CDs is still down, but at least now on the iTunes program (for downloading music onto the iPod), they have gift cards and you can use your credit card as well for you to pay fast, with no strings attached and get your music immediately.
And that's about it regarding the iPod....I strongly recommend them though, they rock it out!!!
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Blog 3
Well...my past experiences with writing. In high school, I was in honors english for my first three years, and my senior year I decided not to take it because I wanted to take a Shakespeare class. That was the BEST. But, back to writing. In high school, I would write papers, and do good on them, but I always [to this day] feel like I'm just buLLsh***ing everything. That's why I wanted to take this class. Not only do I want to just write better, because I don't think I write THAT bad, but I want to feel comfortable writing. I don't want to feel like I'm filling a page as much as I can with "descriptive words." Also, I felt kinda dumb in class when Ms. Welter was talking about the 2 page long paragraphs because that is totally me. But, honestly, I've always thought that that was good because I always assumed, and was told, that you do not stop a paragraph until your thought is finished....so maybe it takes me a couple pages. I would have to say though that my most favorite experiences in writing...writing meaning physically writing, not writing papers, would be poetry. Writing poetry is such a big outlet for me. I adore it. I don't do it as much as I used too, but I still love it nonetheless. I think it's because it's NOT like writing papers. There is no format, I mean there is if you want one, but it all depends on you. It doesn't HAVE to rhyme or have a certain amount of syllables. It's just such a free art form. I love it. Another experience I had with writing was last semester. We had to write 2 legal memorandums and a brief in my Legal Writing class. So I've pretty much been all over the map with the writing world.
Blog 2
Yeah guys...sorry about the not commenting back totally. I know there's no excuse but I really don't have internet access readily available and it sucks. So what do I expect to get from this class? I basically just expect to feel more comforatble when it comes down to me writing papers. Every time I get assigned a paper, #1 I freak out, and #2 I wait until the last minute. I eventually end up just sitting in front of my computer (THAT DOESN'T HAVE THE INTERNET) and just writing it all at the same time. That's for sure one of the main things I hope I get better with in this class because I'm in my second year of college....I need to start writing rough drafts. Also, I would totally love love love it if this class would make me feel comfortable with the MLA. When I was in high school they said that all we would need to know in college was MLA. YEAH....every single paper i have written in the almost two years I've been at this school has been APA. I would just like to get comforatble with the actual documentation of the sources. I always freak out about citing online sources so I just end up doing all books, and I feel like I miss out on information I could have totally used to make my paper better. When we worked in class with our partners, and cited all of that stuff, weirdly enough, I felt comfortable. Maybe it was because I had a partner ( who was awesome by the way :) ) , but honestly, having that book (SF Writer) really made me feel better about it. I got it a little late, so I've been catching up on the reading, but I think I'm Good. All in all, I think this class is going to interest me and get me pumped about papers, because for the first time in LIFE we can write about what, who, when, and where we want. See you in class...
Thursday, January 11, 2007
Hello!
Hey guys whats up? My name is Megan. I am a second year Criminal Justice major. I'm going to be a Probation Officer which I am soooo incredibly stoked about. It's something I've always wanted to do. Well, let's just start from the beginning. I'm 19 years old, and have the most amazing boyfriend in the world, his name is Matt. He is in school to be a firefighter right now. I have enjoyed his company for almost two years now, and the only reason I'm mentioning him is because he such an extremely big part of life. Even bigger than that is my family. I am 50% Lebanese from my father's side and 50% French from my momma's side. I currently/unfortunately live with my parents :). I guess it could be worse though. Matt and I are currently fixing up a house that we hope to move into by the summer. Another HUGE part of my life is UP NORTH baby! Every single chance I get I am up north boating, swimming, LAYING OUT (I know you feel me ladies), I'm down for whatever, as long as it is up north. Due in large part to the fact that my boyfriend and all of his friends are obsessed with cars, I have grown a large interest in the subject. Every Wednesday night in the summer you can find me and my boys in the city for the weekly car shows. SUCH a good time! What else? My favorite food is probably Lemon Rice Soup...I happen to be a soup fiend. Other than that it would probably be a Jimmy John's vegetarian sub or a Subway veggie sub that I happen to be eating right now. I'm not a vegetarian but you can't help but feel good after you eat vegetables. Getting off track...I went to an all girls private high school and SHOCKER I LOVED every minute of it. My best friend (Jessyca) and I met the first day of high school and six years later, it's the same thing. I am interested in all types of music, mostly indie, alternative, YES GRUNGE MS. WELTER, basically any type of music that makes you feel your surroundings. Some favorite bands of all time that are on my iPod right now are Sublime, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Alice in Chains, old Green Day and RHCP, Janis Joplin, Bob Dylan, Bob Marley. I also like chill music like The Cranberries, Sarah McLachlan, The Gin Blossoms, Del Amitri, The Counting Crows, or harder yet, Metallica, Pantera, and love love love Slipknot (or Corey Taylor's voice in general. And YES I love Young Jeezy haha. I work at my Dad's law office so I guess it's pretty good experience for what I want to do since he does criminal defense. Matt and I are currently OBSESSED with the Sopranos. Last night we just rented the second season....Awesome so far. That's pretty much it about me, I like to think that I'm a laid back person and I WILL make you talk to me because I have such a big mouth and hear it all the time. Alright 521 words later I'm done...hope to get to know all of you and see you in class, I'm the loud one in the back ;)
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