After this class if done and over with, I will most likely not keep blogging in this particular blog. That does not mean that I will not blog at all in the future. I've been applying for a lot of job positions, blogging positions, that require some previous background. I would not use this blog because I don't think this blog really shows my skills as a writer since it was a lot of just my general thoughts, reviews, and other class assignments. I do however have another blog, not a personal blog, that I use for my own independent zine. So, yes I will keep blogging after this class has finished, however I most likely will delete this particular blog since it was for a class.
The best part of this class was that it only met once a week. I don't think I could have dealt with this class if it was two or more times a week! Another aspect which I found good was that the work itself was not too hard! It wasn't hard at all, and sometimes I felt like it was just busy work.
The worst part of this class is the fact that I felt like a lot of what we did was pointless, and even a waste of time/money. I don't like feeling that time is wasted, since it is so precious and we only get so much of it! Another reason why I feel this way is because when I first registered for this class I was under the assumption that it was a News Design class that would teach me how to do layouts, design, etc. When I found out that this class had nothing do to with that, and instead found out we would be blogging I was honestly let down, and wished I had known ahead of time, that way I could have registered for another class that would have benefited me in the long run. No offense, but I don't think any college senior needs to learn how to blog!
One improvement, in my opinion, would be to instead of assigning five plus blogs a week, would only assign maybe a website review and one (or two, that could be pushing it though) additional blog posts. My reasoning for this is because as college students we don't have a lot of time on our hands, between balancing our academic lives, our social lives, our family lives, everything builds up, and blogging is not as important as some assignments that may be assigned to us. And when assigning a review for a website, I think it would be more beneficial for the student to review a website of his/her choice because that way they would be more interested in reviewing it, it will feel less like a chore, or homework!
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Sunday, April 15, 2007
Washingtonpost.com
I knew the minute that I clicked on to washingtonpost.com that it would be similar to the other news related sites we had to visit in the past, like cnn.com or msnbc.com.
Like the two sites, this one too was very neat, clean, and well organized. Every different section, like Opinion, Politics, News, Local, Sports, Arts and Living, City Guide, Jobs, Cars, Real Estate, Rentals, and Classifieds, were laid out at the top of the page, making it easy access to visitors of the site.
While poking around on the site, I noticed that it featured a lot of stories that you may not see or read in a regular newspaper. For example, there was an article about teenagers who are stepping up (literally, teens marched up to the Washington Monument) and began to demand a call for action in Darfur. This wasn't the only interesting story I found, I also found stories that ranged from Gov. Corzine undergoing surgery to stories that focus on the climate and environment.
With such an array of articles I think the target audience could be anyone really. I think this could be viewed by not only people like me who are using it as a tool for a homework assignment, but could be used by anyone, who let's say, didn't get the chance to pick up the paper this morning because it seems that washingtonpost.com featured stories that would be found in the newspaper and stories that you wouldn't necessarily find in it.
Another reason why they may have a diverse audience is because the site does not only feature news. At the very bottom of the site, there are places for people to do crosswords or sudoku, get their horoscope or even check out tv listings. Of course, I also found out that you have to be a registered users to take advantage of some (like the corsswords) of these things.
This site had a lot of different options for a lot of different people. I liked this site in comparison to other news related sites we had to visit in the past. But that doesn't mean that I'll be checking it out every day!
Like the two sites, this one too was very neat, clean, and well organized. Every different section, like Opinion, Politics, News, Local, Sports, Arts and Living, City Guide, Jobs, Cars, Real Estate, Rentals, and Classifieds, were laid out at the top of the page, making it easy access to visitors of the site.
While poking around on the site, I noticed that it featured a lot of stories that you may not see or read in a regular newspaper. For example, there was an article about teenagers who are stepping up (literally, teens marched up to the Washington Monument) and began to demand a call for action in Darfur. This wasn't the only interesting story I found, I also found stories that ranged from Gov. Corzine undergoing surgery to stories that focus on the climate and environment.
With such an array of articles I think the target audience could be anyone really. I think this could be viewed by not only people like me who are using it as a tool for a homework assignment, but could be used by anyone, who let's say, didn't get the chance to pick up the paper this morning because it seems that washingtonpost.com featured stories that would be found in the newspaper and stories that you wouldn't necessarily find in it.
Another reason why they may have a diverse audience is because the site does not only feature news. At the very bottom of the site, there are places for people to do crosswords or sudoku, get their horoscope or even check out tv listings. Of course, I also found out that you have to be a registered users to take advantage of some (like the corsswords) of these things.
This site had a lot of different options for a lot of different people. I liked this site in comparison to other news related sites we had to visit in the past. But that doesn't mean that I'll be checking it out every day!
Saturday, April 14, 2007
____________ Has A Deathwish
Technology and me have a love hate relationship. I love it, but unfortunately because I don't understand it very well it does not love me as much as I love it. And tonight, of all night, technology really failed and let me down, big time!
I started my own zine, and in the process of getting it up and running I've been writing like crazy, not to mention interviewing some bands for that matter. Well tonight, I had an interview all lined up with Spark Is A Diamond. So I take out my handy dandy recorder and we get down to business. So, I get home, check the recorded tape only to find out that the recorder cut out after the first question. Yes, I made sure I hit the record button, and I made sure after each question that it was recording...I figured I'd say that cause when I told my friend and my parents that's the first things they said to me. I'm not dumb, ya know!
So, yes my wonderful interview is lost somewhere in tape recorder heaven! Luckily the band was super, super nice, and said if I needed anything from them...to just ask. So there's still hope for my Spark Is A Diamond interview.
I started my own zine, and in the process of getting it up and running I've been writing like crazy, not to mention interviewing some bands for that matter. Well tonight, I had an interview all lined up with Spark Is A Diamond. So I take out my handy dandy recorder and we get down to business. So, I get home, check the recorded tape only to find out that the recorder cut out after the first question. Yes, I made sure I hit the record button, and I made sure after each question that it was recording...I figured I'd say that cause when I told my friend and my parents that's the first things they said to me. I'm not dumb, ya know!
So, yes my wonderful interview is lost somewhere in tape recorder heaven! Luckily the band was super, super nice, and said if I needed anything from them...to just ask. So there's still hope for my Spark Is A Diamond interview.
Friday, April 13, 2007
Gizmos, Gadgets, and Widgets!
I chose to go with a iTunes Widget because I figured that since I'm on iTunes like every day, why not! Another reason why I figured to go with an iTunes widget was because since I'm a music lover I thought it would be cool to see what iTunes top 10 songs are. Even though I may not like or even listen to those top 10 songs it's interesting to see what other people are into musically.
Enjoy!
Enjoy!
Umbrellas and Elephants....My new Favorite Song!
For me, those big moments in life don't count. I mean, it's not like those moments last forever and ever! They're not, and for the most part, when something big, extraordinarily big, the buzz dies down eventually and every one forgets.
But no one forgets those little things in life. It's those little things in life that truly make me happy.
Now, I guess you have to understand two things about me. One: I'm easily amused. And two: I have little to no attention span. So with that said it only makes sense that those little things stick out most to me, cause they're here and gone within the matter of minutes.
Why am I blabbering on and on about this. Because I had one of these moments last night, and I felt like sharing. Music is my life, I live it, eat it, breathe it, and sleep music. If its not on the radio its on in my head...if I'm not bopping to the music blasting in my car radio, I'm bopping along to the music in my head and to the many of lyrics I quote on a daily basis.
Anyway, in terms of little things, last night, while I was patiently waiting for my friend to come and pick me up, I decided to go to one of my favorite singers Myspace page. And to my surprise I found out that he has ANOTHER band that he fronts. This made me incredibly happy for two reason. One, I get to listen to his beautiful voice in two different bands, and two because I found something new and interesting to listen to. It's the little things like this that make me happy. It makes me even happier to find out that both of these bands are playing the Jersey Warped Tour! Which, yes, I will be going.
Because I'm talking about one of my favorite singers, I figured I would post a video or two of his main band and his side project.
Chiodos
"The Word 'Best Friend' Becomes Redefined"
Cinematic Sunrise
"The Wordless"
But no one forgets those little things in life. It's those little things in life that truly make me happy.
Now, I guess you have to understand two things about me. One: I'm easily amused. And two: I have little to no attention span. So with that said it only makes sense that those little things stick out most to me, cause they're here and gone within the matter of minutes.
Why am I blabbering on and on about this. Because I had one of these moments last night, and I felt like sharing. Music is my life, I live it, eat it, breathe it, and sleep music. If its not on the radio its on in my head...if I'm not bopping to the music blasting in my car radio, I'm bopping along to the music in my head and to the many of lyrics I quote on a daily basis.
Anyway, in terms of little things, last night, while I was patiently waiting for my friend to come and pick me up, I decided to go to one of my favorite singers Myspace page. And to my surprise I found out that he has ANOTHER band that he fronts. This made me incredibly happy for two reason. One, I get to listen to his beautiful voice in two different bands, and two because I found something new and interesting to listen to. It's the little things like this that make me happy. It makes me even happier to find out that both of these bands are playing the Jersey Warped Tour! Which, yes, I will be going.
Because I'm talking about one of my favorite singers, I figured I would post a video or two of his main band and his side project.
Chiodos
"The Word 'Best Friend' Becomes Redefined"
Cinematic Sunrise
"The Wordless"
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Web 2.0
Web 2.0 is a word that was first coined by O'Reilly Media three years ago in 2004. The word is used to describe second generation web based sites like social networking sites (e.g. Myspace.com, Facebook.com), communication tools, and it also emphasizes sharing among its users. Web 2.0 could be a deceiving term since it is the second generation of websites. However, it is not the updated version of the Internet, but it does change the standards of Internet.
Web 2.0 could also refer to other things besides second-generation websites. It also refers to:
"- The transition from Websites to from isolated silos sources of content and functionality, thus becoming computing platforms serving web-applications to end-users.
- A social phenomenon embracing an approach to generating and distributing web content itself, characterized by open communication decentralization of authority, and freedom to share.
- Enhanced organization and and categorization of content, emphasizing deeplinking.
- A rise or fall in the economic value of the web, possibly surpassing the impact of the dot com boom of the late 1990s." (Wikipedia)
According to Tim O'Reilly, the founder of O'Reilly Media, "Web 2.0 is the business revolution in the computer industry caused by the move to the Internet as platform, and an attempt to understand the rules for success on that new platform."
Web 2.0 could also refer to other things besides second-generation websites. It also refers to:
"- The transition from Websites to from isolated silos sources of content and functionality, thus becoming computing platforms serving web-applications to end-users.
- A social phenomenon embracing an approach to generating and distributing web content itself, characterized by open communication decentralization of authority, and freedom to share.
- Enhanced organization and and categorization of content, emphasizing deeplinking.
- A rise or fall in the economic value of the web, possibly surpassing the impact of the dot com boom of the late 1990s." (Wikipedia)
According to Tim O'Reilly, the founder of O'Reilly Media, "Web 2.0 is the business revolution in the computer industry caused by the move to the Internet as platform, and an attempt to understand the rules for success on that new platform."
Monday, April 9, 2007
Set Phasers to Stun AKA Fred Mascherino Is My Hero AKA Adventures in Atlantic City
So for my friend's birthday, her sister and I decided that we were going to get her the gift of all gifts ever given to her. We planned and planned and planned for over two months, and this weekend almost two months after my friends birthday, we gave her her birthday gift: tickets to the Armor For Sleep, Underoath, and Taking Back Sunday show at The House of Blues in Atlantic City.
Now, my friend whose gift this was, had no clue what we were up to because for the past two months we hid it from it since it was a surprise. And for three weeks leading up to this past Saturday, we dropped little hints to help her along the way. To say the least, they didn't do much help for her because she thought we were taking her to Medieval Times. We blindfolded her all the way from our hotel to The Showboat Casino where the venue was, and we knew once she took off her blindfold and saw we were at a casino, would be disappointed because A) she doesn't gamble and B) because she only brought 20 bucks with her. But I took out the Ticketmaster printed tickets and showed them to her and she was overly excited...cause let's face it we all love Taking Back Sunday.
So we walk around the boardwalk, bought some saltwater taffy, and than made our way to The House of Blues for both the show and dinner (we ate there because of this really cool feature that they have...if you are going to a show at the House of Blues and eat in the restaurant before you can get into the venue before the main line gets in).
Armor For Sleep were better than I expected. The first time I ever saw them was a few years ago at Skate and Surf...and at the time I wasn't really into them. I than saw them again last year at Bamboozle, however I couldn't really see the band since I was all the way in the back, and for some reason I couldn't really pay any attention to them that time. So this time around I was excited and even more familiar with their music. They played a great set of mostly their latest songs off of "What To Do When You're Dead"Great music, great set...but I still couldn't wait for Taking Back Sunday to take the stage.
Underoath was next, and I have to say that I saw them twice before, and yes they were good, but the last two times I've seen them they were better...maybe because they didn't preach their religious faith and beliefs to all of the crowd (yes that bothered me, I understand that they are a Christian band, but I don't think that they should preach about Jesus and how we should all follow Jesus) And their keyboardist really really bothered me. The first time I saw them, he actually played...and this time he pressed a key, if that. All in all though they were good. But a part of me wished that they would have opened instead of Armor For Sleep.
And than the band of all bands: Taking Back Sunday hit the stage. It was great. Since we got to "pass the line" and got in earlier than the general public, my friends and I got up pretty close, like maybe two rows off of barrier, which meant I could actually see! Imagine that! They were absolutely A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! They played a lot of new stuff from "Louder Now," a good amount off of "Where You Want To Be" and some classic favorites from "Tell All Your Friends". The show could not have been any better. Words can't describe how great they sounded, and how much fun my friends and I had.
And I have to say this: I give TBS so much credit after Saturday night. Adam, the singer, was violently ill, like running off the stage a few times to vomit kind of ill. With that being said the band could have easily have cancelled the show or rescheduled it. But no they didn't they played an entire set plus a three or four song encore. You could really tell that this band loves their fans, and loves playing music, not because of the extras, but because it's simply what they love doing.
As much as Taking Back Sunday was the highlight for me, so was getting to see my most favoritest guitar player, Fred Mascherino. What can I say I love him...he's my hero! And I could actually see him perform, I didn't have to stand on my very tippy toes or look at the TV screen to see him...he was right in front of me.
But one thing during their set had to go: Gumba Johnny (thanks to Jenna for naming that jerk!). Gomba was sloshed! Absolutely drunk as a skunk...now me and my friends don't take drunks well, especially those in the pit. And Gumba was overly annoying...before TBS taking stage Gumba had pushed, shoved, elbowed, etc us for no apparent reason...the music wasn't even playing so he couldn't use the excuse that he was trying to open up a pit...cause he couldn't dance! So now, Gumba Johnny walks past me during TBS and shoves me. I may be small coming in at 4'11" but I don't take stuff like that sitting down. I shoved him back making him stumble and almost fall. I don't think he expected me to do that, but after that he didn't both me again!
Ok, so I hope you're getting the gist that this was one amazing show. But like all things it had to come to an end. After the show we decided to try our luck at the slots. Needless to say, my friends boyfriend had all the luck Saturday evening winning a whopping 11 dollars. After winning, he went on line to cash in his voucher for his huge cash prize while me and my two friends waited there for him. Now you got to understand one thing: this one time my friends and I really didn't do anything to provoke anyone to do anything. So we're standing there, talking amongst ourselves when this want to be scene guy walks up to us waving his fist in all of our faces. And than walks away still waving his fist at us. Why he did this is beyond me? And no, we had no clue to who this wannabe was.
This guy was really stupid, not for waving his fist in our faces (which was a bad move to begin with because anyone who knows my one friend especially, would never pull a stunt like that...let's just say she could have taken this guy if need be.) but for doing it in front of the security booth of the Showboat Casino. Long story short, this wannabe scene boy was escorted out by three staff members of the Showboat! That made our night...and as he walked past us, we laughed...in his face!
Now, my friend whose gift this was, had no clue what we were up to because for the past two months we hid it from it since it was a surprise. And for three weeks leading up to this past Saturday, we dropped little hints to help her along the way. To say the least, they didn't do much help for her because she thought we were taking her to Medieval Times. We blindfolded her all the way from our hotel to The Showboat Casino where the venue was, and we knew once she took off her blindfold and saw we were at a casino, would be disappointed because A) she doesn't gamble and B) because she only brought 20 bucks with her. But I took out the Ticketmaster printed tickets and showed them to her and she was overly excited...cause let's face it we all love Taking Back Sunday.
So we walk around the boardwalk, bought some saltwater taffy, and than made our way to The House of Blues for both the show and dinner (we ate there because of this really cool feature that they have...if you are going to a show at the House of Blues and eat in the restaurant before you can get into the venue before the main line gets in).
Armor For Sleep were better than I expected. The first time I ever saw them was a few years ago at Skate and Surf...and at the time I wasn't really into them. I than saw them again last year at Bamboozle, however I couldn't really see the band since I was all the way in the back, and for some reason I couldn't really pay any attention to them that time. So this time around I was excited and even more familiar with their music. They played a great set of mostly their latest songs off of "What To Do When You're Dead"Great music, great set...but I still couldn't wait for Taking Back Sunday to take the stage.
Underoath was next, and I have to say that I saw them twice before, and yes they were good, but the last two times I've seen them they were better...maybe because they didn't preach their religious faith and beliefs to all of the crowd (yes that bothered me, I understand that they are a Christian band, but I don't think that they should preach about Jesus and how we should all follow Jesus) And their keyboardist really really bothered me. The first time I saw them, he actually played...and this time he pressed a key, if that. All in all though they were good. But a part of me wished that they would have opened instead of Armor For Sleep.
And than the band of all bands: Taking Back Sunday hit the stage. It was great. Since we got to "pass the line" and got in earlier than the general public, my friends and I got up pretty close, like maybe two rows off of barrier, which meant I could actually see! Imagine that! They were absolutely A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! They played a lot of new stuff from "Louder Now," a good amount off of "Where You Want To Be" and some classic favorites from "Tell All Your Friends". The show could not have been any better. Words can't describe how great they sounded, and how much fun my friends and I had.
And I have to say this: I give TBS so much credit after Saturday night. Adam, the singer, was violently ill, like running off the stage a few times to vomit kind of ill. With that being said the band could have easily have cancelled the show or rescheduled it. But no they didn't they played an entire set plus a three or four song encore. You could really tell that this band loves their fans, and loves playing music, not because of the extras, but because it's simply what they love doing.
As much as Taking Back Sunday was the highlight for me, so was getting to see my most favoritest guitar player, Fred Mascherino. What can I say I love him...he's my hero! And I could actually see him perform, I didn't have to stand on my very tippy toes or look at the TV screen to see him...he was right in front of me.
But one thing during their set had to go: Gumba Johnny (thanks to Jenna for naming that jerk!). Gomba was sloshed! Absolutely drunk as a skunk...now me and my friends don't take drunks well, especially those in the pit. And Gumba was overly annoying...before TBS taking stage Gumba had pushed, shoved, elbowed, etc us for no apparent reason...the music wasn't even playing so he couldn't use the excuse that he was trying to open up a pit...cause he couldn't dance! So now, Gumba Johnny walks past me during TBS and shoves me. I may be small coming in at 4'11" but I don't take stuff like that sitting down. I shoved him back making him stumble and almost fall. I don't think he expected me to do that, but after that he didn't both me again!
Ok, so I hope you're getting the gist that this was one amazing show. But like all things it had to come to an end. After the show we decided to try our luck at the slots. Needless to say, my friends boyfriend had all the luck Saturday evening winning a whopping 11 dollars. After winning, he went on line to cash in his voucher for his huge cash prize while me and my two friends waited there for him. Now you got to understand one thing: this one time my friends and I really didn't do anything to provoke anyone to do anything. So we're standing there, talking amongst ourselves when this want to be scene guy walks up to us waving his fist in all of our faces. And than walks away still waving his fist at us. Why he did this is beyond me? And no, we had no clue to who this wannabe was.
This guy was really stupid, not for waving his fist in our faces (which was a bad move to begin with because anyone who knows my one friend especially, would never pull a stunt like that...let's just say she could have taken this guy if need be.) but for doing it in front of the security booth of the Showboat Casino. Long story short, this wannabe scene boy was escorted out by three staff members of the Showboat! That made our night...and as he walked past us, we laughed...in his face!
Weather Vs. Accuweather
I'm saying this upfront because it needs to be said: I don't look up weather information at all online, nor do I watch weather reports on any news programs. To me it's just pointless because you can simply look out of your window or better yet step outside your door and see/experience what the weather is really like. That's my rule of thumb for checking the weather.
Anyway...
Both of these sites are dedicated to one thing: weather. Even though both Weather.com and Accuweather.com are two completely different sites, that offer different information, and different tools for users, there is one common ground: the weather.
Weather.com had a section titled "Weather On Your Website." Now, honestly, as I was looking through the site trying to find a place were additional tools may be available to use, I passed this weather on your website link right up. Why? Because it's at the very bottom of the page, and I would think if a site wants someone to take advantage of a feature like this, wouldn't it be on the top? Anyway, when clicked on it directed you to another page that said that anyone can get the weather. It states: "Its fast, easy, & free". In order to take advantage of this feature (to have the weather featured on your personal website or blog or whatever it is you have) you would have to register, and once registered you can get html codes to post on your website/blog.
Accuweather.com also had a place for additional tools that are available for users to take advantage of. The portion of the site is called "netweather" and like weather.com's feature it allows people to post weather information on not only blogs and personal websites but also site like Myspace.com. Even though the this feature is very similar on both websites there were some differences. Netweather offered more features than weather.com did. Those features were: multiple themes, choice of more than 3 million locations, being able to display current weather conditions, local weather, a five day forecast, and many different weather maps, and this feature comes in both Spanish and English.
Even though one site offered more features than the other I do think that both were valuable to those who would want to take advantage of tools like this.
Anyway...
Both of these sites are dedicated to one thing: weather. Even though both Weather.com and Accuweather.com are two completely different sites, that offer different information, and different tools for users, there is one common ground: the weather.
Weather.com had a section titled "Weather On Your Website." Now, honestly, as I was looking through the site trying to find a place were additional tools may be available to use, I passed this weather on your website link right up. Why? Because it's at the very bottom of the page, and I would think if a site wants someone to take advantage of a feature like this, wouldn't it be on the top? Anyway, when clicked on it directed you to another page that said that anyone can get the weather. It states: "Its fast, easy, & free". In order to take advantage of this feature (to have the weather featured on your personal website or blog or whatever it is you have) you would have to register, and once registered you can get html codes to post on your website/blog.
Accuweather.com also had a place for additional tools that are available for users to take advantage of. The portion of the site is called "netweather" and like weather.com's feature it allows people to post weather information on not only blogs and personal websites but also site like Myspace.com. Even though the this feature is very similar on both websites there were some differences. Netweather offered more features than weather.com did. Those features were: multiple themes, choice of more than 3 million locations, being able to display current weather conditions, local weather, a five day forecast, and many different weather maps, and this feature comes in both Spanish and English.
Even though one site offered more features than the other I do think that both were valuable to those who would want to take advantage of tools like this.
Friday, April 6, 2007
I'm Feeling Yummy Head To Toe
So my aunt turned me on to this new site...err blog (imagine that...I actually found a blog that I enjoy reading!) all about cupcakes!
And who wouldn't like a site about cupcakes? No matter if you like them, hate them, or are indifferent to them...they're still fun! Cupcakes are reminiscent of ones childhood, of all the parties attended and thrown. And if you think way back when to your childhood I'm sure you could remember going into your local supermarket or even corner stores and seeing decorated cupcakes for each different holiday. Christmas normally had green icing with little red holly shaped sprinkles. Easter had pink icing with giant jelly beans. St. Patricks day always had something green, whether green icing or green coconut. Halloween had chocolate cupcakes with bright orange icing and tiny bat sprinkles. Did I cover all the holidays? I'm sure I forgot something...oh yeah, Thanksgiving! I don't remember there being cupcakes for Thanksgiving but I'm sure there were...I just blocked that memory out.
Anywho, this site has another cool feature...it offers links to a bunch of different bakeries in different area (I specifically like NYC cause I'm closest to it). And as it turns out, I've been to two of the many listed bakeries: Billy's and Babycakes, both of which I would recommend to anyone, espcially Babycakes if you like the vegan cupcakes (honestly, I'm not vegan and these cupcakes taste better than most cupcakes I've ever tasted before! Imagine that!)
http://cupcakestakethecake.blogspot.com/
And who wouldn't like a site about cupcakes? No matter if you like them, hate them, or are indifferent to them...they're still fun! Cupcakes are reminiscent of ones childhood, of all the parties attended and thrown. And if you think way back when to your childhood I'm sure you could remember going into your local supermarket or even corner stores and seeing decorated cupcakes for each different holiday. Christmas normally had green icing with little red holly shaped sprinkles. Easter had pink icing with giant jelly beans. St. Patricks day always had something green, whether green icing or green coconut. Halloween had chocolate cupcakes with bright orange icing and tiny bat sprinkles. Did I cover all the holidays? I'm sure I forgot something...oh yeah, Thanksgiving! I don't remember there being cupcakes for Thanksgiving but I'm sure there were...I just blocked that memory out.
Anywho, this site has another cool feature...it offers links to a bunch of different bakeries in different area (I specifically like NYC cause I'm closest to it). And as it turns out, I've been to two of the many listed bakeries: Billy's and Babycakes, both of which I would recommend to anyone, espcially Babycakes if you like the vegan cupcakes (honestly, I'm not vegan and these cupcakes taste better than most cupcakes I've ever tasted before! Imagine that!)
http://cupcakestakethecake.blogspot.com/
What Hath God Wrought?
The first is the rivers turn to blood. The second frogs drop dead. The third lice set in. The fourth are massive amounts of flies. The fifth is your livestock become ill and eventually die. The sixth is unhealable boils appear. The seventh is a hail storm mixed with fire. The eighth is locusts....swarms and swarms of locusts. The ninth is pure and total darkness. And the tenth is the death of the first born child.
I went to see The Reaping last night. And I have to say, as much as the ending bothered me, I really liked the movie overall. I did think it was a well written and very well acted movie...especially AnnaSophia Robb (the little girl who played Violet in the remake of Charlie and The Chocolate Factory).
Basically, the movie is about the 10 plagues, and how they begin to take over this small town in Louisiana. Hilary Swank's character is called in to offer a scientific reason of why all of these strange things happen in this town. And supposedly this all happens because this little girl (AnnaSophia Robb's character) finds her brother dead, but because her family isn't the "ideal" family. The little girl is thought to have killed her brother, and is the reason why all of these plagues start to occur. So Hilary Swank's character sets out to prove this whole town wrong that this is not physically or scientifically possible. But, as in every movie there must be a twist. The twist is that Hilary Swank was not really brought in to prove, scientifically why all of this happens. In fact, she's brought into this Bayou town to help rid the girl and the plagues. A whole lot of stuff in between happens, and after....but I gave enough of a spoiler!
I did like this movie for many reasons. Maybe because it was better than the last horror/thriller movie I went to see ("Dead Silence"), which honestly, wasn't hard to top! And honestly, I'm in desperate need for one good, scary, gory, horror film. The last movie like that that I saw was "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre The Beginning." I miss movies like that.
I went to see The Reaping last night. And I have to say, as much as the ending bothered me, I really liked the movie overall. I did think it was a well written and very well acted movie...especially AnnaSophia Robb (the little girl who played Violet in the remake of Charlie and The Chocolate Factory).
Basically, the movie is about the 10 plagues, and how they begin to take over this small town in Louisiana. Hilary Swank's character is called in to offer a scientific reason of why all of these strange things happen in this town. And supposedly this all happens because this little girl (AnnaSophia Robb's character) finds her brother dead, but because her family isn't the "ideal" family. The little girl is thought to have killed her brother, and is the reason why all of these plagues start to occur. So Hilary Swank's character sets out to prove this whole town wrong that this is not physically or scientifically possible. But, as in every movie there must be a twist. The twist is that Hilary Swank was not really brought in to prove, scientifically why all of this happens. In fact, she's brought into this Bayou town to help rid the girl and the plagues. A whole lot of stuff in between happens, and after....but I gave enough of a spoiler!
I did like this movie for many reasons. Maybe because it was better than the last horror/thriller movie I went to see ("Dead Silence"), which honestly, wasn't hard to top! And honestly, I'm in desperate need for one good, scary, gory, horror film. The last movie like that that I saw was "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre The Beginning." I miss movies like that.
Monday, April 2, 2007
Bamboozle Links
Here are some links that are in someway related to the Bamboozle Festival:
http://www.bamboozle.com - this is the festivals official website. Check it out for all and any information concerning the Bamboozle. It has the most up to date information out there.
http://www.ticketmaster.com - your one stop shop to buy all of your concert tickets, especially your single day passes for Bamboozle.
http://www.mychemicalromance.com - Day one's headliner, My Chemical Romance's official website. Want to check out what the bands been up to? Want to see what color Gerard Way's hair is now? Go there!
http://www.linkinpark.com - Day two's headliner, Linkin Park's official website. Hey, they have a new album coming out, check out the site for more details!
http://www.meadowlands.com - the official website for the Meadowlands Sports Complex, offering Bamboozle concert goers the can's and cannots of Bamboozle weekend! It's the technical stuff!
http://www.djprime.com - Want to know more about Bamboozle's house dj? Than check out DJ Prime's official website!
http://www.pollstar.com - just in case you want to know what Bamboozle artists are playing in your area AFTER the event, go to Pollstar for all of your tour itinerary needs!
http://www.myspace.com/thebamboozle - check out the Bamboozle's official Myspace page for pictures, music, information, and links to other Bamboozle artist's myspace pages.
http://www.bamboozle.com - this is the festivals official website. Check it out for all and any information concerning the Bamboozle. It has the most up to date information out there.
http://www.ticketmaster.com - your one stop shop to buy all of your concert tickets, especially your single day passes for Bamboozle.
http://www.mychemicalromance.com - Day one's headliner, My Chemical Romance's official website. Want to check out what the bands been up to? Want to see what color Gerard Way's hair is now? Go there!
http://www.linkinpark.com - Day two's headliner, Linkin Park's official website. Hey, they have a new album coming out, check out the site for more details!
http://www.meadowlands.com - the official website for the Meadowlands Sports Complex, offering Bamboozle concert goers the can's and cannots of Bamboozle weekend! It's the technical stuff!
http://www.djprime.com - Want to know more about Bamboozle's house dj? Than check out DJ Prime's official website!
http://www.pollstar.com - just in case you want to know what Bamboozle artists are playing in your area AFTER the event, go to Pollstar for all of your tour itinerary needs!
http://www.myspace.com/thebamboozle - check out the Bamboozle's official Myspace page for pictures, music, information, and links to other Bamboozle artist's myspace pages.
Sunday, April 1, 2007
Videos From Bamboozle 2006/Video of This Years Headliner: My Chemical Romance
Adam Lazzara of Taking Back Sunday (headliner of last years Bamboozle Festival), hanging upside down, while performing. Yeah, Bamboozle get's a little crazy at times!
My Chemical Romance's (this year's Bamboozle headliner for day one) video for their first single: "Welcome To The Black Parade"
Chatting It Up With Bamboozles House DJ: DJ Prime
It seems very unlikely that a festival housing some of the best punk, pop-punk, emo, screamo, and hardcore acts would feature a DJ. Aren't DJs for the clubs, not the most pits?! This is just one of the many ways this years Bamboozle Festival is spicing things up; by inviting DJ Prime to DJ both days of the event! You won't know what he'll be spinning. You won't know what he'll be scratching. And you sure won't know who may be hopping on stage with him! This is what DJ Prime had to say about Bamboozle:
Have you ever played the Bamboozle Festival before?
DJ Prime: I have not played the Bamboozle yet, but I am excited to play in front of 40,000 people that are coming to hear bands play and I am not a band (obviously). So, I am excited to expose myself to people who normally wouldn’t get to hear me DJ. As for who I am going to share the stage with that’s the best part of the Bamboozle, anything can happen. You will just have to see who may jump up on stage and rock out with me. It could be an up and coming artist with a big buzz like Phil Benson or it could be Weird Al Yankovich who knows.
How did you get involved with the Bamboozle Festival?
DJ Prime: I have been working with John D from Max Cruise for about eight years and he has always been about Career Development of Artists that he felt would make an impact if they were positioned for success. He has established so many artists and hopes that I will be the next artist to break out of the local area onto bigger and better things. The Bamboozle will expose me to many artists, record labels, sponsors and celebrities alike. This event will give me the opportunity to interact with all of them.
What can the crowd expect from DJ Prime's performance at Bamboozle?
DJ Prime: The fans can expect some fun music, they came to see all the bands, so I’m going to give them all the bands all mixed up and scratched. I am providing a little HYPE session for all of them as they come into the park.
Get Ready to Be Bamboozled!
Winter is finally on its way out! And we all know what that means! It means looking forward to shedding your heavy duty winter wardrobe and hitting the beach or your favorite tiki bar for some real fun in the sun. It also means working on your tan, driving with the top down down the Garden State Parkway, it means having no cares! Only good times. But summer is not just about the beach babes and the nightlife, it is also about music!Come on!? Who doesn't enjoy blasting their favorite tunes on the car radio? Who doesn't enjoy hitting the clubs to dance to your favorite DJ? Who doesn't enjoy going to once in a lifetime concerts?
Summer is the one time of the year when all of the best music festivals/tours start hitting the road and start hitting our stages! Let's see: Lallapolooza kicks off in the summer, as does the Vans Warped Tour and the annual Ozzfest. Where better to kick off these summer tours than in good ol' New Jersey.
The Bamboozle Festival (http://www.thebamboozle.com/)is the first festival kicking off the summer with a loud bang! It is a two day event jam packed with 100 plus bands, 100 plus vendors, and not to mention the 1000 plus concert goers. Beginning on May fifth and ending late May sixth, the doors of the Meadowlands Sports Complex (http://www.meadowlands.com/) will open letting eager concert goers in to hear and see some of their favorite bands.
New Jersey has been lucky enough to call itself the home of this festival for the past three years. It originally started out as a three day festival in Asbury Park’s Convention Hall in 2005 replacing the Skate and Surf Festival. But in the past two years the festival has been condensed down to a two day gig with over six stages of live music.
In the past the festival has welcomed many big name acts to take the stage as headliners. Some of those were Fall Out Boy, The All American Rejects, Taking Back Sunday, and AFI. This year day one of the Bamboozle Festival welcomes in My Chemical Romance http://www.mychemicalromance.com/) and their Black Parade. Since New Jersey is home to the band it only seems natural that they close such a big event.
Day two of Bamboozle welcomes back the return of rap/rockers Linkin Park (http://www.linkinpark.com). This unlikely band seems to have disappeared for a while, but New Jersey is ready to welcome them back to the scene and to Bamboozle for the very first time.
But these aren't the only two bands performing. Stages on day one of The Bamboozle will welcome: Andrew W.K, Bayside, Cute Is What We Aim For, Hellogoodbye, Lordi, Meg & Dia, New Found Glory, Paramore, and even MC Hammer! As for day two, bands like: Armor For Sleep, Brand New, Circa Survive, Halifax, Norma Jean, Saves The Day, The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, and Weird Al Yankovic. Also, DJ Prime will be the festival's house DJ spinning, scratching, and bringing the most unlikely of all guests on stage with him both days of the festival.
As if all of this music was not enough, the creators of the event pulled out all of the stops to feature two new events this year: the Pass The Mic comedy tour featuring many comedians like Mitch Fatel and Nich Thune. And lot 14 of the Sports Complex will be turned into an amusement park area which features such amusements like The Skydiver and The Gravitron.
Tickets have already gone on sale to the general public through all Ticketmaster locations (http://www.ticketmaster.com/) including phone, in store, and online. And tickets are selling fact. Two day passes have already been long gone sold out. But it isn't too late, single day passes are still available.
Again, The Bamboozle Festival will welcome its concert goers at noon on May fifth, allowing them to rock out until sometime in the late evening of May sixth. No ending time at this point has been released. And just a piece of advice for all Bamboozle attendees, it's a rain or shine event so dress accordingly!
The Bamboozle Festival is just one of the biggest music festivals hitting New Jersey this summer. With the array of different acts taking one of the many stages there is something there to please everyone’s taste whether that taste is emo or hardcore. It’s guaranteed to be at The Bamboozle Festival. So if you’re in the area (or even if you aren’t) and are only planning on going to one show this summer, this is the one show to go to.
NewAssignment.net
NewAssignment.net wasn't what I expected of it. In fact, it's quite confusing to figure out what this site is all about. I understood it was a blog, but a blog about what? And who wrote/kept this blog? Being utterly confused I went to their "about" and their "get involved" sections, which to me, shed some light on it. I found out that this isn't just a blog that posted news, or it wasn't just a blog that was user drive. I found that this blog in particular allowed professional journalists and everyday people to come together and "report" stories or even generate new ideas/concepts.
I thought this was really interesting because it seems more and more today, everyday people, are getting involved in journalism, and because of that they need a place to publish those stories (which they feel are most important). NewAssignment.net gives them a place to do that, and gives them a place to communicate, so to say, with professionally trained journalists. I think this site also gives voice to those people who wouldn't necessarily have it otherwise.
So because of that, you could say this site was user driven, since the users are the ones moving this site along. Though, I honestly thought that this site was going to be another site like blufftontoday.com or yourhub.com.
I thought this was really interesting because it seems more and more today, everyday people, are getting involved in journalism, and because of that they need a place to publish those stories (which they feel are most important). NewAssignment.net gives them a place to do that, and gives them a place to communicate, so to say, with professionally trained journalists. I think this site also gives voice to those people who wouldn't necessarily have it otherwise.
So because of that, you could say this site was user driven, since the users are the ones moving this site along. Though, I honestly thought that this site was going to be another site like blufftontoday.com or yourhub.com.
Saturday, March 31, 2007
Amazon.com
I buy DVDs like it's nobody's business. Needless to say, I have a pretty decent collection. But that does not mean that since I already have a pre-existing collection, I don't need to add to it. I have a pretty fast growing horror collection which consists of classics, new horror flicks, and even some remakes...like "Susperia" is a classic, "The Ring" is one of those new horror flicks, and who can forget "House of Wax" the remake (I still stand by it Paris Hilton had the best death scene in the whole movie!). And I have an fast growing Depp (as in Johnny) collection (yes I'm a fan have been since 21 Jump Street...man I'm dating myself here!) that includes classics like "Edward Scissor Hands" "What's Eating Gilbert Grape" to new films like "The Libertine" "Charlie and The Chocolate Factory" and "Secret Window".
So what does this have to do with the affiliate site that I signed up with? A lot. I chose to sign up with http://www.amazon.com because it's one of my all time favorite sites. I go on there for almost everything! Especially DVDs. Yes, some of them are a bit overpriced, but some aren't too bad, and actually quite affordable for the broke college student like me. So, being curious, and wanting to build my DVD collection I decided to search for the DVD "The People Under The Stairs." (http://www.amazon.com/People-Under-Stairs-Brandon-Quintin/dp/B0000AOX0D/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/104-8015335-8759168?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1175399486&sr=1-1)
The reason why I chose this movie out of the many that are on my list to buy is because A) it's one of those movies at the top of my list and B) because I wanted to see how much it cost (which is $10.99 for new copy or I could buy used (which I never mind and most of the time is always cheaper) for as low as $5.79)
I love "The People Under The Stair" and I love Amazon! What can I say!
So what does this have to do with the affiliate site that I signed up with? A lot. I chose to sign up with http://www.amazon.com because it's one of my all time favorite sites. I go on there for almost everything! Especially DVDs. Yes, some of them are a bit overpriced, but some aren't too bad, and actually quite affordable for the broke college student like me. So, being curious, and wanting to build my DVD collection I decided to search for the DVD "The People Under The Stairs." (http://www.amazon.com/People-Under-Stairs-Brandon-Quintin/dp/B0000AOX0D/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/104-8015335-8759168?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1175399486&sr=1-1)
The reason why I chose this movie out of the many that are on my list to buy is because A) it's one of those movies at the top of my list and B) because I wanted to see how much it cost (which is $10.99 for new copy or I could buy used (which I never mind and most of the time is always cheaper) for as low as $5.79)
I love "The People Under The Stair" and I love Amazon! What can I say!
YourHub.com
After snooping around yourhub.com I came to one general conclusion. That this site, in my opinion, is very similar to the whole Myspace thing. You don't get it? Let me explain. When you first clicked onto the site there are places to share photos and stories, add new events to your personal calender, start/keep a blog, and a place for users to search for information. Myspace has all of this. The only real difference I think is that this site offers more "news." I use the word news loosely in this sense because it isn't news you would expect to find on CNN.com or MSNBC.com, or any of those newsy site. I think this is why I liked this site from the get go.
Anyway, this isn't a comparison of yourhub.com and myspace.com, it's a comparison to another visited, user driven site, blufftontoday.com. I found there to be many differences, and many similarities. One similarity is the way that both these sites make money. Both yourhub.com and blufftontoday.com make their money by advertisements, you know those flashy sidebars telling you to visit this site or that site or whatever site it may be. They're normally very annoying, but very helpful in the world of making money. However there is a difference in this. On blufftontoday.com people had the choice to also purchase ad space, another source of money flow for the site, whereas I couldn't find anything like that on yourhub.com.
Another one of those similarities is that both sites offered news, local news to their designated areas. I think this is a great feature, because lets say someone from the middle of nowhere USA wants to know whats going on in his/her town, they could simply find it by going to a site like yourhub.com, knowing that broadcast news will not show what they want to see. And a lot of that news on both of these sites are presented in a very blog like style, which I can honestly be turned off by because I'm not into the whole blogging thing (I know I've been doing this since Jan. and I'm still not used to it...I still seem to forget about this!). Yourhub.com allowed users to keep/post their own blogs just like blufftontoday.com does. The only difference here though is that blufftontoday has their blogs under three different categories: everyday blogs, expert blogs, and blogs written by blufftontoday.com staff members.
I think both sites were similar in the fact that they both offered the same amount of interactivity and use of multimedia. Which I think is a good thing since both of them are the way of the world and of the future it seems.
Another major difference is that blufftontoday.com focused on one specific location, whereas yourhub.com focused on several different locations from Florida to Tennessee to New York. I think this is both a good and a bad thing because yourhub.com does not offer every state in the US. What about all those other states are deprived services like this? Don't they deserve to blog?!
Overall, I liked yourhub.com. I thought it was more interesting than blufftontoday.com at least.
Anyway, this isn't a comparison of yourhub.com and myspace.com, it's a comparison to another visited, user driven site, blufftontoday.com. I found there to be many differences, and many similarities. One similarity is the way that both these sites make money. Both yourhub.com and blufftontoday.com make their money by advertisements, you know those flashy sidebars telling you to visit this site or that site or whatever site it may be. They're normally very annoying, but very helpful in the world of making money. However there is a difference in this. On blufftontoday.com people had the choice to also purchase ad space, another source of money flow for the site, whereas I couldn't find anything like that on yourhub.com.
Another one of those similarities is that both sites offered news, local news to their designated areas. I think this is a great feature, because lets say someone from the middle of nowhere USA wants to know whats going on in his/her town, they could simply find it by going to a site like yourhub.com, knowing that broadcast news will not show what they want to see. And a lot of that news on both of these sites are presented in a very blog like style, which I can honestly be turned off by because I'm not into the whole blogging thing (I know I've been doing this since Jan. and I'm still not used to it...I still seem to forget about this!). Yourhub.com allowed users to keep/post their own blogs just like blufftontoday.com does. The only difference here though is that blufftontoday has their blogs under three different categories: everyday blogs, expert blogs, and blogs written by blufftontoday.com staff members.
I think both sites were similar in the fact that they both offered the same amount of interactivity and use of multimedia. Which I think is a good thing since both of them are the way of the world and of the future it seems.
Another major difference is that blufftontoday.com focused on one specific location, whereas yourhub.com focused on several different locations from Florida to Tennessee to New York. I think this is both a good and a bad thing because yourhub.com does not offer every state in the US. What about all those other states are deprived services like this? Don't they deserve to blog?!
Overall, I liked yourhub.com. I thought it was more interesting than blufftontoday.com at least.
Sunday, March 25, 2007
Blufftontoday.com
I was expecting the normal newsy site to review this week. But I was almost surprised to see that, as much as it news site this was, it really wasn't. Or so it seemed it wasn't, if that makes any sense.
Blufftontoday.com looked almost bare in comparison to the other sites reviewed. The site offered blogs (community, expert, and staff), news, local traffic, the news that was featured in the actual paper, events, audio and visual, and living in Bluffton. It had all the standard features of a web site, just like the others, however, this particular sites offered three different kinds of blogs. Community blogs are where any person can post a blog on any subject they so choose. For example, one person chose to write about the marvels of modern medicine and another person wrote another blog about the poor and how much they receive from the government each year. Then, there's the experts blogs. These are blogs posted by people, "experts" on many different subjects. And the last of the three kinds of blogs were staff blogs, and without really needing to be explained they are blogs written by the staff of Blufftontoday.com. As much as I hate the whole blogging thing, I thought this was a really good feature because it offered an array of different subjects written by an array of different people, from every day people like you and me to people who know more on certain subjects to people who write news for a living.
Another feature that I liked was that it offers the sites visitors a place to upload photos and advertise. I think this is a way this site makes living a little more easier for people, and it just shows that people have little time and little patience to actually do something so simple as to put an ad in a paper.
As for multimedia, I think the site offered a decent amount of it. Nothing more or less than all of the other sites. It offered a place for photos, audio files, videos, a place for slide shows to be viewed, maps, and even a place for visitors to upload their own videos. This is one feature that I don't think other sites have had. I can imagine that a lot of people would take this for granted because it makes it easier and everything is clicks away.
I couldn't really find where this particular site makes it's money, but my one guess would be from the site letting people post ads. Users have two options, they can either place a free ad but there are some guidelines and regulations concerning those, or they are allowed to place paid ads.
As for the content on this site, most of it, I think, is generated by the news of Bluffton, I guess. A lot of it also seemed to be blogs.
As for what this site didn't do well, I was honestly bored when reviewing this site. Most of the other sites pretty much kept my interest, except this one...there are only so many blogs a person can take in one setting you know!
Blufftontoday.com looked almost bare in comparison to the other sites reviewed. The site offered blogs (community, expert, and staff), news, local traffic, the news that was featured in the actual paper, events, audio and visual, and living in Bluffton. It had all the standard features of a web site, just like the others, however, this particular sites offered three different kinds of blogs. Community blogs are where any person can post a blog on any subject they so choose. For example, one person chose to write about the marvels of modern medicine and another person wrote another blog about the poor and how much they receive from the government each year. Then, there's the experts blogs. These are blogs posted by people, "experts" on many different subjects. And the last of the three kinds of blogs were staff blogs, and without really needing to be explained they are blogs written by the staff of Blufftontoday.com. As much as I hate the whole blogging thing, I thought this was a really good feature because it offered an array of different subjects written by an array of different people, from every day people like you and me to people who know more on certain subjects to people who write news for a living.
Another feature that I liked was that it offers the sites visitors a place to upload photos and advertise. I think this is a way this site makes living a little more easier for people, and it just shows that people have little time and little patience to actually do something so simple as to put an ad in a paper.
As for multimedia, I think the site offered a decent amount of it. Nothing more or less than all of the other sites. It offered a place for photos, audio files, videos, a place for slide shows to be viewed, maps, and even a place for visitors to upload their own videos. This is one feature that I don't think other sites have had. I can imagine that a lot of people would take this for granted because it makes it easier and everything is clicks away.
I couldn't really find where this particular site makes it's money, but my one guess would be from the site letting people post ads. Users have two options, they can either place a free ad but there are some guidelines and regulations concerning those, or they are allowed to place paid ads.
As for the content on this site, most of it, I think, is generated by the news of Bluffton, I guess. A lot of it also seemed to be blogs.
As for what this site didn't do well, I was honestly bored when reviewing this site. Most of the other sites pretty much kept my interest, except this one...there are only so many blogs a person can take in one setting you know!
Website
After listening to the many interesting presentations my classmates gave on their favorite websites, I sat back and thought about what site, out of many, would I choose to visit. Now, I could easily say YouTube, but the fact is, I visit that site pretty often. I did find one site that caught my eye immediately...Pitchforkmedia.com. As a fan of music, I like non tradition, not so mainstream kinda stuff (not that I don't listen to any mainstream stuff, cause I do...and as Burt form The Used put it "so what!"), and this site seemed to offer any music fan, especially indie music fan, a lot. I really liked the general lay out of the site, it was very easy for me to navigate. I liked how it offered reviews and features...two things I love reading! Just out of curiously, one of my fave indie musicians is Conor Oberst/Bright Eyes, and he seems to be gaining some headway, so I thought I'd search him on Pitchfork, and not only did they review his albums, but they also gave news about who he's been collaborating with, upcoming tours in support of his new CD coming out, I believe in April, and about the new cd too! And to boot, they had several pages of news about him! I was happy. Pitchfork is one of those sites that I will definitely keep checking on!
Monday, March 19, 2007
Multimedia
In this day and age, I think it is safe to say that multimedia is a huge part of a website, of who we are as people and as consumers, and that it is here to stay. No matter what kind of website a person visits there is bound to be some sort of multimedia from videos to pictures to movies to music. I can't tell you how many times I've personally taken advantage of all the multimedia on the web...I've downloaded plenty of music, I've watched plenty of music videos or other videos, and I've even viewed a countless number of pictures. And this multimedia is found everywhere, from news related sites like CNN.com to social networking sites like Myspace. Because of this use of multimedia, I think more people are bound to come to visit these sites, because who just wants to read news, if they could see it in a picture or better yet, a video!? It seems like there are no limitations. Multimedia is everywhere, and it is always changing. As long as it serves a purpose there is a need and want for it, which means, in my opinion that, multimedia will progress into something even bigger than what it already is.
Sunday, March 18, 2007
1, 2 Freddie's Coming For You, 3, 4 You Better Lock Your Door, 5, 6 Grab Your Crucifix, 7, 8 Gonna Stay Up Late, 9, 10...Never Sleep Again
What ever happened to watching a horror movie and being so terrified that you couldn't bear to shut your eyes when you finally crawl into bed? What happened to monsters under your bed (Puppetmaster)? Or in your dreams (does Freddie, ring a bell)? Or deranged serial killers who only need to be remembered by one name (I can name at least 4...Angela, Jason, Michael, LEATHERFACE!)? Whatever happened to a killer being so scary that you never see him or know who he is (Black Christmas)? Whatever happened to things that go bump in the night (Susperia, The People Under The Stairs)? Whatever happened to demonic possessions actually being scary, and not funny (The Omen, The Exorcist, The Evil Dead)? Whatever happened to the horror movie?
I'll tell you what happened...Hollywood happened!
Any horror fan will tell you that Hollywood has had a definite effect on the horror movies that are sweeping into our movie theaters. Horror movies today will never compare to the cult classics of yesterday. And no matter how hard Hollywood tries to remake such classics they will never be the same.
What triggered these thoughts of mine? Well, I started thinking about this last night after my friends and I went to see "Dead Silence," a movie I was hoping was going to be better than what it actually was. Ok, so there's a local legend of Raven's Fair that if Mary Shaw visits you in your dreams, dare not scream cause she'll cut your tongue out, just as it happened to her. Well, Mary Shaw is back for her revenge with none other Billy, #57 of her 101 children, her dolls (ventriloquist dummies, actually). It starts out when the lead character, Jaime, comes home to find his wife dead, her tongue cut out, of course. Obviously, the dummy that was sent to her by an unmarked sender, is all to blame. So, Jaime heads back to his home town of Raven's Fair for some answers, but you shouldn't go poking your nose where it doesn't belong. That's rule number one of all horror movies! So, he finds out more about Mary Shaw, and to his (and to the audience's) surprise, Mary Shaw's one goal was to create the perfect doll...out of human remains. She's also out to revenge all those who took her tongue and her life...even years and years after the event. It sounds really good right? Unfortunately, the film didn't pan out that way.
I'm not one for spoiling a movie, so I won't continue on with what actually happened. I will, however, point out some things that stood out to me, both good and bad.
The Good: it was good to see an original, not another remake! Also, the special effects weren't the hyped up, over the top effects that every movie today seemingly has to have. And above all, the story was somewhat original. What other horror movie has a ventriloquist dummy in it? Let's see, Chucky was a doll, and Puppetmaster had puppets. Nope, no ventriloquist dummies here! And I even liked the fact that instead of a doll (cause it's been done plenty...besides the whole Chucky thing, there's Dolly Dearest, don't forget that one) I also liked the fact that it was about something from the past, something that no one thinks of as being scary.
The Bad: The lead actor who played Jaime. He wasn't a strong enough actor for this part. Also, the plot line in general. It could have been a really good movie, but it used all the same cliches, which made it predictable. For example, Jaime, is informed by the undertakers wife, Marion (who seems a big off her rocker holding a stuffed crow, but is the smartest person in the whole movie) to bury the doll. Well, of course Jaime listens, and he goes in the dead of night, to the cemetery to bury Billy. Well, what do you think is going to happen, Billy is not going to stay placed in his doll sized coffin, and he's going to appear, just at the right moment, at the drivers side of Jaime's car! Duh, we all knew that was going to happen. The dialog was also a bit cheesy...."Don't laugh, I've got a gun, I'll shoot you!" Well, what else are you supposed to do with a gun!?!? And I need to mention Donnie Wahlberg...yes you know him as the bad boy of New Kids on the Block...yup he was in it. (honestly I wanted him to break out in song and dance...oh oh oh oooh, oh oh oh...the right stuff!)
I guess, being nice (which isn't often for me) I would grade "Dead Silence" between a very low C or a high D. Was it a good movie? No. Was it enjoyable? Yes, to laugh at. Does it need to be a part of my DVD collection? Definitely...NOT!
After thinking about all of this, I went on to think about remakes and I became curious to find out what movies are going to be remade. This is what I found:
"Halloween" is being remade by Rob Zombie. "The Birds," "Susperia," and "The Evil Dead" are all films that are being talked about to being remade. Isn't it enough that they made "The Evil Dead" an off-Broadway musical, which I won't lie, want to see! God, I hope not. Now, if they remake "Sleepaway Camp" we'll have big problems. They got it right the first time around, why try to top that?
And just for sheer enjoyment, my top 5 horror movies:
(New/Remakes)
5. House of Wax
4. The Exorcism of Emily Rose
3. The Ring
2. The Hills Have Eyes
1. The Amityville Horror
(Cult Classics)
5. Susperia
4. The Evil Dead
3. The Exorcist
2. The Omen
1. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre
I'll tell you what happened...Hollywood happened!
Any horror fan will tell you that Hollywood has had a definite effect on the horror movies that are sweeping into our movie theaters. Horror movies today will never compare to the cult classics of yesterday. And no matter how hard Hollywood tries to remake such classics they will never be the same.
What triggered these thoughts of mine? Well, I started thinking about this last night after my friends and I went to see "Dead Silence," a movie I was hoping was going to be better than what it actually was. Ok, so there's a local legend of Raven's Fair that if Mary Shaw visits you in your dreams, dare not scream cause she'll cut your tongue out, just as it happened to her. Well, Mary Shaw is back for her revenge with none other Billy, #57 of her 101 children, her dolls (ventriloquist dummies, actually). It starts out when the lead character, Jaime, comes home to find his wife dead, her tongue cut out, of course. Obviously, the dummy that was sent to her by an unmarked sender, is all to blame. So, Jaime heads back to his home town of Raven's Fair for some answers, but you shouldn't go poking your nose where it doesn't belong. That's rule number one of all horror movies! So, he finds out more about Mary Shaw, and to his (and to the audience's) surprise, Mary Shaw's one goal was to create the perfect doll...out of human remains. She's also out to revenge all those who took her tongue and her life...even years and years after the event. It sounds really good right? Unfortunately, the film didn't pan out that way.
I'm not one for spoiling a movie, so I won't continue on with what actually happened. I will, however, point out some things that stood out to me, both good and bad.
The Good: it was good to see an original, not another remake! Also, the special effects weren't the hyped up, over the top effects that every movie today seemingly has to have. And above all, the story was somewhat original. What other horror movie has a ventriloquist dummy in it? Let's see, Chucky was a doll, and Puppetmaster had puppets. Nope, no ventriloquist dummies here! And I even liked the fact that instead of a doll (cause it's been done plenty...besides the whole Chucky thing, there's Dolly Dearest, don't forget that one) I also liked the fact that it was about something from the past, something that no one thinks of as being scary.
The Bad: The lead actor who played Jaime. He wasn't a strong enough actor for this part. Also, the plot line in general. It could have been a really good movie, but it used all the same cliches, which made it predictable. For example, Jaime, is informed by the undertakers wife, Marion (who seems a big off her rocker holding a stuffed crow, but is the smartest person in the whole movie) to bury the doll. Well, of course Jaime listens, and he goes in the dead of night, to the cemetery to bury Billy. Well, what do you think is going to happen, Billy is not going to stay placed in his doll sized coffin, and he's going to appear, just at the right moment, at the drivers side of Jaime's car! Duh, we all knew that was going to happen. The dialog was also a bit cheesy...."Don't laugh, I've got a gun, I'll shoot you!" Well, what else are you supposed to do with a gun!?!? And I need to mention Donnie Wahlberg...yes you know him as the bad boy of New Kids on the Block...yup he was in it. (honestly I wanted him to break out in song and dance...oh oh oh oooh, oh oh oh...the right stuff!)
I guess, being nice (which isn't often for me) I would grade "Dead Silence" between a very low C or a high D. Was it a good movie? No. Was it enjoyable? Yes, to laugh at. Does it need to be a part of my DVD collection? Definitely...NOT!
After thinking about all of this, I went on to think about remakes and I became curious to find out what movies are going to be remade. This is what I found:
"Halloween" is being remade by Rob Zombie. "The Birds," "Susperia," and "The Evil Dead" are all films that are being talked about to being remade. Isn't it enough that they made "The Evil Dead" an off-Broadway musical, which I won't lie, want to see! God, I hope not. Now, if they remake "Sleepaway Camp" we'll have big problems. They got it right the first time around, why try to top that?
And just for sheer enjoyment, my top 5 horror movies:
(New/Remakes)
5. House of Wax
4. The Exorcism of Emily Rose
3. The Ring
2. The Hills Have Eyes
1. The Amityville Horror
(Cult Classics)
5. Susperia
4. The Evil Dead
3. The Exorcist
2. The Omen
1. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre
Cover Letter/Headline
I guess if I were posting something on Craigslist, the headline that I would use would be something along the lines of: Recent Communications Graduate Seeks Writing Job in Professional Journalism Field. I think that says it all, it says my status as a college student and my major, it states what I actually want to do within my field, and it states the actual field of work that I want to work in.
As for my cover letter, I would definitely tell who I am, the position I am seeking within my professional field, and of course contact information. However I would not put my last name, my home address, or any phone numbers on there considering Craigslist is an online site and anyone who is anyone can view it. Within the body of my cover letter I will also express my qualifications for the position I am seeking, I would list computer skills, people skills, and maybe even why I should be selected for an interview among the masses. Without even thinking, I would also include a Thank You to whomever is considering my resume, and I will also mention at the very ending of my letter that I am available for an interview at the employers earlier convenience.
I have a cover letter written already, however it needs some desperate tweaking considering I haven't updated it since this past summer. It's now spring, and it's about time for a tweak.
As for my cover letter, I would definitely tell who I am, the position I am seeking within my professional field, and of course contact information. However I would not put my last name, my home address, or any phone numbers on there considering Craigslist is an online site and anyone who is anyone can view it. Within the body of my cover letter I will also express my qualifications for the position I am seeking, I would list computer skills, people skills, and maybe even why I should be selected for an interview among the masses. Without even thinking, I would also include a Thank You to whomever is considering my resume, and I will also mention at the very ending of my letter that I am available for an interview at the employers earlier convenience.
I have a cover letter written already, however it needs some desperate tweaking considering I haven't updated it since this past summer. It's now spring, and it's about time for a tweak.
NJ.COM
Shockingly, I've actually been on NJ.com before. A friend of mine likes to tell me about different websites and cool stuff on the web, and this is one of those places she told me to check out, probably for a job or something!
Anyway, I liked this site right off the bat. I felt that it had a lot to offer, but not so much that I was overwhelmed like many of the other sites reviewed for this class. It offered the standard categories: news, entertainment, sports, a living section, cams & radio, forums, and even local new. Pretty standard, right. Well, one thing this site offered, unlike most others, was that it had a "marketplace" a place were people can search classified adds from newspapers like The Star Ledger, The Reporter, Hunterdon County Democrat, The Warren Reporter, The Jersey Journal, The Times, Today's Sunbeam, and many more papers found within New Jersey. I liked this feature a lot because, honestly who likes to and has time to sit a read the boring classified section of their newspaper. At least on NJ.com, you could simply look online where the color isn't only just black and white, it makes it easier for the reader, and it is more convenient. Let's face it we live in a very fast pace world, who doesn't want fast paced news? Or classifieds for that matter?
One think that I didn't like about the site was that it doesn't offer the 'news site' feel like CNN.com or MSNBC.com did. It had news, important news too, but I think, for the me the site seemed lively, and not so newsy. Another thing that I didn't like was the fact, whenever you clicked on let's say "local" or "cams and radio" or "forum" you were directed a page asking for your zip code, the year of your birth, and if you were male or female. What does that matter to a news site? Another thing that lent itself to seeming unlike most newsy sites.
I noticed right away that there was a whole section dedicated to multimedia, Cams and Radio. In this section you find links to local New Jersey radio stations, like Seton Hall's WSOU. You could also listen to many of the radio stations listed right through the NJ.com site. Yet again, making it easier for the person with little to no free time on his/her hands. Also, it had a local cam of three things that were currently happening at Point Pleasant Beach. I did check it out, however, my computer is terribly slow, and my patience tends to run lower than normal on mornings! Just another example of wanting everything fast paced!
As far as interactivity, I felt that this site was pretty much the same as other sites reviewed. Of course there were places to e-mail different people at NJ.com, and the forums, which offered a wide variety of topics to talk about like New Jersey in Iraq or a forum on Springsteen and the Sopranos, or about certain sports teams like the Nets. But mostly, all topics focused around New Jersey.
A lot of the media outlets that contribute to NJ.com I would say would have to be the many New Jersey Newspapers, some of which are listed about (The Star Ledger, The Times, Hunterdon Country Democrat, Bridgeton News, Today's Sunbeam, The Reporter, Independent Press, The Express Times, Gloucuster County Times, The Warren Reporter, and el nuevo) With that, I think a lot of ways this site brings in money is through the use of those media outlets. For example, a person can subscribe to any one of these papers through NJ.com. You can't tell me that NJ.com does not get a percentage of that money? Of course they do, after all in many ways they are advertising for these papers. Other ways, I suppose, the site makes money is by advertisements in general, because there seem to be an awful lot of them.
I could definitely see this site being useful and impacting the users because it does offer so much. High school students can search for nearby colleges to apply to, college students can begin to job hunt, and adults can still job hunt (if in the market for a new job), find local news about what's happening in their part of Jersey, and still use the same facilities as high school and college students. To say the least, the site accommodates everyone who could possibly visit.
Anyway, I liked this site right off the bat. I felt that it had a lot to offer, but not so much that I was overwhelmed like many of the other sites reviewed for this class. It offered the standard categories: news, entertainment, sports, a living section, cams & radio, forums, and even local new. Pretty standard, right. Well, one thing this site offered, unlike most others, was that it had a "marketplace" a place were people can search classified adds from newspapers like The Star Ledger, The Reporter, Hunterdon County Democrat, The Warren Reporter, The Jersey Journal, The Times, Today's Sunbeam, and many more papers found within New Jersey. I liked this feature a lot because, honestly who likes to and has time to sit a read the boring classified section of their newspaper. At least on NJ.com, you could simply look online where the color isn't only just black and white, it makes it easier for the reader, and it is more convenient. Let's face it we live in a very fast pace world, who doesn't want fast paced news? Or classifieds for that matter?
One think that I didn't like about the site was that it doesn't offer the 'news site' feel like CNN.com or MSNBC.com did. It had news, important news too, but I think, for the me the site seemed lively, and not so newsy. Another thing that I didn't like was the fact, whenever you clicked on let's say "local" or "cams and radio" or "forum" you were directed a page asking for your zip code, the year of your birth, and if you were male or female. What does that matter to a news site? Another thing that lent itself to seeming unlike most newsy sites.
I noticed right away that there was a whole section dedicated to multimedia, Cams and Radio. In this section you find links to local New Jersey radio stations, like Seton Hall's WSOU. You could also listen to many of the radio stations listed right through the NJ.com site. Yet again, making it easier for the person with little to no free time on his/her hands. Also, it had a local cam of three things that were currently happening at Point Pleasant Beach. I did check it out, however, my computer is terribly slow, and my patience tends to run lower than normal on mornings! Just another example of wanting everything fast paced!
As far as interactivity, I felt that this site was pretty much the same as other sites reviewed. Of course there were places to e-mail different people at NJ.com, and the forums, which offered a wide variety of topics to talk about like New Jersey in Iraq or a forum on Springsteen and the Sopranos, or about certain sports teams like the Nets. But mostly, all topics focused around New Jersey.
A lot of the media outlets that contribute to NJ.com I would say would have to be the many New Jersey Newspapers, some of which are listed about (The Star Ledger, The Times, Hunterdon Country Democrat, Bridgeton News, Today's Sunbeam, The Reporter, Independent Press, The Express Times, Gloucuster County Times, The Warren Reporter, and el nuevo) With that, I think a lot of ways this site brings in money is through the use of those media outlets. For example, a person can subscribe to any one of these papers through NJ.com. You can't tell me that NJ.com does not get a percentage of that money? Of course they do, after all in many ways they are advertising for these papers. Other ways, I suppose, the site makes money is by advertisements in general, because there seem to be an awful lot of them.
I could definitely see this site being useful and impacting the users because it does offer so much. High school students can search for nearby colleges to apply to, college students can begin to job hunt, and adults can still job hunt (if in the market for a new job), find local news about what's happening in their part of Jersey, and still use the same facilities as high school and college students. To say the least, the site accommodates everyone who could possibly visit.
Monday, March 12, 2007
How Could You Forget That Yellow Bird
Not for nothing, I'm a college senior who is graduating this coming May. And as a senior in college I think it's pretty pathetic how professors still treat students like incompetent babies...who can't handle real work! I'm sick of doing pointless assignments that are a waste of my time. What's the point of these assignments, can someone please tell me? Cause honestly, I'm stumped!
As a college senior also sick of all the stupid games that the college itself plays on its students. For one thing when I register for a certain class, I expect it to be the class I registered for, I expect it to be the same class as it was described to me countless times by my advisor and by course catalogs. I don't expect to walk into a class that I need to take for my major and that will only help my career in the long run only to find out that this class isn't what was expected. In fact, to find out that the class has nothing to do with what it supposed to be about, but the course was changed! Well if it was changed, well then don't you think that the students taking this class should have been made aware of it so that they can decide whether or not they want to take this class? Oh no, of course not, that would be...dare I say it...considerate!
As a college senior, I'm also sick and tired of receiving grades that I surely don't deserve because let's see, I'm not the teachers favorite or pet. I shouldn't have to prove myself to anyone, especially a professor who is honestly no better than I am. It's been like this for years now, and I'm soooooo incredibly over it. I'm sick of receiving a passable grade because maybe I don't talk as much as the next person, I'm sick of not getting graded on the actual content of the work I do. I'm not sorry that I'm not like every other person in my classes, or that I speak freely on whatever I choose. I'm not sorry that when I raise my hand in class to answer a question, I never seem to get chosen because let's face it, the professor would much rather talk to the student of their choice, because let's see, maybe that professor favors him or her over the other people in class, other people who may be more capable, other people who are actually interested in learning...and not wasting mommy and daddy's hard earned money.
It's about time professors got off their high horses and realized that students work just as hard as they do, if not harder. It's about time that students started to earn respect and rightful grades that they receive because of the work they do rather than the way they look. It's about time I get out of Monmouth University!
As a college senior also sick of all the stupid games that the college itself plays on its students. For one thing when I register for a certain class, I expect it to be the class I registered for, I expect it to be the same class as it was described to me countless times by my advisor and by course catalogs. I don't expect to walk into a class that I need to take for my major and that will only help my career in the long run only to find out that this class isn't what was expected. In fact, to find out that the class has nothing to do with what it supposed to be about, but the course was changed! Well if it was changed, well then don't you think that the students taking this class should have been made aware of it so that they can decide whether or not they want to take this class? Oh no, of course not, that would be...dare I say it...considerate!
As a college senior, I'm also sick and tired of receiving grades that I surely don't deserve because let's see, I'm not the teachers favorite or pet. I shouldn't have to prove myself to anyone, especially a professor who is honestly no better than I am. It's been like this for years now, and I'm soooooo incredibly over it. I'm sick of receiving a passable grade because maybe I don't talk as much as the next person, I'm sick of not getting graded on the actual content of the work I do. I'm not sorry that I'm not like every other person in my classes, or that I speak freely on whatever I choose. I'm not sorry that when I raise my hand in class to answer a question, I never seem to get chosen because let's face it, the professor would much rather talk to the student of their choice, because let's see, maybe that professor favors him or her over the other people in class, other people who may be more capable, other people who are actually interested in learning...and not wasting mommy and daddy's hard earned money.
It's about time professors got off their high horses and realized that students work just as hard as they do, if not harder. It's about time that students started to earn respect and rightful grades that they receive because of the work they do rather than the way they look. It's about time I get out of Monmouth University!
Sunday, March 11, 2007
I Can't Find A Way Out, And The Clocks Are Broken, Leaking Time...One More Second I Might Die
I mentioned awhile ago how I had my own zine, and how I missed it a lot. Well, instead of complaining about it, I got up and did something about it. I stared a new zine. Something I really, really happy about. And what makes it better is that I just did my first interview for it with a really talented, really amazing band!
ljworld.com
So this was more of a site I was expecting to review, unlike buzzmachine.com. This site was a lot more news heavy than that last one. Even though, like I mentioned several times before I don't like newsy sites, but it beats blogs!
This site offered a lot of the same features as Lawrence.com, maybe because the two are related to one another. This site featured loads of entertainment news, like drink specials, places to eat, where to go bar hopping, both music and movies, travel, and even webcams (that was something I don't remember on lawrence.com). As far as real news related topics, ljworld.com offered the standard sections: local news, weather, school news, crime, state/regional news, obituaries, births, weddings, podcasts, photos, and many more.
This site was very much like all the others, however there were features that separated them. One of those features was under the news section there was a section called Most E-Mailed Discussions Stories and Most Active Discussions. Under the first of the two, it discusses recent stories that have appeared on the site within the past 12 hours. I like this feature a lot because it gives people the chance to catch up on news they may have missed or may not have paid attention to. And what's good about this is that it says it is updated every 10 minutes. Talk about on top of the news! As for the second of the two mention sections, being curious I poked around and found out that these are stories that have appeared on the site, however have readers comments...almost like a message board.
There is so much stuff featured on this site. And as much as it could be a good thing, it could also be a bad thing. For me, it was overwhelming. I didn't know what to check out first. I also think that with all that offered information it may make it harder for readers to find one particular thing that they may be looking for. Because of that I think it could really turn people off.
As for multimedia, I think it's no more or no less than lawrence.com. It offered podcast, which seem to be all the craze now, it offered music downloads/mp3s, it offered videos, message boards, blogs, and all the stuff that goes along with multimedia and keeping in touch with everyone else around you.
I think this site really works...at least it wasn't a blog!
This site offered a lot of the same features as Lawrence.com, maybe because the two are related to one another. This site featured loads of entertainment news, like drink specials, places to eat, where to go bar hopping, both music and movies, travel, and even webcams (that was something I don't remember on lawrence.com). As far as real news related topics, ljworld.com offered the standard sections: local news, weather, school news, crime, state/regional news, obituaries, births, weddings, podcasts, photos, and many more.
This site was very much like all the others, however there were features that separated them. One of those features was under the news section there was a section called Most E-Mailed Discussions Stories and Most Active Discussions. Under the first of the two, it discusses recent stories that have appeared on the site within the past 12 hours. I like this feature a lot because it gives people the chance to catch up on news they may have missed or may not have paid attention to. And what's good about this is that it says it is updated every 10 minutes. Talk about on top of the news! As for the second of the two mention sections, being curious I poked around and found out that these are stories that have appeared on the site, however have readers comments...almost like a message board.
There is so much stuff featured on this site. And as much as it could be a good thing, it could also be a bad thing. For me, it was overwhelming. I didn't know what to check out first. I also think that with all that offered information it may make it harder for readers to find one particular thing that they may be looking for. Because of that I think it could really turn people off.
As for multimedia, I think it's no more or no less than lawrence.com. It offered podcast, which seem to be all the craze now, it offered music downloads/mp3s, it offered videos, message boards, blogs, and all the stuff that goes along with multimedia and keeping in touch with everyone else around you.
I think this site really works...at least it wasn't a blog!
Buzzmachine.com
So, when this was assigned I assumed that it was going to be another news oriented site. Well, I got a surprise because in my opinion, it wasn't at all. In fact, it was more or less a blog! How exciting....
So I read a little bit to see what had to be said. I read thinking maybe this guy keeps a blog on current events, news, that is happening in the world. The first thing I read was a comparison of first class flights from two different airlines. The second was a video from YouTube of IdolCritic. The third thing I read was something about a megapaper and innovation and combing the two. I was confused a bit, I guess I don't get it! Speaking of not getting it, there were links within this piece about getting it and not getting it, and if clicked on it didn't take you to a new website that may have offered new information about the subject, but took you to a previous blog post. Interesting.
As assigned, I dug around into the archives buzzmachine.com had listed. I didn't want to choose an archive from a month ago, because that to me really isn't digging deep. So I decided to go into the March 2006 archive, from one year ago. A year ago he discussed the coming about of TiVo in "Exploding TV." In this piece he actually linked to another site, not just another past blog! WOW! He linked to a Reuters article about this subject. Unfortunately, when I clicked on the link to see if this link was relevant to what was site, the page was no longer available.
It seems that every time he links to an outside source he has to one up them and link again to buzzmachine.com.
As far as multimedia is concerned, I didn't notice too much. The only real multimedia feature I found was the YouTube video of IdolCritic. I guess American Idol still is news! Or maybe it's just a way to get people to read what you have to say? I don't know, I HATE American Idol, I think it's pointless as is most of television today. And it's not even like any of the Idol winners are doing amazingly well, with the exception of Kelly Clarkson...maybe because she broke away from Simon's brothers record label who all winners are forced to sign with?!?! I mean whatever happened to the last winner, whose name escapes me at the moment? And what ever happened to that really big guy who had one song that I wouldn't even consider a hit, or a one hit wonder for that matter? I guess American Idol is important news, even just to blog about...hey I just blogged about it so it must be important!
One feature, that I'll admit, I liked was how it had key tag words or phrases telling the readers what a post was about. I think this made it easier for people to decide if they wanted to read whatever that specific blog was about.
I didn't find this site to be interactive, except if you include the fact that you can e-mail the creator. But is that really interactivity? I mean, Paris Hilton fan sites offer a contact? So is that interactivity? In comparison to the other sites reviewed, this site isn't interactive in my opinion...but maybe I just could not find the interactivity.
I don't like blogs...I don't like reading them...I don't like writing them. I understand this is like the way of writing for the future, but I'm an old fashioned kind of gal. As much as I hate news oriented sites, I'd take one over a blog any day!
So I read a little bit to see what had to be said. I read thinking maybe this guy keeps a blog on current events, news, that is happening in the world. The first thing I read was a comparison of first class flights from two different airlines. The second was a video from YouTube of IdolCritic. The third thing I read was something about a megapaper and innovation and combing the two. I was confused a bit, I guess I don't get it! Speaking of not getting it, there were links within this piece about getting it and not getting it, and if clicked on it didn't take you to a new website that may have offered new information about the subject, but took you to a previous blog post. Interesting.
As assigned, I dug around into the archives buzzmachine.com had listed. I didn't want to choose an archive from a month ago, because that to me really isn't digging deep. So I decided to go into the March 2006 archive, from one year ago. A year ago he discussed the coming about of TiVo in "Exploding TV." In this piece he actually linked to another site, not just another past blog! WOW! He linked to a Reuters article about this subject. Unfortunately, when I clicked on the link to see if this link was relevant to what was site, the page was no longer available.
It seems that every time he links to an outside source he has to one up them and link again to buzzmachine.com.
As far as multimedia is concerned, I didn't notice too much. The only real multimedia feature I found was the YouTube video of IdolCritic. I guess American Idol still is news! Or maybe it's just a way to get people to read what you have to say? I don't know, I HATE American Idol, I think it's pointless as is most of television today. And it's not even like any of the Idol winners are doing amazingly well, with the exception of Kelly Clarkson...maybe because she broke away from Simon's brothers record label who all winners are forced to sign with?!?! I mean whatever happened to the last winner, whose name escapes me at the moment? And what ever happened to that really big guy who had one song that I wouldn't even consider a hit, or a one hit wonder for that matter? I guess American Idol is important news, even just to blog about...hey I just blogged about it so it must be important!
One feature, that I'll admit, I liked was how it had key tag words or phrases telling the readers what a post was about. I think this made it easier for people to decide if they wanted to read whatever that specific blog was about.
I didn't find this site to be interactive, except if you include the fact that you can e-mail the creator. But is that really interactivity? I mean, Paris Hilton fan sites offer a contact? So is that interactivity? In comparison to the other sites reviewed, this site isn't interactive in my opinion...but maybe I just could not find the interactivity.
I don't like blogs...I don't like reading them...I don't like writing them. I understand this is like the way of writing for the future, but I'm an old fashioned kind of gal. As much as I hate news oriented sites, I'd take one over a blog any day!
Monday, February 26, 2007
Their Words Tattooed in His Veins
Pretentious: claiming or demanding a position of distinction or merit, especially when unjustified. (from the American Heritage Dictionary)
If I could only name one thing that I can't stand about the human race it would be the pretentiousness that some people carry around with them. I would rather deal with someone who is a hypocrite than deal with someone who is pretentious....now that's a scary thought cause I also can't stand hypocrites either. But that's a whole other blog post.
I can't stand how pretentious people constantly need to prove themselves over and over again. If you so good than why do you have to prove it? I can't stand how pretentious people walk around with sticks up their butts, with their noses raised in the air acting as if they are above you? If you're already above a person, you're pretty low to rub it in one's face, don't you think? And I hate how pretentious people need to degrade others...all the time! If you're so secure about yourself, than why do you need to put down someone else? Maybe because of your own shortcomings and weaknesses?! And I certainly can't stand how pretentious people constantly feel the need to "correct" someone when they don't agree? If you think so highly of yourself and your opinions why do you need to keep reminding everyone? Is it because you need to remind yourself? To be your own cheerleader? Because people don't like pretentious people?
So a small piece of advice to the pretentious: GET OVER YOURSELVES! You're not that important to everyone who is in your presence. And if you don't get over it, I hope someone puts you in your place...I hope that someone is me! It would be my pleasure!
If I could only name one thing that I can't stand about the human race it would be the pretentiousness that some people carry around with them. I would rather deal with someone who is a hypocrite than deal with someone who is pretentious....now that's a scary thought cause I also can't stand hypocrites either. But that's a whole other blog post.
I can't stand how pretentious people constantly need to prove themselves over and over again. If you so good than why do you have to prove it? I can't stand how pretentious people walk around with sticks up their butts, with their noses raised in the air acting as if they are above you? If you're already above a person, you're pretty low to rub it in one's face, don't you think? And I hate how pretentious people need to degrade others...all the time! If you're so secure about yourself, than why do you need to put down someone else? Maybe because of your own shortcomings and weaknesses?! And I certainly can't stand how pretentious people constantly feel the need to "correct" someone when they don't agree? If you think so highly of yourself and your opinions why do you need to keep reminding everyone? Is it because you need to remind yourself? To be your own cheerleader? Because people don't like pretentious people?
So a small piece of advice to the pretentious: GET OVER YOURSELVES! You're not that important to everyone who is in your presence. And if you don't get over it, I hope someone puts you in your place...I hope that someone is me! It would be my pleasure!
Snow....
I hate it. I hate being in it, around it, anywhere near it. And I especially hate driving in it when every news station declares that all roads are clear of snow/slush/sludge (whatever you want to call it), when they clearly aren't. I also hate how parking becomes so much more difficult than need be. Especially where I live. And I hate how my hands get so ridiculously cold that my fingers actually hurt, become numb, and feel as if they are going to fall off!
The ONLY thing snow is good for is for snow days. But even now, as a college senior, they aren't as exciting as snow days in grammar school or even in high school. Now knowing the glory of driving and being able to go where you want to go whenever you want to go, you don't want to be stuck in your house because of snow, or because you have to. Snow days aren't fun when you're in college, especially as a college student who goes to Monmouth University. It seems now, and even in the past, maybe I'm wrong about this, but this is my own judgement in what I have experienced...but Monmouth University never seems to close (except for one time ... on Valentines Day). I don't think that they take into consideration that not everyone lives on campus or in that area. Unfortunately I live an hour and 15 mins away, and sometimes I just hate driving all the way down there in snow/slush/sludge for a 45 minute class or a class where I'm only going to hand in one thing and leave. It's a waste of time and gas and money that I don't have.
The ONLY thing snow is good for is for snow days. But even now, as a college senior, they aren't as exciting as snow days in grammar school or even in high school. Now knowing the glory of driving and being able to go where you want to go whenever you want to go, you don't want to be stuck in your house because of snow, or because you have to. Snow days aren't fun when you're in college, especially as a college student who goes to Monmouth University. It seems now, and even in the past, maybe I'm wrong about this, but this is my own judgement in what I have experienced...but Monmouth University never seems to close (except for one time ... on Valentines Day). I don't think that they take into consideration that not everyone lives on campus or in that area. Unfortunately I live an hour and 15 mins away, and sometimes I just hate driving all the way down there in snow/slush/sludge for a 45 minute class or a class where I'm only going to hand in one thing and leave. It's a waste of time and gas and money that I don't have.
Sunday, February 25, 2007
kusports
First and foremost I just want to go on record saying I HATE sports. To me, they're...well, pointless. All sports are to me are a bunch of guys running around in tight pants throwing a ball or hitting one, and than when something good happens they all spank each other. Yeah, I don't have a high opinion of sports...probably because I don't understand them and because I have little to no attention span for anything.
Anyway, back to what this post is really about kusports.com...
So, clicking on the site I was unsure of what I was going to find. Well, maybe it was just me and my computer but when the page finally loaded (because it seemed to take forever and a day) the page was completely messed up! Under the heading "More Columns and Blogs" it listed audio and video stuff along with more columns and blogs. Unfortunately that list ran all the way down the page covering up other stories that were featured on the site. I find this to be a bit of a problem because it was hard to read, and honestly made me want to click off the site.
As you would expect to find all the news, for the most part (at least what I found) was focused around sports, but not just the normal basketball, football, baseball, and hockey. The site also offered news in swimming, track and field, cross country, Kansas Relays, soccer, rowing (who knew it was a sport?!?), tennis, volleyball, and bowling. Than under the heading of "essentials" it listed columns, blogs, message boards, recruiting, schedule, statistics, chat transcripts, history, and e-mail alerts. I thought that the e-mail alerts were interesting because of all the sites that were reviewed not one had a place where its viewers could sign up for alerts to keep up to date with whatever is happening, whether in world news or sports. The site also featured multimedia, photos, and podcasts among many miscellaneous features.
The site did offer, in my opinion, plenty of multimedia in the form of both audio and video. All of the other sites offered multimedia, but this site seemed to have more than the rest, considering the list was running down most of my computer screen.
As far as links are concerned, I could not found any specific place for links, or when I clicked to read a few articles I noticed none linked to other sources of information. The only link I did see however was in the form of an advertisement, I think for a car.
Another feature that this site offered was a poll. I've seen this minimally on the other sites, but it seemed that this one was more up front, and not hard to find since it was on the front page. I think that's important because I think more people are willing to participate in a poll if they see it immediately and not have to click on several different place to get to where they want to be. It makes it easier for people, and isn't that what the Internets all about: easiness and quickness?
I'm going to go out on a limb and say that this site is owned by Lawrence Journal World, which may be the same people who own Lawrence.com, the last, college newspaper site reviewed. With that being said I think it's easy to see that this site is aimed at college students, to sports fans in that area (who have an interest in that KU teams), and to possibly anyone who is an alumni and wants to keep up to date with the sporting events and happenings.
Honestly, I really didn't enjoy reviewing this site. Why? Because it's sports related, and like I said I don't like sports, I don't understand them, and I have no attention span to pay any attention to them. I didn't really care for any of the features offered on this site. This is one site I probably would never, ever visit again...the only reason why I did this time was because I had to.
Anyway, back to what this post is really about kusports.com...
So, clicking on the site I was unsure of what I was going to find. Well, maybe it was just me and my computer but when the page finally loaded (because it seemed to take forever and a day) the page was completely messed up! Under the heading "More Columns and Blogs" it listed audio and video stuff along with more columns and blogs. Unfortunately that list ran all the way down the page covering up other stories that were featured on the site. I find this to be a bit of a problem because it was hard to read, and honestly made me want to click off the site.
As you would expect to find all the news, for the most part (at least what I found) was focused around sports, but not just the normal basketball, football, baseball, and hockey. The site also offered news in swimming, track and field, cross country, Kansas Relays, soccer, rowing (who knew it was a sport?!?), tennis, volleyball, and bowling. Than under the heading of "essentials" it listed columns, blogs, message boards, recruiting, schedule, statistics, chat transcripts, history, and e-mail alerts. I thought that the e-mail alerts were interesting because of all the sites that were reviewed not one had a place where its viewers could sign up for alerts to keep up to date with whatever is happening, whether in world news or sports. The site also featured multimedia, photos, and podcasts among many miscellaneous features.
The site did offer, in my opinion, plenty of multimedia in the form of both audio and video. All of the other sites offered multimedia, but this site seemed to have more than the rest, considering the list was running down most of my computer screen.
As far as links are concerned, I could not found any specific place for links, or when I clicked to read a few articles I noticed none linked to other sources of information. The only link I did see however was in the form of an advertisement, I think for a car.
Another feature that this site offered was a poll. I've seen this minimally on the other sites, but it seemed that this one was more up front, and not hard to find since it was on the front page. I think that's important because I think more people are willing to participate in a poll if they see it immediately and not have to click on several different place to get to where they want to be. It makes it easier for people, and isn't that what the Internets all about: easiness and quickness?
I'm going to go out on a limb and say that this site is owned by Lawrence Journal World, which may be the same people who own Lawrence.com, the last, college newspaper site reviewed. With that being said I think it's easy to see that this site is aimed at college students, to sports fans in that area (who have an interest in that KU teams), and to possibly anyone who is an alumni and wants to keep up to date with the sporting events and happenings.
Honestly, I really didn't enjoy reviewing this site. Why? Because it's sports related, and like I said I don't like sports, I don't understand them, and I have no attention span to pay any attention to them. I didn't really care for any of the features offered on this site. This is one site I probably would never, ever visit again...the only reason why I did this time was because I had to.
Impact
At one point in time the daily newspaper was the main resource to how most people got there information. The newspaper was the one resource where people were able to obtain what was going on, locally, nationally, and world-wide. The thought that newspapers are the only resource to obtain information about what is going on in the world is changing because of the increase of technology.
Technology has not only made it easier for people to receive the same news that they would otherwise read in a newspaper, but it has also made it quicker. What takes at least a day to publish news in a print newspaper, the Internet can have news published within a matter or mere minutes, if not seconds!
It’s almost clear to see that the Internet, in fact, has had some impact on print media, specifically on newspapers. It does not matter if this impact was big or small, what really matters in the case is that some sort of impact has been made
According to a 2003 article, written in the Free Republic (http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1018264/posts) , it examines this to further illustrate how newspapers have been impacted by the Internet and news based Internet websites. The article summarizes that, since the Internet now plays such a heavy role in news, newspaper are losing money, losing readers, and the chance that smaller newspaper will not make it in the print world due to the Internet.
As far as losing money is concerned, people may not want to buy a $1.00 newspaper anymore because they can simply click onto the Internet with little to no effort, and still get that same news for free. But according to Jonathan Dube, who is quoted within this article saying "Newspapers are no longer willing to just write the Web site off as a money-losing proposition, we already see much less free information." What he means by that is that more and more, as time progresses and technology is advanced, free news Internet based web sites are not free, and require its visitors to at least register or subscribe to the site, either by paying a small subscription fee, or by giving personal information.
According to an article written about Harvard Business School Study and the issue of how the Internet has had an impact on print news (http://www.digitaledge.org/monthly/2001_02/HBSmain.html) suggests that it's not only the Internets fault as to why there may be a decrease in newspaper readership. The article, from understanding, suggests that newspapers can also be to blame because it does not take aggressive measures to ensure readership, whereas the Internet does. One quote that stood out was this: "The newspaper industry has been very slow to develop significant alternative forms of revenue, such as auctions, local retail, and consumer direct marketing and advertising."
This quote may suggest that newspapers need to start thinking like a website, they need to sell their news. Whether that means seeking out more advertisements that target a newspapers demographic or by coming up with new, innovative ways to draw readers to the newspaper, like holding raffles or auctions.
Another aspect of how the Internet has impacted newspaper is that Internet, often times, attract a younger generation of people. Most teen aged and college age people do not have a lot of time on their hands to sit and read the paper. To those who want to keep informed turn towards the Internet to get their quick news fix. On the other hand, the older generation of people, people whose age may range from 50 and up may not have knowledge of how the Internet works, and they may find it too complicated to use, so they simply stick to what is easier for them: the newspaper.
An article by David Zweifel titled "Unplugged Media Remain Relevant" (http://www.commondreams.org/views06/0119-30.htm) summarizes that newspapers may be losing readers to various Internet news sites, but newspapers need to remain competitive and focus more on their own web sites instead of only focusing on the printer newspaper. Why? Because reading news on the Internet is now the new newspaper, it's what is taking over, and having the biggest impact on print news. This article also "passes along" some quotes from a different author and from a different newspaper that keeps the newspaper in highest regards.
"Stop reading for a moment [talking about the Miami Herold]. Flip this over. Notice that the backside of your newspaper is utterly unencumbered by cords, plugs, telephone jacks or USB connections. To hell with Bluetooth technology. We were wireless long before wireless was cool. This quote, by Frank Grimm columnist in the Miami Herold, makes a valid point in saying how people want to turn to someplace quick to gather their news. And it is thought that wireless Internet is the quickest way to get news. But Grimm may prove that statement false, because unlike computers and the Internet, newspapers are quick. Nothing has to be hooked up or downloaded, or installed. All a person needs to do is simply...read!
So yes, the Internet has had some sort of impact on the newspapers of today. People are not only relying on them for information, instead they are finding quicker ways around them for news and information. They are turning to web sites dedicated to local, national, and world wide news, they are turning to blogs for information, and they are even possibly turning to message boards and slow moving conversations on the Internet for news information. However all of this does not mean that newspapers are going to become obsolete. There is still a place in the world for newspapers, and that place holds important. Why? Because there are many people who cannot afford to use the Internet, and still many who do not understand the way the Internet works.
Technology has not only made it easier for people to receive the same news that they would otherwise read in a newspaper, but it has also made it quicker. What takes at least a day to publish news in a print newspaper, the Internet can have news published within a matter or mere minutes, if not seconds!
It’s almost clear to see that the Internet, in fact, has had some impact on print media, specifically on newspapers. It does not matter if this impact was big or small, what really matters in the case is that some sort of impact has been made
According to a 2003 article, written in the Free Republic (http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1018264/posts) , it examines this to further illustrate how newspapers have been impacted by the Internet and news based Internet websites. The article summarizes that, since the Internet now plays such a heavy role in news, newspaper are losing money, losing readers, and the chance that smaller newspaper will not make it in the print world due to the Internet.
As far as losing money is concerned, people may not want to buy a $1.00 newspaper anymore because they can simply click onto the Internet with little to no effort, and still get that same news for free. But according to Jonathan Dube, who is quoted within this article saying "Newspapers are no longer willing to just write the Web site off as a money-losing proposition, we already see much less free information." What he means by that is that more and more, as time progresses and technology is advanced, free news Internet based web sites are not free, and require its visitors to at least register or subscribe to the site, either by paying a small subscription fee, or by giving personal information.
According to an article written about Harvard Business School Study and the issue of how the Internet has had an impact on print news (http://www.digitaledge.org/monthly/2001_02/HBSmain.html) suggests that it's not only the Internets fault as to why there may be a decrease in newspaper readership. The article, from understanding, suggests that newspapers can also be to blame because it does not take aggressive measures to ensure readership, whereas the Internet does. One quote that stood out was this: "The newspaper industry has been very slow to develop significant alternative forms of revenue, such as auctions, local retail, and consumer direct marketing and advertising."
This quote may suggest that newspapers need to start thinking like a website, they need to sell their news. Whether that means seeking out more advertisements that target a newspapers demographic or by coming up with new, innovative ways to draw readers to the newspaper, like holding raffles or auctions.
Another aspect of how the Internet has impacted newspaper is that Internet, often times, attract a younger generation of people. Most teen aged and college age people do not have a lot of time on their hands to sit and read the paper. To those who want to keep informed turn towards the Internet to get their quick news fix. On the other hand, the older generation of people, people whose age may range from 50 and up may not have knowledge of how the Internet works, and they may find it too complicated to use, so they simply stick to what is easier for them: the newspaper.
An article by David Zweifel titled "Unplugged Media Remain Relevant" (http://www.commondreams.org/views06/0119-30.htm) summarizes that newspapers may be losing readers to various Internet news sites, but newspapers need to remain competitive and focus more on their own web sites instead of only focusing on the printer newspaper. Why? Because reading news on the Internet is now the new newspaper, it's what is taking over, and having the biggest impact on print news. This article also "passes along" some quotes from a different author and from a different newspaper that keeps the newspaper in highest regards.
"Stop reading for a moment [talking about the Miami Herold]. Flip this over. Notice that the backside of your newspaper is utterly unencumbered by cords, plugs, telephone jacks or USB connections. To hell with Bluetooth technology. We were wireless long before wireless was cool. This quote, by Frank Grimm columnist in the Miami Herold, makes a valid point in saying how people want to turn to someplace quick to gather their news. And it is thought that wireless Internet is the quickest way to get news. But Grimm may prove that statement false, because unlike computers and the Internet, newspapers are quick. Nothing has to be hooked up or downloaded, or installed. All a person needs to do is simply...read!
So yes, the Internet has had some sort of impact on the newspapers of today. People are not only relying on them for information, instead they are finding quicker ways around them for news and information. They are turning to web sites dedicated to local, national, and world wide news, they are turning to blogs for information, and they are even possibly turning to message boards and slow moving conversations on the Internet for news information. However all of this does not mean that newspapers are going to become obsolete. There is still a place in the world for newspapers, and that place holds important. Why? Because there are many people who cannot afford to use the Internet, and still many who do not understand the way the Internet works.
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
In Observance
It may seem earlier than usual this year, but yes it's true, Ash Wednesday is tomorrow, February 21st. A lot of people seem to forget this religious day, and often times forget to go to their church or parish to have these ashes placed upon their head. College students, who do practice their faith, often forget about this religious day because of the ever so busy schedules. It's as if they find any excuse under the sun not to take part in it. But Monmouth University students and employees, especially those who want to take part in observing this day, don't have an excuse anymore.
Monmouth University's Catholic Center, in the observance of Ash Wednesday, will be bringing in a local Priest in to conduct prayer services and to give out the important ashes. Father Joe Farrell will be on capus tomorrow afternoon to help MU students and employees observe thi day at 12:05 pm, 12:45 pm, and at 1:30 pm in Wilson Auditorium.
It seems that a lot of people observe this day without really knowing or understanding what Ash Wednesday truly is. Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent. Lent is the time (46 days to be exact) before Easter Sunday. Technically thought, Lent is thought to be only 40 days long since each Sunday is not counted because often times, most Catholics believe Sunday's to be "little Easter."
So, now that you know what it is it is, why are ashes placed upon ones head? The priest normally places the ashes in the shape of a cross on ones head to show that that person recieving the ashes, as a repentance before God. It's also known for many practicing Catholics to fast and to abstain from eating meat on this day.
It's a good thing that Monmouth University 's Catholic Center is taking the time out to observe this imporant religious day. It not only helps those who are Catholic in the Monmouth community, but it also helps when their days and nights get too busy to stop by their local church or parish.
"I think it's good because it gives people the opportunity to fulfill a holy day of observation," says Christina Delbane, secretary in the Monmouth University Communication Department.
Having the Catholic Center host such religious days isn't only important to the Catholic Center. It is also important to those who chose to take part in such religious days of observation. It's imporant because most have to go out of their way to observe such a day. At least for the people who work and go to school here, these services are just footsteps away.
The Catholic Center not only offers prayer services for this one specific day, it also will hold a number of services during the Lent/Easter Season.
"Mass will be celebrated every Wednesday during the season of Lent in Withey Chapel (Wilson Hall) at 12:05 pm," said Sharon Codd, announcing the obersvance day to the Monmouth University community.
So if you're a practicing Catholic, who wants to observe this Holy day, please remember that Monmouth University's Catholic Center is here for you to use, whether it's a Holy day or not.
Monmouth University's Catholic Center, in the observance of Ash Wednesday, will be bringing in a local Priest in to conduct prayer services and to give out the important ashes. Father Joe Farrell will be on capus tomorrow afternoon to help MU students and employees observe thi day at 12:05 pm, 12:45 pm, and at 1:30 pm in Wilson Auditorium.
It seems that a lot of people observe this day without really knowing or understanding what Ash Wednesday truly is. Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent. Lent is the time (46 days to be exact) before Easter Sunday. Technically thought, Lent is thought to be only 40 days long since each Sunday is not counted because often times, most Catholics believe Sunday's to be "little Easter."
So, now that you know what it is it is, why are ashes placed upon ones head? The priest normally places the ashes in the shape of a cross on ones head to show that that person recieving the ashes, as a repentance before God. It's also known for many practicing Catholics to fast and to abstain from eating meat on this day.
It's a good thing that Monmouth University 's Catholic Center is taking the time out to observe this imporant religious day. It not only helps those who are Catholic in the Monmouth community, but it also helps when their days and nights get too busy to stop by their local church or parish.
"I think it's good because it gives people the opportunity to fulfill a holy day of observation," says Christina Delbane, secretary in the Monmouth University Communication Department.
Having the Catholic Center host such religious days isn't only important to the Catholic Center. It is also important to those who chose to take part in such religious days of observation. It's imporant because most have to go out of their way to observe such a day. At least for the people who work and go to school here, these services are just footsteps away.
The Catholic Center not only offers prayer services for this one specific day, it also will hold a number of services during the Lent/Easter Season.
"Mass will be celebrated every Wednesday during the season of Lent in Withey Chapel (Wilson Hall) at 12:05 pm," said Sharon Codd, announcing the obersvance day to the Monmouth University community.
So if you're a practicing Catholic, who wants to observe this Holy day, please remember that Monmouth University's Catholic Center is here for you to use, whether it's a Holy day or not.
Monday, February 19, 2007
I've Got Better Things To Do Than Sit Around and F*** My Head, Hang out With The Living Dead...I've Got The Straight Edge
I started thinking about this the other day when I was bopping along in my car with my iPod blasting through my car stereo...I don't think that musicians realize how powerful their music could be. I don't think musicians realize how much they could help a person in understanding different issues within their own life. I don't think musicians realize how their fans perceive their music, as if the fans favorite band is speaking only to them, not the other other 1000 people that are called their "fans". I don't think that they realize how some songs hold up after years and years, past their given time.
Take Minor Threat (a punk band of the early 80s from Washington DC) for example. I don't think that Ian MacKaye knew the impact his one song, "Straight Edge," would have on the world today. Ok, maybe not the world, but to all the straight edge kids, teens, young adults, and even adults today. I don't think Minor Threat thought about the impact they would have on the whole straight edge subculture. If only they knew...
I'm not going to ramble on and on about what straight edge is, or what it stands for, or what it represents for the people who follow this philosophy. I will, however, quickly, tell what straight edge is. Basically its a subculture that that has stemmed for the hardcore punk scene. People within this culture are called "straight edgers" and abstain from alcohol consumption, drug use, and promiscuous sex. I will also say this, straight edge and straight edgers get a bad reputation a lot of the time, and for many different reasons. Most of the times it is because straight edge is perceive to be a gang...it's not a gang! No one has to be beat into the subculture! It could also be because most straight edgers are perceived (by non-straight edgers) as elitists, or even uptight cause they don't know how to "party". And still because some straight edgers are very militant and preacher-like when it comes to their straight edge beliefs.
Ok, I could ramble all day about straight edge. Let's just say it's important to me.... But think if Minor Threat or Ian MacKaye hadn't started this wave in the early 80s? Would this subculture be as thriving as it is now? Would Wikipedia ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Straight_edge )have information on it? Maybe, but maybe not.
It's just something to think about.
Take Minor Threat (a punk band of the early 80s from Washington DC) for example. I don't think that Ian MacKaye knew the impact his one song, "Straight Edge," would have on the world today. Ok, maybe not the world, but to all the straight edge kids, teens, young adults, and even adults today. I don't think Minor Threat thought about the impact they would have on the whole straight edge subculture. If only they knew...
I'm not going to ramble on and on about what straight edge is, or what it stands for, or what it represents for the people who follow this philosophy. I will, however, quickly, tell what straight edge is. Basically its a subculture that that has stemmed for the hardcore punk scene. People within this culture are called "straight edgers" and abstain from alcohol consumption, drug use, and promiscuous sex. I will also say this, straight edge and straight edgers get a bad reputation a lot of the time, and for many different reasons. Most of the times it is because straight edge is perceive to be a gang...it's not a gang! No one has to be beat into the subculture! It could also be because most straight edgers are perceived (by non-straight edgers) as elitists, or even uptight cause they don't know how to "party". And still because some straight edgers are very militant and preacher-like when it comes to their straight edge beliefs.
Ok, I could ramble all day about straight edge. Let's just say it's important to me.... But think if Minor Threat or Ian MacKaye hadn't started this wave in the early 80s? Would this subculture be as thriving as it is now? Would Wikipedia ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Straight_edge )have information on it? Maybe, but maybe not.
It's just something to think about.
1. School of Public Health
http://sph.umdnj.edu/staff/staffDetail.cfm?tblPers_ID_pk=311
This site, The School of Public Health, is a site that offers information on the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. It links to the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services on New Jersey's official site.
2. Ambassador of The United States- Paris France
http://www.amb-usa.fr/az/e/etats.htm
This is a French site that gave information on the United States, each of the 50 states, and when the states became states. Each state was linked to it's official web site.
3. Issues Management, LLC
http://www.issuesllc.com/links.htm
This site was the Issues Management's link page. It not only offered a link to New Jersey's official site, but it also offered links to other official sites such as Politics NJ, and to the Governor of NJ.
4. New Jersey Legislature
http://www.issuesllc.com/links.htm
This site was about New Jersey's Legislature, and it also offered information on the state flag. In its link section the first link was to New Jersey's official web site.
5. Evesham NJ Site
http://www.twp.evesham.nj.us/local_links.htm
This link brings you to the Evesham's link page. The very first link is to New Jersey official web site.
http://sph.umdnj.edu/staff/staffDetail.cfm?tblPers_ID_pk=311
This site, The School of Public Health, is a site that offers information on the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. It links to the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services on New Jersey's official site.
2. Ambassador of The United States- Paris France
http://www.amb-usa.fr/az/e/etats.htm
This is a French site that gave information on the United States, each of the 50 states, and when the states became states. Each state was linked to it's official web site.
3. Issues Management, LLC
http://www.issuesllc.com/links.htm
This site was the Issues Management's link page. It not only offered a link to New Jersey's official site, but it also offered links to other official sites such as Politics NJ, and to the Governor of NJ.
4. New Jersey Legislature
http://www.issuesllc.com/links.htm
This site was about New Jersey's Legislature, and it also offered information on the state flag. In its link section the first link was to New Jersey's official web site.
5. Evesham NJ Site
http://www.twp.evesham.nj.us/local_links.htm
This link brings you to the Evesham's link page. The very first link is to New Jersey official web site.
Sunday, February 11, 2007
Lawrence.com
First things first, what really grabbed my attention when I first visited the site was that at the top it read: "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised (It Will Be Blogged)" I thought that was interesting because it just shows how one form of media/communication is slowly, possibly taking over another, older form.
From the looks of Lawrence.com you get a strong sense that it's geared toward a college town. The site gives information hip and happening restaurants, it also features a calendar of events, drink specials, and even listings for jobs. Those are all things that college students today are interested in, or at least that's what I guess they would be interested in.
The one thing that I liked a lot was how the site offered a whole section to music itself, not just entertainment as I've seen in other sites we had to visit. It not only offers a whole section but it also offers news/info on local bands, downloads, reviews, music videos, and more. This is most appealing to me because I love music and it made me think that if Monmouth had something like this I would be more prone to visiting the site, and not just for e-mail purposes. Another thing that was appealing was that the site had a blogging section, where (as I'm taking it) many users can post their own blog and other users are free to read it.
I think the blogging feature on the site helps in the sites interactivity because it connects users to one another. It may not be as quick as instant messaging but it is open to the whole community of users and it opens up more interactivity.
The images used on the site, I think, were minimal. But the pictures that I did have, whether for an advertisement or for a movie review, they were loud (not in a noise sense) and bold. They made you want to see what the picture is in reference to. As far as I could tell, there seemed to be a decent amount of media. Like I mentioned before, there are blogs and music videos, but not only that users can download mp3's, users can view, not only music videos, but also indie film videos, and even the news.
You could tell, that this site, right off the bat, is geared to a younger crowd of people, a crowd of people say anywhere from 18-mid twenties. A typical college aged crowd. I can see this being useful to college students because everything they could ever want to know or need to know is directly at their fingertips when it comes to this site. They could get their news, the review of the movie they are going to see later that night, can catch up on a friend's blog, and even discover some new music, all while figuring out where to take a date to a nice dinner and afterward some cheap drinks!
What more could a college student want?
From the looks of Lawrence.com you get a strong sense that it's geared toward a college town. The site gives information hip and happening restaurants, it also features a calendar of events, drink specials, and even listings for jobs. Those are all things that college students today are interested in, or at least that's what I guess they would be interested in.
The one thing that I liked a lot was how the site offered a whole section to music itself, not just entertainment as I've seen in other sites we had to visit. It not only offers a whole section but it also offers news/info on local bands, downloads, reviews, music videos, and more. This is most appealing to me because I love music and it made me think that if Monmouth had something like this I would be more prone to visiting the site, and not just for e-mail purposes. Another thing that was appealing was that the site had a blogging section, where (as I'm taking it) many users can post their own blog and other users are free to read it.
I think the blogging feature on the site helps in the sites interactivity because it connects users to one another. It may not be as quick as instant messaging but it is open to the whole community of users and it opens up more interactivity.
The images used on the site, I think, were minimal. But the pictures that I did have, whether for an advertisement or for a movie review, they were loud (not in a noise sense) and bold. They made you want to see what the picture is in reference to. As far as I could tell, there seemed to be a decent amount of media. Like I mentioned before, there are blogs and music videos, but not only that users can download mp3's, users can view, not only music videos, but also indie film videos, and even the news.
You could tell, that this site, right off the bat, is geared to a younger crowd of people, a crowd of people say anywhere from 18-mid twenties. A typical college aged crowd. I can see this being useful to college students because everything they could ever want to know or need to know is directly at their fingertips when it comes to this site. They could get their news, the review of the movie they are going to see later that night, can catch up on a friend's blog, and even discover some new music, all while figuring out where to take a date to a nice dinner and afterward some cheap drinks!
What more could a college student want?
No Hardcore Dancing In the Living Room
I guess you can say that I've always known what I wanted to do with my life since I was a little girl. I wasn't the girl who thumbed through her parents wedding album (mostlikely because they don't have one!) thinking to herself how all she wanted to do in life was be a wife and a mommy. I wasn't the girl who lined up all her dolls and taught them different lessons out of her school books, thinking that one day she'll be teaching real people instead of her cabaggepatch dolls. I wasn't even the girl who hadn't a clue as to what she wanted to be when she grew up. I've always known. I will always know.
Even though I've always known what I wanted to do with the rest of my life, as graduation very slowly creeps up behind me, it's hard for me to say the exact job I want after college. I do know this though: I would love to land a job, directly out of college, that allows me to write about what I love most: music. Yes, you've guessed it I want to be a "rock" journalist! I would love nothing more than to review shows, cds, and interview as many and all musicians that I can. If I could land a job like this out of college, I definitely think that it could help lead to the one job that I would kill to have...working at AP:Alternative Press magazine for a living.
I know, I know, every rock journalist wants to write for Rolling Stone, and yes I'll admit that Rolling Stone is an AMAZING publication, but it's just too grand scale for me to even think about at this moment in my life, and the truth of the matter is, that AP caters to the music that makes me who I am today, the music that I love, that drives me to do what I want to do.
I don't know the job I want after college. Or let me rephrase that, I don't know the exact place I want to work when I graduate. But all I could tell you these two things 1) I have some ideas floating around my head, and that I'm definitely applying to The Aquarian, because it just may be the right stepping stone that I need in order to land the AP job! And 2) I don't plan on having a job, I plan on having a career. There's a big difference.
Even though I've always known what I wanted to do with the rest of my life, as graduation very slowly creeps up behind me, it's hard for me to say the exact job I want after college. I do know this though: I would love to land a job, directly out of college, that allows me to write about what I love most: music. Yes, you've guessed it I want to be a "rock" journalist! I would love nothing more than to review shows, cds, and interview as many and all musicians that I can. If I could land a job like this out of college, I definitely think that it could help lead to the one job that I would kill to have...working at AP:Alternative Press magazine for a living.
I know, I know, every rock journalist wants to write for Rolling Stone, and yes I'll admit that Rolling Stone is an AMAZING publication, but it's just too grand scale for me to even think about at this moment in my life, and the truth of the matter is, that AP caters to the music that makes me who I am today, the music that I love, that drives me to do what I want to do.
I don't know the job I want after college. Or let me rephrase that, I don't know the exact place I want to work when I graduate. But all I could tell you these two things 1) I have some ideas floating around my head, and that I'm definitely applying to The Aquarian, because it just may be the right stepping stone that I need in order to land the AP job! And 2) I don't plan on having a job, I plan on having a career. There's a big difference.
One Question?
Monmouth University....If I could ask one question about it, I would have to ask: Why does Monmouth University require its students, who are paying a substantial amount of money to attend, to take classes that have nothing to do with their majors, or are absolutely pointless to take?
As the countdown to graduation starts I begin to think about this in reflection of the past three years that I've been here. I don't understand the reasoning of taking Critical Discourse if you've already taken and passed a public speaking course. It's basically the same format...but oh wait, I forgot, Monmouth is a business, not an educational institution! It really doesn't care about what its students take or don't take as long as it's making money, and lots of money at that! Critical Discourse, for me personally, was a waste of time, simply because I really did not learn much. I knew how to give a formal speech (thanks to high school AND the public speaking class that I was REQUIRED to take here at Monmouth), I already knew how to conduct a debate since I've done it several times in the past, so for me, what's the point? It's not like it has anything to do with my major?
Yet again, I don't understand the point of taking Senior Seminar. I understand it's supposed to be a wrap up of all four years at Monmouth, and what you've learned in those four years. But what I don't understand is why are we required to write the exact same paper we wrote in Comm Theory? I mean, wasn't Comm Theory bad enough? I know for me it was! And maybe this doesn't apply to all Sen Sem classes, maybe just the one that I'm in, I don't understand how the professor is "teaching" us to write a research/lit review paper when, honestly we should have known how to write a paper like this entering college! I also don't understand how a professor can sit there and say that he, himself hasn't written a "real" research paper because he was a Theater major, but he knows that all the paper's that he has read were not well written, and flat out bad! How could he be the judge of that if he admits that he never really wrote a research/lit review? Another class that's a waste of my time, especially since I drive over an hour to sit there for 45 mins., and another class that is a waste of my parents hard earned money. Why? Because Monmouth is money hungry.
I don't think that it's just Monmouth University that is money hungry, I think it's the majority of colleges today. I think maybe, if colleges stopped acting like a business and more like a place for people to grow intellectually, maybe there would be smarter people in the world, and running it.
As the countdown to graduation starts I begin to think about this in reflection of the past three years that I've been here. I don't understand the reasoning of taking Critical Discourse if you've already taken and passed a public speaking course. It's basically the same format...but oh wait, I forgot, Monmouth is a business, not an educational institution! It really doesn't care about what its students take or don't take as long as it's making money, and lots of money at that! Critical Discourse, for me personally, was a waste of time, simply because I really did not learn much. I knew how to give a formal speech (thanks to high school AND the public speaking class that I was REQUIRED to take here at Monmouth), I already knew how to conduct a debate since I've done it several times in the past, so for me, what's the point? It's not like it has anything to do with my major?
Yet again, I don't understand the point of taking Senior Seminar. I understand it's supposed to be a wrap up of all four years at Monmouth, and what you've learned in those four years. But what I don't understand is why are we required to write the exact same paper we wrote in Comm Theory? I mean, wasn't Comm Theory bad enough? I know for me it was! And maybe this doesn't apply to all Sen Sem classes, maybe just the one that I'm in, I don't understand how the professor is "teaching" us to write a research/lit review paper when, honestly we should have known how to write a paper like this entering college! I also don't understand how a professor can sit there and say that he, himself hasn't written a "real" research paper because he was a Theater major, but he knows that all the paper's that he has read were not well written, and flat out bad! How could he be the judge of that if he admits that he never really wrote a research/lit review? Another class that's a waste of my time, especially since I drive over an hour to sit there for 45 mins., and another class that is a waste of my parents hard earned money. Why? Because Monmouth is money hungry.
I don't think that it's just Monmouth University that is money hungry, I think it's the majority of colleges today. I think maybe, if colleges stopped acting like a business and more like a place for people to grow intellectually, maybe there would be smarter people in the world, and running it.
Monday, February 5, 2007
Anonymous Sources
The world of journalism is filled with many practices that lend integrity to both the reporters and to the newspapers. Many of those practices are very black and white, while others fall within that gray, shaded area of uncertainty. This is what makes journalism as a field of employment and of study no so clear cut.
One of those practices within this field is the practice of using anonymous sources. This is a practice that is often debated upon, and one of those practices that lies in that gray area. Should anonymous sources be used? Shouldn't they be used? Do they lower the integrity of a reporter/newspaper? Even though all of these, plus many more, questions arise, the use of anonymous sources should be allowed and not debated upon as if it’s a terrible thing for journalists to practice.
What exactly is an anonymous source? An anonymous source is a person that is used for information in a news story, that remains unnamed in name, background information, and title.
There are two main reasons of why anonymous sources should be allowed and why this subject should not be debated on. The first of those reasons is because anonymous sources have helped greatly in making journalistic achievements in the past. And the second of those reasons is because without anonymous sources, valuable information will be with held from the reporters, and therefore the readers of the newspaper.
The first of the two reasons is because anonymous sources, in the past, have helped greatly in making journalistic achievements. This biggest anonymous source used in journalism history, had to be “Deep Throat” the anonymous source that Woodward and Bernstein used in the uncovering Washington Post story (or rather stories) about the Watergate Scandal.
Without the use of an anonymous source (in this particular case) Woodward and Bernstein may not have made such an achievement. Not only that, but it could be argued that Americans (as a whole politically) may be more naive than ever believing that their President, whether it be Nixon, Clinton, or Bush can do no wrong. When the fact is, that President's too are human and can do wrong.
This was such an important source that even CBS News wrote a public eye piece about it, and where this practice truly started(http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2005/11/16/publiceye/entry1047891.shtml). The article addressed many issues surrounding the use of "Deep Throat" and why Woodward, Bernstein, or Ben Bradlee refused to give up their most valuable source.
Another site, Free Republic, also sheds light onto "Deep Throat" as an anonymous source with an article about when "Deep Throat" himself revealed who he was. ( http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1415616/posts). This article shows how anonymous sources can offer valuable information, and without them that information may never get to the reporters or to the readers who read newspapers.
"W. Mark Felt's role in guiding The Washington Post's Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein toward a massive criminal conspiracy involving the president of the United States is a reminder of the healthy role that confidential sources can play in shining a cleansing light on wrongdoing. "
The article gave insight to the Watergate Scandal as well as to reasons of why this anonymous source decided he didn't want to remain anonymous forever. Some of those reasons being that he wasn't doing well, health wise, and that it was one way to get around a very corrupt system that the United States government goes by.
On the other hand the use of anonymous sources could lower the reporter's/newspaper's integrity, and the truth of the matter is that the information these sources give out may not be accurate information.
Reporters and the newspapers that they report for are supposed to be honest, independent, and fair among most things. If a reporter and/or newspaper do not tell where they are getting their information from can they really be considered honest or fair? It's not being honest because they are with holding valuable information from their readers, the people that support their newspaper as an institution.
This practice may also be considered unfair. When working in such a field like journalism, anything said or offered to a reporter/newspaper is fair game and should be allowed to use freely, as the newspaper so chooses.
Still, another reason of why anonymous sources could lower integrity is the fact that the information given to the reporter/newspaper by the source may not be completely true. In fact, it could be totally made up. An example of this could be Stephen Glass. Stephen Glass (http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/05/07/60minutes/main552819.shtml) was a reporter who fabricated all of his stories, making up information as he went along. If a reporter, who is supposed to be honest and responsible, is capable of doing such a thing, than it is very possible for sources to make up things.
All of the reasons about shed light onto whether or not these sources should be used. And whether they are or aren't used is completely at the newspaper's and the reporter's discretion. However, because of the reasons stated about, it supports the idea that the use of anonymous sources should be used and not be debated over whether or not they should be used. Anonymous sources really are not the problem in journalism, the real problem lies in how those sources are used.
Anonymous sources do get a bad reputation due to the few people that abuse them. But overall they can be considered to be a good thing because they are helpful to the reporter, to the story, to the newspaper, and to the readers of the United States.
One of those practices within this field is the practice of using anonymous sources. This is a practice that is often debated upon, and one of those practices that lies in that gray area. Should anonymous sources be used? Shouldn't they be used? Do they lower the integrity of a reporter/newspaper? Even though all of these, plus many more, questions arise, the use of anonymous sources should be allowed and not debated upon as if it’s a terrible thing for journalists to practice.
What exactly is an anonymous source? An anonymous source is a person that is used for information in a news story, that remains unnamed in name, background information, and title.
There are two main reasons of why anonymous sources should be allowed and why this subject should not be debated on. The first of those reasons is because anonymous sources have helped greatly in making journalistic achievements in the past. And the second of those reasons is because without anonymous sources, valuable information will be with held from the reporters, and therefore the readers of the newspaper.
The first of the two reasons is because anonymous sources, in the past, have helped greatly in making journalistic achievements. This biggest anonymous source used in journalism history, had to be “Deep Throat” the anonymous source that Woodward and Bernstein used in the uncovering Washington Post story (or rather stories) about the Watergate Scandal.
Without the use of an anonymous source (in this particular case) Woodward and Bernstein may not have made such an achievement. Not only that, but it could be argued that Americans (as a whole politically) may be more naive than ever believing that their President, whether it be Nixon, Clinton, or Bush can do no wrong. When the fact is, that President's too are human and can do wrong.
This was such an important source that even CBS News wrote a public eye piece about it, and where this practice truly started(http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2005/11/16/publiceye/entry1047891.shtml). The article addressed many issues surrounding the use of "Deep Throat" and why Woodward, Bernstein, or Ben Bradlee refused to give up their most valuable source.
Another site, Free Republic, also sheds light onto "Deep Throat" as an anonymous source with an article about when "Deep Throat" himself revealed who he was. ( http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1415616/posts). This article shows how anonymous sources can offer valuable information, and without them that information may never get to the reporters or to the readers who read newspapers.
"W. Mark Felt's role in guiding The Washington Post's Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein toward a massive criminal conspiracy involving the president of the United States is a reminder of the healthy role that confidential sources can play in shining a cleansing light on wrongdoing. "
The article gave insight to the Watergate Scandal as well as to reasons of why this anonymous source decided he didn't want to remain anonymous forever. Some of those reasons being that he wasn't doing well, health wise, and that it was one way to get around a very corrupt system that the United States government goes by.
On the other hand the use of anonymous sources could lower the reporter's/newspaper's integrity, and the truth of the matter is that the information these sources give out may not be accurate information.
Reporters and the newspapers that they report for are supposed to be honest, independent, and fair among most things. If a reporter and/or newspaper do not tell where they are getting their information from can they really be considered honest or fair? It's not being honest because they are with holding valuable information from their readers, the people that support their newspaper as an institution.
This practice may also be considered unfair. When working in such a field like journalism, anything said or offered to a reporter/newspaper is fair game and should be allowed to use freely, as the newspaper so chooses.
Still, another reason of why anonymous sources could lower integrity is the fact that the information given to the reporter/newspaper by the source may not be completely true. In fact, it could be totally made up. An example of this could be Stephen Glass. Stephen Glass (http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/05/07/60minutes/main552819.shtml) was a reporter who fabricated all of his stories, making up information as he went along. If a reporter, who is supposed to be honest and responsible, is capable of doing such a thing, than it is very possible for sources to make up things.
All of the reasons about shed light onto whether or not these sources should be used. And whether they are or aren't used is completely at the newspaper's and the reporter's discretion. However, because of the reasons stated about, it supports the idea that the use of anonymous sources should be used and not be debated over whether or not they should be used. Anonymous sources really are not the problem in journalism, the real problem lies in how those sources are used.
Anonymous sources do get a bad reputation due to the few people that abuse them. But overall they can be considered to be a good thing because they are helpful to the reporter, to the story, to the newspaper, and to the readers of the United States.
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