Roger's Miscellaneous Adventures

A must watch video!

2008-12-18T19:39:00.001-08:00

So yea, I was bored and taking a break from working on finals.

Is it the MOST wonderful time, of the year?

2008-12-07T18:43:00.000-08:00

Its that time of year again, where we shop till we drop. Well, not all of us to say the least. The economy is doing so poor right now, it sucks really. I think someone had told me that the sales generated from the past black friday were the worst among years. Then again not many people have the money to splurge. We are in the midst of a recession too. Being a poor, starving artist/college student too, I try to make the best of it all. Well, not the best as I tend to have a bad habit of spending, spending, and even more spending. Its a never ending, viscous cycle I would say. Maybe that's why I am not doing to hot in school right now.

With my hunger for the latest fashion styles and trying to keep up with my tech toys, I find myself working for these as opposed to studying. What I mean by working is I seem to be spending more hours at Trader Joe's slaving away for 8-10 hours; 2-3 times a week making signs for them, and I guess this hunger I have for the finer things in life come at a price. My savings should be higher then it should be, I have an exploding closet of clothes and my grades aren't that well. So who ever did say Christmas was the most wonderful time of the year? Debt adds up, I work more to pay for it all and for what? I seemed to have dug myself in a deep grave and with 1 week of instruction and a week left of finals, I am at a loss it seems. Is it too late to pick myself up and fix it all? Only the last two weeks shall tell...

Its Britney Bitch.

2008-12-04T20:58:00.000-08:00

I guess I have to admit, I have this huge fascination of Britney Spears. Its hard NOT to follow the tabloids as she is one of the most sought after celebrities. Come on now, Baby One More Time? She has been around for about 10 years and love her, or hate her, she will never go away (or at least thats what I think). Well I am glad for her, if you have followed any news of her, she has spiraled out of control and is back on track again. She recently let the world in on her life on a MTV documentary and let the how world know how she is feeling and why she has done the things she has done. Well she's back. She may not have the body she used to, or the dance moves that she used to but at least we (the world) think she's back on track. As a teenager, I loved her and I am proud to admit that. Growing up, people tend to be fake and deny their love for certain things just to be cool. So its nice to get that out in the open.

Why am I writing about her you ask? Well you sort of feel this sadness for this girl. She's rich, but all the money in the world can't buy her what she wants, which is privacy. She is tailed everyday by the paparazzi and its never none stop. She is like a bug who is always under constant observation and we can only hope she won't kill herself because of it. Can you imagine though? I mean I myself am an artist so I'd never be THAT famous, but to have your life be under constant observation....that's crazy, right? I'd certainly go nuts if I couldn't go anywhere. Meh, well I guess that's it for this blog, or thats what really on my mind for today.

Art History Bites...

2008-10-26T20:37:00.001-07:00

The big question we ask ourselves as artist and designers going to school at the State college and University level, Why do we need to take Art History? I know we take general history because we need to learn from the past or else we will be doomed to repeat it, but why art history? Nothing seems to be a mistake really in my opinion. Art is art, its fun, crazy, it lets one have fun and be creative and messy. I guess I am only blogging because I am really frustrated with school in general. Its overwhelming at times and I feel like giving up. Perhaps its the "senioritis" I am experiencing right now? Or maybe I am burn out from the last four years of college being a full time student while maintaining two jobs? I don't know what my deal is but I am falling behind terribly in school right now. Whats worse? The two art history classes are killing me, followed by my flash class, and internet production class. Is it possible to pick up my slack and catch up, or is it too late? We shall see as we are a lil past the midway point and theres not turning back. Stay behind? Or pick myself up and graduate on time? We shall see...

Check Major Please!

2008-10-14T09:39:00.000-07:00

Is it bad I feel like I don't belong? So I've been questioning myself over, and over and over again, should I be in this thing called art? I've questioned myself as to why I entered this major. I like some art, I came into art being inspired by Pixar, but wait? Isn't that Animation Illustration? Well, I knew I did not have the patience to draw so I took up Graphic Design. As I progressed in my years here at SJSU, I decided to just go for my BA in Graphic Design, because I had recently gotten accepted into our BFA program of Digital Media Art. I came into this major expecting that I could learn a tid-bid of everything. from improving my graphic design skills to learning flash and making cool websites. Though there seems to be so much more to this major.

DMA, defined by SJSU as a fine art study which is totally different from Design studies which DO include Graphic Design. *sigh*. Was it me, or did my teacher say "if your questioning what your doing, then you shouldn't be in this major". So what am I doing? I like art, but what do I know? There so much to learn and yet I feel so un-accomplished as an artist. I mean I don't even know what I want to do in my future endeavors yet as an artist. That is why I question "What the hell am I doing here?" My good friends always tell me to stop second guessing myself but maybe I am just to self absorbed to understand this thing called art. I have all this time I could use to research and see whats out there, but what do I do? I feel like I am doing nothing with my time, life for that matter. Why do I beat myself up about this stuff though?

Rethinking my choice of college, perhaps I did make a mistake (be it School and choice of major within the art field). As much as I like Digital Media Art, maybe it was the wrong path for me. I mean as much as I wanted to learn flash, I learned to hate it more then ever after taking 101b, but its all the technical things that drives me nuts (technical would be the Action Script which is horribly dry and boring). What is it do I want to do? I have a thing for fashion which IS art. I think this discovery changes everything. Before, I just strived to succeed but this past year has nothing but questioning and falling fast and failing hard (or is that vice-versa?). So after I graduate, although I can't set my future in stone, I will for sure take a year off and originally I thought to check out the MFA program for DMA at UCLA but I think I have another optional path, to check out FIDM at San Francisco. That is the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising for those who don't know. Who knows, life is full of surprises so who knows where I will end up, what I will do...heh. I guess that's all for this entry...DMA or FIDM?

Rashomon

2008-10-09T02:04:00.001-07:00

So for our next project here in art 105, we are to team up with one other person to create a movie. However, its not as simple as you think. However many people are in your group, you owe thirty seconds per person of a recreation of a movie. The movie chosen is Rashomon, an old Japanese film from the 50's I believe. The person I will be working with for this Project is Jared A. and we have to do a 1 minute re-enactment from the movie Rashomon. Sound simple? Its not.

Well, the pro's: You get to work with someone and it is helpful. The con's are its not that simple recreating a movie that has already been done. Getting the same exact camera angles are going to be hard, Panning and following a person is also going to be tough when you don't have the proper equipment. The good news is I found the perfect location of where we can film our movie, my complex. The layout of my apartment works perfectly as it is a modern day version of the set in my opinion. Also for the scene of when the young Japanese woman is crying, the backdrop of my parking area is perfect for that scene. It is perfect and works out. Now its just a matter of getting the actors we need and the help we need. We shall see how things will go. Jared is scouting out the actors while I prep my place :) Well I guess thats all for now.

Rolling....and ACTION! Its CMF!

2008-09-25T17:16:00.001-07:00

So this will be my first year helping out in Campus Movie Fest (for those of who don't know, CMF is claimed to be the largest student film festival around the world). Jason C., one of my art 105 classmates is teaming up with John G. to create a movie based off of hit game of the 80's PacMan. Interesting concept, well sorta. I just feel for one to really grasp the concept of Pacman, they had to of played the game when they were growing up.

Anyhoo, other's who have also participated on the group is Anthony, Myself, John G, Jason C, Jared A, Nick R, and lastly Eric D. The movie happened to be filmed the weekend of my 22nd birthday too so I was only able to contribute a day of filming for our group. It sucked that I was unable to help out more but I had made plans for my birthday weekend a month in advance. Friday the 26th, I had planned to celebrate with friends. The 27th was dedicated to filming our movie and at night my sister took me out to the City for dinner and Sunday the 28; my actual birthday my parents took me out to dinner. It was a fabulous weekend :) But my birthday news aside, here is our groups movie: Perfect Play. The movie that is based off the famous but also classic game of Pacman. Enjoy!

http://www.campusmoviefest.com/cgi-bin/WebObjects/IdeaFlow.woa/wa/showAMovie?movieID=3596

A life after college, coming soon?

2008-09-17T19:21:00.000-07:00

So assuming I pass all my classes this Fall and Spring, I am hoping to graduate in the Spring of 2009. Its about time! But do I really feel ready to leave? A part of me wants to leave SJSU so badly, a part of me feels like I am not ready. Ready for what? Did I get prepared for the real world? Has SJSU given me the proper training? I feel as if I am not ready to take on the real world, Hell I honestly don't know if I am even in the right major. Am I coming up short in the confidence department or am I second guessing myself in the work that I do?

I guess when I was growing up, I was never confident in the work that I did. Or maybe I did, but in the process of growing up, the competition got stronger and better. I know in life there will always be people who are better at things then one would like to be. I look at where I am, and I just feel stuck. This semester I feel I lack the passion to help propel me forward in life. Why is it that I am struggling in 101b (the flash action script class) and also this video class of art 105? I feel so unsuccessful despite people telling me other wise. When I do something, I want it to be amazing. However, I somehow lost the drive. What is it? Being in my 5th year of college, I feel overwhelmed I guess. There could be numerous reasons why I don't have the "passion" to do well. I guess thats it though, Its hard to explain and I will leave my blog at THAT. I am just such a complicated person to understand....

A new Proposal...

2008-09-12T22:55:00.000-07:00

So here is my new story proposal for my Video class. I hope my story is much better than before:

It started as a nice day. It was warm outside, Beautiful surroundings, a picnic would sound nice. Sadly I was at the office sitting in my cubical. 5 minutes to go before the board meeting. As I went to the board room, we had begun. I thought to my self, when it would be all over. "YADA YADA YADA, BLAH BLAH BLAH! Ugh, shut the hell up, do I really care about this company? Do I care if we make money? Loose money? Im just here to make money so I can make ends meet. I sat there staring at the clock as we had 5 minutes to go before our boss would rap up what he had to say. "JAAARREDD!" He yelled to me,"How much money did you spend this quarter for expenses?" And I quickly stumbled to me feet and scrunching through my papers to find the numbers. "Uh, sir for our marketing and advertising division we spent roughly 7 thousand dollars and...", "What the hell?!, Didn't I say at our last board meeting I would only allocate 5 thousand dollars for your division? It is Crucial you follow it so we don't go over budget, after all, thats what I hired you to do, make sure things stay in check", But Sir" ",No BUTS! Meeting dismissed!". And so the meeting was dismissed. Finally, as it felt like it went on for ages.

I was boiling to the top and ready to burst with anger. I hate this job cuz I don't get paid enough. I wish I could take over and become the boss. After all, he runs this firm and he calls the shots for everything. What can you say though? The Boss has it made, I just wish I could break him. Tie him up and lock him away and take what he has. His company, his beautiful wife, his ride, everything. He is just dirt in my opinion. "whatever though, back to the cubical now for lunch!". as I walked back to the cube, his wife was waiting in there. Everything about her was beautiful. "Jarrod?, do you have any plans for lunch? We could get take out" she had asked. " Oh, sorry to hear that my husband embarrassed you. Let me take you out for lunch". Sure! It beats staying in this box all day + I could use a bite.

During Lunch, she had actually set up a picnic. Its a nice day isn't it? Yea, I said. I thought to myself "it would be great to have a shot at the bosses wife, her eyes sparkle which is a turn on. During this picnic, the bosses wife confessed she hated her husband. " I feel tied down at times, he's always abroad and I feel trapped. It shakes me up at night, being lonely I just break down and cry. "Leave him and come with me" what? I can't. Yes we can. We can capture him, tie him up, lock him up or we can kill him. You should be happy. We can do it tonight at the office as he works late. Be careful as its trespassing after 5pm. We can enter the back, go up the building and ambush him. AND then, we can dispose of him...we can do it nice and slow or we can run him down when he leaves the building, what do you say?

JARODE! Are you okay? Yea, I guess i was day dreaming again at work, in my cube. *sigh*

Parallels...Metaphors...and video, oh my!

2008-09-11T17:15:00.000-07:00

(Art 105, Revamping my blog for a new semester)

I feel so frustrated with this video project right now for art 105. It seems so complicated and I feel lost. What am I doing? I think I just need to re-evaluate my story right now and rewrite the whole thing. I realized, my story is quite similar to what I have had earlier. Here is how it all started. We were in class and we were told to start writing whatever came to mind, it could be anything. With that in mind, we all wrote, and then after 5 minutes, we were told to pass it on to someone we don't know. We did the same procedure and alas here is the original story that I had received:

I need to go to the bathroom kinda. Perhaps I can hold it. Actually I can definitely hold it. I don't need to go as bad as i thought. Soul Eater is a cool manga but its art is a little kiddy. Its story is a little adult but that makes it interesting I guess. I should do something on the next class so I can kill 2 birds with 1 stone. I think the project is on adding to something or amending it. My first idea is to use something digital media.

I think if you want to go to the bathroom you should just get up and go. ha ha ha. On another note, when are we going to actually edit some fucking video in this class, how do you plan to kill the two birds with one stone in your next class? I try to do everything I do now-a-days with that in mind. Does anyone in here own their own business or want to start their own company if so, give a description of what your plans are and how your going to kill 2 birds with 1 stone to get started doing so. This new espresso latte drink I am drinking is gross. Its so quiet in here now I think I need to go to the bathroom. sorry my hand writing is so freakishly sloppy. That's what happens when you are one a computer 24/7 and you hand forgets how to write neatly ha ha ha.

These bathrooms are hella gross. Do they think I pay 70K a year for this shit. I mean come on, you think the new president has to walk through a pool of piss? ha ha ha ha. That would be great. Oh hey, what's up Mr. Piss-man president! That would be worth that tuition money. Damn my wrists hurt. I think I need one of those wrist pads. You know the ones with that gel shit in them. That would be real nice. I could use it to smack this fool awake in front of me. Ha Ha hah ha. That would be a great whack. Slam! Smack! wake the hell up. Wake the hell up. I'm hella tired too. What? Get out. Damn my wrists hurt.

THAT my friend, is the original story that had descended from Jared. Some how I just need to pazzaz that story. The story I had originally created was garbage. Here is what I had concocted:

The clock was ticking *Tick, Tock, Tick, Tock* and everyone was writing frantically while I sat there with a blank stare to my face. "Gosh Golly, I don't know what to do my paper on, these fools around me definitely know what they want to write their paper about". I sat there, thinking about what to do my paper on but was so tired I think I kind of dozed off. After all, that party I went to was off the hook last night. I only wish I could remember what happened...What happens in college, stays in college. Anyhoo, I as closed my eyes for a moment, I found myself in a deep trance of sleep.

I awoke with the urge to go pee. It must have been the Venti Mocha Frappacino I had earlier that gave me the runs. It was weird though, the class was empty and the lights were off. "That's strange...yet RUDE that no one woke me". Well, I thought to myself whatever. I left my bag in the classroom but brought some reading content along while I had to do my business in the bathroom. I brought MANGA, my favorite when I just gotta #2 in the bathroom. *ZIP, Pants come down* as I was reading and sitting, it was silent as I knew I was alone in the bathroom, or so I thought. *FART* "ahhhh" A sigh of relief as I had to drop the kids off at school. While reading, I heard this weird, choking noise coming from the stall next door. I thought to myself, thats impossible, its night time and the bathroom lights were off when I came in. Then I heard crying. A little freaked out, I quickly washed up and ran out of the bathroom. "Oh shieeeet" I left my manga and card key in the stall. Afraid to go back in, I had to. I slowly crept back in, the noise was still going on. it was on the floor, as I inched closer...a pool of water was flooding from the stall making noise, I was thinking "WTF" The stall opened and a dark figure was floating out sideways with LONG ASS HAIR making that noise. I quickly grabbed my key and manga and bounced. I ran down the hall and back into the digital media room. "What the hell was that?" I had no idea what was going on. Then I realized it was the 7th month of the Lunar Calendar year. In Chinese culture, the gates of hell are open and if you don't treat the dead right, or if you do something wrong, you will be chased by the ghost. As I sat there in the class room, water was coming from beneath the door. I was freaking out...The only way out was the windows, but they were shut. The door busted open and the scary asian ghost lady came in. She inched closer and closer, and she said in a scary tone of voice, you killed my two birds with one stone and I will get you for that....and as I thought I was going to die...

WHACK! My friend had pushed me off my seat to wake me up. And the room filled with laughter. "Is everything alright?" our teacher had asked me? and I said everything was fine. Embarrassed, I flipped my friend off who pushed me out of my seat. Embarrassing that the teacher probably knew I was sleep? Embarrassed that my classmates could laugh at me falling? Well maybe I should appreciate the fact that my friend awoke me from a horrible dream.

You see? The story ends there for now. Well I am going to get of this blog for now while I think about how I can change up the script. THAT'S ALL :)

The Magic of Wally World…I mean WALMART!

2008-07-03T21:22:00.001-07:00

Today in our RTVF class, we had a heated discussion on Wal-Mart and the audience they usually cater to. Well the topic for the week I chose to write about relates to the Wal-Mart and the Sheryl Crow Incident. A brief description of what had happened: Wal-Mart is America's largest music retailer, and as such wields a great deal of power. They refuse to carry CDs with images or lyrics their company disapproves of. They refused to carry Sheryl Crow's CD because the lyrics of one of her songs went like this: "Watch out sister/Watch out brother/Watch our children as they kill each other/with a gun they bought at the Wal-Mart discount stores." (PoMoAds, PBS).

I was curious to learn more about this incident and decided to find more information regarding Wal-Mart and the company’s policy on “censoring” the music. Well from what I had found, Wal-Mart has a harsh policy when it comes to music as they refuse to carry any CD’s that carry the notorious parental warning label or anything with explicit content. However, I had gone back to look over what Ms. Crow had wrote in the lyrics and nothing sounded explicit in her lyrical verse. Perhaps it was the fact that she had targeted Wal-Mart, tarnishing the name, so what sort of company would stand for that?

I think its ridiculous as to how Wal-Mart feels they have the right to censor the music. It is true that they have a great deal of power when it comes to the music industry, but to not carry an album because its explicit or they simply disapprove? You would think they would carry everything, but if you really think about it, this is corporate America and they would make so much more money if they carried all sorts of music. Although, Wal-Mart feels they have the right to censor the music because they want to promote family values and make it easy for the parents to not worry that their child is picking up something that might “tarnish” their minds, it all goes back to the fact that the company started in middle America, where its conservative.

I am not saying that it is bad to be conservative, nor am I suggesting people to not shop at Wal-Mart. I personally believe that since Wal-Mart caters to Middle America, which mostly consists of white conservative families, they should keep in mind that not all of America is Conservative (or Middle America). I feel that religion plays a big role in America, especially when it comes to business too. Why else would Wal-Mart censor music? With religion, I feel it dictates people beliefs. Are you Conservative? Are you Liberal? How do you feel about this Policy, and so fourth.

In the long run, I do not think it is right for Wal-Mart to censor the music because as humans, I feel we have the right to choose what we should be able to listen to. Especially with the Sheryl Crow incident, they should have carried her album, as it did not contain explicit content. Although she did make a bad mark with dissing Wal-Mart, you didn’t see Wal-Mart banning Michael Moore’s “Bowling for Columbine” as he knocks the company for selling guns to children in the documentary. I think everyone should be entitled to what their beliefs are, just don't impose it on people! People should be given the option or choice, especially now a days, rappers for example make two versions of their CD's, the explicit version and a clean version, why not carry both? People love choices, so why not give it to them?

What's for dessert? Dark Chocolate or White Chocolate?

2008-07-02T18:29:00.001-07:00

What's cooking? Are we having Cookies and Cream? Oreo's? Just kidding. Better yet, who's coming to dinner? Well, the title says it all as it all rings a bell to the movie that we had just watched called "Guess who's coming to Dinner". The 1967 film, which stars Katharine Hepburn and Sidney Poitier and directed by Stanley Kramer portrays an interracial couple and the potential tribes and tribulations they must face as a couple in the coming years as this was the time of the Civil Rights.

This is a very interesting topic as it depicts how people reacted when there were interracial couples and although its not as shocking as it was in the earlier days, it still remains somewhat of a controversial subject. The movie itself portrays two lovers, a young caucasian female by the name of Joanna Drayton (Hepburn) who is madly in love with a successful black, middle aged male named Dr. John Wade Prentice (played by Poitier). The shocking part is not the fact that it is an interracial couple, but the fact is the way people react to interracial couples and how they feel. Before even meeting Dr. John Wade Prentice, they way Joanna described him seemed to be the man of any woman's dreams. He is a successful doctor, who is smart, caring, sensitive, and well-mannered. That is the description of a perfect gentlemen that any woman and their mothers could wish for. CUT! Lets fast forward to when her mother hears all the gushy details but then finds out that Dr. Prentice is an African American male. She is absolutely shocked but later on she comes to accept the fact that her daughter is in love. On the other hand, her father was clueless at first as their house maid Tillie was trying to tell him what was going on, what the shocking news was. As Joanna announces to her father, she tells her parents that regardless how they feel, she will still tie the knot with Dr. Prentice. What she doesn't know is that her soon to be husband went behind her back and told her parents that he will not marry Joanne unless they (the parents) don't have any objections. That shows how respectful he is of Joanne and her parents. It may sound like a simple idea for two people to be able to love each other, but at this time coming from two different worlds it was hard for the older generation to understand.

This movie was quite meticulously crafted in a good sense as it seemed to educate those at the time about interracial marriages/couples. One must keep in mind that this was filmed during the time of the Civil Rights Movement, a time where segregation was coming to an end. Although filmed in 1967, the Civil Rights Act of 1964 seemed to pave the way, an idea that it was okay to come together as one. No longer were blacks separated in schools, buses, drinking fountains, businesses, but this was a time for change in America. Of course when there is change, it takes time. 1967 was no different as people were slowly accepting the fact that blacks had equal rights just as the whites did. furthering my research in connection to the movie, I came across the Anti-miscegenation laws which was a law that had prohibited interracial marriages between people of color and the whites. The law was lifted the same year this movie had come out because of the Loving vs. Virginia case which help appeal this Law. (Perfect timing for the movie to come out). This movie gave a person the idea that it was okay for a black man and a white woman to love each other (or vise-versa), it was okay for them to get married. True, this was a hard fact for America to grasp but change is inevitable. However, it is sad to say that the idea of interracial marriage still bothers some people today. Times have certainly changed but it has only be about 40 years since this law has been appealed (at least in most states during that time). Some bigger issues we face today is the idea of gay marriage. Despite the fact that it is not necessarily a race issue, people of the same sex are denied the right to marriage (Illegal in all states except for California and Massachusetts). That seems to be the bigger issue that we face today as opposed to interracial marriage and coupling.

FCC Regulations vs. Satellite Radio

2008-06-27T16:42:00.001-07:00

The question has arrived, should the FCC (Federal Communication Commission) be able to regulate the satellite radio? I think the FCC should not have the chance to regulate the Satellite Radio because the satellites roam around in space, and no one owns space. The rules states that the FCC's regulatory powers extend only to over-the-air broadcasters, who transmit their programs via the publicly owned spectrum. The question is brought about because there is concern that the FCC regulates the television and radio waves, but why not the Satellite radio? Well, apparently its been said that the FCC will go after the Satellite radio companies next. To be honest, I feel the FCC should not have the ability to regulate the television and radio waves either.

If you honestly think about it, people are paying a premium to receive XM or Sirius Satellite Radio. You are paying to choose what you are listening to. I will be upfront and honest, I personally DO NOT own XM or Sirius but I feel the FCC should not be after the Satellite radio companies and control them ( I feel they already control enough). I think that other countries will show more explicit content then over here in the US and people are about to flip out over Janet Jackson and her "wardrobe malfunction incident" that happened a few years back at the Super Bowl Half Time Show. I don't know every single detail that happened but all I can re-call is that the FCC had fined VIACOM and possibly another television broadcasting station a huge fine because of this "malfunction" that had occurred at half time. This blog sort of ties into a previous topic I had chosen to write about: "should books be banned?" Its just the topics are slightly different (one is FCC regulating Satellite and one is banning books).

I am not here promote we go listen to Howard Stern talk about nasty, inappropriate things or we all watch boobies or Crotches on television, no. I just feel if people are willing to pay a premium for it, then why regulate it? Its like the World Wide Web, if you really think about it the porn industries thrive off the internet, so does that mean we should censor the web? No. I personally feel its not only censorship in a way, but its like telling a parent how to raise a child. No parents enjoys other parents telling them how to raise a child, so why control what other people CHOOSE to listen to or watch on the television. I just find it strange that in a country that promotes "freedom of speech", we can get in trouble for say or showing the wrong things. If you offended easily, then you shouldn't be listening to what you are listening to in the first place. Be an adult and go find something that suits your style, just don't regulate something that YOU feel shouldn't be broadcasted!

HULU, is that short for something?

2008-06-24T17:42:00.000-07:00

With people constantly on the go, we rarely have the time to sit down and enjoy television (some do, some just don't like myself). Maybe that is not the case at all, as some just can't afford cable or some just can't afford a television. Today, we have TiVo's and DVR's that help record television for you while you are out. Since these all get recorded, you may also choose to fast forward past commercials you wish not to see nor care about which is amazing. However, purchasing a DVR or TiVo system does come at a price at you must shell out money to purchase one of these babies. After doing some research on these DVR's, they come at a price and you are limited to a certain amount of recording space as hard drives is what drives these devices.

Who needs to purchase all these gadgets when all you need is computer and internet access? Now one can simply go on the world wide web to access your favorite television shows. One great website is called HuLu, a site which has various television shows and movies available for everyone to watch online for free. They also include HD (high definition) streaming for those of us who can afford a television that is 720p, to 1080i resolution (this is for those who who can stream online content through their computers to television or projectors). Not only can you watch you favorite shows on HuLu but many other companies have started to stream their hit shows on their websites. Missed Desperate Housewives or Grey's Anatomy? Check out ABC's website. What about HEROES? Check out NBC's website for their shows.

With this new form or new way of watching television, I think its a godsend! Its amazing and you can watch it on your own time, when you want. Because I am always busy and on the go, I can now watch my favorite shows when I can find time, sit down and relax and enjoy. The only downside of this is you are subjected to watch a commercial in-between breaks, but I guess it beats watching it on regular cable television which has A LOT of commercials. What is great about HULU is that I love how I can find most of my favorite shows on here, and they offer the HD option which impresses me. Now when finals come around, or when I need to go on a week long vacation, I don't need to ask a friend to record the show for me or to set my VCR (yea rite) anymore, now I can just go online and catch up on any of my favorite shows! YAY!

Water for Elephants: The Social Divide

2008-06-21T23:41:00.001-07:00

I believe that you can find social classes in about any society that exists today. Be it the past, present and future, social classes have always existed and will never go away. Although every generation may experience times of political problems, economic hardship, the social divide will always be there. In the Novel, Water for Elephants, writer Sara Gruen tells the story of an old man telling his life story, which exemplifies how social classes were like during the Depression. Main Character Jacob Jankowski is the 90 or 93-year-old man, who retells his story about his life and experience working for the circus during this time of Depression. You would think Jacob; a Cornell University soon to be graduate would come from a wealthy family because he was attending a Ivy League school during the time of the depression. During his attendance there, his parents were killed in an accident therefore leaving nothing for him in the will as everything was reposed by the bank. Putting his parents to rest, and leaving a life he knew behind, he hit the road and finds himself to become a workingman in the Benzini Brother’s Most Spectacular Show on Earth. Here, he is at the bottom of the social class chain one could presume.

As he hitches a ride on a train, which he now finds to be a circus, Jankowski starts to learn about the social classes that are set within the circus itself. There are the performers, workingmen, Poles, and Jews. Something that had stood out to me during this novel was the first breakfast scene within the novel. The performers, or better yet known to the workingmen as “kinkers” had nice tables that were set with red and white checkered table cloths adorned with vases and flower and of course, silverware. Here, these nicely set tables were meant for the performers, which you could associate them as the upper class of their day. The “kinkers” would have these nice amenities available to them along with better traveling conditions and better clothes too. The “kinkers” would usually stick together and they would talk during breaks when the train would stop but they would never acknowledge the workingman, whom would be the ones who set up their tents, move the animals out or while the workers fed them. This sort of treatment can still be seen today amongst the social classes. While the rich is getting richer, and the poor getting poorer, someone of the upper class won’t stop and give the time and day to some random worker off the street or even acknowledge them really. This is America, when one becomes rich, they don’t seem to have a care in the world (except for themselves and their loved ones of course), and they become this snob that prides themselves on how successful they are. You can also make the impression that people are placed into social classes by what they own too. Someone of the upper class would be having dinner at the most lavish restaurants, having the house wine while wearing their Armani or Gucci suits. A person of the middle class or Lower class would never be able to afford a lavish meal at the most posh places nor would they be able to afford such an expensive suit such as Armani or Gucci. This example is just like Jankowski’s personal experience at the first breakfast scene, along with his observation during the many stops they made when traveling.

In another scene, I had noticed that when Jacob has made his way up the social ladder as the veterinarian, he was invited aboard the train of August and Marlena. After they have their soirée, it seems Marlena and Jacob had a deep conversation once August pasts out from the alcohol. Marlena had asked if Jacob was Polish. As Jacob verifies that he is, she mentions that the Polish don’t like Jews and that August was a Jew. Shortly after she talks about how she is Catholic and when her parents found out she was married to August, she was disowned. In Jacob’s drunken tone, he apologizes to hear Marlena was disowned but he said, “ I’m not surprised”. He quickly tries to clear his name as he realized what he said was somewhat of a racist remark. Not only was this an issue of social class but race and religion plays a roll. During the time of the depression, racism was an issue and there were conflicts of religion. Although this is not a topic seen throughout the book, it’s the principle that someone can be treated very differently not only by their social standing, but also because of their race, religion or even the way they look can effect how one is treated. An example we see in the book is how Walter is treated. Walter (AKA Kinko) is the dwarf clown whom is mistreated throughout the novel. August clearly talks down to Walter in the scene where Jacob needs a place to sleep. Walter assumes he is a workingman and does not want to room with Jacob because he is a performer. “This gentlemen is the shows new veterinarian-from Cornell no less-which puts him a good deal higher than you in my estimation” as August scolds Walter. This shows how Walter, the performer feels he is greater then Jacob because he assumed he was a workingman which meant he felt he was on top for once. Once clarified that he was the veterinarian whom attended Cornell, his status changed and was no longer below Walter in terms of the social ranking. We see this sort of deal a lot in today’s society. People are ranked and judged on what they do for a living, where they attend school, and even by how they look or the color of their skin. Since Walter is a dwarf, people must feel they have the power to walk over him and take advantage of him. Like today, if one is too nice or modest or just has stupid written all over them, and then they will be walked over and/or taken advantage of.

As we read throughout the book, we cannot forget that Jacob is merely telling his life story and that in actuality he is an old man living in a retirement home. He touches on how he has 5 children whom are all grown and old too. He fathoms the idea of why his kids would not take him in. Then he realizes that his kids have enough of their own problems and he does not want to get caught up in the mix of things. What we tend to forget is where do the old stand on this social ladder of things? Once we become old, we expect our kids to take care of us because we raised them and took care of them once too. However, not everyone is lucky when they become old because some are even forgotten about. I guess once you become old, you are set aside by your loved ones and you are no longer ranked in terms of social classes. You could still have the wealth or you could be one who’s poor, but once you get up there, you loose track of things and you have no care in the world.

Throughout this whole novel, one would have never expected to read about social hierarchies within a circus. However, it is sad to say that throughout time, social classes have always been around. Growing up in a society of rankings is no walk through the park. Only we can make baby steps and change things for the better. Its no easy task but we can rise above the issues we have seen throughout this novel. Just because someone is in the higher class, they can still acknowledge the people of the middle and lower class. Once our parents get old, we shouldn’t feel that it’s a burden to take care of them. What we tend to forget is rich or poor, Caucasian or Mexican, Polish or Jewish, Young or old, we are all people living and breathing the same air. We should treat each other with a sign of respect and appreciate life and what it has to offer.

What's in a name? Apparently a lot.

2008-06-18T17:52:00.001-07:00

What’s in a name? Apparently a lot these days, and I am not just taking about the girl next door and what her name is. I am talking about name brands that corporations create which give them an identity. These days, a name brand is a powerful way of marketing and advertising for most companies. When you hear certain names, names of companies, one would usually see if you could connect with it or the products and/or the goods that they are selling. A name brand can be seen as a name that requires no introduction, no explanation and very little advertising to give it clout.

Today we live in a society were name brand is power. A name brand is a powerful tool as we associate particular names with social class. That aside, a name brand also represents some companies with quality and reliance with products and services they provide. Lets take a look at a few examples. Tell me, what is the difference with a Toyota and a Lexus? Lexus, one would associate a high power corporate person or a person of wealth. Toyota? The demographics vary as soccer mom could be driving a Toyota Minivan or your everyday lumber worker would be driving a Toyota pick up. We tend to associate that a person of the middle class would drive a Toyota and a successful person would be driving a Lexus. True, a Lexus does offer many gracious amenities but what it all boils down to is that:

a car is meant to take person from point A to point B.
Toyota is the parent company of Lexus. Both are built with just as good quality.

So what does it matter if one drives a Toyota or if one Drives a Lexus? Both companies are amazing but if you think about it, it is the same car, its just one is loaded with more features and it is badged with a logo or name, which we associate luxury with.

However, with further research I have found that Toyota has a trick up its sleeve. With this name branding, they had created a sub-division if you will. Toyota had created a new brand by the name of SCION to lure in young buyers. The scheme behind this is keeping the buyer in the “Toyota family” ( Scion>Toyota>Lexus). Scion is marketed to my generation, the Millennial’s if you will. They believe that they can sell my generation a car at an affordable price, which is made by a company that has built up its name on its reputation of quality and reliance (Well it worked, because I own one). Well, what is one to do after they are out of their teenage years and ready to have a family and don’t have a need for a sports car? That’s where Toyota comes in and they market their Minivan’s and SUV’s to you. What about when you retire with a lot of money in the bank once your kids are all grown up? That’s when Lexus steps in promoting a Toyota that’s is badged with a Lexus logo which offers many more features. So what’s in a name really?

I realized that being an American, there is all this hype about name brand. The companies created this to make money off of the consumers but at not real extra cost to them. They know that a name is a powerful tool, which they can use to their advantage. From companies like Toyota, and Gap Inc. and Apple Inc, what does it all mean to us? If I drive a Scion, my car is no less of a Lexus. If I wear clothes by Old Navy, it’s no less then Gap or Banana Republic (Gap Inc. Owns Banana Republic and Old Navy). If I use an Accer Laptop, it’s no less then an Apple Laptop. What it all comes down to is what my father always said, as long as it works, your fine! Because I don’t wear Banana Republic, I am content with my clothes from Old Navy (same thing but cheaper). We can only wonder why people flock to pay more, but that’s America for you. All we do is spend.

No Harry Potter? Its Banned?! NOOOOOOO!

2008-06-17T17:29:00.001-07:00

I feel books should not be banned at all under any circumstance. The government should not ban books, schools shouldn’t ban books, and it most definitely the ALA (American Library Association) should not ban any books (not that they currently do have power, but I am just saying if they could, it should not be aloud). I feel strongly on this because this is a violation in our constitution with our whole policy on “freedom of speech”. Why are books being banned? And who gives these people authority to ban books?The ALA apparently has the ability to challenge books because there is this whole idea of protecting our children. This protection is keeping them from “difficult information and ideas” which is total bull crap.

Growing up, I have read many books and one being on the Banned Books List: Harry Potter is banned. I recently watched a movie called “Jesus Camp” and I recall in this documentary that these hardcore parents forbid their children from reading the Harry Potter series because the book deals with Witchcraft and Wizardry. Of course this is against their Christian beliefs and they brain wash their kids into thinking that they will go to hell if they read such book. What does this have to do with banning books you ask? If the people come together and if there are enough complaints and a consensus amongst people, then a book can become banned. But for example, why Harry Potter? It’s only a fictional novel. Well I personally feel no one should have the right to ban books. Its like parenting for example, why should other parents have the authority to dictate what other children read? What if another parent is fine with their kid reading a particular banned book? In all honestly, like parenting, no one likes it when other parents tell them how to raise a child, so why should telling them what their kids can read be any different? I just feel people in our country are very narrow minded and conservative and they need to learn how to live. I don’t reject religion either, but just don’t let that run your life. Because God say’s witchcraft is wrong, a child can’t enjoy a fictional novel of Harry Potter? It just boggle my mind if you ask me.

Hello Everyone. Good Day, and Good Luck...

2008-06-13T18:33:00.001-07:00

Hello Everyone. Good Night, and Good Luck, or that’s how Edward R. Murrow would routinely close his broadcasts on CBS. Well After watching the movie “Good Night, and Good Luck”, a film created by George Clooney, one could only speculate why this film was made now? Why today?

Murrow, was a news broadcaster for CBS and is one of the most distinguished figures in the history of American broadcast journalism. The movie in which portrayed Murrow was set back in the 1950’s which was a different time for our country. This was at a time when there was fear amongst most American citizens. Communism was a big issue and many people worried that it would threaten western society and the democracy many people stood for. Because many American’s felt uneasy about communism, Senator Joseph McCarthy accused American’s of being communist’s (certain people in power, celebrities, “black listing”). Lucky for McCarthy, Murrow was one who opposed McCarthy and ridiculed him on the television news. So what does this have to do with the movie then?

For starters, I believe this movie was created today because we face something similar to what people had faced back in the 1950’s. Although it is not communism we fear, it is the idea of terrorism. Ever since the 9/11 attacks people run when they hear “terrorist” or “Hijack!” Common words like that scare people, especially on an airplane. It seems, whenever someone is accused of being a terrorist, we don’t think about it. We run and hide and we don’t ask questions. Think about it, do people know why we are at war with Iraq? A lot of American Citizen’s just gobble up what the government says or what the new says, but no one ever seems to question it. As for Edward R. Murrow, he questioned McCarthy and the choice he made, he found contradictions in his speeches, he found ways to get him. Murrow actually thought about the idea if people we really communist and he investigated.

Look out Print! Here comes the INTERNET!

2008-06-10T22:21:00.000-07:00

Move over journals, step back tabloids, back off newspapers, it’s the rise of the INTERNET! With the rise of the Internet, it has been a new form for people to get their dose of media updates. Anything that can range from the news updates, to celebrity gossip, advertisements to even the classified. Anything that anyone could be looking for can now be found on the lovely World Wide Web. With the rise of this new form of media, there is a sad decline in people whom actually read printed newspapers, journals and articles (unless your grandma or grandpa and don’t know much about technology and using a computer). With the Internet being this new form of receiving news and information, will this be a permanent way of how people get their news? Plus, is what your reading online always going to be credible and honest? Lets take a look at how the Internet is taking over the way people get their news and information.

The death of the classified! I thought it would be interesting example to touch on, as not many people want to pay newspapers to post a used car ads for sale anymore. What about used furniture that people simply don’t want? Having a garage sale? Why pay to have it printed when you can simply post online for free? Well, websites like Craigslist.org and freecycle.org offer people like you and I free postings. One can find a garage sale, or used bikes, to used car, and even look for no strings attached sex (yes, you read right!). Many of these are offered free to the public, they may post whatever they are looking for and/or seeking, it can be found online.

What about the way people get their news? I am a college student and I don’t have the type of money to subscribe to a newspaper. Why pay for a subscription to say, the San Francisco Chronicle, or the San Jose Mercury News? These newspapers simply don’t make money off your subscription to their paper (they do, just not a lot); they make money off of advertising. However, the point is about reading new through print. Because of the Internet, I don’t need to subscribe to such newspapers to get my dose in what’s going on in the world today. With the click of a mouse, I can browse yahoo news or even CNN.com to get the information I need. Advertisements? Simple. I can go to the store’s website I am interested in on Saturday night or Sunday morning and I can browse the advertisements via the web. Finding the news I want, when I want, and seeing the ads I want are as simply as pie!

With this new form media, can we always trust what we read on the web? The thought has crossed my mind that the newspaper is a very credible source when it comes to news. However, it is possible for one to find information that is not credible on the World Wide Web. Websites like Wikipedia for example, it’s a great website but its not always credible. The reason for it not being credible is that people are free to change information and so what you see, is not what you’re going to get. You can only take that information you find on various websites like a grain of salt. For the most part, I think this is going to be the future of how people will get their news and information. This is the information age, where data travels fast and we don’t have to wait for print anymore. Do I think print is going to die? Eventually, I think it will still be around but it will just get smaller and smaller. As for the future, I don’t know if the Internet will dominate forever as being the new way for people to get their news. With Technology always changing, who knows, people could receive news through an implanted chip. A vivid thought or idea but for now, the Internet is here to stay.

Reality TV, Why?

2008-06-06T21:19:00.000-07:00

Reality shows, can't live without them? Sure you can! The television industry has a new strategy in town, its called reality programing. Weather or not you like to admit it or not, most of us fall victim to watching numerous hours on end watching people fail or succeed in this world of reality television. Most reality shows are great the first time around, but any seasons that follow are just redundant and pointless. Who cares if we have a 10th American Idol or a 100th Top Model? The truth of the matter is our society has gobbled up this some-what new form of television and I feel it will greatly impact our society.

I personally believe reality show's bring out the worst in all people. We are human after all, or maybe Darwin say's Its survival of the fit but people turn into monsters on these shows just to win. One of the true original shows that exemplifies "survival of the fit" would be the reality show "Survivor". People just like you and I are stranded on an island and there are numerous challenges and also a lot of backstabbing that helps one win the game (1 million dollars to be exact). When I watched the show a few seasons ago, I observed people were rude to one another. I honestly feel that this will impact our society greatly because what if a child was watching? Television these day's can be a form of influence and this could potentially teach our kids that its okay to be rude to other people and backstab one another.

What about the Reality shows that feature dating? Numerous shows such as "Flavor of Love" or "I Love New York" have caught many viewer attention due to the violent nature of those shows. I say violent as some people get into actual fist fights over someone whom they think they love. You watch many people compete for another persons affection yet what you don't know, you are watching pure garbage. I feel not only do the reality shows bring out the worst in people but it brings out the foolish side of people. I hear girls on these show who tell this D-List celebrity that they love him yet they have only known him for 5 minutes. Some even offer up sex just to be with flavor flav which I feel is a bad example for any children who are watching. These shows can promote sex, that its okay to cheat in a relationship, or that its okay to be with multiple partners. Maybe I am wrong? Maybe these people who do these show's are wanting the 15 minutes of fame or so Andy Warhol puts it.

What can we do to stop this madness called Reality Television? We can do our part by writing letters but what do the big corporations care? They make big bucks off of these reality shows. Do you honestly believe that paying the winner of a show 500,000 dollars to a Million dollars hurts their pocket book? Not at all. Most of the money these companies make are from the advertising. The only people probably getting paid on the reality show are the camera crew and the corporation. Depending on the show too, sometimes the celebrity makes a profit. We can't stop the companies from showing reality shows as it is dirt cheap for them to show, yet it reels in many people just to watch. Be it the drama, the backstabbing, the competition, there will always be someone who will watch it. My best suggestion is to turn of the television and find something better to do with your time!

To be a Millennial, or not to be.

2008-06-06T21:14:00.000-07:00

Am I a so-called “millennial”? Morley Safer from 60 Minutes reports that there are about 80 million millennial’s that were born between 1980 and 1995, and they are taking over from the baby boomers (Whom could be our parents) that are now pushing 60. Though some sources will tell you different birth years for a millennial. I myself was born in 1986, so am I one? After watching the brief segment called the Millennial’s are coming, I feel I am definitely a millennial because I am one who has grown up in the information age, where technology and the way my parents brought me up, shaped who I am today.

Here, I present a quote from the segment shown on 60 Minutes, which I found very interesting and I did not want to butcher what was said. "I believe that they actually think of themselves like merchandise on eBay. 'If you don't want me, Mr. Employer, I'll go sell myself down the street. I'll probably get more money. I'll definitely get a better experience. And by the way, they'll adore me. You only like me,'" Salzman says. I truly agree with what Salzman had said because we are a generation that won’t settle and that we also know we deserve better. Perhaps it was the way our parents raised us? They raised us with the intentions that if we put our mind to it, we could do anything we wanted to and that we wouldn’t be like them, where we wouldn’t settle. We live in an age were we have options and we can choose to seek them out if we must. It may sound narcissistic but that is just how Millennials are, and you can’t blame us for it.

Because I am a Millennial, does that mean we are the next, great generation? Well another article titled “The Next Great Generation”, it had said that millennials are programmed by their parents to an extraordinary degree, with ambitious schedules of homework and extracurricular activities. I don’t know if programmed is exactly the right word but they taught us that we could do anything we want. When you can do that, anything is possible. The only problem is, the world is not perfect and you can’t do anything you want. There is this ideology that my generation is ambitious and we strive to reach our goals which is true to the most part. We find things that we can excel in, we improve and we go for the goals. I think that’s what makes Millennials, the next great generations!