Archive for February 2007
Memories
I’m talking to my friend on msn right now and she was what I will call my inspiration for this post. Well I have been out of high school for 4 years now and somedays I wish I could go back to the days where things were soo much easier. Papers, tests, it seems like everything about school was much easier. Well right now after having what she says “one of those days” my friend is sitting at her computer in her grad dress talking to me. Why? Well I think we all like to go back to the times where things seemed easier or to a time that we were happy and felt special. In her case I believe her words were “I feel like a princess.” Kind of weird to here from someone who is 21, but I can see where she is coming from.
Not everything was great about high school of course. There was always the gossip about stupid stuff, and the groups everyone separated themselves into. But in general for me I loved high school. It was where most of my friendships I have today were formed and serves as a friendly face that I pass in the hallways today.
I can’t help but look back at pictures and wish everything was like it used to. I made so many memories and because of it many more to come.
I think it is a good thing for us to be able to trigger the good times to help us through something bad. I can’t tell you how many times I have gone through my pictures on my computer to look at my pictures! Plus it is something I have in common with all my friends. Everyone always wants the pictures we took from the night before or pictures we took awhile ago. Because of the computer it is soo easy to send the pictures or put them on facebook for all of my friends!
5 comments February 28, 2007
Going To The Movies!!!!!!
How could someone not like going to a movie? It’s dark so you can stuff your face and who will see you? If you are on a date it could mean less time struggling to find conversation. And for most going to a movie fits into their comfort zone. Generally we know what to expect when we go to a movie. You buy the tickets, maybe get some snacks, then head into the theatre to find the perfect seat. I know I’m not the only one who enjoys the movie trivia before the movie starts! Although I have to admit the seats are a turn off for me. If all theaters were made like the ones you see on cribs I would be an avid moviegoer.
My movie night started like most others by going online, looking up movies, and picking a time. Well I have to admit I’m pretty cheap so I went to what my friends and I consider the cheap theatre aka Canyon Meadows in Calgary. We went to see the 9:35 showing of The Vacation with Cameron Diaz and Kate Winslet. My thinking was the theatre would be busy because it was a later showing on the weekend, when most people go out. Wow was I wrong! Pulling into the parking lot there was maybe 10 cars, nothing like I thought it would be. We got our tickets, not having to stand in line for once, and proceeded to get snacks. The employees behind the snack counter stood there and starred at us as if we were the only people they had seen that night.
After getting the necessay popcorn and coke we proceeded into the theatre. To my suprise there were 6 other people in the theatre. We sat in the last row so I had a clear view of the people around us. About three rows infront of us sat a group of 4 girls who appeared to be around the same age as me. And to the left of them sat a couple I would consider to be my parents age.
For some reason there were no trivia questions or anything on the screen before the movie started. The 4 girls talked and one chatted on a cell phone before the movie started. They seemed to be very comfortable with each-other, leaning in close or around each-other to talk to one another. The couple almost seemed awkward, rarely talking and starring at the black screen until the movie started. About five minutes into the movie the man from the couple got up and came back with drinks and popcorn. I’m not sure why he waited until the movie started. Throughout the rest of the movie the popcorn they shared seemed to allow them to be more comfortable with eachother. They did not seem to be awkward anymore, laughing at the same parts during the movie and whispering comments to eachother and then laughing at eachother.
The girls that sat infront of us seemed to be having a great time. As Smith put it in his acticle, “no one seems remotely uncomfortable or bored.” The girl at the end would whisper something to the girl next to them and then share with with the person next to them and then giggle. It reminded me of a game we played in elementary, telephone.
At the end of the movie when everyone got up to leave you could not help but listen into other peoples conversations. The girls were talking about their favorite parts of the movie and how much they enjoyed the movie. The couple talked about how going to a movie was a good idea. It is sad to admit but I had my friend follow the couple so she could hear what they were saying while I listened into the girls conversation.
During the movie I was not thinking about people snacking on their popcorn and what annoying noises they made or how buttery their hands must be. So I have to completely disagree with what Smith says in his article. What is he talking about when he says “sensory stressfest?” I don’t feel stressed when I come out of a movie. I don’t care if we sit in a “windowless room.” There is nothing more annoying then the glare of the window on the television screen at home. I go to the movies for the pure entertainment value, for the rush of emotions, and to hang out with friends(obviously something Smith does not have). It is nice to escape reality and laugh, be scared, or cry with friends. And what girl hasn’t wished she could be the character in a romantic movie who is swept away by her prince charming. Going to the movies does this for us! I don’t think this hurts us in anyway because I know the difference between fantasy and reality.
To me it does not matter where these movies are made. Who cares if they are produced at some lot in California. When I go into a movie I am not focusing on the lot the movie was made on.
I think it is kind of entertaining to listen into other people’s conversations. Yes it can be considered rude but everyone does it even if they don’t admit to it. And where else can you get the perfect buttery popcorn??
Add comment February 28, 2007
Past/Present
After watching the movie last class I couldn’t help but think there was not a lot of difference between our past and present. The movie talked about the Gulf war and how we wanted coverage in the news to see what it was like. Well is that not similar to today? Plus there is a corrlelation between Presidents. The Gulf War, George H. W. Bush and the current war on terrorism George W. Bush. Anyone else see how nothing has changed???

An interesting fact from the movie: in the NY Times there is 60 adds to 40 news adds. Why would we need 60 advertisements??
Add comment February 27, 2007
Television
Well I have trouble understanding exactly what news is. I know what is supposed to mean for most people but in reality it differs from person to person. Classifications of news are going to correlate with age or even gender. There are many times of news from local news, international news, weather, sports, entertainment, and even local traffic conditions. For each one of these classifications of “news” I could find a website that’s sole purpose is to inform the viewer of lets say the weather. So does this mean its news?
I dunno. I always thought that news was something major that happened either in the city you live in or international news. For example, new government policies. But then to some people something such as a hockey team winning a game is also considered major news. I just don’t get it its all confusing me for some reason. I guess I just don’t see how sports that only affects some people can compare to something that would affect a whole country? Does anyone understand what I’m saying?
Then there is other “news” that has its entertainment values. Last night and the past couple of nights have been all about Anna Nicole Smith. Well I know it is entertaining but I feel like not everyone needs to know every detail of her death. Is there no privacy? And how many more men are going to claim to be the father of her child just to get their 10 minutes of fame?
For people who are journalists I think there is a lot of pressure put on them. What would it be like to tell the world about a news story that you are completely opposed to? You would have to put all of your feelings or emotions aside to keep your job. For those journalist who are embedded overseas with the troops that has to be extremely stressful! I know we all want to see what it is really like over there but isn’t there an easier way that doesn’t risk someone else’s life?
Happy Valentines Day Everyone!
or for those who don’t like Valentines…Happy Festivus!
2 comments February 14, 2007
The U.S. vs. Canada
We share a common language and culture, well sorta, so how can we not get caught up in American television? I’m sure many people in this class alone have satellites pointed up into space receiving the latest gossip on Britney Spears or Paris Hilton. I know I’m one of those people that watches shows such as Entertainment Tonight or Access Hollywood. It’s not like I really care about the people on the shows, they just make for good entertainment. So what about Entertainment Tonight Canada? Well I dunno about anyone else but I just don’t find it as exciting to watch. I mean nothing every exciting happens to some celebrity in Canada.
There are good shows that are Canadian born as well. I grew up loving to watch Road to Avonlea, Mr. Dressup, Ballooner Landing or even buying Anne of Green Gables on video. But as I got older I didn’t give Canadian shows a second try. Why? I dunno really. It’s not because I was so consumed watching American programs but I think there were less shows out there that I could relate to as a teenager. Now I guess we have Degrassi, which I love!
So has American television taken over our tv? In a way I think it has, only because I feel that Canadian television doesn’t market its television shows or stations in the same way. This could be a good thing but also bad because Canadians are choosing to watch American programming. I think more money is invested in the American television or movie markets. The more money that is invested the more advertising a station such as ABC or CBS has to reel in viewers.
In Canada we don’t have some big city like Hollywood that has the glitz and glam of the rich and famous. So of course we are going to be curious about something we are not used to.
Although Canada would like to stream the shows that are coming across the border I think it is going to be harder to do this. I know my dad and probably many others have American satellite that is illegal. Yes, the Canadian government is trying to crack down on illegal satellite but do you really think they will be able to catch everyone? I think it just goes to show that one way or another people will find ways to get American programming even if Canada tries to limit the number of American programs on tv.
So why in school are we always told to grow up Canadian and not American. Well really I don’t see that big of a difference between the two. There are certain things that Canada has which of course is better such as hockey, our Canadian pride, bilingualism, and there are soo many different distinct cultures in Canada. I lived in the States for a few years, and maybe because I lived in a small town that I find little difference between the two very small. I mean you do have the rude, obnoxious people but don’t you have those people everywhere? And usually we have one in every class.
Stupidest question an American has ever asked me: “Do you have Christmas inCanada?” and my answer was “Haven’t you ever heard the story of Santa delivering presents around the whole world all in one night!”

4 comments February 7, 2007
Nancy Grace Facts
I was looking up some info on Nancy Grace and I found out some interesting facts about her. Her fiance was murdered and turns out she embellished the story to make her image appear better. If anyone wants to check it out here is the link http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nancy_Grace

2 comments February 5, 2007