Well I have never really been that into video games.  I remember when I got Nintendo for Christmas one year, pretty sure my dad just claimed it was for my sister and I when really he played it more then I ever did.    The original Nintendo is the best!!! I have tried every other version, Playstation, 360, Gamecube and I don’t understand any of them. I think I might be the worst video gamer ever.  I have never understood what any of the buttons do and half the time it takes me forever to figure out what player I actually am and what I’m supposed to be doing.  There has been a major shift or advancement in gaming since the original Nintendo was first produced.   

There has been steady increase in the number of video games with violent themes.  A number of studies have begun to find connections between children’s playing of violent video games and later aggressive behavior.  There is some similarity in the effect of viewing violent television programs and playing violent video games on individuals’ aggressive behavior.  There has been speculation that performing violent actions in video games may be more conducive to children’s aggression than passively watching violent acts on television.  Therefore, the more children practice violence acts, the more likely they are to perform violent acts.   

The world of video games has little sense of community and few team players. Also, most video games do not allow play by more than one player at a time. The social content of video games may influence children’s attitudes toward gender roles.  In my group of friends more males play video games more frequently than females. Television program producers and video game manufacturers may produce violent shows and games for this audience. This demand for violence may not arise because of an innate male desire to witness violence, but because males are looking for strong role models, which they find in these shows and games.   

Although I have pointed out some negative effects of gaming there are still many positive reasons which are usually not given into consideration.  Provide a fun and social form of entertainment, encourage teamwork and cooperation when played with others, make kids feel comfortable with technology, increase children’s self-confidence and self-esteem as they master games, develop skills in reading, math, and problem-solving and may improve eye-hand coordination and fine motor skills.  Many people say that gaming is seen as a way of procrastination; well don’t we all have something like that?  For many university students it’s Facebook. 

According to dictionary.com a split infinitive is:  An infinitive verb form with an element, usually an adverb, interposed between to and the verb form, as in to boldly go.  I think this rule makes sense because I think it adds more to a paper you are writing.  Then again someone might think that you are just trying to fill space by using this so it may be acceptable but not preferable.   

As soon as I saw the first article “The Portrayal of Women on Television” and read the first lines the television show Ugly Betty came to mind. Ugly Betty is a vital and timely show. It brings forth a complex assortment of women’s issues, gender, ethnicity, race, class and, of course, dominant beauty norms we all face.  In the show Betty has been labeled as ugly, fat, and suffers numerous humiliations at work, something we can all relate to.  Betty does not seem concerned about her weigh.  She is an intelligent woman and wants to succeed at her job.  In the article it states, “Yet women are typically seen less often than men on television and much less frequently in central dramatic roles.”  I think this show proves this 100% wrong.  Think about this, “the average adult spends one and a half years of his or her life watching television adverts” well what about Betty someone who works at a magazine with the “fashion elite”? She is exposed to advertisements day in and day out.  In her acceptance speech for her Golden Globe win America Ferrera said “This role lets everyone see that beauty is deeper than what we see” and “Thank you for recognizing a character who is truly bringing a new face to television.”  This is a television show that I feel has made and will make a greater impact in the portrayal of women in television. 

Now onto the article “What kind of male friendship? A case study of Joey and Chandler in Friends”.  If this were the other way around, say someone was looking at the friendship between any two females there would not be so much debate over it.  If I was to give a female friend of mine a bracelet similar to what Joey gave Chandler there would be no one there to read into it and figure out what the hidden meaning is.  Good friends, best friends do that sort of stuff.  I really don’t  know what to say about this article…. 

So Survivor…well I used to be a fan in the good old days when reality television was first becoming popular and well now I can’t really stand to watch it. It just seems to be the same thing, same prize, same competitions (sorta) and its just not as exciting for me after I saw it the first 3 seasons.  So of course CBS had to come up with something new and exciting to reel in the viewers so why not separate tribes into Whites, Blacks, Asians and Hispanics.  How can Mark Burnett state the tribes “separate but equal”???? Are we going back into time here or what?? Have we not got passed the whole discrimination thing yet??? And of course Probst had nothing but praise for the new concept.  What is he gonna do say he hates it and possibly lose his job??? Umm I think not!  He has to make his millions somehow.   

hunky dory…

It wasn’t until I started University that I really started to care about how I was perceived by others.  In high school or anytime before that I had never realised if I had gained weight or really even anything about myself.  I don’t know if it was because I didn’t care or what.  I feel that because I had such a tight group of friends in high school it didn’t really matter what I was wearing, if I chose to wear make up that day, or if I had gained weight.  Since moving away from home I have started to notice the weight gain, or caring what I wear to class.  But I am not one of those people who is obsessed with getting on a scale everyday to check my weight or constantly going to the bathroom to make sure my hair and make up is perfect.  As a matter of fact I don’t even own a scale so even though I think I’ve gained weight I guess it is kinda hard to say. 

I am not really big on getting all dressed up for class.  I say as long as I’m comfortable who cares.  At the beginning of school the magazines always publish there back to school editions.  In these editions are the “must haves” of the new school season.  Well I don’t really understand what is so “must have” about them! I mean if I were to ever get that dressed up for class I think I would feel awkward.  Magazines and other advertisements push these new looks and often students feel left out or feel they have to spend the money they don’t have on something that looks “cool”.   With the millions of dollars that are spent on advertisements you think they could think of something better to spend their money on. 

Propaganda according to Websters Dictionary is the spreading of ideas, information, or rumor for the purpose of helping or injuring an institution, a cause, or a person; ideas, facts, or allegations spread deliberately to further one’s cause or to damage an opposing case public action having such an effect.

A day does not pass when each and every one of us is not bombarded with propaganda. Sometimes it is very obvious, or has a hidden message. For example, a clothing manufacturer is placing print and electronic advertisements where teens will see them, bus stops, malls or the back of bathroom stall doors. Their clothing, it is suggested, will make you beautiful and popular. You know they are trying to sell you the clothing. Famous or influential people tell you why they use a certain product, are voting for a certain candidate, or are supporting a certain project or concept.  These messages tell you that “everybody is doing it” and you should join in.  These techniques should grab your attention and hold it, give new information, demonstrate why the product is perfect for you, and persuade you to purchase the product. 

I know these techniques have worked for me in the past and probably will again.  I just hope that my kids won’t be bombarded with advertisements and propaganda that they think will help them “fit in”.

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??

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?