School… February 28, 2007

I am rather choked that it is only Wednesday and I am already stressed out about school.  It was great having reading week, but when I think back on it, I was stressed most of the time about all the papers and studying that I had to do when I got back to Lethbridge.  It is so frustrating how as soon as September starts there really isn’t a break until the last day of exams in December.  How brutal is that?  Like I know its University and blah blah blah, but seriously, everyone gets burnt out so fast. 

I wish that students were given a break that was actually a break… For example, I wish that it was against the Law for homework to be assigned over reading week. That would be awesome!!!

So this is my rant for this week! haha (I seem to have a lot of these!)

haha, here is alittle video that shows some angry students:

Movie Sighting Post!!!! February 27, 2007

            For me, going to movies is like eating and breathing; I do it like it’s my job.  For this assignment I thought it would be interesting to see the difference of a movie in two different theaters.  To add on to this excitement, I thought I would one up myself and see the same movie in two different cities.  I saw “Because I said So” with Dianne Keaton and Mandy Moore in both Lethbridge at the Galaxy Cinema and in Calgary at
Paramount studios.  To my surprise, I did not notice much of a difference.

            I do not care what anyone says; when you watch movies in certain surroundings or if you watch movies with others instead of just yourself, the final opinion of the movie can be completely altered. For instance, the first time I saw Napoleon Dynamite in theatres with my little brother I thought it was the most unintelligent, brainless film I had ever seen.  Later on however, I watched the film again with a few friends and thought it was quite possibly the best thing that has ever happened to me in my entire life.  Surroundings and people have a HUGE impact on the outcome of a show.  I found this with “Because I said So” in the Lethbridge Cinema.  People were just enjoying being out in public having a good time, there were conversations and laughter all around me. The atmosphere really got me excited and eager to see the film. Hearing other people’s excitement and anticipation about the movie in turn made me more excited.

 It was not hard for me to take note of my surroundings at the theatre in
Lethbridge (or
Calgary for that matter) and the people there because I love people watching (in a non-creepy way). It is always interesting to see what people do and how they act in certain situations (the Calgary Stampede is great for this!).  For example, I noticed how there were more people with children in the concession line then people without children.  I also noticed that the “younger” couples and groups of friends were more off to the side in their own corner near the arcade room then with the crowd. It was as if the young adults had made a divide between themselves and everyone else.  The main thing I did notice at the Galaxy Cinema was how the in the theatre itself before the movie started, there was an abundance of females and a lack of males.

              In
Calgary however, the first part of my “experience” was not that pleasing due in full part to the fact that I had to pay $3.50 or something like that for a BOTTLE OF WATER.  I almost lost my mind, I could not believe it (I sound like Russell Smith here, but on the contrary I do disagree with him).  I did notice when I was in line to purchase my bottle of water that many of the people waiting to get their food and drinks were very anxious.  This was very interesting to me because it seems to act in accordance with all the media ads posted everywhere in the theatre (and not to mention commercials on television) endorsing the popcorn and encouraging the audience to try some. Anyhow, when I did get into the theatre and got into my seat that would be all mine for the next 2 hours, I was as happy as could be.  I love the smell of popcorn and the taste of sour patch kids and pop.  That is an experience worth every penny (yes all those ads work on me).  The people all around me were laughing and chatting and much like
Lethbridge, just enjoying being out. It is amazing how other peoples’ moods can affect your own!

In the
Calgary theatre, I paid special attention to the people in the row right in front of me because they had a “fake seat”.  The lady put her purse down on the seat to her left so that there was only 1 seat left that was available.  A couple came by and asked if it was taken and the lady responded that it was.  Throughout the movie, I noticed that the seat was never filled.  I’m assuming it was a filler seat so that this particular lady did not have to sit beside a random person.  Why then do you go to movies in the first place?  This is what mystified me in Smith’s article: Why does he go to movies in the first place if he already knows he is going to hate them?  In my opinion I think he is fulfilling his own fate.  It’s as if he goes into the theatre with the idea that everything is pointless and that every single person in the theatre is a dirty, greasy, germy human who should just go home and shower.

Smith talks in his article about how he can not stand waiting in line for a ticket.  In today’s society this is not always the case; companies were created and advertised (mainly on the television and the internet) about pre-purchasing your tickets online and then printing them out at home.  This is a huge advancement for people who are impatient (which seems to be Smith) to avoid the ticket lines (every single fast-lane ticket booth in the
Calgary theatre was lined up).  This is what I did when I arrived at both theatres…makes the process much more smooth and fast (Smith should try it, I think it might make him just alittle happier!)

Smith uses an entire article to discuss how angry he is at the movie going world; yet he does not realize that this one form of media that he “can’t stand” must influence him because he is writing an entire article on his anger about it.  For example, Smith talks about how the trivia that is displayed pre-movie “…are there to remind you that you do actually know all the stars’ names, even without wanting to…”.  I find this fascinating because it really emphasizes the fact that people are influenced by media in so many different ways.  How else would people, including Smith, know all these actors names “…without wanting to…” (television, radio, internet etc.)?  Sitting in the theatre with my bottle of water, I noticed how the sound level among the audience went up when the trivia game came on.  Everyone began talking amongst their “group” trying to solve the question. I noticed how many groups would be laughing and having a good time with the trivia game to see who was right!

OK, now I am going to delve deeper into my movie surroundings in accordance with Smith’s article.  Considering how it is winter out and very cold, both times I went to see the movie everyone was all bundled up because it was freezing cold outside (lets be honest, in Lethbridge the wind makes me feel like it is -50 outside).  Smith does not appreciate or understand (in my opinion) that people enjoy staying warm when it is frozen outside.  I did not see a single person in either theatre not wearing a coat, scarf, hat, or vest.  I also did not notice people shuffling around with “seats pilled high with coats and scarves”.  I found that everyone in both the
Lethbridge and
Calgary theatres placed their coat behind them or on top of their lap and ate their food and talked amongst themselves.  There was no shouting across the theatre or food being thrown everywhere; needless to say, I did not feel like I was in a pig barn.  On the contrary, I found it amusing to listen to the ladies behind me in the
Lethbridge theatre talk about their children and how they are doing in school, or the couple beside me in the
Calgary theatre who, from what I could hear, sounded like they were having an argument about the night before.  

            This is what the experience is: being able to take all of the surroundings in. This is why in my opinion theatres are much more appealing and entertaining then watching a movie at home.  I attribute this reasoning to how the first time I saw Napoleon Dynamite I hated it versus the second time when I saw it with my friends I loved it. Maybe I am easily guided by my surroundings, but the second time around it was much more enjoyable.

My movie going experiences are ones that I do not intend to give up.  I love how people can talk about nothing and have a good time… who wants to think all the time?  I enjoy sitting there in the complete darkness with sound so loud my ears hurt when I leave the theatre, and I really love the food.  Popcorn from movies theatres is the best hands down (yes the advertising REALLY works on me).

My experiences at both theatres were ones that were worth every dollar (minus the bottle of water).  The atmosphere, the people, the food…everything about the theatres surroundings makes the “experience” superior to sitting on a couch at home by myself with imitation popcorn… how awful.  The movie “Because I Said So” is a great chick flick that I might even see a third time!

OH Movies…. They are not all the same! February 27, 2007

I love movies.  Comedy, romance, horror, etc… I am not hard to please when it comes to movies (I am a big fan of war movies).  But, not all movies are made to the same caliber; which is why I am going to talk about the movie we saw on the last day of classes before reading week.  In the movie ”Thought Control in A Democratic Society” a man discusses “the basics of good journalism”.  Immediately when I heard this, I began to think to myself what does “good” mean?  Does it mean true information, or is it the information that grabs the most attention?  I guess that is a question that everyone answers individually. 

 For me personally, good journalism is knowing that the information I am reading is true.  Journalism is not “good” if it is fabricated in such a way to make the headlines.  Journalism is so important in today’s society because people form their opinions and judgements on the information that is given.  How can society make an informed opinion if the information they are using is false?

I don’t know about anyone else, but I would be choked if the thoughts and opinions I currently have on issues around the world were in fact invalid because the information I was given was tampered with. 

This is me if I am getting false information:

Is it wrong to enforce publication bans? February 13, 2007

 For starters… how sweet is festivus?  What a great holiday. Seinfeld is awesome, choked it is off the air!

Onto my blog, I never realized the major role that “politics” and the law play in journalism.  I was reading chapter 7 in the text book and I came across the section on Gatekeeping involving the Homolka and Bernardo trials.

I found it very interesting how the judge ordered a publication ban on Homolka’s trial in order for Bernardo to have a fair trial.  I was younger when this happened so I did not really understand the lengths of this trial until later on.  I think that the judge ordering the publication ban on Homolka’s trial was what he had to do in order to serve Bernardo’s individual rights as a Canadian citizen.  The section on this in the chapter talked about how the reporters were not happy at first that the publication ban was enforced… how were they supposed to tell the world and warn people about what was happening?  The judge ordered that they were only allowed to write about what was published by the government.  I was surprised when I read that this was obeyed by the reporters.  I would have thought that seeing how this is such an extreme case that someone would have leaked information on what was happening.  Leaking information did however happen through the American networks and Internet.

It was interesting in my opinion to read how it was difficult for the journalists when the ban was lifted for Bernardo’s trial.  I would have thought that everyone would have been happy because they can write and publish whatever they feel society should know (this in itself is a scary thought).  However, the journalists found it hard to write about the trial because it was so disgusting and vulgar that they did not know how to tell society that this happened in their own backyard. 

It is weird to think that this can actually happen in today’s world.  I suppose I am living in a protected, unrealistic world, but I would like to think that it is possible to walk down the streets and not have to look behind my back all the time making sure nothing is going on.  The fact that something like this can happen in today’s society and that there can be publication bans put in place scares me in a way.  It scares me to think of all the things going on in the world that may have a publication ban.  There is no way to know if we are getting the whole story? With reading about things like this, it really makes me wonder how much society is not being told???

And on that scary thought…

Why is it that we never get the full story? February 11, 2007

This is a scary thought: we only know what the media tells us.  Society bases their opinions and decisions on, in my opinion, a fragmented story. 

For example, the article Abuse Your Illusions by Russ Kick talks about the political dimensions in Venezuela. It discusses  how it is stated in certain American newspapers, like the San Fransisco Chronicle, that there were way more people who did not support Chavez (in other words anti-Chavez) then people who supported him.  Kick talks about howin the San Fransisco chronicle, there was only a photo and a caption (no actual article) on how about 100,000 people marched against Chavez. Yet there was another march of about 200,000 people in support of Chavez that was never printed or for that matter acknowledged.  This was not posted or printed in any American newspaper! Why is this? Why is the media picking and choosing what to tell society? I feel that this is what society is coming down too… lies and cover-ups.  There is no way, unless you witness “life” everywhere with your own 2 eyes that you can know whats going on everywhere.  This is a problem because people can not be in 2 places at once; which is why people depend on the media so much.

So to bring me to the point of my blog here, I am worried.  I am scared that everything we know aboutthe media we do not really know… I would love if someone could refute me on this but I really don’t see how it is possible.

There is no way to know if society is actually getting the full story when somethinghappens across the world.  How do we know that both sides are being fairly told, or if a story has been influenced by blackmail?  We will never be able to tell because we are so dependent on the media for all of our information.

The media is so much more powerful then I ever could have thought.  I never really understood how they actually do RUN our world. They basically have the power to pick and choose what they want us to know.  THIS IS INSANE!!!  Why do a few people get to choose what the WHOLE WORLD gets to know? What is so much power placed into the hands of the people who run the newspapers, Internet, news shows etc…? 

This makes me ponder… is society the way it is today; with so much violence and lack of contentment, because of what the media is portraying? Is our society lacking the vibe of the “good ol’ days” because of what the media is depicting to us?  I am choked. 

p.s- Even though the media may not always tell us everything, Seinfeld really did contribute to today’s society!  Like Festivus!  Seinfeld created festivus and now it is a holiday that people actaully celebrate! This is awesome!!!

Yes Dear… February 9, 2007

This is the greatest daytime television show on earth.  It’s on TBS (as per last weeks argument- a good broadcasting network), its at a good time (2:00), and its got a great cast.  The reason I think this show is so good is because it is easy to relate to.  It has a good theme throughout it, and it really depicts how life can be sometimes.

Today for instance, it is on how children really do pick their parents friends.  hahaha this episode has the parents (Jimmy and Christine/ Kim and Greg) pointing their children in the “right” direction to the children with the cool parents.  This is hilarious. 

Anyways I really feel that everyone should take an intrest in this show.  I have been known to not take a 2:00 class so I can watch this show.  Picture this: A  nice cold pop, mini eggs, and Yes Dear.  This would be the greatest hour ever.  It is also followed by a pretty good show which I think people highly underestimate: King of Queens.

So there is my educational information for everybody today!  Enjoy!

Canadian Networks Versus American Networks February 5, 2007

Now this is strictly my opinion but American TV and cable is wayyy better then Canadian.  Yes as stated in chapter 5 Canada does have some major networks like CBC, CTV, Global, and Chum… but who really watches the Canadian programs on these channels when they show them? 

For example, CBC “was created by an act of Parliament in 1936 as a radio network” (109); who watches this show for anything but news updates…and of course hockey night in Canada (woohoo!!!)?  Peter Newman supports my point by saying “Canadians need the CBC to become important again. With our kids watching more then 900 hours or more of TV a year-and it least 80% of it spreading the gospel of the American way of life…” (109).  This could not be more true.  Who watches more then 1 program of Canadian television besides the news religiously?  I am in my third year of university and I do not have a single friend who religiously watches more then 1 Canadian program.  This may be why CBC is not the most popular network for people around my age (unless it is Hockey Night in Canada)!

Now Global television on the other hand…that is fantastic programming.  Global started in Winnipeg (weird I know haha).  The text talks about how after more then 30 years of buyouts and takeover the now CanWest Global is Canada’s 3rd national network and 2nd private national network (110).  Global shows many American programs that I thoroughly enjoy such as House and the newly acclaimed Heros.  The Canadian programs such as Survivor:Canadian style…well I did not know that existed until I read the chapter.

Now onto American Programming…the good stuff!  The American system has fabulous networks like NBC and ABC.  I really learned alot reading this chapter.  For instance, I had no idea that NBC was bought by General Electric in 1985…who knew?  I really like NBC and the shows that they air because well for starters who does not like Saturday Night Live or any of the Law and Orders? Great shows, very relatable and very enticing.  ABC is however my favourite network because it airs GREYS ANATOMY!!! hands down, best network.  Now I do know that other networks do air Greys, but no one else has as good of previews as ABC!

To wrap up my little discussion here I guess the whole point in this blog is that American television is more popular and in a sense, better then Canadian television.  How happy am I for instance that MTV is showing in Canada on normal cable now?  American and Canadian television is like American and Canadian movies… when I go to Blockbuster I walk right by the Canadian section…don’t even look.  American television is more popular perhaps because it is more publicized, or maybe because of the better actors? Hmmm…

Enjoy…(sorry I could not resist….)

This weeks Rant… bad driving February 4, 2007

In my opinion people who do not know how to drive should not operate a vehicle.  For starters, where did courtesy go on the roads? People do not know how to wave when you let them in. For instance, i’m driving down whoop-up today and I purposely brake to let this person in and they do not even wave.  I was soooo angry.  Like is it so hard to pick up your arm and give it a little shake?  It makes me not want to let people in because I get so mad.  The majority of people I do let in do not wave anymore, and the sad thing is is that its not just young people that do not know all the “rules” of the road; its old people to (and by old I mean that in no offence!).

Another thing that angers me is when people stare at you just to give you a dirty look when they drive by. Haha or even when they start shouting things to you but you really cant hear a word they say because they are saying it through their window and through your own window.  Wow, how frustrating.

On a positive note, I think it is cool how Alberta allows 14 year old’s to drive.  I like how there is a 2 year “learning” experience.  Although for those who have a graduated licence that does really suck.  There are so many rules and regulations.

Anyways I hope you enjoyed my little rant….talk to you later!

Who Doesn’t like some good T.V? February 2, 2007

When I started reading chapter 5, I was not really shocked when I read that 98% of households have it least 1 television (hahaha I have 7 at my house in Calgary… we are big TV people!).  The text then said that on average, people watch about 26 hours of television in a week.  This is not very accurate to me.  I say that I watch probably it least 30 hours a week (more if I have gone to the duke the previous night and do not leave my bed).  I am addicted to TV.  It is one of the best inventions that have ever happened to this world because it takes people and (sometimes) puts them into realistic roles that people can relate to.  Television is my drug.  I love it, crave it when i’m in class or bored, and am always satisfied when it’s on.  I love television.

Michael Novak said “Television is a molder of the soul’s geography… It does so in much the same way that school lessons slowly, over the years, tutor the unformed mind and teach it how to think”.  What I take from this is that TV “brainwashes” or “teaches” individuals much like school does.  TV gives individuals another way to think about life or, another way to form an opinion.  TV influences people in how they will think and execute their ideas.  I think that is a very sound statement.  TV definitely influences me when I do things.  For instance, say In reality I am involved in a situation which I witnessed as a plot line not to long ago on a TV show.  I will know not to handle the same situation the way it was done on the show had it turned out the wrong way… TV, in a sense, is a very intelligent Prof. that knows everything about everything!

Who knew that TV is actually a camera that picks up the light reflected off a moving subject and converts the light to electrons (104)?  I had no idea.  This is looked upon as simple technology…sure!  However, the TV was only created in the early 1920’s.  Society has only known television for about 80 years.  I can not even think of a society without television (I get choked when I go camping for a week and can not watch it).  Only in the last 80 years have we known this technology; this is unbelievable.  A guy named Philo Farnsworth originally came up with the idea of using a vacuum tube to pick up moving images or objects and then display them on a screen electronically (103).  Farnsworth called this an image dissector.  What a great name!  Other people tried to copy his invention but when it was taken to the courts Farnsworth won!  Who knew that because of this Idaho farm boy, we have television.  I would like to shake this man’s hand. 

Hope you guys enjoyed the blog… I will be back… I do have to go and watch Yes Dear now!

Speaking of, here is an insight into Yes Dear: