Up Up and Away

Yesterday, one of my classmates was talking about a giant helium balloon (it wont allow me to hyperlink just google the story, you'll get a ton) that broke loose with a 6-year-old boy riding shot gun. Don't fret, he was found alive. Not in a tree, or on top of a mountain. No, this story ends with the boy alive and safe in his OWN attic.

Not sure if you heard about this story, but it was covered quickly, locally and nationally. An amateur inventor from Colorado created a giant balloon to look like an UFO. The balloon broke loose and the Heene family believed that there son went along for the ride. Think back 100 years ago. Inventors working hard to gain recognition for their work and efforts and in today's society, with out 24 hour news, an amateur inventor from Colorado makes national headlines. I have TMJ 4 in the background this morning and the Heene family had an interview with CNN! The news is questioning the "missing boy" claim. Was it done to make headlines? Wouldn't you think that the officials would have searched the entire house before making it national headlines? For three hours they searched for him and even are National Guard was involved. Although, the news is 24 hours now, and most journalists get there stories from networking sites. If one journalist or news organization picked up the story then most likely everyone else did.

30 Rock back for 4th season

NBC's 30 Rock began its 4th season tonight at 8:30.

Liz, Jack, and Tracy are all back on the set of The Girlie Show with Tracy Jordan, a popular comedy show for NBC. Liz Lemon, played by Tina Fey, is the head writer for the show, and is constantly running around the set while dealing with problems from Jordan (Tracy Morgan) and her boss, Jack Donaghy (Alec Baldwin).

Other main characters include Jenna, one of TGS's stars, Kenneth, an NBC page, Pete, another writer, and Frank, a goofy, truck-hat-wearing writer.

The first 3 seasons have been filled with various storylines, from Jack trying to find his father to Liz's never-ending attempt to find love to Devin's (Jack's nemesis) attempt to take over NBC.

Guest appearances have been made by the beautiful Salma Hayek, Jon Hamm (of Mad Men fame), and Edie Falco (Sopranos).

30 Rock consistently has blatant product placement in its episodes, often touting Snapple, GE, or something else. While product placement is nothing new, the way the show does it is pretty humorous.

The show has been incredibly entertaining from the start, garnering strong reviews from critics, but hasn't really been able to attract a large amount of fans in the grand scheme of things. The Academy seems to like the show, as it is regularly nominated for a bunch of awards.

I've often met people who either love the show or can't stand it. Personally, I think it's way funnier than The Office, and hopefully, people will stay tuned in to NBC after watching The Office to see 30 Rock.

As Good As A Supergroup Gets

We have all seen great rock n' roll bands come and go. Some rocks bands stop because it is just that time where age sets in. Other bands break up because of inner conflict between band mates. Regardless of the situation, there always seems to be one who just can't shake their need to continue to keep making and performing music. For instance, Guns N' Roses broke up due to issues with lead singer Axl Rose. This did not stop the rest of the band from teaming up with Stone Temple Pilots front man, Scott Weiland, and creating super group, Velvet Revolver. The super group is one of those things that either fans will LOVE, or absolutely HATE.

The newest super group that is in the works, THAT I CANNOT WAIT TO SEE, is a band called "Them Crooked Vultures." The band consists of Josh Homme, front man of Queens of the Stone Age. Dave Grohl, who is the lead singer of Foo Fighters, and ex-drummer of Nirvana, and John Paul Jones, former bass player of Led Zeppelin. This band fuses together powerful riffs and intense drum beats with a modern blues sound. Its kind of like taking Queens of the Stone Age, Foo Fighters, and Led Zeppelin, putting them all in a blender, and then pouring the contents into a glass marked "excellence."

"Them Crooked Vultures" debuted at a small show which began at midnight after the Lollapalooza festival in Chicago. Since their performance that night in Chicago they have been touring in Europe, and have been releasing little snipits of material here and there. Any potnential fans of this new supergroup may sign up for the e-mail list on the Them Crooked Vultures website and recieve the newest updates concerning the band, including new snipits of material as well as videos.

Free E-Shots?

Red Bull is doing an awesome new promotion! They’re advertising the new Red Bull E-Shots in a really clever way, through Facebook. It’s called “Red Bull Stash.” Members of the Red Bull Wiiings team drive around to college campuses and hide cases (a case has 12 e-shots) with stickers on them, one under the case, the “too late” code, and then one stuck to the top of the case that has a different code. The wiiings team enters the codes onto a website with a riddle/clue to give hints as to where the energy shots are hidden. If you are friends with Red Bull on Facebook, you will see the hints (or you can go to www.redbullstash.com and find them there, too.) Once you find the spot where the case is hidden, you take whichever code is there (either the one with the Red Bull or the “too late” code) and enter it in to the website. You will then be entered for a chance to win the grand stash at the end of the month…keep your eyes peeled!

For this assignment I chose a Chanel commercial. Although I do not know the date when this particular advertisement aired, but I can tell it is a few years old. The form of this advertisement is mostly non narrative. Although it does show an unidentified man associated with the glamorous girl wearing the Chanel red lipstick (the product being displayed and focused on) the story line is weak. She basically apply the lipstick, the man shows up, she notices him in her mirror while STILL applying the lipstick (the main focus) and finally at the end he comes up to her and she kisses his hand and gazes up at him. The storyline, although not strong and extremely present, could be that the Chanel red lipstick on her attracted this mysterious man. The commercial is mostly filled with extreme closeup of the beauty's lips covered in rich Chanel lipstick. The advertisement shows no extreme long shots, or long shots, all scenes are medium shots (waist up) or closer. It begins with a close up of the woman digging in her Chanel quilted evening had bag, extreme close up of her Chanel lipstick, followed by a close up of her face and then there are numerous extreme closeups of her bright red lips and her applying the red lipstick. In these extreme close ups the lips are what pops out, besides sometimes the piercing blue eyes of the woman. There is not much to be distracted by. The camera uses many angles, catching her lips at many different views. In one of the few shots that isn't a close up or an extreme close up the camera is tilted down, as she stares up at mystery man.

Interracial couple denied marriage license

I checked my calendar, cell phone and computer. It is definitely 2009. So why is it that a Louisiana justice of the peace, denied an interracial couple a marriage license?

Keith Bardwell, justice of the peace in Tangipahoa Parish voiced concern for any children the couple may have in the future. His personal belief is that interracial marriages, “Don’t last long,” and the children suffer.

In an interview with The Associated Press, Bardwell stated he has discussed the topic of interracial marriages with both blacks and whites. Through these discussions, he’s concluded that black communities and white communities fail to embrace bi-racial children.

I am bi-racial and turned out just fine. My reaction to this article you ask. I was confused and disappointed. I am honestly surprised that in 2009 this sort of discrimination would be so openly displayed. We just elected a bi-racial president AND what Bardwell did is illegal.

The couple plans to file a discrimination lawsuit with the U.S. Department of Justice; and The American Civil Liberties Union plans to petition the Louisiana Supreme Court, requesting that Bardwell be removed from his office.

Source: Image taken from www.pegasusnews.com

Respect his conglomerate

Alright. I know I have mentioned Jay-Z in a previous blog regarding his performance at this years MTV Video Music Awards. When he was rudely interrrupt by that nobody who calls herself Lil'Mama. However, I must say I have always been a fan of his work. In fact, he is my favorite hip-hop artist of all time! Let me say that again, "OF ALL TIME!" (No I'm not Kanye referring to Beyonce's single ladies video) Jay-Z's latest album the Blueprint 3, in my opinion, is another one of his classic masterpieces. Although, it will be difficult to top his other 10 number 1 albums on the Billboard top 200. He's like The Beatles. Lets face it the guy has talent and most importantly he's a business man.

He doesn't even write his lyrics down on paper. His impromptu approach to reciting his rhymes is truely remarkable. I have been listening to his latest album for about a month straight now. I haven't even taken it out of my car to rip it on to my itunes yet. Thats how much I like this cd. He is so lyrical, its amazing. I always catch my self saying, "How did he think of that?" Perhaps, my favorite lryic or quote of his is on track number 14. It is titled, "So Ambitious" and it is produced by Pharrell. In the third verse he says, "it's all good cause the streets is A&R'ing this/ so with or without any of your involvement/coming for all of this, respect my conglomerate." In this selection, I believe he expresses his succuess while displaying his craft.

Not only is he the best rapper in the hip-hop game. He also is one of most successful entrepreneurs to date. He has countless business ventures from his part ownership of the NBA team New Jersey Nets. His urban clothing line Rocawear. A chain of sports bars called the 40/40 club and he is the co-brand director for Budweiser Select. There are many more business ventures he is involved in which have made him worth an estimated $150 million.

That is why you must respect his conglomerate because he has business ventures in many different areas. He might not be on the level as Walt Disney or News Corporation but in do time I think he will get there. I also embedded his latest commercial promoting his new album the Blueprint 3. The commercial is a renactment of all 10 of his album covers. Coincidently, I could probably use this commercial for Mondays assignment because this commercial tells a story in a unique way but I won't. Oh yeah, one more thing he is married to finest woman on this planet. BEYONCE!

Postsecret

Many of you have probably heard of Postsecret, either the books or the website. The Postsecret website was founded by Frank Warren in 2005. The simple concept of the project was that completely anonymous individuals create a postcard and reveal a secret that they had never previously shared. Warren then picks a select few and posts them to the website each Sunday for everyone to see and comment about. In addition to the website, the first Postsecret book was released later in 2005, and since then there have been 4 more. Warren also speaks on college campuses, informing audiences about and promoting the PostSecret Project.

Postsecret is a really unique idea. I believe anyone can find a secret that you can relate to, laugh at, or cry because of. Viewing the postcards of strangers allows people to at least empathize with others.

One aspect of Postsecret that interests me is the seemingly simple way Warren is able to make money from his idea...Have random strangers send you a plain or elaborately decorated postcard that states any thing from your deepest secret, strong desires, dreams and ambitions and post them on the Internet or publish in a book and sell it. I think the concept is a creative but it seems pretty easy to me.

In any case, the secrets are usually pretty interesting, or at least it's cool to see how the postcards are decorated. Check it out!

'it was on facebook'

It's creepy, but when I or my friends find out something, share it with each other, and then ask the source, I am never surprised to hear the answer 'I found it on facebook'. Facebook, the infamous networking website has status updates so users can allow their friends to see what they are doing every minuite of everyday, if they would like. There are groups for causes, forces, support, and even 'We all have the same last name groups'. People plan events, and use Facebook as the main way to let people know about it. Employeers use facebook to get an idea of co-workers and future employees. I'll admit it. I love facebook. I feel connected. I actually can't imagine life without it. That is sick. However, I love it and am not ashamed of being an avid user. It seems as if I'm not the only one constantly logging onto this website immediatley when I open a laptop, either. I was shocked to come to my AOL homepage (before heading to Facebook, of course) and see the headline for this article. A family has learned of a members death from Facebook, before a call from the police or any other sort legit contact. After reading the article, I cannot even put myself in the shoes of this family. Facebook actually reporting news to a family? And such serious and tragic news at that? It is almost sick how updated and information filled Facebook really is. As the article states, it isn't illegal, and there is nothing that can be done. What has happened, happened. However, the last way I would ever wish for anyone to find out of a death would be on Facebook, and that is what this family had to go through.

Michael Vick

After the whole Michael Vick incident it seems he is going to have his own television show. The show is called, The Michael Vick Project. I can only imagine what this show is going to be like. But as I read the posting on perez it seems the show is going to be about his rebound from dog fighting back to the NFL.

Vick Says, ""I just want people to really get to know me as an individual. What I want to do is change the perception of me. I am a human being. I've made some mistakes in the past, and I wish it had never happened. But it's not about how you fall, but about how you pick yourself up." I guess a television show might be the perfect way for Vick to get his NFL image back, but at the same time we all know what he did and it was just ridiculous.

PETA, which is the "People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals," disagreed with Vick's message and spokesman Dan Shannon said, "people who abuse animals don't deserve to be rewarded. They shouldn't be given multimillion-dollar contracts…or given the privilege of being a role model." I have a feeling this show isn’t going to last long if the viewer’s aren’t watching it and the ratings go down. I don’t think Vick will ever really be looked at the same as before the dog fighting.

Roman Who?

This week, one of my older co-workers came up to me and announced that 'If you haven't already heard, Roman Polanski was finally arrested'. Roman who, I replied? He then went on to go into detail about the story of Roman Polanski sexually assaulting a young girl, and was wanted in the US. The famous film director had moved overseas where he was 'safe' till he recently attended a film event in Zurich, which has a extradition treaty with the US, so he was finally arrested. Even though this occurrence was way before my time (the sexual assault) and I had honestly never heard of this 'infamous' director Roman Polanski, the story is quite scandalous. The stupidity yet geniusness of Roman Polanski shocked me. First, he escaped overseas to avoid charges for a horrific crime in the US. He continued to make films, work, and actually make money and live a 'norman life' (for a film director). He was able to pull this off for years, and then one day he is stupid enough to travel to a place where he can be arrested. With all his money, success and already one escape on his hands, wouldn't he have been smart enough to check the regulations in Zurich? Couldn't he pay someone to do this? He went to accept an award, which makes me wonder if he is that selfish (obviously, based on the charges he was facing) that he got caught up in the praise and put himself at the state of finally being punished for the disgusting crime he committed? The irony is great. He was smart enough to escape for years, but stupid and vain enough to get caught at a public award show. On the line above, the LA Times closely follows Polanski's story. It's quite interesting, even if you have no idea who the man is.

Twaxed

Ok, so I'm sure by now everyone has heard about or visited fmylife.com. You know, the site that basically lets people submit funny, random things that happened in their life and people can vote "I agree, your life sucks," or "you deserved it." By now, this fad is pretty outdated.

Then came along TFLN, or texts from last night. (Yes, there are some offshoots with the same premise, but this seems to be the main one.) This site allows you to submit any funny texts you got from your friends from the night before that you just can't not tell the world about.

Now has come the latest version in this world of mocking others...twaxed.com. It's pretty much the same idea as the two previous, just with twitter. To me, this latest version has the ability to be the best of the best.

FML started getting to the point where it seemed most were made up and a lot of the same stories started popping up in slightly different format.

TFLN is still funny because you never know just what clever retardness is going to come out of a drunk person with a phone.

Twaxed is kind of the best of both worlds to me. Where FML was all submitted by the person who was trying to be embarrassed, and TFLN was submitted by the persons friend who was mocking them, Twaxed takes the people who use twitter a little too much for their own good and puts it out there for anyone to see.

I'm not a twitter expert by any means, but I think all you need is to follow these people to see the silliness they deem worthy for all to see. So maybe some good will come out of the latest social-network craze afterall...

...NFL goes PiNK...

Breast Cancer Awareness Month encourages many to get involved in different events, fundraisers, and the like. This year the little pink ribbons are being spotted in a whole new venue: on the football field. Players and coaches are all sporting a little pink flare with their gear this year, to show their support for the cause. The gear is then being auctioned off to raise money for breast cancer research. Some are criticizing the NFL’s effort to raise money for the cause, saying that the money spent to redecorate the fields and “go pink” with the uniforms and gear could have just as well have been donated to the breast cancer research fund directly. I think the NFL is about more than just the dough. These men are standing proud on the field, adorned in pink, to show their support and respect for a disease that primarily affects women. The fact that the NFL is pulling together and making a statement like this is incredible, and very powerful. The money they will raise as a result of their efforts will be substantial, however, the statement they make each time they hit the field rocking their pink gear is far more significant.

Imogen's new release years too late

Imogen Heap just released a new album in the end of September, Ellipse. This is her first release since her biggest album, Speak for Yourself in 2005. Imogen is unique in her own ways; she is a solo artist who produces and mixes her own music. When I say mix, I mean she makes her music by herself. This is hard to explain, so let me paint you a picture. I saw Imogen in concert 2 years ago and I got to see how she does it. First she will start with a clapping rhythm and record it. Then she will begin to play a piano rhythm and record it and finally she might record a humming sound with her voice. She will then put all those recording together and make her song, sing her lyrics. It is extremely impressive to see and listen to. Her music can best be described as pop incorporating elements of dance, electronica and rock. She also is well known for her work as Frou Frou. Frou Frou has never received the credit that Heap has, but it's another way of her expressing her music perhaps in a different form.

Her biggest album, Speak for Yourself finally began to get recognition in 2007, featuring in shows like The OC, and The Hills. I have even heard it in the background of some big movies. Her music is unique enough that it seems to make an impression on the audience. Whether the impression be the emotion acquired while watching the certain TV show, or just the feeling a person gets hearing her music while cleaning the house.

Finally after 4 long years of waiting, she has come out with her new album, Ellipse. As excited as I was, I was less pleased. It reminds of music I enjoyed 5 years ago and while her CD, Speak for Yourself, was suiting in teen dramas like the OC given the time period a new spin on this CD would have been nice. She is also receiving bad reviews for her new CD. However, I will continue to give the CD a chance, but most of the songs sound very similar and similar to her last CD. If you want to try to listen to this CD, i would recommend the song First Train Home.

David Letterman Scandal...or Nonscandal?

I would assume that we all heard or seen what Letterman has done. If you don't he had "relationships" with women who interned or worked for him. He was being extorted by a prominent NBC producer, who in fact was dating a women that had sex with Letterman.

Letterman basically handled the extortion and scandal with humor, which, did not sit well with me at all. I don't think it is funny to cheat on your girlfriend (he wasn't married at the time). He dated his now wife for over 20 years and still managed to cheat on her. Not only does he betray his now wife, but laughs about the issue on national television. What kind of message is this? I can't stand the message that the media is delivering these days. Maybe I am a bit conservative in my logic, but when did it become okay to betray others and lie to them? When did we let go of all morals and values in exchange for money, power, and laughs!???

I think that Letterman is a jerk. A very selfish man. I don't think that he was a role model, but a man who was committed to a women and betrayed her. Letterman makes himself to be the poor guy who was being extorted and what do we do, what does the audience do, they applaud! I understand people make mistakes, but personally I am fed up with how we are desensitized to things like cheating and betrayal.



One last thing. Letterman and this whole scandal has allowed his ratings to go through the roof. So, now he will get more attention and more money!

Here are a couple resources for you to look up:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1218446/David-Letterman-publicly-apologises-wife-Regina-Lasko.html

http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv/2009/10/06/2009-10-06_david_lettermans_ratings_soar_on_office_sex_extorition_scandal.html

How to get hot chicks.

After whatching another installment of Sarah Haskins target women, on Current.com one of my favorite websites. This infomainia episode was entitled, "how to get hot chicks. Sarah gives advice that she gets from advertisements on TV. I found it interesting that advertisers us the attraction of the opposite sex to sell a product. They use it to sell everything from burgers, cable television, chewing gum, body spray and much more. Are consumers really that dumb to think that if they buy these certain products that they will have hot chicks falling for them or even fighting for them? I guess this tactic works because it has been used for as long as I can remember. When the media tells us what is cool, make us cool, attractive, popular, manly or whatever, we as a society tend to believe it. Media is a very powerful tool it can define us as people, generations, and humans. This clip shows how women are portrayed in two different ways, the hot chicks, and the normal women. It is so strange to me that somehow we have made up these divides in society. And apparently if a guy buys mini burgers from burger king, hot chicks will be all over him.

http://current.com/sarah-haskins/

Racism, Sexism on UWM Campus... no way?!?!

I am not sure if you all have been keeping up with the news on campus so I thought this would be a great opportunity to not only inform you but also encourage you all to get involved. If you read the UWM Post you will only begin to understand the frustration that many UWM students are facing. The Speaker of the Senate, Kyle Duerstein, was recently accused of being racist, sexist, as well as homophobic. These accusations were backed with quotes he had said in his blog as well as the approach he has taken in his position as Speaker of the Senate over the last few years.

“Maybe if blacks started behaving with some candor and class and stopped doing things that cause the cops to shoot them, THEY'D STOP GETTING SHOT! Holy hell, what concept?” (Panther Talk Live, Jan 14, 2006)

As well as

“Sara Dekeuster ought be [sic] raped today. And after that, she ought be [sic] raped tomorrow, by someone else…she might be killed by her attacker. Maybe then, she’ll get it, and if not, she’ll be dead, and the world will be a less f***ed up place.” (Village Voice, July 11, 2006)

These are only a few of the quotes grabbed from his blog with this expression of hate and racism. Now although he has the right to freedom of speech, being the Speaker of the Senate he is the voice for all UWM students. Do you want this person to represent you or the diverse University of UWM? Kyle Duerstein, the Speaker of the Student Association Senate is paid by UWM $6,500 of your student money. Also the speaker of the senate has a large impact on the $10 million that is spent on student groups and resources at UWM. Right now there is a collation being formed to take care of this increasing issue of racism, hate and discrimination established in the UWM Senate, and now I ask you to be part of that. Our first meeting was last night and another is in the process of being planned. Throughout the next week on campus keep your ears and mind open for more information on this collation. You can also join the Facebook group “UWM Students and Faculty for Respect and Equality.” I know there are always two sides to a story and I don’t want you all to think I am attacking Kyle, all I am doing is trying to make an effort to get rid of the racism and hate on our University as well as in our community. The saddest fact is that this is still an issue, especially on such a diverse campus.

Movie to Reality

How often are we inspired by movies? If the 80’s were any indication were would all now be conforming to the latest fashion craze, leggings, big hair and tunic length shirts...wait, we already are. But despite the revival of style and the fashion industries over-the-top ideas we still look to media to provide a sense of what could be.

For instance, Clueless, a movie all about fashion and status featured Cher, a girl who cared about being coordinated from head to toe. With her revolving closet that could allow her to see possible combinations of outfits and her use of Polaroids to see what lighting would do to specific outfits, organization was on the top of her to-do list.

Fast forward to now, and Gap has made what Cher had, a reality.

Gap has made a new application for Apple called: Style Mixer. The concept replicates the setup once only possible for someone with the resources to construct. You take pictures of your clothing, then just mix and match. For those of us that can stare at a closet full of clothes and yet think, “I have nothing to wear” this app is perfect. With a flick of a finger you can create an outfit, and also borrow and share outfits with friends through Facebook. Now, if only technology would catch up to Back to the Future II’s hover board.

VMA is it staged?

It has now come out that Beyonce knew that Kanye might go up on stage. I signed into Yahoo and this was one of the main stories.Of all the things happen in the world today, Yahoo feels that Beyonce should take the center stage. I always thought that the VMA's were live for the most part. No one really knew what would happen. Of course I knew somethings were scripted. Now I wonder if the entire show is scripted and outbreaks like West jumping on stage are planned. What's next? Are the big company producers going to start scripting shows like the Real World and other types of reality tv. But wait these shows are in a way scripted. Maybe the fight between two cast members really happened but not over the last beer. Producers and editors take all the months of taping and cut it down and splice two events into one to make people watch the entire season of the show. I think that this is ridiculous but as long as people watch these shows they will continue to made. I don’t think that this kind of editing will ever stop because people like the “unexpected” and the conflict. What’s going to be next? Are our entire lives going to become one long predictable script to be viewed by America?

Get my reference?

What happens as countless media texts are produced over time? Well for one, the creators start to acknowledge the existence of other texts in their own productions, and references abound. They can be anything from playful parodies to tasteful homages or subtle nods. Sometimes the audience doesn’t know about the original source, and the joke is lost. I just wonder how big the pop culture canon can get. I already know it's infinite as long as mankind exists. Maybe there is no breaking point, but maybe this accumulation will start to have an undeniable effect on our television, movies, music, etc...

The success of media itself is the source of such a trend. As communication increases the knowledge and enlightenment of our society, people become more self-aware. They think of their experiences in relation to similar situations that they are already familiar with. Ever hear a friend say, “this is just like that one episode of...!” If you said yes you already know what I’m talking about.