The Academy Awards

So, I watched the Academy Awards, with a few other Americans last night. I really enjoyed it. I thought there were more pros than cons to the event, such as, Alice in Wonderland won best costume design and best set design. I loved that movie! I was pleased with most of the awards, including the Black Swan Awards. However, we all know what people rave about regarding the Oscars - the dresses! So, I have decided to write down my own thoughts, then Google the fashion experts to see if I'm in line with what they say. I thought it would be fun.

Best Dressed:
Anne Hathaway: I think she looked amazing all throughout the night, and her personality made the dresses even better.
Reese Witherspoon: Classy, love the cut, and your hair was awesome.
Mila Kunis: I thought she was beautiful, and the dress accented her perfectly.
Hallie Berry: She just looked amazing.
Hilary Swank: I loved her flowing, feather-like dress. It made me happy.


Worst Dressed: 
Cate Blanchett: I don't even know what to say about this dress. You should have stuck with something from Lord of the Rings. Yes, it would have been re-worn, but not looking recycled from Easter candies.

Jennifer Hudson: Did you tan yourself? I swear I see tan lines...where there should not be tan lines. You have beautiful color as it is, and you seriously have me wondering if you tan. Please never wear that low-cut of a dress to the Oscars again, it is tacky girl.

Helena Bonham Carter: Girl, I love you, and I love every movie you're in. I also love your husband's work more than I can state. However, I was not loving your outfit. I know it's edgy like you and all, but leave it at home hun. We know you're crazy and all, and we love you, but keep the crazy clothes in the closet.

Marisa Tomei: I know what you were going for, but you missed. The dress was really unflattering and fit very awkwardly. I thought you could have found a much better vintage dress. At least it was black, and helping with thinning.

Annette Bening: You looked beautiful sitting down, but standing up your dress just like a sea of sparkles hanging off your body. The dress did not give you much shape or figure. The hair was slightly scary too.


Here are some sources that agree or disagree:

http://www.moviefone.com/oscars-academy-awards/photos/worst-looks

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-31749_162-20037207-10391698.html

http://www.holymoly.com/celebrity-news/oscars-2011-top-10-best-worst-dressed-red-carpet53614

What do you think?

Airbnb + What's Mine is Yours: Changing Lives for the Better

      So, after reading the intro and Part One of What’s  Mine is Yours, by Rachel Botsman and Roo Rogers, I have basically changed my way of viewing life. I know it sounds cliché that a book has changed my life, however, it is a true statement. I always knew that I owned a bunch of crap and had a hard time getting rid of it, but now I have so many questions to ask myself about why I keep it. My storage needs a storage! The book states:

"If you put out your arms, you create about seven square feed around you, That is roughly how much self-storage space there is for every man, woman, and child in America. It means every single person in the country could comfortably stand together inside self-storage units."

I don't want to be that person. Granted I do not pay for storage anywhere, I just cram it into my apartment storage closet.
      I even have two iPods. I have a first and second generation iPod Touch. I just gave one to my best friend, Sofia, because I realized I will never use two of them, even though it is a nice idea. I am giving her the second generation, which is SOO awesome! It has newer features, and cooler specs, but after reading this book I realized it was frivolous of me to keep two, and a little selfish, when my best friend only has a pathetic little shuffle. But how do we, as Emerging Media and Communications graduate students, not want the newest, neatest, or most interesting gadgets? Is this act of wanting gadgets acceptable because this is our field of study? After reading this, I wonder, what items are justifiable to want and which are not? I know what is a want of my own, and what is a need, but that isn’t the issue at hand. The issue is: what is acceptable to my conscious to purchase and have, but not need?

      I also vowed to start recycling more, like at my apartment, and to give more to Goodwill than I already do. But then I thought: how do I feel that Goodwill charges the poor to have the clothes I donated? Why not just go knocking door to door to find people who need them, and give clothes for free? This collaborative consumption idea has me thinking about all kinds of things, such as: where to buy my groceries, goods, furniture, decorations, dog food, etc. Why not buy them online from Etsy users, or from people on Amazon or Ebay? I don’t mind big businesses, I know they donate and give so much to the world in the sense of jobs and low prices, but I do like the idea of trading goods with others. I reminisce about how people used to interact: I do this deed for you, or give you this, you give or do something back for me, and we’re even. However, it cannot be that way anymore do to the progressive hyper-consumerism of society. 

      I do think it is sad that children growing up now have it embedded into their minds that "more is better." The book states:

"A child born today will live to about eighty years old and consume on average 2.5 million liters of water, the wood of 1,000 trees, 21,000 tons of gasoline, 220,000 kilos of steel, and 800,000 watts of electrical energy. At these rates, the average American child will produce in his or her lifetime twice the environmental impact of  Swedish child, 3 times that of an Italian, 12 times that of a Brazilian, 35 times that of an Indian, and 280 times that of a Haitian. If everyone on the planet lived like the average American child, we would need five planets to sustain them during their lifetime."

I know that I do not want my children growing up that way. I grew up knowing we didn’t have much and so I didn’t ask for a lot, but somehow my mother always found a way to surprise me when I least expected it. But you know what? Not having a lot as a child, then getting surprised with a few nice things, make you appreciate and take care of them more, versus if you got things all the time and expected them. 

      I am very interested in living my life better and being more conscious about what I buy/discard, and saving money. Everyone spends their disposable income to pieces, and people are never satisfied with what we have, but only want more to fill some sort of vortex void. I will continue writing about my efforts to change my lifestyle. 

      The first step I am taking is to rent out an extra room I will have in my apartment, because my roommate is moving out and getting married. I used airbnb.com from the book. I love the web site and I think it is a great invention. Thanks to this class I have found a way to help with income in these hard times. Let’s all pray it works for me. This is the listing for my apartment: 

I have a two bedroom, two bath apartment. Travelers will have their own bedroom and bathroom. The room has a walk in, big closet, with its own private large bathroom. The laundry room is connected to the private bathroom, so guests have easy access to it. The bedroom has a large window with 2-3 inch faux wood blinds. I provide a blow-up Queen-sized mattress (and of course, fresh bedding). I also have a covered parking spot for your vehicle. The neighborhood is very safe and friendly. The apartment complex also has a splash pad and playground for children.

*Note: I only have one air mattress. I have an oversized couch and love seat for anyone who would like to stay on them. I also have a 50lb mixed dog. If you are not a dog person at all, I would not recommend you staying here, as she loves people.

Optional Accommodations:
● Dogs up to 80lbs are welcome. Cats are loved, but not a good idea to have them at this time, as my dog is a one-year-old. Exotic animals can be discussed.
● I will also cook breakfast and dinner for travelers upon their request. Breakfast and dinner is an extra $20.00 per day (for the price of groceries). I am a true southern cook and I can get you full!
● I know the hot spots, and do not mind being a guide/help for your trip. I also own a media business, so I can take professional photos of you on your trip for $30.00 total. That is an outstanding deal for unlimited pictures throughout your whole trip.

HOUSE RULES:

• No smoking in the house. I have a balcony for smokers.

• No eating on the furniture.

• No parties.

• No mistreating my dog.

• Just treat my house as if it were your own.

HOUSE FORMS:

• I have an addendum to sign for various reasons.

• Upon arrival I will request the signature of adults, 18 and up, on the addendum forms. 

• Lice & Bedbug addendum (stating if you bring them into the house, you will pay for the clean up) 

• Key addendum (stating if you have a key, you will not make copies and will return it after your stay, or be in trouble. I only give keys to those who sign this addendum) 

• Animal treatment addendum (stating you will not mistreat my dog or feed her, and you will pick up after your pet)  

• Damages and liability addendum (stating if you break or damage something, you will pay to fix it, and I am not responsible for your injuries) 

• Agreement of payment for optional accommodations (states if you want the optional accommodations, you will pay for them)

If you would like to write a recommendation for me and vouch for me on the web site so I can have more reviews, I would appreciate it! 


http://www.airbnb.com

Droid X Mission

I think the next mission my Droid X will conduct is to take over my brain. Last night I had a dream that I kept leaving my phone everywhere I went, and I went to find it in the ghetto, except I was walking, and the world was coming to an end. It was very strange. My GPS wouldn't work to get back home, and the ghetto kept getting worse because it was getting closer to nightfall. All of us (I don't remember who) had to run from the world ending and go through these strange sequences of obstacles to get to a safe planet. It was pretty weird. I wonder if the Droid X is trying to implant an invasion strategy into my brain. Oh, and in the midst of all of the commotion of the world ending, in one instance where I lost my phone, I went into a blown up Verizon and asked the employee if I could just go ahead and have an iPhone 4 as a back up because the world was ending and all. He told me no. I couldn't believe it.

The Last, Dedicated to the Class

This was my final list of people who commented and did not on my blog. I made a list of those who did and did not, and thought to do so in the Christmas spirit! These were the results for the semester:

NICE LIST:
Alan - 1
Amanda - 1
Andy - 1
Brianni - 3
Carol - 1
Danelle - 3
Kevin - 1
Kim Knight - 10
Lewis - 1
Mattie - 9
Meagan - 1
Nakoya - 1
Nick - 2
Olumide - 2
Samuel - 2
Sydnie - 2
Tameka - 1
Yvonne - 2

NAUGHTY LIST:
Alex - 0
John - 0
Mary - 0

FIRST PLACE: Kim Knight!

SECOND PLACE: Mattie!

THIRD PLACE TIE: Danelle and Brianni! 

Sorry, I had to have a little fun with that. But honestly, thank you all for commenting, reading, and making this a wonderful class. In light of the Christmas season, I believe in giving. And sometimes, giving is just saying a kind word to someone. Therefore, I have decided to dedicate my last class blog to all of you, and give you each a kind word on my page. An honest, kind word. This is merely by alphabetical order, and what short snapshots I got from the class. 

Alan: You're an awesome and loyal Texas Ranger's fan and I high five you! (Virtually, of course). I think you stand for awesome morals and you're dedicated to your studies and work in general. I'm also jealous of your job - ha!

Alex: You're a quiet one, but you're full of knowledge and fun facts. You're also pretty hilarious. You're always back there in that chair, smiling about something going on. I really enjoyed when you would talk to me about something I had brought up, it always made me feel like someone was listening to me! Keep up the geekiness- long live the geekiness!

Amanda: I respect that you're proud, loud, and can be yourself no matter what stands in your way. You're so energetic and even though you bring the conversation out of focus sometimes, you always bring fun points to the table while doing so! I love your famous, "this is so off topic guys, but..." I know you're pumped about your job and I wish you the best in your exciting position!

Andy: You're just hilarious. I'm really happy you get my jokes and ridiculousness. Also that you love Invader Zim like I do. When you knew who Gir was, I knew it was instant friendship. You have awesome ideas and I thought your war collectors book was awesome. You're dynamic and smart and fun to be around!

Brianni: I see you as a beautiful, strong, intelligent woman, who always brings the conversation in class to a calming. You're like the mother bear that ends the fight and puts everyone in time out. Or a mother in general, having the last word when her children fight. I love it. It's like, "hush everyone, Brianni has spoken. This shall be so." Ha it's awesome. I have enjoyed you in class and your views.

Carol: I really enjoy your company and our conversations. You're passionate, smart, and a very deep thinker. I love how you dedicate yourself to your work and try to find new ideas. You do not let people step on you just because you have a different opinion than they do. I am glad you stand your ground and state your opinion no matter what. I've loved being in class with you!

Danelle: Thanks for putting up with sitting my me most of the semester. You're a fun roomie and I see how diligently you work on your studies. I know you're a woman of morals and you are a good one. You're always there for me when I need you. You're a great friend and classmate. I will also never forget our game of Cranium when you were humming to Nathan. Ha!

John: I just think you're so smart and intertwined in the depths and wires of technology, that you're bored with course work. That is my honest opinion. You should already be a millionaire. You're just really smart and laid back. I feel like you can read computers minds. You also have a quirky sense of humor.

Kevin: You're so passionate! That's an awesome quality to have. You're also very dedicated to your work, your beliefs, and opinions. However, you can be open-minded to the ideas of others as well. I think it is amazing that you ride the dart and do not own a car. That is so unique, and always makes you stand out in the crowd. It's very admirable that you do that.

Kim Knight: What can I say except that you're an awesome instructor! I really have enjoyed your class and everyone in it. I hope you have enjoyed everyone just as much. Instead of textsfromlastnight, we should have a web site called tweetsfromlastnight and dedicate to your EMAC classes. What do you think? Should I market it? Ha. I love your sense of humor and you do your best to stay unbiased about subjects in class, and let the discussion flow through the students. Thank you for this class experience.

Lewis: You're hilarious. I love your jokes and your sense of humor in general. Most people smile when they are telling jokes, but you usually make people think you'll say something serious, but it is a joke. I love being surprised by a good joke or funny line, and you always have them for me. I loved the Sinbad comment tonight, really took me back! You're just a funny guy and I love to see your opinions on gossip and anything else!

Mary: You're so quiet, then out of nowhere, you comment and you are heard! You are the ultimate geek. When I say geek, I do not mean that rude, that is a term of endearment coming from me. Without you, I would have never discovered Meebo, and I love Meebo!

Mattie: You're just awesome. What can I say? You're the top commenter on my blog, right under Kim, and that's just amazing in itself. I can't tell you how upset I am that my first two comments did not post. If I would have known that I would have been commenting earlier today. I will make it up to you! I do love to hear your funnies and contributions to conversations. I also love your bear pencils, those rock!

Meagan: Now the first thing that pops into my mind when I think of you is your presentation and aboriginals. I also find it hilarious that you and Lewis tweet each other when you sit next to each other. You're always smiling, you should definitely receive the happy award!

Nakoya: Oh girl, I just knew we were gonna be friends the first day of class. You are hilarious, I always love a joke coming from you, or anything for that matter. Seriously, if I need someone to put me in a good mood, I will come to you. There's just something about you that puts people in a good mood. Whether it be your humor or mad photography skills, it's something. You're awesome, and I can't wait for my Christmas photos!

Nick: Meagan gets the girl smiling award, and you get the guys! You're always cheesing when I talk to you. I know you were talking to Danelle tonight, and there wasn't a second you didn't have a smile on your face. You made me want to smile because you smile so much. You're always the first to finish an assignment, and that takes talent! You're ahead of the game, we could all take lessons for that!

Olumide: You're so funny. I think we have the exact same sense of humor. Is that calling myself funny? Maybe. Who knows? However, you should know that you are hilarious. Your presentation blog post just made my day. Your presentation in general just made my day. I think when we were in a group together we did grand. You're super!

Samuel: You're a cool cat as well. You used to hang out and sit by me and Tameka, but I guess you became allergic to us. Ha. We were a super analytical team in class ! You were the first person to friend me on Facebook from class! You're awesome and I'll always enjoy your Facebook posts, the ones I can ready anyway!

Sydnie: Oh geez, what can I say? You have so many amazing quotes from class that I can't just pick one. However, I think I'm going to have to go with, "Why you putting 22's on your car when you haven't even paid the car off?" Oh I couldn't stop laughing. I'm going to miss your opinions, jokes, and great ideas. Also your tweets of class.

Tameka: Well, you're my friend and classmate, this is something you know. Thanks for putting up with me all semester while sitting by me, and taking break walks with me to the candy machine. I always love our little traveling conversations. You always understand my humor, no matter what, and that takes someone awesome. I'm glad we're buddies!

Yvonne: You're such a beautiful, sweet, smart, and creative lady. I can tell you have culture, ethic, and morals as well. You don't let people get in your way of what you want to achieve, and you're not afraid to say it how you think. I wish I could have had more conversations with you. You're awesome!

Thank you all for commenting, and the wonderful discussions in class. Remember, without EMAC, we wouldn't have been there in class together all semester! I hope you all have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Maybe we'll have more classes together!

Caleigh

I Spy...

      My presentation for the week is based on multiple readings regarding locational privacy, rights for social network users, paranoia in the fiber optic age, and some form of privacy being reached by certain web sites.

Power and Paranoia in the Age of Fiber Optics - Introduction by Wendy Hui Kyong Chun
      This piece started out very interesting, discussing the differences between freedom and liberty. The introduction also talked about a paranoia of believing data is ever erased from any electronic devices. Who is out there watching you while you're at school, an ATM, outside, inside, or in your car? This piece also discusses how fiber optics buried underground, all over the world, transform the world into a type of motherboard.

       Now people can also be watched at home on their computer, even if they are just playing Solitaire. I have a friend who once hacked into our mutual friend's computer and could watch what he did at any moment, and even delete his files or go through them. It had nothing to do with sharing internet connections, it was merely because of a program, a sniffer that the introduction talks about.
       After this section of privacy and wandering eyes, the introduction shifted to technology and the internet as sexuality, and paralleling it to electronics in sexual positions. I was a bit disturbed, intrigued, and lost during this time. I did enjoy the first section though.

A Bill of Rights for Social Network Users, Commentary by Kurt Opsahl
      This short article online suggests that users should be more aware of their privacy settings on social networking sites, and demand more control over them. This topic also rolls over into the next article.



On Locational Privacy, and How to Avoid Losing it Forever
      This is the article I mainly wanted to focus on, because this topic has blown up so big since this article was written in August 2009. It is a very interesting topic, and very creepy at that. To think that someone out there, you might not know who, and in multiple databases, has information about your locations. They might know where you ate that day, who you talked to, if you went to the doctor, what highways you were on and what time, if you were at work, at a hotel when you weren't supposed to be, and where you like to eat and how often. There are ways to get around locational privacy, but the companies do not want to participate in securing the privacy of users of applications. Every time you use your phone to find a place near you to eat, that is being written down somewhere. Why do they need to know where you're eating? To target you to spend more money, and to build the most popular businesses around the best areas for the market. Here is a question: is this good or bad? Would you like to have what you love the most right by your house? Or would it just encourage you to spend more money eating out and not cooking at home? What are the good and bad about locational databases?
Here are some questions from my Prezi Presentation.

1. When do you consider locational data tracking useful/good?
2. When is it invasive/bad?
3. Have you thought much about this issue before now?
4. Does this data sharing bother you?

The ironic thing about this questions, is that they are also data. This is not a closed, private site. So if you do not want to answer those questions in a comment, feel free not to.
This YouTube video relates to this topic.


Beth's Blog: How Nonprofit Organizations Can Use Social Media to Power Social Networks for Change
      However taboo this topic is, and even though I do not want to touch on it: the main message of the blog was understood. Women and men who have experienced abortion can go to the web site below and discuss their thoughts and experiences, and not be judged for them. They have an online community dedicated to those who have experienced abortion and need to reach out to someone. In the blog they do not use anyone's name, anyone's story, or even post the web site information. The site takes a stand against social media sites that share information. They are showing that an online community can be created and function, without the expense of the members and their personal stories and information.There is no personal information on the web site itself, and I found it pretty easily on Google, so "not finding it"  did not work.

http://www.4exhale.org/about.php

iPod, Generation 1000

      I love Macintosh as much as the next geek, but I must say that one thing annoys me. Apple is always coming out with a new iPod, iMac, Macbook, etc, every few months it seems. I remember when I got my first iPod touch. It was August 2007, but two weeks after I purchased mine, the second generation came out, with speakers and sound. I wasn't too happy about that. Should I have researched it more? Probably. However, like many college students, I didn't.
      My question is, are the generations developing too quickly? If I was not in the emerging media world, I would be lost already in the changes, that is for sure. Many people do not even know what generation to buy, what generation is the newest, or what is going on. Also, it seems as though the newest generation only has a few extra perks than the last most of the time. It seems when I go to Apple's web site, that I find something "new and innovative'.
       How fast is too fast? How much time is enough time for people to soak in the new information and product? It seems that just as people start accepting the new product, another generation comes out. Of course people find out about new products via commercials, but what about those that do not watch much television? Would generations be more "special" if they only came out every two years or more? I think the marketing would be more effective and the products would sell even more than they would now. If people had the chance to buy the current generation, but had to wait a few years to get the new one, then it would be a big marketing release for the new products. It would be more exciting and easier to keep up with for the average person. A big marketed release every few years would be a much bigger and exciting deal than a new release every couple months. Perhaps this is just my opinion, but I am interested to know how everyone else feels about this idea.
      I feel that people become overwhelmed with too much product and product information, that sometimes they make uninformed decisions because there is too much to soak in. As Americans, the lazy thing to do is take someone else's word for it, or just take what is in front of you and what is available. If people had more time to soak in the knowledge of the product, talk to their friends and family about it, and research it themselves, then the products would produce a steady cash flow. Apple cannot just account for the early adopters and such, they must also include the laggards.

I think I'm getting Carpal Tunnel in my elbow.

      I know what you're thinking, what does this have to do with media?! Well. Let me explain. I got into a wreck yesterday, and have been dealing with it ever since. I was talking and said, "My rental car doesn't even come with power locks or windows." Danelle then said, "We are so spoiled." Then it hit me, I used to be ecstatic just to have a vehicle, now I'm whining because it doesn't have electronic locks and windows? I was griping about how we're too dependent on technology earlier this semester, then I do it myself without realizing it! I told my friend Sofia, "I didn't even know they still made these types of cars."
      It's amazing to me that power locks and windows are a norm for people now, when five years ago it wouldn't have been the case. People have gotten so dependent, even on a little thing like power locks and windows in a car, that it takes us by surprise when we have to put effort into rolling down a window or unlocking the doors for passengers. Has media contributed to this? What do you think? I think there is a link between the two. Even the officer's car was nicer than mine, and had electronics all inside the dashboard and there he had a laptop hooked up to all of it. I know how it all works, but it still boggles my mind when I'm in the situation and have to experience each step first hand.
      Every step of the process was done electronically. The accident information is put into a report on a computer by the officer. I can then access the information from the report online, and pay the ticket online, or anything else regarding that online. I can then reserve a rental car online, talk to a representative on the phone with a number I found online, and then go in person to pick up the car. I even found the best guy to fix it online. Reviews online helped with that. All of this was done via media and technology. I think I have 3 papers from the accident, the rest is electronic.

http://www.mojopages.com/biz/motorsports-auto-body/garland/tx/75042/39717967

That is the link to the best auto body shop I have ever come in contact with. Amazing owner.