Ok, I know that sex gets used overly much on occasion, but I really do have to go out on a limb here. There is no one thing that can harm a man more than an ad that talks about certain parts of his body.
They are the ads about penial enlargement. Now, I am sure that most people have seen Bob, he is the happy smiling guy in the ads about Enzyte. Bob even has a wife that is happy. These ads kind of joke about the subject because it is a difficult subject to breech when talking with a guy. The ad makes light of a subject that most men wouldn't even dare talk about, even with their doctor. This is the sort of ad that has a definite psychological theme to it. It is a delicate subject and not one that you talk with someone about in a casual conversation.
Most of these ads occur on television and the internet, and are rarely found in magazines. There are many different ads for these "miracle" pills, from Enzyte, Sizepro and more. When someone is unhappy with something about their bodies they are willing to do pretty much anything.
Friday, May 22, 2009
Historical Advertisements
The ad that I found most intriguing is the ad for Bacardi Limon. There are tons of jokes out there about being drunk enough to find someone attractive, but this ad gives new meaning to that.
It's quite funny because you can actually see a man sitting there with a glass of Bacardi in his hand "purusing" the ladies. Obviously, he has been doing this a while because he has found an attractive women, that seems to be drawn to him as much as he is to her. You can also see another woman with a drink in her hand looking at him in the reflection of the mirror as well.
If you look in the ad, the woman is seen just a tad blury in the reflection of the mirror on the wall; but when you look at her in the reflection of the glass, she is what one might consider beautiful.
I am also looking to see if you can see a ring on his finger, and it looks as though something is there, but it could just be a part of his hand, or it could, in fact be a ring.
What the Bacardi ad is trying to tell us, I believe, is to just let go, have fun, and deal with the consequences of the evening, tomorrow morning.
It's quite funny because you can actually see a man sitting there with a glass of Bacardi in his hand "purusing" the ladies. Obviously, he has been doing this a while because he has found an attractive women, that seems to be drawn to him as much as he is to her. You can also see another woman with a drink in her hand looking at him in the reflection of the mirror as well.
If you look in the ad, the woman is seen just a tad blury in the reflection of the mirror on the wall; but when you look at her in the reflection of the glass, she is what one might consider beautiful.
I am also looking to see if you can see a ring on his finger, and it looks as though something is there, but it could just be a part of his hand, or it could, in fact be a ring.
What the Bacardi ad is trying to tell us, I believe, is to just let go, have fun, and deal with the consequences of the evening, tomorrow morning.
Sex As Symbol
When I thought about different ads that I have seen regarding sex in advertising, I distinctly remember seeing a few that were made for the Super Bowl by PETA. There were some that were even banned because they were too "sexual" in nature. The ad that I found (and remember) is an ad that focuses on 3 women and their "relationship" with veggies.
The scene setup for each of these women would be like something a couple would put together on a romantic night. Go into the spa, get a massage, etc. It actually gives quite a disturbing image of vegetables.
The women are dressed in lingerie and are in provocative positions with the food. There is no words spoken in the ad, just the rock music and one caption in the middle of the screen that says, "Studies show... Vegetarians have better sex" followed by "Go Veg".
The women of course are beautiful modelesque women and have bodies that most women would want any day of the week. However, I think that the bad thing about this ad is that PETA is basically saying, if you don't eat meat... you can have a body like this too.
Advertising like this is sneaky, but so many companies are doing it these days. Sex sells, and it definitely makes you remember those commercials!!
The scene setup for each of these women would be like something a couple would put together on a romantic night. Go into the spa, get a massage, etc. It actually gives quite a disturbing image of vegetables.
The women are dressed in lingerie and are in provocative positions with the food. There is no words spoken in the ad, just the rock music and one caption in the middle of the screen that says, "Studies show... Vegetarians have better sex" followed by "Go Veg".
The women of course are beautiful modelesque women and have bodies that most women would want any day of the week. However, I think that the bad thing about this ad is that PETA is basically saying, if you don't eat meat... you can have a body like this too.
Advertising like this is sneaky, but so many companies are doing it these days. Sex sells, and it definitely makes you remember those commercials!!
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Cell Phone - Topic 1
There are over 260 million active cell phones in the United States today. 78% of those with active cell phones are also drivers. Of those 78% of the drivers/cell phone users, 73% actually talk on the phone while driving. This means that there are nearly 190 million people in the United States that use their phone in the car while driving on a daily basis.
It was studied that driving and talking on the cell phone is like driving while intoxicated. People that do so are 4 times more likely to be in a car accident then those who do not. It is disturbing to read that 86% of young adults, age 18-29 talk on the cell phone while driving. Teens/young adults aged 15-24 are already 4 times more likely to be in a fatal car accident than those aged 26-69.
It is estimated that 2600 people die in cell phone related accidents per year. This is according to studies done previous to June of 2006, so that count is probably much higher now than before.
The concept of cell phones have been around since the late 1940's, but really didn't come into the hands of the public until around 1990. At this time, cell phones were huge bulky things that had horrible reception and just looked rediculous (looking back at them). It is amazing that the boom of sale of cell phones have happened really over the last 10 years. Are these things that we have brought into our lives done more harm than good?
Can cell phones cause cancer? Are they really necessary for us? There are so many questions that we have pertaining to our usage of cell phones. Are more lives saved than lost in the whole scheme of things?
I am so torn on the subject. I have a cell phone, and I really enjoy having one, but I understand how dependent that we have become on them. Can we actually live without them again? I honestly don't think so. I am at a loss when I don't have mine with me, and I really didn't think I would ever be like that.
http://www.articlesbase.com/personal-injury-articles/cell-phone-use-and-car-accidents-669596.html
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,201586,00.html
http://seniorliving.about.com/od/improvepersonalsafety/a/cell_phone_driv.htm
http://inventors.about.com/library/weekly/aa070899.htm
It was studied that driving and talking on the cell phone is like driving while intoxicated. People that do so are 4 times more likely to be in a car accident then those who do not. It is disturbing to read that 86% of young adults, age 18-29 talk on the cell phone while driving. Teens/young adults aged 15-24 are already 4 times more likely to be in a fatal car accident than those aged 26-69.
It is estimated that 2600 people die in cell phone related accidents per year. This is according to studies done previous to June of 2006, so that count is probably much higher now than before.
The concept of cell phones have been around since the late 1940's, but really didn't come into the hands of the public until around 1990. At this time, cell phones were huge bulky things that had horrible reception and just looked rediculous (looking back at them). It is amazing that the boom of sale of cell phones have happened really over the last 10 years. Are these things that we have brought into our lives done more harm than good?
Can cell phones cause cancer? Are they really necessary for us? There are so many questions that we have pertaining to our usage of cell phones. Are more lives saved than lost in the whole scheme of things?
I am so torn on the subject. I have a cell phone, and I really enjoy having one, but I understand how dependent that we have become on them. Can we actually live without them again? I honestly don't think so. I am at a loss when I don't have mine with me, and I really didn't think I would ever be like that.
http://www.articlesbase.com/personal-injury-articles/cell-phone-use-and-car-accidents-669596.html
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,201586,00.html
http://seniorliving.about.com/od/improvepersonalsafety/a/cell_phone_driv.htm
http://inventors.about.com/library/weekly/aa070899.htm
Sunday, April 19, 2009
"The First Technological Revolution and Its Lessons" by Peter F. Drucker
Quoting Peter F. Drucker as saying: "If an educated man of those days of the first technological revolution—an educated Sumerian perhaps or an educated ancient Chinese—looked at us today, he would certainly be totally stumped by our technology. But he would, I am sure, find our existing social and political institutions reasonably familiar—they are after all, by and large, not fundamentally different from the institutions he and his contemporaries first fashioned. And, I am quite certain, he would have nothing but a wry smile for both those among us who predict a technological heaven and those who predict a technological hell of "alienation," of "technological unemployment," and so on. He might well mutter to himself, "This is where I came in." But to use he might well say, "A time such as was mine and such as is yours, a time of true technological revolution, is not a time for exultation. It is not a time for despair either. It is a time for work and for responsibility." This pretty much wraps up there entire writing for me.
Mr. Drucker brings up valid points about where we have gone with technology and truly how technology has changed our lives over the centuries. It is hard to look back on ancient and past civilizations and consider new ideas as technology. They are however some sort of technology. Whether it be a wheel that was made round to get move heavy loads, or a computer that can fit in the palm of your hand. Even though the outcomes of past civilizations and current are inherently different, the structure that we have is very similar.
Each generation has brough something to the table that made our lives, as humans, easier. Although, it can be disputed, and even negative at times. Technology isn't always a great way to do something, it's a quick easy fix. The remote control for instance. We no longer have to get up off our lazy butts and change the channel any longer; something I remember having to do as a kid for my Dad.
Each step we take heading towards newer and newer technology, I believe, takes a bit of life away from us all. We no longer have to figure calculations out, because we have a calculator. We no longer have to walk 1/2 mile to the store, because we have cars now. As we go, we are becoming less and less independent, and more dependent on our TiVo's and our alarm clocks.
Mr. Drucker brings up valid points about where we have gone with technology and truly how technology has changed our lives over the centuries. It is hard to look back on ancient and past civilizations and consider new ideas as technology. They are however some sort of technology. Whether it be a wheel that was made round to get move heavy loads, or a computer that can fit in the palm of your hand. Even though the outcomes of past civilizations and current are inherently different, the structure that we have is very similar.
Each generation has brough something to the table that made our lives, as humans, easier. Although, it can be disputed, and even negative at times. Technology isn't always a great way to do something, it's a quick easy fix. The remote control for instance. We no longer have to get up off our lazy butts and change the channel any longer; something I remember having to do as a kid for my Dad.
Each step we take heading towards newer and newer technology, I believe, takes a bit of life away from us all. We no longer have to figure calculations out, because we have a calculator. We no longer have to walk 1/2 mile to the store, because we have cars now. As we go, we are becoming less and less independent, and more dependent on our TiVo's and our alarm clocks.
Friday, April 10, 2009
Favorite American Vacation Destinations
1. America At Leisure (American Memory Project)
The three videos that I watched were, a. the kids on the beach, b. the ball game, c. kids egg rolling.
There is certainly not much that has changed in the behavior of kids over the last 100+ years that I can see, aside from the clothing. The kids at the beach were very excited about being near/in the water. You can see the excitement that they have when they jump up and down. They run from the shore into the water and back out again. The kids encourage the younger ones to join in, even holding their hand and sometimes pulling them into the water. You can see that for these kids it is an experience that they don't have very often.
At the ball game, which to this day is still used as an entertaining sport. People enjoy watching as well as playing in it. For those who play, it is a way that they can get away from their every-day lives and just enjoy the thrill of feeling the bat in your hand connect with a ball being pitched. For those that watch, it's great to encourage the team that you want to win, or encouraging people overall. The thrill that one gets when their team wins is great. It makes you leave the game happy and excited to return in the future.
As for the kids doing the egg rolling, I cringed when I watched some of the little ones get pushed around and run over by the older ones. I seemed to mind it more than the kids themselves did. You can tell that they loved getting that egg. Now, I am just assuming, but it is probably not done that often, considering the kids and their excitement.
2. DisneylandI believe that the people in the video were truly having the time of their lives. It wasn't just the kids that had the excitement on their faces and enjoying the characters and bands. It is definitely exciting to visit Disneyland, although I have been to Disneyland many many times, there is always some excitement that goes along with it. I have to say there is nothing like going as a child to Disneyland, there is a whole world in front of you that you get to learn about; past, present and future. Just as there is nothing that feels quite the same as showing your kids Disneyland for the first time. See the awe that your child has for the excitement around them.
In some ways, Disneyland has changed, it is very commercial. So much so that it makes me not want to pay the $68/person to go there and get innundated by more shops with more commercial items begging to be purchased. It is so difficult to get past the fact of the cost of Disneyland. Walt Disney would be mortified if he knew how much in fact, we were paying these days, considering he built the parks for the average American family.
In a lot of ways, Disneyland has not changed. Most of the rides are still there. There is still a Main Street where bands play, and each of the lands that you can go to. There is still Space Mountain and Cinderella castle; there is still the teacups that make you throw your head back from spinning so fast.
Disneyland is still that place that can make you smile from thinking of the fun that you had, not only as a kid, but as an adult as well.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
"Why We Travel: It whirls you around, turns you upside down and stands everything you took for granted on its head." by Pico Iyer
"Why We Travel: It whirls you around, turns you upside down and stands everything you took for granted on its head.", by Pico Iyer is a writing about traveling. He brings his ideas and his thoughts about why people travel, how we should travel, and even gives us his own definitions of tourists vs. travelers. Mr. Iyer points out that our everyday lives, and how we live it, from the roads we drive on, to the McDonald's in our neighborhood, are as alien to people in other countries as we, as people, are to them.
I have never really thought about it before, but I have to agree with Pico Iyer when he states, "But more significantly, we carry values and beliefs and news to the places we go, and in many parts of the world, we become walking video screens and living newspapers, the only channels that can take people out of the censored limits of their homelands." If we were to travel to Europe, there aren't that many differences between 0ur daily life, and theirs. However, if we travel to Africa and visit towns there, we bring our entire way of life with them. From the foods we eat, to the clothes we wear, and even the way that we act. Sometimes, as Pico states, we are the only connection to the outside world that these people we interact with. We give them a little taste on what it would be like to be in the outside world.
The only point that I have to disagree with Pico Iyer on is the one where he states that tourists are complainers. He says that tourists complain that this isn't how they live, and therefore are very negative about the situation. It is my belief that tourists are not complainers, for the most part. Tourists are the people that have gone to a country knowing that there are some differences in the way of life that the two have, and are interested in finding out more. It isn't until a tourist is really engulfed in the way that the other society lives that they truly understand the differences that each of the cultures have.
I have never really thought about it before, but I have to agree with Pico Iyer when he states, "But more significantly, we carry values and beliefs and news to the places we go, and in many parts of the world, we become walking video screens and living newspapers, the only channels that can take people out of the censored limits of their homelands." If we were to travel to Europe, there aren't that many differences between 0ur daily life, and theirs. However, if we travel to Africa and visit towns there, we bring our entire way of life with them. From the foods we eat, to the clothes we wear, and even the way that we act. Sometimes, as Pico states, we are the only connection to the outside world that these people we interact with. We give them a little taste on what it would be like to be in the outside world.
The only point that I have to disagree with Pico Iyer on is the one where he states that tourists are complainers. He says that tourists complain that this isn't how they live, and therefore are very negative about the situation. It is my belief that tourists are not complainers, for the most part. Tourists are the people that have gone to a country knowing that there are some differences in the way of life that the two have, and are interested in finding out more. It isn't until a tourist is really engulfed in the way that the other society lives that they truly understand the differences that each of the cultures have.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
"Excerpts from The Tourist" by Dean MacCannell
This writing by Dean MacCannell has made me aware at how much movies, TV & the media really plays a roll in the places we decide to vacation at, when we are choosing the cities where we would like to go. When he writes about the people who chose to visit Rome because they saw the movie with Audrey Hepburn and Cary Hepburn in it, and it was based in Rome. I know that when I think of the place I want to visit on my next vacation (Hawaii), I think of the movies that portray Hawaii as a wonderful place with white sandy beaches and clear blue water.
All of these tourist "attractions" bank on pictures, movies, ads & tv shows to bring in tourists. They charge out the nose for a plastic hula girl that shakes her hips as she sits on the dash of your car when you are back at home reminiscing about your vacation. A lot of tourist cities need this money that tourists bring in, for the majority of it is their highest source of income. You can buy mini-Eiffel towers from practically any little store in Paris, at an exorbent rate of cash.
Most of these cities don't care if you really have come to see their rare finds, but they want to make sure that you can take home a piece of something to show your friends where you went this past summer...
I will say that it is a "requirement" of being a tourist, to find something out of the ordinary. To find something that you can appreciate and take home (even if it is just a memory), to remember the trip that you have taken. That is when you will really appreciate the trip that you have taken. It will make being a tourist, worth while. Find the "Fisherman's Wharf" when it was just fisherman's wharf, in the next vacation spot you choose.
All of these tourist "attractions" bank on pictures, movies, ads & tv shows to bring in tourists. They charge out the nose for a plastic hula girl that shakes her hips as she sits on the dash of your car when you are back at home reminiscing about your vacation. A lot of tourist cities need this money that tourists bring in, for the majority of it is their highest source of income. You can buy mini-Eiffel towers from practically any little store in Paris, at an exorbent rate of cash.
Most of these cities don't care if you really have come to see their rare finds, but they want to make sure that you can take home a piece of something to show your friends where you went this past summer...
I will say that it is a "requirement" of being a tourist, to find something out of the ordinary. To find something that you can appreciate and take home (even if it is just a memory), to remember the trip that you have taken. That is when you will really appreciate the trip that you have taken. It will make being a tourist, worth while. Find the "Fisherman's Wharf" when it was just fisherman's wharf, in the next vacation spot you choose.
"The Loss of the Creature" by Walker Percy
I am going to have to agree with Walker Percy and his article regarding our trips and what we look and see when we go. When describing the Grand Canyon, there really is no way that you can grasp in a picture the entire awe that you feel, just standing there and looking out at the vast canyon, that just seems to stretch on forever. So many of us, are so eager to take a snap shot and try to keep that bit of our trip on paper, so that we can maybe remember a bit of what we felt when we actually LOOKED out at what was surrounding us. We are so interested in trying to capture what we can to show others, that we forget to actually just stand that and really enjoy what is standing right before us.
So many of us are sheep, and follow others on where they went on vacation, and the things that they have seen. Don't we really want to see something that no one has every seen before? Don't we want to see something that we can only see when we go out of the safety of the boundaries set for us? I know that if I choose to go to Hawaii on vacation, there will be snorkeling and surfing and boats with glass bottoms for me to do. There is a part of me however, that wants to see something out of the ordinary. Part of me that does not want to stay on the straight and narrow (minded) path, where someone tells me what I am seeing. I want to be that couple that Walker Percy talked about; the ones that got lost in Mexico and accidentally found a village that they never would've found otherwise.
Wouldn't it be fun to know that by letting go just a bit, we could see something that we never thought possible? Wouldn't it be worth it, just to sit the camera down or the map down, and become part of our surroundings and truly admire the world for what it is?
So many of us are sheep, and follow others on where they went on vacation, and the things that they have seen. Don't we really want to see something that no one has every seen before? Don't we want to see something that we can only see when we go out of the safety of the boundaries set for us? I know that if I choose to go to Hawaii on vacation, there will be snorkeling and surfing and boats with glass bottoms for me to do. There is a part of me however, that wants to see something out of the ordinary. Part of me that does not want to stay on the straight and narrow (minded) path, where someone tells me what I am seeing. I want to be that couple that Walker Percy talked about; the ones that got lost in Mexico and accidentally found a village that they never would've found otherwise.
Wouldn't it be fun to know that by letting go just a bit, we could see something that we never thought possible? Wouldn't it be worth it, just to sit the camera down or the map down, and become part of our surroundings and truly admire the world for what it is?
Monday, March 2, 2009
Track #1 - "Town-Building is No Mickey-Mouse Operation"
Imagine, the perfect little town, row after row of aesthetically perfect houses, one no more special than the one sitting next to it. If ever you could find a place like this, it would probably be Celebration, Florida; a town own and run by Disney. Michael Pollan, a New York Times writer tells us of the everyday runnings of the town.
There is no separation of classes in Celebration, there are million dollar homes boardered with homes selling at a 1/5 of that cost. Each home has a strict policy to be adheared to. There are no changes that can be made to any house, or even the lawn, without the approval of Disney.
This town was derived from Walt Disney's idea of utopia. The actual place that Mr. Disney wanted to create this "perfect" town was Epcot, which stands for Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow. His idea of this town would be a high-tech model city of about 20,000 residents. Not wanting to dump any funds into a place that might suck more money than earn it; Disney company executives shelved Walt Disney's project. It wasn't until 1984, when Michael Eisner took the reigns at Disney, that this project actually started being developed.
Celebration, has not been without its problems. There were some disagreements with some parents regarding the way the school was run, as well as neighbors disagreeing with neighbors. Disney, being new to the whole running of the city, has been at a loss as how to handle these type of situations.
Can a town, actually be run without the politics of every other city in the nation? You tell me.
There is no separation of classes in Celebration, there are million dollar homes boardered with homes selling at a 1/5 of that cost. Each home has a strict policy to be adheared to. There are no changes that can be made to any house, or even the lawn, without the approval of Disney.
This town was derived from Walt Disney's idea of utopia. The actual place that Mr. Disney wanted to create this "perfect" town was Epcot, which stands for Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow. His idea of this town would be a high-tech model city of about 20,000 residents. Not wanting to dump any funds into a place that might suck more money than earn it; Disney company executives shelved Walt Disney's project. It wasn't until 1984, when Michael Eisner took the reigns at Disney, that this project actually started being developed.
Celebration, has not been without its problems. There were some disagreements with some parents regarding the way the school was run, as well as neighbors disagreeing with neighbors. Disney, being new to the whole running of the city, has been at a loss as how to handle these type of situations.
Can a town, actually be run without the politics of every other city in the nation? You tell me.
Track #1 - "A Home Sweet Home Nestled Amid Junkyards"
If you were to find Starlite Mobile Home Park, you would probably either be lost, or in search of one of the many junkyards that line Branford Street in Pacoima, CA. Looking from the outside in, you would definitely feel that this place is right where it belongs. There is no grass to be seen, and across the street there is a dump.
Michael Krikorian tells us of the life of these 41 trailers that make up this park. Each individual trailer is amazingly neatly kept, with residents that probably know one another by name. Children can be found playing games and ride bikes along the main road, while Dads wash their cars.
This is a community that sticks together, and really gives all its residents a feeling of "home." There are no gangs to worry about unlike other sections of the San Fernando Valley. Kids are allowed to go out and play, without making the parents ill-at-ease. Everyone sticks together, and gives a real meaning of a community.
Funny enough this "eyesore" has caught the eye of Hollywood, being featured in the movie, "Pulp Fiction."
Michael Krikorian tells us of the life of these 41 trailers that make up this park. Each individual trailer is amazingly neatly kept, with residents that probably know one another by name. Children can be found playing games and ride bikes along the main road, while Dads wash their cars.
This is a community that sticks together, and really gives all its residents a feeling of "home." There are no gangs to worry about unlike other sections of the San Fernando Valley. Kids are allowed to go out and play, without making the parents ill-at-ease. Everyone sticks together, and gives a real meaning of a community.
Funny enough this "eyesore" has caught the eye of Hollywood, being featured in the movie, "Pulp Fiction."
Track #1 - "Pottery Barn Gazing: Who Are Those Apparitions in the Fall Catalogue?"
Have you sat down and opened a catalog looking at items that you probably would never own? Seeing yourself on the pages enjoying the beautiful furnishings around you, just imagining enjoying that recliner? Hank Stuever brings forth a tale of a company that usually never uses human models in their ads. The place is the Pottery Barn.
The Pottery Barn feels that their potential clients can see themselves better in those surroundings if there is not a model there to mess it up. We, as clients might not the look of the picture with someone in it and therefore would just bypass the page. Additionally, models are harder to work with. The lighting has to make them and the furnishings look good, which just ads complications to each photo shoot.
Hank Stuever gives us ideas that maybe the company wants us to think that the people that live in these aesthetically perfect homes are out, being busy families in the community, or at the park or beach. It gives us the thoughts of a perfect family in a perfect house.
Myself, I enjoy opening a magazine and whether or not there are human models in the ads or not, whatever catches my eye, catches my eye. As a matter of fact, I usually find the "empty" space around furniture to be cold and not really attractive. So, for this consumer, the non-populated catalog does not interest me very much at all.
The Pottery Barn feels that their potential clients can see themselves better in those surroundings if there is not a model there to mess it up. We, as clients might not the look of the picture with someone in it and therefore would just bypass the page. Additionally, models are harder to work with. The lighting has to make them and the furnishings look good, which just ads complications to each photo shoot.
Hank Stuever gives us ideas that maybe the company wants us to think that the people that live in these aesthetically perfect homes are out, being busy families in the community, or at the park or beach. It gives us the thoughts of a perfect family in a perfect house.
Myself, I enjoy opening a magazine and whether or not there are human models in the ads or not, whatever catches my eye, catches my eye. As a matter of fact, I usually find the "empty" space around furniture to be cold and not really attractive. So, for this consumer, the non-populated catalog does not interest me very much at all.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
"House Hunting" by Todd Hido
The nighttime escapades of Mr. Hido, seem to glimpse at the "not-so-nice" snapshots of the suburbs. It doesn't seem to be the welcoming community that one likes to think of in a family-type setting. As a matter of fact, it seems that if you are doing something out of the ordinary, you are looked at as an imposter, someone to look out for.
The dingy night views of the suburbs, perhaps give a more telling tale of what it is really like to live there. Day-to-day with no exciting things to do, than bother the man outside taking a picture of the houses in the neighborhood. Not really caring what he is using it for, but just basically telling him to get lost; saying "we don't want you "city-types" here."
This different view of the suburbs seem to tell a different side, than the "goody-two-shoes" most associate with the 'burbs. Is it the real face of the suburbs? Or just some grumpy guy who is a driveway Natzi?
The dingy night views of the suburbs, perhaps give a more telling tale of what it is really like to live there. Day-to-day with no exciting things to do, than bother the man outside taking a picture of the houses in the neighborhood. Not really caring what he is using it for, but just basically telling him to get lost; saying "we don't want you "city-types" here."
This different view of the suburbs seem to tell a different side, than the "goody-two-shoes" most associate with the 'burbs. Is it the real face of the suburbs? Or just some grumpy guy who is a driveway Natzi?
"Suburbia" by Bill Owens
The collection of pictures that Bill Owens has put together is a lovely work of art. I believe that he encompasses all that is wanted, by a move to the Suburbs. The snapshots of people building their homes, some designed especially for them, it's a dream that many Americans would like to be part of.
The BBQ that the whole community comes and joins, contributing potato salad, chicken and who knows what else. It's the idea of a perfect lifestyle. Maybe even to perfect. Some place that your children can play without having to worry about who is your next door neighbor, or if his name is on some god-forsaken list.
The collection of pictures gives it the whole "Leave it to Beaver" feel, and you could even hear the music in the background playing that all-knowing tune. Mom's in the kitchen, taking care of the babies, as Dad's and older kids play outside or lounge around the house waiting for the next TV program or meal that takes them away from the day-to-day living in the suburbs.
How many of us would really like to live there? In some ways, it's just a society that may be a bit too perfect for many of us these days. I think we as a people now, are looking for more action, than the "wave to your neighbor good morning"-type days. Or maybe, we just need to get back to the simple way of living, and truly enjoy everything that we are truly blessed to have in our lives.
The BBQ that the whole community comes and joins, contributing potato salad, chicken and who knows what else. It's the idea of a perfect lifestyle. Maybe even to perfect. Some place that your children can play without having to worry about who is your next door neighbor, or if his name is on some god-forsaken list.
The collection of pictures gives it the whole "Leave it to Beaver" feel, and you could even hear the music in the background playing that all-knowing tune. Mom's in the kitchen, taking care of the babies, as Dad's and older kids play outside or lounge around the house waiting for the next TV program or meal that takes them away from the day-to-day living in the suburbs.
How many of us would really like to live there? In some ways, it's just a society that may be a bit too perfect for many of us these days. I think we as a people now, are looking for more action, than the "wave to your neighbor good morning"-type days. Or maybe, we just need to get back to the simple way of living, and truly enjoy everything that we are truly blessed to have in our lives.
"Slowly, Calling the Burbs Home" by Patricia Lahrmer
The way that Patricia describes her vision of the suburbs, reminds me of the way I might view it. Not quite feeling total comfort living there, but letting it kind of grow on you. I like to live in a place that has some excitement to it. Maybe it's because I have always lived that way, or maybe it's just because I want to live in a place that has a more "homey" feel to it.
Patricia has kind of given in to her life in the "burbs" and is just content to living where she feels most comfortable. She thinks about the reasons why her and her husband stay where they have lived for 20 years and is just takes comfort in knowing that she only has to walk a short distance for her favorite kind of coffee and books. The sites, the smells and the neighbors all make her realize that no matter how much she thought she wasn't a part of this community, she actually is a very big part of it.
When telling someone about the events that happens very rarely in the suburbs, she finds herself irritated for sharing, because many people have this vision of the suburbs being boring, and she doesn't like being categorized as a suburban family, for one reason or another.
After sitting there (I assume in her attic) writing this article, she seems to have realized that she will probably never leave the suburbs because they have become home, more than she has ever realized, and possibly wanted.
Patricia has kind of given in to her life in the "burbs" and is just content to living where she feels most comfortable. She thinks about the reasons why her and her husband stay where they have lived for 20 years and is just takes comfort in knowing that she only has to walk a short distance for her favorite kind of coffee and books. The sites, the smells and the neighbors all make her realize that no matter how much she thought she wasn't a part of this community, she actually is a very big part of it.
When telling someone about the events that happens very rarely in the suburbs, she finds herself irritated for sharing, because many people have this vision of the suburbs being boring, and she doesn't like being categorized as a suburban family, for one reason or another.
After sitting there (I assume in her attic) writing this article, she seems to have realized that she will probably never leave the suburbs because they have become home, more than she has ever realized, and possibly wanted.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
"Criteria for a Healthy Landscape" by Paul Groth
In Paul Groth's "Criteria for a Healthy Landscape", he brings forth a problem that we may face in reading others' writings on American Landscape. He says that a lot of what others write are based on the writers perception of a previous article has stated, and biasedly. To interpret his "ideas" he states that there are seven criteria for healthy landscapes that one should follow in order to be precise in their views and writings.
Groth lets us know that we have to be in touch with our own selves and our surroundings before we can be open to the landscape around us. In the first criteria he tells us that we need to be more involved in the world, to make our "mark". In the second we need to be open and willing to accept everyone no matter what our imparements, handicaps or looks may be. We need to interact with one another, which is social survival.
In all seven of the criteria that Groth states we should follow, I find that the 6th is the most important. In it, Groth states that "A healthy landscape connects itself to OTHER parts of nature." I find that this is the most important because it mixes nature and the human aspect of nature in it. He states that the western culture has a problem with this criteria, by separating ourselves from nature. We look at nature as trees, and tree-huggers, etc. Everything around us is nature, we have made it so as humans. Groth brings in the fact that nature isn't always pleasant. This is the type of nature that we, modern day humans, have created.
I do find however, that one cannot write a piece without being biased in any way. Anytime we are reading something that someone else has written and respond to it, we in turn are interpreting in varying degrees of definitions. The same goes for Groth. I believe even his writing is biased in some way, because he is expressing his opinions.
Groth lets us know that we have to be in touch with our own selves and our surroundings before we can be open to the landscape around us. In the first criteria he tells us that we need to be more involved in the world, to make our "mark". In the second we need to be open and willing to accept everyone no matter what our imparements, handicaps or looks may be. We need to interact with one another, which is social survival.
In all seven of the criteria that Groth states we should follow, I find that the 6th is the most important. In it, Groth states that "A healthy landscape connects itself to OTHER parts of nature." I find that this is the most important because it mixes nature and the human aspect of nature in it. He states that the western culture has a problem with this criteria, by separating ourselves from nature. We look at nature as trees, and tree-huggers, etc. Everything around us is nature, we have made it so as humans. Groth brings in the fact that nature isn't always pleasant. This is the type of nature that we, modern day humans, have created.
I do find however, that one cannot write a piece without being biased in any way. Anytime we are reading something that someone else has written and respond to it, we in turn are interpreting in varying degrees of definitions. The same goes for Groth. I believe even his writing is biased in some way, because he is expressing his opinions.
Friday, January 30, 2009
"24 Hours at The Golden Apple"
"24 Hours at The Golden Apple", was a great example of American Landscape. I really enjoyed listening to everyone's story and liked hearing the everyday life of others. This 24 hour shift of interviews really gives us an insight of how other people live their lives; something that we see and dismiss. Taking the time and listening to the stories, you can just visualize these people going about their everyday lives, day after day.
In the recording you hear of a waitress named Donna that has been on the night shift at the Golden Apple for 26 years. You hear her story of being a single parent of 3 children and deciding to work the night shift, so she can be there for her kids during the day; and she isn't even a night person. She started out doing this because it was her duty for her children, and she has grown to feel it is her duty as a waitress to her regular customers and the nighttime patrons of the diner. Her working the night shift has turned into a life for herself. She has seen plays, she has gone to see musicians play and she has seen artwork, all by patrons of the graveyard shift.
There are people that come in, just because they are lonely and looking for conversation. There are people there that come because it is a place they can just sit and relax, while not being alone. There are children that have grown up to bring their children there, just to get the forbidden Mickey Mouse pancakes, that every child knows about who lives in the area.
There are ex-daters, best friends, police officers, retired people and many more who walk through that door every day. Stopping in to say "hi" to each other, and to the owners, Pete, Nick and Tom. We even hear a story about a woman on her way to a viewing of a friend at the church across the street. Her name is Katie "Keen" and she is 75 years old. Katie has lived in the neighborhood her whole life; even after her family moved to the suburbs. She tells us of another landmark that sat in that exact spot when she was in high school. A pharmacy stood in that same wedge shaped piece of land, and was the hangout for high school kids while she was younger.
The most profound thing that stands out in my mind about The Golden Apple is that there are no locks and no keys. No one is turned away at anytime of the day or night. The diner stands there open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week just like it is telling the outside world "come on in, sit down, and tell us your story."
In the recording you hear of a waitress named Donna that has been on the night shift at the Golden Apple for 26 years. You hear her story of being a single parent of 3 children and deciding to work the night shift, so she can be there for her kids during the day; and she isn't even a night person. She started out doing this because it was her duty for her children, and she has grown to feel it is her duty as a waitress to her regular customers and the nighttime patrons of the diner. Her working the night shift has turned into a life for herself. She has seen plays, she has gone to see musicians play and she has seen artwork, all by patrons of the graveyard shift.
There are people that come in, just because they are lonely and looking for conversation. There are people there that come because it is a place they can just sit and relax, while not being alone. There are children that have grown up to bring their children there, just to get the forbidden Mickey Mouse pancakes, that every child knows about who lives in the area.
There are ex-daters, best friends, police officers, retired people and many more who walk through that door every day. Stopping in to say "hi" to each other, and to the owners, Pete, Nick and Tom. We even hear a story about a woman on her way to a viewing of a friend at the church across the street. Her name is Katie "Keen" and she is 75 years old. Katie has lived in the neighborhood her whole life; even after her family moved to the suburbs. She tells us of another landmark that sat in that exact spot when she was in high school. A pharmacy stood in that same wedge shaped piece of land, and was the hangout for high school kids while she was younger.
The most profound thing that stands out in my mind about The Golden Apple is that there are no locks and no keys. No one is turned away at anytime of the day or night. The diner stands there open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week just like it is telling the outside world "come on in, sit down, and tell us your story."
Thursday, January 29, 2009
"K'Mart Has a Loveable Disorder" by Hank Stuever
"K'Mart Has a Loveable Disorder" by Hank Stuever is an entertaining, and true account of the way that people in our generation know K'Mart. His description of what happens in one of the stores, just reminds me of what I have seen when I have to visit one. Where I currently live, K'Mart is the closest thing that I have to any department store within 40 minutes. I cringe when I think about walking into a K'Mart, it reminds me of a "ritzy trailor park", if that makes any sense what-so-ever.
I can walk into a K'Mart and see a parent berating their kid for something, and see that same kid five minutes later riding a skateboard around the aisles screaming wildly about how they don't need to go to the bathroom because they went at home (a true account, I assure you). Even after everything that has happened while in a K'Mart, there is some draw for everyone to go at one time or another.
Mr. Stuever states that "It (K'Mart) has lipstick on its teeth and those days where it feels, you know, not-so-fresh?" This is a statement that cracks me up. It is so true. When I don't feel like getting dressed up enough for Target or Wal-Mart (oh I know), I know that K'Mart will be there for me. If I don't want to brush my hair and wear ratty sweats and holy t-shirt, K'Mart and its patrons do not judge me. It has a classy "white trash" feel to it. You can buy stale popcorn from its food court, and Martha Stewart's latest cookbook (on sale of course) all from the same place. Crazy enough as it is, the cost of items at K'Mart is typically more expensive than I could find at Wal-Mart.
"We are but three similar and divided Americas: Wal-Mart, Target and Kmart.", says Hank Stuever. I am more of a Wal-Mart person myself, and I think I always will be. Like Mr. Stuever says, we like to think ourselves as a Target person, but most of us just aren't. We will always have a love/hate relationship with K'Mart, because there is a little part of us all that just wants to say "screw it" on some days.
I can walk into a K'Mart and see a parent berating their kid for something, and see that same kid five minutes later riding a skateboard around the aisles screaming wildly about how they don't need to go to the bathroom because they went at home (a true account, I assure you). Even after everything that has happened while in a K'Mart, there is some draw for everyone to go at one time or another.
Mr. Stuever states that "It (K'Mart) has lipstick on its teeth and those days where it feels, you know, not-so-fresh?" This is a statement that cracks me up. It is so true. When I don't feel like getting dressed up enough for Target or Wal-Mart (oh I know), I know that K'Mart will be there for me. If I don't want to brush my hair and wear ratty sweats and holy t-shirt, K'Mart and its patrons do not judge me. It has a classy "white trash" feel to it. You can buy stale popcorn from its food court, and Martha Stewart's latest cookbook (on sale of course) all from the same place. Crazy enough as it is, the cost of items at K'Mart is typically more expensive than I could find at Wal-Mart.
"We are but three similar and divided Americas: Wal-Mart, Target and Kmart.", says Hank Stuever. I am more of a Wal-Mart person myself, and I think I always will be. Like Mr. Stuever says, we like to think ourselves as a Target person, but most of us just aren't. We will always have a love/hate relationship with K'Mart, because there is a little part of us all that just wants to say "screw it" on some days.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
The Monument and the Bungalow by Pierce Lewis
“The Monument and the Bungalow” by Pierce Lewis is an eye opening read. It is a rare time that I have actually looked at a building and wondered the history behind it. As an every day citizen of society, I take these things for granted. Mr. Lewis' Geographical review is a stop and smell the roses type of writing. He takes the reader that may be disinterested and draws them in. He writes that there are two basic precepts that students need to develop before becoming landscape readers.
The first of the two precepts is a basic concept. Mr. Lewis states, “Students need to develop and cultivate the habit of using their eyes and asking nonjudgmental questions about familiar, commonplace things.” (qtd. Lewis) This made me stop and think about what this meant. I cam to my own conclusion and thought about times that I have just stopped and read the landscape that I could see. The most prominent thing I could think of was seeing land from the air. The way that the land is divided. Why is it divided that way? Is it because it is boundaries of property? Or is it a farm that has a specific purpose for its squared shape? I came to the conclusion that I do this task without even thinking about it.
The second precept is acquiring vocabulary. In this definition, Mr. Lewis says, “Students have to learn the habit of using their eyes of paying attention to the commonplace things that they rarely notice.” (qtd. Lewis) From this precept, it is my understanding that in order for us to be able to really see the landscape and be able to describe what we are seeing, we need to have the knowledge of what it is we are seeing. Mr. Lewis uses a plant as an example, saying “In plant ecology, certain species of plants are signals of indicators of ecological change – but one has to recognize and identify the plants before one can begin to speculate about what is happening.” (qtd. Lewis) He uses the plants to compare thoughts about the background of something that we need to know the history on.
Buildings are our biggest, most prominent visual proof of history. We live our day-to-day lives in and around our proof that there was a history here before us. Take the Capital Building (examiner.com) in Washington D.C. For example. How many people 100 years from now are going to look back and remember that that is where the first African-American President was sworn in on January 20th, 2009? That is a piece of history that might just be the biggest event since Lincoln became President; yet in the future we will take that for granted as well. I am sure that the people that live and work in Washington D.C. Pass all of those things every day without even thinking about what they stand for, and why they are there. As a young student in Junior High, I was lucky enough to go to D.C. and visit those places. They are larger than life. The idea that someone could have such an impact on society that they build a huge memorial of him (Lincoln) is breathtaking.
If we were all to take the time, and slow down a bit to remember the way that we came to be; and to take an excerpt from Mr. Lewis' writing, “In sum, landscape is a historic document that tells a story – nay, multiple stories – about the people who
created the landscape – and the cultural context in which that landscape was founded.” (qtd. Lewis) We need to, in effect, stop and smell the roses, appreciate what we have and how we got it, before we are beyond repair.
The first of the two precepts is a basic concept. Mr. Lewis states, “Students need to develop and cultivate the habit of using their eyes and asking nonjudgmental questions about familiar, commonplace things.” (qtd. Lewis) This made me stop and think about what this meant. I cam to my own conclusion and thought about times that I have just stopped and read the landscape that I could see. The most prominent thing I could think of was seeing land from the air. The way that the land is divided. Why is it divided that way? Is it because it is boundaries of property? Or is it a farm that has a specific purpose for its squared shape? I came to the conclusion that I do this task without even thinking about it.
The second precept is acquiring vocabulary. In this definition, Mr. Lewis says, “Students have to learn the habit of using their eyes of paying attention to the commonplace things that they rarely notice.” (qtd. Lewis) From this precept, it is my understanding that in order for us to be able to really see the landscape and be able to describe what we are seeing, we need to have the knowledge of what it is we are seeing. Mr. Lewis uses a plant as an example, saying “In plant ecology, certain species of plants are signals of indicators of ecological change – but one has to recognize and identify the plants before one can begin to speculate about what is happening.” (qtd. Lewis) He uses the plants to compare thoughts about the background of something that we need to know the history on.
Buildings are our biggest, most prominent visual proof of history. We live our day-to-day lives in and around our proof that there was a history here before us. Take the Capital Building (examiner.com) in Washington D.C. For example. How many people 100 years from now are going to look back and remember that that is where the first African-American President was sworn in on January 20th, 2009? That is a piece of history that might just be the biggest event since Lincoln became President; yet in the future we will take that for granted as well. I am sure that the people that live and work in Washington D.C. Pass all of those things every day without even thinking about what they stand for, and why they are there. As a young student in Junior High, I was lucky enough to go to D.C. and visit those places. They are larger than life. The idea that someone could have such an impact on society that they build a huge memorial of him (Lincoln) is breathtaking.
If we were all to take the time, and slow down a bit to remember the way that we came to be; and to take an excerpt from Mr. Lewis' writing, “In sum, landscape is a historic document that tells a story – nay, multiple stories – about the people who
created the landscape – and the cultural context in which that landscape was founded.” (qtd. Lewis) We need to, in effect, stop and smell the roses, appreciate what we have and how we got it, before we are beyond repair.
Friday, January 16, 2009
This is me
Hello everyone and thank you for reading my blog.
I just wanted to tell you a bit about myself before I start on the assignments. My name is Charmaine and I am 32 years old. I am married with 2 boys (ages 10 and 23 months). Recently, my family and I have moved up here from southern California (LA area). Currently my family and I are living in Lake County (with the in-laws) until we are established with jobs, etc.
I always enjoy taking online courses (I have 5 this semester... yes... 5), it gives me the freedom to do work when I find I am able to. I have already received my AA degree in Accounting (May, 2002) and I am working on transferring to SSU within the next semester or two.
I love to go to the movies, read and am an overall easy-going person. I have always enjoyed English, but have found it a bit easier to write now that I am older and have more experience in the business world with communications.
I hope that everyone has a great semester and good luck! :)
Charmaine
I just wanted to tell you a bit about myself before I start on the assignments. My name is Charmaine and I am 32 years old. I am married with 2 boys (ages 10 and 23 months). Recently, my family and I have moved up here from southern California (LA area). Currently my family and I are living in Lake County (with the in-laws) until we are established with jobs, etc.
I always enjoy taking online courses (I have 5 this semester... yes... 5), it gives me the freedom to do work when I find I am able to. I have already received my AA degree in Accounting (May, 2002) and I am working on transferring to SSU within the next semester or two.
I love to go to the movies, read and am an overall easy-going person. I have always enjoyed English, but have found it a bit easier to write now that I am older and have more experience in the business world with communications.
I hope that everyone has a great semester and good luck! :)
Charmaine
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