Entry #11. Blogs.

I have never blogged before this semester. Well, I have a tumblr but that's not really "blogging" it's more reposting. However, after this assignment, I adore it. Using blogging in substitute of a writing project is fantastic. It's a lot easier to write a bunch of blog posts over the course of 8 weeks, rather than one more writing project in two weeks. It allows us to work on blog posts, along with other assignments. Furthermore, blogging allows for some more visuals than the typical writing project. In blogs, I can use video, music, and links to convey what I'm trying to say, rather than just words. Blogging's also beneficial as I can write something about a topic, then find something someone else wrote about the same topic. However, blogging can also have it's disadvantages. When blogging, the format is less formal so arguments may become less supported. Additionally, there is a chance of using too many visuals. It's easy to use images and video and have nothing to support the argument. Plus, too many visuals can be distracting and lead away from the original claim. By blogging, I learned the importance of visuals. Many previous English classes have shyed away from using visuals as a tool by either not even telling the students about them or saying not to use them. However, within this semester, using visuals have been an important part of our writing process. Additionally, by using blogging, it has brought technology and writing together. Many English professors I've experienced have not enjoyed technology, instead preferring old school, out dated methods. All in all, blogging was exceptionally useful. It allowed me to improve my writing in chunks rather than in one large essay, and it allowed me to learn how to incorporate visuals and writing. Additionally, it was nice to have every even post be about our own topic. I really enjoyed being able to write about things I enjoy and am passionate about such as my work, tattoos, and my family, and still receive points for it.

Entry #10. Starbucks.

So I'm a barista at Starbucks. Super cool right? I get to make drinks, I get paid above minimum wage plus tips, free drinks when I work, and discounts when I don't. What's not to love right? What if I told you that some of you guys are jerks. Not all of you but seriously people are rude to their baristas. I get it you want your coffee, but you don't have to act like we're stupid or inconveniencing you if we ask for your name. Literally we are suppose to. Also, please don't complain to us about the following things: prices (yes cause we determine that), size of drinks, how much ice we put in (we're suppose to fill the ice a certain way unless you tell us otherwise), names of sizes (we get it they're all large in various languages. Let me call ole Howie* up and tell him), and why isn't your drink done when there's twenty drinks in front of you. We do not have control over those things and barista also do not have control over whether or not we are out of something. We do not order the product, our morning supervisor or our manager does. Additionally, don't be that guy who comes in a minute and a half before we close and order frappuccinos, which are the more awkward drinks to make especially when you're down to one blender. It's rude. Also, don't be that guy who order 10+ drinks and doesn't tip. Yeah, I know you're getting them for the entire office, but come on. A buck or two here and there isn't gonna kill you. Another thing, if you find a drink off the secret menu do not do not do not tell us just the name of the drink. We are not trained in the secret menu. Therefore, if you say, "I want a twix frap," we probably don't know what that is. If you tell us what's in the drink, then it's cool. Otherwise, we're just gonna stare at you blankly while you get mad. Lastly, a word for the wise, be patient with us. We make mistakes. If you swore you ordered another drink and got the wrong one, just kindly let us know. Don't yell at us, belittle us, or make us feel stupid. Sometimes our brains fart. So next time when you're at Starbucks and it's taking a bit long or your drink wasn't made right, remain calm and realize that if you're nice to us, we'll fix whatever mistake we made. There's even been times when I've bought a drink for a costumer simply because they were the first person not to bark their drink at me or yell at me because we were out of a popular item. Baristas are only human.

*Howie, or Howard Schultz is the CEO of Starbucks.

Entry #9. Media.

I've taken many sociology and humanities classes, in addition with being in-tuned to representations of minorities within the media, so I was aware of the issues media has. Yet, truly analyzing the media has made me very critical of all forms of it. I hate watching tv shows with commercials as I'm afraid that something the ads show might subconsciously make me buy something or treat my family a certain way. Additionally, I don't like watching the news much anymore. Everything is biased! Since every news outlet is owned by a company, which then can decide what is aired. A great example is in Anchorman 2. The next few sentences contain plot details of the film Anchorman 2, do not read if you do not want to be spoiled.Within the film, Ron, the main character, works for a revolutionary 24-hour news network Global News Network or GNN (hmm... wonder what that sounds like...). GNN is owned by the CEO of Koala Airways. Ron and his news team want to do a segment on plane parts falling out of airplanes while flying. However, Koala Airways has planes that do that. So, the CEO urges the president of the network to pull the segment. I'm sure this is all too common now. No company wants to pay for them to look bad. Therefore, they may pull important information as it may make the company seem bad. It's hard to trust any source now. There's tumblr activists who can and tend to be bias and then there's the news media who definitely are censored. This makes it extremely difficult to find reliable news information. The ethics in broadcast journalism are shot. Even in print, newspapers are owned by companies and those companies can determine what gets sent to print.

Entry #8. Tattoos.

So, as mentioned previously, I like tattoos. I have some myself, including an expansive chest piece, and I find well done ones beautiful. For me, it's an expression of myself. Some are representations of family members, such as my Pokemon tattoo, others are reminders to myself such as my wrists and chest piece. Tattoos, like any other thing, can be used positively or negatively, such as references to illegal activities or inappropriate content. However, I know I'll continue getting tattoos. I plan on getting my left calf completely done cartoon characters representing family members. So far I have Pikachu for my brother, next is Curious George for my grandma (see image 1), then Roo from Winnie the Pooh for my dad (see image 2), then Mr. Peanut for my sister (see image 3), then a librarian character from a book I used to read with my mom as a kid (see image 4). Additionally I'd love to get my left arm to have a world map sleeve, then wherever I go, I pinpoint it on my arm. As my life is a constant work in progress, I think it would be interesting to have a tattoo that represents that. Regardless of what other people think, I will continue to get tattoos and they will be an important factor of my life.

Image 1. The Curious George. 

Image 2. Roo from Winnie the Pooh

Image 3. Mr. Peanut

Image 4. The librarian from "The Library." 

Entry #7. Dumb Men.

Throughout advertisement, many stereotypes of men and women have become commonplace. Many sites have arisen to emphasis, make note of, and sometimes mock these ideals. One such site, Dumb Men, shows prime examples of the men's stereotypes. The most common they see are the stupid man, the incompetent father, the jerk, and the loser. The site urges consumers to realize these stereotypes. In order to sell products, they're also selling these ideas of "dumb men." One example on the site is  the "Hanes Socks, Dumb Dad" commercial. Within it, a dad has the bright idea to use a special paste so that him and his son could have "socks" that fit to their feet. But, luckily Mom, who's smart and resourceful, bought Hanes® Comfort Fit Socks™so they don't need to paste their feet! What a dumb dad! This appeals to all adult or young adult consumers. Of course Dad's dumb, hasn't your dad done something stupid? Let's laugh at Dad's absurdity! Additionally, while this is advertising socks, it also advertises the ideal to trust Mom. As Mom is the primary shopper (usually) within the household, it makes sense that you should trust's Mom's judgement instead of Dad's. Of course, Mom would know that there'a much better alternative than sock paste.

Entry #6. Black Friday.

I love Black Friday. I know, I know, going out to buy all these things I don’t need just after I said I was thankful for everything I have, but for me that’s not the case. When I go Black Friday shopping, I don’t get the giant big screen tvs for myself, or a new laptop, or stuff like that. I usually go to get gifts for my family and to spend time with love ones. “Wait what?? How are you spending time with loved ones running around to different stores??” Well, usually I’m with friends and family going to these places. Some of my fondest memories are when one year my dad and I went to Best Buy so he could get a laptop for school. We were there like 3 hours early and we just spent time together, which was nice as my dad worked a lot and went to school. Then in high school, I went with my sister and got in line hours early for Target so she could get an iPod. I ended up getting some things as well, but the time I spent with her was wonderful. This year, I get to go with my girlfriend who’s never gone before. Yeah, the crowds are insane, people tend to get bent out of shape over little things, but I truly enjoy Black Friday. I love being able to get bigger gifts for people, which I normally wouldn’t be able to afford, and seeing their faces light up when they open them. I also love being able to spend that time with family. Just waiting in line lets us have uninterrupted quality time.  Black Friday for me is a fun event that I get to spend with those I care about, getting gifts for those same people. After I finish shopping this year, I’m playing Christmas music all day, while my girlfriend and I wrap gifts, bake cookies, and drink cocoa. So yeah, I guess you could say I’m excited for the holidays.

Also, relevant meme is relevant. 

(Source: weknowmemes.com)

Entry #5. ASU short classes.

Currently, Arizona State University is planning to offer more short classes during the upcoming semester. This means instead of the traditional 15 week course, more classes will be condensed into faster-paced 7 and 1/2 week classes. During the average week more things will be done in a 7 1/2 week course than the 15 week. Personally, I think it's a great idea. ASU believes that it will help student's schedules, which I firmly agree. Having started an English course halfway through the semester, I was able to bring my traditional 15 week classes to high grades without having to worry about the additional course work of an essay heavy class. Plus, the time that I would be in my English class, I used to complete homework for other classes. Students with more options for shorter classes may be able to take more credits within the semester and receive their degree earlier. Also, I believe that some classes would extremely benefit from being able to take the next course within the same semester. For example, English. Some individuals may be able to take English 101 and English 102 within the same semester. This helps them stay with the same concept of writing that is needed. It is difficult when classes can be a year or more apart, as students may forget crucial information. Furthermore, I don't think all classes will ever switch to this format. While there is a huge shift to nontraditional college students, such as online, hybrid, or condensed classes, there will always be the traditional population. Additionally, there will always be classes that need the full 15 weeks to cover necessary concepts. Classes such as General Biology for science majors need all the time they can to cover what it needed for the next course.

However, ASU also argues that financially it will help students as well. Maybe it's different at ASU, but I paid the same for my shorter class as I would have for a traditional 15 week course. Maybe in the long term they make pay less as students pay be able to take more classes in the same semester, but upfront, there seems to be no difference.