Nicole Richie is at it Again

Nicole Richie was pulled over in Burbank while driving her black Mercedes SUV. She admitted she taken Vicodin and had smoking pot. It is just amazing to see how the industry of Hollywood is affected by drugs and it is also devastating. She had gotten out of rehab not to long ago and had claimed to being clean ever since. It is sad to see a figure that so many young girls watch and look up to fall once more, she should realize that she is a public figure and she need to avoid slip ups such as this one. The story doesn't end there when Nicole was weighed she weighed a mere 85 pound. Most kids weigh more than her, after denying anorexia so much it is ridiculous to continue, the numbers just don't lie. This also lead me to think whether the drugs have to do with the weight loss or does the weight loss have to do with the return of the drugs? All in all Nicole could have the potential of being a positive figure, after all she an inspirational story. She was adopted by Lionel Richie at the age of 9, Nicole and has been in prestigious schools of dance, acting and much more since then. She definitely had the resources that others don't but unfortunately she puts it to waste like so many young girls in Hollywood.

The Type of Media Consumer I am

At the beginning of this course I was asked what type of what type of media consumer I was then. Today it is easy to see the evolution and growth I have had since then. I am a news consumer. I like to watch the news as well as look for the latest news on the Internet. I have learned how to navigate the Internet and find things of my interest better than before. My interest include pop-culture, controversial subjects and anything that reports of social inequality in society. I have actually pulled away from television a lot, I simply have no time for it anymore. I am attracted to media available to me when I want it and that interest me. I am still into magazines but am also into journalist that have something substantial say. From time to time I look for articles in the Mercury Post that may catch my eye. Prior to this I had no clue how important it is to be selective with the media you consume. People magazine is just not cutting it anymore, I don't feel like paying for information which I can access immediately and with less hassle on the Internet. I no longer am interested on my space I want something better. I want entertainment, relevance, and importance all in one. I am looking to figures such as Anderson Cooper, Maria Elena Salinas and community leaders for my media.

Christmas Shopping a Bost for the Ecconomy...Not Quite

A part of the christmhas spirit has always been the inisiation to the frenzy of christmhas shoping the day after Thanksgiving. Millions of people hit the steets at wee hours of the morning to get those good holiday sales, I know I joined in. By doing so I only imagined how much money must be generated, after all the three hour lines should bee a sign of prosperity. It actually is and this year sales were up by by 19% from last year according to Breaking News at the Bangkok Post
How ever in spite of this contribution from the american people who spent an average of $316.00 the ecconomy is on a spiral down ward. The stock market continies to go down. The afected companies such as Ford Motor, Blue Chip and Google have drooped in the market. Part of this is dur to the Federal Reserve has raised interest rates to avoid inflation. The dollar has began to loose value, although it has been done for I good reason I can't help but feel disapointed. At a time when the consumer is at an all time high the numbers aren't reflecting it. The U.S. government is supposed to revise the third-quarter a slight growth. We the consumers of America will just have to wait and see the out come of this holiday season untill further notice.

Drug Addicted Doctors Operating on Me, No Way!

On MSN there is an article posted named Survive Your Doctor: The Junkie in the O.R. These findings were made in studies by John Booth, M.D., a former Duke University anesthesiologist, and Mark S. Gold, M.D., a psychiatry professor at the University of Florida's McKnight Brain Institute. It talks about the growing epidemic of anasteleologist becoming addicted to their own drugs. At fist I was completelly stuned but if you think about it it makes sence. Every one is deirectlly or indirectlly adicted to things at work. Doctors are not only working long hours and shifts but are under a lot of pressure. Yet I am outraged this is occuring! People in low paying jobs are enforced to tale drug test and are monitored to make sure things aren't taken from their jobs. I don't see how doctors are able to take advantage of these drugs. The doctors were geting these drugs free from work and geting away with it. It amazing to see that the same thing happens in all social classes, it's a mater of the drugs that are actually available.

Generation M, Do you know what it is?

I never new I was part of generation until I read this. It is anyone born between 1980 and 2000, so if you fall under that according to Chris Pearson a blogger, we are part of it. He apparently read it on a New York Times article by Betsy Israel named The Overconnecteds. The whole point of the article is explaining how now this new generation is using much more technological advances. We use the Internet, ipods, and have many more friends than probably our parents had at our age. Eighty seven percent of twelve to seventeen year olds are regularly on-line. I think that the whole idea of generation M is fairly accurate, we are living in a technological world. My question is how are we applying this technology? Sure we have these advances but is having three-hundred friends on my space considered having more friends than our parents did. Maybe we are loosing the quality of having a evening of productivity in the outdoors and having really true authentic friends. Regardless we cant avoid being part of this generation and maybe we should learn ways to use this technology to make the world a better place.

How's 24 years for Enron's CEO!

After a long awaited court ruling Skilling, Enron's CEO was sentenced to 24 years. This has been the longest sentence for financial fraud. I think Enron marked the dacade for fraud and deciet in business. As if employer relationships with their employees wasn't strained enough the leaders of this company just set a new bar of hipocracy in the office. I mean do you really trust who you work for? If the answer is yes then by all means stay where you are at. However if you doubt the actions of your company leaders by all means question them and find out on your own. Sherri Sera a former administrative assistant said, “I can’t state strongly enough, during 20 years, have I seen or heard anything that he was leading a massive conspiracy to mislead Enron shareholders and employees.” So as you may imagine people were believing all the lies put out by these corporate big shots. So that leads me to say that the world of business is a currupt place in America today. I agree with the massive sentence given to Jeffry Skilling it made a statement. Corporate America will be punished for fraud they are no beter than drugdealers in suits. They are liers, make decitfull statements, and are afecting the lives of everyone who invests in them.

Coca-Cola's #1 Idiots

So a young man named Dimsom and Edmund Duhaney decided that they could become overnight millionaires by stealing the secrets of their employer coca-cola and selling them to arch sales rival Pepsi. They decide to let in a secretary Ms. Williams in their master mind plan to become the next Bill Gates. And by all surprise their plan goes terribly wrong when Pepsi themselves rat them out. Maybe they might have gotten away with it if their buyer would have agreed to keeping their little secret. So now they face up to ten years in jail and 250,000 dollars in fines! Now if that doesn't make you think twice about back stabbing your company I don't know what will. I mean how valuable could the information be after all it is just a multi-million dollar company their advertising campaign, sample recipe and confidential information. Wow, it is amazing the types of crimes that happen today it is the stealing of information that pays the big bucks! Now that is why these three are Coca-Cola number one idiots!

Television Inovasion

Through out the years there have been several interesting television shows aired. While some shows ruled the critic ratings then quickly died off, others clung on to the high ratings and lasted an eternal amount of time providing the same boring drama season after season. Some viewers enjoy the excitement, drama, suspense, emotions and reality of the shows aired. Now it is those series producers trying to figure out what really makes us, as the viewer, not change the remote and tune in day after day. Only a few programs have gotten loyalty out of me. Those shows are True Life , Beverly Hills 90210, and 30 days.


True Life is a show aired on MTV. It is a documentary with think mtv to try totakcle real issues. The program follows people around that all have the same 'issue' or problem in common. It shows how they live and the obstacles they have to overcome here in America. There is such a sincerity to the stories I enjoy. What the people are just like you and I. The program just shows the reality and gravity of life but always has a positive message to give to help those of us who are viewers and may face similar situations. Some of the shows themes have been, "I'm addicted to Methaphenamies" "I'm getting plastic surgery," and "I have an eating disorder." These problems are dealing with people today, they are relevant of today's society, from being gay to cheating spouses, it really covers a lot.

One of the programs I grew up on was Beverly Hills 90210. This program was targeted at teens and the problems they faced. It was very entertaining but at the same time it dealed with problems such as drugs, teen pregnancy, and friendship. It truly was a huge success making the cast overnight stars. I love it because it yelling out "Wake Up" to people like me, the youth by showing true situations.

Thirty Days is a new very smart program dealing with social and political issues in the headlines today. It's by Morgan Spurlock the same director of "Supersize Me" This show is also completely relevant and very controversial. It usually makes two families or people with clashing views interact to see weather their beliefs will change. Some of the programs themes were gay marriages, immigration,and living on minimum wage.

Howard Raises the Bar

Howard Stern was born on January 12 1954. Who would have thought that out of Boston University a media icon would emerge. Constantlly pushing the envelope since college he has pushed censorship in mass media to a new level. He outraged people with his thoughts since Boston University when he was fired from the radio station up until straining relations with CBS executives. Howard Stern was ranked number seven on Forbes salary listing, proving his genius. He has become a self made millionaire for simply speaking his mind. Known for his rude remarks, racial jokes, sexual reference, and most importantly his battle on censorship he has made a mark on the mass media. Today the media is filled by influence on television and radio from political and special interest power houses. Howard Stern has provided a refreshing new approach that threw the mold out the window! I remember watching the show on T.V one late night, Nicole Richie was a guest that night and the way he expressed himself made me think, "Should I be Watching this?" At the same time I could not get my self to change the channel. With T.V filled with censorship and fines for every slip up Howard Stern makes people wonder whats liberty and what's obscene. He took the path less taken many times jeopardizing his career. Wouldn't it be inspiring to not have to conforn to a norm and conform to others. I believe what makes Howard Stern appealing is that he breaks the unwritten rules made by society. How many times do we think something and don't have the nerve to speak our thoughts. Howard Stern is an innovator in the mass media, first of all everyone knows him. everyone may not like him in fact they may hate him, others absolutely love him but no mater what they know who Howard Stern is. He knows he is pushing peoples buttons in fact he has made a career out of it. We need people who think outside the box like that. A piece of advise for the average conforming person is go against society's norm and you may very well earn some fame. If fame or money don't come your way at least you've been you own true person for once!

Is the American Crowd ready for Kazan Once More?

Oct.2006- A classic film revived, first released in 1957 and now the DVD release in 2006 has people talking. Directed by Elia Kazan(1909-2003) the innovative film then produces a better effect today, building fame through out the years. The American public may now be ready to appreciate this film. Writing credits by Budd Schulberg. The film is released once more to remind us of the irrational fanatics Americans tend to become. The story shows the steps taken for an icon to form part of a manipulative market and his fall from the top. Andy Griffith's film debut proved him to be an actor with depth, playing the character of Larry 'Lonesome' Rhodes and making his personality come to life. Also staring in the film is academy award winning Patricia Neal, playing the paper of Marcia Jeffries. She represents women who are manipulated by lies and who work hard for these mobiles who cheat and do not appreciate hard work and loyalty. This film introduces a negative view of America presenting 'the people' like sheep that are willing to follow a megastar. The people who become victims of 'Lonesome' and his carelessness about the whole thing. Taking place in a segregated America we may think it is a story of the past but it could very easily be placed in Hollywood today! Coming from Arkansas Lonesome has nothing,a hobo, while making his money his head grows along with his wallet, simply an overnight media sensation. He has a double face the one presented to the audience and the manipulative one capable of controlling the consumers minds. Lonesome Rhodes how ever may not be a thing of the past a scary thought is he may be lurking on our television radio and political party's today represented by those attempting to persuade our thoughts. We may just be all those people being fooled, the film comes at a time when America can appreciate the message screamed in the film, "Don't be a sheep think for yourself."

What is it about Harpers Bazaar?

When asked about my favorite magazine I really didn't know how to pick one. I enjoy the Times because of it's current events. But as far as a recreational magazine I have always enjoyed reading Harper's Bazaar. All through high school I enjoyed this magazine because of their cover on fashion. I enjoy fashion and it's changing trends. I guess I use the magazine as a reference to see the new trends and purchase fashionable clothes. One of the parts I most enjoyed in the magazine was the part were the people ask questions and the editor answers them. A lot of the questions asked were the same concerns I had. I guess because the magazine specifically targets people who are interested in fashion it would be common for the consumers to have the same questions. I actually find that it is a good thing that magazines are so specific that way the consumer is satisfied with what they purchase. Another great feature that the magazine has is they also say where you could find some of the clothes that they are displaying. Like the new look of the moment and exactly where to get it. Now that's specific and very helpful for those who are not non-stop shoppers. It makes it easy for people to quickly find what their looking for. At the same time the magazine is advertising certain stores and the consumer is more likely to also purchase the clothes in the stores provided. I also enjoy the layout of most of the pages, they are focused on the models and what they are wearing. The first thing that catches your eye is the look that is being advertised making it easier to picture if the certain style of the look is one that would suit you. Now for people who could care less about fashion the magazine is useless but I enjoyed it through high school and still purchase it from time to time.
Find out more about it @ http://www.harpersbazaar.com/fnn/

New Media? Old Media?

At the Wikipedia website I found this article about the classification of new media and old media (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_media). At first I was puzzled, but soon after I realized it ties in to what we have been talking about in class. It goes into stating that books, newspapers, magazines and television, to an extent, all fall into this category. How can the things that I was used to while growing up be old, I mean, I feel young right? But it goes so much deeper than that; it is a form of media that has been surpassed. The new forms of media are essential to my every day life. I use them and could not imagine the world with out them.
Then they also say the forms of new media are easier for marketing and advertising. They also engage the public in two way conversations trough the Internet, instead of being one dimensional. New media included web sites, email, CD/DVD, electronic kiosks, mobile and there are much more. The development of this new media, to me, is astonishing. It just shows how our world is developing into a technology oriented market. The fact that there are actual classifications that state what old media is, is a bit frightening, but at the same time it is exciting and convenient to use them. I really feel that before I was exposed to material such as this I had no notion of how much the world was changing. Now that I have an understanding of my surroundings, I feel as if we are part of a changing world. Just like in the past, when things were used and then discarded, we are doing the same today.

The Kite Runner

Under the Wikipedia encyclopedia there is a definition of what exactly is propaganda, and it also states that there are many different scales of it.(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Propaganda) In fact it states that a form of propaganda is to appeal to one's emotions to change the state of peoples opinions. In my opinion after reading Kite Runner as far as this definition goes I am sure that this book is a minor stage of propaganda. The kite runner changed the view of how I view Afghanistan, I should be a book read nation wide, and I believe certain interest groups may use it to their advantage. The honor of the book made me relate the story to myself and so much more. I understand that many may be objective to my response as this book used as propaganda, but I will explain my reasoning.
I usually viewed propaganda as a negative thing but after my research I see it is only used to change peoples opinions. I my self had a distant cold view of Afghanistan. The was it has been portrayed and by sure using propaganda we have been told a different story of Afghanistan. After the heart breaking attacks on September 11 we were geared to view Afghanistan as our enemy filled with terrorism. Since then my mind has a different picture of life in Afghanistan and the way people are from there, as if there had been a wall put between them and us. This book has changed my mind completely by the Wikipedia definition I believe that means the book preformed the act of propaganda on my beliefs. You see this book made Afghanistan a place that sounded familiar, a place that could happen every where and a place that has gone through a lot of violence. With the story of Amir and the things he goes through it made it seem a familiar story, the events which he goes through change him forever! The social classes formed by difference of ancestry and bias. The violence encountered, and the search of Amir for approval from his Baba. The most emotional moving piece was Hassan and when he was rapped and latter killed by the Taliban. It just shows the suffering of the people and by Amir coming to America and starting from the bottom to later succeed. The whole story is moving and shows the determination they had to go through. It reminded me of the struggle my parents had to make to come here to America. Amir and his father came to avoid the invasion of their country my parents came to find a better life. The came from Mexico, the government was being run by corrupt official and my father worked as an accountant when the fishing press he worked for went out of business. My family was used to our big house by the sea side to arrive here in California to a small apartment like Amir and his Baba. I believe it changed my thoughts because it made the story familiar to me in a way and I see the struggle of the people.
I can definitely view why certain groups would want to use the book at their convenience. The United States might use certain parts of the book to associate it with justifying the invasion of the U.S to save the people of this oppression like the soon of Hassan, Sohrab. They would justify their attacks but in actuality to the Afghanistan people it may seem as another countries invasion and more violence. The way things are told lies in the way the person views the events. I could see how people here in America that are from the Middle East can use this book to show all others judging them their story. Many of those who live here now are running from the type of persecution taking place in Afghanistan. The may work at gas stations, and liquor stores by they are here like many others trying to find a better life for their offspring. It is a book string enough to portray many sides and that's why I believe it can be used to tell the stories of so many.
The change this book has had on myself is astonishing. I never thought I could get such a clear view of what is going on through a book. The book takes place in the 1970's yet the story relates to today 2006! I changed my mind of how I view things it cleared my foggy picture of how people live in Afghanistan. They are just one of the many country's being oppressed by ill willed rulers on their search for power. I think the change I made should be campus wide it should be read by all people. Not only campus wide but nation wide. This book adresses the feeling and emotions taking place in America as we speak. Every time I turn on a form of media their is something of the war, Afghanistan's, even talk shows of how Middle Eastern's are being discriminated in America today. People should have an open mind and view the world instead of thinking that America is it, there is more out there and we are so fortunate to live the way we do.
So I believe the book is propaganda because it changed my views. It was propaganda to me it touched my emotions and the way I think. I changed the book due to the book about Afghanistan and it's people. I relate it to the struggle of immigrants and discrimination. I feel fortunate to live in America. I feel fortunate to be a student trying to make something of my life and be able to accomplish things for my family. I am against invasion and war and oppression more than before. By the story of Amir and the things he endured he and Hassan represented so many others making the story come to life. Some may say it isn't good some may say it is great but the story is real and it should be told. I found out that the book is being made into a movie in 2007 and I think it is a great thing. The Kite Runner is a book of this era and the problems of today.

Business and Blogs

As I was surfing the net I came along a really interesting press release it said how the world of business wanted to be involved in the world of blogging. Their point was that if everyone else was so involved in this new way of media that they wanted to join so that they can even control their own comments about their large corporations. If they blogged it would be a positive thing. They even created a website to help corporations let the word out and let people know about it, basically to generate a buzz it is halvorsonnewmedia.com.
I found it really interesting that this evolution in the way of business mobiles is evolving. Christine Halvorson is actually the pioneer of this movement. The whole situation sort of reminded me of the record company executives being stuck in their old ways. Unlike them the business world sees a world of possibilities in the world of blogging. I think it is people like that that are on top of new technology and use it to their advantage. In a changing world adaptation is important. I believe that the business corporations that participate will benefit, I'm sure of it. To view the release click herehttp://www.emediawire.com/releases/2006/9/emw438447.htm

Different Types of Media Publication

I never really realized what a difference reading the same article in two different ways was. I read California Prison Crisis Clock Ticking On Overcrowding in the San Jose Mercury News and found out pros and cons as well as on line the exact same article at http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/15547071.htm. While reading the actual paper I felt really comfortable, I was laying down relaxing. A definite plus is the different sections that come with the actual paper copy of the newspaper, while I was reading my story on the first page my friend Jesus asked me for the sports page I simply handed him that section and at the same time we enjoyed our reading. Then I realized that there are bad things as well, I had to walk to the coffee shop in the library and purchase my newspaper there. Then as I was reading the beginning of the story I have to decide whether the story is interesting enough to continue and therefore look for the page in which the story is continued. Now the fonts and pictures do make it more interesting and eye catching on paper. At least for the article I choose there were no pictures on line in comparison to the paper you can visibly see the over crowding of the prisons.
Now on line I found it a bit more convenient. I went to the search line typed in the name of my article and was able to read it consecutively by scrolling down with my mouse. How ever it was a bit inconvenient to sit and relax with a laptop in my hands. It also lacked a structure which the layout is different than what we are used to. Now a definite plus is that I got it for free I paid nothing for my article, yet I have to consider it is less tangible.
So now I am left more confused than before, on line or paper? Well I would have to say that at the time I prefer the paper because I find the on-line version isn't as complete. Now maybe if a smart person came along and composed a good online format that was better I would be open to change. I have to say that i enjoyed the on-line version and well, who knows what change will be brought on. Maybe those of us that are content with our paper version will be pleasantly surprised.

The future of Books

What would happen if books as we know them changed forever? With the technology we have today the distribution of information is being passed through new ways. Can a book be available on line? Well they already are, but are they popular? I don't think books have become a hit on line because of the inconvenience of having to view them on a computer and not while we relax in comfort. However I am not opposed to the idea of text books becoming affordable, books are highly priced for college students. As if school isn't expensive enough books are changed constantly with new editions, and we have to buy them. I wouldn't mind some one coming up with a solution to make textbooks more affordable and widely distributed. I wouldn't even mind reading a textbook on the Internet if it meant that I wouldn't have to spend hundreds of dollars semester after semester. As far as novels go I do prefer a hardback book I could take with me and carry. Now I am not going to be against anything I'm open to change that is positive. Overtime opinions also change, when ATM machines first were introduce to the American public people were outraged, they wanted to deal with bank tellers only. Now I prefer to deal with an ATM machine and only go to a teller inside the bank when I really need to. Now as far as throwing books away if they were to vanish as we know them , I would not throw them away. Actually when I am done with a class and get a chance to sell my book back, I don't. I find what I get in return is not worth as much as the value of the book. Eventually things come in handy I have kept books and my friends use books from my previous classes when they needed them for classes I've taken. I am the type of person that think if you hold on to something long enough it may gain value. My mother has gave me several books that she has read so that I could read them also. Actually even when one of my aunts reads a good book they do pass it on with my mom and she will trade a good book also. I would try to share books with my kids but definitely not impose it on them. Just as music is changing books could change and we can avoid change.

Hard Headed Fools: What's wrong with Record Executives?

What is wrong with this system of music? Why do some people always have to take advantage of positions with power? Music has evolved over time and has become to even represent the era and time we areliving in. The movement of music came from the people. Way back in the day people seemed to have a sort of brilliance to expressing their thoughts trough music, now songs seem repetative. But even when Thomas Edison's invention of the phonograph came that actually record music came a sort of selfishness to wanting to control it. As time went by the technology made it possible to provide music through recordingsand expand it to a mass audience. Hi-Fi was developed and sophisticated technology made it possible for sound of recordings to improve. All of a sudden emerged the birth of mega industries with great ideas in mind. An idea of popular music arose and different styles of music were developed. Record companies invested money and created mega super stars. It was genius, to have the vision to make money off the distrabution of music. Some where in between these grand dreams and wonderful technology things took a diferent direction and extremely complicated. All of a sudden there were copyrights issues, and signing of certain artist, money got in the way. Music licensing, having to pay royalties, it all became so complicated that the entertainment business became a sort of money monster that controlled the profit of eentertainment.
I believe that what is wrong with music CEO's and executives of these mega recording companies is that they become a target of blame for whats going on today, but there may be a twitch in the actual whole picture. If I were an executive at one of these major recording companies I would make several changes to try to improve the situation. While listening to on the Edge 102 I must say I agree with a lot he has to say. The artist we have now in days are dancing, little talent singing, sex symbols that have a few good songs in a garbage album that is advertised in all the wrong ways. And then there is the Internet issue, file sharing, and a new generation of consumers not willing to pay the price for an unworthy product. Executives must recognize the problem is not the technological advances such as the cassette and compact disk and heaven forbid the Internet. The problem falls in them not wanting to see new ways of channeling their music and distributing it to make a profit. I look at them as some kid who was raised to believe something and all of a sudden they are thrown into a new world that contradicts what they already know. Instead of changing this child begins to through a tantrum wanting things to remain the same. We saw it happen with Napster insident, this guy has a brilliant idea, the company master minds are appalled and throw all the money and legal power to stop it. But guess what it is unstoppable to avoid change it's inevitable. So as an executive they should follow simple rules. Go back to supply and demand, demand is low right? Billions of dollars are lost from year to year. Then why are we paying the same thing as we were a few years ago? Of course lower prices. Channel music through the Internet sale the songs at a reasonable price, let people control what music they buy. There is after all amazon, and eBay, it works the concept isn't that hard things sell on the Internet. Their can also be incentives to spark interest. For example buy the music and enter the chance to win something, that couldn't hurt. You have to familiarize your product and the face of the company as equals. I would stop acting as if I war fighting a war against the consumer calling them thieves and comprehend why people are downloading. All nations that enforce their ways through fear are eventually overthrown, learn how to identify with the consumers needs. A big problem is the artist themselves that are signed to these multi-billion corporations have to be required to posses real talent not just a perty face. Albums suck right now, there are only a few good ones being put out there. My recommendation would be to return to old ways, to the basics, think not of the money but of the music and invest in the quality of that and the people will return on their own. It's not the end of recording companies, it is the evolution of it invest your money in creating the next way of distribution instead of avoiding it then your company will make money. Stop being hard headed fools and open up to the evolution of music.

Foreign Piracy

This past summer I traveled to Mexico for a family trip. I traveled to Mexico City, distrito federal, and also to Acapulco a great beach in the state of Guerrero. While on my visit I saw many things and now relating to the subject at hand I ran into several stand of pirated Cd's. In Mexico city just around the corner from my grandmothers house there was a stand next to the marketplace. It was very big, the guy had all types of music from a famous Spanish rock group named Mana, to the latest in hip hop and Spanish pop new releases. Well the stand wasn't what made a big impression on me it was the price of the Cd's. The Cd's were sold for only 15 pesos, this comes out to be about a dollar and fifty cents. Here in the states I have never seen such cheap Cd's. Now I must admit I bought several Cd's just about ten dollars worth of them. I played them and to my surprise they were great, one of them had not even been released for sale in the stores! So later that week when I had already gone to Acapulco we went to a mall in the center of the strip. There at the mall there was a store called Mix Up. Mix Up is a version of a tower records. The have all the Cd's there, now the prices were any where from 150 pesos to 250 pesos, that's any where from fifteen to twenty dollars. There were some on sale for just 100 pesos, ten dollars but I must admit they were not good. My mother purchased two Cd's there they included here favorite songs while growing up so she thought it was worth the forty dollars she paid. I guess memories are worth paying the price but I was just as happy with all the Cd's I had purchased earlier that week for a fraction of the price. Now we were tourist we probably could afford buying authentic Cd's from stores such as this mix up store, now for the locals that are of the working class that would be impossible. In Mexico the minimum wage is about 50 pesos a day! That is five dollars a day, here in California we make more that that in an hour. For the working class there that illegal stand selling the Cd's are essential. That way they are able to own at least some Cd's. The last thing on the peoples minds is that they are illegally buying music and cheating artist and record companies of money. They are just worried of being able to afford it. Sure there are people that can afford going to the Mix Up and have far better jobs. The way I viewed it there was that the people buy Cd's according to their budget, those who can't afford authentic Cd's go for the other Cd's. Now here in the states I think it is a question of convenience, if we could get away with buying something cheaper or getting it for free does it make it okay?

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Sting ray kills Steve Irwin:The Crocodile Hunter

On Monday Steve Irwin was filming on the Batt Reaf of the coast of Australia, he ironically was filming for a television show, "The World's Deadliest." His colleague and great friend John Stainton was present when Steve swam too close to a sting ray. The sting ray attacked and with it's sharp and poisonous tail, it pierced Steve's heart. Crew members aboard Croc One, the boat, emergency services were called from nearby city Cairns, and he was pronounced dead when arriving to the hospital. Many people close to him and fans morne for his death for he was known as a cheerful, enthusiastic environmentalist. Stainton addressed the media and said, " He died and left doing what he loved best and left this world with a happy and peaceful state of mind. He would have said Crock Rule!" The accident came as a surprise to many for sting rays are usually not likely to attack and humans are not likely to die from their attacks. The freak accident has shocked many. His fame spread when in 1992 his adventures were televised by the Discovery Channel. He later went on to do some Hollywood movies and appear in talk shows such as, Regis and Kelly. Controversy surrounded his actions once in the past when he feed a crocodile while holding his newborn baby. He later apologized and said he wanted to expose his children to what he loved. Steve had great knowledge and educated many people about the wildlife and the importance it had not only the preservation but to appreciate it. I personally admire the dedication that Steve had with his job, a job is more than that when you love what you do. Steve died doing what he loved. He died at only 44 and left behind his wife Teri, daughter Bindi Sue and son Bob. His death was unexpected and now more than ever we should remember all he stood for and the knowledge he left behind. Unlike several of us living in corporate America he stood for something completely different and for that we should remember.

Casualties of War

When surfing through the net I found an interesting story on the CNN website. It read," 14 Britons Die in Cash in Afghanistan". I believe what caught my eye first and foremost was the mention of Afghanistan after it's long disappearance in the media. All the news about terrorism and the war had began to focus on Iraq and all the rest faded into the backround. Now even in the media there is a decrease in cover on Iraq. Did the story get old? I feel we become detached from the situation unless we know troops and have to wait and pray for their safe return. It's not happening on our soil so why worry? Wrong, I believe we must leave our selfishness behind and think of those less fortunate being affected by war. In war no one wins everyone looses, the people loose, and those who encourage it well we all know there are hidden agendas.
The story talks about the plane crashing in the city of Kandahar. The troops are their fighting efforts to of Taliban in southern Afghanistan. What always confuses me about reports such as these is that there are two sides to them. The crash was said to be accidental and not part of an attack, yet a spokesman for the Taliban named Abdul Khaliq took credit for the crash although it was not possible to verify or support the claim. The city of Kanahar was once a strong point for the Taliban regime, it was out stated by the US invasion following the attacks in September 11. As of now the British have about four thousand troops in Afghanistan and attacks in this area have increased the most in the last five years leading to more violence and death. I truly am taken away by the situation, I feel bad for the innocent civilians of the area and the troops fighting there also. Everyone to me is a victim of those selfish leaders fighting to peruse money, power and think not of the innocent people who are to them simply casualties of war.

To view the story click on the link http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/asiapcf/09/02/afghan.plane.ap/index.html

Drawn by a Headline

What kind of consumer am I? When I think about this question the immediate response I have has to do with material things. However this time it was asked in a different way it was what kind of media do I consume? I found my self pondering. Then my immediate question was, What is media? So here I sat clueless once more, and of course it hit me. Media is everywhere, its news, music, TV, and articles we are exposed to on a daily basis. Driving down the road we encounter so many bill boards, or advertisements. We then turn on our radio and there it is in talk shows, commercials and music. In our own homes, we turn on the television for many, many hours whether it's to watch the news, entertainment shows, or commercials. So all of a sudden I no longer ponder what media is, but I discovered that I was affected by it, and interested in it. I began to pay special attention to the matter and finally I had my answer, I am drawn by a headline.
I consume all types of media. The media I most enjoy is current events. The headline on the evening news or the main story on CNN. It seems that lately problems are arising in the world on a day to day basis, new things, new problems. I also enjoy watching the type of news that changes your view of life. I just have to fall for the emotional stories, like stories of survival and perseverence. It seems that when everything is wrong in the world there is always that one exceptional person that accomplishes so much in life's worst circumstances that makes my problems seems so small and not worth complaining about. As far as novels I would say the same sort attract me the ones with incredible stories to be told such as Memours of a Geisha, and Like Water for Chocolate. I must admit I am also a big time movie junkie, it has always been family tradition for me that at the end of a stress full week the best remedy turn out to be a bluckbuster on a friday night. I enjoy dramas, mysteries, and romantic comedies. Some of my favorite films are Meet Joe Black, The Green Mile and The Notebook. Also a little embarasing to admit I sometimes endulge in the pointless magazines of the rich and famous filled with fashion and useless gossip that turn out to be pretty entertaining once in a while. I have notices that the hook or head line of a story has to be good enough to catch my attention and interest me in their topic. The best media in my opinion is very hard to accomplish, it has to be impartial, informative to the point and provide enough meaning to leave a print in our thought not something that is lost by the time it is read. So what type of media consumer am I? I guess my answer is I don't have a profile, I conect to the media that catches my attention, give me a great headline a great story and I will give it my attention.