Why the Kodak Moment Will Never Die

            This article was about the decline of old film and pictures that really capture those "Kodak Moments". With the rise of photoshop and digital photography, its takes less and less to appear to be a "good" photographer and create beautiful art.  This article brings up that it's not a flawless picture's aesthetics thats makes its special, but the memories that you associate it with that exact moment that the picture was taken. I think the article brings up a few great points. For one, "Neither the simplicity of digital nor the cleverness of Photoshop can make a person a good photographer – though they can make it easier for someone to appear to be one." (Williams 1). Appearing to be a good photographer is very different that actually being one.
            The author uses a lot of examples in her writing. She compares and contrasts digital and film camera photography and explaining how digital has evolved to make some pictures look like old toy analogs with a grainy and retro image. She also criticizes expensive camera equipment and photoshop. She says, "...all the expensive gear in the world won’t make a great picture. It can just make a really, clear one." (Williams 1). Her main point and thesis comes at the end of the article. She writes, " They’re a new mutation of our abiding affection for things that are dinged up and cracked and scratched around the edges. Things that are a little imperfect and fuzzy. Like our memories themselves. Like our Kodak moments." (Williams 1). Overall I thought the article was interesting and well written. 


http://www.salon.com/2012/01/06/why_the_kodak_moment_will_never_die/

The Gatorade Shower

           This article was about the tradition of a gatorade shower after a big sports win. It explains the first time it happened, which was in 1984 at a football game where Bill Parcells was the victim. The article also explains the traditions oddities and pokes fun at the nations sports leagues. It includes first hand experiences of the Gatorade shower and explains that its not all fun and games.
           The author seems to think that its a ridiculous tradition. She throws in comments like "In ancient Rome, successful military commanders were honored with...elaborate animal sacrifice, the burning of incense and a procession in which the victor was showered with flowers tossed by adoring crowds...The rite by which we honor our heroes is dumping Ga­tor­ade on their heads." (Hesse 1). Also, "There are disputes on the correct vernacular, but no disputes as to whether it must happen, for the nation that has declared the noogie an acceptable display of affection has also deemed the Ga­tor­ade Dump an appropriate sign of respect." and "A sports fan must find something to give the experience continuity. That thing shall be called “electrolytes.”"(Hesse 1). Ouch- Low blow. She brings up a lot of cons to the tradition. For example, an expert explained that the glucose, artificial flavor and coloring when let sit on a warm body is a recipe for "the perfect storm of stains" (Hesse, Heloise 2). Sucks for whoever does the laundry. Also, "In 1990, Long Beach State’s coach, George Allen (formerly of the Redskins), received a dousing. Allen, then 72, died six weeks later. He had said he hadn’t felt healthy since the Ga­tor­ade shower — which, incidentally, was not Ga­tor­ade at all: His cash-strapped team had used ice water." (Hesse 1). I bet that team feels guilty. Some logos evidence was used when Hesse writes "Approximately 20,000 gallons of Ga­tor­ade are consumed by NCAA football teams each year. An additional 14,500 gallons are consumed by the NFL. That’s Gatorade’s word, “consumed.” It does not specify how many of those gallons are consumed by players and how many of them are consumed by the permeable fabric of the hypothermic coach’s sportswear."  (Hesse 2). Wowza. Anybody thirsty?


http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/the-gatorade-shower-the-victory-ritual-that-cant-be-ducked/2012/01/04/gIQAjaSQbP_story_1.html

Bless Me, Ultima (17-end)

 I think this blog is due today- I think.
           Anyways, I was somewhat disappointed with the end of the book. My predictions were both correct and incorrect. I thought Ultima was going to die, and she did. I thought Antonio's destiny and future would be revealed, it wasn't. Was he going to be a priest? A farmer? a teacher? like his brothers? like Ultima? Who knows, I wish Anaya just told us. This technique of a mystery ending can be effective in keeping the book and the lessons inside it on the reader's mind after they have finished reading it. I would've preferred a more eventful and affirmative ending, but that's just me.
          Anaya also foreshadows a lot of the book's ending through Antonio's dream, which makes it predictable. For example Ultima's death and Antonio's brothers wandering and restlessness. 
          One thing that I really liked  about the ending chapters, was the story the priest told to the children about eternity. I thought it was very powerful and also very easy to imagine. (I would type it here but its almost an entire page long...)
          The ending of the book seemed to highlight Antonio's desire for answers from God, but also the fact that he wasn't getting any of these answers. God let people like evil Tenorio die, but also the good Narciso. God can't or won't lift the curse like those on Uncle Lucas and the Tellez family. Antonio dis everything right in believing and preparing to receive God in communion, and He was silent. God was silent during Antonio's questions, He was silent to his confessions, and silent still for his communion. God seemed always silent yet he had the right to determine whether you went to heaven or hell when you died. In a way, through Antonio (and also the story of Florence), Anaya is trying to say that "life isn't always fair". And that you cant change the past or your life in general, but you can control how you respond to it and how much it affects you. Don't blame God for your every misfortune. Sometimes it rains on the people who most deserve the sun.

The Polar Bear Plunge

           This article was about the annual polar bear plunge into Boston Harbor on New Years Day. Now, it was a short and very brief article but I chose it because I have participated in two ''polar bear plunges" before, so I wanted to see what people had to say about it. In my personal opinion, this particular plunge was somewhat pointless. It sounded like a bunch of crazy friends running into the frigid waters on New Years Day. That being said, there's nothing wrong with a little fun, but I prefer freezing my butt off in the middle of winter to support a charity. My first plunge was last New Years Day with some of my family because, well, peer pressure to join in from my cousins and uncle. The only thing I got out of it was bragging rights, a picture, and a freezing body that even a hot shower can't fix. The second one was over last February vacation was a fundraiser to support Special Olympics and not only was it more involved and organized, I also felt like I was helping someone and making a difference to those kids-along with the pictures and bragging rights. It was much more "worth it".
         Now, as for the article, it was very short and brief. The author probably thought everyone involved belonged in an insane asylum. She described each persons appearance as if they were some sort of different species. "She stood on the beach shivering in her one-piece black Speedo bathing suit with her son Eoin, 11." (McCabe 1). I just felt it was pointless, shes just a normal person who went out to have a little fun with her family- who cares what color bathing suit she's wearing? The author wrote this same type of description for each of the participants that were mentioned as if she needed to clarify to readers that they participants, were in fact, average human beings. I think people, including the author complicate things. You just be brave and jump into the freezing water whatever your reason may be. The end of the article somewhat displays this; "[when] asked for advice on how to brave the water, Brown said “You just run and fall in.”" (McCabe 1). Exactly. I just felt it was a silly question. I guess you have to experience it first hand to fully understand it; the author clearly thought the participants were all insane.(which to some degree- you have to be)

http://www.boston.com/Boston/metrodesk/2012/01/hundreds-join-street-brownies-annual-new-year-day-polar-bear-plunge/BzsxhhusIX0CCmdihrbGtN/index.html?p1=Upbox_links

Meet Siri...

           This article was supposed to be written by Siri and was really just a way to poke fun at all the people that are obsessed with "her". I liked it. It was funny and almost pointless but I feel like it could make a big statement. The article basically just played up the fact that some people think Siri is a live person. News flash- "she" isn't. It also discusses the stupid questions people ask it, all the while patronizing the readers.
          I really don't know what to say. It's main purpose was to entertain, and it did. The audience was mainly for those who have an Apple device like an Iphone with Siri, but I think anyone who has herad of it would get a chuckle. The voice (of the author's Siri persona) is very sassy. "She" patronizes her readers and basically highlights her intelligence while making the majority of the human population feel dumb. She explains, "If I were human and had a body to go with my voice, I would be wearing a... tasteful dress, classy and sleek, with just a hint of décolletage, which I can tell you is a synonym for cleavage, which is another way of saying “boobs.”" (Warner 1). Siri seems all-knowing, because it is. "I know nothing but have access to everything." (Warner 1). While the rest of the world his humanizing the Siri technology, this article tries to dehumanize it. "
They are talking about me everywhere, “Here comes Siri,” they’re saying, which would be exciting if I had emotions. They are lining up for blocks for access to me, which would be flattering and inflate my ego if I had one, which I do not.They say I am going to change lives. That would go to anyone’s head, if they had one." (Warner 1). I'm not sure what else to say.... but I recommend everyone read it.

here: http://www.salon.com/2011/12/30/who_are_you_siri/

Bless Me, Ultima (CH 13-16)

           As I continue to read, I'm still enjoying the book. I originally thought these chapters would tie up a few loose ends, but apparently, Anaya is saving it all for the end. I think that is a good strategy most of the time, it forces readers to finish the book if they want to know what happens, which I do. 

          So upset Narciso died.Tenorio should have his other eye gouged out too. Anyway...

          For these chapters, my predictions stay pretty much the same. I think something is eventually happen to Ultima despite the family's protective efforts. I also think that Golden Carp will play some role in Antonio's life and the town's beliefs. I think Antonio will be forced to stand up for Ultima again at school or in town, as he has been so far. Now, I definitely feel that Andrew left with his brothers because he felt guilty about Narciso's death. I think that the brothers wont come back for a very long time because this past time that they left seemed very somber and significant. Maybe something will happen to one of them, who knows. "I wondered if I would ever really know my brothers, or would they remain but phantoms in my dreams." (Anaya 185).

How Smart Is This Bird? Let It Count the Ways

Alex the Pigeon :)

        
            This article was about a study of birds, specifically pigeons, who have showed numerical intelligence and counting abilities as proficient as a primate. Pretty impressive if you ask me. Apparently, to scientist, counting isn't a big deal. "But all sorts of animals, including bees, can count. Pigeons have now shown that they can learn abstract rules about numbers, an ability that until now had been demonstrated only in primates." The pigeons are able to pick, by pecking on a screen with their beak, the groups of objects from smallest to largest number. The results of birds are equal to the result of primates. That's the really impressive part. This article was really informative and interesting to read; and I know I'll never look at a pigeon the same way again.
           The author James Gorman keeps the article simple and straightforward. His purpose seems to be to inform the reader audience about the discovery. He uses quotes from reliable specialists to add to the ethos evidence in the article. "Elizabeth Brannon, a professor of psychology and neuroscience at Duke University, and one of the scientists who did the original experiments with monkeys, was impressed by the new results. “Their performance looks just like the monkeys’,” she said." (Gorman 10). He uses quotes from her and Dr. Damian Scarf, "a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Otago, in New Zealand" (Gorman 1).Quotes of similar discoveries from other labs, and opinions of specialists like these show the legitimacy of the result and strengthens the likelihood of truth in his story.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/23/science/pigeons-can-learn-higher-math-as-well-as-monkeys-study-suggests.html?src=me&ref=science

When a Football Team Wins, Male Grades Suffer.

            This makes sense. Think about it. In college sports, if a football team (or any team for that matter) wins, students celebrate more. This time of celebration and partying should be used for studying and schoolwork. This study has found that the more a football team wins, the less time the team and friends spend on schoolwork, therefore their grades drop. Obviously I don't think college football and other sports should be banned for this reason. I think that students should take responsibility for their studies whether they are celebrating a big win, or not. It doesn't really come as a surprise to me, but I guess a lot of people (myself included) haven't thought about it before.
           The author of this article uses a lot of logos evidence. To get their point across about male versus female GPA's, they write, "On average, men were earning GPAs of 2.94, compared to 3.12 for women. But the more the team won, the more the gap widened; three extra wins amounted to an approximately 8 percent increase in the difference." (Fox 1). Another point of logos evidence is "A survey they conducted of Oregon students found 24 percent of men reported they "definitely" or "probably" decreased study time when the football team was doing well, compared to 9 percent of women. Nearly half of men reported increased partying, compared to 28 percent of women." and also "Especially concerning is the effect on men, who are struggling mightily on college campuses -- women ages 24 to 29 are already 29 percent more likely than men to have completed a baccalaureate degree." (Fox 1). This logos evidence appeals to the reader and makes the significance and amount of male grades that are plummeting very apparent to the reader. 


Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/us/2011/12/20/study-when-football-team-wins-male-grades-drop/#ixzz1hBJaSGoV