Blog #11 Final blog reflection.

Dear future bloggers, this is not a test.. this is YOUR blog... make it memorable!
Blogging is a fun way to express your thoughts and ideas in a creative and different aspect. Typing out your feelings and ideas for people all over the world to read and relate is truely a great opportunity to have. Getting different opinions and comments from strangers is pretty interesting and makes it more enjoyable. I enjoyed blogging more then just writing papers. To me, it was more free and out there. Some benefits of blogging consist of 1) being viewed by people from all over the world and not being limited to one group of people. 2) Having the ability to really express yourself and make your posts as personal as you want. Blogging does also have its challenges. My biggest challenge was really focusing on a topic and writing enough to really get my point across. Other then that, I found blogging to be quite exciting. By writing for my English 102 class  I learned to engage with the readers. By making my posts more personal and fun, I feel more readers can relate and believe what I'm saying. Blogging helps change my understanding of my fellow classmates by reading their blogs and finding out without really knowing them, what they are interested in and their views and opinions on certain subjects and issues. I found blogging online with technology way easier online versus writing with a pen and paper. Its easier to have my thoughts flow by typing, instead of writing everything down and possibly loose my thoughts mid sentence (which happens often). I do believe blogging is useful since like I said before, people from all over can view so its not limited at all which I love. I also found it useful that my fellow classmates can give me their two cents on my blogs letting me know how they feel and their opinions on the matter. I've always ben told I should start a blog, and now I can say I finally did. Hope you all enjoyed what I've wrote so far, and thanks again for your comments and thoughts!

Blog #10 the drop in gas prices.

 Christmas came early this year for all of us drivers threw out the United States. With gas prices the lowest they've been in five years, more people are taking advantage and driving more. The falling prices save an estimated 1 million a day for Phoenix metro motorists alone. Arizona's gas prices are mid-range for the country. The highest gas prices come from none other then Hawaii. The cheapest gas in the U.S. is in Oklahoma City, currently below $2.  With gas follows oil, which is also lower in price. Cheap gas and oil make for a happy mobile driver. With Christmas and the new year right around the corner, the money we'll be saving at the pump makes a huge difference. More people will be able to drive to drive out of state to visit their family, or friends. Bringing people together is what the holidays are all about. There has been rumors that the gas prices are low due to the election in November. That is partly correct since the federal government wants us as citizens to feel good about the changes that will be made. Making us feel good and confident for the new election. Another reason is Arizona has one of the lowest gas taxes in the country at 18 cents a gallon. Although all motorists are loving these all time low gas prices, they wont be low for much longer. Gas prices are predicted to rise after the new year, so fill up while you have the chance!

Blog #9 Media Synthesize

 

Hello All! Hope you had a lovely lovely holiday. Im sure you all noticed how many more commercials and ads came in the mail over these past few weeks. Now that we learned about media and how it controls the worls we live in, My eyes have officially been reopened to see things in a new light. Media varies from all angles. Media controls billboards, TV, commercials, newspapers, social media, even the clothes you wear. You and I are basically walking advertisements. Even word of mouth is considered a form of media. Now I notice it more, and try to catch how stores and brands try to become house hold names. Engraving themselves in our minds with their catchy jingles and bright colors. Flashy visuals and happy people to keep us interested. The media has been using these tactics for decades, and thats because they are working. Now that I am more aware of media and its impact, I started out by adveraging out how many people I come across with brand names on their shirts. In my English 102 class which consists of 18 people,  6 had a brand name of some sort of advertisement on their shirt or hoodie. That averages out to 1/3rd of my class becoming a walking advertisement for the media, and they aren't getting paid for it. Along with the fashion aspect, I've been paying closer attention to the billboards on the highways. I've noticed a lot of advertisements for fast food franchises, offering multicolored, bright pictures with cheap prices next to the delicious picture. Coming from someone who does not eat fast food, I too found myself craving it.  When I see a popular trend, like hair colors and styles, I automatically think of that celebrity or famous icon who has similar hair. Such as the Kardashians with their ombre hair. When it comes to the news I am a big fan. I could watch the news on any channel, and normally do to get different views of the stories. I've noticed more recently that all news stories are very one sided, on every issue. From pet rescue, to restaurant options, to court cases. I understand now the news anchors use their power to pursue us a audience to follow their path and agree with that they deliver as part of their job. I notice when it comes to family members they are influenced by media without even knowing it. My brother is very into computer and video games, and shows interest in the ones that are popular and sell a lot of copies. Sorry bro, but you are influenced by the media. My younger sister also shows interest in whats fashionable when it comes to her hair. What does she do when she goes to the salon? She shows the hairdresser a picture of a celebrity in hopes to mock her hair style. So unless we live under a rock like Patrick Star, we are influenced by media one way of another. Until next time.

Blog #8 fingerprints.

Fingerprints. One of the easiest ways to identify someone.  Chances that two people have the same fingerprints are extremely slim, but not impossible. In fact, the odds are 1 in 64 billion. That is one of the reasons why we require multiple fingerprints on more than one hand. Fingerprint shape is completely unaffected by your DNA, and starts to form while you are still in the womb. While it is hard to duplicate a fingerprint, it is easy to identify which one of three standard pattern you have. One of the simpler fingerprint pattern is the Whorl which is multiple circles. The Loop, which is more of a wave like pattern in the center of your finger. The Loop is more of a personal shape, since it has more complicated pattern and ridges. The Arch resembles a hill or bump illusion. I have the circle pattern.

Scientists believe we have the ridges on our fingertips may also enhance our sense of touch. Also they are used to be able to grasp things. That way objects don't slip threw our fingers.  Wonder what animal has similar fingerprint patterns like a human being? The answer is: a koala. The only differences between our fingerprints and koalas are, koalas have two thumbs on each hand, as well as claws instead of fingernails. Well, hope you learned something new today, until next time.

Blog #7 Dumb Men.

I never knew how many commercials there have been that is specifically making fun of men. Today I found the website Dumbmen.com which had a hefty load of commercials from major brands like Esurance, AT&T, Sonic, and KFC (to name a few).  After watching a few of the commercials aimed at dumb men, I instantly felt bad for them. The audience of DumbMen.com can be anyone really. We all know someone of the male sex and can instantly feel simpothy for them. The website is very informative and helps inform about the gender biased advertisement out there now. I cant say I've seen any of the few videos prior to on the dumbmen website, I'm sure they did not make it on the actual air. Dumbmen.com is a eye opener as well. The stereo type of women being the dumber of the genders is reversed in this situation. 

The commercial that i found most interesting was the Hane's socks commercial. In this video, the mother walks into her house to find her husband dipping their sons feet in a special paste he made. when asked what he was doing, the husband responded with, "we can never find socks that fit our feet and we are sick of it!"The mother even clearly tells the father "that's stupid" and he says, "It's the future" making himself sound even more stupid.  The mother then throws the father a pack of Hane's socks and the next scene shows the family jumping on a bed in their new socks. The underlining message is Hane's socks are the best when it comes to shaping to your feet, and that's not stupid. The audience is anyone who is interested in buying socks, or needs to find a brand of socks that they feel is the best. The tone is very goofy, since the dad is dipping his sons feet in the home made paste to use in replacement of socks. The jumping on the bed at the end also gave the commercial a child like tone making the dad seem like a big little kid, making the commercial appeal to the audience.

Blog #6 Birthday Cake!

The history of birthday cake originated in ancient Greece. The Greeks made cakes to honor Artimus, goddess of the Hunt. We eventually started to used the cakes for our own birthdays. When it comes to candles the Greek would light one of multiple candles to represent the glow of the moon. Many other cultures also believed that the smoke from the candles carried their prayers and wishes to their gods who lived in the skies, which can explain why we make a wish and blow out the flame. Some scholars believed the lighting of candles begun in Germany where the germans would place a lit candle on a cake to represent the "light of life." Today we light candles based on tradition, and hope.
Birthday cake comes in all shapes and sizes. Colors and decorations add a creative flair that everyone notices. Back in the midieval times, England would bake their birthday cakes with symbolic items inside. Items like coins and thimbles where mixed in the batter. The English believed the person who got the coin in his piece of cake would be blessed with good luck and wealth. While he who got the thimble would never marry.



So, now you can have your cake, and learn about it too!
cheers! :)

Blog #5 ASU offering shorter classes.

In The Arizona Republic's article from 2011, it talks about some big changes coming to ASU. Arizona State University plans to add more courses to their shorter class program they put into effect Jan 2012. By 'shorter class' I mean ASU is offering courses that can be completed in 7 1/2 weeks versus the traditional 15 week course. ASU will still keep their traditional 15 week courses as well, but are in the process of the shorter options. Just because the class is completed in half the time doesnt mean it will be half the work. While the course is half the time, it will still include 15 weeks worth of information and assignments.
 
Having taken excelerated courses myself, I find this to be a great alternative for ASU to offer. I feel like as long as the students know what they have in store work wise, they should consider this option. Finishing their degree in a shorter amount of time sounds like a great deal to me. Along with shorter degree time, by choosing the shorter class option students will also end up saving tuition money. Every college student enjoys saving money! Other changes include a couple extra days off in October that ASU students don't normally get. A little break is a nice treat during your busy school schedule. With any new idea, there will always be mixed feelings. Faculty has mixed emotions on the whole idea. Some feel the shorter classes wont teach the students as much academic input as a traditional course. While that seems correct in the time aspect, the students will still learn the same information, just more crammed into each week. I feel like both sides will never settle for any given situation, but the shorter class option is a good idea.

Blog #3 Social media & your brain.

How many times a day do you find yourself checking a form of social media a day? Is it to many times to count? How many different forms of social media are you a member of? If you are like me, the answer to both is, too many to count. We are blossoming in this generation where social media rules all. Social media is used by one third of the entire world... the ENTIRE WORLD.  5 to 10 % of users actually admit they cant log off. its a psychological addiction similar to those drug addicts have. The more you get online the more dopamine your brain produces, leaving you feeling "high." While trying to multitask, you will find it relatively hard when your phone can become your distraction. 89% of us even admitted to feeling our phones buzz, when they actually didn't once every 2 weeks. Becoming so use to the vibrations can make us fall victim to our phones. Social media also releases a form of dopamine, which scientist found to be more active when people are talking about themselves versus other people. The same part of your brain related to orgasms, love, and motivation are stimulated by your social media use, and even more so when you know you have an audience. In this day and age relationships tend to last longer and have stronger feelings when they meet online rather then meeting face to face. Whether it be that people are more anonymous or tend to talk about their future goals, it works.

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http://youtu.be/HffWFd_6bJ0

video by Asapscience

Entry #2 Soda pop revelation

Entry #2 Soda pop revelation 

Soda pop, everyone's favorite soft drink is not so 'soft' after all. While soda has many flavors, there are only two major companies, Pepsi, and Coke a Cola. Carbonated soda had more added sugar than cookies, ice cream, and candies combined. That being said, why do people find it so easy to give soda to children? Soda pop has been an American tradition for decades and seems to be everyone's favorite beverage which happens to go along great with that cheeseburger or steak you have for dinner. When really its horrible for you. Not only is soda sold in every fast food establishment throughout the U.S. but it is also sold in 60 percent of the schools throughout the U.S. Some of the health effects soda pop has on people include obesity, tooth decay, weakened bones, and caffeine dependency. Diet sodas are no better for you than regular soft drinks. Diet sodas have special sugar alternatives which lead to more side effects than regular soda. Diet sodas raise risk of stroke and heart disease. Americas favorite bubbly drink does more harm then their bright bubble colors intended to. Maybe now you will think twice about giving your little one a sugar infused soft drink, I know I would.

Entry #1 Big Blog Wolf..

 Entry #1 Big Blog Wolf..

 Blogs, a way of expression, have become a way for everyday people to express how they feel about certain topics, or personal interests. I recently read "worthwhile reading" by Harry McCracken. In this blog, i found it was about how 'blogging is dead' and how bloggers function. I believe he is right when he says "gifted bloggers are busy everywhere from their first hand crafted sites operated by major corporations." but everything else the blog was talking about left me bored and uninterested.
For my second blog, "Sex, Murder, and adoption: the wild trial of Polo King," the blog goes over Scott Wilson's DUI and manslaughter and vehicular homicide. I found this blog extremely interesting because suspense and drama excites me. I love these intense stories more than news articles. I found this article interesting because it expanded over 4 years and 2 trials later, which adds to the suspension.  As Wilson's story is passing threw, the blog mentions how he had 18 drinks before he got behind the wheel. suspenseful blogs and stories are what keep my attention.
The last blog I got the pleasure to read was about the pop star Kesha who I have an interest in. The blog titled "DR.Luke is is now suing Keshas mom over the sexual abuse scandal too" On Perez Hilton's blog, which mainly aims towards the stars and Hollywood. Perez states how Kesha's mom is sueing Dr. Luke the old fashioned way to get out of her contract. Pebe, Kesha's mom is recorded underoath stating how Dr.Luke neevr harmed her or her daughter. This could get ugly. I find the celebrity drama interesting, but this article to be quite short.

Who's that girl?!

 Blog #1

 Well, to verify any confusion, no I am not a super hero nor a celebrity, I am Alexis Howson.
I like to think of myself as a easy going girl who never stops smiling. I enjoy every thing about traveling. The different cities and cultures really interest me. I want to explore Europe one day, when I have enough money saved. Going on random adventures also perks my interests. I love exploring new neighborhoods and cities I didn't know existed. Food both satisfies and interests me. I eat more the the average person probably should. I like trying exotic delicacies most of my friends would pass up. I tried frog legs and duck liver on the same trip and would eat them again! Mmmm. Great now I'm hungry.. Besides eating  I enjoy hanging out with friends and going on day trips. I am passionate about fashion and decorating, mainly shopping. One of my goals in life is to travel the world, then pick where I want to live the rest of my life at. I know I'll have to wait till after I graduate, but it's always been my top goal and I can wait out the process. I hope to make a difference in at least one other persons life, that would be truly amazing. So remember this face, because Im gonna make it big!