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.