It's finally fall. Open up the window you're sitting next to, stick your head outside, and shut your eyes as you take a deep breath. Do you smell that? "Don't you just love New York in the fall?" "It makes me wanna buy school supplies. I would send you a bouquet of newly sharpened pencils if I knew your name and address." What a treat it would've been to spend fall break in New York City. Still, home is home, and I was glad to be there for a few days. I'd like to think I was equally productive and not productive. I figured out the classes I'm going to take for next semester, finished some homework, and shot for photography. I also played Guitar Hero for the first time. Pathetic, I know--just like my guitar-playing skills. But I still enjoyed myself.
It rained almost every day over break, which gave me a chance to (#1)wash some overdue laundry for free, and (#2)spend time with Kayla and my sister. My sister seems to be going through that quintessential "must see friends and avoid family" phase. G and I have always been close, but lately people have been asking her to go out more often. I guess it's because all her friends are slowly turning 16. I can't believe my sister will be able to drive this year. If I had it my way she wouldn't age a day past 15. I'm convinced Oreo, April, and Lacy were the happiest to see me home, especially since Dad saw me and asked "What are you doing here?" I'll take all the love I can get--even if it has to come from two cats and a dog.
Our current photography assignment is self-portrait. We're supposed to think outside the box for it. Immediately I thought of photographing my sister and my friends. My sister and I share a genetic bond (and something stronger, of course), and I figure Kayla and I are as close as two people can be. So I set up the tripod in front of this strangely unfamiliar fuchsia bush in our backyard. It was cold and windy, but Giulietta agreed to have her picture taken. I had to convince her that manual cameras are much more flattering than digital cameras. The pictures are all candid, which I think makes them honest self-portraits. We traveled to the park and hung upside-down from the monkey bars and tried to fit into the childrens' swings. I can't think of a better setting to express myself.
Saying goodbye to my family wasn't as rough as it normally is, because I know how fast the time will pass here. Before I know it it will be Thanksgiving break, and then winter break. My final treat during fall break was coming back to my room and finding it filled with 175 balloons. An unexpected and much enjoyed birthday present to top off the start of this new season? Yes, this fall is fairing well.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
A Fatty Fail
"The Tragedy of Krispy Kreme" was featured as a main story on Yahoo's website. It came second only to "Kidnap Victim Jaycee Dugard Emerges." I can understand the entertainment value here. Krispy Kreme's doughnuts are one of the most popular names in the industry, if not the most popular. Doughnut lovers would be saddened to read about the franchise's struggles, but to call this story a "tragedy?"I can think of many things more tragic than Krispy Kreme's setbacks.
The article grasped for something the audience could connect to on an emotional level. We've all been in a rush to get somewhere, so the article drew their emotional connection from the idea that doughnuts are a mobile food. I'm sorry; I do enjoy doughnuts, but I don't have a sentimental attachment to them.
The article talks about the huge success of the business and its peak in 2003. When competitor after competitor entered the market, combined with the trend of eating healthier, Krispy Kreme lost about 90 percent of its value. This is a staggering number, and maybe people who own businesses can relate to Krispy Kreme's sudden losses.
The article then shines a positive light on the situation. Krispy Kreme's stock shares are now at $3.49. It deduces that there may still be hope for the company. This article was basically an incomplete summary of Krispy Kreme's current business. This story affects people who hold Krispy Kreme shares in the stock market, and it affects doughnut lovers, but how important is this issue really?How does it fit into the bigger scheme of things? I would appreciate this article if it had touched on the fact that many food chains or just businesses in general are struggling at the present. Seeing as how it failed to impress in terms of NICH, I'm very surprised this article was featured as a top story on Yahoo.
The article grasped for something the audience could connect to on an emotional level. We've all been in a rush to get somewhere, so the article drew their emotional connection from the idea that doughnuts are a mobile food. I'm sorry; I do enjoy doughnuts, but I don't have a sentimental attachment to them.
The article talks about the huge success of the business and its peak in 2003. When competitor after competitor entered the market, combined with the trend of eating healthier, Krispy Kreme lost about 90 percent of its value. This is a staggering number, and maybe people who own businesses can relate to Krispy Kreme's sudden losses.
The article then shines a positive light on the situation. Krispy Kreme's stock shares are now at $3.49. It deduces that there may still be hope for the company. This article was basically an incomplete summary of Krispy Kreme's current business. This story affects people who hold Krispy Kreme shares in the stock market, and it affects doughnut lovers, but how important is this issue really?How does it fit into the bigger scheme of things? I would appreciate this article if it had touched on the fact that many food chains or just businesses in general are struggling at the present. Seeing as how it failed to impress in terms of NICH, I'm very surprised this article was featured as a top story on Yahoo.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
The Pros of ProCon
When I first looked at this website I was overwhelmed by all the links. However, looking through the website I realized that more links meant more information. It's clear from the beginning that the makers of this website are transparent about their work. Wouldn't you be pleased to know that each of their "standard sites" takes over 1,500 hours to build? It sounds thorough enough for me. As you scroll down the front page you see all updates from the past 30 days. Having information that readily available to you is a plus, but knowing the information is recent is even better.
The first issue I clicked on was "Euthanasia." Again, the website is transparent about their methods. They include an editor's note that says, "We do not recommend or refer specific physicians, organizations, or other experts on end-of-life issues." The pros and cons from the experts are easy to follow because of the two-column layout. It also seems to me that the amount of information on each side is relatively balanced. I like the idea of having "Top 10 Pros and Cons," because I feel like when people are arguing they eventually scrounge for ideas that don't carry a significant amount of weight for the issue.
Definitions, diseases, legal issues, moral questions, etc. are listed on many of the issues' main pages. I think this is a great way to encourage people to educate themselves. The information is so easy to find it's hard not to inform yourself.
The line between a pro and a con can be blurry. For each of the Top 10 Pros and Cons only one of each are listed. There is no way of telling whether the information given on one side is as powerful as the information given on the other. Overall though, I feel like this is a great tool to help citizens take initiative. It helps turn the uninterested public into a more interested public. People who may feel too ashamed to ask controversial questions can find answers for themselves confidentially. ProCon.org is great example of unbiased information--truly committed to the well-being of its audience.
The first issue I clicked on was "Euthanasia." Again, the website is transparent about their methods. They include an editor's note that says, "We do not recommend or refer specific physicians, organizations, or other experts on end-of-life issues." The pros and cons from the experts are easy to follow because of the two-column layout. It also seems to me that the amount of information on each side is relatively balanced. I like the idea of having "Top 10 Pros and Cons," because I feel like when people are arguing they eventually scrounge for ideas that don't carry a significant amount of weight for the issue.
Definitions, diseases, legal issues, moral questions, etc. are listed on many of the issues' main pages. I think this is a great way to encourage people to educate themselves. The information is so easy to find it's hard not to inform yourself.
The line between a pro and a con can be blurry. For each of the Top 10 Pros and Cons only one of each are listed. There is no way of telling whether the information given on one side is as powerful as the information given on the other. Overall though, I feel like this is a great tool to help citizens take initiative. It helps turn the uninterested public into a more interested public. People who may feel too ashamed to ask controversial questions can find answers for themselves confidentially. ProCon.org is great example of unbiased information--truly committed to the well-being of its audience.
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