What I thought of my performance in writing in general is difficult because of all the rules that you have to remember and the structure of the sentence. When I came into the class I never really like writing and every time I have taken the class it has improved a little bite.  The class helped me a lot because it helped me a lot in not just think about the pages but the writing itself. I feel like I’m a little better at writing then when I came in.  In the area that I think that I’ve improved in is the works cited and in the actual writing like with detail, grammar, and length.  There are many things that I would like to change in my writing like the length of paper but I always had this problem because I just write the points and move and not give reasoning behind it.

The outcomes there I’m supposed to know by the end of the semester. The one that I that stands out and that I thought I learn the best is integrate research material from multiple sources into a piece of writing while maintaining one’s own voice. The reason why this one stands out to is because it always gave me a hard time to say it in my own words and that is because I would have to read many time to get the many ideas out of it and write the important facts in to the paper without plagiarizing the article that includes the word cite page. I achieved this goal by just taking my time and think about the what I want from that piece of writing and writing what came to my  head about it. The best one assignment that could summarize this learning outcome is The Office Read and reacts because that was difficult to summarize.  

The concepts of digital text were very unique in the fact that I see them every single day. I did enjoy them because most of the stuff I like to use on the daily basis.  How it helped me learn is by the fact that it was from a book but I can look it up and learn more about and give more insight on something. What I enjoyed most about this is the fact that it was on the internet and I didn’t have to go out and by a book and read it. There wasn’t anything that I didn’t like about the class.

            In conclusion, I like the class and it was very interesting to learn about technology and all the good and bad about it. The class was very fun and interesting and it wasn’t the same old thing every day it was different and it kept me interested.  I enjoyed the class and learned a lot about technology and got new insight about it.

            Technology trends are varied and interesting.  The short chats stimulated the learner to look at each topic very differently.  Cell phones, video games and texting were topics of the conversations.  Cell phones are very distracting when one is using a cell phone when one driving.  Add text messaging and it is extremely dangerous as there are 6,000 deaths which are caused by the distracted driver.  Cell phones also can be used to access addicting sites such as Face book.  Video games lead to childhood obesity, addiction to violence, but there are a few positive games such as the Wii Fit which is the healthier choice for videogames as it keeps the player moving unlike the traditional games which are made for the couch potatoes   Texting increases the likelihood of an accident happening,   It takes the focus of the driver from the road and therefore probably the most dangerous of all the trends.

            Technology is good in itself but if the technology is misused, it is dangerous for one’s health.  It has been said many times in this class and others that technology has very good effects especially in the economy, communication, social networking.  It has very negative connotations as well.  It was a very good class on Monday and it was very interesting hearing all of the facts.

Bauerlein feels that the use of technology by teens may be gone over the edge.  It may harm them in the long run.  It is a help for students to use the internet for research, but use of texting may hurt their writing skills.  The teens, often times, isolate themselves in their rooms to communicate with friends on the social networking sites or sending text messages to each other.  For an example, I have a 17 year old cousin who is constantly texting others during a dinner with family; this is a clear example of what Professor Bauerlein says in his interview.

            I believe Professor Bauerlein is correct in that technology is good.  It can also be an addicting force for the young who have little self control as well as being concerned about what others think about them.  I can only think about it in the context of eating.  You need to eat nutritious foods to live.  You may eat fast foods and enjoy the food, but it is something that you cannot eat every day.  It is unhealthy for you.  This is just like the abuse of technology.  If you only live to communicate by texting or on the computer, you do not develop any lasting relationships with others.  Technology is wonderful but use it with caution.

Work Cited

“Demography – Hooked Up or Just Hooked.” Interview by Patrick Tucker. The Futurist Mar.-Apr. 2009: 16-17. Print

            Professor Massaro makes a very significant point that people really are oblivious to those around them when using the ipod, blackberry, or speaking on the cell phone.  He used the example of the homeless who beg for coins, those that are using technology constantly are oblivious to the human need surrounding us.  In my home, my Mom says that there is no way that my Dad and she would have connected if they did not share their love for music.

The age of distraction is quite interesting because it is true and people are on the technology a lot more every day.  It is important advance in technology as we need it for work, school, and to communicate in emergent situations.. What the writer is trying to say is that people need to take a moment and put down the cell phone or ipod and notice nature, a home run at a baseball game and to have fun without the technology. I see this too when I’m walking down the street and see people with the cell phone in there hand every minute doing their texting or the the ipod in the ears and they aren’t paying attention to the person with whom they are walking, or noticing what is going on in the in the area. I have seen people texting while crossing the street without even noticing traffic.

I guess after doing this assignment, I need to apologize to my Mom for the grief that I have given about the importance of technology.  Professor Massaro really nailed it; that we are living in an age of distraction.

Work cited

Massaro, Thomas. “The Age of Distraction.” America 22 June 2009: 11. America. America Press Inc. Web. <www.amercicamagazine.org>.

This long article compares two sitcoms, one British and one American with similar themes.  Both are sitcoms that have a base for their content in the reality shows that are on television. The British version according to journalist, Liesl Schillinger is “resignation mingled with self loathing.”  Where as the American version of The Office is “passivity mingled with rueful hopefulness: an American always believes there’s something to look forward to.”  Both sets of writers use themes from reality shows in their writing for each show.  This article takes an excellent view of the lead character and manager of The Office and his attempts to incorporate reality shows into his management style.  The Office has quite a cynical view of reality.

The Office is reality viewer training.  I think it takes the theme of reality TV shows. They use every day humor and problems like in the pilot when the John Krasinski character puts Larry’s stapler in some jello. They also use humor to settle office as well as life’s problems.  Michael, the boss, use his reality show knowledge to solve issues in his office and among his staff. Michael had a staff meeting about corporate cuts that affected a group of his employees. This was cynical yet touching as it is a part of reality. The reality TV has changed TV viewing significantly since the 1950‘s.   I believe like the author, that it is a cynical view of reality in the office setting and that all corporations do not function in this manner. 

Kocela, Christopher. “THE OFFICE AS REALITY VIEWER TRAINING.” Journal of Popular Film and Television (2009): 161-68. Print.

 I came away from watching Download and JFK Breaking News is that the fact that when people got the news back before the computer age 

            I believe in what “Download” did was to enumerate how fantastic or awesome the net really is.  What opportunities are out there on the net?  I can’t even imagine on what will be available when I am 50.  I believe that those “kids” actually stumbled on to dream that is life changing for all that want to see changes in our world.  From “JFK” over 40 years ago, the media was so very limited as to the time that it took to get the news out. The quality, and the content was controlled by owners of big business and probably by one owner of a newspaper or television station.  Whereas the Discovery’s, “Download”,  showed how the new computer generation has opened up avenues for every person to be involved in the news today.  One can communicate with people from all over the world.

Be involved with tragic events and great celebrations.  I can only wonder what is next.

Audio: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3YFmpSFJ40

Lyrics: http://www.oldielyrics.com/lyrics/johnny_cash/the_wanderer.html

The Wanderer by Johnny Cash

The Wanderer makes a person think about what they are doing with their lives.  It makes me think of what am I going to do with my life.  What am I doing in school?  I need to put effort in school and really decide where I will be in three or five or ten years.  I haven’t gone anywhere to see life as this song describes but I know I have walked the streets in downtown Chicago and have seen the people of the streets and know that my parents have given me the tools that I can a life that is not on the streets of some big city..  The Wanderer is always searching for faith.

Audio: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uw1bHaUk1CM

Lyrics: http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/johnnycash/highwayman.html

The Highwayman by Johnny Cash

The Highwayman is the story of adventure.  It is supernatural as he sings of his life through time from a highwayman to a sailor to an astronaut floating among the stars.  He sings I will be back again.  He always comes back.  I think about it in regards to my future and how the world is a wide open arena where there are many options for a young man.  The decision is mine and I hope with knowledge and experience I will make the right decision about my career and my life’s work. He points out that “the river is deep and wide” and that you may stumble but he will be back.

Audio:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M89c3hWx3RQ

Lyrics:  http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/johnnycash/aboynamedsue.html A Boy Named Sue by Johnny Cash

This song reminds me of when I was very young.  “My daddy left home when I was three…”  I can’t really say that my dad left us as in the song.  My Dad worked a lot away from our family and the city in which we lived.  I actually thought that we would be taking him to work when we took him to the airport.  He was traveling to far off cities to work.

Audio:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihtZtUpn7sQ

Lyrics:  http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/johnnycash/maninblack.html Man in Black by Johnny Cash

“ I wear the black for the sick and lonely” “ for those who could have been.”  Johnny Cash sings of the poor, homeless souls, the down trodden and the prisoners.  I wear dark colors because it relaxes me but I have been exposed to many of the people that Cash sings about and I do think of them often. My parents are involved in service occupations and very involved with the sick poor.  So much so, that we bring food to their homes in the winter.  I guess I am affected by their plight and I will probably do something the same as it is a way of life as far as my parents believe.  But I have to be honest and say that the other reason is that it irritates my Mom when I wear black and I get a kick out of that.

Audio http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-wJNpWgss8

Lyrics   http://www.lyricsdepot.com/patsy-cline/crazy.html Crazy by Patsy Cline

I have memories a falling asleep while Patsy Cline sang “Crazy.”  My Dad would play the song while I was going to sleep when I was 4 or 5 years old.  I knew he was close by and it made me feel safe.  I listen to it today when I need to feel at peace and not worry.  My Dad doesn’t play it as often because his good friend isn’t around anymore to talk on the phone.  I think he misses him more than he admits.

Audio: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yarYjuN-m8I

Lyrics:http://www.stlyrics.com/lyrics/therockyhorrorpictureshow/thetimewarp.htm Time Warp from the Movie, Rocky Horror Show.

This is the song that I associate with one of the saddest day of my life.  It was the day that my dog that I had for 14 years died.  It was the day after Christmas, she was very sick and had to be put down.  We had a guest for the holiday, she kept talking on an on about how she felt when she lost a pet.  I could not listen to her anymore so I just lay on the couch with my earplugs in my ears playing Time Warp from the Rocky Horror Show.  “You’re there in the time slip and nothing can ever be the same.”

It really does wonders when you want to shut the world out.

Audio: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2m1rrMB3JdA

Lyrics: http://www.lyricsfreak.com/b/beach+boys/little+honda_20013627.html Little Honda by the Beach Boys

I got my Honda Civic at graduation from high school.  I heard this song about a Honda bikes.  Even though the song is not about a car, it still reminds and will probably always remind me of my first car.

Audio: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qRHIeblmIws

Lyrics: http://www.metrolyrics.com/werewolves-of-london-lyrics-warren-zevon.html Werewolves of London by Warren Zevon

My cousin has an obsession with werewolves and Lon Chaney, the actor who played in the original Werewolf.  It is a type of music that he would enjoy as well. He is my best friend and he is  a drama hopeful .  He has a tattoo of the great Lon Chaney, his role model for acting.  I hope that someday his dream comes true.

It never occurred to me that the meaning of time was in so many songs!  While reading the article by B. Leo Cooper, he very clearly pointed out that our lives are dictated by the clock.  There are constraints in everything that we do and they are made by the clock.  The time we wake up, go to school, work, and church. Time dictates when we eat our meals, watch television and even when we go out to have a good time.  Mr. Cooper believes that music captures this in the lyrics of popular songs that exist over decades.

Songs do not represent years or months but more the hours in a day, or the time that is right for dancing, working, dreaming, or making love.  The time, in seasons or holidays, is in songs as well as places faraway and getting to them but it is in the context of time.  An example of this is “Happy Birthday.”  It tells you of a special day that is special to you and only you, but it is again significant of 1 day, twenty four hours.  It really gave me pause, that time is all consuming when it regulates our lives so stringently that so many songs describe time so often and so well.

    This movie is excellent look at the music industry.  As I stated before it is a commentary, not only on music but also our culture and its effect on music.  It is fast paced and there is heavy reliance on technology and the computer.  The goal is to benefit the individual with dollars and it has to be quick.  It is not based on hard work and creativity.  As Euryka Badu reflected in Bring Back the Music, you lose the individual.  The movie left you with hope for the future in the encouraging words of the artists.