Journal #9

For my example of pastiche, I chose the song Dare To Be Stupid by Weird Al Yankovic. The original song was by the band Devo and was also featured in the movie Transformers. The song was written several years ago (1985) and was reworked by Weird Al, including the music video. He kept the same beat and instrumentals, but completely re-wrote the lyrics to be much funnier. It's a trend he is ultimately known for, crazy, unpredictable songs from an array of genres. This particular examples is pastiche with parody because it's a spook of the original work by means of humor. It's a questioning of the status of the original because of all the different elements and the extremely different direction the song took. Part of the video looks reminiscent of other Devo music videos, the tune resembles Big Mess, the video has weird and bizarre imagery completely irrelevant to the words, they use Demo-like images throughout the video and the video references other bands or logos. It is completely different, yet similar to the original work.

Here are the lyrics:
"Dare To Be Stupid"

Put down your chainsaw and listen to me
It's time for us to join in the fight
It's time to let your babies grow up to be cowboys
It's time to let the bedbugs bite

You better put all your eggs in one basket
You better count your chickens before they hatch
You better sell some wine before it's/its time
You better find yourself an itch to scratch

You better squeeze all the Charmin you can while Mr. Wimpole's not around
Stick your head in the microwave and get yourself a tan

Talk with your mouth full
Bite the hand that feeds you
Bite on more than you chew
What can you do
Dare to be stupid

Take some wooden nickles
Look for Mr. Goodbar
Get your mojo working now
I'll show you how
You can dare to be stupid

You can turn the other cheek
You can just give up the ship
You can eat a bunch of sushi and forget to leave a tip

Dare to be stupid
Come on and dare to be stupid
It's so easy to do
Dare to be stupid
We're all waiting for you
Let's go

It's time to make a mountain out of a molehill
So can I have a volunteer
There's no more time for crying over spilled milk
Now it's time for crying in your beer

Settle down, raise a family, join the PTA
Buy some sensible shoes and a Chevyrolet
And party 'till you're broke and they drive you away
It's OK, you can dare to be stupid

It's like spitting on a fish
It's like barking up a tree
It's like I said you gotta buy one if you wanna get one free

Dare to be stupid (yes)
Why don't you dare to be stupid
It's so easy to do
Dare to be stupid
We're all waiting for you
Dare to be stupid

Burn your candle at both ends
Look a gift horse in the mouth
Mashed potatoes can be your friends

You can be a coffee achiever
You can sit around the house and watch Leave It To Beaver
The future's up to you
So what you gonna do

Dare to be stupid
Dare to be stupid
What did I say
Dare to be stupid
Tell me, what did I say
Dare to be stupid
It's alright
Dare to be stupid
We can be stupid all night
Dare to be stupid
Come on, join the crowd
Dare to be stupid
Shout it out loud
Dare to be stupid
I can't hear you
Dare to be stupid
OK, I can hear you now
Dare to be stupid
Let's go, Dare to be stupid
Dare to be stupid
Dare to be stupid
Dare to be stupid
Dare to be stupid
Dare to be stupid
Dare to be stupid
Dare to be stupid

Extra Credit Journal Entry

1. What was your response to The Persuaders video? Do you think this is an accurate assessment of the persuasion industries? Why or why not?
I thought the video was interesting. My favorite part was when they talked about consumers being bombarded with advertising forcing companies to break through the clutter in order to continually catch their attention. They also talked about how advertisers had to make products an experience instead of just a product that cleans. It had to set itself apart of its competition. I also think it’s an accurate assessment of the persuasion industries. People need to be shown a product or experience and eventually they will persuade themselves that that’s what they need.
2. How does the film portray social awareness and coolness marketing?
I personally saw social awareness portrayed through the Song campaign. The campaign targeted women who had to deal with day-to-day struggles of travel, by offering low prices, organic meals and a chic brand. They wanted to cater to women and make their travels as enjoyable and efficient as possible. On the other hand, iPod did a great job of using coolness marketing. Their colors, music and overall feel really makes you feel like you could be the one in the commercial. You feel connected with the product and cool when using it.
3. How do the practitioners in the film promote commodity fetishism?
They tried to sell to the heart not the head. Any product could get the job done, but they really wanted to make you feel connected while having a positive and enjoyable experience. They want you to feel as though YOU are the focus and YOU have the power to make a decision. The author of LoveMark said that people make such a strong relationship with a product that they don’t just like it or use it, they LOVE it. They do research to figure out how you connect with the product and what will allow you to make that intimate and lasting connection.

Journal #7

a. I used my cell phone the most to text message. It averaged out to about six hours a day.
b. I used the radio the least. This was about two hours a day while doing homework.
c. I communicated with people all day long either through online sources or my cell phone. This averaged about 10 hours a day.
d. I used the tv about three hours a day. The only radio I used was an online source.
e. I was surprised that I had my cell phone so much. I guess sometimes I don’t realize how much I text throughout the day.
f. I don’t know if I will change my phone habits, but I probably should. It might help me focus on my homework better.

Journal #5

Why did you choose the symbols you did?
The symbols I choose make up who I am as a person. They describe the things I like to do, places I want to go, things about my family and who I am as a person. They are the very essence of who "Tegan Ellis" really is on the inside. For example, I love to play tennis, listen to music and play with my dog. I also love to smile, am proud to be an American and have a birthday in October. These various symbols are signs of those things.

How does your photo differ from your rational and/or symbolic representation?
My photo is very black and white. You can see me and everything that is visual to the outside eye. It only tells simple things like what I look like, my ethnicity, how I do my hair, what clothes I wear and what color my eyes are. Beyond that, there is no depth. You don't know what I love, what makes me tick or what makes me who I am. The picture is very one sided whereas the symbols have more meaning. Meaning which might not make sense to an outsider, but to me they may mean everything.

*pictures were found on Flickr and Google images, not a product of my own

Lester's Six Perspectives for Analyzing Images

For this picture I chose the "personal" perspective.

I first studied the image. My instinctual reaction almost puts me in awe of the picture, realizing this natural phenomenon is seen all around the world.

Primary Words: Lightening, Dark, Tree, Funnel, Clouds, Radio Tower, Sky, Storm, Tornado, Black
Associative Words: Destruction, Fear, Danger, Hide, Wind, Powerful, Shelter, Beautiful, Natural Disaster, Death, Omniscient, Unstoppable, Strike at any time, heat etc.

Pairs: Lightening & Heat, Dark & Fear, Funnel & Power, Sky & Beautiful, Tornado & Destruction

Tornado, Beautiful and Unstoppable relate to me the most. These words explain how I feel about these storms. Personally, I think they are beautiful from a distance yet scary when they get close. They can bring death and destruction and demand "respect" from onlookers. They are not to be messed with, as they cannot be stopped or controlled by humans. No one knows when they will strike, we can simply prepare for what is to come.

My personal story with tornadoes happen when I was a little kid. The day we moved into our brand new house the weather started to get extremely bad. The wind began to increase, the sky got dark and things just seemed quiet. The moving man asked if he could come in out of the rain. We all went to the basement and waited for it to pass. I thought we were going to loose our house before we even moved the whole way in. When it was all over, we came outside to find the spray on grass a mess but the house unharmed.

True or False? Journal Entry #1

After looking over three different photos (which can be found on Web CT) I was able to come up with the following information about each.

The questions were:
A)Are you familiar with the image? If so, how?
B)Do you think the image is true or false? Why?
C)What evidence do you have to support your conclusion?

Photo #1: Air France Crash
A)No
B)I think the image is false. There is no way someone could have taken this picture if the plane was about to crash. They would have been in a panic, trying to save their lives, not worried about the next front page cover for TIME magazine. Plus, the pressure would have been so strong there would have been no way to turn around and get that particular view.
C)The man in the back is flying out of the plane. Realistically, people would be trying to save him. The person taking the picture wouldn't have been able to hold on to the camera if the man in the back couldn't even stay in the plane. I also believe they wouldn't have been able to get to their camera. All their bags would have been blowing around the plane.

Photo #2: Hurricane Katrina Blows Car by Red Light Camera
A)No, although I feel as though I have seen something similar on the news.
B)I think the background image is real, but I feel as though the car was phottoshopped in. The color of the car looks off. It just doesn't fit with the rest of the picture.
C)The level at which the picture was taken would not be where a street light hung. It was too low to the ground. Also, if the winds were really up to 130 mph I think the electricity would have been out, thus resulting in no actual photo being taken. Lastly, the palm trees through me off. I didn't think they had any in New Orleans.

Photo #3: Luxury Yacht
A)No
B)I think the image looks false. It looks like a drawing or a painting an architect drew up for a client.
C)The water is too peaceful, the boat looks to large to have even been built yet and it just looks overall fake in my eyes. It looks like something I would see in a James Bond movie.

These are solely my own thoughts, no research was done in order to come to a conclusion. All my ideas are therefore subjective and could be wrong. What do you think?

ok, so this is a little creepy....

So, I have finally jumped on the Twitter bandwagon. However, I am now hearing more and more about this Second Life or Avitar business. Hmmm...I don't know how I feel about all of this virtual life shinanigans. Not to call anyone out, but let's face it kids. This is a bit creepy, and I mean that in the nicest way possible. Now, I firmly believe to each his own but where does the madness stop. I feel like in only a few years down the road kids won't even know how to function in "real life".
Ok, so I won't lie. Back in the day I played a Sims, but I was 15 and had no life. Plus, the people I was talking or associating with were computers not other 15 year olds.
I guess I got really freaked out when I heard actual people are being put on trial for stealing from this quote on quote world and as a result being tried in real life. I'm sorry but that's just sad. What next, are people just going to permanently live at home and create their entire world online? Clearly, I'm not one to judge ;) so what do you think?

Reality TV...Don't we have anything else to do?

So sadly enough I have come to realize that Americans are either too bored or just plain living on auto. The fact that we spend multiple hours each day watching other people live their lives, maintain or in most cases break relationships, recover or fall back into drug and alcohol addictions, and most recently learn how to become a lady or a gentleman.
Just last night I have to admit I sat back and talked about the struggles, life lessons and everyday responsibilities my best friend and I have gone through in the last few months. Catching up on what the other has been up to and just swapping stories. Directly after we flipped on the tube and what else is on at 2 in the morning but MTV.
I can't believe I am actually saying this, but I watched about 4 hours of mindless television while I tossed and turned trying to fall asleep on my old, crappy futon. I watched G's to Gents and T.I.'s Road to Redemption. Clearly, I have my own issues in life, but somehow it's just easier to sit back and laugh at others. It kind of makes you forget how bad or boring your life might be.
I guess I just think it's sad that these days most young adults shadow their lives after those they see on MTV. What does this mean for the upcoming generations? What kind of Reality TV will my kids be watching in 10 years? I don't know about you, but I think the future of television is beginning to leave a shadow on the lives of those to come. Maybe it's just me, but I'm about ready for some real entertainment. What happen to all the artistic and creative minds that came to the forefront of television only years ago? Come back from your little huts in Tahiti and make some decent shows, please. I think the future of television relies on it.

Laughter=a great stress reliver and a nice set of 6 pack abs!

This weekend I think I laughed more than I have in quite a few months. I headed down to Columbus to see a few friends of mine from high school, what a better way to spend a spring break, and got more than I bargained for. Leave it to four goofy, outrageous and unique women to turn a trip to Cheeseburger in Paradise into a therapy session.
Can I just say I never knew what I was laughing about for 3/4's of dinner, but I didn't even care. Just being around people that made me relax and really enjoy life for what it's worth shined a new light on what it means to be alive. College is stressful, lets be honest. However, sometimes I feel like we, or at least I, focus way to much on tests, papers and assignments and really don't just enjoy the fact that I get to experience each day.
We laughed about balloon animals, what time happy hour started and how we all could totally use a power nap after dinner. Cheers to getting old and no regrets. Thanks girls for a fantastic evening and a great ab work out. Perhaps I should head to Columbus more often.

Thanks Mom!

So as I get older and more mature, or maybe it's just older and poorer, I seem to appreciate my family a heck of a lot more than in previous years. It's the little things that get me excited and make me miss home. Like today for example. I was sitting in the PAC Lab working on some last minute studying when I get a text message from my boss. First can I just say I always feel awkward when my boss texts me. I guess it will be really scary when my 60 year old mother (sorry mom, you are young at heart though) sends a text for the first time. Man, where did time go?

Anyways back to my story, my boss tells me I have a "delivery." First of all that word delivery is just sketchy. What exactly does that mean, a card, flowers, chocolates and from who, your boyfriend, best friend, parent or some creeper down the curb. That's right people, you know exactly what I'm talking about. When someone uses the word delivery, you say hmmmm and your mind stars to wander as to what this special delivery could entail.

OK, so let's get back on track. This studying for finals things is totally getting my mind outta whack lately. I get to work and my boss just smiles and tells me "it's in the office." She peers through the window as I open the door, turn on the light and see what my mysterious delivery really is. A big, yellow, smiley balloon, some pretty pink flowers and a card. Who sent it you may be wondering. Was it my secret admirer or special friend, nope my mom. That's right all, be jealous because the card even had a poem. A rhyming poem at that.

How freaking cool do I feel right now! I strut out the door, delivery in hand and announce to the world that I have the coolest mom in the world. That's right, family gets a lot cooler when you get older. Keep them coming mom, I can handle these so called deliveries all quarter long!

Lovin' St. Louis

With the quarter wrapping up, I can honestly say I am ready for a vacation! However, I did have the opportunity to go to St. Louis this past weekend, and it was amazing! Thank you Panhell! Free trip to hang out with 2,000 other Greeks and fellow Panhell and IFC members. So much fun, I must say. We stayed at the Renaissance Hotel which was beautiful and huge. We were able to see the Arch, Delmar Loop and a cute, little Irish pub.
More than that, I learned so much about Greek life all over the U.S. It was fascinating to meet women of other chapters, learn how there chapters run and operate and hear exciting and inspirational speakers. Seeing the passion of students, no matter what their letters, work and learn side by side was very inspiring. There were leaders all around the room, sacrificing time and energy into making their chapters great. I can't wait to see some of the things that happen as a result in the near future. I sure hope great things unfold on the campus of ONU. I guess we will see when recruitment rolls around in the fall...
Wish us Luck!

No cell phone=No social life

I have decided through my many personal experiences, that living without a cell phone in this day and age is sort of like living with no social life. Yeah, it super sucks. I am entering my third, "living in a hole with no clue what's going on" experience. Now I may seem pathetic to some of you out there that are anti-dependents on technology, but let's face it; if you lost your cell phone you would be lost too. Thanks to the snow built up in my driver's side floor I will be living without contact to the outside world until Saturday. Thanks dad, without you I would continue to live under a rock.

The Greatest Thing Ever...In Ada That Is!

Tuesday night=party night, right? Definitely not for me in my old age! However, I did find something that has proved to be better than late night runs to Wal-Mart, sleeping in and participating in quarters at the Beagle. What is this amazing thing you might ask? The Red Box at McDonalds! Seriously, $1 for a movie. I don't know what else a poor college student could ask for. So next time you are sitting at home, wondering what you can get for a buck, head to McDonalds. No, not for a cheeseburger for a movie! However, since you are in the neighborhood you might as well grab a snack. Whoever said cheeseburgers and fries aren't the new movie snack.

I hate ditches...

So if you read my last blog, you would understand the hatred I now hold towards snow in Ohio. Saturday night I was driving to Shelby and you guessed it, I too became a "snow ditch groupie." I was driving, minding my own business and obeying the rules of the road when i hit a patch of drifted snow in the road and came face to face with four feet of snow. My car veered right in front of another car, fish tailed in the back sending snow flying and came to a sudden halt. Not to mention my cell phone, which I had been on trying to get directions, went flying across the car and fell into a puddle of water. Yes, the puddle was in my car, and yes my phone no longer works.
Two hours later with the help of a random townie, my boyfriend, a state highway patrol man and a tow man, I was out of the ditch. I think it's about time for some warmer weather or I could just settle for my own personal tow truck.

Road Trip

So I'm sitting at a friends munching on whole wheat pasta and some garlic bread, when I get a call from a friend that she ditched her car the night before and needed some help. Of course, I grabbed my keys and headed out the door. I had no idea where I was going. One slight problem, neither did she. Well, there are only so many roads in Hardin County, can't be that hard to find, right?
Well, about 45 minutes and several phone calls later, we finally found "old blue" just hanging out on the side of the road.

First I would like to say I don't understand why it is so difficult for people to clear there driveways of excess snow. I tried to find a place to turn around, and I almost ditched my own car in the process. I finally found a place to squeeze in and turn "BlackBeauty" around, threw on my flashers and jumped out of my car. My buddy and I walked towards the car and discovered the snow was like quicksand. I was knee high in snow, freezing my butt off and snapping pictures. I totally had to give her a hard time about this for the next month or so.

An hour later, I think we were best friends with the 411 Verizon network. I am pretty sure we called aproximately five times trying to find someone who could tow a car. Let me just say it is hard to get help when you are stuck in BFE and no one knows what Mt. Victory is. Or maybe it is the fact that we got connected to a tow company in Texas. HMMMMM....either way we finally got the situation figured out, made a few road way friends, and headed back to Ada. I think I can do without snow for a while, just saying.

Snow Day...

So after a fabulous evening with the family, eating Stromboli, drinking wine and finishing it all with a slice of ice cream cake (fantastic mix, I know), I wake up this morning to find snow,EVERYWHERE! Needless to say, I was not thrilled.

I wake up at the crack of dawn, OK so maybe in Tegan's world that means 8:30, but still way before my body should be moving anywhere. I took a two minute shower, shoved all the dirty, I mean clean clothes in the car (Thanks mom and dad), grab my groceries (again my thanks) and get into my car. Drum roll please, which now has gas in it. Attention all you poor college students, follow my lead. Please apply the dash and go method to your agenda books and you will live a prosperous 4-year life span. Hmmm, well maybe prosperous is a stretch, but you will get by withouth dirty underwear, eating out of your neighbors fridge and bumming rides off the townies nearby. Live far enough away that the rents can't just randomly show up without a call, but live close enough that you can still come home if you run out of necessities and just wanted to drop in to say hello!

Anyways, now that my secrets are exposed (Serioulsy, I expect to see some checks in the mail soon from you college groupies reading this), I will continue my snowy, story.

I am to the point of no return, that is I have trekked it out to my snow covered car, cleaned off the windows and started up the engine. I put the car in reverse, push the gas and go...NOWHERE! Sweet, real sweet; I just love Ohio weather. All in all, I did not make it to Ada, I did not even make it out of my drive. So much for a fun snow day. I guess I'm spending it with the family!

I would love to know who's genius idea walking to class in 30 below zero weather was?

So I am walking to class today, ya that's right. Walking because it's so cold my friends car won't even start to pick me up. On the way, I about bite it, can't feel my face, my fingers or anything in front of me and pray I will make it from my apartment to Freed for a 9 am interview. Real Real Sweet, Northern!
I like how every other school in a 50 mile radius decides to cancel but little ole Northern pushes through, or should I say slips. I didn't know somehow are campus had hidden heat waves that we could send out, but only on our university grounds, to make things safe enough to get to class. Courtesy vans, I think not. Two vans that drive around on sheets of ice and pick you up for class at 9:30 when you called at 8:40 and your class is at 9. Please tell me how that works?
I just think snow and -30 degree weather=no class and a reassurance of good health for all; just saying.

Are you a follower?

So, I have mixed feelings about this new creation we have come to know as Twitter. The new master of the air ways when it comes to getting info quick still leaves me on the edge. Now, I have dipped my toes into the water but haven't yet fully submerged into the land that is Twitter. I have mixed feelings about this crazy world of 140 characters and PR creepers everywhere. I like the concept, but I feel some what like a stalker. Any advice on how I can finally take that leap of faith and get into the groove?

Disappointment, yet again!?

So, how about those Buckeyes? Last night was a sad day for Ohio State fans. It's like something that only happens in movies. 38 seconds on the clock, were up and in for the home stretch. We can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Victory is near. Wait, just kidding Texas just scored, again. Talk about a downer. Better luck next time; I mean what do you say to that? Three bowl game losses in a row...Tressel what's happening, man!? I bleed red and gray like everyone else in Ohio, but come on now boys. Maybe Jim Tressel just needs some new sweater vests to turn this team around next year. What do you think?

Back in the big ole' A-D-A

Well, you guessed it! The excitement is finally over and the slave labor begins, yet again. My two weeks of bliss, filled with an incredible sleep schedule and no responsibilities, are out the window. Instead it's back to the bustling metropolis of Ada and the tasks that accompany such a wonderful place. If you are sensing some sarcasm here you stand correct. Don't get me wrong, I miss the people and the freedom this place brings but a home cooked meal and free laundry services rank just a little bit higher on my priority list. See, just a sign I'm maturing, I now appreciate the small things in life(Bonus points if you are reading this mom).