Tuesday, April 27, 2010

What will become of Facebook?

I was just wondering if facebook will always be popular, or if it will die off and something else will come out. I think by changing the layout frequently and adding new features, facebook is able to keep their content fresh and inviting. Myspace couldn't make the leap with facebook in terms of popularity. I don't even know who uses Myspace anymore. I think facebook may be here to stay for a long time. There are stories about people who have been harrassed on facebook, but thank god for privacy settings! I did hear stories about being charged for facebook, but I guess it was only a rumor. I was just thinking though, if they even charged a penny per month, that would still be tons of money in profit.

Sunday, April 25, 2010

Iron Man 2, robert downey jr., and Burger King

I just saw a commercial for Burger King featuring a promotion for Iron Man. It seems like every popular movie uses Burger King as a platform for promotions. I was wondering how much it would cost the production company to get its movie on burger king commercials? This seems like a good form of advertisement, especially for movies leading into the summer. I'm not really excited for the new Iron Man to come out, I feel like the first one was more publicized. I just hope Robert Downey Jr. can give a good performance. The first Iron Man really resurrected his career. Now, it seems he is in a new movie every few months. He was just in Sherlock Holmes, which I thought was ok, though I found it hard to follow, and his accent was hard to understand. I do believe everyone deserves a second chance, and I'm glad he was able to get his career back with all the legal trouble he went through.

Monday, April 19, 2010

Toyota Recalls

Even with all the recalls on Toyota's recently, I still trust the company to put out a very good vehicle. I feel they have handled all the recalls professionally, and just want to make sure their customers stick by them. Everyone Toyota owner I've asked, about the recalls, say that the recalls don't influence them not to buy a Toyota, because of their long reputation of excellence. I think being well established is something that is often underestimated with companies. Companies that have been around since say 1900, have withstood the test of time, through up and down economies, and changing times. There is something to be said about the number of years a company has been in business for. Companies can develop clientel that will be loyal to them no matter what. Now I see why small businesses that first form have a hard time staying in business, this is because they haven't been around long enough to establish themselves. I guess everything in life takes time and patience. Like everyone says, patience is a virtue.

Friday, April 16, 2010

Virtual Classrooms and online classes

It has always fascinated me how much more poplular online classes are becoming. Schools like the University of Phoenix and now other schools getting into the act, online schooling in my opinion is exploding in popularity. I have wondered if anyone has done research on what is the better learning experience? Is it face-to-face in a classroom, or online where a person has the freedom to learn at their own pace. I have always felt that going to school and sitting in a classroom is the best way to teach responsibility to student's. Getting up at 7 am when you don't want to and driving or walking to class teaches motivation, which is something you can't get out of an online class. I would think that employers look at these types of educations differently, and that a person who "goes to a class" to learn, would be more likely to get a position. I really am not quite sure about this though, because I mean this is an online class, and I feel like I am learning alot about how the media functions. I am not going to sit here and write about how going to class is better than taking online classes, it is just fascinating the way in which education has evolved, and how it is becoming so much more technologically based with the use of computers. I would really like to hear people's opinions on the pro's and con's between taking all online classes, and classes you have to "physically" go to.

Thursday, April 15, 2010

5-week summer classes!

I plan on taking 2 classes during the summer to fulfill my math and art requirement. I love that I can do this, it is very convenient for me. Even though I know there will be quite a bit of work, because it is all condensed into 5-weeks, I feel like this will motivate me to do my work. I know people generally hate going to school during the summer, but it's not all that bad. I've taken summer classes before, and the time fly's by. It's definitely easier to move around, and it does not take you forever to get out of campus waiting for the hundreds of cars in front of you. Taking classes this summer will allow me to graduate in the time I plan on, which keeps me focused on the prize. I also find that summer classes are very laid back and less stressful. Maybe the warm, sunny weather makes it feel just a little better going to class. It won't be that bad though, summer session II ends august 10th i believe, so I'll still have like 3 weeks of vacation to take a break from school before the marathon cranks up again for the final year. Anyone else plan on taking summer classes?

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

The Boston Marathon

Every year at this time of year, people in the city of Boston get ready for the annual Boston Marathon. I look forward to this event every year, because it's such a tradition. Being that it's always held on Patriot's day, and that the Red Sox play in the morning at fenway (11 am start), makes this even more noteworthy. I always think about how the participants get through 26.2 miles of running on foot. I run 5 miles on the treadmill and couldn't even imagine running that much. I do want to run it someday though, but I will need to train for a while to even think about attempting a marathon. I do have a beef with the event though, and that is I think it should be a Massachusetts only event, because it would give one of our residents a chance to win. I know it will never happen, but I mean noone else celebrates Patriot's Day, that is a massachusetts only holiday. So why not keep the marathon to residents only? Boston is a small enough city to be able to do this. I say let people outside of massaschusetts run the marathon in New York City, it's a way bigger city! I know people will disagree with what I say on this, and that's ok, I love to debate people!



Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Fitzcarraldo Review

I just finished watching Fitzcarraldo last night directed by Werner Herzog. This was a masterful movie in my mind because of the unbelievable cinematography that was done throughout. I especially noticed it when a huge steamship was being hauled up a mountain through the jungle. The camera angles were breath taking because they were shot in such a way that the viewer could not tell whether the ropes were going to snap or not. From a cultural stand point, I liked how the natives in the movie were portrayed. They were shown living their daily lives, and it almost looked unscripted the way they behaved. This is an excellent action and story driven movie. In some ways, it reminded me of Indiana Jones type movie, but with more of a deeper story line twisted in. The movie also features themes about having hopes and dreams, which is something everyone can relate to. A man sets out on a mission in a steamship with a crew to accomplish a goal, and there are barriers of objects, physical, and emotional barriers to overcome. I would recommend anyone to check out this movie, just for the cinematography!, if nothing else.