Websites

I am really not a huge fan of the internet. In fact, I only have about 5 or 6 sites that I visit on a daily basis, and most of those have to do personal business. I do sometimes like to punch in some weird URL address and see where it takes me. However, it's hard not to get anything pornographic, so I've pretty much stopped that bit of fun. I had never really thought about creating my own website until I was required to in class. I had no idea that there were programs out there that made it really easy. Obviously, it's not so you can make in depth and complicated pages, but it is enough to where it can be a creative outlet. One reason I like this class so much is because it has forced me to get over my technological timidness and see just how fun the internet can be!

Advertisement

Do we realize how much advertisement still has an effect on us as consumers? Do we simply choose brands that are most publicized or more expensive just because we assume they are better than off-brand types? After giving it some thought, I say, "yes", that is what we do, for the most part. A lot of my friends and family, including myself, do buy offbrand products but only on certain things. For example, I will buy offbrand canned green beans, but I won't buy offbrand makeup. Why? Well, because I can always make the beans taste better if they are gross, but I can't do anything with makeup that makes me break out or comes off easily. But, when do you see advertisements for green beans? And how often do you see advertisements for make-up brands? Maybe it's because of the constant exposure to advertisements that I choose not to buy offbrand makeup. Brainwashing at its finest?

The Boob Tube

I have always wondered why we call television the "boob tube". Is it because you were a boob if you watched a lot of it back in the day? That's the only reason I can think of. But, I see it taking on another meaning as our society becomes desensitized to those things we once thought vulgar. The "boob tube" really is about boobs--yes, the ones on your chest, particularly women's boobs. On basic television, you don't see the boob, but you can see pretty much anything else. On cable, well, there is a reason Cinemax is called Skinemax. All I know this that a new line is drawn each year for television networks to cross and when I have children, I probably won't let them watch television without my supervision...or after 5 pm....or have cable. :)

Woe Is Me

So....this week, we took a turn in my Eng Lit class. The poems we read to had to deal with life in general, and not love or spirituality. What did I learn from these poems? Well, basically that no matter what century you are born in, you fear growing old, not taking risks, and you regret making hasty decisions. Although worded differently, all the protagonists in these poems voice the same lamentations that we do today. We do not want to grow old and are always looking for that fountain of youth. This is what Yeats is saying in "Sailing to Byzantium". We make permanent decisions based on temporary circumstances and come to regret those later in life, just as the person did in "Down by the Salley Gardents", and of course we always, always regret thinking "what if" when we knew should've taken a chance just as the poor soul in "The Love Song of Alfred J. Prufrock".

Great Expectations

So...I am here to talk about Great Expectations. First of all, let me say that I was never, ever required to read this book in high school, so I didn't really have anything to go on before I read. With this said, let it be known that I gave this book my all and tried really really hard to like, especially after I learned that pretty much everybody who reads this book likes well. Well, my verdict is: eh. I think the plot is very original and interesting. However, what Dickens took a 4 line sentence to say, I could've done in 7 words. It was a really grueling thing for me to read. But, this is what I think: I work between 30-35 hours a week, I go to school full-time, I do volunteer work, and I am married. This does not leave me much time for anything. Since this was a 450 page book, I had to push myself through it and not give myself a chance to enjoy it. I say this because I don't want to turn other people off to it. Give it a chance. In fact, I believe I will give it another once my schedule dies down, in a year or so.

The Victorian Era

Hmmm....so it's evident by Tennyson's poem, "The Woman's Cause is Man's" that a woman's desire to be seen as equal was known even then. While it seems that Tennyson may be "arguing" for the equality of women, I firmly believe that he's just feeding a load of b.s. in order to impress some woman. The reason I believe this is because he starts off the poem by saying "Blame not thyself too much" (but still you are responsible a little) and then that things are the way they are because of the barbarous laws and they way men were brought up. Why should he be any different??? It's evident that the woman doesn't believe he feels this way either. After his lengthy speech, she asks "what woman taught you this?" It's obvious that she doesn't buy this story. She thinks he heard these thoughts from another woman and knows this is what a woman wants to hear from a man regarding her rights. It's probably the first pick-up line written in poetic form. For the record...I did like this. So now we are 1 for 4.

Frankenstein

The very word "Frankenstein" brings forth images of a tall green guy with bolts on his neck. Oh yeah, he was also dumb. If anyone has ever read "Frankenstein" by Mary Shelley, they would know this is a total fabrication done by Hollywood. Frankenstein was in fact the doctor that created the creature. The creature was in fact highly intelligent and of good nature in the beginning.
To say I liked this book would be a lie. I like the fact that I am no longer ignorant to what/who Frankenstein actually is, but it was still a boring read. So far, I am 0/2 regarding Brit Lit.