The Voice of Abuse

This is The Voice of Abuse, produced by the Beta Productions team of myself, Terese Marszalek, Brittany McKee, and Beth Kribel. Many thanks to Vanessa Ford Taylor for bravely sharing her story. According to Mr. Bradley Weaver: Westminster students, armed with consumer available video equipment, produced this documentary about the survivor of domestic violence. The project was part of a cluster course at Westminster College where students enrolled in Mass Communications and Majority-Minority Sociology.

What role do I want to play in my life?

The role that I will choose is that of an informed educator. To do this, I will stay abreast of information in the media and be careful of becoming influenced by what I see in the public. Additionally, I will work each day to see and embrace all forms of diversity so that I am sure to treat each of my fellow humans equally.

My largest goal is to work with students of all ages and encourage open minds and forward thinking. I feel that if I can inspire young people to work for equality and opportunity, I will have made a difference.

Even more than this goal, I want to inspire in the way that I live my life daily. If I show my beliefs in what I say, do, and don’t do, others may be more inspired to do the same in their own lives. Saying is one thing. Acting is quite another. I hope to act out and perform the change that I seek.

Additionally, I want to be an active member of society, being sure to vote, communicate, and work with organizations that promote the beliefs that I hold true. If I can participate in the world in these ways, I will feel that I am doing my part to promote my ideals.

Education!!

Although I agree that people need to become more involved in our democracy, I do not necessarily share Lippmann’s viewpoint that the information put to the public must be controlled by the elite. After researching and presenting on Edward L. Bernays, I’m more likely to agree with him, that “Today the privilege of attempting to sway public opinion is everyone’s (p. 51 of his Manipulation Public Opinion text).” Although he wrote that article in 1928, I think it extremely applies today in the blogosphere and citizen journalism. We DO have the power to change things, we just have to get out there and do it. Lippmann’s ideas are grand, but we will never have a media free of outside control. It just won’t happen.

So, I think the viewer must learn to take what they hear and add their own view. It’s easy to get caught up in the news and what is being emphasized in the media, but if we honestly work for what we think is right, we have the power of swaying the public. As Bernays pointed out, similar to Dewey, education is key. Swaying public opinion is based on providing more information. As an educator myself, I see daily in the eyes of students that in order to have a change of mind, you must be presented with more information. Let’s go seek out some of that for ourselves and bring the power back to the democracy.

The Voice of Abuse Opening!

On Tuesday, May 8th, at 12:30 pm in Mueller Theater at Westminster College, our documentary, The Voice of Abuse will be shown. Featuring Vanessa Ford Taylor, it tells a story of abuse and the circumstances involved. Please come watch and hopefully learn more about what abuse constitutes and how to overcome the stereotypes we have of it. We hope you come to support such an important cause!

From Behind the Mask Update

I think I'm falling more and more in love with our topic for the documentary. Not to say that it is a pleasant topic, but the more film we shoot, the more powerful information we get. This past Thursday, we spent a good bit of time in Beaver shooting with our amazing participant Vanessa. Her story is truly one of inspiration, and I really think her message needs to get out there. We also filmed Dr. Pataki on Friday, so I think we're done shooting. We've got the footage of students giving their stereotypes, Vanessa and her story of abuse, Ann from the Women's shelter giving her information and statistics, and Dr. Pataki with her take on the issues involved. I think it will be easy to see how our topic ties into sociology. Now, we're on to the editing portion. We are meeting Wednesday to log what we want, and should be making the final decisions after that! I think our working title is also going to change to something relating to Vanessa's project called 'From Behind the Mask.' More details to follow!!

Taking the Real out of Reality

My Monday night television experience was certainly an interesting one. Filled with reality TV, I was easily exposed to many situations that I have not been around before. First, would be the Roloff family in TLC’s Little People, Big World. This show follows a family for 6 months, 10 hours a day and shows what it is like to survive as a little person. The parents, Matt and Amy, who are both little people, work very hard to be successful in their jobs and raise their children well. Of the four children, only Zach is a little person, and it’s interesting to see the dynamics of the entire family. Never having really known what life is like for little people, it was fascinating to get that look into their lives. Additionally, the family lives on and owns a farm. Now, although I do live in the ‘country’ by some definitions, I have not ever experienced what it is like to run one! This experience also is one that I would not have seen except for on television.

ABC’s popular reality show, Dancing with the Stars, was my next Monday night foray into TV. Now, I consider myself a cultured person, but I do not typically run into ballroom dancing in the area joints that my friends and I choose to frequent. That in itself sets this show apart, but this season especially adds another interesting element. Heather Mills, the contestant most well known for having formerly been married to Paul McCartney, provides another atypical experience. Having a prosthetic limb, Mills works hard to do the things that all the contestants are required to perform on stage. In competing, Mills undoubtedly inspires many others with prosthetics to push themselves and do more.

Finally, the end of the night was filled with The Bachelor: Officer and a Gentleman. Now, never in my life have I experienced one man dating sixteen women. I don’t know about you, but this just isn’t something you run into everyday. The drama involved between the women might be easily seen on a sorority suite, but the fact that they’re all fighting for the same man is one that is definitely not part of my reality.

Now, when framing this discussion between Joshua Meyrowitz and Jean Baudrillard, I believe that it is necessary to find a happy medium. Without intending to, I viewed three reality television shows. When looking at the three shows I discussed, it is easy to see how Baudrillard’s theory relates. Each of these reality shows has many contrived elements, some more than others. In choosing participants for each, the producers are looking for what will get more attention and viewers, not which person will really represent the ‘reality.’ Media continues to represent a version of the truth in many reality shows, creating what he would call a “simulacrum” of what these people’s lives are. Additionally, I can also see where Meyrowitz comes into play. In watching these shows, I am no longer separated from little people, a person with a prosthetic limb, or even a rich navy doctor. Although Meyrowitz’s theory comes more into play with the news and more factual based television, walls are still being broken with reality television and what the world can see.

In terms of our Mass Communications class, I think it is very easy to tie in two theories. Cultivation theory argues that television will change people’s outlook on the world which may dictate their actions. Baudrillard argues that we can no longer distinguish between fantasy and reality, especially in television, and I believe that Cultivation theory ties into this. Additionally, Meyrowitz can be discussed in relation to ‘The Gatekeepers.’ Although Meyrowitz argues that television brings down boundaries of place, he is doing it relative to television. Although these walls are broken, the means of breaking them come through the gatekeepers known as the media. Both perspectives are arguing that television has a great impact on people’s lives today, and I am not disagreeing with them. However, we, the viewers still have a choice on what we pay attention to and assimilate into our daily lives.

Paging Dr. McGrey’s

Seriously, It’s easy to say that Grey’s Anatomy is one of the most popular shows on television. I just happen to have wonderful taste and love it as well! As the number 3 show for the week shown on the chart below, it’s easy to say that it beats out its competition in the time slot. In the top 20 list at Zap2it, no other show at its time slot is shown. As you can see, a little over 16 million households watched the show this past week, and it has had similar ratings when a new episode is shown.

Rank Program Name Net Day Time Rating/Share Households Viewers
3 GREY'S ANATOMY ABC Thu 9:00 PM 14.4/22.0 16,008,000 22,304,000

If we look at Grey’s’ main competition, CSI, on a personal level, it’s interesting to see which show people choose to watch. When talking to a set of friends, 3 out of 4 of us had decided to stick with CSI, while I stood alone and cheered on Meredith and the McMen of Grey’s. Obviously, In terms of ratings versus share, Grey’s got 22% of the viewers, and CSI, its competitor in the time slot, was no where to be seen. It’s interesting to think if we were to move Grey’s to a Tuesday or Wednesday and pit it against American Idol. Although some viewers would be lost, I think Grey’s could still carry their loyal viewers anywhere. I know that I would be one that sticks around. (Unless they try to kill Meredith again…I don’t know if I could support a double reincarnation.)

Overall, in terms of viewer ratings, you need a show like Grey's Anatomy to carry the most viewers. American Idol always does well, but it does not run year round, creating disparity with the Tuesday/Wednesday shows. Grey's loyal viewers will most likely stay true to the surgeons of Seattle Grace.

Nanny McPhee- A Film for the Mischievous

“The nanny you need is Nanny McPhee.” Truly, it is easy to agree with this statement. Nanny McPhee delights and entertains children and their parents time and time again. (However, I am not advocating using television or movies as a babysitter.) A film for the whole family, Nanny McPhee uses humor and wit to tell the heartwarming story of a frustrated father and his seven mischievous children.

Don’t believe me? Check out this trailer!



With a cast including the talented Emma Thompson, Colin Firth, and Angela Lansbury, along with many endearing children such as Thomas Sangster, known for Love Actually, Nanny McPhee examines what happens after the 17th nanny in a row has left the Brown household. Coming in and acting against the children’s plans, Nanny McPhee teaches the children several lessons: to say please and thank you, to go to bed when they’re told, and even more lasting ones. Throughout however, is a story of how Cedric Brown (Colin Firth) is struggling to keep the family afloat after the death of his wife. Financial struggles force several sacrifices for the family, and how they deal with them provide touching moments.

The development of Nanny McPhee is an interesting story in itself. Screenwriter Emma Thompson and her production/screenwriting partner Lindsay Doran were looking for a new project when Thompson came across the English children’s books in the Nurse Matilda series. Written by Christianna Brand in the 1960s and 70s, the stories feature a magical nanny who teaches lessons to a group of misbehaved children. After spending five years working with an adaptation, Thompson and Doran began the process of getting the story to film, added director Kirk Jones, known for Waking Ned Devine.

Not only can the viewer look at the acting, screenplay, and storyline, the costuming and colorful sets are entrancing as well. As we see Nanny McPhee transform from a oddly shaped, hairy eyebrowed, moled person to a beautiful one, it is amazing to believe that that was Emma Thompson underneath.

Walking away from a viewing of Nanny McPhee leaves you with a smile and a warm feeling inside. Rather than simply transforming the family, as director Jones himself says, “She [Nanny McPhee] shows them that they’re already good.” Go in with an open mind, and you’ll leave reminding yourself that even the most mischievous people have a wonderful heart.

Crash- A Collision of Stereotypes

White. Armed. Persian. Lonely. Black. Corrupt. Asian. Rich. Latino. These and many more facets of the characters in the film Crash come out in extremely interesting ways throughout the film. Although the color of someone’s skin is seen immediately, their true self is only glimpsed throughout the film. From the beginning to the end of the movie, the audience is learning just some of the reasons why each character acts as they do. A hardworking father does his best to protect his little girl, but in daily life, he is only seen as a Latino ‘gang banger.’ The tough as nails cop cares for his drug addicted mother although she criticizes him every chance she gets. The hardworking family loses their store because of a linguistic and cultural misunderstanding. The ability of director/writer/producer Paul Haggis and his staff to draw the viewer into each individual character is so powerful that it is easy to forget that one is sitting in front of screen watching a film.

Sound interesting? Get caught even move in this trailer.



Crash has the ability to continue its theatrical power into discussions on how we all deal with stereotypes. Acting on our stereotypes is not always bad, as the film shows with the character of Jean being afraid of two black men and ignoring her fear. However, more often than not, our stereotypes are not nearly as complex as the real life version. This can especially be seen in Don Cheadle's portrayal of the character Graham. The woman he happens to be sleeping with still has no clue about his life until it is forced upon her.

When leaving a viewing of the film, it is difficult not to talk about what you saw and heard. An easy first reaction could be a feeling of wanting more of each characters story, but the movie would be much too long, and also would not leave enough to the imagination. Room for thought, but including crucial details is this movie’s strength. After viewing, think back to the showing of the bullet boxes. Look closely at the framing of each shot. If you do, you’ll want to watch the movie again and again just to catch one more example of the genius of the film.

I would honestly recommend this film to any of my friends and family, and hope to show it to my often racially stereotypical grandfather. For this reason, I give the film 5 hearty grins for its thought provoking relevance to all.

Structure- does it help or hurt?

Living the American Dream. That’s what it could be said that Philo T. Farnsworth was doing in his career of inventing. Starting out as a young man in a Mormon community in Utah, he rose to an inventor who was paid a certain amount for all electronic televisions sold. However this process was not simply about his ideas and genius, rather it was about the business and the politics.

When looked at through the context of our Minority/Majority class, I see several different themes that emerge. First, we see that Farnsworth’s ascribed status in terms of being a white male of appropriate height and weight would be to his advantage, especially in the time that he worked. In this way, he is clearly in the majority, and benefiting from white privilege. However, through his achieved status of being Mormon, relatively low on the economic scale, and without a true occupation, Philo was not taken very seriously by many.

When looking at Philo’s story, I could easily see how Symbolic Interactionism relates. In his line of work, Philo often had to convince skeptical people of his vision and its power. Those that truly new him on a personal level and would talk to him knew him to be a genius with promise as an inventor. This daily interaction built a group of people who worked together for the common goal. However, both the structure and economic power were working against him.

Who had the power here? It’s actually more important to look at who had the money. Unfortunately, money makes the commercial world run, and without it, Farnsworth’s company could not keep constructing the electronic television. Because David Sarnoff had the company and had the money, he could buy off as much as possible to beat out Farnsworth. Without funding, Farnsworth was weakened and disheartened.

Finally, and in my opinion, most important, it was really the social structure that stopped Farnsworth’s notoriety. With Structural Functionism, we see that because order runs society, the institutions and the roles they create are what contribute to how society behaves. Farnsworth was really one man with several supporters. Sarnoff was one large company with many connections. Although Farnsworth had a public demonstration of his television 5 years before RCA did, the presentation of the electric television at the World’s Fair was more famous. With FDR as the first person broadcasted, it was clear that the power was given because of the connections due in turn to the structure. Had Farnsworth been backed by a large company, the situation would have been gravely different. As it occurred, however, it was the story of the rich corporate giants vs. the intelligent little man.

'The Bluest Eye?' It should really be 'The Clearest Eye!'

Toni Morrison’s book, The Bluest Eye, induced a great mix of emotions even within the first few chapters. Although she wrote this book for African American women in the most part, I think it was a very valuable read. Her book follows the story of Pecola Breedlove, an 11 year old girl who has pretty much nothing going for her in life. It is mainly narrated by Claudia, Pecola’s companion in many situations. The book addresses many issues especially surrounding Pecola’s life. Obvious from the title and the many discussions of being ugly, beauty is probably the central theme of the book. Beauty comes into play with the houses, faces, land, and most symbolically the dolls. The scene where Claudia tears apart the doll was one of the most influential to me. Although the doll is beautiful on the outside, when opened up, there is nothing special or mystifying.
A very quick read, the book did keep my interest and made me wonder how everything turns out for the characters. Even though the ending was not happy, and left me questioning many things, I’ve realized that seeing it that way is not necessarily a bad thing. Ms. Morrison may disagree with me, but I can clearly see the value in showing it to a varied audience. Although we will never be able to put ourselves in the characters shoes or truly understand what some of the characters feel, each person can relate to one situation or another in their lives. Each person has felt ugly at some point and has wanted to show that they are not only valued for the color of their skin, eyes, hair, size, ethnicity, or any other aspect of their physical makeup. The media’s messages both then and now have such a huge impact on how we see ourselves and others. This book shows how absolutely damaging that can be without ever having that intention. In the end, it is not our intentions that matter, but our action and how we perceive the world. We must take down the screen in front of our eyes and attempt to see to the base of a situation. Then with those clear eyes, we can see the world in a completely different light.

Documentaries...Slanted, no matter how hard they try not to be!!

Words. Music. Colors. Lighting. Voices. Pictures. Narration. Film. These and many other words are often used to describe a documentary. Before formally deciding my definition of a documentary, I wanted to take a look at some examples of short ones similar to something we will be doing in class. Taken from Current TV, these mini-documentaries or pods are all found on the Current TV website.

This first one had a completely different format from what I had been used to. Firstly, it was in a different language and only had the words written at the bottom. It also never really talked to or interacted with the subject. Instead, the narrator told us what was happening. The music that was used created a great background, but what was really interesting to me was the lighting. The relative darkness and glowing light made me really feel like I needed to pay attention. Watch to see what I mean:


This next pod was very different in that the subject was the narrator and it was simply a day in the life. By pointing out different aspects of being an older member of society, it more addresses a specific issue than the first one. I also thought it was interesting that several pictures were shown at the end to provide additional illustration. However, the video quality and sounds were not as well done.



Finally, this pod was different from the others in that the music was actually the subject singing, she was simply shown and talked herself rather than using a voice over, and we could truly see her emotion about what she had to say. The pod was truly about her and how she emphasized being true to yourself.


My personal definition of a documentary is primarily influenced by things that I have learned in this Mass Communications class. This example seen here shows many of the details that I believe are a part of a documentary.

It includes the view of the main person in the story, several specialist views and comments, and close personal contacts. It also includes appropriate sound, images, and transitions. Finally, it has text to tell the viewer who is speaking and what their relationship to the main participant is. The narration is done by whoever is being referenced at the time. I would like to model our final documentary after the structure that I have seen in this one.

Looking at this documentary resource, I realized more of my views of documentaries. In the end, I do believe a documentary truly is a media (note that media could be video, pictures with narration, etc.) that is created to present ONE view of an issue. It is created typically with the idea that people must need to be more educated about an issue. This issue is framed and referenced in accordance to the views of the producers or gatekeepers. Although the view of the issue may simply want to induce laughter or entertainment, what is shown in the documentary is done by one person. The choice to film one thing and not another puts that slant on the issue. The choice to edit out a certain phrase or include emotion inducing music puts a slant on the issue. What else is new? These pictures in our heads are popping up everywhere, we just have to remember that they exist!

Now what do I really think?

Yes, I will concede that immigration is a large issue facing America, but I will not allow that this show did much to clarify that issue. Those viewers looking to it for that should just change the channel. Although it opened my eyes to more details surrounding the law, I saw it more as one person’s specific experience. Had Frank not been a Cuban immigrant and not known Spanish, it would have been a completely different episode. Because of his background and experience, he could sympathize with this family. Some of his fellow Minutemen volunteers would not be so connected to their story.
When looking at my thoughts immediately after the show, I felt tender and supportive of the Gonzales family. Later, after thinking more clearly about what the producers and editors used and emphasized, I realized that I was led into that line of thought. After analyzing my views, I questioned many issues. If they had to scrimp and save for everything they had, where did the computer, video games, golf clubs, and other amenities come from? How was Armida expecting to get a full scholarship from U.S. citizens, if they could not go through the legal channels to become one? Many of the tender appeals for support fall flat when seeing the hard truth.
In the end looking at this story and picking out the truths is difficult. As with all reality television, you will see a slant to one side or another. However, as far as reality television does go, I would give this show a B rating. Unless you are critically examining the episode, it could be very easy to get persuaded by the warm and loving Gonzales family ideals.

Background of 30 Days Episode

The “Immigration” episode recently seen on the FX show “30 Days” draws a quick portrait of two opposing views. Host Morgan Spurlock introduces the viewer to Frank George, a persistent Minuteman and the illegal immigrant Gonzales family. These views are very black and white at the beginning, but have seemingly blurred by the end of the show. As cited on the website, this series covers, according to executive producer R.J. Cutler, “the most pressing social issues facing our country.” The first episode in the second season, “Immigration,” obviously exhibits this quality, and attempts to target those who might possibly be swayed by the heartfelt appeals of the Gonzales family.
From the beginning, we are given the background of both Frank and the Gonzales’. A legal immigrant at a young age, Frank joined the Minutemen after September 11th. He stated clearly, “9/11 was an immigration related issue,” and saw the illegal entry of people into the United States a large problem leading to the dissolution of the country. After Frank enters the Gonzales home and meets Rigoberto, his wife Patty, and their children, especially the outspoken Armida, he hears more of their story. After coming into the country 12 years ago, they still have a small living space, and try to make it through each day as best as they can. As Rigoberto says, “Given our situation, we don’t live on a large scale.”
Although the family claims to not live on a large scale, there are many situations that could be considered surprising, especially in the case of Armida, who always brings up the search for the ‘American Dream.’ As an avid golfer and ambitious student, she is attempting to get into Princeton University. However, even though two of her younger siblings are legal U.S. Citizens, Armida does not have proper identification or even a social security number. It begs the question, how do these people survive undocumented? This is one that Frank visibly struggles with throughout the episode. As he works with Rigoberto as a handyman, talks with Patty, interacts with the entire family, and finally makes a trip to Mexico to see the family’s former home, a change is visible in Frank’s mindset. After experiencing all of these events, Frank says, “There comes a time when you love people for who they are, all politics aside.” At this point, it would be very easy for a viewer to see a conflicting situation and the solution posed. However, it goes much deeper than that.

Tick tick tick...time for a quick video instead of a snapshot??

When looking at stereotypes, my plain words definition would probably be: relying on one quick image or viewpoint rather than taking the time to get to know the real situation. In Walter Lippmann’s Chapter VI, I noticed several important ideas in this quote about stereotypes that align with my view. “But modern life is hurried and multifarious, above all physical distance separates men who are often in vital contact with each other, such as employer and employee, official and voter. There is neither time nor opportunity for intimate acquaintance. Instead we notice a trait which marks a well known type, and fill in the rest of the picture by means of the stereotypes we carry about in our heads.” Although the stereotype is not necessarily a bad thing, it can still cause problems. Because of the convenience of relying on that initial picture, many people do not really take the time and effort to get the ‘behind the scenes’ story. Interestingly enough, it is always that side story that catches attention and sparks new ideas. Although the stereotypes will never fully disappear, if everyone would just take a few minutes each day to get a back story, many of the negative stereotypes would not be perpetuated. I know that I’d absolutely love to rip apart some of those pictures in my head and replace them with a movie clip of some true experiences whenever possible!

eBay is everywhere...you just don't see it at first!

After taking the time to look back on my favorite media outlets, I researched a little more about Skype. However, it’s good to note that my other favorite, AIM, would fall under Time Warner currently, and thus under synergy as it’s part of the ‘Big 6.’ However, it’s interesting that AIM was created in 1997, before the merger with AOL and Time Warner. Using another form of media that I frequent, Google, I found out a bit of history from Wikipedia. Sharing its founder with Kazaa, a more music associated mp3 file sharing system, (sorry I would link to the real website, but Westminster censors that usage *note a very real gatekeeper!) made an interesting connection. However, most surprising to me was that eBay had acquired The Skype Group in October of 2005. I would not typically have connected eBay, a source that I can honestly say that I’ve never used in the past, with Skype. When looking at the Acquisitions & Investments section of the description of eBay, I truly see the synergy and how they must often use each other for advertisements!

Pictures in my head?? Usually songs, but here goes...

"The ony feeling that anyone can have about an event he does not experience is the feeling aroused by his mental image of that event. That is why until we know what others think they know, we cannot truly understand their acts." This quote stood out for me because coming back from studying abroad was a strange experience. Many people imagined what it was like but could not get the total essence of what I thought, and they could not really get why I acted differently than before.

I use media in many different ways, and unfortunately, I know that it often makes the pictures in my head change. The best picutres that I often find are from reading books and other print sources. These are often the most genuine, however the images I see on TV greatly change what I had initially thought and show me that my perception might have been off.

My reality is very limited regardless of the amount I have traveled and tried to experience because of my innate characteristics. It is limited by the fact that I do not feel that I am yet a real contributor to society, and I do not currently pay enough attention to what is happening in the world and locally. Finally, it is limited by the fact that there is always a filter for the information that I recieve.

If I were to engage in more media, and make more time for it, I feel that I would have a greater grasp on the realities, however, it could also be somewhat skewed by the viewpoints that are presented. Along this line of thought, if I analyze message, the medium, and gatekeepers critically, I may be able to weed out the parts of the statements that I see as opinion. If this is done, it is likely to help me keep an open view of all media that I take in.

After seeing the headline about New Orleans needing teachers because of the fallout after Hurricane Katrina, I immediately pictured classrooms that badly needed help that I had seen in Jamaica. Without an intention to be discriminatory in any way, but I immediately pictured black children, when this is not going to be the only situation at all. I had to move past this initial picture to the one of a simple classroom in need of help. This made me understand the story as it was portrayed as more of a charity situation. Later as they appealed to the viewer with stories of the problems that were occuring, I saw even more what was being portrayed. In this situation, I let the information wash over me, because after considering it, there would be no reason to slant the facts in this situation. I believe that I am selective in the evidence that I believe and do not, and that New Orleans is still a city that really needs our help.

I've come to the realization that I'm an IM junkie.

Well as an additional class assignment, we were asked to reflect on our favorite media. This has taken me a while to think about, but I would have to say instant messaging. It is probably the one I use the most and is the most functional for me. I had not realized how much I really used it until I recently moved back on campus. While waiting for the ever annoying TitanNet to load and my port to be turned on, the only thing I could use was the slow email. At this point, I was starting to go crazy for my lack of a buddy list and friends to drop a line to! I also use instant messaging to talk to my parents so that I can just leave messages at the odd hours that I'm awake, and they can reply. I also use it to ask questions of friends on campus so that I don't have to constantly call. Probably my favorite use of it is to talk to several of my friends in the UK. After studying abroad there, I've really missed them. Phone is too expensive, and emails take too long to get a reply with. My best friend from there and I sometimes use a video chat, so it's even better to hear her voice and see her face. Although I love most forms of IM from aim to skype to windows messenger, I'd have to say that I'd much rather talk to them in person. However, if IM was taken away from me I would make do with other resources such as email and phone. I would miss the quick contact and the ability to know what several people are doing at once. I would also miss the quick file sharing that is an added bonus to IM. Hopefully, this never has to happen!

Media Checklist

So my first blog entry is going to be a little boring, but I'm starting this for class, so here goes. Hopefully this will be something that I can carry into later years to keep family and friends updated, but we shall see!

1. I use the phone pretty much every day, mostly to call family
2. I listened to a public speaker at the Fall Colloquium for Kappa Delta Pi
3. I use IM every day and talk mostly to Roxy, my friend from the UK, and my mom so I don't have to call.
4. I use email every day to check updates for classes and communicate with family and friends.
5. I paid for music about two weeks ago on iTunes.
6. The most recent thing I watched on TV was right now when Liz, my roommate put on Full House.
7. The last time I recorded a television program was last night when I couldn't watch Grey's because of a meeting.
8. I watched We Are Marshall at the theater about a week and a half ago, and Step Up on DVD two days ago.
9. Titan Radio- because it's on the radio in our bathroom.
10. The Memory Keepers' Daughter was the most recent book I read for me because I was told it was good!
11. The last newspaper I read was the Beaver County Times, about a week and a half ago, because our family has a subscription.
12. I don't really pay for magazines, I read them if someone else buys them: aka my family's subscription to TV Guide.
13. I wrote and sent a letter last week to a friend in England.
14. I have my bank and credit card sites bookmarked and visit them often to check on my accounts and pay bills.
15. I have a MySpace and Facebook listing, and use them to keep and contact with friends.
16. I don't do a lot of gaming, but if I do, it's probably FreeCell or Spider Solitare