"Bring hockey back to Toronto"

Recent story on CTV involves local Toronto neighbourhood making a complaint over a city by-law. The city of Toronto has had a by-law for awhile now saying hockey is not allowed to be played on the streets. Neighbourhood in Toronto feels this law should be abolished. There are many reasons why these people/parents feel this way. One of the reasons for example are for financial reasons. Not every family can afford to put there kids in organized hockey which can sometimes be expensive depending on the skill level and team. Every kid should be able to play hockey freely on the streets without any cost. Its extremely unfair to kids that don't have the money to play to be excluded from the sport. Another example is for the issue of obesity. People say children these days are getting too caught up in television, video games and other entertainment that is pulling them away from physical activity. They say children these days don't get out and play enough. Its kind of hard for kids to get out and play when they cant play one of Canada's most popular official sports on the streets of their neighbourhood. Hockey is an activity that is very popular in Canada and has been since it was created. It is ridiculous how Toronto has banned it from being played on the streets of their city. Another argument used is that it keeps kids or even teens busy and off the streets causing trouble. When kids get bored that is when they start wondering the streets and causing problems. Kids on the street playing hockey would cause a lot less problems then kids vandalizing or selling drugs because they have nothing better to do. Local neighbourhoods are now trying to pressure city council to try and get Canada's game of hockey back on the streets of Toronto.

Harry Potter vs. Twilight

It has come down to this question: Are you a pothead or are you a twihard? We are talking about two of the biggest phenomenons here in pop culture history: Harry Potter and Twilight. People today are having difficulty deciding where their loyalties lie. I however, have no trouble choosing my side. Boys and girls, I think we can all agree here that Mr. Potter wins this battle. Twilight fans may beg to differ, but I assure you; after reading this post your views are bound to change. Now before Team Edward decides to bite me (or Team Jacob decides to rip me to shreds), I will admit that I am not completely against the whole Twilight franchise. I mean I've seen the movies and read all the books, but that of course does not make me a fanatic. But then again, that makes it fair game for me to compare the two series...

First off, J.K. Rowling is an exceptional writer, and a much better one than Stephannie Meyer at that, because her books are more rich in detail and much more believable (as far as fantasy goes). Even Stephen King said: "The real difference is that Jo Rowling is a terrific writer and Stephannie Meyer can't write worth a [darn]." Now that's a little harsh, but at the same time completely true in some ways. I don't want to spoil Breaking Dawn (the fourth book in the Twilight series) for anyone who hasn't read it, but the ending is a complete waste of time especially after reading 700 and something pages in order to reach it.

The Harry Potter series is better aimed towards both genders as an audience. There is a good mixture of humour, adventure, mystery, and even sometimes a love story on the side. It is also better than Twilight because there are morals in the story worth following by. I'm talking about: courage, sacrifice, love, good conquers over evil, the power of friendship, and that all heroes have flaws. It is harder for me to find morals in the Twilight series (except love I guess). Another point is that I for one find Twilight quite sexist in terms of the characters because Bella is always the damsel in distress and she is constantly relying on Edward to save her. It is particularly annoying in New Moon when Bella is practically a zombie due to moping her head off just because the so called love of her life leaves the town. On the other hand, Hermione Granger of the Harry Potter series, is a clever young lady who is able to take care of herself without clinging to Harry or Ron every minute of the day. Hermione is a character that girls should look up to, not clingy Bella.

Now let's talk about the film adaptations of the two books and the actual talent involved. I'm not saying the young actors involved in Harry Potter are the Clint Eastwoods and Meryl Streeps of our generation, but they sure are better than the Twilight young actors. The audience was able to grow with them throughout the movies because the characters had so much depth. Although maybe I should cut the Twilight cast some slack; it's not their fault they have to follow a cheesy script. I hate how in the Teen Choice Awards (which isn't even a legitimate awards show in my opinion) Twilight wins a countless number of times just because they have good-looking actors. But then of course Twihards will argue that the Twilight cast is actually made up of talented young actors. Oh really? What are the acting qualities that teenage girls find exceptional in the Twilight saga? Is it Taylor Lautner's forced intense expression, Robert Pattinson's beady eyes, or perhaps Kristen Stewart's constant frowning and lip biting? I didn't think so.

Now I don't mind if you enjoy the Twilight saga because of the plot and characters, but if you prefer the series over Harry Potter just because "they have hotter actors," then that is despicable. Choose what you want to believe after reading this post, but Harry Potter will always be the better series in my mind. Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, vampires and wizards; my work here is done (for now). Mischief Managed.

“The Amazing Race: Unfinished Business 18”

Welcome to Sam’s Reality TV Check


A Fun Reality TV Show for all Ages!

The Amazing Race 2011 Reality TV show is bringing back teams from previous seasons, giving returning teams a second chance to win the Amazing Race One Million dollar grand prize. Contestants are specially selected favorite teams returning from Seasons 12 to 17. The Amazing Race 18 will be a 23-city race that will cover 5 continents and 40,000 mile. The new season of the amazing race is one to watch! This season the show is bringing back those teams who have competed before, but not won.

The competition is fierce!

The first “leg” of the race started in California but quickly moved to Australia where teams were this past week. Each episode includes 2-3 tasks per “leg”, where the teams compete against each other to get to the “rest stop” first. Each team, while competing against each other, complete tasks including; solving puzzles, locating local monuments and partaking in local rituals and customs. Those who get to the rest stop first, are given the privilege of leaving first for the next leg of the race. The team arriving first is rewarded with a vacation or a cash prize. Most of the time, those who complete the “leg” of the race last will be eliminated. Once in awhile there will be a non elimination round where no one gets sent home. However, if you are the last team to arrive in this particular week, and you have been spared elimination, you will have to complete an additional task during the next “leg” of the race.

Each “leg” of the race brings its challenges – “roadblocks”, “fast forwards”, “yields” and “u-turns” making the game more exciting and stressful for all those involved and those of us watching at home!

Watch your favorite team and find out who is getting closer to winning the million dollar cash prize from other competitors on “The Amazing Race: Unfinished Business Season 18” on CTV Sunday night at 8 sharp.

Your Reality TV Blogger – Keeping it Real!
Samantha Stewart

Monday Night TV date

On a Monday night, with little homework and nothing to do what is your first instinct? Most teenage girls will turn on the tube for eight o'clock, switch to Much Music and sit down for a two hour date with Pretty Little Liars and Gossip Girl. Both shows are filled with a world most of us could only dream of, but why? Why would we dream of a world filled of lies, betrayals, secrets, cheating and stealing?

Pretty Little Liars is built off of the concept of a small town, rich families and dark secrets. Secrets centered around the death of a girl who appeared to be as innocent as the average 7th grader, but as the story progresses all the personal information she knew about her so called best friends begins to unravel. Everything from student and teacher affairs, stealing your sister's boyfriends to questioning your gender identity. These scenarios on their own sound unbearably delicate to handle and would most likely make the lives of teens today unpleasant and stressful. PLL has become so captivating because of the way these deceptions are presented. Remember the small town and rich families mentioned above, families willing to keep secrets private to avoid humiliation and foreclosure, family members committing similar acts and parents that are unwilling to accept their children's true identity. The young ladies with these secrets are constantly decked out in the latest fashions,surrounded by expensive shops and cars. Not only this, but they also seem to luck out when you feel that the last few threads of the web of lies will come undone. Someone or multiple people that the girls only know as A seem to have control over their lives because some how they know the details to all of their secrets. The main thrill to watching the show is the race to see if you can guess who A is before they tell you. The show being wisely thought out, leads you in different directions to keep your interest.

A parallel to this is Gossip Girl which has the same general scheme, connected through family and friends, relationships and lies. GG has had more deceptive turns than you can count and many more in store for the future. GG also has a secret identity, an internet blogger unidentified to all, who updates Manhattan's elite young adults with each other's secrets. Again this show holds the ideological messages that are in PLL.

The similarities between the two television programs are endless, hidden identities, rich, beautiful, happy, glamorous people all trying to keep their status. The pair both shed light on the latest in peer pressure issues among teens, such as sexual orientation, drugs and alcohol giving both the "positive" or fun side and the negative down side to each issue. They also give the audience the opportunity to choose their own meaning. The best example of this is attempting to determine the identity of both A and Gossip Girl.

Even with all of these details both shows are still captivating, thus being able to keep rating high and keep viewers interested. Don't believe me? keep an open mind and tune in next Monday.

The Ipad2

Apple iPad 2 rumors has announced a much better display for the next generation of ipad model for some time now. There’s some good evidence to point that the new iPad 2 display may double up the number of pixels from 1024X768 to 2048X1536. So thats a great improvement for the ipad2.

Apple will quadruple the iPads native resolution as it did when it introduced iPhone 4 as a matter of fact. resulting in a very high resolution display with a pixel density somewhere around 260 ppi, short of the Retina display that they have on the iphon4 status, but still higher than most high end smartphones that’s for sure.

well, I guess Apple is aiming high with the new ipad2 and i do like themore advanced resolution that they have to offer to the next generation of models of ipads

Do you look in the mirror, and hate what you see? Do you poke and prod at your body, wishing it could be thinner, and more toned?

Eating Disorders affect millions of people. Males and Females. They're so common that they effect 1 or 2 out of 100 kids in the U.S.. These kids will mostly suffer from either Anorexia Nervosa or Bulima Nervosa.

Anorexia Nervosa Syptoms

• can become seriously underweight
• easily upset and irritable
• loss of sleep and energy
• decreased concentration and attention
• become obsessed with thoughts of food
• mood, anxiety and personality disorders

Bulimia Nervosa Symptons

• complusive exercising
• regularly going to the bathroom after eating
• discarding packages for laxatives, diet pills, emetics & diuretics.

*If you know anyone that might be suffering from either of these, or any other eating disorder, please confront them and/or get them help immediately. These eating disorders are no jokes.

I believe that the media is to blame for this. In todays media, we see models that look perfect, with their perfectly thin bodies, air brushed skin, and flawless makeup. Whether we notice it or not, we're surrounded by these advertisements, and it influences the way that we see ourselves when we look into that mirror every morning. Now because we are surrounded by all these subliminal messages, boys and girls around the world starve themselves, and spend thousands of dollars a year on material items, so that they can try and achieve what the media states is perfect.

The “Video Game”! Good or Bad?

The Video game has affected many of us on earth. Video gaming is like a hobby, just like reading, fishing, or playing sports, it's a form of entertainment. The problem is that video gaming has imprinted a negative impact in society.

Numerous studies show that people playing video games for a long period of time, especially ones with violent content show the following behaviours:

· Tend to be more aggressive

· Are more prone to confrontation with their teachers

· May engage in fights with their peers

· See a decline in school achievements.

This shows that media had ideological messages. The violence in the game influences the gamer to become more violent and aggressive.

Academic success can be negatively associated to over-all time spent playing video games. Studies have revealed that the more time a kid wastes on playing video games, the poorer is his performance in school.

Playing video games has many health affects, leading health issue is Obesity. The longer one is sitting and playing video games the higher risk of getting obese. Some other health issues include:

· Overuse injuries of the hand

· Obesity

· Muscle and joint problems

· Eyestrain

This shows that media has ideological messages. The violence in the game influences the gamer to become more violent and aggressive. Media also appeals to all five sense, that’s why it’s so addicting. The media use techniques to plead your senses making one play for a longer period of time, which cause drop in academic success and higher the chances for one to be obese .

A world of Fantasy

Greetings,

As this is my first blog, how you say, "post", I will introduce myself. My name is The Blade of Corrilon. You may call me The Blade of Corrilon. I am "posting" on this blog to talk about my thoughts on the different elements of media. My first blog, though, will be about my history and the land of my birth. Some of you may have heard of the realm where I come from, for stories of the grand adventures that take place there are spoken of in small groups across the land. There are many books that contain different components of my home country, all of them published under the name of Dungeons and Dragons.

Now these tales are often told by a single individual or Dungeon Master (DM), to a small number of friends that add on to the story. Thus, my world is different each time the stories are told. How the DM chooses to portray the world during each telling of the story affects how the reality of the world is constructed. It may be like your world is today, however bland it is, or it may be similar to my old world, where monsters and knights clashed, good kings and evil tyrants ruled and damsels needed to be rescued from tall towers. It is told to be better than your current reality and allow you to imagine yourself as someone, or something, else. The reality is still constructed to appeal to you and your senses.

Now no matter how well the DM portrays a story, if the listeners do not enjoy it, it will fade from history. Many a brave venture has faded from the memories of bards and travelers, shame really, some of them were my own adventures. That is why it is you, the listener, that decides what will pass on to legend. If the tale does not pass your judgment, then it will not continue on to the next generation. It falls to the DM to make the story as interesting as possible so that those who hear it will pass it on to others. If the job is done correctly, both the DM and the listeners will enjoy themselves and the stories will live on for awhile longer.

My home is a wondrous land of fantasy that I long to visit again, however, my tasks here are yet to be completed. All I can do now is share my tails of old and perhaps a few new ones, and hope that my stories will be passed on by all.

May the will of Corrilon be in your favor,

The Blade of Corrilon

Taylor Vs. Talent

Look at this picture. Where do your eyes go first? Is it his glowing chocolate brown eyes, his perfectly placed 'messy' hair, that smooth, soft face or his chiseled, tan body? What more could you ask for in an actor?

His physical appearance is the reason for his casting as 'Jacob Black' in the overly popular movie 'Twilight'. Catherine Hardwicke, the "Twilight" director, chose Taylor Lautner for a reason. Since the target age group for the "Twilight" movie was 12 - 15 year old females, she used a young, attractive man to portray one of the main male characters and thus, reel in the viewers. This decision appeared to be a success based on the fact that the first "Twilight" movie in the series made over 7 million dollars in the first few nights of showing. Has our pop culture community seriously come down to this? Do we disregard lack of any talent what’s so ever for drop dead gorgeous looks? Unfortunately, even though Taylor Lautner may be attractive or a very kind person in real life, the reality is that he has weak acting skills. Like most of the popular actors and actresses of our time, he seems awkward on screen. Many new young actors and actresses appear stuck portraying a similar character, role after role. I hope that soon new actors will become famous because of their talent rather than their looks.

We are blinded by beauty. Lets try to see beyond that.

Episode I: A Galaxy Far Far Away



Episode I: A Galaxy Far Far Away.

Oh HAI, i didnt see you there. My name is darthrasberry321 but people call me darthrasberry. I bet your thinking....."THATS AN AWESOME NAME!, HOW DID YOU COME UP WITH THAT?!?" Well let me tell you young one, at the time the force was strong with this one so I came up with two of my favorite words. Darth and Raspberry, and combined them together. From here on I will be blogging about everything Star Wars, believe it, and also believe that I am not typing with my fingers, i am using the force to type for me.

I've decided to dedicate my first blog about the world of Star Wars and how much of an impact it made on mankind. Star Wars (believe it or not) is the greatest thing thats ever happened to this place called Earth. I think everyone in this planet are familiar with Star Wars. If you've never seen Star Wars, then your missing out on life. Star Wars became a world wide phenomenon after its first movie, released 1977. At the time that movie was greatest, nothing else was like it, it was very original and after its released it has changed humans and the film industry forever. Star Wars was like, the James Cameron Avatar of this generation. BTW Star Wars is better than Avatar, like WTH is this Avatar movie anyways, Star Wars is also better than Harry Potter, Lord of The Rings, James Bond, and if anyone says Twilight is better than Star Wars i will force choke you legit.

Not only is Star Wars on the big screen, but theres also t.v shows, books, action figures, LEGO EVEN, comics, graphic novels and even video games. Its everywhere, I remember floating my way into Chapters and they had a whole aisle just dedicated to Star Wars. The world of Star Wars and all of its people and things are just awesome. You can't get anymore badass than Darth Vader or be more wise than Yoda. Every single character is very likable and there is not one character in Star Wars that you will hate. But what I personally think what makes Star Wars the greatest is not only its enviroment and characters, but the storyline. Star Wars is all about family. I don't wanna spoil it for those who haven't seen it, but Star Wars is all about family, from beginning to end. I personally think family is most important, nothing is more important that family. It touched me and it has made me cry. I shed a tear. I'm sorry, I couldn't cry at all at The Notebook or Toy Story 3, i cried my eyes out on Star Wars. 

Going back to when I said Star Wars has impacted mankind so much, I meant it in a good way. Take for example Grand Theft Auto the video game, watching Star Wars isn't gonna make you kill someone, its gonna wanna make you become someone like me, a total Star Wars geek. Star Wars is also a movie with tons of memorable quotes, classic ones like "Vader Luke, I am your father!" and "Leia I love you!/ Solo I know...". Star Wars has made a significant impact on the world, I can't even stress that enough. There have been so many parodies and such, its crazy. Family Guy has episodes and even DVD movies dedicated to Star Wars. Also, ever seen crazy Star Wars kid on Youtube?

When you think about it, Star Wars is somehow like the internet, how its changed mankind. Not only is Star Wars LITERALLY EVERYWHERE WOW. But its just an amazing storyline and series. It became a worldwide pop culture phenomenon. Everything is amazing in Star Wars, the characters, story, the world. From the lightsabers and force pushing, to the intense storyline, and to the very likable characters. Star Wars is definetely a movie series you shouldn't miss out.

The Eeenternet

Oh the Internet... what a useful tool. The Internet is easily one of the most well known tools for research, entertainment, and other highly useful functions out there. The Internet is a place where anyone can set up a site, post anything they want, or research or find anything that they could possibly have in mind. With the increasing sales of the home computer, the Internet has definately become a dependancy for many people in their daily lives.

In terms of expressig media concepts, the Internet can express, show, and explain any idea or detail the poster or user has in mind, for example: I'm currently writing a blog to express my views on the internet at this very moment. Using well detailed pictures and explanations the Internet can give messages to the user, it can construct and deconstruct reality, as well as give all sorts of implications and shape messages.

Aside from doing forms of surfing for research, the Internet can also be a very good way to pass the time by playing games. The Internet has allowed access to all sorts of different types of flash programs, and animation in gaming, making it useable and fun for anyone who may want to use it.

However, aside from all the fun and good times, there is definately a dark side to the Internet. The internet can be a horrible place for getting bullyed by emails and sites, being involved in scams and having your personal info taken from you, there's also pornography.

All and all, the Internet is a glorious place I suppose.

Working on a trendy production line

Trendiness is the word on everybody's lips. With so many outlets for advertising we are convinced that we need certain items to make us popular. The sad part, of course, is that they do. We are establishing new trends as if they're coming off of a factory line, but people are just running out of ideas to explore. This is not because of a lack of creativity, though, but it is because the media is creating trends faster than designers can imagine them. Because of this unfilled quota, we are repeating ourselves. In the last decade (especially the last 2-3 years) old trends have been resurfacing. Take the fedora for example. Used by middle aged men of the of the 1930s-1950s, it fell out of popularity for a number of decades. Now, inexplicably, these creased bowlers have become 'trendy and fashionable' for all the young lanky lads. Really it just looks like you stepped on your favorite hat.

What I find even more curious is how many 80s products are now once again a part of pop-culture. People were ASHAMED of the 80s. But now, once again we have classic gems like oversized sunglasses (incase you think you don't look bug-eyed enough today), leg-warmers (because who wears pants anymore anyway?), and the new epitome of 80s fusion, JEGGINGS. Oh, dont get me STARTED on Jeggings. They're a piece of latex made to look like jeans, without those annoying pockets or, you know, functionality. However, feel free to spend twice as much on some useless rubber as you would on an actual pair of jeans. Why, you ask? Because these products will make you popular amongst your shallow consumer peers, like they did in the good old days.

Look at this f-ing hipster.

The Toronto Auto Show

This last sunday i had the oppourtunity to visit the toronto auto show. The only thing is that my uncle works for a transportation company so i got to see the behind the scenes action that goes on before the general public gets the opportunity to see the automotive greatness which is the toronto auto show. While i was there i had the chance to talk to some people that have been working with the show for almost 10 years. From what they had to say i got the impression that the auto show is a great way for the auto buying public to see what the auto market is like right now. From the moment the promoters start promoting the shows coordinators start to hire transport companies such as my uncles company to bring in the mass amounts of cars into the huge amount of space the metro toronto convention center has to offer. i have to say though for the size of the Center it looks tiny inside when all of the cars, sets, lights,stages and food providers get into the building. When i was helping my uncle load some cars onto one of there car transporters i got the chance to drive a $150 000 car, it was a brand new aston martin DBS. the car had so much power to give one touch on the accelarator gave a sudden burst of acceleration which was acxilirating. over all my impression of the Toronto Auto Show was over the top and amazing. If you wish to see the auto show for yourself check the link for ticket information and web links.

Http://www.autoshow.ca/

The Man With The Golden Sun.

Melo Drama Comes to a Close, or Does it?

On February 22nd, the Denver Nuggets had come to a trade agreement that would send All-Star Small Forward Carmelo Anthony to the New York Knicks in a multi-player deal. Carmelo Anthony now joins All-Star Power Forward Amar'e Stoudemire on a rejuvenated Knicks team.

But for this trade to happen, there had to be plenty of movement between the teams players. This trade also included the Minnesota Timberwolves trading players to the Knicks. So in all, the 3 team trade deal included 13 players, and big changes to each organization.

The players included in this deal include to the New York Knicks from the Timberwolves Corey Brewer and Kosta Koufus in exchange for Forwards Anthony Randolph and Eddy Curry.

The big talk about this trade is the exchange of players from the Denver Nuggets including Small Forward Carmelo Anthony, Veteran Point Guard Chauncey Billups, Guard Anthony Carter, and bench players Renaldo Balkman and Sheldon Williams for some of the Knicks key role players this year.

Players moved to Denver include rookie Center Timofey Mozgov, a rising star at the Point Guard position in Raymond Felton, and key Small Forwards in Danillo Gallinari and Wilson Chandler.

Rumors about Anthony moving to another team have been the talk of the NBA since the start of the 2010-11 season. After the blockbuster free agent signing of All-stars Chris Bosh and Lebron James to the Miami Heat to join Dwayne Wade, people were waiting to see what other big moves would occur.

And then when Amar'e went to the Knicks this off season and has been leading them to great success this year, it was thought by many that Melo would eventually end up in New York.

And on thursday night, Carmelo's Knicks debut, he did not dissappoint. Carmelo's homecoming had him score 27 points and grab 10 rebounds in the game. Madison Square Garden was cheering Melo's every move, and things are looking even better for New York right now.

At least to the public.

I personally believe that this team is going to be a threat, but I also believe that their could be some problems along the way. People seem to be over looking certain information, like his first game on a new team was against the struggling Milwaukee Bucks, and it was not a dominant victory, only winning by 6.

Stats wise, they have alot of fire power in Carmelo now and player who will try night in and night out, but the Knicks have lost 3 playes (Felton, Gallinari and Chandler) that have been solid this year, each averaging over 15 points and 4 rebounds. Felton specifically is about 18 PPG, 4 RPG and 9 APG, while Billups is only about 16 PPG and 2 RPG with only 5 RPG.

Im not saying that this team is going to be bad, but overcoming a sort of rebuild process this late in the season could possibly pose a problem.

The teams true test will be against the Miami Heat on February 27th, facing off against a new team with a number of all-stars on the same roster.

The past Knicks- Heat Rivalry only adds to the exictement of this game, and I believe the play of both teams will make a significant statement to all the teams in the league.

YAY 4 BLOGGING!!!

I don't know about the rest of the class (including you) but i think i actully might like blogging about things here. This is kind of like a personal forum about things in my opinion... kind of like a facebook type website except your telling big posts and all our profiles are mostly a secret... well... mabey not mine, mine might be obvious to some but not all. well, i hope everybody has fun with this blog :)

Now the teacher (ms. Holland) has told me that one of my errors in my blog was that Blogging was spelled with two Gs instead of one and that the blog posts need to be a minimum of ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY WORDS!!!... oh well thats to bad i guess i was hoping to skimp out on blogs and make short freindly posts but i guess i will have to give my fingers a work out. ohh well so much for my lazy self.. but in anycase i hope to make huge blogs about stuff i learned and, well... stuff that i am supposed to do. Do not forget we are in media studies, we need to post stuff on the media. if you need help im pretty sure the last post below this one is about what you are supposed to do. Therfore if you need help just look for the very first post not mine.

:Edit #2:

I Just found out that the blog site resets the post time onec you edit it witch means my post will be at the top of mabey one or 2 posts because i edited it. Sux cause this one was supposed to be first but i had to edit it so its not anymore.

Never Say Never

From the first music video "One time" to his current hit movie "Never say Never" people have been criticizing Justin Bieber day in and day out. From his baby face smile to his perfectly fallen hair, people never seem to run out of things to say about the pop sensation, but despite all of the hard criticism Justin Bieber has defied all of the odds. The media has changed the name Justin Bieber from just an everyday small town boy name, to being a thing of marketing genious. take a t-shirt throw the name on it and you are sure to have a top selling item. But the name Justin Bieber isn't only a brand, its also an inspiring story. In the new movie/biography "Never Say Never" the story of how this young boy went from being the boy next door to a household name is told in an exciting yet inspiring way. From health issues to selling out Madison Square Garden this movie gives you an inside look at the life of this teen pop sensation and shows you that he is more than a one hit wonder, but he is someone who has, is and will always beat the odds against him due to his passion for what he loves the most.... creating music and entertaining those around him. In the same case as many other people I'm sure, this movie has completely swayed my opinion on Justin Bieber. I used to just follow the trend of thinking he was going to fade away soon, but this movie was so inspiring and it brought me to think about the way that the media has portrayed him and the way that it has negatively shown him, But "Never Say Never" has truly given me and many other people a new persepctive on how this 16 year old boy is truly an amazing artist.

VID-Y-O-GAMES

Hot diggidy darn, children, this is my first blog post and I am ready to get the proverbial party started. First off, what's the diggidy-deal with video games nowadays? I mean, a good chunk of video games are either movie cash-ins, bland first person shooters with linear hallways and some sort of failed gimmick, or bugged out messes where you'll get stuck in a wall and rotate endlessly. What happened to the good ole days of the original Resident Evil games or Super Mario 64, or even Bubble Bobble. BUBBLE. BOBBLE. Seriously though, only a handful of games really catch my attention these days, and odds are most of them have been made (or at least published) by the same few companies.

Did I ever tell you kids about the time they made a video game about me? I was working as a par-time plumber in Little Italy when a couple of them Japanese fellows came up to me and offered me a multi-million dollar video game deal. They called me Super Mario and I was an instant hit with the children! Sure, the little pixel representation of myself doesn't look EXACTLY like me but I still got recognized on the street a few times. Still gettin' paid for it these 20 or so years later. Awwwwright.

Anyways, games need to stop being awful and start being great, like the Final Fantasies and the Metal Gear Solids and the Silent Hills (well most of them). More developers need to start caring about what their time is going into instead of just pushing it out as fast as you can to make a quick buck (I'm looking at you, EA!). Long story short, I'm mad that video games aren't as cool as they used to be, a bloo bloo bloo. Well, that's what I have to say, so if you disagree you can just deal with it, boyyyyyy.

Let the Blogging Begin

Dear EMS Students,

It's time to begin your first blog entries.  Start by creating your profile.

As one of the blog authors for the Media Class (B)Log project, you will make regular contributions and you will be expected to comment critically on the blog postings of your classmates.

The media blog is like a workbook or notebook, but less formal. It will consist of writing, pictures, hypertext links, and video, that you will be sharing with both your classmates and teacher. The blog can be your place to:

• Write responses to your TV and film watching, magazine and newspaper reading, music listening, websites visited, Facebook page, popular culture involvement, and any other monitoring you may do.
• Post your own media survey questions for the class to answer.
• Record your answers to survey questions I ask.
• Record your thoughts, opinions, questions, ideas, quotations, stories, and jokes related to the media and popular culture that you wish to explore in depth.
• Deconstruct particular media texts.
• Write about your thoughts and feelings related to aspects of the media that you may have taken for granted or never really thought about.
• Develop your critical thinking skills.
• Practise writing in a variety of forms.
• Record your growth and development in media literacy.
• Make relevant connections between the key concepts of media studies and your chosen topic.
• Explore and reflect upon issues such as stereotyping, gender issues, violence in the media, and so on.
• Demonstrate consistent and effective work habits, homework completion, initiative, teamwork and organization.

Minimum Requirements:

• You must make a minimum of SIX (6) blog postings.
• A blog post always has a title and labels.
• Each blog posting must be at least 150 words long.
• Each blog posting must make relevant connections to TWO (2) media key concepts.
• Each blog posting must relate to one of the following FIFTEEN (15) possible areas of inquiry:

• advertising,
• gender issues,
• violence in the media,
• mass media (TV, radio, film),
• music,
• journalism,
• popular culture,
• role models,
• the internet,
• video games,
• pulp fiction,
• graphic novels,
• media standards and laws,
• media ownership, or
• future trends.

• When you are deconstructing a media text, such as a print ad, news report, magazine article, music video or so on, you must either INSERT the picture or video into your posting or include a LINK to the original site.
• You must assign labels to each of your posts. Your labels must include your topic, your two key concepts, and your name. This labeling is important to help organize the blog site and to let me see the full body of your work as separate from that of your classmates.
• You must write on at least TWO of your classmate's blogs for every ONE blog posting that you submit.
• There is a spell check button. Use it often.

Note:  All comments are sent first to your teacher.  Comments will be checked for appropriate language and tone before being made available for general viewing.  Abusive comments will be forwarded to the appropriate vice principal and to your parents.

Note:  All blog posts will be checked for appropriate tone and language.  Sexist, racist, and otherwise prejudiced posts will be removed from the blog and forwarded to the appropriate vice principal and to your parents.