Week 13

Week 13 was here and gone, and now it is time again for another post.

Today I visited the Squam lake Science Center in Holderness, NH.  They had some fun animals there such as foxes, hawks, mountain lions, an owl, and more.  I think some or most of these animals are in captivity due to some sort of disability, as otherwise it would be sad to see healthy animals put in cages (but still cool... it would make me conflicted).

Reading through this weeks information let me know that there is a good amount of protection that people have from defamation due to reporters.  A reporter would need solid information as well as good reason to write about a person in a negative manner before going about that. It is not an easy process.  Of course it is good to know that the reporters can make mistakes without being sued all of the time due to some of the laws that have been put into place over the years.

This next week looks pretty crazy.  Finals are going to be due soon for my classes, I work long hours most days, and I get my brakes replaced on Wednesday.  Of course there are other things that will make me busy as well, but these things will keep me fairly preoccupied for a while.

Josh

Week 12

Hello peoples,

Strange, but amusing to have a snow storm just the other day.  I didn't mind it, but I am not a huge fan of the cold weather it brought with it.

Reading through media law is always interesting; I always learn more than I expect to.  To me it would make sense to have most trials be public knowledge, but before the rulings in the Virginia case, it was not something that was fought over.  While reporters might be annoying, I suppose they do bring useful things to the table on occasion.

Next week I'm looking forward to getting new brakes and going mini golfing.  While not similar at all, both are equally important.  I think of myself as a mini golf nut on occasion.

Another thing I realized is that milk is REALLY good.  I love drinking milk.  I've always known this, but what amazes me is that every day I drink it, I still love it just as much as before.  It never gets old!

I like this non-homogenized milk that I get from Lyme, NH.  SO GOOD.

Raw milk is pretty flippin sweet too, but that sadly doesn't have a great shelf life, and I'm never home enough to drink it all.

Josh

Week Eleven

Helloooooooo!

After of a long night of playing Civilization 5, I am here to post my post.  Of course even with that long play time, nothing really happened except I stole a few of Persia's cities... which isn't bad I suppose.  Now I am working on their capitol, Persepolis!

I was relieved to read that AP journalists follow a strict set of rules in order to be a reporter.  This gives me some hope that somewhere, good, honest news is being produced.  I don't usually have much faith in the news, so this is good to know.

This coming week looks to be warm, and I hope that means more outside friendly weather.  I do like going outside even if I don't get to it too often... darn those video games!

Josh

Week 10

Yet another week goes by and here I am again.

This week I got to replace a tie rod in my car, and will have to get brakes repaired in the coming months.  Regular maintenance for sure, but it will feel good to have them fixed.

My understanding of the medieval sermon style of writing continues as these classes go on.  I can almost remember the order off the top of my head at this points in time... but not quite.
My photo shopped image didn't come out as well as I had hoped.  Last time, InDesign liked my alpha layer, but this time it was not happy with it, and made uneven edges on my picture.  I would fiddle with it more, but I didn't have the time to this week.

Tomorrow is Easter which means fun family gatherings along with lots of food.  It's like a spring version of Thanksgiving!

Josh

Week 9

These weeks always go by so quickly.  Got my car inspected this week, learned that I should replace my breaks and an outer tie rod.  It could be much worse!

I enjoyed using photoshop to cut out a person from the background, that's the kind of thing I'd do for fun.
The pen tool is my amigo, it helps a lot.  I had forgotten how to text wrap with transparent background in InDesign, so that was good to refresh myself on, even if it was just a quick Google search.

Next week I get to write my cigarette sermon, of which I have few worries about.  I think the essay will come out quite nicely.
Dreading the upcoming tax date!  Hopefully I can get enough money to pay them off in time!

Josh

Week 8

Hello!

This week again, was full of being busy, but I managed to squeeze in some hours of video game playing.  On the flip side I didn't get much sleep, and there is a positive correlation to less sleep and more video games.

Writing a sermon style essay doesn't seem like it will be very easy.  What I will need to figure out is how to find a reputable source that is well known in order to use that in my protheme.  Without this, my essay is already flawed!  However, finding a good quote that doesn't come from the same source is a bit of a challenge, but I suppose that might vary, depending on the topic.

This coming week I'll think of a topic for my coming essay in this class.  Hopefully i'l be able to come up with one that I am pleased with.

Artist of the week is Dream Theater, cause I wrote about their guitarist in my little essay.
I recommend their album Images and Words.  It's solid all around and has something for everyone, unlike some of their later albums.

Josh

Week 7

Now past the midpoint, I am back again for yet another post.

Kept busy yet again this week, as this tends to be a recurring trend.  Today after my camera remote refused to work, I indulged in multiple large creme puffs until I was happy again.  While these were immensely tasty, feeling a sugar crash about 30 minutes later was not.  Oh well, I'd probably do it again anyway.

During this class, I find it hard to make a valuable discussion board post.  There are those in the class that post lengthy and very descriptive posts, and this makes me self conscious about what I am posting.  There is nothing I can say that hasn't been said before.  The only thing I can do is simply not read, or even glance at what other posts have been made before I make mine.  At least this helps me feel better until I scroll down.
I enjoyed learning about the sermon style of rhetoric, I will be looking for examples now that I am informed.  In fact, I might next time I am listening to a lecture or talk of some sort.  It was cool actually reading famous things like the "Gettysburg Address", MLK Jr.'s "I have a Dream" speech, and Lyndon B Joshnson's "We Shall Overcome" speech.  Good stuff, glad we had those in our past.

I believe next week has no real plans, I just hope that I have plenty of time for video games; a rather addictive hobby of mine.

Don't think I have a song of the week this week... I just really haven't listened to anything that has really spoken to me.  I did however listen to some surround sound versions of some of the albums I had, and that was a rather cool gimmick.

I'll see you again next week, posting window.
Josh

Week 6

The weeks go on, and still it always seems like classes will never end.
Nothing really exciting happened lately; homework, work and free time mostly.

This week I cannot say I was happy with the way my article turned out, but after reading the student comments, I was more pleased with it.   While I didn't write as much as the assignment required, as I couldn't think of what I could add that would add to it, It was good to know it wasn't awful.

This next week I hope to be productive at my job, as my boss is in a tough place and I really just want to be able to help.  It concerns me that if things don't go well that he might not be my boss for long after that.  Trying not to stress too much about it, but I can't help but worrying somewhat at least.

I don't really have a song of the week this week, and I don't want to say another Between the Buried and Me song, even if that's mostly what I 've been listening to.
Let's just make a general category...  I was listening to Pandora on Kansas radio, and that was enjoyable.  Blue Oyster Cult, Kansas, Fleetwood Mac... all good stuff.
So, classic pop/rock in general.
Maybe Heartbreaker by Pat Benetar too.

Josh

Week 5

Another week flies by, these are going by pretty fast.  Had a fun trip to Boston the previous week, despite many roadblocks along the way (literal and non-literal).

What I thought was interesting while doing the reading is the repetitive reinforcement of basically keeping things simple, and concise, but also engaging.  It just seems like tricks that writers use to make their works interesting, but really it is just that they are making it accessible and catchy, kind of like a pop song.
I learned the very helpful trick of disabling text wrap on certain text boxes; this will come in handy often.

Song of the week is Bloom by Between the Buried and me.
The very weird and varied parts flow together so well.

Josh

Week Four

Hello class,
Nothing too exciting in the last few days, just enjoying the days as much as possible.

This week I think what I will "take home" with me this week is being more aware of inverted pyramid articles.  Being drawn into an article by the first few words is the best way to do it, but it's also annoying the the reader.  I can say that I am often looking for more interesting info after the first paragraph, and often finding none.

Tomorrow I go to the Boston Science Museum, that will be a fun little get away.

My song pick of the week is Boston's "A Man I'll Never Be"
I heard it for the first time recently and was just blown away by the catchy and dramatic melodies.  And this doesn't have anything to do with Valentine's day and listening to sad songs.  I simply like it.

Josh

Third Week

Come in, this is Josh.

I will state to myself time and again that submitting papers at 3 minutes before midnight is a bad idea, but how many more times will I do it!?!?!?!

I can't say I was really happy with my paper, not that I would have been if I hadn't left it to the last minute.  I think I added all of the detail I would normally, so that't not the issue; I just didn't like it.

I can never think of a question to ask on the forums.  And then there are those who just ask great questions to which I think, "Woah, I can't come up with a question that good, or one at all!".
There has to be something I want to know more about or a lingering thought.

I will be more interested in using InDesign and Photoshop, as I at least know how to use those effectively.  While I don't pride myself on designing creative things within those programs, knowing how to use them is half the battle.


Josh

Week 2

Hello world,

While I had forgotten about posting for week 2, I suppose a late post is better than none at all.

Yet another busy week has gone by and most information and thoughts from previous weeks has been lost in the shuffle.

This makes me realize that maybe I should invest more time in homework as I tend to do just enough to get by.  In doing so, perhaps I would retain more information.

As for class this previous week, I have found that I often misuse punctuation and probably am right now even.  While the reading was one of the more boring ones I've ever read, it was important none the less.  I would like to see punctuation being used more properly online; not that it would ever happen.

Looking towards another week of work and homework, but that's not necessarily bad, it just keeps me busy.

Josh

The Beginning

I don't have much to say, but I will say what I can.

After this break between classes, I am, as always after break, in a non-school mood.
Luckily loud music and frequent breaks seem to be a good solution, I think I will manage somehow.

My experience with writing for digital media is next to none, I rarely even post on Facebook because who really cares what I have to say anyway!

Josh