Let the Family Grieve
Sunday, October 7, 2007

Let the Family Grieve
Let the Family GrieveAre times becoming so insensitive, that the media and lawmakers have no regards to the emotional state that the family members are suffering? Seventy –two hours after the death of Harris County Precinct 5 Deputy Jason Norling has not passed and the media and members of the state lawmakers are recruiting Norling’s family members to become spokespersons to support measures to pass regulation on cell phone usage while in operation of a motor vehicle. “Officer’s death may provide surge to pass cell phone limits.’’ Was the subtitle of Sarah Viren article in Thursday’s Houston Chronicle “Somebody has to do something”. The family member’s of this officer are not being allowed the time to grieve the death of their love one.Office Norling was killed Monday, while writing a ticket, by a SUV driver who hit him because he was distracted by a conversation he was having on his cell phone. This incident has refueled a battle in the state house to pass a law to limit cell phone usage on Texas roadways. Viren article states “although such bills have failed to gain momentum in the past, Jason Norling’s niece, Delta Humphreys, has started a campaign on MySpace to change the law, and Lisa Norling [wife] says she will petition lawmakers if that could make a difference.”Do not get me wrong, I would support a bill to limit the use of cell phones while driving. My concerns are dealing with the timing of such questioning. The family is still in the process of planning a funeral for their love one and the media is presenting questions of measures to possible prevent this from happen to another family. Yes, this tactic may sway public opinion but let the family have some time to remember their love one before presenting questions of measures of prevention. The time will come for such discussions at a later date.

Dr. martin
Sunday, September 30, 2007

Dr. Martin
The grain In Dr. Andres Martin’s article “On Teenagers and Tattoos” he identified three complex psychological underpinnings of youth tattooing.His first psychological underpinning was identity and the adolescents’ body. Martin states that “In using such decorations, and by marking out their body territories, adolescents can support their efforts at autonomy, privacy, and insulation.” In other words, the adolescent is attempting to gain his independence and uniqueness.The second psychological underpinning was the incorporation and ownership. Martin discussed that “In all instances, marks become not only memorials or recipients for clearly held persons or concepts; they strive for incorporation, with images and abstract symbols gaining substance on becoming a permanent part of the individual’s skin.” In the eyes of the owners of these tattoos, they represent something that can’t be taken away or removed.The final psychological underpinning is the quest for permanence. Martin declares that “as attested by the frequencies of divorce, abandonment, foster placement, and repeated move, for example- tattoos can be a readily available symbol of grounding.” Tattoos are a foundation, a symbol of stability.Dr. Martin’s profiles of the fundamental principles of tattoos and adolescents brought up some interesting points. Not all tattoos are fads or a symbol for a group’s recognition. They are placed on the body to represent independence, stability, and remembrance.Against the grainDr. Andres Martin spoke of a psychological underpinning of youth tattooing in his article “On Teenagers and Tattoos”. He referred to the underpinning as: Identity and the Adolescent’s Body, Incorporation and Ownership, and The Quest for Permanence. None of these are the reason why youths get tattoos.In the underpinning of Identity and the Adolescents’ Body, Martin leads us to believe that youths receive tattoos for identity reasons. This could not be further from the truth. The reason youths want tattoos is because this is just a fad, just as baggy pants. Another reason is that a peer may have one that they think is cool at the time.Then he refers to the underpinning of Incorporation and Ownership. Martin states that “Thickly embedded in personally meaningful representations and object relations, tattoos can become not only the ongoing memento of a relationship, but at times even the only evidence there ever was such a bond.” Again Martin would like for us to believe that after the relationship is over, there’s a strong bond to the tattoo that reminds us of those times of happiest.This brings us to Dr. Martin’s last underpinning of The Quest for Permanence. Martin argues that “Tattoos can be a readily available source of grounding.” Third Strike: Now I ask you what type of grounding can you receive from a tattoo?The truth of the matter is that teenagers get tattoos without consideration of the irreversible marking of heir body that may not be accepted in all social settings. Without thought of type, size of meaning; teenagers usually get their tattoos on the spur of the moment.

lesson
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clothing
"The Believing and Doubting Game"
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Letter of intrduction

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Tuesday, September 18, 2007

Advertisments
Advertisements are created to target a certain demographic group to purchase their products. In the following two advertisements, let's attempt to identify who are Mercedes-Benz's and Toyota's target audience.Note the way the confident tone of the slogan, "Nothing is too excessive when you're building a car like this", or the message Toyota is sending to the fleet manger with the phase, " Toyota is the one-stop solution to all your fleet vehicle and financing needs." Both automobile makers are attempting to sell their vehicles, but they are delivering their messages to different markets. The Mercedes-Benz is possibly targeting the generation-X market, urban professional that demands dependability, style and class. On the other hand, Toyota's target market is the company's fleet manger that has a low budget to provide a reliable, no nonsense vehicle, with a high-resell value and possible financing available.Now focus on the advertisements visual imaging each auto-maker is delivering with these ads. The picture of the Mercedes-Benz C-Class is set in an urban surrounding that draws attention to this stylish, sleek 4 door, sport sedan. The Toyota's Prius Hybrid is pictured in front of a plain white background that delivers a message of a no frills economy vehicle.Each automobile maker as the competitive advantage of their reputation and brand name for producting reliable, dependable, quality products. The advertisements are created to call attention to their products in certain market groups. Mecedes-Benz target aim is the professional niche, while Toyota is aiming for the fleet manager. Each advertisements are effect in delivering the message of Mercedes-Benz's and Toyota's to their prospective market niche of building quality products with the use of these advertisements.
Posted by adbains at 7:36 AM 0 comments
Sunday, September 9, 2007

clothing
Clothes and what we wear identifies cultures, values, peer groups and fashion styles, but are the clothing styles of today's young adults leading to a censorship on how we wear our clothing?My style of dress is pretty much casual, conservative, laid-back and comfortable. The message I convey to friends and peers is that he dresses neat and clean. I am not into name brands such as: Izod, Polo, South Pole or CK. I prefer clothes of good quality and long lasting. My routine daily dress consist of jeans or shorts, and a button-down shirts, dependents on Houston's weather and the occasion.As I mentioned, I usually dress conservative and I do understand that clothes are a way of expressing one's identity or social group. Many people also purchase cloths to demonstrate their creative ability, their sense of style or just for comfort, but there is one style many young males are wearing today that I personally dislike. This style, is the baggie pants that are wore below the butt and I believe, should not to be wore every where.For example, the other day when I visited the student center to pick-up books, I notice several young men in this type of dress. I felt that this dress was not appropriate for this setting. This is an institution of higher learning. A bridge to the professional environment where dress is important as education. I also felt this type of dress was disrespectful to the young ladies on our campus.So i asked myself, would I support a censorship on the way we wear our clothes? Should we set up dress codes to dictate what should be worn? No, but an alternate solution would be to create an etiquette class on dress.I believe that an etiquette class would be a better solution because it would not take away one's self expression but teaches the approtiate time and setting for such dress.
Posted by adbains at 11:00 AM 0 comments
Labels: blog 3
Sunday, September 2, 2007

"The Believing and Doubting Game"
The genre of rap music contributes to the violet attitude and behavior of its followers towards women, white people and gays. Since the introduction of rap music in the early 1980's, this obnoxious style of music has diluted the minds of young black Americans with derogatory lyrics that are offensive, discourteous, rude, and belittling, at least.This form of music is not only insulting but its also abusive with lyrics of shootings, robberies and violent sexual acts. For instances, 50 cent lyric, "somethin' wrong with that b*^$h ( f*^k that b*^$h )." or Tec-9 f/Lil'y's lyric, " I know some niggas out the Melph that'll leave ya dead for me ... killing' is too easy."There's a fine line between art and obscenity and this type of music is not art, its obscene and vulgar. Was the right of free speech created to protect such indecency?On the other hand, not all rap music contributes to the violent attitude and behavior of its followers toward women , white people and gays. Some artist such as: Will Smith recording "Summertime" is a rhapsody rap recording of a young man's carefree summer day activities: such as playing basketball, hanging at the car wash, and attending a picnic. Then there's Run DMC's recording "My Addis", a rap recording of a young man's tennis shoes.Yes, there's some artistic styles of rap music that's not abusive, expletive or insulting.
Posted by adbains at 12:40 PM 0 comments
Saturday, August 25, 2007

Letter of intrduction
My name is Alvin Bains, and this is my first semester at U of H. I'm a native Houstonian. My hobbies include photography, and a collection of coins and Lego sets.I have always liked taking pictures and arranging photo albums and scrapbooks. I enjoy taking pictures of friends and family, or just spending some time taking nature photos such as : countrysides, skylines, flowers, animals and sunsets.My next two hobbies may sound a bit strange but are very relaxing. They are collecting coins and Lego sets. My coin collections are mint sets and coins before the 1960's. My oldest and most valued coin is a 1890 silver dollar, given to me by my grandmother when I was thirteen years old. My mint sets are dated back to 1998 and include the uncirculated mint set, the proof, the silver proof set and the silver dollar proof. I have several Lego sets that I enjoy by just taking an afternoon and being creative.I'm a transfer student and classified as a junior. My previous writing experience is limited to school writing assignments and some work reports. I enjoy writing but find my spelling somewhat bad which discourages me from writing a lot. Another problem I have with writing is trying to put my thoughts on paper. With that said, I'm not taking this course because it's mandatory, I would like to learn some pointers on how to organize my thoughts.My goal in this class is to complete this course with an A, and learn some valuable writing tips to improve my writing skills.

unluckly 13: Tim Treadwell

Winner of the 2005 Sundance Film Festival Alfred A. Sloan award; Werner Herzog’s documentary film “Grizzly Man” attempts to take a unique look at the life and mental outlook of wildlife preservationist Timothy Treadwell. Treadwell has camped in Alaska’s Katmai National Park for twelve years co-habiting with his beloved bears and other wildlife in the area. Treadwell credits these expeditions with the changing of his wild lifestyle and keeping him sober without formal treatment. In Treadwell’s video footage of his expeditions, he often states “I must hold my own if I’m gonna stay within this land…they will decapitate me, they will chop me into bits and pieces. I’m dead!” Unfortunately, that unlucky thirteenth expedition ended in the deaths of Treadwell and his girlfriend Amie Huguenard. Using film footage Treadwell recorded during his last five expeditions and up to the time of his death. Herzog introduces several interesting questions in his documentary, such as, was Treadwell doing more harm than good with his methodology in Alaska, was Treadwell an environmentalist or an egomaniac, lastly, how dose man really fit into the scheme of nature?
Till the time of Treadwell’s untimely death, he stride to preserve the land which the great grizzly roamed and lived. He was often observed in his footage protesting to have the National Parks increased to protect these regal animals in Alaska’s wilderness and their food source. But, many believed his methodology may have done more harm than good for these animals. By living among these animals, these “Majestic Creatures” may have cause a disturbance of natural order, a distinction between man and beast. Treadwell living among these animals may have caused some people to loss their fear of these fearsome animals and attempt these stunts, although advised not too, causing harm to the bears and even worst the lost of another human live. These stunts may also cause the bears to loss their natural instinct to stay clear from human giving hunters and poachers an advantage and a greater opportunity in the killing of these animals. Sven Haakanson, PhD, Curator of the Kodiak’s Alvtiiq Museum states “It’s because…he died and his girlfriend died…you don’t invade on their territory…I think he did more damage to the bears than he did—because when you habituate bears to humans, they think all humans are safe. Where I grew up the bears avoid us and we avoid them. They’re not habituated to us if I look at it from my culture, Timothy Treadwell crossed the boundary that we have lived with for 7000 years, it’s an unspoken boundary, an unknown boundary, but when we’ve crossed it, we pay the price”. Just has Huguenard and Treadwell paid that price for crossing that imaginary boundary.
Times during Herzog’s documentary, it’s unclear if Treadwell an environmentalist fighting for the protection of wildlife or an egomaniac wanting attention, something he stride for before finding his peace in the wilderness. Just before he begin his expeditions, it was noted how he lost a sit-com role to Woody Harrison. Treadwell is often viewed declaring his love for the wilderness and its animals with such statements as “It’s good work, I feel good about it, I feel good about myself doing it…I will die for these animals, I will die for these animals …I had no life, now I have a life”. Which at times seem as if he was acting? Then there are times, Treadwell would rant and rage statements as “I came ere and protected the animals as best I could. In fact, I’m the only protection of these animals out there. The government flying over a total of two times, in a two months. How dare they! How dare they challenge me! How dare they smear me with their campaigns... and I come here in peace and love… I will be an American dissident if I need be. Fuck you, Motherfucking Park Service! … Animals rule. Timothy conquered!!” Treadwell’s unconventional statements, such as the last, toward the Park Service and their effort to increase protection and land for these majestic beasts often portrayed him more as an egomaniac than an environmentalist. His belief that he alone challenged the government, he becoming an American dissident, and Timothy conquered also supports the theory of him as an egomaniac.
The final question we will examine is what is man’s fit in nature? In nature men wear two hats, one of predominant predator, the other of protector. In Herzog’s film many believes we should be the predominant predator in order to keep the order of man and beast balanced in many areas. Researchers record that there are “about 35,000 brown grizzly bears here in Alaska…its very a healthy population, it’s a stable population…bears hunting, as an example, is a very important aspect of the economy, $4,500,000.00 a year is spent on bear hunts. On the protected Kodiak Island there are about 3,000 bears, each year we harvest about 160 of these, through our research, we found that you can harvest about 6% of that population annually and still have a health group of bears…poaching is not as big a concern around here” In other words, there was not real a cause for Treadwell, according to research annalist, the brown grizzly bears were not endanger and efforts were made to ensure the balance between man and beast.
The portrait of these “Majestic Creatures” in their natural habitat in Alaska Peninsula captured in Treadwell’s some one hundred hours of video footage was outstanding. The passion Herzog uses in the development of this footage displayed the affection Treadwell posses for these animals. This unique interaction between man and beast is astonishing. His message may not have been loud and clear. Some may question Treadwell methodology, his motive and the cause of his actions. It may not be evident that he was truly an environmentalist. Treadwell, a rebel, stated “even if a bear was to kill me, I do not want a bear to be killed” to demonstrate the love he held for these “Majestic Creatures”.

Michael Clayton

Michael Clayton has more twist and turns than an amusement park roller coaster. The story is about a Manhattan Law firm “fix-it” man, which gets involved in the investigation of the death of the firm’s senior partner and his friend. A subplot of the movie is that Clayton is also trying to payoff a seventy-five thousand dollar gambling debt of his drug addict brother. This plot and subplot of the movie created an intense mystery drama.
The movie opens with Clayton at an illegal card game, missing a phone call from a male caller. The caller leaves a voice message describing the fallacies of life, death and cosmic interaction. Has Clayton leaves the game; he returns a call informing him to go see a potential client in reference of a hit and run incident. After Clayton leaves the home of the new client to look over the accident scene his vehicle is blown-up. After this exciting climax, it’s now a question of who done it.
The movie is reversed to four days earlier. Where the audience learns that, the senior partner and lead litigator of the major food company, has betrayed the client and is now assisting the plaintiff in a law suit. When Clayton reveals this evidences and his vehicle is blown up he is now certain than his friend death is no suicide and set off to revenge his friends death.
Some points in the movie are drawn out a bit long, but overall this is an excellent developed mystery drama. The plot of illegal corporate practices and murder lead to a revealing and intense climax. Michael Clayton is a must see movie.