Link: http://www.charter.net/news/read.php?ps=1016&rip_id=%3CD9778TFO0%40news.ap.org%3E&_LT=HOME_LARSDCCLM_UNEWS
I don't know if it's just me but I found the use of, shall we say "creative," adjectives in this article very distracting to the overall story. The use of these adjectives was likely an attempt to connect with the audience but personally I spent so long trying to work out what the author meant by "glop" that I'd pretty much forgotten what the sentence was about and had to go back and reword it. This article was very short but it took me twice as long to read as it should have just because these adjectives were so disrupting to the flow of the story. Yes, I agree it is nice to be creative and connect with the core audience, but seriously, enough is enough. Even the header frusterates me, I mean what is "slimey" supposed to mean in this context? Does it have some connection to the Kid's Choice Awards? I'm presuming the answer is yes, but it would have been nice if this was made clear somewhere in the article.
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Sunday, March 22, 2009
The Dismal Economy Effects Everyone
Link: http://www.cnn.com/2009/LIVING/03/22/homeless.horses/index.html
This article serves as a reminder that the current economy is hard on everyone, even the animals. And horses, who have high costs associated with them, are some of the hardest hit. It is truly tragic to think of people having to give up their beloved animals, many of whom are like family members. Hopefully some of these families will be able to reclaim their horses when their situation improves.
A common misconception with horses is that they can just be turned loose and they'll be fine on their own. The trouble is that a) these horses do not have the fine-tuned instincts of their ancestors (they haven't needed them before) b) horses need the company and protection of a herd, which means they'll have to find one c) it's illegal and d) life for wild horses is dangerous. It's better for horses to be taken to rescue centers than simply left by the side of the road.
Finally, I found it truly horrible that some of the horses given up by their owners are being euthanized. I hope that in these cases every other possible alternative has been considered. Even in these cases I am horrified. For these animals to have to die because of human's problems is to me truly very upsetting.
I can only hope that we'll start pulling out of this recession soon. For the sake of everyone involved.
This article serves as a reminder that the current economy is hard on everyone, even the animals. And horses, who have high costs associated with them, are some of the hardest hit. It is truly tragic to think of people having to give up their beloved animals, many of whom are like family members. Hopefully some of these families will be able to reclaim their horses when their situation improves.
A common misconception with horses is that they can just be turned loose and they'll be fine on their own. The trouble is that a) these horses do not have the fine-tuned instincts of their ancestors (they haven't needed them before) b) horses need the company and protection of a herd, which means they'll have to find one c) it's illegal and d) life for wild horses is dangerous. It's better for horses to be taken to rescue centers than simply left by the side of the road.
Finally, I found it truly horrible that some of the horses given up by their owners are being euthanized. I hope that in these cases every other possible alternative has been considered. Even in these cases I am horrified. For these animals to have to die because of human's problems is to me truly very upsetting.
I can only hope that we'll start pulling out of this recession soon. For the sake of everyone involved.
Monday, March 9, 2009
Dog Show Contreversy [I meant to post this over the weekend but I was sick, sorry]
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/west_midlands/7931691.stm
After reading this article I was glad to see that this situation was finally coming to light. I have heard of such breeding malpractices with high class show dogs before but never have I seen it properly publicized. I think it is ridiculous that people in-breed dogs to enhance desirable traits to the detriment of each individual dog. It's not healthy and disgusting that people would do that for profit. Not only this, but breeders often breed to exaggerate a typical characteristic of a breed, like they do with horses, resulting often times in an unhealthy animal (think pugs who have been bred over the years to have increasingly 'squashed' faces with the result that many of them have breathing difficulties). I was also glad to read in the article that the RSPCA, Pedigree and BBC stopped supporting the Crufts Dog Show after the expose was released on the unhealthy breeding practices behind the scenes.
Having said this, I wish the article had gone more into depth about the story behind the charges and had given examples for people who might not have had prior knowledge pre-reading the article. I knew what the author was talking about but other people may not have had an idea of what breeding problems there are in the world of show dogs. I think this is an important topic and the article did not quite do it justice. I realize that the contreversy wasn't the only point of the article but the author mentioned it in the header and really should have given a more detailed explanation of the contreversy.
After reading this article I was glad to see that this situation was finally coming to light. I have heard of such breeding malpractices with high class show dogs before but never have I seen it properly publicized. I think it is ridiculous that people in-breed dogs to enhance desirable traits to the detriment of each individual dog. It's not healthy and disgusting that people would do that for profit. Not only this, but breeders often breed to exaggerate a typical characteristic of a breed, like they do with horses, resulting often times in an unhealthy animal (think pugs who have been bred over the years to have increasingly 'squashed' faces with the result that many of them have breathing difficulties). I was also glad to read in the article that the RSPCA, Pedigree and BBC stopped supporting the Crufts Dog Show after the expose was released on the unhealthy breeding practices behind the scenes.
Having said this, I wish the article had gone more into depth about the story behind the charges and had given examples for people who might not have had prior knowledge pre-reading the article. I knew what the author was talking about but other people may not have had an idea of what breeding problems there are in the world of show dogs. I think this is an important topic and the article did not quite do it justice. I realize that the contreversy wasn't the only point of the article but the author mentioned it in the header and really should have given a more detailed explanation of the contreversy.
Friday, February 27, 2009
A New Kind of "Novel"
http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/02/25/japan.mobilenovels/
I just thought this was a really interesting topic to write about. I never would have thought of writing novels on a cellphone. Quite frankly it seems quite impractical to me, I mean how long must it take to type it all out? But I suppose the cell phones do have the added bonus of being easily concealed as mentioned in the article. One thing I found about the article was that the author wrote it as though the instant chapters and the commentary from readers was a new concept. However, I've seen this on the internet for quite some time now. It's really just the exact same as writing stories online, except it's done through a cellphone, not a computer. I can't really see the fad catching on here as much as it did in Japan as the topics they write about on the less conspicuous cell phones aren't as taboo to write/read about over here. And it really isn't conveniant.
I just thought this was a really interesting topic to write about. I never would have thought of writing novels on a cellphone. Quite frankly it seems quite impractical to me, I mean how long must it take to type it all out? But I suppose the cell phones do have the added bonus of being easily concealed as mentioned in the article. One thing I found about the article was that the author wrote it as though the instant chapters and the commentary from readers was a new concept. However, I've seen this on the internet for quite some time now. It's really just the exact same as writing stories online, except it's done through a cellphone, not a computer. I can't really see the fad catching on here as much as it did in Japan as the topics they write about on the less conspicuous cell phones aren't as taboo to write/read about over here. And it really isn't conveniant.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Is Michael Phelps the victim of an overzealous legal system?
Link: http://www.charter.net/news/read.php?ps=1013&rip_id=%3CD96A97981%40news.ap.org%3E&_LT=HOME_LARSDCCLM_UNEWS
I thought this article brought up some very interesting points in regards to the recent uproar surrounding Michael Phelps. In a way I definately think the whole ordeal has been overblown due to Phelps' celebrity status. I mean, the first headline I read to do with the situation led me to believe that Phelps had done something hideously wrong, not simply been caught acting in a manor that could land him with a minor drug charge. Not that I'm saying what Phelps did was right, it wasn't. But honestly, who was he really hurting? Surely the offense didn't warrant all the newscovering and attention it recieved. Perhaps the judge involved in the case is hoping to use Phelps as an example to other would-be drug offendors. I don't know. However, the way this is going I think Phelps is going to end up warranting an apology from the legal system handling his case.
I thought this article brought up some very interesting points in regards to the recent uproar surrounding Michael Phelps. In a way I definately think the whole ordeal has been overblown due to Phelps' celebrity status. I mean, the first headline I read to do with the situation led me to believe that Phelps had done something hideously wrong, not simply been caught acting in a manor that could land him with a minor drug charge. Not that I'm saying what Phelps did was right, it wasn't. But honestly, who was he really hurting? Surely the offense didn't warrant all the newscovering and attention it recieved. Perhaps the judge involved in the case is hoping to use Phelps as an example to other would-be drug offendors. I don't know. However, the way this is going I think Phelps is going to end up warranting an apology from the legal system handling his case.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
A New Kind of Fitness
Link: http://videogames.yahoo.com/feature/the-truth-about-wii-fit-and-weight-loss/1284826
To begin, this line made me laugh. "Fitness videogames might be able to keep players in shape--but not if they don't play them." It seems so obvious but yet...it's true. Despite the many benefits that could be gleaned from participating in a fitness program, even if it is set up as a videogame, people do have to put in time and dedication to ensure positive results. This article was interesting,exploring whether or not the Wii Fit was just another fad and if it could have any longterm health benefits. Maybe it could for the dedicated enthusiast but not for the typical audience it seems.
Another quote that I loved from the article was "even though it's a videogame, it's still exercise. It might be fun a little bit, but it's work."
It's true, the general feeling about the Wii Fit is that it is a video game so it [i]must[/i] be fun. But even if it's more fun than traditional excercise, the pain and sweat that comes with other forms of excercise is still going to come with the Wii game, if you're gaining any benefit from it that is.
To begin, this line made me laugh. "Fitness videogames might be able to keep players in shape--but not if they don't play them." It seems so obvious but yet...it's true. Despite the many benefits that could be gleaned from participating in a fitness program, even if it is set up as a videogame, people do have to put in time and dedication to ensure positive results. This article was interesting,exploring whether or not the Wii Fit was just another fad and if it could have any longterm health benefits. Maybe it could for the dedicated enthusiast but not for the typical audience it seems.
Another quote that I loved from the article was "even though it's a videogame, it's still exercise. It might be fun a little bit, but it's work."
It's true, the general feeling about the Wii Fit is that it is a video game so it [i]must[/i] be fun. But even if it's more fun than traditional excercise, the pain and sweat that comes with other forms of excercise is still going to come with the Wii game, if you're gaining any benefit from it that is.
Monday, February 2, 2009
Remembering Paul Newman
In December I wrote an tribute article to Paul Newman and then placed it on Wordle. I really like how it looks, check it out :) RIP Paul Newman
Linky: Newman article: http://www.wordle.net/gallery/wrdl/497376/Paul_Newman_
Linky: Newman article: http://www.wordle.net/gallery/wrdl/497376/Paul_Newman_
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