High Five Florida!

Florida’s “Big Five” are panthers, alligators, its beaches, the everglades, and oranges. Over the last twenty years there has been a dramatic change to most of the things on this list. The number of living Florida panthers is very low. The Florida panther was placed on the states endangered species list in 1973 and since then numbers are decreasing at a much slower rate, but they are still dropping because of habitat loss and contact with humans. The Florida Everglades, where panthers were once very abundant, now holds very few of these mammals and the Everglades it self is in danger. From the beginning, the Everglades were actively drained using pump systems and the planting of Melaleuca trees. Although it was realized that the everglades should be preserved and not drained, it was impossible to remove all of the trees harming it because they are an exotic species and have no natural predators or diseases to kill them off. Where as draining is not as large of a problem for the everglades now, industrial development near by is. Building infrastructure so close to the wetlands allows for pollution in the air, pollution in run off, and it creates more contact with humans and the native species. Alligator numbers in Florida have dropped as well. Although the animals are not apart of the endangered species list, their numbers are very important to Florida’s habitats. There are certain hunting seasons when it is legal to poach alligators, but their numbers should continue to be preserved because they are a keystone species in the everglades. As for the beaches in Florida, there has also been a change in the last twenty years. You could go to almost any part of Florida’s coast and notice the receding shoreline. Because of the beauty beaches provide, development on the coast for homes is becoming more and more common. Most of the time, dredging and other tactics that mess up sand distribution are used. Other than homes being built, inlets are designed, sea walls are put up, and jetties are built. All of these man-made projects interrupt natural ocean currents, effect sand distribution, cause habitat loss for animals, create pollution, and in the end, destroy the beaches. Although Florida oranges have not had severe problems in the last twenty years, it is possible that they may in the near future. Factors from global warming and climate change have allowed for very strange weather. Just recently Florida went through a series of freeze periods where farmers were struggling to keep their crops alive. If strange weather patterns continue, the fruit that Florida is known for could be in trouble.   

http://www.campushealthandsafety.org/violence/vandalism/

     Vandalism is the deliberate destruction of or damage to public or private property and can take the form of destroying property, setting off fire alarms, stealing, and writing graffiti. Often times, peer pressure and hostility towards a school are the reasons for vandalism on campuses. Most acts of vandalism occur when the perpetrator is under the influence of drugs or alcohol. According to CampusHealthandSafety.org, "One in ten students report engaging in vandalism due to alcohol." The student body is the group that suffers from these acts of violence. Colleges pay economic and social prices when it comes to repairing damage, collecting from student fees and morale. Warning students of the high costs of vandalism on campus and its effects on student fees and establishing drug and alcohol free residences are two ways of preventing this problem.
     I know from personal experiences that vandalism is a problem for countless schools. Many students are careless about their campus and don't feel like it is an issue when they damage something. This type of reckless behavior is most definitely tied to the use of drugs and alcohol. When under the influence, students are even more carefree with their actions and don't see how they effect them in the long run. They believe that it will become the janitor's problem by morning. In order to promote an on campus environment where the issues of vandalism are minimal, schools spirit must be targeted. Events, socials, and other fun activities held on campus make the place more fun and boost resident morale. A student that loves his/her school is much less likely to damage it, even when judgement is impaired by drugs or alcohol.

Facebook With a Capital I for Increase

http://jcmc.indiana.edu/vol12/issue4/ellison.html

     

     According to Nicole B. Ellison, Charles Steinfield, and Cliff Lampe, authors of "The Benefits of Facebook 'Friends:' Social Capital and College Students' Use of Online Social Network Sites," social network sites allow individuals to put themselves out there, express their social networks, and establish or maintain connections with others. Such sites as Facebook can be used toward work-related context, romantic relationship initiation, connecting with those who share like interests, connecting with new people, or keeping in touch with old friends. Whatever the case may be for usage, Facebook is shown to increase a persons social capital. Users can experience bridging social capital with others who can help them gain in the work force, bonding social capital with others that they trust when they are in a time of need, or maintained social capital with old friends that are there for support in multiple types of areas, all through Facebook. 

       I agree that Facebook is a way for users to increase their social capital. Whether it is through brand new connections or old ties from home, keeping in touch with others in local areas can help maintain a users lifestyle. Facebook can open users eyes to job offers, relationships, and family and friend bonding. College students, who make up majority of Facebook users, especially benefit from the use of Facebook. Not only can they keep ties with old friends from high school when they move away to reduce homesickness, but after they add new members from college these students have social ties in their new living environment and their old environment that they can count on for offline connections as well. Participants can find out about events, job offers, and awareness benefits all through the power of one social network site like Facebook!

     This poster represents a cry for help from the ecosystems on our planet. The rise in Earth's temperature, known as global warming, could cause the extinction of many plant and animal species in the near future. The poster is visually appealing and grabs your attention with bright colors, but once you read the text, a depressing mood sets in. The animals are asking for help and you learn that a million plant and animal species could become extinct in the next 50 years; that is something your future children will have to deal with. The poster is full of plants and animals from all different ecosystems in the world, showing that not only one area is being effected by global warming. This is a worldwide issue at hand. The center of the image is a gas mask with plants in its face piece. This graphic hits hard. Trees are supposed to clean our air, but if even they must resort to a gas mask, everyone will be in serious trouble. The text on the poster is white on a black background, making it clear and easy to read. The text on the top of the poster reads, "Global Warming its not to late..." This statement leaves viewers with a bit of hope.

     I find this ad poster to be very persuasive. Although there are a few grammatical errors in the text, the writing still leaves a heavy impact on viewers. It shows them that global warming is a serious problem, but leaves them knowing that they can help fight it. The use of colors and graphics, are great attention grabbers and lure in an audience. Once capturing their attention, the graphics leave a powerful impression in the sense that they are more than what meets the eye. Everything is centered on the poster and the text is easy to read, making it visually appealing and comprehensible. This poster can grab the attention of viewers of all ages and warn them of the effects of global warming, hopefully directing them into saving our planet.       

Dutch. Global Warming. Digital image. DESIGNM.AG. Prakash Ghodke, 15 Sept. 2010. Web. 14 Nov. 2011. <http://designm.ag/inspiration/collection-of-global-warming-art-for-the-green-at-heart/>.

The Silence of the Males

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d54TiN3t5_I

 

 In the video, "Why men dont talk to women," I think the author is trying to show viewers that women tend over think guy talk. Women listen to what a man has to say to them, then they over analyze the situation and create their own meaning to his empty words. Because of this, men feel that no matter what they say to a woman, they're always wrong. Even something as little as, "Hi. How are you?" can be turned around by a female. I think this particular video is very entertaining in the sense that it is very dramatic, but I don't agree with it 100 percent. Yes, women tend to over react based off of what men say to them, but I think this video was a little to drastic and extreme.  

    
     Both images are posters advertising Veterans Day. Poster number one uses a sunlit golden background to capture the viewer's eye. The type is legible and in all capital letters. The caps lock effect makes the viewer believe they are reading something very important. The edges of the poster are a little darker than the middle of the poster where the sun shines right through an American flag. This use of light creates focus on the flag itself. This poster is very clear in what is advertising. Poster number two is mostly black and white. The only color visible is in the words, "Veterans Day' and the year "2007". The background of the picture is a shoe imprint in dirt. The text goes along with this image when it talks about following in the footsteps of generations, but the text is so small it seems barley important. The date at the bottom of the poster is important because it informs people on which day they will be celebrating this holiday. The way everything is centered on the poster is also important because it creates balance.
     Poster number one does a better job of advertising Veterans Day because it uses important light techniques and colors to catch the viewers eye. More people would notice this poster while walking than they would a black and white foot print poster. The text on poster one is also better because it is larger and in all capital letters. The reader thinks, "Wow they must really think this is important if it is in caps lock." 
 

2010. Photograph. Kick Acts Magazine. By Chuck Gee. 11 Nov. 2010. Web. 26 Oct. 2011. <http://www.kickacts.com/index.php?s=veterans+day>.

Photograph. BlogSpot. Web. <http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TZ4zYEBSw1I/SQNvj5JjgDI/AAAAAAAAIYM/yS6nIHTkymA/s400/veterans_day_poster.jpg>.

Midterm Assesment Part II

     For my Midterm Reflection Assignment Part II, I used GoAnimate to create a short skit. I chose to use GoAnimate because I thought it would be a really cool tool for reflecting my experiences in Composition One. The website was very clear in its' directions, making it easy to use. I thought it was very cute that I could choose accents and languages for each character as well. I had a very easy time creating a fun skit with cute characters, but I was annoyed at how short each dialect line had to be. I had to cut down everyone of my sentences to make everything fit in 10 dialog lines of 180 characters each.
     If I was to do something differently to make my reflection better I would choose a different setting and characters. I would try to find a setting where the characters move around and grab the viewers attention more effectively.

http://goanimate.com/movie/0JhvHelAzXhg?utm_source=linkshare&uid=0fEKfRRBcKuQ

A Salty Solution

           Just as the shinning sun peaks through your bedroom window’s blinds every Saturday morning, you can turn on the TV and see two of the most polar opposite cartoon characters do work. Although both characters play a leading role in the same cartoon, they couldn’t be more different. Based off of their personalities alone, Spongebob Squarepants and Squidward Tenticles should live in different galaxies.

            Every morning, bright and early, Spongebob’s massive alarm clock makes a honking noise as loud as 10 simultaneous volcanic eruptions. The enormous horn that sticks out of the alarm’s base creates a sound much like a jet engine firing up before take off. To most people, a sound this loud in the morning would make their ears bleed. Not Spongebob, he hops out of bed and straight into his little square pants, ready to start his day. His mornings begin loud and hectic, but that’s the way he likes it. Squidward on the other hand sets his golden alarm like a trinket. When it jingles in the morning, much like sleigh bells on Christmas, he calmly takes off his eye cover and stretches to his leisure. His mornings start relaxed and quiet.

            The same difference goes for their personalities. When Spongebob talks, his voice is so high pitched and loud, it will leave ringing in your ears for months. He talks as fast as an auctioneer and with as much enthusiasm as a cheerleader. Spongebob could tell Patrick that Santa Clause isn’t real and it would sound exciting. Every move he makes, every thought he thinks, is a reflection of his bubbly personality. His main goal is to always have fun and be friends with everybody. You can see this clearly by listening to his “F.U.N.” song. “F is for friends that do stuff together. U is for you and me. N is for anywhere, at any time, at all. Down here in the deep blue sea!” Then there is Squidward. His voice sounds like something you would hear from a telephone operator that just got beaten with a baseball bat. Every word he speaks is so monotone, you could fall asleep standing up if you were having a conversation with him. Squidwards’ sentences are so slow and dragged out, it makes him as dull as a blade that was used to cut 10,000 rocks. Everything he does is sluggish and lethargic. Opposite of Spongebob who would rather act wild and crazy, Squidward spends his time doing relaxing things like taking bubble baths, playing his clarinet, and painting. He doesn’t care if he makes people mad because he doesn’t feel the need to be best friends with everybody like Spongebob. These two neighbors have such different personalities it’s like comparing a fish to a bird.

            Sporting the same square outfit on his holey body as he does everyday, Spongebob’s appearance looks sharp. He is nicely dressed and ready for his days activities. He is equipped with a white button down, a red tie, brown shorts, and black shoes so squeaky clean you could see your reflection in them. He is well put together like an eight-year-old schoolboy dressed by his mommy. Then there is Squidward. His motto should be, “No shoes, no pants, no problem.” The only thing you find on his pale blue body is a crummy brown collared shirt. It looks like he rolls out of bed every morning into his dirty clothesbasket, just to choose the plainest top he can throw on his body. Although his shirt only goes halfway down his torso, you somehow manage to never see his bear behind. Squidward and Spongebob most definitely have different stylists.

            Although Spongebob and Squidward are as different as sharks and minnows, their roles in the cartoon make for a great show. They entertain little kids all across the globe with their quirky differences in appearance and personality. Spongebob is loose as a goose whereas Squidward is uptight like the old men who yell, “Hey you kids! Get off my lawn!” The two sea creatures certainly set the stage for hilarious cartoons playing on a lazy Saturday morning.  

Stop the Stench!

 

The following is a comparison-contrast of two commercials: Lady Speed Stick Gel- Night and Day and Old Spice Commercial- Tame Your Pitts.

            Lady Speed Stick Gel is produced one hundred percent for women. Its shower fresh scent protects ladies, so they can breeze through the day and night, no matter how long it lasts. It allows them to feel fresh and dry, 24 hours of every day. Women no longer have to be afraid that their deodorant will fail them sometime during their ham and cheese sandwich at lunch, causing them to stink up the whole staff room. They can do all the things they love like walk to work, give a presentation, meet with their boss, go dancing with their husband at night, and feel confident that they smell like a blossoming daisy when they finally settle into bed.

            The new Lady Speed Stick Gel goes on clean and clear. It never leaves any white residue! Ladies can now wear black or any other dark outfits without having embarrassing white marks in the armpit area. That little black cocktail dress you want to wear on your first date, no problem. Lady Speed Stick Gel will give you the protection you need, without the messy white marks other deodorants leave behind, much like many deodorant products made for men.

            Ever Clear Old Spice Deodorant is made for men who can sweat like a wild mule. It has been referred to as the fillet mignon of deodorant. Now, sweating profusely is no problem. Old Spice Ever Clear deodorant has got men covered. Men no longer have to be afraid of becoming drenched in sweat from working to their full potential, their deodorant will control the stench.  

            Evil residue that latches onto armpit hairs like baby tigers, is something all men have come in contact with. With Old Spice Ever Clear, men can avoid dealing with the left over junk from old deodorant and tame their pits. Go ahead and scratch off old white residue and say hello to a new cleaner look. Old Spice goes on clear and stays that way. Other regular deodorants just don’t cut it. If men are not using Ever Clear, they might as well use white paint under their armpits.

To Copy or Not to Copy...

     Plagiarism is turning up more and more in colleges across the country. It seems as though the issue at hand is that many students do not know that they are plagiarizing. They believe that getting information from the Internet makes it fair game and it does not need to be credited. Students also do not think it is necessary to credit work that is taken from a webpage with no listed author. It is these common misconceptions that are creating the major rise in plagiarism, but another culprit lurks. Students are becoming more and more lazy when it comes to writing papers. Many have openly admitted to copy and pasting because they just do not care. They are plagiarizing papers and turning them in simply to receive a grade.

     After reading Plagiarism Lines Blur for Students in Digital Age, I agree with the ideas stated. Many students go through high school without learning when or how to properly credit a source. Some think they can throw ideas together here and there from articles and call them their own. This is not the case. There is need for clarification amongst undergraduate students about when to cite work from Internet sources, newspaper articles, books, and even live performances because some truly do not know how to do so. The other problem with plagiarism today is laziness. A number of students struggle with plagiarism because they simply do not care to avoid it. They want to take the easy way out of writing papers by copying and pasting whatever looks good to them from other work, thinking they can get away with it. Plagiarism is a real problem in all colleges and it is not something that is taken lightly.  

A Sky of Colors

The only way to experience the sky unfolding like a blossoming tulip is to set your wake up call for 6:00 in the morning. Sure that’s a little early for some, but if you want to feast your eyes upon an unreal site, you won’t hit the snooze button when your alarm clock jangles. Gold, violet, blue, and purple engulf the horizon and swallow it whole. The sun starts to creep up on you like a shark stalking an injured tuna, using its lateral lines to track its prey’s every move. Calmness swells the air and you feel as though you’re breathing in pure happiness. The waves play catch with the little birds that dare run the shoreline. Sandy toes beg for more like a five year old with puppy dog eyes in the middle of the game isle in Toys-R-Us. You want to feel the comfort of home when you’re really just lounging outdoors? Watch the sunrise on a perfect morning from Fort Lauderdale beach and you will never want to leave.

A Knight in Silver Armor ♔

With a taste so good there's no denying a bag full of sweet, sweet Hershey kisses. Each individually wrapped chocolate acts like a knight in silver armor prepared to kick any crave for something chocolatey to the curb. They melt in your mouth so smooth, you'd think you were eating a mudslide after Asia's yearly monsoon season. With one glimpse at the shimmering tinfoil dress each kiss wears, you could loose a gallon of saliva just thinking about its taste. Their miniature tornado shape might give you the impression that they are rough and rugged, but once you rip off the foil like a 6 year old tearing through birthday presents, you and your taste buds will be singing, "Hallelujah". The little white paper sticking out of the top that reads, "kisses™," looks more like an, "Eat me," written on a surrender flag. Give the gift of a Hershey kiss and give the feeling of sunshine kissing your skin until it's golden brown, but remember, one is never enough! Be sure to buy a whole bag because after your first, your hooked. You will feel as though you need them like a fish needs water. ☺