Just a Blurb...

Final Feature Broadcast

2009-12-07T09:45:00.000-08:00

Here it is:

Blog #11 IMHO #2

2009-11-21T22:35:00.001-08:00

Story Link:
http://sports.yahoo.com/olympics/news?slug=ap-timdahlberg-112109&prov=ap&type=lgns

In my humble opinion, the Yahoo! Story “The shameful case of Caster Semenya,” is a sad story in its entirety. The story takes a look back at Caster Semenya, a female olympic sprinter who won gold in the 800 meter sprint in the summer olympics in Berlin. From Semenya's emotional win to the public scrutiny placed upon her because of her gender, each key point in her shameful story angered me more and more as I read the rest of the article. After doing research about gender testing in sports, it angers me that individual's confidential information such as medical records are put on full display for all to see.

I believe that Semenya's medical records should have not been dispersed to everyone. She deserves to keep those records for herself and her family. It is truly horrible that just because Semenya ran fast and hard to her gold medal, judges and the olympic committee had to go ahead and scrutinize her victory, saying she may not be a female. This issue in particular lit my fuse in that I watched a video in my kinesiology “100% Woman,” a story about Michelle Dumaresq, a female downhill mountain biker who was once a man. I feel these two stories correlate with each other in several ways in that both were humiliated and brought down by their fellow competitors as well as governing officials. Both Dumaresq and Semenya did not deserve to be humiliated. If anything, both of their issues should have been kept confidential or at least from the public eye.

As a person that stands for fairness and equal opportunity, I believe that both Semenya and Dumaresq deserve the accolades they have achieved thus far. The humiliation they endured by the media was depressing in my opinion. I still can't believe the olympic committee did not handle the situation in a more respectful fashion. Semenya's scandal proves that the olympic committee is flawed, especially when it comes to drug and gender testing. Both forms of testing have seen the likes of stripped medals from sprinters such as Marion Jones.

Blog #10 Fish Out of Water

2009-11-17T18:27:00.001-08:00

El dia de los Muertos or the Day of the Dead is a significant holiday celebrated in Mexico and by Latin Americans that reside in the United States. Families and friends reminisce and pray for friends and family members who have passed away. This heartfelt celebration occurs on November 1st-2nd. I experienced the importance of the Day of the Dead by attending the “Day of the Dead: A Passion for Life” exhibit at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. library near San Jose State University. All of the photos at the exhibit were taken by renowned photo-journalist Mary J. Andrade.

The event I attended consisted of numerous photo exhibits as well as information about the history of the Day of the Dead. I learned that the Day of the Dead in Mexico represents a combination of Christian devotion and Pre-Hispanic beliefs. As a result of the collaboration, the celebration comes to by constructing an altar and giving offerings dedicated to the deceased. The altar includes the four main elements of nature: earth, wind, water, and fire. Each element is significant but I find the fire element most interesting in that each lit candle represents a soul and an extra unlit candle is placed for the forgotten soul.

Viewing the Day of the Dead exhibit, I had mixed emotions. From observing pictures of elaborate altars to the several vigils portrayed by photographs, I slowly began to understand the meaning of the Day of the Dead. Originally, I thought the Day of the Dead had to do with Halloween but I learned that the Mexican holiday has no relation whatsoever. As an outsider to this culture, I felt enlightened by what I had learn and saw. Some of the pictures such as the few of Catrinas, which are skeletons dressed as brides actually kind of scared me believe it or not.

Overall, attending Adrade's Day of the Dead exhibit taught me a little more about Latin culture. Learning about the true meaning of the Day of the Dead stirred up several emotions in me. The exhibit made me feel both scared and sad. Family and close friends mean a lot to me and Mexico's celebration with the Day of the Dead seems to honor and preserve the memories of those who have passed away. Knowing the true meaning of the Day of the Dead, I feel that I might actually attend the Day of the Dead next year to commemorate my appreciation my godmother who passed away not too long ago. Attending Andrade's interesting exhibit really made me feel as if I truly were a fish out of the water.

AP Error

2009-11-09T15:24:00.000-08:00

"The bullet-riddled body of the former NFL quarterback had been found slumped on a couch, with two bullets in his torso, and one in each side of his head."

http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/280826

The AP Error I spotted in this article was that there is a misplaced comma. The last comma in the sentence above should be removed. Additionally, I believe that the sentence should be rewritten to make it flow better.

Targeting Audiences

2009-11-09T11:32:00.000-08:00

Ad#1

http://www.cartype.com/pics/3632/full/audi_r8_ad2.jpg

In the first ad I stumbled across, I knew which audience the company is specifically targeting. I found this ad in Car and Driver Magazine, catching my eye as I scanned through the contents of the publication. I believe the intended demographic for Audi's ad is middle aged, rich males. The ad's taglines, "Good is the enemy of great" and "Behind every status symbol and luxury badge is a good product," specifically point to luxury automobile enthusiasts. Audi's promise as the "Truth in Engineering" is catchy and respectful because they have developed a reputation of designing fast and sleek automobiles. The key message of this ad is to demonstrate Audi's mix of luxury and power, proving that there brand is for the rich and powerful.

Ad#2

http://www.cartype.com/pics/7383/full/scion_tc_manifesto_ad2_09.jpg

The second ad I found was in Super Street Magazine, an import tuner car magazine. This ad shows a picture of a Scion TC with the words "Tear it up. Don't rip it off." Looking at this ad, I came to the conclusion that Toyota is attempting to target the young, urban audience. Specifically, college students. Scion TC's are not very expensive and are a top preference with high school and college students alike. The ad does a good job making the car stand out as well as the tag line, which is more understood by the younger demographic versus the older generation. The key message of this ad is to attract the speed demons that possess the urban youth in today's society.

Word of the Week #10

2009-11-09T00:08:00.000-08:00

Equipoise

Source:
I stumbled across this interesting word while reading a Yahoo! Sports article about the 2009 World Series between the New York Yankees and the Philadelphia Phillies.

Sentence:
Were evolving into a horse his real fantasy, perhaps he should’ve taken Equipoise or Winstrol instead of Primobolan.

Definition:
Equipoise (noun)
1. A state of being equally balanced; equilibrium; -- as of moral, political, or social interests or forces.
2. Counterbalance.

My Sentence:
The proposed design product demonstrated equipoise through its fluid aesthetics and its ease to use.

Blog #9 Japanese Internment Reflection

2009-11-03T22:29:00.001-08:00

As our class marched down Second Street towards the Japanese internment memorial, I was excited to see what was in store. I was hoping for maybe a tour through an actual internment camp or tribute museum. I expected a mammoth of a monument that could easily be recognizable from afar. Consequently, I ended up standing in front of a rectangular block a bit smaller than a economy car, bronze in color, and covered with images of the Japanese internment in 1942. Surprisingly, the internment mural was only a little taller than me.
The relocation and internment of the Japanese population residing in the United States began after the bombing of Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. As a result, President Franklin D. Roosevelt drafted and enacted Executive Order 9066, which was meant to keep U.S. citizens safe by the assurance from the national defense. Since the Japanese were seen as a potential threat, Japanese citizens in the U.S., even legal Japense-American citizens were forced to move from their homes and into organized internment camps. An estimated 120,000 people of Japanese descent were forced to leave their homes and all of their belongings behind. At the same time, Japantown, located in the city of San Jose, had been already established but the majority of the 3,000 Japanese-Americans in San Jose were relocated to a desolate and cold region in Heart Mountain, Wyoming. Nearly all 53 of the businesses situated in Japantown were closed due to the internment. According to an article from the San Jose Mercury Nes, Japanese-Americans and their children in San Jose were held in the gymnasium of San Jose State University before being relocated to various camps.
Ruth Asawa, the artist and sculptor behind the Japanese internment memorial our class viewed, was a 16-year-old living in Southern California when the FBI arrested her father and the military relocated Asawa and her family. Asawa and her family were placed in the horse stalls of the Santa Anita racetrack. In the mural, an image of the horses being removed from the stalls are depicted as well as the hundreds of people filing in, an image that stands out the most among the rest of the mural. Despite Asawa's experience of the internment camps, she researched diligently before making the memorial that sits on Second Street today. This included hearing the stories from residents in Santa Clara County. In addition, interned families contributed the design of their family crest, or mon, to be sculpted into Asawa's iconic memorial.
Asawa spent several years crafting this memorial and personally, I think all the time Asawa spent was worth it. Asawa's images and recreations of the internment tell the story of the Japanese immigrants. From their arrival in the U.S. to the end of the internment period, the stories of closed shops, burned belongings, and lost loved ones fill the mural, each image sheds insight upon the viewer as to what exactly took place. The barbed wire that sits atop Asawa’s mural on both sides gives the feeling of how the Japanese felt; being surrounded or caged in by barbed wire in the camps they resided in. In addition, there are large guard towers that sit near the center of the memorial. Moreover, the tight use of space within the mural depicts the cramped and unbearable living conditions seen through Asawa's portrayals of the Japanese in the memorial.
In addition to Asawa's mural, the internment memorial features a slew background information on the tragic war, Executive Order 9066, and the locations of the camps. Personally, I believe Asawa truly correlated the memorial to the city of San Jose by including the family crests of the residents interned from Santa Clara County. Although Ruth Asawa’s memorial was somewhat a disappointment in size and grandeur, it did not disappoint me in its character, meaning or value. Asawa's memorial holds an amazing amount of information and compelling images that tell the observer what exactly took place.
In the end, I find it hard to imagine the events of the Japanese internment of 1942 surfacing again in the near future. With all the progress that has been made towards gaining equal civil rights, I don’t see how an action of this magnitude would succeed again. It is unfortunate what took place in the U.S. and Asawa does a terrific job depicting what it was truly like to be a Japanese citizen during World War II.

Sources for this article:

http://www.ruthasawa.com/index.html

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/630390/posts

http://www.japantownsanjose.org/history.html

Word of the Week #9

2009-11-01T22:54:00.000-08:00

Punctilious

Source: I came across this word in the article “Foulest 40 villains of them all,” by Pat Forde.
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/columns/story?columnist=forde_pat&id=4402807&sportCat=ncf

Sentence: Vest, tie and painfully punctilious nature are natural annoyances.

Definition:
Punctilious (adjective) - Strictly attentive to the details of form in action or conduct; precise; exact in the smallest particulars.

My Sentence:
The next door neighbor's roommate was very punctilious, folding his clothes and bed sheets in a meticulous and flawless fashion.

Blog #8 IMHO #1

2009-10-26T02:21:00.000-07:00

Story Link:
http://www.mercurynews.com/top-stories/ci_13634965?nclick_check=1

In my humble opinion, I believe the Mercury News' story “Preventing suicides at Palo Alto train crossing,” is a very descriptive and in depth analysis of the suicides that have taken place at the Meadow Drive crossing. However, I live on West Meadow Drive, only a few houses away from the deadly crossing. After doing some research, I find it interesting that the rate of student suicides by train has increased every year since I graduated from Gunn High School back in 2006. From what I can remember, I never heard about any students committing suicide at the train crossing I live near.

It angers me that the Meadow Drive train crossing is gaining notoriety because so many deaths have taken place there. I truly do not understand because Palo Alto High School, located on Churchill Street, is right next to the train tracks as to Gunn High School, which is 1.7 miles away from the closest train crossing. Palo Alto High School has not dealt with student suicides at the train tracks, raising the question, “Are students being pushed to hard at Gunn?” I ask myself this because being a graduate of Gunn High School, I never felt any reason to throw myself in front of a moving train to solve my problems.

This issue in particular lights my fuse well because my sister currently attends Gunn High School. She is a sophomore and has a couple friends whose older brothers and sisters committed suicide at the Meadow Drive crossing. I asked my sister to reflect on the situation and she told me her friends do not understand why their older siblings would do such a thing. According to a news story from ABC News, four teens from Palo Alto who attended Gunn High School have committed suicide all within the past six months. This is indeed shocking to hear, raising questions about parents in Palo Alto. Are they talking and interacting with their children about things such as suicide? Are parents in Palo Alto pushing their children too hard academically? As a resident of Palo Alto since 2001, I would like to know the answers because it would hurt to see a close friend of mine end up in the news as another victim to the Caltrain at the Meadow Drive crossing. It seems as if the Meadow Drive crossing is gaining notoriety, something I hope does not happen because no person wants to live near a place where death takes place all too often.

Word of the Week #8

2009-10-26T01:19:00.000-07:00

Predilection

Source: I found this word in an article I read online at ESPN.com

Sentence: One of the chief reasons is that, despite his predilection for a lone striker, Domenech does not have a suitable player to fill the role.

Definition:
Predilection(noun): a tendency to think favorably of something in particular; partiality; preference

My Sentence:
The aspiring body builder had a predilection to make his trapezius muscles larger and defined, working out that specific area of muscles for numerous hours every day.

Blog #7 Drinking Coffee Elsewhere

2009-10-19T10:28:00.000-07:00

After reading the chapter "Every Tongue Shall Confess," I came across several story telling techniques that the author utilizes well to keep the chapter interesting. From the beginning of the chapter, author Z.Z. Packer sets the scene well for the reader, describing Clareese's aunt Alma's room similar to a hospital, filled with "perpetual snores and hacking and weezing."
One description from Packer I found to be interesting and very descriptive was her description of Cleophus. Upon changing Mr. Toomey's catheter, "Cleophus had watched her, laughing under his breath, then outright, a waxing and waning of hilarity as if her every gesture were laughably prim and proper." Packer's description is very elaborate, showing emotions and gestures from both the outside as well as the inside.
Packer's story telling techniques in this particular chapter place the reader as if they were there witnessing all that is going on, from the Deacon to the situation with Mr. Toomey and Cleophus. Clareese's description of the hospital rooms "had given her solace; the way everything was clean, clean, clean; the many patients that had been in each room, some nice, some dying, some willing to accept the Lord...now the clean hospital room was just a reminder of the emptiness, the barrenness, of her patients' souls." I found this excerpt from this chapter eerie yet true, hospitals see several patients and the rooms are occupied day in and day out. Even if there is a death in that very same room, the hospital does its best to make its future patients are comfortable and not reminded that people pass away at hospitals.
Lastly, Packer's use of quotes are memorable as well. She spaces letters and capitalizes them to show that the Pastor is preaching loudly and proudly. There is constant reference to the Bible throughout the chapter, whom Sister Clareese reminds herself constantly of.

Word of the Week #7

2009-10-18T22:56:00.000-07:00

Esurient

Source:
I stumbled upon this word while reading a story titled "Sports and Chocolate: Guilty Pleasures All Round?"

Sentence:
Flicking between tabs on the computer—one of the live scores and one of the report you ought to be writing—just so you can appease that esurient need for connection to the world with which you ought to have severed all contact for the day; until eventually, you give in and switch the TV on.

Definition:
Esurient is an adjective that is defined as being hungry or greedy

My Sentence:
Lamar Odom, the starting forward on the Los Angeles Lakers, has a consistent and esurient need for candy such as gummy worms, Starburst, and Whoppers.

AB 656 Story Reflection

2009-10-13T21:49:00.000-07:00

Writing the news story about California's budget situation on education enlightened me on some new topics. For one, I did not know AB 656 existed until I attended the meeting and rally held on campus. Writing the story on AB 656 made me feel more politically active and aware in relation to San Jose State University since I am a fourth year student. The fee increases and furloughs have affected me significantly and now that I know a little more as to why this semester is the way it is, I feel more informed.

Blog #6 NPR Radio Interview Analysis

2009-10-13T21:44:00.000-07:00

Interview: “Undiagnosed Asperger's Leads To 'Life As An Outsider'”

The interviewer provided a substantial amount of background information about Tim Page, the interviewee. She presented listener's with background information about Page, including his academic accolades as well as the fact that he is a Pulitzer Prize music critic. She also mentioned his memoir, “Parallel Play: Life as an Outsider,” which was the subject of the interview. Questions were guided based on the relevance to Page's memoir, which kept interview on topic.

The interviewer asked questions such as, “What kind of licenses did your eccentricities give you?” and “Looking back, how did Asperger's syndrome affect your liking to music?”. Page responded to her questions with logic and seriousness. From trying LSD to his addiction to marijuana to counter his stress, Page answered each of her questions without sounding defensive or angry. The interviewer built up her questions utilizing several excerpts from Page's memoir.

The relationship between the interviewer and interviewee seemed positive and fair. No arguments or discomfort took place based on their tones during the course of the interview. Although a portion of the interview involved Page being labeled as a crack addict, Page handled it safely and was apologetic towards the actions he made in the past at that point in time.

Overall, I learned about Asperger's syndrome, which is an autism spectrum disorder that leads to difficulties with social interaction. Page mentioned he felt pressured and much anxiety through his high school and college years, experimenting with several drugs to ease it all. Page's liking for music keeps him going and despite his son having the same syndrome, who is only 19, Page wants his son to not feel judged or depressed. If Page is a Pulitzer Prize music critic with Asperger's syndrome, I am sure his son is capable of something greater. The interview ended cheerfully and respectfully, with all questions answered and no conflict.

Blog #5 - Mystery Character

2009-10-11T20:13:00.001-07:00

I am a professional baseball player. Fans dub me "The Kid," since I began my career at such a young age. My swing is said to be swift and graceful. I am approaching my twilight years but I am still capable of playing games despite the several injuries I received throughout my career. My flamboyant personality tends to turn heads wherever I go, whether that would be at the All Star Game or at the Home Run Derby. I am a role model to my fans as well as my loving family. When I play the game of baseball, I focus more on having fun then winning games.

Word of the Week #6

2009-10-11T20:03:00.000-07:00

Descry

Source:
I came across this word when I was reading the book "Year of Wonders" by Geraldine Brooks.

Sentence:
It was a chill morning, and a moist fog hung low in the valley, so it was difficult to descry exactly what was in the cart edging its slow way up the hill, with a slight figure behind, bent double, toiling under the load.

Definition:
Descry (verb): To catch sight of, especially of something distant or obscure; to discern

My Sentence:
As the quarterback waited in the pocket, he found his receivers difficult to descry where exactly they were because mud and heavy rain distorted his vision.

Word of the Week #5

2009-10-04T21:51:00.001-07:00

Stultify

Source:
I stumbled across this interesting word while reading an article from epsn.com by Chris Murphy

Sentence:
Hangeland can afford Van Persie little space if he is to stultify Arsenal's attacking threat, and must prevent him shooting from anywhere within range.

Definition:
Stultify (verb)
1.To render useless or ineffectual; cripple.
2.To cause to appear stupid, inconsistent, or ridiculous.

My Sentence:
The Pittsburgh Steelers hope to stultify the San Diego's Chargers offensive weapons that include LaDainian Tomlinson and Vincent Jackson.

Blog #4 A Fly on the Wall

2009-09-27T16:27:00.000-07:00

I am a fly at the SJSU-Cal Poly football game where the action is grueling, exciting, and worth every moment to witness firsthand. Observing everything around me as I stood in the famed Spartan Squad section of Spartan Stadium, I noticed several things. Most of the stadium was covered in blue and yellow, the colors that represent San Jose State University. In particular, everyone in the Spartan Squad section was vibrant, cheering wildly and loudly. The smell of competition and determination was all over Spartan Stadium.

There was nearly 14,000 people in attendance for the game. Side chatter was everywhere, directing towards the opposing team as well as who was going to buy food from the concession stands. Numerous phone calls were taken as well all around the place. Phone calls about people trying to find each other, with their other ear covered to block out the raucous cheering from the entire stadium. The sounds of helmets clashing between the San Jose State and Cal Poly football players were heard all around the stadium. The night lights shined brightly onto the football field, acting almost as a spotlight for each ball carrier.

Fans of San Jose State clamored loudly about Lamon Muldrow, a San Jose State running back, who rushed for a career high 184 yards. Muldrow's effort led San Jose State to our first win of the season. Everything around me was sweaty and sticky from doing the wave and tossing fellow San Jose State fans after each San Jose State touchdown. When the final seconds ticked off the clock, San Jose State fans went crazy, exclaiming their happiness and satisfaction from the victory. As I flew away, all I could ask myself was, “What's in store for San Jose's next home game?”

Word of the Week #4

2009-09-27T12:05:00.001-07:00

Viscous

Source:
I came across this word reading reviews on new hip hop releases from about.com.

Sentence:
With RZA contributing a measly 2 tracks to the album, Rae turned to the elite sound architects such as Marley Marl, Pete Rock, and J Dilla for additional beats. Expect some viscous beats and witty, intelligent narratives.

Definition:
Viscous - (Adjective)
1. of a glutinous nature or consistency; sticky; thick; adhesive.
2. having high resistance to flow

My Sentence:
The crude oil extracted from the dig site had as a viscous consistency, showing the oil needs to be treated and filtered before it can be used for anthropogenic reasons.

STD News Story & News Release

2009-09-24T08:46:00.000-07:00

Press Release

Sexual activity should be condoned in a safe and respectful manner. In a recent report at SJSU, there have been 50 cases of sexually transmitted diseases before the end of this semester.

In an effort to lower the number of cases, SJSU health director Ellen Jones is launching an aggressive information program about STD's and how to prevent them from spreading any further. With the possibility that the number of STD cases could reach 100 by the end of the academic year, Jones program includes lectures in the dorms by health service personnel, an hour-long movie available to professors to show in class, and the distribution of pamphlets about STD's and their symptoms. Surprisingly, the number of STD's reported four years prior to this year's report was 20, or about five a year. This statistic shows that sexual activity has risen on the university's campus, calling attention to each student's health and well-being.

Jones mentioned that the college is expanding their hours for STD testing from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The tests are intended for the university's students, which is free and confidential.

News Release

The origins of sexually transmitted diseases are oblivious to many. In a recent health report at SJSU, there have been numerous cases of STD's with students, which has in turn drawn the attention of university health director Ellen Jones.

With an aggressive effort, Jones has launched an informational program on campus hoping to better inform the university's students the dangers of STD's. In an informational pamphlet distributed by Jones, it describes the STD chlamydia, a bacterial parasite that usually produces no symptoms in affected people but can lead to sterilization in women if left untreated. In addition to STD pamphlets, Jones' will also be holding informational lectures in the dorms as well as extend free STD testing to all of the university's students.

According to the report, City College (across town from the university) has recorded 100 STD cases on campus since the beginning of its school year. Surprisingly, according to the health service report at SJSU, the number of STDs reported for the four years prior to the latest results was 20, or about five a year. STD's need to be called to attention looking at these statistics, as it seems that students are unaware of the dangers of STD's and their detrimental effect on both themselves and their sexual partners.

Blog #3 Comparing Media

2009-09-21T00:55:00.000-07:00

Comparing the news coverage of a single national news story over different news media, I went along and compared a few media outlets that have given extensive coverage towards the ongoing investigation into the death of Annie Le, a student at Yale University. The story made headlines about a week ago. However, as more details have been revealed about Le, news outlets have consistently produced new articles and reports daily.

From the print media portion, I came across an article from the San Francisco Chronicle. The story is about a page and a half long. This article specifically quotes three different sources, the majority being investigators. The story is accompanied by a picture of the suspect and Le, complete with short captions.

The online news media outlet has made Annie Le's story popular and a stop for concern all across the web. Online news articles can be produced with haste upon the revealing of any new information. Not just for this story but any story in particular, national or local. The online article I stumbled across was from usatoday.com. In my opinion, the article seems more like print coverage than broadcast coverage in that there are several details that can be understood in an article more clearly than on the air. The length of the article is about two pages and could possibly be similar to the story that appeared in USA Today's print version of the same story. From mercurynews.com to nydailynews.com to blogs and forums, there have been numerous stories published all over the internet about this event, each being updated daily or by the hour.

In regards to the televised perspective of Le's story, I found a video news clip from CNN.com. The clip is just over two minutes in length, showcasing the press conference where New Haven authorities announced that they have a suspect in custody in connection to Le's disappearance. Personally, the news clip provides more visual aid than actual facts. But as I've learned, news clips on television have a time limit like news radio coverage, forcing reporters to keep their stories concise.

Word of the Week #3

2009-09-20T16:37:00.001-07:00

Refulgent

Source:
I found this word from “Word of the Day” at dictionary.com. The source cited within dictionary.com is "The Spirit of '76" by Martin Filler, New Republic, July 9, 2001

Sentence:
If Moore was not quite a burned-out case, his once refulgent light flickered only dimly in his sad last years.

Definition:
Refulgent (adjective) – shining brightly; radiant; brilliant; resplendent

My Sentence:
As we sailed across the mysterious body of water that night, I could see a lonely yet refulgent star shining in the sky.

Word of the Week #2

2009-09-13T20:19:00.000-07:00

Pontificate

Source:
“Where are the Jocks for Justice?"
http://www.thenation.com/doc/20040628/candaele
By: Kelly Candaele and Peter Dreier

Sentence:
While Hollywood celebrities frequently lend their fame and fortune to candidates and causes, athletes are expected to perform, not pontificate.

Definition:
–verb (used without object)

To speak in a pompous or dogmatic manner

My Sentence:
The flustered journalist pontificated about steroid use in baseball and its negative effects to Bud Selig during his meeting with the Players Association.

Blog #2 My Favorite Writing

2009-09-08T20:52:00.000-07:00

Song: “Dance” by Nas
Album: God's Son

I wish you were here,
I miss you more each second I breathe
You resting in peace forever I accepted you free
A blessing to me, I see you dressed in all white
Smiling at me, happy knowing everything's all right
If only I could hear your voice and your laughter
Just one more time, my chest would be filled up with sunshine
April 7, 02
That's when the gates of heaven opened up for you to stroll through
Beautiful Anne Jones
Job is done, raising ghetto kids in the hood
You was my strength to carry on and now I'm good
Job well done, you lived through you sons and your grandchildren
Jesus finally got his bride, mommy dance with em
And you've been my guide threw all the trouble I faced
They playing our song the life beat my hand on your waist
I grab your other hand and try not to step on your toes
Spin you around with my eyes closed
Dreaming I could have

Nas' thoughtful and emotional song is dedicated to his mother Anne Jones, who succumbed to breast cancer in 2002. I personally find these lyrics if not the entire song to be a good piece of writing because Nas gives the listener some perspective on his reminiscence of his mother and all the goodness she brought to Nas. In addition, Nas is able to describe his mother's passing as a gateway to a new life, shunning away from sorrow and mourning which is associated with death. Nas' lyrics about holding his mother and spinning her around with his eyes closed gives the listener something to visualize and possibly smile about euphorically. Losing a loved one is always hard, but Nas is able to craft a positive and heartwarming song that will be forever dedicated to his mother.

Personally, I like the lyrics in this song because overall the song shows the care and pride Nas took within his mother. “Dance” is not like other hip hop songs that ramble on about losing someone and pouring beers over their graves. In particular, this song demonstrates phenomenal writing because it is universally understood and hits each of his listeners at the heart. Lyricism is a rare commodity in today's music, but this song is a lyrical gem that sheds the thoughts produced by unconditional love.

Word of the Week #1

2009-08-30T20:09:00.000-07:00

Paseo

Source:
I came across this word in an article by Chris Curry from the Spartan Daily last Monday.

Sentence:
"SJSU and Symphony Silicon Valley have collaborated to turn the western end of the paseo into a venue for a free end-of-summer concert festival."

Definition:
Paseo (noun) is:
1. A slow, idle, or leisurely walk or stroll
2. A public place or path designed for walking; promenade
3. (Esp. in Spanish-speaking countries) a usually tree-lined thoroughfare; avenue

Sentence:
The beautiful paseo downtown holds an annual event complete with live music, carnival games, and a bazaar.

Blog #1 All About Me

2009-08-26T21:56:00.000-07:00

The name's Nic. Yes, with no k that's right. I was raised in Mountain View and attended Gunn High School in Palo Alto, California. On my down time, I enjoy weightlifting, drawing, working on and designing cars. Even though my peers say it's not a color, black is my favorite color by far. I am currently in my fourth year of study at San Jose State University. The field of concentration I chose is journalism where I hope to obtain the proper skills and assets to become a prominent sports writer. I wouldn't mind writing for Car & Driver, Import Tuner, or a Volkswagen enthusiast magazine either. When it comes to writing, I tend to let the words flow from the mind. I am organized when it comes to writing, carefully structuring the papers I write to make them understandable yet concise. One of the struggles I encounter when writing is creating attractive leads for stories. I hope to strengthen my leads to make the articles I write more appealing and not look like a giant run on sentence. I also hope not only for a good grade but also improvement on my writing overall. That sums up my very first blog. Lets keep it short and sweet.