Final Feature Video

IMHO #2

I came across this article on CNN’s website and it really bothered me. The article talks about what scientists have named “The Great Pacific Garbage Patch.” The name is cute, but this is a serious concern for the entire world. A huge garbage mass, estimated to be the size of Texas, is floating around in the Pacific Ocean and experts are uncertain of how to get rid of it.

The reason this article got me so fired up is that this is proof that going green is vital to the well being of our planet. I have read countless letters to the editor griping about cities doing away with plastic bags or charging for them. The letters complain that getting rid of plastic bags is pointless and is not making a big impact on pollution. However, hearing about all the plastic that is trapped in this “Garbage Patch” is enough to prove that it would help pollution if consumers used reusable bags instead of disposable ones.

According to the World Wildlife Foundation “High concentrations of plastic material, particularly plastic bags, have been found blocking the breathing passages and stomachs of many marine species, including whales, dolphins, seals, puffins, and turtles.” Another reason plastic waste is such a concern is that it takes a long time for it to break down. As plastic particles become smaller and smaller, marine animals consume the pieces and die. Essentially, if the animals consume the plastic, then we consume the animals, we are also consuming plastic. People are skeptical or in denial about the impact they as an individual have on the whole environment, but the truth is it is a lot. If our nations do not start to consider these things, soon we will all be living garbage.

Although scientists are uncertain of how to fix the problem of the giant floating garbage heap, as a society we have a duty to try and rectify the problem, or at least not exacerbate it. This article just shows the tip of the iceberg if we continue on the same path we have been. It is encouraging that the media has started to cover the pollution issue, letting the public know what we are facing and that something needs to be done.

CNN Article

(Word count 373)

"Fish Out of Water"

I knock on the white door unsure of what is in store for me. I notice a rusted horseshoe is purposefully nailed above the doorway, but other than that it’s just a normal home. (I am later informed that the horseshoe is to ward off evil spirits from entering the home). My friend, Valerie, opens the door and I’m greeted by warm air and the smell of home cooked food. Her family smiles politely as I’m introduced. My cheeks become flushed as some of Valerie’s family converse in Tagolog and stare at me. I am sure they are not saying anything bad, at least I hope they aren’t.

As most families usually do when celebrating a family member’s birthday, there are copious amounts of food just waiting patiently to be devoured by hungry mouths. Everything, except for the steamed rice, seems completely alien. Since I’m not very adventurous when it comes to cuisine, I stay close to my friend as we make our way around the long buffet of food.

Noticing the weary expression on my face as I eye some of the unfamiliar dishes, Valerie leans over and whispers, “Don’t worry you don’t have to try all of it. You won’t offend anyone.” I smile allowing the relief to sweep over my face. “I don’t even eat all of this stuff,” Valerie assures me.

I try the pancit, which is orange noodles sprinkled with vegetables and chicken; it’s like Pilipino chow mein. I also tried and enjoyed the lumpia (Pilipino egg roll) and lechon (roasted pig). I don’t really care for seafood, so I politely decline the fish dishes. There is something completely unappetizing about seeing a whole fish, eyes and all, lying on a platter as people pull of chunks of meat from its body.

After dinner is when the party starts, the alcohol flows and the karaoke machine is set to full blast. I watch and sing along as elderly “aunties” belt out classics like Gloria Gaynor’s “I Will Survive.” Being Japanese there are a few stereotypes that befall me. For instance, people are always thoroughly shocked that I don’t like seafood and they assume my family does karaoke. In reality, my family is more reserved and quiet. So, it’s quite a contrast to what I’m used to. I fight the urge to be a wallflower and volunteer to sing a song with Valerie and I’m glad I do because there is something liberating about singing in front of a bunch of strangers.

Amidst the singing, someone is passing out slices of cake and it is business as usual. Even though I am a complete outsider, I feel very welcomed into my friend’s home. At times I feel like a polar bear in a desert, but eventually that feeling fades and I feel at home in this foreign environment. It can be refreshing and informative to step outside of your comfort zone and learn about new cultures. If I hadn’t attended this event I would have never discovered lumpia, my new favorite finger food.

(Word count 494)

Targeting Audiences

I not only love Vanity Fair magazine for its well-written articles, but also for its ads, which intrigue and influence.

The fashion and beauty ads are plentiful in Vanity Fair magazine and appeal to a more upscale and wealthy reader. Shoes, handbags, clothing, makeup, jewelry and face creams are paraded in between articles. Although some people are annoyed by the ads, I find them fun and creative. It’s almost like windowing shopping, and some of the ads are even on the verge of artistic genius. These ads definitely appeal to a more luxurious lifestyle, but it does not suggest that they appeal to “air heads” or uneducated women because they are superficial. However, I think they are aimed at successful women who have great style and take great care in the way they look.

Both of the magazine ads that I chose are meant to attract a less involved audience. The two most prominent items in the ads are the models and the brand name, in these particular ads Jimmy Choo and Juicy Couture. In these two ads there were no sources, but there were many ads that featured celebrities as the face for a brand, such as Penelope Cruz, Demi Moore, Kate Winslet. to name a few. The celebrities appearing in a magazine ad is a way to tell the reader that the celebrity you like, admire, or envy endorses this product. Readers are influenced to believe that if they use this product, versus that product, then you will look younger or better. Despite the lack of information given in the ads, it’s still fun to look at them. Who doesn't love glitter, accessories and lipstick?

(Word count 281)

Word of the Week #10

Argot
Source:
Vanity Fair December 2009
How it was used:
"The Web site Cute Overload, which gets 100, 000 visits a day, is all photographs and videos of puppies ("puppehs") in the sites own particular argot), kittens ("kittehs"), and baby rabbits ("bun-buns"), who are said to go nom-nom-nom as they munch their little meals."
Definition:
-noun
1. The special language used by a certain group of people.
My Sentence:
Although he speaks many languages, he could not understand the short woman's particular argot.

Copy Edit the Word (Last 15 Points)

This was in the Monday, October 26, 2009, Mercury News. It should say "star," not "start." (2 points)



This mistake is on page 36 of Ken Follett's "Pillars of the Earth." It should say "sat" instead of "said." (2 points)



This mistake is on page 699 of Ken Follett's "Pillars of the Earth." It should say "Jack" instead of "Philip." (2 points)



This mistake is on page 495 of Ken Follett's "Pillars of the Earth." It should say "berserk" instead of "berseserk." (2 points)



This mistake is on page 523 of Ken Follett's "Pillars of the Earth." It is missing the "be" in the second paragraph between the words "must" and "a princess." (2 points)

This mistake is in Professor Bob Rucker's greensheet for Journalism 132b. In the second sentence of the first paragraph, "internet" should be capitalized. (4 points)

This mistake was also found in Professor Bob Rucker's Journalism 132b greensheet. (In the first sentence of the last paragraph). I beleive what he meant to say was "Someday after graduation, you may choose whichever field of endeavor excites your career interest." (4 points)

Japanese Internment Memorial Essay

Artist Ruth Asawa, often referred to as the “Fountain Lady” in her home city of San Francisco, is a woman of Japanese descent and was a victim of the World War II internments.

On December 7, 1941, Japan attacked Pearl Harbor, and the following day the U.S. declared war on Japan. President Roosevelt proceeded to issue Executive Order 9066, which authorized the removal and incarceration of over 110,000 Japanese Americans. Two-thirds of those detained were American citizens and over half of them were children.

One of Asawa’s many art installments is the Japanese Internment Memorial in Downtown San Jose. The cast bronze sculpture features smaller vignettes within the large sculpture.

One particular vignette tugged firmly on the strings of my heart. There is a large man wearing overalls, and he’s kneeling at a fire on the ground about to throw a child’s doll into the flames. A young girl, who looks about six-years-old is pulling at her father’s overalls in hopes of saving her inanimate companion. It reminded me of being a young girl and having my Cabbage Patch Doll, Elizabeth. If anyone had tried to take her away, I would have been devastated.

The other vignette that stood out in my mind was a scene where a family was standing outside the trains having just arrived at camp. They were huddled in a group and the father had his arms wrapped protectively around the mother and daughter. Next to them were two soldiers carrying rifles. It reminded me off a shark circling its prey. It must have been frightening to think you might die in one of these camps.

In the early 1900s, Japanese began to immigrate to the U.S. in hopes of starting a new life. As a result, Japantown in San Jose was born. During the time of internment more than 3,000 of Santa Clara’s Japanese Americans were removed and incarcerated at Heart Mountain, Wyoming. Only allowed to carry and bring with them 150 pounds of personal items, the overall loss of belongings was devastating.

Ruth Asawa experienced the same thing that many other Japanese Americans did, and in April 1942 she was sent to the Santa Anita racetrack in Arcadia, California to live in a horse stall along with her mother and five siblings. “The smell of horse dung never left the place the entire time we were there,” Asawa recounted.

Although what happened to Japanese Americans during World War II was horrific and inexcusable, many have found the light in what was a dark, abysmal time. Asawa credits her artistic abilities to the internment. "I hold no hostilities for what happened; I blame no one. Sometimes good comes through adversity. I would not be who I am today had it not been for the Internment, and I like who I am," Asawa said.

I’d like to think that something like this could never happen again, but that would just be naïve as history has a tendency of repeating itself.


(Word count 499)