Life, Liberty and the Pervasivity of Media

Media Summary

  Being in Media and Society this semester has made me more aware of the impact that media encounters play in my everyday life. Obviously I saw the media before...It's impossible to miss. However, since I started this class, I've begun to actually notice the media and pay attention to it. 

  I can't pass a full day without some type of media interaction. Facebook, newspapers, TV, movies, advertisements, music - there are so many different outlets that it's almost impossible to not be loyal to a particular niche. Especially when they are so readily available. All you have to do is pick up your cell phone, which is a little media powerhouse. 

  I am a frequent Googler. I look things up as opposed to asking. To me, that's the easiest way to get answer satisfaction. I'm also very dependent upon music. Not only do I listen to CD's, but I also listen to the radio (internet as well as normal) and Spotify. I just really enjoy music. I'm also a frequent social media user. I'm not a frequent tweeter or status updater, but I check them often. It's a nice diversion, even if it isn't always beneficial to my productivity. 

  Although I may not always have the time to participate in as much of the entertainment sector of the media like books, movies and TV shows, I still manage to find the time to enjoy them. Even if you don't read or see something firsthand, I'm usually still informed about it from friends or other media outlets. They really work together and frequently overlap in some of their coverage. 

  With all of the overlap it makes it easier to be an informed citizen locally, nationally and worldwide. 

  

If only the media paid us..

November 15, 2012 Media Recap

  This morning, I awoke to my phone buzzing, alerting me that I had a text message. One of my best friends asked if she could come Black Friday shopping with me and mom. She's never been before, which puts her in the minority category, since seemingly everyone hits the shops that Friday. Although I haven't actually seen all of the Black Friday ads yet, my friends query reminded me that America is on the brink of the advertisement horizon. 

  When I drove to the gym this morning, I listened to the same mixed CD that I've had in my car for the past few weeks. Later on when I was riding the shuttle to school, I listened to some country music on the radio. Miranda Lambert's song, Kerosene, came on shortly before I hopped off the shuttle. 

  During school today, I was treated to two different PowerPoint presentations during class. After class, a friend of mine asked if I would like to make muffins. We used a recipe gleaned from some part of the internet - Pinterest, food blog or recipe site - I'm not particularly sure which. 

  After coming back to the apartment, I checked my email, Twitter and Facebook, and then I watched an episode of Friends.  Since tomorrow is Friday, I have a few assignments due. 

  Later on tonight, I'm going to see the new James Bond movie. I'm definitely excited about that particular little media venture. I've heard that it was very good.. I'll see! 

One of those fleece and cocoa puff days

November 14, 2012

This morning, my media journey didn't start until a little over an hour after I woke up. I listened to a mixed CD (the same one that I've raved about previously) on my way to school. Since close parking on campus is a fable worthy of front page on The Quibbler, I decided to head to lot 56 first. I took the bus, and on that bus I saw multicolored advertisements for housing as well as for Einstein's Pizza.
After my first class, during which my professor used a PowerPoint, I headed over to work. While I was there, I used the internet to check my email. Then I Googled and Pinterested marketing ideas for some of our upcoming events. 
Since I had a rather important test today, I studied one of my textbooks while listening to music (Pandora). 
After my test, I headed over to my church to help out with a Phonathon that we're doing. Although I didn't do any calling personally, I did mail several letters. USPS should be feeling the love pretty soon. 
After finishing this post, I'll be curling up with a cup of tea and a reading assignment that's due tomorrow. At least one of the two is exciting.. 

My Tuesday that really felt like a Monday

November 13, 2012 Media Blog
  I woke up this morning, grabbed my phone and some earbuds, and headed to the gym for an early(ish) morning workout.  I listened to music while I was at the gym, and halfway watched TV.  There was a sports channel turned on which was recapping the latest football news.  While I was driving to and from the gym, I listened to a CD that one of my friends made for me.  It's an indie/alternative mix... one of those CDs where you can't help but belt out the words at full-volume.  I just have to be careful that I don't do that when my windows are down, otherwise there are some unhappily serenaded drivers cruising the streets of southwest Missouri. 
  After I went to school, I decided to check my email before class started. During class, both of my professors used a PowerPoint presentation for their lectures. 
  Since it was my turn to make dinner, I Googled a recipe (which actually turned out to be pretty dang tasty!) and made that this evening. 
  Tonight I had a work meeting that I had to attend. After I returned, my roommate was watching the pilot episode of Full House. Naturally, I had to finish the episode.  While I was watching that, I watched several commercials.  I saw movies, Shutterfly, Nature Valley, Honda and TV shows advertised. 
  Since I have a rather important test tomorrow, I cracked open a textbook tonight to study.  Yay for books! Of course I was interrupted from my studying by a phone call, but it was my dad, and he automatically trumps everything study related.  I've also texted some friends and checked Facebook and Twitter, which definitely aided my level of media-induced distraction. Surely I'll focus eventually...right? 
  I guess I've hit the end of my media journey for today though, so now, back to French. Au revoir. 

Sneaky Little Media..

November 8, 2012 Media Journal

  Once again, my day started out with a run.  Don't be impressed.  This really isn't a daily occurrence, it just happened to work out that two of the days that I blogged my morning started out this way.  Although I wished all of my mornings did start with a jog.  Those days are always refreshing. 
  When my alarm first went off this morning, I didn't want to actually get out of bed, but I knew that falling back asleep wouldn't yield good results. Instead, I compromised and checked Facebook. One of my friends posted that her class (which I'm also in) was cancelled for today. I immediately checked my email and I found that it was legit. I Glory Hallelujah-ed and fell back asleep. 
  After awaking for the second time today, I decided to go for a run.  I plugged in my headphones and hit the pavement to the tune of my playlist.  After I got back, I got ready for class while listening to Pandora.  I was treated to a lovely blend of Genesis, Christmas music, the Police, Jack's Mannequin and a motley variety of others. 
  My class was taught with the aide of a PowerPoint presentation.  After class I rifled through the Arkansas Traveler and the New York Times.  When I rode back to my dorm on my shuttle, country music was playing on the radio. 
  When I returned from class, I watched The Office and Friends.  There were several commercials on TV as well, advertising everything from Wreck-It Ralph to Progressive car insurance.  I've been on my phone and computer, looking at different social media sites, including Facebook and Twitter. 
  All in all, it was a very media laden day! 

Media Coverage of Election Day

November 6, 2012 - Media Coverage

  I started my day by going on a little jog.  Naturally, I had to listen to my running playlist, which included music from All Time Low, Cartel, Mayday Parade and a few others. 
  What do I see while jogging roadside?  All sorts of political advertisements.  There were yard signs, bumper stickers and even a cardboard cutout promoting a particular candidate.
  Throughout the day I've checked Facebook and Twitter.  Facebook of course has ads sprinkled throughout the page. Twitter, although not as many, still has a few "promoted posts."  Mainly though, I saw several election statuses and pictures of "I voted" stickers.
  During my classes today, each used  a powerpoint presentation.  I even watched a YouTube video in one of my classes. I had several books that I had to read, which those pretty well constitute the original media.
  I've been watching the election coverage throughout the evening. Aside from being media in and of itself, television is also chock full of ads. Who knew?
  In all honesty, the importance of media becomes dolefully obvious when there is something important going on, whether that is locally, nationally or even internationally. It's an important mode of communication.