Warning: Visuals Aren’t ALWAYS Better December 2, 2009
Posted by hymerhasalison in Movies.Tags: Books, Movies, Visuals
add a comment
Don’t get me wrong, I am all for the visual aspect of things. Usually, I think a picture can enhance more senses and tell you more than just seeing words. However, that is not always the case. A major example that stands out in my head is books being turned into movies. I can honestly say, in my opinion, the movie is never as good as the book. I am a BIG reader so I usually read the books before seeing the movies. While I enjoy a few of them, the movies never compare to the books. You would think that all of the extra senses being stimulated by the movies would allow the movies to be just that much better. Maybe its just me, but the movies change the plot (in not a good way), cut things (that I find very important), and do not describe or show things as well. The movies have so much possibility, so I do not understand why they constantly fail to live up to my expectations. What gets me even more are the people who love the movies, but have never read the books. In my opinion, they are seriously missing out by claiming, “I don’t read.”
Now, for some examples. The first one that comes to my mind is “Harry Potter.” I started out reading these books years ago when I got the first one for Christmas. I immediately fell in love with the characters and plot, and quickly read all the books. Naturally, I was just as excited when they were turned into movies. However, I was extremely disappointed. Even though I have seen every “Harry Potter” movie so far, each time I walk away from the theatre saying, “The book was way better.” The same can be said of “Twilight” so far, and in this case I am an even bigger fan than “Harry Potter.”
My thoughts on why people prefer books? Let me start by asking a question, do you prefer your own dreams? Or someone else’s? How about the ability to create your own fantasies? Or seeing someone else’s? This is why reading is so much better. It enables each person’s mind to expand and create their own pictures of each scene. With reading, you can go back, reread a passage, ponder, and picture the characters different ways. The plot in a movie seems to whiz by with characters and scenes picked out for you. That is why, if you want your imagination or brain to grow, you should always choose to read a book.
I also found this website where it lists 20 movies that are better than their book counterparts. http://www.popcrunch.com/20-movies-better-than-the-books-they-were-based-on/ I am unsure how many of these I agree with, if any. But I am interested to know what you think. Everyone chime in! Tell me your opinion! Is there a certain movie that stood out as better than the book? Do you agree with me? No matter your opinion, I want to hear from you.
My Twitter Rampage December 1, 2009
Posted by singings21 in Uncategorized.Tags: Twitter
add a comment
All right, I’m stepping out on a limb with this blog post. I have a feeling that I am not filling the requirements of writing about a Twitter app with this, but I think it might work. Either way, I need to get this off my chest. I think that Twitter is a complete waste of time.
There, I said it. But let me elaborate a little. When I heard that one of the assignments for Prof Wolff’s module of Intro to Writing Arts was using Twitter three times a day, I was a little ticked. I don’t have time to even get on the computer every day, so I knew it was going to be a hard assignment to complete. It felt like a complete waste of time to make time to get on the computer to type less than 140 letters about random things. What is the point?
I started scrolling through the hundreds of applications on Twitter tonight, getting ready to write a blog article about one of them. Everyone of them was somehow linked to the Tweets or Tweetpics or any other variation of post made on Twitter, and again I said, What is the point?
What is the point of taking time to update people on what you are doing at random moments throughout the day. I’m not a movie star. I don’t do exciting things. No one cares if I am working, or doing homework, or even if I wrote something on my blog. If they were interested in my blog, they would check my blog, instead of going to Twitter, and then to my blog.
The apps on Twitter are interesting, if you have the time or inclination to use them. But why do you waste your time using Twitter? If you post on Twitter at least three times a day you are using approximately fifteen minutes a day when you count the time it takes to log in, post your Tweet, and then the other Tweets catch your eye and you check them, and then you comment back on some, and then you finally log out. If you post at least three times a day that is one hour and forty five minutes a week that could be spent on something worthwhile, like all the other homework assignments that your professors have given you.
Maybe this rampage is unwarranted. Maybe it is only the result of being incredibly stressed and overworked at the moment. But there is some sanity behind it. There is some part of me that regrets the time I have wasted on computer communication. Even Facebook has taken time from me that I regret giving. It has sucked time that could have been better used. On the days that I complain about not having time to spend with my family, my fiancée, and my friends I wish that I had that hour and forty five minutes (or more) that I used on the computer. I wish I had it back and I don’t want to regret it anymore in the future.
It’s True! A Picture Really Does Say A Thousand Words December 1, 2009
Posted by hymerhasalison in Vlogs.Tags: blog, pictures, vlog
1 comment so far
Youtube! The New Sensation November 30, 2009
Posted by hymerhasalison in Reader Responses, Vlogs.Tags: blog, vlog, youtube
2 comments
Watching the video “An Anthropological Introduction to YouTube” really opened my eyes to Youtube. The presentation starts with the statistics that there are over 9,232 hours of video uploaded everyday, which is about 200,000 3 minute videos. When looking at the length of some of the videos on Youtube, that number is unimaginable. Here is the video to watch for your viewing pleasure, which, oddly enough, was found on Youtube as well.
Although Youtube is a growing sensation, and the newest way for anyone to upload anything they find interesting, not everyone may be familiar with Youtube. This is why I’ll start with a brief introduction of “What is Youtube?”
Youtube is a place for anyone to upload anything they want, no producers, formal or casual. This means Youtube contains a large variety of videos that range from a proud parent showing off their baby, to a teenager expressing their feelings, and even wanna be singers and dancers. Are you looking for a video? Clip of show or movie? Music videos? People making fun of music videos? Yup, it can all be found at www.youtube.com
Youtube is a way to express your own personal creative talent through both visual and auditory. Any one search term can come up with millions of results, and you can literally search for anything.
It is interesting to see the way Youtube has been incorporated into the classroom learning environment. “An Anthropological Introduction to YouTube” says Youtube is all about new forms of community, expression and identity emerging, with 88% of their content being new and original. With all of the possibilities, it seems obvious that teachers would express new content through Youtube so students can relate. Also, students can now incorporate Youtube videos into their presentation to add to their projects. Many students now, including myself, say “What would we do without Youtube?”
It is also interesting how “An Anthropological Introduction to YouTube” looks at students making their first vlogs. It is a spin on blogs that is a little awkward at first, but with practice can be a valuable teaching tool. Students were nervous about how to wear their hair or what they should say, but as they got more comfortable in front of the camera, it allowed the audience to have a name and voice associated with the words.
This is a vlog of me reading my blog. It was a one take kind of deal, and you see that by how I stumble on some of my words and even get interrupted by my cell phone going off. However, now you can see this post read two ways, and you can decide for yourself what you like better?
What a Photograph Says November 28, 2009
Posted by singings21 in Uncategorized.2 comments
He was standing on a fence post, leaning half over, watching the “yeaves falling”. She stared down at the flower in her hand, her beautiful blue eyes pensive and soft. He toothlessly grinned, mouth wide open and eyes sparkling with excitement. All of them telling a story without saying a word.
Photography does that, speaks without saying anything. The words don’t tell the reader what really was happening. The first sentence doesn’t let you see the three year old who is fascinated with the fall colors. The toothless grinner could be an old man, not the six month old baby boy that he is. 
Photographs tell stories differently than words. They evoke emotion that can be interpreted differently by every viewer. In the written word, the author tells the reader what is happening. They describe the scene through their own viewpoint and that is the only viewpoint the reader will get. In a photograph the viewer interprets the scene for themself. This scene could be a back yard or a park or a fence in a cemetary. The viewer can look at a photograph and feel all kinds of emotion; nostalgia, laughter, peace, or anything that comes to them, rather than having the photographer tells them to feel.
As the photographer this can be a scary thing. I am used to being able to tell my readers how to interpret the scenes I set before them. When I take a picture I have no control over how it is viewed and I cannot be sure that the viewer will see what I saw in the picture. When I took this picture of my little buddy Jon I saw it as a perfect expression of Jon. But for someone who does not know him that expression will be lost. They will see him through the eyes of a stranger who can appreciate the quality of the picture and the sweetness of his expression.
They will look and come away with something. That is one of the main beauties of photography.Writers have to get someone to read their work to get a reaction. Photographers need only a glance to make an impression. Whether that impression is good or bad is the sign of a good photographer. A good photograph will get a second look.
Amandaphoto November 20, 2009
Posted by singings21 in Uncategorized.Tags: Twitter
add a comment
Amandaphoto is a wedding photographer in Indiana. She twits about the weddings she has shot, posting pictures and links to the blog she uses. Her follower list is full of people twittering about everyday things like homework and being sick. She is followed by one professional photographer and one charity program. It looks like some of her followers are people she has photographed. Her tweets are not very personal so her followers seem to be people with an interest in her photography rather than her personal life.
The list of people that Amandaphoto follows is a little more revealing. There is definitely a trend. Several people have twits about doing wedding photography. Others are focused on art or the technical end of photography. Amandaphoto is definitely very serious about her photography. She is following people with similar interests and staying up to date on the latest tips and hot spots that are out there. She is watching what other wedding photographers are doing and learning new things to improve her own work.
There are only 37 people following Amandaphoto and she is only following 16 people. It doesn’t look like she’s been using Twitter for very long but she has definitely been finding and following people selectively. I am interested to see what she puts up in the future and following her example by watching what she and other photographers are doing, and then integrating it into my own photography
Identity Crisis November 20, 2009
Posted by singings21 in Uncategorized.Tags: Facebook, Wordpress
add a comment
The Internet allows for many different identities. People can hide behind screen names and IDs that have nothing to link them to their real identity. There is a lot of room for anonymity because people can write whatever they want about themselves and there is rarely anyone who checks it. They are only words on a screen or a character in a game.
But so what? Is anyone being hurt by this anonymity? Do you really need to know who you are talking to when you get on AIM? Many Internet users do not even think about the fact that the other people on the computer are anonymous. My fiancée says he never even thought about the fact that the person he is talking to on Facebook might not be who they say they are. There have been days when he thought he was talking to my sister, Hannah, but he was actually talking to me. That’s no big deal to him. But it can be.
For kids who get on Facebook or Myspace and start talking to every person who sends them a friend request, anonymity can be dangerous. People who use these social networking websites as the base for kidnapping or sexual harassment will often set up an account that describes them as another kid. Because these children are not thinking about the idea that someone could be a threat to them on the Internet they will share personal information that allows these perverts to find them off the computer.
The Internet is causing an identity crisis. Not the kind that makes people question who they are. This crisis causes questions about who everyone else is. Stop and think about it next time you get on Facebook chat, or even WordPress. Who is writing and who are you really talking to? Who is hiding on the other end of cyberspace
1000+ Words in One Tweet, Made Possible with Twitpic November 19, 2009
Posted by hymerhasalison in Twitter.Tags: pictures, tweets, Twitpic, Twitter
add a comment
Ever hear anyone say, “Hey let’s take a Twitpic!” I know I have. As Twitter becomes more and more popular, this is becoming a a common phrase to hear.
Twitpic is a simple and easy way share photos on Twitter. If you have an IPhone there is an app called Twitpic that allows you to easily upload photos, but also, there are many other Twitter clients available that have built in support for twitpic. If you don’t have access to an internet ready phone, you can do it right from the computer at www.twitpic.com. The easiest part is if you already have a twitter account, whether you know it or not, you already have a Twitpic account! Use the login information from your Twitter, and you can easily access and manage your photos.
Being a future children’s book write (hopefully!) I am aware of the power of a picture. That is why one of my favorite things to include in my twitters are pictures. It can enhance what you are saying, and say so much more than you can get out in 140 characters.
For example, I could Twitter, “WOW! The sky is beautiful right now!”
Now, while most of my readers would probably believe me, my message would be enhanced a thousand times if I included a Twitpic like this
http://twitpic.com/q57dt
Didn’t that make my message 10 times more effective?
So for all you Twitter fans out there, take a look at Twitpic. Explore it, see what others have posted on Twitpic. You may be surprised at the amount of nice pictures out there…
Meet Chic Runner! November 19, 2009
Posted by hymerhasalison in Twitter.Tags: fashion, pictures, running, tweets, Twitter
add a comment
If it’s fashion you seek,
She’s very chic.
She can give you running advice too,
Wanna know who she is? I’ll give you a clue.
She… Runs, Shops, Talks, Blogs, and TWEETS about it all!
Her real name is Danica, but she goes by Chic Runner. She lives in California, so I was first introduced to her by my stalking skills networking within the digital world. Her tweets are fun, entertaining, and informative.
She also administers a clever and well written blog that deals with her interests and gives advice to anyone with running questions. Not only is it informative, but there are plenty of visuals and the design is very pleasing to the eye. You can check out her blog at www.chicrunner.com Her latest post from today is actually all about how much she is obsessed with her IPhone and Twitter! You can find that here http://chicrunner.com/its-just-an-extension-of-my-arm/
Her twitter list is filled with a variety of about 900 people who she follows and over 2000 who follow her. The popularity is from her blog, and her lists are mostly made up of runners. This is because she runs marathons, and always twitters pictures as she runs. Examples are…
and…
For those of us with similar experiences, it is fun to see her running her races.
She has about 15000 tweets, which means she was one of the early twitterers. Her tweets are fun, and encouraging.
If you love fashion or running I urge you to follow her at www.twitter.com/chicrunner
Twitter: It’s A Whole New World Waiting To Be Explored November 17, 2009
Posted by hymerhasalison in Reader Responses.Tags: David Silver, knowledge, tweets, Twitter
2 comments
I first signed up for Twitter a little over a year ago, and I’ll admit I was skeptical at first. This was back when my sister and boyfriend were my only followers, and I would post simply AMAZING (haha) tweets with no one to read them. Twitter sounded like a cool concept, but I needed more followers to really become interested in it. I am very into fashion and running, so when I found out a few of my blogger friends had Twitter about six months ago, I became instantly hooked!
Now, with the help of my IPhone and Twitterific, I can instantly connect to anyone with the same interests as me. Through Twitter I learned so many new and interesting things. Many think, 140 characters? How much can I possibly say that would be of value in so little space?But let me tell you, I have learned so much through Twitpics, hyperlinks, and tags.
This is why I found David Silver’s article, “The Difference Between Thick and Thin Tweets” so interesting. Anyone who thinks knowledge cannot be found on Twitter needs to read Silver’s blogpost which can be found here: http://silverinsf.blogspot.com/2009/02/difference-between-thin-and-thick.html
In this post, he talks about trying to accustom his students to writing more in their tweets than just “I made a sandwich” or “I am tired.” Although these facts can be interesting to some, others want to learn and explore through the tweets. Silver says, “thick tweets convey two or more layers of information. they often, but not always, include a hyperlink that takes readers from twitter to another source of information – a newspaper article, a blog post, a flickr set, a video.” With this I completely agree.
If there is still confusion, here are some examples taken directly from my Twitter following list, but inspired by David Silver.
teachersnetwork Teachers Without Borders Writing Contest starts tomorrow! Register now on Helium.com http://bit.ly/1ajFAI
Here is where someone I follow, that also has to do with my major, alerted me of a contest that can also stretch my writing skills. In 140 characters or less, they successfully told me what was coming up, and gave me a link in case I wanted to learn more.
Twitter can also include visuals to further show the point you are trying to make. Since I believe visuals can really make the message, I frequently do this in my tweets. Here is an example from my own personal Twitter account, which you can follow here: http://twitter.com/alison55555
Alison55555: There is one who always waits for me to come home 
http://yfrog.com/j39kej
Now, readers of my tweet might be confused at first. Yes, one always waits for me, but who? After examining the picture, readers can see it is my dog.
Silver ends with, “i’m trying to teach my students how to craft creative, meaty, and to-the-point messages that attract other people’s attention.” Isn’t that the whole point of Twitter? To share our knowledge with the world, and connect with others who have the same interest.
As more professionals, businesses, and celebrities jump on the band wagon each day, Twitter is still just warming up. Twitter is more than just a silly way to say what you are doing, within there is so much more to reach out to. Also, it can be done right through your phone, how much more convenient can you get? So get out there and share your knowledge. My recommendation is to start Twittering now before you are left behind!
singings21
hymerhasalison
spete
