Professor Buchwitz gave us a handout on the very first day of class that helps you to estimate how much media we really do utilize. I thought it was pretty cool so I started filling it out and before even finishing the whole handout, I came to the conclusion that media is a HUGE part of my life.

I wake up in the morning and the first thing I do is turn on my television. When I get into my bathroom to take my morning shower, I turn on my radio which is also in the bathroom. (I have this guilty pleasure of singing in the shower as if I have the best singing voice ever. Keep in mind that I'm the only person to ever hear me sing. =P ) After my shower, while getting dressed and applying on my makeup, for work, or for school, or for my usual long day, I am listening to my television programs. Also keep in mind that I do not actually "watch" these morning TV programs, but instead I'm merely listening to them. When driving to my designated locations for the day, I ALWAYS have my radio on. In the mornings I listen to my usual AM news/talk radio stations (810, 960, etc.) and in the evenings I am always listening to my cd's or my usual radio stations (106.1, 102.5, etc.). Right when I get home the first thing I do is turn back on the TV and it stays on until I fall asleep. Even after getting into bed and closing my eyes, the TV is still on because of this nifty function called "sleep". I put my TV on "sleep" so that I can fall asleep to the sound of the TV, and then after 30 mins or so, the TV turns itself off automatically.

I really never realized how much I used and depended on media and it's different mediums. It's to the point where having the TV on just feels comforting now. If it's off, it's way too quiet for me. Now, I'm not saying that this is a bad thing or a good thing. I think the media is a great phenomenon and I appreciate all that it gives me. It gives me comfort, entertainment, and useful, daily information. If one should call me a media-junkie after reading this particular blog, I would not be offended but instead gladly agree. =P

Good Evening Class/World,

This is my very first blog post. I'll try to make it as interesting as possible, here goes...

While watching television one night w/ my boyfriend, Tomas, an interesting conversation was sparked between us that hasn't left my mind. Our conversation started w/ the aspect of one day vacationing in South America and veered off into the discrepancies and/or differences w/ news given or seen in America compared to news given or seen in other countries. I was well aware of the fact that from time to time news may be fabricated or "altered" if you will to benefit certain individuals or a specific group as a whole, but I forgot how easy it can be to buy into that. I felt a little ignorant and naive trying to argue with Tomas the "evil-ness" of Hugo Chavez, declaring that his own people don't even like him, for an example, and then getting a rude awakening when he explained to me the contrary. He then went on to explaining the bitter relationship between the US and Chavez and went further by explaining that Chavez is actually well-liked and popular in Venezuela, and that what gets reported here in the US about him is only what our government wants us to believe.

What I was reminded of was the difference between news reported in the US and news reported outside of the US, that just because a certain story is being reported through a well-known newspaper or news program it doens't mean that it's the "only truth". There are many interpretations to stories and many differing reasons for different interpretations. I guess what I want to post tonight is a warning to absorb news/stories/information, but do it w/ an open mind and a smart enough mind to speculate and make your own investigations before making definite conclusions.