At the end, you often reflect on the beginning

For one of my final blogs (for this class anyways) I started to think about the beginning. I enjoy blogging, but never really had much direction. I found with a media focus, to be writing mostly about all the media things I already love. On that note, here is another television blog. Today ends shark week. Every year about this time, the Discovery Channel dedicates and entire week to sharks. I love it. I want more of it. Let's dedicate a whole month! I love that they take a week and year after year come up with riveting programing that educates and enlightens you on a creature that is often cast in a negative media light. They cannot speak, and thus cannot defend themselves when they attach and person or a seal. They are represented as monsters of the sea, killing without reason. I love that the Discovery channel gives a voice to these misunderstood creatures. They are not just mindless killers, but are intelligent creatures that have evolved over millions of years. Thank you shark week for completing my summer.

Relaxing

Work is starting to gear up for the school year, and with that I have approximately 3 weekends left of freedom. Once the school year starts, I basically live at work for the last week of august, and the first 2 weeks of September. So in honor of this, I am dedicating this weekend to relaxing. Last night I enjoyed staying up a little later and watching 2 episodes of the wire. Today I did all my laundry (relaxing for me....) and just laied in a pool for about 2 hours with a waterproof book, reading stories about swimming by Oates, Heminway, and Updike. Now, I am helping to prepare for a tailgating fiesta with my boyfriend, his brother, and cousin. We are going to the New England Revolution game this evening. I plan on having a few beers, eating some deliciously grilled entres and enjoying one of my favorite summer past times, watching the New England Revolution kick some DC United butt.

It's too late for prop 8.

With all the driving I've been doing this week (my parents were in new york and I was house sitting... going from work, to their house, and then back home) and subsequently listening to a lot of NPR's All Things Considered. It seems to make the drive go by much faster, and I should know this since when I drove across country to Oklahoma the most time seemed to pass when listening to an Audio Book. I think someone talking to you via the airwaves just passes time faster. Anyways, I've been feeling very news involved this week. I know about how BP finally started pumping mud into the oil well and it is going well. (I didn't mean for that to rhyme). They are now contemplating pumping in cement. There was the horrific active shooter incident at a beer distributer in Connecticut, and most importantly (to me anyways) a Federal judge ruled that Prop 8 in California is unconstitutional. All of these things happened this week, and I feel more informed about these issues. I like that I could have a lively debate on these issues, and know the facts behind them. Some weeks I pay more attention to the News than others, and I should just make a consistent effort to know what is going on in the world. Perhaps that is a goal for the rest of the summer, know more about news!

AMC Sundays

Tonight Mad Men season 4 premiers on AMC. I cannot tell a lie, I have only seen a few episodes over the past 4 seasons and generally I have no idea what is going on. All I know is that Zoey Bartlett (West Wing complete series... President Bartlett's youngest daughter... ad I have no idea what the actress's name is) is on the show. Also that it is about an Ad agency in New York. I think this show is actually a great medium to examine our current media through. It gives a window into the 1960s and how products were pushed. I think looking at the past is a great window into our present and future. It also makes me want to look like a movie star. My normal garb includes jeans, t-shirt, and flip flops. These girls are in heals and dresses everyday. It makes me think of my Grandmother too. During the 1960s she worked on Madison Avenue for a real estate company doing the closings on high end apartments/condos in the city. As an adult she had crooked toes, and she always used to tell me she liked to her heals to be HIGH and she was paying for it later on in life. I can only imagine how much of a fashionista she must have been.

On the Road Again

As I previously posted I'm heading to Maine, in oh about 15 minutes or so. I am so excited for the wedding, as it is really the first one of our group of friends to get married... and by that I mean that EVERYONE is going! I'm so excited. My friend Kelly is even in from San Diego (she just moved there). I think what I am loving the most about the start to this weekend, is the road trip that is about to ensue! I love driving with a purpose for a long period of time and knowing when you get to the end there will be lobster rolls, or whatever else you might find at the end of your trip. I love making a mix on my ipod for the occasion. I love road games and finding those off the beaten path places when taking a road trip. I drove from Massachusetts to Oklahoma about 4 years ago and I have to say that was one of the all time greatest road trips. I think the media might play into this notion of the American Road trip as well. There are tv shows that drive around the country looking for good food, and movies that portray the freedom of the open road. Well hollywood, you got me. I've bought into the perception, and I LOVE IT. Bring it on Maine!

Reality Television:

I have mentioned this before, but I watch far to much television. Currently I am watching Bethany Getting Married?... I have last night's episode dvr'd. Reality television is my vice. I love it, I need it, I want more of it! I know its stupid. Why would I bother wasting my time by watching someone else's life taped and edited on television? I have no idea!! But I LOVE IT. Its funny and entertaining, and mindless. I think after a whole day of thinking and thinking and doing and doing that mindless television is just something I can have on and not pay total attention too, but I can tune in and out and not really miss much. Currently Bethany's assistant was sent out to buy her post pregnancy underwear. See funny! Also, I am going to Maine tomorrow, two of my friends are getting married tomorrow! Lobster Roll here I come!

What to Listen For

On my 45 minute ride to and from work everyday, I usually have two options for my listening pleasure. In the morning it's usually Toucher and Rich on 98.5 The Sports Hub, and my Ipod on the way home. But the last couple of days, I plugged myself into NPR on the WGBH station out of Boston. I'm not usually one to listen to the news, I mean I do listen to some NPR pod-casts, but I typically watch my nightly news so I feel somewhat connected with the world. I have to say, it has been wonderful. I forgot how much I loved the news stories, and the quirky things they cover on all things considered. Also, I have a new found love for the Tour de France, and guess what!? Today on NPR I got an in-depth update about stage 17 through the highest peaks of the Pyrenees! I forgot that this is why I love radio so much, and the reason I am a COMM major. It is a medium where you can literally cover anything in the world, and make an audio story to go along with it. YAY NPR!