In the End, I Have Spoken my Piece

Over time, I have noticed that my style of writing has changed but, not too drastically. I find myself normally writing in a very witty or even sarcastic way. I feel that by writing this way, it brings some type of humor and enjoy ability to my writing for the audience and even myself. Like many of my online posts, I try to write about things that I feel the audience would find amusing and quite funny themselves but, when I tried doing a more serious piece for my Reflective Essay, many people did not “get it,” as I did not hope for..I found that I did not not have as many troubles with my essays that were funny, only because I was stating the obvious.

For many comedians or even somebody who is just a “funny” person, the thing that makes them funny is the fact that they take very everyday, obvious, events or things and simply state what they see. Then to make things just a little better, these people normally go off on little “ tangents.” Its this type of bluntness and “little fits,” that makes the humor. I for one, am a huge fan of doing this. In my piece “A Click of a Button or a Journey through the Seven Levels of Hell?!” I used the elements of stating the obvious combined with a type of controlled tangent. I simple stated what it was like to go shopping online Vs. Shopping at a store in the flesh.

“Normally when you want to go shopping it starts out fun, but always has the pit falls of the whole consumer driven attitude...There is almost always traffic, fighting for parking, dodging pedestrians with there carts, and five children following behind, or the people that have to re-park and adjust 80 times. The next level of Hell is, trying to not become one of these so called “pedestrians,” and making it completely intact inside the store; this also goes for finding a cart and making sure it works without squeaking, pulling to one side, or any other hang ups. Now we come to Purgatory, were the actual shopping takes place; you can either find exactly what you want in a split second, or you can spend endless hours looking for what you want and when you find “it,” its either not your size, broken, or too much to afford (unless you take out a small loan.)”

Like I stated before, I love to use this type of writing. After reading great authors and poets who use this type of satire I became quite fond of it and decided to use it myself. Yet I find that when I want to express my ideas in a more serious way, people don’t respond to it quite as well.

I love to read lots of different pieces of older literature and love learning about art, so when it came down to my reflective essay I chose to do a piece primarily based on the “humanities.” In my piece,"Life as Humanities has taught it to be," I wrote about my encounters with John Locke, Descartes, Plato, the art of dissection and ancient Chinese calligraphy: all things with I feel really mean something to me.
“When it comes to art, I am always learning new ways of painting, drawing, or even sculpting, but its things like these I can’t just read about in a book and automatically know how to do them; I have to experience them. “

Yet, when it came down to the peer reviews in class, many people seemed to not fully understand, or have no prior knowledge of these things thus, I didn’t get the high praise I expected. It was almost like they were bored? When it did finally come down to the grade of my paper, I earned quite high marks but, still I wanted the audience to like it more and I felt that even though I like to write more seriously, people don’t always appreciate it.

Through out this semester, I have learned a lot about the type of writer that I am. I am the type of writer that wants to make the audience laugh and really feel like they have a connection to the piece when they read it. There for, I write about more than obvious things that often come out very blunt and tend to have little tangents on the topic, here and there. It’s these types of pieces that get the ‘high reviews.’ As for my more serious style, I find myself writing much more passionately and about things that I really care about. I found that when I write like this, my peers won’t always like it more or for that matter really appreciate the elements in the writing but, that’s not there fault. They simply like other things, and that’s okay. So, in the end I found that as a writer, I put a lot of myself and my emotions in my pieces, and that in the end I feel very secure about each and every one because, in the end I’ve spoken my peace.

She Works "Hard" for the Money..

The magazine cover that I chose to analyze was from Vibe. The cover clearly shows woman as being sex objects, made for men’s entertainment, and unable to really be noticed unless they are naked or close enough. On almost every cover that the magazine puts out, there is always a woman standing in a provocative position, cast in a seductive lighting.
While the magazine itself is directed towards a more "hip-hop crowd,’’ it also applies a lot to African Americans. As such, many hip-hops, R&B, and other entertainers grace the covers. For example, Ashanti, Janet Jackson, and other sexy woman show off.

Like the pictures above, it just goes to show how woman are now;

"..Bitches and hoes, in the hip hop culture… (A Letter to hip-hop)"
All the woman above are in hip hop and very successful, yet why are they portrayed in such a degrading way? The only way to answer this question would have to be as simple as saying,

"Sex sells"

While they have money the only reason they do is because they are good looking and draw a large crowd. Still why do they pose so sexy if they have money and people already think they are sexy? They do it because it sells themselves more, as well as the magazine. If the woman above were clothed in business suits or maybe baggy clothes that men were in the hip hop culture people wouldn’t be opted to buy the magazine. There for, we can assume that the majority of people that buy this magazine are men.

Men are always looking for beautiful woman; its human nature to idolize beauty. The book clearly talks about the cultures of the world and how beauty and sex are a huge part of every different one. As for Americans, we love to combine the two but, add a lot more sex. The easiest way to describe this would be to go back, and look at the positions that the woman are in on the magazine covers.

All of the women on the covers are in very provocative and very suggesting positions. The first one takes on more of a fetish side; almost dominatrix like. The woman is posing in a tight leather suite and has her Dari air clearly being pushed forward. The third is Janet Jackson holding her bare breast, wearing only a ley and a small pair of bikini bottoms. This cover screams sex, and that that’s the only reason why she’s posing. The second I saved for last because I felt that it was the most suggestive and degrading. The woman is clearly "under-dressed," and in a typical position associated with sex. Its seems that no matter how rich they are they still choose sex as their weapon, along with the photographers and the CEO’s of the Vibe Magazine company.

I know....I'm an Ass...

This is the last time I have to blog in a free-write!!!This is the last time I have to blog in a free-write!!!This is the last time I have to blog in a free-write!!!This is the last time I have to blog in a free-write!!!This is the last time I have to blog in a free-write!!!This is the last time I have to blog in a free-write!!!This is the last time I have to blog in a free-write!!!This is the last time I have to blog in a free-write!!!This is the last time I have to blog in a free-write!!!This is the last time I have to blog in a free-write!!!This is the last time I have to blog in a free-write!!!This is the last time I have to blog in a free-write!!!This is the last time I have to blog in a free-write!!!This is the last time I have to blog in a free-write!!!This is the last time I have to blog in a free-write!!!This is the last time I have to blog in a free-write!!!This is the last time I have to blog in a free-write!!!This is the last time I have to blog in a free-write!!!This is the last time I have to blog in a free-write!!!

This is the last time I have to blog in a free-write!!!This is the last time I have to blog in a free-write!!!This is the last time I have to blog in a free-write!!!This is the last time I have to blog in a free-write!!!This is the last time I have to blog in a free-write!!!This is the last time I have to blog in a free-write!!!This is the last time I have to blog in a free-write!!!This is the last time I have to blog in a free-write!!!This is the last time I have to blog in a free-write!!!This is the last time I have to blog in a free-write!!!


“.............AND I’M SPENT!!!!.................”

You Know You Look Stupid Right???

I was recently watching an old episode of “The Jay Leno Show,” and little, Miss. Dakota Fanning was on. Like I said this was an old episode so thus, Jay asked her what she would like for Christmas. To my surprise, she didn’t want an I-Pod or another role in some multi-million dollar movie...no.....she wanted a f*ing stroller to push her dog around in...

WHAT THE HELL!!!!!!

First off, let me start by saying something very important...DOGS HAVE LEGS AND WERE MADE AND STILL CAPABLE OF WALKING!!!! Dogs are meant to walk and run around and GOD FORBID, they are even meant to play fetch and get dirty.

I swear, I really don’t see the need in pushing a dog around or, for that case carrying it on your shoulder in some prissy little purse. I can see why babies need that at a young age, but dogs at eight weeks or even months older, can walk because, they are ANIMALS!!! They were made to try walking at an early age...not babies.

So over all, Im just saying if you have one of these “purses” or strollers, just know you look stupid...that’s what people actually think of them...they are not cute. People just tell you that because they want to see you act like a fool when you go on, and on talking about where you got it and how much your “baby” likes it. ITS OKAY TO LET YOUR DOG WALK! Get it a pretty collar, but not those things. Plus, now that you know how most people think of them, just image being the dog and having to deal with what other dogs say.....pretty harsh. LOL

Really...IS IT A NEED!!!??!?!

At the beginning I found that no one farted, burped loud, or even really wanted to go to the bathroom, for fear that the other person would hear the other, when my boyfriend and I started "dating." Over the years, this all has seemed to change quite a bit. Now, he farts, BELCHES, and even feels free to leave the bathroom door open.

I think that its funny, more than anything, knowing that he feels comfortable enough to do all this stuff around me now. I find that many guys( and even some girls) just stress about these things in the first few months of dating. Its like that movie, "Along Came Polly," when Ben Stiller, is trying to go to the bathroom, and turns on the shower so "Polly" won’t hear but in turn makes a huge mess. I think that people do things as ridiculous as this, because we are trying to impress the other person so much that, all those years your mother told you to "be on your best behavior," seem to activate, as if it were on autopilot. It’s only when you know where your going in the relationship that you can switch it off.

Taco Flavored Kisses

Meat vs. Veggies...

Since the beginning of man, meat has always been a staple for the developing brains of past ancestors. It was the protein and the nutrients from the meat that made their brains able to grown bigger and in return they were able to start thinking and acting in new ways. They were also able to develop more muscle and quickly. If this truly is the case, than why are so many people becoming vegetarian?

Many people just recently have taken to the way of the vegetarians, whether it be a hard core Vegans or a more laid back type that chooses to eat dairy products but no meat. Overall though, these people seem to be healthy if not healthier than the people that eat meat. Even with the theory that first descendents of humans ate meat and developed bigger brains isn’t a totally valid argument for people to actually eat meat.

Back in the age of the early humans’ food was much different and more limited to what we have today. Like meat, beans, nuts, and other types of food are packed with protein; there are also protein bars and supplements. Therefore you do not need meat to take in protein. Then there is the argument that people need to eat meat in order to gain strong muscles. Not true.

It has actually been scientifically proven that vegetarian babies, children, and young adults grow faster due to the fact that their bodies don’t have to process the complex tissues of meat, along with added hormones and other chemicals.

Overall, vegetarians are much healthier that people that eat meat, due to the fact that they do not need to eat it in order to obtain and retain protein. Also, muscles will not be affected by the lack of eating meat, due to the body obtaining protein through other means that are not as harsh or complex for the body to use energy and time to try and process. Thus, vegetarians are just as healthy, if not healthier than people that eat meat. Its all based on preference.

Reflection Picture

Fire rips through the forest taking lives of all types of animals: large, small, weak, strong; the fire has no mercy. The fire even crawls over the land and into suburbs, destroying homes, businesses, and even taking the lives of humans. It’s when I see images like this that I begin to get butterflies in my stomach and a lump builds in my throat as tears well up in my eyes. The reason why I get this type of reaction so strong is because my boyfriend is one of the few people that actually go into the depths and face the fire up close and personal. My boyfriend is a US Fire Service fireman. He goes down every summer to Cibola, New Mexico to do the job. The job is tough and dangerous but he does it because like me he loves the mountains and when we see how destructive the fire is he jumps to the rescue.

Anymore I am beginning to see more of these images and videos on the television because the weather is starting to heat up. It will happen as I’m flipping through the channels and I’ll catch a glimpse on the MSN channel or CNN. I just get so worried that that is what my boyfriend will face again this up and coming summer. Than I start to think of why he does it and how much I would love to see what looks like the fires from the depths of hell, destroying the beautiful landscape, be defeated and put out.

Observation

Cold, white, shadows, walls support the propped up “Wheel Barrel” by Cal Lane. The floors are wood with a dark cherry staining. The only thing that you can see that is not the piece of art itself is what looks to be an electrical out-lit to the right of the Wheel Barrel and to the left what looks like a shadow of a dresser or small table. Then there is the Wheel Barrel itself.

The “Wheel Barrel” has a dark, black, matted finish and contrast well with the white walls. Then there is the actual art of the Wheel Barrel. Through out the whole metal base of the barrel is an intricate pattern of Mexican flowers. Like lace, the spaces go all the way through the metal, creating a type of negative space against the white wall. Also, even though the barrel is missing pieces, the pattern connects the whole thing together still by thin pieces of metal. Plus, the wheel barrel is not taken apart, and is completely intact; base, handles, one wheel. What makes the barrel stand out, not only because of its color against such a blank wall, but would also have to be the lighting and shadows pictured.

There seems to be a “glow” around the wheel barrel, and the corners of the picture shadowed. There also seems to be a very prominent glow towards the bottom left of the wheel barrel on the wall. This light is very intense and seems to be the light source. The reason being is, there is a very distinct shadow on the side ‘closest to the viewer, right in front of the wheel that casts a shadow of the wheel barrel itself.

Life as "Humanitis" has taught it to be

This year has been mainly (for me ) a year full of experiences, and I, the tabula rasa in which all that I has happened I learned from. I truly believe what John Locke had to say about being a blank slate and form that all that happens to us, gets inscribed on this slate, as an experience in which we learned form. Yet I did have opinions that arose from the cogito (“I think therefore I am” and “I am a thing that thinks”). This was mainly because of my ability to reason and make decisions, just like Descartes speaks of. Some things that I learned from through experience have to do with art, and the art of dissection.

When it comes to art, I am always learning new ways of painting, drawing, or even sculpting, but its things like these I can’t just read about in a book and automatically know how to do them; I have to experience them. When it came to learning how to oil painting, I had to actually paint the picture in order to know how to do it. With oil painting I had to experience the why the paint and thinner smelt, the way the paint handled on the canvas, the way to blend the rich colors and how they blended as the painting became more complete. It was clear now that the once blank canvas that I started with now had meaning and life to it; just like my tabula rasa, before and after this experience. The art of dissection is the same as painting, in a sense that you can read about it and how, but you will never really know how, until you actually try it.

Sure there are tons of books on the art of dissection, the proper way to do it, and what you’ll look for and find, but it’s not the same as when you actually do it. When dissecting you get the experience of actually feeling parts of the body (rat or sheep, etc.)Like the strange, micro-spongy, wet lungs, or see and feel the difference in slicing through fatty tissue and muscle. This was an experience that I learned from that will really make an impact on my life, now that I have been accepted into a pre-med program. From this I was able to experience these things first-hand, rather than watching someone (which would be another type of experience in itself) or trying to imagine it, while reading about it. Still, even in art and dissection, as well as other things, my cogito must be used in order to make logical and rational decisions or actions.
Descartes as a rationalist believes that all the knowledge that we obtain comes from the basic knowledge of reasoning and understanding basic abstract principles. From this cogito was made and is famous for its meaning, “I think, therefore I am,” and “I am a thing that thinks.” It’s this type of philosophy that can be seen in techniques of art that was done this year, Chinese calligraphy, and when reading the Allegory of the Cave.

When asked to choose and copy a picture exactly, without tracing, your mind begins to analyze the problem and how to come up with a solution. Many people chose to take the approach of breaking the picture into even grid sections, than making an exact replication of that grid on a blank piece of paper. From here they began copying sections of the grid, one by one, onto the blank grid; thus when finished they would get an exact copy (of close to it) of the original picture. Others simply chose to just look at the picture as they copied it onto a blank sheet, but where not as successful. I on the other hand, chose to use a technique called, “Fine-Point drawing.” With this type of technique I was able to rationalize the quality of my final product, in both likeness and image clarity (unlike all the people that had done grids and had that displayed on their final copy) and used fine points or dots, to mark out an outline of the image. Overall it was a, connect the dots approach. It was this type of rational thinking that allowed me to come up with a basic approach to a larger, more complex problem. This same type of reasoning was also used when trying to learn Chinese calligraphy.

In Chinese calligraphy, there is more to it than just lines and dashes, in which make up a character, which than is grouped and becomes part of a poem or another form of literature. Chinese calligraphy defiantly made my sense of cogito come out in the sense that I realized I couldn’t just make the dashes or lines, but as a “thing that thinks,” I had to think about how to do them the correct way. In order to get the correct shape for each character, every line and dash had to be just right. A lot of this had to do with the amount of pressure that was applied to the paper as the black, ink-soaked, brush pushed and glided across it. All of this had to do with me thinking and figuring out the “trick,” of using my wrist and not my hand. Than after I had gotten a hold of the characters, reading Tu Fu’s poetry and others became easier to appreciate. Another piece of literature that I had to use reasoning and in the end appreciated a lot more was, Allegory of the Cave.

The Allegory of the Cave is about a slave that is brought to a cave and shackled to a wall, from where he can see a show of horses and people made by a shadow cast on a wall by a fire in the distance. The slave then is taken to the outside world and sees that his once “play” of horses and men was not just imagined but really did happen. For the slave in this piece of literature, he used his cogito to understand and reason with the idea that he was not imagining all of those shadows as just things in the shadows but that they were really shadows of living, breathing, things. Then I had to reason and think about the reading as well. I was asked to read the Allegory of the Cave and than draw a picture of how the slave must have seen the images on the walls. I really had to think about the reading, and even had to re-read parts of it over and over, just to convince myself that I was doing it right…or some what right. This took a lot of concentration, and that is something that only “I” could do. “I think, therefore I am,” made this possible. Plus “ I am a thing that thinks,” was really evident because if I wasn’t able to have thoughts or opinions of my own, the slave nor I would be able to reason through the problem of the shadows.

From all of these different views of rationalism and empericalism, you really can learn. I do find that when I come to learning from experience, you do actually use a lot of logic and rationalism. For example, when dissecting you do learn a lot that could never be taught in any book. Still cogito allowed me to make a logical decision about how far down to cut, what to cut, and what not to cut. Still the main connections that I found was that all the things I used to show John Locke’s theory of tabula rasa were things that were very hands on and very visual. All of these things were things that only books could try to teach and describe, but you would never get the full-effect until you actually did it; thus learning from. The things that I used to show Descartes rationalist view were more concentrated on the cogito and the idea that “I am a thing that thinks.” The ‘Fine-point” drawing, Chinese calligraphy, and Allegory of the Cave all use reason to figure out how to solve a problem or challenge. Plus the last two examples were both pieces of literature that “I” read in my head and figured out, and appreciated the fundamentals of the text. This all took an effect on my life that I will never forget.

Rockabilly Punk-Rocker, ...you are not sir...

So, what do you do when you absolutely hate your boyfriends’ roommate/ good-buddy?


YOU PLOT REVENGE!!!!!

Where should I even begin to start when talking about a self proclaimed rebel without a cause, “I do what I want,” prick. Well, let’s start at the basics. I never got a thank your for months when I cooked dinner or cleaned the apartment. Nope, I never got that. Instead I got insulted all day, had to finish the fights he picked with me about crap he knew nothing about but, thought that he did ( cause he knows everything.) I could honestly go on and on, but the thing that really made me started loathing him was, when he started to wedge his fat Dari air into my relationship with his “once” good friend and I.

First, let me give you a little background first on the “problem himself.” He totally idolizes James Dean (Rebel without a cause) Elvis Presley, and was once in the U.S. Air force, but didn’t learn any discipline since he thought his was ALWAYS better. He is one of those guys that (girls, you will totally understand; maybe even some guys) that gets on the Myspace site, and sends random emails, to random girls. Seriously, he actually spends most of his time on Myspace and looks for girls to “hit-on.” Now these emails don’t say anything like,

“You are so beautiful I just had to tell you,” or “I couldn’t help notice we have the same major; who’s your professor?”

No, he truly has degraded himself. He sends things that resemble that of what a two year old would say; random, broken thoughts, and completely useless. It’s all just to get their attention. I don’t know how it works. I guess they read it and think they might know him after all, and reply. Either way, its scary and sad to think about.

Well after he chit-chats a while to these girls, he takes them out on a date, being and saying all the right things; anything to get laid. That, my friend, is his whole goal; to get laid with the littlest effort and reality of knowing these girls. That’s his biggest fault though. He acts COMPLETELY different towards them! they start drinking, “wam, bam, thank your ma’am,” and he’s happy. Its only later that he realizes what a jack ass he is and has to try and deal with three psycho, bi-polar, and clingy girls texting and calling him all the time. Still he thinks that it is a good idea to try and have my boyfriend do it behind my back. He started sending him emails saying:

“Make a different account with a picture of a cat or something. Gen can’t find out though. Don’t worry dude, I’ll teach you how to tag online.”


So obviously when I DID FIND OUT and the crap hit the fan. I trust my guy fully and thus he knows my full plans of revenge. A list of ways to start:

*Skunk oil under the door handles of his vehicle
*Cayenne Pepper or Itching powered between the sheets of his toilet paper
*“Salt Peter” in his food and drinks ( it makes an erection impossible for hours)
*Fish in the seats of his vehicle.
*Short sheeting his bed ( the least of his problems)
*Etc.

So overall, it doesn’t look to good for him.

WHAT WILL BECOME OF US???

The need to be different from the stigma of overly paid bad actors and rappers. The ability to adapt to a sub culture and the ability to isolate yourself from the general population; this is exactly what this guy did not do. He has set himself away from the general population. He has no worries about being himself and letting go of what other people think. Too many times American culture has put a stigma across the nation to blend in and conform to what is expectable. Whether it’s doing everything in the fashion magazines or being a ‘Goth;’ way clothes, accessories and lifestyles conform to certain standards. This man has done the complete opposite. He has taken a life a tattoo’s and piercing to the ultimate extreme; a complete taboo.

To do something so taboo normally gets negative attention, but for the man in the picture it has spiked interest and even got him fame for his different look. The fame, in which he gained, was not from being a movie star, singer, or model, but for being himself and not caring what other people thing. Makes you think, huh? Why couldn’t every person learn from this man? It doesn’t mean that they should tattoo and pierce their face and body to the extreme but, to care about what they think about themselves and not what others want to think for them. So like this man, it all came down to letting loose and doing what he wanted with his body and his life, that has made him stand out to the American population; not conforming to society and the media.

Well, at least they lived a long life that didn't go un-noticed

I find it amazing that so many people find others’ life’s to be worth following. The primary example that really makes my point clear is the blog that I read. The blog was from a web site called city pages, under a section called ‘Corpus.’ In the blog, were more than a dozen people that had all died, but were still being remembered for what they had done in their lives.

These people were not just any people but, rather people that had helped contribute to American culture, technology, the movies, or even helped out when it came down to Civil Rights’ Movements. I read about people that had made costumes for movies and won, and people who had draw Archie comics. None the less, I read all of the individual stories on the blog with such ease that it made each and everyone very enjoyable.

While reading, I noticed that the stories of these peoples life’s was that the conventions were the things that made them all so easy to read. By every title of each “story,’ there was almost always a picture that could relate. For example, next to the story about Star Trek’s Abraham Lincoln character dying, there was picture of the actor. These pictures were nice since for some of the people, I had no idea who they were, so by having a picture I could see who they were writing about. If there wasn’t a picture right next to the titles, I could always use the Hyper-links provided through out the blog.

The Hyper-links were used very well throughout the blog. I also use pictures and hyperlinks too but, as far as hyper-links go, there was a lot more used in the blog I read. In just about every story there was no less than five hyper-links in each one. Everyone of these, was used to help support the story and helped me when I read something, didn’t know what it was, and needed to look it up. It was all right there.

Overall, I liked the blog that I read. I felt that while reading the blog, I could see why these people helped out in America. As I stated before, the people I read about helped with American culture, the entertainment business, technology, and Civil Rights movements. I also learned that while they contributed they also lived long lifes. This was a nice change overall to read about people who died and contributed, rather than stupid, celebrity relapses.

The Fabulous Life: Squirrels

Everyday we pass them. Everyday we feed them. Everyday we think how cute or how diseased. Squirrels; they are everywhere. From the beautiful forests around Leadville, to the busy streets and city lights of Denver. I decided to observe squirrels not because I like them or even if I was concerned about their well being living such a metropolitan. No, I chose to do squirrels because I couldn’t think of anything better to observe. After thinking for a while on what it was exactly I was going to observe about squirrels, I began to think about the metropolitan area and just how the little devils managed to survive.

Thus my observations will consist of : Behavioral differences, size and color differences, and how they interact with humans. Based off of these, I planed to document and see very different data based off the squirrels living environments and conditions. So, my hunt began.

I began my observations in Downtown, Denver on the Auraria Campus. Here many squirrels can be seen daily and are often surrounded by giggling, school girls, whom are naturally taken by they’re large dark eyes, and bushy tails. Little do they know that they are infested with rabies, and are not as cute and cuddly as they may think? It all started on Thursday morning around ten o’ clock, near the patio of the North Classroom. I sat under the shade of a fixed umbrella and tried to get as comfortable as I could in a fixed, wire, mesh chair. It wasn’t long till I had my first squirrel encounter.

Creeping up right in front of me was a very curious and very plump squirrel. I was very surprised to find that even if I did not have really anything at all, (only a notebook and a writing utensil) the squirrel seemed to act as if I had more. Something that was important to him/her. I soon realized that, that something that seemed to be expected of me to have was food. Not any type of nut, berry, or anything that you would normally expect squirrels to eat but rather, factory made, pre-processed human food. It was soon after that I realized that not having food for the squirrel was the only issue.

When the squirrel realized that I was trying to ignore it, and not paying any attention to it, the squirrel seemed to get upset and quite aggressive. The squirrels was no longer looking at me with intense eyes but, instead started to run right towards me, making little “chattering” noises. Scared I got up quickly and relocated the other side of the patio. As soon as I was repositioned and comfortable again, I noticed several girls moments after I left tossing tid-bits of food, and calling the squirrel over as if it were some type of domestic animal. The tiny squirrel than very quickly, without hesitation ran over to the crowd and began to eat away at the food with she had placed in her hand. That’s when it hit me. The squirrels were not being called as if they were domestic animals; they had become domestic animals.

It’s the type of people interaction that has molded the “city squirrel,” into a very well fed and kept animal. People daily are not only, hand feeding the animals personally, but setting out trash bins, and dumpsters with tons of easily accessible treats and goodies for the squirrels to much on. It is this type of adaptation to metropolitan areas that has made not only the squirrels’ social behavior different but also their appearance.

The squirrels that are often found in busy suburbs and major cities have adapted to their new living environment. They are not as tiny and cute anymore but rather have been able to evolve into larger animals. For example: the squirrels on campus have very large bone structures (like that of a small cat), have very plump bodies, and have lighter coats. These types of variables were all changed based off of human interference. In such a metropolitan area, the squirrels no longer face some of their natural enemies like they would in the wild. This means that, they are able to grow much larger skeletal frames, because they no longer have to hide in small spaces of climb as fast into high trees. Another human interference that has allowed the “city squirrels” to do so well is, the squirrels no longer have to hunt and forage for food, like they would in the wild. Since people supply “smorgusborges” in dumpster and factory made treats served from the palms of our hands, squirrels build up more body fat; food is always accessible and never without ration. The change in fur color also has to do with the lack of predators. If the squirrels with the light color of coats were to be placed into the woods, they would easily be seen among the dark forest foliage. Although, since the squirrels are not only lacking prominat predators, the squirrels also have to change coat color based off their surroundings. Looking at buildings, sideways, and the lack of vegetation, the environment is much lighter in contrast to the forest. Either way, the squirrels’ adaptations have helped it survive.



Overall, based on the behavioral and physical adaptations, observations can be made to determine a clear difference in the types of squirrels found in Leadville, Co. The squirrels in Leadville, Co. that I observed were very different from the ones in Denver. As a friend and I went to on the search for some, we decided to try our luck at a local campground. Based on the amount of people and all the food they bring I was sure that there would be plenty. This hypothesis was soon to be proven wrong. We waited for almost an hour and only saw one squirrel. As soon as we made any type of acknowledgment towards it, it ran off very quickly and into the highest parts of the tree. This was much different from the aggressive and curious squirrels that I had encountered on campus.

After catching a couple more glimpses of the Leadville squirrels I noticed that all around the they were much different from they’re family up north. These squirrels were extremely shy and wanted nothing to do with humans. Not even when I tried coaxing them with small, pieces of food. Not only were they timid but, unlike the independent, city squirrels, the Leadville squirrels seemed to communicate and interact as a group with one another, always on the look out for predators. These squirrels also looked much different. Always having to hide and climb away from predators it was clear that these squirrels did not have a leisurely life. They were much smaller and darker, to better hide themselves and, had smaller bone frames and were not as plump, due to the fact that they were always on the go looking for food. It was these types of observations that had made it very clear to me that the squirrels in Denver and other large cities, were not like their cousins in high altitude, rural, mountain towns.

Therefore, I had a very interesting time watching squirrels. I found that while, the squirrels are often seen to be the same exact animal, and they are in essence very different from one another based off of environmental and social conditions. The squirrels overall, in Denver, were more aggressive, and much larger than the smaller, and very timid squirrels of the high country. After looking at all the data I can conclude that the squirrels would have not adapted and become as different as they are if it wasn’t for human interaction. What once was a small wild animal, has now become the domestic city animal of Denver.

The Point of this was..........???

antidisestablishmentarianism
barista
conversate
douche
effect
flaccid
google
hubris
integrity
jackass
kinky
lame
metrosexual
nympho
opium
pneumonoultramicroscopic-silicovolcanoconiosis
queif
rancid
serendipity
tickle
ubiquitous
verbal
whipped
xochipili
zygostyle


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Squirrels?

What to write about? I know that many of us had this exact question in our minds when we first read this assignment. It took me a long time to finally think about what I wanted to write about. Most of the time that all this thinking was taking place…well actually, to be honest I couldn’t think of anything to write about. It’s when I was joking around with my friend about what to write about that I came to my funny, yet (maybe) quite interesting idea. It went something like this:

“I can’t think about anything to write about! I might as well just write about freaking squirrels!”

That’s when a little light in my head went off. I’ll write about squirrels. I’ll write about squirrels in urban environments. Why not? I mean I see them everyday on campus, walking in the park, in the store parking lots, everywhere! Being that I see them everywhere I go I figure that I can observe their eating habits, size, and behavior towards humans based on their environment. I would like to try and see some type of distinguishable difference in the squirrels based on all these things, not just one.

I feel that this subject is a little weird and a little erroneous to some people, but the more that I think about it, it really relates to my biology major. In my biology major, I am currently learning about adaptive behaviors in species, based on their change in their environment. It all has a lot to do with genetic drift and natural selection; all things that relate back to theories of evolution. Thus, I feel that if I can relate my knowledge of these theories, I can use them in my everyday life to help my in my essay. Not only will I gain a new light in my major and in my observations, but I can learn about the animals around me. Just call me “Dr. Doolittle-ette”. Yes, soon I will be able to talk to the animals, live with the animals and relate to the animals. Well, maybe not all that.

Overall, I feel that this essay will be very funny for some to read but, also very enlightening. I know that it may even be a joke for some, and it was when I first started brain-storming but, I feel it really feel like it could give a lot of insight to the squirrels we see everyday. So in order to really make this observation essay worth it, I feel that I need to observe squirrels in three different types of urban environments. The first setting is going to be here on Auraria Campus at the North Classroom buildings. The second environment is going to be at a Cheeseman park here in Denver. Finally the last urban environment that I plan to observe squirrels at is going to be a local Denver supermarket. I really feel that I will find behavior adaptations based on each of these environments due to the amount of people that surround the squirrels, food sources, and places in which they live. I also plan to talk to a few biologists, which deal with animal adaptations. So even though this essay started out as a joke, I am actually really excited and anxious to observe squirrels. Happy squirrel watching to me!

Can You THINK for YOURSELF, or Do You Need the MEDIAto do it for YOU???

I don’t think, a day goes by that I where I’m not surrounded by people talking of favorite television shows, obscene commercials, something that the news stated from fact or even billboards or magazines. Now think about this for a second. These are all media-based elements that, in reality control our lives. We talk about them. Look up “clips” on the internet about them. Buy every magazine, every month. We even fear what we are about to hear on the news, but yet we can’t help but watch what new tragic, or horrific story the media has in store for us. The reason that I picked this YouTube video is because, I believe it is a perfect (or the most perfect) representation of the American Culture vs. The Media.

Before watching the video, many of us probably saw the opening scene. SEX. It was that glimpse of what was next to come in our video that made us want to watch it. Once again I prove my point; Americans cannot resist sex. In fact, when you really think about it, sex and the media go “hand in hand.” Based on many television shows, commercials, etc, the fact that sex sells starts the base of many media plots to become number one in American culture. Sad but true the news even uses this tactic. It seems like every time I turn on the news they are either determining the weather incorrectly, or building up to the big opening "Breaking News Story,” but it’s what gets them the highest ratings. Magazine companies are also great at doing these big, important head line grabbers.

Waiting in line at grocery store ( I’m sure we’ve all done it) there are always that pillar of magazines (just so conveniently placed) while you wait in the check out lane that you can’t help but glimpse at the cover, pick it up and begin “reading,” while you wait. But wait! You can’t even begin to read about the “great bedroom secrets,” until you have flipped through about twenty pages of adds for crap you don’t need. Smell like this. Buy this shirt; it looks good on the starving model, so it will on your Super sized American body. Drink this. Look this way and, BE SOMEBODY. How awful is this? It’s all these types of subliminal messages that we get bombarded constantly with. The YouTube video I picked demonstrates this very thing. The video is constantly flashing media based things, or advertisements that we buy into everyday.

Everyday we buy into these types of things which, brings me to a key point in my piece: Why couldn’t we just watch this video clip on TV or read something like it in a magazine or newspaper? The fact of the matter is, its this type of truth, that the media never wants exposed to the entire nation in such a public way. The fact that I watched this video online and not any of those other types of ways makes it, in a way, secretive. I know that the internet is a public place as well, but it’s the fact that I had to type specifically what I wanted to see on a site where people can create and upload their own “media,” was it possible. I would never have scene this on the opening web page for MSN. It took effort to be exposed to what every one of us has always known when it came to the medias efforts. So the next time you watch, read, or even buy something, think about how much of your time was spent thinking about it, and how much of the time was the media thinking for you.

The Big ''O!"

Overstock.com, or as a sassy, well kept lady, in her mid thirties would like to call it, “The Big O.” I’m sure we have all seen this commercial on the television, and thought of one thing when we heard what she called it…ORGASM. Why not? Think about it. America is a totally sex-driven culture that whips their head around at the sound of any type of sexual word or reference. For example: as you scanned the first couple lines of this blog, I immediately caught your attention by capitalizing “orgasm.” This is just one of the many things that Overstock does to draw its customers in. The next thing they do, is make the (scandalous) thirty something, woman sing some nock-off of a catchy tune with the original words replaced for things they sell on the site. I now know why I started shopping on that site; deep down I guess I’m a sex- driven, shopaholic, who buys into catchy marketing songs; I know I’m not the only one though.

The commercials themselves are very effective in drawing the viewers in and making them curious in viewing Overstock. Unlike a normal store, people can visit the site whenever they feel comfortable; with out the rush of store hours and busy masses of people. It’s once people are on the site that they see everything Overstock has to offer. Whether it be from the in season clothes, to the cookware, and books, to just about anything else. Not only will the future consumer see that it’s all high quality, and in season items but, that it’s all at a reasonable price. How do you buy all of these things you ask? Well I will tell you that it is as simple as a point, type, and click.

Unlike many places that sell things for cheaper, with the exception of a pricey, monthly membership, Overstock.com finds the fee to be unnecessary. Why deal with the ball and chain, when you can browse the site, and put things in a “cart,” without being a member? After you browse, pick and choose, you simple supply an email, and a password and you’re in. You have now just become a member and it was that simple. One little catch though; you need some sort of credit/ debit card to buy all your great treasures.

This is really as simple as it sounds. After you become a member, all you need to do is push a option button, that allows you to type in your card number, and verification, and it will save all of it so shopping can be easier. So let’s say you’re in a rush and you find your gift on Overstock, you’ve signed in, and all you need to do is pay; done. Since you saved your info (which is very secure) you’re done. But wait! How do you get your “goodies.”

If you ever plan on actually getting these items that you paid for, I would recommend that you have a place for these things to be shipped. I mean after all, I don’t think you would want to pay for something you never get. That’s why you need some type of P.O Box or residence that you can receive your merchandise from. Just like your credit info, your billing info can be saved, and you have extra space for the shipping address incase it’s a gift, for that special little someone. J

So whether it was like those late night ‘call now’ commercials that made you curious to see what Overstock was about, it did its job. The commercials effectively caught your attention, and told you why to buy from them…economical prices (not because the skanky lady said to.) The site lets you go online and shop at anytime of night, or day, without any late junkie store rushes, plus you can access it without any prices membership fees. Let us not forget that anyone with a credit or debit card, plus a billing address can use the site. So Overall, if you have these simple things, you can use the site easily and effectively.

A Click of a Button or a Journey Through the Levels of Hell?

It seems like everyday that I am on Overstock.com. I don’t know what it is about online shopping that makes me do it. Maybe it’s the fact I don’t have to leave and deal with crowded streets or stores. Maybe its because, I never have to try on anything, or tediously rummage through, books, media, or clothes to find exactly what I’m looking for. I think when it really comes down to it, its all about shopping and the convenience of it.

The site itself, it primarily used to buy merchandise that has been “overstocked,” at other retail stores and can now be sold cheaper, and still at a new quality, at a simple click of a button. Overstock.com can also be used as an action site, which is very similar to other online auction sites. Overstock, sells anything from clothes, books, multi-media, etc, all the way down to “world goods.” In many ways the site, is a Bed Bath and Beyond, Nordstrom, and Pier One, all on one site with many other smaller retailers. It’s this type of accessibility that breaks the conventions of having to go out and buy merchandise.

Normally when you want to go shopping it starts out fun, but always has the pit falls of the whole consumer driven attitude. First, you have to either, A: Find a ride/ carpool, B: take local transportation, or C: take your own means (Car, walking, etc.) Now based on personal experience, and others thoughts or own experiences, this can be a rather “hellish ordeal.” There is almost always traffic, fighting for parking, dodging pedestrians with there carts, and five children following behind, or the people that have to re-park and adjust 80 times. The next level of Hell is, trying to not become one of these so called “pedestrians,” and making it completely intact inside the store; this also goes for finding a cart and making sure it works without squeaking, pulling to one side, or any other hang ups. Now we come to Purgatory, were the actual shopping takes place; you can either find exactly what you want in a split second, or you can spend endless hours looking for what you want and when you find “it,” its either not your size, broken, or too much to afford (unless you take out a small loan.) Now, doesn’t this sound fun? This is where I’ll play your tiny voice in your head, “Easy, computer, click of a button, find everything you want at one place shopping, OR experiencing the levels of hell, with its screaming little demons running around and crying, an never ending journey though isles of crap you really don’t need, and finding what you wanted only to find it was all a mirage?” I choose option number one, which is why I shop on Overstock.com.

Over all, the site is easy to use and it saves you not only time, but also a small fortune. What’s the catch, right? Well, yes there are some little things, and tid-bits of knowledge that are necessary to succeeding at using the site. Numero Uno: you need some type of fundable credit card or debit card…..you know….just in case you really wanted to shop and buy things…..small minor detail. Number 2: you must know how to not only turn on your computer, but access the internet, and type in the words, “Overstock.com.” Number 3: you will need to create a log in, username and password, and finally, you must have some type of residence, in which your items can be shipped to you. To be quite honest; that’s it! The rest is already on the home page with clickable tabs, with different subject items, and an easy to see ‘search’ option if you wanted to be more specific. The site is completely free to browse and become a member (unless you decided to do a member credit card…..tricky tricky) and everything thing you buy is new, in style, and significantly marked down, making not only you, but your bank account happy.