Assign. 5-`1

GPS Snitch

The GPS Snitch is handy little gadget that allows you to track where your vehicle is at any time. The article I reviewed was very favorable for the Snitch.

It is fairly easy to use. Once you activate the button on the snitch you can track your vehicle from an online site. It is very accurate down to the street address, as to where your vehicle is. You can track the speed that your vehicle is going also.

This little device will come in handy if you have teen drivers or elderly parents you are concerned about. It will let you know at any time where your child is and what speed they are going. It does the same for your parents.

I guess if you really wanted to, and were suspicous of your spouse, you track them too. I think this device is a great idea if you do have children that you are concerned about, however I also remember when I was a teenager and young adult and I wouldn't want my parents to keep track of where I was.

As for the eldery, I believe it is also a great idea for them. It allows your parents to be independent yet it also allows you to know where they are at any given time. This would be great if they had beginning dementia that wasn't severe enough to completely take driving away from them.

Reference

http://www.thepittsburghchannel.com

Assign 1-3 Journal Article Analysis

I am reviewing Sue Grafton’s Food is Never Just Something to Eat: A Culinary Critique of Mainstream America. This article is aimed toward the middle class and to Americans in general. In the article she references gender specific issues. She evaluates the use of food in the Alphabet detective – fiction series. For example, Grafton states “the masculine detective would drink whiskey, eat fast food, or in a diner, while the feminine version would be eat salad, and drink chardonnay. The male individual should be out looking for a murderer and the female should be in the kitchen fixing a nice meat and potato based meal” (Matheson, 2008).
I think this article is not about food in general, but how it addresses Americas cultural norms and values. How these affect the food we choose, and how it represents us. This article references the Alphabet Series of detective fiction novels. In each of the books the detective Millhone, which is a female, is referenced. She crosses the American norms, and values of women. According to Grafton, women are represented as being in the kitchen, cooking, baking, properly using a plate, knife, and fork when eating. Men on the other hand are more likely to grab something on the go, eat with their hands, and may drink hard liquor. Women more typically have a nice glass of wine. Millhones character however, violates the female picture. “She is hard core, individualistic, and radical. Her relationship with food emphasizes her inability to conform to any principles or ideals” (Matheson, 2008). She eats McDonalds. Likes finger foods, not salads. She likes sandwiches on the go and loves whiskey. She doesn’t spend much time in the kitchen.
Grafton feels food is gendered, that” men treat food like it is an opiate” (Matheson, 2008). The series makes several references in “I” is for Innocent . Henry Pitts prepare a tuna salad that looks similar to a flower. Typically in the American view of values and norms, a women would be doing this, not a man.
Next, Grafton points out that in the Alphabet series, food is used as a seductress and as a murder weapon. In the series, statements are made in sexual context. One such comment was fast women eat fast food, and one other was in relation to Millhone not being able to resist Cheney’s concoction of salt, pepper, and mayonnaise. She bites her lip and moans. The other statements Grafton addresses are that food is used to accentuate murder.
In this article I found it difficult to understand at first. I read it about five times before I became to understand it. The main points that I took from this article include, food is used in many ways. Grafton used the Alphabet series to reference how middle class Americans have changed in the type of food they eat, how they eat, and who prepares it. What it all comes down to is what are our values and our cultural norms.
Previously, it was unheard of for a man to be in the kitchen, however, now it is perfectly normal. The same goes for what type of food we eat. Now it is more likely that we grab something to go versus a sit down meal that was previously the norm. What type of food and drink we choose has also changed and it is perfectly normal for a women to choose a whiskey or malt beverage or a man to choose a glass of wine. I think the moral of the article is that Americans values and norms are always changing and who knows what we will be eating and drinking next. Our food states so much about who we are !






Reference
Matheson, Sue. 2008. Food is never just something to eat. Sue Grafton’s culinary critique of mainstream America. Journal of Popular Culture. October 2008. Vol 411(5), 809-822 Retreived October 29, 2008 from ebscohost

Assignment 4-1

Organic Food

The article I decided to review this week is on the decision to eat organic or not. I wanted to know what the definition of organic was and what makes this food so much better for us.

In recenct times there has been news stories on mad cow disease, problems with bacteria on tomatoes, onions,in salads, and other items that we may eat.

First, the definition of organic food items includes growing food without the use of synthetic pesticides, growing livestock without the use of antibiotics or hormones, allowing them to have free range, and using biodiversity to promot and protect humans, animals, and the environment.

According to this article, organic foods are safer for us to eat. They have fewer contaminants and pesticides. They have no genetic modifiers. They actually have more nutrients in them. Finally, by choosing to eat organic, the animals are exposed to less chemicals.

I must admit, I try to eat organic items as much as possible. It has been said that they cost more, but I really haven't noticed it that much. When you consider the side effects of the chemicals you may ingest, the price of eating organic is not that significant.

I don't like the idea that someone may be giving the animal I am going to eat some type of hormone or antibiotic. I think they should be able to raise the animals with out this. I also believe the animals should be able to graze openly on the land, not restricted to a small fenced in area.

In parts of Australlia the government requires strict monitoring on the use of pesticides and other chemicals. They also monitor the chemical modifications of food items.

Perhaps the United States should be more strict on their testing and use more organic foods.

References

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/598763

http://www.organicnutrition.co.uk/whyorganic

Assignment 3-1

Layaway Instead of Credit Card

This week I decided to review an article on layaway. The economy is going through a rough time right now, so consumers and retailers are looking at a common practice of the 1960-1980’s. Layaway recently was thought to be erased by the use of credit cards. However, it is making a comeback in some retail stores, such as Sears, Kmart, and TJMaxx. It is also available online at some web sites. The problem with the use of layaway is that stores benefit more from the use of credit cards because customers tend to spend more. Customers like the idea of purchasing an item and having instant gratification versus working overtime to pay for a purchase.
I am a fan of the credit card. I like to know I can have something right now. I don’t like to wait for something I want. However, I also pay my credit card off each month (thanks to my husband’s nagging) so there aren’t high interest rates to worry about. However, I think with the way our economy is heading, the come back of layaway is a great idea. There will be less consumer debt, and they can still buy the products they want, it’s just over time.

References
http://www.creditcards.com/

A 2-1

This week I decided to review an article by CBS news on the use of corn to produce ethanol. I have often wondered why our country has made it so difficult to economically support itself. I recently took a trip to Iowa and Nebraska and was amazed at the number of corn fields there are. Also, at every gas station E85, (the gas alternative) is offered. However, at my home in Maryland you will be lucky to find it at all. Perhaps the only way to find it would be as a filler in the gasoline. According to this article, Brazil was in a similar situation, faced with increasing costs of importing oils and becoming more dependent on areas overseas to provide them with the oils it needed. This in turn proved quite costly. Brazil fought back though, and completely changed over to the use of ethanol, made from sugar cane (something they have a lot of). They still offer gasoline but it is quite expensive so everyone chooses to use the ethanol.
I think the United States should do the same. This will provide the great people of the U.S. with employment and strengthen our economy. It will give the farmers an advantage, finally! The more we use what is right at our finger tips, the less we will have to rely on overseas areas to import oil. Our economy would grow and eventually there could be financial stability.
The other great thing about using ethanol is that is much cleaner than gasoline. Our nation could worry less about the pollution we are creating.


References
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/main/1588659

Icon Analysis

The three icons I chose are House, AC/DC, and NCIS.

House

House is a narcissistic, self-centered, rude doctor, who speaks his mind to everyone, including his patients. He has three med interns who work with him to diagnose patients with very rare medical conditions.
I chose House because I am in the healthcare profession. I love how he makes the interns think, and runs ideas past them. He makes them think outside the normal box. I also like that he speaks his mind. I tend to do the same. Sometimes what he says is not the nicest thing to say, but it is true, I do this also.

AC/DC

AC/DC is a rock group from the 70’s, 80’s, and 90’s. They have a reputation of great hard rock, but a bad reputation in the past, of partying and drugs.
I chose this group because as a child I loved their music. I listened to it all of the time. My friends and I would get together, listen to them, party to them, and attend their concerts. I also chose them because I am glad that they have come back around and are playing their music for the kids of today.

NCIS

NCIS is a television show that is about a group that investigates naval murders. The group includes Tony, Ziva, McGee, Abby, and Gibbs.
I chose this particular icon because I love how they get along with each other. Gibbs, the boss, is very in tune to his team, knows their every move. Tony, Ziva, and McGee are always at each other bickering, a lot like me and my co- workers. This group is a lot like my work group. There are 6 of us and we get along just like family, we bicker, argue, get mad at each other, but are always there for each other. Each has their own personality, but willing to protect the other. This is my favorite TV show. My husband and I are home every Tuesday to watch it. It is nice to have a show that is not reality based.

A 1-4 written analysis 1

To the tech savvy crowds, the new blackberry storm is bound to be the next best thing to the Apple Iphone. This new cell phone provides wireless email, internet, and camera. It has lots of extras, such as GPS navigation, Bluetooth, and weighs only 5 ounces. Best of all, it has a touch screen keyboard.

“In an attempt to compete with Apples iphone and TMobile the new storm will wow consumers with a jazzy new design and an application center filled with games and other add-ons like face book.”

In a hectic world such as ours, this new phone provides users with a cell phone that has wireless internet and email. This is great! I have always wanted to be on the internet or sending an email while I am driving down the road or at dinner.

The best feature of the phone is that it has a touch screen keyboard with 3 types of screens to choose from. It allows you to view the screens in either landscape or portrait styles. It also has cut and paste functions, which is a huge selling point for email junkies.

The down fall of this new phone is that unless you are tech savvy it will take a while to figure out how to use your new phone.

While I really like the idea of this new phone with a touch screen keyboard, I think we could find something else to spend our money on.

What is Popular Culture?

Popular culture is transitory. It is the artifacts and institutions shared by a society, it represents the elements of everyday life.It influences peoples way of life. Popular culture is shared knowledge and practices of a specific group at a specific time. It is subject to change and often initiates change. It tells us who we are, what we are, and why.

Why is an understanding of popular culture relevant to you in a business environment and in your present and future career?

Popular culture is important to business and to my future career because it is trendy, it appeals to mass audiences, the elite, critics, children, and parents. It is what we base our societies wants and needs against. In business, if I know what is the current pop culture, for example the Ipod, then I can have my company focus on promoting and designing similar items or perhaps I may need to purchase this item to stay technologically advanced.

My present job is as a nurse. I believe the most current piece of pop culture I use is the PDA. This item stores everything I need to look up medications and diagnosis.

I have chosen Disney World, Mickey, and Minnie Mouse as my pop culture artifact.

I chose these items as my artifacts because they represent artifact from past and present. Disney World is diverse. It represents the young, the old, and all countries. It is the symbol of freedom for most high school graduates and college students out for spring break. It is the perfect place to vacation if you are a parent, a retired couple, or out for your honey moon. It has accomodations for the social elite and for the average person. It is where every child wants to go and every superbowl winner does go.

Mickey and Minnie are also perfect past and present pop culture artifacts. Every child has at least one mickey or minnie item. They adapt to the times. Mickey and Minnie are available as teacher, doctor, scientist, or even graduating dolls. Mickey and Minnie are appealing to all ages, whether you are 3 or 63, everyone loves this duo. We enjoyed them as cartoons, way back when, and we still enjoy them now.

Pictures retrieved from http://www.mickey-mouse.com/mickeyclipartmain.htm