For the poops ;)

Florida don't fade on me now

Who's Hungry

Damn that is some spicy chicken. Can I just say how much I love my new
cast iron skillet? "I love my cast iron skillet!"

Government & Media Essay

Two Types of Models?

If I were asked to classify articles in to two types of models my first response would have been Meagan Fox in Maxim Magazine and Drew Barrymore in Playboy, (sometime around the mid-nineties). This, however, would be wrong even if I were truly interested in reading just the articles. Nevertheless, this does illustrate the “profit seeker” model, proving that; “the mass media have no responsibilities other than to make profits for their owners” (Leighley 11), and half naked women is certainly one way to earn revenue. But I digress, as we are not discussing those types of models. I refer now to two articles regarding health care reform; one by the ever popular New York Times titled, “White House Weighing Public Health Care Option,” by Joseph Berger and the second article coming from the Orlando Sentinel; “Can Florida opt out of federal health care?” by Aaron Deslatte.

In the 1950’s, the popular Dragnet character Joe Friday would plainly state, “All we want are the facts ma’am,” which was later abbreviated into, “Just the facts ma’am.” What Joe Friday was looking for was the “reporters of objective fact” model (Leighley 9). In the article by Joseph Berger, he is giving it to the audience straight, using tools akin to quoting important sources like The Associated Press and offering conclusive evidence. Based on this model Mr. Berger, “[is] merely a conduit for information, tools used by citizens and government officials to expand their scope of vision or communication […]” (9). One would argue however, given the scope of the New York Times, that it could fall partially under the “profit seeker,” model as laid out by Leighley: “The emphasis of [this] model of mass communication is that the U.S. mass media are privately owned business enterprises. […] [assumes] that the individuals who make up the news audience are first and foremost consumers who can be a target of market-like competition.” Further proven on the New York Times website where one click of the mouse and you are shopping for a brand new Lexus—which does touch a bit on the “propagandist” model, but again, I digress.

Moving to the hometown of Orlando, Florida we look now at the article by Aaron Deslatte. Again, in my opinion this falls directly under the “reporters of objective fact” model where Deslatte is giving it to us straight. However, as you get further into the editorial there is a mention of, “the president is coming after their guns and freedom.” Well, when speaking of apples, I rarely use oranges to illustrate my point—this being the excpetion. But, here in Florida, guns are always a big topic and many southerners are afraid of losing their second amendment right under the socialistic views of President Obama; just like they are about to loose their rights of state control as Big Brother continues to tighten his grip with health care reform. This type of article clearly finds it’s way to the “public advocate,” model as described by Leighley as; “journalist hav[ing] a social responsibility to use the newsgathering process to engage newsmakers (government officials) and the public in debates on issues of political importance,” even if it is irrelevant to the topic of health care reform. He continues on: “reporting ‘just the facts’ is a serious failure of the mass communication system.” Aaron Deslatte of the Orlando Sentinel, thank you for not failing us as a public advocate on our constitutional right to own a weapon or many weapons, including AK-47’s.

Although flipping through the pages of Maxim Magazine tends to be a bit more interesting, there is little to be gained from the top ten ways to pick up a babe at a bar. As we seek for information in a global world, we as the readers have many “models” to choose from. Given the plethora of media outlets (i.e. internet, podcast and the like), audience members will always gravitate to the one source that feeds them with the most pertinent information for their individualistic needs. And yes, we can find solace in the fact that Meagan Fox will stick to modeling while Anderson Cooper will tells us like it is. As the famous American broadcast journalist Edward R. Murrow once offered, “Good night and good luck.”

As Inspired by one of the most influential French poets of the nineteenth Century, Charles Baudelaire.

Bill…My Only Friend

     “[Love—] an oasis of horror in a desert of boredom,” comes across as a tragic assertion spoken by a man incapable of love. As a hopeless romantic, I am sickened by the fact that there is some truth attached to this statement graciously provided by one of the most influential French poets of the nineteenth Century, Charles Baudelaire.

    Breaking down the two parts of the excerpt: “[Love—] an oasis of horror […],” is where the trouble begins. Love, which is sometimes defined as, “a temporary insanity curable by marriage […]” (The Devil’s Dictionary 148), can beckon the smartest of men to do the stupidest of things when staring into the giant oasis. When seeking refuge—acceptance—we will break open our wallets, only to find there is no money inside, however, thanks to credit, spending money that does not exist—the mirage—we simply swipe our cards to pay for the steak dinner at Season’s 52. Another example is when we—as men—are challenged by another man, will suddenly turn into the wildest of beast to protect our women. Given the times we are in, one does not take into consideration that our worthy adversary may very well be carrying a weapon or is simply a better, smarter foe. These examples nonetheless, are more related to the courting process; our personal oasis becomes deeper involved when falling in love.

     In the beginning of true love, we journey down the path of what is referred to as the, “honey moon,” phase. Everyone is happy and we have not yet learned of each other’s tragic flaws. Slowly but surely the mirage begins to break apart and we begin to clearly see what is truly in front of us. This is where the, “I can change them,” portion of the relationship begins and for the next several years we try and try and try. It is not until after the dust settles that we realize alteration is impossible; thusly the harsh reality of acceptance begins. “Is this really the person I want to spend the rest of my life with?” escapes our every thought. Ultimately the answer is no, unless you have found the perfect match.

     Insert marriage.

     Thus begins the second part of our horrific quote, “[…] in a desert of boredom.” How many happy marriages are there and can one really remain satisfied with the same individual for the rest of their lives? This is after all, what marriage calls for declaring, “until death do us part.” I for-one am scared straight by this passage understanding that after repeating my vows to my truelove, I am to remain, in a state of wedlock until one of us meets our maker.

     But what if?
  
     The inevitable question will forever linger in our minds, placing an x and y value throughout our timeline with said spouse. Is this to say that if my wife cheats on me, I am to take her life so that I may move on with mine? The obvious answer is no, but what is a contract without consequences? On the contrary and more importantly, what if—there is my variable—I simply become bored? I am to remain in a state of boredom until one of us expires? Perhaps this marriage was only for now and there is another soul out there more suitable. Tragic and somewhat comedic, I believe this to be human nature; to always find the greener grass on the other side of the fence. The challenge is to not become bored when roaming the desert for love. Now, if someone out there could do the math and fill in my variables that would truly make me happy and maybe, just maybe answer the question to true love.

     In seeking refuge, I turn to the wisdom of William Shakespeare to show me the way through my very own oasis of horror in a desert of boredom. Simply put: “[…] love is blind, and lovers cannot see” (The Merchant of Venice np). Thank you Bill for your true words of irony.

     If only he was a mathematician.

     Fin.

Days and Days

Days go by that I don't post to my blog...then I think, "I should blog more."  How profound.

We have lift off

Sweet.

BORED

Sittin' at work
Feelin' like a jerk
No money
No cash
No love
No ass

Sittin' by the lake
Pondering my mistake
No life
No fun
No peace
No gun.

iRobert Stio
President
Student Government Association
Valencia Community College

Grey Skys Are Gonna Clear Up

Put on a happy face

All in one Motion..

....And so it goes

I Made This

Yummy!!!

A Tion

Inspiration and perspiration
Bring about imagination

Degradation of humiliation
Brings down and entire nation

Stand forth with determination
Bring life and expectation

Man is dead no force creation
Love brings about appropriation

The music ends no jubilation
Say goodbye to representation

No inspiration nor perspiration
Kills the thing of imagination

I love technology ;)

Storm Distance

In the not so far distance...

Still Life

So I finally learned how to connect to my blog. This should be interesting.

Test text

MY DC TRIP

TaDAAAAA!!!