Play Fair, Rush Limbaugh!

Ha!  I must laugh to myself as I reread the words printed in my beloved Mass Communications (Converging Media, Pavlik and McIntosh) textbook, "the prevalence of conservative talk shows such as Rush Limbaugh has given rise to attempts by liberals to reinstate the Fairness Doctrine".

Really?!  The prevalence of conservative 'anything' media?!?  That's a joke in and of itself!  I am so sick and tired of the whiney majority crying over the last shreds -- strands -- remnants of diverse minority left standing.  Kind of funny that they cry for fairness when they are the very source of abuse and manipulation within today's mainstream media.  Who's got the upper hand??

The even crazier thing: Rush Limbaugh leaves nothing for the consumer to assume.  Fairness?  Rush doesn't manipulate his material, he merely delivers it in raw form.  Rush plays soundbites of his opposition for all to hear.  He doesn't "quote" them, he lets you hear them speak for themselves.  If that's unfair and skewed -- or a manipulation of important issues, then people need to keep their mouths shut.  If the other side doesn't speak Rush will no longer have a job.  Until then, keep playing those soundbites for all to hear, Rush!

One Word: Benghazi

I'm thoroughly disgusted with the media.  I've never had a fondness for mainstream media, but feel my once tolerant demeanor has been challenged -- pushed to a defensive position.

The media has chosen to keep the details of an abhorrent  US government debacle concealed from the public.  Details of the attack that took place on the American Embassy in Benghazi on September 11, 2012 have been withheld by otherwise quick-to-report-'everything' journalists and reporters.  I feel this is a classic case of the (liberal) media siding with the current US Administration in an attempt to conceal the truth from the American people.  Lives were lost -- soldiers with families, and government officials. We - the people - deserve the truth.

Media is not the 'fourth arm of the government'.  It's the 'fourth arm of the liberal government', and 'repressor' of the conservative movement; quite the contrary to it's 'ethical' foundations.  Mainstream media is saturated by a leftist liberal mindset and agenda -- quite the contrary to the oldest ethical principles: the Golden Rule and Golden Mean.  Virtues such as "doing unto to others as you would have done unto you", and "finding a balance between two extremes" no longer seem relevant.  Money and power seem to outweigh honesty and integrity.

Balance?  What's that?  What's it matter when the 'powers that be' will cover up and lie for you?  Accountability?  To whom?

Media on Media

Early in the evening last night I was sitting at the kitchen table working on some schoolwork.  I decided to turn on the television in the living room behind me.  I raised the volume enough to the point where I could focus on my work, yet listen for pertinent election results.  My attention piqued as I heard one of the news anchors make a comment as to the fact that, “election-related Tweets are soaring”.  As I continued to listen statistics were offered stating the number of Tweets that had been made.  The comment that struck me most, however, was this: “social media plays a major role in the campaign” – “it allows people to peek into the lives of others”: a very interesting observation, and in my opinion, a direct result of media convergence. 

How much of an edge do you think the presidential candidates gain from having a ‘birds eye’ view into the lives of their potential constituents?  Do you think Twitter can be helpful or detrimental to their campaigns?

I think Twitter has added a whole new dimension to the role of social media in politics.  It serves both the user and the producer (produser).  The expeditious nature of reaching a mass audience adds an advantage to (in this case) the campaigner, and also aids the campaigner in his/her ability to monitor on-going feedback from his potential constituents.  The people (future/potential constituents) are afforded the luxury of contributing to the communication loop through immediate feedback.  Both elements lend to allowing constant flux and change through the process of exchange.  In my opinion, Twitter has given media convergence added momentum in creating a warp-speed feedback loop.  It should be interesting to see the future effects of Twitter as the immediacy of digital communication continues to evolve and factor into our lives.  

What lies beyond those doors?

Take 6: Come on IN!

What lies beyond these doors?  Well, come on in and I'll give you a peek!

My last update included progress on the exterior finishes of this house.  Much has been happening on the inside as well!  Our last trip through the inside looked much different than it does now.  The framing, rough plumbing, rough electrical, and rough HVAC had been completed, and the house was ready for termite treatment and insulation.  I didn't take any pictures of the insulation stage -- not intentional on my part -- just a matter of time limitations.  So, in essence the house has gone from a shell, to an enclosed structure, and is now looking much more like a defined space.

Welcome in!  This is the same space (picture above) I originally posted as my first interior framing picture.  It's the opening to the living room within the foyer.  The foyer is not a typical entry area, in that it runs parallel to the width of the home verses vertically.  To the right you have the Master Suite and "her" room, and the left leads to "his" room/formal office space and a wing containing 2 guest bedrooms.

The picture above is within the foyer looking to the right (see front door in right side of picture).

The picture above is looking through the foyer to the left.  As you can see, the hardwood floors have been installed.  They are 5"solid hickory planks.  Gorgeous!

A view from the kitchen looking out to the living room with a fireplace straight on.  The dark wood on the ceiling in the living room is the framework for future beams.

"His" office -- library. :)  Note the future window seat and beams on the ceiling.

"Her" office -- reading room. :)  I love the windows -- tons of daylight!

And... down the stairs we'll go... another time!  There's too much house to share in one post!  Be on the lookout for more details in the finish processes of this house.  I can't wait to continue sharing -- we'll watch as this house becomes a HOME. :)

Thanks, @BHG! Thanks, @Nate_Berkus! Thanks, Twitter!

Woohoo!  Score!  Twitter Rocks!  Wait... what?!  Twitter, what?!

You heard me right!  I scored a prize package worth $325 from @BHG and @Nate_Berkus!  Take a look and see for yourselves:

My Mass Communications class (COM 150) has broadened my horizons.  The once Facebook-only girl has now morphed into a Twitter, and Blogger girl as well!  

We were assigned a 10 Twitter Project for COM 150 during which we had to become actively involved in Twitter.  Assignments were given with the purpose of using Twitter as a communication tool.  Our daily Twitter assignment included 6 Tweets: 2 Re-Tweets related to our "beat" or Mass Comm/Media Literacy, 2 Tweets with shortened URL links of articles/stories/videos related to our "beat" or Mass Comm/Media Literacy, and 2 conversational messages related to our "beat" or MC/ML (one being a reply to a tweet from someone else in our class or otherwise).

I began my Twitter Project by setting up my Twitter account.  I then "followed" all of my classmates.  Afterward, I realized I had the option of searching for people and companies that share my interests (and "beat"), so I added another 40 or so "people" to my list of 'following'.  That's how I 'found' Better Homes and Gardens, or @BHG!

@BHG offers all kinds of great ideas for the home, garden, and beyond.  Everything from recipes to room 'makeovers' -- home renovations, decorating ideas, a plethora of pictures, and phenomenal articles!  Finding a source for new ideas was wonderful in and of itself!  The fact that @BHG offered a prize package giveaway for Re-Tweeting a link featuring Nate Berkus' new product line (available at Target) was an added bonus I never dreamed I'd receive!

Twitter is most definitely a useful tool for companies looking to further their marketing spectrum!  However, the only drawback I continue to site, is the fact that companies can only market those who 'subscribe' to them.  You have to 'follow' that company in order to receive their information.  I'm thankful I found, and am now the proud follower of @BHG and @Nate_Berkus! 

Exterior Details Part: 2

Take 5: Exterior Details TOO - or 2!  

I'm not quite sure what prompted the use of "takes" while posting the updates on this house build, but now that I've started the trend, I must continue it. :)

My last update concluded with (some) exterior progress.  The brick veneer had been added to the exposed areas of foundation at the base of the house.  Exterior finish details are beginning to come together now!  Here's a look at the most recent exterior finish details:

Can you see the changes?  The picture is taken from a distance, so details are more difficult to see!  Here's another picture -- closer to the house (right side, front):

Yes!  That's Board and Batten siding you see!  The material used as siding is called James Hardie Board.  It's a cement product, and offers comparable durability and longevity to brick.  You can purchase James Hardie Board in pre-finished color pallets, but the cost for material is significantly higher.  

(above picture: left side, rear)

The next exterior phase will include the installation of cedar shake on the eves, and stone on the facade.  Can't wait to share more pictures with you!

Advertising Exposure Analysis

My daily exposure to advertising is very limited... thankfully.  Television used to be the primary source of advertising message delivery in my world -- prior to the rise of the almighty DVR.  My husband is forever indebted to the brilliant mind behind the FF capability of the DVR, and has mastered the art of skipping commercials, btw.

The age of convergence has altered the way in which I receive advertising messages entirely.  Again, television commercials were the only real connection advertisers could gain with me.  Now, given the rise of the Internet and it's many functions, email advertising and website interstitial and superstitial ads have taken the place of television ads.

There's nothing more annoying than an interstitial ad.  The frustration given their presence alone is enough to completely shut me down from any further attention to their ad.  I cannot close those windows quickly enough.  Superstitial ads are not quite as infuriating, however, they gain no attention from me either.  Email ads are a close third in the annoyance category.  I once had a sales clerk recommend I set up a pseudo email account, "purely for advertising purposes".  Great idea, but too little, too late.  I love the fact that I can hit the "delete" button, and 'poof' goes the ad.

Convergence has changed the way we receive and process ads.  Given the flexibility from a user perspective, advertisers are far more challenged.  Marketing strategies used to be their only real issue, however, reaching their market now poses a challenge as well.  From a user perspective, I am very thankful I've gained some power in the ability to choose selectively.  From the advertiser perspective, I'd have to think their once lucrative power has been somewhat weakened.  Yet another area where media convergence has affected an industry.  People are creative and brilliant.  It should prove interesting to watch the advertising industry adapt and survive.