"McMansion" Part 2

I couldn't find the draft I saved so here goes the rest of that blog.
What I don't agree with the author about is that the sameness and bigness of houses is everywhere. Having just bought our very first house (we haven't closed yet), I can tell you that the house is not new, terribly large nor does it look like any other house on the block. None of the other houses on the dead end street it is on look like any other house they might be next too. It doesn't even have a garage, we are hoping to build one. And the house is in the foothills outside of Morrison. I suppose it would qualify as suburbs, cuz it is definitely not city dwelling. There is a park that was built because the residents fought for it. A wonderful place for children or to walk the dog. Yes, those houses and "communities" are out there in force, but it is each individuals choice as to whether they find one of those houses or something secluded and quiet in the mountains.

The "McMansion" theory of homes

The author makes a point of telling us how and why the houses we live in are all the same and way too big. Statistics are given that houses are being made larger and families are getting smaller and why is this "Big Gulp" theory happening. If you pull the roof off of any house you find, no matter what the style, you will find exactly the same thing. A given number of bedrooms, bathrooms, and at least a three car garage. She supports her point by stating that the number of square feet has gone up by almost a thousand square feet since 1970. That is an awful lot of space to put less people in. That we can't get cozy if your bedroom is the size of a barn.

I would have to agree with the authors central point only because I see the huge homes being built all over every neighborhood.

A Picture from the book, pg. 260

I chose a set of three pictures on page 260 of Michael Jackson. These pictures are of Michael outside an arraignment hearing after he had been accused of child molestation in 2004. In the first he appears to be clapping for himself. The second picture shows him holding up either the peace sign or the victory sign. That depends on your perspective I think. He is wearing some godawful suit to this arraignment with a white armband around his right arm. I don't understand the significance of the armband, even though I understand his pushing the victory sign up. The last shot has Michael holding an umbrella over himself as he poses for a photographer taking his picture. Michael has in the past been very much a showman when up on stage performing. It looks like he is on stage performing again. He can play to his audience when and if the need arises. With the charges he was facing, it looks like the need arose to play to his audience.
I can remember way back in the day when Michael Jackson was a young black child performing with his brothers in the Jackson Five. To see the transformation over the years from the boy he was to the man he became can be mind-boggling for me. I have enjoyed all of his music over the years except for his most recent deliveries. The change in his body make-up and his persona also changed his music. One of my favorite songs that he wrote was "Man in the Mirror". The song dealt with making changes in the world, but how those changes all start with us. That we have to look at ourselves and how we respond to people, situations and issues before we can hope to effect any real change. I can say that I preferred the Michael Jackson that used to be as opposed to what he became. Of course, that is just my personal opinion but I feel the statements he made about issues and things going on in the world were more effective coming from the before person rather than the after.

A detailed description

I went downstairs to the cafeteria. I could smell the food in the warmers well before I reached the entrance. Then I walked in and it was even stronger. Wow, my stomach's growling loudly, I must be hungry. As I sit down at a round table looking at the employees and students, I get a sense of ongoing activity. The cashier whose shoulders are sagging as she is coming to the end of her workday. A frown from another employee. He sees the mess and spills left at a table by a large group of students. After the initial frown, I sense disgust and tiredness. A group of friends seated near me are smiling and enjoying sharing their lunch together. Several other tables where heads are bent low over their textbooks while their pens are writing furiously across the page. Intense concentration, maybe that assignment is due soon?
I gaze at the walls painted in yellow. A soothing color to the eye and the mind. There are trees outside whose branches are swaying in the wind. They look sturdy and strong. That breeze will not blow them over. The mountains are off in the distance looking shadowy and solid. Even more than the trees, those mountains will be there, unmoving, when I drive home later. Gazing outside at the stunning beauty around me, I am awestruck.

Joann Binkley's Acceptance Speech

Thank you. Thank you so very much. I want to thank you for the privilege and honor you have bestowed on me by electing me your next President of the United States of America. I would not be here today without the support of my husband and children and God Almighty. I have treasured my family and faith my entire life, but never more than during this campaign. This has been a hard fought battle to get here, but get here we did. Tonight the voice of the American people was heard, and that voice stated very clearly we need to change the way we do things in Washington. I am not a person known to break my promises and I don't intend to start now. Sometimes being popular doesn't get the job done, and I don't care about being popular but I do care about getting the job done, which is getting this country flourishing again at every level.
Americans are losing their jobs and their homes at an all time record high. The economic and investment markets are either in deep trouble or collapsing altogether. Families sometimes have to make decisions on whether to put gas in the car or food on the table. These are choices? I think not and that is what will change under my Presidency. We are going to fix each and every one of these problems, but they weren't created overnight and it will take more than a day or so to fix them. First off, we will stop sending billions of dollars overseas to countries who don't like us very much anyway. They don't like or respect us, they obviously don't need our money. Keeping American dollars on American soil will be a good start to getting our country back on its feet. Next, I will stop outsourcing companies and jobs again overseas when we could employ American citizens and American companies for goods and services that we need. I intend to stop buying oil from other countries and paying huge amounts of money for that oil when we can use other natural resources. And yes, some of that could be for our own oil that is off of American shores. Hybrid and alternative powered cars should become the norm instead of the exception, and they also need to be affordable for all people. Employment? Any American that wants to work and is able to needs to have a job and be able to grab his own "American Dream". However, a system that enables men or women who don't wish to hold a job, but instead to live off the government must be reworked so that the people who do need assistance get it, and the people who don't can and must become employed.
Will these changes happen overnight. My friends, I am sorry to say that they will not. But, these changes will happen steadily and without fail under my Presidency. We won't have to make that choice of dinner or gas money. Or whether we will be able to keep our home. Or can we find a job to take care of our families. We will start these changes right here on our own soil. With our own dollars, our own resources and our own two hands. We will make it happen. Change is coming and it is coming now! Thank you.

Tattoos and Piercings

How do I feel about tattoos and piercings? To start off with, I don't have any tattoos anywhere on my body. There are two specific reasons and a few other less specific reasons. The first reason is I don't really like pain of any kind if I can help it. Not tattooing my body qualifies for me avoiding the pain factor since that is under my control. I also don't feel the need to put something on me that might start out looking like a giraffe and in 10 or 20 years wind up looking like an elephant (or worse). Life is fluid and things change, even our interests and relationships which is a reason I don't want a tattoo. Putting something on my body today that could change tomorrow doesn't sound like fun to me.
On the subject of piercings, I have two. One in each earlobe. I got my ears pierced when I turned 16 (as a rite of passage I think). One side hurt like the devil and the other side I barely felt. They did the side that wound up hurting second which was a great plan since I would've only gotten one side pierced if I would have had the more painful ear done first. I never felt the need to get a second hole in each ear (due to the remembered ouch). For myself, I don't want any other holes in my body. Tongue rings do damage to your teeth and dental work. Piercing nipples or genitalia just sounds way too painful for anyone to contemplate doing, but again that is just my opinion. Some of the others: belly button, "Monroes", cheekbones, the chin, the nose (what happens when you need to blow?) are just foreign to my way of thinking. When you meet people that becomes a focal point for where people look (if it is visible). Do you really want a piece of metal to be the first think people focus on when they look at you?
So for me, tattooing and piercing my body are not the way to go. It can be an artistic form of expression for some people, but I will express myself in other ways.

Feelings about my Identity Collage

The question was posed: how did you feel about presenting your collage to the class? Truth be told, I found it a bit difficult. I think we all came at it from the perspective of where we are at in life. Those of us that are parents focused on our children (of the presentations so far anyway) and how they affect our lives and how they are a huge part of who we are at this time. For the past 23 years I have been a parent and for the past 16 years I have been actively involved in the Boy Scouts of America. Having three sons shaped "who I am" during this part of my life. Being a Mom and "JoMama" is a big factor in what I do, the friends I hang out with (which are people who are involved in the same things I am) and how I view myself. My collage represented the one aspect that has been the biggest influence on me and in my life. My sons and being their Mom.
I really enjoyed everyones presentations on who they are. From metal music to artists, childhood educators to athletes, "Highlands Ranch snobs" to dancers, everyone shared pieces of themselves they found important or influential. We all told our stories a bit differently, but we shared pieces of who we are and what we are. Having survived two teenagers and all the associated issues that go with growing up and growing into your skin I was able to really enjoy learning about how some of the young people in our class are growing into who they are and who they want to be. How we view ourselves and who we are or can be is open to thousands of possibilities. I have had several career changes and at this point in my life think I know what I want to be when I grow up. But then again, that could change as does everything in our lives.

Body distortions and stereotypes

I am going to answer question #2 about whether boys and young men are given the same messages as young women and girls, and whether they are sexualized the way girls are. Having three sons of my own I think the messages are not quite as blatant for boys but they are out there. Boys and young men are given the message they are to always be strong, masculine, never cry, never show emotion and never show a softer side of themselves. And girls are taught not to like or respect boys/men that do have a softer side.
Boys are stereotyped into being that more macho, more masculine self. Do the body-building so you can always defend yourself. Don't show an emotional side of yourself because that makes you weak. In society's eyes weakness/emotion equals femininity. They do get categorized into a certain group if they dress a certain way, act a certain way or behave differently then the expectation for them. My boys have never bought into that theory that strength equals masculinity. They are all 3 "all boy" in what they wear, what they play with and what they like to do. I don't know if the fact that my sons all liked to play "cars and trucks" and Legos was a result of media influence or upbringing. They never showed an interest in things of a different nature so it never really came up.
The distorted images and the stereotyping is out there. The media tells them to be tough. Images they see show them how they should dress. Peers show them how they behave. As with anything else, we need to put all those things they are exposed to into perspective for them. Show them it is ok to dress a little differently, act differently then this or that person. That they can be who they are while still being an important and valued member of society.

John McCain's Speech

The message Sen. McCain presented in his speech was first that there is more that unites us than divides us. That he will enlist the help of any willing American to make government start working for us again. He also says he is going to bring change to Washington and change the big-spending government that exists now. His message is that he fights for American families who work three jobs and temporary jobs to put food on the table. Families who coach Little League and raise money for the disabled. Families who have children who have died serving our country. He says government (he) has lost the trust and faith of the American people. That trust was lost by making government bigger and passing a corporate welfare bill for the oil companies. He promises change and that the people of this country make up the biggest part of that change.
To support some of what he said he gave a list of what he believes in to make those changes. That everyone has something to contribute and deserves the opportunity to fulfill their potential. That he believes in low taxes and open markets. In rewarding hard work and letting people keep what they have earned. He believes in a strong defense and personal responsibility and the values of family. That government shouldn't make our choices for us but allow us to make those choices for ourselves. He wants to double the child tax exemption credit from $3500 to $7000 which will help families. He believes education is a major battlefield here at home and that parents should have the choice of how their children are educated and that schools should answer to parents/students and not unions/businesses. He promises to stop sending hundreds of billions of dollars a year to countries who dislike us. To bring back good relations with Russia to prevent another Cold War. He says he will change the way government does everything from pork-barrel spending to the way we respond to disasters.
Was this speech effective? Senator McCain promises to change the government but also says we need to look to ourselves to help in that change. If we don't like something, help fix it and don't expect the government to do everything for you. That if we find fault with programs or things going on in this country to do something to help make this country a better one. That we all need to fight for what we believe in, for what is right and for our children and the legacy we leave them.

Barack Obama's Speech

In my opinion, the main message of Sen. Obama's speech (other than to vote for him) was that if he is elected, he would see to it that the American Dream would become a reality for everyone in the country. That his parents shared a belief that in America their son could be whatever he made up his mind to be. That this country is set apart by the people here with individual dreams that have the courage to make them happen. He says if he is elected this will happen. His message says that government has operated under a certain way of doing things for 8 years and under his leadership that will change. On the homefront he promises jobs for everyone, healthcare for everyone, investing $150 billion in renewable sources of energy, and ending the war in Iraq and finishing the fight against Al Qaida and the Taliban.
He supports some of what he promises by citing progress that was made under Bill Clinton's administration. He said that progress was measured by 23 million new jobs created under that administration. He says the American family saw its level of income go up by $7500 as opposed to down by $2,000 which he says has happened under President Bush. He supports his promises by saying he will stop giving tax breaks to companies that outsource jobs overseas. He will eliminate capital gains taxes for small businesses. He will cut taxes for 95 percent of all working families. He also says he will within 10 years end this countries dependence on foreign oil. That he will help the auto companies rework their companies so that the fuel-efficient cars that we need are built here in America and that it will be easier for us to afford those cars. He says he will invest in education and teachers. That if you have health care his plan would mean lower premiums, and if you don't you would get coverage.
How effective is his speech? I am sure for supporters and fence-sitters of Senator Obama his speech was a promise of change which is what he has been promising all along.

Text: How is it defined?

There are so many mediums in the world that are "text". Books, newspapers, websites, phone texts, billboards, and T-shirts are just a very few of the wide variety of different kinds of text out there. I think all text conveys a message of some kind. Good, bad, or indifferent the things we say, read, wear and show about ourselves say something about us. Whether it is about something we believe or are reading to learn or protest something that text is conveying a message. Text is words, music, or images that we can use to get a point across, enjoy ourselves with or maybe learn something.

Which texts are educational and which are not? I think that question can run the gamut on whether it is or not. Is the written word always educational? Textbooks are. Newspapers and periodicals are. Books just to read (fiction, non-fiction) can be, but might not always. Written musical notes are because as I sit down at my piano to play a piece, I am looking at those notes to learn how to play the music. Text on clothing (tshirts, etc.) could be making a statement about something, but I don't think it is necessarily educational. Signs put up in various places that have information on them alerting you to a problem (hole in the street) or giving you information you need to function in the world(speed limit signs) are educational. Or they could be letting you know about a class being given in Tai Chi that you always wanted to take and you realize by looking at that information that you can take that class. We send many messages via our cell phones to everybody in our address book. Those can be educational if you are letting someone know about a time they have to be somewhere or an appointment they have. Just using it to say "Hey, what's up?" back and forth I don't believe is educational. But that is just my opinion of some of the ways we use and view text in our lives.