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[dreavesnsf]

 So, today assignment is to find a part of Baltimore that I may have visit during ABTW five weeks journey that I find to be significant. I chose to select downtown Baltimore- Fells Point. I decide to go with Fells Point because before this whole experience, I was unfamiliar with the location and hardly enter into that area when going downtown. When I went to Fells Point, I felt like a tourist in my own city. I was so amazed by the structure of the area and its surroundings. Selecting Fells Points would be as a small portion of a map of Baltimore City from my point of view because for me, it was something new, intriguing, and it opened up a window of opportunities to learn historic landmarks and the area around it. 

[dreavesnsf]

A/C or Afram

 Although I would really love to attend the 2013 African American Festival, I think I would more rather stay where it’s cooler. Don’t get me wrong, Afram is one of the exciting events in Baltimore, MD that occurs during one weekend in July. The 2013 African American Festival features an extensive selection of entertainment, cultural exhibits, contests, health screenings, education and financial empowerment activities. This year’s festival offers something for everyone from shopping and food to spectacular performances, health screenings, children’s activities, arts, history, education and much more. The best part about this tremendous event that brings even more people together, it’s free. I think because this event is free, people are more likely to come out and not worried about having the funds. The festival is held at M&T Bank Stadium and between the Oreos Parks at Camden Yards. The festival is presented by Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake with the support of a Festival Advisory Board and Steering Committee. I love festivals such as this because it presents Baltimore in a positive image and it allows everyone to have a fun time while learning about their culture. However it’s roughly 95-97 DEGREES. YES 95-97 DEGREES. So, I think I’m going to choose the A/C. Hopefully; I can give you a more formal description of Afram next year. 

[dreavesnsf]

Too Hottt

IT'S TOO HOT TO COOKOUT. IT'S TOO HOT TO COOK IN. IT'S TOO HOT TO OUT AND EAT. IT'S TOO HOT TO ORDER IN. I GUESS IM GOING TO HAVE TO STARVE.

[rsargentnsf]

Throughout the summer, we have been interviewing several different kinds of people from different areas of Baltimore. None of them seem to be connected with each other, but there’s a continual theme that has come up between them and that is a sense of community – of family. Sometimes it feels...

[dreavesnsf]

Attending the  Ebenezer AME church service in south Baltimore’s Sharp-Leadenhall. has being an amazing experience everyone in the room was uplifted by the choir and the pator’s sermon brought compassion to everyone’s heart. I notice how everyone in the church house is well connected to each other. After the church service, we later interview the people of Ebenezer AME church. I asked questions such as; Why do you continue to attend this particular church?” And, some information about the community. I got some great answers that will get people attention as far as letting people know Ebenezer AME church and its surrounding community.

[dreavesnsf]

YOU KNOW THAT YOU'RE FROM BALTIMORE WHEN YOU SEE THE "RUNNING MAN" 

The “Running Man” (also known as Keith Bossier) does not have time to get caught up in people’s stares. Nearly 23 years that he has been running around Baltimore City, people have been wondering about him; if he’s insane, homeless, or is he running away from his demons. But none is true.  He has made a seamlessly rational decision to run at least 20 miles a day, every single day a year through the streets of Baltimore as a self-inflicted fitness routine. He owns his own his own home. He has a job working as a carpenter in which he is often building decks with his relatives. His floppy socks are actually expensive runner’s socks that he makes last as long as he can, and his shoes are dirty and worn because they have traveled1, 200 miles in the last two months, which is about the time and distance at which he replaces them. Everything in Boissiere’s life, from his vegetarian diet to his rigorous workout schedule to his attire, is by his own design.

[dreavesnsf]

Friday afternoon, my class and I were courteously invited to the Wide Angle Youth Media in Baltimore. Wide Angle is an after school program is filled with talent, bright students who work with photography and film directing. I had the pleasure to look at some of their documentaries that they conducted and eventually publish. I couldn’t help but to compare their documentary to a famously known director because certain aspects who similar and the students’ concept was well thought out. In addition, the students were able to bring out important point while sustaining their audience attention. Later, the students when over different techniques that is beneficial when photographing and/or filming. We was introduced to an antonym that can potential using for future reference; S.H.A.M.P.O.O (size, height, angle, movement, position, & Oo).  I was more so interest in the different angles. I different realizes that by positioning the camera in different angles, you are able to give more dept. to the picture and transform your project into something exclusive that can set itself apart from others. In addition, I notice that while the students were going over the different angles, I already had the idea and concept down. Basically, I knew most of the positions, but, now to finally able to put a name on it. Like other lessons, that day has being very intriguing and I absolutely look forward in using these took for future reference. 

[dreavesnsf]

This is my rough draft of the City up Rising Documentary that I am currently working on.

[dreavesnsf]

“If you are afraid to get tested, then that's a reason why you should get tested. Don’t sit around while something is developing in your body."

  Yesterday was the first time that I ever went to a City Up Rising Event. City Up Rising. The JACQUES Initiative, Hope Springs and the Gallery Church of Baltimore unite to support HIV testing & linkage to care at 5 sites around the City. Esperanza Center, Community, A Walgreens Pharmacy, St. Matthews United Methodist Church, Unity United Methodist Church, and Payne Memorial were the five locations where City Up Rising took place. At each cited, boxed lunch and HIV information was offered to those who got tested. In addition, each cites had something to bring in the community. One cites had a block party, one cite served lunch and others passed out information and getting the awareness out to the community. I only went to two cited but, during my time at those cited, I was able to see the compassion from the volunteers and how driven they are in getting people tested. My ambassador Kaneetha took pictures throughout the event and introduces me to other volunteers and people who play a significant in City up Rising. I conducted a little over 25 interviews. I asked, “What is City up Rising to them”, “how has City Up Rising, made impact on the community”, and “what advice do you have for someone who is afraid to get test.” I received a lot of the same answer, but from different perspective and coming from different stories. One of the volunteers that I interviewed said something that is so simple, yet powerful. “If you are afraid to get tested, then that's a reason why you should get tested. Don’t sit around while something is developing in your body. You can get help in your community by just coming down and get tested.” Statements like that can influence and motivate people who are afraid to go out to find information about statue and learn information about HIV prevention. This all process has definitely been a learning experience for me. I came in with a naïve mind set off HIV; I only knew the basic and other small details. Now after receiving all this information, it’s overwhelming in a sense. I didn’t realize how significant HIV was in the community and how people are unaware the virus. I really appreciate the volunteers at City Up Rising and what they hopefully accomplish. 

[dreavesnsf]

My interview with a former RG Steel worker (from their perspective)

Friday afternoon, I spend the day interviewing former worker of RG Steel; David Dearborn at Sparos Point. During the interview, Mr. Dearborn went into details about his work history to where he is today. While Dearborn went through the different jobs that he had have in the past, it is apparent that before he got laid off, he kept  a decent, constant, back to back working paste. I asked, “How this change did affect you and your family? He replies, “It didn’t, of course we have to make so financial budgets but, other than that me being laid off hasn’t affected the family.” However, throughout the interview, he had mention throughout the interview that he had always worked. Even though he is enjoying the time off to spend with his family, being unemployed can takes its toll on you. He wants to go in the IT field and perhaps do something with Cyber Security. The setback that is preventing him from getting that desire career is the experiences, in which he lacks. So now he is taking classes to get his certifications and hopefully will finish by the end of May of 2014. After going through the interview, I realize that I also face the challenges. Being an undergrad and transitioning into the working environment is difficult without experienced. He said at the end that by him being laid off and not currently working, I would probably not get the best advice coming from him. However, if I interview someone from a high corporation office, that never have to worry about the security of their job, I would probably only hear one side of the story. I wouldn’t hear about the struggles of searching for a job. And I probably would not be able to relate to them the same way that I related to Mr. Dearborn. 

[dreavesnsf]

Time Lapse (you have to try it!!!)

I think yesterday lesson in class is by far one of my favorite sessions throughout the ABTW internship. Former Anthropology student; Kelly Brady came in class showed demonstrations of how to structure a video involving the techniques. One technique that really caught my attention and look forward to using it in the near future is Time Lapse Video and/or Photography. For those who are unfamiliar with Time Lapse Video or Photography, Time-lapse photography is a cinematography technique whereby each film frame is captured at a rate much slower than it will be played. Only one downside that I can point out about Time Lapse is that it is time consuming. In order to get an essential five or six minute video shot, the camera would need to stay in one spot for more than an hour in order to capture the desire image. Moreover, by doing photography, it is possible for someone to take up to 800 photographs for an eight minute piece.  I am so intrigue and excite by Time Lapse Videos and Photography because it seems like an effortless story or video that is taken from the photographer perspective. In addition, this is another opportunity for me to be introduce to something that I am inexperienced with and perhaps use this skill in future reference. 

[dreavesnsf]

No Job is Guarantee, (nobody's safe)

How would you react if you worked in an industry most of your life, and suddenly have to stop working due to new technology, bankruptcy or other reason that may play as a factor in your employment. Well today, my I sat in on a very informative presentation that relates to this matter. I thought today’s presentation gave me a clearer view of the working environment. One of the speakers, Mike Lewis, said something that I am pretty sure that everybody feared. You can have a job, excel at it, arrive on time and exceed high expectations. Yet, lose that same job the next day. Everything around us is revolving into new production and it’s critical for everyone to make that necessary transition in order to sustain a job/career or to find new employment. It’s nerve-wrecking thinking that of a drop of a hat, one factor; whether it is going back to school to learn new relevant information, a company that is brought out by another company, or other financial reasons can change your whole career, leaving you to look for other alternatives. The speakers Mike and Brian lived through this experience and are here to give us their perceptive from their point of view. Brian mentioned that during his two year unemployment, he was still able to balance his lifestyle and was able to overcome his unemployment phase. I think that is comforting to get these valuable information early on in life, so we are able to have a better concept and become more prepare for what’s to come. Well, Good Luck!

[dreavesnsf]

My Journey through Sharp Leadenhall

Tuesday afternoon, I walked through Sharp Leadenhall neighborhoods searching for places where residents could buy groceries, schools, recreation centers, churches, etc. As I walked through the neighborhood, I noticed how the houses were well kept and the neighborhood had a presentable appearance. If I had never went a tour through Sharp Leadenhall, more likely I wouldn’t have had notice the area nor recognized the fact that it’s a historic African American neighborhood. In the Sharp Leadenhall area, there were conveniences stores, recreations centers for the youth and very few schools. One thing that really stood out to me is the number of churches within the areas. There were at least four or five churches within walking distance. I realized that taking these tours through familiar or unfamiliar neighborhoods gives me an opportunity to analysis the area from my perspective and appreciated the learning experience.

[dreavesnsf]

This is another photograph taken by Diane Arbus. The photo shows a boy, with the left strap of his shorts awkwardly hanging off his shoulder, tensely holding his long, thin arms by his side. Clenched in his right hand is a toy replica hand grenade (an Mk 2 "Pineapple"), and his left hand is held in a claw-like gesture; his facial expression is maniacal. Arbus captured this photograph by having the boy stand while moving around him, claiming she was trying to find the right angle. The boy became impatient and told her to "Take the picture already!"  His expression conveys his exasperation and impatience with the whole endeavor. When I selected this picture, I though it was unique, different, odd and disturbing, all wrapped in one. Diane photos makes bold statements in which separate herself from other photographers.

[dreavesnsf]

Transcribe everything I say.

For those who have never heard of the term transcribing, it is fairly simple. Transcribing is written or printed representation of something. In my case, my class was assigned a recording and we required to translate the words as documentation. When I was first introduced to transcribing, I was intimidating because I wasn’t familiar with term. Now after learning and actually going through the process of transcribing, I didn’t see any difficulties in it at all. The only down side of transcribing is that it is time consuming. In order to fully complete, I would do bits by bits, at least six or five minutes. Pause the video, translate the words, and then continue the reordering.

[dreavesnsf]

Lesson for the Day: Making and Editing a Video.

When coming into the project, I had very minimum knowledge about making a video, let alone editing a video as well. Professor Brian came into our class and showed us a documentary of a day in a life of a firefighter. I really enjoy that particular documentary because the video was taken from the main character perspective, and the audio was so engaging and serious. After watching the documentaries, my class had a chance to actually use the equipment’s and makes our own video. There were many ideas that were mention when making the video that I thought were great, so my group took small segments, and eventually transfer everything into one video. In the beginning, editing is was one of my challenges thus far. I understand that edition is a simple process; however, it can become overwhelming with all the collected data in front of you. Luckily, my peers had a clearer concept of editing and I eventually of the hang of it. Now I am looking forward in making my documentary and coming with creative ideas when it times for editing. 

[dreavesnsf]

The art of Documentary

In class, I learned how every aspect of a documentary are significant and I those features plays a huge roll when making a documentary. One of the Towson University professors caught my class different techniques when interview a subject/participant. She’d mention sounds that can bound off of other objects, in addition, how sound in the background can be a major effect when recording. The professor played a few documentaries that were based upon audio. Without having the visual image in front of me, I was able to paint an image of the character and use my imagination classify the setting. I think is the most important when making a documentary because it allows the audiences to create their own image of the story. 

[dreavesnsf]

Can you look at someone and tell whether they are HIV postive?

Can you tell if someone is infected with HIV? Can you tell by the way they walk, talk, or just by the appearance? Someone who you may see on a regular basic who wear nice clothes, drives a fancy car, who’s in good physical shape may seem healthy externally. Yet, their body is deterring internally and slowly shutting down. Well, it almost impossible to accurately know who is actually by the HIV virus without getting tested. Today; I went to a presentation that discusses the basic of HIV, what HIV does to your body internally, and how to move forward when contracting the virus. Before today, I had a precise idea of HIV and what it can ultimately due to the body. However, I now have a better understanding and eager to learn more. First, what is HIV? The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a virus that attacks the immune system. Your immune system protects you from germs that cause infections and make you sick. If HIV is in your system, over time, it lowers the number of healthy immune cells (CD4 cells) that you have to fight infections. HIV is contracted by sexual contact, unsanitary needles, and contact by blood flow and breast feeding. However, it is impossible to get HIV through saliva, drinking or eating behind other people, touching or coughing. HIV is linked to AIDS, considering the fact that HIV to the cause of AIDS. Without getting the proper treatment, the virus turns the body into a factory that produces more and more cells that eventually causes AIDS. The difference between HIV and AIDS are numbers. If your CD4 count is below the average count 200, then you would be considered AIDS define.