Weekly Blogging for COM-140

Hello, this is my blog for my COM-140 class. All art on/within this account is my own.

[theweeklyblogger]

The ✨F u t u r e✨

The future is weird, and I'm not sure what it holds, however, I'm excited to see what it holds in store. Who knows, maybe the world will still be burning, or maybe we got our act together and it's still burning, but not as bad, or maybe we finally have those flying cars you always see in futuristic movies. Whatever the future holds, I'm sure it will be an interesting journey to get there. Technology is advancing rapidly, and I'm sure we'll see some incredible changes in the years to come. I'm looking forward to it! Or if we want to be more realistic, it turns out that there is a potential that I might be moving. Moving to Ohio. I'm not sure if this is the right decision but I'm trying to stay positive. It is a new beginning and I'm not quite looking forward to the new experiences that await me. I'm sure I'll figure it out eventually. If I end up moving to Ohio, I can make jokes about the 2000s-2010s emo music romanticizing Ohio.

Maybe in the future, I won't end up having to move to Ohio, and maybe I'll still be in the Stateline area. Who knows, not me, obviously. Maybe I will end up in a place where I can really find myself and find my place in the world. I'm still not sure what the future holds, but I'm hoping for the best. All I know is that I'm ready to take on almost anything. I would prefer staying in the Stateline area though, but that's not up to me. Maybe the future will have bullet trains in the US, or maybe we'll go back to wearing concealer as lipstick. The future both near and far is something to wonder about, but personally, I like to live in the here and now, because if I am always wondering about the future I'll miss out on great times that are happening now. I think everyone should keep that in mind as well. We can all learn to appreciate the moments we have now, and we can make plans for the future without getting so wrapped up in it that we miss out on what's happening in the present. Taking time to enjoy the small things in life is something you might regret not doing in the future. Either way, the future is always happening, whether it be 2 seconds from now to 5decades. Make the most of it by wondering what it holds in store while also appreciating the present. In the future, you'll look back and laugh at the fact that you used to stress about the future so much. The future is always a mystery, so don't let it ruin your present.

[theweeklyblogger]

Florida.

For this post, I am going to talk about why I dislike Florida so much, but I will also talk about things I do like about Florida as well. Florida, debatably the worst state in the U.S., to me at least purely due to reasons that could be applied to other states, annoys me to no end. From the crack of dawn to midnight, it is either hot and humid, or hot and humid. It's awful. I see no reason to like Florida based solely on the weather. Another reason I dislike Florida so much is because of the traffic. People in Florida don't know how to drive, and it drives me crazy. The roads are always congested, and the drivers are always aggressive. You could be on the highway or any road, and you can be going 55 on a 55, and all of a sudden you're now at a dead stop because the driver in front of you is stopped for no reason. Florida's abundance of predators is another reason to dislike it. They have alligators, crocodiles, bears, coyotes, Florida Panthers, and bobcats.

The heat and humidity are unbearable, and the bugs can be really annoying too, and I personally really dislike bugs, with a passion. Florida to me, just is not a fun place to go. Oh, and if you're lucky enough to go to Universal, or even Disney, good luck having fun if you don't have a fast pass. The lines are crazy with the wait times. Everything has a line, there is no escape from the lines. Universal and Disney are just glorified standing and waiting in lines all day in the humidity and heat.Oh, and if you're unlucky, while waiting in lines, you'll forget about reapplying your sunscreen, and then end up with massive sunburns. It's impossible to take in all the sights and attractions, and it's a waste of time and money. The experience isn't worth the trouble. Do you know how much it costs for a two-day pass to Universal for two people? I do. It's a stupid amount of money. Roughly 700 dollars and that doesn't include parking or fast passes. It's another 150 EACH for fast passes. Which is another reason I dislike Florida.

However, to give Florida props, it is very pretty and has nice views. The beaches are fun to visit and it's fun to collect shells to bring back home from the beaches. Another thing I do like about Florida is that it has the everglades. I want to visit them this year, as I think it would be cool to visit. The Everglades also provide a great opportunity to observe interesting wildlife, like alligators and birds. I'm looking forward to seeing that up close. I also plan to visit some of the parks and nature reserves in the area. Another thing I like about Florida is that I have family down there, so it'll be nice to go and see them, since the last time I was them was at a funeral.

Florida does have cool places that the Midwest doesn't, such as Gordon Ramsey's fish and chips, which are very good fish and chips, I like the fish more than chips personally though. Hashimoto's which I am excited to attempt to try this year. They also have Disney Springs, which is free to enter, and I had fun last time at Disney springs, they have a hot air balloon-like 'ride'. Disney Springs also has a M&M store where I got my best friend custom-made M&Ms.

Interestingly enough, when I went to Florida back in 2019, I went to Daytona beach, and funny thing, they discovered a possible shipwreck off of Daytona beach. The reason it was discovered was due to coastal erosion, and recent storms. The unearthing of the wreck is the first in about 20 years, so that will be interesting to see, if we go back to Daytona beach this year. Historical preservationists and archeologists are currently researching the wreck to determine its age and origin. It is a exciting opportunity to uncover a piece of history and possibly learn more about the area. The team is hopeful that they will be able to salvage the wreck and gain further insights.

All in all, I dislike Florida, but Florida does have some redeeming qualities to it. I dislike the weather, the drivers, the absurd prices of well-known theme parks, the threat of the amount of predators in the area. But it does have beautiful coastlines, neat ecosystems and wetlands, and family. At the end of the day, I'm most likely going to go back to Florida a few more times, such as for my cousin's graduation or to visit family, it will be fun, but man am I not ready for the weather.

[theweeklyblogger]

Stranger Things

Stranger Things, in my opinion, is one of the worst shows ever. I thought the concept was dumb, and it was not a fun show. It was too predictable and I found myself getting bored quickly.

Plus, the characters weren't particularly interesting. I just don't see why it's so popular. I think it's just a case of people liking the same things – like a group of lemmings running off a cliff. Stranger Things is something I'd watch only, and only if everything else was suddenly banned. Only after reading every single book in the world, THEN I'd watch Stranger Things. I just don't understand why so many people love it. It's not that entertaining and doesn't have much of a plot. It's just a bunch of hype and nothing else. Like okay cool, some kid has powers, and strange things are happening in a weird rural town. Cool. One of the most 'iconic' monsters from the show, the Demogorgon, looks like a carnivorous flower. So scary. Wow.

It's hard to find anything genuinely interesting or unique about the show. The monster designs are uninspired and the plot is weak. It just feels like a lot of wasted potential. Stranger Things is one of the worst shows I've watched because I couldn't finish more than 3 episodes. The characters are uninteresting and the dialogue is cringe-worthy. It lacks the depth and complexity of other shows in the same genre. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone. Unless that person asked for the worst show, I'd recommend it. It's not even worth hate-watching the show. I wish Netflix still had its rating system so I could give the show 1 star. That's how much I hate Stranger Things. I only watched it because it was popular but I regret it now. I'd suggest people watch other shows instead, like Black Mirror or The Handmaid's Tale.

They are so much better. I just want to save people from the disappointment I felt when I wasted my time on those 3 episodes. There are so many other enjoyable shows out there, it's not worth wasting your time on Stranger Things. Stranger Things is just, to me and in my opinion, flaming garbage. It's not worth the hype. Don't make the same mistake I did and just skip it. It doesn't get any better. There are better shows out there that are far more deserving of your time.

[theweeklyblogger]

Topic of my Feature Story

The topic of my feature story will be mental health, specifically how it affects people, and where to get support on campus.

Since I have had close friends struggle with their mental health and have lost or nearly lost those friends, I chose that topic for my feature story. It is of importance to me that others know there are resources to turn to instead of more severe and drastic measures. I want to tell people that they are not alone in their struggles and that there are people who understand and are willing to help. I also want to raise awareness and educate people on mental health issues, so they can better help their own friends and family. I think that it is something many still struggle silently with, even with all the advocacy there is now compared to 5-8 years ago on the topic of mental health. I want to provide support to those that need it, so they don't have to feel so alone in their mental health struggles. I want to help break the stigma and encourage more people to reach out for help. I hope to create a more understanding and supportive environment for those that need it.

In my feature, I went and asked friends, managers, partners of people whose significant others have been struggling, and classmates about how their mental health affects them. I also asked them about how they feel in regards to getting/giving support to people they may know well or not the support they need. From asking them if they knew where to go for support at home, on campus, or anywhere else they might be, to if they knew where these resources were at. I also asked them if they had any advice to give to someone struggling and feeling overwhelmed. The responses I got from the people I interviewed indicated that they felt like it was very crucial to know where to go for support. They also wanted others to understand that it is okay to seek professional help if needed. Some also mentioned that it is important to be open and honest with the struggling person, empathetic, and understanding. Ideas I want to cover in my feature would be as follows;

How their mental health affects them

How it makes them feel when they feel they need support, but didn't know where to turn so didn't receive any

What helps them when they are going through a hard patch

Do they think it's important for people to know where to go to receive support

Advice they have for people who are struggling

[theweeklyblogger]

The Most Difficult Time of My Life

A good quote I came across during this difficult time was by J. Sterling wrote: “Sometimes letting go is the only way to find out who you're meant to hold on to.” I think about this quote every once in a while and reflect on everything that had happened. It's still a process, and there are days where I struggle more than others when thinking about something that happened not that long ago. It's insane how much your life can change in just a couple of weeks. But I know that I have to keep letting go if I want to move forward and create a better life for myself. I'm learning to accept that some things can't be changed and that it's okay to let go and start fresh. This quote has helped me to accept that and move on. Some things I started to help cope with this upsetting time was that I decided to bake more. I already baked a lot, but this time, the baking was purposeful, and I tried not to be holed up in my room and upset. With all the baking I did during this time, I improved my skills, which was a nice upside. I started to share some of my baking creations with friends, and it gave me happiness. I felt grateful to be able to take part in something I enjoyed, and it helped me heal emotionally. I'm proud to have used baking to cope with the pain and come out a better baker than before.

[theweeklyblogger]

The Village

The villagers had lost a few goats and poultry to a mystery. There was a flurry of interest in the missing farm animals in the village as the mystery spread like wildfire. The village was rumored to be full of thieves, while other residents suggested a wild animal was running loose. Although several theories were put forth, the mystery of the disappearance has never been solved. It was a shocking sight for the whole village when the tiger appeared in the village and launched another attack on it. One night, one villager lost five goats, which forced them to find another income source. Many of the villagers feared the tiger would return, and looked into additional ways to protect their livestock in the future.

However, there have been no tiger sightings since that night, and the villagers have returned to their normal routines. Some speculate that the tiger was only passing through and is no longer in the area. Others believe that the tiger was killed by a hunter or another animal. Whatever the case may be, the village has returned to its peaceful state. But that hopeful thinking was soon turned back when more livestock disappeared. However, this time the people of the village knew it couldn't be the tiger. It had become apparent that the tiger was not the culprit, and that the village was facing another predator, one that was more familiar and more difficult to catch. This caused the people of the village great distress, as they were now dealing with a more complex problem than they had initially anticipated. The villagers had to come up with a plan to find and capture the mysterious creature that had been stealing their livestock.

They organized search parties and put up traps and snares, but the creature was always one step ahead of them. They were stumped and could not figure out who or what was causing their livestock to disappear. With each passing night, the villagers grew more and more fearful, unsure of what would happen next. Finally, they decided to organize a vigil and keep watch over their livestock in shifts, hoping that they could catch a glimpse of the creature and put an end to their troubles. However after someone stayed up to watch, they all claimed the same thing happened. They would say that they had fallen asleep, or that they didn't see anything or anyone during the attacks.

Growing tired of the nonsense of the situation, local hunters decided they would scavenge the surrounding nature to find the culprit of the disappearances. After setting traps and exploring the woods, they eventually discovered an old, abandoned cabin deep in the forest. Upon searching the cabin, they found evidence that a large animal had been living there and was likely responsible for the disappearances. After piecing together all the clues, the hunters concluded that the animal in the cabin had to be a large, predatory creature.

With this realization, they realized they had to take action to protect the local community from any further danger. The hunters created a plan to monitor the area around the cabin and set up motion-sensing cameras to detect the creature's movements, while some of the other hunters went back to warn the village of their findings and what they planned to do. The village was ecstatic to know that their livestock would be safe and that they wouldn't have to fear the night soon. They spent the next several days and nights in vigil, watching the cameras for any sign of the creature. They had no idea what they were looking for but were determined to protect the village.

They were relieved when the cameras finally detected the creature, and they were able to track its movements and keep it away from the village, or at least that was the plan. When the hunters who had left to go tell the village their findings returned, the other hunters had disappeared, along with all of their equipment. Assuming they had stumbled upon another abandoned cabin, they checked inside. When checking inside, they realized it was the same cabin, and that something had to have happened, they searched for any signs of life, from their friends to the mysterious creature they had tracked. After searching for a couple of days, they decided to call it quits, and head back home.

Once home and telling the village of what happened, they were stared at in confusion by all they asked. Telling them that their livestock never went missing, they had passed due to an infection spreading between their animals, and how they hoped it wouldn't happen again. Some told the surviving hunters that the livestock was butchered too and that they never mysteriously disappeared. Growing tired of being told similar stories regarding the livestock, they mentioned the missing hunters. The people of the village said they had 'no clue who those people are', and that 'they certainly never lived here before'. Tired and confused, the remaining hunters decided it was best to keep what happened during the whole ordeal a hushed memory between themselves. No one seemed to know the whereabouts of the hunters, and the villagers made it clear they had never heard of them before. This provided little comfort to the hunters, and they decided it was best not to speak of the incident any further.

[theweeklyblogger]

5 Songs That I Think Are The Best & Why I Think So

It is not an easy task to choose five of the greatest songs of all time, but I am more than willing to do so. Introducing the first song in no particular order is Trevor Something's The Ghost.

Occasionally you just need the right song to listen to in the darkness of your room, and this song delivers just that. This song is hauntingly beautiful due to its synth-wave composition and calm, yet an overall sense of serenity through dark lyrics. With its beautifully executed composition, this song always helps soothe the nerves no matter where you are.

The next song I would like to share would be Think Twice by Dead On A Sunday

Personally, I think this song is beautifully done. It has a similar sound to Trevor Something, yet has more of a Gothic appeal. As a whole, this song is a good one to listen to when you're driving at night or if you're up at 2 am. Moreover, it has a lingering, dreamlike quality that is sure to stick with you for a while after hearing it.

This next song is a change of pace from the previous songs. However, it truly is a product of its time, Don't You Dare Forget The Sun by Get Scared.

This song always brings back fun memories of the early 2010s for me, and honestly, that makes it a dear song to me. I've always loved this style of music. Despite being around 10 when the song came out, I would still listen to this song on my iPod hoping my brothers wouldn't hear me listening to it. I may have been a bit too young to be introduced to this song, but I'm sure glad I did. It's been stuck in my head ever since.

The next song I would like to mention is Monster by Skillet, a classic.

This song I used to hear all the time on the radio when my brother would take me to the ice rink for my lessons or for team practices. This song truly grew on me and is the reason why I came across the previous song. Nevertheless, this is a classic rock song that anyone can enjoy. From the guitar beat to the overall composition, it is just an excellent song overall.

The last song I would like to talk about for the 5 best songs ever would be Square Hammer by Ghost.

Despite the way the lyrics are so catchy, it doesn't surprise me that this song is just as catchy as the other ones I chose. I could listen to it on repeat for hours. Additionally, the band's visual look enhances the charm of the song. The Ghost music videos tell an interesting story and make you think about the songs. These elements further enhance the song's charm and make it stand out, allowing it to be remembered and have a lasting impression.

[theweeklyblogger]

The Person Who Has Influenced Me, Though I've Never Met Her.

A person who has influenced me the most who I have never met would be Yayoi Kusama, 草間 彌生 . She has influenced me by showing that art doesn't have to be a landscape, a portrait, or even of a living being. For example, Kusama has created art pieces from pumpkins, polka dots, and other unique objects that are visually pleasing and thought-provoking. Yayoi Kusama is a Japanese contemporary artist and one of the most famous living female artists. She is known for her immersive art installations, which often feature repeating patterns of dots, nets, and mirrored surfaces. Her work is inspired by her hallucinations and her creative expression has had a lasting impact on the art world. That you typically wouldn't think of using as a medium for your art.

An example of her work.

Kusama's art inspired me to create art that was different from others. A quote from Kusama that I believe is what truly influenced me is, "People ask about art and commercialism. I think that if someone tries to sell their work at a high price, that is the wrong way of doing it." I am reminded of this quote often because to me it means that art doesn't have to be priced high for it to be considered aesthetically pleasing. A 5-dollar piece of art is just as worthy as a piece that is 60 dollars, or 100 dollars because someone took the time and effort to create something. For instance, a small painting of a flower on a canvas can be as meaningful as a large abstract artwork. Yayoi Kusama is an example of this; her artwork, including her iconic dots and nets, is often available as prints or postcards for a fraction of the cost of her large-scale installations.

Yayoi Kasama, and some of her work.

When it comes to her work, she lives by what she says as well. Another quote I think about often by Kusama is, "I will keep painting until I die." I believe that she will. Last year in June 2022, she brought back an installation of hers, called "The Obliteration Room" where people were invited in, free of charge, provided a pack of colorful polka dot stickers, and were able to walk around the room and place their dots where ever they wished. It was a way to bring joy to people while allowing them to be creative and take part in her artwork. This further emphasizes her commitment to her art, as she is willing to let people interact with her work in a way that enriches their lives.

The Obliteration Room, before opening to the public.

The Obliteration Room, after opening to the public.

[theweeklyblogger]

This is the funniest video clip on the internet

This is the funniest clip on the internet. What makes it the funniest clip on the internet is that it references the 2001 cartoon, Invader Zim. Even if it has been a while, it always manages to bring out a pleasant laugh. A nostalgic cartoon is sure to bring a smile to anyone's face. For that matter, any humor from the early 2000s, and there's always something delightful about it, whether you're laughing with or at it. What really sells the clip is the character, Dib's enunciation of the words "beans" and "space boy", and ending with Zim falling back. Ah, the good old days when cartoons were actually funny!

[theweeklyblogger]

Why The Heck Am I Going To College?!

Why the heck Am I going to college? Well, I am attending college at Rock Valley College, and I am going to college to become a teaching English as a foreign language teacher. Why? Because it’s something that I want to do, with no rhyme or reason. You can work anywhere in the world, and that is a cool and unique upside to working in that field. While I technically do not need to have a degree, I would still like to have, at least, an associate's degree, for in the chance I do not get into the career field I want, I can still rely on my associate's degree to help my resume. As for the associate's degree, I am going for, I will be completing an associate's of the arts degree, and am on the path of graduating in the Fall of 2023.