Derek Sanderson Jeter

 

Derek Jeter is one of the most amazing New York Yankees baseball players’ to-date.  Derek wears the number two jersey, plays short-stop, field and bats right handed.  He stands 6’3” and weighs 195 pounds, and is a pleasure to look at. 

Derek Jeter was born on June 26, 1974 in Pequannock, NJ.  He later moved to Kalamazoo, Michigan, however he remained a true Yankee fan with the help of his grandmother.  Derek made the high school Varsity baseball team as a freshman and continued to play until he graduated.  Throughout Derek’s high school baseball career he earned Scholar Athlete, Player of the Year, High School Athlete of the Year, and USA Today’s High School Player of the Year.  In addition to baseball, he played Varsity basketball, where he earned all-state honorable mention.  After high school, Derek attended the University of Michigan on a baseball scholarship.  However, college did not last long for Derek as he was drafted sixth overall by the Yankees in 1992. 

During Derek’s first full year in the MLB (Major League Baseball), he made the All-Star team and was named Most Outstanding Major League Prospect.  He was officially “called-up” on May 29, 1995. In 1996 Derek hit his first home-run.   

Derek has received many awards over his baseball career.  In 1996 and 1998 the Yankees won the World Series, 1999 was Derek’s best season statistically with another World Series win.  2000 proved for yet another World Series win and with Derek being named the Most Valuable Player for the World Series and All-Star games.  In 2002 he was the fourth player in major league history to score at least 100 runs in the first seven full seasons.  On June 3, 2003 Derek was named captain of the Yankees.  2004 found Derek receiving his first gold glove for superior infield performance.  In 2011 he was the 23^rd member and first Yankee to join the 3000 hit club. While Derek’s salary has seen ups and downs, he is currently worth $14,729,365 for the season. 

MLB is currently in preseason; however, the Yankees’ first home opener is April 13 against the Angels.  Derek Jeter and his New York Yankees team expect to have another great season. 

In addition to Derek’s baseball talent, he is involved with many fundraisers and programs.  Derek’s “Turn 2 Foundation” promotes healthy lifestyles on youth and promotes youths to stay away from drugs.  Derek is also involved with programs such as “Smart Moves”, “Girls on the Run”, and provides baseball clinics as well as scholarships.   

Derek Jeter, as well as New York Yankees team and other players sell various items on their websites, during games, and in various stores.  Items from jerseys, hats, and shoes to collectibles, cards, and books are available for purchase. 

            Derek, as well as the entire Yankee ball club is one in which you either love or love to hate.  The Yankees ball team receives a lot of criticism for how much they pay their players, but you get what you pay for and the numbers don’t lie.  However, if you ask most kids today who their favorite player is, the majority of the responses will be Derek Jeter. 

Works Cited

MLB Advanced Media. Derek Jeter. 2001-2012. 29 March 2012. <http://mlb.mlb.com/players/jeter_derek/index.jsp>.

PlayStation 3

The PlayStation 3, or PS3 for short, is a system software gaming system designed by Toshiba, IBM, and Sony that has the option to update online or from a disk.  PS3 systems include nine options:  Photo, Music, Video, Users, Settings, Network, Friends, PlayStation Network, and Games.  The Photo option allows you to store photos and make slide-shows out of them.  PS3 also allows for copying of audio CDs, playing movies, and video chats.   

The PS3 system itself looks somewhat like a DVD player.  It has a disc slot that accepts CDs, DVDs, Blu-ray, Audio and PS3 discs, and a memory card reader.  In addition there are USB ports to connect controllers, storage devices, etc.  The hard disk drive light flashes orange when in use, while the Wi-Fi light flashes green when there is a wireless connection.   

PS3 offers many accessories such as 3D glasses, headsets, remote controls, dual shock controllers, charging stations, eye camera, “Move” motion controller, keyboard, shooting attachments, and navigation controllers. 

PS3 is marketed towards kids and teens, however, many adults enjoy playing the games, using the Wi-Fi, or using the chat feature.  The technology of PS3 is useful in the fact that the risk of a virus is not there, you can connect it to a large television, you can play movies on it, and personal data is not at risk for being destroyed.  The PS3 is part of the seventh generation in video-gaming, it allows three trillion plus calculations per second, and is considered the best gaming console.  

Microsoft’s Xbox 360 and Nintendo’s Wii are similar to the PS3. The three systems offer the same as far as online gaming, movies, motion games, and similar accessories.  The main difference is PS3’s online gaming service.  This service is the PlayStation Network.  PS3 also allows for connection of the portable PlayStation (PSP).   

PlayStation, as well as other gaming systems are built off of the Atari.  The Atari was released in 1977, and was the first video gaming console. The Nintendo NES followed in 1985; this system followed arcade games and used removable cartridges.  In 1989, the Sega Genesis was released.  Sega went a step further than Nintendo by offering better graphics.  Shortly after in 1995, Sony PlayStation was released.  This system used CD-ROM games, had better graphics and controllers.  In 2000, an even better version of the PlayStation was released, the PlayStation 2.  The competition kept up with the release of the Nintendo Game Cube and Microsoft’s X-Box in 2001.  In 2005 Microsoft upgraded the X-Box with the X-Box 360, and in 2006 Nintendo released the Wii.  The basic idea of technology for each system remains the same; it just advances with each newer version.

American culture has been greatly affected by the release of PS3, as well as other gaming systems.  People have an immediate means of fulfilling a fantasy by game simulation, watching a movie, chatting, etc.  In the past one would read a book, go to a movie theater, or visit someone in person; however, the options are much easier now.  Technology of this nature has made Americans lazy and somewhat less educated. 

ENG 247: Blog Post #3

Mac Miller

Mac Miller, have you heard of him?  If not, you will, his hip-hop music is climbing its way up the Billboard’s charts.  The nineteen year-old Mac Miller from Pittsburgh, PA is expected “to be the new face of music in 2011 and beyond”  (Rostrumrecords, 2011).

A few of Mac Miller’s more popular songs are “Donald Trump”, “Smile Back”, “Party on 5th Ave”, “The Spins”, “Outside”, “Live Free” and “I’ll be There”.  “Smile Back” and “Party on 5^th Ave” are both off his latest album “Blue Slide Park”.  Mac Miller has produced five albums total.

Mac Miller is fairly new to the music industry.  His first album “K.I.D.S.” was released in July 2010.  He started recording individual songs in 2007; however, he was never signed with a production company until 2010.

 Mac does not have any particular style that stands out as unique.  He is known for wearing baseball style hats and sunglasses on a regular basis.  He does however sell what is referred to as “Mac Merch”.  Mac Merch contains items such as beaded bracelets, hats and t-shirts.  Some of the items sold do contain a thumbs-up logo which is unique to Mac.

The lyrics of Mac Miller’s songs can be considered offensive by some, depending on your taste, or style of music.  However, they are catchy, they relate to real life, and they are accompanied by good music.  Some of the songs contain more offensive language than others, but that is also what sells to the younger generations.  The song “I’ll be There” is one in which is less offensive. 

See I was 6 years old with a dream, when my mums told me I can do anything
Said she'd be there forever, no matter what's the weather
She'd always have my back even when we weren't together
And I took her for granted, thought I had a plan
This a different generation, I don't think you'd understand
In the quest to be a man, you start to learn you need your family
It wasn't for them, I'd be way closer to insanity
It ain't about the vanity, think bout what's important
The reason I was 6 years old rocking some Jordans
The reason I had food, my own damn room
A TV and a living room to watch my cartoons
I just hope she know I love her, the World's best mother
Yeah ain't fair, so I'm a take care of her and her gray hair
When I get rich, I'll have her living how she should be
No stress, no worries, you can call me cause it's...

Sunshine or rain, I'll be there
For the good times or bad, I'll be there
Sunshine or rain, I'll be there
For the good times or bad, I'll be there

(AZLyrics, 2000-2012)

 However, on the other hand, the song “Donald Trump” contains more

offensive lyrics. 

We gonna take over the World while these haters gettin' mad
That's why all my bitches bad, they see this crazy life I have and they in awe
We gon' win, you can take the lose or draw
What I'm in, got these hoes that used to play me in their bras
We gonna take over the World while these haters gettin' mad
Take over the World, watch these haters get mad
That's why all my bitches bad, they see this crazy life I have
Hop into the car then we take 'em to the pad
It's a wrap

(AZLyrics, 2000-2012) 

            The video for “Party on 5^th Ave” is very entertaining.  This video begins with Mac and his band dressed as older gentlemen riding scooters down 5^th Ave.  They proceed down the road while singing, dancing, vandalizing a vehicle, and having fun.  They end up at a party with various age groups dancing and partying.  When the party ends, Mac is shown walking down the street once again, this time he falls down as if he has suffered a heart-attack.  The song in itself is catchy, however, after seeing the video you will like the song even more.  It gives you the feeling of wanting to get up and dance and have a good time.

            I would want nothing more than for Mac Miller to continue his career and become as successful as he possibly could. I enjoy his music, and can relate to some of the things he sings about.  While I do not necessarily agree with all of the lyrics, I am still a fan and supporter.  His music is not obnoxious and it is clear what he says while singing.  I do not like to listen to music if I can’t understand a word they are saying, or singing.

Works Cited

AZLyrics. (2000-2012). AZLyrics-Mac Miller. Retrieved February 15, 2012, from AZLyrics: http://search.azlyrics.com/search.php?q=mac+miller

  

Rostrumrecords. (2011). Mac Miller Bio. Retrieved February 14, 2012, from Mac Miller Official Website: http://www.macmillerofficial.com/bio/

ENG 247: Blog Post #2

Pretty Little Liars

Pretty Little Liars airs on Monday nights at 8:00 p.m. on the ABC family channel.  This show is a teen drama based on the books written by Sara Shepard.  The show however is created by Marlene King. 

Pretty Little Liars takes place in a fictitious town called Rosewood, PA. The show follows four girls, Spencer Hastings, Hanna Marin, Aria Montgomery, and Emily Fields.  These four girls’ lives begin to fall apart when the “leader” of their group, Alison DiLaurentis disappears.  The girls receive text messages regarding things they do, and secrets they keep.  They thought it was Alison, since the messages are signed “A”.  However, Alison’s was found dead.  As the seasons progress the girls continue to receive these messages and begin to discover clues to help them find out who killed Allison, and who “A” really is. 

The girls in Pretty Little Liars all have their own typical teen issues on top of this one major one involving the death of Allison and a mysterious follower by the name of “A”.  Spencer Hastings, played by Troian Bellisario is the preppy, smart one.  Spencer is a perfectionist and appears to be the “good girl”.  However, she has a habit of stealing her sister’s boyfriends.  Hanna Marin, played by Ashley Benson quickly becomes the most popular girl in school following the disappearance of Allison.  Before becoming popular, Hanna replaced her father being a part of her life through eating and shoplifting.  Aria Montgomery, played by Lucy Hale, has a very dysfunctional family.  Her father had an affair, her brother found himself in series of incidents involving the police, and she has a relationship with a former teacher.  Emily Fields, played by Shay Mitchell, plays a lesbian.  Emily finally decided to let her parents know she was gay and they did not accept it at first.  Emily was a star swimmer for the school until various other life issues took over, and she was no longer a part of the team. 

I feel that overall, things have gone well.  I enjoy watching this show and each episode keeps me on edge and waiting for the next one.  The day to day issues the girls deal with are realistic and I feel they are easily related to.  However, the fact that they have not been able to expose anyone is dragging out to the point of some unrealistic events.  As far as portraying the girls’ lives, the show touches on most issues teenage girls face in today’s world.  It covers sexuality (age and gender based), theft, weight, popularity, lies, friends, enemies, family, and school, just to name a few. 

This show has won awards in teen categories, which is very appropriate.  Pretty Little Liars is most definitely a teen based show, however the mystery/thriller part of it lures in an older crowd.  The producers have done well in attracting viewers through a combination of tactics.  These tactics include murder, sex, drama, love, and suspense.  All of the girls are attractive, wear nice clothes, and live in nice homes.  This part pulls in the younger audience as they either relate or fantasize.   

If you have not watched Pretty Little Liars, I invite you to…just be prepared to become “hooked”.

Post #1

1-20-12

Doritos and the Pug…

     This 30 second commercial is for Doritos, in particular the “Spicy Nacho” flavor.  Doritos are a Frito Lay product which is owned by PepsiCo.  Doritos commercials are known for being funny and often new commercials are aired during the Super Bowl commercials. 

     The commercial takes place in the living room of a house, with a middle-aged white female sitting on a sofa which is placed in front of a large window, a middle-aged white man with a bag of Spicy Nacho Doritos, and a pug dog that is in the front yard.  The musical background is somewhat of an opera theme, one that builds up intensity.  The man tells what appears to be his girlfriend to “check this out”, as he closes the glass door in front of him.  He stands behind the glass door and pulls a chip out of the bag and waves it in the air at the dog.  He begins to jump around, skip, and act very excited about teasing the dog on the other side of the door with this chip.  The girlfriend says to him “babe, don’t hurt my dog”, as she looks out of the front window in pure annoyance, seeing her dog run full-force towards the door.  The man continues to act childish by fidgeting around, and calling the dog to come get a chip.

     Finally the dog runs enough he’s made it to the door, he has enough speed, strength, and desire for that bag of Doritos that he knocks the door down on top of the man.  The man is trapped between the floor and the door with his face smashed against the glass and his hand up near his head as if he were trying to stop the door from falling on him.  The screen flashes black with the Dorito logo and then back to the dog sitting on the floor eating the man’s bag of Doritos.  The man is shown still under the door mumbling “hey, my Doritos” as the dog continues to eat.

     The rhetorical appeals in this are clearly defined.  First ethos (credibility), I feel as if the commercial pulls us into that moment we almost expect to happen of a guy such as this one.  His childish actions and the reactions of the girlfriend convince you that something wrong is going to happen.  As we see, it did happen that way.  The dog was the winner in the end, leaving this childish man trapped in his own game.

     The pathos (emotional) appeal is displayed very well.  From the musical selection that builds up intensity, the facial expressions of the man, his overall body language, the reaction from the girl looking concerned…yet annoyed, to the excitement of the dog running.  I feel it is made very clear how everyone feels in this commercial.  The viewer’s emotions tend to follow the actors as well, you go from wanting to jump around like the man, into a don’t hurt the dog sense, then to end with excitement in knowing the dog got the best of this silly man.

     Logos (logical) appeal…which is also covered effectively.  The intended message is very sound, as most catch on to it immediately.  It is also logical in the fact that this truly could happen, and possibly already has.  The commercial does not give a false sense, or leave one to say “yea right, that can’t happen”. 

     I feel this commercial is very effective.  The ad is for Spicy Doritos, the actions of the man and the dog are spicy or feisty, and they are both energetic.  This is a commercial that is found to be funny, easy to remember, and not long in length.  A commercial with these qualities equals someone remembering it. When you remember the commercial, you remember the product.  The play on the associations to attract the viewers to a product worked for this particular commercial.

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