Blog 7/19 Critique on "Summer's blog (7)"

I definitely understand where Summer is coming from when she talks about Atlanta and how it has changed. When I first found out I was going to Georgia State and living on campus in Atlanta, I was ecstatic. I just knew I was going to have a tremendous amount of fun. I came to Atlanta a couple of times when I was in high school, but didn't get to explore, so I was ready to once I moved out here. I wasn't at all impressed when I came out here. Everything seems over-priced and yet the city isn't even being taken care of as much. Summer talks about the potholes, these are the worst. Someone's tires can be messed up easily just from these streets. Where is the high cost of living in Atlanta going to. There are so many robberies each day in Atlanta, and I know this because of the campus alert emails. What is so beautiful about that? I love Georgia, I've been here all my life, but Atlanta is supposed to be the heart of it. Where people can have affordable fun and dining and parking!

I won't say I agree with Summer about being in Atlanta anymore or finding enjoyment here, because I believe change is going to come. I do remember when President Obama one the election and half of Atlanta marched to the Capitol. That was one of the most fun, memorable nights I have ever had in Atlanta. I will never forget it. I, myself volunteer in my community but it's so much teenagers/college students can do. There are buildings that can be turned into shelter homes for the homeless, and there are parks that need to be cleaned up. I would like to have a picnic in a park, but with the "trash", I am not walking near a park.

I enjoyed reading Summer's blog and it's something that I can relate to. Atlanta has much to offer, but how can they offer it in a better, safe, and affordable way. It can be done.

Blog 7/7

The article by Sam Harris seemed rather interesting than most articles I have read. He focuses on psychedelics, which are psychoactive drugs whose primary action is to alter cognition and perception. It was funny when he was talking about his daughter, and how he said he feels as if she will miss out if she never tried these drugs. I, myself is one that cannot just take any drug, and a psychedelic is one of them. I do not want my mind altered and don't see the need for it. From the article, Harris seemed like a supporter of psychedelics only because he took it before and knows the positive and negative effects of it. It also seems as if he disagrees with people getting thrown in jail over drugs. He believes society should be more open to helping theses people get treatment. I agree with him when he says that we ( as a country) waste our time having nonviolent drug users incarcerated at an enormous expense, and how it is one of our greatest moral failures.

I believe that our culture abuses drugs to the fullest extent. But that doesn't mean everyone should be incarcerated. There are rapists, killers, and thieves getting away because (we) are too focused on getting drug addicts and drug dealers. Unnecessary money is being used just to throw these people in jail. Not only can we offer drug addicts treatment and therapy, those who consider themselves drug dealers can be offered it too. I believe that marijuana is illegal only because of the economy. People do make money, and I mean lots of it, just from selling this drug. Of course this would disturb the U.S economy so the only thing to do is to make it illegal. This is why more people are in jail with drug-related crimes, in my opinion.

Most other countries do not care about drug use. That's why more than half of the United States population who are charged with drug use are foreigners. I know in marijuana is illegal in most countries, but it is surely decriminalized, or legally recognized. If the police stopped you because you ran a red light in Spain and they saw you smoking marijuana, they would probably take it from you and give you your ticket then send you on your way. I can see the police officers smoking it for themselves. Not to say this doesn't happen in the United States but if caught in the U.S there are much more severe consequences.

Our country is trying so hard to be the best country it can be with no killers, rapists, thieves, drug addicts, drug dealers, or even homosexuals, but no country will be perfect, and the U.S government fails to see that.

Blog 7/5

I didn't think Georgia had anything like a stonehenge, but when I was told it was in Athens, well it was kind of believable. Athens is just the city where its seems as if all the gods and goddesses owuld live. Its such a tavern-like city. But other than that, who randomly wants to make up rules for the "new world"? I do believe that there is a post-apocalyptic set of instructions and I also believe it is a monument to draw tourists there.

But I do wonder why wasn't this known to many people. Why do I have to find out in my English class that such a monument exists. Is it important? Do people really care for it? I believe that I would go and visit the monument anytime I'm in Athens but I do not think it will be fun. This is something the media would probably have a good time with. Another question to stir up society. With it being in the middle of no where, the media would probably focus on why was it there, and how does it relate to the world.

Blog 7/14

Well since we get to write about anything, I choose to write about love. What is love? According to dictionary.com, it's an intense feeling of deep affection. I personally believe love cannot be explained. When a mother has a child, she automatically has an unconditional type of love for the child, but as years go by why she decide to kill her child. Is that love? Is that having a deep affection for someone. Does she feel that she loves her child so much that the child would be better off out this world, or what is it?

When two are joined together in holy matrimony, and were recently together for at least 5 years, and continuously express their love for one another, then one has an affair, is it love? If love is such a strong words and means so much why do people go against it? Maybe the one who cheated "loved" his/her mate so much that he/she had to go off and stay happy with someone else just to be happy in the marriage instead of getting a divorce.

I feel like the word love gets thrown around so easily, and people don't know the meaning of it, just from what they see, not what they really feel. If love someone, I am not going to want to see the person I have a deep affection for get hurt.

Even the "holier than though" (Christians) abuse the word love. It is true that no man can give the love God has for His people, but He does explain how love is supposed to be shown to one another.

I believe two people know what love is when they do have that deep affection, the deep affection that will never have anyone thinking of having an affair. The same goes for a mother's love. The affection that's so deep, that not even a small ant can come near her child.

I honestly believe people are not aware of what love is, and that everyone has their own meaning of it. But I am sure when there is true love, it is truly unexplainable, just happiness, well happiness if things work out according to planned.

Blog 6/28

A topic I will like to talk about is Georgia State football. I am so proud to be a panther at Georgia State and even more proud that we have a football team now. I wouldn't trade my Georgia Dome seat for any other college football team. We are in a city, so who ever thought Georgia State would have a football team. Where would they practice, where would they play, or how spirited could we be in such a busy city. I was able to witness it all for the first time. The football team is so dedicated, and I am not only a fan because my boyfriend plays for the team, but because I love football, but not more than my education, so I didn't choose my school based on athletics. But I am glad I was here to witness the winning record season. I know our football team may not be where Univ. of Alabama team is or Auburn Univ. but I see dedication in these boys and happiness. Who wouldn't be happy to be apart of history. In the next 10 years, they will look back and have something to be proud of, whether or not any of them make it to the league.

The only negativity from having a football team, is paying more fees. It's such a bummer. I do know for a face that students at Univ. of Alabama must pay before they enter a game. I am not sure if our fees equal up to all the "free" home games, but I am happy that it feels like its free. I went to every home game last year (first season) , and I plan on being at every home game in the upcoming season. Well this is m random topic for June 28th 2011. Thank you for allowing me to express apart of my life!

Blog 6/23

I am not too sure if America focused on terrorism as much as they do now then before the tragic incident that happened on 9/11. America has all the rights to be very cautious when it comes to detecting terrorism now. As far as the humanitarian and social problems going on in America, there are just too many. If America stops to fix each and every social problem, then how do we know that the solution to the problems will even last. A terrorist attack will last though. America is such an independent country, where it is like each man for himself. This is just my opinion. I personally believe that it is important to protect the country from outside attacks, but at the same time some energy should be put into dealing with domestic issues. I am sure America has priorities and reasons for everything, although everyone may not agree. America wants to keep its country safe, but what happens when people within the country is turning among themselves.

The 5th picture "Haiti" is what caught my attention the most after I looked through all the pics. It is very sad to see such a young boy naked in the middle of no where. His mother could be dead from the earthquake and he is all alone. He looks as if he can't even talk. This picture gives me so many thoughts, like where will he live, what will he eat, where would he get clothing from, and where is his family. This just makes be more thankful for each day I am given to live my life and to have people I care for around me.

Blog 6/21-The Daily Show

I had to watch the video clip twice in order for me to understand it, plus I read the comments under it. It seems as if the media is satirizing the idea of the news speaking on the economy or middle class jobs. Every time Nance Pelosi wanted to speak about the economy, she was cut off. The media believes the audience would rather hear about someone being resigning because of a sexual mistake. It is clear to me that when you talk about the more important issues, but also issues that are recurrent, it becomes boring. People want to hear about new, exciting stuff, basically gossip. Most major television news outlets have to pay their workers and most importantly keep their view ratings up, so they show what they "believe" society wants to know about. You rarely see channel 2 action news talking about middle class but if there is a professor who has been fired for having an affair with a student, then the it will be breaking news and be talked about throughout the whole news.

Televisions news outlets want to attract a variety of people. Me as a college student would probably not want to know about the loss of middle class jobs, although it may be essential to me. I am sure the news are trying to get more college students to get their ratings up so "boring" news is just not an option.

People would rather see a person in charge fail, than concentrate what happens on a daily basis.

This is my take on why a congressman "sexting" is more fascinating than the loss of middle class jobs or the economy.

Blog 6/16 Favorite Music Videos

I will discuss my top 3 music videos. My first one is "Love All Over Me" by R&B singer Monica. Before her video came out, I loved the song. I sang it as if it was my own. When her video came out, I wasn't too sure if the song went with it. Its like she was in love with a man who ended up going to jail, then after awhile she fell in love with another man. The man in jail came back to see her, but she was still with the other guy she met. I figured the words of this song would be a video of her in love and having a family. The video doesnt make her song bad, but it does make the audience question themselves, how? If she was to be making a social statement, I would say it would be go for the guy your heart races for. The video itself was beautiful, just don't know if it match the words of her song. LINK to "Love All Over Me" video. I have posted a link of her video.

My next video that I love to watch is "Party in the USA" by pop singer Miley Cyrus. I enjoy Miley's music, and this song was just something I could move around to all the time. Whether I was cleaning up, driving, or partying! Her song itself is beautiful, but her video made the song even better. Before the I seen the video, I pictured her having scenes in different states having a good time, such as partying in New York, California, Las Vegas, and even Atlanta. But the video is more like in one setting with a lot of people in a desert area. I like to see people having pure fun, and this video shows that. One statement I can take from this video is that Miley Cyrus wants people to know they can have fun wherever they are. Here is a link of the video: Party in the USA.

My last video is "If I were a Boy" by R&B singer Beyonce Knowles. Now Beyonce is my favorite artist, so typical, but she really is. She is a great performer and her voice is amazing. The song itself is wonderful, but when the video made it so much better. It actually illustrates her song, almost word by word. She acts as if she were the "man" or the one that "wore the pants in the relationship" and did everything bad a man would usually do to a woman. Her statement would definitely be, treat others how you would want to be treated. Here is a link to the video: LINK to "If I Were a Boy"

Blog 6/7 A little about Myself

My name is Deborah Koleoso. When people ask where my hometown is I give them three locations because I have lived at these locations for the same amount of time over 21 years of my life. They are Stone Mountain, Lithonia, and Conyers. My family currently lives in Conyers. I am the only girl of three boys, 2 older and 1 younger. I have been at Georgia State for 3 years and this is my second time doing summer school. I am a nursing major so graduating with the class of 2012 is highly doubted. This is my second time taking English 1102. I didnt do so well my second semester of freshmen year so yeah I waited until now to take the class over. I personally dislike writing essays, any kind of essay. I am hoping this class will be interesting and motivate me to do my papers on time and have them worth reading. Well my favorite movie is Set it Off, and Hangover part 1 is derfinitely up there. One book that I have enjoyed reading is, "Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man: What Men Really Think About Love", by Steve Harvey. My favorite artist at this moment is Monica, who is currently married to NBA Los Angeles, Lakers, Shannon Brown. I am hoping to pass this class with an A, A-, or A+. Either of these grades will do. At the end of this class I want to be able to see that I have improved in my writing.

Exit Through the Gift Shop

The documentary, "Exit Through the Gift Shop" is very interesting. I love laughing and I didn't think documentaries were entertaining but this one is worth watching, even on a rainy night. I still do not understand how the title goes with the documentary, but I hope it hits me soon. It's like a new way of looking at art. I am ready to see the rest of it, and hopefully find out why it has that title.