A DAY IN THE LIFE WITH DAN: FINAL EXAMINATION PART 2, MEDIA AND ME ASSIGNMENT

First off, it is a fifty-fifty chance that I even wake up in time for class in the morning. That being said let us walkthrough a day where I have actually mustered the strength to pull myself out of bed and walk to class. A Typical day in the life of Daniel Ryan Cooley goes as follows:

Droid knows what you're thinking. Seriously. Don't go to sleep tonight...

Wake up call, Courtesy of my (ROBOT VOICE) DROOOOOIIIID: Even though I have a fully functioning alarm clock, I prefer to use my phone as a means to wake me up. I will try to describe the experience as seen through my half closed eyes in the morning so here it goes: Earth moving vibrations and a shrieking bell screaming at the top of its lungs coax me to open my eyes. For a moment, the onslaught of pandemonium stops, a complete silence falls over the room as my eyes force themselves closed again. Then suddenly, the din rises again until my eyes reopen. Welcome to the first two minutes of consciousness through my eyes. My Smart phone, more specifically, a first generation Motorola Droid wakes me up with my alarm application everyday before school. Err, well, almost everyday, there are in fact some occasions that all this commotion does not rouse me at all, and then I have to write apologetic e-mails to professors claiming a bus hit my dog just as I would so happen to come down with the flu and loose all my homework in rescue attempt entering a burning building full of nuns and newborn infants. But, on the rare occasion that my phone does succeed, my next plan of action is to check the weather through my phone and its weather app, so I can see what to wear for the day.  

MEDIA AND CULTURE: My cellular device takes advantage of MEDIA CONVERGENCE- the process whereby old and new media are available via the integration of personal computer’s and high-speed satellite-based phone or cable links.

SHOWER/WALK AROUND APPARTMENT LIKE A ZOMBIE TIME (GROAING AND LEG DRAGGING INCLUDED)/GET DRESSED

Music Walking to Class: After pulling myself together on such a glorious Vermont morning, I then put in my headphones as I step out the door and swing it closed behind me. The music in my IPod booms in my ears as I walk casually down South Prospect Street on my way to campus. I like to people watch and think as I do this.

A video of one of the more recent songs I've added to my iTunes.

MEDIA AND CULTURE: Most of the music on my IPod was found or downloaded through ONLINE PIRACY- the unauthorized file sharing of music and movies through a medium such as the Internet.

ENTER BULDING/STUMBLE UP STEPS

Walk to Class pick up Newspaper on the way: It is at this point in the day that my hunger for knowledge and world events kicks in. I see the many free issues of the editorial, The New York Times, on the rack and I pick up a copy and begin perusing the first page as I step into my class and take my seat.

In my opinion, the NY Times is the one of the most comprehensive and least biased papers available in the US

MEDIA AND CULTURE: Reading the New York Times proves to be rewarding on most days. The any of the articles that are written in this paper use the writing style which is called INTERPRETIVE JOURNALISM- which aims to explain key issues or events and place them in a broader historical or social context.

Experience shared media in Class: Class starts and it is as stimulating to the intellect as it is always.

“Blah, Blah, Blah, Homework, Blah-Blah, test, Blah BLAH BLAH BLAAAAAAH, watch a video because no one came prepared.”

Only if you have a video camera and a bunch of cats you want to yell at. WARNING: VIDEO CONTAINS INAPPROPRIATE LANGUAGE.

 I slump back in my chair and fold my arms into my chest. I call this my, movie critiquing position. If facial hair is available it would be a good added bonus to stroke it and make inquisitive faces at the screen. This shows you are analyzing what the teacher is trying to show you, but in reality, I'm wondering why the F*$# I am here. The video usually pertains to class work and more than likely a discussion about its content will be struck up after it ends. I collect some details from this viewing and usually approach the discussion with a cynical or snide comment.

MEDIA AND CULTURE: By watching a video in class that was found on Google owned YouTube, we are subjecting ourselves to MASS COMUNICATION- the process of designing cultural messages and stories and delivering them to large and diverse audiences through media channels as old as the printed book and as new as the Internet.

CLASS ENDS/MORE IPOD/WALK BACK TO THE PENTHOUSE…. THAT’S WHAT I CALL MY APARTMENT; DON’T JUDGE ME AS THE BIBLE SAYS NOT TO.

ERROR 404 NOT FOUND?! WHAT DOES THAT EVEN MEAN?!

Check E-mail between Classes: I open my computer and shout at the top of my lungs “WHY!?!?!?! WHAT THE F**$#!!!!! COME ON!!!!!” as I try to read my email on the designated school e-mail system, MY-mail. Usually I have to reload the page a few times and Outlook repeatedly asks me to enter passwords and user names along with my original birth weight, my favorite color, and my hopes and dreams. After some fussing I get it to work and I finally view the five emails that have been sent to me today.  Three of them are important but the other two are surveys about parking and how the cafeteria is doing. DELETE.

MEDIA AND CULTURE: While checking my e-mail to remain productive I try to steer clear of all internet temptations such as YouTube, and SOCIAL NETWORKING SITES-websites that enable users to create personal profiles, upload photos, create lists of favorite things, and post messages to connect with old friends and meet more new ones.

STUMBLE AROUND THE INTERWEBS/DON’T GO ON FACEBOOK BECAUSE I DO NOT HAVE ONE, IT’S THE DEVIL’S WORK.

Watch TV: I have an hour or so left before I have to leave again for class so rather than accomplish something with my time and life; I turn on the 40” television in my room. EXPLOSION! CRASH! “WHERE’S THE GIRL?!?!” a character shouts “ I SAID WHERE THE F@#* IS THE GIRL?!!!!!” I melt my brain for a few minutes with mindless violence then switch to the channel that is Comedy Central. Old Mitch Hedberg stand up, sweeeeeet, inhale heated plant matter, giggle for a while, and make hot-pockets.



Cut down in his prime, I could only imagine how much brighter the world would be today if Mitch Hedberg was still alive.

MEDIA AND CULTURE: Being that I am a very busy person, I do like to take advantage of the technology now associated with watching TV. I am of course speaking about the power of DVRs- or digital video recorders which enable users to download specific shows onto the DVR’s computer memory.

RETURN TO THE ROOM/STEAMING HOT POCKETS IN HAND, A COMMERCIAL KICKS ON.

No, I think I'll pass on this one...

Advertising on TV: The soft glow of the TV beckons me to it as I hear a voice chime in and take over the screen “Do you wake up in the morning?” it asks, “Do you say hello to people when you first see them?” Why yes, I do both of those things. “Well, than you could be eligible for Cialis; the only drug that will make you feel like a man on any occasion!” oh god, more penis pills. Someone shoot me now, is this what our world has come to? The ad ends and I breathe a heavy sigh of relief only to hear the rhythmic whistling of a man named Bob. Bob drives a racecar and plays golf quite well, why is this you ask? Well, the answer is simple; it’s because of new fast acting solution to erectile dysfunction, ENZITE!!! BUY A PACK TODAY RECEIVE THREE MONTHS OF PILLS FOR FREE! “Yeah…. “ I exclaim sarcastically “I’ll get right on that.”.

MEDIA AND CULTURE: Watching television means that you will be subjected to the same commercials over and over again whether you like it or not. Most of these commercials take advantage of the persuasive technique THE BANDWAGON EFFECT- that points out in exaggerated claims that everyone is using a particular product.

WALK TO CLASS AGAIN/LEARN SOME STUFF/STRESS OUT ABOUT WHAT HAS TO BE DONE/ MORE MUSIC AND WALKING AFTER IT ENDS

One of my favorite movies of all time.

Get Home, Watch Movie with Kayla: At this point in the day I am finally done with class and it is now time for me to spend the some time with my girlfriend before she has to leave for work.  We put on a movie of my choice, and watch half of it before she gets up to get ready and leave. I finish the rest of the movie as she leaves the room and says goodbye. 

MEDIA AND CULTURE: Before the world went to hell and people actually left their house to go see movies, people had access to the most luxurious of conditions when going out on the town. Theatres were nothing like they are now, there were once referred to as MOVIE PALACES- full time single-screen movie theatres that provided a more hospitable movie going environment.

SHE LEAVES, FEELING UNACCOMPLISHED AND OF LOW INTELLEGENCE I DECIDE TO PICK UP ONE OF THE FEW BOOKS I BROUGHT TO COLLEGE

Certainly a captivating read to say the least.

Read My Book: I sit in my comfy chair, book in hand. It is a hard cover edition of Stephen Hawking’s book, a brief History of Time and The Universe In A Nutshell. I read for an hour or so, until Kayla gets back, then I dog-ear a page and put my book on my comfy chair. As I read I ponder the meaning of the universe and what it means to be human, mortality, divinity and religion all come into question while reading Hawking’s work. I find myself at a cross roads between what I have always believed to be true and what I now believe to be truth or fact. I ask myself, what is my place in the universe? And if there is some grand omniscient being, what is his plan for little old me?

MEDIA AND CULTURE: Although I am present in an age full of technology and wonderful inventions I cannot find the gumption to go out and purchase an e-reader. For some reason I like the feel of a good, old fashioned book. E-readers use files or digital books accessed on a website that can be shared effortlessly between devices or on the computer. These files are called E-BOOKS.

PUT BOOK DOWN/COOK DINNER/INTERACT SOCIALLY WITH ROOMATES

Play Xbox: A sudden noise fills the room, “DROOOOOOID”. My phone spits out a text message at me again. It is one of my best friends from home and he asks me if I want to play Call of Duty Black Ops…. Uhhhhhh, DUHH. I turn on my Xbox and enter a party with my friend; we greet each other and talk about what is going on in our lives as we wait for our other friends to join us. I tell him that Christmas break is nearly here and that I have some great stories for the two weeks that I've been back in Burlington since Thanksgiving. Our other friends’ join in, we begin playing together. Gunshots and explosions from grenades ring out through the apartment as I dive through a virtual doorway. BANG BANG; I’m dead.

This is probably one of the better video game commercials that I've seen out there. If that doesn't get your reptilian brain tap dancin', I don't know what will.

MEDIA AND CULTURE: Hollywood has traditionally used books and theatrical productions as the basis for movie projects. With the rising popularity of digital games, Hollywood has discovered a new source for narrative material. In other words… it’s only a matter of time before you see a HALO or Call of Duty movie.


CREDITS

Images courtesy of the following websites:


Droid Photo- http://www.talkandroid.com/phones/motorola/droid


NY Times Photo- http://www.thefirstpost.co.uk/assets/library/new-york-times


YouTube Photo- http://thenextweb.com/socialmedia/files/2010/07/youtube_logo.png


Laptop Photo- http://blog.silktide.com/2009/11/the-pain-free-redesign-of-our-own-website/


Bob Photo- https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhID9KyyHchK7eHxkJMKpyp98V18KhHghkemGnLubryXJtqJhi_LJw5cfjIG9_JifvZdYkE9W3kyF4t424WW9K730BVm9G_MsyQipk6kO9ZQb5YeUqWyKKx1crGzkAeotr_IBYG_z1QeWQ0/s400/bob.gif&imgrefurl=http://deathby1000papercuts.blogspot.com/2008/02/enzyte-male-enhancement-feds-convict


Seven Samurai Photo- http://www.rentertainment.com/images/seven_samurai.jpg


Stephen Hawking Photo- http://www.librarything.com/work