Stop complaining, it's FREE!

Sometimes I wonder who has more power, President Obama or the makers of Facebook? I wonder how many people would rather "creep" on Facebook than watch a speech given about their country from their President. I also wonder if people were more apt to listen to their President in a time of dwindle or their friends on Facebook. FACEBOOK HAS TAKEN OVER!
Everywhere I look there is another article about Facebook and what it did or did not do. The most recent article was featured on CNN and was written just to let users know that the Facebook team members are listening to your complaints. Really? This story states that Facebook has over 175 million users and I guarantee that those 175 million users are active users. Basically, people are mad about the new layout about Facebook and "want the old layout back." My mind is blown. I am not sure if people realize that Facebook is more of an addiction that it is a social network. This complaint about a new layout showed up in a blog and asked users to rate the new layout. Here's the problem although it may sound cliche: Fargo, ND is flooding, the south is being swarmed with gangs, drugs, murder, American Idol is down to nine singers, Denise Richards got kicked off of Dancing with the Stars, and there is a massive blizzard on its way. Point being: there are so many other things to care about than the layout of Facebook.
I realize that for some this is communication, but what ever happened to phone conversations, not texting or mailing letters? Lunch with friends? Actualy face to face communication?
I will admit the last few days I have made an appearance on Facebook, so call me a hypocrite. It is quite amazing, I have people talk to me on this Facebook chat application that have not talked to me for years! I have random people I have seen a couple times from a class talk to me and then when I go to class and sit right next to them, they do not even bother to say hi. Appalling huh?
Not only this but its a scary place. Many individuals have random friends they do not know and all their personal information for everyone to see.
I know that I rant a lot about Facebook, this being probably my third complaint and many of you may think I just repeat myself, but the fact and the point is that there are bigger and better things to worry about in life rather than whether or not Tommy from Facebook wants to be your friend or not.
If you take nothing else from this article or do not care if I think that Facebook is more dangerous than social take this: it's a free website and almost everyone is a Facebook addict, so stop your complaining, let the lay outs be layouts and applications be applications.

More Media Bias: A Follow Up

The other day in class we discussed media bias and the more I thought about it, the more I agreed with my professor. It reminded me of a tragic event that took place a few weeks ago I believe. It was the story of Natasha Richardson who was skiing and got into and accident and died. Don't get me wrong, its a terrible tragedy, but it's nothing new. Hundreds of people die while skiing and not only while skiing but while living life. Life is the risk you are taking and it is dangerous, but if the media tried to cover all the deaths that took place daily, news would no longer be news. But why should they only pity those who are famous or are well known in their community? Richardson was not a notable actress or star but had a well known family and did appear on screen in minor productions many of times. It also made me think of our class discussion about media bias concerning race. A few months ago Jennifer Hudson's two family members were found murdered. Yes the media did high lite this, but it was not much talked about, not near as much as Richardson and her legendary acting family and their tragedy.
Again, both incidents are terrible and I do feel sorrow for Richardson's family, but why must media only high lite those who are known? If media believes that deaths and tragedies are newsworthy, they should never have a problem producing a story but should also never have a problem reporting a story that doesn't involve someone wealthy or well-known.
The more and more I read the news, the more I get frustrated. We are all Americans and we all deserve the lives we live. The media should not only cherish the lives of those who are well-known because many others are well-known for other aspects of their lives and in someones eyes are very important.

Spring Break Story

He’s tall peeking at 6’5’’. She’s tall, for a female, reaching 6’2’’. He is known for his excellent skills and good looks. She is known for her outspoken personality and good looks. They both are athletic and majored in communications in college. Although he is better known than she is, she surprised him with her presence that night.

It all started on a Monday, the first day of Spring break. We sat there bored, cold, and in Nebraska. All through the night our phones rang off the hook from other friends who were fortunate enough to actually have a Spring break outside of the middle of the U.S. No lakes, no oceans, no extravagant malls, no friends, just her, me, and the cold, isolated city of Omaha.

Instead of feeling sorry for ourselves about the situation, we packed our clothes, and headed on a short trip to Kansas City, Missouri. The question was, were we cut out or even expecting what was ahead of us?

Two girls, in their twenties, no money, and no destination ahead of them. A spur of the moment trip brings more surprises than they had expected.

They arrived in Kansas City around 2 p.m., got lost in the “bad” part of town by 3 p.m., noticed bars on all the windows of businesses by 3:30 p.m., and finally by 4 p.m. were sitting in a gas station looking for directions. Finally, getting their directions they headed downtown Kansas City wondering if their luck to find a destination was going to get any worse. After stopping at four different hotels that all seemed to be vacant, they settled in a Super 8 which was completely empty, so the shape the hotel was in was obvious, but the time spent there would be minimal.

After showering and getting “dolled” up, we walked down the dark sidewalks of Kansas City, finally, reaching the only place we wanted to call home—the bar.

Two hours later, being two young girls that obvious could not have the fun as the other Missourians, were done for the night and hungry. It’s amazing how much one person can fit in their stomach at the end of the night. Fortunately, the bar across the street had a pizza stand in it and it just so happened to be the best pizza in town. Making their way to the next bar, the girls went their separate ways.

Approximately 30 minutes later, there my friend Jess was screaming at me from across the bar, “Kylie you have to come here!”

As I neared closer to her I noticed a group of five other people sitting around here laughing. She looked like a kid in a candy shop, perked up, big smile, pizza all over her hands and face. But, instead of using a paper towel to wipe her hands on she decided to use the bright, white, clean t-shirt of Tony Gonzalez, Kansas City Chiefs tight end football player.

“Kylie, you have got to feel his abs, his muscles, he is so buff,” she said to me as she ran her hands down the front and back of his shirt.

As for Tony, no smile, yet no anger, just amazement. He is a pro-football player and some twenty something year old girl is rubbing pizza all over him while admiring his muscles. While he sat there in astonishment, I stood there and laughed. Everyone knew he was there, but no one wanted to be that “crazy fan.” Not one person approached him the whole night even though every person wanted too. But, my friend Jess did and she definitely made her presence known.

Gonzalez states on his Web site that, “He loves to meet new people and enjoys talking to his fans.” That night, it seemed as if Jess was his biggest fan although it is still unsure of whether or not she actually realized who she was talking to at the time.

Though they had a lot in common, both living in Midwest states, both fans of Barack Obama, both with good looks and high IQ’s, the chemistry just was not there that night, but I guarantee the pizza stains were and will always be.

Leno appearance, was this a mistake?

On Thursday night, President Obama appeared on Jay Leno's show and some are wondering if this was a mistake or glory. Personally, I believe this is a huge mistake. In a recent article from FOX News, this was the first sitting President appearance by any of our leaders on a talk show. In the middle of an economic crisis one has to wonder whether Obama is trying to up his credentials or genuienly cares about whats going on in the world, such as are worsening economy. One media analyst told Fox News that, "it is no accident that no President has ever done a show like this." Perhaps because this shows that he is not only a President, but now he is just another talk show guest. There are far more things to do than for him to be present on a talk show, and not only this but I believe it decreases his credibility. Talk shows to me are for entertainment. They're funny, comically, and sinister. Most times shows as these are making fun of the worldly news and Obama going on a show as this makes him a perfect target for this. It was also noted that Obama was caught cracking jokes about the Special Olympics. Basically, shows as these are to entertain and those who watch shows such as these want the entertainment so it is no wonder that guest, even Obama, get caught up in jokes and often times making fun of issues, as he did.
In conclusion, one has to wonder, was this a mistake? Personally, yes this was. Obama must not worry so much about becoming an entertainer or "the people's choice" but solely to run the country. No one wants entertainment from him and no one needs to like him, we just want him to fix our country, in which so far does no look promising.

Wal-mart Hoax and the Power of Technology

Today around 3p.m. I received many text messages concerning a "gang initiation" at Wal-mart tonight. It all started when a woman came into my fitness center and said to me, "Kylie, do not go to Wal-mart tonight. I received many text messages that said there is going to be a gang initiation tonight and three women would die." I looked at her with a funny face and said, "Well, I actually need to go to Wal-mart because I need something for dinner and I don't get off work so..." She looked at me puzzled, laughed, and said, "Wouldn't you rather starve than be dead?" My only response was, "This is a sick joke." About 10 minutes later I went and checked my phone and sure enough, 4 new text messages all saying the same thing. So instead of taking the message at face value, I did some research on the Internet and found out in Georgia newspapers people were writing how they received the same message two days ago! About an hour later, it was on the news that this was only a hoax and there was no evidence linking this message to any gang related activity.
Most people are probably wondering why I am even writing about it, but it is interesting to me. Not the fact that some really unintelligent person was boycotting Wal-mart and decided to send a message to everyone else so they would join in, but because everyone else jumped on the bandwagon and believed it! I do not know how many people came in tonight and told me to stay away from Wal-mart yet they did not even know the facts. First of all, the message said from some Wal-mart, we only have one here in Kearney, second of all, no one even took the time to look it to it. I guess I am writing about it because it gave me a scare and a laugh all at the same time. The power of technology and word of mouth all at the same time and the fact that people go to such extreme measures to look for entertainment. Now, I would feel really bad if something like this did happen tonight after I have been bashing it, but honestly, get the facts before you spread the words!

Spring Break: Fun or Risky?

Everyone knows the hot spots for spring break. It used to be going to California and Florida, just some where warm, but now where is the place to be? MEXICO. Although this seems fun and exciting students must be cautious. Although I would love to take a trip for spring break, I would rather make money than loose it so jealousy is not the issue here. The issue here is that students need to open their eyes. I have heard about a lot of students going to Mexico for Spring break and I guess my question and concern is why? Are students so blind about what is going on in Mexico that they choose to drink for 12 hours in 90 degree weather over living for 40 more years? Even if I wanted to go on vacation, this would be the last place I would go. It just seems as if people are oblivious to the issues going on around the world and they would choose to put their lives at risks. In a recent article on AOL news, some universities were actually warning students about going to Mexico. Not only are university officials warning students but the U.S. State Department is also warning students. What does this tell you? That obvious this problem is so serious that students must consider their spring break plans. If you are not aware, Mexico is being taken over with a surge of drugs, murders, shootings, kidnappings, and other uncontrollable violence. It is crazy to me that over 100,000 students would chose to go here for spring break when half of these students are scared to go to "bad" places in their own cities where they are not even sure violence takes place. More than 6,000 people were killed last year in drug related sprees. Mexico is fighting each other and government forces. personally, you would have to be crazy to want to travel here.
Spring break is fun and there is no reason students should not travel and let loose, but safety comes first. Students must consider their destinations before choosing them. We all know its a cheap and fun way to spend break, but in the end it could cost you as much as your life!

Another Shooting and Another Field Day for the Media

Looking through news clips from Fox News, ABC News, and my favorite....Nancy Grace, horror continues to sweep the world. I was reading an update from recent article on Fox News entitled "Home of a Killer." I am sickened by this incident but it seems as though there is one every year that people are talking about. Gun violence and innocent people. In this article, a young man walks into a church, shoots the pastor and wounds many others. After this, his fame is accomplished by exposing the incident all over the news. This is another one of the infamous questions of reporters to either report the truth or protect citizens. I understand this incident is newsworthy, but then as I ask myself again I wonder why? Why do we like to hear about it? Not only this but what is the point in basically advertising the gruesome crimes of these screwed up individuals only to have some other kid commit the same crime next year? My only concern with in incidents such as these, school, mall, and now church shootings is that the individuals want the fame simply because they have never had it. They have nothing to live for so they take incident lives in order to be remembered. So why should we remember them? For example I still remember the shooters of Columbine and Omaha West Road's Mall. Matter of fact, I can remember exactly when the events happened, what I was doing, and how I felt. These individuals do not deserve to make people feel the way they do when they watch these programs.
No, I do not think media should NOT cover these incidents and there is no way that they wouldn't. As Dr. Hanson writes in his blog post, the media is like a pack of hungry wolves. They are sensationalist and only look for stories. But, there is no need to advertise these stories because I guarantee there is some psychotic person out there watching what this German teen did last week and wondering if this is how he can catch his fame too.
It's annoying to me that the media cannot find anything else to cover than the horror of someone else's lives. I understand the immediate coverage, but this will go on for weeks after, replaying what happened, reminding families of what they lost, and reminding viewers of how messed up the world actually is. We do not want to continue to watch this. The media must inform us and then move on.
There are many other problems in the world and bigger problems than this teen shooting everyone. Yes, I am sympathetic to the families of the deceased and wounded, and this is why I write this. I can't imagine being in the shoes of these families and watching the incident over and over because the media has to have a field day with this.
In conclusion, gives us the immediate coverage, then move on. Protect the emotions of the families and future incidents like this from happening.

To ALL Facebook Junkies...Watch the clip!

Saturday night drinking binges...got those pictures up. Last weeks party at Jim's house...yep got those up too. Bob streaking down main street....posted. Pictures on facebook....hmmm...good idea? NO! A recent New York Times article expresses the concern for the information Facebook users put on their social networking site. on Friday, I had the opportunity to speak with an employee of The New York Times, who was visiting UNK, about social networking sites. She explained to me that Facebook owns all information that anyone posts on their and then when employers hire people this is the first place they look. She said they cannot hire people who have unacceptable information on Facebook because it is too big of a risk. My question is, what exactly can Facebook do with your material? Sell your pictures? Modify your pictures? Students and individuals across the world are the sole reasons as to why this Web site is so popular and creators of Facebook are basically stabbing us in the back. Personally, I am not a huge fan of this social network only because I feel as if I have a lack of privacy and I am not sure who is looking at it. As for those who are Facebook junkies, I do feel as if they have the right to use this tool for what it was created to be used for. On the other hand, why do people take the risk in putting some of the chosen material on social networking sites? Are you not concerned with your privacy let alone your well being?
personally, I think the Web site with its over 175 million users is getting a little out of hand. However, some users are only doing with it was it was made for. Why would Facebook creators want to own this information? How does it benefit them? There is a reason for everything and that is why Facebook users must be cautious. Also, it seems fun now, but just like anything else, all fun comes to an end. Look out for your future! AND WATCH THE CLIP BELOW....HILARIOUS, BUT SO TRUE!

Brown + Rhianna = Love?

One of the hottest issues in entertainment today is the Chris Brown and Rhianna dilemma. This is also one of the most embarrassing and pathetic issues in entertainment today. In a March 6 article from FOXNEWS.com, the headline read, "9 Days before Chris Apologized." My question is, what does it matter anyway? Other recent reports on covers of magazines have been saying that she will "give him one more chance" and that two of her close friends and former stars, P-Diddy and Kayne West, will also forgive him. Interesting enough in this Fox News article it says that, "Rhianna is a role model to young girls." So what exactly is she teaching young girls by forgiving him? That it is okay to experience dating violence in relationships? That everyone deserves a second chance? The chilling event is stated in another article by Fox News that says that they have reconciled. Apparently, Brown suffers from anger and psychological problems which is why he lashed out therefore making it okay for him to beat up his girlfriend. PATHETIC. The more and more the details from this story unravel the stupider these two young people look. At a time when America is fighting sexual assault, dating violence, and crimes against women, they are also letting entertainers such as Brown get away with these same incidents putting the blame on some other factor. Not only that but one of girl's biggest role models is sitting back and taking it.
The fact of the matter is this was not an accident, this was a crime and because it happened once, it will happen again.

Parking Wars

Every commuter student goes through the same situation every morning: drive around, and around, and around, finally finding a parking space four blocks away from the class you're due to be at in five minutes, carrying almost ten extra pounds on your back. No matter how well you plan your morning, parking just does not seem to get any easier and the day does not go any smoother.
UNK faculty and administration are fed up with complaints relating to parking, but this makes it evident that it is a problem, not just students complaining. It seems like everyone has a solution to the parking situation, but the administration has yet to even try one common idea: eliminating on-campus student's, more specifically, freshman parking. There are few other solutions to this problem that will not cost the University a fortune. This would simply mean forcing students, more specifically freshman who live in the dorms, to park off-campus. These students live on campus and are they are there overnight so getting to class is not an issue to them. Adding parking spaces around campus does not seem to be a solution because there are few places already, but requiring on-campus freshman students to park off-campus would not cost and would open many parking spots to commuters.
Student commuters pay $50/ year for a parking pass, but what is the point when there is no guaranteed parking spot? Morning parking seems to be the biggest issue for students, by having on-campus students park on the streets the night before when there is parking would open more spaces for commuters in the morning. Not only that but on-campus students would still have closer parking spacing than off-campus commuters. This would be a system of hierarchy, freshman would park off-campus so that upperclassman could park closer to their classes.
There is no other alternative to this situation that will not cost money. Cutting spots for freshman on campus is only minor to how some Universities have solved parking issues. Many Universities across the nation have not allowed freshman to have vehicles on campus in order to open spots, for example the University of Maryland does not allow freshman to register for campus parking unless they can prove they have an off-campus job.
If this does not work, UNK administration only has one other solution: stop making $14.5 renovations to the campus and start working on a multi-level parking garage.
Too many students and too little space. With UNK's population steadily rising, this situation is going to only get worse and worse. Eliminating freshman parking would give more spots to upperclassman and commuters would have the chance to park closer to campus.