This is me reporting using a video cast. I'm talking about SOPA, what it is, what it would do, and what happened to it.

Pod Cast

My pod cast on the ipod touch:

INTRODUCTION: Hey there, today is January 14 2012 and welcome to my pod cast for this week. Today we will be discussing the pros and cons of the famed iPod touch from Apple. We’ll discuss the iPod itself and its capabilities, the price, and even its ability to be useful and or harmful. We’ll also be having a guest speaker come on later in the show, Hyrum. He’s a Teenager from Salt Lake City Utah.
To be quiet honest I’d doing this pod cast because I’m trying to decide whether I want to by one myself or not. But it’s not my goal to tell you what you should or shouldn’t do about the iPod touch. Rather I’m just trying to get all the cards out on the table. I’m going to give you some info and you can decide what to do about it.
Let’s start with an iPod touch description. Just like the name implies there is a 3 and a half inch touchscreen that according to the apple website “requires no finger pressure-only simple contact- making it extremely easy to operate.” and it does
The other physical dimensions include a length of 4.4 inches and width of 2.3 inches. It weighs about 3.56 ounces and you also have the color choice between black and white if you buy the fourth generation iPod touch.
Oh yeah the whole generation lingo? What does that mean? Well the first iPod touch was released on September 14 2007. But soon after it was released Apple realized it could do so much more with the iPod. These new gadgets where included in a new version of the iPod a year later when the iPod touch second generation was released on September 9th 2008. When the word generation is added to the end of iPod touch it means what model or year the iPod came out. What generation are we on now? Well currently we are on the fourth generation.
Now for the inner workings of the iPod touch. According to the apple site iPod touches have the capability for quote” Apps, games, music, movies, TV shows, videos, eBooks, audiobooks, podcasts, photos, HD video recording and editing, Face Time, Instant message, Safari web browser, email, Maps, and Nike support built in” That’s quite the list. Let’s review, Apps are like buttons. The word is short of applications. They let you access the functions of your iPod touch. There are millions of games you can play on your iPod touch and of course Music. Did it surprise you that for an iPod, music was third on the list of things it could do? I was pretty surprised. But as far as music goes the iPod touch allows you to surf the web and listen to music at the same time. Or you can play games and listen to music. Pretty much you can listen to music while doing everything else on your iPod touch.
Another amazing function of the iPod touch is the ability to watch movies, TV shows, and videos where ever you are. Of course remember that you have to pay for each movie video and TV show along with each song and each game.
You can download eBooks, (Where you read the book) and audio books
(Where you listen to the book) and pod cast (where you listen to things like this.) Also built in is the HD Video recording at 720p and the ability to edit what you record with downloadable apps. You can also use your iPod touch as a camera too if your camera is at home.
One of the other abilities of the iPod touch is to surf the net check your email us face time and instant message your friends. You can also look at all sorts of maps if you get lost.
So all in all the iPod touch can do some pretty impressive things for such a small object. Let’s look at some of functions of the iPod touch. For instance if you are playing Audio you can go up to 40 hours before you need to charge your iPod touch again. If you playing Videos you can watch 7 hours’ worth of videos before your battery dies. And when your battery dies it takes about an hour to charge it if it’s hooked up to a computer. But without a computer it will take about 4 hours.
Now you’re probably thinking what I’m thinking. This is a nice little piece of awesomeness. And you’re right. There’s no denying that the iPod touch is pretty much awesome. But just what is the price for this awesomeness?
Well if you buy an 8 gigabyte 4th generation iPod touch you’ll pay $199 dollars. If you buy a 32GB you’ll pay $299 dollars. And last but not least if you buy a 64GB you’ll pay $399 dollars.
That’s a lot of money. Especially if you don’t have a job yet as a teenager and your parents refuse to buy you one. So let’s discuss what makes the price jump up higher, how many gigabytes the IPod touch holds. So just what is a gigabyte?
Well a gigabyte is a unit of information equal to one billion or strictly, 230 bytes. In other words a lot of information. An 8 GB will hold approximately 2,000 songs, 2,000 photos or 10 hours of videos. But you can mix and match all of that so you could have 1,500 songs and 500 photos.
A 32 GB will hold about 8,000 songs 40,000 photos or 40 hours of videos. This is quite a jump from the 8 GB and the 64 GB is even better.
A 64 GB iPod touch will hold 16,000 songs, 80,000 photos, or 80 hours of videos. So the more you pay the more you get.
At first glance it would seem that getting a 64GB would be the best option. But a friend pointed out to me recently that I should remember that an 8GB holds 2,000 songs. Think about that for a second. 2,000 songs! Do you know 2,000 songs? If so then an 8 GB probably wouldn’t have enough room for all you’re trying to do. But if you don’t know 2,000 songs right off the bat then the 8 GB is probably the iPod touch for you.
So it seems the iPod touch has made quite a name for itself and it’s pretty easy to see why nearly everyone has one. But let’s be fair here and check the down side. Or better yet let’s check both sides of the iPod touch the good and the bad, at the same time.
Since the majority of iPod touch owners are teenagers I’ve asked Hyrum Cox a fourteen year old boy from Salt Lake City Utah, to come in and explain some pros of the iPod touch. I in my evilness will play devil’s advocate (sometimes known as parents, and sometimes known as researchers) to discuss the cons of the iPod touch.

Hey Hyrum welcome to the studio.

Hey

Do you have an iPod touch with you right now?

As a matter of fact I do. What coincidence!

It’s a pretty small device doesn’t it break easily?

There is a chance yes but it is very sturdy.

Really? Have you broken it since you got it?

I have not.

How long have you had it?

Two weeks now.

What do you have to do to get a warranty?

You don’t have to but I did. I think it’s a very good idea. Because you could drop it and I know myself to be a little clumsy so I bought the warranty.

How much did your warranty cost?

It depends on who your warranty provider is but mine cost about thirty dollars but, compared to the price of the iPod itself it’s pretty cheap.

So you paid $200 for the iPod and $30 for the warranty?

Yes.

So in all how much did you actually spend?

About $250. I bought the iPod a warranty, a skin, and a screen protector to protect the skin.

All right that’s not too bad, so I guess you end up paying an extra $50 for the iPod touch.
Yep.

So from your perspective tell me what the iPod touch can do?
Everything. It can play games, music, search the internet if you have Wi-Fi, use aps to watch movies and check your email, you can take pictures. And their decent quality pictures. Not the best but it’s all right for a device this size.

What’s your favorite thing that it does?

The games.
What can’t it do?

Blend.

Blend what?

Food.

Well it can’t blend food, that’s quite a disadvantage.

Many parents give their children phones but there are many who do not. My parents won’t give me a phone, and I’ve heard that the iPod touch lets you text so would and iPod touch be a happy medium between parents and their children?

Yeah cause you don’t have to pay monthly service for it.

So texting is free from an iPod touch?

The imessege is free between iPod and iPod.

So you can communicate for free?

Yeah.

That’s pretty cool I have to admit.

But one down side is that Scientist and researchers say that teenagers spend four hours a day involved in music, do you agree?

Personally I don’t really listen to music that much. I mean I have Pandora radio, but I don’t really see a problem with listening to music. I mean what else is the iPod touch supposed to do?

Would you say you spend more time playing games and texting?

Yes.

Do you think it’s good for someone to sit in front of such a small screen for hours on end?

No. Well games maybe but when you’re communicating with your friends that’s fine.
What about someone’s who parents say that it’s not good, how would you respond to them?

I would tell them to lighten up a little bit and that’s it. Lighten up okay?

I’m considering buying an iPod touch would you tell me to buy one?

Yes if you have the money, go for it.

Do you think it’s worth the cost?

Definitely.

Okay well I think that answers all the questions I have. Thank you for coming in, it’s been a pleasure.

Bye.

So there you have it, an interview with an iPod touch owner. Let’s review: The iPod touch is a device created by Apple to listen to music, watch movies, and play games. Teenagers spend massive amounts of time using their iPod touches and whether that time spent is valuable or not is pretty debatable. Each person uses their iPod touch for different things so the use of time depends completely on the person.
It costs a lot of money but according to iPod touch owners it’s completely worth the money you pay.
So it basically comes down to each individual. If you like the idea of being able to connect to the Internet with a handheld device perhaps the iPod touch is your friend.
But if you don’t like the idea of looking at a smaller screen then this might not be what you’re looking for. It’s up to you.

That’s all I have for today guys. Please tune in next week as we discuss the cell phone, helpful device or demon tool?

I created all the music myself and the sound effects were taken from http://soundfxnow.com/ The end.

The Night Parade

Car with electric decoration, a photo by pelican on Flickr.

Feature Article



In Moab Utah they celebrate Christmas differently. They have a parade at night. But wait, at night you can’t see a parade. Well you’re right. But in Moab they found a way around that.

Each December Moab has an Electric Light parade. The floats are covered in lights and decorations and they light up the streets as they go by. But it’s not just floats that get all the action. Farms spruce up their tractors with a string of lights, bicyclists decorate their tires, and car owners make their cars shine. Even Saint Nicholas himself gets dressed up for the festivities. He shows up at six PM sharp every year to march down 100 West to Main Street.

If you want to participate in the parade the registration is free. But if you’d like to just watch everyone is welcome to come. Each year is more creative then the last. Some favorites include the Red Rock Stars, decorated Miniature Ponies and the Moab City Float.

The Mayor Dave Sakrison will be personally riding on the Moab City Float this year, and the float will have a new surprise costume. Chamber officials hint that “The best of Moab will be out in style.”

And this year Allen Memorial Hospital and the Friends of the Moab Teen Center are teaming up to provide everyone with hot chocolate as they watch the Parade goes by. The prophets made by these funds will help the Moab Teen Center with their activities.

If you are feeling the need to travel at the beginning of December, Downtown Moab is a good place to start. To check out some pictures of the Moab Electric light parade go to
http://northofandorra.blogspot.com/2007/12/moab-electric-light-parade.html



The photo is courtesy of pelican on Flicker. To see their file please go to: http://www.flickr.com/photos/pelican/5673784035/in/photostream



My Sources: http://www.moabtimes.com/pages/full_story/push?article-Winter+Sun+Festival+helps+to+spread+holiday+cheer-%20&id=724901

http://northofandorra.blogspot.com/2007/12/moab-electric-light-parade.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X7FOfy1J8Rc

Music Therapy and its Uses

Music - an art for itself - Headphones and music notes / musical notation system, a photo by photosteve101 on Flickr.

Editorial

Did you know that you can use music as a type of therapy? And did you know that you probably use it already? While there is a difference between professional musical therapy and personal self-made therapy, the results are the same.

Professional musical therapy is defined as: “The clinical and evidence-based use of music interventions to accomplish individualized goals within a therapeutic relationship by a credentialed professional who has completed an approved music therapy program.” That’s a lot of big words right? Well essentially it’s saying that you use a program made by someone with a college degree to help you accomplish what you want to do.

Personal music therapy is well personal. Have you ever been driving and turned on the radio, or listened to one song over and over again because it makes you feel better? Well if you have then you’ve used music therapy already!

Music therapy is simple yet effective. Its cost ranges from almost nothing, to thousands and thousands of dollars, depending upon which type of music therapy you use. Regardless of whether you use professional music therapy or personal music therapy there are five ways that have been scientifically proven to give you results.

First you have the option to create your own music. You improvise without rules or restraint and express yourself through what you create. Does that sound familiar? It should. Nearly everyone has messed around on the piano or guitar at some point in their life. This is a type of music therapy.

Second, you can re-create music that has already been made. People get up every day and play their instruments. Why? Well there are many reasons but those who persist in doing this do it to feel better. They play Mozart or One Republic, something that has meaning to them, and this releases their emotions in a way that cannot be done anywhere else.

Thirdly, you can compose a song. This is different from the first option because you actually create something you can play again, and have the potential for others to play it as well. This can include writing the music, lyrics or audio tapes.

The fourth option is in simply listening to the music and responding to what you feel as you listen to it. For example if you’re listening to jazz you might draw how you feel or while listening to classical music you might do meditation poses or exercises.

Fifth and final, is simply to talk about music and how it affects you. Do you ever talk about music with your friends? Do you suggest songs to each other and tell your friends how a certain song made you feel? Well there you go simple music therapy that hasn’t cost you a dime.

As a general rule of thumb most people provide themselves with personal music therapy every day without realizing it. But let’s not forget professional music therapy. Sessions of Music Therapy can benefit people who have:
-Drug and alcohol programs
-Alzheimer’s disease
-Brain injuries
-Physical Disabilities
-Development or learning Disabilities
-And mothers in labor

That’s quite the list don’t you agree? You can take group sessions with other people or you can take individualized sessions. And it’s very possible there are many facilities near you to provide help. Just go to the American Music Therapy Association website at http://www.musictherapy.org/about/ to get started.

Music Therapy is powerful. And it’s right on our door step. Let’s take advantage of it!
Pictures courtsey of photosteve101. To see more of his work please visit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/42931449@N07/5771025070/
Sources
http://www.temple.edu/musictherapy/home/program/faq.htm#a
http://www.musictherapy.org/about/musictherapy/  
http://www.musictherapy.org/faq/#40

Musical Notes

Don’t Fence Me In.

Let’s discuss song writing. More specifically my own song writing. You see I know next to nothing about music theory. No let me take that back, I know less than nothing about music theory so according to a lot of people my songs should be garbage.

But I don’t think they are. Of course that could be because I created them and I’m a tad proud of them. But setting that aside I don’t think the fact that I can’t quote music theory at any given moment hurts me.

See we live in a world that is very structured. There are rules for driving, for eating, for walking, for school, for home, for friendship, for life, and now everyone is telling me that there are rules for music. And I don’t like it.

You see to me music is the one area of my life where there are no rules. I can do anything I want make it sound horrid if I want and no one can tell me it’s morally wrong. The only rules in music ought to be the ones I make for myself.

There’s nothing wrong per say with adding another set of rules to the world. But don’t add rules to something that doesn’t need them. Keep your music theory to yourself I say cause I don’t want to hear them.

Besides rules are made to be broken. So even if I did learn the rules I would still break them, and act like I didn’t know them. Why waste all that energy?

                                       

But perhaps you’re right. Maybe I could go farther in music. Maybe I could sound better and do more. But I’m not ready yet. I don’t want those rules. I might want them some day. But for right now please excuse me; I need to play my guitar.

                                                                                                  

Photos courtesy of: steved_np3. If you'd like to see more of steved_np3 please check out his website at: http://www.sxc.hu/profile/steved_np3 

My Sources for this article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Column_(periodical)

http://www.wikihow.com/Write-a-Newspaper-Column

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_theory

Comfort

Mother's Comfort VS Curiocity, a photo by Yogendra174 on Flickr.

News Article:
Woman Run over by Bus Comforted by Cop

If you’re ever pinned beneath a bus Kevin Peck is the man to help you. Three days ago on Monday December 12th Peck responded to a call just around the corner. Someone had been hit by a bus.
When Peck got there he realized that the person hadn’t really gotten hit by the bus. Rather the bus had run her over. She was pinned beneath the bus and she couldn’t feel her legs. Her name is Aryann Smith. She’s 24 years old and she was crossing the crosswalk to visit her mom when the bus driver failed to yield.

Officer Peck assessed the situation then crawled underneath the bus himself to take her pulse. She was alive and scared. Peck held her hand stayed with her to provide comfort. They were right next to a tire and Peck was praying that the bus wouldn’t move.

Peck commented that Aryann was “very brave” and she stayed remarkably calm for her circumstances. It only took the fire crews a couple minutes to get the bus lifted off of them but Peck said it “felt like a bit longer than that.”

Aryann was rushed to the hospital. Good thing too. While holding her hand Peck noticed that he could see her knee cap and muscles in her legs. Aryann said she couldn’t feel anything which was probably a blessing. Aryann is not expected to lose her legs and Peck believes that Smith was “very lucky.”

The bus driver was on paid administrate leave until yesterday because an internal investigation was being held to determine the right disciplinary action and or the possible cancelation of their job.

Photo courtesy of Yogenra174 on Flicker. For more work from this author please click: http://www.flickr.com/photos/yogendra174/5899609875/in/photostream/ Sources: http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705395836/I-told-her-I-would-stay-says-officer-who-crawled-under-bus-to-comfort-pinned-victim.html?pg=2
http://www.media-awareness.ca/english/resources/educational/handouts/broadcast_news/news_article_formula.cfm
http://journalism.about.com/od/writing/a/storystructure.htm

An Explanation:

This is a blog...(duh)... written by a teenager for her journalism class. She is learning about Citizen Journalism. Her first assignment was to create a blog. Check. Stay tuned; it's going to get interesting.