Angry at Ticketmaster!

So my first experience about a month ago was a pretty good one for the most part, I had no problems and everything went smoothly. Well one of the bands (the main band) that we saw at the last concert (Fall Out Boy) is also performing in another concert along with Blink 182 and also Panic! At the Disco and a couple of other bands. We thought we'd try to get tickets for this up coming concert in August and they were supposed to go on sale today at like 10:00 a.m. and so my friend calls me at like 10:30 a.m. and she mentioned that we couldn't get any good seats. So I go online and check it out. To my dismay, the set-up of the site and accessibility to get tickets at all isn't even set up like the first time I got tickets on Ticketmaster. I click on the area near us to get the tickets and all of a sudden, it takes me to another site entitled "LiveNation" and I could not access anything quickly or easily and it was redirecting me all these places and wouldn't let me even look at tickets. It was very frustrating! I have little experience with these types of sites, and so that doesn't help. I remember last term, Winter term, having talked about issues regarding Ticketmaster and its sister-sites that you are directed to to buy tickets and pay more. Honestly, it was a while ago, but we talked about how there have been many lawsuits and legality issues involving such ticketing sites that you are redirected to from Ticketmaster. I just wanted to express my anger at the ridiculousness of these sites. Seriously, is that really necessary? All I want is to see some great bands. Sorry I would like to get out. It's sad that people are lame.

"Grassroots Citizen Journalism" and 6/1 Class

Today in class we talked about sites like Chicago Indy Media, First Monday, and Oh My News and the whole idea of "amateur" journalists. There have been several sites, according to Professor Macek, like these who had been started across the country and around the world that were found to contain falsely reported news. These sites often develop from activist groups that want to post their message and have their ideas read and known. It is amazing to me that people would do anything to put out what they believe. I can easily see how different groups have attached themselves to the internet as their source to reach others who may stumble upon it or be looking for it. There are so many different "topics" out there that have activists out writing and posting and in of course, in some cases, caused problems with false or over-opinionated material.

I think that this is an interesting use of the internet. I also think that everyone is entitled to their opinion. This type of reporting is good for "entertainment" I think, but tells me little about real problems in the corruption of government and the juicy stuff I would rather read about. Maybe this is also a huge part of the future of news and the way it is ditributed. I would just hope that we can still find truth and have a stable place for our news still existent.

Jon and Kate Plus 8 and "Reality" Entertainment

I feel bad that I have not blogged in a while. I have been really busy and basically couldn't find anything good to blog about. But ah ha! Tonight I watched something on TV that might be somewhat new age tech-related. I watched the new season premiere of Jon and Kate Plus 8 and was frankly disappointed. I guess I didn't know what to expect after all the crap that has been going on. I am kind of looking at "reality" TV shows as a whole as with anybody who is famous or chose to be a celebrity. They chose to be in the public eye. I have little sympathy for what happens to them and don't care to hear about how annoyed they are at the paparazzi. They're the ones who want to be famous and flaunt.

As for most reality series that are contained on the TLC network, these people are usually large or unusual families just wanting to give the public an insight on what their lives are like. Too bad Jon Gosselin was an idiot and cheated on his wife. The series Jon and Kate Plus 8 has been popular for the past few years and has been entertaining to the eye with its sextuplets and crazy yet organized lifestyle that is presented. I am so amazed that not only shows on VH1 that are considered reality shows are popular in today's culture but also that families have allowed their lives to be exposed. It is a neat idea, but like anything else in the public eye, when drama happens, things can crumble. I guess its the reoccurring thought I have at the end of almost every one of my posts; what is this world coming to? I loved that show, but now I don't enjoy watching it knowing that something bad broke them, they are not the cute show they once were and things will never be the same. This season seems as though both Jon and Kate will be interviewed alone on certain things and that a divorce might be in the future. It is so sad. But today, it seems like this type of television programming has become highly popular entertainment. All I have to say is wow.

Cell Sense

Ever feel like you have a 6th or, perhaps a 7th sense? (If you believe in that one 6th sense, I'm not hating, we'll call it the 7th) Well this sense is different from the others. It is kind of similar to the other 5 senses that we have, it could include touch and hearing. But I believe that it is really its own weird sense. I call it "cell sense." It's basically when you are quite possibly so addicted to your cell phone that you can sense it before it goes off, either ringing or an incoming text message. I usually have my phone on silent, mainly because I hate when other people's phones go off blaring and so I hate when mine goes off blaring too. But due to being addicted to checking my phone, I get this feeling. It's like a queesy-stomach feeling and I feel myself slightly overheating, especially when I'm expecting a message or a call. I start to imagine the phone lighting up, and the message or phone symbol blinking, alerting me that I have a need to pick it up or check it. It's the worst feeling in the world. I have driven myself to the point where I'm scared when it's on sound or loud because I am so intent on it going off, getting that burst of energy when I know it's going to off that I'm scared of it.

I just can't help but wonder if I'm the only one. I'm not like this with Facebook, or even email. Just with my cell phone. Is this weird to anyone else?

PEnguinS rOck

YouTube and All It's Shenanigans

I just thought, along with today's class discussion about today's youth and digital generation, that there is a lot on Youtube that I have I come across and I found a great example of what kids are often subjected to view. On Youtube. Check this out if you have a few minutes. There are all kinds of things like this out on the Youtube, and even the internet. So what are your kids watching today? Here's a laugh.



Until later,
PengUins on ParadE

Generation Digital; Not Just A Generation, But A Fad

Today is class we talked about "Generation Digital." I discovered, through random questions in class about our texting habits and also our "addictions" to cell phones, and instant communication with our peers and the link with technology, that I am just barely past that generation. I have barely touched the surface of having such addictions, and those started later in high school and continue up to now. I don't think I actually got texting until like sophomore year, and even though I had a phone in 7th/8th grade, I didn't use it the way I have adapted to using it now. By adapting, I mean that I have become one of "generation digital" members, I was not always this way. In college, it's such a good excuse because, "I'm far away from home" and
"My friends...blah blah blah..." but things like Facebook are really useful tools to talk to people who I can't reach through the phone (yes, including texting) and that is the easiest way to contact them, such as family.

So what is this digital generation? Its a generation that is highly dependent, even more highly dependent by the day on such electronic devices that either keep them occupied, or communication tools that will help them constantly keep contact and be informed of their peers whereabouts. Today, Professor Macek brought a few points to the table that I had not really thought about. The amazing number of teens, especially tweens, that are wanting to have cell phones in 5th and 6th grade is really increasing. The need in adolescent years for constant communication has always kind of been there, but seems to become more evident with this digital generation. I thought it was interesting that there is a link between how tweens and teens have the need to be accepted with their peers and everything and technology is giving them just that in a nutshell. But are kids becoming like this? Are they even wanting to be like this? Or is it just a fad that is catching on like any other fad? I know that I did not ask to be addicted to reading Facebook, nor did I hope that one day I wouldn't be able to breathe or let alone function without my cell phone. Is it advertising that is having an effect on this kids or is it simply a catching trend?

Ticketmaster-The New Box Office

This week, I had a bit of an epiphany, sort of. First off, as of yesterday, my laptop most likely has a virus and I can not actually access or completely load any type of web page that I bring up on it. I have had all of these errors come up and my desktop icons, when clicked, prompt me to move them into the recycle bin. Then there is a fuzzy black line around that window, and I have to exit out it like 25 times for it to go away. Then, when I turn off or restart the computer, it makes a long, loud beeping noise. I hate the campus Sophos thingy because it has obviously not been protecting my computer and my internet is messing up now too. It's true; I can't live without my laptop and my instant access to the world.

Though yesterday has been quite horrific, after having gone 2 days without being able to use it at all due to a band trip, I have managed to come out a little bit ahead for once in a completely new way. I have always cherished the beloved band Fall Out Boy. Though they have only been popular since about 2001, I have survived by there music ever since. They got me through lame-o high school and difficult times, they are so amazing. I love the weird sounds they play, and how their lyrics kind of make sense, but you have to think about them, and they are very clever ones, too. I just recently purchased their latest CD of "Folie a Deux" about 3 months ago, and I was thrilled. I'm not so quick to rip a CD out of the package and blasting it on the radio instantly, but slowly warming up to its melodies, I quickly discovered that it is quite possibly their best album yet! I have yet to even begin to get sick of it. I love it! I can't stop listening to it; I compare things to it, I hum the tunes...well I think you get the point. Anyway, I decided to take a stab at getting tickets to their upcoming tour in which they will be having concerts at multiple places in the U.S. So...long story short, I got tickets!

I have never ventured into using anything like Ticketmaster before, and once or twice I have attempted to use eBay, but that always makes me scared that people are going to somehow attack my computer or get my address, or even randomly charge me money on my credit card. Well earlier this week, I decided to give it a go since I wanted those tickets so bad! And I was just amazed at the ease of purchasing tickets, and especially the availability of being able to study the stadium in which I could view seats right their onthe screen. There was also an option to view the street of the arena's location via satelite. Wow. I can not believe this is what our world has become. I don't even have to get off my butt to do anything! But I amm glad that Ticketmaster is available because I got tickets!!!!! (Still, is this what the future holds?)