So, April is finally here.
Not too much longer until this semester is over, and honestly, I can't wait. The only problem is that I'm registering for summer classes because I'm a bit behind on credits.
Even though I have another couple months of school to look forward too, I still want to get these few classes over with. I always enjoy starting new things. In the summer, I plan on getting one of my early reqs out of the way, Psych 170, which I've neglected for awhile. Other than that, I'm looking for a non-lab science class to fulfill a category. Environmental science maybe, or a physics class.
The summer schedule is a little rough though. I took Calc 3 last summer and with the shortened time schedule they try to beat a lot of information into your head in a short period of time. 3 hours a day 2 days a week. I thought I was going brain dead.
Hopefully I'll be able to adjust for this summer.
March 31, 2007
Presentations so far
I kind of like how the presentations are being handled. At first, I thought it was going to just be an extra little assignment that I would want to get over with, which the feeling is still there, but it seems like it makes this whole thing more interesting.
After Thursday's presentations, it made me realize that it' s a pretty effective way to get everyone in the class a better understanding of what you were going for in your essay. Even though we went around and read/looked at everyone photo essay, I don't think they exactly had the bigger picture that you wanted to show.
Hopefully Tuesday's will be similar.
After Thursday's presentations, it made me realize that it' s a pretty effective way to get everyone in the class a better understanding of what you were going for in your essay. Even though we went around and read/looked at everyone photo essay, I don't think they exactly had the bigger picture that you wanted to show.
Hopefully Tuesday's will be similar.
March 26, 2007
About my last paper
For my last topic, I decided to try and incorporate my issue from my photo blog.
Since the last few years, real estate has been on a decline. I don't need written media sources to tell me this. This is almost a daily discussion at my home. My family owns a construction business, so we are directly affected through a chain. Problems arise not only for ourselves, but the employees working for us, regular subcontractors, wholesalers, and builders.
Builders are basically the people who buy the land and market the designs to the consumer. They are the go-to guy if you wanted to buy a new construction home. The builder contacts the necessary resources to build the home, for example, someone who can do cementing, carpentry, roofing, windows, etc. Wholesalers provide construction companies with the necessary materials for jobs. Subcontractors are not exactly employees, but more like a hired hand.
Builders only gain income through selling homes. After coming off a high point in real estate, builders had projects planned for years ahead. However, with the change of events, they cannot sell homes because potential buyers are afraid of dumping that large amount of money into anything. Construction companies do the work for the builders using their various resources, however, only get paid whenever the builder sees it convenient. And, when homes aren't selling, that isn't exactly convenient for them. All the while, more new construction homes are being built and the cycle continues until there is a large debt accrued.
The main question is: why continue doing work for the builder? Simple answer being, if you don't, you aren't making money yourself. Granted, not all builders are stingy with payments, but some large companies are extremely difficult to get money out of. Plus, if you aren't working for any builder, your employees aren't working as well. My family's company has a few crews of workers, however recently they have to go on unemployment because there is so little work to be had. So, do you continue taking jobs from the non-paying builder in order to keep the little guys going? You try to, and you try to get your money as vigilantly as you can.
Hopefully this cycle will end sometime in the next few years, or else a lot of hard-working laborers will be SOL when there are no jobs available.
Since the last few years, real estate has been on a decline. I don't need written media sources to tell me this. This is almost a daily discussion at my home. My family owns a construction business, so we are directly affected through a chain. Problems arise not only for ourselves, but the employees working for us, regular subcontractors, wholesalers, and builders.
Builders are basically the people who buy the land and market the designs to the consumer. They are the go-to guy if you wanted to buy a new construction home. The builder contacts the necessary resources to build the home, for example, someone who can do cementing, carpentry, roofing, windows, etc. Wholesalers provide construction companies with the necessary materials for jobs. Subcontractors are not exactly employees, but more like a hired hand.
Builders only gain income through selling homes. After coming off a high point in real estate, builders had projects planned for years ahead. However, with the change of events, they cannot sell homes because potential buyers are afraid of dumping that large amount of money into anything. Construction companies do the work for the builders using their various resources, however, only get paid whenever the builder sees it convenient. And, when homes aren't selling, that isn't exactly convenient for them. All the while, more new construction homes are being built and the cycle continues until there is a large debt accrued.
The main question is: why continue doing work for the builder? Simple answer being, if you don't, you aren't making money yourself. Granted, not all builders are stingy with payments, but some large companies are extremely difficult to get money out of. Plus, if you aren't working for any builder, your employees aren't working as well. My family's company has a few crews of workers, however recently they have to go on unemployment because there is so little work to be had. So, do you continue taking jobs from the non-paying builder in order to keep the little guys going? You try to, and you try to get your money as vigilantly as you can.
Hopefully this cycle will end sometime in the next few years, or else a lot of hard-working laborers will be SOL when there are no jobs available.
March 19, 2007
New construction...for who??
This topic for my photo essay hit at home for because of my affiliation with the construction business. My parents have owned a siding, roofing, and gutters company for about 25 years; they have seen the good and bad throughout the ever changing economy.
One problem arises when homes do not sell: people don't get paid. So why continue building more? It gets a little more complicated than that. If you aren't building, then you aren't making money. Money doesn't come in from sitting on real estate at this current time.
People need to work, even if all these homes are getting backed up. People can't even sell existing homes, yet new subdivisions are piling in all over the place, different in type and price range.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I didn't even have to try very hard to find empty lots. These subdivisions are currently frozen. The builders have lots just sitting around empty because no one is buying. Some houses are occupied, however, most are just empty shells.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The only new construction that has been partly successful is through a developer named Pulte Homes. They incorporate everything into their package. They do not subcontract any of their work. Everything is done through them. Brick, siding, gutters, roof, windows, etc. They don't owe money to anyone but themselves. They're extremely fast, as well. They mass produce homes in different states, flood the market with homes, then move out. Pulte is now in the process of pulling out of the area after finishing up with their current projects.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This large complex is entitled The Preserves. Hundreds of condominium units were built in the last several years along Ryan Road near 19 Mile. When driving the long stretch, the first few sections of residences appeared to be occupied. As I neared towards the back, I found the tail end of the construction still continuing.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
These photos are give an idea of what's scattered all around my surrounding area. You never realize how many of these signs there are until you actually look for them on street corners. The new construction signs give an estimate of what their price range. All of them seem to be eager for customers to buy up lots with open homes all the time.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The ease at which I found these pictures should have made me happy. However, it did not. Sifting through 50+ pictures I had taken in the day, I realized that my point was only reinforced. How many more years will this trend continue? When will the market stabilize? Soon, I hope. Many people's jobs and lives depend on it.
~return 0;
One problem arises when homes do not sell: people don't get paid. So why continue building more? It gets a little more complicated than that. If you aren't building, then you aren't making money. Money doesn't come in from sitting on real estate at this current time.
People need to work, even if all these homes are getting backed up. People can't even sell existing homes, yet new subdivisions are piling in all over the place, different in type and price range.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I didn't even have to try very hard to find empty lots. These subdivisions are currently frozen. The builders have lots just sitting around empty because no one is buying. Some houses are occupied, however, most are just empty shells.----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The only new construction that has been partly successful is through a developer named Pulte Homes. They incorporate everything into their package. They do not subcontract any of their work. Everything is done through them. Brick, siding, gutters, roof, windows, etc. They don't owe money to anyone but themselves. They're extremely fast, as well. They mass produce homes in different states, flood the market with homes, then move out. Pulte is now in the process of pulling out of the area after finishing up with their current projects.----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This large complex is entitled The Preserves. Hundreds of condominium units were built in the last several years along Ryan Road near 19 Mile. When driving the long stretch, the first few sections of residences appeared to be occupied. As I neared towards the back, I found the tail end of the construction still continuing.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
These photos are give an idea of what's scattered all around my surrounding area. You never realize how many of these signs there are until you actually look for them on street corners. The new construction signs give an estimate of what their price range. All of them seem to be eager for customers to buy up lots with open homes all the time.----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The ease at which I found these pictures should have made me happy. However, it did not. Sifting through 50+ pictures I had taken in the day, I realized that my point was only reinforced. How many more years will this trend continue? When will the market stabilize? Soon, I hope. Many people's jobs and lives depend on it.
~return 0;
Saw something on the news...
Whenever I wake up, I always turn on the news to check out the weather and traffic for the morning; my drive isn't exactly short so even some slowdown means I have to leave 20-30 minutes early in order to get to campus on time.
Of course, FOX2 has there little morning things, like the Fox Beat and what not. One thing that did catch my attention was that they were informing people about an upcoming police reinforcement of i-696.
Apparently, and the officer says this in the short interview, that too many "good" drivers have been complaining about the speed conditions on the highway. These good drivers coined 696 as Michigan's Autobahn. I thought that was pretty funny, although it may be true.
I consider myself in the higher tier of speeders when I'm going to and from school. The left to lanes usually consist of speeds around 75-90 miles an hour, while the right two stick more to the speed limit around 65 mph.
Speeding does not make you a bad driver. Being a bad driver makes you a bad driver. I can only imagine that the good drivers this cop was talking about were 50-70 age ranged Buick LeSabre owners who manage to weasel their way into the left lanes going the speed limit and wonder why everyone's so pissed off at them.
Problems do not occur if you stay in your lane. If you plan on driving slow, stick to the right with the rest of the handicap stickers.
Of course, FOX2 has there little morning things, like the Fox Beat and what not. One thing that did catch my attention was that they were informing people about an upcoming police reinforcement of i-696.
Apparently, and the officer says this in the short interview, that too many "good" drivers have been complaining about the speed conditions on the highway. These good drivers coined 696 as Michigan's Autobahn. I thought that was pretty funny, although it may be true.
I consider myself in the higher tier of speeders when I'm going to and from school. The left to lanes usually consist of speeds around 75-90 miles an hour, while the right two stick more to the speed limit around 65 mph.
Speeding does not make you a bad driver. Being a bad driver makes you a bad driver. I can only imagine that the good drivers this cop was talking about were 50-70 age ranged Buick LeSabre owners who manage to weasel their way into the left lanes going the speed limit and wonder why everyone's so pissed off at them.
Problems do not occur if you stay in your lane. If you plan on driving slow, stick to the right with the rest of the handicap stickers.
March 15, 2007
Flickr Images
This would be an example of the ignorant artform. All this does is make it convenient to press your racial views on everyone who sees it. What purpose does it accomplish? Not much, besides create more resentment.
Graffiti is not always limited to spraypainting on a blank wall. This image was labelled as graffiti, meaning even if you put anything on a public piece of property, I suppose it make it graffiti.
This image showed me that graffiti artists take their work seriously, or at least some of them. The guy even dons his hood to ensure that we can't see who he is. Maybe the anonymous thing is being taken a little too far.
This picture reminded me that not all graffiti is just words. Some people actually create works of art through this form of expression. Is there a purpose to the picture? Who cares, it looks cool. I suppose it depends on who's viewing though.
Just another couple of examples of some of the great things that GOOD artists can do with this form of art. They leave nothing unturned.
March 14, 2007
Photo presentation and beyond?
I guess I finally made my decision as to what to do our little photo assignment on.
If YOU'RE still having trouble coming up with a topic, don't try to think too hard about it. I think that was my major problem. I got hung up on the idea that the pictures I had to take needed to be extraordinary. When Prof DeGenaro told us to look on freep and look at our neighborhood news for some ideas, nothing there stood out to me as photo worthy.
What makes something photo worthy?
Something that you can relate to. Something that you have had first hand experience with.
For my photos, I plan on taking pictures of several different new construction and completed subdivisions around my area. My family owns a construction company, so the last few years the recent problems are more than apparent. Builders neglect to pay subcontractors for work on homes simply because houses aren't selling as well as they used to. So what do they do? They continue building new construction homes and subs, cranking them out and sitting on the results.
Working around our shop off and on for the past few years, I've overheard rambling about certain businesses and builders. These subs are all over the place and they aren't stopping. I'd just like to show visibly what's happening. One subdivision over on 24 mile road has several completed homes that are just sitting there because no one is buying.
Builders don't sell houses. Builders don't pay you for work you already did. You need work and keep your employees working, so you continue taking work from said builders. Outstanding invoices pile up over time and you're sitting on a mountain of imaginary money that you'll probably never see because people don't feel the need to pay bills until they feel comfortable to.
?¿?¿?¿?¿?¿?¿?¿?¿?¿?¿?¿?¿?¿?¿?¿?¿?¿?¿?¿?¿?¿?¿?¿?¿?¿?¿?¿?¿?¿?¿?¿?¿?¿?¿?¿?¿?¿?¿?¿
If YOU'RE still having trouble coming up with a topic, don't try to think too hard about it. I think that was my major problem. I got hung up on the idea that the pictures I had to take needed to be extraordinary. When Prof DeGenaro told us to look on freep and look at our neighborhood news for some ideas, nothing there stood out to me as photo worthy.
What makes something photo worthy?
Something that you can relate to. Something that you have had first hand experience with.
For my photos, I plan on taking pictures of several different new construction and completed subdivisions around my area. My family owns a construction company, so the last few years the recent problems are more than apparent. Builders neglect to pay subcontractors for work on homes simply because houses aren't selling as well as they used to. So what do they do? They continue building new construction homes and subs, cranking them out and sitting on the results.
Working around our shop off and on for the past few years, I've overheard rambling about certain businesses and builders. These subs are all over the place and they aren't stopping. I'd just like to show visibly what's happening. One subdivision over on 24 mile road has several completed homes that are just sitting there because no one is buying.
Builders don't sell houses. Builders don't pay you for work you already did. You need work and keep your employees working, so you continue taking work from said builders. Outstanding invoices pile up over time and you're sitting on a mountain of imaginary money that you'll probably never see because people don't feel the need to pay bills until they feel comfortable to.
?¿?¿?¿?¿?¿?¿?¿?¿?¿?¿?¿?¿?¿?¿?¿?¿?¿?¿?¿?¿?¿?¿?¿?¿?¿?¿?¿?¿?¿?¿?¿?¿?¿?¿?¿?¿?¿?¿?¿
Graffiti
So...I spent the longest time trying to come up with something to say about graffiti, but the point is, I really don't understand the reasoning for it. Maybe I'm inept at realizing art? I doubt it, though.
Kriegel talks about the political significance and how it represents the decline of a city. I really can't agree with this. Graffiti to me is, in the mind of those who do it, the biggest way to show what they can do. Excessively large and readily visible. What artist wouldn't love that? Arguments can be made about taste and legality, but all it boils down to is a pathetic attempt at reaching out for attention.
Personally? I wouldn't care about graffiti is half of it was even decent to look at. In Jenkins article, I suppose he had a point when he was talking about all of the newer graffiti artists giving them veterans a bad name. There's not much you can do about being misrepresented.
The graffiti I see around Detroit is exactly what I just said: unoriginal and unusually irritating. Most of the one's seen on the freeways are just a tag of their name or something similar. Who cares? No one wants to see your alias written in an array of colors in a highly viewed spot. Maybe there's some secret sense of accomplishment to being completely anonymous and recognized at the same time.
March 12, 2007
Computer Woes
Well, I finally got my computer back after a small hiatus.
Around mid last week, my computer decided to take a dump and cease to function. Normally, I take it in to a regular shop on Garfield Road around 17 mile, but I had a feeling that the guy who works there really wasn't worth the trouble. I had a feeling that he was partly responsible for it not working as well.
Every time I go in there, the guy goes on a rant about one thing or another. He'll talk about his kids, business, politics, the world today, religion, whatever. Basically I just sit there for 30 minutes going, "Yeah, okay", hoping that some other customer will walk in and divert his attention. This isn't the case because apparently no one ever comes in there.
I ended up taking it to a new place and getting it fixed, however, I had to reformat my drive so I lost whatever information I had on it. Not really a big deal since most of the more important things are saved on different computers or online.
Since then I've been using a wireless internet available laptop, which wasn't bad, but the way it loaded Firefox2 / IE7 made me fall into a coma.
All I have to say is, it's good to be back.
Around mid last week, my computer decided to take a dump and cease to function. Normally, I take it in to a regular shop on Garfield Road around 17 mile, but I had a feeling that the guy who works there really wasn't worth the trouble. I had a feeling that he was partly responsible for it not working as well.
Every time I go in there, the guy goes on a rant about one thing or another. He'll talk about his kids, business, politics, the world today, religion, whatever. Basically I just sit there for 30 minutes going, "Yeah, okay", hoping that some other customer will walk in and divert his attention. This isn't the case because apparently no one ever comes in there.
I ended up taking it to a new place and getting it fixed, however, I had to reformat my drive so I lost whatever information I had on it. Not really a big deal since most of the more important things are saved on different computers or online.
Since then I've been using a wireless internet available laptop, which wasn't bad, but the way it loaded Firefox2 / IE7 made me fall into a coma.
All I have to say is, it's good to be back.
March 08, 2007
3/8 Discussion
1. What local issues are getting the most coverage?
In my view, the issues with most coverage are the one's that try to appeal to everyone. Articles that are about a generic and normal conflict may not grab everyone's attention. If the Free Press does not have everyone's attention, then they won't be making much money. Whatever story expands their reader base will be the story with the most attention. For example, there is constant coverage about the updates with Tara Grant's murder. People feel sorry for this occurence. They feel motivated and affected by it's happening. They want to know more about it. This makes them turn to the news, and essentially the Free Press, so why not oversaturate the rest of the news with more of the same.
2. What stands out to you about the coverage on FREEP.com? What concerns do they emphasize/de-emphasize? The "human factor"? The "drama factor"? Just the facts? What?
The coverage on freep.com is very factual, but appealing to both of the mentioned factors. Appealing to the reader draws them in. Drama and unusual events draw in readers. Anything differring from the norm will draw in readers. News appears to be about something that normally does not occur. Sure this statement seems blatantly obvious, but it's something that should be said. Is this where our interests only lie? In everything deterring from our mold of morals and opinions? Is this what news really is? Actually, I believe so. News is something important that we should be told. It could support or deterr our main goal, but whatever it is, it should be known.
3. What's going on in your own backyard? What do you think?
Clinton Twp. doesn't have much drama going on. The news on their main page, broadly entitled Northern Macomb, is basically about smaller events, gatherings, and anniversaries. Right now, the main topic is a review about one local gym in the area. Why do a gym? Gyms don't encorporate everyone within Clinton Twp so why write about it? Because, it's still a place where a large group of people go. Even if certain individuals don't attend to that specific gym, there are still several readers who may be interested in working out or finding a new center to call their own.
Other than that, local news likes to try and bolster the image of that specific community's schools. All the accomplishments they have, academic or athletic, are plastered on the website. In large fonted, bold letters, a title proclaims that the Lancers ended a drought in some sport. Who cares? People of the area, parents, students, former students, etc. Appealing to the sense of past and connection to the location being described.
4. What might you want to research/write about? Why?
Not too sure what I might write about. Asking for a very good topic just seems to make me very picky about what I should choose, which ends up being a bad thing. We're so accustomed to news being extreme and moral-breaking actions that when it comes to local news, they just don't seem to cut it in our minds.
Right now I'm looking for some issues that might be dealing with our school systems. Schools are an integral system to any community and usually have an abundance of problems.
In my view, the issues with most coverage are the one's that try to appeal to everyone. Articles that are about a generic and normal conflict may not grab everyone's attention. If the Free Press does not have everyone's attention, then they won't be making much money. Whatever story expands their reader base will be the story with the most attention. For example, there is constant coverage about the updates with Tara Grant's murder. People feel sorry for this occurence. They feel motivated and affected by it's happening. They want to know more about it. This makes them turn to the news, and essentially the Free Press, so why not oversaturate the rest of the news with more of the same.
2. What stands out to you about the coverage on FREEP.com? What concerns do they emphasize/de-emphasize? The "human factor"? The "drama factor"? Just the facts? What?
The coverage on freep.com is very factual, but appealing to both of the mentioned factors. Appealing to the reader draws them in. Drama and unusual events draw in readers. Anything differring from the norm will draw in readers. News appears to be about something that normally does not occur. Sure this statement seems blatantly obvious, but it's something that should be said. Is this where our interests only lie? In everything deterring from our mold of morals and opinions? Is this what news really is? Actually, I believe so. News is something important that we should be told. It could support or deterr our main goal, but whatever it is, it should be known.
3. What's going on in your own backyard? What do you think?
Clinton Twp. doesn't have much drama going on. The news on their main page, broadly entitled Northern Macomb, is basically about smaller events, gatherings, and anniversaries. Right now, the main topic is a review about one local gym in the area. Why do a gym? Gyms don't encorporate everyone within Clinton Twp so why write about it? Because, it's still a place where a large group of people go. Even if certain individuals don't attend to that specific gym, there are still several readers who may be interested in working out or finding a new center to call their own.
Other than that, local news likes to try and bolster the image of that specific community's schools. All the accomplishments they have, academic or athletic, are plastered on the website. In large fonted, bold letters, a title proclaims that the Lancers ended a drought in some sport. Who cares? People of the area, parents, students, former students, etc. Appealing to the sense of past and connection to the location being described.
4. What might you want to research/write about? Why?
Not too sure what I might write about. Asking for a very good topic just seems to make me very picky about what I should choose, which ends up being a bad thing. We're so accustomed to news being extreme and moral-breaking actions that when it comes to local news, they just don't seem to cut it in our minds.
Right now I'm looking for some issues that might be dealing with our school systems. Schools are an integral system to any community and usually have an abundance of problems.
March 06, 2007
What makes the news
The news seems to have a hierarchy when it comes to what is important enough for the front page.
They mainly involve things that involve a serious crime against general morals of the public. For example, rape, murder, large theft, etc. Some crimes are relevant to who interprets them, but these are considered to be the worst by consensus.
After those, news that impacts a large group of people comes next, such as jobs and businesses. The recent announcement with Comerica Bank affects numerous people. People work for them, and several more use Comerica for banking purposes. When news can connect a large portion of the population to one issue, they tend to overexpose it as a way of connecting to that large crowd.
In specific local news, getting down to my township, most news would follow the norm, but since it doesn't occur as much, they focus on feats or accomplishments that may make the whole community glow. Dates and anniverseries that shine upon the fact of history, as if trying to build credibility for it's presence.
They mainly involve things that involve a serious crime against general morals of the public. For example, rape, murder, large theft, etc. Some crimes are relevant to who interprets them, but these are considered to be the worst by consensus.
After those, news that impacts a large group of people comes next, such as jobs and businesses. The recent announcement with Comerica Bank affects numerous people. People work for them, and several more use Comerica for banking purposes. When news can connect a large portion of the population to one issue, they tend to overexpose it as a way of connecting to that large crowd.
In specific local news, getting down to my township, most news would follow the norm, but since it doesn't occur as much, they focus on feats or accomplishments that may make the whole community glow. Dates and anniverseries that shine upon the fact of history, as if trying to build credibility for it's presence.
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