New site

So I just came across this site tonight- http://likealittle.com/bridgew.  It makes me laugh at all the flirtatious people posting about strangers they see on campus.  I think it is somewhat creepy and stupid but I like to laugh at it and would not hate it if a guy wrote about me on there.  Check it out, I think the idea is fun for college kids and people the anonymity of the site is great.  Will this be a popular networking site?  Time shall tell...check it out!

Post Secret

If you have never heard or seen Post Secret I suggest you go to the website post secret.
The secrets alone are inspiring and filled with sad, hopeful, and funny things that people hide inside themselves.  If you do not know what it is basically this guy named Frank Warren started collecting anonymous postcards from strangers which had their secrets on them.  After a couple years he had so many that he got contacted by the All American Rejects and the secrets from their music video "dirty little secrets" are all from Post Secret.  He has also made 5 books with many of the secrets he has collected which are fun to look at every now and then.  I think the concept is amazing and he came here last night and his presentation was amazing.  Just the thought and story behind his journey and imagination to create such a project opened up my eyes to what I personally can do to help myself and others.  I got the opportunity to meet Frank and he was so humble and kind.  I really hope everyone who reads this checks out the website and the books because it is something that will turn your life around. 

propaganda

Today in my Comm 222 theory class we watched a video about war and the propoganda that not only our government but the media feeds American citizens.  The film looked at our past presidents and clips showed that many of them used the same type of speeches including their want for peace in this country but their actions being towards war.  I understand propaganda but I was shocked at how powerful our government can be through the media.  Restrictions were placed with where journalists were allowed to go and what they could cover of the war.  The reporters and news programs always boasted about the pentagon and their technology which was all used to kill people.  I think an interesting statistic was that during World War I 10% of casualties were civilians, in WWII that number increased making those who were killed were occupied by 50% being civilians and the most shocking to me is in Iraq that number went to 90%.  Although many news programs present themselves as being liberal or anything else they are being controlled by the government and hold pro-war ideas and ways to persuade their viewers to feed into the thoughts and secrets that the war is being shown as.  I also find it interesting that the highest ranking program on MSNBC was cancelled when the main reporter expressed his anti-war opinions.  I believe that we as Americans need to not always shape our opinions and ideas by what the media presents to us but from our own investigations.The film was very interesting and if you would like the name of it ask me and I will find out the information.

fainting goats

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9CC_9aFuEkA

I just saw the saddest video on YouTube about kittens who have the fainting goat syndrome.  Out of nowhere the kittens just stiffen up and fall over ending up in a paralysis.  It is most common in goats but these kittens also have this problem.  They cannot run or jump but other than that appear to be normal cats.  One of the cats featured in the video passed away from respiratory failure.  This is not a happy post but I saw the video and almost teared up and thought it was an interesting story that I have never heard of before.

Halloween!

I am so happy that Halloween is such a great holiday and so big in this country or at least between me and my friends and everyone I know.  I love the excuse to dress up crazy and funny, I never go the "slutty" route so no worries.  I do no think this celebration is about dressing like a gross or sexual disney character or a woman on the job.  I always try to get very creative and go where noone will go or that will get me a laugh or two.  Last year I was gum under a shoe, a biker chick, and a eskimo girl.  I think accesories are really great and can make any costume.  This year I decided to be a monkey when I found a really creepy mask for $3.99 at the party store.  My accesories make the costume which are gold plates to replicate cymbals and a red hat like the playing toy cymbal monkey.  I hope everyone has a safe holiday and has so much fun!

Stop the power!

Today in my Comm 222 theory class we had a guest speaker who spoke about the power plant that was passed to be put up in Brockton that was 1600 feet from an elementary school.  The talk really made me more aware of the environmental and issues that would affect the citizens and especially those who live extremely close.  The people of Brockton protested and eventually the plant was denied to be put up but now it people are being sued who allowed that to be passed to be put up in the first place.  I think it is horrible how toxic waste and fossil fuel type industries are being put up in low income and high minority areas because of the unnoticed and uncared for problems that happen in such places.  I just think it was very interesting to learn about this issue because we as students are the future and we are the ones who determine what we want our families and children being exposed to.  Visit the website to learn more info. http://www.stopthepower.net/

la bella vita!

This Spring I am studying abroad in Florence, Italy and I can not be more excited!  I have been holding my excitement until I have been accepted and my paperwork has gone through and it finally has!  One of my friends who also attends BSU and lives ten minutes from my hometown is coming on this journey with me so I am even more ecstatic to be sharing these memories and this journey with a good friend.  I am nervous about the culture and the fact that I am an American in Europe.  I love becoming one with a culture and blending in so I do not appear to be a tourist but I am worried that I will have to accept the fact that I am.  This Spring will be a time to experience new things and I expect it to be a semester that I will never forget and keep parts of the Italian culture and European traveling in my heart forever. 

Miners

Those poor Chilean miners I cannot believe they are still stuck in that mine.  When I saw their first video of them laughing, playing cards and ultimately high in spirit I thought a lot about life.  These poor men are stuck in this hole but still find the courage and time to laugh and have fun even if their predicament is terrible and they did not know if they would be rescued soon.  Now I am told they need to wear special goggles for when they finally see the sun because of their lack of it for so many months.  Two months under the hole and thirty three men getting out so soon if not already from this horrible incident and they seem happy.  I am glad these men looked on the bright side it really makes me look at my own life and things that upset me and realize they are small and not as important, things could be worse.

Raising Hope

If you want a funny new comedy family television show then I suggest you tune into "Raising Hope".  I have not actually seen it on tv but rather the incredible hulu.  From what I remember the show is on Tuesday nights on Fox at 9pm and is really hilarious.  I am a tough judge with comedic television shows but this one makes me smile the whole way through which is a great success!  It is about a twenty year old boy who finds himself in charge of a baby when the girl he got pregnant is executed in jail...a little heavy from the description but how it all turns out in the story line is much funnier and light then my own description.  Shows like this and even Modern Family  bring us back to the family comedies and how not every family is exactly like Leave it to Beaver.  A sigh of relief and a couple deep belly laughs is what this show brings me so I encourage you to check it out!

movie prices

Movie prices are ridiculous and compared to waiting a month or more for reduced costs it seems ludicrous to pay $10 for it in the theatres.  Yes I agree seeing a movie in theatres is a great experience with the large screen and the stadium seating but I do not want it to cost an arm and a leg in order to see a movie where I can get it for $1.99 at red box in a couple of months.  What is the thrill of seeing these movies earlier?  The chatter about them or just the idea that you saw it first and in the theatre.  Near my house there is a Tuesday night movie deal for $4.75 and that is the day I choose to go.  I think that is so much more worth it and even allows me to splurge on that $5 small popcorn that seemed crazy on any other day but Tuesday.  Maybe I am frugal but I would rather not see a movie at all in the theatres then spend money that I do not have for a movie that I am not even sure I will love.

polygamy in America

Since I did not post on Monday I figured I need to post today twice, I hope that counts as posting Mon/Tues since this can replace my missed post.  Enough of that, and more about polygamy and America.  We had a very long discussion on this in my women's studies class and it was very interesting.  I guess there is a new show called "Sister wives" about a man who has three wives and is in the process of finding his fourth.  I know this practice is looked down upon in our country but I never knew it was illegal and that people can be prosecuted for having more than one wife.  I am curious if they are legal because if so then he will be prosecuted.  I wonder why other cultures accept this and wonder what the reasoning behind having more than one wife is.  It is all so interesting and I am trying to keep an open mind about this practice even if it is one that I would never participate in.

another facebook the movie post

Just came back from paying $6 to see The Social Network and although the price was a great deal compared to the usual rip offed price movie theatres are showing films at this time I am still upset.  I found the film to be slow and painful.  It was one of those films I would never want to see again in a million years.  I felt unintelligent listening to the actor portraying Mark Zuckerberg and also with the little knowledge I have with law I was confused on how some of the people could actually sue him, by what means. Facebook is great and I am one who checks it more than a dozen times a day but I hate myself for that.  I am also very sick of it and wish it was back to the days when only college kids could use it. Filtering my personal information to hide it from my parents and their friends is getting old! I have been seeing awful movies lately and am becoming more and more interested in finding great books to read instead.  I would love your suggestions and also your own personal opinions on this film. 

books compared to movies

I think everybody believes that novels are better then the films that are made about them, at least I do.  This reigns true for even the greatest movies.  One of my all time favorite films is Mystic River which has great actors and a great direction to the film.  I read the book several years later and fell in love even more and was actually upset at some of the choices they did not keep from the book in the film.  I just finished reading The Town and although I have yet to see this movie I compared the book to the movie with my friend who saw it and she was shocked at some of the differences.  Small changes make me mad because I know it is for the hollywood affect.  I also hate when endings in films change like in The Town and Marley and Me.  I will continue to read and compare books and films and I suggest you try it because it is something fun and interesting to do!

Freedom Summer

I just got back from my Comm. Studies Theory class and was thinking about what to blog my whole way back to my dorm.  We watched a History channel movie called "Freedom Summer" about the civil rights movements and especially the voting registration in Mississippi in the 1960s.  I am ashamed to say I have been somewhat ignorant about our nation's history only knowing what I have been taught and never searching for more.  I am so completely entranced with the film I just watched and the discussion our class just had.  Our professor told us as whites we ignore the fact and have never faced the issue straight on, the hatred and violence we inflicted on blacks in this country.  It is true, as a white American I am embarassed to be associated with such hatred and feel torn between the past and the present and what I can do now.  I am so thankful I grew up in the North and my family always embraced and recognized diversity and the beauty of it, I do not understand why other people cannot see past color.  My grandfather has strong opinions about race and I do not associate with him when he brings them up and actually trys to challenge his ignorant and bigoted thoughts.  I just want to know where we are now in this country and besides the rights blacks have gained how do the lives and the color issue be pushed aside forever.

School Cafeteria food...ICK!

Cafeteria food, I am so sick of it!  I was brought up spoiled by my mother's excellent Italian cooking and then was slapped in the face with cafeteria food consisting of cold peas and slimy turkey.  I was researching this topic because I have had a rough couple of weeks angry with the whole concept of this school's food supply so I investigated.  I found an article by MSNBC which took their cameras in an took a closer look at the foods being served to our citizens.  The news team found that "In New Jersey, at least seven students and a teacher fell ill with salmonella poisoning. In St. Louis, officials still haven’t figured out why 45 children and a teacher got sick after eating cafeteria food last March."  I do not know about you but this is shocking and unacceptable.  I also have seen the show with Jamie Oliver which he tackles the issue of childhood obesity in America and how the state rejected his pleas.  My blog started off with me hating cafe. food and ended with the epidemic in America.

Fall line up

I am sitting here at my desk staring at the index card taped to the left hand corner which I stare at every single day without missing it.  The content on the card is the fall 2010 shows that I watch on tv on Monday-Thursday evenings.  I think it is pathetic that I wrote it down or even watch so many shows but I really get through my day faster and less painfully when I have something to look forward to at night.  The anticipation of watching these also makes me accomplish my homework and assignments on time that otherwise could be dragged on and on until the last possible second.  On my list is Tuesdays: Glee, Life Unexpected, and Parenthood resulting in the busiest night occupying my time from 8-11pm.  On Wednesday I have two shows which will take up 2 hours and then Thursday a new show that I am not sure will fill the solo slot.  I am examining the shows I watch and have noticed only one of them is a reality show which I am proud of myself.  Real World is ending so that leaves me with the new Real World/ Road Rules Challenge: Cut Throat which begins in October.  At least these entertaining shows have some family values in them!

Double back flip in a wheelchair

http://www.cnn.com/video/data/2.0/video/us/2010/09/13/wheelchair.backflip.hln.html
Searching CNN for some interesting stories and I found one of an 18 year old Aaron Fotheringham who succesfully completes a double back flip while constrained in his wheelchair.  He hooked himself up to a bungie cord and pulled himself and after a broken chair and several failures he completed his stunt!  I find this story so amazing and am so happy that Aaron looks beyond his disability and looks at himself as "not in a wheelchair but on a wheelchair".  He also says "when life gives you a wheelchair you find a skate park".  Despite his restrictions he finds ways to be like every other kid his age and kids look up to him and want him to teach them his talent.  Great story!

Cheap Meat

This information is coming from the celebrity blog I follow on livejournal called "OhNoTheyDidn't!".  If any of you are into trashy celeb gossip I suggest you join this blog because it really cuts to the chase and is very informative.  ANY WHO--I came across an article about Lady Gaga and her meat costume at the VMAS.  At first I had read that it was synthetic meat which still seemed grotesque but a little less wasteful and disturbing as real meat would be to wear.  The blog later apologized and said in fact it was real meat and 25 pounds of it! 25 pounds of meat (cheap cuts, I may add)? Do you know how many poor people are lacking a proper diet and could have benefited by that?  I am disgusted not only by the costume itself but the lack of integrity lady gaga has for people who could have used that meat for a way better cause.  I do not care if it is a fashion statement or a statement in general it is completely idiotic and I lost any respect I had for GAGA.

VMAS

I was excited to watch the 7pm airing of Jersey Shore followed by an amazing pre-show performance by Nicki Minaj and later the VMAS.  I must say I was pleased by the JS episode even though some of the people infuriate me.  I was excited for the pre-show until it took forever and nothing came out of it besides my girl Nicki doing an awesome performance with Will.I.Am.  The show was nothing like last year there were no interruptions and nothing out of the ordinary which was a disappointment.  Is it not so sad that I am upset that no mistakes or flaws happened with these celebs? The performances were all a little bizarre and not to mention Lady Gaga's meat outfit which was completely repulsive.  Justin Bieber did awful and everybody could tell he was lipsyncing.  I do not mean to be a huge jerk but I was overall upset with the show and only watched it because Chelsea Handler was hosting but they did not even give her enough air time in my opinion.  What are your thoughts on the show if you watched it?

PMS and Polotics

I really enjoy my Anthropology class on Women's studies but I was enraged today when we were compiling a list of stereotypical male and female traits.  We got on the topic of PMS and someone brought up that one of the reasons behind Hillary Clinton not being president or possibly never becoming president was because many men believed during PMS she would be unstable and too emotional to make decisions.  Not being as politically intrigued as I wish I was this came as news to me and something I have never heard of before.  Who in their right mind would not choose a female because of that reason, it just seems so ignorant and sexist to me but maybe I am outraged for no reason.  Yes, PMS obviously brings hormones to the female body that can cause emotions and behaviors that would not when menstruation is not occurring but it does not mean they can not be under control or handled by the woman in charge.  I swear by the end of this Anthro. course I might be more feministic and I am not sure if that is a good or bad thing.  Just wanted to share my frustrations with this particular topic...share your thoughts please!

Reality Tv loser

I must admit it, I love reality television and not the dating shows at all but more along the lines of "Real Housewives" and "Real World" but still what stupid drama and useless knowledge.  I find myself acting like I know these people when they are probably just characters acting in a role they created themselves.  Reality Television has become such a huge part of our world whether many of us like it or not.  I think if I was not such a creepy blog stalking, picture creeping, reality tv wannabe then I would not be so interested in these people's lives.  Judge me, hate me, I am just bored and love to laugh at crazy drama.  Let's bring back the family shows like "7th Heaven" and "Growing Pains" those were the shows I grew up on and I am glad because if reality shows were my focus as a young girl who knows how I would have turned out!

stylish hospital gowns

Today I came across some interesting and odd news when surfing the internet.  Diane Von Furstenberg, a designer known for creating some of the most beautiful gowns for red carpet events has designed something she has never done before.  The Cleveland clinic in Ohio looked to Furstenberg for help with a new design and a comfortable new look to their hospital attire.  The new gowns tie from the sides to eliminate the embarassing backless look and also have a beautiful print including the clinic's logo on the fabric.  The material is also lightweight enough to be cool but tough enough to withstand frequent laundering and having monitors and drains pinned to it.  Feedback has been very positive except for a few men complaining the gowns have too much of a feminine look.  I think these designer gowns have put a happy outlook to a stay at the hospital!

awareness

As I was sitting here on this beautiful monday sans labor I pondered what I could possibly blog about.  I searched on ABC news to maybe get some ideas from this popular news station to see if any stories interested me and gave me motivation to write.  I found one on the topic of female students in college and it gave many scary but true statistics that can affect me and my fellow women on campus. The study which was conducted from the Department of Justice made an estimate that 25 percent of women in college will be victims of rape or attempted rape before they graduate within a college period of four years.  The study also gathered information that states women between the ages of 16 and 24 will experience rape at a rate that is four times higher than the assault rate of all women.  This news is not happy or joyous but it is a reality and something that all of us women living on campus need to be aware of.  I am now going to be smarter about my choices to walk to my dorm alone at night and become familiar with the emergency blue lights at all times.

9/11 remember

After viewing youtube videos and articles on the events that ocurred on September 11, 2001 it brought me back to my exact location during the horrific news.  I was in sixth grade sitting in my classroom when my principal's voice suddenly blared on the loudspeaker, strange for the time of day.  He had us all take a moment of silence for everyone involved in the events and later in the day we sang patriotic songs.  I did not understand what had happened and I even remember lying to my parents and saying I was afraid in order for me to selfishly go play at my friend's house that afternoon.  Looking back at the events I was a naive eleven year old girl with no comprehension of how big this attack was on our nation.  I looked at the youtube videos of the plane's crashing and my hair stood up on my arms.  It is so crazy to me how many people died and how much our nation has come together due to horrible and unforgetting trauma. I know I may not have understood the 9/11 hijacking attacks back then but I do now and have a lot of pride for the way our country got up and dealt with such a devastation. 

Who is Mallary Forzese?

My name is Mallary Forzese and I am currently a Junior at Bridgewater State University studying Communications. My concentration is Media Studies and I will hopefully figure out what I want my future occupation to be with the courses I will be taking. I am excited with the journey ahead of me, often nervous but definitely ready for where it will take me.

This summer flew by and I was very busy with work, an internship, and fun!  I got a great opportunity to intern at NECN in Newton and the experience will last with me forever.  I met a lot of great people and have found an interest in this field and have gained furthur knowledge of what my future job may hold.  I also worked four days a week at my parent's pre-school which was both fun and challenging at times.  I enjoy having fun, meeting new people and taking risks.  I hope this blog will allow you to get to know me better, ENJOY!



I am sure you can tell that I am new to the blogging world so please try to bear with me through my next few entries until I grab the reins on this whole operation. This blog will include posting about my life and also about my foundations of media studies class. Please feel free to leave comments because your feedback will help me with this blog and how to make it the best it can possibly be.


Phew, that was not as bad as I thought it was going to be and I am happy to say I am finished with my first introduction page and now am off to the races to begin my personal blogging journey…wish me luck!