Banning Google Glass

The rising problems with using hand held electronic devices is not surprising. Many cars come equipped with hand-free electronic services that can do anything from mapping out your destination to reading you a knock-knock joke. The question is, is it safer? 

Is it less of a distraction when its hand-free? Sure. Is it safer? No. 

After reading this article, you may question if its okay to not ban using things such as Google Glass. I for one think that it's ignorant to use such things while driving. YOU'RE DRIVING. WHY DO YOU NEED TO DO OTHER STUFF? Anyways, check it out.

Behind The Scenes of The GTA V Scenes

GTA V

& The Makers'

Realistic Los Santos 

    So as many of you are aware, the newest Grand Theft Auto is said to be the best one yet. Some say it's better the first four + Red Dead Redemption put together. I personally can't give my opinion because I don't play games like GTA. However, one aspect of the game that does interest me is the detailed graphics. 

     The city in which this game takes place acts like a replica of the actual city of Los Santos! The way in which video games have evolved is amazing. You can see the progress with every new video game you play. 

     Seriously. Check out this link to read more about the behind the scenes work. Learn what the creators and artists did to 'set the scene' for Grand Theft Auto V!

That's not what blood looks like... That's mis-bleeding.

BLOOD!!!!!!

After reading this article, I couldn't help but reminisce about the old horror films. 

The advances they've made in theatrical blood is quite thrilling. 

If you're filming a homemade horror film these days all you have to do is visit your local super store and purchase a vampire makeup set. 

When I was younger, my friends and I would film short humorous videos and come up with creative ways to fool our audience. 

For a particular video, I played as jealous boyfriend who shoots his girlfriend in the heart. With limited material, we simply mixed up a concoction that kind of looked like blood and filled small balloons with it.   

When it was time to get shot, we simply had the girlfriend slap her chest (as if in pain) where the balloon was hidden beneath her shirt. Boom. 

She pulls her hand away and there's blood all over her. 

The recreation of blood for movies and theater is an extremely interesting topic. You can not only read up on it but you can also see it happening as you review the evolution of horror film blood.

Mockbusters

It's late at night and you're bored so what do you do?

I don't know about you but my friends and I search through Netflix for the cheapest looking movies (A.K.A: Mockbusters).

If you've ever watched movie channels late at night you have undoubtedly taken at least a glimpse at a mockbuster movie. They are generally movies that closely represent big-production films in plot and title. 

For example: Snakes On a Train, Piranha, and Transmorphers are all B-rated movies that are obviously a play on popular films (Snakes On a Plane, Jaws, and Transformers). 

Some people feel really cheated when they watch these films. Honestly, what did they expect?

Others watch these movies purposely as a source of entertainment and humor. 

Personally, these films (as cheesy as they are) are entertaining and I don't see a problem with the production of them. I mean, have you ever seen Rubber? Entertaining. Seriously. Watch it. 

Summary: Mockbusters aren't harming anyone. They're entertaining. 

Piracy. Wrong?

Hey guys. This post is exactly what you think it might be about. Piracy.

Fast-growing online tools are making it difficult to prevent downloading material illegally.

Some think it's totally cool and others (like maybe the artist or creator) think it's not very cool at all.
What's the big deal? If you can get high-quality, free music then the artists has a faster form of advertising their music, right?

Here's some things people don't think about:

1. You get free music, they get nothing.
       In a matter of seconds you can steal what someone spent a good deal of time and money on!
Not cool.

2. You get free music, recording labels get nothing.
      The money a music label invests into the artist is lost.

3. You get free music, and later pay more than necessary.
        Let's say you acquire this music, become a fan, and intend on supporting this band.
    That's too bad. The amount of money the recording labels and artists loses ultimately causes fans to have to pay more for music and merchandise to make up for your reckless behavior.

4. You get free music, and a new home for about 5 years.
     People, let's not forget that piracy is ILLEGAL. If you get caught, it can cost you up to $250,000 in fines and a few years in prison. Yea. PRISON.

Personally, I have downloaded music illegally a handful of times. After analyzing this topic I realized how much it impacts so many people. I am against piracy.

The Newspaper

How many people really read newspapers? The answer is a lot of people, actually.

Before my last class meeting I wouldn't have thought that the newspaper is still very popular.

Does the newspaper industry need to change their methods? Perhaps. They have, however, began posting many papers online. In this day and age, online would seem easier and better to many people.

Honestly, I really don't have much to say about the newspaper industry or methods.

I don't think that newspapers are going anywhere too fast.

The Future of Books

   Take a moment to look around you. Many things are being converted to some electronic form. Mail became e-mail and now books can be read on a tablet or laptop. It's true. There's a new service launching called Netflix for Books. The name is a dead give-away. Not only can you watch your favorite movies and TV shows on Netflix but you can now purchase and read books.

Here's the big questions: 

How will this effect the future of publishing and buying books?
Personally, I believe this new service will be extremely successful. People already use electronics for other hobbies such as painting, writing, and creating music. Who's to say that being able to access all of your personal pleasures from the click of a button will fail?

Would I use Netflix for Books?

Yes, I would. Don't get me wrong. I love the smell and feel of a fresh novel in my hands but if I can save some room in my already heavy book bag I will.

Libraries may, however, be in danger. If everyone can obtain that hot, new teen-angst love book from the world wide web, I don't think many people will feel the need to visit their local library.

Think green, people. By converting all of our books from paper to screen is saving a lot of trees in the long run. Online books would definitely be an efficient alternative to printing paper.

That's all, folks.

-Mel

Nice To Meet You.

Oh. Hi.

My favorite color is green. Everyone starts with their name so I thought I'd switch it up a little bit. My name is Melanie Jade Williams and I'm from Rainelle, WV.

 I'm twenty years young and a ginger (Yes, it's natural). In my spare time I like to lay around with my boyfriend and play/write music. When I finally get to where I'm going, I hope it's in a studio recording or writing music. I'm a real cheese ball when it comes to talking about how music effectively expresses our emotions as individuals and is a positive form of release.

 I'm also really into anime or cartoons such as Death Note, Fruits Basket, Kiki's Delivery Service, Pokemon, etc. Some of my other interests include living for an extended period of time (I quit smoking a year ago). From a young age I've struggled with S.A.D. (Severe Anxiety Disorder) and A.D.D.. 

 I'm also a bit of a bookworm when I find the time to read one. My favorite authors are John Green, Stephen Chbosky, and Holly Black.

 You can definitely classify me as an animal lover! Animals were a large portion of my up-bringing. My family raised and bred goats, rabbits, chickens, and dogs. We've also owned several hamsters, fish, a pig, mice, stray kittens, and a perverted cockatiel. To much misfortune, my pet rat, Fur Elise, has recently grown a large tumor and I'm waiting for her to pass away. 

Though I'm not religious I truly believe that everything in life happens for a reason and we're all in search of a Great Perhaps. 

My life is rather ordinary.