Sara's Blog

Fired by Text Message

katzsj — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 01:56:44 +0000

Does anyone go on the website fmylife.com? I don’t know how true these stories are I’m sure some people make them up or over-elaborate but I saw this one that kind of relates to my previous text:

“Today, my boss fired me via text message. I don’t have a text messaging plan. I paid $0.25 to get fired. FML”

That’s really pathetic on the boss’ part… what is the professional world coming to?!?!

Check out this Video! Obama “Hope” Poster Debate

katzsj — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 22:43:05 +0000

I know we’ve talked a lot about copyrights and I know I’ve blogged about them and how confused I am about them and I still am. I have an Entrepreneurship class right after our IMS class and we talk about copyrights, patents, trademarks and it all is just a blur in my mind. Anyways this is a video interview from the Colbert Report where Copyright Layer Ed Colbert defends the AP, the photorapher of the original photo and Obama in this whole issue and at the end when Colbert asks him, “who do you really think is right? he answers, “who’s paying me?” but in the end actually agrees with Shepard Fairy. I guess these cases are just so subjective!!!! I think that’s what bothers me the most and how more than one person could possibly be right.

Sometimes Opposites DO Attract

katzsj — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 23:27:09 +0000

This video is SO cute! It’s about how an elephant and dog befriended each other! If they can look past their differences why can’t we!?!?

Jane Fonda Twitters the Oscars

katzsj — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 23:18:19 +0000

Anyone watch the Oscars last night? I found this article about how Jane Fonda was sick and couldn’t attend so she Twittered from her bed! That would be cool to see who all the celebrities who couldn’t attend (and normal people like us ) were rooting for! Do you think celebrities could bring their phones into the Oscars? Also I was surprised Sean Penn didn’t think his wife!

Is There Such a Thing as Too Much Texting?

katzsj — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 22:52:14 +0000

I read this Washington Post article about Teens and Texting. This one girl sends/receives over 6,000 texts a month! Now before I begin, I have to admitt that I LOVE texting and I often rather text than call if I just want to let someone know something or just say something quick without developing a full conversation. Also if you have an unlimited texting plan I feel sometimes it’s better because then you’re not using your minutes! But this article was talking about the negative effects of texting saying its hurting family time, kids aren’t speaking grammatically correct and their writing in school is not where it should be. I take my phone everywhere but I get annoyed when people are at the rec texting or talking away on a machine (no offense if you do this). I think there are times and places for phones… One time I was at a restaurant in Seattle, a hole in the wall kind of place and the waiter yelled at me and said it offended him when he was dropping off our drinks. Ouch! But unfortunately I’m definitely addicted to texting and the article said people are often now uncomfortable with face to face conversation sometimes and I sadly fall into that category sometimes.

Netflix, is it worth it?

katzsj — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 16:01:27 +0000

I guess I was just wondering how many of you have a Netflix account, tried it or not. Do you like it? Is it worth it? Normally if i rent a movie its for that night and then i return it the next day anyways. Also with people leaking movies on the web and downloading them or even tv stations putting their shows online and digital cable there’s lots of other ways to watch tv/ movies. I guess Netflix beats paying cinema prices. I was looking on their website $17 a month (for unlimited movies i think) seems like a lot over the course of a year. I probably watch one new movie a month if that…maybe it’s just because we’re in school. It’s probably great for families especially ones with little kids. I found this article where Netflix revenues went up 19% unlike a lot of struggling businesses lately, they seem to be thriving.

Twitter Ad on the Radio

katzsj — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 15:55:10 +0000

I was listening to 107.1 last night in my car and the dj started talking about twitter and telling the listeners to sign on now and find his name and posts. I guess I just thought instantly IMS 201! I need to get a twitter account asap i keep meaning to do it!

Copyright Infringement or Not?

katzsj — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 05:11:50 +0000

Sorry with all these posts, I guess I’m on a roll. I was watching a Friends episode, and they are all watching Old Yeller. You don’t actually see it, but you hear it. I haven’t seen the movie in a long time, so I don’t know if the noises were actually from the movie. If they were from the movie, did Warner Bros have to get permissions to use the movie clip? or not because it is just a portion, but it’s not educational? Or do you think they just made up the dog barks and gun shot? After today’s class everything I see I wonder if it’s copyright infringement. Also my class right after IMS 201 is my Entrepreneurship class that is all about new technology and today we talked about Copyrights, Trademarks etc. Even though we discussed it in detail today, the whole thing still confuses me.

Simpsons Youtube Copyright Infringement

katzsj — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 05:07:19 +0000

So, today we talked about copyright issues. I ironically found this blog and there was a link to a Youtube video and when I clicked on it it said, ” This Video is no longer available due to a copyright claim by Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation.” This video was linked to a blog that was talking about the Simpson’s episode that guest stars real life architect Frank Gehry. I guess Youtube or whoever put that video up didn’t have permission from Fox Films. But what I was going to blog about was the parody of the episode. I thought it was really funny because if anyone has heard of Frank Gehry he tends to do very modern, contemporary works such as the Walt Disney Concert Hall, the Fish in Barcelona and the Experience Music Project in Seattle. I was actually just in Seattle this weekend and went to the Experience Music Project. Gehry is not one of my favorite architects but he does have an adventurous side and a very unique style. My favorite part of the blog was the scene where Gehry crumples up a piece of paper and that ends up being his inspiration for the Walt Disney Concert Hall (It’s probably more funny to architects but hopefully you all will get a kick out of it). I guess that proves inspiration can come from anywhere (and copyright infringements happen everywhere too)!

Water Bottles as a Design Tool

katzsj — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 04:48:17 +0000

The number one concern in the architecture world is sustainability. One way to do this is to use recycled products and objects in creative and innovative ways. I was reading some of the blogs I subscribed too and saw this material called Terratex. It’s made from recycled polyester (largely post-consumer plastic soda pop bottles) or renewable materials (such as PLA which is derived from corn). Terratex works to conserve petroleum resources. It reminded me of this restaurant in New York by Tadao Ando, the Morimoto Restaurant. He made a wall of waterbottles! I’m not sure if they were recycled, but even if they weren’t it reminds us to try to re-use things and that even something as simple as a water bottle can be a creative design tool.