Assignment 3-1 Weekly Written Analysis

This Ain't No wine Cooler. Will Caffeinated Alcohol Be the Next Teen-drinking Fad?

With all the concern about teen drinking, are we unwittingly contributing to the problem? Have we done our homework with regards to the energy drinks now being marketed? With energy drinks being all the rage, how much do we really know about them? What, if any, is the alcoholic content of these drinks? I'll gamble to say that many of us haven't given it a second thought.

This article points out that many of the energy drinks not only contain caffeine and ginseng, but also alcohol. The alcoholic content can be anywhere from 5% to 10% per serving, more alcohol than is contained in some beers and other alcoholic beverages. Teens are the primary targets of these drinks with names such as Joose or Sparks. They are described as having the taste of cheap soda, excessively sweet and bubbly with a hint of alcohol. They contain just enough of an alcoholic content to appeal to the immature taste of teens.

These mixtures also contain various stimulants, such as caffeine, guarana and ginseng, along with the alcohol. The article points out that the alcoholic energy drinks come in bigger serving sizes and have more punch than caffeinated cocktails. Energy drinks have been labeled as alcopops. They are sold in convenience stores which make them readily accessible to teens.

Outside of marketing concerns, these energy drinks also raise scientific questions, such as: Does the caffeine override the effects of the alcohol? Is it more dangerous to drink? Research has found that drinking caffeine with alcohol is much riskier than alcohol alone. Studies also show that your body functions much the same with or without the caffeine. The caffeine only makes you feel better. Alcoholic energy drinks convince your brain that you're not as drunk as you think you are.

Next time you're in the store, do some label reading. Compare the alcoholic content of your favorite energy drink to your choice of alcoholic beverage. You'll be in for a surprise. Is this what you want your teenager drinking?

Sparks - Caffeine: 87 mg; Red Bull & Vodka - Caffeine: 20 mg; Jack & Coke: Caffeine: 13 mg

Sparks - Alcohol: 1.12 oz.; Red Bull & Vodka - Alcohol: 0.6 oz.; Jack & Coke Alcohol: 0.6 oz.

Caffeine and alcohol in Sparks is per 16 oz. serving

Cloud, John & McLeod, K. This Ain't No Wine Cooler. Will caffeinated alcohol be the next teen-drinking fad? Time Magazine (2008, July 20). pp 51-52

Assignment 1-3 Journal Article Analysis

Pimps Up, Ho's Down: Hip Hop's Hold on Young Black Women




What is it about hip hop that is so attractive to young black women? Is it the opportunity to star in a video and be surrounded by adoring fans? Even so, is it really worth your dignity? I don't think so; and neither does the author of this article, T. Denean Sharpley-Whiting.

She feels very strongly that hip hop finds its roots deep in the philosophy of male doninance. Women are considered a common commodity and disposal. Hip hop grows out of the fears men have concerning their masculinity. Women are used as instruments for the enjoyment of men and boosters for their egos. In hip hop men conttol the strings and call the shots. They control and women are controlled.

Somewhere along the way men have become unsure of themselves as breadwinners and heads of households. Sharpley-Whiting stated in an interview "I believe men and boys feel adrift, displaced, as they compete with the "alpha" women and are conflicted over American ideals regrading men, manhood, and a patriarchal society." In essence they are threatened by strong, secure women. Hip hop is their way of regaining control.

The article points out that the success of hip hop is very much dependent upon the young black woman. Hip hop is interdependent on the sex industry and women are used to exploit this aspect. Women are made to believe that there is nothing wrong with hip hop anad its exploitation of women as sex objects.

The article also points out that ideas surrounding dating, love anad sexual abuse for young blaack women have been altered. Sexually charged lyrics anad visuals are dominant in hip hop videos. Hip hop seemingly created the false image that this is normal behavior. Young black women are led to believe that they have the right to and are enjoying sexual freedom and are not being sexually exploited.

I believe one of the attractions to young black women is the expectation of the money that can be made. With single women raising children alone, many of them young women with limited education, they see this as a once in a lifetime opportunity. Many are convinced that the only thing they have going for them is their beauty and sex. Once that fades, there's no hope for them and so they grab for the lifeline. Hip hop has brainwashed the young black woman.

Through hip hop , men appear to be trying to regain their status as the patriarch, the ruler of the house. It appears that women have taken over in an effort to fend for themselves and their families and this is man's way of taking it back. At one point in history, women had no rights, could not own property, and were subject to their husband's beck and call or their father's and brothers' if she was a single woman. Through hip hop men are attempting to take this control back and degrade women in the process.

The article brings out some very valid and insightful points dealing with hip hop and young black women. It is up to the young black women to decide what is right for them. Are they comfortable being in a situation where they are seen strictly as sex objects? Don't you want more out of life for yourself and your children? The choice is yours to make. Young black women need to be more conscious of the choices they make and the resulting consequences of their actions.

Assignment 4-1 Weekly Written Analysis

Women & Stroke: A Deadly Combination

With all the concern over heart health, I found this article to contain some very informative and enlightening information. I was surprised to find out that women are more at risk for stroke than men and at a younger age. Women also have more risk factors.

It stressed that women have the tendency to ignore symptoms. Migraines, numbness in the limbs, tingling in the legs are all signs of stroke that women tend to ignore. Some women feel they're too young to have a stroke, that they only happen to old men. Well, it's time to wake up and smell the roses. With the hectic and busy lifestyles women lead today, many women as young as 30 are suffering strokes.

A stroke is much like a heart attack except it attacks the brain instead of the heart. An artery in the brain, or leading to the brain, can burst or cause blockage. Thus the brain is deprived of blood and/or oxygen and brain cells begin to die. This can disrupt bodily functions such as speech, vision and muscle control.

Women have many risk factors for stroke, such as birth control, hormone therapy and pregnancy. Other contributing factors are high blood pressure and chlolesterol. Some of the biggest risks mentioned in the article leading to strokes, which can also lead to heart attacks, are smoking, excessive alcohol consumption and smoking.

Only one-third of women can identify the signs of a stroke. Due to this failure to recognize symptoms, delay in treatment often results causing irreparable damage or even death. In a study conducted at UCLA, it revealed that for every 12 minutes delay, part of the brain the size of a pea dies and with an untreated stroke, the size could be as large as one and a half ping pong balls. Time is of the essence when dealing with strokes or heart attacks.

There are various types of strokes. Included among these are: ischemic stroke - accounts for 80% of strokes; caused by artery blockage; hemorrhagic - blood vessel leaks or burst causing bleeding; silent - have no symptoms. Damage is detected by CT scans or MRIs; transient ischemic - also called TIA or ministroke; caused by reduced blood flow to the brain resulting in mild stroke-like symptoms; and artery dissection - accounts for 20% of strokes in people under 45; caused by the artery lining in the neck tearing and closing off blood vessels.

Some suggestions given to reduce your risk of stroke include lowering your cholesterol, quitting smoking, exercise daily and a sensible diet. Also you should monitor your blood pressure and and maintain a healthy weight. The article pointed out that for every 10-point increase in your top number, you nearly double the risk of a stroke.

You may be having a stroke if you have:

. trouble speaking

. blurry vision

. dizziness or you fall, faint or feel disoriented

. a severe headache

. face, chest, neck or limb pain

. sudden hiccups

. weakness or nausea

. trouble catching your breath

. a racing heart

. a droopy eyelid or asymmetrical pupils

Heart disease and stroke are closely linked. If you reduce the risk of one, you automatically reduce your chance of the other.

Dworkin-McDaniel, N. Family Circle Magazine (February 2008). p 100-104

Assignment 2-2 Icon Analysis

The icons I have chosen are Charlie Brown, Batman and Santa Claus.

Charlie Brown, an average, everyday, ordinary kid who never seems to be able to do anything right. I'm sure many of us have felt like Charlie Brown at some point in our lives. He doesn't let it get him down. He picks himself up and tries over and over and over. The Peanuts strip and Charlie Brown have been around for many generations and I'm sure they will be around for many more generations. Young and old alike are familiar with good 'ol Charlie Brown.

Batman, the caped crusader, orphaned as a young boy as a result of a robbery attempt in which his parents were killed. He was raised by the family butler, Alfred. He promised himself he would never rest until he found the man who murdered his parents and brought him to justice. Towards this end, he trained in secret while maintaining his everyday guise as Bruce Wayne, the multimillionaire playboy. I grew up reading Batman and other comics. I'm sure there's a little bit of a secret super hero in all of us.

Lastly, Santa Claus symbolizes the spirit of giving at Christmas. It would not seem like Christmas without Santa Claus. But Santa Claus is much more than the bearer of gifts for good little children. Historically Saint Nicholas was revered in early Christian legend as the savior of storm-tossed sailors, defender of the young and giver of gifts. He is a part of culture all over the world. The world would not be the same without Santa Claus. Christmas is just around the corner so, you better watch out, you better not cry, you better not pout. I'm telling you why. Santa Claus is coming to town! Even with those flying reindeer, it's still amazing how he can do it all in one night.

I chose these three icons because they are an intricate part of my childhood and adulthood. They bring back fond memories and are also part of new memories created with my children and grandchildren. I'm still a lover of Charlie Brown and eagerly await the holiday specials. I think I've read every Batman comic there is and haven't missed a movie yet. Santa Claus reminds us to think of others who are less fortunate. Each year my Masonic Temple and Court host a Christmas party for children in the neighborhood and give out food baskets. Santa Claus seems to bring out the best in all of us.

The world would not be the same without Charlie Brown, Batman and, of course, Santa Claus. They will always be around to entertain and amuse the inner child in all of us.

Assignment 2-1 Weekly Written Analysis 2

The Anti-Aging Diet

I've selected for my analysis this week the Anti-aging Diet. Not since the time of Ponce de Leon and his search for the Fountain of Youth have people become so obsessed with looking and feeling young. Each year millions of dollars are spent on age-defying creams, wrinkle creams, cosmetic surgery and liposuction and the latest, botox treatments. It's an endless cycle.

The article discusses several food items it labels as super foods. These super foods possess many of the vitamins, nutrients and minerals that will help to slow the aging process. On the average, people do watch their diets and what they eat; but in the process, they sometimes eliminate certain foods. This is often due to allergies or because they are not good for you or they're fattening. Some people don't eat certain foods simply because they don't look good.

Including some of these super foods in one's diet can lead to better bone strength, mental health, and protection from UV rays. Counted among these super foods are spinach, tomatoes, curry powder, chocolate, cashews, and strawberries. Yes there are some who are allergic to chocolate, but you can always substitute carob. It tastes much like chocolate and has the same
texture. If you weren't told in advance it wasn't chocolate, you wouldn't know the difference. The article also advises against the age-accelerator foods, such as red meat and full fat dairy products, fried and packaged foods, refined carbs and foods high in sugar content.

It is a very well written and informative article. It emphasizes how you can not only look and feel younger but also be healthier by incorporating these super foods into your diet. It also has several tempting recipes included. There is no need to search for a fountain of youth. As pointed out in this article, "it all boils down to one thing, your diet (Ansel, 2008).

Ansel, K (2008, August) The anti-aging diet, Family Circle, P97-102

Assignment 1-4 Weekly Written Analysis

Family Pets

All the world is watching to see what type of dog President-elect Obama will choose for his daughters. As a child, in our household there was always a family pet. There were times when there was more than one. Back then the family pet was usually a dog or cat or sometimes both.
The trend now is leaning toward the exotic pets - lizards, snakes, alligators and the like. The only problem with that is, after they get so large or unmanageable, the owners release them. Or in some instances they are passed on to other family members, which is what happened in my case. I inherited my son's 5' Savannah Monitor.

The article pointed out that exotic animals now pose a health risk to children in the form of infectious diseases. Even the small ones like hamsters and hedgehogs. There have been a few cases where children have contracted a disease but these are very rare. I remember one in particular because it was highlighted on a talk show. The family pet just happened to be a Savannah Monitor. The child contracted a disease from the lizard and died. After seeing this show, you can believe I got rid of mine.

The article makes some valid points but it all boils down to using common sense when purchasing a family pet. You wouldn't buy a child of 5 or 6 a python or lion cub. Even with laws in place governing exotic pets, people are still purchasing them. In the end it all comes down to one thing. As Marc Morrone of Parrots of the World answered "What is the best kind of dog for a child?" "Whatever kind of dog the parent wants to take care of."

Newsday, D.F. (2008) Exotic pets pose health risk to young children. Dayton Daily News.
Life, p. 7

Pop Culture Blog

Popular culture is what is currently in vogue at a specific period of time. Pop culture reflects what the people want at a certain period is subject to change at a moment's notice. the desires and wants of the people haave a great influence on pop culture. To me pop culture is everchanging. It hinges upon the emotions and feelings of the public.

Understanding of pop culture is relevant in a business environment because it more or less dictates supply and demand. It revolves around what the people want and businesses use it as a gauge when stocking their goods and merchandise. It is important in business to be able to anticipate which goods or services would be the most profitable.

An artifact of pop culture that I chose was the eight track playaer. This was a very hot item at one point in time. It was only around for a short span of time, then along came the cassette player. The eight track became obsolete and was dropped by the wayside. I chose this item because it was a part of my history. I actually still have an eight track player very similar to the one pictured above. It no longer works but it has a great radio.