PETA Ads

Just recently I read an article about various videos that PETA has created. I knew that the organization had strong opinions when it comes to the treatment of animals but I did not know how ridiculous some of their messages were. The organization just posted a video about how factories go about slaughtering Turkeys. To put the process into perspective PETA decided to create a cartoon in which a boy was mistakenly placed on the slaughtering line. The video begins with a child following a truck into a meat factory. The boy is eventually placed on the assembly line that prepares the birds. First the becks of the turkeys are cut off, so in turn the boys nose is cut off. Then the birds get injected with growth hormones to fatten the birds. Lastly, they all get to the point where a saw slices the neck of the turkey. The saw gets closer and closer to the boys neck as he yells in fear but miraculously a turkey the boy meets in the beginning of the video saves his life. I don't know what went through their minds when creating this video. The video expresses the gruesome process of how turkeys are killed but at no point in time should using a human to portray the message be acceptable.  

Smirnoff knows media engagement

An article on Digiday was posted about how Smirnoff was driving engagement with fans over social media. It was an article in question and answer format asking how the brand felt about social media and how it went about engaging fans being such a controversial brand. All in all the brand knew exactly what it was doing. Even though an age limit would be a potential buzz killer for the brand it had no problem going about things legally. An easy way they controlled fan traffic was that on every social media site the potential fan had to submit their birth date before being able to join the engagement. They accounted for the fact that different places around the world have different drinking ages so that allowed for a variety of followers. The article broke down how the brand viewed social media and its so called limitations. Smirnoff has had a presence on social media dating back to 2006. They knew back then that posting just to post would not drive engagement, so they talked about real life events that could only be attended if fans were evolved on their social media sites.

Meeting with the owner of The Garage.

Today during class our group is finally meeting with the owner The Garage. We have been trying to set up a meeting with him for a long time now and we finally have the chance. I'm excited to start our group project because I feel as if we have good insight that could very well benefit his restaurant. the restaurant is a block away from the dorms on campus and you would miss it every time you pass it because of its location. There food is amazing and it is a shame that so many people have never been there to eat or have heard about it but haven't gone because they don't know where it is. This project gives us real life experience, doing the things we have been taught in class. This project relates so closely with the material that it makes me want to do a good job. It isn't an assignment just because we have to be assigned one.

Query Letter

November 1, 2013

Ralph Nichols

Journalism Instructor

San Jose State University
One Washington Square, San Jose, CA, 95112

Mr. Nichols,

Fitness now more than ever is becoming more of an importance in peoples lives. There is always a new workout program or dietary regimen that people try to follow. With all of this comes the protein shakers people are carrying around. Many college students are going through their day drinking protein shakes and consuming other muscle building supplements. The average person only needs 24 grams of protein a day, so consuming supplements is unnecessary. 

I am well versed in the topic of muscle development and nutrition. As a D1 athlete I have to be educated about both topics in order to get the most out of my body. I have many sources that I can speak with in order to gather information about the topics.

As a third year journalism major and student athlete at SJSU I find this subject area interesting. I want to educate college students by writing a lengthy article about muscle building supplements and the effects they have on their bodies. 

Sincerely,      

Marcus Rogers

Advocacy

Last weeks lecture on advocacy related to business was interesting. It made me think of all the times that I acted as an advocate for companies and their brands. Ever since I started doing Gracie Jiu-Jitsu I realized I would preach to everyone I spoke to the benefits of the martial art. Not only did I speak about the art form itself but the lifestyle that came with it. Whether it be from the mental stand point to the dietary habits the Gracie family implemented. I would try and get my friends to go into the academy every chance I could. I would tell them how fun it was and most of all how relaxed the environment was. I would tell people that Gracie Jiu-Jitsu changed my life, which it did. I gained confidence like no other because what I learned from the Gracie family. Being apart of the Gracie Academy I would always wear their t-shirts and other paraphernalia. I did all this because I truly appreciated what they did for me. Receiving was never on my mind when I spoke about the Gracie brand. I really believe in the brand and what they stand for which is why it is easy being an advocate for brands that you appreciate.

Japanese Internment Memorial

The perturbing vignettes that jump out of the slab portray messages as cold as the bronze it is made up of.

Suffering and pain can be seen at first glance and can too be felt with the memorials detailed carvings. 

A vignette on the memorial is of a Japanese family destroying pieces of their culture to signify the assimilation process people were going through at the time.

The father holds his daughters doll over blazing logs while his daughter fights to stop him.

Just behind the two is the mother who presses her hands to her face in horror of what is taking place.

As she grieves a man continues to pass more memorabilia in her direction.

During this time the Japanese were encouraged to do away with their culture and give into Americanization.

On the other hand and side of the sculpture it showed that the Japanese did not entirely give up their ways of life.

A man is sitting on the ground wearing his new Americanized dress attire, using chopsticks to eat.

  

The memorial is located in San Jose, it was created by Ruth Asawa who was also a member of a Japanese internment camp.

She experienced first hand the events that are etched into the sculpture.

Subliminal Advertising of Sorts

I was watching a show on USA called White Collar and I noticed they would create scripted advertisements mainly for car companies. What I mean by this is that there would be a situation where an FBI agent would be in a bind and the car would "solve" the problem. For example, one of the agents needed to make a phone call but was driving so he pressed a button on the steering wheel which lead to him being able to make this important call. The cinematography during these in show advertisements differ from the regular style used in the show. Extreme closeups of the cars interior makes it obvious that they are trying to highlight what the car has to offer. Another situation was that one of the agents wives had to park her car but she sucked at parallel parking. So she presses a button and throws her hands up and the car parks itself. After displaying the car feature they immediately cut to an exterior shot of the car and slow pan across the logo of the car company. These advertisements are done on purpose and the director makes it obvious that they are trying to advertise the car. They go about it in a comedic way so it doesn't bother me much. It acts as like an Easter egg within the show because your just waiting for the moment when they implement the cheesy ad.    

Word of the Week #7

1. Obfuscate
2. A professor used it during a lecture.
3. Politicians try to obfuscate answers to questions that they don't want to answer.
4. (transitive verb): To make something obscure or unclear, especially by making it unnecessarily complicated.
5. Writing short and concise sentences allows you to avoid writing obfuscatory sentences.

Fathead

Fathead mistakenly sent the wrong poster to a customer last week. The brand received a request for a Tom Brady poster and accidentally sent a Tim Tebow poster instead. The customer posted a complaint on the Reddit site which attracted a lot of buzz from the community. The sales and strategy manager sent an email out to a couple of people at Fathead and let them know about the situation. He suggested that the situation could actually be a good opportunity to do "some cool stuff on Reddit." So with quick thinking a reaction time Fathead agreed to buy an ad on the NFL subreddit. The ad read "25 percent off NFL Fatheads with code NFLOOPS today only. Buy now, and there's a good chance we'll ship you the right one!" They turned what could had a huge negative affect on the brand into a lucrative decision. Fathead reimbursed the customer by sending him all 13 Tom Brady Fathead items, totaling to 40 pounds and $1,000 worth of goods. The brand knew they made a critical mistake and that they had to do something about it and quickly. This showed that the brand had a sense of humor and it put "a human face behind the brand."

Tommie Smith and John Carlos

The iconic statue of Tommie Smith and John Carlos stands glistening from the suns rays attracting curious eyes from those passing by.

The midnight blue ceramic tiles cloche the men that stand, uncertain, about the reactions that their powerful gestures would provoke.

The long bodied figure fixed as the center piece of the statue is Smith.

He bears a black glove on his right hand that wraps around his tightly balled fist, while Carlos wears the other glove that would complete the pair.

Footprints of the curious are engraved in the muddy grass that surrounds the statues base.

The mud prints lead to a combination of prints formed on the platform where the man who placed 2nd once stood.

"Fellow Athlete Australian Peter Norman stood here in solidarity, take a stand."

The magnificent statue acts as a form of living artwork because of the proud people that are also willing to take a stand just as the three men did that day.

A tour guides voice fills the air that surrounds the statue with knowledge about the two powerful figures that sky above the inquisitive crowd.

As night falls people take their last photos before the sun fully sets.

The statue stands strong in the night and awaits the rising sun in the morning that will once again shine light on human rights.

Mystery Character Revision

His sharp red mask conceals his identity from the people of New York while the two smoky colored glass

pieces of the mask house his gunmetal blue eyes.

His suit wraps around his entire body as if it were a hand in a glove.

You can spot the blue and red hue as he swings by or you may have spotted him crawling on tips of fingers and toes up the side of a building.  

Walking the streets you would never suspect the scrawny, brown-haired man to be the friendly neighborhood vigilante everyone speaks of.

He awes the citizens of New York with his extraordinary acrobatics and heroic feats.

At one phase in his life a parasite invoked him changing his personality.

The friendly neighborhood hero was not so heroic anymore.

Not only did it effect his life but it engulfed the suit he wore as well.

The red and blue hue turned shadow black in its entirety.

He found light in the dark and once again returned to being the hero New York needed.

He learned early with great power comes great responsibility.  

Mystery Character

Responsibility was something thrust upon him.

He didn't chose his extraordinary lifestyle.

The suit chose him.

You see him on buildings, in the air, and unknowingly at times have possibly seen him walking amongst the rest of us normal people.

For the most part he uses his powers for good but during this phase in his life that wasn't always the case.

His black wardrobe is a drastic change to his usual color scheme.

Not only did this change effect his appearance, it effected his actions and personality as well.

Crawling on the tips of his hands and toes he has extreme athleticism, agility, and reaction to the dangers that are presented to him in the New York streets.

Two black glass-like shields cover his eyes making it even harder to figure out who is behind the mask.

The suit which encases him from head to toe fits like a glove to promote agility and flexibility both which allow him to swing from one place to the next.

He is usual known as the friendly neighborhood hero with great power and responsibility but the parasite that has invoked him has created a darker side.

Word of the Week #6

1. Astute
2. A professor used it to describe a students question.
3. That is a very astute question.
4. (adj.) Clever and perceptive: shrewd and discerning, especially where personal benefit is to be derived.
5. The boys astute learning style elevated his comprehension of the subject immensely.

Pinkwashing in the NFL

The NFL has recently received flack for employing to much pink during breast cancer awareness month. At the start of October every year the NFL distributes pink colored gear to teams in order to promote breast cancer awareness. This year was the first time they changed the penalty flag color to pink rather than the traditional yellow. Fans were confused about whether or not their team had been penalized or if a players towel which was also pink had fell on the ground. This dilemma resulted in the decision to change the flag color back to yellow in the upcoming week. Not only are the flags and towels pink but so are the yard markers, players cleats, gloves and bands. Some fans are criticizing the NFL for "pinkwashing." People feel as if the NFL uses the month of October as a revenue booster more so than a month to create awareness. Some cancer survivors feel as if the NFL could focus on other ways to promote breast cancer awareness. Most people buy pink paraphernalia as a way to support breast cancer when they could be donating money to more serious cancer charities. Breast cancer awareness month has turned into an excuse to wear pink and add new flavor to our wardrobes. I'll be keeping an eye out on the NFL and seeing if they address the negative comments they are receiving from fans. If they do not it could make them look bad as an organization and could lose support regardless if it is a significant amount.  

Word of the Week #5

1. Insolent
2. The academic director for the football team used it while speaking to the team.
3. Don't be apathetic or insolent because that is not the answer.
4. Showing an aggressive lack of respect in speech or behavior. (adj.)
5. The boys insolence is what ultimately caused the arrest.

Teacher suggested app that I actually want to use!

Teachers will require students to utilize certain resources that pertain to the courses they teach.

Usually these resources whether it be an app, a website, or some type of social media program are uninteresting.

I will only use it during the time I'm enrolled in the class because if I don't I will not receive participation points. 

For example, in the past I was forced to create a Twitter account for a class and I never used Twitter prior to the class.

I did not use my account for anything else besides posting in the class forum.

And after the class I never signed into that account ever again.

This time around I was encouraged to use the Pintrest app.

After minutes of playing around with the app and seeing what it was really about I found it extremely interesting and useful.

This is the first time that a teacher has had a positive effect on my media preferences.

The app allows you to look at certain categories that might be of interest to a user.

Within these categories are posts pertaining to the subject.

These posts consist of suggestions, tips, and purely informational content.

The posts are pictures that are linked to websites that gives you long form content about the topic.

As an athlete I have to eat constantly.

This requires me to cook for myself and a big issue is finding new and easy recipes to prepare.

With Pintrest I am able to find new meal ideas as well as the directions on how to make it.

Literally, the app does all the work for me.

I see myself using this app as much as I use Instgram, YouTube, and Facebook.

Word of the Week #4

1. Quibble

2. You used it in a sentence about spelling someones name wrong last week.

3. You got a portion of my name right, I'm not going to quibble.

4. To argue over unimportant things and make petty objections. (verb)

5. It annoys me when people quibble when I mistakenly say tomorrow when technically I should say today because we are having a conversation after 12 a.m.

GTA V

Grand Theft Auto V (GTA) recently came out and is the hottest game being talked about as of last week. Within the game there is a cell phone feature called the iFruit. This might have triggered thoughts of Apple products due to the way the cell phones name is spelled. The spelling of the cell phone in the game was not by accident. The iFruit looks exactly like the iPhone. From its physical features to the software and the phones screen layout. Everything about the phone looks like the iPhone besides the fruit bowl on the back that replaces Apples logo. Apple is receiving advertisement through gaming. That isn't the only relation GTA has to social media. On iFruit you can utilize apps that have an effect on what happens in the video game. Rather than going to a store to buy something you can use the phone and order it "online." One of the notable apps of the phone is the one that acts as Instagram. You can take in game photos and upload them to a GTA server for the entire GTA community to see. Social media plays such a huge role in our lives that in this case the game designer implemented it into the game to create a sense stronger sense of realism.

Comparing Media

Last week Oklahoma State University’s football team appeared throughout the media due to alleged scandal involvement.

The university is being investigated for academic misconduct, player payments, abusing drug policies, and an escort program.

The three media mediums I used to compare this story were television, radio, and online news.

Television and radio were similar in how they covered the story.

Both were short and covered the basics of the story.

The difference between the two was that the radio coverage was longer and it integrated segments of an interview into the broadcast.

I watched the ESPN segment titled “Alleged Violations” on television.

The segment lasted one minute and 45 seconds.

It was short because the reporter talked briefly on the topic and referred to other stories that were more in depth.

This segment was created using information from a four part series Sports Illustrated was doing about Oklahoma’s program.

Les Miles the former Oklahoma State football coach was the only person quoted in the segment.

The quote took up 34 seconds out of the one minute and 45 second segment.

The reporter ended the segment with a rundown of the allegations against the university.

Radio coverage of the story was similar to the television coverage.

Although they had similarities there were huge differences.

CBSRadio covered the story doing a three minute and 30 second piece about the story.

The biggest difference between the radio version and the television was that it used live game noise to create a background and sense of transition for the listeners.

It also had snippets of former players speaking about the situation in their interviews.

Three players were interviewed, as well as the executive editor and senior writer of Sports Illustrated.  

The radio broadcast provided more information by utilizing the interviews on the subject.

But it was still a short piece.

It ended by directing listeners to the Sports Illustrated website to get complete coverage of the story.

Lastly, the online version of the story was different from both the radio and television versions.

This was a long form style of writing.

I used an online news article found on the Sports Illustrated website.

It went into depth about the story and touched on things that neither television nor radio covered.

It didn’t talk about the allegations, it talked about the toll that a system like this has on football players after 

they leave college.

The article started by setting the record straight that the coverage of this story was not to “scold players or jump on the scandal train” but to explain the why and the effect something like this has on student athletes.

Sports Illustrated is the organization doing the investigation so there weren’t any sources mentioned.

This online news story is exactly like print because it gives the reader information that you would not get on 

television.

It goes into depth about the story rather skimming the surface with general information.

            

Twitter goes public

On September 12, 2013 Twitter filed for Initial Public Offering (IPO) making it known via a tweet last Thursday. IPO means that Twitter will soon be public which allows people to buy stock and become partial owners of the company. The decision was made in order for Twitter to "compete with other Web platforms... and become even more integrated into our daily lives." The initial excitement from those who use Twitter is probably that they can become rich if they get the opportunity to buy stock cheap. The issue with this is that it is dependent on the price the company decides to start out at. Dick Costolo chief executive of Twitter is focusing his revenue strategy on the growth of Twitter's user base. An article from the Washington Post said that Costolo was not satisfied with the rate of Twitter's expanding user base because it was not at the rate that he expected. One over arching thought that is buzzing around is that this will have a negative effect on Twitter just as Facebook faced when it went public. The goal is increase user engagement and the effect Twitter has on our daily lives. The downsides look slim according to the Washington Post. We will see in due time.

My Favorite Writing

My favorite book is The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz.

Ruiz classifies it as the practical guide to personal freedom.

Texts like these intrigue me because they give me insight into how to live a more enjoyable life.

This book gave me a different outlook on life.

A mentor of mine recommended that I read this book because it related to the lifestyle we enjoy living.

The book is a guide to freeing your mind from societal views that keep us from living our own lives.

It is not a complex read, it explains the four factors that Ruiz believes needs to be understood in order to live an enjoyable life.

Ruiz gets straight to the point using simple words, making the book a short read.

Just as when journalists write they are taught to write in a clear and concise way.

I enjoy this style of writing because I am familiar with it.

If you can get an idea across using fewer words then do so.

It makes it easier for both the reader and the writer, so I appreciate Ruiz's style.

This book is an easy and interesting read that gives explains another perspective on life.

Word of the Week #3

1. Diminutive
2. Heard an NFL announcer use it when referring to a player.
3. The Seahawks and the diminutive quarterback shut out the Panthers 12-7.
4. Very small or much smaller than is usual. (adj.)
5. The fighter's confidence became diminutive towards the later rounds of the fight.

Burglars and social media

Social media plays a huge role in peoples lives. It seems that we are always using social media, whether it be updating others on our current status in life or checking others updates. A wide range of people have access to the content we post online. Even with privacy restrictions people you don't know can find ways to access the information you publicize. I just recently read an article about how burglars are using social media to plan out robberies. People are constantly "checking in" to locations they are currently at or going to. This is a burglars dream because you are telling them that you are not currently at home. There are smarter ways to go about sharing your daily activities without alerting burglars. People get caught up in social media trusting that their privacy restrictions safe guard everything they publish. Many don't realize the dangers of uploading certain types of information. I understand that people want others to know about the cool stuff they are doing but it can wait until after it is done. Advertising that you will be away for three weeks on vacation can make you a target for burglars using social media. Instead one could wait until the vacation is over and share all they want. People need to be more aware of the danger they put themselves into and be smarter about how they use social media. 

Updated All About Me Lead

I was cut from the SJSU Football team this summer.

Hard work and persistence got me back on the roster.
 

Word of the Week #2

1. Remuneration

2. Read it in an article online.

3. All office holders receive no remuneration from membership funds.

4. A payment or reword for goods or services or for losses sustained or inconvenience caused.

5. Although the restaurants customer service was poor, the chocolate lava cake as remuneration made up for everything.

Word of the Week #1

1. Consternation

2. My professor used the word in a question he asked the class.

3. Does anyone have any consternation?

4. A feeling of alarm, confusion, or dismay, often caused by something unexpected. (Noun)

5. The consternation from the loud explosion showed on the students faces. 

All About Me

I got cut from the SJSU football team this summer.

I am a 5'9 160 pound wide receiver.

Speed is not my best asset nor is strength but I am a hard worker.

This summer was going to be my first summer training camp in collegiate sports.

The team can only consist of 105 players going into training camp.

We had 117 members as of Spring 2013.

Cuts had to be made and I was one of many on the chopping block.

Going into the summer players had a chance to prove their worth during Spring training also known as "spring ball".

The spring is the first part of evaluations in collegiate football.

My spring started out rocky due to the lack of knowledge I had for the playbook and physically I was already at a disadvantage so that did not help my cause.

I weighed 150 pounds during the Spring of 2013.

Not only was I struggling mentally my performance on the field was lacking as well.

I was very inconsistent when it came to catching the football which is the most important job of a wide receiver.

Towards the end of the spring I slowly started picking up the playbook and my performance on the field started to improve.

This improvement came too little too late.

My position coach let me know that my future with the team wasn't looking bright.

So during summer training I made it my mission to show the team that I would not quit and that I could play at the collegiate level.

Over the summer I gained 10 pounds of muscle over the summer and it showed.

After summer training was over summer training camp would start and cuts would be made in order to obtain a 105 man roster.

I got the news that I did not make the team and could not report to camp.

Rather than going home like many other players that did not make the team, I stayed for the summer and attended every practice taking notes and continuing to workout.

After summer training camp all NCAA teams can add 5 more players to their rosters.

My efforts and display of dedication to the team got me a call back and a spot on the 110 man roster.

I am excited going into the season and look forward to showing the team that I am worth the investment.

Press release for test

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Kill Date: April 30, 2013

Contact: Marcus Rogers

Public Information Specialist

marcus_rogers2@yahoo.com

BILFORD COLLEGE BOARD DISPUTES THE BAN OF DOGS FROM SCHOOL GROUNDS

As of late, students have been on edge about the lack of ownership for dog excrement's on campus.

Ferris Wheeler, president of Students Against Dogs has created a petition collecting nearly 300 signatures calling for a campus dog ban.

"This stinks," Wheeler says. "I mean, this school smells like dog doo."

The school's objective is to fairly accommodate all of its students.

This is a sensitive topic that will not be taken lightly.

The board will hold a public hearing at 7 p.m. Thursday in Bilford Union, Room 11 to resolve the dispute.

Homer news story.

Midland Zoo's oldest bear Homer 16, was found floating in the exhibit at 7 a.m. this morning.

"Homer was a very curious and playful polar bear," zookeeper Sara N. Getty said. "We will miss him terribly."

Midland will perform a necropsy to determine the cause of death.

Last week a 10-year-old female bobcat died of renal failure.

The week preceding, a 6-year-old giraffe got its horns caught in the stall and broke its neck.

   

Press release

The Midland Zoo family is saddened to announce the death of one of our oldest polar bears, Homer.

We are performing tests to determine the cause of death.

The other polar bears were removed from the exhibit for monitoring by our veterinary staff.

"Homer was a very curious and playful polar bear," zookeeper Sara Getty said "we will miss him terribly."

Midland Zoo has lost a dear friend in Homer, he will be missed.

Allyson Bird

Allyson Bird left the career she loved because she gave so much of herself to the job and it never returned the favor.

Writing for a newspaper is hard work.

You never get a break because the news never stops.

Bird was burnt out after all the hours of pure work and no reward.

The newspaper business was and still is on a decline.

In Bird's opinion the death of the newspaper came from the actions of the corporations.

The corporations that managed the newspapers tried to satisfy those who did not appreciate the newspaper rather than those like Bird who really cared.

A journalism career is not for the faint of heart because it is a never ending job that asks so much from journalists.

John Burgess talks with our class

I enjoyed the entire seminar with Burgess on Thursday.

His short film was humorous and kept my interest all throughout.

The way the plot unfolded showed Burgess's directing talents.

The reoccurring themes in the film added humor in a creative and subtle way.

This also showed the thought that went into the film.

After the showing of his short film Burgess came in and talked about his full length feature.

The thing that interested me was when Burgess said he felt like the seminar could have been a turning point in his life where he was no longer the student but the teacher or a model figure.

This struck deep for me because I was present during his realization that he is on the upside of his career as a movie director.

Saturday I had the same realization and feeling of being of the other side of the fence of once.

I remembered the days I would go to USC and watch their football teams opening spring scrimmage and there I was this Saturday playing in my first college scrimmage with young kids watching me.

Receiving insight about a film from Burgess himself was an amazing experience.

And watching One Small Hitch after receiving insight made it even better because I felt as if I had an aspect of the movie that everyone else in the theater was missing.

 

ESPN workshop

The ESPN workshop gave insight into what recruiters are looking for in potential hires.

The goal of recruiters is to find future employees that could have an influence on the company not just interns to fill positions.

The representatives from ESPN told us about their specific positions and how they got their jobs.

They look for people who are well rounded, passionate about sports, creative, leaders, and hard workers.

Someone whom is well rounded in their eyes is a person who is involved in multiple activities and can handle performing multiple tasks at once.

Little details like having digital and social media skills, leadership roles, and a connection with the sports realm is what can set individuals apart from the crowd.

The representatives went on to describe what they look for on resumes and how interviews are conducted.

Regarding resumes they want interns to key in on points that were emphasized in the job description.

The key is to sell yourself and add aspects that only apply to the internship.

Presentation and first impressions are huge in the interviews they conduct.

Having ideas about the product and giving insight about the company is something that can set individuals apart.

Lastly, the person conducting the interview will ask if you personally have any questions.

You must ask questions or they will immediately add you to the rejection pile. 

Tom Hanks interview

I would ask "Why didn't you take the role when Nora first offered it to you?"

Earlier in the interview Patrick Healy tells us that Ephron had been trying for years to interest Tom Hanks in this role.

Healy asks Hanks what it was about the play that made him excited or interested in taking the role.

And Hanks replied by saying that there weren't many plays about journalism.

Healy never stated if Nora wanted to make a movie or a play about this subject when she first asked Hanks but I assumed when he said Nora had been trying for years to interest him in the role that Hanks knew it was going to be a play.

So that is what prompted me to ask why Hanks did not take the role when Nora originally asked if about it.

I felt as if there was more to it than just because it was a play about journalism.

Starbucks drink

Shots, shots, shots, shots, shots, shots... everybody!

For his birthday, Beau Chevassus broke the record for the most expensive Starbucks drink ever ordered.

Fourty-eight shots of espresso, some protein powder, two bananas, a few caramel drizzle Frappuccino, some vanilla bean and a little soy all totaled to a record setting $47.30.

"I did it for fun, for a bit of entertainment and to see if it is at all possible," Chevassus said.

The employees seemed more interested in setting the record than he was Chevassus said when explaining why he ordered the drink.

This was a gift that just kept on giving; Starbucks gave the drink to Chevassus for free becasue it was his birthday.

Chevassus finished the drink several days later because the caffeine was so strong.

Rewriting leads

Condense long winded leads

1.Catholic magazine America editor resigned under Vatican orders after publishing controversial articles on church positions.

2. PCC campus suites were destroyed this weekend due to uncontrolled parties resulting in broken emergency lights, a shattered window, and a bent door.

Highway closed lead

3. Wind and rain caused several trees to fall across Highway 9 just West of Saratoga at Pierce Road closing the road  from 7:30 a.m - 4 p.m.

Stormy Stowe

4. Stormy Snowe was found dead by Springfield police in a downtown alley Thursday.

Reaction to Ranger Rich columns

I read two columns by Rich Tosches; one about police men shooting a keg and the other about his concert experience.

I enjoyed both columns because of the strong joking tone of his writing.

The first column was about local police men that were being charged with reckless endangerment, prohibited use of a weapon, and official misconduct for shooting a keg of beer.

I found the column amusing; the way he wrote it kept me interested.

The detail and descriptions Tosches uses to this story creates clear pictures in my head of what was happening.

The imagery is the most enjoyable part of his writing.

At times the jokes did get redundant because one can right after the other throughout the piece.

I found some of his humor dull because at times it seemed forced.

At the end of this column you find out that one of the police officers shot himself due to a ricocheted bullet.

Not only are his columns funny but they cover content that is humorous as well.

The second column I read was about a concert he attended where he was sitting behind a group of men that were obstructing his view with their enormous heads.

Again I found the detail in the column very intriguing.

I could picture the setting, including the three men as well as Tosches's struggle to watch the concert.

Overall I enjoyed reading Tosches's columns but after a while I found myself overwhelmed by the humorous aspect of his writing.

A 2.2 earthquake was reported in Alum Rock Santa Clara at 8:33 a.m. today, no injuries or damage was reported.

Earthquake with a magnitude of 2.2 was reported in the foothills off Alum Rock Falls Road in Santa Clara County, nine miles northeast of San Jose City Hall; and no injuries or damage was recorded.