Response to another blogger

This is my response to http://sin-city-being-bad.blogspot.com/2008/04/kids.html

I agree that 'bad films' are usually either brilliant or awful and that 'Kids' fits into neither of these categories. For it is unique in that it is portrayed as if it is almost a documentary.
However, I disagree when the bloggor says that they were shocked as they could not dream of children demonstrating this behaviour in Cyprus, where the blogger is from, as I can easily imagine children or young teenagers indulging in this shocking behaviour, although perhaps this can be seen as a reflection on society in Britain today compared to Cyprus rather than the film's content.

Response to another blogger

This is my response to; http://felicitydrive777.blogspot.com/2008/04/bad-comedians.html

I agree with the idea that 'it is all about timing' whether a comedian is funny or not, and also with the idea that some jokes are simply not funny however they are told.

What this blogger also says about the 'understanding' between comedian and audience is similar to what I wrote in my post on bad comedians.

However, I disagree with the person's like of Dylan Moran, although I can appreciate that he does appeal to a certain audience. The same can probably also be said of one of my favourite stand-up comedians Alan Carr; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tiBiB9K0YJQ

Response to another blogger

My response to this post http://whatsnew-hunni.blogspot.com/2008/04/so-we-all-think-smoking-only-causes.html


I disagree with this blogger's idea that cigarette companies should make us more aware of the facts, the packets are already taken over by the message 'smoking kills', in my opinion, that is all that smokers need to know and should be enough of a deterrant to make them want to quit smoking.

There are so many problems that are associated and related to smoking that it would be virtually impossible to label them all on a cigarette packet unless the packets increased in size which would defeat the object of listing the health problems and also cause an increase in litter with the larger size.

Being Too Religious

The opening of this lecture was a little shocking as the lecturer went into prayer directly in front of the microphone and encouraged us to join in. This was uncomfortable for a number of reasons such as there being a number of people belonging to different Religions and also a number of non-believers. There are many different Religions in the world than Christianity;



This action is reminiscent of preachers in the street who force passers-by to listen.
This excessive behaviour may be deemed as unusual as many people prefer not to discuss their religious beliefs in such an open forum unless they are surrounded by others who feel the same way as they do.

This lecture taught me about the two main differences in Religion; them being either high or low involvement. The extent of work which Jehovas Witnesses are expected to suprised me and shows that those following the Religion must be very dedicated to what they do. http://www.watchtower.org/ explains things and answers questions such as 'Do Jehovah's Witnesses believe they are the only ones who will be saved?' and is available in 314 languages showing that this is a popular Religion.

Drugs

This lecture taught me about the different categories of drugs such as narcotics, hypnotics and stimulants.
It also wiped away the stereotype that people on drugs are always 'scum' who contribute nothing positive towards society. An example of this is Aldous Huxley who was an accomplished writer of novels, poetry and essays yet he was a known user and advocator of LSD.





However, he does not change my beliefs that drugs are wrong and can do irrevocable damage to users both mentally and physically for example





The media concentrates on celebrities with drug problems such as Amy Winehouse and Pete Doherty which puts these people in young, impressionable teens lives whether it be in magazines or on gossip websites. This may give thes people the wrong impression that being a drug user means being a successful rock star.
There is also a shown on American television called 'celebrity rehab' which follows stars through their group therapy sessions and such as they try to rehabilitate themselves. Having watch a few clips I believe that this show is a pisitive one as it does not advocate addictions and shows the struggles of people trying to overcome their problems.

A website called talktofrank has been set up http://www.talktofrank.com/home_html.aspx which aims to help people and has a helpline for people to use when in need. This shows that the problem of drug abuse is being tackled and it is being made well known through the use of television commercials advertising the website.

I believe that this will help young people before their addictions result in their deaths.

Bad comedians 2

The type of comedy that I like and have found that the majority of my friends who are of a similar age like is easy-going comedy.
An example of this is the tv show 'The Friday Night Project', this is hosted by Alan Carr and Justin Lee Collins.





They are joined by a different celebrity guest host each week.
One segment of the show is 'The Friday Night News' with Alan and the guest host discussing recent news from the world of celebrity.
This part of the show relies on the audience's knowledge of the celebrity world in order to understand the joke. This is known as the incongruity theory

An example of this segment can be found here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MStQK0I07fw

Suprisingly, Alan Carr's humour spreads acroos more than just the teen to twenty something generation as my grandmother laughs out loud at his stand up dvd, however his counterpart Justin does not have the same effect.
This shows that even though they are a duo on The Friday Night Project they are able to remain individual and portray their own influences into the writing of the show showing versatility in making the show work and appeal to a wider audience who like them individually or as a pair.

Bad comedians

This lecture taught me about two different classes of comedians, Those reactionary comedians such as Bernard Manning and Jim Davidson, and subversive comedians such as Ben Elton.

This finally allowed me to label the sort of comedy that offends me; reactionary.

I do not feel that it is neccessary to mock certain groups simply to get a laugh, there are many more witty and intelligent ways to do this and the world is certainly not short of those capable of using their wit to be a successful comedy act.

Jim Davidson's recent appearance on TV show Hell's Kitchen showed that this type of humour is no longer socially acceptable when he joked about the homosexuality of fellow contestant Brian Dowling.



Viewers were appalled and Davidson was booted off the show.

A simple internet search brings up a forum which highlights the general public's views, the majority of which are in Brian's favour http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=658878


One example of a comment made on the forum mentioned above is 'I knew Jim Davidson many years ago. He was vile then and it looks like he hasn't changed one iota! Nasty, nasty piece of work.'

Comedy does not need to be tarnished by these comedians who simply bully in order to get a gag.

Body modification

There are many different forms body modification can take such as tattoos, piercings and the more unusual such as foot binding and cirumcision.
People undertake these cats for reasons such as pleasure, religion or because they have been focred to.

One of the most common forms is tattooing and chances are you will know somebody who has a tattoo.
One example of this is that my mother has approximately nine tattoos on her body. Two of which represent myself and one which represents my sibling.
I am not against tattoos and some can look quite good however I disapprove of my mother having them as I think they look silly on her and don't really suit her.
I have another relative who has tattoos from neck to ankle and as this relative is now a pensioner, they do not look as good as when the tattoos were first put on. I do not think that tattoos suit old people and therefore am against permanant inking. Temporary tattoos on the other hand, I am all for as having those is not such a life altering decision.

My mother has had all of her tattoos done by the same man; Joe, this is his website http://www.joestattoostudio.co.uk/

This is one of the tattoos my mother has...