SUNDAY DAY II
Well Sunday was not too bad I would get it was a big improvement from Saturday! I woke up that morning from my cell phone like I did the previous day. I got ready for work again with out music so I did make great time getting to work considering I had to wake up earlier then I did on Saturday. I drove to work with out the radio listening to my crappy car once again! This time the drive was a little more peaceful maybe it was because it was early Sunday morning and not many people are on the road. Since I was opening the store today the only thing I turned on was the TV because my co-workers wanted to watch something while to store was slow. I will admit I did watch TV only because I was done with reading what I found interesting in the new issue of TIME. I watch some parts of some Chevy Chase movie the on where his family goes to Vegas; I forgot the name of that movie.
For lunch I avoid driving to pick up food so I had a co-worker get my food for me. While I was eating I did end up watching videos on you tube from here phone. I couldn’t resist because it was some baby doing the “stanky leg” and I needed a laugh! During my time at work I eventually turned on the radio only because there was nothing to watch on TV. I also was texting more on Sunday then I was on Saturday!
When I got home I did check my Facebook again! I know it was too hard to resist because I had to get online to post this!! I did not check my Myspace! So that was half a goal achieved! I went with my best friend to our other friend’s house and we did jam out to some music! But I did not watch any TV there! Later that night I did watch the news which is something I already do but the original Twilight Zone came on and I watch them! I don’t think that show should count or anything on Turner Classic because those are shows from way back in the day way before all the technology we use now. I did end up talking on the phone later that night.
What I learned from the project is that I am way more addicted to Facebook then I originally thought. My most used form of communication is through text messaging. Music is something that very hard to avoid its everywhere. J Will I change any of my habits? Probably not!
Monday, May 3, 2010
Only the music remains
what up peeps? Just got off of work and way to tired to do this...Still not using and I have been clean and sober since friday.If you really must know what I did since 6 a.m. I am more then glad to tell you. I worked. Sorry not writting 300 words.
LAST DAY! :)
First things first, sorry this is late I've been at school and than at work taking care of some things.
Okay so Sunday was a lot harder than Saturday. Sunday I had absolutely nothing planned except for working. I woke up to text messages from a certain somebody so there was no way I could ignore those texts. One rule already broken and I had just woken up. Then I took a shower and got ready while following all the rules. After I was ready I got a text to my phone saying that there was new pictures of me tagged in Facebook from the concert. So of course I had to get on and check if I looked decent in them or I was going to untag myself. After I checked out the pictures I was going to update my status but i stopped myself and got off. After that I seriously sat on the couch and just watched my mom plant cotton and do her crops in Farmville. I was dying of boredom when normally I would have been watching television or downloading music. Finally 3:00 came around and I was actually ready to go to work so i could hear some music and actually do something. When I got to work I found out I was an extra so I actually got to turn around and go home. It turned out being a good thing considering I had two finals due the next day and I hadn't started on either one of them. The next couple of hours i was occupied with my finals so the tempation of using mass media didn't even phase me. After I was finally done with those I had to go to my friend Amber's house to do a group project which kept me even busier. After I got home and showered I did get pretty bored and found myself on facebook. I swear facebook is what messed me up most in this media deprivation. Overall I could have done better but I could have done worse too. I'm just glad that now I can text on my phone or update my status on Facebook and not feel guilty about it! Well now i'm off to school again to take my philosophy final and I'll be jamming to the radio the whole way there!
Okay so Sunday was a lot harder than Saturday. Sunday I had absolutely nothing planned except for working. I woke up to text messages from a certain somebody so there was no way I could ignore those texts. One rule already broken and I had just woken up. Then I took a shower and got ready while following all the rules. After I was ready I got a text to my phone saying that there was new pictures of me tagged in Facebook from the concert. So of course I had to get on and check if I looked decent in them or I was going to untag myself. After I checked out the pictures I was going to update my status but i stopped myself and got off. After that I seriously sat on the couch and just watched my mom plant cotton and do her crops in Farmville. I was dying of boredom when normally I would have been watching television or downloading music. Finally 3:00 came around and I was actually ready to go to work so i could hear some music and actually do something. When I got to work I found out I was an extra so I actually got to turn around and go home. It turned out being a good thing considering I had two finals due the next day and I hadn't started on either one of them. The next couple of hours i was occupied with my finals so the tempation of using mass media didn't even phase me. After I was finally done with those I had to go to my friend Amber's house to do a group project which kept me even busier. After I got home and showered I did get pretty bored and found myself on facebook. I swear facebook is what messed me up most in this media deprivation. Overall I could have done better but I could have done worse too. I'm just glad that now I can text on my phone or update my status on Facebook and not feel guilty about it! Well now i'm off to school again to take my philosophy final and I'll be jamming to the radio the whole way there!
I wasn't able to make the deadline again on account of class and finals all day! Today was a whole lot harder than yesterday. Yesterday i was locked up at work all day with really no way of getting a hold of any sort of media. Today I had a lot of studying to do, which involves the computer. When i study i am almost always looking for a distraction and when the World Wide Web is just a click away it makes it very hard to resist. I could take to anyone anywhere! Better yet I could see what the latest sales have to offer without even leaving my room. But not today I had to stick to Microsoft word and just focus on my paper. My grade appreciated this assignment very much. Luckily my phone is on the fritz right now. Also known as not working, I can receive calls and make them and even receive texts. But whats the fun in that? Texts aren't fun if I can't text back and calls, nobody makes phone calls these days. So today was made a little easier on account of my phone not working. Television wasn't much of a problem for me because I don't really enjoy watching it that much in the first place. Even if I did like watching television or had a show that I liked I am sure that I could catch it on YouTube or somewhere on the Internet at some other time. It would definitely not be a cut throat situation. I thought that today would be much harder that yesterday but in the end it didn't turn out that way. I guess since I am always wrapped up in these types of medias it was kind of awesome to get some time off and do things around the house. But if this had lasted for a week or longer I might have just lost my mind.
The Sabbath
Sunday was easier than Saturday. I spent the day fishing. To my surprise there are no televisions on the river. I was shocked. I made a conceited effort to forget my cell phone in my room. I lent my computer to my younger sister so I had no chance of cheating. I imagine I might have.
In the periods of my fishing voyage when the fish were sparse and my patience low I dug into the words of Hunter S. Thompson. He is a genius. I can not imagine giving up my books. No matter how many people may be around in the depths of a great book there is solitude.
When busying myself in the outdoors the world of media rarely if ever enters my mind. When inside a home boredom soon sets in and I pray for ESPN. It seems so funny how the environment to which you place yourself in determines the need for media. I imagine that if there was lone teepee with a television in the Cherokee village it would be the emptiest teepee of all. Then again, maybe there would be a waiting list scribbled in the dirt to enter. This I highly doubt.
I will not likely repeat this mass media deprivation. I will use my computer less for meaningless surfing, mindless games, and pointless social networking. I will not miss a San Antonio Spurs game. Manu Ginobili can score forty points on any night.
Day 2
Free at last! Free at last! Thank God Almighty I'm free at last!
I'm definitely excited to have my media freedoms restored. Out of the "bondage" I have a newly restored appreciation of the accessibilities we take for granted on a daily basis. For instance, I had to actually use an "old fashioned" map to find my way to a birthday party instead of relying on my navigation system. I was 30 minutes late arriving, but proud of myself nonetheless.
I noticed that I was more excited to arrive to church Sunday morning than usual. Perhaps I was desperately missing music. So much so, that we even returned for night service!
These past 48 have been very testing of my will power. I'm beginning to question why I rely so heavily on media and the crucial role it plays in my daily life. I must credit this experiment with all the work I achieved over the weekend. My house is cleaned top to bottom. My yard is freshly landscaped. My garage is organized. I even made it to the bottom of the laundry hamper (which existence I was questioning)! I highly doubt whether I would have completed these tasks if I was glued to my electronics all weekend.
Media depravation has been enlightening for myself as well as my family. Our eyes have truly been opened. We see how the simplest changes can make the biggest difference in the quality of our lives. My children will be standing over my grave one day. I want them to recall the memories we shared as a family, not the time I spent connected to media.
P.S.: this is being posted late because I worked 8:30-6:30 today.
I'm definitely excited to have my media freedoms restored. Out of the "bondage" I have a newly restored appreciation of the accessibilities we take for granted on a daily basis. For instance, I had to actually use an "old fashioned" map to find my way to a birthday party instead of relying on my navigation system. I was 30 minutes late arriving, but proud of myself nonetheless.
I noticed that I was more excited to arrive to church Sunday morning than usual. Perhaps I was desperately missing music. So much so, that we even returned for night service!
These past 48 have been very testing of my will power. I'm beginning to question why I rely so heavily on media and the crucial role it plays in my daily life. I must credit this experiment with all the work I achieved over the weekend. My house is cleaned top to bottom. My yard is freshly landscaped. My garage is organized. I even made it to the bottom of the laundry hamper (which existence I was questioning)! I highly doubt whether I would have completed these tasks if I was glued to my electronics all weekend.
Media depravation has been enlightening for myself as well as my family. Our eyes have truly been opened. We see how the simplest changes can make the biggest difference in the quality of our lives. My children will be standing over my grave one day. I want them to recall the memories we shared as a family, not the time I spent connected to media.
P.S.: this is being posted late because I worked 8:30-6:30 today.
A new realization...
First off, sorry this is late, I just got home from school...Yesterday the media deprivation really started getting to me, especially towards the end. I woke up, made an omelet and went to work from 12-6, both times driving in silence. I'd just like to say that silence in itself was torture, I use the CD player in my car, not only to tune out the oh so annoying creaks and rattles from my 2001 explorer, but I also use it to tune out the outside world. (Do you know how hard it is to try to tune the creepy guy yelling next to you without music??) After I got home, I started to try to work on my Mexican American History paper. The assignment was to read a chapter about 15 pages long and write a 3-5 page paper...I started to read about 3 pages or so and when I stopped I realized I didn't retain any information. The whole time I was reading I had other things on my mind; I guess the background silence distracted me to think about other things. I realize that TV or music is the only reason I ever get any of my homework done...Creative writing is the only thing I can do silently because it involves proofreading, editing and critical thinking skills that help preoccupy my mind. When I read history books, my mind really doesn't get any stimulation, the only thing that my mind does while I read history books is notice how poorly they're written...Anyways while I sat there reading this chapter, I started to think...I started to think how quiet it was, how empty it was; how lonely it was. It was such a depressing feeling, I never realized that the main reason I can live alone is because of the media. From this project I've learned that without the media, I definitely would not be able to live alone and ultimately would not be able to function. I'm so thankful to have the media back in my life. I missed music so much...
-Holly Doll
-Holly Doll
Sunday
Okay, I really messed Sunday up. I talked on the phone to my sister who really needed someone to talk to (breakup) and I was over my mother-in-laws house where the TV is always on, --cable TV for that fact. (An important fact to remember is that I don’t have cable). I couldn’t resist swiping a look at the reality shows. I mean I was like someone who has never seen a television before. My husband said I was having withdrawals and overloaded on it. To my credit, I stayed away from my computer and let my phone just about run out of “juice” until when my sister texted me on my husband’s phone, and believe me that’s the last thing she would want to do {they’re like oil and water}. I knew I had a genuine sister emergency and I had to break protocol. Oh the shame!
On a different note, the first half of the day was spent outside with my kids playing with balls, bats, and hoola hoops. I got downright childish and goofy. My husband and his two cousins watched and occasionally interacted with a ball fake or hit. It was fun. It was then that I realized that we probably wouldn’t be doing this if I had decided to stay home with my computer. I love the computer; I do all my projects on it and I sometimes yearn for a moment alone so I can spend time with it without interruption. I like to let my creative juices flow. I get carried away with the technology I have because it gives me the ability to dream and create right within my home so that sometimes I forget that I have to stop and give my family a piece of me. All they want is time and attention. Just being there doing the normal routine isn’t enough and doesn’t replace real quality time and face-to-face interaction.
The project was great because it let me know just how much control I had and just how much media I’m willing to give up, --which is hardly. I see media as changing the face of everyday life and I don’t see the world going backwards from here. I think media can be abused if we allow our world only to become about entertainment and artificial stimulation, but if we use media in a responsible way, for our work and for our convenience, then it greatly enhances our lives.
On a different note, the first half of the day was spent outside with my kids playing with balls, bats, and hoola hoops. I got downright childish and goofy. My husband and his two cousins watched and occasionally interacted with a ball fake or hit. It was fun. It was then that I realized that we probably wouldn’t be doing this if I had decided to stay home with my computer. I love the computer; I do all my projects on it and I sometimes yearn for a moment alone so I can spend time with it without interruption. I like to let my creative juices flow. I get carried away with the technology I have because it gives me the ability to dream and create right within my home so that sometimes I forget that I have to stop and give my family a piece of me. All they want is time and attention. Just being there doing the normal routine isn’t enough and doesn’t replace real quality time and face-to-face interaction.
The project was great because it let me know just how much control I had and just how much media I’m willing to give up, --which is hardly. I see media as changing the face of everyday life and I don’t see the world going backwards from here. I think media can be abused if we allow our world only to become about entertainment and artificial stimulation, but if we use media in a responsible way, for our work and for our convenience, then it greatly enhances our lives.
DAY2
Finally this experiment is over! Didn't really expect for it to be that hard. Honestly, i coudn't resist not using my phone. I think it is the only thing I kept doing all the time. As far as TV and computers, I did manage to stay away from them while i was at home. When it came to going out with my friends I just couldn't refuse to not watch TV or use my phone. I felt miserable without having a way to communicate with my friends. If I had really taken this project to its full extend i dont think i would've survived in this world! Everything seems to be all about technology now a days. Well, maybe it's not about technology, but it truly is something we use everyday to help us feel part of something.
So basically what I did to at least be able to go along with the project without being botheres was just to hang out with my friends all day. I basically spent all weekend with my friends so i wouldn't have to be needing my phone or computer to communicate with them.
Sunday morning i woke up at a friends house after a long Saturday night. I woke up and hung out there for a long time. Later at around 4pm we went to play soccer for the next 2 hours or so. After playing soccer i went straight home ( by then I haven't had to use my phone). When i got home i took a shower and later went out to have dinner with my family. We went to momaks and hung out there until around 9pm. After having dinner I went straight back home. When I got home I knew I had to study for my monday exam so i didn't feel like i needed my phone or computer or tv for anything. I kept studying all night and decided to go to sleep. Basically I didnt use my phone, watched tv, or used my computer for anything. I would say sunday was a pretty easy day to go by without using any technology or anything associated with media.
Saturday however was pretty hard not to use any of the media i use today.
Odd weekend for bad news
The project was easier on sunday because i had a lot planned. i was moving into my new apartment and i got some pizza with friends. I spent most of the day just hanging out with friends and overall didn't feel too much desire to be on facebook or check the news. There was one moment where i played GTA 4 for like an hour without realizing it. What happened was I was hanging out with my friend Derek and we were at his place. He received a phone call and passed me the controller. I just started instinctively playing for some reason. I played for awhile until someone turned on the news. I immediatly jumped up and said "oh I'm not supposed to watch the news". I then dropped the controller and yell vulgar words and said "I'm not supposed to play video games ether". It was around that time that the ice cream truck came and we go ice cream. What i did notice was that i got a lot more done this weekend than most weekends. My weekend went south when my girlfriend called me telling me she has leukemia. That was the only time I intentionally broke the rules. Overall this experience made me realize that I rely on mass media extensively.
48 hours.
The past 48 hours without mass media have been nothing differnet than what I normally do. I tried very hard to not use my phone or the internet, but that failed quite often. I went out to go swimming with friends which was nice to get away from everything. But on the way home, I listened to music in the car as loud as I possibly could, realized I was doing it, turned it off for about 2 minutes, then turned it back on. I also tried sleeping without music, which is unheard of for me. I was about to die when I looked at the clock and it was 4 a.m. and I still haven't slept. I turned music on and fell asleep shortly after. I'm sure it was all in my head, but it really does help me with my anxiety to listen to realxing music. It was an interesting experiment, but I will most likely keep listening to music, using the internet, and texting.
Day 2 - The Not-So-Bad Day
Day 2 wasn't nearly as bad as day 1 was simply because of the fact that I slept in until about 3:50 PM and Sunday is normally my chore day. I ignored my phone completely and even walked by all of my gaming consoles without glancing at them. I was so proud of myself. :D
I sat at the table downstairs and had a discussion with my room mate. When did we become so reliant on the electronic media devices we surround ourselves with everyday?
I reflected on my past a little before giving my explanation on the whole ordeal. I remember trying to fight off the whole social networking craze when MySpace became a huge deal because I wasn't into the idea of being stalked online. The most I would do on a computer internet-wise was casual gaming. I wasn't even much of a gamer from the beginning, to be honest.
It all began with the console gaming craze in the 90's. I saw that a Pokemon game had come out for the Nintendo 64 and immediately jumped on the idea of asking for the console (and game) for Christmas. I would play the Nintendo 64 for maybe a half an hour before I was running outside to play with my friends in no time.
But when the consoles kept getting better and the games getting filled with more fun it was hard to resist when my dad got me my very first Playstation X and it even came with a couple multiplayer games. That was when I began inviting friends inside my house to play video games with me.
Soon enough I got caught up in the wave of keeping up with Joneses and I absolutely had to have every new Sony or Nintendo console that graced the shelves.
The internet soon became a slow, but steadily rising, addiction to my daily life. When friends forced me to get a MySpace I was instantly hooked. I learned to work my way around HTML just to make fancy profile layouts for my very own profile. Now, if you name the social network I definitely have an account with it- even if I don't use it.
Our discussion ended with us promising to go out and do more this summer. It's sad, but the only thing we remember from last summer was playing World of Warcraft and going to the beach.
Yeah, our own summer (the very thing we look forward to) was pretty much blown away by our addiction to online gaming.
I spent the rest of my Sunday practicing my monologue for my Acting class and even giving Julius another bath since he got in the mud. I put a bandanna on him!
With the dog clean, my room clean, my homework done and my day spent without media I realized that I really did get a lot done without the computer being in the way or in the back of my mind.Sure, some of my bored moments could have been fixed by playing some Final Fantasy XIII, but I digress...
I got to reconnect with old friends, spend quality time with my parents, clean up my stuff, spend time with the dog, reflect on past memories and, most of all, didn't spend my entire weekend glued to facebook. :D
Though I would most likely not do this project again (willingly), I can say that I honestly learned a bit more about myself and I do vow to go out and do more with my life then let it waste it away behind the screen.
Day Two...
Sunday morning...yet agian, for some reason during the night i forgot that we were doing this project...so as i rolled out of bed, i automatically turned on my radio. morning's are not good for me anyways...but remembering that i can NOT have my radio, seems to make my mornings 10 times worse! i quickly got dressed...i have noticed that it takes me alot shorter time to get fully dressed in the mornings with out my radio and music. ready to get out of the quiet house, i drove to town (not really getting away from the quiet) due to the fact that i had to drive without my radio on! i had done better with out my phone this morning, maybe it was just due to the fact that no one loved me this sunday morning...it makes things easier when u have NO one to talk to! anyways...i got to town...and called a friend, i limited my phone time (tried to keep it under a minute) thats good, right? it was soo hot outside, so it seemed like another good day for swimming. Swimming makes the days so much shorter, and in no time we were all heading back into town. i headed home, and then decided to paint, so i painted my table for my apartment...i had done pretty good all weekend. only a few slips here and there, but nothing to big. Mass Media is a huge part of life, and living without it...is a thing i do NOT pln on doing for a long period of time!
The last 24 hours of the media deprivation project where surprisingly easier than I expected it to be. Just like the day before I was able to get few more things done because of the extra time I had out side of using my phone and the Internet. However I don’t think that I would be able to do something like this regularly because mass media is such a major part of my life. Text messaging is one the major ways I stay connected to friends and face book is how I stay connected to friends that are in other states, so without these two networks I feel a little shut out from the world. Another reason I would not be able to do it again is simply because I enjoy being able to listen to my Ipod or listen to the radio while driving in my car. I did learn a lot from the project, for example I learned how much I depend on mass media just to get through my day to day life. I always knew that mass media had a lot of control over me and the people around me; however I was unaware of just how much control I had until I had to do this project. Because of the society we live in it is almost impossible in my opinion to stay connect to the world without at least one form of mass media, whether it be the radio, television, internet or PDA and smart phones mass media is needed and almost mandatory. I learned a lot from this project, it was a good experience to have, one that I won’t forget. Hopefully after this experience I can attempt to limit some forms of mass media from time to time even if it’s just cutting back on browsing the web unless for academic proposes.
Day 2
Day 2 was another fairly successful day. Like I presumed, half of my day was wasted at work. This automatically prevents most cell phone use, television, and music (besides the blaring country in the background, of course). Still somehow, time slowly passed until shift change had arrived; which followed by me racing home to complete our first blog yesterday by five.
At this point the hardest battle remained with listening to music, especially in the car. Driving both thirty minutes to school and/or to work has completely put me in the habit of jamming out from the point I turn my car on, till it is off. I’ve been hearing noises from my car I never even knew it could make, not to mention how slow the time passes in traffic. Normally, the only reason I wouldn’t be listening to music in the car is if I was on the phone. When I’m driving to/from school and work I sometimes pass the time by calling my mom or friends, but of course this is not an option either. THANKFULLY, I survived all the commutes (by cheating only a couple times).
Overall, I think on a random basis a little media deprivation wouldn’t be a bad idea. I never watch TV (on the actual television at least), and I get my news online. And although texting seems to be the most neurotic thing about my phone, it’s still not bad to have a short escape. The only aspect I never want to give up again would be the music. For all those moments (because that’s actually what they feel like) between school, then work, and then somewhere in there friends, music is the one thing that I will make time to stop and take in. At least for those few minutes my mind forces itself to find peace in what I’m hearing and hopefully put all the other crap to the side.
At this point the hardest battle remained with listening to music, especially in the car. Driving both thirty minutes to school and/or to work has completely put me in the habit of jamming out from the point I turn my car on, till it is off. I’ve been hearing noises from my car I never even knew it could make, not to mention how slow the time passes in traffic. Normally, the only reason I wouldn’t be listening to music in the car is if I was on the phone. When I’m driving to/from school and work I sometimes pass the time by calling my mom or friends, but of course this is not an option either. THANKFULLY, I survived all the commutes (by cheating only a couple times).
Overall, I think on a random basis a little media deprivation wouldn’t be a bad idea. I never watch TV (on the actual television at least), and I get my news online. And although texting seems to be the most neurotic thing about my phone, it’s still not bad to have a short escape. The only aspect I never want to give up again would be the music. For all those moments (because that’s actually what they feel like) between school, then work, and then somewhere in there friends, music is the one thing that I will make time to stop and take in. At least for those few minutes my mind forces itself to find peace in what I’m hearing and hopefully put all the other crap to the side.
Day 2: The Final Countdown!!
Day two of the media deprivation project was a little easier than the first day. I woke up pretty much knowing what was coming and how the day was going to go. I had gotten a good amount of sleep due to the fact that I was not browsing the internet aimlessly like every other night. Before I went to bed the night before I was reading a book. I realized that with all the other distractions, I haven’t read a book in quite some time. I woke up on Sunday morning well rested and full of energy. I had told my friend earlier in the week about my media restrictions so he called my house phone and asked if I wanted to go play soccer. I agreed because I would go crazy just sitting around the house. After we were done with our game I headed home where I took a shower in silence because I usually listen to music in there. I made it up by singing in the shower without the usual music playing in the background. My drive to work again was very uncomfortable with the awkward silence. It was driving me crazy! For once I was glad I was working that day because I knew that work would keep me distracted from the project and that by the time I got home I could just easily fall asleep and it would all be over the next day. With this project I realized how much more relaxed I am without all the media including my phone, TV and computer. My days usually end with a slight headache from the strain of my eyes looking at the screen all day long. My homework on the computer was done in good time also because I stopped myself from procrastinating and browsing the internet. This project definitely made me realize that a lot of my time gets wasted with useless browsing the internet and watching TV. The weekend might have been boring but it was relaxing in its own way.
WORTHLESS MEDIA-ADDICT!
LOL These are the words I've come to describe myself! Day 2 alittle harder i must say.. EVEN with my alcohol-phone mishap! I could not resist the call of facebook sunday! i had to do it! IM SORRY Mr. Lopez but it happens! Also caught some of our fellow class members on facebook, they know who they are;]! Sunday was harder, but I would say it was a pretty good day overall, I've realized without facebook and my phone and tv and everything I conversate with the parentals alot more. Crazy concept, I know! But overall I believe this project did open my eyes to how mass media RUNS our lives! I lost my phone in the deal but it was a beneifical project. I believe overall i did good, for the most part. I slipped up acouple times I will admit but overall had a good time learning how life is with no media!
THANKS MR.LOPEZ good end to the year!
See everyone weds!
THANKS MR.LOPEZ good end to the year!
See everyone weds!
Day 2
I was so glad to know that this was going to be the last day I had to do the Media Deprivation. I am not going to lie. It was very difficult to do.
I pretty much just woke up on Sunday with the mindset that I wasn’t going to use any media, but I kind of slacked a bit. It was the day of my stepmom’s birthday and all of my family came over. We had mole and rice with garlic-covered shrimp. After we were finished eating, I began to watch “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” on TV. I had slipped up yet again! “Damn!” I thought to myself. So in order to hopefully redeem myself, I went the whole rest of the day without watching or listening to any form of mass media. As difficult as I knew it would be, I knew I had to do it.
I cannot reiterate how difficult this assignment was. I really wanted to go on MySpace and Facebook to check my messages and stuff, but I had to restrain myself.
This project really made me understand how much influence mass media had on my life. Mr. Lopez had told us in class that media deprivation would be like a mild drug addiction for us, and he seemed to be right, because it felt that way.
This media deprivation thing really opened my eyes and it is something I don’t ever want to do again. Not being able to watch movies, surf the internet for recreational purposes, or text message really took its toll on me.
I was very satisfied to know that I could have self-control when it came to limiting the amount of mass media I used. But when mass media is all around you, it is very hard to stay on the bandwagon.
I pretty much just woke up on Sunday with the mindset that I wasn’t going to use any media, but I kind of slacked a bit. It was the day of my stepmom’s birthday and all of my family came over. We had mole and rice with garlic-covered shrimp. After we were finished eating, I began to watch “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” on TV. I had slipped up yet again! “Damn!” I thought to myself. So in order to hopefully redeem myself, I went the whole rest of the day without watching or listening to any form of mass media. As difficult as I knew it would be, I knew I had to do it.
I cannot reiterate how difficult this assignment was. I really wanted to go on MySpace and Facebook to check my messages and stuff, but I had to restrain myself.
This project really made me understand how much influence mass media had on my life. Mr. Lopez had told us in class that media deprivation would be like a mild drug addiction for us, and he seemed to be right, because it felt that way.
This media deprivation thing really opened my eyes and it is something I don’t ever want to do again. Not being able to watch movies, surf the internet for recreational purposes, or text message really took its toll on me.
I was very satisfied to know that I could have self-control when it came to limiting the amount of mass media I used. But when mass media is all around you, it is very hard to stay on the bandwagon.
Finally the last day of the Deprivation! Today everything went wrong from the moment I woke up. I woke up listening to my IPod and kept listening to music until I was ready to go out with my parents. I was able to watch some television and hear some music while I was at the restaurant, however it wasn't something that interested me. When I was writing my blog based on my experience on Saturday I also turned on the television and saw some shows while writing the blog. In addition, while on the computer writing the blog it was very tempting to get on Facebook or You Tube. I checked my messages and chatted with some friends for a little while and then I felt bad because even though I knew I couldn't get on Facebook, I couldn't resist from getting on. I also went to La Cantera and on my way there I was listening to the radio; I feel weird when I'm not listening to the radion and also I didn't have anyone to talk to so that made me more tempted in hearing some music. Also, when I got back from eating out with my parents, I really tried to avoid watching television while I did my homework and studied for my finals, but my boyfriend would call me and tell me that there was a really good show and that I should watch it, so I did. Also, I talked to my boyfriend throughout the entire day calling him or sending many text messages. After watching television for hours my family came home, I was able to stay away from the television, cell phone, and IPod. Overall this experience showed me how much I use mass media in my life. It also made me think more about not having to be surrounded by mass media every single day.
Day Two: Ok mass media you win...
The start of my second day did not go as well as my first day at all. Once I broke one rule that morning by checking my facebook, I couldn’t help myself. I watched television while eating breakfast and listened to music on my way to work. I felt very much the same actually compared to the previous day though. I still got everything that I wanted to do. Yet one rule I didn’t break was not playing one videogame over the course of these past two days. Surprisingly, I did not mind the break away from the aggravating matches against other online players. Although, it pretty much had to keep myself preoccupied by watching television or else I would have played a videogame on my computer. I actually socialized quite a bit more when I did use some form of mass media because I got on facebook to see what my friends are up to. Once I knew their plan I would meet up with them and call them only when I arrive to let them know that I was there. I did not idle text either which was for the better in my opinion as well. Instead of idle texting, I actually read some comics and time went by so much faster. I felt related more to the comics by not using mass media, because you know Batman doesn’t text, and only uses the computer and television for his Batman crime fighting greatness. :]
Anyways, overall I did enjoy this project much more than I anticipated. It opened my eyes to how much mass media is an important role in our everyday lives. I’m glad I found what I could accomplish while not using any forms of mass media. I think I will take some time out of my day to turn everything off and go socialize with family, friends, and just people in general. If I did not work over these past two days I would of socialized more but I believe I made the best of it and had a really did appreciate this project.
Anyways, overall I did enjoy this project much more than I anticipated. It opened my eyes to how much mass media is an important role in our everyday lives. I’m glad I found what I could accomplish while not using any forms of mass media. I think I will take some time out of my day to turn everything off and go socialize with family, friends, and just people in general. If I did not work over these past two days I would of socialized more but I believe I made the best of it and had a really did appreciate this project.
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