Information Overload!

I'll be the first one to admit that I go to Wikipedia for useless information to fill time and space, but with a clear understanding that there is a large amount that is false based on the authors and the option to edit whats being written.

Wikipedia is one of the most visited sites becasue its easy to understand, all the information we want is on there...even if it is false, or tweeked a little, it gives one an answer regeardless of truth behind it. People feel the need to go on and add random nonsense to pages for a good laugh, but all it has caused is major issues to the point where the founder doesnt even want to be part of it anymore.

The idea of the website is genius, allowing you to type in anything and everything and being able to find some sort of resource to lead you on a path for an answer.

It is  good to know that the site has started cracking down on things because even though seeing "Trace Cyrus" named as a "Horse" on his bands wikipedia page (which has recently been edited back to the original band members names), it still is hurtful and is just another way for a person to feel attacked by a mass majority.

The Wiki is just another site with more information than it needs, we all use it, maybe just for humor, maybe when we're bored...but all this site contians is a lack of source and it is "not an encyclopedia". The fact that the public can change and author things proves that its just one of many random sites on the web that got popular really fast.

Visit Nebraska!

The Good Life

In a land filled with breathtaking views, rich history, and scenic landscapes, Nebraska holds internationally recognized attractions that draw large crowds of people every year, without fail. In 2010 some of the most popular places included, Fort Robinson State Park, and Arbor Lodge State Historical Park Museum. Nebraska truly includes something for everyone.

Scenic Adventures-

Arbor Lodge:

Located right in Nebraska City, visitors will find the home of J. Sterling Morton, who founded Arbor Day in 1872. The mansion on the site is surrounded by a 65-acre arboretum with more than 250 different specied on tress and shurbs, most planted by Morton.

Scott's Bluff National Monument: 

More than 250,000 people passed this very location while traveling west on the Oregon Trail. Looming 800 feet about the North Platte River Valley, The bluff strikes a dramatic pose againt the flat prarie. 

Visitors can view special exhibits and artifacts at the monumentis museum. On a clear day many will drive to the top of the bluff for breathtaking vistas, including viewd of Chimney Rock. 

Historical Parks and Museums-

Fort Robinson State Park:

Buffalo Bill Ranch

Located in the scenic Pine Region of the State, this fort played a role in a number of battles with Native Americans, and is the Exact place where Chief Crazy Hourse surrendered in 1877, after the Battle of Little Bighorn.

Today the park spans accross 22,000 acres and holds frontier artifacts that are displayed in the former post headquarters, now a museum. One of many buildings open to visitors.

Buffalo Bill Ranch State Historical Park:

A public idol, William F. "Buffalo Bill" Cody was an embodiment of the traditional "rags-to-riches" success story. He gained a reputation as a  fine marksman, and tales of his prowess spread. He eventually demonstrated his skills and talents onstage. His theather act made him wealthy and he organized a rodeo event that evolved into his Wild West Show. 

Today Visitors can marvel at the treasures and memorabilia inside his barn and 19-room home.

Fun Family Activities-

Railroad Town:

Carhenge

Sitting inside the Stuhr Museum, which illustrates several types of towns that were created on The Nebraska Praries, Railraod town is within a 60-acre site in accordance with the plans of a rail company.

Aso on the grounds are dozens of authentic 19th-century buildings that line the villages quaint streets. 

Carhenge: 

Located in near the town of Alliance is an unusual sculpture made out of automobiles. The site is modeled after England's great Stonehenge. 

5 weeks into a hybrid class....

As many of us can agree, the main reason for taking this class was due to a writing intensive being required. I have never been a writer, or a very strong writer, it has never been my favorite thing to do.

After attending a college prep school for 4 years, and now in my junior year of college, I still dont believe that im as strong of a writer as I could be. Yet, i'm okay with that. I know what my writing sounds and feels like and it only adds character as to who I am when posting on websites, or even writing assignments for other classes.

This class thus far has shown me that you don't have to be a scholar of a writer to get your thoughts across to someone else. I don't need to use big words, I don't need to try and over achieve my writing because then is lacks personality. Online classes are a way for me to break out of my shell and just show who the real Haley is.

I have no shame for my grammar, my abbreviated thoughts, or my lack of writing skills.  This class has given me an opportunity to show my interests, give an idea of who I am, and what I'm all about....all while discovering new and more exciting ideas in my head.

I dont feel pressured to "speak up" when the class is online. I have always been a very quiet person when it comes to the classroom, and this gives me a way to voice what I want to say without feeling awkward about what I think.

Online classes are quickly proving to be the way to go....especially for me, who spends the majority of my day on the computer.

Profile Me...

When it comes to who I am online I try to keep it as real as possible, yet at the same time whenever I click into the internet I tend to take on multiple personalities.

For instance, instead of using my last name on most of my profiles, I use my middle name. Most of my "online friends" know me as Haley Adele, rather than Haley Fowler. I feel like it adds character to myself, and it flows better when people ask who "that" is.

Ive also discussed previously how I'm a promoter, so there is also a business side to my online personalities. I have that side, the talkative blunt self, and the onlooker who just sits back and clicks the mouse while browsing random useless websites to waste time.

I feel as if many people have more than one "self" online. They're all an idea of who you are, but when its behind a computer screen you can take on roles you dont really want to take on in real life. People create these profiles to "get to know you" but in reality you cant really get to know someone by reading a few paragraphs. You actually have to interact with people, and thats the cool thing about the idea of the world wide web.

There are some dangers with online profiling though, because whatever you put up, or whatever is posted is there forever. You never know who is "viewing" you at any given moment, therefore allowing problems everyday in identity issues.

The internet can be a fun place to promote yourself, but you have to do it in a safe way and always be aware of what and where you're posting things.

the PWP keeps on growing.

Stepping away from the idea of relationships and distance many face on a daily basis, I decided to take a different path for this personal web project I have to complete for my writing intensive class. 

"i cant get Chicago off my mind..."

Living in Chicago, i'm constantly faced with the loud noises of the "el", the sirens, the cabs, the wind, and of course all the tourists! It's almost impossible to avoid while living in the very populated loop. Yet, if you search hard enough you can escape from the crazy city life and find silence in many different locations. One may think its impossible to actually get Chicago off their mind, especially while living right inside one of the craziest cities on earth, and that's where i got my idea:

The Urban Oasis Blog: Finding Silence Within the Hustle and Bustle of City Life. 

I have always been a city girl at heart, even though I grew up in a little town in Minnesota. For as much as I love the city, I still like my calmness and silence, therefore, I have decided to find numerous "quiet" areas in the city. People will be able to see pictures of all the places I visit as well as what i saw while the visit took place.

I also want people from other areas to be able to submit their own findings so when people visit the page, they'll be able to experience silence in other cities, not just Chicago.

Interrogating Texts...

When faced with any type of reading, I always try to look at it with an open mind, even it it's not something i'm interested in, or something I find very intriguing, I still give it a chance. Unfortunately, I don't think that is the case when it comes to many.
Texts today need to be short and sweet. Most reading is done on the computer today, and with the crazy obsession with social networking, and other online websites, it's easy to say that many get distracted. I, am not ashamed to admit that by the fourth or fifth paragraph i start to "skim" the text. I feel like people need to say a lot, and they think they look "impressive" when they write more than they need to.
Its not hard to create a point in a few words...poets do it all the time, right? Therefore I don't understand why people find the need to bore us with useless information that goes right past our eyes, and doesn't even sit and process.
Most people just want to read the facts, the highlights...ya know, the interesting stuff, so when it comes to interrogating texts, that is usually what we look for.

Face it, in today's world everything has to be short. We have 160 characters to text, 140 to tweet, and anything after that looses interest. I am by no means saying that news stories should be brought to us in twitter format, I just think that its easier for many to comprehend, therefore proving that the longer the text the more we get distracted by other things. We don't have time to read long stories today because we're so fast paced. I just wonder what it will be like 10 years from now?

the PWP continues to grow...

The feedback received in class really helped me figure out where I wanted to go with the project. I wanted to stick with the long distance relationship concept, but rather than making it about my own relationship to step outside of the box and direct it more towards how you can make a relationship last. How one deals with being away from loved ones for long periods of time, and how the technology we have today can actually allow two people to be connected at all times, even if they are in separate parts of the country.
I, by no means am a genius on the whole subject so not only will I teach myself things but also reach out to other people who are in the same situation.
Now the hard part, where to start, and what to call it...

The PWP Grows.

After sitting in class this past week and learning about the blog I'll be creating I had a lot of thoughts go through my head. Of course being a music business major I automatically leaned toward something in that direction. I had all sorts of cool ideas about how I could maybe even turn this web project into something more, almost as if it were a music magazine that details the alternative and local music scene. But after lots of contemplating and fighting with ideas I thought to step out of my comfort zone and maybe talk about something many can relate to on a more personal level over who's playing a show at the metro next weekend.

Many people wouldn't know by looking at me, but I'm currently involved in a long distance relationship. Now many say it would never last, and some people believe I'm totally crazy for even considering it. But like many college students when the end of the summer approaches we sadly have to sometimes leave that special person in a different area. Now, this could be the case, but I've actually been in this situation since my boyfriend and I started dating. He's in Green Bay, WI. while I'm back and forth from Chicago to Minneapolis. Its a daily struggle to stay strong especially when I have a bad day and just need a hug and cant get that from the person who means the most to me. However for some odd reason we're making it work and strive to be there for each other no matter how far away we are. Hes in a band who will eventually tour, and as the relationship grows there will always be the distance factor.

I thought it would be interesting to take the time out and share our story with people, and prove to the people who don't approve of the relationship that it can work out. We're perfect for each other, we're just not in the perfect situation currently. From the moment we met I knew I would spend the rest of my life with him, hes the missing puzzle piece that I've been trying to find, and I haven't been happier since.

Whether this is a cool idea, or a lame one, I feel like it could reach out to people in the same situation and let them know they're not alone! But if this one is a flop, I guess I can always go back to the music blog....