Project Inspiration: Avoiding Plateaus

Addressing Web Design and making it plain easy.

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Knowledge is Power!

Filed Under : Uncategorized by markp

Jul.7,2011

Since day 1, I was really pumped for this class. I have learned successfully to upload a daily blog and put up the pictures with insight that I always wanted to. Never in a million years was I ready for this until Professor Wilder showed us step by step what it took! I also got to learn some web lingo such as what “@” and “#” do on twitter. I got to use the website delicious a lot better than my previous knowledge. On Youtube I became more aware what are the key maximization of video footage to put up with respect to the limitations/restrictions. I also got to learn the way to start my own website for the future if I want to “get ahead.” The basics did take me far and as grueling sometimes these weekly blogs got, and meeting the requirements, it was all worth it in these last five weeks. I thank him for that first off. I would also like to thank my fellow classmates in the comments I have received in the last couple weeks. It inspired me as well as take in account of what I need to do in becoming a better blogger and knowledge finder in the world of the web. As a journalist minor, these advances will not go away and learning it, this early in my career can only be, but helpful. I really enjoyed learning how to make a podcast and incorporating the music with my words like a fellow professional.

As using the blogs, Podcasts, Twitter and etc, I would become better skilled for the world out there when it comes to getting the story out there. Not just sending it through paper format, but digitally in all the social networks the web has to offer. As well as getting the story out there, self promotion is free I have learned. Through these sites we can be fully involved with the world around us, and that itself is powerful as knowledge itself.

Tags : blog, journalism, knowledge

Beating the Heat!

Filed Under : Podcast by markp

Jun.30,2011

It’s really heating up out there in the valley! This week’s post is about the rising temperatures in the area and how to keep cool Las Vegas.
Beginning with the notion that water is so vital to our systems as human beings. It is the most important nutrients that our body needs to survive. Signs we need to keep up with the ever so high temperatures of Las Vegas whether we are walking the dog, walking into a store and doing basic thinks around there are signs of hydration. Such as the Lack of saliva or dry mouth, Rapid heart beat and feeling signs of fatigue. So when feeling that on the day of a heatwave drinking throughout the day water preferably 5-6 glasses a day. This will give water a chance to get inside cells and begin their job of temperature regulation in the body. Drinking that entire water bottle quickly just before you go outside will not be as effective and may give you an upset stomach versus it actually helping you to stay hydrated. There are also veggies that have water, too such as cucumber, peppers and WATERmelon!

As staying protective nutritionally, we also need to take note that exposure to the sun can be detrimental and have long term risks involved such as skin cancer and premature age of the skin. Best way to avoid the sun is just not go out. That is obviously not the best way and is not very congruent to what we have to do in our lives. Wearing a simple hat can protect the face as well as wearing SPF creams that are found everywhere from our food store and pharmacies.

So it is very important to keep these facts and tips in the back of our mind when stepping out in the place we live call the desert. Next time don’t forget the lotion!

Beating the Heat Podcast Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Tags : heat, Las Vegas, sunscreen

Hungry Hungry Chinatown!

Filed Under : Video by markp

Jun.25,2011

This week I would like to talk about is one of the most fascinating neighborhoods in Las Vegas. That is Chinatown Plaza. There are restaurants, shops, stores, and many interesting things in between. Just about 5 minutes away from ‘The Strip’ this is a place where you can find good food for a good price (good place to take a family too). There are plenty of places worth checking out such as the Thai Style Noodle House which I talk about in my video on Youtube. There was however a crazy parking lot though and on my last visit, I almost backed into something and nearly missed a walking pedestrian because of the limited space.

A typical person visiting China Town Plaza should have a goal to broaden an Asian perspective not necessarily trying all of the restaurants in this so-called Asian district. A person would not be able to experience everything here all in one day, but should make an attempt to try something new every time there. For example, as walking down to a couple markets there were Asian Cd’s, movies, magazines and lot of culture flashed before my eyes. As deeply enriched this place is, this should be a place that should not be considered “a one time deal,” but rather try to experience something new every time. The food is superior at most and sometimes I recommend you always stick to what you know, but in the same time be open to the new experiences before you.

As noticing walking through the plaza I also saw authentic Asian furniture, books, herbalist and Art(expensive and inexpensive)are found, as well as markets with live seafood and fresh meats that you can’t find at typical Albertson’s or Vons. As coming in as the newbie to the China Town Plaza for food, is ask the question “What do I like or What do I want to get out of this visit?” Is it something spicy, or is it something sweet like a green tea ice cream. So doing research before arriving to the plaza can save a headache and save you time searching the ever so deepness of this place. Reading reviews never hurt either. So next you got a feeling for something different other than the classical strip food check out the China Town Plaza.

* Pros: cheap food, worth the search
* Cons:Parking, congestion, lack of knowledge of what’s good to eat and do, hard to find

Official Home Page
www.lvchinatown.com

Reviews of Thai Style Noodle House (helps for preparation of your next visit and what to expect!)

http://www.yelp.com/biz/thai-style-noodle-house-las-vegas

Tags : china, food, spicy, thai

Those who Have and Those who Don’t

Filed Under : Digital Journalism by markp

Jun.23,2011

Many of us wake up to a daily routine of brushing our teeth, showering, making breakfast and carrying out to our normal lives. Some however, struggle just to get by and that is the reason why I wanted to make a post this week about the low and non-income class on our streets of Las Vegas. I wanted to explore this topic because I am exposed regularly to seeing these people walk out on our streets. This got me thinking to take a look at this a little more deeply and seriously. I chose people at random and some of the shots were taken from my buddy’s car(not because I was scared to get closer, but for the possibility of explaining my reasoning for these pictures). I did take some though without some seeing me around 3 o’ clock this past week. I used my Ipod 4g touch pretending like I was listening to music while walking by for the closer shots. As I was coming close to my minimum amount of pictures I begin to feel sympathy of how some of these people have to live day in and day out. What I feel is my best photo at the top of my blog post is the man standing at one the cheapest possible stores in town and that is the notorious 99 cent store where the man was begging for money so he can buy himself some water. I saw many people riding bicycles around the town and got only to pick up a photo of a used bike that we would see in a typical dumpster.

A powerful image was the picture overlooking a tunnel on Flamingo and Swenson. I have read and heard stories that many of these low income and homeless men, women and even children call home. The short video takes us to the world of the tunnels that is available below. So next time when you get out your bed count your blessings and never forget those who have it worse.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mpawlas/sets/72157626900792259/

http://abcnews.go.com/Nightline/las-vegas-strip-home-homeless/story?id=8652139

Tags : 99 cent store, Homeless, Las Vegas

Tweet Story! 140 characters?

Filed Under : Digital Journalism by markp

Jun.17,2011

How much of a story can you tell in 140 characters is the question I have came across using my first Twitter. All it will do is take you to a website with ALL the information. There is no way that a story can be covered in the means of 140 characters.
Now journalism and Twitter can have a solid and well established relationship so don’t get me wrong. What it can be is a simple tool to get all the followers to be aware with the simplest bullet point and straight to point of what the tweet is about. Basically a snap shot of what the tweet would entail. Some examples of of journalistic use of Twitter that I ran into was news networks like Fox and CNN have their respective anchors with what they cover. An advantage of that would be a follower who just likes what they cover/style. The follower can go directly to that page and really enjoy that. It gives the follower control more so then watching a news program that they don’t want to hear with the anchors they don’t really care for.

Some of the best practices for writing ON Twitter journalistic is asking the question what to talk about and maybe examining the comments. What is the current trend of the people who look at the twitter you have up. Some of the qualities of a great Twitter for journalism that I would use for journalistic purposes is my twitter would be being personable, enlightening, and providing each and all my followers with content that would get them to engage in comments. So the theme would have a sort of “quest for knowledge.” Like my first blog talking about the example, knowledge is power with the knowledge of the use of the internet. So making a Twitter with knowledge and learning from others can be very powerful and very rewarding. That itself is a part of Twitter you do not hear about much.

Tags : Delicious Bookmarks, fox, journalism, news

What on Earth is a Journalist?

Filed Under : Digital Journalism by markp

Jun.7,2011

As swiftly and easy it is to order a coffee from a smart phone AP. The world is changing rapidly and jobs are too because of the fast pace trends around the world we live in. As for Journalists I do think all should be willing to learn and use digital journalism. I do believe if a journalist does not want get into the digital era of journalism they will be left in the dust. Meaning if the readers have a one up for knowing the beauty skill of navigating the internet and brushing on technology like it is a toy, the journalist who does not want to change will look weak.

I got asked a question in one of my other classes which stuck out in my head while doing the readings. The teacher asked the class if we knew an older sibling who had a hard time with the computer or the internet? I took a brief second and thought yes I do and sometimes it is frustrating when trying to explain it through to my father! I mean my father is educated, but drawing a blank to basic things like Microsoft word and bookmarking websites, can be an issue and question of intelligence. Thanks to me, he does not have that problem anymore. Now if he was a traditional journalist who did not want to listen to all the co workers that were leaning towards being “technologically suave” he be in hot water and looked down upon.

With Christopher Harper saying online journalism is going change traditional roles dramatically, but who said it can’t be for the good. Change is not always bad. I believe it would open doors like it has done with the success’s like Twitter, Myspace, Facebook and Youtube. They have changed our lives dramatically whether you know or not. The evolution of these sites have changed the way many have found friends, looked information up, shared experiences and learned from. It is something that past generations would have never even dreamed of. I will leave with a question. When was the last time you had a classroom with teacher or student who presented a project/idea/lecture using a Youtube video?

Tags : Digital Journalism, Evolution, Internet

Project Inspiration: Avoiding Plateaus

Addressing Web Design and making it plain easy.

Knowledge is Power!

Beating the Heat!

Hungry Hungry Chinatown!

Those who Have and Those who Don’t

Tweet Story! 140 characters?

What on Earth is a Journalist?

Flickr Photos Those who Have and Those who Don't

Twitter Tweets

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