Uninstalling Skype

Topic: Globalization

Source: Decision I made last night around 8pm in my nice cozy bed when my computer was going crazy.

Relation: Staying connected with loved ones no matter where you are in the world, an example of globalization.

Description: After five years of very unfaithful service, my laptop threatened to die on me once again last night. I checked my hard drive and there was barely a byte left to spare so it was time to make some tough decisions. Which programs did I want to uninstall? I finally decided to uninstall skype. This program enables you, once downloaded, to go online and have video conversation with other people who have installed skype on their computer. They have new interactive services as well now such as international calling online, online voicemail, and video chat gaming. The main gimmick for this software is its global versatility in personal and business aspects of life.
Skype is actually kind of what got me through my freshman year of college. The summer before I left for Humboldt, my friends and I all installed skype and promised each other to use it often. I missed my friends terribly all my first year and even with a slow connection, I at least got to see their dear faces. I also had no cell or landline service at this time so I bought the three month phone service and called my family and friends from my computer for just fifteen dollars. But this year, I'm awfully busy and much more secure with my surroundings so I have hardly used skype at all. And as I said, with a bad connection and an old computer, I couldn't fully enjoy skype. I have a cell phone and a boyfriend whose computer and internet service is far superior to mine with skype installed. It was time to move on, and with a heavy heart I clicked "ok" to uninstall my dear friend.

Commentary/Analysis: There was a time when people didn't like moving away from family and friends because it was difficult to travel back and stay in touch. One could always resort to letter writing of course, but that's not quite the same. However, in a global age, we have found new ways to accommodate and even promote long distance relationships and socializing. We have facebook, cellphones, laptops, and skype to keep us always connected wherever we go. Whether away on business in China or backpacking in Wyoming, you can still talk to your fiance in Brazil. That's where globalization has taken us as a society, everywhere.

Football Fanatacism

 

Topic: Cultural Text (American Football)

Source: Conversation in the car of my friend as we drive to the mall concerning the Super Bowl Friday around 4pm.

Relation: We identify with this sport because it exemplifies our idea of attaining the American dream (aka success) via self denial, hard work, and perseverance. However, the conversation drifted more towards the idea that the Super Bowl is becoming a fixed event which I feel reflects American success as well. Also the obsession is gender specific in targeting.

Description: I was with a couple of girl friends of mine and we happened to hear a Super Bowl related commercial. It mentioned shopping for Super Bowl party food to please your special hubby. This set our conversation going in a similar path. I mentioned I didn't care nor know who was in the game.
Out of the three girls present, I had the least interest. There was Thalia who didn't really care but had an opinion and Andrianna who is a die hard Giants fan. Thalia's boyfriend in a football fanatic but doesn't ever seem to stick to one team. He bets on every single game almost religiously on the most mundane and strange things. I didn't even know they dump different color Gatorade on the winning coach every year. I actually didn't know they dumped Gatorade on anyone...
The response to my neutral statement concerning the outcome of the game was greeted with flat out indignation. How could I pretend to be a red blooded American and not know the point spread of every NFL team? Thalia burst out laughing, she actually felt very similar to me but was afraid of her boyfriends reaction. I declared I had never even hear of any of the teams playing. I only knew two California teams and the Minnesota Vikings because my father felt his nordic roots very strongly. At this point, Thalia chimed in that her boyfriend felt the whole season is rigged by the owners ahead of time. Now I'm not sure of the technical planning needed to pull that off, but I felt that it was very probable. Andrianna could not help but interject that HER team was amazing and HER team had fought its way to the top and that was why HER team was at the Super Bowl. If she had actually watched a game, I probably would have given her claim some thought. But the whole thing really got me thinking about the American obsession with football and how I and my female friends really didn't care but the guys in our life were bemoaning and calling foul over the whole preceedings.

Commentary/Analysis: If the American dream, and an NFL ring, can be achieved purely by hard work, determination, and sacrifice then I'm wondering why women are excluded from this. I know a lot of hard working and martyr like moms and wife's out there who do not earn the recognition or life style they deserve. From a football perspective, women only participate in the half time show or in cheer leading. I recently learned the average NFL cheer leader earns $50 a game. That is absolutely pitiful compared to the salary of the football players. The labor and dedication devoted to cheer leading and football playing in the NFL are equal if not more strenuous for those who perform cheer yet the women don't even earn a percentage of what the men earn.
I think football is kind of boring. Give me beach volleyball any day but I can't even figure out the point system for football. Most girls I know are like me, oblivious to the charms it holds on our men. The girls I know who do understand and like football, show it off like its a big deal. They almost over embellish their ardor for the game as if that will make guys notice them more. I don't know why, but you always hear those girls proclaiming their knowledge when a guy is conveniently close or interested.