Sizzler Commercial Analysis….

I am going to attempt to analyze the Sizzler ad in all its akward glories. The major aspect I noticed was that it was focusing on how great the Sizzler was. The American Dream restuarant basically. It offers numerous selections, great food optionjs, light and joyous place, and happy people everytime and everyday. They showed every person in the commercial was happy or appeared akwardly overly happy. It focused on numerous audience types that “defined” America in that time, families, sailors, fit/healthy lookinng individuals, and a lot of people that had that Marilyn Monroe-like hairstyle. The ad focused on the selection and options that Sizzler offered and how it is family friendly, it is THE place to go. However I feel it fails in regards to being a restaurant ad.

The commericial shows all these great people (over acting) that define the American idea of happiness and opprtunity, but I barely saw many examples of the food the establishment sold. I mean it was there, often in the background, but I feel as a restaurant ad that should be the forefront focus.  I saw a brightly lit room with tons of food buffet tables but I did not even see all the options they offered. Ok I digress, I noticed an Italian food sign when I was attempting to notice other details of the commercial besides those overly cheesy smiles. However, that was the only food description I noticed, as a buffet I assume that they have numerous other foods and cuisine options, but this ad did not disply it. The Sizzler ad sieze’s the American Dream ideal very well I feel. Especially in the 90’s that was a great attraction factor to people and families. I guess everyone likes to have the freedom of choice and opportunity, I do, but as a food establishment, that may not be the most ideal angle to focus upon for 95 percent of the time slot. The great food selection and amazing looking food should be shown to appeal to people to go eat there. The place was brightly lit and inviting, but I’m sorry, yes it was the 90’s, but some of those smiles were a tad bit terrifying.

The music was catchy, and the commercial was definitely memorable, but I did feel it was a bit on the long side. I am used to those quick info mercials but this seems engulfed with those fun and great scenes of people enjoying life and it takes alot of time to get to the point. I would never sit there and watch the whole commercial, I am sorry, I would have left the living room and got a drink or something. after the first 2 minutes my attention was lost on that. The ad was quite effective in some aspects, but in the key aspects of a commercial, especially a restaurant, it was not there. Definitely an interesting place the Sizzler is.

 

“I believe” podcast script

Here I go again, another semester started and with it comes those icebreakers and introductions. I hope this time will be different,…. but like the past few years it’ll be exactly the same. I’ll stutter and struggle, never being able to say my name, then I will have to do my routine explanation: I have a minor case of Cerebral Palsy, a muscle disease and because of it I walk with a limp, may struggle at times to accomplish tasks people can usually do with ease, and I have a stuttering problem. Reading aloud or answering questions sometimes poses a challenge. I try to hide that fact, I try to be “normal.” My muscles break down sometimes, and pain is a daily occurrence but it is only a mild case believe it or not. It’s always a struggle because I’m almost there, almost ready to cross that line to being “normal” but I can’t be, so I’m stuck as being “almost normal.”

Each year I go to the hospital to get those routine tests and checks done because CP is something that always needs to be watched. It never gets better, but it can often get worse if I don’t watch. I used to come into the hospital seeing all these kids will worse cases in wheelchairs, not being able to eat, talk, or even swallow on their own. I used to even have a “bad” attitude thinking “why do I need to be here?” That bad outlook and judgment changed when I met one boy who had the worst of odds, but had the best of smiles instead….I hear laughing and notice a boy in a wheelchair smiling, holding a ball. He drops it and I go to pick it up and set it back on his lap. Not being able to talk he just smiles and drops the ball again….and waits….I smiled and figured out this was his version of catch. So I picked the ball up again and joined in his game, and he started smiling and laughing. I found out that he has a severe case of Cerebral Palsy, He cannot walk, talk, eat, or even swallow on his own, but I realized he was always smiling, even in all that pain his eyes still gleamed in pure happiness with life. That’s when my eyes opened and I learned my attitude was purely wrong.

Upon talking with my mother I heard words that broke my heart, “Because of his worse case he doesn’t have much time left.” Then I realized he won’t have a future, college dreams, walking, or even carrying on a conversation on his own. Tears flowing down my face I realized that even through all that he still loved life and all the simple things in it….the simple things we all take for granted. I took for granted as soon as I walked in that hospital and thought “why am I here?”. I could’ve been in his place, still can if I don’t keep fighting it. I judged him unknowingly upon first glance, that was wrong, because he proved my judgments wrong, he loved life to the fullest through the little things he was able to do and didn’t worry about what he couldn’t do. Its something I need to remember, and those bullies and others too….it’s what’s on the inside that counts after all….who cares about the outside.

Let me know what you all think! Still needs major tweaking, thanks as always for reading!

 

 

Passion Blog and Civics Issue decided!

18 by 24 pencil

18 by 24 pencil

Roberto Lombardi 2

watercolor and ink

watercolor and ink

April Fool Lombardi

After much thought and awesome feedback from you guys I decided to switch my passion blog a tad, still including the horror movies and analysis, but I will mostly focus on how the classic metal bands like Dokken, Alice Cooper, and Black Sabbath utilized horror stories and ideas to inspire their songs and especially Alice Cooper with the start of the “Shock Rock” genre! I will also post more art, since the 4 art classes I have are definitely keeping me busy on that! Feel free to provide feedback and ideas on those as well! I really appreciate all the support!

For my civics issue blog I would Like to tackle the subject of literacy and education, I have learned from my English class and tutor training that illiteracy is more than just reading and that it affects so many people. I will be searching for articles/ my own school experiences and discoveries from my discoveries at home and in the first few weeks of training in my class, the training was the most eye opening part! So that’s why I’m interested in digging deeper as I go to further research the lessons our teachers have taught us in LA 495. Have a great week everyone!

 

New blog ideas!!

With RCL 2: the Hangover sequel well underway I guess so are our blogs! I cannot wait!

I Believe ideas: Sort of telling my story with Cerebral Palsy and meeting a young man with a harsher case of it. I now believe to never judge someone by what they are restricted by and always love every moment in life. Don’t let the little things pass you by.

or something along the lines of “do what you believe in” don’t let anyone say you cant do this or that. your dreams are your canvas and only you can make them come true type thing, leaning more toward idea one though.

Passion Blog-

-may keep the Horror/art/film idea

-may move into old school rock/metal music discussing shows, bands, and influences of those groups and how they arrived at where they are.

Civic issues-

Would love to discuss education especially literacy and things I discover especially as I tutor in my other English honors class.

not one for politics, but I guessed it might be cool to start exploring it more and hearing people’s opinions and responses to these issues.

Watching the Forum: Education

Most of the members mentioned that education, especially in high school should start preparing students in discovering interests and jobs that they want to learn about and gain experience for. Students also mentioned the importance of English and communication courses. A point which I agree with, these classes would help us learn how to read, write, and communicate effectively. All three aspects are immensely important in any career because we are all going to need to explore, keep track of, and communicate our ideas in some way or another. They all also mentioned the importance of the basic math and science classes. While numerous students often, myself included, often wonder why and Will I ever use this? You will at some point, and even if you don’t having the core basics down can create a solid foundation education that can evolve or translate into your respective career later, one way or another.

Is the US losing their competitive edge?

Another intriguing issue brought up is about having a wide array of classes for students to take to help them discover or work towards a career in that field they wish to be in in the future. However, in order to supply those classes or training early on, especially in high school, schools all over the United States would need to have ample amount of supplies and resources for teaching students. Resources and training would help the United States because we are losing our competitive edge. Are we?

I think we may a bit, but we will always be competitive, it’s just a matter of how much. Other top countries seem to have focuses. they are focused on making sure all people in specific fields have the necessary specific training no matter what. Learning is a focus. It seems to be a focus here a bit but it is slipping. We focus on other things, celebrities, sports, business, social media, technology, etc. However, I know numerous school programs that were shut down or are near closing because funding is being cut, especially arts and music. All fields of education should be important and supported because every field, even the arts, help society in some way. If schools do not have the resources for students how can they effectively prepare us for the jobs we wish to enter? While we are top notch in business and discoveries so we could definitely figure a way to make sure each school in the United States has the supplies and people they need to present students with information or even training necessary to create a better and even more competitive future on our shoulders. To do that we need all fields of study, even those being cut or blocked out.

The big debate seemed to revolve around the purpose of high school education. People believed it should begin to open up students interests and start preparing them for a job field. A few others feel it should just be about teaching us the basics and especially focusing on critical thinking, problem solving, and understanding. They feel college should be the job training specifically. I say why don’t we combine the views and do both if the students wish?

New Adichie response

“But that wandering is part of the process of trying to get into a creative space.”

As an artist and writer I have often battled this process, but as of late, I have tried to embrace it. She is totally right, wandering often brings you to some of the best creative places. Sometimes when you set out with a set path already in your mind you can become biased, and set on just that path and nothing else. However, the artist process almost requires wandering. People often work and discover new ideas or new ways of doing something as they work, and without wandering they would not have gotten there. Wandering often happens after critiques of your work. Good or bad, you often find yourself back at that drawing board or on the computer looking for inspiration from someone who had tried to tackle your similar project, that is where we often wander to answers and often better creative results. As much as we want that straight solid path, sometimes wandering just gets you there faster.

“The question itself assumes that inspiration can somehow be intellectualized and explained, and packaged into logical, digestible bits. Anything can be a source of inspiration. ”

I have slowly come to this realization myself, so I was really happy to hear her say this. It’s hard to describe where my inspiration comes from. It spans from high school principals to Elvis to Horror actors to my family, professors, and you guys my classmates. Everyday I will encounter inspiration somewhere. Spanning from a small statement of encouragement on a hard day to an awesome movies scene or drawing on the internet or even my trading cards. If it wasn’t for this inspiration and all these role models, I would not be anywhere near where I am today. I often questioned where it all came from, then I realized it found me for a reason, when I needed it most. It picks me up off the ground and keeps me going each and everyday with a smile even though I deal everyday with struggles with my handicap or home issues. I’ve learned not to question why its inspired me, I’ve just become truly grateful for the inspiration I do have. Truly thank you.

“One of the wonderful things about writing fiction is that you start a story and you’re in control and then, sometimes, the story overtakes you. ”

I’m glad I’m not the only one this happens to! Whenever I write my own stories, and sometimes papers, they seem to take on a life of their own. I often find myself putting pen to paper or keyboard I guess, and then rereading and being surprised that I wrote it. Sometimes I think that is what a story needs though. She said it well, “overtakes” you, often it is the story that ends up speaking to audiences more than the author. If the story takes control per say, then it often becomes free and sometimes better than the original plan. That’s one of the cool things about writing I suppose, anything is possible!

 

Horror TED talk!

What an awesome experience that was! I was literally petrified of the speech and using that room, but everyone in our group did so awesome and was so supportive! Thank you! It eased the anxiety so much. I think I did really well considering how nervous I was. I practiced a lot, but was so scared I’d blank out and not remember what I had planned to say. However, it helped a lot to be deeply interested and invested in the topic, that I really didn’t need to remember anything, I guess it was all in instinct. But, my downfall, sort of, was that I was so invested in it that I talked a bit more than I probably should have, and had to rush at the end a tad. Overall, I really liked how it turned out, especially with the toy aspect added in. However, I really should have moved around a bit more or gestured, because in the video I look like a statue. And hearing my own voice still weirds me out because I personally think I have a weird sounding

voice, similar to my mom’s I guess. Yay genetics on that one!

Stasis theory

The Stasis theory is basically a way to get questions to debate or research. Its a way to agree to disagree. What I’ve learned from my Honors literature class is writing and research is purposeful, you are doing it to teach someone or to persuade someone of a point you believe in or are trying to make. Using this theory you can gage pushback from certain audiences to know what questions you need to address and what you need to research to support your evidence against them. Also by asking questions and more specific ones you can gage how much research you need to do.

The Theory helps you ask questions about the topic, know what others will ask, and know how deep you need to go in detail with it. It definitely helps in the brainstorming process to get you on the right path to research and having those main questions to become the foundation of whatever issue you choose to tackle and present. You may not be able to make everyone agree, but embracing pushback or retorts solidifies your argument even more.

Sunni Brown: Doodler’s Unite! TED talk

she started out really well by pointing out how people view and define doodling over the decades with a negative connotation. However, it has been discovered that doodling helps you process information faster especially at a time when there is a ton to process through. It helps us stay focused at times when we cannot and also helps us connect the concepts taught if we doodle about the subject being discussed. It also makes your notes look that much more epic, and will make studying a tad bit more entertaining! Sunni had some great interactive slides that helped get her point across and she added moments of humor in the talk to break up the large chunks of her presentation.

I hope I can do that a bit maybe and also make sure I have good slides behind me to help support and visually explain my points since we wont have note cards. She also moved quite a bit which I tend to not do. I usually freeze in fear, this time I’m going to try to not Freeze and show some sense of life in me when I present. Using that room and being recorded officially will be quite nerve-wracking, but im looking forward to presenting my horror topic! Doodles might help me on this one after all!