Must See Monday, Extra Credit

On Monday, April 25, I had the opportunity of attending an event at the Cronkite School. This event focused on Professor Joseph Russomanno and his book entitled “Tortured Logic: A Verbatim Critique of the George W. Bush Presidency.”

The first question that was asked of Professor Russomanno was “What prompted you to write this book?” Professor Russomanno began to explain his passion for politics. He admitted that after the tragic events on September 11th, he began to question the decision of the Bush administration. Russomanno was determined to analyze every deciosn that was being made on a more deeper level than what was seen by the general public. He further explained something very important. He said, “For democracy to exist, we need accurate information.” This was the exact point that Russomanno was trying to preceive.

The book was made up of 1800 quotes. Russomanno did not interview anyone for this book…they were all resources. His main resource was a columnist for the New York Times named Frank Rich. Rich focuses mainly on politicians and the way they practice politics. Although Russomanno used many sources, Frank Rich was his top refernce.

As a journalism professor, Russomanno admitted that he has a responsibility to teach the importance of objectivity in journalism. However, he also admitted the rgith to express an opinion. He said, “I think it’s perfectly acceptable to share that viewpoint.” After years of teaching and analysing, Russomanno wanted to share his expertise through his book.

I thought this analogy that Russomanno explained was very interesting. He compared the Bush administration to a needle and a haystack. Russomanno said, “I showed them the haystack.”

When asked what kind of lessons people should learn from this book, Russomanno had a definitive answer. First of all, Russomanno described the importance of accurate information. He explained that the public should be informed as much as possible.

Russomanno’s way with words really made you think about the Bush administration and the push behind it.

Design Analysis Paper

Christina Dugan

JMC 315 Online Media

Design Analysis Paper

March 9, 2011

I decided to analyze a website that is not as common as Facebook and Twitter, but has the same affect. It has some sort of power over everyone that “stumbles” upon it. It forces you to spend hours on the site, hours that you don’t necessarily have. It’s called StumbleUpon.com.

StumbleUpon.com is one of the best ideas proclaimed to the World Wide Web. Not only does it have the entertainment aspect, the design of the site is so simple to navigate. The purpose of this site is to give people the freedom to stumble upon any website, any time. Here’s how it works.  There is a list of categories such as Photography, Games, Food, Music, Television, Shopping, Clothing, Humor, and much more. You check the categories you’re interested in then click STUMBLE in the upper left hand corner. Then, every time you stumble, the site brings you to different sites involving all the categories you checked. It’s one of the most addicting sites, or should I say sites within a site.

The structure of the site is very simple, yet very detailed. The positioning of everything is something that helps make a website successful. It is important to position the most important aspect of the site on the upper left hand corner of the home page. On this website, the stumble button, which allows you to surf numerous sites, is positioned perfectly and is catching to the eye.

Another thing I noticed about this website is the ability to share the content. Allowing people to “like” your site on Facebook or Tweet about it on Twiiter is a great marketing technique and is a perfect opportunity to network.

The visual aspect of a site is very important as well. The way StumbleUpon.com is set up is pleasing to the eye as well. On this site, you have your own account. Therefore, you are able to control your own page. It allows you to make comments, like, or dislike every site you stumble upon.

The site is very successful and it’s all because of the master behind the structure plan.

Planning My Online Presence

When it comes to social media, there are many tools out there that help easily navigate your way around. The World Wide Web is a world of ideas, information, inventions, news, and more. The infinite possibilities that come with the Web are beyond what the mind can think of. Social Media tools such as blogging, Twitter, Facebook, etc. are just a few ways to connect with people who share similar interests.

In my case, I turn to the Web for mostly entertainment purposes. I love hearing what’s new with this person or who’s going where or being able to catch the latest episode of a show I missed the other night. I am interested in the hotspots that everyone’s talking about or the great deals they’re offering. My main focus when it comes to the Web is Entertainment. However, I love sharing my thoughts about certain things and my life with other people. I think it is important to be confident in who you are and what you believe in, and what better way to do that than sharing with others?

After being an avid blog, Facebook, and Twitter user, I have seen my share of networking and have developed a fine understanding of the importance of it. Networking is really one if the biggest advantages in using the Web. Connecting with different individuals, whether they be professional or not, is one of the main objectives as to why I use the Web. Another objective is the source of information I receive. For instance, when it comes to using Twitter, not only am I receiving news, information, facts, and entertainment news as it’s happening, I am able to connect individually with certain people, whether they be celebrities or just friends, and discuss with them different things. This leads to my third objective: the importance of opinion. I can post anything on the Web. If I find a new restaurant I like or heard about this great deal going on tomorrow, I can share with people via Twitter, Facebook, or my blog. If I went to a place that wasn’t so great, I can write about that too! I enjoy getting feedback from different people and I love the interaction that social media allows.

As far as reaching out to people, I tend to follow mostly celebrities and celebrity publications on Twitter. I follow some athletes and news publications as well, but my main attraction is entertainment. If you’re looking for a way to connect with these people, I would say Twitter is the best way to do that. My web presence is not in any way trying to sell anything, or even myself. I am only a user to connect with people! The cool thing about the Web is, you can reach out to or connect with merely anyone you want to. Sometimes it just takes a little effort! For instance, if I wanted to tell Lady Gaga I loved her outfit at the Grammy’s, I could easily just send her a tweet saying @ladygaga loved your dress the other night girl! By doing that, she will what you said directly.

Facebook used to be my social media go-to site. Recently, however, I’ve found that Twitter allows you to connect with more people more directly. In my case, this is the social media tool that best caters to my interests and my needs. Along with networking, it is always important to stay up to date. Meaning, continue to comment on people’s blogs or tweets and share what you think or what you’re willing to tell!

Dropping In at Culinary Dropout

Sam Fox has done it again! With thirteen restaurant concepts under his belt, Fox and his team have developed a unique concept that have people talking.

With it’s plush couches and chandeliers, this low-key, trendy casual place has a bit more to offer with its menu and specials. Culinary Dropout has a “rebel” kind of attitude with it’s uniform free staff and comfortable, relaxing environment.

Photo provided by: joeyarroyoduo.com

For you wine and beer connoisseurs, more than two third’s of the menu is made up of top notch beverages! But don’t worry, you won’t be paying to much to have a good drink or two. Happy hour is every day from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. and then 10 p.m. to close.

Take a look at this menu! AND these yummy looking drinks…yes those are candy hearts!

Photo Provided by: fabulousarizona.com

So, besides these crazy, good-looking drinks, daily happy hour prices, mouth watering food, and ridiculously relaxing and trendy ambiance, Culinary Dropout offers live music a few nights a week!

With this being said, you NEED to go check this place out!

 

¡Tapas Para Todo!

Viva las tapas!

If you haven’t been to Tapas Papa Frita yet, reserve your Friday night. You need to go check it out ASAP!

Photo provided by www.tieaz.org

This quaint, cozy restaurant brings the feeling of Spain right to your very own backyard. Located right next to the Waterfront in Old Town Scottsdale, Tapas Papa Frita has developed an idea that I can’t get enough of.

Having just come back from Spain a few months ago, I was ecstatic when I found this place. Not many people know what tapas are…well, let me explain. Tapas are basically just small appetizers. BUT, they’re not your typical wing or potato skin appetizer. Tapas are what traditional Spanish restaurants in Spain offer to their customers. Some tapas include things such as Txirlas a la Marinera (Fresh clams with a fisherman’s tomato sauce), Albondigas con Tomate (Spanish meatballs with tomato sauce, Esparragos Blancos (white asparagus with aioli) and many more.

Photo provided by www.phoenixnewtimes.com

In Spain, “going out for tapas and drinks” is a social thing. Typically, customers order 4-5 different types of tapas and then split then between two. This way, you can taste the “deliciousness” of all of them.

Not only do you feel like you’re in Spain, but Tapas Fritas Frita offers a great happy hour menu as well. In Spain, some tapas would go for six or seven EURO. That’s equivalent to about nine or ten US Dollars. Here, tapas range from $3.00 to $8.00!! During happy hour, which is SEVEN DAYS A WEEK, offers $2, $3, and $4 tapas! Also, they offer $2 Domestic Bottles and $5 Well Drinks, Red/White Sangria, and Red/White House Wine.

Okay, so not only do they have a “fantastico” happy hour, the restaurant hosts live entertainment on a weekly basis. Tapas Papa Frita has live music four days a week and Flamenco dancing three days a week! They have different traditional Spanish artists and dancers that come in and give you a taste of the beautiful España!

Photo provided by www.dancestudiolife.com

 

 

Who has the longest running karaoke in the Valley? Oh yeah, Marjele’s. Who has $5 Martini Mondays? Um, Majerle’s. Who has happy hour specials six out of seven days a week? You already know…MARJELE’S SPORTS GRILL!

Not only is Majerle’s Sports Grill opening its FOURTH location in Old Town Scottsdale this week, the deals they offer each month are unreal. Besides Happy Hour every day, Majerle’s offers different specials each month to spice it up. Things like Karaoke Tuesdays and $5 Martini Mondays are just a few. Happy Hour is Monday through Friday from 3 p.m. – 7 p.m. and reverse Happy Hour every Sunday through Thursday from 10 p.m. – 2 a.m.

Majerle’s is home to former Suns player Dan Majerle! This brand new joint is the place to be, especially this month! Just in time for Spring training and March Madness, Majerle’s Old Town Scottsdale has flat screens surrounding the place and is conveniently the hoe of many different athletes.

Though I haven’t tried out the new Old Town location yet (because it’s not open until Thursday!), the food and the service is remarkable at the downtown location. Everything from the Madison Street Skins to the Rajun Cajun, Majerle’s has got what you’re looking for. Though Marjele’s is known for it’s late nights and good spirits, it is definitely a family place during the day as well.

Don’t miss out on the grand opening in Old Town Scottsdale this Thursday! It’ll be one for the books!

Five Stars for Five Guys Burgers

Forget  In-N-Out, have you heard of Five Guys Burgers and Fries? If you haven’t, you’re missing out!

This recently new hot spot arrived in phoenix late 2010 and business is booming! Not only do they have the best burgers in town, their french fries are truly unique. Five Guys uses different potatoes from a different farm every day to make their fries!

Photo provided by Downtown Phoenix

Conveniently located in heart of downtown, Five Guys serves as one of downtown Phoenix’s hottest lunch spots. When I went to test it out, the line was out the door! But no worries, the line was a faster then it takes you to say “Five Guys!”

Their menu caters to everyones taste buds…and the best part, the prices! The prices are so reasonable, even for us college students. The menu is very simple, yet satisfying to your stomach! Here are just a few items..

BURGERS

• HAMBURGER
• CHEESEBURGER
• BACON BURGER
• BACON CHEESEBURGER

• LITTLE HAMBURGER
• LITTLE CHEESEBURGER
• LITTLE BACON BURGER
• LITTLE BACON CHEESEBURGER

DOGS

& SANDWICHES

• KOSHER STYLE HOT DOG
• CHEESE or BACON DOG
• BACON CHEESE DOG
• VEGGIE or GRILLED CHEESE

FRIES

FIVE GUYS STYLE
& CAJUN

• REGULAR
• LARGE

Cooked in pure, no cholesterol,
tasty peanut oil

COCA COLA

• REGULAR
• LARGE

Free Refills

ALL TOPPINGS FREE:

• Mayo
• Relish
• Onions
• Lettuce
• Pickles
• Tomatoes
• Grilled Onions
• Grilled Mushrooms
• Ketchup
• Mustard
• Jalapeno Peppers
• Green Peppers
• A.1.^® Steak Sauce
• Bar-B-Q Sauce
• Hot Sauce

Now, just a little info for you…the hamburgers and cheeseburgers have DOUBLE meat patties. That’s right, DOUBLE! Also, personally, I would go for the Cajun Style fries. They’re definitely different from anything you’ve tasted. This combination of a juicy burger and fries will satisfy your cravings and force you to want to come back for more!

Photo provided by Edgewater Community Buzz