Project 1 Reflection: Brainstorming

        I found this project to be a lot harder than I thought it would be. Brainstorming ideas was probably one of my biggest struggles, as well as really understanding the concept of the assignment and really knowing what I had to do. At first, I found myself completely clueless on what I was doing and my first draft was completely wrong. My first draft only described the physical features of the Devils Diner, however I soon learned that my paper was supposed to describe the Devils Diner using the lens. Once I figures out the whole “Lens” concept, I continued to struggle in my thought process and in how to put my ideas onto paper into one big essay that made sense. I constructed several outlines to gather my thoughts but I constantly found myself not knowing what information to put into which paragraph. Structuring my paper was definitely the most difficult paper and so was coming up with the right amount of words because at some point I felt I had said everything I had to say and I was at a loss of words. I had to figure out a way to add more sentences to it and that was pretty difficult too.
        I think I did a good job on trying to figure out what the concept was when I really did not know. I did attend the workshop on the Thursday before the paper was due and discussed my questions about the paper with Professor L. and that was extremely helpful. I felt more confident in what I was writing and I had more ideas gathered together for my paper, as well as a better understanding of what was expected from my paper.
        I will admit I did learn a lot from this writing experience. I learned a lot about the way people perceive things and that things are not always “Black and white”. I had never taken the time to look at a place so deeply and that really changed my outlook on the way I now see places. Although I still have a lot more to learn, I did improve the way I organize my thoughts onto paper.
        I am still not certain if I did reach the deep analysis that was expected of me to conclude with, however I did try my best to do so. I reread my paper several times in order to come to a conclusion and I felt as if it was quite evident what my conclusion should be, however it could have been something deeper than my conclusion so I cannot really say if I did reach the conclusion I needed to reach. I do not know many ways I could improve my writing or conclusions for the next time, however I do feel that if I had attended more workshops and have discussed the project more with Professor L., then maybe I could have had an even better understanding of it all and a better conclusion. 
        I am not sure how I can apply any of this work outside of Arizona State University however there are several things I can take from this writing assignment to help me within ASU. It has definitely helped me become a better writer, analyze places more and become a deeper thinker. Most importantly, it has helped me ask questions and not be so embarrassed to admit that I do not understand an assignment.

Project 1: Observation Notes

Project 1: Observation Notes (Palo Verde Main, Devil's Diner)

• Always crowded, especially late at night. (I'm assuming that's when everyone gets hungry)
• It has an old 70's feel to it.
• On the outside, at the very entrance it has big, red lights that read, "Devil's Diner."
• Blue skies are painted on the wall behind the lettering.
• Under the title is the bright red door, with metal on the bottom
• There are three windows to the left and right of the door.
• The square windows are outlined with shiny metal.
• The last windows on each side have posters that display the different types of meals available.
• There is metal under and on top of the windows
• Once stepping foot inside the diner there are two white trashcans on each side
• The line is straight ahead, sometimes making its way all the way to the door
• Straight ahead is the cash register where orders are taken, there is a sign that reads, "Order Here."
• To the right of that sign is a, "Pick-Up Here."
• On top of both of those smaller signs there are five large signs
• The first sign says, "Meal Exchange."
• The second, "Meal Exchange Options."
• The third, "Breakfast."
• The fourth, "Snacks & Drinks."
• The fifth, "Grill & Sweets."
• Facing the register, to the left there is a modern looking jukebox.
• The jukebox is made out of metal and light colored wood.
• Next to the jukebox there is a blue recycling bin, it is rectangular with a square hole on top.
• On each side of the diner, parallel to the student line, there are two booths.
• Next to the booths are three tables on each side as well.
• At the entrance of the room, leaning on the wall there are also two counters on each side.
• Each counter has four chairs that are attached to the floor, they are lifted up on metal poles.
• All the tables, booths and counters are different shades of gray with tiny dots that are black.
• Diagonal to the, "Order Here," line there is another counter with the fountain drinks.
• It is a big square made of metal and with a red banner that says, "Coca- Cola."
• In the middle is the ice cube dispenser, and there are four drinking options on each side of the ice.
• Around the corner of the fountain drinks, there are condiments. (Mayo, Ketchup, Mustard, Ranch)
• Each table has a rectangular napkin dispenser with ads on the side.
• All the chairs are red with silver lining.
• The side booths have  teal light fixtures coming from the ceiling, hanging by a white cord.
• The lights look like rectangular funnels with bulbs inside.
• In the center of the room where the tables are located there are six flat, rectangular lights built into the ceiling.
• In between the rectangular lights there are also two white, old-looking fans.
• Next to the cashier there is a white door with a medal handle with a white sign that says, "Employees Only."
• There is also one more counter under the, "Pick-Up Here," sign with six of the chairs that are attached to the floor just like the ones at the entrance.
• At the end of that counter there are two more condiment dispensers. (Hot Sauce and Barbecue Sauce)
• The floor has white square title, with occasional red and gray squares. There is some type of odd pattern.
• On the wall, there are two bright lines painted around the whole room horizontally that are red and green.
• The room is a little nippy.
• The diner is usually loud, a little chaotic.
• There is a feeling of relief in the diner because it is time to eat and just relax.
• Everyone is talking, laughing and enjoying themselves.
• There are employees yelling out order numbers and people running around to get their food.
• There is music from the jukebox.
• It is a positive place because of the great environment, the great food and the great vibes going around.

An Analysis of an Image: Demi Lovato on Cosmopolitan Magazine

           Demi Lovato highlights, “Cosmopolitan,” magazine wearing a sexy, bright and revealing dress. She is looking gorgeous from head to toe, as well as looking confident and strong. Her long hair is wavy and radiant, her make-up is neutral and her diamond earrings are enormous. Miss Lovatos skin is glowing and her smile is fascinating. Her tightly fitted, yellow dress really emphasizes her curves, including her breasts and her hips. 

            The magazine cover captivates readers with seduction and sex. Miss Lovato shows off her curvaceous body in order to look sexy and confident for the readers. The magazine focuses its audience to range from young adults to older women. It really emphasizes the need to feel beautiful and in todays’ society, many women are inclined to believe that tight fitted clothes, make-up, diamonds and loose hair are what make a woman good-looking. Just by glancing at the cover, it is obvious the magazine wants other women to look at this and want to have a more positive outlook on themselves by looking more like the individual on the cover. The first thing women are going to do when looking at the cover is compare themselves to Demi, whether it be their hair, eyes, smile or even their skin.
            Why is it that women constantly have to be comparing themselves to women on magazines? All women are lovely and although Demi looks exquisite on the cover, women need to take into consideration that the cover has been photo shopped, edited and has been taken by professionals with professional equipment. The people found on magazine covers are ordinary people just like me and you who have been pressured to look a certain way, and have been transformed into what the photographers, make-up artists and styling professionals think is, “Beautiful.”
            The photo clearly represents what American women and men find attractive or find acceptable. It is more than just a photo or a magazine cover because it represents society and the opinions of people. I’m not saying this is a bad or a good thing, however I am saying that this is showing us what the, “Ideal Image,” looks like. 

    

                

                                                                 Work Cited

Lovato, Demi. "Cosmopolitan." July 2012. Cover.

Word Count: 356

Analysis of a Writing Situation: What's Wrong With "I'm Pro-Choice, But I Could Never Have An Abortion?"

Abortion is a very controversial argument that holds many different perspectives. Earlier today I read an article called, “What's Wrong With "I'm Pro-Choice, But I Could Never Have An Abortion?," that really interested me and slightly changed my judgments about people who are pro-choice.
            The article focused on how many women often say, “I’m pro-choice, but I would never get an abortion.” By stating this women are saying that they would never be in a situation such as this one. They are looking down on people who have been in situations debating whether they should have an abortion or not. The women that make these statements are saying they are too responsible and careful to have something like this happen to them. They are saying that accidents like these do not happen to them, however they are not thinking realisticly. The truth of the matter is that any woman, no matter where they are from or how responsible they are can be found in this difficult situation. The article also mentions how women today are embarrassed to admit that they do engage in sexual activity. When a woman is caught taking birth control her first reaction is to say that they are simply for cramps or to regulate her period, when the truth is that she is having sex. Many women simply do not want to admit they take birth control in order to prevent them from having children because they feel they will be frowned upon by society.
           The writer wanted to inform people to not be so harsh in their judgments. She also wanted to motivate the readers to think outside the box into believing that these things can happen to every woman. These are not things that only happen to the woman down the street, or the woman who works at the grocery store, these are decisions that real women across the world are faced with everyday. The writer wanted to get her point across that women who receive abortions are not bad people, nor people who planned for it to happen but they are people just like us. They are women who thought they found, “The One,” and women who may have thought they were ready to become mothers and later realized they were not.
          The inteneded readers of this article were mainly but not limited to women. Since women are the ones who can make the, “…but I would never get an abortion,” statement. However it can be intended for men as well because men can also make judgements about people who get abbortions. It is meant for people who are easy to judge and people who do not believe they would be caught in situations such as this one. The writer simply argued against the women making these statements and pointed out her anger towards these remarks.





                                                      Work Cited

Marcotte, Amanda. “What’s Wrong With “I’m Pro-Choice, But I Could Never Have An Abortion.””
Web. 12Aug2012.