Cartoon Network isn't the Same

Cartoons make up a warm part in our childhood. It fills us with imagination, makes us laugh, makes us gasp, and usually ends with a satisfied ending. For decades, cartoons have been the primary source to bringing family together and making adults who are children at heart. With cartoons funny antics, it's easy for kids to get out a laugh. But now cartoons are one of the main things parents try to keep their kids away from. And I don't blame them.

The main TV network kids use to watch cartoons is Cartoon Network. It's been up and running for over 20 years and has been the highlight of my childhood. I grew up watching old shows like Johnny Bravo, Powerpuff Girls, Dexter's Laboratory, and Ed, Edd, and Eddy (all from the 90's). They all talked about something appropriate and funny, whether it'd be Johnny Bravo--a very arrogant Elvis impersonator, or the Powerpuff Girls-- a show that highlights girl power and being a hero. I looked up to these shows, relying that it'll be funny and something I could watch all day.

Now, there are new shows like Mad and Adventure Time that are shows full of satire, sarcasm, and inappropriate words. It's PG, which shouldn't be a problem because it warns parents of the content provided. The problem is that they are the most watched in Cartoon Network and is highly advertised because so many kids like the shows. I have to admit, some episodes are pretty funny and I guess that's what drags the kids attention. But nonetheless it's odd, weird, poorly drawn out, and doesn't have a specific message to tell. What's happening in the show is a collision of random happenings mixed with rainbows, and talking unicorns going out with a talk dog named Jake who likes to say the word crap all the time. And then the boy/dough character who goes on the many adventures in an odd faraway land you'd probably see in a family board game.

Now, I must admit, there are cartoons decades ago that proved inappropriate to kids like the classic Tom & Jerry and Looney Tunes. Looney Tunes was a show that had talking animals constantly conniving humans in cunning antics, and Tom & Jerry, a show about a cat spending every episode chasing a mouse and getting fatally hurt along the way. The mouse always wins. In Looney Tunes, Elmer Fudd has a gun, aiming to "catch that wabbit" but never does. In Tom & Jerry, heavy objects falls from the sky, and the list is endless: piano's, weights, bowling balls, iron etc...

In reality, I suppose cartoons have always been of bad influence to kids. And it's not all of them, just the small amount listed. But I kind of miss it when there were those cartoons that actually had a decent meaning. When people of all ages could laugh about it and have a good time watching it. I kind of miss when adults didn't worry about what they're kids were watching all the time and what they take from it. So can't there be an animated show out there with some positive benefits in Cartoon Network?

For more info, click here:
http://www.nytimes.com/2000/05/07/arts/I-cartoon-network-not-for-kids-094340.html
http://www.saywhatonline.org/2011/08/03/no-laughs-for-adventure-time/

The Foreign Exchange: Authenticity Review

The Foreign Exchange, a duo created by rapper Phonte Coleman and Dutch producer Nicolay has become a well known urban artist's, making R&B albums together since the early 2000's. Their collision started when rapper Phonte heard a few beats from Nicolay on an online website and asked if he could put some vocals over it. Since then, the two has been working together, making one song after another without either one talking on the phone or meeting in person. Solely sending songs and vocals through email and making albums over it truly highlights the benefits of the Internet--emphasizing the name "Foreign Exchange". And since the release of their first album Connected in 2004, the duo have become recognized by being nominated a Grammy for Best Urban/Alternative Performance for the lead single Daykeeper in 2008.

Just a couple years after, Authenticity released in the fall of 2010. The songs in the album are soulful, smooth pacing, and has a slight electronic tune playing as a background. All of which was sung and rapped by lead singer Phonte, while the rhythm and beats were conducted by Nicolay. The song "The last fall" starts slow paced with soft drum beats as Phonte's voice comes up as the lead. A collision of drums begins in the middle with several electronic piano notes accompanied with a chorus of male voices. The song plays a theme of a bad break up that leaves the singer saying it's "The last time that I will ever fall in love again". He explains how there was no real love in his ex's relationship. He keeps telling himself that he'll never love again when there was no love in the first place. "And I feel like a fool for missing something that was never there." Ultimately, the song was very soulful, raw, but the beat in collision with the voices made the singers lyrics/message somewhat unclear.

However the song "Maybe she'll dream of me" made a new turn in the ordinary R&B form Foreign Exchange always did. It starts with a smooth pacing boom bap and clap as Phonte enters into the song. Phonte talks about a girl he's dreaming over, one who may be out of his league but he can't help fantasizing her. The girl he loves has a bad past with former loves in her life and she's not entirely open for another relationship, but Phonte encourages her that he's not those other guys. "But you can try and tell yourself it's all a game, I know you been only wishing for a love that goes the distance." The song holds a male acapella in the background with a rap verse in the end. This song seems to be the best from the other tracks in the album, making you want to sway side to side and sing with him.

Overall, the album is impressive, but a little slow in pace and lacks in actually dragging the listener into the song. It's hard to exactly interpret what the singer is saying. They have plenty of good beats, just not good as a duo. This would be rated a 3.

If you want more info, click here: 

http://www.last.fm/music/The+Foreign+Exchange

http://www.theforeignexchangemusic.com/

Celine Dion: A New Day Has Come Review

Many would refer Canadian singer Celine Dion as the "Queen of Pop". With her vocals influenced by several genres of R&B, Rock, Classic and Gospel, she's become a major icon and influence in the 90's, often compared to Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston. Born in a poor family in Quebec, Canada, Celine Dion was destined a great singer. From singing in her parents piano bar in Montreal, she's moved up over the decades as having the bestselling french album of all time and singing the most famous Titanic soundtrack  "My heart will go on", selling over 50 million worldwide and winning 11 Oscars. 

After two years of time off to focus on her family and new son Rene-Charles, Celine Dion made a powerful comeback with her authentic album "New Day Has Come" released in March 2002. The album had a theme of love and family under the inspiration of the birth of her first son Rene-Charles. Thanks to her US producer Steve Morales, Swedish team Anders Baggl, Peer Astrom and several other contributors  "New Day Has Come" had certified a 6 time Platinum, hitting the top 22 in the Billboard Hot 100. With it's mix of experimental Latin, upbeat pop, and raw vocals, "New Day Has Come" topped the charts in over 17 countries.

Of all the 16 tracks in the album, "Right in front of you" stuck out the most with the theme of love. It talked about through the heartbreaks and fears, the love of her life was standing right in front of her all that time, hinting the title. The music was nicely orchestrated with the violin, accompanied with soft drums sashaying in the background with a mix booming and soft vocals. While in the contrast, her song "A new day has come" talked about the joy of her newborn son after continuous failed attempt at pregnancy though other critics interpreted it as a love song. But the lyrics are there, and if read, the true meaning comes to play, "I was waiting for so long, for a miracle to come...where there was weakness, I found my strength all in the eyes of a boy". The song "A new day has come" had angelic harmonies in the background, as Celine's soft voice took the lead. On separate verses there was also a steady pace with the drums.

On the downside, some experimental songs she made to keep in pace with the new songs heard of that time period like "Super Love" wasn't her best work. It was too uptempo and fast paced, and a little too young for Celine's taste. The song "Rain Tax" had a Latin feel, though the message of the song wasn't exactly clear. There were the string guitars--which was good, but the voice collision with the word "inevitable" deemed unnecessary. However, for her first attempt at it, it wasn't that bad, rather it's impressive than what you'd expect. Overall, the album "New Day Has Come" is one of her best album, making Celine Dion the second highest earning musician after Madonna.

http://www.celinedion.com/ca/biography
http://www.amazon.com/A-New-Day-Has-Come/dp/B00006640P

Youtube Makes It's Best And Worst Singers

Since February 15 2005, Youtube has become one of the most ongoing sites to use. From music to random videos made by the public, youtube has showed us entertainment, information, and most importantly, given us a way to make our dream come to life.

But with the advantage comes a consequence and a miracle. Since youtube has gotten so famous, it has made the worst and the best singers in web history. The best by far being Justin Bieber, who took the hearts of so many girls with his pop music; and Psy, korean pop singer of Gangnam Stlye, an international hit with over 800 million views in the past 4 months! Their fame aroused from youtube and they became a musical icon hitting world wide.

Yet there's the worst singers in youtube and the worst may be Rebecca Black with her song Friday--the upbeat  catchy song that is inevitable to leave your head--the song that got over 44 million views in just the couple weeks. It was discussed if the song was just a really good parody or the worst song in time. But she got famous through it instantly and became a web star. Because of her single "Friday" she was tweeted by so many singers like Justin Bieber, Lady Gaga, Nick and Joe Jonas including more celebirties and have entered a few films and made her own music videos. She's really made it big...for being the worst singer.

Does that make sense?

Not at all. It's actually sort of sad, and not to be mean or anything but there are several talented people out there waiting to be discovered. I know people with the most gifted voices, their voice literally close to the sound of an angel. And I'm not exaggerating when I say it. There are so many people out there who devoted their life to get to their dreams and never made it big. So why does the worst singers take a step ahead?

It doesn't make any sense, but there are those talented who are lucky enough to finally be known. Those introduced to X Factor, the Voice, American Idol, and America's Got Talent has a chance for the world to hear their voice--a good voice. Youtube helps also. Youtube is the easiest source to send your voice out to the public, and if received enough views, might bring interest to those important people out there. The main reason why the worst singers had so many views and got famous was because they were the worst singers. Their music was so startling that people had to watch it.

With youtube, any dream can come to life.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kfVsfOSbJY0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kffacxfA7G4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9bZkp7q19f0

Horrors of the 21st Century: Women beaten like Men

Over the years, women have gained a little more independence and compatibility to  men. Nowadays, women have shown men that we can do whatever a guy can do. And that's completely fine. So many devoted women risk their life for our country everyday to go on combat. Women have scored to being more than just good housewives but now have jobs in teaching, architectures, medical careers, political careers--the list goes on. We've proven that we are more than what other's think we're capable of. That we are just as alike as a guy.

But does it make sense for a woman to be beaten up like a man? And not just the regular punch on the arm and play fights but when guys upper cuts girls, punch, slap and beat them up like they're one of the other guys. Apparently, the fact of this even occurring now in the 21st century is frightening and should be frightening for any other girl. This brutality doesn't just go for the role of Domestic Violence which affects 1 in 4 women, but this brutality goes on in your own everyday life.

It's said that when a guy is confronted by an argument with a girl, their first instinct isn't to hit them. They start off annoyed and patient, but when a girl lays her hands on them more than once, then the defense begins to build up. Women take advantage of the classy ideal that "A guy should never hit a girl" and when they slap or hit a guy they have the empowered thought that they won't get hit back. But if they do get hit, the guy is the blame.

Unfortunately, the guys have a good point for what they do. Women often take advantage of the ideal that guys should never hit a girl, and because of that advantage women are getting abused and beaten all too often. But never should a guy or any man beat up a female like they are a man--it's harsh and unacceptable.

Before, guys would never lay hands on a girl and a girl would never provoke it. Girls had class and guys were polite. Such things as a guy getting into a fight with a girl was practically unheard of and inhumane. Striking a guy is never okay girls! It's no different to a guy. It's abuse and only abuse. So the common line is this: no one should be putting their hands on anyone, male or female. It's indecent and the worst way to solve a problem. So please don't take these words lightly. If we don't change what we're doing now, then it's scary to know what could come out of our future if we continue.

For more info or similar articles on this topic, click here:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/10/12/bus-uppercut-punch-cleveland-driver-teen-girl-video-_n_1961527.html

http://jezebel.com/5173723/the-double+standard-is-women-hitting-men-ever-okay

Small Decisions Make A Big Difference

I've never been perfect in decision making--no one is. It takes time for us to learn right from wrong and the consequences to our actions. It's simply a part of growing up. The choices I've made were horrible; from disobeying my parents on jumping a trampoline and ending up twisting my ankle afterwards, to driving at the start of a hurricane without checking the weather. But through all the bad decisions made, there's always the small things you decide that can have the biggest effect on anything.

Apparently the smallest choice can be the best choice if you think it the right way. Feeding the homeless was my best decision. It was always something I've heard people do but I'd never put much thought into it. I come from Uptown DC. There's homeless people on every other block of the street; by corner stores, by thrift shops, by the liquor and autoparts stores, they're always there. My family and I occasionally give them money and hope that they spend it wisely but it's usually spent on more liquor and maybe a sandwich. Took me years to realize this. And it worried me how they managed to move about in the oddness of the weather and in their worn clothes still buying the same list of items everyday.

So a couple years ago, I signed to feed the homeless with my church. I was to wake up every morning at 5 am to prepare breakfast and serve it at 8 am to a house full of homeless women in N street. They came in all shapes, colors and different personalities with different stories to tell me. They had jobs to do in the house and were kind and even excited to see me. I saw the joy on their faces when they saw the pots and pans of scrambled eggs, bacon and sausage. After helping them, I helped with my church during the late summer to make  

2,500 sandwiches for the homeless people by our streets. We all contributed in buying bread and every other food assortments needed.

Feeding the homeless was the best decision I made and I'm sure there's more good decisions to be made in the future. I helped the people in my neighborhood, contributed in making at least part of DC a little bit better. You can do the same as well. Imagine being a nomad in your own hometown and worrying about if you'll even be lucky enough to get food the next day. It's a decision you'll have to make. Whatever decision you choose, make sure it's a good one. One that can not only benefit you but someone else in return.

For more info on helping those in need please click on the following: http://www.dccentralkitchen.org/reducinghomelessness/
http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/homelessness-increases-in-dc-area/2011/04/13/AFtuETYD_story.html