People say kids are growing up faster nowadays... and in this case? Boys are speaking the "Bro Code" before they're old enough to write a whole paragraph. One of the latest leaks on "Babelgum.com" spoofs MTV's hit show, "Jersey Shore," and if you haven't seen it... the show is "Real World" meets Spring Break on none other than the Tri-State area's favorite playground (hence, the show's namesake).
Kids say the darndest things don't they? I can't say I'm a fan of the show... "Jersey Shore," puts viewers in an awkward situation, where it's like a train wreck... a total disaster. As you watch "Jersey Shore," you think to yourself "oh my goodness, this is so horrible," but for some reason you can't stop watching.
The first time I watched "Jersey Shore," was at the gym while I was on the cardio machines, I scanned through the usual news stations, and then I saw J-Wow make a scene at a nightclub... and I thought to myself: "for shame, Priscilla, for shame... MTV is on your college Murtaugh List... go back to watching Anderson Cooper, news is the real reality, STOP WATCHING J-WOW!" Personally, I'd love to see network executives bring the music back to MTV, but the folks behind programming sure know how to keep viewers tuned-in.
Needless to say, it's the latest reality show that's got people talking... but for me... I think "Jersey Shore" is too much. The shock value hooks you in just like some of the other shows on the network, but with all the drama... do you think the show is here to stay? Or is it a trend that's going to die out from MTV along with the music?
There's a saying in show business, if you're being 'spoofed,' you know you've made it... I don't think “Jersey Shore” has the success potential of "Real World," which has been running for 23-seasons and counting, but like the crazy characters that drive viewers to watch... you never know what's going to happen on the "Jersey Shore."
And it looks like… they’re already grooming the next cast…
Priscilla Luongthinks with Valentine's Day coming up, along with the music... MTV should bring back "Singled Out," another hit show that died out in the late 1990's. Hey, it's vintage, and it's much cooler than the "Love Connection!" Drop her a line or let her know what's spinning on your iPod at pluong@ktab.tv. She needs new cardio music to distract her from J-Wow and Snooki...
True confessions of an ex-Silicon Valley brat: I am a sucker for “tech toys.” When Apple came out with its iPhone 3G in 2008… I was one of the poor, unfortunate souls who stood in line for 7-hours to get a new phone. Yes, I know, it’s crazy, but being a native of the San Francisco Bay Area, where I come from… technology is king. Most of the men in my family are engineers, including my dad, who passed on his love for technology to me. And standing in line for the latest and greatest in cool tech gadgets? Relatively speaking, it’s normal back in NorCal.
(Dad, if you’re reading this, I love you, but you created quite the monster, that said… thanks! :))
Fast forward to January 27, 2010… nearly a decade since Apple launched the iPod, Steve Jobs introduces the world to the iPad, a state of the art tablet computer that many technology experts say will blow the competition out of the water.
An overstatement? In my opinion, yes, I think it could be, although the iPad does have some practical utility for students.
As the education reporter at KTAB, one issue I follow closely is technology integration in Texas classrooms. Over the past year, several districts across the Big Country, like Coleman and Brownwood ISD, have been getting grants to supply each of their high school students and staff with laptops. On February 2, Jim Ned CISD will issue each high school student with their own iPod Touch, but they’re not the only ones with iTouch technology in their classroom.
Earlier this week I went to Albany ISD to speak with teachers about how they integrated iTouches into their classrooms. Teachers have had their iTouches for about a semester, but we still haven’t seen any issued to the students, so I had to ask district officials if the students would be getting their iTouches any time soon… and they told me they wanted to wait and see what Apple would dream up next. Low and behold, two days later, the iPad makes its debut!
When I took a look at the iPad’s features, I’m not going lie, I immediately felt a little iPhone envy… because the tablet is iPod Touch meets laptop meets Amazon Kindle. When we’re talking classrooms, I’d say this combination is pretty close to the trifecta. Here’s why:
iPod Touch: want a free full text version of the US Constitution and summary of Roe v. Wade for your history class? There’s an app for that… same goes for stocks in economics, translators for your foreign language class, and formulas for your math and science classes.
Laptop: towards the tail end of my undergrad years, I’d take all my notes on my laptop because I got sick of re-typing my study guides! And occasionally… when the laptop ran out of batteries… I take notes on my iPhone… sure it worked, but I hated squinting at the 3-inch screen. The 10-inch screen tablet and larger keyboard is much more student friendly.
Amazon Kindle: okay, when I saw the iBook feature on the iPad this was when I really turned green… because for Christmas, I got the Amazon Kindle, and LOVED it. If Apple can accommodate required reading in English classes and sell textbooks to college students via iBook… then this product is killer.
Now, after I explained how this tablet computer could just be the Holy Grail of all computer tablets, let’s take a look at what’s missing, and what I don’t like about the latest Mac-to-Attack the markets:
No Multitasking: This is probably going to be the part that annoys many people… you can’t open all those different windows like you do on your laptop… it’s still like your iPhone or iPod touch… no, sorry, you can’t have Facebook and PacMan Lite open at once. Just one!
No USB Connection: How am I supposed to print my notes? *Grumbles*
No Camera: Say goodbye to webcam conversations via iChat, AIM, and Skype, you’ll still need your laptops for that… although… this is good news for teachers!
4:3 not 16:9: You can watch your movies… but you’re still going to get those two black bars if you’re going HD… Still getting the “old school” computer monitor resolution!
No Flash: Sure, Steve Jobs says the iPad is a great way to browse the web, but… you’re still not getting the full web experience…
Pros and Cons aside, am I going to stand in line for 7-hours to get the iPad when it comes out this spring? No, I think I’ll wait for the next iPhone… but I’ll say this much… I still remember what it’s like to be the student who shelled out at least $200 on textbooks each semester in college, and got scoliosis from carrying too many heavy books in my bag as a middle/high school student. If teachers and district officials are trying to find a more cost-efficient way to bring the technology element into their classrooms… this computer… minus the more distracting features of laptops, like cameras and chat programs, may be the way to go.
As for the “recreational users?” that’s up to you, for now… I’ll say it’s an item that certainly fits the Style File, but in this case… I’ll pass. How about you? Or should I say... how you like them Apples?
Priscilla Luong developed much Texas pride over the past year and a half, but she still has her California love. She believes Silicon Valley brat rule number one is never buy any first generation tech gadget… engineers won’t have the kinks out until the 2nd or 3rd generation model. Drop her a line at pluong@ktab.tv, e-mail isn’t old school… yet.
I think it comes with no question that getting dressed each day can be a major feat for just about anyone, male or female, especially in image conscious industries such as television news. Each morning when I wake up, aside from thinking of what stories I’m going to do, I’m just like any other twenty-something year old gal…
“OMIGOSHHHHH!!!! WHAT AM I GOING TO WEAR?!”
After all… there’s that age-old rule many of our moms and girl friends preach: a woman can’t wear the same outfit within a two-week rotation, and who wants to break the female-code on television? I know I don’t! That said… neither does my mother ;). Many people I know say, “It feels like my mom is always watching me.” I’ll tell you this much… mine does! I love her to death; she’s my best friend and watches our weekend newscasts religiously on Big Country Homepage from my family’s home in Saigon, Vietnam. Trust me… if I look bad or repeat an outfit before its time, I’ll get a LONG lecture!
(And… a big phone bill to boot, those long distance minutes are killer…)
Through tough times, I know for many women in the working world, it’s not always easy to “get creative” with the basic staples like a black suit. There are PLENTY of days where I clutch on to my “safety outfits” tighter than an infant clutches their security blanket, but on the better days… my passion for fashion kicks in, and I actually have a lot of fun getting dressed-up, not just for work… but for the folks who watch us on KTAB at home!
Fashion is something I’ve loved my whole life. Like many little girls I meet through the education stories I do on KTAB, my favorite childhood pastime was playing dress up. Since my mom and grandma did a lot of sewing when I was a little girl, I learned about textiles and took sewing classes at a young age. There was a point in my life when I wanted to become a fashion designer, but I never had the patience to create any of the beautiful dresses and traditional Vietnamese dresses (known as ao dai) Mom and Grandma made.
However, the lessons they taught me never went to waste, it taught me what to look for when investing in a good garment, and gave me a better perspective of the consumer aspect in fashion. As for the fun aspect? I think fashion and style speaks beyond clothes, and that’s what I hope to bring to you here on the “Style File.”
We’ll talk “shop talk” of course, but like I said in my “Recessionistas” piece earlier in October… every girl (and the guys that love them) has the right to remain fabulous. She has the right to live in style, regardless of her budget.
Keep rocking those kicks and stilettos! Hope to see y’all soon.
California-born & bred, Priscilla Luong isn't from Texas, but got here as soon as she could! Priscilla joined the KTAB News Team as a Reporter/Weekend Anchor in October 2008, and is proud to call the Big Country her new home. She attended the University of California, Davis where she studied Communications & Dramatic Art. Priscilla made her first television appearance when she was six years old as a model in the Macy's Passport Fashion Show in San Francisco, CA. She's had a passion for fashion & design her whole life, and is excited to share this lifelong love with KTAB viewers in the Big Country and on the world wide web in the "Style File."
