Pinterest- Affordances and Constraints

The affordances of using Pinterest is that it allows you to have your own pin board, therefore you can pin anything to your own pin board e.g. the image above shows somebody has created a pin board about hair this allows them to pin pictures that they find pretty or that they would like to do to their own or somebody else's hair. You have the ability to pin anything, if you were interested in cooking then you could pin recipes that you could try out. It is also useful as you can go back to them whenever you want instead of spending hours scrolling through Google to find what you are looking for. It also allows users to pin things that they like from other peoples board to their own board, you also have the ability to follow other peoples board which keeps you updated if you like a certain thing that they have pinned.  You can also leave comments so the user can see your opinion.

Constraints of Pinterest are that there is no face to face communication and you could hide behind your personal profile which might not be such a bad thing if you want to keep your identity hidden for various reasons. In my opinion there aren't many constraints of pinterest, even though you can comment many people rarely do and many comments just say "nice" or "what a great idea" it is very rare that you would ever come across an offensive comment. Pinterest is different to other social media sites as it is more focused on your interests, not because you want to communicate with your friends as you cant talk to people on pinterest.

I think the audience is from teenagers and upwards as it would be too hard for someone younger than a teenager as they wouldn't have enough time or have enough interests to have their own pinboard. Pinterest is easy to use and a great way to keep your ideas or interests organised in one place.

Tony Thorne's Slang Theory

In class we have been looking at language and the internet, we were given a sheet which provided us with a lot of information about how language is changing. I decided to do some further research on Tony Thorne and this is what i got...

Tony Thorne is an author, linguist and lexicographer who specialised in slang and jargon. He talks about how language is changing and how we use language in our lives. Thorne’s theory was that more articulate children use internet slang as acronyms and initialisms, this is called code switching. He believes that teenagers are the ones that are responsible for new words and phrases as they use special terminology to exclude outsiders from conversations and so they have their own identity. He also said that prisons and schools create new languages; he said that new words are formed when you adapt and play with existing language.

Transcript

K: right(2) in the middle of the page(1) but more towards the left(1) draw a capital z but(1) on a slant to the left hand side.
E: how big?
K:(2) quite big
L:(4) im done
E: same
K: ok in the top left hand corner draw three lines(2) as if your playing the game when youre filling in missing letters.
L: which way are they going?
K:um, pointing down towards the z
K: then in the left hand side towards the bottom(2) but not directly at the bottom drawfour circles(1)in the shape of a slanted square
E: which way are they slanting?
K: more towards the right
L:(4)done
E: yeah

This is a small snippet from our transcript, i found it really challenging to try and explain to louis and ellie where it would be on the page from their point of view. I could havesaid things in more detail for example i could have said whether the lines were horizontal or verticle. I also noticed that i pause alot which was because i was trying to think of the best way to explain it to them.

Mini Saga

                                                                 Roller coaster




I squeezed my eyes shut.
I screamed until i lost my voice.
UP..UP..
My hands tightly squeezed the bar. White knuckles.
My stomach was in my mouth as butterflies danced inside.
My mother reassured me that everything would be fine.
My eyes opened- it was just a roller coaster.

Gods Among Us#13 DICAPRIO

Gods among us #13 DICAPRIO

A gentleman so gorgeous he must have been sculpted my angels (deep sigh)

Leonardo Dicaprio- Our real Romeo. Of course everyone is entitled to their own opinion but come on! How can anyone resist this charming heartthrob with his sparkly deep blue eyes and floppy hair?

Coming in at number 13 in the top 100 sexiest movie stars it is baffling that he wasn’t closer to number one, but some people don’t know a god when they see one. Thankfully in 2013 and 2014 he was selected as the sexiest man alive by glamour magazine.

Leonardo has become a huge icon with an amazing film career, he has worked his way from the bottom as a child actor to an irresistible teen actor to then progressing into one of the most accomplished and versatile actors of his generation. Additionally,( as if this charming man couldn’t get any better ) he has donated a huge amount of money to many charities protecting animals and oceans along with donating money to those who were affected by natural disasters

It’s hard to believe that this infamous actor, despite countless nominations, in which his first was at the age of just 19, has never won an Oscar to the outrage of his fans.  This raises a serious question; maybe Leonardo Dicaprio is too marvellous to win an Oscar? We have seen many sensational actors go through the same pain: Tom Cruise, Amy Adams, Johnny Depp, Robert Downey Jr, Samuel. L Jackson and that’s just a few, maybe it’s a curse for being too cool? Who knows maybe they are being singled out because they are ridiculously good looking and everyone is just jealous, it could be that they are waiting until the actors are all old and wrinkly and lost their good looks(which will probably never happen).

Being a vegetarian...Well almost (witty writing)

Meat. It’s something that almost everyone loves right? I mean how could you not? The mouth-watering smell of a big juicy steak, sizzling away in the pan- that’s heaven to many people. Numerous people always ask the same question... How can you not like meat?!

In my own world I would say that I was a vegetarian but like most relationships I know that I am not yet 100% committed. There are very few meats that are lucky enough to be accepted into my mouth these include: Chicken, sausages and the odd rasher of bacon (come on! How can anyone not like a good old bacon sandwich smothered in ketchup? Mm just writing me this makes my stomach grumble and my mouth water).

I don’t know what it is that I don’t like about meat, maybe it’s the smell or maybe because I know that a few months back the animal would have been merrily dancing around in the (not so) safety of its field but nonetheless everyone in my family worships meat like it is some sort of god that they can’t live without. Which normally results in me being the ‘difficult one’ although I don’t see what is so hard about just leaving my portion of meat off the plate, I don’t need a substitute. It’s especially hard when we are invited to a barbeque with the rest of our family as my mum frantically raids asda for something I can eat whilst the rest of them feast on the poor chargrilled bodies of innocent animals. The worst possible experience for me is when watching my sister feast upon a steak or gammon I can’t help but watch her with a disgusted look on my face -the way she rapidly gobbles up the meat like someone is going to run up and take it off of her, it actually makes me sick in my mouth (which probably tastes more appetising than the meat itself).

Food shopping is difficult for my mother, so against my will I normally get dragged along for what is normally at least a traumatic two hour trip. Generally my mum tells me what meals for the week she is planning to do, then she tells me to go and find something instead of meat. There I stand in the freezer section, staring into the veggie section of the freezer there are so many delicious sounding foods: broccoli and cauliflower tarts, falafels and of course quorn – they are all so tasty! Unfortunately, when I am not food shopping with my mum she forgets that I dislike meat so you can imagine my horror when I arrive home for dinner and find a piece of meat on my plate!

This summer I went to France for just over a month, I was staying with my Nan and granddad- both meat lovers too. As it is France we were invited to many barbeques, I love the atmosphere but I especially dread the food part. I felt especially bad when I found out all the trouble they went to, to find nice meat for us. They had so much… there was beef, lamb, pork but to my dismay no chicken!!! So I was left so sit there with two lettuce leaves and four tomatoes on my plate. They couldn’t understand,(despite all of my attempts to explain) why I wouldn’t eat the meat, my nan tried to bribe me to eat some of the food but I know that it wouldn’t go down well, so instead she whispered in my ear to eat the silly salad attempt and that I could have some proper food when we went back home. Little did I know that it would be six hours away, the French love good company along with good wine.

At times I do feel as though I should eat meat, but I know from experience that it never goes well. Due to the demands of my sister my dad took us out for a meal where my sister(as always) ordered a burger with cheese and bacon it looked glorious so I thought I would be brave and I made the decision to order one myself- I suppose you could say I was peer pressured my dad and sisters. Eventually the beastly burger was placed in front of me, it smelt nice enough to I took a bite and swallowed. I could feel the cow helplessly mooing along with the squeals of the pig as it made its way into my stomach once they landed into the deep pit I felt a strange feeling in my stomach and before you know it I was sick. Yep. Sick in the restaurant on my plate. Absolutely delicious. Once I was sick I instantly felt better unlike my dad who then reluctantly and carefully took my plate of spewed up farmyard animals back to the restaurant kitchen. I don’t think my dad or me have ever felt so embarrassed in our lives.

So it’s safe to say that I am a vegetarian... well almost.

Dramatic Monologue- Alone ( a short story)

It was a lonely Friday night. The rain was pouring hard, thrashing against my dark window. It fit my mood perfectly. No one had even bothered to talk to me or call me. Alone.

I remember that moment I took my first sip. I regret it to this day. I wouldn’t have done it if I would have known that it would have ruined my life, my reputation, my family then I would have thought twice about doing it. But there I was, in my favourite old scruffy jumper and my worn out legging sat slumped on the sofa, wiping the tears from my eyes. I glanced up and it was sat there looking at me, whispering for me to take it. I took a deep breath and slowly walked over, my heart beating fast and thoughts racing through my head. I grabbed it, opened it and brought the bottle to my mouth, it burnt my lips. Nonetheless I took a gulp and instantly gagged at the taste. A strange sensation came over me and I felt this amazing feeling of being reborn. My lips were drawn to the bottle like a magnet, and I kept going until the whole bottle had gone- I felt blissfully dizzy. The important thing was the pain had gone. For now anyway.

Each day dragged until I was finally reunited with the luscious liquid. My best friend. She never judged me, she always made me feel good inside, unlike so many things…especially Alan. My stepdad. Awful Alan. My mum would never understand why I hate I hate him, I wouldn’t dare tell her anyway. Im too scared. Alan told me it was a secret between me and him. Have you got a secret that you couldn’t tell anyone? Not even your own dear mother?

Alan used to do things to me, terrible things. He told me I was no longer pure. No longer innocent. I had lost my childhood. I was forced against my own will. But what could I do? I was a helpless child forced to be a woman.

Every night he would take advantage, my mother would go to work and that’s when awful Alan would strike. I cried myself to sleep every night. My new friend in the bottle made me forget, made me feel happier, and made me feel alive.

A month had passed and just like every other alcoholic I didn’t think I had a problem, but of course I was hooked.

Saturday night, the smell of cooked pepperoni pizza filled the house- mum and Alan were having a night it on the sofa watching x factor, whilst I was in my room staring into space, feeling weighed down by the life I wasn’t living.  I was dead on the outside but on the inside a wicked smile appeared on my face because I knew they were there and not just one this time, oh no this time it was four bottles, 1 litre each. I cautiously but eagerly crawled along my bed when all of a sudden my mum rushed in, an emergency at the hospital, she told me Alan would take care of me. I felt a lump in my throat when you try and swallow a tablet without water. The tears were gushing from my eyes as she kissed my forehead and told me she loved me.

As the front door slammed I could hear the creak of the stairs as the vile pig approached my room, I hurriedly ran to lock my bedroom door.  Before I knew it the door had flung open with the gold lock swinging from side to side. After 20 minutes I felt dirty and sick to be alive, he left smiling. The tears were flooding from my eyes, I reached over and seized the bottles. One by one I guzzled the lot. My head felt strange and not a nice strange this was something I couldn’t understand. I could feel myself floating. I was looking down on myself. I could see my mother crying, Alan was nowhere to be seen, I could hear the steady beeps of the heart machine. The sound was fading as the beeps got slower and slower.

Once again I was alone.

Recipe for a Katie:

Suitable for anyone

                INGREDIENTS:

·                Two large flicks of black eyeliner

·                A generous spoon of family and friends

·                 2 squirts of laughter and happiness

                  ¼ of a cup of oddness

                  A pinch of spice

                  1 large chili

                  A medium hunk of confidence

·                6 large table spoons of acting

                  1 cup of pintrest

·                France

·                Music

METHOD:

Firstly, pre heat the oven to 25 degrees, no hotter as Katie will look spoilt and melted and no cooler as Katie will develop lumps and spots. Katie is not recommended for use on the hob especially not boiling.

Secondly, in a 5ft 11’ mixing bowl throw in two large flicks of eyeliner- without the eyeliner Katie will not be herself. Then add a generous spoon of family and friends lack of family and friends will mean that Katie won’t cook properly and will just become a hot mess. Mix well.

Once the mixture becomes thicker add two squirts of laughter and happiness, this will make your Katie smile and be friendly. Without these qualities Katie will be miserable and start going floppy.

If your mixture is tasteless then add the pinch of spice and the large chili, this will give Katie a kick and she will become fiery when provoked.

Another key ingredient to add is music, anything will do as Katie likes a variety of music.

Slowly, fold in the 6 large table spoons of acting, this is Katie’s passion and without it your Katie will not exist. Then add in a medium hunk of confidence this will make Katie a bubbly and chatty person.

Next, add in ¼ cup of oddness, Katie needs this as she always wears odd earrings, make sure the mixture starts to thicken.

The cup of Pinterest should then be added, Katie needs this to keep her dreams and her future plans organised, failure to add the cup of Pinterest will mean that Katie won’t strive in the future and most probably will crumble into dust.

After you have added the cup on pintrest then add the pièce de résistance and add a bit of France, this will make sure that Katie stays in one piece. Once France has been added then your mixture should have a perfect consistency, on a piece of greaseproof paper, roll out Katie but don’t make her too thin because that won’t suit her, as she is happy as she is.

Finally, Katie is ready to bake, pop her in the over for 30-45 minutes depending if you want your katie to be soft and chewy or hard and crunchy.

My Idiolect

My idiolect is based on numerous things; my regional location, family, and friends. Growing up in Bristol has meant that I am constantly around people that use slag and colloquial language therefore in many cases especially socially I find that I tend to speak the same as others.  I also noticed that I have a tendency to change the way that I speak to accommodate the person that I am talking to. 

Fillers are a main part of my speech, in a way they are used in many cases, if I am nervous then ‘um’ would be my filler whilst I find the word I am looking for in my head, or just whilst I am hesitating- I also believe that it using ‘like’ or ‘mind’ which I am also aware that I do is because of my regional location and hearing my family members say it, it has suddenly become a part of my vocabulary too.

I try my best not to swear especially because I have younger sisters at home, however socially it is easy to slip into the habit of swearing because everyone does it and you succumb to peer pressure. I try my best to use substitute words like ‘duck’ or ‘sheep’- they still have the same effect without being rude, I don’t believe in swearing in front of any family member or people of higher authority because it is just rude and just shows your lack of an inability to express your thoughts and feelings due to a lack of an extended vocabulary.

 When I am talking to someone I make sure that I face them and use eye contact- to me this shows politeness and that you are fully engaging in the persons conversation. Many young people tend to use the word ‘awesome’ when something is good, I think that this is such an American word the reason for this is because many teenagers are influenced by American television shows, singers ect. My favourite word for when something is good is ‘fabulous’ my reason for this is because I think it’s a positive word!

 My idiolect often depends who I am around- if I am around friends then I use a lot of slang and jargon whereas if I was applying for a job or speaking to someone with authority then I would be inclined to use standard formal English.