Real Housewives of Blah, Blah, Blah

This week on TV, my housewives gave me everything I wanted and more. On the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, we still weren’t quite over Taylor’s performance last week, and she tells Lisa at lunch that she was so drunk she doesn’t really remember her meltdown. Thus, Lisa suggests a trip to Vegas, naturally. She blames Camille and her friend, blah blah blah. Taylor actually ate something in Vegas, which was shocking. Adrienne and Paul appear on the Doctors to discuss a healthy lifestyle, and off camera, Adrienne yells at him for his unhealthy habits and lying. His idea of a few small meals is popcorn, candy and other bad stuff. We love Paul in every, single episode. Pandora takes Lisa to go see the Chipmunks male performers, Lisa won the lap dance contest, and she shocked us by how much fun she is capable of having. Lisa will always remain one of my idols. The girls had a night at the Palm, and Adrienne has Camille Brandi and Dana to her suite where they bowl and go to the club, and Brandi and Camille get a little lesbionic, which we love. Kyle has a photo shoot for her book, but, what the hell is her book about? Shock: Kim can’t go either. Kim and Kyle cry together, she’s upset because her kids don’t like her new man who is way too controlling. Kyle, on her high horse, knows that she’s been right the whole time. By the end of the episode, I was tired from watching. On Real Housewives of Atlanta, Kims baby is born! Its actually really cute, and I kind of love Kroy and am even happy for Kim for once. The gold digger found her happy ending. Kroy was really cutely nervous. I’m still confused why Kroy chose this nutcase. The labor was surprisingly calm, for once. Meanwhile, Sheree’s “chateau” isn’t being built as fast as she wants. How is she affording this anyway? She’s contemplating serving her ex- with a child support lawsuit, but he pleads poverty and asks the court to lower the payment. He sucks. Kandi puts her mom on a dating sight, our favorite character on the show. Cynthia and NeNe go to New York on business, her ex boyfriend turns out to be Russell Simmons, huh? She chose peter over him? NeNe goes on a date with some scumbag who she can’t stand. It was really cringe worthy. This episode kind of disappointed this week. Finally, on Kim and Kourtney take New York, a lot happened. Scott wants to have a threesome, so Kourtney flirts with a girl because she knows he won’t actually do what he says. She gets shway and we love it. Scott goes with Kris to host the today show, the two get drunk after the meal, and their relationship really seems to be doing good. I almost vommed when they talked about having sex at night, though. Kim and Kris first really big fight that may have led to the divorce is shown. Kim wants to have kids, but LaLa and her mom convince her to wait until she’s certain about her career and future. She asks Kris about moving to Minnesota, and he tells her that she’s not going to be famous in a few years anyway, to quit her work and take care of kids. She is hesitant to tell him she wants to wait. I hate him more and more every minute. He is a literal five-year-old child. And stop talking about how important “basketball” is, you suck anyway. I feel sorry Kim actually married that loser. Gossip Girl didn’t return this week, so we are left in suspense whether Chuck or Blair’s baby survived. Obviously, nothing can go right in this show.

How to Podcast, easy as 1.2.3…

Podcasting is actually very simple to do. Anyone with internet access can create their own podcasts, and, as we have seen, podcasting is a cool and different way to communicate social information. Podcasting can enhance your blog or deliver your information to the pockets of all your followers. Sometimes, people are more interested in audio data than written information anyway. In this class, we learned how to use several programs to podcast. I prefer to use podomatic, soundcloud, and audacity. The first thing to do is to figure out what you’re going to talk about. On podomatic, you can create a profile that pretty much walks you through how to podcast in a step by step process. You can also do the same thing using Audacity, and this program allows you to edit your content. You can select blank spaces and delete them using trim. You can tighten up spaces between words or even delete whole words. Next, you can upload the content to a program like soundcloud. The program eventually will allow you to copy a hyperlink, and then, you can go on your blog and paste the url. Its as easy as that! The podcast player will then appear on your blog. Podomatic is a cool program because it organizes all your podcasts and you develop a podcast personality. You can explore other programs like Blip.tv or Ivoox on your own, but I prefer audacity and soundcloud, because it was very easy to export the material to my blog. You literally press record, say what you want to say, edit the sound, save the material, export it to a program like podomatic, and post the hyperlink to your blog, or upload the material and transfer it to iTunes, etc. Podcasting is extremely easy, and can definitely add a little spice to your blogs or webpages, giving the material you usually post more of a personality. Record, Upload, Distribute, and share with friends now using these programs!

Modern Family For the Win!: December 5th-11th

This week in TV ROCKED. Finally, something happens on 90210. Naomi is assigned to Holly’s b-day party, not knowing the relation to her boss. The two had just started working out their friendship, but the rift causes Holly to hate Naomi for stealing her mom’s attention, which she has never been able to get, and Naomi catches Austin hooking up with Holly. Obviously, something has to go wrong in every episode. Annie breaks into Jeremy’s and records him saying that he hated his grandma and that he would do anything to get the money from the old hag. Finally, her life can move on. Liam, in a quest to find Annie after finding out about her escort job, gets in a motorcycle accident right when Annie left him a message wanting to get back with him. Navid gets beaten up by his uncle’s partners when they catch him with a wire, and ends up in the hospital, and Silver catches him talking to the detective, forcing her back with the new guy. YAWN. On 2 broke girls, after a much awaited return, Caroline and Max try to get chestnut a job since its too cold for him to stay outside. However, he’s to out of shape to be an actor. Eventually, Caroline convinces Peach, who is auditioning for a spot on the real housewives, that her horse is in need. She faces her former life in order to save Chestnut, and Max cries during their farewell. This was the most emotional episode yet, and I loved it. Caroline’s comedic skills are honed more and more each week. In the best episode of the season for Gossip girl, Lilly throws Charlie a coming out party, and she sends a tip to GG that Chuck and Blair are meeting to take the attention away from her, as her boyfriend hopes to reveal her identity once and for all. Thus, paparazzi follow the two, who FINALLY plan to be together despite the paternity of her child, and the two end up in a massive car accident and in the hospital. Chucks condition is unclear, but Blair awakes. Charlie finally realizes she should leave town, as she hurt the people she has grown to love. At the Malibu Beach Party from hell on Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, drunken Taylor one more time causes a 50-minute screaming session that made my ears bleed. We get it, your battered and its really sad, but Bravo could have done a little better with the editing. Wasted Brandy makes me sick, and Taylor’s cigarette scene was really difficult to watch. PLEASE LET IT END. On Modern Family, the gang realizes they will not be together for Christmas. Phil plans an impromptu express Christmas. Everything goes wrong. Mitch and Alex run over the tree, Gloria and Luke/LOOK run over the angel ornament, Manny accidentally stun-guns Phil and he ends up crushing the 200$ baseball card he got for Jay, and Cam is hurt when Jay doesn’t remember the significance of the wine cork he saved and gave him as a gift. In the end, Jay provides fake snow in the backyard and once again, humor is combined with actual, emotional Christmas cheer. Modern Family is the gem that saves this blog and my hope for the future of television every week.

9021-NO: November 28th- December 4th

This week, on 90210, Dixon is faced with the chance to do coke and adderall in order to make a break in the music industry, he cant resist. Annie continues to fight Jeremy over her inheritance, this plot is becoming beyond annoying. The fact that her problems worsen every single episode make me nervous and gives me anxiety. Naomi and Holly enter against one another in a fashion show, she steals Naomi’s design, but Naomi at the very last minute somehow makes it work. In the end, she is offered a position as an intern for Holly’s mom planning parties. Obviously, Holly is going to get revenge when she finds out, and I can’t wait to see what she does. Teddy chooses to run away from his problems and leave town, I feel for him actually. This show is really dragging out. On gossip girl, Nate becomes the president of the spectator, not realizing his grandfather’s role in securing this position with him. Blair turns to Dan for help in choosing between Louis and Chuck, who might not accept the role as father of her child, but whom she really still loves. On real housewives of Beverly Hills, Adrienne throws an EPIC fashion show at her home, showing off her new shoe line. Adrienne’s life is what I truly aspire for. Tension from the tea party stirs the women up, and a bunch of awkwardness follows. The fashion show is 2D4. All my focus is on Adrienne, her house, and her shoes this week. Props to Adrienne for proving to every woman what they will never, ever have. Gossip Girl and Modern Family took a hiatus this week, much to my dismay.

A Very Blah Thanksgiving: November 21st -27th

This week, on 90210 Dixon continues to pursue Adrianna. This couple is weird, and I don’t like it. She resists until he goes to rehab. Ivy and Raj continue to fight; obviously they shouldn’t have gotten married at 20 because he had cancer. Liam plans a holiday dinner, and his mom shows up. She claims she broke up with his stepdad, but asks Liam for financial support in order to leave him. I cried. He kicked her out. Brooding Liam strikes again. Naomi tries to prove to Austin that she really does like him, but Austin wants one thing, for them to talk and not just have sex. These two are actually pretty cute. On 2 broke girls, Caroline and Max get jobs at Santa World as elves, this is all I really need to say for you to understand the hilarity that ensued. Caroline starts to miss her past life and relationship with her father, but Max helps her to realize what she has to be thankful for. A truly beautiful scene. Han opens the restaurant to feed the needy, and the holiday cheer is spread. On Gossip girl, Serena plans the most flawless Tiffany themed baby shower of all times, complete with the surprise gifting of a diamond ring to one lucky guest, but it ends in Blair telling Louis to leave due to his involvement with Gossip Girl. The best part of the episode is the false information planted and Blair’s panicking about fast food being served at her shower. Chuck seems to be truly good, and comes to save Blair, and we all continue rooting for the two. On the real housewives of Beverly Hills, Taylor and Camille continue to feud, and Taylor plans a ridiculous western party for her daughter, featuring the awkward performance by some American Idol nobody. Kennedy gets a horse, and Russell’s first sign of temper is shown when he attacks Dana for thinking the cake should come out first, scary! On Modern Family, Mitch doubts Cams punkin chunkin story is true, and the family divides into a team of believers and non-believers (Jay, Mitch and Claire). Phil accuses Claire of holding him back when his millionaire former neighbor who idolizes him claims his entire secret was doing what Phil would do in every situation. Haley and Alex hide the dent they did to claire’s car, and this part of the story was phenomenal. The family goes to the football field to prove whose right and whose wrong. In the end, the family unites to make the slingshot work, and the ending was actually pretty emotional. Modern family is the only show that can do such an amazing job at combining humor with emotion.

Florenseperable from my TV!:November 14th -20th

This week, I wasn’t at all impressed with what TV had to offer me. All these CW shows and reality shows need to quit dragging out the plot for 4 episode arches and get to the point already. For example, on 90210 Teddy’s wedding footage is leaked, as expected, and his uncles campaign and his reputation is threatened. It’s actually very, very sad and disheartening for the gay community. Liam somehow becomes a supermodel, though his body is pretty lackluster. He is forced into a contract, and we know something bad will eventually happen. Annie tries to pay for Dixon’s rehab by continuing her disgusting relationship with Patrick, gag. With Raj’s cancer gone, Ivy and Raj seek to plan their futures, his as a doctor and hers as a photographer, YAWN! These two are the most boring couple to hit TV since Peter Brady and Adrienne Curry. On 2 broke girls, Max and Caroline are hired to sell cupcakes at an art show, which turns out to be hosted by Johnny’s girlfriend, who seems to know something is going on between them. Caroline helps Max escape, and helps her get over Johnny and face her feelings. I can’t help but love every second of these two becoming closer. I still want her to end up with Johnny in the end, though. On Gossip girl, I’m not really sure what the gang did but they ended up at some obscure party with performers and masks. Charlie’s boyfriend shows up as Serena’s date, and Charlie panics. I want Charlie to be exposed and gone forever. How annoying can this plotline get? Diana tries to use Serena to take down gossip girl, and releases a list of all the email tips ever sent in, making Serena mad at Nate and Nate mad at Diana. Who the hell is Diana anyway? On the real housewives of Beverly Hills, Lisa holds a tea party, that I wish I was invited to, something she just “threw together” that blows any set up out of the water. Taylor confronts Lisa about her condemning manner, and the party EXPLODES. Taylor’s erratic behavior is now just sad, as we know the cause of it. But really, I cannot listen to one more minute of these women fight like this. It was actually nausea inducing. Lisa says shell treat Taylor better, they put the feud behind them, and all the ladies confront Taylor for claiming Russell beats her, an uncomfortable subject for all involved. On Modern family, a fire destroys a neighbor’s house and Claire organizes a drive to help the family. Cam ends up driving a delivery truck. I can’t really describe the hilarity that follows. The best part of the episode, Phil gives Jay a massage for back problems. Midway Jay claims he loves Phil, a huge mistake because of Phil’s desperate desire for Jay’s approval. At that instant, he receives a call offering him a new job opportunity, Jay doesn’t realize, and Phil takes the call outside in excitement. Jay thinks he left because he said I love you and Phil couldn’t handle the joy. The whole miscommunication was one of the funniest moments on TV thus far.

Post-Amsterelaxation: November 7th-13th

This week, I was welcomed home with all the drama I have grown to love and expect from my favorite shows. On 90210, Naomi forces her friends on an impromptu trip to Las Vegas so she can follow Austin on his birthday weekend. His dad turns out to be a very famous country star, and the biggest asshole in the world. In an attempt to “help” him and stand up against his dad, she pushes him further away. Liam plays in a poker tournament hosted by Vinny from Jersey Shore, random. He nearly loses all his modeling money, and wins it back in the end, obviously. Teddy gets married to his boyfriend in a fake wedding ceremony with all his friends present, a beautiful moment for the show and for the character. However, Silver films it all, and in a rush to get home accidentally sends it to Marissa, who then uses it for her campaign in support of gay rights, humiliating teddy and ruining their friendship and his newfound pride. Dixon and Adrianna grow closer together, but she is resistant due to his addiction. Navid’s plot has become boring, take down your uncle or shut up. On 2 broke girls Caroline accepts a job organizing for hoarders. Max’s one liners related to this are unparalleled. Johnny invites Max to help tag a billboard, they kiss, and finally Max is portrayed as a real person. Yay for character development. PS did anyone else recognize this is the same Johnny from What I Like About You? Mind blow. Gossip girl returned from a hiatus, Blair makes a competition to choose her bridesmaids, and bridezilla emerges in full form. Nate uses Charlie to make Diana jealous, and we all know Diana will attempt to ruin Charlie’s life. Serena’s boss uses Serena to get the movie rights to Dan’s book, and they are both played in the process. I’m really getting sick of Dan and his book at this point. Serena ignores her feelings and gets the okay from Dan, whose agent is not happy with the decision. On the real housewives of Beverly Hills, Paul throws a night of beauty treatments for the lady’s, typical. Kim finally admits the cocktail of meds she’s on that explains her alcohol addiction. We only hope for more collagen injections in Taylors deteriorating face. Kyle holds a séance and Adrienne for the first time shows emotion in relation to her father being called upon. Kyle discovers Kim’s new boyfriend, and in true Kyle fashion makes it the most dramatic attention seeking moment possible. Her boyfriend is CREEPY though, so we understand why.

2MUCHTV : October 31st-November 6th

This week on television, all my favorite shows did not fail to disappoint. On 90210, the drama erupted, as per usual. Naomi planned a joint sorority party with her nemesis Holly. Holly however, had gained her trust only to betray her, helping her to plan dancers with risky outfits, which eventually got Naomi, kicked off sorority council. However, in the end, Naomi got the man, and Holly continued to seek revenge. Meanwhile, Navid’s plan with his uncle fails; his uncle had sent him on a test mission and he didn’t get the proof he needed. Silver learns that Marissa had hired actors to publicize her campaign. Adrianna handcuffs herself to Dixon in order to help him stay clean, in the process they begin falling in love, an unexpected moment this season. Annie gives Patrick another chance after catching him cheating on her, and this entire plot line has made me sick from the beginning. On 2 broke girls, Max and Caroline enroll in a pastry class to learn to make pretty cupcakes. Max’s confidence is hit and the two grow closer. This hilarious episode pins them against two bitchy Italian sisters with mob money. This show really never disappoints. On the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, Lisa’s daughter’s engagement party is thrown at Muhammad’s, circus performers, camels, and the most magnificent party ever is shown, in true Lisa fashion. Kyle annoys us and seeks attention at the end, and Kim doesn’t show because her secret relationship, which might explain her alcohol addiction, is revealed. Taylor isn’t invited, because of Russell’s relationship with Muhammed, and every mention of Russell sends shivers up my spine to this day. Modern family finally returns, the one show that never, ever disappoints. Phil builds a tree house for Luke. Gloria wants Jay to be more spontaneous and his son slips him a placebo that makes him think he’s on E, really hilarious stuff. The best part of the show, Cameron tries to prove that he doesn’t appear gay and pick up a woman. Eventually, he convinces her to act like she actually believes he was straight to prove a point to Mitch. They have a fake break up, and I die of laughter. Phil meets a new black friend across the street, and their comedy together is 2D4.

Moroccan and Rollin’

Morocco, Africa is one of the coolest places anyone could ever lay eyes on. Marrakech is a place that is often overlooked by students studying abroad, maybe because the exotic aspect or the fact girls shouldn’t travel alone or at night is a little frightening to most people. However, since Morocco was my best trip of abroad, I wanted to share some of the details with all of you, so you can maybe take what I say into consideration before departing for America, because I really feel that Morocco should be experienced by everyone, especially when the flights from  Barcelona, price of the hostel, and cost of virtually anything you buy (10 euro, 7 person meals) is so low. I feel so strongly about the subject that I even recorded a podcast for all of you!

Click Here to learn a little more about other sights/activities you can do besides what I did

Podcasting- the portable audio revolution

With the universal spread of portable audio players like the iPod came the advent of the “podcast,” cheap audio software similar to weblogging that spread over the Internet and became available for easy download. Podcasts are a sort of amateur radio, and a natural development in the digital revolution of 2.0 media.  Audio content such as interviews about various topics can be distributed in much the same way as written material via blogs. Audio versions of radio shows or the Wall street journal for example, could be sold and transported to portable audio devices. Shows, books, etc could now be listened to whenever and wherever the listener wanted. Audible information could now be portable. Developing a better system for audio file transfer required a new RSS language, which was eventually developed. A new program was developed and synchronized with the iPod, and podcasting as a practice spread like wildfire. Audio files could be transferred directly to portable audio devices in the pockets of every American. It seemed only natural that the trend would grow, considering the massive spread of the practice of blogging before it. The term “podcast” expresses the importance of the iPod and iTunes in spreading the practice of podcasting audibly and visually. The portable aspect of the podcast, and the ability for anyone to be a podcaster are two possible reasons for the popularity of podcasting. People tend to appreciate something as easy as downloading and listening to a subscribed feed rather than searching and reading scattered Internet content. The syndicated feed allows users to keep up to date easily with a podcaster. Podcasting and video-podcasting have grown in popularity and become an essential part of the “2.0 revolution.” Podcasts allow subscribers to have whatever audio content they desire at their fingertips and in their pockets, ready to be called upon whenever the listener decides. This sort of user-control is essential to its success. 

Click Here to learn how to create your own podcast