Listening Journal - 'WIZARD OF OZ' BEWITCHES AUDIENCES UNTIL TODAY

Tweet

The movie "Wizard of Oz" made Judy Garland famous and created
childhood memories that attracts audiences of all ages until today.
Not you? Check out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-ZULpr8m5o

Feature Title: "It's The Wonderful 'Wizard of Oz' At 70" on Weekend Edition of the NPR News
Producer: NPR
Length: 04:34 min
Link: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=112991629

In this feature Scott Simon discusses the 70th birthday of the film "The Wizard of Oz". This piece is full of soundbites from the movie and also includes an interview with the president of the International Wizard of Oz Club, Angelica Carpenter. Simon also speaks with 94-year-old Meinhardt Raabe, one of the actors who played a Munchkin in the film. On top of that this feature serves as a promotion for the screening of the digitized updated version of the movie in over 400 theaters across the US.

This feature is definitely compelling because it plays on the listeners' memories. The producer did everything to create a nostalgic atmosphere, using soundbites from the movie, and bringing in one of the oldest living actors from the movie. This actor is 94 years old but still happens to remember his lines from the movie, which he is happy to recite. The old songs from 'The Wizard of Oz', the extraordinarily funny voice of this old man and the host singing one of the songs himself, make this piece an entertaining feature.

The quality of the sound was good but there was absolutely no natsound. Admittedly, in this case there was really no need to use any natsound. The soundbites from the movie, the two interviews and Simon's own singing make this a diversified feature piece.

The quality of the announcers voice is very good with absolutely no background noise. As for his voice in general, I feel he doesn't take the 94 year-old actor seriously, but he makes up for it when he starts singing a song from "The Wizard of OZ."

As for the length of the feature, it is just right. There was no point at which I felt: "when is this going to end?" The piece is entertaining throughout and offers the ears enough diversity for the listener not to get bored.

Generally, the piece was very entertaining. However, inviting the Munchkin-actor on air might have not been such a good idea. The old man sounds so weird that it drives away the attention from the story. I found myself wanting to listen to it again, not because the story is so compelling, but because the old man just sounds so funny.

Listening Journal - THE NEW "BAREFOOT" RUNNER USES SHOES

Tweet

Feature Title: "A Shoe for Barefoot Runners" on All Things Considered
Producer: NPR
Length: 5:01 minutes
Link: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=112995970

The barefoot running shoes don't quite look like this - but very similar.

This five-minute feature deals with a new phenomenon in pop culture: barefoot running shoes. Guy Raz, the host of the NPR show "All Things Considered" starts off the piece by trying out those shoes first hand and documenting his experience while jogging. Natsound of feet jogging on a sandy ground and Rocky's running song "Eye of the Tiger" playing in Raz's earphones, make for a compelling beginning of the story. Then Raz takes the listener back to the studio where he interviews editor-in-chief of the magazine Runner's World, David Willey. They then discuss the advantages and disadvantages of barefoot running and how and when the idea of running shoes became popular.

Indeed, this feature was very interesting because of the playfulness of the show host. The fact that he went out and tried out those funny-looking shoes himself, was a compelling intro to the episode. Also, the change of location is always a nice thing to listen to. Raz moved from outdoors into the studio which is a nice change for the ear and keeps your attention on the piece. Another good thing was that Raz got lucky with his interview partner who seemed to be a very laid back guy with a good sense of humor.

The use of natural sound in this story was nice, although maybe a little top heavy. I like, how the nat sound of running on a sandy ground, the running song and the hosts narration all flow into each other and support each other. The quality of the natsound as well as the sound of the interview are very good and there is no background noise that would distract from the topic of this feature.

The quality of the hosts voice is very good. As for his voice in general, Guy Raz has a nice voice that is not outstanding. It's just a "normal" voice that is not particularly deep or pleasant. But there's one thing that sets Raz apart from many other radio show hosts, which is his charisma. You can hear when he's smiling. Also, his voice is very lively and never monotone, which makes this piece easy to follow.

The length of the feature was just right, but it could have been shorter. I think the interview went a little too much in depth about the arguments for barefoot running versus running with shoes. This part could have been cut out.

If I was sent to do this story, I would've maybe collected reactions by other runners. Those I could place at the end of the story and thereby take the listener back to the outdoors. However, it is just my personal preference to make a full circle and end a story at the same location, where I started it. Surely there are other ways to spice this story up.

Electo-meter Helps German Voters Make a Decision

Tweet

From left to right: Angelica Merkel (CDU)- our current uncharismatic
yet pragmatic mommy of the nation ("We have the power"), Guido Westerwelle - top candidate of the liberal king maker party FDP, who is famous for his enthusiastic personality ("Work - has to be worth it again), Frank-Walter Stainmeier (SPD) - our current foreign minister with no edges or traits that I can remember ("Dig in. For our Country.")

I might not be living in Germany right now, but at the end of the day. I'm German (yes.. yes.. AND Egyptian - I know) and I do have the right to vote in the upcoming German parliamentary elections. However, when I started informing myself about what's going on back home, I was highly disappointed:

Candidates refusing to go on air for a television debate and a mock-candidate, the German version of Borat, is stealing everybody's show. Moreover, parties who announce that they won't work in certain coalitions - be it the Jamaica coalition or the traffic-light coalition- and the usual reality checks and empty promises. This election is one of the most boring ones I have ever seen. And to be honest: I would have a hard time making up my mind either.

And it seems, I am not alone. Recent polls show that around 40 percent of those surveyed are still undecided. 40 percent??? That's a hell lot of people. But I'm sure, just like me, their first go-to point will be the website of the "Wahlomat" or translated, the "Electo-meter."

The electo-meter is supposed to help undecided voters with their
decision - but is it the optimal solution?

I personally think it's funny to have a website tell you who you're most compatible with based on 38 statements that you agree with, disagree with or are neutral about. Next comes a prioritization list. This sounds to me like a dating service.

Here are some examples:

• The German Army has to be withdrawn from Afghanistan immediately (Yes, No, Neutral)
• Germany should withdraw from the European Union
• Companies should decide over their managers' salaries
• Your first degree should be for free
• No animal tests
• The re-introduction of the D-Mark.
  

etc. etc. and the list goes on and on.

At the end you prioritize your topic list and ta-taa! You get your result. Here is mine:





According to this electo-meter, my views coincide the most with all the parties on the very left side on the spectrum, who also happen to have absolutely no chance of being in the government.

Die Linke: is the old PDS. Led by Gregor Gysi, a very charismatic man, this party now owns 11 percent of the votes according to polls. However, it also has absolutely no chance of being in the government because neither of the big parties want to form a coalition with the most popular leftist party.

DKP: German Communist Party - Absolutely no chance!

Gruene: The Green Party - Neither the CDU/CSU wants to form a coalition with them, nor the FDP do. What's left is the SPD, but according to polls, the number of all votes together won't be enough to be in the government.

At the end of the day, the German democracy is not that different from the US electoral system: We have two big parties and those two parties can basically choose whoever they want in their coalition. And then of course, we have the king maker party, which in this case is the FDP (The Liberals).

The Wahlomat really didn't help me out that much, so I went back and checked on their website. I must have not seen it the first time, but it clearly states that it won't give you a recommendation for who to vote for but serves as an informative site for the elections and politics.

Gee thanks! So, where do we go from here, my fellow 40 percent?


Fact check:
- The Wahlomat has been used 4.332.335 times for this upcoming election.
- Around 40 percent of the German population is still undecided who to vote for, a week before the elections.
- Election weather next Sunday is predicted to be cold (around 10 degrees Celsius) but not too rainy.

CAREERS ARE OVERRATED

Tweet

Climbing the career ladder can be a burden
- sometimes-

This I believe:

CAREERS ARE OVERRATED (to listen to this podcast, click on the title of this entry)

Do you remember what you wanted to be when you were a kid? I do.

I went through several jobs - at least in my head.
I wanted to be a horse jockey, a`pilot, a`stewardess, a tour guide, a twister hunter, a radio presenter or even an actress.

As kids we are much more flexible when it comes to finding new approaches to life. We never really think of a career - We think of a job that we would love.

But then comes a time when you are expected to make up your mind. You have to decide: which of of all these jobs and careers that are out there, is it going to be?
And all of a sudden, other factors play into your decision making: Will I make money? Can i have a family and do this job at the same time? Do I want to live close to my family? Where do I want to end up when I'm 60?

Unfortunately, the moment that you start asking yourself all those questions, is the moment you start being inflexible. Very rarely do people ask themselves: Will I be happy? And what exactly do I need to be happy?

I believe, that the road to happiness is doing what you love. Because if you do what you're passionate about, you'll most probably be good at it. Whether this coincides with a successful career or not, is a little side effect. And if there are some changes on the way and I have to readjust, then that's not a disaster - but instead a very good thing.

That's why I decided not to stress out just because I'm graduating this year. I know what I love. I know what I'm passionate about. And even if i don't end up as a manager or editor - I know I'll be happy. At the end of the day, the amount of money you have or how high you are in a company's hierarchy says nothing about how happy you are. And that's all I want from life - happiness.

Ramadan in Egypt - a "twisted" time of the year

Tweet

Eating yes, but only at a certain place at a certain time
OTHERWISE: you might get arrested?

For many people here in Egypt, the holy month of Ramadan is a time where they can remember the essence of life by getting the opportunity to spend time with their closest and fast and pray to clean their bodies and souls.

However, for some people, Ramadan seems to be the one opportunity during the year, in which they can openly display their fundamentalist views and be highly rewarded for it. By "people" I don't just mean the angry looks by men and women on the street when you pass - and obviously look like a foreigner, i.e. "infidel". No, I also mean the government institutions.

A couple of days ago the Egyptian police cracked down on non-fasters in Aswan, where they arrested 150 people for publicly eating, drinking or smoking. Also, the governor of Hurghada - one of the top tourist destinations at the Red Sea- ordered all restaurants and cafes to be closed during daytime. All this happens even though there is no official law that says that you're not allowed to break fast publicly.

These are only a couple of the incidents that were reported.

Now, I have a question: Is the willpower of those fasting people really that weak that they wouldn't bear seeing somebody (may he/she be a Christian or just somebody who can't fast for health reasons or simply because he/she doesn't want to) have a sip of water on the street?

I am seriously confused.

Even though, the Egyptian government claims to be secular, they don't shy away from adhering to fundamentalist policies and imposing laws that don't even exist as such.

Ramadan for me, is the most stressful month of the year because this is the only time that I don't only get harassed by men on the street, but also.. by women.

Let me explain: I don't fast, simply, because I would faint a couple times a day and because I am not fully convinced by the general interpretation and implementation of Islam. Still, I try to dress modestly, cover my shoulders and knees and don't eat or drink or smoke in public.

Even though I'm making an effort not to step on anybody's toes, men look at me, and while I pass comment on my "tight" jeans, my open hair or my lower arms showing. Under their breath, they curse ME for making THEM break their fast.

Well, excuse me - but how am I supposed to control their thoughts and prevent them from having any sexual mind trips? I obviously haven't acquired that skill yet.

What's worse though, is that I have women on the street cuss at me and calling me slut or worse things in Arabic. Now, why is that I have asked myself? Jealousy? Sudden urge to openly display that they are better than me - maybe more holy? a "better" Muslim?

I haven't come to a conclusion, yet. But it seems, in Ramadan open discrimination and offensiveness are totally ok while having a sip of water on the street is unacceptable!

In that sense, "happy" Ramadan

Tweet

Hamburg riots

Wahlometer, 1) Linke, 2) DKP, 3) Gruene, 4) Piraten, 5) FDP, 6) SPD, 7) DNP, 8) CDU/CSU

Google verzeichnet 31 Milliarden Suchanfragen monatlich. Wem wurden diese Fragen gestellt, bevor es das Internet und Google gab?

Generation Allein - was ist los mit unserer Generation.

Swine Flu Fever

War Games
Die amerikanische Kriegsindustrie kopiert Computerspiele.
Bisher diente der reale Krieg als Vorlage für Computerspiele - ab jetzt ist es umgekehrt. Der amerikanische Waffenhersteller Raytheon hat das sogenannte »Universal Control System« entwickelt - eine neue Steuerungseinheit für Militärdrohnen. Bisher waren diese unbemannten Miniflugzeuge über Tastatur nur sehr mühsam zu steuern, die Ausbildung kostspielig. Die Firma heuerte darum Spieleentwickler an und verwendet für die neue Benutzeroberfläche teilweise dieselbe Hardware, die in der Xbox oder der Wii zum Einsatz kommt.

Ideas:

- day of fototrip

- flashmob