Broadcast

Evan Suggs Slideshow

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=406667683125
This link will take you to a video of Evan Suggs that is taking the place of my side bar. The pictures and interview were taken by my brother and I.

Blog #11 IMHO #2

Niners Proposal Has Silver and Black Tint

There has been talk of a new stadium coming to Santa Clara for some years now. The Forty-Niners have had their eye on the location, and now the Oakland raiders have seemed to get themselves involved in the new project as well. The article on the front page of the Mercury News last Friday debates whether or not having two teams at the same stadium would be a good thing or not. I believe that if their was to be a new stadium in Santa Clara, the Niners should be the rightful single owners keeping the Raiders out.

The rival between the two teams goes back many decades now. The Forty-Niners are known fro the humble, "wine and cheese crowd." While as for the Raiders, everyone knows about the infamous, "black hole," and the ruggedness about their fans. Being a Forty-Niner fan, it wouldn't be right bringing the two teams together. The teams do not mesh well and they never will. A majority vote of the city with a winning percentage of 36 say that they wouldn't support the unity of both the Forty-Niners and Raiders together. We don't want drunken Raider fans filtering through our Santa Clara neighborhoods on game days.

Having two teams at one location means everything doubles. There will be twice as many games, and double the amount of parking, and traffic headaches. Yes bringing the teams together would financially benefit the city, and reduce the investment costs. However Oakland is not such a proud area to represent the Raiders I truly hope Santa Clara doesn't get the low end of the stick in representing them here as well.

Personally, I would love the San Francisco Forty-Niners to move to Santa Clara. Having a new stadium highlight our location would bring an upcoming Super Bowl to our area. Hosting a Super Bowl would attract about $300 to $500 million in economic benefits in our region. When June 8 comes around to voting on Measure J, I would like to have the Forty-Niners here but the Raiders need to stay where they came from.

Blog 10-Fish out of Water

The beginning of April I took my sister to a Taylor Swift concert. Taylor Swift is a country singing icon for most young girls. I felt extremely out of my element because I don't listen to country music at all.

Everyone was dressed in their country attire. The arena was full of cowboy hats, and boots. I was dressed in sneakers and blue jeans. My sister really wanted to go to this concert so I took her for her birthday.

The entire arena had every seat filled. We arrived early because my sister warned me that Taylor fans were extremely dedicated. The line to enter was about a half-mile long. People were singing the lyrics to Taylor's songs while waiting anxiously to make way through the doors. Even though I didn't know the words I still appreciated the energy and excitement that the fans had.

Echoes of screams and chants as the lights go out, it was time for the concert to begin. Kellie Pickler was one of the opening acts of the night. I had never heard her music before. Surprisingly I noticed myself tapping my feet to the tunes. I really respected Kellie Pickler performing with a broken ankle. Her performance was outstanding, aside from being carried on and off stage.

Finally the moment everyone in the HP Pavilion was waiting for has come. The curtains were drawn as T-Swift and her band made there first appearance of the night. The overbearing noise was louder than any Sharks game I've been to. After Taylor's performance of a song called, "You Belong With Me," the fans gave a five minute standing ovation. The love everyone was giving to Taylor was greatly appreciated as Taylor began to tear up. Her next song, she came out dressed in a Sharks jersey, which was a big hit with the fans especially me.

As the night went on I began to enjoy country music, and spending time with my sister. I definitely have a different outlook on country music and have downloaded a couple songs to my ipod.

word #10

1. Lunged

2. Jared lunged forward, away from me.

The Host by Stephenie Meyer

3. Noun. A sudden attacking forward movement.

4. The lion lunged forward at the fence.

targeting audiences

Brandon Castillo

Targeting Audiences

This ad is about taking the pledge to not use a cell phone while operating a vehicle. The ads intended target audience is definitely for everyday drivers. It’s safe to say that the age group range the ad targets is from about 16 to 70 years of age. People with businesses tend to use their phones a lot while on the road. High school students also could get use of this ad as well, for being new drivers on the streets. Another demographic this ad could target is a person and their income. Cell phone users need to make decent money to afford a cell phone. Let alone be carefree enough with the consequences of getting a big fine from the police. The target audiences lifestyles are most likely busy bodied, multi-taskers, and people that think they are above the law. People who do not value their safety or others around them could take a look at this ad.

The key message of this advertisement is for drivers to pledge today to not use a cell phone while driving. The ad is information rich by telling the audience that, “ driving while using a cell phone is equal to driving while drunk. For texting, it’s the same as being two times the legal limit.” The ad also has a space for the reader to sign and pledge that they will make their car a No Phone Zone. The way the ad is perceived to look like some sort of legal document makes readers feel more binding to obey the law. At the end of the ad there is a website with Oprah’s name, to learn more about taking the pledge. Oprah is a very well known person, and liked by many. The use of her name could possibly help the targeted audience follow in her beliefs to this ad.

word #9

1. Tribunal

2. It was a small tribunal this time, not like the trial for Kyle's life.

The Host by Stephenie Meyer

3. Noun. A law court. A body appointed to make a judgement or carry out a an inquiry.

4. There was a famous tribunal years ago for the O.J. trial.

Blog 8 – IMHO (In My Humble Opinion) #1

For many years couples have been adopting children all over the world whether the adoption is to an average couple or a celebrity couple, like Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie. The definition of adoption is to legally raise another's child. The article I chose was about a seven year old boy whose U.S. family sent him back to Russia. I believe that the adoptive mother had no right in sending her young boy back the way she did.

The boy was sent on a one-way flight back to Moscow by his adopted mother of Tennessee. The new mothers reason for sending the boy back was that he had issues and the family feared for their safety. Torrey Hanson, the mother, was in the wrong because she took on the responsibility of adopting the child, and raising him as her own. A child is not like some sort of animal that you can just return or discard as you please. This poor boy is a human being, and was under Hansons care.

Sending a young child on an airplane flight to another country was extremely irresponsible of the mother. The child could have gotten lost, or worse, kidnapped. Parents do not just get rid of children on account of bad behavior. Part of parenting is disciplining your child as needed. Torrey Hansen in my opinion tried to take the easy way out by discarding her adopted son, and shipping him off to Moscow. It was an easy fix, yet the wrong choice.

The mothers argument for returning the child was written in a letter, which was attached to the boy saying that, "this child is mentally unstable. He is violent and has severe psychopathic issues." Most children who are orphans have dealt with some severe issue in their own lives, which in turn may lead them to having some affect.

Adoptive parents should realize that it's not adoption agencies fault how a child's behavior is formed over their development. I believe that Torrey Hanson should be reprimanded by the law and take full responsibility for carelessly giving up her child.

word #8

1. Wince

2. I winced-I had more recent memory.

The Host by Stephenie Meyer

3. Verb. Recoil involuntarily from pain or fear. To make a pained expression

4. I winced at the site of the dreadful car accident.

Blog 7- Drinking Coffee Elsewhere Analysis

ZZ Packer is an amazing writer. The stories kept me very intrigued all throughout. Packers story telling techniques are key to her success with this book. For example, the usage of her quotes truly let the reader feel the emotion portrayed by the characters in the story. The quotes almost make the reader feel like they are apart of the conversation taking place. The descriptions this author writes are outstanding. As I continued to read on, it was as if a picture was being painted for me in my head.

For example, "She was large but not obese, and crying had turned her face the color of raw chicken. She blew her nose into the waist end of her T-shirt, revealing a pale belly."

I really enjoyed the writers keen sense of youth and humor with her dialect. I believe it gives young readers a chance to relate to some of the stories, and most importantly keeping them interested. Some of the humor is expressed by the use of metaphors. I noticed the use of repetition to portray a scene of frustration.

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Copy Edit the World

Chicken "Parmasan," is misspelled. It should be Parmesan.

The "20 0/z" should be 20 oz.

Birthday card should say, celebrate.

Blog 6-NPR Radio Interview Analysis

Weekend Edition from NPR News, interviewer Scott Simon knew a lot of information about music R&B artist Jay Sean before the actual interview. For example, the interviewer knew that Jay Sean wasn’t the superstar’s birth name. The interviewer did his homework and researched about this artist’s background history. Knowing that Mr. Jay Sean had gone to medical school to become a doctor. Then surprisingly made a 360-degree turn to the music industry. Scott Simon said, “A self professed science geek is the best selling British male artist since Elton John.” The interviewer basically knew about all the accomplishments that Jay Sean has made during his current music career.

Scott Simon eased in with questions about his family and their background story. Asking questions about what it was like for his grandparents to move from India to London. Also questions like, what music put the first spark of interest for music into this R&B artist? The first couple of questions were very basic in a way to make the interviewee feel more comfortable. As time progressed the questions got less generic. This interviewer stated facts about Jay Seans up and coming story to stardom to build up to questions about his early years in music. Scott Simon played old demos from this artist which helped follow up to further questions about his past works.

A strategy I noticed that this particular interviewer used was being a professional, yet casually asking questions as topics smoothly came up. There was no force for answers; which in turn gave the interviewee the freedom to speak his mind. The apparent relationship between the interviewer and interviewee was on a professional first time basis.

I learned that interviewing could be difficult. Taking the time to learn about your interviewee can help an interviewer out in the long run. Knowing background information about the person beforehand helps make it seem like there is some sort of relationship between the two people.

Query Letter

Query Letter for Final Feature

San Jose States very own student pursues career in racing professional Sprint cars throughout California raceways.

Local Sprint car racer, Evan Suggs, 23 of Scotts Valley attends San Jose State University as a mechanical engineer major. Evan Suggs passion is racing Sprint cars. Racing with the World of Outlaws, Evan is amongst many veteran drivers. The elder drivers don’t intimidate Evan at all. He is doing what he loves, and at a professional level as well.

I believe I am the person to write this story because I have been attending racecar events since I was a child. I know the lingo and have built a great bond with Evan Suggs over the past race season. I have a trustworthy relationship with this driver and can make a great story out of his academic and racing career.

I hope you are interested in this story and the lifestyle of a fulltime student/professional Sprint car driver. I will contact you later in the week to see if you’re interested in this story.

Thank you,

Brandon Castillo

word #7

1. Wistful

2. Jeb continued with a sigh, giving the frightened little woman a wistful glance.

Book: The Host by Stephenie Meyer

3. Adjective. Sadly pensive.

4. The uncertain child gave a wistful stare before sitting on Santa Clause's lap.

Blog 5- Mystery Character

A few of these physical attributes are key to this persons success. His long, think torso offers low drag; his arms span is six feet seven inches-disproportionate to his height of six feet four inches- and act as long paddles. His short legs give lower drag and perhaps add the speed enhancement needed. His size total provides the effect of flippers. His hypermobile ankles enable him to whip his feet as if they were fins for maximum thrust through the water.

word #6

1. Inquisitive

2 I hurried past his inquisitive gaze, towing Ian with me.

Book: The Host by Stephenie Meyer

3. Adjective. Eager for knowledge. Too curious

4. The police man gave an inquisitive stare at the witness to the crime.

word #5

1. Frayed

2. My nerves were frayed with worry.

Book: The Host by Stephenie Meyer

3. noun: make or become strained

4. The cold weather frayed her hair into an irregular shape.

Word #4

1. Brusque

2. But his voice was brusque now-angry, but also businesslike.

Book: The Host by Stephenie Meyer

3. Adjective. Abrupt in speech or manner.

4. She was so nervous to give her award winning speech, her voice turned brusque in front of thousands of people.

Blog 4 – What Makes It News?

I read a news article from the Huffington Post, on the USA-Canada mens Olympic hockey game. The hockey game took place this last Sunday. Team Canada was favored to win by a long shot. The Americans pulled off an amazing upset, and won 5-3. The win will advance team USA to the quarterfinals. The game had taken place in Canada, with the crowd on their side, only to be disappointed. This story was extremely newsworthy because the Americans hadn't beat Canada in over two decades. They were definitely the underdogs, and pulled off what was said to be a miracle. Some of the news values found in this article are: what happened, who won, where and when it took place.

This story could be transformed into a local Bay Area story by writing about how many of the Canadian hockey players actually play for the San Jose Sharks team. A reporter could interview some Sharks fans to see who they cheered for during Sundays game. Also a member of the Sharks was on team USA, a reporter could interview him about playing against, and defeating his own teammates.

Word #3

1. Desiccated

2. I wondered, the pricking feeling returning in my desiccated tear ducts.

Book: The Host by Stephanie Meyer.

3. Adj. Remove the moisture from.

4. The drought lasted so long it nearly desiccated the entire lake.

A Fly on the Wall

I could hear the willows making music as they danced through the air. Their shadows mimicking them through the pavement. The smell of just cut grass gave my nostrils an itch. The energy that the children gave off with their screams, as they try to swing jump to the sky distracted my allergies. A little adventurous boy setting his heights a little too high, crash landed as gravity plunged him to the tan bark. For a split second there was a complete silence and shock on his face. The once soaring boy looked upon his injured wing and the sight of red brought him to instant tears. The mother, not far away, shouted, "oh no what happened?" Soon after squeaky wheels and annoying bells echoed through this little jungle. Once again screams of children filled the air, but for a good reason. All I could hear was, "I want this one, I want that one!" The ice cream seemed to be so good that the children had to share it with every part of their faces. The stained profiles were on the run again. The hands sticking to the monkey bars as they swing across like some sort of animals.

Word #2

1. Vestigial

2. I had clearly seen the vestigial feelers still attached to the truncated anterior section of a child.

Book: The Host by Stephanie Meyer

3. 1) adj remaining after the rest has disappeared or dwindled.

4. The firemen saw the vestigial framework of the burned home.

Favorite Writing

2PAC Lyrics-Changes

"And still I see no changes can't a brother get a little peace
It's war on the streets & the war in the Middle East
Instead of war on poverty they got a war on drugs
so the police can bother me
And I ain't never did a crime I ain't have to do
But now I'm back with the facts givin' it back to you
Don't let 'em jack you up, back you up,
crack you up and pimp smack you up
You gotta learn to hold ya own
they get jealous when they see ya with ya mobile phone
But tell the cops they can't touch this
I don't trust this when they try to rush I bust this
That's the sound of my tool you say it ain't cool
my mama didn't raise no fool
And as long as I stay black I gotta stay strapped
& I never get to lay back
'Cause I always got to worry 'bout the pay backs
some punk that I roughed up way back
comin' back after all these years

rat-tat-tat-tat-tat that's the way it is uhh"

The song Changes by 2PAC has always been one of my favorite songs. It's about how living a life in the ghetto can transform a person into survival mode. My first time listening to this song really blew me away. The lyrics are extremely deep in how they share the everyday struggles ethnic people have. I believe it really put peoples lives in perspective in how they can make a change for the better. I can't say that I can completely relate to this song, but I admire the way 2PAC expresses his lifestyle, and how he would like to change his ways. This artist gave a sense of nervous urgency to survive by using repetition in the second stanza. His comparisons in the song are very meaningful. For example, "It's war on the streets & the war in the Middle East," shows that life in the hood is just as bad as an actual war. 2PAC kept the attention of his fans because his lyrics speak out what most people hold in because they are too afraid of the consequences. 2PAC has a persona that change would be a good thing, but it would be impossible to change and still survive living in his environment. This song was recorded between 1995-1996, just within the same year that 2PAC was murdered.

Word #1

1) Nebulous

2)Desire is only a thought, and impulse. It is nebulous and ephemeral. Book- Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill.

3) 1. unclear 2. of nebulae (adj.)

4)The word was no longer nebulous to me after I looked up the definition.

About Me

Hello my name is Brandon Castillo. I come from a big family that I love. My parents have always been very supportive of the dreams and goals I set. I took art classes, played sports, all the activities that I enjoyed as a child. As of now, I am undeclared, but I plan on pursuing Broadcast Journalism. It would be a dream come true to work for a major television station. In high school I was a member of the journalism class for three years. My experience with this class was not a pleasant one. The class was very laggard, and we had published about three to four papers within the school year. I turned towards the idea of Broadcast journalism because I love the attention, and retrieving information from others. My mom says I can be a bit nosy. I like to think of myself as reporting. In my spare time I like to be active, outside playing sports. I am currently playing on an adult slow pitch softball team at Twin Creeks Sports Complex. A weakness that I can improve on with writing is, the length of my pieces. I've found that writing lengthy essays are challenging for me. I need to work on extending my thoughts into something greater. A strength I believe I have in my writing is that my papers are not the same old boring pieces every other student writes. I like to write refreshing papers that readers would want to read. As far as my career in the near future goes; I want nothing more than to enjoy what I do, because thats what's most important to me in life.