Kelsea S-L

Watching the new American Gladiator, one notices the theatric components that can also be observed in the spectacle of professional wrestling. Every person on the show plays a character of some sort, intesity is highly dramatized and the "battles" are glorified.
The show begins with loud dramatic music accentuating an awesome show of flashing lights and a few pyrotechnics. The announcer's voice is clear and strong emphasizing specific syllables to maximize the excitement; and during the competition contact is glamourized, blown out of proportion in order to stimulate the crowd even more.
The gladiators are tough, strong and well-tuned individuals but the show makes them into ferocious, unstoppable battle-hardened warriors. This effect is greatly enhanced through the overly personified portrayal of the conestants. Each contestant's vignette informs viewers of their professions, hobbies, and families; soft, slow music such as a piano is played during these short introductions. On the exterior, it seems as though this show is pitting wimpy everyday people against dominating world-class warriors.
Each gladiator represents their own brand of toughness as well: Wolf is of darker complexion with mangy hair. He represents untamed fury of sorts. Another, Titan, is a massive, clean-cut, blond haired, fair skinned gladiator that endorses good sport but vows to leave no one an inch when it comes to the competition.
By glamourizing the whole event, classifying the athletes as one sort of powerful warrior or another, and personifying the contestants, American Gladiators is able to capture the audience and leave them wanting more.

Now on to consumption:

Tuesday, 1/29:
-Bowl of cereal
-Subway sub + chips + drink = $6
-New coat and gloves = $100
-Leftover Chinese food and 1 can of Mt. Dew
-Gas traveling from home to St. Paul Campus to Rosedale Mall and then back home.

Wednesday, 1/30
-Bowl of cereal
-Leanne Chin = $8
-1 can of Mt. Dew
-Gas: home, st. paul, quarry (LC), home.

**of course on both of these days, as like everyday, i am consuming electricity, heating oil, programming and commercials.

Yesterday involved some heavier spending than I would like ideally, but the new coat and gloves were necessary and fortunatlely, they are on super clearance ultra sale so I was able to keep my consumption down a little bit atleast. Today didn't see much action as far as consuming, but this weekend may, we will see.

Posted by shul0053 at 8:38 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Today was nice and warm in comparison to the last week or two so I was able to turn off my radiators altogether, no heating oil use today! Before my class today I just had a bowl of cereal and then headed out. Used up a little gas to and from St. Paul and after class I went to the car wash to get all that grime off, rust is a bitch and I am gonna keep my car as clean as possible in this cold weather to avoid it. The wash set me back four dollars and then I had to battle rush hour traffic on the streets and at Kowalski's Market in uptown. By the time I returned home I had spent $52.76 at the store for miscellaneous groceries. Aside from groceries and the car wash I just burned a bit of gas and some electricity back at the apartment. I think that another shopping trip will be necessary relatively soon because I did not get a lot of meal essentials, more snacks and drinks. All in all probably about a $60 day, so it could be a lot worse.

Posted by shul0053 at 9:22 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Following my post yesterday I picked up some General Tso's Chicken from China express along with some crab rangoon, this all ended up costing me more than I would like--some thirteen dollars and change--but atleast there will be plenty of leftovers. In the end that saves a little gas. I also picked up a red box movie which will cost me a dollar per night; I'm aiming to have it for two.
After dinner I went to meet a good friend of mine that I hadn't seen in awhile and found myself at Blarney's. The parking situation was really rough and I easily burned a gallon of gas just driving around and around on the busy city streets. By the end of the night I had consumed 3 drinks: 2 for four bucks and one for two. Then a night cap at Mesa pizza: $3.

Today I was able to use a lot of leftovers and consumed one can of Dr. Pepper. There is stand up all day on TV so I have had that on most of the day in the background while I'm online or moving around the apartment; lots of electricity and program consumption throughout. I was able to stay in today, so didn't make much of a consumer impact. Of course there was money spent on the leftovers before this log existed, so it seems like a free lunch today. Soon I will have to make a trip to the grocery store and that will definitely cost me. Until then my consumer footprint stays relatively modest.

Posted by shul0053 at 12:21 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

For the last couple of days, including toady, I have actually been consuming less than I normally do. Although I haven't been directly buying a lot of things, I have been consuming my fair share of cable. Yesterday helped me to realize how much of the media culture I actually do consume because my cable went out and I noticed a small void, as sad as that is.

Anyway, on Thursday I consumed a bowl of cereal and then went on my way to class, inevitably burning more gas than I would like--and of course driving puts wear and tear on the car that one day I will have to pay dearly for. I had a 20 oz. cherry coke for a dollar and two bags of chips, each also one dollar. Once i got home--after burning more gas of course--I ended up consuming a few slices of a large PIzza Luce wrangler pizza. Total cost with delivery was $30, this was split between a buddy and myself with a generous $8 tip for the delivery guy. With the pizza, I consumed a white russian. The whole time of course electricity is being consumed for light and television while heating oil keeps me warm. Donnie Darko director's cut was the movie choice--consumed previously by a friend of mine so this is a good excuse for me to say I am helping to reduce his consumption footprint.

Friday was a relatively laid back day. After realizing the cable didn't work I decided it to be a good idea to stay indoors and clean things up and put them away. Besides a couple of food items--some leftover hamburger helper, a can of mountain dew, a sandwich and unfortunately some McDonald's--not much else was consumed aside from the unavoidable use of electricity, gasoline and heating oil. I didn't really want McDonalds, but I wanted to get a cheap movie at the red box and decided it was too cold outside to deal with getting my movie, walking back to my car and then repeating the parking and walking at a different location.

Finally up to date now. It's Saturday and it has warmed up a bit so I am consuming less heating oil since my radiators are turned almost completely off. I have been consuming quite a bit of stand-up comedy on comedy central and of course all of the commercials that come with it. I consumed my usual bowl of cereal and then later whipped up a cream cheese bagel, some wheat thins and a can of Mt. Dew. I realize how awful Mt. Dew is for oneself but it has long been my favorite soda. The taste goes unmatched in the entire carbonated drink line up, it can't be helped. I already know this will be one of my most popularly consumed items, but long ago i did realize the ill effects of some 46 grams of sugar in the form of high fructose corn syrup per can and have been quite successful in rationing myself to one can a day or less. I am also a big milk drinker and i have no problem with tap water so i aim to balance the healthy with the unhealthy. Up till this post, not much has been consumed, but I would imagine by the end of the night some kind of Chinese food and a beer or four might well be consumed. The final verdict will have to wait till later.

Posted by shul0053 at 7:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)