'Graffitti' - Tom's Blog Thingy (Clewer, Thomas)

I had not really gave it a thought before reading your blog but, when I was

at school and I know I'm showing my age now but, we had to make our own fun and that included hopscotch. I never saw it has graffiti, does using chalk count? We lived opposite a common and I was forever getting the older lads to take me on the back of their bikes. I've done some crazy stuff! We only had three channels on the t.v. there wasn't anything like the stuff you've got today, we only had 45's and 33.3's, which I could only play when the house was empty. We had tape decks and could only tape off the radio charts! If anyone is really interested in the 1970s, check out this great website <http://www.inthe70s.com/leisure.html>.

Which reminds me, did anyone see the t.v programme 'Life on Mars', on Tuesday nights?

'Swearing'

Abi Maccioni's BeingBad weblog (Maccioni, Abigail)

I do agree with you Abigail about profanity however, just sometimes, I think when used on an occasion it shows how angry someone is. For an individual who normally does not swear, without someone throwing a tantrum, one isolated 'bad' word displays actually how strongly someone feels about a topic or situation. When every other word is an expletive, the English language loses it's power. It's all about self control isn't it and the thought or action of 'Being Bad' or not? I 've just had alook at the following web site and from the comedy aspect, I was laughing at some of the comments. Sometimes, you've just got to be there!
http://www.laughingpoliceman.com/swear.htm

'Tattoos and body piercing'

Body Modification such as tattoos and body piercings in my opinion can look sexy but in carefully thought of place, tastefully and not obsessively done. As it was mentioned in the lecture, it is no more than anyone having one's hair styled. It is in my mind distinctive of one's nature - it says a lot about that person and gives the impression of deviance, only frowned upon by bigots from yester year. Bring it on! I found this lecture informative, however I could/couldn't stay for the latter part, I was beginning to feel a bit woozy at the thought of what was to come! The following web site readdressed the information, which I actually find interesting, obviously body modification is a cultural thing and it is not just gangland stuff.
Reference: About: Tatoo's and body peircing (no date)[Home page] [online].[22nd March 2007] < http://tattoo.about.com/>.

'Masturbation'

Healy's World (Healy, Maria)

Were you serious about being reminded about why 'Masturbation' was in this module? Anyway, I thought masturbating effected ones' eyesight and not ones' memory? Take a tip and wear contact lenses - nobody will know. I have worn contact lenses since I was seventeen because I got fed up of taking the glasses off and fumbling around. When I entered a warm room, the glasses steamed up! (Which brings me on to my next subject).

'Too Religious'

What a fantastic lecture and people actually took part! Obviuosly the opening prayer got the reaction intended but, people just didn't get the gist of things and left before it was clear what was going on! I found the lecture informative on Jehovah Witnesses however, I am not religious at all and I believe I live my life honestly without going to church, perhaps more so than others. Although, I am pleased that people find comfort in their religion but, when they are intolerant of other believes and opinions, I have to walk away. I have Jehovah Witnesses' in mind when I think of people insisting on impressing their beliefs on others. From the lecture's explanation of the initiation Jehovah Witnesses', they have the door knocking experience, which for me is terrible, anyway, I've gone looking for information and found this website: Jehovah Witnesses (no date) [Home page] [online].[15th March 2007].http://www.watchtower.org/library/jt/index.htm

Theatre of Cruelty (George, Emma)

I must admit that I've got to hand it to you, your dead right. I'm a sucker for a bad guy - only in films though! There is one thing about the cowboy, who is dressed in black. He always turns out to be bad. I love watching thrillers that keep you on the edge of your seat and it's the nice girls that go for the rogues. Though, I could never see the attraction of 'the Duke', or better known as John Wayne, when I was younger I used to laugh at the catch phrases he used and his swagger (Born Marion Robert Morrison, pictured on the right when he was young courtesy of Google Images).

John Wayne. (nodate) [Homepage] [online].[7th May2007].<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Wayne>.

'Bandits and Outlaws'

This is an interesting topic for me, as I am fasinated with the old black and white films of gansters such as Al Capone, who I believe one of his 'rackets' was a numbers game, a form of today's lottery. This was one of many stories told by my father who was born in 1929, just around the time Al Capone was convicted and jailed. It is ironic that Al Capone could only be convicted for tax evasion and then only after his associates 'grassed'. Refernce: Al Capone (no date) History [online]. [15th March 2007].available from <http://www.chicagohs.org/history/capone.html>

Comment on: Sam's Weblog (Clare, Samuel)

I have agreed with everything that you have said. Have you thought of a destination for the field trip, I am thinking of London? You explained a scene in American Pie, which I'll have to see. I must admit the thought of those films really didn't grab me, I thought they were along the lines of the 'Police Acadamy' films? I just can't cope with slap stick comedy.

'Infidelity'

Speaking from personal experience, being a divorced woman, disgruntled at thought of putting 'a bloke' before anything and everything. One might say I took a very philosophical view when I found on two separate occasions that my husband was unfaithful. In the first instance he openly admitted to me, very early in our marriage the first, which he attempted to dismiss as merely as an indiscretion. However the second, I was suspicious of my sister-in-law... I was right. Well, to cut along story short, in ended very messily, with him trying to push me over a banister on the third floor where we lived. I started divorce proceedings while were still together and when I asked him to sign the divorce papers, he broke up a £400 solid gold watch I had brought as a previous present. He has gone home to Mommy, with tail between his legs and bankrupt! It's peculiar how he told his parents that he went home with just he clothes he was standing in, when I'd smartly packed his suitcase and a flask. He later divulged this to me a when I invited him to dinner and explained how his best mate had confirmed how my ex had bragged to him about the affair. I can categorically state that revenge IS best served cold! So listen fellas, beware!

http://badsmurf/

I'm with you badsmurf, I'm NOT for paint balling, think of us oldies?
I was thinking of a tour around London Soho area but, anything like this would be out of the question. You know curiosity kills the cat and all that!
I went to the Grand Theatre on Monday 19th February to 'Circus of Horrors', that was a great night out. The show entailed illusions, the usual stuff and body mutilation - skin stretching etc.

Reference: Circus of Horrors (2007) [Home page] [online]. 19th February 2007 [19th February 2007]. <http://circusofhorrors.com>.

'Masturbation'

Well I just wanted to get up and walk out of this lecture on a couple of occasions, if it was not for Mark giving such a good informative lecture. Mark was interrupted on numerous occasions by a rabble basically - I was disgusted. Obviously, people just were not aware of their sexuality and I just hope they heard the part when it was mentioned that masturbation is a normal animal instinct. Enough said!
Anyway, I've just gone into the following web site to prove that, fellas if you don't take your body seriously, especially masturbating regularly, one might suffer the consequences of prostate cancer. Get the facts:
Dr. Hiley, C. (2003) Masturbation:'cuts cancer risk' [online].BBC NEWS/HEALTH, 16th July 2003 [22nd February 2007].<http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/3072021.stm>.

'Prostitution'

Prostitution is one of the oldest professions around, whether you agree with it or not, it still has the same repercussions today. From the study by Dr. William Sanger during the 19th century found that younger, mostly illiterate girls with no family network became invloved.
<http://www.cwrl.utexas.edu/~ulrich/femhist/sex_work.shtml>
In my opinion it is wrong to deliberately set out to deceive anyone in any circumstances, even promising sexual favours and not delivering. It is still prostitution/deception however, I believe it is the solicitation that is illegal in this country. Prostitution is also associated with other deviant activities and visa versa, such as; drug dealing, gambling, fencing stolen goods etc; (Burnham 1998. p171). Although, from a Sociological perspective, according to Emile Durkheim who demonstrated 'rules of sociological method' regarded crime as inevitable, he concidered crime as normal and part of a healthy society. Therefore, a certain amount of 'crime was acknowledged as functional but too little or too much is pathological' (cited in Downes & Rock 1998. pp89-100).

To be or not to be BAD (Stokes, Peter J.)

Comment on: To be or not to be BAD (Stokes, Peter J). Hi Peter,

Julie Mills here,

did you want to go to Ludlow castle for the field trip, is that the question?

P.S.
Your not a Shakespeare fanatic by any chance!

Comment On: Tom's Blog Thingy (Clewer, Thomas)

Hi Tom,

Julie Mills here, thought I would give a bit of chat. The 'Smoking' lecture was I thought good and if that is the standard they are going to help, try not to miss lectures. If I can help, I will but it is virgin ground to me this 'blogging'. Do not forget you can get a copy of the 'Smoking' lecture handout from WOLF.

Just give a whistle ok!

'Shoplifting'

The lecture on the 15th February showed us a clip from 'Family Guy', which depicted Lois shoplifting, which is a criminal offence if caught! She was experiencing a rush. The thrill and adrenaline rush of doing it for hell of it, just to see if one can get away with it, is a childish prank. It may seem cynical, but when they do get caught, we then get the tears and they are sorry. However, for those with compulsive disorder syndrome and/or in post natal depression, the act of shoplifting is common, for which I sympathise. In my opinion, it is attention seeking and a cry for help. I've since read most peoples thoughts on this subject and have read the following websites, with the conclusion that it's a multi-million project for business' - you just don't do it! Reference: Crimedoctor.(no date)[Home page] [online]. [15th March 2007].<http://www.crimedoctor.com/shoplifting.htm>.

'Smoking'

A general observation made from the lecture 8th February 2006 on 'smoking' and preceding lectures was that over the years, those who admitted to 'smoking' were diminishing. Could this possibly be a significance of health implications being made aware to the public through Government and media campaigns on 'quitting'. However, 'smoking' appears to be a social activity and is intimated as a provocative pass time, although according to Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) eighty-three percent when questioned would not smoke if they had the chance again (ASH), (no date) [Home page] [online]. updated 19th February 2007 [cited 19th February 2007]. <www.ash.org.uk>.