A Class on Their Own: Ginger Baker and Amy Winehouse

I’m discussing two different musician’s who rocked the music world with their unique talent and personalities. Some people may argue these artist’s are on a different tier from each other but an analysis of their documentary featuring work, personalities and demons, leaves an impression of similarity. Ginger Baker was someone I was not familiar with but once you read or listen to anything related to him, it’s a sure way of wanting to know more. Amy Winehouse is a well-known artist who’s still played on the radio around the world to this day. The documentaries each convey a unique story of the musician’s, with a few similarities and I’ll be discussing them below. 

The first documentary is about a musical legend from the 60’s whom influenced numerous rockstars such as Johnny Rotten and Chad Smith, to name a few. He hails from a band called Cream and is famous for his drumming skills and violent personality. The beginning of the film sets up the tone for the documentary with a candid video of Ginger Baker assaulting the interviewer due to a disagreement. This scene is followed by testimonials about Baker and his influence in the music industry. Baker’s story is conveyed in a manner that is action-packed and filled with animation that is depicted in a glaring way. From his early life, to drug use in his career, the mix of tribal and percussion music is played with either Baker’s pictures or strong animations of his face. Immediately the viewer can sense the subject is respected and troubled at the same time. The use of mixed media in this documentary was strategically done in a way that the viewer is immersed in the story, almost feeling as if you’re in the film yourself. 

The following story I’ll be discussing is about a young female artist who graced the world with her jazz vocals and raw personality. When most of the world was listening to pop music, Amy Winehouse delivered a refreshing take on music and was compared with the likes of Ella Fitzgerald and Tony Bennett. Her story starts with a short clip of her singing as a teen with her childhood friends. The documentary focused on the singer’s personality, path to success, drug use and her sudden death. Throughout the film, jazz music was playing at key moments in the background which combined well with the singers personality of being raw and unfiltered. Winehouse is depicted as a troubled singer who’s rise to fame resulted in eating disorders and heavy drug use. To convey each tone of her story, multiple clips of her performing is played; each with lyrics incorporated for a deeper understanding of the situation. The film takes the viewer on rollercoaster ride of emotions, much like the subject herself. Strategic pauses are used at pivotal moments in the singers life and conveyed an impact to the viewer which gave lasting thoughts. 

Both documentaries were told in a unique way. Each portraying similar characteristics of musical talent and struggle with substance abuse. Their narratives showcased both musicians at the height of their fame, by strategically placing their music and using a mix of media displaying their facial expressions. Creating impact through the use of animation or changing the pace of a video is the creative difference with Baker and Winehouse’s stories. Baker’s narrative was conveyed in an erratic manner using animation, due to the film creator’s intention to emulate the musician’s way of thinking. Winehouse was displayed in a youthful sense using vibrant colors and somber tone of music leading to her tragic death. 

The documentaries discussed here were creative and true to each of the musician’s personalities. Thinking back on both narratives, any viewer would feel a sense of regret due to the sheer talent each possessed, but ultimately never reaching their full potential. This leaves the thought that sometimes, fame isn’t the best ending for anyone with so much talent.

 

 

Slow Burn: Season Three and Missing Richard Simmons

I would like to start by saying, I’ve never really been into podcasts. Maybe because I always thought a narrative should accompany visual representation, or maybe I just lack imagination. This is why I was pleasantly surprised when I listened to Slow Burn: Season Three and Missing Richard Simmons. Two very different podcasts but completely intriguing in their own unique way. I’ll be comparing and contrasting both podcasts in this essay, as well as an individual analyzation.

I chose Season Three of Slow Burn because the topic was about Biggie and Tupac. I’ve always been interested in this topic because there were so many conspiracies surrounding what happened. I thought by listening to the whole season, it would clarify a lot of the mysteries, and I would finally know who killed who. In the end, I still had a sense of uncertainty because I didn’t understand why the LAPD didn’t want to pursue Biggie’s case. In the end, people just resorted to creating their own conspiracies and even going as far as saying Tupac is alive and well living in Haiti.

As for Missing Richard Simmons, I didn’t know who that was before I delved in the podcast. I know now that he was a prominent fitness instructor who all of a sudden, retreated from the public eye. He was a very lively character and touched millions of lives because of his sympathetic behavior towards people. The premise of the podcast was about Dan Taberski, a fan of Simmons, and his goal to find Simmons. Taberski used to attend Simmons’ classes and eventually became friends with the fitness instructor, or so he thought. In the end, he still wasn’t able to see or talk to Simmons but eventually he received news. Due to the popularity of his podcast, police proceeded to do a wellness check on the fitness instructor and reports he’s alive and well. Even with all things considered, people also debated in their own conspiracy theories on what really happened to Simmons. They even went as far as accusing Simmons of being controlled by his longtime housekeeper, who’s supposedly a witch!

As you can tell, both podcasts were engaging and unique in their own sense. Both seasons had a mystery thriller style narrative, but Missing Richard Simmons podcast was lighter in delivery. Slow Burn gave a sense of news-like punch lines and seemed a little dark– due to the pace, use of music and narrators voice. The Simmons podcast was fast paced and used upbeat background music.

What I found interesting about both podcasts, was the fact that both mysteries are still unresolved. Since there is still so much uncertainty on both separate topics, people just resorted to  assumptions and conspiracy theories. Thinking back on both seasons, I believe both topics escalated to what they are because humans tend to misunderstand each other. People tend to want to believe in their own truths because the real answer might be too humiliating, or even painful.  

The first impression I had with both recordings was the smoothness of their voices. I really enjoyed it because both their voices were very pleasing to the ears– almost a sense of being sent to a calmer state. The recording was 52 minutes long and I’m glad they didn’t edit majority of the interview. The unedited version was only trimmed slightly because of the unnecessary side comments and unrelated questions.

Further more, what stood out to me the most with regards to both recordings, was the music incorporated in. I like the way the recording merged the music with the conclusion of their interview. There were also moments in the unedited version which I would refer to as “silent moments” which were opted out on the final edit. I think this made sense, because the interview sounded more fluid in the end.

With all things considered, I agree with the edits made for the final version. The end result was clear, concise and incorporated the perfect type of music to set the tone of their interview.

There are so many mysteries to being a firefighter and the journey to become one. I decided to sit-down with a firefighter so we could discuss some of the questions behind the profession. In the living room of his house in the City of Huntington Beach, “will anyone be listening to your recording,” he asks. Playing with his dog he smiles and says, “I’m a little nervous so go easy on me.”

Did you always want to be a firefighter and what made you pursue the profession? No, I was in the military before. As I was getting ready to get out, I wasn’t really sure what I was going to do. The job I did in the military didn’t really apply the civilian world. So I took an Emergency Medical Technician class. When I was on my EMT class, I was able to do a ride-a-long with the fire department. Basically, after spending a day there I fell in-love with it. It has all the good stuff in the military I liked and didn’t have the bad stuff. Ultimately, you get to help people. I joined the military to serve my country and now I get to serve the civilians that I live around.

Sounds like you really enjoy helping people. Is that something you’ve always wanted to do? Yeah, you could say that. It’s probably one of my core morals, to do things for other people.

How did you get started in your profession? I took the EMT course and once I realized I wanted to be firefighter, I started taking fire classes. Basically, there were six core classes in college I took. After that, I went to a fire academy and that basically opened the door for me to be a volunteer or reserve firefighter. I went on the engine, rode the same calls they went on, but I just didn’t get paid. But I got to learn the job and basically the kind of culture they have in there.

Sounds like you really found the job exciting or interesting. Yeah, I guess that’s part of the reason why I took the job. It’s not a boring job. I’m not stuck in a cubicle from nine to five. You never know what you’re going to go on so that’s part of the excitement of the job. There is always something new and you’re always on your toes. It’s definitely a thinking-person job, not a sterile, monotonous job.

Most of the time your job can lead you to dangerous situations. Do you remember any scenarios that come to mind? You can go from anything to waking up in the middle of the night and helping someone get back to their bed, or you can be going into a house that’s on-fire and pulling people out. Personally, I’ve been on a plane crash and I’ve also helped someone change their smoke detector batteries. Either way–once the tone drops, (the tone is the alarm at a fire station) you know it’s time to go. Hopefully you can do it in the best of your ability.

Do you remember a specific moment in your job when it rocked you to your core? A time when you knew this job isn’t a regular job and not everyone would be fine with what you went through. Yeah, there are always those calls that stick to your mind. Obviously what no one wants to go on (even firefighters) are kids. Anytime a kid is hurt or sick, those are the times that really stick with you. You wanna make sure you do the best job possible because the parents are handing you their kid. They’re looking at you to try to fix their baby.

Have you had any child fatalities on your hands? Yeah, I’ve had a little kid that drowned.

How was that like? Honestly, it was probably one of the smoothest calls I’ve been on because the paramedic crew I was with had a set plan. The paramedic in charge knew what he wanted to do. When we go on a call, we kind of know what type of call it is and we knew we we’re going to a kid that had drowned. We knew they were doing CPR, so he set up the roles and told everyone what to do before we even got to the call. We showed up and took over patient contact and loaded him up in the ambulance as fast as possible. Oddly, it was the smoothest call I’ve ever been on, even though it was probably it was the most significant.

Even though the kid died?

Yeah.

What do you expect from a call that’s serious? I expect everybody that’s in the crew to step-up and know their roles. That moment in time, it doesn’t matter what your feelings are. You’re the ones that are there to bring calm to the chaos. When people call you most of the time, it’s their worst day. You gotta remember that. They thought their only option is to call you and dial 911.

Do you have any expectations of yourself when you go into a serious call/situation? Just I like I said, we’re the ones who bring calm to the chaos. Even if someone else in the crew is bothered by the situation, for me as their team member, I need to be calm and pull things together. Somebody’s gotta keep a level head on their shoulders.

Redondo Beach Police investigated 4 people on suspicion for mail theft

According to The Orange County Register an arrest was made involving two women suspected of stealing hundreds of mail. Investigators report mail was stolen from Torrance, Redondo Beach, Hermosa Beach and Costa Mesa mailboxes.

Police reports the two women were stopped at a nearby hotel on Torrance Boulevard and Pacific Coast Highway around 11:45 pm. Redondo Beach Police Sgt. John Anderson said when officers searched the car, “They found numerous items of mail belonging to other people” and tools to extract mail inside closed mailboxes.

After investigating the two female suspects, police officers discovered two other male suspects staying with them in the hotel. In the room they obtained hundreds more of stolen mail containing numerous personal information of people, Anderson said. He also reports in addition to the stolen mail were washed checks, the suspects used brake fluid to rewrite amounts and names.

Officers are not sure how long the suspects have been committing their crimes but one mail was dated just a few days ago from Costa Mesa, Anderson said. The police officers already reached out to contact the victims spread across the cities, he said.

A candle was the reason for mother and young child’s apartment burning in Panorama City

According to the Los Angeles Daily News on Friday firefighters responded to a call around 2:35 am on 8800 block of Willis Avenue. Los Angeles Fire Department spokesperson, Brian Humphrey reports heavy fire was coming from the three-story complex.

In the apartment bathroom was a 3-year-old boy and his mother. Firefighters rescued the young boy first using a 35-foot-ladder through the window, said Humphrey. The mother of the child was not found when they returned to the window. Firefighters made their way through the apartment to extinguish the fire, the mother was later found and taken into safety, he said.

Humphrey later is quoted saying, “careless and useless” use of a candle which caused firefighters to contain the fire for 22 minuites. “There is no need to use a candle to illuminate an apartment.”

The mother and son were later escorted to a hospital in fair shape and were assisted by the Red Cross to find accommodations, he said.  

Hello! My name is Clarissa Nazarea and this is a quick intro of myself for Journalism 240. As mentioned in my short video, I was born and raised from the Philippines. I’m now located in the sunny state of California–Huntington Beach to be exact.

I’m a public relations major at Cal State Long Beach. I hope to learn to be a well rounded media writer and storyteller through this course.

This is an example post, originally published as part of Blogging University. Enroll in one of our ten programs, and start your blog right.

You’re going to publish a post today. Don’t worry about how your blog looks. Don’t worry if you haven’t given it a name yet, or you’re feeling overwhelmed. Just click the “New Post” button, and tell us why you’re here.

Why do this?

• Because it gives new readers context. What are you about? Why should they read your blog?
• Because it will help you focus you own ideas about your blog and what you’d like to do with it.

The post can be short or long, a personal intro to your life or a bloggy mission statement, a manifesto for the future or a simple outline of your the types of things you hope to publish.

To help you get started, here are a few questions:

• Why are you blogging publicly, rather than keeping a personal journal?
• What topics do you think you’ll write about?
• Who would you love to connect with via your blog?
• If you blog successfully throughout the next year, what would you hope to have accomplished?

You’re not locked into any of this; one of the wonderful things about blogs is how they constantly evolve as we learn, grow, and interact with one another — but it’s good to know where and why you started, and articulating your goals may just give you a few other post ideas.

Can’t think how to get started? Just write the first thing that pops into your head. Anne Lamott, author of a book on writing we love, says that you need to give yourself permission to write a “crappy first draft”. Anne makes a great point — just start writing, and worry about editing it later.

When you’re ready to publish, give your post three to five tags that describe your blog’s focus — writing, photography, fiction, parenting, food, cars, movies, sports, whatever. These tags will help others who care about your topics find you in the Reader. Make sure one of the tags is “zerotohero,” so other new bloggers can find you, too.