#4: Freedom

FREEDOM

Freedom in our nation

 Freedom of expression

 Freedom to be who you want to be

 Freedom to show emotions

Freedom to leave this life and enter a new

My story focuses on the concept of "Freedom". Beginning with the first image of the flag and the fist in the air, this displays the freedom we have while living in this country. As the pictures move about they show the freedom that we, as people, have in our lives; expression, personal choices and lifestyle, emotions. The last picture of the story shows a gloomy cemetery which I'd like to see as something beautiful rather than sad. It is my way of showing the freedom we have from this life when our earthly lives are done and over. 

There are definitely different ways in which I could have organized this to change the story and/or change the emphasis on certain images. The images can obviously also be viewed in a different way. Some may not see freedom when they view my images.

There are other elements that could add to this story, whether that be a song playing in the background that verbalizes the thought of freedom. It could also be a bible verse that involves freedom that could be positioned in the beginning or the end of the story of pictures. 

#3: "Plastic Pants"

Fruit of the Loom (2015)- "Plastic Pants" 

Intended Audience: Men who wear boxers, boxer briefs, and/or Fruit of the Loom products

Values/Opinions of Targeted Audience: Men want a pair of underwear that is comfortable and fitting in all situations, i.e. in the workplace or dancing at the club

Does Fruit of the Loom appeal to those values/opinions?: Yes, they are advertising a new line of boxer briefs that do not "ride up" and are comfortable for men in all situations. They use this ad to bring humor to the idea of comfortable and fitting undergarments.

Social/Cultural Connotations: Men in the workplace

Colors/Pictures/Phrases Used: The hip hop song in the background while the men enter their workplace and dance, the bright colors of the boxers wrapped tightly by plastic wrap
Overall Purpose: Fruit of the Loom is showing men who have carefully wrapped their boxers in plastic wrap to prevent them from "riding up" and making the undergarments more comfortable and fitting. The ad is meant to sell their product of new boxer briefs that promote comfort and proper fit without the problems that other brands may have. 

Are they successful? I think Fruit of the Loom is very successful in this commercial. They bring light to the situation and make the idea of proper fitting undergarments sound appealing to men. The intensity from the music and dancing make the viewer and/or consumer interested in the commerical from start to finish, therefore allowing the purpose of the commercial to be made known to the person watching. I think the humorous aspect of the commercial being the men wearing plastic wrap pants may hinder the overall message only because it doesn't actually show the product being used and liked.

#2: Strawberry Fields Forever

"Strawberry Fields Forever"

The intended audience of this picture is myself and my loved ones. The only reason the picture was taken during my trip to New York City in 2008 was to produce memories. While this picture was simply intended for mine and my families use, a secondary audience would be anyone interested in John Lennon and his movement. The actual audience of this photograph would be any of you reading this because now you are involved with it.

The photograph itself portrays a specific image and emotion in color. The flowers and the people are able to be shown in more detail. You are able to tell in this picture that it is modern and was taken in this century. The colors of the different flowers add some vibrancy to the picture.

Changing the color to black and white makes the image seem more solemn, to me. The emotion seems different, especially since this is a known memorial site. I believe the color change allows the audience to perceive this image in a different emotion than before. I don't think the subject changes, but the way the person feels when they view it may be different.

I titled this picture "Strawberry Fields Forever" because of the location and John Lennon's music. The memorial site in Central Park, New York City, is named "Strawberry Fields". I definitely feel that title's aid in the way a person perceives an image and it's purpose. In this case, my title just confirms where this picture is and what it stands for.

#1: Nurse

Everyone has their preconceived ideas pertaining to a nurse and what he/she does.

For instance, I work night shift and I hear many, many times from my elderly patients, "I hope you get some sleep tonight!"...do people really think I get out my cot and take a nap?

I don't think you really know what a nurse does until you've lived it, mainly because we do so much.

This is fairly accurate (and funny). I chose this pictures to display the role of a nurse based on my own personal encounters with each of these groups.

My friends either think I wipe a lot of butts in a twelve hour shift or they think I'm helping to perform some crazy life-saving measure on my patients. In reality, I'm usually just helping my patients get through another night, hopefully comfortable and restful.

My mom (or any family member) feels that each night I'm holding the hands of an elderly person, loving them, and having an easy, stress-free night...but, I don't think this ever happens. I get a mix of patients. Sometimes their cute and kind and just want some TLC, other times their withdrawing from a mix of substances, combative and angry.

Society often times relates my job as a nurse to the medical dramas that they show on television. I, myself, wish my job as a nurse was like that of Grey's Anatomy, but it's not even close.

Now realistically my boss does not assume all we do is sleep on the job, my manager is actually a wonderful person and supervisor. I think in some settings though, especially as a night shift nurse, we are thought to do less than day shift. People assume our patients sleep and that we kick back and do nothing..this is false.

In my own perspective, I feel like I have no time to accomplish anything in those twelve hours that I work. I feel like I sit at a computer screen charting redundant information over and over again in various different places. Documentation is vital in nursing.

In all actuality, I am a caregiver above all else. I take the time to hold my patient's hands and give them TLC. I give them tough love if that's what is necessary, too. My job for the night is not to get all of my patients medicated and sleeping so I can finish my charting and have time to socialize, etc. My job is first and foremost to tend to my patient's needs. Regardless of how needy some people are, at the end of the day, my job is not about me and will never be about me.

I've learned that I know exactly what my role is despite what other people may believe. If I truly know what it is I'm called to do, I can do it and do it well.

-Meme made from http://frabz.com/meme-generator/what-i-do/