The Twilight Saga!

So who has not heard of the twilight saga? If not, where have you been living? So many people say it's the new Harry Potter. In my opinion i think this is so true! I myself have read each of the four books. I like reading but I rarely finish a book because it can get boring or when I put it down by the time I pick it back up I forget what it was all about so just give up. However with Stephenie Meyer's books I think they were just so gripping. They create a perfect picture in your head of the story she tells and you really feel you can relate to it. The general outline of the books is a complicated love story. It is about a normal American girl who falls in love with a vampire and because of this it puts extreme pressure on their relationship. Her best friend is also a werewolf. I know it sounds a bit insane but I never wanted to put it down! I will even go as far as saying I was pretty pathetic because I use to stay in willingly at the weekends to read the books instead of going out (ofcourse I never told anyone this!!).

The whole excitement that surrounded the new film "New Moon" coming out was unreal. People were buying tickets two weeks in advance and going to see it at 12:01 AM the day of the release. It was crazy! I think however it is completely a girl thing, I cant say I know any boys who have read or will read the books even after I tried some persuasive tactics! Maybe after taking a look at the trailer it might change some peoples minds....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RnyDdfVgqnQ

Mobile Commerce

Who would have thought that mobile commerce would be such a crucial part of our life's in todays world. No matter where you look everyone has a mobile phone and it is used for so many purposes such as surfing the Internet, performing bank transactions, informational services (for example if a message is left on your bebo or facebook account the client gets an instant message informing them of the change) I remember when I got my first mobile phone I didn't use much except for sending text messages or making the odd phone call whereas now I am more prone to taking pictures on my phone and I occasionally log on to the Internet unlike before. As more phones are being developed they are now introducing new and exciting accessories to go with them. I think if you even compare the most recent new apple phone which is the IPhone with the traditional phones that were available five years ago there is such a big improvement. Initially my first mobile didn't even have a camera or the Internet but now when you go to purchase a phone you will see if there is bluetooth, infrared and whether or not it is a 3G phone or not. Mobile phones really did integrate into modern day society and now people wonder how did they ever live without them.

Online Adult Industry

I'm not really to sure how to approach writing this blog I could just bore the reader by talking about how the different types of people from the recreational people to the people who are at risk by using the E-sex industry but instead I think I will talk about the reasons why its such a big industry.It all comes down to some simple fact it generates a lot of money. It is one of the most profitable sector online. I suppose if you think about it, it does make sense. People wanting to use these sites have the confidentially factor going for them plus they can use them where and when they want too from only a simple click away. From learning about it, it seems to be a very addictive industry for the at risk people and many marriages can be destroyed because of it. From a religious point of view the whole idea of it is frowned upon. The whole moral associated with it too is huge. If you knew someone who was working for these sites I think you would view them differently. The same way you might view someone who uses them differently too. I think there is more of a status associated with a woman if she was to use these sites rather than a man maybe that's why there is a higher percentage of male users rather than of female users. Some reasons why people use such websites could just be also out of curiosity more than anything. If someone tells them about it they might just want to check it out for themselves. In my opinion I don't encourage it but I don't frown upon it either. However I don't like the idea of child pornography and I don't agree with it. I feel a bit sick thinking about it actually. Its just not right!

Is there a place for religion in modern society?

I think this is an interesting topic. I don't think religion still has the same importance as it did when our parents or grandparents were growing up. We are a changing world and I think our views on religion are also changing. Younger people now don't go to mass as often. Why? I think working plays a part, a Saturday night out will also have an impact and I also think it can come down to plain laziness. I myself would regularly attend mass but if someone was to say to me to skip it I can honestly say I don't think id think twice or that I would feel guilty because of it. However I do think people have faith they just don't practice it regularly. I think when you come into trouble, when something bad happens to you or someone you know you will go right back to your faith. You will say a prayer for them or maybe even just be thinking of a dead relative or friend asking them will watch over them. I think people are changing too. Its not like it was before where you went to school, got a job, got married and lived happily ever after. More and more people are starting to go traveling, jobs are so different than they were 20 years ago, and also people are starting realise their sexuality and become more open about it. I think that these factors could all be a reasons that could effect peoples religion . I always find this amusing when you go into mass on a Christmas eve or on Christmas day you need to go early so you get a seat. Everybody goes to mass for Christmas but why? I don't understand why people feel they need to go to mass for Christmas but they miss it every other Sunday of the year. I know I sound like a priest preaching but that always amazes me. I don't believe people are going because they really really want to but more that they have to or the simple fact that it would really be bad to miss Christmas mass. I definitely think that religion in todays world is fading away. I never heard of anybody or know of anyone who wants to become a nun or a priest. whats going to happen when all the old nuns and priests die? Who will say mass then? Will we have to "import" nuns and priests from other countries?

Nama

OK so I'm going to talk about what I know about NAMA. I have a feeling this is going to be a short blog because my knowledge of what the concept of NAMA is, is low. My basic understanding of NAMA is that because of this economic downturn Ireland is in trouble financially because the banks lent out too much money during the time "boom" period and there not getting their money back so now an outside bank is going to come in and help so the Irish banks don't go bust. I'm not sure if that is even correct but that is my understanding of it. I know I'm studying business and I really should know a lot more than what I do but I think aswel it's the fact that it doesn't interest me in the slightest. I zone out when I start hearing about debts and percentages and also I don't really understand the jargon that is used when you start to read about it. I think it should be broken down into plain simple English so people can try and get a feel and understanding of it. It reminds me of the Lisbon Treaty. I wasn't 100% on what that was totally about so I did go and try educate myself on it but again it was extremely hard to read. I do think though NAMA will need to be introduced. How else are we going to get ourselves out of this crisis. It might only get worse if its not implemented. I guess we'll just have to wait and see...

Social Network Sites

Who would have thought ten years ago that there would be an Internet site where you could talk to friends, upload photos, leave comments on your friend's walls and play games on. Yes I'm talking about facebook. Who invented such a brilliant site? Whoever it was they are a genius! All of the younger generation are on it. It's a cheaper and faster way of communicating with friends. However are the older generation being left out? Do they even realise what there missing?

I was up visiting my grandparents last week and we were watching the xtra-factor where they were asking the public to leave a message on facebook and to check out twitter. My grandad didn't understand what facebook or twitter was. I had to explain to him that they were social networking sites where people can talk to each other, check out other peoples page and follow people. He wasn't really grasping this concept at all. He bombarded me with questions such as How do you get on to it? Do you have to pay? Who can go on them? Eventually after spending about 30minutes trying to explain to him about these sites I think he understood. When I left the house I got to thinking and it occurred to me who else didn't know about Facebook and Twitter. Most of us would just take it for granted that everybody knows what virtual communities are and the purpose of them. It just goes to show that people who are not computer literate don't have a clue whats going on online. I wonder do they even care?

Scary maze!

I was surfing the web during the week and one of my friends sent me a link to look at this video on you tube. It's basically about scaring the living daylights out of a young boy who is no more than about ten or so, while he is playing a maze game online. When I first watched it, I myself screamed at the computer I got such a fright. Then the second time I played it back and I laughed at the child's expense! Hypocrite- I think so!! The more I thought about it though I wondered is this a bit mean. What sort of People are we when we get humour from laughing at other people. In this case the boy was clearly completely terrified and I hold my hands up to say I laughed at him because I thought his cry was so funny! Here is the link below, see if you find it funny or just plain cruel.