Entry #6- Blast from the Past

Our past molded and built the person we are today. Without yesterday, we would have never evolved or grown into who we are today. With that said, sometimes, when I think about specific points in my life, I try my hardest to disassociate and forget more embarrassing times. As a result, I will dwell on poor behavior and decisions much longer than I should. But, sometimes, these past moments can't be avoided. 

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Recently one of my close friends in high school sent me a friend request on Facebook. I already have other high school friends there, but my current friends are more acquaintances. This friend was part of my inner circle. We always got along well, in there was never a rift. However, time and career movement separated us over the years.

I was immediately excited to hear from this person, but after accepting started thinking about my high school days. I was loud and obnoxious, and my home life was questionable. My desire to fit in made me act out more than try to blend in. I realized I had not tried to remain in contact with those friends because I did not want to reminisce on those days. If we could stick to a path of moving forward without looking back, I would feel better about rekindling this friendship.

We have been talking for a few weeks, and it's going well. Unfortunately, we talk more about our high school days than I'm comfortable with, even though sometimes I initiate this subject. I wish I could look fondly at most of my upbringing. However, they are very few moments I cherish. 

I know I must find a way to make peace with my past. I am a better person now with a stable home and work life. But ultimately, I must own up to history visiting me if I choose to remain on social media. And with that, I will close out because social media is another ball of wax to be discussed on another day.

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Entry #5- Here Kitty Kitty

https://youtu.be/dHXL8A1dowo

 I'm fond of the Mayhem Allstate commercials. The situations are always feasible events in which people must have insurance protection. The actor who plays Mayhem always cleverly plays various character roles well, and the bandages on his face indicate he will get into some form of trouble. Today, I chose the cat commercial. The cat commercial fully encapsulates the attitude perceived by a house cat and the mischief it causes and demonstrates why Allstate should be providing coverage to protect the cat owners.

Like in the opening scene, people tend to get cats thinking they will be docile and primarily lay in laps seeking affection. It's a typical suburban home, and the cat Mayhem is on the couch playing with the toy the woman holds for him. Mayhem then proceeds to do all the actions that a cat owner might encounter that are not the ideal behavior traits. He was "plotting to destroy you" from the beginning. He proves this statement by slapping the hand when first coming to his new home, dropping a mouse on the owner's face while sleeping, turning on the sink, sizing people up by looking through the hold on the cat stand, eating a bird, etc. The owners seem oblivious to the trouble he is causing by acting unconcerned while on the couch and videoing him riding on the Roomba. The panic moment arrived when the ceiling fell through from the water Mayhem had left on in the bathroom upstairs. His statement, "if you've got the wrong home insurance…" implies that not all companies will pay for these damages, but Allstate will. Another way the commercial shows that Allstate will care for you in times of need is with the company motto: "Are you in good hands?"

The commercial is constructed with Mayhem in various scenes causing trouble. He narrates his thoughts and actions. All the different settings are reminders about mischievous cat behaviors. The colors used are the trendy neutrals people are decorating with right now. The tone is a matter of fact, stating that all this will happen.

The advertisement is geared toward adults with a property they need to insure in case an event happens, like the one shown in the ad, and costs for repair/replacement will be high. Therefore, it injects humor to make the commercial more appealing while selling the viewer the need for its product. This humor is two-fold. One, with the actor playing the role of the cat, and two, the habitual annoyances cats are known for doing. The tone, method of delivery, and repetitive use of the actor playing various Mayhem roles are effective marketing for Allstate. Companies that use a particular actor/actress create a bond with their product that customers expect to see in advertisements. The commercial also uses the jingle heard in all Allstate commercials. 

Whether we want it or not, insurance has been developed and is necessary to protect high-value items and people. The creators did a good job establishing relationships with viewers with this and other ads to influence people to buy their product.

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Entry #4- Stay In Your Lane

It was challenging to decide on a blog post with a subject of my choosing for the second time. The last blog subject that I selected was the Chinese weather balloon. This time, I have no desire to discuss a controversial topic, even though it’s easier to write about a subject with a vested interest. Then I had an epiphany, what is the one facet of daily life that people are opinionated of but generally does not cause conflict but agreement?

That, ladies and gentlemen, is the topic of Phoenix traffic. I spend an excessive amount of time on the streets of Phoenix. I live in the West Valley and work close to Sky Harbor Airport. Eighty miles roundtrip is my lovely commute each day. I also Ubered part-time for 3 years. I purchased my Ford Fusion brand new in 2015 and now have 215,000 miles on it. I have three particular driving habits that are more irritating in fellow motorists than any other.

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The first is maintaining the speed limit or five to ten miles above the speed limit on the highways and interstate fast lanes. I have read in community forum posts from drivers who chose to stay in this lane because they “are going the speed limit” and “trying to prevent people from excessively speeding.” Well, Mr. or Mrs. Road Boss, you are causing a more significant driving risk and breaking the law yourself. According to Arizona Title 28-721, if the roadway is divided into three lanes, a vehicle should only utilize the innermost lane under normal conditions when overtaking and passing another vehicle. Mr. and Mrs. Road Boss, you are creating a hazard when Curtis prefers to set her cruise to a comfortable 85, and you like to stay in this lane at a slower speed causing her and other like-minded motorists to figure out how to pass you on the right. You are impeding the flow of traffic. A debate is there concerning my speeding, but you’re also making the roads more dangerous. Two wrongs don’t make a right, so let me be the only one in the wrong to keep us all safer. 

 

The second is those high achievers that move into a lane that later merges super early and then prevent others from entering at the actual merging point. Good on you for being proactive and seizing the opportunity to wait longer to contemplate all your life goals! All this additional waiting time allowed you to think of new items to add to your vision board. According to howstuffworks.com, the thought process is inefficient because it “minimizes the amount of usable road.” Think of everyone coming together and letting that zipper merge happen.

 

The final annoyance I will discuss today is when motorists fail to operate signal lights. I’m not sure why countless people move around in traffic without signaling to others their intentions. Maybe their life has been full of surprises, and they’re now passing surprises on? Whatever the reason, if I can accelerate and block you from trying to move into my lane without a signal, I will 100% make this my goal every time. Learn your manners.

 

That is all, folks. I could preach all day about everyday road annoyances. Instead, everyone should attend a defensive driving class at some point, preferably with an engaging instructor that will not put them to sleep. In my class, I learned a driver cannot always drive within the laws of the road while simultaneously avoiding all dangers and accident situations. Use common sense and courtesy, and we will all travel harmoniously down this road of life.

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