Sub-genres of Horror Films

The genre of horror has been prevalent since the inception of film itself. Films dating back to 1931, such as Dracula and Frankenstein, have been tapping into the audience's fear and eliciting generally negative emotional responses. There are fans of scary movies that enjoy the adrenaline rush that is accompanied with watching horror films, and the terror that is associated with them. Within the genre of horror are several sub-genres that play off their audience's emotions in unique ways. These include slasher, torture/gore (splatter), and psychological films.

Slasher films typically follow the same formula--a masked serial killer goes on a rampage against unsuspecting victims. Slasher films can be split up into two distinct sub-types: one type in which the killer's identity is known from the outset and he is shown overtly (albeit sometimes in a mask,) and one in which the killer's identity is not known and which employ an element of surprise--a "twist" ending--when the real murderer's identity is revealed. Alfred Hitchcock's 1960s film Psycho is a well-known example of a slasher film, and is renowned as the "mother of all slasher films." Although the villain's body count in this film is not as extensive as some of the modern-day slasher villians, the knife wielding and mentally disturbed killer, coupled with a twist ending and stalking camera technique used in Psycho effectively executes a successful and well-made slasher film.

Another sub-genre within horror is the torture/gore films, also known as "splatter films." These movies deliberately focus on the graphic portrayals of gore and graphic violence. Splatter films tend to display an overt interest in the vulnerability of the human body and the theatricality of its mutilation. Where typical horror films deal with such fears as that of the unknown, the supernatural, and the dark, the impetus for fear in a splatter film comes from the physical destruction of the body. There is also an emphasis on visuals, style and technique, including hyperactive camerawork. Where most horror films have a tendency to re-establish the social and moral order with good triumphing over evil, splatter films thrive on lack of plot and order. A more recent and notable splatter film series is the Hostel movies, which depict people who are tortured and mutilated on-screen. The success of Hostel saw a resurgence of splatter films in the early and mid-2000s, and was followed by films such as The Hills Have Eyes, Martyrs, The Last House on the Left, The Human Centipede, and the Saw franchise.

Psychological terror films are another example of movies within the horror genre. Most of the time, these movies rely heavily on character fears, guilt, beliefs, eerie sound effects, relavent music, and emotional instability to build tension and further the storyline. Psychological horror tends to be subtle compared to traditional horror and typically contains less physical harm, as it works mainly on the factors of mentally affecting the audience rather than the display if graphic imagery seen in the slasher and splatter sub-genres. It typically plays on archetypal shadow characteristics embodied by the threat. It creates discomfort in the viewer by exposing common or universal psychological vulnerabilities and fears, most notably the shadowy parts of the human psyche which most people repress or deny. Another aspect of psychological horror is its use of body horror. The purpose is to develop a feeling of unease by exploiting human fears of abnormal, human experimentation, disease, and suffering among others. an example of psychological horror is the Blair Witch Project. The film's use of a home camera and eerie storyline, coupled with the characters' fears and shadowy figures and spooky sounds taps into people's worst fears about the subject at hand. Other notable psychological  films include The Ring, Rosemary's Baby, The Grudge, The Silence of the Lambs, and Silent Hill. 

How to Write a Resume-Rewrite

When applying for jobs, internships, colleges or universities, one is often asked to send in a resume. Resumes provide employers or admission offices some basic background information that is required to pass their initial screening tests, such as education level, years of work experience, and so on. Also, a well-done resume can be an indicator of the professionalism of an individual by showing off their excellent writing skills and high standards. Most importantly, it gives employers a chance to get to know the applicant on a more personal level, such as reading their hobbies and interests. Everything that is on a resume goes into consideration whether the person is qualified for the particular position, which is why it is important to write a proficient resume and update it regularly to appeal to potential employers.

The first step in writing a good resume is to understand the purpose of resumes. They are meant to give a brief overview of an individual—not too detailed, not too broad. A good resume will be concise, easy to read, and interesting. In this step, one must make sure not to include irrelevant information. Instead, the information provided should be directly related to the position that is being applied for. For example, someone applying for a job at Microsoft would probably not want to include their work experience at Taco Bell from ten years ago. In this step, it is important to visualize exactly what one wants on their resume, and be prepared to make alterations based on different positions they will possibly apply for as those opportunities arise.

Secondly, it is imperative that a resume is easy to read. It is important to use good taste and keep resumes more on the conservative side. This means avoiding things such as colored paper and unusual fonts, or cheesy gimmicks such as using the company’s product as the shape of the paper. It also includes using varied word choices, proper grammar, and other writing techniques that will show off a person’s intelligence and competence to the employer. In its most basic terms, most resumes are written in size 12, Times New Roman font.

Next, a person should decide on the format and positioning of the content included in the resume. There are two basic forms of positioning information—chronological and functional. A chronological resume is much more common than the latter, and will list current work all the way down to a person’s first job. Chronological resumes work well for people who have remained in the same profession and can demonstrate an evolving, improving history of experience. For people who change jobs frequently, it can make them appear less reliable and knowledgeable. For the people who change their job frequently, or who may have been on a career hiatus, a functional resume may be a better choice. A functional resume is more focused on specific skills, rather than presenting jobs in chronological order. It is important to note that most resumes are a combination of both chronological and functional.

After that, it is a good idea to make what is called a “master list.” A master list will serve as a background document when creating and/or altering a resume. It will include a list of all work experience, educational degrees or awards, and non-paid/volunteer work. Over a lifetime, resumes will appear quite different as people may want to emphasize a different set of skills for different positions. It is helpful to format the master list in chronological order, that way it is easy to find certain skills and pull from it quickly to put into a resume.

The next step is the actual writing of the resume and considering the content carefully. Resumes should normally not exceed 3 ½ pages in length, maybe more only if a person has had a considerable amount of work experience. On average, a resume is given about two minutes reading time, so it is important to keep the information brief, but still contain content that matters and markets a person in a positive way. In this step, an individual will want to list their work and educational history (including start and finish dates), relevant scholarships or awards, and licenses and/or degrees that are related to the position. A person should include their name, an address, phone number, and e-mail address at top of resume for quick and easy identification. In addition, including references with their name, phone number, and professional/educational relationship is important because it provides employers the means to find out any “dirt” on a person. It is important to keep the tone positive throughout the resume. Provide accomplishments instead of just a list of duties at a particular job. In turn, this will show your successes to a potential employer.

There are some cautions one must be aware of when writing a resume. It is essential that a person does not inflate any work or educational achievements in order to seem more qualified for a position. If an employer does their research and found that the information was exaggerated, it can really take away from the credibility of a person. In addition, a person shouldn’t over-qualify themselves in their resume—some information should always be saved for the interview. Also, avoid listing weaknesses, or coming across as arrogant or hard to work with in a resume. While it might seem fine to include that a person may be strong willed and stands their ground in a dispute, this can suggest that they are inflexible and disinterested in listening to others' opinions-- not likely to be someone a boss is keen to have on board.


So whether one is trying to get their dream job or trying to get into that Ivy League school, it is important to put your best foot forward and show off your strengths with the help of a resume. A well-written resume could be a defining factor if the position came down between two people, so it is important to follow the preceding steps to write the best resume possible.

How to Write a Resume

When applying for jobs, internships, colleges or universities, one is often asked to send in a resume. Resumes provide employers or admission offices some basic background information that is required to pass their initial screening tests, such as education level, years of work experience, and so on. Also, a well-done resume can be an indicator of the professionalism of an individual by showing off their excellent writing skills and high standards. Most importantly, it gives employers a chance to get to know the applicant on a more personal level, such as reading their hobbies and interests. Everything that is on a resume goes into consideration whether the person is qualified for the particular position, which is why it is important to write a proficient resume and update it regularly to appeal to potential employers.

The first step in writing a good resume is to understand the purpose of resumes. They are meant to give a brief overview of an individual—not too detailed, not too broad. A good resume will be concise, easy to read, and interesting. In this step, one must make sure not to include irrelevant information. Instead, the information provided should be directly related to the position that is being applied for. For example, someone applying for a job at Microsoft would probably not want to include their work experience at Taco Bell from ten years ago. In this step, it is important to visualize exactly what one wants on their resume, and be prepared to make alterations based on different positions they will possibly apply for as those opportunities arise.

Secondly, it is imperative that a resume is easy to read. It is important to use good taste and keep resumes more on the conservative side. This means avoiding things such as colored paper and unusual fonts, or cheesy gimmicks such as using the company’s product as the shape of the paper. It also includes using varied word choices, proper grammar, and other writing techniques that will show off a person’s intelligence and competence to the employer. In its most basic terms, most resumes are written in size 12, Times New Roman font.

Next, a person should decide on the format and positioning of the content included in the resume. There are two basic forms of positioning information—chronological and functional. A chronological resume is much more common than the latter, and will list current work all the way down to a person’s first job. Chronological resumes work well for people who have remained in the same profession and can demonstrate an evolving, improving history of experience. For people who change jobs frequently, it can make them appear less reliable and knowledgeable. For the people who change their job frequently, or who may have been on a career hiatus, a functional resume may be a better choice. A functional resume is more focused on specific skills, rather than presenting jobs in chronological order. It is important to note that most resumes are a combination of both chronological and functional.

After that, it is a good idea to make what is called a “master list.” A master list will serve as a background document when creating and/or altering a resume. It will include a list of all work experience, educational degrees or awards, and non-paid/volunteer work. Over a lifetime, resumes will appear quite different as people may want to emphasize a different set of skills for different positions. It is helpful to format the master list in chronological order, that way it is easy to find certain skills and pull from it quickly to put into a resume.

The next step is the actual writing of the resume and considering the content carefully. Resumes should normally not exceed 3 ½ pages in length, maybe more only if a person has had a considerable amount of work experience. On average, a resume is given about two minutes reading time, so it is important to keep the information brief, but still contain content that matters and markets a person in a positive way. In this step, an individual will want to list their work and educational history (including start and finish dates), relevant scholarships or awards, and licenses and/or degrees that are related to the position. A person should include their name, an address, phone number, and e-mail address at top of resume for quick and easy identification. In addition, including references with their name, phone number, and professional/educational relationship is important because it provides employers the means to find out any “dirt” on a person. It is important to keep the tone positive throughout the resume. Provide accomplishments instead of just a list of duties at a particular job. In turn, this will show your successes to a potential employer.

There are some cautions one must be aware of when writing a resume. It is essential that a person does not inflate any work or educational achievements in order to seem more qualified for a position. If an employer does their research and found that the information was exaggerated, it can really take away from the credibility of a person. In addition, a person shouldn’t over-qualify themselves in their resume—some information should always be saved for the interview. Also, avoid listing weaknesses, or coming across as arrogant or hard to work with in a resume. While it might seem fine to include that a person may be strong willed and stands their ground in a dispute, this can suggest that they are inflexible and disinterested in listening to others' opinions-- not likely to be someone a boss is keen to have on board.

Extended Definition- Peer Pressure

In 2003, Director Catherine Hardwicke debuted her movie Thirteen, a film that would spark controversy upon its release for its explicit portrayal of teen sexual behavior, as well as drug and alcohol abuse. The film’s protagonist, thirteen year old Tracy, sheds her good-girl image when she meets Evie, who introduces her to a world of petty crime, sex, and drugs and alcohol. Tracy is somewhat reluctant to engage in some of those activities, but Evie always found a way to pressure her into things. Ultimately, the film tackled the taboo idea of peer pressure from the perspective of young teenage girls, a subject that often brings discomfort to people.

In its simplest definition, peer pressure is the ability to influence another’s decisions. More often than not, most of the people dealing with peer pressure are males and females in their early to mid-teen years. At this impressionable age, these adolescents are searching for ways to “fit in” amongst their peers, and are worried about their image and how others view them. Groups, cliques, and even individuals use peer pressure as a way to encourage their peers to change their attitude, behavior, or morals, to fit in a particular group. Peer pressure is a term that is often referred to in situations where young people engage in illegal or inappropriate acts, such as underage drinking, drug use, and sexual acts. At this point in these young adults’ lives, they are trying to find their own identity and define themselves as a person, and often times the metaphorical search for themselves leads to bad decisions and rebellious behavior influenced by peer pressure. A study conducted by the Adolescent Substance Abuse Knowledge Base reported that about 30% if teens are given, offered, or sold drugs in middle school and high school. Also, marijuana use for adolescents rose 275% from 1992 to 1997 according to the National Household Survey on Drug Abuse. In addition, another statistic from the National Household Survey on Drug Abuse and Health from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services showed that 74.3% of high school students have tried alcohol. Finally, another fact from the Kaiser Foundation states that about 50% of teenagers feel pressured with regard to sex in relationships.

Despite the entire negative connotation that is attached to the idea of pressure, there are some positive aspects to it. When it comes to things such as school activities or sports, teens are still under the influence of peer pressure. The desire to stay included in these particular groups influence the way they act in an attempt to feel included and fit in. These scenarios do not necessarily lead teens to engage in illegal or harmful behavior, unlike negative peer pressure.

                The effects of peer pressure can be severe for some teenagers. Peer pressure can be detrimental to the self-esteem of an individual, increase stress, and influence clear decision-making. Experimenting with drugs and alcohol can lead to dangerous situations, such as drinking and driving, alcohol poisoning, and drug overdoses. Engaging into sexual acts a teen is pressured into can lead to STDs or teen pregnancy. Negative peer pressure can also affect a teens home life, and relationships between parent and child can become tense and distant. At the other end of the spectrum, positive peer pressure can improve adolescent behavior when a teen surrounds themselves with friends who make good decisions and smart choices. Peer pressure can also improve a teenager’s confidence and self-esteem. It can also improve academic grades, and provide more open communication between teens and their family. Overall, whether good or bad, peer pressure is a very real issue that affects the youth and will often shape the people the teenagers will become later in life.

Tattoo Acceptance in America

I remember the first time I seriously considered getting a tattoo, and shared my idea with friends and family. Often, I was bombarded with the same questions--Do you think that will help you in your work aspirations? What about finding a quality man later in life? As well as my personal favorite, do you really think in 20 years you will still be happy with your decision to get a tattoo? Obviously, their concerns were valid and with good reason, and I occasionally found myself second guessing permanently inking something onto my skin. Tattoos have not always been (and arguably are still not) accepted in American society, especially in America's workforce.

Tattoos are one of the oldest forms of art, having been around for thousands of years and practiced in many different cultures. National Geographic states that in some societies tattoos are seen as "indelible marks of tribe or of status. They can signify a difficult passage to adulthood, or identify the owner's skills. One of the most popular reasons must surely be one of the oldest—body art adds to the beauty of the wearer."

These societies in which tattoos are common tend to be more indigenous and underdeveloped, but it is clear that tattoos are a trend that is growing among Americans and more developed countries in more recent years. In fact, a statistic from 2010 showed that nearly two in five Generation Y Americans have at least one tattoo, leading people to agree that society is slowly beginning to accept tattoos as a norm in society. In fact, according to a study conducted by the Pew Research Center in February 2010 found that 60% of 18-25 year olds think that the increase in people being tattooed has caused no discernible impact on society, or the workforce.

This growth in tattoo popularity is also a very controversial one, and tattoo acceptance in the workplace is often questioned in America. Body art is often seen as unprofessional and unfit for most "respectable" careers--in fact, very rarely does one see a Fortune 500 company CEO sporting any visible tattoos. Despite the fact that tattoos are traditionally frowned upon in the workplace, John Challenger, CEO of Challenger Gray & Christmas, argues that tattoos are no longer a huge problem for companies who are seeking to hire new employees. Challenger says, “Even in this tight job market, most companies are not going to view tattoos too harshly… One reason is that with everyone from soccer moms to MIT computer science graduates sporting tattoos, preconceptions about tattooed individuals are no longer valid. More importantly, companies have a vested interest in hiring the most qualified candidate." That isn’t to say that an extremely tattooed man will get a job as a childcare worker though. Tattoos are becoming less taboo in our society, but there are still boundaries as to what is still seen as acceptable body art in the workforce, depending heavily on the industry the person is in.

As I sat in the tattoo shop with the needle centimeters from my skin, these thoughts raced through my head. What would others, especially more elderly people, think of my tattoo? Will it make me seem more incompetent in future job interviews? But despite any reservations, I knew that my decision to get a tattoo was one I was going to go through with. I currently have two jobs, ones that are okay with any non-offensive, visible tattoos on their employees. It is obvious that tattoos are much more accepted than they were just a mere twenty years ago, and several industries have joined the trend of employing people with tattoos. The popularity of tattoos is a rate that is growing constantly over the years, and society is slowly beginning to adapt, and even accept, a generation of inked men and women.

Seattle Sounders FC win third U.S. cup championship

October 4, 2011 marked the day where Seattle Sounders FC made history as the first team to win three consecutive US Open Cup championships since 1969. Sounders head coach Sigi Schmid said, “To win three in a row is something that is special and unique and hasn’t been done in an awful long time. It’s huge for the organization.” With the Sounders record at 16-7- ,and Chicago’s at 7-8-16, many thought the Sounders would walk away with an easy win, but Chicago had been on a game-winning streak, so one could not count them out of the race. The outcome of the game was unclear in the beginning.

As Sounders and Chicago Fire fans filled Century Link field with record-breaking attendance numbers, many Sounders fans held up signs that showed their pride for their team, most notably a giant green grim reaper figure, with three gravestones for DC United, Columbus Crew, and Chicago that covered the entire south end of the field, held by Seattle’s Emerald City Supporters. The seats were a sea of green and blue, with a small section of red supporting Chicago. The crowd was energetic and ready for the match to begin.

The excitement of the crowd at Century Link field was slowly starting to dissipate as the Seattle Sounders FC battled Chicago Fire for the win. It was already late in the second half, and the game was tied at 0-0, with only a few minutes left. Seattle was dominating the majority of the game, with several close shots to the net, but was struggling to get the goal that would put them in the lead. Finally, in the 78^th minute, Sounders forward Fredy Montero scored a goal, and as fireworks and confetti cannons erupted, the crowd roared and cheered in celebration while the scoreboard changed to read Sounders-1, Chicago-0.  

The goal gave the Sounders an energy boost to finish the game strong and the Chicago Fire the hunger to tie the game up. The last few minutes saw shot attempts from both sides but in the five minutes of stoppage time, Seattle would be the ones to emerge victorious. Midfielder Osvaldo Alonso, who received a yellow card earlier in the game, scored the Sounders second goal in the 96^th minute, weaving past four Fire defenders and their goalkeeper. The referee blew his whistle a mere seconds after, as both the Sounders and the crowd celebrated their win, exchanging hugs, high fives, and loud cheers. The game ended with the score at Sounders-2, Chicago Fire-0.

Fans, as well as friends and family of the players rushed the field as the team celebrated their third U.S. open cup win, and earned the nickname “3eattle.” A post-game conference ended with a celebratory champagne shower that soaked the team and coaches.

The game marked Sounders goalkeeper and captain Kasey Keller’s last U.S. Open Cup championship with the Sounders, and with his goalkeeping skill, provided Seattle with a shut-out win against the Fire. After the game, Keller said, “We're not done yet. We still have one more very, very important competition left, and we're all looking forward to that,” speaking about the MLS Cup.

The Seattle Sounders walked away with $100,000 in prize money, and will be hosting their last home game against San Jose Earthquakes on October 15.

107.7 The End

   107.7 The End (KNDD) is an alternative rock station based in Seattle, Washington. It started in 1962 as a station called KRAB, which played world music, jazz, and other eclectic types of music. The station had a few other attempts at commercial radio, most proving to be unsuccessful.



    In the weeks of August 1991, the radio station began to announce a cryptic message-"The end is coming"- between songs and during commercial breaks. On August 23, 1991 at 3 pm, the station officially changed it's name to KNDD "The End", and played their first song, R.E.M's hit single, "It's The End Of The World As We Know It." Under the slogan "the world famous end," the station played hit alternative rock songs. Shortly after The End's first broadcast, three local Seattle bands released albums that would shape the growing grunge culture in Seattle, and would solidify The End as a top FM station in the Seattle metropolitan area. Pearl Jam's "Ten", Soundgarden's "Badmotorfinger", and, arguably one of grunge's greatest influences, Nirvana's "Nevermind" were all released and shortly after, the grunge movement gained national attention.
   
      Today, The End remains one of Seattle's only alternative rock FM stations, and included several successful programs on the station. Most notably, Adam Corolla's morning show was very successful and was popular nationwide. After his show was cancelled in 2009, the station was left without a morning show, and began an on-air search for replacement. The search, which included local DJs and musicians, ended with the addition of Whitney "Red" Knoerlin and a brand new morning show.
The station also includes programs such as The End Unplugged on Sunday mornings, where they play acoustic and live versions of alternative rock songs. Sunday nights has The End's “Local's only” slot, where the only music played is performed by bands from the Northwest.
   
       In addition, The End throws annual concert events such as their holiday show, Deck the Hall Ball. Deck the Hall Ball is their biggest show of the year, and usually has big names grace the stage for the event, such as Modest Mouse, Muse, 30 Seconds to Mars, Metric, Phoenix, and the Black Keys to name a few. Endfest is The End's summer musical festival, and has had bands such as Blink-182, Bad Religion, Minus the Bear, Sonic Youth, Bush, and the Strokes.