Monday, February 11, 2008

Pack your Bag

Hello all,
Really good comments last week. I have enjoyed reading them. I was watching a news piece this weekend where a journalist asked all the presidential candidates what book they would take with them to the White House. That's a neat question and it reminded me of that old question, "If you were stranded on an island........"

So here's my media related question to you this week. Write a short paragraph on each:

1. If you were stranded on an island, what magazine would you like to wash up onshore every week? And why?

2. If you were stranded on an island, what one movie would you like to take with you (in a portable dvd player, of course)? And why?

3. If you were stranded on an island, what one album/song would you like to be loaded on the mp3 player you took with you? And why?

Good Luck

26 comments:

Mari said...

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nancyh said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
nancyh said...

The magazine I would choose to be washed up weekly is "Wilderness Way" This is a primitive survival magazine with articles and reader survival tips like this one from Jake Leslie, "When constructing a desert shelter, erect a "second roof" one or two feet above the first. This will reflect much of the heat your first roof would normally pass on to you and it can be removed and used as an extra blanket at night." Good stuff to know, really!

My movie would probably be "WaterWorld." It is one of my favorite movies and I just cannot get enough of that Kevin Costner. He is the coolest and the movie would probably make me feel more content being stranded on dry land!

The album, now this is a tough decision, but I am going to go with STYX Greatest Hits from '95. It is loaded with great music. There are many tremendously good songs on there and they are just timeless rock. Something to sing along with while having too much time on my hands!

Lauren said...

If I was stranded on an island I would want INSIDE weddings to wash up to shore weekly. I recently got engaged and I am so caught up in all the planning! I buy a new bridal magazine almost every week. The one magazine that I have gotten the most useful information from was INSIDE. I would hold out hope on the island that someone would rescue me, and when they did I would have my wedding all planned! :)

The one movie that I would take with me would be Fried Green Tomatoes. It is one of my favorites! Not only is it funny, but it also reminds me that everyone needs help sometimes. At any moment in your life, you can impact someone else's life. I love just about any movie that is based in the South.

The one song that I would want to have downloaded and with me would be Free by Zac Brown Band. It incorporates Van Morrison's song Into the Mystic into it...which I love. The night I realized I was in love with the guy I'm going to marry, this song was playing out of his truck while we were sitting on the tailgate by a fire. Corny, I know.

Anonymous said...

The one magazine that I would want washed up weekly would have to be People, I like to be in the know in the celebrity world. I should prob. ask for a magazine with survival stories in it, but I would rather entertain myself with people. I read the same magazine over and over.

The movie I would watch over and over would have to Wedding Crashers, everytime I watch the movie I laugh. It never gets old. Maybe I should be watching cast away.. but that just bores me!

The song or album would have to be brad paisley. I am a big country person and I love all of his songs!

Tessa Horn said...

I would have Better Homes and Gardens which is a monthly publication. Better Homes and Gardens is a magazine that focuses on making homes and families the focal point in everyday life. Because Better Homes and Gardens is a monthly magazine, I would also have a subscription to Outdoor Life. Outdoor Life is a monthly magazine that contains information on fishing, hunting, boating, conservations and outdoor adventure stories.

I would have my favorite movie which is ironically Cast Away. Cast Away stars Tom Hanks as Chuck Noland, an engaged, workaholic Federal Express inspector, that travels around the world testing the effectiveness of international shipping offices. His frenetic schedule puts a strain on his relationship with longtime girlfriend Helen. But when a plane crash leaves him stranded and isolated from other human beings on a remote Pacific island for four years, Chuck slowly becomes transformed both mentally and physically as he attempts to survive. This harrowing personal struggle ultimately brings him to a simple Zen-like understanding of what things in this world -- in his world -- are truly important.

I would have any Elton John CD. Elton is one of the greatest musicians of all time. Elton has had a four-decade career and is a dominant force in rock and popular music. His success has had a profound impact on popular music and has contributed to the continued popularity of the piano in rock and roll.

S. McElfish said...

The real question is what makes you an individual. If one looks at their environment, a person does not have to be alone to be isolated. One only needs to see or admit that a person, you or me, are surrounded by a sea of strangers at any given moment, and you don't have to be Will Smith to feel like the last man on Earth. However, we are individuals, so everyone has friends, family and a personal style that helps keep the inner ghouls at bay and your island sane.
Hence, the magazine that hits my shores is Esquire. The publication history connects the reader with all of the eras of American history it helped to cover and influence.

The movie that rolls on the island is GrindHouse. The double feature, both Planet Terror and Deathproof, are to be seen as one. When it comes to film making, the rebel without a crew and Mr. Brown know how to have fun.

The one song is "Sure Shot" by The Beasty Boys because you, "got to have the skills to pay the bills."

Vixen1922 said...

Jessica Hunter
1. If you were stranded on an island, what magazine would you like to wash up onshore every week? And why?

If I was stranded on an island the magazine that I would like to wash up onshore every week is Smart Computing. I am a computer nerd and I am only fully enjoying myself when I am learning new things about technology. One may wonder why in the world I would want a computer magazine when clearly there is no computer on the island. Honestly, I cant answer that, its just the way my brain is wired.

2. If you were stranded on an island, what one movie would you like to take with you (in a portable dvd player, of course)? And why?

Hmmmm...this is a REALLY hard one. It would have to be a classic becuase the new movies are really not that good. I guess it would have to be "The Grinch" with Jim Carey. I LOVE that movie and I watch it at least once a year, at Christmas of course. Can I take a DVD set? Does that count as one movie? If so, I would take the Boondocks Season 1 DVD instead of the other one.


3. If you were stranded on an island, what one album/song would you like to be loaded on the mp3 player you took with you? And why?

These questions make being on an island unbearable!! Its sooo hard to choose, I mean REALLY! Ok, if I had to take only one song it would be...no wait..."Get Low" by Flo-Rida, I just LOVE that song. It would be great for an island because its not depressing and hopefully it will make me forget that I am on this friggin island!

Mari said...

Pack your Bag

If I were stranded on an island, the magazine I would prefer to wash up on shore each week would be US News and World Report. I love this magazine because the information is presented in a professional manner that anyone could understand. The editors usually discuss many important issues such as politics, money, the economy, social injustices, etc, no subject is off-limits. The information presented can be verified and all sides of an issue are discussed. Each year a list of the best schools, hospitals, beaches, jobs, and communities are listed in the magazine. There is something for everyone to read in this magazine. It’s a great magazine when doing research on any subject.

If I were stranded on an island, I would take the movie “Sense and Sensibility” with me. I adore this movie and now that it is close to Valentine’s Day it’s time to put it in the DVD Player to watch. This movie has laughter, tears, struggle, heartache and pain. You really can put yourself into the role of each character to see if you would make the same decision as the character. The movie itself has several tops stars such as Hugh Grant, Kate Winslet, Emma Thompson and Alan Rickman. The movie has several different stories going on but the basis of the movie is a second wife husband dies and his money goes to his first son of his first marriage and the second wife and her three daughters are left poor in England in the beginning of the 18th century. The characters deal with matters of the heart in this movie but everything still evolves around money and survival. This movie has won an Oscar and for me it is the greatest movie ever made.

If I were stranded on an island, I would make sure I have Glen Frye song “The One you Love”. Glen Frye was with the Eagles for many years then he ventured on his own and was able to make the transition very smoothly. This song is on his first solo album, “No Fun Aloud” that was released in 1982. The song begins with the saxophone laying the groundwork for the lyrics and then it keeps deep. The chorus asked the questions “Are you going to stay with the one who loves you or are you going back to the one you love.” Glenn Frye’s music is considered pop or Country Rock but I love anything he puts out because it comes from the heart.

Mari said...

Pack your Bag

If I were stranded on an island, the magazine I would prefer to wash up on shore each week would be US News and World Report. I love this magazine because the information is presented in a professional manner that anyone could understand. The editors usually discuss many important issues such as politics, money, the economy, social injustices, etc, no subject is off-limits. The information presented can be verified and all sides of an issue are discussed. Each year a list of the best schools, hospitals, beaches, jobs, and communities are listed in the magazine. There is something for everyone to read in this magazine. It’s a great magazine when doing research on any subject.

If I were stranded on an island, I would take the movie “Sense and Sensibility” with me. I adore this movie and now that it is close to Valentine’s Day it’s time to put it in the DVD Player to watch. This movie has laughter, tears, struggle, heartache and pain. You really can put yourself into the role of each character to see if you would make the same decision as the character. The movie itself has several tops stars such as Hugh Grant, Kate Winslet, Emma Thompson and Alan Rickman. The movie has several different stories going on but the basis of the movie is a second wife husband dies and his money goes to his first son of his first marriage and the second wife and her three daughters are left poor in England in the beginning of the 18th century. The characters deal with matters of the heart in this movie but everything still evolves around money and survival. This movie has won an Oscar and for me it is the greatest movie ever made.

If I were stranded on an island, I would make sure I have Glen Frye song “The One you Love”. Glen Frye was with the Eagles for many years then he ventured on his own and was able to make the transition very smoothly. This song is on his first solo album, “No Fun Aloud” that was released in 1982. The song begins with the saxophone laying the groundwork for the lyrics and then it keeps deep. The chorus asked the questions “Are you going to stay with the one who loves you or are you going back to the one you love.” Glenn Frye’s music is considered pop or Country Rock but I love anything he puts out because it comes from the heart.

R. Wickersham said...

This is a hard one. I am not much for magazines really and to decide which one I would want to read, possibly for the rest of my life, is a difficult task. I guess it would be a decision based on what I would continue to find interesting for an indefinite amount of time. Normally, I would say “Imagination Art” which is a magazine on digitally created illustrations and paintings. I have a great interest in this as a hobby, but you didn’t say I had a computer or any art supplies with me, so that publication would be somewhat a reminder of my limited options for entertainment. Taking that into consideration, I would choose “Smithsonian”. I pick that one because I love the variation of articles and can often mull through old issues and still be entertained. It is a text-heavy magazine with enough pictures to keep things from being visually boring. The fact that it would take longer to read and it varies in its subject matter would equate to more bang for my buck over the long haul.

For as long as the batteries on my DVD player held out, (or is it solar-powered?) I don’t think that any movie would be much good to me. Don’t get me wrong, I like movies, but I don’t normally watch them more than once. Of course, that’s the cop-out answer so I choose “How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days”. No, that is not my favorite movie. It is my wife’s. If I am alone on this island, I want something that ties me back to her. Though it would make me sad to remember her, the movie would also provide me that glimmer of hope that someday I might leave the island and get back to her and my daughter. Wow, how’s that for depressing?

I can only choose one song? I suppose I had better make it a happy one! “All-Star” by Smashmouth reminds me of good times. It is happy and upbeat which is exactly what I would need. I wouldn’t play it very often though. I would save it for special occasions like coconut season or maybe a luau with the imaginary friends I would probably make up as a result of my dementia. Visions of me dancing around in a grass skirt with a massive sunburn and scraggly beard to this song is an image that is as humorous as it is sad.

Deanna Wilson said...

If I were stranded on an island I would want an issue of US Weekly to wash up every week. I read this magazine all the time. I can just read it and not have to worry about anything else. And, it is kind of fun to see what the celebrities are doing. I’m assuming I would have a lot of down time on the island, so I could read this magazine to relax instead of worrying how I was going to get off the island!

I would be watching Steel Magnolia’s on my portable DVD player. It was hard to pick just one movie. Dirty Dancing, Pretty Woman, Forrest Gump, and Talladega Nights were all close seconds. I chose Steel Magnolia’s because it is one of those movies that you can watch over and over again. It does not matter what I am doing, if it is on TV I can’t seem to move from the couch. I’m sure that this is strictly a girl thing, and that not too many guys are glued to the TV to watch Steel Magnolias ever; let alone stranded on an island watching it. So, I would be laughing at Weezer on the island.

While stranded on the island I would be listening to Justin Timberlake’s Futuresex/ Lovesounds CD. I know this is going to make some people roll there eyes, but I’m a big Justin fan. It would remind me of fun times with friends and concerts. I’m not a big dancer; so maybe I could work on my dance moves with hopes of leaving the island. Especially, since obviously no one is going to be there to watch. Most of the songs are pretty upbeat, so maybe it would keep me from going crazy on the island.

Rebecca said...

If I was stranded on an island, what magazine I would like to wash up-on shore every week would be Women's Health. Women's Health Magazine, appeal to a new generation of women that want a magazine with smart, practical informatin on health living. This magazine provides tips and advice for women to integrate getting in shape and feeling good. Every issue of Women's Health focuses on health, fitness, weight loss, nutrition, sex, relationship, emotional well-being, beauty and style.

If I was stranded on an island, the movieI would like to take with me is Akilah the Bee. In the film, a bright, African-American girl reluctanly enters a school spelling bee and gains the confidence to make it to the National. The movie was an eye opener. I think it inspired a lot of young people who are already in school and doing well to be very proud of the fact that they are intelligent, bright and love to read and love words.

If I was stranded on an island, I would like to load on my MP3 player the song "I'm Still Standing" by Bishop Paul S. Morton. I am a big gospel person and I have a passion for this song because it teaches you that there is peace in the midst of a storm, and the best is yet to come.

Leeanna McVay said...

If I were stranded on an island, I would want a magazine such as Glamour to wash up weekly. I love this magazine because it always has great fashion tips and I love fashion!

The movie I would want to have would be "Remember the Titans" because it is my favorite movie. I think it is an awesome story about people from different cultures and backgrounds coming together as a team.

The album I would want would probably be Corey Smith because most of his songs make me think about my high school friends. It would be great to have those memories there with me.

1 said...

1. The sears and Roebuck catalogue so that I would have a nice supply of firestarting and insulating material.

2. Holiday Inn. Great old Flick.

3. Mozart's Requiem. But, the preformance would have to be of the 54' Vienna ensemble.

Rosie said...

1. I would l like to have Southern Living. I like to look at the food,and decoration pictures. Maybe even find a recipe using some of the local island crusine.

2. Not a movie but maybe a collection of all the Indiana Jones movies with Harrison Ford.

3. I don't listen to a lot of music so I would have to say Back to church featuring various artist.

Barbara said...

If I was stranded on an island the kind of magazine I would like to wash up onshore every week is Taste of Home. I love to cook and I collect magazines with all kinds of recipes. The reason I chose this magazine because the recipes are practical and they’re from home cooks not gourmet chefs. This magazine also features familiar everyday ingredients. It shows clear and beautiful photos and easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions.
The movie I probably will take with me is Madea’s Family Reunion by Tyler Perry. This is one of my favorite movies. This movie takes me back to when my family have their family reunion. I love all his movies and plays because I can related them to things happening life or my family.
The one song I would load into my mp3 player would be the blue song “Do Want Go Back” by Willie Clayton, American Blue Singer from Indianola, Ms. The music have me deeply forever changed me in a positive way. The words to this song mean a lot to me.

krc said...

The magazine I would choose would be "Newsweek". I would want to know what is going on in the world, and try to stay current, just in case one day I was to get back to civilization.

The movie I would choose would be "Enemy of the State." I love action movies, and that is one of my all-time favorite movies. I love spy movies, and I believe that would keep my mind occupied with nothing else to do.

The album I would take would be Everclear. I love their music and know all the songs. I like their lyrics because they really make me think about life in general. Being stranded, I would have plenty of time to think.

Kimberly Cook

c.mcnair said...

My compliments to Mr. Mcelfish for knocking the wind out of the dialogue, taking the philosophical high road and putting us back in our place so we can take back and conquer our pathetically abstract little lives. Did the concept, no man is an island, occur? What were we thinking volunteering a geographical isolation of sorts, each on deserted islands, only to be prematurely pelted from the peanut gallery, half way from nowhere? If we review the assignment, it’s not if you’re the last person on earth, but if you’re stranded. I applaud Nancy H. for her “Wilderness Way” selection and E. Sumrall for the practical approach, but my Scottish American heredity must intrude further. I propose, “Boat Builder-The Journal of Boat Design and Construction” as the best subscription. I’ll explain.

It would have to be a funny movie, because I want to laugh myself all the way to market on my new boat. At the same time, it has to be worth seeing several times. “The Princess Bride” is the only classic I can think of because of the clever script and dynamic casting. But, we're talking about survival here.

Of course, if I’m feeling mellow or it’s an overcast day or I don't think I'm going to survive, B.B. King’s 1970 recording of “The Thrill is Gone” would do me justice during the actual boat building stage of the process, until enough time had passed to where I had grown tired of eating fish and the boat became seaworthy.

trj24 said...

The magazine I would chose would be Ebony magazine. Even if I'm totally out of touch with society I would still like to know what's going on and from an African American point of view.
The one movie I would like to have is What's love got to do with it. That movie makes me laugh, and it makes me cry. I also love all the songs, and would love nothing more than to sing them everyday.
The cd I would chose would be the miseduaction of Lauryn Hill by Lauryn Hill. That cd is my favorite and it has gotten me through some trying times already.

Gunner said...

If I was stranded on a deserted island, The magazine that I would want to receive weekly would be "Off Road." I know that coming from a girl that you might think that is funny, but I love monster truck riding with my boyfriend. It is my favorite thing to do to be adventurous! I love to just think about loud trucks and riding through the mud! It also is awesome to jump hills! On the island, I could read these magazines and think about riding in the monster truck and being with my boyfriend.
If I could take one movie with me on a deserted island, it would be "The Forty Year Old Virgin." That movie is hysterical!!! My boyfriend and I laughed the entire time we watched this movie. It is one of my favorite movies and if I want to have a good laugh then I would definitely rent this movie.
The one song that I would have playing would be "You and Me Goin Fishin in the Dark." My boyfriend sings that to me and this was the first song that he sang to me. Everytime it comes on the radio and he isn't with me, my kids sing it. It is one of my favorite songs. If I didn't have this song playing, I would probably have one of James Taylor's songs playing because his voice relaxes me. I like "You and Me Goin Fishin in the Dark" because when we go riding in the mud truck at night I can just hear that song playing in my head even though we are listening to ACDC or old country music. Yes, I guess you could say that I am a country girl all the way! Heather F.

Anonymous said...

Normally I read no magazines or if I do I read sport related magazines. But in this case, I think I would prefer something entertaining and inspirational. Maybe CCM magazine (contemporary christian music magazine) or Reader's Digest(they cover a wide range of topics from inspirational to funny and in between). If I could have one movie, it would be Rocky IV. Once again because it is inspirational (I love the music) and in my opinion, just a great movie, that I haven't gotten tired of, so hopefully I wouldn't get tired of then. If there were one album I could have on my mp3 player it would have to be "A Collision" by the david crowder band*. It would remind me of my faith in God and also has some fun songs along with some good rock. So, worship, silliness and rock, great combination. The rock would get me going and the fun and slow songs would mellow me out and of course it would be awesome to worship the God that can get me off or keep me on the island.

Anonymous said...

Well the magazine I would choose would be Handyman. I need something that will help me build a shelter. I would hope there something in there not too complicated, because I have not carpentry skill at all. I need something simple.

The movie I would choose would be Robin Hood: Men in Tights. That movie makes me laugh no matter how many time I watch it. If I were on a desserted Island I would need somethin to brighten my spirits.

The album I would have on my MP3 player is anything by Nickelback. I like that band. It my not be the choice some would make, but they have a pretty good beat to their music, and since I would have nothing else to do I could work out, and their music is pretty good to workout to.

All in all if I had electricity to run the television and the movies, then I would be in good shape. I do not think being stranded on a dessert island would be that bad. At least I would not have to listen to phones, gripping people, or the problems with crime. It would probably be peaceful for a while.

elizabeth bowling said...

1. I would like some kind of girly magazine like Cosmo or something. The reason for that is because I like reading them. I know it probably rots my brain and there are better things that I could be reading but I find it kind of interesting.

2. The Notebook. It is my favorite movie of all time and it reminds me of my sweet husband and since I would be stranded on an island, i'm guessing by myself, I would like to have my favorite movie and one that reminds me of my family.

3. I'm sure my answer will probably change but as of right now I would want Taylor Swift's new album because I am loving it right now, it is my favorite of the moment. She has a really great voice.

Roslyn W. said...

If I was stranded on an island I would prefer to have "NewsWeek" to be washed up onshore every week. Since I wouldn't have any contact outside the island, I would still like to know what's going on in the world. It would be very interesting to still have access to the news without having to watch it on t.v. or hear it on the radio. Still being able to read would exercise my brain and keep me in tune with words and people. Even if for some reason someone found me, I would be updated to what's going on in the world and that's cool.

If I was stranded on an island I would probably have several movies but Cast Away would probably be the approiate movie to watch. Tom Hanks finds himself stranded on an island and he is forced to find different ways to survive. He learned a lot from being on the island for a long period of time but he survived. This is a movie that I would like to watch because it would help me to survive at any means necessary. It's not the most exciting or funny movie but it would be very helpful in this situation.

I love listening to music especially R&B and gospel with that in mind, I would definitely pick a song that would be inspirational to me as the days persist. In a time like this you need Jesus because He is the person that's going to see you through. I would pick Marvin Sapps latest cd entitled "Thirsty" because it is so inspirational and encouraging to a person that's at their lowest point with no hope and no way out. I gaurantee after listening to this cd on a daily basis you will maintain hope and know that God will never fail you. No matter what you are going through Jesus will always be there to lift you up and to have those words of wisdom will make a tremendous difference on your life.

EThompson said...

If i were going to be stranded on an island indefinitely i would like to have the Essence Magazine coming to me every week because the original author of the magazine always begins each issue with good sound advice and words of great wisdom and encouragement for the improvement of one's life. By doing so every week she is dropping pearls of wisdom into the souls of many different people and giving them the courage to reach the stars when achieving their goals and reminding them at the same time to always put GOD first and treat thy neighbor as you would yourself. Secondly, I would take the Movie Pretty Woman or You've Got Mail with me to watch because I love Romantic comedys and this would keep me entertained until help comes. and Lastly, I would listen to Gospel music because I love Gospel music therefore, I would have to say that I would take along Yolanda Adams or either Jay Moss. Jay Moss has an outstanding praise and worship cd, if I were stranded on an island GOD would be the only person that I would want to be there with me, because if he leaves its all over!!!!! He is the way the truth and the life.