Downloading; Not Necessarily the Down Low

Although the 2009 ARIA (Australian Recording Industry Association) sales results show that downloading is certainly leading the way in Australia's purchasing of music, the art form of buying CDs in record shops is not to be written off just yet.

Whilst the percentage margin between total physical record sales between 2008-2009
were down by 4.74%, the demand for recorded music is still as strong as ever, as ARIA chairman, Ed St John, recognises. He believes that "music remains a key priority for many Australian consumers" and that the results were due to the fact that music retailers have "stabilised and sharpened" their focus to help ensure that "the Australian music industry [experiences] a healthy state of growth".

The recorded music industry hasn't seen much growth since sales started declining in 2003 so the assurance that recorded products still have an imminent future in the music industry is welcomed by St John, saying in February 2010 that "as an industry, we have a lot to look forward to". As they're more accessible and easier to obtain, digital record sales are on the rise but St John sees the main issue facing digital tracks dominating the industry at the moment is how many consumers are illegally obtaining the tracks saying, "Illegal file sharing..continues to erode profits and hamper investment into the local industry".

Many consumers prefer CDs rather than downloading due to the cover art and liner notes provided, a feature digital media doesn't deliver, suggesting that maybe the practice of purchasing music in a physical form is something that may never cease to operate.

*This is for my second assignment, focusing on the structure of an article and answering the 5 W's: who, where, when, what and why. Been edited due as I didn't like the wrap up of the first draft and someone pointed out an error I didn't see so I'm very open to suggestions for more help :)*

Beginning of July; bittersweet time for me.

It means that I've just celebrated my birthday but have to wait another 364 days to have it again. It's not at all about presents and never has been, I just love getting the cards and messages from the people who love me and it really does make me feel all warm and squishy inside.

This year was a special one - 21! The weekend before, my guy's parents took us to dinner one night (his birthday is four days later) and my parents the next then on the night, we had a bit of a family dinner at mine. Friday night was the celebrating night and it was such a good time to catch up with girls I've grown up with and other people I hadn't seen in a while. Those sorts of friends are the ones you know you'll always have in your life; you can go months without seeing each other but when you catch up, it's the same and like time hasn't passed. Two girls who I've known in different ways but both mean the world to me came and made my night amazing:

For mine and my guy's birthday, we're having a joint present and we're going on a trip to Queensland! We leaving in five days and are both so excited. My special part of the trip which is my 21st present is seeing FAME the musical which I can not wait for! Also, we get to see an old friend of ours and his lovely girlfriend so seeing them will be great.

In the meantime, we're working non-stop (well it feels like it) and being obsessed with 'Keeping Up with the Kardashians'. So next time, I'll have QLD stories and hopefully an article!

Hoping you're warm and toasty,

Lisaxo

Fellowship of the Nerds

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q77sJT8O56E

This video really needs to be seen to be believed!

I can't think of a film that caused such a mass cult following as Twilight has. I personally am not a fan. I have no desire to read the books and only watched the movie about six months after it's DVD release to see what the fuss is about and I still don't think it's all the good, really. The fantasy aspect of the story line I'd probably like more if there wasn't such a craze after it because I love Harry Potter and X-Men and similar mystical-type movies.

From coming across this link courtesy of Lamebook (if anyone hasn't found the hilarious website of Facebook wrongs-look it up!) it really disturbed me to see how far people go with this type of thing. I understand that this werewolf group may not be directly linked with Twilight but it made me think of the impacts the film's had on society since it's release. Clearly from working in an entertainment retail store, I deal with huge fans of the film spending endless amounts on t-shirts, blankets and really anything with the Twilight name on it really but I just wonder how much further it goes from here.

A lot of grown women are the ones who can tell me the themes and character synopsis from reading the books a gazillion times in their lives but I'm intrigued to know if there's a cult for the older ones who are obsessed with the glistening pretty boy, also known as Edward. Is is just teenagers who feel the need to isolate themselves with fellow "outsiders" and form their own group where they can connect about Twilight or is there something for the older ones. It both fascinates and scares me how far people do take fictional things like this and I don't want to offend anyone if they're mega into this type of thing; I'd prefer not to have my blood sucked out or a pox put upon my house! It's just curious late night ramblings that led me here :)

Have fun kids,
Lisaxo

Don't You Know Who I Think I Am?

New beginnings; new blog.
Looking back on my old blog, I've realised that while I've come a long way and learned many valuable lessons, I'm older now and need to start fresh with a new blog. I deleted some of the older posts simply as they weren't relevant to anything but I'm keeping ones that remind me of a certain time in my life because, after all, it shaped who I am today.

At the moment, life consists of working in retail, studying journalism, planning holidays, dreaming of my upcoming wedding and reading Cosmo.
Retail: great role in a company I love with people I have a lot of fun with.
Journalism: always had a passion for writing, whether pointless pop songs when I was younger or letters to no-one, just to put thoughts into words. It's now what I want to do with my life.
I'm not sure where I want to go with it right now, either working for a newspaper or magazine would be fantastic but I'd love it if I could have a role in the company I'm currently with as it mixes some other favourites of mine; music and movies.
Holidays: This year: Sydney, Queensland and Melbourne, as well as a few local getaways. I love travelling and think my guy is starting to enjoy it too.
Wedding: In saying that, aiming for a two month around the world honeymoon following our March 2012 wedding. Not much planned for said wedding apart from date.

I want to use this blog to keep those who are interested updated on my goings on and also use it to help gain experience in journalism by posting up articles I write and even assignments. Feedback is fantastic as I'm my own worst critic and if I proof-read more than once, I cut most of the good stuff! A little 'Lisa' quirk I'm adding to this blog inspired by a favourite TV show of mine (One Tree Hill, for those playing at home) is by naming the blogs after songs I like that can sort of link into what the blog's about.

Enjoy and keep loving,
Lisaxo