Monday, September 17, 2012
Friday, August 31, 2012
My Bucket List
1. Enter Three Witches
By: Caroline B. Cooney
Dated back in the time when Lord and Lady Macbeth ruled over the lands of Scotland, Lady Mary is presented with the opportunity to save the Scottish throne from tyrants. If the first pages are any indication to the rest of the book, it will represent a realistic mystery and a story from my favorite country.
2. The Five People You Meet in Heaven
By: Mitch Albom
After Eddie, a war veteran, is killed at 83 years old in an accident, he awakes in heaven to have the purpose and meaning of his "meaningless" life described to him by five people he knew. I've always wondered about death, and even though I firmly believe that i will go to heaven, I am excited to read about what someone else's take on what life after death will be like. I really hope reading this book gives me a new, better perspective on life.
3. The Poisonwood Bible
By: Barbara Kingsolver
The summary of this book reminds me of a movie my father adores, "The Last of the Mohican's," they both are stories of extreme and intense dedication to one's beliefs. In this book, a fierce evangelical Baptist moves him and his family to the Belgian Congo to be a missionary. My father is a preacher and I've often contemplated life as a missionary and I hope this book will be realistic and shed some light on the subject for me.
4. To Kill a Mockingbird
By: Harper Lee
Considered to be a masterpiece of American literature, Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird breaks the barriers of American society as she addresses issues such as love, kindness, cruelty, hatred, and humor. I read the first few pages and I really love the style in which this book was written.
5. Slaughter-House-Five
By: Kurt Vonnegut
Centering on the bombing of Dresden, Kurt Vonnegut's character Billy Pilgrim travels, making us also travel to search for what we fear the most. The first few pages and the summaries I read intrigues me and I am overwhelmingly curious to what my personal journey will be as I read through this book.
6. The Hobbit
J.R.R Tolkien
In this timeless tale of the hobbit Bilbo Baggins, J.R.R Tolkien introduces the amazing land of Middle-Earth and the eccentric characters that live within it. I want to read this book because I love fantasy and "The Lord of the Rings," and according to The Hobbit's reviews, it's a perfect prelude to the following series.
7. Harry Potter
J.K. Rowling
These books journey through the story of Harry Potters life as he learns what his life purpose is and what if means to be a wizard. I've read these books before (and loved them), but it has been years and I can only imagine all the details T could catch by re-reading them. I adore the movies and as I read the books I love to put myself in the story.
8. Shark Girl
Kelly Bingham
Shark Girl's Jane Arrowood reminds me of Bethany Hamilton; they are both teenage girls who lose an arm from a shark attack. I loved the story of Bethany Hamilton and I really want to learn Jane's personal story of perseverance and bravery.
9. Thin Wood Nails
By: David Patneaude
When Japanese planes bomb Pearl Harbor, Joe's world is torn apart by suspicion and fear. He is forced to move to an internment camp where he quickly learns the ways of life and how to be a man in a boy's body.
10. The Firm
By: John Grisham
"You never get nothing for nothing." Mitch McDeere learns the hard way that his new (free) BMW, his paid off school loans, and is own personal (free) decorator comes at a price; he just hopes it's not his life. This book is loaded with intensity, mystery, and action; all of which I love.
By: Caroline B. Cooney
Dated back in the time when Lord and Lady Macbeth ruled over the lands of Scotland, Lady Mary is presented with the opportunity to save the Scottish throne from tyrants. If the first pages are any indication to the rest of the book, it will represent a realistic mystery and a story from my favorite country.
2. The Five People You Meet in Heaven
By: Mitch Albom
After Eddie, a war veteran, is killed at 83 years old in an accident, he awakes in heaven to have the purpose and meaning of his "meaningless" life described to him by five people he knew. I've always wondered about death, and even though I firmly believe that i will go to heaven, I am excited to read about what someone else's take on what life after death will be like. I really hope reading this book gives me a new, better perspective on life.
3. The Poisonwood Bible
By: Barbara Kingsolver
The summary of this book reminds me of a movie my father adores, "The Last of the Mohican's," they both are stories of extreme and intense dedication to one's beliefs. In this book, a fierce evangelical Baptist moves him and his family to the Belgian Congo to be a missionary. My father is a preacher and I've often contemplated life as a missionary and I hope this book will be realistic and shed some light on the subject for me.
4. To Kill a Mockingbird
By: Harper Lee
Considered to be a masterpiece of American literature, Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird breaks the barriers of American society as she addresses issues such as love, kindness, cruelty, hatred, and humor. I read the first few pages and I really love the style in which this book was written.
5. Slaughter-House-Five
By: Kurt Vonnegut
Centering on the bombing of Dresden, Kurt Vonnegut's character Billy Pilgrim travels, making us also travel to search for what we fear the most. The first few pages and the summaries I read intrigues me and I am overwhelmingly curious to what my personal journey will be as I read through this book.
6. The Hobbit
J.R.R Tolkien
In this timeless tale of the hobbit Bilbo Baggins, J.R.R Tolkien introduces the amazing land of Middle-Earth and the eccentric characters that live within it. I want to read this book because I love fantasy and "The Lord of the Rings," and according to The Hobbit's reviews, it's a perfect prelude to the following series.
7. Harry Potter
J.K. Rowling
These books journey through the story of Harry Potters life as he learns what his life purpose is and what if means to be a wizard. I've read these books before (and loved them), but it has been years and I can only imagine all the details T could catch by re-reading them. I adore the movies and as I read the books I love to put myself in the story.
8. Shark Girl
Kelly Bingham
Shark Girl's Jane Arrowood reminds me of Bethany Hamilton; they are both teenage girls who lose an arm from a shark attack. I loved the story of Bethany Hamilton and I really want to learn Jane's personal story of perseverance and bravery.
9. Thin Wood Nails
By: David Patneaude
When Japanese planes bomb Pearl Harbor, Joe's world is torn apart by suspicion and fear. He is forced to move to an internment camp where he quickly learns the ways of life and how to be a man in a boy's body.
10. The Firm
By: John Grisham
"You never get nothing for nothing." Mitch McDeere learns the hard way that his new (free) BMW, his paid off school loans, and is own personal (free) decorator comes at a price; he just hopes it's not his life. This book is loaded with intensity, mystery, and action; all of which I love.
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
"Rebel Without a Cause;" film review
Released on October 27, 1955, Nicholas Ray’s highly acclaimed film “Rebel Without a Cause” opened eyes nationwide to rising issues such as parenting, teenage behavior, and societal relationships. The film starred James Dean as the troubled, young Jim Stark; Natalie Wood as Judy, Jim’s troubled crush; and Sal Mineo as Plato, the unstable, clingy friend. I personally did not care for the way the character’s went about handling situations and expressing their emotion. I felt like the actors overreacted at some parts, but seemed to lack emotion during others.
At the beginning of the film, Jim gets arrested for being publicly drunk and is taken to the local police station where Judy, Plato, and Jim’s family problems are introduced. Judy has been taken to the police station for being out after dark alone, and Plato has been arrested for shooting some puppies. When Jim’s mother, father, and grandmother arrive to pick him up, the audience becomes aware of the parents fighting, the mother's control, and the fathers submissiveness.
Jim’s determination to stand strong and try to figure life out is put to the test when he meets Judy, ignores his parents wishes, demands moral strength from his father, and stands up to school bullies, resulting in the death of Buzz, Judy’s initial boyfriend and the schools leading bully. After Buzz’s death, Judy (as well as Plato) begin to look to Jim more fervently for strength and understanding. They run away together to a mansion where they proceed to role play; Jim as father, Judy as mother, and Plato as affectionate child.
Unaware of being followed, they continue this act until the police come and scare Plato into brandishing his (now empty) weapon, leading to his death by gunshot wound that the ignorant police inflicted.
Throughout the movie, Jim goes out of his way to avoid fights. He doesn’t want to make trouble for anyone but he wants to be strong and stand up for himself too, which creates some confusion on what it means and takes to be a “man.” He even repeatedly asks his father, “ What do you do when you have to be a man?” implying he doesn’t consider his father to be a real man. Judy has mixed emotions on life. She craves affection from her father even though he avidly avoids it, making the audience wonder why such reactions are had between the two of them. Lacking the strong, affectionate father she longed for, she is amazed when she finds Jim, who showers her with feelings of strength and sincerity; she loves Jim's manhood.
She, like Jim and Plato, just want to escape their life. They don’t like where they are in life, and they are confused about what to do about it. Plato lost his parents influence at an early age, leaving him insecure, clingy, and overly affectionate towards his role models. He even gets to the point where he attempts to replace his father’s memory with Jim so that he can feel cared for and loved by a father figure. He might also have feelings for Jim, something that was unheard of at the time.
This turn of the century film reflects some major issues that were in the process of completely changing. This movie not only portrays a “teens against authority” stereotype, but it also introduces a “teens versus each other and themselves” conflict. This possibly results from the screenwriters and directors that made these bold new movies. It’s possible that the filmmakers of that era were unpopular geeks throughout high school who wanted to somehow be the hero and get the girl, although they struggled with their own family problems and typical teen emotions. This could explain why they started making movies the way they did; they were, in a way, living through their high school years vicariously through the characters they created. This movie showed how Americans were becoming uneasy about issues such as the roles typically played in “normal,” socially acceptable families, and how to handle rebellious teens.
At the beginning of the film, Jim gets arrested for being publicly drunk and is taken to the local police station where Judy, Plato, and Jim’s family problems are introduced. Judy has been taken to the police station for being out after dark alone, and Plato has been arrested for shooting some puppies. When Jim’s mother, father, and grandmother arrive to pick him up, the audience becomes aware of the parents fighting, the mother's control, and the fathers submissiveness.
Jim’s determination to stand strong and try to figure life out is put to the test when he meets Judy, ignores his parents wishes, demands moral strength from his father, and stands up to school bullies, resulting in the death of Buzz, Judy’s initial boyfriend and the schools leading bully. After Buzz’s death, Judy (as well as Plato) begin to look to Jim more fervently for strength and understanding. They run away together to a mansion where they proceed to role play; Jim as father, Judy as mother, and Plato as affectionate child.
Unaware of being followed, they continue this act until the police come and scare Plato into brandishing his (now empty) weapon, leading to his death by gunshot wound that the ignorant police inflicted.
Throughout the movie, Jim goes out of his way to avoid fights. He doesn’t want to make trouble for anyone but he wants to be strong and stand up for himself too, which creates some confusion on what it means and takes to be a “man.” He even repeatedly asks his father, “ What do you do when you have to be a man?” implying he doesn’t consider his father to be a real man. Judy has mixed emotions on life. She craves affection from her father even though he avidly avoids it, making the audience wonder why such reactions are had between the two of them. Lacking the strong, affectionate father she longed for, she is amazed when she finds Jim, who showers her with feelings of strength and sincerity; she loves Jim's manhood.
She, like Jim and Plato, just want to escape their life. They don’t like where they are in life, and they are confused about what to do about it. Plato lost his parents influence at an early age, leaving him insecure, clingy, and overly affectionate towards his role models. He even gets to the point where he attempts to replace his father’s memory with Jim so that he can feel cared for and loved by a father figure. He might also have feelings for Jim, something that was unheard of at the time.
This turn of the century film reflects some major issues that were in the process of completely changing. This movie not only portrays a “teens against authority” stereotype, but it also introduces a “teens versus each other and themselves” conflict. This possibly results from the screenwriters and directors that made these bold new movies. It’s possible that the filmmakers of that era were unpopular geeks throughout high school who wanted to somehow be the hero and get the girl, although they struggled with their own family problems and typical teen emotions. This could explain why they started making movies the way they did; they were, in a way, living through their high school years vicariously through the characters they created. This movie showed how Americans were becoming uneasy about issues such as the roles typically played in “normal,” socially acceptable families, and how to handle rebellious teens.
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Maybe Opposites Do Attract: A Style Analysis of Dave Barry
From the way they get ready in the mornings to how they get ready for bed at night, men and women have always been different; and they are usually taught these differences by their families and the way they were raised. Barry's comical satire reveals how different cultures and traditions in familes can be. In his column, “Time Out!” he uses generalizations, examples, and sarcasm to hilariously describe, in his opinion, the major differences in men and women in today’s society.
Barry uses generalizations in his column to express how different-not only men and women- but entire American households in general can be. Coming from a “WASP” household, he was born and raised to “follow schedules strictly.” Where he comes from, people arrived at least twenty minutes early, and arriving any later than that had the potential to ruin the entire day. Not only does he realize that his family was like this, but he firmly believes that every other American WASP family was the same. His wife, however, was raised in a “Cuban” home, where “the phrase ‘2 pm’ [can be] translated as ‘possibly this weekend.’” He uses direct quotes to show how he and his wife’s families really are “opposites.” Where his family is super strict and punctual, hers better resembles a “just take it easy, relax, enjoy life as it comes, and roll with the punches” sort of attitude. However, the way he presents the differences in the family types makes it appear as if his way of life is normal, and every other family that varies from that path is just, “different.” His family and hers are complete opposites, begging the stereotypical theory that opposites really do attract since they apparently get along well enough to be married.
Barry’s examples establish the radical differences between men and women in a way the reader can better relate. Say he needs to catch a flight that’s “leaving at 4 pm,” he will factor in a “cushion” to allow time for things like “heavy traffic” or getting “kidnapped” and still be able to make it to the airport, ready to go by “7:14 am.” His jump from things like traffic problems to getting kidnapped draws the audiences’ attention to the effective hyperbole he used. Every time Barry mentions a situation where a person is extremely early/paranoid about time he is referring to a man, implying that men are the ones in society who are like “this,” not women. His wife on the other hand, being the “other kind of person,” would arrive at the airport when the plane is “halfway down the runway," still not feeling concerned at all about missing the flight. The hyperbole used explains the intentional extent in which his wife goes to, in his mind, to be late. He implies that women are the ones in society who are always running late, living without any notion of time.
The satirical sarcasm Barry uses opens the readers eyes as to how stereotypical men view the “normal” women’s grasp of time. When a man hears his wife say that she’s almost ready, she’s just “putting on [her] makeup,” he actually hears something more similar to “I’m very short! I’m 38 feet tall!” or “You can believe me! I’m Bill Clinton!” The way Barry juxtaposed the oh-so-obvious opposites puts emphasis on the fact that women can never get ready fast enough in men’s eyes. He relates about how, in his mind, society is full of overly punctual men and ditzy-headed women who are always running late for everything. He knows this sounds crazy though, so he gets a “scientific, statistically valid conclusion” by “talking to some guys about their wives” to prove his validity. Barry attempts to utilize logos and make the reader feel that his notions are true and legitimate, but turns around and admits how he didn’t get his information from valid sources and his entire argument is based on personal opinion.
The sweeping generalizations Barry makes emphasizes how drastically and radically different the two mindsets involved really are. Through his use of big generalizations, examples, and sarcasm Barry humorously enlightens the audience to his viewpoints of the stereotypical differences between men and women.
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Sports
1. His sharing a person incedent about how he got a small crick in his neck that, after he could ignore it no longer, resulted in him hospitalized, "not sure whether [he] might end up with a wasted upper limb" really stressed to the audience the possibly harmful, long term effects of playing football. When the audience finds out that he has been personally affected by the effects of playing football all his life they will believe more of what he says since he has "been there, done that."
2. John McMurtry's comparison between football is very convincing and logical. He appeals to logos and makes his argument legitament when he says how their principles and practices of "mass hysteria, the art of intimidation, absolute command and total obedience, territorial aggression, censorship, inflated insignia and propaganda, blackboard maneuvers and strategies, drills, uniforms, formations, marching bands and training camps" are alike. He gives examples in history and scenarios to prove his point, making it more logical.
3. His tone changes as he goes from talking about how in football in general had "severe rule enforcers, eudiences, formally recorded victors and losers, and heavy equipment to permit crippling body moves and collisions" to how he was personally affected by this and the changes in football. It switches from logical statements about football and injuries occured to his personal story.
7. McMurtrey's argument is mainly focused at people who enjoy or have played football. Especially those who have been injured or permanently affected by football like he has. However, a deep understanding or liking of football is not completely necessary because even someone who doesn't know anything about football can see how football relates to society.
2. John McMurtry's comparison between football is very convincing and logical. He appeals to logos and makes his argument legitament when he says how their principles and practices of "mass hysteria, the art of intimidation, absolute command and total obedience, territorial aggression, censorship, inflated insignia and propaganda, blackboard maneuvers and strategies, drills, uniforms, formations, marching bands and training camps" are alike. He gives examples in history and scenarios to prove his point, making it more logical.
3. His tone changes as he goes from talking about how in football in general had "severe rule enforcers, eudiences, formally recorded victors and losers, and heavy equipment to permit crippling body moves and collisions" to how he was personally affected by this and the changes in football. It switches from logical statements about football and injuries occured to his personal story.
7. McMurtrey's argument is mainly focused at people who enjoy or have played football. Especially those who have been injured or permanently affected by football like he has. However, a deep understanding or liking of football is not completely necessary because even someone who doesn't know anything about football can see how football relates to society.
Monday, September 26, 2011
Teaching Throught the Ages
Emerson is talking about how our teaching methods are so standardized that anyone who has the proper and correct set of rules to follow and instructions can be considered an “outstanding teacher.“ He says that even though it is impossible to teach everyone on the same level, our society still tries to. He acknowledges that students cannot be given the kind of instruction and teaching when the teaching is created to be on everyone’s level and designed to leave no one behind.
For the most part, I agree with Emerson’s assessment of the educational system when he says that teaching in the current system has such a “easy application“ that “any tutor or schoolmaster in his first term can apply it.” I think that “No Child Left Behind,“ the state’s standards and core curriculum play a big enough role in today’s educational system that it is no longer as important for a teacher to understand the subject matter they teach, but rather how good they are at teaching what they’ve been presented with. I’m not saying that all teachers have no understanding of their subject because I have plenty that are geniuses in their area of expertise; I’m just saying that in most cases I don’t think complete understanding of a subject is a necessity.
I also think he is right when he says that our societies education goal is to “do for the masses what cannot be done for the masses.” He knows that, in theory, being able to teach everyone equally is the ideal situation. The more the merrier, right? But he also knows that thinking it is possible to teach everyone the same knowledge at the same time and level is foolish; and yet, we continue to try. Is it better to try to equally provide for everyone’s educational needs and desires, even when you’re repeatedly hit with defeat? Or to knowingly leave some behind, simply because they cannot learn and keep up at the same tempo as the smarter children of the group?
He also stresses how there is a difference between actually teaching a child and filling his mind with knowledge the right way, and forcing information down his throat. You can force a child to memorize facts and take tests and read passages, but you cannot force him to understand the knowledge you give him and to take that information on with him and use it. Being able to accomplish that is truly an achievement in my book.
For the most part, I agree with Emerson’s assessment of the educational system when he says that teaching in the current system has such a “easy application“ that “any tutor or schoolmaster in his first term can apply it.” I think that “No Child Left Behind,“ the state’s standards and core curriculum play a big enough role in today’s educational system that it is no longer as important for a teacher to understand the subject matter they teach, but rather how good they are at teaching what they’ve been presented with. I’m not saying that all teachers have no understanding of their subject because I have plenty that are geniuses in their area of expertise; I’m just saying that in most cases I don’t think complete understanding of a subject is a necessity.
I also think he is right when he says that our societies education goal is to “do for the masses what cannot be done for the masses.” He knows that, in theory, being able to teach everyone equally is the ideal situation. The more the merrier, right? But he also knows that thinking it is possible to teach everyone the same knowledge at the same time and level is foolish; and yet, we continue to try. Is it better to try to equally provide for everyone’s educational needs and desires, even when you’re repeatedly hit with defeat? Or to knowingly leave some behind, simply because they cannot learn and keep up at the same tempo as the smarter children of the group?
He also stresses how there is a difference between actually teaching a child and filling his mind with knowledge the right way, and forcing information down his throat. You can force a child to memorize facts and take tests and read passages, but you cannot force him to understand the knowledge you give him and to take that information on with him and use it. Being able to accomplish that is truly an achievement in my book.
Monday, August 29, 2011
Got Milk?
When we were little, we were always told to drink milk. We were told that it would make us grow up to be, and I quote, "big, tall, and strong." Clearly, I must have skipped out on drinking my milk as a little kid because I wouldn't exacltly classifly myself as tall. However, I do feel that I have healthy bones, which is more important. This "Got Milk" ad (http://adflip.com/addetails.php?adID=13621) uses ethos, logos, and pathos very effectively.
This ad develops its reputation very quickly. Everyone is familiar with the "Got Milk" campaign; it have been around for practically forever, which encourages people to believe what it says. If something has successfully ran for so long, its logical to assume that it is trustworthy. Also, "Got Milk" is known for using famous people as its spokesperson. Coincidentally, these famous people are generally extremely attractive and in good shape, so people will think, " If I drink milk, I'll start looking like her!" And, quite frankly, everyone always wants to look like the people on the posters.
The ad flat out tells the reader that milk is neccesary for growing kids because it will help them build strong and healthy bones. It also crushes the misconception that once you're grown, milk isn't all that important anymore by saying how after the age of 35 the calcium in milk helps keep bones healthy, which is very important.
The main way the campaign draws the audiences attention to the poster is by the highly attractive female model they use. Men naturally enjoy looking at her, and after they are done looking at the model, the company hopes they will go on to read the information on the ad. Women see the model and get jealous and want to know what she did to look like that so they can too. Then when they read it and find out about milk, they will start drinking more milk.
By using the rhetorical stratagies of ethos, logos, and pathos, the "Got Milk" company does a very good and successful job of trying to get more people to drink milk.
This ad develops its reputation very quickly. Everyone is familiar with the "Got Milk" campaign; it have been around for practically forever, which encourages people to believe what it says. If something has successfully ran for so long, its logical to assume that it is trustworthy. Also, "Got Milk" is known for using famous people as its spokesperson. Coincidentally, these famous people are generally extremely attractive and in good shape, so people will think, " If I drink milk, I'll start looking like her!" And, quite frankly, everyone always wants to look like the people on the posters.
The ad flat out tells the reader that milk is neccesary for growing kids because it will help them build strong and healthy bones. It also crushes the misconception that once you're grown, milk isn't all that important anymore by saying how after the age of 35 the calcium in milk helps keep bones healthy, which is very important.
The main way the campaign draws the audiences attention to the poster is by the highly attractive female model they use. Men naturally enjoy looking at her, and after they are done looking at the model, the company hopes they will go on to read the information on the ad. Women see the model and get jealous and want to know what she did to look like that so they can too. Then when they read it and find out about milk, they will start drinking more milk.
By using the rhetorical stratagies of ethos, logos, and pathos, the "Got Milk" company does a very good and successful job of trying to get more people to drink milk.
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