Blogging Around

1. Shawn's iMedia: Children Blog: Shawn posted a video of a 3 year old child conducting one of Beethoven's compositions. He talked about how much fun this kid was actually having and the fact that children often have different observations from adults. 


Shawn, as I watched this video I was truly amazed at how much fun this kid was having. I believe this also reflects on the same thoughts that you may have had while also watching this video. In our society today we see little people who enjoy music such as Beethoven. What is even more rare is seeing a little kid like this enjoying this wonderful composition by Beethoven. As i thought this, my mind also wandered on the fact of how was this child exposed to Beethoven's music. Obviously he didn't just stumble upon it. Someone must have exposed him to it. Whatever way it may have been, it is clear that the media can expose us to many things. Although Beethoven composed his works many years before the internet and such, his music clearly streams the web today. This child was then exposed to his music and such. This is such a powerful thing.

On a side note, I still can't get over the fact of how much fun this kid is actually having! WOW!!!


2. Elizabeth's Connection: Dvorak's New World Symphony and The Tragedy of King Lear Blog: Elizabeth talked about how closely the different movements of Dvorak's New World Symphony compare to the different Acts in King Lear, and also how both symphony and play tell a story.


Elizabeth, after playing music for so long and having the honorable privilege of playing Dvorak's New World Symphony I can see how music can tell a story. That is why music is so great. All good music has a story behind it and it is clear that Dvorak's New World Symphony does so as well. The Symphony is separated into different movements and each of these movements has a different theme. This is just like in King Lear. Each act is different and as we go on the story progresses. The Symphony also has some drastic musical changes, this can connect to some parts in King Lear that just suddenly happen. So much of this Symphony can be connected not just to King Lear and Shakespeare but also our lives. In fact as I said before good music tells a story and what better way that to tell the story of your life.

Metacognition: organizing my desk

     Have I ever considered myself to be obsessed with organization? No. However, I like to think that I am organized enough to find what I need to find. This principle has worked throughout my life and I never really considered to change it, but lately it has been questionable. You may wonder why i decided to do organize myself so abruptly? The answer stems from many places but one is that I was tired of living on the bare minimum of what I needed to do. The other was that quite frankly, I wasn't organized. So I decided to organize my desk. My desk was a total mess. Looking left and right you would see books, supplies everywhere, and a computer monitor and keyboard in the middle. It was all in one spot which I didn't like. This scenario was about to change in that I was going to be able to find all the things on my desk. I began.
    
     Before beginning, I looked at what I had to do. I had two daunting tasks to accomplish. I was under the impression that this was going to be impossible. But that mindset was not going to get me anywhere, so I decided to jump right in. I started with my desk and organizing book, notebooks, and binders. You see, I was organized withing all my notes and binders, however all my binders and books were thrown on top of each other. This created an illusion for me where I thought I was organized but I really wasn't. So I took all my books from school and put them on one shelf next to my desk. Next, I took all my other books that I have collected through the years and I organized them on a separate book shelf on the the opposite side of the room. These books were organized by fiction and non-fiction, and also by author. I really felt good about myself now. The book case actually looked cool. My notebooks and binders a placed on the first bookshelf. These were organized by subject. Next I looked at my desk and still saw past notebooks and binders. They were dating back to 3 years. These I took and just shoved in the bottom of my desk drawer. I really had no use for them, and I just had to get rid of them. I know I maybe shouldn't have done that but i am being honest with what I did. I still had miscellaneous objects on my desk like pens and supplies. My desk drawer on the other side had dividers placed in it. Here I could place pens pencils and larger supplies and still be organized I did so. My desk was complete, and I felt relieved!

     Looking back on what I did, I realized that it was something that needed to be done. I finally looked at it and was proud of what organization skills I posses. I only need to try to expose them. Clearly I did a good job with organizing my desk. Organizing my desk made my mind feel proud of itself. I chose to accomplish something great, and in doing so I did something good that made myself feel great. After completing this I can look at myself and say that I can do anything. Its not what you start with, but rather what you end up with. It doesn't even matter how you get there as long as you accomplish what needed to be done. I needed to organize my desk and I did so. I now know nothing can stand in the way of me, however I also realized that my mind is the greatest obstacle i need to overcome. I began this process thinking I can't do this, and that is what held me back. After pushing through I succeeded in organizing. Am I obsessed with organizing now? No.
    

      

iMedia: 300 Violin Orchestra

300 Violin Orchestra - Jorge Quintero: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iRj_KCNkdwM

     300 Violin Orchestra is a song by Jorge Quintero that shows the complete power of how a song can go from nothing to extremely popular in a short period of time and at the same time affect our culture. It shows us how music affects our culture. The first time I heard this song I was surprised. It was recommended to me by a friend over the summer. After hearing the title, I actually shrugged it off. My thought was how can this even be a good song when the title is reminiscent of some classical work. Then a month later I saw the song on a list of best pump up songs for the World Cup. It was on a lot of the players lists so finally I thought I might listen to it. But before I got out of my chair to look the song up, a great pump up song began to play prior to one of the Cup games. It was one of the greatest pump up songs I had ever heard. When the song ended the commentator shared the title of the song, it was 300 Violin Orchestra. My jaw had dropped. How could I have been missing this great of a song for such a long time?

     The song itself starts with a smooth and quiet intro. It then evolves into a strong hip hop beat and amazing instrumentals. There are no lyrics in the whole songs. This shows the great power of music alone. This great composition of sound will send chills through anyone's spine. If this song will not pump you up I do not know what will. In the early ages music was used as means on entertainment and it was also seen as a form of luxury. Today, it has evolved to being available for all, and music's purpose has now multiplied. 300 Violin Orchestra shows how music has evolved into a form of excitement for people. This song also shows how music and most things in our society can go from unknown to popular in such a short period of time. This song exploded due to the World Cup. I would not have heard of it if it were not for the World Cup. I am extremely grateful for this because this song is now my favorite song and my best pump up song. I have never been so interested in hip hop music. Naturally I am a classic rock type of guy. However, when I heard this song all of those boundaries went away. Music is beautiful and it can change many things.

Connection: Cornwall and Dictators

When looking at a work of fiction, we often only see the story that we read. We only look at its fictitious aspect. However, it is often important to look beyond the fiction and into the real aspects of the story. There are many parts of the story that also correlate into themes in the world. Some of these themes are seen in present day, others only in the past, but there are also a few that are reoccurring. In Shakespeare's King Lear there are so many themes seen in the world that Shakespeare may not have know. One of these themes is dictatorship. History has seen many dictators, and one of these dictators in the play is Cornwall.

A dictator can be described as someone who has complete authority over an area, and does as he pleases. A dictator would most likely control land, and upon that land he would invoke his wishes. He could do as he pleases. This is reminiscent of Cornwall. He is a Duke essentially owns land. Cornwall does as he pleases. An example of that is the fact that he has Gloucester's eyes plucked out against his will. Cornwall does this with a flick of the wrist. He summons his servants tells them what to do and executes his plan. However, in most dictatorships there is unhappiness. This is also evident in the resistance against Cornwall. When Cornwall is plucking out Gloucester's eyes, a servant questions Cornwall and they fight. Cornwall is wounded and eventually dies. This symbolizes the end of the dictator's rule.

Knowing about the connection between Cornwall and Dictators is important because it allows us to connect Shakespeare's work to a so called theme throughout history. Being able to do such things allows for readers to better understand the work through their own eyes. By knowing about modern themes, we can better connect literature to our lives. This is where the importance lies. Seeing it brings important insight to our eyes. That is the beauty of literature.

360 Degrees: Congress, Democrats and Republicans

In just a couple of days, the 2010 midterm elections will be upon us. It is important to note that some of these key races will have a significant impact on our future. Currently, it can be said that Congress is a problem. It has been incapable of making significant change since the last elections, and it is clear that the situation that we are currently in is not positive. Therefore, the upcoming elections will have a significant impact on how Congress can move forward. But what exactly are the problems that are causing Congress to be unproductive? A close examination of all angles can possibly clue us in on what is wrong.

At quick glance we always hear about the conflict between Democrats and Republicans in Congress. This is an obvious problem. Simply, the Democrats are blaming the Republicans and vice-versa. However, the issues are far more complex and go much deeper. Democrats are blaming Republicans based on their past. Democrats say that the Republicans have put this country in a hole that no one can get out of. This causes the bases of the argument. Republicans in turn counter and say the Democrats have been unable to bring any significant and immediate change this country needs. This argument goes back and forth with Democrats saying that even they cannot do anything because the problem so large and Republicans admitting yes we created this problem, but let us fix the mess that we started. Republicans say that they know most about the situation while Democrats say enough is enough, you had your chance and you let it slip away. This constant divide does not let our Congress currently do much that is productive. It has been so rare for bipartisan success, that it is now considered a miracle when it does happen. This relationship between the two parties is a problem.

When looking at this problem, many questions arise. We ask ourselves, "Should we fix this problem?" "Can we even fix this problem?" and if we can even answer any of these questions, we will end up asking ourselves "How can we fix it?" and "What can we do?" It shows us that this problem is so complex that we may even be unable to fix it ourselves. Does this problem belong to be solved by the people who have caused it? Our Congress? I would like to think that the people that we have elected into office can and will do something about this problem. But, with the recent inactivity and inability to do so, I believe that they cannot. What I see is that Congress has abused its power and it is time for the people to step in. Maybe we can finally do something about it.

Metacognition: The Kite Runner Essay

     The assignment that we were given was to write a multi-paragraph thesis driven essay on The Kite Runner. Our first task was to write out possible thesis statements that would be looked at by Mr. Allen. After looking at these thesis statements, Mr. Allen made some comments on which direction we would like to take this essay towards. It was then up to me to talk to Mr. Allen to tell him what I was trying to tell my audience through my thesis statement. After a couple revisions I finally got my set thesis statement. Our next task was to write out our evidence plan. We had to find 4 possible examples from the story that support our thesis and then explain why the evidence supports the thesis. After finding the examples and explaining the reasons, I found out that my evidence was solid. However, I needed to revise my thesis statement a little. It is important to note that you should always think back to the past and think how you can improve that. That is exactly what I did. After adding the final touches to my evidence plan, I was told to write my essay.
       When writing my essay I noticed multiple tendencies about myself. First of all one major thing that I like to do is just write and write and write and write... It is afterwards that I look back at my paper and start fixing it not only for grammar and spelling, but also for content. It is not until after I write my paper that I realize what needs to be condensed and what needs to be added. This is something that I would like to start doing at the same time as I write my paper. However, what surprises me is that I do extremely well in explaining my reasons for something. If I am given evidence, I can back my claim up and explain it real well. I may sometimes over explain it and need to condense it, however after doing a revision I get my point across. I also like the creativity of my writing. I do not use clear cut examples that are right in front of our faces. I like to use more deeper ideas and connections and then be able to connect them. I also like the questions that I ask myself and my teacher while writing my paper. These questions are valuable towards my writing and their answers often improve my writing in a great way. Aside from working on condensing my papers, I would also like to work on my introductions. This starts with the opener, but goes through with the thesis and bridge. The introduction is the most important part of the paper because it describes what is to come and therefore I would like to perfect my introductions. Overall however, the process of writing this essay was extremely beneficial. 

Blogging Around

1. Ben Focus: Poverty is Inevitable. It is already upon us and will continue to grow.

Ben,

     I agree with you that poverty is a problem that is already upon us. It is something that does affect the lower classes. However, we often look past the "side affects" of poverty. One example that you talk about is health-care. Poverty's effect on health care is that health-care is often too expensive for people just barely above the poverty line to get. But when we think of poverty, our first thought is almost never health-care. It is this little detail that causes a problem.

     I would also like to mention the idea that this is all a cycle. What you are saying is that we are trying to fix the larger problem (poverty), instead of fixing the smaller problem (health-care). Here is where I disagree. I believe that we need to gradually fix all the smaller problems, and then as a result we will fix the much bigger problem of poverty. However, either way I do agree this is one big cycle. What we are currently doing obviously doesn't work and therefore we need to try something new. 

2. Nour Focus: The relationship between post-modernism and media. Which came first?

Nour,

     I agree with you that post-modernism is much more complex than it appears. With post-modernism there is never one simple explanation, but rather multiple complex ideas. Our explanations of these complex situations are what post-modern thinking is. This is where media plays a huge role. Whatever one individual person may think, they will always be affected by the media. The media thinks on its own, and it will always try to influence your thinking.

     Post-modernism and the media live and feed of each other. One way of thinking influences the other forming a circle. A circle doesn't have a beginning and and end and therefore theoretically neither does post-modernism and media. However, it must have originally started somehow, so I will take a stab at the question you proposed. I believe that out of post-modern thinking sprouted the strong influence that there is on and by the news. It is the people who originally created the news and people still work behind the news so I believe that the post-modern style thinkers originally influenced media which now influences everyone. I would like to ask you, if you were to try to answer this question ho would you? 

Connection: Vehicles and Power

     Vehicles have over time allowed for great advances in the history of man-kind. Who knew that from the wheel we would today have vehicles that can transport people, goods, and ideas faster than any merchants before. But vehicles have also given strong power to people not only for good, but sometimes for evil. We see vehicles being used strongly in The Kite Runner. During each part of the book, when Amir is living in Afghanistan, when he flees, and when he returns, we see a different vehicle being used. In each situation, that vehicle has a specific correlation to the political times in Afghanistan. When Amir is living in Afghanistan as a kid we are often told about Baba's Mustang. This car is all about freedom. The car can go as fast as it wants anywhere it wants to go. It shows just how beautiful and appreciative the times are. The mustang horse is also a beautiful creature full of freedom. It is a wild horse that roams wherever it wants to go. This exemplifies the political situation at the time in Afghanistan. At the time it was all about freedom. People had the right to do as they pleased and the Mustang describes that really well. However, as soon as Amir flees Afghanistan with Baba we are introduced to a new situation. Now they are in, "the tarpaulin-covered cab of an old Russian truck" (110). This gives us a military type of feeling. They are leaving the country that they have always knew due to the conflict in it. It shows us how that military feeling cannot escape them as they are crowded in that truck. They are in the middle of a war inside a military vehicle. When we later find out that the truck breaks down, it shows us how desperate and fragile these times are. Old things often do not last for a long time and this is true about the government of Afghanistan at the time. Finally, when Amir decides to return to Afghanistan we see a completely diverse use of a corrupted vehicle. When Amir returns to his old house he sees a Jeep that is leaking oil on the driveway. This corresponds to two things. First, the car itself is an American made Jeep. At the time and still today everything American in Afghanistan is looked at as corrupt. We get this feeling when Amir describes the situation. It is exactly like America invaded Afghanistan that this American product invaded his home. The second part is the description of the leaking oil. This signifies that the car is not working properly, or maybe broken. This describes the political situation in Afghanistan. After the Taliban took over there seemed to be complaint after complaint voiced silently by the people. Although we see this oil leak, it is a problem not always seen by everyday people. Afghans were not able to loudly voice their opposition, but silently and slowly they were protesting the broken government of the Taliban. It shows how the details of this car are detail of the political system of the time in Afghanistan.
     In modern times we see vehicles being used for practical purposes. However, the types of vehicles and their conditions can tell us more and more about the location that the cars are in. Today in America we see an immense variety of cars. So many, that it is impossible to accurately count how many. But this tells us something about America. It says that there is a great power of choice and decision making that is placed upon the people here. People can decide on their own what to do and that is seen through their choice in cars and America's political situation too. But what if we look at a poor nation? Lets say India. We see that there are not many cars there and mainly only the rich own them. But even for the people that have them these cars are all beat-up, rusty, and old. This says so much about India. It tells us that India is a poor nation needing the help of others. But can the specific detail of old cars teach us something else? In America we see mainly new cars and everything in America is good. But in The Kite Runner, and also in real life modern day but poor countries we see old cars. In the book we clearly see that there is a poor political leadership in place. Does this mean that power in the nations today is also in serious trouble? But lets finally look at the Jeep and imported vehicles. Today many cars are imported from overseas and sold all over the world. This is something often taken for granted and accepted. But what we do not always see is the political and economic implications of this. Countries allow the import and export of cars to economically benefit each country, but to also create strong political ties. We can see the deep implications of this only when looking beyond the cover.
     This insight is extremely useful because in can show us how significant little details in a book can be. The topic here was vehicles, but we see not only in the book, but also in real life, how this topic also correlates with politics ans power. This close look can show us much more than what we normally see as insignificant details. It is the details however that show to be the most important part. Here we see how cars are power.  

Best of Week: Form is Content

     Writers of fiction often try to be as descriptive as possible in writing a book. In fact, that is what a book mostly is: a bunch of description. However, sometimes words alone cannot do the job themselves. Often times the form of the writing conveys a feeling or idea. In these times writers stray from the conventional form that is widely accepted by grammar freaks. Instead, they opt for the grammatically incorrect or the rhythmic sentence to fuel a feeling that they want to get across to the reader. These sentences, although considered unacceptable to some, make the writing richer and therefore are a useful tool to have in writing.

     When discussing, "form is content", it makes me think about the writing style that Khaled Hosseini uses in his novel, The Kite Runner. Often times he himself writes with a distinctive style to get something across to the reader. Let us start with the decision to write the book in first-person. This decision about form makes a huge impact on the content of the book. It allows for full attention to be placed on Amir and for Amir to express himself in any way he wishes. This is also allowed because of the decision to make this novel a memoir of Amir's past. All these decisions on form have a direct impact on the content of the book and the message that the reader receives. There are also many other small manipulations on form that are used within the writing affecting the feeling and description in that part of the book. Rhyming within a sentence can show a moment in the book that the reader should hold on to. Rhyming often shows significance. There is also the decision to make short brief sentences, or long continuous sentences. The length of sentences can show the author trying to quickly get his point across, or describe a moment in great detail. Both of these forms can manipulate and describe the situation in complete opposite ways.

     The use of form to affect the content of a story connects to my beliefs of what makes a good story. A good story has to be descriptive, but it cannot take the cliché path. Writers must turn to alternative methods to get their writing noticed because of its amazing description. One of the ways is to change the form of the writing. When changing the form, the writer also changes the meaning that is brought across. It is in this way that writers need to improve their writing. A great example of a writer who used form to show significance is William Shakespeare. In his writing, whenever he would rhyme this would show significance in the passage. The way he manipulated his writing to show significance is the work of a great author. It is in this way that I look forward to using my form of writing to get a message across. I will be looking directly at my writing to see where I can show something that words alone cannot. This is where my form will come in. If I can do so, my writing will become richer and more successful than before.

     Great writers of the past have successfully used their styles of writing to make their books strong examples of success today. When these writers start off writing any particular book they have to think about how they are going to get their story across to the audience. It is only the great writers who succeed in this by going far past words alone; they look at the form of their writing. Every writer has looked at their work and edited it beyond imagination. However, what separates some writers from others is the ability to edit the presentation of their writing. Two writers can write a book on the same content, but whichever one has better for will write a better book. Form is content.   

     

What if? The Kite Runner

     Having a prominent male figure in a child's life is an extremely important concept. Many children that live today lack a father completely. This puts a huge hole in a child's life. However, there are some kids that live in the world today and have a father. The only problem with some of these kids is that their fathers lack the characteristic and qualities that a "good" father has. This is the case with Amir, in The Kite Runner. It leads me to question, what if Amir had a "quality" father in his life? Would any of the events or decisions that Amir has made so far be changed by the influence of his father?
     First, I believe that it is important to list and discuss what qualities a "good" father has. In my opinion, a good father has to be loving and caring. However, the father must also not be afraid to lay down the law, yet still allow some freedom. There is a fine balance here, but it needs to be level for the father to succeed in his role as a parent. To look at the extremes here, a completely loving and caring father would always look after his child and never take his eye of the child. The father would always know where the child is, and whenever something were to go wrong, the father would be one step behind ready to console his child. This father's problem would be that he never allows his child to fix anything on their own. The father in this case would always fix things for the kids. Sometimes kids need to be able to figure things out on their own so that when they grow up they can be more independent. Another father could be one that allows too much freedom to his kids. These kids grow up doing whatever they want whenever. These kids have no discipline and therefore grow up making poor decisions. The problem with this father is his lack of authority and the ability to tell a child what to do and not to do. The third father would be one that is a total dictator and runs the child's lives through telling them what to do every step of the way. There is no questioning this father and he is always right. This father runs the show whichever way he sees fit. The problem with this father is lack of freedom. Looking at these three qualities is a mere example of the qualities of fathers. However, these three are all things that are prevalent in the relationship between Amir and his father, Baba.
     When looking at Amir and Baba's father-son relationship we see problems all throughout the first half of the book. We start out the book learning that Amir's mother had died during child birth. With this comes information that Baba partially blames Amir for the death of his wife. Amir has lived all his life incapable of trusting Baba. Trust is another important part of a father son relationship. Trust is either present or not depending on the type of qualities a father has as discussed above. Because Baba blames Amir, Baba lacks the caring aspect that a father should have. This leads to no trust and a withered relationship of the two. Baba has also been seen to give too much freedom to Amir. Baba is generally never home and he doesn't care what Amir does. This has seen Amir get into trouble with him and the boys in his neighborhood. And because Amir does not trust Baba, he cannot go to Baba to talk to him. This is how one characteristic of the father can affect another. Up until the rape of Hassan, this is how Baba acted. He never stood up for Amir or could even sincerely talk to him, this all later changes. When Amir brings the kite home Baba is so proud and starts to appreciate and be accept his son. But when the war breaks out one more thing happens to Baba. He finally takes control of the family and moves himself and Amir to America. It is not until later that we see Baba become a true father, but it can be considered too late. It leads us to wonder, what if Amir had a better father in Baba while growing up?
     So what if this was true? Would Amir have grown up differently? We can only question and speculate about this; however we definitely have opinions on this. It is my opinion that if Baba had been more caring of Amir earlier in his life, Amir would have not been afraid to talk to Baba. This is because a sense of trust is now in place. This would have been key for Amir in multiple situations of his life. One would be the encounters that he has had with his friends bullying him. If Amir were not afraid to talk to Baba, Baba would have been informed of the situation and fixed it. Earlier I said that when a parent fixes everything for a child it is bad. However, we already are able to see that in the future Amir is incapable of changing this situation of bullying by himself. In this situation the father should help out. This all leads to the biggest part of the book, the rape. What if Baba had already stopped this bullying? It is possible then that the rape would not have occurred. When looking at how Baba's father-son relationship could have possibly affected the rape, it can be considered that this is all one big stretch. One can say that it is impossible that Baba's status as a father could have affected the rape. However, we must also consider that anything is possible. We see in the world today what a profound impact a father can have on his child's life. In this case, that relationship could have emotionally saved all the people involved in this rape.