Last Blog

The thing I learned when reading over my blog can be the wide array of interpretations that are taken from the same work. Meaning, there are different ways of thinking about the work, which may be based on your background or your place in society. This to me is very interesting because the same word structures can have completely different meanings to individuals.
Something I learned this year is that foreign cultures, while different than the ways of the west, can still offer much insight in the way to live peaceful and productive lives. Also, that individuals can make a difference within the a society, even if they feel as though they do not belong to or fit into that society.

Images

Also in Persepolis, the use of images in a simple state adds to the book immensely. Having images that show unthinkable images in such simple ways make it both easier for the viewer to look at without looking away quickly and giving them time to take in the message the picture represents. In a way less is more. The simplicity of the pictures can speak to a wide array of audiences and cause different interpretations throughout a community.

black and white

I thought it was interesting that the Persepolis was done in black and white. This is so because usually there are many situations where there are gray areas in seeing the true meaning of a situation. However, this this approach may have been done so to show the harsh realities that occur as they appear without any outside influence that we see too often.

Caring?

"You have never really been here. I do not think that you have ever lied to me, but I know that you have never told me the told- why?" (p.137).

The quote shows the disgust that Giovanni has with the narrator, however, the narrators tendencies of not seeming like he cares may be based on his past and his inability of being accepted. People's past experiences can have a large influence on their future, whether it be the individuals that they associated themselves with or the treatment they received from those around them. Also, the same goes for Giovanni who thinks otherwise, but he may be in fact wrong also. No one knows how an individual exactly feels besides the individual themselves. This is where conflicting personalities and backgrounds may come back to cause a conflict among people and cause relationships to crumble.

Manhood

The issue of manhood and sexulity occurs throughout the book, yet is a major issue that arises in the media along with in society. Magazines along with movies try and perceive classic versions of manhood and being a man, however, based on living situations and the time in which a man is being looked at. There is a quote, that says, "The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands in times of challenge and controversy." This quotation, along with others that include, "The significance of a man is not in what he attains but in what he longs to attain." Some may see thses quotes as tacky while others may try to use them as motivation to try and live the best lives possible for their own sake along with the sake of those that they care about around them.

Moving Out

"Once I was out of the house of course... I gave my father of my life was exactly the vision in which I myself most desperately needed to believe." (p. 20)

Here the narrator displays the approach of being independent, but in a way that excludes him from his own family. He does so in order to make his father feel better and by telling him what he wants to hear. This tactic in the most common cases is started during the college years once an individual is about ready to leave his or her home for a substantial amount of time. Personally, there have been times where the truth may have been manipulated in order to cause a less stressful mother, however, the narrator does so that he can make his own choices and contradict what his father has been telling him over the years when living in the same home. This can be seen as an example of rejecting ones parent.

response to family

"That's where you always are and that's where all your money goes and all your manhood and self respect, too." (p.14).

This quotation can be connected to many people's responses that we see in society today. There are times when friends can make fun of one another because of their habits and behaviors when around their significant other at a particular time. However, when this ridicule is coming from within an individuals family they may feel stuck or at a loss of words because this harsh response is coming from someone that is loved. Also, it seems to have an effect that Ellen is getting more attention than his own blood, which results in a the response that is seen following the quote above.

Love and Now

"Genital love leads to the formation of new families, and aim inhibited love to friendships' which become valuable from a cultural standpoint because they escape some of the limitation of genital love, as, for instance, its exclusiveness" (p. 58).

During class this issue was brought up of different types of love. However, in culture there are different kinds of relationships that occur in types of society. There are situations where an individual is not looking for "love" but a different kind of relationship where frienship is not the intended goal. I just thought that it was interesting that he defined love as having different levels and different interpretations by individuals.

Freuds Faults

We discussed today in class about how Freud had some theories that were not feasible and seemed to be almost comical. However, psychologists still credit Freud of being one of the most brilliant minds in the field. Do these theories in any way take away from his earth breaking thoughts or do his accomplishments outweigh the bad to an extent that we look the other way? I do not know the answer because i am not an expert in psychology, however, in other aspects of specialties i believe faults and false statements cause people to doubt much of what the individual says.

Being Alive

"So without pain no writing: a new and terrible rule. Except that, when I have taken the pills, nothing is terrible anymore, everything is indifferent, everything is the same" (p. 175) Age of Iron.

The quotation tells the authors view on devices that may dull the feelings of life. In her case pills that most likely ease the pain. However, pain and other feelings in life are ultimately what makes us feel alive. If Humans were never sick or never endured any kind of discomfort, it would truly make feeling great be the usual, making us feel neutral. It is a good thing that we have these vulnerabilities. It is these low points in life that make the good times and successes that much more satisfying. Without ups and downs in life we would have a feeling of neutrality, which would take away our humanistic qualities.

Differing of Opinions

When reading the ending of the book, the discussion of the way that the author handled the situation was brought up. Many, including myself, thought that the way she chose to tell her story and illustrate her feelings were odd. Why didn't she just tell her family how she felt and feeling not like a mother anymore because of this isolation. But, the answer is we do not know. None of us know how we would act if we knew that our lives were coming to an end in a short time. It is something we most likely do not think about or worry about in our daily lives. However, their are instances were individuals take their hardships and attempt to make a difference in other peoples lives. And i believe that the author would have been pleased that her book is now published for others to relate to her feelings and maybe appreciate the things they have.
In my opinion one of the greatest individuals and aspiring figures is named Jim Valvano. Many may not know his name but he was a college basketball coach who was diagnosed with cancer. Like many individuals that were of his stature would most likely spend their remaining time with their family, friends, or players that they have had throughout the many years of coaching. However, he decided to establish the Jimmie V foundation that still stands today, which raises money for cancer research. HE gave a speech that changed many peoples lives, at the Espy Awards, when receieving an award. His speech included the instructions of living a happy life, but he does so in a way an manner that expresses hope and the happiness that is still in his life, even though his time is short.

Here is the Speech
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ePXlkqkFH6s

baseball and life

this blog is one of the best i have ever written, mainly because its about some thing that i am passionate for and love...baseball. Its not that you need to be talented physically (it does help), but rather mentally strong. In this sport you are an all-star if you fail 7 out of 10 times. The failure in this sport is very hard accept, resulting in very high strung, stressed out people and if you are mentally tough than you can let the failing aspect of the game go and play relaxed...while having fun at the same time. However, if the same attitude is taken in other aspects in life. If the same approach was taken for example in core class the atmosphere would be quite different along with the grades that would be received.

Education

I agree strongly with Alex's blog. the area that you may live or the situation that an individual is currently in has much pull in whether ot not they are able to attend higher education. Many were talking about the options of community colleges, however, the community colleges near my home are Phila. Community College, Montco, and Camden Community College, all being very ineffective of swaying the minds of individuals of attempting to go on to better schools after. Individuals usually see no point of going to a bad school, when in reality money is an issue and having two years of no income for them or their family seems to be idiotic. An example of this can be seen in many of friends from back home, who decide that they'd rather work than participate in a school-like atmosphere. Currently I have friends working at stores such as staples and Acme full time, who at times make fun of the few that chose to take the college route. Now, many would think that they are downright stupid for saying this, but some have come to realize that some individuals have no source of income from their parents or immediate family and that it is their obligation to provide for themselves, just as it is our obligation to try and further our education at Richmond. I just think more people need to be able to explore the world in both the rich and working class to see the similarities and differences that are present. Finally, they should do so to see how lucky they may be in not having to see their friends or family go through hard times in pursuit to try and better a situation that may occur. I just feel that individuals like my friends are looked down upon by some individuals in society and that line between them and me is very marginal, however, I think over time institutions like that of Brown will begin to open their doors to those that may not have had a chance otherwise, to be surprised and see the results of what hard working individuals can accomplish.

dreams

"I dream. Sometimes I think that's the only right thing to do. To dream, to live in the world of dreams- just as Sumire said. But it doesn't last forever. Wakefulness always comes to take me back" (p. 207).

This quotation can speak to those who think that ones dreams are based on your past or act as somewhat premonitions of some things to come. However, I have come to learn through psychology that dreams are the brain processing information from that day. It essentially is the process of turning short term information into long term information.

Environments

We opened class discussion talking about how our learning environments have an effect on how well we can pay attention along with respond in a teaching enviroment. I wonder how this may affect authors and where they choose to write their works. Would Sputnik Sweetheart have been different if written in a more pleasing environment?

Perspective on Life

On page 59 in Adrienne Rich's Prose and Poetry, the quote reads, "many sleep the whole way others sit staring holes of fire into the air other plan rebellion:night after night awake in prison..."
For some reason this quote caught my eye and reminded me of a picture that is displayed in my high school that reads, "old men dream dreams, and young men see visions." It to me, displays the perspective that individauls can take in looking at the future of their lives and the direction that they choose to take. But, both quotes seem to inspire action or a desire to move further in life. I am taking Rich's quote out of its context and comparing it to the painting at my old school. But, both represent different stages of a persons life, one conflates old and young men in the world and the other represents the attitude that we take in our everyday lives and we choose to do or not do throughout our lives.

Fitting In

As mentioned before in the class the issue of Adrienne Rich's display of keeping the fact that she is Jewish a secret so that she is able to fit into society. Its an example of acting in ways that do not resemble our real selves. At places all across the US and areas that surround my home I sometimes see individuals acting in ways that do not represent their background or area in which they come from. Instead of having a true representation of themselves they decide to try and act as though they belong to a different group that is poor. For example a teen who talks with a street-like accent and wears clothes that resemble those that are underprivileged. But, after talking to the individual I find out they are from an area that is a rich suburband attended private school since age 5. I do not have an answer to why individuals do so, but the point of the blog is to ask the question why we put up false illusions to try and impress and fit in with those around us?

devil

In most films and works there are instances that bring out the worst in people. In Othello the demon of Iago causes much uneeded harm because of the way he manipulates individuals. However, in stories the devil or demon may not be the form of a human but a luxury or other symobls that reoccur in a work. In current works that are comedies or a feel good story the main characters usually overcome the temptations of evil and rise above it. But, in Shakespeare's Othello we know going in that it will be a tragedy and most likely harm will engulf one of the main characters. But, usually the devils work may vanish for the time being, however, the thoughts and feelings of the demon live on.

trust

Women are not respected in Shakespear's Othello, this shows the sexism that occurs , Othello does not take the time to speak to Desdemona rather he takes the word of Iago. This process is the opposite of what usually occurs in today's society. If one of us were to have a problem or look for advice for our personal selves, most likely we would talk to an individual that we have the most trust in, rather than base it on gender alone. Manipulation would be at its peak in the present day, because of the competition of furthering oneself in society. Also, there are individuals that make a living manipulating people after gaining their artificial trust.

creating words

Also, to talk more about Monday's class, we learned that there are over 1000 words that are now in the dictionary thanks to Shakespeare. With the words being undefined I thought in some cases Shakespeare would feel mad or upset that his words have been etched in time by someone, who like Mr. Hamm said interpreted it themselves. There can be many instances that his words meant or had a completley different meaning than what others based their opinion.

Monday's class

In the past, my encounters with Shakespeare have been very uneventful and not very interesting. However, on Monday it the work even though we did not talk about it particularly, it seemed to make my past encounters more understandable. Meaning, that it was not what was on the page that was important, but i was how the words were interpreted and acted out on stage. While, this being the case, I now find it hard for it to be taught in a classroom like atmosphere. I would think that it would be best to watch a variety of renditions of the same play and examine each as there own and attempt to take away key points that are made. But, this would take up too much class time to do so, but i still feel that a showing from maybe a play that was well done or showed a different perspective of events that are occuring in the play would be both helpful and interesting.

background music

I like many others have had the problem with selecting the music best fit to protray my story. However, I was thinking if having no music would be the best way to go because i feel without having any other sound would cause a more powerful way of portraying a story. In movies such as A Bronx Tale the way they use the 3rd person narration is successful in portraying a message along with creating a bond between the narrator and the viewer.

Dont forget where you come from

throughout the course of the digital story process I have thought about how different living in Richmond differs from life at home. It seems like living in the school environment seems to be like living in a bubble because all of the trouble that is not present in the current environment. There is no need to worry about crime or other worries that are involved in a real city atmosphere. But, with this it provides a relief and a time to reflect on the effect it has on me when i return to my hometown to go back to normal life. Also, it can be sad because I know that those from my hometown will never have the opportunity to live life or have an experience like I am living.

mind against mind

"There was the controversy in my heart, a controversy about myself against myself" (p. 158).

When i saw this quotation at first I viewed it as the class a person that struggles with himself, in order to figure out the best decision to make in a given situation. However, through psychology I have learned that there are different sections of the brain that relay different responses to a given situation. I think this issue plays a large role in the process of becoming a christian. I think it would have made the situation more understanding to Augustine if he did in fact know that it was something natural to have completely different thoughts about a situation. But, when he realizes that he wants to sacrifice his past pleasures to follow God, he does so whole heartily.

complete conversion

Throughout the autobiography Augustine's conversion is contemplated. During his contemplation he is an individual who goes all or broke into the decision that he makes. Here (book 8) he thinks about the pros and cons of his conversion. Finally, he decides to become a "true" christian, meaning that he is going to give up all of his sinful actions, such as letting go his feelings of lust. His decision can resemble those that are interested in taking up an profession or sport that is taken very seriously. Actions can include moving to a place where training or learning is their top priority along with not partaking in actions that may hurt or diminish the chances of their goal being completed.

good vs. bad

It is very interesting how that in the autobiography, Augustine, he discusses how past actions or thoughts have become different in meaning over time. Actions he thought of good in hindsight turn out to be bad as he became older. This is also an exmaple of how the mind of individuals change over different course and eras of ones life. The idea of the mind changing can be connected with studies taking place in fields such as psychology. The work can be an illustration of a situation that is being conducted in a natural environment. It will be interesting to see what other developements occur or change as the book progresses.