In class on Wednesday, April 22nd, Tracy Salter was so nice as to come into our class to talk about the play she was directing, The Merchant of Venice. She was a very cool person. She had a great personality and was really fun. She loves theatre and she definetly shows it! She informed us on what the play was about and some different themes that were going to be in it. She also copied off the first act, first scene. That was cool. So we went through that and were able to depict much of the script. It was pretty intense because this is what the actors and actresses have to go through. I wouldn't be able to do it, myself. But I give them a lot of credit and appreciation for having the love and the patience to do that. We learned about trochees (opposite of iambic pentameter,) iambic pentameter (a set amount of syllables in a certain amount of space,) and also some tricks to know when there is an accent or how to stress the word. She also brought with her a few books. Dictionaries for Shakespeares words, which was cool because it listed what play, act, scene, and page the word was on. Also, she had a book that told you how to pronounce the word, such as "ague." I think she really prepared me well for the play, because had I not had that little bit of insite on Shakespeare and the play, I would've been totally lost.
I attended the Merchant of Venice on Saturday, April 25. It was very good. I really enjoyed it. I have never seen a play before, and although it was set back in Shakespears time, it was really neat to see. I thought many of the scene props they had like the water spout, the boat and ores, and the patio overhang, were really neat. I really enjoyed the courtroom scene, but my favorite was the one with Lance-a-lot as the main character the whole time. The one he is talking about what his conscience tells him, versus another source. He was so perfect for the part. He was tall and lanky and so funny! I loved his skiddish personality and his voices. I laughed so hard throughout that whole scene.
I think the actor playing Shylock was very good too. He had a very deep and firm voice. He was a very strict and stern person. He was a grumpy, racist, old man who did whatever he could to get the most out of everything (the most money for a deal, etc.) I thought it was cute how everything ended on a fairly good note and was a fairly happy ending. Antonio did not have to give up any flesh, and everybody seemed pretty content with one another.
Overall, I thought the play was very good. As I mentioned earlier, I have never seen a play before so it was a new experience to me and quite intriguing. The actors and actresses did an amazing job! They were all very good! Their attire totally matched the time era and their accents did as well. They helped the audience out with the tough, foreign words (old time speak,) with hand gestures and body language. Tracy had an amazing crew and they made the play well worth it!
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Tania Zittoun-MIND Speaker
I was unable to attend the guest speaker last Thursday, April 16. Although, I heard she was very good. What I got from reading Jessica's blog is that Zittoun was very amused with children. More so, that she loved helping them and kind of studying their past to help them reach beyond living with their parents with an $8.00/hr. job. She wanted to help them to become successful and help them in their transition to bigger things in life, such as, college, careers, coping with family/close friend deaths, and things that Americans hold close to their hearts. Big decisions. I found her case study girl, Julia, very interesting. How she was having some difficult times in her life, deciding on a University and actually going, her grandmother passing, and having a close relationship with her parents and having to drop that for school.
I can relate to Julia's story because I am from Minnesota and I came to Colorado for school. My mom and I have a VERY close relationship, as do I with almost her whole entire side of the family. It is very hard not to be able to see my mom everyday, or even a couple days a week. I miss her so much and can't wait until June when I go back. I will be transferring back to Minnesota for that very reason. I miss my family and friends too much. I want to enjoy college, and as much as I am going to miss UNC and the wonderful people here, I would rather be close to home. My family and friends have always been there for me; I don't want to lose that close relationship. Anyways, I wish I could've went to see the speaker, because after reading that, I know I would've been able to relate to some things she was talking about.
Jessica mentioned that Tania had just about the same theory as Tom Turino, but her theory included different aspects, which is very intriguing. To see that they believe the same thing, but yet, in different ways. That just goes to show the cultural differences around the world. People from different places think different things, even if they are in the same field and same idea, their points they put to them may be different.
I can relate to Julia's story because I am from Minnesota and I came to Colorado for school. My mom and I have a VERY close relationship, as do I with almost her whole entire side of the family. It is very hard not to be able to see my mom everyday, or even a couple days a week. I miss her so much and can't wait until June when I go back. I will be transferring back to Minnesota for that very reason. I miss my family and friends too much. I want to enjoy college, and as much as I am going to miss UNC and the wonderful people here, I would rather be close to home. My family and friends have always been there for me; I don't want to lose that close relationship. Anyways, I wish I could've went to see the speaker, because after reading that, I know I would've been able to relate to some things she was talking about.
Jessica mentioned that Tania had just about the same theory as Tom Turino, but her theory included different aspects, which is very intriguing. To see that they believe the same thing, but yet, in different ways. That just goes to show the cultural differences around the world. People from different places think different things, even if they are in the same field and same idea, their points they put to them may be different.
My Composition
My composition is based on the outside world. Many things you don't even realize are there while you're walking down the sidewalk or laying in the sun. After the first day of composing our music, I had absolutely no idea what I was going to do for mine. I have another class after Creativity, so as I was walking to my other class, I heard the wind. I was like, "Hmm, it's pretty windy outside today." Then, I thought, "Oh my gosh! That's perfect! I am going to do my composition on outside, seeing as how I LOVE to be outside!" So, that's basically how I came up with my theme. Now, for the actual composition. I just used clip art for each instrument, I tried to get a picture of the actual instrument each person would be using. I put them in order from left to right, as you would read a book. My instruments are as follows: wind-throughout the entire piece, pants-rustling sound of clothes from people walking by, ball-people playing in a park, horn-cars driving by honking their horns, classroom lights-clouds covering up the sun and coming back out again, classroom door opening and shutting-car doors and building doors slamming shut, classroom desks-swing sets, cell phone music-cars driving by with music blaring, rollerblade-people rollerblading or long boarding, large paper holder (paper clip)-school bell ringing, dog-dogs barking, hammer with nail (originally planned on having a drill)-construction, everyone in classroom laughing or talking-background noise as your walking down the street of people laughing and talking, keys-keys on a backpack jingling, rubber bands-birds chirping, water bottles-nearby rivers flowing, pens-squirrels and rabbits making noises, people stomping their feet-people walking on side walks. It is a piece for the whole class, each person can have a role. I decided to do this theme because it is autobiographical because I love to be outside and do various activities outside. Hope you all enjoy. (It will not let me upload my score.)
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Theory for Music-Thomas Turino
I defintely agree with Thomas when he says that music has a big role in shaping our socitey. Many times, the type of music a person listens to, tends to be how they act. Or, maybe that is just a stereotype, still, a major impact on life and the way people see things. I thought it was interesting how he said, "It seems to me that the challenge for the next generation is to develop a theory of music in relation to what is usually called "emotion"-- "
To me, this means that music has kind of died out and our generation is responsible for coming up with different emotions, or feelings, for different genres of music. And with coming up with these emotions, we are to define a theory of why we decided upon that such emotion for that genre.
When reading the part about sign, object, interpretant, I pictured it as the coming of "sign language," a way for people to communicate without using words, just symbols and gestures. I feel he is making a connection with Peirce's Semiosis process. When he points out the fact that he feels music is the sign "of" feeling, not the sign "about" feeling; I have to agree, because when I listen to music, I get a feeling. Depending on what genre of music, the singer/band, and such, I get a sense of emotion. When their music begins, I don't feel that when I turn on the radio, the singers/bands are making you try to feel a certain way about something, I think they are expressing their views and their thoughts, and want you to interpret them any way necessary.
I appreciate the fact that he puts terms into "English," if you would. Since I am not a musical person at all, some of the words and terms make absolutely no sense to me. But then, following in the next sentence, is an example of what he is talking about. For example, when he is talking about the term "legisign," he talks about the Star-Spangled Banner and the color red.
The pictures were confusing, because I wasn't exactly sure what they were illustrating, but they helped a little bit understand more of what was going on. I'm sure if someone reading this article knew what all those words and terms meant, they would be able to appreciate the illustrations much more than me.
He brings in to effect, normal everyday people and experiences. Some of which include, used car salesmen, false lovers, politicians, and actors/actresses. We all watch T.V. and have a political figure in our life somewhere or another, whether it be your mayor, govenor, senator, or president. They play a major role in our life. Actors/actresses are a common everyday practice in our lives, watching movies or T.V. Everything we do, and everything we see, affects our vision of music, ways of thinking, and different steps to coming up with a theory for music.
The properties, or categories of firstness, secondness, and thirdness threw me off a bit. But as I kept reading, I realized they were traced back to the trichotomies that Peirce had discovered. Overall, music is awesome! And I couldn't go a day without it. Maybe everyone should have their own theory of music?
To me, this means that music has kind of died out and our generation is responsible for coming up with different emotions, or feelings, for different genres of music. And with coming up with these emotions, we are to define a theory of why we decided upon that such emotion for that genre.
When reading the part about sign, object, interpretant, I pictured it as the coming of "sign language," a way for people to communicate without using words, just symbols and gestures. I feel he is making a connection with Peirce's Semiosis process. When he points out the fact that he feels music is the sign "of" feeling, not the sign "about" feeling; I have to agree, because when I listen to music, I get a feeling. Depending on what genre of music, the singer/band, and such, I get a sense of emotion. When their music begins, I don't feel that when I turn on the radio, the singers/bands are making you try to feel a certain way about something, I think they are expressing their views and their thoughts, and want you to interpret them any way necessary.
I appreciate the fact that he puts terms into "English," if you would. Since I am not a musical person at all, some of the words and terms make absolutely no sense to me. But then, following in the next sentence, is an example of what he is talking about. For example, when he is talking about the term "legisign," he talks about the Star-Spangled Banner and the color red.
The pictures were confusing, because I wasn't exactly sure what they were illustrating, but they helped a little bit understand more of what was going on. I'm sure if someone reading this article knew what all those words and terms meant, they would be able to appreciate the illustrations much more than me.
He brings in to effect, normal everyday people and experiences. Some of which include, used car salesmen, false lovers, politicians, and actors/actresses. We all watch T.V. and have a political figure in our life somewhere or another, whether it be your mayor, govenor, senator, or president. They play a major role in our life. Actors/actresses are a common everyday practice in our lives, watching movies or T.V. Everything we do, and everything we see, affects our vision of music, ways of thinking, and different steps to coming up with a theory for music.
The properties, or categories of firstness, secondness, and thirdness threw me off a bit. But as I kept reading, I realized they were traced back to the trichotomies that Peirce had discovered. Overall, music is awesome! And I couldn't go a day without it. Maybe everyone should have their own theory of music?
Monday, March 23, 2009
What to Listen for in the World
I thought this article was very cool, because I was able to relate it to what Paul talked about in class today. How they say composition and music are thought of very differently, in the sense that in class today, Paul asked about 4 or 5 people what they thought his symbol meant, and each person had a very different sound. As soon as I read the part about "understanding" it just made me think of that; how we all understand the same thing in many different ways.
Also, I believe that you have to believe in yourself to do something. If you quit believing, you will not succeed. Just as Yo-Yo-Ma did. He read the piece, played the piece PERFECTLY, then once the author pointed out the "impossible" part in it, he began to play it again and was stopped at the "impossible" part and wasn't able to do it anymore. Because he stopped and realized that for a split second, his fingers were uncomfortable, he couldn't do it anymore.
Also, I believe that you have to believe in yourself to do something. If you quit believing, you will not succeed. Just as Yo-Yo-Ma did. He read the piece, played the piece PERFECTLY, then once the author pointed out the "impossible" part in it, he began to play it again and was stopped at the "impossible" part and wasn't able to do it anymore. Because he stopped and realized that for a split second, his fingers were uncomfortable, he couldn't do it anymore.
Paul Elwood
I thought today was an interesting class period. Paul was a pretty good speaker. I really enjoyed listening to his music; it almost reminded me of like African or Indian music, the kind where the snake slithers up through the top of the basket and the musician is usually playing a flute. Even though it was a banjo, the beginning of the music before he started to sing and all reminded me of that. But other than that, he talked about many famous composers; some that he knew, some he was able to trace back to, and others just in general. It sounds like he has been all over the world; Moscow, Russia, many different states in the U.S., and he will be going to Africa sometime soon too. He has been composing for about 30 years or a little more. He had a very good activity to try to teach us a little bit more about composing and how to come about it and have an open mind. He knew a lot about what he was talking about and is a very good banjo player.
The Lives of Others
This movie is AWESOME! I loved this movie, I saw it fall semester for one of my German classes during the German International Film Series and I thought it was so cool. It is just so interesting and sad, the things that they did during the separation of East and West Germany. How the Stasi bugged peoples' homes and spied on them for months and even years in this case. I felt bad for Christa because she thought she was ratting her husband out, but really Wiesler hid it and "saved" Georg. One of my favorite parts was when Georg said, "I'm sorry." to Christa and she didn't know what he was talking about and really he was talking about getting her into all of this mess. I think Wiesler, like we mentioned in class, didn't know what passion and love was until he was spying on this couple and then he felt it and didn't want to ruin what they had and so he began to cover some of their flaws and things that could have gotten them in trouble with the Stasi. My most favorite part was at the end when he went into the book store and opened up the book and saw it was dedicated to him. I thought that was so awesome!
The Composer and His Message
Basically, I think that music is a way for expressing one's emotions or feelings. I think that many musicians these days write songs and sing songs that have to do with the personal lives, especially the past. Those are the songs I find the most intriguing because it's like you get a back stage pass into their past, and sometimes even their present. So I find that composer's write for themselves a lot, and not for their fans. Although, some do write just for the fans, I believe the best music comes from their heart. So, I do agree, that composition, if you are writing for yourself, can be one of the simplest things in the world. But if you are writing for somebody else, or your fans, it can be much tougher.
My favorite part of this little article was the very last line written in German saying, "Emotion is fit only for women-for man, music must strike fire from his mind." I thought that was very cool because women are much more emotional then men, most of the time. And for men, a lot of times they just go at whatever they are doing with all their heart and all their strength. So that is what I made from that last sentence.
My favorite part of this little article was the very last line written in German saying, "Emotion is fit only for women-for man, music must strike fire from his mind." I thought that was very cool because women are much more emotional then men, most of the time. And for men, a lot of times they just go at whatever they are doing with all their heart and all their strength. So that is what I made from that last sentence.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Improv Sketch
CORE:
Character-my character's name is Escalia (or something; French eviqualent of "stairs"). She is one of three wives to Mr. H.
Objective-the objective of my character is to kill her husband and inherit his vast fortune. Though, none of the three wives knows whose name is written on the will, so they all try to kill him in their own ways. The secret we hide is that no one else knows that the others are trying to kill Mr. H too. (WE ALL WANT THE MONEY)
Relationship-I am married to Mr. H and he is also married to two other women and we all live in the same house.
Environment-in the den/tea party room of Mr. H's great big mansion.
Character-my character's name is Escalia (or something; French eviqualent of "stairs"). She is one of three wives to Mr. H.
Objective-the objective of my character is to kill her husband and inherit his vast fortune. Though, none of the three wives knows whose name is written on the will, so they all try to kill him in their own ways. The secret we hide is that no one else knows that the others are trying to kill Mr. H too. (WE ALL WANT THE MONEY)
Relationship-I am married to Mr. H and he is also married to two other women and we all live in the same house.
Environment-in the den/tea party room of Mr. H's great big mansion.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Composition in Pure Movement
I am a person far from dancing or composing music or any such thing, but I do, in fact, like this writer's perspective of creating dances. She does not have a set rythym or technique of dance, she just "goes with the flow." I like that because even though I know close to nothing about dance and choreograph, I still think it is cool how she does things on her own and doesn't follow the norm. I think the world tends to be a boring place when everything we do follows the rules and has a set form of doing things, so when a person like this comes along and talks about how she just lets her body flow with the music and the right moves will come to her, I think that is something very special. I think it is very special how she makes each dance separate and unique from one another. I like how she says most dances you can feel an emotion, such as grief, sadness, or happiness, but with hers, it is just a free-flowing movement. Something that has feeling, but no certain emotion attached.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Collage
I loved this project! I love projects in general. I really like making collages, so I enjoyed this assignment a lot! My original collage consisted of many things I like, such as: monkeys, dirt bikes, NASCAR, cars, dogs, my favorite TV show, basketball, food, and much more. It was all about me and I even put my name and birthday on it.
When we had to crop out a part of our collage and make it abstract, that is when it got hard for me. Mainly because I guess I don't really know how to make things abstract, or even that I really don't know what "abstract" means. This was extremely hard for me to try to pick a part of my collage and mess around with it to make it abstract. I am not a very artsy kind of person. I don't like dancing, singing, being creative (because I am not creative), acting, or anything like that. It's just not who I am. So when we had to try to make this abstract, I had the hardest time with it because I felt like I had to be a totally different person for fifty minutes and think in a way I am NOT at all used to thinking like.
I don't believe my piece was abstract at all, really, but I tried my hardest to make it "abstract."
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Picasso and D.H. Lawrence
I thought these articles were both interesting, or even different. As I am not used to reading about artists and relating to them. I thought in a way, they both lead to the same overall point, although, they approached it at very different angles.
I liked Lawrences article a bit more than Picassos because I just felt I could relate a lot more to it than could I Picassos. Picassos article felt much more distant and old to me. Where as Lawrences just felt more modern.
These articles didn't hit the best of my interest, but I managed to get through them.
I liked Lawrences article a bit more than Picassos because I just felt I could relate a lot more to it than could I Picassos. Picassos article felt much more distant and old to me. Where as Lawrences just felt more modern.
These articles didn't hit the best of my interest, but I managed to get through them.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Creativity in Education
I agree with this article in some ways and others I don't. It is totally right how art needs to be a part of education, but I don't believe the schools need to take out other parts of education just for the arts to fit in. I think that Math, Science, and English are the most important parts in education, and history and art/music are sub-groups.
In middle school we had art from grades 5-7 and in eighth grade it got cut due to budget cuts. We also had music throughout grades 5-8, but in seventh and eight, it was an optional course. In high school, only one year of art was required, but many more art courses were optional if one wanted to take art courses. Music was never a required course in high school, but optional if one wanted to take those as well. Other than that, 3 years of math, science, and history/social studies classes were required as well as 4 years of english.
I definetly agree with the part that art needs to be reinforced in primary and middle school educations because children at that age, are at the level where they need visual and hands-on projects in order to comprehend the material they are being taught. Whether we are learners through visuals, audios, hands-on, or any of the others, when we are little, visuals are ALWAYS helpful because we do not have the amount of knowledge that we have now, it helps to have pictures with the things we are learning about.
Overall, art is definetly a neccesity in education. Whether it be to help students learn better, or just to expand their knowledge and appreciation for art.
In middle school we had art from grades 5-7 and in eighth grade it got cut due to budget cuts. We also had music throughout grades 5-8, but in seventh and eight, it was an optional course. In high school, only one year of art was required, but many more art courses were optional if one wanted to take art courses. Music was never a required course in high school, but optional if one wanted to take those as well. Other than that, 3 years of math, science, and history/social studies classes were required as well as 4 years of english.
I definetly agree with the part that art needs to be reinforced in primary and middle school educations because children at that age, are at the level where they need visual and hands-on projects in order to comprehend the material they are being taught. Whether we are learners through visuals, audios, hands-on, or any of the others, when we are little, visuals are ALWAYS helpful because we do not have the amount of knowledge that we have now, it helps to have pictures with the things we are learning about.
Overall, art is definetly a neccesity in education. Whether it be to help students learn better, or just to expand their knowledge and appreciation for art.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
In the Hands of the Restless Poor
This article made me open my eyes to realize that I am very fortunate to be getting the education that I am getting. Many poor families are unable to pay for their children to go to school, so unfortunately for the kids, they miss out on an amazing opportunity to higher their education and have better possibilities in the "real" world.
Although students less fortunate than most all of us have a hard time finding a way to pay for their tuition or their education, there are definetly ways to work around that, they just need to look a little bit harder than the rest of us. They may need to fill out more grants, loans, or scholarship applications than the average student. Especially if the student is very smart, there is a very likely chance they could get a scholarship for academics, or even sports if they are good at sports. There are endless possibilities to help pay for an education, these students may just have to look further than we do.
Anything in life is possible, so why can't getting an education be one of those things? It can be! A lot of the "poor" students tend to do poor in school because of the lack of support and help from the parents at home. Many times the reason the students are doing poorly in school is because the parents are always working, alcoholics, drug addicts, or never home (whether it be with friends or more.) In this case, students have the opportunity to go to tutoring classes, get extra help from teachers after class, or attend clubs/organizations that promote good grades and help with less fortunate students.
Students have all different kinds of abilities and disabilities, so when in a classroom setting or an educational setting, we all need to be curtious of everyone around us, their ability, or lack there of, and try to help them out whenever possible.
Although students less fortunate than most all of us have a hard time finding a way to pay for their tuition or their education, there are definetly ways to work around that, they just need to look a little bit harder than the rest of us. They may need to fill out more grants, loans, or scholarship applications than the average student. Especially if the student is very smart, there is a very likely chance they could get a scholarship for academics, or even sports if they are good at sports. There are endless possibilities to help pay for an education, these students may just have to look further than we do.
Anything in life is possible, so why can't getting an education be one of those things? It can be! A lot of the "poor" students tend to do poor in school because of the lack of support and help from the parents at home. Many times the reason the students are doing poorly in school is because the parents are always working, alcoholics, drug addicts, or never home (whether it be with friends or more.) In this case, students have the opportunity to go to tutoring classes, get extra help from teachers after class, or attend clubs/organizations that promote good grades and help with less fortunate students.
Students have all different kinds of abilities and disabilities, so when in a classroom setting or an educational setting, we all need to be curtious of everyone around us, their ability, or lack there of, and try to help them out whenever possible.
Monday, February 9, 2009
The University Orchestra
Wow! This was a very cool experience! I have never been to an orchestra before and this was something that I probably would have never gone to on my own, but being "forced" to in a sense, was actually good for me. Thank you!
My favorite instruments in the performance were the flute and the trumpet. I felt like peaceful and kept picturing butterflies when I heard the flute and thought about war movies such as "Saving Private Ryan" when I heard the trumpet. For some reason, these two instruments hit me the hardest and I feel like I appreciated them the most.
The first piece was amazing! Lei Weng and Jonathan Bellman are phenominal pianists! It was very cool to be able to see them in person. They played so calm and gentle, almost as if it were something second nature to them (which it probably is.) This piece was very interesting, although this was probably my least favorite, because it didn't have very much trumpet in it. As well as it was played, it came in as number three on my list.
The second piece was great! Natalie's ability is breathtaking! I have never listened that closely to any instruments, but especially the violin. She has great talent and did an awesome job! The "preview" piece the orchestra played on that one was very interesting. I actually liked the third movement, although it was nothing like the first and second movements. It was energetic, chaotic, and full of energy. It kept me on my toes! My heart almost seemed as if it was racing when intermission began because it was so intense. This piece was my second favorite.
The third piece was my favorite! I loved this one! It had so much flute and trumpet in it, that it really kept me interested and excited because it had my two favorite instruments. I liked how upbeat it was. It had a couple quiet, slow parts, but I felt it was, for the most part, upbeat and used all the instruments as much as possible. I loved the flute solos. The second movement was my favorite out of all four movements of this piece though.
Throughout all the pieces, I kept imagining movies. Certain movies and scenes with each instrument and frequencies. One distinct one that I remember was in the last piece, throughout almost the whole thing, it had certain parts that reminded me of someone walking and then a cat (or dog, or some animal or person) creeping up behind them and then when the strings would come in, the animal (or person) would hide behind a rock, bush, tree, or some kind of shelter. Then when the person would begin to walk again, they would jump out and follow them again, and when the person would turn around to look for anybody, they would hide again. (If any of that makes sense?)
My favorite instruments in the performance were the flute and the trumpet. I felt like peaceful and kept picturing butterflies when I heard the flute and thought about war movies such as "Saving Private Ryan" when I heard the trumpet. For some reason, these two instruments hit me the hardest and I feel like I appreciated them the most.
The first piece was amazing! Lei Weng and Jonathan Bellman are phenominal pianists! It was very cool to be able to see them in person. They played so calm and gentle, almost as if it were something second nature to them (which it probably is.) This piece was very interesting, although this was probably my least favorite, because it didn't have very much trumpet in it. As well as it was played, it came in as number three on my list.
The second piece was great! Natalie's ability is breathtaking! I have never listened that closely to any instruments, but especially the violin. She has great talent and did an awesome job! The "preview" piece the orchestra played on that one was very interesting. I actually liked the third movement, although it was nothing like the first and second movements. It was energetic, chaotic, and full of energy. It kept me on my toes! My heart almost seemed as if it was racing when intermission began because it was so intense. This piece was my second favorite.
The third piece was my favorite! I loved this one! It had so much flute and trumpet in it, that it really kept me interested and excited because it had my two favorite instruments. I liked how upbeat it was. It had a couple quiet, slow parts, but I felt it was, for the most part, upbeat and used all the instruments as much as possible. I loved the flute solos. The second movement was my favorite out of all four movements of this piece though.
Throughout all the pieces, I kept imagining movies. Certain movies and scenes with each instrument and frequencies. One distinct one that I remember was in the last piece, throughout almost the whole thing, it had certain parts that reminded me of someone walking and then a cat (or dog, or some animal or person) creeping up behind them and then when the strings would come in, the animal (or person) would hide behind a rock, bush, tree, or some kind of shelter. Then when the person would begin to walk again, they would jump out and follow them again, and when the person would turn around to look for anybody, they would hide again. (If any of that makes sense?)
Composing a Symphony
Everything comes from inspiration. Whether it be a painting, a workout plan, a poem, or a music composition. So, when composing a symphony, it takes lots of inspiration and time. Like our previous readings said, only good articles come from automatic inspiration and not over time. I disagree with that. When I have a paper due or some kind of project, I try to think about it from the minute the professor tells us about it. In doing that, I am trying to think of something to write about, searching for any kind of inspiration i can. Therefore, inspiration is something that comes and goes. I can't just sit down and write or compose a project or anything of that sort. I need time to brainstorm ideas and throw out the bad ones. That is exactly the point Tchaikovsky is trying to get across. Don't rush things, just let them come to you as they do.
Users on Education
This article was very interesting, being that we are all college students. It states so many different points of views: like how we are all just here for an education, and how the colleges and universities really don't care about us, they just want their money. The more students they get to come to their school, the more money they get from not only the students, but the government as well. If they have a lot of students with a high graduating percentage, the school looks more credible and thus is able to recruit more people for more money. It is almost like a scam, we pay so much for so little. We end up with a degree, yet now-a-days, it seems like almost everybody has a degree or is in college. Thirty years ago, you were set out from a group of people if you went to college, now you are just like everybody else.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
We’ve all heard the quote from the well known movie, “Forrest Gump” when Forrest is running away from the bullies in the truck and his girl friend, Jenny, yells, “Run Forrest, run!”
Well, that just so happens to be my last name. Caitlyn Marie Forrest.
Growing up, I was a very big tom boy. I have one older brother with whom I always played with. I was basically his shadow. We’d play matchbox cars, G.I. Joe’s, trade baseball and basketball cards, and even wrestle with each other. If it wasn’t storming or deadly weather, we were always outside, rain or shine. My brother was big into basketball, along with the neighbor boys, which in turn, got me into basketball. More relative to my story though, is flag football.
In 3rd and 4th grade, I signed up for flag football. I was one of two girls in the league out of about 120 kids. It was awesome! I felt like the star of the team! I was very little so I played running back and wide receiver. Many of the kids on my team were a year older than me and had older brothers that my brother knew. They had a lot of fun coming to the little siblings’ games. My most unforgettable memory is when all the older brothers got together at one of our games and as soon as I broke through the line of scrimmage and made my way down the field, they all chanted, “Run Forrest run!” That saying, or nickname if you will, was the beginning of a new decade for me. Even through Soccer, Basketball, and especially in Cross Country.
I was now known as Forrest by all the kids, older, same grade, and even younger, throughout school. Forrest, Forrest’s little sister, “little Forrest” were my 3 main names. Teachers even caught on. When entering a new class for a new trimester, the teachers would do roll call and once they got to my name, it was always, “Hey, you’re Forrest’s little sister, aren’t you?” I guess I don’t really know why everybody caught on and began to use this name, other than from the movie Forrest Gump. But like they say, if the shoe fits, wear it. My last name was Forrest, so I guess it was fitting.
Other than that, I guess I don’t really have any reasoning to my name. My mom was at my cousin’s graduation when she was pregnant with me and was looking through the commencement program and saw a student named Caitlyn and she liked it. Marie is, well I don’t know that either. I don’t think it is any of my grandmother’s names, pretty sure they just thought it sounded good with Caitlyn. And, I obviously took my father’s last name, Forrest.
Caitlyn Marie Forrest, many nick names come with it: Forrest, Kay, KK, Catie, Cait, Caitlyn Marie, Chatty Patty, Pete (after my great uncle) and just plain old Caitlyn. I like my name. It fits me well and I am not ashamed of it at all in any way.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Art Show
I thought the art show was very interesting. I really liked Gene Hoffman's art. It is amazing! I think the way he uses recycled goods like old pop cans or any kind of can, cardboard that is just laying around and even like old plastic is really resourceful. He really knows how to put things that are just laying around or that are old to use.
I also thought the student sculpture art show was interesting too. The kids did a really fantastic job making such cool sculptures! If only everybody could use old recycled goods, for something useful, the world would be a much cleaner place!
I also thought the student sculpture art show was interesting too. The kids did a really fantastic job making such cool sculptures! If only everybody could use old recycled goods, for something useful, the world would be a much cleaner place!
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Pantoum Poem
Caitlyn Forrest
Mind 297
1/28/09
Pantoum Poem
1. I am orange, round, and bouncy
2. People throw me around and toss me into hoops
3. Little do they know, it doesn’t feel that good
4. It hurts when I am dribbled repetitively on the ground
2. People throw me around and toss me into hoops
5. Practice is fun, but the games are the best!
4. It hurts when I am dribbled repetitively on the ground
6. I meet so many new people every day
5. Practice is fun, but the games are the best!
7. I like being the one who determines the score
6. I meet so many new people every day
8. Each person has their own unique personality
7. I like being the one who determines the score
9. Some teams get upset while the other jumps for joy
8. Each person has their own unique personality
10. Sometimes they are viscous and sometimes they are friendly
9. Some teams get upset while the other jumps for joy
3. Little do they know, it doesn’t feel that good
10. Sometimes they are viscous and sometimes they are friendly
1. I am orange, round, and bouncy
Mind 297
1/28/09
Pantoum Poem
1. I am orange, round, and bouncy
2. People throw me around and toss me into hoops
3. Little do they know, it doesn’t feel that good
4. It hurts when I am dribbled repetitively on the ground
2. People throw me around and toss me into hoops
5. Practice is fun, but the games are the best!
4. It hurts when I am dribbled repetitively on the ground
6. I meet so many new people every day
5. Practice is fun, but the games are the best!
7. I like being the one who determines the score
6. I meet so many new people every day
8. Each person has their own unique personality
7. I like being the one who determines the score
9. Some teams get upset while the other jumps for joy
8. Each person has their own unique personality
10. Sometimes they are viscous and sometimes they are friendly
9. Some teams get upset while the other jumps for joy
3. Little do they know, it doesn’t feel that good
10. Sometimes they are viscous and sometimes they are friendly
1. I am orange, round, and bouncy
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Short Story Readings
Getting Ready-I thought this excerpt was kind of cool because it tied writing poems with Romeo and Juliet. I really liked the sentence when it said, "...it is kind of a possible love affair between something like the heart (that courageous, but also shy factory of emotion) and the learned skills of the conscious mind." because it made things come together much more easier for me and understand the concept of the story much better.
--My favorite quote from this was, "It doesn't matter if risk is somewhere close by-rish is always hovering somewhere." I thought that was really cool because it is basically saying, there is always going to be risk so do what you want when you want it.--
Reading Poems-This poem was a little bit more boring for me because it just talked about how poets now-a-days are writing so much and there are so many of them, that there is absolutely no possible way to track every poem by every poet and read them. Although, my favorite quote in this one is, "To be contemporary, is to rise through the stack of the past, like fire through the mountain." I thought that was pretty strong and moving.
Imitation-"Imitation is a very good way of investigating the real thing." That sentence is very true. Many times we just repeat or "imitate" what other people do. Whether it be on a movie, in a store, or even our parents when we get in trouble and then turn their backs to us and as children, what do we do? We imitate them and, well, usually exaggerate it more, but we make funny faces at them. It is, as they say, second nature for us to imitate things.
--Poetry of the Past and Present-Poets from the past were more stuctured and had rythym with their poems; where as now-a-days, there are so many different versions and types of poems that poets can use to write their poems., Granted, none of them are wrong, it's just that in the past, they felt things needed to be much more structured and follow a certain way.
Sound-I thought this article was interesting because it talked about our alphabet and how we talk and use different words at different times under different circumstances. It is interesting to kind of look back on the things we say and how different they may sound, yet mean exactly the same thing. I like how they wrote out the alphabet and explained when each vowel is used and how. I found that quite interesting.
Robert Frost's Poem-He uses rhyming a lot at the end of each line, the last word rhymes with every other sentences' last word. His poem reminds the reader that he hasn't forgotten what he has written about by bringing the reader back to the beginning at the very end of the poem.
The Name and Nature of Poetry-Personally, I like Blakes poems a lot more than Shakespeare. I feel that Shakespeares' poems are very intellectual and get deep and not very interesting to me where as, I like Blakes. He makes sense out of what he is saying and trying to get across as well as he rhymes. I like rhyming poems better.
--My favorite quote from this was, "It doesn't matter if risk is somewhere close by-rish is always hovering somewhere." I thought that was really cool because it is basically saying, there is always going to be risk so do what you want when you want it.--
Reading Poems-This poem was a little bit more boring for me because it just talked about how poets now-a-days are writing so much and there are so many of them, that there is absolutely no possible way to track every poem by every poet and read them. Although, my favorite quote in this one is, "To be contemporary, is to rise through the stack of the past, like fire through the mountain." I thought that was pretty strong and moving.
Imitation-"Imitation is a very good way of investigating the real thing." That sentence is very true. Many times we just repeat or "imitate" what other people do. Whether it be on a movie, in a store, or even our parents when we get in trouble and then turn their backs to us and as children, what do we do? We imitate them and, well, usually exaggerate it more, but we make funny faces at them. It is, as they say, second nature for us to imitate things.
--Poetry of the Past and Present-Poets from the past were more stuctured and had rythym with their poems; where as now-a-days, there are so many different versions and types of poems that poets can use to write their poems., Granted, none of them are wrong, it's just that in the past, they felt things needed to be much more structured and follow a certain way.
Sound-I thought this article was interesting because it talked about our alphabet and how we talk and use different words at different times under different circumstances. It is interesting to kind of look back on the things we say and how different they may sound, yet mean exactly the same thing. I like how they wrote out the alphabet and explained when each vowel is used and how. I found that quite interesting.
Robert Frost's Poem-He uses rhyming a lot at the end of each line, the last word rhymes with every other sentences' last word. His poem reminds the reader that he hasn't forgotten what he has written about by bringing the reader back to the beginning at the very end of the poem.
The Name and Nature of Poetry-Personally, I like Blakes poems a lot more than Shakespeare. I feel that Shakespeares' poems are very intellectual and get deep and not very interesting to me where as, I like Blakes. He makes sense out of what he is saying and trying to get across as well as he rhymes. I like rhyming poems better.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Barbara Kingsolver's Covered Bridges
After reading this story, I think this couple began believing what many couples believe in these days. They want children, yet they are not sure of the responsibility they hold. Children are a big responsibility and they need lots of care and attentnion.
Aside from that, the couple, as we can conclude, is not the normal couple. They have a different life style than many we know. In the beginning, they meet over the phone because he ingests something poisonous and she is the expert on the poison hotline. He then ends up calling again.
My favorite part was the descriptive part when they were walking up to the Little Pakota "covered bridge." Barbara does such an amazing job describing the scenic area they walk through and all the people they encounter while going up there. I love how she talks about Lena standing there totally encompassed with the little caterpillar and how he manages his life; crawlinlg around all day and then making a cocoon and then living as a moth or butterfly.
The story didn't really capture me until about the fourth page or so, but once I started reading it, I got really into it. With all the detail and little hints of different things here or there, I really liked that.
Aside from that, the couple, as we can conclude, is not the normal couple. They have a different life style than many we know. In the beginning, they meet over the phone because he ingests something poisonous and she is the expert on the poison hotline. He then ends up calling again.
My favorite part was the descriptive part when they were walking up to the Little Pakota "covered bridge." Barbara does such an amazing job describing the scenic area they walk through and all the people they encounter while going up there. I love how she talks about Lena standing there totally encompassed with the little caterpillar and how he manages his life; crawlinlg around all day and then making a cocoon and then living as a moth or butterfly.
The story didn't really capture me until about the fourth page or so, but once I started reading it, I got really into it. With all the detail and little hints of different things here or there, I really liked that.
Friday, January 16, 2009
Creativity and Imagination
Creativity, as I see it, is using your "imagination," exploring ideas and places never gone before. Anything can always be more creative. Sometimes a little bit of time and effort may be needed to be put forth, but in the end, creativity is a work of art. Everyone has creativity, whether they believe they do or not. I read a review on a book, "The Philosophy of Creativity", and I found a very interesting quote of the book in the review. I thought this quote was also very powerful. It reads:
"However, one can say at the least, that creativity embodies the qualities of evolving forms and values (novelty), freedom for that evolvement (openness), spontaneity, and cognitive processes which aid in generating creative impulses."
Imagination, is almost like creativity, yet very different at the same time. Imagination is your bodies way of allowing yourself to go beyond the normal boundaries of thinking and push yourself to your limits to think of something "creative." We all use our imaginations, everyday. Whether it be wishing you weren't at work but rather sitting on the beach in paradise, eating a big juicy steak, or even something as simple as envisioning which outfit would look best each day. Kids, I believe, are the largest users of imagination. Everyday they play house, barbies, G.I. Joe, matchbox cars, and my personal favorite, making up an "imaginary friend!"
"However, one can say at the least, that creativity embodies the qualities of evolving forms and values (novelty), freedom for that evolvement (openness), spontaneity, and cognitive processes which aid in generating creative impulses."
Imagination, is almost like creativity, yet very different at the same time. Imagination is your bodies way of allowing yourself to go beyond the normal boundaries of thinking and push yourself to your limits to think of something "creative." We all use our imaginations, everyday. Whether it be wishing you weren't at work but rather sitting on the beach in paradise, eating a big juicy steak, or even something as simple as envisioning which outfit would look best each day. Kids, I believe, are the largest users of imagination. Everyday they play house, barbies, G.I. Joe, matchbox cars, and my personal favorite, making up an "imaginary friend!"
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Albert Einstein "Letter to Jacques Hadamard"
I found that this article was pretty deep and kind of complex; especially since I do not read too much at all about Albert Einstein or any old time figures such as himself. Although, I will give it a shot.
My idea of this article was basically that Albert Einstein was replying to a man, Jacques Hadamard, about some questions he had imposed on Albert. Trying to explain at first, that his answers may not be exactly what he might want, so to keep asking if he wanted more detail or more relevant answers.
I found much of this article to be very psychological. I also found that it played with my mind and made me really think about what he was talking about. At first, I thought he was explaining a type of math concept or logical concept. Then, as I read on, I realized not only was he talking about concepts, he was talking about language and words. Why words are what they are and why they mean what they mean. Many words have secondary meanings, which is another point i believe he is trying to point out.
I may not have caught the whole point of the story, but as I think we can all agree, the writing is quite deep and very complex.
My idea of this article was basically that Albert Einstein was replying to a man, Jacques Hadamard, about some questions he had imposed on Albert. Trying to explain at first, that his answers may not be exactly what he might want, so to keep asking if he wanted more detail or more relevant answers.
I found much of this article to be very psychological. I also found that it played with my mind and made me really think about what he was talking about. At first, I thought he was explaining a type of math concept or logical concept. Then, as I read on, I realized not only was he talking about concepts, he was talking about language and words. Why words are what they are and why they mean what they mean. Many words have secondary meanings, which is another point i believe he is trying to point out.
I may not have caught the whole point of the story, but as I think we can all agree, the writing is quite deep and very complex.
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