joeys question?

I think the main character in my book, Chuck Palahniuk, has not shown self improvement. Throughout the chapters he continuously thrown himself into loathsome situations. First, he attends a weird sex festival in Missoula, Montana, in which he watches rednecked folk have bizarre sex with each other on stage. As he watches this grotesque display of debauchery madness he writes down all that goes on around him. Some would say he was writing down his most favorite parts of the festival! Everyone knows the only reason he knows the price of the the dildos and disposable cameras at the festival were because he had to pay for them himself! What do you have to say about that? Well, I'll tell what I have to say! This so called "author" is more of horny jackass if I do say so myself! But, lets move on.

The dog, the dog, he's at it again! Chuck Palahniuk dressed as a lovable dog in the mall. How cute, right? Wrong. Chuck Palahniuk the loathsome man of Missoula is back in action and he's here at this mall to kidnap children and sell them on ebay. A middle aged woman had the right idea when she shouted, "Everyone get back! Get Back! For all we know they could be strapped with bombs inside those costumes...". Though she didn't hit in on the money, she was on the right track. These so called "men" are the scum of the united states malls. Trafficking children to be thrown into illegal child clown rings for the pleasure of young adults. Shocking.

Chris; YALL READY FOR THIS

My mind is a metronome, keeping a constant beat to my surroundings. Every step, every movement, is all the composition to make up the song of my life. I imagine a day that I can create something or help create something, which not only will I be proud of, but inspire an audience.

I have been making electronic music and producing for over three years now, and have been a musician for the majority of my life. From piano lessons, to being in orchestra, to playing in punk bands and spending long nights editing samples for my next dance track. Devotion is a profound dedication to a person or cause, and my cause is my love of music.

Music has always been one thing that has connected me to other individuals, and has been a binding force between many of my friends and loved ones. The first electronic production group i associated myself with was called "Beta Movement". This was the first electronic project i was in that was not just me. One could say our sound was very raw dance music, with hard intricate drum beats, and booming bass lines.

We released a few tracks on the internet for the public to view and the response was very good. Columbus had not heard a sound like ours before and it was evident that we gained some supporters very quickly. After more promotions, the owner of a local fashion Boutique, the milk bar found in downtown Columbus, requested a meeting with us. The conclusion of the meeting was that we were to perform in store at a monthly event called Gallery Hop, that is held in the short north district of Columbus. This event highlights art and performances from local artists from all over Ohio.

During our first public performance a local special events coordinator made a stop in the store and sat and listened to us for hours. After the performance he then asked too set up some dates for us to play at an actual venue. We played over fifteen shows as the production group "beta movement" using software, midi controllers, and analog equipment for a live performance. With each performance having up too three hundred attendees coming to support the new sound found in Columbus.

As we continued our production techniques and styles became stronger, but also grew apart. I had lost the inclination for the sound we all once loved and I craved something different. After a few discussions with the group it was decided that I was going to start my own solo project to perfect my own sound.

Many Beta Movement supporters were weary as too why we had split, or just left questions my motives. Some even criticized my decision and hung a stigma over my head. The fact that nobody wanted us to stop and to create something different just pushed me harder to work my best to surprise everyone, and to be even better than before.

I returned back to my bedroom alone and began to soak in knowledge of computer software and musical history for influence. Harnessing my love for older disco and funk I began to reinvent my sound and finally begin to please myself. After a few tracks and remixes had been produced, I went public again.

It took me three years to find my own sound within electronic music, and to teach myself through trial and error how to master techniques for production and composition. Even being put throw difficult situations and having odds against me, I stayed true to my heart and followed the sound I had inside my mind.

Answer to Joey's Question

Throughout the book Persepolis, we learn the childhood of the main character Marjane.  The reader is shown and told of the times she had while she was growing older.  Following along as she experiences both fun, joyous occasions and terrible heartache, we watch her grow, learn, and mature from the ages of six to fourteen-years-old.  The story starts her off as a young, naive kid who does not know much of her surroundings and what is going around her.  At this time, she does not understand the history her family member have had and has an active imagination as she talks to God as if he were right there with her.  She is also very influenced by her parents beliefs and what they are doing, wanting to be like them and demonstrating for a cause she is not entirely aware of.  As she ages however, she becomes more educated on the situations her country is experiencing.  She starts off reading political comic books and then over time advances to higher education by swapping them for books and other more adult literature.  She also starts to become opened to the pasts of her uncles, grandparents, and nation leaders.  With this came the beginning of a deeper comprehension of the world around her.  She eventually gets involved with demonstrations as grows into a rebellious period.  She acts out against her mother and her teachers.  As this spell passes, she begins coming into her own and turns into a normal teenager who likes to have fun and listen to Iron Maiden all day long.  That is as far as I have gotten with the book thus far, but it is already obvious that she has evolved quite a bit since the start of this story.  

I can relate to this change, as can everyone.  Everybody has gone through a childhood of some kind, but I'm sure there are always those fundamental naive and rebellious periods in each instance.  I feel like in a way, I have also grown throughout the short time I have been in the Bridge Program.  Coming in with not a clue of what was to come, I have started to learn how to refine my writing and get to the points that matter instead of dribbling on with absolutely no skill.  I plan to grow and improve even more when it is all said and done.

my masterpiece

Well if I were a famous artists and people were waiting on my next masterpiece. It would probably be a 4 x 5 all black frame. In the picture it would be an ocean at the top but the ocean would resemble the great painting from Renoir but with deeper colors like the waves would seem angry with dark blue and violet going through it with some white splashes. In the middle of the picture it would be hell in my eyes not the fire pit we I think of. It would be earth with everybody portrayed as demons with horn but you would not know who bad or good because I would paint them with colors like green splashed with grey, blue splash with yellow, and orange splashed with violet. From a far it would look like there faces are three dimensional from the oil and way I stroke the brush but when your close it just normal. At the bottom of the painting it would be an abstract view of space it would be black but with bright blues and violet mixed all together. I would paint all the planets as brains with a different colors and sizes. The stars would all be eyes of different people and animals with different colors and shapes and the rocks in that are in space would be diamonds.
My painting would stand out because people would just be very curious to what I was thinking when I painted it because it would not really make sense at all. So they would be fascinated just to figure out whets going on. Also it would stand out because all the colors I use and shapes, it would be very interactive and hard to figure out.
Lastly my signature would be anything crazy or out of the book. Stuff you really cant explained but its looks raw.

Blog1/2 Responses

The Impressionism gallery would be where you would find
my piece of art. My finishing touch on each of my pieces
would be dotting throughout the entire painting. Having a
clear idea of the painting is exactly what I want my viewer
to have. Dotting can bring out the picture, with there still
being a visible and understanding stance of the painting.

Throughout Bridge I’ve found myself catching my wrong
doings and correcting them. From not managing my time
wisely to forgetting proper formatting on assignments.
Bridge has given a refreshing reminder of proper college
writing. Breaking bad habits and introduces new techniques
that can help improve our overall reading and writing skills.

Un started

ahh i cant write.. i will come back for you later!!!!!!

If I were an artist...i'd...well i'd...

If I were a famous artist, I’d be called Ryan Faris, I guess. I would never leave my flat in paris except for the occasional trip the grocery store. I'd lock myself in my place for weeks until I finished my piece. My latest masterpiece would be full of vibrant colors. It would be a mixture of abstract art and impressionism. I’d use mainly oil paint on canvas and a variety of textures to express what I wanted the viewer to feel. It would feel smooth to the touch in some places and rough and rigid in others. I’d burn my art or take a piss on it after drinking whiskey or something, and do other crazy things to warp the paint and canvas. My artwork would standout from other artwork for my strange use in texture and color. My signature would be my use of sharp or piercing textures and objects mixed in with other more realistic beautiful images. I’d give the viewer a strange feeling of mental confusion yet physical relaxation. This is the goal in which I would like to achieve with my work. It may be far from the goal of others or the same goal as others, however, that doesn't matter. The only thing that matters is that I'm taking my own ideas and expressing them in my own way.

Improvement

My characters in my book haven’t improved but on the same token they haven’t gotten any worse, its like they stay the same. Since the beginning of the book they had their heads on straight, and they have had their ways of having fun. They are doing a great job and have been doing a great job. I don’t think I relate to them in the book because I have improved during bridge. I am able to be here early everyday. I do my homework daily and I have improved some of my study habits

MASTERPIECE G

If I were an artist and everyone was waiting on my next masterpiece it probably would be a painting or sculpture of Musical instruments, preferably drums. I would make like the ultimate drum set with everything looking real but not being actual drums. It would feel like drums and look like drums exactly, but it wouldn’t be drums. My art piece would stand out because it would look like the real thing but when one gets to it they notice its just a work of art. My signature would probably be a G on every one of my products or masterpieces.

If I was a famous artist I would have a very abstract masterpiece. I am interested in abstract images. My picture would give a medatative feeling. To have the viewer at a relaxing and peaceful mindset. What it would look like is it would be a beautiful view of a sky and ocean. The ocean would be in a torqoise blue color. The sky would be at dusk, and the sky would be layed out in a beautiful orange like color. As the sun comes up, the sky ges brighter. My art work would stand out because it would put the mind at peace, and it will be very abstract.

A chracter in my book Persepolis that I think really improved was Marjane. She has grew through out the book. She learned to put things aside and deal with her responsability's. She put the one thing that she loved the most, which was becoming the last prophet, and put aside to help her community. That shows that she has grown as a person. I can relate that to myself. Since being in the bridge program, I have become a better writer. I have learned a lot already and hope to learn more.

Kameron (life)

My masterpiece would be millions of little puzzle pieces, representing the different pieces needed to complete your ultimate goal in life. The only way to complete the puzzle, is if you put portions of your life into each puzzle peice. What would would make my art work standout, is the fact that you can add your own effect by putting your life into the pieces to complete the puzzle of life. What I would put on the puzzle pieces is the word you, basically saying that its up to you to complete the puzzle. There's no specific way to complete it you just have to know your ultimate goal whatever that is.

Answer to Janet's Question

If I was an artist creating a new piece, my thoughts and feelings of the time would be incorporated into the artwork. The picture would have no frame as to represent that I have no limits. Despite what the world might be and what my part in it is, nothing can contain my expression and creativity as opposed to a piece with a frame, being held back by it's boundaries as like in a cage. Oil paints would cover the canvas with greens, blues, and blacks, creating nothing but a random composition of colors. These choices do not represent a sad, dark side of me, but the cool, laid back one that is at my core. They would mix and swirl to show that my mind is at constant thought; always dreaming about today and what tomorrow might bring. I would also apply miscellaneous dabs of other colors such as reds, yellows, and whites to even more represent that the figurative mind I have created has not settled on any one idea. The lack of a definitive image would be to show that nothing is solid. It would show that everything I do does not have to reflect an object or any sensible image. This would be the brainstorm of the human being, in the middle the creating process and proposing and navigating their ideas to completion. The canvas would be as large as a living room wall to help further the point to the viewer that when the mind races and fantasizes, it is a big event.

Blog Question

In these four weeks at the Brige Program, what do you want to accomplish? What are your goals and what would you like to learn?

Blog Question #2

The question is in bold, the explanation and instructions are in italics:

Pick a character in your book. Would you say that your character has grown at all or shown self improvement? Explain why or why not (take specific examples from the text, quoting them). Also, can you relate it to yourself? Have you improved your work ethic since starting the bridge program?

These responses should be as specific as possible, not the ordinary "I have improved because I am here, or I am like the character who fights for what they believe in. How are you like that character? How do you gauge growth in terms of the mind or your morals...

Blog Question

Question is in bold, instructions and examples are in italics:

Imagine if you are a famous artist. People are waiting on your next masterpiece; what would your masterpiece look like, and feel like? How would your artwork standout from everything else and also what would be your signature?

Limit this to a photograph or a painting, not music or other forms. Map out your metaphorical canvas. For example, I would start with a bold red frame to reveal how I am surrounded by a certain desire. There would be miniature versions of myself disguised with brush strokes. I would provoke the audience with three-dimensional objects that come out toward the viewer, etc.

kameron santa clause

One thing I believe in strongly is that me and the rest of my label mates will become famous off of our music. They say the more you dream of something, or the more you believe in something it starts to come to reality. I used to believe in Santa clause, but as i had gotten older no one had to tell me he was my imagination i kind of just found out, its apart of growing up. When i finally found out the truth it didn't change my outlook, because every Christmas there would be presents regardless if Santa was there or not.

Answer to Garrett's Question

Through my reading, I have noticed a similarity in the characters in Persepolis and the people living in the cave in Plato's Allegory of the Cave.  In my book, the Iranian people are suppressed and held back by their government, like the chains keeping the people in the cave.  The information that Marjane and the people in her country receive is sugar coated by the news, the government, and the conforming civilians as they are not allowed to see the full picture of what is going on.  This can also be represented the shadows seen by the cave people because they are just seeing part of a bigger picture and not the whole reality.  But some of the Iranians act like the philosophers Plato was describing by seeing past the cover ups and being able to see the news as more than "shadows on the wall".  They stood up and acted, breaking the chains and not settling for being prisoners of their own homes and country.  Marjane is living a split life between believing the bigger picture and allowing her young mind to carry her naive thoughts.  She learns the facts from her parents, family members, and other activists, but comes up with some fantastical ideas of her own along the way, such as believing in some friends being bad people when they aren't and others young, uneducated thoughts.  She is partially a philosopher that Plato elaborates about and partially one of the persons in the cave.

I recall when I had always believed in my last name. I had been born and raised with the last name of Terrill. This was the name that was written on my school papers, driver's license, and even my birth certificate.  I had lived with it for so long, that it never came to me as a possibility that it was not, in essence, my true name.  Several years back, I had found out that the name I should have inherited was Robertson. This was a strange and somewhat devastating revelation.  There was a feeling of total identity loss that came over me as it felt I had been living a lie for long.  It sounds crazy now, but this left me truly upset at the time.

response to garretts question

In Chuck Palahniuk’s essay “ You Are Here”, the writers who are submitting their ideas to hollywood are the people chained to the wall. All they know to do is to speak their ideas to the judges. No matter how interesting the writers may think their ideas are, there is nothing they can do to persuade them any longer after the time is up. It’s like the lottery. I guess you could break free from your chains and leave the cave, but most likely you’ll live a false reality chained to the cave.

As a child, many things I came to believe were proven false as I grew up. When I was little I didn’t quite understand why old people are old and young people are young. I thought maybe I would always be the way I was, and my grandmother, or mother, or grandfather, would always look the same despite their increasing age. The only thing that could wake me up from this idea was when my cousin Daniel died at the age of 25. Now that death was possible, increasing age destroying the way you looked seemed so much more probable. It made the world a scarier place for a little kid like I was. But I probably wouldn’t be myself if I didn’t learn the way I had.

I’m not so sure how I did on the first part of this response because that was a really weird question. However, I tried the best I could with a question that Garrett went so far out of his way to confuse people with.

GARRRREEEETTT!

SAY IT AINT SO

A time that I believed in something so much that I thought it was a reality and it really wasn’t was wrestling. Ever since I had started watching wrestling my father had told me that WWF (World Wrestling Federation) and WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment) weren’t real. As a child I would continuously argue and try to prove my father wrong. I would let him watch wrestling matches with me while I explained that he was wrong, because they were hitting each other, and he still wouldn’t listen. I would watch wrestling and I had fell into the storylines and no one could tell me differently. There are many instances that revealed to me that wrestling was indeed fake. First one of the main wrestlers The Rock left to be an actor, and I looked at it like man The Rock is a wrestler how is he acting so much. Then when I got the video game they make you follow storylines, and that determines your role and what the crowd will think of you . I thought that really was fake and it made me stop watching wrestling. The last thing that made me realize wrestling was fake was when the chairman Vince McMahon faked his death.

blog 1/2 responses

If there’s anyone holding me back it’s me no one else.
I tend to do things and then fill my parents in on it later.
For example making my plans after high school was based on
my decision to go to a community first and then choose later
where I would like to transfer to. I took the initiative to
get my job and license at the age of sixteen. My parents have
always been supportive, never controlling.
In Stranger than Fiction the chapter about You are here,
there were many writers trying to pursue their dreams by
pitching their ideas in a seven minute introduction. As much
as there were some eliminated, the more writers came to share
their ideas. Nothing seemed to hold them back, if there was it
was the intimidation that might have incurred.


2. Growing up I always knew was in the future and my grades
counted. When going off to college came around the corner,
it was definitely a reality check. So many unanswered questions
and surprise came into play from expenses to general education.
When I was younger I wanted to become a veterinarian because
I just loved animals, but no one tells you all the schooling
you need and what comes with the career. As I got older picked
up on things and am now taking advantage of what is necessary.
In the chapter You are Here out of Stranger Than Fiction.
Story tellers were determined to pitch their storyline ideas
within seven minutes w/o being booted out. Whether it be
fictional or non fictional, they need to sell what they knew.
Their make believe needed to become a reality in a form where
a reader is intrigued.

Blog question #1

When I originally told friends and family that I wanted to pursue music, they didn’t think I was serious. I was surprised that I got this reaction from people that I had known my whole life. My whole life I have been involved with music, but still they felt that I couldn’t make a career out of it. The only person who truly encouraged me to do it was my coach Mike Powell which to me seemed odd. But at the same time was what I needed because he was like a father to me. I could really go to him about anything; he was much more than a coach more like a mentor to life. As time went on I was able to talk to my parents more and explain my desire to work with music. They eventually came around but to be honest it really wouldn’t have mattered to me but it is nice to have there support anyway. Similar to the book Our America the boys LeAlan and Lloyd, they felt like they had to express what really happens in the ghetto but some gang members knew it would cause trouble. If news got out about all the murders and shootings the police would be forced to come try to fix it , which meant jail time for many of the residents in the ghetto that gang banged. Regardless of there warnings and threats they cared through with there beliefs and actually made a change in their neighborhood.

Chris' question

There has been many times in my life in which I wanted to do something important for what I believe in, but felt out of place, or too awkward to do so. Like when my friends used the word “gay” to mean stupid. I felt it very hard to tell them that I was offended by it and would prefer if they found a new word to use in it’s place. I was afraid what they might think if I was offended by it. Would they think I was gay? Probably not, they know me well enough. It made me feel very bad about myself that I couldn’t stand up for what I believe in. However, the constant thought of how I couldn’t stand up for myself is what made me fight my fears and ultimately become comfortable with standing up for what I believe in.
In Stranger Than Fiction, Chuck Palahniuk interviews many wrestlers who stand up for what they believe in despite others thinking poorly of the wrestling sport. Or, when the Christians protest the Testy Fest, they are also standing up for what they believe. Though this is not exactly what the question is asking, it’s the best I can do. It’s the best I can do because Stranger Than Fiction is not a conventional book. Thus, I cannot make a complete comparison, however, I think you get my point. My point is, we all go through times in which we are too scared to stand up for what we believe.

Chris's Blog Question Response

There have been times where I wanted to do many things that I feel would have helped make a change in my life and to others. Like I remember I wanted to help with homeless on Thanksgiving at the Salvation Army, but my family wouldn’t let me. They felt that I needed to be with them on Thanksgiving instead of giving my time to help serve food to strangers. So far the characters in my book really haven’t wanted to do anything that held them back because it seems like they are doing reporting around their neighborhood which is what they like. When I can’t do something that I really want to do it just frustrate me so much, but what I learned is that sometimes things aren’t just for you, we all have a season.

Response to Garretts question

The characters in the book “Our America” are working with reality very well. They know what situation they are in. They know where they are from, and they know what environment they are in. The characters are fictionalizing their environments by having fun, and basically pretending it’s a normal crime free life. In actuality they know that their lives are in danger and that they need to watch themselves and know how to carry themselves. They still make the best out of their situation, even though their lives are way harder than most people’s lives. They still have fun though and live with what they got. I see it as if life gives you lemons, make lemonade. They go to school with gang members and people who sell drugs, but they still have fun and even interview people in their neighborhoods to show everyone it aint all that bad. Also both of them have distraught families. LeAlan’s mother has a mental condition, whereas Lloyd’s mother is dead. LeAlan’s father is no where around, whereas Lloyd’s father is an alcoholic. They are both being raised by family members that are not their biological parents. Lloyd is being raised by his older sisters. leAlan is being raised by his grandmother. They both are living tough, but they make fit with what they got. They are from the ghetto but make it the best they can while they live there. That is how my characters LeAlan and Lloyd fictionalize themselves and work with reality in my book “Our America”.

kameron ( garetts question #1)

Characters in my book participate in real life situations; there are porn stars and wrestlers in my book. There’s a wrestler in the story and he uses syringes to suck blood out of his ear that’s a real life tactic wrestler’s use to reduce injury to the ear. My book is based on non fiction, so explain what was fantasy in the story would be impossible. But I can use how the story is just mere words and not the actual truth.

not finished

Characters in my book Persepolis, can compare to the characters in Garrett's book. There are prisoners that are chained up in the"cave". They are chained up in the darkness of the cave. Like Garrett's book, there are prisoners that were chained up in my book also. They were chained and beaten. My character Marjane's family freinds; uncle were the one's inmprisoned and mistreated. Thats how I can relate to Garrett's book. In his book, they were only chained. In my book, the prisoners were also beaten. That is a comparison between the two.

A reality situation that my character Marjane and her family are going through is that there is a revolution going on in their community. As an everyday thing, it becomes part of their life. Losing loved one's; and just trying to cope with it on a day to day basis. That is an example from my book Persepolis that represents reality. An example that represents fiction, would be a little ten year old girl who talks to god. At first, it is reality to her. Then she becomes aware that it is all fictional.

Perpetuating Stereotypes

Yesterday's lecture focused on how images, such as movie posters, perpetuate stereotypes. Why do people associate words like safari with Africa, how many countries are in Africa? All of these questions point toward how Americans often don't know they act out of what are stereotypical-producing mindsets. Some of the posters that were shown are below. What do they make you think of? What is strange or discomforting about them?

Not Really

Well to be honest i have not had an experience in my life yet where i was declined in doing something important for something i believe in. I can say that because every since i was little i just had a way of getting what i want from people with out to much complaining. I'm not a con artists or anything like that because everything i do is with good intentions. I have heard that it is my personality and my million dollar smile but who knows. All jokes aside i can say that because i learned at a young age that it is always good to build a great support system because with that support system they are going to help you and support your ideas rather than dismiss them. Your support system can be your mother, father, aunt, neighbor, or even a teacher. So it always good to have a good support system and good friends people who are gonna back you up with any decision you make bad or good.
It makes me feel good that i have a good support system. Its very helpful because when i need something i know i can count on people beening there. Whether its just talking and giving me advice, helping me with a project, or just beenng there for emotional support.
So its good to have a support system and i feel bad for the people who dont have one becasue i know how hard it is to be alone thats why i got a support system.

Allegory of the shopping mall

On the last page of the chapter titled “My Life as a Dog”, Chuck Palahnuik stops writing about his adventure in a dog costume, and begins writing a metaphor of a small child within the mall he was at. The small locked inside the mall dressed in a soldier outfit parading around alone with a single toy car. I believe that Plato’s “Allegory Of the Cave” can be directly related to Chuck Palahnuik’s metaphor.
The human within the mall is a young boy, showing innocence lack of knowledge. You do not know how long he has been trapped inside the mall; it may have been his whole life, for he is just a child. The only thing that he has been presented with is a toy car that he drives around via remote control aimlessly around the mall. It is very peculiar that Chuck Palahnuik mentions that he is stuck inside of Seattle’s first sunny day in a long time. That is because in Plato’s “Allegory of the Cave” the sun shows a dim light at one end of the cave, this creating a desire to reach the sunlight and become enlightened on what is outside of the cave.
Chuck Palahniuk describes a young boy, with no other interaction except a single toy, yet a sun trapped outside of a locked mall. He has no knowledge of the outside; all he knows is the toy, and an empty mall. When he looks up to see a dog and a bear he is taken back at how out of the ordinary it is and embraces it because he hasn’t had anything like that before. In stead being like others and taking for granted all the things on the outside, he is confined yet appreciates anything different.

Chris Question Response

Well my parents have never held me back on anything. I really don’t talk to my parents about what’s going on in my life. I basically do what I feel like and if my parents ask I just tell them. I have been independent my whole life. There was a time when I ditched school and went to the immigration marches. The march was all over the news, my mom was watching it so I just told her, ”oh yeah I was there”, she looked at me and asked if I had school, I told her yeah but I ditched, she really didn’t care. So I felt relieved. I basically stated to talk to her about the march and how fun they were. I also told her I saw a couple of people from the church we used to go to. I also told her that they had mush pits and different kinds of music. I also told her all of the march chants we would yell out. There was a whole bunch in Spanish, English, Philippine, and many other different languages. There was one that said “no more Bush”, I thought it was hilarious.
As we walked I felt like I was helping a cause. When I went home I felt accomplished and really proud of my self. It was a feeling of wow I can not believe I was actually there. Every time there is a march I always attend because I see it as a step closer for legalization for all immigrants.

Tuesday's Blog Questions

First, please answer Chris's question below here. Then approach this question.

Within your reading, can you find any comparisons to Plato's "Allegory of the Cave"?
here is a summary from Brian Rice of Associated Content

The “Allegory of the Cave” by Plato represents an extended metaphor that is to contrast the way in which we perceive and believe in what is reality. The thesis behind his allegory is the basic tenets that all we perceive are imperfect “reflections” of the ultimate Forms, which subsequently represent truth and reality. In his story, Plato establishes a cave in which prisoners are chained down and forced to look upon the front wall of the cave.

When summarizing the “Allegory of the Cave” it’s important to remember the two elements to the story; the fictional metaphor of the prisoners, and the philosophical tenets in which said story is supposed to represent, thus presenting us with the allegory itself.The multi-faceted meanings that can be perceived from the “Cave” can be seen in the beginning with the presence of our prisoners whom are chained within the darkness of the aforementioned cave. The prisoners are bound to the floor and unable to turn their heads to see what goes on behind them. To the back of the prisoners, under the protection of the parapet, lie the puppeteers whom are casting the shadows on the wall in which the prisoners are perceiving reality. The passage is actually told not from the perspective of the prisoners, but rather a conversation occurring between Socrates and Glaucon (Plato’s brother). While the allegory itself isn’t the story, but rather the conversational dialogues between Glaucon and Socrates (Plato often spoke his ideas through Socrates in his works), the two are not mutually exclusive and thus will not be treated so.

Garrett's question: answer these three questions:

Which Characters within your book can be compared to objects or organisms that work within the cave?

(to extend on Garrett's question, in what ways are the characters in your book working with reality and in what ways are they fantasizing or fictionalizing their environments?)

Think about a time in which you've realized that you had been believing in something that was not in fact reality. I'm simply speaking of Santa Claus or the Easter Bunny, but maybe you believed something so strongly, or a reason you could never remember, that it became a reality. What was this incident, how did realizing it was reality change your outlook?)

When finished, answer Chris's question below. Keep in mind that these responses must be both word processed and 250 words long.

In Perespolis, there are times that the main character Marjane wants to demonstrate and help become part of the solution to the revolution going on in her country of Iran.  Though wanting to become an active member for the cause of freedom, her parents stop her on several occasions from joining in.

Has there ever been a time in your life where you have wanted to do something important for something you believe in, but have been held back from doing so?  If so, how did it make you feel and has this ever happened to any characters in the book your reading?

Summary of the Cultural Center

In the cultural center I found out how interesting other backgrounds are. They were many pieces of art that captivated my eyes. Chen Bo created the artwork that I found truly profound. The piece made me feel alone, afraid and discourage. The colors looked dark and depressing. In the painting there was also a kid who seemed lost and out of place. In the background there was a mess of wrecked down houses. It seemed, as there was a big earthquake that destroyed everything. It appeared like a very hectic ambient, with no control, everything has broken apart.

Cultural Center

After our class trip to the Cultural Center, I have determined that my favorite piece was found in the exhibit for Tom Torluemke.  His painting "Ukulele" from 2001 was the standout of all the works that I saw that day.   It is composed using watercolors, with black used as the backdrop for the multitude of color flying of the paper.  The blues, greens, and oranges bounce of the canvas as they are in perfect placement.  It is breathtaking how Torluemke was so accurate with the sharp lines he created with the type of paints he was using. Each color, creating semi-circles, stops at an exact spot without smearing or soaking into the other water.  The exception are some key blending inside the lines to help balance the rainbow of solids and gives the piece a soft side and touch.

nobody saw my question!

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1. To be honest it doesn’t affect me much, because I know it’s a mere story. Even thou the situations are real, there’s still the fact that its not really happening to the character, its an example of what happens to real people in real life situations. But I do understand how a person could be affected by what there reading, if you can relate to the text then the book shouldn’t be hard to understand. The story gives me more instruction rather than affection, because it tells you the different things people do, in there lifestyle or in there everyday job. In the story im reading there are wrestlers, that use syringes to suck the blood out of there ear when it swells up and fills with blood. To me that’s instruction rather than affection, because the author is explaining what wrestlers do in different situations. There were porn stars who had sex on stage amongst a crowd, to me it’s the different things explaining the character, that gives me instruction rather than affection, or whether or not it affected me.
2. I would take out the random shifts in the story, I would make it stick to one topic rather every other chapter being different than the last. For example the book started out with porn, then one chapter later it started talking about wrestling, I believe the opening pages in the book should be what the entire book is based on. Its already boring to read, so reading something that doesn’t necessarily suit your fancy makes even harder.

Dont Forget to Finish!!

To see what young teenagers go through on a day to day basis in the ghetto’s of Chicago back in 1990’s is shocking. Watching some of the violence described in the book at such a young age is insane. Witnessing your neighbor one day, and then the next he’s shot dead in the streets; this must have had some long term affects on LeAlan and Lloyd growing up. It affects me because I was slightly naive to some of the things presented to me in the book. I wouldn’t say it was all new to me but to hear it first hand from a teenager makes it seem so much more real than if it was on the nine o’clock news. It upset me to find out about how common it was to hear gun shots with no consequences or to see a murder with no justice. How things could be so messed up in a city I live in.

Question Response 07/27

The piece of literature that I am currently reading does not pertain to my own personal experience. Since I haven’t actually been in a situation that expects me to bring change to a country of chaos. To make the book more appealing I would change the black and white ink on important scenes and add color to make them look more dramatic. I really don’t relate much to any of the characters in my book but I do have similarities with Marjane. Marjane is a dreamer who always visualizes different ideas and goals she has for her self. I am similar to her because I also make up dreams for myself even though at times it seems like I am way in over my head. I think Satrapi has done a great job with this novel, it’s clear and it has creative pictures that make the ideas more detailed and understandable. I would rate this book a six and a half. The reason why I think this way is because the artwork is very easy to read and it gets straight to the point but sometimes the book bores me and further into the reading gets interesting. If I had to explain this literature to anyone, I would mainly say that it has a good sense of humor and it captures the movement in which the author has lived. It also gives you more information on events that have occurred over the past, which I was not really aware of or did not care.

Our America Affects

Our America affects me in a good and bad way. The reason I say that it affects me in a good way is because it is a very interesting book to read. It is interesting because I can relate to the main characters LeAlan and Lloyd because I grew up on the south side of Chicago in not so good neighborhoods. I know how it is to have a mother who is sick and on drugs because when I was little me and my brothers and sisters were taking from my mother but I moved with my aunt instead of my grandmother. Also I know how it is to live in nasty houses with roaches and no lights on for long periods of time and have to see crack heads and streets with no grass just full of trash like it’s a city dump or something. All of these are examples of things that made me grow up quick and learn how to survive early in life, just like LeAlan and Lloyd do in my book.
The reason why it affects me in a bad way because I feel angry at the fact that people in the inner city get treated so unfairly and people act like nothing is wrong. It also makes me feel bad because people and the media portray black people from the ghetto as trash. They really don’t know the circumstances that people go through and why people are so angry, don’t trust people, and always quick to snap because that’s all they have been thorough and it hard to break a habit that’s like imbedded in your culture for so long but in time I know it will get better.
In summary I would say that no this book do not need any changes to become more appealing. The reason I say that is because the book is from the heart, no sugar coating, and just plain real and that is what people need to read to understand things better in my opinion.

Response 7/27

I personally have an issue with comprehending certain literature that is assigned to me. Reading a book with an ongoing plot is a challenge at times depending on how intrigued I may be. In Stanger than Fiction, I found that reading individual stories had its good and bad points, because it was easier reading short stories, but then it difficult remembering different situations that occurred in Demolition and what occurred in Where the Meat is. Maybe if the narrator was someone other than the author, I would have a different outlook in reading Stranger than Fiction.
Chuck Palahniuk has too many opinions and perceptions to keep in mind, because he tends to express his deep thoughts in one chapter and then tends disappoint me in another. For example, “Controlling the story of your past—recording and exhausting it—that skill might allow us to move into the future and write that story.” This would be a quote that I would take directly from Palahniuk and take into reference. Where a quote like, “Self-obsessed lives where every event is reduced to words and camera angles” only confuses me.

Blog Question Responses

When I read my book I always look forward to something interesting to know because Lloyd and LeAlan both have their views on what they see in their neighborhood. This novel affects my views on people that live in bad neighborhoods, I’m learning that it’s apart of their life. You can’t just judge someone off of where they come from and I know because sometimes I do that to people. Even though it makes me mad that Lloyd and LeAlan have to see all that negativity in their neighborhood because they both are two smart for that. This book really affect me by making me think like what if I was in their shoes how would I be and what my family will be doing, it’s really good because it takes you out of you comfort zone.


My book is already good because it has a meaning to it and not only that it gives you characters that you may never thought would have a name like that. I feel that I would have tried to change how they described the neighborhood because it was very good in detail but it kind of seemed depressing because you just can vision how it looked. But the author really went into depth writing this because they didn’t hold anything back they just gave it to us raw. Also the pictures I would have changed because I would have wanted them in color so the picture can really stand out. But the book is very good and the details are so on point it makes me want to step my writing game up.


I relate to both of my characters because I only know what it’s like to live in a neighborhood similar to theirs because I grew up in one like that, but it just wasn’t that crazy like theirs. The author’s writing style is very good, they know how to make you vision scenes in the book and that’s good because no one wants to just read a dull book that you can’t vision. Our America get rated 10 from me and two thumbs up if that’s possible to do, because I’ve read good books but this one is similar to my life and that’s good when you can relate a book to your life. If I had to explain is book I would say if you know about the south side where the Ida B. Wells were you have to read this book and you never know you might know some of the people. But I would just want to tell people that it’s about two boys that live in the Wells and they take you on a journey of what the see in their neighborhood, and also with interviews from family and local people around the neighborhood to voice how they feel about their neighborhood.

Blog Answers - July 27th

As I read through Persepolis, I feel a growing connection with the main character Marjane. Although in her young life she had gone through many trials and tribulations which I never had to face, it seems like I can perceive her emotions in a personal way. Can you recall what it can be like to live as a child? It can be a joyous period while at the same moment it can be hard, unfair, and cruel. The feelings that come with living through childhood can be remembered by even the oldest individual because it is such an important time as you learn and grow. It is an affair between pain and pleasure and I can relate with Marjane as she matures as I have gone through the same events relatively recently.

Marjane Satrapi’s writing style is a clever one. She wrote her story as an adult, writing of adult situations, but in a way of keeping a childlike mentality. When a character in her books speaks, one can assimilate a voice of a kid or an adult as it is an easy transition. This makes identifying with the characters even more of a simple task. When a child is talking, the reader knows it. When an adult is talking, the reader knows it. The characters and their ideas are then able to be interpreted better by the audience.

Thus far, I feel as if I would rate this book at about an eight out of ten, but there are so many variables in the story which make it unfair for me to judge completely without finalizing my reading though. These variables are things such as Marjane’s growth and the wars that keep arising and how Marjane and her family cope with these situations. I have not seen an absolute conclusion to these events, so I have to keep mty reservations to myself for the time beings. Is it plausible or just to label something if it is incomplete and you have not seen it to its end?

Juan Trevino

I relate to the character Marjane in my book Persepolis. I relate to her in a lot of ways. One way for relating to her is that she is going through a revolution at the age of ten. That is the same age I was going through the war that begin with the United States and Iraq. It was an everyday thing and the whole country was trying to cope with it. It wasn't first hand, But is still a way that I could bond, and relate to Marjane.

How I would critique the authors writing style is that it is very inmature. The reason why I feel this way about the authors writing style is because she speaks more from a childish perspective. The grammar the aurthor uses is spoken from a person with not alot of schema or knowledge. But then again, the author is narrarating the story from both an adult, and a child. The writing style is still very inmature through out the book.

How I would rate my book from my own personal perspective is three out of five stars. The reason for being that is the book Persepolis doesn't grab my attension or interest me in an amusing way. It is a good book, but it doesn't suit my own personal satisfactions with reading. The topics and on the revolution doesn't bring my attension to any interests.

I would explain the book Persepolis to other people more as a biography on Marjane's childhood. There is alot of illustrations and pictures in the book. Also, each page has very little words and the context of the book is very child like. Persepolis is about a young girl at the age of ten years old that lives with her mother and grandmother. They are dealing with a revolution on a day to day basis in Iran. The book basically describes the hardships that Marjane and her family cope with and faces through out her childhood.

path the enlightenment

Within your reading, can you find any comparisons to Plato's "Allegory of the Cave"?

Which Characters within your book can be compared to objects or organisms that work within the cave?

here is a link to read about the "Allegory of the Cave" if you aren't familiar with it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allegory_of_the_cave

Today's Assignment

You must respond to the questions below but respond in one response. This response must be 250 words, so write it in a word document, check the word count, and correct all your spelling. Today these responses must be grammatically correct. This means proofreading; you can't just respond and post.

If you finish this assignment, I want you to go back to the notes you took at the Cultural Center and present a write-up to the class. This means giving a brief summary of what you enjoyed there (artist, title, year) and then refining what you handwrote so that it fits into an informative and excited response.

IF, which if you've been focusing and spending time with the response, you finish the second response, you must find additional links about issues related to your book. Ask me how to post the link if you don't know how. Then, you will give a summary of this link and lead the class to it.

-Flynn

Samuel's blog Question

In your book that your reading how does it affect you as a person to read what your character goes through ?

Is there anything you would change to make your book more appealing ?

Kameron (questions)

1. Do you relate to any character in your book, if so which character and why.

2. How would you critique the authors writing style.

3. How would you rate the book.

4. How would you explain the book to others that are curious.

Sorry i didnt come back it was to much on me to get all the way down town from the far out south suburbs see u guys next year

Marginalized Home

For the first seventeen years of my life, I didn't have a community.  I had been living in the thick of the Indiana Dunes National Park, where there was only two other houses in the general area besides my own.  This place I called home was the definitive example of seclusion.  It was as far out as I could go in the county my family was in.  I was far from my school, my friends, and anything fun.  I spent my days with nobody but myself and immediate family.  As much as this was a disadvantage, it was also a blessing.  For years, I was surrounded by beautiful woodland throughout ever season.  I lived in an environment not many had.  I was able to openly explore and play in the wilderness while other children did the same in suburbia.  Even the more special was the fact of how few places like that there are in the United States now in relation to the abundant urban lands.

Marginalized

There was a fire in front of my house. Everyone in my blocked seemed worried and immediately they called the fire department. All the neighbors pitched in with money. The victims of the fire were very grateful of the community for giving a helping hand.

Why is that we don’t know what we have until we lost it forever?

Kameron (My community)

A marginalized community in my past would be 125Th and michigan, mainly because of the gangs. there are so many different gangs in the area, it forces the community to divide instead of uniting. I was very much apart of the community that's how i know exactly what was going on. but defiantly the gangs as a whole is the problem in Chicago.

Four Teens

1. Whitmer’s photograph seems depressing, the young teens in the photo look like they are going through some hard times, with there families or at school. The boy on the left seems to have a face of “I am just here”, the second kid has a face of “what you looking at”, the third teen has a face of “why are we taking this dumb picture anyway” and the last teen had a face of protection.
2. From what’s on the picture they seem like neighborhood friends, they all really don’t look that much alike to be siblings. There is not a lot of evidence just that they seem really close together in the picture. I think the photographers motives for the picture is to show struggle or hardship. I think he has done an outstanding job at capturing the moment.
3. They style of the teens seem like a rugged look. They have hair dues that seem like they don’t care what they look like. The style seems outdated. The clothing makes them appear unapproachable. I would not be willing to adopt to there styles because I am not a gloomy person.

Reading the Signs




1.) To me Whitmer’s photograph shows me a group of kids that look young and they look like they are all cool with one another. What their wearing is very like street clothes a cool look that just to hang out in, it seems like they are on the streets a lot. The boy with the long hair looks confused to me because he has a look that says why I am with these kids. The little short boy has a mean look on his face like he is the baddest out of the group he reminds of the short one in gangs that talk a lot of stuff. The one with the bandana looks like a girl to me because she has a soft look on her face but you can tell she hangs out with the guys. The last one with his hat cocked to the back seems like the leader to me, he just has a strong look of seriousness on his face which shows that he isn’t weak.


2.) Their relationship they have with one another is close because of their closeness in the picture, they are buddies. Some of them remind me from the movie The Breakfast Club, because some of the guys looked ruff and there was a girl and a rebel.


3.) Their clothing looks very 80’s going into the 90’s look, more like a cool hip style and some have cigarettes in their hands which let me know that these kids aren’t young in the mind. But this seemed like a era when people really didn’t focus on fashion like how it is today, this was a time when people were just out kicking it.

Question : What do you think these kids do for the day ?

Marginalization Blog

Very little marginalizing happens in my community, it is a very diverse throughout the town. The one time i can actually remember a blatant act of marginalized or stereotyping would have to be. One time i was with four friends and we were locking our bikes up to go into one of there houses. Well we locked them up and as we head to the alley to go through the back a police officer stops us and tells us to stop and put our hands on the car. Two of my friends instantly oblige but me and the one other kid refused and proceeded to ask why. The officer responds that he witnessed us messing with some locked bike and then walk into an alley. We assured him they were our bikes but he refused and drove us in the back of the squad car to the bikes to prove we were the rightful owners. Long story short we were wrongly accused because of marginalization.

Subculture 1

What sort of culture does this picture represent?

Would you consider this culture a marginalized one?

Respond to this Photo

In Whitmer's photo from earlier we are taught to investigate all the details and to organize our thoughts about why we perceive things certain ways.

That said, what information can be gleaned from this photograph?

Marginalized community.

A community I used to be part of that his highly marginalized is the Chicago DIY punk community. It used to be very open to everyone and all ideas. Though we accepted anyone and everyone, we were looked down upon for the way we dress. We lived on the edge of society because we were vegans, vegetarians, animal rights activists, and we hardly showered. I split from this community when the only way to be recognized is if you kept up your "punk points". It got very cliquey to the point people who wanted to hang out with them didn't feel invited or accepted. I'm glad I don't hang out with those kids anymore. However, I kept the original ethics for myself. In fact, lots of my old friends are slowly finding their way out of the group. They're exploring other ideas and realizing as I have, that you don't have to prove your radical to be worth talking to or befriending.

Marginalized Community

A time that I was in a marginalized community is when I hang out with my friends. We all be by ourselves and nobody really knows what is going on between us. People also don’t notice us. We do our own thing. We have a lot of fun but most people see as thugs. We are not in fact thugs. People think we are thugs because the stereotype is if one is in a group of five or more people its mob action or gang activity. If some of the people that think we are thugs were standing here now I would have an open conversation with them about my own personal lifestyle, because I have did some things before but I am a very diverse person.

Juan Trevino

I lived on the southside of chicago. I would consider that to be a marginalized community. The reason why I feel that way is because their is shootings all of the time and their is no curfue. People are always out no matter what time. There are gangs and gun violence. These neiborhoods are out of the ordinary, very different than most. You have to watch your back all of the time. Most of the time you can't even walk down your own street. It is very marginalized. There are basically no rules, if there is, they are always broken. Murders, thefts, robbery, and gang violence. That is why I feel that my neiborhood on the southside of chicago was very marginalized. Alot more negative things happen and it is very dangerous.

DRUGZ AND DANCIN

I think a subculture that helped pave the way for great music that I love today is the progression of dance music starting in the early eighties after disco was killed in 1979. When I speak of dance music I am talking about electronic dance music; such as techno, house, dancehall, dub, acid, and drum and bass. The most noted point is that the entire dance scene was a reflection of what drug was being used most. House music was first dubbed by coming out of Chicago's own "The Warehouse", which was a night club with a few residents that played disco records. A lot of the djs used heroin and would feel as if the music was going too slow, so they would speed it up and add in more clear beats from records such as kraftwork. This was the first idea of house music, and you could even say it was dubbed a whole new genre of music because of how these djs presented it. Soon technology developed and djs began to sample and produce their own take on house music. Around this time was mid eighties and ecstasy was released within the electronic music sub culture. This is when it was believed to have blown up, "the summer of love". Early nineties methamphetamines became widely popular and a lot of producers began producing sped up breaks records and wonky bass lines. I am not a fan of this but it was a direct correlation of the drug use of the time.
This is the common stigma, that drugs is what fuels dance music and the producers but I don't believe that is true. There are a lot of producers who don't even do drugs that just love the music but that is the label that this genre is given a lot.

Now that the whole "rave scene" is over, the dance subculture is all about how much neon you are wearing, or how many party pictures you are in. Producers have lost sight of the first ambitions of hosue producers, and now just try to have parties not make an entire new form of music. You don't need drugs to be creative but everyone has a computer.

The newest drug to hit the scene is the computer, or jenkem.


by the way, I forget what I was trying to say.

New Kids On the Block

Number Fourteen Blog

The Four boys are posing up against a wall. The attitude across each face is that they are very serious and upset at something or someone. The background in the picture seems to be a little run down or dilapidated. Possibly they were raised in a below average community on low income and struggle to get by, so they come off serious or tough similar to a ghetto.
They are all squeezed into the frame tightly but don't necessarily uncomfortable with it. A blood relationship seems very possible, because they have this brotherly look to them. The last teen on the far right has his arm around one sitting down, he also has a tiny smirk on his face. If the photographer set the scene up, I don't think it was forced or debated at all.
The hair and the clothes go along with the idea or poor or on low income. Torn up dirty clothing, one kid has long greasy hair. Dirty faces and cigarettes in pockets. Some of their clothing looks to big for them like a shirt from a sibling. Their style just seems like they don't care what people think and are carefree troublemakers.

Favorite New thing about Columbia/Downtown Chicago?

Four Teens

In whitmer's photograph it is four caucasian boys but i kinda think one with the bandana on is a girl. It looks like they are all standing in front of a rundown build in like the early 90's taking one of those pictures they all gonna look back and say i remember that but they all look sad. They also look like a bunch of New Kids On The Block rejects or just didnt cut it to be back up. What is taking place to me is a group of friends who look like they all are runaways and are probaly the tough guys in there neighborhood. From there facial expression they dont seem like they are that happy but you can tell they are friends. The one at the end has his arm aroung the one who looks like a girl with the bandana on and they are sitting really close. Also it look like they were jus hanging out because one has a beer and the othere has cigs.
I would characterize there clothing, hair, and jewelry and there style as beening white ghetto or like the white urban side. There style tell me that are not the typical white boys you see in the burbs they look like they kick it in the street, drink alcahol, and probaly sum illegal things. Lastly i would not adopt there style because they look tacky and washed up and really dengy and that cross is the only think ill probaly rock.

Blog Work

Blog Work:



1.) Where I am from is very decent the neighborhood still have their ghetto moments which may involve fighting, shooting, and drug selling. But since they are building more condominiums are around and more townhouses the neighborhood has became more integrated and the police are around more. But before I moved around there it didn’t look nice how it do now, there were the Henry Horner projects and a lot of drugs, prostitution, and gun violence in the area. The United Center was right in the middle of all that negative energy and if it was like that today it still wouldn’t look right with the United Center in a messed up location like that. The United Center wasn’t always nice how it looks now I’ve seen pictures of the old one and it was very plain looking and color wasn’t that attractive. I feel what had the neighborhood like that I would say were the people, they brought a lot of stuff to the neighborhood. People didn’t care for nothing so they just trashed the neighborhoods, if it was like that today I don’t think I would want to be around there.

Walt Whitman...I mean Jim Whitmer (Four Teens)

1. The photo appears to be very 90's. What seems to be taking place is illicit drug use. Backwards hat boy has some cigarettes in his jacket pocket. Long haired guy on the left appears to be drinking a bear (beer) or getting out a packet of cigs (cigarettes). All awhile hanging out with their little bros and in turn influencing another generation of 90's kids who like Nirvana.

2. I think all of the characters are blood related. I'd say the two older kids on the outside are the older brothers, and in between them is their two younger siblings. The eldest brother appears to have his arm around his sister in a protective manner. The sister appears to have a matchbook in her shirt pocket to help light her brothers cigarettes, but that might be too ridiculous. The overall effect he has achieved is the life of lower-middle class teenagers in the 90's and how the older kids influence the younger generations.

3. Their style seems to be quite grungy and 90's. I would not adopt their style. It makes them all look kind of like street kids. They just look ridiculous.

four teens

The photograph has four kids within it all not looking very happy. The photo looks a little dated and as if they lived in a under privledged area. The child on the far right has a pack of cigarettes in his pocket and I believe the girl he has his arm around has a pack as well. I cannot tell if the child on the far right is holding a pack or a beer. They all look like they are trying to act much older then they actually are.
It looks as if the kids on the outsides may be the older of the four, both of having illigal items. I think the artist chose this to be compositional correct but to also give a sense of leadership amoongst the one on the far right. He has a sense of determination and the one of the far left has a sense of being dismayed(sp??).
No, its too dated, some of the clothes from the 90's have been comming back but I don't see it coming back that hard.

Four Teens

Whitmer’s photograph shows four European teens posing as thugs. In the photo the teens are standing by a pole with bandanas on, hats backward, etc. One guy has a pack of cigarettes hanging out of his pocket. One of the other guys has a pack of cigarettes in hand. The teens in this photo look as if they were tough kids. Going from the right the first male has on a blue jean jacket, hat on backwards, and a pack of cigarettes hanging out of his front pocket. Next is a female with a black jacket on and a black bandana trying to look mean but still looking innocent. Next is young teen with a black Kangol it looks like on backwards and a hooded sweat shirt and a chain looking straight faced. Last is this tall kid with a checkered jacket. He has a pack of cigarettes in his hand and he just looks weird. Do you think Im stereotyping?

Four Teens Opinion

The boys portray rebels without a cause. It appears to have been shot off the back drop of an alley of some sort. I believe that the boy on the right is the leader along with his pal in the middle left. They both have that want to be bad ass demeanor, and the other two just want to be part of the crew. The boy on the left has such an innocent impression on his face, but then I notice cigarettes in his hand that entails he’s a smoker. Most likely these young guys are involved with other out of either peer pressure or to fill that void belonging somewhere.

I believe that the boy on the left has his arm over his little brother’s shoulder. You can sense the security amongst one another and the closeness with the rest of the group. The sense of style gives off a vibe that they don’t seem to care about anything. I have feeling that they have a place to call home, but they choose to be amongst each other as a crew.


Their styles are from the mid nineties. Faded jean jackets, bandanas, and flannel jackets certainly scream out fifteen years ago. I see the mid nineties styles coming back soon.

Juan Trevino Four Teens Handout

These four teens in this picture look like the new kids on the block. They look like the caucation version of new edition. They also look like low class caucations. I think that way because they look like they are coming from a ghetto enviroment. Just by the building and the clothes they are wearing look cheap, shaggy and dirty. All of them look different in their own style. But also, they all look like they have been close freinds for a while. I feel that way because they are very close to each other and one has their arm around another. The four teens seem like they are in their own little gang and have bad intensions. They look like troubled teens. They have mean looks on their faces, and they have drugs in their pocket. Personally, I would never adopt to their styles. They look dirty, and seem like they have bad intensions. Not for me.

Kameron Hall (4 Teens)

1. Form what i see in the photo, it looks as if a gang had come together to take a photo. They look like there renegades, maybe from the slums of where ever there from. There attitudes seems like there rough necks, and don't really care. if you were to judge them based on there appearance you would call them "gangsters". To be honest they look like there gangster until a gangster situation pops off then there calling the police. (2).Do you think that there gang affiliated

2. I think the four children are family, because they look so much alike. For example there all white, and if you look at there facial features they look so much alike. It seems like the photographer put the two taller gentlemen on the end, and the shorter male and shorter female in the middle. I think maybe he did this to show oldest vs. youngest. Maybe the photographer was trying to show the brains vs. the muscle. (2). What time frame do you think there in.

3. Judging there clothes, hair, and jewelry it looks like there in the late 80's early 90's maybe. They look like where ever there from, how there dressed that's considered cool. I would not be willing to adopt there style because, for starters i would never where a bandanna nore would i where a jean jacket, and i would never where a hat that has buckles on it. (2). Do you think the clothes they wear is lame.

Four Teens

1. Jim Whitmer's photograph displays four teen (as in the title), who are looking at the camera with empty expressions. Stereotypes of our culture tell us to judge these children as troublemakers as their clothes, cigarettes, and frowns would suggest. If we look at them beyond a shallow view, we will see them for what they are - people. But what I see in these people is unhappiness and anger. As they stand there, I see their eyes. The first three from left to right, have soft yet hollow glares. They seem as if they don't want to be there; that they are uncomfortable. Their sunken lips convey a unwelcoming attitude. The guy on the far right pierces the camera with his seemingly angry, bitter stare. He appears aggravated as evident by the way his arm and posture are in a tense, forward position. One could perceive from these physical traits, that they are in fact trouble makers, but after having teenage years in my recent past, I infer that these are just kids being kids. Haven't you ever experienced a unhappy teenager in your lifetime?

2. The teens in the picture may be a close group of friends. I find this evident by the way the kid on the right has his arm slung over his friend and the way they are all standing close together. This stance does not appear to be a forced one, but natural. They seem as if they know each other and are at least comfortable in each other's company. If Whitmer has intentionally placed the kids in the places they are, I'm not sure what would motivate him to do so. Was it to emphasize some of the more unique traits each of them have such as height, hair, ect.? Or was it to intentionally show and create that sense of connection? I believe both are possible, but can't say that they are truth.

3. The children's style is one of an outdated age. I would speculate that this was a picture taken in the 1990's due to the clothing they are wearing and the way they are wearing it, such as the bandannas and the loose jackets. This style projects a more rock or punk stereotype. It reminds me very much of the times and styles of Pearl Jam, Nirvana, and Metallica. I would not adopt this style because, as I have stated, it is outdated. Plus, I don't see myself as one of the hard rock type. I enjoy hard rock music, but I don't the style of the the times that it is from.

Inspirations

Question 2, part 2

Two years ago I was given a record entitled "Vocal Studies" from a friend's older brother. He made hip hop, and knew that I produced electronic music. I appreciated the gesture and took the record home. I began to play it and didn't know what to think. It wasn't hip hop, it wasn't techno or house or anything like that. It was a weird combination of all elements of music all in a very spastic yet amazingly organized composition. The producer's name is Scott Heren but stage name is Prefuse 73. I was immediately attracted because of the different use of sounds and complex beat progressions. Nothing was ever the same, but it all locked and went together to beautifully. After i listen to the record on both sides, I did it again, and I continued to for the next couple of days. I then often purchased a record of his at the local record store. Soon I had his whole amazing discography. After listening to it for so long it inspired me to try to use un-average samples, and more complex beats instead of just four to the floor. I believe this is one of my greatest influences and I wouldn't have to sound I do today if it wasn't for those albums.

question 2 wed

In my opinion art is form of pleasure. Each person will view art differently some perfer abstract some will like people art, some like colors. so art is a state of mind. Some will say that their profession if another form of art. Again, I state art will be viewed differently in opinion in each individual. Art to me is anything a person does because not everybody can do what chu do so it an art form to me jus beening your self is art.

Blog Question 2

No i agree with both, Art is a condition of our lives because it is all around us. It is not necessarily there to bring joy or sorrow, but sometimes just to intrigue the mind a little. I also see art being used in a way to create emotions or pleasure when looked at. Art definitely brings people together in many ways. For instance Columbia, we all love some form of arts but it is a very wide selection of people.
Well i don't really like to classify things as favorites because i feel no two things are the same so it can't really be better than the other. But one person i look up to in the music industry is Pharell Williams. He creats someof the best music i have heard in a long time. He works with artist you wouldn't even think of, he has no boxes for what he produces. The only thing i know is he is from Virginia and from what i hear is a pretty humble guy and just dedicated to producing great music.
Dear, P.Williams
I just wanted to write you and say congratulations on all the work put forth so far. I enjoy listening to your work. Your Drive inspires me to work diligent on what i want and love similar to you. So keep up all the hard work.

Responce to Q. 2

I think its both, art is a strong language and every one is entitled to there own opinion. Art is a process of thought and ideas that come to life. Not everyone has the same taste. I do believe art brings people together. For example in my neighborhood if there is a group of youth painting a mural everyone in the community would come and see what the mural was about.


Well my favorite author is Taeko Watanabe. I really do not know much about this artist, except that she is Japanese. I almost have all her volumes from her books Kaze Hikaru. Well I don’t think my relationship with this artist affects or enhances the way I look at her books. In the end I just really admire the way she writes but just because I like some of her books dose not mean I am going to like all of them, since she is my favorite writer.

Dear Taeko Wantanabe, when are going to be done writing all the Kaze Hikaru series. I also want to know why does it take four months or longer to translate a volume from Japanese to English. How come you do not add color into your pictures? How were you introduced to the Shinsengumi.

Dear Beyonce

Dear Beyonce :

I am writing to you because I love that you made Me, Myself, and I that song really has alot of meaning to it. When I first listened to it and saw the video it just changed my mind on alot of things that was going wrong in my life. Not relationship wise but just loving yourself and knowing that you came in this world alone and no one can treat you better than you. Also the song taught me not to take crap from no one that treats you right shake them off and keep walking, people that feel like they can't live their life without someone needs to listen to this song. I play this on my MP3 Player whenever I need a push and I thank you for making a song like that because people love songs that they can relate to. But I just wanted to tell you that and keep making them hits and forget what these haters out here say about you, "B" you are the best. Love ya.....

Blog question # 2 Response

1.) I don't feel that art is a form of pleasure because it's not like a sexual need I mainly look at it as expressions. Art to me is a way to just express yourself without speaking or telling someone how you feel. You can tell alot by what a painter was feeling when you look at their art work. Looking at art brings people together because it makes people discuss what they see, and everyone starts to think together. I look at it as a large entity because people buy artwork for millions of dollars and they come from all over the world to look at artist work.

2.) There is one art piece that I love because it's kind of humorous but it also makes you think when you look at it. Edward Munch is the author that created the Scream painting you might have seen it. In the painting it looks like a man has his hands on his face and he is screaming by the way his mouth is shaped. I don't know alot about the artist but his painting makes me ask myself like why did he use those colors and why is the man screaming. You really can know about the artist life because that would let you know what type of paintings they like to do, but knowing personal things that really don't affect your way of liking their work.

Response to Blog Question #2

1. I believe that art can be both a form of pleasure and a piece of something that we might not quite understand.  Now, how can we enjoy anything if we don't fully understand what it is?  In my eyes, this is not a contradiction as we all do this everyday.  We use and love and admire things we just don't know.  In fact, we receive gratification from the earth we live on everyday.  Do we know what the earth is?  We think we do.  There are experts, scientists, and so many others who put the pieces together for us so that we can at least know where we are at this very moment, giving us a sense of purpose.   But the point is that our "answers" are just ideas.  In honesty, nobody truly knows what is time, what is space, what is heaven.  That's where the contradictions lie - in different people's beliefs; between religion and science, government and individualism, and so on.  Personally, I believe that in our explanation of art centers around a concept, image, or what-have you that we can revel in that will conjure up an emotion of some kind in us. People are selective when it comes to art.  Not everybody will be moved by a piece, but that also goes alongside people's different tastes and interests.  So yes, I feel like art is to be enjoyed and used as a solidified tonic, but at the same time, art is what we make it to be just like everything else in the world.  It is no different than Heaven, Hell, or even microwave dinners.  We give everything an explanation.  We make one, but who's to say it is truth?  That is the defining reason I believe there can be a underlying meaning and purpose for art and everything around us.

2. I love a bunch of different kinds of music.  I love a bunch of different songs.  I can spend all day just sitting in a room, staring at a wall doing nothing but listening to music and be totally content.  I'm pretty used to music with my thousand and thousand of songs on my computer, but there are two artists in particular that I am in love with.  Out of Ireland is the Swell Season combining Czechoslovakian singer Marketa Irglova and lead singer of The Frames, Glen Hansard.  Secondly, out of the East Coast is Ray Lamontagne.  Both artists have similar folk/rock/pop attributes, but that is not the reason I am attracted towards them.  Both have been a big part in my recent life as their powerful lyrics and emotional, heart-felt presentation have helped me in the rough patches that I have been going through.  Their music is very therapeutic to me.  I feel like I share a great connection with their lyrics as they made me feel better on a daily basis, though having several sad, dark songs. I have now seen one of the two in person and have the discography of  both, including The Frames and the feelings I have towards them makes giving the albums a listen even sweeter.

3. Dear Swell Season,

I have been listening to your music for some time now and have noticed a couple elements of your music that I started to wonder about.  In your band, you have incorporated a fiddle and violin as a set piece and key background instrument.  What made you decide on the inclusion of these elements?  I figured that this might have been a throwback to The Frames, but began thinking that it might be more.  Is it more to create a special connection between your songs and the people of Ireland or is it that you personally feel connected to the instruments, as they are used frequently?  Also, can I get a signed picture?

response DOS

Dear Chick Corea, Spain is one of your greatest hits, but what I would like to know is why haven’t you made many other songs with the same structure and patterns.When I say structures and patterns I mean how you start off mellow, and then you go up tempo and go into the latin style of music while keeping it contemporary. You are a gifted piano player and you are very creative, especially doing your solos. I think your electric band is the band you should play with for all of your albums and songs. You have an all-star line up you on piano Dave Weckl on drums and John Pettetucci on bass. I basically would like to here more songs like Spain from you.