Growing Pains. Created by Neal Marlens. Perf. Alan Thicke, Joanna Kerns, Kirk Cmeron, Tracey Gold, Jeremy Miller. ABC. 1985. ¹
Berenstain, Stan and Jan. The Berenstain Bears. New York: Ramdom House, 1974. ²
Sachar, Louis. Sideways Stories from Wayside School. New York: Avon Books Inc., 1978. ³
The Lion King. Directed by Roger Allers. Perf. Jonathan Taylor Thomas, Matthew Broderick, James Earl Jones. Disney. 1994. ⁴
¹ Although I was only three years old when Growing Pains ended, I watched the Disney Channel reruns religiously. At first I wanted nothing more than to be a Seaver, but then I found out cooties weren’t real and soon realized that Mike Seaver (Kirk Cameron) and I were destined to be together. That was until Luke Brower (Leonardo DiCaprio) decided to crash on the Seavers couch. He became a part of the family and the heart throb of every preteen girl that watched the show. I was convinced that Mike would understand that my feelings had changed, and that we could still be friends. To say the least, Growing Pains showed me that life isn’t perfect, family will always be there for you, and that boys aren’t always gross.
² My favorite animals as a child were bears. They were just so cute and cuddly. This might be one of the reasons I clung to The Berenstain Bears books as a small child. A family of bears living like humans grabbed my attention before any other source of entertainment did. Papa Bear, Mama Bear, Brother Bear, and Sister Bear were my roadmap to learning lessons and structuring some basic morals and values that everyone should follow. I knew if I stole honey from Mama Bear, I would have to suffer the consequences from Papa Bear. Basic concepts – yet immensely important in life.
³ Once I started school and graduated from my Hooked on Phonics kit, I was ready for chapter books. Sideways Stories from Wayside School was my first insight to what “big kid” school would be like. Louis Sachar’s Wayside School and its energetic students and all their exciting adventures made me excited to go to school every day. I was eager to leave kindergarten and never look back.
⁴ Right around the time I began to read, I was frequently found sprawled out across the living room floor watching Disney’s The Lion King. Don’t get me wrong, I was an active kid and spent much of my time outside running around with my friends, but when it came to sitting back and having a laugh, Timon and Pumbaa did it best. I like to think that The Lion King opened my eyes to the world around me. How was I supposed to know there were so many different places in the world besides my backyard? Now that I’m older, I plan on traveling to as many regions of the world as I can, and I thank The Lion King for that.
Monday, May 11, 2009
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Unrelated blog #2
I'm sure everyone can agree on this next subject. I'll be discussing the irritating task of selling back textbooks.
So today, I walked downtown to the bookstore on South Main with a friend with the expectations of getting a handful of cash in return. You can only imagine how excited I was to get some money before the endless feat of finding a job this summer (refer to previous blog...). We were enjoying the weather while lugging thousands of pounds of textbooks on our backs (that may be an exaggeration). Once we reached our destination, we followed the signs to where we would inevitable receive mounds of cash for our laborious walk.
I sold my chemistry book and answer key, physics book with CD accessory, and my sociology book back for a grand total of $155. Not bad you may say. Except, when I really think about it, I bought all three of them for about $500. My mood dampened a little.
I understand that the university doesn't want to take back tattered and torn books for full price, but I rarely used my chemistry book, and I did not opened my physics book AT ALL. I was upset, naturally.
My friend was less lucky. She was unable to sell back her "special VT" edition psychology book, along with a geographical mapping book. She was successful in returning an American Lit book. And when I say "successful" I mean, she got some money for it. $16 back from a brand new book that cost her almost $100 at the beginning of the semester.
After our adventure we immediately drowned our sorrows in a necessary trip to Moe's for lunch.
So today, I walked downtown to the bookstore on South Main with a friend with the expectations of getting a handful of cash in return. You can only imagine how excited I was to get some money before the endless feat of finding a job this summer (refer to previous blog...). We were enjoying the weather while lugging thousands of pounds of textbooks on our backs (that may be an exaggeration). Once we reached our destination, we followed the signs to where we would inevitable receive mounds of cash for our laborious walk.
I sold my chemistry book and answer key, physics book with CD accessory, and my sociology book back for a grand total of $155. Not bad you may say. Except, when I really think about it, I bought all three of them for about $500. My mood dampened a little.
I understand that the university doesn't want to take back tattered and torn books for full price, but I rarely used my chemistry book, and I did not opened my physics book AT ALL. I was upset, naturally.
My friend was less lucky. She was unable to sell back her "special VT" edition psychology book, along with a geographical mapping book. She was successful in returning an American Lit book. And when I say "successful" I mean, she got some money for it. $16 back from a brand new book that cost her almost $100 at the beginning of the semester.
After our adventure we immediately drowned our sorrows in a necessary trip to Moe's for lunch.
Unrelated blog #1
It's Sunday, May 10th and I am officially 3 days or so away from summer. That means no class, no homework, and sleeping in until my body absolutely needs to wake up. I won't lie, I'm excited! The only thing I wish I didn't have to worry about was my source of income for all the fun activities I plan on partaking in this summer. I'm talking about road trips, concerts, shopping, and a number of other exciting opportunities that require MONEY.
There is just one problem - jobs are no where to be found! I've applied to numerous businesses and have only heard bad news. No one is hiring because no one has the money to add to their staff. The economy is in a bad place right now, and unless a miracle presents itself to the global markets, it looks like I'll have to spend my free time picking up miscellaneous projects from my parents and neighbors and ask for some cash in return.
This situation may be disastrous and could dampen any body's spirits, but I've decided to turn my luck around. Instead of getting in on someone else's business, why not start my own? Who knows? Maybe I'll sell lemonade on the corner like the good old days or walk dogs a few times a week for a little spending cash.
Entrepreneurship is one option. The other is to limit my summer spending almost 100%. Depressing, I know. However, there are a lot of fun summer activities that don't require large quantities of money. I'll have to revisit the summers of my past and take away some good ideas. I think I might convince my friends that playing outside would be a better idea than going to a movie. When I receive looks of complete confusion, I'll just explain all the benefits they'll get by running around outside instead of staring at a screen in the dark. I'm hoping the exercise and a great tan will win them over.
We'll see what happens. No matter what I choose to do, I think I'll have an interesting summer.
There is just one problem - jobs are no where to be found! I've applied to numerous businesses and have only heard bad news. No one is hiring because no one has the money to add to their staff. The economy is in a bad place right now, and unless a miracle presents itself to the global markets, it looks like I'll have to spend my free time picking up miscellaneous projects from my parents and neighbors and ask for some cash in return.
This situation may be disastrous and could dampen any body's spirits, but I've decided to turn my luck around. Instead of getting in on someone else's business, why not start my own? Who knows? Maybe I'll sell lemonade on the corner like the good old days or walk dogs a few times a week for a little spending cash.
Entrepreneurship is one option. The other is to limit my summer spending almost 100%. Depressing, I know. However, there are a lot of fun summer activities that don't require large quantities of money. I'll have to revisit the summers of my past and take away some good ideas. I think I might convince my friends that playing outside would be a better idea than going to a movie. When I receive looks of complete confusion, I'll just explain all the benefits they'll get by running around outside instead of staring at a screen in the dark. I'm hoping the exercise and a great tan will win them over.
We'll see what happens. No matter what I choose to do, I think I'll have an interesting summer.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
ch.5 ex.1
Julie Charlip uses many signal phrases to emphasize to reader that she does not agree with the many sources she uses in her argumentative piece.
The first noticeable phrase is the second sentence. It immediately follows an opening quote from Marx and Engels. She continues to describe the fact that social classes are splitting up beyond Marx's and Engels's basic bourgeoisie and proletariat.
Soon after she begins to explain that economic classes are more than monetary. Her phrase about the factory worker and teacher says it best, "...if you earn thirty thousand dollars a year working in an assembly plant, come home from work, open a beer and watch the game, you are working class; if you earn twenty thousand dollars a year as a school teacher, come home to a glass of white wine and PBS, you are middle class". She argues that there is not specific distinction between classes, and that many families relate with more than one of these predetermined American classes.
To really drill her opinion into the reader, Charlip asks a series of questions to finish her work that would make anyone question whether or not they identify with the correct class.
The first noticeable phrase is the second sentence. It immediately follows an opening quote from Marx and Engels. She continues to describe the fact that social classes are splitting up beyond Marx's and Engels's basic bourgeoisie and proletariat.
Soon after she begins to explain that economic classes are more than monetary. Her phrase about the factory worker and teacher says it best, "...if you earn thirty thousand dollars a year working in an assembly plant, come home from work, open a beer and watch the game, you are working class; if you earn twenty thousand dollars a year as a school teacher, come home to a glass of white wine and PBS, you are middle class". She argues that there is not specific distinction between classes, and that many families relate with more than one of these predetermined American classes.
To really drill her opinion into the reader, Charlip asks a series of questions to finish her work that would make anyone question whether or not they identify with the correct class.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
ch.4 ex.1
Jean Anyon's view on whether or not there are differences in teaching styles and activities between various social classes is somewhat difficult to grasp at first. She goes into details about her peer's ideas and positions first and then builds on them to give her personal view on the subject. Other notable researchers seem to believe that the "advantaged classes" are given work that allows them to branch out and hone there leadership and assertive aptitudes while the "working class" children are pushed in the direction of more basic concepts that will ultimately allow them to fully embrace there fairly practical skills that are more commonly used in the service sector of work. Basically they're saying that rich kids get a more intellectually inspiring education that's going to help them rule the world, and all the rest are trained to do the necessary but less difficult jobs in the world.
Anyon agrees with the other researchers but does fill in her reader that there has not been a lot of in depth analysis in the United States. So, I believe that Anyon both agrees and disagrees with the views of the previously stated researchers.
Anyon agrees with the other researchers but does fill in her reader that there has not been a lot of in depth analysis in the United States. So, I believe that Anyon both agrees and disagrees with the views of the previously stated researchers.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
ch.7 ex.7j
1.) What kind of writing does this paper most resemble - in terms of layout and design?
My immediate reaction to the writing style of this paper was informative and I felt that it belonged in an entertainment magazing or newspaper. The subject matter screams young adult, and I could easily see it being read across a college campus. The addition of pictures and subjecct headings, as well as the font style, makes the paper seem like a more legitimate source and something to read if the reader has some down time.
2.) How might the apperance of this paper influence the way an audience reads it?
Because it's formatted with columns and includes pictures and larger text at some points, the reader is intrigued to read on and see what is to come. The columns also makes the reader that it is a quicker read, when in reality it's still 5 pages or so. Another plus to the use of pictures is that they allow the reader to take a breather from the text every once in a while to examine the images.
3.) How would the paper change if you removed the images and re-formatted it to look more like a typical college research paper?
It would lose all the hooking appeals I mentioned earlier and the reader would immediately realize that they were reading a formal paper for a class and pre-judge it to be boring and unoriginal. The formatting of this paper has an advantage over the standard college paper feel because it gives off a more casual and interesting vibe.
My immediate reaction to the writing style of this paper was informative and I felt that it belonged in an entertainment magazing or newspaper. The subject matter screams young adult, and I could easily see it being read across a college campus. The addition of pictures and subjecct headings, as well as the font style, makes the paper seem like a more legitimate source and something to read if the reader has some down time.
2.) How might the apperance of this paper influence the way an audience reads it?
Because it's formatted with columns and includes pictures and larger text at some points, the reader is intrigued to read on and see what is to come. The columns also makes the reader that it is a quicker read, when in reality it's still 5 pages or so. Another plus to the use of pictures is that they allow the reader to take a breather from the text every once in a while to examine the images.
3.) How would the paper change if you removed the images and re-formatted it to look more like a typical college research paper?
It would lose all the hooking appeals I mentioned earlier and the reader would immediately realize that they were reading a formal paper for a class and pre-judge it to be boring and unoriginal. The formatting of this paper has an advantage over the standard college paper feel because it gives off a more casual and interesting vibe.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Persepolis Review
Many say that it is impossible to recreate any piece of writing into a film successfully. The written word has too much detail and too many twists and turns to fit eloquently into a movie that runs at most, a little over two hours. Does this include graphic novels?
A step up from the classic comic book, graphic novels are longer and can contain topics that surpass the humorous Calvin and Hobbes or sci-fi superheroes. Far more advanced than I ever imagined, some of these lengthy comics have been known to entertain their readers with historical events.
My first experience with graphic novels came in the form of Persepolis. The author, Marjane Satrapi, describes growing up in Iran during its deadly revolution. At first glance, I didn’t think the topic would be thoroughly explained. Textbooks have trouble describing this intricately confusing event, so how could a comic book, of all things, get the point across? Satrapi definitely answered that question with detailed explanations through the eyes of a young girl. We traveled through little Marji’s life and follow along as she carries on a normal childhood until this national event makes her a prisoner of her own country and faith.
The theatrical adaptation was as true to the original piece as possible and I enjoyed it as much as I could while ignoring the fact that I don’t speak French. On the other hand, I feel like being forced to read the subtitles encouraged me to keep my focus and fully grasped what was going on. There is something to be said about “seeing” what is said.
The film was spot on with the novel’s graphics and dialogue, but there was one portion that was slightly different, and in my opinion, better. The playful way they portrayed the history of how the Iranian Shah came to power was an easy scene to laugh at. Instead of the original fluid motions of the novel, they depict the political players as puppets on strings that make their actions seem less intense than their realities.
Although Marji’s quick wit and spunky personality was apparent in the novel, we get a chance to see her in action – literally. It was nice to witness her bustling about while stating her opinion on the current crisis to whoever would listen. Being able to see a scene fully played out also helps the audience either confirm their perception of the situation, or arouse new insight about it. There were a couple moments from the movie that I played out differently in my mind while I read the novel. I liked having another view to compare mine with.
I would throw out som negative critiques, but I really don’t have much to say. Of course I would have loved to see more of the smaller subplots played out in the film, but like I said before, it isn’t possible. No one can sit through hours upon hours of the Iranian Revolution.
All in all, the move from graphic novel to film was done extremely well in my book. I wanted to immediately go out and grab the sequel!
A step up from the classic comic book, graphic novels are longer and can contain topics that surpass the humorous Calvin and Hobbes or sci-fi superheroes. Far more advanced than I ever imagined, some of these lengthy comics have been known to entertain their readers with historical events.
My first experience with graphic novels came in the form of Persepolis. The author, Marjane Satrapi, describes growing up in Iran during its deadly revolution. At first glance, I didn’t think the topic would be thoroughly explained. Textbooks have trouble describing this intricately confusing event, so how could a comic book, of all things, get the point across? Satrapi definitely answered that question with detailed explanations through the eyes of a young girl. We traveled through little Marji’s life and follow along as she carries on a normal childhood until this national event makes her a prisoner of her own country and faith.
The theatrical adaptation was as true to the original piece as possible and I enjoyed it as much as I could while ignoring the fact that I don’t speak French. On the other hand, I feel like being forced to read the subtitles encouraged me to keep my focus and fully grasped what was going on. There is something to be said about “seeing” what is said.
The film was spot on with the novel’s graphics and dialogue, but there was one portion that was slightly different, and in my opinion, better. The playful way they portrayed the history of how the Iranian Shah came to power was an easy scene to laugh at. Instead of the original fluid motions of the novel, they depict the political players as puppets on strings that make their actions seem less intense than their realities.
Although Marji’s quick wit and spunky personality was apparent in the novel, we get a chance to see her in action – literally. It was nice to witness her bustling about while stating her opinion on the current crisis to whoever would listen. Being able to see a scene fully played out also helps the audience either confirm their perception of the situation, or arouse new insight about it. There were a couple moments from the movie that I played out differently in my mind while I read the novel. I liked having another view to compare mine with.
I would throw out som negative critiques, but I really don’t have much to say. Of course I would have loved to see more of the smaller subplots played out in the film, but like I said before, it isn’t possible. No one can sit through hours upon hours of the Iranian Revolution.
All in all, the move from graphic novel to film was done extremely well in my book. I wanted to immediately go out and grab the sequel!
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