This week, the girls learned about interviewing and being a good correspondent. April (from cycle 2) shows up and with actor/comedian Gary Riotto, shows them how to do it. They gave the girls examples of what not to do, like talk to much or not talk enough. I hate when people do that. My boss right now does that sometimes. She talks and talks and I can't get anything in until she's finished...but honestly, I think I'd rather have that than talk to someone who answers in one word, two if you're lucky. Anyways, the girls test it out on each other. The winner of the challenge this week wouldn't be revealed until paneling time with Tyra. The winner gets to be a correspondent on The Tyra Show. Well, the next day they meet with April again to talk about said challenge and what bounces into the room, literally? Tyra in a kangaroo outfit and a real kangaroo! That's what I love about Tyra Banks, she's very fun and not afraid to show that she has a silly personality, and she knows when to be serious too. I really think she's a fantastic role model. Well, she tells the girls they're going to Australia! I was so jealous when she hopped in the room, Australia is on my top list of places where I want to go in my life. Granted, I want to travel ALOT, but all the same, it's on my top list.
So the girls land in Australia and are greeted my supermodel and host of Australia's Next Top Model, Erika Heynatz, and are told they cannot even rest after that long flight and have to get right to work. I think the girls were kind of shocked that they couldn't have a break, but I still don't know why they are not figuring out that the fashion industry does not and never will have any sympathy. It's a cruel field and you have to be the best to get ahead. If it means working you tush off those extra hours then so be it, you want it right? Anyways, the girls are given a list of Aussie slang and are sent to interview the locals using that slang. We find out at panel, that Natasha, who continues to surprise me every week, won that challenge. She used the most slang and did the best job of interviewing. She's really stepping up and I like to see that. Jael on the other hand, while I think has the best personality, I was beginning to see that she doesn't really know what it means to be a model. She said she didn't want to be done because she wasn't done spreading joy to the world. That's a great ambition, but it's not what modeling is about. There are much better ways to get messages across, although perhaps she thought that with that title, it would be easier for her to do so, I don't know. So the girls had to do a commercial instead of a shoot. They had to memorize lines and say them with an aussie accent. Natasha did very well, Brittney's accent was good, but she didn't say them well and started giving up. She tried to blame it on her short term memory. I feel for her, but like I said, this industry doesn't care, so she has to suck it up and deal with it somehow. They had cue cards for her, so I agreed that she was being a bit dramatic about it. Renee photos old sometimes and I think that happened in the commercial as well. She also was sounding a bit like a man, which the judges pointed out. Dionne couldn't get the accent down, but she put out a good commercial nonetheless. Jael, however, had a decent accent but gave up on herself, which was really disappointing. I just don't think this is her calling, though. The judges didn't think so either, and my girl from Detroit was sent home.
Friday, April 20, 2007
Saturday, April 14, 2007
(You know, I'm really getting sick of not remembering to post things when I HAVE IT DONE before, I just try to wait the four hours we're supposed to, but if you don't mind I'll just post them when I get them done, because I'm not going to have my grade affected when I had it done and was just waiting and then of course, forgetting at work...)
So I had NEVER, before reading the essay about Batman's sexuality, compared Batman and Robin's relationship to one of a homosexual partnership. It really struck me. And then I really gave the movie a good mental picturing and thought to myself, wow, I guess there were alot of homoerotic phrases, situations, etc, going on. I always thought the Riddler was a bit flaky and he was obsessed with Bruce. Especially when he copied his look and mimicked his every move at the party. He was awesome, though. You have to be either homosexual or very in touch with your feminine side to be able to pull of tights like he does, while still coming off as cool. Jim Carrey was excellent for that role. I was wondering why, if there were so many homosexual tendencies, didn't the public say anything and why wasn't it spread all over the place that Batman and Robin are the new couple? I kept reading the essay and it said that there wasn't that public outcry because there were enough heteronormatives in the movie, that the audience was satisfied. Which is kind of sad. If the director had intended to put the homosexual icongraphy in his movie, it shouldn't have to be hidden, but unfortunately, then and even still now people just aren't as accepting as they say they are.
On a more depraved note, really think about the Riddler issue, though. Could even imagine having someone the same gender as you first start to sort of flirt, then it goes to being mimicked, like they want to BE you. Eventually it gets to stalking and then they just have it in for you, because if you were like Bruce, you rejected him/her. Maybe the movie was trying to tell us to give the special ones out there (for lack of a better term) a chance, or you might just find yourself in a situation like Batman encounters. If you don't have his sweet equipment too, then you'll just be out of luck and it's bye bye you
So I had NEVER, before reading the essay about Batman's sexuality, compared Batman and Robin's relationship to one of a homosexual partnership. It really struck me. And then I really gave the movie a good mental picturing and thought to myself, wow, I guess there were alot of homoerotic phrases, situations, etc, going on. I always thought the Riddler was a bit flaky and he was obsessed with Bruce. Especially when he copied his look and mimicked his every move at the party. He was awesome, though. You have to be either homosexual or very in touch with your feminine side to be able to pull of tights like he does, while still coming off as cool. Jim Carrey was excellent for that role. I was wondering why, if there were so many homosexual tendencies, didn't the public say anything and why wasn't it spread all over the place that Batman and Robin are the new couple? I kept reading the essay and it said that there wasn't that public outcry because there were enough heteronormatives in the movie, that the audience was satisfied. Which is kind of sad. If the director had intended to put the homosexual icongraphy in his movie, it shouldn't have to be hidden, but unfortunately, then and even still now people just aren't as accepting as they say they are.
On a more depraved note, really think about the Riddler issue, though. Could even imagine having someone the same gender as you first start to sort of flirt, then it goes to being mimicked, like they want to BE you. Eventually it gets to stalking and then they just have it in for you, because if you were like Bruce, you rejected him/her. Maybe the movie was trying to tell us to give the special ones out there (for lack of a better term) a chance, or you might just find yourself in a situation like Batman encounters. If you don't have his sweet equipment too, then you'll just be out of luck and it's bye bye you
Friday, April 13, 2007
America's Next Top Model
This week the girls learned about acting. They were taken to a grand place with a gorgeous staircase. It looked like an old fashioned theater. Anyways, actress Tia Mowry walked down those stairs to greet them. She told them that the point of acting is being able to play different roles no matter what your personality is. The girls were told to get a hat and become the person it represents. Everyone actually did a good job. I think it's fun to act, I loved it in grade school. After their lesson they went to test their skills with actor Efren Ramirez. They were given three specific characters: the over-dramatic one, the diva witch, and the perky one. It was pretty funny watching the girls prance around the stage being the perky one and it was all very dramatized, especially when the girls were being over dramatic which is fine, because it's acting. I honestly don't know why I stopped acting. I was pretty good at it and I loved being on stage and making everyone laugh. Oh the glory days...
Well, Renee won the challenge and she picked Dionne as her friend for their prizes. They got T-shirts and they were both like "okay, is this it?" I didn't think that would be it, but then it went to the next scene and I was really starting to believe that that was the only thing they were getting. Tyra did something really special, though. Both Renee and Dionne have a family and Tyra brought them to the mansion. There were lots of tears of joy and it was really beautiful. I just felt horrible for Natasha, though, because since she didn't win and wasn't picked as the friend, she didn't get to see her baby and husband. She was so crushed. I would have been too, it was seriously so sad.
The girls then got a surprise shoot. I love it everytime the show says this. Every shoot is going to be a surprise for them morons...they're not told beforehand what they're doing any week. Well, the "surprise" was the models from previous seasons. The girls were going to be acting out those model's most outrageous moments in the series. I'm beginning to like Natasha and I really hoped that the shock of not seeing her family the previous day wouldn't affect her shoot. I had the feeling it would, though. She definitely proved me wrong. She had one of the best shoots, which was pretty cool. Dionne did very well too and of course, Brittney. Jael needs to step it up for me. She's my favorite character but she's starting to lag a bit. I've been really surprised with Renee too. I couldn't even stand looking at her and hearing her voice, but she was actually trying this episode to have a better attitude and I think seeing her family helped a ton. I hope she continues and really learned her lesson.
Well, Renee won the challenge and she picked Dionne as her friend for their prizes. They got T-shirts and they were both like "okay, is this it?" I didn't think that would be it, but then it went to the next scene and I was really starting to believe that that was the only thing they were getting. Tyra did something really special, though. Both Renee and Dionne have a family and Tyra brought them to the mansion. There were lots of tears of joy and it was really beautiful. I just felt horrible for Natasha, though, because since she didn't win and wasn't picked as the friend, she didn't get to see her baby and husband. She was so crushed. I would have been too, it was seriously so sad.
The girls then got a surprise shoot. I love it everytime the show says this. Every shoot is going to be a surprise for them morons...they're not told beforehand what they're doing any week. Well, the "surprise" was the models from previous seasons. The girls were going to be acting out those model's most outrageous moments in the series. I'm beginning to like Natasha and I really hoped that the shock of not seeing her family the previous day wouldn't affect her shoot. I had the feeling it would, though. She definitely proved me wrong. She had one of the best shoots, which was pretty cool. Dionne did very well too and of course, Brittney. Jael needs to step it up for me. She's my favorite character but she's starting to lag a bit. I've been really surprised with Renee too. I couldn't even stand looking at her and hearing her voice, but she was actually trying this episode to have a better attitude and I think seeing her family helped a ton. I hope she continues and really learned her lesson.
Monday, April 9, 2007
My weekend
I had a great weekend actually. I didn't expect it to be so relaxing and fun. First on Friday, I found out I got the job I've been wanting at a urology clinic by my house. The hard part is now going to my boss and telling her I have another job, but she knows I need it. Then I went out with some friends to celebrate. Saturday I did some notes and then I had to go to my church to set up for Easter Sunday breakfast. That was alot of fun to help the youth group out and one of the mom's and I put the colorful tablecloths on the tables. We kept running out of a couple colors so some tables were multi-colored and it was hilarious. After everything was done though, I was proud of what everyone had done there, because it looked great. Then that night, I went out with my roomates and we played pool. I've been really into pool lately and I'm starting to get pretty decent. Sunday, of course, was Easter and that's always a good day for me. Not only is it a really special holiday for Christians but everyone always seems at ease to me. All the families look so cute in their little outfits and the children always look so adorable. I can't wait to have some kids so I can dress them up :) Well, I can wait, awhile actually lol. The church always looks very nice as well. There are always flowers all over the place and lillies are one of my favorite flowers and that's usually the theme flower. People can buy flowers for the service and they can take them home after, and my parents dedicated the flowers they bought to their children, which was really cool to see in the service bulletin. Anyways, lunch was at my Grandma's house and she had SO much food, it was ridiculous. It was a small party this time, only 8, but we had a good time. My brother and I got to play chess and we haven't done that in a long time.
America's Next Top Model
This week, or rather last week...on ANTM the girls were sent to a room with a name, Lesley Hornby, and then Twiggy walked in. I thought to myself, oh, that must be her name, right off the bat. Twiggy had to say it for the girls, which I found sort of amusing. I thought it was cute how she got her name, though. My mom used to like Twiggy and I had always wondered how she had come up with the name. Well, turns out, she didn't make it up, her friends called her Twiggy because she was so thin. She started modeling at 15! I think that's crazy, but if you can do it, I guess go for it. I like nicknames and I like when I hear people calling their friends their nicknames. They're very personal. My friends have never given me a nickname, well actually, my friend Nora has come up with a few, hence my blog title...Amanda Panda Pants...now anyone who knew me would know that I would NEVER call myself that. She has also named me Lilmanderz...which I also found ridiculous, but it's my email address. Why put up with it? She's one of my best friends and she thought it up for me, so why not? Anyways, I digress.
Back to the whole name situation, Twiggy brought in Melrose from last season (who I couldn't stand) because Melrose came from Melissa and Rose. So the girls were asked to make up their own names in a couple of minutes. They came up with some pretty interesting ones. They were told to make a good one, though, because they were going to a celebrity party and were meeting Tyra's former manager, Benny Medina. Dionne came up with Houlahay and Renee came up with Nayiem and when she introduced herself to Benny, he didn't understand her and thought she was saying name over and over again, it was pretty funny. But oh my, did Jael make a fool out of herself this time. (I don't care though, she's still my favorite model.) She kept her name which I figured was fine, since it's so unique already, but she would not leave 50 cent alone. He finally pushed her in the pool and Natasha, silly girl, jumped in too. They both had to meet Benny drenched and he was not pleased. Dionne wound up impressing Benny the most, even though she had the wackiest name. The girls then did a fun photoshoot where they had to pick four characteristics. It was cool. Jael, Brittney, and Natasha did the best, I think.
Back to the whole name situation, Twiggy brought in Melrose from last season (who I couldn't stand) because Melrose came from Melissa and Rose. So the girls were asked to make up their own names in a couple of minutes. They came up with some pretty interesting ones. They were told to make a good one, though, because they were going to a celebrity party and were meeting Tyra's former manager, Benny Medina. Dionne came up with Houlahay and Renee came up with Nayiem and when she introduced herself to Benny, he didn't understand her and thought she was saying name over and over again, it was pretty funny. But oh my, did Jael make a fool out of herself this time. (I don't care though, she's still my favorite model.) She kept her name which I figured was fine, since it's so unique already, but she would not leave 50 cent alone. He finally pushed her in the pool and Natasha, silly girl, jumped in too. They both had to meet Benny drenched and he was not pleased. Dionne wound up impressing Benny the most, even though she had the wackiest name. The girls then did a fun photoshoot where they had to pick four characteristics. It was cool. Jael, Brittney, and Natasha did the best, I think.
Friday, March 30, 2007
While watching Romero's Land of the Dead, I tried to think of things that I could talk about in my research paper. Frankly, I feel kind of lost right now and I'm not really sure where I want to go. I started reading the essay that was handed out today and the author was comparing Romero's Dawn of the Dead with some of Aristotle's works. He made outstanding comparisons and really used the Greek language to describe why he was talking about how the zombies were able to still be around and "alive" in a sense and the cosumerism and immortality ideas. I really like the essay so far, but I'm struggling with where I want my paper to go.
I love scary movies and this one wasn't scary so much (although it made me jump plenty of times), but it makes you think about that situation and how would you act, where would you be, ect. Would you be living the good life up in the tower where the "better" folk are, would you be in the slums trying to make the best of a hellish life, would you be a soldier, or maybe a prostitute, or perhaps the mercenary trying to make some cash, although I hardly knew why they were so greedy about money. In a land where the dead are taking over, money hardly seems to matter, but apprently it did.
Back to the topic, I was thinking about maybe comparing Romero's works as a bunch or maybe comparing all of them to other scary movies? I'm not really sure. I did think it was interesting that the zombies always seem to win in the end. At the end of most scary movies, the good guys usually triumph. I thought it was also interesting that we don't know what's creating the zombies. How did they get like that in the first place? Why, when even someone died without being bitten, did they transform and come back as one of the undead? Maybe that's what I could try to answer, but I'm not really sure where I'd go with that.
I love scary movies and this one wasn't scary so much (although it made me jump plenty of times), but it makes you think about that situation and how would you act, where would you be, ect. Would you be living the good life up in the tower where the "better" folk are, would you be in the slums trying to make the best of a hellish life, would you be a soldier, or maybe a prostitute, or perhaps the mercenary trying to make some cash, although I hardly knew why they were so greedy about money. In a land where the dead are taking over, money hardly seems to matter, but apprently it did.
Back to the topic, I was thinking about maybe comparing Romero's works as a bunch or maybe comparing all of them to other scary movies? I'm not really sure. I did think it was interesting that the zombies always seem to win in the end. At the end of most scary movies, the good guys usually triumph. I thought it was also interesting that we don't know what's creating the zombies. How did they get like that in the first place? Why, when even someone died without being bitten, did they transform and come back as one of the undead? Maybe that's what I could try to answer, but I'm not really sure where I'd go with that.
This week on America's Next Top model the girls learned about style and clothing from the director of Elite Model Management, Cathy Gould. It was pretty funny when the girls were given individual outfits and a couple of them started going on about how cute they thought it was and how it could work in different situations and Cathy said it was actually how they were NOT to dress. For some reason, throughout the whole show, Natasha stood out the most to me. She always says the goofiest sounding things and she's totally serious. For instance, when the taboo outfit on her was being critiqued, she basically said that no, as a model, she needs to make that outfit work. I agreed with her even though at that particular time she should have kept her mouth shut. In a lot of these fashion shoots, the girls are given very difficult and even unnatural circumstances and they "have to make it work" or they're cut from the pack, so I think she had a good point, but should have kept it to herself. And when the girls created ad displays of clothing for the Zarian twins, she again spoke up when she spelled Aphrodite the wrong way. She said that when you make something your own, you can spell it any way you want. Once more, I had to agree with her. I see things spelled incorrectly all the time! However, as she's trying to get a job, I highly doubt she should come off as snobbish and seem like she knows best, especially in that industry. It just sucks for her, because I know she isn't meaning to come off that way and she's not understanding why the other girls want her to keep quiet. I would get really frustrated too.
Oh, and it was so unbelieveably rude of Diana and Whittney to talk about Natasha's marriage like they were. They said it was creepy and she was a mail order bride and blah, blah, blah. First off, back up and see if she's ever been unhappy. She seems very content with her husband and child to me. Secondly, some women prefer older men. Thirdly, it's none of your business! That really made me mad. They had no right to judge her on something like that, and to not even confront her about it and ask if she was forced into it or anything, but instead talk about it behind her back is just spineless and uncalled for.
ANYWAYS, the photoshoot was pretty cool. The girls got to dress up as guys, and the male models they were posing with were actually cross dressers. It was really fun and Natasha and Jael did the best selling what they were wearing, I think, even though Jael had a weaker picture. Diana and Whittney were on the bottom two this week and Diana was sent home for a lack of passion. Jay asked her why she wanted to be America's Next Top Model and she said "just cuz." So in Tyra's mind, if you don't want it, you can go right home. Not that I cared that she went home, but next time she has a job interview I certainly hope she says more than just cuz...
Oh, and it was so unbelieveably rude of Diana and Whittney to talk about Natasha's marriage like they were. They said it was creepy and she was a mail order bride and blah, blah, blah. First off, back up and see if she's ever been unhappy. She seems very content with her husband and child to me. Secondly, some women prefer older men. Thirdly, it's none of your business! That really made me mad. They had no right to judge her on something like that, and to not even confront her about it and ask if she was forced into it or anything, but instead talk about it behind her back is just spineless and uncalled for.
ANYWAYS, the photoshoot was pretty cool. The girls got to dress up as guys, and the male models they were posing with were actually cross dressers. It was really fun and Natasha and Jael did the best selling what they were wearing, I think, even though Jael had a weaker picture. Diana and Whittney were on the bottom two this week and Diana was sent home for a lack of passion. Jay asked her why she wanted to be America's Next Top Model and she said "just cuz." So in Tyra's mind, if you don't want it, you can go right home. Not that I cared that she went home, but next time she has a job interview I certainly hope she says more than just cuz...
Friday, March 23, 2007
Reading and Writing about Movies
I love movies, I love the special effects and I love the emotions that they evoke, and I always think I watch alot of them. But then when my friends and even the class gets to talking about certain ones, I find myself clueless, not even recognizing the name. I guess that goes to show that I need to get out there, expand my horizon, and watch some good old movies. And I'm not talking about new releases. One of the essays was telling us to get an old classic or much better would be a movie not made in American. The author was saying how he watched an Iraqi movie (I believe) with a bunch of children and they loved the movie. He said if children could enjoy a movie like that, why can't adults?
The essays were also telling us to not just simply watch the movie, but have a reaction to it. Ask yourself questions about the scenes, how the lighting and music play roles in how we view the movie. Ask how the special effects affected your initial response. They also told us to watch the movies over again, and if need be, pause and rewind a few times to try and better understand what you are watching. I never really thought about watching a movie like that. I mean, I like to ask questions and think deeper about things, that's why I like movies like The Butterfly Effect and the Skeleton Key.
The essays were also telling us to not just simply watch the movie, but have a reaction to it. Ask yourself questions about the scenes, how the lighting and music play roles in how we view the movie. Ask how the special effects affected your initial response. They also told us to watch the movies over again, and if need be, pause and rewind a few times to try and better understand what you are watching. I never really thought about watching a movie like that. I mean, I like to ask questions and think deeper about things, that's why I like movies like The Butterfly Effect and the Skeleton Key.
America's Next Top Model
This week on America's Next Top Model, the girls learned about posing, which is very important for a model to know. She has to know what angles she looks best in, and she has to know how to put all of her body into a flattering position. Their coach this week was Benny Ninja, a "vogueing superstar." He's a short smaller man but boy does he know how to position his body. The girls were asked to do a fast-pace on the spot posing competition against one another. There were a few who knew exactly what they were doing, like Felicia and Whittney.
The next day they were asked to meet Benny in some high-tech room where the girls were told to change into skin tight, one-piece suits for the "mission" they were about to encounter. The girls were asked to go through a series of lasers. The catch is that they could not touch the lasers or they were sent back to the beginning AND had to strike poses between each set of lines. They only had a very short amount of time to get through it, but if they managed to make it, they could get a key to a box that contained a $40,000 bracelet. Only the one girl who Benny thought had the best posing and the most grace would get the bracelet. It was a charm bracelet and I thought it was kind of funny, because if I had won it, I wouldn't have worn it, it's not my style, I just would have sold it. Renee had the same idea, because she said it would really help her family if she won it, because they're having money issues right now. Well, it turns out, she was the ONLY one who didn't get a key and Whittney wound up winning. There's some alliteration for you...Anyways, it kind of sucked when Renee didn't even get a key, because she went right back to being a pistol. In the beginning of the show, she had decided to not "get into it" with so many of the girls and she realized how mean she had been. But after that, it was right back to the same old Renee, big surprise there.
The posing challenge was cool, but the photoshoot was amazing. They had the same photographer that had been in last season's cycle for the freak circus shoot. This time around, the girls were all "killed" by another model for jealousy or spite or some reason or another and they all had to be dead, yet alive. It was so interesting to see how lifelike the makeup looked. Some of the girls looked downright scary, like they were just found in a crime scene. It was also pretty awesome that all of the girls did very well in their shoots. The weakest one, unfortunately was Felicia, who I personally liked. She was sent home, because like Tyra pointed out, if every girl does well in the photoshoot, then you can't depend on your pretty face, other aspects need to shine, like personality or style. Tyra thought, Felicia has gotten weaker throughout the weeks and was told to pack her bags. I was sad and thought the other girl should have gone home, I didn't even know her name and still don't...she's never jumped out of the crowd for me and I like Felicia's personality, but oh well, she's gone.
The next day they were asked to meet Benny in some high-tech room where the girls were told to change into skin tight, one-piece suits for the "mission" they were about to encounter. The girls were asked to go through a series of lasers. The catch is that they could not touch the lasers or they were sent back to the beginning AND had to strike poses between each set of lines. They only had a very short amount of time to get through it, but if they managed to make it, they could get a key to a box that contained a $40,000 bracelet. Only the one girl who Benny thought had the best posing and the most grace would get the bracelet. It was a charm bracelet and I thought it was kind of funny, because if I had won it, I wouldn't have worn it, it's not my style, I just would have sold it. Renee had the same idea, because she said it would really help her family if she won it, because they're having money issues right now. Well, it turns out, she was the ONLY one who didn't get a key and Whittney wound up winning. There's some alliteration for you...Anyways, it kind of sucked when Renee didn't even get a key, because she went right back to being a pistol. In the beginning of the show, she had decided to not "get into it" with so many of the girls and she realized how mean she had been. But after that, it was right back to the same old Renee, big surprise there.
The posing challenge was cool, but the photoshoot was amazing. They had the same photographer that had been in last season's cycle for the freak circus shoot. This time around, the girls were all "killed" by another model for jealousy or spite or some reason or another and they all had to be dead, yet alive. It was so interesting to see how lifelike the makeup looked. Some of the girls looked downright scary, like they were just found in a crime scene. It was also pretty awesome that all of the girls did very well in their shoots. The weakest one, unfortunately was Felicia, who I personally liked. She was sent home, because like Tyra pointed out, if every girl does well in the photoshoot, then you can't depend on your pretty face, other aspects need to shine, like personality or style. Tyra thought, Felicia has gotten weaker throughout the weeks and was told to pack her bags. I was sad and thought the other girl should have gone home, I didn't even know her name and still don't...she's never jumped out of the crowd for me and I like Felicia's personality, but oh well, she's gone.
Friday, March 16, 2007
My week
This week has been really stress free. I still have homework to do that I need to get done this weekend, but for the week, I thought it was spring break and since I wasn't going anywhere, I figured I might as well relax and not even think about school. Anyways, I took off a couple days at work and went up to see my boyfriend at Grand Valley. It's in Allendale near Grand Rapids and about 2 and 1/2 hours away, so you can imagine how often we get to see each other...It was really good to see him so soon after him coming down to see me this past weekend. He only had a couple classes those days so he got to spend most of his time with me.
I've also seen my cousins a lot this week. We didn't even know each other existed until last year when our other cousin found me on facebook. It's been really awesome getting to know all of them (all boys haha) because we have a lot in common. So we played basketball yesterday and the eldest, Kyle, and I have been working out. We also finished his game, God of War, which was amazing. I love video games.
Yeah, so now I'm back at work at an elementary school. I love my job. My kids are great, I work with about 60 every day and it has its down moments, but it has alot of rewarding ones as well. Grr, I get so caught up at work that I forget the time...I always have it done on time and then I forget to publish it...*sigh* Guess I should start doing them before Friday.
I've also seen my cousins a lot this week. We didn't even know each other existed until last year when our other cousin found me on facebook. It's been really awesome getting to know all of them (all boys haha) because we have a lot in common. So we played basketball yesterday and the eldest, Kyle, and I have been working out. We also finished his game, God of War, which was amazing. I love video games.
Yeah, so now I'm back at work at an elementary school. I love my job. My kids are great, I work with about 60 every day and it has its down moments, but it has alot of rewarding ones as well. Grr, I get so caught up at work that I forget the time...I always have it done on time and then I forget to publish it...*sigh* Guess I should start doing them before Friday.
ANTM
This week was amazing. Many things happened. This was makeover week and the girls look absoultely fabulous. Can anyone say Russian spy for Natasha, though? The dark hair really brings out her eyes, but my friends and I all thought she looked like a spy. Jael just had a tough week, unfortunately. First it was her hair that was going to be long and after eight hours of excruciating pain they had to undo it all, because Jay said it brought her look down. She was tough about it though, and said she'd work out this new hair (or lack thereof). Then the poor girl got a phonecall revealing that her freind had died of an overdose. She was devastated. She seems like one of those innocent people who really don't understand why bad things happen. She's adorable and so strong, definitely my favorite this season. AND she managed to do a fantastic job on her shoot.
I was so happy when, during panel, Renee was livid when Tyra compared her picture with Sarah's and said that Sarah's was basically top notch and Renee's was just pretty good. I was laughing so hard. I hate that woman. I'm so sick and tired of her complaining and her petty squabbles with the other girls. She's so jealous I'm surprised her skin doesn't have a tint of green to it. She continues to obsess over watching the other girls and criticizing their every move that it's beginning to push her back into the lower ranks. She hasn't had an amazing photo yet. This week she was especially focusing on Brittany and Sarah, because they are outshining her. What made me sick is when she tried to make friends with Jael after she found out about her friend and told one of the other girls that Jael doesn't need to be haning around with such "fake bitches." Okay, just last week you were talking as if Jael was the bane of your existence and now you want to be friends? Make up your mind Renee. Ugh, she really disgusts me.
I was so happy when, during panel, Renee was livid when Tyra compared her picture with Sarah's and said that Sarah's was basically top notch and Renee's was just pretty good. I was laughing so hard. I hate that woman. I'm so sick and tired of her complaining and her petty squabbles with the other girls. She's so jealous I'm surprised her skin doesn't have a tint of green to it. She continues to obsess over watching the other girls and criticizing their every move that it's beginning to push her back into the lower ranks. She hasn't had an amazing photo yet. This week she was especially focusing on Brittany and Sarah, because they are outshining her. What made me sick is when she tried to make friends with Jael after she found out about her friend and told one of the other girls that Jael doesn't need to be haning around with such "fake bitches." Okay, just last week you were talking as if Jael was the bane of your existence and now you want to be friends? Make up your mind Renee. Ugh, she really disgusts me.
Friday, March 9, 2007
Reality paper
I know this is like 10 minutes late, but I'm at work right now and didn't have time before now, so hopefully it's accepted. Writing the essay this time around was significantly more challenging for me, because it was harder for me to make the transition from point to point smooth. I would sit there for while contemplating and trying to figure out how to get my point across and make it understandable. I also put a bit more sarcasm in this paper as well, because reality television really aggravates me. The sarcasm goes along with the humorous aspect of my essay, because I like to entertain and try to seem at least a tiny bit crafty. Whether or not I accomplished this is another story.
Watching The Real World and I Love New York was certainly a challenge for me. I seriously felt like my IQ dropped a few notches when I they were over. I just cannot conceive how they can live with themselves acting as they do and I wouldn't be able to take any of them seriously. Never once did I hear them having a real intelligent conversation and I would be really upset if I was forced to spend time with any of those people. I can't stand reality television and I'm glad to be done with it.
Watching The Real World and I Love New York was certainly a challenge for me. I seriously felt like my IQ dropped a few notches when I they were over. I just cannot conceive how they can live with themselves acting as they do and I wouldn't be able to take any of them seriously. Never once did I hear them having a real intelligent conversation and I would be really upset if I was forced to spend time with any of those people. I can't stand reality television and I'm glad to be done with it.
Schoolgirl gone Model
I completely forgot that I had two entries to do this week. I watched America's Next Top Model on Wednesday and altogether forgot to write a blog about it. Insert stereotype: Blond moment!
Anyways, in this episode, the eccentric Miss J, who cracks me up every single time I watch this show, meets the girls at a highschool and teaches them how to walk as he always does, because he is the "runway diva." Yes folks for any of you that don't watch this show, Miss J is a man, but he has a pair of the nicest legs I've ever seen. You seem them often when he teaches the girls how to properly walk as he wears his nice dresses and high heels.
Going back to the show, the lesson on walking had a little twist this time around. The girls were put into groups of three in a line and each girl in a certain spot had to walk to her own position. They all had to walk together but in the middle of the runway they had to separate: the two on the outside had to criss-cross while the middle girl had to stop and wait until the two came back, crisscrossed again, until she could walk forward and make her pose. Then she would walk back to the outer two now waiting for her and all three would walk out together. Sounds a bit complicated, but really, if you remembered where your spot was, you'd be fine. The girls did pretty well with Miss J, but when it came time to the real deal on a runway, featuring prom, for the highschool students, the girls missed their spots and kept running into each other. One of the girls, Sarah, actually had her breasts hanging out of one of her dresses and made absolutely no move to cover herself. She said later that she wasn't going to let that get in her way of doing a good job. Well, that's all fine and dandy except that she was doing this for highschoolers and that is so inappropriate for that kind of setting.
The actual photo shoot also took place at the highschool. The girls were given a highschool cliche, some of which included the nerd, the cheerleader, the weird one, the class clown, etc. This is what I love most about the show, the photo shoots. They are always so beautiful and I absolutely love makeup. Some of the girls like Jael, who I like more and more each week, and Jaslene and Brittany are starting to shine and some of the girls aren't, like Renne, who I'm disliking the more I hear her speak, because all she does is complain and blame anything but herself for a bad walk or a bad photo shoot, and Samantha and Natasha, who were the bottom two this week. They both have beautiful faces but no personality. In the end, Tyra thought Samantha just needed more time and she was sent home.
I think next week is the week for the makeovers, and I can't wait for that episode!
Anyways, in this episode, the eccentric Miss J, who cracks me up every single time I watch this show, meets the girls at a highschool and teaches them how to walk as he always does, because he is the "runway diva." Yes folks for any of you that don't watch this show, Miss J is a man, but he has a pair of the nicest legs I've ever seen. You seem them often when he teaches the girls how to properly walk as he wears his nice dresses and high heels.
Going back to the show, the lesson on walking had a little twist this time around. The girls were put into groups of three in a line and each girl in a certain spot had to walk to her own position. They all had to walk together but in the middle of the runway they had to separate: the two on the outside had to criss-cross while the middle girl had to stop and wait until the two came back, crisscrossed again, until she could walk forward and make her pose. Then she would walk back to the outer two now waiting for her and all three would walk out together. Sounds a bit complicated, but really, if you remembered where your spot was, you'd be fine. The girls did pretty well with Miss J, but when it came time to the real deal on a runway, featuring prom, for the highschool students, the girls missed their spots and kept running into each other. One of the girls, Sarah, actually had her breasts hanging out of one of her dresses and made absolutely no move to cover herself. She said later that she wasn't going to let that get in her way of doing a good job. Well, that's all fine and dandy except that she was doing this for highschoolers and that is so inappropriate for that kind of setting.
The actual photo shoot also took place at the highschool. The girls were given a highschool cliche, some of which included the nerd, the cheerleader, the weird one, the class clown, etc. This is what I love most about the show, the photo shoots. They are always so beautiful and I absolutely love makeup. Some of the girls like Jael, who I like more and more each week, and Jaslene and Brittany are starting to shine and some of the girls aren't, like Renne, who I'm disliking the more I hear her speak, because all she does is complain and blame anything but herself for a bad walk or a bad photo shoot, and Samantha and Natasha, who were the bottom two this week. They both have beautiful faces but no personality. In the end, Tyra thought Samantha just needed more time and she was sent home.
I think next week is the week for the makeovers, and I can't wait for that episode!
Friday, March 2, 2007
Society's Need for a Queer Solution
This essay was about how far we've come in accepting homosexuality. Even though we'd like to think we've come along way in doing so, it seems that we still have a ways to go. We're still trying to figure out where our sexual identities come from. There are a couple of different views that try to answer the "why" people are homosexual, the essentialist interpretation and the constructionist interpretation. It's the whole nature vs nurture argument, were you born with it or were you fashioned that way in your lifetime?
Essentialists believe that identity is natural, that people are born as homosexuals. I have to mention pyschoneuroendocrinology, because not only is is a ridiculously long word that I can pronounce (^_^), but scientists dealing with this area believe that attraction for the opposite sex is due to biological factors, like genes and whatnot. Constructionists believe that identity is changeable and totally culture-dependent. According to Micheal Foucault, a constructionist, homosexuality wasn't even a term until 1870. Now it's not only existing as just a behavior, it's been created into a label, a definition of who you are.
I could go on about characteristics and gender roles but the identity theories strike me as the most interesting. I don't know, I'm just sick of people treating homosexuals as a whole different species, that heterosexuals are superior and normal and should look down upon all others. I'm not really sure if people are born with it or if they sort of develop feelings for the same sex because there is evidence for both sides. I think we should just accept people for who they are, no matter their sexual preference, it's nobody's business anyway. I used to believe that heterosexual was the only way to go, but as I've grown I've learned that homosexuals are not dirty sinful people just because they have a different "identity." It's so narrow-minded to think that and I wish we really could accept homosexuality as another norm in society and on television.
Essentialists believe that identity is natural, that people are born as homosexuals. I have to mention pyschoneuroendocrinology, because not only is is a ridiculously long word that I can pronounce (^_^), but scientists dealing with this area believe that attraction for the opposite sex is due to biological factors, like genes and whatnot. Constructionists believe that identity is changeable and totally culture-dependent. According to Micheal Foucault, a constructionist, homosexuality wasn't even a term until 1870. Now it's not only existing as just a behavior, it's been created into a label, a definition of who you are.
I could go on about characteristics and gender roles but the identity theories strike me as the most interesting. I don't know, I'm just sick of people treating homosexuals as a whole different species, that heterosexuals are superior and normal and should look down upon all others. I'm not really sure if people are born with it or if they sort of develop feelings for the same sex because there is evidence for both sides. I think we should just accept people for who they are, no matter their sexual preference, it's nobody's business anyway. I used to believe that heterosexual was the only way to go, but as I've grown I've learned that homosexuals are not dirty sinful people just because they have a different "identity." It's so narrow-minded to think that and I wish we really could accept homosexuality as another norm in society and on television.
You Wanna be on Top?
Alright, first off, my title is not referring to doing anything sexual...haha, and if any of you have ever watched America's Next Top model, you would know what I'm talking about. Secondly, I'm got over a nasty cold which (thank the Lord) has only lasted a couple days and is starting to deteriorate. Hooray for me. For any others out there that are sick, I salute you and wish you luck. On to the show! I was so excited to hear it was coming back, it's been too long without my ANTM.
I like this show because it is all about high fashion and beautiful makeup, and even though I will never in my dreams be 5'10'' and a size two, I can really respect some of these girls. Some may have the preconceived notion that modeling is "so easy" and that anyone can do it. Well, let me tell you that I was one of those people, but after watching so many seasons of ANTM, I don't think I'd be cut out for it at all. You have to have a right look, height, size, know your angles for your pictures, know how to speak professionally and eloquently, know how to walk, know your fashion industries, magazines, photographers, other models, top notch designers, etc. One of the most important things is that they have to be able to pose beautifully and give 110% even if they are really sick. Girls have been sent home, because they didn't do their photo shoot for that week, because they didn't feel well. But you know, girls have been scolded for "going to far and not knowing your limits." Perfect examples of both, last season Monique was sent home, because she had a fever and didn't take any pictures, but then Tyra reprimanded Caridee when they did a shoot in a freezing cold pool, because Caridee's body basically started going into hypothermia and it was only after she couldn't feel her body anymore that she said anything. However, if she had said something before I can guarentee that the judges would have been like you have to work in certain extreme conditions sometimes blah, blah blah, it comes with the job...so it's really a lose, lose situation.
Anyway, not much happened in this episode, it was just the two-hour season premiere and in the first hour they pick the 13 girls that will compete for the title of America's Next Top Model. There was a twist to this season, though, because two plus-size models auditioned, and what do you know? They both made it. I think it's pretty cool and these girls are beautiful, they're just a bigger size. Kathleen was sent home (the girl with the big hair), because she couldn't get it together and she was very lost. I guess I should mention Jael and Renee. Jael is the type of person who tries to make friends with everyone but is not fake about it, that's just how she is. Renee is the type of person who has to pick on people and pick fights. Maybe she feels guilty about leaving her husband and son behind to do this like Jael said. She has more to lose than those without a family. I liked Renee at first, but now I think I'm going to start to really dislike her in episodes to come. She seems like such a snob and she criticized Jael and Sarah when they each won one of the challenges. She said, "Well, they only won because...," with some other lame excuse. She irritates me. For the most part I do think this show is real. Some may try to act, but in general, I'd say it's pretty real. I don't think it's reality, though, because just look around campus and see how many extremely beautiful, tall, and thin girls you see walking about.
I like this show because it is all about high fashion and beautiful makeup, and even though I will never in my dreams be 5'10'' and a size two, I can really respect some of these girls. Some may have the preconceived notion that modeling is "so easy" and that anyone can do it. Well, let me tell you that I was one of those people, but after watching so many seasons of ANTM, I don't think I'd be cut out for it at all. You have to have a right look, height, size, know your angles for your pictures, know how to speak professionally and eloquently, know how to walk, know your fashion industries, magazines, photographers, other models, top notch designers, etc. One of the most important things is that they have to be able to pose beautifully and give 110% even if they are really sick. Girls have been sent home, because they didn't do their photo shoot for that week, because they didn't feel well. But you know, girls have been scolded for "going to far and not knowing your limits." Perfect examples of both, last season Monique was sent home, because she had a fever and didn't take any pictures, but then Tyra reprimanded Caridee when they did a shoot in a freezing cold pool, because Caridee's body basically started going into hypothermia and it was only after she couldn't feel her body anymore that she said anything. However, if she had said something before I can guarentee that the judges would have been like you have to work in certain extreme conditions sometimes blah, blah blah, it comes with the job...so it's really a lose, lose situation.
Anyway, not much happened in this episode, it was just the two-hour season premiere and in the first hour they pick the 13 girls that will compete for the title of America's Next Top Model. There was a twist to this season, though, because two plus-size models auditioned, and what do you know? They both made it. I think it's pretty cool and these girls are beautiful, they're just a bigger size. Kathleen was sent home (the girl with the big hair), because she couldn't get it together and she was very lost. I guess I should mention Jael and Renee. Jael is the type of person who tries to make friends with everyone but is not fake about it, that's just how she is. Renee is the type of person who has to pick on people and pick fights. Maybe she feels guilty about leaving her husband and son behind to do this like Jael said. She has more to lose than those without a family. I liked Renee at first, but now I think I'm going to start to really dislike her in episodes to come. She seems like such a snob and she criticized Jael and Sarah when they each won one of the challenges. She said, "Well, they only won because...," with some other lame excuse. She irritates me. For the most part I do think this show is real. Some may try to act, but in general, I'd say it's pretty real. I don't think it's reality, though, because just look around campus and see how many extremely beautiful, tall, and thin girls you see walking about.
Thursday, February 22, 2007
Lost
So while my cousin and I were working out last night, we turned on Lost. I love this show. Remember Ben? The leader of the "Others?" Well, his stitches are infected and he needs a doctor...again. Who's the only competent doctor available? Why good old Jack, of course. I love how this big shot is dependent on someone who despises him. And yet, Jack is always trying to fix something or someone. He just can't refuse, because that's the kind of person he is. That's what I like about him, that even though his meddling in other peoples' affairs usually gets him in some kind of trouble, he still wants to help. He really cares about people.
This episode was about how Jack needs to take care of Ben and the only way he's going to do that, is if Juliete (another of the Others that helped Kate and Sawyer get off the island) is set free and will not be executed. It also went to his story in the past. He was vacationing in some tropical place, and he meets a woman, Achara. They get together, hang out, sleep together, the whole enchilada. Well, one night he decides to follow her to work...don't ask my why, for I have no idea either. Well, she leads him to what looks like a tattoo parlor. He goes inside and she's not happy to see him. When he asks what this place is, she says her work is NOT decoration (she was quite adamant about that). She said she can see who people really are, and she marks them. We're just meeting people with all sorts of crazy abilities. Anyway, Jack asks her to tell him who he is, and she gets really upset and doesn't want to tell him. Finally, she succumbs to his forceful questioning and tells him that he is a born leader and a great man. However, because of this, he is a loner and that makes him frightened and angry. It must have been right on by the look on his face and I thought it was true too. Then he wanted the mark for it, and she told him there will be consequences, and he replies that there always are. His mark, which looked extremely painful to put on (it looked like it was a chip and block sort of manner), said "He walks among us, but is not one of us." Jack says later to one of the others that can read that language, that that is what it says, but not what it means.
Hopefully, what he thinks it means can be cleared up in a later episode. I also thought it curious that on the island he had another part to his marking above the message that he didn't have when Achara marked him on his vacation. It will be interesting to see his story progress. Also, I can't wait to see what happens with Kate and Sawyer, because while they were prisoners, Kate slept with him, because she thought they were going to die, and now she feels guilty about it, especially after leaving Jack behind. They've had a love triangle going on for some time now, but Kate seems to be more leaning towards Sawyer lately, but she just can't seem to let Jack go. There always has to be a love triangle in a drama. If there wasn't, it just wouldn't be the same.
This episode was about how Jack needs to take care of Ben and the only way he's going to do that, is if Juliete (another of the Others that helped Kate and Sawyer get off the island) is set free and will not be executed. It also went to his story in the past. He was vacationing in some tropical place, and he meets a woman, Achara. They get together, hang out, sleep together, the whole enchilada. Well, one night he decides to follow her to work...don't ask my why, for I have no idea either. Well, she leads him to what looks like a tattoo parlor. He goes inside and she's not happy to see him. When he asks what this place is, she says her work is NOT decoration (she was quite adamant about that). She said she can see who people really are, and she marks them. We're just meeting people with all sorts of crazy abilities. Anyway, Jack asks her to tell him who he is, and she gets really upset and doesn't want to tell him. Finally, she succumbs to his forceful questioning and tells him that he is a born leader and a great man. However, because of this, he is a loner and that makes him frightened and angry. It must have been right on by the look on his face and I thought it was true too. Then he wanted the mark for it, and she told him there will be consequences, and he replies that there always are. His mark, which looked extremely painful to put on (it looked like it was a chip and block sort of manner), said "He walks among us, but is not one of us." Jack says later to one of the others that can read that language, that that is what it says, but not what it means.
Hopefully, what he thinks it means can be cleared up in a later episode. I also thought it curious that on the island he had another part to his marking above the message that he didn't have when Achara marked him on his vacation. It will be interesting to see his story progress. Also, I can't wait to see what happens with Kate and Sawyer, because while they were prisoners, Kate slept with him, because she thought they were going to die, and now she feels guilty about it, especially after leaving Jack behind. They've had a love triangle going on for some time now, but Kate seems to be more leaning towards Sawyer lately, but she just can't seem to let Jack go. There always has to be a love triangle in a drama. If there wasn't, it just wouldn't be the same.
Thursday, February 15, 2007
Lost
So Lost last night was pretty disappointing. (Yeah, I'm just now getting to a computer...) I thought the episode coming up next week was going to be last night's. I mean, it wasn't bad or anything, but it wasn't the best I've seen. It was all about Desmond and what happened to him in the hatch. There was a bit about Charlie, but mostly just Desmond.
Anyway, when the hatch blew up, Desmond was sent back in time or something to when he was with his girlfriend, Penny. Well, he thinks he's going crazy, because he keeps getting deja vu and keeps getting flash backs about the island and the hatch where he has to press the button. Near the end, he decides he's going to propose to Penny and goes to the jewelers. The saleswoman gets out the "perfect" ring and he says he'll take it. The crazy lady tells him no, that he has to have second thoughts and leave the store. Now if that had been me, I probably would have left, but gone to a different store. He can't figure out why she won't sell it to him until she says a bunch of stuff about the future like he's going to break Penny's heart, enter a boat contest (because Penny's father said he wasn't good enough for her, so he wants to prove him wrong), get shipwrecked, and find the hatch. It was really weird. Anyways, he winds up telling Penny he can't be with her anymore and he falls and is "taken back" to the island. Now he has some psychic ability and you find out he's been helping Charlie, because he's going to die...Yeah, so wasn't expecting that one. I've gone back and forth about liking Charlie. Sometimes I really like him, but other times he really frustrates me, but still, I'd rather he not die.
Like I said, it wasn't that great an episode and next week's looks much more promising. I like it more when they have a few characters' stories going at once, because they can leave it at a cliffhanger, but still get back to it in the same episode.
Anyway, when the hatch blew up, Desmond was sent back in time or something to when he was with his girlfriend, Penny. Well, he thinks he's going crazy, because he keeps getting deja vu and keeps getting flash backs about the island and the hatch where he has to press the button. Near the end, he decides he's going to propose to Penny and goes to the jewelers. The saleswoman gets out the "perfect" ring and he says he'll take it. The crazy lady tells him no, that he has to have second thoughts and leave the store. Now if that had been me, I probably would have left, but gone to a different store. He can't figure out why she won't sell it to him until she says a bunch of stuff about the future like he's going to break Penny's heart, enter a boat contest (because Penny's father said he wasn't good enough for her, so he wants to prove him wrong), get shipwrecked, and find the hatch. It was really weird. Anyways, he winds up telling Penny he can't be with her anymore and he falls and is "taken back" to the island. Now he has some psychic ability and you find out he's been helping Charlie, because he's going to die...Yeah, so wasn't expecting that one. I've gone back and forth about liking Charlie. Sometimes I really like him, but other times he really frustrates me, but still, I'd rather he not die.
Like I said, it wasn't that great an episode and next week's looks much more promising. I like it more when they have a few characters' stories going at once, because they can leave it at a cliffhanger, but still get back to it in the same episode.
Thursday, February 8, 2007
First Essay
When I heard this essay was going to be an "adobiography," I was, at first, intruiged and then it kind of faded. I think I'm just sick of all the ads out there telling me how to live my life. Plus, the fact that I get bored very easily probably didn't help any. Ads are tedious too. However, it was an interesting take for an essay and I had never done anything like this before, so that made it better.
I always have problems with word flow. I always have too much to say, but I just can't say it right. I guess it was a bit hard to find ads that really spoke to me and stood out as well. I also felt rushed when we had the peer conference day. It was hard to read both essays, correct them, write comments about the essay, and try to talk about it. My group didn't get around to talking much, but they had some good comments and corrections. But, all in all, I think this essay was fairly easy and we had plenty of time to work on it and get it right.
I always have problems with word flow. I always have too much to say, but I just can't say it right. I guess it was a bit hard to find ads that really spoke to me and stood out as well. I also felt rushed when we had the peer conference day. It was hard to read both essays, correct them, write comments about the essay, and try to talk about it. My group didn't get around to talking much, but they had some good comments and corrections. But, all in all, I think this essay was fairly easy and we had plenty of time to work on it and get it right.
LOST
Yay, I got to watch Lost last night! That show is amazing. You know, if you don't watch the show from the beginning you're just that: Lost. I think that's kind of ironic. Anyways, this was the season premiere of the fourth season, but I found out that it's kind of still the third season, because the third season was only like eight episodes. Lost? Yeah, everyone pretty much is with this show, but you can't help but get involved with it. Well, unless you've never watched and it and don't really care...
Anywho, the episode started off with a bang. Jack tells Kate and Sawyer to find a way to get back to their friends. He's doing surgery on the Other's leader, Ben, but he made a slit in his kidney that will kill him in exactly one hour unless his friends get away safely. The Others are the bad guys that keep capturing people from "Jack's clan." Four seasons later, it's finally explained why they did so: so Jack, who is a spinal doctor, could remove a tumor from Ben's spine. Yeah, so basically, it goes back and forth from Kate and Sawyer escaping, to being found again, to being let go. I can't even explain anything really, because I'd have to start from the very first episode, that's how crazy this show is. You have to keep up or it's just too confusing. Well, at the end of the show, Kate and Sawyer get help from this girl who turns out to be Ben's daughter (dun dun dun). She gives them her boat and Jack makes Kate promise she won't come back for him. So they sail to the other island and Jack is left behind.
You know, the first time I watched this show, I didn't get into it, because it wasn't the first episode, so I just have to say to anyone who reads this, if you haven't, watch the first couple of episodes and I'm sure it will strike your fancy in some way.
Anywho, the episode started off with a bang. Jack tells Kate and Sawyer to find a way to get back to their friends. He's doing surgery on the Other's leader, Ben, but he made a slit in his kidney that will kill him in exactly one hour unless his friends get away safely. The Others are the bad guys that keep capturing people from "Jack's clan." Four seasons later, it's finally explained why they did so: so Jack, who is a spinal doctor, could remove a tumor from Ben's spine. Yeah, so basically, it goes back and forth from Kate and Sawyer escaping, to being found again, to being let go. I can't even explain anything really, because I'd have to start from the very first episode, that's how crazy this show is. You have to keep up or it's just too confusing. Well, at the end of the show, Kate and Sawyer get help from this girl who turns out to be Ben's daughter (dun dun dun). She gives them her boat and Jack makes Kate promise she won't come back for him. So they sail to the other island and Jack is left behind.
You know, the first time I watched this show, I didn't get into it, because it wasn't the first episode, so I just have to say to anyone who reads this, if you haven't, watch the first couple of episodes and I'm sure it will strike your fancy in some way.
Friday, February 2, 2007
Reading and Writing About Images
I really liked this essay, and not just because it was short with lots of pictures (I'm a total picaholic), but because of how true it was. A picture really does speak a thousand words. The essay was right, though, in that most people usually don't look twice at a picture to give it some good, hard thought. It made me laugh when it said, "we urge you to analyze all images," because it's pretty sad when we need to be told to look deeper at things.
The essay gave some pairs of pictures to analyze and compare. My two favorite were John Wayne next to Jackie Chan and the arquitectural comparisons. When I think of John Wane, three words come to mind: cool, calm, and collected. He's a very confident individual, or at least in the movies. He was a true cowboy and boy, could he use that gun of his. When I think of Jackie Chan, I think of comedy, and I'm ready to have a good laugh. He just looks absurd in a cowboy hat, pretending to hold a gun. It just tops it off that he has a huge goofy grin on his face, holding up his award.
When I saw the columns the first thing I noticed was, of course, how they differed in looks. The bottom one triumphs hands down with it's beauty. It's very modern and very clean, while the other is shabby and run down. However, the essay asks us to look past first impressions and really give it some second thought. Now I love arquitecture, so looking at the top colums again, I can't help but respect the people back then for building this amazing place that's held together quite nicely for how old it looks. It stands just fine on it's own. That run down place represents culture and history. The bottom one, to me, represents how far we've come. Also, that we recreate things out of respect for the things that used to look like how it looks now.
I thought all the comparisons told a story and it was pretty cool looking more in depth at them, but those were my favorites.
The essay gave some pairs of pictures to analyze and compare. My two favorite were John Wayne next to Jackie Chan and the arquitectural comparisons. When I think of John Wane, three words come to mind: cool, calm, and collected. He's a very confident individual, or at least in the movies. He was a true cowboy and boy, could he use that gun of his. When I think of Jackie Chan, I think of comedy, and I'm ready to have a good laugh. He just looks absurd in a cowboy hat, pretending to hold a gun. It just tops it off that he has a huge goofy grin on his face, holding up his award.
When I saw the columns the first thing I noticed was, of course, how they differed in looks. The bottom one triumphs hands down with it's beauty. It's very modern and very clean, while the other is shabby and run down. However, the essay asks us to look past first impressions and really give it some second thought. Now I love arquitecture, so looking at the top colums again, I can't help but respect the people back then for building this amazing place that's held together quite nicely for how old it looks. It stands just fine on it's own. That run down place represents culture and history. The bottom one, to me, represents how far we've come. Also, that we recreate things out of respect for the things that used to look like how it looks now.
I thought all the comparisons told a story and it was pretty cool looking more in depth at them, but those were my favorites.
Thursday, February 1, 2007
Paradise Lost
I watched the King of Queens this time around and I have to say, I could easily get addicted to this show. Doug and Carrie Heffernan are ridiculously funny together. They're so mean to each other sometimes, but in the end, it always works out. It's like no matter how mad at each other they are or how much they have to go through, they can make it work. They just make it more amusing with sarcasm and spite.
So tonight's episode was about how Doug surprised Carrie with a trip to a cute little hotel for a weekend getaway. It was going to be the most romantic and relaxing trip ever. Or so they thought. They get to the hotel and the first thing you notice are a bunch of cats all over the place. Then the hotel owner comes out and she is an older woman. Now I don't know about you, but an old big house with a little old lady and a bunch of cats just screams cheesy horror flick to me...Anyways, they sign in and go up to their room, which is very cozy and snug. They open the bathroom and low and behold, there is an old man washing in the tub. The owner comes in and starts yelling at the man who turns out to be her husband. Alright, right then and there I would have left the place, seriously, that is so wrong. But they decide to stick it out. So they go down to dinner and find out they are the only ones at the hotel because of a bigger hotel over yonder came into business, one with a spa and suites. Later that night, Carrie gets Doug to pack up their stuff and try to sneak out. Well, one of the cats had grown attached to Doug and followed them. When the owners came looking for the cat, Doug and Carrie made a run for it. Doug fell in a ditch thing and Carrie just kept on going, leaving him there. So Doug grabs the cat to make it look like he had found it. So he has to go back with the creepy couple and it jumps to a scene of Carrie dancing with a couple of guys at a club at the hotel with a nice drink in her hand. Yeah, it was funny, but at the same time, I was getting irritated. I mean, who seriously ditches the love of their life just so they could be in a fancier place. That just made her out to be a total you know what. The next day she comes back in her club get up and wants him to come to the hotel. Doug said no, that he was going to stick it out at the old hotel. I respected that, because he planned this weekend to be perfect for the woman he loved and it seemed like it wasn't good enough. Well, of course they work it out and everyone's happy again. I don't know, if that had been me, I would be pissed for awhile and would seriously consider marriage counseling to get some priorities straight.
So tonight's episode was about how Doug surprised Carrie with a trip to a cute little hotel for a weekend getaway. It was going to be the most romantic and relaxing trip ever. Or so they thought. They get to the hotel and the first thing you notice are a bunch of cats all over the place. Then the hotel owner comes out and she is an older woman. Now I don't know about you, but an old big house with a little old lady and a bunch of cats just screams cheesy horror flick to me...Anyways, they sign in and go up to their room, which is very cozy and snug. They open the bathroom and low and behold, there is an old man washing in the tub. The owner comes in and starts yelling at the man who turns out to be her husband. Alright, right then and there I would have left the place, seriously, that is so wrong. But they decide to stick it out. So they go down to dinner and find out they are the only ones at the hotel because of a bigger hotel over yonder came into business, one with a spa and suites. Later that night, Carrie gets Doug to pack up their stuff and try to sneak out. Well, one of the cats had grown attached to Doug and followed them. When the owners came looking for the cat, Doug and Carrie made a run for it. Doug fell in a ditch thing and Carrie just kept on going, leaving him there. So Doug grabs the cat to make it look like he had found it. So he has to go back with the creepy couple and it jumps to a scene of Carrie dancing with a couple of guys at a club at the hotel with a nice drink in her hand. Yeah, it was funny, but at the same time, I was getting irritated. I mean, who seriously ditches the love of their life just so they could be in a fancier place. That just made her out to be a total you know what. The next day she comes back in her club get up and wants him to come to the hotel. Doug said no, that he was going to stick it out at the old hotel. I respected that, because he planned this weekend to be perfect for the woman he loved and it seemed like it wasn't good enough. Well, of course they work it out and everyone's happy again. I don't know, if that had been me, I would be pissed for awhile and would seriously consider marriage counseling to get some priorities straight.
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Family Crisis
So I have a really hard time about watching a consistent show, because honestly, I hardly watch t.v. I like the show House, but don't know when it comes on and I know someone else is going to write about it and I also like Lost, but again, don't know when it comes on. Hopefully I can find something. I do like My Wife and Kids, which is what I watched tonight.
Meet the Kyles: Micheal (dad), Jay (mom), and their children Junior, Claire, and Kady. I just really enjoy they way they portray a family. They are all so sassy, loving, and funny. And you know it's going to be funny with Damon Wayans as the head of the house. I mean, come on, he's hilarious. Anyway, this episode was about Micheal and Jay, getting fed up with the two eldest, Junior and Claire, fighting with each other day and night. They fight about everything, from who gets the juice in the morning, to who's the "stupidest" and so on and so on. Dad finally gets fed up with his bickering children after they fightt over a wallet they find outside, and decides to hold a court session.
Junior was given Kady and her "boyfriend," Franklin as his lawyers, while Claire was given her mother. The witnesses were Junior's girlfriend, Vanessa, and Claire's boyfriend, Tony. Now Franklin and Kady can't be more than 7 or 8 and it was just comical seeing them play actually pretty decent lawyers. Especially Franklin, who knew alot of the court words and whatnot. Lots of cuteness. Anyway, in the end, Micheal sets it straight saying Claire and Junior worked as a team to get that wallet and so should do that more often. He alsoclaims the money from the wallet, but tells the family and significant others that he will treat them to a nice meal.
I thought it was a really cute episode and like I said, I love the homey and loving feel, although sometimes a bit sarcastic, that their family gives off. However, I was wondering about the wallet. It didn't have any ID in it at all? Wouldn't you take it the police station to report it...? I would think that would be the right thing to do. I personally wouldn't feel comfortable taking someone else's money, just because it happened to be by my house. But maybe that's just me.
Meet the Kyles: Micheal (dad), Jay (mom), and their children Junior, Claire, and Kady. I just really enjoy they way they portray a family. They are all so sassy, loving, and funny. And you know it's going to be funny with Damon Wayans as the head of the house. I mean, come on, he's hilarious. Anyway, this episode was about Micheal and Jay, getting fed up with the two eldest, Junior and Claire, fighting with each other day and night. They fight about everything, from who gets the juice in the morning, to who's the "stupidest" and so on and so on. Dad finally gets fed up with his bickering children after they fightt over a wallet they find outside, and decides to hold a court session.
Junior was given Kady and her "boyfriend," Franklin as his lawyers, while Claire was given her mother. The witnesses were Junior's girlfriend, Vanessa, and Claire's boyfriend, Tony. Now Franklin and Kady can't be more than 7 or 8 and it was just comical seeing them play actually pretty decent lawyers. Especially Franklin, who knew alot of the court words and whatnot. Lots of cuteness. Anyway, in the end, Micheal sets it straight saying Claire and Junior worked as a team to get that wallet and so should do that more often. He alsoclaims the money from the wallet, but tells the family and significant others that he will treat them to a nice meal.
I thought it was a really cute episode and like I said, I love the homey and loving feel, although sometimes a bit sarcastic, that their family gives off. However, I was wondering about the wallet. It didn't have any ID in it at all? Wouldn't you take it the police station to report it...? I would think that would be the right thing to do. I personally wouldn't feel comfortable taking someone else's money, just because it happened to be by my house. But maybe that's just me.
Friday, January 19, 2007
Closure
I read the comic essay last week on accident and reading it a second time gave me a better understanding. Like the "guy" said, closure is in all of our lives and happens every single day. Much of the time we don't even realize we are closing something.
I love psychology so this for me was pretty fascinating, because closure is what our mind does automatically when something is incomplete. A good example, I thought, was when the word CLOSURE was copied vertically about six or seven times and excluding the top version, all the rest were broken and disconnected, but because it resembled the word, your mind just fills in the blanks to complete the word. Another good example for me was the supposed murder plot. There was a man running away from another man with an ax raised and ready to swing. In the next frame, we see the top of the city and the night sky with the cry, "EEYAAA," or something of that nature. I hadn't even realized that I had created a scene of the man with the ax cutting off the other's head as he bellowed "eeyaa." But then the author said that was because of closure, it really got me thinking. I asked myself why I hadn't thought of any other scenarios, the ax could have hit the other man in any place or simply missed, or maybe hadn't even been swung at all, but until he explained why I did that, the scenario I made was the only way he could have died. Pretty crazy stuff, eh?
I hope I worded that fine haha, and you're not all asking yourselves what the hell I was trying to talk about ^_~
I love psychology so this for me was pretty fascinating, because closure is what our mind does automatically when something is incomplete. A good example, I thought, was when the word CLOSURE was copied vertically about six or seven times and excluding the top version, all the rest were broken and disconnected, but because it resembled the word, your mind just fills in the blanks to complete the word. Another good example for me was the supposed murder plot. There was a man running away from another man with an ax raised and ready to swing. In the next frame, we see the top of the city and the night sky with the cry, "EEYAAA," or something of that nature. I hadn't even realized that I had created a scene of the man with the ax cutting off the other's head as he bellowed "eeyaa." But then the author said that was because of closure, it really got me thinking. I asked myself why I hadn't thought of any other scenarios, the ax could have hit the other man in any place or simply missed, or maybe hadn't even been swung at all, but until he explained why I did that, the scenario I made was the only way he could have died. Pretty crazy stuff, eh?
I hope I worded that fine haha, and you're not all asking yourselves what the hell I was trying to talk about ^_~
Thursday, January 18, 2007
Bad Parenting
Okay, so I just watched Dr. Phil, and I have to say that it still amazes me how unobservant and imperceptive people can be. Now I don't watch T.V. much, and for the past couple days I've been trying to figure out a show to watch for this assignment and it has been driving me up the wall. Perhaps next week I'll start watching House again, but I digress. I've watched a few episodes of Dr. Phil and usually they don't strike me as particularly riveting. This episode, however, was about women who, despite words of caution from family, choose the wrong sort of man to marry. I'm only going to talk about the first one, because it meant more to me. The second one was about a woman who only married men in jail...but this one, I think, will shock quite a few.
A woman is married to a man who is not at all fit to take care of a family. He has kicked her out of the house on several occasions and she has left with her three children on her own a few times as well. Don't ask me why she kept coming back...anyways, not only has the husband plead guilty for animal abuse, he plead guilty of child abuse and neglect as well. Their youngest son was playing with lighter fluid one night and caught on fire. The father put a blanket around him, put out the fire and put him to bed. The child's school found the burns a couple days later and sent him to the hospital. He had first, second, and third degree burns...needless to say, all three children were taken away and the mother's parents were given full custody.
As I was watching this, I really couldn't believe what I was listening too. The mother and father were both such stupid people. They kept denying everything and when Dr. Phil had legal documents against the father, he was like oh, yeah. And everything they said kept coming back to, "well my wife's mother just doesn't want me with her and everything she says about me is ludicrous." I wanted to be on that stage and give him a good slap. Dr. Phil repeatedly told the audience of your inability to take care of children and all you can do is point the finger at your mother-in-law? His wife was even stupider. Her mom was saying that her daughter is so smart and she could do so much better, but through the show I came to the conclusion that she doesn't know what the hell she's talking about either. Her own mother is sacrificing all her time and money to raise 3 children and she said that her mom only does it for the money, that all her parents ever think about is money. Um, no, they only get $260 from them a month...now I don't know about you, but I don't think that's enough to raise three children with. It just made me cringe, because Dr. Phil caught them with every lie and the wife really made me sick how she was basically silent the whole time and only opened her mouth to bad talk her mom and to say how great a dad her husband is.
You know, to me, a good mother cherishes the welfare of her children above all else and that they should get the best that that mother can give them. I know that woman knows her husband is an inadequate father, so listening to her really made me wonder how much she values her children.
I agreed whole-heartedly with what Dr. Phil told the father. He told him that he needs to stop insulting the people taking care of his children and stop asking when he can have them back, but he needs to ask what is wrong with him that he needs to change.
This is just one of many cases of abuse and neglect in the world. It really gets to me when I hear of things like this and the parents still insist that they are the best things for who's supposed to be the most precious thing to them. They're supposed to take very good care of and protect the people and things you hold dear, even if from them.
A woman is married to a man who is not at all fit to take care of a family. He has kicked her out of the house on several occasions and she has left with her three children on her own a few times as well. Don't ask me why she kept coming back...anyways, not only has the husband plead guilty for animal abuse, he plead guilty of child abuse and neglect as well. Their youngest son was playing with lighter fluid one night and caught on fire. The father put a blanket around him, put out the fire and put him to bed. The child's school found the burns a couple days later and sent him to the hospital. He had first, second, and third degree burns...needless to say, all three children were taken away and the mother's parents were given full custody.
As I was watching this, I really couldn't believe what I was listening too. The mother and father were both such stupid people. They kept denying everything and when Dr. Phil had legal documents against the father, he was like oh, yeah. And everything they said kept coming back to, "well my wife's mother just doesn't want me with her and everything she says about me is ludicrous." I wanted to be on that stage and give him a good slap. Dr. Phil repeatedly told the audience of your inability to take care of children and all you can do is point the finger at your mother-in-law? His wife was even stupider. Her mom was saying that her daughter is so smart and she could do so much better, but through the show I came to the conclusion that she doesn't know what the hell she's talking about either. Her own mother is sacrificing all her time and money to raise 3 children and she said that her mom only does it for the money, that all her parents ever think about is money. Um, no, they only get $260 from them a month...now I don't know about you, but I don't think that's enough to raise three children with. It just made me cringe, because Dr. Phil caught them with every lie and the wife really made me sick how she was basically silent the whole time and only opened her mouth to bad talk her mom and to say how great a dad her husband is.
You know, to me, a good mother cherishes the welfare of her children above all else and that they should get the best that that mother can give them. I know that woman knows her husband is an inadequate father, so listening to her really made me wonder how much she values her children.
I agreed whole-heartedly with what Dr. Phil told the father. He told him that he needs to stop insulting the people taking care of his children and stop asking when he can have them back, but he needs to ask what is wrong with him that he needs to change.
This is just one of many cases of abuse and neglect in the world. It really gets to me when I hear of things like this and the parents still insist that they are the best things for who's supposed to be the most precious thing to them. They're supposed to take very good care of and protect the people and things you hold dear, even if from them.
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