Public transportation is a means of getting around, you may see some of the same business people each day, see the same homeless person in the station or train hoping, but its not like you personally know them. They're just people on there way somewhere, right?

After a long day at work your energy is low, you're worn out, you crave the comforts of home, you want to escape the work world, and you just want to get through the commute and be able to relax. Right?

This gentleman reminded me of my father; in a business attire outfit of a suit and tie - appearance in the eyes of looking stressed and worn to the bone. I thought of him as a family man, married and has a kid or two. Working a job that maybe he doesn't get all the appreciation and recognition the he may deserve. Yet then I also thought of him as a working man who is trying to support his family after a job lose and now in a new job.
My main thoughts and feelings toward him as I saw his body language and his appearance was that he was indeed a married family man with children. For his day to day routine, working, leaving early in the morning when the sun rises and leaving work late. During work the worry fills his mind of if he will have this job tomorrow, if his pay check will pay the bills. During his commute in the morning he thinks of meetings he may have and of tasks he needs to accomplish today at the office. During his commute home at night he thinks of his finished day and what work he may need to do at home. Once home after work days, he relaxes with his family, eats dinner maybe at the dinner table or maybe in an office because his work load is overwhelming. This is the man on the bus.
When you take a break in your commute and just look at the people around you, they could be just be like this man. A worker and a family man; trying to do both 110 percent.

Blog Post #8

In a Station of the Metro

The apparition of these faces in the crowd;
Petals on a wet, black bough.

- Ezra Pound


For this post I want you to create a life! Observe someone on the train or bus and create a back story for the person. Describe them to us in detail and then tell us about them! What do they do for a living? Are they married? Single? Do they have kids? What are their hobbies? Did they go to college? What was their major? Go wild.

Due next Friday. 250 Words or more.

Remember to post on one other blog for full credit!

Long Livee the King

Crystal Jackson

The art review that I looked at was a play that opened this past week about king Berenger in this article the author is talking about how this story has been done so many times that it is hard to find a believable vision of it. He says that this version is more of a comedy than it is a long drawn out play about a character that often is prorated as scary. The author mentions that you will not be leaving the theater with nightmares of a boogeyman like character. This play gives a new fill to the story of the last hours of his life. He goes back to version of the play that was done in 1960 and how it was a lot different from the newer one. He says that it will be a fresh take on the play since it has not been seen in theater for over four decades. I think the audience will be people who are familiar with the story of King Beranger and who are fans of the comedy. The author of the article voice is a little sarcastic and humorous when speaking of the expectations of this piece The pictures in the piece are creepy they would make me want to see the play because it looks like it would be interesting and would hold my attention . I like to see things like that. I think that the authors over all perception of the piece is a little stand offish you cannot really tell if he is for or against the art.

No Smooth Ride on TV Networks’ Road to Diversity

The piece of art that I viewed was the mural of David Alan Grier, host of “Chocolate News" from the New York Times. That he was featured in after the election of the first African-American U.S. President. This mural represented that there should be more cable shows that minorities can have a lead in. So television was being looked at something racial for the future. However, CNN and Comedy central had already started to have shows that included black minorities. Cable networks are renewing their shows such as “Everybody hates Chris” and “The Game”. I have seen this change and probably this mural showed everybody in the TV business that there should be shows that include Africa-Americans and their culture. And it is true because you see shows like “Gossip Girl” airing and getting reviews from the audience. It looks like it’s competitive with other ethnic shows. But there should be diversity in all cable shows.

The Age of "Business Art"

The article I chose was off of slate.com, titled The New Emperor of No-Brow: Is Takashi Murakami Japan's Andy Warhol—or its Walt Disney? The article talks about how Murakmi’s art is crossing over from commenting on consumer culture, to creating it. A collection of Murakmi’s art was on display at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles, which included a functional Louis Vuitton boutique right in the middle of the gallery. Murakami first started working with Louis Vuitton when he was asked to redesign Vuitton’s signature LV logo. Along with designing the logo for Vuitton merchandise, he created a series of paintings including the LV logo. Murakami has managed to make money, and fame while still living, something artists usually obtain after death. He’s turned him self into a brand. The writer compares Murakami’s art to both Warhol and Disney, as a way of analyzing and critiquing it. His style, and subject matter are similar to something Andy Warhol might have created, but Murakami lacks the irony That Warhol had. And some of the characters he has created in his artwork have similarities to Disney characters like Mickey Mouse. The writer goes into where Murakami studied, his early works, and famous works, giving insight to who the artist is. Clearly this article was written for people interested in current events and trends in art, referencing many different styles, and artists. Overall, Takashi Murakami blends styles and icons from many different times and cultures, with a style like Warhol, characters like Walt Disney, and techniques very true to Japanese art. He’s a good business man and a good artist.

"The Undecider"- Christopher Benfey

I chose Pierre Bonnard at the Met “The Undecider” simply because of the typical reason that Bonnard stated that he paints from memories that had once been bits and pieces of pictures flowing in his head and soon after become sketches. That, itself, was inspiring to read. The reviewer, Christopher Benfey, simply seemed intrigued as well by the works of art and creativity that such a person can contribute to society and to the world. Throughout the article, it seems as though the reviewer wanted to decide where Bonnard was going with his paintings. How he caused them to flow such way and where he was leading them too. I found it funny, because in the end the reviewer finally FINALLY comes forth with saying that he supposes that Bonnard was trying to get the viewers to decided for themselves while Bonnard becomes the undecider. How humbly this painter or artist can release a flow into art and yet want to stay undecided while he gives the viewers and opportunity to think for themselves. Bonnard’s paintings seemed isolated just as he was in life, yet there was someone in the room hiding. A hidden figure always discovered in the room, sends of this empty void feeling yet a feeling of hope and satisfaction. This is something Bonnard might have wanted the viewers to think to themselves if he was trying to put out emptiness of instead comfort.

Lucien Freud at MoMA-Christopher Benfey

I picked Christopher Benfey’s piece on Lucian Freud at the MoMA, featured on Slate.com.
As far as I can tell, the author’s tone on the work of Lucian Freud is a very bleak, somber one, definitely useful in portraying the artist’s talent. He describes Freud (the grandson of Sigmund) as a master of “emotionally probing portraits and candid nudes” (to quote the author), a dark and existential artiste.
He compares various stages of pieces in Freud’s work, from the personal to his most famous, his paintings of Leigh Bowery, nude. (There HAD to be a reason why I picked this article, of course.)
He does not really describe the venue itself, but more of the artist behind it, which is gratifying.
Benfey researches Freud through various galleries and books published about him.
The tone is primarily dark and, I’d say, existential. The language is as the artist’s imagery: not pretty, bleak, somewhat grotesque. It’s also somewhat subjective, but then again, most reviews are.
To me, it seems that Benfey takes time to distinguish Lucian Freud from his revered grandfather, which I as a reader and appreciator of L. Freud’s work approve of—I wouldn’t want anyone reading this to get the wrong impression of him. Benfey takes time to explain L. Freud’s technique, his views on his models, his dark background—that definitely distinguishes him as an artist. I believe that Benfey’s audience for this piece is for those who either merely thought of L. Freud as a painter of nudes, or just, well, his grandfather’s protégé.

Mapplethorpe's Polaroids

The art review that I chose to talk about is Polaroids by Robert Mapplethorpe that are currently exhibited in the Block Museum, Northwestern University until April 5th. These prints show Mapplethorpe learning to see photographically. They are presented in chronological order for the purpose of the viewer able to trace the development of Mapplethorpe’s eye. Mapplethorpe goes into an area where he attempts to do portraits. All of his portraitures are of his friends and or lovers. There is a direct audience to his work, and also to the article I had chose to read about. Mapplethorpe, being a gay artist makes a lot of his work clearly directed toward homosexuals, but also to women and blacks. The author of this piece analyzing this exhibition by exploring his use of polaroids. The author goes into detail on how some of his images represent a strong sexual charge to them, and further explains specific pieces that elaborate on this concept. This body of work is apparently his later works, that have never quite been subject of a public exhibition before. His newer bodies of work has overshadowed these that give a great idea of the photographer’s artistic development. The author does not go into much detail on where the work is being showcased, I had to look that up myself, well I already knew. This exhibition has been advertised on public transportation in Chicago, such as L stops and the L train itself. The author did do a good job on their research. The information that was presented had shown a good background of Mapplethorpe’s lifestyle. This lifestyle s very much so reflected into his work, and I’m sure the author had to look up some information on him in a biography or an autobiography. Looking further into this exhibit has gotten me very interested into seeing it, as I have been contemplating it for quite some time. Looks like I better go soon, seeing as it leaves this April!

Dear Mr Edward Munch

Chicago Build Up article starts off by explaining to the readers what we already know, what draws us to something; loneliness, obsession, lust, depression. These draw us into viewing exhibits at museums, movies, or plays. And then the article goes into saying these are what is drawing the crowds to the Art Insitute of Chicago's exhibit called "Becoming Edvard Munch: Influence, Anxiety and Myth". A exhibit of the work of Edward Munch, one of the greatest bohemians in the art world. The writer of the article goes into explaining Munch and his being known for his screaming aliens and melodramatic deceptions. And of course his loony, lonely, and ill life. The article goes into talking about the curator of the exhibit Jay A. Clarke and how Clarke sees Munch as a seeker of his own sensation and a self-promoter. Then the article goes into talking of how this showing of Munch's artwork was censored by the Artist Union of Berlin and just what is in the exhibit. "Close to 150 works gives viewers a clear sense of the context of Munch's achievement, both through his travels across Europe and, more directly, by his admiration for artists.." Pedro wrote before he goes into descussion of how each piece is places before or after another for the effect on when viewed. Pedro write this article not giving the readers the entire effect of the exhibit or saying just what pieces are shown, this effect is possibly for us to want to go and experience the exhibit on our own. He also relates Edward Munch's art to his (Munch's) contemporaries and to artists before Munch's time who may have inspired him (Munch) or given him the idea to paint the way he did. The article is written for a reader who is somewhat aware of the art world and the players in it. With his just examining of the work itself and doing just common research on the other artists and then just talking with the curator it gives a better read. Chicago Build Up may have sounded like a shut down toward the "Becoming Edward Munch: Influence, Anxiety and Myth" exhibit but it wasn't the complete shut down that I was expecting to read, and maybe that was Pedro's purpose, draw us in with a drama title and surprise us through it all. 

France, 1942: Detained, Examined, Gone

well the author starts off by stating who the writer was and what time period this play was originally written (or began performing. did not quite understand which of the two it was). afterwards the author slowly started to describe the play by first saying what kind it was. by our standards it would be like an old and bad horror film, which if done right, can be enjoyable nonetheless. then the author begins to describe the basic story plot without giving away any details that might answer any questions you the reader may have about the play, therefore ultimately detouring you from going to see it. she slowly starts to describe the characters and what they are going through and telling you the reader that even though the actors did not have much to work with when finding their inspiration, they still managed to perform wonderfully and really brought out their characters. she ended the review by saying how wonderfully the actors performed, how much she enjoyed the plot, and that she recommenced it to other people. i like how the author did not say things like, "this play would probably be more enjoyed by..." and, "if you are not into...". words are powerful, and by putting your personal opinions into a review they can either strengthen or weaken the review and the play. she remained neutral and only stated the absolute facts about the plays plot, characters, origin and even complimented the actors. her only personal comment was that she recommended this play to others. reading her review i felt like i could o watch this play with an open mind as opposed to not seeing it because she made it sound like i would not like it before i could even give it a chance. i think to give this play the review it was given you would probably need to at least see it. even though you could google the storyline, she did comment about the actors capabilities of bringing out their characters and for that you would need to see firsthand of how they are doing. not much to do except see it and write about it maintaining a neutral mind, even if you did not enjoy it.

Blog Post #7: Art Review Review

Here are some newspapers and links to their Art sections. I want you to find a review of a gallery or piece of art in one of these papers. Then I would like for you to analyze the piece looking once again for clues to voice and audience. I would also like for you to look at methods the author uses in analyzing the work. Do they compare the work with older work by the artist or work by his or her peers? How much detail do they give of the work, of the venue? What kind of research did they need to do? 250 words.

NY Times
Chicago Tribune
Seattle Times
Slate.com
Times Online

Due Friday. Remember to comment on someone's post.

I'm Not A Madman, I'm Just A Very Creative Person

“I believe in creativity”, which is simple enough to write, but it doesn’t exactly convey my beliefs or ideas on creativity. So by that reasoning, that wasn’t a very creative sentence, but it’s pretty madding talking in a first person perspective and describe this very post in a third person when it itself doesn’t give the reader the ideas behind my beliefs of creativity. But then again it might be just as creative to talk about a subject in such a perspective that it would stand along from a typical essay on creativity and what it is opposed to describing it in its essence. So in the end, this seemingly- endless rant, whose purpose is to fill out this post to at least 400 words, could be considered creative in its own right.
To me, creativity is an expression of one’s self, and by understanding that, you’re able to understand the mindset of that person and get a sense of what they were thinking or feeling. “Everyone has a voice” is nothing more than a cliché that’s been overused so much that it’s pretty much synonymous with political gain and getting people to vote for the prick that’s slightly better than the other guy who was a bad track record. But in this sense, the term “voice” isn’t talking of sound from your diaphragm, but expression. And creativity is a voice that can express an idea more vividly than words ever can. Unlike words, which can be strait to the point, creative works of art can leave its audience with a range of interpretations and evoke emotions that simple words can’t. I don’t want to give you the idea that words itself can’t be used creatively, because they can. Simply putting words together to convey a thought isn’t art nor is it creative, but structuring them in such a way that it leaves a lasting impression on its audience is a sign of true creativity. The very intro to this post could be creative because it takes such an unorthodox approach in detaining the main idea for this post. That alone not only makes the approach to the main idea unique, but it can convey the feeling to the reader that I myself are creative…or a raving lunatic who talks in circles.
Not to be an egotistical maniac, but I consider myself a creative person, and others have told me such. I like to think that the work I do is a definition of some aspect of myself, and leave it for the people to decipher it’s meaning on its own, and I’m sure I’m not the only one who feels that way. So in its entirety, I believe in creativity because it’s a voice that opens up the possibilities for people to express their beliefs and feelings beyond physically talking, because you can’t understand an idea or thought till you view it in a way leaves lasting impression on you and influences your perception.

Child's Play

I believe that comic books and Graphic Novels are much more than just kids stories. They are in every sense of the word, an art.For a little over half a century, the world has enjoyed the unique story-telling contained within comics. They have brought us joy and entertainment, and kept our attention with intricate writing and amazing artwork. They provide much more than just a few minutes to kill. They are every bit as valuable as "real" books, but aren't quite seen that way.

I believe that comic books and their readers are quickly misinterpreted without any real insight. Some of the best writers published have been those who scripted for comic books. The modern day comic has far exceeded the cliche of Good versus Evil. We are in an age where comics have become almost exclusively aimed at mature readers. Most parents now would be ill-advised to freely let their children read any comic. Major adult issues are now tackled in comics, such as: racism, homosexuality, religion, government issues, and even abortion. Heroes are no longer preoccupied with stopping the villain from taking the world, but instead must deal with their own psychological issues that we can all relate to.

As an avid reader, I find that comic books are the perfect place to escape when you just want a break from the real world. Sure, a regular old book can help you escape, but a comic book will create a world right in front of you. Let's face it, we all like looking at pictures. Even with major accomplishments, it seems like comics just can't catch a break. The literary world certainly takes comics very seriously. Taken from Wikipedia: The Sandman issue #19 "A Midsummer Night's Dream" won the World Fantasy Award in 1991 for Best Short Fiction. Also, Sandman and its spin-offs have won eighteen Eisner Awards. Graphic novels like Sandman, The Watchmen, and The Dark Knight Returns have all topped the New York Times Bestseller list.

I believe that the world needs to take a second look at comic books and realize that they indeed represent each and every one of us. These "kids stories" are capable of connecting with readers on an emotional level. We learn to love our favorite heroes and despise their villains, but more so, we learn to love the characters all the same. These deep, structured, and human characters that we connect so much with.

I believe that comic books are in a world of their own, and if you allow them to, they can take you there.

Liar Liar, Pants On Fire...

We've all heard, "Liar liar pants on fire" at least once or twice in our lifetime. If you disagree, then maybe you're lying...? Belief is something everyone has in their lives and even in their conscience. When you think about “belief” and what it means it can get really deep and hard to understand. A belief can be something small or even quite big. Now, I believe in truth. Yes, truth is a simple five letter word; however, dig deep into the core of what truth really is. It is something more than a lot of people can understand.
People may question why I believe in truth, but I would have to answer with something like why not believe in truth? Truth is pure whole honesty. It is what mainly causes people to trust in you and to believe everything or at least most of everything that you may have to say. It is a desire to bring forth clean words that, as I think of it, will be seen inside and out without anything to hinder from viewing wholeheartedly.
I often wonder what is the reason for NOT having truth. I mean, is it to get out of a lie? If so, why is there a lie in the first place that you must cover it up with even more lie? It intrigues me the amount of struggle people may go through to cover up a lie and do it over and over and over as if it helps. In reality, it only makes means worse. Honesty is needed in society more. It is needed in people, in the way people talk to each other, in the life that we live in, etc.
I remember when I was much smaller been taught the difference from a lie and from the truth. I often wondered why people made it such a big deal to tell a lie even just a little teeny fib. I wondered and pondered for a while, until just a couple years ago, when my best friend was in a tough situation dealing with honesty and false liars. I notice that sometimes people aren’t truthful because they seek attention and/or they feel that their life is not as fascinating as they wished it was; therefore, they may act upon something else which is also known as a big fat lie. Yes, I said it; A BIT FAT LIE. There is nothing that can cause others to believe you or trust you than coming forth with the truth at all means.
I believe in truth; in pure honesty.

Kids need guidance: This I Believe (Kevin R)

As a kid, I hated when an adult tried to tell me what's right and what's wrong. I always thought that they should just mind their own business. I never understood that adults told me things in order to help me, not annoy me. I was a smart kid, but i was also a troublemaker. I never crossed the line and committed a major crime because i knew better.
As i grew older I would sit back and think about the quotes that certain adults would say to me, such as "dont bite the hand that feeds you", or "strive to do better today than you did yesterday". At my job i work with children, and i have come to the realization that I am one of those adults I hated as a kid. I observe how the children in my program need guidance. i also understand that i annoy them when i tell them right from wrong. nevertheless, I get paid for helping those children with their homework, playing games with them, and being a positive influence for them.
My job helped me to develop a new outlook on things. I believe that kids need a positive influence to guide them and teach them right from wrong. some kids that misbehave may not know that they are misbehaving because there's no one to tell them and show them the right way to behave.
I apreciate the adults that i listened and looked up to when i was a kid. If they never existed, i honestly think that i would be a lost soul. some of these adults were not my parents. They were my friend's mothers', my schoolteachers and basketball coaches. guidance is everywhere, we just need to apply it to the children. I am always teaching the kids in my program. It makes me feel satisfied when they listen and take my advice because they could remember my words when they grow and become adults. I cant speak for all adults, but i can speak for myself when I say that guiding kids is something i believe in.

Love and Laughs...

I believe that happiness and love are the keys to life. To live. To love. To be happy. To stay happy. Cliche, corny and not extremely original but that’s what I believe in. Reaching that state of happiness can be both easy and hard at times depending on the person you are. Love can make that happiness easier to find and easier to reach. Some people appreciate what they have and some people do not, probably because they do not have much or maybe because they feel they deserve more. Happiness can result in smiles and laughs. Happiness can come from the feeling of success and accomplishment. Laughter is indescribable. A smile is indescribable. Love is indescribable. I believe in love and laughs. Live life, love life and enjoy life.

I believe in karma very much so, at least from past experiences. What goes around, comes around. I believe that everything happens for a reason. I admit I am lazy but plan to change my ways starting now. I do not believe in complex thoughts, anymore. Except for that one. I don't have to see something to believe it's there. Life can be simple if you let it be. Life can be complex if you make it to be. I try to enjoy life. I do what I love to do. I have interests and goals. My interests can sometimes distract me from achieving my goals but I will do what is needed to be done for those goals to be accomplished. To have an accomplished life and be happy. I believe in life after death. Till then I’ll try to be happy and enjoy the roller coaster. This I believe in.



Just a cool song I was thinking about. So freaking cool what this guy says. His name is Q-tip and he is the man!

I Believe in True Love...

I believe in having a true love in your life. It is something that I just believed almost one year ago. I believe that if you have that special love, you would end up in a life of happiness and surprises. It is good to ahve someone you truly love becuase maybe that person would change your life for the better. In life, you will meet the good and the bad people. From my experience, I met them both and tried to be with them for a while in relationships. I guess since high school I thought that I already met "The One; My True Love" but it turned out to be big mess that lasted about 2-3 years. You will make mistkes along your way in finding your true love and yes, it takes patience and time. Now, I have finally found true love and I am glad that soon I am going to spend the rest of my life with him. I found true love and I believe that everyone else could find their soulmate, their one true love.

I believe in nothing real

I believe that your imagination and ability to day dream is your best asset and tool through life.
When your a child your imagination is there when you play with action figures and dolls, having them talk and having them go through days. Its there when your in the backyard having a battle in the stars using the biggest guns and fighting the scariest monsters. When your older and an adult your imagination is there if you create artwork, putting together mediums and having those thoughts and ideas be real. Your imagination is even there when you are shopping, either it be for food, an outfit, or a gift-you must imagination and think of how the reaction from someone will be, or how you could pair that shirt with those jeans you have at home or what new you could make, or what you could make for a meal with a ingredient. Imagination isn't just narrowed down to a "child's play" thing, it is in everyone and can be used through out your life, and maybe when we are older and our children are playing; we'll play along too and have a funny name and a invisible weapon, or a different voice and be a toy. 

When you day dream your mind wonders. You day dream in class because you simply want to be some where else or because something sparks your mind to wonder and think. You day dream when you are alone, laying in bed, walking down the street. You day dream many times in a day, and maybe you don't realize it, but it happens. It lets us escape our day and enter another "world" and just be alone or with someone or some other place for just a few moments. Our real minds are explored and put into site.

I believe that imagination fuels our creative side, it keeps the child inside of us so we aren't grumpy and bitter, and it helps through our lives (even if you don't see how something like imagination helps). I believe that day dreaming keeps our minds open, causes us to think of something deep or something silly, and lets us have those moments of peace in a day.

I believe in imagination and daydreaming.

i believe in attempting to live your life without any regrets(commenting on another blog post)

should have read those directions first *sigh*

i just wanted to add that i agree with the post "i believe i believe oh i believe". what the author said, and what he/she wrote really hit me because i understood what was written. the words were powerful and from the heart. "respect" is the word that really stood out to me because it's hard to respect other people, but harder to respect yourself. most people, if not all, are always criticizing themselves or what they do in a negative way. instead of laughing about themselves with their friends at an obvious joke, they are laughing at themselves. i think especially women today are constantly just criticizing themselves to the ground, because they do not look or act the way the majority of the women around them do. guys too have this problem, but i think when it comes to your body girls are the ones who criticize themselves more often. it takes a strong person who can take the bad with the good, to believe and actually put into action what they believe. and i believe this author definitely has some strength.

i believe in attempting to live your life without any regrets

i spent the better part of my life regretting things. regretting never saying what i wanted to say at that moment, regretting making that decision even though i knew it was the wrong one, regretting sometimes that at times i was a coward, and even regretting not letting the people who wanted to get close to me in. regrets can stay with you for only an hour, or even the rest of your life. you acn spend your entire life asking yourself the question of "what if" even if that regret is a minor one. it can eat away at you, or you can let it slide off. the point being for that instance you felt regret, the instance that you asked yourself that question of "what if", and the moment you felt like the decision you were making was the easier one to pursue, you know that whether it was minor or major it's going to stay with you forever, whether you remember it or not. i always felt horrible when feeling a regret. i felt like a coward because i knew that to make sure you did not have the feeling of regret you had to have just a little bit of courage. one day i was just tired of feeling constant regrets. i guess you can say i gave up. i stopped caring how embarassing it may be, or how hard and decided id start living my life without regrets. it can be hard, especially since when you decided you want to live your life with no regrets it actually becomes harder, and you yourself have to become more optimistic. you have to really think your choices through and make the one that feels right, and if you end up hurting the person, you have to see it as building character and trying to patch thiongs up with the person. pain is an ultimate part of development. whether it's something like losing your stuffed animal, or getting bullied throughout the better part of your life. point being, once you decided to live life without any regrets, it can become more painful. the decisions i ahve made throughout my life have made me grow as a person. im not afraid anymore to stand up for myself using words instead of physical violence. by opening myself up and gaining courage, i have let people get close to me without fear of rejection. it's hard sometimes. to make a decsion i won't have to regret. sometimes i make the right one, sometimes i don't. for the most part the right ones have been made, and by making the wrong ones i have grown and learned from my mistakes. i am not saying anyone should try to live their lives compleetly without any regrest. that would make you perfect and no one is perfect. all i amsaying is get the courage you have always wanted. at least try to go on without regretting the decsion you made, and look at your mistakes as a learning process instead of a setback. you will always regret something. something as small as wishing you had asked that girl/guy out before they got into a relationship, or something as major as staying with someone who hurts you more than loves you. but lets at ealst try, to minimize our regrets in life. i have, and im a happier person for it.

I believe in coyote

I believe in coyote.

I was raised outside of Wichita, Kansas. Coyotes were just another part of the landscape in my childhood. At dawn, from my front porch, I could hear the yips and yaps of coyotes calling to each other. Throughout my life coyotes have been there and I believe have helped guide me.

When I got to high school I started withdrawing to the small elm and cottonwood lot behind our house. School was a social animal that I would never tame, but the animals outside my door were much easier to understand. I spent hours learning the birds and lizards and snakes I encountered. I would see coyotes off in the milo stubble often, but they were weary unlike the birds I could get close to with my binoculars. One morning a storm brought a large amount of migrating birds into our back lot. I had gotten up for school and heard the chips and zeets of warblers outside my window. I ran out to the trees to see what I could find. It was still raining lightly, but there were birds everywhere. I found a place to sit and watch. I was completely still with my binoculars at my eyes. They were coming so close I didn’t want to move. I sat for so long my legs started cramping. I started to shift when I noticed, not 10 feet away, a coyote. We looked directly into each others eyes. My heart was off the charts. What to do? I just sat there completely confused.

When I’m driving and see a coyote, I pull over, get out, and belt out a few yips and yaps. I’m not sure why I do this. They usually take off in that lazy loping way, but sometimes they just stare, probably thinking, “what is that crazy human up to?” I suppose that morning I encountered the coyote I bewildered him as well. I think about that morning often.

Now that I’m in Chicago I still see coyotes. Once along the lakefront while I was out birding I saw one on the ice. I also have a friend who ran into a family, pups and all, in a cemetery on the north side. I saw one cross the road late at night.

Coyotes still have bounties on them in some western states. They’ve been persecuted by the government and livestock men as long as there have been those kinds of things. And still they persist.

I believe that their survival means our survival, that trying to learn what that mystery between us is, will help us live and I believe that I am following in coyote’s footsteps, that we are brethren, and will continue to learn and live together. And that if I could I would follow them completely, but I can’t and that is sad to me, that they are “the other” and I am “the other.” But that morning, when I was cold and wet and immersed in birds, I felt something that can’t be quantified, that can’t be caught, and that is what I believe in.

I Believe, I Believe, I Believe, Oh, I Believe...

I believe in respect. I believe in respect and being respected. I believe that I am a good person, a nice person to know, a good one to have on your side. I believe my past does not define who I am. I believe I am capable of having nice things. I believe I am capable of having healthy relationships. I believe in self-affirmations. I believe in karma. I believe in getting what I deserve. I believe in getting what I don’t deserve, and I believe in learning lessons daily. I believe in learning through my mistakes. I believe in second chances. I believe in not messing up. I believe in starting over and doing better, even though I can’t always pull it off. I believe in truth, always. I believe that not knowing the truth will kill me later. I believe that not telling the truth will bite me in the ass later. I believe in huge beds. I believe in bubble baths, nail polish and girl talk, but I don’t believe in Sex and the City nor the stereotypes. I believe in feminism and women’s rights. I believe in women’s empowerment, and I believe that we women need to stop being such bitches to each other and band together for a greater cause. I believe women need to ally themselves, to make us independent, and not have to rely on men or outer goods to make us feel better about ourselves. I believe in Hindu spirituality. I believe in energy, the Great Mother, Native American spirituality. I believe in my power animal, a tiger. I believe more and more people are turning into animals every day. I believe in making fun of myself without being self-deprecating. I believe in not taking oneself seriously, but I also believe in taking what one loves as seriously as possible without losing the passion behind it. I believe in doing whatever I can to do what I love. I believe in following what needs to be done for things I don’t want to do, but only if I don’t lose myself in the process. I believe I am not who I was a year ago. I believe I am a different person every day. I believe in being a kid, I believe in being five years old and I believe in having fun. I believe in taking joy in the simple things. I believe that everything I just said can be perceived as incredibly cliché, and I believe I may be taking liberties with the things I say I believe. In the end, though, that’s up to me. I don’t know what I support the most out of all of these, but I know that I’m an idealist, I believe in so many things, that all of them are true.

Happiness is that state of consciousness which proceeds from the achievement of one's values.

I believe in objectivism. This idea of philosophy was introduce to me in a book that Ayn Rand wrote, The Fountainhead (1943). There are several concepts of objectivism, but the one that strikes to me is explained as man - every man - is an end in himself, not the means to the ends of others. He must exist for his own sake, neither sacrificing himself to others nor sacrificing others to himself. The pursuit of his own rational self-interest and of his own happiness is the highest moral purpose of his life. Everyone strives for many things, but ultimately it should be for happiness. I think all acts and considerations should be in the benefit of yourself. This is your life and you should live it and do what you want with it. Your wants can conclude to serious consequences, but those are yours to deal with. Unless you enjoyed a life where terror and pain exists, all should strive for something non harmful to ourselves or each other. However, if that is what would make a person happy, then I suppose one would continue to follow that path of consequences. What is wrong with being selfish? Why should you have to make serious sacrifices and suffer for the better of someone else. Everyone else has the same chances to do what is need to be done to make their life their intuitive sight of happiness. I believe in survival of the fittest. Everyone is out competing against each other for another reason or other. There are many things in life I see myself competing for. Many things that other people are simply struggling with also like current jobs, a boy friend or girl friend, school, or future careers. Even though the economy might not be the best time right now, there is a great competitive atmosphere in the field of photography. There are times where I see myself helping others more in the dark room when I should be focusing on my own work, and helping myself in order to get my work done. Sure someone could argue I get a nice satisfaction about myself while helping people, but when it comes down to getting your grade back or critiques these feelings of “satisfaction” change. For me to not get credited for what I am capable of doing, while others get the benefit of what I helped them create is in my opinion, not fair. Therefore, to not think of others and solely of yourself when doing your work is perfectly okay. This is just one small example in a while range of situations. I think you should fight for the pursuit that could make you happy. Do not let other people tell you your ideas are wrong.

Blog Post #6: This I Believe

For this post please update your This I Believe essay. Check out their website here. It has writing tips and many examples.

This essay must be at least 400 words and you also must comment on one other blog.

Steve's Post

Art. It’s an expression. Of what? That’s up to you. It can be an emotional expression, political, even rebellious. It’s an outlet to make some kind of point. My favorite has got to be the art of human beatboxing. It’s great! The noises and sounds these people make is so amazing you have to wonder how much might be synthetic. To see something ike this live is unreal. Everything about it draws me to it. The arrangement, the styles, the ability to make such weird noises…I grow a loss of words to describe it. I haven’t yet attained an ability to really express much of my own, but I do love messing around with it and a couple of friends.

URL: www.youtube.com/watch?v=hCCc8zWqvYA

Poetry From Within

You've not heard any beautiful pure true poetry if you haven't heard of Amena Brown. All of her work is beautiful but one specific poem that I admire the most is called "You" and it has been made into videos. Besides just loving the way she expresses herself through words, there is meaning to her work. It's not just something to rhyme and make you feel all "tingly inside." Not at all. Her work shows the efforts she went through to get such a prophetic poem to flow from the tip of her tongue and unto the atmosphere.
In both videos, at the bottom, display the same poem but presented in two different types of presentations which both give off a powerful vibe. The first one is her reciting it live the second one is a video made with the words to flow the same way she gives them off with her mouth just to give it an understanding of the feel and mood of this poem. It is a deep thinker because it causes you, or at least it did for me, to analyze your heart and see what is that one thing you need to fix to align yourself into the right purpose in this world we live in where we tend to just want to hide from our Creator.
I admire this type of work, not only because I am also a writer and write poems, but because it was pure and honestly wholesome. Take a look below...

Live hip hop comes to....life?

If I had to pick just one thing that I truly considered to be an art form, just one thing that leaves me in awe, it would have to be the amazing live performance brought by Tech N9ne. Most people don't exactly perceive live hip hop performances as very exciting. Let's be honest, the majority of the time its just a single guy with a microphone walking back and forth on stage. Not Tech N9ne though. This emcee has single handily taken live performances to the next level. From his charisma, to his high energy, and most of all his choreography, Tech N9ne blows other acts off the stage and is not someone most want to follow.

I mentioned his choreography because if you have ever attended a Tech N9ne show, you know that everything is VERY tight. There is no room for error, and every move, every word is executed with precision. You can tell from the first video, when he is speed rapping, just how absurdly precise his live delivery is. Add in his showmanship and theatrics, which include elaborate stage sets and face paint, and you have a volatile mix for the best live show you will ever see. The first time I witnessed this madness, my jaw dropped and I was in disbelief. I could not believe how amazing he sounded live and how unbelievably entertaining his stage show was. He does not just walk back and forth on stage, no instead he always has his two hypemen who are tightly choreographed with him every step of the way. This includes dances and live remixes that are done on the spot.

I will always tell anyone who listens, that absolutely no one, NO ONE has anything on Tech N9ne's stage presence.

Kelvyn Park Drill Competition

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=czm7QKrWox0

My four years being in Army JROTC, I always enjoyed doing drills, marching around the school's parking lot, learning commands and all that good stuff. I participated in two drill competitions and the thrill I had when it was time to go on. I guess I am trying to say that doing drill is an art to me because art cannot only be a painting or a sculpture, but body movement. Drilling and being all in order (sometimes not always together) is a way of looking at it as art. I loved how we were all synchronized and all those cool movements that you see upclose. We all are doing one piece of art at the same time. It is amazing of the things that you do and just consider them art. It is also the adrenaline that goes along with it when you go out there facing 40 other schools that always took the gold medals home.
Drilling is art because it is a way to show others that we are competitive and that we enjoy what we love to do. And this kind of art is not only created in one day, but takes up to three months to have it fully developed. We have to choose the right people to be leaders and have a full team. We practiced and practiced until we had everything right. Drilling is my art, no matter what others think about it. It has movement and structure.

Heath

I first found out about this portrait around the time of Ledger’s death, it was in an article online for winning the Archibald Prize, which is quite an honor in Australia from what I’ve read. With the simple title "Heath", it was created by an artist named Vincent Fantauzzo. Being a painter, the first time I saw this portrait it amazed me. Everything about this painting is excellent. I’m under the impression Fantauzzo used oil paints, however I couldn’t find anything about the medium in any of the articles. The attention to detail alone, is just ridiculous. It’s one thing for a painting to look like a photo image, but there’s also a certain something about a good painting that surpasses the effectiveness of a photo. Fantauzzo uses highlights and shadows perfectly. The tattoos on his arms look just as they would on actual skin. There’s so much detail in Ledger’s skin; the wrinkles on his forehead, the detail in his hands, you can even seen the veins in his arms.
Not only is this painting great by a technical standpoint, but even the concept of the portrait is good. The idea for the portrait was actually part Ledger’s, representing an internal conflict. The portrait was painted a little less than a year before Ledger’s death, which makes it intriguing and sad. Most articles I've read said Ledger had trouble sleeping after acting back to back in two films. The dazed and distant look on his face, and the two ghosts of himself whispering in his ear depict an image of a burdened man, and show the stress playing two roles at once could have put on him. It’s one of the best portraits I have seen, definitely one of my favorites. The painting is currently on display at the Art Gallery of New South Wales, in Sydney, Australia. It’s a beautiful piece of art, and a fitting tribute to an amazing actor.

Just a Sweet Transvestitie

For me i think it would have to be the movie, "Rocky Horror Picture Show". to get get it over with yes it was amazing, it blew my mind, etc... but here is why it was amazing. back in the day, when i was a lot younger you would never see a anything but heterosexuals in movies. i guess being gay was more taboo in the 90's, but they were out there and i knew it! movies even back than were all starting to look, sound, and feel the same to me. plots re-done, or 'original' ideas composed of 5 already done ideas. i wanted to see a movie that was different from the ones i had already seen, but sadly even today that is hard to find. of course it was...until a friend of mine asked how i felt about transvestites and i was like, "i love 'em, now why you asking?". and that is how i was made to see the wonderful movie of Rocky Horror (leave it to the 70's to still kick every other decades ass when it comes to originality. thank you acid and shrooms for making artsy films possible). this movie did blow my mind, but for very good reason. this movie had my hero dressed up as a bi-sexual. it had a man wearing make-up, corset, and fish net stocking, singing about gay sex. it made me wish i lived in the 70's. first off movies now a days do not really have those o a homosexual orientation. some do, because thankfully i think they Americans are starting to feel a lot more comfortable with someone of a different sexual orientation, but by god we never even touched the subject of the trans people. to make a movie with a man dressing up as a bit of a women, not because he is crazy/mocking him/for the purpose of comedy, but because that is who he is and this is perfectly normal, well thast ground breaking right there. and the music and costumes are another thing i loved. the music was so origianl and catchy. the music in itself was not iritating like i hear in most musicals. this movie added music for its own pleasure. it did not need music, it felt like it just threw it in there at the best parts. and what i loved the most? the music meant nothing. there was no morals in it to be heard, no stupid random love scene love song, it was just there for the soul purpose of being there. these words could be spoken, but it was a lot more fun to sing it. and the costumes? well for one the only time i have seen a man in a corset is..well never, and a woman, well since sex sells now all women get to be demeaned so i guess always. but it was always for a reason...Tim curry was all dressed up because this was what he wore on casual occasions, it was epic. and all the costumes looked so normal, but at the same time were just completely out there. it made the people in the movie who entered the building look like weirdos not the people wearing what looked to be chrome. it mocked normality and thats what movies lack. this movie was all in itself just amazing. it made you laugh, sing, wanna dance, without feeling weird about what was going on. it made me wish there were movies more out there. taht would touch the uncomfortable subjects of sexuality, drugs, and even murder in a comical/musical sense. (i am having a hard time thinking right now so i hope what i have said made some kind of sense. if not than i will defend it more tomorrow, with a clearer head)

Moment of Truth

Not just a song but an inspiration. I first heard this song in grammar school, but I don't think I clearly understood the message until maybe my sophomore year in high school. It was probably towards the end of my sophomore year and the beginning of my Junior. This song inspired me to stop doing some of the things that I was doing at the time that were not exactly good for my health or my mind. This song inspired me to focus and every time I hear it I become blistered with goosebumps dwelling into the realism of it. The group is Gang Starr. The song is "Moment Of Truth". The group Gang Starr consists of a rapper and a DJ, the rapper being "Guru" and the DJ being "DJ Premier". If you dislike hip hop at all, I guarantee you that if you listen to this song, you will dislike it a little bit less.

The sample used in this song is from a song entitled "Lets fall in love all over again" by Billy Paul. You may think sampling might be easy to do, but it's all about having the right set of ears and knowing what songs to sample and what parts of the song to sample, not to mention knowing how the sample should be delivered. The vibe for this song opens my eyes, wakes me up, inspires me. Every time I hear it I want to make a beat as well. Not a similar beat but one with the same vibe.
I can relate so much to this song that sometimes when I listen to it, I feel that I'm the one who wrote it, just because it connects to me and a lot of situations and states of mind that I have been in. The second verse in this song, which begins with: "Sometimes you gotta dig deep...", is where I mainly feel the connection. I love this song and I feel its one of the greatest hip hop songs ever written. No doubt about it.

Need For Change

The discovery that I have found was a certain photographer off the website flickr. Her work has several different types of mediums, one in which is through polaroids. Right away I connected on a level with this artist, because I don’t take polaroids as a candid opportunity as most people did that were consumers of polaroid products. I take polaroids as an intimate true art. These small photos are more difficult than regular due to the fact that everything is by ranging yourself from a certain distant from the subject. The reason why I view this polaroid as greatest piece of work, is the patience one must have to get this photo in perfect close up detail and a fade out, creating great depth of field in the photo. To see another person do this, makes me believe that I too can create something this perfect.
Another idea that most regular people don’t know about polaroids, is the chemicals can create an image be very saturated, and in fact not match up the true colors to the subject. However, in this polaroid, you can very much tell the tones in the skin are very realistic. The light pink tints in the toes are not too saturated looking overly red. There are also nice details in the blankets, and they are not blown out white which most polaroid cameras tend to do.
Not only are the technical aspects of this photo are great, but the originality of it are also very intriguing. I have never encountered an image like this one, and I can really appreciate the root of an original photo.

Welcome to the world of Taboo, the club that everyone wants to be a part of.

I honestly don’t know much about art. I do know that to me, “Taboo” (the musical written by Boy George and funded by Rosie O’Donnell—it was a huge joke back in 2003) is the greatest musical I’ve ever heard. Sadly, I never got to actually see it; it closed before I could get to New York City in time to see it. However, I have listened to and memorized all of the music on the original Broadway cast album (as well as watched its original London incarnation on a DVD I specially ordered from the UK).
My mom brought it home with a slew of other OBC (original broadway cast) albums to check out, since I sometimes am way into showtunes. It was the first and only one I picked up, and the one I’ve taken with me every day since.
Boy George of the 80’s-90’s pop band Culture Club wrote all the music and lyrics to this musical. Some songs were taken from his 1996 solo album “Cheapness and Beauty” (I know this because I have the album), but there are a few original songs he penned himself. The cast includes Euan Morton as Boy George, Boy George himself as Leigh Bowery, and my absolute favorite musical theatre actor of all time, Raul Esparza as Philip Sallon.
I don’t know what makes it innovative. I think, though, that it’s one of the first non-jukebox musicals with a pop/rock feel that isn’t condescending in tone or overdone (definitely paving the way for the extremely popular Spring Awakening). Technically, it is a jukebox musical, which is a hot commodity nowadays, but at the same time, it’s not.
The songs are written by the former lead singer of an 80’s pop band, but they still have so much heart and feeling. It must not just be me who feels this, but I know this musical practically reached cult status by the beginning of 2004. People who were truly touched by this, who felt the character of George’s pain. Regardless of the fact it only ran for 100 performances, the fact that people from all over the country, even the world, came to see this musical… well, that must mean something.
As for me, I don’t know much about art. I know that this touched me in a way I couldn’t describe before. The culture, the life, the music. Raul Esparza is an actor who can show us the intensity of everything he does just by opening his mouth. Listening to the first video I’ve posted, you can hear how good he is and how well he can take the character on. (The task of becoming these characters is also quite a hard one, seeing as most of the characters are still alive today.)
I don’t feel much when I hear or see musicals, except a bit of envy. For “Taboo”, I felt something, an entire gamut of emotions—lovestruck, alone, depressed, accepted, loved—that still pop up every time I hear this musical on my iPod. My only regret is I never got to see it performed onstage. I can only hope that someday there is a revival, and the original cast comes back to perform in it.
p.s. that’s totally never happening.



two different videos, because i couldn't choose just one:
http://www.euanmorton.com/multimedia/video/taboolastshowstranger.htm

Michael Jordan: A Piece Of Art by Kevin R

In my opinion, humans are considered as a piece of art. No one that ever played the game of basketball was more artistic than Michael Jordan. He is the greatest basketball player to ever play the game. There has been many great basketball players, but Mike was flawless when it was crunch time. there are more than 25 teams in the NBA, and none of them ever seemed to have an answer for Jordan. he was able to dominate the basketball court day in and day out for almost 20 years. Jordan has been to six NBA Championship rounds, and he has recieved the Most Valuable Player Award in all six rounds. This separates him from the rest because this has never been done in NBA history. His 1996-97 had the best regular season record in NBA history, winning 72 games. There are 82 games in the season! go Figure! Jordan is still discussed among other great players of his time, but Mike is in a league of his own. the way he pulled up for a jumpshot was beautiful. he had a rare ability to make a dunk look like human flying, and making the defense look like crash test dummies. So many Basketball players have been inspired by his drive to play the game of basketball. It took him two retirements to finally quit the game. the year he retired, he played in the all star game at the age of 40, separating himself from a pack of quick, athlethic, YOUNG players. A piece of art? Most definately. Often imitated, but never duplicated, Michael Jordan.

NO Day BUT TO DAY

The absolute best piece of art that I have ever seen is rent. I love rent it is the best the movie and the play. I love them both it not only inspires me but it make me want to sing along and dance it is the best. When I first say it I cried and smiled at the same time it was amazing. It is everything that I am Music, Theater and it has a massager. It is the prime example of everything that I stand for. You get caught in this piece it pulls you in tied moment you see it. I have not meat one person that has saw either the movie or the play that did not automatically love. Rent is timeless it is already before my time. I am sure that it will stay around for ever because it is a classic. It is so good because there is nothing that is like it. When it first came out it was the only thing of its kind. It was amazing. I think that good art should make people think and that is exactly what rent does. It also makes you fell good about your self and being different from other people. I think rent its self started a movement among young people to not live by someone else’s rules but to know the rules and break them. I think this is very important when considering your self an artist it helps you distingue between your art in the art of others.

Blog Post #5

For this post I want you to argue for a piece of art. Tell us why a certain painting, movie, play, song, tight rope walk, etc... is the greatest piece of art you've ever discovered (hint, hint). Be specific, what about this piece of art works? Don't just say it's amazing; it blows my socks off; it makes me want to create. Tell us what specifically is different about this piece than other pieces of the same genre. What makes it innovative? Why do you think it will stand the test of time?

Do this in 250 words or more. Also post a picture, you tube video, etc... of that piece.

Due Friday. Plus, I want you to make at least one comment on one of your classmate's posts. You must do this to receive full credit!