272 Essay

Music, musica, Muziek, however you may say it, music is a vital bond that connects people from every culture together. Whether it is country, gospel, or metal, the rhythms remains the same in every language, the notes resonating in the same tone in every country. The only difference that lies in music is perception. Lyrics to one may be a theme song to another. A chorus may simply fill an empty space or complete an empty void. Being a musician, it is a habit, a ritual to feel the beat around me, to immerse myself in the passion of myself and others. Never have i felt a grander connection with others, some of those I haven't yet met, than when the harmony and melody of our parts come together with a perfect chord. Never have I felt more elated than after a performance when I have given my self, my soul, to every being in the audience. Like Maya Angelou, "Music is my refuge", I find solace in the feeling of the sanctity it provides. Although I had never met Angelou or had experienced the culture she had lived in, we share a universal feeling of gratitude towards the subject. Although blizzard to find in everyday interaction, human empathy is fluent in music. With every stroke of a pen, the composer concedes in the musician to feel as he has felt, to breathe life into the piece his conscious and subconscious morphed together for. These symphonies, these musical pieces are intended to make the audience emerge from themselves and understand one another. This is beauty. This is the triumph of human nature.

Eng III Vocab 3-4 Original Comp

“Your people watching has become obsessive, Olivia, have you heard any of what I said?” Michael waves his had in front of her face, trying to motion her attention back to the archaic coffee table. 

“I’m sorry, could you repeat that?”  Olivia asks, stirring her coffee idly.

Sighing heavily, Michael repeats “Your professor is inducing you into work that is not conducive. I have sat in on his lectures before and his constant tangents on evolution are an attack on religion. With a man that is more of a demagogue than a teacher, what will you gain? How do you expect your mother and me to pay for this education when you’re not investing in a future for yourself?”

Fidgeting with the porcelain cup in hand, Olivia slides uneasily in her chair, looking around the café, channeling her anger into the right words. “How dare you speak so egregiously of that astounding man? He has inspired me to think beyond the constraints of the Bible, beyond my Sunday school teachings. Professor Mendalli has introduced me into a world that is outside of the box of rote recitation and text book answers. If he is not an icon, I don’t know what would be.” Peering deep into the eyes of her step-father, she silently annunciates her point.

“Don’t be so hard-headed, Olivia. I am simply looking out for your future and taking note of this rebellious stage of yours. You will get over this phase before too long and it is important to that you have solid work to fall back on.” Michael leans back in the oak chair, weaving his fingers in one another, with a look of ease and puissance.

“I do believe I am capable of finding my own way. This is my future after all, I am in charge of it and I can shape it however I please.” With great assertion, Olivia stands, slamming her palms on the table, shaking the delicate porcelain glasses and sending waves through their contents.  “You may have your opinion, but under no circumstances are you a potentate over me. My mother chose to marry you and have you in her life, but I did not.”

Amidst his obvious agitation, Michael remained seated, keeping a cold eye on his step- daughter.  “You had better watch your tongue, young lady. I could just as easily quit funding this silly endeavor of yours. Whether or not you like it, you will terminate your communication with Professor Mendalli and focus on your other classes, putting an end to this childish anarchy.”

“So if I continue to participate in his lectures, you will cut me off?” Sitting gracefully, Olivia crosses her arms in opposition.

“Ah, so now you see my point. Exactly.” With a grin of satisfaction, Michael relents, knowing he had won the battle.

“Then so be it.”

Factoid Friday #12

In President Eisenhower's speech on the addition of "Under God", had states that "From this day forward, the millions of our school children will daily proclaim...the dedication of our nation of our nation and our people to the Almighty," respecting an establishment of religion

From ProCon.org

You Can't Make This Stuff Up #3

In this section, I feel that I learned a whole lesson opposed to small pieces of advice. What was mainly focused on was Building Blocks, or scenes.  How Gutkind suggested to determine the ratio of information to scenes was the highlighting test. I can understand how this would work through his examples, but I feel that if I thought of writing that way, there would be more separation in my writing opposed to fluidity.. Instead of a highlighting test, I usually read through the paper and try it find the information embedded in the scenes and if they are harder to find, then I know I used enough of the "building blocks". I like how Gutkind expanded on this idea with explaining the Creative NonFiction Dance. Using visuals as well as a verbal explanation cemented the order (Scene, information, Scene with embedded information, information, etc.)  in my brain. What made me truly appreciate Gutkinds writing though, was the annotations on the piece " Difficult Decisions". Not only did he teach the subject, use his own advice in examples, but he also walks the reader through a crash course with the subject. I look forward to more of Gutkinds explanations through the rest of the book.

You Can't Make This Stuff Up #2

 Reading into the second section, I was not disappointed. As I had hoped, Gutkind included information on immersion and had also discussed the power of story and how to read. Although there wasn't much, I learned about the end of an immersion and it will most likely effect the author more than the subject. I find it to be interesting that after spending an immense amount of time with somebody, the two could still have opposing viewpoints on the experience both had gone through. When Gutkind explained his story of the doctor who disagreed with his portrayal, I was shocked that he had not felt he was accurately depicted, even after the cafeteria lady called him a hero. I found that Gutkind's use of the story of Thomas and Linda  to teach the power of story follows his advice on using story to teach information and it was nice to see an author put his advice into action. Although it was extremely personal and sad, it was an example that will stick with readers. Last, I enjoyed the introduction to how to read. It seems like such a simple task, but I m sure Gutkind has method behind his madness.

You Can't Make This Stuff Up #1

As the book started, I wasn't initially very impressed, but as I read on, I fell into the writing pattern of Gutkind and fell in love with the topic. With very little knowledge on non fiction, I assumed there wasn't much to it, but now I not only understand the complexity of non fiction but also that of creative non fiction.one of my favorite parts of this section is  the story of D'Agata and his relentless wish to publish a story that was largely exaggerated and false. It made me think of how journalists could truly paint any picture in the readers mind they wished without fact checking and readers that are aware of the world around them. As an aspiring journalist, it also terrifies me that with a simple mistake, someone's reputation could crumble. Another topic that caught my attention was Immersion. Maybe it's because I believed that was the only way to collect factual information for a story,  but the concept intrigues me. Granted it's not a life long goal, I would love to spend time immersing myself in someone else's life to share their story. However, after reading Gutkinds explanation on how long you should remain immersed with a subject baffles me. My question is how do you know when the story ends? I feel that everyday, no matter how miniscule,  is another story that makes an end impossible to find without death. I look forward to reading more on his philosophy on immersion and his advice on how to conduct it.

Factoid Friday 11

The establishment clause states that congress may not make any law "respecting an establishment of religion". This not only forbids the establishment if an official religion but also actions that unduly favor one religion over another and preferring religion over non-religion or non-religion over religion. This is the law often referenced when "Under God" is challenged in court. 

www.law.cornell.edu/wex/establishment_clause