Week 5: Top Links

http://www.1000awesomethings.com/ from three coconut pods is an awesome website that highlights the little things in life that most people don't stop and take the time to appreciate

http://theburninghouse.com/ This website is fascinating and shows the material possessions that mean most to people.  The variety in items shows the diversity of personality.

http://www.itsnicethat.com/articles/will-adler 

The artistic ability for this man to capture items beautifully and then relate them to other things that are completely opposite is a skill that few have ever considered or harnessed.

Weekly Music Analysis

The idea from Books and Stuff to analyze what music is the best each week is a fascinating idea and a way to show personal style while also presenting new, unheard music.

Widening My Narrow Gaze

It was just my luck.  I was spending a Friday night at home because the roads were too deeply covered in snow to even think about being able to go anywhere.  I wanted to read, but the library was closed and the bookstore was too far away.  After searching through every shelf in my house, I had difficulty finding anything that I hadn’t already read.  Just when I thought I would find nothing, I opened a drawer to find Nights in Rodanthe by Nicholas Sparks.  After reading the description, I was skeptical.  My interest never quite fell into the realm of the wistful flings of our current generation.  I typically find modern love stories to be lacking in devotion and constancy while chasing passionate desires and immediate gratification.  However, with few options and a desire to read, I reluctantly decided on at least reading the first 150 pages.  After all, Nicholas Sparks is a best-selling author of our time; I thought it only right that I broaden my horizons and sample the work of a popular author and main stream book.  It was almost a way to participate in the movement and culture of our day and age.
The book was well written.  Sparks has mastered the use of imagery and similes.  His description catered to almost every sense.

“No longer were there echoes of quiet conversations, or the sound of water rushing through the pipes, or the rhythm of footfalls as he moved about in his room.  Gone was the roar of waves and the persistent drumming of the storm, the crackling of the fire.”

The plot was slightly stretched, but the basic idea was simple and satisfying.  The idea that a man and woman both recently divorced and about the same age would be the only ones staying at an inn in a remote fishing town in the middle of nowhere on the Atlantic coast seemed a bit far fetched.  However, the basic idea that two broken people could help each other heal, learn, and grow while getting to know each other was decent and agreeable storyline that allowed me to excuse the unlikely circumstances.  Although the story was not exactly to my taste, Spark’s beautiful diction and style just made the story flow like a lullaby.       

List

1. Picturing America: Landscapes (an online art gallery, click theme and landscapes).  Honestly, when I clicked on the link of American Landscapes, I was expecting something completely nature based.  Considering all of the natural beauty in America, I could not imagine something other than pure rugged wilderness.  I was taken aback when I discovered paintings of factories and railroads, and all those massive technological successes that America uses to flaunt our superiority and industrial power.  The complete contrast between scenes of natural America and snap shots of industrial advancement were puzzling enough to captivate my attention.  My narrow mind had never considered something so man-made and technological to be a landscape, but when I considered it, that’s what America is, a country always striving to develop and pursuing the American dream.  It is almost as if the gallery serves as a reminder of the importance of progress and our roots.

2. It's Nice That is a blog bursting forth with an artful spirit that has no bounds.  What’s On by Leandro Erlich caught my eye and I couldn’t look away; its bizarre design, striking danger, and apparent defile of gravity were enough to encourage a another look.  After close observation, the picture’s complexity increased with an almost playful intensity.   It’s almost as if simple, everyday people, objects, clothing, and architect were suddenly thrown together and broke the laws of science. 

3. Found Magazine immediately triggered my interest by toying with my emotions.  I couldn’t simply pass by the intimate looks into countless anonymous individuals; it somewhat demands a compassionate reaction.  It creates a direct path into typically the most personal aspects of an individual’s life; it reveals those secret corridors in the house of one’s heart.  These are the things that you do not learn about acquaintance or on first dates.  I found the site is a way to personally relate to the world and open my mind to the fact that everyone deals with different circumstances, no one person is the same. 

Blog Analysis

In my opinion, Unfettered and Books and Stuff are the most interesting blogs so far.  Books and Stuff http://books--n--stuff.blogspot.com/2012/01/crystal-slab-mri_10.html?showComment=1327068626836#c2273611515354217574 has a background and appearance that is just appealing and sets the mood for a good discussion or book read.  The part that fascinated me was the author’s connection of his or her reading life to current events:

“The idea of achieving anything like this was previously unheard of, but as of December 11th 2011 this technology is officially no longer fiction. The NSF (National Science Foundation) released a video describing a technique called Decoded Neural Feedback using a fMRI…”

The connection of the writer’s science fiction novel and actual factual occurrences is enough to reveal his or her passion for science and thought provoking material.  Sci-Fi has never been an avid passion of mine, but seeing another writer’s interest blossom is enough for me to applaud their excitement.

The blog Unfettered http://jovialpursuit.blogspot.com/ fascinated me at first with the creative title, but, being an avid Jane Austen fan, I found the post about Sense and Sensibility to be the main force behind my appreciation.

“Jane Austen is a master of characterization, she makes everyone mentioned have a distinct personality…”

The mutual appreciation the writer and I have for Jane Austen gave me an immediate personal connection to the page and a greater appreciation.  Outside the realm of my personal bias, I found the blog to be attractive and peaceful in appearance.

I think the blog Must Not Be Blank http://betterthengooglebaby.blogspot.com/ had the best response to the Dead Poet Society clip.  The claim was descriptive enough to explain the clip in its entirety while still emphasizing the main focal points.  The description is full of rich language that helps portray the mood and fully captured the two polarized forces of the students and authority while still making a bold statement by foreshadowed an upcoming conflict between the two.  Overall, I believe this entry was the best analysis of the Dead Poet Society.  

The Book I Thought I Would Never Read

When I was younger, I remember my fifth grade teacher reading Pride and Prejudice.  Titles were important to me when I was younger; they were the source of attraction that drew me into reading.  Both the words pride and prejudice were obscure, unfamiliar, and uninteresting.  Not only was the name unappealing, but the size of the book itself was intimidating.  My childish mind believed that anything over 150 pages was much too long for any practical enjoyment.  How could a book of nearly 400 pages ever interest me in the slightest?  I wrote the book off almost instantly after seeing it.  Little did I know that six years later I would find myself so fervently enticed by the hypnotic plot and style of Jane Austen that putting the book down was out of the question. 

Mr. Darcy, although not the main character of the story, captured my attention from the beginning.  Being able to see his thoughts helps counter act his somber and somewhat snooty countenance.  His emotions and attachment early on, though unrevealed through his actions are shown in his thoughts and create dramatic irony because only the reader knows how ardently he loves Elizabeth.  The book becomes almost unbearable with the long absence of Mr. Darcy after leaving Netherfield Park.  Needless to say, I received almost an overdose of Mr. Collins, and, although he means well, his character has never failed to rub me the wrong way.  His never ending desire to please and heighten himself in the opinion of others by greatly elaborating his humbleness reminded me of Uriah Heep from David Copperfield by Charles Dickens.  Mr. Collins was by all means not mean spirited or insincere in his gratitude and humility like Mr. Heep, but nevertheless, his pride can be tiresome. 

Luckily, Mr. Darcy re-entered and experienced immense character development after his rejected marriage proposal to Elizabeth.  Up to this point, he has been depicted as a shrewd, proud, inconsiderate and terribly rich man; however, after his proposal the tables begin to turn.  If his explanation of his deeply rooted care for his sister and protection of his friend Mr. Bingley was not enough to soften any reader, his pleasant countenance and eager desire for the companionship of Elizabeth’s relatives when encountering them at Pemberly is enough to gain favor.  He elevates his good character to a whole new level when secretly securing Lydia and Wickham’s marriage.  At this point in the story, his thoughts are not recorded, but his actions speak louder than ever before and his good character is permanently undeniable.

Jane Austen filled this novel with a twisting plot, unexpected events, and social commentary of social class and the human institution of marriage itself.  Drawing many parallels with Sense and Sensibility, Pride and Prejudice focuses on the pressure and desire for young girls to find a soul mate and the difficulty of rising but ease in falling of social class.  She describes marriages as arrangements for security and the acceptance of society like Charlotte and Mr. Collins as well as marriages that were made hastily in youthful folly like those of Elizabeth’s parents and Lydia and Mr. Wickham.  Marriage for love was scarcely known and practically foreign to most in Jane Austen’s time.  She never ceases to carry her opinions and commentary to new heights through her beautiful masterpieces of literature.    

Dead Poets Society

In Welton School of the Dead Poets Society (1989), the shadowy, windowless hall filled with solemn, uniformed boys of young and old conveys a sense of strong tradition and an inescapable cultural umbrella.  The scene is initially overcome with reticent mumbling, absence of background music, and a flicker of the luminescent candle.  The dim church like hall with a continuous aisle and countless pews is filled with the resounding song of the bagpipes and mighty organ as they announce their superiority throughout the hall.  The dark clothing, serious expressions, and glowing eyes of the boys of all ages presents a institution of heavy magnitude, a far cry from the playful banter experienced by most their age.  The power put forth from the school master and shadowy architecture of the building creates a sense of hypnotic control over the lives of the students.  The high expectations and obvious strict structure directly contrasts the personality of the typical young male which foreshadows a future conflict between student and authority.

Nighthawks Evaluation

Elements of Genre:

1. Color
2. Action
3. Line
4. Space/Composition/Size

12-15 Specific Observations

1. Burnt red, dull green, mute black colors
2. Few details except for the name of the diner, the other buildings are unlabeled
3. Couple sitting together, another man sitting isolated on the other side of the room
4. Older man behind the counter bent over and appears to be grabbing something
5. Expressions on faces are blank
6. Everywhere except the diner is empty
7. The diner is the only place that is lit.  There are no street lights or lights on in the other buildings
8. Both of the men are dressed in dark black suits, the woman is dressed in a vibrant red dress, and the man behind the counter is in a bright white shirt
9. The diner is mostly empty of equipment.  All it has is a few salt and pepper shakers, napkin dispensers, bar stools, and two large metal containers in the back.
10. It is not very busy and is somewhat still since there are only four figures in the picture and none seem to be making any dramatic movements.
11. The two men sitting at the counter have almost identical apparel with dark suits and grey hats.
12. The two men also have a similar bent over posture at the table.
13. The diner’s light is casting a shadow on the street and the other dark buildings.

Claim:

The dull colors and empty surroundings of the diner along with the blank expressions and impassive stillness of its inhabitants create an aggravating uneasiness and unnatural mystery about the eerie diner on the lonely corner.   

never judge a book by its cover

“Mr. Darcy had at first scarcely allowed her to be pretty; he had looked at her without admiration at the ball; and when they next met, he looked at her only to criticise. But no sooner had he made it clear to himself and his friends that she hardly had a good feature in her face, than he began to find it was rendered uncommonly intelligent by the beautiful expression of her dark eyes. To this discovery succeeded some others equally mortifying.” (pg. 24)

Pride and Prejudice has been a classic I have heard named and referred to since I was young.  After seeing the movie (2005 version) last year, I set my heart on reading the book.  The book takes place in Netherfield, England presumably in the early 1800’s.  I found the book to be more in depth about characters along with frequent dialogue that helps reveal their personalities and qualities.  I felt that while the movie rotated around Elizabeth as the focal point, the book allows more room for the other characters to have their moments in the spotlight.  Elizabeth’s observations of Mr. Bingly almost give him a child-like glee and utterly pleasant countenance.  Jane’s character also grew as I saw her guarded, quiet, and sweet personality harmonize perfectly with Mr. Bingly’s.  The romance between the two, while addressed in the movie, truly comes alive in the book as we see their shy courtship blossom.  That is until Mr. Bingly leaves the town, and the end of their story is still to come.  The third person omniscient point of view also allowed me to take an in depth look into the mind of Mr. Darcy.  Once I saw Mr. Darcy’s thoughts and growing feelings towards Elizabeth, his actions and restriction became more understandable.  I’m looking forward to digging deeper into his character.

The book includes a theme about social class which can be seen clearly between the Bingly party and the Bennets.  While the Bingly party is upper class, the Bennets are lower class and obviously inferior.  This is seen clearly through Mr. Darcy’s struggles with his feelings for Elizabeth.  “Darcy had never been so bewitched by any woman as he was by her. He really believed, that were it not for the inferiority of her connections, he should be in some danger” (52).  Darcy automatically writes Elizabeth off as one who could never be worthy of his favor, but the more he gets to know her the more troubled he is by how taken he is with her.  Still, he maintains the prejudice that since she is of a lower class, he could never consider her, but the resolution to that is yet to come.  One thing I have taken from this book is the reminder not to judge quickly, Mr. Darcy after completely rejecting Elizabeth has found himself second guessing and that has happened in my life as well.  Never judge a book by its cover.          

When I was younger, I was a dedicated reader.  Following in the footsteps of my older sister, I practically lived at the library and read anything I could get my hands on.  Admiring my sister came as easily as breathing; to this day she remains a fantastic role model.  She was a passionate and dedicated reader, and in turn I became one as well.  Much of my reading took place when I was younger, mainly in the elementary and early middle school years.  I loved mysteries and historical fiction; I found their dramatic introductions and intriguing plots to be right up my alley.  History was and still is fascinating to me; the culture, lifestyle, events, and mystery of it all are captivating.  Unfortunately, during my late junior high and early high school years, I lost touch with my passion for reading.  There was always something that came first on my agenda whether it was sports, church, family, friends, or school work.  My reading for pleasure slowly obtained a lower and lower position on my priority list.  Eventually it disappeared altogether.  As much as I loved to read, I was dealing with a crunched schedule and I already had plenty on my plate to read for school.  However, through my reading for school, I discovered a newly found love for classic literature.  If my love for history was not a reason enough to fall in love with the novels, my enchantment with the Romanticism and Victorianism was sufficient.  Reading classics on my own time is challenging, but worth it.  My positive experiences with reading helped mold me into who I am today.  Without it, I might not have discovered my passion for the past and interest in the cultures.  In a way, reading is a way to keep me in check.  Taking time to stop and read a book takes dedication and wok, but it gives me an opportunity to slow down from life's whirl-wind and really stop and think.  The more I read, the more I discover about myself, and the more I appreciate books and life in general.  I am excited to keep exploring new books, authors, the world, and myself.  Discovery is waiting at my doorstep.