Doing all the artistically oriented mindbook entries has got me thinking about painting. Painting is something that I have never tried to do but looks so complex and difficult. I am decent at drawing but doubt my abilities to apply my artistic flair to painting. All year I was posed with the question, “Sammy have you ever tried?” by my art teachers and my lousy answer was always “No”.
All year round I have been surrounded by amazing artists in my AP art class and I love to observe the amount of talent that comes so effortless for them. I have learned some basics from Ms. Self though.
Front to back.
Dark to light.
Thinking about all these doubts and listening to a TED presentation about dissecting fears has gotten me to make a decision. I have taken it upon myself to embark in painting this summer. I have decided why not try and just feel out the medium myself instead of living in doubts of the way my product might turn out.
Painting, here I come.
Monday, May 16, 2011
Monday, May 9, 2011
An Inconvenient Truth: Apologies
You can never make someone apologize. Its something they must muster up, to right a wrong, or misunderstanding. That rubs me the wrong way because they waste my time. Wasting time that I will never get back with that person, making memories, having laughs. Life is so short that it makes me angry that they don’t take the time to realize what they did wrong and just own up to it. It really is the simplest task but a very gentle and complex one.
It just surprises me in some situations because I am always aware of the things that I say and do to people (my actions) and take responsibility for them. I make a conscious effort to make sure that I am not hurting anyone’s feelings while still being honest. My intentions are never to do someone harm, its just not in my character to go out of my way and say and act in a hateful way. I think it takes a lot more effort to be mean to someone. I know what it feels like to be in certain situations and I know when to back off because you cant “kick a dog when its down”.
One might say I’ am holding a grudge but why try making something work with a person that doesn’t put in the effort. It really does take two to tango. I hate using that phrase because everyone knows It so well but it really does make sense in this situation. I will probably never come to terms with it because I just know that one day they will regret not apologizing and I wont be able to get the time wasted back.
It just surprises me in some situations because I am always aware of the things that I say and do to people (my actions) and take responsibility for them. I make a conscious effort to make sure that I am not hurting anyone’s feelings while still being honest. My intentions are never to do someone harm, its just not in my character to go out of my way and say and act in a hateful way. I think it takes a lot more effort to be mean to someone. I know what it feels like to be in certain situations and I know when to back off because you cant “kick a dog when its down”.
One might say I’ am holding a grudge but why try making something work with a person that doesn’t put in the effort. It really does take two to tango. I hate using that phrase because everyone knows It so well but it really does make sense in this situation. I will probably never come to terms with it because I just know that one day they will regret not apologizing and I wont be able to get the time wasted back.
Thursday, May 5, 2011
BLOGGGIN AROUND: DOUG and SPENCE
Blogged on Doug’s blog about his chill fourth quarter and how excited he is that it truly is calmer than previous quarters.
I Blogged:
I totally agree with Doug/Marlee about how insightful the "Do you mind" questions can be. They help me remember all the things that I take for granted or forget through a stressful day of school. The two questions I remember the most are, "What are three questions you wish someone would ask you?" and, "Who do you wish would apologize to you?"
Though these questions are super personal and I wouldn’t dare answer them in front of everyone I do enjoy them because they are things that you don’t usually get to think about or talk about on a daily basis and those are personal questions that are only answered with your closest friends or in a deep conversation.
I am jealous of how carefree your fourth quarter is. Even though I only took 2 AP's I am going to go crazy. I must admit that I haven’t had homework in like three weeks which is the greatest thing in the world.
I also commented on Spencer’s blog about his confidence on his TED presentation and what he thought of his performance.
I Commented:
I thought your presentation was wondrous as well. No worries, no cockiness. What caught my eye was your picture and it looked very similar to one I saw in a gallery I went to last Friday for art. The artist had a map of the world and had sarcastic, blunt, or arrogant words over countries to show the misconceptions that Americans have. For example, over the Middle East region, the artist wrote terrorists and over South America the artist wrote Mexicans and we all know that there are NOOO Mexicans in Latin America. I thought it was interesting that you posted this picture because I also enjoy it.
Keep being hilarious Spence,
Sammy
I Blogged:
I totally agree with Doug/Marlee about how insightful the "Do you mind" questions can be. They help me remember all the things that I take for granted or forget through a stressful day of school. The two questions I remember the most are, "What are three questions you wish someone would ask you?" and, "Who do you wish would apologize to you?"
Though these questions are super personal and I wouldn’t dare answer them in front of everyone I do enjoy them because they are things that you don’t usually get to think about or talk about on a daily basis and those are personal questions that are only answered with your closest friends or in a deep conversation.
I am jealous of how carefree your fourth quarter is. Even though I only took 2 AP's I am going to go crazy. I must admit that I haven’t had homework in like three weeks which is the greatest thing in the world.
I also commented on Spencer’s blog about his confidence on his TED presentation and what he thought of his performance.
I Commented:
I thought your presentation was wondrous as well. No worries, no cockiness. What caught my eye was your picture and it looked very similar to one I saw in a gallery I went to last Friday for art. The artist had a map of the world and had sarcastic, blunt, or arrogant words over countries to show the misconceptions that Americans have. For example, over the Middle East region, the artist wrote terrorists and over South America the artist wrote Mexicans and we all know that there are NOOO Mexicans in Latin America. I thought it was interesting that you posted this picture because I also enjoy it.
Keep being hilarious Spence,
Sammy
Monday, May 2, 2011
Best of Week: Fear of an Audience
As Beccas’ TED presentation suggests if we dissect our fears we can use them to conquer what makes us anxious. I have experienced this to be true on many levels with my attempt to dissect my own fears. I had a massive fear of performing in front of people, I was scared of others criticism because I didn’t believe in myself. My family, even though I hate to admit it, are huge critics when it comes to people or current events. What your wearing, the way you walk, and the things that you say, wow do they pick people apart inch by inch.
I came to the realization that it’s just anxiety that shakes me up and nothing physically harmful. As a result, I was able to tackle my fear of large audiences by trying out for De La Cru. As my first performance came around the first couple weeks of junior year, I reminded myself it was the same music and movements as I had practiced the whole summer before, all I had to do was show my intensity so that others felt the same. Instead of freezing up, I slowly became confident and was able to not care what others thought because I knew that at that moment I was having a great time and hoped the audience was too.
After two years of performing in front of the whole school I needed to dig deeper into this fear, yes I could dance in front of people, but singing was a whole other ball park. I was only able to sing in front of my dance team in the middle of senior year, scared of what they would say about my tone of voice. Hesitant as I was I tried out for my own act in Hip Hop Coffee House. “Let Me Love You” by Mario. I knew if I didn’t take this opportunity I wouldn’t be able to have a chance like this ever again. Practicing in front of the crew was the most awkward but every time I got a chance to hold that microphone it started to feel more natural. I guess exposure really does help the fear fade. The best decisions of my life have been the ones to make me feel the most out of my element.
I came to the realization that it’s just anxiety that shakes me up and nothing physically harmful. As a result, I was able to tackle my fear of large audiences by trying out for De La Cru. As my first performance came around the first couple weeks of junior year, I reminded myself it was the same music and movements as I had practiced the whole summer before, all I had to do was show my intensity so that others felt the same. Instead of freezing up, I slowly became confident and was able to not care what others thought because I knew that at that moment I was having a great time and hoped the audience was too.
After two years of performing in front of the whole school I needed to dig deeper into this fear, yes I could dance in front of people, but singing was a whole other ball park. I was only able to sing in front of my dance team in the middle of senior year, scared of what they would say about my tone of voice. Hesitant as I was I tried out for my own act in Hip Hop Coffee House. “Let Me Love You” by Mario. I knew if I didn’t take this opportunity I wouldn’t be able to have a chance like this ever again. Practicing in front of the crew was the most awkward but every time I got a chance to hold that microphone it started to feel more natural. I guess exposure really does help the fear fade. The best decisions of my life have been the ones to make me feel the most out of my element.
Monday, April 25, 2011
LOVE- Letters to a Young Poet Mashup
1)
2) “I waited in vain to hear my name on my wife’s sweet lips: “And then my dear husband came into my life”—something like that. But I heard nothing of the sort” (218 Carver).
3)
4) “The boys are ugly, they are failures, they will never be loved, they enter the house. Boys enter the house and kiss their mother, who feels differently now they have outgrown her” (148 Moody).
5) “You are so young, so much before all beginning, and I would like to beg you, dear sir, as well as I can to have patience with everything unresolved in your heart and to try to have the questions themselves as if they were locked rooms or books written in a very foreign language” (34 Rilke).
6) “Don’t write love poems; avoid those forms that are too facile and ordinary: they are the hardest to work with, and it takes a great, fully ripened power to create something individual where good, even glorious, traditions exist in abundance” (7 Rilke).
7)
8) “It is also good to love; because love is difficult for one human being to love another human being; that is perhaps the most difficult task that has been entrusted to us, the ultimate task the final test and proof, the work for which all other work is merely preparation. That is why young people, who are beginners in everything, are not yet capable of love: it is something they must learn” (68-69 Rilke).
9) Robert Indiana
10) “I believe that love remains so strong and intense in your memory because it was your first deep aloneness and the first inner work that you did on your life” (79 Rilke).
11)
12) “The monk and the lover inside him, each a powerful and conflicting presence, were never able to merge” (xiii Rilke).
13) “Anyone who lives inside the United States can never be considered an outsider anywhere within its bounds” (1 King).
14) “Perhaps everything that frightens us is in its deepest essence, something helpless that wants our love” (92 Rilke).
Work Cited
Carver, Raymond. Cathedral.
King Jr., Martin Luther. "Letter from a Birmingham Jail." Letter to Fellow Clergymen. 16 Apr. 1963.
Moody, Rick. Boys.
Rilke, Rainer Maria, Franz Xaver Kappus, and Stephen Mitchell. Letters to a Young Poet. New York: Random House, 1984.
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Best of Week: TED Presentations
Hearing the TED presentations of the week it almost seemed like they all had food in common. There is so much talk of going green and organic foods that for me there is no emotional connection to the problem at hand. Buying from local farmers or having my own garden all seem do-able but why doesn’t anyone really go along with these smart ideas? Americans are lazy, if it’s not convenient then passive people are not about to get out of their homes and search for these local farmers. We need to invent an easier way for people to be able to get in contact with these farmers. If local farmers would create an online website for people to buy their meats and produce online I am sure people will start ordering.
The internet is accessible for most families so why not have a sort of yellow pages just for local farmers. These local farmers could also put ads for their meats and produce at grocery stores so that their names become known so that those that are interested can become clients. Local farmers need to become more tech savvy to make their mark in advertising and become active in their approach. Active online farmers would not only create jobs but be a new way to connect with a locals and also reduce that avg. 1300mile trip that most produce make. Fewer miles would also contribute to less gas consumption and would ultimately reduce the cost of organic goods.
Blogging Around
1)Blog owner: Ben
Bens Point: Placebo effect of a dream-catcher
My Comment:
Funny how you mention dream-catchers guys cause I have one too, but I never got around to hanging it up. My mom loves the Native American culture so for her its so natural to buy me them.
In Psych we were just learning about the sleep stages and what happens to the brain/body in each stage. I learned that you only dream in the REM stage of sleeping which is the deepest stage(5) of a cycle. I also found it extremely interesting that when the brain is awake the brain waves are similar looking to the brain waves of someone who is in REM sleep or Rapid Eye Movement sleep. How can being awake and being in the deepest sleep be the same for a brain?
I just don't understand how dream-catchers became so famous for protecting you from having nightmares when it really is as Ben stated, "A placebo effect".
2)Blog owner: Jon
Jons Point: how interesting poetry can be if one takes the time to analyze it
My Comment:
I agree that poetry can be quite misunderstood but it can also be the most amazing way to express oneself such as this poem. I had the same initial reaction as you but when taking the time to really analyze and look through the clues and meanings of why the author chose to make certain fragments and certain letters paired together the beauty of the falling leaf can be found if one chooses to look for it.
Power of poetry, can be much more than just squiggles and that make up words, sentences, paragraphs. Language it epic and allows us to communicate in so many different ways. I love poetry have you ever written a poem?
Monday, March 14, 2011
Lit books:Final Blog
I read: The Political Mind
Stephanie G. Read: The Post-American World
Responding to Stephanie G. Lit book The Post-American World says that her book recognizes, “Americas strengths and weaknesses” just as Lakoff does when he points out the weaknesses of the conservatives and the progressives. One of Lakoff’s main points is explaining that conservatives are much more persuasive because they relay their narratives with morals so that people can relate and understand their political frames better than the progressives. Understanding and communicating frames thus exemplifies why conservatives have been statistically doing better in office.
Stephanie also says that, “Instead of doing things the way we’ve done them for a hundred years, we need to start being creative in the way we run our country.” This is Lakoff’s main goal of his book to get us to think creatively so that we can understand the way that our country is being ran cognitively as well as linguistically. Lakoff wants to express that language is the form that our brain understands and comprehends what one is saying and without being able to use our words carefully as the conservatives have been doing then we cannot advance politically. Another main point Lakoff repeats throughout his book is that it is beneficial to try and make the unconscious conscious and if we can try and start thinking outside of the box then one has then effectively used their 21st century mind.
Stephanie G. Read: The Post-American World
Responding to Stephanie G. Lit book The Post-American World says that her book recognizes, “Americas strengths and weaknesses” just as Lakoff does when he points out the weaknesses of the conservatives and the progressives. One of Lakoff’s main points is explaining that conservatives are much more persuasive because they relay their narratives with morals so that people can relate and understand their political frames better than the progressives. Understanding and communicating frames thus exemplifies why conservatives have been statistically doing better in office.
Stephanie also says that, “Instead of doing things the way we’ve done them for a hundred years, we need to start being creative in the way we run our country.” This is Lakoff’s main goal of his book to get us to think creatively so that we can understand the way that our country is being ran cognitively as well as linguistically. Lakoff wants to express that language is the form that our brain understands and comprehends what one is saying and without being able to use our words carefully as the conservatives have been doing then we cannot advance politically. Another main point Lakoff repeats throughout his book is that it is beneficial to try and make the unconscious conscious and if we can try and start thinking outside of the box then one has then effectively used their 21st century mind.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
The Political Mind (1-42)
Scientist George Lakoff has written a manual-like book that not only gives you facts and relates to current events but tries to explain the anatomy of the brain and why one thinks the way they do in regards to politics. Lakoff explains that one cannot live in today’s world with an 18th century brain because there is a lot more than just plain facts that sway the masses and must look at the narrative that those in politics play. Not only does George point out the unseen structure of the brain but also relates it to the reader in a way that can be understood with the Anna Nicole Smith example and her many narratives.
The Goal of this book, as said by Lakoff is to, “make the cognitive unconscious as conscious as possible” (Lakoff 34). Lakoff is challenging the status quo and making people realize there full potential when he states that 98% of out thoughts are not conscious. His argument of a pre existing structure of the brain holds true and our brain does not think about what it has to do in order to think but rather lets us daydream and flourish in thought. Lakoff’s structure then causes us to question how one might think about the way that politicians talk and advertise to get people to vote in one way or another. He states that the brain makes decisions without one knowing regarding morality, how morality does not change at will and how one connects to the world. The bold and daring goal allows Lakoff to explain why politicians said certain things to the public and took specific actions.
The Goal of this book, as said by Lakoff is to, “make the cognitive unconscious as conscious as possible” (Lakoff 34). Lakoff is challenging the status quo and making people realize there full potential when he states that 98% of out thoughts are not conscious. His argument of a pre existing structure of the brain holds true and our brain does not think about what it has to do in order to think but rather lets us daydream and flourish in thought. Lakoff’s structure then causes us to question how one might think about the way that politicians talk and advertise to get people to vote in one way or another. He states that the brain makes decisions without one knowing regarding morality, how morality does not change at will and how one connects to the world. The bold and daring goal allows Lakoff to explain why politicians said certain things to the public and took specific actions.
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Captured Thought: Invisible Florescent Love
Something that I always forget is the love that one shares in friendship. Seeing the person everyday things get routine even though you have a deep and meaningful conversation with that person. The lack of “I love you” throughout the day bothers me as for I am a firm believer in showing affection towards those I love. Even though I am secure in my friendships with others its the actions that remind me of how much that person truly cares.
This turnabout weekend I had close friends of mine do so many selfless and generous acts that really exemplified there love and care for me. Maggie, my friend since 2nd grade allowed me to borrow her heels that are dear to her, expensive and new Maggie takes very good care of her belongings and usually does not allow others to use them. Despite her protective attitude Maggie was willing and openly excited about me wearing them to the dance. Acts such as these really show me that even though it is unspoken the love is very loud.
The biggest surprise of all was the person I was originally going to ask to turnabout but got asked by someone else surprised me at my groups pictures with a corsage that he made himself. This act of spontaneity and the unexpected are my favorite and he has yet to let me down. This person was nice enough to take the time out of his day to surprise and thoughtfully assemble a corsage from the skills he has learned from horticulture. Even though love is a silent subject, invisible and intangible it is such a beautiful thing.
This turnabout weekend I had close friends of mine do so many selfless and generous acts that really exemplified there love and care for me. Maggie, my friend since 2nd grade allowed me to borrow her heels that are dear to her, expensive and new Maggie takes very good care of her belongings and usually does not allow others to use them. Despite her protective attitude Maggie was willing and openly excited about me wearing them to the dance. Acts such as these really show me that even though it is unspoken the love is very loud.
The biggest surprise of all was the person I was originally going to ask to turnabout but got asked by someone else surprised me at my groups pictures with a corsage that he made himself. This act of spontaneity and the unexpected are my favorite and he has yet to let me down. This person was nice enough to take the time out of his day to surprise and thoughtfully assemble a corsage from the skills he has learned from horticulture. Even though love is a silent subject, invisible and intangible it is such a beautiful thing.
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Connection: MLK and Egypt’s protesters
Reading the “Letter from Birmingham Jail” by MLK Jr. made me realize his repeating structure to introduce his reasons for challenging the Status Quo. MLK expressed himself in a manner that the congressmen would unite forces to change the Status Quo. MLK kept repeating that he, “understood their view but challenges the Status Quo because…” throughout the letter. Just as MLK challenged the Status Quo so have the people from Egypt.
Egypt used the adjacent possible of MLK and looking at other countries around them to realize that they want a free country. As the Egyptians stand strong protesting their demand of a free government, they have started to affect the neighboring country of Israel as well. Now that Egypt has starting fighting back for their own country it could mean that other Arabic countries will try and fight their governments and will ultimately cause a domino effect in those countries.
History is taking place in front of my own eyes and that is more life changing than anything that may happen in the short future. I am anxious to see what Mubarak has to say to his own country and the citizens of Cairo. I also see my connection to this significant movement in history because of Obama’s meeting with Mubarak and his urge for him to listen to his people and have a democracy for his country. The future of Egypt lies within their army and the choice they make whether that may be with Mubarak or the Egyptians.
Egypt used the adjacent possible of MLK and looking at other countries around them to realize that they want a free country. As the Egyptians stand strong protesting their demand of a free government, they have started to affect the neighboring country of Israel as well. Now that Egypt has starting fighting back for their own country it could mean that other Arabic countries will try and fight their governments and will ultimately cause a domino effect in those countries.
History is taking place in front of my own eyes and that is more life changing than anything that may happen in the short future. I am anxious to see what Mubarak has to say to his own country and the citizens of Cairo. I also see my connection to this significant movement in history because of Obama’s meeting with Mubarak and his urge for him to listen to his people and have a democracy for his country. The future of Egypt lies within their army and the choice they make whether that may be with Mubarak or the Egyptians.
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Metacognition: Reading Sophie’s World
At first, the volume of Sophie’s World intimidated me right away. I also had no knowledge of what this book could possibly be about. With these two ideas in mind, I was hesitant to start reading this book. Despite my observations, one thing that was attracting me to this book was its simple saying on the front, “A book about philosophy”.
The word philosophy means to me the way that one lives there life, which has been something that always has my mind thinking. I always think about the way that I am living in each moment. It sounds silly to say but I think if I am more aware of the way that I conduct myself I will enjoy life in a different way that others will never experience. I have found this finding fascinates me because it really is all about the perspective that one approaches a situation.
When I was approaching Sophie’s World, I most likely was already overwhelmed by current deadlines of projects for school and this addition was not going to make my work load any lighter. In other words, the preconditions and the current state of mind affects the way that we live our life as the moments pass. I was amazed at my observation because I did not understand my dread of school and found an idea that supports the way that I perceive work. When I realize that my dislike for things really does not bare truth, I try to approach the situation in a whole new light. While reading Sophie’s World, it made me look at the whole picture before I began to derive my opinions on other events in my life.
The word philosophy means to me the way that one lives there life, which has been something that always has my mind thinking. I always think about the way that I am living in each moment. It sounds silly to say but I think if I am more aware of the way that I conduct myself I will enjoy life in a different way that others will never experience. I have found this finding fascinates me because it really is all about the perspective that one approaches a situation.
When I was approaching Sophie’s World, I most likely was already overwhelmed by current deadlines of projects for school and this addition was not going to make my work load any lighter. In other words, the preconditions and the current state of mind affects the way that we live our life as the moments pass. I was amazed at my observation because I did not understand my dread of school and found an idea that supports the way that I perceive work. When I realize that my dislike for things really does not bare truth, I try to approach the situation in a whole new light. While reading Sophie’s World, it made me look at the whole picture before I began to derive my opinions on other events in my life.
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