So...you've played this game before: If you were trapped on a desert island, what is the one media (book, tv show, website, song, cd, etc.) that you'd make sure to have with you to survive the loneliness?Take one of your entries from your media portrait assignment, the one you would most want with you on that tropical paradise, and share it here.
MLA tip sheet is here.
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7) Rowling, J.K. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. London: Bloomsbury, 2005. Print.
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is the sixth installment in the world famous Harry Potter series. Harry, Hermione, and Ron are in their sixth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and the wizarding population is terrified that Lord Voldemort is coming back into power. The book is significantly one of the darkest in the series, and the teenage characters develop more into who they are and what they believe in. Then of course there is the question that lasts throughout the book, “Who is the Half-Blood Prince?”
As a huge Harry Potter fan, I have been greatly influenced by the book series. Because my favorite character is Severus Snape, who is the Half-Blood Prince, I am most connected to this book as a huge part of it revolves around Snape. I do have a parasocial relationship with almost every character in the series, so what they feel, I feel. I cried for Hermione when Ron got a girlfriend, was happy when Harry and Ginny finally kissed, was sorry for Hagrid when Aragog died, and felt sympathy for Draco’s fear. It feels like a dark cloud hovers over all the characters in this book, as one bad event just keeps happening after another. The dark cloud grows larger when Dumbledore is murdered because he is the beacon of hope for so many people; however, the hope he gave lives on through his inspiring words. As Dumbledore once said, “We must try not to sink beneath our anguish, Harry, but battle on” (Rowling 357).
Taking Woodstock. Dir. Ang Lee. Perf. Demetri Martin, Henry Goodman, Edward Hibbert. Focus Features, 2009. DVD.
Taking Woodstock is a film that takes you back to the good ole days of the 1960’s. The town is Bethel, New York in the year 1969. Elliot Tiber and his family are trying to make ends meet renting out their hotel rooms, but the bank is on their trail. Given only till the end of summer to pay, Elliot plans to hold a small music festival; which eventually turns into Woodstock. Innocent Elliot is exposed to LSD, sex, marijuana and music from the legends of The Grateful Dead, The Who, Jimi Hendrix and many more.
Taking Woodstock relates to me in a variety of ways, which comes as a surprise to many. My Grandparents owned the first two Head Shops in Boston, The Freak Boutique and Headquarters East. They were the premier seller of tickets to Woodstock in Boston. If there had been as much Mass Media as there is currently, I can't imagine how many people would have went. I still have the ticket they gave me when I turned 16. I grew up listening to stories about my Grandparents from the 60’s and I have always had an interest in this time period. When this movie came out, my entire family went to go see it. Growing up I listened to The Who and Jimi Hendrix. I immediately bought the soundtrack to this movie when it came out. Taking Woodstock took me back to a time period I wish I could have been a part of, but I happy to know that my Grandparent’s were.
Snicket, Lemony. A Series of Unfortunate Events. New York: HarperCollins, 1999-2006. Print.
The famous series A Series of Unfortunate Events tells exactly what the series is about in the title. It is a series about three kids named Violet, Klaus, and Sunny that go through a series of unfortunate events after the death of their parents. All of these unfortunate events are caused by an evil man named Count Olaf. The tone of this story is very eerie and unfortunate, and as described by the author at the very beginning, “If you enjoy books with happy endings than you are better off reading some other book.” Behind all of the eeriness there is something about this series of novels that just clicks.
I used this series as a source of diversion throughout my youth. I would get bored, and then I would just sit and read these books and they would take me into another world. I wanted to follow the story of these unlucky children, and see if maybe one day luck would turn their way. When I read these stories I literally felt like I was there being tortured by life along with Violet, Klaus, and Sunny, but it was okay because it was like I almost had a para social relationship with these characters. It felt like I was on the run with them. It was also very interesting to see how Count Olaf would pop up into the story. He was always really good at disguising himself and getting to the children, and he was the one antagonist of a story that actually terrified me. If this series did anything for me it released me from this world and put me in my own imaginary one.
Hands Like Houses. “One Hundred.” Ground Dweller. Rise Records. 4 Janurary 2012. CD.
Hands Like Houses is considered a rock band. They have one album released called Ground Dweller. They were signed a little over a year ago with Rise Records which is one of the largest record companies. The band consists of six members; Trenton Woodley, Matt Cooper, Jamal Sabet, Alex Pearson, Joel Tyrell, and Matt Parkitny. Their album has eleven songs on it, some of which feature very popular artist such as Craig Owens and Matty Mullins. Their album reached 141 on the Billboards Top 200 list in 2012 and was number 2 on Billboards Heatseekers Chart.
The song “One Hundred” is my favorite song on their album. This song is my favorite due solely to one line, “We’re keeping every thought to ourselves in case we mention how we feel.” I have always been the kind of person that kept my thoughts and feelings to myself because trust is a huge thing with me. Whenever I heard this line, it really stuck with me because it is exactly how I feel. One of the most exciting things for me is when I find music that can relate to me. I also love this band because not a lot of people listen to the same music I listen to, so it makes me feel special to know that I have this almost parasocial relationship with rock/screamo music. Music is a huge part of my life and has helped me through a lot of tough situations while growing up. I can honestly say that the music I listen to has helped shape me into the person I am today.
Thiessen, Matt. Forget and Not Slow Down. Perf. Matt Hoopes. Relient K. Rec. 2009. Mark Lee Townsend, 2009. MP3.
Relient K is a Punk/Christian rock group that came from Canada. They perform two different types of music. One is their powerful Christian anthems that are absolutely loaded with meaning and beautiful words, such as “The sun still burns the shadows out, so there’s nothing to complain about” from the their song “I Don’t Need a Soul.” The also play songs that are completely ridiculous and mean nothing except for a laugh. Their song “Crayons Can Melt on Us for All I Care” is a short song with only one line of lyrics: “I just wasted ten seconds of your life.” The album “Forget and Not Slow Down,” headlined by their hit single with the same name, was released in 2009, with a focus on specifically Christian music rather than funny music.
This album recently changed my life entirely. After an awful breakup, awful grades in my first semester, and an awful winter vacation afterward, I began moping around and being anti-social. I regretted every second of last semester and made sure I reminded myself of my failures constantly, as if I was screaming them into my own ear. Then, while listening to this album on Spotify, the lyrics caught my attention and my mindset changed. Lyrics like “I could spend my life just trying to sift through what I could have done better, but what good do what ifs do?” from “Forget and Not Slow Down”, and “I had so much, but I had need for nothing but You” from “Therapy” reminded me that I’m better off just dusting this off and getting on with my happy, God-fearing life.
P.S. I think it's hilarious that we're this close to the due date and four people have commented.
9. “The Pitch.” Seinfeld. NBC. WXIA-TV, Atlanta. 16 Sept. 1992. Television.
Seinfeld ran for an incredible nine seasons. It was one of the shows since I Love Lucy that really helped bring people together around the living room and tune in to NBC for thirty minutes. TBS still plays reruns every evening at six-thirty, and my family and I always watch it. It does not matter if you have seen an episode a gazillion times, you know you will still watch it. I think the great thing about Seinfeld that really draws me to the show is the fact that it is about nothing in particular. In the episode “The Pitch,” where George and Jerry bring an idea to NBC to produce a show, George says, “I think I can sum up the show for you with one word: NOTHING.” Earlier in the show he quotes, “Everybody’s doing something, we’ll do nothing.”
I think that is just pure genius. It is a show about nothing, and yet it is hilarious. It is a show about everyday life, normal yet abnormal encounters that develop into sticky situations. It is a show about literally nothing, and includes trivial banter, failed relationships, and compulsive liars and yet it busts our guts laughing. I think I can relate to this show with the fact that a lot of times I feel like I do nothing. Just today, while I sat with my roommate at a booth having a random conversation, I got the feeling that we were a living Seinfeld episode. Watching Seinfeld makes you feel even better about wasting your time doing nothing because you are watching a sitcom about nothing. It is great. I feel better about myself that my life may not be that meaningless since I can watch other people on television do similar things, and it is purely entertaining. Plus, it boosts my self-esteem. I can say to myself, well I am not that bad of a person, at least I did not steal a marble rye from an elderly woman or sell a used wheelchair to a handicapped person. Sure, the show is about nothing, but you know that you still do not have anything better to do. It is the shows that seem realistic in an odd way to us because we can see ourselves doing the same thing, maybe not going to that extreme, but I can see myself dropping a friend’s toothbrush in the toilet and being afraid to tell them. Even if they tend to over-exaggerate the issues, we can still relate to them, and that is why it achieves high ratings even years after it ended by showing reruns.
Friends. Productions, Bright/Kauffman/Crane. National Broadcasting Company. NBC, New York. 1994. Television.
Friends, a popular 90’s television sitcom was known for its quick wit and sarcastic banter between a close-knit group of young adults living in New York City. Each character experienced common challenges ranging from money problems to multiple failed marriages all the while up-keeping a positive attitude and providing comic relief for the target audience. In this episode, Rachel, looses her cool while teaching Joey to sail and states, “Oh my God. I’ve become my father. I’ve been trying so hard not to become my mother, I didn’t see this coming” (7.03). Audience members can relate to these real life difficulties displayed on the show and view them in a comedic light.
The writers of Friends developed a group of witty, sarcastic, bubbly, and dim-witted characters to portray life as ironic and funny. Through their portrayal, I have learned that even when life seems hard, humor can be found in any situation. Before I became a fan of this show, I often viewed life and the troubles it entailed as exhausting and unnecessary. However, through these six characters’ personalities I have come to realize that life is a gift and can be enjoyed even when certain circumstances are not. Through viewing the show’s collection of hilarious life events, I have developed a dry sense of humor that I often take into my own undesirable situations. I have realized life is too short and fleeting to be shaken up about every embarrassing moment or failure, and that it is better to laugh at yourself before everyone else beats you to it.
Finding Nemo. Dir. Andrew Stanton. Walt Disney Pictures, 2003. Film
Finding Nemo is a computer-animated movie released by Walt Disney Pictures in 2003. It is about a clown fish’s adventure to find his lost son Nemo. Nemo is netted by a boat and taken to a dentist office and put into a tank. They both do whatever it takes to reunite and in the process meet new friends and enemies. It becomes quite a comic adventure.
This is one of my favorite animated movies. I am amazed at how they can make a fish come to life through the voices and the expressions. You could really see Ellen DeGeneres in Dory, the blue fish. The story line is classic. The parents tell their kids what they shouldn’t do. Then they go and do it. Then they get in trouble. This is exactly what always happens to me. This is a movie that is enjoyable for all ages. The movie gives me the kind of encouragement to never give up, like Nemo and his father. They never gave up in finding each other, no matter how impossible the situation seems. Like Dory would always say, “Just keep swimming.”
Watterson, Bill. Homicidal Psycho Jungle Cat. Missouri: Andrews McMeel Publishing, 1994. Print.
Originally a comic series that ran from November 18, 1985 to December 31, 1995, Calvin and Hobbes tells of the lives of the perpetually six-year-old Calvin and his stuffed tiger, Hobbes. Unfortunately, the original newspaper run of Calvin and Hobbes was something that I was too young to have ever actually gotten to read during its syndication. However, I discovered the comics during the book fairs that my elementary school had. I purchased one of the collections, Homicidal Psycho Jungle Cat, and was immediately hooked. I later purchased another book, followed by another, until eventually I ended up owning the entire collection.
Calvin himself always seemed like an excellent example of free, uncontrolled, childlike thinking, always willing to say exactly what was on his mind, whether the time was appropriate or not. (It usually wasn’t) Accompanied by his stuffed tiger, Hobbes, who is just as alive in Calvin’s mind as any person, they go through their days playing and laughing, getting into trouble, and complaining about their schoolwork. He is always looking at situations from a genuine childlike curiosity. “Who was the first guy that looked at a cow and said, ‘I think I’ll drink whatever comes out of those things when I squeeze them?’” And while it is a natural and necessary thing for people to outgrow that phase of their lives, Calvin has always reminded me that maybe it can be a good thing to take a step back and think about life with that sort of untarnished, genuine childlike frame of mind from days gone by. It can and usually does give me a new and fresh perspective on different aspects of life that I might have missed out on otherwise.
" Punkin Chunkin'." Levitan, Steven. Modern Family. American Broadcasting Company. ABC, Los Angeles California. 23 Sept. 2009. Television.
The hilarious sitcom on ABC, Modern Family, is a based on an unconventional family set in the suburban area of an upper middle class town. Three families are the center of the plot in this series: A gay couple, a dysfunctional yet functional family of four, and a older, traditional man married to a feisty Hispanic woman and her son. Throughout the episodes somber life lessons are discretely taught through sarcasm and comic relief. Although each family may come across some rocky moments at times, at the end of the day they are and will always be supportive of each other. Similar to the quote Cam states in the episode “Punkin’ Chunkin”, “There are dreamers and there are realists in this world. You’d think the dreamers would find the dreamers and the realists would find the realists, but more often than not, the opposite is true. You see the dreamers need the realists from keeping them from soaring too close to the sun… And the realists? Well without the dreamers, they might never get off the ground” the families in Modern Family feed of each other in order to find pure happiness yet keep each other grounded at the same time.
This series is one of my personal favorites to watch. Through the awkward families living in the suburban area I was truly able to relate to the lives of the characters. Just as the Dunphey’s, my family is equally quirky and sometimes ridiculous, yet so individually unique. My mother is what they call a dreamer, always optimistic about life. My father, the realistic is calm and collected, the complete opposite from my mother. Together they make each other complete. It amazes me to see how each of their unique personalities come together just as two tiny puzzle pieces can so preciously fit each other. The families and marriages portrayed in Modern Family and my parents are inspirational to me as a set on a journey to find the one I want to spend the rest of my life with. I hope to find a husband that will lift my up and help me conquer my dreams but also help me find solid ground when I feel as though I could possibly stumble and fall.
Van Morrison. "Brown Eyed Girl." Blowin' Your Mind!. 1967. Bang Records
A classic rock hit by the northern Irish singer Van Morrison wrote this tune in 1967 and ever since it has been played on every oldies and classic rock radio station. In 2011, Van Morrison was invited to join an elite group of song writers and singers that have had 10 million U.S. radio air plays. The song today still rises in those charts. A great lyric in the song that I really enjoy is, "Whatever happened, to Tuesday and so slow, going down the old mine, with a transistor radio..." I always remember asking my dad what was a transistor radio and one day he showed me because he had one in the shed out in the back yard. From the experiences of watching my dad sing this song I have become very confident in my karaoke skills with this song.
The song to me is one that my dad always sang my whole life. My dad had a band that traveled all over Georgia and performed. We even have a room dedicated in my house that is strictly for band business and rehearsal. Now my dad is in his old age and hasn't performed with his band in years but I won't ever forget that he always played "Brown Eyed Girl" in his act. The song was practically engraved into my memory. Every time I hear the song I think back to the many years of traveling with my family and listening to my dad. I hope one day that he gets the band back together and all the old guys start playing like back in the golden years.
Oliver, Lauren. Before I fall. London: Hodder & Stoughton, 2010. Print.
Lauren Oliver’s novel, Before I Fall, is a heart wrenching book that will give any reader the goose bumps. This book has a character by the name of Samantha Kingston who has the “perfect life”. You expect to see her live this life in the novel, until you come across to her last day on Earth, seven times. The day of her death is repeated over and over; it’s a rollercoaster ride. Over this repeated week, she figures out the story behind her death along with many other things she did not know about herself and the people around her. This becomes a life changing experience for herself and the readers as well. It gives the readers the thought process of what would you do if today was your last day?
Before I fall is definitely one of my favorite books I have ever read, even on top of all the sappy Nicholas Sparks books! This is the type of novel you read and you never forget about it. It has made me the person I am today because after reading this book, I always think to myself, “what if today is my last day?” Not only has it taught me to think about that, but it has shown me to be myself everyday and make sure I make every moment count. In the novel there is a quote that says “It's funny, isn't it? When you are young you just want to be old, and then later you wish you could go back to being a kid.” That quote really hit home for me because I used to always say I wanted to be older when I was younger, now I’m dying to get back to being young again and care free. This really taught me the lesson to love what stage I’m in life rather than trying to get ahead of myself. This book will always be my all time favorite!
Morrisette, Alanis. “You Oughta Know.” Jagged Little Pill. MCA Records, 1995.
Alanis Morrisette made a name for herself after moving from Canada and jump-starting her music career in the middle of the 90s. She started her career as a teenage pop singer and transitioned into an accomplished alternative rock artist. On her third album, Jagged Little Pill, she tells the story of a relationship gone south in “You Oughta Know.” Although she has never offered a comment on the lyrics that she wrote, the song is rumored to be about her ex, Dave Coulier (also known as Uncle Joey on the show Full House). Fortunately she went through the relationship that led her to the “And every time you speak her name, does she know how you told me you’d hold me until you died, til you died, but you’re still alive” lyrics because I am still listening to them seventeen years later. I don’t relate to the lyrics because I have had a boyfriend leave me for another girl; I relate because she is so adamant that she won’t be treated like second best. When her boyfriend finds another girl, she will refuse to let him be happy, and I admire her determination. Though the song’s deeper meaning doesn’t directly relate to my life, it is a great song to scream into the microphone at karaoke. It is always a crowd favorite.
1.) Dazed and Confused. Dir. Richard Linklater. Perf. Jason London, Rory Cochrane, Wiley Wiggins, Adam Goldberg, Matthew McConaughey, Parker Posey, Milla Jovovich, Ben Afflek. Gramercy Pictures, 1993. DVD.
Dazed and Confused is the story of a group of students from a small Texas town taking on their last day of school 1976. Staying true to tradition, the upperclassmen focus on hazing upcoming freshmen, the upcoming freshmen are just trying to stay alive, and both groups just want to have a good time without anyone or anything getting in their way.
I love this movie for so many reasons. I am a hippie at heart and can honestly say I’m jealous of my parents for getting to grow up in the 70’s. I love how carefree the teenagers are in the movie, and how it seemed as though they had no limits or rules. They did what they wanted and never let anything get in the way. Don’t get me wrong, I am a rule follower, but I will never sacrifice what I believe in or what I think is right for the sake of a rule. I think the quote made by Wooderson (McConaughey) at the end of the movie sums it up best: “And let me tell you; the older you get, the more rules they’re gonna TRY to get you to follow. You just gotta keep livin’ man. L-I-V-I-N.”
So You Think You Can Dance. Simon Fuller, Nigel Lythgoe. 19 Entertainment, Dick Clark Productions, 2005. Television.
This show is a competition to find “America’s favorite dancer”. Dancers audition all over America to get a chance at the title. After going through numerous rounds of auditions that are judged by various choreographers and dancers, America gets to vote. The dancers perform solos, duets, and group dances. After a long process of dancing and voting, America has the final say in who wins the competition. The judges give a wide array of critiques from negative to positive. "You are dancing with one of the show's most magnetic dancers, but your charisma, spirit and (tight, plaid) pants kept my eyes on you," said Jesse.
This show is my absolute favorite. I have been dancing for almost 16 years and it is one of my dreams to be on the show. Not only are the dances entertaining, but some of them are inspirational. Most of the dances tell a story. One of my favorite things about dance is that you can express yourself without words. One can express happiness, sadness, confusion, and more through movement and expression. I believe this show demonstrates the many sides there is to dance and just how prestigious the art form is. It shows just how much discipline is involved in a dancer’s life. They all come from different back grounds but share the same love for dance, it is inspiring to watch those who thought they could never make it on a show like this, to come so far.
Mayer, John. “Stop This Train.” Continuum. 2006. CD.
John Mayer is an American singer/songwriter who is known for his acoustic rock, blues and soul sound. Many people view him as a cocky and pompous guy, but take one listen to his album Continuum and minds will surely change. “Stop This Train” is a song from the album that exposes Mayer’s soft, vulnerable side and digs deep into his soul. “Stop this train, I want to get off and go home again.” “So scared of getting older, I’m only good at being young.” These lyrics allow listeners to hear a different side of Mayer.
Mayer is an artist like no other. He is very successful and has cultivated many awards. Behind all the fame and fortune, “Stop This Train” shows a less glamorous side. By saying he wants to get off this train and go home allows listeners like myself to see his vulnerable side. This is the main reason why I love John Mayer so much. Despite the fact that he is irresistibly sexy, his lyrics are simple yet pure and authentic. Everyone at some point in there life has wanted to stop everything and go home again. I know at this particular point in my life I am “so scared of getting older” because “I’m only good at being young.” It is so easy to relate to John Mayer even though I’m just an ordinary girl and he dominates the music industry. Mayer’s songs make me feel hopeful on a gloomy day and elated on bright and sunny days. You can never go wrong with him. I must admit that I have a parasocial relationship with John Mayer. His songs are so real I feel like I have known him forever as creepy as that might sound.
Carrie Underwood. “How Great Thou Art.” How Great Thou Art: Gospel Favorites Live From
The Grand Ole Opry. Gibson, 2008.
“How Great Thou Art” was written in 1885 by a Swedish preacher names Carl Boberg. The song was originally a poem, until a man named Stuart Hine and his wife rewrote it in English. The song has been known as “How Great Thou Art” ever since then. “When Christ shall come with shout of acclamation and take me home what joy shall fill my heart. Then I shall bow with humble adoration and then proclaim My God How great Thou art!” –Stuart Hine
This song, to me, is so amazing and powerful. Every time I listen to it, I cannot help but cry! The words are so profound and true. The song shows how amazing our Lord is in the simplest of words. I love Carrie Underwood’s version of this song because she has so much passion when she sings it. Hearing her sing this song makes me imagine what Heaven will be like one day. I can feel the Holy Spirit among me whenever I hear this song. My favorite part of it is, “When Christ shall come with shout of acclamation and take me home what joy shall fill my heart…” because I know that when He comes back and takes me home to Heaven, it will be this song that I sing.
Needtobreathe. Let Us Love. 2009. MP3.
Needtobreathe is made up of a couple Christian men who like to sing some soulful rock…imagine that. They have many top selling albums, but have many of their hit singles come from their Christian music. This particular song is on one of their top selling albums, but isn’t a very popular one. The lyrics, however, are genius.
I heard this song several years ago and not only fell in love with the beat, but also the lyrics. The whole song is about carrying the love that children do. This means that we should have a simple, forgiving and infinite love, which is the main message of the song. It talks about how this world is ultimately going to “burn to the ground,” but if we love one another, nothing will matter. “Every heart has an hour of existence every breath brings a chance for redemption. If somehow we could wake up.” I love this line from the song because it presses a message of urgency; it sparks thought in the minds listening, making them wonder if their life is being lived to the fullest. This song means a lot to me because it reminds me that love isn’t supposed to be complicated, but child-like.
The Ting Tings. “Hands.” Sounds From Nowheresville. Sony Music Entertainment, 2012.
Known for eccentrically powerful beats and a high-pitched Manchester accent, British singing duo, The Ting Tings have composed many irresistibly catchy hit singles. On May 18, 2008 “That’s Not My Name” took the number one spot on the UK singles chart. The following day the album “We Started Nothing” also charted in at number one. Other songs from this album such as “Shut Up and Let Me Go” became instantly sought after, not only by teens, but television producers and advertisers clamored for an album as well. In 2008 Apple featured “Shut Up and Let Me Go” in their IPod commercial and the song was featured in episodes of “Gossip Girl” and “90210.” Their polished yet quirky sound is certainly one of a kind.
I recently came across the song “Hands” from their album “Sounds From Nowheresville.” As usual I found myself absolutely enthralled by intertwining beats and vocals; however this song conveys a unique message. During an interview, Katie tells of how she wrote this after collapsing from exhaustion following a performance. “Clap your hands if you’re working too hard. You see life and it’s falling away. You slow down and the rest makes you pay.” (The Ting Tings. Hands.) This line is my favorite, because I am somewhat of a workaholic. It makes me pause and remember that overworking to an extent is unhealthy. I can count on The Ting Tings to provide a catchy rhythm for me to sing along with whenever I’ve been “working too hard.”
Kid Cudi. Man On The Moon. GOOD Music, 2009. MP3.
My friend named Alex introduced Kid Cudi to me in my sophomore year of high school and I can never thank him enough for that. As soon as I heard his music, I was in love. In all of his songs he has a message or a story to tell. His music is so refreshing after listening to rappers rap about bitches, money and drugs continuously. Cudi focuses on things such as success, imagination and confidence; in general things that every teenager can relate to and take something away from.
A few months after Alex introduced this song to me, he committed suicide. Ever since then Kid Cudi has been an even greater help to me to remember the good times I had with Alex. As Kid Cudi says, “I’ve got some issues that nobody can see and all of these emotions are pouring out of me I bring them to the light for you it’s only right” (Soundtrack to My Life), it reminds me of Alex every time and how much I wish he had brought his troubles to the light. Cudi now represents hope in life to me. When I listen to his music, he reminds me that life is hard and their will always be more and more trials thrown my way, but that dwelling in these hardships does nothing but hurt me. Whenever I feel hopeless I listen to Kid Cudi’s music and remember that everything will get better if I just stand up and face my troubles head on. He has definitely helped me to become the positive person that I am today.
Womack, Lee Ann. I Hope You Dance. MCA Nashville, 2000.
“I Hope You Dance” is a country song recorded by artist Lee Ann Womack, released in March 2000. The song reached number one fourteen on the Billboard Hot 100. I Hope You Dance won the 2001 CMA, ACM, NSAI, ASCAP and BMI awards for Song of the Year. It also won the Grammy Award for Best Country Song and was nominated for Song of the Year. “I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance/Never settle for the path of least resistance/Livin' might mean takin' chances but they're worth takin'/Lovin' might be a mistake but it's worth makin'/Don't let some hell bent heart leave you bitter/When you come close to sellin' out reconsider/Give the heavens above more than just a passing glance/And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance/I hope you dance.”
I have a special relationship with this song. I am very passionate about dance, I have loved it since I was little and first began dancing, at age 4. My very first dance teacher, Ms. Lisa, passed away after I’d been dancing and taking classes from her for a few years. She was only middle-aged. All of her students were invited to attend her funeral, and I did, along with my Dad. I must have been around 8 or 9 when she passed. Some of her older students (the teen class) performed a dance routine to this song at her funeral, and it was really emotional for me. I made myself a mental promise in that moment that I would never pass up a chance to dance, that I’d always keep dancing, so I would never let Ms. Lisa down or disappoint her. Every time I listen to this song I still get very emotional, and it reminds me of the promise I made with a much younger version of myself, and I feel the same passion ignited even then, at such a young age.
Womack, Lee Ann. I Hope You Dance. MCA Nashville, 2000.
“I Hope You Dance” is a country song recorded by artist Lee Ann Womack, released in March 2000. The song reached number one fourteen on the Billboard Hot 100. I Hope You Dance won the 2001 CMA, ACM, NSAI, ASCAP and BMI awards for Song of the Year. It also won the Grammy Award for Best Country Song and was nominated for Song of the Year. “I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance/Never settle for the path of least resistance/Livin' might mean takin' chances but they're worth takin'/Lovin' might be a mistake but it's worth makin'/Don't let some hell bent heart leave you bitter/When you come close to sellin' out reconsider/Give the heavens above more than just a passing glance/And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance/I hope you dance.”
I have a special relationship with this song. I am very passionate about dance, I have loved it since I was little and first began dancing, at age 4. My very first dance teacher, Ms. Lisa, passed away after I’d been dancing and taking classes from her for a few years. She was only middle-aged. All of her students were invited to attend her funeral, and I did, along with my Dad. I must have been around 8 or 9 when she passed. Some of her older students (the teen class) performed a dance routine to this song at her funeral, and it was really emotional for me. I made myself a mental promise in that moment that I would never pass up a chance to dance, that I’d always keep dancing, so I would never let Ms. Lisa down or disappoint her. Every time I listen to this song I still get very emotional, and it reminds me of the promise I made with a much younger version of myself, and I feel the same passion ignited even then, at such a young age.
2.) Red Hot Chili Peppers. “Give It Away.” Blood Sugar Sex Magik. Warner Bros. Records. 1991. CD.
The Red Hot Chili Peppers are a rock band made up of rebellious musicians from LA. The band got started in 1983 and released their first album The Red Hot Chili Peppers a year later. RHCP incorporates funk, punk, and psychedelic characteristics making them unlike any other rock and roll band. Currently, the band consists of four members: Anthony Kiedis (vocals), Michael "Flea" Balzary (bass), Chad Smith (drums), and Josh Klinghoffer (guitar). “Flea” is known to be one of the greatest bassists to ever live. “Give It Away” was released as the lead single from the album Blood Sugar Sex Magik. The single topped many charts at number one in the United States and United Kingdom.
“Give It Away” is the first song I danced to. My parents are hair dressers and fully embraced the punk rock lifestyle during the 90’s. I was exposed to, in my opinion, some of the best rock and roll music, and I am grateful for it. I believe that the Red Hot Chili Peppers are embedded in me. Being the first band that got me on my feet and grooving speaks volumes. The funky vibe of “Give It Away” is contagious and will always get me going. Cranking up RHCP and jamming out relieves a lot of stress and anxiety.
10.) Chronister, Tessa . "Be." “We see what we want.” Tumblr. David Karpp, 6 July 1986. Web. 24 Jan. 2013.
Tumblr is a blogging website. It is a type of social media. Anyone can join for free and create their own blog by writing things or posting what someone else posted on their blog. It is a way of expressing yourself through the internet.
Tumblr is a relaxation method for me. When I log onto my blog, the first thing I see is my dashboard. Here I see what the people I follow have posted recently, and if I want I can post their post onto my blog. This type of media helps art spread across the country and even the world. Also on this medium there are a lot of imagines that socialize teenagers. I feel like every hipster stereotype has a Tumblr. On this website I see a lot of pictures that epitome the hipster stereotype. When people see these types of pictures everywhere all over everyone’s blog, it sets a message of what to wear and how to act in order to be cool. I like to look at all the pretty pictures and day dream about what my life could be like. My blog is full of pictures that I like, telling people that I have never even meet before who I am through the pictures I post.
Karp, David. Tumblr. Feb. 2007. Web. 24 Jan 2013.
Tumblr is a website that users sign up for and create their own blogs. Each blog has a theme and an URL. After you create a blog, you enter the site and see thousands of photographs, poems, personal writings, books, basically anything that you can imagine. You scroll through a dashboard and then you can reblog posts or create your own posts in order to manage your blog. “Tumblr is a fun way to blog!” (Thomas Connery, http://blog.brandyourself.com).
I created a Tumblr in hopes of getting inspiration for my photography, however, it has become my favorite website. I enjoy seeing other people’s photography and also seeing what other people are doing across the US. There are people from all over the world on Tumblr which creates an interesting environment because people blog about pop culture and news all the time. My favorite part about Tumblr is being able to connect with people who are going through the same life situations that you are. When I went through a break-up I wrote about it on Tumblr. Yes, this may seem like such a teenager-y way to handle things, but blogging about my emotions helped me get out of my rut that I was in. Seeing other people’s posts about breakups also helped. I love getting on my blog and seeing different posts that people have created. It gives me sparks of creativity and inspirations for my own D-I-Y projects.
Carrie Underwood. "Crazy Dreams." Carnival Ride. Arista, 2007. CD.
Carrie Underwood won the fourth season of American Idol in 2005. She was raised in a small town in Oklahoma. She auditioned for American Idol in the summer of 2004, and after winning the fourth season, she began work on her first country CD. Since 2005, she has released four country music albums and won numerous awards and has broken several records. She has been on four headlining tours. She was also inducted into the Grand Ole Opry in 2008.
Carrie Underwood has inspired me to do great things with my life. She is a small town girl who took a chance on an American Idol audition and it changed her life. One of my favorite songs is called “Crazy Dreams” and in it she inspires people to chase their dreams no matter how crazy they are. “Here's to you free souls, you firefly chasers, tree climbers, porch swingers, air guitar players, Here's to you fearless dancers, shaking walls in your bedrooms, There's a lot of wonder left inside of me and you, Thank God even crazy dreams come true.” She has become very successful, and her faith has been very strong throughout the years. I like that she stays strong in her faith and she is my role model. She has inspired me to dream big and then pursue those crazy dreams, because nothing is impossible with God.
“Brave New World: Part 2”. Boy Meets World. ABC. WPLJ, New York. 05 May.
2000. Television.
Boy Meets World is a 1990’s “coming of age” sitcom that centers around the day-to-
day life of average boy Cory Matthews and all the colorful people in it. The 7-year series
follows Cory and the gang all the way from grade school to marriage, using seemingly
everyday scenarios to teach profound life lessons while, at the same time, using its own
distinctive humor to keep things lighthearted. Much of the life advice comes from
eldest character Mr. Feeny who seems to have all the answers. In the series’ final
episode, Feeny shares one last piece of advice with Cory and the others before they
embark on a new chapter of their lives out in the real world, “Dream. Try. Do Good,” to
which a student responds wondering if he meant to do well. “No,” Feeny says, “Do
good.”
Boy Meets World has the rare ability to make people laugh and cry all in a five minute
span. Each character has its own endearing qualities and quirks, all of which I have
grown connected to over the years. This has taught me to see the good in people and
to really appreciate who they are. Watching these characters go through almost every life
situation I could imagine, I feel at peace knowing these situations are just part of growing
up. I have learned to pull a lesson, or a deeper meaning, out of even the smallest
experiences. I’ve been known to throw out a quote from the show or even summarize
entire episodes when a friend is in need of advice, encouragement, or just a pick me up.
Above all, the show has helped me to look at life with a sense of humor in order to
to get through it and to get the most out of it.
Chapin, Harry. “Cat’s In the Cradle”. Verities and Balderdash. Elektra, 1974. Record.
The song “Cat’s In the Cradle” was written by Harry and Susan Chapin, based off of poem that Susan had written about her ex-husband and his estranged father. Harry sings a first-person tale of a father who continually puts off his son for other matters like work and travel. Despite the unintentional neglect, the son continues to idolize his father, claiming “I’m gonna be like him, yeah, y’know I’m gonna be like him.” As the son grows up, the roles are reversed, and it is the father who seeks time with the son, and the son who now won’t find time for his father. In an odd twist of fate, the father realizes that his son did indeed grown up to be just like him; “It occurred to me, he’d grown up just like me, my boy was just like me.”
This song was released around the time when my father was in high school. He tells me that his own father loved the song and that it made him think of my father and his siblings. The lyrics of the song and its message meant a profound amount to my father after his father passed away, and that the song reminded him of his father when times were better. Forty years later, you could say that the cycle continues; this song has become a favorite of mine and my brother because of the bond we share with our father. Dad tells us that this song terrifies him more than any other, as it reminds him of the time spent away and the words left unsaid between him and his own father and, to an even more recent extent, to us. He’s scared that will happen to him as our father; he’s scared we’ll grow up just like him. When I first came to love this song, I was about the same age as my father was when he first heard it as well. I listen to it when I need a reminder of family, and all that my father has done for me and my brother. I’m gonna grow up just like him, but I won’t forget about my matters along the way.
Perks of Being a Wallflower. Dir. Stephen Chbosky. Perf. Logan Lerman, Emma Watson, and Ezra Miller. Summit Entertainment, 2012. Film.
Recently released, The Perks of Being a Wallflower tells the story of an introverted freshman struggling to fit in who is taken under the wings of two seniors. This poor freshman's name is Charlie played by Logan Lerman. Charlie has had a tough past and to get away from it all he writes letters to an anonymous friend because he was told that the friend would listen but not write him back. After his best friend killed himself the previous summer, Charlie is alone until he meets Sam and Patrick. They teach him about music, friendship, love, and most importantly life. With their help, Charlie is welcomed into the real world and finds a place where he finally belongs, finally at the end of the film, "You are alive, and you stand up and see the lights on the buildings and everything that makes you wonder. And you're listening to that song and that drive with the people you love most in this world. And in this moment I swear, we are infinite".
This movie is based on the book and although I have read the book, the movie is much more powerful. Being able to see the actions of the book take place on the screen and hear the actors express themselves breaks your heart and mends it at the same time. The characters themselves are so raw that you feel everything with them. You laugh at their highs, both literally and figuratively, and cry with them at their weakest points. High school in some way was hard for everyone and this movie really helped me feel like no matter what happens in my life, there will always be those who love you to help you through. It connects with you in a way I didn't think was possible. I want to be as thoughtful and loving as Charlie. I want to laugh and be as carefree as Patrick. I want to be as strong as Sam. It ultimately teaches you to go out and participate. Live your life to its fullest is one of the most important yet most forgotten lessons we are taught. This movie reinforces that idea. It is truly perfect in every way.
Freeman, Morgan J., prod. "Teen Mom." Teen Mom. MTV. 8 Dec. 2009. Television.
Teen Mom is a reality television show on MTV that captures the lives of four girls on film during their first years of motherhood. The show emphasizes that being a mother at a very young age is a constant struggle for both the teen moms and their children. The four girls casted are Maci Bookout, Farrah Abraham, Catelynn Lowell, and Amber Portwood. Although Catelynn was the only one on Teen Mom to give her baby up for adoption, she still struggles by feeling caught in between being a teen again and a mother that is not a parent. The reality television series encourages young women to become educated about pregnancy prevention and to be empowered to make their own decisions while protecting themselves.
The concept of teen pregnancy and teen motherhood has always captivated my attention. I have always been curious about how girls survive as a teen mother and what their lives are like. Teen Mom is so interesting to me because the show is exactly this. I think the TV show promotes a positive message and encourages teens to take control over their lives. Sometimes it is painful to watch Maci, Farrah, Catelynn, and Amber because their lives are filled with struggles they are consistently trying to overcome. It scares me into wanting to wait to have children until later in life when I will be ready to be a mother. I admire Maci Bookout’s drive to overcome anything and everything, but mostly her love for her son. She always puts him first. Her son is her top priority and she is very mature for her age. On January 12th she tweeted, “Cannot wait to be with my little man tomorrow… struggling this weekend without him.”
“Carved Candles.” How It’s Made. Discovery Channel. 9 Sep. Television.
How It’s Made is a documentary show that shows how everyday items are manufactured. There is an off-screen narrator that explains the process and they usually make use of puns. The show doesn’t often have any interviews; it mainly just focuses on shooting the manufacturing process. A few of the quotes I found came from the episode on carved candles. They are listed below.
There is nothing I really enjoy about the commentary of the show. It is actually pretty boring, but I’ve always liked to learn and explore new things, which is the reason I watch this show. You can learn a lot about some of the common items we use everyday, which is why the boring voice doesn’t turn me away. The narrator tends to have a lot of corny statements through out the show.
Quotes: “It’s hard to beat the radiant beauty of a carved candle.”
“ Craved candles are known for their swirls and curls; a look so elaborate that lighting one is an occasion in itself.”
Dahl, Roald, and Quentin Blake. The BFG. New York: Farrar, Straus, Giroux, 1982. Print.
Roald Dahl wrote books of both adult and adolescent natures and many genres, including screen-adapted masterpieces, such as: “Matilda,” and “James and the Giant Peach.” The BFG, short for Big Friendly Giant, is among his most popular novels, published in 1982. The story begins with a young orphan girl, Sophie, who, one restless night, spies a gigantic, lurking figure covertly blowing sweet dreams into children’s windows. Noticing the child’s discovery, the BFG captures Sophie and carries her miles away in the lobe of his giant ear. The giant soon reveals his clandestinely kindhearted lifestyle to his new friend. The pair agrees to plot against the barbaric, human-eating giants through the successful dream manipulation of the English Monarch. Sophie and the Giant are rewarded for their goodwill with the necessities of a carefree lifestyle and the two live harmoniously, while the BFG supposedly writes the “memoir.”
This book has shaped me not only by the story it tells, but also by the diction and attitudes that Dahl infused all of his works with. He reminds the audience, or in my case teaches, that the world is full of endless possibilities, not only in what already exists, but also in what we create and the infinite ways creations can be interpreted. Dahl does this in The BFG particularly by formulating vocabulary specific to his characters, which readers must decipher individually. For instance, Dahl writes, “’A whizzpopper!’ cried the BFG, beaming at her. ‘Us giants is making whizzpoppers all the time! Whizzpopping is a sign of happiness.’” Through this diction, Dahl demonstrates a concept of socialization. Through Dahl’s ability to display the limitless potential of what we learn and interpret, I have realized that despite other’s beliefs and judgments, it is important to find myself, and in turn be myself, a priceless ideology.
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