This is so long overdue, I've wanted to post this for awhile now but haven't had the chance. When we watched Atticus Finch giving his moving speech in class all those weeks ago, it reminded me very much of the movie, A Time To Kill. For those who don't know what this movie is it's about a young, white lawyer in the south defending a black man that shot a white man after the white man and his friends raped and beat his 10-year-old daughter.
Both speeches are filled with such passion and emotion that really gets to your heart, just really gets you deep down.
Here's a clip of Matthew McConaughey (Jake, the lawyer) giving his moving speech in A Time to Kill. It still makes me tear up everytime I watch it. It's a little long, a little over 8 minutes, but it's worth it, trust me.
http://youtu.be/C7f-BgDgpmE
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Sound and Fury
Well, where do I even begin?
This was one of the most interesting movies I've watched in a very long time. There are just so many questions I have, I'm just so confused. I never knew that many deaf people viewed being deaf as a blessing. Maybe because I am hearing to me it seems more like a disability. I would be devasted if any of my children were born deaf.
If I was in the position of being a parent who has a deaf child and needs to make the decision about the cochlear implant, I don't know what I would do. I'm leaning towards getting the implant because I want my child to have as many oppurtunities in society as he or she can. I would still want them sign language and all about the deaf culture, but I'd want them to see both sides of the world, not just one.
This was one of the most interesting movies I've watched in a very long time. There are just so many questions I have, I'm just so confused. I never knew that many deaf people viewed being deaf as a blessing. Maybe because I am hearing to me it seems more like a disability. I would be devasted if any of my children were born deaf.
If I was in the position of being a parent who has a deaf child and needs to make the decision about the cochlear implant, I don't know what I would do. I'm leaning towards getting the implant because I want my child to have as many oppurtunities in society as he or she can. I would still want them sign language and all about the deaf culture, but I'd want them to see both sides of the world, not just one.
Inauguartion Speeches
This post took me a very long time to write (obviously). I really struggled with what I wanted to write about the presidential speeches. After much thought I wanted to write about the use of freedom in the speeches. It's funny how each president speaks of how many freedoms we have here in the United States. I believe that while we are in a sense, free, we still are held back by many "not on paper" restrictions. We have the freedom of speech, but if we say the wrong thing to the wrong crowd, we could get beat up. And even if they don't beat you up, many will find ways to hurt the person in other ways. I guess some may say that's not really a restriction, but I'd love to live a life (and I bet many others would too) where you can stick up for yourself, do the things you love, and not worry about what others may do to you the next day.
Another thing that comes to my attention is the fact that while freedom is supposed to be for every person living in our country, not too long ago many different groups of people didn't have the same rights and freedoms of others. African-Americans were considered a lesser race that didn't deserve the same rights as whites. Even women, no matter what color, were looked down upon and not treated with the same respect or given the same freedoms as white males.
In a country that speaks so highly of our freedoms we need to really annalyse what is really going on. Words don't hold as much power as actions.
Another thing that comes to my attention is the fact that while freedom is supposed to be for every person living in our country, not too long ago many different groups of people didn't have the same rights and freedoms of others. African-Americans were considered a lesser race that didn't deserve the same rights as whites. Even women, no matter what color, were looked down upon and not treated with the same respect or given the same freedoms as white males.
In a country that speaks so highly of our freedoms we need to really annalyse what is really going on. Words don't hold as much power as actions.
Thursday, January 12, 2012
People, People, People!
The lights are bright, music is playing quietly, and I can hear many conversations at once. I'm walking through the mall with my friends, something I love to do, but there are so many people. At first this was fun, running from store to store, picking out crazy outfits, and buying new clothes. But as the night goes on I start to feel a little queasy, then downright nauseous. There are just too many people around, bumping into me, talking around me, and walking closely to me. I'm starting to feel trapped, like I'll be swallowed up by all the people going in and out of stores. I'm trying to keep my cool, my friends are still having fun, laughing hysterically at little things in toy stores, people acting strangely, and a lot of other things. The longer we walk around aimlessly in different stores though, the worse I feel, and now I'm getting hungry, which makes me not only nauseous, but also crabby. It's time to go! Finally we make our way to the food court, but just as I'm starting to feel better I see all of the people around me. My hands get clammy, and my stomach churns again, there's no escaping...
Not many people know, probably not even all of my close friends, but I don't like being in big crowds. In fact, it makes me feel sick when I am. I love people, but there's something about being around so many people, you can get lost so easily. Voices all around you, people nudging you, walking really closely, it gets me everytime. It makes me shiver just thinking about it! Ugh, I hate, hate, hate it!
Not many people know, probably not even all of my close friends, but I don't like being in big crowds. In fact, it makes me feel sick when I am. I love people, but there's something about being around so many people, you can get lost so easily. Voices all around you, people nudging you, walking really closely, it gets me everytime. It makes me shiver just thinking about it! Ugh, I hate, hate, hate it!
The Ever Changing Ipod
Seeing as the Ipod is a big part of my life, and I mean big (I'm actually listening to it right now), I thought I'd write about it for this activity.
Most wouldn't think much about the Ipod and it's effect on society today but I think it's pretty important. People use technology so much these days and it's hard to believe where we started. I believe the Ipod is important because a lot of our society (its seems to be mostly young people, esp teens) just shuts everything and everyone out now. You pop on/in your headphones and you're (usually) oblivious to everything and everyone around you.
Besides the music, there are videos, movies, pictures, and so many apps you can get for your Ipod. It's truly amazing what you can find! Anything you can think of, it's probably an app: games, books, maps, browsers, etc. By adding all of these extra things it adds to shutting people out. With everything at your fingertips, who needs the presence of people? I mean, if you don't have a phone, just download textplus and there ya go, you can talk to all of your friends just like that.
I think this has had a pretty big change on society. Before, people always wanted to be around others, laughing, creating memories. Now, sometimes people will turn down plans just to sit in their room with their Ipod or other technology like cellphones and laptops/computers. If your friends really want to talk you can always just skype.
We're losing the love of being around people. Don't you remember being little and playing outside with your friends, having sleepovers for days on end, and not texting at all or minimally? Let's go back to those days, when we loved company and hated being alone. I miss them.
Most wouldn't think much about the Ipod and it's effect on society today but I think it's pretty important. People use technology so much these days and it's hard to believe where we started. I believe the Ipod is important because a lot of our society (its seems to be mostly young people, esp teens) just shuts everything and everyone out now. You pop on/in your headphones and you're (usually) oblivious to everything and everyone around you.
Besides the music, there are videos, movies, pictures, and so many apps you can get for your Ipod. It's truly amazing what you can find! Anything you can think of, it's probably an app: games, books, maps, browsers, etc. By adding all of these extra things it adds to shutting people out. With everything at your fingertips, who needs the presence of people? I mean, if you don't have a phone, just download textplus and there ya go, you can talk to all of your friends just like that.
I think this has had a pretty big change on society. Before, people always wanted to be around others, laughing, creating memories. Now, sometimes people will turn down plans just to sit in their room with their Ipod or other technology like cellphones and laptops/computers. If your friends really want to talk you can always just skype.
We're losing the love of being around people. Don't you remember being little and playing outside with your friends, having sleepovers for days on end, and not texting at all or minimally? Let's go back to those days, when we loved company and hated being alone. I miss them.
Who I am...as a Writer
When writing I tend to tell stories that I'm familiar with, have gone through, or felt in my life. Unfortunately, a lot of my pieces have sadness in them. I don't necessarily think this is a bad thing, but many may think it is.
I love writing from the boys perspective, it really intrigues me to try and think as guys do. Haha, kind of weird but a challenge I love. It's just really interesting to try and think of how a guy would react to certain things girls or other people in their life (or strangers) say or do.
What I love the most about writing is the endless possibilities you have when telling stories. There are no (at least not many) rules, you can write anything you want, what you're feeling, a fantasy, a dream, truth, fiction, anything you can think of. You can let your imagination go wild, writing like you never thought you could/would. That's the best! :)
I love writing from the boys perspective, it really intrigues me to try and think as guys do. Haha, kind of weird but a challenge I love. It's just really interesting to try and think of how a guy would react to certain things girls or other people in their life (or strangers) say or do.
What I love the most about writing is the endless possibilities you have when telling stories. There are no (at least not many) rules, you can write anything you want, what you're feeling, a fantasy, a dream, truth, fiction, anything you can think of. You can let your imagination go wild, writing like you never thought you could/would. That's the best! :)
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Is Google Making Us Stupid?!
When I first saw this in the list of articles for us to read I was a little irritated. Even now, three years after this article was written, this is still a pretty hot topic. We can't seem to escape it.
While I don't entirely disagree with everything the article said, I'm not completely convinced that the Internet is keeping us from deeply thinking on our own. It has definitely altered our lives very much, but I haven't noticed that much of a difference at least in my life.
I don't know about everyone else but I've always skimmed articles and essays when I've had to write a research paper. I don't really enjoy reading informational things like that, so I always hunt and peck for what I'm looking for. Since the Internet has become more and more used I haven't noticed any difference in the way I do research papers. Besides the Internet I still use books and magazines too. Sometimes though, it's just more convenient to use the Internet because it's faster than looking through a book or magazine. Plus, when I'm reading a book, long or short, I don't get distracted like the author said he does. I don't notice any difference, unless I honestly don't enjoy the book, I keep reading, getting caught up in the characters and story.
A sentence that really caught my attention was, "it is clear that users are not reading online in the traditional sense; indeed there are signs that new forms of "reading" are emerging as users "power browse" horizontally through titles, contents pages and abstracts going for quick wins." Why are these new ways of reading? Why read a whole article if you just need one piece of information that may not be at the beginning? That's not to say you should always read like that, it's just a tool to help you with something like writing a research paper.
Another thing that came to my attention was, "our writing equipment takes part in the forming of our thoughts." I've never really noticed a difference in my writing, but then again I've never really paid attention. That kind of blows my mind that your writing style could change depending on if you're using a pen and paper or a computer. I guess I'll have to pay more attention when I'm writing!
One thing I definitely agree with is that the Internet causes us to be "scattered brained" as my grandma says. There are so many distractions. You could be writing a paper, chatting on Facebook, and watching a TV show all at the same time. Obviously, this can't prove to be a good thing. Your paper would suffer because you're so distracted, your friend would be put on hold many times throughout your conversation, and you wouldn't catch half of the TV show you're watching. Besides that, your mind wouldn't be able to take in and manage all that going around you. You might not remember half the things you would have if you had been focused on one thing.
The Internet has really helped us, but I guess we really need to draw boundaries. Too much of anything isn't good.
While I don't entirely disagree with everything the article said, I'm not completely convinced that the Internet is keeping us from deeply thinking on our own. It has definitely altered our lives very much, but I haven't noticed that much of a difference at least in my life.
I don't know about everyone else but I've always skimmed articles and essays when I've had to write a research paper. I don't really enjoy reading informational things like that, so I always hunt and peck for what I'm looking for. Since the Internet has become more and more used I haven't noticed any difference in the way I do research papers. Besides the Internet I still use books and magazines too. Sometimes though, it's just more convenient to use the Internet because it's faster than looking through a book or magazine. Plus, when I'm reading a book, long or short, I don't get distracted like the author said he does. I don't notice any difference, unless I honestly don't enjoy the book, I keep reading, getting caught up in the characters and story.
A sentence that really caught my attention was, "it is clear that users are not reading online in the traditional sense; indeed there are signs that new forms of "reading" are emerging as users "power browse" horizontally through titles, contents pages and abstracts going for quick wins." Why are these new ways of reading? Why read a whole article if you just need one piece of information that may not be at the beginning? That's not to say you should always read like that, it's just a tool to help you with something like writing a research paper.
Another thing that came to my attention was, "our writing equipment takes part in the forming of our thoughts." I've never really noticed a difference in my writing, but then again I've never really paid attention. That kind of blows my mind that your writing style could change depending on if you're using a pen and paper or a computer. I guess I'll have to pay more attention when I'm writing!
One thing I definitely agree with is that the Internet causes us to be "scattered brained" as my grandma says. There are so many distractions. You could be writing a paper, chatting on Facebook, and watching a TV show all at the same time. Obviously, this can't prove to be a good thing. Your paper would suffer because you're so distracted, your friend would be put on hold many times throughout your conversation, and you wouldn't catch half of the TV show you're watching. Besides that, your mind wouldn't be able to take in and manage all that going around you. You might not remember half the things you would have if you had been focused on one thing.
The Internet has really helped us, but I guess we really need to draw boundaries. Too much of anything isn't good.
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