So I just got back from seeing the production of Hedda Gabler at our school's theatre. I went because my roommate was required to go for her theatre class and she didn't want to go alone. If you've been thinking about going, let me save you a trip. Don't. It was the most boring two and a half hours of my life. Yes that's right-two and a half hours! What play is two and a half hours that isn't a musical? I was counting the minutes until it was over. It was gruesome
It was so weird and confusing. I have no idea what the point of the play was. I hate things that seem to never have a point. And that's what this was. It had a story, I guess, but not really a plot. There didn't seem to be any purpose for anything that was happening. It didn't seem realistic at all. The main character was a black woman who was married to a prominant white man in the 1950's...which doesn't seem realistic in itself. And she was a bitch. A crazy bitch. And kind of a whore.
I wanted to leave during intermission but my roommate made me stay. I missed Grey's Anatomy for that stupid play! My favorite show of all time and now I have to watch it online tomorrow. Anyways, just take my word for it...this play was awful.
Friday, October 12, 2007
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Hay
When reading this story there are many images that come to mind. However, one of them was not hay. He mentioned hay a few times but it wasn't something that stuck out to me particularly. But when I think of hay, a lot of things come to my mind.
When I was little, we lived in Florida for about five years and my grandparentshave always lived there so we visit quite a bit. I don't know how familiar anyone is with Florida plants, but one plant very common in Florida, that isn't seen much here, is Spanish moss. Now I know, what does this have to do with hay? Well whenever I saw Spanish moss when I was little, I called it hay. I knew what it was, for my mother corrected me everytime I called it hay, but I didn't care. I ignored her. I didn't see a lot of hay, so to me it was hay.
Hay doesn't look anything like Spanish moss. Hay is brash and piney. It's yellow and often seen in bales. Spanish moss on the other hand is stringy and grey. It's mostly found in the trees of Florida. When I think of hay, I think of something fun, associated with hay-rides and campfires. Spanish moss isn't associated with anything. But to me, it's my hay. To this day, when visiting my grandparents, we'll pass a tree and my mom will say "Look, hay!"
When I was little, we lived in Florida for about five years and my grandparentshave always lived there so we visit quite a bit. I don't know how familiar anyone is with Florida plants, but one plant very common in Florida, that isn't seen much here, is Spanish moss. Now I know, what does this have to do with hay? Well whenever I saw Spanish moss when I was little, I called it hay. I knew what it was, for my mother corrected me everytime I called it hay, but I didn't care. I ignored her. I didn't see a lot of hay, so to me it was hay.
Hay doesn't look anything like Spanish moss. Hay is brash and piney. It's yellow and often seen in bales. Spanish moss on the other hand is stringy and grey. It's mostly found in the trees of Florida. When I think of hay, I think of something fun, associated with hay-rides and campfires. Spanish moss isn't associated with anything. But to me, it's my hay. To this day, when visiting my grandparents, we'll pass a tree and my mom will say "Look, hay!"
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
Blog War
So I was walking with Navid, Meg, and Daniel on the way back from class today when we got to talking about what we're doing for fall break. I mentioned that Friday I'm going to see Kanye West in Nashville and that started it.
I'm sure everyone has heard about the Kanye/50 Cent rivalry. It all started when Kanye was in an interview and when asked if he thought of 50 Cent as his competition he said not really, he thought of Justin Timberlake as more of a competition. If you think of it that's about right. I think of Kanye West as more of a pop rapper....I wouldn't say he's just rap, which is what I think of 50 Cent. So I can see where Justin Timberlake fits in to Kanye West's category more than 50 Cent. Upon hearing this, 50 Cent got all arrogant and claimed he would stop making records if Kanye West's album sold more than his. Well Kanye's album doubled 50 Cent's in the first week. So I guess we won't be hearing much from 50 Cent anymore will we?
Well Meg and Daniel were totally on 50 Cent's side and I was like are you kidding me? Kanye West is clearly a better artist. 50 Cent is like a bitch rapper. He's not all big and bad. I mean he sings about dancing in a club on your birthday. Take a sample of their songs:
You can find me in the club,bottle full of bub, look mami i got the X if you into taken drugs, im in there having sex i aint into maken love, so come give me a hug, if you're into gettin' rubbed
-50 Cent's "In Da Club"
I mean really? That's some powerful text right there...not. I love rap. And yes most of it is degrading and offensive, but at least some of it is clever. I don't think you could say that of 50 Cent.
God show me the way because the devil's trying to break me down (Jesus walks with me) The only thing that I pray is that my feet don't fail me now. (Jesus walks) And I don't think there's nothing I can do now to right my wrongs (Jesus walks with me) I wanna talk to God but I'm afraid because we ain't spoke in so long (I want Jesus).....So here go my single dawg radio needs this They said you can rap anything except for Jesus That means guns, sex, lies, videotape But if I talk bout God my record won't get played Huh?
-Kanye West's "Jesus Walks"
Tell me that's not content. Clearly that sends a better message than 50 Cent's meaningless words. I don't know how anyone can be proud to say they like 50 Cent more than Kanye West.
Anyways, I can't wait to see him Friday. And in my book he will ALWAYS rule over 50 Cent.
I'm sure everyone has heard about the Kanye/50 Cent rivalry. It all started when Kanye was in an interview and when asked if he thought of 50 Cent as his competition he said not really, he thought of Justin Timberlake as more of a competition. If you think of it that's about right. I think of Kanye West as more of a pop rapper....I wouldn't say he's just rap, which is what I think of 50 Cent. So I can see where Justin Timberlake fits in to Kanye West's category more than 50 Cent. Upon hearing this, 50 Cent got all arrogant and claimed he would stop making records if Kanye West's album sold more than his. Well Kanye's album doubled 50 Cent's in the first week. So I guess we won't be hearing much from 50 Cent anymore will we?
Well Meg and Daniel were totally on 50 Cent's side and I was like are you kidding me? Kanye West is clearly a better artist. 50 Cent is like a bitch rapper. He's not all big and bad. I mean he sings about dancing in a club on your birthday. Take a sample of their songs:
You can find me in the club,bottle full of bub, look mami i got the X if you into taken drugs, im in there having sex i aint into maken love, so come give me a hug, if you're into gettin' rubbed
-50 Cent's "In Da Club"
I mean really? That's some powerful text right there...not. I love rap. And yes most of it is degrading and offensive, but at least some of it is clever. I don't think you could say that of 50 Cent.
God show me the way because the devil's trying to break me down (Jesus walks with me) The only thing that I pray is that my feet don't fail me now. (Jesus walks) And I don't think there's nothing I can do now to right my wrongs (Jesus walks with me) I wanna talk to God but I'm afraid because we ain't spoke in so long (I want Jesus).....So here go my single dawg radio needs this They said you can rap anything except for Jesus That means guns, sex, lies, videotape But if I talk bout God my record won't get played Huh?
-Kanye West's "Jesus Walks"
Tell me that's not content. Clearly that sends a better message than 50 Cent's meaningless words. I don't know how anyone can be proud to say they like 50 Cent more than Kanye West.
Anyways, I can't wait to see him Friday. And in my book he will ALWAYS rule over 50 Cent.
The Table
I think the first scene sets the tone for the rest of the essay. The way Mamet describes the table in the nook with the shattered glass-it lets you know what his family suffered through. Mostly what he and his sister suffered through.
It describes the way the stepfather breaks the table and how they know that somehow it is their fault. So in a way everything that happens in the story is their fault. The blood that is associated with the table repeats throughout the story. Every time the table is mentioned, it is associated with something negative.
Mamet used these images to instill feeling into the reader. You feel closer to the story and understand so much of what they go through.
It describes the way the stepfather breaks the table and how they know that somehow it is their fault. So in a way everything that happens in the story is their fault. The blood that is associated with the table repeats throughout the story. Every time the table is mentioned, it is associated with something negative.
Mamet used these images to instill feeling into the reader. You feel closer to the story and understand so much of what they go through.
Frustration
Mamet seems to be affected by frustrations in his memories. All of the violence, starting with his grandfather, came out of frustrations. Being frustrated seems to cause anger which then leads to violence in Mamet’s case.
Mamet saw the effect of frustration from two generations. It started with his grandfather who acted out against his mother when she was growing up. He also saw it from his stepfather and mother.
Frustration is such a hard thing to cope with, I think. It’s hard to accept when you can’t change things, or do things, or make other people do things. Unfortunately some people take frustrations too far and end up with violence. Mamet suffered most of his childhood dealing, with the violence caused by his parents’ frustrations. Once something like that has been instilled in you, it’s hard to get over it. Just as it was hard for Mamet’s mother to get past after she had grown up seeing it all her life.
In the end, all of the frustration has built up in Mamet and he even takes it out on his sister. It’s like a cycle that never ends. They are all affected by it.
Mamet saw the effect of frustration from two generations. It started with his grandfather who acted out against his mother when she was growing up. He also saw it from his stepfather and mother.
Frustration is such a hard thing to cope with, I think. It’s hard to accept when you can’t change things, or do things, or make other people do things. Unfortunately some people take frustrations too far and end up with violence. Mamet suffered most of his childhood dealing, with the violence caused by his parents’ frustrations. Once something like that has been instilled in you, it’s hard to get over it. Just as it was hard for Mamet’s mother to get past after she had grown up seeing it all her life.
In the end, all of the frustration has built up in Mamet and he even takes it out on his sister. It’s like a cycle that never ends. They are all affected by it.
The Play
When I read the part about the play, and how their mother wouldn’t let Mamet’s sister go, I was so mad. It was weird because it was just a story, but I really got angry.
I had an experience when I was in first grade similar to that, which is why, I think, I got so angry. I don’t really remember very many things from first grade but I remember the night of our class’ open house. I remember because my family had gone out to eat at Krystal’s before we had to be at my school. The open house was really important to me because everyone in my class had made shoe box dioramas and we were to present them at the open house. My shoe box was 3-D and had a Polly Pocket figurine inside. I was going to be the first person to present my diorama to all the parents at the open house.
Well my family was eating at Krystal’s and my parents got me a few of the little burgers. As I bit into the first one, I realized that there was mustard on it. I HATE mustard. I couldn’t eat it. But my mom told me we weren’t leaving until I ate them. I just cried the whole time because I couldn’t eat them and I knew I would miss my presentation.
By the time we got to my school, the open house was over. I was so mad at my mom. When our yearbook came out, there was a picture of my class and their parents on open house night and I wasn’t in it. It’s a permanent reminder of that night.
Mamet’s mother did the same thing to his sister. I was infuriated while reading about the play. I know how she felt.
I had an experience when I was in first grade similar to that, which is why, I think, I got so angry. I don’t really remember very many things from first grade but I remember the night of our class’ open house. I remember because my family had gone out to eat at Krystal’s before we had to be at my school. The open house was really important to me because everyone in my class had made shoe box dioramas and we were to present them at the open house. My shoe box was 3-D and had a Polly Pocket figurine inside. I was going to be the first person to present my diorama to all the parents at the open house.
Well my family was eating at Krystal’s and my parents got me a few of the little burgers. As I bit into the first one, I realized that there was mustard on it. I HATE mustard. I couldn’t eat it. But my mom told me we weren’t leaving until I ate them. I just cried the whole time because I couldn’t eat them and I knew I would miss my presentation.
By the time we got to my school, the open house was over. I was so mad at my mom. When our yearbook came out, there was a picture of my class and their parents on open house night and I wasn’t in it. It’s a permanent reminder of that night.
Mamet’s mother did the same thing to his sister. I was infuriated while reading about the play. I know how she felt.
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
R.I.P. Taylor Bradford
From the information I know about what happened this weekend, it seems like such a senseless act. Something that did not need to happen. I didn’t personally know Taylor Bradford, but I’m friends with a lot of his friends on the football team. I was at work when I first heard what happened but at that point they hadn’t pronounced him dead. All it said on the news was that the dorms were on lock down. That affected me because I live in the dorms. I wondered if I would be able to get home. But I did get home and I didn’t learn anything else about the situation until I woke up the next morning.
When I woke up I learned that all our classes had been cancelled. I thought hey no school! Awesome. But it’s hard to be excited about it when it was caused by such a tragic event. Then I talked to my roommate and found out some more information about what happened.
From what I understand, Taylor went with some of the guys from the football team to the casinos on Friday. Taylor won some ridiculous amount of money (I’ve heard $15,000 but I’ve also heard up to $30,000…anyways it was a lot of money). The shooter knew that Taylor had won the money and killed him in hopes of stealing it. How could someone be so desperate for money that they would kill a person over it? And it was someone who knew Taylor. Someone who knew what a genuinely good person he was. It seems so dumb. Here you are, you’ve just killed someone, and for what? The killer didn’t get the money. It was so senseless. I feel for his family. I can’t imagine having to get that phone call as a parent and having to drive all the way from Nashville only to arrive and never see your son alive again. It’s so sad.
I don’t feel any less safe on campus. It wasn’t a random attack. It was someone who knew Taylor. I think this kind of situation just makes you pause, even if only for a moment, and realize what you have. It’s almost surreal that something like this could happen so close to us, or anywhere for that matter. I believe though that everything happens for a reason, and even though it seems there could be no possible reason for this to happen, it helps us get through it.
But is there anything we can do about this? Whose fault, if any, was it? Is society to blame? Poverty? How can we get back to normal? There are so many questions but no answers. Taylor was a good guy. He wasn’t my friend, but I feel like I knew him. We all knew him, or someone like him. It could happen to anyone. This does affect us. Even if we don’t know what to do about it.
When I woke up I learned that all our classes had been cancelled. I thought hey no school! Awesome. But it’s hard to be excited about it when it was caused by such a tragic event. Then I talked to my roommate and found out some more information about what happened.
From what I understand, Taylor went with some of the guys from the football team to the casinos on Friday. Taylor won some ridiculous amount of money (I’ve heard $15,000 but I’ve also heard up to $30,000…anyways it was a lot of money). The shooter knew that Taylor had won the money and killed him in hopes of stealing it. How could someone be so desperate for money that they would kill a person over it? And it was someone who knew Taylor. Someone who knew what a genuinely good person he was. It seems so dumb. Here you are, you’ve just killed someone, and for what? The killer didn’t get the money. It was so senseless. I feel for his family. I can’t imagine having to get that phone call as a parent and having to drive all the way from Nashville only to arrive and never see your son alive again. It’s so sad.
I don’t feel any less safe on campus. It wasn’t a random attack. It was someone who knew Taylor. I think this kind of situation just makes you pause, even if only for a moment, and realize what you have. It’s almost surreal that something like this could happen so close to us, or anywhere for that matter. I believe though that everything happens for a reason, and even though it seems there could be no possible reason for this to happen, it helps us get through it.
But is there anything we can do about this? Whose fault, if any, was it? Is society to blame? Poverty? How can we get back to normal? There are so many questions but no answers. Taylor was a good guy. He wasn’t my friend, but I feel like I knew him. We all knew him, or someone like him. It could happen to anyone. This does affect us. Even if we don’t know what to do about it.
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