The Amazing Race to Stevie

The Amazing Race to Stevie

Amanda King
Katie Pierschalla
Paige Oehlhof

Upon arriving at class today, we were notified that Stevie Pointer was missing and that we needed to find him. We were provided seven clues as to where Stevie might be so we began our journey. Up the stairs we went because we didn't feel like taking the elevator to the 5th floor. Then the challenge of finding animal biochemistry began but then there it was, a random study cage with the letter H as our first clue.



5th Floor Study Cage

Journal #7 Big Box Office Numbers

(http://pixabay.com/en/autumn-decoration-fall-food-fresh-2905/)

Journal #7 – Big Box Office Numbers

Over the holiday, it seems that many Americans spent time heading to the movie theatre rather than sitting at home chatting with the family, according to Sean O'Neal’s “Thanksgiving Weekend Box Office: America Gorges Itself on Patriotism, Vampires, and CGI Tigers” Article . To no surprise to many of us, Twilight was one of the top grossing movies over Thanksgiving, bringing in $64 million in just four days. Twilight was followed by Skyfall, Life of Pi, Rise of the Guardians, Red Dawn, Hitchcock, and finally Rust and Bone.

Journal #6 - Thanksgiving Haters

(http://pixabay.com/en/autumn-colorful-decoration-fall-20426/)

Journal #6: Thanksgiving Haters

While searching for my next blog post topic, I ran across an article titled “In Defense Of... Hating Thanksgiving” by Colin McGuire (http://www.popmatters.com/pm/column/165314-in-defense-of-hating-thanksgiving/), and with the holiday fast approaching I couldn’t refrain from reading what this piece entailed. I was startled to find out the article is basically a hate list of every negative aspect of Thanksgiving! Granted Thanksgiving, just like any other holiday has its downfalls such as those awkward conversations with family members you see maybe once a year, screaming children, travel, and numerous other not so fabulous aspects of the holidays, I think that many of us still seem to enjoy the chance to celebrate ad get together. The bashing of one of the most American holidays actually kind of offended me, probably due to the fact that even with Thanksgivings negative’s, I still find it to be one of the most enjoyable holidays.

Journal #5 Brief Screening Report

Camera Lens
(http://pixabay.com/en/video-icon-glass-lens-cartoon-36860/)

Journal #5 Brief Screening Report 

A particular scene I noticed to be incredibly insightful into the patterns of the rest of the movie was one involving the morals of Salim when he was faced with a difficult choice. The scene takes place 32 minutes into the movie after the two Mumbai native brothers, Salim and Jamal, have been separated from their mother. As the movie progresses it brings us to the scene mentioned above. The two children, along with many others, are in the hands of money hungry men that will do anything to increase profits from their child begging business, even forcing young Salim to bring his very own brother to them to have his eyes removed so that they will generate a bigger profit. In the eyes of the money hungry men, Salim is seen as a leader and they therefore trust him to complete such a request, even though he is fully aware of what is about to happen if he brings his brother to them as asked. We begin to think Salim is actually going to sell his brother out as he begins leading Jamal to come outside to the men. We are suddenly surprised by a quick change of scene as Salim, Jamal, and many of the other children begin escaping with the men chasing behind them. Fortunately they escape, leaving us with a new view of Salim as a character.

Journal #4 - Another Reality Show?

MTV
(http://www.flickr.com/photos/weeklydig/6872335442/)

Journal #4: Another Reality Show?

I was alarmed to find out from Josh Terry’s article “Vinny is the Next Jersey Shore Star to get a TV Show” (Newswire.com) that there will soon be yet another realty show based off of the completely ridiculous show Jersey Shore, which has lasted one too many seasons as it is in my opinion. MTV has continuously launched new shows featuring the stars of their hit show Jersey Shore with Snooki, JWOWW, and Pauly D, as if the drama of the original show wasn’t enough to satisfy viewers. The newest launch MTV is working towards is granting the seemingly most normal cast member, Vinny Guadagnino, his own talk show as well. It should be interesting to see if this show leads to success or disaster, as many of their other Jersey Shore spin offs have.

"Realism and Anti-Realism"

Movie Clapper Board (pixabay.com)

"Realism and Anti-Realism" from Richard Barsam's Looking at Movies

From my experience viewing films, movies have an unbelievable power to draw you in whether they are realistic or not. As the article discusses there are three main aspects to which movies can be categorized or at least have some correlation to. In my opinion realism relates to how factual an idea, scene, plot, or action of a movie is in correlation to our actual lives. An example that comes to mind when thinking about realism is the movie I was assigned for our evaluation essays, Slum dog Millionaire because it is so true to a real life situation. Another aspect movies or television shows can take on is anti-realism, which to me means the show is stretching the truth just so far that it makes the situation unlikely to ever occur in real life but still allows viewers to connect and without making us think it’s completely ridiculous, such as in many action movies or the movie Avatar. Lastly, verisimilitude seems to be at times kind of a mixture of realism and anti-realism that gives the overall effect of believability in the movie. The plot line may be somewhat realistic even if many scenes of the movie are virtually impossible, but as long as the movie continues its rhythm and draws you in, often times we will find it to be believable. Even in movies such as The Hunger Games where the overall plot is completely bizarre we are still able to find it plausible. Why? Because the story is consistent and shows us a possible new reality.

Journal #3: Comedy Films

Bridesmaids Movie Poster
 (c) 2011 Universal Pictures

Journal #3: Comedy Films 

My favorite genre of movies would definitely have to be humor films. Just about any type of comedy has the ability to lighten your mood, even on the worst of days, and give you a break from your hectic, busy schedule. Humorous movies have the wonderful power to unite groups of complete strangers by giving them a common ground through humor. Today there seems to be an endless stream of new comedies flowing into the market giving us an incredibly wide range of topics to choose from. With such a vast amount of films continuing to be produced in the comedy genre, there really is something out there to fit everyone’s taste.

Up Keeping the Halloween Spirit in a Delicious Way

Up Keeping the Halloween Spirit in a Delicious Way

Ingredients:Sharp Knife
Vegetable Oil
Garlic Salt
Salt
Big Spoon
Sharpie Marker
Big Bowl
Baking Sheet

Going to the pumpkin patch can be one of the most exciting adventures a child can experience. Not only is carving a pumpkin a good way for a child to express their creative side, it’s also very fun. The excitement and happiness that children share while getting ready for pumpkin festivities is enjoyable for most parents. Then, bam! Once that orange cap is off, there is highlighter colored orang gooey innards, guts and seeds all over! While the kids are having a ball digging out the innards and squeezing the orange goop, the adults are focused on the goopy orange mess left on the surface. The parents’ once enjoyment of watching the child carving the pumpkin is over. If carving pumpkins is not done right it can be messy, but not to worry if you follow this process, you will surely get things done in a fun, organized and even delicious way.

The wonderful Pumpkin Patch

Journal #2: Yéle Scams the People of Haiti

Haiti Earthquake by United Nations Development Program

Journal #2: Yéle Scams the People of Haiti 


“Wyclef Jean Shuts down His Haiti Charity after Allegations of Impropriety” by Eric Thurm (http://www.avclub.com/articles/the-new-york-attorney-general-found-all-sorts-of-s,86621/) grabbed my attention because of its ironic nature. The thought of a celebrity putting his or her own name out there in a good intentioned venture, such as Wyclef Jeans’ charity, Yéle, only to turn around and steal the profits and donations is inexcusable. Yéle is Wyclef Jean’s organization put together to help restore the lives and communities of those in need after Haiti’s massive 2010 earthquake. This article informed me of the controversy surrounding Yéle concerning how Jean may have been financially abusing the funds of this organization. Although the financial accusations are still under investigation, I don’t find them hard to believe considering the numerous outrageous expenses that have been brought to the surface of this topic, such as the private jet transportation taking Lindsey Lohan to an event that earned only nearly enough profit to cover the costs it took to get her there.

How to Carve a Pumpkin

Carved Pumpkins for Halloween (Star News Online, Brian Tucker)

How to Carve a Pumpkin

Begin first by going to your local farm, grocery store, pumpkin patch ... anywhere pumpkins are sold. Select a pumpkin that appeals to you, preferablyone that is symmetrical, medium sized, and clean! Purchase the pumkin and bring it to the site you plan to complete this project, outside or in a garage are most common. Lay out newspaper on the ground for easy clean up and then gather the supplies you will need; a serated knife, large spoon, garbage bag, and optionally a bowl for keeping the seeds, paint for futher decoration, or a candle to illuminate your carved pumpkin. Begin first by choosing a design you want to carve into the pumpkin. Draw the design on the pumpkin. Next, use your serated knife to cut a circle around the pumpkin stem all the way through the outer shell of the pumpkin. Once you have cut out the top section, remove this part by pulling from the stem, set top of pumpkin aside. Begin scooping out the "guts" of the pumpkin with your large spoon into a garbage bag (separate seeds if you would like to keep for baking). Next, begin carving out your design with the knife and push out pieces you have cut out. Once you complete the design carving, youre finnised! Add painted details on teh outside or a lit candle within the pumpkin to illuminate if desired.

Journal #1: Maybe Winning Is Most Important!

Pete Carrol, Seahawks head coach, celebrating the controversial win following
Monday nights Packer vs Seahawk game. The Photo Brigade. Web. 1 Oct. 2012

Journal #1: Maybe Winning Is Most Important!

David Maraniss argues in his article “Winning Actually Isn’t the Only Thing” that members of Seahawks team acted rudely about the game conclusion last Monday. Although Maraniss makes it clear that his loyalty is still to his team, the Packers, he debates both sides of the story fairly in the case that the outcome would have been reversed, giving the Packers the advantage. Maraniss’ main point was to draw attention to the ill-mannered actions of Pete Carroll and Russell Wilson following the final play of the game. He argues that the two men acted arrogantly and as if they had deserved the win fair and square. Maraniss believes that if the roles had been reversed, you would not have seen Mike McCarthy, Packers head coach, ranting around with his arms in the air signaling a touchdown as Pete Carroll did or one of our players acting deserving of such a win.

Response to "Disconnected"

"Disconneced" Response

The work performed by the students in the “Disconnected” documentary was extremely eye opening. I was stunned by the students’ abilities to completely disconnect themselves from computer technology for weeks, especially during the middle of the school year. For me, life without a computer would be extremely difficult just as it was for the three students featured in the documentary. Being forced to go throughout their daily lives without a computer forced the students to find new and innovative ways to accomplish goals and spend their free time, an obstacle all of us could learn a thing or two from. This is a challenge mainly due to the heavy dependability we have with computers. Now days, it seems computers have become integrated into our lives and are simply a way of life that we almost can’t escape from.

Its Time - Imagine Dragons

My First Post

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This is a test blog post! :)