Another piece of advice that I really think is worth noting is this: if someone is talking negatively about a person, mention something you like about them. It's a really simple strategy that's not as blunt as "hey, you're being mean." Whenever I do this, the other person is more likely to back off and really recognize that what they're saying is rude. We're in high school, and people talk crap about each other. But at the end of the day we're all human, and there will be people we like and dislike, so it is better to just avoid them instead of being mean. And every time I interject when someone is speaking negatively of someone, I realize that the nice thing I say about them really is true, and it actually makes me appreciate them more.
Sunday, January 26, 2020
Assignment #19- Ellis Padgett- I sound like a pacifist
A piece of advice that I love to stick by is one I received from my mother- if someone says something you don't agree with, just say "okay" and move on. Now obviously this doesn't mean never stand up for yourself or what you believe in. I take it more as this; if you're in a social situation where you disagree with someone and you have no chance or changing their mind, or saying something would only instigate an unproductive argument, then just divert the conversation as to avoid unnecessary conflict. Doing this at the right times can lessen social tensions, or give you knowledge as to who you should avoid without creating superfluous dissonance in your life. Simple conversations about your beliefs with friends and such are fine; I only use this piece of advice when those talks escalate and leave both parties unhappy. It's kind of like this- if you feel yourself getting genuinely upset, walk away!
Monday, January 20, 2020
Assignment #19- Miller Luhan- Somehow My Mom Is Brillian
Okay, this might just be because I'm an only child, but my bet is that most kids go through this phase when... tantrums are thrown if something doesn't go your way when you want it to. When I was little I remember being mad at my mom for the smallest things- whether it being not responding RIGHT then when I asked her a question because she was working on a time sheet for work, telling her that she is chewing too loud when her mouth is closed (even though it didn't sound like lettuce, it sounded like rocks), not letting me do something I REALLY wanted to do (even though now I can't even remember what that specific occasion was), or just simply being present- you know how that is- sometimes you just don't wanna be around anyone in general. My parents never put up with tis behavior though...
There is this cliche phrase my dad always told me when these outbreaks occurred, "Don't let the little things bother you."
Now, I'm not writing this to tell you that the cliched advise helped me solve all of my problems, plus it's easier said than done, but what it did do, is help me reflect on what I should truly pick a fight with, get annoyed at, or react to. So now I count to 10 and ask myself is it worth it? Do I really need to waste energy worrying, stressing, yelling, or crying over this person or idea? The answer is more often than not NO.
Do you know why? I set my goals, if it doesn't affect my future (school, friends, family, nutrition, fitness, or sleeping), I don't worry about it- even if its something as big as a breakup. There's always a bright side for me- for instance, was that person taking time away from school, exercise, family, or friends? Where could I put my energy into that helps me grow better as a person? Not that anything closely related to this is easy, but the advice my dad told me, helps me prioritize and compartmentalize my overall attitude towards a situation, and usually it works out for the better.. those simple words definitely did offer something!
There is this cliche phrase my dad always told me when these outbreaks occurred, "Don't let the little things bother you."
Now, I'm not writing this to tell you that the cliched advise helped me solve all of my problems, plus it's easier said than done, but what it did do, is help me reflect on what I should truly pick a fight with, get annoyed at, or react to. So now I count to 10 and ask myself is it worth it? Do I really need to waste energy worrying, stressing, yelling, or crying over this person or idea? The answer is more often than not NO.
Do you know why? I set my goals, if it doesn't affect my future (school, friends, family, nutrition, fitness, or sleeping), I don't worry about it- even if its something as big as a breakup. There's always a bright side for me- for instance, was that person taking time away from school, exercise, family, or friends? Where could I put my energy into that helps me grow better as a person? Not that anything closely related to this is easy, but the advice my dad told me, helps me prioritize and compartmentalize my overall attitude towards a situation, and usually it works out for the better.. those simple words definitely did offer something!
Assignment #23- Emma Shadwick- The Intro to Country Playlist
This playlist is one I designed just for people who claim to hate country music. It’s just not possible. On this playlist are some of the least “country-ish” country songs to ease this haters into eventually loving this genre of music just like I do.
- Female-Keith Urban. This song is by well-known country artist Keith Urban. However, with this song and his entire GraffitiU album, he mixes genres frequently. I would describe this song as pop-country. A lot of pop fans hate country. So maybe with this mix of the two, they will learn to like some aspects of the country vibe.
- Snapback-Old Dominion. Some people who refuse to listen to country dislike country accents. There are no accents in this song. It is similar to 80’s pop so that is appealing as well.
- Life Changes- Thomas Rhett. Some country haters claim that country songs are only about beer, sex, and trucks. This song puts that belief to shame. It tells a nice story about trials from the artists life that worked out for the better. This is accompanied by an energetic beat of drums, evoking uplifting feelings.
- Even Though I’m Leaving-Luke Combs. This song does not consist of heavy southern drawl that many find irritating about country music. It rolls smoothly off Combs’s tongue with a positive message.
- What I’m Leaving For- Lady Antebellum. Lady Antebellum consists of three unique voices that harmonize very well together. Country fan or not, there is an amazing level of talent in their well-thought out lyrics and harmony.
Assignment #22-Emma Shadwick- The Perfect Fit
I have a one-track mind when it comes to college. I have already verbally committed to play volleyball at Yale University. During the recruiting process, there were really no other schools that excited me as much as this one. After they offered me, I ultimately trusted my gut and accepted. Now 2021 can’t come soon enough! I believe these will be some of the best years of my life.
Yale and I are the perfect fit for one another. It is a very unique university. One of the many things I love about it is instead of traditional dorms, every “first year” student is assigned to a residential college. These are similar to the houses in Harry Potter. Students are very loyal to their residential colleges and each has its own common room, dining room, recreational room, and yard. Also, the gothic architecture is beautiful. Athletes are assigned to rooms with non-athletes and I think this is important as well. Making connections outside of the sports team will help me assimilate. I am also a very social person and consider myself adept at getting along with all kinds of people.
The Yale volleyball program is also perfect for me because although I am a serious athlete I am also a serious student. At Yale, there is an optimal balance between the two. Ivy League regular season games are on the weekends so students avoid missing class as much as possible. In addition, the practice/workout schedule is a lot more manageable than it would be at a school in the Big 10 or Pac 12.
Assignment#21- Emma Shadwick- Looks Can be Deceiving
Most people think I live a very privileged life with very little setbacks. Which is mostly true. I am lucky to come from a family with two loving parents that support me in all my endeavors. However, there was a time in my life when my happy semblance was a facade. During most of my elementary schools years (2nd-5th), I had to make a lot of adjustments. My parents had split up when I was in the first grade. Being as young as I was, it was hard to fathom the changes and why they were necessary. I moved four times during these years. Three of which were with my dad. All my stuff was split between houses. My mother would go through bouts of unhappiness that really affected me. All the while I was trying to enjoy a carefree childhood. This is not a slam on my parents, they were definitely doing the best they could for me and my sisters, and their split was the best decision in the long run. I decided to share this story because of how much stronger of a person I became. Even though I was in elementary school, I recognized changes within myself. For example, I became more independent, started pitching in more around the house, and for the first time I was putting my feelings aside and learning to cope maturely.
Assignment #19 - Wes Davis - Lessons from Dr. Seuss
Those Who Mind Don’t Matter, and Those Who Matter Don’t Mind - Dr. Seuss
This quote has been a mantra for me for the last almost eight years. Every time a person close to me has made me question our relationship, this quote has been one I have always turned back to. It has taught me many things about people and the world around me.
1) You aren't responsible for the way others feel about your actions. There is no need to worry about what someone might think. Do what is best for you. They don't control your life (or rather, they shouldn't), you do. If they mind, they don't matter.
2) You don't owe anyone anything. Once again, you don't need to govern yourself off of the views of others. You don't need to act a certain way to please people in your life that are causing you harm, no matter how close you are, or if you happen to be related. This part most closely pertains to the being related notion. Your family has no right to police the person you are meant to be. You don't owe them silence, you don't owe them submission. They don't control you. If they mind, they don't matter.
3) Surround yourself with your chosen family. Fill your life with love and support. If your chosen family includes your biological family, great! If your chosen family doesn't include your biological family, that's also okay! Just because they are biologically related to you doesn't mean they're family. Don't settle for anything less than amazing in terms of the relationships you form with others. They need to have your back and support who you are as a person. If they matter, they don't mind. :)
Assignment #18 - Wes Davis - Does Anybody Have a Map?
I'm not one to set goals for myself. I know that sounds ridiculous, especially since I spend most of my life either living in the past our the future. I don't think about a lot of goals for myself because usually I'm not present enough to act on them. Despite this, I've tried my best to assemble a list of goals that I want to achieve with these milestones. I've kept it general. The easier to achieve, the better, right? Actually, some of these are incredibly difficult, despite my sweeping generalities.
High School bucket list:
- Maintain some sense of sanity
- Just survive lol
- Maintain a GPA above 3.5
- Heal
My biggest goal of High School is to just get through it. I know that sounds disappointing and not at all exciting, but I'm painfully aware of how insignificant High School is in one's life. I'm just trying to move on to the next big thing. Once again, I'm just flaunting my lack of presentness in the now but High School hasn't given me a lot. Yes, I've learned a lot and am a completely different person from when I first entered the walls of Henry Clay. That much is true. However, I know I'll grow the most and blossom into the true person I am once I'm out of High School. That much is just the truth. High School is just another hurdle keeping me from bigger and better things.
College bucket list:
- Become comfortable with myself
- Engage in activism (in moderation, activism is more taxing than it seems on the outside)
- Figure out where my life is headed
Figuring out where my life is headed and becoming comfortable with myself are tied for the most important goal of my college years. One thing I find quite funny is how much time I spend dreaming about my future, yet how little I know about it. I know I'll be lost in college, but I know eventually I'll find my map. As long as I figure out where my passions lie and accept the person I'm becoming, I'll be golden. :)
Life bucket list:
- Do what makes you the most happy in that moment.
- Pursue what you want to pursue, no matter what others may think.
- Die happy
- Live long enough to see queer people accepted across the globe
Queer liberation is something I am determined to see before I "peace out!" from here. I hope I can spend the last 3/4th's of my life happy, healthy, and thriving. All I want is to eventually find inner peace and happiness. Hopefully I will. No - I know I will. <3
Assignment #17 - Wes Davis - Our Little Women
In the years before school stress crushed my wide-eyed view of the world, I read a book. Our whole class would sit in a circle on the carpet in the reading nook and - at least twice a week - would read a chapter or more of Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. To say this story shaped my childhood would be an understatement. Alcott's story has stuck with me thus far in my life, and Little Women has been a book I have frequently looked back to for inspiration in my own affairs.
So, when I heard Greta Gerwig's Little Women would be gracing theaters with an all-star cast of actors such as Laura Dern, Emma Watson, Florence Pugh, Meryl Streep, and Saoirse Ronan, Timothee Chalamet, and more, I knew I had to go see it. With that being said, I assembled The Girls (Averi, Jordan, and myself) and we watched the movie. Of course, we can't forget the drama that ensued when we found our seats stolen by two women who 1) didn't even know where they were sitting and 2) didn't have tickets. Averi was an icon and got our seats back, despite having crutches and being two days (!!) post-op for her wisdom teeth removal. I mean, what else can I say. A true woman of her time.
We all absolutely fell in love with this movie. While I can't speak on their thoughts, I can speak on mine. This movie is one of the best book-to-movie adaptations I have ever seen. Not only that, but I've heard it is the best adaptation of Little Women thus far (I haven't seen the others). The actors did a stellar job and many of them were nominated for awards for their work. One thing that stuck out to me is the characterization of Amy March. For those of us who have read the book, most despise Amy. Some could even argue she is up there with some of the most hated characters in a fictional series, period. Readers view Amy as entitled, selfish, and a girl who gets everything handed to her on a platter. In Gerwig's adaptation, Amy grows throughout the plot and blossoms into an emotionally mature (and also life-hardened) woman. Gerwig's version paints Amy in a light that doesn't dismiss her possible disliked qualities and lifts the character up. The book and its previous adaptations have all been biased towards Jo, whilst this version gets a clear view of each of the four girls, and lets the audience form their own opinions about every character.
Also, we can't forget Florence's Oscar worthy Economic Proposition monologue. I'll link it here:
Economic Proposition
While this review does sound biased to Amy, just know that I have felt that she has been misunderstood for the last century. I mean, the amount of people willing to viciously hate on a twelve year-old girl is both ridiculous and appalling. I myself view myself more as a Meg, and this movie affirmed that for me. While I believe everyone is a mix of all four girls, I would say many people lean more towards one than the rest. I would even say I'm a mix of Meg and Amy the most.
Anyway, see this movie!
So, when I heard Greta Gerwig's Little Women would be gracing theaters with an all-star cast of actors such as Laura Dern, Emma Watson, Florence Pugh, Meryl Streep, and Saoirse Ronan, Timothee Chalamet, and more, I knew I had to go see it. With that being said, I assembled The Girls (Averi, Jordan, and myself) and we watched the movie. Of course, we can't forget the drama that ensued when we found our seats stolen by two women who 1) didn't even know where they were sitting and 2) didn't have tickets. Averi was an icon and got our seats back, despite having crutches and being two days (!!) post-op for her wisdom teeth removal. I mean, what else can I say. A true woman of her time.
We all absolutely fell in love with this movie. While I can't speak on their thoughts, I can speak on mine. This movie is one of the best book-to-movie adaptations I have ever seen. Not only that, but I've heard it is the best adaptation of Little Women thus far (I haven't seen the others). The actors did a stellar job and many of them were nominated for awards for their work. One thing that stuck out to me is the characterization of Amy March. For those of us who have read the book, most despise Amy. Some could even argue she is up there with some of the most hated characters in a fictional series, period. Readers view Amy as entitled, selfish, and a girl who gets everything handed to her on a platter. In Gerwig's adaptation, Amy grows throughout the plot and blossoms into an emotionally mature (and also life-hardened) woman. Gerwig's version paints Amy in a light that doesn't dismiss her possible disliked qualities and lifts the character up. The book and its previous adaptations have all been biased towards Jo, whilst this version gets a clear view of each of the four girls, and lets the audience form their own opinions about every character.
Also, we can't forget Florence's Oscar worthy Economic Proposition monologue. I'll link it here:
Economic Proposition
While this review does sound biased to Amy, just know that I have felt that she has been misunderstood for the last century. I mean, the amount of people willing to viciously hate on a twelve year-old girl is both ridiculous and appalling. I myself view myself more as a Meg, and this movie affirmed that for me. While I believe everyone is a mix of all four girls, I would say many people lean more towards one than the rest. I would even say I'm a mix of Meg and Amy the most.
Anyway, see this movie!
Sunday, January 19, 2020
Assignment #19 - Irene Kim - We're All Human
I've received a lot of good advice up to this point, primarily from my parents. After countless exasperated lectures and stress talks, they've built up a pretty solid foundation of ideas for me to follow. But one piece of advice that particularly stood out to me was that at the end of the day, we're all human. There are two takeaways from this--the first is that we all make mistakes. It seems simple. But I know that many students can probably sympathize with me in saying that I'm a perfectionist. Especially with schoolwork; I can't start on a math problem before I have everything planned out & color-coded in my planner. Even with social aspects, I can sometimes be quiet (and awkward :)) around people. I'm not a 'just go for it' type of person. But I hope to start stepping out of my comfort zone and understanding that not everything has to be perfect! The second aspect to this is that quite literally, everyone is human. It can sometimes be difficult to understand that everyone around you has their own thoughts and lives and families and friends; that each person around you has a life beyond what you see, as real and complex as your own life. It's a fascinating concept, but it's also important to remember when you're feeling anxious about something--it may just be your brain overthinking or putting too much pressure on you! Sure, it's cheesy and the wording may be slightly convoluted, but it's true--at the end of the day, we're all human!
Assignment #18 - Irene Kim - Bucket Lists
High School Bucket List:
- Get my driver's permit (yes, I'm 17)
- Finish piano festivals with KMTA
- All the academic stuff (GPA, improve ACT score, pass AP exams?)
- Reconnect with old friends & make new friends
- Make a snowman that looks like Olaf
- Clean the house using Marie Kondo's method
College Bucket List:
- GET A DOG (or goldfish at least)
- Be good friends with my dormmate (hopefully!)
- Study abroad in Europe or Korea
- Go to a concert and don't die
- Learn guitar
Life Bucket List:
- Have a family, adopt a pet
- Have a stable job that I enjoy
- Be vocal/active about issues you care about
- Travel to all 50 states
- Own a lot of socks and be proud of it
- Get a grand piano & practice it every day
- Have no (or little) regrets about my life choices overall
- Have no regrets about my parents' & my relationship
The most important item on my high school bucket list is (I hate to say it) but the academic stuff. For the sake of applying to college, I would like to improve my ACT score and pass my AP exams, but I really don't think that will be the case. I'll try to, but if it doesn't happen, that's okay! I just hope I can look back at high school later and see it as a generally good time in my life.
For college, obviously schoolwork and friends would be the top priority, but the items I listed are mostly just random. Out of those, it would be studying abroad in Europe or Korea. If an exchange program allows me to study in or just travel to Korea, that would be amazing. Since my whole extended family lives there, we don't get to see them often, so getting to see them and experience the culture while studying there would be pretty great!
For life in general, I really don't know. All of my answers have been somewhat generic (aaaa sorry!) but I think it's most important that I end up with no regrets. I would hate to be sitting on my deathbed and regretting every decision I've ever made! I am naturally not a risk-taker, but I hope to start stepping out of my comfort zone, so that I don't regret not taking chances after they pass. Whether this ends up being with a family or being single with a bunch of dogs, or in a big city or still in Lexington, I have no clue. Whatever happens, I hope I took some risks and can say that I have no regrets in the end!
- Get my driver's permit (yes, I'm 17)
- Finish piano festivals with KMTA
- All the academic stuff (GPA, improve ACT score, pass AP exams?)
- Reconnect with old friends & make new friends
- Make a snowman that looks like Olaf
- Clean the house using Marie Kondo's method
College Bucket List:
- GET A DOG (or goldfish at least)
- Be good friends with my dormmate (hopefully!)
- Study abroad in Europe or Korea
- Go to a concert and don't die
- Learn guitar
Life Bucket List:
- Have a family, adopt a pet
- Have a stable job that I enjoy
- Be vocal/active about issues you care about
- Travel to all 50 states
- Own a lot of socks and be proud of it
- Get a grand piano & practice it every day
- Have no (or little) regrets about my life choices overall
- Have no regrets about my parents' & my relationship
The most important item on my high school bucket list is (I hate to say it) but the academic stuff. For the sake of applying to college, I would like to improve my ACT score and pass my AP exams, but I really don't think that will be the case. I'll try to, but if it doesn't happen, that's okay! I just hope I can look back at high school later and see it as a generally good time in my life.
For college, obviously schoolwork and friends would be the top priority, but the items I listed are mostly just random. Out of those, it would be studying abroad in Europe or Korea. If an exchange program allows me to study in or just travel to Korea, that would be amazing. Since my whole extended family lives there, we don't get to see them often, so getting to see them and experience the culture while studying there would be pretty great!
For life in general, I really don't know. All of my answers have been somewhat generic (aaaa sorry!) but I think it's most important that I end up with no regrets. I would hate to be sitting on my deathbed and regretting every decision I've ever made! I am naturally not a risk-taker, but I hope to start stepping out of my comfort zone, so that I don't regret not taking chances after they pass. Whether this ends up being with a family or being single with a bunch of dogs, or in a big city or still in Lexington, I have no clue. Whatever happens, I hope I took some risks and can say that I have no regrets in the end!
Assignment #17 - Irene Kim - Gravity
I've been procrastinating on this particular blog post because it involves watching a movie, and I really wanted to see the new Little Women film and compare it to the 1994 version (which I love and cherish). However, a month later, I still haven't gotten around to seeing it and probably won't anytime soon. So, I decided to go with the second option and post a movie review "out in the wild."
Recently, I watched Gravity with my parents (it's a 2013 film, so it wasn't at the movies). *major spoilers ahead* It stars two timeless actors, George Clooney and Sandra Bullock, and primarily takes place in outer space. Clooney plays Matt Kowalsky, an experienced mission commander, while Bullock plays a medical engineer named Dr. Ryan Stone, included in the mission for her gifted tech skills but a far novice in space missions. Another thing to note about the character of Stone is that she lost her daughter at a very young age and has since lost a sense of purpose in her life, leading her to go to outer space without fear. The mission does not go as planned, leaving the two stranded in outer space with no connection to Earth. This is my review:
Gravity, by my interpretation, is more of a journey of Ryan's character than anything else. From the beginning of the film, the audience is made aware that she lost her 4-year-old daughter after she fell on her head while playing tag--the most inane accident costed a life. The audience can imagine the sorrow that Ryan must have felt, which then likely led her to take on the space mission without fear, having lost any sense of purpose in her life. This makes it all the more significant when Kowalski *spoiler* gives his life to save hers and makes her promise him that she will survive. He gives her a sense of determination and purpose--a promise to make it back to Earth, at least in his memory if not for herself. The most heart-wrenching moment came when she believed she had lost all hope of returning. Embracing her death, she turns on the radio and picks up a signal from a foreign country. Although it can do nothing to save her, she cries of joy as she hears the sound of dogs barking and human voices--the scene is so incredibly raw, looking into the core of the human emotion. This is almost the best part of the movie--how unbelievably raw and realistic the movie is. I would have no clue what outer space is like in actuality, but Gravity is a far improvement from the typical space film. No orchestrated music, or sci-fi powers, or sudden fated miracles (kind of). Throughout the film, the sound is muted, almost blocked, immersing the audience into a space-like setting. When Ryan *again, spoiler* makes it back to earth, she grips the sand and feels grateful for having solid ground under her feet--the sense of purpose that she lost with her daughter has been restored. The entire film is just unbelievably raw and emotional; it has a lot of takeaways for everyone. I would highly recommend it for anyone!
Link: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/user/id/978533694
Recently, I watched Gravity with my parents (it's a 2013 film, so it wasn't at the movies). *major spoilers ahead* It stars two timeless actors, George Clooney and Sandra Bullock, and primarily takes place in outer space. Clooney plays Matt Kowalsky, an experienced mission commander, while Bullock plays a medical engineer named Dr. Ryan Stone, included in the mission for her gifted tech skills but a far novice in space missions. Another thing to note about the character of Stone is that she lost her daughter at a very young age and has since lost a sense of purpose in her life, leading her to go to outer space without fear. The mission does not go as planned, leaving the two stranded in outer space with no connection to Earth. This is my review:
Gravity, by my interpretation, is more of a journey of Ryan's character than anything else. From the beginning of the film, the audience is made aware that she lost her 4-year-old daughter after she fell on her head while playing tag--the most inane accident costed a life. The audience can imagine the sorrow that Ryan must have felt, which then likely led her to take on the space mission without fear, having lost any sense of purpose in her life. This makes it all the more significant when Kowalski *spoiler* gives his life to save hers and makes her promise him that she will survive. He gives her a sense of determination and purpose--a promise to make it back to Earth, at least in his memory if not for herself. The most heart-wrenching moment came when she believed she had lost all hope of returning. Embracing her death, she turns on the radio and picks up a signal from a foreign country. Although it can do nothing to save her, she cries of joy as she hears the sound of dogs barking and human voices--the scene is so incredibly raw, looking into the core of the human emotion. This is almost the best part of the movie--how unbelievably raw and realistic the movie is. I would have no clue what outer space is like in actuality, but Gravity is a far improvement from the typical space film. No orchestrated music, or sci-fi powers, or sudden fated miracles (kind of). Throughout the film, the sound is muted, almost blocked, immersing the audience into a space-like setting. When Ryan *again, spoiler* makes it back to earth, she grips the sand and feels grateful for having solid ground under her feet--the sense of purpose that she lost with her daughter has been restored. The entire film is just unbelievably raw and emotional; it has a lot of takeaways for everyone. I would highly recommend it for anyone!
Link: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/user/id/978533694
Assignment 19: Plastics
Most of the advice we receive in our lives is unsolicited and quite frankly inane. However, every once in a while we get a real gem and changes our trajectory. What is the one piece of advice given to you that has stuck? Explain its effect on your life.
Minimum of 150 words - due Sunday, February 2 at 11:59 pm
February 9 is the last day to make up blogs 17-19
Thursday, January 16, 2020
Assignment #18- Miller Luhan- My Life
SOOOOO, I’ve never really made a bucket list, butw now, after thinking about my goals for sometime now, I’ve decided that...
1. Before I finish high school I want to make it to state in golf AND finish my college applications with time to spare. Meaning... I need to work hard this summer to get my golf game together because I’ve let it go to the way side and as for my college apps, I need to be disciplined about doing them over the summer so that I don’t cut the deadlines too close.
2. Honestly before college is out, I want to know for sure for sure what Profession I’m going to go into (I don’t wanna be one of those people who can’t choose a major and I’d undecided for like 5 years). Also, I am a planner, so ideally I would meet my husband in college as well, but that’s one thing you can’t really rush... what if everyone at my school is a douchebag? Anyways, my goal would basically be to have a good idea of what I’m going to do with my life. More specifically though, I would like to study abroad in London for a semester- that would be so so cool!!
3. As a life goal, I want to be HAPPILY married and have one or two kids. I’d also like to be very successful in my profession (doctor??) and live in a nice house and go on family vacations in and out of the country. That’s the life right? Those are my main goals for life. I also have a strange desire to try skydiving, but I’m conflicted because it seems scary.
These may be the cliches that you were talking about in class, but these definitely are my main wants in life. I look forward to the future!
1. Before I finish high school I want to make it to state in golf AND finish my college applications with time to spare. Meaning... I need to work hard this summer to get my golf game together because I’ve let it go to the way side and as for my college apps, I need to be disciplined about doing them over the summer so that I don’t cut the deadlines too close.
2. Honestly before college is out, I want to know for sure for sure what Profession I’m going to go into (I don’t wanna be one of those people who can’t choose a major and I’d undecided for like 5 years). Also, I am a planner, so ideally I would meet my husband in college as well, but that’s one thing you can’t really rush... what if everyone at my school is a douchebag? Anyways, my goal would basically be to have a good idea of what I’m going to do with my life. More specifically though, I would like to study abroad in London for a semester- that would be so so cool!!
3. As a life goal, I want to be HAPPILY married and have one or two kids. I’d also like to be very successful in my profession (doctor??) and live in a nice house and go on family vacations in and out of the country. That’s the life right? Those are my main goals for life. I also have a strange desire to try skydiving, but I’m conflicted because it seems scary.
These may be the cliches that you were talking about in class, but these definitely are my main wants in life. I look forward to the future!
Sunday, January 12, 2020
Assignment #19- Quotes to live by- Benjamin Webster
I’ve heard good advice from all kinds of sources. One told to me by my parents in one form or another that has particularly stuck with me is “You do you” and/or “Be loyal to what matters”. It’s not original and most likely is someone’s background screen on their phone or on a gift shop’s mug. However it's told, the core meaning is something that has stuck with me. This world is rife with problems and it's hard to be yourself while handling the pressure. I haven’t always been loyal to what I care about but it's something that I’m going to keep working on. Being yourself and loyal to what matters is something people don’t often do especially leaders who try to people please. This reminds me of another quote “"Even the good leaders make poor decisions, it's the best leaders take responsibility for them." It's something that I struggle with but when something matters to you, the responsibility needs to be shouldered by you. Leading is something that is tough for everyone and is done perfectly. But at the end of the day when you are loyal and responsible, things will turn out right.
Assignment #18 Lot to do little time- Benjamin Webster
Goals for High School
- Graduate with a high GPA
- Get better at swim
- Become more involved
- Get out more
Goals for College
- Have a strong friend group
- Do something music wise
- Graduate (duh)
- Swim in one form or another
Goals for Life
- Find a woman and have a family
- Have fun
- Do something significant
- Stay healthy for my life
With high school swim I’ve always fought an uphill battle. Both my lack of experience and competition with kids whose whole lives revolve around swim has caused trouble for me. Despite this, I have worked to persevere and hope by graduation I would have made an impact on the swim team.
College is it’s own beast but I hope to do something with music. Like I mentioned in another blog post, I’ve always been passionate
E for music. I hope I can work on my voice and writing to hopefully come up with some interesting stuff.
E for music. I hope I can work on my voice and writing to hopefully come up with some interesting stuff.
For my life, all I want to do is something significant. I can’t see in the future but I feel that an opportunity will arise for something. I will make sure to take it. However I also know that you need to chase what you want.
Assignment #17 Pleasantly surprised- Benjamin Webster
My parents implored me to watch the M. Night Shyamalan film The Sixth Sense. Having heard mixed things about him I was skeptical. However, when I watched it, I was blown away from start to finish. I’m not a big fan of movies that don’t have jokes and explosions but this changed my perspective on the thriller genre. After watching that, I saw his other film Split. This garnered a similar reaction from me. The big thing about Shyamalan is he has a slow build to the climax until the final twist in the movie makes your heartbeat stop. Another thing about his directing is the protagonists and how they are written. They seem normal with a few quirks at the beginning but as the story you learn more and more. You feel like you know them until the climax where something crazy is revealed about them that changes everything. His movies also have a strong sense of impending doom, whether it's in the delivery of the lines or the way the characters interact with various scenarios. All in all, despite my preference to action movies and comedies, I enjoyed his films and don’t regret watching them.
Haley Noehren - Assignment #18 - I’ve Gotta Get My Life Together
High school Bucket List:
-Maintain all A’s
-Have fun, and socialize more
-Get my mile below 6:08 (Preferably 5:50)
-Go to state for XC again and get my 5K time below 21:57
-Don’t die
-Learn how to parallel park
-Finish hiking the Sheltowee
College Bucket List:
-Have a great friend group
-Take a rock climbing class and/or a white water rafting class
-Go hiking! A lot!
-Get good grades
-Find something I’m passionate about
-Get a dog to go on runs and hikes with me
-Actually develop a fashion taste (beyond leggings and hoodies)
-Join a XC rec. team (haha I’m not good enough for D1)
Life Bucket List:
-Run a marathon
-(if I still wanna) join the FBI
-Have a family
-Travel!!
-Go on lots of hikes
-Have a fulfilling job and make a difference
My most important item on my high school bucket list? Idk man. The obvious answer would be college and good grades, but not dying is a close second. I really want to get into a good college that can get me a good career, so grades and stuff like that will help me do that. But, I am not graduating without beating my freaking 6:08 mile time. 8 seconds is wayyy to close too 5:50 and I will not graduate without it going down. But I’ve gotta put school before athletics, cause my legs wont get me to college.
Bruh college and I better get along. If I am gonna continue going to school (which I will) I better find something I love doing and enjoy my time there. All of those items on the list are important to me, but finding something I’m passionate about is the front runner. I want to do something and make a difference, but also love what I’m doing. I’ve gotta stay dedicated and focused to find what I truly enjoy. (ok, I also really wanna get a cute puppy that I can take hiking and running, but that’s another story for another time.)
Ok, life is a lot to think about. I just wanna be happy and have a great career. Sometimes I’m torn between having a family and getting a really awesome job (hopefully the FBI). Hopefully I can do both. Basically, most of my very distant future is undecided so I just want to have a good life. Live and be happy. That’s my minimum requirements and goals for life.
-Maintain all A’s
-Have fun, and socialize more
-Get my mile below 6:08 (Preferably 5:50)
-Go to state for XC again and get my 5K time below 21:57
-Don’t die
-Learn how to parallel park
-Finish hiking the Sheltowee
College Bucket List:
-Have a great friend group
-Take a rock climbing class and/or a white water rafting class
-Go hiking! A lot!
-Get good grades
-Find something I’m passionate about
-Get a dog to go on runs and hikes with me
-Actually develop a fashion taste (beyond leggings and hoodies)
-Join a XC rec. team (haha I’m not good enough for D1)
Life Bucket List:
-Run a marathon
-(if I still wanna) join the FBI
-Have a family
-Travel!!
-Go on lots of hikes
-Have a fulfilling job and make a difference
My most important item on my high school bucket list? Idk man. The obvious answer would be college and good grades, but not dying is a close second. I really want to get into a good college that can get me a good career, so grades and stuff like that will help me do that. But, I am not graduating without beating my freaking 6:08 mile time. 8 seconds is wayyy to close too 5:50 and I will not graduate without it going down. But I’ve gotta put school before athletics, cause my legs wont get me to college.
Bruh college and I better get along. If I am gonna continue going to school (which I will) I better find something I love doing and enjoy my time there. All of those items on the list are important to me, but finding something I’m passionate about is the front runner. I want to do something and make a difference, but also love what I’m doing. I’ve gotta stay dedicated and focused to find what I truly enjoy. (ok, I also really wanna get a cute puppy that I can take hiking and running, but that’s another story for another time.)
Ok, life is a lot to think about. I just wanna be happy and have a great career. Sometimes I’m torn between having a family and getting a really awesome job (hopefully the FBI). Hopefully I can do both. Basically, most of my very distant future is undecided so I just want to have a good life. Live and be happy. That’s my minimum requirements and goals for life.
Haley Noehren - Assignment #17- Nemo Reigns Above Dory
Ok, I don’t watch many movies, and I don’t even know the names of the actors in the ones I do watch. Recently my mother has embarked on a quest to make me more ‘cultured’ by watching some of the iconic movies of her childhood. Sadly, I couldn’t find a common director or genre between them so I resorted to the iconic movies of my childhood. I chose to compare Finding Nemo and Finding Dory, both directed by Andrew Stanton.
Finding Nemo- This movie was literally my childhood. As a tiny elementary schooler, the plot line had me gripped from the time Nemo touched the boat. The way that the story was told had me become attached personally to each character. I was mad at Dory because I thought she was annoying. I wanted to scream at Marlin (Nemos dad) when he went into that jellyfish patch. Most importantly, I wanted Nemo to find his dad again. For my little 5th grade mind, the movie was a success. I loved the character development of the different fish in the dentists fish tank. The movie made me feel like I was right there in the fish tank or the ocean, rooting for Nemo to find his dad the whole time.
Finding Dory- When I heard that this movie was coming out, I was concerned about how it would live up to the glory of Finding Nemo. I had loved Nemo so much as a child, I wondered how anything could be the same. Well for starters, I felt like the plot was basically the same. A fish gets lost/captured and the others are left to track that fish down. Along the way they run into a helping hand and it seems like they are gonna finally win. Suddenly, something unexpected happens and you begin to think that the two fish will never be re-united. Luckily, they overcome the odds and are finally together again. Basically, I’d say Finding Dory was just a recycled version of Finding Nemo. Yes, this one is about Dory finding her parents, but it follows the same general structure. While I might not be a fascinated fifth grader anymore, Finding Dory also lacked the magical and captivating characters that Finding Nemo had. Yeah Dory had that octopus dude, but Nemo had those turtles and sharks and crazy dentist girl and the seagulls. Dory lacked those iconic characters I grew to love.
Overall, Finding Nemo totally outperforms Finding Dory. The characters and plot are way more meaningful and entertaining in Finding Nemo. Maybe I glorified Nemo, but it can’t be any worse than Dory.
Finding Nemo- This movie was literally my childhood. As a tiny elementary schooler, the plot line had me gripped from the time Nemo touched the boat. The way that the story was told had me become attached personally to each character. I was mad at Dory because I thought she was annoying. I wanted to scream at Marlin (Nemos dad) when he went into that jellyfish patch. Most importantly, I wanted Nemo to find his dad again. For my little 5th grade mind, the movie was a success. I loved the character development of the different fish in the dentists fish tank. The movie made me feel like I was right there in the fish tank or the ocean, rooting for Nemo to find his dad the whole time.
Finding Dory- When I heard that this movie was coming out, I was concerned about how it would live up to the glory of Finding Nemo. I had loved Nemo so much as a child, I wondered how anything could be the same. Well for starters, I felt like the plot was basically the same. A fish gets lost/captured and the others are left to track that fish down. Along the way they run into a helping hand and it seems like they are gonna finally win. Suddenly, something unexpected happens and you begin to think that the two fish will never be re-united. Luckily, they overcome the odds and are finally together again. Basically, I’d say Finding Dory was just a recycled version of Finding Nemo. Yes, this one is about Dory finding her parents, but it follows the same general structure. While I might not be a fascinated fifth grader anymore, Finding Dory also lacked the magical and captivating characters that Finding Nemo had. Yeah Dory had that octopus dude, but Nemo had those turtles and sharks and crazy dentist girl and the seagulls. Dory lacked those iconic characters I grew to love.
Overall, Finding Nemo totally outperforms Finding Dory. The characters and plot are way more meaningful and entertaining in Finding Nemo. Maybe I glorified Nemo, but it can’t be any worse than Dory.
Assignment #18 - too many buckets (alternate title: #yolo i guess) - Taylor Galavotti
high school goals
1. graduate with a 4.0
2. get into a college that i actually want to go to and that will pay me
3. finish a screenplay
4. go on a trip with my friends
5. dress nicely at least part of the time
6. don't be dumb
college goals
1. make new friends
2. keep my old friends
3. find something that i love to do
4. find a way to sneak my cat into my dorm room
5. go to London
6. don't be dumb
life goals
1. gain life experience
2. get a place with floor-to-ceiling bookshelves and fill them up
3. write something that has an impact
4. learn how to stand up on the subway without holding on so i can look like i have my life together
5. find the perfect pair of pants for myself
6. don't be dumb
For high school, my priority is definitely college. I'm still convinced that college is turning into a ponzi-scheme put on by all the world's richest people but hey, if you can't beat 'em, join 'em right? Well no, but that's what I'm going to do for right now. Still completely lost on what my future holds, all I know is I don't want too much debt. But I've been thinking. I don't think I'm competitive for merit-based for scholarships anymore. My test scores are good, don't get me wrong, but they aren't high enough to be ~extra-special~ if you know what I mean. That's what scares me the most. I'm going to sacrifice a new life experience for staying out of crippling debt. But we shall see.
College. What a wacky time it's going to be. My biggest priority is finding something that I love to do. After all, I'm going to be doing whatever that is for the rest of my life. Well, that or a minimum wage job that I'm overqualified for so I won't get hired there either. whoooooooo. But anyways, I'm hoping that college will be a blank slate for me. It's not like I have anything to erase, except maybe all pictures of me from 5th grade to sophomore year, but I want to try new things. I want to have cool stories to tell to my sister's kids because Lord knows, I am NOT having kids. ew.
Life, dude. I just want to have one. Do I know what that entails? Why, absolutely not. so #yolo i guess.
1. graduate with a 4.0
2. get into a college that i actually want to go to and that will pay me
3. finish a screenplay
4. go on a trip with my friends
5. dress nicely at least part of the time
6. don't be dumb
college goals
1. make new friends
2. keep my old friends
3. find something that i love to do
4. find a way to sneak my cat into my dorm room
5. go to London
6. don't be dumb
life goals
1. gain life experience
2. get a place with floor-to-ceiling bookshelves and fill them up
3. write something that has an impact
4. learn how to stand up on the subway without holding on so i can look like i have my life together
5. find the perfect pair of pants for myself
6. don't be dumb
For high school, my priority is definitely college. I'm still convinced that college is turning into a ponzi-scheme put on by all the world's richest people but hey, if you can't beat 'em, join 'em right? Well no, but that's what I'm going to do for right now. Still completely lost on what my future holds, all I know is I don't want too much debt. But I've been thinking. I don't think I'm competitive for merit-based for scholarships anymore. My test scores are good, don't get me wrong, but they aren't high enough to be ~extra-special~ if you know what I mean. That's what scares me the most. I'm going to sacrifice a new life experience for staying out of crippling debt. But we shall see.
College. What a wacky time it's going to be. My biggest priority is finding something that I love to do. After all, I'm going to be doing whatever that is for the rest of my life. Well, that or a minimum wage job that I'm overqualified for so I won't get hired there either. whoooooooo. But anyways, I'm hoping that college will be a blank slate for me. It's not like I have anything to erase, except maybe all pictures of me from 5th grade to sophomore year, but I want to try new things. I want to have cool stories to tell to my sister's kids because Lord knows, I am NOT having kids. ew.
Life, dude. I just want to have one. Do I know what that entails? Why, absolutely not. so #yolo i guess.
Assignment #18- Ellis Padgett- Who Knows!
High School Bucket List:
- Have a positive overall experience
- Maintain all A's
- Continue working towards french fluency after finishing french class
- Go on a road trip with friends
- Volunteer with either tutoring or animals
- Train my puppy
College Bucket List:
- Figure out what I want to do!
- Go to 1 party
- Study abroad in France
- Join 2-3 clubs
- Decorate an awesome dorm room
Life Bucket List:
- Do something I love
- Fall in love and have a family
- Go to the zoo and aquarium a lot
- Write something I love
- Have a positive impact in the community
- Have 2 dogs at minimum
- Work with animal rescues
- Make a comfortable salary
- Travel!
- Go to another Death Cab for Cutie concert
I know my #1 for my high school list in very vague, but that's only because a lot goes into having a positive overall experience. I mainly want to be able to look back and say "yeah, it was fun", or really refer to these as the good old days. For me, achieving this goal includes participating in theater, hanging out with friends, watching movies, etc. I want my priority to be enjoyment, because for a long time I let school take over and obsessed over little things. Taking a step back and just living life is what I want to do.
In college, I want to figure out what I want to do by taking classes in a lot of diverse areas. I appreciate the Academy, but I do feel like it has restricted me in my choices. I would've loved to take so many more classes at Henry Clay, but there simply wasn't room. In college I really want to figure out what I love, because I don't quite know yet.
I feel like I have a really generic list... but that's okay. I think it's because the future is still really vague to me. I don't know what I want to do, but I want to love it. I want to wake up excited and go to bed satisfied. I was really close to putting go to the zoo and aquarium a lot at the top. I love the zoo and aquarium. I would love to learn more about all the animals and how I can help them. Maybe I'll even work at a zoo or aquarium. Who knows!
- Have a positive overall experience
- Maintain all A's
- Continue working towards french fluency after finishing french class
- Go on a road trip with friends
- Volunteer with either tutoring or animals
- Train my puppy
College Bucket List:
- Figure out what I want to do!
- Go to 1 party
- Study abroad in France
- Join 2-3 clubs
- Decorate an awesome dorm room
Life Bucket List:
- Do something I love
- Fall in love and have a family
- Go to the zoo and aquarium a lot
- Write something I love
- Have a positive impact in the community
- Have 2 dogs at minimum
- Work with animal rescues
- Make a comfortable salary
- Travel!
- Go to another Death Cab for Cutie concert
I know my #1 for my high school list in very vague, but that's only because a lot goes into having a positive overall experience. I mainly want to be able to look back and say "yeah, it was fun", or really refer to these as the good old days. For me, achieving this goal includes participating in theater, hanging out with friends, watching movies, etc. I want my priority to be enjoyment, because for a long time I let school take over and obsessed over little things. Taking a step back and just living life is what I want to do.
In college, I want to figure out what I want to do by taking classes in a lot of diverse areas. I appreciate the Academy, but I do feel like it has restricted me in my choices. I would've loved to take so many more classes at Henry Clay, but there simply wasn't room. In college I really want to figure out what I love, because I don't quite know yet.
I feel like I have a really generic list... but that's okay. I think it's because the future is still really vague to me. I don't know what I want to do, but I want to love it. I want to wake up excited and go to bed satisfied. I was really close to putting go to the zoo and aquarium a lot at the top. I love the zoo and aquarium. I would love to learn more about all the animals and how I can help them. Maybe I'll even work at a zoo or aquarium. Who knows!
Saturday, January 11, 2020
Assignment #17- Miller Luhan- I can't Stop Watching
One of my favorite movies... EVER... is The Wolf of Wall Street- a movie directed by Martin Scorsese. So, over break I decided to re-watch another one of his movies, The Departed, because I hadn't seen it in forever. Now, while these movies are about two completely different topics, fit into different genres, and were created at different points in Scorsese's career, I found some similarities between the two films.
I found that often Scorsese uses music to transition scenes. But, what makes this stylistic choice so unique is that the musics usually doesn't relate to the scene change that's happening. That's probably confusing, so for example, in The Departed, this obnoxious Irish type rock music starts blasting while they drive down the highway- and you see the people within the cars moving and talking, but they're on mute as the music behind them blares, this is also seen in WOWS, when scenes are depicted of them in the office.
Another stylistic type choice that Scorsese employs in his works is profanity- especially in excess. Almost every sentence that comes out of a character's mouth is expletive. What's interesting about this choice, is that unlike me, or really anyone, saying a profane word in every sentence and it losing its meaning, the characters somehow continue to be expressive. In fact, at some points in his films it even adds a sense of humor. This leads me to my next similarity between the two films, a dry sense of humor hat radiates with comments that are not "right in your face" laugh out loud.
The last similarity that I'm going to mention is his application of the same actors. Now, while this point seems kind of arbitrary, I think it is important to note that Scorsese obviously finds comfort in casting a similar crew with each movie. The actors are reasonably acclaimed, so he has a certain trust that they can play whichever part he desires. Plus, he has known these actors for a long time- meaning he can rely on them. Leonardo DiCaprio is the main example- he acts in numerous Scorsese movies.
Overall, Scorsese is an amazing film director. I used these two movies as a comparison, but many of his movies are very good. Scorsese somehow has a talent of making extremely long films interesting for every second, especially when implementing the stylistic choices above.
Friday, January 10, 2020
Assignment #20-Emma Shadwick- How To Make the Best Breakfast Quesadilla
I know many of you folks out there are always running and gunning and food might become an afterthought. But it doesn’t have to be anymore with this quick and easy breakfast quesadilla that I make for myself almost every morning! Yes, the same mornings that I wake up twenty minutes before I have to leave!
You start by cracking three eggs in a cup and adding a dash of milk.
Then, heat up a pan with some butter in the bottom (everything is better with butter).
Once the butter is sizzling slightly add your eggs to the pan. DO NOT SCRAMBLE.
Turn heat on stove to medium-low.
Cook the eggs like you are cooking an omelet.
Flip the egg round so it gets nicely cooked on both sides.
Once it is cooked, add cheese to the top and sprinkle bacon bits. Then a tortilla on top of all that goodness.
The cheese will act like glue to hold the tortilla to the egg.
Next, flip the egg round over to the plain side.
Add cheese and bacon to the second side then another tortilla.
Then flip over again to cook the second tortilla.
Take off heat and enjoy!!!
Assignment #19-Emma Shadwick- Making Yourself Happy
My parents love what they call “teaching moments.” I think it makes them feel like they are doing their job as parents. However, sometimes I feel like the “lesson” they are trying to instill in me is very specific to the situation and overall not useful in the real world. The best lesson I believe my mom has ever taught me is that you must be able to make yourself happy before you can extend that to others. This lesson manifested itself during a time in my life when I felt like I was people-pleasing most of the time even when I would have rather been doing something else. I was running myself ragged and becoming very unhappy. My mom sat me down and told me she was proud of me for being so generous with other people but also that it’s okay to be a little selfish sometimes and do something that makes me happy. This resonated with me and I was able to achieve a balance between the two. Now I am better at saying no to people and not exhausting myself to please others.
Assignment #18- Emma Shadwick- The Next Thing On My List
Coming up with these lists was a fairly easy task for me because I am a naturally goal-oriented person.
High school bucket list:
Only make 4 B’s
Have no regrets with the way I treated my teachers and classmates
Don’t forget to have fun my senior year- but also battle senioritis
Win the 11th region in volleyball my senior year
College bucket list:
Play volleyball at Yale
Find a major that I am truly passionate about
Receive a summer internship that I become good at
Win the Ivy League Championship
Have a job offer my senior year of college
Life bucket list:
Go to a Kacey Musgraves concert
Only marry once
Have two kids
Instill good values into my kids
Love my job and be good at it
The number one item on my high school bucket list is have no regrets with the way I treated my teachers and classmates. This is because I have established a reputation as being a kind and hardworking student and I aspire to live up to that every day. Regret can be a very heavy feeling and I want to start college with confidence in my abilities to be successful based on a positive high school experience.
The number one item on my college bucket list is to play volleyball at Yale. This is my dream school and my favorite sport on the planet. I can only imagine this combination will be amazing.
The number one item on my life bucket list is to only marry once. This is largely because I come from a divorced family and I have seen the devastation it causes first hand. I never want to go through this if I can’t help it. I want to meet a good man who shares my values that I can grow old with. I also want that stability for my future children.
Monday, January 6, 2020
Assignment #17 - Taylor Galavotti - dude adam driver and scarjo that's it please just watch Marriage Story or i will not shut up about it im not even remotely joking
When I say that Marriage Story (dir. Noah Baumbach) made me feel things, I mean it. To be fair, it was 4 am and I wasn't feeling the best mentally when I watched it, but still. As a sucker for just about any rom-com, I was cautious of this film simply because I knew it wasn't going to have a happily-ever-after at the end. In spite of that, I reccomend this particular movie to anyone who needs a good cry or a good think. I stayed up for at least an hour after finishing the movie, just replaying each of the scenes in my head, examining everything, from the physical take to the stunning dialogue between the characters. I think that's what so excellent about this movie; there aren't any "throw-away" scenes. Every scene in the movie must be there or it wouldn't tell the same story. Adam Driver talked about this phenomenon in an interview he did on a press tour for the release of Marriage Story. He said that every scene in this movie required his utmost focus and care when performing and he couldn't "space out" on any of them or the movie wouldn't be complete. I believe it. This film is rife with metaphor, subtle and not too subtle with the perfect blend of joyous and heart-wrenching moments.
Mad props to Adam Driver and ScarJo for their acting in this film (I personally think it's their best work thus far); their on-screen chemistry sold audiences on their deep love and respect for the other, despite their failing marriage. The very nature of the characters in Marriage Story, Charlie and Nicole (director and actress respectively), lend themselves perfectly to Driver and Johansson because of their careers and the industry they belong to: Hollywood. Their careers end up as the ultimate downfall of their relationship, shedding some light on why so many Hollywood marriages seem to end just about as quickly as they started. If I had to choose a favorite scene from the entire film as a whole without spoiling, it would have to be the opening scenes. The beginning scenes for each character (Charlie and Nicole) parallel each other elegantly, while setting up the story that will soon follow. The voice over is reminiscent of 80's teen dramas and I adore it. The cinematography alone will amaze you not to mention the moods that Baumbach can create with just a lingering shot. The emotions you feel will run the gamut of second-hand embarrassment to straight-up rage, all developed through those elements of film. It's a cinematic masterpiece.
All I can say after this ENTIRE rant about how much I love this movie is please watch it. I couldn't ask for anything more than to give this amazing film 136 minutes of your life. You won't regret it.
my rating online: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/user/id/978509219/
edit: MARRIAGE STORY, NOAH BAUMBACH, ADAM DRIVER, & SCARJO WERE ROBBED AT THE GOLDEN GLOBES! im very mad about it.
Mad props to Adam Driver and ScarJo for their acting in this film (I personally think it's their best work thus far); their on-screen chemistry sold audiences on their deep love and respect for the other, despite their failing marriage. The very nature of the characters in Marriage Story, Charlie and Nicole (director and actress respectively), lend themselves perfectly to Driver and Johansson because of their careers and the industry they belong to: Hollywood. Their careers end up as the ultimate downfall of their relationship, shedding some light on why so many Hollywood marriages seem to end just about as quickly as they started. If I had to choose a favorite scene from the entire film as a whole without spoiling, it would have to be the opening scenes. The beginning scenes for each character (Charlie and Nicole) parallel each other elegantly, while setting up the story that will soon follow. The voice over is reminiscent of 80's teen dramas and I adore it. The cinematography alone will amaze you not to mention the moods that Baumbach can create with just a lingering shot. The emotions you feel will run the gamut of second-hand embarrassment to straight-up rage, all developed through those elements of film. It's a cinematic masterpiece.
All I can say after this ENTIRE rant about how much I love this movie is please watch it. I couldn't ask for anything more than to give this amazing film 136 minutes of your life. You won't regret it.
my rating online: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/user/id/978509219/
edit: MARRIAGE STORY, NOAH BAUMBACH, ADAM DRIVER, & SCARJO WERE ROBBED AT THE GOLDEN GLOBES! im very mad about it.
Assignment 17- Emma Lauritzen "Lady Bird, is that your given name?"
Lady Bird (2017)★★★★★
The story line, I felt, was perfect for this day and age and spread a positive coming of age story. I hope that this movie becomes a classic and reaches audiences for years to come. Overall I believe that this was a fantastic movie!
My Review:
Sunday, January 5, 2020
Assignment 17- Ellis Padgett- Taylor Swift Drugs Cast With Catnip
Over the break, I saw Cats (willingly). And I am going to compare it to another musical drama: Les Miserables (the movie).
I'll preface my thoughts with this- Cats wasn't bad! I mean, should they have made it into a movie? No. But now that they did, I'll try and give it fair judgement against Les Miserables.
Both Cats and Les Miserables include the stories of characters originally shunned by society who in the end peacefully ascend to heaven. But the simplicity of Cats hardly compares to the complexity of Les Mis. Each movie holds the ability to invoke the emotional capacity of humans (Les Mis tells the tale of love, war, and forgiveness; Cats similarly speaks of the pain of living with and without positive memories). But Les Miserables pulls ahead as it intertwines many main characters, each with their own struggle that makes them appealing.
On the contrary, only two characters truly receive that same depth and development in Cats. The first is Grizabella, who is so trapped in her memories of being loved that she sinks into a lonely depression (you can guess which song she sings). The second is the main character, Victoria, who unlike Grizabella has never had a loving home to remember and finds her home with the ally cats. Yet Victoria's character development falls short, allowing Les Miserables to take the lead with the emotional value and understanding given to the viewer. Victoria sings about her previously mentioned woe; but not once does she cry, struggle, or seem to not fit in with the cats around her. If not fitting in/never being loved was her problem, why did the issue only show up once in a 4 minute song?
Cats also felt like a very straightforward film. While Les Miserables has multiple sets, conflicts, and facets to characters, Cats was overall very predictable. In Les Mis, even the "bad guy" has songs where he portrays inner conflict, and the viewer gets to see this clash and understand him more as a character. Not only does the villain in Cats fail to get that moment- barely anyone does. Cats follows a simple formula: introduction to the fact that there are cats... and then introduction to a cat, another introduction to a cat, another- and so on. Literally half the movie is another cat appearing on screen and then singing a song about themselves. Taylor Swift, who apparently aids the bad guy, appears near the end with no previous introduction only to act sexy and drug everyone with Catnip. And poof! That's pretty much the only thing her character does.
What I do appreciate about Cats the movie is that it brought a Broadway musical to a larger audience. Without this movie, I never would have seen it. And I do think it's worth knowing. If I could put it simply- which I can't- I would say that Cats and Les Mis translated very differently to the big screen. Both are impressive musicals with intriguing concepts and scores. Les Miserables probably always had a better chance as a movie because, well, it didn't involve human-like, talking cats.
I'll preface my thoughts with this- Cats wasn't bad! I mean, should they have made it into a movie? No. But now that they did, I'll try and give it fair judgement against Les Miserables.
Both Cats and Les Miserables include the stories of characters originally shunned by society who in the end peacefully ascend to heaven. But the simplicity of Cats hardly compares to the complexity of Les Mis. Each movie holds the ability to invoke the emotional capacity of humans (Les Mis tells the tale of love, war, and forgiveness; Cats similarly speaks of the pain of living with and without positive memories). But Les Miserables pulls ahead as it intertwines many main characters, each with their own struggle that makes them appealing.
On the contrary, only two characters truly receive that same depth and development in Cats. The first is Grizabella, who is so trapped in her memories of being loved that she sinks into a lonely depression (you can guess which song she sings). The second is the main character, Victoria, who unlike Grizabella has never had a loving home to remember and finds her home with the ally cats. Yet Victoria's character development falls short, allowing Les Miserables to take the lead with the emotional value and understanding given to the viewer. Victoria sings about her previously mentioned woe; but not once does she cry, struggle, or seem to not fit in with the cats around her. If not fitting in/never being loved was her problem, why did the issue only show up once in a 4 minute song?
Cats also felt like a very straightforward film. While Les Miserables has multiple sets, conflicts, and facets to characters, Cats was overall very predictable. In Les Mis, even the "bad guy" has songs where he portrays inner conflict, and the viewer gets to see this clash and understand him more as a character. Not only does the villain in Cats fail to get that moment- barely anyone does. Cats follows a simple formula: introduction to the fact that there are cats... and then introduction to a cat, another introduction to a cat, another- and so on. Literally half the movie is another cat appearing on screen and then singing a song about themselves. Taylor Swift, who apparently aids the bad guy, appears near the end with no previous introduction only to act sexy and drug everyone with Catnip. And poof! That's pretty much the only thing her character does.
What I do appreciate about Cats the movie is that it brought a Broadway musical to a larger audience. Without this movie, I never would have seen it. And I do think it's worth knowing. If I could put it simply- which I can't- I would say that Cats and Les Mis translated very differently to the big screen. Both are impressive musicals with intriguing concepts and scores. Les Miserables probably always had a better chance as a movie because, well, it didn't involve human-like, talking cats.
Assignment 18: Buckets and Buckets
Welcome to your first blog prompt for 2020! Yay!
A bucket list is a list of everything you want to accomplish before you kick the bucket. That doesn't mean you can't have such a list for specific aspects of your life as well.
To begin the year, generate your own bucket lists - one for high school, one for college, and one for life. Then, write about the priority on each list.
- What is the number one item on your bucket list before you finish high school?
- What is the number one item on your bucket list before you finish college?
- What is the number one item on your bucket list before you finish living?
(This blog is inspired by Axel Liimatta - former academy teacher - my friend and former colleague that inspires me to live every day more fully)
Minimum of 150 words - due Sunday, January 19 at 11:59 pm
February 9 is the last day to make up blogs 17-19
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