At the beginning of the year, I blogged only because I had to- it was part of my class AP English Composition. At the very beginning I wanted to pretend I was someone else on my blog- I wanted to pretend I was an old Russian man whose name was Vladimir. If you look at the oldest posts, you will see that I write a great deal about Russia (after pretending for a week or so I just changed the pronouns to match my own personality). I was taking it as more of acting practice because I really didn't understand the concept of keeping a blog. Of course, then the teacher pointed out to me that blogging was about being honest and writing about what you truly believe in and are interested in. I liked that route better anyways, so I began to write about me. Still, I was only writing because I had to for my class.
As the year went by, I started to become more involved with my writing. It became less and less of an assignment for me and more of a place where I can just write and have people hear what I have to say. When I am just talking, sometimes I have trouble expressing myself and I stutter a lot (at least in situations when I am not confident in what I want to say). So writing is a good resort for me, but writing in notebooks can get very laborious. Thankfully, I can type quasi-quickly so blogging has become that place for me to go aside and just put down what's in my head.
Also, people can listen to what I have to say. People are willing to read my thoughts and my opinions. Although few people really read my blog, I'd like to believe a whole lot more people do read it, 'cause it makes me feel better. I like the YouTube videos that I put on here, and I just want everyone else to take a look at those because I think they are truly something special. I'd hope that people would take a look at those videos, but I doubt that anyone does. However, since this site is open to everyone, there's always a hope that someone's watching it. There's always a hope that I am changing someone with my words. I mean, that's the point of writing-- to change someone, either yourself or another. There's only one time in my memory when my writing has had a deep effect on someone- it was at the Interreligious Council of Cedar Rapids. I read a speech I had written about the late Rabbi Chesman, and the speech brought one lady in the room to tears. I will always remember that feeling- that overwhelming feeling of extreme self-fulfillment. I wasn't joyous by any means, but I began to understand the power of words.
I'm not sure that I will keep blogging often after this school year, but I do know that blogging has had quite a strong effect on me. To me, my blog is like a big journal of my thoughts of this year. It hasn't been very journal-esque, but I know that when I look back at it in five, ten years I will laugh at the thoughts that I've had, even though now they have seemed to be very important. Nonetheless, blogging creates enormous opportunities as countless amounts of people are able to look at what you have to bring to the table. My writing has definitely improved because of this place, and I am going to miss writing on here every week. Who knows, maybe I will keep on writing on my blog. I may start to miss that feeling.
Monday, May 25, 2009
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Rock Island
This "song" is one of the greatest talking rhythm sections that I've ever heard. It has got all kinds of rhythms in it, and it seems like all of the rhythms are happening naturally. Although I have a lot of bias, I must say that the Broadway version is much better than the movie version- both of them. Both versions of the scene fail to take an account enough rhythms by the train. Also, both could have lots more inflection by the actors. The old video of Robert Preston's version is more bouncy than Broderick's version, but both could use the train as rhythm much more often. For example, every time someone repeats something, it is often because the train made a bump and he felt like he had to say it again to keep in with time. For example, at around 2:00 in the new video the man talking repeats the U-needa several times. When he says this each time, the whole train could have a bump and he could stress the "U" part of the word. Another part is at 3:15 when the man repeats "Big Brass Bass." At this time he could again stress the word "Big" and the train could have a beat there. Little things like that would make both scenes much more interesting. They just need some more stresses in the text. Also, the new movie failed to remember that these train tracks of the time were not perfect and were often very bumpy, thus making it difficult for the men to walk without rocking. Also, the beginning of the song in the first one seems very fake. The words and rhythms seem too artificial and contrived.
Nonetheless, the "song" is very great, and just by listening I think you could see the potential of the music to really entertain an audience. I really love The Music Man, and I think this scene is a great way to start off the whole musical.
Here's the new, Matthew Broderick version:
Here's the older version with Preston:
Nonetheless, the "song" is very great, and just by listening I think you could see the potential of the music to really entertain an audience. I really love The Music Man, and I think this scene is a great way to start off the whole musical.
Here's the new, Matthew Broderick version:
Here's the older version with Preston:
Eye of the Tiger
Although I had heard it before seventh grade, it was during this time when I first became really familiar with the song. My show choir in middle school was performing it- it went along with the theme of "cats." I immediately fell in love with the song. Its hits are rhythmic, and the tune is really cool. I believe it was first made famous in Rocky III, one of the installments of the hit movie series that rocked the world with its intense boxing scenes and dramatic life experiences. "Eye of the Tiger" was written by Survivor, and the song is a legend today. It is really energizing as well. The song is just an all around uplifting tune that gets you in the mood to accomplish whatever you want to do. It gets you pumped. Here's a music video of the song by Survivor.
So AP Tests are done... I'm done with school right??
NO! As soon as the AP Tests got finished a got assigned a project in four out of my five AP classes. Now I don't blame the teachers for giving me work, but all of the projects just came at me at once and I got pretty overwhelmed. In AP English we have to read a bunch of essays and do reading notebooks on them, as well as write a video essay of some sort (but that's due in a while). I've got nothing in AP Calculus- I'm pretty home free from now on- and on the quiz on Friday I got 18/20 which I'm very okay with. In AP Statistics, I just finished the final project after seven hours of work on the computer. I started it on Thursday, when I handed out the survey which asked what show you preferred more- Seinfeld or Friends? I got 100 surveys back, and I analyzed them today performing several tests of significance and independence. The project is worth half of our final grade, and I think I did pretty well on it- well I did okay on it.
In my AP U.S. History class we've got two projects going- TWO! The first is due Friday. We are supposed to use a poster board to show someone's life. The good thing about it is that it can be anyone's life- past or present, fictional or non-fictional. The only limitation is that we have to have two full pages of data about the person. I'm thinking of talking about Stalin. Although I have been to Russia two times, I still don't know a lot about Stalin. He's a very complicated man and he made a very complicated Russia. His reign is very interesting to me as his industrial advancements are contradicted and overshadowed by his harsh policies and hostile treatment of people. I know that he was paranoid all of the time, and eliminated all enemies within Russia very quickly. When people ask me about Stalin, I think I should know more about him so I can tell those people what they want to know. This is a good opportunity and excuse for me to brush up on my Stalin history and examine his life.
The other U.S. History project is our final project. Our teacher left the door pretty wide open here, and we can do basically whatever we want. He said it can be as didactic as we want it to be, but I am leaning towards more didactic and in depth. However, I still want it to be fun and entertaining. I know my friends are reenacting a battle in history, but I think I want to do something else. I don't know, reenacting a battle doesn't seem very specific and doesn't catch my fancy. Nonetheless, they will probably do a really good job with it and make it really interesting to watch. My plan is to take five different wars and to take a song and change the words to show each war. The five wars are the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, World War I, World War II, and the Cold War. I am not sure what songs I want to use right now, so if you have any ideas just leave a comment at the end of this entry- thanks! Also I am going to print off copies of all the words and give them to my classmates so they can sing along. This brings another decision- to write the lyrics to modern songs or older songs. These are some possibilities of what songs I'm thinking of doing: "I Kissed a Girl," "Bye, Bye, Bye," "My Heart Will Go On," "Eye of the Tiger," "We are the Champions," "The Circle of Life," "A Whole New World," and "Somewhere Over the Rainbow." I want to do songs where everyone knows the tune, and I think that most people are familiar with those songs.
In AP Chemistry, we are doing a lab in which we have to identity which acids fit which element, given the characteristics found in the experiment match the characteristics of the element. This should be okay though because it can be mostly done during school.
So this is my life for the next few weeks. I am a little frightened because it is just a lot of work. However, I will be so happy once everything is all done. I'm going to be ready for summer.
In my AP U.S. History class we've got two projects going- TWO! The first is due Friday. We are supposed to use a poster board to show someone's life. The good thing about it is that it can be anyone's life- past or present, fictional or non-fictional. The only limitation is that we have to have two full pages of data about the person. I'm thinking of talking about Stalin. Although I have been to Russia two times, I still don't know a lot about Stalin. He's a very complicated man and he made a very complicated Russia. His reign is very interesting to me as his industrial advancements are contradicted and overshadowed by his harsh policies and hostile treatment of people. I know that he was paranoid all of the time, and eliminated all enemies within Russia very quickly. When people ask me about Stalin, I think I should know more about him so I can tell those people what they want to know. This is a good opportunity and excuse for me to brush up on my Stalin history and examine his life.
The other U.S. History project is our final project. Our teacher left the door pretty wide open here, and we can do basically whatever we want. He said it can be as didactic as we want it to be, but I am leaning towards more didactic and in depth. However, I still want it to be fun and entertaining. I know my friends are reenacting a battle in history, but I think I want to do something else. I don't know, reenacting a battle doesn't seem very specific and doesn't catch my fancy. Nonetheless, they will probably do a really good job with it and make it really interesting to watch. My plan is to take five different wars and to take a song and change the words to show each war. The five wars are the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, World War I, World War II, and the Cold War. I am not sure what songs I want to use right now, so if you have any ideas just leave a comment at the end of this entry- thanks! Also I am going to print off copies of all the words and give them to my classmates so they can sing along. This brings another decision- to write the lyrics to modern songs or older songs. These are some possibilities of what songs I'm thinking of doing: "I Kissed a Girl," "Bye, Bye, Bye," "My Heart Will Go On," "Eye of the Tiger," "We are the Champions," "The Circle of Life," "A Whole New World," and "Somewhere Over the Rainbow." I want to do songs where everyone knows the tune, and I think that most people are familiar with those songs.
In AP Chemistry, we are doing a lab in which we have to identity which acids fit which element, given the characteristics found in the experiment match the characteristics of the element. This should be okay though because it can be mostly done during school.
So this is my life for the next few weeks. I am a little frightened because it is just a lot of work. However, I will be so happy once everything is all done. I'm going to be ready for summer.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Mother's Day
So when I think of mother's day, I think of all of the old times when I was young and did all of the great things for my mother. So I'm writing this entry as if I'm young- like elementary school.
Mothers Day is a fine holiday. In my family mothers day is very important. Every year my Dad and I make my mom a wonderful breakfast. We often make French toast, eggs, potatoes, sausage, yogurt and fruit for her. We make up a fancy tray and take it up to her in bed. We also take her the newspaper and a homemade card. She loves the corny cards I make her. I make up funny poems and let my brother sign the card also. He is not great about getting or making her a card, so I am nice and let him in on mine. When I was young I also would make my mom origami animals and flowers. One year I made her a whole origami jungle. It was quite spectacular and she still has it displayed in the family room of our house.
The one thing we do not make for her is her coffee. She loves coffee, but neither my dad nor I drink it so we do not know how to make it. Every year my dad says "honey, will you teach me how to make coffee so that next time I can make it for you?" Well, he never learns and she never gets her coffee on mother's day or her birthday. I don't think she minds though.
After breakfast we clean the kitchen for my mom. She usually does that so it is really helpful to her that we take care of our huge mess. When my dad makes eggs he always makes omelets, he puts in everything in the refrigerator. It makes a mess with all his chopping, slicing, grilling etc... They are quite tasty though, and we all love his omelets.
On mothers day everything is done to please my mom. I try to take care of the dog so that she does not bother my mom. My mom loves to take naps. Especially on Sundays, so it is usually extra long one on mothers day. My mom can nap up to 2 hours some Sundays. It is amazing because she just lies down on the couch in the living room and no matter what is going on around her she can sleep. The one thing that will bother her is the dog barking. That is why I try to take care of her as much as possible.
My parents always take a bike ride on Sunday if it is nice outside. This mother's day was no exception. My parents love to ride their bikes. I don't know where they go. Some place for "coffee". I think it is great that they like to do that together. They tried playing golf together but, my mom didn't like it. My dad is really good and my mom has never played so she was bad. She hates being bad at things and that game is very frustrating. I personally do not like golf either. My dad and my brother both love golf. Now that my brother is away at school my dad doesn't have any one to golf with. I think it would be great if my mom and I liked golf and would golf with my dad, but we both hate the game.
The last thing we do for my mom on mothers day is have a nice dinner together. We go out for dinner, so no cleaning up messes. My mom gets to choose the place. Today she chose Red Lobster. I think the only reason was that she had some gift certificates to use. My mom is pretty thrifty and she doesn't like to spend money on food. We did get an appetiser and desert and we all had beverages. Those three things are not typical for our family. The dinners were pretty good. Mine was the best, crab legs! One of our favorite family traditions it to take cards with us to the restaurant. We love to play Euchre. My mom loves this game and frequently is on the winning team.I know she played that card game a lot when she was young.
The best thing my mom likes about mothers day is that it is just for her. She can decide what to do and when to do it. She usually just does what everyone else in the family wants to do. But, this day is all hers.
Mothers Day is a fine holiday. In my family mothers day is very important. Every year my Dad and I make my mom a wonderful breakfast. We often make French toast, eggs, potatoes, sausage, yogurt and fruit for her. We make up a fancy tray and take it up to her in bed. We also take her the newspaper and a homemade card. She loves the corny cards I make her. I make up funny poems and let my brother sign the card also. He is not great about getting or making her a card, so I am nice and let him in on mine. When I was young I also would make my mom origami animals and flowers. One year I made her a whole origami jungle. It was quite spectacular and she still has it displayed in the family room of our house.
The one thing we do not make for her is her coffee. She loves coffee, but neither my dad nor I drink it so we do not know how to make it. Every year my dad says "honey, will you teach me how to make coffee so that next time I can make it for you?" Well, he never learns and she never gets her coffee on mother's day or her birthday. I don't think she minds though.
After breakfast we clean the kitchen for my mom. She usually does that so it is really helpful to her that we take care of our huge mess. When my dad makes eggs he always makes omelets, he puts in everything in the refrigerator. It makes a mess with all his chopping, slicing, grilling etc... They are quite tasty though, and we all love his omelets.
On mothers day everything is done to please my mom. I try to take care of the dog so that she does not bother my mom. My mom loves to take naps. Especially on Sundays, so it is usually extra long one on mothers day. My mom can nap up to 2 hours some Sundays. It is amazing because she just lies down on the couch in the living room and no matter what is going on around her she can sleep. The one thing that will bother her is the dog barking. That is why I try to take care of her as much as possible.
My parents always take a bike ride on Sunday if it is nice outside. This mother's day was no exception. My parents love to ride their bikes. I don't know where they go. Some place for "coffee". I think it is great that they like to do that together. They tried playing golf together but, my mom didn't like it. My dad is really good and my mom has never played so she was bad. She hates being bad at things and that game is very frustrating. I personally do not like golf either. My dad and my brother both love golf. Now that my brother is away at school my dad doesn't have any one to golf with. I think it would be great if my mom and I liked golf and would golf with my dad, but we both hate the game.
The last thing we do for my mom on mothers day is have a nice dinner together. We go out for dinner, so no cleaning up messes. My mom gets to choose the place. Today she chose Red Lobster. I think the only reason was that she had some gift certificates to use. My mom is pretty thrifty and she doesn't like to spend money on food. We did get an appetiser and desert and we all had beverages. Those three things are not typical for our family. The dinners were pretty good. Mine was the best, crab legs! One of our favorite family traditions it to take cards with us to the restaurant. We love to play Euchre. My mom loves this game and frequently is on the winning team.I know she played that card game a lot when she was young.
The best thing my mom likes about mothers day is that it is just for her. She can decide what to do and when to do it. She usually just does what everyone else in the family wants to do. But, this day is all hers.
Miranda Sings
Lately some of my friends have been imitating this girl on Youtube. Her name is Miranda, and she sings songs, but very badly. I think in real life she sings very well, but for these videos she purposely sings badly for a comedic effect. At first I was skeptical. I really didn't think that a girl trying to be funny would be very funny- especially when singing. However, this girl pulled it off very well. In this video, she sings Dance Ten Looks Three. It's a song from A Chorus Line. However, that's not important. It's the way she sings that song that is hysterical. I literally laughed the whole time. Take a look.
AP Tests- Two more left!!!
Last week I completed three AP Tests: Statistics, Calculus, and U.S. History. I thought that I was good at math until I took the two math associated tests. Both lowered my confidence in mathematics extremely. But whatever, they're done. I have two more to go- Chemistry and English Language. I am super scared. I got a three on the practice exam in my chemistry class, and I know that I am not a very good writer. I'm just hoping for a four on both. Actually, that's what I'm hoping for all of my tests. Actually, let me lower my expectations to an average of 3.5- which means I can have two 3s and the rest 4, or three 3s and a 4 and 5 (or three 3s and two 5s). There's nothing I can do now to affect the grades of the tests I already took, and I need to accept that. You see, lately I have been finding myself looking through books seeing if I got a multiple choice question right on the test. I was never very confident on the tests, but I think I got at least a three on all of them so far.
Here are my traditions for the AP Tests:
1. My mom makes me two eggs- sunny side down for breakfast
2. I listen to "Sparks" from Theatre Cedar Rapids' version of "Tommy" on the way to the testing site in my car
3. After the test is over I exclaim, "We're done!" several times, even though we're supposed to remain quiet
I can't wait for that letter in the third week of July telling me how I did on each of the tests. But I have to remember that whatever happens happens. I know I tried my best, and maybe I'll get a lower score on the tests because I didn't master the material well enough. I have been pretty busy this schoolyear with Happiness, two musicals, and speech team. I can't believe that I even attempted taking five AP courses with this after school load. So no matter if I get all ones, I think I've done a pretty good job, and I don't see how I could have done better.
Here are my traditions for the AP Tests:
1. My mom makes me two eggs- sunny side down for breakfast
2. I listen to "Sparks" from Theatre Cedar Rapids' version of "Tommy" on the way to the testing site in my car
3. After the test is over I exclaim, "We're done!" several times, even though we're supposed to remain quiet
I can't wait for that letter in the third week of July telling me how I did on each of the tests. But I have to remember that whatever happens happens. I know I tried my best, and maybe I'll get a lower score on the tests because I didn't master the material well enough. I have been pretty busy this schoolyear with Happiness, two musicals, and speech team. I can't believe that I even attempted taking five AP courses with this after school load. So no matter if I get all ones, I think I've done a pretty good job, and I don't see how I could have done better.
Sunday, May 3, 2009
"Sparks" from Tommy
I know I say this a lot, but this song is unbelievable. It's by the band The Who, and it's featured in their musical called Tommy. The musical is about a deaf, "dumb" (mute), and blind kid. It goes through his life, and actually the child ends up being a champion at pinballf (the story is fiction). The thing I like about "Sparks" is that it doesn't involve any singing. It is purely an instrumental break, and in my opinion it is the best modern song that doesn't involve voice.
Everytime I hear "Sparks" I get so pumped up. The offbeats and the drums rule the song, and I just love the whole aura of the composition. Every time there is a hit I just want to dance or do a hit myself- through dance. For me it is an incredibly moving song. I gets me so energized; I just want to jump around. I do admit that I have some bias. You see, I was in the production of Tommy when I was eight years old, and I was the main person on stage during this time of the play. However, I couldn't move since I played the deaf, dumb, and blind kid. I just fell in love with the song. Also, I think that the band that played at my community theatre did a better job than this video does with the song. I'm sure that The Who were just spectacular at the song, but the arrangement I listen to has a better balance of guitar, synthesizer, bass, and drums.
Maybe there's a reason why I just want to dance to this song when I hear it. Maybe when I had to be standing still during this whole, all I wanted to do was jump around and "sing along" (on ba). Perhaps I get energized from the song so much because I never had the opportunity to when it was so close to me.
Anyways, here is The Who performing the song. Try and listen for the melody, and perhaps you will find it stimulating as well.
Everytime I hear "Sparks" I get so pumped up. The offbeats and the drums rule the song, and I just love the whole aura of the composition. Every time there is a hit I just want to dance or do a hit myself- through dance. For me it is an incredibly moving song. I gets me so energized; I just want to jump around. I do admit that I have some bias. You see, I was in the production of Tommy when I was eight years old, and I was the main person on stage during this time of the play. However, I couldn't move since I played the deaf, dumb, and blind kid. I just fell in love with the song. Also, I think that the band that played at my community theatre did a better job than this video does with the song. I'm sure that The Who were just spectacular at the song, but the arrangement I listen to has a better balance of guitar, synthesizer, bass, and drums.
Maybe there's a reason why I just want to dance to this song when I hear it. Maybe when I had to be standing still during this whole, all I wanted to do was jump around and "sing along" (on ba). Perhaps I get energized from the song so much because I never had the opportunity to when it was so close to me.
Anyways, here is The Who performing the song. Try and listen for the melody, and perhaps you will find it stimulating as well.
Peppers? Pickles? Why are they there?
Who started accompanying pizza with peppers. I understand that it may be tasty to squirt some pepper juice on the pizza, but I've never seen anyone do that in my whole life. All people do with them is eat them plain. Every time someone opens a box of pizza and sees a pepper they say, "Okay, who wants the pepper?" Nobody ever eats them with the pizza. The peppers are just there. It seems you could replace the pepper with anything: chips, a tomato, a block of cheese. It especially gets me going when they have a pepper but they don't have garlic or marinara sauce. Those condiments actually enhance the taste of pizza. When they are replaced with a pepper that has no use at all but to be eaten individually, it doesn't make any sense.
It's kind of like the pickle that comes with sandwiches. It's most often a fourth of a pickle, but the cuts are made along the width, not the height. Thus, the pickle is too long to put onto the sandwich, and you must eat it alone (or as my dad was saying have one bite and then have a bite of the sandwich). Although eating those pickles is sometimes my favorite part of the meal (as I often break out into the song from The Little Rascals, "I gotta pickle, I gotta pickle, I gotta pickle hey hey hey hey!") I still don't understand how the pickle with the sandwich became a tradition, and moreso why it stayed a tradition. The same thing with the pepper- it's a waste a money for the pizza companies to include the pepper, because people are going to eat the pizza with or without the pepper. Also, I'm going to eat the sandwich with or without the side pickle. Those things really have no effect on if I'm going to eat the main part of the meal or not.
They're just too frivolous, unneeded. As much as they are tasty, their presence doesn't make sense.
It's kind of like the pickle that comes with sandwiches. It's most often a fourth of a pickle, but the cuts are made along the width, not the height. Thus, the pickle is too long to put onto the sandwich, and you must eat it alone (or as my dad was saying have one bite and then have a bite of the sandwich). Although eating those pickles is sometimes my favorite part of the meal (as I often break out into the song from The Little Rascals, "I gotta pickle, I gotta pickle, I gotta pickle hey hey hey hey!") I still don't understand how the pickle with the sandwich became a tradition, and moreso why it stayed a tradition. The same thing with the pepper- it's a waste a money for the pizza companies to include the pepper, because people are going to eat the pizza with or without the pepper. Also, I'm going to eat the sandwich with or without the side pickle. Those things really have no effect on if I'm going to eat the main part of the meal or not.
They're just too frivolous, unneeded. As much as they are tasty, their presence doesn't make sense.
Getting a New Hair Cut
There's nothing like it. I just got my haircut today, and I feel like a new man. For me, when I see all of that hair fall off me I see all of those worries and strifes fall off as well. I'm let loose. Not only does it feel good, but you get a lot of compliments on it too, and that's always nice. Sometimes, you can make your hair grow exceedingly long so that once you get a haircut everyone really appreciates it.
When I get a hair cut I feel more sharp and clean. I am sophisticated looking. I always look forward to getting my haircut because I know that afterwards I will feel really great, especially if it's a really good haircut.
When I get a hair cut I feel more sharp and clean. I am sophisticated looking. I always look forward to getting my haircut because I know that afterwards I will feel really great, especially if it's a really good haircut.
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Do-Re-Mi in Belgium
This video is about one day in a train station where everybody felt like dancing to the same song...
I first heard about this video from one of my teachers, and then I went home to watch it. It's very original and I think the idea is revolutionary. It makes everyone think that a musical was actually happening. When you see movie musicals, and you see all of the citizens and townspeople join in the songs it sometimes doesn't fit. Those people sometimes don't seem to have a purpose dancing other than to just be a part of a musical. For example, in the movie and play Mary Poppins, every at the racetrack starts to sing "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" (and that's the real spelling, too). They don't really understand why they are singing except that it's a fun song and tune. They don't all personally know Mary Poppins, but they are just singing the song because it is fun. In this video, the same thing happened. People just joined in carelessly and did the choreography like it was a part of their daily life. A musical really happened. Everyone has a friend or two that break out into song randomly, but very few people have seen over a hundred people break out into song randomly at the same time and dance in unison. It was like a show choir but with real people.
I have two favorite parts of the video. The first part is when the kids start coming down the steps. At that moment the little ditty that the twenty or so people were doing becomes a big dance. It really makes the performance more gravitational as well. My second favorite part is the old lady dancing. The camera only shows her for a few seconds, but it is a very funny part of the video. The lady showed how much organization this performance took to rehearse everything. It must have taken hours to get everyone to move like that together and in unison.
I really like the idea of what these people have done. I decided that if I was ever to make a movie musical that I would film it in this manner. I'm not really sure of the specifics, but I think it would be really interesting for audiences to see a side of society that is almost not real.
I first heard about this video from one of my teachers, and then I went home to watch it. It's very original and I think the idea is revolutionary. It makes everyone think that a musical was actually happening. When you see movie musicals, and you see all of the citizens and townspeople join in the songs it sometimes doesn't fit. Those people sometimes don't seem to have a purpose dancing other than to just be a part of a musical. For example, in the movie and play Mary Poppins, every at the racetrack starts to sing "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" (and that's the real spelling, too). They don't really understand why they are singing except that it's a fun song and tune. They don't all personally know Mary Poppins, but they are just singing the song because it is fun. In this video, the same thing happened. People just joined in carelessly and did the choreography like it was a part of their daily life. A musical really happened. Everyone has a friend or two that break out into song randomly, but very few people have seen over a hundred people break out into song randomly at the same time and dance in unison. It was like a show choir but with real people.
I have two favorite parts of the video. The first part is when the kids start coming down the steps. At that moment the little ditty that the twenty or so people were doing becomes a big dance. It really makes the performance more gravitational as well. My second favorite part is the old lady dancing. The camera only shows her for a few seconds, but it is a very funny part of the video. The lady showed how much organization this performance took to rehearse everything. It must have taken hours to get everyone to move like that together and in unison.
I really like the idea of what these people have done. I decided that if I was ever to make a movie musical that I would film it in this manner. I'm not really sure of the specifics, but I think it would be really interesting for audiences to see a side of society that is almost not real.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
"Uninvited"
One of Alanis Morissette's title songs is "Uninvited." It's a strange, eerie piece. She is telling someone that he is uninvited. My show choir performed this song last year, but I think her version is much more cool. First of all, I really enjoy the tune of the song. I could sing it all day. Of course, it sounds very odd when the soloist is not a female voice. Nonetheless, the song is very unique and appeals to the thinker. I also really like how the song is almost like a poem with music. Using lots of simile and metaphor, the words make you think. For example, "Must be strangely exciting to watch the stoic squirm." What does this mean? In context of the song, I think it means that it must be thrilling for her lover to watch her surrender and struggle against his love. In my mind, the song is about a struggle. The singer is trying to escape the love of someone. In this phrase, she was the stoic and the man took pleasure in making her struggle
She is telling the man that he is "uninvited" to her. He's not allowed to love her. And it's unfortunate that this had to happen. She loved him and was attracted to him- like any hot-blooded woman she's wanted an object to crave.
I really like the orchestral part of this song as well. It's almost poetic by itself. It's very strong, and it is nearly all minor until the very last chord when she begins to sing again. Also, the song is based off of the simple four note repetition first heard at the very beginning of the song.
Alanis Morissette promotes another discussion all by herself. Now I'm not a big Alanis Morissette fan, but in this song she does a great job. She gets the audience to feel her innocence and desires. Her body language and her voice inflection both promote her vulnerability and weakness to love. I do not think that what she does in this song with her voice and her body would be acceptable for any other song. "Uninvited" calls for a profound harshness, but it also calls for softness. It is about a contradiction of feelings, and I really like it.
She is telling the man that he is "uninvited" to her. He's not allowed to love her. And it's unfortunate that this had to happen. She loved him and was attracted to him- like any hot-blooded woman she's wanted an object to crave.
I really like the orchestral part of this song as well. It's almost poetic by itself. It's very strong, and it is nearly all minor until the very last chord when she begins to sing again. Also, the song is based off of the simple four note repetition first heard at the very beginning of the song.
Alanis Morissette promotes another discussion all by herself. Now I'm not a big Alanis Morissette fan, but in this song she does a great job. She gets the audience to feel her innocence and desires. Her body language and her voice inflection both promote her vulnerability and weakness to love. I do not think that what she does in this song with her voice and her body would be acceptable for any other song. "Uninvited" calls for a profound harshness, but it also calls for softness. It is about a contradiction of feelings, and I really like it.
A Tribute to Tom Jones
One of Tom Jones' best songs is "She's a Lady." It's not only catchy, but the lyrics I think are also very creative and true. Tom Jones is talking about how this girl of his is a "lady." She's the kind of woman that all guys want. You can take her out for a fancy dinner and yet you can love her at the same time. She's not prude, but proud. She's a natural beauty.
Tom Jones has one of those voices that seems like every note is effortless. When you listen to him sing and then try to sing the notes yourself, you find that the notes are way higher, or are held out to long, or something. Tom Jones voice is like a baritone in a tenor range. He's a great singer, and will be remembered for many great songs.
Not only does he perform upbeat songs, but many of his songs are pop ballads. One song is called "I Who Have Nothing." The song is about pure love- and he's saying that this guy who seems to have everything does not have the love that he does.
When Tom Jones sings, it seems like every note is his last one. Every note is given appropriate emphasis, and he often graces over notes with such ease and fluidity. The only thing that I wish was different about Tom Jones is his range. You see, I am a baritone myself, and it is really frustrating when I can't sing along with Tom Jones. His songs are so great and captivating that I just want to sing along. Unfortunately, I often have to drop the octave and it doesn't sound very good at all. As much as I enjoy being a baritone, I would appreciate becoming a tenor for the soul purpose of being able to sing along with Tom Jones.
Tom Jones has one of those voices that seems like every note is effortless. When you listen to him sing and then try to sing the notes yourself, you find that the notes are way higher, or are held out to long, or something. Tom Jones voice is like a baritone in a tenor range. He's a great singer, and will be remembered for many great songs.
Not only does he perform upbeat songs, but many of his songs are pop ballads. One song is called "I Who Have Nothing." The song is about pure love- and he's saying that this guy who seems to have everything does not have the love that he does.
When Tom Jones sings, it seems like every note is his last one. Every note is given appropriate emphasis, and he often graces over notes with such ease and fluidity. The only thing that I wish was different about Tom Jones is his range. You see, I am a baritone myself, and it is really frustrating when I can't sing along with Tom Jones. His songs are so great and captivating that I just want to sing along. Unfortunately, I often have to drop the octave and it doesn't sound very good at all. As much as I enjoy being a baritone, I would appreciate becoming a tenor for the soul purpose of being able to sing along with Tom Jones.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
The Power of Music II
Although music has a strong effect on a single person, music has a different purpose when many people are making it or listening to it. This weekend, my school is putting on A Chorus Line, and I am a part of the cast. The cast is very talented, and I am very glad to be a part of such a wonderful group. Last night, we were all talking about this together in a circle during rehearsal. We all focused on one person, and we raised our hands to talk about that one person. Well it finally got to Paige Hauer. She is a senior, and when she was a sophomore she became very close friends with my brother through the spring musical, and subsequently I got to know her as well. We are pretty good friends today- after co-starring in the fall musical, participating in two speech team events together, performing in show choir together for two years, and being in A Chorus Line together. Through all of the work that she has done with me, she has really changed me and bettered me as a person. She has a lot of street smarts, and she often has the solution to everyday situations which I may be troubled with. I think I've learned a lot from her. Music has truly made this friendship possible. If I hadn't gotten involved with theatre or show choir at Kennedy, I would've had no way of knowing her, and I feel that I would've been a much different person.
Anyways, so I started to talk about her during the circle time, and what I said is paraphrased above. After saying I began to cry. Not only did I cry, but I couldn't stop crying for about five minutes. Well, by that time I was laughing and crying because I couldn't believe I was crying. I mean, I can't remember the last time I cried, so when it happened I just thought it was so pitiful or something. I couldn't believe I was so emotional, and I guess I just started chuckling. Before that moment, I didn't think that I would cry over another person (except if something really tragic happened), but not having some friends around next year isn't considered tragic by most people. I felt so sad though, unbearably sad. The only time that I had ever gotten that emotional over leaving my friends was when I was in fifth grade at the end of The Music Man. I remember that day so very clearly. The last show was over and we all got out of costume. We all hugged each other in the lobby-like area backstage, and I began to cry as I gave a hug to Tara Jeanne Vallee. Besides the funeral of Papa and hearing the news of Bubbie's death, it was the saddest day of my life. Everything was coming to an end. I think I've always had a fear of things coming to an end. Perhaps that's part of the music and theatre business.
You see, performing in a show is great, and it makes me feel very happy. However, every show comes to an end. I don't remember specifically, but I think that subconsciously I am afraid of endings for this purpose. I think somewhere in my childhood I became very good friends with people and then I never spoke to them again. I know that's what happened with The Music Man, but it also happened with Tommy, the Paramount's Follies, The Sound of Music, Cinderella, Seussical, and many other shows that I've been in. It's sad to think that many of the relationships you make in a show are erased the day the show ends. I think that this loss is a big part of who I am. I am not a guy who has a best friend, I just have a lot of good and okay friends (I've also never had a girlfriend). I think there may be a part of me that is afraid of the former kind of friendship, because I am afraid that it will end and I'll never talk to that person again. No worries though, I'm happy with what I've got.
I guess I have gone off on a tangent, but not really. You see, I am changed as a person as a result of the power of music. In my first post on the Power of Music, I talked about how great music can change a person. But more fully, music has the potential to unite people, move people, change people. Music has shaped my life, and I cannot think about what my life would be like without it.
Anyways, so I started to talk about her during the circle time, and what I said is paraphrased above. After saying I began to cry. Not only did I cry, but I couldn't stop crying for about five minutes. Well, by that time I was laughing and crying because I couldn't believe I was crying. I mean, I can't remember the last time I cried, so when it happened I just thought it was so pitiful or something. I couldn't believe I was so emotional, and I guess I just started chuckling. Before that moment, I didn't think that I would cry over another person (except if something really tragic happened), but not having some friends around next year isn't considered tragic by most people. I felt so sad though, unbearably sad. The only time that I had ever gotten that emotional over leaving my friends was when I was in fifth grade at the end of The Music Man. I remember that day so very clearly. The last show was over and we all got out of costume. We all hugged each other in the lobby-like area backstage, and I began to cry as I gave a hug to Tara Jeanne Vallee. Besides the funeral of Papa and hearing the news of Bubbie's death, it was the saddest day of my life. Everything was coming to an end. I think I've always had a fear of things coming to an end. Perhaps that's part of the music and theatre business.
You see, performing in a show is great, and it makes me feel very happy. However, every show comes to an end. I don't remember specifically, but I think that subconsciously I am afraid of endings for this purpose. I think somewhere in my childhood I became very good friends with people and then I never spoke to them again. I know that's what happened with The Music Man, but it also happened with Tommy, the Paramount's Follies, The Sound of Music, Cinderella, Seussical, and many other shows that I've been in. It's sad to think that many of the relationships you make in a show are erased the day the show ends. I think that this loss is a big part of who I am. I am not a guy who has a best friend, I just have a lot of good and okay friends (I've also never had a girlfriend). I think there may be a part of me that is afraid of the former kind of friendship, because I am afraid that it will end and I'll never talk to that person again. No worries though, I'm happy with what I've got.
I guess I have gone off on a tangent, but not really. You see, I am changed as a person as a result of the power of music. In my first post on the Power of Music, I talked about how great music can change a person. But more fully, music has the potential to unite people, move people, change people. Music has shaped my life, and I cannot think about what my life would be like without it.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
The Seven Daughters of Eve- Read It!
I am really interested in biology and genetics, so recently I've read a book about the connection between all humans. It's titled the Seven Daughters of Eve, and it's written by Bryan Sykes. It's a compelling book discussing the genetic relationships between all human beings. The main point of the book is to prove that every single person that is living or has lived can trace their family history back to one of seven women, the “seven daughters of Eve.” Bryan Sykes proves this idea throughout the book, but lays foundation in the beginning chapters. Bryan Sykes is a professor of genetics at the Institute of Molecular Medicine in Oxford, and has made paramount discoveries concerning the identification of ancient anthropological DNA and the properties of mitochondrial DNA that link us all together. Of course, Sykes made his conclusions with the help of former biologists and geneticists.
The book lays a stable base for Sykes’ theory, and he begins by explaining DNA. He explains its purpose in living things, and tells us that DNA codes for proteins, which essentially provide everything in the organism. He then explains how just by changing the sequence of the bases (A, T, G, and C) does the DNA code for a different protein.
In the next chapter, Sykes describes how several individuals within the same population are actually more related to people within another population. Regarding this, he displays two evolutionary trees. Evolutionary trees are representations of how different peoples are connected through common ancestors and when these common ancestors lived. These particular trees were created by comparing and contrasting several genes found in the DNA of the groups or individuals. A man named Anthony Edwards made the first in 1965, and Allan Wilson, Rebecca Cann, and Mark Stoneking made the second in 1987. The former provides a connection of populations in different regions. However, it fails to realize, as Sykes said, that when groups separate from their last common ancestor that they still interact with each other. The second evolutionary tree shows individual people instead of groups. This dia
gram also shows that even though somebody is European, for example, he or she may be more related to an African rather than a European.
The next chapter describes the function of mitochondrial DNA. It tells us that the mitochondrial DNA in a person is only their mother’s mitochondrial DNA, and that person has none of his or her father’s mitochondrial DNA. Mitochondrial DNA also provides a section called the control region that is not prone to many mutations. Thus, crosschecking mitochondrial DNA with others can identify a genetic relation or not. The book goes on to talk about Sykes’ techniques into copying the DNA of ancient organisms, and Sykes uses this knowledge to unlock the mystery of the Romanov family (the last imperial family of Russia) murder. Lastly, Sykes tells us about his trip to Rarotonga, an island in the Pacific Ocean. Immediately upon arrival, he wonders how the original Polynesians arrived there: from the Americas or Southeast Asia? He collected mitochondrial DNA samples from the hospital there and returned to Oxford. There, he found three different variants among the DNA, and the odd one out interestingly matched the sequence of an odd Hawaiian mitochondrial DNA sequence. Sykes has yet to find out the importance of this odd match.
The Seven Daughters of Eve is probably the best nonfiction book I’ve ever read. It gives a clear knowledge of genetics, and it teaches me knowledge about DNA in an interesting manor. The book also reinforces my knowledge of DNA already taught to me in school. In fact, many of the ideas in the book have already been taught to me in school, such as mitochondrial DNA’s origins and the structure-function relation in DNA.
Perhaps most interesting about this book is the fact that every single person on this earth is definitely related to either Helena, Jasmine, Katrine, Tara, Ursula, Velda, or Xenia. It’s odd for me to think that I may have a great, great, great, … great grandmother’s great, great, great…great grandson may be my “unrelated” neighbor. This knowledge affects all of us. It connects us all to each other, and it gives us a sense of identity in a way. This book also affects society and scientific society. It tells us that we all originated in Europe-Eurasia 150,000 years ago. The book also provides migrations of all of these people. Thus, a person in any place can understand how they are there and why.
However, the book has not gone into great detail about this information, and has focused more on the discovery of DNA and its purpose. Discovering DNA and using mitochondrial DNA is important to everyone. One example is its use in the Romanov family’s death. The last of the Russian tsar’s family was killed in their cellar and then taken to a pit on the outskirts of Ekaterinburg and buried. However, when the bones were recovered in 1991, only nine out of the eleven bodies were found. It was impossible to decipher by look to see who they were, so biologists were called to the scene to run tests. It was proven that five out of the four were related by using forensic fi
ngerprints and nuclear DNA. However, mitochondrial DNA was used to make sure that the family was really the Romanovs. After meticulous investigation, they proved to be the Russian family. In the future, mitochondrial DNA may be used to identify relationships between people and ancient peoples, including those who go back thousands of years. Mitochondrial DNA may also help understand the history of long-lost people by comparing their mitochondrial DNA with the seven daughters of Eve.
As a conclusion, The Seven Daughters of Eve is a well-based theory concerning the origins of humans, which should be relevant to all. Having the ability to examine a tiny piece of mitochondrial DNA and then finding everything out about that individual is astonishing. If we can use this information it will advance our understanding about our individual history, and thus better our knowledge of humans as a whole.
The book lays a stable base for Sykes’ theory, and he begins by explaining DNA. He explains its purpose in living things, and tells us that DNA codes for proteins, which essentially provide everything in the organism. He then explains how just by changing the sequence of the bases (A, T, G, and C) does the DNA code for a different protein.
In the next chapter, Sykes describes how several individuals within the same population are actually more related to people within another population. Regarding this, he displays two evolutionary trees. Evolutionary trees are representations of how different peoples are connected through common ancestors and when these common ancestors lived. These particular trees were created by comparing and contrasting several genes found in the DNA of the groups or individuals. A man named Anthony Edwards made the first in 1965, and Allan Wilson, Rebecca Cann, and Mark Stoneking made the second in 1987. The former provides a connection of populations in different regions. However, it fails to realize, as Sykes said, that when groups separate from their last common ancestor that they still interact with each other. The second evolutionary tree shows individual people instead of groups. This dia
gram also shows that even though somebody is European, for example, he or she may be more related to an African rather than a European.The next chapter describes the function of mitochondrial DNA. It tells us that the mitochondrial DNA in a person is only their mother’s mitochondrial DNA, and that person has none of his or her father’s mitochondrial DNA. Mitochondrial DNA also provides a section called the control region that is not prone to many mutations. Thus, crosschecking mitochondrial DNA with others can identify a genetic relation or not. The book goes on to talk about Sykes’ techniques into copying the DNA of ancient organisms, and Sykes uses this knowledge to unlock the mystery of the Romanov family (the last imperial family of Russia) murder. Lastly, Sykes tells us about his trip to Rarotonga, an island in the Pacific Ocean. Immediately upon arrival, he wonders how the original Polynesians arrived there: from the Americas or Southeast Asia? He collected mitochondrial DNA samples from the hospital there and returned to Oxford. There, he found three different variants among the DNA, and the odd one out interestingly matched the sequence of an odd Hawaiian mitochondrial DNA sequence. Sykes has yet to find out the importance of this odd match.
The Seven Daughters of Eve is probably the best nonfiction book I’ve ever read. It gives a clear knowledge of genetics, and it teaches me knowledge about DNA in an interesting manor. The book also reinforces my knowledge of DNA already taught to me in school. In fact, many of the ideas in the book have already been taught to me in school, such as mitochondrial DNA’s origins and the structure-function relation in DNA.
Perhaps most interesting about this book is the fact that every single person on this earth is definitely related to either Helena, Jasmine, Katrine, Tara, Ursula, Velda, or Xenia. It’s odd for me to think that I may have a great, great, great, … great grandmother’s great, great, great…great grandson may be my “unrelated” neighbor. This knowledge affects all of us. It connects us all to each other, and it gives us a sense of identity in a way. This book also affects society and scientific society. It tells us that we all originated in Europe-Eurasia 150,000 years ago. The book also provides migrations of all of these people. Thus, a person in any place can understand how they are there and why.
However, the book has not gone into great detail about this information, and has focused more on the discovery of DNA and its purpose. Discovering DNA and using mitochondrial DNA is important to everyone. One example is its use in the Romanov family’s death. The last of the Russian tsar’s family was killed in their cellar and then taken to a pit on the outskirts of Ekaterinburg and buried. However, when the bones were recovered in 1991, only nine out of the eleven bodies were found. It was impossible to decipher by look to see who they were, so biologists were called to the scene to run tests. It was proven that five out of the four were related by using forensic fi
ngerprints and nuclear DNA. However, mitochondrial DNA was used to make sure that the family was really the Romanovs. After meticulous investigation, they proved to be the Russian family. In the future, mitochondrial DNA may be used to identify relationships between people and ancient peoples, including those who go back thousands of years. Mitochondrial DNA may also help understand the history of long-lost people by comparing their mitochondrial DNA with the seven daughters of Eve.As a conclusion, The Seven Daughters of Eve is a well-based theory concerning the origins of humans, which should be relevant to all. Having the ability to examine a tiny piece of mitochondrial DNA and then finding everything out about that individual is astonishing. If we can use this information it will advance our understanding about our individual history, and thus better our knowledge of humans as a whole.
China: the Pollution Problem
Upon doing research for my trip to China, I encountered arguments that were against the Olympics occurring in Beijing. I am planning on going to Beijing while I'm in China, and hopefully we'll get to see the Bird's Nest and the Water Cube. But I don't think we'll get to go inside them.
Perhaps one of the strongest points to argue against the Olympics in Beijing is the air pollution. Some believe that the athletes should’ve been concerned, but many others just proclaim that it was fog. Some athletes, in fact, had visited neighboring countries, such as South Korea and Japan, prior to the games to avoid Beijing’s poor air conditions for as long as they could. Although these are extreme cases, they are cautious cases.
In any case, two weeks prior to the opening ceremony in Beijing there was a shroud of smog covering the city, which made athletes and coaches very worried. Some environmentalists from Beijing based this off of the lack of air to blow away the pollution from the city, but the more logical reason, brought up by scientists from Greenpeace, is that the pollution is a combination of poor living methods. There are 3.3 million cars in Beijing, and all of these cars partake in the air pollution. So to fix the air pollution, the government took drastic measures, which included pulling half of the cars off the roads, closing down factories around the city that emitted toxic gases and smog, and stopping most construction.
The air pollution is a great problem to this day. It’s polluting the skies in a gray haze. The types of air pollution include sulfur dioxide, nitrogen monoxide, and carbon dioxide. However, although these toxins were in Beijing’s skies, the Olympic board did not say that the Beijing Olympics contributed to the toxins at all as a result of the Olympics using a great deal of solar energy. In the end, the air pollution problem did not stop a great Olympic event that will go down in history books, but on the other hand, anti-pollution encouragements need to be established.
Perhaps one of the strongest points to argue against the Olympics in Beijing is the air pollution. Some believe that the athletes should’ve been concerned, but many others just proclaim that it was fog. Some athletes, in fact, had visited neighboring countries, such as South Korea and Japan, prior to the games to avoid Beijing’s poor air conditions for as long as they could. Although these are extreme cases, they are cautious cases.
In any case, two weeks prior to the opening ceremony in Beijing there was a shroud of smog covering the city, which made athletes and coaches very worried. Some environmentalists from Beijing based this off of the lack of air to blow away the pollution from the city, but the more logical reason, brought up by scientists from Greenpeace, is that the pollution is a combination of poor living methods. There are 3.3 million cars in Beijing, and all of these cars partake in the air pollution. So to fix the air pollution, the government took drastic measures, which included pulling half of the cars off the roads, closing down factories around the city that emitted toxic gases and smog, and stopping most construction.
The air pollution is a great problem to this day. It’s polluting the skies in a gray haze. The types of air pollution include sulfur dioxide, nitrogen monoxide, and carbon dioxide. However, although these toxins were in Beijing’s skies, the Olympic board did not say that the Beijing Olympics contributed to the toxins at all as a result of the Olympics using a great deal of solar energy. In the end, the air pollution problem did not stop a great Olympic event that will go down in history books, but on the other hand, anti-pollution encouragements need to be established.
Chinese History- The Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution
Since I'm going to China this summer, I've been doing a lot of research about China and it's history. One thing that I encountered was the Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution. Not many people know about it, but it's one of the most important events in Chinese history. Still, there is an uncertainty of why it happened.
The Cultural Revolution occurred from 1966 to 1976, and occurred mainly because Mao Zedong wanted to show everyone that he was the all-powerful leader. To do this, Mao repressed people who he thought rejected him and his ideas, and he killed innumerable amounts of innocent people who he thought to be a threat. One of Mao’s theories is that a privileged class had risen in China, and these consisted of educated people. Mao thought that the working class, the proletariat, should have some power and should control society. Thus, Mao told his followers to start brutally murdering and injuring teachers, scientists, economists, and other educated people. Mao wanted to create a classless society, a society in which no class had more benefits than another.
After Mao declared his desire, two main groups were organized. The first was the Red Guard, which consisted of a bunch of students and youths who fought against educated people, often killing their own teachers. By doing this, it often sparked a cascade of wrath in which people started killing others for no good reason. Although the main function of the Red Guards was to teach people about Mao’s ideas, they became especially brutal to those who opposed Mao. Those students who opposed Mao in the end were not educated and China lost much of educated people through the Cultural Revolution.
One story during the Cultural Revolution deals with a little boy, and he describes China as turning from “black to white.” He said everything became chaotic. His father was sent away to the countryside to work, and the boy had to fend for himself. He explained that he grew up quite quickly because he had to understand what was going on to survive. However, stories of Chinese people during this time aren’t very numerous because the Chinese government does not encourage talk about this time period. Many Chinese do not want to remember.
The Cultural Revolution occurred from 1966 to 1976, and occurred mainly because Mao Zedong wanted to show everyone that he was the all-powerful leader. To do this, Mao repressed people who he thought rejected him and his ideas, and he killed innumerable amounts of innocent people who he thought to be a threat. One of Mao’s theories is that a privileged class had risen in China, and these consisted of educated people. Mao thought that the working class, the proletariat, should have some power and should control society. Thus, Mao told his followers to start brutally murdering and injuring teachers, scientists, economists, and other educated people. Mao wanted to create a classless society, a society in which no class had more benefits than another.
After Mao declared his desire, two main groups were organized. The first was the Red Guard, which consisted of a bunch of students and youths who fought against educated people, often killing their own teachers. By doing this, it often sparked a cascade of wrath in which people started killing others for no good reason. Although the main function of the Red Guards was to teach people about Mao’s ideas, they became especially brutal to those who opposed Mao. Those students who opposed Mao in the end were not educated and China lost much of educated people through the Cultural Revolution.
One story during the Cultural Revolution deals with a little boy, and he describes China as turning from “black to white.” He said everything became chaotic. His father was sent away to the countryside to work, and the boy had to fend for himself. He explained that he grew up quite quickly because he had to understand what was going on to survive. However, stories of Chinese people during this time aren’t very numerous because the Chinese government does not encourage talk about this time period. Many Chinese do not want to remember.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Alegria- Cirque du Soleil
Some of the most powerful music can be found in the many shows of Cirque du Soleil. The music is modern, but has an ancient feel. It's some of my favorite music, and I know that its extraordinary feel adds a great deal to each show. My favorite of the Cirque du Soleil songs is the theme from Alegria.
Without Music
Yesterday at my voice lesson, my teacher told me about how he couldn't sing for a year and a half as a result of an operation he had on his throat or something. He loves to sing, and his whole career is based off of it (teaching voice lessons is a side job to his composing). He said that a part of him was gone when he couldn't sing. He also didn't know if he would ever sing again(and he did in the end), but it just got me thinking. What if I couldn't make music? What if I couldn't sing or play the piano? I would be a completely different person. I love music, and I don't know what I'd do if I wasn't a part of it. I would simply be devastating.
For example, when I'm at my home or in my car (and I'm there alone or with my family) all I do is sing. I sing choir songs, songs from the musical, songs from the radio, or any other song that pops into my head. I can't help but sing, and I know that must get annoying to my parents who are constantly in the presence of the singing. I really don't know what I'm going to do in college. I know I must not sing as much to keep my roommate sane, but I hope I can make it without singing as much.
Also, when I'm home I like to play on the piano and write music. Sometimes the music doesn't sound so good, but once again my parents tolerate it. Sometimes the music is very beautifully, and I am really proud of it- that's what really makes me want to play. I want to make beautiful music that can change people. Most of the time you don't succeed, but when you do it's really something special. It's a great feeling to know that what you've created has changed someone's life.
I couldn't imagine going through life without this feeling. I couldn't imagine going throughout life without a purpose. To me, music is a reason to live. It's not the only thing thatmakes life good, but it definitely makes life better. Although I do not plan on singing professionally ever, I want to make music that would inspire people. I want to change people not only through my future career, but also through music. It's such a powerful device, and I know I'd be a wreck without it.
For example, when I'm at my home or in my car (and I'm there alone or with my family) all I do is sing. I sing choir songs, songs from the musical, songs from the radio, or any other song that pops into my head. I can't help but sing, and I know that must get annoying to my parents who are constantly in the presence of the singing. I really don't know what I'm going to do in college. I know I must not sing as much to keep my roommate sane, but I hope I can make it without singing as much.
Also, when I'm home I like to play on the piano and write music. Sometimes the music doesn't sound so good, but once again my parents tolerate it. Sometimes the music is very beautifully, and I am really proud of it- that's what really makes me want to play. I want to make beautiful music that can change people. Most of the time you don't succeed, but when you do it's really something special. It's a great feeling to know that what you've created has changed someone's life.
I couldn't imagine going through life without this feeling. I couldn't imagine going throughout life without a purpose. To me, music is a reason to live. It's not the only thing thatmakes life good, but it definitely makes life better. Although I do not plan on singing professionally ever, I want to make music that would inspire people. I want to change people not only through my future career, but also through music. It's such a powerful device, and I know I'd be a wreck without it.
Vocal Technique (I need some)
"Singing is a game of opposites," says my voice teacher Rob Nassif. You need energy, but your body needs to be relaxed. Your stomach muscles shoud not flex, except when you are in second gear. Second gear is just like a different tessatura than your regular voice, and although the listener doesn't hear a difference, the singer feels a whole lot different in second gear.
One thing that makes a voice wonderful is the vibrato. Somehow, it keeps the tone up and hleps the singer commit to a longer phrase. Vibrato is an essential key to ligit singing. Another essential tool is having both the quack and the yawn. The "quack" in a voice is how "pingy" the voice is, while the yawn adds a dullness to the voice. The perfect combination not only sets up the singer for a good tone, but also prepares the singer for a better closure of the vocal chords. It also makes way for a more present vibrato, while helping breath control.
When a person is singing, their vocal chords are supposed to be all touching. Thus, when a person sings, the breath trying to exit creates a pressure chamber because it can't exit that easily as a result of the closed vocal chords. This pressure lets the singer do innumerable things with their voice in range, as well as with the difficulty of the music and dynamics. Singing is truly a game of opposites. You must have your body relaxed, but yet there must be pressure and energy inside. You must have ping in your voice, but you must also have dullness. The list goes on and on.
Even though I understand all of this, I cannot do it, unfortunately. It's easier to say all of those things than actually do them. I only wish that someday I could implement all of these techniques for singing better. Right now, I need to work on my vibrato and my body tension mainly. Once I have my vibrato and body relaxation, I believe that I will produce a much better sound.
One thing that makes a voice wonderful is the vibrato. Somehow, it keeps the tone up and hleps the singer commit to a longer phrase. Vibrato is an essential key to ligit singing. Another essential tool is having both the quack and the yawn. The "quack" in a voice is how "pingy" the voice is, while the yawn adds a dullness to the voice. The perfect combination not only sets up the singer for a good tone, but also prepares the singer for a better closure of the vocal chords. It also makes way for a more present vibrato, while helping breath control.
When a person is singing, their vocal chords are supposed to be all touching. Thus, when a person sings, the breath trying to exit creates a pressure chamber because it can't exit that easily as a result of the closed vocal chords. This pressure lets the singer do innumerable things with their voice in range, as well as with the difficulty of the music and dynamics. Singing is truly a game of opposites. You must have your body relaxed, but yet there must be pressure and energy inside. You must have ping in your voice, but you must also have dullness. The list goes on and on.
Even though I understand all of this, I cannot do it, unfortunately. It's easier to say all of those things than actually do them. I only wish that someday I could implement all of these techniques for singing better. Right now, I need to work on my vibrato and my body tension mainly. Once I have my vibrato and body relaxation, I believe that I will produce a much better sound.
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