A Book to Read

This blog is probably going to be difficult for me because outside of the classroom, I do not read much. Since September, I have tried to read more books on my own, but I have not been successful. I went to bookstores and bought books that I thought would keep me interested, but my attention span proved to be way too short. On top of my total lack of an attention span, I have just not had enough time to add on a few books. However, one of the few books that I have read that I liked enough to recommend to someone is The Road by Cormac McCarthy. This book had a captivating story line that consisted of a post-apocalyptic world. The main characters are a man and his son who are trying to survive long enough to make it South, where ever that is. I was so interested in the plot that the book almost never left my hands. To anyone who is interested in literature of any sort should seriously consider picking up this book.

Art Review

Unfortunately, I have not been to many art museums and have not spent a lot of time studying and looking at art work. Of course I have taken my one credit of high school art, but that about covers it. Because of my nominal knowledge on the art world, I asked my friend Doug about an artist that he thinks is interesting. Vik Muniz is a very unique artist with an interesting medium for his work. He creates things out of trash and random things that he finds. This piece of art was made out of trash and shows a young boy shining a man's shoe. This type of art is very interesting to me because I have never seen someone make art out of trash. Muniz really takes the phrase, "One man's trash is another man's treasure," seriously and brings truth to it.

We Have the Right

What do we legally have the right to do? Well, now-a-days it is hard to say. The legal system is constantly changing the limits to what we can and cannot do. As of now, we have "the right" to:

***Practice our own religion, although it seems like religion is being looked down on more and more as time goes on.

***Speak freely on our opinions, although often times we are alienated if we express views and ideals that differ from the "norm."

***Reach for our dreams, although if you do not follow a specific path you are considered foolish.

Our society is very hypocritical. We have "the right" to do things but if we do not do the "right" thing, well, we are ostracized and separated from the pack.

Movie Review

There are so many movies that I have seen in the past few years, but most of them are not worth mentioning. The one genre that you will NEVER catch me watching is horror. I do not know why people find it entertaining to be scared. Anyway, one of my favorite movies is “The Count of Monte Cristo.” The first time I watched this movie, I must have been around ten years old, watching it with my mom and sister with a bag of kettle corn with salt. The gist of the plot is that there is a young man, Edmund Dontes, probably in his early twenties, who was falsely convicted of a crime and was then sent to a prison where he was beaten for years. He befriends another prisoner, the priest, who was falsely convicted and they try to dig their way out. As this friendship grows, Edmund and the priest practice reading and fighting. One day, the priest dies. Edmund uses this as a way out. He eventually gets free of this prison and becomes a rich count. I do not want to spoil the movie for anyone who has not seen it, so I will not talk about the ending, but this movie is very interesting and should be watched by everyone.

X is Known

Reading “The Autobiography of Malcolm X” has really opened my eyes to the actual events and happenings that occurred in X’s life. Before reading this book, I am ashamed to say, that the quality and quantity of information that I knew about the Civil Rights leader were very minimal. All that I knew was that he was a Black Muslim who was involved in the 1950s and 60s’ Civil Rights Movement, nothing about what he stood for or how he acted or about his history as a hustler. The new information that I have learned about Malcolm X through the book not only helps me understand Malcolm’s personality, but the ways and opinions of African Americans during 50s and 60s. I knew that it was not until recently that the racial tentions between whites and blacks in America died down, but it had not registered with me how close that time was. It is hard for me to imagine a world like the one Malcolm described in his autobiography. This book has given me insight into the past.

McCarthy’s Birthday Week

HAPPY BIRTHDAYY!! I don’t really know what to do so here are all of the different variations of the Happy Birthday song that I know.

“Happy Birthday to you. Happy Birthday to you. Happy Birthday, Mr. McCarthy. Happy Birthday to you.”

“Happy Birthday to you. Happy Birthday to you. Happy Birthday.”

“Happy Birthday! Happy Birthday! Happy, Happy Birthday to you, Whoo!”

“You know we’re happy to say that it’s your birthday. You know we’re happy to say that it’s your birthday. It’s your H-A-double P-Y Birthday. It’s your H-A-double P-Y Birthday.”

Well, those are all of the songs I know. I hope your birthday is GREAT!

X Marks the Spot

X. X is the unknown. X is something new. X is something undiscovered. X is a variable that is used to describe many different things, and in this case, it describes a treasure. The phrase “X marks the spot” is usually in context with a treasure hunt and pirates. The image of a tattered old map with measurements in footsteps and a chest full of gold buried a few feet under the X. Pirates spend their lives searching for these treasure chests and only a few find them. The movies and TV shows give off this idea of having a set route that leads to the treasure or goal of life, whereas in actuality, the exact opposite is true. We are currently reading The Autobiography of Malcolm X and so far, these characteristics of X also match with Malcolm X’s. X does not yet know much about himself in the beginning of the novel, like most young people. In addition, most people do not know much about him, so in that respect he is unknown. X’s occupation continually changes throughout the novel, characterizing him as a variable with his multiple jobs. Also, many Black Nationalists would describe Malcolm X as a treasure to the black community because of his great contributions. There was no path laid out for Malcolm X to follow or a tattered map, life has many unexpected dead ends and turns, that it is only by chance that we end up where we are.

Ultimate Recipe

Asparagus in Mustard Sauce

Ingredients:

15 asparagus stalks
¾ cup water
1 Tbs Dijon mustard
2 Tbs canola oil
¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper
¼- ½ tsp salt

Directions:

Peel the bottom 1/3 of the asparagus stalks
Cut diagonally into 3 pieces
Steam the stalks covered for 3 minutes
Mix mustard oil, salt, and pepper
Drizzle over room temperature asparagus

I Know This Means Something

You know when you are in the midst of a very interesting dream, and then the minute you wake up, you do not and can not remember anything? It happens to me all the time. I try to remember what it was about but the harder I try, the vaguer my memory becomes. I know my dream means something, but I can’t quite grasp it.

Or, how about when you study all night for a test, but when you get it your mind goes blank. I hate it when that happens. I sit there, trying to remember that equation of person’s name for what seems to be forever, but sometimes I just can not revive my brain. I know that the answers means something, but I can’t quite recall what.

Also, when you are talking to someone and you just can not think of the word that is on the “tip of your tongue.” It happens to everyone. I know what the word means, I just can't think of it.

Album/Track Review

This Time on Evolver by John Legend

I first heard this song while in Germany during a WY choir trip. I loved the song almost instantly. After hearing it, I could not stop listening to it. I played it over and over, memorizing the words to the entire song in less than a day. “This Time” introduces John Legend’s music to me. Of course I had heard his more popular songs like “Ordinary People” and “Green Light ft. Andre 3000,” but I became interested in his music style. It didn’t take long for me to download and hear his albums. Although the majority of his songs deal with having sex and getting high, “This Time” is unique in that neither of these topics is the main focus of the song. The lyrics describe a man who misses his old girlfriend, and that he realizes that it was a mistake to separate and that “this time” he will be better.

These are the lyrics:

[Verse 1]
Ran into you yesterday
Memories rushed through my brain
It started to hit me,
Now you're not with me;
I realized I made a mistake.
I thought I needed some space
But I just let love go to waste.
It's so crystal clear now
That I need your here now
I gotta get you back today.

[Chorus]
This time I want it all.
This time I want it all.
Showing you all the cards.
Giving you all my heart.
This time I'll take the chance.
This time I'll be your man.
I can be all you need.
This time it's all of me.

[Verse 2]
I hit the bar every night
Looking to score a good time.
It's not like I planned it,
I'm left empty handed,
'Cause I’m still alone in my mind.
Now what will it take to feel right?
Can I come see you tonight?
Is there someone new now?
What can I do now?
'Cause I need you back by my side.

[Chorus]
This time I want it all.
This time I want it all.
Showing you all the cards.
Giving you all my heart.
This time I'll take the chance.
This time I'll be your man.
I can be all you need.
This time its all in me.

[Bridge]
Last time I wasn't sure
This time I will give you more.
I'm more mature
I'll show you.
Last time I didn't know
I messed up when let you go,
I need you
Don't say no.

Lying alone in this room
All that is missing is you.
Pick up the phone
Won't you come home?

[Chorus]
This time I want it all.
This time I want it all.
Showing you all the cards
Giving you all my heart.
This time I'll take the chance.
This time I'll be your man.
I can be all you need.
This time it's all of me.

Link to youtube.com:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mbMWnaD3fhI&feature=related