Monday, December 17, 2012
A Guide Through Hell
I would choose Albert Einstein to lead me through Hell. He probably sinned atleast once in his life, and was a very sensibly guy who would be wise enough to teach me his ways. Albert Einstein would be a perfect guide to lead me through the Inferno and hopefully guide me to Heaven.
Anglo-Saxon Riddle
I am everchanging,
Ever growing. I am
the voice and the symbol
of a generation. The world
tends to follow me, as I set
the rules. I do not only
produce, but I innovate.
You can buy from me in
many different forms. My
logo, my icon, the icon of
a million things is a fruit
from Nature. I am everywhere,
from your desk to your mall.
Who am I?
The 13th Picture in My Phone
I was walking through the local Winn-Dixie, strolling under the fluorescent lights stuck to the ceiling, when I saw it. I never knew an average day would turn so special. I had woken up that Sunday morning, the bright sun painting my face through my open window. The sounds of lawn-mowers growling and leaf-blowers buzzing rung in my ears. The scent of fresh-cut grass swiftly flew in and tickled my nose. I got up out of bed, just like any normal day. After a short journey to my kitchen, I realized there was no food in sight.
"Mom, why don't we ever have food?" I whined.
"Are you kidding me? We always have food!" My mom's voice drowned out as my mind drifted away. I was so hungry, I could smell the Winn-Dixie, it's freshly-baked breads and sandwiches drifting out and almost screaming my name.
I found myself walking into Winn-Dixie fifiteen minutes later. I started loading my cart with every food in sight. Then I saw it.
I did a double-take. Then another one. I could not believe my eyes. Losing my breath, I quickly pulled out my phone in excitement as my brain registered what sat before me. Snapping a picture, I quickly sent it to my friend Brittany. Only she would understand. Within seconds, she replied: "OMG WTH WHERE ARE YOU?!?". I promptly responded, "Winn-Dixie."
Standing back, I gazed longingly at the red and blue treasure in front of me. I had searched low and high for these babies for months, in every store known to man. What sat in front of me was the epitome of my childhood. Kool-aid bursts.
"Mom, why don't we ever have food?" I whined.
"Are you kidding me? We always have food!" My mom's voice drowned out as my mind drifted away. I was so hungry, I could smell the Winn-Dixie, it's freshly-baked breads and sandwiches drifting out and almost screaming my name.
I found myself walking into Winn-Dixie fifiteen minutes later. I started loading my cart with every food in sight. Then I saw it.
I did a double-take. Then another one. I could not believe my eyes. Losing my breath, I quickly pulled out my phone in excitement as my brain registered what sat before me. Snapping a picture, I quickly sent it to my friend Brittany. Only she would understand. Within seconds, she replied: "OMG WTH WHERE ARE YOU?!?". I promptly responded, "Winn-Dixie."
Standing back, I gazed longingly at the red and blue treasure in front of me. I had searched low and high for these babies for months, in every store known to man. What sat in front of me was the epitome of my childhood. Kool-aid bursts.
Sunday, December 16, 2012
Earth Without People Reaction Paper
Leah Mancuso
“Earth Without People” Reaction Paper
It is obvious from reading Alan Weisman’s “Earth Without People”, that he is passionate about the environment, and writes in a way where he is able to reach every one of the reader’s senses. Weisman proposes a question he intends to answer with his essay: what would the world be like without people? He answers this question mostly with many allusions to history, and examples of “worlds within this world” that already mimic a possible “Earth without people”. In these allusions, Weisman uses imagery to connect with the reader in many different ways, and through words can invoke every sense.
When Weisman asks the important questions, he uses many forms of imagery in them. He asks, “Would our concrete cities crumble to dust from the force of tree roots, water, and weeds?”. This sentence can especially resonate with the reader with use of the words “concrete” and “crumble” in the same sentence. The fact that he is putting two things that so rarely happen with each other together, captures the readers attention. People trust solid buildings to never collapse, so Weisman bringing this up as a form of imagery can very much connect with the reader.
Weisman also alludes to the so-called “Demilitarized Zone” in Korea to answer his questions. This strip of land is completely desolate, and could very well imitate an Earth without people. Weisman uses imagery like “...barely discernible, transformed into pockets of marsh...” to paint a picture of a barren land in the reader’s mind. He also goes into great detail to describe the animals of the “sans-human” world, for example: “...red-crowned cranes that glide over the bulrushes in perfect formation, touching down so lightly that they detonate no land mines.” The animals are able to try and not disrupt their land without having to worry about the distraction of humans. The imagery of a cautious crane will stick with the reader, and make them realize the difference between a world with humans and a world without.
The author also presents another idea and way to see how the world would be without people. He explains the “Mannahatta Project”, a real experiment to see how Manhattan was pre-Dutch arrival. According to history, there were many streams in the city before the Europeans landed. The author goes into what the city would be like if humans were to suddenly disappear, again with great imagery. He writes things like, “As lightning rods rusted away, roof fires would leap among buildings into paneled offices filled with paper.” Words like “rusted away”, and giving the roof fires personification by making them “leap”, Weisman makes the image in the reader’s mind even more real.
A story without imagery is nothing, especially one that asks such deep questions like “Earth Without People”. The ability for words and phrases to paint pictures in your mind is incredibly important when an author asks such significant questions, especially ones surrounding an entirely different world. Weisman presents his ideas well with his great uses of imagery to invoke the five senses.
“Earth Without People” Reaction Paper
It is obvious from reading Alan Weisman’s “Earth Without People”, that he is passionate about the environment, and writes in a way where he is able to reach every one of the reader’s senses. Weisman proposes a question he intends to answer with his essay: what would the world be like without people? He answers this question mostly with many allusions to history, and examples of “worlds within this world” that already mimic a possible “Earth without people”. In these allusions, Weisman uses imagery to connect with the reader in many different ways, and through words can invoke every sense.
When Weisman asks the important questions, he uses many forms of imagery in them. He asks, “Would our concrete cities crumble to dust from the force of tree roots, water, and weeds?”. This sentence can especially resonate with the reader with use of the words “concrete” and “crumble” in the same sentence. The fact that he is putting two things that so rarely happen with each other together, captures the readers attention. People trust solid buildings to never collapse, so Weisman bringing this up as a form of imagery can very much connect with the reader.
Weisman also alludes to the so-called “Demilitarized Zone” in Korea to answer his questions. This strip of land is completely desolate, and could very well imitate an Earth without people. Weisman uses imagery like “...barely discernible, transformed into pockets of marsh...” to paint a picture of a barren land in the reader’s mind. He also goes into great detail to describe the animals of the “sans-human” world, for example: “...red-crowned cranes that glide over the bulrushes in perfect formation, touching down so lightly that they detonate no land mines.” The animals are able to try and not disrupt their land without having to worry about the distraction of humans. The imagery of a cautious crane will stick with the reader, and make them realize the difference between a world with humans and a world without.
The author also presents another idea and way to see how the world would be without people. He explains the “Mannahatta Project”, a real experiment to see how Manhattan was pre-Dutch arrival. According to history, there were many streams in the city before the Europeans landed. The author goes into what the city would be like if humans were to suddenly disappear, again with great imagery. He writes things like, “As lightning rods rusted away, roof fires would leap among buildings into paneled offices filled with paper.” Words like “rusted away”, and giving the roof fires personification by making them “leap”, Weisman makes the image in the reader’s mind even more real.
A story without imagery is nothing, especially one that asks such deep questions like “Earth Without People”. The ability for words and phrases to paint pictures in your mind is incredibly important when an author asks such significant questions, especially ones surrounding an entirely different world. Weisman presents his ideas well with his great uses of imagery to invoke the five senses.
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Canterbury Tales Casting
The Knight
For the knight character in the Canterbury Tales movie, I would choose the actor Viggo Mortenson. In the tales, the knight is described as the most noble of the pilgrims. He has traveled the world and fought for his people, as Chaucer writes, “...when in Prussia, in Lithuania he had ridden, and Russia....When, in Granada...” (74). The way the knight is described calls for an actor who has rugged, yet handsome looks like he has been in war. The actor should not be played by some young “stud” but more of an older man but not too old. An older guy would be able to play someone who is labeled as “....though so much distinguished, he was wise...” (75) and “He was a true, a perfect gentle-knight.” (75) by Chaucer, like Viggo Mortenson. Mortenson has also proved he can nail accents and Medieval-inspired roles such as his biggest role, Aragorn in the Lord of the Rings Trilogy.
The Squire
For the squire character, the Knight’s son, I would choose the actor Liam Hemsworth. The Squire is a young, handsome man who can talk any lady into bed. He’s described by Chaucer as “A lover and cadet, a lad of fire...He was some twenty years of age, I guessed...wonderful agility and strength” (75) among many other things. The actor to play the Squire would have to be very handsome and very young. The squire character in the Canterbury Tales movie would be the sole reason for any young-female demographic attendance. Liam Hemsworth would be perfect for this role because he is handsome, strong, and growing in popularity in Hollywood. He’s played roles such as Gale in the Hunger Games that shows his strength and the ability to play a knight-like role, and also romantic roles such as Will in The Last Song. The squire would be a very versatile character, so an actor who can play many different roles, such as Hemsworth, would be a perfect choice. Plus, he’s got a killer Australian accent that could be slightly tweaked to sound British; add a wig and you’ve got a squire.
The Wife of Bath
The Wife of Bath, one of the most prominent and unforgettable characters of the Canterbury Tales, would no doubt need to be played by a naturally-born British woman. Chaucer writes her as, “Bold was her face, handsome, and red in hue. A worthy woman all her life, what’s more.” (81). This creates an image in my mind of a curvy woman with strong cheekbones with a crazy prevalent cockney-British accent. For this actress, I would no doubt cast Kate Winslet. She has proven herself as capable of playing almost anything. She has also played many roles native to her British roots, such as Princess Sarah in A Kid in King Arthur’s Court and Ophelia in Hamlet. In Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, she played Clementine, who was crazy and seductive like the Wife of Bath. Kate Winslet is an easy choice for this one because I know that she has the British-woman characteristics and the ability to play any role she wanted.
For the knight character in the Canterbury Tales movie, I would choose the actor Viggo Mortenson. In the tales, the knight is described as the most noble of the pilgrims. He has traveled the world and fought for his people, as Chaucer writes, “...when in Prussia, in Lithuania he had ridden, and Russia....When, in Granada...” (74). The way the knight is described calls for an actor who has rugged, yet handsome looks like he has been in war. The actor should not be played by some young “stud” but more of an older man but not too old. An older guy would be able to play someone who is labeled as “....though so much distinguished, he was wise...” (75) and “He was a true, a perfect gentle-knight.” (75) by Chaucer, like Viggo Mortenson. Mortenson has also proved he can nail accents and Medieval-inspired roles such as his biggest role, Aragorn in the Lord of the Rings Trilogy.
The Squire
For the squire character, the Knight’s son, I would choose the actor Liam Hemsworth. The Squire is a young, handsome man who can talk any lady into bed. He’s described by Chaucer as “A lover and cadet, a lad of fire...He was some twenty years of age, I guessed...wonderful agility and strength” (75) among many other things. The actor to play the Squire would have to be very handsome and very young. The squire character in the Canterbury Tales movie would be the sole reason for any young-female demographic attendance. Liam Hemsworth would be perfect for this role because he is handsome, strong, and growing in popularity in Hollywood. He’s played roles such as Gale in the Hunger Games that shows his strength and the ability to play a knight-like role, and also romantic roles such as Will in The Last Song. The squire would be a very versatile character, so an actor who can play many different roles, such as Hemsworth, would be a perfect choice. Plus, he’s got a killer Australian accent that could be slightly tweaked to sound British; add a wig and you’ve got a squire.
The Wife of Bath
The Wife of Bath, one of the most prominent and unforgettable characters of the Canterbury Tales, would no doubt need to be played by a naturally-born British woman. Chaucer writes her as, “Bold was her face, handsome, and red in hue. A worthy woman all her life, what’s more.” (81). This creates an image in my mind of a curvy woman with strong cheekbones with a crazy prevalent cockney-British accent. For this actress, I would no doubt cast Kate Winslet. She has proven herself as capable of playing almost anything. She has also played many roles native to her British roots, such as Princess Sarah in A Kid in King Arthur’s Court and Ophelia in Hamlet. In Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, she played Clementine, who was crazy and seductive like the Wife of Bath. Kate Winslet is an easy choice for this one because I know that she has the British-woman characteristics and the ability to play any role she wanted.
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