Friday, November 11, 2011

Finally

So this semester of reading has been an interesting one to say the least. I am definitely not an avid reader by any means but I read when I can/ feel like it. My reading habits have not changed too much over the course of this semester. I've been reading books that are based on activities I'm interested in such as music, dance, and Show Choir. I typically find myself reading most on my bed or in the John. I struggle focusing on what I'm reading when there's a lot going on around me so I MUST read while listening to my iPod! Although I have struggled keeping up with my blogging about what I read, I have gotten something from my reading. My favorite reading from this semester would hands down be "Swear, Tears, and Jazz Hands," which I'm still reading. It is a complete and total history of Show Choir, from Vaudville to GLEE. So being that my reading habits have not changed much at all, I must sadly admit I don't think I will read nearly as much anymore. I just don't have much free time to sit down and read and I find it very difficult to get interesed and inticed in a book. Although reading is not my favorite thing ever, I have enjoyed this semester's reading, but not so much the blogging. Sorry Hill, It's just not my thing. So Goodbye fellow bloggers!! Its been a fun one!

-RocketGuild Out

Friday, November 4, 2011

Currently

Books being read:
"Sweat Tears and Jazz Hands"
-Mike Weaver and Collen Hart


Pages Read-175

Sentences  of the week:

-"Show Choir gave me a foundation, and leadership skills that helped me in my career."
   -Sweat Tears and Jazz Hands

-"All you GLEEKS can trace your GLEEK heritage back to some of the greats such as Bob Fosse!"
  -Sweat Tears and Jazz Hands

-"Show choirs of today have adopted the orignal vaudeville show idea, with a little refinement of course."


Notice all my sentences this week come from one book. "Sweat Tears and Jazz Hands" is a complete history of show choir, how it originated, and how it got to where it is today! For anyone that has been in show choir, or any type of choir, this is a must read! It's a great book. A neat fact-the book has two authors, Mike Weaver and Collen Hart, and Mike Weaver happens to Homestead High School's advanced show choir's choreographer!  

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Practice Analysis

J. D. Salinger's vulgar and graty language in his novel, Catcher in the Rye conveys a simple commonpalce comfort. Salinger's basic and louse expression of mood dislpays his simpicity in writing making a stronger connection to the hio pollio. Freely, Salinger includes vernacular ,such as "all of that David Coppefield crap," that expresses his disregard to standard perameters and formality of classical writing.

Close-reading Bingo

1. (error 1 and 4) The only history the narrator seems to inform the reader about is "madman stuff" that happened to him before he becomes "pretty run-down."
http://budinthegarden.blogspot.com/

2. (error 3) Also, the narrator’s repetition of slang suggests that he is uneducated or unconcerned with perfecting his speech.
http://estella-havisham.blogspot.com/2011/10/practice-diction-analysis.html

3. (error 6)  The language that used is not over sophisticated, yet it is neither vulgar nor blunt.
http://bookworm-days.blogspot.com/2011/10/close-reading-diction.html

4. (error 8) There is a chattiness about the writing with words like "black Penguin paperback" and "integral signs swooping upward between two floors".
http://morgan-happygolucky.blogspot.com/2011/10/mezzanine-claim.html

Best paragraph I came across today:

J.D. Salinger masters the voice of his protagonist, Holden Caulfield, in the first page of his novel Catcher in the Rye, using direct, colloquial, and bluntly offensive diction. Holden starts by saying that while he knows the reader would like to know about his background, he is not going to provide any information on his origins. His gruff, devil-may-care attitude exudes from the page, as he says he can’t be bothered with “all that David Copperfield kind of crap.” Holden’s trademark sense of superiority reverberates within the passage. While Holden’s language is neither profound nor particularly beautiful, it is representative of how a disenchanted teenager speaks. Holden complains that he won’t give his “whole goddam autobiography” and that his prother is far away from “this crummy place.” He has no objection to cursing, a sign of rebellion against the norm through language. Salinger breathes life into Holden by rambling and cussing, providing literature’s favorite teenage antihero with an identifiably meandering and rude voice.
 

Friday, October 21, 2011

Currently

Books I'm reading

-Uncle Johns Best Bathroom readings

-West Side Story(Novelized)


Style Mapping:

Bill963- "In Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, she uses Elevated and sophisticated style of diction. For example, when she writes “Accompanied the commencement of an enterprise which you have regarded with such evil forebodings” it shows her high diction"

TheNewZealander-"A few adjectives could be categorized as elevated language, but as a whole, the passage falls in the middle of the gamut. Some predictable repetition of words occurs, creating neither a harsh, coarse sound, nor a melodious one."

Case 1-"In Cormac McCarthy's excerpt from "Blood Meridian" he writes in a picturesque, metaphoric connotative language."

Peanut Butter without the jelly-"Leaning towards the denotative side, Anna uses her orante style to pull this story together."

The TRUTH-"Kamler has a figurative, metaphoric, and connotative language when describing the areas he's traveled to and the way he explains how he managed to stay alive in the most hazardous situations."

The award for best setence goes to Case 1. Although short, Case 1 includes many good vocab words and decribes a passage quite well. Language used such as picturesque and connatative gave the reader a good sense of what was being described. All of these setences are strong though. Good work class!


-RocketGuild OUT

Style Mapping

A passage from "Stardust" by Neil Gaiman in short can be described as dry. The passage is very denotative, straight forward and elevated. The author simply describes the setting of a town called Wall. The diction is fragile and overlaps a light use of figuratuve language. The passage includes mildy sweet language such as "granite amidtst a small forest woodland." In contrast a passage from the novel "West Side Story" by Arthur Laurents is much more relaxed and vulgar. The diction used is middle diction, not very denotative or connatative. The passage has very common language such as "stink bomb" and "bodega." The sound of the passage is plain yet plays with a sense of excitement.

Friday, October 14, 2011

Quarterly

So this quarter....it's been alright. My reading habits really haven't changed much at all. I'm still struggling to find time to just read. Between homework, show choir, musicals, and other commitments I can't find time to read much, let alone have time to blog about it. Anyhow, I've been reading pretty much all pop fiction. I've enjoyed some of my reading but not much. I guess reading just isn't my thing . I don't loathe reading but I don't  love it either. For the rest of the semester...well I don't know what the best plan would be. Obviously I wish i had more time to read and blog. So yeah, reading and blogging more often will be mty number one goal for the rest of the semester.

Friday, September 23, 2011

September's Best

My favorite sentences this month:

"Looking back doesn't it sometimes feel like our richest times come right in the midst of our hardest?"
--To Save A Life
"It takes very little to govern good people. Very little. And bad people can't be governed at all. Or if they could I never heard of it."
--No Country for Old Men
"The say the eyes are windows to the soul."
  -No Country For Old Men
"He loves funny...because funny makes you live through pain."
--The Simpsons Uncensored Unauthorized History

"My name is Tommy and I'm an alcoholic."
  -I Found This Funny

Pretty good month for sentences. Some funny...some quite thought provoking....some weird...all GREAT!!


-RocketGuild OUT

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Creative Claims!!!

The award for best claim goes to.....My Everday Sticky Waffle. The uniquely precise adjectives used to describe the dance, and thoughtful inferneces made were great! Click the link above to check it out!!


Claim from My Everyday Sticky Waffle:
 "In this contemporary dance, choreographed by Mia Michaels, the varied confusion of the movement, pain and romance shown through the emotion, the regret expressed through the dull costume choice, and the dominating and agressive use of space create a sense of lighthearted passion between the two dancers."

Claim from Case1:
"[In this scene from Nick Cannons film Drumline, the aggressive and alert style, quick, narrow movement, and percussive, thundering rhythm] expresses[an alive sense of energetic celebration and modest jubilation]"

Claim from The New Zealander:
"On the album cover of Titus Andronicus's "The Airing of Grievances," the commanding, classic font and layout of the cover, as well as the cluttered and colorful use of space in the photograph convey the band's homely practice environment and admiration for the old-fashioned symbols of history. "

Claim from Becca's Blog:
"In this scene from Its Always Fair Weather, Gene Kelly's graceful skating, hopeful facial expression, and sharp, exciting tap dancing create a sense of blissful enthusiasm."

-RocketGuild OUT

Monday, September 19, 2011

Don't Worry Be Happy- Bobby McFerrin

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-diB65scQU&ob=av2e


Melodies/Harmonies-                                

  • smooth
  • well-fitting
  • calming
  • cheerful
  • complimentary
  • content
  • friendly
  • soothing

Instrumentation/Vocalization-

  • percussive
  • rejuvenated
  • light



Lyrics-

  • sincere
  • optimistic
  • gentle
  • hopeful
  • consoling



Rhythms-

  • relaxed
  • pleasant
  • jubilant
  • playful
  • animated      



Infer- 

  • HAPPINESS
  • cheerfulness
  • hopefulness
  • relaxation
  • playfulness
  • rejuvenation
  • friendliness


The soothing, cheerful melodies and harmonies, light vocal instrumentation, and playful, relaxed rhythms in McFerrin's song, depicts a mood of lighthearted cheerfulness and soothing rejuvenation.

Friday, September 16, 2011

Currently

Material this week:

No Country for Old Men
--Cormac McCarthy

To Save A Life
--Jim and Rachel Britts


Pages this week- 152
Pages this semester- 667


Sentences of the week:

"I don't know that law enforcement benefits all that much from new technology, tools that comes into our hands comes into theirs too."
--No Country for Old Men

"It takes very little to govern good people. Very little. And bad people can't be governed at all. Or if they could I never heard of it."
--No Country for Old Men

"Looking back doesn't it sometimes feel like our richest times come right in the midst of our hardest?"
--To Save A Life

What do ya think of these? Pretty thought provoking huh? Now one may not agree with any of these thoughts but they definitely make you think. I like all of these sentences because the each have a different way of making you look at something in a new perspective. Favorite...well that's a tough one this week...But I'll go with number three! Life most definitely is filled with struggles, but if you truly reflect on those struggles you may find some of our best moments came during or from those struggles. This sentence is a good summary of the entire book, To Save A Life. It's a MUST READ!

-RocketGuild OUT

Thursday, September 15, 2011

One of Those Days

Today I didn't really feel like reading..so I picked up a book I have been in the process of reading for awhile now. The book is called How to Save a Life. It is a very interesting and inspiring. The plot is based around one central character, Jake, who is the stereotypical popular kid at his high school. Jake is the captain of the basketball team. He has all of the girls' attention, and is the leader of the cool crowd. Jake has everything a senior in high school could want. Oh yeah, he also has a full ride scholarship to play basketball at his favorite school, Louisville. However, things can't be completely perfect right? Everyone has skeletons in their closest right? Well as for Jake, his skeleton was all too real. Jake had been best friends with Roger every since kindergarten. Jake and Roger did everything together as kids. One day when they were throwing a football around in the street something happened that changed everything. A speeding car was coming down the road and Jake did not see the car and dashed out into the street to retrieve the football. Without thinking, Roger quickly reacted and went to save his friend. Roger pulled Jake out of the way of the car, but in the process Roger was hit by the car. The accident left Roger with a limp that would remain with him for the rest of his life...and it only goes downhill from there....
Stay up to date with my blog as I will continue posting about both of my current reads!

-RocketGuild OUT

Finally...I enjoy it!!!

Hey fellow bloggers!!!

I've been slacking on my posts lately...SORRY!! My latest read is No Country for Old Men by Cormac McCarthy, and I love it! This book is just so interesting. From the very first the author pulls you in with suspense, confusion, and  most of all action. Unlike most really great books, No Country for Old Men does not take awhile to get into. If you aren't hooked after ten pages, then I'm afraid you never will be. Although the plot of this story starts off with a drug deal gone bad, I feel like it is also very relate-able to most readers, even though most of us don't live such an...exciting...life hah! The story centers around one character, Moss, and how he mistakenly came upon this drug deal that kicked the bucket. After finding guns, drugs, many dead bodies, and most of all money...a lot of money, Moss goes on the run because he knows that someone will soon come looking for the money. He ends up in a trashy cheap motel alone after sending his wife away to live with her sister. And then....well I've slacked on my reading this week while I have been super busy so that's all I've got to say on that for now...SORRY. I still have a lot left to read so please stay tuned for more!!

-RocketGuild OUT

Thursday, September 8, 2011

Currently

Books I read this week:
I Found This Funny- Judd Apatow


No Country For Old Men- Cormac McCarthy


Pages read this week- 162
Pages read this semester- 515


Sentences this week:

"The say the eyes are windows to the soul."
  -No Country For Old Men


"I just didn't want you to get blood on the car."
  -No Country For Old Men


"Here the other day they was a woman put her baby in a trash compactor."
  -No Country For Old Men


Intersting mix of sentences this week huh? lol well each of them found it's place in the top 3 for a different reason.
1. How insightful and provocative
2. Absolutely hilarious in context!
3. extremely messed up but...also a bit funny..yah? [i'm a horrible person...i know]

-RocketGuild OUT

ShOw Me ThE $$$

Read a few more short stories from I Found This Funny and I did indeed find a few of them funny. By far the most hilarious was a collection of illustrations. This entry was a bit vulgar, however, we can all agree that vulgarity makes everything all the more hilarious! I eventually got bored of reading short stories and decided to start reading something new. I browsed the library for a bit and eventually decided to go with a book that was recommended as a must read in class. Yesterday I started reading No Country For Old Men by Cormac McCarthy. Haven't gotten far into the book yet, but I can already tell it is going to be a very interesting book. So far a man, Lleweyln Moss, found a drug deal gone bad that ended with three dead bodies and a truck load of illicit drugs left in the middle of the desert. Moss found a few guns at the scene of the murder and took them with him for extra protection. Moss assumed someone had to get away from the scene alive so he follows a blood trail until he finds high ground that will give him leverage. While on higher ground Moss  spots a blue object far in the distance and decides to investigate. He finds yet another dead body and accompanying the body is a briefcase...a briefcase containing 2.4 MILLION dollars. Moss takes the guns and the money home and hides it under his bed while, for the most part, keeping his wife in the dark about the whole situation. And all of that happened in just 20 pages or so! Can't wait to continue reading...only if I had the time to sit down and read...but I guarantee you will be reading more about this book in the coming week or so! Happy Reading everyone!

-RocketGuild OUT

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Seeking Sunshine

During dinner tonight I brought up the topic of poetry, and to my surprise I found out my dad has written a poem. My dad wrote the poem when he was working to stop domestic violence and abuse against women.

                                                                        Seeking Sunshine
Darkness, it enveloped her world~ ~ Her soul, Her whole being~ ~ Smothering her with relentless force.

She longed for the sunshine, the kiss of the summer breeze~ ~ She sought love, respect, and most of all peace.

Help me, her eyes pleaded with mine~ ~ Calling me to action~ ~ To help break the cycle~ ~ To end the darkness of abuse.

                                                                                               -Jeffrey Gulley

Excellent poetry dad!

Friday..a little late..sorry

Okay I finally JUST took the personality test. Turns I am a ESFJ, aks a "provider". After reading about what the title "provider" entails, I would have to say that it is rather accurate. I am a very sociable person and I enjoy meeting new people. I also like to assist people and lend a hand whenever possible. The personality description said that a "provider" makes a good party host or master of ceremonies. I think these jobs would be quite exciting and I would like to try them out! I believe I make a good leader and I'm very comfortable with public speaking. Although the personality test was a bit dull it matched my personality type perfectly!!!

-RocketGuild OUT

Friday, September 2, 2011

Almost Free

This week I've concentrated on just on book.
I Found This Funny; My Favorite Pieces of Humor and Some That may not be Funny at All

Pages this week- 180
Pages this semester- 353

This week's top sentences:

"My name is Tommy and I'm an alcoholic."
  -I Found This Funny

"Mommy help us...no I'd rather watch."
  -I Found This Funny

"If only one-third of your clothes are mistakes, you're ahead of the game."
  -I Found This Funny

While I found quite a few of the short stories rather boring this week, they did include some rather hilarious sentences. Now if you want to know the context of the sentences, you'll have to read the book yourself. If you're looking for a sweet funny gimmick book to read aloud to your little sibling, avoid this one. ADULT CONTENT ADVISORY. But it can be very funny!

Thursday, September 1, 2011

Not much better

In my last post I failed to mention that the subtitle of my new book is, "my favorite pieces of humor and some that may not be funny at all." Well the latter part I believe...A few of the stories have been rather entertaining, but nothing has been extremely hilarious. Also a good deal of the stories lacked humor all together. While the stories all contain an interesting plot, I just haven't found the humor in them. I'm looking for the most hilarious humor filled book there is. I want to be laughing cover to cover. Any suggestions??

Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Funny Huh?

So since my last post I've done a bit of book swapping. When I first put the Simpsons book down I couldn't immediately find another good book so I decided to continue reading an older book..Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. Yes criticize and make fun if you must but I am one of those idiots that has not yet read the entire Harry Potter series so I am attempting to make my way through! After some more looking I found a new read.
This week I began reading I Found This Funny by Judd Apatow. Thsi book is a collection of short stories written by various authors and was compiled by Apatow. Personally, I enjoy a short story over an epic. In the introduction the author is explaining why he decided to put together a collection of short stories. The author explains that he has a short attention span and has trouble focusing on  longer novels and staying interested in the same plot. Like the author, I believe I have a short attention span as well.
Apatow included short stories of all types in his collection. They range from hilarious stories about a questionable and inappropriate add seen in the classifieds to rather dull stories about talking cows in a pasture. Only about 70 pages, or  4 stories in, but it is a very quick read and quite enjoyable.

Friday, August 26, 2011

Currently

The Simpsons Uncensored Unauthorized History, Harry Potter and The Prisoner of Azkaban, I Found This Funny


This week: 172  pages

Sentences of the week:

"The Waltons were out; the Simpsons were in." [in reference to a response to George H. Bush criticizing the Simpsons]

  -The Simpsons Uncensored Unauthorized History

"He loves funny...because funny makes you live through pain."

  -The Simpsons Uncensored Unauthorized History

"And if you are reading this on an iPad, you are a [d-bag]."

Found some good sentences this week! I apologize for the profane language in the final sentence but I just had to share it this week. I found it to be quite hilarious and by far the best sentence this week. The qoute from I Found This Funny is part of the introduction by the author, Judd Apatow. Apatow ends his introduction with this sentence wishing readers a pleasant time when reading his book while cursing those tech savy persons who are reading his book on an iPad.

Thursday, August 25, 2011

Hey,
So I tried to keep reading the Simpson's book but I couldn't. It was too try and surprisingly not as funny as I expected. Either way, I suppose I'll still review it and share some of my thoughts. By reading this book my eyes were opened to an entirely new world. The bureaucratic and political world of writing for a show. As expected in life everyone will come across those people they naturally don't like, and this same rule applies to those who write for television. Every show has multiple writers and producers who all give input in the drafting room, and that group of writers doesn't always get along. There are quarrels and caterwauls during the writing of nearly every script. Once all disputes have been settles from the writing process next comes the demon of who takes credit for the great ideas. For those of us that watch TV, we all suffer through the pain of watching credits scroll before and after every show. Usually only one name will appear in those credits next to the title of creator. However, from this book I have learned that most shows are the creation of a room full of brainstorming writers, yet only one person gets to take credit for it. If you ask me, that doesn't fair at all, but then again nothing in life is fair and we all have turmoil to deal with.
     While I did gain quite a bit of knowledge in the 100 pages I read in the Simpsons, it just wasn't my cup of tea. The book was compiled with small quotes and thoughts from many people and contained little prose. It was kind of a long read and was hard to get into. If you are interested in creation of television sitcoms check this book out, however, if you're looking to laugh your butt off I'd recommend just watching the Simpsons.

RocketGuild Out

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

The Simpsons

Hey,
So this is my fist time attempting to blog...wish me luck! I've been reading a book that details the entire history of the Simpsons tv show starting with it conception to becoming a tv hit. The book is very interesting but a little less humorous than I expected. The author, John Ortved, compiled opinions, quotes, thoughts etc from various people associated with the Simpsons in any way. The author was fair in his compilation by including opinions from very side when it comes to a controversy. The book shows how the creator, Matt Groening, uses the Simpsons almost as satire by pointing out all the flaws and downfalls in society. Groening used characters that are very relatable; a rebellious son, perfectionist daughter, and insane yet caring loving parents. Only 60 pages in but so far it's a thumbs up!!

RocketGuild out.