So the first couple days of the Olympics have passed and there have been good times as well as bad times. Some of the good times include Ryan Lochte winning the 400 IM and Dana Vollmer winning the 100 Butterfly, as well as Kelci Bryant and Abby Johnston getting the silver in Women's Synchronized Diving. However the bad times, like Dalhausser's performance at the beginning of his Beach Volleyball performance against one of Japan's pairs, have yet to outweigh the success of the United States as a nation at this Olympic series.
The Women's Gymnastics team made a phenomenal showing during the qualifying round. Their performance at vault was A-mazing! Their scores far surpassed any other nation's. They do need to make some adjustments on beam and floor routines careful not to fall or go out of bounds. I do feel very sympathetic to Jordyn Weber. I know it must suck that she does not get to compete in the All-around just because a teammate scored a few hundredths higher than her. The disappointment may not be easy to deal with, but she needs to compose herself and come through for her team during the competition. They did not get here without her and will need her throughout the Olympics. Ultimately what Weber and the rest of the American athletes must do in this Olympics is forget about the flubs made during the competition, and move on to the future races. The past cannot be altered, so to dwell on it is just a waste of time.
I know one race that I am very excited to see is the Women's 100m breaststroke. In this race Texas A&M's Beeja Larson is in the running for a medal. This current Aggie, class of 2014, has gone to the Olympics for the 100m breaststroke and the 4x100m relay. She placed well in the qualifying heats and the semifinals, and now she has a chance to medal. It is awesome to have someone represent Texas A&M so well on a global level. Although she false started due to the messed up signal at the pool and finished 6th, it is still amazing to have a student from TAMU go to the Olympics and represent not only the college but the United States for the rest of the world. There was also another Aggie in this race, Alia Atkinson class of 2010, representing Jamaica who finished fourth being an excellent example of the athletic prowess held at A&M. As the games continue, I wish the best of luck to Beeja Larson. You've got a whole university and nation cheering you one. Gig 'em!!
More Olympic posts will be on the way! I am excited to see the Men's Gymnastics, some more Phelps and Lochte swimming, and some different Track and Field events as they approach. Until then, Go USA, Aggies, and Australia!
Monday, July 30, 2012
Saturday, July 28, 2012
Olympics 2012: Opening Ceremony Celebrates London
Every two years the world is presented with a sports competition that is
second to none. The Olympics define supremacy in the athletic world. The amount
of fans that watch combined with the amazing athletes working not only to win a
medal but also to represent a country in a world arena, makes the Olympics a
time when the world comes together to celebrate global unity. This is why the
festivities produced by the host country mean so much to the spectators. It is
also why London, now the only location to have ever hosted the Olympics three
times, had to put on an Opening Ceremony that would translate across the screen
and into the homes of millions of people worldwide. The show put on last night
in London was fantastic on multiple levels. It celebrated the citizens of the
United Kingdom, highlighted the different contributions citizens of the UK have
given the world, and entertained the viewers by displaying extra visual
effects.
When the Opening Ceremony began, all the viewer heard was a single voice. This voice was strong and from a small child. The voice rang true, not quavering on any note. As this boy continued to sing a popular child's melody, the camera began to show choirs of small children from the other three countries of the United Kingdom singing the same song. These children from Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales represented and incorporated the rest of the country in a simple and pure way. The children of London were then brought back into the main frame and their singing was then heard as a group. This was a brilliant idea because there is nothing more true and uncorrupted than a child's voice.
From this beginning the development of the United Kingdom was shown to the public, going from a simple pastoral setting on stage to one of industrialism, ending in a technologically run society. This honest representation of the nation brought the viewer closer to the host country. There was only truth in this ceremony. I think that is a very rare characteristic. I remember the 2008 Summer Olympics when Beijing presented their Opening Ceremony. No one will forget the jaw dropping drum scene with hundreds of drummers beating a rhythm in unison, but that was not the true identity of China. What was shown in the London Olympics Opening Ceremony was the actual face of the nation.
Another excellent feature of the Opening Ceremony 2012 was that it celebrated different contributions the citizens made to the country and the world. The scene highlighting the health care system of the UK was not only entertaining, but also commemorated the efforts of doctors and nurses of the state by incorporating them into the performance. As the children "slept" and their dreams were acted out for the audience, the different literary figures drew viewers at home into the performance highlighting the achievements of British authors. I loved when Mary Poppins beat Voldemort to the ground; I just hope Harry Potter will be able to find another job. The ending performance by Paul McCartney was also one of the most entertaining Beatles shows I have ever had the pleasure of watching. It was even obvious that Paul McCartney was a little choked up at the beginning. I am sure the audience and location struck a soft spot for him. It was awesome that the Olympics were able to honor famous British people like McCartney, J.K. Rowling, Shakespeare, and J.M. Barrie in a worldwide performance.
Lastly the visual effects put on for the audience were awe-inspiring. The light show displayed throughout the stadium was amazing. The lights were actually on the seats, incorporating yet another feature into the stadium. The fireworks display was also fantastic. It blew any Fourth of July show out of the park. There were a few things I would have changed, however. For one, the commentary made by the NBC announcers should have been minimized. When there would be things that different performers and Olympic chairmen would say, all you could hear was the commentators talking about pointless topics. One other aspect I would change is the torch. It was awesome the way they lit it and put it together, but I thought that the torch was suppose to be visible from anywhere in the Olympic area. The torch, as it stood last night, is way too small. I guess nothing can be perfect.
In the end, the 2012 Opening Ceremony began an Olympic competition that will undoubtedly be full of amazing moments. From Phelps trying to become the most decorated Olympian to the US Women's Soccer team trying to win three gold medals in a row, the action will never stop. I cannot wait for the next two weeks to continue. An update will be on its way as the competition continues. I guarantee that.
When the Opening Ceremony began, all the viewer heard was a single voice. This voice was strong and from a small child. The voice rang true, not quavering on any note. As this boy continued to sing a popular child's melody, the camera began to show choirs of small children from the other three countries of the United Kingdom singing the same song. These children from Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales represented and incorporated the rest of the country in a simple and pure way. The children of London were then brought back into the main frame and their singing was then heard as a group. This was a brilliant idea because there is nothing more true and uncorrupted than a child's voice.
From this beginning the development of the United Kingdom was shown to the public, going from a simple pastoral setting on stage to one of industrialism, ending in a technologically run society. This honest representation of the nation brought the viewer closer to the host country. There was only truth in this ceremony. I think that is a very rare characteristic. I remember the 2008 Summer Olympics when Beijing presented their Opening Ceremony. No one will forget the jaw dropping drum scene with hundreds of drummers beating a rhythm in unison, but that was not the true identity of China. What was shown in the London Olympics Opening Ceremony was the actual face of the nation.
Another excellent feature of the Opening Ceremony 2012 was that it celebrated different contributions the citizens made to the country and the world. The scene highlighting the health care system of the UK was not only entertaining, but also commemorated the efforts of doctors and nurses of the state by incorporating them into the performance. As the children "slept" and their dreams were acted out for the audience, the different literary figures drew viewers at home into the performance highlighting the achievements of British authors. I loved when Mary Poppins beat Voldemort to the ground; I just hope Harry Potter will be able to find another job. The ending performance by Paul McCartney was also one of the most entertaining Beatles shows I have ever had the pleasure of watching. It was even obvious that Paul McCartney was a little choked up at the beginning. I am sure the audience and location struck a soft spot for him. It was awesome that the Olympics were able to honor famous British people like McCartney, J.K. Rowling, Shakespeare, and J.M. Barrie in a worldwide performance.
Lastly the visual effects put on for the audience were awe-inspiring. The light show displayed throughout the stadium was amazing. The lights were actually on the seats, incorporating yet another feature into the stadium. The fireworks display was also fantastic. It blew any Fourth of July show out of the park. There were a few things I would have changed, however. For one, the commentary made by the NBC announcers should have been minimized. When there would be things that different performers and Olympic chairmen would say, all you could hear was the commentators talking about pointless topics. One other aspect I would change is the torch. It was awesome the way they lit it and put it together, but I thought that the torch was suppose to be visible from anywhere in the Olympic area. The torch, as it stood last night, is way too small. I guess nothing can be perfect.
In the end, the 2012 Opening Ceremony began an Olympic competition that will undoubtedly be full of amazing moments. From Phelps trying to become the most decorated Olympian to the US Women's Soccer team trying to win three gold medals in a row, the action will never stop. I cannot wait for the next two weeks to continue. An update will be on its way as the competition continues. I guarantee that.
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
The Perks of Being a Wallflower
High school is hands down the worst time of most people's lives. Adolescents are forced into a new school where they have to make new friends and figure out how they identify themselves. There is a new ranking system the students have to cope with as well: freshman, sophomore, junior, senior, jock, musician, geek, cheerleader, etc. The placement of a person within these groups determines how cool, or uncool, they are. Basically, the students have to decide what group to associate with in order to survive the next four years of their life.
Well Stephen Chbosky outlines this inevitable obstacle through the point of view of a freshman boy in The Perks of Being a Wallflower. This book does a fantastic job of highlighting the good and bad parts of high school that every person will have to deal with in some way. The main character, Charlie, begins the school year without friends and separated from the rest of the student body due to the unique way he views life. Throughout the book Charlie goes through a process of maturing and growing into a stronger individual. This is accomplished through the experiences Charlie has with his group of friends, the unique relationship established between the reader and Charlie, and the issues covered within the story and how they universally affect the public.
As I already mentioned, Charlie begins his high school career without any friends. He makes remarks about how whenever he is alone the world seems much more difficult to deal with than when other people are around. People acted as a distraction for Charlie whenever he was going through something really hard. I think anyone can relate to this. There have been times in every person's life when it seemed as though no one else was there to catch you if you fell or listen to you when your heart seems broken. It shows how everyone needs someone to support him or her in times of trouble.
Charlie's interaction with his friends also acts in a unique way. At the beginning Charlie associates with his future group of friends because he simply recognizes them from a class at school. As Charlie hangs out with them more, he develops deeper relationships with them because he recognizes the individual details that make them special. He sees the deeper, truer versions of these people. This is a unique quality. Usually people only recognize the surface version of a person, never learning anything more than the inconsequential details. Charlie, however, saw everything. He remembered what people said and made sure that he treated people as more than just your everyday high schooler.
This characteristic, and more revealed in the book, make Charlie into a person that anyone would want to have as a friend. Charlie takes time to understand people as much as he can. Additionally, Charlie has some of the best taste in music. He can listen to a song and know what kind of vibe it will put to a room. Charlie also reads some of the best books because of the themes and lessons taught through the literature. Some of these books include To Kill A Mockingbird, The Great Gatsby, Peter Pan, Walden, Hamlet, and The Fountainhead. This is an important quality of Charlie's because he can relate to the characters within these books on a first hand basis, which is awesome because most of the time people read books and don't take time to recognize what the characters are truly going through. The details presented about Charlie are what make the reader all the more likely to relate to this boy without even knowing him. It is done in such a subtle way so that, by the end of the book, the reader finds themselves one of Charlie's close friends.
Throughout the book deep issues also are presented and evaluated in order for the reader to gain a better understanding of how to live through the tough times in life. Issues discussed within this book range from body image to sexual orientation. This allows for these hot button issues to be discussed in a productive manner. It also opens up the opportunity for young adults to learn about how deal with the issues if they present themselves in their lives or their friend's lives. Hopefully this book will be a beacon to someone who is going through dark times.
In the end, readers of The Perks of Being a Wallflower will be made into better people just by reading the book. I hope that the movie version will act as a good visual presentation of this book that has already sold thousands of copies.
Well Stephen Chbosky outlines this inevitable obstacle through the point of view of a freshman boy in The Perks of Being a Wallflower. This book does a fantastic job of highlighting the good and bad parts of high school that every person will have to deal with in some way. The main character, Charlie, begins the school year without friends and separated from the rest of the student body due to the unique way he views life. Throughout the book Charlie goes through a process of maturing and growing into a stronger individual. This is accomplished through the experiences Charlie has with his group of friends, the unique relationship established between the reader and Charlie, and the issues covered within the story and how they universally affect the public.
As I already mentioned, Charlie begins his high school career without any friends. He makes remarks about how whenever he is alone the world seems much more difficult to deal with than when other people are around. People acted as a distraction for Charlie whenever he was going through something really hard. I think anyone can relate to this. There have been times in every person's life when it seemed as though no one else was there to catch you if you fell or listen to you when your heart seems broken. It shows how everyone needs someone to support him or her in times of trouble.
Charlie's interaction with his friends also acts in a unique way. At the beginning Charlie associates with his future group of friends because he simply recognizes them from a class at school. As Charlie hangs out with them more, he develops deeper relationships with them because he recognizes the individual details that make them special. He sees the deeper, truer versions of these people. This is a unique quality. Usually people only recognize the surface version of a person, never learning anything more than the inconsequential details. Charlie, however, saw everything. He remembered what people said and made sure that he treated people as more than just your everyday high schooler.
This characteristic, and more revealed in the book, make Charlie into a person that anyone would want to have as a friend. Charlie takes time to understand people as much as he can. Additionally, Charlie has some of the best taste in music. He can listen to a song and know what kind of vibe it will put to a room. Charlie also reads some of the best books because of the themes and lessons taught through the literature. Some of these books include To Kill A Mockingbird, The Great Gatsby, Peter Pan, Walden, Hamlet, and The Fountainhead. This is an important quality of Charlie's because he can relate to the characters within these books on a first hand basis, which is awesome because most of the time people read books and don't take time to recognize what the characters are truly going through. The details presented about Charlie are what make the reader all the more likely to relate to this boy without even knowing him. It is done in such a subtle way so that, by the end of the book, the reader finds themselves one of Charlie's close friends.
Throughout the book deep issues also are presented and evaluated in order for the reader to gain a better understanding of how to live through the tough times in life. Issues discussed within this book range from body image to sexual orientation. This allows for these hot button issues to be discussed in a productive manner. It also opens up the opportunity for young adults to learn about how deal with the issues if they present themselves in their lives or their friend's lives. Hopefully this book will be a beacon to someone who is going through dark times.
In the end, readers of The Perks of Being a Wallflower will be made into better people just by reading the book. I hope that the movie version will act as a good visual presentation of this book that has already sold thousands of copies.
Thursday, July 19, 2012
A world of Uglies or Pretties
I have become entranced in a series of books written by Scott Westerfeld. This series is on the New York Times Bestselling list and is entertaining and thought provoking for people of all ages. In the Uglies series, a post-apocalyptic society is presented in which the society is broken up into different sections in order to ensure stability. Families live together until the children turn twelve, at which time they are taken to this containment camp until the age of sixteen. At sixteen, they will undergo a procedure in which their bodies will be made into perfect forms, ie. all ugliness will be taken from their appearance. After the sixteen year olds are turned into "pretties", they are transferred into a city, New Pretty Town, where they can sleep all day, party all night, and dress in the latest fashions. This is exactly what the main character, Tally Youngblood, wishes for each and everyday. The first book, Uglies, focuses on Tally's journey from ugly to pretty, the people she meets, and the decisions she makes that end up having a permanent effect on the rest of her life.
Uglies opens up with Tally sitting in Uglyville eagerly awaiting for darkness to fall so that she can sneak into New Pretty Town and meet up with her friend Peris, who had already been changed into a "pretty". Tally missed Peris so much that she was willing to face the repercussions of the "invasion" to see her best friend again. This really stuck out to me because it shows how looks can so easily affect a friendship. It is very difficult for a person considered "ugly" to be friends with an individual considered good looking. This action of Tally's, however, also demonstrates how much she wants to be changed into a pretty. Tally makes it into New Pretty Town and finds Peris, but after doing so realizes that he is a pretty and she is still an ugly. Because of this, Tally figures out that no matter how much they wanted to remain friends, they were separated by their looks and where they lived. She would have to wait for a couple more weeks until she was changed into a pretty.
Once Tally returns to Uglyville, the whole story changes. Tally meets a new friend, Shay, who shows her how far the boundaries of being ugly can be pushed. Shay introduces a new way of thinking to Tally and becomes the impetus for the rest of Tally's actions. During the book, the questions of loyalty, friendship, right versus wrong, good versus evil, and love versus hate are all looked at and examined via the characters. The author, Scott Westerfeld, does a fantastic job at writing about all of these issues from different characters perspectives. Westerfeld is a native Texan, born in Dallas, who now lives in Sydney, Australia and New York.
This series is a gripping tale that holds onto the reader, entertaining them and keeping them guessing. The series continues from Uglies to books entitled Pretties, Specials, and Extras. It is a fascinating adventure that spurs you to question how much you judge people by their appearance rather than their character and personality.
"Is it not good to make society full of beautiful people?" -Yang Yuan, New York Times
"There is not excellent beauty that hath not some strangeness in the proportion." -Francis Bacon, Essays, Civil, and Moral, "Of Beauty"
"Beauty is that Medusa's head
Which men go armed to seek and sever.
It is most deadly when most dead.
And dead will stare and sting forever." -Archibald MacLeish, "Beauty"
Uglies opens up with Tally sitting in Uglyville eagerly awaiting for darkness to fall so that she can sneak into New Pretty Town and meet up with her friend Peris, who had already been changed into a "pretty". Tally missed Peris so much that she was willing to face the repercussions of the "invasion" to see her best friend again. This really stuck out to me because it shows how looks can so easily affect a friendship. It is very difficult for a person considered "ugly" to be friends with an individual considered good looking. This action of Tally's, however, also demonstrates how much she wants to be changed into a pretty. Tally makes it into New Pretty Town and finds Peris, but after doing so realizes that he is a pretty and she is still an ugly. Because of this, Tally figures out that no matter how much they wanted to remain friends, they were separated by their looks and where they lived. She would have to wait for a couple more weeks until she was changed into a pretty.
Once Tally returns to Uglyville, the whole story changes. Tally meets a new friend, Shay, who shows her how far the boundaries of being ugly can be pushed. Shay introduces a new way of thinking to Tally and becomes the impetus for the rest of Tally's actions. During the book, the questions of loyalty, friendship, right versus wrong, good versus evil, and love versus hate are all looked at and examined via the characters. The author, Scott Westerfeld, does a fantastic job at writing about all of these issues from different characters perspectives. Westerfeld is a native Texan, born in Dallas, who now lives in Sydney, Australia and New York.
This series is a gripping tale that holds onto the reader, entertaining them and keeping them guessing. The series continues from Uglies to books entitled Pretties, Specials, and Extras. It is a fascinating adventure that spurs you to question how much you judge people by their appearance rather than their character and personality.
"Is it not good to make society full of beautiful people?" -Yang Yuan, New York Times
"There is not excellent beauty that hath not some strangeness in the proportion." -Francis Bacon, Essays, Civil, and Moral, "Of Beauty"
"Beauty is that Medusa's head
Which men go armed to seek and sever.
It is most deadly when most dead.
And dead will stare and sting forever." -Archibald MacLeish, "Beauty"
A Bewitching novel
Recently, I had the pleasure of reading Alex Flinn's novel, Bewitching. It is the behind the scenes story of Kendra, the witch responsible for the beastly transformation of Kyle Kingston in Beastly (also by Alex Flinn). This book, however, takes a look at the trials of a girl named Emma. Her life is turned upside down when her stepfather's daughter moves into their house. From here the novel just becomes more interesting. Supposed friends of Emma's turn their back on her and focus on Lisette, Emma's stepsister who puts on a friendly facade while hatching evil plans. Throughout this book, additional tales from Kendra's life are interwoven seamlessly to demonstrate the different dimensions of human character present when it comes to treating people differently depending upon their looks. This gives the story a different levels of intensity and action, entertaining the reader to the very end.
At the beginning of the book, the plot introduces the untold back-story of how Kendra became a witch. This story takes the reader back to England in 1666. Throughout the tale, Kendra shows how strong her character is and how she really wishes to do people no harm. This communicates to the reader that at times, one must act not out of self-benefit, but in a charitable fashion to ensure that others are taken care of. From this story, it is also shown how Kendra became used to acting out of needs of self preservation not only for herself, but for her family. It really makes one think about what they would do if their family was faced by a tragic accident.
From here, Emma and Lisette are introduced. Emma is the stereotypical nerd who likes to read and memorize lines from the book. She is interested in her grades because they never treat her badly like the people in her life. Lisette, on the other hand, is the run of the mill beauty queen. Her skinny frame, shiny blonde hair, and blue eyes trap anyone who sets their eyes upon her. The bad thing about this is that Lisette knows and understands the effects her beauty has upon people and uses it to her advantage. She learns how to make people feel bad for her, love her, and is a master a blackmailing Emma. This becomes the main focus of the book, the impact a person's appearance can have on how they are treated and how they treat others. The battle between these two girls captures the reader and makes the story seem so lifelike at times.
Sub-stories included via Kendra's memory are historically based and reinforce the events of the main plot between Emma and Lisette. These tales range from Louis, Dauphin of France, and his romantic obstacles of the early 1700s to the sinking of the "unsinkable" vessel Titanic in 1912. In these stories, a couple of love crossed lovers are focused on, and the lessons learned from their experiences are applied to the main plot of Emma and Lisette. It is a very inventive way to communicate different lessons to the reader without being boorish.
In the end, Bewitching is an exciting book that will satisfy readers nationwide. It may not end with a glass slipper that fits a specific foot or a ring on the finger, but it's ending gives hope to girls out there who have yet to find their prince charming.
At the beginning of the book, the plot introduces the untold back-story of how Kendra became a witch. This story takes the reader back to England in 1666. Throughout the tale, Kendra shows how strong her character is and how she really wishes to do people no harm. This communicates to the reader that at times, one must act not out of self-benefit, but in a charitable fashion to ensure that others are taken care of. From this story, it is also shown how Kendra became used to acting out of needs of self preservation not only for herself, but for her family. It really makes one think about what they would do if their family was faced by a tragic accident.
From here, Emma and Lisette are introduced. Emma is the stereotypical nerd who likes to read and memorize lines from the book. She is interested in her grades because they never treat her badly like the people in her life. Lisette, on the other hand, is the run of the mill beauty queen. Her skinny frame, shiny blonde hair, and blue eyes trap anyone who sets their eyes upon her. The bad thing about this is that Lisette knows and understands the effects her beauty has upon people and uses it to her advantage. She learns how to make people feel bad for her, love her, and is a master a blackmailing Emma. This becomes the main focus of the book, the impact a person's appearance can have on how they are treated and how they treat others. The battle between these two girls captures the reader and makes the story seem so lifelike at times.
Sub-stories included via Kendra's memory are historically based and reinforce the events of the main plot between Emma and Lisette. These tales range from Louis, Dauphin of France, and his romantic obstacles of the early 1700s to the sinking of the "unsinkable" vessel Titanic in 1912. In these stories, a couple of love crossed lovers are focused on, and the lessons learned from their experiences are applied to the main plot of Emma and Lisette. It is a very inventive way to communicate different lessons to the reader without being boorish.
In the end, Bewitching is an exciting book that will satisfy readers nationwide. It may not end with a glass slipper that fits a specific foot or a ring on the finger, but it's ending gives hope to girls out there who have yet to find their prince charming.
Thursday, July 12, 2012
Brave is a "must see" summer flick
I have not had the chance to see a well produced childrens movie lately. Ever since I saw Tangled a couple years ago, there has not been an animated movie released that has the story line or song presentation needed to keep my attention. All that changed, however, when I had the pleasure of viewing the new Disney/Pixar movie Brave. This movie not only presents an excellent story line, but also has some of the best comedic scenes I have ever seen in an animated movie.
The story opens in Scotland during the days of its formation when families were the rulers. The main character, Merida, is a strong-willed, independent young lady who is the daughter of a loving king, who only wants to find her a suitable husband. However, Merida does not want to be tied down to some oaf who she does not even love. Merida's mother, Queen Elinor, wants Merida to comply with the King's plan and pledge allegiance. This tension between mother and daughter is what propels the kingdom into chaos.
From this storyline the audience is presented with a classic journey of a mother and daughter learning that they need one another in their lives in order to survive. Both the mother and daughter provide a helping hand in getting the kingdom to a peaceful condition. There are moments in which the mother learns what the daughter is truly feeling and moments in which the daughter displays just how deeply her mother's lifelong teachings have impacted her. WARNING: There are tear jerking moments during the movie, but you will be leaving the theater with smiles.
One of the main reasons you will leave with smiles on is because of the hilarious scenes included in Brave. Most of these comedic scenes come from Merida's three brothers Hamish, Hubert, and Harris. These three little boys are always sneaking around the castle stealing food, playing jokes, and even helping out Merida on the rare occasion. Any scene with these three boys will send you into a fit of laughter. Their cuteness combined with their tricky behavior will put anyone in a better mood.
So go see Brave soon. It will not be a waste of your money and it will be a highlight of your day.
The story opens in Scotland during the days of its formation when families were the rulers. The main character, Merida, is a strong-willed, independent young lady who is the daughter of a loving king, who only wants to find her a suitable husband. However, Merida does not want to be tied down to some oaf who she does not even love. Merida's mother, Queen Elinor, wants Merida to comply with the King's plan and pledge allegiance. This tension between mother and daughter is what propels the kingdom into chaos.
From this storyline the audience is presented with a classic journey of a mother and daughter learning that they need one another in their lives in order to survive. Both the mother and daughter provide a helping hand in getting the kingdom to a peaceful condition. There are moments in which the mother learns what the daughter is truly feeling and moments in which the daughter displays just how deeply her mother's lifelong teachings have impacted her. WARNING: There are tear jerking moments during the movie, but you will be leaving the theater with smiles.
One of the main reasons you will leave with smiles on is because of the hilarious scenes included in Brave. Most of these comedic scenes come from Merida's three brothers Hamish, Hubert, and Harris. These three little boys are always sneaking around the castle stealing food, playing jokes, and even helping out Merida on the rare occasion. Any scene with these three boys will send you into a fit of laughter. Their cuteness combined with their tricky behavior will put anyone in a better mood.
So go see Brave soon. It will not be a waste of your money and it will be a highlight of your day.
Friday, July 6, 2012
Family Found in Aggieland
Recently, Texas A&M University has been receiving some negative reviews since they have left the Big 12 to become part of the SEC. This was a decision made for the betterment of the school and the athletic program. In doing this, however, some major changes have occurred at the university. The words to the Fight song are having to be changed since Texas A&M will no longer play t.u. annually. The Saw 'Em Off shirts are no longer being made. Coaching staffs are changing, and Texas A&M is really being put through a time of rediscovery. Because of this, I have been wondering if I will really remember the university I graduated from whenever I return to visit. Yes, I will recognize the buildings and the campus, but will the changes be so drastic that I will not recognize and or associate myself with the student body?
That is when I stopped. To even think something like that felt blasphemous. Texas A&M University has something that differs a little bit from other colleges in the US. Whenever you become a part of the Texas A&M student body, you become part of a family. You become part of a family that recognizes and honors those who have passed away each month and year. You become part of a family that wins together and looses together. Texas A&M is a family that sings and cheers together so loud at football games that you can hear it no matter where you are in College Station. It is also a family that fights for our country. Texas A&M trains and sends soldiers to war each year, and that is something that will never change. It is also a family that has annual reunions and graduation celebrations. It is a family that strives for excellence and integrity, seeks leadership and respect, desires loyalty, and lends a hand to those who need it. Texas A&M encompasses the definition of family. Once you are an Aggie, you're always and Aggie, and changing conferences in football will not change that characteristic of Texas A&M.
Whenever you go in College Station, you can expect to be greeted with welcoming hand. You will walk down the streets and hear tons of hellos, or "HOWDY!" as we say in College Station. You will see nothing but smiles from the Aggies. Reveille, our mascot dog, will let you pet her. You'll see waves of maroon coming at you from all around campus. You'll hear tons of "Gig 'Ems" and see thumbs up wherever you go. Everywhere in College Station you will see a friendly face, because as a family, acceptance is key. This is what brought me to A&M. When I visited other schools, I saw lots of students running to classes and milling around with their cliques of friends, but I never saw a unified student body until I went to Texas A&M. Once you become part of Texas A&M, you gain 50,000+ friends.
Families also attend A&M. My mother took classes at A&M and worked there, and both my father and sister received degrees from A&M. With me included, it means there are a total of four collegiate degrees from TAMU. This is true of lots of other families as well. You could say that going to Texas A&M runs in the family. This unifies the school even more. And this will never change because the Aggie feeling/identification is infectious.
So the SEC will see a strong new member and Texas will always have this university as a strong magnet pulling those who want a strong community to grow, mature, and learn from.
That is when I stopped. To even think something like that felt blasphemous. Texas A&M University has something that differs a little bit from other colleges in the US. Whenever you become a part of the Texas A&M student body, you become part of a family. You become part of a family that recognizes and honors those who have passed away each month and year. You become part of a family that wins together and looses together. Texas A&M is a family that sings and cheers together so loud at football games that you can hear it no matter where you are in College Station. It is also a family that fights for our country. Texas A&M trains and sends soldiers to war each year, and that is something that will never change. It is also a family that has annual reunions and graduation celebrations. It is a family that strives for excellence and integrity, seeks leadership and respect, desires loyalty, and lends a hand to those who need it. Texas A&M encompasses the definition of family. Once you are an Aggie, you're always and Aggie, and changing conferences in football will not change that characteristic of Texas A&M.
Whenever you go in College Station, you can expect to be greeted with welcoming hand. You will walk down the streets and hear tons of hellos, or "HOWDY!" as we say in College Station. You will see nothing but smiles from the Aggies. Reveille, our mascot dog, will let you pet her. You'll see waves of maroon coming at you from all around campus. You'll hear tons of "Gig 'Ems" and see thumbs up wherever you go. Everywhere in College Station you will see a friendly face, because as a family, acceptance is key. This is what brought me to A&M. When I visited other schools, I saw lots of students running to classes and milling around with their cliques of friends, but I never saw a unified student body until I went to Texas A&M. Once you become part of Texas A&M, you gain 50,000+ friends.
Families also attend A&M. My mother took classes at A&M and worked there, and both my father and sister received degrees from A&M. With me included, it means there are a total of four collegiate degrees from TAMU. This is true of lots of other families as well. You could say that going to Texas A&M runs in the family. This unifies the school even more. And this will never change because the Aggie feeling/identification is infectious.
So the SEC will see a strong new member and Texas will always have this university as a strong magnet pulling those who want a strong community to grow, mature, and learn from.
The Amazing Spiderman met the mark
Spiderman has been a popular superhero ever since the early 1960s when he was first created by Stan Lee. Since then his popularity has skyrocketed gaining fans and followers. Then, in 2002, the first modern Spiderman movie was filmed and released starring Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst. This placated some of the desire for a Spiderman cinematic release, but it left some viewers wanting more of a story line true to the comics. Also, in my opinion, the acting done by Tobey Maguire did not really fill and embody the characteristics of Spiderman presented in the comic books, thus disappointing viewers. However, these mistakes were corrected with the recently released movie, The Amazing Spiderman, an installment starring Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone. This version of the Spiderman story presents more background on the Parker family, excellent special effects, and a more believable plot due to excellent acting and writing.
One of the main things that this film sought to accomplish was to give a more holistic story for the Parker family from the onset of the movie. In the previous Spiderman movies, the audience begins the story with Peter Parker living with his aunt and uncle in New York, but there is no real explanation as to why he is in that living situation. Nothing is ever really said about Peter's mom and dad. Well in The Amazing Spiderman this is corrected from the beginning. Peter's mother and father are both shown as loving parents who are separated from their son due to work complications and a freak airplane crash. Because of this, Peter is brought up by his aunt and uncle. Details, however, are never really given as to what exactly makes his parents separate themselves from their son. I only have the information I do because of flashes of headlines that are shown on the movie screen briefly. This could make the inclusion of the Parker storyline confusing to some viewers, thus muddling the plot of the movie completely. However, for viewers who are familiar with the Spiderman story, this addition will be a most welcome change.
Another new addition The Amazing Spiderman has is the 3D special effects. It makes the viewer feel included in the story. When you see the spider web flying directly at you, a surprise coarses through your body. The 3D effects also makes the character's appearance more substantial and tangible. This is a nice plus, especially in the case of Andrew Garfield who really pulls off the Spiderman Spandex suit. But in the end, the 3D features are just a plus. The movie can still be seen in 2D for all of you who have no depth perception making 3D movies difficult to watch. The characters performances will be just as enjoyable.
That is one of the main reasons why I wanted to see this movie in the beginning. The actors and actresses that have the main roles in The Amazing Spiderman have some of the most talent of current actors today. Andrew Garfield, who made his big debut in Social Network, has the ability to learn not only his lines, but the persona of his characters, and portrays his parts wholeheartedly. This was one of the attributes that probably made him a top candidate for the Peter Parker/Spiderman role. In the same way Emma Stone, of Easy A and The Help, is able to play a wide variety of roles while always including an excellent comedic tone to the script. This made her an essential part as the main female lead, Gwen Stacy, who is considered to be the first love interest of Peter Parker. The acting done within this movie is believable and totally well done. And as John Stewart said, it sounds like it would make a fantastic musical. :)
So, in the end, it is up to you. You can either believe the negative reviews that The Amazing Spiderman has been receiving from newspapers, or you can take a chance and go see this new installment having a fantastic viewing experience swooping through New York City. If I were you, I'd choose the latter. :)
One of the main things that this film sought to accomplish was to give a more holistic story for the Parker family from the onset of the movie. In the previous Spiderman movies, the audience begins the story with Peter Parker living with his aunt and uncle in New York, but there is no real explanation as to why he is in that living situation. Nothing is ever really said about Peter's mom and dad. Well in The Amazing Spiderman this is corrected from the beginning. Peter's mother and father are both shown as loving parents who are separated from their son due to work complications and a freak airplane crash. Because of this, Peter is brought up by his aunt and uncle. Details, however, are never really given as to what exactly makes his parents separate themselves from their son. I only have the information I do because of flashes of headlines that are shown on the movie screen briefly. This could make the inclusion of the Parker storyline confusing to some viewers, thus muddling the plot of the movie completely. However, for viewers who are familiar with the Spiderman story, this addition will be a most welcome change.
Another new addition The Amazing Spiderman has is the 3D special effects. It makes the viewer feel included in the story. When you see the spider web flying directly at you, a surprise coarses through your body. The 3D effects also makes the character's appearance more substantial and tangible. This is a nice plus, especially in the case of Andrew Garfield who really pulls off the Spiderman Spandex suit. But in the end, the 3D features are just a plus. The movie can still be seen in 2D for all of you who have no depth perception making 3D movies difficult to watch. The characters performances will be just as enjoyable.
That is one of the main reasons why I wanted to see this movie in the beginning. The actors and actresses that have the main roles in The Amazing Spiderman have some of the most talent of current actors today. Andrew Garfield, who made his big debut in Social Network, has the ability to learn not only his lines, but the persona of his characters, and portrays his parts wholeheartedly. This was one of the attributes that probably made him a top candidate for the Peter Parker/Spiderman role. In the same way Emma Stone, of Easy A and The Help, is able to play a wide variety of roles while always including an excellent comedic tone to the script. This made her an essential part as the main female lead, Gwen Stacy, who is considered to be the first love interest of Peter Parker. The acting done within this movie is believable and totally well done. And as John Stewart said, it sounds like it would make a fantastic musical. :)
So, in the end, it is up to you. You can either believe the negative reviews that The Amazing Spiderman has been receiving from newspapers, or you can take a chance and go see this new installment having a fantastic viewing experience swooping through New York City. If I were you, I'd choose the latter. :)
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