The Crossroads

   Article:The Crossroads of Should and Must

     The crossroads between should and must. We travel a path and here comes along a decision(the crossroad, the fork in the road), there are two roads and one of them is what you should do and the other is what you must do. Each leads to a different road, and ultimately, a different outcome. A 'must' is an unavoidable requirement. A 'should' is more like a desirable goal. I need I've been treating it is like a two-way street, and I have been constantly making U-turns. 
     So my perspective really differentiates from the author's view. I see decisions as being able to be a back-and-forth matter with should and must. The way in which the author, Elle Luna, sees it is as a stop in the road and two one-way paths leading to opposite directions. As I stated in the paragraph prior to this one, the way you base your decisions is constantly different. 
     Though our point-of-view on decisions are different, I highly agree with Luna and her aspect on choosing 'must'. I feel as if must will lead us to our full potential and to what we require. The risk intensifies with must but the rewards are greater as well.  

Interpret.

Look At My Brain

     I like to think of my mind as a busy one. I am always thinking about something. Seldom is my mind ever just blankly lost in space. It's the mind of an innovator, something we are all capable of being.
     My thinking is rarely put out into the real world mainly because there is so much of it. Whatever I do put out into the real world, I always try to get it as close to perfection as possible(by the way, I do see myself as a perfectionist). We all have a little bit of OCD in us, if not a lot. 

Raising Digital Awareness

     I want the my blog's visitors to be entertained or interested when they browse through my blog archive. I would like for my audience to notice what I type about. I would like a larger traffic of visitors because I don't want these posts to be for nothing. What I would like to find out is, what are my visitors' needs? There are some subtle things within my blog that help with convenience. From small things like refraining from using a lot of white on my blog to avoid greater energy usage for the visitors' computer, to bigger things like keeping my content well-organized. I believe human ideas/interaction goes beyond the use of digital tools because without said contact with humans, what would be the point of the digital tools? Together though, they work cooperatively to raise their value.

HELP: Seeking Mentor

     There is always room for learning, and it is a lot helpful when an expert is there to assist and teach. 

What kind of mentor do I need?

(A question even I don't know the answer to)

• Mentor has to be familiar with analyzing music.
• Mentor has to experienced.
• Mentor has to also be familiar with Hip-Hop.
• Mentor has to enjoy what he does.

What would be the first question I ask him?

-What are we doing?

I, Entrepreneur

Entrepreneurs reinvent things for the better. They're passionate about it and shouldn't be afraid to fail. Sacrifices have to be made to get to where they want to be.

a. Certain rappers are entrepreneurs. They find new ways to make rap songs interesting, instead of every song being similar or monotone. Most are passionate of what they do, they do it as an outlet for expression. Things are given up to reach the top.

b. I guess I am able to classify myself as an entrepreneur. I actually enjoy what I am doing with this blog but failure is not an option.

c. I think others should stop seeing entrepreneurs by the typical text-book definition. Instead, see the characteristics that come with being an entrepreneur. There can always be an amateur entrepreneur, you gotta start somewhere right? So, you have to make progress to gain expertise and become that much more successful. 

10 Questions

10 questions to ask an expert. (experts being rappers)

1. What motivates you?
2. Are your lyrics most often literal?
3. How did you start?
4. Has life been affected since becoming well-known?
5. If life has change, how has it?
6. Why do you do what you do?
7. What are you most often trying to say in your songs?
8. What do you think about when you're in the booth?
9. Do you ever freestyle your songs right then and there in the booth?
10. What are the negatives that come with your lifestyle?

THINK

"Give a man a truth and he will think for a day. Teach a man to reason and he will think for a lifetime."

                 Phil Plait

Welcome To My Network (So Far)

Derek Gonzalez and Joe Ortiz came up to me the other day asking me about rap.

They're interested and I found out that Joe makes beats. 

Now, I find that interesting because who knows what kinds of projects or collaborations we can do from here 'till June. 

What and Why am I doing?

 Just because I mutter a lot:

     "What I am doing is, I am focusing on the meanings in some rap songs. Pardon me for how I am about to put this but there is no true expression with censorship- There are hip hop songs that are about more than just pussy, money, weed.

     There is literature in some of these songs! Also, the lyrics are usually indirect with their meanings. You have to read in between the lines:

• Identify the double entendres
• Notice the alliterations
• Understand the similes and metaphors
• Know the allusions

     Like I said before, you have to read in between the lines of certain rap songs as one would do in typical literature. English teachers are always telling us to do so when focusing on a novel in class. Well there is a lot of storytelling in songs as well! Usually, an English teacher will want you to find the true meaning behind a line or a sentence. The same can be done for rap songs and with songs in other genres as well.
For example, when an author/writer uses any adjective to describe a simple scenario or plot, chances are there is meaning behind it.
They are describing the setting.
They are describing the emotion.
They are describing the feeling of the situation.
They are describing the level of intensity or calmness.
And since this literature is expressed vocally, the tone is far easier to perceive.
     Stereotypes complicate comprehension in some topics, and that is why I want to share that some rap/hip hop songs can be artistic."

Hafta/Wanna

     Life After High School

     I have certain expectations for when after I graduate. For example: going to college, having a steady job, and an increase in independence. I really don't know what to look forward to though. I will gain more responsibilities but I'll still be young, especially in my case because I started school early. It is what comes after college that leaves me oblivious to my future. 

Life During High School

     I have it easy at this moment. My parents provide for my. My education is free. Classes really don't require much. I'm just really lazy and lack motivation. Until something truly hits me and I take notice that I must get my shit together until the next time I lose ambition and gain another awakening. It's a roller coaster for me. At this moment, I know I have to fix where I went wrong. I want to live senior year to the fullest and that includes gaining the education I've been seeking, participating in school events, as well as things outside the school.

What Of It?

     The differences between these two are MAJOR. Getting used to change takes time. We are required to make the biggest decisions of our lives right after graduating from high school and just months before, we still had to ask for permission to go to the bathroom.
     We all have these things we need to do and want to do. I like to get through what I REALLY need to do and leave the easier, less important stuff for later. That allows me to do what I want.

     I'm moving on. So is everyone else. It's best to mainly focus on ourselves. That's it.

A Master Asked His Disciples:

I feel like I had to share this, so here you go.

A master asked his disciples:

Why do we shout in anger? Why do people shout at each other when they are upset?

The disciples thought for a while, and one of them said 

“Because we lose our calm, we shout for that.”

“But, why to shout when the other person is just next to you? “

Isn’t it possible to speak to him or her with a soft voice? Why do you shout at a person when you’re angry? The disciples gave him some other answers but none satisfied the master.

Finally he explained:

“When two people are angry at each other, their hearts distance a lot. To cover that distance they must shout to be able to hear each other. The angrier they are, the stronger they will have to shout to hear each other through that great distance.”

Then the master asked:

“What happens when two people fall in love? They don’t shout at each other but talk softly, why? Because their hearts are very close. The distance between them is very small…”

And he concluded:

When they love each other even more, what happens?

“They do not speak, only whisper and they get even closer to each other in their love. Finally they even need not whisper, they only look at each other and that’s all. That is how close two people are when they love each other.”

Self-Consciously Made (Extended)

J. Cole-

     Rapper J. Cole has made previous songs referring to imperfection in a person's character. He himself has noticeable flaws he addresses, such as his crooked teeth to his thick eyebrows. J. Cole says that nobody is perfect. We all have our crooked smiles. 

Listen to Crooked Smile

What are the lyrics saying:

They tell me I should fix my grill cause I got money now/I ain't gon' sit around and front like I ain't thought about it/A perfect smile is more appealing but it's funny how/My shit is crooked look at how far i done got without it

-J. Cole starts the song by confronting one of his majors flaws, which are his teeth. His teeth were something that he would worry about back in high school but now that he has become well-known, others are beginning to bring up his teeth and that makes him think about that flaw again. Though he thinks about it again, he is not worried about his teeth anymore. J. Cole's teeth are a part of him. They make his character unique.

I feel for you/Killing yourself for a man that'll kill for you

-The 'I feel for you' line refers to him knowing what it's like to be self-conscious. To have your faults bother you. 

'Killing yourself for a man that'll kill for you'. Some are going to extreme measures to meet social dogma, yet they are looking for someone who is loyal and real when they themselves are not loyal and real themselves.

No need to fix what God already put his paintbrush on

-I'm not very religious but this line is truly impulsive. Belief goes that God created man. Paintbrush is used in place of created. More than that, the way this is worded refers that God made a piece of art with his paintbrush. One spoils that art with cover-ups.

     Women are now more focused on their faults than ever before. They focus on their imperfections and rarely notice their beautiful qualities that make them attractive.

     Now, we have to admit, when we find our partners we do notice their appearance. It's part of it, but once you get to know that person more, their appearance means less and it becomes more of what is in the inside. When that occurs, one finds nearly everything about that person beautiful. 

Meanings in Hip Hop: Self-Consciously Made

Every two weeks I will be typing an essay regarding hip-hop/rap. This week is focused on how society and media has made even the most beautiful women self-conscious.

     Humans. There truly is no ideal human being. We all have skills that make us who we are. Minds that make us who we are. Looks that make us who we are. Behavior that makes us who we are. Most of all, we have flaws that make us who we are. Nobody is perfect. With that note, what does make a someone perfect? It's something we should accept with ease but the media weighs a great amount of people down. We are all self-conscious to a certain degree but the media more-than-often emphasizes the beauty of women than the appeal of men. This puts pressure on the female population.

     Kendrick Lamar-

     Rapper Kendrick Lamar believes women do not need make-up to seem more attractive. His song No Make-up (Her Vice) addresses his view on women's insecurities. The song contains his point of view on a more general sense in the first verse. The second verse goes a little more in depth in a direct sense.

Listen to No Make-Up (Her Vice)

     

    What are the lyrics saying:

     You about to blow your cover when you cover up/Don't you know your imperfections are a wonderful blessing/From heaven is where you got it from

-Kendrick Lamar is saying that she wears make-up to 'cover up' and this admits to the world that she is not naturally beautiful. She blows her cover. Kendrick said he is not the most religious person out there but will quote-unquote religious songs. In the last two lines, he says that women are messing with God's work. God gave them those flaws for a reason and those imperfections should be seen as a blessing since they are from heaven/God.  

It's as if girls are losing a sense of individuality. Imperfections on a girl make them different, unique. When girls put on too much make-up, they cover that uniqueness. That uniqueness that is being covered up may be considered as an asset by others.

It's the beauty in her but when the make-up occur/I don't see it, all i see is a blur

-Kendrick believes that true beauty is in the inside but once the make-up gets in the way, it becomes a distraction from her person. Her true beauty is blurred by the make-up.

The second verse goes more direct and speaks about certain women using make-up to cover bruises or any other marks pertaining to abuse.

Life After...

Life After High School

     I have certain expectations for what could happen after I graduate. I'll have an increase in independence. I also plan on attending college and having a job on the side. I don't really know what exactly to look forward to though. I will gain more responsibilities but I'll still be young, especially in my case because I'm younger than most students in my grade(my birthday is 12-1-96). 

     It is what comes after college that leaves me oblivious to the future. My life will definitely be different, that's for sure. I won't be coming to school and seeing familiar faces everyday and that's something that bothers me but I'll get over it with due time.

I, Senior Project/First Draft

1-21-14

We were given 3 questions to ask ourselves:

• What are we passionate about?

• How can I use familiar tools to assist me this semester?

• What would I have to do to honor my interests in such a way that come June, I have no regrets about what I could've or should've done?

   I'm passionate about music, to be specific, rap/hip-hop. I'd like to focus on the literature in music, as well as the meanings and messages in certain songs.

   Not every rap song is about pussy, money, & weed. There are songs with truly profound lyrics and it'd be great for people to get more than just the beat from a song. 

Visual Storytelling

Visual storytelling such as movies, pictures, scenes, etc. can be effective.

1. We are given a visual representation and receive a better idea about what we are supposed to understand.

                                                                            

2. With movies and videos, there is typically audio that comes with it. The sounds that are being focused in to the video really sets what kind of mood that the producer is going for.
Leitmotif- a theme associated throughout a music drama with a particular person, situation, or idea.

^^  Examples of Leitmotif  ^^

3. With whatever the mood is, a lot of us find visual storytelling appealing. It easily gains our attention and if the story is good enough, we'll stay interested.

Profile In Courage

Courage, to overcome fear. Accept your weakness and strengthen it. Know your fear and surpass it.

• No matter what your condition consists of, you must assuage your weakness and transcend the expectations others set on you.
• Constantly setting limitations on your capabilities will fool your mind. It will believe it can't do what you would be able to do.. if you set your mind on it.  

Spring Vocabulary 2

• accoutrement- personal clothing

ex. I keep my accoutrements in my closet.

• apogee- the highest or most distant point; climax

ex. The orbiting satellite is at it's apogee when it is furthest from the earth.

• apropos- the right moment, appropriate; opportune

ex. The man waited for an apropos time to ask his girlfriend to marry him.

• bicker- to engage in pointless arguments

ex. The two siblings were always bickering about the silliest things.

• coalesce- to unite or come together

ex. The small community coalesced to solve the town's financial issues.

Vocab 1 Performance Review

On today's vocabulary quiz, I earned a perfect score. What did I do? I studied over the weekend and right before the quiz. I also used a few of the words with a friend who is taking the same class.

Spring Vocabulary 1

•adumbrate- to foreshadow; to produce a faint image 

Ex. The chef got a head count to adumbrate how many steaks he will have to cook.

•apotheosis- the ideal example; climax

Ex. The student sees his master's skill as an apotheosis of martial arts.

•ascetic- the practice of self discipline, typically for religious reasons

Ex. The young man's ascetic life involves him fasting for quite a while.

•bauble- a showy ornament; trinket

Ex. The Christmas tree was decorated with baubles and ornaments.

•beguile- to charm, sometimes in a deceptive way

Ex. The woman beguiled the man into buying her a drink.

•burgeon- to grow or develop quickly

Ex. The student's skill burgeoned and he became quite talented.

•complement- something that completes or makes perfect

Ex. The engagement ring complemented the man's proposal.

•contumacious- stubbornly perverse or rebellious

Ex. The trouble maker was contumacious.

•curmudgeon- a difficult, bad-tempered person

Ex. The cranky old man is curmudgeon. 

•didactic- intended for instruction

Ex. The inspirational speaker is didactic with teaching good morals.

The Choice

Read this article: The Choice

1. What is the 'choice' referred to in the title? 

- I believe 'the choice' referred to in the title is the choice of taking the temozolomide. It actually isn't a choice for the daughter because she needs to take it in order to push through. Either her parents will have to force her to take the 'poison' or Rebecca will take it herself willingly.

2. Is it a real choice? Why/why not? What is the alternative?

-There is no choice because the medicine is mandatory for her. She will consume it one way or another. 

3. Why does the author use the word poison in the first line?
- In reality, the temozolomide actually is poisoning. It is killing more than just Rebecca's cancer cells.

4. The author's daughter wants to play with a toy that is intended for older kids. Why? Do you agree with her?

- Rebecca simply wants to live her life in the moment because she understands her current circumstances. She believes she will not make it to the age of 8. It seems as if she wants to do all the fun things possible because of the thought of the future. I agree that she should be able to play with the toy.

5. If you thought you might not live to the age of 30 what would you want to do right now?

- Honestly, I don't know.

6. Under what circumstances does it make sense to endure discomfort--or even force it on a loved one-- in service to a greater/more important cause?

- As long as optimism is kept alive and the belief that the feel of comfort will soon show up to the one enduring pain. Especially if that individual is receiving aid from the discomfort.

7. Is suffering a necessary condition of life and love?

- Even though many deal with suffering in different ways, it is necessary. 

In a metaphorical sense, one will notice the true shine of the sun after the storm ends while others have been dancing in the rain.
This condition has different affects on everyone.

8. Most readers don't share the author's circumstances, but we feel an emotional response to his words. Why?

- Though we might not share the exact situation in which Eric Meyer is in, many of us have been through similar/relatable situations. So we don't truly feel for him but we have an idea of his struggle mainly because all of us have gone through hard times.