Blog Hw 2

How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Accents had many strong themes and message but the thing that i most took away from it was that I am proud of my culture. I am very grateful to be born in raised in the U.S. their are many things that living here has taught me. That i should appreciate every meal and my lifestyle because others do not have the privilege of living it.  The Garcia Girls struggled to fit in to American culture I am very glad that I do not have to adapt to a new culture because I can imagine how hard it would be. Here in America we are very blessed to be a part of a bigger picture. We produce and sell products and ideas. Isn't it cool how an idea can be sold? Other countries with more flourishing economies such as China produce items which may be a better idea overall but they do not sell ideas like we do here in America which is why I think I am blessed. In other countries like the Dominican Republic jobs and luxuries are harder to come by which is one thing The Garcia Girls taught me. I am a musician and in America it is possible to live off your music but in the DR such a passion can only be a hobby. Overall I Didn't like the book but the messages it sent were worthwhile it really gives you an appreciation for your homeland and your culture. Every aspect of my culture I take for granted and reading a book like this really helps to open my eyes on such a matter. So remember appreciate the culture you were given because it is the only one you'll get, or is it?

Blog Hw 1

Ever since I was young I wondered should I be a republican or a democrat? I never even considered being independent because the independents never seem to have power. However the choice still beckons, should I be conservative? Should I be liberal. I was brought up in a household where it seemed as If both of my parents voted Republican. My Mom had at least been brought up a democrat, but both of my parents were educated people. I just couldn't figure out how they decided to choose which party to align themselves with. With my Mom as a registered democrat and my Dad as a registered republican it was time I chose a party. I would have to make this choice soon because I am almost 18 and I would like to participate in the 2012 election. So I did a little research of my own. On this site (http://townhall.com/columnists/carolplattliebau/2010/11/01/six_good_reasons_to_vote_republican) I found that Republican celebrate economic success and not penalize it, something that seems promising in my young mind. It also said that voting republican is voting to be free and voting for the right to disagree with democrats without being slandered. The article was however very opinionated so I decided to take a look at the democratic standpoint.  I stumbled upon many negative, sarcastic articles on why to be a democrat but then finally found one that actually appealed to me. I went on this site(http://iowahawk.typepad.com/iowahawk/2004/07/why_i_am_a_demo.html). It said thing's like "I'm a democrat because I believe in helping those less fortunate" and "I'm a democrat because I believe everyone deserves a chance" these things I agree with and I actually am torn between which party to choose so i decided to take a survey to determine what party it thinks I should be in. It said I was almost smack down in the middle but I leaned slightly towards the conservative side. To test yourself go to (http://www.theadvocates.org/quiz). I guess my venture is at an end but when time comes who know which party I will choose. 

Blog 7 Art Review: Spartacus Blood and Sand

Spartacus: Blood and Sand is a Starz original series starring Andy Whitfield and Manu Bennett of New Zealand.  It revolves around Spartacus a man of Thracian decent who made an alliance with Rome and broke it in order to save his home village. His betrayal lead to his execution sentence in the Arena and his wife to be sold into Slavery. He survives the Arena and his bought so he can become a gladiator. This show is the perfect show for any mature male audience member and many females who can handle the gore and nudity. This show has an excellent sense of drive. It revolves around Spartacus' love for his wife and his need to get her back. You fall in love with all the gladiators because the character development is done on such a high level. Every time you watch a character die in the show it's like losing a personal friend. Everyday the gladiators fight in the ludus and train for their glory in the arena but not Spartacus he fights for love. He fights for freedom and he fights for honor. After many losses to Crixus champion of the Arena Spartacus finally proved himself by defeating the giant. Crixus received near fatal wounds in the Arena and Spartacus was honored as the bringer of rain and the champion of Capua. Later Spartacus and Crixus were to become great friends. They overthrew their own ludus and started a slave rebellion that would take on the likes of Rome. Spartacus and Crixus lead their army with the help of Oenomaus their former teacher. They freed slaves from other ludus' and continured to cripple roman armies with their mighty army of trained gladiators. The show portrays humanity at it's worst and finest. It is like the old saying when good men stand and do nothing evil flourishes. Spartacus stood up for what he believed in and literally killed thousands of men so that thousands more could stand as free men. Spartacus was now a free man he had fought and bled for his own freedom. Although his wife was killed my his former owner, Spartacus fought so that no other man or woman would have to endure the same fate that he was doomed with.

The Cradle Will ROCK: Blog Six

1) A famous person alive today who I admire is Dave Grohl. Dave Grohl has been playing with the Foo Fighters for over 17 years. He also played with revolutionary band Nirvana from the early 80's to the early 90's. The reason I admire Dave Grohl the most is because he almost single handedly is bringing back rock music to the mainstream which is my dream. He is a funny, creative musician who continues to rock the continental U.S. When the infamous westboro baptist Church protested his concert he protested back. He dressed up like a hick and started singing about equality. In addition to this he can really rock the house. Late autumn, Dave Grohl played a show in Philadelphia at the wachovia center. Two mediocre bands opened up for the Foo Fighters but when it came time for them to play the crowd was rumbling. They played a 3 hour plus show. Being a musician I realize how hard this is to do, he had to sing and scream and blow out his vocal cords for three whole hours.   He is also a coffee addict and proficient on at least three instruments including drums, guitar and vocals. He is a true inspiration to all musicians regardless of their musical taste or background.

2) The thing that annoys me the most is teenagers and their disregard and ignorance to talented musicians. In modern day America the media has censored music in an aspect. The crap that gets played on all the hit stations is generally speaking rap, and pop. It is not to say that these two genres do not have their place in this world, but there was a time when Rock and Roll ruled the mainstream. The time when true music ruled the world. Many of the people who are sponsored on these hit stations are not talented at all, they are just good with a computer. Now I'm not saying that isn't a talent, but I am saying it is not musical talent, for it is only musical talent by definition. People need to step back and open their ears and start listening to people who are good at their instrument. It doesn't need to be Rock and Roll my personal choice but it could be country or bluegrass or folk. Something with a meaning. I want to listen to a musicians heart not their talk box and that is the true beauty of music.

3)Hey you girls out their take some advice from a guy stop being annoying when you text. Stop saying "hey hey", or spelling words with like 8 extra vowels for example. "heyyyyyyy youuuuuuu". I dont need a god d@*& smiley face every time you think something is remotely happy, and stop typing lol, because somehow I doubt you are laughing out loud. My true advice is to be yourself and to be who you are. A guy isn't interested in how good you can make yourself look with makeup but he is more interested as to who you are as a person. A guy would much rather date a fun loving girl then a girl who acts like she has fun doing the things that the guy she is interested at the given time has fun doing. Stop taking things to heart. For the most part guys don't mean the nasty or even the not nasty things they say. They are a guy we suffer from man-disease. The symptoms include: Potty Mouth, Ear Troubles, Poor Attention span, and CFS or can't find anything. So maybe some advice from a girl to a guy would be stop suffering from your imaginary disease.