Change...enemy to some, friend to others...
Last night, I enjoyed a rather lengthy conversation with Amanda Hoffer, Melissa Whiteman and Paul Crossman while sitting in Griffin's Cove. (or is it The Griffin's Cove?) Among our idea of starting our own brand of Chicken Soup for the Soul books, we also discussed the Cove and how it is in need of a facelift. I personally enjoy the atmosphere in the Cove, even if it is a bit loud at times. But I really think that the decoration of the walls could be a lot more pleasing. The all-maroon look is not working, it makes it look unprofessional. Not that the Cove should be professional, it just looks second rate I guess.
This discussion with my friends made me think of other things I'd like changed around SHU. The cafeteria and the library were my main ideas. I wish that the cafeteria would be open later. I am not really hungry by 5:30 or 6 but since the cafeteria is only open until 7, I have to go eat. I then don't eat enough because I am hungry an hour later. My boyfriend Branden goes to Clarion University and their cafeteria is open until 8:30 at the earliest but they can still order food from their version of the Cove until 11:30.
I know that Clarion is a lot bigger than SHU, but still I know people are with me on eating at a later time. The issue maybe that they don't want to have to keep people working in the cafeteria later but my solution to that is simple. Getting a scanner that is a self-check out kind of thing would eliminate the need for a person to scan cards. Then for the food in the cafeteria, just have things that students can heat up or make themselves to eat.
I also with that the library was open later. On Sunday and Monday the library is open til 11 but that is the latest. Sometimes I just need somewhere to go to study and the computer room or lounges are always in use. I don't mean to whine, but these are just little things that would be sweet if they were changed.
After reading over a few classmates blogs, I found that although I understand more aspects of the book, I am still confused, as is Melinda Leslie.
Mo basically says that she is confused about Gatsby's goodness. I agree with her confusion. At this point, I am confused on what things I agree with and with what things I disagree with. Gatsby's goodness has been under the microscope in our American Lit class for 2 whole weeks and I still cannot come to a conclusion on what I think about Gatsby.
At times you hate him, at times you love him. In Renee Belville she actually lists what she sees as Gatsby's pros and cons. I agree with two of her pros. Gatsby was courageous and devoted, but I don't really know if money counts as a pro. It certainly made Gatsby notorious. If he had a rap name it would the 'The Notorious G.A.T' He was known, but upon meeting him, he was just like a normal person. Nick had a whole conversation with Gatsby without picking up an air of greatness that Gatsby was said to have.
Along with the pros, Renee also listed one negative aspect and that was his dishonesty. Although I agree that Gatsby was dishonest, I do not think that that was the biggest negative aspect of him. I think his dishonesty was not meant to hurt anyone. He didn't make his money the cleanest way but what he did was for love. His ambition was to woo and marry Daisy, that is why he made money. I believe that if Daisy did not require money, Gatsby wouldn't have been so preoccupied with making money. I think perhaps Gatsby's biggest factor in him not being great is his plan to woo Daisy. I understand that he didn't want to just pop up and be like "Hey baby, whats going on? I'm back in town," but in the same breath, he sneaked his way back into Daisy's life. He befriended her best friend and cousin as a way of getting inside information and closer to her.
I still don't know for sure if I think Gatsby is a bad guy, but I do know that he made some bad decisions.
Please excuse my sorry excuse of an imitation of the infamous sound of Law & Order....
I may be alone in this but I am obsessed with Law & Order. I am equally obsessed with Law & Order : Special Victims Unit and Law & Order: Criminal Intent.
Who's with me?!
I can not get enough of the crime analysis, the twisted plots, the twisted minds and the hardcoreness of the characters. I love the grusome crime scenes and the constant fast-paced episodes that are packed with action.
I am not a violence junkie...honestly. I really admire the fact that even with all of the characters, there is no personal plot lines going on. It is the crime and the way the crime is dealt with.
I hope that the show will never end. How could it with all of the twisted crap that happens in this world??
LAW & ORDER FOR LIFE!@!@!
In related Gatsby news, Hoffer commented that there were no ladies in Gatsby's life other than Daisy. She brings out a good point in that Gatsby is very determined when it comes to Daisy. Its almost as if he has a one-track mind, not even attracted to beautiful women that surely throw themselves at Gastby. If not for his money, for his striking good looks. That is at least one admirable quality in Gatsby, his loyalty and determinedness.
Flashback to highschool and try to remember one of the literary masterpieces that you studied...
Other than the traditional one-Shakespeare-per year play, I remember reading "The Great Gatsby" in 11th grade and that is helping me today. I think that this novel has a lot of depth to it, making it hard for me to understand because I am not the deepest of thinkers.
For some reason, I appreciate the story a lot more now than I did then. I am still confused about a few things in the story but the main query that I have is:
When did Nick start liking Gatsby?
As I recall at the very beginning of the book, Nick said that Gatsby was, " the only person who was exempt from my reaction-Gatsby who represented everything for which I have an affected scorn." (p 6) Thats not really screaming "new best friend" to me. Was there an event or time that Nick started to take a liking to Gatsby? Or was it more of a fascination with a mystery figure?
Don't get me wrong, I really like this book. In class we all discussed whether or not we think Gatsby is great. I would not go as far as stating that Gatsby is a great person but more of a good person. Sure, he wasn't the most honest person but everybody lies whether they will admit it or not. I'm not saying that they tell massive whoppers but even the tiniest white lie is a lie.
With all of the deceit that permeates the entire book, Nick really comes out at the most honest character, even if he doesn't display a large amount of personality. I tend to take a shine to Nick just because he hidding who he is. I know that at the beginning of the story he says he is the most honest person he knows, but once again...everyone lies.
I think Fitzgerald designs Nick to have faults, even though Nick's life is not fully revealed in the story. I think Nick is as objective as he can be. Of course he is going to have opinions on certain events and people...he would be a good narrator if he had no opinions but he would not be a good character/narrator if he did not because then he wouldn't have enough human qualities.
any ideas for my questions... HOLLA!! :-D
peace
What a way to begin the month....
Superbowl Sunday certainly provided a great amount of action and drama on the football end. What a finish the New England Patriots provided with their game-winning field goal in the last seconds of the game. The 3-point field goal by Vinatieri gave the Pats the 32-29 win for their second Superbowl win in just 3 years.
While that may be all and well, I did not want the Patriots to win. Did I think that Carolina would win? No, not really. I actually bet on the Panthers against my dad taking the 7 point spread and won $8 out of the entire post-season games. I didn't have much confidence in Delhomme's abilities even though he brought his team from behind in 7 games in the regular season. The truth of the matter is that I don't like Tom Brady either. He may be a smart quarterback but I think he is overhyped. Big Time.
Another thing that bothers me is the announcers at pro games...especially in the playoffs. As soon as one team struggles, it seems to me that the announcers automatically favor the team that is winning. I hate that kind of crap.
In other Superbowl news.... Who all saw Janet Jackson's boob?
Answer...Millions of people. I myself was watching the game at a party and was watching the half-time show with my mom, 16 year old sister, 12 year old sister and two other moms that were attending the party. After the flash of skin, we were all sitting and gaping at the TV. We all joked about it, I even made a crack about, "knowing that Justin had touched girls before but I didn't want to see it on TV."
Today, I went on MSN.com and read that Justin and Janet are actually saying that it was not a planned stunt. MTV is denying any conspirating for such a stunt.
I think that this stunt was totally planned and the fact that there is any denying going on on ANYBODY'S part is appalling. I am, sadly, a big fan of Justin Timberlake, and I can not in any way see how it wasn't planned.
Stunts on TV that involve sex are getting old and fast and this publicity stunt was just more sad proof of that. Here's another site for more info on the Janet's Boob Scandal. This website contradicts a bit of what is said on MSN.com. You make your own decisions with that information.
Other than Justin's 30 seconds of half-time and Janet's two songs that are from 3 years ago, the rest of the half-time show was hurting as well. Kid Rock doing his shortened version of "Bawitdaba" and "Cowboy" were not entertaining and he was also wearing an American flag. He had a hole cut into he center and was wearing it like a poncho. I thought that that was illegal?
P.Diddy had a short stint that showcased 2 of his previous hits and then Nelly came out in a car that Murphy Lee was driving. Nelly performed a section of "Hot in Herre." Now this might just be me.. But with those three artists in attendence..why not perform "Shake Your Tail Feather?" Or would that make too much sense.
All in all, I was clearly disappointed in the half-time show but THRILLED by the outcome of the football game even though I didn't really care about either of the teams.