My adventures in English 101

Well let me start off by saying, this roller coaster ride was lots of fun. I must admit the first time I actually looked at the material I was blown away at the sheer volume of the reading and writing we had to do. Looking back on it I could have chose many instructors for this course, something kept gravitating me towards this class. I am glad that out of all the other classes I chose I chose this one. I felt that the learning experience was so cool. I have always loved Music, so when I saw that a lot of our writing came out of the Music and Culture Book I was thrilled. I know a lot of people didn’t quite like this they felt that it was boring and that they were being forced to do something that they didn’t want too, well in our literatures defense we could have been stuck writing about history or politics, that would have really been boring and I don’t feel we could have easily related to the material.

I’m not sure how many of you actually met with Mrs. Gross but I took the privilege many times. She is one of the best teachers I have yet to encounter, funny I went to Brigham Young,   and some of the best teachers I have met here at this community college. I found Mrs. Gross to be very informative and helpful. I went to her with all sorts of, buts, I don’t understands and oh my god help me with this monstrosity that I’m calling an essay. She was always really nice, but to the point and very helpful. She went out of her way to show me some trades in writing that otherwise I would have never learned.

I really liked the group projects, they I feel brought each and everyone of our thoughts together representing the class as a whole. It was great, not to mention the fact that Calvin and Hobbs broke the Ice for us on more than one occasion. Can’t fail to mention either that those two guys are some of the cutest guys I have ever seen in the cartoon world sort of Snoopy.

I felt that the PDRS could have been a lot more helpful had my peers took it a little more seriously. I t was difficult to produce good essay with out good feedback, For that I’d like to thank Jerusalem again for all her honesty. Literally she improved one of my papers by a letter grade way to go girl J  I would hope that if my peers were put in that situation again that they might be a little more critical.

I had a blast this semester good luck to all my fellow class mates. If you set your mind to it there is nothing that you can not accomplish, even when the chips seem to be low, if you don’t give up and you keep putting your best foot forward you will succeed. For all my classmates that still think they can’t write have faith in yourself, no ones asking you to do the best your neighbor can do, they only ask that you do the best you can do. Good Luck hope we all passed. Catch ya’ll around J Kel

Hey I enjoyed this class.

                              Writing this blog.

I have learned a lot of things this semester first of all I discovered that although I love to write I may not be ass good at it as I thought. That was something that sucked but it  also enlightened me.

I am thankful; this class has been really trying, but I survived. I may not have the best grade in the class but I survived. It sets the pace for even more challenging courses that are to come.

I really enjoyed reading anything that Jerusalem wrote. She has an exceptional talent. I also enjoyed reading Perry’s work. She has a technique to writing that just flows.

I’m not sure how many of you met with our teacher but, she is great. She is truly talented also.

I learned how to incorporate my thoughts and feelings into my essays as well as the other point of view. I learned many strategies as far as using different techniques  of writing.

I think that my writing has grown as far as format, with the help of my peers as well as our teacher I feel that the development of my writing as improved. I need to work most definitely on my MLA format. I know I screw it up every time. I feel that I might get nervous about although I can’t quite figure out why.

I like to write because I feel that it gives me, personally, a unique way to express myself. I am 30 years old white, and I have a lot of tattoo’s. Most people look at me and just assume that I am not intelligent or that I don not have common sense. When I write people Are forced to just look at my point of view. They are not influence by the way I look or chose to present myself. Mt audience has nothing to judge but my writing. There has been plenty of times were I totally blew someone’s mind, because they had no clue that someone like me could produce some of the things that I have.

For Example, believe it or not I am certified t be a legal secretary and have written many winning declarations. Legal writing however is much different than writing essays.

I enjoyed my time in this class and enjoyed writing blogs and blog responses.

GOOD LUCK TO EVERYONE. MAY ALL OF YOUR DREAMS COME TRUE.. Kellee J

THUG LIFE

                ITS A THUG LIFE

I had to pick this question for me there is no doubt in  my mind that 2-PAC is and was one of the best rappers of his time. Regretably he is no longer in our presence for us to be blessed with his lryics.

Bringing about this question why do rappers feud about who is the best?

Well in my eyes they are caught up in these "fake persona's" of a "gangsta or thug." Since these artist's usually have a life of their own that does not invole or pertain any aspect of their career, there is nothing else's for them to fued about. The only thing left is who is better.

For 2-PAC it went to far. The argument. Now he is dead all because one record label was mad about lryics that another artist used to describe them. You see they had a “persona” that they needed to keep up with, they were “gangters” you see. So they went out and di I guess what they thought “Gangsta” would do now the world is less to brillant rappers, 2-PAC and Biggie Smalls.

Another Artist that I want to give recognition is Eminem, as I have reconzed him before. He is great. I can not say that I like all of the things that comes out of this guys mouth however I can say that everything that comes out of his mouth is put together beautifully. Eminem’s ability to rap is far beyound any thing I have every heard before. I truly believe that for Marshall Matters to rap on a calibur as he does takes a great deal of education. His ability demonstrates how brillant he is. It takes true knowledge of the vocabulary to be able to manipulate it in such a way that he does. Think about it is almost as if he cruses you out and then you you say thank you.

Although as I mentioned in prvious paragraphs that I felt 2-PAC is one of the best rapers of his time, he is however if he were around today and rap was based soley on ability rather than image and “fake persona” he in my opinion would not hold a flame to Eminem. I’m sure this has made 2-PAC fans very angry just remember this is my opinion.

Another Artist that I feel is good is DA-BRAT. She really helped put women rapers on the map. She came outin the early 80’s with something to prove. She hit the charts and captured the audience with her rat a tat tat hit. She somewhat came across like a male Snoop Dog. She hasn’t been around recently only in Mariah Carey’s Gliter music video did she get a small window to perform. Woman rapers I feel have to work harder than the men because the image is harder for them to capture. It’s easier to take the simple apporch like Salt n Pepper or T.L.C. they were noted for their vocal ability and there sexy image but in both groups their was the rapper.  

OMG A RESEARCH PAPER?

Research Paper

Well let me start off by telling all of you guys that I am most definitely not your average student. I sign up for like 14 units every semester. At first everything is cool I mean it's the beginning not to bad. By the time Mid-terms roll around I start to feel the pressure that I so freely signed up for. At this point the sweat starts to roll down my forehead and my heart races.. I get my grades back and see that I have ACED them so I relax again. Oh no my big mistake. Couple more weeks roll by and I feel like everything is cool, then one morning at like 3 o’clock in the morning, it hits me.... OMG I have finals and term papers due. In normal circumstances this would be ok, I have already clarified however that I'm not your normal student, 14 units is a heavy load.

As far as this semester goes, boy lets see, Murder Book, Term Paper on Watergate, and oh The Beatles Research Paper. Not to mention many ass. and essay’s. This takes care of those classes then there is always Math.

I hate math…. I don’t understand where negative and positive numbers will come into the prosecution of a rapist.

This research paper has taken me for a ride. I had the hardest time just settling on a topic. When I finally did I couldn’t figure out what band to use.

I went to my mother’s to help her weed her garden and when I walked in I was overwhelmed with the lyrics I want to hold your hand… My mother had net flicked some kind of documentary on the Beatles. At first I was like hurry up mom lets go do this it is almost to hot to weed. We both got up and started to walk back to the back yard when I heard someone say John Lennon said The Beatles are more popular than Jesus. Wow I said. What the heck is he talking about. It caught my ear. I sat back down and started listening again. America was in an up roar the once most popular British Band was now looking at the beginning of a ban. Not your normal Ban Eighter.

It hit me this Band is perfect for my topic. It’s fits perfectly into the realm of a band getting banned.

Since that day I have read several books about this issue. I mean it was so bad that even the Pope spoke upon the issue twice.

Some of the issues that I am encountering are where to start. I feel like I have writers block. I have obtained so much information about this band and this comment that I have no clue where to start. My great teacher seems to give me the greatest feedback as well as a classmate Jerusalem, therefore I understand that I have huge problems in the developmental stage of my writing. So with all this information and the knowledge of the developmental problems and the thought of where do I start? Leads me right back to the last question asked. Where do I start.

Ok I can make a scratch outline. Need to refine it several times I am sure.

Need to go through information and chose what backs my Thesis and argument and what does not.

I guess I can start there. J  

Bad Girls

 THE BAD GIRLS CLUB

I have to pick the bad girls club. This T.V reality show is insane.

It displays woman who are living the high life, with no responsibilitys what so ever.

Every single day this immature ridiculously insane females get up and start in on their primisious behaviors, sleeping with each other and random men on the spur of the moment. Not to mention the sheer volume of liquor these females consume on a daily bases. It's only a miracle that these ladies have not been killed by alcohol pousioning. Oh and ofcourse it has to be said their distinct urge to always stir the pot. These females act so vindictive and manipulative always going behind eachothers backs and talking crap, putting hands on each other, and looking for ways to stir the pot. In deep thought one would say they give woman a bad name.

Don't be mistaken no home training would indicate an even worse idicite in public. For these woman they literally do not give a damn if their privates are on display, at the club in the house or in the living room of millions of veiwers. Their behavior is inapropreate at all times.

I have to be honest, I watch it. This is what sales. People love to be right in the middle of other people's drama. It's almost as if it is some what entertaining. For me I think it's funny. I find entertainment in it. At times I even feel that it is all made up.

The T.V. industray has built up an image for itself just as the music industray has. This is why Mr. Rodgers was replaced by Yogio, you can't honestly see Mr. Rodger and his little engine that could story on tradeing cards could you?

It's an image all about rateings which is Money.

Sexy girls having sex with each other and random men who also are fighting every chance they get sales. It appeals to a large audience. This means ratings are high and money will be made.

It is like this for most reality based T.V shows. For some, for instance Jhon and Kate Plus 8 they exploit each other to the ninth degree. It is hard to understand what they are thinking when it comes to exploiting their children. I used to watch it, but then it turned into something else. It hurt my heart to see the nations ratings go sky high when it came the scandel of infidelity on both Jhon and Kates part. That is an ugly and a hurt that I feel someone should not be subjecting to the nation.

Once again this is the reality that our world has come too. It sales. Money is the root to all evil, call me crazy but in my eyes this is purely for money. Entertainment always comes with a price.

My opinion on the issue of this shows staying on the air well eventually they will get boreing and the rateings will go down. They will be replaced by bigger better more drama in them reality shows. It’s a constant cycle. So sure they will go off the air but they will be replaced always leaving reality T.V. in some way.

Selena

SELENA

WOW I am not even sure where to start to describe this artist's appeal's and cross over ability’s.

Selena was so very talented, she was picked and manicured by her father . Imbedded deep in her heart she had a desire to perform.

Ironically she was English speaking by birth. She actually had to learn Spanish and the proper way to articulate the words and phrases. She struggled with this because she wanted to know the meaning of everything she was singing about.

Selena dreamed big. She set her sights high. With her families support and her fathers dream. Her band and her finally made it. All of his children were members of this band but his little girl Selena was the true artist.

Selena was beautiful. Her beauty was overwhelming, her long brown hair her cute little face with her beautiful brown eyes that were mesmerizing, this coupled with an amazing body and beautiful voice all played a part in her success.

She started off at local fairs and carnivals. Well actually she started in restaurants that her father owned or worked at. This gave her the experience that she was going to need to crossover.

She was only making Spanish songs, her first tour was in Mexico. She won the hearts of the Spanish speaking world. English speaking at heart she wanted to take over the world.

Selena started her crossover and was very successful. 1 of her biggest hits was Dreaming of you. In my opinion it still is. I would have to say one of my favorite of hers that is in Spanish is BITI BITI BUM BUM, I know that is not the name of the song but, I like it.

Another artist that had a great cross over appeal that come to my mind is Kelly Clarkston. She started her career on American Idol. She immediately went into a country career. Shortly after her first album Keri Underwood, took American Idol over with a whirl wind of talent. With her winning she also chose a country appeal. Soon after this Kelly Clarkston changed her style to a more Rock mode.

Her reasoning behind choosing a rock like style, who knows. Maybe it was because of Kerri Underwood or maybe it was Kelly had it in her all along what ever the reason, Kelly Clarkston did a good job of it this allowing herself to remain in the spotlight with Kerri Underwood.

I think that there is an element of beauty in the cross over world in music. It shows us the volume of success and talent this artist truly posses. It also enlighten us to the size of their pocket books. Cross overs I feel should get a little more respect than the rest. I mean at a concert they are asked to perform both styles that is extra work. They are now faced with the challenge of entertain both audiences, it’s almost as if they have to blen both techniques into one. That is remarkable, and shows I feel true talent.

        The West Side Connection and "Gangstas make the world go round."

When I was a little girl I grew up in foster care, exposing me to many different cultures and lifestyles. For the most part I was loved and well taken care of. There were few exceptions, but like the old saying goes, "one bad apple can spoil the bunch." These bad apples took me on a whirlwind of a downward spiral of emotion. In these tiffs of rebellion and depression I would place myself with people who felt just like me. The world owes us. Because of this crowd I listened to a lot of rap and music that all around belonged to a false image club.

Because of these life experiences I am talking about one of my favorite groups of my time. I can remember when the West Side Connection first came out. I was blown away by Ice Cube and Mac 10.

In the music video Gangsta make the world go round; Ice Cube Is sitting in his castle above the sky with his homies from the hood. Ice Cubes hand is over the planet leaving only a shadow for all the spectators to see. He is throwing up the “W” for west. It is as if he thinks that he is god.

He and his counterparts sit around as if they are knights sitting at the round table. They each take their turn with their raps that they have collaborated.

Ice Cube states, “No hesitation I could run a nation from incarceration, 30 years is what I’m facing.”

He makes it sound as if he is the all-powerful, even referring to himself as a black super hero.  This is fascinating to me. Ice Cube has never been a gangsta.

Their body movement throughout the music video is like they believe they are invincible. They rap about how they make the world go round and that if it wasn’t for gangstas Wall Street would fall. They call every other free person in this world that are not gangstas, “Fucken Guppies.”

They are very narcissistic. They feel that gangstas conger all. No man is smarter than they are.

I feel that this particular group is very artistic. They are truly great actors. I still have to admit I like the group. I can see where they are coming from. It’s like a dog eat dog world, they feel that they have to do what they have to do in order to survive. They also live life by the seat of their pants, always breaking the law and yet slipping through the cracks of justice. It’s a dangerous lifestyle that they are conveying. They are trying to put themselves out there like they simply cannot be beat.

The most striking lyric to me is,” They probably grow weed in the garden of Eden.” That is appalling and the record company should have excluded those lyrics from the song. I understand that some groups feel that they need to promote Weed, which is bad in itself. It is horrific to think about weed in the Garden of Eden.