ahmadalwazna

Self-Reflective Essay

2007-05-11T02:08:00.000-07:00

There is no doubt that this English 1020 class has improved my English as a writer, reader, and critic. Nowadays, internet is a major way of communicating, and that what this class has focused on. I have posted all my assignments online thru a blog which I have created in the beginning of the class. This blog was attached by the instructor to the English 1020 blog, with all my classmates. I have been taught from this class many helpful things. Especially, how you could be a sophisticated writer behind your computer screen. It was a good learning experience to me; furthermore, I feel that I have been prettified as a writer.

When I have an essay for a homework I used to worry how am I going to write it. With the help of this class I feel a lot more confidante about writing an essay. By practicing writing essays"observational essay, reflective essay...etc" on a weekly bases and posting them online (which makes you feel more responsible about what you write, knowing that it is accessible for others to view it). I have learned how to express my opinion, and organize my sentences showing my point of view in creative ways. Work shopping is a very important tool in my writing processes. When I am done with my first draft on an essay, I discuss my ideas and main point of this essay with my studying group. I find it very interesting to listen to other people opinions. I believe this way has improved my writing processes. I discovered getting feedback is a very useful tool in the writing processes. As I mentioned feedback is a very important tool in the writing processes, the most helpful and important feedback was my teacher feedback for many reasons. Some of those reasons are, my teacher knows my weak points and the strong ones. The teacher is the most capable person of criticizing my work in a positive way.

During the class period I have gained lots of vocabulary from reading and searching. I learn how to organize sentences. I gain more speaking skills thru my writing skills development which made me more fluent in speaking English. I develop the brain storming technique and I start applying it in most of my school assignments. Since English is my second language, I deal with new vocabulary day after day. So, I am still working on this part. In addition, I m working on my writing skills to develop from writing as beginner to writing as professional by covering some areas such as grammar, reading novels or fictions, writing, searching….etc.

Marijuana

2007-05-04T04:47:00.000-07:00

Legalizing marijuana is one of the important issues which have occupied many people's minds, especially governors who are responsible about this issue. Marijuana is the most commonly used drug in the United States. It comes originally from Cannabis sativa plant which contains four hundred chemicals. THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannainol) is the most effective on brain, motor coordination, heart rate, level of anxiety, and on the respiratory system. Even though marijuana has some positive effects which have been known from the past, it still should not be legal because the negative effects are more serious.

Marijuana has been used in the past for several purposes. To decide about marijuana legalization and be convinced about this decision, people first should know about marijuana and Cannabis's history. Cannabis sativa plant has been cultivated back for thousand years. Two thousand years ago, Chinese were growing marijuana. However, Egyptian mummy had cultivated a likely plant that contains THC long before the Chinese. This plant has been known to be a native plant of India which originated north of the Himalayan Mountains. Lester Grinspoon and James Bakalar write in their book about the different usage of this plant in the past. It has been cultivated ten thousand years ago. In China by 4000 B.C. and in Turkestan by 3000 B.C. It has long been used for medical purposes. In China, it was recommended for malaria, constipation, rheumatic pains, and female disorder. In India, it was recommended to quicken the mind, lower fevers, induce sleep, cure dysentery, stimulate appetite, improve digestion, relieve headaches, and cure venereal disease. In Africa, it used for dysentery, malaria and other fevers (3). Between 1978 and 1984 seventeen states of the U.S. had the permission of using marijuana in treating glaucoma and the nausea induced by cancer chemotherapy; because of the many problems, the permission has fallen into abeyance (18). All these were in the past; life always develops and improves to find better solutions and replacement.
There are positives which might qualify some people to argue to legalize it. Bernie Alexander argues that since tobacco and alcohol are legal even though they kill; marijuana should be legal. This is against the government logic. In the same way that tobacco and alcohol improve the economy, marijuana can generate millions for the government in taxes (3). If marijuana were legal, that would save government lots of money, because the government spends lots of money chasing people who sell marijuana. Government also can get money from taxes if marijuana were legal. Some states in the U.S. agree that marijuana should be legalized for medical uses such as cancer, AIDS, glaucoma, and epilepsy. Currently, there are nine states which have legalized marijuana for medical uses; Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington. Marijuana is a social element which can help people to make relationships, likewise people who drink, shop, or walk together.

In the name of liberty, individuals have the right to choose whether to smoke marijuana or not. The government should not concern with people who smoke marijuana as long as they do not harm others.
In contrast to these positive aspects of marijuana, the negative effects of marijuana on our body and how it works against the brain, lungs, and other organs, are all supports of showing emphasis in the prohibition against legalizing marijuana. In the brain, there are groups of cannabinoid receptors which these are activated by a neurotransmitter; THC mimics and blocks the actions of neurotransmitter. That causes adverse effects on mind and body; that also effects on behaviors. From the commercial, audiences can realize that, even though it was showed on funny way. Many studies showed that marijuana has more negative effects than tobacco. Marijuana has a lot of harmful effects. It increases the heart rate and blood pressure. It also decreases blood flow to limbs which might require amputation. In addition, it reduces the number and quality of sperm, and it influences the immune system. Marijuana smokers have the same effect on their lungs among tobacco smokers, but due to the deep inhalation and the holding of smoke among marijuana users, it can be three to five times greater. Those who claim that marijuana is a medicine; they have no scientific evidence to support their claim. The writers wrote that marijuana as it has been known can be used in therapy. However, there are many defects during the therapy. For example in cancer chemotherapy, if the nausea and vomiting cannot be controlled; patient's complaints may cause doctors to lower the dose; and jeopardize the effectiveness of the therapy (Grinspoon and Bakalar 23).
In addition, the most important issue which can convince people about keeping marijuana prohibition is that marijuana can be smoked by kids and teenagers. Marijuana is very easy to be obtained in the U.S. It can be grown in homes, farms, and many other places. It can also smuggle into the United States from Mexico, Cambodia and Thailand. That demonstrates why marijuana users of teenagers have been doubled from 1992 to 1999. Marijuana dealers do not care if the customers are underage or not. On the other hand, alcohol dealers care. Marijuana is the most popular drug; this fact should awake parents and let them be more careful. Parents have to warn their children and tell them about the risk and consequences of using marijuana. Kids who smoke marijuana are always in trouble and risky behavior, like having sex, trouble with law or losing money. These consequences effect on their future and on the country's future.
In conclusion, marijuana is a dangerous problem which should never be legalized. Under all the circumstances that encourage and make it easier to obtained marijuana, people should educate themselves about the negative and the positive side of marijuana; moreover, knowing about the marijuana's history would help. There is no longer any doubt that marijuana has useful properties. All these information can make the right decision about legalizing marijuana. Then parents or even adults could take an action about it, thinking about their children or young bothers, sisters, relatives, or friends.

Works Cited:

Alexander, Bernie. “The Legalization Of Marijuana.” Ask men. 22 Nov 2006.
http://www.askmen.com/toys/specid-feature/3-special-feature.html

Grinspoon, Lester and Bakalar, James. Marihuana: The Forbidden Medicine. New
Haven and London: Yale University Press, 1997.

Freewrite-Story

2007-05-03T16:35:00.000-07:00

Foreshadowing in “The Lottery"
“The Lottery” short story by Shirley Jackson is a story which has a lot of literary devices, but what distinguishes this story from the others? It has many foreshadowing phrases that give a hint or suggestion of future events. So, when the reader reads this story, he will read it as indistinctly prophetic; wondering about all these phrases that don’t make sense, or phrases indicating danger or death.
First of all, this story is about a lottery which is a traditional custom in a small New England village with three hundred people. It happens every year; in the end of the story the reader will realize that the winner of the lottery will be stoned to death. The reader can discover that this lottery is unusual before he comes to the end of the story. When the reader reads that boys are gathering stones, he will wonder what does stone have to do with the lottery. There isn't any relation between a lottery and stone. “Bobby Martin had already stuffed his pockets full of stones, and the other boys soon followed his example.” It doesn’t make sense, but it gives the reader a hint that something will happen with these stones. Then, the writer mentioned that children are reluctant to participate in the lottery; so, I think that the stones and children's reluctance means that something bad or dangerous might happen.
After that, if the reader focuses on many names in the story, he will absolutely discover more foreshadowing. For example, Delaroix is not only a name; it has a meaning that coincides with the events of the story. In French it means "of the cross". Like the other names, Mr. Graves refers to a tomb or grave also. All these names with their symbolic meanings refer to death, and that what actually happened to the winner.
Then, if the reader focuses on "Black Box" of the lottery, he will find the foreshadowing from the black color. It reminds the reader of a coffin and that refers to death.
Finally, all of the expressions in the story were about nervousness, arguments, and complaining. The following quotes are examples:
‘He blinked his eyes nervously and ducked his head as several voices in the crowed said things like “Good fellow, Jack,” and “Glad to see your mother’s got a man to do it.”’…
‘They grinned at one another humorlessly and nervously.’…
‘..turning them over and over nervously.’…
‘you didn’t give him time enough to take any paper he wanted. I saw you. It wasn’t fair!’ Tessie Hutchinson shouted to Mr. Summers…
A girl whispered, ‘I hope it’s not Nancy.’
All these expressions indicate that lottery is something negative and danger.
In conclusion, sometimes in stories even what usually is positive could be negative, but the reader needs to find these signs which indicate something is going to happen. As it has been mentioned above; actions that do not make sense, weird names which fit to the events and make sense, and the expression. All these arguments have given the reader an idea, about a thing will happen in the end.

Freewrite-DRUZE RELIGION

2007-05-03T13:14:00.000-07:00

The religion developed out of Ismaili Islam, a philosophical movement based in the Fatimid Caliphate, in the 10th century, a time of particular cultural wealth. The religion did not attempt to reform mainstream Islam but to create a whole new religious body influenced by Greek philosophy, Gnosticism and Christianity, among others. The main actors were Tariq al-Hakîm (meaning Ruler), also known as al-Hakîm bi-Amr Allah or Ruler in the Name of God, and Hamza ibn-'Ali ibn-Ahmad, the main architect of the movement. It was Hamza who first publicly proclaimed that Hakîm was the Ruler in the Name of God. Hakîm was opposed by mainstream Muslims for what was considered apostasy....The Druze believe that Hakîm disappeared and will return in the end of days.
Because the Druze considered Tariq al-Hakîm to be the incarnation of God, they were persecuted by mainstream Muslims, especially after Hakîm's death in 1021. The Druze took up taqiyya ("dissimulation"), a practice whereby they conceal their true beliefs and outwardly accept the religious beliefs of those amongst whom they live, even as they secretly retained their true convictions.

Frequently we hear from sources about a calf in Druze religion. It is believed that the calf is a central symbol which represents the negative forces in the world.The moral system of Druze religion consists of seven principles:love of truth

*take care of one another *renounce all other religions *avoid the demon (the calf?) and all wrongdoers *accept divine unity in humanity *accept all of al-Hakim's acts *act in total accordance to al-Hakim's will *Central in the the Druze world system is the belief in reincarnation, where all souls are reborn as humans, good as well as bad. Good people have a more fortunate rebirth than bad people. Behind this system is the belief that man cannot reach perfection and unite with God. Hell and heaven in this world view differ from most other Middle Eastern religions, and bear clear resemblances with Gnostic philosophy and religion, as heaven is only spiritual, where man stops being man and is saved from more rebirths. Hell is just as spiritual and is the distance from, and the longing to, unity with God which goes on in life time after life time for the bad.

The Druze are a fiercely independent religious group mainly concentrated in Lebanon around the base of Mount Hermon, and in the mountains behind Beirut and Sidon. Other Druze are located just inside the Northern border of Israel, in Jordan, on the Golan Heights in Syria, in Turkey and in smaller numbers throughout North America and Europe.
Estimates of their total numbers range from a half million to one million. One source states that the approximate population of Druze in 1987 was:
Lebanon: 325,000.
Syria: 245,000.
Jordan: 10,000.
Palestine: 65,000.
Other Arab Countries: about 40,000.
Elsewhere: about 70,000.
Total: about 755,000.

The American Druze Society (ADS) was founded in the late 1940s. As of early 2006, they have three cultural centers in the U.S. in California, Michigan and Virginia, in addition to local chapters elsewhere.
The European Druze Society (EDS) was founded in Munich, Germany. They have established representatives in various Druze communities throughout the European Community (EU).

Freewrite-University Qualifications

2007-04-24T06:04:00.000-07:00

What makes a university good or bad? There are many qualifications that a university goes through so that it qualifies as an institution to higher education. The first quality that all universities require is a well educated and experienced teaching staff. Without proper educators to provide the transitions of information to students there is no reason to teach. Next important quality is strong and fair administrators. Teachers will not be able to go thru the day without directors giving organization to the campus and curriculum. Now what makes the university have a higher quality education is the quality of students it accepts. A 4.0 student is definably a more motivated then a 2.4 average. In this essay I will give you more elaboration on these qualities.
Educators should have a degree in the subject they r teaching. Not only a degree, they should also have achieved high scores in these subjects because high scores reflect understanding of the subject. From what I know the majority of people are able to teach a four year old the ABCs but a very small portion of educators are able to teach university level subjects. Professors should have tactics and strategies to teach so that all students can understand what is being taught. With the right experience the teacher will understand all different personalities of students so that the whole class understands.
Yes teachers are very important to the quality of the university but what is equally important is the directors and administrators that keep this organized and disciplined. Like in any job there is always a boss to watch over and make sure everything runs on time and smoothly and these directors are here to lay down the law. They organize the teachers, students, classes, and everybody’s time. Making sure nothing illegal is going, as perjury, and that the standard of education is constant. These directors are huge part in the quality of university.
Educators and directors can do the best they can but without motivated students who want a higher education there is no reason to have a university. Why is it that admission to Harvard, Stanford…etc so hard to obtain? Because there first rule is no one under a 4.0 average. Obviously they realized that the higher the average of the student the more the student is willing to work hard for the degree. Intern makes the university of higher quality.
There are basic qualities that all universities have to meet or else they won’t be certified but it doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s the best education. Directors, teacher and students play the whole part in the quality of the school. It’s up to you whether you are a teacher, administrator or student to be of quality or not.

Spoof Ad

2007-04-19T03:48:00.000-07:00

This image is supposed to be an ad for a Malboro. As it known about tobacco's ads, companies always warn smokers at the end of the ad or at the corner of the picture. They always say that tobacco cause cancer; nevertheless, they still sell all different kinds of tobacco. Malboro is one of the most famous and popular companies for tobacco. In this image the ad is been very spoof ad. The ad has utilized emotional and humor appeal at the same time. On the top of the image "Welcome to Malboro Country" is kind of a comic title. Usually people don't say welcome to something harms them. Also, is nothing known as Malboro country, it is not exist. In addition to, the mature group of people who are smoking and shaking from coldness. There is a small rectangle which has a funny warning for smokers. "SURGEON GENERAL'S WARNING: Smoking causes hypothermia as well as premature death." I think this ad creates a good social commentary. It shows that even though smokers know the consequences of smoking, they still smoke. It also tells that tobacco companies don't care about people. They just want to sell tobacco. They write warnings just to keep themselves away from problems like suing…etc.

What is The Truth?

2007-04-12T09:55:00.000-07:00

Calvin Klein Ad

2007-04-10T04:07:00.000-07:00

Every year companies spend millions of dollars just to create a good ad. In this ad sex appeal is utilized. It seems in this picture the Calvin Klein is selling jeans. That’s the most obvious cloth in the picture. The jeans has been worn by a beautiful model. She is lying on a car's seat which has been taken out of a car and took place on grass. The way she lays matches with the heat coming out of her eyes. From this point it is very obvious that the sex appeal is the major idea of this ad. Since the sex appeal was used in this ad perfectly, it would grab people's attention for sure. It is an attractive ad for both genders. Women would purchase this jeans to be as beautiful as the model. Men could be attracted to other products from the same company. So, it is an effective ad. In my opinion, it is an appropriate ad. Everything fits together in a unique way; the grass, the seat, and the model. The model has her bottom covered by the jeans. Her upper half is half naked which might make it more attractive. I think the ad has not used an exaggerated uses of pathos except, the way the model lays. It could convince a lot of women that they will get the same look just by wearing this jeans.

Analysis

2007-04-05T04:14:00.000-07:00

It is a dangerous road in mountains. There are many green trees and green plants all over the mountains. The big mountain is on the left of the picture, making the left edge of the road. This mountain is covering the sunlight which is the reason for the faint light. On the other side of the road, there are some few green trees. The trees are on the right edge of the road which is end with a strong dangerous ridge. The road is covered by white sheep and few blacks. Sheep are walking in a good arrangement. Sheep are standing in overlapping rows. They look like soldiers who are ready for making an attack. They are surrounding a car with a driver inside it. The driver is trying to find his road by looking and getting his head out through the window. I think who sees this picture could come with many different ideas. It could be that how can weakness turn into strength if it bands together. On the other hand, if the sheep were few and uncombined, the car would pass easily. It could also kill some sheep.

Reflection

2007-04-05T04:03:00.000-07:00

Little boy wants his freedom. He doesn't want anyone to steal it by putting his little body in a cage. This cage is almost like a pail full of water. He is looking up at the sky; shouting, crying, and asking help from god. He doesn't want anymore wars. He wants to live in peace, living his freedom by playing with other children. But in this picture, there is no way. He is surrounded with water from everywhere. Even though without water person cannot live, it could take person's life. The only pathway which he can get is by resisting. Resisting could be by trying to do something. He is just a child, what can he do? All what he can do is to have a faith that he is going to survive. People should think more seriously about these children. These Children who are suffering from life, sometimes they cannot even cry. Crying won't do any change; it could just increase their pain. They could cry forever and drown by their tears, and nobody would respond.

Observation

2007-04-05T02:37:00.000-07:00

Black and white image contains a blond young boy. He has colored eyes and in age not older than ten. He is standing on the middle of the picture; knowing that someone is taking a picture for him. It is an old picture, I can tell not only because it is black and white. Everyone could realize that from the style of clothing and other properties. The little boy is wearing a tight white shirt. He is closing all the buttons until the top. On the bottom, he is wearing a black pants holding it by a brace. He is holding a small book "What Is Life" with his two hands. He has a small scratch on his right hand. His smile seems fake. Maybe it looks like this because of the sunlight which is bothering him. Behind the boy, there are two little girls. The one on the left of the picture is wearing a white head scarf and a dress with small circles all over. She is holding a glass waiting in a line to get her drink. On the left of the picture behind the boy, I can see a woman's back. She is wearing a long white dress and holding her handbag on her right shoulder.

Reflective Essay: Cultural Conflict

2007-04-03T03:22:00.000-07:00

These days with globalization, cultural conflict is one of the important issues that everyone is trying to find methods to be adapted to other people; especially if the person is in a foreign country. The United States is a country which has been imbued with freedom. However, there are many cultural conflicts between Americans and people from other countries. To avoid these conflicts, people should educate themselves, respect others, and not judge other cultures. These are the solutions which I have gotten through my experience, whether from reading or communication with people.

One of these conflicts is the informality which is very common in American culture, but not in others. I have visited China once in my life. I have learned some of their culture and customs, which are completely different from American culture. It was in 25th of May 2005, I was waiting at the airport in China for my flight. Eating my snacks and reading a book that I have brought from my country. Sitting in the middle of the waiting room waiting for my flight. Then, I saw Susan who is an American woman. I have met her in the hotel that I stayed in. She was sitting little far from me, but I still can see her. It was her first time in China. So, both of us do not know too much about their customs and culture. She was reading a book and relaxing. Suddenly, everyone was staring at her, just because she rested her feet on the top of the chair. Everybody gave her the look of horror. She did not know why they were starring at her; she thought that she did not do anything wrong, but in Chinese culture this shows disrespect. They believe that the floor is dirty, and who steps on floor by his/her feet, must not put them on the chair. Since the American woman is the visitor in China, she should educate herself about Chinese culture. On the other hand, Chinese people should not be judgmental, and assume that this woman does not know about this belief.

In addition to informality conflict, the concept of personal distance and where should you stand. This concept is different from American culture to other cultures. I have met a man who always travel to Middle East and lives in L.A California. He told me that he is facing some difficulties contacting with Middle Eastern people. They like to talk and they are very close to you, man to man. They hold hands and walk closely. But that means in Middle East "friendly". It means they trust you and treat you as a best friend. However, Americans will not feel comfortable with this close distance. They used to what they used to it. The way to avoid this conflict is to educate oneself about others' culture and practice accommodating, from the other side. They should give clarification about their idea of distance and expect difference. For example, a Saudi man talks to an American very closely, but the American guy responded by backing up, because the concept of personal distance in Saudi culture is to be close to communicate friendliness and trust, it's completely different to the American concept, they prefer a long distance when conducting business.

In conclusion, I think cultural conflict is a normal problem. People need to make an action among these conflicts to avoid embarrassment and misunderstanding. To be successful they had better educate themselves, respect, and not judge other cultures.

Time Management

2007-03-08T04:38:00.000-08:00

Time is an un-renewable source, and that is what makes it the most valuable thing. Many students are confused about how to manage their time; they have a problem about understanding the real meaning of time management. Time management is very helpful to keep a student's life organized. However, it just needs to follow and avoid some factors, to get the benefits from time.

Everyone has his own technique about time management, but there are some factors that students could follow to organize their time. To start time management, students need to be specific about determining their goals, and know their situation among these goals. So, they can reorganize and catch up to be more productive. They should start with priorities. In the past, I have read an article about time which is still in my mind. It gives a good example about starting with priorities. Get an empty pickle jar and fill it as many as possible with rocks. Then, person realizes that he still can put some pebbles. After that put also some sand and that is not all, still can add some water. Each of the substance is one of the tasks in life. Students should start with priorities (rock), and then continue from the important to the less important (pebbles, sand, and water). Otherwise they won't be able to put all these substances if they started filling water.

After that, they should control time with external events. Do not let external events control time, expect things that you need to do in future and specify these things. Think about what other people expect from you; put yourself as number one.

Finally, do not rush your schedule, this very important point. Give yourself enough time when you schedule your tasks in case any emergency or serious events. So, it will be possible to put a B plan.

Time management is the best way to be more productive. Students should find the best technique that fit with their personality to participate on positive way in the community, and always remember that time never comeback.

Extra Credit: Art

2007-03-08T03:39:00.000-08:00

Between the two pink bunnies, Jillian Mukavetz started the evening reading some of her poetry. "Simply of Skin", "Body without Form", Laundry", and "Pasta" are some of what she has read. In her poems, she talked about body and mind, muscles of eyes, representation of eyes, the feeling of photo graphics and how is that effects on her, and some other things which are related to art. After that, Mr. Bin Ramke delivered four of his poems. "Performing Art" and "Of the Sad Sibling" are the two poems which I liked from the four. In "Performing Art" I think he connected everything with nature; air, wind is the breath, vision of sunlight…etc. However, in his another poem "Of the Sad Sibling" it was almost like a narration with a smooth rhythm. After he finished the reading, I could it resist taking a tour around the Dikeou Collection. Every art piece has something unique. Some of the art pieces have been created from simple materials. Nevertheless, they are still unique.

As you can see this car is made from cardboard.

Here are some other photos showing art pieces:

Simple and sweet.

A big guy.

Simple and a good idea, I can draw it.

Smile For The Camera

2007-03-07T04:34:00.000-08:00

I chose this picture because I think it has a deep feeling. This place looks like a refuge. The place is in complete chaos, nothing organized. Once I saw this image some words came to the top of my head. Poorness, hunger, pain, and suffering are the words. However, the smile on the children's faces is the most effective part in this image. It is obvious that those children are living in misery. I can tell from their skin color which has been burnt by the heat of the sun. Also from their eyes which are full of hidden tears. Eyes always reflect what in the heart; it is the heart's mirror. Those children try to hide the sadness once they saw the cameraman. They felt that someone cares about them, and that all what they need. They suffer from the lack of compassion. The first child who is in the middle of the picture is holding a sweet between his mouth. He is looking at the camera and smiling. The other one behind him is lying on an old pillow. S/he is having fun just by looking at the camera. In addition to the others who are sitting in the back; when they see new friendly people, that means a lot to them. Asking ourselves, are they happy? Are they growing in a healthy condition? Don't they have the right to have fun, draw, play, and learn? Why they are different from my little brothers or your little sisters and brothers? We live at the same earth. We breathe the same air. Isn't that something painful? Some children are thinking about which flavor of ice cream they are going to eat tonight. On the other hand, some are trying to survive. All people especially rich people should think about these children. We should all try to draw the smile on their faces.

Money not Art

2007-02-26T02:06:00.000-08:00

The title of the blog "We make money not art". It is on the top of the page with a pink background. The art word is the most obvious in the title. That gives the reader a hint that this blog has something to do with art. Actually, this blog is presenting a variety of themes which are related to art and technology.
The owner has used a simple form in her blog. She did not use any complex programs for designing, such as Photoshop, Flash, Sotech…etc. Nevertheless, the blog is organized very well. Everything fits together perfectly, pictures, colors, bold-words…etc. Furthermore, it has lists on the right-half of the page. Those lists are talking about latest interviews with artists, what is new in art, and different categories in art. It has also links all over the blog. These links can connect the reader to what s/he is looking for. This fast connection could save more time for the reader.
I think even though the blog has been designed simply; it's still a good blog. Once the reader click on "About us" written by green, on the top of the page, under the search bar. S/he won't wonder anymore about the reason, why this blog is unique. The reader will find a group of four people. Those people are responsible about this blog. They spread their knowledge and post information through interviews with artists. In addition to, some studies that they do or find them useful. The blog as I mentioned above, has a lot of varieties. That is due to the differences between the writers. The reader can realized that once s/he reads about the writers. They are professionals from different countries and different majors. However, they have some commons especially when it comes to art. This might be the reason why this blog is distinguishable from mine and others. I have to share my ideas with professionals, and insert more links and pictures. It won't be as good as this blog, but at least it will be better than what it is right now.

Lobby in Brown Palace Hotel

2007-02-21T05:01:00.000-08:00

Near by the Sixteenth Street Mall, at Seventeenth Street, in the heart of down town Denver. Red granite and sandstone walls of The Brown Palace could be the most attractive building on this street. This nine stories building is not just a hotel. It is a building that carries (statues, paintings, photos, art-works…etc) from hundreds and hundreds of years. So, it is a hotel and a museum at the same time.

The Brown Palace Hotel was completed in 1892. It was named for the original owner Henry C. Brown, a carpenter and architect from Ohio. It was designed by noted architect Frand E. Edbrooke. What makes the hotel very unique is the old flavor mixed with the luxury.

The first amazing aspect which has amazed me when I entered the hotel is the mural painting on the left. The murals depict the story of travel by the old stagecoaches which take travelers to the airplane. On the opposite side of the mural painting, there are two elevators. These two elevators are very special. I have not seen like them before. Their doors seem to be covered by wood. Continue walking to the left side of the entrance, I saw the Ship Tavern for casual dining (lunch, dinner, or cocktail until midnight.) The Tavern still displays the ship models- replicas of actual ships from America's Clipper period.

In the front of the entrance, my eyes looked directly upward to the top of the lobby. There are six tiers of cast iron balconies fit perfectly with the stained glass roof. This stained glass roof, allow the sunlight to go through and gives a good illumination. There are two cast-iron panels which are different from others in their design, they were installed upside down. Above the front desk in the lobby, there is a timepiece which was sculpted by a famous artist and depicts the Brown Palace's griffin logo. Around the lobby there are a lot of displays of historical memorabilia which could give the hotel the museum name.
Seats and chairs in the middle of the lobby have been chosen to fit with the history of this place. In addition; a piano in the left corner is to add a classic flavor. Behind the piano, there is Churchill Bar which is for drink, cigars, also lunch and dinner. In the same corner, there is Palace Arms for fine dining. Actually Churchill Bar and Palace Arms, both have the same entrance through the lobby. Both have their own events and stories in history.
In the right of the lobby, there is a Spa which can be entered from the entrance on the seventeenth street side. This Spa was originally a fireplace.

In conclusion, I think this place has a lot of features which can distinguish it from others. All these features are connected with the past. This might be the main reason why I have considered this place as a unique place.

About Brown Palace Hotel

2007-02-21T02:52:00.000-08:00

Since I haven't been here in Denver for a long time, there are a lot of places which I can visit and write my Observational Essay. I was thinking too much about a place, until one day I was walking near by 16th street mall. Suddenly, a huge old building which has been renewed caught my attention. This building is THE BROWN PALACE HOTEL. I'm pretty sure that most of the people who live in Colorado have heard about this place. However, they don't know enough about the facts and the history of this beautiful place.
I find this place very interesting to talk about. It could have many properties which might add to my essay and distinguish it from others. I have observed that my audiences could be anyone who has an interest in decoration, arts, history, archeology, antiquity, building, or civil engineering. In addition, the audience could be rich people; Hollywood actresses, businessmen…etc.
The audiences will be surprise when they know that this palace has been built in the 1800's, and hasn't been changed a lot until now. This could be the first hook which might attract people to know more about this place. I will write the details in the essay.

Randomly Selected Words

2007-02-09T23:40:00.000-08:00

A, Bars, Chaconas, Develop, Etymology, FightTV, Get, Hart, Intellect, Jumping, Kitsch, Laundromats, Mahoganies, Not, One, Provide, Quantity, Radium, She, The, Utility, Verge, Wretched, Xenophobia, Yule, Zoning.

One key to getting along well with people is knowing when to say you're sorry. A bunker is a defensive military fortification. Bunkers are mostly below ground, compared to blockhouses which are mostly above ground. Bars, Bars, Bars! The CLIF kitchen’s baked up three new flavors, slowly but surely arriving to a store shelf near you—Cherry Pomegranate nectar, Blueberry Crisp CLIF and Peanut Butter Pretzel MOJO. Develop your natural talent for interior design with the Penn Foster Interior Decorator Program and work for homebuilders, retailers, hotels, corporate clients, or even start your own business. The tympanic membrane, colloquially known as the eardrum, is a thin membrane that separates the external ear from the middle ear. FightTV provides the first FREE network channel dedicated to EXTREME FIGHTING from all the venues. Get This Popular Book For Free By Sampling Risk-Free Offers! Provide a means for sharing information, resources, ideas and support between people with all types of disabilities. Not every four-piece band can boast four vocalists, three drummers, three guitarists, and three bassists, but then again not every band possesses the versatility, range, and multidirectional eclecticism of Dublin quartet, The Immediate. Hart Hanson, the mind behind Bones, talks about his show, Bones. Watch ol' "Bones" Hanson now! She is so overwhelmed that she responds with more passion, more creativity, more heat than she has ever known, and even did a few things she had never done with any other man. Laundromats which have staff to wash the clothing are sometimes referred to as fluff-n-Fold or drop-off services. "Mahoganies" may refer to the wider group of all the timbers yielded by the three related genera Swietenia, Khaya and Entandrophragma. Chaconas, Dori. Cork & Fuzz: Short and Tall. Illus. by Lisa McCue. Viking. (0-670-05985-4).Muscrat Cork, who is older, has serious problems when he decides that he should be taller than his possum friend, Fuzz. RESULTS volunteer activists have played a key role creating nationwide awareness about microenterprise and the role it can play in alleviating the worst aspects of poverty. Our volunteers have worked tirelessly with their members of Congress to pass legislation to ensure increased funding for microenterprise programs and better policy through focusing half of all U.S. funding on the very poor. Quantity and measurement are therefore mutually defined: quantitative attributes are those which it is possible to measure, at least in principle. Radium is an alkaline earth metal that is found in trace amounts in uranium ores. It is extremely radioactive. Its most stable isotope, 226Ra, has a half-life of 1602 years and decays into radon gas. Etymology: Middle English sanguin, from Anglo-French, from Latin sanguineus, from sanguin-, sanguis. Utility is applied by economists in such constructs as the indifference curve, which plots the combination of commodities that an individual or a society requires to maintain a given level of satisfaction. Verge Sport offers the same quality products that top racers have demanded for years. Wretched was a hardcore punk band from Milan, Italy. Along with other bands such as Indigesti, Raw Power, Negazione, and Eu's Arse, they formed the basis of the hardcore scene in Italy during the 1980's. Their music was usually fast-paced with violent and dark lyrics. Xenophobia denotes a phobic attitude towards strangers or of the unknown. It comes from the Greek words ξένος (xenos), meaning "foreigner," "stranger," and φόβος (phobos), meaning "fear." The term is typically used to describe fear or dislike of foreigners or in general of people different from one's self. Yule is a winter festival celebrated in Northern Europe since ancient times. Zoning is a North American term for a system of land-use regulation. Intellect Information Day To help our existing members get the most out of their membership, Intellect is holding a series of member information. Jumping is an ability that most humans and many animals share to some degree. Kitsch is a German term that has been used to categorize art that is considered an inferior copy of an existing style. The term is also used more loosely in referring to any art that is pretentious or in bad taste, and also commercially produced items that are considered trite or crass.

Indian Streets

2007-02-07T23:14:00.000-08:00

This video which I think is interesting is a scene from a daily life in Indian streets.
The population in India is always increasing year after year. India is one of the most density populations in world, but that thing never obstructs their movement.

What has actually caught my eye in this video is the ability of the huge population of India to avoid accidents. Buses, cars, motorcycles, bicycles, and people are all over the street, running in different directions; forward and backward, right and left it does not matter; the most important thing is to find a way to go through. In addition to all this, cows freely move in Indian streets. Even though there is no any kind of arrangement, they have already adapted themselves with their environment.

Far from the Indian nation, my point of view about this video as a member of a broader online community, more than population issue or avoiding accidents. The video has a real figurative meaning which might faces all people in their life without exception. Life is getting harder and harder, especially with all these kinds of serious responsibilities, competitions...etc, which reflect on our behavior by running and crowding in streets just to reach for air to survive. Looking for opportunities to live, running, looking, arguing, and conflicting with others to be or not to be. All what you need to not to be, is to stand on Indian street without doing anything (definitely you will die or at least be hurt).
Viewers should think about this video in positive way by accepting life whatever it was, even if there is no arrangement; the person cannot blame the community because each one is a part of his/her community.

I think the person who posted this video, didn't alter anything. Viewers will get the idea directly from this video; it doesn't have to be altered or changed to be understood.
Regarding to the different ways of watching this video, I think it won't make any differences if the viewer watches it on a theater, television, or on a computer at home or school. It will really make a difference if the viewer has seen it live standing at the edge of the street, but he/she must be careful. :)

Cultural Context

2007-01-28T20:23:00.000-08:00

The Nike website http://www.nike.com/ is geared toward athletes all over the world. So, the who is men, women, and children of all different cultures. The site offers apparel and footwear for men, women, and children. Also, the site is offered in thirteen languages and features athletes from all over the world .
The what of the Nike website is apparel, sports statistics, and workout tips. The website allows consumers to buy sports apparel on the site. As for sports statistics the site offers information on soccer, football, basketball, hockey, tennis, skateboarding, running, swimming, cycling, and golf. Each of these sports have a different section on the website that includes scores, workout tips, apparel suggestions, pictures, and interactive workouts.
The when is today, the Nike site attracts modern day athletes. In today's world people are concerned about their health more than ever. For this reason Nike makes it there mission to encourage people to be active. There is even a section for extreme sports such as wake boarding, snowboarding, and BMX biking. These are all sports that have become popular in recent years. Also, Nike designers design modern clothes for every type of athlete. People these days don't want to just be healthy they want to look good as well. The Nike website is also very up to date on its technology, the site has a very new age state of the art design. Also, the site includes many video clips and graphics.
The where is all over the world. The Nike website features athletes and sports from all over the world. As someone enters the site they pick which country they are from and what language they speak. Next you will enter a site especially designed for that country. Each site features athletes from that country and popular sports. This is important because in every country different sports are popular. For example in Europe soccer and tennis are the most popular sports and in the United States basketball and football are the most popular. In addition, the Nike site includes a new section that includes dance choreography from all over the world. The site has offered everything from salsa to Mideastern dances.
The why is to sell products. The main purpose of the Nike website is to market and sell products. Nike spends millions of dollars every year for athletes to appear on their website and endorse their products. When people see famous athletes on the site they are intrigued to buy their products because they think it will make them athletic also. The design and the information on the site is all geared around athletes and their needs to become stronger, faster, healthier, and most of all better looking.
If someone is not an athlete they may not understand all of the content on the Nike website. This site is completely geared toward sports and athletes so someone not interested in these things would not be interested in this site.

Analyzing the Nike Website

2007-01-28T18:22:00.000-08:00

On the daily basis I visit many websites, but one that has recently caught my eye is http://www.nike.com/. This website attracts the athletic consumer by drawing them in with videos of famous athletes from all over the world. The athletes displayed on this page are the main focal point. The main purpose of this site is to sale athletic apparel and footwear. Also, the site strives people to be active in their everyday lives.
The Nike website has many attributes that are necessary, and also some that make it very unique. First of all on the site people can shop all of Nike's extensive product lines and place products in an online shopping cart. Next the site is broken down in to different sports categories so that consumers can find product especially for their interests. Each sport category has workout tips, apparel suggestions, video clips, and stories from athletes. Finally something unusual that this site offers is interactive workouts. This site has online workouts and choreography for dances taught step by step by instructors. There are not many online marketing sites that would offer such a unique service on their website for free. For these reasons I think the Nike website does a good job of marketing its products. The only negative aspect of this site is that it is somewhat hard to navigate through because of so many videos and and pictures. Overall, I believe that this site does a good job of encouraging people to be active and selling product that will help them in their athletic ventures.
Blogging is writing someone enters on a web blog. Blogs are informal and are not reviewed and published by authorities. On the other hand, traditional print/paper based writing is formal, and published by professionals.