tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3211248816531485552024-02-02T05:06:55.913-05:00Essentially ShannonAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18391297034282743150noreply@blogger.comBlogger77125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-321124881653148555.post-88342860622444680292017-07-15T21:13:00.002-04:002017-07-15T21:13:46.665-04:00THE BOLD TYPE: THE UNCENSORED AND UNAPOLOGETIC SHOW WE'VE BEEN WAITING FOR<div style="text-align: center;">
I had my doubts about Freeform's new show <i>The Bold Type.</i></div>
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I doubted it because the promos kept reassuring me that this show would fill the Pretty Little Liars-shaped hole in not only their scheduling block but also my heart.</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Nothing can fill that hole. Sorry, any other show ever.</span></div>
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I doubted it because I found it hard to believe that Freeform, which used to be called ABC Family, could engineer and execute a TV show that efficiently and endearingly addresses sexy and/or controversial topics. </div>
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<i>Especially feminist-y things.</i></div>
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However, I never doubted the faith I had in Katie Stevens, who played Karma on MTV's fantastic dramedy <i>Faking It (RIP)</i>, and who now plays Jane on <i>The Bold Type. </i>The former was known for "pushing the envelope" content-wise, and from what I've seen so far the latter might even push it a bit further.</div>
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Props to whoever cast Katie, because she's <b>certainly</b> cut out for this kind of stuff.</div>
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And by "stuff", I mean trying to invent a new sex position at work and convincing a friend (no, <i>best friend)</i> to stick their hand up all in your nether regions to retrieve a sunken sex toy.</div>
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And yes, we're still talking about a show that resides on the channel that's home to "Harry Potter Weekend" every other month.</div>
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Most shows, especially shows that are targeted at a teen/young adult audience (not looking at you S<i>ex in the City</i>, even though I watched you when I was like 15 or so...) are slow on the build-up to romance and sex. They introduce concepts and relationships periodically and are heavy-handed when it comes to establishing characters and their personalities before anything (or anyone) goes down. Before we can get to anything "juicy" or remotely relatable, we have to wait <b>at least </b>a handful of episodes.</div>
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Well, I am happy to announce that this is not the case with <i>The Bold Type.</i></div>
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In the first two episodes, we saw (and heard) vibrators, orgasms, porn, Yoni eggs, a character questioning her sexuality, fantasies, a hearty amount of swears, and everything in between.</div>
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The three main characters in <i>The Bold Type </i>work for a Cosmo-esque magazine called Scarlet. As you can imagine, this premise not only allows for these kinds of discussions and story lines, it promotes and even wholeheartedly embraces them.</div>
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<br />I lost count how many times the word "orgasm" was uttered in the second episode alone.</div>
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And it was awesome.</div>
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Putting the sexiness aside for a second, <i>The Bold Type </i>made me giddy simply because I can see myself in the three main characters. Me, specifically, because I would absolutely love to write for a magazine like Scarlet (<i>cough Cosmo cough</i>). But, I think everyone can find at least a glimmer of themselves in the three girls because they are so relatable and honest.</div>
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They're everything we are, hope to be, and strive to become. Which, if you ask me, is pretty freakin' uplifting in the world of today. </div>
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So yeah, I was very pleasantly surprised by <i>The Bold Type </i>and I look forward to more hilarious sexual antics, introspective moments, and empowering bad-assery. </div>
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It's about damn time we got a show that talks and thinks about sex in an unapologetic and uncensored way.</div>
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I mean...what other way is there really?</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18391297034282743150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-321124881653148555.post-7336058798980210262017-06-10T20:31:00.000-04:002017-06-13T19:38:28.171-04:00WONDER WOMAN: AN UNDER THE RADAR FEMINIST PIECE FOR PUBLIC CONSUMPTION<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">When the credits rolled on <i>Wonder Woman</i>, my mom turned to me and asked,</span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"Do you think it's a coincidence that this movie came out when it did?"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Taking Literature Into Film last semester taught me two major lessons:</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">1. Every film/TV show is an adaptation of a book (at least, it seems that way)</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">2. Every film is made when it's made for a reason (i.e. historical, social, and/or cultural context)</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">That second lesson in particular is why I was able to reply confidently with a big, fat...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">"Hell no!"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Sure, this movie may have been "in the making" for a long time. But there's no doubt in my mind that it finally came to fruition when it did for </span><i style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">good reason</i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">. In a world where women still have to battle every day to protect the rights and opportunities that we've worked tirelessly to secure, it's only appropriate for a kick ass character to make her glorious return.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">And boy, has she ever. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Before we go any further, here's my disclaimer:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I have no problem admitting that I enjoy superhero movies as much as the next person. Thor, Suicide Squad (though it definitely had its issues), Doctor Strange, The Avengers.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Don't even get me started on Batman vs. Superman though...the best part of the three torturous hours was Wonder Woman's introduction!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">What I'm getting at here is that while I've <b>enjoyed </b>the films, I didn't exactly take anything away from them. Good for entertainment, not so good for anything greater than just that. It just always felt like something was missing. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I'm happy to report that Wonder Woman did so much more than entertain me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;">Although, it most definitely did that too!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Yes, the film packed in explosions, fight scenes, and a nefarious villain (or two) like your typical Marvel/DC movie does during its 2-ish hour runtime. The scene where Diana is fighting her way across the front, deflecting bullets and bombs backed by her male counterparts, epitomizes these elements but there's something different about it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">In fact, there's something different about all of the fight scenes in the film. Diana and her counterparts <b>work together</b> rather than one trying to overpower the other. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Yes, Diana is more powerful than Steve or his friends (she is a demigod after all...) and that fact is awesomely highlighted. Yeah, she usually goes ahead of the others because she's much better equipped weapon-wise and training-wise.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">She did throw an effing TANK, after all.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">And honestly, the name of the film is W<i>onder Woman</i>, so CLEARLY we're all there to watch Wonder Woman to kick some serious booty.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">But, Diana, Steve, and their friends are always looking out for each other and doing their best to support the cause in the best way that they can. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The buzzword/concept surrounding this movie is without a doubt "feminism", and<b> the feminist in me is jumping up and down out of pure happiness!</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">When it boils down to it, feminism is all about<i> equality</i> for the sexes, not putting women <i>above</i> anyone else. The way that Diana, Steve, and their counterparts function as a successful unit is a perfect example of this. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Don't get me wrong, the thought of a strong female character like Diana kicking ass 24/7 does make me tear up a bit. But so does the way that Steve and Diana's relationship unfolded.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Personally, I didn't want to see a sex scene between Diana and Steve. And weirdly enough, I'm glad I didn't see one. I love a good sex scene as much as the next gal, and while it was clear plot-wise that their relationship was headed somewhere steamy, it didn't feel right to see that on the big screen. The relationship between the two characters seemed genuine and special (unusual for a superhero movie but much appreciated) and I respect the director's decision to omit whatever happened after the kiss we did get to see. Sometimes not seeing something says more than seeing it, and this was one of those times for sure.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">For once, a female superhero was so much more than just eye candy. Gal Gadot is virtually the most beautiful woman on the planet, and we all know this to be true from watching W<i>onder Woman. </i>Unlike other female superheroes, Diana is coveted for more than just her beauty; her wit, intelligence, and selflessness are what truly make her a desirable character.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">A superhero film practically free from the "male gaze" that pervades every other Marvel/DC film, thanks to director Patty Jenkins, the shots focus on impressive leg sweeps and sword-swinging arms rather than jiggling breasts.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Speaking of jiggling, can we talk about the fact that Diana's thigh actually jiggled when she hit the ground?!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">#RealThighsJiggle</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I could go on and on about <i>Wonder Woman</i>, and I'll probably write more about it when I can cohesively synthesize my thoughts, but for now I'll leave it at that.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I'm so happy we live in a world where girls and women have a role model like Gadot's Wonder Woman to look up to. </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">As a woman, I couldn't help but get misty-eyed watching a film made by a woman that featured some seriously bad-ass women and some bad-ass men as well. There's no doubt in my mind that this movie couldn't have come at a better time. We needed this. </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">We still have a long way to go, but this is definitely a jump and a huge leap in the right direction.</span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18391297034282743150noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-321124881653148555.post-37358570624345648922017-06-04T20:09:00.000-04:002017-06-04T20:37:55.562-04:00SEX POSITIVE/BODY-POSITIVE SHOPPING IS TOTALLY POSSIBLE AND HERE'S WHY<div style="text-align: center;">
Shopping in "that aisle" has pretty much always been an awkward experience, but like a fine wine or cheese, it gets better with age.</div>
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You know what I mean by "that aisle".</div>
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Feminine hygiene products and/or sexual health supplies.</div>
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(Okay, depending on the store, sometimes you have to go to two separate aisles. Yeesh.)</div>
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<i>I hate the phrase "feminine hygiene" for so many reasons, but for all intents and purposes, it stands.</i></div>
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The spotlight effect is the real deal, and perusing the aisle(s) of your local Target or Walmart for ultra-ribbed condoms and tampons (maybe not in the same trip...or maybe, yes?) can crank that baby up to a blinding brightness you didn't even know was scientifically possible.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh5r2hD6fy3fz9j5dJnsxGUUmtJCcYxNuOZERVC6GLXqggbK9T9PjsAWSKYpEOzXS4sJwdTycJdKXLHveQ8pgsMbak8U_8PQtttz52PgPXUyfqOPx1Q1H5gwOMKS1qjZXkEa_81-lEyCsK/s1600/6360200312440810431342455109_Emma_55252a_2583876.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="273" data-original-width="490" height="355" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh5r2hD6fy3fz9j5dJnsxGUUmtJCcYxNuOZERVC6GLXqggbK9T9PjsAWSKYpEOzXS4sJwdTycJdKXLHveQ8pgsMbak8U_8PQtttz52PgPXUyfqOPx1Q1H5gwOMKS1qjZXkEa_81-lEyCsK/s640/6360200312440810431342455109_Emma_55252a_2583876.gif" width="640" /></a></div>
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So many thoughts running through your head while you stand there and search the shelves...</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This would be a <i>fantastic</i> time to see someone I know, <b>especially</b> a male acquaintance or that hot guy from Starbucks with the impeccable man bun.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Whatever you do, DON'T let your eyes stray too far. They're totally going to think you're looking at the pregnancy tests.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Looking at condoms and/or lube? Cool, the entire store thinks you're a slut now.</span></div>
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Why do we do this to ourselves?<br />
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Alright, the first one is somewhat rational. It is a possibility....</div>
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But that's besides the point. Shopping for things like condoms, tampons, pads, and lube (I could go on and on, really...that's just a sampling of all the cool stuff you can find) feels awkward because we're taught and told so many conflicting things.</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Dress scantily, but don't sleep around. (Let alone enjoy sex. Scandalous!)</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Be sexy, but not too sexy.</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Attend to your body, but keep it under wraps because it's "gross". Periods? Ew.</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Well, though I may not be 100% confident myself when it comes to shopping in "that aisle", I do know that it's kind of silly to feel ashamed or embarrassed.<br />
<br />
If anything, we should feel empowered, excited, and grateful.<br />
<br />
Empowered by the choices we make for ourselves and our partner(s).<br />
<br />
Excited, because sex is awesome and so are our bodies!!!<br />
<br />
Grateful to have access to things that help us live easier and safer lives. Sadly, not everyone has access to products we think of as necessary!<br />
<br />
What I'm trying to say is next time you go shopping and you find yourself in "that aisle", linger a little bit longer than usual.<br />
<br />
Take your time, don't rush! There's so much to look at and try.<br />
<br />
Chances are no one is looking at you anyways and maybe you'll even discover something new.<br />
<br />
Stay safe, kids.<br />
<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18391297034282743150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-321124881653148555.post-84750397280236153662017-05-26T23:25:00.000-04:002017-05-26T23:27:36.791-04:00R.I.P. COLLEGE?<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">So, I graduated from college last Saturday.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">As I climbed the stairs to the stage, carefully, I was worried about falling on my face. A totally rational fear, I assure you.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I was also preoccupied by my cap, which kept falling off my head because I wasn't forward-thinking enough to check which side was the "front" before I stared decorating.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I swear I'm smart enough to wield a degree. Promise.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I made it up the stairs and across the stage with little to no problem, but I got tripped up by what the president of my university asked me as we shook hands.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"So, what are you going to do now?"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"Oh, I'm waitressing!"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">After the words came out of my mouth, and his face seemed to droop a bit, I started to think I said the wrong thing.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br />It was a stupid answer, right?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">He was expecting me to say something like, "Oh, I got a fabulous position at a magazine!" or "Yes, of course, I'll be working at the world's most renowned publishing company!", right?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I mean, that is the point of going to college after all. To develop the skills and master the tools that will start you on the path to career stardom. And to get that fancy piece of paper that confirms said tools and skills.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The more I thought about my answer, however, the more I realized my answer wasn't "wrong" or "stupid". Not everyone finds the perfect career-boosting job fresh out of college, or even finds a relevant job at all at first, and that's okay.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">There's no shame in doing something that you didn't go to school to do, and honestly there isn't any shame in doing something like waitressing at all! It's a really hard job and I am constantly amazed by how effortless many of them make it look!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">#Goals</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I also admire the people who do get awesome "I-totally-went-to-school for this" jobs right out of college as well. I know I'll find the perfect English-y career sometime soon...for now, I'm going to enjoy rolling around in large piles of cash and serving hungry people all the seafood they can stomach.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18391297034282743150noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-321124881653148555.post-80998859785549818852017-01-23T23:54:00.002-05:002017-01-24T00:03:20.679-05:00THANK YOU, WESTWORLD... [BOOK UPDATE 3]<div style="text-align: center;">
For once, I feel like the writing gods have smiled upon me.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Or at least they sent me <i>Westworld</i> (and its brilliant soundtrack) to fuel my inspiration/creativity.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXk4BwV_jJ_5jd8an7tHCBNd5dJ4y86QYKOhuGGWJMBHTs1oRUWtxSX83hyvHGXCp39WVrpVUKs6IVpsPxrpvIhKxXzSMuCP8QUWWSkgfK-5AbEz_Gd0SMd9_OpishbdqBZG8YYH3XafWs/s1600/landscape-1476093627-westworld.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXk4BwV_jJ_5jd8an7tHCBNd5dJ4y86QYKOhuGGWJMBHTs1oRUWtxSX83hyvHGXCp39WVrpVUKs6IVpsPxrpvIhKxXzSMuCP8QUWWSkgfK-5AbEz_Gd0SMd9_OpishbdqBZG8YYH3XafWs/s640/landscape-1476093627-westworld.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Bless.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'm about 1,000 words in and feeling good.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I had my boyfriend read what I've written so far and he sure had some great insight into how I should proceed...he even got me thinking about things I haven't even thought of yet. He's so smart.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And totally getting a big shout out when this book comes to fruition!</div>
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<br /></div>
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Anyways, these posts make me feel accountable/like I actually might be making process even though no one probably reads them...eh, who cares.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Hopefully someday when this book is published and I'm a roaring success in the realm of YA, I can look back on these and smile.</div>
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<br /></div>
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We'll just have to see, won't we?<br />
<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18391297034282743150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-321124881653148555.post-42141797136656373002017-01-18T20:47:00.001-05:002017-01-18T20:47:27.535-05:00SO ABOUT THAT BOOK... [BOOK UPDATE 2]<div style="text-align: center;">
Okay.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It's been an EMBARRASSINGLY long time since I've updated on this whole book-writing process. My apologies.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The lack of updating would be due to the fact that I haven't written anything since July.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
While that's extremely sad, I have great news!</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I've been making headway with my book in the last few days (and by headway I mean pondering while driving/showering and planning things out in my head) and better yet, I'm taking Fiction Workshop this semester so I'll be forced to write for class.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Yay for being held accountable!</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Alright, I'm going back to my Spotify playlist full of Western soundtracks and preliminary/necessary Wikipedia research.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18391297034282743150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-321124881653148555.post-86337715976098007152016-07-02T00:28:00.001-04:002016-08-20T19:04:35.947-04:00HERE GOES NOTHING... [BOOK UPDATE #1]<div style="text-align: center;">
Hi everyone.</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I know.</div>
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<br /></div>
</div>
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It's been a while.</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
If you've been here for a long time, first of all a "thank you" is definitely in order. I don't know why you've stuck around or so long, to be honest, but I'm glad you're still here.</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
My blog has gone through countless incarnations (beauty to fashion to academic, so on and so forth) but it has always been my personal space to write about that which I want to share with all of you.</div>
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<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And right now, it's serving as a form of procrastination.</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I told myself that on July 1st, 2016 I would start writing my first book.</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It is now technically (on the East Coast) July 2nd, 2016 and I have written zero words. Nada. Nothing,</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
They always say that starting anything is the hardest part. I would absolutely agree with that statement.</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I've loved writing for as long as I can remember and I've always wanted to write books in some capacity.</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Perhaps turning 22 has made me hyper-aware of the fact that:</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
a) I will be graduating from college in a year with my English degree</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
b) I will soon be out of school with loans to pay off</div>
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<br /></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
c) I've been telling people for years that I want to be an author and have yet to start writing books</div>
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<br /></div>
</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
d) I'm not getting any younger and I should probably start writing this book sooner rather than later so that the picture on the dust jacket is a half-decent one, preferably in which I don't have wrinkles</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Okay, I could go on forever but bottom line is...I'm starting this process and I'm scared to death.</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
What if no one wants to read it? What if my ideas are completely idiotic? What if I can't get my book published?</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Most importantly: What if I can't even finish it?</div>
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<br /></div>
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<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This quote really stuck with me: "Do the thing you fear, and the death of fear is certain." (Ralph Waldo Emerson)</div>
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<br /></div>
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It kind of embodies how I'm feeling at this moment, at the beginning of this journey. I'm nervous but I have the make the leap sometime.</div>
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<br /></div>
</div>
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And I'm jumping.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
---</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18391297034282743150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-321124881653148555.post-4615390573978832442016-02-14T16:51:00.000-05:002016-02-14T17:12:12.814-05:00WYCHERLEY'S COUNTRY WIFE: WHAT'S IN A NAME...?<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;">New year = new classes. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;">This specific blog post is for Currents in Brit Lit 2.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;">If you are still here from last semester, welcome back! If you're new here...hi!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">They say that the eyes are the window to the soul, but when it comes to literary characters names are the written equivalent. Perhaps nowadays in a world where most celebrities have unknowingly entered themselves into a "weirdest baby name" competition, names have taken on a different purpose and reasoning.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The modern state of naming, whether it be in the literary sense or not, is questionable. However back in the days of yore (for the sake of this post the Restoration period), names in literary works had a multitude of wonderful functions.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">William Wycherley's <i>The Country Wife</i> is a standout example when it comes to the multi-functionality of character names. These character's names perform two major functions:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">1. to illuminate the character's true nature</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">2. to inspire humor within the reader</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">One of the main characters (he might even be our antagonist...that's up for debate), Mr. Horner, is one of the most obvious illustrations of these functions. His surname is explicitly tied to his inclination towards debauchery, as the main plot point for the play is Horner's rumor-fueled quest to conquer every one of his friend's wives. As Martha Fletcher Bellinger writes in </span><a href="http://www.theatrehistory.com/british/restoration_drama_001.html" style="font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', serif;" target="_blank">her article on Restoration drama</a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">, </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"</span><span style="text-align: -webkit-left;">The heroes of the Restoration comedies were lively gentlemen of the city, profligates and loose livers, with a strong tendency to make love to their neighbors' wives."</span></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">In plain terms, our main character is a rakish man who is "horny" and certainly potent, though his male counterparts are led to believe otherwise. So, Horner's name performs both of the functions we defined; it illustrates his intentions in an obvious way and that in itself fulfills the second function. The blunt nature of his name is what contributes to the humor surrounding it, as despite the repetition of his surname by the various characters he interacts with (combined with his questionable actions), they all remain more or less oblivious. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Horner makes his intentions towards women very clear from the beginning. In Act I, Scene I he tells the quack, <b>"Doctor, a good name is seldom got by giving it one's self, and Women no more than honor are compassed by bragging." </b>In other words, Horner is a by-product of his reputation just as women are. Yes, his surname is of Anglo-Saxon origin and comes from those who make musical instruments, but in Wycherley's play Horner is Horner because it is, simply put, his nature. The Restoration period is defined by its obsession with wit and nature (of the human variety), and Wycherley harnesses both of these concepts within <i>The Country Wife.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Another possibility regarding the significance of Horner's name is that it is a reference to the devil himself. Considering that Restoration literature is a rebellion against the staunch restrictions imposed by Puritan rule, Wycherley naming one of his main characters after Satan is an ironic throwback to more pious days. Horner...horny...horned? No need to leap very far to get to that one!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Another character from Wycherley's comedy of manners is Pinchwife, and boy is his name full of sad, sad truth. Pinchwife is newly married to Margery, an "innocent" country girl, and he fears that his friends will steal her away from him therefore rendering him a lowly cuckold.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Pinchwife's attitude towards his wife (really, just women in general) and his tendency towards violence is hidden within his surname. This exchange between Horner and Pinchwife in Act I, Scene I speaks to his unsavory and undesirable nature:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Horner: But tell me, has Marriage cured thee of whoring?</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Pinchwife: Well, Gentlemen, you may laugh at me, but I know the Town. </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Horner: But prithee, was not the way you were in better than Marriage? </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Pinchwife: A Pox on it, the Jades would jilt me. I could never keep a Whore to myself.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Pinchwife's name denotes two possible interpretations, both wholly valid and telling. The first is that as a bachelor he cannot keep a whore and he can barely even "pinch" a wife, taking to the country to find an innocent girl who will marry him. The dialogue between Horner and Pinchwife is dripping with sarcasm, as Pinchwife is not in any way a "lady's man" like his male counterpart. Horner uses this as ammunition and fires metaphorically at Pinchwife knowing that it will only bother him further.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Another way to construe the name Pinchwife is as a reference to his violent nature. Though his name is quite lighthearted and even humorous, his empty threats point towards darker realities. One of these many empty threats can be found in Act IV, Scene II:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Pinchwife: Write as I bid you, or I will write “Whore”with this knife in your Face.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">These numerous empty threats made by Pinchwife, while not fulfilled, also reveal what it was life was like for women during this period. Women were practically powerless and what power they did wield was gifted to them in the form of reputation. Pinchwife threatening to carve "whore" into Margery's face is 17th century domestic violence coupled with the possibility of crippling his spouse's livelihood. And any hope she might have of marrying someone who actually loves her and doesn't try to mutilate her.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">As previously mentioned, the two major functions of naming are to illuminate a character's true nature and to inspire humor within the reader. As far as Pinchwife is concerned, the first function is absolutely met however the second function is not as successful as with Horner. Sure, Pinchwife's sad-sack status with women is comical in conjunction with the banter of the other men however the emphasis is less on humor in his case. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">With the Restoration author's obsession with the classics in mind, it only makes sense that the names of the characters within their works would be meaningful and complimentary to the themes and motifs of the play. Horner and Pinchwife's names are much more than something to call them, they are a brilliant device utilized by Wycherley to embody these themes and motifs in a literal sense. Horner and Pinchwife, with their qualms about women and marriage, are called Horner and Pinchwife to illustrate their complex relationship with these ideas. Wycherley's <i>The Country Wife </i>is a bawdy representation of life during the Restoration period and the characters that dwell within play a major role in portraying how human nature is flawed and in turn humorous.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>until next time,</b></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18391297034282743150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-321124881653148555.post-53847122978256511722015-11-29T19:27:00.000-05:002016-02-07T12:42:56.693-05:00HYPOTHESIS AND HOW IT IS CHANGING HOW WE READ ONLINE<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Hi everybody! Today I just wanted to quickly review an awesome tool called <a href="https://hypothes.is/" target="_blank">Hypothesis</a> that I've been using all semester for two of my English classes (Currents in American Lit and Critical Theory).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">As an extension of your web browser (<i>I use Chrome...does anyone not use Chrome?</i>), Hypothesis lets individuals highlight and annotate any online text of their choosing. By allowing (<i>encouraging it, I daresay</i>) people to comment on texts, a sort of community is born and it's truly neat to be involved in.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The two classes I am in this semester are among the first classes to use Hypothesis in the classroom, and it has been exciting to test this tool, find bugs or problems, and watch the tool itself grow and improve. Though, that is to say that for the most part Hypothesis has proved to be quite user friendly and well programmed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br />Personally, I struggle with reading online. I'm a "hold the book in my hand" kind of gal. When I say "reading online", I mean reading a text and actually comprehending it. Anyone can read online, but to get something out of a text that is not physically in front of you can be a challenge. However, I think Hypothesis has helped me to improve my competency and critical thinking skills. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I like to think of Hypothesis as a literary Facebook, if you will, as my classmates and I not only comment our own thoughts but also reply to each others. Far too often when I am reading a challenging text for class I can't stop dwelling on these questions: "Does anyone actually understand this? Am I crazy for thinking this means ___?" This brilliant tool lets me know that I'm not alone in feeling this way when I can see my classmates commenting in a similar fashion. It's quite comforting. Being able to reply to classmate's comments (<i>with a range of media, no less...gifs anybody?)</i> makes for some pretty entertaining online banter as well. I've laughed hysterically too many times to count whilst reading my classmate's comments (<i>especially when we read Freud...man, that was a comedic goldmine)</i> and I must say it increases the enjoyment I get out of doing my homework. And that's saying something.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">At this point in the game, it is safe to say that technology has gradually wiggled its way into the sphere of education and changed it for the better. People were skeptical at first to shy away from traditional modes of teaching and learning, but technology in the classroom has not taken away from the process of teaching, rather enriched it profusely. Tools like Hypothesis contribute positively to the experience of learning, as they promote discussion and help build a community that functions as a collective pool of knowledge and possibility. I like to think I'm apart of that pool now!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Tools like Hypothesis <b>are</b> the future of education.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">And I can't wait to see what else the future holds for students and teachers alike.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>until next time,</b></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18391297034282743150noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-321124881653148555.post-69611425720689481322015-11-24T20:25:00.000-05:002015-11-24T20:26:43.702-05:00WALT WHITMAN'S QUEERNESS AND WHY IT DOES(N'T) MATTER<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Hey everybody, long time no talk!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">True or False: The famous poet Walt Whitman was gay.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Anybody?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Oh, nobody knows for sure?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br />And it's not like we can ask him. You know, cause he's dead.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">But the most important question we need to ask ourselves is: Does it really matter?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Queer theory, which we studied in Critical Theory, is a lens through which examining literature becomes way more intriguing and possibly a little bit homosexual.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Here are two ways to go about examining a text through a queer lens:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">1. biographically</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">2. textually</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">More likely than not, the biographical information will be more telling in terms of a definitive answer. If there's evidence that the author was gay, which in Whitman's case there is, it will probably show up in their bio.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Biographical information is great for definitive answers when it is well supported (<a href="http://rictornorton.co.uk/whitman2.htm" target="_blank">there is plenty of evidence</a>), but looking to the text can be even more telling than the facts sometimes. Whitman's book of poetry <i>Leaves of Grass </i>is, at some points, quite blatantly homosexual.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Example from "Song of Myself":</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 25.2px;">Loafe with me on the grass, loose the stop from your throat…Only the lull I like, the hum of your valved voice"</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 25.2px;">Walt Whitman talking about blowjobs? Sure seems that way to me. After all, he is quoted as saying that in a nutshell that life revolves around sex. So, coupled with biographical evidence like the love letters, the case for Uncle Walt's queerness is looking pretty strong.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 25.2px;">But to return to the question I posed earlier: Does it matter?</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 25.2px;">After everything is said and done, does it matter if Walt Whitman is gay or not?</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 25.2px;">Does his supposed preference for the male sex affect how his writing is viewed?</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 25.2px;">Or how it is read?</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 25.2px;">Or why?</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 25.2px;">In my opinion, there isn't a cut and dry answer to this question. This is simply because the concept and functionality of sexuality means something different to everyone.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 25.2px;">For Whitman, it is quite possible that his purposed preference for men influenced his writing and vice versa.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 25.2px;"><br />For a straight student reading Whitman's work, perhaps "Song of Myself" sparks self-reflection on the subject of identity and nothing else.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 25.2px;">For a gay student (who is aware of Whitman's questionable sexuality) reading "Song of Myself", maybe it provides reassurance, confidence, or comfort and reminds them that they are not alone in feeling the way that they do.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 25.2px;"><b>until next time,</b></span></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18391297034282743150noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-321124881653148555.post-74164341914126955992015-11-08T00:01:00.000-05:002015-11-08T00:06:33.073-05:00HOLY MOTHER OF...<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Hey everybody! We recently covered Sigmund Freud in Critical Theory and we touched on some of the weird, traditional concepts like <a href="http://www.ricorso.net/rx/library/criticism/guest/Freud_S/Freud_S4.htm" target="_blank">penis envy</a>, the castration complex, and of course <a href="http://www.ricorso.net/rx/library/criticism/guest/Freud_S/Freud_S3.htm" target="_blank">the Oedipus complex</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The "Oedipus complex" is inspired by the play <i>Oedipus Rex</i> by Greek playwright Sophocles. The main character murders his father, has sex with his mother, and then proceeds to gouge his eyes out and go blind.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;">Worst day ever?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">As the hilarious comedian/singer-songwriter Bo Burnham says in one of his songs:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"Gay dads blow pops, another sucker,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Oedipus was the first motherfucker"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Freud named his concept after Oedipus because he embodies the violent tension between child and same sex parent and the sexual tension between child and opposite sex parent.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Being the lover of popular culture (TV in this case) that I am, I couldn't help but think of a really awesome example of the Oedipus complex from American Horror Story. None other than Dr. Oliver Thredson from the second season, Asylum.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Played by Zachary Quinto, Thredson epitomizes the Oedipus complex. He is, quite literally, a living testament to Freud's theory. Which is pretty damn ironic considering the fact that Thredson is a psychiatrist.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;">Disclaimer: I am not a psychoanalyst, therefore my views on Thredson are merely speculation and open to interpretation and criticism. My professor told us we needed to say this before we went around saying crazy stuff about people, fictional or not.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Now Thredson's version of the complex is pretty interesting, considering the fact that his mother was absent from his life from a young age and his father's whereabouts are questionable. Because his mother was absent and therefore neither physically or emotionally present, his desperate need for motherly love morphed into something sinister and also sexual. The Oedipus complex is usually resolved in children when they cease their harboring of negative feelings towards their same sex parent, but clearly Thredson's absent father makes that resolution quite difficult.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Thredson first discovered his sexual feelings towards motherly figures when he was in medical school, more specifically in his anatomy class. The cadaver that the class examines, and Thredson later on is alone with, is a thirty three year old woman, the exact age of Thredson's mother when she abandoned him. In his deluded mind, Thredson believes that the cadaver is his mother.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/7psmagA8w2k/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7psmagA8w2k?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: xx-small;">viewer discretion advised: if rape scenes make you uncomfortable, i would say skip the video</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">At one point in the season, Thredson kidnaps Lana Winters from the asylum. Lana is a reporter who visits the asylum with the intention of exposing the horrors that occur there, however she herself ends up experiencing those horrors for herself. Thredson tricks Lana into thinking that he is helping her escape the monstrous asylum but little does she know that the home of her accomplice holds much more terrifying secrets.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">As the video shows, Thredson claims that Lana is "the one", the motherly figure that he has searched for his entire life. He breastfeeds from Lana against her will and proceeds to rape her while she is in a catatonic state.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Clearly this an extreme case of the Oedipus complex. According to Freud, the Oedipus complex is usually resolved with minimal internal conflict and life goes on without a hitch. The origin of Thredson's neuroses is almost definitely rooted in his unresolved Oedipus complex, however that's not to say that his instability isn't influenced by psychopathy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br />I suppose it's only fitting, if not ironic, that he went on to become someone who makes a living telling other people everything that is wrong with them.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>until next time, </b></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18391297034282743150noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-321124881653148555.post-7915665400574960652015-10-21T22:18:00.002-04:002015-10-21T22:18:37.774-04:00THE iOS 9 UPDATE AND WHY IT CAUSED ME TO MEDITATE ON STRUCTURALISM<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Hey guys! So, the iOS 9 update for iPhone came out today and finally <i>(FINALLY)</i> we were blessed with the new emojis we've been promised for what seems like an eternity. After years of struggling to truly identify with any one emoji character, the day has finally come. Ladies and gentleman, behold: the sassy eye-rolling emoji.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>third row down, second from the left</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Sassy eye-rolling emoji is not to be confused with the shifty eye emoji. Just saying. Also, middle finger emoji, 'nuff said.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">But anyways.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">What does this have to do with structuralism, you say? Well, a whole heck of a lot actually.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Structuralism, which goes hand in hand with semiotics, is a theory that examines the relationship between concepts/things and how they are represented through language. Emoji is arguably its own language, originating in Japan as a mode of expressing unique cultural ideas and symbols.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The emojis themselves are what we refer to as the signifier, or the </span><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">word,
image, or representation that is used to designate the signified. The signified is the object or idea that the signifier is referring to.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">For example, this is an emoji of a tree. An evergreen, to be more specific. This treemoji <i><span style="font-size: x-small;">(see what i did there?)</span></i> is the signifier, a symbol that represents the living thing that supplies us humans with oxygen and on occasion something that we put in our house and decorate. That bauble covered, lit up tree in your living room being the signified.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The "arbitrary nature of the sign" is the famous phrase that defines structuralism, coined by Ferdinand De Saussure. The phrase basically boils down to this: the sign has no real relation to the signifier or the signified. This addresses the question that I'm sure many people (including myself) have pondered: How are there so many words to describe the same thing? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">When somebody looks at the tree emoji, they know what that image is referring to. (If you want to be technical, yes, perhaps not everyone on the planet is familiar with this specific kind of tree, but they at least have a general idea of what the image is supposed to represent.) However, two people can look at the same tree emoji and exclaim either, "Arbre!" or "Arbol!" This goes back to Saussure's claim that the nature of the sign is arbitrary, as signifiers and the signifieds are not consistent across all languages.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Since we are on the topic of different languages, let's backtrack for a second and remember that the origin of emoji can be traced back to Japan. A country where they speak Japanese and the culture is radically different than say the United States, where emoji are extremely popular. As anyone who uses emoji has probably realized by now, there are quite a few characters that the typical American isn't able to identify. Because the relationship between the signifier (the emoji character itself) and the signified (whatever that character is supposed to be representing) is unknown in this circumstance, the emoji takes on a life of its own, as determined by the user.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In an era that is driven and defined by technology and communication, language evolves quicker than ever. Emoji has become like a second language to those who communicate virtually, but this shift to a non-verbal way of conveying emotion and information is still very much consistent in the way it interacts with structural concepts.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>until next time,</b></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18391297034282743150noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-321124881653148555.post-28598266781356958182015-10-18T23:21:00.000-04:002015-10-18T23:21:52.110-04:00AUTHOR AND AUTHOR FUNCTION: FOR DUMMIES<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Hey everyone! In this post I am going to be tackling the difference between the author and the author function.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In Critical Theory, we've been looking at Michel Foucault's article <i>What Is An Author?</i> which addresses the concept of authorship and how/why it exists.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">When it is put into simple terms, it is quite easy to understand the difference between author and author function. The author is the living, breathing human being that writes. <i>(We are speaking of the author in the present tense, however the author may be dead. Or alive. Or they might not exist yet. See, this is where it gets a bit complicated...)</i></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7C6h3_GiRd7fVb1COhuu8lwq5DKg7CurzxKdnD32h59BxC8ZQ3RNF-FMhuyYEuGMLnqle1ZRcT5YUZGQTuacLRUAUkD-Jn86vPQzyOiiuUPpwli1qhFvJ9wz8_ZwCVX3KYamxbS6FM4Ph/s1600/102743-004-EC818A89.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7C6h3_GiRd7fVb1COhuu8lwq5DKg7CurzxKdnD32h59BxC8ZQ3RNF-FMhuyYEuGMLnqle1ZRcT5YUZGQTuacLRUAUkD-Jn86vPQzyOiiuUPpwli1qhFvJ9wz8_ZwCVX3KYamxbS6FM4Ph/s400/102743-004-EC818A89.jpg" width="362" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This is a picture of<b> the author </b>J.K. Rowling, the very talented woman who wrote the Harry Potter series. The idea for Harry Potter came to her while she was stuck on a train and she started writing the prolific story on a napkin because it was all she had at the moment.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Now, author function is a tad bit more complicated to explain. While the author is/was a real person, the author function is a concept that perseveres long after the author is dead and gone. In other words, <b>the author function </b>in the context of this example with J.K. Rowling is anything that makes up the body of her work. So, the seven Harry Potter books that she penned, minor yet related works <i>(i.e. books that exist in the HP universe that she wrote and released in real life like Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them and The Tales of Beedle the Bard)</i>, those horrific crime novels she wrote under a pseudonym <i>(and for good reason).</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">More often than not, when someone is referring to Rowling they are referring to the author function and not the author. Perhaps if they are speaking of her personal life or her childhood, the person is referring to <b>the author</b>. However, usually when someone refers to Rowling <i>(or any other author really...this example isn't limited to just rowling)</i> they are using her proper name in a more generalized way, as if to say that Rowling <b>is </b>her work. As Foucault suggests, the text creates the author and not the other way around. So perhaps it is appropriate to refer to the author in relation to the works that they have created, as their authorship would be non-existent without the creation and preservation of their works.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">J.K. Rowling is defined by her famous series and her legacy will live on through the books she has written. When she is long gone, Harry and his friends will continue to brighten the lives of those who embark on the journey of delving into his magical world.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>until next time,</b></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18391297034282743150noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-321124881653148555.post-13836115829341693302015-10-15T16:12:00.000-04:002015-10-21T22:45:28.835-04:00IN OTHER WORDS, YOU'RE GOING TO HELL: EXAMINING THE LANGUAGE OF JONATHAN EDWARDS<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Hey everyone! In my American Lit class we have sadly left the craziness of good ol' Salem behind <i>(boo, though i'm actually going there tomorrow so that should be interesting...more to come on that) </i>and we have moved onto the Great Awakening. This time period, which began in the mid 1700's in America, is known for being a religious revival of sorts. Though religious devotion and reformation is a common thread in the texts from Salem as well as from authors of the Great Awakening like Jonathan Edwards, the inclusion of emotion is what sets the latter apart from the former. Long gone are the days of snooze-inducing Puritan prose, as Edward's works like <i>Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God </i>are fraught with fervent imagery, raw emotion, and maybe even some sexy stuff. In addition to looking at <i>Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God, </i>we also examined <i>Personal Narrative</i>. The contrast between the two texts is stark, as one portrays God and religion as something to be revered and feared while the other suggests that he is beautiful and lovely. This contrast is especially blatant in the language used, and in the choice and repetition of certain words.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZbDYf6eragpWfr7dXmP4y_WZLq4CXb-ZGgLLX14edaSkj3xT8vCFPDdXDxZIb8TDlrYZDle8nsjH43d9Tl4rLxJ7b8GvhfCEi8CmcIHZbFrWpFdTQKCgNsFeRFgW7Mxg1jU_3MpPQ_Qzs/s1600/edwards+word+cloud+2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZbDYf6eragpWfr7dXmP4y_WZLq4CXb-ZGgLLX14edaSkj3xT8vCFPDdXDxZIb8TDlrYZDle8nsjH43d9Tl4rLxJ7b8GvhfCEi8CmcIHZbFrWpFdTQKCgNsFeRFgW7Mxg1jU_3MpPQ_Qzs/s640/edwards+word+cloud+2.png" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Word cloud for <i>Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God</i></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAScEaHLpiyqzOehzZv1RPg4BMW1S5sxHhRilej02pT-a9oqi6lwXZmVn_1dnPP97YNDkqpqA4v2v8RFzdgPgtt_kWXP_5mhHlOhQlBvgBFt7sW3yklQLOYRKc_Zt8YxmWh4jCDDssZ0l4/s1600/edwards+word+cloud.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAScEaHLpiyqzOehzZv1RPg4BMW1S5sxHhRilej02pT-a9oqi6lwXZmVn_1dnPP97YNDkqpqA4v2v8RFzdgPgtt_kWXP_5mhHlOhQlBvgBFt7sW3yklQLOYRKc_Zt8YxmWh4jCDDssZ0l4/s640/edwards+word+cloud.png" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Word cloud for <i>Personal Narrative</i></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So, I decided to make word clouds for both of the texts we looked at. For those who may not know, word clouds are a visual representation of word frequency. Therefore, the bigger a word is the more it is used! Repetition is a theme that pervades Edwards' work, and it is easy to see when looking at these word clouds. As he was a preacher, it can be deduced that repetition is a kind of tactic to drive home a point. In <i>Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God</i>, the most used words are <b>God </b><i>(woah, shocker there), </i><b>hell, wrath, destruction, and pleasure. </b>For <i>Personal Narrative, </i>those words are <b>God</b> (<i>again), </i><b>Christ, sweet, divine, glory, and infinite.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">God and the varying emotion that one feels in relation is obviously the topic of both pieces, however the contrast in language between the two are what distance them from each other. Fire and brimstone or light and goodness, either way Edwards certainly portrays God in such a way that provokes critical thought but also maybe an eye roll for good measure.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>until next time,</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtJ6e8_JOBBP6YTBkTmZJSWV31RGTPogJTiAnx4tqdSx_MaUBlMc_LdaQVpj-qx2BdyYilLB5JZVrSC40xaLL9mcPVshKqNf28ONqYJcKsRFOBCtO-TWPWi6gB3UOYOvZXiVLqN9qQWQxW/s1600/http---signatures.mylivesignature.com-54492-280-5FB1ECEFEDC0AAFC204240977F0E47CA.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtJ6e8_JOBBP6YTBkTmZJSWV31RGTPogJTiAnx4tqdSx_MaUBlMc_LdaQVpj-qx2BdyYilLB5JZVrSC40xaLL9mcPVshKqNf28ONqYJcKsRFOBCtO-TWPWi6gB3UOYOvZXiVLqN9qQWQxW/s1600/http---signatures.mylivesignature.com-54492-280-5FB1ECEFEDC0AAFC204240977F0E47CA.png" /></a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18391297034282743150noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-321124881653148555.post-67498359678371769322015-10-08T12:54:00.000-04:002015-10-09T23:09:22.329-04:00EYE OF THE BEHOLDER: MAYBELLINE THROUGH A STRUCTURALIST LENS <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Hey everybody! In this post I'm going to be examining a company that you may be familiar with, Maybelline. Though this website was born as a "beauty and fashion" blog if you will, I'm sure it has become quite apparent that is not the case any longer. (<i>Totally not to say that I don't enjoy makeup or writing about it...but that's not my point here.</i>) In Crit Theory today we were discussing language and the relationship between ideas/objects and the words that we use to signify them. So, my friend and I decided to take a look at the makeup brand Maybelline in order to observe this phenomenon. </span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Diachronically speaking, Maybelline represents the
“ideal” woman in American culture: one that is seen and not heard. In other
words, she is revered for her physical appearance and not for her personal
beliefs or opinions. Although their ads have changed over time in terms of
appearance and marketing techniques (i.e. slogans and color schemes), the
message has remained static: women are made into meaningful individuals by
making themselves up with Maybelline products. In Maybelline ads from the early
1900’s, the message is blatant and woven expertly into the descriptions of the
ads. However, in more recent advertisements the sexism is implied in the
language rather than said outright.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">When you look at this specific ad from Maybelline in
a synchronic sense, you get the idea that everything women are doing is for
men, not for themselves. Women are told through this makeup ad that men <b>always</b>
want them to be perfect. However, they are only perfect when it comes to their physical
appearance; women’s thoughts and ideas are clearly not as revered as much as
say, her eyes. Even if the women’s man is away, she should look the way he
thought she would when he returned.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOJAivBotCvXGRnO8MqQsMGcbsm0IRHok4qrNNCjqwLGNTs-QPwB2LUUFiSQVZyr5XzMGZPDR-3u93UF9Kj4nQQtH68OzUlsS-KugTm32m0WVVS979EjRrIng6fCrWiINj_Uyo9mrwjhUj/s1600/scan0004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOJAivBotCvXGRnO8MqQsMGcbsm0IRHok4qrNNCjqwLGNTs-QPwB2LUUFiSQVZyr5XzMGZPDR-3u93UF9Kj4nQQtH68OzUlsS-KugTm32m0WVVS979EjRrIng6fCrWiINj_Uyo9mrwjhUj/s640/scan0004.jpg" width="481" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;">The word “makeup” itself leads one to believe that
those who use it are hiding something. Makeup acts as a façade, a mask that
covers up the truth, and “the truth” is that women are undesirable without it.
Many of the advertisements feature words like “accent” and “perfect” imply that
women need to use Maybelline products because their natural beauty is
understated, boring, and in need of improvement.</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">These Maybelline ads speak to the nature of American
beauty ideals: women need makeup because they are not pretty without it.
Natural beauty is something to be ashamed of, and the façade that makeup
provides becomes the “truth”. The language that these ads utilize is persuasive
and steeped in sexism, aimed solely at generating revenue and perpetuating
stereotypes of women.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4xqnVspWhf9Crgv3Wo6j-9RJH-5Sfj6MGsOwGmc-fmOYyYtRtIniOR7mdYs5TuA06-Ntk2Xu4ah0af8lXnK9mn8tL7g8t3w3KzylZqTm5zFPpR_uA576X_lKmq1gAmvqkx_jN1e9REs2w/s1600/maybelline1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4xqnVspWhf9Crgv3Wo6j-9RJH-5Sfj6MGsOwGmc-fmOYyYtRtIniOR7mdYs5TuA06-Ntk2Xu4ah0af8lXnK9mn8tL7g8t3w3KzylZqTm5zFPpR_uA576X_lKmq1gAmvqkx_jN1e9REs2w/s640/maybelline1.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;">Maybelline’s “target audience” is arguably white,
heterosexual upper-middle class women. While this demographic is likely the
main consumer of these products, it is important to keep in mind that there are
a multitude of individuals (of varying races and ethnic backgrounds) who are
consuming but not being represented. The ideas that construct Maybelline as a
brand were once stable and static as women were trapped in a singular role by
society. However today, as women continue to stand up for themselves and defy
social norms, those ideas are outdated and fail to accurately support women as
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18391297034282743150noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-321124881653148555.post-15600043522304292762015-10-06T23:15:00.000-04:002015-10-06T23:15:49.594-04:00I'LL PUT A SPELL ON YOU: PORTRAYING THE SALEM WITCH TRIALS IN MODERN CULTURE <div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Hi everyone! It's fall now <i>(in New England, anyways) </i>and that means colder weather, chunky sweaters, and watching the 1993 Disney film <i>Hocus Pocus</i> on repeat. <span style="font-size: x-small;">Shoutout to Halloweentown, also a fantastic movie, but for the purpose of this blog post we're sticking to the former. </span>I've loved <i>Hocus Pocus</i> since I was a wee child along with all of my peers. Even more so, I've been a little bit obsessed with the Salem Witch Trials for years now as it is of significant interest to me. Perhaps my interest in this subject was solidified by it's unusual and macabre nature, however I'm inclined to believe that the media's portrayal of this event is too what peaked my fascination. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Why is the media so fixated on this particular historical event, even in today's popular culture? Are we fictionalizing it to the point where it becomes an unauthentic representation of "history", where real people are mere characters and their trials and tribulations become the plot of a dramatized soap opera of sorts?</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Going back to <i>Hocus Pocus</i> for a brief moment...<span style="font-size: x-small;">oh, quick little tid bit. My professor Robin shared with all of us today during her lecture on the trials that the Salem "witches" were not officially pardoned until 1992. <i>Hocus Pocus</i> came out the following year...coincidence?</span> Although this is not quite relevant to my ultimate point, I think it is interesting to highlight the fact that this movie is still very much relevant, namely at this year's Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party at Disney World's Magic Kingdom.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Can we just take a moment to appreciate the awesomeness? I want to high five whoever did the casting for this show, especially for Winifred, because they were all SPOT ON. Sadly, I highly doubt any of the young kids that were watching the show even know who the Sanderson sisters are, let alone have any idea about what the movie is meant to represent historically. Seeing as it is a children's movie, elements like death, evil, and witchcraft have a comedic spin put on them. However, applying comedic tropes to a serious and grotesque historical event, in this case, seems to mock instead of providing relief.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">While <i>Hocus Pocus</i> is a funny anecdote about three fictitious witches, WGN's scripted drama <i>Salem </i>takes a more serious approach to the subject of the witch trials. First of all, check out the kick ass intro:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i> </i> <iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/ycGClZhNRjw/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ycGClZhNRjw?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Wicked creepy and bonus points for using a Marilyn Manson song. Props!</i> Anyways, in my opinion, <i>Salem</i> is a hybrid of sorts. Yes, it most definitely has some historical truth in it and visually it provides a sense of what living in 1690's Salem would have been like. But, considering the fact that there is <b>still </b>so much uncertainty and mystery surrounding the Salem Witch Trials, the show is able to take creative license regarding the extent to which they dramatize the stories and how far they delve into the realm of the supernatural. Some of the characters, like Cotton Mather and his father Increase, are based on real figures during the trials but most are not.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In saying that <i>Salem </i>is a hybrid, I am saying that it is part historical drama and part cheesy soap opera. As Salem was a wholly religious community with an emphasis on purity in <b><i>all</i></b> aspects of life, it is difficult to swallow the highly sexualized nature of the society (and its relationship to witchcraft) as it is portrayed in the show. The sex seems out of place in a show of this nature and it is all too obvious that the inclusion of the sex is only an attempt to keep <i>Salem</i> on the same plane as other popular sexualized TV shows like <i>Game of Thrones </i>and <i>The Tudors</i>. With all that being said, I wholeheartedly enjoy <i>Salem. </i>In my opinion, it is perfectly acceptable to like watching this show despite all of problems that encapsulate it, because in this case the outcome of consuming the media's representation of an event such as this is pure entertainment rather than edification.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">People still flock to Salem, hundreds of years after hysteria engulfed the Puritan community that resided there. The tourists flood the city especially during the month of October, Halloween dredging up the screams of the afflicted and the accused alike. Modern culture, most notably literature and film/TV, too continues to dredge up this story, or parable if you will, but for what reason? To prevent the masses from forgetting the atrocities that occurred? To preserve a classic example of the battle between good and evil? To act as a drama in which we insert fictitious individuals into history to warp and distort the truth?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Regardless, the Salem Witch Trials serves as a moral paradigm and grotesque defining event in American history that will forever live on in Salem proper and in modern culture.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And that makes me very, very happy.</span></div>
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<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">until next time,</b></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18391297034282743150noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-321124881653148555.post-41377133091966981572015-09-29T13:02:00.000-04:002015-09-29T13:02:31.066-04:00ANNE BRADSTREET: PURITAN POET AND BADASS FEMINIST<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Hi everyone! This is the first post I am doing for my Currents in American Lit class, and today I wanted to quickly introduce you to the gloriousness that is Anne Bradstreet.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Now, here's the deal: Anne Bradstreet is considered to be the first female author published in the New World, and that feat in itself is impressive. Which is kind of sad, because the fact that it is impressive speaks to the position of women during this time period and even more specifically (and especially) in the Puritan society that Bradstreet resided in. The surprise that follows the publication of Anne's work <i>The Tenth Muse Lately Sprung Up In America</i> is best summarized by her brother in law, John Woodbridge, as he writes in his prologue:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;">"The worst effect of his [the reader’s] reading will be unbelief, which will make him question whether it be a woman’s work, and ask, is it possible?"</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;">This is exactly the point where Bradstreet's subtle feminism comes into play. Forget bra burning in the 60's, because this wonderful woman dethroned the patriarchy with her understated poetry and I'm not even quite sure she knew the power in her own words.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;">In her poem "Prologue", Anne addresses those who question her abilities as a writer, and in turn her womanliness:</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;">"I am obnoxious to each carping tongue</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;">Who says my hand a needle better fits.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;">A poet's pen all scorn I should thus wrong;</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;">For such despite they cast on female wits,</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;">If what I do prove well, it wont advance-</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;">They'll say it was stolen, or else it was by chance."</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;">To me this verse screams, "Hey men, I know you don't like me and you think I should stick to my womanly duties but screw you because I'm just as capable as you!" Her mocking tone and sarcastic rhetoric is somewhat hidden underneath her coy jabs at male views on women. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;">Personally, I believe that Bradstreet's <i>In Honour Of The High And Mighty Princess, Queen Elizabeth </i>is the most overtly feminist poem in the collection. In a world where men are consistently and simultaneously the author and the reader, Bradstreet turned this notion on its head by dedicating a poem to Queen Elizabeth who, "was so good, so just, so learn'd, so wise, from all the kings on earth she won the prize". To praise a queen rather than a king could be considered treason in the eyes of men, so in doing so Bradstreet may be considered the first American feminist. The most intriguing part of Bradstreet's ode to Elizabeth can be found in the second epitaph at the conclusion of the poem. Here, Elizabeth is referred to as an "unparallel'd prince", which leads to the question: Why use a highly gender specific (ie male) term to refer to a powerful woman? Is it because she is trying to appeal to her male readers, perhaps making Elizabeth more manly and therefore more fit to rule in the eyes of men? Or is it because Anne Bradstreet is attempting to shake society to its core by stating that a woman can do just as good of a job, maybe even a superior job, when it comes to ruling than a man? Gasp!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;">With all things considered, Ms. Bradstreet was surely onto something with these poems of hers. Whether she was aware or not of the effects her work would have on society and how women were viewed within it, who knows. But regardless, Anne Bradstreet's radical poetry paved the way for female voices in the New World and that in itself is a contribution to be proud of.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;"><i><b>until next time,</b></i></span></span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18391297034282743150noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-321124881653148555.post-87898385291154106702015-09-27T23:40:00.000-04:002015-09-27T23:40:01.863-04:00A NATION REBORN? THE PURGE AND IDEOLOGY<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Hi all! I feel a trend emerging...here I go again
finding connections between popular movies and less popular critical theory. I
feel like I simply cannot live a normal life anymore because I analyze everything way
too freakin' much. Life of an English major, am I right?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In case you didn't guess already, this time around
we are looking at the 2013 horror movie (this categorization is questionable, i would suggest cautionary tale) <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2184339/" target="_blank">The Purge</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">For anyone who hasn't seen it (Robin, this one's for
you), here is the trailer:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I think that watching the trailer is important in
this instance, as the film's premise is somewhat complicated to explain. Here
is the announcement that commences the holiday:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="line-height: 115%;">"This is not a test. This is your emergency
broadcast system announcing the commencement of the Annual Purge sanctioned by
the U.S. Government. Weapons of class 4 and lower have been authorized for use
during the Purge. All other weapons are restricted. Government officials of
ranking 10 have been granted immunity from the Purge and shall not be harmed.
Commencing at the siren, any and all crime, including murder, will be legal for
12 continuous hours. Police, fire, and emergency medical services will be
unavailable until tomorrow morning until 7 a.m., when The Purge concludes.
Blessed be our New Founding Fathers and America, a nation reborn. May God be
with you all."</span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">(In Critical Theory, we have been talking about
Marxism and therefore how class structure influences and interacts with
ideologies. For this blog post, I will be referring specifically to and quoting
from Louis Althusser's <i><a href="https://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/althusser/1970/ideology.htm" target="_blank">Ideology and Ideological State Apparatuses</a></i>.) Before we
even get to the film itself, let's take a moment to look closely at this
specific piece of text.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I think one of the most striking things about this
announcement is the strong religious language. Yes, the documents and oral
tradition that make America the great country it is today are steeped in religion (i'm looking at you puritans, ooh
crossover between american lit and crit theory, so meta) so it is not
particularly surprising that this speech echoes that tradition. What is jarring
about the pious content is that it acts as a buffer or excuse, if you will. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Oh, you murdered your neighbor? Well, it must have
been God's will I guess. Good thing he's there to back you up. And since you're a model citizen the other 364 days out of the year, he's going to forget it even happened.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Here is where the ideology comes in: Religion (or
the church itself), in Althusser's writings, functions as one of the main
ideological state apparatuses (or ISA's as they will be referred to from here
on out, because that phrase is too damn long). An ISA, as he explains is a,
"distinct and specialized institution(s)...of the private domain".
Even in the slightly futuristic setting of The Purge, religion remains one, if
not the most, dominant ISA in American culture.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The concept of the Purge itself is arguably
religious as well. The definition of the word "purge" is<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">a) rid (someone) of an unwanted feeling, memory, or
condition, typically giving a sense of cathartic release<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">or<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">b) an abrupt or violent removal of a group of people
from an organization or place<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Okay, the first definition to me is fraught with
religious overtones. Confession anyone?!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The second one is a tad more out there, at least in
the context we're using it, but it sure is interesting. The Purge is not just
the masses wreaking bloody havoc on the upper class, the Purge is an
"equal opportunity employer" of sorts in the way that it encourages
everyone to participate.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Another startling aspect of the Purge is the absence
of what Althusser calls repressive state apparatuses (or RSA's). Unlike ISA's,
RSA's belong to the public domain as they are in place to control society (for
example, the police are an RSA). As Althusser points out, if ISA’s do their job
there is no real need for RSA’s with a few rare exceptions simply because we do
not live in a utopian society.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">But is the comfort of ideology enough to survive the
Purge? Does the complete withdrawal of RSA’s from society for a brief period of time
lead to the destruction of ideology, and therefore all sense of morality? This
leads to the ultimate question: How many people would actually participate in
such an atrocious “holiday” if the opportunity arose? <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In the film, there are two distinct kinds of people;
those who are gung ho about the Purge and seem excited, even giddy to murder
and maim whomever they can get their hands on. The other kinds of people are
entirely against the Purge, their only wish to survive the night and they do
so in varying ways. The family in the movie is well off financially; therefore
they can afford to hide out in their giant mansion which is armed with an expensive and elaborate
alarm system. However, as it is addressed in the sequel <i>The Purge: Anarchy</i>, the majority of people (shall we call them the
99 percent?) spend the night hiding wherever they can whether that’s their
modest unarmed home which is vulnerable to those who run amuck or perhaps
people who have no home at all who are trapped outside. This discrepancy in
protection and support for the Purge itself is yet another example of Marxist theory
coinciding with the concept, as the discrepancy amplifies the theme of class struggle
that pervades the film as a whole.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 21.4666652679443px;">As far as ideology is concerned, this film could be interpreted a multitude of different ways. Take for instance, <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jonathan-kim/rethink-review-emthe-purg_b_3401505.html" target="_blank">this article</a> that suggests that <i>The Purge </i>serves an allegory for the possible domination of the U.S. by the Republican party. What I do know for certain is that this film would intrigue the likes of Marx and Althusser, and for that reason I wish they were still around so we could ask them: To purge? Or not to purge?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 21.4666652679443px;">That is the question.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 21.4666652679443px;"><i>until next time,</i></span></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18391297034282743150noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-321124881653148555.post-42681824214090623442015-09-12T00:32:00.000-04:002015-09-12T00:32:45.420-04:00CURSE YOU, WIMSATT AND BEARDSLEY: WHY NEW CRITICISM RUINED MY VIEWING OF SINISTER 2<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Hi guys! As you can probably tell, this post (and most likely the next few, at least) is going to be different than my usual posts. I will be creating content for two of the English classes that I am taking this semester which happen to be Critical Theory and Currents in American Literature. Today, for Critical Theory, I'm going to attempt to make connections between two things that seem entirely unrelated: welcome to the life of an English major.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Last night I went to see Sinister 2 with my boyfriend and, as expected, I was royally disappointed. <i><span style="font-size: x-small;">I mean it's not like I went into it with the highest of expectations anyways.</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I'm not going to waste much of my time recapping the plot for you, because a) I'm still kind of confused by it to be completely honest and b) it's not that important when it comes to the point that I'm attempting to make. As someone who is reasonably jumpy and easily spooked, it means <b>something</b> for me to say that I didn't find this film to be that scary at all. Sure, there were a few moments where I was disgusted by the gore or I jumped but the most shocking aspect of the movie was not supernatural in the least. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">For this next part, you might need a little bit of backstory for you to follow me so here we go:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Sinister 2 follows a family (single mom with two twin nine year old boys) who moves to a farm in rural Indiana where some real crazy stuff has happened in the past. I'm talking some <b>really</b> messed up stuff. But that's besides the point. The mom is fighting for custody of her twin sons, as it is revealed over the course of the movie that their father is extremely abusive towards his wife and children, even sending his own son to the emergency room at one point.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Yes, I am aware that Sinister 2 is a horror film that on its superficial surface is about a demon that recruits children to do his bidding and murder their families. However, I can't shake the feeling that deep in the underbelly of this messy mythology there's something more sinister lurking than the Boogeyman. The subplot that addresses the domestic abuse that the mother and her two sons endure, to me, doesn't seem like much of a subplot at all. When I walked out of the movie last night, I couldn't stop pondering whether I had just watched a horror movie or a manifesto on the issue of basic human rights. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">As my boyfriend said to me after the movie was over, "You totally just analyzed that movie like an English major".</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I know it's been a strange journey to this point, but here we are connecting Wimsatt and Beardsley's <a href="http://faculty.smu.edu/nschwart/seminar/Fallacy.htm" target="_blank">The Intentional Fallacy</a> and <a href="http://www.plymouth.edu/courses/pluginfile.php/727642/mod_resource/content/1/Affective%20Fallacy.pdf" target="_blank">The Affective Fallacy</a> to Sinister 2. These two concepts, brought to you by New Criticism, question the role of the author and reader when it comes to trying to decode the meaning of a work. In this case, I suppose we are dealing with the author and the observer although the relationship between the two are highly similar.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">According to Wimsatt and Beardsley, everything I just said about thinking Sinister 2 was about domestic abuse is irrelevant because the only way to know the "truth" is to look to the text, or in this case the script. If I asked Scott Derrickson, one of the writers, if he intended for the movie to actually be a giant metaphor for domestic abuse, with the Boogeyman character who tries to steal children away representing the twin's father, he may have absolutely no idea what the hell I'm even talking about. In most cases, the author doesn't even know his/her own intention! Therefore, how can the observer know the author's intention if he/she is unaware of it?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />Also, the emotional effect that the film had on me personally is irrelevant as well in the eyes of Beardsley and Wimsatt. Just because it makes you feel something, doesn't mean that it's of any importance from a critical perspective. Harsh but true, man.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">And that, my friends, is why new criticism was replaced by reader-response theory. <i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Insert mic drop here.</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>until next time,</b></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18391297034282743150noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-321124881653148555.post-50861995778698648982015-08-18T23:51:00.000-04:002015-08-18T23:51:19.840-04:00SOMEWHERE NEW AND AN OLD FAVORITE<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Hi everyone! Long time, no talk. I know. To be quite honest with you, most of my summer has been utterly boring. As in, I've spent it working my tush off at two jobs. I'm in the process of saving up for my move to Florida <i>(oh yeah, that's a thing that's happening btw!) </i>hence lots and lots of slaving away as an underpaid waitress. But you know that they say....all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. Or in this case, me, Shannon. I did, on the few occasions I wasn't stuck at work, do some traveling this summer! First, I visited my Disney roommate/best friend Brittany in her hometown of Lafayette, Lousiana. <span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Also known as the hottest place on the planet. Or maybe that's just the entirety of the South in the summer? Yeah I'm gonna go with that.</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We started my trip off right: with a trip to the world famous Cafe Du Monde of course! We didn't go to the original one first (we saved that for my birthday) but it didn't matter because the beignets and coffee are to die for no matter which one you go to. Swoon.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Brittany and I spent the first few days of my trip exploring Lafayette and the surrounding area.</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">the new fountain on brittany's campus; geaux cajuns!</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We ended my trip in New Orleans where I turned 21 on Bourbon Street, posed with a cardboard cutout of Channing Tatum at his bar because the real one was not present <i>(i also had my first legal drink there)</i>, and experienced some good ol' voodoo.</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">outside the american horror story coven house :)</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And I went back to Orlando about a week ago with my friend Jaden because I just missed Disney too darn much. How predictable.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">until next time,</span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOKfduxmEZdZqDZ_vsyVDY4FM_crIC-Nk9P8iasKx1VnVamn2G64I_iAPXYmgJXBinJAkXS_W3_AupucQUrbQ1FbZ5d4jeHeeJK3QqPna-TRGegbPmt9hEbnQzx7wlfSnT-I1ZNtpoDnGK/s1600/http---signatures.mylivesignature.com-54492-280-5FB1ECEFEDC0AAFC204240977F0E47CA.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOKfduxmEZdZqDZ_vsyVDY4FM_crIC-Nk9P8iasKx1VnVamn2G64I_iAPXYmgJXBinJAkXS_W3_AupucQUrbQ1FbZ5d4jeHeeJK3QqPna-TRGegbPmt9hEbnQzx7wlfSnT-I1ZNtpoDnGK/s1600/http---signatures.mylivesignature.com-54492-280-5FB1ECEFEDC0AAFC204240977F0E47CA.png" /></a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18391297034282743150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-321124881653148555.post-52474097056752972982015-06-11T00:13:00.001-04:002015-06-11T00:56:41.873-04:00A PSA ABOUT SELF-WORTH: TO ANYONE WHO NEEDS TO HEAR IT<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Hi everyone! Today I just wanted to touch on a few things that I've been reflecting on recently.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Sometimes you make a decision and at the moment it seems like the absolute best thing to do.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The <b><i>only</i></b> thing to do.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">There are two outcomes to this decision: 1) you realize that you made a mistake or 2) you see that it was indeed the right choice.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Or there is a third option. A combination of the two, if you will.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">You do the right thing in making that difficult decision but what follows is a mistake.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Or I guess in this circumstance, <i style="font-weight: bold;">who </i>follows is a mistake.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">There are always going to be people out there in the world who can build you up just as fast as they can break your heart.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Remember that you're worthy of so much more than that.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">You deserve to wake up to a"good morning" text. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">You do not deserve to be ignored for days, waiting around for what is more than likely to be a three word reply at best.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">You deserve to be the only one that matters. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">You do not deserve to worry excessively and feel the need to grovel for the attention of someone who wont even give you the time of day.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">But most of all: you deserve someone who will <i style="font-weight: bold;">try.</i> Really, truly, try. Because that's what <i style="font-weight: bold;">everyone </i>deserves.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><3</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>until next time,</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieh1ZFiPWrMAi1QNvHImEZxWFRih1gftxShXr38wWpD95TgLWr9OWpcYVH3zksddh_g_kz52sonYQ72Q9TNtV_J20zB77sCkJ0nggy4ZoR0b2ND8qrlnPnMqwiMxTwOAF1ir9Fljn3-rSX/s1600/http---signatures.mylivesignature.com-54492-280-5FB1ECEFEDC0AAFC204240977F0E47CA.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieh1ZFiPWrMAi1QNvHImEZxWFRih1gftxShXr38wWpD95TgLWr9OWpcYVH3zksddh_g_kz52sonYQ72Q9TNtV_J20zB77sCkJ0nggy4ZoR0b2ND8qrlnPnMqwiMxTwOAF1ir9Fljn3-rSX/s1600/http---signatures.mylivesignature.com-54492-280-5FB1ECEFEDC0AAFC204240977F0E47CA.png" /></a></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18391297034282743150noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-321124881653148555.post-72429060397030131292015-06-05T00:00:00.000-04:002015-06-05T00:00:50.980-04:00AND I SAW THESE SHOES, NOW I'M A BELIEVER (IN LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT)<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Hi everyone! I'm back today with a... </span><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">*drumroll please* </i><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">fashion post! I've really missed doing these and besides I </span><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-weight: bold;">had </i><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">to share with you all the new loves of my life that I purchased from Target today.<i> (Oh, and props to you if you got the reference in the title of this post...I do love my puns and I'm pretty darn proud of that one)</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">These beauties are the <a href="http://www.target.com/p/women-s-adley-platform-wedge-sandals/-/A-16544788#prodSlot=_1_8" target="_blank">Adley Platform Wedge Sandals</a>, and I guess you could say I had a Carrie Bradshaw moment when I saw them in the store. Personally, I've never been much of a shoe lover. Sure, I love a good pair of Jeffrey Campbells just as much as the next person but I just don't consider myself a junkie when it comes to footwear. However, when I saw these at Target, I <i style="font-weight: bold;">knew</i> I had to have them. Two things before we go any further into this post though:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1. Can we just talk about how much Target has stepped up their game as of late? I'm so impressed by the quality and affordability of their clothes/shoes/accessories/ect.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">2. The return of 90's fashion makes me giddy...and these shoes are just another example of that revival!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I've been on the hunt for a pair like this for a <b>long time </b>and I'm so stoked that I found a pair that didn't cost me a pretty penny. These shoes are so simple yet they are exactly what I need to add some edge to my everyday wear. And not to mention, they are wicked comfortable too! I can't wait to break these bad boys in when I go to New Orleans in a few weeks for my 21st birthday!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Leave a comment down below and let me know if you want to see an "outfit(s) of the day" post from my trip! I really want to do one and I'll be visiting some beautiful places which will make for great pictures!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>until next time,</b></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18391297034282743150noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-321124881653148555.post-22333388936395956522015-05-17T21:02:00.000-04:002015-06-11T22:48:45.554-04:00AS THE SUN SETS ON THE FRONTIER...<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Hi everyone! I feel like lately all I've been doing is apologizing for not posting anything, but that ends today because I'm home from Orlando with plenty of time to kill before my friend Brittany flies in on Friday! Yep, that's right, we didn't have to say goodbye <i>(thankfully)</i> because I will be seeing my lovely Disney BFF/roommate in five short days :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">All I've been doing the last few weeks <i>(well, besides working and packing and trying to spend as much time with my friends as possible and squeezing in as much time in the parks as i was humanly able) </i>is reflecting on my time working at Disney World and how it has changed me. Yes, I am definitely aware of how cliche that sounds but it is truly the only way to put it! I know that I am not alone in feeling this way, as I'm sure that my co-workers, friends, and roommates would agree with me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Now hate is a strong word, but when I first started my journey at Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe <i>(whew, that's a mouthful! we all just call it Pecos buttttt that's its formal name) </i>I was not the biggest fan of my role...I remember my first day the thought <i>(and smell) </i>of dealing with other people's trash made me gag beyond belief. After those three days of training I felt like I was drowning in information, struggling to find some way to remember everything that had been thrown at me. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Let's be real here for a second: Pecos Bill is, when it comes down to it, a really well themed McDonald's. And also the third busiest restaurant<b> in the world</b> after Cosmic Ray's <i>(Tomorrowland, also in Magic Kingdom) </i>and a McDonald's in Shanghai, China. So considering these two facts, I think my anxiety was justified. But as the days went on and I spent practically every waking hour at work <i>(one shift i was at work until 2 a.m...i considered quitting after that ordeal but i talked myself out of that one) </i>I became more comfortable with my responsibilities and the people I was surrounded by.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The Disney College Program is unique in the way that is brings together so many different people. People from different states, different countries, different walks of life, different cultures. When I studied abroad in England, I went there to be immersed in a singular culture. Somewhat unknowingly, living in Orlando and working at Disney World not only immersed me in the Disney culture but countless others as well. I made friends from England, Australia, New Zealand, Spain, China, and Japan as well as all over the United States! It didn't take long for me to figure out the difference between Aussies and Kiwis, and the fact that the difference is <b>everything</b>. My Aussie friends introduced me to Tim Tams <i>(the greatest cookie...or should i say biscuit? on the face of the planet) </i>and explained to me how Australia is made up of states just like the U.S. is.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Weirdly enough, I would say Disney culture is arguably more exotic than any of the aforementioned ways of life. The company that Walt started way back in 1923 has become the leading force in the world of media and entertainment and has created a truly unique environment for cast members and guests alike. The mission and morals that are upheld and promoted by the company are in turn instilled in cast members and therefore the image is perpetuated by all of us who make the magic real. Working at Disney on the college program teaches you a whole new language of ER's, ADO's, and ROS's <i>(early release, additional day off, release of shift, respectively)</i> and probably an actual new language due of the sheer amount of people from all over the world who walk through the gates every single day. <i>I like to think that I know a little bit more Spanish now than before...</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Working at Magic Kingdom <i>(more specifically Pecos Bill)</i> taught me more than I ever thought possible.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It taught me how to be the ultimate team player, but also the importance of being able to be independent.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It taught me how to put others before myself, whether that be my fellow cast members or the guests we serve.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It taught me that even the smallest triumphs can be celebrated, but it's the big ones that should be announced to the entire restaurant with a chorus of cowbells and a rowdy yeehaw.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It taught me how a smile can say more than words ever could.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It taught me that even when things seem like they can't possibly get any worse, they can. And they will. But that it can get better in a split second.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It taught me how to be a better friend.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It taught me how to let the little things go, and even some big things.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It taught me that sometimes you have to get a little bit dirty, and that's okay.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It taught me how to prep hot cheese, and that I would be happy if I never had to prep it again.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It taught me that a strong work ethic will get you far in life, no matter what anyone says.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And most of all, it taught me to reach for my dreams no matter the price.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">That, my friends, is what I plan to do.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">until next time,</span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGsbWaQTWA_kBYE_m7j6wTDYT_ooD7-WX-oE-y0Xp_uhM7QxnJ5wdP8-n7rID15bsmUR8B6FVGeHKb0M8sDWoQH2FPu4CRpNTi7X1D_bfbfMSKIkuMJX2714p6bmPIxwwfD4rdvG20Lz7V/s1600/http---signatures.mylivesignature.com-54492-280-5FB1ECEFEDC0AAFC204240977F0E47CA.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGsbWaQTWA_kBYE_m7j6wTDYT_ooD7-WX-oE-y0Xp_uhM7QxnJ5wdP8-n7rID15bsmUR8B6FVGeHKb0M8sDWoQH2FPu4CRpNTi7X1D_bfbfMSKIkuMJX2714p6bmPIxwwfD4rdvG20Lz7V/s1600/http---signatures.mylivesignature.com-54492-280-5FB1ECEFEDC0AAFC204240977F0E47CA.png" /></a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18391297034282743150noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-321124881653148555.post-3849888732212175642015-04-07T00:37:00.001-04:002015-04-07T00:37:42.945-04:00OOTD: HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS EDITION FEATURING BRITTANY AND JADEN<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Hi everyone! Today I'm doing an outfit of the day for you all <i style="font-size: small;">(this is actually really exciting because at home I hardly ever have anyone to take pictures of me) </i>and my good friends Jaden and Brittany <i>(also my roommate)</i> decided to join in on the OOTD fun! Brittany and I went to Forever 21 today <i>(it was our day off and it was due time we add some pizzazz to our closet) </i>and then we headed over to Hollywood Studios in our new threads.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Funny story about the dress I bought today <span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(and am wearing in this picture)</i>: </span>Myself<i> </i>and quite a few of my fellow co-workers are obsessed with Pretty Little Liars <i>(Jaden and I watched the finale together and screamed and laughed and cried together...all of the feelsssss) </i>and our co-worker Justin calls me Spencer because I remind him of her. For me, this is a <b>huge</b> compliment because not only do I love her character and think we are similar in personality, but I love her outfits too! So, when I saw this dress in Forever 21 today I immediately thought of Spencer and I had to buy it! My personal style isn't as collegiate or preppy as Spencer's but I do love wearing quote on quote preppy pieces and grunging them up a bit like I did with this outfit.</span></div>
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<i>excuse the awkward arms...i think i was moving while this was taken lol</i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I really like the belt with this dress, the cinched waist makes it look more put together.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I paired my "Spencer" dress with my combat boots from Boohoo and these frilly white socks from Boohoo as well.</span></div>
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<i>typical</i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I adore this outfit that Brittany bought today from Forever 21!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I can't pull off yellow to save my life, but she definitely can! I can't get enough of high-waisted shorts, and this pair is flattering to say the least. I love tucking shirts into high-waisted shorts too, it makes the outfit look so polished!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIiGYqvd439rx7wVFigobRQA5oDUKDMGVG11iKwBWEOeReJa-XSvlEGqD_EY4tj4Y5i7PQeRTghujLokIAzOCMec4RWBWQV6mgrMCfSP6hMjJcXruQZxNzUOhf37P8M3eR4W6QGTT8ki9A/s1600/image+(39).jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIiGYqvd439rx7wVFigobRQA5oDUKDMGVG11iKwBWEOeReJa-XSvlEGqD_EY4tj4Y5i7PQeRTghujLokIAzOCMec4RWBWQV6mgrMCfSP6hMjJcXruQZxNzUOhf37P8M3eR4W6QGTT8ki9A/s1600/image+(39).jpeg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<i>kimono: abercrombie, jeans: hollister</i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Kimonos are such a versatile piece in any wardrobe, especially a neutral colored one like Jaden is wearing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The kimono dresses up the outfit a bit, but the ripped jeans still keeps the look casual.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhTO0mAIVl3xiGD1cl-hrZOc9VjatXxxe2rMzjHhhho6dbU-Xanh7srohzRbav6TZnlwaCiUALVKx_8c6yeoGaDStkUXB8IaunWjmP7wni1UR9r34s2LGRnNSppoGi4TfTISN6tlJmnwEb/s1600/image+(35).jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhTO0mAIVl3xiGD1cl-hrZOc9VjatXxxe2rMzjHhhho6dbU-Xanh7srohzRbav6TZnlwaCiUALVKx_8c6yeoGaDStkUXB8IaunWjmP7wni1UR9r34s2LGRnNSppoGi4TfTISN6tlJmnwEb/s1600/image+(35).jpeg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Jaden's watch is too cute not to show you up close! I think the floral design adds a little pop of color to the outfit.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Fashion is a form of personal expression and therefore a reflection of our true selves. I find examining other people's sense of style and clothing choices inspires me to incorporate new pieces or trends into my own personal wardrobe. I'm happy that Brittany and Jaden agreed to be in this post because I admire both of their styles! <3</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Let me know down in the comments which outfit is most like your own personal style! Also, more OOTDs? Yay or nay? More guest appearances? I'd love some feedback from you all.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>until next time,</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWpODRETlduGLmxQzzUk5KzoGHywrSLdXAVZd3bPqB3_fanLWZl0xr86dlwR3a-r7SKRvxlCP3i-vNKOdP4Rtbpu6AncImdB8OHYThqYwmfBs_4U6e1c8jLHyeFApq-1AdMuBGcqpsTYhe/s1600/http---signatures.mylivesignature.com-54492-280-5FB1ECEFEDC0AAFC204240977F0E47CA.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWpODRETlduGLmxQzzUk5KzoGHywrSLdXAVZd3bPqB3_fanLWZl0xr86dlwR3a-r7SKRvxlCP3i-vNKOdP4Rtbpu6AncImdB8OHYThqYwmfBs_4U6e1c8jLHyeFApq-1AdMuBGcqpsTYhe/s1600/http---signatures.mylivesignature.com-54492-280-5FB1ECEFEDC0AAFC204240977F0E47CA.png" /></a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18391297034282743150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-321124881653148555.post-51352068609437841952015-04-04T13:51:00.000-04:002015-04-04T13:51:03.438-04:00EASTER EGGSTRAVAGANZA<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Hi everyone! Spring is in full swing here at Disney World <i>(although the sweltering temperatures say otherwise...i'm not complaining though!) </i>and that means Easter is quickly approaching! Hunting for Easter eggs is fun, but of course searching for them at Disney World is even better! My roommate Kayla and I went to EPCOT the other day and took part in the 2015 Eggstravaganza, which is basically a giant Easter egg hunt that spans the World Showcase section of the park. Each country had a hidden egg featuring a beloved Disney character and together we found all 12! At first I wasn't sure how difficult they would be to find, <span style="font-size: x-small;">considering the fact that the activity was mostly marketed towards children</span>, but it took Kayla and I quite a while to find some of them. I don't have a picture of two of them because they were hard to get a good picture of but here are the rest of those sneaky eggs ;)</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Rj5_meie8z6QMTPlIuuQxfYq0Wc_Mgz8KxZiBsgiV5a7enLPG0h0IfpYOGY3wriwD0j5-hwZLpjcKWGTDXig9o2T__033Ii_rxV-IfmsNK4ln9x3yXA6wrqNNcTlhwt01cWzSoe6wN6W/s1600/egg+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Rj5_meie8z6QMTPlIuuQxfYq0Wc_Mgz8KxZiBsgiV5a7enLPG0h0IfpYOGY3wriwD0j5-hwZLpjcKWGTDXig9o2T__033Ii_rxV-IfmsNK4ln9x3yXA6wrqNNcTlhwt01cWzSoe6wN6W/s1600/egg+1.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">our cute little map!</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh2vDNLkpIM8CmEGqY0higPZ5muwF7g7TXn0IshSizaBcHkdcTaTqgOljCaE5sR9kHr9ld154PJf7BqzY3_ZJi469wS0CQHYrbS03XIrR8XYwapkfOl7rrb8zH3tC6qIxbfVCP40l7p2xN/s1600/egg+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh2vDNLkpIM8CmEGqY0higPZ5muwF7g7TXn0IshSizaBcHkdcTaTqgOljCaE5sR9kHr9ld154PJf7BqzY3_ZJi469wS0CQHYrbS03XIrR8XYwapkfOl7rrb8zH3tC6qIxbfVCP40l7p2xN/s1600/egg+2.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">the white rabbit perched on a windowsill in the uk</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuFWwlhk5SYikY4OKaHJjdVlwdyKGAgtVxKfeYKUv0MzrCc6ATRxn_FBdt0bJ38Rt2Pb-NV1tmtaLFnaiUp2jNPMxvw-SUjja3AqG36uIeBrWH1VYKcvkQkNl7MwUzf-Gsh6g4o8O5vFXN/s1600/egg+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuFWwlhk5SYikY4OKaHJjdVlwdyKGAgtVxKfeYKUv0MzrCc6ATRxn_FBdt0bJ38Rt2Pb-NV1tmtaLFnaiUp2jNPMxvw-SUjja3AqG36uIeBrWH1VYKcvkQkNl7MwUzf-Gsh6g4o8O5vFXN/s1600/egg+3.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">minnie looking cute as usual in france</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-lHUcaxX_SuwiYILcuNfAlnzC-plP5fXt-UFTN5r0FMoQC59646Yj8xiF_Dby86yhIdiWKsJZ-0_ITNX503gMPtMXjmp8psCDjgAb4IJm6VP6KjLx8UTV8klOYOydZEEsW7iDvZc4M5sb/s1600/egg+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-lHUcaxX_SuwiYILcuNfAlnzC-plP5fXt-UFTN5r0FMoQC59646Yj8xiF_Dby86yhIdiWKsJZ-0_ITNX503gMPtMXjmp8psCDjgAb4IJm6VP6KjLx8UTV8klOYOydZEEsW7iDvZc4M5sb/s1600/egg+4.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">dale chillin in morocco</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">daisy relaxing near the pond in japan</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhemkTTfUdlnfUcVz2j7kiw13VPT-yReMHC7aEtXyI4-GtQ0nQo2oBOIwH_vDCJH1GBHV1jmH6DL1n5HgkXv9U0j57mWoL5X5Ih1xOoKjk6aHaMiy07ZEVZLVZj4OOhNRCA8VFLLls_dneU/s1600/egg+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhemkTTfUdlnfUcVz2j7kiw13VPT-yReMHC7aEtXyI4-GtQ0nQo2oBOIwH_vDCJH1GBHV1jmH6DL1n5HgkXv9U0j57mWoL5X5Ih1xOoKjk6aHaMiy07ZEVZLVZj4OOhNRCA8VFLLls_dneU/s1600/egg+6.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">who else but the boss himself in america?! <span style="font-size: x-small;">this one took kayla and i forever...</span></span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxDTUcIxQX3MgwKOWWTexzw95ucN-W1RO9Vjagt5NZEnURd44uF5cfdRJQsLpBz2iIi2hTebVXR0jaxi4qMyOzZ4TYCiDmzTHd-lbSb7n3RRiLbdeYRHokO4R63EBHTzUwhUSNTU_dQClX/s1600/egg+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxDTUcIxQX3MgwKOWWTexzw95ucN-W1RO9Vjagt5NZEnURd44uF5cfdRJQsLpBz2iIi2hTebVXR0jaxi4qMyOzZ4TYCiDmzTHd-lbSb7n3RRiLbdeYRHokO4R63EBHTzUwhUSNTU_dQClX/s1600/egg+7.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">perry the platypus on a balcony in italy</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">thumper in the outpost...this one took us literally forever</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">figment in china! my roommate meghan pointed out that it makes sense because he's a dragon...didn't even realize till she said that lol</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNvYGUiLdg67ZlYEi2jGDb2BuYJtN0tsvLS2HZLSMOrWvT2VQM09SC4AELhAEfKVLwZK86JCL9j0ZDhlTpmYjvK3fL3F0DcfznFK_vS-gHlhZV6KWyJqvL9hm9ucGua_Irt8zWBrpqHiHY/s1600/egg+10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNvYGUiLdg67ZlYEi2jGDb2BuYJtN0tsvLS2HZLSMOrWvT2VQM09SC4AELhAEfKVLwZK86JCL9j0ZDhlTpmYjvK3fL3F0DcfznFK_vS-gHlhZV6KWyJqvL9hm9ucGua_Irt8zWBrpqHiHY/s1600/egg+10.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">chip atop the church in norway, i know it's chip because he has the nose that looks like a chocolate chip ;)</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">last but certainly not least we have donald in mexico!</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Continuing along with the Easter theme, Kayla and I headed over to the Grand Floridian afterwards to check out the eggstremely <i>(see what i did there?) </i>beautiful hand-painted Easter eggs on display there! Can you guess what each egg is supposed to represent?</span></div>
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<b>until next time,</b></div>
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