Two different lifestyles.
As i read on in The Soloist, im starting to notice a strive for dominance in Nathaniels life. This struggle is between Nathaniel himself and Lopez.
Nathaniel seems to be happy with the life he is living. He is homeless, owns a wheel cart, his instruments, has no money or food, yet seems satisfied. Lopez doesn't understand how anyone, even one with mental illness can find this lifestyle appealing. Lopez seems to be almost forcing his own lifestyle and views on Ayers. Nathaniel is very resistant but eventually comes around to the idea of moving into an apartment and living a "normal" lifestyle.
What i really want to know in regards to Nathaniel, is just how conscience of his surroundings is he. Lopez sees Nathaniel as one who doesn't know any better. He feels that he is unaware of what is going on around him: such as being homeless, living in skid row around drug dealers and prostitutes. Nathaniel is living n a slum and Lopez does't understand why he he hasn't strived for more.
In my opinion i would have wanted Lopez to really try to understand Ayers; not jump in and be superman. It is however good that he is trying to help out Ayers, but that's not for everyone.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
The Soloist chapters 7-12
I have furtheer dived into "The Soloist". Being a musician I have taken a great interest in the relationship between Nathaniel and music. Nathaniel is a paranoid schizophrenic. He keeps to himself and is a loner. When he plays music however, he tends to calm down and is not bothered or set off by his surroundings. As part of background information and interest i looked up a career choice called Music Therapy.
Musiic therapy is defined as- Music therapy is the application of music to aid in the achievement of specific therapeutic goals. Music therapy can also be defined as the planned and creative use of music to attain and maintain health and well being. Music therapy is an established health service similar to occupational therapy and physical therapy. As a holistic treatment approach, music therapy focuses on the well being of the entire person, not just the part which is diseased or in distress.
-For people with Alzheimer's Disease and other Dementias music, especially familiar songs, unlocks memories; participation in music improves communication, overcomes withrawal.
-For people with Depression, music is a powerful modality for connecting to feelings, expressing thoughts, and overcoming isolation.
Nathaniel seems to have created a form of (self)-Music Therapy for himself. Nathaniel suffers from similar symptoms of the above. It explains that msic familiar songs unlock memories: possibly he is trying to remember his time at julliard school of music. Helps improve communication; he focuses better and is in a calmer state. Expresses thoughts and emotions; this could be helping him express himself and get out his feelings, Overcome isolation; this could be helping him feel less lonely, being homeless and wandering.
After really analizing Nathaniel, music has a deeper meaning than just joy of playing. His music really helps him feel comfortable within his own skin and helps him threw life
Musiic therapy is defined as- Music therapy is the application of music to aid in the achievement of specific therapeutic goals. Music therapy can also be defined as the planned and creative use of music to attain and maintain health and well being. Music therapy is an established health service similar to occupational therapy and physical therapy. As a holistic treatment approach, music therapy focuses on the well being of the entire person, not just the part which is diseased or in distress.
-For people with Alzheimer's Disease and other Dementias music, especially familiar songs, unlocks memories; participation in music improves communication, overcomes withrawal.
-For people with Depression, music is a powerful modality for connecting to feelings, expressing thoughts, and overcoming isolation.
Nathaniel seems to have created a form of (self)-Music Therapy for himself. Nathaniel suffers from similar symptoms of the above. It explains that msic familiar songs unlock memories: possibly he is trying to remember his time at julliard school of music. Helps improve communication; he focuses better and is in a calmer state. Expresses thoughts and emotions; this could be helping him express himself and get out his feelings, Overcome isolation; this could be helping him feel less lonely, being homeless and wandering.
After really analizing Nathaniel, music has a deeper meaning than just joy of playing. His music really helps him feel comfortable within his own skin and helps him threw life
Monday, June 1, 2009
The Soloist chapters 1-6
The Soloist is a real life story about a reporter Steve Lopez who meets a man named Nathaniel Ayers. Ayers is homeless and living on the street. He however possesses a talent and knack for music: cello and violin. Lopez is persistant and reachs out a helping hand to Ayers. Ayers is skeptical at first but slowly begins to open up.
What really caught my interest is Steve Lopez uncanny knack for finding interesting people for his stories. Lopez has done similiar stories like Ayers for other people. He takes interest in the underdog and those who have a major flaw. He knows exactly where to find his story and nourish it to bloom.
With Ayers, Lopez has raised him up to where his from. He took him off the streets and now has him sharing his talents with many. Is this all just for a good story? Or could this actually be on a true friend level?
What really caught my interest is Steve Lopez uncanny knack for finding interesting people for his stories. Lopez has done similiar stories like Ayers for other people. He takes interest in the underdog and those who have a major flaw. He knows exactly where to find his story and nourish it to bloom.
With Ayers, Lopez has raised him up to where his from. He took him off the streets and now has him sharing his talents with many. Is this all just for a good story? Or could this actually be on a true friend level?
Monday, May 11, 2009
"The Catcher in the Rye" free write
“The Catcher in the Rye” by J.D. Salinger, was a new experience of in school reading for me. This was the most mature in school book I have read as of now. I think this book is really more of a transition book. Personally I didn’t really like the story plot or the ending. But many of the subject matters, and content were more adult. So for me this was really a transition book from teenage to adult literature.
The stories main character is Holden Caulfeild. He is somewhat rebellious and wants everything to go his way. If it doesn’t he just gives up. This may seem negative but the author phrases it from Holden’s point of view. You almost sympothize and agree with him. Throughout the book Holden has many encounters and situations. He fails his classes, drops out of school multiple times, buys a prostitute, and gets drunk. At many times he is lonely and a wanderer.
Holden also faces other real life experiences. One was his brother dying. His brother Allie was one of the few people and looked up to and could truly call his friend. His sister Phoebe is much younger than him but he thinks very highly of her friend wise. He doesn’t mention many positives on his parents however. Another reference to teenage rebellion.
Overall the main idea and aim of this book, I found very entertaining. It is a great transition book with many new ideas and themes for young adults.
The stories main character is Holden Caulfeild. He is somewhat rebellious and wants everything to go his way. If it doesn’t he just gives up. This may seem negative but the author phrases it from Holden’s point of view. You almost sympothize and agree with him. Throughout the book Holden has many encounters and situations. He fails his classes, drops out of school multiple times, buys a prostitute, and gets drunk. At many times he is lonely and a wanderer.
Holden also faces other real life experiences. One was his brother dying. His brother Allie was one of the few people and looked up to and could truly call his friend. His sister Phoebe is much younger than him but he thinks very highly of her friend wise. He doesn’t mention many positives on his parents however. Another reference to teenage rebellion.
Overall the main idea and aim of this book, I found very entertaining. It is a great transition book with many new ideas and themes for young adults.
Death of a Salesman Freewrite
I found the book “Death of a Salesman” by Arthur Miller, to be an exciting and interesting read. It is a play/novel on a man named Willy. One of the main themes I got from this book is, to not ravel on the past.
Willy was once a proud father of two sons, Biff and Happy. Biff was Willy’s pride and joy and he invested everything into Biff’s football career. Things however do not work out for Biff. Willy then beats himself up over this. It leads to a point where he starts inhaling gas fumes. His son however has no regrets and doesn’t want his father taking blame for his life.
Overall what this has taught me is u cannot live in the past. You have to look ahead to a better future or at least maintain an acceptable way of living. Whose around you are affected and you cant bring them down with you. They really on you and need you.
I especially liked this book because of how realistic it is. Even up to today, these are common day situations and issues.
Willy was once a proud father of two sons, Biff and Happy. Biff was Willy’s pride and joy and he invested everything into Biff’s football career. Things however do not work out for Biff. Willy then beats himself up over this. It leads to a point where he starts inhaling gas fumes. His son however has no regrets and doesn’t want his father taking blame for his life.
Overall what this has taught me is u cannot live in the past. You have to look ahead to a better future or at least maintain an acceptable way of living. Whose around you are affected and you cant bring them down with you. They really on you and need you.
I especially liked this book because of how realistic it is. Even up to today, these are common day situations and issues.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Third Quarter Reflection
The blogging experiance so far has been interesting. It's not always enjoyable but i think this is more so a matter of the blog we are working on. Some assignments are of course better than others. As a student, this is definately a good way to expand my creativity and confidence in my abilities. I also like the whole idea of using technology for our assignments.
I do however have a Major problem with using the computer though. Computers is a great means of expression, but we're hiding behind behindcomputers. Social speaking skills are an important part of life and we're not learning those skills. We should be able to share our skill and creativity face to face with our peers. A suggestion i have is, from time to time we should have to present our blogger of the week to the class.
I do however have a Major problem with using the computer though. Computers is a great means of expression, but we're hiding behind behindcomputers. Social speaking skills are an important part of life and we're not learning those skills. We should be able to share our skill and creativity face to face with our peers. A suggestion i have is, from time to time we should have to present our blogger of the week to the class.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
A Quote and The Great Gatsby
“All good writing is swimming under water and holding your breath.”
–Letter (undated) to his daughter, Frances
To me this quote means, to take chances and hope for the best. You should have a general idea of wjat you're doing, but leave the rest to fate. Sometimes chances need to be taken because the outcome may be far greater than you imagined.
The Great Gatsby...
An interesting theme i see in the story is survival of the fittest. I want to focus in on daisy with this. By survival of the fittest i mean, she d oes what needs to be done to make sure she is on top. She has charm and beauty and takes dvantage. Daisy is easily swayed by money and the luxuries in life.
In the begining, she promised to wait and stay loyal to Gatsby. He made up this whole story about wealth and she was easily convinced. Then Tom came along, who was from wealthy, and she picked him to marry. Nick (paraphrasing) that she'sd a person who hides behind their money. This means she can buy her way out of trouble.
In the second to last chapter she puts the blame on Gatsby fot the death of Myrtle. In reality, Daisy was drivibg the car that hit Myrtle. This further leads to Gatsby being gunned down by George Wilson. Daisy and Tom did not attend the funeral.
Daisy's survival of the fittest mentality paid of for her. However, not so much those around. She was no more than a charming vemomous snake at the heels of man.
–Letter (undated) to his daughter, Frances
To me this quote means, to take chances and hope for the best. You should have a general idea of wjat you're doing, but leave the rest to fate. Sometimes chances need to be taken because the outcome may be far greater than you imagined.
The Great Gatsby...
An interesting theme i see in the story is survival of the fittest. I want to focus in on daisy with this. By survival of the fittest i mean, she d oes what needs to be done to make sure she is on top. She has charm and beauty and takes dvantage. Daisy is easily swayed by money and the luxuries in life.
In the begining, she promised to wait and stay loyal to Gatsby. He made up this whole story about wealth and she was easily convinced. Then Tom came along, who was from wealthy, and she picked him to marry. Nick (paraphrasing) that she'sd a person who hides behind their money. This means she can buy her way out of trouble.
In the second to last chapter she puts the blame on Gatsby fot the death of Myrtle. In reality, Daisy was drivibg the car that hit Myrtle. This further leads to Gatsby being gunned down by George Wilson. Daisy and Tom did not attend the funeral.
Daisy's survival of the fittest mentality paid of for her. However, not so much those around. She was no more than a charming vemomous snake at the heels of man.
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