Post #5 2/24/09 All You Have to do is Ask

Thinking back to the time this past week when our essay was pushed back just because someone asked, I was reminded of a chapter that I read in a book written by Randy Pausch called "The Last Lecture." In one his chapters he discussed one of his experiences that he shared with his dad when they both went to Disney World. While they were riding the monorail into the park Randy's dad wanted to sit up in the front. Randy told his dad that by being an Imagineer he learned a simple trick to make that request possible. He took his dad and his son up to the attendant and simply asked if the three of them could sit in the front car. The attendant then replied with a yes.

During the rest of the chapter he talks about the importance asking and how they can enable your dreams to come true. In another example he talked about how he asked if he could drive down to meet with one of the most highly regarded computer scientists in the world for just thirty minutes. Then said how his question led him to a ninety minute talk and a new life long friend. He also said that trip led him to meet his wife.

By asking questions we have the opportunity to bring thoughts into reality. There are simply just to responses that you can get. The worse someone can say is no.

Like the late Randy Pausch said, "Ask those questions. Just ask them. More often than you'd suspect, the answer you'll get is, "Sure." If you have not read the book or watched his lecture, you should definitely put that on your "to do list." His lecture is very inspiring and offers a positive perspective on how we should live our life and follow our childhood dreams.

The book and his speech are truly inspiring. As an admirer I'd just like to say rest in peace.


Here's a link to this particular lesson and many others we should follow.
http://www.parade.com/articles/editions/2008/edition_04-06-2008/1My_Last_Lecture

Here's a link to see his Last Lecture at Carnegie Mellon.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ji5_MqicxSo&feature=PlayList&p=BCD362F95A724D1E&index=0&playnext=1

Post #4 2/16/09 The Oscars

After reading last week's edition of Newsweek about the Benjamin Button article
and the Dakota Fanning interview, I was filled with excitement that the Academy Awards are approaching. As many people may know, the Academy Awards, also known as the Oscars, is an annual event that takes place once a year to recognize the finest and most creative achievements made in the motion picture industry. Whether it is to recognize the year's Best Picture or the year's best Visual Effects, the Academy offers a plethora of awards. The Oscar is the most prestigious awards one can receive in film. For everyone in the film industry, receiving this award would be the highest honor one could receive.

Receiving one makes you wanna

Watching them as a fan is another story. As a member of the audience we watch films for entertainment. We watch films for many reasons depending on genre and mood we are in. "The movies are our hopes and our dreams." We fantasize about being in a magical environment or having a happily ever after. Not only that but it gives us the opportunity to sit back and enjoy and congratulate what these entertainers have done. It inspires us to reach for the sky and to dream big.

Below is a link to an article about why the Oscars are enjoyable for us.
http://www.helium.com/items/884587-why-we-love-to-watch-the-academy-awards

Oh yeah, it may be mean but it is funny to see the expressions of the other people that did not win. You know they want to just get the heck out of there.


The first Academy Awards was on May 16, 1929 as a private dinner. The Oscar itself is made of gold-plated brittanium with a knight holding a crusader sword standing on a reel of film with five spokes that each represent the original branches of the Academy: Actors, Writers, Directors, Producers, and Technicians. The origin for the name "Oscar" for the award is still unclear.

This year I have only watched a few films that have been nominate namely Slumdog Millionaire, Wall-E, The Dark Knight, Iron Man, and Bolt. I have a strong feeling that Wall-E is going to win Best Animated Feature Film. However, I'm hoping that Slumdog Millionaire will win Best Picture. It is a phenomenal movie and is a must see. Plus Freida Pinto is in it. I thought Wall-E was snubbed for a Best Picture nomination.
Here's a link for the list of nominees
http://www.oscar.com/nominees/?pn=nominees

Who do you guys want to win?
Who do you think should have been nominated?

Post #3 2/9/09 Trekies Assemble

Welcome Trekies. In general I am not really an avid Star Trek follower, I watch episodes rarely and was accustomed to seeing Captain Kirk. After watching Star Trek the New Generation, it was interesting to see the new characters especially the reading rainbow dude playing LaForge. The similarities between the "Drumhead" episode along with "The Crucible" were somewhat difficult to interpret. However, as the events began to unravel it became clear. The discreptincy about a sabateur brought so much fear that people began to question the fleet like the people of Salem did about the witch crisis. Just as it is stated in Captain Picard's quote, "Have we become so fearful, have we become so cowardly that we must extinguish a man because he carries the blood of a current enemy?"

Here's the link to other quotes from that episode

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0708793/quotes

During the trial when Admiral sprouted with a burst of anger I almost freaked out. SOme people were so surprised that they left the room, like that security guy, before they could not control their emotions.


The Admiral seemed to be reminiscent to Danforth, the way he sees everything in black and white, and thinking that every suspicion is a guilty fault. Shes just one of those characters that make you go

did she really say that, or did she really just do that.

Let me hear your thoughts. Express yourselves.

Post #2 2/2/09 It's Finally Over

Yes! I'm going to flat out say that I am glad that the "Crucible" is finally over. The story was interesting, but some of the characters were straight annoying. I just could not stand Danforth, and even though Parris had a change of opinion towards the end, he was irritating during the whole trial. When Danforth said, "There will be no postponement," I was like

Whenever Parris interupted, saying "He means to overthrow the court."
I just wished Proctor would do this to him even though he was a reverend.


It just angered me how he saw things black and white.
In addition, it was just amazing to see those twisted girls manipulate the whole town.

Here the link to the quotes

http://www.bookrags.com/notes/cru/TOP1.html

Overall, the book in my opinion was just okay. I guess I just did not like the subject of the story.

What are your thoughts? Were there any characters that you could not stand.