Blog #10: Reconstruction

What's the deal with Reconstruction?
Reconstruction was an idea for the people who won the war, the Union. Republicans wanted to readmit the South and become America again, how it was before the war. There were many people who were against the though. Because of the lack of fair government involvement in the whole Reconstruction, it was a bit of a failure. The amendments that passed after the Civil War that was supposed to help freed slaves, but instead. was undermined. Former confederates came up with state and local level rules for freed african americans. Ulysses assumed that the South would shape up and everyone would get along, which is the reason why he was very uninvolved in the matter when he was president. Basically, it took a while after the Civil War to put in effect the reason for the war in the first place.

What is/was Reconstruction? What went well? What went poorly?
I'm pretty sure it was to fix up the Southern States. After the war, Abraham Lincoln wanted to put in effect some new amendments like the 13th, 14th, and 15th amendment, hoping to have them enforced. I think this went poorly because Abraham didn't really get to finish what he started. He dealt with a lot of things like the aftermath of the war, the reconstruction amendments, etc. The part that went poorly was that the amendments didn't really effect life. Even though slaves were freed, the confederates still made it difficult for them and limited the rights they are supposed to have as freedmen. They found loopholes that didn't allow African Americans to vote. There was also immense violence caused by the KKK, a clan started by former confederates who still thought the war was going on. Also, like I said before, the presidents after Abraham Lincoln were horrible and didn't enforce anything in the South at all. In fact, they actually helped the South by appointing former confederates as governors. All in all, I think it was a complete mess with what they did. The Presidents weren't supportive, there was no amendment enforcement, no organization, no help, nothing. The government/ military was just corrupted with confederates.

Why is it relevant today?
It is relevant today for many reasons. One of the main reasons is how things in the future change if the past is changed. There are things that could have happened to completely change the America we know today. We may not even have been born. There are many "what if" questions that we can over, like "What if Abraham Lincoln wasn't shot?" or "What if there had been a different president elected?" that may give us a different perspective on how modern life would've been like. The past has a huge influence on the future.

Connect the basic history of Reconstruction with a modern issue, as found (and cited and excerpted from a modern news story).
I emailed Randy about this, but I still didn't really understand what he meant by a modern examples that connects to the Reconstruction. It was between many ideas. One idea was getting an example of starting something over and having a rebellion from the other side. The second idea was comparing the Reconstruction back then to, perhaps, a failure of Reconstruction in modern times? The third idea was comparing the Reconstruction back then to a successful beginning in modern time. I was sort of confused.

Blog #9: Coastal Issues

Source: http://www.palmbeachdailynews.com/news/content/news/2009/09/19/cleanup0920.html

"Cigarette butts, plastic bags, water bottles, Styrofoam chunks, Flip-flops, medicine bottles, netting, thousands of random pieces of plastic. Nobody's picture of paradise. Yet, day after day, it finds its way onto otherwise beautiful South Florida beaches.Cleaning it all up just about requires a small army."

There are many problems arising on the coast. They range from avoidable erosion to habitats for animals being demolished, but one of the most severe problems is litter. People go to the beach to enjoy the views, get a tan, or just surf. People coming to the beach day in and day out sometimes leave trash. This trash either litters the oceans, placing living creatures in danger or is added to the huge vortex of trash and plastic we have floating in the ocean, said to be 2 times the size of the United States!

Even so, there are very simple ways of lessening/stopping the effects of this issue. You can obtain more information or find out ways you can help at any of the following sites:
http://www.keeparkansasbeautiful.com/litter_prevention/
http://stoplittering.com/get_informed.html
http://www.aacounty.org/DPW/WasteManagement/commClean.cfm

This relates to the project because we are the next generation, we will be suffering with this trash. One of the largest coastal issues has got to be litter. This doesn't only apply to the people who go to the beach, it also includes people who litter in general. That litter goes down storm drains when it rains and is led straight to the ocean. The thing about this issue is that it is the result of humans being lazy and unable to walk a few feet to a trash can. Some people do not understand what dripping oil or trash in their driveway might cause. I think that "Media Saves the Beach" is a really good project to keep people informed about what is considered littering and how it can be prevented. Also, some people do not know about how oil from their cars also adds to the pollution of the water. In this project, I think that a really large focus can be about littering in general, not just in coastal areas. Wherever we litter, it eventually makes it way to the ocean or even our shores.

Blog #8: Media Saves the Beach ideas

An idea that I wanted to do while we were on this topic was doing some sort of project that really maximized the effects of litter and how it could influence the environment. One strong issue that could be a good basis of the project is, somehow, having a video showing where a single piece of trash can go from the ground to the ocean. Perhaps it could be like an animation or a video about where trash travels.

I'm not sure about specific ideas I would have for Media Saves the Beach since I'm still not well informed about it. One of the things I am looking forward to though is the water sampling. We did a sewer science segment last year and it was actually a very interesting project. I honestly don't know if our class is good enough to make a flash website like last year did. The website idea was a really good way to keep people informed digitally instead of giving them a whole informed lecture about the project.

Like I said before, I think the idea of following a piece of trash around and giving specifics of where it goes is important. One of the things about the beach is that a many people don't see what a single piece of trash can do. I remember seeing a guy who threw a cup of soda out the window and it angered me to see how irresponsible people were.

Blog #7: American Icons Final

Artistic Statement:
A paper. At the time, it was only used for schoolwork. If you told me that a single paper is where a Pixar movie sprung, I would have suggested you go sell your idea elsewhere. My encounter with art consisted of a beaming expression and overly unnecessary praise. You've probably guessed my reaction to the first Pixar animation I watched, Monster's Inc. It was truly a work of art. The background graphics never failed to pull me into an alternative universe, making sure they had switched my stagnant thoughts into ideas I could question. Their work spoke to me, but delivered the question "how in the world could I ever do what they do?" It seemed pretty hopeless since my explanation to anything unexplainable was, "It's magic." But everyone has to start somewhere, and this is where I did.

A sketch. It took some time until that blank piece of paper took hold of my pencil and used it to etch a door into my thoughts. By then, that single Pixar movie had already ventured into my collection of entertainment several times. They varied from small adventures in "Toy Story" to smaller ones in "Bug's Life" and even an environment change in "Finding Nemo". Eventually, my own ideas started drawing themselves out in a language I'd never seen before. It wasn't English, or Spanish, or even something verbal as far as I knew. It was a series of shapes and lines that blobbed together to make more shapes and lines, a never ending cycle I suppose. I admit, they started out non-digital and weren't shaded, but there was always room for improvement.

A critique. Being the subject of my new hobby, I looked up Pixar's website to learn exactly what jobs kept 700 employees busy. Despite the different aspects of each job, there was one thing that stood out to me that they all had in common. Each director, sketch artist, animator, colorist, coffee deliverer, everyone, had a direction. Even though they all made zigzags, went in circles, and strayed off course, they still met at the same point and brought all their ideas together. I was determined to find that direction, to place myself in the names of successful animators like Pixar. I found new inspirations and kept creating. Feedback kept coming, giving me new material to work with each time. "How can I improve?" was no longer a blank question -- it had become a question brimming with unattempted answers.

A better sketch. I practiced drawing day after day to improve flaws, respond to critiques and try every technique from my observation that worked. Improvement, inspiration, and input were words of motivation for me. Pixar had been there for the beginning and is still here now. I can speak to others how Pixar had spoken to me. Art has become a language where I can speak with happiness, sorrow, anger, and any emotion. Like music is to many, sports are to others, I am able to express myself without the usual, "Yeah I'm good." After all, a picture is worth a thousand words.

Citations:
"Interview with Pixar animator Guiherme Jacinto." Burlington Vermont News, Restaurants, more by Top Local Experts. 14 Sep. 2009 .

Remove-item-icon Edit-item-icon
"Pixar Animation Studios." Pixar Animation Studios. 14 Sep. 2009 .

Remove-item-icon Edit-item-icon
"Pixar University: Thinking Outside The Mouse." San Francisco Bay Area — News, Sports, Business, Entertainment, Classifieds: SFGate. 14 Sep. 2009 .

Remove-item-icon Edit-item-icon
"stock.xchng - the leading free stock photography site." stock.xchng - the leading free stock photography site. 14 Sep. 2009 .

Blog #5: American Icon Reflection

1. What did you discover about your writing during this project?
I discovered my writing needs a process. Many people at school didn't give good critiques. I think it was mostly because people saw it as an assignment. Most of the suggestions I was given, I either wanted to add myself before or they simply said, "Yeah it's good, it's cool!" Critiques started getting better when I asked friends or my family to give me critiques. They were much more specific and gave me lots of new ideas. With this information, I was able to cut down my paper from a page and a half to a page. I had to reword a lot of things. I also noticed I have a lot of different ideas that don't connect well enough for people other then myself to see the connection. I did get better at this hitting the second to third draft.


2. Identify and describe (at least) one specific writing technique that you used. How did you use it? What effect did it have on your writing?
One of the techniques I found the most helpful was getting rid of the "-ings". After Randy talked about words with "ings", I did notice the trend with them. When I read my paper, it did have a flow but it was only because the "ings" flowed from "ing" to "ing", making it sound almost like a chorus played over and over again. When I changed most of my "ings", my paper started to show more meaning and a "thunk" in words. I also used the technique of creating a relationship with your reader. I thought this was an important skill to have because it helps you answer the question, "Why should I care about your paper?" By doing this, I was speaking to a vast majority of people. It ranged from people who work at Pixar, people who do art, people who were inspired by other people, people who don't know what art is, etc.


3. If you had time for one more draft, what would you do?
I am actually very content with my drafts. I have three drafts and a final. I would have wanted to get more critiques though, good feedback. I know I could have organized the ideas a little better and use more details about Pixar. One of the things I was striving to do but did not accomplish was adding quotes by Pixar that may have been inspirational or stood out to me. Another thing I would have done was compare myself to other aspiring artists or how I influenced people too. I go to a lot of game sites and draw. I also have a Deviantart. I help many young kids who want to learn how to draw by teaching them techniques I use, redline their art if they need an outline, or overall, talk when them how to improve or how where they may acquire inspiration.


4. Copy one sentence that you believe is well-written and/or important to your overall piece. What makes it stand out to you?
"How can I improve?" was no longer a blank question -- it had become a question brimming with unattempted answers.

I have a lot of lines I like in my artistic statement, but this one is, by far, on of my favorite ones. It stands out to me because it is a question I ask myself everyday. It's something that every artist does. You hear everywhere about how "there is always room for improvement". After hearing that, you automatically think of "how could I improve?" By putting a strong line in there, I have done a lot of things with it. I have praised myself for being able to have an answer to that question to work towards. I have noted things that other artists may have trouble with. I give the hint of a hopeful feeling for those who are pooped out and don't know what they can do to be inspired of really improve. I know how frustrating it is when you look at the question and think "how much more do I have to improve?" or "What do I need to improve now!?" I wanted to hint that you can always improve and there is no reason you should be frustrated about. I feel like I'm the horse being led on by a carrot on a stick. It's always one step ahead and, sure, I will get frustrated if I can't have it. But it is there to motivate me to walk. Like I said in my statement, "Improvement, inspiration, and input were words of motivation for me" and still is (Another favorite quote of mine).

Critique my image

It's super Photoshopped, I know. I hope to take a picture of the actually stuff in one background over the weekend. Even so, this is my general idea.

Blog #6: Photography Techniques

Rule of Thirds:
I think this technique enhances the photo because it sort of focuses the main thing you want to look at in the middle. Instead of seeing them cut off the screen or somewhere in the corner, it's in the middle. I also think this helps because you have a clear image and clear background. You know your subject and you know you're background.

Posed Portraits:
This enhances a photo because it gives a sense of drama in it. I'm not sure if movement is part of this image or not, but posed portraits happen all the time. I think it also gives emotion to the subject, almost like "that moment in time" feeling. I suppose if done professionally, it could give the "timeless" feel to the image.

Reflections:
I wanted to do this to reflect personality. I think this is a good technique for the right idea or the right image. This sort of adds drama to the picture or a sense of "split personality" or "identity" feel. For example, if someone was looking in the water and it reflected them self, the first thing I would think of is the whole "this is who I am on the outside" cheesy feel. For reflections of background or scenery, it gives a graceful feeling of equality or beauty.