Last weekend against the Kansas City Chiefs, Titans runningback Chris Johnson was fined 10,000 dollars for his celebration after a 66-yard touchdown run. After the run, Johnson banged on the bongo drums of the Chiefs' pep band. After being fined Johnson said, "I knew I was going to get a fine, but I am totally upset about how much. I am going to appeal. There's no fun in this league. I was trying to have fun and they want to penalize us for having fun." I could not agree more.
Last year, the National Football League really began to crack down on endzone celebrations by dealing out much larger fines. In an effort to try and put an end to antics from players like Chad Ocho Cinco, Randy Moss and Terrell Owens, I think the NFL took a lot of fun out of what I thought was a game. No longer will I see riverdances, proposals to cheerleaders, CPR performed on the football, cell phone calls, commandeering of cameras or autographs after touchdowns. These guys are just trying to have some fun. Whats the big deal? Well, this is what I realized. Football, and all other professional sports for that matter, are not games. They are businesses. And Roger Goodell, commissioner of the No Fun League.....oops!.....I meant National Football League, doesn't allow clever celebrations in the workplace. In my opinion, the business aspect of professional sports takes away from the enjoyment of the game by the players and the fans. Whether that be in the form of trades, team relocations or fines being dished out to guys who are just trying to enjoy themeselves. The situation is unfortunate, but I have faith that Chad Ocho Cinco will find a loophole in the rules somewhere and keep us entertained.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Change of Mind: TED Project
Some bad memories were brought up when I first heard that we were going to be doing the TED project again. My opinion of last year's project was.....poor to say the least. The lack of group cooperation, incentives for effort on the project and overall presentation organization spoiled it for me. That's saying harshly. The TED project was/is a great concept, but last year the execution really stumbled. I was also confused as to why the juniors were excluded from the project last year.
However, this year it seems so far that we are learning from our mistakes. All classes are involved. The incentives/consequences for working or not working are established. Group cooperation seems solid at least for our group. I have heard that some of the members in other groups don't know what there doing though. And, the presentation format is looking great. Last year, one of my biggest annoyances was that our group got cut off at least five minutes early because other groups had gone over their limit. The only thing that worries me this year is the time we are going to have to work on this project. I understand that other teachers are supposed to designate homework time for us to work on it. But, as of now this is not happening. All in all, I'd predict that this year's TED presentations will be 1000% better, even if they're not completely perfect.
However, this year it seems so far that we are learning from our mistakes. All classes are involved. The incentives/consequences for working or not working are established. Group cooperation seems solid at least for our group. I have heard that some of the members in other groups don't know what there doing though. And, the presentation format is looking great. Last year, one of my biggest annoyances was that our group got cut off at least five minutes early because other groups had gone over their limit. The only thing that worries me this year is the time we are going to have to work on this project. I understand that other teachers are supposed to designate homework time for us to work on it. But, as of now this is not happening. All in all, I'd predict that this year's TED presentations will be 1000% better, even if they're not completely perfect.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Blogging Around: Emily and Albert
Emily's blog discussed how others view the Academy from the outside looking in. It formally, and objectively expanded upon a thought that all of us in the Academy have had at one time or another. My comment on it was....
Emily. Wow, this is an amazing post. You have no idea (well, you probably do) how often I find myself wondering what people think about the Academy and why. I'm not sure where these misconceptions have come from but in my opinion, people should definitely re-evaluate their views. It is really aggravating to hear people's judgements and generalizations of us based off of their ignorance about Academy. I don't liked being labeled and this is often the case with us. Unless someone asks me, I don't mention being in Academy for fear of being stereotyped. Sometimes I get asked incredulously, "you're in Academy?" Like you said, they definitely don't realize the diversity of the kids in Academy. We're not just "Academites." On the plus side, I think our experiences in the Academy will discourage us from making such judgements in the future after being subjected to them ourselves. Hopefully the people that are judging us can take a closer look and see us for who we are.
I really like how you objectively observed the issue and left your own opinions out. This really gives your blog the 360 concept and makes it much more unbiased. And thus, more credible. Great job!
Albert's blog discussed how homework should be optional for those who don't need it. He argues that people who already understand the concept of something gain no value from homework and therefore should not be obligated to complete it. I replied....
Albert,
I could not agree with you more on this subject. I think that if your getting an A or a B in a class homework should definitely be opitional (Math class policy). Why waste time when you understand the concept of something. I usually do the homework in my classes and even if it was optional I think I would do it because, like you said, it is good practice. But, when I'm up at 12:00 at night doing busy work (ex. SS explorers map), it's safe to say I'd rather not do it. If this optional homework policy was employed, I could pick and choose which assignments to do. The helpful ones. The amount of time it would save, at least for me, would be amazing. My stress levels would plummet.
All in all, a sweet blog. I thought you did a nice job examining why teachers assign the amount of homework they do. Then, rebuking that with your own arguements. Great Job!
Emily. Wow, this is an amazing post. You have no idea (well, you probably do) how often I find myself wondering what people think about the Academy and why. I'm not sure where these misconceptions have come from but in my opinion, people should definitely re-evaluate their views. It is really aggravating to hear people's judgements and generalizations of us based off of their ignorance about Academy. I don't liked being labeled and this is often the case with us. Unless someone asks me, I don't mention being in Academy for fear of being stereotyped. Sometimes I get asked incredulously, "you're in Academy?" Like you said, they definitely don't realize the diversity of the kids in Academy. We're not just "Academites." On the plus side, I think our experiences in the Academy will discourage us from making such judgements in the future after being subjected to them ourselves. Hopefully the people that are judging us can take a closer look and see us for who we are.
I really like how you objectively observed the issue and left your own opinions out. This really gives your blog the 360 concept and makes it much more unbiased. And thus, more credible. Great job!
Albert's blog discussed how homework should be optional for those who don't need it. He argues that people who already understand the concept of something gain no value from homework and therefore should not be obligated to complete it. I replied....
Albert,
I could not agree with you more on this subject. I think that if your getting an A or a B in a class homework should definitely be opitional (Math class policy). Why waste time when you understand the concept of something. I usually do the homework in my classes and even if it was optional I think I would do it because, like you said, it is good practice. But, when I'm up at 12:00 at night doing busy work (ex. SS explorers map), it's safe to say I'd rather not do it. If this optional homework policy was employed, I could pick and choose which assignments to do. The helpful ones. The amount of time it would save, at least for me, would be amazing. My stress levels would plummet.
All in all, a sweet blog. I thought you did a nice job examining why teachers assign the amount of homework they do. Then, rebuking that with your own arguements. Great Job!
Sunday, October 5, 2008
360 Degrees: Hip-Hop
I'm often frustrated with today's misconceptions about hip-hop music that reside in the minds of many people, especially those of the generation ahead of me. The ones I'd like to focus on are the stereotypes that hip-hop is materialistic and degrading, that it takes no skill and that it is not even music.
I'm really curious why, nowadays, people tend to overlook the sex, drugs and money involved with other genres of music. But when these subjects appear in hip-hop music, they are suddenly, corrupting today's youth. Maybe it's just been accepted that the big three simply go along with rock 'n roll and the other popular genres of today. I can think of plenty of songs from my parents' generation that are just as risque if not more, than some of the hip-hop music being played today. Another question I've asked myself about this issue is, "how did this generalization come to be?" I think a large part of the problem is that the songs that are pretty racy are the ones being played on the radio. My guess is that songs that are just as good or better than the dirty or catchy ones are often turned down because they won't generate as much buzz or controversy. This is true for other genres (ex. I Kissed A Girl - Katie Perry) as well, but especially hip-hop. For many hip-hop lovers, this is the root of their frustration with most mainstream music.
Does hip-hop music require skill? I can see some people's point that it does not require the ability to sing. But, some very good hip-hop songs do incorporate singing from the artist themselves or bring in some one else to sing a verse or chorus. I've also read peoples' opinions about how many critics of hip-hop grossly underestimate the amount of skill it takes to be able to write lyrics and deliver them in a way that doesn't sacrifice the meaning of the song. Many "hip-hop heads" believe that lyricists that are unable to do this come off as cheesy and unskilled. Unfortunately for them, some of these artists are among the most played on the radio and MTV. A case in point is Crank Dat - 'Soulja Boy'. Incorporation of metaphors, similes, personification and other figurative language is another trademark of talented lyricists. Rappers like Lupe Fiasco, Nas, Common and Talib Kweli, are able to expertly use figurative language in their songs, while still making them rhyme and without forgoing the meaning of the song. To many listeners including myself, these are the most important things in a song.
Another popular criticism of hip-hop music I find myself battling is that it is not music. Why? I've heard arguments such as "hip-hop is simply poetry set to a beat." Isn't that true for most genres of music? One of the stronger ones I've heard is "hip-hop is not music because it is not harmonious." Webster's dictionary defines music as "a: the science or art of ordering tones or sounds in succession, in combination, and in temporal relationships to produce a composition having unity and continuity b: vocal, instrumental, or mechanical sounds having rhythm, melody, or harmony." Doesn't hip-hop fall under this definition? Nowhere does it say that it is a requirement to have harmony. Even if it did, would not the beat that the artist is rapping over qualify as melodic or harmonious? I think that it does. Good beat-creators (producers), such as Kanye West, use a variety of instruments to create unique sound combinations for their melodic and often very catchy beats. However, many are electronically produced. Does a lack of instruments take away from the musicality of hip-hop? Or is the music simply evolving alongside today's technological developments?
After writing this blog I can see how some of the generalizations have been created. In some cases, they are true. Some are still up for debate. But I think that if people can look beyond them with an open mind, they too will discover a musical genre with many talented artists, meaningful songs and great music.
I'm really curious why, nowadays, people tend to overlook the sex, drugs and money involved with other genres of music. But when these subjects appear in hip-hop music, they are suddenly, corrupting today's youth. Maybe it's just been accepted that the big three simply go along with rock 'n roll and the other popular genres of today. I can think of plenty of songs from my parents' generation that are just as risque if not more, than some of the hip-hop music being played today. Another question I've asked myself about this issue is, "how did this generalization come to be?" I think a large part of the problem is that the songs that are pretty racy are the ones being played on the radio. My guess is that songs that are just as good or better than the dirty or catchy ones are often turned down because they won't generate as much buzz or controversy. This is true for other genres (ex. I Kissed A Girl - Katie Perry) as well, but especially hip-hop. For many hip-hop lovers, this is the root of their frustration with most mainstream music.
Does hip-hop music require skill? I can see some people's point that it does not require the ability to sing. But, some very good hip-hop songs do incorporate singing from the artist themselves or bring in some one else to sing a verse or chorus. I've also read peoples' opinions about how many critics of hip-hop grossly underestimate the amount of skill it takes to be able to write lyrics and deliver them in a way that doesn't sacrifice the meaning of the song. Many "hip-hop heads" believe that lyricists that are unable to do this come off as cheesy and unskilled. Unfortunately for them, some of these artists are among the most played on the radio and MTV. A case in point is Crank Dat - 'Soulja Boy'. Incorporation of metaphors, similes, personification and other figurative language is another trademark of talented lyricists. Rappers like Lupe Fiasco, Nas, Common and Talib Kweli, are able to expertly use figurative language in their songs, while still making them rhyme and without forgoing the meaning of the song. To many listeners including myself, these are the most important things in a song.
Another popular criticism of hip-hop music I find myself battling is that it is not music. Why? I've heard arguments such as "hip-hop is simply poetry set to a beat." Isn't that true for most genres of music? One of the stronger ones I've heard is "hip-hop is not music because it is not harmonious." Webster's dictionary defines music as "a: the science or art of ordering tones or sounds in succession, in combination, and in temporal relationships to produce a composition having unity and continuity b: vocal, instrumental, or mechanical sounds having rhythm, melody, or harmony." Doesn't hip-hop fall under this definition? Nowhere does it say that it is a requirement to have harmony. Even if it did, would not the beat that the artist is rapping over qualify as melodic or harmonious? I think that it does. Good beat-creators (producers), such as Kanye West, use a variety of instruments to create unique sound combinations for their melodic and often very catchy beats. However, many are electronically produced. Does a lack of instruments take away from the musicality of hip-hop? Or is the music simply evolving alongside today's technological developments?
After writing this blog I can see how some of the generalizations have been created. In some cases, they are true. Some are still up for debate. But I think that if people can look beyond them with an open mind, they too will discover a musical genre with many talented artists, meaningful songs and great music.
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