Mecca
The city of Mecca is the holiest city to the people of Islam. It resides in the country of Saudi Arabia. It was the place where the prophet Muhammad was born. Over 3 million people a year take the journey to pilgrimage to Mecca, known as the hajj. The most important shrine to the Muslim people of Mecca is the Kaaba. It is a cubical shrine that is draped in hand woven black silk. On it is embroidered Koranic verses in gold thread. The Muslims, who are expected to make this journey to Mecca, walk around the cube by the thousands. The Great Mosque now surrounds the Kaaba, now air conditioned. In one corner of the Kaaba is a black stone. It is said to be from Allah, God, himself. Others believe it to be a Meteorite. Those who can get close enough touch or kiss the stone. The stone is said to be black due to all of the sins committed in the world.Even before the birth of Muhammad in 570, Mecca was already a thriving city. It was an important crossroad in the Middle East. This oasis was governed by merchants. Because of this there was constant blood shed and feuds. Roaming nomadic tribes would often attack the city for its goods. The city's 'holiness' derives from the story of Abraham and his first son, Ishmael. Sarah, Abraham’s wife, was envious and banished Ishmael and his mother to exile. Allah saved them by creating an oasis or spring for them. It is said that Ishmael later came back and built a temple; it was to be God’s house on Earth, the Kaaba.
Saturday, April 12, 2008
The Zodiac
Over 40 years ago a killer called the Zodiac went on a killing spree in California; in 2007 the story was made into a movie. This poster is all inclusive: it tells you a little bit about all of the movie’s aspects and the ad explains itself in several different ways. For a thorough analysis of it, a descriptive summary is needed, along with its rhetorical situation, and my personal opinion will be given.
To start off, the image has the Golden Gate Bridge and the city night sky line emerging out of the fog with the word, ZODIAC, glowing over the bridge. With the famous starring names at the top, this movie will apply to anyone who admires these actors such as Jake Gyllenhaal. The audience may also come from the admiration of the history of the Zodiac, the history of San Francisco itself, or possibly the directors past work that is listed at the bottom.
As the mood was set with the dark back drop, the movement of the eye is set upon the dimly lit path. This particular picture is most likely to be found at a movie theater at or above eye level. My eye begins at the bottom by picking up the red font at the bottom, then to the bridge’s lights, and then follows the red suspension cables of the bridge itself. By taking this trip up to the top of the poster, several things were learned. First, the movie hasn’t come out yet and that its directors have done other works that might work with one’s pathos. Half way up the bridge the title was seen, Zodiac. It hides in the mist with all capital letters. Despite the fog, the bright white letters jump off the page. Although the bridge has no relevance to the story, it symbolizes, along with the Transamerica Pyramid building, that the plot will take place in San Francisco.
I have been to San Francisco many times throughout my life and have a great appreciation for its history. One of the cities darker historical events that interest me is the story of the Zodiac. My first feelings upon observing this image are of dreariness and death. This is set off by the dark colors and its demoralizing view of what is traditionally seen as a beautiful sight. The Fog of what should be a majestic sight with the use of certain colors sets this poster off and uses ‘direction’ extremely well. It would do a great job of attracting future viewers due to its layout and use of pathos to its extensive audience.
Over 40 years ago a killer called the Zodiac went on a killing spree in California; in 2007 the story was made into a movie. This poster is all inclusive: it tells you a little bit about all of the movie’s aspects and the ad explains itself in several different ways. For a thorough analysis of it, a descriptive summary is needed, along with its rhetorical situation, and my personal opinion will be given.
To start off, the image has the Golden Gate Bridge and the city night sky line emerging out of the fog with the word, ZODIAC, glowing over the bridge. With the famous starring names at the top, this movie will apply to anyone who admires these actors such as Jake Gyllenhaal. The audience may also come from the admiration of the history of the Zodiac, the history of San Francisco itself, or possibly the directors past work that is listed at the bottom.
As the mood was set with the dark back drop, the movement of the eye is set upon the dimly lit path. This particular picture is most likely to be found at a movie theater at or above eye level. My eye begins at the bottom by picking up the red font at the bottom, then to the bridge’s lights, and then follows the red suspension cables of the bridge itself. By taking this trip up to the top of the poster, several things were learned. First, the movie hasn’t come out yet and that its directors have done other works that might work with one’s pathos. Half way up the bridge the title was seen, Zodiac. It hides in the mist with all capital letters. Despite the fog, the bright white letters jump off the page. Although the bridge has no relevance to the story, it symbolizes, along with the Transamerica Pyramid building, that the plot will take place in San Francisco.I have been to San Francisco many times throughout my life and have a great appreciation for its history. One of the cities darker historical events that interest me is the story of the Zodiac. My first feelings upon observing this image are of dreariness and death. This is set off by the dark colors and its demoralizing view of what is traditionally seen as a beautiful sight. The Fog of what should be a majestic sight with the use of certain colors sets this poster off and uses ‘direction’ extremely well. It would do a great job of attracting future viewers due to its layout and use of pathos to its extensive audience.
Bartender
Bartender
“Care for another Martini? I could wet my whistle…Brandy Sir?” Then the first cord is struck. A m
an pours out his heart to the bartender; all the while you’re just connecting to the plot with your own life’s problems. Rehab’s Bartender was fist introduced to me my freshman year in high school and I haven’t stopped listening since (see band members in figure 1). When I came to college I soon realized my hometown wasn’t the only place to discover its beauty. I’ve yet to attend a party without this song being played, as the masses sing along with it.
The lyrics are a big thing to take into consideration. The beating of the woman isn’t my point of emphasis but the concept is. Every guy has done something he knew to be wrong and attempted to drown his soul in misery. Everyone has had their heart broken and this song shows that but not in the Back Street Boys fashion. This song has a plot about a man’s life that is in absolute ruins: poor, no girl, and is going to jail. Any guy, at one time or another, thinks their life is the exact same as this man’s, and can relate to this song on many different levels. Any listener can take their current problem, swop out the beating of the woman and imagine it’s themselves sitting there talking to the bartender. I will listen to this song tonight, tomorrow, and for years to come.
“Care for another Martini? I could wet my whistle…Brandy Sir?” Then the first cord is struck. A m
an pours out his heart to the bartender; all the while you’re just connecting to the plot with your own life’s problems. Rehab’s Bartender was fist introduced to me my freshman year in high school and I haven’t stopped listening since (see band members in figure 1). When I came to college I soon realized my hometown wasn’t the only place to discover its beauty. I’ve yet to attend a party without this song being played, as the masses sing along with it.It truly is a party favorite. The song starts and ends with an acoustic sound, along with rap in the in between, the mix is pulled off skillfully. It mixes a little bit of everything thus allowing anyone to enjoy it. The rhythm itself is reason alone to have this song on repeat. As soon as the first guitar’s beat comes out of the speakers, your head just starts to nod. The song ends with the fade out of “Laaa laaaa la laa la la laaaa laaa laaa la la la laaaa.” Not only do people listen to the beat, they can’t help but sing along.
The lyrics are a big thing to take into consideration. The beating of the woman isn’t my point of emphasis but the concept is. Every guy has done something he knew to be wrong and attempted to drown his soul in misery. Everyone has had their heart broken and this song shows that but not in the Back Street Boys fashion. This song has a plot about a man’s life that is in absolute ruins: poor, no girl, and is going to jail. Any guy, at one time or another, thinks their life is the exact same as this man’s, and can relate to this song on many different levels. Any listener can take their current problem, swop out the beating of the woman and imagine it’s themselves sitting there talking to the bartender. I will listen to this song tonight, tomorrow, and for years to come.
Friday, April 11, 2008
Svalbard
Six hundred and twenty miles from the North Pole with latitude 78 degrees north is 23,550 square miles of islands for tourists. Here in Svalbard visitors can witness first hand an entire spectrum of attractions. This includes anything from natural beauty, to wild life, and seasonal events.
If one was to travel as far north as a commercial airplane will take them, they would arrive at Longyearbyen, Svalbard, the main settlement of 2000 people. Minus forty degree winds may deter some during the harsh winter but the icy glaciers, snow capped mountains, and the sight of the northern lights make up for this downfall. The wildlife is another must see. In a single day one can observe whales, walruses, seals, reindeer, arctic foxes, a
nd birds. Their most famous animal is the polar bear (Figure 1.) The region has a population of 4,000-5,000 polar bears that can weigh up to 1,000 pounds each. They fear nothing; therefore, people are strongly urged to carry rifles with them. The bears prefer seals but they have been known to enter the town and in 1995 killed a human.
Despite the man eating bears the area offers other amenities like no other place
can offer. In the winter there’s dog sledding, snowmobiling, ice-caving, Figure 1, Polar Bear
cross-country skiing, or an overnight stay aboard the sailing ship Noorderlicht, which is frozen into the polar ice. Then in the warmer summer months, people can experience old coal mines, cruises, kayaking, and trekking. This is the time to best observe the wildlife as they attempt to eat the wild flowers which make up only 7% of the landscape, the rest being rocks. In Svalbard, starting on November 11 and ending on January 30, the sun won’t ever rise. Then on April 20 to August 23 the sun won’t set. This gives Svalbard a truly full range of all qualities and attractions.
Citation: "Arctic Adventures on Norwegian Archipelago." March 13, 2008 March 13, 2008. <http://www.blogger.com/%22Arctic%20Adventures%20on%20Norwegian%20Archipelago.%22%20March%2013,%202008%20March%2013,%202008.%20%3Chttp://www.cnn.com/2008/geaways/03/13norwy.arctic.ap/index.html%3E.>.
Six hundred and twenty miles from the North Pole with latitude 78 degrees north is 23,550 square miles of islands for tourists. Here in Svalbard visitors can witness first hand an entire spectrum of attractions. This includes anything from natural beauty, to wild life, and seasonal events.
If one was to travel as far north as a commercial airplane will take them, they would arrive at Longyearbyen, Svalbard, the main settlement of 2000 people. Minus forty degree winds may deter some during the harsh winter but the icy glaciers, snow capped mountains, and the sight of the northern lights make up for this downfall. The wildlife is another must see. In a single day one can observe whales, walruses, seals, reindeer, arctic foxes, a
nd birds. Their most famous animal is the polar bear (Figure 1.) The region has a population of 4,000-5,000 polar bears that can weigh up to 1,000 pounds each. They fear nothing; therefore, people are strongly urged to carry rifles with them. The bears prefer seals but they have been known to enter the town and in 1995 killed a human.Despite the man eating bears the area offers other amenities like no other place
can offer. In the winter there’s dog sledding, snowmobiling, ice-caving, Figure 1, Polar Bear
cross-country skiing, or an overnight stay aboard the sailing ship Noorderlicht, which is frozen into the polar ice. Then in the warmer summer months, people can experience old coal mines, cruises, kayaking, and trekking. This is the time to best observe the wildlife as they attempt to eat the wild flowers which make up only 7% of the landscape, the rest being rocks. In Svalbard, starting on November 11 and ending on January 30, the sun won’t ever rise. Then on April 20 to August 23 the sun won’t set. This gives Svalbard a truly full range of all qualities and attractions.
Citation: "Arctic Adventures on Norwegian Archipelago." March 13, 2008 March 13, 2008. <http://www.blogger.com/%22Arctic%20Adventures%20on%20Norwegian%20Archipelago.%22%20March%2013,%202008%20March%2013,%202008.%20%3Chttp://www.cnn.com/2008/geaways/03/13norwy.arctic.ap/index.html%3E.>.
The Gas Station
Gas Stations
As a child I looked forward to my parents filling up at the gas station. This meant I could go in and get a drink and a snack. Now, times have changed. Now, I lament the
thought of crossing the threshold of the local convenience store. With a record high for American’s average price for a gallon of gasoline, $3.27 (set on 3-13-07), anyone driving is feeling the squeeze of rising gas prices. The question then is where does all that money go? For that price why isn’t this store filled with plasma televisions and marble statues?
As a child I looked forward to my parents filling up at the gas station. This meant I could go in and get a drink and a snack. Now, times have changed. Now, I lament the
thought of crossing the threshold of the local convenience store. With a record high for American’s average price for a gallon of gasoline, $3.27 (set on 3-13-07), anyone driving is feeling the squeeze of rising gas prices. The question then is where does all that money go? For that price why isn’t this store filled with plasma televisions and marble statues? The reason is very little of the money from gas goes towards the gas station selling it. Most stations are independently owned and only get 7-10 cents per gallon no matter what the gas price is. All of these figures are with respect to a gallon of gas costing $3.04. Therefore, the store isn’t staying open on the sales of gasoline alone. The majority of the profit comes from the selling of coffee, cigarettes, food, and other items. The few cents acquired from the fuel doesn’t even make a profit but instead goes towards the payment of workers, lease, and other expenses.
Oil traders don’t benefit from rising prices. They only collect if they make the proper guesses in the market. If prices go down, they can still be making money. Taxes, on the other hand, take out a fair portion. The government takes 40 cents right off the top; 18 cents goes to the federal government. State taxes vary from state to state with an average of 22 cents. Taxes go to the maintenance of roads or the creation of new ones. The transportation cost of the gasoline via pipeline or truck from industry to your car takes about 23-26 cents. Refining companies such as Valero Sunoco, Frontier, ExxonMobil, Chevron, and ConocoPhillips take 24 cents per gallon. There is the crude oil companies--Chevron, Anadarko, marathon or national oil companies—in Saudi Arabia, Mexico, and Venezuela who take the largest portion which is $2.07. Currently charging $110 a barrel goes towards the exploration, production, and royalty payments for the oil. Companies such as Exxon did pay $100 billion in taxes in 2007. Nevertheless, Exxon netted a $40 billion intake for 2007; a 60% increase from 2004.
On April 1, 2008 Rep Edward Markey, Democrat from Massachusetts, has called the chief executives of the five biggest oil companies to testify on the industry’s record profits.
The figures given were from the Energy Information Administration.
Citation: "Who Gets Rich off $3 Gas-Who Doesn't." March 13, 2008 March 13, 2008. <http://cnnmoney.printthis.slickability.com/pt/cpt?acton=cpt&title=Dissecting+a+gallon+o...
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Analysis
Misplacing the Blame for Our Troubles on ‘Flat, Not Tall’ Spaces: In all of its Glorious Stupidity
This essay talks about how our inability to properly predict the needs of the future finds ourselves in a predicament: welcome to the war on Sprawl. The sprawl is in reference to the suburbs and how we turned our once beautiful planet into a huge asphalt parking lot. We should’ve built more compact and upwards as opposed to flat. By doing this, it would save more area for the animals and nature. The analysis of this piece is going to dwell on its use of quotes, its world views, and my personal thoughts on the literature.
“…houses with yards and businesses with ample parking are ruining the country.”
Al Gore said this, a man who was a leading contender to be a leader of the United States of America. He is advocating stores not to have enough parking for their customers in an effort for more grass. Any store that did this would loose large amounts of business and would not last in our great capital market.
“The ideal is San Francisco’s densities of 50 to 100 units per acre. Crowding is good.”
Earlier in the paper Al Gore said, “If a family wants to buy an affordable house, they have to drive so far that a parent gets home too late to read a bedtime story.” I’ve been out to San Francisco many times and am well aware of their expensive real estate. If everyone is expected to live in crowded corners of the world, then that real estate would be even more expensive than the suburbs. Now there isn’t a yard to go with it, is that even worth the price of a bed time story?
The text appears to be meant for the reading of all. Instead, the work should’ve been directed towards people who have an actual say in the designs of city layout; the city planners. The entire essay tried to use ethos to convince the reader when logos, in this case, would be far more convincing. They would say that the building of houses, “Threatens many of our natural resources.” One should ask themselves, “What resources and by how much?” Is it worth giving up my back yard to be crammed into an apartment?”
This essay talks about how our inability to properly predict the needs of the future finds ourselves in a predicament: welcome to the war on Sprawl. The sprawl is in reference to the suburbs and how we turned our once beautiful planet into a huge asphalt parking lot. We should’ve built more compact and upwards as opposed to flat. By doing this, it would save more area for the animals and nature. The analysis of this piece is going to dwell on its use of quotes, its world views, and my personal thoughts on the literature.
“…houses with yards and businesses with ample parking are ruining the country.”
Al Gore said this, a man who was a leading contender to be a leader of the United States of America. He is advocating stores not to have enough parking for their customers in an effort for more grass. Any store that did this would loose large amounts of business and would not last in our great capital market.
“The ideal is San Francisco’s densities of 50 to 100 units per acre. Crowding is good.”
Earlier in the paper Al Gore said, “If a family wants to buy an affordable house, they have to drive so far that a parent gets home too late to read a bedtime story.” I’ve been out to San Francisco many times and am well aware of their expensive real estate. If everyone is expected to live in crowded corners of the world, then that real estate would be even more expensive than the suburbs. Now there isn’t a yard to go with it, is that even worth the price of a bed time story?
The text appears to be meant for the reading of all. Instead, the work should’ve been directed towards people who have an actual say in the designs of city layout; the city planners. The entire essay tried to use ethos to convince the reader when logos, in this case, would be far more convincing. They would say that the building of houses, “Threatens many of our natural resources.” One should ask themselves, “What resources and by how much?” Is it worth giving up my back yard to be crammed into an apartment?”
All one can do is speak their opinion and no one else’s; my verdict on this paper, distasteful. This essay shows no proven facts and simply tries to play with the ethics of people. The use of quotes was meant to help its pathos but in this case makes it sound unintelligent for the lacking of a better term. Iowa State was founded by the Morrill Act; America itself used its vast amount of land in its founding decades to save itself from massive debt. The use of land is in our history just as the use of capitalism. If one can afford a huge estate, then they have the God given right to buy it. To be told Americans must be put on ‘city reservations’ to let Bambi have a few more acres to roam is, in my opinion, against everything an American stands for.
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