Like I said, I am excited to come home.
10 Days!
Monday, May 4, 2009
Just Thought I'd Let You Know
I am excited to come home.
Like I said, I am excited to come home.
10 Days!
Like I said, I am excited to come home.
10 Days!
Monday, April 27, 2009
Awards Schma-wards
So a few months ago, I was at the lovely business of Hollywood Video where I went to go rent a movie. Every time I go there, they are having epic sales like 4 movies for $20, 3 for $9.99, or other deals that make it so you might as well buy them instead of rent them. So on one of the trips I made there, I purchased There Will Be Blood because it was highly reviewed by all the critics and I heard many good things about it.
Last night, Charlie, Austin, and I were bored so we popped it in to kill some time before attempting to sleep. It was about a man in the early 1900's who was trying to make a living by digging for oil.
It started of slow.
And finished that way.
I wouldn't say it was the worst movie I've ever seen, but I really don't feel it was very good at all. It was given so much hype and I just disagree with all the reviews for it. Hopefully the next movie I buy because of critical acclimation actually delivers.
There Will Be Blood
Derek's Grade: D-
Last night, Charlie, Austin, and I were bored so we popped it in to kill some time before attempting to sleep. It was about a man in the early 1900's who was trying to make a living by digging for oil.
It started of slow.
And finished that way.
I wouldn't say it was the worst movie I've ever seen, but I really don't feel it was very good at all. It was given so much hype and I just disagree with all the reviews for it. Hopefully the next movie I buy because of critical acclimation actually delivers.
There Will Be Blood
Derek's Grade: D-
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Only If You're Bored
Tonight I wrote my last English paper ever and I am pretty proud of it. If you are bored and wish to read it, I am going to stick it in here. Do not feel obligated to read it, it is about four pages. It is about the best topic ever, Harry Potter. I had to analyze something, so I chose to talk about how Harry Potter is the best fiction franchise ever. Here it goes:
Webster’s Dictionary defines fiction as, “something invented by the imagination or feigned” (1). Fiction has been one of the most popular types of genres since entertainment began centuries ago. Over time there have been countless fictitious stories but none of them have been nearly as successful as the literature monopoly known as Harry Potter. Harry Potter has been successful in all aspects of fictional entertainment: literature, cinema, and cultural impact.
Harry Potter has been one of the largest successes in history of literature, but had to be built from the ground up, just as any other novel. In 1990, Joanne “JK” Rowling had the idea for a story about a boy wizard who must save the world, while on a train ride from Manchester to London. She had finished the first book in 1995, but it was not published in the United States until Scholastic Books picked it up two years later in 1997. The books continued to grow in popularity until she set her first sales record with the fourth book, selling 3,000,000 copies in the first 48 hours. She continued to write until finishing the much anticipated seventh and final book; where wrote on a bust in her hotel room at the Balmoral Hotel in Edinburgh saying that she had finished the seventh book in that room on January 11, 2007. In the beginning, critics were very open to Rowling’s novels; saying that it had the potential of instant classic, even comparing it to Roald Dahl’s work. These high acclamations helped launch the books into stardom. As the novels continued to pour out, the criticism began to build. The critics became much harsher on Rowling, but that clearly did not slow the fans from buying them or Rowling and Harry’s success either.
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone brought us into a mixed world full of magic and danger. In the series there is the normal human, or muggle, world that we know and live in today. In addition to our world, Rowling added a complete new world that was unknown to muggles and could only be accessed by magical folk, such as witches and wizards. In the very beginning of the novel we are introduced to the idea that Harry Potter must save the world from the evil Lord Voldemort. Along with this thrilling story line come many different themes that almost all readers can relate to. Rowling has admitted that her main theme in the novels was death; a point underlined, as the series progresses, by one or more characters being killed in each of the final four books. It also adds to it with Voldemort’s quest for immortality. This theme of death teaches children and reinforces to the rest of us that death is inevitable but we should do our best with the time given to us on Earth. The books are not totally dark, and are written in a Sherlock Holmes sense of mystery. With the enchanting mysteries in each book, it also discusses other relatable themes such as love, oppression, survival, as well as overcoming imposing odds. With these different themes teaching all readers different life lessons, it is no wonder that the books have been so successful.
As with most literary phenomenon’s, Harry Potter was to be turned into a cinematic classic. In October of 1998, “Warner Brother’s Pictures pictured the rights to the first two Harry Potter films for $2,000,000” (2). A big reason these films have been so triumphant is the attention to detail. In early stages of negotiating contracts for the movies, Rowling made it clear that she wanted to be heavily involved in the making of the films. One of her principal stipulations was the films be shot in Britain with an all-British cast, which has been adhered to strictly and paid off as can be seen. Along with the all British cast contributing to the success, the reprisal of all main characters, except for the death of Richard Harris (Dumbledore), has helped immensely. Emma Watson (Hermione) had once debated whether continuing on with the films but then decided to renew her contract, saying she could not bear to see anyone else take the role to the end. With only 63% of the films yet released, the franchise has already become one of the top film franchises of all time, passing huge blockbusters like Star Wars and Lord of the Rings. At one time, Harry Potter had been atop the list, but the mega franchise of James Bond has risen past it again with a whopping twenty two movies, to Harry’s five (3). The last two books have yet to be released into film adaptations, but the last book will be divided into two films, an idea that originally was tossed around during filming of the fourth novel. With these much awaited last three films, it will likely send Harry and his friends soaring past James and his ladies, at least for the time being.
With so many different aspects to this series, it is no wonder that Harry Potter has become the mega hit we have come to know and love. “Harry Potter is now a global brand worth and estimated at $15 billion” (4). It has even become a dominant part of our society. Webster’s Dictionary has even added words deriving from Rowling’s books such as the term for non-magical folk, muggle. Fascination with the novels prompted the New York Times to create a separate best seller list for children’s literature in 2000. As of June 24, 2000, the novels had been on the list for 79 straight weeks; before the children’s literature list was even an option. With her best selling and award winning books, Rowling became the first ever billionaire author. Although many franchises have gained attractions such as rides at theme parks, or conventions; not many have been developed into full fledged theme parks. On May 31, 2007, Universal Orlando announced that it had secured the rights from Warner Bros. and Rowling to bring to us The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. The theme park is dedicating twenty acres to anything and everything Harry Potter, even the iconic Hogwarts Castle. The ground breaking began in 2007 and the completed project is expected sometime in 2010. With this exciting and anticipated addition, it is clear that up is the only place for this magical franchise to go.
With seven best-selling novels, five mega-blockbuster films, and a magical theme park in the works; Harry Potter is without-a-doubt the best fiction franchise this muggle world has ever seen. Not only has this series captured the attention and the hearts of young children, this pop culture phenomenon has exceeded expectations by almost anyone who gives it a chance. JK Rowling has done an impeccable job at creating a new world for anyone to enter, and anyone wishing to top her multi-billion dollar franchise is going to need more than just a flick of the wand.
Well there it is. If you made it to the end, please leave me a comment and let me know what you think I should add/subtract/keep the same.
Thanks.
Webster’s Dictionary defines fiction as, “something invented by the imagination or feigned” (1). Fiction has been one of the most popular types of genres since entertainment began centuries ago. Over time there have been countless fictitious stories but none of them have been nearly as successful as the literature monopoly known as Harry Potter. Harry Potter has been successful in all aspects of fictional entertainment: literature, cinema, and cultural impact.
Harry Potter has been one of the largest successes in history of literature, but had to be built from the ground up, just as any other novel. In 1990, Joanne “JK” Rowling had the idea for a story about a boy wizard who must save the world, while on a train ride from Manchester to London. She had finished the first book in 1995, but it was not published in the United States until Scholastic Books picked it up two years later in 1997. The books continued to grow in popularity until she set her first sales record with the fourth book, selling 3,000,000 copies in the first 48 hours. She continued to write until finishing the much anticipated seventh and final book; where wrote on a bust in her hotel room at the Balmoral Hotel in Edinburgh saying that she had finished the seventh book in that room on January 11, 2007. In the beginning, critics were very open to Rowling’s novels; saying that it had the potential of instant classic, even comparing it to Roald Dahl’s work. These high acclamations helped launch the books into stardom. As the novels continued to pour out, the criticism began to build. The critics became much harsher on Rowling, but that clearly did not slow the fans from buying them or Rowling and Harry’s success either.
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone brought us into a mixed world full of magic and danger. In the series there is the normal human, or muggle, world that we know and live in today. In addition to our world, Rowling added a complete new world that was unknown to muggles and could only be accessed by magical folk, such as witches and wizards. In the very beginning of the novel we are introduced to the idea that Harry Potter must save the world from the evil Lord Voldemort. Along with this thrilling story line come many different themes that almost all readers can relate to. Rowling has admitted that her main theme in the novels was death; a point underlined, as the series progresses, by one or more characters being killed in each of the final four books. It also adds to it with Voldemort’s quest for immortality. This theme of death teaches children and reinforces to the rest of us that death is inevitable but we should do our best with the time given to us on Earth. The books are not totally dark, and are written in a Sherlock Holmes sense of mystery. With the enchanting mysteries in each book, it also discusses other relatable themes such as love, oppression, survival, as well as overcoming imposing odds. With these different themes teaching all readers different life lessons, it is no wonder that the books have been so successful.
As with most literary phenomenon’s, Harry Potter was to be turned into a cinematic classic. In October of 1998, “Warner Brother’s Pictures pictured the rights to the first two Harry Potter films for $2,000,000” (2). A big reason these films have been so triumphant is the attention to detail. In early stages of negotiating contracts for the movies, Rowling made it clear that she wanted to be heavily involved in the making of the films. One of her principal stipulations was the films be shot in Britain with an all-British cast, which has been adhered to strictly and paid off as can be seen. Along with the all British cast contributing to the success, the reprisal of all main characters, except for the death of Richard Harris (Dumbledore), has helped immensely. Emma Watson (Hermione) had once debated whether continuing on with the films but then decided to renew her contract, saying she could not bear to see anyone else take the role to the end. With only 63% of the films yet released, the franchise has already become one of the top film franchises of all time, passing huge blockbusters like Star Wars and Lord of the Rings. At one time, Harry Potter had been atop the list, but the mega franchise of James Bond has risen past it again with a whopping twenty two movies, to Harry’s five (3). The last two books have yet to be released into film adaptations, but the last book will be divided into two films, an idea that originally was tossed around during filming of the fourth novel. With these much awaited last three films, it will likely send Harry and his friends soaring past James and his ladies, at least for the time being.
With so many different aspects to this series, it is no wonder that Harry Potter has become the mega hit we have come to know and love. “Harry Potter is now a global brand worth and estimated at $15 billion” (4). It has even become a dominant part of our society. Webster’s Dictionary has even added words deriving from Rowling’s books such as the term for non-magical folk, muggle. Fascination with the novels prompted the New York Times to create a separate best seller list for children’s literature in 2000. As of June 24, 2000, the novels had been on the list for 79 straight weeks; before the children’s literature list was even an option. With her best selling and award winning books, Rowling became the first ever billionaire author. Although many franchises have gained attractions such as rides at theme parks, or conventions; not many have been developed into full fledged theme parks. On May 31, 2007, Universal Orlando announced that it had secured the rights from Warner Bros. and Rowling to bring to us The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. The theme park is dedicating twenty acres to anything and everything Harry Potter, even the iconic Hogwarts Castle. The ground breaking began in 2007 and the completed project is expected sometime in 2010. With this exciting and anticipated addition, it is clear that up is the only place for this magical franchise to go.
With seven best-selling novels, five mega-blockbuster films, and a magical theme park in the works; Harry Potter is without-a-doubt the best fiction franchise this muggle world has ever seen. Not only has this series captured the attention and the hearts of young children, this pop culture phenomenon has exceeded expectations by almost anyone who gives it a chance. JK Rowling has done an impeccable job at creating a new world for anyone to enter, and anyone wishing to top her multi-billion dollar franchise is going to need more than just a flick of the wand.
Well there it is. If you made it to the end, please leave me a comment and let me know what you think I should add/subtract/keep the same.
Thanks.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Until Further Notice...
This is a general idea of what I have been showering in for the past few days; and will be continuing to shower in until further notice.
Awesome, right?
False.
I have to walk outside and over to this stinkin' hot, basically, port-o-showers. Once inside it is like a sauna, so once I finish showering and am drying off, I start sweating; defeating the whole purpose of the shower I just took. ASU better get crackin' at this whole no hot water for my building thing, cause not too many people are too pleased at the moment.
Awesome, right?
False.
I have to walk outside and over to this stinkin' hot, basically, port-o-showers. Once inside it is like a sauna, so once I finish showering and am drying off, I start sweating; defeating the whole purpose of the shower I just took. ASU better get crackin' at this whole no hot water for my building thing, cause not too many people are too pleased at the moment.
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Just Trying To Do Some Laundry
So yesterday I was walking into my building yesterday and I noticed a note saying,
"Attention All PV East Residents: The hot water in the building will be shut off tomorrow from 4:00 am to 5:00 pm to fix a steam leak."
OK, sucks, but it is not the end of the world. I even went and swam after class this morning so I could shower at the gym and not feel gross all day. So I get back and am hanging with Charlie and Sineadh and I get a text from Austin:
"We don't have hot water until next week."
What? That is unbelievable. We go on Charlie's computer and there is an e-mail that reads(Sparknotes version):
"There have been some troubles with the repair of the steam leak and the hot water is not going to be able to be turned back on until further notice."
Until further notice? That is unacceptable! We have a few hundred people living in this building with no hot water! That means no showers, no water to wash your face, or even able to do laundry. They thought it would make up for it if they put two portable showers outside the building, kind of like a port-o-potty version of showers.
Austin, Charlie, Sineadh, and I were bored tonight so we decided to gather all our dirty clothes and drive around and find a laundromat. We went to four different laundromats and they were all closed! In a college town, how can there not be one decent 24 hour laundromat?
This day started out so productive, and ended completely ridiculous.
"Attention All PV East Residents: The hot water in the building will be shut off tomorrow from 4:00 am to 5:00 pm to fix a steam leak."
OK, sucks, but it is not the end of the world. I even went and swam after class this morning so I could shower at the gym and not feel gross all day. So I get back and am hanging with Charlie and Sineadh and I get a text from Austin:
"We don't have hot water until next week."
What? That is unbelievable. We go on Charlie's computer and there is an e-mail that reads(Sparknotes version):
"There have been some troubles with the repair of the steam leak and the hot water is not going to be able to be turned back on until further notice."
Until further notice? That is unacceptable! We have a few hundred people living in this building with no hot water! That means no showers, no water to wash your face, or even able to do laundry. They thought it would make up for it if they put two portable showers outside the building, kind of like a port-o-potty version of showers.
Austin, Charlie, Sineadh, and I were bored tonight so we decided to gather all our dirty clothes and drive around and find a laundromat. We went to four different laundromats and they were all closed! In a college town, how can there not be one decent 24 hour laundromat?
This day started out so productive, and ended completely ridiculous.
Friday, April 17, 2009
Days Are So Productive When Conscious
Today is Friday, a beautiful day and it has already been extremely productive. Now when I say it has been productive, I am comparing it to most Friday's, in which I spend a very good majority of it sleeping.
12:00 a.m. Rage
2:00 a.m. E-mail Mother
2:15 a.m. Get a 100% on a Communications quiz
2:40 a.m. Bed
8:15 a.m. Wake up
8:35 a.m. Accounting 231 (In which I rocked the hell out of a worksheet)
9:40 a.m. Math 210
10:25 a.m. Walk to the gym
10:40 a.m. Swim 1.5 miles
11:30 a.m. Shower (The hot water in our building is being turned off from 4:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. today. I know, right? Retarded.)
12:00 p.m. Get home, eat, Facebook, Blog, wait for Charlie and Sineadh to wake up so we can go to Tempe Market Place
Now I am going to go read Harry Potter while I wait for the sleeping beauties.
Productive, right?
12:00 a.m. Rage
2:00 a.m. E-mail Mother
2:15 a.m. Get a 100% on a Communications quiz
2:40 a.m. Bed
8:15 a.m. Wake up
8:35 a.m. Accounting 231 (In which I rocked the hell out of a worksheet)
9:40 a.m. Math 210
10:25 a.m. Walk to the gym
10:40 a.m. Swim 1.5 miles
11:30 a.m. Shower (The hot water in our building is being turned off from 4:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. today. I know, right? Retarded.)
12:00 p.m. Get home, eat, Facebook, Blog, wait for Charlie and Sineadh to wake up so we can go to Tempe Market Place
Now I am going to go read Harry Potter while I wait for the sleeping beauties.
Productive, right?
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Photoshop
So yesterday I downloaded a free version of Photoshop. I have been extremely bored in the past 24 hours and been playing with it. Here are some of my first creations:
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