Sunday, February 29, 2004
Jonathon- In the dictionary, usually they give a few definitions especially with words that have many meanings or forms (nouns versus adjectives).. so put both and then we'll decide as a class which one is the one we want to use in the controversial dictionary.
--> here's my example that I may put into the dictionary with all of yours:
Flippin' or Flipping
1. [v.] to toss something in the air
2. [adj.] nicer slang form of the F-word
Ex: I was flippin' mad at her.
3. [v.] to show middle finger to someone
Ex: I was flippin' them off.
Anyone want to try to define "freaking or freakin' " ?
--> here's my example that I may put into the dictionary with all of yours:
Flippin' or Flipping
1. [v.] to toss something in the air
2. [adj.] nicer slang form of the F-word
Ex: I was flippin' mad at her.
3. [v.] to show middle finger to someone
Ex: I was flippin' them off.
Anyone want to try to define "freaking or freakin' " ?
Wednesday, February 25, 2004
Many of you are having difficulties, and I'd like to help.. but I don't know where to start. Please bring up your concerns (that aren't being answered on here) to class. If you can't find info- try a different approach. Try searching with different terms. Try going to the library. Try using their online materials. Try looking up a book, and then skimming it. Ask your friends. Ask your roommates. Ask me.
For Next week (8 am class- Tuesday, night class -Thursday), we'll be creating our own controversial or, rather, slang dictionary. Think of a term that isn't in the dictionary now.. and define it. Bring your word and definition to class next week. Here's a place to start for ideas.. don't copy what they have though- where's the fun in that? OR create a word that they don't have. The link is to an online slang dictionary. There are many out there. Try others if you can't find something.. or make up your own definition to a word that is used nowadays.
For Next week (8 am class- Tuesday, night class -Thursday), we'll be creating our own controversial or, rather, slang dictionary. Think of a term that isn't in the dictionary now.. and define it. Bring your word and definition to class next week. Here's a place to start for ideas.. don't copy what they have though- where's the fun in that? OR create a word that they don't have. The link is to an online slang dictionary. There are many out there. Try others if you can't find something.. or make up your own definition to a word that is used nowadays.
So I'm having major problems wiht my paper. I can't seem to find any information on "what is pop music". I've been able to find a definition but I can't find too much more. Ahh. If anyone has any suggestions please help me out. That would be great.
Another problem in my life, Should I go to WeFest or go to Dave Matthews in East Troy, Wisconsin??
Hm.
The Bachelorette is on tonight, and you know me, Reality TV Queen, right here. I think I want Matt to win, but Ian is alright too. This Bachelorette wasn't the funnest to watch. Kinda boring. But tonight should be a good one. Woo hoo.
I'm out.
Another problem in my life, Should I go to WeFest or go to Dave Matthews in East Troy, Wisconsin??
Hm.
The Bachelorette is on tonight, and you know me, Reality TV Queen, right here. I think I want Matt to win, but Ian is alright too. This Bachelorette wasn't the funnest to watch. Kinda boring. But tonight should be a good one. Woo hoo.
I'm out.
Tuesday, February 17, 2004
Another fabulous site to check out: The Free Dictionary/Encyclopedia.
I found a WHOLE bunch of information on the history and defintion of techno music. This is a great site to start from!
And while I do start many of my searches from Yahoo!, this one called BlowSearch.com is the one that got me to the link I posted above. Give 'em a whirl!
I found a WHOLE bunch of information on the history and defintion of techno music. This is a great site to start from!
And while I do start many of my searches from Yahoo!, this one called BlowSearch.com is the one that got me to the link I posted above. Give 'em a whirl!
Brent, my grandma wouldn't let my mom and her sisters watch Elvis because of those hips. I wonder what she thinks of the artists of TODAY? Sheesh. Shakira.. Christina... Ricki Martin...
Monday, February 16, 2004
Hey all. Just added some links over --> there. These are some cool sites/weblogs that you might want to check out and talk about on here whenever.
kyle's blog
blog of the day
andrew sullivan
rebecca blood
the "blogumentary" blog
littleyellowdifferent
for Real World/Road Rules "addicts"
Later!
Later!
Sunday, February 15, 2004
MTV.com: A good source for research. Within 5 minutes, I found plenty of interesting articles on there related to techno. Check it out.
When I procrastinate, it's not always a bad thing. Usually, I procrastinate doing one thing (like tweaking my conference paper for this Friday) by doing another. So, maybe, that's not such a horrible thing. For instance, I've been reading my weblogs (this one, the BB, etc) and cleaning my office area up.
See, since I know that I procrastinate, I know you all do too. That's why, to combat it, I'm asking you all to bring in an outline for Thursday's class. Then... for the Thursday after that (Feb. 26), the goal will be to have 2-3 pages of a rough draft. For the Thursday following (March 4), you'll add 2-3 more pages to that for Peer Review that day. The week after that is a conference week for us, and the paper will be due March 12.
On the really, really bright side of life, tomorrow is a day off for you all (cool beans), AND I have heard that this week is suppose to be WARM. Upper 20s. I can't wait to be able to wear flip-flops.
See, since I know that I procrastinate, I know you all do too. That's why, to combat it, I'm asking you all to bring in an outline for Thursday's class. Then... for the Thursday after that (Feb. 26), the goal will be to have 2-3 pages of a rough draft. For the Thursday following (March 4), you'll add 2-3 more pages to that for Peer Review that day. The week after that is a conference week for us, and the paper will be due March 12.
On the really, really bright side of life, tomorrow is a day off for you all (cool beans), AND I have heard that this week is suppose to be WARM. Upper 20s. I can't wait to be able to wear flip-flops.
Wednesday, February 11, 2004
I understand with the math tests at night (my brother has the same problem). Just make sure that you don't miss important things!! Like your student presentations.
Michael Jackson and Christian Music. Good topics. With MJ, there will be a TON of information. Look on InfoTrac and also online at like all the major newspapers (washingtonpost.com, etc). And Christian music.. yea, just recently at my parents' church they started using background music that almost sounds like techno. I miss the days when some people would just play guitar or piano. The parts to those types of papers could be: Background/History, the new Changes and Why they came about, and then you could get into the two sides... pro the change in church music, etc.
Michael Jackson and Christian Music. Good topics. With MJ, there will be a TON of information. Look on InfoTrac and also online at like all the major newspapers (washingtonpost.com, etc). And Christian music.. yea, just recently at my parents' church they started using background music that almost sounds like techno. I miss the days when some people would just play guitar or piano. The parts to those types of papers could be: Background/History, the new Changes and Why they came about, and then you could get into the two sides... pro the change in church music, etc.
Tuesday, February 10, 2004
YES, use as many songs as you need to get your point across.
Becky and Jason, YES, do Eminem, just make the paper more than just a background of how bad he is. Not many people last spring wrote a paper about his lyrics, actually, just about HIM. So write 6 pages taking apart a few of his songs?
Jessica, YES, Jewel is now pretty controversial. My sis's best friend has LOVED her forever and now she looks kind of Britney-like. What is up with that? Is it "selling out?" Is she just discovering herself like Christina needed to?? You could compare her to others.. and talk about the music industry.. the media too. LOTS of stuff there.
Stacey, YES, those two would be fun to research. You could have categories like Singing ability, stage performance, lyrics, image, etc.
Brennan, How about the crazy couples of music using Love and Cobain as your starting point.. or even going back to the first couple of controversy: Yoko and John? ACDC would be good too.
Jamie, YES, go with that topic.. you seemed REALLY passionate about it!
I know the LENGTH is freaking some of you out, but if you put your research into categories or parts or chunks (like background information, the start of the controversy, etc), it will seem a little more manageable. Here's an example of what I would do:
A Paper About the History of Techno:
Part One: Background/History- where did it come from? Is it the baby of disco?
Part Two: Definition- what is techno? where did it's roots come from and what elements did it take from it's root genre?
Part Three: The first techno-artists.
Part Four: The controversies surrounding it- is it music? is using commercials to advertise it still selling out when they don't play techno on the radio? etc.
Part Five: The current state of techno- is it leaking into the mainstream and why is or isn't it? list some controversial songs and review them, etc.
Even if each part is only a page, I am SET. So break up your topic into parts and research those parts. Let's have some research and an outline of parts by Feb. 19th's class, okay? We can brainstorm more then too!!
P.S. In class on Thursday, I am going to talk about some extra credit opportunities that will being happenin' on Feb. 20. Keep that afternoon open if you want to grab some extra credit points.
Becky and Jason, YES, do Eminem, just make the paper more than just a background of how bad he is. Not many people last spring wrote a paper about his lyrics, actually, just about HIM. So write 6 pages taking apart a few of his songs?
Jessica, YES, Jewel is now pretty controversial. My sis's best friend has LOVED her forever and now she looks kind of Britney-like. What is up with that? Is it "selling out?" Is she just discovering herself like Christina needed to?? You could compare her to others.. and talk about the music industry.. the media too. LOTS of stuff there.
Stacey, YES, those two would be fun to research. You could have categories like Singing ability, stage performance, lyrics, image, etc.
Brennan, How about the crazy couples of music using Love and Cobain as your starting point.. or even going back to the first couple of controversy: Yoko and John? ACDC would be good too.
Jamie, YES, go with that topic.. you seemed REALLY passionate about it!
I know the LENGTH is freaking some of you out, but if you put your research into categories or parts or chunks (like background information, the start of the controversy, etc), it will seem a little more manageable. Here's an example of what I would do:
A Paper About the History of Techno:
Part One: Background/History- where did it come from? Is it the baby of disco?
Part Two: Definition- what is techno? where did it's roots come from and what elements did it take from it's root genre?
Part Three: The first techno-artists.
Part Four: The controversies surrounding it- is it music? is using commercials to advertise it still selling out when they don't play techno on the radio? etc.
Part Five: The current state of techno- is it leaking into the mainstream and why is or isn't it? list some controversial songs and review them, etc.
Even if each part is only a page, I am SET. So break up your topic into parts and research those parts. Let's have some research and an outline of parts by Feb. 19th's class, okay? We can brainstorm more then too!!
P.S. In class on Thursday, I am going to talk about some extra credit opportunities that will being happenin' on Feb. 20. Keep that afternoon open if you want to grab some extra credit points.
Monday, February 09, 2004
I was thinking that I would do my paper on why pop music is so unpopular. I mean if you really think of the definition of pop, a lot of people listen to pop music. It's something that really gets me going in an arguement. But, I dont know if i'd be able to write 6-9 pages on that topic! So who knows...I'm still a little indecisive about it. So if anyone has any ideas on how I could make my paper that long, gimme your thoughts!! :) Later...
Hey all.
NOT that I want to freak people out, but I don't want lots of people doing Eminem. If I read too much of him, I might flip out.. PLUS, if lots of people write about him, I'll be able to compare research and see who is using facts, etc. Someone could write one thing and another person might detract that very fact... that wouldn't be good.
Other ideas I have thought about (that can be stolen at will):
-Just what IS the definition of "good music?" Here, you could survey people, interview too...
-What band was the beginning of whatever genre? Did the Sex Pistols start punk?? Who were the first group of rappers?
-Why is pop unpopular?
-Do we actually get to hear the good artists on radio? Think of Y94 and the repetition! Ugh.
-The Grammy's. Why did they pair up weird people together to sing stuff? Are the Grammy's fair?
-Is Avril really a punk or a poser?
-If music is all about pleasing our ears, why do we have videos?
-Did videos kill the radio star? [and there are lyrics for that question TOO!]
These are the wacky things I think of when I am stressed out, tired, and sick of reading thesis stuff.
NOT that I want to freak people out, but I don't want lots of people doing Eminem. If I read too much of him, I might flip out.. PLUS, if lots of people write about him, I'll be able to compare research and see who is using facts, etc. Someone could write one thing and another person might detract that very fact... that wouldn't be good.
Other ideas I have thought about (that can be stolen at will):
-Just what IS the definition of "good music?" Here, you could survey people, interview too...
-What band was the beginning of whatever genre? Did the Sex Pistols start punk?? Who were the first group of rappers?
-Why is pop unpopular?
-Do we actually get to hear the good artists on radio? Think of Y94 and the repetition! Ugh.
-The Grammy's. Why did they pair up weird people together to sing stuff? Are the Grammy's fair?
-Is Avril really a punk or a poser?
-If music is all about pleasing our ears, why do we have videos?
-Did videos kill the radio star? [and there are lyrics for that question TOO!]
These are the wacky things I think of when I am stressed out, tired, and sick of reading thesis stuff.
Thursday, February 05, 2004
I don't think I have ever had a class blog talk so much of boobs. Interesting stuff... and I am kind of happy that this happened because it gives us something to talk about for our upcoming paper that deals with controversy and music. Janet and Justin must have known that.. thanks for making some controversy for us.
Keep up with the lists of topics.. brainstorm yourselves big time for this paper because I want you to do it on something that you will LOVE to write about. In fact, in 8am class we had a few people getting riled up over people's impression of pop music or the Dixie Chicks. I say that if something makes you pissed (like when people tell me that techno isn't music), you SHOULD write your paper on it. PASSION = Lots to say = Good paper. Other things I hear that tork me off:
"Rappers only swear and write about ugly subjects."
"Eminem is a bad person because of what he raps."
"Britney is better than Christina." (Um, who sings LIVE?)
Keep up with the lists of topics.. brainstorm yourselves big time for this paper because I want you to do it on something that you will LOVE to write about. In fact, in 8am class we had a few people getting riled up over people's impression of pop music or the Dixie Chicks. I say that if something makes you pissed (like when people tell me that techno isn't music), you SHOULD write your paper on it. PASSION = Lots to say = Good paper. Other things I hear that tork me off:
"Rappers only swear and write about ugly subjects."
"Eminem is a bad person because of what he raps."
"Britney is better than Christina." (Um, who sings LIVE?)
Tuesday, February 03, 2004
Sooo...how about halftime at the SuperBowl?!?! Janet's and Justin's "mishap"..shall we call it? First they were saying it was an accident, which I really don't know how you COULD say that because clearly, if you were watching, you could tell it was NO accident whatsoever.
But I guess yesterday Janet came out and apologized for what happened and fessed up to it. And now the stations are pissed.
I really don't think it's THAT big of a deal...I mean people are gonna see what they're gonna see. Shit happens. That's my motto. You're kid is gonna be grown up someday, and seeing stuff like that, so get over it.
But kiddos, that's all I got. :)
But I guess yesterday Janet came out and apologized for what happened and fessed up to it. And now the stations are pissed.
I really don't think it's THAT big of a deal...I mean people are gonna see what they're gonna see. Shit happens. That's my motto. You're kid is gonna be grown up someday, and seeing stuff like that, so get over it.
But kiddos, that's all I got. :)
Sunday, February 01, 2004
Thanks Charles for helping out!
And those conferences aren't really "worth" points, BUT if you don't attend/sign up for them, your possible points start out at 40 instead of 50 for the drafts. However, because of the weather and my illness on Thursday, I'm not going to worry about that. Some people had car problems, etc... Hopefully, when we have conferences again (in March) everything will run much smoother.
Thank you all for coming to the conferences and understanding that I couldn't make it on Thursday. I'm feeling better as I get fluids in me and take DayQuil, etc. I am hoping to look through all the papers this week and get them back to you next week if not sooner. I should take me too long. *cross fingers*
[Go PANTHERS!]
P.S. I'll email this too, but I need students to bring controversial CDs/songs to class this week. I'll take care of Tuesday (for the 8am class) but I'd like students to bring in some on Thursday (both class times). Look through your CDs and find controversial ones....
And those conferences aren't really "worth" points, BUT if you don't attend/sign up for them, your possible points start out at 40 instead of 50 for the drafts. However, because of the weather and my illness on Thursday, I'm not going to worry about that. Some people had car problems, etc... Hopefully, when we have conferences again (in March) everything will run much smoother.
Thank you all for coming to the conferences and understanding that I couldn't make it on Thursday. I'm feeling better as I get fluids in me and take DayQuil, etc. I am hoping to look through all the papers this week and get them back to you next week if not sooner. I should take me too long. *cross fingers*
[Go PANTHERS!]
P.S. I'll email this too, but I need students to bring controversial CDs/songs to class this week. I'll take care of Tuesday (for the 8am class) but I'd like students to bring in some on Thursday (both class times). Look through your CDs and find controversial ones....
