Thursday, November 29, 2007
Websites for Debate
http://www.efccnigeria.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1547&Itemid=2
Why UK is not set fair for plea bargaining
http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/news/columnists/article.html?in_article_id=426920&in_page_id=19
Plea bargaining – the way forward?
http://www.rjw.co.uk/library/articles/plea-bargaining-2013-the-way-forward
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
ENG (11/28/07) Posting B
Postin B
Crisis by Robin Cook
Medical Thriller!
Dr. Craig!
I’m so sorry, Dr. Craig. I’ve heard that your trials have gone wild, and that you’re having a hard time deeply depressed for worries. I hope that you win your case. I know that you are not guilty. Even your wife Alexis knows. As I mentioned last time in my last posting, there is no one, or even nothing, better than family. It is the only one who cares and knows you. Look. Your daughters (thank you so much for mentioning them almost 100 pages after!) were worried. Especially the oldest of yours had been so shocked and sad that she was pretending to be a bad girl. She’s only 15! Please understand! I know that you are not a family type of a guy, but this time it is different. You have growing children, whom you should give loves to, and you actually have a woman, Alexis, who actually knows you and understands you and trusts you more than anybody, even more than Leona, an “inexperienced” one.
All I like to say is; take this opportunity! I’m guessing that God made this chance for you to rejoin your family! I don’t know why you had to leave you family, but then I am sure that your family needs you. Like you need somebody next to you right now.
Anyway, I would hope you for the best. Life isn’t always smooth. Just before few pages, you were smiling and having cynical thoughts in your mind… just before few pages… Keep in mind that the life isn’t always rough either. When you get a chance, enjoy, and when you are having troubles, share with somebody. Your family!!!
Seize your day! That will make your day! And remember. Every day is a new day!
From Tina Jung
ENG (11/28/07) Posting A
A Medical Thriller!
Post A (11/28/07)
Vocabulary
1. brazenly (p.75): adj.-shameless or impudent.
2. swarthy (p.107): adj.-(of skin color, complexion, etc.) dark.
Figurative Language
1. metaphor: "The last eight months had been pure hell." (p. 76)
-Craig expresses his frastration of his past months for he had to prepare for the trial. One of his patients died and he was sued for malpractice. hah!
2. simile: "Alexis watched as he wordlessly found a young woman who matched his behavior and attire like two peas in a pod."(p.106)
-describes a couple that perfectly matches; they are alike as in style and behavior.
3. Imagery: "And in contrast to Tony's full lips, which he wetted frequently with his tongue as he talked, Randolph's mouth was a thin, precise line, nearly lipless, and when he talked, a tongue was all but invisible." (p. 77~78)
-contrasting of two men's features; in this sentence, lips particularly. One was described disgustingly, whereas the other was depicted very clean.
Quote
"As he sat there looking at the jurors, he wondered, irrespective of the outcome, if he would ever be able to be the doctor he had once been." (p. 91)
Explanation: Craig worries about his future; his occupation, his social life, and all that he worked for all those years. He thinks that he wouldn't be able to go back to his old position which he was happy to be at, and now he longs for it.
How it relates to the Theme
It was only eight months ago when Craig talked about how beautiful and rich his life was. He was celebrating his days. But as soon as he faces a challenge, he falls... very quickly. Within a year, or not even, he is no longer the same guy he was at the beginning. This is an example that humans are weak. Humans are too weak to defeat the challenges they have never faced before. Like Craig, if one has no "immunity" against a matter, he will be ruined as soon as he is "infected" by it.
Monday, November 26, 2007
~On the Waterfront as Literature Review~
English 10 –Mrs. Burgess
11/26/07
On the Waterfront as Literature Review
On the Waterfront is an outstanding film. It is like a well-written book that has a decently organized plot that is even exciting and beautiful. This is a black-and-white film, which I expected a cold, solid atmosphere, but unlike my expectations the screen was filled with warmth and smoothness. Usage of adequate amount of light has nicely soothed the general spectacle. Despite its colorless, the audience was astonished with its “colorful” performance by actors’ and actress’ wonderful accomplishments. In general, the story, which was based on a true event, flew thoroughly with awesome music and costumes that caught attentions of many people.
In the film On the Waterfront, each of the characters carries a burden that obstructs his or her own goals and dreams. For example, Terry Malloy, who is a strong fighter but has an unfortunate pathway of life, constantly struggles with himself after he falls in love with a girl named Edie Doyle because he first has to face the truth that he was once one of the villains who killed her brother, Joy Doyle. During the process of achieving “salvation” by confessing the sin he committed, he loses his friends and his brother by the villains, but throughout many fights and sadness he wins the evil. On the other hand, Edie Doyle tries to figure out where she should stand between the death of her brother and her love, Terry, who is responsible for the death of her brother. Her dilemma is virtually forgiving herself who loves her enemy, and her patience of love eventually saves Terry from darkness and hatred. Another example is Charley Malloy, the brother of Terry, who had done evil things for wealth so that he and his brother could happily live together. Knowing that Terry was regretful of his commitment of the murder of Joy Doyle, Charley carries all the burdens, lets his brother flee from the villains, and was killed by them for doing so. He was wishing for mere wealth and happiness, but he also understood that Terry, who was overwhelmed by what they have done, was right about their mistakes. Although these characters were standing at the opposite ends to each other, they sacrificed themselves and gathered themselves together at one point, for the salvation of themselves and for the victory against the evil.
Another thing about this film is that it reflects the setting very well. Throughout the characters’ clothes, accents, slangs, items, and word usages, not only they make it possible for the audience to estimate the time period which the film was made; 1954, but they also reveal the styles and traditions of the place and the people for the background information for the audience.
There are number of conflicts in the film which divides into external and internal. For instance, Terry vs. himself, Terry vs. his brother, mob vs. Johnny Friendly, Edie vs. herself, etc. All these conflicts derive from one major issue, the greed and selfishness of men. Thematically, this tells that “greed lays greed.” Johnny Friendly chose to murder people to fulfill his greed toward money and as soon as he commits one murder he continues to commit another to keep himself in his present position. The murders continued until Terry won the “war” against Johnny Friendly.
Personally, the supporting actors were awesomely well performing! (Of course there is no need of talking about Marlon Brando! He was Terry himself!) Karl Malden, who acted out the priest Father Barry, showed a powerful charisma when he shouted at the workers that no one should keep their mouths shut if they know the truth. The audience, like the workers, chilled when they heard his words. His firm voice, strong hand movements, facial expressions were all parts of building his character. Father Barry’s words made everyone to reflect themselves, even the audience. Next, Charley Malloy, acted by Rod Steiger, also played a great supporting role. When he was asked by his boss, Johnny Friendly, to kill his own brother, he made this unforgettable facial expression that touched the audiences’ heartstrings. He was crying with his heart when he said, “I can’t. He’s my brother.” His sadness gradually passed through the screen to the audience. Last actor that played significant role in the film was the boy, Terry’s friend, who killed all the pigeons, which were Terry’s birds. Often times in literature or movies, the children leave a stronger impression than of a man; likewise in the film, the kid with crying face left the audience in a silence. Recalling of his dirty face bedraggled with tears still leaves me a special impression. These actors, all supporting the main actor and actress, contributed the maxima amount of effort they could possibly give for the role effect.
Additionally, the Costumes and make-up of the actor and actress were impressive. Scars and tears were easily seen, as they were frequently used for men’s make-up, but the real woman’s make-up was not that easy to recognize. I wasn’t sure if Edie was wearing the make-ups or not because it was only the black-and-white. For the same reason, the clothing did not fully do its job for the realization for its color, except when the dirt was used to mean that people were wearing unclean clothes.
Flat angle shot was used when Terry and Edie were sitting at a table in the salon and drank. It was clearly focused and showed every facial movement. Two of them looking directly into each others’ eyes… it created very romantic, warm mood. Later, when Terry was talking to Edie at the roof near the bird house, showing Edie the birds, the camera was shooting the medium shot. It was a comfortable view of both Terry and Edie maintaining a nice distance between them and standing in front of the beautiful combination of sky and chimney background. This also helped to show their hand movements; Terry was petting his pigeons while Edie was seizing her hands together, shyly. Near the end, the soft focus was used when Terry was walking hard toward the gate after he was beaten up by the gangs. It was expressing Terry’s view, which was blurry from the dizziness, and as if we were Terry the camera was lacking the clear focus. It was a nice effect that it adds a realization to the film.
Comparing On the Waterfront with All My Sons, there is a common dilemma about ethics that characters from the both literary works concern for the morality and money. Both characters, Joe Keller, a loving father and husband, in the play All My Sons by Arthur Miller, and Charley Malloy, a guardian of his brother Terry, in the film On the Waterfront, make unethical decisions due to their miscalculating of the terrible consequences which then turns their loving care of family into disastrous tragedy. Joe Keller saves the company by exchanging it with the death of twenty-one innocent men. Likewise Charley, with his gangs, kills witnesses by using his brother believing that by doing so they would gain wealth and happiness. Both decisions were made for the best for their family, but eventually nobody gets happy with the truth at the end. As a result, both the crime committers die, and their family members become unfortunate.
For all these reasons above, I would recommend this film to others; this movie shows many great aspects of different fields, like literary aspects, dramatic aspects, and cinematic aspects. Also, after watching, people would have more rightful ethical and virtual standards in their minds. These moral issues, because these get us, too, in dilemma often in society, have to be considered very meaningfully. Besides, it is Marlon Brando’s dramatic action movie! I was amazed at the acting, the usage of light, music, costumes and props, etc. This will become one’s favorite film of his life!
Monday, November 19, 2007
ENG (11/20/07) Posting B
a medical thriller!
Post B
Dear Jack,
Congratulations! You are getting married! I think your propose at the restaurant was very romantic. Did you see Laurie? She was almost crying for sake!
I hope you know the significance of the marriage, though. Even though you decided to get marry with Laurie, you sometimes seem very into your occupation rather than your love. Which one makes you what you are, is what you decide. Well... Good luck.
I often think about relationships, which often leads to sadness, anger, and hatred, is worthless, and say to myself, "may be it is better to not start one, if we already know that it will break sometime in the future." And that is true, no relationship will last forever. But then humans, very forgetful and infatuous, sinks under the sea of lonesome and repeats the same mistake. As I mentioned in the last post, no man will live alone. They can't. Is very lonely. Solitary. Sad and depressing... and I know that only people who supports you whenever you are in grief are your family. Always supporting and cheering, they pray for your future and your dreams... Most of the time, I foolishly depreciate them, which I always regret.
Well... I hope that you made your choice that most definitely convinced you. If you're assure of your action, and if you are ready for it, nothing will get you in trouble. Just don't be afraid. Believe in your family. Whatever happens in your future, they will be your supporters.
ENG (11/20/07) Posting A
Post A
Vocabulary
1. mucosal (p.69): adj.-Pertaining to a mucous membrane.
2. renovating (p.71): v.-to restore to good condition; make new or as if new again; repair ,to reinvigorate; refresh; revive.
Figurative Language
1. Satire: "Wedding plans over the autopsy table, and now haerth-and-home issues over the intestinal sink. Don't you think this might not be the best place for this discussion?" (p. 70)
-Jack was making sarcastic about his fiancee's talking about wedding plans during the autopsy.
2. Imagery: "Instead, he saw a stranger approach. The man was a handsome African America, quick-moving, intelligent-appearing, and approximately Craig-s age." (p. 50)
-it describes a person's looking; by Craig.
3. Metaphor: "This woman was a walkin time bomb waitin to explode." (p. 68)
-Jack decribes the dead woman as a bomb; which is not really a "bomb," but then it signifies how much she was in a serious situation.
Quote
"No Problem, Dr. Stapleton. But I have to tell you from experience that gettin married changes everything." (p. 71)
Explanation: It was said by Miguel, an assistant of Jack, who talks about marriage after he hears about Jack's marriage.
Sentence: Changes are all around us.
How it relates to the Theme
The life always changes. It is a basket that is fulfilled with the possibility of all other kinds of happenings. There are several big changes in people's lives. They would be school, occupation, marriage, child, and death. Of course there would be many other factors that would affect in different ways, but these main factors are the ones that changes the environments and the relationships between people.
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
ENG (11/14/07) Posting B
a medical thriller!
Posting B
Dear Dr. Craig,
Hi, Dr. Craig, it is very pleasure to write someone like you. My dream is to become a professional doctor like you are. I am interested in becoming a cardiovascular surgeon. I think of you as a role model. In page 4 and 5 you talked about your college life and post college as well, such as "He'd become the archetypal, intellectually provincial workaholic with no time for anyone but his patients," which I thought was pretty intense, you being a very hard worker and a great student. You are having a decent life as well in your present, satisfied, as you are enjoying yourself going to the health club with your girlfriend stated in page 45, "Craig's current routine was to come to the club three times a week: Monday, Wednesday, and friday."
Even though your past had been a lot more depressive for having much work and study to do than you are doing now, your passion toward your dream and goal in your occupation has always been stayed the same. That would be the greatest reason why I choose you as my life model. I desire to become a better, harder, and also a smarter worker, for that I am ready to deserve some busy, crazy, and painful amount of works. I like to challenge myself, as you have done to yourself to test your limit of your achieving ability, for which I am also looking for the maximum capacity for which I can handle everything I have decided to accomplish earlier.
I have never known your weaknesses specifically because you have never mentioned it, or yet, you might think that you do not have one. I'd say that your weakest part of your life would be your social life, which I am also lacking the ability of, for that I don't really regard much of its importance. I admit myself as a social life outcast, sometimes, and at the same time I feel lonely.
Well, I am very thankful to meet someone like you, Mr. Craig. I hope that you always accomplish the best what you want in your future, and I will look forward to hear from you again. Thanks.
Best wishes,
Tina Jung
ENG (11/14/07) Posting A
a medical thriller!
Post A
Vocabulary
1. remunerative (p.5):
adj.
-affording remuneration; profitable
-that remunerates
2. flippantly (p.39):
adj.
-frivolously disrespectful, shallow, or lacking in seriousness
Figurative Language
1. Foreshadow: What tge doctors didn't know was that one of the calls would initiate a sequence of events that would seriously impact them both, put both in jeopardy, and turn them into bitter enemies, and the other call would ultimately put a different spin on the first!
-it reveals what would happen in the future.
2. Personification: It was at that moment that his cell phone came to life.
-cell phone is personified as a living organism.
3. Imagery: Sheathed in glass and marble, the structure soared up an impressive sixty-some-odd stories into the evening sky.
-it depicts the city look on which the character sees.
Quote
"Losing a patient must be the ahrdest thing about being a doctor," Leona said.
"Sometimes it's dealing with the survivors," Craig responded. (p. 23)
Explanation: It illustrates how the doctors' view the patient's death. He is a pro in his medical field, and he just experienced a death of a patient that he dealt with. He talks to his girlfriend how hard it is to take care of the situation after the death, and its consequences.
Sentence
The consequences that follows are survivors' responsibilities.
How it relates to the Theme
It basically foreshadows that the story would be talking about conflicts between the survivors versus the doctors. This part of the book I've been reading hasn't been introduced its theme yet. So I am guessing its theme/topic by looking at the context clues.
ENG (Ins) Outside Reading
Post A
- 2 vocabulary words that you found in the book (with page numbers). Define them in the blog.
- 3 examples of figurative language (irony, personification, imagery, metaphor, symbol, simile, onomatopoeia, etc.) and how you know it is that literary element.
- Pick a quote from the reading and explain its significance (include page number).
- Write a sentence in which you describe one emerging theme of the book.
Post B
A thoughtful response to the book of approximately 250 words. You must cite the page you're referring to as well. Some possible ways to respond to literature include: pick a quote and comment on its significance make connections to the book (self, text, world, media), analyze the protagonist (or author if it’s nonfiction), pretend you're writing a letter to the author or main character, etc. There are many many ways you can do this.