Hey Guys,
Below is a link to my final copy of my portfolio. Make sure to check it out, and let me know what you think.
http://jarydswalker.weebly.com/index.html
Friday, December 16, 2011
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Book Club Meeting 11/30: Why New Orleans Matters
Today, we as a group will be looking toward piecing our project together for book club. We have yet to discuss exactly what we would like to do for our presentation, but some elements have been discussed. Such elements include, local and/or genre correlated music to match that of the jazz that New Orleans is known for, and food that is representative of local dishes in New Orleans.
While today is our last book club "meeting" for class, we hope to use today to take a big step in preparing for our presentation. In doing so, we will look to utilize time toward the end of presentation workdays to properly practice our presentation.
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Book Club Post: Week of 11/16/11
Today, we as a group look to begin organizing our book club presentation for "Why New Orleans Matters". As I wrote in my last post, the majority of our book club group had finished the book. Now, we are ready to start closely dissecting the novel to gather the information necessary to create a presentation. While we are not decided on the format we will use or how we will organize it, I have confidence that we will as a group put forth the efforts to design a thorough project.
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Book Club Post: Why New Orleans Matters
Hey guys! I'm a little behind schedule, but I just wanted to post a few thoughts on the final part of our book. Since my last post, I have sensed many personal dilemmas with the book that I feel should be reflected on.
First and foremost I have found that this book has taken on too much of a personal agenda from the author (Tom Piazza). While his personal stories and descriptions of New Orleans were initially enjoyable (as I did not know much about New Orleans), it seems that his personal feelings have overtaken the integrity and credibility of the subject (what makes New Orleans worth rebuilding and caring about since the catastrophe of Katrina) that he set out to write about. So how do you solve this issue? To start, he should have taken into account the personal stories and knowledge of the people of New Orleans, and try to at least be factual at some level instead of making so many generalizations. While he does take notice of the people and the issues in New Orleans, he does not take into account the actual perspectives of the people themselves. He is very general in his analysis, and tends to keep a bias for the poor and against the wealthy of New Orleans.
For example: "The majority of these people are black, and poor. They are the people, and the descendants and families of the people, who gave jazz music to the world, who dance at parades during the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, who play in the marching bands, and who cook food for the members of the marching bands." The example pertains to the people who were moved to the Superdome after the destruction had began in New Orleans. Immediately, he makes the generalization that these people who are the only ones suffering are the poor, and black people. He goes on to create the sense that these people are also the ones who have created a sense of culture and never-ending-happiness that exists in New Orleans. However, this is only one of many examples in which his generalizations and personal feelings give this book less credibility, and more of a "personal guide to New Orleans" feeling.
First and foremost I have found that this book has taken on too much of a personal agenda from the author (Tom Piazza). While his personal stories and descriptions of New Orleans were initially enjoyable (as I did not know much about New Orleans), it seems that his personal feelings have overtaken the integrity and credibility of the subject (what makes New Orleans worth rebuilding and caring about since the catastrophe of Katrina) that he set out to write about. So how do you solve this issue? To start, he should have taken into account the personal stories and knowledge of the people of New Orleans, and try to at least be factual at some level instead of making so many generalizations. While he does take notice of the people and the issues in New Orleans, he does not take into account the actual perspectives of the people themselves. He is very general in his analysis, and tends to keep a bias for the poor and against the wealthy of New Orleans.
For example: "The majority of these people are black, and poor. They are the people, and the descendants and families of the people, who gave jazz music to the world, who dance at parades during the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, who play in the marching bands, and who cook food for the members of the marching bands." The example pertains to the people who were moved to the Superdome after the destruction had began in New Orleans. Immediately, he makes the generalization that these people who are the only ones suffering are the poor, and black people. He goes on to create the sense that these people are also the ones who have created a sense of culture and never-ending-happiness that exists in New Orleans. However, this is only one of many examples in which his generalizations and personal feelings give this book less credibility, and more of a "personal guide to New Orleans" feeling.
Electronic Portfolio
For our class, we were asked to create an electronic portfolio with various assignments that we've done up to this point in the semester. Click here to head over to my portfolio, and see some of my work samples from this semester.
Monday, October 17, 2011
Talk around Town Sample for class 10/17/2011
Today, I read an article in the New Yorker called "Paying Attention" by Edward Conlon. The piece visited feelings of heightened awareness as a state and country since the attacks on 9/11. The article, as told through the eyes of a police detective, gives way to a sense of appreciation as the author takes notice of his citizen's alertness locally, as well as, the consciousness of the men and women in the fire, and police departments throughout New York City to make sure their services are contributed efficiently and for a unified purpose as people make their way through catastrophic and life altering events daily.
Book Club Notes: Why New Orleans Matters-Week of October 10
As a group, we collectively set out to read the first three chapters of our book. As I started to read, I immediately noticed a strong commitment to New Orleans culture, and a sense of proving value to the area through thorough depictions of landmarks or even a story of his own encounters (which are made note of countless time throughout the book). While Piazza does do an amazing job depicting the "soul" of New Orleans through the first few chapters, I do find that at a few points he tends to force a few sessions of trivial rants about items that should have been left out.
As I read, I have found some amazing quotes that I hope will give a sense to the writer's style, as well as, the feelings of intrigue and aspiration that have overtaken me while reading this book
One of my favorite quotes so far, although not necessarily earliest of other great quotes from this book is brought about when speaking on the "soul" and culture of New Orleans: “It amounts to a kind of cultural synesthesia in which music is food, and food is a kind of choreography, and dance is a way of dramatizing the fact that you are still alive for another year, another funeral, another Mardi Gras...”
As I read, I have found some amazing quotes that I hope will give a sense to the writer's style, as well as, the feelings of intrigue and aspiration that have overtaken me while reading this book
One of my favorite quotes so far, although not necessarily earliest of other great quotes from this book is brought about when speaking on the "soul" and culture of New Orleans: “It amounts to a kind of cultural synesthesia in which music is food, and food is a kind of choreography, and dance is a way of dramatizing the fact that you are still alive for another year, another funeral, another Mardi Gras...”
Monday, October 3, 2011
Book Club: Week of October 3rd
As we prepare to read Why New Orleans Matters, I decided that I would attempt to use Kindle for PC this semester, and buy the e-book. This will be my first experience with Kindle and an e-book novel, and I will keep you updated on my experience with the software.
As far as our book club progression, I am hoping we all meet the goal of purchasing the book for our first meeting, as we try to develop a reading schedule starting today.
My New Yorker Profile Choice
In this link you can find a profile piece on Millard "Mickey" Drexler, The CEO of J. Crew. I originally chose this profile simply because I enjoy J. Crew clothing. However, the introduction is one that really grasps you as a reader, and leads into a description which is very admirable in the way that is written. I enjoyed the piece, and the way it was written.
Check it out and see how it compared to the article you chose.
Check it out and see how it compared to the article you chose.
One of My Favorite Profile Articles of All Time
Hey guys,
This article is a great profile by Matt Crossman on Houston Texan's running back, Arian Foster. Every last sentence of this article was truly enjoyable. After my first read through, I found the article seemed to pertain greatness through the subject (Foster) at hand. After meeting him personally, I knew he was a unique character. However, it was through a more in-depth personal analysis of the article that I found this piece was so much more enjoyable due to the descriptive (even illustrative at times) style Crossman brings to the table.
Just check it out, even if your not a huge football fan. This profile was a great read and perfect for what we're doing in class right now.
This article is a great profile by Matt Crossman on Houston Texan's running back, Arian Foster. Every last sentence of this article was truly enjoyable. After my first read through, I found the article seemed to pertain greatness through the subject (Foster) at hand. After meeting him personally, I knew he was a unique character. However, it was through a more in-depth personal analysis of the article that I found this piece was so much more enjoyable due to the descriptive (even illustrative at times) style Crossman brings to the table.
Just check it out, even if your not a huge football fan. This profile was a great read and perfect for what we're doing in class right now.
Selecting a Profile Subject
It was when I originally discovered the story of John Methia that I truly knew who I would choose to write a piece on. John, currently a Director of Broadcasting at ABC Six News in Providence, Rhode Island, is someone you would consider an inspiration who aspires for the greatness in others. Whether it is his news anchors or lighting crew, John pushes for every last ounce of perfection in every person, but makes them feel good about themselves in doing so. Although I have not created a concrete list of questions for John, I have decided to work along the ideas of how he became interested in the broadcasting/production field, as well as, a few steps in his journey to where he is now.
Potential Profile Ideas
As I started to look for potential subjects to profile, I found myself looking for the most dramatic personal stories that I already knew. From mistaken youths, to war veterans, I found myself grasping for something that would appeal to the rest of our class.
It was while pondering the perfect profile that I then came across an old friend, Peter Bruce. Peter is a twenty year old student from the Philippines. As a young child, Peter was the victim of a landmine incident in which he lost three of his limbs including both of his hands and his left leg. Once discovered and nursed back to health from the accident, Peter was brought over to the United States, and adopted by the Bruce family. His story is one of hardship, perseverance, and absolute miracle as I watched him overcome every obstacle throughout high school.
I also thought of doing a profile piece on a veteran of the Vietnam war. John Masker is a close friend to the family. His stories of eliminating insurgents, and working his way through "Nam" just to declare the war as a loss, are tales that have matriculated down to every last one of us through the years. While I do admire John's efforts and compassion for what he accomplished, I feel that I could not maintain an unbiased stance while writing about him due to our relationship.
My last potential subject is John Methia, a Director of Broadcasting at ABC Six News in Providence, Rhode Island. His story is one that could be considered odd, but truly unique from what I have heard from my brother, an employee at ABC Six. I believe that John will be my choice simply because this will be an opportunity to learn about someone knew, and create a piece with an unbiased perspective.
It was while pondering the perfect profile that I then came across an old friend, Peter Bruce. Peter is a twenty year old student from the Philippines. As a young child, Peter was the victim of a landmine incident in which he lost three of his limbs including both of his hands and his left leg. Once discovered and nursed back to health from the accident, Peter was brought over to the United States, and adopted by the Bruce family. His story is one of hardship, perseverance, and absolute miracle as I watched him overcome every obstacle throughout high school.
I also thought of doing a profile piece on a veteran of the Vietnam war. John Masker is a close friend to the family. His stories of eliminating insurgents, and working his way through "Nam" just to declare the war as a loss, are tales that have matriculated down to every last one of us through the years. While I do admire John's efforts and compassion for what he accomplished, I feel that I could not maintain an unbiased stance while writing about him due to our relationship.
My last potential subject is John Methia, a Director of Broadcasting at ABC Six News in Providence, Rhode Island. His story is one that could be considered odd, but truly unique from what I have heard from my brother, an employee at ABC Six. I believe that John will be my choice simply because this will be an opportunity to learn about someone knew, and create a piece with an unbiased perspective.
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