Around the World- The Music of Sarah Tavares

This is a series I intend to make a weekly feature around here. It will focus on different cultures from all parts of the world. I will try to introduce you to particular aspects of those cultures like cuisine, interesting sites, art, and music among other things.

For the very first blog piece, I'd like to introduce you to Sarah Tavares, specifically her album Xinti.

Country of Origin: Portugal 

Cultural Aspect: Music

                         Artist: Sara Tavares

                         Album: Xinti (2009) 

                         Genre: Afro-pop, neo-R&B, etc.

Book Review: Shadow of the Wind

Every once and a while, something hits you hard. It could be a movie, a song, a photo, or in this case, a book. This is an experience that spans years back. So please, allow me to start from the beginning.

The chilly November air had pushed me underneath the shelter of the tent. There were plenty of other, far more appealing, book stalls that lined the downtown streets, but this was the only one covered for a block or so. It was then that I came across a small section of books, marked down to $3 each. They were new, and from the covers alone you could tell why they were so cheap. However, there was one book that stood out to me. It was entitled "Shadow of the Wind" and seemed to have been placed there by accident. It gave off a sort of haunting resonance from merely the title. At the price, I knew I had to buy it.

As I write this now, I am uploading my first video to YouTube ever. I know, I know. Where the hell have I been? I'll be frank with you. Despite my sexy smile and debonair persona, I am an EXTREMELY shy guy. So, I've never bothered. But if I ever want to stand in the shadow of a guy like Sting (English teacher turned music legend), I've got to start somewhere. Oh, did I say stand in the shadow? I meant worthy enough to clean up the guy's spit.

So anyway, I've finally uploaded one of the first songs I ever wrote entitled Opportunity. I've got to say, as I watch the video slowly being uploaded, it's like a piece of my soul is being poured out. I'm so nervous not only are my fingers shaking as I type this, but so is the whole desk. Of course...that could be my dog scratching himself again. Oh wait. It's me.

I figured I'd take the time to explain a little bit about my musical past in this post and how I've gotten to the point of wanting to share my music. You see, music is in my blood. My great grand mother was an exceptionally talented pianist during her time. Unfortunately, she turned down the opportunity of stardom to marry. Fortunately, this resulted in me eventually being born. Yeah, I'm actually pretty happy with that outcome.

Of course, you can imagine the pressure on the rest of the family. Both my grandmother and mother were at some point taught piano, though they eventually gave it up. As did my mother's sisters and brother I believe. That left this generation. However, out of the entire generation of some 20 kids, the only ones to have ever shown a real interest in music was my sister and myself. My first instrument was actually the violin, but I quickly found myself infatuated with the piano. To do this day, I still play piano extensively. About a few years back, I decided to branch out a bit. That's when I took up the guitar. I started out modestly enough, my parents trading in my violin (a now glorified dust collector) for an epiphone les paul starter kit.

Give Something Back

Now, I have no idea how much good putting a widget on a website will do. But if it helps even slightly, it's worth it. As an educator in training, I firmly believe getting a proper education can bring us all closer to solving a lot of the issues we face in the world today. That's why I've chosen to support a charitable organization working to provide 37 days of education for every single activity gets done. If you think about it, that's a lot of time to learn a trade, to start learning another culture, and to learn about oneself. For all you know, by participating in this program, you can be helping a young boy or girl learn a means of living. And believe or not, but there are tons of children out there who don't get a chance like that.

And now, a bit on my personal opinion regarding education in the States...

Education is a pretty interesting topic, especially when it comes to the States. Generally speaking, we all acknowledge that it can do with some improvement. But, for many, the conversation stops there. Instead of doing something about it, they try to ignore it. Maybe they think it will all be made up for in college. Maybe they think it really doesn't matter to begin with.

For those that are concerned, they're often motivated by statistical data that shows how this country is doing better in certain tests. Should that really be what motivates educational reform? Because we need to be better than the other guy? Shouldn't it be for the betterment of ourselves? I don't know about you, but to me that makes more sense. Competition may be great in the business world, but as modern educators today are starting to realize, a business model in education doesn't necessarily fit.

Just for emphasis, we should be concerned about educational reform because it affects us directly as a society. Forget about the other countries around the world for a moment. If we want to make real progress we need to be more focused on improving ourselves.

The Pen is Always Mightier than the Keyboard...Pencils count too

It's probably a little odd considering the times we live in, but I've decided upon getting myself a penpal. It was fairly easy too, since I have a friend in Germany who doesn't always have access to the Internet, but has no issue collecting her mail. So I've been writing a letter for her. This is the second one actually because the first kinda went MIA...it's a long story.

Anyway, the whole experience has had me weighing the benefits (if there are any) to even having a penpal in this day and age. I mean, in the time that it takes me to write out a letter expressing everything I want, mailing, and her reading it I could have just told her through an e-mail. Better yet, I could have called her up (thank you Vonage). Better still, there's always our webcams. And I'd still have days left over.

So really, what is the point?

I've thought about it for a lengthy time now and, while I realize it isn't necessarily the easiest way of communicating with friends abroad, there's still plenty of value in it. For one, it takes a whole lot more effort than flicking on your computer screen. And there's something more personal about reading someone's words from a piece of paper, written in their unique scrawl, that you just don't get from looking at a screen. Think about it: You're sitting there by your desk, staring at a sterile, white screen, a block of uniform text awaiting your perusal. There's only so much words themselves can convey.

On the other hand, imagine this: After opening your mailbox, your eyes excitedly catch hold of a letter with your name scribbled on the front in slightly misshaped lettering. Your fingers glide underneath the lip of the envelope, gently tearing it open. You pull out the carefully folded sheets of paper and take in the sight of your friend's writing in dark blue ink. Some words have been completely capitalized, phrases underlined. There are little smilies that have been sprinkled along the page. Tiny doodles decorate random corners upon each sheet.

Teacher Goes Nuts...and Stuff

So for my first REAL blog on this site, I thought I would turn my attention to a piece of news I find personally disturbing. If you haven't heard about Natalie Monroe, basically she is a teacher who kept a blog but wrote some extremely disturbing things about her own students. It was discovered and as a result, she has been suspended without pay.

Some people might be inclined to sympathize with her. "It's her 1st amendment right to express herself like that." "Children are just evil these days anyway." And yes, there might be some grounds for sympathy because, to an extent, those things are true.

But frankly, I'm disturbed that a lady like this is in the classrooms, NOT just because she obvious can't seem to handle the pressure that well, but because...SHE'S A MORON. Now if you watch the video, you're bound to pick up on it yourself.

I have a question for you guys. Do you think I'm being anonymous on this site? With my first name up, my birth date, where I live, and even a picture of myself could you say I'm anonymous?

If you answer yes to that, you must have had her as an instructor.

Hello? Lady, come on! You've got your name and picture attached to your blog. You are NOT anonymous. Writing crap like what you did is bound to come out. Students are always, ALWAYS trying to get dirt on teachers. For me, before the Internet is accessible as it is now, I remember how we would paw through our social studies' teacher's desk the moment she stepped out of the class. Sadly...the rumors of her drinking Listerine were true...

Creative Writing: Blending Concrete Detail With Abstract Themes and Generalizations Pt.2

Last time, I gave you an introduction to concrete detail versus abstractions and generalizations. Today, I will focus more on where and when to actually implement these different forms of descriptions. However, for a review let's briefly go over the differences once more.

First off, you need to keep in mind that these are all forms of description. The differences between the two is in the scope. 

Abstractions and generalizations are broad forms of description that give an overall idea of what is being described. They should be used sparingly in your writing because they don't paint a strong enough image for the readers. They also often rely on telling as opposed to showing. For example:     

      She was nervous as she approached the hallway.

Notice that instead of actually showing how she feels through actions, abstractions cut through that and just tells you. But keep in mind, it is still a description

Concrete detail on the other hand, doesn't come straight out and tell you. Rather, it creates an picture for you through the use of particular detailing. Your writing should mostly contain concrete detail if you want to create a truly vivid image in your reader's head. For example, using the previous detail, notice how much easier it is to actually picture the nervous girl:

     She used the sleeves of her stained wool sweater to wipe the sweat from her forehead before squinting into the darkness that lay before her. She rubbed her moist palms against her jeans before shoving her hand back into her side pocket and hastily pulling out her mini flashlight.

Notice how you can sense her tension in how her actions are described. 

However, it is one thing to know the differences. It is another thing to understand when and where to implement them. Keep in mind that when you use concrete detail, you will be drawing attention to something. Therefore, you don't want to use particular detail when describing something of little significance. It takes the attention away from what you really want to stand out.

In those instances, you are better off using abstractions. You don't want your reader focusing on the ridges in the bark of that tree. You want them focusing on the strangely glowing emerald ring nestled among the tree's roots. Let's use a few examples to emphasize this point. While there is a bit of description of the man, focus on the tattoo and the pipe. Which one focuses more on the pipe and which on the tattoo? What do you think would be more important in the context of the passages?

Creative Fiction: Blending Concrete Detail with Abstract Themes and Generalizations Pt.1

This blog originally appeared on GIO, but I intend to continue talking about it here too.

Here's the thing. While this post isn't exactly about video games, it serves a necessary function in creating them. Creative writing is an essential part in making engrossing scripts for game play. Since some of you out there are interested in video games so much, I thought it would be nice to show you just how much work can go into writing a story. That and I'm apparently the resident English teacher. That and I honestly have nothing better to do.

So here's a crash course in writing out the story of your dreams. This blog will be developed in parts. So don't worry about being overloaded with information. So let's begin with...

Part 1- Blending Concrete Detail with Abstract Themes and Generalizations

I'm telling you right now that the most important thing when it comes to writing a story is not the structure, it's not pacing, it's not dialogue. To create a truly engaging piece of work, you need to understand the difference between concrete and abstract. In writing, these terms are often associated with the concept of "Showing, not telling."

Let's see if you can pick out the difference between these two pieces of texts discussing the same thing.

1.She was ugly. I knew this bus trip would be a long one.

2. There was a mole with a single hair placed just so above her lips that if you ever dared to kiss her, you were sure to get a taste. Her urine-tinted teeth were cracked like the plastic frame of the bus seats, curling into a smile like the back window wiper blades, jamming mid-stroke in the afternoon rain. The bus sloshed on and I counted down the hours until my stop would arrive.

Introductions

Greetings to all! Seeing as this is my first blog here, a bit of introductions are in order. First off, I should mention that I originally started blogging over at Game Informer Online. The community there was wonderful, but after a while I felt like branching out in my blogs to touch other subjects. Hence, here I am now.

I enjoy a wide range of things, which you might be able to gather from my interests. And what we like, we talk about, right? I enjoy writing about a number of things ranging from music, to news, to tips on writing itself. As an aspiring English teacher, I figured it's never to early to start honing my craft.

To get my blog started, I will be sharing some blogs that were originally posted on GIO here. I think they'd fit in better ;)

The first few blogs are from a series I started on creative writing. So if you're interested in getting tips on what to do (or not to do) when writing a story, go ahead and check that out. I'll admit I'm not a published novelist, but I have published short stories. That's something, isn't it?

Anyway, enough with my babbling. You're better off getting to know me through my writing anyway.

Cheers!
EE