Brian Crittenden - Journal #7

My first impression of Metropolis by Janelle Monae was, "man, she can sing!" Monae has a very unique voice that accompanies her style of music very well I think. This album had a futuristic, spacy, out-of-this-universe feel to it. Her songs incorporated different instruments that included guitar, trumpet, robot/techno noises, and of course vocals. I think the narrative she tries to paint is that love with a human is forbidden for the cyber world. Thus, there is a 'chase' to catch Cindy Mayweather because she has fallen in love with a human named Anthony. Bounty hunters are now after her. In the bigger picture, her message may be that love between different people can be frowned upon in today's society or in future societies. This album cannot be classified in just one genre. There are multiple genres that this album encompasses: R&B, pop, dance, punk, soul, and hip-hop. Since this album samples different genres, I would say that it doesn't fit into just one genre. She incorporates her own style into each one of her songs off the album. Some songs are more upbeat, such as "Violet Stars Happy Hunting!", while others have a more mellow side to them, such as "Cybertronic Purgatory." It seems that each song has its own unique sound that someone can't quite fully identify, but that is the beauty of it. Her sound is so unique that I cannot compare her to anyone I've heard before. In my opinion, Monae's characteristics that may most influence her music sounds are her dress and her gender. She has a very unique hair style and outfit attire on the album over. Her dress is a robot being disassembled which is not a common album cover style. Her 'out-there' and unique style of hair and dress correspond to her unique song titles and musical sounds. Also, the fact that she is female may also influence her song choices. I believe she aims to represent women in a more influential and creative way. I believe that she has the ability to explore certain issues like love because of her ability to sing. She also critiques the president in the song "Mr. President" which brings to attention the struggles of today's society. I really haven't listened to R&B genre of music but I love the way she incorporated not only that but also other genres into her album.

 http://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/39522/Janelle-Monae-Metropolis-Suite-I-of-IV%3A-The-Chase/

 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metropolis:_Suite_I_%28The_Chase%29

Richard Parks Journal #7

Janelle Monae’s Metropolis is an inspirational, game-changing album which seems to effortlessly combine the genres of jazz, pop, and funk. This is evident in the use of a combination of fast and slow-paced songs, all with tones of drums, horns, guitars and/or other electric sounds. The balance of speed among the song choices is a common technique of all artists to capture their listeners’ attention. Sometimes listeners prefer steadier, calmer songs, while other times, they feel the urge to enjoy quick, spontaneously energetic sounds.

This detailed choice of song speed couples with the messages she tries to get across to her audience. She speaks about some of the most controversial issues facing society, today. She basically does this by starting the album with a story of an android which has fallen in love with a human. An omniscient voice speaks over a loud speaker and announces that the android “Cindi Mayweather” broke the rules by falling in love with a human and is ordered for immediate disassembly. This most likely is an allusion to society’s strong-hold on the common citizen. This is the tool used to capture and identify with the album’s audience, which targets everyone from people living in poverty to privileged political leaders. The songs, as a whole, aim to uplift people and challenge society’s mechanics to bring about a great change that will benefit all who fall under the influence of the message Monae is trying to get across.

 A few of the messages that are touched upon include political rulers’ decisions and their effects on its citizens. Specifically, in the track “Mr. President”, the song declares, “A book is worth more than a bomb, any day.” This line speaks volumes as it brings up two big issues facing the world, which are education of children and the devastation of war among nations. The song also advises “Mr. President” to act as Moses and lead his people through. This alludes to the Biblical story of Moses when he parts the Red Sea and leads a group of oppressed people out of the tyrannical rule of Egypt.

It seems as though she chose to title the album “Metropolis”, to evoke that the metropolis that society is striving for does indeed not exist. This is most likely why Janelle Monae ends the album with an uplifting selection called “Smile” which wraps up the album on an inspirational tone. This is a tribute to her audience as a reminder to keep their heads up and smile through any situation that they are faced with because there is no true metropolis. There is only life and everything that comes with it, so the best thing to do is to stay positive and smile. 

Tony Jackson Journal #7

It seems that with this album Monae is telling the tale of being hunted by disapproving cyber bounty hunters (or something to that effect) on the planet Metropolis. She’s coming from an alternate cyber robot personality, Cindi Mayweather, and is wanted for illegally loving a human. The album is definitely a hybrid mix that I think is somewhere between the funk, pop, and new age genres with a slight hint of the soul genre in the last song.

I think the album does not quite fit solidly within one genre but I think it is good for the genres that it relates to because it shows how genres can overlap to create unique and new sounds. Because Monae’s sound is so different and fresh it pushes the limits of any one genre and resulted in her receiving two Grammy nominations with just one full-length body of work (Janelle) . This is what makes the album good for any and all of its given genres. In a biography on Monae, it is stated that, “with her beautiful and powerful voice and boundless creativity, Monáe is a rising star in contemporary R&B” (Janelle). Metropolis broadens my expectations for each of the genres by blurring and blending all of their respective boundaries.

Janelle Monae’s eclectic style and personality fits her music style perfectly. Her clothing, hair, and makeup are all very elegant and polished, but, none of them fit together in a way that anyone would anticipate. Her unclear sexual orientation also adds to her unclassifiable persona. The combination of all of the aforementioned characteristics parallels the fact that her music cannot be refined to one single genre. Though she does not fit into one category, Monae said, “I feel like I do have a responsibility to the community…the music that we create is to help free their minds and, whenever they feel oppressed, to keep them uplifted”, and I feel that whether you are a pop, R&B, or soul music fan, you will experience that at some point while listening to Metropolis (Janelle). Her personal and musical styles are truly consistent.

"Janelle Monáe." 2013. The Biography Channel website. 30 March 2013. http://www.biography.com/people/janelle-mon%C3%A1e-17178736.

Stuart McDonald - Journal 7

I was not sure which order the songs were meant to be played, but I’m going to go out on a limb and say that her story involves someone falling in love with another but having to leave a city because it’s not a good place to be.  I think the hunters that were set out to find the character ‘57821’ may symbolize that some things may simply not work out for you.  I found that the songs seemed to carry a bit of a dismal message pertaining to one’s dreams being crushed by life in your habitat (the city).  The article listed below mentions that her music is part of R&B, funk, rap, psychedelic rock, and disco, so it may be a stretch to choose just one.  From listening through the album, I could tell that it had elements of rock, mainly evidenced from some electric guitar bits here and there.  I’m not an aficionado of the R&B/funk/rap areas, but I have to imagine distorted guitar solos aren’t too common.  I also heard some synthesized sounds thrown in there, which further broadens its genre.  The article listed mentions that she came from the poorest county in Kansas City, where I think she held her job as a maid early in her career.  Having this background would coincide with where I thought the subject was in her album, although I didn’t see much about success in the music, contrary to her success in real life.  I generally do not look at the artists themselves when thinking about music, so any of her identities wouldn’t greatly affect my expectations.  Her physical appearance however, namely her hairstyle, led me to expect some variation from the norm, of which I have no real definition, but different in some way.  This is similar to how Lady Gaga’s style makes you think of her as different from some of the rest.

Article:  http://colorlines.com/archives/2012/11/janelle_monae_talks_about_being_a_former_maid_and_why_she_still_wears_a_uniform.html

Kevin Stefanye Album

Kevin Stefanye

Album That Made Me Fall in Love with Music

Growing up, I could really have cared less about music. I was raised listening to the same 90’s music over and over again. My dad would play the same radio station relentlessly, and I became indifferent to music, because I only really knew about the Stone Temple Pilots, Creed, and Nirvana, to whom I still cannot listen today. In 2005, I got the 1^st generation iPod Nano, but because all I knew was grunge music, I hardly ever used it until 2008. It was then when I made a trip to Colorado to visit my uncle, who put about 500 of his favorite songs on my iPod for me. It was then that I realized that there is much more to music than the bland and depressing music from the 90’s that I had been overexposed to.

            One of my favorite songs that my uncle gave me was When You Were Young, by The Killers, off the album Sam’s Town. I had never bought an album before, so I decided to buy it to see if there were any more good songs by The Killers. The whole album blew my mind. There isn’t a single song on the album that didn’t astound me, thanks to awesome guitar, synthesizer, and the beautiful voice of Brandon Flowers. I also felt like I could relate to the lyrics because they were relevant to my own experiences and they were extremely well written. Later on, I decided to download the prequel to Sam’s Town, Hot Fuss, which turned out to be an even better album, in my opinion.

            Everyone should download this album, because it is truly pure genius. The Killers have remained one of my favorite bands over the years despite their recent flop album. I never get tired of listening to their music. I don't know what it is about it, but it simply makes me happy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zc8hbSM1zVo

Matt Williams album

Falling in Love With Music…Again

            When I was in preschool, I loved music. I listened to all the country music I could. I had many tapes and a little toy recorder to play them. Then when I entered elementary school, I lost touch with music. I really don’t know what happened. I just stopped listening to music of all kinds. This continued through elementary school, middle school, and into high school. Then when I was meeting people my freshman year, the subject of music always seemed to come up. When I told them that I really don’t listen to music, they were all shocked. Most of them proceeded to tell me what they liked and told me to look it up. Some even gave me mixed CD’s. I did not really enjoy any of the suggestions, but I realized what music could to do people. I then started to look for music that I enjoyed.

            I stumbled upon ‘Back in Black’ by AC/DC at the beginning of my junior year. I was hooked. I fell in love with the guitar solos, the drum solos, the lyrics, and the soul that the band put it each and every song. This combination of musical qualities was what I was looking for. AC/DC was not the first band to be able to do all of these things in one song, but it could be argued that they were the first to do it for an entire album. Every single song is fantastic. It is far and away my favorite album of all time. After I found this album, I started looking for similar music. This was not as hard as finding music when I was not sure what I was looking for. I was able to find individual songs that I enjoyed, but there was no album that contained all good songs that Now I am listening to music again. I always listen to music while I am doing homework or relaxing. It has become a part of my life again.

Back in Black: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1M6kdQtm4wE

Nicholas Giokas: Music and me

       The first album that really brought me into the world of music was actually one of my father's CDs.  Much as a kid I would only listen to popular radio, and the newest top 10.  The radio stations had very little variety and seemed to just play the songs that everyone knew.  Without a good background in music these songs became my go to music that I could listen to.  Most of the songs were pop garbage, but I didn't have enough appreciation in music to notice the difference between those songs and actual music.
       The only other music I would listen to besides radio would be the music my father would play.  On long trips or on the drive to school he would commonly take over the radio or CD player and play his music.  My first reaction to my Dad's music is much like any other kid my age.  All of the songs he played were "lame" or "embarrassing", simply because they were an adult's music.  That idea stayed true with me up until I heard the album Stadium Arcadium from the red hot chili peppers.  This was one of the newest hottest red hot chili peppers album on the market.  The radio would simply focus on a couple of the songs off the album that were more popular.  Commonly my Dad would play the entire 2 disc CD set and from then on I was in love.  Each song had its own feel to it and told its own story.  There is no other band that can play like the Chili Peppers.  The music they make is miles ahead of any rock music of its time.  The subject matter they cover is thought provoking, but not to preachy as to turn many listeners off.  They know how to draw the line between fun songs and serious music.  Ever since that album I have loved music.  Each morning I wake up to my itunes playing and my headphones blaring.  Even though I have changed my musical taste to more of an old school rap, hip-hip kinda style, I still find myself going back to my RHCP roots.

Snow (hey oh)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o7MhpFF1vv0
 

Mickenzi Schank-Falling in love with music

Round Here by the Counting Crows
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SAe3sCIakXo

I was in elementary school, it was winter during either 3^rd or 4^th grade, I cannot remember.  And Christmas my parents got me two CD’s on was “August and Everything After” by the Counting Crows and “Room for Squares” by John Mayer.  I listened to both of these albums constantly and loved each one equally but for different reasons.  When I first got the albums I wasn't very excited about either one.  At the time I didn't know much about music, I only listened to the radio occasionally.  But after I got those albums I started listening to them all the time, I learned the names and knew all the words to all the songs.  Before those albums I hadn't bothered to learn the name of any song I heard, but there was something about having your own albums that made them special.  John Mayer’s voice was smooth and catchy, paired with an up tempo rhythm, an acoustic guitar and good lyrics, resulting in music that could be listened to in just about any frame of mind.  On the other hand the Counting Crows had a much more raspy, raw and unrefined sound to them but the songs were sang with such emotion and passion, not to mention they had great lyrics.  But the reason I fell in love with music was not any of these specifics about the style of the artists but the ability to express how I felt.  Music is a great communicator, maybe not in a conversational sense, because it can fully encompass a feeling, idea or state of mind better than most things.  Also, if you are felling a certain way in a certain situation there is likely a song where someone was feeling the same way and that is the beauty of music.  

Richard Parks Favorite Album

It was a dreary summer afternoon and I had just arrived at Wal-Mart with my family. There wasn’t anything particularly unique about the day except that I would soon discover one of the most mesmerizing albums that I’ve ever had the pleasure of listening to and owning. I was casually strolling through the music isle, looking for interesting album cover graphics of the artists’ work that I enjoyed at the time. All the time, I had been searching for a certain album with a vision of a woman laced in gold, hair blowing in the wind, standing firm and confident against what seemed like an abysmal background. At last, I came across it and nearly knocked down the stand as I snatched it from its resting place. Excitedly, and with disbelief, I read the title to myself: “The Emancipation of Mimi by Mariah Carey”. As a struggling 6^th grader, still mooching off of my parents, I rushed to their side begging and pleading to allow me to purchase the treasure. Seeing as I had relatively straight A’s, my parents agreed to it.

                Without wasting any time, I savagely ripped open the album as soon as I swung the car door shut and eagerly offered the disk to my parents to play for the entire family to hear on our way home. I had heard a few of the songs off the album from the radio, of course, but I had a pleasant surprise of experiencing a slew of entirely new songs. The first time I heard the album, that’s just what I did, “hear” it. It wasn’t until I was isolated in my room, replaying the entire collection repeatedly, reading the enclosed pamphlet of song lyrics to each song, when I actually listened. The sweet, smooth, rhythmic tracks would motivate me to perform daily tasks, as well as lull me to sleep each night, for weeks on end. I had never felt such a connection with a collection of sounds, before. The music not only became a source of entertainment, but a comfort zone, I had never known. Apart from the unconditional love of my parents, this album was the one I could turn to when I was confused, sad, mad, frustrated, or simply lost. This album taught me how to love music, not just experience it.

Growing up as a singer, I was always inspired by smooth, soulful, harmonious music with jazzy undertones. This album was the very epitome of everything that attracted me to music. Not only did it contain the qualities that got me excited about music, it used them in varying ways through the execution of a balance of fast and slow-paced songs that meshed together to create a great piece. For this reason, The Emancipationof Mimi by Mariah Carey will forever be solidified in my heart. 

In Class Writing-Eric Breedlove

I have just recently within the past 2 or 3 years fallen into a deeper love for music.  I had always liked it and been around it because my mom is a music fanatic, but I never REALLY took a huge interest into music.  I basically just listened, but never payed attention to it closely.  The album that first captured my love for music was B.O.B. Presents: The Adventures of Bobby Ray by B.O.B.  I was at my best friends house over one summer, and he told me there was this new artist he wanted to show me.  After listening to him I fell in love with his music just like my friend, and we listened to his album for hours.  The reason I loved it was because even though his genre is hip hop/rap that really doesn't describe it well enough.  Each of his songs contain something different and could fit into other genre's if they wanted to.  He uses real instruments in some songs, and computer generated in others.  Some are upbeat, and others are slow.  Some have a deep meaning and message to get across while others are just fun and catchy.  All of these reasons is why I and many others should love this album due to its adversity and ability to appeal to many genre's.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KkKG33-XtpA

Jake Bustamante Saturday Nights and Neon Lights

     There was no one album that made me fall in love with music per se, but there are a few that make me keep loving it. One of them in particular is Up In Our Bedroom After the War by may favorite band, Stars. I love this album because it tells a story that starts with two people falling in love in the most unlikely of places; in the middle of a riot. After the two meet and fall in love, the rest of the album takes the listener through their lives, and they eventually realize that they were not right for each other and that it was only the riot that brought them together in the first place.
      One of the first songs and the one I am posting, "Take Me to the Riot" is the anthem that proudly shouts how great it feels to be young and reckless. After the initial encounter with the girl, one of the singers has a revelation later in the album, saying "I found you on a Saturday, and that was where I lost you. You had to finally walk away, because of what it cost you." The force behind "Take Me to the Riot" is powerful, deep, and meaningful to the point where the listener is indulged in the night life of a young person.
     I love the group because I feel like I connect with their songs on a personal level. Although most of the songs are romantic, there is a sense of tragedy that goes with some of the songs because the lead singer, Torquil Campbell, has broken hearts and had his broken. The other singer, Amy Milan, has a sweet voice that accompanies his so well that it becomes haunting with the harmonies.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3e6PduWWUGA
"Take Me to the Riot" by Stars

Haleigh Hutcheson Music Prompt

           When I was very young, around seven years old or so, I would always go to my grandparent’s house after school. There I would get to watch any TV show I wanted, I could eat cookies, and my grandfather would always pamper me. He loved whenever I sang, and he would always have me sing any song that I learned in school that day. One day, my grandfather introduced me to a special room they had in their house that held a giant grand piano in it. He sat down and began to play, and I would sing along to whatever he produced, even if the lyrics I sang made absolutely no sense.

I loved all the music he played, and I could always find something to sing to join his melodies; however, one day, I was unable to do so. The song he played was so beautiful that I didn’t want to ruin it with my voice. I didn’t know what it was, but I remember the feelings and emotions it expressed without words. I was drawn towards it, and I knew instantly that I fell in love with this piece of music: Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata. It was so beautifully constructed that nothing seemed to compare to it.

I was mesmerized by the way my grandfather could move his hands across the entire piano, the way he touched each note, and how the slight inflection in his wrist could change the emotion he was portraying. I learned to play the piano shortly after hearing this song. When my grandfather died, I promised myself that I would learn the song on the piano as well, and hoped that one day I would be able to play it as beautifully as him. All other music before this song was simply noise; something that I could sing along to, but not something that had any meaning to me. I didn’t find out the name of the piece for a long time, and eventually forgot about it until high school.

In tenth grade, my piano teacher gave me a CD as a gift. I didn’t really consider it anything special, but it was titled: Beethoven’s Sonatas #8, 14, 21, and 23. When I plugged it into my computer, I briefly listened to each song, and found that the Sonata 14 was the one my grandfather played. I rushed back to my teacher in our next lesson and forced her to teach it to me. I mastered the song shortly after that.

            I believe that everyone should listen to Beethoven Sonatas, specifically the Moonlight Sonata (#14). The tension it creates at the beginning of the song is slow and deliberate, keeping the listener hanging on every note. It’s a mournful tune at first, slowly evolving and changing into a more hopeful melody. With the few keys that the song incorporates, it hits notes that throw the reader into the emotions expressed in the song. It is even more beautiful when played in real life. I rarely emotionally connect with music; however, this song touched me in a very deep and personal way. It is perfect to listen to if you are studying, or if you simply want to experience the true power a song can have over you.  I love this song, and feel that many other people will be able to relate to this. 

Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata on YouTube

Falling In Love With Music - Emily Babski

I was eleven years old, walking around in Wal Mart, grocery shopping with my mom. When we walked to the back of the store, I stranded away from her to look at the DVDs and CDs. I had recently started playing cello and Yo Yo Ma's album caught my eye. It was a CD of him playing the Bach Cello Suites Nos. 1,5 and 6. I had never owned a CD before, but begged my mom to let me buy it. She agreed and I spent the next few months not only falling in love with the music I was hearing, but the instrument that I was just learning how to play as well. I studied the bow changes, the elevation and structure of the songs, as well as the texture that each note held coming off the strings of the cello. I imagined watching Yo Yo Ma perform the pieces live and envisioned him being as emotionally invested in his works as I was. This album to me was a way to escape, but also to learn about the world. These songs, I am sure, would not affect everyone the same way. My story is a story of passion, desire, and a true love for music. But it goes beyond that. By listening to these Cello Suites, I was able to hear the music playing, and then have a desire to go and make the same music myself. I encourage you to listen to this Prelude in Suite No. 1. Relax, empty your mind, think about nothing, let the music overtake you.
Yo-Yo Ma – Unaccompanied Cello Suite No. 1 in G Major, BWV 1007: Prélude

After listening to it, do you feel more relaxed? What did you think about in those two and a half minutes? Did you notice anything about the style? Did you feel the love that was put in every note by Yo Yo Ma?... These are all questions I would and continue to ask myself all the time. This is how I came to love music. 

Stuart McDonald - In Class Writing

Throughout the past several years, I’ve started to notice that whatever events or hobbies that I’m involved in at a particular time interval get “saved” or attached to whatever music I was listening to at the time.  A prime example of this phenomenon would come from the summer between 9^th and 10^th grade when I was younger and had no cares whatsoever, I only had to cut some grass or clean dishes and that was really it.  This time is marked by sunny afternoons, warm weather, playing World of Warcraft to my heart’s content, and meeting friends.  The reason I can come back to these memories so easily is due to my listening of albums (I can't pick just one) by the band All That Remains.  They are an alternative rock/metal band and when they sing, it just sounds so forceful and the emotion is immense and absolute.  They sound like they were free, as I was during that time.  If someone else were to listen to them, then they may just hear some yelling and noisy music.  I can see that, but to me, that kind of deliverance helps signify their message of confidence.  I guess I don’t really pay that much attention to lyrics, so admittedly I’m listening to them more for sound and mood setting rather than for a message.  Ever since that summer, I am able to hear some older (relatively) piece of music and instantly recall various memories of past times, which is a pretty fascinating experience.

Sample song - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NE8DWiRfdBw

Tony Jackson First Album

The album that made me fall (more) in love with music was the collaborative album, Distance Relatives, by Nas and Damian Marley. Nas, the legendary rap MC joined forces with Damian Marley, a reggae singer and son of the beloved Bob Marley, to create a thought-provoking collection of songs. The album is an effort to pay homage to the African Motherland as the birthplace of the human race. The two artists show both the beautiful and ominous sides of life, discussing matters of politics, injustice, God’s blessings, and the struggles of survival. Bringing viewpoints of African-descendants raised in New York and Kingston, Jamaica, respectively, the two men flawlessly paint a picture of what they view their heritage represents. The combination of tribal, reggae, and western music samples, deep lyrical meaning, and the obvious conviction displayed in both artists is what makes this album one of my all-time favorites.

There is something that connects me to my roots, nature, religious beliefs, and morals smoothly intertwined in this music and that is what makes the collection so exceptional to me. For two artists to work together and produce such a powerful message through music is why I think everyone should give this work of art a listen.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c9VQye6P8k0

Nazia Pasha- First Album

First Album

The first album of which introduced me to the world of music would be American Idiot by the band Green Day. I have always loved music, ever since I was a young infant. My parents were big on music and always played older music ranging from the 60's to the 90's. I loved the music they would play, for example, ABBA and The BeeGees, but none of these albums had impacted me as strongly as Green Day's album. Perhaps I was not of age to understand songs as much as I do now. 

American Idiot came out in the year 2006. This album was the first to spark such deep interest in me, regarding song lyrics and song meaning. This album was actually written as a rock musical. Each song led into a different scene or chapter of the story. American Idiot went on to have its own show on broadway, where these songs were put together with additional dialogue to produce a full fledged musical. 

It was the energy, the angst of this album that attracted me. It was the first album that I had bought for myself. The deep connection that formed between the album and I is what got me hooked on music. I became addicted, and before I knew it, I was searching, learning all kinds of new music that all formed this bond with myself.

I highly recommend listening to this album because it is relatable to today's US citizens through its political and emotional discussion of contemporary America. The high spirit, the flow between each song, the upbeat rhythm, the catchy chorus lines, are only a few reasons as to why this album is a must have.

Brian Crittenden - First Album

     I have listened to multiple types of music throughout my life. I have always been a hip-hop/rap fan of music. I cannot remember the exact time or what song/album I heard that really made me start to listen to this type of music. I listened to plenty of hip-hop songs in the past but not specifically one album in particular. However, I do remember the first hip-hop album that I downloaded from iTunes my sophomore year of high school. This album was I Am Not A Human Being by the rapper Lil Wayne. I have always been a Lil Wayne fan because I like the music he makes. I anticipated that the release of this album would be good. I remember sitting at my desk listening to the different tracks on the album and immediately enjoying each song. I clicked the download button without hesitation. Each song evoked a 'good feeling' and, at that moment, I fell in love with this type of music. I fell in love with searching for and hearing new hip-hop music. It's hard to explain, but there is a certain type of emotion that connects me to this type of music and I cannot seem to get enough. In my opinion, everyone should listen to this album because it may strike a positive nerve in someone that they have never felt before. The innovative beats and lyrical cleverness of the album add to its overall effect. For me, these songs evoke certain memories/emotions/moods that I can really connect to. Everyone should at least give it a listen in order to experience it for oneself.  

One of the songs off the album: Right Above It <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nLnwlY1kNM0>

Richard Parks Journal #5

 I am the shadow of the Duck Pond. I come and go each day not with any specific expectation of what can be done for me but what tasks I can perform for others. I am very versatile. I can be in all places at once and still remain as one entity built to assist those around me. I usually am known for my abilities to shade things; to give the ducks or the humans a place to cool off or be protected from the scorching sun as they stroll through the Duck Pond paths. I, of course, have nothing against it. I actually have the pleasure of being aided by the great and powerful sun. Without it, I truly am nothing. Come to think of it, I am not really much on my own. My duties are to be there for others, to remind them of their presence, and to let them know that they are manipulators of my existence. This is only fact because I am the reflection of the Duck Pond. Come take a nice look at yourself. Make sure your feathers are nice for that unsuspecting lady duck you’ve been eyeing for a while. Enjoy the view of the sky and the water simultaneously as you rendezvous with the pond and reminisce on the memories you hold dear. Allow me to be your mirror of the world you might have never seen without my help. Let me be your gateway, your path to another side of the pond you may not have discovered yet. Use me as you will for I am meant to be used, simply because I am the bridge of the Duck Pond. If there is a will, there’s a way and I am the way across those winding water paths leading to the great and powerful Pond. I am worn down, daily with the restless feet of frequent walkers, runners, lovers, travelers, photographers, etc. I don’t complain, though. How could I complain? I’ve been doing this so long I’m not sure if I could even perform any other task. I was made to help others along their way, to make their paths easier. After all, I am the shadow of the Duck Pond.

Tony Jackson Journal #5 (with pictures)

Rain again! I have so much work to do but this rain just makes me want to sleep. It has been raining on my head for the last eight days and I need a break. Every time it rains people stop coming to feed us and I hate looking for my own food.

This weather is blowing me! It’s been cold for too long and I’ve been naked out here for almost 5 months. It feels like it’s time for my covers to bloom but every time they try the snow sends them away again. Is pollination too much to ask for?! I should’ve been planted in Florida.

I love all of this rain. I feel like I’ve grown every day this week. Last week I only came up to the bottom the rock and now I almost completely cover it.

Tony Jackson Journal #5

Rain again! I have so much work to do but this rain just makes me want to sleep. It has been raining on my head for the last eight days and I need a break. Every time it rains people stop coming to feed us and I hate looking for my own food.

This weather is blowing me! It’s been cold for too long and I've been naked out here for almost 5 months. It feels like it’s time for my covers to bloom but every time they try the snow sends them away again. Is pollination too much to ask for?! I should’ve been planted in Florida.

I love all of this rain. I feel like I've grown every day this week. Last week I only came up to the bottom the rock and now I almost completely cover it.

Jake Bustamante Journal #5

I sit here positioned every day, watching the busy music students shuffle past to make it to class on time. The Brothers of Kappa Kappa Psi use us every day and watch with us the passers gone by. We occasionally get moved to make bigger or smaller groups, but we don't mind at all. The attention we get every day combined with the conversations we hear make our existence meaningful. We have been here for years and get treated so well that we will be here for much longer. I guess most people would think that we just get used at the expense of the Brothers and the music students, but we like serving our purpose.

I transport people up and down the floors of Squires every day. People who use me think I'm way too slow, but that's only because I'm getting old. The ones who need to use me are the grateful ones, and that makes me feel so much better. I've witnessed so many silences and conversations that could have happened between people but never did. I just wish that I could have made some indication that strangers should talk more. Occasionally, I would get stuck and strangers would have no choice but to talk to each other while they wait for me to start working again. It's just my little way of pushing people in the right direction.

I come here to get work done, at least that's what I tell myself when I get here. It always turns out that there are people here with exciting stories and the curious side of me can't help but engage them in conversation daily. The time flies and I learn so much about other people's experiences, to the point where I do not even feel like I wasn't productive. My productivity was learning to see other people in a new light. I can always study, but people are fleeting, and I fear that I may never see them again if I don't take the opportunity to befriend them. 

Nicholas Giokas Journal #6

            Every night I illuminate the dark.  During the day I am simply taking up space on the drill field.  Birds tend to rest from their long days of flying on top of my head.  Students frequently post up next to me and hand out flyers for various events.  This week in particular the freshman were handing out paper on paper for some election event that I’m not involved in.  While many people do not see the point of me being on the drill field, when the sun goes down it is apparent why I am important.  My brothers and I work together to make light for the people of Virginia Tech.  Students are kept safe in my brightness.  In rain, strong wind, and heavy snowfall I continue to shine lighting a path back to the dorm rooms.  
          I stand tall as one of the oldest things on Virginia Tech's campus.  I started out small just like the college itself.  As time passed through hardships and struggles I have grown to become quite the monument of Virginia Tech.  Currently I am branched out providing shade and cover for the students under my path.  My road to growing up was not easy.  There were many long winters and hot summers to go through.  Constantly the field below me is covered in mud or ice, preventing the students from coming to visit me.  As the year goes on it seems the students seem to push through the drill field  through rain and ice and mud to come visit.  They only stay for a short while but that is all I ask for in these fast paced days.  I hope to see many more students pass my way as spring comes!
         Each morning I rise to a new day.  I am a symbol for what Virginia Tech and the whole country stands for.  I am freedom for the students below me.  I currently reside outside one of the most prestigious buildings on campus.  Constantly young high school students gather below me and wait for a educated undergrad to show them across our campus.  Each morning either a student or faculty member wakes up early to show me before the school.  My awaking is the mark of a new day of learning and experience at Virginia tech.  I see many people look at me in admiration.  I watch as the cadets train hard on the field looking up at me for inspiration.  I love standing tall for the campus to see!