Friday, September 28, 2007
The experience of blog writing
This is the final entry,at least the last one I have to write. I don´t know if I am going to continue writing on this blog,if I have the time and something to say I will do it. This has become part of my routine,something that I´m accustomed to doing every other day.It´s been a while, I have started my blog in april, and there are things I´m really proud of saying that I wrote them and others that I´m maybe a little ashamed. For me,writing on this blog was a continuing stuggle, a battle against myself, against the lack of inspiration that sometimes I had to face and the things I wanted to say. There are entries that really portray what I wanted to communicate at that time,and there are others that are rather confusing and can lead to a misunderstanding. However, everything that is written here is about me and the way I see myself and the world;my opinions, my points of views,my feelings and emotions. I tried to reflect on this blog the way I am, and also to show the other part of me that maybe you don´t know.I really don´t know if writing here has improved my writing in English, but I know that it was a really good experience and helped me to speak my mind freely. I have to admit that there were times that I just hate sitting and writing, but I think it was good for me. I don´t know if I will continue writing,however this was a good experience.See you soon, and please leave your comments.
Monday, September 24, 2007
Insignificance
Everyday, trying to catch the sun and make the day
Every moment, stricken by hardships, overwhelmed by emotions
Looking for our real selves, for what is lying within
Every second, wondering about today, tomorrow, yesterday
The days go by,the nights too
Some are coming, some are going
Some are loving, some are fightning
Some are laughing,some are crying
You say you believe, I say that I don´t
And the life is so huge
And we are so small
And everything is changing, but soon will be forgotten
Because even the deepest mark,will be buried by the dust.
Every moment, stricken by hardships, overwhelmed by emotions
Looking for our real selves, for what is lying within
Every second, wondering about today, tomorrow, yesterday
The days go by,the nights too
Some are coming, some are going
Some are loving, some are fightning
Some are laughing,some are crying
You say you believe, I say that I don´t
And the life is so huge
And we are so small
And everything is changing, but soon will be forgotten
Because even the deepest mark,will be buried by the dust.
Sweet symphony
Last night I went with my sister to listen to the Spring Concert at the Alberdi theatre. We were the lucky ones to arrived first;we have to be there early to get good sits, because we had tickets for the “cazuela” which was(we didn´t know at that time) the highest place in the theatre,near the roof. When we entered to the theatre, we had to go upstairs to the third floor. When we got there, it was so high that my sister(who suffers from vertigo)starts feeling sick and dizzy. So, she decided to change the places and we went to see the concert in a gallery which was placed very near the stage, in the first floor. The concert was amazing: it consisted of soundtracks of very famous movies, and the UNT Symphony Orchestra was in change of playing it. The orchestra was directed by the conductor Roberto Buffo, who was really amazing, not only conducting the orchestra, but he also acting in several parts of the concert. The concert began with the main theme of the movie “Spiderman”, and Buffo was hanged by a rope and dressed as Spiderman. It was very shocking and funny to see him doing it. While the orchestra played the music, there were actors and singers on stage, and a big screen on top which projected scenes from the movies. The theatre was full of spectators, who were glad to listen to this beautiful music. The orchestra played the soundtrack of “The Wizard of Oz”,”Mission Imposible”,”Casablanca”,”Chariots of Fire”,”Love Story”,”Psicosis”,”Cinema Paradiso” between others. The orchesta played beautifully, and the conductor was a genious. In between the interludes, the screen showed pieces of movies and live performances of Luciano Pavarotti and Caetano Veloso. One thing that really called my attention was that the orchestra played the theme of “El Chavo del Ocho”; I didn´t know that it was composed by Ludwig Van Beethoven and it is part of The Ruins of Athenas. The most emotive moments were when they played the music of “Cinema Paradiso” and “Love Story”: It was great, and to be honest I cried a little bit when they played the love song of Cinema Paradiso(such a wonderful movie!). “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” was sung by a girl who was superb, and the most exciting part of the concert was the performance of “Mission Imposible”(even a bomb exploded). The big surprise was the music of “Pirates of the Caribbean” and “Spiderman”;I didn´t know that they were so excellent pieces of music. I spent a wonderful evening with my sister, and I felt very lucky to enjoy this extraordinary cultural event. I won´t miss the next one!
Philip
One fine day he will leave all behind
He will cut her chains and forget everything they said
He will have the guts to open the door and face the world
He will be someone, the one he has always dreamed of
He will spit at their faces and be free at last
No matter how hard they try to get him
No matter what they would think of him
He will get it, and his tears and his blood will be the offering
He will make mistakes and begin again from the start
Never looking back,never doing what the others do
He will be himself, and won´t feel ashamed of it
One fine day he will make it...
He will cut her chains and forget everything they said
He will have the guts to open the door and face the world
He will be someone, the one he has always dreamed of
He will spit at their faces and be free at last
No matter how hard they try to get him
No matter what they would think of him
He will get it, and his tears and his blood will be the offering
He will make mistakes and begin again from the start
Never looking back,never doing what the others do
He will be himself, and won´t feel ashamed of it
One fine day he will make it...
10 books
I love literature, but I have to admit that there are several books, classic novels that I haven´t read yet. I´m not a specialist in literature, but I´d like to be one. Here it is a kind of summary of my favourites books, which I strongly recommend you to read:
1-Of human bondage by W. Somerset Maugham(1915): It ´s maybe my favourite book of all time, I should have read this novel five times and I´m still in love with it. I really like the main character,Philip Carey, which is in a way the author´s alter ego because the novel is largely based on Maugham´s own experiences and memories. I like this novel because I feel identified with the protagonist, because he experiences similar events that reminds me of some events of my own life.
2-1984 by George Orwell(1949): Some people don´t know that the idea of Big Brother was taken from this novel. The story itself is extraordinary(not very far from reality in some countries)and the way it is written makes you feel anguish and paranoid all the time. A classic.
3-El tunel by Ernesto Sabato(1948): a rather chilling and dense novel, with tells the story of a man who kills the woman he loves. It´s also a classic and one of the best argentinian novels of all time.
4-Rimas by Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer(1871): romanticism, dreams and beauty. Love and pain, the rimas of Bécquer made me fell in love with them, with their musicality and their images. A sensitive soul, a real poet and lover.
5-The black cat, the crow and other stories(compilation): The real master of horror and the father of thriller. I think that it´s compulsory for me to read it, however I read it in Spanish. I´m looking forward to read it in its original language.
6-Tom Sawyer detective by Mark Twain: One of the books of my childhood, I still have it on my library. I used to like Tom Sawyer´s stories, and I think it was my father who introduced to the world of this character. Very funny and entertaining novel.
7-Lord of the flies by William Golding(1954): I´ve just read this excellent novel, I had to read it for Language 4 and it was a very enjoyable experience. It deals with the innate evil that we human being possess. Strong and shocking from beginning to end.
8-La ciudad y los perros by Mario Vargas Llosa: One of the representatives of the Latinamerican literature´s boom, along with Gabriel García Márquez, Isabel Allende and others. The novel is about the life in a military college.It´s also a semi-autobiographical novel.
9-El amor en los tiempos del cólera by Gabriel García Márquez: I just love this novel as everything Gabo writes. I don´t know, maybe it´s the way he tolds the stories, the magic and beauty of his prose that makes him one of my favourites authors.An extremely beautiful love story, that longs forever and ever.
10-Dead poets society by N. H. Kleinbaum: I love the movie, and we read the novel,which is based on the movie, in Young Learners Literature. I remember that the theme of the novel provoked a heated discussion between some classmates of mine and our teacher. It was very funny and rewarding.
1-Of human bondage by W. Somerset Maugham(1915): It ´s maybe my favourite book of all time, I should have read this novel five times and I´m still in love with it. I really like the main character,Philip Carey, which is in a way the author´s alter ego because the novel is largely based on Maugham´s own experiences and memories. I like this novel because I feel identified with the protagonist, because he experiences similar events that reminds me of some events of my own life.
2-1984 by George Orwell(1949): Some people don´t know that the idea of Big Brother was taken from this novel. The story itself is extraordinary(not very far from reality in some countries)and the way it is written makes you feel anguish and paranoid all the time. A classic.
3-El tunel by Ernesto Sabato(1948): a rather chilling and dense novel, with tells the story of a man who kills the woman he loves. It´s also a classic and one of the best argentinian novels of all time.
4-Rimas by Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer(1871): romanticism, dreams and beauty. Love and pain, the rimas of Bécquer made me fell in love with them, with their musicality and their images. A sensitive soul, a real poet and lover.
5-The black cat, the crow and other stories(compilation): The real master of horror and the father of thriller. I think that it´s compulsory for me to read it, however I read it in Spanish. I´m looking forward to read it in its original language.
6-Tom Sawyer detective by Mark Twain: One of the books of my childhood, I still have it on my library. I used to like Tom Sawyer´s stories, and I think it was my father who introduced to the world of this character. Very funny and entertaining novel.
7-Lord of the flies by William Golding(1954): I´ve just read this excellent novel, I had to read it for Language 4 and it was a very enjoyable experience. It deals with the innate evil that we human being possess. Strong and shocking from beginning to end.
8-La ciudad y los perros by Mario Vargas Llosa: One of the representatives of the Latinamerican literature´s boom, along with Gabriel García Márquez, Isabel Allende and others. The novel is about the life in a military college.It´s also a semi-autobiographical novel.
9-El amor en los tiempos del cólera by Gabriel García Márquez: I just love this novel as everything Gabo writes. I don´t know, maybe it´s the way he tolds the stories, the magic and beauty of his prose that makes him one of my favourites authors.An extremely beautiful love story, that longs forever and ever.
10-Dead poets society by N. H. Kleinbaum: I love the movie, and we read the novel,which is based on the movie, in Young Learners Literature. I remember that the theme of the novel provoked a heated discussion between some classmates of mine and our teacher. It was very funny and rewarding.
Spring is here again
So, once again here it is.After a long period of darkness and cold, after surviving and overcoming all the hardships and difficulties, mother nature gives us this beautiful season. The days are longer and the nights are shorter, there is a sweet fragrance in the air and it is hot again. Everything is greener, everything is more colourful, it´s like a carnival for our senses. We are close to each other a little bit more, we feel attracted by each other a little bit more. It is the time of rebirth, reincarnation and new opportunities;time to start something new and to forget about the past. At this time we are very close to the end of the year, so we allow ourselves to have some rest and to breath. It´s the wakening after a long period of hibernation, obscurity and worries. The students and all the young people get together, flirting, laughing and singing. We feel better with ourselves and with the others, and we want to show the best part of ourselves.”alla a lo lejos puedes escuchar a un amor de primavera”sings someone while strumming a guitar, and the sun is shinning so brightly that even hurts my eyes. My friends are there, the ones I love. Communion and celebration of life, another stage, another beginning, the same old jokes, a stolen kiss in a dark room(it was only a game). The happiness of being youth and alive, the pleasure of living for today,not for tomorrow. I´m full of memories now, I´m very opimistic today.It´s maybe because of spring...
Sex, drugs and drugs(and Rock ´n´ Roll?)
I´m not a Rocker, though I love Rock music and it is mainly the only kind of music I listen to. I don´t consider myself to be a Rocker, simply because I love music, not the Rock ´n´ Roll lifestyle. Or maybe I have another idea of what Rock should be: for me it is not a kind of music,because several artists that don´t play Rock in the strict sense of the word are considered to be Rockers(it´s the case of such differents groups as Coldplay, Björk and Pink Floyd). In my opinion, it´s more than a type of music, it is an attitude and a way of seeing art. Maybe these groups don´t play Rock because their music is very far from the stardard of what a Rock band should be(simple tunes,heavy distortion,short songs,tough attitude,rebellious and provocative lyrics). I consider that Rock should be seen as freedom, artistic freedom I mean: the musician should have the liberty to express what he really feels, without boundaries or prejudice. I think that music in general should be like this. The problem is when the lifestyle or the attitude that rock music praises starts to eclipse music itself. Today I see that it is more important to show an image and to pretend to be a rock star than actually playing and composing good music and give a message. For example Charly Garcia, what happened with him?I used to admire him a lot,because of his genious and the music he used to make. Also because of the way he interpreted Argentina´s reality with his lyrics in those difficult times of the military dictatorship. At that time, Rock music had a creative power that could face any imposition of the state and make people able to think for themselves and find what was really important. It used to be an intellectual tool to free our spirits and to help us improve the world and our lives. But nowadays Rock has became a silly and insubtancial vehicle for stupidity, praising the drug consumption and poor musical quality. It is the case of Pity of the group Intoxicados: he is just a poor junky who couldn´t say something coherent and composes songs about drugs, criminality and other bullshit. He is supposed to represent the spirit of Rock ´n´Roll, and he looks like a dumb puppet whose main ambitions are to get laid and to smoke marijuana. He reminds me of a character played by the comediant Diego Capusotto, called Pomelo(you have to see the way Capusotto mockes the Rocker´s lifestyle). I´m trying to say that nowadays Rock has become something that has no substance and message, just part of the establishment that destroy music,ideas and creativity(just think about Mtv). However, there are still some bands that I consider to keep the real spirit of Rock alive; there are bands which just don´t care about fame and fortune and try to do good music and to open people´s minds.
Uninspired
What else do you want to know? I have told you about my lifes( we don´t have only one life,but several). About my hope and joy, about my hatred and rage, about my lovers and my kith and kin, about my nightmares and my dreams, the future and the past,my real self and my masks, my places, my moments, my people, my belongings. I´ve never told you about the things I would never speak about, about the secrets lying within, about the things untold, about the frustation and the emptyness. My memories, the love and the promised land, the strings and wires, the laugher and the jokes, the people I´ve lost and the people I´ve found,about the pain and the fear, about the absent god and the oblivion,time and space,books,songs,movies,thoughts,words,art,salvation,good and evil,life,life itself.What else do you want to know,my friend?
Hail to the criminal
Some days ago I watched a TV programme, I don´t remember its name but it doesn´t matter. The TV programme was about the life of the prisoners in jail in our country. The series showed the way these people live, and the production of the tv programme gave them a small camera in order to shoot themselves doing the things they do in prison. The programme also has a special section where the prisoners, dressed very formally as teachers, “teach” their argot and expressions they commonly use. In addition, during the commercial break, there was an advertisement that incite people to sent a SMS to get the criminal jargon in their mobile phone. To be honest, I couldn´t believe what I was watching. I know that this shouldn´t surprise me, but I am worried and angry: worried because this shows the state of decomposition in which our moral values are, and I´m angry to see this people,real criminals who should spend all their in prison for what they have done, showed as models of behaviour. It was the “cumbia villera” first, that praise this marginal lifestyle that impose a trend toward people of all social classes. And now we have to witness this, which is terrible. We have to take into account that these people are criminals, they have killed, raped or stolen. They did something that is not good, and their victims and the family of their victims suffered from what they did. I´m not so symphatetic with these kind of people, and I don´t think that being in jail will change them for better or they will be able to be part of the society again. I think that these people is evil, and I´m focusing on murderers and rapists. They are locked in there to pay all the suffering they have caused; it seems that we have forgotten about the victims and now criminals have all the rights and approval of society(thay even have a tv programme). I have to say something, it doesn´t matter your social class,we don´t have to generalize; there are people who are extremely poor and they don´t need to go out and to steal and kill. They are honest people, who do everything they can to feed their children and to try to have a decent life. Criminal are everywhere, and we have to discriminate these people;they are on the streets,but also are part of a government or have a impressive house in a posh neighbourhood. I can´t believe in the state we are, I can´t believe the way we are destroying culture and values. It seems that today everyone wants to be vulgar and speak like a “chorro”.We have to do something as society,we have to do it right now and we should have to control more the things that are broadcast on TV.
A wise decision
I feel very glad and proud of studying in the Lola Mora institute,and I´m also glad to know that I´m about to finish my career there. As some of you know,I started studying English at the university,many years ago. At that time I didn´t know if I would like to be a teacher or have a bachelor´s degree in English Language. I was there because I liked English and I wanted to know more. However, I didn´t like to be there;for me studying at the university was not a good experience at all. I had to face many changes and went through many difficulties at that time;I had just finished secondary school and I wasn´t accustom to that lifestyle at all. First of all, I live in Tafi Viejo and the Facultad de Filosofia y Letras is very,very far from my house. At that time I had my first classes at 7.30 am,so I had to get up at about 5.30 am to be on time. I had to do this everyday and it was very hard. But the thing I disliked most about studying there is that it is too impersonal: you cannot keep a relationship with your classmates because it is very difficult to find someone that takes the same classes as you. So, you have to forget about having a big group of friends or a study group. Fortunately ,I knew a very good fellow who was taking the same classes as me and we became good friends. In spite of this, the worst part of studying English there is that you hardly could speak the language in class: the classrooms were so crowded that it was impossible to have any interaction with the teacher, and it was also very uncomfortable to study there because of the lack of space. It was very hard to find a good place to sit and to be near to the teacher in order to listen to him.One thing that is worth mentioning is that we hardly had normal classes; there always were strikes and when you were able to have a normal class there were always some people from political parties of the UNT that interrupted the class to speak bullshit(I have to say that I really hate those wannabe politicians).I have to admit that the level at university is very good and you learn a lot, but the things that you have to dealt with there overshadow this. At that time I wasn´t very succesful with my studies so I had to quit university and to start working. I worked for a few months and then I decided to take up my carrer again. But this time I wanted to go to a terciary institution:I heard of a very good institution where you could study to be a techer of English and it wasn´t a private institution.So, I went to the Lola Mora.I think it was the best decision I have ever made:the level is very good,there are excellent teachers which you can learn a lot from and I feel grateful for having them. But the best part is the good people I met there. Thanks to this institution I could meet my friends and classmates, and my dear girlfriend. It is amazing how things can end up, and I think I was very lucky. I made a good decision and I´m thankful for each second I spend there, in this lovely place that I love so much and it will always be here,in my heart.
Untitled #3
What is left for us?many,many things,I know we have enough to take
We have our sweet present and the promise of a brand new day
That shinning future is waiting for us,we just have to struggle a little bit more.
What if we fail?what if we couldn´t catch the day?
It doesn´t matter, my love,you know that I´m here for you and you are here for me
And that it will be what it should be
There is nothing taken for granted,there is nothing to fear
If we build it together, as it has always been
I know that we can make it,I know that it´s our destiny
No matter what happens,I will be certain that we tried it...
Take my hand,stay with me,I don´t know why but I´m still afraid
But I know it for sure that it will be what it should be
We have our sweet present and the promise of a brand new day
That shinning future is waiting for us,we just have to struggle a little bit more.
What if we fail?what if we couldn´t catch the day?
It doesn´t matter, my love,you know that I´m here for you and you are here for me
And that it will be what it should be
There is nothing taken for granted,there is nothing to fear
If we build it together, as it has always been
I know that we can make it,I know that it´s our destiny
No matter what happens,I will be certain that we tried it...
Take my hand,stay with me,I don´t know why but I´m still afraid
But I know it for sure that it will be what it should be
Democracy
Last week we have the opportunity to celebrate democracy;we have to choose our new governor and several other leaders.I said celebrate,because we have the luck of choosing the people we want to be in the government;we are free to vote and express our willingness.We live in a country that has suffered one of the bloodiest dictatorships in Latin America;fortunately those days are gone but an important lesson was left:protect democracy.I know that there is a lack of trust in our politicians,and I think they deserve this.It is a shame that we are a third world country,that we need to “grow up” and become huge, and that there are some(the vast majority of them)politicians that put democracy at risk.I said it is a shame,because in my opinion democracy is the best socio-political system,or at least the less worse.I think that it is the best system,because there is freedom(or it should be)of choosing and being.We have to give an opportunity to this system of government;it is not easy to deal with democracy,because I think we are not accustom to being free of choosing and giving our opinion.But why do I think that democracy is the best system?Because I think that the right and the left in politics are the same because both of them impose of rules:there´s is not freedom nor respect.In totalitarian governments, people must do whatever the people in power wants them to do;on the other hand,in socialist government there is a “virtual” freedom but one have to do everything that is good for the society´s welfare.In both systems there are tyranny and lack of freedom and respect for each individual.I think that as a young country,we have to defend democracy and keep it.We as young people have to exercise our right to choose what we want to and to be part of the society.I know that we are sick of all this corruption and injustice,but by trying to respect this system of government,by trying to defend our rights and by behaving in the right way,with respect and honesty, we can change this reality.I think that we must to raise our moral values,we have to educate people,which I think is the most important thing to build up a strong society.I know that this sound as a cliché,that it sounds like the words of a politician would say,but I think it is the truth,or at least it is my truth.I`m very hurt by the way thing are,it seems that everything is rotten and nobody gives a damn about anything.I don´t really care about politics, but I know it is important and I do believe that a good democracy,conducted by honest people is the answer to our problems.
Woman
I have the obligation to write about them,because they are a huge part of my life,and I am so accustomed to being with them that I think I understand them very well.As you know,I am studying to be a teacher of English, a subject in which the vast majority of students are women,maybe because for their ability to language(that´s why they speak so much,ha-ha).Being a man in a territory which is usually owned by women could be seen as something difficult,but this is not my case.On the contrary,I feel that I´m treated well and there´s a special care for me,maybe because I´m the only man and they see me as a little brother.I´m very used to being with woman;I live with my mother,my sister,my niece and my brother,so they are the majority.As some friends told me,they think that I´m special,because I´m a “feminine” boy(without being gay,ha-ha)I think this is true in a way,maybe because I don´t like sports and I´m more concerned with topics that generally interest more to women than men.And there´s also the fact that I believe in frienship between men and women.I also have to say that I have a girlfriend,and I usually spend more time being with her than with my male friends.I think that I get on well with her because we have in common many things,we both like English,we study in the same institution and have the same people as friends and classmates.This great exposure to the women´s world gave me a different way of seeing things.It is true that men are more practical than women,and that women are more concerned with feelings and emotions.One thing that I really appreciate about women is the way they go through life.They are very honest with their feelings,and they will always do what they feel,no matter the cost and the consequences.This is very different from men,because we tend to think in a practical way and try to take advantage of any situation,in a way we are much colder and pay more attention to what our brain says instead of our heart.However,women are more honest with their feelings;when they have a feeling about something they just go ahead.In my opinion they are more impulsive than men.But I think that the greatest thing I learnt from them is their courage,their willingness to achieve something in spite of the hardships and difficulties;and they can do all these without losing their tenderness and charm.Woman tend to be more confident than men and this makes them stronger.I have to say that I really admire them,because they are part of my life and I love them so much,because of their strenght,their sweetness,their beauty and courage.Because they are our mothers,our sisters,our friends,our wifes,our girlfriends,our daughters.Even though they have to suffer the violence of our chauvinist world,they are always there,facing all the problems and struggling for finding their own place and their own voice.Thank you girls for all your wisdom.
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Reading Log n33
Date:September 19th, 2007
Title:Languages die, but not their last words
Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/19/science/19language.html?ei=5087%0A&em=&en=3c8759a4899f95db&ex=1190347200&adxnnl=1&adxnnlx=1190228257-lZtM2OiYNasCbX+xqkQPfw
Vocabulary
1-strained:affected or produced by effort; not natural or spontaneous; forced: strained hospitality.
2-basin:a hollow or depression in the earth's surface, wholly or partly surrounded by higher land: river basin.
3-moribund:on the verge of extinction or termination.
4-exceed:to go beyond in quantity, degree, rate, etc.: to exceed the speed limit.
5-mammal:any vertebrate of the class Mammalia, having the body more or less covered with hair, nourishing the young with milk from the mammary glands, and, with the exception of the egg-laying monotremes, giving birth to live young.
Summary
A vast mayority of the languages spoken in the world are in danger of extinction, especially Indigenous languages. This happens because of the domination of other languages, such as English, spanish or portuguese, and the few remaining people who still speak these languages. However, there are researchers who are interested in making a record of these endangered languages.
Personal Reaction
Very interesting article about the endangered languages. To be honest, I was surprised to know that there are so many languages and that half of them are likely to disappear. I think that the work the researchers are doing to preserve them is very important , eventhough these languages won´t be used anymore. I think that the extinction of a language is natural process, and it happens due to the disappearence of the civilization that used it and the dominance of other languages worlwide.
Title:Languages die, but not their last words
Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/19/science/19language.html?ei=5087%0A&em=&en=3c8759a4899f95db&ex=1190347200&adxnnl=1&adxnnlx=1190228257-lZtM2OiYNasCbX+xqkQPfw
Vocabulary
1-strained:affected or produced by effort; not natural or spontaneous; forced: strained hospitality.
2-basin:a hollow or depression in the earth's surface, wholly or partly surrounded by higher land: river basin.
3-moribund:on the verge of extinction or termination.
4-exceed:to go beyond in quantity, degree, rate, etc.: to exceed the speed limit.
5-mammal:any vertebrate of the class Mammalia, having the body more or less covered with hair, nourishing the young with milk from the mammary glands, and, with the exception of the egg-laying monotremes, giving birth to live young.
Summary
A vast mayority of the languages spoken in the world are in danger of extinction, especially Indigenous languages. This happens because of the domination of other languages, such as English, spanish or portuguese, and the few remaining people who still speak these languages. However, there are researchers who are interested in making a record of these endangered languages.
Personal Reaction
Very interesting article about the endangered languages. To be honest, I was surprised to know that there are so many languages and that half of them are likely to disappear. I think that the work the researchers are doing to preserve them is very important , eventhough these languages won´t be used anymore. I think that the extinction of a language is natural process, and it happens due to the disappearence of the civilization that used it and the dominance of other languages worlwide.
Sunday, September 16, 2007
Reading Log n32
Date: September 16th,2007
Title:Dylan and The Beatles: Together again!
Link:http://www.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,1662350-1,00.html
Vocabulary
1-freight:goods, cargo, or lading transported for pay, whether by water, land, or air.
2-summon:to call for the presence of, as by command, message, or signal; call.
3-gory:covered or stained with gore; bloody.
4-oneiric:of or pertaining to dreams.
5-zeitgeist:the spirit of the time; general trend of thought or feeling characteristic of a particular period of time.
6-snit:an agitated or irritated state.
7-bustle:to move or act with a great show of energy (often fol. by about): He bustled about cooking breakfast.
8-zestful:characterized by keen relish, hearty enjoyment, etc.
9-hoist:to raise or lift, esp. by some mechanical appliance: to hoist a flag; to hoist the mainsail.
10-raffish:gaudily vulgar or cheap; tawdry.
11-heck:(used as a mild expression of annoyance, rejection, disgust, etc.): What the heck do you care?
12-hobo:a tramp or vagrant.
Summary
Two movies based and inspired by the lives and artistic careers of Bob Dylan and The Beatles are being shown at the Toront Film Festival this week. The Beatles´ movie called "Across the universe" is a film inspired in the group´s music and imagery with does not portray their lives but illustrates characters and situations based on their music and their era."I´m not there" is a movie about singer-songwriter Bob Dylan played by several actors which portray him in different moments of his life.
Personal Reaction
I don´t know if I would like to watch these movies,maybe because of the criticism the author of the article makes of them. They seems to be rather strange, because they are not just biopics but they are inspired by the music and lives of these artist. I have seen these kind of movies and I really didn´t like them. They were "Last Days" an "Interpretation" of Kurt Cobain´s days before his suicide and the other one was "Velvet Goldmine" a movie based on the days of the Glam Rock. I really like watching good movies about the lives of famous musicians, what it is called biopics. I have watched some good movies of this kind, such as "Ray",which is about Ray Charles´ life.
Title:Dylan and The Beatles: Together again!
Link:http://www.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,1662350-1,00.html
Vocabulary
1-freight:goods, cargo, or lading transported for pay, whether by water, land, or air.
2-summon:to call for the presence of, as by command, message, or signal; call.
3-gory:covered or stained with gore; bloody.
4-oneiric:of or pertaining to dreams.
5-zeitgeist:the spirit of the time; general trend of thought or feeling characteristic of a particular period of time.
6-snit:an agitated or irritated state.
7-bustle:to move or act with a great show of energy (often fol. by about): He bustled about cooking breakfast.
8-zestful:characterized by keen relish, hearty enjoyment, etc.
9-hoist:to raise or lift, esp. by some mechanical appliance: to hoist a flag; to hoist the mainsail.
10-raffish:gaudily vulgar or cheap; tawdry.
11-heck:(used as a mild expression of annoyance, rejection, disgust, etc.): What the heck do you care?
12-hobo:a tramp or vagrant.
Summary
Two movies based and inspired by the lives and artistic careers of Bob Dylan and The Beatles are being shown at the Toront Film Festival this week. The Beatles´ movie called "Across the universe" is a film inspired in the group´s music and imagery with does not portray their lives but illustrates characters and situations based on their music and their era."I´m not there" is a movie about singer-songwriter Bob Dylan played by several actors which portray him in different moments of his life.
Personal Reaction
I don´t know if I would like to watch these movies,maybe because of the criticism the author of the article makes of them. They seems to be rather strange, because they are not just biopics but they are inspired by the music and lives of these artist. I have seen these kind of movies and I really didn´t like them. They were "Last Days" an "Interpretation" of Kurt Cobain´s days before his suicide and the other one was "Velvet Goldmine" a movie based on the days of the Glam Rock. I really like watching good movies about the lives of famous musicians, what it is called biopics. I have watched some good movies of this kind, such as "Ray",which is about Ray Charles´ life.
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Reading Log n31
Date: September 12th,2007
Title: Who needs hackers?
Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/12/technology/techspecial/12threat.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1
Vocabulary
1-ripple:to flow with a light rise and fall or ruffling of the surface.
2-mobster:A member of a criminal gang or crime syndicate.
3-pipeline:a long tubular conduit or series of pipes, often underground, with pumps and valves for flow control, used to transport crude oil, natural gas, water, etc., esp. over great distances.
4-grid:a system of electrical distribution serving a large area, esp. by means of high-tension lines.
5-outage:an interruption or failure in the supply of power, esp. electricity.
6-deluged:anything that overwhelms like a flood: a deluge of mail.
7-cobble:to put together roughly or clumsily.
8-levee:an embankment designed to prevent the flooding of a river.
9-fledgling:young, new, or inexperienced: a fledgling diver.
10-glitch:a defect or malfunction in a machine or plan.
11-chad:a small paper disk or square formed when a hole is punched in a punch card or paper tape.
12-ballot:a slip or sheet of paper, cardboard, or the like, on which a voter marks his or her vote.
Summary
International travelers flying into Los Angeles International Airport — more than 17,000 of them — were stuck on planes for hours one day in mid-August after computers for the United States Customs and Border Protection agency went down and stayed down for nine hours.
One should think that this kind of things happens due to the intrusion of hackers in the systems, but this was not the case. Many of these malfuctions occur due to the lack of back up that these complex computer systems have, so the work of hackers is just one of the many apparent causes for informatics chaos.
Personal reaction
It is amazing that people can create such complex computer systems that when they malfunction, they don´t know the cause.Sometimes technology develops in such a way and so fast that even people who work in this field are overwhelm by the problems they have to face when one of the systems colapses. I think that they should a little more time studying the possible unintended consequences and develop ways to avoid them.
Title: Who needs hackers?
Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/12/technology/techspecial/12threat.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1
Vocabulary
1-ripple:to flow with a light rise and fall or ruffling of the surface.
2-mobster:A member of a criminal gang or crime syndicate.
3-pipeline:a long tubular conduit or series of pipes, often underground, with pumps and valves for flow control, used to transport crude oil, natural gas, water, etc., esp. over great distances.
4-grid:a system of electrical distribution serving a large area, esp. by means of high-tension lines.
5-outage:an interruption or failure in the supply of power, esp. electricity.
6-deluged:anything that overwhelms like a flood: a deluge of mail.
7-cobble:to put together roughly or clumsily.
8-levee:an embankment designed to prevent the flooding of a river.
9-fledgling:young, new, or inexperienced: a fledgling diver.
10-glitch:a defect or malfunction in a machine or plan.
11-chad:a small paper disk or square formed when a hole is punched in a punch card or paper tape.
12-ballot:a slip or sheet of paper, cardboard, or the like, on which a voter marks his or her vote.
Summary
International travelers flying into Los Angeles International Airport — more than 17,000 of them — were stuck on planes for hours one day in mid-August after computers for the United States Customs and Border Protection agency went down and stayed down for nine hours.
One should think that this kind of things happens due to the intrusion of hackers in the systems, but this was not the case. Many of these malfuctions occur due to the lack of back up that these complex computer systems have, so the work of hackers is just one of the many apparent causes for informatics chaos.
Personal reaction
It is amazing that people can create such complex computer systems that when they malfunction, they don´t know the cause.Sometimes technology develops in such a way and so fast that even people who work in this field are overwhelm by the problems they have to face when one of the systems colapses. I think that they should a little more time studying the possible unintended consequences and develop ways to avoid them.
Sunday, September 09, 2007
Reading Log n30
Date:September 9th,2007
Title:Words don´t mean what they mean
Link:http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1659772-2,00.html
Vocabulary
1-shilly-shally:to show indecision or hesitation; be irresolute; vacillate.
2-innuendo:An indirect or subtle, usually derogatory implication in expression; an insinuation.
3-etching:the act or process of making designs or pictures on a metal plate, glass, etc., by the corrosive action of an acid instead of by a burin.
4-hapless:unlucky; luckless; unfortunate.
5-euphemistic:the substitution of a mild, indirect, or vague expression for one thought to be offensive, harsh, or blunt.
6-inane:lacking sense, significance, or ideas; silly: inane questions.
7-flunky:a male servant in livery.
8-amicably:characterized by or showing goodwill; friendly; peaceable: an amicable settlement.
9-asset:a useful and desirable thing or quality: Organizational ability is an asset.
10-fistula:Pathology. a narrow passage or duct formed by disease or injury, as one leading from an abscess to a free surface, or from one cavity to another.
11-sheathe:to cover or provide with a protective layer or sheathing: to sheathe a roof with copper.
Summary
When people speak they play roles, say their words indirectly and with vagueness and ambiguity.Such hypocrisy is a human universal.But,why don´t people say what they mean?Apart from expressing what we want to say,we also negotiate our relationships through language. Indirect speech is widely used in every aspect of human life,ranging from romantic relationship to the field of diplomacy.This is a social currency with real value.
Personal Reaction
Very interesting article about the use of language. I have to say that I´m rather familiarized with this subject matter,because we have been dealing with it since we started studying linguistic. If it wasn´t for linguistics,I wouldn´t realize how powerful language is and the importamt role that it plays in our lives.Apart from being interesting,this article is really funny indeed,using examples to show the writer´s opinion.
Title:Words don´t mean what they mean
Link:http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1659772-2,00.html
Vocabulary
1-shilly-shally:to show indecision or hesitation; be irresolute; vacillate.
2-innuendo:An indirect or subtle, usually derogatory implication in expression; an insinuation.
3-etching:the act or process of making designs or pictures on a metal plate, glass, etc., by the corrosive action of an acid instead of by a burin.
4-hapless:unlucky; luckless; unfortunate.
5-euphemistic:the substitution of a mild, indirect, or vague expression for one thought to be offensive, harsh, or blunt.
6-inane:lacking sense, significance, or ideas; silly: inane questions.
7-flunky:a male servant in livery.
8-amicably:characterized by or showing goodwill; friendly; peaceable: an amicable settlement.
9-asset:a useful and desirable thing or quality: Organizational ability is an asset.
10-fistula:Pathology. a narrow passage or duct formed by disease or injury, as one leading from an abscess to a free surface, or from one cavity to another.
11-sheathe:to cover or provide with a protective layer or sheathing: to sheathe a roof with copper.
Summary
When people speak they play roles, say their words indirectly and with vagueness and ambiguity.Such hypocrisy is a human universal.But,why don´t people say what they mean?Apart from expressing what we want to say,we also negotiate our relationships through language. Indirect speech is widely used in every aspect of human life,ranging from romantic relationship to the field of diplomacy.This is a social currency with real value.
Personal Reaction
Very interesting article about the use of language. I have to say that I´m rather familiarized with this subject matter,because we have been dealing with it since we started studying linguistic. If it wasn´t for linguistics,I wouldn´t realize how powerful language is and the importamt role that it plays in our lives.Apart from being interesting,this article is really funny indeed,using examples to show the writer´s opinion.
Tuesday, September 04, 2007
Reading Log n29
Date: September 4th,2007
Title:The art of soldiering
Link:http://www.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,1657770,00.html
Vocabulary
1-NATO:an organization formed in Washington, D.C. (1949), comprising the 12 nations of the Atlantic Pact together with Greece, Turkey, and the Federal Republic of Germany, for the purpose of collective defense against aggression.
2-ammunition:the material fired, scattered, dropped, or detonated from any weapon, as bombs or rockets, and esp. shot, shrapnel, bullets, or shells fired by guns.
3-skirmish:Military. a fight between small bodies of troops, esp. advanced or outlying detachments of opposing armies.
4-cum:with; combined with; along with (usually used in combination): My garage-cum-workshop is well equipped.
5-shrapnel:a hollow projectile containing bullets or the like and a bursting charge, designed to explode before reaching the target, and to set free a shower of missiles.
6-minutiae:precise details; small or trifling matters: the minutiae of his craft.
7-sundry:various or diverse: sundry persons.
8-cot:a light portable bed, esp. one of canvas on a folding frame.
Summary
"Helmand: The Soldier´s Story"is an exhibition running at the Britain´s National Army Museum in London. Real video and audio footage are part of this exhibition, which shows the horrors and madness of war and at the same time the day to day of british soldiers in Afghanistan.Soldier´s belongings are also part of this show,donated by more than 150 soldiers.People who attend the exhibition can write their reactions on a uncensored message board.A great variety of messages were written, from strong criticism to war and the exhibition´s material to messages supporting the troops.
Personal Reaction
While I was reading this article,I felt very sad and terrify.This kind of "museum of horror and death"may be very shocking,because of the footage´s content and the nature of the exhibition.To be honest,I wouldn´t like to attend this show;I know that war is the worst thing humankind has invented,and I don´t need to see it in an exhibition.The content of the videos shown in this exhibition seem to reflect the madness and cruelty of the soldiers involved in a war,it doesn´t matter their country.But I also think that some of them are just victims of this sick and rotten world.
Title:The art of soldiering
Link:http://www.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,1657770,00.html
Vocabulary
1-NATO:an organization formed in Washington, D.C. (1949), comprising the 12 nations of the Atlantic Pact together with Greece, Turkey, and the Federal Republic of Germany, for the purpose of collective defense against aggression.
2-ammunition:the material fired, scattered, dropped, or detonated from any weapon, as bombs or rockets, and esp. shot, shrapnel, bullets, or shells fired by guns.
3-skirmish:Military. a fight between small bodies of troops, esp. advanced or outlying detachments of opposing armies.
4-cum:with; combined with; along with (usually used in combination): My garage-cum-workshop is well equipped.
5-shrapnel:a hollow projectile containing bullets or the like and a bursting charge, designed to explode before reaching the target, and to set free a shower of missiles.
6-minutiae:precise details; small or trifling matters: the minutiae of his craft.
7-sundry:various or diverse: sundry persons.
8-cot:a light portable bed, esp. one of canvas on a folding frame.
Summary
"Helmand: The Soldier´s Story"is an exhibition running at the Britain´s National Army Museum in London. Real video and audio footage are part of this exhibition, which shows the horrors and madness of war and at the same time the day to day of british soldiers in Afghanistan.Soldier´s belongings are also part of this show,donated by more than 150 soldiers.People who attend the exhibition can write their reactions on a uncensored message board.A great variety of messages were written, from strong criticism to war and the exhibition´s material to messages supporting the troops.
Personal Reaction
While I was reading this article,I felt very sad and terrify.This kind of "museum of horror and death"may be very shocking,because of the footage´s content and the nature of the exhibition.To be honest,I wouldn´t like to attend this show;I know that war is the worst thing humankind has invented,and I don´t need to see it in an exhibition.The content of the videos shown in this exhibition seem to reflect the madness and cruelty of the soldiers involved in a war,it doesn´t matter their country.But I also think that some of them are just victims of this sick and rotten world.
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