Birdbath with leaves

Photography in the News

Starting in 1979, Jamie Livingston began to take one picture everyday for 18 years. Through these pictures, he chronicled his life, the lives of his friends and the changing city around him. He continued these photos until the day he died in 1997. For the tenth anniversary of his death, two of his friends chronicled the photographs, put them online, and made an exhibition out of them in New York City.
This article relates to what we are learning in Language Arts because this collection of photographs has documented the life of this man and will preserve it even after his death. These images share a theme of life, hardship, and change and, although each photograph is different, they come together to back up this theme. This article also relates to LA because life is a journey. Jamie Livingston has documented the path of his life from the time he was a senior in college to the day he died. From these images we can see the joy and sorrow that everyone goes through, and together they provide insight into the lives of everyone else on earth.

Shaftel, David. "The Days of His Life." The New York Times. 12 Oct 2008: CY4.

The Economic Crisis and Dubai

Dubai, located in the United Arab Emirates, has become a symbol of modern architecture and is full of amazing feats of engineering from the palm tree islands completely made by man in the ocean, and an amazing ski resort in a mall in the middle of a desert. There are plans for several buildings, each claiming the title of the world's tallest from its predecessor. The sheiks that rule Dubai have billions of dollars of oil revenues that they are using to diversify their income from oil to real estate and tourism. Amongst all of this wealth and ingenuity, no one thought that Dubai would be affected from the broadening global economic crisis. Unfortunately, no one has been able to avoid this crisis, including Dubai.

Dubai's banks base their interest rates off of US currency. Because these rates have stayed the same while prices in Dubai have increased, investors are not making wise loans ("Not-so-hot Property"). Another factor is that the majority of people who are moving to Dubai are workers for the building projects, not people who are going to be paying for the luxury condos and apartments that have been built ("Not-so-hot Property). Investors in Dubai had been banking on the US dollar's continuing decline, expecting to make money from Dubai's strong currency. Recently, the dollar has begun to strengthen again, so these investors have been losing money. One of Dubai's most prominent banks was also recently accused of corruption, contributing to a drop in confidence. The article tells us, "So far this year, shares in the Dubai Financial Market have lost 48% of their value. Emaar, a high-profile developer, fell from a high of 15.7 dirhams to 5.5 on October 9th. In another sign that not all is well, the Dubai authorities merged two Islamic mortgage lenders, Amlak Finance and Tamweel" ("Not-so-hot Property). Because of the crisis, the government in Dubai has been forced to take measures that are similar to those that United States has taken. The outlook for Dubai is not totally negative though. The government controls the property so they can control the supply end of supply and demand, keeping the prices high ("Not-so-hot Property).

How does this relate to what we are learning in Language arts? First of all, it relates to our theme of overcoming obstacles. All of the major economies in all of the countries on earth are going to have to face this crisis. We don't know yet how they are going to overcome it or how long it will take, but we know that it will be overcome eventually. In Siddhartha, by Hermann Hesse, the character of Siddhartha must also overcome obstacles in his life and must find his own path to enlightenment. All of the major countries are going to have to test different plans until they find one that works and stabalizes the economy. For now though, the global economic crisis does not seem to be lessening.



"Not-so-hot Property" The Economist. 9 October 2008.
<http://www.economist.com/world/mideast-%20africa/displaystory.cfm?story_id=12381473>.

The Masque of the Red Death

"The 'Red Death' had long devastated the country. No pestilence had ever been so fatal, or so hideous. Blood was its Avatar and its seal- the redness and the horror of blood" (Poe 171). These ominous words begin one of Edgar Allen Poe's most disturbing stories: "The Masque of the Red Death". This story takes place during a cholera epidemic that has killed many. Prince Prospero has invited over a thousand people to stay with him in his castle. After they have been safe inside for over 5 months, the Prince holds a masquerade ball. This masquerade ball is held within a suite of seven rooms, each with a different color scheme and colored glass window. The final room is hung with black velvet and has a scarlet window. Poe describes this chamber, saying:

But in the western or black chamber the effect of the firelight that streamed upon the dark hangings through the blood-tinted panes was ghastly in the extreme, and produced so wild a look upon the countenances of those who entered that there were few of the company bold enough to set foot within its precincts at all. (Poe 175)

Also within this chamber, there is an ebony clock that chimes on the hour with such a distinctive sound that the orchestra stops playing and the dancers stop and listen. As the clock strokes midnight, the crowd is suddenly aware of a distinct presence among them. They see a man with a costume so horrible that they are revolted. Poe describes it:

The figure was tall and gaunt, and shrouded from head to foot in the habiliments of the grave. The mask which concealed the visage was made so nearly to resemble the countenance of a stiffened corpse (...) His vesture was dabbled in blood- and hisbroad brow, with all the features of the face, was besprinkled with the scarlet horror. (Poe 179)

The Prince chases the figure through six of the chambers to the final, black draped room. There, suddenly, the Prince drops dead. The party-goers seize the costumed man and remove his mask, but he turns out to be an inhuman form "untenanted by any tangible form" (Poe 182). Then, one by one, each of the party goers drops dead from the "Red Death". Poe ends the story with words as chilling as the opening, "And Darkness and Decay and the Red Death held illimitable dominion over all" (Poe 182).

This story relates to our theme of journeys in many ways. First of all, the ball takes place through 7 rooms. When Prince Prospero chases the unknown figure, his journey through the rooms symbolizes the journey towards his death. Also, the progression of the disease throughout society and the attempts of Prospero to avoid it could also be considered a journey. These are some of the ways that "The Masque of the Red Death" by Edgar Allen Poe relates to our Language Arts theme of journeys.

Poe, Edgar Allen. "The Masque of the Red Death". Eight Tales of Terror. Ed. John P. Roberts. New York: Scholastic Inc, 1978. 171-182.

question about blog formatting...

My blog will not let me indent anything.... It shows it is indented when I type it but it deletes this indenting once I publish my blog. This is really skewing my MLA format. Does anyone know how to fix this? Thanks

Nemo me impune lacessit: The Cask of Amontillado

Edgar Allen Poe's "The Cask of Amontillado" is a dark and twisted story of revenge and hatered. As the story begins, we meet Montresour and Fortunato . In the opening paragraph, told from the point of view of Montresor, we know that something is amiss. Montresor tells us, "The thousand injuries of Fortunato I had borne as I best could, but when he ventured upon insult I vowed revenge" (Poe 2). Fortunato has done something against Montresor that has wounded him and insulted his family. We are never told what. As the story progresses, Montresor leads Fortunato into the catacombs of his family with the promise of a drink of Amontillado wine. As they descend deeper and deeper, Fortunato becomes sick from the cold and the damp, but he still continues. When they have reached their destination, Montresor chains Fortunato inside and indent in the wall. Fortunato, extremely drunk from a party that he has gone to, does not realize anything is amiss until Montresor begins laying bricks to trap him alive, in the catacombs. Montresor continues, seemingly without conscience, even as Fortunato screams and attemps to escape. At one point, he begins to feel guilty, but the feeling quickly passes as he remembers his quest for revenge. Montresor says, "For a brief moment I hesitated, I trembled. Unsheathing my rapier, I began to grope with it about the recess; but the thought of an instant reassured me. I placed my hand upon the solid fabric of the catacombs, and felt satisfied" (Poe 13). After he has finished, Montresor leaves Fortunato alone in the catacombs to die, fulfilling his family crest, "Nemo me impune lacessit": No one provokes me with impunity. We never learn what Fortunato has done to recieve such an end.

This relates to our studies in Language arts because of the journey that Montresor has taken in order to avenge his family. He has been planning his actions out so that he can never be found out. It also relates to The Iliad through the theme of revenge. Achilles refuses to fight for the Achaeans after Agamemnon takes Briseis from him. Also, after Patroclus dies, Achilles fights and kills Hector. Both Montresor and Achilles seek revenge in order to regain their honor. Montresor is trying to avenge his family's good name and Achilles is trying to gain honor for himself and for his decendents. These are a few of the many ways that Edgar Allen Poe's "The Cask of Amontillado" relates to The Iliad and the subjects that we are studying in Language Arts.

Poe, Edgar Allen. "The Cask of Amontillado". Eight Tales of Terror. Ed. John P. Roberts. New York: Scholastic Inc, 1978. 1-14.

Blog Question #1

Is Odysseus a hero for modern times?

In our modern times, Odysseus should not be considered considered a hero for us to emulate. During his ten year journey home from the Trojan War, he is constantly betraying his family, putting himself before others, feuling his pride, and lying to gain what he wants. Although in The Odyssey, these actions hold very few consequences and ultimately lead to the accomplishment of his goal, we should know better today than to follow Odysseus' example.
In The Odyssey, Odysseus always thinks of himself before the members of his family and his friends. When several of his crew members are transformed into pigs by Circe, Odysseus goes to attempt to save them. After he tricks Circes with the help of Hermes, Circe invites him to her bed. She says, "Come, sheathe your sword, let's go to bed together, mount my bed and mix in the magic work of love- we'll breed deep trust between us" (240). Without protest or thought of his wife and family that he hasn't seen in over 10 years, Odysseus readily accepts her invitation. He follows this pattern with several other women, all while his wife, Penelope, has remained unerringly faithful to him. Later, as Odysseus attempts to guide his ship and crew past the terrible monster, Scilla, six members of his crew are grabbed and eaten alive. This does not seem to concern Odysseus, as he and the rest of his crew have made it past Scilla. Throughout The Odyssey, Odysseus is constantly shown to be a less than heroic man through the ways that he betrays the trust of the people closest to him.
Other ways that Odysseus shows his cowardess is through the ways that he fuels his pride and lies to gain the things that he wants. Odysseus is a man who always needs to tell others who has defeated them. After he has escaped from the Cyclops, Polyphemus, and has stolen all of his prized sheep, Odysseus shouts back his name so that Polyphemus will know exactly who has vanquished him. He calls to the Cyclops, "Cyclops- if any man on the face of the earth should ask you who blinded you, shamed you so- say Odysseus, raider of cities, he gouged out your eye" (227). Odysseus risks the lives of his crew in order to feul his pride and increase his ego. Odysseus also lies to those he comes in contact with to achieve his own means. In the very first line of The Odyssey, Homer describes Odysseus as "a man of twists and turns". This means that it is impossible to ascertain when he is telling the truth and when he is lying. In the Cyclops' cave, Odysseus lies to the Cyclops and tells him that his name is Nobody. The Cyclops believes him and it ultimately leads to Odysseus' escape. As Odysseus enumerates his adventures to the Phaeacians, we cannot be sure what has actually accomplished and what he is embelishing upon, especially because he is the lone survivor of these events. Through the examples of his deceit, pride, betrayal, and self-centeredness, we should not look up to Odysseus as a role model in our modern times.