A World Of Fantasy

After reading the first two chapters of Gulliver's Travel I realized how much I enjoy fantasy. I really liked reading this story and having the images come alive in my mind. I didn't look for pictures but until after I was reading because I enjoyed having everything come real in my imagination without having to see somebody else's creation. Since I was little I have enjoyed reading these fantasies and I really get involved with the character and I like imagining things that don't exist. I really liked the description the author uses as he describes what he felt, thought and saw. I actually admired his actions and I began to even like the Lilliput people.
I tried to get inside of Gulliver's mind and imagine what he must be feeling. What it would be like to just arrive at a place, after experiencing his ship wreck and probably feeling as a failure for having spent his money in a project that didn't survive, and find all these miniature humans. It must be weird to be the monster, as we have always imagined that someday someone (aliens, machines, animals, monsters) will come and try to fight us. He must have felt very lonely and constantly thought of his family but really had nothing to do. I don't really understand why he just stayed there and let all these mini people boss and order him around. If it would have been me, I think I would have probable reacted violently to such creatures and even more due to the fact that they tied him and kept him as a captive. However, considering all that Gulliver had just gone through, I guess I wouldn't have had the spirit or strength to fight them and then go back to see, because where else could he go. Now Gulliver is having a passive relationship with these new creatures and he is going to be able to learn about them and get to know them.
This is like a dream to me, I don't believe this possible but I still enjoy reading it and at moments I do kind of wish that this would've happened to me. Its an experience that I would enjoy, like the Harry Potter world, or Narnia, or even Twilight. Its things I know are childish but I still appreciate. I like watching these movies, I devour these books when I get to them and even though I am completely aware that those are fake worlds, I like imagining myself sometimes inside of them and I like establishing feelings towards the characters and they really get me happy and make me enjoy my time.

California- USA- The world: We Are All Living The Crisis

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/25/opinion/25krugman.html?ref=todayspaper

A common problem that is currently worrying the whole world it the economic crisis we are finding ourselves in. Many countries and companies have been greatly affected by it and even people lifestyles have been changing. It has been proved, through surveys, that people are no longer, traveling, shopping and spending as much as they used to. This is the "selfish gene" kicking in and having each person do the best they can to survive. So each person is now taking the measures they consider necessary to survive but they also depend on others, this is not a circumstance that is controlled by one but by all and what one does affects all. Because of this, people rest their trust in their leaders, in their presidents and governors and those who are supposed to help make things better. However, these leaders are, like us, humans and sometimes manage things wrongly. Paul Krugman, wrote an OP-ED in the New York Times where he criticizes Californians, and their way of reacting towards the whole situation.
He blames both the people and the governor for their current state and he expresses his concern on this significance. He is worried that the United States, as a nation will follow California's mistakes and just like them, find that they are incapable of escaping this problem. Due to old laws, California is unable to raise taxes and get the money they need in order to keep going in good conditions. He believes that by raising all taxes a bit, California, and even the United States would be able to avoid much of the crisis and get back on track.
Krugman is trying to warn the United States of a big mistake and he is complaining about the nations leaders and he is even insinuating they are cowards since he says they "fled" when the problem arouse and they haven't been able to fix what they have in their hands. So even though he based his article on just one state, he ends it by getting us to realize that California is undergoing what all of the United States are under going and that we shouldn't follow them, but instead learn from their mistakes and correct them.

A MACHO SOCIETY?

To look at the article I am responding to, please click on the link below:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/21/opinion/21thu3.html?_r=1&ref=opinion
Equal Pay for Women Denied, Again


Throughout many years women have been discriminated. However we haven't given up and we never will. Woman have been able to get everyone to look at them with the same eyes men deserve. It has taken lots of effort in behalf of some individuals, but they have fought and represented us and thanks to these people is that I am now able to have the life I live. However, it is sad to admit that our fight is not over yet. Our society has improved but it still has much to change. Women are sometimes rejected in regards to jobs and many opportunities are rejected due to their gender. It even happens that women receive a lower payment for doing the exact same job men do.
This is completely unfair. The job is still being done and with the same quality so why doesn't it deserve the same payment? The Supreme Court argued that one of the reaons for a lower payment in woman is that they have pregnancy leave but the truth is that this is only a few months of a womans work life and it doesnt compare to the large amount of money women are being denied by reducing the pay check.
I am glad to know that women are still fighting for what we deserve and it is time for society to change at a faster rate and recognize us as great as men. We can do everything they can do and it is very important that we fight for what we deserve, that we show people what we are capable of and that we get the recognition we deserve. This article is defending womens right to get the same paycheck as men do and woman will probably end up having the same paycheck because it is what we deserve and therefore we will win the trial and get what is fair.

Paul Klee- Red Ballloon

The main focus of this painting is definitely the red balloon that is rising between the two walls of blocks. The balloon is almost centered but not completely to maintain certain attraction and not bore the person that is watching. By keeping it a bit to the left he is following the "thirds" rule of design and he is keeping it also on the top third of the painting. The picture is full of geometric figures and they have several colors which make the painting have life. Also, the colors near the balloon contrast because it goes from dark shades to a light background and then the bright red pops out in front of the picture. The fact that at the bottom there are more blocks than on the top makes the eyes focus on the empty space. One of the most important compositions of this piece is the usage of lines. It uses blocks and lines and geometric figures to keep the composition and balance of the picture.
When I saw this picture I was reminded of those movies when you see like a fair or carnival in Paris or New York a long time ago and you see everybody dressed up all pretty and elegant but also hvaing fun end enjoying everything around. It made me feel kind of calm and it gave me tranquility because the balloon lookes as if it was floating happily in the air and as if it were having a calm ride.

Miró

May 12
This painting by Miro uses mostly colors and shapes to give life. When looking at it, I feel happy and actually like curious towards life. It takes some time realizing what the overall picture is but as you identify each individual figure, you get to admire the way in which shape are put together. The emphasis is mostly in the persons head and then goes towards the guitar. As you look closely you identify that the persons face is actually formed by a worm-eating bird. Other animals are also found. The deformed dog, horse and cat are present along with the ducks and other birds outside of the window that aren’t so important. I guess that the size of the animals affects on how important Miro considers them. According to this, the horses would be really important, and then would come the dogs and lastly the cats. The birds however I wonder how important they are for him. Some are outside the window which makes it seem they aren’t very important while he uses one to create the human face so it gains importance. There is also a squirrel and other shapes that help give the picture life and happiness. The guitar probably shows his spirit towards art and it shows that he likes art and agrees with its form of expression and life.
Another reason why the horse, person and dog are highlights is due to their color. Since these are the biggest spaces, other than the floor and wall, and these are the lightest areas because they are white. Also the lines of the walls, floor, and window lead the attention towards the face of the person. I really enjoy looking at this picture because it kind of has humor and makes you kind of smile when you look at it.

Is It Worth Gambling?

May 7
When Tommy gave all his money to Dr. Tamkin he knew there was a possibility that things wouldn’t work out and that his money would be lost. Yes, he probably hoped it was successful but at the end it wasn’t. He gambled his last economical chance. He was already short on money and then he went and spent his last bit in a high risk business. In my opinion he should have looked for a safe spot. He should have tried to invest in something that will certainly give him money, maybe in a slow and steady way, but at least that way he would always have an income. However, he chose to risk it all when he couldn’t really afford it and lost it all. Maybe he would have been very lucky and the business he invested in, turned very successful. But he didn’t know that would happen. In this case I think that when people have lots of money and have a back up, then they can try new things that may fail or succeed, however when you have so little opportunities you should try keeping your position safe.
This is one thing that definitely gets me thinking about the future and makes me wonder what will become of my life. I really hope mine doesn’t turn out as Tommy’s did. I am very scared to know that I’ll have so many responsibilities and so many options on my hands. I hope I will be able to make the right choices at the right moments and that whenever I chose to gamble I gamble on something that has high possibilities of success and actually works out. I hope I have a successful life and that I am happy and glad and satisfied with it and my choices. I would like to live in peace of never regretting and enjoying all I could.

Family Support

MAY 6, 2009
While reading Saul Bellow´s Seize the Day I was sad to read about Tommy’s relationship with his dad. It was really depressing knowing that the disappointment his dad felt is actually what many people feel everyday for their family members. His disappointment was so strong that he didn’t even help him get out of his troubles, he didn’t believe in him. Tommy had to turn to Dr. Tamkin for support even though he didn’t really know what his intentions were and if his interest really was to help him out. Tommy had to look for support because he was living through a really screwed up moment in life, actually he had always been kind of screwed up. He had been a living a life that hadn’t really turned out as he wanted and he had nobody to support him during his failure. He even had married and had two kids but the way in which he helped out wasn’t really making him even a good example for his kids. So his relationship with his father, the one he hates so much, is going to repeat itself. He can’t give financial support and he is not even being a good example for them.
I believe he could have avoided such a situation if he had tried to fix his problems and deal with them as he was younger. Also, if he had received some kind of support he might have had more chances of success, however, he didn’t. I consider this very sad because your family is one of the things you are usually going to have by your side. You are connected to them by blood and this is a stronger force than the one people usually realize. Friends can come and go but your family is always going to be there and keeping a good bond and a good relationship is very important. Usually family relationships are honest and they look for each other’s best interest. That way if Tommy would have kept a good relationship with his dad, he would have known that all the advice and suggestions he proposed would have been with his best intentions. Tommy does find Dr. Tamkin and he hopes he is being there for him with his best intentions but the truth is he can’t avoid wonder if he’s just blabbing and telling anything without really caring what the consequences will be. It is sad to look at this father-son relationship and I hope that the bond with my family are always as strong as they currently are and that I am always able to count on them and have their support even when I don’t really need it.