blog 12

Milk

Milk is an Academy Award winning movie that depicts the latter life of Harvey Milk. Harvey was a politician who fought to change not only his city of San Fransico but eventually lead to national change. Harvey, being a gay man sought rights for people of his same sexual orientaion and to better his community. In the movie Harvey is portrayed by Sean penn who does an excellent job, bringing power and emotion to the role and also winning an Academy Award for the part.. Throughout the movie Harvey is faced with many challenges that challenge civil rights and Harvey, filled with devotion lead a revolution of sorts. A member of the San Fransicos borad of Superivsor, Harvey accomlished many things and won many rights for the LGBT community. He devised plans to get the world open to the gay culture at a time where things like homsexuality was strictly behind closed doors. Sadly Harvey was killed by a fellow politician who became estranged with Harvey; The man Guilty of the crime was Dan White who also assinated the mayor of San Fransisco George Moscone, who also fought for right of all people. In the movie you see how Harvey was able to accomplish what he did because of the support he got from close friends, friends who helped him ignite a change.

I found the movie very enlightining. I felt like Harvey was a peorson who could've changed the world. Although im not gay I could reqalize the effect he had on peples lives. No matter what Harvey was fighting for one just realizes the depth of a cuase and the fight for civil rights and recognition. I find the movie relevant to today because not only the fight going on for gay marriage ecspeacially in California but because of what change as a country we have been through, things like a African American president. Just like the election was able to bring countless numbers of new voters, Harvey was able to gather new voters to help get the change a reality. Harvey was an inspiring man who will always be remembered as someone who fought and won change for a group of people who deserve the same as everyone else.

"If a bullet should enter my brain, let that bullet destroy every closet door."

-Harvey Milk

Color brought to life

Recently while on the computer I came across the website of Poras Chaudhary. Chaudhary is a photographer who captures some amazing pictures in his country of India. He began his career as a photogapher in the 2000s and since has captured amazing images. Though all of Poras' work is fascinating one gallery of his caught my eye. It was of the festival of Holi in India. Before seeing Chaudhary's website I have never heard of Holi and so I reasearched it. According to the website religionfacts.com, Holi is the celebration of the coming of spring. Its a holiday rejoycing in the diverse colors of the springtime. The wesbsite also states the following "Holi also commemorates various events in Hindu mythology, but for most Hindus it provides a temporary opportunity for Hindus to disregard social norms, indulge in merrymaking and generally "let loose." The main intriguing part of Holi is the things the people take part in. During the two day celebration, people all around through colored powder and water to make a color explosion.

Though to know the real expeirence of Holi you would have to be there the pictures do say a thousand words. To me its like art is coming alive, color is moving and interacting. I feel that the color is simply awesome. I would love to partake in a celebration of such proportion. Altough it might seem stupid to be throwing powder at your friends its not, its a celebration of friend and color. The people celebrating let go and move with the events. To me it seems like a Intriguing holiday for and even more intriguing culture.

http://www.poraschaudhary.com/

blog 10

Towelhead

Towelhead is a exciting nevel by Alicia Erian. The novel is the experiences of a young 13 year old girl named Jasira. Jarirsa is forced to go and move in with her Lebanese father in texas because of her mother feared that her own boyfriend was starting to gain feelings for her daughter.Her father is extremely strict and Jasira does not mix well with his rules. Jasira starts to go through natural adolescent awakenings while at her father's house. She also begins to babysit her next door neighbors son which starts her relationship with the married man, father to the boy she babysits. After many awkward yet mind altering events Jasira goes through she her relationship with her neighbor, named Mr.Vuoso turns into a sexual one. Jasira believes at first that she is in love with this man for all the feelings she get when she is by him but then realizes Mr.Vuoso is actually manipulating her into having such affairs with him. Jasria also befriends a next door neighbor named Melina. A newlywed and soon-to-be mother, Melina takes Jasira under her wing and tries to protect especially when she notices something is going on between the misguided Jasira and Mr.Vuoso. The novel is concluded with an announcement that lead to trouble for one and rejoicing for another.

TowelHead is an addictive novel. It took me one day to finish the book because I didn't want to eve put it down. I loved how easily it flowed and although it was shocking at sometimes its just too good to put it down. The novel deals with two problems, 1) the awkwardness of being different in a community of no uniqueness and 2) the way a young adult can be lured into do acts not suitable for them. TowelHead is a must read and i would recommend it to anyone who enjoys books about real life situations even if they might not be familiar to you.

Mad about "Mad Men"

 "Mad Men" is a Emmy award winning television show that airs on AMC. IT revolves around the life of men who work at an advertisement company in New York City during the 1960s. More specifically is centers around the life of on ad man, Don Drapper. The show deals with the temptation of the other sex in the workplace, troubled marriages, and the troubles that come along with the business of advertisement. Don Drapper, the main character, is on of the leading ad man at the company Sterling and cooper, he has a wife and two kids. Don, an avid smoker and drinker frequents sexual relationships with other women than his wife as do most of the other married men in the show.

 The show is historically accurate to the era it takes place in. While watching the show you feel like you were thrust into the 60s which make the show so realistic. Its al well written and I think that it's an hour better spent than watching mindless reality t.v.  The show makes you wonder if this was truly like the life of a business man in the 60s. I think this show deserves a lot of praise for the clever story lines and interesting characters. While watching the show I feel like I never want it to end.  Although many kids might not be interested in this type of drama I think they should give it a try. I believe one episode is enough to  convince you to peruse watching the rest of the season. "Mad Men" has quickly become one of my favorite shows and its easy to start watching at any point but I would advise people interested in actually watching the show to rent the first season to catch up.

Frida, The woman behind the canvas.

Frida Kahlo was a mexican painter born july 6th 1907. Though her life was turbulent at times she did experience success with her artwork. Her real recognition came after the end of her life in 1954. Her paintings were something unique of her time and is what gave her notoriety. In 2002 Frida's life was depicted in the movie "Frida". The movie brought new meaning of her art to me personally because now i was able to visualize what convinced her to paint what she did.

 In the movie you learn that Frida was a believer that women were just as capable as men. Throughout the movie she challenges the typical looks of a women and their roles. She fashioned a unibrow and once dressed as a man in a family picture. Frida being in a bus accident was confined to a body cast and was unable to move which is when her artistic abilities began to flourish. After recovering, Frida was able to walk again and met her soon to be husband Diego rivera a fellow artist. They marry and do not have the easiest life as a couple. They travel to New York City in order for Diego to paint a mural at Rockfeller center but because of confronting ideas his mural was taken down. While in New York Frida has relations with women while in N.Y.C. and experiences a miscarriage. She then returns to mexico for her mother funeral and leaves Diego because his mounting infidelity peaks when he sleeps with her her sister forcing their departure from one another. Soon after Frida has an affair with Alexander Trotsky, remarries Diego and once again becomes disabled after the amputation of her foot and eventually dies.

 Frida's paintings were based in surrealism. She took event in life to feed her paintings. As her life progresses it is clearly evident of the hardships she endured. Her art was challenging at her time and was what made her so different and admired. Out of all of her work I find the paiting "My Birth" to be such a stimulating image that shows the pain Frida felt. To some it might be somewhat disguisting but they need to realize the misery she faced.I Think the movie shows the real truth of Frida's life and one is able to sympathize with the troubled artist. I like the way it was directed and found it enjoyable to watch.