Stand Tall!

The End of My Web Class Experience

2008-05-04T20:01:00.001-07:00

What can I say about my web class experience? Well, I had some ups and downs, but I think I came out okay. I was pretty jaded with the traditional Lit. Survey experience, and this was certainly the take of shakeup necessary to remedy senioritis. I built a web page, which I was certain was completely beyond my abilities. I started a blog, which I'd heard of so many times, but I avoided because I figured it was too complicated. It's actually very easy. And, I read some great stuff! Frankenstein is actually one of my favorite books now. It's so much better than all of the movies.

However, I bit off a little more than I could chew. I thought it would be fun to submit an mp3 literary analysis to replace one of my essays. Man, I couldn't do it! I think it might be my computer. Oh well! I am going to law school, but now I know that I need to shore up big time on my computer skills. It's a little embarassing to be so computer clueless.

Computer Illiteracy

2008-04-26T10:51:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone. My name is Aaron Johnson, and I am computer illiterate.

(Group): Hi Aaron.

I designed my first web page the other day, and it was probably the hardest thing I've ever done. I went to the library a few weeks ago and checked out some books on HTML. Man, they may as well have been written in Sanskrit, because I was so lost.

Fortunately, I was able (eventually) to use one of those programs that try and simplify the process. Even then, I struggled.

I'm glad I had the assignment though. It made me realize that I need to shore up in that area, since computer literacy is such a huge deal these days. I got this book called "HTML for Dummies." I think I will wade through it this summer. Wish me luck Group!

Great Expectations

2008-04-20T11:03:00.000-07:00

I've always liked Dickens. I had already read David Copperfield in its entirety, and I have been exposed to parts of his other novels, but I think I like Great Expectations the best. Even though my experience with with the GE gang is over, I still feel like I know those people, especially Pip.

The other day I watched part of a film that was based on the book. It sucked! I really do not understand why people feel the need to alter the classics. I'm still trying to get over that movie Troy. I guess that after a few millenia people felt that ol' Homer could use a little help. I don't even want to get started on The Scarlet Letter, which had to be the worst cinematic representation of a classic novel that has ever been made.

Anyway, I was forced to read GE rather quickly, so I think that a reread is in order. Reading this type of thing is always more enjoyable when you give yourself time to digest everything. Fortunately, summer break is approaching.

This Can't be Frankenstein!

2008-04-09T07:51:00.000-07:00

I remember flipping channels a few years ago when the guide showed that a movie called "Mary Shelley's Frankenstein" was on HBO. I had no idea who Mary Shelley was, but I knew I liked Frankenstein so I decided to tune in. The first scene featured some creature freezing in an area that had to be either Antartica or one of the poles. I exclaimed, "This isn't Frankenstein," and I continued express how regrettable it was that these Hollywood folks keep ruining the classics. Recently, I read Shelley's actual book. Needless to say, I felt a little stupid.

It seems that the Frankenstein productions that I had seen previously were actually caricatures of the story presented by Shelley. Shelley's creature was well developed, highly intelligent, and nothing like the evil, mindless zombie that is portrayed in the popular horror films. I guess I should have expected this discrepancy. After all, Shelley would have never been regarded as a great author if her books were as shallow as those movies.

The Stand Tall Manifesto

2008-03-12T09:53:00.000-07:00

There's a midget standing tall, and a giant beside him about to fall. Stand!

That's an old line from a track by Sly and the Family Stone. I really love them. Anyway, when you consider technological innovation, it becomes even more imperative that we all take a stand and allow our voices to be heard. I am sure that that is why I majored in English. Every time we right an essay, we are forced to take a stand and defend it. The beauty of literature is that it offers us an unlimited number of perspectives from which to examine the world. When we all read Frankenstein, we all agree to enter the world of Frankenstein. Our individual personalities and skill sets determine how we operate within that world. No perspective is inferior to another, so don't be afraid to stand and be heard. The fearful will surely be forgotten.