is my analysis too cliche?

Okay, so writing this paper is actually coming along well! After getting some pointers on how to fix things from Dr. Hanrahan, Leah, and Austin I have become confident in finishing this paper. While writing the paper I noticed tat other people have deeper analysis in their essays. I started to feel discouraged. My argument is very simple, that there is a longing for connection in both the characters and the cast. I know that I can make a well written paper, but I’m worried that it isn't deep enough of an analysis. I don’t know. Sorry about this kind of whiny rant. All in all I am getting my shit done and my room is clean and organized, and that makes me happy. So I will keep working on this paper and when it is done I will feel proud. What problems have you guys had with writing/ revising your papers? I really would love to hear!!!

Have a great weekend!!!! 

Comments on World War Z

Last night I watched World War Z for the first time so I would have a better understanding of the essays that I read for my peer workshop. When I have to write analytical essays I always find that the easiest path to venture on is to argue religious symbolism or oppression. That's why it was so shocking for me after watching the movie that no one in our class (that I know of) decided to tackle the obvious religious undertones in the movie. The wall is a popular topic in our class; however, most people seemed not to notice that it was such a big deal for Brad Pitt's character that they were letting people inside the wall. Besides the obvious that walls are intended to keep people out, they are letting in people of all races and religions. Jerusalem is considered holy to three major religions: Judaism, Christianity and Muslim. The wall falls almost immediately after showing Muslims praying and breaking out into song. This celebration becomes their downfall. The current wall that surrounds Jerusalem is intended to keep out radical Muslims that perform terrorist attacks on the citizens in the name of Allah. The wall ultimately falls when a Muslim female child begins to sing into a microphone and calls the attention of all of the zombies to the compound. One must also take into account why the wall was built; the tenth man was a concept put into effect after numerous attacks on the citizens because of religious beliefs. They list attacks and the persecution of the Jewish people during WW2. They developed the tenth man to protect from religious conflicts. I think that showing the different religions, right after each other, is a very important message of the current state of Jerusalem.

After a long two weeks...

Hi guys,

I think we can all agree midterm and post midterm is a stressful time for everyone. I have been going through an immense amount of stress. It's hard to keep up sometimes. Being pulled in ten different directions from applying for housing, studying for tests, summer job applications, it's a lot on everyone's plates. I've found a new outlet for relieving my stress is working out. I have never been much of a "gym activist" normally I eat my feelings. However, with spring and summer approaching I've found that working out is such a useful outlet for stress. In this link, it discusses different ways to approach stress and techniques to keep your stress levels low. http://www.helpguide.org/articles/stress/relaxation-techniques-for-stress-relief.htm

I encourage everyone to read this and try to find some outlet for stress that works most efficiently for them.  Some techniques include deep breathing, meditation, yoga, and tai chi. I am actually doing meditation Monday with Sabrina on Monday and am so excited for it. 

Well, sorry for the lack of class content but I found this useful with the amount of stress I'm sure everyone is under. 

Well, my question for you guys is, what method if you have one do you use now to releive stress? 

Love, Leah.

Writing humor

Just found these pictures funny. Enjoy them and your snow day!

Zombies & females!

Hi everyone! I'm currently going over my paper (again and again) on World War Z, and the lack of female presence in the movie. At first when I was going over different issues in the movie to focus my essay on, I was having a difficult time picking a topic I could get behind. Eventually, I decided that I would do a lack of female presence vs. male presence in action films, specifically World War Z. At first when I began to watch the movie, I didn't even start to think about gender roles in the film; I was simply watching the movie for what it was... then my opinion slowly started to form. Once I looked at the bigger picture of most all action films featuring a male hero, then I became aware of how many films don't actually feature strong female characters, simply because we as a society have become accustomed to certain gender roles in different movie genres. My question for you guys is this: Did watching your film and analyzing the content bring up anything about the specific movie or genre that you didn't realize before?

On a side note: Anyone who has watched World War Z, is it not INSANE when you see the first zombie woman smash her face into the car windshield to try to eat someone? Talk about female empowerment!

IT AFFECTS ME...

 My movie has absorbed every part of me, since I began to write this paper, and as Laura said, I sound "Crunk", thanks, and I will think about that for my next paper. I have seen many of us post things/anything just to post. Please remember this is an outlet for all of us to express ourselves or in my case ask for help on ideas.

Zombies and ISIS

     Ok guys, I know I've reached before, and you're probably thinking "really Austin, you're comparing zombies to ISIS?" Well...I'm not, but The University of Maryland's Police Department did, kindof.

     My R.A. is a member (and former president) of Shepherd's Active Gaming Club. For those of you unfamiliar with the Active Gaming Club, they are the group that runs (among other things) Shepherd's Humans VS. Zombies games. For those of you unfamilliar with Humans VS. Zombies (or HVZ as it is known amongst players), it is a campus wide NERF war that simulates a zombie apocalypse. I've played before, and it's quite a blast! Here at Shepherd the police department is totally alright with HVZ (so long as they are notified of game dates and follow some very basic and easy to follow rules). Other schools are not so lucky.

     I was talking to my R.A. about HVZ and some how we got on the topic of HVS at other schools. He said that at some schools the campus police have all but banned the game. He then said that at UMD they had been compared to ISIS. I couldn't believe it. He must have heard some details wrong! Well...he didn't. The club president from UMD's Nerf Activity Society (or NAS) had forwarded my R.A. the email from the UMD Police Department, which he forwarded to me, an lo and behold

     "The growing threats presented by groups such as ISIS demonstrate the reality of the domestic environment, and we constantly monitor those threats in order to keep the community safe. Balancing these concerns with the student group’s desire to have safe events requires that UMPD carefully considers the risk in this environment. The opportunity for accidental tragedy at an outdoor NAS event is too great"

      So yes, at the University of Maryland college kids running around with NERF guns could be mistaken for a terrorist attack. What do you guys think of this? Are the UMD Police's concerns valid? I've been apart of one of these games and I've never felt threatened.

*Update 3-4-15 5:07PM

     I just wanted to clarify one thing. I am not trying to make light of ISIS, or any other terrorist organization. I understand that they pose a very real threat to our safety, I just fail to see the connection between these groups and NERF games.