Monday, December 3, 2007

Shy Boy, She Devil, and the Isis

The Museum of Fine Arts in Boston is currently showcasing a collection of three dimensional contemporary art, beginning in the 1980’s. This show documents the evolution of the craft.

The collection contains 120 different pieces from artists all over the world. Primarily the work comes from American artists. The three dimensional works are made from various mediums. Some are made from wood, metal work, glass, sculptures, and fiber art. One museum visitor said, “the sculptures are amazing, they are never what you expect.”

The exhibition is expansive, featuring pieces that all encompass different moods and forms of expression from the 20th Century. The collection displays a form of art that is intriguing and fresh. “You look at these pieces and want to know how much work goes into creating them.” He said when viewing a glass blown piece called Rembrandt Blue, “the collection is filled with interesting pieces. It is really worth seeing.”

The ‘Shy Boy, She Devil, and the Isis’ will be on display at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston till January 6th. Go to http://www.mfa.org/ for more details.

Monday, November 19, 2007

How much Stress are you under?


Stress is something that seems unavoidable. No matter how you live your life something will ultimately start stressing you out. Every one's life has stressors: work, school, home life. I always like to apply the whole "walk a mile in someone else's shoes" phrase when I think about stress.

We can pretend as much as we like to that if we traded places with someone else it would be easier, but the truth is it is probably not. Whether its a old man, a working mother, or a college student we all have responsibilities looming over us.

So, how much stress are you under? It is probably a lot right? You may have classes, or a job, or even a family to take care of. And we are all haunted by the fear that we will never be able to do all the tasks we have set up for ourselves. Relaxation and fun are put on the back burner as we shovel through the mess that life makes for us.

Alright so with all this stress building up like lava in a volcano. You are wondering how do I deal with it. How do I avoid having a nervous break down in front of my friends and family. I do not have one perfect answer, but one that has always worked for me is to MAKE TIME FOR MYSELF.

That's right. Reserve an hour everyday just for you read a book, listen to your favorite CD, cuddle with the cat, get to work on that novel. I am sure you will feel better. Then you can successfully tackle the world.

Let me know how it goes!

Monday, October 1, 2007

Why do we always blame video games?

Alrighty then, I want to send a big thanks to all of you that commented. I loved reading what you all wrote. It gave me a great deal of reassurance.

Since I had such a big question last time I think I am going to write something a little lighter this time. Why do we always blame video games?

I remember when I was about five I begged and pleaded for my parents to get me a Nintendo. I wanted one so badly it drove me crazy. Then on Christmas morning it was there in all its glory, my SNES bundled with Super Mario All Stars. This special moment in time marked the beginning of my devotion to video games.

So why is it that my tender childhood memories have to get smashed by Jack Thompson and Hilary Clinton? My friends and I would spend so many hours playing Mario Bros. and other classics like Zelda. I grew up with games and yes as I matured I did play more violent games. Still I grew up to be a good sane person.

The problem is that most parents do not get video games. Games can offer great opportunities for children to learn. I am not just talking about educational games. If you have ever played a game like Zelda you will find that you are not just slashing enemies with your sword, you are solving puzzles and finding solution to problems. Games like the Sims have people think about what goes into building a house, or what a family needs to survive. Beyond just learning kids are also having fun which is what kids are supposed to do. Right?

Now I am not saying let a five year old play Resident Evil or just let kids play video games all day long. What I am saying is don’t blame a game for how kids behave. If parents take the time to pick out games with their kids and play them with their kids we would have way less confusion. The more parents understand games the less they will “fear” them.

When I see someone like Jack Thompson trying to ban violent games it drives me up the wall. Parents are the ones responsible for what their kids see, hear, and play. If we are going to ban violent games then every horror movie should be banned too. Hey why don’t we ban news as well, there is tons of violence in the news.

Parents need to talk with their kids and pay attention to what they are doing. It is as simple as looking at the game box “Oh, it says it is for people 17 and up. Guess I shouldn’t get it for my nine year old.” But then you get the whole my kid could just borrow the game from a friend. Well then you have the amazing power as a parent to GASP… PAY ATTENTION! Watch what your kids are doing (have the console in the living room)

I don’t know about the rest of you, but games are my escape. When life is just over-whelming I can pop in a game like Resident Evil and get away from it all. I have loved video games since the day I got my Nintendo and I will never stop loving games. I hope my own kids play video games just like I did as a child and create some awesome memories of their own.

So why blame video games when they have been so great. A game does not cause violence, but a lack of communication and understanding can.

Thursday, September 20, 2007

What am I suppose to do with the rest of my life?

Arrrrgggghhhh

Ahem, okay I am a college student and I know I am not alone when I ask “What am I suppose to do with the rest of my life?” I am an education major and I love kids, but I am always asking myself “what if I am a lousy teacher?” I tend to see myself failing more than I see myself succeeding in all aspects. Nevertheless this is so much more serious, this isn’t just sucking at cheerleading or not getting the main role in a show, this is the rest of my life. Scary huh?

Well I think so and really if you don’t worry about the rest of your life then you must be crazy or not aware. I remember how quickly high school went by it was like a blink. It felt like just yesterday that I was a freshman, but now here I am in college. My point is the future is coming and it scares me, not because I am afraid to grow up but because I am scared I won’t make a difference, that I won’t be fulfilled in life.

What if our dreams never come true or what if our dreams aren’t what we thought they would be. Did we just waste our time? I hope the answer is always no, because if we are only studying to get to a high paying job then we are missing the point. School is about learning and gaining the knowledge to look at the world as an individual. Forget that, Life is about learning and gaining knowledge to look at the world as an individual. Stop looking for the light at the end of the tunnel because no matter how high your GPA is life can throw you a curve ball and you just might not get what you want. So suck up all the knowledge you can get and enjoy what is happening now.

“What am I suppose to do with the rest of my life?” is so tightly tied with “what am I doing right now?” Just taking it moment by moment, looking at yourself, and altering the plan day by day. Listen to yourself because you are the only one who knows what you want. Follow no one but yourself and accept the person you are failures and all because at the end of the road you’ll know you listened to who you were suppose to.

Wednesday, September 19, 2007

How do you start a blog?


Wow... I really don't know where to start with this. I have always loved writing, but now that I am about to post something on the internet where everyone one can it I am really nervous. So my first ever daily question is "How do you start a blog?" I mean, seriously how do you put all your personal thoughts and feeling out there for everyone to see? I am such a quiet person how can I do this? I suppose the best thing to do is just put yourself out there and even if nobody sees things your way atleast you put a new perspective out into the world.

I guess that is why I am going with this daily question theme, because I want to add new perspective into the world. I want to show that there should not be a day that goes without questioning someone or something.

So today I am going to question the wonders of blogging. I would guess that many people who take part in this art would have more direction then I do right now. Honestly I feel like I am only rambling about nothing. Maybe it just takes time to get used to this medium.