Witches. What's the first thing that comes to mind? A green ugly face face and a long nose with pimples and warts. Oh, and don't forget the big pointy black hat. The only time I've ever seen a witch is on Halloween and in the Wizard of Oz. Where did this image of a witch come from? I wonder if it first emerged in a popular book or newspaper or journal written by an individual, or if it sprouted from years of gossip about the "witches" who plagued the early American settlers.
Like everyone else who read this, I have started to think about that ugly face. And that ugly face makes me think of costumes, which makes me think of Halloween. By far the best holiday ever. Throw on some random clothes and/or make up, grab a pillowcase and knock on your neighbors door to receive a handful of candy. I have to admit, it's not quite as weird as Thanksgiving. Both holidays used to represent an idea or had a meaning behind each event that took place that day. Now it seems like people just do it for the reward, whether it be candy or Grandma's homemade apple pie.
Still, I'm a sucker for free stuff. Especially when that stuff is candy. And super-especially when I can get as many pounds as I want as long as I keep my feet moving. But, once you get home, only half the work is done. Now comes the candy-trading process, also known as Hustling-your-little-brother. Without a doubt arguing will ensure, followed immediatley by stealing. The bigger usually wins, and thankfully that's me.
P.S. Skittles are by far the best candy.
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Friday, September 17, 2010
Family Guy vs Simpsons. And the winner is...
Comical cartoons have increased in number dramatically over the past few years, and in the 21st century in general. From Futurama to South Park there are many cartoons that are considered vulgar by anyone who dislikes them. As it is, the Top 2 are definately Family Guy and The Simpsons. Each show appeals to a different audience, but within that audience there are subdivisions that enjoy each unique type of humor.
The Simpsons without a doubt contains the most realistic storyline. The Simpson family of five go through various challenges that are dealt with in humorous ways. Homer Simpson's, the father of the family, life revolves around food (specifically doughnuts and beer) and idiotic courses of action for daily issues. His son Bart creates trouble for his sister, Lisa, and the other classmates of his school (including the teachers and principal). Both types of humor are consistent, varying only in detail. Overall, the Simpson's are the most developed and probably best well-written of the two shows.
The next show in line would be Family Guy. Created by Seth McFarlane the show revolves around an American family of five. Once again, we see the caring mother and the mornoic father, accompanied with a typical brother-sister relationship. But, unlike the Simpsons, Family Guy introduced Stewie, the murderous, deceitful baby with a cynical sense of humor. The show often includes several 70's, 80's, and 90's references that make up about half the humor in the show. The other half comes from the daily lives of the family, namely Peter Griffin, the father. Todays teenage audience relates with this kind of humor and thus is the most popular out of the three shows in the teenage community.
In general, The Simpsons is a better show, but Family Guy is funnier. Anybody could watch any episode and Family Guy and have a good laugh, but the same cannot be said for the Simpsons. The Simpsons take longer to appreciate the humor, but the show is more developed and thus more enjoyable. Personally, I'd watch Family Guy all day long as the Simpsons fade into the distance, forgotten by all but the crazy fanatics.
The Simpsons without a doubt contains the most realistic storyline. The Simpson family of five go through various challenges that are dealt with in humorous ways. Homer Simpson's, the father of the family, life revolves around food (specifically doughnuts and beer) and idiotic courses of action for daily issues. His son Bart creates trouble for his sister, Lisa, and the other classmates of his school (including the teachers and principal). Both types of humor are consistent, varying only in detail. Overall, the Simpson's are the most developed and probably best well-written of the two shows.
The next show in line would be Family Guy. Created by Seth McFarlane the show revolves around an American family of five. Once again, we see the caring mother and the mornoic father, accompanied with a typical brother-sister relationship. But, unlike the Simpsons, Family Guy introduced Stewie, the murderous, deceitful baby with a cynical sense of humor. The show often includes several 70's, 80's, and 90's references that make up about half the humor in the show. The other half comes from the daily lives of the family, namely Peter Griffin, the father. Todays teenage audience relates with this kind of humor and thus is the most popular out of the three shows in the teenage community.
In general, The Simpsons is a better show, but Family Guy is funnier. Anybody could watch any episode and Family Guy and have a good laugh, but the same cannot be said for the Simpsons. The Simpsons take longer to appreciate the humor, but the show is more developed and thus more enjoyable. Personally, I'd watch Family Guy all day long as the Simpsons fade into the distance, forgotten by all but the crazy fanatics.
Friday, September 10, 2010
The Puritan Dream
The Puritans are quite the hypocrites. They left their home country due to religious prosecution, then created their own society that was quite intolerant of religions other than Puritanism. But we owe it to them that they not only created the American Dream, they would go on to fulfill it. Farming and settling the new world, the Puritans created a name and a civilization for themselves in the new world. The Puritans lived and are still living the American Dream here in the U.S.
The American Dream (Puritan style) developed mainly during the 1600s in the newly discovered America. Though the Puritans were mainly responsible for founding the new world, their hypocricy towards religion and strict rules earned them a bad reputation in the years to come. Do they deserve this reputation? An educated scholar could argue it either way.
Although they were quite devilish at unjust at times, the Puritans don't deserve the reputation that they have. They benefited the world they lived in and the future more than they hindered it. They struggled and suffered in order to make the future better for themselves, but more importantly their children, a concept that is key when defining the American Dream. Without the brave Puritans, the new world would be very different than it is today. And for that, they deserve to be thought highly of.
The American Dream (Puritan style) developed mainly during the 1600s in the newly discovered America. Though the Puritans were mainly responsible for founding the new world, their hypocricy towards religion and strict rules earned them a bad reputation in the years to come. Do they deserve this reputation? An educated scholar could argue it either way.
Although they were quite devilish at unjust at times, the Puritans don't deserve the reputation that they have. They benefited the world they lived in and the future more than they hindered it. They struggled and suffered in order to make the future better for themselves, but more importantly their children, a concept that is key when defining the American Dream. Without the brave Puritans, the new world would be very different than it is today. And for that, they deserve to be thought highly of.
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
The American Dream and Me
The American Dream. To me, it represents a lifestyle in which everything feels right and secure. However, I completely disagree with the whole "born into it" approach. The American Dream can only be actually realized through hard work. It is something on earns, thus they are proud of it and can say "Look, thats what I was, now I'm doing this!" My family has been affected by the American Dream just as much as any other family, but if I had to pick one person out of my family who really embraced the idea I would pick my Dad.
My Dad has always told me to work my hardest, and, no matter the result, he would be proud of me. I find that this truly displays a mian concept of the American Dream. Although success may not be attained or the dream may not be reached, the best foot was put forward. There is nothing worse than not being able to live out a dream because of laziness or poor work ethic. The American Dream works against this laziness, providing a goal they can work towards. It gives them the determination to reach that goal, whatever it may be.
The American Dream has not had much of an effect on me yet. I neither know what my dream is or if I'm living the dream now. To be honest, I really haven't given the whole idea of the American Dream much thought. I've heard of it and have a general understanding of it, but I have never really thought about what it means to me or how to achieve it. I guess I'll just have to wait and see.
My Dad has always told me to work my hardest, and, no matter the result, he would be proud of me. I find that this truly displays a mian concept of the American Dream. Although success may not be attained or the dream may not be reached, the best foot was put forward. There is nothing worse than not being able to live out a dream because of laziness or poor work ethic. The American Dream works against this laziness, providing a goal they can work towards. It gives them the determination to reach that goal, whatever it may be.
The American Dream has not had much of an effect on me yet. I neither know what my dream is or if I'm living the dream now. To be honest, I really haven't given the whole idea of the American Dream much thought. I've heard of it and have a general understanding of it, but I have never really thought about what it means to me or how to achieve it. I guess I'll just have to wait and see.
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