Let me just start off by saying that the love of my life…is my dog, and the best dog at that! His name is Wally and he is a Cavalier King Charles spaniel.
My family and I adopted Wally when he was just three months old from a shelter in Westchester. Before Wally, I had never had a pet before. Because I am an only child, it is nice to have around another life in the house to keep both my parents and I occupied.
The reason I say Wally is my best friend and the love of my life is because he is always around, always there when I need him. When I am upset about something, he will always cuddle with me and make me feel ten times better.
Since I am away at school, my parents get really lonely. It is nice to know they have someone else there to look after them and make them feel loved. After having a dog, I can’t imagine not owning one.
Unfortunately this spring, Wally was diagnosed with a heart murmur, a disease common within the breed. The doctors informed us that he wouldn’t be around for much longer. The thought of this is entirely heart breaking. Although it might seem weird to many people, this dog is like a brother to me.
It is my hope that Wally will make it through the summer. I feel so blessed to have had him in my life and encourage anyone looking to get a dog, to consider the breed of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. I promise you won’t be disappointed!
Thursday, May 3, 2007
Wednesday, May 2, 2007
The Evolution of the Gangster
I am currently in the process of preparing my senior thesis for next year, my senior year. As a communications major, it is required that all students have a developed thesis statement and an idea as to what form their project is going to take.
For my paper, I hope to prove that the portrayal of the iconic mobster in film and television has gradually evolved over time to reflect the changing values of American society. Being that I love the HBO television series The Sopranos so much, I felt this topic would be very enjoyable for me to research.
I plan on studying/analyzing a variety of mobster features dating back to the 1930s, such as Public Enemy, The Godfather (parts I, II, and III), Scarface (both the original and re-make) and of course Goodfellas!
So far, I have found a substantial amount of research that proves the mobster has transformed over time. For example, in Public Enemy, the issue of prohibition leads protagonist Tommy into a life of crime. Gangsters of the 1930s –1940s are characterized by aggression, violence, mental instability and alienation from mainstream society. Thus they represent the conflicted values of postwar America.
Years later, in The Godfather, a new trend in gangster cinema was created. Its Director, Francis Ford Coppola, incorporated the style of the 1970s into the film and the evolution of the gangster. During a time in American society when the power of the “individual” was being replaced by the power of the “corporation”, the main family in the film, the Corleone’s replaced the individual gangster, Tommy (Public Enemy).
These are just a few examples of what I hope to demonstrate within my thesis.
For my paper, I hope to prove that the portrayal of the iconic mobster in film and television has gradually evolved over time to reflect the changing values of American society. Being that I love the HBO television series The Sopranos so much, I felt this topic would be very enjoyable for me to research.
I plan on studying/analyzing a variety of mobster features dating back to the 1930s, such as Public Enemy, The Godfather (parts I, II, and III), Scarface (both the original and re-make) and of course Goodfellas!
So far, I have found a substantial amount of research that proves the mobster has transformed over time. For example, in Public Enemy, the issue of prohibition leads protagonist Tommy into a life of crime. Gangsters of the 1930s –1940s are characterized by aggression, violence, mental instability and alienation from mainstream society. Thus they represent the conflicted values of postwar America.
Years later, in The Godfather, a new trend in gangster cinema was created. Its Director, Francis Ford Coppola, incorporated the style of the 1970s into the film and the evolution of the gangster. During a time in American society when the power of the “individual” was being replaced by the power of the “corporation”, the main family in the film, the Corleone’s replaced the individual gangster, Tommy (Public Enemy).
These are just a few examples of what I hope to demonstrate within my thesis.
How To Succeed in College
So I am taking this course which some of you might have heard of called Interpersonal/Intercultural Communication. Throughout the semester we talked about the various ways people communicate with one another as well as how to prepare for certain instances dealing with communication. One of those instances was how to succeed in college.
According to my professor, “ aside from your intelligence, ability, talent or looks, it is your attitude toward people that will eventually determine your success or failure.” (Abne Eisenberg Ph.D.) I really appreciate this outlook because in many instances students who enter college seem to be clueless as to the appropriateness of their actions. There have been many times in which one of my peers will act so out of line in class, it seems as though they belong in the third grade!
Far too many people are convinced that the bottom line for success in college is performance. This might be true for getting a good grade in a course, but it is my belief that in order to receive a well-rounded college experience, you should pay attention to more things than just performance.
For example, the interaction you have with your peers is a prime way to better your overall experience. Making friends and being social, will not only make you feel better about yourself, it will give you memories to look back on.
Having a good relationship with your professor is important as well. The more familiar they are with you and your work, the better your chances are at succeeding. Also, if a professor is familiar with you and you are struggling with something relating to the course, it is much easier too seek help, considering they are more familiar with your background.
These are just a few pointers my professor demonstrated in his lecture on how to succeed in college. I hope some of these tips are as useful to you are they were for me!
According to my professor, “ aside from your intelligence, ability, talent or looks, it is your attitude toward people that will eventually determine your success or failure.” (Abne Eisenberg Ph.D.) I really appreciate this outlook because in many instances students who enter college seem to be clueless as to the appropriateness of their actions. There have been many times in which one of my peers will act so out of line in class, it seems as though they belong in the third grade!
Far too many people are convinced that the bottom line for success in college is performance. This might be true for getting a good grade in a course, but it is my belief that in order to receive a well-rounded college experience, you should pay attention to more things than just performance.
For example, the interaction you have with your peers is a prime way to better your overall experience. Making friends and being social, will not only make you feel better about yourself, it will give you memories to look back on.
Having a good relationship with your professor is important as well. The more familiar they are with you and your work, the better your chances are at succeeding. Also, if a professor is familiar with you and you are struggling with something relating to the course, it is much easier too seek help, considering they are more familiar with your background.
These are just a few pointers my professor demonstrated in his lecture on how to succeed in college. I hope some of these tips are as useful to you are they were for me!
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