The Last Post

Class ending is pretty bitter-sweet.  Yay, class is over, but summer is too.  I actually enjoyed the online experience with the class.  The blog posts were a creative way to interact, although there were a lot.  I think compared to the regular class, this worked a lot better for me.  Getting the group project done was definitely difficult online, but we ended up with a really good product.  'A' material for sure.  I thought a lot of the topics presented in the class were interesting, making it easier to write about.  Overall, I think the class was a good experience.

Writing Process

Roughness

https://docs.google.com/a/g.clemson.edu/document/d/11L9N8sqGEMMP70bX94Rx9tdB_OQim7GfAl87PcTK3ok/edit?hl=en_US

Define Reality

I don't think it's possible to define reality other than to say it's what happens.  I'm not going to limit myself to 'my world.'  Personally, I think it's necessary to acknowledge the existence of reality in its entirety.  Yeah, I judge based on look and I judge in general - not a single person you meet can say otherwise.  But I'll say this - people dress a certain way for a reason.  People's body language is a certain way for a reason. So taking pictures of the minority is just the minority, nothing else.  To be the best at what you do, no matter what it is, you need to acknowledge everything.  And that's what I think reality is - everything.  Dreams, miracles, if it happens it's reality.

ORGANIZATION

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=osyRqD8-v2I

"Daughters" by John Mayer

6/8 meter

A-A-B-A-B-C-A-B  Song

Intro Instrumental - 8 bars  (Exposition)
Verse - (A) - 8 bars
Verse - (A) - 8 bars
Chorus - (B) - 8 bars
Verse - (A) - 8 bars
Chorus - (B) - 8 bars
Bridge - (C) - 8 bars with tagged ending  (Climax)
Instrumental interlude - 8 bars
Verse - (A) - 8 bars
Chorus - (B) - 8 bars
Tagged Ending  (Resolution)

• The third and fourth verses (A) are modified by variations in the melody.
• Instrumental breaks between the chorus (B) and the second cycle of verse (A) help the listener know that John is starting a new cycle in the pattern.
• Interesting that no instrumental break is given between the chorus (B) and bridge (C).  This makes the bridge more exciting and even stronger.
• Tagged ending helps to resolve the song.

This is pretty ordinary compositional organization.  John Mayer's composing and performing are pretty extraordinary!

Not Much of a Field Trip...

This image depicts one of the tiger statues in front of the Scroll of Honor at Clemson.  This is the tiger of more ferocious nature.  I think it serves several purposes, especially being the meaner looking tiger.  It's a guardian over the Scroll of Honor and has an air of strength, making it a testament to all of the military members that have, and will come from Clemson.  At the same time, being right across from Memorial Stadium, it sends a message saying be afraid.  It's a pretty neat statue to have on campus.

Questions

How does an entertainer look at themselves as being someone who is emulated?
Why does the average person idolize entertainers?