Slumdog Millionaire is overrated.
Slumdog Millionaire’s success at this year’s Academy Awards was inevitable. That’s right—everyone knew that this movie would win over the hearts of the Academy and bring home a few gold men. The real question of the night was “How many Oscars would be won?” And the answer: eight. Danny Boyle’s Slumdog Millionaire won eight Oscars on Sunday night, becoming the eighth film in Academy Award history to accomplish that feat. Of course this is a tremendous accomplishment, but Boyle has more than himself to thank for the movie’s success; Boyle might as well write personal “Thank You” cards to Hollywood’s directors for the lack of great films released in 2008.
Simply put, 2008 was a bad year for movies. In 2007, we were graced with classics such as Norbit, The Mist, Black Snake Moan, The Number 23, I Know Who Killed Me, and Epic Movie. All jokes aside, many movies released in 2007 (No Country for Old Men, Atonement, There Will Be Blood, Into the Wild, Once, Juno, The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, and 3:10 to Yuma) were better than a majority of the movies nominated for Oscars this year—and oh yes, that includes Slumdog Millionaire. Slumdog Millionaire is one of the most overrated movies that has ever won an Oscar.
Slumdog Millionaire tells the story of Jamal, a young man from the slums of Mumbai who somehow appears on the Indian version of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? After doing surprisingly well on the game-show, the show’s host and some law enforcement officials become suspicious of Jamal and believe that he is cheating the game. Through the use of various flashbacks, viewers become aware of Jamal’s troubling past and it is revealed how he knows most of the game’s answers. Slumdog Millionaire is an entertaining, feel-good movie, and the acting—particularly among the children—is pretty good.
But of course, Slumdog Millionaire has many flaws. Some of the sequences reminded me of an MTV music video, concentrating more on the hilarity of the children stealing food to the tune of MIA’s Paper Planes than the actual depressing thought of children needing to steal in order to survive. The plot, although interesting, was predictable and offered little for character development. And the relationship between Jamal and Latika, which ended up being the main plotline of the movie, was shallow. Prior to Jamal revealing his true love for this childhood crush, the two had only spent about five minutes on-screen together. And does this cute little story offer anything new or insightful to the world of cinema? No. It is merely an entertaining Cinderella story that attempts to make people feel good about Jamal’s rise from the slums. The film Disney-ifies the poverty of Mumbai in an effort to gloss-over the true horrors of a life in the slums and suggest that money is the key to happiness. At one moment in the movie, Jamal is beaten by an old man and exclaims to some American tourists, “You wanted to see a bit of the real India? You’re in it!” The tourists respond with, “Well here’s a bit of the real America” and then hand Jamal a hundred-dollar bill (At this point, I puked in my mouth a little bit). Walter Shaw, a movie critic for Film Freak Central, argues, “If Slumdog Millionaire isn't a racist melodrama that uses real misery and human degradation as the backdrop for a fairytale of how everything works out in the end (and it is), then it's a movie that says the key to escaping the hell of privation and a complete lack of hope for the future isn't betterment through education, but winning a goddamned Western game show.”
Others have argued that the film is an insult to the country of India and its people. In the weekly magazine India Today, an Indian filmmaker named Priyadarshan called it “absolute and intentional exploitation of India” (New York Times). Does this movie cross the line? To answer that question, one must ask them self if there is a moral problem with portraying human depravity and anguish as objects of art used to fulfill the voyeuristic fetishes of the Western world. Some have even gone as far as to call the film “poverty porn.” London Times’ columnist Alice Miles argues, “As the film revels in the violence, degradation and horror, it invites you, the Westerner, to enjoy it, too… Slumdog Millionaire is poverty porn.”
So what is it that I am suggesting? Although Slumdog Millionaire is a pretty entertaining film, it is definitely not a great film. It misconstrues the image of India and it’s poverty problems by romanticizing the setting. The first 45 minutes of Slumdog intrigued me as it began to dwell on the disgusting underbelly of Mumbai’s child prostitution and begging ring, but ultimately, the film disappointed. Maybe it was the hype, but I believe the film did not accomplish much more than basic, on-the-surface entertainment, unlike great Oscar winners of the past (The Godfather, On the Waterfront, and even No Country for Old Men). Perhaps it was the uniqueness of the film that seduced Western viewers, but compared to some of the great Bollywood films, Slumdog is mediocre at best. Shyamal Sengupta, a film professor from Mumbai, criticized the film by calling it a “white man’s imagined India. It’s not quite snake charmers, but it’s close. It’s a poverty tour.”
Next time you watch Slumdog Millionaire, watch it with a critical eye. I believe that you will be able to understand were a lot of these arguments are coming from. And if you want to see a truly good film that realistically portrays the effects poverty has on a country, go see the newly released Italian film, Gomorra. Hopefully the Academy will one day recognize a film that portrays the true horrors of poverty and not just an entertaining, overrated film such as Slumdog Millionaire.
PS. I sent this article into the Echo (student run newspaper).... easiest 20 dollars i have ever made :)
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Monday, February 23, 2009
Academy Awards
I watched the Academy Awards last night. Pretty good show.
I loved the format for best actor/actress... It made the award seem so much more meaningful when the past winners praised the nominees for their performances... I just wish there was someway to also show clips of the performances... That would be nice.
Everything was good except for the Hugh Jackman and Beyonce dance skit... a little forced.
The Pineapple Express skit was HILARIOUS. Especially when they laughed at "The Reader" and "Doubt". The Academy deserves to be made fun of a bit.
Oh, and the Queen Latifah "In Memory" thing... It would have been much more powerful if they had not kept panning out to 2-shots of her singing and the "In Memory" screen. Sometimes it was even hard to read the names of the people who had passed. Next year, please respect those who died by focusing on them the entire time, not Queen Latifah.
Best Picture/Director: Boyle's Slumdog Millionaire
It's an entertaining film. But I do NOT think that it is Oscar worthy of the Best Picture. There were very few strong films this year, but Slumdog is overrated. However, Benjamin Button is the only thing that could have even come close to competing.... maybe Milk. But Slumdog had this award in the bag the entire time. Did anyone even doubt it?
Best Actress: Kate Winslet, The Reader
I loved Anne Hathaway in Rachel Getting Married. Amazing film. Amazing performance. She deserved it just as much as any of the other nominees did.
Best Actress in a Supporting Role: Penelope Cruise, in Vicky Christina Barcelona
She had an excellent performance in this pretty good movie.
Actor: Sean Penn in Milk
I have not seen any of the films in this category (in fact, I have barely seen any of the films nominated), but Sean Penn is amazing. I still need to see Aronofsky's The Wrestler and be amazed by Rourke (it's the next movie on my list). Penn taking home the Oscar was an upset though.. many people thought Rourke had it.
Supporting Actor: Heath Ledger, The Dark Night
No contest here... None... Great thank you by his family.. It was very simple and sincere. One of the best moments of the night.
And as much as I am intrigued by the rest of the technical categories, I did not see most of the films nominated and to talk about them would be blasphemy.
Maybe I'll get you my Slumdog Millionaire review within the next couple days though.
I loved the format for best actor/actress... It made the award seem so much more meaningful when the past winners praised the nominees for their performances... I just wish there was someway to also show clips of the performances... That would be nice.
Everything was good except for the Hugh Jackman and Beyonce dance skit... a little forced.
The Pineapple Express skit was HILARIOUS. Especially when they laughed at "The Reader" and "Doubt". The Academy deserves to be made fun of a bit.
Oh, and the Queen Latifah "In Memory" thing... It would have been much more powerful if they had not kept panning out to 2-shots of her singing and the "In Memory" screen. Sometimes it was even hard to read the names of the people who had passed. Next year, please respect those who died by focusing on them the entire time, not Queen Latifah.
Best Picture/Director: Boyle's Slumdog Millionaire
It's an entertaining film. But I do NOT think that it is Oscar worthy of the Best Picture. There were very few strong films this year, but Slumdog is overrated. However, Benjamin Button is the only thing that could have even come close to competing.... maybe Milk. But Slumdog had this award in the bag the entire time. Did anyone even doubt it?
Best Actress: Kate Winslet, The Reader
I loved Anne Hathaway in Rachel Getting Married. Amazing film. Amazing performance. She deserved it just as much as any of the other nominees did.
Best Actress in a Supporting Role: Penelope Cruise, in Vicky Christina Barcelona
She had an excellent performance in this pretty good movie.
Actor: Sean Penn in Milk
I have not seen any of the films in this category (in fact, I have barely seen any of the films nominated), but Sean Penn is amazing. I still need to see Aronofsky's The Wrestler and be amazed by Rourke (it's the next movie on my list). Penn taking home the Oscar was an upset though.. many people thought Rourke had it.
Supporting Actor: Heath Ledger, The Dark Night
No contest here... None... Great thank you by his family.. It was very simple and sincere. One of the best moments of the night.
And as much as I am intrigued by the rest of the technical categories, I did not see most of the films nominated and to talk about them would be blasphemy.
Maybe I'll get you my Slumdog Millionaire review within the next couple days though.
The Fundamentals of Our Economy Are Strong
I have two jobs lined up... I'm one of the lucky ones.
About two weeks ago I had an interview for the Student Representative position... It's a new job at Augsburg as a part of the new Ignite program. From my understanding, the position requires students to set up meetings with Augsburg Alum and to basically... talk with them.
Sounds pretty easy. And I love talking. And I get paid for it... so count me in.
I'm pretty sure the main goal of this is to keep Alumni involved with the school... Find out what they're doing... And of course to encourage them to donate money to Augsburg (which I realize is even more important now that scholarship weekend is over with... soooo much money is given to our students as financial aid and scholarships, it's amazing).
The day after that interview, I had an interview for the CA (Community Adviser) position. It's like the RA (Resident Adviser) position in Urness (I have the best RA ever... Avery), but it is in an Upperclassmen Resident Building. This is the job I really want... I basically get to organize events for my floor next year, be there for moral support if anyone ever needs to talk to me about anything, and then make sure that our entire floor gets along and loves each other (read: does not kill each other).
Oh, and did I mention that I get paid for that too?
So just last week, I got a call from Institutional Advancement and they told me that I got the Student Representative job.
I was ecstatic.
And then on Sunday, I had to do the second round of interviews for the CA position. It went very well... but now i have to wait a month until I found out if I got the job...
I can only pray....
About two weeks ago I had an interview for the Student Representative position... It's a new job at Augsburg as a part of the new Ignite program. From my understanding, the position requires students to set up meetings with Augsburg Alum and to basically... talk with them.
Sounds pretty easy. And I love talking. And I get paid for it... so count me in.
I'm pretty sure the main goal of this is to keep Alumni involved with the school... Find out what they're doing... And of course to encourage them to donate money to Augsburg (which I realize is even more important now that scholarship weekend is over with... soooo much money is given to our students as financial aid and scholarships, it's amazing).
The day after that interview, I had an interview for the CA (Community Adviser) position. It's like the RA (Resident Adviser) position in Urness (I have the best RA ever... Avery), but it is in an Upperclassmen Resident Building. This is the job I really want... I basically get to organize events for my floor next year, be there for moral support if anyone ever needs to talk to me about anything, and then make sure that our entire floor gets along and loves each other (read: does not kill each other).
Oh, and did I mention that I get paid for that too?
So just last week, I got a call from Institutional Advancement and they told me that I got the Student Representative job.
I was ecstatic.
And then on Sunday, I had to do the second round of interviews for the CA position. It went very well... but now i have to wait a month until I found out if I got the job...
I can only pray....
sigh.
Scholarship Weekend is over.
Yay.
It wasn't bad at all. I feel like I need to do much more for the Augsburg Community because I am in so much debt to the amount of money they have given me as a result of attending Scholarship Weekend last year.
And so Saturday night, via a 7 hour meeting, I did what I could to pay my dues. That's right, it took us 7 hours to evaluate the students that attended this weekend. However, I had a lot of fun. We hope to be adding a lot of GREAT leaders to the Honors program and I am excited for next year. The competition this year was stellar; I couldn't believe it.
It was also really interesting to see some of the professors outside of the school-setting... I even heard an F bomb or two. And a few interesting comments from Groven regarding pedophilia. It was a good time. And we were fed excellent food. And I had about three cans of pop and 100 hershey kisses.
So yes, I needed to go dancing at First Ave that night... It was a great time...which resulted in me determining that the coolest kids in Minneapolis are at First Ave every saturday night.
For reals.
Yay.
It wasn't bad at all. I feel like I need to do much more for the Augsburg Community because I am in so much debt to the amount of money they have given me as a result of attending Scholarship Weekend last year.
And so Saturday night, via a 7 hour meeting, I did what I could to pay my dues. That's right, it took us 7 hours to evaluate the students that attended this weekend. However, I had a lot of fun. We hope to be adding a lot of GREAT leaders to the Honors program and I am excited for next year. The competition this year was stellar; I couldn't believe it.
It was also really interesting to see some of the professors outside of the school-setting... I even heard an F bomb or two. And a few interesting comments from Groven regarding pedophilia. It was a good time. And we were fed excellent food. And I had about three cans of pop and 100 hershey kisses.
So yes, I needed to go dancing at First Ave that night... It was a great time...which resulted in me determining that the coolest kids in Minneapolis are at First Ave every saturday night.
For reals.
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Relax. Just do it.
I am completely ignoring my best interest of going to bed tonight.
I just got down with a 7 hour selection process for Honors. It's been exhausting. I've been running around since 6:45 this morning and I got very little sleep last night.
Right now, I need me some... yeah, u guessed it... TOO MUCH LOVE.
Me and a couple of my friends are going dancing right now. That's right, dancing.
We're going to First Ave.
Probably a bad idea, but I need to unwind after a long, stressful scholarship weekend.
And then, I will sleep all day tomorrow until my 2:00 interview for being a CA.
Wow...
I just got down with a 7 hour selection process for Honors. It's been exhausting. I've been running around since 6:45 this morning and I got very little sleep last night.
Right now, I need me some... yeah, u guessed it... TOO MUCH LOVE.
Me and a couple of my friends are going dancing right now. That's right, dancing.
We're going to First Ave.
Probably a bad idea, but I need to unwind after a long, stressful scholarship weekend.
And then, I will sleep all day tomorrow until my 2:00 interview for being a CA.
Wow...
Mean Girl
PS I also had another run-in with the mean DPS officer-student yesterday. I have always complained to Katie and Claire about how rude she is, and they didn't really believe me... Until they tried to talk to her yesterday and were surprised at how dead-on I was when describing her....
Grrr.
Grrr.
Scholarship Weekend
It's Scholarship Weekend today and yesterday... Which means I did not really get to relax this weekend because a lot of stuff needed to be done and I am hosting two prospective students.
Basically, about 90-100 students were chosen out of a really large pool of applicants because they applied for the Presidents Scholarship (which is actually harder to apply for than admission into Augsburg). They came here yesterday, sat through some speeches and stuff, walked around campus, brought their stuff to my room, ate dinner, and then did some of the events on campus.
I hosted two students, both from Rodgers. They were really nice guys, I just wasn't exactly sure how I was going to keep them entertained.
I teamed up with Claire and Katie and their two prospective students and we walked around campus a lil bit. We eventually made it up to the fourth floor of Urness, played some Ping Pong, and then a huge came of this catch-phrase-type game (it's better than catchphrase). We weren't exactly allowed to take them to any parties or off-campus, which is understandable. We still had a lot of fun anyway.
And then after a long night of fun and games, they had to get up at 6:45 am and get ready for the day.
I remember doing the exact same thing last year. I stayed with Phil, who happens to be one of the main honors student-planner-people-of-high-prestige, and there were about 6 prospective students sleeping on his floor. We walked around campus until about 2 in the morning.
And the next morning (basically today for all the prospective students) was one of the most important days of my life so far.... They all have to type an essay and have an interview with a couple faculty members and an upperclassmen. Today it will be decided who gets the huge scholarships...
And I've got a busy day ahead of me.... especially since Cole (friend from high school) is coming tonight and we're planning on going to the dance club "Too Much Love" at First Ave....
We'll see how it goes.
Basically, about 90-100 students were chosen out of a really large pool of applicants because they applied for the Presidents Scholarship (which is actually harder to apply for than admission into Augsburg). They came here yesterday, sat through some speeches and stuff, walked around campus, brought their stuff to my room, ate dinner, and then did some of the events on campus.
I hosted two students, both from Rodgers. They were really nice guys, I just wasn't exactly sure how I was going to keep them entertained.
I teamed up with Claire and Katie and their two prospective students and we walked around campus a lil bit. We eventually made it up to the fourth floor of Urness, played some Ping Pong, and then a huge came of this catch-phrase-type game (it's better than catchphrase). We weren't exactly allowed to take them to any parties or off-campus, which is understandable. We still had a lot of fun anyway.
And then after a long night of fun and games, they had to get up at 6:45 am and get ready for the day.
I remember doing the exact same thing last year. I stayed with Phil, who happens to be one of the main honors student-planner-people-of-high-prestige, and there were about 6 prospective students sleeping on his floor. We walked around campus until about 2 in the morning.
And the next morning (basically today for all the prospective students) was one of the most important days of my life so far.... They all have to type an essay and have an interview with a couple faculty members and an upperclassmen. Today it will be decided who gets the huge scholarships...
And I've got a busy day ahead of me.... especially since Cole (friend from high school) is coming tonight and we're planning on going to the dance club "Too Much Love" at First Ave....
We'll see how it goes.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
It's not personal... It's just business.
So I walked around Christensen this morning talking to people, bought a coffee, walked all the way to my marketing class, etc.... then guess what?
I realized that I had my sweatshirt on backwards the entire time.
It was fashion statement... I guess.
So last Thursday night, I studied for about three hours in the honors suite, interrupted by only one break to watch the new episode of the Office... I studied a lot for this Marketing Test, mostly because I assumed it was going to be really really hard. My teacher, who does not teach us much anyway, scared most of my class into thinking that it was going to be the hardest test ever.
So 40 minutes later, I'm done with it, out the door, and thinking that I most likely got every single question right. One of the easiest tests I've ever had, I can't even believe I studied as hard as I did.... Most of it was common sense.
So I got to lunch a little bit early, and therefore, Eli and Andy (my regular lunch buddies) were nowhere to be seen.
I decided to sit with my film professor, Mr. Cowgill. He asked me why I looked so bored, I told him that I was just somewhat pissed that I studied so hard for the easiest test of my life.
And then he basically asked me why the hell I am taking Marketing. I completely saw this coming from him.
And I guess I wanted to hear it.
So far, my business classes have kind of been a waste of time. Micro is kind of hard and I like it, but I'm still a little weary. Cowgill basically told me the same thing and said that I would learn more from taking other classes. He said that sociology, political science, history, or english would all be much more beneficial for me....
And the funny thing is, I have been thinking this the entire time, I guess I just needed someone to tell me that....
We'll see what happens.
I realized that I had my sweatshirt on backwards the entire time.
It was fashion statement... I guess.
So last Thursday night, I studied for about three hours in the honors suite, interrupted by only one break to watch the new episode of the Office... I studied a lot for this Marketing Test, mostly because I assumed it was going to be really really hard. My teacher, who does not teach us much anyway, scared most of my class into thinking that it was going to be the hardest test ever.
So 40 minutes later, I'm done with it, out the door, and thinking that I most likely got every single question right. One of the easiest tests I've ever had, I can't even believe I studied as hard as I did.... Most of it was common sense.
So I got to lunch a little bit early, and therefore, Eli and Andy (my regular lunch buddies) were nowhere to be seen.
I decided to sit with my film professor, Mr. Cowgill. He asked me why I looked so bored, I told him that I was just somewhat pissed that I studied so hard for the easiest test of my life.
And then he basically asked me why the hell I am taking Marketing. I completely saw this coming from him.
And I guess I wanted to hear it.
So far, my business classes have kind of been a waste of time. Micro is kind of hard and I like it, but I'm still a little weary. Cowgill basically told me the same thing and said that I would learn more from taking other classes. He said that sociology, political science, history, or english would all be much more beneficial for me....
And the funny thing is, I have been thinking this the entire time, I guess I just needed someone to tell me that....
We'll see what happens.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Bad Boys, Bad Boys, Watcha Gunna Do?
There is one student who works for DPS (department of public safety) that I really do not like.
Yes, she is probably doing her job... but she just isn't nice.
I have had three separate incidents with her. One time I called DPS to pick Katie and I up from the U of M law school. She asked "are you there yet?" and I said "Yes, I am walking there right now". Then she said "Ok, call back when you get there" then HUNG UP ON ME. Ok, whatever. I'm fine with that. Yes, I did tell her that I was walking her there. I just called her back precisely 1.5 seconds later and told her I was there (because I was).
The next time, on Superbowl Sunday, I had a room full of hungry people and a few pizzas to make. So, I went and got my RA so he could get the key from DPS. This particular student that I don't like (at this moment I forgave her for the first incident... it wasnt that big of a deal. I just wish she wouldn't have been so rude) was working. She told my RA that both keys were rented out and we would need to wait 10 minutes until they would probably be brought back. So my RA went back to his room and I went back to my room. 10 minutes later i called from my room and asked her if either of the keys were returned. She asked if I was an RA, I said no, and then she told me that "I can't give you that information". Seriously? You can't tell me if the keys for the kitchen have been returned?
Ok, she was probably just doing her job. But she was also being rude again.
And then today, I have my mom's car here... so naturally I went to DPS to get a visitors parkingpass. This has been the third time over the course of this year that i have needed to get a parking pass. However, that student was working and told me that she could not give me a parking pass unless my visitor came to get it. she would not give me one.... grrr... I just walked away, waited an hour until her shift was over, and then got a visitors pass from the next person working.
She is a meany.
Yes, she is probably doing her job... but she just isn't nice.
I have had three separate incidents with her. One time I called DPS to pick Katie and I up from the U of M law school. She asked "are you there yet?" and I said "Yes, I am walking there right now". Then she said "Ok, call back when you get there" then HUNG UP ON ME. Ok, whatever. I'm fine with that. Yes, I did tell her that I was walking her there. I just called her back precisely 1.5 seconds later and told her I was there (because I was).
The next time, on Superbowl Sunday, I had a room full of hungry people and a few pizzas to make. So, I went and got my RA so he could get the key from DPS. This particular student that I don't like (at this moment I forgave her for the first incident... it wasnt that big of a deal. I just wish she wouldn't have been so rude) was working. She told my RA that both keys were rented out and we would need to wait 10 minutes until they would probably be brought back. So my RA went back to his room and I went back to my room. 10 minutes later i called from my room and asked her if either of the keys were returned. She asked if I was an RA, I said no, and then she told me that "I can't give you that information". Seriously? You can't tell me if the keys for the kitchen have been returned?
Ok, she was probably just doing her job. But she was also being rude again.
And then today, I have my mom's car here... so naturally I went to DPS to get a visitors parkingpass. This has been the third time over the course of this year that i have needed to get a parking pass. However, that student was working and told me that she could not give me a parking pass unless my visitor came to get it. she would not give me one.... grrr... I just walked away, waited an hour until her shift was over, and then got a visitors pass from the next person working.
She is a meany.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Joy Ride
It is 11:34 pm.
Just got back from Rainbow Foods. Reason: I really really had a desire for chips.
Well, there's actually more to it than that... Today my family drove out to the cities because they are all going to Arizona to visit my grandmother. Which of course means that they brought the car to Augsburg, I drove them to the airport, and the best part.... I get the car until next Tuesday.
It is almost a mini-holiday for me.
Of course, you don't NEED a car at Augsburg.... that is really one of the points that they try and sell (enforce) to incoming students.
With that said, I WISH i had a car down here. It would be so much more convenient. I would probably only use it a couple times a week, but I would definitely get out a little bit more... Most of that has to do with the weather though. I would prefer walking and biking during the summer, but lately, it's been just too dang cold.
So after the long day of class, and the student government meeting (imagine being in the same room for 3 hours and 45 minutes!!!!! it was long) i came up to my room and wanted a snack.
And along with the car-holiday came special assortments of food and snacks. One of them being salsa con queso (YES!).. unfortunately i didn't have chips.
So katie and i left to go to Rainbow Foods at about 10:45 and then bought stuff and then drove around downtown minneapolis for absolutely no reason and drove absolutely nowhere. it was an adventure.
Just got back from Rainbow Foods. Reason: I really really had a desire for chips.
Well, there's actually more to it than that... Today my family drove out to the cities because they are all going to Arizona to visit my grandmother. Which of course means that they brought the car to Augsburg, I drove them to the airport, and the best part.... I get the car until next Tuesday.
It is almost a mini-holiday for me.
Of course, you don't NEED a car at Augsburg.... that is really one of the points that they try and sell (enforce) to incoming students.
With that said, I WISH i had a car down here. It would be so much more convenient. I would probably only use it a couple times a week, but I would definitely get out a little bit more... Most of that has to do with the weather though. I would prefer walking and biking during the summer, but lately, it's been just too dang cold.
So after the long day of class, and the student government meeting (imagine being in the same room for 3 hours and 45 minutes!!!!! it was long) i came up to my room and wanted a snack.
And along with the car-holiday came special assortments of food and snacks. One of them being salsa con queso (YES!).. unfortunately i didn't have chips.
So katie and i left to go to Rainbow Foods at about 10:45 and then bought stuff and then drove around downtown minneapolis for absolutely no reason and drove absolutely nowhere. it was an adventure.
Monday, February 9, 2009
Lazy Sunday
It took me about two days to fully recover from Saturday night.
I probably did not fall asleep Saturday night until about 5 AM for some odd reason... you can imagine that Sunday was spent doing pretty much nothing.
Every Monday/Wednesday/Friday i wake up for my 9:10 Microeconomics class and cry. For some reason it is so hard for me to get up (and yes, i know that it is not even that early... i do not know what is wrong with me... i don't go to bed that late...). Every day I contemplate skipping that class.
I have only skipped class once this semester (i skipped micro) and i fell behind pretty easily... it was a mistake. I won't do that again.
However, after Marketing class today, I feel like I could skip that class every day and be fine. It is kind of sad. I actually left class very frustrated and upset today. I have a marketing test next Friday, and I do not feel like i have learned a single thing!!!! GRRRRR!!!!
On other notes....
If Zack Snyder does it right, there is absolutely no reason why the Watchmen movie should not be nominated for best picture next year. ABSOLUTELY no reason. This movie is a filmmaker's dream. The entire story is basically perfect. If I were Snyder and this movie disappointed comic book fans, i would probably fear for my life. I can't wait to see this movie. So far the previews make it look average... I hope to be amazed.
I love the band "Iron and Wine"
Remember those two jumbo sized pizzas bryon and I ordered and obviously didnt finish? The bag full of pizza is mysteriously missing from my fridge... Nathaniel?
I probably did not fall asleep Saturday night until about 5 AM for some odd reason... you can imagine that Sunday was spent doing pretty much nothing.
Every Monday/Wednesday/Friday i wake up for my 9:10 Microeconomics class and cry. For some reason it is so hard for me to get up (and yes, i know that it is not even that early... i do not know what is wrong with me... i don't go to bed that late...). Every day I contemplate skipping that class.
I have only skipped class once this semester (i skipped micro) and i fell behind pretty easily... it was a mistake. I won't do that again.
However, after Marketing class today, I feel like I could skip that class every day and be fine. It is kind of sad. I actually left class very frustrated and upset today. I have a marketing test next Friday, and I do not feel like i have learned a single thing!!!! GRRRRR!!!!
On other notes....
If Zack Snyder does it right, there is absolutely no reason why the Watchmen movie should not be nominated for best picture next year. ABSOLUTELY no reason. This movie is a filmmaker's dream. The entire story is basically perfect. If I were Snyder and this movie disappointed comic book fans, i would probably fear for my life. I can't wait to see this movie. So far the previews make it look average... I hope to be amazed.
I love the band "Iron and Wine"
Remember those two jumbo sized pizzas bryon and I ordered and obviously didnt finish? The bag full of pizza is mysteriously missing from my fridge... Nathaniel?
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Too Much Love
Last night was a party.
It was not planned out entirely. On Wednesday, Lindsay (the girl from my high school who was planning on coming to Augsburg until a week before school started... she attends mankato state instead) decided that her and sara (another girl from my high school) were coming to the cities to visit me.
And this made me want to get all our minneapolis high school friends together. Blake and Kurt came over from the U of M, and Brooke came over from AVEDA. Even Cole drove here all the way from St. Johns.
Lindsay and Sarah went to the Mall of America first (typical: they had to buy outfits to wear for dancing that night.... i made fun of them a lil bit) then they came here and showered in katies bathroom and got ready.
All my high school friends went out to eat at The Old Spaghetti Factory. It was pretty good. I wasnt that hungry....
STORY TIME: Bryon and I were hungry around 1:30 in the afternoon. He had his car here and a coupon that his mom gave him for uptown pizza... buy one get one free. so we got in his car and started driving. We didnt know where the pizza joint was, but we luckilly found it. When we got there we couldnt decide what size we wanted... so we ordered a jumbo pizza for 22 bucks (and we got a second jumbo pizza for free). Between the two of us, we could not even finish one of those pizzas, so now, i have an entire half of the other pizza sitting in my fridge. gotta love leftovers :)
But back to my other story: i wasnt that hungry so i ordered one of the cheapest meals. With tips and everything i probably spent about 11 bucks.
We then proceeded back to my room, i called most of my augsburg friends, and we had a party in there. on average, there were about 20 people in my room. it was crazy.
finally, at about 10:30 we walked to the lightrail (i walked there in just a t-shirt because i did not want to pay for coat check-in at first ave.. it was surprisingly not-that-cold outside and i was fine).
We took the lightrail to the last stop downtown, walked to First Ave, and we all danced.
Definitely one of the best nights I had here.
It was not planned out entirely. On Wednesday, Lindsay (the girl from my high school who was planning on coming to Augsburg until a week before school started... she attends mankato state instead) decided that her and sara (another girl from my high school) were coming to the cities to visit me.
And this made me want to get all our minneapolis high school friends together. Blake and Kurt came over from the U of M, and Brooke came over from AVEDA. Even Cole drove here all the way from St. Johns.
Lindsay and Sarah went to the Mall of America first (typical: they had to buy outfits to wear for dancing that night.... i made fun of them a lil bit) then they came here and showered in katies bathroom and got ready.
All my high school friends went out to eat at The Old Spaghetti Factory. It was pretty good. I wasnt that hungry....
STORY TIME: Bryon and I were hungry around 1:30 in the afternoon. He had his car here and a coupon that his mom gave him for uptown pizza... buy one get one free. so we got in his car and started driving. We didnt know where the pizza joint was, but we luckilly found it. When we got there we couldnt decide what size we wanted... so we ordered a jumbo pizza for 22 bucks (and we got a second jumbo pizza for free). Between the two of us, we could not even finish one of those pizzas, so now, i have an entire half of the other pizza sitting in my fridge. gotta love leftovers :)
But back to my other story: i wasnt that hungry so i ordered one of the cheapest meals. With tips and everything i probably spent about 11 bucks.
We then proceeded back to my room, i called most of my augsburg friends, and we had a party in there. on average, there were about 20 people in my room. it was crazy.
finally, at about 10:30 we walked to the lightrail (i walked there in just a t-shirt because i did not want to pay for coat check-in at first ave.. it was surprisingly not-that-cold outside and i was fine).
We took the lightrail to the last stop downtown, walked to First Ave, and we all danced.
Definitely one of the best nights I had here.
Friday, February 6, 2009
There's a Class for This
New semester = new classes.
This is what's up:
Intro to Microeconomics. Professor Norgard.
Microeconomics is kind of a fancy word that people use to explain buying using graphs and numbers... so liking and being good at math is kind of expected.
Fortunately, I like math.
Unfortunately, I don't remember a lot of stuff from my calc class... but at least i'm not going to take physics. I heard that class is hell.
So far I like this class. I find it really interesting; in fact, i was actually thinking about minoring in the economic-business program. It is still a possibility but most likely not going to happen.
Class is interesting, but not all that exciting. Mostly powerpoints and explanations. The teacher is alright: he is a young guy and he seems to know his stuff. He likes extreme outdoor sports (rock climbing, etc...) and always likes to talk about the glory games of ndsu while trash talking the gophers. Homework is done on the internet with about one online assignment a week, not too hard. Unfortunately, I forgot to do the assignments twice already. I think I will be fine, but i know that the tests will be pretty hard...
Principles of Marketing, Professor Lohman
Meh... I don't know yet. My professor knows a lot about the subject matter, but I don't really think i am learning that much so far. She told us that one student has described her class as "death by powerpoint" so she is trying to liven it up a little bit... she has been somewhat successful. Class gets interesting once in a while when we go off on a tangent and start talking about funny commercials. I have yet to get a homework assignment for this class, but i'm thinking that she is going to surprise us all with a rediculously hard test.
Honors Science and Citizenship, Professors Engebretsen, Kuntz, & Butkowski
I hate science.
I HATE science.
This class is designed for honors students who are not majoring in a scientific field. The topic of this semesters class is natural disasters. We study catastrophes, health epedemics, weather disasters, etc in an effort to make the class more interesting. The lectures are probably some of the most boring lectures i have ever had. Nothing against the professors; they are all great people (I have 3 different professors team-teaching the class. they all have different scientific specialities) It is a lab science, which means I have to wake up at 8 am on tuesdays and sit in a lab for 3 hours (the labs are pretty fun so far), then i have 50 minutes to eat and then i have to go back to class at 11:50 for another hour and a half. I kinda hate tuesdays... cause right after class i have to sit through another hour and a half of....
Honors Liberating Letters, Professor Groven
This is my favorite class though this semester. And Groven is my favorite teacher. I would put some of his jokes online, but unless you know the man, they might seem somewhat innappropriate. The class basically studies Western literature and how it has affected the world we live in... and we do it in a really fun way. Example: we just finished reading the odyssey. Now, one group of students (the Crockett Firm) is charging Odysseus with (something along the lines of) First Degree Robbery, stealing sheep and rams from the cyclops and all that jazz. The class is super-interesting.
So, what i thought would be a difficult semester full of homework is a little less difficult and homework-filled than what i thought it would be.
oh well, no worries. it gives me more time to work on my films.
This is what's up:
Intro to Microeconomics. Professor Norgard.
Microeconomics is kind of a fancy word that people use to explain buying using graphs and numbers... so liking and being good at math is kind of expected.
Fortunately, I like math.
Unfortunately, I don't remember a lot of stuff from my calc class... but at least i'm not going to take physics. I heard that class is hell.
So far I like this class. I find it really interesting; in fact, i was actually thinking about minoring in the economic-business program. It is still a possibility but most likely not going to happen.
Class is interesting, but not all that exciting. Mostly powerpoints and explanations. The teacher is alright: he is a young guy and he seems to know his stuff. He likes extreme outdoor sports (rock climbing, etc...) and always likes to talk about the glory games of ndsu while trash talking the gophers. Homework is done on the internet with about one online assignment a week, not too hard. Unfortunately, I forgot to do the assignments twice already. I think I will be fine, but i know that the tests will be pretty hard...
Principles of Marketing, Professor Lohman
Meh... I don't know yet. My professor knows a lot about the subject matter, but I don't really think i am learning that much so far. She told us that one student has described her class as "death by powerpoint" so she is trying to liven it up a little bit... she has been somewhat successful. Class gets interesting once in a while when we go off on a tangent and start talking about funny commercials. I have yet to get a homework assignment for this class, but i'm thinking that she is going to surprise us all with a rediculously hard test.
Honors Science and Citizenship, Professors Engebretsen, Kuntz, & Butkowski
I hate science.
I HATE science.
This class is designed for honors students who are not majoring in a scientific field. The topic of this semesters class is natural disasters. We study catastrophes, health epedemics, weather disasters, etc in an effort to make the class more interesting. The lectures are probably some of the most boring lectures i have ever had. Nothing against the professors; they are all great people (I have 3 different professors team-teaching the class. they all have different scientific specialities) It is a lab science, which means I have to wake up at 8 am on tuesdays and sit in a lab for 3 hours (the labs are pretty fun so far), then i have 50 minutes to eat and then i have to go back to class at 11:50 for another hour and a half. I kinda hate tuesdays... cause right after class i have to sit through another hour and a half of....
Honors Liberating Letters, Professor Groven
This is my favorite class though this semester. And Groven is my favorite teacher. I would put some of his jokes online, but unless you know the man, they might seem somewhat innappropriate. The class basically studies Western literature and how it has affected the world we live in... and we do it in a really fun way. Example: we just finished reading the odyssey. Now, one group of students (the Crockett Firm) is charging Odysseus with (something along the lines of) First Degree Robbery, stealing sheep and rams from the cyclops and all that jazz. The class is super-interesting.
So, what i thought would be a difficult semester full of homework is a little less difficult and homework-filled than what i thought it would be.
oh well, no worries. it gives me more time to work on my films.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Things I like.
Pandora.com
I am obsessed with the Mason Jennings station. That is all I have been listening to lately. It blows my mind how awesome Pandora.com is.
Taco Bell
Until I came to college, I had taco bell once in my life (and it was a bad experience because I can't stand guacamole and it was all over whatever-it-was-that-i-ordered. Unknowingly, i took a huge bite...eww.) That was until I came to Augsburg and fell in love with crunch-wrap supremes. wow. my mouth is watering right now. recently however, i have had to make budget cuts thanks to the economy (and my growing waistline) so i am limiting myself to one tacobell visit a month. (which unofficially becomes taco bell day, a great celebration). (ps i cant believe i just wrote that much about taco bell).
People-watching
Free entertainment. 'Nuff said. (the lightrail or Mall of America are my favorite spots for this... I swear Katie and I could people watch for hours)
Ice-cream
I thank the heavens that my roommate bought a freezer. Over winter break, Katie introduced me to Ben and Jerrys (my mommy always ordered ice-cream from the Schwanns man, which is delicous) and it is awesome (Cherry Garcia, woot woot!). BUT, for some reason the cafeteria no longer puts out ice-cream during ANY meals. WHAT THE HECK? (Budget cuts--see "taco bell" above-- have lessened my ice cream consumption yet led to the frustration of not getting free ice cream any more).
The Godfather Trilogy (but the Godfather book is better)
Francis Ford Copolla is bomb. It is my aspiration to become a consigliere. I'm actually thinking about dropping out of school, moving to New York and begging the first mob family i see to let me do it.
Amazon.com
the movie "Raging Bull" for 20 bucks at FYE? somewhat tempting.... the same movie bought used at near mint condition from Amazon.com for only 7 dollars. Yes sir.
Kurt Warner
I was hesitant about you at first, old man, but you won me over. I think that you are a genuinely nice man and you deserved to win another SuperBowl. Unfortunately, the Steelers made a few amazing plays and you lost. Damn...
When Nathaniel Takes Out the Garbage
There had been a box of 17 empty pop cans, various plastics, an old dirty rotten molding salsa jar, and some nasty smelly soup cans laying in a corner of my room. I was counting down the days until my roommate would finally take these things out to be recycled, considering 100% of the things in there belonged to him. Three weeks later: Thank you Nathaniel, and congratulations.
The Movie Theater in the Mall of America
Five dollar movies on weekdays? Why did I not know that before?!?!?!?
Sleep
But not naps. New Years resolution: don't take as many naps. Therefore, I have a greater appreciation of actually real sleeping and it is awesome. I also switched down to the bottom bunk this semester (taking turns is good) and it is wayyy better. I can not put it into words how awesome this is.
I am obsessed with the Mason Jennings station. That is all I have been listening to lately. It blows my mind how awesome Pandora.com is.
Taco Bell
Until I came to college, I had taco bell once in my life (and it was a bad experience because I can't stand guacamole and it was all over whatever-it-was-that-i-ordered. Unknowingly, i took a huge bite...eww.) That was until I came to Augsburg and fell in love with crunch-wrap supremes. wow. my mouth is watering right now. recently however, i have had to make budget cuts thanks to the economy (and my growing waistline) so i am limiting myself to one tacobell visit a month. (which unofficially becomes taco bell day, a great celebration). (ps i cant believe i just wrote that much about taco bell).
People-watching
Free entertainment. 'Nuff said. (the lightrail or Mall of America are my favorite spots for this... I swear Katie and I could people watch for hours)
Ice-cream
I thank the heavens that my roommate bought a freezer. Over winter break, Katie introduced me to Ben and Jerrys (my mommy always ordered ice-cream from the Schwanns man, which is delicous) and it is awesome (Cherry Garcia, woot woot!). BUT, for some reason the cafeteria no longer puts out ice-cream during ANY meals. WHAT THE HECK? (Budget cuts--see "taco bell" above-- have lessened my ice cream consumption yet led to the frustration of not getting free ice cream any more).
The Godfather Trilogy (but the Godfather book is better)
Francis Ford Copolla is bomb. It is my aspiration to become a consigliere. I'm actually thinking about dropping out of school, moving to New York and begging the first mob family i see to let me do it.
Amazon.com
the movie "Raging Bull" for 20 bucks at FYE? somewhat tempting.... the same movie bought used at near mint condition from Amazon.com for only 7 dollars. Yes sir.
Kurt Warner
I was hesitant about you at first, old man, but you won me over. I think that you are a genuinely nice man and you deserved to win another SuperBowl. Unfortunately, the Steelers made a few amazing plays and you lost. Damn...
When Nathaniel Takes Out the Garbage
There had been a box of 17 empty pop cans, various plastics, an old dirty rotten molding salsa jar, and some nasty smelly soup cans laying in a corner of my room. I was counting down the days until my roommate would finally take these things out to be recycled, considering 100% of the things in there belonged to him. Three weeks later: Thank you Nathaniel, and congratulations.
The Movie Theater in the Mall of America
Five dollar movies on weekdays? Why did I not know that before?!?!?!?
Sleep
But not naps. New Years resolution: don't take as many naps. Therefore, I have a greater appreciation of actually real sleeping and it is awesome. I also switched down to the bottom bunk this semester (taking turns is good) and it is wayyy better. I can not put it into words how awesome this is.
Books?
My hometown has a really tiny video-rental store... As much as I used to spend there, I probably could have bought the entire store.
Going to Cash-Wise to rent from the old section (77 cents for a week-long rental) was, basically, heaven to me.
So, naturally, I thought that I knew a lot about movies.
That was until I came to Augsburg and a majority of the other film majors completely showed me up with their abundance of movie-knowing knowledge.
After briefly chatting with my film professor from last semester about movies or books I should be watching and reading (Mr. Cowgill--he is a very very very smart man) he responded, "Be as promiscuous as possible." He further explained something along the lines of, "Watch as much as you can... and when you have the choice, pick up a book instead." I told him that I would probably visit him sometime soon at his office for a list because I was in a hurry and had to leave....
...So today, after being very productive and getting everything else done, I went to the library--a place that I have not visited as often as I did earlier in the year.
And so I did something else that I haven't done yet... I just walked around looking for interesting books.
So imagine the big smile that came across my face when I found the film section of the library (a beautiful place that I have never encountered before) and gazed upon the hundreds of books about film.
I picked out two books...
"Truffaut (A Biography)" by Antoine De Baecque and Serge Toubiana.
After seeing three of Truffaut's films, he has easily become one of my favorite directors. I definitely need to see more French New Wave movies... they are not created solely for entertainment as most Hollywood movies are, but rather to convey an aspect of humanity. Please watch "400 Blows" and then ask yourself, "What does this tell me about society?" I would love to hear your answers and thoughts.
I also picked up:
"Becoming a Film Literate" by Vincent LoBrutto
It is a collection of essays about favorite films that reflect certain aspects of film theory and practice. I already read 3 or 4 of the essays and I love it. I will keep you updated.
PS. my roommate listens to extremely crappy music.
Going to Cash-Wise to rent from the old section (77 cents for a week-long rental) was, basically, heaven to me.
So, naturally, I thought that I knew a lot about movies.
That was until I came to Augsburg and a majority of the other film majors completely showed me up with their abundance of movie-knowing knowledge.
After briefly chatting with my film professor from last semester about movies or books I should be watching and reading (Mr. Cowgill--he is a very very very smart man) he responded, "Be as promiscuous as possible." He further explained something along the lines of, "Watch as much as you can... and when you have the choice, pick up a book instead." I told him that I would probably visit him sometime soon at his office for a list because I was in a hurry and had to leave....
...So today, after being very productive and getting everything else done, I went to the library--a place that I have not visited as often as I did earlier in the year.
And so I did something else that I haven't done yet... I just walked around looking for interesting books.
So imagine the big smile that came across my face when I found the film section of the library (a beautiful place that I have never encountered before) and gazed upon the hundreds of books about film.
I picked out two books...
"Truffaut (A Biography)" by Antoine De Baecque and Serge Toubiana.
After seeing three of Truffaut's films, he has easily become one of my favorite directors. I definitely need to see more French New Wave movies... they are not created solely for entertainment as most Hollywood movies are, but rather to convey an aspect of humanity. Please watch "400 Blows" and then ask yourself, "What does this tell me about society?" I would love to hear your answers and thoughts.
I also picked up:
"Becoming a Film Literate" by Vincent LoBrutto
It is a collection of essays about favorite films that reflect certain aspects of film theory and practice. I already read 3 or 4 of the essays and I love it. I will keep you updated.
PS. my roommate listens to extremely crappy music.
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