Alex's Soundtrack

I just want to start off by saying that I went home on Wednesday afternoon, and I wrote my project and I've tried several times to get my videos to post and they will not. And I'm not sure if its my location, or the weather, but I could not get them to post. So there is a link to every video. I'm sorry.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IltAsKmVroQ



The first video I have posted is one from the movie Beauty and the Beast, written by Alan Menken, this song is the introduction to the movie and is how we first meet the main character Belle. She is walking through the town, book in hand reading, while Gaston, is plotting ways to win her heart. Everyone is talking about how strange Belle is, and she has absolutely no idea because she is so absorbed in her book. When I was a little girl, I used to love to dress up and pretend I was Belle, I would carry around a blue book and a basket and make my grandfather dress pretend to be Gaston. We'd reenact a scene where Gaston takes the book from Belle in an effort to get her attention, when she kept trying to get it from him he tossed it into muddy water. The book I had was from a Reader's Digest book club that my grandmother was a member of. The cover was a light blue with a checkered style pattern, and it had many divots and chunks out of the corners from being tossed around, and beaten up. The binding had broken and the pages were literally hanging out of its cover. Inside it was the likes of Dicken's and Benchley, and many of the corners of the pages had a slight crease in them, from their times of serving as bookmarks.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ov4tE7XRTUA


The second video I have posted is one that is once again from the Disney movie Beauty and the Beast, and was also written by Alan Menken. The song is called "Be our Guest", in the video, Lumiere the candlestick, Cogsworth the clock, and Mrs. Pott's the teapot, along with all the dishes in the castle, prepare a meal for Belle, all the while putting on an entertaining show for her. Mrs. Pott's prepares tea for Belle to have with dessert. When I was a little girl, I was given a authentic Disney tea set. Mrs. Pott's, her son Chip, and 3 other teacups were included. I would set them all up and visualize all the silverware dancing around me. Mrs. Pott's was a beautiful teapot. She was a creamy white color with an intricate pattern on both her lid, and bottom. The purple, pink, teal, and gold designs formed a diamond-like pattern on the bottom of her, as well as on all the cups. Her lid was a light purple, with a gold highlight that formed a crown that had a pink jewel within it, so it could be lifted from her head. Each cup had a gold rim, and Chip, likened to his name had a small chip on the left side of the rim. He was by far the cutest cup, with big bright eyes and a smile on his face.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_pPUmv3U2XY


The third video I have posted is from Disney's The Little Mermaid, another song written by Alan Menken, that's called "Part of Your World". The song starts off with Ariel in her grotto with her best friend Flounder. She is an avid collector of human trinkets that have been lost at sea, and she wants to have a deeper understanding for human life. For my 4th birthday, I got an Ariel doll. She had long curly red hair, a purple seashell bra, and teal and magenta sequined and sparkly fins. On her back, she had a button that could be pressed to make her speak. She said three phrases, "Oh Flounder, you're such a guppy," "I want to be part of your world," and she sang, "Ahhhh, ahhhhahahhh." She had on purple eyeshadow, and red lipstick. Her fins could be removed to reveal legs, and a pink sequined dress that could be put on her so she could truly become human, which is when Ariel was truly at her happiest because she could be with her true love Eric. All Ariel wanted was to be a part of his world. And I was more than happy to have her as a part of mine.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TkV-of_eN2w


The fourth video I have posted is one from the movie Pocahontas, called "Colors of the Wind" written once again by Alan Menken, starts off with Pocahontas and John Smith, and their differences. Pocahontas thinks that John has a lot to learn about the environment in which she lives. She thinks he only sees things for what they are and never looks any deeper. Throughout the video she takes him through the land to see things through a different perspective. In one scene of the video, there is a multi-colored sky. Whenever I see this, I am instantly reminded of my Tye-dyed Pocahontas t-shirt. It was probably the most hideous thing ever created, but I absolutely loved it. It was Tye-dyed, with vibrant colors of red, blue, yellow and green, and at the bottom of the shirt was strings that had beads on them to suggest authenticity, because it looked very similar to something Native Americans would wear. I would put it on and go outside and run through my backyard and feel so free, and as I look back now, I think of how simple and care-free things were. Similar to the way Pocahontas lived before the white man took over her land.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LG2QpktmYqY


The fifth video I have posted is one from the movie the Aristocat's, it's called "The Piano Lesson", was written by Georges Bizet. The video begins with the two kittens Marie and Berlioz going to the piano to practice their scales. Marie is a white kitten with a pink bow in her hair, and is desperately trying to be like her mother. She is doing the singing while Berlioz is playing the piano. He is very reluctant and just wants to play. When I hear this, I am reminded of my days of learning to play the piano, and just how reluctantly I approached playing the piano. I never wanted to sit at that giant thing for hours at a time and learn new songs. The piano in my church where I took my lessons was a huge brown Baldwin piano. It had an intricate flower-like pattern that was etched deep within the pecan wood, white and black ivory keys, and copper pedals. When each key was played, it gave off a warm, deep sound that one can feel within. Many hymns had been played on the keys, each and every morning at the people of the congregation filled the pews. The stool was also made of the pecan wood, and was very tarnished from all the people who had filled the seat before me.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ejEVczA8PLU


The sixth video I have posted is one from the Lion King called "Hakuna Matata" and was written by Elton John. It starts out with Simba, the lion cub, who had recently run away from his pride, meeting Timon and Pumba. They are two characters who have no worries in life and live in a paradise. There are no expectations, rules, or responsibilities where they live. And that is exactly what Simba is looking for. In the video, he is asked to try something new, and so he let's go of any inhibitions he had about it, and did it. Every time I hear that song I am reminded of the calamari I was persuaded into trying. A squid is a pale, slimy, stringy, nasty looking creature. It in no way resembled steak, pork chops, or even shrimp. Each leg was long, skinny, and stringy. It was deep fried in a crispy golden crust, and bore a striking resemblance to an onion ring at the right angle, so I let my inhibitions go, dipped it in marinara sauce, and took a bite. I was pleasantly surprised. The thing I thought would taste like a dirty rubber band was actually really really good. That was the day I decided that I would always try something new. Just let it go. Hakuna Matata.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2OMsuwggg4


The final video I have is one from the Hunchback of Notre Dame called "Dance La Esmeralda", written once again by Alan Menken. In the video, the town jester introduces the gypsy Esmeralda as she dances in her vivid costume. For Halloween one year, I wanted to be Esmeralda. So my mom took me to the Disney Store and got me the costume along with a long black wig. It was a beautiful dress, a dark red with gold crescent moon and star designs, and purple sheer, sequined sleeves. From them hung gold sequined moons and stars. Around the waist of the dress was a purple sash that cinched it together, and the gold sequins also hung from it. The costume also came with a sheer purple scarf that was to be used as a shawl and put around one's shoulders. The wig was black, think, and curly, just like hers. In it was a gold crown with a ruby within it. Esmeralda wore large gold hoop earrings and bracelets, as did I. Her spirit is true of her role in the movie. She is very carefree, and she dances like she has nothing to worry about in the world. And I think that was my reasoning for liking her so much.

Course as a Learning Experience (Post #20)

Throughout this course, we have been asked to perform several writing projects. Many of which I had never even heard of, and it was a very difficult course. Coming into Wesleyan, I think one of my biggest worries was writing, and I honestly did not feel that my previous high school writing experience had prepared me for my college English courses. I had always been in upper level English, and I had been pushed before, but I was in no way prepared for Professor Ware, and the way he would push his students. I'd always just done the assignments given to me, and I had never really learned to think outside the box and deeply analyze things. I've never had to think so in depth about writing before. And after taking this course, it’s all changed.

I learned a lot about myself this semester, as far as who I am as a writer is concerned. In writing project one, I found that I am very capable of observing things, and writing about what I see, but that I reflect on things in a way I never even knew possible. In writing project two, I found that I absolutely hate the idea of rhetorically analyzing just about anything. It was very interesting when it was applied to the rhetoric of the vice presidential and presidential candidates, but I found myself having a very hard time applying it outside of class. The whole idea of rhetoric I found to be extremely boring, and writing a paper about a painting was just definitely not for me. I hope that I never have to do it again. Writing project three seems like it is going to be a very interesting project. I absolutely love music and I constantly find myself listening to songs and remembering things, people, and events that occurred when I was listening to that song. So reflecting upon that will be a very fun project for me.

As a writer I've found that it is much more productive for me to write about something I'm passionate about, and then analyze it and reflect upon it. I never really realized how insightful I was until this class. I found this very clear when we were asked to free write. I think that working with other students and letting them read my work definitely helped me in the long run, and I enjoyed getting peer reviews, and hated getting reviews from Professor Ware, mostly because he would go off on a tangent that was not only over my head, but illegible.
Good writing to me is something that is hard to come by. It’s something that I read and then walk away from with a whole different perspective on, and it should leave the writer with a sense of fulfillment within. As a writer, it’s great to get good grades on a paper, but if I hate it, and I’m not satisfied with it, then the grade seems pointless for me. I am no longer writing to appease anyone but myself. My writing style has completely changed after taking this class. And I am truly grateful for that.

Autobiography 3

One of the most comforting things a child can have growing up comes in the form of a tiny little brown bear. My favorite bear, Roger, was as much of a comfort to me when I was 5 years old as it is now that I am 19. Roger was a dark, rich brown bear with long curved arms and spoonlike paws. He had long fur, that I loved to snuggle my face into when I was hugging him. He has a hole in the top of his head that's come with old age, and his plastic black nose is worn down. He has deep dark brown eyes, that are so loving and warm.
He has constantly been waiting for me, tucked safely in bed, just laying around hoping that his friend will come see him again. He lies with a pillow under his head, blankets tight around him up to his neck. He has been, and will always will be a friend. Even though I'm now grown, his still loves how I show all my emotions to him, the brown ball of fluff that he is. He will always be there, when my life isn't so easy, if I need to cry, or when I was just tired inside. Always there to give me a hug, always so full of love. Roger was a gift from my grandmother who had long passes. He was my reminder of her, each and every day when she was no longer around. When I missed her, Roger would always be there to help me out and bring a smile to my face. In my mind, he has always been a way for me to communicate with her, and he will someday be the way that my children will communicate with me.

Autobiography 2

My favorite toy as a child? Well, it is one my whole family has not forgotten. As a matter of face, almost 12 years later, it is still in use. My favorite toy was probably the ugliest looking thing anyone had ever seen. I think the best description I could give is Raggety Ann on crack. She had yellow hair, a blue dress, a red body, and a blue face. Her smile was the only thing that was the least bit human. This "thing" was a doll. It was given to me on my first birthday as a gift. My grandma brought it to me on one of her annual visits. I'm not really sure what I ever saw in this toy. Part of me thinks I did it to annoy my mother. At first glance, I thought it was the most horrible thing I'd ever seen, but to be polite, I acted like I loved it. I took her from my grandma, and headed up to my room where all my other dolls resided. I decided to name her Betty Lou, and play tea party with her. She soon became attached to me, and I refused to leave her behind regardless of where we were going, she even went to school with me. She'd sit in my backpack in my cubby and await my return. One night, I couldn't find her. We had been playing at my grandma's and when we came home I couldn't find her. I was horrified. My best friend was missing. The house was turned upside down in the search for Betty Lou. She was thankfully safe and sound, just simply hiding under the couch. Betty Lou hated taking a bath, and I used to have to hide her from my mother, and I caught her trying to sneak in and steal Betty from my grasp to wash her. Betty had her own place at the table and in the car, as well as her own bath towel and table setting. Betty had truly become my best friend.

Ask me about it now, and you'll get a blush. I don't remember all these things. After I started packing for college and came across her again , I thought putting her on a special shelf was the best way, but I think she was soon stuffed in the toy box. My mom pulled her out when I was home for break to surprise me, and I'd honestly not only forgotten about her, but thought she was long gone. Tears came to my eyes and I loved her once again. Not with the same passion of course, but true love just the same.

Autobiography 1

When I was a little girl, I had a pair of high heels, that belonged to my great grandmother, and then my grandma, and then my mother, and then to me. They are quite the beautiful shoe, 3 inch heel, solid black, velvety, and pristine in condition. They were worth a solid hundred dollars or more when they were purchased and had accumulated much more worth throughout the years. In their day they had been worn to parties, social events, funerals, and graduations. While cleaning out my closet one day I came across them and as I touched the heel of the shoe, was reminded of all my days running around and pretending to be Cinderella. Running down the stairs, losing my slipper, and then awaiting Prince Charming in the comfort of our Lazy-Boy.

I began to remember how I used to believe in fairy tales? That fantasy of what my life would be, white dress, Prince Charming who would carry me away to a castle on a hill. I'd lie in bed at night and close my eyes, and I had complete and utter faith. Santa Claus, the Tooth Fairy, Prince Charming, they were so close, I could taste them. But eventually, I grew-up. One day, I woke up, opened my eyes, and the fairy tale disappeared. Most people turn to the things and people they can trust. But the thing is, its hard to let go of that fairy tale completely, because almost everyone still has that smallest bit of hope, of faith, that one day they'll open their eyes and it will all come true.