MY DASHBOARD

Netvibes is a website that helps the computer user have access to all of his or her favorite websites all on one page. I don't find it all that useful just because I'm used to having all my favorite sites pinned as bookmarks in my web browser. I use google chrome and just open up different tabs with whatever pages I need to have open. Here's my dashboard.

PHONAR14 VIDEO

• a photographer could be anyone with the the passion and ability to take a picture
• phonar is about habits
• a photograph is physical, fixed in time, 2D
• there is a difference between the photo and the image
• the photo is more about the experience than the evidence
• most photographers keep their photos on the internet
• photos aren't really rectangular or square, they make them that way for convenience
• "the mode of delivery has shaped the way we perceive the mode of information"
• the mode of info is photography
• "we travel looking in a rearview mirror"
• more experienced photographers have a better perspective
• digital literacy is different than photography
• trans media is when a story is told on multiple platforms: fan fiction, video games, ect.
• trust is a large element of an image

VOCAB #4

obsequious	adj. attentive in an ingratiating or servile manner; attempting to win favor from influential people by flattery ex: The presidential candidate was obsequious in his campaign.
beatitude	noun one of the eight sayings of Jesus at the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount; in Latin each saying begins with `beatus' (blessed); a state of supreme happiness ex: The squirrel was is beatitude when he was surrounded by acorns.
Bête noire	Noun a person or thing strongly detested or avoided ex: The weird kid in math class was a béte noire and nobody wanted to sit next to him
bode	verb indicate by signs ex: The third base coach boded to the batter, secretly telling him to bunt.
dank	adj. unpleasantly cool and humid ex: The wedding was a disaster thanks to the dank weather.
ecumenical	adj. of worldwide scope or applicability; concerned with promoting unity among churches or religions ex: The new film gave a ecumenical approach to the tragic 9/11 terrorist event.
fervid	adj. extremely hot; characterized by intense emotion ex: The conductor fervidly boded to the orchestra.
fetid	adj. offensively malodorous; having a strong, offensive smell ex: The locker room radiated a fetid odor after the football team were done changing.
gargantuan	adj. of great mass; huge and bulky ex: The gargantuan gargoyle gargled green grapes while grinding gears in his garage.
heyday	noun the period of greatest prosperity or productivity ex:
incubus	noun a male demon believed to lie on sleeping persons and to have sexual intercourse with sleeping women; someone who depresses or worries others; a situation resembling a terrifying dream
infrastructure	noun the stock of basic facilities and capital equipment needed for the functioning of a country or area; the basic structure or features of a system or organization
inveigle	verb influence or urge by gentle urging, caressing, or flattering
kudos	noun an expression of approval and commendation
lagniappe	noun a small gift (especially one given by a merchant to a customer who makes a purchase)
prolix	adj. tediously prolonged or tending to speak or write at great length
protege	noun a person who receives support and protection from an influential patron who furthers the protege's career
prototype	noun a standard or typical example
sycophant	noun a person who tries to please someone in order to gain a personal advantage
tautology	noun useless repetition; (logic) a statement that is necessarily true
truckle	noun a low bed to be slid under a higher bed; verb yield to out of weakness; try to gain favor by cringing or flattering

Canterbury Tales Notes (p.90-115)

Geoffrey Chaucer Bio  

• lived a portion of his life in the Medieval Times
• Chaucer was an apprentice for the son of a monarch of England and was introduced to the aristocratic society this way
• Serving the English Army, he was captured and held prisoner until King Edward paid for his ransom
• he began writing in his early 20s writing poems about European poets
• his most famous work was The Canterbury Tales which he might have written because he was on the pilgrimage to Canterbury
• In it, he tells the tales of people on their way to Canterbury
• The tales encompass medieval literature such as romance, comedy, rhyme, prose, crude humor, and religious mysteries
• Considered the greatest English poet and the father of english poetry

Bede Notes (p.72-84)

• Bede was one of the few Britons of his time who was literate and took advantage of that to read and record historic texts for future generations
• The geography of Britain is an island surrounded by the countries Spain and France; it is good land for farming and livestock
• there is a wide variety of land, air, and sea life
• Latin is the common medium for languages developing in that region
• The Picts settled on an island east of the coast of Britain because the Scots told them they could 

• the weather in Ireland was far better it was in Britain which meant easier settlement and survival

• the Scots chose Ireland to claim as their homeland for these reasons

• The Danish settlers began attacking neighboring civilizations to claim as their own

• The Danes shattered through the English defenses with their ships and firepower

• The Englishmen were surrounded and were at the mercy of the Danish army

Character List and mini analysis
The Host (Harry Bailey) The owner of the Tabard Inn, who volunteers to travel with the pilgrims. He promises to keep everyone happy, be their guide and arbiter in disputes, and judge the tales.The Knight Socially the most prominent person on the pilgrimage, epitomizing chivalry, truth, and honor. He stands apart from the other pilgrims because of his dignity and status.
The Miller A drunken, brash, and vulgar man who rudely interrupts the Host, demands that his tale be next, and warns everyone that his tale about a carpenter will be vulgar because it is true.
The Reeve A very old and irritable man who was once a carpenter. He resents the Miller's tale about a stupid old carpenter.
The Man of Law (or Sergeant of Law) A lawyer and one of the high justices of the court. He is cautious, suspicious, and wise, and one of the more cultivated men among the pilgrims.
Roger, the Cook Known for his cooking and characterized by a chancre sore that runs with pus. His story is incomplete.
The Wife of Bath (Alisoun) Characterized as gat-toothed, somewhat deaf, and wearing bright scarlet red stockings. She has had five husbands (the last half her age), enjoys her freedom, and is openly sensual.
Hubert, the Friar A sensual, licentious man who seduces young girls and then arranges their marriages. He loves money and knows the taverns better than the poor houses.
The Summoner An officer of the church who calls people for a church trial. He is as ugly as his profession; he frightens children with his red complexion, pimples and boils, and skin infected with scales.
The Clerk A sincere, devout student at Oxford University who loves learning and is respected by all the pilgrims. He is very poor because he spends all his money on books.
The Merchant A shrewd and intelligent man who knows how to strike a good bargain and is a member of the rich rising middle class.
The Squire A vain, lusty young man and a candidate for knighthood. He can sing, write poetry, and ride a horse very well, and considers himself a lady's man.
The Franklin A large and wealthy landowner who enjoys fine living and good companionship.
The Shipman A huge, uncouth man who can steer a ship but flounders on his horse.
The Prioress (Madame Eglantine) A very genteel lady who is coy and delicate. She has precise manners, eats as an aristocrat would, and wears a gold brooch with "Love conquers all" inscribed in Latin.
The Physician A doctor who can speak knowingly of medicines, drugs, and humours, and who knows astrology as well. He is fond of gold and makes a lot of money during the plague season.
The Pardoner The most complex of all the pilgrims. He is an intellect and uses advanced psychological means to gain his objective. Although he is not a good person, he can preach a good sermon.
The Monk A man who tends the property of the monastery. He is fat and happy, loves good food and wine, and finds the taverns more to his liking than the cold, severe monastery.
The Nun's Priest The priest of the church who accompanies the nuns so that they may offer up their confessions.
The Second Nun A very devout nun who, because she believes that idleness leads to sin, begins her story immediately.
The Canon and the Canon's Yeoman Although not one of the pilgrims, the Canon appears with his servant (the Yeoman) but leaves when his Yeoman begins a tale.
The Manciple The steward for a law school. Although not as intelligent as the law students, he is clever and shrewd enough to be able to put away some money for himself.
The Parson A very poor but very holy and virtuous religious man who tells a highly moral tale. He gives his scant money to his poor parishioners and tries to live the perfect life and set an ideal for others.
Notes by Cliffsnotes
( I know that it is not recommended to use internet notes but there were so many characters with all detailed personalities that I decided that this list was good enough to jog my memory about them more in depth)

*In collaboration with Omar Dominguez*

LITERATURE ANALYSIS #1

Catch-22 by Joseph Heller

1. Catch-22 is different than most books by how it doesn't have much of a main plot. The story is mostly fragmented thoughts or stories from different characters in the book. Most of the story is about a group of bombardiers who are fighting in the second world war. The exposition is the time Yossarian and his crew are in the hospital pretending to be hurt because they don't want to go back to the war. The inciting incident would be when the Texan drives everyone out of the hospital because of how annoying he is and they all go back to fighting in the war. The rising action is when Yossarian and his crew are completing all of the missions required to be discharged from duty, but the amount of missions keeps rising throughout the story. The climax occurs when one of Yossarian's close comrades dies on a mission which take a big mental toll on him. The falling action/resolution is the end when Yossarian leaves the air force and lives his life away from the war. The narrative fulfills the authors purpose of a satire on the war crazed people who are so dedicated to the war, that they are blind to the damage they are doing.
2. The theme of the novel is honor and dignity. The definition behind Catch-22 is what embodies this theme, and the whole book leaks the message of the theme through the anecdotes in hte story.
3. The author's tone is a bit laid back and relaxed. He is pokes fun at some characters and sometimes narrates something incorrectly through a character's thoughts for comedy.

• "'One hand washes the other. Know what I mean? You scratch my back, I'll scratch yours.' Yossarian knew what he meant. 'That's not what I meant,' Doc Daneeka said, as Yossarian began scratching his back."
• "Yossarian and Dunbar were busy in a far corner pawing orgiastically at four or five frolicsome girls and six bottles of red wine, and Hungry Joe had long since tramped away down one of the mystic hallways, propelling before him like a ravening despot as many of the broadest-hipped young prostitutes as he could contain in his frail wind-milling arms and cram into one double bed."
• "Late that night Hungry Joe dreamed that Huple's cat was sleeping on his face, suffocating him, and when he woke up, Huple's cat was sleeping on his face."

1. Paradox:"Orr would be crazy to fly more missions and sane if he didn't, but if he was sane he had to fly them. If he flew them he was crazy and didn't have to; but if he didn't want to he was sane and had to." -p.33
2. Repartee: "'Who, specifically, do you think is trying to murder you?' 'Every one of them,' Yossarian told him. 'Every one of whom?' 'Every one of whom do you think?' 'I haven't any idea.' 'Then how do you know they aren't?'" p.10
3. Synethesia: "There was nothing funny about living like a bum in a tent in Pianosa between fat mountains behind him and a placid blue sea in front that could gulp down a person with a cramp in the twinkling of an eye and ship him back to shore three days later, all charges paid, bloated, blue and putrescent, water draining out through both cold nostrils. p.10
4. Situational Irony: " Clevinger was a genius... a Harvard undergraduate... [going] far in the academic world... In short, he was a dope" p. 68
5. Personification: "They couldn't dominate Death inside the hospital, but they certainly made her behave. They had taught her manners. They couldn't keep death out, but while she was in she had to act like a lady.” p.126
6.  Dramatic Irony: "Yossarian was in the hospital with a pain in his liver that fell just short of being jaundice. The doctors were puzzled by the fact that it wasn't quite jaundice" p. 7
7. Imagery: "An intense heat flashed through the area. Even in Yossarian's ward, almost three hundred feet away, they could hear the roar of the blaze and the sharp cracks of flaming timber. Smoke sped past the orange-tinted windows."
8. Foreshadowing: "Do you remember... that time in Rome when that girl who can't stand you kept hitting me over and over the head with the heel of her shoe? Do you want to know why she was hitting me?" p. 25
9. Alliteration: "If the colonel says we have to fly fifty-five missions, we have to fly them." p. 65
10. Verbal Irony: "I don't have nightmares" p. 54

Characterization

1. Heller characterizes Yossarian and Dunbar indirectly because they are two main characters in the story and he wants the readers to interpret the character based on their actions since they will be doing most if the actions during the story. The warrant officer and the Texan was characterized directly because they are minor characters so the author doesn't want to waste time describing their actions when he could just say what their characteristics are like. Also, the Texan and warrant officer are described a bit from the perspective of the main characters which get their impression of the characters easily.
2. The author is pretty much consistent when describing a character and an event. Many times in the story, especially during dialogue, a certain word or subject will come up and that word or phrase will be repeated several times over. Heller uses imagery to describe characters usually. Example: "She was a tall, strapping girl with long hair and incandescent blue veins converging populously beneath her cocoa-colored skin where the flesh was most tender, and she kept cursing and shrieking and jumping high up into the air on her bare feet to keep right on hitting him on the top of his head with the spiked heel of her shoe."
3. The main character is a dynamic/round character. This is shown in the beginning of the story when Yossarian wanted to stay in the hospital to avoid risking his life in battle. By the end of the story, when he is given the offer to leave the air force on honorable discharge at the expense of others having to complete more missions, he decides to pass up on the offer to save the lives of the innocent. (Even though he escapes the air force in the end.)
4. I felt like I have met a new person because Yossarian has so many qualities that i can relate to or see in friends that I have. An example of the behaviors he shares with my friends would be:

"'One in each cheek,' Orr said. 

'Why?'

Orr pounced. 'Why what?'

Yossarian shook his head, smiling, and refused to say.

'It's a funny thing about this valve,' Orr mused aloud.

'What is?' Yossarian asked.

'Because I wanted -'

Yossarian knew. 'Jesus Christ! Why did you want -'

'- apple cheeks.'

'- apple cheeks?' Yossarian demanded."

The way Yossarian reacts to this kind of conversation is something I see myself in and many of my friends.

VOCAB LIST #3

accolade	noun a tangible symbol signifying approval or distinction
acerbity	noun a sharp sour taste; a sharp bitterness; a rough and bitter manner
attrition	noun the act of rubbing together; wearing something down by friction; a wearing down to weaken or destroy; sorrow for sin arising from fear of damnation; the wearing down of rock particles by friction due to water or wind or ice; erosion by friction
bromide	noun any of the salts of hydrobromic acid; formerly used as a sedative but now generally replaced by safer drugs; a trite or obvious remark
chauvinist	noun an extreme bellicose nationalist; a person with a prejudiced belief in the superiority of his or her own kind
chronic	adj. being long-lasting and recurrent or characterized by long suffering
expound	verb add details, as to an account or idea; clarify the meaning of and discourse in a learned way, usually in writing; state
immaculate	adj. completely neat and clean; free from stain or blemish; without fault or error
imprecation	noun the act of calling down a curse that invokes evil (and usually serves as an insult); a slanderous accusation
ineluctable	adj. impossible to avoid or evade:"inescapable conclusion"
mercurial	adj. relating to or containing or caused by mercury; relating to or having characteristics (eloquence, shrewdness, swiftness, thievishness) attributed to the god Mercury; relating to or under the (astrological) influence of the planet Mercury; liable to sudden unpredictable change
palliate	verb provide physical relief, as from pain; lessen or to try to lessen the seriousness or extent of
protocol	noun code of correct conduct; forms of ceremony and etiquette observed by diplomats and heads of state; (computer science) rules determining the format and transmission of data
resplendent	adj. having great beauty and splendor
stigmatize	verb mark with a stigma or stigmata; to accuse or condemn or openly or formally or brand as disgraceful
sub	noun a submersible warship usually armed with torpedoes; a large sandwich made of a long crusty roll split lengthwise and filled with meats and cheese (and tomato and onion and lettuce and condiments); different names are used in different sections of the United States; verb be a substitute
rosa	noun large genus of erect or climbing prickly shrubs including roses
vainglory	noun outspoken conceit
vestige	noun an indication that something has been present
volition	noun the act of making a choice; the capability of conscious choice and decision and intention