Hey everyone!

Your second blog post will be due Tuesday October 14th at  9:30 am.

For this assignment you must have two things:

1. Post the monologue you’ve  written

2. Post a self portrait, it can be a photograph, an image, a cartoon, a drawing , or some other depiction of how you see yourself.

Be creative and have fun! Let me know if you have any problems posting or any questions about the assignment.

When I first saw Lilo and Stitch it really struck a chord in me- Stitch was an alien genetically designed to be destructive and alone, but was able to come to the conclusion that family, (and by extension friends) were central to a happy life and “no one gets left behind”. Today you can see many examples of those who revel in unabiding selfishness, especially in the business world. It is important to look out for others to create a network, and also to avoid greedy downfalls.

I think we can all learn a lot from dogs. They are loyal, protective, and work well in groups. In addition a dog only obeys someone who it believes earned its spot in the dog’s hierarchy, and even then, dogs use their higher-ups (humans) as tools to accomplish their own agendas. To me, the dog represents the kinds of interpersonal skills that I strive for- it instinctively knows when and how to be a leader and a follower, works toward the well-being of its pack, but can make its own decisions when it needs to.

Everyone needs music. The reaction you get when someone tells you they don’t read is the same reaction I get when someone tells me they don’t play an instrument. The ability to make and enjoy music is central to the human identity. New research also suggests music trains the language centers of the brain. This is a benefit I have not noticed myself yet, but I can say with certainty that playing music has taught me to be creative and think on my feet. Music also gives you the opportunity to experience a range of emotions vicariously and triggers the release of endorphins into your system. In this way music not only prevents me from doing drugs, but is also an escape from reality and gives me a common ground with people I’d otherwise have nothing in common with.

Humor is something I try to inject into my daily life because without humor the human existence would be a mistake. Not only does it keep you mentally healthy, it also helps a lot with interpersonal dealings. Being humorous is a strong asset if you need to break ice, forge new bonds and defuse intense situations. it also lets you punch in a higher weight class when i5 comes to dating. Or so I’m told.

Guitar is sort of an extension of my bit on music but is more personal and less preachy.  It’s a bunch of fun to play and just looks damn sexy. I own a classical, three acoustics and two electrics, and the variety of sounds and styles that I can create with them is a testament to the flexibility and worldly view on life that music has taught me.

I am a jack of all trades, if being a jack of all trades meant knowing jack about all trades. It kind of sucks knowing that I am only half as good at something as people usually are. I can cook, but if you want anything more complicated than homemade burgers ask someone else. I’m sort of good at magic but I’d probably have to resort to swallowing the thing I’m trying to make disappear. If someone is choking I will attempt to clear their airways, and almost save their life. But I also take pride in knowing a lot of things. Guitar used to be only a hobby, but I made it a huge part of my life. So in a way being a jack of all trades means a lot of untapped potential; the only challenge is finding the time for each activity. 

Something that you may not like about me is that I can’t stand idleness. I always have to be doing something,  even if it’s fiddling with my fingers. Hyperactivity is a skill though- you can be as tired as you want, but I’ll always be doing something, hopefully productive.

I have a high threshold for pain. I’m not quite sure where this came from, but I’ve never really had problems with things like local surgery sans anesthetic or cutting fingers with my jack of all trades cooking skills. Perhaps I’ve just been desensitized by the Internet, but the prospect of pain or danger is actually exciting. If you want to play that Crocodile Dentist game from the 90s but with blades instead of teeth, I’m your guy. So I’m either a thrill-seeker or a masochist. Yes, it is slightly concerning, but both prospects promise titillating experiences in the future.

This song selection paints a picture of my ambitious, humbly materialistic, and fun-loving personality.  “Seven Nation Army” sings of someone who will fight vigorously for their cause.  My cause is my life.  I take my life, my goals, my ambition seriously.  At a young age I knew I wanted money and I didn’t want to work too laboriously for it.  When I was 14 I started a custom computer company, focusing on gaming and special applications.  I was able to consistently beat competitor (large computer companies such as dell, hp etc) prices as they saw this market as a place to gouge.  I was quite successful for a few years until larger custom computer firms such as iBuyPower began to take control of the niche.

“The Fear” by Lily Allen speaks somewhat sarcastically of materialism in society.  When she says she wants lots of money, and calls herself a weapon of massive consumption, she’s mocking the consumerist focus of society today.  Though sarcastic, it implies that she somewhat subscribes to this view.  I also enjoy consumerism.  I like expensive food, clothes, cars, computers, food and so on.  I know I want these things and need the money to fund such lifestyle.  Even though I embrace the materialistic aspect on my personality I have some reservations about it like Lily Allen does.  I know that money alone can’t buy happiness (I do joke that people who say this aren’t buying the right things),  it only enhances higher pleasures like friendship and love.  It simply enables a comfortable life so that happiness can be at the forefront of your focus.

The next three songs: “Get Low (Boombox Cartel Remix)”,”Tha Bidniz”, and “Booyah (Party Favor Remix)” show that I like to have fun and enjoy the party lifestyle.  Electronic music really embodies the fun-loving, partying aspect of my personality.  I really enjoy the energy and care free attitude that EDM shows and festivals inspire.  The song “Tha Bidniz” symbolizes my first experiences in rave culture when I first went at 16.  At these raves the primary genre of EDM played is called hardstyle, “Tha Bidniz” is a classic example.  The other two songs show the expansion of my tastes and also a progression of EDM into the mainstream.   Those songs would be more suited to the EDM concerts (it feels off to call them raves) of today where hardstyle only exists as interludes in songs of other genres.  Although I miss the personality of suspicious raves in semi legal venues, I embrace the production value that popularity and money has brought in recent years.  The following four EDM songs are more unique and finessed, displaying more care in production than most.  Especially the song “Black Gold” by Apashe shows technical expertise most producers lack(Apashe holds a degree in Audio Engineering while many producers’ education consists of youtube tutorials).  I am more critical of artists than most EDM fans in this way.  These three artists are also lesser known, showing that I have taken time to seek out talent beyond the producers at the forefront of the scene.

http://slide.ly/view/935e662507ff3b8acf345bd208361d96

Hey guys what’s good?  My name is Antonio and I chose the slideshow assignment to introduce myself  to the class.  The images in the slideshow show a few qualities that describe me overall.  The first image means I like to use my imagination.  I mean education and school are important but I feel like imagination keeps things exciting.  The second image is a green earth.  I’m not a hippie or anything but I definitely do what I can to keep the Earth clean.  I’m not the type of person to go hard and make you pick something up if you litter, but I try to lead by example.  The next picture is of food, who doesn’t love food.  I’d eat almost anything if it looks good and I have a huge appetite.  Which works out pretty good for me since there’s a lot of different kinds of food to try near Baruch.  I like talking to new people and making friends ’cause you never know how much you could have in common with a stranger.  One of my pictures is a skydiver and hopefully before I turn 19 I’ll have a picture of myself skydiving.  I’m always down to try something new or anything that gives you a adrenaline rush.  I like playing sports ’cause it gives me that same kind of rush, especially handball but as long as I’m being active I can have fun.  The hardest part of school for me is sitting still, I’m always shaking a leg or tapping or a finger just to keep moving.  There’s also a picture of a meditating monkey, meaning I’m a peaceful person.  I’m pretty relaxed most of the time, do your thing and I’ll do mine.  The last picture is about traveling.  Being an international business major, I love to travel to new places, experience new cultures, and meet different people.

http://open.spotify.com/user/1298393058/playlist/5HDLyPphWThJZrmkBMHZkc

I am someone who is forever nostalgic, it’s never ending. I’m constantly living in the past or aspiring for the future. Making wrong decisions, dabbling in things, trying to enjoy life. I’m someone who loves hard, and is incapable of being coldhearted. When starting this assignment, I made the mistake of going for my favorite songs, what my favorite songs will tell you about me is that I am slightly misogynistic, arrogant, a drug dealer, someone who’s been heartbroken countless times… what I’m getting at is that it won’t really tell you who I am. I started off with “The Party’s Just Begun” by the Cheetah Girls. TCG were a huge part of my childhood and this song speaks to that. My life has just begun, taking this first step in college and well you get the drift. Secondly I went “Danza Kuduro” simply because I love “international music”. I am forever moving around and dancing when I have the chance. I went back to a time before I existed with “Juicy”. I grew up in a household where my parents played old rap/hip hop music, so it is something that is a big part of my upbringing. I can rap all the words and although I did not go through the same struggle Christopher Wallace did, I can relate to a struggle period and climbing to a place where I can say “I made it”!. I’ve had my share of love struggles and I always find myself giving a lot to people, “My Love” captures it and how can you not be taken away by Justin Timberlake’s voice. The production itself says a lot about me, because I am a huge fan of anything Timberland produces. “Blow My High” says so many things about me, it’s hard to say in just a few sentences. It brings out this motif of nostalgia in my life; the Aaliyah and Left-Eye influences. This song introduced me to a completely different side of music, it changed the way I listened to music. The title also refers to some recreational activities that I may or may not partake in. I am someone that worships Yeezy as God, so “Through the Wire” is my Our Father… just kidding. This just shows to keep pushing, and it’s also one of my favorite songs. “I Just Can’t Wait to Be King” is self-explanatory. I really can’t wait to make it in life. “Blue Bird” doesn’t say anything about my personality, it’s more of what I am into. I really love Naruto Shippuden… even though I’m not done yet. “No Light, No Light” may seem extremely negative at first, but its not exactly that way. Also it sounds amazing. Lastly “Hakuna Matata”. The Lion King IS my childhood, this song is just everything that I need. No worries.

http://slide.ly/view/e1438bd5f167f30b0c2fc80fb6ec2d46

Greetings fellow classmates! My name is Kent Zhou. I hope Baruch College has treated everyone with the same hospitality as it has towards me so far! I’ve come to learn that a good way to meet and greet with new people is usually with a some sort of joke. Once I start laughing, I just can’t stop. It’s uncontrollable, so if any of you have any good jokes or funny stories, I’d love to hear them. However, I am relatively shy at first when introduced to a new setting or new group of people. But once you get to know me, I am very sociable and comfortable to be around. Also, if you ever need help with anything, do not be afraid to ask. I will always try to help in some way. I also believe in a 100% effort worth ethic. Either give a task or tackle a goal with everything you got, or don’t bother doing it at all. I also enjoy engaging in puzzle games or brain teasers on a regular basis. I am also take part in a unique water sport called dragonboat, which has been amazing experience. If you guys are curious, feel free to ask. Living in New York City for my entire life, I have come to love this city, for its diversity and energy, which was part of the reason to why I applied to Baruch. Finally, I have aspirations to travel and experience what ever the world has to offer.

Musical Playlist

1) Gold Digger- Kanye West

2) New Work Out Plan- Kanye West

3) Good Morning – Kanye West

4) Bound 2- Kanye West

5) Run Away- Kanye West ft Pusha T

6) All of the Lights- Kanye West

7) Stronger- Kanye West

8)Power- Kanye West

9) Erase Me- Kid Cudi ft Kanye West

10) I Don’t Like- Kanye West

Every song in my playlist is by Kanye West or features Kanye West. This is because Kanye West is the Kanye Best. No matter what situation I am in or where I am i can always find a Kanye West song that fits my mood.

The first song in my playlist is a classic: Gold Digger. It is a tune that preaches to us young men to find a woman who is into us not our money. I appreciate this song and use it to guide myself because i do not want to end up with a gold digger.

The second song, New Work Out Plan, is just a straight jam. I listen to this while i work out or play sports. Athletics has always been a huge part in my life.

The third song is Good Morning. This is my alarm in the morning. I get to wake up to Kanye West singing about waking up: what more could i ask for?

The fourth song is Bound 2. I was Bound 2 fall in love with Kanye Wests music. My favorite line from this song is “what would jerome-e-rome-e-rome-e-rome thank”.

The fifth song is Run Away.  I like this song because it is different from many other Kanye songs, it is softer and has a heavy piano presence. It’s a nice change of pace.

The sixth song is All of the Lights. This was the favorite song of one of my close friends who moved back to Brazil. I like this song because it reminds me of him. As well i am a fan of Rihanna and she is in this song.

The seventh song is stronger.  It is a classic Kanye remix of a daft punk song. I am a fan of daft punk and i love how Kanye brought this beat back and put his own spin on it, he really this one stronger.

The eight song is Power. I remember when Kanye west preformed this on saturday night live. The beat of the song always gets me pumped up and filled with power.

The ninth song is Erase Me by Kid Cudi. I made an exception to my only songs by Kanye rule because this song features Kanye and is just so good.  This song was the first song on our warmup playlist my senior year for volleyball and listening to it gives me nostalgia.

The tenth song is I Don’t Like. Every thing Kanye says he doesn’t like in this song i also don’t like. This is why i chose this song.

If i ever got a tattoo it would be of Kanye west. I hope this has given you all more insight into my life.

https://soundcloud.com/biscuitsss/sets/freshman-seminar

Hey guys my names Eric. I hope to have a wonderful semester with the rest of you and to introduce myself I pulled up a playlist in which I included songs that meant something to me or songs that represented a part of my life. Back in the sixth grade, I got my first iPod which really opened up the world of music to me. There were so many songs and genres and artists to choose from and growing into the person I am today, I am grateful for being able to experience another 8 years of inspiring, sad, exciting and strange music. I chose the following songs in no particular order.

1. The Ultimate Showdown of Ultimate Destiny – I remember this as the first song that I listened to more than 10 times on repeat. This song is really just a goofy song about iconic people and things such as Batman and Michael Jordan beating up each other. I listened to this throughout all of sixth grade and it’s just a funny, catchy song that’s almost guaranteed to brighten up your day.

2. Linkin Park – Bleed it Out, 3. Linkin Park – Numb Encore ft. Jay Z, 4. Linkin Park – In the End – Linkin Park is a classic group for everybody I think. These guys made up the bulk of my playlists in middle school and the combination of rap and alternative rock never sounded so good. Their new stuff isn’t that great compared to the oldies but they’re still decent.

5. Chris Brown – Forever – I’m not even sure why this songs here. I just like it and always seem to come back to it every couple of months. It’s catchy I guess.

6. Skrillex – Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites – My first “dubstep” song. Some people question whether or not this is actually music or  just a combination of scary, weird sounds. Whatever it is, it introduced me to all of the other “electronic” genres. Dubstep, techno, drum and bass, EDM, etc.

7. Avicii – Levels – Crisp, upbeat, relaxing in a weird way.  EDM is my favorite genre and this song will always be one of my favorites.

8. Maroon 5 – Maps – A more recent song. Maroon 5’s songs were always likable but this one was more likable than the rest.  Like every other love song, this made me feel some type of way for a brief period of time.

9. 3OH!3 – Don’t Trust Me – Sounded good to 16 year old me. I don’t know.

10. Calvin Harris – Under Control – My favorite EDM song. Had a lot of fun times listening to this. Can have a mini rave in the shower listening to this on speakers.