Yesterday I attended a lecture in the Royall Room of the Alumni Center. The lecture was called "Twang: A Southern Note" and Robert Cantwell discussed "twang" through music and southern culture. It was very complicated and I was very impressed with his depth of knowledge about this certain topic. He discussed how the banjo was the original instrument in the history bluegrass that really represented twang. This sound produced by the banjo eventually developed into the bluegrass and country music we hear today. Some examples that he played for everyone included Merle Haggard and George Jones, who are both very famous and talented. These people were influenced greatly by Emmett Miller, a white man who sang blues like a black man and brought both races together. Cantwell said the music was a sign for negotiating differences in race, class, etc. and it encouraged fellowship. I thought it was interesting that he called Miller the Rosetta stone of country music.
More recently, the steel guitar became a key instrument in bluegrass and country music. He said it is the sound that most people associate with this music. The "twang" is still prevalent in it, but it has evolved greatly from the days of Hank Williams and Merle Haggard. Cantwell said that this sound has characterized the South since it's beginnings in the nineteenth century and still continues in the present bluegrass and country music of today. As his lecture continued, it became more and more complex and hard to follow for someone that was very inexperienced on this subject, but it was very interesting and inspiring to listen to. He had multiple colleagues in the audience that asked very in-depth questions at the end that obviously showed their shared interest and great intellect. Even though most of these conversations were way over my head, it was awesome to see the depth and detail that they showed on this particular subject.
As a student at UNC, I had never attended an academic lecture such as this because I normally never hear of them occurring. The lectures I had heard of never seemed very interesting to me, and I honestly thought the same of this lecture until I actually went and listened to what he had to say. It made me realize how truly intelligent and talented so many of the professors here at UNC are even though in class we might find them incredibly boring or unhelpful. He also was clearly not speaking for an audience of unaware students, but rather fellow specialists in his field.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Monday, April 6, 2009
Feeder 3.1
Throughout different literary works, the rebel flag is used as a symbol representing various southern ideals. In texts such as O Brother, Where Art Thou and Confederates in the Attic by Tony Horwitz, the flag is used in a variety of ways to represent southern pride and the current beliefs of some today. These beliefs include severe prejudice and segregation that the nation as a whole dismisses as irrelevant in today’s society. It also symbolizes characteristics commonly associated with the South, such as remembering history and passing down traditions.
In O Brother, Where Art Thou, the rebel flag is shown during a Ku Klux Klan meeting where they are intending to hang an African American. It serves as a symbol of their entire group and is marched in before anything else, which shows its importance to them. The movie depicts this scene with a very negative and intimidating tone, revealing that the views of this group are wrong and extremely racist. The prisoners that walked up to see this scene are the ones that ended up saving the African American that was sentenced to death. Although they were southerners themselves, they acted against what the rebel flag stood for and made the followers of the flag seem violent and dishonorable as opposed to the prisoners. Because the members of the Ku Klux Klan are the common citizens of the town, including the government officials, the South is envisioned as very racist, radical, and aggressive. The rebel flag is intended to represent each of these ideals with the way it is presented in the film.
In the chapter entitled “Cats of the Confederacy” in Confederates in the Attic, Salisbury, North Carolina is a town that is depicted as stuck in the past in the era of the Civil War. It discusses multiple confederate groups such as Daughters of the Confederacy and The Sons of Confederate Veterans, who held up the rebel flag at the beginning of every meeting and said, “I salute the Confederate flag with affection, reverence, and undying devotion to the Cause for which it stands.” Because they say that national pledge of allegiance prior to this, Horwitz says that they contradicted themselves and makes them seem ridiculous. Also, tradition, the commonly associated characteristic of the South, is represented through these groups. Their children are already members of their respective groups and are growing up believing exactly what their parents currently believe. They are determined to find any family connection to soldiers of the Confederacy, which reveals that southerners strongly value family and their ancestors even if they never knew them. All of these traits of the South are represented with the display of the rebel flag. Later in the chapter, Horwitz visits the home of Ed and Sue Curtis and finds the rebel flag and its associated memorabilia to be present all throughout their home. There are trinkets, pictures, magnets, and flags relating to the Civil War and the Confederacy as a whole everywhere he looks. These people truly devote their lives to the cause and treat the Confederacy as their religion that they follow whole-heartedly.
Another chapter in Confederates in the Attic is “Dying for Dixie”, in which the rebel flag plays a major role again. In Guthrie, Kentucky, a boy named Michael Westerman was killed by a group of black teenagers after flying the rebel flag on the back of his truck. This shows how even today, a flag from the Civil War causes conflict and violence. Kentucky had not even been a confederate state in the war, yet because it is in the south, people still associate it with the confederacy and feel a need to display their loyalty regardless of the other possible meanings. In response to the killing, Michael was proclaimed a Confederate martyr, and was the first man to die for the rebel flag in 130 years. They treated him as a sort of hero who stood up for his belief in the Confederacy against blacks, but in reality he had just flown something offensive that sparked action among the black teenagers. This shows extreme racism that is still present in this town and that puts the entire blame on the blacks instead of dividing it between both. Here, the rebel flag represents both southern pride and racism that has yet to cease in existence even though the war has been over for a long time and people say that everyone is equal.
In both O Brother, Where Art Thou and Confederates in the Attic, the rebel flag is portrayed negatively with numerous consequences. While it is so important to common citizens of each depicted town, both the movie and the book reveal their ideas as ridiculous and immoral by placing the rebel flag in association with murders and bizarre activities. Each of the towns represented are very rural, and even though they take place in two different time periods, the message is essentially the same. Stereotypes are clearly still prevalent, and the rebel flag serves as a symbol of this in each of these pieces of literature.
In O Brother, Where Art Thou, the rebel flag is shown during a Ku Klux Klan meeting where they are intending to hang an African American. It serves as a symbol of their entire group and is marched in before anything else, which shows its importance to them. The movie depicts this scene with a very negative and intimidating tone, revealing that the views of this group are wrong and extremely racist. The prisoners that walked up to see this scene are the ones that ended up saving the African American that was sentenced to death. Although they were southerners themselves, they acted against what the rebel flag stood for and made the followers of the flag seem violent and dishonorable as opposed to the prisoners. Because the members of the Ku Klux Klan are the common citizens of the town, including the government officials, the South is envisioned as very racist, radical, and aggressive. The rebel flag is intended to represent each of these ideals with the way it is presented in the film.
In the chapter entitled “Cats of the Confederacy” in Confederates in the Attic, Salisbury, North Carolina is a town that is depicted as stuck in the past in the era of the Civil War. It discusses multiple confederate groups such as Daughters of the Confederacy and The Sons of Confederate Veterans, who held up the rebel flag at the beginning of every meeting and said, “I salute the Confederate flag with affection, reverence, and undying devotion to the Cause for which it stands.” Because they say that national pledge of allegiance prior to this, Horwitz says that they contradicted themselves and makes them seem ridiculous. Also, tradition, the commonly associated characteristic of the South, is represented through these groups. Their children are already members of their respective groups and are growing up believing exactly what their parents currently believe. They are determined to find any family connection to soldiers of the Confederacy, which reveals that southerners strongly value family and their ancestors even if they never knew them. All of these traits of the South are represented with the display of the rebel flag. Later in the chapter, Horwitz visits the home of Ed and Sue Curtis and finds the rebel flag and its associated memorabilia to be present all throughout their home. There are trinkets, pictures, magnets, and flags relating to the Civil War and the Confederacy as a whole everywhere he looks. These people truly devote their lives to the cause and treat the Confederacy as their religion that they follow whole-heartedly.
Another chapter in Confederates in the Attic is “Dying for Dixie”, in which the rebel flag plays a major role again. In Guthrie, Kentucky, a boy named Michael Westerman was killed by a group of black teenagers after flying the rebel flag on the back of his truck. This shows how even today, a flag from the Civil War causes conflict and violence. Kentucky had not even been a confederate state in the war, yet because it is in the south, people still associate it with the confederacy and feel a need to display their loyalty regardless of the other possible meanings. In response to the killing, Michael was proclaimed a Confederate martyr, and was the first man to die for the rebel flag in 130 years. They treated him as a sort of hero who stood up for his belief in the Confederacy against blacks, but in reality he had just flown something offensive that sparked action among the black teenagers. This shows extreme racism that is still present in this town and that puts the entire blame on the blacks instead of dividing it between both. Here, the rebel flag represents both southern pride and racism that has yet to cease in existence even though the war has been over for a long time and people say that everyone is equal.
In both O Brother, Where Art Thou and Confederates in the Attic, the rebel flag is portrayed negatively with numerous consequences. While it is so important to common citizens of each depicted town, both the movie and the book reveal their ideas as ridiculous and immoral by placing the rebel flag in association with murders and bizarre activities. Each of the towns represented are very rural, and even though they take place in two different time periods, the message is essentially the same. Stereotypes are clearly still prevalent, and the rebel flag serves as a symbol of this in each of these pieces of literature.
Friday, March 27, 2009
The South and Me
I have been born and raised in the same house in the South for my entire life. I am from Raleigh, which is a big city and is not as southern as rural towns. My mom's whole side of the family lives in North Carolina, and have been living in the South for as long as they can remember. My dad, on the other hand, is from Pennsylvania, but my brother, my sister, and I were all brought up very southern from my mom's influence. My grandparents on my mom's side live in a very small town called Ramseur, where there they live on a road with just a few houses, a lot of pastures, some chicken houses, and a couple other relatives. My grandpa also owns cows. With this influence growing up, we easily picked up on the southern lifestyle and found our southern accents. Our family also owns a lake house on a lake in the middle of nowhere called Badin Lake. It is technically my grandparents, so my mom went there when she was younger and now our whole family goes there very often. The surrounding towns include Denton, Richfield, Salisbury, and Albemarle, which are all very small towns with a strong sense of southern heritage. By going so often, we have numerous friends from this area and have really experienced small town life at our home away from home. While I do not have a strong accent like my mom has, I still believe that I am very southern from the way I was raised and influences that surround me.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Response to Confederates in the Attic
I found Confederates in the Attic to be incredibly interesting. I am familiar with Salisbury because it is very close to my family's lake house. We have made multiple trips there for dinners and movies. Salisbury, and many surrounding towns, are very southern and seem to be stuck in the past. You see Confederate flags everywhere and very few African Americans. It did not really surprise me when I read this chapter about the Confederate groups, but the extent to which they devote their lives to the cause astonished me. I thought it was interesting that people seemed to treat Confederacy as a religion and almost pushed Christianity aside, which is usually strongly associated with the South. Also, racism was clearly shown to still be very prevalent in their lives. For example, Tarlton said that Walt "hates all minorities the same." This shows that even though we try to say that racism has ended and everyone is equal, there are still a significant number of whites who do not believe it and have their beliefs stuck in the past. Another thing that caught my attention was during the Children of the Confederacy meeting, when Violet asked her son if there was anything he hated more than Yankees. His response showed extreme hatred and fear of Yankees and really showed how these people were raising their children with the same closed minds that they possess.
Even though I'm sure this article was based on true facts that he discovered, Horwitz seems to select certain sayings and actions in order to persuade the reader to believe a certain way. He makes it seem like these people are crazy and emphasizes things that most people disagree with.
Even though I'm sure this article was based on true facts that he discovered, Horwitz seems to select certain sayings and actions in order to persuade the reader to believe a certain way. He makes it seem like these people are crazy and emphasizes things that most people disagree with.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Observation 3
For my third observation of fraternities, I interviewed a few brothers that were members of different fraternities. I asked them the following questions in order to understand what they thought about philanthropy events that they participate in:
1. What fraternity are you a member of?
2. What philanthropic events has your fraternity participated in this year?
3. Do you participate in these events because you want to help others, or do you just do it because you are required to?
4. What other reasons do fraternities have for doing philanthropy?
5. At major philanthropic events, do you notice the different fraternities clustering together and acting like they would at normal social events?
6. Do you actively engage in the event you are participating in usually or just go through the motions?
Here are two very good responses that I received:
Eric Chamblee
1. Kappa Sigma
2. Cookouts and Fundraising for Military Wives Campaign
3. Though I would rather engage in a different philanthropy, I still recognize the importance of the one that we support and am happy to do it for that reason. However, it also is required.
4. Reasons for philanthropy include competition with other Greek societies to see who can raise the most money, to pair up with a couple of other fraternities or sororities in order to meet new people and develop long term relationships with said organizations, great way to improve your reputation in the eyes of your national chapter, and the chicks dig it. Also is a good resume booster and a way to obtain community service.
5. Normally during philanthropic events fraternities/sororities are encouraged to "mix and mingle" by their executive committees with the other societies with which they are paired in order to instill a feeling of cooperation, movement toward a greater good, and to get to know others in the greek community at the university.
6. Generally most everyone who volunteers their time actively engage in the event as you wouldn't want one fraternity saying they ran the show or a sorority viewing you (in terms of a group) as lazy, unsupportive, or uncaring. It goes back to the image and competition factors mentioned earlier.
Chris Pilley
1. Theta Chi
2. St. Jude's hospital visits, Duke Childrens' Hospital Radio-a-thon, and we will do a Bowling event for St. Jude's next month.
3. The fact that our chapter requires philanthropic events just gives me and others a pathway to help others. Originally I didn't have time to help out people but being involved gives me a sense of accomplishment and making a difference and having a good time are what we strive for. Also, being active in the community is the image and the ideal that we want to perpetuate as a Fraternity.
4. Fraternities usually do this to meet requirements set by their IFC and national requirements. Each chapter usually surpasses these requirements in order to look better abroad and to compete fraternally with other Greek organizations at their schools. Also, it is a great opportunity to network with businesses and to get involved in the community.
5. Usually philanthropic events are held by one fraternity or sorority and it is common practice for other Greek communities to show support and come out. All of the fraternities usually go out of their way to welcome their guests of the event and generally do hang out together to socialize.
6. When I go to events I go to have fun and to meet new people/show off my letters. You only get to be known in the Greek community by these events so being the most interesting, the most well mannered, or the best means your name gets out there. Most brothers only go to events that they want to go to so they all actively participate too.
The fraternities all seemed to have two or three major philanthropy events that they are involved in. The brothers all agreed that they originally became involved because it was required, but they also realize the importance of the events they are a part of and like to help others. Other reasons that fraternities are involved in these events include a competition with the other fraternities on campus, to boost their reputation, and to network with other fraternities and sororities along with businesses to create new relationships. Also, they seemed to overall be encourage to mingle with the other fraternities and sororities at events, even though they would rather stick together so that they were more comfortable. Finally, competition and image seemed to drive their active participation in events, and they also were able to choose the events that they actually wanted to attend.
1. What fraternity are you a member of?
2. What philanthropic events has your fraternity participated in this year?
3. Do you participate in these events because you want to help others, or do you just do it because you are required to?
4. What other reasons do fraternities have for doing philanthropy?
5. At major philanthropic events, do you notice the different fraternities clustering together and acting like they would at normal social events?
6. Do you actively engage in the event you are participating in usually or just go through the motions?
Here are two very good responses that I received:
Eric Chamblee
1. Kappa Sigma
2. Cookouts and Fundraising for Military Wives Campaign
3. Though I would rather engage in a different philanthropy, I still recognize the importance of the one that we support and am happy to do it for that reason. However, it also is required.
4. Reasons for philanthropy include competition with other Greek societies to see who can raise the most money, to pair up with a couple of other fraternities or sororities in order to meet new people and develop long term relationships with said organizations, great way to improve your reputation in the eyes of your national chapter, and the chicks dig it. Also is a good resume booster and a way to obtain community service.
5. Normally during philanthropic events fraternities/sororities are encouraged to "mix and mingle" by their executive committees with the other societies with which they are paired in order to instill a feeling of cooperation, movement toward a greater good, and to get to know others in the greek community at the university.
6. Generally most everyone who volunteers their time actively engage in the event as you wouldn't want one fraternity saying they ran the show or a sorority viewing you (in terms of a group) as lazy, unsupportive, or uncaring. It goes back to the image and competition factors mentioned earlier.
Chris Pilley
1. Theta Chi
2. St. Jude's hospital visits, Duke Childrens' Hospital Radio-a-thon, and we will do a Bowling event for St. Jude's next month.
3. The fact that our chapter requires philanthropic events just gives me and others a pathway to help others. Originally I didn't have time to help out people but being involved gives me a sense of accomplishment and making a difference and having a good time are what we strive for. Also, being active in the community is the image and the ideal that we want to perpetuate as a Fraternity.
4. Fraternities usually do this to meet requirements set by their IFC and national requirements. Each chapter usually surpasses these requirements in order to look better abroad and to compete fraternally with other Greek organizations at their schools. Also, it is a great opportunity to network with businesses and to get involved in the community.
5. Usually philanthropic events are held by one fraternity or sorority and it is common practice for other Greek communities to show support and come out. All of the fraternities usually go out of their way to welcome their guests of the event and generally do hang out together to socialize.
6. When I go to events I go to have fun and to meet new people/show off my letters. You only get to be known in the Greek community by these events so being the most interesting, the most well mannered, or the best means your name gets out there. Most brothers only go to events that they want to go to so they all actively participate too.
The fraternities all seemed to have two or three major philanthropy events that they are involved in. The brothers all agreed that they originally became involved because it was required, but they also realize the importance of the events they are a part of and like to help others. Other reasons that fraternities are involved in these events include a competition with the other fraternities on campus, to boost their reputation, and to network with other fraternities and sororities along with businesses to create new relationships. Also, they seemed to overall be encourage to mingle with the other fraternities and sororities at events, even though they would rather stick together so that they were more comfortable. Finally, competition and image seemed to drive their active participation in events, and they also were able to choose the events that they actually wanted to attend.
Friday, March 20, 2009
Observation 2
For my second observation, I watched a philanthropy event put on by the Zeta Beta Tau fraternity. They had a giant blow-up rainbow ball in and around the pit and were walking around getting everyone to sign it to help the Rape Crisis Center with rape victims. Most of the group of brothers that were doing this at the time were actively involved in finding people that walked by to sign the ball. There were the clear leaders that were yelling out to people and persuading them to sign the ball, and then there were also brothers that were quieter that just helped hand out markers. It seemed as though most of the brothers really cared about getting a lot of signatures for the rape victims; however, there were a couple that seemed completely uninterested and were just there because they were supposed to be. These brothers talked amongst themselves and only called out to their friends that came by. This partially proves my hypothesis to be true because they did not seem to care that they were working for a good cause. They only wanted to hang out with their friends, like they would at any other social event. It also partially disproves my hypothesis because multiple brothers were really trying hard to get signatures and were eager to share what their project was all about.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Microculture Observation
My hypothesis about fraternity life is now focused on discovering whether philanthropic activities are just another social event or if they actually have an individual desire to help others. To test this, I attended a party thrown by one of the fraternities and observed how the brothers acted at this clearly social event. Even with numerous other guests at their fraternity house, they still seemed to cluster together in small groups. No matter where they traveled through the house or what groups of other people they were talking to, there was always at least one other brother with each one. The fact that they stick together even when there are so many other people around them, especially girls, shows how close they have become through their brotherhood. The guys were also divided by pledge classes for the most part; even though they were clearly friends with the rest of the fraternity, the bond shown with their pledge brothers seemed much stronger. They all clearly acted like the hosts of the party as well; they walked around and talked to all the different people, distributed drinks, acted as the DJ, and led any other activities that took place. In addition, a main goal of many of the brothers seemed to be to meet as many "hot" girls as possible. I could see them conversing to each other about multiple girls that they wanted to talk to.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Hypothesis Update
I plan to observe Greek life at UNC in order to learn more about their societal norms and values. I am interested in studying this microculture because I have numerous friends involved in it, yet I am not. In particular, fraternities are a major aspect of student life. Despite being a member of a fraternity, many other students come in contact with this community through social events and parties on the weekends. I would like to more clearly understand the behaviors and traditions that they are so actively involved in. Before observing these fraternities, I already know a little about them because both of my siblings were involved in fraternities and sororities in the past. I know that each fraternity has a certain amount of philanthropy that they take part in every year. Also, they meet once a week at chapter meetings in order to discuss upcoming events and other aspects. There seems to always be something planned for the members to participate in, and it keeps them very busy. These activities serve to create a bond between the members of each fraternity that is hard to understand if not directly involved.
Following my observations, I would like to know more about their sense of community and the activities that they take part in to build this unity. I believe there will be a lot more to their society than most people realize on the surface. Many people think they know a lot about fraternities just from hearsay, but most of these thoughts are usually inaccurate. Studying fraternity life at UNC is of great interest to the larger UNC community because so many students are actively involved in fraternities. It is a very important part of each of these student’s lives, and it is essential to understand such a major aspect of student life here in Chapel Hill. This could more accurately show what fraternity life entails without all the stereotypes that are often associated with these communities. Some of these stereotypes include that they party very often, they wear a certain type of preppy clothing including khaki pants and polo shirts, and they only hang out with each other. My hypothesis is that fraternity brothers have a deep sense of friendship with each other beyond the stereotypical social aspects, and there are many activities that allow this bond to occur.
Following my observations, I would like to know more about their sense of community and the activities that they take part in to build this unity. I believe there will be a lot more to their society than most people realize on the surface. Many people think they know a lot about fraternities just from hearsay, but most of these thoughts are usually inaccurate. Studying fraternity life at UNC is of great interest to the larger UNC community because so many students are actively involved in fraternities. It is a very important part of each of these student’s lives, and it is essential to understand such a major aspect of student life here in Chapel Hill. This could more accurately show what fraternity life entails without all the stereotypes that are often associated with these communities. Some of these stereotypes include that they party very often, they wear a certain type of preppy clothing including khaki pants and polo shirts, and they only hang out with each other. My hypothesis is that fraternity brothers have a deep sense of friendship with each other beyond the stereotypical social aspects, and there are many activities that allow this bond to occur.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Feeder 2.2
I plan to observe Greek life at UNC in order to learn more about their societal norms and values. I am interested in studying this microculture because I have numerous friends involved in it, yet I am not. I would like to more clearly understand the behaviors and traditions that they are so actively involved in. Before observing the Greeks, I already know a little about them because both of my siblings were involved in fraternities and sororities in the past. I know that each fraternity and sorority has a certain amount of philanthropy that they take part in every year. Also, they meet once a week at chapter meetings in order to discuss upcoming events and other aspects. There seems to always be something planned for the members to participate it, and it keeps them very busy.
Following my observations, I would like to know more about their sense of community and the activities that they take part in to build this unity. I believe there will be a lot more to their society than most people realize on the surface. Many people think they know a lot about Greek life just from hearsay, but most of these thoughts are usually inaccurate. Studying Greek life at UNC is of great interest to the UNC community because so many students are actively involved in a fraternity or sorority. It is a very important part of each of these student’s lives, and it is very important to understand such a major aspect of student life here in Chapel Hill. This could more accurately show what Greek life is all about without all the stereotypes that are often associated with these communities.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Observation #2 - Disruption
To disrupt the fairly limited norms of the pit, a few friends and i randomly stuck our arms out to the side and ran around like airplanes. To say the least, we got a few weird looks. Even though there are so many crazy activities in the pit all of the time, this was apparently something they had never seen before. We flew down the stairs into the middle and then ran in circles. When we stopped and looked around, we saw a few people laughing a little and some that had a look of "what in the world?" It was interesting to see that there are definitely still some norms in the pit even though it is usually very limited. A friend of ours was on the other side of the pit and saw us. He came up and said, "What in the world are you doing? Y'all are weird." The norm of attempting to act calm and cool was broken with this action, and it clearly caught the attention of everyone surrounding us.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Observation 1 - The Pit
The pit is a place where anyone and everyone can go to hang out, endorse a club, or express their opinions. There are always different kinds of people and activities in the pit, and it could range anywhere from tables of clubs and organizations to religious groups to just one guy standing in the middle with a sign saying "Free Hugs". The space allows just about any kind of interaction to take place, and these interactions vary every day. Because of this, the norms are very limited and are much more liberal than that of a place like a library. Some norms include that the pit is a common gathering place. Also, as in most social situations, normal behaviors of respect towards other people and an attempt to act cool are common for the pit.
On one side, there is a large group of students huddled around a preacher. The preacher tends to provoke the students until they fight back, which can sometimes get out of hand and lead to small acts of violence. On the other side, there is usually a line of tables set up to promote fundraisers, sales, or to join a specific organization. The people working these tables constantly yell out to the students walking by in order to try and grasp their attention. In response to this, some students walk over and hear what they have to say, some glance at them and continue walking, and some just completely ignore them. Outside the larger activities are multiple students standing around in groups or by themselves relaxing and talking among friends in a very informal way. Some sit on the steps and eat their lunch when it is a nice day outside.
On one side, there is a large group of students huddled around a preacher. The preacher tends to provoke the students until they fight back, which can sometimes get out of hand and lead to small acts of violence. On the other side, there is usually a line of tables set up to promote fundraisers, sales, or to join a specific organization. The people working these tables constantly yell out to the students walking by in order to try and grasp their attention. In response to this, some students walk over and hear what they have to say, some glance at them and continue walking, and some just completely ignore them. Outside the larger activities are multiple students standing around in groups or by themselves relaxing and talking among friends in a very informal way. Some sit on the steps and eat their lunch when it is a nice day outside.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Event #2: UNC Lacrosse
This past Friday night I went to my first ever lacrosse game! My roommate, my suitemate, and I decided on a whim to go because we had nothing else to do, but it ended up being really fun (even though it was extremely cold and my whole body was numb by the end of it). I never knew that they could just smack each other wherever with their stick as many times and as hard as they want until they get the ball. It looked extremely painful, but after we got used to it, it became very entertaining. We ended up getting really into the game like we would have at any other basketball or football game, which I did not expect to do. I know a few of the players on the team, so it was also cool to see them play the sport I had only heard them talk so much about. They played Navy, who are ranked number 9 nationally, so it was a big game since we are number 5. It was pretty much back and forth and close for the entire game. We ended up winning 9-8, and I was really excited!
It was really cool to experience something new and different as a UNC student. While I had always heard about lacrosse, I had never actually seen it played, and it was really exciting. We will definitely be going back to some more games! Connecting this to our class, it is clear that the audience of any sporting event is very important. Their involvement in the game has the ability to swing the players' emotions in either direction, from pumping them up to slowing them down. If they are cheering very loudly and participating in the game, the team tends to work harder and keeps their heart in the game. This then pleases the audience and keeps them interested in the event. It also could determine if they want to attend another game soon, like I do now following the exciting lacrosse game.
It was really cool to experience something new and different as a UNC student. While I had always heard about lacrosse, I had never actually seen it played, and it was really exciting. We will definitely be going back to some more games! Connecting this to our class, it is clear that the audience of any sporting event is very important. Their involvement in the game has the ability to swing the players' emotions in either direction, from pumping them up to slowing them down. If they are cheering very loudly and participating in the game, the team tends to work harder and keeps their heart in the game. This then pleases the audience and keeps them interested in the event. It also could determine if they want to attend another game soon, like I do now following the exciting lacrosse game.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Event #1: Talk Sex with Sue
I just got back from watching the broadcast of Talk Sex with Sue (I didn't get tickets to the actual show). It was soooo great haha I went with 3 friends and we were dying laughing the entire time. She is incredibly smart but also so hilarious. She made everything so much fun to listen to. She had actions to go with everything she talked about which made it that much better haha. She is nuts but that's why everyone loves her I guess. I actually ended up learning a lot! Anything you can think of, she talked about. Everyone was able to submit questions too....and many of them were absolutely ridiculous hahah like I would have never even dreamed of some these questions. Did anyone else get go or get to see the actual show? It was so amazing so hopefully some of yall did.
Going to this show really added to my experience as a university student because I felt like everyone was in a similar situation. All of us wanted to learn more about the subject and most of us had similar backgrounds of what we already knew. Sue knew exactly how to talk to college students in a way to keep us very entertained but also very intrigued in what she was discussing. She did this by making jokes when we would normally feel awkward talking about it, and she also tied everything to where most college students are at in their lives regarding sex. She is a wonderful public speaker!!
DUKE GAME TOMORROWWWW! I can't wait to just destroy them. Where are people going to watch the game? I really want to go somewhere where there are a ton of people to celebrate with :-) maybe somewhere on Franklin? Who knows but I'm excited.
Going to this show really added to my experience as a university student because I felt like everyone was in a similar situation. All of us wanted to learn more about the subject and most of us had similar backgrounds of what we already knew. Sue knew exactly how to talk to college students in a way to keep us very entertained but also very intrigued in what she was discussing. She did this by making jokes when we would normally feel awkward talking about it, and she also tied everything to where most college students are at in their lives regarding sex. She is a wonderful public speaker!!
DUKE GAME TOMORROWWWW! I can't wait to just destroy them. Where are people going to watch the game? I really want to go somewhere where there are a ton of people to celebrate with :-) maybe somewhere on Franklin? Who knows but I'm excited.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
more UNC...
I clearly write way too much about UNC basketball. But whatever. Did anyone see that Duke/Clemson game?!?!? It is times like these when I am so happy and proud to be a Tarheel haha. Duke got straight up destroyed Clemson (74-47)...and we beat Clemson by 24 points. This just shows what is going to happen next Wednesday at Cameron Indoor and then AGAIN at the Deam Dome on March 8th. By the way, why in the world is the UNC vs. Duke game over our spring break? That is very bad planning on someones part. I am SUPPOSED to be in Florida by then...but if I happen to get tickets through the lottery (which is highly unlikely) you know that I will be there anyway decked out in my Carolina blue. But boo to whoever made the schedule that way.
Anyway, I just realized today that I have been missing 24 this season which makes me really sad! I love that show and I'm not really sure why I haven't been watching it on Sundays. To whoever has been watching it....should I go back and watch this season from the beginning or do you think I should just pick it up now? I miss it so I really want to start watching it again!
Anyway, I just realized today that I have been missing 24 this season which makes me really sad! I love that show and I'm not really sure why I haven't been watching it on Sundays. To whoever has been watching it....should I go back and watch this season from the beginning or do you think I should just pick it up now? I miss it so I really want to start watching it again!
Monday, February 2, 2009
spring breakkkkk
My spring break plans are finalllyyyy finalized! haha a group of me and my friends are going to this beach right outside Daytona Beach (New Smyrna?) where we have a free place to stay! We are stopping in Savannah for a night on the way down to stay with a friend and cut the trip up a little too. I haven't ever been there either and I hear it is really pretty! I'm so excited it is going to be so much fun and so warm and ahhhh can't waitttttt. I really just wanted to go somewhere warm :-) What are everyone elses plans? In the next couple years I really want to go on a cruise, go to Key West, andddd the Virgin Islands. My brother went these places during college and he said they were a must!
So right after the plans were finalized, I already started shopping online for bathing suits haha. I know it is a little ahead of the game but oh wellll!
ps....this is random but is anyone in the photography class here? I really wanted to take it this semester but it was full already. I really like photography and was curious if it was a good/fun class!
So right after the plans were finalized, I already started shopping online for bathing suits haha. I know it is a little ahead of the game but oh wellll!
ps....this is random but is anyone in the photography class here? I really wanted to take it this semester but it was full already. I really like photography and was curious if it was a good/fun class!
Friday, January 30, 2009
i love unc!
sooo I'm sure all of you saw that amazing basketball game Wednesday night. Ty Lawson=my hero. haha when he hit that shot at the buzzer me and three of my friends just had this huge celebratory pile up in the middle of my room...and then we go outside and allll of Morrison is out there cheering and going crazy (I heard this happened at other dorms too). We did the TARRRR....HEEELLLSSS chant and then hark the sound with everyone. Moments like this really make me realize how much I love this place haha it made me so happy. I was sooo pumped up. Tomorrow is a big day....state vs. unc basketball. I mean OBVIOUSLY we will kill them, but they seem to think that they are superior to us still for some reason I just don't understand. They are terrible-clearly-but they LIVE on beating us in football and it drives me crazy. So I can't wait until tomorrow and we just shove in their faces how much better we are :D haha sorry, I'm from Raleigh so I have tonssss of friends that go to State and just give me crap constantly. We definitely have to get that W tomorrow.
I ended up not going to Corey Smith last night :( the tickets sold out before my friends bought theirs and obviously I wasn't going to go alone. I heard it was awesome though--I have got to see him soon. Did any of yall go?
I ended up not going to Corey Smith last night :( the tickets sold out before my friends bought theirs and obviously I wasn't going to go alone. I heard it was awesome though--I have got to see him soon. Did any of yall go?
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
So the weather this afternoon was pretty intense. Pretty much monsooning sideways. This might be terrible to say but my roommate and I kept looking out the window and watching people running around like crazy with umbrellas flying backwards and such. We live in Morrison so there are a lot of people walking past it all the time and they kept sprinting under our balcony. It was highly entertaining for the people who were luckily not stuck outside in it. Speaking of Morrison, I'm pretty sure that we do more fire alarm testing than any other dorm at UNC. It seems like it is sooo often...and then I recently get an email saying their will be fire alarm testing tomorrow from 1:30-3pm. Seriously? The really high screeching beep inside the rooms could kill someone...yet they seem to just really enjoy testing it over...and over...and over again. I guess I should be grateful considering they could potentially save my life but right now it is just annoying!
Beyond Morrison's wonderful qualities, I am going to the Corey Smith concert tomorrow night at Cat's Cradle! I'm pretty excited - I have seen him once before in Myrtle Beach at the House of Blues and it was awesomeeee and so much fun. Is anyone else a Corey Smith fan? If so...go buy tickets now I hear they are selling out! haha yayyyy. OH and I hear Talk Sex with Sue Johanson (sp) is coming here too! That is so hilarious/great...I really kind of want to go. She's pretty much a legend haha.
Peace!
Beyond Morrison's wonderful qualities, I am going to the Corey Smith concert tomorrow night at Cat's Cradle! I'm pretty excited - I have seen him once before in Myrtle Beach at the House of Blues and it was awesomeeee and so much fun. Is anyone else a Corey Smith fan? If so...go buy tickets now I hear they are selling out! haha yayyyy. OH and I hear Talk Sex with Sue Johanson (sp) is coming here too! That is so hilarious/great...I really kind of want to go. She's pretty much a legend haha.
Peace!
Monday, January 26, 2009
folk cures...
I am surprised no one has done this one yet.... but I want to do cures for hangovers. :-)
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Obama!
It is so awesome how many people showed up to watch the inauguration in DC. When they scanned the crowd it's like it was endless---so crazy. I really want to do that at least once in my life because I think it would be the coolest thing ever to witness.
Anyway, I thought Obama's speech was really good. He is such an amazing public speaker. It's like anything he says is true because he says it so powerfully haha. But what he said was very inspirational but also serious about what he wanted to accomplish in the upcoming years. At least right now I really think that he has the means to turn this country around and set it on a better path than we are on currently. I really hope he keeps to his word and does everything possible to make things better. I voted for him - but even if you didn't, I think everyone should agree that his speech was very well said.
Anyway, I thought Obama's speech was really good. He is such an amazing public speaker. It's like anything he says is true because he says it so powerfully haha. But what he said was very inspirational but also serious about what he wanted to accomplish in the upcoming years. At least right now I really think that he has the means to turn this country around and set it on a better path than we are on currently. I really hope he keeps to his word and does everything possible to make things better. I voted for him - but even if you didn't, I think everyone should agree that his speech was very well said.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
lazy days
Hey everyone!
Today was probably the most boring and pointless day ever. Didn't wake up until after 12 and just laid around until dinner. I even organized my room just so I would have something to do haha. Now, clearly I am still bored because I'm just sitting in my room watching the UNC game and writing this blog. We are currently losing to Miami and that is pretty depressing. By the way, I am pretty much obsessed with college basketball and football. So - when UNC loses, I am pretty depressed like the rest of the day haha. I haven't gotten student tickets since the very first game which sucks because I want to go so bad!
Anyway, dorm life is getting pretty old. My current roommate Katie and 2 of our other friends are getting an apartment next year in Chapel Ridge. I can't wait :D it is going to be so much fun and I won't be trapped in a 13 by 13 square with another person! I guess I just am not a dorm person...anyone else feel me on that?
But yeah...I should attempt to find something to do considering it is our first Saturday here. Adios!
Today was probably the most boring and pointless day ever. Didn't wake up until after 12 and just laid around until dinner. I even organized my room just so I would have something to do haha. Now, clearly I am still bored because I'm just sitting in my room watching the UNC game and writing this blog. We are currently losing to Miami and that is pretty depressing. By the way, I am pretty much obsessed with college basketball and football. So - when UNC loses, I am pretty depressed like the rest of the day haha. I haven't gotten student tickets since the very first game which sucks because I want to go so bad!
Anyway, dorm life is getting pretty old. My current roommate Katie and 2 of our other friends are getting an apartment next year in Chapel Ridge. I can't wait :D it is going to be so much fun and I won't be trapped in a 13 by 13 square with another person! I guess I just am not a dorm person...anyone else feel me on that?
But yeah...I should attempt to find something to do considering it is our first Saturday here. Adios!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
