Archives for the Month of September 2007 on Colin Mulholland's Online Journal
Two of a Kind or Two Distinct?
Two of a Kind or Two Distinct?
Case Western has a variety of writing displays. Whether it is assigned or personal it serves a specific purpose. Which brings me to my question, are virtual and physical writing similar, and/ or do they ever work in unison to accomplish an idea?
Physical writing consists of the every day signs and drawings we see walking to and from class or events. Usually these catchy, informal pieces of information flow together. For example, during rush weeks the sidewalks were covered with fraternity events and the billboard, on the backside of thwing, was guaranteed to be engulfed in paint revealing similar information. A topic we have once discussed in class was a billboard reading, “Party like a rockstar behind Wade.” Although the slogan proved to be inaccurate, it was still intriguing and was a proven success based on the attendance at the event. The billboard might not be the reason someone attends an event, but it may be the source of their knowledge. Also, the cork board on the other side of Thwing reveals many service opportunities and job openings on or near campus. This benefits all individuals who are seeking knowledge on related topics. It is helpful when information is available in one spot, as oppose to constantly searching for new sources of information.
Virtual writing on the other hand is a more formal, structured type of writing here at Case. An individual can usually rely on virtual writing to be fixed, as oppose to physical writing on campus which is continuously changing. Virtual writing, commonly thought of as the internet and its’ related sources, has countless options via the click of a button. Students, who rarely have an abundance of time during the week, find the Case website very useful. Students can check email, locate buildings on campus, check their schedule, and complete a variety of other tasks extremely efficiently. Virtual writing is a more descriptive sort of text.
Although physical and virtual writing are two distinct genres of expressing thought, they are similar in many ways. Both genres are assisted by and/ or created by students, group leaders, faculty, and other authoritative positions. The most fascinating of all similarities is how both physical and virtual writing relate to each other. The Wade arrows that are still on the ground from Welcome Days, direct students and visitors to a building in which they might have had a difficult time finding by themselves. The most popular physical genre on the sidewalk is “search on google: Who’s Ron Paul.” In my research I found that Ron Paul is a Congressman who is seeking a presidential nomination in the year 2008. This is a thoughtful and precise strategy in advertising. The effectiveness of this strategy is displayed during classes when students are reading about Ron Paul and visiting his site. Physical writing is useful in establishing ideas, but if curiosity still persists about the subject, an individual will utilize his or her virtual sources to further their research.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=za78ZGmVErs&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Eronpaul2008%2Ecom%2F
A Way of Expression
A Way of Expression
The painful art of tattooing has become more common as the years have gone by. The thought that an individual needs to express him or herself so badly that he or she is willing to endure pain on their own body is intriguing to me. When the expression of word or actions is not enough, one may turn to tattooing to convey their message permanently. Permanently inking one’s self may seem extreme, but to an individual it may be the best possible measure of expression. The time and planning that are involved in this art convey the significance the image or text may have on the individual.
Significance is a very interesting topic in tattooing. One may think that a permanently inked pictured of an object is uncreative and pointless, but to the individual who is tattooed it may symbolize a value or treasure in his or her life. The thought that you might never know what a person is trying to express through their art, without talking to them, is interesting to me. Two individuals may have the same artwork on their bodies but the images may symbolize to distinct and unique ideas.
A friend of mine has invested his resources into a permanent ink drawing. He suggests that the artwork symbolizes his mom’s strength in being a two time defeat of breast cancer. He adds that his tattoo is encouraging anyone who has come across cancer to “keep fighting the good fight.” My friend has gone beyond the thought of self and has incorporated the feelings of others, such as his mother and all other cancer fighters, into a small picture on his body. A tattoo in this case carries much more magnitude because it goes beyond the individual. A person who is contemplating body art should invest his or her time, money, and body into something presentable that will always have significant meaning to them and possibly others.
When does a tattooing transform from crafty to excessive and stereotypical “show offs”? Stereotypical tattooing involves countless pieces of art in one area. This results in an inability to clearly distinguish a person’s view. An individual may have a variety of creative and meaningful tattoos that are ruined due to an inability to space and organize feelings. People are trying to express themselves through art, but due to unnecessary clustering, all of their ideas are misunderstood. If the objective is to express yourself, why would you make the art so difficult to understand? Just keep it simple!
Even prisoners have learned to keep their jail tattoos clear-cut. A very common tattoo in prison is a tear drop under the eye. It is said to represent, “a wearer who: has committed a murder, had family or friends die while they were incarcerated, and is a convicted child molester” (Break the Code- Tear Drop). This simple tattoo has a variety of meanings, but all of them relate to pain felt by the prisoner or someone the prisoner has affected.
When it comes to tattoos “, the decision is between looking nice versus showing off” (Soyland 225). The decision may seem easy, but to some there seems to be no difference.
Life on the Walls (With Pics)
Life on the Walls
There are numerous amounts of text that each Case student passes by each day. Whether he or she notices these writings is the topic at hand. The variety includes bulletins, posters, and, the least noticed of all, rules. Most of the writings affect students in different ways. Some students may stop to read a few on occasion, while others may never read them but know that they are there just in case the day comes when the information in the text may be valuable. The resident advisors are structured with hallway information, but students are encouraged to make their rooms as unique or homey as needed.
Pictures, as discussed in a previous class, are fading to a more informal classification with a majority of them being of friends as opposed to family. This shows me that the bonds of family are declining and the importance of friends and other relationships is on the rise with our generation. This is a definite American trend that is spreading quickly throughout the country. I feel the growing importance of friends is significant, but it is sad to see how invaluable the idea of family is to some students. In their defense, students may have had a rough childhood and may be looking to start over with a new community of relationships. As long as a student has support in a time of adversity is the main issue of this concern.
The most common way to express your self in your dorm room is by posters. Posters have a unique way of displaying ones variety of interests through words and picture. On my floor, there is a room that consists of a variety of posters. The two most meaningful are Martin Luther King Jr. “I have a dream” and Led Zeppelin “stairway to heaven. Each poster has two distinct meanings and can be understood in a variety of ways. The Martin Luther King Jr. poster might indicate that he or she is proud of their heritage or it might be honoring the greatest speech of all time. Led Zeppelin’s “Stairway to Heaven” may be indicating a preference in music or even possibly even state a religious idea that he or she may be interested in heaven.
Download file
The variety of texts and even more meanings makes each room and residence hall unique, but not always are the posters and other texts a distinct symbol of who lives in the dorm. Sometimes these pieces can be very misleading, such as a Bart Simpson poster that is hanging because the person doesn’t want their room to be plain and it was the only poster left at the poster sale, or a picture of The Little Mermaid in another residences room that makes him think of his little sister. Hopefully this piece will make you think before you judge someone based on the pieces hanging in their room, and even persuade you to hang something in your room that is out of the ordinary.
Life on the Walls
Life on the Walls
There are numerous amounts of text that each Case student passes by each day. Whether he or she notices these writings is the topic at hand. The variety includes bulletins, posters, and, the least noticed of all, rules. Most of the writings affect students in different ways. Some students may stop to read a few on occasion, while others may never read them but know that they are there just in case the day comes when the information in the text may be valuable. The resident advisors are structured with hallway information, but students are encouraged to make their rooms as unique or homey as needed.
Pictures, as discussed in a previous class, are fading to a more informal classification with a majority of them being of friends as opposed to family. This shows me that the bonds of family are declining and the importance of friends and other relationships is on the rise with our generation. This is a definite American trend that is spreading quickly throughout the country. I feel the growing importance of friends is significant, but it is sad to see how invaluable the idea of family is to some students. In their defense, students may have had a rough childhood and may be looking to start over with a new community of relationships. As long as a student has support in a time of adversity is the main issue of this concern.
The most common way to express your self in your dorm room is by posters. Posters have a unique way of displaying ones variety of interests through words and picture. On my floor, there is a room that consists of a variety of posters. The two most meaningful are Martin Luther King Jr. “I have a dream” and Led Zeppelin “stairway to heaven. Each poster has two distinct meanings and can be understood in a variety of ways. The Martin Luther King Jr. poster might indicate that he or she is proud of their heritage or it might be honoring the greatest speech of all time. Led Zeppelin’s “Stairway to Heaven” may be indicating a preference in music or even possibly even state a religious idea that he or she may be interested in heaven.
The variety of texts and even more meanings makes each room and residence hall unique, but not always are the posters and other texts a distinct symbol of who lives in the dorm. Sometimes these pieces can be very misleading, such as a Bart Simpson poster that is hanging because the person doesn’t want their room to be plain and it was the only poster left at the poster sale, or a picture of The Little Mermaid in another residences room that makes him think of his little sister. Hopefully this piece will make you think before you judge someone based on the pieces hanging in their room, and even persuade you to hang something in your room that is out of the ordinary.
Making the Most of Opportunities
Colin Mulholland
Professor Kurt Koenigsberger
FSCC 100 Life of the Mind
5 September 2007
Making the Most of Opportunities
The reason why I am attending Case Western is probably similar to many of the other students, but how I came upon Case is completely different. Being from Florida and coming to Cleveland, OH, for college is insane, or so I have been told. Although this sacrifice of leaving my friends and family will not be easy, knowing that I have a much better chance at success in the future is comforting.
Ever since I was a young child, I had dreams of becoming a Division I athlete. When I realized I was not going to be a professional athlete, I decided to broaden my horizons and use my talents to get a respectable education. I applied for admission to Washington and Lee, but was denied. Whether this will have a positive or negative affect on my life I may never know, but I am certain that I am going to make the most of my college experience. After I was rejected, I applied to ten other Division III schools. My final decision was between Case Western Reserve University and Hampden-Sydney College. It was basically a choice between an elite institution in a cold, urban setting or becoming a southern gentleman in a warm, rural climate. My decision to attend Case was based on its’ tremendous reputation. People said that Case has the ability to maximize my potential, and I can not agree more. My professors, four of which have a PHD, are incredibly gifted and encourage me to reach past the expected and yearn for something more. Another benefit to being a Case student is the endless possibilities for research and internship options. Being interested in medicine makes the university much more appealing. Options such as the Cleveland Clinic, which is one of the elite research facilities in the country, and Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital have countless internship openings every year.
There are many reasons to attend college. Some people may attend because they are forced by their parents, while others may be the first in their family to attend. A view expressed by many is that “education increases one’s earning potential, so attending college is a ticket to a high paying job” (Standler). Although this may be a relatively accepted reason, it is not always accurate. I feel that it takes much more than a higher education to be successful. It takes desire, intelligence, and most of all luck. I do feel that a college degree enhances your ability to accomplish your goals, but it does not give you a golden ticket. Some may also say that the years in college allow for an individual to become more mature. I completely agree with this statement because I feel there is no substitute for experience. The only way to gain experience is to challenge oneself and attempt new things. Although a college degree unlocks a variety of job opportunities, there are many jobs in which a college degree is not necessary and a considerable amount of money may still be earned. It is said that “a postman who delivers letters (only a high school education) can earn more money than a school teacher with a Master’s degree” (Standler). While money is a definite asset in our country, the ability to teach and help others is much more valuable to me. Helping others gives me a feeling that money will never possibly be able to. A college degree will make an individual more confident in his or her ability to complete a task, but is not the only way to lead a successful life.
I have many big plans for my time here at Case, as well as my time afterwards. Whether these plans will be accurate or not, only time will tell. Case presents a great opportunity for me to achieve many goals and experience many new things. I have already experienced the diversity of Case, and the fifty states and sixteen countries that the student body is made up of. I have friends from Pakistan, Ghana, and Alaska. I have also met some incredibly talented individuals. Many students play a variety of instruments and have unique talents, such as speaking multiple languages and dancing. Some may say that different is not always a good thing, but I am intrigued by new ideas and activities. I’m hoping that in the future I will have countless connections with established professionals in a variety of fields and I will have Case to thank for it. Already I am learning from the elite in every one of my classes. Basketball is also going to give me another amazing experience here at Case Western. I will be able to play the game I enjoy while also traveling to major cities in the United States, such as New York, Chicago, and St. Louis. The plan is for the team to take another trip to a foreign country when we are seniors, which will be the best cultural experience of my life. If the overseas trip does not work out with basketball, I also plan to study abroad either in South America or Europe through Case programs. The cultural experiences gathered at Case will be helpful when my goal of becoming a military doctor is accomplished.
Now that I am here at Case, I am anxious to learn all the university has to offer. The knowledge and information I will acquire here at Case will be abundant, but I feel that learning different cultures and having a variety of experiences will be equally as valuable as I take my next step in life.
Works Cited
The Purdue OWL Family of Sites. 26 Aug. 2005. The Writing Lab and OWL at Purdue and Purdue
University. 6 Sept. 2007
Why Attend College. Aug. 2004. Ronald B. Standler. 6 September 2007