And now . . . .

Without further adu, I present to you my grand masterpiece, my movie website, in all its shining glory.

http://bwhite2.php.cs.dixie.edu/final_fantasy_VII_ACC/Final%20Fantasy%20VII.swf

Nuff Said . . . .

{Peace}

P.S. If you haven't seen this movie, than shame on you! :P

Ella Enchanted: A Twist in the Story

This is a literary analysis of Ella Enchanted. Any comments would be appreciated!

In fairy tales, magic is almost always a key and integrale part of the story; it can shape the story, lead the story, drive the story, it can be used by the antagonist or it can be weapon of the hero. Ella Enchanted is no different but the role that magic plays is different from the typical fairy tale.

From the very first page, magic is introduced to the reader, and its role never diminishes for the rest of the story. In most variants of Cinderella, magic helps her get to the ball, win over the prince and provides her with clothes that are beyond her normal means. Ella Enchanted, on the other hand, takes this idea of magic and expands its role greatly, diversifying it be the antagonist and the protagonist. Not only does magic help her get to the ball in the end, it is also the main cause of her distress throughout the entire story.

At the very beginning Ella is provide with the "gift" of obedience by the fairy Lucinda, and this "gift" forces Ella to obey any direct order, regardless of the request. This causes many problems throughout the book. From small things, such as making her look like a fool, to much larger things that endanger her life and the life of others, Ella is caught in troubling circumstances. This curse, however, explains the reason why she didn't leave her stepmother to begin with when she began to be mistreated.

In most versions of Cinderella, she is portrayed as a quiet, shy and a very obedient girl that allows herself to be walked over. This is much different in Ella Enchanted. Not only is Ella not shy or quiet she is also quite the rebel. Even though this personality trait isn't as evident as it could be since she is forced to obey and be submissive. However, she has her moments that show quite clearly that despite her curse she is independent and rebellious. Take for example, that she runs away from finishing school on a quest to find Lucinda and convince her to remove the curse. She does this alone and without magic which is in strong contrast to most variants where she will not do anything out of the norm unless there is magic involved.

Another good example of this independence is when she is getting ready to go to the ball. She does everything in her power and when that is not enough only then does she resort to magic, and even though she is provided with a carriage and jewelry she uses her own dress, mask and shoes and was planning on going to ball as she was, and only employed magic when her dress would have been ruined by the rain, and all of her effort along with it.

Magic is also present in the in environment of the story, with magical creatures, such as unicorns, centaurs and ogres making their appearance in the story frequently. The ogres played the largest role by capturing and trying to eat the heroine after she runs away from finishing school. They have several magical traits including the power of persuasion, and the ability to see your darkest secrets by simply looking at you. When you combine these two magical powers, it makes a powerful magical foe that is not easily overcome. During the time Ella spends in their captivity she learns their trait of persuasion because she has a gift of languages. This element is ironic since she can not disobey orders and yet she can give them with surprising persuasion. She does not use this power often, however, and this irony goes mostly unnoticed with minimal impact on the story.

The magic in Ella Enchanted also affects Dame Olga (Ella's stepmother) and Ella's father. When Ella's father remarries, Lucinda comes to the wedding and grants another one of her "gifts" to the newly wed couple. She gives the gift of eternal love. Regardless of this, Ella's father still leaves on trading for over a year at a time, which affects Ella adversely because her father was the only thing standing in between Dame Olga and her hate for Ella.

Although the romance for Ella's father was affected by magic, Ella's romantic encounter is affected by magic very little and progresses very naturally, unfettered by magic which is very different from some versions of Cinderella, in which she bewitches the prince by some magical aspect of her appearance. Her relationship is, however, affected indirectly by magic. For instance, the coach that goes to the ball in is, of course magical, like most versions. Ella's curse also affects the relationship, by keeping her from marrying him because she knows that it would put the prince, the kingdom and rest of the royal family in danger, because even though they wouldn't give her any direct orders, other people might, enemies of the king might even order her to kill one or all of the royal family.

Another way that magic is portrayed differently in Ella Enchanted than other versions of Cinderella is the conclusion. In the end it is her overcoming the magic and breaking the curse that allows her to marry the prince not the other way around. This also presents an interesting theory, that love is stronger than magic or that love is magic in and of itself. Although these themes are not totally uncommon in romance literature as a whole, they still are not a common theme in versions of Cinderella. Not only does this strengthen the romance element of the story, it also weakens the overall role of the magic, making the story more believable or relatable.

Despite the overwhelming number of versions of Cinderella that exist, Ella Enchanted sets itself apart from the rest by its clever use of magic in many instances throughout the book, and in contrast to most versions, it does not leave you wondering why she allowed herself to be walked all over. Magic makes a strong appearance in this story without being overbearing, and creates a good balance with Ella's natural desire to be independent and teaches us an important lesson: with good attitude, perseverance, love and patience, we can overcome any obstacle, even magic.

{Peace}

Better Than The Hype . . . .

So, I was awful curious about how long my new Zune 120GB battery would last since it was rumored to last up to 30 hours of music playing time, and so I decided to test it. I started with a fresh charged battery at 9:45 PM on Wednesday night.

I woke up the next morning at 8:30 AM and checked it; it was still running. I put on my headphones and headed to class with it and let it run all during my classes throughout the day. I had a nap, ate two meals before 9:45 PM and started my homework at 9:00 PM Thursday night. 23 hours and counting. I did my homework, watched Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest and had a bedtime snack. I dosed off with my headphones and woke up at 4:10 AM and it was STILL GOING! Since I needed if for the next day, stopped it at 4:15 AM a decided to call it good there.

Estimated battery life of my Zune 120GB: > 30.5 hours or 30+ hours. INSANE! It preforms better than the official time given by Microsoft and there was no telling how much longer it could have gone before it would have finally died. Needless to say, I'm very impressed. Good job, Microsoft!

{Peace}

Happiness Comes in Many Different Flavors . . . .

What you behold before you is a truly amazing piece of technology.

Today, after my classes got out, I wandered over the cafeteria to get some lunch. I ran into some friends and chatted for an hour and a half. I looked at my watch and realized that it was 3 PM, that meant that the mail had arrived. I could hardly sit still from the excitement, but not wanting to be rude, I didn't tell my friend that I needed to go right away. So I waited. Thankfully, I didn't have to wait long since my friend needed to get his bike fixed before the bike shop closed. Soon after that we parted ways and walked quickly to the resident life building (that's where my mail comes) and entered. Kathy, the nice lady behind the desk, saw me walk in and before I said anything, went over the mail rack and retrieved the package addressed to me.

I was elated. I quickly thanked her and literally sprinted across the lawn to my dorm and tore open the padded envelope with feverish haste. To my surprise I found another padded envelope inside of that. Strange, I thought, as I ripped into the second envelope. Thoughts were flitting across my mind that this was better than Christmas. As I opened the second envelope, I noticed that there was a box inside of this one. Surly, this was the last layer and then I could retrieve my prize. The box proved difficult to open since it had been taped on all 6 sides. My small pocket knife cut at the tape for a good 45 seconds before I could pry the box open. Inside the box was yet another padded envelope. Worried thoughts started to drift through my head that wondered if this could be some kind of elaborate joke. I tore into the third envelope with, if it's possible, more haste than the previous ones, but to my joy, a small, black brick dropped out that looked just like the one pictured above. : ) It should also be noted that this "brick" is much more functional than a real one.

With 120GB of storage (that's 4 times the size of my last Zune), a 3.2" screen (.1" bigger than my last Zune), a squircle (is a kick-butt rounded square that has touch sensitivity and button clicking capabilities that is HUGH leaps and bounds better than my last Zune) and a piano black finish (about a million time shinier than my last Zune), make it not only attractive, but useful as well.

There are a few things that I am disappointed about though. There is very slight background noise when songs are changed, also when it's plugged into the wall and the screen is on the screen "sings" in your headphones for some reason. Why it only does it when it's plugged in the wall, I don't know, but it's kinda annoying. Although I knew that there would be no equalizer, I still miss it. I'm used to a little extra kick from the bass and little more height to the treble. This a just a sacrifice for more storage, a bigger screen, three times the battery life and a 25% smaller piece of equipment. A fair trade.

Before you jump to conclusions that this MP3 player sounds bad, it sounds the same as my old Zune, just flatter than the equalizer setting I liked. But when my old Zune is set to default, my new Zune sounds the same on the same song.

Anyway, look and revel in its awesomeness just like I have all day. : )

{Peace}

Birthing Creativity: Animation Mother

The largest computer animation conference in the world is the International Conference and Exhibition on Computer Graphics and Interactive Techniques, and is called SIGGRAPH for short. Every year SIGGRAPH opens their doors to submissions before the conference starts, and out of all the submissions they pick a piece that exemplifies the theme of progress and creativity that is the underlying goal of every conference. In 2008, the piece that was selected for the prestigious SIGGRAPH Computer Animation Festival Award was called “Animation Mother” and was created by Meats Meier.

At first glance this picture might appear to just be a whimsical piece that has no real motivation behind the subject matter or the execution, but as you delve deeper into the “Animation Mother” it becomes clear that it was thoroughly premeditated in every aspect. The color in this piece stands out right away, ranging from a fiery orange to subtle sea greens. The blacks are rich and dynamic and give exceptional depth to this delineation. The light greens and blues in her bust and hair give it a focal point, while your eyes slide through the rest of the picture, soaking up details as they go. The bright white of the hands also demands attention and suggests that she posses power, and it might even be construed that this power is the power of creation, similar to the ability of reproduction that women have. This aspect alone would have made the a strong candidate for the SIGGRAPH award, eluding to the capability we all have to “birth” creative ideas independently.

Another aspect that is quickly noticed by the eye is her striking pose and expression. A welcoming, loving gesture, conducive of the attitude of someone opening their arm for an expected embrace. The slight tilt to the head gives her a less rigid, and more welcoming feel, similar to your real mother. As your eyes travel downward, they notice the almost skirt shape of the grid material below her waist, once again, allowing her to take on a more motherly form.

From an artistic stand point, this is a marvel, but it is even more so from a technical stand point. If you look closely you start to see the vast amount of detail that went into her, from her delicate framework that is made up of thin, mesh like material, to her incredibly realistic looking face and skin texture. The unbelievable level of minute detail continues in the hair, which if you look closely, you will notice thousands of ridges, spines, bumps, dots, barbs, feelers and bristles that make up the individual strands.

The shadow and lighting in this piece also are quite the technical feat, ranging from the ethereal glow of her hands to the specular background of the heavens to the dynamic shadows of her hair and body. It also should be noticed that her form is giving off a delicate glow that could suggest divinity which also could bring to mind the creation aspect. Overall, this picture probably consists of somewhere in the range of the tens of millions of polygons and probably took Meier weeks to complete, if not longer.

Not only does this delineation exemplify all the attributes that SIGGRAPH encourages and promotes, it also gives a clear window into the future and of the possibilities of computer graphics and animation. “Animation Mother” lets your mind explore the creative possibilities that are inside of your own mind, inspiring, stimulating and encouraging the imagination to go towards new heights and possibilities, in a never ceasing effort to quench the inventive nature of the mind and give “birth” to something new.

Any insights for this paper would be appreciated and constructive criticism is welcome. Length is also a consideration, anything that sticks out to you about the picture that I didn't cover, let me know and I will consider adding a paragraph about it. Also, any titles ideas are welcomed! Thanks in advance!

{Peace}

A Twisted Stab at Food Review: The Bent Fork

This is an age of fast food, quickly prepared and often of low quality, so it is refreshing to stumble upon a dining establishment that so thoroughly exceeds expectations and gives a unique and fresh view of the culinary scene. The Bent Fork offers more than just food; it provides the experience of a memorable and exquisite culinary encounter.

When I opened the door to the Bent Fork, the first thing I noticed was the artwork near the front entrance. A variety of forks were bent into spirals, waves, curves, and zig-zags, with each fork framed in its own red wooden box. It was modern and simple, and it set an intriguing tone for my visit. The decor throughout the restaurant mirrored this welcoming artwork, being tasteful and clean, but with a dash of unexpected flavor.

Dark tables starkly contrasted with light brown floors and walls. In the background, the music selections were contemporary and relaxing. Unlike many restaurants, which assault their patrons with loud and annoying songs that mar the eating experience, the Bent Fork offered a refreshingly appropriate soundtrack to complement a meal. Overall, it was a very inviting ambiance.

The service was prompt and friendly. I was greeted immediately, and was seated quickly. The friendly hostess made me feel like an appreciated customer right away, and my waitress was top notch. I was given a menu and ample time to order, and was asked if I had any questions about menu, which surprised me since I have never been asked that before at a restaurant. The menu itself was simple and to the point. There were no pictures, and the descriptions were constrained to a line or two. This, however, did not diminish the dining experience. I found it refreshing not to have to wade through ten pages of menu just to find the entrees and another three to find the drinks and desserts. Free from the bloat of advertisements and promotions, the menu consisted of just one brown page, printed on both sides.

My first regret was that I had not come hungry enough to sample most of the menu. Most of the entrées and sandwiches sounded absolutely delicious. The Bent Fork club sandwich piqued my interest with its grilled chicken, avocado, chipotle mayo, bacon and tomato. The three cheese ravioli also was tempting and many of the sides, such as herb mashed potatoes and garlic bread, sounded intriguing. The dessert list was small, but it made up in quality what it lacked in quantity, featuring delicacies such as gelato trio and Italian creme torte. One thing that surprised me was the lack of a wine list. Although I do not drink, I was surprised by the lack of a wine list. The Bent Fork seemed to be the type of establishment that would offer more sophisticated beverages than soft drinks, coffee, milk, juice, and tea.

I was seated in a booth with high backed benches, which lent a much more private feel than the tables at most dining establishments. The tables were a dark cherry color, and the large, black, linen napkins concealed heavy, expensive flatware. After considerable deliberation, I ordered the green chili lasagna, the restaurant's signature dish. My meal came with the choice of a salad or the soup of the day; I chose the soup. My white bean and sausage soup was brought out promptly, in a small but elegant bowl. Underneath the bowl, on the matching saucer, I was surprised to find a four square inch piece of onion skin, which matched the brown decor. Little touches like this, present throughout my dining experience, greatly added to the restaurant's appeal.

The soup itself was quite good. The beans and the sausage were both high quality, and it was topped with some sort of green leaf that added a nice flavor. The sausage made the soup rather slightly, but not overly so. A garlic bread stick came with the soup, and was also delicious. My friend, who ordered a turkey sandwich with a side of fries, found the wait for her food to be excessive, but since I had got the soup first I did not find the wait to be nearly as unbearable as she did.

When her food did finally arrive, my friend was impressed with the quality of the food and of the dinnerware. Her sandwich and fries, which came separate from her sandwich, were in large, black, metal sandwich baskets. The ketchup came in stainless steel condiment cups, another surprising fine touch. I was also impressed with the presentation of my entree, the lasagna, on a thick stoneware plate.

The lasagna itself was very delicious. The green chili lasagna gets its name from the green chili sauce, but also features smoked chicken, house-made pasta, Italian cheese, and sliced bell peppers. I received a good-sized piece, which came centered in the middle of a large plate covered in the green chile sauce. The overall effect was very professional and gourmet and had obviously been done by a chef who had formal culinary training. Because everything was made fresh, the dish had much more flavor than expected. The lasagna pasta noodles were wonderfully tender and the cheese was delightfully cheesy.

The prices were surprisingly low for the fine quality of the dining experience. My lasagna and soup were only $14.00 and my friend's sandwich and fries were only $7.00. Because of the overwhelming quality of the dining, I would highly recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for somewhere to eat that is out of the ordinary, yet reasonably priced.

My score:

Service: 9/10

Atmosphere: 9/10

Food: 10/10

Price: 10/10

Decor: 9/10

Overall: 9.5/10

This is for my English class. I need about half a page (a full page would be safer) more (double spaced) of content. If any of you have any ideas as to what I can add to fill this out more, it would be greatly appreciated. I tried to go over every single element that I could think of that was related to my dinning experience and now I'm out of ideas. Also, what do you think of the name of the blog entry? Ideas? Suggestions? Thanks in advance! : )

{Peace}

Note to Self on Staying Alive . . . .

Don't EVER attempt a u-turn, in the middle of the night, with no moon . . . in the middle of the highway . . . right in front of traffic!

So there I was, cruising down the highway at 65 MPH at about 10 PM and there was a van stopped on the side of the road. The car in front of me signaled and got in the other lane to go around them and give them a wide birth, but when I tried to follow suit, the van suddenly turned on his left blinker. It crossed my mind that it was a strange time for them to merge back onto the highway, right when I was trying to pass them, but I figured that they were in a hurry and they had seen that I had got into the other lane to avoid hitting them. Then came the most unexpected thing possible: they kept turning, and attempted to do a u-turn . . . in the middle of the night, with no moon . . . in the middle of the highway . . . RIGHT in front of me!

I have always heard people say that when something extremely dangerous happens that time slows down. They are right. Time seemed to stop for a second and I saw, to my horror, that they had turned left in an attempt to turn around, and even though they weren't in my lane yet, I could see that I was going to hit them square in the side if I kept going straight. In this split second span of time my mind searched for possible routes around the van.

First thought: Brake!

[Braking action]

Second thought: Go right. Around the back end of the van in the learned, drivers ed. fashion.

Reason(s) for failure:
1. There isn't enough room to turn that sharply; the angle needed would most likely roll the car right into the van killing everyone. Possibility of failure: 98% - 100%

[No action]

Third thought: Go left. Around the front of the van, off the side of the road.

Reason(s) for failure:
1. This action means turning in front of the van which could cause collision to passenger side.

2. Also, this action requires going into the ditch off the road which might result in rolling the car, blowing out the tires, running into some unseen obstacle in the weeds, or running into the fence. Possibility of failure: 50% - 80%

Decision: Turn left.

[Turn left]

Keep in mind that these thoughts were going through my head in less than a second of real time because that was about the reaction time. That being said, I did not literally think all those words, but the general ideas were passed through my brain but it was more literally like this, "Thatwayroomnotenoughotherwaychancegonow!" But that's no fun. : )

So I turned left.

It wasn't an immediate, direct drop off the edge of the road since there was a turn off into a field.

So this is where my decision took place

After I turned left.

Just before the drop, right when he almost hit me.

The danger of him hitting me was mostly over but now I had worry about the side of the road.

When I was airborne. Well, my front half. I thought I was going to roll here.

All I was trying to do was maintain control and get back on the road.

I almost hit the post here.

The fear started fading slightly here when I realized that I was still alive.

This is where I started hyperventilating.

And so there you have it. The closest I have ever come to dying. Now, I KNOW, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that I had someone watching over me and dad. There were so many things that could have gone wrong and killed me, dad and the people in the van. I could have rolled, t-boned, got t-boned, blew a tire or ran into the post or the fence. I must say, even though I had help, my reflexes were very quick too. I'm sure playing video games helped that, believe it or not.

Anyway, I'm glad me, dad and everyone else involved are alive.

{Peace}

P.S. I hope you enjoyed the illustrations. : ) You can thank Adobe Illustrator CS4 for these images. : )