Blog 7

Blog 7

Paul Miller is a lead writer for The Verge, is extremely opinionated, and loves movie trailers. He reviews consumer technology and where electronics are headed in the future. 

During the summer of 2012, I was selected to participate on a mission trip to Cambodia, where I experienced the culture of the country and learned what composes a good global citizen. While I was there, I taught children about American culture and the English language. Though teaching the Cambodian children was something that changed my life, I was expecting to do that before the trip even started. What I was not expecting to do was teach a working father of five. While staying at a small, 4-bedroom homestay in rural Chi-Phat, I brought out my dictionary to teach the young children how to say a simple greeting in English. While the children and I were sitting around my dictionary, I sensed someone behind me. I looked around to discover that it was the children’s father, nicknamed Chre. Intriguingly, he looked over my shoulder as if he wanted to learn the words as well. I was not expecting this because most Cambodians learn English while in secondary school, but he did not know a single word in English besides “hello.” He sat next to me as I taught him words such as “family,” “happy” and “farmer.” The experience is a situation that I will never forget because we established a solid, genuine connection. The day after I taught him those words, he began to repeat them every time he saw me.

When I am reminiscing about my past trip to Cambodia, I like to think about the time Chre and I spent going over those English words. I would like to imagine that he is still saying them, halfway across the world, on a regular basis.

Johnnie Sinclair

Blog 7

On April 7, country music icons from around America gathered at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada for the 2013 Academy of Country Music (ACM) Awards hosted by country superstars Luke Bryan and Blake Shelton. From Record of the Year to Entertainer of the Year, there were plenty of awards for country superstars, and the winners were quite deserving of their respected wins.

    Hosts Luke Bryan and Blake Shelton began the opening dialogue with comedic banter including hits at Bryan’s tight jeans and Shelton’s wife, Miranda Lambert. Bryan and Shelton also included jokes about Carrie Underwood and other music icons. The opening dialogue ended quickly as award presentations and performances began.

    Nominees for Male Vocalist of the Year included Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Toby Keith, and Blake Shelton. Shelton held the 2012 title of Male Vocalist of the Year, but Jason Aldean won 2013 Male Vocalist of Year. Aldean’s major hits include “Don’t You Wanna Stay”, “Church Pew or Bar Stool”, and “Just Passing Through”. Although Shelton did not win Male Vocalist of the Year, his wife, Miranda Lambert, won Female Vocalist of the Year and Record of the Year with her song, “Over You”.

    As the night continued, more awards and honors were awarded to various artists and vocal groups. Thompson Square won Vocal Duo of the Year. Eric Church won Album of the Year for his popular album, “Chief”. Florida Georgia Line won New Artist of the Year, a major honor in music awards. Little Big Town won Vocal Group of the Year. “Over You”, written by Blake Shelton and performed by Miranda Lambert, won Song of the Year.

    With only one award left, all performers were focused on one title: Entertainer of the Year. The deserving nominees included Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, Miranda Lambert, Blake Shelton, and Taylor Swift. Swift held the 2011 and 2012 title for Entertainer of the Year, and everyone awaited to see if lucky number three would also be in favor. The 2013 Entertainer of the Year award went to male country superstar Luke Bryan.

    Between the laughs and awards, the 2013 Academy of Country Music Awards was a major success. Two and three time title holders passed their titles down to the up and coming music stars, and even those who did not win a title or award still had an enjoyable laugh or two throughout the eventful evening.

-Mimicking Entertainment Weekly blogger Mandi Bierly

Sophie Daily

TPP staff writer

Blog 7

This is in the style of Jonathan Tilove, a writer for the Austin American-Statesman. He writes in a lightly cynical style and uses cliche/cheesy expressions in very smart ways.

I have some trouble with my favorite band. Or should I say former favorite band, as they don't exist yet.

Sonic Youth, the inventors of indie, has broken up after 30 years due to irreconcilable differences. However, these are not between all members. Frontman and guitarist Thurston Moore and bassist Kim Gordon separated in 2011 after 27 years of marriage, and the details of the separation are now coming out two years later.

Gordon explained to Spin Magazine that Moore had been seeing another woman outside the marriage. He continued to see the woman even as he and his wife were going through marriage counseling. Gordon said that the affair reached the point of a double life, and describes her husband as a "lost soul." Gordon and Moore have a 20-year old daughter named Coco. Gordon and Moore are both 60 years old.

From my personal take, a cheating scandal this late in life is a true shame. In my opinion they had something special, both musically and through their chemistry - touring as a band often strains interpersonal relationships. They managed to get through all that. My heart goes out to them, and I can only wish them the best despite how much I miss them.

Blog 7

For the past week, I have been thinking about quotes. I don't know why I have this sudden urge, but each time I read another one it infatuates me to think about what's going on in my life. Besides the classic movie quotes like, "You had me at Hello," quotes can come from the most unlikely of places. How do people come up with these saying that twist you mind and make you think? Is it random or do they have a gift of just making words flow well. I have attempted making my own quotes because I wanted to represent myself in a phrase that would describe my life. My first one created was, " you must learn the feeling of loss, before you can accept the feeling of winning." Think about it. How do you know what it feels like when everything you have worked for comes true, when you haven't even discovered what really matters when you lost it. I know that sounds confusing, but only a person's true desires come after they have lost. My other quote is one of motivation which is always helpful. " If you give up, then what have you really given." There is no point of quitting unless you succeed. Quotes change people, and they also are a representation of us. However, only the few can dissect them and understand their true meaning.

Elaine Shen blog #7

Local University's golf club transports staff to Austin to compete in annual sports competition

University of Houston is using a new solution to provide its students with a 24-hour service,. Rather than hiring more workers or switching current staff to the overnight staff, Houston-based Metro has offered to transport some of the students to a part of Houston to save costs.

Metro, which serves more than one million Houstonians a year, came up with this idea after studying the processes used in colleges in Chin, the DDE reports. The staff has since driven a trial group for 10 students to Dallas, where they took over another busing company. The staff works in shifts of four days in order to travel around the region.

Journal/Blog 6

Picture by: Adam Elmakias

Taken by Elmakias, this is Asking Alexandria, a Metal band from England. On their recent tour in the states, Elmakias toured with them taking pictures of their lives on and off the stage. This image provides an example of what the lights at AA's live shows are like and provides a creative shot that looks like a sun.

Another image taken by Elmakias of one of AA's live shows. This show cases the view that the band sees every night and the pyrotechnics that go into their performances. The colors are great and balances with the purple on the stage ground and the vibrant yellow and orange of the fireworks shooting over the crowd.

Picture by: Adam Elmakias

Pierce the Veil is a post core rock band originated out of the state of California. Like Asking Alexandria, Elmakias toured with PTV on their recent "Collide With the Sky" tour. Setting up a white backdrop backstage, this is a picture of the lead singer Vic Fuentes. Although Fuentes looks like he is fixing his jacket, this image is posed. With that being said, there is a great balance between white, grey and black levels and nothing is over or under exposed. A very casual picture for a heavy style of musician.

Blog 5

Naomi

http://www.anywhere-but-home.com/

Sweltering weather, crowded streets, delicious food - just a typical summer's day in Shanghai, China. I wandered around the streets aimlessly, observing the locals' daily routines as I passed by, and I visited all the famous landmarks around the city. It was incredible to see such a modern place, full of bustling streets and sleek buildings, when I'd just been staying in my parents' rural town where wide stretches of farm fields were abundant. It was a city full of life.

At night I wandered toward the famous Bund, where colorful lights illuminated all of the historical buildings, reflected in the clear waters of the Huangpu River. There I was, with every other tourist in Shanghai, admiring the stunning view, yet I felt right at home.

Blog 6

Last summer, I went to France as a part of an exchange program, and I stayed with a host family who lived on a farm in a city that only had a population of around 400. It was different, obviously, than what I was used to, having lived in a big city like Houston all my life, but it was a great experience nonetheless. I was somehow able to become friends with my host sister, who didn't speak a word of English, with my broken French. I grew close to her, and the rest of her family, in those three weeks.

In a few years, when I'm in college, I'm definitely planning on coming back to France as a part of a study abroad trip. I want to go back with my improved French, and see if it's possible for me to get by. And, of course, I want to visit my host family and see how they're doing. I'm really excited for all the opportunities that lie ahead, and I can't wait until the time comes when I can finally travel again.

blog 5

maryam nabhani
blog 5

written in the style of Laila Lalami

Book Review: Daisy Miller

Capturing the essence of the clashing old and new worlds, old money verses new money, Henry James' Daisy Miller expresses how the uncouth, un-classy Nouveau riche try to blend into the realms of the elegant Western European world. James' himself is an American-Born, European-transformed man; his essence is reflected in that of the active character of Winterbourne, another European-made gentleman who finds himself lost in the wonder of the titular character, Daisy Miller. Daisy exemplifies a brash, bold American teenage girl; she's of "new money" and finds herself trying to prove her identify in the sophistication of Europe, though ironically unintentionally tarnishing her own reputation.

Blog 6 Claire Fisher

I had band practice until 4:30 after school. I went to the band hall, put my cellphone on the music stand, and put my clarinet together. Practice was normal, and when it was over, I got a ride home with my friend. I walked through my front door, reached in my pocket, and realized something very important was missing.
Over 225,000,000 cellphones are used in the United States. Smart phones are nifty devices that can be extremely helpful are extremely dangerous. Most adults keep a banking app on their phone which contains their account information. This is helpful if someone steals your wallet, but deadly if someone steals your phone. Luckily, the good people at Apple have a solution this: the "Find My iPhone" app.
The find "Find My iPhone" app can wipe your phone of all data, lock it remotely, play a sound, send a message to the finder of your missing iPhone, and even show you where your phone is. This app can be used on any other Apple device, so if your device goes missing, you can borrow a friends to find it.
I am glad I have the app because if I didn't, my phone may have been lost forever. When I arrived home after school, my phone was not where I thought it was. I called my friend to ask if it was in his car; he didn't see it. I went back to school and scoured the band hall; it wasn't there. Then I used the "Find My iPhone" app and saw that it was on Fifth Street and Grand Lake Street.
My mom and I rushed to the listed location. We knocked on doors and searched lawns, remaining unsuccessful. Our next move was to go to the police station.
Arriving at the police station, I called my friend one more time and played a sound through the "Find My iPhone" app. It was in his car.
Technology is one of the most useful tools, but losing my cellphone made me realized that I am too attached to it.