Ethos

How do you start a paper off and make a reader feel comfortable reading what you wrote? Ethos. Ethos is thus simply just making my audience feel like I am a trustworthy person whom they can believe and enjoy reading what I have to say. When I write to someone to portray my ethos I simply just try to write simply. I personally hope that this year my ethos has been rather blunt. I wanted my ethos this year to just be one that puts the facts and my opinions on a piece of paper and then lets you formulate what you think off of my work. This year my composition teacher Mr. Mitchell talked about the importance of ethos in your paper. After all of the diagrams (my favorite one being on the white board) and interactive learning throughout this year I have found my ethos, and my definition of ethos. My ethos is just making people feel comfortable as well being able to throw on some of my personality and sprinkle it with my little quirks.

I feel like that my ethos can best displayed on this profile in our first assignment. We were given the task to analyze an advertisement, which I thoroughly enjoyed. I of course chose the one thing that has been in my life since I was a young boy. Soccer. I analyzed an advertisement over Adidas featuring David Beckham. (See below) At first my paper was a bit rough but after having an Internet chat with Mr. Mitchell he was able to read through what I wrote to what I meant. I meant to say a lot of things that I thought everyone could see into on their own…I was wrong to say the least. Yet, through this I discovered that this was my ethos. I only gave what I thought was needed for others who know me to understand me. I tried to treat everyone like they were my friends, and thus my ethos.

Then in our third writing assignment in the semester I wrote a Rogerian paper over the pros and cons of keeping cannabis legalized. This was probably my second favorite paper second to the advertisement analysis because it gave me the ability to analyze both sides of the same argument and formulate my opinion. I enjoyed this style of writing because I can see how persuasive this can truly be by researching and presenting both of the facts at once. How could a person dispute something that is truthful? In this article I used sources from the The New York Times, The Drug Rehab Treatment Center, and a documentary called The Union. My ethos in this paper was very neutral. It let me describe the benefits of both sides while still letting my get my view across to others. It was like a conversation, except that I was both people.

This site itself is an extension of myself. The name Requiem comes from the title of one of my favorite movies Requiem For a Dream, and my alter ego Mr. Smith a character from a youth time favorite television show Hey Arnold. Everything I have written this year builds on previous times in my life. I am the person that I am today because of previous events in my life, and I wouldn’t trade any of them. Now just to add a little something of me to end on some of my favorite quotes.

“Life is one big road with lots of signs. So when you riding through the ruts, don't complicate your mind. Flee from hate, mischief and jealousy. Don't bury your thoughts, put your vision to reality . Wake Up and Live!” Bob Marely

“Don't gain the world and lose your soul, wisdom is better than silver or gold...” Marely

The Irish gave the bagpipes to the Scots as a joke, but the Scots haven't got the joke yet. ~Oliver Herford

Freshman Year

People have always told me the college was some of the best times of their lives, and I always said well i can't wait to experience them for myself. To be honest there is nothing like this first year in college that I have ever gotten to experience. The first thing that comes to mind is absolute and under freedom. I have been able to take free reign over my life this year and answer to no one and do whatever I please. Yet, I have hardly changed with my new found freedom. I am still the same person that I was when I came to OU just a little more acquainted with what life is able to throw at me. This year I have procrastinated, lived, ran, sat, stared at the sky for no reason, and slept all day. I have done everything I could possibly want when I want and with who I want. This year has been something else. I am very happy with my choice to attend Oklahoma University and make this year something that I never could have anywhere else. The best thing about this year is that I haven't had to change, or fit a mold to belong anywhere, I have always been able to be myself and enjoy things how I choose with people who share the same beliefs and ideals as me. 

So Thanks OU

A Day Without Technology

Starting at 12:01 on Tuesday May 4th I stopped using my computer completely for the entire day. My day started like any other, I woke up right before class and took my 15 minute trek down to the Physical Science Center. Usually while sitting in chemistry class I use my computer. I have one of my headphones in playing some soft music while casually surfing the web while taking notes. I clearly have grown accustomed to this routine because on Tuesday I was very very very very bored in class. Of course I go to class to pay attention which I do while taking notes but in the down time of crossing over from lecture point and video to which means nothing to me I casually like to visit the amazing possibilities of the internet. Unfortunately for me I was out of luck. That was honestly one of the hardest parts of the day for me. Luckily on Tuesday I got to make the drive to my hometown Tulsa and back. So while cleaning and packing some of my stuff away in my car I started the two hour drive home. When I got home I went and made arrangements to fill out some applications when I went home.

Then the next part of my day was a little different than usual (not only because I was in Tulsa and not in Norman) because I chose not to surf the web or talk to friends online. Instead I went for a walk around my neighborhood followed by dinner with my parents. That night I went and watched my local high-school in their first round playoff games. I spent time outside enjoying the night.

Its a little sad because I am so used to being wired to the internet that I don't plan out my day with activities to stay occupied like I did that Tuesday. When ever I feel boredom coming on I surf and surf on my computer till I find something that strikes my interest. Yet, the feeling of being connected to something that usually takes a couple of hours in my day for school or recreational purposes was much overdue for its lack of use.

Thinking about how connected I am with my computer is very sad, but what is even worse is that I am connected even more to my phone. I hardly go anywhere without being in contact with someone. Is there anyone who went a day without their phone? Did you experience something similar to me or was it more or less severe?

Arizona...How Far is to Far

How many of you have heard of the new laws being enacted in Arizona. Well if you haven't yet heard of anything going on yet then I implore you to watch this fun sketch of Arizona's new law from the Daily Show featuring John Stewart.

http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/mon-april-26-2010/law---border

Look how far America has come in 100 years. This is just sad. I now live in a country where this is passed and am frankly a little embarrassed. Yet, I do enjoy how John Stewart can bring this news to America in a way that is sadly funny. It is sad but true how many people would choose that a white man (even if it is Jeffery Dommer). So I guess my question is how people feel about what has happened in Arizona. Frankly, I am disgraced is there anyone who thinks this is a good thing?