thomaskellington

[thomaskellington]

Photographer's eye: My Old House

These pictures that I will be showing are from the day before I moved out of my old house. All of the furniture was gone, and because of this, it started to really hit me that I was moving. This is a picture of my living room with a sliding door that leads to the backyard. When I was growing up, I used to watch TV and play boardgames with my parents here.

This is a picture of my kitchen with the left door leading to my living room and the right door leading to the garage. Looking back at this picture, I started to think about the thousands of meals I ate here with my family.

This is a picture of the doors of the three bedrooms of the house. Looking back at this, I began to think about the memories of most of my life revolving around these three rooms. I lived in two out of three of these rooms, and I spent a lot of my time hanging out with my mom in her room.

This is a picture of my pool and backyard. Looking back at this, I began to think about all of the great times I had with my friends and family. Especially all of the pool and backyard parties my family and I had.

This was my shed at the end of the backyard. I remembered all of the times my mom would ask for my help fixing the pool and other things from here. I could also see part of my neighbors house in the picture who I used to be best friends with when I was younger.

Overall, these pictures convey a deep feeling of nostalgia and a subtle feeling of loss in me. I spent 18 years, which is the vast majority of my life in this house. Whenever I look at these pictures, I begin to think about all of the great times and memories I made here. However, I also think about the fact that I will never be back here, and that now I have to move on from my childhood house. I do know however, that the older I get and more memories I make, the easier it's going to be to let go.

[thomaskellington]

My Manifesto: Exploring the deeper meanings of music, literature, and art.

In a world that is often consumed by the rush of everyday life, it's easy to overlook the profound meanings hidden within music, literature, and art. These subjects offer more than mere entertainment. They serve as gateways to understanding the complexities of the human experience. As I prepare to graduate with my Associates Degree, I am embarking on a journey of self-discovery, and I must recognize the importance of diving deeper into these forms of expression to broaden my perspective. 

Music, with its harmonious melodies and lyrics, has the power to stir emotions within us that we may not even know exist. It transcends language barriers and connects us on a fundamental level. When we take the time to listen attentively, we can uncover layers of meaning beneath the surface. Whether it's the haunting melancholy of a classical symphony or the raw intensity of a rock band, each composition carries a story waiting to be heard. I started to realize this when I did my analysis on the “Wish You Were Here” album cover as well as a playlist on Beethoven's influence on music today. By immersing ourselves in different genres and styles, we open ourselves up to a world of diverse experiences and perspectives.

Literature, too, offers a window into the human soul. Through the pages of a novel or the lines of a poem, we can explore the depths of human emotion and imagination. From the timeless classics to contemporary works, each piece of literature reflects the unique perspectives of its creator and invites us to contemplate our own place in the world. When I did an analysis on the poem “The Road Not Taken” by Robert Frost, I realized how a poem only 20 lines long can convey such a deep meaning and perspective on self-discovery. By analyzing themes and symbols, we can uncover universal truths about love, loss, hope, and despair. Through the act of reading, we not only expand our knowledge but also cultivate empathy and understanding for others.

Art, in all its forms, challenges us to see the world through a different lens. Whether it's a breathtaking painting, a thought-provoking sculpture, or a mesmerizing dance performance, art has the power to evoke strong reactions and provoke deep introspection. Each brushstroke, each movement, carries with it the essence of the artist's vision and emotion. When I did my analysis on the painting “Endless Prayers” by Y.Z. Kami, and “The Spirit of Fort Myers” sculpture, I began to realize how a painting and a sculpture can bring out deep emotions and feelings in the viewer. I saw that something as simple as a sculpture was able to bring an entire town together after hurricane Ian. By engaging with art, we can explore complex concepts and ideas that transcend language and culture. We can confront difficult truths, challenge our assumptions, and expand our capacity for empathy and compassion.

To truly appreciate the deeper meanings of music, literature, and art, we must approach them with an open mind and a willingness to explore the unknown. We must resist the temptation to passively consume content and instead actively engage with it, asking questions, seeking connections, and reflecting on our own experiences. By embracing curiosity and cultivating a sense of wonder, we can unlock new perspectives and insights that will provide deep meanings hidden in music, literature, and art. 

In a world that is often consumed by the rush of everyday life, it's easy to overlook the profound meanings hidden within music, literature, and art. These subjects offer more than mere entertainment. We live in a world filled with endless possibilities for discovery and growth. By embracing the transformative power of music, literature, and art, we can embark on a journey of self-discovery that will shape our lives for years to come. Let us dive into the rich music, literature, and art of emotions and experiences that await us. Together, we can explore the deeper meanings and complexities of the human experience.

[thomaskellington]

Module 13 discussion on Joshua's blog

Hey Joshua, after reading the Not Seen on TV analysis on "The Three Dimensions" by Peter Campus, I completely agree with your point that the video doesn't tell a story like movies or shows do. He shows us how easy it is to change ourselves through images, which is incredibly common today in social media. This way of storytelling is very unique and effective because it makes the audience feel and think instead of just telling us a story. Like you, I also thought to myself that I should step back and pay more attention to what is real and what is not in social media.

[thomaskellington]

Ekphrasis of Cafe Terrace at Night

The artist's use of brushstrokes to create texture and light and depth, along with a great use of color, are all evident in this painting. The yellow light beneath the cafe's terrace provides the illusion that both the cafe's lights and the lights inside the neighboring buildings are on. The sky that is painted in the image has a pleasing depth to it because of the various shades of blue. The artist's use of brushstrokes to convey texture is evident in the painting's floor, which has the appearance of pavers. With all of these little details, the image is rendered so well that you can almost envision yourself there, drinking coffee at the cafe or strolling down the lovely street while taking in the surroundings and the starry night sky. The image I've selected is an 1888 artwork by Vincent Van Gogh called Café Terrace at Night. The colors and the way they cast shadows and provide light to the image to make it more vibrant are the piece's most important aspects. I decided to explain the picture as though I were looking at it in a museum. I really admire Van Gogh's paintings because they are so vibrant and have such a lovely, almost gritty texture that it makes me want to be in the scene he depicted. An Ekphrasis is a literary description of an art. My ekphrasis gives the painting a description that conveys not only the image but also more of a technical understanding of the painting's creation process.

[thomaskellington]

Not seen on TV

The Bill Viola Ascension video is the one I've selected. Slow motion footage of a man jumping into what appears to be the ocean or another body of water is shown in this video. A number of bubbles are seen rising to the surface from beneath the man as he falls into the water, and light can be seen emanating from the water's surface. Compared to still image art, moving visuals can truly convey the true meaning of what the artist is attempting to convey. The film seems to be suggesting, in my opinion, that people occasionally choose to pursue endeavors for which they are ill-prepared or unprepared. In the same way that the sea was too deep and had no bottom when the man dove in. There may seem to be no end at times, just as the man was unable to find any ground. But the man looked back up and swam to the top after gathering himself. It might illustrate how some people just need to pause and assess their current situation in life. All they have to do is take it all in, understand that things aren't as horrible as they seem, and then "swim" their way back to the top. All I would have seen in a still photo was a man coming back to the water's surface or sinking into the dark water. I could display two entirely different pictures, but the video art portrays the real image and the actual meaning of the piece. This piece seems to be a challenge to television's expertise. In reality, people only watch television when they're bored. viewing television shows most of the time that are meaningless in the real world. This video art genuinely conveys a message. Instead of just being some stupid TV program you watch when you have nothing else to do, there is something meaningful to be understood.

[thomaskellington]

Hamlet analyzation

For my assignment, I decided to look at the famous part of Hamlet where he's thinking out loud in Act 3, Scene 1. I wanted to see how this scene fits with my own thoughts just based on that famous line. It's super intense and feels like Hamlet is trying to decide whether to deal with life's problems head-on or to just end it all by killing himself. The scene exudes a palpable sense of drama, as Hamlet appears to weigh the stark choice between confronting life's challenges head-on or considering the finality of deathBut there's more to it than just that. Hamlet confronts the moral implications of both choices. His introspection reflects a profound sense of disillusionment with the world around him, compounded by the betrayal he feels at the hands of those closest to him. Him being alone on stage makes it feel like you're getting a peek into his private thoughts. With his dad being murdered by his uncle and all, it seems like he's really struggling with some heavy emotions. The "to be or not to be" thing really captures this struggle as Hamlet thinks about whether it's better to keep suffering through life or to find peace in death. This introspective moment unveils the complexity of Hamlet's internal conflict, laying the groundwork for the intricate tapestry of deceit and vengeance that unfolds throughout this enduring tragedy. This moment shows how torn up inside Hamlet is, setting the stage for the revenge that happens later in the play.

[thomaskellington]

Anatomy Of A Scene

In Billy Wilder's classic comedy "Some Like It Hot," Marilyn Monroe, Tony Curtis, and Jack Lemmon star in a hilarious story about two musicians, Joe and Jerry, who witness a mafia murder. To escape the mobsters, they disguise themselves as women and join an all-female band. The movie's fast-paced and funny tone, along with clever editing and over-the-top acting, keeps audiences entertained from start to finish.

In "Moonlight," a standout scene occurs when Chiron and Kevin meet on the beach during their teenage years. This scene is crucial for understanding Chiron's journey of self-discovery and his complicated relationship with Kevin. Set against the backdrop of a moonlit beach, the scene captures the vulnerability and emotional openness of the characters. Director Barry Jenkins uses long takes and close-ups to highlight the intimacy and tension between Chiron and Kevin, while minimal editing allows their emotions to unfold naturally. The use of background sounds like waves and winds adds to the atmosphere, and the soft lighting emphasizes the characters' vulnerability and longing. Overall, this beach scene in "Moonlight" is a powerful example of visual storytelling, showcasing themes of love, identity, and acceptance.

[thomaskellington]

Beethovens impact on today's music

The theme of this playlist is Beethoven's impact on today’s music. 

1. Classical Music 

   - Ludwig van Beethoven - "Symphony No. 5 in C Minor, Op. 67: I. Allegro con brio"

     This famous Beethoven piece kicks off our playlist. It's one of his most original and innovative pieces of music and shows how Beethoven changed the music industry with his profound symphonies. 

2. Rock Music 

   - Queen - "Bohemian Rhapsody"

     Queen's most popular and innovative song reminds us of Beethoven because it's like a whole musical adventure, just like how Beethoven shook things up with his symphonies. The song is like a mini-opera, with its different sections and styles playing and blending together. 

3. Jazz music 

   - Duke Ellington - "Take the 'A' Train"

     This jazzy tune by Duke Ellington is groovy and fun, kind of like how Beethoven's music was fresh and exciting to all who listened back in the day.

4. Hip Hop Music 

   - Kanye West - "POWER"

     Kanye West's song is all about being confident and strong, just like Beethoven was when he composed his powerful music.

5. Electronic music 

   - Daft Punk - "Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger"

     Daft Punk's track is upbeat and futuristic, which reminds us of how Beethoven was always pushing boundaries and trying new things with his music.

6. Folk music 

     Bob Dylan - "Blowin' in the Wind"

     Bob Dylan's song makes us think about the big questions in life, similar to how Beethoven's music was deep and meaningful.

This playlist, "Beethoven's Influence," gives way to the enduring legacy of the great composer across diverse musical genres. From rock to jazz, hip hop to electronic, and Classical to Folk music, each song demonstrates Beethoven's profound impact on music and culture, serving as a testament to his timeless genius and revolutionary spirit. Whether it's through classical symphonies or contemporary hits, Beethoven's influence continues to resonate with audiences around the world, inspiring artists to push the boundaries of creativity and innovation. This playlist shows how Beethoven's music still influences different genres today. Whether it's classical, rock, jazz, hip hop, electronic, or folk, Beethoven's legacy lives on, inspiring artists to be influenced by him and create more music that is powerful, innovative, and meaningful. 

[thomaskellington]

Module 7: Plotting

As I entered the Crunch Fitness, I heard the familiar sound of their radio blasting on full volume, signaling another session of hard work and determination. I made my way to the weightlifting area, eager to push my limits and grow my leg muscles, something that I have struggled with for quite some time. Loading up the barbell with plates, I mentally prepared myself for the challenge ahead. With a deep breath, I grasped the bar and began my first set of squats. As I descended into the squat, I felt a twinge in my lower back, but I pushed through, determined to complete my workout. Everytime I would do squats, I would normally feel this pain in my lower back, but I would always ignore and push through it, thinking that nothing wrong would happen. With each repetition, the discomfort in my back grew more pronounced, but I stubbornly ignored the warning signs, pushing myself to the brink of exhaustion. It wasn't until I racked the barbell after my final set that I realized something was seriously wrong. Sharp pain shot through my back, causing me to rush and sit down on the nearby bench rubbing my painful lower back. As I reflected on my reckless determination to push through the pain, I realized the importance of listening to my body and respecting its limits. With a newfound sense of my limits, I vowed to approach my workouts with caution and mindfulness in the future, knowing that sometimes the greatest strength lies in knowing when to stop.

[thomaskellington]

The famous poem "The Road Not Taken" by Robert Frost examines the idea of decisions and their effects. The poem's main message is of a traveler, who is the narrator, in a golden woods who must decide between two paths at a fork in the road. After giving it some thought, he decides to take the less-traveled way even though both seem equally worn and traveled. The speaker implies that this decision has had a profound impact on his life.

The poem explores the intricacies of decision-making and the unpredictability that comes with selecting one course over another symbolically. The two roads that diverge stand for the various options and opportunities that life presents to us. The choice of the visitor to choose the less-traveled route symbolizes his willingness to separate from the mainstream and embrace something novel and different. This decision is a symbol of freedom, adventure, and a readiness to go against the grain and choose to follow one's own path rather than the majority.

The poem also emphasizes the concept of individual agency and taking responsibility for one's decisions. The speaker accepts responsibility for his choice, realizing that it will determine his life's path and impact his future. This emphasizes how important it is to make thoughtful decisions as opposed to blindly following the herd or conforming to social norms. 

While the speaker initially suggests that taking the road less traveled has made all the difference, the ambiguity of the closing lines leaves room for interpretation. It raises questions about the significance of individual choices and whether one path truly leads to a more fulfilling or meaningful life than the other.

[thomaskellington]

My home is my favorite piece of domestic architecture. A great house in a community that my best friend from High School and I share. As soon as you walk in, the living room and kitchen are in view. On the right is the garage and the stairs leading up to the second floor which is where my room and space is. Past the living room and kitchen is my roommate's room and to the left is a sliding door that leads to a patio. The space is very comfortable, not being too wide and not being too narrow, and we keep it as clean as possible. It is a fairly new renovated house that doesn’t have any obvious or immediate problems that need to be fixed. My room, which is another space that I inhabit regularly, is up the stairs. I have my own living room, desk, couch, shower and bedroom. The space, like the first floor, is very comfortable and satisfying. I have enough room to myself, and compared to the first floor, I inhabit it more frequently because it is my space where I can be the most productive. The house, as well as my floor, is very unique because I share it with my best friend from High School. Him and I are starting to learn that living in a house on your own with no older adults around is a big responsibility. With this house comes a pure sense of freedom as well as adulthood, knowing that the longer we live in it and take care of it the more independence we will achieve

[thomaskellington]

I recently came across a statue titled “The Spirit of Fort Myers” located in Edison park in Cape Coral. The statue was built by Helmut Von Zengen and completed on April 8, 1926. The statue is nicknamed “Rachel at the Well” because it depicts a woman pouring water from an urn into a basin. She’s the Grecian maiden who welcomes residents and visitors to Edison Park on McGregor Boulevard, a stone’s throw from the Edison & Ford Winter Estates.  Rachel has weathered a host of destructive hurricanes and tropical storms. That very summer, the Great Miami Hurricane ravaged Fort Myers, destroying the bridge being built out at Matlacha and leaving so much devastation that it put an end to the Land Boom that Florida had been enjoying at the time. In the decades that ensued, Rachel emerged unscathed from, among others, the deadly Okeechobee hurricane of 1928, Hurricane King in 1947, and more recently, Hurricanes Donna, Charley, Wilma and Irma. However, during Hurricane Ian, she was damaged, but is still repairable. Ian was the first storm in almost 100 years to finally damage her. She was originally built to symbolize the spirit of Fort Myers and its community. Since 1926, the statue survived and gave the people hope that they and their community would survive too. Hurricane Ian was the most destructive hurricane that has hit Fort Myers in a very long time. Although the statue was damaged for the first time, it still survived, symbolizing that even though Fort Myers and the community was severely damaged, it still survived. Because of the hope the statue has given its city’s residents, it is undergoing repairs that will be done this year. 

[thomaskellington]

This painting, “Endless Prayers”, was created by Y.Z. Kami who was born in Iran and is now based in New York. He used the language of minimalism to convey an aura of meditation and tranquility associated with the prayer. He viewed these as metaphors for heaven and diagrams of the universe. In terms of the sensa, the painting looks like an infinite pattern with a circular effect. The circular effect alludes to the motion and repetition of the celestial dance, or Sama. It also features the rich variety of elaborate brick work of the great mosque of Isfahan. Kami also utilized turquoise blue which refers to the glazed tile-work that is frequently used in Iranian culture. The turquoise blue and the brown of the brickwork match perfectly to create the infinite circular pattern. I chose this painting because the concept of infinity has always spoken to me. One reason being is that time, space, and our universe is infinite and ever expanding. This suggests that there are infinite possibilities in life. This painting evokes a sense of mystery and wonder, causing the viewer to contemplate the deepest depths of their imagination. Most importantly, I feel like the human mind often has a hard time when confronted with infinity and endless possibilities. It evokes profound and mixed emotions in me. One side of my imagination is content with not being able to grasp the concept of something being infinite. On the other hand, I wish that I can go into the depths of my imagination and be able to grasp the concept of endless possibilities. 

[thomaskellington]

This photograph is Pink Floyd’s album cover of “Wish You Were Here”. The album's title and cover is symbolic of a missing or absent person. The absence of one of the businessmen on the cover conveys this feeling. This absence could represent the band's sorrow for Syd Barrett, a former member who left the group years ago due to mental health problems. The themes of absence and loss on the record were greatly impacted by his absence, which also had an impact on the other band members.The cover shows two businessmen shaking hands, one of them engulfed in flames. The art work is iconic, and it holds significant meaning to the emotions and themes expressed throughout the album. I’ve been a huge fan of Pink Floyd ever since I was a young kid, and this album and its artwork has always caught my attention the most. The cover along with the title “Wish you were here” speaks to me about my personal loss and absence of loved friends and family. Some have passed away, and some are just absent. Whenever I listen to the album, especially the song titled ‘Wish You Were Here” I become filled with a great sense of sadness and think about the people who are no longer a part of my life. However, it also gives me a sense of nostalgia, reflecting on the good times I had with those people. It reminds me to always cherish every moment with people. When I look at the two people on the album cover, I have always seen the businessmen as two different parts of myself: One being calm and sophisticated and one being on fire and still smiling. Whenever I think about the people who are no longer a part of my life, I become stressed out, but I still smile and remain calm while I think about the great times I had with those people. 

[thomaskellington]

Introduction to myself

Hey guys! My name is Thomas, but I go by Tommy, and I am a sophomore who is 19 years old. I grew up on Long Island, New York and moved down here last year to start college. I am an accounting major who is planning on transferring to FGCU next semester after I finish my AA at FSW. I plan on becoming a Certified Public Accountant. To do this, I would like to get an internship sometime before my senior year so that I will have enough experience to compete for a job right after I graduate. In the meantime, I am looking forward to taking this class for what it has to offer.

[thomaskellington]

Humanities Blogging Platform

Hey everyone! I decided to use Tumblr as my blogging platform because it looked like it was the easiest and most fun to use.