Marvel's Marvels

I'm a fanatic of pretty much anything Marvel. The new superhero movies have me jumping up and down in excitement. Don't even get me started on the X-men series, which is my favorite out of the whole sci-fi genre, because I would end up talking you into a marathon. Something I recently found astounding was the knack for continuity in the universe the Marvel movies have created. I saw the new Captain America movie and I am an avid watcher of Agents of SHIELD. I'm not going to spoil anything, but watching Captain America raised some pretty large questions about what was going to happen with AoS. I then watched AoS the next week and was surprised to see that it had the same problems happening in it that happened in Captain America. Everything fit together like puzzle pieces I didn't even know existed. The plot lines and the universe Marvel is creating is so far out of my realm of ideas, and I love it. Not that I don't love DC films, I just have to appreciate the thought that goes into the ever expanding Marvel universe.

If you have time, I strongly suggest you get caught up on all things Marvel. 

Motion City Soundtrack

One of the great things about being so open to music genres, you get to experience and find what you like. I follow in my father's footsteps, meaning he shows me a lot of the music he likes, and it eventually becomes the music I like. One of the bands that draws me in is Motion City Soundtrack. I'm not sure what about them it is, but they're my favorite summer band. I go through cycles with my top bands where I'll listen to them heavily, but eventually move onto other music. 

One of the things I like so much about Motion City Soundtrack is their diversity. Each one of their albums had a different sort of feel and theme to it. They have very clever and complex lyrics (most of the time) and some that ring with me. Here's some art work I did last summer during my season of high listening to them. 

Often times, especially during the summer, my sister and I will just drive around and take time to jam out to some music, most likely MCS. Like I said earlier I follow in my father's footsteps, and spread the music I love, to the people I love. I've converted most of my friends to knowing at least a couple of my favorite artist's songs. 

So if you have time, or are looking for a new band, check out ANY Motion City Soundtrack album (my favorite is their 2012 album "Go").

Prompt 3a

dissonance

dis-so-nance

  [dis-uh-nuh ns]

noun

1. Inharmonious or harsh sound; discord; cacophony

2. Music

    a. A simultaneous combination of tones conventionally accepted as being in a state of unrest and needing completion

    b. An unresolved, discordant chord or interval. 

        Dissonance, in a a musical setting, is often regarded as ugly and nasty, only turning into something beautiful in the resolution. The sound comes from two notes, either a half-step or a whole-step away from each other, being played at the same time. The sound of dissonance sends chills up your spine, similar to the way nails on a chalkboard, or a squeaky chair would. 

        For many musicians, you do not want a lot of dissonance in a piece, especially if it means you're out of tune. But there is beauty in everything, and especially in dissonance. If done right, it can take a piece of music to the next level. The grating sound you get from the two notes battling and contrasting is not only beautiful, but a symbol of hard work, particularly for singers. Most experienced singers know how difficult it can be to find the right pitch, and how much more difficult it can be to find your pitch when it doesn't fit in a chord. But when you get it, it's beautiful. It's like when you order something with a side of tater-tors and you get a random chicken nugget in them. It's a small happy surprise for those singing and those listening.

        The argument could be made that the beauty only comes in the resolution, but often times there is no resolution; dissonance and resolution don't always go hand in hand. Whatever happens, the beauty comes to the listener, who hears a gross sound, that can only be described as truly beautiful music. 

General Relativity: Part 3

“Alright Gen,” broke in Newt as they walked into the lab, “I think you need to go get coffee with this guy.”

“It’s not that simple Newt,” sighed Gen as she flopped down into her desk chair, “If we’re going to do this then I need a plan better than just coffee.”

“You could always ask him if he’d like to see your lab?” questioned Hype as she walked over and sat on the edge of Gen’s desk.

“And say what? ‘Hey Dr. Grad-Tali, would you like to go back in time and be my tutor? Oh, and if you don’t it might mess up the whole paradoxal sequence I’ve been working on!’ That will go over well.”

“Gen calm down, this isn’t a life or death situation. We don’t need to jump into anything just yet, so let’s start with coffee. Why don’t you send him an email?” soothed Newt as he placed his hand on Gen’s shoulder.

Gen sat for a moment looking between her colleagues trying to decide if they were right. What do you have to lose? It’s a just an email.

“One email,” she stated, “That’s it.”

“That’s it,” agreed Newt and Hype at the same time.

“Okay, I’ll write it and then read it to you.”

“Solid plan, I’m going to catalogue the rest of our mission in the books, care to join me Newt?”

“Yeah Hype I’ll be there in a moment.”

Hype  sauntered out of the room, picking up the clipboard from Gen's desk before she left.

"What if something goes wrong," Gen whispered as she opened her email, "what if he thinks I'm insane and denies that what I say is true? Or, what if he says 'thank you, but no'!"

"Gen you worry too much. Honestly, everything will be fine. It's just coffee. You can even take along some photos you have of you two together, he is your tutor after all. And think about it, in all the time you've known future him, do you think he would say no to helping someone, especially if she goes on to create a freakin time machine?"

"I guess you're right. It's still just very nerve racking."

"I get that Gen," Newt started, "okay, now I'm going to go into the other room with Hype and record data, and when we're done you need to have sent that email."

"Okay, go help your sister."

Newt left the room with one last glance and Gen as she began typing on her computer.

------ Two weeks later------

“Gen!” exclaimed Dr. Grad-Tali as he walked into the lab, bags in hand, “I think I’m ready.”

“That’s great news, I’ll let my associates know,” stammered as she walked into the other room.

“Guys,” started Gen, “Dr. Grad-Tali says he’s ready to do the jump. How fast will it take to prepare?”

“All we have to do is go over the settings we programed after your first meeting with him,” chimed Hype as she jumped up and began checking her calculations.

“It’ll be fine Gen, we’ve had two weeks to work on these settings, we’ll get him there just in one piece,” reassured Newt.

“You guys really hold this place together,”confessed Gen, “I would have no idea what to do without the two of you.”

“Well it’s a good thing we’re not going anywhere,” called Hype as she continued her work.

Just then, Dr. Grad-Tali walked into the room. “Are we ready to go today?” he questioned.

“Oh, we’ve been ready for two weeks Doctor. We were just waiting on you,” sassed Newt lightly as he clapped  hand on his shoulder.

“When can I go?” questioned Dr. Grad-Tali.

“I just finished the calculations,” Chimed in Hype as she looked up from her work space, “we’ll be ready in five minutes.”

“You remember the plan?” asked Gen.

“Yes, get in the past, then send an email to your parents applying for the job, then live for four years in the past while being your tutor.”

“Great, let’s get you suited up.”

Found Poem

                                                                          

The Treehouse

"Amazing isn't it?"
"Better than anything I've ever seen!"
Can this really be happening, my very own (secret) hideout?
Donna and Zach climbed up into the trees of the forest not far from their house.
Every day they would go and play in the woods, but not until recently did they stumble across the hidden treehouse.
For some time, they cleaned the treehouse and made it spotless, in case any visitors stopped by.
"Gregory!" called Zach in mocking tone when Donna mentioned inviting him to play.
"How come I've never met him?" inquired Zach at Donna's silence.
"It didn't concern you," retorted Donna as she brushed dirt off the floor and out into the forest.
Just then, a gust of wind flew through the treehouse, causing Donna to shiver at the now chilly air and realize it was time to head home.
"Kleptomaniac!" Zach called after her as she snagged his coat and jumped out of the tree.
"Liar!"
"Maybe I'll tell Gregory about your little infatuation!"
"No, please don't!"
Obviously the bickering was getting them no where so they decided to walk home in silence.
Perhaps it was the snow that began falling or the silence, that Donna hated so much, but Donna decided she wouldn't quite like her brother to freeze so she returned his coat.
"Quit being so quiet, it's not like you Zach," she said as she draped the coat around his shoulders.
"Right, I'm the one who's never quiet!"
"Stop it, now you're shouting."
"That's you're fault, you took my coat and now I'm freezing.
Unless we get home soon I might just die of hypothermia!"
"Very well, we better run."
"Why, I hate running," complained Zach as they both picked up the pace to a jog.
"Xanthodont!"
"Yellow teeth, really that's harsh!"
"Zachary, you should brush your teeth when we get home," mocked Donna as the made their way through the forest for the last time that day.

If you can't already tell, I'm a feminist

This is a great video that brings insight to the world that a lot of people are sheltered by. I'm not going to start spewing out facts about how we live in a men controlled society, even though we do, just so I can get the real point of this post across. FEMINISM IS NOT BAD. I really hate how feminism has been given a bad name over the years simply because of radicalism. Call it what you would like, but feminism simply is the belief that men and women are EQUAL. Not that women are better than men, not that women should control society, not that women are amazing and men suck and we should be the rightful leaders of earth. It's none of those things, it's simply equality. 

This is a great video because it takes everyday phrases and spins them on their head. I hope it makes you think twice before you say something. For example, using "girly" as in insult, or saying to be strong you need to "man up". I find it insulting that not only are you bringing someone else down by insinuating that being a girl is a bad thing, but also that in order to be strong you need to be a man. It's just little things like this that have opened my  eyes to the world of sexism, things that are ground into your brain until they loose their meaning. I have to admit I once used gender as an insult, but slowly leaned away from it. In my eyes, as long as you realize you're doing something wrong and fix it, you're okay. There's a difference between ignorant/ uneducated and being purposefully harmful.