Change? (Final Exam(

See: Obama holding an American flag with help from hands of different races/nationalities. Obama’s face is turned to the side with a sad/struggling expression. 

Think: The flag is thrown over his shoulder, like he is trying to pick up and fix the mistakes of previous people. It’s an important step in American history to elect an African-American President. It proves that America’s a country that is accepting of all, and shows progression. I think this relates to the “Negro in America vs. Negro in his Native Land”, because this shows that an African-American living in America can achieve anything a white American can. I think his face looks the way it does because he knows, along with the rest of America, that he has a long, hard job ahead of him.

Wonder:  If the future of America will really ‘Change’, and if Obama will accept help from other “hands”.  

http://video.google.com/videosearch?q=the+red+pony+pledge+of+allegiance&hl=en&emb=0&aq=f#

The Pledge of the '40's

This clip (that wouldn't upload!!) is from a movie called "The Red Pony". The reason I was watching this movie was because the kids that I babysit love watching old movies from the '40's and '50's. I noticed this particular clip only because, earlier that week in class,we had been discussing how back in the '40's, the pledge was said with your arm reaching out towards the flat, similar to the German solute to Hitler. Another interesting thing about the clip is that, during this time, the phrase "Under God" was not yet added. If you want to see the clip, just go to YouTube (or Google Video) and type in "The Red Pony Pledge of Allegiance" and click the first link! It's a really interesting clip!

These American Flags

Trying to notice something that, normally I would have passed by, was interesting. When driving down Wilmette Ave., I just happened to look to my right and notice this picture: around 6 American Flags jammed into the smallest corner in the smallest window of the hardware store. Not in the picture, but above these flags, were more flags, folded up and on a shelf. How would I analyze this? No clue. Seeing as every time I have driven by, since last week, the flags have remained in the same position. Have they gone unnoticed? Maybe it was just too much of a hassle to present the flags in a respectful way. In the largest window of the store (there were 2 large windows, and this small window next to the door), were vacuums and tools. Are these supplies more important than the American Flag? The display of these flags may be a sign of the lack of patriotism of the guy who shoved the flags in the corner. You would think that the American Flag, a symbol of freedom and America, would be more proudly displayed, even in this small of a window.

My Big Problem

Up 'till now, researching has been fine, finding (2!) people to interview was OK, and having the interview was easier than I thought. It had to be too good to be true. Last Tuesday, I came home from dance at around 8, checked my email, and found out that the person I wanted to interview wanted to do the interview that night at 9. I had the questions all ready (thank god), but I didn't have time to e-mail Mr.Bolos to tell him that I was having the interview. So, I had the interview anyways, because Mr. Falzone (my interviewee) didn't have many other opportunities to do this interview with me. The interview went perfectly. I started recording, and for the next 45 minutes, Mr. Falzone and I talked about everything you can talk about with film censorship (my J.T. topic). I thought I was golden, that nothing could go wrong now. I had my (perfect) interview, all my research, and now all I had to do was get this paper over with, no offense. Again, it was too good to be true. Since I didn't schedule my interview with Bolos, it may be lost forever. Awesome.
(Here's a piece of advice: SCHEDULE YOUR INTERVIEW WITH BOLOS!!)

The Interview

Only a few weeks ago, I was lost. I did not know exactly what I wanted to write about, and I was having trouble finding people to interview. Now, I have already had one (really good!) interview, and have another one lined up! The interview I had on Wednesday was with Ron Falzone, a Film Studies professor at Columbia University. Seeing as my topic is about film censorship, he was the perfect person to interview. He always gave a long and informative answer to all of my questions, and he said a lot of things that would fit right in with my paper. Mr. Falzone also gave me a series to watch, and movies to see that would help me understand the time when movie ratings were becoming a hot-button issue. Although I was really nervous at the beginning of the phone interview, it was really easy once we started talking. So, the first interview was a success!

How to Find Somebody You Don't Know

For Junior Theme, it's hard enough to think of the perfect question. Then, once you have that (which is taking me forever!), you have to find a book on your topic. When you and a librarian spend a period searching for a book but can't find one, then you know you're in trouble. This has been my road to Junior Theme so far. Sounds awesome, right? Now, I have to write an intro paragraph for my paper, but where do I start? I have 3 textbooks on movie's, ratings, and the Hay's Code, but without a book, how do I write a paper? Also, I haven't had my interview yet. So do I put it in my intro later? How do you find a movie critic? I'm sure Ebert would love to take time out of his day and talk with a highschool student on the latest movies. Where do I begin looking for people who know things about the movie rating system?