Movies No More-Extra Credit

   Filmmaker Pankaj Rishi Kumar presents a personal nostalgic documentary that shows how cinema has affected people in the small town of Kalpi, India. Kumar Talkies was a cinema hall started up by Pankaj's father and his friend. After his father died, Pankaj made a documentary interviewing people and family within the small town. Most of the questions involved the past theaters that use to be around and how Kumar Talkies was the only one in town since the rest closed. After the film, he answered questions from the audience. Kumar Talkies has been closed since 2005, and there are no longer any cinema halls within the town. 

   I thought the film was put together very well. There were some parts he could've edit out such as this one scene where he tells the driver to back up and drive slower so he could get a better shot of a building. The main reason people went to Kumar Talkies was because it was cheap and there was nothing else to do besides work and eat. They were willing to put up with the many interruptions such as entire reels missing or only half of the movies being presented for one day. I was surprised they would put up with the problems and instead of staying home and watch TV instead. I felt bad for the Pankaj when he was interviewing family. His mother would recall when the theater was at its prime, his uncle would say that he only helped run it because it was nice property, and his siblings left town to find work. It seems that he and his father were the only ones to be truly invested in the theater. Before I wasn’t attached to the town, but now I hope there will be another theater opening up in Kalpi. 

Rising From the Ashes

 After submitting my deposit and the rest of the paperwork to live in the dorms at UMBC, my mother and I were looking forward to returning home. I still can't believe what I saw that day. I have lived in the same house for as long as I can remember. As a kid, I would play on the field and now I am just standing there with my brother. Seeing my house on fire and seeing the damage that was done inside was hard to bear. Living in a hotel for 7 months, my family often fought over bills, the insurance company, and many small things. Some of us gave into the dark moments for a while.

  Thankfully, over the summer I found out who were the people that I should trust. My senior class raised some money for my family and I. Cousins that I haven't seen in a while offered to take us places so that we wouldn't be stuck in a hotel. I didn't go to school that first week and my closest friend got upset with me. The last time I saw her was on graduation and she never replied back. She got upset that I couldn't help out on the final project and she refused to talk to me throughout that whole summer. I couldn’t believe that someone I trusted with my pain and secrets would just leave without any explanation. I was so confused. That fire may have broken down my family for a while, but we overcame it. I'm thankful for that fire because now I know all the people who truly care for me.

updated word count: 272

Point: There is always a silver lining.

Mathematics and Humanities-Outside Cultural Event Nov. 26

 "The Mathematics of Being Human," is about two professors who are forced to create an interdisciplinary course in order to keep tenure. Mike Pearson, an mathematics professor, is adamant in showing that he does not support this but Naomi Kessler, an English professor, sees this as a fun opportunity. We are then introduced to two freshmen: Burt is the stereotypical comedic character who is always quick to make jokes and Sandra is a girl who honestly tries to learn the material. Throughout the play the professors bicker in front of the students, Burt cracks jokes, and Sandra either makes interesting insights. Burt and Sandra do their final presentation that consists of a play that incorporates literally everything from the class. In the end, Sandra decides to apply for some advance math courses and Burt, who was only taking the class because it was require for his scholarship, decides that although he still doesn't like math, he does appreciate it more. Pearson has started enjoying English literature. Kessler also learns from the experience by stating that although it was rough, she never felt so passionate about defending what she believed in and would gladly do it again. 

    I kind of enjoyed the play. I noticed President Harbowski and a few other professors in the audience that were laughing so I know I wasn't the only who enjoyed it. It was funny, but sometimes Burt and Sandra felt over-the-top. Pearson and Kessler felt like real people because they were actual professors. Some of the math material that was presented were things that I've already learned and I felt like I would've gained more from the experience of the play if I at least read one of the five readings that were presented.

Word Count: 290

The Black Spot Next to Mesquite

 In the upper part of the commons right next to Mesquite, there is a dark room with banners hung across its entrance. It is the Sports Zone. This room contains a stage and a big screen to watch games. After talking to a couple people and observing the room, I have come to the conclusion that people like it here because it is the biggest room to chill in at the upper commons. It is right next to Mesquite so people can grab food and sit in the comfortable booths with their friends to either relax or do homework. The three days I observed the place, most people tried to find an empty booth even if they were alone. During free hour, the place would get so crowded that some would sit on the stage and eat. The big windows also give people in the booths a nice view of Erickson field. I believe this is a great place to gather for people.

Word Count: 163

The Code to Life... I Think

            A code isn’t just a program or a law. It is something that benefits someone’s own interest and the people they care about. Basically, you do you because it makes you happy or someone else happy. Now obviously you can’t always make the right choice and you might regret one or more. But that is natural; nothing in life is guaranteed to be perfect, just like my code.

            My code is to always be honest with everyone, to be loyal to the people who are close to me, and be respectful to even the people you dislike. Now I know that is cliché and not really unique but these are the things I have been sticking to all my life and things have gone relatively well. When I say I’m honest, that means I will tell you the truth, no matter how brutal it is.  I’m always loyal to the people I care about. Whenever they need me, I’m there. Even if its something I don’t agree with, I’ll always support them. Now, when I say be respectful to even your enemies that means, no matter how angry they make you or how much they hurt you, you cannot steep down to their level. Sure, sometimes being this way leads me to getting myself in trouble with people, but that’s my choice to be the way I am and people respect me for it.

            The reason I believe everyone should have their own code is because it shows who you are. Your code usually fits your personally. Its not something that you make up one day, its just who you are everyday. When you react naturally to a certain situation, that is your core inner self. All you can really do in life is stay true to yourself.

Word Count:298
Belief Statement: I believe that everyone should live by their code

A Bunch of Landscapes

Victoria Sambunaris has taken many beautiful pictures of the landscape of America. As soon as you walk in there are many small pictures hanged together on the left wall. To the right there were large photographs in frames. One picture was a canyon that looked so amazing. The picture was taken at the bottom of the canyon but you could see the patches of grass at the top. The water looked so peaceful too. At first glance I thought one photo was just a field and a car. Looking closely I saw it was actually a farm with some pipes built into the ground to water the not yet planted crops. I also recall a picture of a few trucks parked next to each other and another one of a road splitting up in a desert. There were some items in cases throughout the exhibit but I can’t seem to recall either one of them. I recall two things: one large silver piece and a small golden-brass object. While I was leaving, I took a quick look at the smaller pictures. Unfortunately, I barely remember what they were but the clear blue skies stayed in my head.

Although I had a short time at the exhibit, I was nonetheless amazed by the quality of the photos. I felt like I could feel the wind on that farm or the smell of the water between the canyons. It was weird, in my opinion, that she took a random picture of parked trucks for an exhibit that mostly contained photos of large areas. I wish I could remember what were in the cases because looking back, they also seem out of place. Overall, I really enjoyed the photos.

word count: 286