In Class: Ethos: Where is our oxygen supply running off to?

My ethical appeal is expressed through the shirt I'm wearing at the moment. It is a "Green"-prevalent shirt, as well as green. I support all of those fearsome little downsides that come from chopping down too many trees, and my shirt is obvious for that. Furthermore, it expresses the part of my character, or ethics, in how I view the consumption of our natural forests and how I express that to others. The shirt is actually on the humorous side, saying more about my ethical appeal, and consists of a forest, where one tree is dragging away an axeman (who's main concern is most likely chopping down the tree's brethren). The shirt is suitably titled "Day of Reckoning". Quite funny, in my perspective, and also portraying an issue that has cause for concern in the area of our oxygen level, and that is also growing much worse--two birds with one stone is always better in sending a message; it, therefore, has depth and impact.

Why the flowers?

I chose the Botanic Gardens on University. Let's see, basically, I love flowers and gardens. The Arboretum in Dallas has always been a draw for me. I always feel so content and relaxed in gardens like that, and it gives me a chance to think and get away for a while. Also, the Botanic Gardens here have a special Japanese garden inside which is so cool. I love Japan, and Japanese gardens are intentionally constructed to give you peace. I also love nature and growing flowers in my own garden, so the fact that there are places dedicated to preserving this type of nature in city areas in really admirable and quite nice.

Upon observation I expect to find a rather obvious sight, peaceful gardens, trails, and many middle-aged or elderly women who love flowers quite a lot. I would also expect to see some art, art classes, or yoga going on. Why? Because of my experience at the Arboretum. It's all common expectations of this type of place.

I could be a part of the target audience because I am in the audience, however, although I believe the gardens to be open for everyone, the target audience would generally be middle-aged women I believe, pertaining to the type of classes offered as I mentioned above. There's even basket weaving at the Botanic Gardens.

My experiences at the Arboretum might give me pre-conceived ideas that would definitely influence my observations. I just already have an idea in mind of how the gardens will be and look. But who doesn't when enter a place? You always have a pre-conceived idea based on whatever past experiences or word-of-mouth without even realizing it. Now, whether or not that idea is correct or not is the differentiating factor here. And to overcome these obstacles I must try my best not to rely on that pre-conceived idea although it will be lingering. I will try to open my mind to every detail while observing so that I may be as accurate as possible in this one specific place rather than lump with others similiar to it, although that may be the case in truth as well.

In Class: public space

My idea is to analyze the Botanic Gardens on University. I love gardens like that, such as the Arboretum in Dallas, and I've been wanting to check this one out.

I would suspect the gardens to be relaxing, quiet, and lush. I also would expect them to hold earth-kind values and recycling. I think I'd probably see yoga and art occurring there, and I'll most likely encountering mostly middle-aged women from my experiences at the Arboretum. They love flowers, what can I say?

I'm excited to go check it out because, consequently, I love flowers, too. Apparently there is also a Japanese garden there. I think it costs extra money, which could say something about funds they need to keep the entire garden going. That would also be a reason for holding a variety of classes there that cost money. Therefore, the owners are portraying an argument emphasizing their personal care for the gardens.

It will be interesting to see what other arguments I discover during my observations there, and, though I don't expect much, to see if there are any negative portrayals.

Free-write: morning glory

This morning was wonderful. I woke up early for yoga, and then I walked to the library. The construction site was the only noise at first. There was a welder, the sparks pulsed and fell like a dying flourescent lamp. There were birds, too, and barely any cars. The morning was quiet and cool, and I enjoyed the walk. The moon was just a sliver against the pastel hue of the sky, and it was cloudless, clear. The library was also just as quiet. I drank chai tea and had some sushi and california rolls for breakfast (I know, strange, but absolutely satisfying) as I read Neverwhere by: Neil Gaiman. I also worked on a short story I'm writing for which the title is still hiding in my head somewhere. This morning was quite fulfilling.
I listened to Iron & Wine and The Beatles also. It was quite nice. I have a lot to do today, so it's nice to have a relaxing start like that and take advantage of the morning time fully.
I'm looking forward to this weekend because that is when I get to see my favorite person.
The high is 70 today. I love the sun, and I can't wait until springtime so I can start planting my morning glories and moonflowers. They're vine plants. They crawl and take over the yard like it's nobody's business, and I love it. They're wild and beautiful. Morning glories come in all colors and only bloom at a certain temperature in the morningtime. Moonflowers are pure pearly white and the size of my open palm. The light of the moon is the only time they bloom. I'm so excited.

Inauguration Observations

The presidential inauguration was filled with different arguments. I watched the inauguration through ABC the day of. Not only was the inauguration itself expressed with different arguments, but also the news station as well.

There were numerous instances of arguing the past, present, and future. The past arguments came through reminiscence of Lincoln and the Freedom Writers. There was also a comparative representation of the past and the present when they showed 400,000 people on the mall for a previous inauguration versus a picture the 1,400,000 today. The future was also expressed through President Obama as he spoke of changing the past while confronting these present challenges with America's unique traits in overcoming its hardships.

There were many arguments in pathos (interview with two Freedom Writers, the departure of George W. Bush, and a pan over Arlington cemetery), logos (the discussion of whites backing Obama in Iowa as a turning point for him), and ethos (Obama's portrayal while speaking and through friends, such as Arthur Davis, as a calm yet ambitious, dynamic leader).

The argument made to explore was felt through a brief discussion between professors that settled on reasons for the truth of Obama's success in obtaining the presidency. There were also many arguments of inform and fact. From specific numbers of the parade to informing the watchers of upcoming interviews.

Finally, the arguments for audience were made quite clearly through the news station. The American flag was flown behind interviews and images of patriotism were numerous, alluding the American audience where many would be inferred to feel rushes of historical realization and unity when met with images of the Lincoln Memorial and Martin Luther King, Jr.'s "I Have a Dream".

In Class: everything's an argument

My initial connotation to the word "argument" is always one of a combative nature. When you think of arguing, you think of two sides defending their own belief and/or attacking the other's. However, while this is still an argument, the book enlightened me to the subtler arguments I encounter subconsciously everyday.

From stop signs to t-shirts, everyone and everything is making some sort of "argument" to their nature. Stop signs argue for your obedience to halt, unless you want to make a big crashing fool of yourself. The city that put those stop signs there in the first place are making an argument for their lean towards safety and regulation in the community. Fashion is one way every individual makes an argument of themselves through expression. A tattered, sleepy-headed-looking person will make the argument for themselves of being laid back and uncaring versus someone who always dresses sharply and cleanly. These arguments are made whether we think of them or not in a nature that defends any comments about oneself or nature while expressing that same nature to those around you.

The other day when I was driving down the highway, I began to realize many arguments, especially in the way the people care for and/or decorate their cars. A mini-van with "World's Best Mom" decals versus a pick-up truck with spinners and blazing skulls says two quite different things about the people driving their cars and their the lives they lead. It's up to them to make arguments otherwise. Restaurants also make arguments in the names, decor, location, and overall appearance and advertisement of their place, arguing for their customers to decide to eat there or not according to appeal.

It is all quite interesting. It definitely made me more aware.

In Class: my good buddy, Heinlein

My immediate reflex to bring in an argument was Stranger In a Strange Land by Robert A. Heinlein. (1) I love him, (2) the book is a cleverly structured story that weaves throughout commentaries on an entire plethera of elements in our society. He holds criticisms and ideas on philosophy, art, religion, humanity, and the nature of love. These subjects are heavily construed through his legends of characters, Mike and Jubal. The entire culmination is one that I deeply enjoy, and I find it to be one of my favorite books. The story and ideas draw you in, and, before you know it, you are beside yourself either agreeing or debating with the dialogue.

This is a true argument that I hold highly. It is difficult already to top off a novel, let alone create plausible critiques of the world without running off on distant tangents. I highly regard Heinlein for this, despite my nature for avidly reading or not.

Some of my favorite quotes from the novel cannot be posted here unfortunately, haha, but his comment on love through the wise and witty character of Jubal ranks highly for me..."'Love' is that condition in which the happiness of another person is essential to your own."
And there are others...
"Obscurity is the refuge of incompetence."

Introduction

Hi, I'm Elora from Plano, Texas. I am a freshman at TCU with a major in English and a double minor in Japanese and Business. I decided to take this (1) as a prerequisite to my major, and (2) also in that I am interested in furthering my ability to create persuasive arguments in the future. I love writing short stories, etc., and I've written two novels. I read every day, and it's one of my favorite pastimes. All in all, i enjoy writing in itself whether I am judged to be skilled at it or not. It is a good outlet for everything that happens to scuttle about in my head.

I think my blog could possibly be arguing that writing is something that is affective and meaningful in itself whether the writer is talented or not, extending the "affected" from oneself to any range of people. I wanted my page to be fun and inviting (hence the incorporation of kittens, The Beatles, and sweet colors). I am an easy-going, cheery person, so that argument in itself comes across through the page's layout. I'm excited to be posting my thoughts on it.

---final statement---"I have read, understand, and agree to the terms of the course syllabus, which I see as a contract for our course."