David Guterson describes in detail the traits and characteristics of an up and coming suburban neighborhood in Nevada. Guterson speaks about the men lining up their golf carts to hit the links, and young boys riding expensive bikes watching tennis on the neighborhood courts. The neighborhood I live in is much different than that of the one ine Green Valley Nevada. I live in Nashville, TN. I live in close proximity of downtown, so the houses are older and vary greatly in style. There are ranch style houses from the 50's, bungalows from the 60's and 70's, and small duplexes from the 80's. Additionally, my neighborhood has become gained much traffic over the past ten years, and new multistory suburban style houses have begun to replace run down older houses. Guterson makes the point that Green Valley is more of a family environment, while my neighborhood is more densly populated by single persons, older couples, and college students. Belmont University and Vanderbilt University are withing walking distance, so the social nightlife is much more focused on adults, rather than familial events.

There's No Place Like Home

I always associate my home with comfort. However, I have also always like my first house more, but have lived in my new house so long that it is by no means my new house. I think of laying on my couch with my family as home. Home is my dogs chasing one another around the house and barking at all hours of the night. Home is not so much a place as it is a feeling.

When I was five years old, I moved into the house that I currently live in. I didn't want to move because I loved my old house. It was bigger, newer, and had woods surrounding the neighborhood that I could explore in. However, I have grown to like my new house and realize the characteristics that make it unique. Had I not moved, I never would have met my best friend, who lives up the street from me. Additionally, my house is much closer to downtown Nashville than my previous one. My new house is very convenient, because everything is within a ten minute drive. Also, my new house has very large yard which was great for my brother and I growing up. I have come to not only accept my new house, but now call it home.

Vols Go Green?

Observations

• sign hanging from lamp post
• propaganda
• the word "green" is green and "orange" is orange
• a green leaf on the sign
• the picture is taken from below the sign

Inferences

• the sign is high up
  
• the sign is promoting to make a movement towards being more eco-friendly
• the sign was made large for ease of reading
• the UT indicates that it is sponsored by the University
  

These signs hang on all the lamp posts lining the Andy Holt pedestrian walkway. They are clear in stating their purpose, "Help orange go green." UT has clearly acknowledged that the earth is beginning to deteriorate slowly, but there is hope. They have recognized that although we are only one campus, 25,000+ people can make a great difference. The coloring of the words "orange" and "green" with their respective colors, helps to emphasize the point and puts literary terms into visual perspective. The sign appeals to ethos, in that it is asking us to change our ways of living to be more environmentally sound. The banner is also making somewhat of an emotional(pathos) appeal as well, as it makes us think what could happen if we don't change our ways. I believe the signs are effective largely in part of the quantity of them. Every which way you turn, you are constantly reminded of the plea they are making.

My Brain On: Drugs

Video 1
Observations:

• hot frying pan represents drugs
• the egg is your brain
• heat(drugs) fries the egg(brain)

This video provides a very familiar occurrence and uses it to show how drugs can ruin your life. The egg frying symbolizing your brain figuratively and also somewhat literally frying. Also, from experience of frying eggs, we know that prolonged cooking will burn up and ruin the egg completely.

Video 2
Observations:

• egg represents brain
• frying pan is heroin
• the frying pan crushes the egg
• the frying pan destroys all surrounding
• young woman shows anger and rage

This video is much more aggressive and rage-filled than the first. It clearly shows that heroin will not only ruin your brain and body, but will also hurt the lives of all around you. This video is much more dramatic and emotional.

Overall, both videos are effective in depicting, what will happen to your brain if you choose to use drugs. Although the videos both use an egg and frying pan to illustrate the effects of drugs, the videos are distinctly different and make different appeals. The first video is much more calm and employs the rhetorical technique of logos. When one views the first video, it is very easy to put two and two together and see that drugs will destroy your brain, period. The narrator even makes the comment, "Any questions," which supports the fact that it is a simple process to understand. The second video makes much more of an emotional appeal. It not only shows that drugs will destroy your brain, but goes on further to show the anger and emotion that can be involved in drug abuse. The second video also moves away from a singular perspective and shows the effects drug abuse can have on one's family and friends. All things considered, I say the second video is more effective because it is easier to appeal to emotion rather than logic.

Bye Bye Beijing

Observations:

• Chinese soldier in the foreground
  
• Fireworks light up a dark sky
• Outside the Bird's Nest
• Red Lights inside the stadium
• Serious expression on soldier's face

Inferences:

• Boasting military power
• Trying to show great artistry
• Making a lasting impression
  

This picture of the closing ceremony is a great captivation of the grandeur that China put into the Beijing Olympics. The great architectural beauty, the Bird's Nest, is shown lit up by magnificent red lights and fireworks. This spectacle at the closing ceremonies further emphasizes the point China has been driving throughout the Olympics, which is "Look at what we can do." The soldier, in my opinion is sending a message that China's military will be a force to be reckoned with in years to come. Overall, I believe this picture is showing off China's great artistic ability, which was conceived in such a small period of time.

Pen Preferences

Observations:

• blue and white shell
• black ink
• wide
• soft grip
• advertisement on the side
• new word pops up in window with each click
• has a pocket clip

Inferences:

• wide grip favors large hands and fingers
• for someone who values soft grip
• company paid for advertisements to appeal to college students
• pocket clip could be handy for someone who loses pens frequently

What my pen says about me:

My pen shows that I need a larger pen to grip, as I have long fingers and big hands. I like the soft grip rather than holding hard plastic. I lose pens often, so I buy the ones with pocket clips in hopes that I can hold on to it for a while.