Sound Track of my Life

Van Halen, “Jamie’s Cryin’” : Listening to Van Halen voices, was the same sound I heard for years. When I was little I used to cry a lot and so, like a good sibling, my brother, Corey, took advantage of this weakness of mine, and would “sing”, in a mocking tone, “Oh oh oh, Jamie’s cryin’,” over and over again, just to agitate me even if I wasn’t crying but especially if I was. He would wrinkle up his face and make sure that it seemed as though he, too, were crying. The burning tears would trickle down; the hot surface, bright red from frustration skewing all coordination and vision, making it hard to yell directly at the perpetrator or even try and throw a few punches.

The vibration from the sound waves of all the “singing” and screaming sent the tears flying to the ground and this would continue until either my brother or I stopped yelling or mom or dad would come running to scold both parties for whatever was going on. Each side of the argument was wrong in a way so each was punished, either by quiet time (time out) in the corner, where imagination became a best friend, or in your room, a better option, where there was a bed and toys. No matter how much trouble both my brother and I got into, for pestering one another, we could still come up with something to harass the other about in the blink of an eye; it just depended on which side we wanted to fight on. This song will forever be in my memory of my brother, not only because he mocked me with it, but because it always makes me go back to my childhood and relive those crazy days.

Survivor, “Eye of the Tiger” : Rocky’s theme song, Eye of the Tiger is one of the most, if not the most, listened to song by athletes. It is a great pump up song and perfect for all sports. When working out or getting ready for a race, “Eye of the Tiger” is always on the list, especially when swimming. In the humid room the pool was ridden with pee, sweat and occasionally a little puke from the workout. Although the pool deck at Lincoln Northeast High school was blistering hot, the water itself, was below the legal swimming temperature, a whapping fifty or so degrees. Core drills were done on the pool’s cracking tile floor; which were yellow and brown from the years of wear and tear, with no mats, while “Another bites the dust” and “Eye of the Tiger” played in the background. Two a day practices left each swimmer in the pool for five or more hours a day.

“Punches” to get better were thrown everyday in practice for a closer shot at victory and to prove ones worth. At state swim meets, boys shaved their heads because it is tradition to let your hair grow during season and then chop it off for state, not to mention, how much faster you could go without hair. This ritual, also includes the girl’s leg hair. (I think I got up to an inch of hair one year!) The crazy things one will do for that one chance at victory, that one date with greatness. Swimming was my life for four months of my life every year and I did everything in my power to become the best that I could be. Survivor’s, “Eye of the Tiger” always made me feel more powerful and always let me know that sometimes you have to throw punches over and over again to make dreams happen.

Sister Sledge, “We are Family” : The Sledge Sisters vibrant red outfits shout out fun and their moves are even better! The gray town backdrop, against their dresses, screams party and that is exactly what I think about when I watch their video. “We are Family; I got all my sisters with me”. This is a traditional song, ALWAYS played at all our family’s wedding receptions. Great Cousin Carrie calls the song up to the DJ in her wild scratchy voice, and then the clapping begins as shouts of joy and “YA HOOs” are heard from all around the room; everyone gets up to dance. Somewhere in the middle of the song, the Conga Line begins and the whole room even the old folds are following one after the other, hands on shoulders and legs a kickin’.

As the end of the song comes closer, everyone splits up and dances around each other, no one with one person too long for everyone has to dance with everyone at least once, and with at least 40 people, everyone moves fast. When the dancing continues, one song to the next, the intensity just grows. When I say that my family dances, I use the term dance lightly, for the smooth moves the Sledge Sisters were doing are some of the same moves that my family still uses making every wedding a night to remember, especially for the newlyweds. Two fifty year old men dancing "frisky" together is a sight to behold. A wedding reception for our family just wouldn’t be a wedding reception without the butt shaking, arm rolling, laugh out loud hot dance moves that my family provides. The resemblance to the moves of the Sledge Sisters is uncanny.

Alan Jackson, “Remember When” : In the background of Jackson singing, are clips and photos of a young couple in love that along with the song, tell the story of their life together through thick and thin. Allan Jackson’s love story portrays the way I feel about my current boyfriend and the way in which my life is headed for both him and I. Images of past events and things remembered are featured in photographs.

The picture most important to me is of the family I have made, my boyfriend, Matt, me, and my daughter, Ava. It is crisp and glossy as it is not too old, and no dust covers it. The memories the picture holds is worth more than I own in sentimental value. The picture tells unconscious thoughts and pushes feelings and words upon lips. The photograph, tells stories of relieved burden and joyous celebration for the birth of my daughter, Ava. It relays the path to future love and happiness and is a binding memory of cherish able triumph over obstacles of both physical and mental anguish that the adoption brought forth. It is the one memory, I will always hold dear, and the photograph brings about the story, the story of my life with Matt and of Ava. In this picture, Matt and I are in comfy clothes, ready for a long day of taking care of our baby, who is looking up at us and is smiling. These images in Jackson’s video remind me of the future I hope to make and the pictures I will take to remember the love I felt then and will hopefully continue to feel in the future.

ZZ Top, “Cheap Sunglasses” : Top’s stylin’ cheap sunglasses shine when they sing, while he adds their hot dance moves. The rhythm is excitingly upbeat and lets us know that ZZ Top is proud of their sunglasses. The sunglasses remind me of all the pairs of sunglasses that I have been through in the last four years from life guarding, from letting people borrow them, losing them, or breaking them in a rescue and the adrenaline and overall fun atmosphere at work.

My sunglasses are fake Oakley’s or “Foakley’s.” The frame is a black, thin structure and the lenses themselves are a mixture of green and yellow, depending on how the light shines. On the hinge of the sunglasses are multiple layers of scotch tape, which blocks all peripheral vision, yet my sunglasses have seen more than anyone; they have seen tears and sweat but most of all, water. They have seen the distressed swimmer, flailing their arms and kicking their legs as they fly through the air and crash into the water for a save. They have seen the rushing guards and the bug-eyed patrons as the victims are safely pulled out of the water and placed on the ground, while passer bys are rushed to the grass. Not only have sunglasses seen bad times but good; the guards playing in the water, lifeguard Olympics, pranks and overall joy at Woods Pool. My cheap sunglasses have been through it all with me. I lose them after every flight but regain another new, cheap pair for other adventures to come.

Carrie Underwood, “Jesus Take the Wheel” : Between cuts of Carrie Underwood singing in different rooms, this video puts in clips of a young white girl with her newborn baby, a married couple and an old man and his assumed to be, wife. The young girl with the newborn presents the viewer with the feeling of lost hope as the girl stands there with the baby in her arms, with her pale skin and dark circles around her eyes. I felt lost a year ago when I experienced an unplanned pregnancy and didn’t know where to turn, just like the cradle that sways back and forth, tumbling in confusion. There are nicks that can’t be smoothed and noises that cannot seize. The blankets give it comfort but don’t suffice the pain. It squeaks and cries for help not getting anywhere.

The girl is tired and has no more chances but to give her problem to Jesus. The lyrics, “Jesus, take the wheel. Take it from my hands. Cause I can’t do this on my own,” speak to lives at wits end, letting faith seep back in. These words make the cradle stop swaying, and the tears dry up from the young girl’s eyes. The dark clears and the light shines, with hope on her face. Without God and my faith (Catholicism), I would have never made it through my pregnancy, and if I had, who knows what choice I would have made and had to live with for the rest of my life. As Underwood sings, “ I know I’ve got to change so from now on tonight, Jesus take the wheel.”

Martina McBride, “In My Daughter’s Eyes” : McBride uses her video as a live performance, with the lights down. Tiny dots of light resembling stars are in the background and her video is live to show her love and passion for the words she speaks. This song reminds me of my daughter and the way she looked at me the first moment I saw her. Babies are born with no flaws, and look at others as though they are the same; pure. “ …brings a smile to my heart…realize what life is all about…hanging on when I feel like giving up…seen the light… in my daughter’s eyes.”

Ava looked up, swaddled in a blanket with a pink woven cap keeping her head warm and was placed in loving arms, making no judgments, knowing no fear. The light from St. Elizabeth’s Hospital shown brightly in her eyes and crying took place from all around. Fragile and innocent she was. Her eyes were the color of the roaring ocean, her nose a pink button and her hair so fine that it was barely visible. All the influential people in her life equally perfect to her. Life in general was, at that moment, perfect. The world is better with the ones who make all life worth living even in times of despair. Those who make one believe, who give strength and make everything good. There was only unconditional love in Ava’s eyes as she grasped at hands, and smiled, making the entire world a better place to live. There is nothing but heart in a child, no anger or sorrow, regret or grudge, just a life of new beginnings. My daughter is everything that I live and strive for. She will always love me no matter what, and I her.

Kelly Clarkson, “Miss Independent” : Kelly is presented in what appears to be college dorm rooms where she walks through and shows up to gatherings, otherwise known as parties. The dorm rooms are full of people, music, games, and laughter. Clothes are on the floor with everything scattered about. Clarkson is finally on her own; independent and free. I have joined this life of no rules and have developed my long waited freedom. I have entered the world of parties and inhibition, chance taking and experimentation. I have entered into dorm rooms where dirty clothes and late nights are a must. I entered college life at Nebraska Wesleyan University.

The cramped rooms and rotten food (macaroni and cheese, ramen noodles) make home feel like paradise. The heat and cold are always off balance as sweaters and t-shirts are changed hourly and a time to relax is unheard of. Life is so busy that getting time in peace or even time alone is not an option.
Waking up last minute and running to class is an everyday ritual as is eating wth the same people everyday at lunch and dinner. Life is lived in a small corner, the dorm room. Freedom does come at a price, but it is freedom none the less and a chance to be self-sufficient. This brings up the question as to why I was so apt to leave my home behind, where life was simple, and my laundry was done and hot, fresh, homemade food was served? Why did I rush to grow up? I wanted, like every other kid, to grow up. And grow up, I did, but way too fast.

NSync or NStink?

I have never been good at knowing who sings what song and for that I have always withdrawn myself from circumstances in which I would have to know such things. When I was about nine years old, my best friend at the time, Jennifer and I, coming home from school, turned her CD player on. NSync was the sound that I heard. I remember Jennifer asking if I liked them and all I could say was they were okay, when in fact I had no idea who they were. Finding this out, months later she and soon later, my cousin, educated me on what the cool music was at the time. To this day, I still can’t say who sings what song on the radio but I am doing much better, with the help of my friends. So, I automatically adapted to whatever my friends liked, which, unfortunately at the time, NSync was popular among young kids.
After getting me to know the music for that time, then I was shown the video that went to the music that was cool, like NSync. Now that I look back I did think that NSync was a good boy band then. I never had the regular crushed on the singers like most of my girlfriends did, but I enjoyed the music, back in the 90’s it was hip and happenin’. As I watch the video today, I realize that although I would admit to liking NSync back then, it was cool and no one had a problem with it. I don’t despise the music today but I would not listen to by choice. Times have changed and the style with it, but who knows one day, just maybe, they might come back again. They still maybe popular for the younger generation but to come full circle to my age group again… Fat Chance!

Vanilla Ice- I Love You (1990)

I believe I have found the worst music video ever and the winner of this esteemed award goes to Vanilla Ice and the video to his song I Love You. The music by itself put me to sleep and was boring but not to the extent of the video. I wanted to gouge my eyes out after two minutes and there was still two and a half minutes left. You tube didn’t even have all of the video, they cut it a little short, gee, I wonder why? While watching the video I didn’t even know what to say, I had no reaction other than to keep my mouth wide open in shock that someone thought this was good and keep my eyes trying not to burn. I was not happy that the only women showed in the video were well endowed and were wearing skanky clothing. Why can’t a “normal” female portray the woman he loves? I understand why the most gorgeous women are in movies and such but for realistic purposes make women seem like everyday women. The outfits were terrible and the fake clouds in the background didn’t help the video at all. Some videos are bad but hilarious so it makes up for how bad they really are but this video had no good characteristics but maybe the words. I didn’t listen to the lyrics too carefully but even if the words were good, after watching the video I would no longer like the song for every time I’d listen to it that awful video would play in my scared mind. I know that is video was done in the 90’s and style was different back then, but I still can’t wrap my mind around the fact that this video may have been popular back then.

Nebraska Children's Home (NCH)

I have seen rough times, but none as hard as when I signed over a life. My little girl, now nine months old, lives with her adoptive parents. Thanks to the Nebraska Children’s Home, I was able to find a family I could trust to take care of my daughter, Ava. The Nebraska Children’s Home Society, a non-profit organization, is the largest statewide agency in Nebraska helping over 20,000 children in its 114 years. The Nebraska Children’s Home’s (NCH) mission is to provide safe and loving care to children of all ages. The NCH provides care in three main programs. They have a statewide Adoption Program, including services to those who are dealing with unplanned pregnancy, Foster Care and Day Care, which focuses on strengthening children’s social skills for their future success. The Nebraska Children’s Home website shows viewers exactly what they are about and what they stand for. I can vouch for it personally.

Almost all of the well-known rhetorical strategies were used when this website was made. The main strategies used were logos via division and pathos. The focal point being the series of images, surrounded by the divisions of information, was designed to bring about emotions in those who viewed it in a simple organized manner and help out the cause. The viewers who make a connection, will give money, and in turn help the lives of children.

The division of information on the site gives the user less hassle when trying to find the data he/she wants or needs. The facts are then classified into certain sections, but when all of the knowledge is put together, it fits into the larger scheme of what the Nebraska Children’s Home Society really is, a home dedicated to children all over Nebraska. The square segments, yet simple, are efficient and are split up into the NCH news, press room, how we can help and how you can help. The division is effective due to its simplicity. The simpler and more organized a site is the more convenient it becomes for the viewer.

The layout in itself uses a lot of smaller plain text and bright colors. When someone visits this site, the NCH knows that this person is looking in the best interest of their child or children and have a big decision to make. When a person has such a decision, that person has a lot rushing through their mind and want simple, understandable answers to their questions. I know I did. The two main colors, black and white, compare and contrast. These two colors make it easy to read and make the site more convenient for viewers. The segmentation of the NCH site enhances the focal point, which in turn, utilizes pathos. Using pathos attracts people and connects them to the cause, consequently making money to help the children of Nebraska. Pathos is generally used when a corporation is trying to raise money because people are more likely to give money freely when they believe their money is going to help a good cause and feel connected to the cause in some way, shape or form.

The character/setting of the layout is altogether simple. The series of images featured in their website, the key division, shows those people who need and use the services of NCH. The images all feature children and are the basis for what the NCH is all about. The first image is of a young African American woman staring off into the distance. She is experiencing an unplanned pregnancy and doesn’t know where to turn. She represents all of those teenagers who have and will experience an unplanned pregnancy, a growing concept today; giving the site an everyday historical context. The second picture is a young girl playing with toys looking up at what is assumed to be a caregiver. The last images show a picture of foster parents, a young boy holding on to his adoptive parents, people who have waited a long time for a child to call their own and a picture of a young girl who has found her biological family. The illustrations show what the NCH does and draws the audience’s eyes to watch it. Cause and Effect is also portrayed in the series of images. It shows how the organization makes a difference in children’s lives from what they were before.

The up close and personal shots done by the photographer generates pathos within viewers. The close up shots let the audience feel like they are there and the viewer assumes the point of view of the person that is in the image.

The first picture of the little boy who is holding on to his parents’ hands is a close up shot to emphasize the unity of the hands. There is a fluid connection that flows from the mother to her son and then to the father. Close up images allow the viewer to see expressions and analyze them more carefully. There is an intimate connection made between the audience and the cause by producing a driving force or specific feeling of hope for children through these close up images that allow the audience to really see how these people feel. The language shown on every slide of the series of images is simple and to the point. Every picture has text that directly corresponds with the images such as, pregnancy, adoption, and searching, all show the services available at the NCH and provide emphasis for them. The relationship between the words and the images creates an analogy or association. Separately the images and the words have no real meaning or significance but together they make a powerful statement. Everyone can relate to struggles in life and know the pain that the individuals in the series of images are going through; this process is called empathy. They know what it is like and having that knowledge makes them want to reach out. Together the language and images bring about the emotion of sorrow for children who are in need but of hope for the cause of the NCH who will help the children.

When glancing at the website, the viewer feels a sense of needing to help. There is so much pathos used that the viewer feels obligated. This creates a logical fallacy or slippery slope. The viewer gets the feeling that if s/he does not help the Nebraska Children’s Home then children will suffer, and never lead as good a life. However, if the viewer does donate money or help in some way, then children will have a home and in the long run, save a life.

The NCH website demonstrates that they, as a team, are committed to helping children. Their site is designed to raise money for those who need its services. The overall simple layout combined with the strategic placing of pathos and logos in the images brings about a connection between the viewer and the cause allowing this change to occur. All of the strategies used create perfect harmony and a powerful sense of purpose and hope for children all over Nebraska. When searching for the perfect place to start my search for options as a pregnant teen, I knew right away that the Nebraska Children’s Home was the place for me. I see Ava every month and am lucky that I had NCH there for me every step of the way.

Music Video

As I am not a big music video watcher I had to do some research and actually watch some videos. I only watched a couple but one of them that I enjoyed was Only Hope by Mandy Moore. This video clip comes from the movie, originally a book, A Walk to Remember, one of my all time favorite movies. Mandy Moore plays Jamie in this heartwarming love story based on a true story. I love this song because like every girl when they were little, they dream of a prince charming. They want that one person who sweeps them off their feet and they pray that they will find him and always be their treasure. Girls want to be able to give themselves fully to their partners and for that one person to be their hope; to be able to feel that one true special love.
This video shows that love just happens and if you have seen the movie you’d understand why. You love someone because they are who they are. Love just hits you and then takes all sense away. Time is lost and seems to stand still. For love people are more courageous and brave. Love drives you crazy to the point that you will never give up hope. You get stuck in a dream world and are lost in it forever. You want this kind of love so much that you pray every night for it no matter the result day after day. No one in the audience expected the boy at the table to kiss her at the end of the song but he did. He was lost in her trance and couldn’t see anything around him. Love blinds but is the best thing anyone could ask for. Love is so powerful that it is what binds us together. Love is not selfish, boastful or jealous. To love is to endure all things and as the bible says, there is Faith , Hope, and Love, but the greatest of these is Love.