What “Into the Fray” means to me:

The first assignment provided me a realization regarding my relationship with photography. It was difficult to write that post while coming to an understanding of what photography means to me, but I’m grateful that I did. I think I’d much rather enjoy a product than be the one creating it (just cause I accept that my … Continue reading "Week 4 Summary"

I could not get the soundcloud record to work on my computer (it wouldn’t work on any web browsers that I tried so I gave up and tweeted the translated quote by itself) 2. Decisions decisions 3. ds106 errors

I enjoy a film with good cinematography and was excited about this assignment. Although when I began watching “The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance” I realized that the cinematography that I had grown to love was quite different from black and white pictures with older technology and techniques. Characters wore contrasting clothing from one another to … Continue reading "Cinematography – The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance"

What does Rose Oakley carry around in her saddle bag? Just the essentials. Water, a lantern, and her trusty utility knife. Traveling light is the best thing for an outlaw.

I’m not one to whip out my camera to capture a moment. On the rare occasion that I do do that, it’s because it is something I wish to share with a friend or family member. Due to this realization, I’m finding it difficult to answer the questions asked for this particular blog post assignment. … Continue reading "Visuals of Storytelling"

Janie P. Index and Johnnie D. Middle are madly in love They are constantly by each others side and are often brought together with hope and luck The only thing that could ever separate them Would be an unfortunate accident!

Can you guess what this is? Hint, I’ve been hanging out in the convergence center all day.

Take a photo of something that you are envious of (physical or metaphorical). Take a photo of two related objects of drastically different sizes. Take a picture of fire or something that represents fire. Make a photograph that illustrates the weather where you are. Find a pool, puddle, or other body of still water. A … Continue reading "Photoblitzer"

The pixel outlaw I created a pixel image of my outlaw character by creating a 16×16 template in MS Paint. I initially thought I was done and proceeded to upload the extremely small image into my blog before I realized I was going to have to re-size it again. Here’s the 16×16 version: itty bitty … Continue reading "Visual Assignment – 256 Points"

For this assignment I chose to create a collage of my family because 1) I already have a bunch of photos of them, and 2) they’re pretty cool

Week 3 was a busy week! I enjoyed reading and responding to “Ice Man”. Along with “Ice Man”, I chose to respond to “The Bride Comes to Yellow Sky”. As I stated in my earlier post, it allowed me to experience the Western theme from a different viewpoint. In conjunction with that, I applied Kurt Vonnegut’s ideas … Continue reading "Week 3 Summary"

Even “The Bride Comes to Yellow Sky” didn’t offer me a gun battle! I highly expected one, especially with imagery often seen in Western movies: The barkeeper went to the door and locked and barred it. Reaching out of the window, he pulled in heavy wooden shutters and barred them. Immediately a solemn, chapel-like gloom … Continue reading "Response – The Bride Comes to Yellow Sky"

Week 3 was a busy week! I enjoyed reading and responding to Ice Man. As I stated in my earlier post, it allowed me to experience the Western theme from a different viewpoint. In conjunction with that, I applied Kurt Vonnegut’s ideas regarding the shape of stories to Elmore Leonard’s writing. I enjoyed these two assignments a … Continue reading "Week 3 Summary"

I enjoyed watching Kurt Vonnegut’s video regarding the shape and course of stories, specifically his use of humor regarding the topic. After reading and responding to the short story, Ice Man, I struggled to fit a shape Vonnegut described to the story. The main character starts out well, but upon meeting the I.C.E agent (the Ice Man) his story line … Continue reading "Response – Kurt Vonnegut on the Shapes of Stories"

The Ice Man, written by Elmore Leonard, did not end how I expected it to end. It started out as what I saw as a typical Western; a group of manly men out celebrating rodeo victory end up confronted by the law. These men were discriminated against by an Immigration and Custom Enforcement officer, who … Continue reading "Response – Ice Man"

She’s not a bad person, but that doesn’t mean she’s not guilty. She can’t stay put for long; it increases her chances of getting caught. The wilderness is her home, a place where the law can’t follow her. She follows her own rules, which is why the they’re out to get her. Wanted: Dead or Alive. … Continue reading "The Outlaw"

Media tribute to early 20th century rodeo cowgirl Mabel Strickland 2) Old Western saying 3) Historical post

Haiku for Mabel Strickland inspired by daily create 1/25: Cowgirl Honoree A rodeo performer Mabel was fearless  

Earlier today I trudged through the snow for lunch with Christine, Britta, Maddy and Kelsey. We walked from campus over to Kumo Sushi where we each ordered about three rolls. I ordered, as part of the lunch special, the spicy scallop roll, tuna & avocado roll and the spicy salmon roll. Before the rolls were ready … Continue reading "Writing Assignment – Instagram Is Down…DESCRIBE Your Lunch To Me!"

Dear Mom, Thank you for being an amazing mother. You may not feel like you have, but you’ve raised four fantastic daughters. Each one of us loves you very much. I’m so thankful I look forward to coming home and hanging out with you; I’m thankful for the wonderful relationship that we have. I hope … Continue reading "Writing Assignment – To my Mom"

Thankfully I adjusted my WordPress theme during week 1 so I didn’t have to worry about changing much this week (although that didn’t stop me from playing around with all the different themes). The only thing I edited was my about page. While my about description is simple, I think it perfectly summarizes my educational goals … Continue reading "Week 2 Summary"

Dear 13 year old Sophia, No, not everyone is out to get you. I understand that mom and dad may seem like the worst people in the world, but they really aren’t. Stop picking on your little sisters. They’re going to be your best friends soon enough. Hug each one of them, especially Isabelle, she … Continue reading "Writing Assignments – A Letter to You as a Child"

For my second assignment, I decided to create a wanted poster for Jesse James. I used the website mobile fish and read up on the famous outlaw. Jesse James was a Confederate soldier who, following the wars end, created the James-Younger Gang. They robbed banks, stagecoaches and trains. He murdered a county clerk on accident, thinking it … Continue reading "Design Assignment – Most Wanted Outlaws"

During the first week I was prompted to look up western movies that I had never heard of before. I was also forcing myself to stray away from the more recent films and watch an original spaghetti western. I was inspired by the assignment trailer it from the video assignment bank. Here is my attempt at a … Continue reading "Video Assignment – Trailer It"

I expressed my concerns regarding social media in my week 1 summary blog post, and professor Bond responded to my thoughts, stating that these platforms are used as storage for the multitude of different thoughts, opinions or artistic expressions individuals share. His comment altered my perception of social media. Thinking of it more as a storage device makes … Continue reading "Social Media as Storage"

Are you exhausted yet? YES! There is a reason why I don’t have this many social media sites: I don’t know how to work them! It’s been a struggle setting up the multiple accounts along with learning how to publish/interact

I have to disagree with “How the Western Was Lost (and Why It Matters)”; the article took the waning popularity of the genre as a dire outcome created by our society. “For a century plus, we have relied on Westerns to

Flickr: My sister (right) and I (left) Twitter Youtube SoundCloud