I love music and musicals, but I understand that they aren't for everyone. However, I think that this should change. Musicals and showtunes are amazing, and although not everyone will enjoy every musical, everyone can find a musical they will like! So here are 10 reasons I think that everyone should at least try a musical.
1. It's like watching a play and listening to music at the same time. It's double entertainment.
2. Some of the notes they can hit (high and low) are seriously incredible.
3. There are hundreds of different musicals, about everything from sports to orphans to rock music. You can find one that you're interested in.
4. They can do amazing things with setting, props, costumes, etc. if you pay attention.
5. If you've ever seen Les Mis, you'll agree: They can be incredibly powerful and emotional, and the music adds to the emotion. Let's be honest, who didn't cry when that little boy died?
6. They can be really funny, although not all of them are (See Wicked, Hairspray, etc.)
7. You'll understand way more cultural references, because there are tons if you pay attention!
8. When you get the soundtrack for these plays, they are actually amazing to sing to in the car. Even if you can't sing, you can go for it, because no one can hear you. It's more fun than rap in my opinion, although that is a personal preference. (Try Defying Gravity from Wicked. It's a great mood-lifter)
9. Most of them are relatable, upbeat, and exciting. In contrast to many musical performances, musicals keep you interested, have fast-paced plots, and are usually happy and exciting (there are definitely exceptions).
10. Who doesn't love a happy ending?
Thursday, April 25, 2013
Thursday, April 18, 2013
Romantic Poetry
My poetry project is on the subject of romantic poetry, and I decided today to blog about the characteristics that help define it, just in case this is on the test on Monday.
During the Romantic Period (which was from the late 1700's to about 1860, give or take a few years), the emphasis was on emotion and feeling. Most romantic poetry has a theme of nature, love, or religion. What makes romantic poetry easy to spot is the emphasis on nature. Most romantic poetry is going to either describe something beautiful in nature or compare something to nature.
The language used in Romantic Period was colorful, vivid, and bright. When describing nature, the language was designed to create pleasing sounds and images for the reader. Some poetry did discuss darker subjects, such as William Blake's The Marriage of Heaven and Hell, but most of the poetry was passionate and upbeat.
There wasn't a set form of poetry from this period. Most of the major authors had an epic poem or an extremely long one that they are known for, but they all also wrote shorter poems. Some examples of long poems from this era are The Prelude by William Wordsworth, Don Juan by Lord Byron, and Rime of the Ancient Mariner by Samuel Taylor Coleridge. There were a lot of pastoral poems, and many sonnets written about love, but overall the structure within the period varied a lot.
During the Romantic Period (which was from the late 1700's to about 1860, give or take a few years), the emphasis was on emotion and feeling. Most romantic poetry has a theme of nature, love, or religion. What makes romantic poetry easy to spot is the emphasis on nature. Most romantic poetry is going to either describe something beautiful in nature or compare something to nature.
The language used in Romantic Period was colorful, vivid, and bright. When describing nature, the language was designed to create pleasing sounds and images for the reader. Some poetry did discuss darker subjects, such as William Blake's The Marriage of Heaven and Hell, but most of the poetry was passionate and upbeat.
There wasn't a set form of poetry from this period. Most of the major authors had an epic poem or an extremely long one that they are known for, but they all also wrote shorter poems. Some examples of long poems from this era are The Prelude by William Wordsworth, Don Juan by Lord Byron, and Rime of the Ancient Mariner by Samuel Taylor Coleridge. There were a lot of pastoral poems, and many sonnets written about love, but overall the structure within the period varied a lot.
Thursday, April 11, 2013
What does it take to be happy?
I watched a documentary on happiness yesterday, and it changed how I thought about happiness, so I thought I would share my thoughts with you all!
Firstly, they said that although money can't buy happiness, you have to get above the poverty line before there isn't a correlation. Basically, once you get above the poverty line, there is no relation between money and happiness. When they asked people what they thought would "get them happiness", most people answered that they believed having more money would bring it to them.
Secondly, they said that around 50% of a person's happiness is dependent on genetics, while only 10% is a good job, relationships, and all the things people think will make them happy. They didn't mention this, but I'd like to add that part of the "genetics" piece may be upbringing. If a person sees their parents making the best out of a situation or having a sunny personality, they're much more likely to handle themselves better in bad situations. I think this also has a big impact on a person's reflection of their own "happiness" and their overall attitude.
I also would like to add some of my thoughts. They didn't really cover this, but I think that people who say what they want from life is "to be happy" are always going to want something more. For example, if they think a good job will make them happy, they'll get there and find nothing's changed, then want a better job to make them happy. Or, a person will want a good relationship, and that will make them happy. But they might not be fully happy in a relationship either. It seems to me that people who do that need to just decide to be happy with what they have, instead of always wishing they had something else or something more.
Firstly, they said that although money can't buy happiness, you have to get above the poverty line before there isn't a correlation. Basically, once you get above the poverty line, there is no relation between money and happiness. When they asked people what they thought would "get them happiness", most people answered that they believed having more money would bring it to them.
Secondly, they said that around 50% of a person's happiness is dependent on genetics, while only 10% is a good job, relationships, and all the things people think will make them happy. They didn't mention this, but I'd like to add that part of the "genetics" piece may be upbringing. If a person sees their parents making the best out of a situation or having a sunny personality, they're much more likely to handle themselves better in bad situations. I think this also has a big impact on a person's reflection of their own "happiness" and their overall attitude.
I also would like to add some of my thoughts. They didn't really cover this, but I think that people who say what they want from life is "to be happy" are always going to want something more. For example, if they think a good job will make them happy, they'll get there and find nothing's changed, then want a better job to make them happy. Or, a person will want a good relationship, and that will make them happy. But they might not be fully happy in a relationship either. It seems to me that people who do that need to just decide to be happy with what they have, instead of always wishing they had something else or something more.
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