NO ONE IS READING THIS!

I think this will about do it. 

It's Exam Week
I'm under no illusion that anyone is actually reading this this week. I mean, c'mon, you're staring down the front end of a soul crushing amount of testing. No one has time for this sort of tomfoolery. But, like British during WWII, I will press on. But first...

That's right! BRING. IT. ON. 

Speaking of Bring It On, you know what always makes exams better? SPIRIT FINGERS!

You Can Do It!
In the spirit of exam week, we hope that you are studying, but also not going into full melt down mode.

Maybe a little too close to home, eh?

Remember, exams = important, but not exams = your reason for existence. Study, take these tests seriously, but, gosh darn it, get some sleep and take a break from time to time.
Besides, sophomores, you have to switch out all your Jasper green and white for West blue and black. YOUR WHOLE WARDROBE HAS TO CHANGE!

This Week's Soundtrack
This is a no brainer (like you at the end of this week! Ha!)
Weez gonna go with songs of the summer! Let's get started on your soundtrack for maxin' and relaxin'.
We'll start with a perfect summer chill vibe courtesy of my main men, DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince (you know him better as Will Smith). Here is "Summertime".

Guess Who's Coming to Dinner!

I bet none of y'all understand my Poitier reference in the title.

Certainly not us while studying

Ah! Semester exam essays! Well, we hope that you enjoyed pretending to entertain mostly dead people today.  At least 25% of your exam grade is done.  We've uploaded a digital copy of the exam review to our class website and will provide hard copies to those that would like one in class tomorrow.  Remember - this exam is divided into four parts (essay, World History, Humanities, and ELA).  And to all my potentially exempt sophomores - you never know whether your exam grade might actually improve your semester average!

Here are a couple of notes to have in mind for the week:

• Humanities Experiences: These are due tomorrow and two proofs are required!
• Textbooks: PLEASE starting bringing these in unless you would like to keep them for studying! Just make sure your teacher has your textbook by the start of your exam time next week.
• Sophomore Class Pictures: We will be taking these in class tomorrow! Wear your favorite outfit!

In other news, if you've been paying attention, President Obama is currently in Vietnam.  I've been following the trip through the Instagram posts of the White House photographer, Pete Souza.  So, I thought it was fitting that I share this NPR article on strides the president has made to overcome remnants of the Cold War.

Some Internet funnies for your Tuesday:

- Warrior Princess Siddiqui

The room smells like spray paint...again

All the things today!! Can you believe it's our last Monday in the school year??

Goodness gracious; the Humanities rooms look like art galleries gone wild.  We've enjoyed your wonderful masterpieces - soda cans, popcorn, Roelofses, Nutella, bathtubs, Skittles, superheroes, Bob Ross-esque landscapes, KD pencils, shadowboxes, portraits that feed your narcissistic teachers' egos, and so much more. Regardless of what you made, we're glad that most of your projects weathered the storm this morning.  

A Bob Ross nod on Family Guy

We're now in exam mode! Please make sure you take a look at the Word document that was uploaded to the class website on Friday ("Semester Exam Essay - People to Know").  Remember that this will NOT be an AP style essay, but it will assess your knowledge of material from this semester.  

Just a friendly reminder that Humanities Experiences are due on Wednesday.  Make sure you're following instructions for the format of the write-up.  This time around you will need TWO different proofs (brochure, ticket, picture, flyer, playbill, etc.).  

On a self-aggrandizing note, as was mentioned in some classes today, I got engaged this weekend! Ah! We're getting married next summer. 

I think he makes an appropriate #mcm

And now for my last S.U.P.E.R. of the year - Hash House a go go in Plano.  This might actually be the best brunch I've ever had.  Try the crabcake benedict...I still dream about it. 

Bored?  Try one of these websites!

• Find something random on Wikipedia
• The dancing worm! (Warning: loud music and flashing lights!)
• All the rubber ducks (same warning as above)
• Figure out the optimal time to fall asleep
• Draw with sand (an oldie, but still fun!)
• Curious cats
• Music lover? Try this

Internet funnies

- Warrior Princess Siddiqui

But the thrill we've never known/ Is the thrill that'll getcha/ When you get your picture/ On the cover of the Rolling Stone.

Humanitarians,

I'm sorry that I didn't get a chance to blog yesterday, I was so caught up in watching all of my favorite music videos that I plum forgot.

We hope you enjoyed both creating your own Rolling Stone Cover and watching our favorite music videos.

Here are some of what I think to be the best music videos ever:

Today we took our LAST CURRENT EVENT AHHHHHHHHH!!! Until next year fishes, until next year. 

Today we also discussed some film techniques and looked a few examples. Make sure you are familiar with the following terms and their definitions: 

• Long Shot
• Medium Shot
• Close up 
• Extreme Close up
• Objective Angle
• Over-the-Shoulder Angle
• Subjective Angle
• Pans
• Tilts
• Tracking
• Dolly/ Crane

I thought the best example of one of these that Ms. Siddiqui put in our ppt was the scene from Silence of the Lambs as an example of Subjective Angle: 

This day in HIIIIIIIIISSSSSSSSSSTORY: 

• 1536: Anne Boleyn, the second wife of King Henry VIII, was beheaded. 
• 
• 
• 1588: The 130-ship-strong Spanish Armada set sail for England; it was defeated in August.
• 
• 1921: Congress passed the Emergency Quota Act, establishing national quotas for immigrants. 
• 1962: Marilyn Monroe sang "Happy Birthday" to president John F. Kennedy. 

• 1994: Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis died in New York. 
• 

Finally in honor of the number of times my dad has made the blog this week AND throw back thursday I offer this submission of my parents at a formal in college.

the suit, the mustache, the hair. IT'S SO GLORIOUS

See you tomorrow for the most iconic of movie scenes!

- cbg

Boo dee boop de de doo whap

Humanitarians,

First I write the opening to a best selling blues song, then I scat with the best of them. WHO KNEW I WAS SUCH A TALENTED MUSICIAN?! I've clearly missed my true calling.

Today we had a CE, where we talked about a study that pointed to laptops being detrimental to the smartest of students. Perhaps consider giving them up? Don't let the computers control your LIFE!

you guys. 

After our CE, we finished up the Blues...

After we finished our discussion on the blues, we moved into JAZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ. 

Here are some questions you should be able to answer about Jazz: 

• How would you define jazz music?
• Where and out of what community was jazz born?
• What are some basic characteristics and elements of jazz music?
• Who are some of the most seminal jazz artists?
• What are some of the different “styles” of jazz music?

Some artists you should be familiar with in both include: 

• Robert Johnson (blues)
• Bessie Smith (blues) 
• John Lee Hooker (blues - electric) 
• Scott Joplin (jazz) 
• Louis Armstrong (jazz)
• Duke Ellington (jazz)
• Ella Fitzgerald (jazz)
• Billie Holiday (blues/jazz)
• Miles Davis (jazz)

Guys. Both of these musical genres are so great. Also, go to New Orleans. Like for real. Right now. Eat at the Praline Connection. Bring me back some crawfish etoufee. 

me + squad in New Orleans

when you go to New Orleans, go to a Jazz Brunch in a haunted Mansion. I MEAN WHY WOULDN'T YOU?!

Tomorrow, we will discuss a bit more music and then on to FILM! In the Garafola household, movie making/films are our fav, so I'm excited to look at these with you! 

Today in history....

• 1875: The first Kentucky Derby was held at Churchill Downs in Louisville, KY. Why are the horses names so dumb y'all? WHY?
• 



Grindstone McGee (why do all my names end in McGee???)

• 1854: The Supreme Court ruled unanimously against segregation in schools in Brown v. Board of Education. There are a lot of interesting articles now about unintentional (?) segregation that still happens in schools. Check this, this (which ironically? is about Cleveland, Mississippi), or this. 
• 
• 1973: Televised Watergate hearings opened, headed by North Carolina senator Sam Ervin. 
• 
• 2004: In Massachusetts, same-sex couples exchanged marriage vows for the first time in the United States. 
• 

Finally, I would like to thank Lauren Bramlett for pointing out this amazing-ness....

IS MY DAD BRIAN CRANSTON? MAYBE

Have a fabulous Tuesday! 

- cbg

NEVER, Taco Tuesday is NEVER a problem

I'm so sad and alone and my girl left me, but I got this guitar

Humanitarians, 

I've been working on the beginning of my blues song....thoughts? 

Today we began our discussion on Blues and Jazz, the most truly American forms of music. Both are formed from musical traditions from African American slaves in the American south. 

Some questions from today you should be able to answer: 

• What elements from traditional West African music are present in African-American music such as the blues and jazz?
• What role(s) did music play in the lives of slaves in early American history?
• What are some of the early forms of music from the slave communities of the south
• How would you define blues music?
• Where and out of what community were the blues born? 
• What are some basic characteristics and elements of blues music? 
• Who are some of the most seminal blues artists? 
• What are some of the different “styles” of blues music? 

Fun fact, my family is from Mississippi. My dad, specifically is from Cleveland, Mississippi, often considered to be the home of the southern blues. In Cleveland, there is a Blues Trail that you can travel which takes you to some of the important venues and areas of early blues. If for some reason you are ever in the state, check it! (Freshmen, maybe summer road trip for the humanities experience?). My grandparents lived off Highway 61 and there are plenty of Baileys for you to hang out with while you are there.

Because he grew up there, my dad had a desire to be a rock/blues singer/guitar player when he grew up. He even had a band named Mother Zeus. Instead, he became a geologist. 

me, my mom, and the guy who wanted to be a rock star

Finally, because of this guy, my love of blues is all encompassing. There is so much Blues in modern music (talking about you The White Stripes, Leon Bridges, and the Black Keys), but old style blues are the best. A few (7?) years ago, my dad and I got to see the legendary B.B. King (who passed away last May). He was. AMAZING. Y'all check his music....

my pic of BB King. So legendary. The guitar playing. For days

mine is : Sticky Foot McGee. Seems accurate

Tomorrow, we will continue our conversation about the blues and then discuss the equally important other African American music genre, Jazz. Bring your notes back! 

This day in history? I THINK SO. 

• 1770: Marie Antoinette married the future King Louis XVI of France.



cause homegirl never said "Let them eat cake!"


• 1946: The Irving Berlin Musical, Annie Get Your Gun, opened on Broadway.

• 1975: Japanese climber Junko Tabei became the first woman to summit Mount Everest.



baller

• 1991: Queen Elizabeth II became the first British monarch to address the United States Congress. 
• 
• 

Finally, for social media for you to check out, I bring you the Twitter handle @starringjohncho. It is a twitter handle that aims to bring the lack of Asian actors/characters (non-sterotypical ones) to light by photoshopping actor John Cho into the posters of movies in which the stars were white men. Pretty great, if you ask me! Yay for more representation in Hollywood! Also, I love John Cho!

Instead of Matt Damon...

Enjoy!

- cgb