Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Evelyn Glennie: Music Blog Post


What will you remember about her performance? Be specific about the experience.
I will remember how she carried herself and how she performed. I thought it was interesting how she really got into the music she was playing. She talked about how proper form doesn't really matter; it's how you flow with your instrument that matters.

Describe what it felt like listening to her play. What factors helped create this moment? You can describe any of the times that she played on either instrument (the Snare drum or Marimba).
I felt freaked out. It was like she transformed into a weirdo. But it worked for her, so I respect that. I also felt a lot of suspense when she played the drum. Like, when they showed the close up of the drum and she was going super fast, I sat on the edge of my seat.

What elements of her performance influenced what the audience heard?
The elements of her performance that influenced the audience were when she talked about how everyone hears music differently. Someone playing the instrument will hear something different than someone sitting under the instrument, and someone in the front row will hear something different than a person in the very back row.

What did she mean by, "Each person experiences music in their own way"? Think about how you experience music and why everyone doesn't enjoy listening to the same music.
She meant that everyone hears music differently and takes music in differently. A blind person will take music in differently than a deaf person. She showed us this when she told us about how she would listen to the wall resonating the sound, and how she could hear music that way.

Monday, May 10, 2010

Visit to the Farmers' Market


One Sunday I went to the Hillcrest farmers' market. I live super close to that market so I go there often. I also go to the North Park Farmers' Market almost every Thursday. What struck me about this location is that it was so bright! So many colors flourished in the stands and all around the people. There also were a large amount of CSAs, which I hadn't noticed before we started this project. One place even grew their own beef! ( :D ). Most of the fruit there is very cheap. But the meals, like crepes or African, cost more. Flowers were sort of inexpensive, but the packages of food from CSAs were more expensive. The monthly rate, too, was not cheap. I went to farmers markets a lot before, so there wouldn't be much of a change in that. But my mom and I are most definitely going to join a CSA. This trip totally brought together all that we learned. Especially with the people that I interviewed, you could see that everyday people were striving to save the planet.

And now my interview!!!

HVA: Hannah Van Arsdale (me)
I: Interviewees

HVA: What is your name and role here at the farmers market?
I: I'm Maika, and this is Kevin. We are buyers, customers, shoppers.

HVA: Why do you choose to shop here?
I: There is healthy fresh, great produce, and we like to support the farmers market.

HVA: When did you first start coming here?
I: Around... 2007? Yeah, 2007.

HVA: Do you garden at home? Why or why not?
I: Yeah, on the balcony. We grow chives and oranges. It's also good for feng shui, and a nice place to dump our water, and it makes everything brighter.

HVA: What would be your advice to get others to do what you do?
I: Try out the farmers market.... It's fun.

HVA: Do you shop organically?
I: We try to. We go for locally grown over organic, and free range over organic.

HVA: Do you have an interest in going to a CSA?
I: We've looked into it, but it didn't work out.

HVA: Do you support local businesses?
I: We try to.

Sunday, May 9, 2010

Senior Garden!


I was super excited to see the senior garden! I love gardens! So some of the questions I had prepared for the seniors were...

1. What happens in the summer?
2. Who has access to this garden?
3. What do the seniors do with the food?
4. Would you ever donate the food to people in need?

They answered...
1. Really not sure...
2. Everyone! (I'm guessing only the school)
3. Eat it in class. (I've seen the left over cole slaw and salads in John's guitar class)
4. There really isn't that much food to each, much less give away.

I really thought the garden was cool. I got to eat a little strawberry and one senior showed me some cilantro seeds that we could eat. There were so many colors and different types of plants. It was all so beautiful. I also answered some questions from the students in my class.

1. Was the garden what you expected?
2. What changes would you make to the garden?
3. Do you think the seniors actually care about the garden?
4. How well do you think they maintain the garden?

I answered...
1. Yes! I thought it was really beautiful and I wasn't totally perfect. It had its quirky imperfections which made it even cuter. Also I didn't expect much, so it was going to be hard for me to be let down.

2. I wouldn't change much. I would just add some beets and pumpkins and tomatoes.

3. Yeah its very obvious that most do. They seem excited about what they've grown and protective over the crops. Some don't really care though.

4. I do think the seniors maintain the garden very well. Its well irrigated and the plants look happy. :)