Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Creative Vs. Formal

I have come to a conclusion. When writing formally or taking notes, I love to use the computer and type them out. When writing creatively I much prefer to hand write and then transcribe, proof read and edit simultaneously.

But where in the world is the line between formal and creative?

Well obviously notes and resumés are formal and stories, poetry, and prose are creative. But what about essays, cover letters, letters, and other small assignments such as 'informal responses'. Well essays, no matter how formal require a bit of creativity to create phrases and comparisons that will last with the reader. Cover letters themselves are very creative in that the whole point is to stand out from the rest. Letters in general depend upon their purpose and who they are sent to. And most assignments are more formal than creative. And yet I still prefer to write essays, cover letters, letters, and assignments. However I do much prefer to do pre-writing by hand. And I do not think I could 'pre-write' a blog and then transcribe. And one can argue that a blog is the truest form of prose.

Go figure.

unconceivable (ADJ)

1. not believable; incredible

syn. inconceivable
(It is actually a valid word)

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Architecure

As previously mentioned (link) my Art history class is providing me with a plethora of definitions. Oddly enough for the first section, Indian Art, most of the definitions are in regards to architecture. Not only are these words necessary for my class, most of them would come in handy when describing actual factual buildings. Personally I think anyone who designs a building purely to be remembered is a sycophant. For example instead of saying "On top of the pillars there was a wonderfully sculpted phoenix," one could say "The pillar's capitol was a wonderfully sculpted phoenix." And if the receiving party doesn't understand you then you get to feel smart in explaining it. And what is a large vocabulary for if not to feel more intelligent?



Oh right, proper communication and the ability to clearly get ones point across.



Most of the words deal with arches and fences. A roundel, for instance, can be defined as "a decorative plate, panel, tablet, or the like, round in form". we learned about ones using scenes from the Buddha's life. Primarily for proslytization. Some depicted scenes included the buddha taming a mad elephant and the dream of Queen Maya. We saw roundels on fences of Buddhist Stuppa's (that's a definition for another day). We also talked about the columns, and the lintels which is "a horizontal architectural member supporting the weight above an opening, as a window or a door". Basically the horizontal bit above columns. Both the roundels and lintels were quite the spectacles.
What I found most interesting about this section was that most of this stuff was made out of red sandstone. Red sandstone is much redder than I thought, perhaps not vermilion but very close. What I have deduced about both the Buddhist and Hindu beliefs is that they are anything but anthropocentric. However Hinduism seems to be less autonomous for the lower classes. I would love to explain my professor, however to do so would be do be detracting. I would have to describe her as jejun and not very austere. And then i would have to abjure my statements.
Random thought: Do you ever wonder if there is large amount of comstockery going on in the universities?

challenge: (N)(V)
1. a call or summons to engage in any contest, as of skill, strength, etc.
2. something that by its nature or character serves as a call to battle, contest, special effort, etc.: Space exploration offers a challenge to humankind.
3. difficulty in a job or undertaking that is stimulating to one engaged in it.
–verb (used with object)
4. to summon to a contest of skill, strength, etc.
5. to take exception to; call in question: to challenge the wisdom of a procedure.
6. Archaic. to lay claim to.
7. to make or issue a challenge.

(I cut this down from 23 for you)

Here's your challenge: How many words that I have previously defined did I use in this rant?

Well, have fun I am off to play with something effulgent!

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Soap Box Preacher

If you ever hear the word 'Evangelism' what comes to mind. Allow me to guess. What you don't want me to, to bad. Crazy man, over zealous charismatic Christians, weirdos on your door step? Likely at least one of the above. Sadly it's not true. Evangelism comes in all forms, and people often don't even realize they're being evangelized. This is a word that has become entirely made up of its connotation:

Evangelism (N)
Zealous preaching and dissemination of the gospel, as through missionary work.

even the dictionary seems biased. What is one to do? Suffer I suppose. All evangelism originally was was telling the world the Word of God. Alright, so I'll admit it has Christian origins, but it's Greek, not my fault.

However the real reason for this post is that my art history class has provided me with a plethora of new terms, not all new. So now I really have no excuse not to post. Well, we shall all see what happens. But here you are, not one but two new definitions (however synonymous).

proselytization (v)
1. Tto convert or attempt to convert as a proselyte; recruit
2. To induce someone to convert to one's own religious faith.
3. To induce someone to join one's own political party or to espouse one's doctrine.

Personally, I think this ones sounds more like crazy people on my door step.