Mr. Hudson’s Neighborhood

I had a song picked out that would have incorporated one of your allusions. However, I no longer have it on my Itunes, so I had to pick something else.

This will be the last song of the week from me for a while (hopefully). I would like to start letting you guys pick the songs since you have been doing such a good job commenting. I have one student selection already which I will use for next week. If anyone else has one, send it to me via e-mail with lyrics and explanation of why you want this song. If I pick yours, I will have you write the introduction for that week’s post.

This picking out a song of the week thing is harder than you think. I have to try to find songs that you can have good discussion about, but that you will also hopefully enjoy. Seems like most of you had heard last week’s song already. This one may be a little more unfamiliar to you. It is by a band called Our Lady Peace. They were popular when I was in high school (which was not THAT long ago–so no rude comments!). I think they are still around. Anyway, the song is called “Clumsy”. I picked this one out because I’ve been listening to it a lot lately.

Enjoy.

Listen here:
05 Clumsy

“Clumsy”
Our Lady Peace

Throw away the radio, suitcase, keeps you awake
Hide the telephone, the telephone
the telephone in case you realize that sometimes you’re just not ok.
You level off, level off, level off, and it’s not alright now.
You need to understand – there’s nothing strange about this.
You need to know your friends… you need to know that
I’ll be waving my hand, watching you drown, watching you scream.
Quiet or loud.
And maybe you should sleep.
And maybe you just need a friend.
As clumsy as you’ve been, there’s no one laughing.
You will be safe in here. You will be safe in here.
Throw away this very old shoelace that tripped you again.
Try to shrug it off, shrug it off, shrug it off – it’s only skin now.
You need to understand – there’s nothing fake about this.
You need to let me in. Watching you and…
I’ll be waving my hand, watching you drown, watching you scream.
No one’s around.
And maybe you should sleep.
And maybe you just need a friend.
As clumsy as you’ve been, there’s no one laughing.
You will be safe in here. You will be safe in here.
I’ll be waving my hand, watching you drown, watching you scream.
Quiet or loud.
And maybe you should sleep.
And maybe you just need a friend.
As clumsy as you’ve been, there’s no one laughing.
You will be safe in here…

Sorry I’m a little late with the second post this week. I was having a hard time coming up with something for this post, so I decided to go to my ever faithful copy of The Book of Questions to find a topic. I wanted to find something related to Of Mice and Men, so here it goes:

One thing you are all probably discovering about the characters in OMAM is that they all have some kind of dream. So, for this week’s second topic, write about one of your dreams. I don’t mean dreams as in the kind you have when you are asleep. I mean dreams as in long-term goals.

You guys are doing so well with discussing the song of the week, that I thought I would give you another challenging one this week. Aside from a few whiners, most of you seem to be giving well thought-out responses. Keep up the good work! This may prove to be the best year for the blog yet.

I decided to give you something with a totally different sound from last week. This one is rap–well, as rap as we are probably going to get on here (too hard to find one’s without objectionable lyrics). Anyway, this one is by a band called the Flobots. Very cool sound. A lot of their music is pretty political, if you are into that kind of stuff. Anyway, this song is called “Handlebars”. Should generate some good discussion. If you get a chance, look on youtube for the video. It’s very well-done. Enjoy!

Listen here:
06 Handlebars 1

“Handlebars”
Flobots

I can ride my bike with no handlebars
No handlebars
No handlebars

I can ride my bike with no handlebars
No handlebars
No handlebars

Look at me, look at me
Hands in the air like it’s good to be
Alive
And I’m a famous rapper
Even when the paths are all crookedy
I can show you how to do-si-do
I can show you how to scratch a record
I can take apart the remote control
And I can almost put it back together
I can tie a knot in a cherry stem
I can tell you about Leif Ericson
I know all the words to “De Colores”
And “I’m Proud to Be an American”
Me and my friend saw a platypus
Me and my friend made a comic book
And guess how long it took
I can do anything that I want because, look:

I can keep rhythm with no metronome
No metronome
No metronome

And I can see your face on the telephone
On the telephone
On the telephone

Look at me
Look at me
Just called to say that it’s good to be
Alive
In such a small world
I’m all curled up with a book to read
I can make money, open up a thrift store
I can make a living off a magazine
I can design an engine
Sixty four miles to the gallon of gasoline
I can make new antibiotics
I can make a computer survive aquatic conditions
I know how to run a business
And I can make you want to buy a product
Movers, shakers, and producers
Me and my friends understand the future
I see the strings that control the systems
I can do anything with no assistance

Because I can lead a nation with a microphone
With a microphone
With a microphone

And I can split the atoms of a molecule
Of a molecule
Of a molecule

Look at me
Look at me
Driving and I won’t stop
And it feels so good to be
Alive and on top
My reach is global
My tower secure
My cause is noble
My power is pure
I can hand out a million vaccinations
Or let them all die from exasperation
Have them all healed from their lacerations
Or have them all killed by assassination
I can make anybody go to prison
Just because I don’t like them
And I can do anything with no permission
I have it all under my command

Because I can guide a missile by satellite
By satellite
By satellite

And I can hit a target through a telescope
Through a telescope
Through a telescope

And I can end the planet in a holocaust
In a holocaust
In a holocaust
In a holocaust
In a holocaust
In a holocaust

I can ride my bike with no handlebars
No handlebars
No handlebars

I can ride my bike with no handlebars
No handlebars
No handlebars

National Banned Books Week starts this Saturday. Throughout the year, we will read books that deal with the issue of censorship and the suppression of freedom of speech. In most cases that we see, this act of taking away this individual freedom usually results in loss of more and more freedoms until eventually there are none.

Next week we are beginning to read Of Mice and Men which has often been placed on banned lists since its publication. One of the issues with this book is some of the language used. Some find it offensive. However, if you look at the context of the book, the language is not intended to be offensive at all. We will discuss this issue further in class.

I thought that in honor of banned books week it would be fun to discuss censorship. I’ve given you a link to an article that talks about banned book week and the issue of censorship in general. Read it and talk about your feelings on the issue.

http://www.suite101.com/content/banned-books-week-september-2010-a239451

I am impressed with the quality of responses from last week. You guys did a really great job. I think this year’s blog is going to be very fun and provide some great discussion. So, let’s get on with this week’s song of the week!

It’s pretty challenging for me to pick out these songs each week. I’ve already had one student suggestion. We will be using that in a couple of weeks. If anyone else has an idea for a song of the week, just e-mail me a copy of the song, the lyrics, and a brief explanation of why you want to use this particular song. If yours is chosen, I will be asking you to write the introduction post. Try to pick songs that are different. Don’t just pick things everyone will know.

This week I decided to switch styles a little bit. This is another band that I discovered while bargain hunting. I’m not really sure how to classify their sound. It’s different. I was intrigued by them though. This song is called “Bold and Underlined” and the band is Future of Forestry.

Listen Here:
01 Bold And Underlined

“Bold and Underlined”
Future of Forestry

I think I’m falling slow
I think I’m falling fast
You think that time would know
How long the feeling would last

I wonder how you give
I wonder how you pray
I wonder how you live
And drive your demons away

I see your love is bold and underlined
I see your life is bold and underlined

Is something falling slow?
Is something falling fast?
I know we just wanna go
Where we don’t feel like the past

Remember how you give
Remember how you pray
Remember how you live
And drive your demons away

Is something falling slow?
Is something falling fast?
I know we just wanna go
Where we don’t feel like the past

You take the charm of night
You take the smell of rain
You take the beauty of light
And give your moments away

I see your love is bold and underlined
I see your life is bold and underlined

Throughout the year, I will be asking you to write about things that are not necessarily related to what we are covering in class. Many of these will be current events or social issues. The purpose of this is to get you accustomed to expressing your opinions and beliefs through writing.

This week’s topic involves an article that I heard about on the radio the other day. It sounded like an interesting issue so I thought it would be fun to hear your thoughts on it. As an added bonus, the article uses one of the allusions that you are researching right now–Narcissus. (I told you these were common!)

This article (which I’ve posted a link to below) deals with Facebook, something I’m sure you are all well-versed in and probably have a strong opinion about. It discusses a link between Facebook and vanity. Pretty interesting argument they make.

Anyway, read the article and discuss what you think about it.

Here’s the link:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1310230/Facebook-users-narcissistic-insecure-low-self-esteem.html

I am excited about blogging with you guys this year. So far I have really been impressed with your intellect and creativity and can’t wait to see more of it. So, let’s get on with it!

Welcome to the “Song of the Week”–a weekly feature here on Mr. Hudson’s Neighborhood. Let me begin by telling you the purpose behind the song of the week. We are so used to reading textbooks and novels and such in class that we lose sight of the fact that ANY form of media can be “read”–artwork, movies, and SONGS! So the idea behind the song of the week is to get you “reading” things other than just what is assigned in class.

I will try to pick songs that you may not be familiar with. The purpose of this is twofold. For one thing, I want to expose you to music that you may not give a chance otherwise. Also, I feel that if I give you songs you already hear all the time, the discussion will not be as good. You will already be familiar with it and will already have formed opinions which will prevent you from being open minded about it.

You can write about the song in several ways. You could write about your interpretation of the song. You could write about literary elements in the song. You could connect the song to personal experiences. The challenge will be to say something different from your peers. I don’t want 90 comments saying the exact same thing. Make sure your comment adds something to the conversation. Here’s what you should NOT do: don’t just write about your opinion of the song. I will try to include a variety of genres. Chances are you will not like them all. That is fine. The purpose is not for you to like all of the songs or types of songs. The purpose is for you to learn how to read songs as texts. I’m fine with you expressing your opinion about whether you like or dislike the song–just do MORE than that. I think that covers all of the guidelines. Let’s get to this week’s song!

I’ve been waiting all summer to post this song. It’s a little challenging for our first attempt at this, but I think you guys can handle it. This is by far my favorite new band of the year. Also my favorite album of the year thus far (even better than the new Iron Maiden album). I was lucky to discover this band. I have abandoned ITunes in favor of Amazon Mp3 downloads. They are much cheaper than the ITunes store. In addition, Amazon has monthly deals (usually 100 albums for 5 bucks each). Even better than that, they choose one album each day as a special “deal of the day”. These are usually around 2-3 dollars for a whole album. I have discovered many new bands this way that I would have never heard of otherwise. That’s how I found this week’s band–Mumford and Sons (by the way, if you like what you hear, I think Amazon has the whole mp3 album on sale for 5.99 at the moment). Mumford and Sons is a band from England. They are beginning to get a pretty large following in the United States. Most of their shows sell out within hours. )I wanted to go see them in Nashville, but tickets were gone before I could get them.) The main description I’ve heard of them is that they are like Coldplay but with a banjo. I can see the comparison on some of the songs, but overall, I think they are pretty original. Plus, I’d like to see Chris Martin (Coldplay’s lead singer) be able to sing, play guitar, AND keep rhythm with a foot pedal drum all at the same time like this guy can. Pretty impressive. Anyway, enough of my rambling. The song is called “The Cave”. I’ve included the audio version so you can listen to it and also the lyrics. Enjoy!

Listen here:
02 The Cave 1

It’s empty in the valley of your heart
The sun, it rises slowly as you walk
Away from all the fears
And all the faults you’ve left behind

The harvest left no food for you to eat
You cannibal, you meat-eater, you see
But I have seen the same
I know the shame in your defeat

But I will hold on hope
And I won’t let you choke
On the noose around your neck

And I’ll find strength in pain
And I will change my ways
I’ll know my name as it’s called again

Cause I have other things to fill my time
You take what is yours and I’ll take mine
Now let me at the truth
Which will refresh my broken mind

So tie me to a post and block my ears
I can see widows and orphans through my tears
I know my call despite my faults
And despite my growing fears

But I will hold on hope
And I won’t let you choke
On the noose around your neck

And I’ll find strength in pain
And I will change my ways
I’ll know my name as it’s called again

So come out of your cave walking on your hands
And see the world hanging upside down
You can understand dependence
When you know the maker’s land

So make your siren’s call
And sing all you want
I will not hear what you have to say

Cause I need freedom now
And I need to know how
To live my life as it’s meant to be

And I will hold on hope
And I won’t let you choke
On the noose around your neck

And I’ll find strength in pain
And I will change my ways
I’ll know my name as it’s called again

Welcome to our class blog! I hope you guys are as excited about this activity as I am. It is meant to be a fun way for you to engage in some academic discussion (yes, academic discussion can be fun) outside of normal class time. It is a good way to interact with students who are not in the same class period with you as well.

For this first post, I just wanted to give you a few tips on using the blog because some of you may not be familiar with the concept.

First of all, make sure you always follow the guidelines you were given in class. If you have lost that sheet, there is a link to those guidelines in the right hand column.

On a blog, the most current topic is always at the top of the page (like this one). Make sure to always scroll down a few posts to make sure you haven’t missed one (I sometimes get crazy ideas and post more than one post at a time).

To post a comment or to read other students’ comments, click on the button that says “comments”. It can be found at the end of every post. Pretty easy, huh? When you come to the end of all students’ comments there should be an empty box for you to leave your comment. You will have to type in your user name, an email address (we’ll use mrhudson@yahoo.com until whoever actually has that address gets mad and makes us stop), and verify that you are a real person by typing in a word shown to you. Then you are ready to post your comment. When you have said what you want to say, just hit “submit comment”. It’s that simple! Your comment won’t be visible until I approve it, so don’t panic if you don’t see it at first. If it is not up in a few days, check with me. There are some rare occasions when posts don’t go through.

Another option for your posting pleasure is our “Creative Writing Workshop”. You can get to this section by clicking the link in the right hand column. A post here will count as one of your posts for the week. You can also respond to other students’ writing here and that will count as your response for the week. This idea actually came about because of student suggestions last year. It quickly became one of the most popular places to post. Feel free to post your own writing/comment on other students’ writing here. Just make sure everything is school appropriate.

Also, this year I have added some links at the bottom of the right hand column. These are just some links I thought might be fun/helpful for you throughout the year.

Make sure to check the blog regularly for new posts, including extra credit opportunities and brain teasers. (These types of posts will NOT count as your response for the week, but you can gain valuable points and such from responding to them).

I think that just about covers everything. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask me in class or e-mail me about it. Also, e-mail me or talk to me with any suggestions you may have for ideas for posts. Student created posts seemed to be more popular than my own last year.

Happy blogging!!!!