All I Want For Christmas is Jesse McCartney...

As the commercial begins, we see the name “Walmart“ and a woman sitting on a couch in a living room decorated with stockings, garland, and a big Christmas tree. Her son and daughter are sitting on the other couch watching a movie on a portable lap top and listening to music on an IPOD. Then the name “Walmart” is replaced with the name “Jesse McCartney” in white letters and the title of the song “Home for the Holidays.” The music begins and Jesse himself appears playing a video game on a game boy. Jesse’s vocals begin with the words “I’m gonna be home for the holidays” and his mom takes a picture with her new black digital camera, as her daughter rolls her eyes. She then asks Jesse to let the cat in. He replies “Ok, I got it mom.” He then opens the door to a mob of girls and pays no attention to them as he is immersed in his video game. The music gets louder as the girls scream and wave their hand made signs that say such things as “Marry Me Jesse.” Jesse then shuts the door and plops down on the couch next to his mom. We here him say “Oh it feels good to be home” and he breaths a sigh of relief. The phone rings and the mom answers to hear shrieks of girls. The mom hands the phone to Jesse and says “It’s for you.” Then a green checkered background appears with white snowflakes, and in white letters we see the words “Hook up your home for the holidays- Walmart.” Jesse voice fades as he sings” I’m gonna be home for the holidays.” The screen then changes to a shot of the door from the outside and we see the wreath on the door and the back of two heads. The door opens and the girls scream but stop when they realize it is Jesse’s brother.

Extra Credit: Ben Marcus

“You love that person deeply, just not at that moment.”

Love is a very complex emotion that comes in different forms. The word “love” can represent a variety of meanings. The love one feels for his or her friends is different than the romantic love one feels for his or her significant other. True love, however, is powerful and can never die. When you love someone deeply, that feeling cannot go away. Of course, in relationships there are times when conflict and arguments arise. It is only natural to have disagreements with those you love; however, the feeling of love does not disappear. In fact, issues and disagreements are like metal bars and strengthen relationships. The act of “making up” and resolving an issue brings two people closer together because they learn something new about each other. Hilary Duff explains it well in here quote from the movie “Cheaper by the Dozen” when she says “There are times when I want to kill Sarah, but I would kill for her all the time.” I have the same feelings about my little sister Kerri. She is my best friend and I love her to death. Of course, like normal sisters, we get into stupid arguments and give each other the silent treatment. Not surprisingly, since coming to college I have really missed having her around. We used to talk to each other every day and offer one another advice. It is true that there are times when I want nothing to do with her and would rather not be around her. However, my feelings towards her are not affected by anger. I honestly do not know what I would do without Kerri. Our love is so strong that we are inseparable. Though the distance keeps us apart, we are always together in each other’s heart.

sweet music?!...

I really enjoyed our Zaireeka experiment. It was a unique experience previously foreign to me. I had never heard of synchronizing CD players, however, I was intrigued and pleased with the results. This experiment really left a positive impression on me. I must say that I walked out of the classroom on Tuesday with a new meaning of the term “music.” I used to think that music was carefully crafted songs consisting of vocals, piano accompaniment, instrumental background, time and key signatures, and crescendos and diminuendos. Furthermore, I also believed that music could only be considered beautiful by contain the perfect blend of those aspect. However, music is so much more than that. Music is a creative form of expression not constricted by rules. As I learned from the various tracks, music can even include the sounds of dogs barking, birds chirping, and the wind and rain of a powerful storm. Music is meant to relay a message to the listener, and that can be done in any way the musician sees fit. It is truly a form of art, and no matter how bizarre it may be, all music is beautiful in its uniqueness. In Women’s Choir here at Wesleyan, we are singing a song where we cluck like chickens. This song is the most outrageous piece of music I have ever sung. The Zaireeka experiment helped me realize how this song, though full of the sounds of clucking chickens, is a beautiful piece of music. I cannot help but laugh and smile, as the piano plays and I begin to cluck with my choir members. I realize that beautiful music has the power to influence moods. A song could be an obnoxious combination of instruments, a weird tempo, and peculiar lyrics can still be considered music. The term “music” is very broad and Zaireeka opened my eyes to the truth and diminished my stereotypes of “beautiful music.”

"Zaireeka"...

“Track number 1…track number one…track number one…track number one.” “This is CD number 1…number 2…number 3…and number 4.” Each of the four CD players placed strategically on each of the four sides of the room takes a turn in introducing the first song of our experiment. The drums and symbols begin the song with a catchy, upbeat tempo as sound beings to fill the room. The vocals enter and I hear a male voice sing the lyrics “Go On” from the CD player on my left. I hear the entrance of the guitar’s upbeat tempo to the player on my left and then an echo appears in my right. Though words can be heard distinguished at times, most of the song is powerful waves of sound that wash out the vocals. As track two begins, the CDs count themselves off in a robotic fashion. It begins with the gentleness of strings. A large crescendo takes place, followed by unexpected stillness. The vocals enter and become the main focus. The sounds of powerful drums are heard on my right and then the drums enter from the other CD players in a round, one by one. The basses enter on the left and right, as if in a duel, going back and fourth. Vocals surround from all directions and make the words in comprehendible. Light symbols and drums play as the song ends and silence returns. As track three begins the lyrics “Gone insane” describe the crazy, accelerating tempo. As the lyrics wrestle back and fourth between CD players, it becomes apparent that the CDs are even more out of synch than before. Track four enters with two definite beats of the drum and single guitar strums. The guitar clashes with the symphonic sounds that I hear to my left and great dissonance arises. Chaos of competing tempos arises and then the sounds of chirping birds fill the room. It sounds like a flock of excited birds ready to attack. The noise builds up and then a light ending calms the mood. Track five begins with gentle, light strums of a guitar bombarded suddenly by powerful drums from all directions. Track six was simply a track of high pitches and nothing else. The piano begins track 7 lightly, followed by a powerful crescendo of drums . However, the drums back down to and the sound of a powerful storm arises with much wind and rain. Track eight entered with a light and happy mood. A man’s voice is heard from across the room and he talks about stuffed animals. Then, as the song nears it ending, chaos arises and the room fills with the sound of angry barking dogs. Then suddenly, all is quiet again.