Blog Archives

Tai Chi: An Overview

July 1, 2011
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If you translate Tai Chi (Taiji), it would mean “Supreme Ultimate Force”. It is somewhat a state of infinite and absolute potentiality. It tackles on the concept between yin and yang or the Two Aspects governing the Four Realms and Five Elements. Using those very important aspects, the world is created. Tai Chi also means “unity, one, or being able to attain oneness.”

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Introduction To Forex Trading

June 29, 2011
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If you are just starting out in the stock trading business or if you are already in it, you may have heard the term Forex trading quite a few times, but you probably might not have a clue on what it may actually mean. Forex or foreign exchange trading is actually the largest and a fast-rising financial industry in stock trading these days. Here is a quick introduction to trading in foreign exchange.

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Symbolism, Theme, and Imagery In Action (Part 2)

May 31, 2011
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by Shane Russo

 

Imagery

The second literary element that both authors use the nature of their respective struggles is through imagery. Imagery is descriptive language that invokes a sensory experience (Wikipedia, 2011). Social struggle implies oppression. In The Veldt, Bradbury uses imagery to give the reader a sense of the oppressive nature of the house on George and Lydia. The use of imagery is especially effective in the scenes within the nursery. Descriptions, such as the following, invoke the oppressive nature of the room through tactile and olfactory imagery:

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Symbolism, Theme, and Imagery in Action (Part 1)

May 24, 2011
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by Shane Russo

Critical analysis of literary works can provide insight into the mind of the author. Such insights allow the reader to delve deeper into the implications these written words offers about the social struggles that the author faced at the time of their writing. The Veldt, by Ray Bradbury, speaks to a struggle of man versus machine. Miss Brill, by Katherine Mansfield, exposes the discrimination of elderly and socially outcast people. The social struggles offered by the two stories can be uncovered through analyzing the literary elements of theme, symbolism, and imagery. This article is the first in a series of three and will focus on symbolism. If you would like to read the stories discussed, please visit the links in the references section at the end.

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Gastric Bypass – Why do it?

May 23, 2011
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by Shane Russo

Being over weight is detrimental to many aspects of life. Cardiovascular disease, high cholesterol, hypertension, and diabetes are just a few of the health issues over weight people must concern themselves with. Health problems are not the only aspect of life that are negatively effected by carrying excess weight. The psychological toll that one must pay is also great. Self-esteem, self-worth, body image, and the over-all feeling of happiness are impacted. There is a financial price to be paid as well. While it is true that much of the food that aides in obesity comes relatively cheap, see McDonald Value Menu for an example of this, it is also true that with declining health comes increased healthcare expenses. There is also the fact that, in many stores, the “plus size” clothing costs more. Shirts for men in the big and tall section of Walmart are about two to three dollars more than their regular sized counterparts.

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Establishing Identity Though Literature: Otherness

May 20, 2011
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by Shane Russo

Otherness is a term used to describe a person, or group, which is seen as being outside of the norm (Melani, 2009). Also according to Melani, “the Other is almost always seen as a lesser or inferior being and is treated accordingly” (Melani, 2009). For example, to the white middle class of the 1950s, the blacks were the Other. Otherness can take on many forms and can be found in almost every situation. It can be based on race, nationality, religion, sexual orientation, political views, or social class (Melani, 2009). One would think that these things would automatically make the Other a numerical minority. However that is not always the case. A group being ruled imperially will become the Other even though they are in the numerical majority (Melani, 2009). Otherness is so prevalent in our culture that a person really needs to try hard to separate oneself enough from a situation to realize that he may be viewing it in the light of otherness.

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