Barbarian Scrolls

Last English Writing Assignment

2004-12-07T09:13:00.000-08:00

Dr. Smith always has to get in the last word... i see how it is, women. what are ya gonna do.

so the future of writing-
writing is really going downhill. movies and technology are becoming monstrous. I just don't see people going out and buying books on a constant basis for pure pleasure. Books take a long time to read and heaven forbid if anyone has anytime these days. Its too bad, but its reality. I think the future of writing is truly turning into education. Educational papers, thesis, dissertations; everything. Do not get me wrong, writing will always be around because it is a great form of civiliazation, I just believe that our culture is headed in the opposite direction.

Millertime, out.

p.s.
this is what the alphabet would look like if Q and R were eliminated...

LAST BLOG EVER

2004-12-07T07:02:00.000-08:00

I AM DONE WITH BLOGGING. Was it that bad? no. Do I want to keep doing it? no. So here we are on tuesday, December 7th, 2004 and our blogs are due. I cannot believe that I actually have 47 blogs. I started off so slowly and did not think I would be able to get them in. But keep chipin away at the block and the task is decent. 3 a week for 15 weeks, = 45 blogs; which means I met the requirement. boundaries are a good thing, cause it give you the minimum to fall on and the maximum to break.

Dr. Smith, the class turned out to be a good class and I truly mean it. Writing papers is not my forte but I appreciate how you run your class with a relaxed manner and let us all get to know each other. Thanks again for everything and hopefully I will see you around. Merry christmas everyone.

Millertime, checkin out for the last time.

Almost done...

2004-12-05T07:00:00.000-08:00

Finals are approaching and school has become drastically harder. It is tough when every teacher has big projects or papers due at the end of the semester, but I think it is just life. Some parts are easy and some parts suck. Somethings never change, but hopefully one day people will figure out a better system. Anyways, back to studying.

100 Questions (10)

2004-12-03T06:33:00.000-08:00

Who am I going to marry?
Is there truly someone for everyone?
How many homosexual’s are there?
Was homosexuality as prevalent in the past?
Is it possible to have more than one best friend?
Who truly is my best friend?
Is it possible for parents to love one kid more than the other?
Why are people such bad parents these days?
Why would anyone smoke?
Why would anyone drink? Specially excessively…

Courage

2004-11-30T06:54:00.000-08:00

When society usually depicts courage it is with some brave act, or standing up in the face of hardship, but I think anyone that majors in vocal performance has to have some courage. Cause man what a wavering job market with no consistency, that is a pretty big act of courage to me. Knowing that you will constantly be in the search of steady work in order to put food on the table. Following your passion rocks though, no matter the consequence.

School

2004-11-28T06:52:00.000-08:00

There is less than a month left of school and I am getting weawey weawey excited. The school year has been very long but has gone by very fast. I know reading that it does not make sense, but ask any college student and they will know what you mean. So here's to a decent first semester and hopefully an even better one next semester.

Christian Music

2004-11-26T06:49:00.000-08:00

I am throughouly impressed by the christianity at this school. I wonder why christian music is such a low priority market then. It seems like christian music is overall popular, but it doesn't sell a lot of records. I understand that the world is a lot of different religions and that diversifies the topic. (I would really like to hear a buddist tune, good stuff). Then again I like christian music but I don't buy too many of its records, besides Steven Curtis Chapman. Anyways, keep it coming, cause some of it is pretty darn good.

Roomate

2004-11-23T06:47:00.000-08:00

I think one of the most important things in college that determines how well you like the college, is your roomate your first year. I was lucky and got a good one, but man, I do not know what I would do if I had a bad one. One of my buddy's here has a terrible one, and I swear, I would have to kick the crap our of him everyday. Twood not be good. (now that sounds cool). twood not be good. say it with me...

Mitch Hedberg

2004-11-22T06:44:00.000-08:00

Sometimes it's really easy to get mad or depressed or just generally not in a good mood. But listen to Mitch Hedberg and I guarantee you will feel like a million bucks. Not only is he the funniest man alive, but so insanely original, that you will be laughing for days. Do I sound like one of those newspaper critics or what. Love Mitch, Love em!

Papers

2004-11-20T06:39:00.000-08:00

So I figured it out. By the end of this semester I will have written almost twenty papers. Yes that is correct, 20 papers. Veinte Papels, or whatever. I don't mind college, but I hope I never have to write a paper ever again. Its tough because, most of the papers were good, but they didn't get better. I think my writing is pretty much nailed down, it just now depends on what I'm writing about. Alrighty, im outta here.

100 Questions (10)

2004-11-18T06:37:00.000-08:00

What makes hunting so fun?
Why do we take pleasure in killing things?
How many questions do I have left?
Why would languages use one word for completely different meanings? (right)
How can water be so tastefully delicious?
Why is college so expensive these days?
What is the most popular sport?
When is lunch? I’m hungry
Why did God create acne?
Will you have a good Christmas? I hope so.

T.K.A.M. - Inquiry Group (chap 10-17)

2004-11-16T09:06:00.000-08:00

Chapters 10-17 really mobilize the good and evil in this book. The main theme of good and evil is the trial of Tom Robinson; Robert Ewell who is primarily regarded as scum and a completely indecent person accuses Tom of raping his daughter. This trial comes to represent how the innocence of good (Tom) is beaten down and destroyed by evil (Ewell). There are so many instances like this, especially when the lynch mob is sent home by Scout's innocence. That uses the opposite symbolism on how the innocence of good puts down the evil of the lynch mob. Time is up and we have to go to groups now, but I will hopefully get back to you on this. Later...

Letter From Birmingham Jail

2004-11-15T15:01:00.000-08:00

Man... what a piece of writing. I have never read this, but what I think sad is that I was never told or taught to know this piece of writing. This is a great piece of American literature, much less culture and message.
I have a lot of favorite parts in this piece, but what I find most astounding are the one-liners all over the place that just rock. Some I copied onto my desktop so I can look at them everyday.
Here are a couple of my favorite parts:
1) You deplore the demonstrations that are presently taking place in Birmingham. But I am sorry that your statement did not express a similar concern for the conditions that brought the demonstrations into being.

- I think that is a unparalled comment because he is being so politcally correct but at the same time being so direct and forward with his accusations.

2)One may well ask: "How can you advocate breaking some laws and obeying others?" The answer is found in the fact that there are two types of laws: There are just and there are unjust laws. I would agree with Saint Augustine that "An unjust law is no law at all."

- This one is great because he totally proves that they are hypocrites. Moreover, he pulls historic quotes out of his head so perfectly. Im amazed that he could just sit there and quote so many philosophers while using their words so perfectly.

3)Human progress never rolls in on wheels of inevitability

- That is basically self-explanatory. Such a great quote that can be carried over to a lot of things in life.

Anyways, hope you guys thought it MLK Jr. was as intriguing as I did.

Dilemma Group

2004-11-15T14:53:00.000-08:00

I was in the dilemma group called the Polygamists. We discussed the issue of homosexuality and the prospect of an amendment making marriages strictly between a man and woman. It’s an incredibly difficult topic because it would give the federal government power over civil rights and the option of choosing to be with another person. However, I believe that homosexual people can be together and receive benefits through civil unions, but they cannot be married because I believe the definition of Marriage is between a man and a woman and should remain the same. Lots of people think they should be allowed to get married and some believe they shouldn’t be together period.
By keeping the sanctity of marriage intact and allowing homosexuals to unite and receive equal benefits under the federal government, a fair compromise would take place where each side received the main needs of their argument. Times are changing and laws must adapt to those changes; with that change, homosexuality must be dealt with in a humane way. If homosexuals want to be united, that is fine; but they can not obstruct the tradition and definition of marriage. However, with an equal rights civil union, is there really much to complain about?

To Kill A Mockingbird Inquiry Groups

2004-11-11T09:28:00.000-08:00

I was asked today November,11 2004, to blog about TKAMB (tokillamockinbird) in relation to how the first nine chapters of the book address the theme of "How do we live in a world marked with good and evil?" I think Harper Lee addresses this topic so far with the idea of education. The book thus far has not gone into the racial period that lies ahead, but it has many inferences to how families should live and operate during that period. She uses Atticus and his family to show the 'perfect' father-children relationship. She also uses Scout and Dill and Miss Caroline to show intelligence levels in order to make the reader realize how to live well. Its tough right now to present an arguement based on living good and evil, because the book has been very introductory to plot and characters in order to establish a foundation for what is to come. The only major evil seen so far is childish stuff (like tresspassing), or Boo being hid in the house. In summation, to early for a developed arguement.

Kicked Out of Class

2004-10-31T22:55:00.000-08:00

Thursday was quite interesting. I have never gotten an entire class kicked out of class for a me not doing my homework that day. Thought it was a little bit overblown, but its alright, tomorrow is a new day. And I'm sorry Scotty Boy for getting you roped into it, next time I'll keep my mouth shut. Hope ya'll had a good Halloween.

Lack of Blog

2004-10-29T08:46:00.000-07:00

I am way behind on my blogging. It feels like I write a few everyweek, but it has not been cutting it. I guess I'm just not a fan of writing becoming a chore; I write a lot on my own in my 'book of thoughts' just about everynight, so a blog on top of that is sometimes tedious cause I have nothing to write about. Anyways, I hope all is well, take care.

The Difference

2004-10-25T09:18:00.000-07:00

Being in college for a short amount of time has shown me one important piece of information. There are only two different types of days at college; the weekday and the weekend. All weekdays are extremely similar and all weekend days are exactly the same, however the two types are the exact opposite of each other. So there you go with some more pointless information!

Homework and Baseball

2004-10-22T21:54:00.000-07:00

I do not consider myself to be a huge baseball fan, but as of late, I have really been enjoying both championship series. With such phenominal baseball being played, I find myself coming up with excuses like, "Watch history in the making, or write a paper?", "Watch the Yankee's get pounded, or read a book?". I wish the playoffs were not around because I am unable to get any work done (and yes I know its my own fault). Anyways, kudos to the Red Sox, and lets go Cardinals.

Cell Phones

2004-10-22T06:41:00.000-07:00

Whenever my cell phone rings in my room, a huge buzz goes through the speakers. Enough where I just put in on top of my speakers and then I know when it rings. So I'm thinking about all those waves going through me head and I can't help but think that cell phones are going to affect our brains in some way. Just a thought... but hopefully we'll know more in the future.

Belmont Administration? What is that?

2004-10-20T08:48:00.000-07:00

I have come to the conclusion that Belmont's Administration has a very faint idea on how to taylor to students academic schedule. For example, today there was a mandatory freshman assembly, yet I found only one sign up advertising and there was NO information on bic about it. ONE SIGN on the entire campus. Then when I got there, they pass out information sheets and I ask one of the administrators putting on the event what the sheet was for, and she says, "I don't know, just take it". RIDICULOUS. Then there are SAMS testing for computer fundamentals. What are those? Computer proficiency tests, they did not explain them as well. I understand that we should become responsible individuals, but for 23 grand a year, I think a little explanation is deserved! I wish this wasn't an online posting or else I would be swearing. I feel bad having such a negative blog, but this college has recieved its maximum aggravation potential in only half a semester. There will be more to come, but for now, back to the books........

100 Questions (10)

2004-10-20T06:10:00.000-07:00

What percentage of babies die at birth?
What percentage both die?
What percentage are single mothers?
What percentage of babies have disabilities?
If the mother is disabled, what percentage will the baby have of receiving it?
What nutrients does the baby need to survive while in the uterus?
What percentage of women cant have babies?
What percentage of men are sterile?
What is the average cost of a pregnancy?
How many pregnancies are done every day in the U.S.? Worldwide?

Elections

2004-10-19T08:41:00.000-07:00

I don't know if anyone else feels the same, but I am really getting sick of politics. I try to stay in tune with our country and its policies but the debates were seriously non-interesting. I am very concerned with where our country is going and I don't think it is up.

Fall Break

2004-10-16T08:37:00.000-07:00

Definitely not long enough! Went home for the first time and had a quite enjoyable time. The initial feeling was weird, but it was nice to relax at home. Belmont sure knows how to load piles of useless work on freshman, which made coming back a strain. But I am glad to be back at school, which feels like my new home. Hope your break was excellent.

100 Questions (10)

2004-10-13T18:36:00.000-07:00

Why do Belmont’s advisors suck so much?
Why does Dr. Fisher make $350,000 annually at a school of only 4,000 students?
Why would his salary increase 75% in just four years?
What has anyone learned from their freshman seminar class?
Why would a computer fundamentals class make you write a research paper?
How does Miss Tonya act so genuinely outgoing and kind on a daily basis?
Why do the resident dorms turn on the heat when the temp is only 68 degrees?
Why does Belmont give out huge scholarships to athletes but so little to students?
Does writing papers upon papers truly help our learning in a great amount?
Why do classes base most tests on memorization when it is proven most information will be forgotten shortly afterwards?

Life of Pi Afterthoughts

2004-10-11T11:05:00.000-07:00

Twas an interesting book. I can't remember the last time I actually read an entire book, so I am quite proud of myself for that. Looking back on the book now, I realize how unrealistic some parts of the book were, yet while I was reading it, it read just like non-fiction. Yann Martel did a wonderful job at presenting a unreal story in a very believable way. For example, during the 'Isle of Algae' part, I totally bought into his description and the idea of it. Yet now looking back, its so far fetched. Shows how good Martel truly is, or how stupid I really am. :)

Pop/Rock Showcase

2004-10-09T19:00:00.000-07:00

I was pretty dissapointed with some of the acts. Thought the entire show was overall, pretty sub-par. Being at a school where the community consists of hundreds of people who want to do entertainment for a living, just thought 'we' could have done a little better. But that is just one opinion.

100 Questions (10)

2004-10-08T06:36:00.000-07:00

What am I going to do with my life?
How many kids will I have?
What is better: blond, brunette, red-head? (brunette!)
How many atheists’ are there in the world?
How many couples swing with other couples? (yes it is sick)
What makes gambling so addicting?
What is the most popular gambling game?
Why is there a sudden popularity in poker?
What makes beef jerky so wonderful to chew on?
What is more tasteful: beef or venison?

Pi's Philosophy

2004-10-07T09:46:00.000-07:00

He never comes out and says it, but throughout the first ninety-three pages of the book, Pi shows the reader that he learns by observing and through the observations he is able to develop himself and mature. My take on Pi’s philosophy is: “Be simple and open minded in approaching life because the more you can ‘consume’, the more life unravels its marvels to you”.

Connections between Religion and Zoo’s:
An apparent connection I found was how Pi always described the zoo as a phenomenally beautiful place that was immaculate in systematic function, yet the human’s that came inside were ‘unhygienic as alcoholics’. He keeps talking about how the human’s are dirty and do stupid things inside the zoo that disrupts its nature. This holds direct parallel to the world in which God created. He created a magnificent Earth with everything on it in perfect form, but when humans came along, we have done terrible stuff to it. We are the humans and God created the ‘zoo’.

Stages of Life

2004-10-05T07:06:00.000-07:00

I hate immaturity. Since coming to college, I have met three types of people.
1) people who treat college as a extension of high school (aka, an immature non-reality)
2) people who treat college as a place to be away from home
3) people who treat college as a place to imagine, mold and polish preparations for a career

The first one I can't stand, the second I one I can understand but the third is what and why we come to the university level. I wish we could dis-invent immaturity.

100 Questions (10)

2004-10-03T06:18:00.000-07:00

Why isn’t Jazz more popular?
What is the most popular music in the U.S.?
“”” in the World?
How many continents are there? I forgot.
Hmm, I wonder how much we forget?
Why is thinking of 100 questions so difficult and tedious?
Why was high school so easy?
Why is college so difficult?
How many days of school do I have left in my life?
Will I ever reach some of my dreams

100 Questions (10)

2004-10-02T18:33:00.000-07:00

What is the average size of a newborn?
What age is too old to birth a child?
When is the body in its prime for pregnancy?
Can having a child to early in life hurt the body?
How can the uterus carry that many children?
Can the uterus break?
How long after insemination does it take to realize a pregnancy?
What is more dangerous; through the stomach or the old fashioned way?
Which is more successful?
What percentage of women die while giving birth?

Columbine Authors (Part Three)

2004-09-30T09:42:00.000-07:00

When I downright agree with author's thesis statements it is usually because of two extremely important things. Most importantly, if the topic particularly relates to my life in a vivid way, I understand the thesis a lot better. Moreover, when presenting a thesis, the best way an author can prove it is with undeniable facts and the more the merrier. I am not trying to say that if it does not relate to my life, I won’t agree; I am simply saying that the more specific the topic is, the easier it is to relate or describe the thesis to the reader.
In part two, Wise’s article did all those things for me. He unintentionally played right to my experiences in life and expanded upon those experiences with great facts to prove his opinion on the matter. By doing both those things, I was able to dive deeper into his piece and expand my knowledge with clear-cut facts.

Columbine Authors (Part Two)

2004-09-30T09:35:00.000-07:00

In personal reflection, Tim Wise's article hits home with me the most. I think he presents a very genuine argument yet backs his points with many wonderful facts that most people would not know. I come from a very Caucasian dominant town, and I can agree with many things he says, because I have seen them come true time after time. The majority of Caucasian’s truly are in denial about many aspects of their way of life; Wise does a great job at pointing the out.

Columbine Authors (Part One)

2004-09-30T09:11:00.000-07:00

- Jeff Stark's article primarily compares how a little town like Littleton, Colorado could spawn such a life changing massacre. He explains how the town is the typical white suburbia yet somehow created/ignored a monstrous communal problem.
- David North's article was extremely similar to the point of Stark's by explaining how an excellent town, held a phenomenal massacre. However, he takes blame away from the town, Hitler etc., and puts the blame on American culture. He states that the two killers didn’t need any help creating suffering, because culture had instilled that into them.
- Darrell Scott’s article takes a different approach. He tries to stay away from describing the event, and focuses on nurturing faith by putting God into our lives. His article tries to create an effort of, ‘moving on in the right direction’, type of feel.
- Tim Wise’s article is almost a persuasive piece. He simply dictates his opinion on how white people have become terribly naive in their ignorance of their problems and goes on to prove it with many facts.

Waste of Everything

2004-09-30T08:31:00.000-07:00

I personally, have to pay for a lot of my college tuition which makes me extremely angry when we have to come here for over twenty-thousand dollars a year and waste it on some absolutely ridiculous Gen Ed classes. For instance, I am in badminton. Please give me one reason why I should have to use my hard earned money to pay for this when it has absolutley nothing to do with my education as a music business major. And some of these seminar classes have really started to yank my chain (and no its not english, because everyone needs to know how to express themselves intellectually). In summation, I am not one to complain on a consistent level but it has become a daily aggravation.

Don't Think Too Hard...

2004-09-28T22:36:00.000-07:00

I think way too much, all the time. It usually takes me a good hour to get unwound and prepared to sleep, but even then, I don't sleep all that much. I know it can be such a positive thing yet at the same time can drive me nuts. I don't want this blog to be long, I just want to be honest and admit my faults. So whoever can relate to what I'm talking about, I truly believe that this little piece of advice might help you, the way it still helps me...
"Thinking too much about why we feel the way we do can diminish, rather that promote, accurate self-knowledge"

Adam's Birthday

2004-09-28T09:03:00.000-07:00

On Sunday, September 26th, Mr. Adam Stark became a man. Finally reaching the age of eighteen, he can buy many things that he truly doesn't need. I first met him at the orientation back in June and ever since them, I am truly greatful to be able to call him my friend. Some people make up that rare percentage of great people that make the world a better place; Adam is one of those people. Happy Birthday Adam.

Your brother,

Mike 'Vulgarian' Miller

100 Questions (10)

2004-09-23T06:07:00.000-07:00

What is the healthiest food?
What is the record for lightest person?
What is the record for heaviest person?
What is the record for biggest bench press?
Why is everyone so infatuated with getting buff?
Why does everyone worry about their physical traits and not there personal traits?
What is the number one thing girls look for in a guy?
At what age does the average person lose their virginity in the U.S.?
“ “ “ in the world?
What was the typical age forty years ago?

Best Friends

2004-09-21T15:53:00.000-07:00

I never thought my best friend would be a female. We definitely are not dating, just complete awesome friends. I find it to be such a positive thing in my life because I am able to learn so much from her and she can learn so much from me, because we see the world from such different perspectives. To anyone out there who thinks it is strange or impossible to be best friends with the opposite sex, it's possible and sometimes strange is good...

100 Questions (10)

2004-09-18T06:06:00.000-07:00

How Much money does Garth Brooks have?
Why is Baptist religion so big in the south and so few in the north?
Who invented English?
How many languages are there in the world?
What is the record for the number of languages one person can speak?
How many original languages are there?
Is it possible to make up a new language today?
Is the world angry that English is pretty much necessary to know?
Will China ever make production-laws in their country?
How long will it take for the U.S. to not be the richest country?

To Attend or Not To Attend...

2004-09-16T09:21:00.000-07:00

My attendence at college is credited to three main reason:
1) In such a competitive job market, the main prerequsite for acceptance is a College Diploma
2) I realize the amount of knowledge I still have yet to learn in all facets of life
3) The job market that I wish to enter is one that requires field specialization

In all essence of truth, college is the 'next step' in life; moreover, it coincidentally tends to be the best 'next step' in life for most people in our society. In my life, college is the best choice for the proper direction of my life in order to prepare me to achieve life-long goals.

100 Questions (10)

2004-09-09T06:05:00.000-07:00

Will the United States ever fall like the Roman Empire?
Why do video games rock so much?
Why can I spend seven hours in a row playing a video game and not notice?
What truly makes women so dang attractive?
Why do people have ego’s?
Why are people selfish?
Does anyone like Dr. Sullivan?
Why do I love music so much?
I wonder what is more popular in culture, music or sports?
How much money did Tim McGraw make this year?

Too Much Reading

2004-09-07T18:44:00.000-07:00

There is definitely way too much reading in college. I read for two hours last night on only two chapters and was no where near finished. Welcome to college everyone. love college....love it....

Thoughts On School

2004-09-05T18:38:00.000-07:00

The start of a new life has begun. Leaving home and starting from scratch is turning out to be a pretty neat experience. In only a couple weeks of classes I have learned many things about life which I think is the most important part.
1. Sometimes you gonna get put in a crappy situation (class) but ya just put your head down and barrel through it.
2. The people truly make the place what it is.
3. Doesn't matter what you did in the past; only the present and future count now

Anyways, I'm done with stupid philosophy. I just don't know what to blog about so I thought this would do for now. Until later..... miller

100 Questions (10)

2004-09-03T06:32:00.000-07:00

The Black Panther Party

2004-09-02T10:09:00.000-07:00

Black Panther

2004-09-02T10:02:00.000-07:00

In essence, the Black Panther's fought for black liberation during the 1960's Civil Rights Movement. They called for blacks to arm themselves against oppresors, ultimately, trying to change the structure of racism and inequality in the United States.