A T.V. show that I think depicts childhood in a unique way is the Nickelodeon T.V. show Rocket Power. This was my favorite show as a kid, and I think it is a different way of presenting the ways of a child.
The show is (was? I don't know if it's still on.) based on a gang of kids performing different extreme sports all around their California town. Not only performing them, but doint it really really well too. I think that it has an underlying meaning that kids will always be restless and somewhat deviant for a certain point in their life, but then they mellow out. I think this is an important part of childhood that adults seem to forget between the stages of young adulthood and middle age periods.
The show kind of outdoes itself though, going all out with saying such as "killer wave bro!, and gnarly grind on that rail squid!" Even as an eight year old watching the show at my house, it seemed a tad excessive. In this sense, it isn't really childlike. However, I still think that the way the kids are presented can be a substantial universal for the culture.
In all of the stories we have read about childhood, the concept is presented in a different, but similar way. It is presented as sort of an "out-of-the-ordinary" type of character who has some kind of individual identifying quality, be it Cates and his country style, Victor and his strange home-life, or Connie and her unique struggle. These all present a viewpoint from an underdog, if you will. A type of underprivileged person in some way or another. This is what makes them all similar.
What makes them different, is that they are all dealing with a unique situation. This is where as a collective group of stories, all of the authors got things right. They did a good job of representing different issues that kids can deal with, and did a good job of going out of the ordinary.
Johnny.
Friday, November 12, 2010
Childhood Memories
The memory that I have grown up with and that has shaped me the most is my experience with the Oregon Marching Band. It is not really from my childhood, it's really from 8th grade, but still, it is an essential part of who I am now.
My journey with this band started in eighth grade when I first attended an audition camp for this prestigious group I had heard so much about. I was very intimidated, because all other members of the group were much older than I was, and I of course thought that I was the coolest kid ever. This latter statement would soon humble me to the fullest.
Long story short, I made it into the group playing snare drum. This made me feel great, because I heard that very few eighth graders made it onto snare. I knew, however, that I had a lot of improvement to work on and that I wasn't going to cut it if I didn't get my hands together. Throughout the winter and spring, we as a band spent months trying to put our show on the field. I had never been pushed so hard in my life. The twelve hour rehearsals, sore muscles, and constant discipline would soon be worth it in the end, as I soon figured out.
The group has taught me to be more respectful, think more critically, and be helpful to those who have trouble with something. I do not think I would hold up very well in the real world if this intense program did not push me so hard to be the best I can be.
I'm now entering my fifth season with the band this winter, and have been honored to accept drumline leadership positions. I'm now the tenor drum section leader, this being my second year, and I'm also the entire battery section leader, this being my first year. I hope that I can work these positions out so that we have a successful season, and I have a solid reinforcement graduating and entering the real world.
Johnny.
My journey with this band started in eighth grade when I first attended an audition camp for this prestigious group I had heard so much about. I was very intimidated, because all other members of the group were much older than I was, and I of course thought that I was the coolest kid ever. This latter statement would soon humble me to the fullest.
Long story short, I made it into the group playing snare drum. This made me feel great, because I heard that very few eighth graders made it onto snare. I knew, however, that I had a lot of improvement to work on and that I wasn't going to cut it if I didn't get my hands together. Throughout the winter and spring, we as a band spent months trying to put our show on the field. I had never been pushed so hard in my life. The twelve hour rehearsals, sore muscles, and constant discipline would soon be worth it in the end, as I soon figured out.
The group has taught me to be more respectful, think more critically, and be helpful to those who have trouble with something. I do not think I would hold up very well in the real world if this intense program did not push me so hard to be the best I can be.
I'm now entering my fifth season with the band this winter, and have been honored to accept drumline leadership positions. I'm now the tenor drum section leader, this being my second year, and I'm also the entire battery section leader, this being my first year. I hope that I can work these positions out so that we have a successful season, and I have a solid reinforcement graduating and entering the real world.
Johnny.
About Me
This here is the newest internet brainchild of Johnny T. Mitchell. Welcome, and enjoy.
I am an eighteen year old senior at McFarland High School in McFarland, Wisconsin. I am currently enrolled in a college literature class, which will be the main focus of this blog. Hopefully I'll connect things well enough to my life that you'll get to know me better.
I have many unique interests that I pursue when not at school. I enjoy playing all different kinds of drums, and have been playing for about seven years. In particular, I enjoy marching drum corps percussion and drum-set. I've also recently put my hands on the conga drums, and am slowly, tediously improving on this new style of approaching the drums. I also have a keen interest in types of transportation, specifcially aerospace and railroading. These are things that my father got me interested in as a child, and have loved researching ever since. I'm known amongst my friends for my ability to identify and kind of airplane and any kind of locomotive. It's a unique talent I pride myself on. I also like to make beats on my computer and with hardware equipment, and have a growing collection of vinyl records used for sampling.
Anyway, that's my intro. Follow my blog! It will be a fun time.
Enjoy.
Johnny.
I am an eighteen year old senior at McFarland High School in McFarland, Wisconsin. I am currently enrolled in a college literature class, which will be the main focus of this blog. Hopefully I'll connect things well enough to my life that you'll get to know me better.
I have many unique interests that I pursue when not at school. I enjoy playing all different kinds of drums, and have been playing for about seven years. In particular, I enjoy marching drum corps percussion and drum-set. I've also recently put my hands on the conga drums, and am slowly, tediously improving on this new style of approaching the drums. I also have a keen interest in types of transportation, specifcially aerospace and railroading. These are things that my father got me interested in as a child, and have loved researching ever since. I'm known amongst my friends for my ability to identify and kind of airplane and any kind of locomotive. It's a unique talent I pride myself on. I also like to make beats on my computer and with hardware equipment, and have a growing collection of vinyl records used for sampling.
Anyway, that's my intro. Follow my blog! It will be a fun time.
Enjoy.
Johnny.
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