Week+14

__**Monday** __ So, it's the very first 5th period of the week and we are greeted by Mr. Masson who is in a considerable amount of awe as he has been informed that Highland High School has blocked the youth connection website through which the many talented writers who exist virtually unheard and unnoticed in our hallowed halls will be catapulted to fame and honor. However, ever the optimist, Mr. Masson calls on fellow crusader for education, Mr. Evans who sweet talks the computer tech department with every ounce of southern composure and charm he contains into releasing the knowledge and unlocking the website. Alas, Sir Faxon is seduced and pledges to unlock the site immediately promising the links will soon follow by... the Wednesday of December, (but we won't tell you which one.)  Next, Mr. Masson and Ms. Farley enter into a "read-off" in which Mr. Masson will innocently call on Katie to read the first paragraph of The Swimmer, which as any student who's spent even one semester in and English course knows that the first page contains the most difficult words to pronounce, and most complicated names to decipher. Katie who let out a small cry of disapproval still manages to deliver the words eloquently with only two brief pauses. Then Mr. Masson coyly steps in now knowing all the names and vocabulary to come. This two-step dance will continue on until the final bell rings and the students disperse. Well played Mr. Masson.  For those who read the rest of The Swimmer, you might agree that it was a bit depressing at the end. You invest yourself into reading this story of fanciful made-up adventure and then you realize it's not what it seems at all, that the lightheartedness that kept you reading was a facade. Extra Tid-Bits: Mr. Masson will be having chicken with marinade tonight. Although our meeting at Stop&Shop was chance, I am glad it has enabled me to supply the members of 5th period Media-Lit with that extra outside information, and this chance also provides excellent feedback opportunities, like for example marinade recipes. Did you know you can make a wonderful inexpensive marinade from orange juice, olive oil, chopped garlic/shallot, and a pinch of salt and pepper?
 * I want to put a disclaimer on that paragraph.** That is not sarcasm. I swear on my //**dead hamster**//. That's embellishment, and that I harbor no ill-will or hidden meaning. I simply wanted to beef up the events, because logging without the added panache would be something along the lines of: "The website was blocked, this caused an inconvenience, Mr. Evans fixed it for now, we looked at the big book of talented teenagers who we all envy for their talent and gumption, and read a sassy exert by Chuck Palanhuik that served as the introduction." (I would however, just like to comment on Chuck Palanhuik makes me hate every item I've ever written because even his most rough thoughts and unprocessed drafts are vastly better than anything I could produce and I am sure I'm not alone in this feeling.)

__**Tuesday!**__ I told you The Swimmer was sad. Well, maybe not that sad, but certainly a bit warped and not what my sensitive-emotional heart was hoping for. Besides finishing the story we talked mainly about the final scene of The Graduate. The laughter and following silence (as depicted by Simon and Garfunkel, because really we wouldn't have it any other way), was critically analyzed by Mr. Masson and the class, but wait a second... what's that I hear in the distance? ITS A CELEBRITY APPEARANCE BY MR. GREENMAN, (Mr. Masson's equally beloved vested counterpart)!!!!! He explained that the first time the age gap became apparent in his experience with his father was how they disagreed on the quality of the film. In short, Mr. Greenman loved the movie, and his father, not so much. However, the story was much more entertaining when Mr. Greenman spoke to the class. I apologize but I lack his finesse. Next, an intriguing comment was put forth by Mr. Hyland in the back row. Apparently, according to his sources at IMBD.com the last scene in The Graduate wasn't in the script at all, and it was a result of the actors waiting for the director to call cut. Then Mr. Masson interjected that this was a prime example of a script's very meaning being transformed by the taste of the director.

Just when I thought that the aforementioned information was the most enlightening thing I've heard thus far in my day Mr. Masson blew my mind out of the water. He said we're going to learn things we actually WANT TO LEARN via media exploration. That's right any topic of interest that requires further research we are free to study. Oh, that sneaky man, he's getting us to use the media to our advantage and get this, by letting us choose the topic he's giving us independence, freedom, and actually instilling the desire to learn. Quite the tricky move considering it's almost throwing daggers at the entire education system itself, but Mr. Masson is far too sweet to imply such an idea. (He did however curse the regents under his breath, but then again, we all have at some time.)

BREAKING NEWS: This just in from Mr. Babineau, Captain Crunch just released his real name to the press it is in fact Captain Horatio Magellan Crunch. He is expected to release a follow-up statement to the press at 11pm central time, almost every news station will be covering this explosive story.


 * Fin.**


 * __Wednesday __**

I have to admit, compared to Monday and Tuesday, today was pretty mundane. Mr. Masson was shocked that his students arrived to class and promptly reprimanded us for not using our telepathy and immediately going to the computer lab. Yet it turned out this was all in jest so gleefully the class mosied on down to the lab to start the illusive MULTIMEDIA PROJECT. We had some pretty interesting contenders. For example, Ms. Mitchell and Ms. Farley hailing in the left hand back corner getting first dibs on the feminist movement, and then more specifically speeches of the feminist movement. PS to you guys, Iron Jawed Angels is a really intense movie about women crusading for the right to vote, and it's not a perfect painted picture with sashes that say "Give Us Rights" and angry letters in red lipstick, its... brutal. Next, the ever so smooth Mr. Hyland noting his potential dive into the jazz industry. Of course, it must be said that these two topics were derived after Mr. Hyland and Ms. Mitchell engaged in a classroom brawl over who's topic could be more rejected by Mr. Masson. This however was not rejection but rather the introduction of a core commandment from Mr. Masson, "Thou shalt be specific." Also, I cannot forget Raya who laid down stakes in the topic of Abnormal Psychology, (and you must ask Ms. Mosimann for her video on FERAL CHILDREN and the movie with the Paranoid Schizophrenics about the man who thinks the CIA is following him, and Bill or Bob who believes the greatest amount of pleasure can be achieved by taking the K-mart walk... the movie explains it...) Huzzah for topic finalization!

With everyone so engrossed in their own topics the room fell silent except for Mr. Masson's threats to finish all film reviews, claiming to be able to see all, hear all, smell all on the wikispace, so please kindred beware.

I do believe that sums up the day, however, here's to you Ms. Robinson, a marinade recipe that hopefully won't turn your stomach.

__KA-POW Teriyaki__ With a Teriyaki Sauce base add a dash of soy sauce and a pinch of brown sugar, heat and stir until dissolved. Add a touch of balsamic vinegar to the individuals taste. At the last minute add some chopped green onions, (or chives) for color and flavor. KA-POW! (Spicy pepper although optional is recommended.)

**__Thursday __** __Formal Apology__

I must apologize for my seemingly profane comment on the wikispace blog arena. The comment was in no way endorsing or making light of the use of cocaine. If anything it was meant to exemplify the idea that "under the influence" little productive work can be done and that the mind, when in an uninhibited state is a mind best suited for analysis and research. I am deeply sorry because the information I had gathered to deduce the reasoning that listening to Daft Punk for an extended period of time might create unsavory results came from my experience in health class last year where we watched a documentary about the detrimental effects of drugs on the mind. Daft Punk, I imagine acts as a stimulus for the brain, as most music does. However, given the "techno" and sometimes overbearing nature of the music, it is easy to deduce that this could flood the brain and create a reaction of over stimulus or replacement of certain neurotransmitters that would exude normal function, much like drugs do of both the illegal demeanor such as the reference in question and of the pharmaceutical kind, such as Ritalin or even caffeine. I only meant to derive a comparison as a warning. I think the class would agree, generally as students we are above throwing around drug references purely for humor, and I wish to repeat that was never my intent. The humor in fact was juxtaposing the actions needed to pursue an active conclusion on the effects of listening to Daft Punk for an extended period of time, leading to dear Miss. Stuckey, the prestigious woman she is, putting herself into such a situation that could yield such hazardous results. I threw two subjects together that clearly created an uncomfortable situation for a school environment. I should not have assumed because I could draw the comparison on a different level that the comment would always be interpreted as such. I did not give the situation enough gravity, I feel as though had I written the statement in a paper designated for a comparison, like the comment was intended, the shock value would not have been as great or as inappropriate. The wikispace though usually used restrictly for academia work can easily create a situation for instant feedback and peer commentary that easily escapes proper school internet composure, an act that I never intended on enabling.

Besides the latter upset which I hope can be quelled by my apology further research and posts of the inquiry subject of your choice are due by Friday, rest assured they are not set in stone. If you follow the link to the Think It Out questions on the Multi-genre/Multimedia page you will find the pre-inquiry questions that need to be filled out at the start of the project and despite the upset I feel as if creative and insightful suggestions where made on comment posting boards to people potential projects. I think it is evident that the class works well together as a whole, and I suggest we take Ms. Mitchell's critiques seriously, with a grain of salt of course, and delve deeper into the topics we could potentially explore. After all, the sea of ideas is vast, meaning when you set out to search for your idea, search. If you pick something mundane, simple, or a topic you already know an extensive amount on, you will most likely be bored in the long run. However, I am positive that with the level of intelligence and quirky sensibility that surround this class, and the fact that we all had enough curiosity to take this course in the first place that the projects will be a success regardless of topic.


 * Shout-out to Sir Walsh and Mr. Babineau IV**, who helped my cope after I was reprimanded. (Although, Mr. Babineau IV will have to receive bonus points because he took me out on a date to cheer me up, and Sir Walsh did not, yet this discrepancy can be repaired if Sir Walsh feels so inclined as to make his dogs have oodles of puppies again and then lets me visit the Walsh Manor so that I may partake in the puppy-joy... but thats merely a suggestion.) This will be the second recant statement to grace the digital diary of the wiki-log, and hopefully the last (but probably not).

Teacher Sighting: Mr. Masson was spotted at the local Stop&Shop buying ingredients for orange chicken marinade, my oh my, I do anticipate the results of his culinary endeavor.

__** Friday: The End of an Era **__ This is the last day of my weekly log, so I am writing to you in class as the action occurs. Mr. Truffanoff is entranced in his research. He gives off the air of dignity in repose, the man has excellent posture. Ms. Stuckey frolics around the room giving advice to the conceptually challenged with finding an idea. Constructive chatter rapidfires from one person to another breaking down across the room boundries via the power of the wikispace. Finally, Ms. Farley ridicules me for having a healthy lunch and I sigh reminiscing about my kale and cheese sandwich.

Besides research the air hangs still. All our energy is focused on this one item, so the only news I have to leave you with is that Ms. Dennis will be taking up the torch of the weekly log.

