Blog #9 & #10 My Ideal Vacation

     I have to admit, that there is one place I have been wanting to visit. That wonderful place is St. Lucia, in the Virgin Islands. I was going to go in 2008, but things did not turn out they way I wanted; so my dream of going was put on hold.

　
     Over the years, I have seen other people showing off their beautiful photo’s of this wondrous place, and since then, I was determined to go and see for myself. I constantly picture myself squishing my toes into the white sand, and laying back on a reclining chair, with a warm breeze brushing my face , and the sun shining down on my skin.

  
     Looking out into the, deep blue, Caribbean sea; with all the hue of aqua blue, that reflex off the sun, and enjoying the green foliage that flourishes the distant hillsides.  Just imagine all the palm trees, that cascade along the beach shoreline.

     Not only is the scenery breath taking, but there are so many activities to enjoy your vacation, and relax. There is wind surfing, scuba diving, snorkeling, and yes, don’t forget zipping along the canopy off a mountain ridge.

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     With all this and more, I can be enjoying my later years in life with a nice tan, and maybe a cabana boy or two. Who knows, I may be doing this sooner than I would have thought. Writing this blog made me realize that I am not getting any younger, and so with that in mind, I think I will be planning a nice vacation to St. Lucia.

     Please don’t forget, that my favorite time of relaxation will not be neglected, while in the mist of the Virgin Islands. I will be enjoy one particular activity that I am sure you all will know what that is.

     Have you ever wanted to ride a horse on a beach? That will be a priority of all activities. I have taken my horse through rivers, and stream, and creeks, and brooks, but never, have I rode on a beautiful beach. Dreams can become realities.

Blog #8 Enjoyment of a ride

     As you all may know by now, I love horses, and they are a big part of my life. Just to elaborate on the simple enjoyment that I receive, when I am with my horses, and the love they give back. Even though, with the show season over, I enjoy taking my horse on a nice trail ride. So, I get together with a few of my horse buddies, and we go on a journey with no set path.
    
     Even on a snowy day, it is very relaxing and enjoyable to share the experience of the ride, with my friends. We do take along a few warming items; like hot chocolate, or some coffee, or some may prefer to take something a bit stronger, if you know what I mean.


     Anytime of the year is always enjoyable, as long as you love who you are with, and the scenery is to the liking. We have been on many rides, and there has been many different sights that just take your breathe away. Riding in the woods, probably is one of my favorite times, only because you never know where the path leads. All the different obstacles you have to overcome just to get to the other side, can be such a challenge, but it is fun trying to do it.

    I love my horses, and I know they love me back, so what more can anyone ask for. Not only do they rely on me, I also, rely on them. Whenever I feel that I may not be able to jump over a ditch, or a log that has fallen into our path, it always amazes me how my horse never fails to achieve the object.

     I have this one particular horse, Nugget, that is the best, all around riding horse that I can do just about anything with. He is going to be 15 years old in 2011, and he is the best friend I have ever had. He loves the attention that everyone gives him, and he especially loves all the treats from the kids, that I give lesson to.

     Say hello to my sweet friend, Nugget. If you ever feel the need to go horse back riding, always remember , you are the boss, and do not let your equine lead you. They are a 1200 pound beast that only thinks they are 100 pounds, so be safe, and always wear head gear for safely.

     Anytime of the year is always enjoyable, as long as you love who you are with, and the scenery is to the liking. We have been on many rides, and there has been many different sights that just take your breathe away. Riding in the woods, probably is one of my favorite times, only because you never know where the path leads. All the different obstacles you have to overcome just to get to the other side, can be such a challenge, but it is fun trying to do it.



Research Finding

I was overwhelmed with all the information you could retrieve from online links, to just about anything. I went through the MCC library site to see what came up, but it seem to be incomplete with information, that I found, and was difficult to research. It was more short layered information, and I wanted more.

So, the next best thing, was to go online and google the information I needed. It was very broad in my findings to links, and even inside those links, were more links. Technology is amazing, and I am learning as I go, and with all the information that is giving, there is no reason not to find what you are looking for. My research was on music therapy, and let me tell you, there was an endless amount of information. The problem was, trying to pick out the best of the best. I do enjoy looking up articles from newspapers online, but they really do not give thorough information. The Wiki, as I like to call it, helps a great deal, but keep in mind that is only information that is given to the person creating that site. So to find complete accuracy in your finding, it is best, in my opinion, to look for author quotes, along with journals.

Research is such a broad avenue, and with proper information it is the most useful way to retrieve your search. I did read a lot of different articles for ideas and methods for my research, and I really found more information about my topic than I thought I would. I am wiser and more knowledgeable by doing so.

I am not a computer wizard, by no means. I only use the internet when I need to, which by today’s standards, makes me a nerd. I am old school, and I do my best to research, or what some may call it, surfing the web; I am taking baby steps and learning as I go. Patients is a virtue, and believe me, I am moving slower than a turtle, but I am getting there.

The show must end

Well it is that time of year; putting away all the horse show tack, along with the fancy outfits.  The season has ended, but what a wonderful year it was.  I am sure this is one of the best times of the year for my show horse.  He probably has this calender hidden away somewhere, and marking down the days left of loading and unloading, time to get up early, looking for the day to end.  My show horse is named Nugget, and with a partial point of view, he is the best.  He shouldn't have to much to complain about, he is the star of the show for goodness sakes.  All he has to do is show up; I do all the work.  I have to make sure that he has his bath, combed out and then main and tail braided.  After hours of that, then I have to put on these real tight coverings to make sure he stays clean and tidy over night.  These are called slinky's, and believe me, they do not go on as nice and easy as one would think.

After all that is done, with the main event, then I have to make sure all the tack is clean and loaded up in the trailer.  Tack is the term you use for all the equipment like: Saddles, Bridles, Halters, Blankets, lead lines, lunge lines, and all the cleaning supplies, which is another story.  When you are showing, there are two different styles to show; Western Pleasure, and Hunter Jumper.  So there is two of everything that you need to clean and load.  After that is done, then you have to make sure you have all your clean up supplies, just in case there is an accident on the way to the show, and if your precious star has any dropping at the show that need to be cleaned up as well.  Then load up enough food for you and your horse, to have a successful day at the show.

So, with all this hustle and bustle to get to a show and try to do the best you can do, the main attraction, the horse, seems to think, they, have it rough.  So when the stall door closes at the end of the day, your star attraction stands there, looking exhausted as you unload everything you loaded earlier, put away all the tack and clean up supplies, fold your show clothing, and feed all the animals.  Then go into the house and feed your family, get the kids ready for bed, do laundry and put away the dishes. 

I love horse shows.

Music! What does it mean to you?

In every day life, most people listen to music while driving to work, jogging, working around the house or yard.  Just about everything that involves your day, there is some form of music playing.  Why is that?  I believe that music is very therapeutic.  It not only relaxes you, it motivates you.  Most of the time when I see someone walking or running, they have a headset in their ears.  I like to believe that all music, even rap, can put ones mind in a soothing state, and to let your body relax, even if it is something head banging.  With all the types of music in this world, everyone has their own preference.

What type of music do you like? What puts you at ease?  So many styles to choose from like: classical, jazz, orchestra, country, rap, hip-hop, alternative, R & B, and instrumental.  I can listen to anything, except most rap, and get a relaxing moment in my day.  I enjoy listening and picking out a certain instrument and listen to how that is played, and what part it takes in the song.  Most people listen for the melody of a song, while I, try to break it down, according to the sounds I hear.

I love music, and I mean by playing an instrument or just listening.  Over the course of time, music styles have changed, lyrics have become more bold, and people have learned new dance interpretations.

So next time you turn on your favorite music CD, try to look at is in a different light.  See why you listen to that type of music, and what it means to you.

Training a horse to bow

Understanding the mind of a horse and the way they think is pretty amazing, and try to see through their eye. Actually, this massive animal has a very small brain, and has to be trained, or taught, how to do what you ask of them. Their only way of life is to eat and run; no pun intended, and that is it.

We all heard the cliché, “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks”, and that really applies with the equine world. From birth, they are taught everything, either by their mother or the owner, which instills a memory in their brain. A horse may learn a specific lesson, from repetitive training, and then put out in the pasture for 5 years. After bringing in the horse and to command that lesson, which was taught years ago, they may resist at first, but eventually they will remember. That is the great thing about horses; once they are taught they never really forget. They just have to be reminded.

Teaching a horse to bow is such a challenge, but when accomplished, the result is rewarding. This training consists of repetition and patience, which is the most important for any trainer. Without patience, you will have a bad ending result, and you never want to end on a bad note. Always keep in mind that they are like a child learning how to walk. You guide and protect them every step of the way, and never rush your teachings.

To teach a horse to bow, just place your massive beast against any type of structure that will not give away: barn, fence, garage. I find it easier to use a western saddle for the use of the horn, and you will need a short whip or crop. Have your horse stand against the structure facing the direction that best suits you. Take the rein that is closest to the wall and wrap it around the horn of the saddle. With the other rein, bring it down through their front legs and have it in your hand to pull their head downward. Start tapping on their outside leg; the one closest to you, until they move that leg up. No matter how they move their leg, stop tapping. That is letting them know a cue, which is what this training is all about. Your cues are what is going to make them do exactly what you ask of them. Repeat this pattern until they pick up their leg to the height you want. At this point, start pulling on the rein that is in your hand at the same time you are tapping at their leg. This will bring their head down, and they will start to lean back on their hindquarters. This will teach your equine student to lower their front end, and to think they are going to lie down.

This takes a lot of practice, but the result is worth the wait.

The Black Stallion

Movie Review
Eng 102

THE BLACK STALLION

This movie, The Black Stallion, is one of the most wholesome family , and action packed movie, that will be enjoyed by anyone who love heart felt movies. It has love, courage, desperation, abandonment, and friendship, along with the bond between a child and a powerful beast. It is rare to have such an array of emotions with a movie like The Black Stallion, that triggers so many feeling, and you wish that some of this could happen to you. The rush of befriending a beautiful horse as wild as the wind, but yet a creator that is, also, fearful of trying to survive. There has been several movies that share the same type of genre, which include The Horse Whisperer, Wind Dancer, and Seabiscuit. All these movies have great story lines that every family usually feels what the ending will be, but, there are some that don’t have a good ending, like Phar Lap. A great movie of a famous racehorse, but ending in a tragic death of the horse by poision. If you didn’t know the history of Phar Lap, then the ending would have surprisingly sadden most viewers.

The Black Stallion is directed by Carroll Ballard, and the writers are Melissa Mathison, Jeanne Rosenberg and William D. Wittliff (screenplay). The novel was written by Walter Farley. The main characters are Kelly Reno as Alec Ramsey, Mickey Rooney as Henry Dailey, and Teri Garr as Alec’s Mother. This movie was released on October 17, 1979, with the genre in mind for adventure, family, and sports enthusiast.

This movie is about Alec who is traveling with his father on a ship heading back to the America’s. While Alec is exploring the ship he comes upon a group of Arabic men and this beautiful black. Alec is amazed by this horse as he watches. That evening, while Alec and his father are sleeping, a terrible storm is taking down the ship. Alec sees his father, along with other people, getting in the way of an explosion, and knew his father was dead. He hears the sound of the black horse from behind him. He opens the door of the holding room and the horse charges out and jumps overboard. The ship rocks and Alec falls overboard as well, yelling and scared, he watches the ship sink. He see the black horse swimming in panic, as well, and as the horse comes closer to Alec, he grabs the dangling rope that is connected to the stallion.

Alec awakes on a desert island, confused and drained, he explores to see where he is. Then he sees the stallion in the distance tangled in rocks by the ropes, trying to get up but can not. Alec goes over and untangles the ropes and the stallion bolts away as Alec runs after him. Soon, Alec tries to befriend the stallion by feeding him fresh greens he finds on the desert island. They create a bond so strong and they do not leave each others side. Alec named the stallion Black.

While Alec is gathering food, he sees a ship come in and men coming on the island. Alec gets their attention and he is saved by the fishermen. They see the black stallion as they put Alec in the boat, and Alec is yelling for Black As Alec calls him the stallion runs into the water and starts to swim toward Alec, and the fishermen know they have to help the stallion. They pull him up with their fishing nets and save the horse.

Back home he keeps Black in his backyard, until he escapes when the gate is opened. Alec searches the countryside and finds Black in a barn of an old man, Henry Dailey. Henry said he could keep Black there so he can have more freedom then living in the city. Alec realizes that Henry was a trainer back in his youth and asks if he can help train Black to race. After long hard work, they have created a strong, fast racing horse.

They enter him in the Belmont race, against the two fastest horses in the states. Alec being his jockey, they get off to a terrible start, and trail last. Then Alec remembers the best moments with Black on the island and releases the reins and lets Black run like he always did. Speed, grace and heart, Black takes the lead and finishes first.

Knowing that Black would finish, just by the way the story was taking you, there was always that rush of “on the edge of your seat” feeling. No matter how much of the race you watch, you are still pushing yourself, feeling the need to finish first.

Changes

I changed the beginning of the review an added more in depth detail about the genre. Comparing it with other similar films that have some of the same emotional effects that we look for in a movie. I, also, added a film that does not have a happy ending that you would not expect would happen. I changed some words and restructured some sentences to stay within the assignment sheet.

　

　

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