Author Archives: ze39

making leaders

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What makes a leader? How does a leader lead effectively? What traits do leaders have? What do we look for in a leader? I was given the chance to discuss this with a group in Rose Main.

It turns out, what traits I desire for myself don’t make me a good leader of others, but makes me a good leader of my life, one with independence and the freedom to do what I want, directing my life in the way I choose. That is what makes a good individual leader, but not a leader of many.

I think for a leader of many, what we really look for traits that allow one to direct many people, resolve many issues, and create a safe feeling for their “people”. If I was unsure about the future of a company I worked for, I would probably be searching for another job elsewhere since I really can’t expect stability here.

Overall, it was a good discussion that let me really question my beliefs. I like discussions like that since they tend to always stick with me for years

Ithaca book sale

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I was given the chance to go to the Ithaca book sale happening. Although I didn’t get to buy any books, I did get a nice hit of nostalgia for one of my favorite niche genres. That genre being Alternative History, we are given the chance to see what a simple change would do on the rest of history. One popular timeline is that of the author who’s publish dozens of books of this genre, Harry Turtledove, and this timeline being named Timeline-191, where the Confederate States wins the American Civil War. As expected, world history diverges and I won’t spoil the story. I saw many of his publications, those that I’ve read but no longer own the books of. Great reads and a great experience. (James Patterson really has a lot of books published, wow!)

Films with Judge Scott

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Did a lawyer commit perjury? Judge Scott is here to let us question that, and to provide some insight that he’s encountered. The films premise is that a lawyer is given a case with a man shooting the man who raped his wife. He himself knows he shot the man and feels no remorse over this. For the lawyer, what should he do? Your defendant feels no regret and may just admit to the crime in court. Its the defendant’s lawyer’s role to absolve him of his crimes. His approach comes close to perjury, but I believe that he doesn’t. Maybe scummy, but legal.

Judge Scott’s experience covers one of his first cases. Amazingly funny, with details hidden, and a difficult case. His defendant admits to the crime privately, but later on claims otherwise. Too comedic! Even after that, he gets his not-guilty verdict! Nice!

Black Panther review

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I was given the chance to rewatch black panther. I don’t regret watching the movie and I made sure to take focus on what I could have missed. I ended up just enjoying the movie and didn’t notice anything, except something I’ll mention later.

The movie takes a really nice stance on international politics and outreach. Should we be ignorant to the issues of the rest of the world. Should we do something about it, or keep to ourselves. Wakanda is at a crossroads.

To what I missed, for all the good parts the movie has, there is some really bad CGI work in this movie. I could notice the artificial-ness whenever it came to something natural (typically sunset) and the final fight scene with the vibranium trains. Super green-screeny, which sucks. Movie was still great though.

Lyon Hall Memorial

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Who knew that Lyon Hall had such a history? What’s interested me is how this building has current students living here, with each room associated with a student who went overseas during WW1.

Whats even more interesting is that there’s a secret club! You need to be marked and you can join, no sophomores though.

When you get in, you get to do community improvement projects which are nice.

 

Pretty cool event, maybe one day I can join this secret illuminati in a year or so.

Sunset Boulevard Review

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Sunset Boulevard was really good to watch. I usually avoid old films because I can’t get used to black and white from a color perspective (oof)

This movie though was really good. The heartlessness of the main character in scamming this older actress out of her prime. His increasing relations with his friends fiance (really cheap weddings in Arizona huh?)

He gets trapped by this actress who may kill herself if he leaves her. One thing that weirded me out was how her butler is her… ex-husband. Kinda offputting for me, but if that’s what you’re into I guess its fine?

In the final scene, he tries to leave after he decides to finalize his affair, but he gets shot. Before that though is an amazing acting scene with the fiance where he ends the relation (but not really). As I was saying, he gets shot. Movie ends with a cinematic reveal that the actress was finally looking for. Good ending, +1

Nanette review

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Nanette was pretty funny, I really enjoyed the comedy throughout the session. But what had more impact was not the comedy, but the story’s behind the comedy. Nanette goes into depth her experiences as a lesbian, how its shaped her life, her family, and her comedy. Nanette provides her story, with some jokes in between (facial expressions are typically just enough for a laugh), to give the audience impact. In one second the audience is laughing and in others silent (not because some joke just fell flat)

 

Pretty good comedy show, with good life lessons at the end. +1

daniel blake review

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This movie was good but not in the way I expected it. The movie really just gave me the feeling that embodies “what a shame”, “that sucks”, or the classic response “oof”.

Daniel Blake was a man screwed over by bureaucracy in its most hellish form. He never had a chance. I kind of expected him to die at the end though because otherwise the story lacks all impact. Had the process been incredibly smooth, he wouldn’t have died

A Man Called Ove -zak review

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Even though I cannot relate personally to any of the experiences in this movie, I was still left weeping at the end of the movie. The movie was both funny and dramatic in ways that would be hard if done in other ways or with other characters. The best parts of the movie were the flashbacks detailing Ove’s past, which was really tragic and fulfilling at both times. We got to witness the growth of Ove as a child and the loss of many things dear to him, his father, home, and then his child. Then his wife and job afterwards. Ove at the start of the story was a man with nothing left, having it all taken from him. At the end of the movie though, he was somebody who we could say was more fulfilled. What a good movie, 5/5 would watch again