follow and respond

     Time to Follow and Respond again. Here's where I lost the big points last quarter. Length and critique were issues, so I look to fix that this quarter. I think I'm already showing improvement, as I just left quite the lengthy and constructively critical comment on my good friend Abbie's blog. Well, here it is:

     :) Well, hi there Abbie! :) It's your buddy, Brandon! :) I noticed that you got an 89. Or was it a 78? That's right, it was a 98. How could I forget, you mentioned that about eight times. Silly me! :) Anywho, even though you got such a good score, you still fell short of perfect. And you know that 2% wasn't taken off for no reason. There has to be something wrong with your blog, and being such a good buddy, I went through and found some things that you can improve and turn that 98 into a 100! Don't worry, you can thank me later. :)
      Well, to start, the first thing I noticed was the I's not being capitalized. That was something you pointed out in your reflection as well (good lookin' out). In order to get those 2 points back you're gonna have to fix that. What that shows me is that you just went willy nilly and didn't proof-read before you posted. That would seriously help you with any project, not just blogging. Another thing I noticed was your comments. They were quite short, weren't they? And lacking in criticism, too. :( Your new ones seem to have more criticism, though, so I can already see an improvement from last quarter. I noticed that in your new comments, you pointed out that Stevie and Zach didn't receive 95's like you.. Or was it a 97 that you got? Oh right, 98. How do I keep forgetting? Anyway, my point was that you told them what they could do to get as good a grade as you, and that was very nice of you. :) This comes from the heart, because I lost a ton of points because my comments weren't long and critical enough. This one should be plenty of both, so it looks like we're both improving together. And that's just swell.. :) Look at me rambling, I must be finishing soon. Before I go though, I have one more observation to make.
     I noticed that your picture blog was a strict summary of the plot. Mine was like that too, and I lost quite a few points for that. So maybe if you do another picture blog this quarter, you could talk about themes and symbols. If you want an example of a good picture blog, all you have to do is look at mine for this quarter. I think it's pretty snazzy. Not to be precocious, of course.
Well it was a pleasure having this chat with you, Abbie, and I hope you'll leave me a comment to help me fix some of the flaws with my blog too (God knows there are many). Until next time, keep up the good work. I bid you adieu :)

     My next comment was in regards to Angel's vlog:

     Hi Angel, or should I say, "Priest of Pain." I was drawn in by the fancy colors and flashing lights of your vlog. Why you chose to film at an arcade baffles me, but I know it's some subtle form of genius that is beyond my comprehension. Your overall charm is undeniable in this vlog. You have great potential for a good blog here. However, the rest of your blog looks unfinished. The comments section especially looks like you didn't put much work into it. I say this because I see your potential for a good blog based on this vlog. Maybe put a little more time into it and you could have a pretty snappy blog here.

     Finally, I commented on one of my own posts (Is that allowed? If not, I'll do something different). It was in response to a comment left on my picture blog by Jacob Garwin regarding the philosophy behind The Great Gatsby. Here was his comment:

"My dear Brandon.. I fear that you are looking far too in depth into these stories. Why can't a good story just be a good story? Complicating it with hidden messages is just uneccessary. I also believe that none of these pictures above are Brandon Blewett original ideas. If you had read the book with out using the crutch of Google search engine would the above subliminal connections have been made? Doubtful. Not trying to be harsh, I just want to see your develope into your own being. Not a shallow representation of the World Wide Web. This book is not intended to be Inception in book form, it's intended to be a good relaxing read. Something that you truly enjoy. Hope you really take these words of advice to heart. Until next time..."

     Here is my response:

     Jacob, I truly appreciate the advice. Your sentiment is truly felt, and although you came off as a bit arrogant; some might even say.. dense, I forgive you. I know you mean well. Just as Gatsby in the end, means well. But I'm looking too much into this aren't I? On the contrary, I'm afraid I'm not looking too much into it. You say, "This book is not intended to be Inception in book form, it's intended to be a good relaxing read." I agree with you for two reasons. One, because Fitzgerald wrote this book long before the movie Inception was even an idea; and two, because this book is a relaxing, enjoyable read. However, I'm afraid you're missing the point of Gatsby if you don't take the time to look deeper into the themes and symbols that Fitzgerald worked so hard to intricately weave into his masterpiece. While you argue that I have looked too far into this, and you urge me to take the book at face value, I simply cannot. That, sir, would be a crime against literature. While you may choose to bathe in your ignorance and drool as you read a dry story about rich people, I will see a story not to be taken literally, but to be digested for what it truly is. Fitzgerald's intent was not simply to tell a story. He wanted to display the themes and symbols that I talked about. And ignoring this deeper meaning will cause you to waste a truly invigorating reading experience. Take these words to heart, my friend. When you find yourself content with the shallow film of reality that is around you, take to heart the words Leo says in your favorite movie, Inception. "We have to go deeper."