What does Music mean to me?

I have studied music before--specifically piano--, though I have had to stop for a couple of years before, I resumed learning music around 2018--present. I have had my fair share of liking different varies of music, ranging from rock, pop, k-pop, jazz as well as classic, I usually do not have any music genre that I don't specifically like--hard metal is not my preference but there are times that I do enjoy it them as well. I terms of singers one of my favourite singers is a woman named "Regine Velasquez"; she is a fierce singer and belts astonishing notes. Band-wise, I love Queen the variety of songs and genres that they have created were amazing, with Freddie Mercury having published 'opera' singles. Moving onto classical music I enjoy the art of conducting, one of my most loved conductors is Sergiu Celibidache-- his Bruckner pieces are of a very high standard. 

I have chosen this subject for the reasons of learning more about music theory, also it increases the time that I am able to play music.

The Great Depression

During the second semester of this year, in Social Studies we start looking at WWII. However, before fully doing so we need to look at before the war had started, which can be considered the reason for the war to start in the first place. "The Great Depression" was an era of time of major economic decline.  Many countries were affected by the disaster, Germany, U.S and New Zealand are only a speck of those who experienced the harshness of an economic decline. For the tasks, we are to answer questions presented to us by our teacher. Requirements are as such: minimum 6-8 sentences [per paragraph] and a lawyer paragraph at the very least.

The Great Depression--a stage of time in which was the worst [in the history of the industrialized world] economic downturn. Lasting for around a decade starting from 1929, the “depression”--a sudden decline of the economy-- originated in the U.S. Severe diminishment of the output Unsurprisingly the rapid decline of the economies was caused by multiple factors. Such factors can be categorized, consumer demand, financial panics, government policies, and the gold standard. Monetary system in which a country’s currency is valued according to gold. Countries of this era abide by this system[linking their network of exchange rates] in which paper currency is converted to a set amount of gold. The standard affected much of the world, with distinct mention to Germany which was hit the hardest in the whole of Europe. 

Germany was a prominent power, after the “Great War”, signed the Treaty of Versaille--meant to take power away from Germany-- it became a major factor in the significant effect of “The Great Depression” to Germany compared to other countries. In contrast to the U.S, during the “Great Depression", the unemployment rate was around %19.4, whilst Germany had 24%. To the allies’ proclivity for vengeance (as many historians point out) terms given to Germany were purposely enervative and impairing to the country. The “Treaty of Versailles” was meant to signify the peace between the ‘Allies’--victorious-- and Germany after the “Great War”. In starting the “Great War”, stated in the Treaty of Versailles, the country was held accountable. Thus this became a reason for the imposing and rigorous terms dictated to the country. It was obligatory for Germany to sign the ‘Treaty of Versailles’ as it was a sign of peace; though many did not agree to sign it. In addition to unemployment, the armed force of Germany was reduced; most damaging--for Germany’s pride--” Article 231, the War Guilt Clause blamed Germany and her allies for starting the war – this led to feelings of humiliation and anger.” Stated, it was the reason for the second ‘World War’.

Germany carried a huge burden in signing the treaty, in particular, the payments made to the Allies drained the country of its capital. In addition to that to pay the debt, hyperinflation of its currency was needed; printing paper marks to 1923 became utterly worthless rapidly. Another fundamental factor of why the suffering of Germany[during the Great Depression] was immense was because of its economic collapse. Sparked by the ‘Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act’ in the United States passed in 1930; this clause prevented many of the German industries from selling in the international/foreign markets, causing the decline. More damaging--territories were taken-- disposed of agricultural and industrial income. 13% of Germany’s European territory was taken, approximately 27,000 square miles; adding one-tenth of its population [6.5 to 7 million people]. Such factors have created the decline of Germany, being one of the countries stuck by “The Great Depression” the most.

On another note, as stated before, many have been struck by “The Great Depression''--including New Zealand. Whilst the effects of the decline was not immediate, it was still greatly affected, to an extent that export prices plummeted by 45% in only a span of 3 years[1930-1933]. New Zealand relied on agricultural exports. This was devastating. Continuing in the year 1930, the demand for services and goods fell. Many were unemployed, by 1933 the unemployment rate rose to 12%; however even if jobs were kept wages were reduced--by as much as 20%. Riots surfaced in 1932--first 6 months-- Wellington, Auckland and Christchurch. Though efforts were put to ease the effects of the “Depression”, this was done by unemployment schemes, it was an arduous endeavour requiring people to travel long distances for only a small sum. The “Depression” experienced by New Zealand lasted around 5 years ending in 1935 after the effects of the “Great Depression” were terminated. causing dire unemployment; companies and investors suffered deflation with billions of dollars lost. The time of the “Depression” varied across the different countries, this along with its severeness. Particular to the countries: the U.S along with the continent of Europe.

Street Art : Visual Arts

In the first session of visual arts for this semester. We are to look at several street arts that are presented to us and pick one that we like. For this task, I have chosen the art below. The reason for doing so--liking this piece the most-- is because of its chaos. The style of how it has been structure reminds me of Pablo Picasso's "Guernica". The mural gives a sticking feel, its abstraction and the chaos that lies within the art. The art invites me to look closer into the mural and piece together a narrative and into how it comes together. And though the focus of the art is the big "flower" visual many other factors rather grabs my attention also. For instance, the horse-like entity on the left as well the palm on the right; it draws me in further.

"Report to the Principal"

Aim: To see if there are any cars that drive above the set speed limit outside of school [HHS]

Method: 

1. Measure the distance between 2 power poles = 50m 
2. Time how long it takes a car to travel this distance.
3. Collect 10 times.
4. Calculate speed in m/s - convert to km/hr
5. Are there any speeders?

Person/ s needed:

• "Flag Person" indicates when a car passes their pole
• "Timer Person" starts when a car passes their pole and stops when indicated by "Flag Person".
• "Writer Person" writes down the times

Speed	Car 1	Car 2	Car 3	Car 4	Car 5	Car 6	Car 7	Car 8	Car 9	Car 10	Average
Time (s)	04.69	3.59	4.50	4.40	5.40	4.15	6.09	3.77	3.43	5.02	4.504
m s-1	0.6	13.9	11.1	11.3	9.25	12	13.2	14.5	9.96	8.21	11.402
km hr-1	38.1	50	39.90	33.3	43.2	29.5	47.5	52.2	35.8	40.9	46.01

Conclusion: With the speed limit of 50kmph there was a singular car in the 10 measured to have gone above the speed limit. Though the tolerance could perhaps not acknowledge such with only 2kmph above the set speed. Through the investigation, we have discovered that the average speed of a car going past the school is around 46.01kmph or simply 46kmph which is under the speed limit.  With the exception of 1, all were going at a relatively slow speed--in technicality, the vehicle which got 52 kmph was indeed speeding but not to an extent in which a worry would surface. Improving our measuring method could perhaps make the investigation more accurate, such as recording more vehicles and being more certain with the timing. Increasing the diversity of the cars could help this as well; bigger cars, older models, newer models and the likes. Using proper equipment will improve the individual accuracy of testing a car also. Other methods may include speed cameras, light detection, etc.

Green Peace

 Green Peace--an international organisation dedicating work to preserve endangered species of animals. The 'Green Peace' helps prevent abuse of environments, increasing environmental awareness, at times confronting corporations as well as bodies of governments. The organisation was founded in the year of 1971 in British Colombia in opposition to the  U.S. nuclear testing at Amchitka Island in Alaska. Quickly gathering support from many other ecologically-minded individuals who agrees to the goals and views of the said organisation. From such a point, it has begun to muster aid from many; helping to mobilize the public's opinion.

Since the creation of the organisation, it has set countless campaigns in response to the practices which puts the environment as well as certain species in danger. Seeking the protection of seals and whales from hunting, ceasing the discard of toxic wastes into the ocean; bringing an end to the usage of parts of the sea as nuclear testing sites. Through the decades of campaigns, missions and goals they have had several successes with their changes. the organisation has created many great impacts on many nations that alone many governments were not able to achieve. 

Examples include as quoted: 2016: 

• 2011: After the release of Greenpeace’s Dirty Laundry report, major clothing brands commit to eliminating discharges of hazardous chemicals from across their entire supply chains and products within 10 years.
• After decades of campaign work, 85% of the forested area of the Great Bear Rainforest in B.C. is protected from industrial logging.
• 2016: After three years of tireless legal action, Clyde River Inuit – with the support of Greenpeace Canada – stopped seismic blasting – a dangerous oil exploration project that threatens the Canadian Arctic.

Continuing on the protection of the environment 'Green Peace' campaigns to end the flow of single-use plastic in our oceans. Confronting several big corporations to halt such plastic packaging. Working also on several serious threats that our oceans face through unsustainable fishing and the destruction of underwater habitats. The organisation has worked in the protection of oceans through sanctuaries. With a goal to protect the world's ocean which currently only has 2% protected. By 2030 they aim to protect 30% of the world's oceans. As quoted from the organisation "Scientists have a new rescue plan for our oceans: a global network of ocean sanctuaries that would put millions of square miles off limits to destructive industries. But to make that happen, governments must agree a strong Global Ocean Treaty at the United Nations. To do that, we need as many people as possible to show these decision-makers why ocean protection matters."

Courtesy: 

https://www.greenpeace.org/usa/campaigns/oceans/

https://www.greenpeace.org/canada/en/about-us/history-successes/

https://www.britannica.com/topic/Greenpeace

https://www.upsbatterycenter.com/blog/greenpeace-good-bad/

Reflection: Memoir of the God of War

Memoir of the God of War is a book that I've started this week. similar to the previous books that I read, it is yet again a manwha. It was only last week that I've discovered this and read it, though it's still weekly updating. One of the best factors that make up the manwha is its ability to make its action sequence rewarding, there several foreshadowing in the plot which I have found to be interesting. The art of the Memoir of the God of War is a type that I like as well--in fact very much so--one of the factors that I loved about it was its character design in which the strokes that make up the drawing is aggressive in the fighting parts which further accentuates its violence.