Post 5: Volleyball game

When I was in High School I played volleyball. In fact my life completely revolved around every aspect of the game. Tonight I went to a volleyball game for the first time since I played in my own last game last November. It was exhilarating to witness the game that I loved once again. The gym smelled of light sweat, which was only felt by those closest to the court, as the cool air of the air conditioning filtered through the crowed. The shoes squeak as the players take the floor, and being to work about in their quest for a victory. Suddenly you begin to hear the babble of the players communicating with each other in a language all their own. You can see their pulse through their neck, and the tension they feel seeps into the crowd. The squeaky shoes are joined by the soft snap crackle and pop of the ball as it contacts first the passer’s forearms, setter’s fingertips, and finally the hitter’s palm. If you look over to your neighbor you are likely to witness them eating popcorn, or letting a crisp coke run down their throat. Glancing to side of the gym you see the cheerleaders clad in their uniforms and shouting out encouragement to their team. It is amazing to watch the talent and skill of one team penned against that of another team of sometimes equal, and sometimes greater skill. Intermittently the sharp pierce of the referee’s whistle interrupts the game. However, when the game is going the players move in tandem exacuting their most difficult maneuvers flawlessly, and with apparent ease. Yet if you look closely you can see their muscle’s strain and pull with each movement. The closer the game is, the tenser the atmosphere. When the battle comes down to a couple points the crowd begins to roar behind it’s team, helping to drive them onward. When the game comes to a close the tension breaks, and emotion floods over and shallows out. The game tonight filled me with memories of my own games, yet it was interesting to view the game from the point of a spectator, rather than of a participator.

Post 4: Response to Nebraska's State Capitol Building

History and politics have always been a sure point to draw my attention. When this assignment was given I was sure that other students would share my original idea for a topic, and my quest for individuality drove me to decide that I was going to find a completely unique place to write about. However, as I drove around Lincoln yesterday afternoon I found myself drawn to the State Capitol, and realized that maybe it was just the place I was supposed to write about after all. Gazing at the state capitol for its architectural structure is only slightly engaging. I mean yes, the Sower on top is neat, and the lawns are beautiful, but the true charm of the capitol occurs when you think about all that happens within its walls, and in what the building stands for. The building swims out on the prairie as a symbol of power. It represents the unification of a state, and is a center point for the people of Nebraska to be proud of. After all it truly is the figurehead to Nebraskans of a government that they alone can profess to run. Inside the building decisions are made that not only effect Nebraska, but which have also resulted in legislation enacted by the national government that have effected the nation as a whole. It is interesting to think that within those walls Nebraska state the bar for national legislature blocking trade with apartheid South Africa. To matter what age of person views the state capitol, it is a figure that spurs very patriotic emotions. No doubt it is a piece of architecture that will dominate that prairie skyline of Nebraska for generations to come. It can also be assured that is rough outer shell will hold for a long time, just as the democratic values practiced inside it have.