Noun
-” the place or area at which different things meet and communicate with or affect each other”
Source: Merrian-Webster Dictionary
This word came up in todays class discussion. I wanted to know the difference between interface and overlap in reference to our project.
Approximately 2 hours work time overall.
The song I chose for this phase is Stay Ready, by Jhene Aiko. The reason I chose this particular song (other than it being one of my favorite of all time) is because it has many kinds of instrumentals that can be considered both staccato and legato. Its composed of two parts, first part being a very smooth and melodic tone, second being more acoustic and stable so to speak. Its starting tones have such a mellow and calm feel to it, sort of like a flow. These are some words that come to mind when i think “legato”. Upon the songs ending, it becomes more of a sharp beat and instrument. It has more of a pulse as well. Qualities i think of when it comes to “Staccato” The song does have kind of a monotony though, which is only broken when the songs second part comes in. Its bass beat is repetitive, though the sudden changes in the instrumentals keep it interesting regardless. Not a lot of songs use a “two part” format, but this song executes it well, especially since it actually breaks monotony with the sudden change in tone, beat, and overall emotion of the song.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1nfJ7i0wNkk
Total Work Time: 1Hour 30 Minutes
New York City is often considered to be one of the largest and most diverse cities on the planet. Its reputation consists of a luxurious and beautiful city, with opportunities at every corner, as it’s been portrayed through all types of media throughout the world for many many years. However, an actual New Yorker would know that New York is more than that. For every single individual who lives in this grand city, New York is different. Its unique to the eyes of every person who views it. Though some bask in the luxury and a higher standard of living, there are also those who work and struggle, and take refuge in the lesser known parts of New York. Any two individuals who are in separate parts of the social ladder would have a different view of the city they live in, and would most definitely see New York different than anyone who does not reside here. Interestingly enough, there are many neighborhoods and areas where an individual can actually physically see the overlapping of social classes, where there is a distinct juxtaposition of a more lower class and a higher class. Once instance of this can be seen in a particular location by Jay Street, at the corner of Prince Street and Myrtle Avenue.
In this particular location, there are many large buildings surrounding it. These buildings are mostly corporate and business, and are made up of mostly glass and steel. The street and area surrounding these buildings are very clean and well kept. You would hardly be able to find a piece of litter or garbage. Very important people walk up and down these streets, wearing fancy business suits and carrying briefcases and such. There is also lots of construction going on in this area, as there are many projects for even bigger buildings. This gives the area a distinct smell of sawdust and burning materials. It also makes the area very loud, of course. With all kinds of heavy machinery and equipment being utilized, it would be expected. One would notice it instantly upon walking here. However, upon walking across a single street, you would be stepping into a completely different environment. Located in the same area, there is a large community of housing complexes. or Projects as many New Yorkers refer to it as. This area contrasts drastically with its neighboring place. These tenements are run down with age and are not nearly as well kept. There is lots of garbage and residue littering the street up and down, and there are also large dumpsters behind each complex, giving the area an unpleasant smell of waste. This is the “New York” that many never view, and is more a part of a lower class residents vision of the City.
What’s interesting about this particular location is the juxtaposition it holds. Its a very contrasting one, and its very clear to distinguish as well. Literally, one can see both of these areas side by side, by standing at the corner of these two streets. Its an even intersection. Its a perfect example of how New York City is different for everyone. There are individuals who live here who don’t even know that such places even exist, for they have their own view of the city, as they have seen it their entire life sometimes. Then there are those who parts of New York like this one are their entire reality, and is their vision of it. One person might be accustomed to having their morning coffee at a place like Starbucks, while another would go to the bodega at the corner. One might have memories of growing up playing in Central Park during the summer, while others remember playing in the fire hydrant with the other neighborhood kids. These types of contrasts are mostly founded on the grounds of social class. People who reside in the higher class will always have a different vision and reality than those in the lower class, especially when residing in a place like New York City. Same way those who do not live in the New York have a distinct vision of it as well, as they have only seen it through Television or other kinds of media. Though social classes is only one of the endless number of factors that contribute to a persons “personal New York” This is what makes New York City so unique to every single individual. If you were to ask anyone what New York was to them, every answer would be different. And for an infinite number of factors. One could even consider this the true definition of being a New Yorker.
My chosen location is located at the corner of Prince Street and Myrtle Avenue, about 10 minutes walking distance from City Tech. In this particular corner, you’ll notice a couple of very tall corporate buildings, and also a very large neighborhood of housing complexes. You can also see a lot of construction sites surrounding this area. Because of these sites, there’s a strong smell of sawdust, mixing concrete, and burning in the air. It isn’t too pleasant of a scent. It also comes with very loud and ear piercing noises like jack hammers beating at the concrete, heavy machinery being operated, and lots of men yelling back and forth between each other. Looking at this location, you can see a distinct juxtaposition of the housing complexes and the corporate buildings. This is why I chose it. When I look at this location, I see half of it as a very higher class area, with lots of people in business suits and expensive stores. The other half however, seems more of a lower class area, with mostly very old looking apartments. The area is not very well kept either. Its interesting because these two areas are literally right next to each other, with no more than a line to cross between the two, giving it a very contrasting juxtaposition.
Noun
-” a large building that has apartments or rooms for rent and that is usually in a poorer part of a city”
Source: Merrian-Webster Dictionary
I stumbled across this word while brainstorming for our English project #2. As I was conducting research on Brooklyn’s housing, I came across an article that mentioned “NYCHA Housing is one of the city’s living quarters considered to be today’s Tenements.” At first I inferred that it meant secluded, but upon looking up the word, I discovered it was actually old time slang for run down, lower class living quarters.
In order to get to this location, you first have to exit the City Tech Namm Building through the main entrance on Jay Street. You then take a right on Jay Sreet towards NYU. In between NYU and the building next to it there is food court you can cut through to reach Myrtle Avenue. Cutting through this food court you will notice so many different smells like burgers, chicken, fresh baked pastries, and coffee just to name a few. You can also see a large and diverse group of civilians always enjoying their meal in the shade of the many trees in the court. Once you reach Myrtle Avenue, you continue on this same street straight until reaching the corner of Prince Street and Myrtle. You know you have gotten there when you see a large community center in front of many run down housing complexes. Around this area is a very musty and dank smell, from nearby construction. You will also notice a very obvious and sudden border between these housing complexes, and the luxurious looking corporate buildings and businesses. They are literally right next to each other, and it perplexed me to see such a perfect example of juxtaposition within the city.
Noun
– pleasure and sadness that is caused by remembering something from the past and wishing that you could experience it again
Source: Merriam-Webster Dictionary
This word came up in a class discussion we had. I had a faint idea of what it meant, but after looking it up, I came to understand that it was associated with more than just “remembering” but rather also with a feeling of downhearted melancholy with a certain memory. Originally I just assumed it was just a positive feeling of thinking of a memory.
“City Limits” is the first chapter in Colson Whitehead’s novel The Colossus of New York”. In this opening chapter, Whitehead gives a vivid description on what, he believes, it means to be a New Yorker. He describes his idea of a New Yorker as someone who “builds their own private New York” the first time they view the grand city. What he means to express with that is a person who remembers the city as they were always accustomed to. New York is ever-changing. It will forever be teared down and rebuilt as everything modernizes more and more. However, a New Yorker will only view the city as they have known it the majority of their life, as the author believes. He also gives examples of his own personal take on New York, and the “skyline” he has created from it. He describes the experience of seeing your favorite places being replaced with modern stores or new businesses, or parts of the city being torn down to make way for new things. Whitehead also gives emphasis on how important it is for a New Yorker to cherish their city for how they know it.
The OpenLab is an open-source, digital platform designed to support teaching and learning at City Tech (New York City College of Technology), and to promote student and faculty engagement in the intellectual and social life of the college community.
