Soundtrack of my Life

“Butterfly Kisses” by Bob Carlisle Expresses a fathers’ deep emotion towards his young daughter who seems to be growing up too fast, which makes their relationship more distant. Watching the father sing about his daughter creates a feeling that he truly cares about his daughter. They have a special bond that is very important to him, as well as the little girl who keeps their memories with her as she ages. Throughout this video I am drawn to the flowers that are shown in many scenes. Some may think those flowers have little or no meaning, but to me they used to be very important to my relationship with my dad. From the day that I can remember, he would bring me one hand picked flower when he got home after work. In return, I would give him a big hug and kiss. As I’m watching this video, the flowers show me how they symbolized a growing bond between my dad and I.. That was until my parents separation when I was seven, which seemed to also separate my relationship with my dad. Not only did he stop saying “I love you” but the flowers stopped coming too. The actions of the father and daughter in this video very much remind me of what I used to share with my dad. Unfortunately for me, growing up wasn’t what separated me and my father, it was the divorce of my parents that completely changed my dad and the way he treated my family, but more importantly; me. I have not seen or talked to my dad since I was thirteen years old. The actions that are expressed throughout this video portray an idealistic relationship between a father and daughter that I once had, but now envy. The lyrics hold just as much of a meaning to me as the actions. To this day, everyday I receive flowers I instantly am reminded of my father; a proud, caring man who protected me with everything. If I only had my dad to watch me grow up and see me spread my wings. Yes, this song holds a very important place in my heart, but it cannot bring back the relationship of me and my dad.

“Slipped Away” by Avril Lavigne creates a mixture of emotions. Although I don’t exactly believe that this is the best music video, it does capture my attention by the way it consistently jumps from scene to scene. That was the way I lived my life after the loss of my dad. My life continued but I wasn’t always there. I tried pretending to be happy, but inside I knew that I was constantly hurting. The pain of losing someone you never had the chance to say goodbye to is one of the worst pains I have endured in my life, considering the fact it was my dad. I can relate to this video in many instances throughout my life, not just that of losing my dad but also the loss of many friends and other relatives. Most of the people that slipped out of my life weren’t by a cause of death, but because of relationships that grew apart. While repeatedly watching this video, the girl’s face expression is what holds my attention. I can clearly picture me as being that girl. One who tries to be happy, but can’t; One who tries to get over it; but can’t; One who wants to believe it wasn’t her fault; but can’t. Like the girl in the video, all I needed was someone to support me and understand what I was going through to listen and feel my pain. My mom was the one that went through this roller coaster ride with me. She has made me come to the realization that the day my father slipped away was the day that it would never be the same.

"Photograph" by Nickelback could be interpreted as an emotional song with scenes that can relate to anyones life. As his actions relate to the lyrics being sung, I recognize the photographs in the video. A photograph is an entry way to many different doors that may lead to the answer of what is happening in the picture, the emotions, and the time or place. I have always had an unusual obsession with taking pictures and I personally believe that a picture is worth a thousand words. Any photograph can be interpreted in many different ways. Everyone has their own perspectives in life and a picture can have many different meanings. The only person that truly knows the story behind the picture may be the photographer or people in the picture. When I am in an odd mood or need some cheering up, I always turn to pictures of my past which will instantly take me back to a time that I will never forget. It enables me to relive those memories in my mind; some good, some bad, but all unforgettable periods in my life. Looking at a photograph may create a wide array of emotions, it all depends what is taking place in the picture. All people choose their own way of sharing their life stories; I have taken up the hobby of creating scrapbooks to relive the way of my past, present, and near future.


"Apologize" by OneRepublic has a very interesting video that contains a lot of contrast throughout the song. The boyfriend and girlfriend are talking over the phone being hung upside down. There is a table that has different objects which begin to turn around and round. Those objects seem to be something that was or once was apart of their relationship. I believe that the items are spinning as it relates to what must be going on in their minds. The video becomes intense when the flowers and mirror and lightbulb become destroyed one way or another; burnt, broken or left behind. Those destroyed objects are items that relate to my life somehow. Whenever I have gone through a tough time, my world would spin and spin, creating many emotions that I couldn't control. I took my anger on my possessions that meant something to me and the situation I was going through. The video posseses a meaning that those objects can be destroyed on the outside but doesn't hide their importance or past meaning.

“Stand” by Rascal Flatts expresses that throughout life there are going to be many instances that may break you, but you have to make the choice to be the better person and grow from the experience and then just shake it off. This video contains lyrics that create the object in my mind; “You feel like a candle in a hurricane, just like a picture with a broken frame, alone and helpless like you’ve lost your fight, but you’ll be alright, you'll be alright.” This is a motivating song that has helped me in many times of need. I am a self-motivator and this song enables me to have the power to push myself even when the going gets rough. I have learned at a young age that life is tough but to never give up on yourself because everyone is capable of making it. Learning from mistakes; yours and others, is something that everyone needs to grasp out of life and put to good use.Towards the end of the video there was a punching bag that a woman was using. I can relate to relieving my stress with having a punching bag. I used to have a very bad temper that I unfortunately took after my dad. I knew that I didn’t want to become him so I used that as my therapy. Not only did I feel less tense after hitting it, but I felt like a better person on the inside. Just like this song, I have had help motivating myself through a punching bag. When the going gets rough, just stand.


"Girl Next door" by Saving Jane is a perfect high school girl song creating scenes that are present in most every school There are always two sides in that teenage universe and the filmstrip throughout the video shows the two different lifestyles by two very different people. "She is the prom queen, I'm in the marching band, She is a cheerleader, I'm sitting in the stands" are lyrics that identify exactly different worlds of girls in any typical high school. The lyrics can relate to a lot of high school girls who wished they were the popular one and not just the girl next door. In the end it does show that being the girl next door doesn't always have to be a bad thing. You have to make the most out of life to get what you want. The video presents a typical high school with typical people with two very different lifestyles. The high school scenes remind me of the way my high school was. Since my graduating class was so large, there were many different ethnicities, personalities, athletes, geeks, clubs, and classes. My school was run by the popular group choosing the destiny of other kids. The classmates who they felt were below them had no chance. There was no in between; you either had it or you didn't.


"Don't Forget to Remember Me" by Carrie Underwood is a story of a girl getting ready to leave the place she has called home for the past eighteen years of her life. She is going to hit the road to experience the real world, which is what most kids dream of and cannot wait for that day. Experiencing life for your own is something everyone goes through. Leaving home was the day that I counted down for. It finally came and was a very devastating one for my mom and younger brother. Me on the other hand was beyond excited. At first I realized how great the freedom was, but then it hit me that I no longer have everything that I once took for granted. The materialistic things; my own room, free home-cooked meals, shopping money, whatever I needed and more. Being independent is a characteristic that I have always had, but didn't realize how hard it actually is to be independent in the real world. I took many things for granted in life which didn't hit me until I was officialy out on my own. Being on your own is a lot harder than what most kids could ever imagine.


“You’re Beautiful” by Christina Aguilera is a heartwarming song that helps in raising people’s confidence about inner and outer beauty. This song can relate to a large audience because I’m positive many kids and adults have dealt with low self esteem, including myself. The object that has been there throughout my entire life is the mirror represented in this video. Sometimes it has been the enemy, other times it has been the enforcer in my life. Looking into a mirror can make or break you. Sometimes you see something you don’t want to; a person that you wished to never become. At other times you are able to see what you want to become. One point that I got from this video was that people are always judging but sometimes the biggest judger is yourself, especially when you have that mirror to look upon. I feel that my biggest competitor is me, nothing is ever good enough which also makes it worse when others think that of me also. When I take the time to stare into the mirror I truly do see someone that I have always told myself I wasn’t going to become. Although the mirror does show this, it also inspires me to what I need and want to become.

Celine Dion

Paris going to Jail

My thoughts when I was first watching this music video was why would someone make such a stupid video? Everything about it tuned me out of wanting to watch any more of it. The graphics were very fake and not up to date. The reason this video was one of the worst ones I have ever seen is because it is hard to make a connection with it. We understand that the story line is about Paris Hilton going to jail, but the person singing is not even here which makes it hard to believe what she is singing. Not only is the video horrible, but the song is as well. It is very hard for me to sit through and watch the video because of all the random scenes, with slutty clothes, creepy policeman, and the jail scenes.

I think celebrities are too exposed to the world, I mean who cares whether they like going to jail or not, and what their every move is in there? While watching the video, it gave me no new information that I have never heard from the news or a magazine. Paris Hilton should not be flaunted as much as she is, she is not a good role-model for young girls or anyone for that matter.

What Hurts the Most

What hurts the Most by Rascal Flatts is one of my favorite music videos that I have ever seen. All the emotions that are portrayed in it grab my attention and the story line is one that people can relate to. I remember the first time I watched this video was a couple years back when the song became very popular. As I was sitting in my office at work, I was drawn to the teenage girl, who in a way reminded me of myself. The beginning began to make sense and the tears started flowing. I watched it over and over thinking that maybe the ending would be different, something would change to protect the teenage boy. It never changed, and the girl always ended up hurt and losing the one that she loved.
There are many music videos that have the same story line of having a close friend or relative dying. I think that this video draws attention to any age group because they can relate to losing someone close to them. I feel that the meaning of this video is that you shouldn’t take the ones you love for granted, as this could be their last day with you. After watching this, What hurts the most video, and really focusing on what the moral of the song was, I felt as if it really touched me.

Illegal Immigration

Did you know that illegal immigration in Nebraska has increased dramatically since 1990, averaging 24% of our state population increase? Today in America we are experiencing the largest wave of immigration in over a century consisting of about 11 million illegal immigrants now in the United States. These immigrants have many reasons for moving to America; there is more job opportunity, with better pay, safer communities, access to welfare payments, and better schooling for their children. Although some would argue that having the illegals here is a bad thing, they do have some good that comes with them; like their burritos and other Mexican dishes. In this photograph of a Hispanic male holding a sign saying "No Illegals, No Burritos, You better think twice America," causes controversy across our nation.
Illegal immigration is going to be around for quite awhile because our system is not preventative enough to barricade every single migrant out of America. From the immigrants’ standpoint, all they want is a chance to succeed, and they feel that is where America comes into play. The ad that is represented holds many appeals that helps the man’s ‘protest’ draw more attention.
The controversial picture will capture an audience’s attention as soon as your eye meets the advertisement. The white cardboard or plastic sign with permanent bold, black letters is the first thing that captures the readers’ eyes, but is not the only contribution to this picture. After reading the argument, you can see who is holding the sign; a Hispanic man with a very large sombrero showing off his countries pride. As you look more into detail, irony comes into the picture; there are little American flags surrounding the Hispanic by what seems to be a crowd of people. Maybe a protest was taking place, or a massive invasion of immigrants? The assumption is up to you to decide. All three of the major pieces in this picture are related to produce advertisement to gain attention.
In this political picture, all three of the rhetorical appeals are used, as well as some rhetorical strategies such as illustration, cause and effect, and analogy. Illustration is represented by the large poster that Hispanic man is holding, giving that slight phrase shows us how it may impact one person’s life or let alone a whole country. Cause and effect is illustrated by the Hispanic man stating that as long as they are happy (with being able to live in America), we will be kept happy (because of their good foods). Analogy is also represented in this every day picture by relating all three things to one another; the white cardboard poster, the large sombrero hat, and the American flags.

As you may have noticed this picture is not a typical campaign type for advertising. It looks as if an onlooker just took a snapshot of this Hispanic man fighting for himself and the other immigrants across the world. When you first read over the ad, you may feel a sense of humor behind it, or maybe a different state of mind such as hurt and pain for the poor immigrants. Pathos is used in this ad because it makes the audience feel something or be put into a particular mood. As you look at the man’s face, he shows a sign of desperation and hopelessness, hoping that the audience will have pity for him and all other immigrants. The ad is trying to persuade the audience into being more open of immigrants coming to America, and also persuading us with their delicious foods. Pathos is also represented through this picture based on all the materials that is used; poster, hat, and flags. It helps portray the image that the man wanted to set.
The number of illegal immigrants and our system of allowing them is all based on statistics, facts and government issues. Logos is presented in this picture through the statistical evidence and reason supporting illegal immigration in this country. The fact that this Hispanic man is trying to fight for his rights to live in a free, more economically stable world; America, is based on the facts regarding the ongoing issues of illegal immigration. Ethos can be taken out of this ad as it has an ethical appeal. Showing that people who read this ad should have some sort of ethical appeal or reasoning to make us feel like it is our duty to help the less fortunate people in the world. The icons are also a major part of representing ethos. Those icons make the picture have a logic and meaning to make a convincing argument to an audience.
As the controversial ad may or may not relate to anyone in America or Mexico, it does capture your attention and causes some sort of feeling or reaction; pathos. Most everyone is aware of the ongoing problem America is having with illegal immigrants sneaking over here, but this ad shows a different view than America’s take on it. We may all know that the slightly humorous picture is not going to change all government views on illegal immigration; it is proving that they are taking a stand and are trying for a better life here in America. This typical, day to day picture makes a point while including all the rhetorical strategies and some appeals of what advertisements use.