Final Observations :) .. One big Party? Grab another bag of Reecies

So I would like to have a final thought about Bogart's Jazz Club.

It really seems to just be one big party. Most of the people are there to dance, socialize, and enjoy the music. It is really fun with all the dancing, my feet are so sore! lol. A very friendly atmosphere. Everyone was very kind to me in their speaking manners. Bartenders and Hostess very welcoming. I found also that someone came to Bogart's because they felt they were born in the wrong time period! And Bogart's where her escape to be able to be in that era. And a beautiful era it seemed to be, Bogart's is very fancy with the chandaleers and goldrailways, staicases. The atmophere at Bogart's is so relaxed, I can understand why someone would enjoy hanging out at Bogarts daily! And at the same time its fun with the music and dancing and conversing! Here are some photos to show Bogart's appeal and some fun activities :)

With 2 grand staircases, red carpet, jeweled chandaleers and a huge dancefloor, its no wonder people like the way it feels in here :)

Charlie at the bar making me some drinks while the bartender was away... Bartender, ill have a martini on the rocks please.

Cadence, Charlie and I getting our groove on at the outdoor terrace.

Really white and flashy hehe

Sitting at the fountain lookin at the pretty trees and water :)

So you might see now why Bogarts is so attractive, I have had a really great time researching it :) Maybe you will check it out sometimes soon? :)

Thans for reading :)

Reecie ^_^

Delicious mixing pt. 2! Second batch! ....VOTE for Reecie!!!

Cosmopolitanism and UK… eat up!

Another passage that represents the kinds of social interactions and ethical considerations that I’ve experienced as a first year is in Chapter 9: The Counter-Cosmopolitans. There are many quotes I could take from this passage since it all talks about these (evil) counter-cosmopolitans, but one that would work for what I’m going to discuss is probably: “These counter-cosmopolitans do think that there is one right way for all human beings to live; that all the differences must be in the details.” I think a good example of how that applies to me at UK right now is probably politics. As we discussed in class, politics is one of those subjects you aren’t supposed to talk about, along with religion and…. Batman and superman? (this turned out to be true once the subject was brought up lol). I myself am not that into politics, but I do know who I am going to vote for (EVERBODY GO VOTE NOV. 4TH!). If someone wants to vote for the other party, that’s not like an issue for me because everyone has the right to choose for themselves. I am not going to convince them to vote for who I am voting for. But I know you counter-cosmos are out there…. You want people to vote for either OBAMA or MCCAIN! (by the way I am not going to tell you who I’m voting for cause I do not want to be subject to you counter-cosmopolitans!!!). You might be a counter-cosmopolitan and not realize it till reading this. But the counter-cosmopolitans are the ones who start talking your head off when you tell them who you are voting for. They are endlessly trying to convince you that you are voting for the wrong person, and the only “right” way to vote is their way. I’ve had smaller less dramatic conversations with people and have seen people arguing for both candidates, stating that only their choice is the right one, and everyone else has to have the same choice. If we would all just let each other choose for ourselves, then it would all just be peachy cream aka good. We all have the freedom to decide on our own right?

And dont forget to VOTE... November 4th!!!
Thanks for reading
and vote for Reecie! *peace sign* aka *duces*
-Reeice ^_^

The delicious mixing of chocolate, peanut butter, Cosmopolitanism, and UK

Cosmpolitanism and the University of Kentucky

A passage from Cosmopolitanism that speaks to me as a UK student is probably the final sentence of chapter 6, Imaginary Strangers. Appiah says “…the great lesson of anthropology is that when the stranger is no longer imaginary, but real and present, sharing a human social life, you may like or dislike him, you may agree or disagree; but, if it is what you both want, you can make sense of each other in the end.” This is a great example of social interactions I have experienced at UK. There are so many “strangers” here at the university. So many strangers meeting, or perhaps not meeting, other strangers every day. My new best friend could be walking by me each day and I wouldn’t even know it because they are still a stranger to me. If we take the time and make an effort to talk to these imaginary strangers, they would no longer be imaginary. They would be real and among us. Being very very shy, first coming to UK I was intimidated by all the strangers. I did my best trying to meet many of these strangers and see if I could make new friends. I began approaching people that I did not know, and made conversation. At times I made friends, and at other times we were left as acquaintances. It was not always friendship at first sight, but in the end, most of the time, we can make sense of each other. We should all have an open minded approach to meeting strangers and try to learn about them and understand them as much as we can :)

Thanks for reading :)
Reecie Foxtrot ^_^

Make sure to pass out Reecies at Halloween!!! More 2nd Life Investiga... err Observations.

That’s right, it’s Halloween at Bogart’s!
Bogart’s has added some nice decorations for Halloween. Pumpkin patches set around the island with pumpkins for sale. It makes me feel like the people on this island are very into celebration type things. As my role in the group is the passive interacter. In this role I basically walk around observing, talking to people if I see anything that strikes me as new or different and I strike up a conversation if the occasion arises. I was approached by a gentleman who seems to be looking for some chatting. I found out that he comes to Bogart’s looking to relax to the smooth jazz music. He felt Bogart’s was his place where he could just “chill out” without having to worry about being bothered by anyone. He was holding a beer, and many of the patrons also had different beverages such as martinis. I also found out he was looking for a “date” (companion… however you want to call it). This brings up the point that I have noticed a lot of romantic things at Bogart’s. Outside Bogart’s I found the first kissing “station” (blue and pink balls you can click to start kissing with your partner). Inside I found a cuddle pose station, another kissing station, and outside I found rather more passionate kissing stations as well as a hugging station (some of the cuddle poses made me say awww.. lol). It seems that Bogart’s not only allows but promote people to have some PDA (public displays of affection). On this trail I decided to search a bit more inside Bogart’s. Going to the 2nd floor, there are very intimate dinning settings… a dinner table for 2 by itself with a view of the city. I might partially regret investigating the 3rd floor, because as I have been up there before, I had not examined the 3 rooms fully. The middle room (Frank Sinatra room) is like a conference room, the only one I had seen previously. One of the other two rooms was the Marilyn Monroe room and I will just conclude my findings as saying this is a “love” room. As well as the last room. After inquiring a few people I found out that many people at Bogart’s are looking for dates to dance with, chat with, have second life dinner and drinks with, and then maybe take a trip to the 3rd floor with. Bogart’s is a very chill relaxed party vibe kind of place. People socializing, dancing, all around having a good time… and with my new findings maybe even finding the love of their Second Life. Very chill place with good music and fun people looking for a good time :D

(my groupmate Charlie and I testing out the "soulmate" pose :P )

See you in Second Life maybe?
Thanks again, this is
Reecie ^_^

Reecies SL Adventures... errr.. Observations :)

Observations of Second Life

After going about Bogart’s Jazz Club in Second Life there are quite a few things I have observed. It is pretty self explanatory as to what this island is; its main focus is a jazz club. It is themed within a period that jazz was a big hit, probably around the 20’s to the 50’s (not that it isn’t a hit today). Everything from the scenery to the clothing and music, I feel as if I am in that time period. You are greeted soon after arriving by an auto message from the island, and feel welcomed. I can name a few major things I have noticed so far. Firstly, right after I first arrived on the island I had attempted to fly and noticed that, well, I couldn’t. They seem to have created a no fly island, my assumption is that they want to keep it as close as they can to that time period, and no one was flying around in the 40’s lol. Secondly, when you reach Bogart’s you notice a big sign under the title of the club that says “Humans only please.” Again I suspect that this is to keep Bogart’s with a certain reputation, which is to stay in the era they are portraying. Next as you move closer to the entrance door, there is a message you receive that states the dress code; formal (ball gowns, tuxedos, etc.). It begins to feel a little strict with all these “rules,” perhaps they want me to follow a certain lifestyle while I am here? As you enter Bogart’s properly dressed, there is a club greeter standing at the door. She/he is a greeter and dress code enforcer, but all have been very nice. I notice the club is centered around the dance floor and 2 large staircases (that seem to ask you to walk upstairs). The 2nd floor is less popular and more secluded, and it has many pictures of old actors, singers and musicians. The overall environment seems friendly and social. Many people talking, greeting, and dancing. I place I am growing to like a lot :)

This is Reecie
See you in Second Life ^_^

You are now finishing ur first bag of Reecie's Thought Pieces; Cosmo. Ch 10

In this chapter, Appiah discusses “basic human rights.” His examples are things such as health, food, shelter, education, freedom to move, have children, express ideas, etc. Reviewing the UN Declaration of Human Rights I see many of Appiah’s examples stated in this document. I see human rights of all kind like that of equality, no discrimination, no objection of unnecessary torture, freedom, and many many more. I believe this document was created in order for there to be a statement that these “rights” should be followed, and do not cost anything except for those to understand them. That these basic needs are exactly that… basic, and should just be aiding, not harming. In order for everyone to obtain these basic rights, Appiah gives 3 examples of obligations that should be met. The first comes from the nation-state. The acceptance of this means we have responsibility to our own but also making sure other states are caring for their own. Secondly, in our obligations, we must do our own fair share, but we are not required to do more. We shall do as we see fair then know we have done our part, and that is all we can do. Thirdly, we cannot put all the obligations of the world on ourselves, nor can we put these obligations to others before the obligations we have to ourselves. As Appiah says, “I cannot be required to derail my life to take up the slack.” Overall I think that “basic human rights” are for the good of man, but it seems that it might be impossible to get the world to share the same belief about this.

Appiah states that a cosmopolitan is “responsive to what Smith called ‘reason, principle, conscience, the inhabitant of the breast.’” To start describing who at UK would be fitting of this description given by Appiah, I would have to begin by saying they would be someone with awareness of our obligations to others. Someone who knows that if they can help someone else they will, but it does not mean they can’t live their own lives to the fullest. The Adam Smith example explains that it is basically a natural instinct to look out for ourselves first. This UK cosmopolitan would think reasonably about globalization, and with principles. As for obligation to others, they would think of a stranger not quite as they think of their friends and family, but still would have cosmopolitan concern for the stranger. This means they do not necessarily “feel” for these strangers, but that they owe them they same general obligations as another human being. So if a UK student is kind and courteous to their friends, they would feel it was an obligation to others (strangers) to also be courteous. This also goes back to understanding (not necessarily agreeing to) another’s values rather than pushing their own idea only. There most likely many cosmopolitans at UK that I’m waiting to meet :)

Hope you enjoyed my thoughts on Cosmopolitanism
Thanks :)
-Reecie Foxtrot ^_^

Choco Reflection on Cosmopolitanism Chapter 9

The Counter-Cosmopolitans
In Chapter 9 of Cosmopolitanism, Appiah talks about a “counter-cosmopolitan.” If I was to describe a counter-cosmopolitan (here at UK for example) I would start out by saying they would have to have the idea of unity, but would go about it in a non-cosmopolitan way. Appiah states that counter-cosmopolitans “do think that there is one right way for all human beings to live; that all differences must be in detail.” The problem is that counter-cosmopolitans want to (and maybe can’t wait to) trample on our differences. These counter-cosmopolitans have a clear and direct sense of what it is they believe in. They do not have a certain “look” because anyone can be a counter-cosmopolitan. The way they would talk might be normal until you start talking about beliefs, then they might start trying to persuade you to follow their beliefs for what they believe to be a good reason. Which also is similar to the way they would act; they would be persuasive in the way they would try to get you to follow their beliefs and they would be against the beliefs you have if it is different than their own. There probably are many counter-cosmopolitans here at UK, and it might take a discussion of values for you to find out their true persona.

Appiah mentions that the challenge to cosmopolitanism is “the belief that [people] don’t matter very much”, and not “the belief that other people don’t matter at all.” Everyone can agree that people have some obligations to others, but that is the extent of the agreement. The question is if people do need to intervene in others’ situations, and what types of situations need intervening. When is it right to stop a culture from what we believe as wrongdoing. It might even go back to the disagreement of the “golden rule”; that we do not know if doing unto others what you want done to you is right because they don’t necessarily want the same things as you do. Overall the challenge is based on the questions: how much do people matter to you? Are you willing to believe that you have an obligation to these people? How much of an obligation?

Over and out
-Reecie Foxtrot ^_^