About Dan Ariely’s Movie why we think that Cheating sometimes is OK

Dan Ariely, an economy scientist, did different experiences about the topic of cheating. He found out that people act different the way they cheat. For example when there are limits, if they under control, they cheat less. Also, and that’s another interesting point, when you remind people of their morality. Like for example when the experience includes a honor code, the ten commands, or swearing on the bible. But in the experiences people acted totally different when the damage is directed towards strange people or on distant objects. In this case the personal fudge factor was a big one. So we can say that it seems like humans need to be able to look into the mirror and feel- at least, not too bad about themselves.

The Adventure of Kayaking

Kayaking in the Pacific Ocean is a beautiful, amazing adventure. Early in the morning we take Pacific Coast Highway direction Malibu to meet our friends. We unload the pretty colored kayaks from a trailer and carry them down to the water. It’s a big group, ten people are showing up. The trainer gives some advises, some hints. Then we’re ready, we push our little boats into the water, jump in and start paddeling. Passing Malibu Pier we go out, further and further. It’s a sunny morning, we watch pelicans fishing and little silver herings in schools in the clear water. Then- all of a sudden we see them cruising: Dolphins! A group of six animals, three of them babies. How powerful and elegant! One of them swims in front of us, stops and comes back facing our group. What a magical moment. After a while they dive into the water and disappear. Later on we do two little races out on the ocean, we all have fun and just enjoy paddeling in the water, to watch and experience nature. What an amazing, beautiful adventure!

Evelyn Glennie- a deaf percussionist

Evelyn Glennie got deaf when she was only twelve years old. But she is one of the most successful percussionists in the world. She was born 1944 in Aberdeen, Scotland. She started a kind of revolution in the way that she insisted at the music university to become a professional musician even with her handicap. This took a long time and many fights to proof that she was able to listen with her whole body, able to feel the rhythm, the beats. She can listen by touching a wall with her hands and the floor with her feet. So her way to sense music is a totally different way from the usual way. It’s just amazing to see her acting, beating the drums and other instruments just by feeling the rhythm.

Open Senses

I’m starting at Arizona Street- 2nd Street to explore the Santa Monica’s Farmers Market. It’s Saturday morning and the crowd appeares to be tired after a long week. But now- here we go! Wild strawberries. I MUST try. Of course. The sensational taste reminds me to my childhood back in Austria, Europe. A flashback. Next stop, the sweet, juicy Persian lemons and Asian pears. Then I find almonds, hickory smoke roasted, orange honey roasted. More variations. Going further to exotic vegetables and fruits like Kosher Pistachios by Santa Barbara Union of Orthodox Jewish (sensational flavor), at the next stand green, orange and black Cherry tomatoes. Little yellow Teardrop tomatoes. Watching a full filled table with fresh seafood covered with crashed ice I can smell the salty air from Sea. Summer and Luna oysters, silver shimmering in the ice. Next to it I see Tuna and Carlsbad mussels. The sound of hundreds of people seems like a big, loud humming cloud and after being in it for about two hours I feel dursty. I buy fresh squeezed pineaple juice. Refreshing. On my way back I focus a man, his dark skinned face covered with long rasta dread locks. Wearing traditional African fabrics, robed around the torso. His hair and long beard is all silver. He offers micro greens, healing food and healing body care products. He’s smiling all the time to the people, sun, heaven. With his warm, deep voice he asks me what I’m writing in my little notebook. After telling him that it’s part of my homework for SMC I have to promise him he will get his part. So-, there it is, Medicine man.

Did people understand the short story Sterling’s Decision?

I feel that people understood the story because I did it in a way that was straight and clear in structure. Like the plot- it should be easy to understand the action. For the two characters, Sterling and the little Boy, I used words like pictures to describe their feelings, to tell what they’re thinking. In my opinion people can also picture the settings in the story, like the backside of the mainstreet and the patio. I think that I was successful in my style because the story has got a kind of straight line from the very beginning to the end. The main idea and purpose of the story is to give an example that someone is able to think his whole life over. I think people understand this message after reading the story.

At the Indian Restaurant

It’s my first time to experience Indian food. I walk in the “Golden Gate”, a fancy Indian
restaurant at Santa Monica Boulevard. Its an exotic atmosphere, dark tables and chairs made
of heavy black wood. Hudge multicolored carpets are hanging on the ceiling. The original Indian
Taj Mahal beer comes in big bottles, it’s not having too much flavor like local beers. The
Vegetarian Curry is served in little metal pots with many different vegetables like eggplants,
beans, carrots, paprika and tomatoes. It is very taste, spicy and I can sense ginger, lemon gras
and other exotic herbs. We also get rice mixed with peas in a big plate, very tasty, enriched
with Curry. I enjoy this intense flavors and it was my first- but definitely not my last time in an
Indian Restaurant.

The Atmosphere at the Anniversary of “THE WIZARD OF OZ”

Saturday night at Culver City Hall Courtyard, the audience is waiting for the 70th Anniversary to be started. There are many parents with their children. At the right side of the screen the Fire Department is offering fresh prepared, salted popcorn for free. A long line of children,
teenagers and parents are waiting to get their portion in little red plastic helmets. The popcorn’s smell is in the air, mixed with the sound of the tune coming out of the speakers. It’s windy, a little fresh tonight. Parents are having blankets with them, covering the little children’s bodies. The tune, well known by the parents, as they’re joining it. “Over the rainbow” from the left, the right side. Like a big cloud enfolding happy people, sharing magical moments, the magic of this night . - Joy. - Clapping hands when the scenes are showing familiar pictures, the speakers bringing well known words. Then – the final scene. When young Judy Garland as Dorothy is speaking her last words “There’s no place like home” people are clapping, yelling. What a touching, connecting atmosphere.