Creating an Audio track

This week my goal has been to get my audio for my digital story finished. At night I have been spending time in the TLC to accomplish this goal. Audio was not as easy as I though it would be. It took a lot of editing just to get the story right. After this I laid down the background tracks and sounds. This part I found more enjoyable. I really like garageband now, and have a new respect for Macs. The room in the TLC that I have been using is soundproof so it was easier to make recordings without getting interrupted. All the technology staff has been very supportive making this experience less intense. I still have to determine exactly where I want to put my pictures. I have had great success with picnik in editing my pictures.

Digital Story Progess

Today I went to the TLC and did a recording of my script. After listening to myself reading it through, I realized that I needed to make it more interesting and less monotone. I realized it was important for me to change the dynamic level of my voice. As I was playing around with garage band for an hour or so, I realized to get the audio track I desired I would probably have to spend a great amount of time in front of the mac. Although creating an interesting audio track is tedious, it has been fun to play around with this new software. I am glad I have some time to complete this project because I'm sure after I add pictures, I am going to want to play with my audio track.

The Significance of Music

I thought it was especially interesting that during Augustine's explanation concerning his reception into the church, he mentioned the importance of music in the realm of a church service. Augustine writes, when he began attending church, "It was the time that the practice was instituted of singing hymns and psalms after the manner of the Eastern churches, to keep the people from being altogether worn out with anxiety and want of sleep" (173). Being a pretty regular churchgoer, I see where Augustine is coming from when he writes that hymns aid people in not falling asleep during the droll of a pastor in a one hour long service. My pastor in Urbanna posseses this droll to a great extent. In our services, we rely on the choir not only to keep us awake, but to give us motivation to pay attention and focus on the rest of the service. Although my upcoming statement may only be an assumption, it seems to me that the gift of music has aided immensely in the spirituality of many people of all religions as it triggers alertness and the ability to become involved in the contents of the service.

People love Lost Sheep

Even in Augustine's day, lost sheep were the recipients of much praise, or at least more so than those who are "normal". Augustine writes, "O loving God, what is it in men that makes them rejoice more for the salvation of a soul that was despaired of or one delivered from a major peril, than if there had always been hope or the peril had been less" (145). This concept of praising the lost sheep is still seen today. For example look at the NFL. When the Patriots beat San Diego to advance to the super bowl, they received less praise than did the Giants who struggled to pass Green Bay. Everyone knew the Patriots would be super bowl contenders, but there were a larger number of skeptics concerning the success of the Giants. Despite the Patriots record breaking season, the Giants received more praise for their win because it was an upset. Augustine writes, "Greater joy is heralded by greater pain". This statement still rings true today because man likes to watch others succeed after encountering significant opposition, not easily on their first try.

Temptation

In Augustine's confessions he speaks of many past temptations. He speaks of the temptations involved in stealing from the pear tree and well as the temptation of adultery. He makes pretty solid argument explaining that temptation cannot be wholly avoided. Concerning the issue of women, he writes, "He that is without a wife is solicitous for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please God: but he that is with a wife is solicitous for the things of the world, how he may please his wife" (26). In economic terms, man's wants are insatiable. Man has to chose what he wants. Does he want a wife or does he want to be a model Christian. Whichever option he chooses, temptation will be present and cause him to want the other. He has no way no get all he desires and man is stuck in the trap of temptation. Life is about choices and the consequences that result according to the choices you make. Everyone has to deal with the consequences of this choices.

Our Time on Earth

As a Christian, I am taught to view my humanly existence as a vehicle for obtaining eternal salvation. The Bible teaches that Christians establish their faith during their time on Earth, and make known that they want their lives to be dominanted by the quest for salvation. In a Christian life, all actions reflect goodwill and the presence of God. Augustine causes me to closely examine my faith as he writes, "I know not where I came from, when I came into this life-in-death or should I call it death-in-life" (6). Most Christians would agree that the mortal existence is merely an obstacle to achieve an eternal life in death. Therefore are human existence is death in life, we are simply fulfilling an obligation. Despite the correctness of this statement, I also believe that most people try to make the most of their human existence whether that means having the most fun or making the most fun. It is hard to be completely true to the goal of eternal salvation, but is a necessary part of Christian ideology.