Famous Last Words: Week 2

What a crazy week this has been; from the stress of not getting my books on time to the first football game of the season. Starting out with this class I clearly had some issues this week due to a lack of receiving my books required for our readings. This definitely threw me out of my usual groove but thankfully we were provided with enough extra credit for me to make up for the mishap. I can't believe yesterday marked my last first game day at OU; my time here has flown by. Even though it was extremely hot outside I loved being back in that stadium and hearing the roar of the crowd. There aren't many better things than the atmosphere on campus during an OU game. Today, Sunday, I am really looking forward to heading down to Wayne, Oklahoma to spend some time at the farm and get in some shooting practice. Tomorrow is the opening day of dove season and I plan on being up bright and early to hopefully have a successful hunt before heading back to Norman. Today we will also probably go dirt biking and 4 wheeling around the land just for a bit of fun. My girlfriend is also coming down to the farm with us and she has never shot a gun in her life. I'm excited to see how her first time goes and maybe she will just pick it right up. I'm also really looking forward to trying out my two new guns I just received from my grandpa within the past few weeks. He has given me a 12 gauge Ithaca shotgun and a Browning Safari .30-06. I had the chance to shoot the shotgun this past weekend and it being an older gun, kicks like a Clydesdale. However, the .30-06 rifle has yet to be fired and I would really like to check and make sure it is still sighted in and firing correctly. Hopefully all goes well this weekend.

Gift from Mason

Photo taken by Austin Vaughan 

Week 1: Storybook Favorites

Legendary Creatures Speak Up:
This storybook name automatically caught my attention with both amusement and curiosity; I had to see what was to come. After opening the storybook book I found it quite comical that the basis was actually a convention for such creatures. I also liked the depth within the introduction that the writer went into including prices, various events, and even speakers. Stepping into the actual stories the writer created an interview dialogue between various legendary creatures and those in the audience. I couldn't help but love the idea of this and imagine such a conference actually occurring. Overall, I loved the layout of the storybook and the idea presented that sucked me in further and further each line I read.

Legendary Creatures Speak Up

Battle of the Heroes:
Once again I was drawn in by the title of the storybook; although basic it brings about the curiosity of what this may entail. As I looked through the introduction I began to see what was actually occurring with this story, time travel. The basis is that the producers take heroes from various time periods and pit them against one another to crown a true champion. I loved the concept of such a show and the possibilities would be endless. The layout was very basic which I believe brought out the ancient viewpoint of the story.

Battle of the Heroes

Deeper into the Forest of the Brothers Grimm:
Off the bat I like the idea of delving deeper into a classic storybook and possibly expanding on the existing. The introduction truly places you beside the hero with the use of spectacular imagery and descriptive wording. Of the 3 stories I looked at this one also had my favorite layout. The background looking like that of tree bark only further places you into the story and helps you to imagine exactly what is occurring.

Deeper into the Forest of the Brothers Grimm 

Week 1: Introduction

Hi guys. My name is Austin Vaughan and I am a senior from Plano, Texas. I have lived in Plano for most of my life other than a few years spent in Chicago. I am a health and exercise sciences major with an emphasis on pre-dental. The overall goal is to become an oral surgeon but I've got some time before that is even in the cards. Do to my major and personal life I am very interested in health and fitness. I actually work at a nutrition shop in Norman and I am also training to compete in my very first triathlon. I also really enjoy the outdoors and spend a lot of time duck hunting and snowboarding. This summer I was lucky enough to visit Italy and spend some time abroad. This was an amazing experience and I loved being able to see an entirely different style of living. I'd have to say my favorite city in Italy was Florence. There were thousands of people everywhere we looked and their nightlife was great. I am currently planning a backpacking trip for myself and two other friends for the upcoming summer as a graduation gift to ourselves. We will be visiting at least 8 different countries and be in Europe for over a month. I am also planning on heading to Crested Butte, Colorado for the fourth year in a row for the upcoming spring break. My friends and I have made a tradition out of this trip and none of us are really beach people anyways. I cannot wait to be out of this miserable heat and surrounded on all sides by mountains and snow. I hope this sheds a little light upon who I am and what I am interested in. Anything else that any would like to know please feel free to ask. 

What happens when I shave 

(Photo taken by Katie Hill) 

Indian Epics, Week 1: Sita

I'm not quite sure what I was just watching or what exactly was even happening. I am however very curious to learn about the various epics and the role they have played throughout Indian history. I think it will be very interesting to see the involvement of the various gods within these stories and the morals that lie within them.

Week 1 Storytelling: The lion and the mouse

As the king of the jungle slept one night he was roused from he sleep by the slightest of brushes. Unaware of what may lie in front of him the lion slowly peaked open his eyes only to find but the smallest of mice. For the split second that the creatures stared eye to eye they both pondered on their next move. The lion swiftly pinned the mouse to the ground while she began to plead for her life. She begged the lion to let her live, telling him that one day he would be repaid for his mercy. Although the lion doubted this promise never the less he released the mouse. He later thought to himself that he had made a mistake but this thought quickly left his mind as he drifted back to sleep. Weeks later the lion crept through the brush stalking his prey when he become ensnared in a hunter's trap. He roared in dismay as he attempted to break free but even with all his might was unable to do so. The mouse however recognized that roar, she scrambled towards it hoping to repay her debt. She found the lion defeated and exhausted, he could barely even acknowledge her presence by the time she arrived. The lion lay drenched and held taught by multitude ropes. The mouse took a moment to weigh her options and decided what she could best do to help.  She began to tear at the ropes, strand by strand and slowly but surely made headway. She finally broke the lion out, exploding upward with a sigh of relief. He finally realized that no matter how small or large, help could come in any form. He also learned to not judge a book by its cover but to look deeper into their true being.


The Lion and the Mouse (Original)

A lion and a mouse come into contact with one another and to spare her life the mouse promises to one day help the lion. The lion doesn't believe that he could ever require the help of such a tiny creature but in the end will realize that all shapes and sizes serve an important purpose. 

Aesop for Children, illustrated by Milo Winter

The Lion and the Mouse

Week 1: Crested Butte, Firenze..Favorite Places

I chose my current two favorite places in the world, both which have a lot of meaning to me.

Crested Butte, Colorado 
My best friends and I take an annual trip to Mt. Crested Butte for a week of snowboarding and skiing. I look forward to this trip all year long and hope for its continuation even after graduation.

                                             Personal Photo: Spring Break 2014

       Personal Photo: Boys pic 2014

Firenze, Italy 

The other location I chose is my favorite city in Italy in which I spent time this summer during study abroad. I hold this place near and dear due to the friendships and memories that were created here. My study abroad experience couldn't have been any better and I am extremely thankful for the opportunity that I was presented with.  

Personal Photo: Streets of Florence 

Personal Photo: Gelato on the bridge 

Google Search-by-Image Tech Tip

I was able to use google to search by an image and found this picture to be a work by Giovanni Maria Botalla. The work itself is known as Deucalion and Pyrrha. 

 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giovanni_Maria_Bottala

Test Post

Test post. Austin Vaughan