Usually, my blogs have one focus but today’s class had multiple topics worth talking about.  Firstly, I just want to say that Professor Richard Powers was funny and had a very likable personality.  On top of that, his last name is awesome, he drives a motorcycle and he looks like David Letterman (acts like him too).  The professor’s presentation was full of interesting content, particularly the parts about the Monticello and the United Nations building.

Thomas Jefferson is one of my most favorite people throughout all of history.  The man was extremely successful in his life; he was the third president, one of the founding fathers, an intellectual and was vastly rich.  A really interesting fact about Jefferson was that he had a very contradictory nature; although he was so successful, he had a tendency to never finish anything.  One of his unfinished works was one of his most famous, the Monticello.  That’s right, a building that is a prime example of excellent architecture, was never finished.

During class, Professor Powers brought up the classic film, North by Northwest.  Recently, I learned in my Intro to Film class that the United Nations’ scene was filmed illegally.  Hitchcock was not allowed to film in the building, he snuck in his crew and filmed the scene as fast as possible.  In addition, a replica of the building’s surroundings was made for the subsequent scene.

Lastly, I want to mention Rockefeller Plaza.  The ice skating rink in Rockefeller Plaza is one of the most popular attractions in New York and has a small but significant part in The Catcher in the Rye.  Hopefully, one of our next class trips will take place in this plaza.

I appreciate the visitors we have in Seminar and I look forward to the next one!