Blog # 4 Natural Bridge

I have gone on many vacation trips to Natural Bridge with my family. I love to go hiking a lot and I find it very enjoyable and relaxing to be in the woods. Its very peaceful and i love to see  nature when its  almost untouched. Natural Bridge provides a natural beauty that in my opinion is very hard to find now because of all the development in the world. Even though it is a tourist attraction in a way and brings a lot of people around, I find that it still maintains a a certain level of naturalness and the area is well taken care of in regards to leaving it clean and wild. I enjoy seeing nature in the wild like that where it belongs.

Costa Rica

This is a picture of the waterfall in La Fortuna Costa Rica.  I visited Costa Rica back in 2011 with the women's soccer team here at Thomas More. It was a wonderful experience and I have many more beautiful photos to share at a later time.  This is one of my favorites, it is very picturesque and so naturally green.  The whole country is outstanding with so many natural sites to see. Can't wait to go back one day.

Blog 3

Growing up an avid sports in Cincinnati I have spent many afternoon and nights at Great American Ballpark. For me the home of the Cincinnati Reds is very aesthetically beautiful. When thinking in terms of Environment Aesthetics I think the Natural environmental model best describes the ball game, with every game you get those experiences of witnessing thousands and thousands of fans all dressed in their Reds apparel. The sights of the game absolutely astonishing as the players show why it is our national pastime with the swing of the bat and the flight the ball. The game brings with it sounds you will hear no where else, which include the crack of the bat, the smacking of the leather gloves and the fans cheering on the team. For anyone who has not a experienced a Cincinnati Reds baseball game I recommend that you take an afternoon or evening go watch some of the most talented athletes in the world put on a show that is an absolute work of beauty.  

Blog #3

Some people find places aesthetically pleasing and others do not. I find a baseball field aesthetically pleasing. Some people do not like the smell of pine tar or the feeling of being dirty, but i find it very aesthetically pleasing. On the same note i do not find being in a museum very aesthetically pleasing, i find it boring and dull. While others might find this place to be beautiful, i would much rather be in a place that is more involved with nature.

Blog #2

A second place that I consider beautiful is sitting inside my car. When i have to drive long ways, i feel relaxed and have my thoughts to myself. I can play music that is pleasing to the mood that i am in. Some people find driving long ways terrible, but it is one of the most aesthetically pleasing experiences for me.

Blog 3

A place that i find aesthetically beautiful is Fernbank Park. I find this aesthetically beautiful because of how the park is designed. they have trails that when you walk on them you go into the woods and you can also see the Ohio River as well. I always take my dog down there and when I'm done with the trails i sit on the bench and just look at the river and all the boats that pass by. 

Blog #3 Austin Justice

Currently, I'm contemplating the material we covered in class recently. According to Carlson's five requirements for a model, the Natural Environmental Model ultimately exists as the only one with which an individual can appropriately and aesthetically appreciate the natural world. The Natural Environmental Model declares that through the employment of common sense, coupled with scientific knowledge of nature itself, we can "acheive appropriate aesthetic appreciation" (Carlson 34-35). While I agree with Allen Carlson that a broader intellectual base tends to stimulate an increasingly accurate response, I also believe that we must immerse ourselves in nature, in order to wholeheartedly experience the flora and fauna of the natural world. For example, Thomas More College is nestled in Crestview Hills, Kentucky, a small, but prosperous city which strives to balance the quality of life with growth. Although the disruption of the natural world is perceived in a negative context, I would argue that beauty exists beyond the eye of the beholder. The close proximity of Thomas More College offers students and staff alike the opportunity to familiarize themselves with their respective surroundings. In turn, this promotes a sense of community amongst its members, which greatly increases the chances of success for a multitude of individuals. Especially for me, the beauty of Thomas More College can be visualized through the everyday actions of others. I cannot go through the course of a single day without a door being held for me, a friendly greeting from peers and professors alike and so much more. Thomas More College is in relatively close proximity to my hometown of Mason, Ohio. Therefore, I am far enough away from home to become self-sufficient, but close enough if any sense of urgency arises. Thomas More College offers its students everything, but asks for nothing in return. Each and every day, there is a different fun activity/event that engages others. Though Thomas More College may not subsist as pristine nature, uninterrupted by human interference, it will persist as a remarkable institution throught which an individual can succeed. Considering the fact that beauty is relative, my perception of it differs from almost everyone else's opinion. What could be more beautiful than the progression from the past, to the present, to the future? Sincerely, Austin Justice