Dark Visions: The reviewer of the watchmen movie strongly disliked the film. He thought the movie was very lengthy, and dragged on for far too long. He thought there were far too many characters, which made it impossible to focus on one main storyline. He felt that the film's attempt at political satire was poor, and left a lot to be desired. To quote his opinion his opinion on Dr. Manhatten, "
Syrianna: The movie Syrianna is a fantastically complex story of the corruption of the oil market, and what goes on "behind the scenes." The reviewer finds that the complexity adds to the movie, that one should experience it, and not simply follow it. He states that the complexity makes the movie such that the viewer is not completely sure what is going on, but that is the point, as the characters are not supposed to truly know either.He says that one should not go looking for the solution in the movie; that the movie is all problem, and this is the beauty of it. In conclusion, he describes this movie as diabolical, absorbing, and fascinating, and one that all should see and analyze for themselves.
Left Behind: The reviewer describes this book as the journey of a man and his son on a road to the gulf of mexico area. The world has been destroyed, and now is desolate, and covered with fire and blood. It appears that these two unnamed individuals are the only two sane people alive, and their situation is a bleak one. Apparently they are attacked by thugs often, in which the man protects the boy, because he was appointed by god to do so. In conclusion, this book is one about survival in a desolate, post apocalyptic world.
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Why the World is flat
So, as we all know, the world is flat. But, because I have found out that it is not so common knowledge, I will discuss the reasons why.
This concept that the world is round; that we live on a spherical surface, is a sort of historic prank. It may be round around the edges, but it is certainly not spherical in form. This is shown clearly but the fact that the curve of the earth’s surface is not clearly visible. No matter how far one looks, the curving of the earth’s surface is not visible. When one looks off into the horizon, one sees a flat surface, not a curved shape.
Another reason that the earth is flat is shown when one jumps. If the earth were rotating and a sphere, when one jumped, the earth would rotate under their feet, and they would appear to fly off at about 600 miles per hour in one direction! This fact is obvious, and if the earth were a sphere, the population of life on it would drastically decrease due to the fact that leaving the ground is certain to result in a painful demise.
The problem with travel around a spherical world is one which can be easily explained. As one goes to the edge of the world, there is a portal to exact opposite side of the earth. Similar to the game asteroids, as one goes off one edge of the world; they will “pop up” on the other side, unharmed. This is easily shown through plane and travel routes around the world.
So, in conclusion, the world is plainly flat, one side teeming with life, and the other a barren landscape, lifeless and dead. The miracle of life is one which has such a low probability, and only one side of the earth can get it. So, all should embrace this truth, and learn to accept and live on their flat planet.
Monday, April 23, 2012
Poetry Analysis
In his poem, Collins captures the spirit of childhood, discussing the various things he imagined himself being throughout the ages. He also discusses the fact that as one ages, this pizzazz of life goes away. He talks about the wonderous things which one imagines in early childhood, from magic to being a soldier, to when one ages, and these things dissapear from life, do a more drull existance. This poem is made effective when he refers to aging as "a disfiguring chicken pox of the soul," as this puts to light how one changes drastically from childhood to adulthood. His overall message in this poem is one of despair; that as one ages, the bitter reality of the real world replaces the exciting wonders of the childhood world.
This poem fits into my personal life experiences in the way that my earlier years were full of imagination; I was often a soldier in the future, using lightsabers to slay my enemies. This of course, is not really something I do anymore, as aging as made my existance one more set in a dull reality.
This poem fits into my personal life experiences in the way that my earlier years were full of imagination; I was often a soldier in the future, using lightsabers to slay my enemies. This of course, is not really something I do anymore, as aging as made my existance one more set in a dull reality.
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
More Essay Responses
1. Beauty-- The ability to see past one's faults and be happy with their normal appearance.
2. Denial-- Where one is unable to see their wrongdoings, in which they hurt both themselves and those around them.
3. Evil-- The impulse to benefit oneself at the cost of others.
2. Denial-- Where one is unable to see their wrongdoings, in which they hurt both themselves and those around them.
3. Evil-- The impulse to benefit oneself at the cost of others.
Monday, April 9, 2012
A Response to Yankees
1. A fresh idea in the essay would be the fact that Yankees do not like being beholden to others. It is fresh, and it is swaglicious. I would have defined it as someone who is proud of America or something, which is not similar to his definition.
2. The allusions in the essay add to other my vocabulary other uses for the word yankee. If one did not get them, they would certainly mean little to the reader in the essay.
3. I think the writer spent enough time on what a yankee is not. He needed to establish what a yankee is not first before saying what they are.
4. That's what I think defines this dying breed of the American Yankee: an extraordinary sense of balance and reserve, a holding off — and yet, behind all that reserve, a reservoir of generosity and friendliness that can be nearly overwhelming.
5. During my spring break, I sat at home, paintballed it up, did AP chem homework, and did Some calculus BC spring break assignments.
2. The allusions in the essay add to other my vocabulary other uses for the word yankee. If one did not get them, they would certainly mean little to the reader in the essay.
3. I think the writer spent enough time on what a yankee is not. He needed to establish what a yankee is not first before saying what they are.
4. That's what I think defines this dying breed of the American Yankee: an extraordinary sense of balance and reserve, a holding off — and yet, behind all that reserve, a reservoir of generosity and friendliness that can be nearly overwhelming.
5. During my spring break, I sat at home, paintballed it up, did AP chem homework, and did Some calculus BC spring break assignments.
Thursday, March 1, 2012
A response to A Modest Proposal
1. I believe that the real message in this essay would be that the children in Ireland are mistreated, and the Irish people are already treated like animals.
2. There is likewise another great advantage in my scheme, that it will prevent those voluntary abortions, and that horrid practice of women murdering their bastard children, alas! too frequent among us! sacrificing the poor innocent babes I doubt more to avoid the expense than the shame, which would move tears and pity in the most savage and inhuman breast. The number of souls in this kingdom being usually reckoned one million and a half, of these I calculate there may be about two hundred thousand couple whose wives are breeders; from which number I subtract thirty thousand couples who are able to maintain their own children, although I apprehend there cannot be so many, under the present distresses of the kingdom; but this being granted, there will remain an hundred and seventy thousand breeders. I again subtract fifty thousand for those women who miscarry, or whose children die by accident or disease within the year. There only remains one hundred and twenty thousand children of poor parents annually born. The question therefore is, how this number shall be reared and provided for, which, as I have already said, under the present situation of affairs, is utterly impossible by all the methods hitherto proposed.
3. I believe that the reader realizes after paragraph 10 that this is an ironic essay. This is because he uses facts and statistics to support his thesis, making it seem more legit.
4. The target of Swift's attack is the english rich, and tenants whom he says can buy the babies, and thus will treat the poor more humanely. He shows that it is not just the rich to blame though, the poor have part of the blame for the mistreatment of children in this way.
5. Swift does propose a legitimate solution: to treat the Irish better, and to give them jobs with more pay.
6. To say that he would be unaffected by his proposal, and to assure that the reader realizes that this is a satirical piece.
7. He also states that this would create jobs for poor women. I have never had a labor job, and thus have not resisted an employer. There is an emotional connection between anger and resistance though.
8. Given the job of marketing babies, I would definitely grind them cleanly, so as to make them beyond recognition to the public, so as to make them more appealing. I would also call it something like l'enfant, so as to make it sound classier. I would sell these "baby burgers" in the market, and to the rich, as a gourmet meal.
2. There is likewise another great advantage in my scheme, that it will prevent those voluntary abortions, and that horrid practice of women murdering their bastard children, alas! too frequent among us! sacrificing the poor innocent babes I doubt more to avoid the expense than the shame, which would move tears and pity in the most savage and inhuman breast. The number of souls in this kingdom being usually reckoned one million and a half, of these I calculate there may be about two hundred thousand couple whose wives are breeders; from which number I subtract thirty thousand couples who are able to maintain their own children, although I apprehend there cannot be so many, under the present distresses of the kingdom; but this being granted, there will remain an hundred and seventy thousand breeders. I again subtract fifty thousand for those women who miscarry, or whose children die by accident or disease within the year. There only remains one hundred and twenty thousand children of poor parents annually born. The question therefore is, how this number shall be reared and provided for, which, as I have already said, under the present situation of affairs, is utterly impossible by all the methods hitherto proposed.
3. I believe that the reader realizes after paragraph 10 that this is an ironic essay. This is because he uses facts and statistics to support his thesis, making it seem more legit.
4. The target of Swift's attack is the english rich, and tenants whom he says can buy the babies, and thus will treat the poor more humanely. He shows that it is not just the rich to blame though, the poor have part of the blame for the mistreatment of children in this way.
5. Swift does propose a legitimate solution: to treat the Irish better, and to give them jobs with more pay.
6. To say that he would be unaffected by his proposal, and to assure that the reader realizes that this is a satirical piece.
7. He also states that this would create jobs for poor women. I have never had a labor job, and thus have not resisted an employer. There is an emotional connection between anger and resistance though.
8. Given the job of marketing babies, I would definitely grind them cleanly, so as to make them beyond recognition to the public, so as to make them more appealing. I would also call it something like l'enfant, so as to make it sound classier. I would sell these "baby burgers" in the market, and to the rich, as a gourmet meal.
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
A response to wives
1. I believe that the implied thesis of this essay is that wives are to care for all needs of the family, and expect nothing in return.
2. The effect of restating "I want a wife" in this essay is to strengthen the point, to make people think to themselves "I want a wife like that,"
3. Brady does not actually want a wife like this. The purpose of this essay would be to satirize the culture of the time, in which wives were expected to be like this. I do not believe that a spouse of that nature nature exist.
4. In this essay, Brady defines being a wife as "one who takes care of all needs of the family, and selflessly considers the husband's needs at all times." I do not believe that a wife should have all of these responsibilities, and that the jobs should be shared in caring for a family. I do believe that this is the intended reaction Brady wanted for her essay.
5. Dear Ms. Brady,
In your essay, "I want a wife," I find that you make a strong message to the reader about what is "expected fo a wife." It is pursuasive in the fact that it shows that the wife is put up to rediculous expectations, ones which are impractical, if not impossible to fulfill. I admire your use of the jobs and point of view to show the need for the wife to be essentially, a robot whose sole responsibility is to fulfill the needs of the family and have no needs of her own. I admire the strength of your essay, and commend your ability to put out such a resounding message to the reader.
2. The effect of restating "I want a wife" in this essay is to strengthen the point, to make people think to themselves "I want a wife like that,"
3. Brady does not actually want a wife like this. The purpose of this essay would be to satirize the culture of the time, in which wives were expected to be like this. I do not believe that a spouse of that nature nature exist.
4. In this essay, Brady defines being a wife as "one who takes care of all needs of the family, and selflessly considers the husband's needs at all times." I do not believe that a wife should have all of these responsibilities, and that the jobs should be shared in caring for a family. I do believe that this is the intended reaction Brady wanted for her essay.
5. Dear Ms. Brady,
In your essay, "I want a wife," I find that you make a strong message to the reader about what is "expected fo a wife." It is pursuasive in the fact that it shows that the wife is put up to rediculous expectations, ones which are impractical, if not impossible to fulfill. I admire your use of the jobs and point of view to show the need for the wife to be essentially, a robot whose sole responsibility is to fulfill the needs of the family and have no needs of her own. I admire the strength of your essay, and commend your ability to put out such a resounding message to the reader.
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
A response to satire
My two favorite satires of the two were the girl and the wolf and the birds and the foxes. The first one was my favorite because it involved a violent twist on little Red Riding Hood. It surprised me that a little girl pulled out a gun and shot the wolf to bits. '
The birds and the foxes was another of my favorites, for in it, the orioles protection caused their destruction. It surprised me that the foxes could just tear down a fence like that, or that they would eat so many orioles. I don't know of any fable or fairy tale that this is based on.
The birds and the foxes was another of my favorites, for in it, the orioles protection caused their destruction. It surprised me that the foxes could just tear down a fence like that, or that they would eat so many orioles. I don't know of any fable or fairy tale that this is based on.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
A Response to Some Fables
Fable 1: The Two Crabs: example is the best precept
Two crabs walked on the beach, then the mother told her son to walk straighter, and the said to lead with example and he would follow.
Fable 2: The Dog and the Wolf: it is better to starve free than be a fat slave
A wolf was starving, the dog offered him a job, and the wolf accepted but asked why his neck was chaffed. The dog told him about the chain, and the wolf left.
Fable 3: The Camel and the Arab: do not ask obvious questions.
The arab asked the camel wether he wanted to go high or low, and the camel asked "what about the level path?"
Fable 4: The Fox and the Grapes: it is easy to despise what you cannot get
The fox was thirsty and wanted some grapes, but he could not attain them. He left, saying "they were probably sour anyways."
Fable 5: The Lion and the Boar: those who strive are often watched by others who will take advantage of their defeat
A lion and a boar were fighting over who would drink out of a watering hole first, but they stopped when they saw vultures watching.
Fable 6: The Wind and the Sun: kindness affects more than severity.
The wind and sun fought over who was stronger. The wind blew and failed to get a guy to take off his cloak, and the sun blasted light, and the man took off his cloak.
Fable 7: The Two Pots: the strong and the weak cannot keep company
Two pots, one of brass and one of clay were washed into a river, and the clay one feared that the brass would hit and damage him.
Fable 8: The Theif and the House-Dog: he who offers bribes needs watching, for his intentions are not honest.
A robber tried to bribe a dog with meat, but the dog then watched him more vigilantly.
Fable 9: The Ant and the Grasshopper: it is best to prepare for days of necessity
The Grasshopper told the ants to play, but the ants were preparing for winter. Then, in winter, the ants lived and teh grasshopper starved.
Fable 10: The Two Frogs: do nothing without regard to the consequences.
Two frogs searched for a new watering hole, and saw a well. But one said "but if it fails how will we get out of its depth?"
Goldilocks and the Three bears
Goldilocks went into the forest and saw the bear's house. She peeped in to see what was inside and saw some pudding. She ate some of each, and one was too hot, one too cold, and one just right. Then she went about this for chairs, then finally beds. She fell asleep in baby bear's bed. Then the bears came back and she ran away. Then she was nice from that day on.
Little Red Riding Hood
Little red riding hood was walking through the forest to deliver some treats to her grandmother. A wolf saw that and wanted to eat the girl. He then went to grandma's house and ate her and made himself look sort of like her. Then little red riding hood came in and observed all the differences in her "grandma" and the wolf then tried to eat her. Then a hunter came and shot the wolf, and everyone was okay (except grandma of course) and she went back home with her mother.
Two crabs walked on the beach, then the mother told her son to walk straighter, and the said to lead with example and he would follow.
Fable 2: The Dog and the Wolf: it is better to starve free than be a fat slave
A wolf was starving, the dog offered him a job, and the wolf accepted but asked why his neck was chaffed. The dog told him about the chain, and the wolf left.
Fable 3: The Camel and the Arab: do not ask obvious questions.
The arab asked the camel wether he wanted to go high or low, and the camel asked "what about the level path?"
Fable 4: The Fox and the Grapes: it is easy to despise what you cannot get
The fox was thirsty and wanted some grapes, but he could not attain them. He left, saying "they were probably sour anyways."
Fable 5: The Lion and the Boar: those who strive are often watched by others who will take advantage of their defeat
A lion and a boar were fighting over who would drink out of a watering hole first, but they stopped when they saw vultures watching.
Fable 6: The Wind and the Sun: kindness affects more than severity.
The wind and sun fought over who was stronger. The wind blew and failed to get a guy to take off his cloak, and the sun blasted light, and the man took off his cloak.
Fable 7: The Two Pots: the strong and the weak cannot keep company
Two pots, one of brass and one of clay were washed into a river, and the clay one feared that the brass would hit and damage him.
Fable 8: The Theif and the House-Dog: he who offers bribes needs watching, for his intentions are not honest.
A robber tried to bribe a dog with meat, but the dog then watched him more vigilantly.
Fable 9: The Ant and the Grasshopper: it is best to prepare for days of necessity
The Grasshopper told the ants to play, but the ants were preparing for winter. Then, in winter, the ants lived and teh grasshopper starved.
Fable 10: The Two Frogs: do nothing without regard to the consequences.
Two frogs searched for a new watering hole, and saw a well. But one said "but if it fails how will we get out of its depth?"
Goldilocks and the Three bears
Goldilocks went into the forest and saw the bear's house. She peeped in to see what was inside and saw some pudding. She ate some of each, and one was too hot, one too cold, and one just right. Then she went about this for chairs, then finally beds. She fell asleep in baby bear's bed. Then the bears came back and she ran away. Then she was nice from that day on.
Little Red Riding Hood
Little red riding hood was walking through the forest to deliver some treats to her grandmother. A wolf saw that and wanted to eat the girl. He then went to grandma's house and ate her and made himself look sort of like her. Then little red riding hood came in and observed all the differences in her "grandma" and the wolf then tried to eat her. Then a hunter came and shot the wolf, and everyone was okay (except grandma of course) and she went back home with her mother.
Friday, February 17, 2012
Pictures and Perspective--A fairy tale poem
The mouse had finally captured the ultimate meal, a full grown lion. It would feed his family for years to come.
"What a wonderful pet lion" that girl must have thought. unfortunately for her, she didn't realize what the lion was thinking. He was trying to decide the proper seasoning for his new bunch of meat pies.
He was just swimming along, like he normally did every night. This night though, he had been harrassed by some mermaid! She wouldn't just let him go about his swimming, thinking that he was going to drown.
Those little ants were all working and looked really tired. They scurried about, carrying their food, and didn't even have a nice little tune to sing! I thought they could go for some entertainment, because I didn't need to prepare. I decided to go troll them while they worked, and to play my little fiddle.
I was just bringing the groceries home, innocently working so that I could buy some shoes. Then a little fairy thing came out of nowhere and started talking to me; it must be a robber! It squeaked little things about how it was my lucky day, but I wasn't going to take any of that nonsense.
This is a a really nice forest! The real question is, how would i blend in for my wolf hunting trip in this red hood? The treats were nice bait; everyone knew wolves couldn't resist baked goods. I hold on tight to the machete in my pocket, ready for some wolf to pop out and attempt to eat my treats.
That hatter, what a jerk. Always hoarding the sugar and the guests to himself. What about me? It is my unbirthday also! I had the longest ears there, and that has to mean something! This girl better appreciate me, or I might have to break some stuff!
This gigantic meat bag shaped like a man was about to be slow cooked to perfection! He can't just think he can prance around in our world and not feed the masses.
"That is a nice Ladder!" I thought, "although it's probably not going to be fun when that girl jumps onto me." I was getting tired of all the jumping foolery, I mean really, I have feelings too! But nobody ever asks what the mattress wants, nobody cares about my needs.
Why is this girl so pale? Does she purposely avoid the sun? Maybe she is a vampire, that could be why everyone likes her and she attracts animals so well. It would also explain her apparent aversion to sunlight.
The Poem
Snow White, the ultimate killing machine.
Many a prince had died to her ravenous hunger
Avoiding the light, not wanting to die herself.
She was hungry one day, and the animals knew it
They surrounded her, trying to prevent another death
She played along, knowing their trick
The animals knew this though, and tried to stall
Once the sun hit, they knew she would be over.
At midnight, she left though, and the animals couldn't stop her
The hunt was on; her hunger lingered
She stalked the village, looking for a nice meal
And found a man, whom she knew quite well
His name was Eucleides, and he was a servant
He said "good day, would you like a drink?"
And Snow White only replied with a "yes"
and fell upon him
He asked "what's going on?"
And she just kept biting
He fell to the ground, keeling in pain
And Snow White laughed, kneeling over the slain
He cried out, gurgling his own blood
Snow White mad, slashed at his stomach with her vampire claws
His blood poured out, making a nice pool
And Snow White wondered where that all came from?
When she was near done, Eucliedes still lived
So she ripped off his arm, looking for fun
She beat him with it, him crying in agony
And she wondered, how about this irony?
At the end, he was dead,
Snow White's hunger quite quenched.
And she went off to fill more souls with dread.
"What a wonderful pet lion" that girl must have thought. unfortunately for her, she didn't realize what the lion was thinking. He was trying to decide the proper seasoning for his new bunch of meat pies.
He was just swimming along, like he normally did every night. This night though, he had been harrassed by some mermaid! She wouldn't just let him go about his swimming, thinking that he was going to drown.
Those little ants were all working and looked really tired. They scurried about, carrying their food, and didn't even have a nice little tune to sing! I thought they could go for some entertainment, because I didn't need to prepare. I decided to go troll them while they worked, and to play my little fiddle.
I was just bringing the groceries home, innocently working so that I could buy some shoes. Then a little fairy thing came out of nowhere and started talking to me; it must be a robber! It squeaked little things about how it was my lucky day, but I wasn't going to take any of that nonsense.
This is a a really nice forest! The real question is, how would i blend in for my wolf hunting trip in this red hood? The treats were nice bait; everyone knew wolves couldn't resist baked goods. I hold on tight to the machete in my pocket, ready for some wolf to pop out and attempt to eat my treats.
That hatter, what a jerk. Always hoarding the sugar and the guests to himself. What about me? It is my unbirthday also! I had the longest ears there, and that has to mean something! This girl better appreciate me, or I might have to break some stuff!
This gigantic meat bag shaped like a man was about to be slow cooked to perfection! He can't just think he can prance around in our world and not feed the masses.
"That is a nice Ladder!" I thought, "although it's probably not going to be fun when that girl jumps onto me." I was getting tired of all the jumping foolery, I mean really, I have feelings too! But nobody ever asks what the mattress wants, nobody cares about my needs.
Why is this girl so pale? Does she purposely avoid the sun? Maybe she is a vampire, that could be why everyone likes her and she attracts animals so well. It would also explain her apparent aversion to sunlight.
The Poem
Snow White, the ultimate killing machine.
Many a prince had died to her ravenous hunger
Avoiding the light, not wanting to die herself.
She was hungry one day, and the animals knew it
They surrounded her, trying to prevent another death
She played along, knowing their trick
The animals knew this though, and tried to stall
Once the sun hit, they knew she would be over.
At midnight, she left though, and the animals couldn't stop her
The hunt was on; her hunger lingered
She stalked the village, looking for a nice meal
And found a man, whom she knew quite well
His name was Eucleides, and he was a servant
He said "good day, would you like a drink?"
And Snow White only replied with a "yes"
and fell upon him
He asked "what's going on?"
And she just kept biting
He fell to the ground, keeling in pain
And Snow White laughed, kneeling over the slain
He cried out, gurgling his own blood
Snow White mad, slashed at his stomach with her vampire claws
His blood poured out, making a nice pool
And Snow White wondered where that all came from?
When she was near done, Eucliedes still lived
So she ripped off his arm, looking for fun
She beat him with it, him crying in agony
And she wondered, how about this irony?
At the end, he was dead,
Snow White's hunger quite quenched.
And she went off to fill more souls with dread.
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
A Valentines Day Sonnet--Horrible Murder
I walk the streets looking for one to maim
Grasping my pocket to hold my cold knife
Then, I saw a man, his head down with shame
I approached him, seeking to end his life
I stab at him, causing the spill of blood
I relish at the thought of his huge pain
His blood hits the ground like a red flash flood
Then, seeking fun, I pull out my steel chain
I put it around his neck so he chokes
And tie the chain onto a large freight train
As the whistle blows, I say "That's all folks!"
The train roars away, the man dragged to Maine
I laugh; the man has suffered quite a fate
Dragged along, similar to fishing bait
Grasping my pocket to hold my cold knife
Then, I saw a man, his head down with shame
I approached him, seeking to end his life
I stab at him, causing the spill of blood
I relish at the thought of his huge pain
His blood hits the ground like a red flash flood
Then, seeking fun, I pull out my steel chain
I put it around his neck so he chokes
And tie the chain onto a large freight train
As the whistle blows, I say "That's all folks!"
The train roars away, the man dragged to Maine
I laugh; the man has suffered quite a fate
Dragged along, similar to fishing bait
Monday, February 13, 2012
A response to some essays
Essay 1--Always go to the Funeral
This essay had a resounding message which does make sense under the circumstances. Always going to the funeral would mean a lot to people, and thus, this action should be pursued, no matter the consequences. Apparently, having others attend the funerals of their loved ones is important to them, so out of sympathy, one should do this.
Essay 2--There is no God
This essay is agreeable; being unrestricted in what one is to believe due to their religion is far more valuable than having an omnipotent being to forgive you of your faults and to blame for one's problems. Atheism allows one to see all viewpoints in reality equally, and interpret them more freely so as to gain a further understanding of one's world.
Essay 3--A Grace of Silence
It appears that one's belief in hope and their own inner voice is important to individuals, driving them to succeed and excel in life. It is apparent that the author of this essay needed a source of hope to be driven to be a successful person, despite his situation. This inner voice of his is what I like to call a will to succeed, that somehow was oppressed until his father's death.
Essay 4--Combating the Tyranny of the Positive Attitude
I do agree with this essay, often the faking of a positive attitude in a time of distress can increase the distress that one feels. I cannot empathize, for I have not felt this such way before, but nonetheless, everyone must be allowed to cope with distress in their own way.
This essay had a resounding message which does make sense under the circumstances. Always going to the funeral would mean a lot to people, and thus, this action should be pursued, no matter the consequences. Apparently, having others attend the funerals of their loved ones is important to them, so out of sympathy, one should do this.
Essay 2--There is no God
This essay is agreeable; being unrestricted in what one is to believe due to their religion is far more valuable than having an omnipotent being to forgive you of your faults and to blame for one's problems. Atheism allows one to see all viewpoints in reality equally, and interpret them more freely so as to gain a further understanding of one's world.
Essay 3--A Grace of Silence
It appears that one's belief in hope and their own inner voice is important to individuals, driving them to succeed and excel in life. It is apparent that the author of this essay needed a source of hope to be driven to be a successful person, despite his situation. This inner voice of his is what I like to call a will to succeed, that somehow was oppressed until his father's death.
Essay 4--Combating the Tyranny of the Positive Attitude
I do agree with this essay, often the faking of a positive attitude in a time of distress can increase the distress that one feels. I cannot empathize, for I have not felt this such way before, but nonetheless, everyone must be allowed to cope with distress in their own way.
Friday, February 10, 2012
A story of words--Matt Wrote this with Jason
Under the bleak luminance of the full moon, the faceless killer stalked through the streets humming a deathly ballad. He couldn't wait to try out his new contraption; the decapitation knife. All he had to do was find his prey and assassinate them. He wandered the alleyways, looking for some drunkards or crackheads that he could easily eliminate without any trace. He saw a foamy beer left on the ground; it indicated that he was close. He quickened his pace, hoping to encircle his prey. He sees the brawny collosus that is his prey, and licks his lips, anticipating the kill. "This could be harder than I thought", he worried, "But I'm always up for a good challenge." He ran up to the man, slashing at his tibia, hoping to disable him. The man keeled over in excrutiating pain, yelling out. But alas, it was too late for him, as the killer slashed into his rib cage, slicing bones and flesh all the same. Blood poured out from his wounds, and he fell to the ground, not quite dead yet. The killer wasn't finished though; he needed his prize, so he pulled out his new decapitiation knife. He chopped the man's head clean off, blood squirting out of both ends. He then walked casually to his car, the vacuum on his shelf now filled with his new knick knack. "A good night's work."
Thursday, February 9, 2012
A story of Action!
Action 1-- wink
The signal was given. Everyone entered the courtyard, their breath visible in in the air. It was a cold night, the kind which the police were not normally out. The signal which had been given indicated that the deal was about to begin; it had taken a lot of work to get that much crack into America from Mexico, so I was taking every precaution to protect it. I gave the signal to the buyers, a simple wink of the left eye, and they pulled out their money. They handed me $100,000 in cash, and I trusted that it was all there; I was not one to be conned. They got in exchange 2 kilograms of crack; a very respectable amount.
Action 2--slap
I ran up to the man which I had been paid to kill, smacking him as hard as I could on the back of the head. This dazed the innocent man; for he had not seen such a blow coming. Taking advantage of this, I knee him in the gut, causing him to keel over in pain. I then pull out my knife; my personal favorite to use as a weapon, and slash at the man. He yells out in pain as my knife met his waving arms, blood pouring out of every gash. I was getting irritated at his cries, so I punch him in the neck, choking this man. I take advantage of his vulnerability and quickly run my knife into and through his throat, ending him. There is blood everywhere, and my knife is filthy, so I wipe it off on his clothing, keeping it nice and clean for the next target.
The signal was given. Everyone entered the courtyard, their breath visible in in the air. It was a cold night, the kind which the police were not normally out. The signal which had been given indicated that the deal was about to begin; it had taken a lot of work to get that much crack into America from Mexico, so I was taking every precaution to protect it. I gave the signal to the buyers, a simple wink of the left eye, and they pulled out their money. They handed me $100,000 in cash, and I trusted that it was all there; I was not one to be conned. They got in exchange 2 kilograms of crack; a very respectable amount.
Action 2--slap
I ran up to the man which I had been paid to kill, smacking him as hard as I could on the back of the head. This dazed the innocent man; for he had not seen such a blow coming. Taking advantage of this, I knee him in the gut, causing him to keel over in pain. I then pull out my knife; my personal favorite to use as a weapon, and slash at the man. He yells out in pain as my knife met his waving arms, blood pouring out of every gash. I was getting irritated at his cries, so I punch him in the neck, choking this man. I take advantage of his vulnerability and quickly run my knife into and through his throat, ending him. There is blood everywhere, and my knife is filthy, so I wipe it off on his clothing, keeping it nice and clean for the next target.
Monday, February 6, 2012
Improvisation--squishy and mouse
"It is a fine day to get some cheese," thought Pratish the mouse. He loved cheese, in fact the squishier it was, the better it was. He walked out of his little mouse door; one which he had crafted from the finest of woods: a nice birch. He turned the doorknob and opened the door, only to be greeted by a large "BANG!!!" As it turned out, his house had been sturdy enough to handle the bombing on his homeland. His home country was at war with the country of the rats, for they were in a strong disagreement over which species had better taste in food. Pratish ran back into his house, and immediately grabbed his weaponry; a very efficient mouse bazooka, and his mouse machete. "I think I will wear my infamous cheese disguise" he thought, and quickly donned it so he could go out and battle. He had gotten the nickname "Cheesus" from his endeavors in this disguise where he had saved many of his mouse kin from certain death. As Cheesus ran toward the battle field an eagle swoops down and grabs Cheesus, his pulls out his mouse machete and slices the eagle in half. The eagle parts fell to the battle field hitting some of Cheesus's enemies making his comrads exuberant that they wouldn't have to fight more rats. Franctically, a great explosion come from is from the kitchen. The rats were begining to throw grenades. Cheesus scrambled to find cover as the grenades bombarded his comrads line. Finally, after what felt like forever, the grenade throwing was over. Cheesus knew that it was time for hand to hand combat. An enemy rat was running straight at him, as Cheesus reached down to get some sand to throw in the rats face. he ran over, pulling his gun like a cowboy in a western movie. cheeses had one of the best shots in spain. he could shoot right through a pineapple at over 300 feet. when the rat was almost two feet from reaching cheesus all that was heard was a big bang. suddenly there was only one thing stanging and that was cheesus. the fight was over between mouse and rat for now, but cheesus new there would be more to come.
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Narrative Revision
It’s a Boy!
“Congratulations, you have a new baby boy!” my child-development teacher said as she handed over the 10-pound bundle.
For my child development class, I would have to take the “Think-It-Over” baby home for a night to get a taste of parenthood. Even before I received the baby, I knew I was not ready to be a parent as a senior in high school. I could still remember when my brother and sister were little and I would have to take care of them all the time. At least the doll had no dirty diapers I would have to change.
Friday night; it is my turn to take the 10-pound plastic doll home. The doll really did look like a live baby from a distance. It even had a pleasant baby powder smell. After I took the baby home in his car seat, I changed him into some really cute clothes because my friends and I were going out that night. I then decided to name him Tyler.
Inside the body of this doll was a computer that was programmed to make periodic crying sounds. I was the only person who could stop the crying because I had the key. This key, tied to my wrist, could be inserted in the doll’s back to stop the crying. So far, so good. The doll had not cried, yet.
Inside the body of this doll was a computer that was programmed to make periodic crying sounds. I was the only person who could stop the crying because I had the key. This key, tied to my wrist, could be inserted in the doll’s back to stop the crying. So far, so good. The doll had not cried, yet.
My friends came over, and we all piled into the car. It was kind of squished because we had the baby’s seat in there, too. I had to treat the doll like a real baby because the computer inside also measured any abuse to the doll, such as shaking or neglect. The hour-long drive to the restaurant was uneventful. It was rather chilly, so I decided to wrap Tyler in a blanket and carry him in that way. I also had a diaper bag with diapers, a bottle, and an extra set of clothes hanging on my arm.
Because it was Friday night, there were a lot of people waiting in line to get a table. I walked into that crowded entryway, and uneasily glanced around because I was getting some very weird looks and quite a few raised eyebrows. My friends also noticed the glares and stares, so we decided to make a game out of the whole situation. I stood in the corner pretending to rock Tyler to sleep. Every once in a while my friends would peek in the blanket and say, “Oh, how cute.” I could not help but laugh. And although it was funny to my friends and me, some of the people did not think it was so funny that I had a baby. I overheard one couple say, “Why would she bring a baby here?” These people were giving me rude looks and forming judgments about me because they thought I was a teenage mom. Others just smiled at me sympathetically and felt sorry for me because I was only a child with a child.
We finally got a table, and the waiter, not knowing I was carrying a doll, asked me if I needed a high chair. I told him it was just a doll, but a high chair would be good. He thought it was funny that I actually dared to bring a doll into the restaurant, so he brought a high chair, plus a red balloon for the little one.
Again, during our meal, my friends and I received strange looks from the others in the restaurant. One couple kept walking by our table just to get a look at my baby. I think they were trying to figure out if the doll was an actual baby. As the couple walked by, my friends and I started discussing how people so quickly judged me and assumed that I was the mother of the baby. We decided that we would probably do the same if we saw a teenage girl coming in with a child and a group of friends. Teenage pregnancy is not accepted where I live and is definitely not the norm; many girls would hide their pregnancies if they decided to keep their babies.
We went to the mall after we were finished eating, and I had to take Tyler with me. My friends were looking at clothes, but I couldn’t because I was carrying this “baby” (which was becoming quite heavy). So I just roamed around wishing I could try on clothes, too. Then the baby started to cry this horrible imitation baby’s cry. It was so loud and terrible. I quickly put the key into the doll’s back so it would quit crying, and then I had to explain to the salesclerk why I was carrying around a plastic doll. I was so glad to finally go home.
I learned a lot through my experience with the “Think-It-Over” baby. The doll definitely reinforced my thinking that I was not ready to be a parent, but it also made me more aware of the larger picture. It opened my eyes to the judgments people make about others. People do not realize that some things are not the way they seem. The doll seemed like it was my baby, but that was not the case. I was only carrying it around for a class project. The people in the restaurant were so quick to judge me because they assumed I was a teenage mom. They undoubtedly thought I was stupid for taking a baby to a noisy, smoky place; they didn’t realize it was just a plastic doll underneath that blanket.
I sometimes catch myself judging people I do not know, just because of the first impression they give. In reality, I do not have a clue about their real stories. I especially think people judge teenage girls with babies too quickly. Sure, they may have made a mistake, but the girls usually know that, and they are the ones who have to pay the price. I only experienced the glares and rude comments for one night, but I thought of all the girls who have to deal with these looks wherever they go. We should all be slower to judge these girls, or anyone else, and realize that some things are not as they seem.
Friday, January 27, 2012
A response to my partner's blog
- The strengths of my partner's essay are definitely the suspense of the final race, the devastation his injuries caused him (his expression of this), and his use of a timeline for the story's events.
- Improvements that my partner could make are the grammar structure of some sentences, and the use of description of the environment.
- I enjoyed the personification of his times, for he was racing against them when he had no other rivals.
- The part which stood out as the catchiest was his race where he got in 3rd against Jack and Albert. I felt that it was the most intense part which kept me reading to see what would happen.
Thursday, January 26, 2012
A personal review of my narrative
1) My story involves the reader in the story by my attempt to describe my surroundings as I perceived them, trying to put them into my position and the chaos that surrounded me.
2) In my story, I describe everything as I perceived them, emphasizing the chaos surrounding me. Although, there are parts where I am telling, but could be showing
3) My story has the things which I saw and heard, but not much of the other senses.
4) There is no real conflict with my story, other than maybe my initial perceptions and inhibitions affecting my initial viewpoint, which is discussed relatively little.
5) The story is told from my point of view the whole time.
6) The importance of the event is discussed in the final paragraph.
7) My story does in fact state a flat “moral” of the story, which is reinforced by the events in the story itself.
Friday, January 20, 2012
A response to Helen Keller's Narrative
1. What did you think of this narrative?
I thought that her narrative was rather interesting.
2. What was most interesting or engaging about it?
The thing that was most interesting and engaging about her narrative was that it showed the spirit of discovery, and how revalations like those can affect an individual.
3. What surprised you?
I was surprised by Helen Keller's superb ability to sense her surroundings, despite the lack of sight and hearing.
4. Did this change your outlook on Helen Keller at all? Why or why not?
I now believe Helen Keller to be a much more literate and educated person than I previously thought.
5. Copy and paste three examples of vivid detail and imagery that helped enhance the story
-In the still, dark world in which I lived there was no strong sentiment or tenderness.
-Suddenly I felt a misty consciousness as of something forgotten--a thrill of returning thought; and somehow the mystery of language was revealed to me.
-The afternoon sun penetrated the mass of honeysuckle that covered the porch, and fell on my upturned face.
6. How can a narrative be more engaging than something like a biography? Why is it important to get someone's personal perspective?
I do believe that a narrative can be more engaging than something like a biography, due to the personal input and thought that is put into the writing. It is important to get someone's personal perspective because it adds feeling to the story that can be perceived by the reader, further putting them into the moment, and almost giving them the same sense of the surroundings that the writer experienced.
7. Make a bulleted lists of some things you could write a narrative about
-The day at the Real World Design Challenge when I designed my own wing mathematically
-When I got my wisdom teeth removed
-My first day in high school
-Discovering the world that is Latin Convention
I thought that her narrative was rather interesting.
2. What was most interesting or engaging about it?
The thing that was most interesting and engaging about her narrative was that it showed the spirit of discovery, and how revalations like those can affect an individual.
3. What surprised you?
I was surprised by Helen Keller's superb ability to sense her surroundings, despite the lack of sight and hearing.
4. Did this change your outlook on Helen Keller at all? Why or why not?
I now believe Helen Keller to be a much more literate and educated person than I previously thought.
5. Copy and paste three examples of vivid detail and imagery that helped enhance the story
-In the still, dark world in which I lived there was no strong sentiment or tenderness.
-Suddenly I felt a misty consciousness as of something forgotten--a thrill of returning thought; and somehow the mystery of language was revealed to me.
-The afternoon sun penetrated the mass of honeysuckle that covered the porch, and fell on my upturned face.
6. How can a narrative be more engaging than something like a biography? Why is it important to get someone's personal perspective?
I do believe that a narrative can be more engaging than something like a biography, due to the personal input and thought that is put into the writing. It is important to get someone's personal perspective because it adds feeling to the story that can be perceived by the reader, further putting them into the moment, and almost giving them the same sense of the surroundings that the writer experienced.
7. Make a bulleted lists of some things you could write a narrative about
-The day at the Real World Design Challenge when I designed my own wing mathematically
-When I got my wisdom teeth removed
-My first day in high school
-Discovering the world that is Latin Convention
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Where I'm From
I am from the front yard,
With the dirt under the tree
Where grass never seems to grow
I am from going to friends houses
where the doors were never closed
And I was always welcome to play
I am from algebra and geometry
From using ASA and SSA
And memorizing all the As
Just to prove two triangles the same
From calculators and data tables
From late day math classes,
Wishing that the day would just be over
I am from imaginary worlds
Of dragons and vampires
Whole worlds in my yard
With endless possibilities for fun
For adventure in the land
For wars between individuals
For imagination run rampant
I am from recess
And running to the field screaming
Thrilled to play soccer
From running around constantly
And sighing when the whistles blew
Signaling the end of fun.
I am from a world
Not the one around us,
But one invented
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Survey
1. I generally do not enjoy english classes, for I do not personally like to write. Classes such as great books are far more enjoyable to me than writing classes in general.
2. The writings that I enjoy to write are: non-fiction, short stories, letters, directions, science fiction, and other things.
3. I personally I enjoy to read: non-fiction, science fiction, short stories, newspapers, magazines, interviews, and other things.
4. An assignment that I have done in the past that I despise is all of speech class. I do not enjoy public speaking at all. Another is a 10 page research paper on the arctic that I was required to type last year, for it was far too tedious, and took quite a while.
5. D) I personally enjoy reading, and if I had more free time, I would read more.
6. I do not enjoy classroom discussions, for it requires the input of thought from the group, which is generally not possible due to some individuals in the group having no input. I do enjoy discussions when all individuals have an input into the group.
7. When in a classroom discussion, I do a combination of silently listen and contribute when it is required of me.
8. Outside of the school day, I have In The Know, Latin Club (sort of), volleyball, and AP Chemistry homework.
9. Over the weekend, I had a discussion with the marines, who are still trying to convince me to join them. I am adamently against it, but they keep coming back. It started when they mailed me something saying I would get free dogtags if I filled out a card and mailed it back, and lets just say I wanted some free stuff.
10. I generally have little to no input into a classroom discussion unless provoked to provide input.
11. I have no questions right now about the class.
2. The writings that I enjoy to write are: non-fiction, short stories, letters, directions, science fiction, and other things.
3. I personally I enjoy to read: non-fiction, science fiction, short stories, newspapers, magazines, interviews, and other things.
4. An assignment that I have done in the past that I despise is all of speech class. I do not enjoy public speaking at all. Another is a 10 page research paper on the arctic that I was required to type last year, for it was far too tedious, and took quite a while.
5. D) I personally enjoy reading, and if I had more free time, I would read more.
6. I do not enjoy classroom discussions, for it requires the input of thought from the group, which is generally not possible due to some individuals in the group having no input. I do enjoy discussions when all individuals have an input into the group.
7. When in a classroom discussion, I do a combination of silently listen and contribute when it is required of me.
8. Outside of the school day, I have In The Know, Latin Club (sort of), volleyball, and AP Chemistry homework.
9. Over the weekend, I had a discussion with the marines, who are still trying to convince me to join them. I am adamently against it, but they keep coming back. It started when they mailed me something saying I would get free dogtags if I filled out a card and mailed it back, and lets just say I wanted some free stuff.
10. I generally have little to no input into a classroom discussion unless provoked to provide input.
11. I have no questions right now about the class.
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