Connections & Questions- In the book on page 113 Bill talks about how "Americans will spend around 2 billion dollars on movie tickets and food in the theater from a period between Memorial Day and Labor Day."
I am one of those people who spend a good amount of money on movie tickets because there will be a span of weeks where more and more movies will come out all rated very well. No matter what people say that they won't go to the movies something new comes out and they break their promise. Bill talks about how they would go to the movies 3 or 4 times a week with his family to see new movies that came out. This is similar to when I was down the shore with my family over the summer. Right behind our house was a movie theater and it seemed like every week a new movie would come out. Our family would walk over atleast 3 days of the week to see something.
"In New England, a friend here recently explained to me, the year divides into three parts. Either winter has just been, or winter is coming, or it's winter."
This reminded me of a time when I went on a cruise and a kid I met from Austrailia asked what our "seasons" were. Since it was just after winter had came, I told him our years are like this winter is either on its way, it just passed, or it is winter. Spring and summer and autumn all transition into each other very well with nothing as bad as snow happening. Most people in the northeast know the year to be in three different parts instead of 4 seasons.
Friday, February 25, 2011
IR Blog Post 2
Symbols- Cupholders- Bill talks about how Americans are obsessed with having cupholders in their cars. People will get many cupholders, even more than are needed for how many people the car seats. He talks about a car that he saw that seated 7 people but had 14 cupholders. That means that each person gets 2 cupholders for themselves when people do not need to have 2 to themselves. CD Tray- Cupholders were first thought of when a man called a computer place saying that his "cupholder" broke off of his computer. When they asked how he got a cupholder on his computer he replied "when i push the button, the cupholder comes out and I can put my coffee cup in it.
Customer Appreciation Day- He talks about how in America and especially where he lives the post office every once in a while will have a customer appreciation day, where they will give out doughnuts and other treats to customers. In Britian, things are very busy and they do not show any appreciation to customers taking care of too many things at once.
Themes & Ideas-
Laziness- A researcher at the University of California at Berkeley found that Americans are becoming lazier and lazier every year. People no longer walk the average of 75 miles a year like times before only walking about 1 mile a week. Bill admits that he has noticed that he became lazier once he moved back to the US. He said he chose to live in the town they do because everything is within walking distance of all the places he needs to go to.
Health- Bill and his wife go to the grocery store to go food shopping. While there Bill's wife stays only in the healthy foods section and complains when Bill tries to get "bad" food. She tells him everything he gets he must eat all of it or else he can never get it again. By the time he is about half way done all his "junk" food he tries to find anything healthy to eat.
Intrusion- Clothing stores have every legal right to spy on you while you are trying on their clothes. This is to ensure that no one sneaks anything into a purse or under clothes to steal thier items. One time when Bill's wife was shopping she had put something into her purse by accident when changing mixing up her's and the store's clothes. When she left the changing rooms a man in a nice suit came up and asked to see what was in her purse. After emptying and finding the items the man let her go saying to not do it again.
IR Blog Post 1
People- Bill and his wife- In the book Bill talks about a time him and his wife went to the grocery store because when she went alone she would get only healthy foods. He talks about how when they were there his wife made him stay in the healthy foods section and how American supermarkets are 3% healthy foods and 97% junk food.
Walt- He is Bill's carpentry man who works on their house. Bill describes him as a man who looks 112 years old. He lives near Bill so he does a lot of work for the Bryson's. Bill describes a time when Walt was late coming to Bill's house and when he got there he said he was late due to traffic in Norwich was too fierce. The way he says Norwich confuses Bill because the accent he says it with does not match where he said he was from.
Bill's Friend- Bill talks about how drugs in America are looked at with much paranoia. He tells about his friend who work for a large manufacturing company that handled different drugs. One night his friend went to the tavern right across from the building, when he was approached by a woman he didn't know. She asked if he could get her marijuana, with her knowing that he was apart of the company. Saying nothing to her but "Here take this" and handing her a card, he was fired for abetting and encouraging the use of an illegal substance. He didn't give her any, or encourage it, and he never said he did it himself, but because he gave the woman, who was the companies spy, their business card he was fired.
Bill's Father- Bill mentions his father for the first time in the book. He talks about memories he has with him when he was younger. Bill admits to feeling like he grew into him from the way he looks to the way he acts. He talks about how he enjoys making slogans and license plates and how his father would always like everything he came up with.
Events & Places- Vermont- This is where Walt lives the carpenter for the Bryson's. Since they live in New Hampshire it is very easy for Walt to get there to help out a lot more.
Connecticut River- This seperates Walt and the Bryson's. It is the river Walt crosses in order to get to the town that they live in.
New Hampshire- He talks about how New Hampshire is about 85% woods and how when he goes on walks he can get lost very easily because of how dense the forest are. He talks about two stories that are talked about but never solved in his area. A plane crashed in the woods and the plane, people, and any luggage were never found. Also there was a story about a couple that went for a walk and went a little bit off the trail and ended up never being seen again.
Walt- He is Bill's carpentry man who works on their house. Bill describes him as a man who looks 112 years old. He lives near Bill so he does a lot of work for the Bryson's. Bill describes a time when Walt was late coming to Bill's house and when he got there he said he was late due to traffic in Norwich was too fierce. The way he says Norwich confuses Bill because the accent he says it with does not match where he said he was from.
Bill's Friend- Bill talks about how drugs in America are looked at with much paranoia. He tells about his friend who work for a large manufacturing company that handled different drugs. One night his friend went to the tavern right across from the building, when he was approached by a woman he didn't know. She asked if he could get her marijuana, with her knowing that he was apart of the company. Saying nothing to her but "Here take this" and handing her a card, he was fired for abetting and encouraging the use of an illegal substance. He didn't give her any, or encourage it, and he never said he did it himself, but because he gave the woman, who was the companies spy, their business card he was fired.
Bill's Father- Bill mentions his father for the first time in the book. He talks about memories he has with him when he was younger. Bill admits to feeling like he grew into him from the way he looks to the way he acts. He talks about how he enjoys making slogans and license plates and how his father would always like everything he came up with.
Events & Places- Vermont- This is where Walt lives the carpenter for the Bryson's. Since they live in New Hampshire it is very easy for Walt to get there to help out a lot more.
Connecticut River- This seperates Walt and the Bryson's. It is the river Walt crosses in order to get to the town that they live in.New Hampshire- He talks about how New Hampshire is about 85% woods and how when he goes on walks he can get lost very easily because of how dense the forest are. He talks about two stories that are talked about but never solved in his area. A plane crashed in the woods and the plane, people, and any luggage were never found. Also there was a story about a couple that went for a walk and went a little bit off the trail and ended up never being seen again.
IR Blog Post 2
Connection: In the story Bill goes to the barbershop to get a haircut and this is what was said. "So what would you like me to do with this?" "Just a simple tidy-up," I say looking up at him. "See any styles up there you like?" says the barber.
This part of the story I thought I had a close connection to because just like Bill everytime I go to the barbershop for a haircut it suddenly becomes the hardest thing in the world to do. It seems like barbershop people only know how to do the styles they have pictures of and anything outside of it is too advanced. Also like Bill when I ask for a certain style it breaks down into how about this way or what about this way, and what I thought was only going to be a few minutes now turns into a 20 minute fiasco.
Another connection to the story can be found when Bill tries to set up his computer and has trouble finding things. He calls the helpline and finds out they really are no help at all. "Sir, can you tell me the serial number?" ask the man on the helpline. "Where would I find that?" I respond. "It's on the bottom of the CPU functional dysequilibrium unit." After an akward silence the man ask "Is your model the Z-40LX Mulitmedia HPii or the ZX46/2Y Chromium B-BOP?"
I had something very similar to this happen to me one day. My parents had gone away for the weekend and we had gotten a new computer. Me thinking I was the smartest guy tried to set it up but quickly found out I was no brainiac. When I tried pluging in something it wouldn't work and since my parents were away the only thing I could do was try to call the helpline number that came with the computer. When I called I thought things were going to be easy they would tell me what to do and then I would be on my way, boy was I wrong. The guy on the other line asked me a bunch of questions using terms I never even knew existed, telling me plug the hydruxulator into the hoplator, which can be found next to the titainium carborator. For almost an hour I had the guy try to explain what he said over and over again until I eventually realized nothing was being gained from this and just hung up. I decided that from then on I would never call one of those helplines ever again.
This part of the story I thought I had a close connection to because just like Bill everytime I go to the barbershop for a haircut it suddenly becomes the hardest thing in the world to do. It seems like barbershop people only know how to do the styles they have pictures of and anything outside of it is too advanced. Also like Bill when I ask for a certain style it breaks down into how about this way or what about this way, and what I thought was only going to be a few minutes now turns into a 20 minute fiasco.
Another connection to the story can be found when Bill tries to set up his computer and has trouble finding things. He calls the helpline and finds out they really are no help at all. "Sir, can you tell me the serial number?" ask the man on the helpline. "Where would I find that?" I respond. "It's on the bottom of the CPU functional dysequilibrium unit." After an akward silence the man ask "Is your model the Z-40LX Mulitmedia HPii or the ZX46/2Y Chromium B-BOP?"
I had something very similar to this happen to me one day. My parents had gone away for the weekend and we had gotten a new computer. Me thinking I was the smartest guy tried to set it up but quickly found out I was no brainiac. When I tried pluging in something it wouldn't work and since my parents were away the only thing I could do was try to call the helpline number that came with the computer. When I called I thought things were going to be easy they would tell me what to do and then I would be on my way, boy was I wrong. The guy on the other line asked me a bunch of questions using terms I never even knew existed, telling me plug the hydruxulator into the hoplator, which can be found next to the titainium carborator. For almost an hour I had the guy try to explain what he said over and over again until I eventually realized nothing was being gained from this and just hung up. I decided that from then on I would never call one of those helplines ever again.
IR Blog Post 3
Symbols: Technology- While the author was in Britain for 20 years the technology in America got way more advanced. He mentions that in Britain they have very few television shows and one that really stuck out to him because it was the only one on at the time he was able to watch TV was Open University. This was a show were a professor would give a lecture and students would watch and then later would be tested on what was told. He noticed when he came back to America there were many shows just like this that he had never known about.
His Past- He says that the thing he missed most was baseball, the sport of America's pastime. Bill talks about how it is a key thing in his life and that no matter where he lives that it will never leave his life.
He talks about lessons that he learned when he was younger that have helped him develop into who he was today.
Drugs- Drugs are brought up a good amount of times especially on how addicted Americans are to drugs and how they will spend so much money not only fighting against them but at the same time buying them. He says how British people don't look to over-the-counter drugs to help change their lives and when something is wrong they help themselves differently instead of wasting their money. Drugs are seen in magazines, commercials, and newspaper ads everywhere you look in America, but in Britian only a very few ads are seen.
Themes & Ideas: Enjoyment of the little things- In the book he mentions a lot of different little things that help make his life a lot better. He talks about how people get so stressed out about things and can't take enjoyment of the little things life has to offer. If you enjoy as many little things as you can eventually something big will come along.
Intelligence- People are not very intelligent. Companies have to put directions on products because people can not use their brains long enough to understand how to do things. He does not call out any specific group of people but as a whole America tends to not grasp things as quickly as other countries.
Food- No matter where you go there are always restaurants that try to make a name of a food sound fancier than it is so that you will want to buy. Even though this only causes confusion and Bill talks about a time he and his wife went out to eat and he asked for a steak but the waiter said they only have a fancy type of steak and that calling it steak is an insult.
His Past- He says that the thing he missed most was baseball, the sport of America's pastime. Bill talks about how it is a key thing in his life and that no matter where he lives that it will never leave his life.
He talks about lessons that he learned when he was younger that have helped him develop into who he was today.
Drugs- Drugs are brought up a good amount of times especially on how addicted Americans are to drugs and how they will spend so much money not only fighting against them but at the same time buying them. He says how British people don't look to over-the-counter drugs to help change their lives and when something is wrong they help themselves differently instead of wasting their money. Drugs are seen in magazines, commercials, and newspaper ads everywhere you look in America, but in Britian only a very few ads are seen.
Themes & Ideas: Enjoyment of the little things- In the book he mentions a lot of different little things that help make his life a lot better. He talks about how people get so stressed out about things and can't take enjoyment of the little things life has to offer. If you enjoy as many little things as you can eventually something big will come along.
Intelligence- People are not very intelligent. Companies have to put directions on products because people can not use their brains long enough to understand how to do things. He does not call out any specific group of people but as a whole America tends to not grasp things as quickly as other countries.
Food- No matter where you go there are always restaurants that try to make a name of a food sound fancier than it is so that you will want to buy. Even though this only causes confusion and Bill talks about a time he and his wife went out to eat and he asked for a steak but the waiter said they only have a fancy type of steak and that calling it steak is an insult.
IR Blog Post 1
Simon Kelner- Friend of Bill, journalist, asked Bill to write for his magazine which lead to the book being written.
The only other people mentioned so far are the town people and his family. He doesn't talk much about his family so far so we are not sure much about them at this point.
Places: London- Bill moved to England and lived there for 20 years until he decided to move back to the US. It was there he met his wife and got married. They had 4 kids the grew up in Europe for about 8 years until they moved to the United States.
Hanover, New Hampshire- Place he moves back to after living in London for 20 years. He had lived there before he moved and felt that it was the best place for him and his family to come back to to settle down.
Post Office- He mentions post offices multiple times throughout the story and the differences between American and English post offices. The post office he visits in America is very friendly, helpful people, and the workers have only one mindset, whatever postal matters need to be dealt with are handled nothing else. He compares it to an English post office where it is pretty chaotic and the workers take interest in matters outside of postal concerns.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Glenn Beck Video Post
- I have only heard little things about Che that I can not say I was shocked or angry about was said by Glenn Beck and the other man. Once I find out more about Che from other sources that are not biased to his ideas.
- Since I do not have much knowledge about Che and what he did, I don't have a one sided reaction. I will listen to both sides of the argument before I pick which side I want to believe more. Aside from Glenn Beck and his guest's attitude points they were saying could have been true but a lot was extreme.
- Glenn Beck loves to yell and has a biased opinion on the topic. If there is something he loves to talk about he will and at a very loud tone to draw in people. If he was quiet when talking, no one would want to listen to him.
- From the clip Glenn Beck appears to believe that Che was a terrible man. He and the guest feel that wearing a shirt with his picture on it is like going around wearing a Hitler t-shirt. He also compares the two by saying that Che killed more people in 3 years than Hitler during the Holcaust. Like I had said before he talks very loud and with inflection in his voice. If someone is monotone when talking people lose interest very quickly, so he uses his voice loudly.
RAFT Introduction
Role- Me
Audience- Classmates
Format- 2 (Tweet)
Topic- What do you expect to study this M.P?
I expct 2 study about a young man & his friends jurney across South America I will get to c how he turned into the man he is known as today.
Audience- Classmates
Format- 2 (Tweet)
Topic- What do you expect to study this M.P?
I expct 2 study about a young man & his friends jurney across South America I will get to c how he turned into the man he is known as today.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
180' South Reflection
"It's like the quest for the holy grail. Who gives a [darn] what the grail is, its the quest that counts...its the transformation that is within you that is important."
1) This quote is in my opinion what his whole trip was about. He originally had one goal in mind and that was to get to Patagonia before the ice melted. This was Jeff and his crew's holy grail. Along the way they run into problems that cause them to have to pick choices they weren't expecting. After they get to Patagonia and try to climb the mountain but are not able to, the holy grail changes to how can they help Yvon and Doug before they have to return home. On the trip everyone involved was transformed by the time they were ready to go back.
2) I am starting my second semester of my senior year and according to my parents my holy grail is college. I have always had second thoughts about what I plan to do for the next for years and by the end of this year I think I will have a new holy grail. Going from high school to college is a big step in anyone's life who gets the opportunity to go. Personally I want to explore the world and see what lies beyond this chunk of land called America. I don't have a set holy grail for now but I know that in a few months I will have the transformation of a lifetime.
1) This quote is in my opinion what his whole trip was about. He originally had one goal in mind and that was to get to Patagonia before the ice melted. This was Jeff and his crew's holy grail. Along the way they run into problems that cause them to have to pick choices they weren't expecting. After they get to Patagonia and try to climb the mountain but are not able to, the holy grail changes to how can they help Yvon and Doug before they have to return home. On the trip everyone involved was transformed by the time they were ready to go back.
2) I am starting my second semester of my senior year and according to my parents my holy grail is college. I have always had second thoughts about what I plan to do for the next for years and by the end of this year I think I will have a new holy grail. Going from high school to college is a big step in anyone's life who gets the opportunity to go. Personally I want to explore the world and see what lies beyond this chunk of land called America. I don't have a set holy grail for now but I know that in a few months I will have the transformation of a lifetime.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Theme #4 Reflection
1) I did alright on this theme as compared to the other themes we have had. I thought I did better than my grade but because I did not follow all of the directions my grade is deserved. I was able to show a strong connection of colors to racial beliefs. I was able to improve my transitions from paragraph to paragraph.
2) I am starting to get better and better on my transitions. I was able to make each paragraph flow into each other. I used quotes that I found in the novel that showed very strong connections to what was looked upon on the theme. The only problem that I had was not following TICAP instructions.
3) I can improve on using TICAP. I need to gain a better knowledge for how to use TICAP. I can also spend a lot more time and get more people to edit my paper.
2) I am starting to get better and better on my transitions. I was able to make each paragraph flow into each other. I used quotes that I found in the novel that showed very strong connections to what was looked upon on the theme. The only problem that I had was not following TICAP instructions.
3) I can improve on using TICAP. I need to gain a better knowledge for how to use TICAP. I can also spend a lot more time and get more people to edit my paper.
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