Current Connections 2

I believe that authors purpose is to explain the creativity, and genius in this new cardboard bicycle. I do believe that this author accomplishes explaining by giving detail, as to size and weight, loss of metal, that this bicycle is recyclable, and more. For example, the author says “A full-size cardboard bicycle will weigh around 9 kg (about 20 lbs) compared to an average metal bicycle, which weight around 14 kg.” The author also uses a phrase from the inventor, stating that “So you buy one, use it for a year and then you can buy another one, and if it breaks, you can take it back to the factory and recycle it,” the bicycle is cheap, and recyclable for nature purposes. I agree with the fact that he is using all recyclable material in his bikes, making the transportation cheap and more affordable for the less better off. I disagree though with the fact of durability. This bike will only hold up so long which makes It a nuisance, especially for small children that wreck a lot.  I don’t understand why the inventor will put a motor onto the new bicycle though. This will take the environmental status of the bike down seeing as the motor will put off fumes from gasoline, and pollute the air, but this will also put up the luxury status of being able to ride a bike, and will make it with less effort. The connection to be made here, a long time ago me and my cousin built a whole fort out of cardboard, which just goes to show you a few materials, and a huge imagination can take you a long way!

Gross, Ori Lewis and Lianne. "Cardboard Bicycle Can Change the World, Says Israeli Inventor." Yahoo! News. Yahoo!, 30 Aug. 0000. Web. 15 Oct. 2012. <http://news.yahoo.com/cardboard-bicycle-change-world-says-israeli-inventor-090732689.html>.

Current Connections

The authors purpose is to reveal Obama's mistake of not visiting with the Israeli prime minister. I do believe that author accomplishes his purpose, they point out each loss Obama will have for this action. I agree with the fact that Obama should have spoken with Israeli prime minister. I disagree with the idea of losing these perks, since he was dealing other foreign affairs. I don't understand why Israel thinks we do not support them just because of this. There is a connection to be made though, when you ignore somebody it always seems to turn out wrong, and they will get mad.

Books.

Lone wolf by Jodi Picoult
The fault in our stars by John Green
The night swimmer by Matt Bondurant
The flight of Gemma Hardy by Margot Livesey
Forgotten country by Catherine Chung
By the Iowa sea by John Blair
The starboard sea by Amber Dermont
The snow child by Eowyn Ivey
Hope: a tragedy by Shalom Auslander
The underside of joy by Sere Prince Halverson
Gypsy boy by Mikey Walsh
Arcadia by Lauren Groff
The expats by Chris Pavone
The invisible ones by Steff Penney
Carry the one by Carol Anshaw
A good American by Alex George
The orphan Master's son by Adam Johnson
A grown-up kind of pretty by Joshilyn Jackson
Noone is here except all of us by Ramona Ausbel

Vocabulary

Call of the wild vocabulary.
Brumal:Wintry
Ferine:untamed and wild
Morose: sad
Unwonted: Out of the ordinary.
Arduous:difficult, being required a lot of care and effort.

review of call of the wild

The call of the wild by author Jack London, is a intriguing book of an outdoor adventure with buck, and several  other characters. Buck starts off at Judge Millers farm, then after being kidnapped, he is stuck in the Yukon where he comes to have several new owners. Starting off with François and Perrault, these are the men that teach buck the ways of the Yukon, and the ways of the trace and trail. Then after defeating Spitz, Buck becomes head dog, even though his team falls apart. After being with Hal, Mercedes, and Frank ran ragged to the bone, he is saved by John Thornton before his team falls through the ice. Then Buck becomes a necessity to John, after earning him sixteen hundred dollars, and allowing him a trip to a gold wonderland, that hasn't been mined before, but most people do not come back from this trip. Can they survive? Does Buck finally answer the Call of the wild? Read to find out.

essay summary of what does it mean to be human?

What does it mean to be human? It means being created in the image of God, and to have a soul. It means to be able think and infer, and to be able to love with soul-like qualities. We see these examples straight from text, and evidence, for example Genesis 1:26 says "And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth." An example of the thinking and inferring, is in Frankenstein by Mary Shelley. When Victor created the monster, he was able to think mathematically and with science to do it, and he could infer once the monster started killing his family that his decision to create it was bad. 

Anthropomorphism

Anthropomorphism; giving human attributions to an animal. We see this is in call of the wild. Buck is put into a human character, and given human attributes by the point of view Jack London uses. Another example of anthropomorphism is the apes in the wild, when they take the spears (sharp sticks they have made) and hunt the bush babies, like a human.

Cost of life or zeal for survival?

Victor Frankenstein and Robert Walton

  Victor and Robert are very differential, but happen try to achieve an impossible goal.
     Victor and Robert both tried to get something they could not achieve. Robert against nature and Victor against the monster he created. 
     Victor would never give up, he was too messed up in the mind. Victor told his story to Robert, then after Victor died Robert turned around and headed back. He knew that he was going to die to in the harsh goal chasing this crazy dream, and so he went back home to save himself, and his crew members.

Initial thoughts

          Frankenstien in my honest opinion would not be a recommended book, unless you are into a drawn out, long worded book. The book frankenstien would be good for some people, but not for me. The book is just to non lively, and way to wordy.

         My first on the book is that it is non lively. There are pieces and bits that make you slightly interested, but most of the book is not something that will leave you awe struck. This book is very hard to get into in the front, and to me if you cant get into a book, having to read it is torture.
       
         My second thought on the book is that it is way to worded. The usage of words in this book is just exceeding the limit of where  a book is enjoyable to read.

        All in all i think the book may be ok for some other people, but my thoughts are negative about it.

Creating life?

/If i was given the power to create life /i would choose not to. Life is a complex thing , something that shouldnt be put in man's hands to try and control.
I personally believe that man shouldnt be able to create man that should be put in the hands of God, because mans mind is so warped that a man created by a man would have to be a messed up creature.
Also i think that creating a human would be way to much responsiblity for me. I wouldnt want to have to deal with a monster everyday, and worrying about it hurting someone.
So therefore i think that i would choose not to create life, because of the warped and unknowlegable thing it would be.

2012 theme word

Success, because there are many new things I'm striving to achieve in this new year. This year will be my sixth year on a soccer team but first on an actual school team. Also it will be my fourth year to be playing guitar.

Ive been working on these items from the age of ten until now. Ive never fully mastered either but this year my goal will be to have total success at everything i do. From soccer to guitar, and grades, and being more of a motivator i plan on 2012 being the year i fully achieve success at these abilities.

At the very young age of sixteen and being a junior my future awaits me and what it has in store can all be an effect of what i do now. I know i may not play in the world cup, or be some famous rock star but success in these things and the motivation from my family can and will make it easier to strive for things to make my future better. Such as grades, if i get my head in the game and boost up my grades the motivation and the feeling of success will make me want to further my efforts in the future.

So as you can see in the big 2012 success is a high priority for me, and maybe with motivation and of course a strong effort i will be able to have it. I hope that with my success will come great things for the future.

My Antonia

Willa Cather in her novel My Antonia offers her view of life during the pioneer time.

• It would be told different in many ways if it was told in Antonias perspective. The story would be told as a girl who went through all these struggles, and the thoughts she might have of had about jim. Compared to Jims thoughts of Antonia being mean or stubborn the story could have actually been seen why she acted this way, and why she wanted to live so rough for. Also as she was growing up when Jim thought she was being foolish for the parties and dances, she probably thought Jim was being selfish for acting like that to her. So personally this story would be almost opposite with alot of the same.
• I think Cather was very effective at playing Jim. She went through what would go through alot of young boys minds and played a normal man just as well as could be expected. When he was a boy he did all the things a boy did, he ran barefoot, liked Antonia, got a temper easily. Jims character is put out as a little girly though. Instead of working in the fields and laboring all the time he was studying or helping his grandma in the house. He didnt go to the dances and flirt with all the girls but instead stayed home. All in all though Cather did a good job at playing Jim.
• I think Jim changed the title from Antonia to My Antonia because he thought of her as his. Jim was in love with Antonia so it can be assumed that he seen her as the one he was in a relationship with. Even though they were not Jim always cared about Antonia more than any of the other girls and he had took care of her since they were kids. So possibly Jim changed the title because Antonia was in someway his.
• All in all this book was an excellent book about a mans life story with the girl he loved. The bohemian girl, Antonia, who learned so much from Jim, all the way till they were grown. A story of hard times, romance, and care.

Setting Bellwork 12/7/11

Author Willa Cather embedded literary devices, such as metaphors, similes, and personification, within her writing. 

"As I looked about me I felt that the grass was the country, as the water is the sea. The red of the grass made all the great prairie the colour of wine-stains, or of certain seaweeds when they are first washed up. And there was so much motion in it; the whole country seemed, somehow, to be running."

"The grave, with its tall red grass that was never mowed, was like a little island."

"Winter comes down savagely over a little town on the prairie.  The wind that sweeps in from the open country strips away all the leafy screens that hide one yard from another in summer, and the houses seem to draw closer together.  The roofs, that looked so far away across the green treetops, now stare you in the face, and they are so much uglier than when their angles were softened by vines and shrubs.

      The setting has a major effect on the characters in this book. Its just like an animal in their habitat, the conditions are what makes them act the way they do. Ambrosch is always in the fields working and so it gives  him a negative attitude towards jim and his family. The poor living situation of the shimerdas makes Mrs. Shimerda angry and unhappy all the time. The hard farm work has made Antonia full of pride and makes her think she is more like the men. 
Setting has a major effect on me. Such as today when i looked out the window and seen the white gleaming snow i was extremely happy. When it is winter and all the lushious green has gone theirs always a gloomy effect.

Arguement: Soccer should be called football.

Assertion/Claim (Topic Sentence)= Main idea

• Soccer should be called football.

Evidence- Concrete detail:

• Soccer should be called football mainly for the fact that football would refer to a game played with your feet. It also should be called this based on the FIFA name the "International Futbol Association."
• Commentary 1: In European countries soccer is known as futbol, which in American terms would be pronounced football. Football referring to a ball that should be played with by feet. American football does not use their feet they use their hands, the sport has almost nothing to do with using feet to handle the ball.Futbol, or soccer, uses feet throughout the whole game.
• Commentary 2: American football was originally called gridiron. So shouldn't it still be? The word football has nothing in common with the full contact sport that uses hand and body instead of just feet. Soccer has nothing in common with the all foot sport. Doesn't soccer sound like soccem, or something that sounds like hitting? So i think it gives American football more justice then it does soccer.
• Would it not make more since for a sport that uses their feet to play the game be called football? I think so.
• Commentary 1: Football in America is not referred to a sport played with feet. The main thing you use in American football is your hands (the exact opposite of feet). N.G.L. (National Gridiron League) would make more since than the National Football League, because gridiron fits an all contact sport more than talking about a football.
• Commentary 2: Football should be a sport played with feet because it is clearly stated in the name FOOT ball. Not to break this year old tradition but futbol has been around longer and is internationally recognized not just in America. So in all fairness i would say that it should be able to keep it's name and be referred to as football. 

Opposing claims; Football should be called football because it has been an American tradition and was introduced before soccer was introduced to America.
My rebuttal; Even though football has been around longer and is an American tradition. Futbol has been around longer in the world and was called football before football was born.

The last mountain man.

The last mountain man is about three men who explore the west, a father, a son, and a stanger mountain man. The father has been in the civil war and the boy has been stuck on the plantation by him self until his father returns. With no family around, the boy and his father sat out to the west in search of men that killed his brother, and stole from the confederates.On their way traveling the arkansas river, they come up on a strange old man named preacher. They dismissed the mountain man and moved on but they were ambushed by indians and preacher came to the rescue. So now with this new partnership the three headed out west. When the time came the father sat off for the three men that were treasoners and left who was now known as smoke, and preacher. So the two set off and one day they came upon what had been an indian attack and so they went to see if any was left alive and found a blonde headed woman that smoke fell in love with. By this time smoke has become an outlaw killing and stealing. So now he has a bounty on his head, his father is gone, and preacher is on the deathbed. So what will happen to smoke and his lover?

Wounded Warrior Project

The wounded warrior project is a help for wounded American soldiers to provide comfort and needs. There are many soldiers out there fighting for our freedom and well being that get injured everyday. Some of them return disturbed, missing body parts, and worrying about what will happen to them in the future. This project helps them recover and get used to being back in everyday life with their disability.                                         The wounded warrior project is sponsored by under armour, and a few NCAA football teams.These sponsors send backpacks filled with clothes, and supplies for these soldiers that after so much time in a hospital gown means the world to them. Their trying to promote what is called FILIS, Fun, Integrity, Loyalty, Innovation, and Service. They have a vision to "foster the most succesful, well-adjusted generation of wounded warriors in the nations history. I think that us as citizens of America should do better, and more to show appreciation of these soldiers.
The wounded warrior project began when several veterans and their friends took action to help other soldiers in need. What started as a program to provide comfort items is now a complete rehabilitative effort to help soldiers recover and get back in civilized life. This is a great progress one that needs to keep growing.
There have been 5769 backpacks delivered to the soldiers, 87% of the soldiers graduate from the recovery program, 95% of the project have gained new coping skills. These soldiers are gaining there pride and self confidence back and thats what is important.
I believe us as a school and community should get together and sponsor this cause and our wounded warriors. If we come together, then who's to say that the whole country won't come together?

Remembering 9/11

9/11/01 was a tragic day in history. In New York and Virgina the U.S.A. was attacked. The nation was devestated but we didnt let it knock us all the way down. On that day the nation came together and prayed and hoped and cared for each other. We were as one and on that day everyone realized how strong this nation was as one. The soldiers, firemen, police men, and all goverment workers that came to the rescue are still in remembrance today and we thank them for what they did.

War is...

War is needed, protecting our rights.
War is hatred, killing each other.
War is good, protecting the innocent.
War is bad, hurting our nation.
War is a challenge, conquering the enemy.
War is justice, getting the enemy back for what they've done.
War is a arguement, trying to get our way.
War is a help, defending ourselves.
War is sadness, mourning for the lost.
War is history, changing our lives forever.