Best & Worst Feedback

What was your favorite poem? Your least favorite poem? Why?
My favorite poem was “A Blessing” by James Wright, mostly because it was about a setting and feelings that I’m familiar with and love. My least favorite poems were the imagist poems. So much description in only a few lines they’re over way too soon!
What was your favorite short story? Your least favorite short story? Why?
My favorite short story was “The Story of an Hour.” It’s just one of those “well dang” kind of moments to be so excited and have that excitement ripped right out from under you. I know that feeling all too well and I’m grateful I don’t ever die of heart failure when it happens to me. My least favorite short story was Bartleby. So long and dry…it was hard to keep my attention to it.
Should next semester's ENGL150 students read Death of a Salesman? I don’t see why not, but I don’t know what other options you would consider either. It’s a deep story when you get into it a little more, something for everyone to take away from it.
How did you feel about watching Hollywood versions of Bartleby and Death of a Salesman? Is there utility in seeing a visual version of something you're responsible to read?
I did not enjoy Bartleby in film or on paper but seeing film versions is always beneficial to me, being a visual learner. I take a lot from facial expressions and movements even if it is left up to director and actor interpretations.
What was your favorite in-class activity? What was your least favorite in-class activity?
I liked getting intro groups to talk about Death of a Salesman. Since it’s our biggest paper for this class, it’s nice to collaborate with others and get verbalize your ideas.
You'll notice that I didn't have your small groups present (even though the syllabus claimed you would). Did you miss that? Would you have rather that whole-class discussions were led by students doing presentations?
I don’t even remember anything about a presentation on the syllabus, so no, not missed. Group projects are a favorite of few being that one person always ends up doing all the work it seems. I think that student led discussions through presentations would be interesting, maybe one or two students per poem or story?
Finally, what are your feelings on the creative blog entries? Which entry did you enjoy most? Least? I wasn’t thrilled about it at first, I think it could easily be done through Blackboard rather than having each student make a blog account. I liked the Facebook blog the most, I got to be really creative (I did not actually make a Facebook for Louise Mallard; picture editing is just a beautiful thing.) I didn’t really have a least favorite but if I had to pick I’d say the Lottery post. It wasn’t so much creative as it was analytical.

Grandpa Willy

Your grandfather always did what he thought was right. He worked to keep us comfortable and always seemed to want the best for me and your uncle Hap. But if there's one thing I learned from him, it's not to let pride get in the way of everything else. Don't ever be too proud to pick up a mop. Don't ever be too proud to tell the truth. When you're hurt, find someone you can talk to. Your grandma has always been a real pal to me, always understood when I was mad...I wish I had been a better pal to her. That's why I always tell you to treat your momma right. So you can talk to her if I ever make you mad. Please tell me if I ever make you mad. Families have their rough moments, but I don’t want you to ever be scared of me, or of talking to me. I could never talk to my dad, I’d always try so hard to do everything he ever talked about wanting me to do or have. It just never seemed enough. I want you to know that I am proud of you no matter what you do, as long as you’re happy. Life is too short to not spend it happy and with the people you love, like your family. 

Linda's Diary

Past:

Life seems too sweet for us all right now! My boys, so proud of them and they try so hard to impress their father. Willy is away so often it's wonderful when he can be home with us for a while. Of course I understand that the money is needed but how I wish it wasn't about the money. It's not my place to say or ask Willy to stay closer, maybe work in New York. With all the things we have to pay off, the car, the vacuum, the refrigerator…all of his contacts along the coast help us so much. Maybe someday he can stay closer.

 

Present:

Willy came back tonight, unable to drive anymore. I finally had the confidence to ask him to ask to work in New York. He’s so exhausted he just can’t stand the drive anymore. And he’s depressed… it hurts my heart to see him falling apart the way he does. Rambling into the night and reenacting conversation from long ago. The other night I heard him going on about what sounded like another woman; I shouldn’t pry and I should be grateful that he’s stayed with me all these years, provided for me and the boys. Boys who have since forgotten all their father ever did for them. Ungrateful...things are going to have change in this household.

"The Lottery"

In Shirley Jackson’s, “The Lottery,” the theme of tribal natures in smaller communities is extremely evident.

“The people had done it so many times that they only half listened to the directions.”

“There’s always been a lottery.”

“Some places have already quit lotteries,” Mrs. Adams said.

“Nothing but trouble in that,” Old Man Warner said stoutly.

            These few statements in the story are blatant cues that this is normal and traditional behavior for the community. There is little room left to argue the possibility of quitting the lottery with Old Man Warner constantly calling anyone who quits the lottery a “pack of young fools.”

            Tribal natures are usually linked to celebrations in this day and age. Events such as parades, seasonal festivals or contests are common in many smaller communities. I know that the small town I’m from has a Settler’s Day celebration every July where nearly everyone from the town gathers along the main drag to watch the parade, the rodeo is the next night, and there are various contests all through the weekend. During the wintertime we have Winterfest. Children compete to be the designer of the years logo, games are put on, and a bonfire usually happens at least one night. Although these are very different from a yearly stoning, they are still traditions that nobody would dream of taking away or changing too much that bring a community together at least a couple times a year.

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Hopefully you can read all of it...enjoy!

Boy

Boy

Take your boots off outside. Don't wash your workin’ clothes with momma’s dresses. 

Pull your pants up, you look like an idiot. Turn your hat right, your head aint crooked.

But daddy that’s what the guys on TV look like and they get all kinds of money for it.

Take your hat off at the table and when walking into church before you shake the preacher’s hand. 

If the trash is full, take it out. Don’t drink right from the milk jug. Elbows off the table and sit up straight, this isn’t a feeding trough. Ask to be excused after you’re done eating and take your dishes to the kitchen.

Help your momma dry the dishes. Keep the wood box loaded and split more when the shed runs low. 

Kiss your momma on the cheek and say good night before you go to bed. Love your god, your momma, and your country in that order. This is how you pray. This is how you show respect to the red, white, and blue. This is how you saddle up your horse. This is how you herd the cattle and this is how you know the crops are ready. This is how you run a tractor. This is how you load hay bales in the truck.

This is how you dress for workin’, this is how you dress for church and goin’ out.

Wave at everyone, it’s just the nice thing to do. This is how you tip your hat to a lady.

When you find an interest in a girl, look her in the eyes and ask her by name if she would like to go out.

Be best friends; protect her even though she might be a stubborn ass that says she can fight her own.

She can, but she likes to know you got her back. Over use ‘I love you’ and always tell the truth.

This is how you take your hat off before you kiss the lady you love and when you find the one you love, you ask her parents for their blessing. If you get mad at your lady, don’t yell at her.

Go outside, cool off, go  back and say you’re sorry asking how you can make it up to her.

All the guys on TV yell at their ladies and some of ‘em hit ‘em. Don’t you dare lay a hand on a lady or I’ll lay a hand on you.

Dialogue

The sun was shining and the skies were clear. A girl walks across the parking lot and spots a friend out for a smoke.

There’s the prettiest girl I know! How are you pumpkin? He says as she gets closer.

Oh, I’m here I suppose. That’s about as good as it gets. How are you? She asked as she comes up to give him a hug.

I’m pissed to be honest! I found out that my instructor lost my portfolio and I have to reprint all of my work. And I’m not the only one that has an MIA portfolio either. It’s just annoying, she saw it I don’t want to have to reprint everything!

That’s why I save all my work on three different drives. That’s unfortunate though…and frustrating. About as frustrating as the male population is to me right about now.

            Yeah we are pretty stupid. Unless you hit us over the head with a brick we really don’t know what we’re doing. What happened?

            Oh you know, a guy thought pulling a disappearing act counted as relationship ender.

            A disappearing act? Like…

            Like just stopped hanging out, stopped talking…the whole nine yards. The thing is, it’s not quite the same effect as a man leaving his lover in a movie to fend for her life because I can still find him at breakfast and then he gets all uncomfortable and practically runs away.

            HA! He runs away from you? What ever did you do to that poor boy? No, I’m teasing, and I don’t mean this offensively but that’s what I hate about girls, they always think it’s their fault and it’s not. We’re just stupid!

            I’m noticing more every day!

            Well, I’ll tell ya, my wife and I dated in high school and then I went on to college. We agreed that I would finish college before marriage ever came to be an option and I went to school and kind of pattered off and one day she asked me if I was ever going to ask her to marry me. I asked her if I really had to ask? Dumbest question of my life!

Test Prep #2

Similes, Metaphors, and Oxymorons

A simile is A figure of speech involving the comparison of one thing with another thing of a different kind

A metaphor is A figure of speech in which a word or phrase is applied to an object or action to which it is not literally applicable.

An oxymoron is a figure of speech in which apparently contradictory terms appear in conjunction

The above clip is from the movie Renaissance Man starring Danny DeVito. I absolutely love this movie and this scene and it works well to describe similes, metaphors, and oxymorons :) Most of us should already know these terms pretty well but just in case you don't, this video might help!

What type of figurative language is used in the movie title Little Big League?

1. Hyperbole
2. Oxymoron
3. Simile
4. Metaphor

The "Sun was like a large ball of butter" is an example of what literary technique? Personification Simile Oxymoron Paradox The darkness was a blanket that both smothered and comforted. Simile Personification Irony Metaphor

Test Prep

Hyperbole

Exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally.

Which of the following is the best example of hyperbole?

1. The sky is as blue as a robin's egg.
2. I am freezing to death.
3. The daffodils dance in the breeze.
4. She runs like a gazelle.

"I have died every day waiting for you, darling don't be afraid I have loved you for a thousand years, I'll love you for a thousand more," is an example of:

1. metaphor
2. hyperbole
3. personification
4. simile

Howl Imitation

I see a generation of critics lacking common sense

A generation that thrives on judging to perfection and ignoring the exceptional

An artist lip syncs for the inauguration out of respect that the day is for the president and not her

Critics and fans call her a fake and question her ability to sing until proven

I see a generation that fails to consider another person’s views or feelings

Shouts of opinions and no rest given until the other concedes to being wrong

A generation that bullies when they are supposedly threatened

Threatened by ways of life that don’t impact their own but no other way is allowed

I see a generation that kills the hopes of the dreamer just because their idea is not “in”

A generation that claims to be independent but wastes dollars and time to be accepted as the same as those around them

The latest fashions, the newest songs, the coolest dance moves, the most recent social network, party trends, diets, alcohol schemes

So much effort to wonder why nobody sees your uniqueness and beauty when it is hidden behind layer after layer of makeup and false masks of personality

I see a generation that is confused and lacking of the impeccable and the sincere

Horses

Grazing nonchalantly in green pastures
Presence of calm and understanding made flesh

Thirteen Ways

Thirteen Ways of Looking at Water

I.
 My fingers dance in the water
Flowing from the faucet
A gentle rush, not too cold and not too hot.

II.
Hands come together
Cupped tight to keep the water in
A tickling trickle down my wrists
An overflow of fresh.

III.
Quickly splashing up
Before it runs out dry
Not so graceful as a Neutrogena commercial
But enough.

IV.
Day old makeup running rampant on water trails
Down my face and down the drain
The day's stress is washing off
A new mask ready to be painted revealed

V.
Bubbles and whistles sound
Water dancing in a tea pot close by
Jumping excitedly.

VI.
A tea bag ready to steep
Ready to darken and spice
A sigh of relief made tangible in a mug.

VII.
A deep breath of liquid air
The steam dancing upward to skin so bare.

VIII.
A light breeze blows
There's rain on the air
The musty yet clean smell engulfing my senses

IX.
Sitting on a swing
Toes tickling the waves
Lapping up onto the sand still warm from the day's sun.
Ebbing and flowing
Caressing the Earth to sleep.

X.
The pulse of the lake
Beating in time with the heart.

XI.
Body, mind, and soul
Calmed inside and out
Refreshed, renewed, and spiced with life.

XII.
This lake has your tears
Water droplets always finding a way to get
Back to each other.

XIII
Water holds your joys and secrets
And calms the body, mind, and soul.

Unexpected Ode

Ode to Moving 

Calmly breathing

Standing still

Gazing upon possessions

So much stuff

So much junk

Where has this all come from?

Memories lying out

On the floor

Waiting to be picked

To move on to

A new life

Throw away the sad

Wrap up the happy

Hold them close to the heart

Smiling and

Laughing

Remembering

Cherishing

And knowing that

Better times are ahead

It’s time to explore

It’s adventure time

To get perfectly lost

To discover and be amazed

At this beautiful world

Waiting to be seen

Through your eyes

Places waiting for you

To be anonymous in

A brand new place

I pack up my memories

I pack up my car

Hurt gone from my heart

It’s time

To begin again.

Litany

~--*--~♥~--*--~♥~--*--~♥~--*--~♥~--*--~♥~--*--~♥~--*--~♥~--*--~♥~--*--~♥~--*--~

You are the chocolate muffin top and the caramel mocha

The mossy oak sweater and the cowgirl boots

You are the bonfire and the Everclear

You are the muddy tires stuck in the bogs

and the laughter ringing in the air as we wait

However you are not the satin dress or lace gloves

And you are certainly not the sparkling diamond

There is just no way that you are the sparkling diamond

It is possible that you are the pearl

Maybe even the ruby

But you are not even close to being the sparkling diamond

And a quick look in the mirror will show that you are neither the rodeo queen 

nor a little girl hiding in the corner

It might interest you to know

Speaking of the plentiful imagery of the world

That I am the daisies along the horse trail

I also happen to be the reins on your horse’s bridle

The shadow keeping close watch

And the light ahead to keep you moving forward

I am also the wind carrying your dreams to meet with determination

And the instigator to make you want more in life

But don’t worry, I’m not the chocolate muffin top and the mocha

You will always be the chocolate muffin top and the mocha

Not to mention the mossy oak sweater and the cowgirl boots

Introduction

Hey all! I'm Stephanie and I am from Deer Park, Washington. It's a little town north of Spokane for those not familiar with the area. I love to move and tend to do so every few years, most recently I moved back from Missouri where I went to college for year, came back and worked for the Air Force for awhile. I am now a sophomore here at LC and in the Hospitality Management program for a bachelor’s degree. My goal with this degree is to be a sports facility and event manager, preferably for the NFL but I'll take a job with MLB or NHL too. I am an Indianapolis Colts fan and would love to work for them some day!