Blog #19

Walking with him, day after day. But not everyday. Tomorrow we might or not. Wake up get dressed, and there he is on my heels, watching every move I make. Will she or won’t she. Watching, watching me everything I do. I put on my shoes, he gets his hopes up, and he watches. But then I start breakfast. He lies down again but still watching. I brush by the keys on the hook; they make that jingling sound he hopes for but no, no keys. So he sits and waits by the door, maybe just maybe this time, and he watches. I sit down eat my breakfast and still he waits by the door, not to miss any chance that maybe just maybe its this time. Up stairs down stairs, and he watches. Do the dishes, and he watches. Then I put on my coat, could it be this time, he watches, I grab my keys and he’s up watching and I grab his leash no more watching. We’re going, we’re going!

Blog # 20

Blog #20 3)Lexical translation

Yo No Tengo Soledad I not have Loneliness (I am not alone) by Gabriela Mistral


Es la noche desamparo

Is the night deserted


de las sierras hasta el mar.

From the mountians to the sea


Pero yo, la que te mece,

But I the that you rocks


yo no tengo soledad!

I not have loneliness

Es el cielo desamparo

It is the sky helpless


si la luna cae al mar.

If the moon falls to the sea


Pero yo, la que te estrecha,

But I the that you close


¡yo no tengo soledad!

I not have loneliness


Es el mundo desamparo

Is the world helplessness


y la carne triste va

And the sad meat will


Pero yo, la que te oprime,

But that oppresses you


¡yo no tengo soledad!

I not have loneliness

Blog #17 Extra Credit

Blog # 17

“The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock”

5) Who or what is the “Eternal Footman”? Why is this footman snickering at Prufrock?

Before the 20^th century footmen were the caretakers of the aristocratic. They got the name from the servants who ran beside or behind the carriages and were chosen for their athletic ability. They had jobs both in and out side the homes. The footman was always there when needed. The footmen in Prufrocks time were usually at special events to take and return the coats to guests. So the Eternal Footman is the death waiting for Prufrock. Eternal meaning forever and this is his last footman. So in the line “And I have seen the eternal Footman Hold my coat,” Prufrock is concerned about his own mortality and fears he it at deaths door, with the grim reaper (footman) waiting holding his coat. Prufrock states that the footman is holding his coat, not anyone else’s so he knows that death is there for him. In this poem Prufrock is reflecting back on his life and doesn’t feel that he has accomplished much and the things that he did accomplish weren’t too note worthy. He also talks of his aging and how he is loosing his hair and may be shrinking in size, with having to role his pants up. So when the Eternal footman is snickering at him I believe Prufrock feels that he is because of his unimportant life. That the Eternal footman is making fun of Prufrock for not accomplishing anything to significant and on top of that he is growing old.

Blog # 18

Christian the Lion

　

High up on the planes of Kenya in Africa

Rocks and sand a setting for a reunion

Stood two men waiting in the heat of the day

Air heavy with anticipation

With curiosity he slowly approaches

The men anxious for some sign

The distance between them begins to close

The lions stride quickens in recognition

It’s as if the lion has found his prey

The men stood still

The embrace is like no other. Like no time has passed.

A Love between beast and human

Once again together

The lion holds on to each, like a dance with two partners

Each wanting to hold on forever to this brief moment it time

Caressing each one in turn

Tawny brown and golden eyes

A lion’s mane but not quite full

Human, it doesn’t matter to this sentient being

A lion’s life set right by these two men forever

entwined but separate

A journey unknown in it’s beginning but

Touching all lives

http://animal.discovery.com/tv-shows/other/videos/a-lion-called-christian-christian-the-lion-reunion.htm

Poetry Matters

Can Poetry Matter

　

Before this class I never thought much about poetry. I appreciated it but what I thought was does it rhyme or not. There are old poets from centuries ago to modern day poets. I never realized how complicated poetry can be, and how diverse. What it means to the people who write it. It’s sad that it isn’t as popular as it once was, but I think that it has expanded into different genres. From the movies like we saw in class to music, like rap. In Dana Gioia essay she talks of the subcultures that are still thriving even though they have diminished. I think that poetry has an important place in today’s society, along with all other art forms. Especially because of the history it holds. Poets from long ago give us an insight into our past. The details of everyday life from those times can enrich our lives today. If people would take time to appreciate this from of recorded history they could learn a lot.

One night when I was working on one of my poetry blogs my 7 year old son asked me what I was doing. I told him I had to write a sonnet for school. I explained to him what it was and asked him if he wanted to help me. He started to create a poem for me, so I typed it. It was a great moment for me to see him learn about poetry. I think it’s important for kids in schools exposed to different kinds of poetry. It’s a great avenue to learning to read. Rhyming helps us to remember. Here a short segment of my son’s poem:

When days pass my heart beats wide

It would be wider if I had someone inside

Then I met someone bright and tall

Her eyes sparkled so like gold

Blog # 15

Scene from the series “Sleepy Hollow” between Ichabod Crane and Abbie

                         
                   /         u    /     u    /        u     /    u       /  u  /  u    /    u    /    
Ichabod: Where did you procure such massive quantities of preserves?

 /     u    u  /   u     /   u  /
Is there a nearby citadel?

             /    u  /   u   /         u      /       u      /       u        /       u
Abbie: A supermarket called Buy Plus, buy more spend-less.

/     u     /     u       /       u   /
I will take you there someday.

(Ichabod picks up a jug of water)


                  /           u        u     /    u   /  u  /      u    /
 Ichabod: Pine Springs? Is that a variation of water?

             u      /      u   /  u      /     u      /
Abbie: A brand of water, cheapest one.

                  u      /       u   /  u
Ichabod: You paid, for water.

   /      u       /        u     /      u   /    /      u       /    u      /    u     /      u   /     /
Why not drink from one of the thousands of taps around town or the lake?

              
               /    u    /   u     /  u    /    u    /   u     /     u       /      u      /  u      /    u    /
Abbie: Tap water has chemicals in it, and the lake you don’t even want to know.

                
                  /      u  /   u       /        /      u  /  u  /    u      u  /     u      /      u  /  u      /        u   /
Ichabod: The extent to which your generation has defiled the earth is truly mind-boggling.

(Text notification)

             
              /       u      /       u     /      u /     /
Abbie: The horseman will ride after dark.

  /  u    /      u  /    u   /        /      u       /        u    /        u   /   u         /  u   /   u     /    u
After we finish the kits why don’t you meet with the Masons, while I grab Corbin’s

  /       u    /       u    /    u 
shotgun from the precinct.

                        
                  u    /    u      /         /         u   /   u       /  u  /    u     /   u       /     u   /   u     /
Ichabod: The Masons say they’ve discovered information of how best to exploit the

    /    u             /    u  /
Horseman’s weaknesses. 

  u     /       u  /      u     /     /  u      /     u   /   u  /  u
Are you certain you can forgo such a conversation?

                /      u       u    /      /         u      /     u    /     u      / u /     u  /      u    /    u    /     u
Abbie: They won’t let me, they know that the no girls’ policy really gets under my skin.

Most of these lines are more than iambic pentameter, I wonder if it’s more because Ichabod is British, from the 1700’s.

Blog # 14

Favorite Memory

　

Babies soft sweet breathe on my chest in the night

A warm breeze on summers day

Sonnet

Mountain Top



Standing here on top of the mountain

Ready for, but afraid of what is to come

Cold and fierce is the wind for some

Yet some how peaceful, serene and plain

Looking for cues to guide me all the same

One board is all that is needed to and from

In one swift movement my song in sung

My thoughts are lost inside my brain



Swift and sleek down the mountain side

Fill with excitement deep inside

Are there many gazing at me

At times it feels like I’m in outer space

So high up face to face with a tree

I’m here again in this amazing place

Sestina

That Time of Year

It’s cold; it’s that time of year
When the leaves are falling
Rust, orange, yellow and red are the leaves
The smells, the sights and sounds are changing
The children are dressed up in a scary costume
This can mean only one thing, it’s Halloween

After it’s over kids look forward to the next Halloween
It’s their favorite time of year
They hunt and search for the best costume
Parents make sure they are safe to avoid falling
Every year there is a new favorite it’s always changing
They also run and jump and play in the leaves

Because there is a endless supply of leaves
Not all countries celebrate Halloween
Maybe that’s changing
We will plan for next year
And wait for the leaves to begin falling
It will be the best one next year, my costume

Will we be too old for a costume?
Maybe we will just be raking leaves
Because they are always falling
That’s a sign it’s Halloween
We look forward to it year after year
I like it that things are changing

It would be so boring without things changing
That’s why every year we get a new costume
But we may be too old next year
It will always be nice to watch leaves
Changing before Halloween
Falling, falling, falling

So many, many leaves falling
It’s autumn and so much is changing
And a big part of autumn is Halloween
Children in a ghost and goblin costume
They can also built forts with leaves
These are the choices for each year

When the leaves are falling it’s time to think about a costume
Because of the changing leaves, it’s telling you something
Its Halloween our favorite time of the year

Ode to My New One

Ode to My New One



Today I saw you for the very first time
Not knowing what to think
Tall dark and strong, you came along
To replace one on the brink

You would fit so perfect in my space
Ready with a cool, cool drink
You hold so many delicacies
So perfect with me, I think

I could not decide you or the other
Shinning steel or black as night
We will meet late in that secret place
A soft light will show what’s right

Within you lies what I need
To get me through the day
Delicious enjoyment, guilty pleasure
I know you’re here to stay

What would I do without you
You keep me safe from harm
Standing strong, cool and still
You fill me with your charm

I have my memories of the one before
And he is past the ridge
New experiences await for me
With my brand new fridge.

Compare A&P and Bartleby, the Scrivener

Comparing the two stories John Updike’s A&P and Herman Melville’s “Bartleby, the Scrivener” one of the most outstanding differences in the two stories is in each boss’s relationship with their employees. In Bartleby the narrator’s descriptions of his employee’s shows, he has more of an interest in these people personally not just as a boss. He describes each one from their ages to what they eat and when it is the best time of the day to get the most work out of them. He spoke of each of their nicknames and how they were respective of their personalities. “These may seem names, the like of which are not usually found in the Directory. In truth, they were nicknames, mutually conferred upon each other by my three clerks, and were deemed expressive of their respective persons or characters.” (pg. 407) Where as Lengel the boss in A & P doesn’t seem to have much of an interest in his employees beyond the need of them as employees, until there is a need to point out something he feels they did wrong. Like when Sammy says he quits in protest of how Lengel treated the girls and Lengel says, “ I don’t think you know what you’re saying” and then Lengel says, “Sammy, you don’t want to do this to your Mom and Dad,” (pg. 603) In this comparison it shows maybe how a boss’s relationship with his employees can make a difference. In Bartleby, the other employees made more of an effort to work and no one quit. Bartleby refused to leave; I think do to the fact that his boss had some compassion for him, and he was a little bit luny, even though he eventually did ask him to leave. In A & P Sammy quit his job, mainly because of wanting to make an impression on a girl, and didn’t seem to care for his responsibility for his job.

Another comparison you can make between the two stories would be the interaction between the employees. In Bartleby, the other scriveners Turkey, Nippers, and Ginger Nut, don’t seem to have much care of Bartleby one way or the other. Until it comes to the time when the narrator asked them, to do the jobs that Bartleby “Prefers not to” then they become irritated. When Bartleby refused to do, his work the narrator looks to his other employees for support. The narrator asked Nippers, “What do you think of it?” Nippers said, “I think I should kick him out of the office.” Then he asked, “Ginger Nut, what do you think of it?” and he replied, “I think, sir he’s a little luny,” (pg. 413) Later the narrator asks Bartleby to compare papers again, and again he says he prefers not to the narrator asked Turkey, “What do you think of it, Turkey?” Think of it?” Roared Turkey. “I think I’ll just step behind his screen, and black his eyes for him!” (pg.415) In A & P there seems to be more of a friendship with the coworkers. Even though Sammy condescends to Stokesie because of his desire to maybe someday become manager at the A & P to support his young family, Sammy also relates to him because they are so close in age and have the same thoughts about these girls. At the first sight of the three girls “Oh Daddy,” Stokesie said beside me. “I feel so faint.” “Darling,” I said. “Hold me tight.” Stokesie’s married, with two babies chalked up on his fuselage already, but as far as I can tell, that’s the only difference. He’s twenty-two, and I was nineteen this April.” (pg.600) The A & P employees had a more relaxed relationship, which could mean that they may have socialized outside the workplace, so I think that Sammy felt somewhat at ease to quit his job because he would still have his friend to count on.

The personalities of the two bosses were quite different. The narrator in the Bartleby story was comfortable in his business. He felt he had a good job in managing it, and he wasn’t an overly ambitious kind of man, as he said, “I am one of those unambitious lawyers who never address a jury, or in any way draw down public applause; but, in the cool tranquility of a snug business among rich men’s bonds, and mortgages, and title-deeds. All who know me consider me an eminently safe man.” (pg. 406) Then there is Lengel in A&P who seems to be a more disciplined, strait-laced kind of man. “He didn’t like my smiling---as I say he doesn’t miss much---but he concentrates on giving the girls that sad Sunday-school-superintendent stare.” (pg. 609) The differences in the two personalities of these bosses could be the reason they decided to go into the businesses they choose. Lengel felt more comfortable with a less stressful job and the narrator of Bartleby was confident in his knowledge of his business to handle customers important papers.

A&P

Females in the sixties were much less involved in society than the males. Although I believe they had a huge underlying influence. In the sixties (1961) which is when this story takes place women for the most part were caretakers of the home and the children. John Updike’s male view portrayed by Sammy a nineteen year old cashier in a local grocery store, was very typical for that time. Although I think the same scenario would take place today. Three scantly clad girls come into the grocery store and two young male cashiers ogle them. The difference from then and now is the fact that it wasn’t as acceptable in the sixties for young women to wear bathing suits anywhere else other than the local swimming pools or to the beach and certainly not in a family grocery store. But the part about the young men ogling them and imaging what they are like could easily have happened today. The manager of the store Lengel was a typical male for that time, he stood for tradition, decency, and store policy. Although he may have had a few thoughts of his own, that he had some conflict about. He takes a stand on the situation by confronting the girls on how they are dressed and demands that in the future, they come in here with their shoulders covered.

Two points in this short story in which the wielding of power switches traditional roles. When the girls mainly Queenie stands up to an older male authority figure, Lengel, which I’m sure was almost unheard of for that time, and when a young teenager Sammy stands up to his boss who just happens to be a friend of the family. Even though Queenie stood up to Lengel saying “We are decent” after his statement “We want you decently dressed when you come in here” she regretted her remark and realized she had crossed the line and then again remembered her place. Sammy also questions his choice of taking a stand against his boss. Quitting his job suddenly because of his boss’s rudeness to the girls may have been a bit hasty and this caused him to contemplate his future.

Updike portrayed typical male and female roles for that time period, with a few exceptions. I think that was his way of making a more interesting story by standing up to society’s norms of the sixties.

https://www.facebook.com/mallary.mallardhttps://www.facebook.com/mallary.mallard

Orientation

Ok so here’s the run down on working at the world famous Classic Espresso! Welcome. Listen closely because I really don’t want to repeat myself. You like espresso? Helps if you do, so you can tell the customers what’s good and what’s not. The morning rush is the worst part of the day. Grouchy customers, most of them late for work, and no ones tolerable before their first cup of the day. Once you get to know the regulars and their orders it becomes a lot easier. I can look down the line of cars and tell you, ok next in line is a double mocha, with extra whip, not too hot. After that is an Americano three shots, then we have a hazelnut latté made with soy milk. It’s crazy when you run into these customers else where you can’t remember their name but you sure can remember their drinks. We sure have an interesting group coming in here. There’s this one guy that has to have his one shot espresso in this little cup right here call a demitasse. He brought it in himself. He thinks he some sophisticated coffee drinker because he drinks from one of these and his wife is from France. He stands here sips and discusses politics and the world and then leaves you a twenty-five cent tip. Doesn’t he realize he’s this dinky little farming town of a three thousand people and most are a bunch of red necks? There’s this lawyer guy that comes through the drive thru and gets the smallest cup we have, eight ounces and never leaves a tip. I think he and Tyson must be best friends. We have another guy who gets the 24 ouncer with 12 shots in it. He comes at night so I think he must work nights somewhere, probably security. He’s an awesome tipper! The best tipping time is around the holidays, especially around Christmas. When you open hopefully everything is fully stocked, by the closing person the night before. That’s usually Holly and she pretty good about that, unless her boyfriend’s been in. Then you’ll end up spending your morning refilling the cups, the lids, stir sticks and so forth. As you can see those things are stored back in the storage room by the ice maker. Making an espresso is pretty simple, first you grind the beans. Never change the grind. Then you pack the grounds in the thing, can’t remember the name, put it up in the machine and while you are waiting for the drip, steam your milk. Put your flavor in the cup never more than a shot of syrup, unless the customer pays extra, this measurement right here, Tyson gets really peeved about that! Tight wad… oops did I just say that out loud? Well I guess it’s the way to make money, pinching every penny. He is the owner after all. We have a list right here on the specialty drinks and everything else I just went over, in case you forget anything, and remember to smile! Pretend like you love your job, you get more tips that way!

Southern Grotesque

Southern Grotesque writing style is described as using supernatural, ironic, or unusual events to guide the plot. In the story, “A Good Man Is Hard to Find,” Flannery O’Connor, I believe use irony as a main component in her story along with stock characters that can be racist and self righteous, but you have some compassion for them. Such as the grandma who is definitely a racist with her comments about the small boy in the doorway of a shack. June Starr notices he had no pants and the grandma said, “Little niggers in the country don’t have things like we do.” She is also a very manipulative woman, using what she knows about her family, their likes and dislikes to get what she wants. She suggested that they stop by her old childhood so she could reminisce. She makes up a story about a secret panel, knowing that it would entice the children into bugging their father until he finally gave in and goes to the old plantation. She didn’t always win. In the beginning of the story she tried to manipulate the family into going to Tennessee instead of Florida by saying there was the possibility of running into the Misfit who was supposedly heading that to Florida. This moment was ironic. In the Southern Grotesque style of literature, these characters that have the negative qualities but they can also bring out empathy from the reader. You feel some empathy for the grandmother because of how the family treated her. It’s like they just tolerated her, didn’t really seem to enjoy her company. Her son Bailey never seemed to talk to her unless she spoke to him. Bailey’s wife never said anything and the grandchildren were disrespectful. When the grandmother complained about going to Florida, John Wesley said, “If you don’t want to go to Florida, why dontcha just stay home?” Another one of the ironic moments in the story was when the grandmother showed such concerned about her appearance. They would know she was a lady if she was found on the road side dead by the way she was dressed. The Misfit character was a grotesque character, in a more twisted way. How calm and mater of fact he was when he ordered the two men to kill the family was a bit unnerving. In the end the grandmother change her strategy in saving her life. In the beginning she was encouraging everyone to pray and in her last moments she bribed the misfit with money. This is could be an example of a type of secular grotesques. Throwing away God and resorting to anything to say your life.

The Lottery

In Shirley Jackson's, "The Lottery," one theme is Man's ability (and need) to rationalize generally unacceptable actions.

The closest I can come to relating to something in society today, in my view would be the rationalization of people going to war. In the United States people glorify war, romanticize it, and call it your duty. In the sixties when my brother and cousins were of age, there was the draft, which to me would be exactly the same as a lottery in this story. My cousin gave his life for the greater good. So they say for our freedom and for the safety of our citizens and our way of life, which I think neither one of there were protected because of that military action (war). Today it is still considered justifiable to loose your life for the greater good. The men in the story talk about how its tradition and you shouldn’t mess with tradition that the people in the other villages have talked about giving up the lottery and that they were, “just crazy fools”. I think that’s how society views the people who protest involvement in war.

boy

Boy

Don’t sleep past 7am from Monday to Friday. Don’t miss school unless you are very sick. You can have a part job after school but don’t let it interfere with your school studies. Don’t watch too much TV, read many books. You don’t really need a car, there are so many ways to travel. Keep yourself well groomed, wash yourself daily and wear clean clothes. Brush your teeth at least twice a day. Clean your room, some of the time. You should always be respectful to others, all other people, men, women, and children. Respect the world you live in. Give your seat on a bus to an older person or anyone who looks like they need it. Don’t let your pants hang below your underwear. There is a time to listen and a time to talk. You can learn so much more from listening. There is a time to stand up for something and a time to walk away. Make sure you find something to stand up for. Be friends with girls. Grow your own food, cook your own food. This is how you bake bread, and preserve food. Share with others. Be open to everything. You never know what you might miss. Remember you are not indestructible, and you don’t have forever, so live each day to the fullest. Appreciate what you have. Laugh a lot, find something to laugh about in every situation.

About me

I want to know more about...........Everything, I love learning, there is so much to learn in this life.

When I am 30/40/50/60 (choose one), I will...... since I have already passed 30,40,50, I will...... have my  degree by (before) 60.

When I want to, I have the ability to do complete something I started

 I am proud of my kids, more than anything.

My pet peeve is when people complain constantly about their life and don't appreciate what an amazing world we have.

I appreciate it when teachers love what they do, and it shows, and acknowledge us non traditional students.

I am named for my moms dear friend, what a kind women she is.

I regret very little but, I do regret not living on my own and learning about myself first.

A friend once showed me how to snow board, scary but exhilarating.

 My favorite color is green.

My favorite place on earth is outdoors.

If I had one hundred dollars, I would buy what every I wanted.

 I like Pearl Jam's music, particularly these songs: Wish List, Breathe, Given to Fly, ( Going to their concert in Spokane, in November YES!!)

The bravest thing I ever did was snowboard down a double black diamond hill.

The nicest thing anyone ever did for me was, when my daughter was scheduled for one of her many surgeries, my husband found an anonymous envelope with a card and 500 dollars to help us out with expenses. There are many other nice things people have done, too many to name.

It is difficult to learn calculus.

One thing I've always wondered about is how to play music.

I am an expert on my kids.

People like me because, I am an excellent listener.

What is a mistake that taught you a lesson? What did you learn? That procrastinating cost me a lot of money.