This was an enjoyable book to read. I think a lot of students connected with the book because it had to do with music and urban lifestyle. The ending was very touching and as well relatable. All Ayers wants to do is play music. No matter how hard or bad things get or how awful people and situations can be, music will always be there for you. It is your life time friend that can comfort you at anytime. At the end of the book Ayers "narrates" a piece of instrumental music. A piece that doesn't even have words can say and mean so much. To Ayers, this piece is saying, "I love music" over and over and over again.
Something I found very beautiful was when Lopez states that, "Nathaniel has gone years without a worry common to the rest of us. He has no money, wants no money, needs no money." In our society money is a huge distraction from the people and things we love. Ayers doesn't have this huge distraction in his life, therefore he can focus on his music (which is his true love) and being content with his life. I feel like he can enjoy the wonders that the world has to offer better than the richest man out there.
In this last chunk Lopez realizes he may not be the one to "cure" Ayers. He realizes that no one may be able to cure him. from that point on Lopez simply embraces Ayers for his talents. Surprising him with his own studio space and instruments is the best thing anyone could have done for him. With proper equipment and motivation maybe Ayers will find his way back into an orchestra and really make it on his own. I find that immersing yourself in art, literature, and music truly makes you a better person. It helps you to think clearer, produce interesting thoughts, conversations, and works of art for yourself. Having a conversation with Ayers is very interesting I'm sure. I feel like despite his illness he is extremely intelligent. For Nathaniel, the concert will never end.
how does it flow? Do you agree with my points? could you add on to my points? i love criticism!!
Friday, May 22, 2009
Friday, May 15, 2009
The Soloist 13-21
Lopez's "page one series on Skid Row" are now attracting a lot of attention, particularly from the Mayor. Is it wrong that Lopez is plastering the stories of those living horrible lives all over the L.A. Times? Or could it be a good thing? With a gaining interest from people who could make a huge difference (such as the mayor) maybe it's not so bad, maybe it's journalism with a real purpose? Something that made me mad at the end of chapter 13 was the fact that the Mayor had no idea of the intensity of the poverty in his own city. He had to keep reading the stories that Lopez wrote before he became active. This doesn't say much about him or his position, but if he's willing to help that's always a good thing.
Everyone wants Ayers to move into an apartment that they have reserved for him. Like i said before, Ayers is very content where he is and they should not pressure him to move anywhere else. Trying to put a schizophrenic, paranoid man in an unfamiliar environment against his will seems like asking you re for trouble. The fact that LAMP held a place for him while others also in need could have been using it is kind of sickening. Just because he's been getting attention for a magazine does not make that right.
So, I've been having bad feelings toward Ayers' sister. All I can think is why has she not taken in her brother? Family and friends stick together no matter what! But after reading this chunk of the book I can see that he truly doesn't want to live in any kind of closed space. It's kind of beautiful and awesome. His passion for the "out doors" reminds me of some of the Romantic writers we have read. Not so much that he's connected to "nature" per say, but he is completely on his own with no boundaries. It seems that he is another very creative starving artist who is connected to a pure world and a nomadic life style. He has no distractions, just music. Nathaniel Ayers gets to play music all day. Nathaniel Ayers answers to no one. I am jealous of Nathaniel Ayers.
comment on my ideas and please inform me if im off topic or boring
Everyone wants Ayers to move into an apartment that they have reserved for him. Like i said before, Ayers is very content where he is and they should not pressure him to move anywhere else. Trying to put a schizophrenic, paranoid man in an unfamiliar environment against his will seems like asking you re for trouble. The fact that LAMP held a place for him while others also in need could have been using it is kind of sickening. Just because he's been getting attention for a magazine does not make that right.
So, I've been having bad feelings toward Ayers' sister. All I can think is why has she not taken in her brother? Family and friends stick together no matter what! But after reading this chunk of the book I can see that he truly doesn't want to live in any kind of closed space. It's kind of beautiful and awesome. His passion for the "out doors" reminds me of some of the Romantic writers we have read. Not so much that he's connected to "nature" per say, but he is completely on his own with no boundaries. It seems that he is another very creative starving artist who is connected to a pure world and a nomadic life style. He has no distractions, just music. Nathaniel Ayers gets to play music all day. Nathaniel Ayers answers to no one. I am jealous of Nathaniel Ayers.
comment on my ideas and please inform me if im off topic or boring
Friday, May 8, 2009
The Soloist (again)
In chapters 7 through 12, there is a lot of focus on Ayers "condition". We learn earlier that he suffers from paranoia and schizophrenia. This got me interested in what these conditions are exactly. Someone with schizophrenia will typically think and act in an unusual or disorganized way. They may be delusional or experience hallucinations. Someone with paranoia may experience an excessive amount of anxiety or fear in their lives and may also think irrationally or become delusional. In class we asked questions of Lopez's' role in Ayers' life. He is always questioning his symptoms and checking up on his health. I also question what Lopez's' role is in Ayers life. I get the feeling that Ayers is almost doing Lopez a favor by giving him something to write about, and on the other hand Lopez being in his life gives him someone to care about him (which Ayers doesn't exactly want). The situation is weird to me. Lopez and Ayers were complete strangers, and Lopez put himself in a kind of awkward caretaker position.
Lopez questions Ayers' take on race, and states that "his social development essentially stalled with his breakdown." He also states that his breakdown came at a time that blacks a whites were very much segregated. When i first read this I wasn't sure that i agreed with this. I had in my head the idea that schizophrenia was genetic and was something you were born with. I found out that though it can be hereditary, the condition can come from social stress. Specifically stress from living in an urban area because you could be more likely to be in a situation of racial discrimination, poverty, or family dysfunction. If I, a high school student, could find out all of that in ten minuets of research, why do these established journalist have so many questions about Ayers condition? Look at this mans life! If you can help him out that's great, but he really seems like he want s to be left alone. Ayers seems content on the streets with his music. Lopez obviously has a hard time accepting why anyone would be content with that. Just because he is not accustom to it.
comment on organization, ideas, and if im off topic. please let me know if you had similar feelings on any of these subjects
Lopez questions Ayers' take on race, and states that "his social development essentially stalled with his breakdown." He also states that his breakdown came at a time that blacks a whites were very much segregated. When i first read this I wasn't sure that i agreed with this. I had in my head the idea that schizophrenia was genetic and was something you were born with. I found out that though it can be hereditary, the condition can come from social stress. Specifically stress from living in an urban area because you could be more likely to be in a situation of racial discrimination, poverty, or family dysfunction. If I, a high school student, could find out all of that in ten minuets of research, why do these established journalist have so many questions about Ayers condition? Look at this mans life! If you can help him out that's great, but he really seems like he want s to be left alone. Ayers seems content on the streets with his music. Lopez obviously has a hard time accepting why anyone would be content with that. Just because he is not accustom to it.
comment on organization, ideas, and if im off topic. please let me know if you had similar feelings on any of these subjects
Friday, May 1, 2009
The Soloist
So far i am enjoying Lopezs' The Soloist. I like the style of writting it is obviously a modern feel, which is pretty different from the books and writtings we have been reading this year. I also enjoy that in September we were reading the works of Puritains and we have kind of made our way through many different eras and styles of writing. It keeps my short attention span entertained.
Getting back on topic, the first thing I would like to point out is Lopezs' very down to Earth way of writting. This whole thing started as a coloumn story and evolvd into what it is today. In our class discussion Steve Fox pointed that it is almost like Lopez is right with you, telling you the story. Good call man!
So Ayers is a middle aged homeless black guy who busks Skid Row with a two string violin. The first thing that poped in my mind was how common this is. How many street musicians do we come across everyday? If your commute is anything like mine the answer is... a lot. This really makes you appretiate that everyone has a story. You never know who might have attended Julliard or other interesting things. On the other hand you never know who's a paranoid schziophreniac so don't talk to strangers!
If I were Lopez I probly would not have approached Ayers for a story. He is very "prying" into Ayers life and I understand that it's his job but it's kind of creepy. He finds out so much about the life of a complete starnger and we even learn that Ayers once thretened his life and accused him of trying to institutionalze him. What inspires Lopez to get involved with Ayers is still unclear to me. What makes him feel so compeled to be in this man's buisness? I am interested to see this rogress and blog about it next week.
when reading this please comment on the organization and flow as well as content and cohesivness.
Getting back on topic, the first thing I would like to point out is Lopezs' very down to Earth way of writting. This whole thing started as a coloumn story and evolvd into what it is today. In our class discussion Steve Fox pointed that it is almost like Lopez is right with you, telling you the story. Good call man!
So Ayers is a middle aged homeless black guy who busks Skid Row with a two string violin. The first thing that poped in my mind was how common this is. How many street musicians do we come across everyday? If your commute is anything like mine the answer is... a lot. This really makes you appretiate that everyone has a story. You never know who might have attended Julliard or other interesting things. On the other hand you never know who's a paranoid schziophreniac so don't talk to strangers!
If I were Lopez I probly would not have approached Ayers for a story. He is very "prying" into Ayers life and I understand that it's his job but it's kind of creepy. He finds out so much about the life of a complete starnger and we even learn that Ayers once thretened his life and accused him of trying to institutionalze him. What inspires Lopez to get involved with Ayers is still unclear to me. What makes him feel so compeled to be in this man's buisness? I am interested to see this rogress and blog about it next week.
when reading this please comment on the organization and flow as well as content and cohesivness.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Catcher in the Rye
To Holden, everyone is a "phony", he is an extreamly judgemental character. What does he use to classify one as a "phony"? Is it typical people or insecure people, perhaps overall boring people? I can't really disagree with Holden, people are phony. However, Holden seems like a generally unhappy guy. He may be focusing on putting people and actions in simple catagories rather than getting to know people and giving them an in depth person analysis. For example, many things to Holden are either simply "phony" or "crumby" and these are the things that disgust him.
Throughout the book Holden is trying to separate childhood and adulthood. In chapter 23, Holden says his goodbyes to Pheobe informing her that he is leaving New York to go out west. This greatly reminded my of The Death of a Salesman, when Biff wishes to move from the city to the west. What does this tell us? I suppose that unless you really want to live in a place like The Big Apple, don't. The very cramped big city is not for everyone, and the west is often a symbol for freedom. While saying goodbye to Pheobe she offers him her chhristmas money which causes him to break down. What is the cause for his brekdown? Is it because he wants to isolate himself in the west and even so his sister supported him and even offered him money? Does this help him with his seperation of adult and childhood? Here is a very young person committing a very gratious action, to me Holden may have realized that "phoniness" and "crumbiness" may not be associated with adulthood but with peoples personalitites. Age is only a number. A young child can cause an emotional breakdown in Holden. Pheobe when we first meet her seems angry at his immaturity and stubborness.
One other thing I wanted to point out: Both Allie and Pheobe have red hair, could that be why Holden chose to wear a red hunting cap? Is he perhaps insecure? Or is it just another way for him to express his individuallity.
Focus on my observations of Holden and Pheobe, and any comparissons to death of a salesman. please comment on anything you may disagree or agree with
Throughout the book Holden is trying to separate childhood and adulthood. In chapter 23, Holden says his goodbyes to Pheobe informing her that he is leaving New York to go out west. This greatly reminded my of The Death of a Salesman, when Biff wishes to move from the city to the west. What does this tell us? I suppose that unless you really want to live in a place like The Big Apple, don't. The very cramped big city is not for everyone, and the west is often a symbol for freedom. While saying goodbye to Pheobe she offers him her chhristmas money which causes him to break down. What is the cause for his brekdown? Is it because he wants to isolate himself in the west and even so his sister supported him and even offered him money? Does this help him with his seperation of adult and childhood? Here is a very young person committing a very gratious action, to me Holden may have realized that "phoniness" and "crumbiness" may not be associated with adulthood but with peoples personalitites. Age is only a number. A young child can cause an emotional breakdown in Holden. Pheobe when we first meet her seems angry at his immaturity and stubborness.
One other thing I wanted to point out: Both Allie and Pheobe have red hair, could that be why Holden chose to wear a red hunting cap? Is he perhaps insecure? Or is it just another way for him to express his individuallity.
Focus on my observations of Holden and Pheobe, and any comparissons to death of a salesman. please comment on anything you may disagree or agree with
Monday, April 6, 2009
Death of a Salesman
To get this entry started I would like to make a comparison between "The Death of a Salesman" and "The Great Gatsby". Like Mr. Fiorini stated in his post, there is that whole feeling of New York City in the 1920's, and advertising is playing a huge role in culture and city life at this time. As in "The Great Gatsby", "The Death of a Salesman" has a theme of the 1920's American Dream. Like I said in a past entry about Gatsby, he "worked his way to the top of the social ladder." The American Dream is making your living in America and having the mind set that you can achieve anything. It is apparent that Willy believes the American Dream is to be successful and to make money. He focuses on being well-liked and good looking as traits to help you become successful. He even points out to his sons that because Bernard is not well-liked he will be hurt in the long run (even though Bernard is quiet smart).
Biff has betrayed the high hopes that Willy had for him. Growing up Biff seemed smart (other than failing math), he had friends, he was slick with the ladies, and was a sports guy. Biff however, can not seem to hold a job. This causes for a rough relationship between the salesman father and thirty-something son. Willy sees his son as a failure and this is upsetting to me as a reader. Despite his age I believe Biff has not found his true self yet which is a sad thing. What he has realized however is very important, Biff is able to confront and accept his failures. I see Willy’s life as a very miserable one. He is clearly not enjoying his life because he has attempted suicide many times before his family finally lost him. Biffs dream is to move out west. Is the west a symbol for complete freedom? It is a far away place where he can take up a line of work that is outside of the business/sales life. Biff is happy when he is on farms, working with his hands. He could potentially have a very satisfying life if he were to move out west. He would escape his fathers obsession with sales life. One things that Biff has to look upon when considering going out West is the success of his Grandfather (who was successful in Alaska) and his uncle Ben (who was successful in Africa). He doesn't have to remained trapped in city life like his miserable father. An important theme or trait that Biff has is the importance of being original and being your self. Material goods should never be the focus, you will become miserable.
focus on all observations and my idea of the american dream
Biff has betrayed the high hopes that Willy had for him. Growing up Biff seemed smart (other than failing math), he had friends, he was slick with the ladies, and was a sports guy. Biff however, can not seem to hold a job. This causes for a rough relationship between the salesman father and thirty-something son. Willy sees his son as a failure and this is upsetting to me as a reader. Despite his age I believe Biff has not found his true self yet which is a sad thing. What he has realized however is very important, Biff is able to confront and accept his failures. I see Willy’s life as a very miserable one. He is clearly not enjoying his life because he has attempted suicide many times before his family finally lost him. Biffs dream is to move out west. Is the west a symbol for complete freedom? It is a far away place where he can take up a line of work that is outside of the business/sales life. Biff is happy when he is on farms, working with his hands. He could potentially have a very satisfying life if he were to move out west. He would escape his fathers obsession with sales life. One things that Biff has to look upon when considering going out West is the success of his Grandfather (who was successful in Alaska) and his uncle Ben (who was successful in Africa). He doesn't have to remained trapped in city life like his miserable father. An important theme or trait that Biff has is the importance of being original and being your self. Material goods should never be the focus, you will become miserable.
focus on all observations and my idea of the american dream
Friday, March 27, 2009
I am a fan of Blogger
I have really enjoyed posting my work on blog spot. I like it so much because it keeps all of my thoughts organized. If I need to pull up a past piece of writing I know exactly where it is, it wont be lost in the depths of my locker or other strange places. It is easy to access and if I need to reference a website for other sources I can just open a new tab. I am confident that all my work is in on time.
It is nice to be able to read other students posts as well. Being able to read other blogs gives you a glimpse into what your other classmates are thinking. Sometimes kids you don't have much in common with or kids you don't "hang out" have similar feelings as you do on various topics. It is nice to be able to leave comments on others work. It is encouraging to know people are reading and are interested in your work. Comments can be beneficial to your writing or you can offer your thoughts and feelings to others.
Though the google threads were similar they were not quiet as good for me. First of all you couldn't go back and edit your work. It has helped me as a writer to know that I can start writing out a thought, then go back and edit it. It is discomforting when what you have submitted is your final word. Even though this is how it usually works on tests and other essays, it is nice to be able to go back if you are granted the chance. The google groups were not as personal either. The blog allows you to post photos and have a custom profile. Things like this are generally unimportant to me but when reading others writing while looking at the way they have made their profile look kind of gets you inside their world a little better.
I value the class time we get on fridays to work on our blog. Thanks Fiorini! It is great to have some independent time to start on a weekend assignment. On fridays our 11-2 English period is right before lunch which means we get two whole periods without teachers nagging!
As for any suggestions I may have for Mr. Fiorini about using the blog in our class, I have none. I like the way we have been working and the grading system. I like that we get a grade for commenting others work, if you do it, it can help your grade a lot. I would like to continue working like this.
It is nice to be able to read other students posts as well. Being able to read other blogs gives you a glimpse into what your other classmates are thinking. Sometimes kids you don't have much in common with or kids you don't "hang out" have similar feelings as you do on various topics. It is nice to be able to leave comments on others work. It is encouraging to know people are reading and are interested in your work. Comments can be beneficial to your writing or you can offer your thoughts and feelings to others.
Though the google threads were similar they were not quiet as good for me. First of all you couldn't go back and edit your work. It has helped me as a writer to know that I can start writing out a thought, then go back and edit it. It is discomforting when what you have submitted is your final word. Even though this is how it usually works on tests and other essays, it is nice to be able to go back if you are granted the chance. The google groups were not as personal either. The blog allows you to post photos and have a custom profile. Things like this are generally unimportant to me but when reading others writing while looking at the way they have made their profile look kind of gets you inside their world a little better.
I value the class time we get on fridays to work on our blog. Thanks Fiorini! It is great to have some independent time to start on a weekend assignment. On fridays our 11-2 English period is right before lunch which means we get two whole periods without teachers nagging!
As for any suggestions I may have for Mr. Fiorini about using the blog in our class, I have none. I like the way we have been working and the grading system. I like that we get a grade for commenting others work, if you do it, it can help your grade a lot. I would like to continue working like this.
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