blog #6 opinions on a podcast
Of the podcasts that I listened to, the one about Hatchet, by Gary Paulson, grabbed my attention the most. The music to start out really opened my eyes, and the easy going voices opened my ears. The music in the podcast was a bit off of fitting, but built and sunk in sound as the story heightened and died. Another thing that interested me in this particular podcast, was the changing of voices for Brian’s thoughts, not just words. It really set things apart from other parts of the podcast and was key to understanding the plot. The students who orchestrated this podcast used voices that corresponded to the mood, which is always a positive thing. Perhaps the most beautiful attribute of this podcast, was the way the story was told by the students. They cared. It seemed as if they were out to tell it strait up, and no one would stop them, and that impressed me.
blog #5 texting and writing
Text messaging is cool in my book. I send about ten texts a day, mostly to my sister and friends, and I have seen no effect on my writing skills. The hardest thing to get over for me is working with Microsoft Word in keyboarding class, and not having things automatically capitalized on applications like this. On another note, as far as a place for texting, I think that it is okay almost everywhere. It is not acceptable while driving, or during work time in class, but I find it to be just fine when a teacher is rambling on endlessly and you are bored to tears. However, this texting turns writing bad stuff is crazy talk. If text messaging effects people’s writing skills, they need to get a life and get off of their phones. There is a time and place for everything, and if people cannot figure out when not to use texting language, like in class papers, there is really no hope for them. I can see using texting lingo in regular conversation. It is easy to do, sums things up nicely, and gets the point across. Texting works.
#3 what’s a blog
- What is a blog?
A blog is an online bulletin board on which you can put information to be accessed by a group.
- Where have you ever heard of blogs?
On Myspace and in Lit 10 Honors. My uncle Les has a blog which I see on his myspace, and now with blogs in school, I understand them more, and like posting and reading them.
- How comfortable are you with computers?
I am somewhat comfortable with computers, and I grow more comfortable with them every day.
- What kinds of things do you do with computers typically?
I do Myspace, homework, and I use them in my keyboarding class fifth period.
- What is your opinion of writing?
I like writing because it is just one more way to get my voice heard, and also to hear that of others.
- What kind of writing do you like to do?
I like all types of writing, because, whatever it is, I can analyze and put my own twist on certain issues.
- Why are parents, teachers, and others so concerned about teens’ safety when they’re using the Internet?
They are concerned because some people are crazy perverts trying to take advantage of us, the helpless children.
- Is the Internet dangerous?
It certainly can be, if people are careless with personal information, because there are people who are crazy and terrible.
- What do your peers generally do with computers and the Internet?
Myspace and schoolwork. Some do fantasy football and baseball as well.
- What do you think/how do you feel about the year ahead, knowing that you will be using a blog a lot in Lit 10 Honors?
I’m just peachy with it, because I look forward to reflecting on things I’ve done. There is also the benefit of listening to the opinions of others as well.
post #2
1. There is no need for violence.
2. Where in the heck did the beavers muster the strength to beat USC?
3. Dominating everything is all I managed to do.
4. Prospects for peace.
5. Have fun is the message.
6. Simplicity and tranquility are underestimated.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to Lando’s party, tomorrow my plans include a race and Sunday, I want to go to church!
Post #1
Disneyland, Do or Die
“Sign reading contest everyone!” proposed Dad.
I tried so hard. Useless. Unable to read at a whopping three years old, I began lecturing my parents on the unfair parameters of the game. Andrea, my six year-old sister, was reading every sign from ‘7-11,’ to ‘Motel 6,’ to ‘Disneyland.’ Wait, Disneyland? My feelings on the rules of the game were long gone. We were going to Disneyland.
That truth bounced around in our group with glee as we made our way down the blistering road-side walkway. Everyone was jubilant. My tall, slender, mother in her late twenties was smiling from ear to ear, because she had found a way to get her one-income family down to Disneyland: she was happy for her kids. A former exchange student and longtime friend, Laurence had also made the trip, bathing in every moment of this American dream, far away from her own home in Brussels, Belgium. My dad was perhaps the most excited of the five of us. His solid six foot frame hidden underneath his newly acquired U2 Popmart shirt, from the band’s show at Autzen Stadium earlier that year. You could see the wild yet content happiness in his one of-a-kind eyes. Brimming with anticipation my then somewhat cool sister and I started to run for the Disneyland gates, but our tiny bodies let us down and we pooped out after ten steps. Once we were inside of the park, it was like heaven on earth. That is until we reached the Indiana Jones ride.
While approaching the nature-filled path to the ride, for whatever reason, I freaked! I was inconsolable, and it would only get worse. As we neared the place that seemed at the time to be the pit of despair, I realized that there was still a fighting chance for survival. A stick carved into something resembling a totem pole, carried within it the knowledge of who could, or could not ride. Drunk with hope, I forgot to stoop, and got the news:
“Go ahead little fellow, you’re plenty tall,”
“Oh boy,” I thought, “now I’m in for it.”
The actual ride, I’m afraid, lived exactly up, or down, to my expectations. I cried all the way through. The turning point was when the giant boulder came flying at us like hail in an Iowa storm. We then dropped down out of the way and into the end of the ride. I was so happy we didn’t get squashed, and the same elated feeling stayed with me all through the Disneyland experience. From that point on I enjoyed everything from the “Tiki-Tiki room” to the Dumbo ride, and I, David, was a happy camper.
I have since returned to that magical place, my fear long gone, as we once again stumbled into line for the Indiana Jones ride. I looked down at the totem pole stick and smiled. This time I passed with no problem, nearly able to step over the darn thing. “What a beautiful place,” Mom muttered. I could not have agreed with her any more.
