Dialectical Journal #1 Chapter 4

Text: " Kill the pig. Cut her throat. Bash her in."
Respond: I predict that this is not the first time they've killed an animal. Perhaps Jack is the antagonist and his choir are his accomplices.

Text: " You should have seen the blood!"
Respond: It seems as if Jack has a lust for blood and killing. Ralph is dead serious ,but Jack keeps smiling and bragging about the blood.

Vocabulary #9

Savory: delicious

Entice: To tempt

Tactless: Insensitive 

Integrity: Self respect

Compensate: Pay for services

Aloof: Disinterested

Goad: To taunt

Cohort: Friend

1. My soup Maruchan, was very savory with salsa Tapatio.

2. Our class behavior was enticing Mr. Ostini to gives us minutes after the bell.

3. The tactless girl went off on her teacher for getting her in trouble.
4. In order for others to respect you one must have integrity.
5. I was compensated with pure A's, thanks to all my hard work.
6. While the nervous boy spoke to his crush, she seemed aloof.
7. The asinine student goaded his teacher in order to get a assaulted and sue him for two million dollars.
8. I don't have any cohorts. 

Leopard Man Essay

In today's society, we are expected to do things such as: talk, think, and dress alike in order to fit in. Society is so picky nowadays, it crams down ideas down our throat constantly. Logan Feys, author of the article " The Sociology of Leopard Man", sates "Be like Leopard Man from time to time. Be psychologically free enough and strong enough to live independently, leaving society and entering society on no one's terms but your own." I strongly believe that we should be free from society from time to time.

Logan Feys is saying that it's good to be free from social pressure. Not escaping from society from time to time, can lead one to become a brainwashed conformist like most teens nowadays. Conformity is seen as the worlds most common but dangerous psychological disorder in Fey's eyes. Tom Leopard, better known as Leopard Man, is a sixty year old man covered in multiple tattoos, who lives in solitude in the Scottish wilderness. Logan perceives Leopard Man as a free man not your typically non-conformist.

By the time I was in third grade, I would sweet excessively. The front on my shirt would be covered half way with pure sweat and my would also sweat a bit. As time progressed, so did the amount of my perspiration. Now when I do exercise, my whole shirt is drenched in sweat as well as my shorts. I was treated with disgust by other kids of my age. In there eyes I was viewed as a freak and that had quite an impact on me, until I learned how to cooperate with my emotions. Kids ask me things like: did you shower or something, how many water bottles did you pour on yourself, and is that water. At first I would get upset about such comments, but I realized I can't control others actions or opinions. Some still make those remarks but I just ignore them and smile. Perhaps this isn't considered extraordinary or special , but it's one of the things that makes me different and separates me from the rest.

People, including myself, portray me as a loner. I was never one of the following types of kids: rich, poor, smart, dumb, or popular. Logan states in his article that loners are feared the most by society because they don't seek others permission or appeal they pursue their own values. I assume that's why people view me with suspicion as venture on alone. I don't do things like: drugs, drink, or steal. Since I don't have any friends I use my spare time by doing the following: playing Fifa, exercise, basketball, soccer, and most importantly imagine.

I firmly believe that it's good to escape from society's pressure as much as possible. One can still have what society has to offer without being part of it. We should be like Leopard Man more often to feel what it's like to become free from all this baloney. We live under constant pressure of what we should become but that can turn against us and harm us mentally.

My Favorite Mistake Essay

In 2011, on Black Friday, my family and I went to Best Buy to purchase a PlayStation 3. We got the system that included the following: Uncharted 3, 320 gigabytes, and a free month of PlayStation store. The store was completely packed of people with various gifts. I could hear kids scream of joy and some trying desperately to convince their parents into buying certain games. My brother told me to get another controller and to get Fifa 12 and so I did. As soon as we got home I began to play Fifa and instantly fell in love with the game.
 My brother and I would play from time in time and it pretty fun. My brother Hector would tell me" I'm going to beat you ten zero."
 I would respond with" Watch, bro, your defense is going to learn how to dance right now!"
 The first game we played against each other, my brother won 4-3. Then I defeated him 4-2. The first games I would usually play on amateur level. In Fifa 12, you can create your own virtual pro. A virtual pro is a player that looks identical to yourself. In order for you player increase in pitch, you have to complete certain goals to achieve certain skills. I put my virtual pro in Chivas because that's the team that I go for in the Mexican league.
 Chivas isn't the best team in the world and that is reflected upon there ranking. Every team and league are ranked by the amount of skill their players possess. The ranks; however, are split into the following three categories: forward, midfield, and defense. Chivas is ranked like this: 68 forward, 63 mid, and 67 def. One day I decided to play against Chivas's formal enemy, America. That time I did not set the settings properly which resulted in my defeat. The weather was rainy, meaning contact with the ball was not good. The referee was very strict; therefore, resulting in various yellow cards and free kicks. Difficulty was on professional, which was far more difficult than what level I normally played on.
My defense was chasing the ball for most of the game because I could not get the ball. Since I didn't have much ball control, the few chances created had to be precise. Chivas's defense was unorganized, creating spaces for the opposition to attack. The sliding tackle proved to be ineffective due to the fact that I had not honed that skill, resulting in yellow cards and free kicks for the opposition. My goalie was terrible and was not reliable during free kicks.
The chances that I had were scarce and the ones that I managed to preform were off target. At minute eighteen, a clear chance appeared as I was alone with the goalkeeper, but I didn't chip it. Next chance I had was off because I held on to the shot button for to long. My final chance was a penalty, but I got too tense and missed the net by hitting the post. I learned that to become good at something it takes time and patience to improve.  Now my virtual pro is at level 87, that's better than Chicharito. I am way better and more patient in my efforts to win a match.

Luis’s Passion Blog

Everybody is different; therefore, everybody thinks differently. What brings us together is the love for a common passion. I’m a very active person so I love to participate in sports such as basketball, soccer, running, etc. One of my biggest passion is soccer; iv’e been playing it since I was nine. Ronaldinho motivated me to play soccer just by watching him preform his skills in Youtube videos. The first trick or skill I tried to do was the elastico; it is a move in which the outside of the foot moves towards the right, quickly followed by a sudden gesture with your inside foot to the left. It took me several months to perfect this technique due to the difficulty, but I felt proud when I accomplished this move. The elastico was Ronaldinho’s signature move in his time playing for FC Barcelona(FC stands for futbol club).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3dr1VH-EL7E

Another soccer player that influenced me was and is Ronaldo “El Fenomeno”. He, just like Ronaldinho, is from Brazil and had a tough childhood. Ronaldo was slightly overweight due to a condition he grew up with, but that did not stop him from achieving greatness. This guy was just a beast when he played; as soon as he got the ball the opposition trembled in fear not knowing what would occur. I learned how to do step overs and chops by watching his videos. Step overs are moves in which you step over the ball left or right. Chops is a movement where as you run you push the ball with your right instep and move your left foot over the ball without touching it. This moves really improved my options in situations where I had the ball. Although it took time to preform these moves correctly, it was worth it.

The last soccer player to motivate me was Zinedine Zidane, from France. He was best known as “The Scientist” because he was experimenting when he played soccer. Zidane’s signature move was the roulette and it became iconic in soccer advertisements. This skill I think was quite tough to execute. For some time I was doing this move inaccurately because I only did part of it. Whenever I play soccer I do this skills without thinking; kind of like second nature.

Luis’s Autobiography

My life before high school was alright. I have always been extremely energetic for some odd reason. I love being active; it helps me feel free or relaxed. I’m born and raised in Santa Maria; however, iv’e also lived in Guadalupe and Orcutt. I’m considered to be the baby in my family. I have been playing soccer since I was nine so it’s my passion, but I also like basketball and running. My favorite soccer team is Barcelona from Spain because they have some of the best soccer players in the world. Music has also had an impact on me; my favorite bands or singers are Pink Floyd, The Rolling Stones, Kid Cudi, MGMT, Carlos Santana, Eminem, Bob Marley, and Linkin Park.

Life in high school has really helped me see just how school can affect your future. My family keeps telling me that if you don’t succeed in high school you will work in the fields picking strawberries. I know how difficult that job is because i work there during summer vacation. Freshman year I didn’t do as well as I would have wanted to but this year i’ll do my best. It would be nice to be participating in a sport but i’m not so sure on that. People come and go throughout your entire life; that’s what i’ve learned in the time of my life. I’ve made some new friends and lost others but that’s just the way it is. I’m positive that i will preform well my sophomore year as well as the others to come.

If all goes well, I will go to Hancock for two years and then attend Calpoly or USCB depending on my career. I’m thinking about becoming a car designer or an engineer. If both of those don’t result then i’ll become a police officer. Times are tough and will only worsen within time. The rich get richer and the poor get poorer that’s how it has and always be sadly; that’s why if I form a family I want to be able to maintain them.

Events in Syria

I would like to discuss about the current events in Syria and on what the USA plans to do. Things in Syria are not good and personally I don’t think we should get involved with them. If the US intervenes, we could be in another world war and that will be catastrophic for everybody. With the vast amount of nuclear bombs and advanced weapons, this war would bring about the end of the human race. If the war does occur it is possible that high school students would need to sign up to the army and go to war. By not signing up, when you apply for a job you will not receive it. I think if the US attacks Syria that Russia’s army base or headquarters would instantly react and fight the USA. I’m not sure if Russia and China are allies but if they are then it’s almost guaranteed that they will overpower the USA. How because China has the largest army in the world and has some advanced weaponry. One the other hand, Russia has one of the toughest soldiers in the world.

Economically this would not benefit our country in any way. Perhaps it could help the US by owning new land and crude oil or other resources. The cons out weigh the pros, that’s why I don’t see this profiting us. I’m a big conspiracy theorist and I believe that the USA had sent those arms to Mexican Cartels in order to take over Mexico. How, with all of the killings they could just declare Mexico out of control and take over it and its resources like oil. Anyways my point is that if this war were to take place then everyone would be in grave danger. Those rebels are totally nuts; some rebel at one of any soldiers heart and lungs. That’s all the information I could share and think about so goodnight.

Vocabulary #4

1. After the hapless girl found out her boyfriend was cheating on her, she was depressed for weeks.

2. Before we scrutinize the insects, we have to find them.

3. Since Santa Maria is my domicile, I’m considered a Californian man.

4. Although Mr Ostini clarified semicolons, I was still somewhat perplexing.

5. After the asinine fanatic ran naked through the soccer field, everybody laughed.

6. Until I inferred the difficult Zelda puzzle, I was stuck in the same place for hours and I was pissed. 

7. Instead of having an eloquent speaker, we were confronted with a rather timid speaker.

8. Because of the strife in Syria, the USA might have to intervene.

Favorite Celebrity (3rd)

Danny Mcbride

The Monkey’s Paw

1. If you had three wishes, what would they be? Why?( No wishing for more wishes) Explain each response.

2. Is there anything you’re superstitious about? Explain.( If not, explain why not)

1. First wish would be to have every super power I could think of. Why, because depending in my situation, I could do something good. Second wish is to cure all of my family members of any sickness and future health problems. My family is very important to me because they’ve taken care of me and I love them. Last wish is unlimited intelligence for myself. This will come in handy everyday for the rest of my life.

2. Only superstition is of Karma or our existence. Whether we were created by space, god, or aliens.

Antigone Compare/Contrast Essay

In Antigone, by Sophocles, Antigone must go against the laws of Creon. Creon is the King of Thebes because the future king was suppose to be Polyeices or Etocles, but they killed each other in war. She seeks justice for her brother Polyneices because he wasn’t buried properly like her other brother Etocles. There’s one obstacle in Antigone’s path, Creon’s law which is death to anyone who even touches Polyneice’s body. Although Creon and Antigone are adversaries, they share similarities and differences which led to there tragic ends. Antigone strongly believes that Polyneices should be buried with honors just like Etocles. 

Antigone displays her loyalty towards her family and God by properly burying Polyneices. She states, “But I shall bury him; and if I must die, I say that my crime is holy: I shall lie down with him in death”(2.57-59). This shows that Antigone cares about her family by wanting to properly bury Polyneices, even at the cost of her own life. While Antigone argues with Ismene, she states this quotes which eventually motivates Ismene to lie and take an allegation she hasn’t done. When Antigone disputes with Creon, she tells him that the laws of God are far more superior than those of men. This demonstrates her loyalty by telling Creon this in his presence. Antigone knows that the laws of God should come before the laws of men and shall be forever operative.

Creon shows his loyalty towards his state by unwillingly taking full responsibility of the state. Creon tells his people the following: he has no use for people who put friendships before public welfare, nothing but contempt for a governor who is afraid, and never have dealings with the enemy. One can infer he has a strong sense of loyalty by being king. He seems to be more interested in public welfare than friendships. Creon argues with his son Haimon telling him, ” You’ll never marry her while she lives”(3.23). His statement followed by other cruel ones leads Haimon into madness resulting in his sons death. This consequently leads to Eurydice, his wife’s death.

Antigone is associated with prideful characteristics, which marked her fate. Antigone declares before Ismene, ” Creon is not strong enough to stand in my way”(2.36) Her statement reveals that she doesn’t fear Creon. This remark might have been made up while she was heating up; she tries to be cocky in order to boost her confidence. Throughout her heated conversation with Ismene, Antigone announces that she isn’t afraid of danger, even if it means death. This indicates that she doesn’t fear death, rather she welcomes it.Antigone wants to have honor with death because to her death without honor is meaningless.

Creon is also known for his pridefulness, which led to his downfall. When Choragos asks Creon if Haimon might react with bitterness he responds by saying, ” We shall soon see, and no need for diviners”(3.4). Although Haimon acted with little emothion, he later reacted with bitterness and killed himself. Haimon was not happy with the new, but Creon didn’t think Haimon would commit suicide. When Teiresias tells Creon that something bad shall happen soon, Creon takes it as a joke do to his pridefulness and stubbornness. Teiresias warned Creon that he shall pay corpse by corpse. This led to Haimons death and his wife Eurydice’s death. All of those tragic events could have been avoided if he wasn’t so prideful and stubborn.

Antigone decides to face Creon’s law head on by burying her brother Polyneices. Creon asks his servants to find out who did this, but he thinks that a man did this. Antigone argues with Creon about equal honors for the dead , but Creon believes Polyneices is a traitor. She is sentenced to death, but Haimon , Antigone’s future husband son of Creon, finds out about this and kills himself as he sees Antigone dead. Creon rushes to his home to find out that his wife ,Eurydice has also died. Creon is left alone due to his pride and stubbornness.

Freshman By: Michael Gerber

1. Hart Fox is a senior student from Philo T Farnsworth High School; applied for Stutts University, one of the most prestigious colleges in the United States. He is a very smart student and was considered somewhat of an outcast, until he got enrolled into Stutts. His family was happy that their son got into such a reputable college, even though to Hart his family is an oddball. As Hart walks outside of Stutt’s campus, a mysterious limousine pulls up besides him and the driver tells him to get, so he does as told. He tries talking to the driver, but Hart is only ignored. Hart has a tendency to sleep when he becomes anxious, so he fell asleep on the ride. When he woke up, he realized he was at the house of Trip darling, one of his friends from high school. Mr. Darling was golfing as Hart approached him. The Darlings were one of the richest and well known families in the US. Mr. Darling informed Hart that he shall no longer attend Stutts because he bought the spot for Trip. The feeling of anger boiled inside of Hart, but he barely manged to maintain his cool. Mr. Darling told Hart that if he took Trips classes for him he would be compensated with two hundred thousand dollars. Hart told Mr. Darling that he would do it; however, he would also have to attend to Stutts. Mr. Darling had no other option so he unwillingly agreed. Hart meet his dorm roommates and found them to be intriguing. He instantly formed a friendship with Peter ,one of his roommates, who’s handicapped. Hart decides to pick the easiest class to take for Trip, but Trip fools around by almost pissing on the professor from the balcony. Hart manages to stop Trip from doing something stupid, but he is blamed for the incident by one of Stutts newspaper, the Spec. Hart goes to the Spec in hopes of making his article public on their newspaper, but his idea is stolen and written slightly differently. This infuriates Hart so he decides to join forces with the Cuckoo, rivals with the spec. The Spec has always stopped the Cuckoo from publishing any of their articles, until Hart and peter joined them. Their success brought about rumors and attention and he got back at the Spec; two birds in one shot. There are not examples of flashbacks or foreshadowing in this novel. 

2. Theme(s):

-Humor: This novel tries to show the bright side of the worst situations.

3. The tone of the story is happiness and upsettedness. 

Examples: ” …. and the smell of dead fish?”

                “You say what you think. That’s what everybody likes about you.”

“Come on”

4. I could not find examples of allusions, symbols, or any other.