The House on Mango Street
The perspective of this story really hit home with me. I remember similar feelings as a child. You always wanted everything you or your family was associated with to be acceptable. I had similar issues and this story brought back those memories of embarrassment. I remember how much flack I received from my friends that my mom drove a Pinto station wagon. Yes, it is true, wood paneling and all. Every time we would pick a friend up I would dread it. In this story I felt the author was shedding light on similar, if not identical feelings. And what is odd is some people do not recognize these feelings. Or, maybe it is the perspective of the person feeling inadequate? What do you think?
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Blog Entry 4: Quote Response
"The villagers kept their distance, leaving a space between them and the stool" (Jackson, Pg. 214).
This quote is from The Lottery. As I began reading the story it was intriguing to me what was the lottery going to represent? Initially there seemed to be tension in the air and it did not appear that the lottery was going to gift a load of cash, or in this case, a new tractor to the villager with the winning ticket. But when Mr. Summers (unique name given to the villager that does the drawing every June) brought the black box out and set it on the black stool, carried by the postman, and all of the villagers kept their distance. I believe this quote really cast a dark shadow on the drawing. Sure enough as it was revealed the winner was stoned to death so the corn would grow better. OK?
This quote is from The Lottery. As I began reading the story it was intriguing to me what was the lottery going to represent? Initially there seemed to be tension in the air and it did not appear that the lottery was going to gift a load of cash, or in this case, a new tractor to the villager with the winning ticket. But when Mr. Summers (unique name given to the villager that does the drawing every June) brought the black box out and set it on the black stool, carried by the postman, and all of the villagers kept their distance. I believe this quote really cast a dark shadow on the drawing. Sure enough as it was revealed the winner was stoned to death so the corn would grow better. OK?
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Blog entry 3: Freestyle
A reading interest of mine outside of the class is "The Complete Art of War" by Sun Tzu. I first learned of this book while I was attending a leadership conference and the speaker, his name escapes me, was quoting the Art of War. I was impressed by the injection of quotes into his presentation and how they related to leadership. At the end of the presentation he revealed the source of the quotes and I was surprised to learn that they were made by Sun Tzu from 506 B.C.
Sun Tzu Was relatively unknown until he was revealed to the King during a time of war. The King's army was outnumbered and he was in need of a strategy that could overcome his opponents advantage, Sun Tzu provided the needed strategy and tactics. Many of these tactics are studied by the U.S. military today. The book not only serves as a tactical guide but can be used as a self help book for leaders and managers as many of the tactics apply to everyday life.
"One who's upper and lower ranks have the same desires will be victorious" (Sun Tzu, The Complete Art of War, pg. 52). This quote is written for an army that is about to go into battle. But, if you apply these same strategies to your company, team or family you can see that they could be very effective. If your team believes in the cause and you all share the same desire then you should be successful. I also believe that it can apply to relationships and many other areas of modern life. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in self improvement.
Sun Tzu Was relatively unknown until he was revealed to the King during a time of war. The King's army was outnumbered and he was in need of a strategy that could overcome his opponents advantage, Sun Tzu provided the needed strategy and tactics. Many of these tactics are studied by the U.S. military today. The book not only serves as a tactical guide but can be used as a self help book for leaders and managers as many of the tactics apply to everyday life.
"One who's upper and lower ranks have the same desires will be victorious" (Sun Tzu, The Complete Art of War, pg. 52). This quote is written for an army that is about to go into battle. But, if you apply these same strategies to your company, team or family you can see that they could be very effective. If your team believes in the cause and you all share the same desire then you should be successful. I also believe that it can apply to relationships and many other areas of modern life. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in self improvement.
Blog entry 2: Quote Response, A & P
I enjoyed reading A & P. I felt the central conflict was the struggle taking place between the upcoming generation and the current one. The story is written in 1961 and during this period there were many things going on in the world. The cold war between Russia and western civilization is referenced in the story when Sammy is talking about Stokesies being the manager some day when the store is called "the Great Alexandrov and Petrooshki Tea Company or something". In addition, the sexual revolution was beginning and the philosophical differences between the two generations were widening.
"His face was dark and gray and his back was stiff, as if he'd just had an injection of iron, and my stomach kind of fell as I felt how hard the world was going to be to me hereafter" (Updike, pg. 20). This passage is the last sentence in the story and summarizes the internal conflict of the protagonist, Sammy. He is an 18 year old boy that is coming of age and is struggling with the conflict between two generations. On one hand, he is expected to be like his parents; get a job, get married, buy a house and have 2.4 kids, this was the "norm" in the 50's. On the other hand, he wants to join his generation and be different, carefree, look at girls in the supermarket in their swim suit. The description of the store manager in the passage is critical. The writer depicts him as very hard, unforgiving and unchangeable. This is the representation of Sammy's parents generation. Sammy wants girls to be able to walk in the supermarket without there shoulders covered. The words in this passage that leap out as important to me are "to me". The words "to me" seem to say that Sammy has gone to the other side. The author could have said; I felt how hard the world was going to be hereafter. But I feel he was trying to tell us that Sammy decided he was going to go his own way and make decisions based on his convictions, not what his parents or the store manager believe is right.
"His face was dark and gray and his back was stiff, as if he'd just had an injection of iron, and my stomach kind of fell as I felt how hard the world was going to be to me hereafter" (Updike, pg. 20). This passage is the last sentence in the story and summarizes the internal conflict of the protagonist, Sammy. He is an 18 year old boy that is coming of age and is struggling with the conflict between two generations. On one hand, he is expected to be like his parents; get a job, get married, buy a house and have 2.4 kids, this was the "norm" in the 50's. On the other hand, he wants to join his generation and be different, carefree, look at girls in the supermarket in their swim suit. The description of the store manager in the passage is critical. The writer depicts him as very hard, unforgiving and unchangeable. This is the representation of Sammy's parents generation. Sammy wants girls to be able to walk in the supermarket without there shoulders covered. The words in this passage that leap out as important to me are "to me". The words "to me" seem to say that Sammy has gone to the other side. The author could have said; I felt how hard the world was going to be hereafter. But I feel he was trying to tell us that Sammy decided he was going to go his own way and make decisions based on his convictions, not what his parents or the store manager believe is right.
Monday, June 21, 2010
Welcome
Welcome,
My name is Kevin Olson and I am majoring in Fire Administration and this is my first quarter at EOU. I am a battalion chief at the Valley Regional Fire Authority in Washington State. I enjoy fitness, sports and spending time with my wife Carla, and my two son's Taylor and Cody.
What is the story of my reading life?
I have never been much of a reader. I did not read much as a child because I could not sit still that long. As an adult I have tried to read more but suffer from what I like to call "reading narcolepsy". Currently most of my reading is related to work and school. I have read books for enjoyment and usually choose books that are nonfiction and include human triumph. One of my favorite books is the Endurance, the story of Earnest Shackleton's transcontinental voyage. My memories of reading in school are not fond ones. I was always somewhat of a slow reader and did not like to be chosen to read aloud. I do however feel that my reading has improved and I want to spend more time with a good book.
Three interviews:
My wife:
My wife is an avid reader and goes through a book in about two weeks. Her favorite type of book is a murder mystery or serial killer biography. Currently she is reading The Lion by Nelson Demille. She had trouble naming her favorite book because she had read so many. She also watches the forensic channel and if she ever decides to take me out she will probably get away with it.
My Oldest son Taylor (16):
Like his Dad Taylor is not an avid reader. However he is a very good student and does read more often than I do. He too likes nonfiction and has very similar tastes to mine. His favorite book is Guns, Germs and Steel. His experiences relate very closely to mine. He does not prefer to read aloud and most of his reading is assigned.
My youngest son Cody (15):
Like his Dad Cody is not an avid reader. However he is a very good student and reads fairly often. He enjoys reading about sports figures like Micheal Jordan. His favorite book is How to Win State. Unlike his dad and older brother he is a strong reader. He reads very fast and has an easy time reading to others.
Thanks for visiting my blog and I would appreciate your post.
Kevin
My name is Kevin Olson and I am majoring in Fire Administration and this is my first quarter at EOU. I am a battalion chief at the Valley Regional Fire Authority in Washington State. I enjoy fitness, sports and spending time with my wife Carla, and my two son's Taylor and Cody.
What is the story of my reading life?
I have never been much of a reader. I did not read much as a child because I could not sit still that long. As an adult I have tried to read more but suffer from what I like to call "reading narcolepsy". Currently most of my reading is related to work and school. I have read books for enjoyment and usually choose books that are nonfiction and include human triumph. One of my favorite books is the Endurance, the story of Earnest Shackleton's transcontinental voyage. My memories of reading in school are not fond ones. I was always somewhat of a slow reader and did not like to be chosen to read aloud. I do however feel that my reading has improved and I want to spend more time with a good book.
Three interviews:
My wife:
My wife is an avid reader and goes through a book in about two weeks. Her favorite type of book is a murder mystery or serial killer biography. Currently she is reading The Lion by Nelson Demille. She had trouble naming her favorite book because she had read so many. She also watches the forensic channel and if she ever decides to take me out she will probably get away with it.
My Oldest son Taylor (16):
Like his Dad Taylor is not an avid reader. However he is a very good student and does read more often than I do. He too likes nonfiction and has very similar tastes to mine. His favorite book is Guns, Germs and Steel. His experiences relate very closely to mine. He does not prefer to read aloud and most of his reading is assigned.
My youngest son Cody (15):
Like his Dad Cody is not an avid reader. However he is a very good student and reads fairly often. He enjoys reading about sports figures like Micheal Jordan. His favorite book is How to Win State. Unlike his dad and older brother he is a strong reader. He reads very fast and has an easy time reading to others.
Thanks for visiting my blog and I would appreciate your post.
Kevin
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