The Western Women's Harem

This story wasn't really my cup of tea. I don't really care what size I am as long as Im healthy. I think too many people worry about there outside appearance. I understand the saying "If you look good you feel good" but I think some people bring it over the edge. I am very skinny but I don't worry about it I just eat three meals a day and go on with my life. I feel more people should worry about there inner qualities. I guess it was a culture shock for some who does not live in such a industrialized world. I think too many celebrities and role models are giving the wrong impressions witch was the start of this. Another factor is some people who are naturally skinny raising the bar to people who have to work for it. Clearly if people accepted themselves for who they are we would conquerer this problem. When I meet new people I do not judge on appearance or size in this case. I look for great personality and similarities with me. Although we have more freedoms then other countries some time they have negative affects. In this case self image is the negative effect. I feel that in this story the author had a depressed mood.

A Man Who Was Mean to His Dog

I feel animal abuse is wrong and beating a dog is cruel and unusual punishment. The last thing that should go threw anyones mind is hurting mans best friend. When reading this the first thing that came to mind was what Michel Vick did to those poor dogs. In case you didn't know Vick hurt dogs to get pit bulls to fight in dog fightsI think that the Mother should have stood up and take action against the man who was hurting the dog. Sam clearly had the right idea to stand up to the man who was hurting the dog. Thankfully the other mother took action and put a stop to the beating of the dog. There was also a very religious aspect to the story and I felt that it was too much and that they overused. I feel that no dog should be beaten because they are over powered by people. I believe animal abuse is overlooked and not frowned upon enough. Dogs should be treated with respect and taken care of. I think the dog can also be represented as a human in the story. Since there was a lot of religious references and it could stand for equality. All in all I think this was a sad story and that it shows that you should stand up and take action for what you think is wrong like animal abuse.

The Price We Pay

Adam Mayblum talks about 9-11 and what he did that day. Being from New York and having relatives who were in one of the towers I felt a connection to this passage. This was a tragic day and I remember it exactly as if it was yesterday. It was the end of the school day, I was in sixth grade, and as I got home both my parents were hypnotized by the TV. So I curiously went over and asked "what they were watching." My parents told me "the news and that the twin towers went down." I was in shock when I looked at the towers and saw smoke bellowing from the towers. Ill never forget the news clip. Then we got a phone call from my brother in law and found out me made it out safe.

It was probably one of the saddest days in history in the US and it affected everyone. The next day you could see everyones mood had changed and that people were doing little things like holding door for people and other little things. Mayblum's really hit it home when he described the event and how he added an element of suspense. His story really puts you on the edge of your seat as he describes descending through the first tower. I think it is miraculous that Myblum made it out in one peace. I think no one should of had to gone through what he did.

Once More to the Lake

I can simulate to White about the trips he took up north. I too have taken trips like these to upstate New York and Vermont. Although not being a lake in Main it has the same upstate feel to it. I feel that White described the lake so well that I could have been there myself.  Sadly Whites father has passed away so he cannot look at the lake the same. I have thankfully not gone through that so I could not relate. It must be hard for White to revisit a place where he had many good times with a relative that passed away. When he talks about fishing for bass I remembered me and my cousin fishing out on a lake by his house fishing for bass and how it was similar to the story.

At the end when White talks about the "chill of death" I guessed that he fells grim when he revisits the lake due to the passing of his father. I think when he goes to the lake he should think of the good times he had with his father and cherish that over grieving he's death. Don't get me wrong it is terrible when a love one passes away but you should just try to remember the good times you had. Also he can pass the good times down to his son now. Another positive aspect is that he can keep the memories he had with his dad alive and have stories to tell to his kids.

Shitty First Draft

First drafts are the most important part for a writer. The first draft is to regurgitate and lay down the basic information. I agree when Anne Lamott says "Very few writers really know what they are doing until they've done it." While writing and editing a first draft you are preventing errors from going into your finial copy and deleting extra material.

After reading this I think I am going to use the first draft more often. I fell that Lamott is correct about getting all the information down when writing the first draft then going back and editing it. She uses alot of good similes to get the point across and comedy too. Although some of her humor is kinda dark, I liked when she talked about writers block which is a major enemy to most writers. Also when she talks about doing ten other things before getting down to writing. I tend to do many things and get off topic when about to start writing too. So if I did this before every main writing assignment, unless required, I could improve my grade by probley ten percent.