Some great articles and websites about rowing across an entire ocean and walking across America. What are the motivations of these people? What can rowing or walking do to change the world? Do you feel that their approaches to a problem are effective or that their intentions are genuine? Which matters more, approach or intention?
Let's get some responses! Extra credit for blogged journals, as always!
Row, Row
Row your boat
Walk across America!
Monday, March 31, 2008
Eduardo Sanchez English 16
Into the wild journal #1 Professor McCormick
In the book into the wild the character of Christopher Johnson McCandles goes on an adventure and leaves to fulfill his own dreams of going around America backpacking and hitchhiking until he arrives to the his final destination, which is Alaska. He desires to leave behind all that he owns, including family old friends and most importantly any money he had. In the book there are many characters to who one could relate to, like Chris’s sister, his mother Bille and his father Walt. Each character has their own unique personality and I think there is at least one relationship one can relate to with their own lives or with some one else in their lives. If had to pick a character that I believe that I can associate someone with, it would have to be Chris’s Grandfather Loren Johnson and Chris’s father Walt. I would compare their relationship with Chris to My grandfather’s Relationship to my own father and his other siblings. I would have to say that the only ways that they are similar is that Loren did things he disliked, like hunting for example and was also a guide for amateur hunters when Billie and her siblings were young. Despite his love for animals he did it because he had no other form of providing food for and other things for his kids as well. I think for the most part all parents would be willing to do something they dislike to come through for their family. My grandfather according to my dad had many different jobs when he was in Guatemala and he did them all because, much like Walt, he had many children, most illegitimate or from previous relationships. He had to provide for about 15 kids, which even nowadays that is hard task to do, but despite this he did it without thinking twice. I think that is admirable considering that most people would have simply turned their backs on them. He was mainly a shoemaker and he liked playing the guitar as well, he liked those two things and he considered them an art or at least something he could always enjoy doing. He had many other jobs and did odd jobs as well, since work was hard to find, according to him. I think like Chris I admire that quality in my grandfather, a quality of making commitments and having priorities and trying your hardest to keep them, something I hope I will be able to do in the future. Like Chris I also want to fulfill my dream of traveling around the world, and seeing Europe, Asia and parts of central and South America, and some states in America as well. Despite this common dream, we differ in a major way, I would not leave everything behind, I would like get this all done before I die (not because I’m dying), by doing it throughout my lifetime and mainly not alone, with friends as well.
Into the wild journal #1 Professor McCormick
In the book into the wild the character of Christopher Johnson McCandles goes on an adventure and leaves to fulfill his own dreams of going around America backpacking and hitchhiking until he arrives to the his final destination, which is Alaska. He desires to leave behind all that he owns, including family old friends and most importantly any money he had. In the book there are many characters to who one could relate to, like Chris’s sister, his mother Bille and his father Walt. Each character has their own unique personality and I think there is at least one relationship one can relate to with their own lives or with some one else in their lives. If had to pick a character that I believe that I can associate someone with, it would have to be Chris’s Grandfather Loren Johnson and Chris’s father Walt. I would compare their relationship with Chris to My grandfather’s Relationship to my own father and his other siblings. I would have to say that the only ways that they are similar is that Loren did things he disliked, like hunting for example and was also a guide for amateur hunters when Billie and her siblings were young. Despite his love for animals he did it because he had no other form of providing food for and other things for his kids as well. I think for the most part all parents would be willing to do something they dislike to come through for their family. My grandfather according to my dad had many different jobs when he was in Guatemala and he did them all because, much like Walt, he had many children, most illegitimate or from previous relationships. He had to provide for about 15 kids, which even nowadays that is hard task to do, but despite this he did it without thinking twice. I think that is admirable considering that most people would have simply turned their backs on them. He was mainly a shoemaker and he liked playing the guitar as well, he liked those two things and he considered them an art or at least something he could always enjoy doing. He had many other jobs and did odd jobs as well, since work was hard to find, according to him. I think like Chris I admire that quality in my grandfather, a quality of making commitments and having priorities and trying your hardest to keep them, something I hope I will be able to do in the future. Like Chris I also want to fulfill my dream of traveling around the world, and seeing Europe, Asia and parts of central and South America, and some states in America as well. Despite this common dream, we differ in a major way, I would not leave everything behind, I would like get this all done before I die (not because I’m dying), by doing it throughout my lifetime and mainly not alone, with friends as well.
Friday, March 28, 2008
Into The Wild
I think everyone has a right to make any life changes that they want. Although, it may hurt people close to them, it's only right for them to do what's best for themeselves; even if it is a bizarre action. I could understand that Christopher McCandless was willing to try a different lifestyle but I think he was unprepared. He had a mental state of mind in deciding to re-live a different life but his physical state wasn't ready. He had inadequate sources of food, unproper living conditions, he became ill and died all alone in the nature of Alaska. When anyone decides to make any kind of life changes the mental and physical state must be alert and be able to cope with whatever conditions that the new lifestyle changes bring about. Christopher hadn't think about such circumstances before making his actions or else he would of known that "every action has a reaction"!
What is a Freegan?
Mustapha brought in a couple of great articles I think everyone should read. He brought up the group right here in New York City that call themselves Freegans. I think this website has a lot of valuable information on substantial living, a direction away from our capitalistic society. Please check it out, if you're interested. As always, a journal response will count as extra credit if some valuable thought is posted here on the blog!
A few articles on this phenomenon known as "dumpster diving":
Extreme Recycling: Food, Furniture, Diapers
Turning Trash into Gold
Is this a realistic or suitable way of living? The Freegans are talking about an entire make-over in our consciousness by fixing our lifestyles first. Let's here some thought on these matters!
A few articles on this phenomenon known as "dumpster diving":
Extreme Recycling: Food, Furniture, Diapers
Turning Trash into Gold
Is this a realistic or suitable way of living? The Freegans are talking about an entire make-over in our consciousness by fixing our lifestyles first. Let's here some thought on these matters!
Supertramp's Literary Heroes
From the passages that McCandless highlights and responds to in his library of “nine or ten paperbound books”, Krakauer puts together an account of what McCandless is reading and writing about while he is in the wild (162). His library makes up the heaviest weight in his backpack, from literature by authors such as “Thoreau and Tolstoy and Gogol” to “mass-market books by Michael Crichton, Robert Pirsig, and Louis L’Amour” (162). In recounting McCandless’s life, Krakauer focuses on his aesthetic dedication to certain writers; in particular, the literary heroes typically read in University English courses. Using the passages below, analyze how such authors influenced McCandless. Consider the positive and negative powers his self-education had on his own concoction of the American Dream.
No man ever followed his genius till it misled him. Though the result were bodily weakness, yet perhaps no one can say that the consequences were to be regretted, for these were a life in conformity to higher principles. If the day and the night are such that you greet them with joy, and life emits a fragarance like flowers and sweet-scented herbs, it is more elastic, more starry, more immortal,—that is your success. All nature is your congratulation, and you have cause momentarily to bless yourself. The greatest gains and values are farthest from being appreciated. We easily come to doubt if they exist. We soon forget them. They are the highest reality. …The true harvest of my daily life is somewhat as intangible and indescribably as the tints of morning or evening. It is a little star-dust caught, a segment of the rainbow which I have clutched.
Henry Davis Thoreau
Walden, or Life in the Woods
PASSAGE HIGHLIGHTED IN ONE OF THE BOOKS FOUND
WITH CHRIS MCCANDLESS’S REMIAINS
Krakauer 47
from Leo Tolstoy's "Family Happiness"
He was right in saying that certain happiness in life is to live for others…
I have lived through much, and now I think I have found what is needed for happiness. A quiet secluded life in the country, with the possibility of being useful to people whom it is easy to do good, and who are not accustomed to have it done to them; then work which one hopes may be of some use; then rest, nature, books, music, love for one’s neighbor—such is my idea of happiness. And then, on top of all that, you for a mate, and children, perhaps—what more can the heart of a man desire?
Krakauer 169
A written response on the blog will count as extra credit
No man ever followed his genius till it misled him. Though the result were bodily weakness, yet perhaps no one can say that the consequences were to be regretted, for these were a life in conformity to higher principles. If the day and the night are such that you greet them with joy, and life emits a fragarance like flowers and sweet-scented herbs, it is more elastic, more starry, more immortal,—that is your success. All nature is your congratulation, and you have cause momentarily to bless yourself. The greatest gains and values are farthest from being appreciated. We easily come to doubt if they exist. We soon forget them. They are the highest reality. …The true harvest of my daily life is somewhat as intangible and indescribably as the tints of morning or evening. It is a little star-dust caught, a segment of the rainbow which I have clutched.
Henry Davis Thoreau
Walden, or Life in the Woods
PASSAGE HIGHLIGHTED IN ONE OF THE BOOKS FOUND
WITH CHRIS MCCANDLESS’S REMIAINS
Krakauer 47
from Leo Tolstoy's "Family Happiness"
He was right in saying that certain happiness in life is to live for others…
I have lived through much, and now I think I have found what is needed for happiness. A quiet secluded life in the country, with the possibility of being useful to people whom it is easy to do good, and who are not accustomed to have it done to them; then work which one hopes may be of some use; then rest, nature, books, music, love for one’s neighbor—such is my idea of happiness. And then, on top of all that, you for a mate, and children, perhaps—what more can the heart of a man desire?
Krakauer 169
A written response on the blog will count as extra credit
RELATING TO A CHARACTER
Edwin Rodriguez
English 16
Professor McCormick
Journal Entry
Relating
One person that I feel I can most relate to is Chris's McCandless sister Carine McCandless. Carine's situations at her stand point remind me of myself, and certain issues that I and my family faced in my life. I see that she was in the same predicament as me. Chris reminds me of my sister in that they both have their rebellious ways. I was always the one watching or overlooking what was going on just like Carine did.
Krakauer talks how Carine and Chris are similar in some ways but there are very different also, just like the relationship between my sister Crystal and I.Carine seems to relate to her brother to a certain degree, like clashing with her parents. Krakauer writes, "Like Chris, Carine is energetic and self-assured, a high achiever, quick to state an opinion. Also like Chris, she clashed fiercely with Walt and Billie as an adolescent. But the differences between the siblings were greater than their similarities."
My sister Crystal was always the one that had the most drama with my parents. Even though I had my drama it wasn’t like to my sister’s extreme. She was always the rebellion for any little thing. One incident, out of many, that I remember was when my sister left the house just like Chris did. They both did it out of rebellious actions. One morning my mom and my sister were arguing. They were hollering at each other in the stairway like no other. I was listening, of course, downstairs in the living room. That's when a pivotal change happened in our lives. Shortly after, there argument my sister had left the house, for good. She eventually came back to get her stuff and move out but she wanted to be gone for good. My mother didn’t want anything but greatness to come out of her, but Crystal couldn’t see that.
Another way there are similarities between myself and Carine and Chris and Crystal is when Krakauer writes about the photographs. Chris is more relluctant to take a pic while Carin is smiling away. Krakauer writes in his essay:
She's right: In both photos Chris stares at the lens with the same pensive, recalcitrant squint, as if he'd been interrupted in the middle of an improtant thought and was annoyed to be wasting his time in front of the camera. His expression is most striking in the Easter photo because it contrasts so strongly with the exuberant grin Carine wears in the same frame. 128
We have an almost exact picture that mathces the description of Carine's and Chris's. My family was in Virgina Beach, Virgina for summer vacation. While we were down there we had taken a lot of pictures together. The one that reminds me most of their Easter photo was when we were leaving on our last day. My aunt had taken a picture of us; you see me smiling like it was for a Colgate commercial. But as you scan your eyes to the right you can see my sister giving a squint and uncomfortable look as if she was bother by my aunt.
Reading this story help me to justify the connections between myself and Carine who is the passive aggessive type. Then to find my sister like Chris, the rebelious child was really errie. I didn't think the similarities would be as close as they were.
English 16
Professor McCormick
Journal Entry
Relating
One person that I feel I can most relate to is Chris's McCandless sister Carine McCandless. Carine's situations at her stand point remind me of myself, and certain issues that I and my family faced in my life. I see that she was in the same predicament as me. Chris reminds me of my sister in that they both have their rebellious ways. I was always the one watching or overlooking what was going on just like Carine did.
Krakauer talks how Carine and Chris are similar in some ways but there are very different also, just like the relationship between my sister Crystal and I.Carine seems to relate to her brother to a certain degree, like clashing with her parents. Krakauer writes, "Like Chris, Carine is energetic and self-assured, a high achiever, quick to state an opinion. Also like Chris, she clashed fiercely with Walt and Billie as an adolescent. But the differences between the siblings were greater than their similarities."
My sister Crystal was always the one that had the most drama with my parents. Even though I had my drama it wasn’t like to my sister’s extreme. She was always the rebellion for any little thing. One incident, out of many, that I remember was when my sister left the house just like Chris did. They both did it out of rebellious actions. One morning my mom and my sister were arguing. They were hollering at each other in the stairway like no other. I was listening, of course, downstairs in the living room. That's when a pivotal change happened in our lives. Shortly after, there argument my sister had left the house, for good. She eventually came back to get her stuff and move out but she wanted to be gone for good. My mother didn’t want anything but greatness to come out of her, but Crystal couldn’t see that.
Another way there are similarities between myself and Carine and Chris and Crystal is when Krakauer writes about the photographs. Chris is more relluctant to take a pic while Carin is smiling away. Krakauer writes in his essay:
She's right: In both photos Chris stares at the lens with the same pensive, recalcitrant squint, as if he'd been interrupted in the middle of an improtant thought and was annoyed to be wasting his time in front of the camera. His expression is most striking in the Easter photo because it contrasts so strongly with the exuberant grin Carine wears in the same frame. 128
We have an almost exact picture that mathces the description of Carine's and Chris's. My family was in Virgina Beach, Virgina for summer vacation. While we were down there we had taken a lot of pictures together. The one that reminds me most of their Easter photo was when we were leaving on our last day. My aunt had taken a picture of us; you see me smiling like it was for a Colgate commercial. But as you scan your eyes to the right you can see my sister giving a squint and uncomfortable look as if she was bother by my aunt.
Reading this story help me to justify the connections between myself and Carine who is the passive aggessive type. Then to find my sister like Chris, the rebelious child was really errie. I didn't think the similarities would be as close as they were.
Thursday, March 27, 2008
The Character I can relate to the most is...
I can relate to Alex's sister because she's very caring but also very understanding. Even though she doesn't know what's going on with Alex right now you can tell she's there for him regardless where he is. She tries to hide certain things from their parents because they have a different way of thinking than their parents. While their parents are materialistic they look at things from a different perspective which makes her and Alex or Chris very close. I personally feel as if I
honestly know his sister because she is such an open person but at the same time she's very secretive and basically keeps her business between her and Chris. I feel that she is very admirable to actually be so close to her brother and to not know one single thing about where he is or what he is doing with his life. Regardless of where he is she has always stood her ground but after a while she cracked under the pressure of her parents concern and worry about Chris. Out of mostly everybody she is the only person that actually understands him whenever he comes to her with his problems. One thing that i don't agree with when it comes to her is the fact that she feels as if when chris left he wasn't thinking about her and he was being so called "selfish". Personally I feel as if she was being selfish because he does love her, he made that clear to her but she still insisted that he was only thinking of himself when he decided to leave. It was his choice,he wanted to get away from the egotistical world that we all live in. I understand she feels as if he should of told her because of the fact that they are very close but sometimes you have to do things on your own. They might of dealt with the same problems but chris did come into this world by himself and he will leave this world by himself.
honestly know his sister because she is such an open person but at the same time she's very secretive and basically keeps her business between her and Chris. I feel that she is very admirable to actually be so close to her brother and to not know one single thing about where he is or what he is doing with his life. Regardless of where he is she has always stood her ground but after a while she cracked under the pressure of her parents concern and worry about Chris. Out of mostly everybody she is the only person that actually understands him whenever he comes to her with his problems. One thing that i don't agree with when it comes to her is the fact that she feels as if when chris left he wasn't thinking about her and he was being so called "selfish". Personally I feel as if she was being selfish because he does love her, he made that clear to her but she still insisted that he was only thinking of himself when he decided to leave. It was his choice,he wanted to get away from the egotistical world that we all live in. I understand she feels as if he should of told her because of the fact that they are very close but sometimes you have to do things on your own. They might of dealt with the same problems but chris did come into this world by himself and he will leave this world by himself.
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
"Into The Wild"
I thought into the wild was a unique story. I've never read a story like this and I can't believe its actually true. There's nothing in the world that would ever make me trade my present life for the life that Christopher lived. Although I have a great likeness for peace and nature I would never try to attempt such actions. This story reminds me of a movie called the wild child. Its too bad Christopher died such a horrible death. I wish he was alive to give him a bravery award. Only a brave soul could do what Christopher did.
Monday, March 24, 2008
Into the Wild- Journal 1- Outside Perspectives
Homework and Journal Entry for Wednesday, March 26th.
Read chapters 13-15 and choose one person from the book so far that you can relate to most. Write about what connections you can find with this person and how their perspective compares to another's in the book. You can use any character, big or small, from Alex to the man who drove him to the end of the Stampede Trail. Must be 2 pages.
Choose some quotations Krakauer has written out fully from interviews with these people. Think about how each person has come across McCandeless and sees him in a different light. The people around America that have known him for hours to weeks or months all know a different person that has similar characteristics. Think about how their reaction to "Alex" relates to your own reaction. What kind of opinion would you have on McCandeless if you were a driver that had picked him up versus a family member that has been abandoned. Think about perspective.
We will talk about our journals in class and share them in small groups. Be prepared to talk about your character in depth and expand on your thoughts on their perspective.
Monday, March 3, 2008
Extra Credit
My American Dream
In this world, there are billions of American dreams. Different people have different American dreams; it depends on their personalities, goals and values. As for myself, one part of my American dream is to the increase the number of pharmacist s in the world starting with my self. I personally feel pharmacists play a significant role in the society. Pharmacists help patients by regulating and giving them the correct drug. Hopefully in six years, I will become a pharmacist, and most importantly, I will have the power in helping patients in receiving the correct medications and anything that involves their remedies. When I will become a pharmacist, a partial of my American dream would be achieved. The other part of my American dream is to have a loving family, a good looking husband and kids.
Soto Journal Response
Edwin Rodriguez
English 16
Professor McCormick
Journal Entry
Realization
When reading, "Looking for Work," by Gary Soto you get a sense of being a child again. You want to remember the stupid things you did for work. For example when Gary goes looking for work, "I decided to become wealthy, and right away! After downing a bowl of cereal, I took a rake from the garage and started up the block to look for work. (27)" When I was younger I would do the same thing when it would snow back home in Connecticut. I would go around with all my friends looking to who would get the most money. I would win sometimes, coming in with $100 in just in one day. My friends would get made but I knew we would all go out with the money we made or just go sledding in the snow at the park.
This story was very interesting and inspiring in a subliminal way. It showed me that I do want to make money doing what I love to do and I will be very happy. Just like Gary went around looking for money in his neighborhood to complete his satisfaction of trying to be the perfect white family or having everyone is fully cloth while eating at the dinner table. "Mom, do you think we could get dressed up for dinner one of these days? David King does. (29)"
Overall, this story was very interesting and refreshing to read. No one will ever live a perfect life like Leave It to Beaver, but we can all strive for that certain satisfaction. It also brought back memories and in addition made me realize what I really want to do with my life. Make a living doing what I love to do.
English 16
Professor McCormick
Journal Entry
Realization
When reading, "Looking for Work," by Gary Soto you get a sense of being a child again. You want to remember the stupid things you did for work. For example when Gary goes looking for work, "I decided to become wealthy, and right away! After downing a bowl of cereal, I took a rake from the garage and started up the block to look for work. (27)" When I was younger I would do the same thing when it would snow back home in Connecticut. I would go around with all my friends looking to who would get the most money. I would win sometimes, coming in with $100 in just in one day. My friends would get made but I knew we would all go out with the money we made or just go sledding in the snow at the park.
This story was very interesting and inspiring in a subliminal way. It showed me that I do want to make money doing what I love to do and I will be very happy. Just like Gary went around looking for money in his neighborhood to complete his satisfaction of trying to be the perfect white family or having everyone is fully cloth while eating at the dinner table. "Mom, do you think we could get dressed up for dinner one of these days? David King does. (29)"
Overall, this story was very interesting and refreshing to read. No one will ever live a perfect life like Leave It to Beaver, but we can all strive for that certain satisfaction. It also brought back memories and in addition made me realize what I really want to do with my life. Make a living doing what I love to do.
Sunday, March 2, 2008
It wasn't GoodTimes for me
Growing up I looked on TV and I seldom saw anyone I wanted to be like. I saw white families that made me wonder if my family was crazy. Sometimes I would wish that I would get adopted by a nice white family. I never was adopted, although my family sometimes wondered if I was adopted after some of the crazy things I would do. My family didn't look like the Brady bunch we looked more like the faces in Good Times. But on that show it made black people seem like buffoons , it wasn't something that I could identify with. As much as I wanted to live in a world of white picket fences and family dinners every night. It never happened, I lived in a world of a dysfunctional family and poverty. I would enjoy watching TV and seeing a world were life problems were solved in 30 minutes. Then an half hour later I would watch a show where black people were struggling in poverty and prancing like a minstrel show. Most time I saw black people on TV they were drug dealers or prostitutes . I never like the way TV portrayed black life,it made me uncomfortable.
Journal on Gary Soto..****
Well I just finish reading the "Loooking for work" by Gary Soto, and it was great. Soto is a good writer and expresses how he feels a family should be. He wants his family to be like the families he sees on t.v, he compares it to sitcom' like "Leave it to Beaver". Soto says in his essay "This was the summer when I spent the morning in front of the televesion that showed th comfortable lives of white kids". After reading that line, I thought to myself does he really want his family to be like tv families, or is he just wishing that his family was perfect ?
I think he is happy with his normal Mexican- American family but sometimes feels they should be different. Even I sometimes wish my family came out of the tv, but thats not going to happen, so I'm happy. Many families may have their ups and downs but you still love them no matter what. I think television had an influence on Gary Soto and that's cool because it makes life a little more interesting.
I think he is happy with his normal Mexican- American family but sometimes feels they should be different. Even I sometimes wish my family came out of the tv, but thats not going to happen, so I'm happy. Many families may have their ups and downs but you still love them no matter what. I think television had an influence on Gary Soto and that's cool because it makes life a little more interesting.
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