Thursday, January 28, 2010

150 word blog response #3

I opened my car door, jumped inside slamming the door and I froze as I looked in my rear-view mirror and I saw a ghost. I was at the cemetary and did not expect to see a ghost at all. I was at the cemetary and did not expect to see a ghost so sudden. I was with a friend at the time and she was so scared, but I was confident.

We decided to go up and talk to the ghost behind the car. The ghost was a transparent man that stood mighty tall and did not speak a word. Me and Sara made up plenty of things to say to try to get the ghost to talk. The ghost remained silent and did not move at all. Suddenly, he dissapeared and we went clueless. We got back in the car because we were so spooked out from what just happened.

The night ended with us going back to my house and researching old books of mine. We found a familiar face and found out he was there to ghost hunt and was murdered a week ago. Me and Sara both agreed to never go back to the haunted cemetary again and were thankful for not dying.

Monday, January 25, 2010

Killing Mr.Griffin DQ's 10-12

CHAPTER TEN

How do Mark’s aunt and uncle feel about him?
They feel like he has some problem or he does dugs and never talkative

Why do you suppose Mark’s mother has a nervous breakdown and says she never wants
to see her son again?
Maybe because the dad and she was feeling bad about the fire



What does David’s grandmother remember about the day before that upsets David?
She remembers the jell-o didn't taste right



In the conversation with his grandmother, what mistakes does David make that may hurt
his alibi?
He was saying he was with Mark and the other kids Wed.



Why does Lt. Baca ask Mrs. Griffin if there is trouble in their marriage?
Because there had been reports of husbands leaving their wife



What does Mrs. Griffin say that convinces Lt. Baca to begin searching for Brian?
My husband is missing and she says his last words were "I Love You"

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Why isn’t Susan surprised to hear her name over the loudspeaker?
She anticipated it because everything that has been going on with Mr.Griffin


2. Compare Susan’s attitude toward her family at the beginning of the story with her attitude
now.
She feels like she needs her family to turn to and she before just wanted to be away from them.



Why does Susan agree to Mark’s lie?
So the police think that Mr.Griffin was with another women and so they don't get in trouble


Why does Mark want her to lie?
So the murder is put on the supposed women with Mr.Griffin


Do you think Mark really believes everything will be all right? Why?
No, but for him he doesn't care because he's had a rough life. He just wants everyone to stay a team.

CHAPTER TWELVE

What is the real reason Betsy says nasty things about Susan?
Betsy in a way is a bit jelous and she believes Susan is getting out of the whole situation easily


Find an example of allusion in this chapter.
Jeff jokes about grave digging in Hamlet

Briefly describe Mark’s mood during the burial. Jeff? David? Betsy?
Mark seems to be careless but happy
Jeff feels like not doing it and talks to Betsy about who she likes
David feels that they should get rid of the car and is naming plans
Betsy doesn't really contribute, but is told to drive car


4. Why does David recite the Lord’s prayer?He feels they should pray for the man dying
5. Why does Mark keep Mr. Griffin’s credit cards?He wants his friend in Colorado to use the credit cards so it looks like Mr.Griffin left
6. Why does Mark tell them to leave the car unlocked with the keys in the ignition?So it looks like he got robbed or somebody else did it
7. What mistakes do the four make burying Mr. Griffin?They didn't bury it deep enough and they had troubles putting the body in
8. What is the implied but not stated reason that the policeman recognizes Betsy at the
airport?He has seen her before and knows that she's the cheerleader for the school
S-10

Killing Mr.Griffin DQ'S 6-9

CHAPTER SIX

What little things go wrong with the kidnapping?
Getting him to sleep and what to do with him to get him tied up
With David’s alibi?
It took to long for drugs to kick in
With Betsy’s alibi?
Gets speeding ticket and not there on time
In what way does Mr. Griffin earn the respect of his kidnappers?
He didn't coward down at all
Why is Susan especially upset about her part in the kidnapping?
He told her to run and Mr.Griffin was looking up for her
Why does Betsy say the following to Susan? “Honestly, I don’t understand you.”
She didn't want to go and Betsy got mad
CHAPTER SEVEN
What do Mr. Griffin and Mark have in common?
Susan can't do the cute routine with them
Find a flashback in this chapter. What important facts about Mark do we learn?
That Mr.Griffin all along was the reason him and his ex broke up

What mistake(s) does Betsy make with the police officer?
She tried the cute act and saying how her dad was the big wig in town
Why do you think Betsy participates in the kidnapping?
She wants Marks attention
Why do you suppose the incident with Shauna Berman is included?
It shows how cruel Betsy is
Who finds the container of pills? Where?
Betsy finds them along the path
How does Mr. Griffin’s tie appear here?
The tie is in place

What does Mr. Griffin think of his kidnappers?
They are a bunch of five year olds
What question does David ask him?
Asked about the ring
Who wants to let Mr. Griffin go? Why don’t they?
Dave and he got outvoted
CHAPTER EIGHT

Explain, with examples from the story, how David begins to see Susan as a real person.
She has a conscious and he saw her humanity in the car
Why does David doubt that Mark and Jeff are going to release Mr. Griffin after the game?
They are going to want to go home instead

How does David know Mr. Griffin is dead?
His eyes were open and he wasn't breathing
What is the implied but never stated cause of Mr. Griffin’s death?
He has a bad heart

CHAPTER NINE

Betsy and Susan both have fathers to turn to for help. Why do you suppose Susan wants
to go to her father for help, but Betsy doesn’t suggest going to her father?
Betsy doesn't want caught with authorities. Susan wants to go to her dad because he's safe.



What two things does Mark say that they need to do to be safe?
They need to not tell anybody and go to the snack-n-soda and bury Mr.Griffin


How does Mark convince Susan they need to bury the body?
Mark says nobody goes up there and if they bury him no one will find him.

How does Mark’s father die?
In a house fire


What does David’s father have to do with his decision to go along with Mark’s plan to bury the body?
Davids father left him so Mark convinces him if they bury Mr.Griffin he will be gone.


Why does Mark comfort Susan?
He needed her to be a team player

Friday, January 22, 2010

Killing Mr.Griffin DQ'S 1-5

Killing Mr. Griffin Study Guide 1

CHAPTER ONE
1. Briefly identify the children in the McConnell family.
Twins-7 Craig-12 Susan-Jr. in Highschool Mom Dad


2. What does Susan mean by “someday”?
Her fantasy of another life


3. Who is David Ruggles? How does Susan feel about him?
President of the senior class and she likes him


4. Several other students of Room 117 are introduced. Briefly identify them.
Mark-friend of Jeff and David Jeff-Basketball team Betsy-Cheerleader


5. In the classroom scene, what emphasizes Susan’s feelings of being an outsider?
She isn't real talkative and she moves to the other side of the room


6. Two teachers are introduced. Briefly identify them.
Mr.Griffin-Strict teacher Mrs.Luna- Wants to be kids friends

7. Mr. Griffin is very strict and stern with the students. Do you think these qualities make
him a good teacher? Briefly explain your answer.
No, I believe it hurt him in the long run because the kids quit liking him and he didn't show much respect. If he was nicer it would make him easier to teach.

8. An allusion is when a writer refers to a person, place, poem, book, or movie that the
reader, is expected to recognize. Find an example of allusion in this chapter.
Hamlet


9. In what ways does Susan think she and the dying female in Hamlet are similar?
She feels like she's not really there and she feels ugly and not talkative at all


10. A metaphor is a comparison of two things that are basically unlike, in order to create a
sharp picture. In this first chapter find the metaphor involving a bird that helps the author
define how Susan is feeling about her life.
A bird smacks into the window and stays suspended and falls. It explains Susans life to not being exactly a person yet.
11. Jeff says, “That Griffin’s the sort of guy you’d like to kill.” Why doesn’t Susan think he is serious?
She didn't take it serious because he's only a kid and kids are not always serious


12. Frequently, objects which seem inconsequential when first mentioned become an
important part of the plot later. In the last six paragraphs do you notice any object that might be foreshadowed?
He took out the pill bottle and took a pill in class


CHAPTER TWO
1. Why does Mark say the following? “Jeff’s done a neat job of lining us up for a mass flunkout.”
Because Jeff said that he should just drop dead and was the one to plan killing Mr.Griffin


2. Explain Mark’s special dislike of Mr. Griffin.
Mr.Griffin made him beg to come back into class


3. “Jeff had seen that look before, and it always meant something.” What look does Jeff see? What does Jeff think it means?
The sparkling of his gray eyes and it's the look he gives when he wants to hurt somebody


Why do Jeff and Betsy go along with Mark’s plan to kidnap Mr. Griffin?
They didn't think it was serious and that it was just a joke


Why does Mark believe Dave will go along with the plan?
He likes a challenge and has nothing to lose


What does Mark know about Susan that makes him think she will be their decoy?
nobody will suspect her and she likes david


7. A flashback is a scene that interrupts the ongoing action to show an event that happens
earlier. Briefly describe the flashback in this chapter. Explain why the author chooses to
include it.
He goes back and remembers killing of the cat by Mark and author includes about Mark and how he feels about people

What is implied, but never stated, about Mark’s “transformation”?
He is a physcopath really and he really has nothing to lose by hurting somebody

CHAPTER THREE
The members of David’s family are introduced. Briefly identify them.
Mom-works hard as secretary Grandma-loves green jello and acts like a invalid Dad-left when david was young and went to Stanford


Why does David think he needs a good education?
He is going to have to support his family


Find the metaphor in this chapter that helps illustrate the emptiness of David’s life.
It's the description of his living room and how nobody uses it


Support or refute the following statement:
David goes along with Mark because he dislikes Mr. Griffin and needs a better English
grade to get into law school.
Yeah, he has to have the grade or he's in trouble


CHAPTER FOUR
Why are Saturday’s special for Susan?
She gets to escape her family and she doesn't have to go to school


2. Find a quotation in the chapter that illustrates the idea that Susan feels a part of the picnic
group.
That suddenly and "That easily she felt like one of them".


Who is Lana?
Marks old girlfriend and Mr.Griffin is responsible for break up


How does Susan feel about Mark before the picnic?
She is scared of him

A symbol is an object, person, or place that has a meaning in itself and that also stands
for something larger than itself. How may the eyeglasses be a symbol in this chapter?
She took her glasses off and when she does that she is not seeing clearly

6. Foreshadowing is also used to create interest and build suspense. Since this is a mystery
story, there are many examples of foreshadowing. Find an example of foreshadowing in
this chapter that lets the reader know Susan is going to have problems.
She said she has never been happy in her life

CHAPTER FIVE
How does the author illustrate Kathy Griffin’s stubborn personality?
She made breakfast and she did it independently

Briefly explain Mr. Griffin’s reason for leaving Stanford to teach high school.
He wanted to help the people write before they get there


What does Mr. Griffin think about Susan?
She's a talented writer but lazy

Why is Kathy Griffin upset by her husband’s description of Dolly?
Kathy wasn't the perfect student either.

How does her husband make her feel better?
He said she's real and loves her


Why does Mrs. Griffin want Brian to compliment Susan on her writing?
Because kids need compliments for a motivational boost

Find an example of foreshadowing in this chapter.
Mrs.Griffin felt like the kiss was the last kiss and final goodbye

8. Why do you suppose the pills are mentioned again? Why does the author bother
mentioning his tie?
It's a prescription the man needs and the tie gives him dignity

We learn that Mrs. Griffin is pregnant. How does she hope having a child will change her husband? Why might the author have added the pregnancy into the story.
Maybe he will not be as critical with his own kid and be more understanding

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

150 word blog response #2

To be honest, I would not take the five dollar bill. I would have to not have any morals, shame, and be totally heartless. The right thing to do would be to give it back and that’s exactly what I would do in a situation like this one.

A reason I would not take it is because I have feelings for other people’s feelings. If I was the one to drop a five dollar bill, I would want the other person to tell me that I dropped it. I just do to others as they undo to me. If it was a kid that treated me bad all year, I might second guess it.

I’m honestly just a caring person I do believe in karma. I don’t necessarily everything good, but I try to be the best I can be and succeed in life. So I would always help somebody out who needed it.

Saturday, January 16, 2010

Black Cat DQ's

Discussion Questions for The Black Cat, by Edgar Allan Poe

Discussion Questions (Each question should be answered in a paragraph with emphasis on your personal opinion and interpretation wherever applicable.)

1. Discuss the significance of the following quote: “There is something unselfish and self-sacrificing love of a brute, which goes directly to the heart of him who has had frequent occasion to test the paltry friendship and gossamer fidelity of man.”Well, to be selfish is not caring and kind of being self-centered. It means if you shall sacrifice for anything and you attempt to be the best person you can be, your really not that selfish. I believe it's trying to say if your willing to test a relationship that hasn't really worked out in the past your at least trying and your not selfish.
2. What is the significance of the cat’s name, Pluto? Pluto, was a very important role in this story of the Black Cat. In a way he was a bad significance because around the time he entered into the guys house is the time he started maltreating the other animals. Although, Pluto is the cat that kind of made the guy happy because he had fun with him and they were like playmates. I personally think everything went down hill when he started mistreating the other animals and was mistreating Pluto.
3. Why did the narrator initially restrain himself from maltreating the cat while maltreating other animals? I think he restrained himself from hurting Pluto at first because they have been friends for summers. Pluto also was growing older and i think he was trying to take it easy on that cat and some of the other animals. It says in the story he didn't have a scruple of mistreating rabbits, the monkey, or the dog, when by accident, or through affection, they came in my way. So i believe he was just trying to not be so mean to the pets to kind of prove a point to all of them.
4. Why does he eventually mistreat the cat? Well, Pluto gets more peevish and old and starts realizing the ill-tempered man. I personally think Pluto kind of got sick of all the anger of the man and tried to prove a point by biting him. All this did was make the man more evil and turn into the demon which caused the abuse of the cat i believe.
5. Describe the narrator’s feelings after abusing the cat. Why is that significant? After he slept of the fumes on the nights debauch is the time i believed he realized what he had done. He was experiencing horror and remorse which i think caused him to feel bad about the situation. This is very significant though because out of all his guilt he was hurting himself by drowning him self with wine and seeing the cat walk around the house without an eye.
6. How does the narrator define “perverseness”? Do you agree with his definition? Do you agree that it is human nature? Well perverseness does mean ill-will and stubborn in a way i believe he was and i do agree with the narrator. I mean in the story the guy is hurting animals and not having a care in the world. What makes it worse is Pluto biting him and putting the demon in him. The narrator taks about overthrowing the spirit of perverseness so i believe he used it well in the story to show that he needs to turn his bad ways around.
7. Discuss the significance of the following quote: “[I] hung it because I knew that it had loved me, and because I felt it had given me no reason of offense; because I knew that in doing so I was committing a sin.” I believe the man wanted to turn his life around to the point of getting rid of the cat because it was causing him to make sins. He felt so much remorse he just wanted things to be better and even though the cat loved him, it did no good. The only things happening were bad things and he wanted it all to end by killing Pluto.

Monday, January 11, 2010

Black Cat Vocabulary










1. Solicit: (V) -to seek for (something) by earnest or respectful request, formal application, etc.
Synonyms-beseech, beg,
excite, arouse, provoke Antonyms-disapprove, refuse, reject Sentence: I did not solicit the rules that were given.









2. Mad: (Adj) -mentally disturbed; deranged; insane; demented.







Synonyms- crazy, demented, deranged Antonyms- balanced, ok, rational






Sentence- I was mad when my sister hit me with the pillow.





3. Succinct: (Adj) -expressed in few words; concise; terse.









Synonyms- blunt, boiled down, curt Antonyms-
lengthy, long-winded, wordy Sentence- She was very succinct with me and never talked much.
4. Phantasm: (N) -an illusory likeness of something.











Synonyms- dream, fancy, fantasy Antonyms- animate, being Sentence- I thought i saw a ghost, but it may have been imaginary or a phantasm.

5. Docile: (Adj) -easily managed or handled.











Synonyms- childlike, cool, soft Antonyms- determined, headstrong, stubborn Sentence- The kittens are very docile and easy to take care of.











6. Disposition: (N) -the predominant or prevailing tendency of one's spirits; natural mental and emotional outlook or mood; characteristic attitude.












Synonyms- tone, type, vein Antonyms- dissarangement, mismanagement Sentence- My personal disposition is a nice guy.

7. Sagacious: (Adj) -having or showing keen discernment, and sound judgment.











Synonyms- acute, apt, sage Antonyms- careless, foolish, ignorant Sentence- My sagacious attitude has saved alot of lives, being so sharp about certain things.

8. Paltry: (Adj) -lacking in importance or worth; trivial.











Synonyms- cheap, common, low Antonyms- important, rich, significant Sentence- Around other people i dont feel worth anything and feel real paltry.

9. Gossamer: (N) -something delicate, light, or flimsy.











Synonyms- cobweb, delicate, fine Antonyms- coarse, thick Sentence- The cat was very light and gossamer.

10. Fidelity: (N) -faithfulness to obligations, duties, or observances.











Synonyms- constancy, trustworthiness, steadfastness Antonyms- disloyalty, faithlessness, infidelity Sentence- I have complete fidelity and respect for the duties given to me.

11. Procure: (V) -to get by special effort; obtain or acquire.











Synonyms- corral, buy up, draw Antonyms- give away, have, lose Sentence- I acquired the a i wanted, but procured alot more.

12. Allusion: (N) -the act of alluding; indirect reference:
Synonyms- charge, citation, mention Antonyms- reality Sentence- It was a total allusion and i didnt think she was real at the time.

13. Intemperance: (N) -excessive use of alcoholic beverages.

Synonyms- drunkenness, alcoholism, immoderation Antonyms- sober Sentence- The cop caught me drunk and being intemperance acting.

14. Maltreat: (V) -to treat in a rough or cruel way; abuse.

Synonyms- damage, harm, injure Antonyms- treat well Sentence- They say most siblings are rough and maltreat each other.

15. Scruple: (N) -a moral or ethical consideration or standard that acts as a restraining force or inhibits certain actions. Synonyms- qualm, censor, caution Antonyms- ignorance, negligence, unconcern Sentence- They say going to church scruples people's life.

16. Malevolence: (N) -ill will; malice; hatred.

Synonyms- evil, hate, malice Antonyms- goodwill, benevolence, charitableness Sentence- I hate bullies, they are a malevolence to my life.

17. Atrocity: (N) -the quality of being extremely or shockingly wicked, cruel, or brutal.

Synonyms- shocking, wickedness, horror Antonyms- good behavior, pleasantry Sentence- In haunted houses i feel scared and alot of atrocity.

18. Debauch: (N) -a period of wanton self-indulgence, an excessive party which includes consumption of alcohol.
Synonyms- abuse, bastardize, betray Antonyms- improve, purify, upgrade Sentence- I dont go to party's because there debauch and full of intense alcohol.

19. Sentiment: (N) -a mental feeling; emotionSynonyms-conception, eye, idea Antonyms- dislike, hate, ill will Sentence- I have a strong conception and sentiment of what goes on in the world.

20. Remorse: (N) -deep and painful regret for wrongdoing.











Synonyms- shame, rue, sorrow Antonyms- good conscience, happiness, satisfaction Sentence- I felt alot of remorse and sadness for the kid i hurt today at school.

150 word blog response 1

Evil to me is an out of control non-caring person. It is somebody who can kill and not feel any sorrow after. Personally, I have not seen an out of control person at all, but have watched documentaries on people like Charles Manson. As you can tell, evil people tend to never stay on a certain subject and there very off-balance in conversation.

When it comes to humankind, I believe it is just turning plain evil. There is more crime than ever I believe and this earth is pretty much hell. Evil is not always from birth, It is a progress of life of bad things that happen to the person. Only the good are the ones who can turn down the evil and ignore pressure put on by other people. All you can do is be successful and do the best you can in life to limit evil in mankind.

There are five different steps to follow to have a good mankind: caring, staying strong, ignore bad times, don’t fall into pressure, and be as successful as you can. Our world could be so much more peaceful and all of mankind could get together so much better. Remember, good beats evil always and you have to try your best to do good. I believe it all falls into karma category of life.

Thursday, January 7, 2010

One of my favorite UFC Fighters!

I personally think Randy Couture is one of the best. Who agrees?

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