iPod world Blog #5

I am writing about "iPod World: The End of Society?" In this piece Andrew Sullivan wrote about how many people are seeming to be on auto pilot when listening to their iPods. How people don't notice the world around them when listening to their iPods. I had a iPod touch for a very brief 3 months, I never really got into wanting to listen to it. I ended up trading it for a PSP and get way more use out of that. I don't see the big craze with the iPod. I guess maybe some people like it due to being able to not have to deal with people, or making the quiet times a little more enjoyable, or to try to get your mind to just relax. I guess I just like to hear my thoughts, I like to hear the sounds of the trees or the rain hitting the roof. I guess honestly I don't care how many people use an iPod and that those people are shutting themselves off from the world. We all are different and choose to like and dislike different things. Even though I don't listen to an iPod I still don't think I pay attention to people around me.

Malcolm X, Literacy Behind Bars Blog #4

          In the article Literacy behind bars, it tells a autobiography that Malcolm X had written. He described how he learned to understand words while he was in jail. He envied this man in jail named Bimbi, he could pick up on any conversation.  X wanted to be able to do the same. He started copying the dictionary word for word, page by page. He eventually copied the whole dictionary. He described how after he copied the dictionary he could understand what books where trying to say and the message they where revealing. I have always wished that I enjoyed reading. It's inspiring how much self controlled that he had to make himself spend so many hours teaching himself how to read and understand what he was reading. To be able to day after day just copy the dictionary is amazing in its self.  For me school was always about fun growing up and not about learning. I only read when I have to for assignments, never do I for the fun of it. If I would of put in a tenth of the effort that  X put in then maybe school wouldn't be so hard for me. Maybe then I would enjoy more what I was doing.

Shitty First Drafts Blog #3

          In the article, "Shitty First Drafts" Anne Lamott describes how most people should write shitty first drafts. She talks about how writers don't just sit at their desks and write a novel, and how creativity doesn't just pour out. How they have fears and anxiety about what people would say about it. That you need to just sit down and write anything that comes to mind even if its a little childish. She states that you need to write a "Child's draft" first that no one will see. She talks about how you need to write a bad first draft and then to go back and re write it into a second draft and then a final draft. In doing so you may come up with the greatest line. I like how she states that "even the best writer has a shitty first draft." For me writing is very hard, and the fact that someone reads it makes it only worse. This article made me really think about how to write. How I may get a even better paper out. I see if I would just let things flow and write whatever I want it may make it easier. The thought that its just a writing that no one will ever see makes it easier. To edit and to cut out a lot that just don't make since, and to find a direction out of that.

The Price of Reading Blog #2

    In the article, "The Price of Reading Is Eternal Vigilance" Anatole Broyard states "most people read badly." He talks about about how at 53 he is just learning "how to read." He talks about how he use to feel as if he had to keep things sterile. How we should "talk back and write in the books." I have always read slowly, I think about what I read and re read it sometimes. I try to make pictures of what is going on.I enjoy taking my time and knowing what I am reading. I have at times felt some books are also "too good for me" or even to grown up for me. I think about the time it takes them to put the book together.  I would never write in a book, maybe some sticky notes but never actually write in the book. I guess I feel its disrespectful to write in a book. I see his point though it is my book. I have the right to do as I please, I never really thought about it like that. I have had some heated arguments with some books I have read. I like how he talks about "toying with the Authors" about putting their books on a shelf and not reading them. How he makes the book his own. He states that "A good book has a voice and good reading has a voice too." I really agree with that, I feel they do have voices. I like how he says that "even a bad book can be a moving experience." 

About me Blog #1

     My name is Jennie Giles I was born and raised in Eugene, Oregon. I moved to Billings, Montana when I was 18 and came back to Oregon 7 years ago. I was almost done with the nursing program in Montana but came back due to my Grandmother being ill. I am very family orientated and have one step son who is 11 and two son's who are 2 1/2 and 6 weeks old. My two year old struggles with Autism and makes me really realize how  amazing life  is. I have worked as a CNA for 13 years now and am working for hospice for the last 3 years. The things that I enjoy are being with my boys, walks out in the country, fishing, reptiles, going to the coast, finding deals, and trying to find a "cure" for Autism,  I like a clean house and a organized life. The things that I don't like are watching my son struggle with what we all take for granted, rude and ungrateful people, the smell of gas, bright lights, people who try to push their religion on you.

                                                          My loves!