Scratch Beginnings: May 11, 2010
The events in the last few chapters show a large amount of falling action, besides Adam’s fight with BG. The only issue Adam still has is that BG is always taking his car and not returning it on time. Beyond this Adam is quite well off and has a decent amount of money saved up. What came as the most surprising thing was that Adam and BG got along much better after the fight. Just as all seemed well the story took an unexpected turn and Adam’s adventure came to an end as he had to go home and help his mother and father who had been diagnosed with cancer.
Although the story had a few unexpected turns in the last couple chapters, it seemed quite clear that the story was coming to an end. Adam had achieved everything he had hoped to achieve and more in less time than he had expected. To some degree the story started lose its excitement as we were not left wondering what was going to happen next as each page went on. It seemed a bit obvious that Adam would eventually teach BG his lesson sooner or later, even though it didn’t happen in a manner we really expected.
Adam maintains his adventurous attitude until the very end of the chapter 16. The chapter ends with him saying he was just taking the next step in his life, as if to say this journey would never really end for him. He was just going to keep moving forward trying to become more and more successful. The big twist in his attitude comes in the epilogue where he explains the significance of his story to us Americans. Adam switches to what seems a more negative tone. After experiencing all he did and learning so much about homelessness and poverty, Adam seems upset with the so many Americans who have given up on the American dream. He explains that people would find a lot more enjoyment in life if they didn’t just think of life as something to tolerate. He believes that people need to take charge in their lives if they want their life to have value and be successful. Adam is also upset that so many people who are already well off do nothing to help those in need and explains that it isn’t difficult to find ways to help those who need it.
Adam’s words in the epilogue can definitely be applied to our lives. As students we often question why we need to do this or that in school. Adam explains in this book that we need to take advantage of things in our lives that will help us become successful. Our education gives us an advantage in the world, but only if we make use of it. Also, as people who are not stuck in poverty we have the ability to make a difference in the lives of people who are in poverty. What we can take from reading this story is that success comes from determination and help from others.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Tyler Johnson Vocab Ch. 15-Epilogue
Pretense- false appearance or action
Debacle- disastrous collapse, total failure
Onset- start
Belated- having been delayed, done to late
Didactic- excessively instructive
Solace- comfort in distress; consolation
Vernacular- everyday language used by ordinary people
Apathetic- indifferent, unconcerned
Flourish- prosper, thrive
Plight- an unfavorable or unfortunate one
Debacle- disastrous collapse, total failure
Onset- start
Belated- having been delayed, done to late
Didactic- excessively instructive
Solace- comfort in distress; consolation
Vernacular- everyday language used by ordinary people
Apathetic- indifferent, unconcerned
Flourish- prosper, thrive
Plight- an unfavorable or unfortunate one
Chris Summary Ch. 15-Epliogue
Chapter 15 is the last chapter of Shepard's experiment. The chapter is focused on the growing conflict between BG and Shepard over BG's use of Shepard's truck. BG is continually using Shepard's truck without permission or lying about how long he will be gone or where he is going. Over time this problem escalates and reaches a climax when Shepard gets fed up with BG's lying and attacks him. Shepard looses the fight but as a result BG is begins to realize how much his actions are affecting Shepard and begins to change. By the end of the chapter Shepard and BG are back to being friends. Most of this chapter focuses on Shepard's rising tension due to BG's misuse of his truck, although Shepard takes ample time to explain various reasons behind their actions. At the end of the chapter Shepard is more upbeat and happy that his friendship with BG is now on better terms. Chapter 16 is an overview of the Shepard family's health problems and reasons that Shepard had to cut his experiment short and move home to take care of his mother. This chapter has a more sombre tone because much of it is spent looking retrospectively at his time in Charleston and then looking forward at his parents health problems. The chapter ends with Shepard explaining the truth of his background to BG and then leaving Charleston, ending his experiment. The epilogue is an overview of the experiment and the results that Shepard was able to walk away with. The epilogue reads like a script for some type of motivational talk and there are several cliches that Shepard uses to help demonstrate his ideas for improving society. The epilogue ends by giving the reader three different types of people and asking them to decide which category they fall under.
Monday, May 10, 2010
Michael Nelson vocab ch.13-14
Perpetual-continuing or enduring forever; everlasting.
Confounded-bewildered; confused; perplexed.
Thiamine-a white, crystalline, water-soluble compound of the vitamin-B complex, containing a thiazole and a pyrimidine group.
Nautilus-any cephalopod of the genus Nautilus, having a spiral, chambered shell with pearly septa.
Ramifications-A development or consequence growing out of and sometimes complicating a problem, plan, or statement.
Eloquent-characterized by forceful and appropriate expression.
Cinch-something sure or easy.
Stint-to be frugal; get along on a scanty allowance.
Immaculate- free from fault or flaw; free from errors.
Maalox-an over the counter antacid.
Confounded-bewildered; confused; perplexed.
Thiamine-a white, crystalline, water-soluble compound of the vitamin-B complex, containing a thiazole and a pyrimidine group.
Nautilus-any cephalopod of the genus Nautilus, having a spiral, chambered shell with pearly septa.
Ramifications-A development or consequence growing out of and sometimes complicating a problem, plan, or statement.
Eloquent-characterized by forceful and appropriate expression.
Cinch-something sure or easy.
Stint-to be frugal; get along on a scanty allowance.
Immaculate- free from fault or flaw; free from errors.
Maalox-an over the counter antacid.
Tyler Johnson Summarizer Ch. 13-14
In chapters 13-14 of the book Adam finally finds a roommate, Bubble Gum. Adam finds Bubble Gum, or BG, from his work partner Derrick. Adam finds BG a very likable person at first, as they have so many things in common. Then he finds out later on that he does not like BG, but he is going to have to deal with him. Later in the chapter Derrick invites BG to join their moving team. Adam does not like this but again just decides that he is going to have to deal with it. One good thing that Adam got out of this was a raise, because Derrick noticed that Adam was having a hard time working with BG. Then near the end of chapter 14 Adam stated that he had finished all of the goals with almost four months to spare. Adam was thinking of quitting early but decided how high up in society he could get.
This section of the book was written much like it was taken out of a journal of his day to day experiences. He would tell how he and BG just argued all day. There was one time where Adam put their whole argument into the book, like he was writing down his problems. He also wrote how he had accomplished his goals for what he wanted to do like a journal.
This section of the book was written much like it was taken out of a journal of his day to day experiences. He would tell how he and BG just argued all day. There was one time where Adam put their whole argument into the book, like he was writing down his problems. He also wrote how he had accomplished his goals for what he wanted to do like a journal.
Chris Discussion Ch. 13-14
1) Why is BG a good roommate for Shepard?
BG is a good roommate for Shepard because he is very handy. BG has mechanical skills that Shepard lacks and without BG, Shepard would have needed a lot of outside help. BG is also a good roommate for Shepard because he provides a lot of entertainment. Between his friends and his adventures BG is keeping Shepard constantly entertained.
2) Why is Shepard surprised that he was happy during his stay in Charleston?
Shepard is surprised because he did not think that he would be happy just scraping by in poverty. He thought that he would be unhappy because of all the things he did not have access to and because he would be working very hard for very little. He was surprised that when he was working for Fast Company he could look around and appreciate that things could be worse. He was also happy about what he had accomplished and how far he had come from the beginning of his experiment.
3) Why did Shepard not realize the scope of his project until he went home for Thanksgiving?
When Shepard went home he went back to his life before the experiment. This allowed him to look back on his experiment from his families point of view. He could look back and see how far he had progressed from the start of his experiment. He could also see how different his life in the experiment was from his life before the experiment.
4) How did the 18.5 hour move change Shepard's perspective on moving?
After the long move Shepard felt that he had proven himself as a mover. He was actually thankful that he had the opportunity to take such a difficult job and complete it. After the job he was able to look at any other move as something that could be worse. He was also better able to appreciate the stories of the other movers after completing his own 18.5 hour move.
BG is a good roommate for Shepard because he is very handy. BG has mechanical skills that Shepard lacks and without BG, Shepard would have needed a lot of outside help. BG is also a good roommate for Shepard because he provides a lot of entertainment. Between his friends and his adventures BG is keeping Shepard constantly entertained.
2) Why is Shepard surprised that he was happy during his stay in Charleston?
Shepard is surprised because he did not think that he would be happy just scraping by in poverty. He thought that he would be unhappy because of all the things he did not have access to and because he would be working very hard for very little. He was surprised that when he was working for Fast Company he could look around and appreciate that things could be worse. He was also happy about what he had accomplished and how far he had come from the beginning of his experiment.
3) Why did Shepard not realize the scope of his project until he went home for Thanksgiving?
When Shepard went home he went back to his life before the experiment. This allowed him to look back on his experiment from his families point of view. He could look back and see how far he had progressed from the start of his experiment. He could also see how different his life in the experiment was from his life before the experiment.
4) How did the 18.5 hour move change Shepard's perspective on moving?
After the long move Shepard felt that he had proven himself as a mover. He was actually thankful that he had the opportunity to take such a difficult job and complete it. After the job he was able to look at any other move as something that could be worse. He was also better able to appreciate the stories of the other movers after completing his own 18.5 hour move.
Friday, May 7, 2010
Michael Nelson Summarizer ch.11-12
(1) Chapter 11 starts with Adam breaking his toe while doing a moving job. He only had to stay off the injury for five days and couldn’t work for a few weeks. Before returning to work Adam decides to move out of the shelter into the attic of a man named Mickey. When he returns to work he is assigned to work with a guy named Derrick who is known as the best mover at Fast Company. Adam soon decides to stop riding the bus and to get a car. He writes the driver a letter thanking him and spends a day car shopping and buys a truck. He starts working permanently with Derrick and a guy named Mike getting bigger moves at fast company and making more money. Adam’s boss gets mad one day and gives all the workers a talk about shaping up. After a while working with Mike, Adam can’t handle him so he asks to have Mike removed from his team.
(2) The tone hasn’t really changed at all from the beginning of the book. Adam still sounds like he is enjoying himself and learning from his experiences. Adam gets annoyed with some of the guys he has been working with, but also looks up to Derrick and thinks of him as a friend. He makes it pretty clear that being a mover is tough but it gets easier day by day.
(2) The tone hasn’t really changed at all from the beginning of the book. Adam still sounds like he is enjoying himself and learning from his experiences. Adam gets annoyed with some of the guys he has been working with, but also looks up to Derrick and thinks of him as a friend. He makes it pretty clear that being a mover is tough but it gets easier day by day.
Journal 3. ch.9-12
Journal 3
Scratch Beginnings: 5-7-2010
The main focus of chapters 9-12 is Shepard’s challenges at Fast Company. It starts out with his first day on the job, working with Sammy and Bruno. His second challenge was his partnership with Shaun, a short, loudmouthed, cocky, control freak of a mover. The partnership started off well but went downhill as Shaun began to drink more and more on the job. It eventually ended because Shaun refused to stop drinking on the job and became very difficult to work with. After ending his partnership with Shaun, Shepard was assigned to work with Mike and Derrick, the best movers at Fast Company. This partnership also starts out very well and Shepard is more than happy to be working with such a capable crew. This partnership also crashed eventually as Mike became harder and harder to work with as time went on, eventually resulting in the termination of his employment at Fast Company.
Shepard’s experiences at Fast Company relate to our daily lives in that we must work with other people that we may not get along with or even like. If we want to be successful in our lives we need to learn to fight through our struggles. We also need to learn when enough is enough and when to put an end to a bad situation, like when Shepard decides to fire Mike from the team. If people are bringing us down sometimes it is necessary to cut our ties with them.
The most interesting part of this section of the book was the letter that Shepard wrote to his bus driver. It showed us that we should be thankful for people who make a difference in our lives and do jobs that might not require much skill, but are necessary to our daily lives. It was also important that Shepard showed how the bus driver’s attitude made a big difference in the lives of the passengers. Many of the passengers walked off the bus feeling that their day was going to be better just because of the way they were treated by the bus driver.
Scratch Beginnings: 5-7-2010
The main focus of chapters 9-12 is Shepard’s challenges at Fast Company. It starts out with his first day on the job, working with Sammy and Bruno. His second challenge was his partnership with Shaun, a short, loudmouthed, cocky, control freak of a mover. The partnership started off well but went downhill as Shaun began to drink more and more on the job. It eventually ended because Shaun refused to stop drinking on the job and became very difficult to work with. After ending his partnership with Shaun, Shepard was assigned to work with Mike and Derrick, the best movers at Fast Company. This partnership also starts out very well and Shepard is more than happy to be working with such a capable crew. This partnership also crashed eventually as Mike became harder and harder to work with as time went on, eventually resulting in the termination of his employment at Fast Company.
Shepard’s experiences at Fast Company relate to our daily lives in that we must work with other people that we may not get along with or even like. If we want to be successful in our lives we need to learn to fight through our struggles. We also need to learn when enough is enough and when to put an end to a bad situation, like when Shepard decides to fire Mike from the team. If people are bringing us down sometimes it is necessary to cut our ties with them.
The most interesting part of this section of the book was the letter that Shepard wrote to his bus driver. It showed us that we should be thankful for people who make a difference in our lives and do jobs that might not require much skill, but are necessary to our daily lives. It was also important that Shepard showed how the bus driver’s attitude made a big difference in the lives of the passengers. Many of the passengers walked off the bus feeling that their day was going to be better just because of the way they were treated by the bus driver.
Tyler Johnson Discussion Leader Ch. 11-12
1)Should Adam have fired Mike off the team earlier?
I think he should have because he did not like him, and had a hard time working with him. He also had a very bad attitude while he was working. The only reason Adam finally fired Mike was because Derrick came up to him either Mike goes or he goes. This made him look pretty bad because he had lost his assertiveness.
2)Is Adam finally asserting himself as the leader of his moving group a good or bad thing?
I think that it was a very good thing that he did that. It keeps making him think that he is going to accomplish his goal. It also gives him good opportunities to move up because Fast Company sees that he is being assertive again.
3)Did Adam deserve the treatment he received from Fast Company when he broke his toe?
Adam did deserve the treatment he received from Fast Company. He might have been one of their stronger movers, but he was the best for attitude and work ethic. Adam was never late to work and he did not become sluggish while on the job so he could receive more hours.
4)Was it Adams fault that he broke his toe?
It was Adams fault that he broke his toe, because he started to lose his composer on the job. He started less and less to care about things. This made him more vulnerable to injury and that was why the big metal plate fell on his toe.
I think he should have because he did not like him, and had a hard time working with him. He also had a very bad attitude while he was working. The only reason Adam finally fired Mike was because Derrick came up to him either Mike goes or he goes. This made him look pretty bad because he had lost his assertiveness.
2)Is Adam finally asserting himself as the leader of his moving group a good or bad thing?
I think that it was a very good thing that he did that. It keeps making him think that he is going to accomplish his goal. It also gives him good opportunities to move up because Fast Company sees that he is being assertive again.
3)Did Adam deserve the treatment he received from Fast Company when he broke his toe?
Adam did deserve the treatment he received from Fast Company. He might have been one of their stronger movers, but he was the best for attitude and work ethic. Adam was never late to work and he did not become sluggish while on the job so he could receive more hours.
4)Was it Adams fault that he broke his toe?
It was Adams fault that he broke his toe, because he started to lose his composer on the job. He started less and less to care about things. This made him more vulnerable to injury and that was why the big metal plate fell on his toe.
Vocab./News Article
This is in lieu of vocabulary words.
Calif law would add homeless hate-crime protection
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California's homeless would have enhanced civil rights protections under a bill passed by the state Assembly.
The legislation approved Thursday would add the state's estimated 157,000 homeless to the list of groups protected from hate-based violence. That would allow them to sue for larger sums of damages if they are targeted in an attack.
The bill's sponsors say California is second in the nation in the rate of violence against homeless people. In 2008, a homeless man was burned alive in Los Angeles.
Most Assembly Republicans voted against the bill, saying homelessness isn't in the same category as race, gender and sexual orientation.
The bill still needs approval from the Senate and the governor's signature before it would become law.
Copyright © 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Michael Nelson Discussion Leader ch.9-10
What is significant about all the men “pull[ing] for the criminal” when they watch COPS?
The men at the shelter can kind of relate to the criminals in the show. The criminals, like the men at the shelter are at the bottom of society. The men at the shelter want to see someone who is in a similar position as them escape from being stuck at the bottom.
What is important about Adam’s statements about learning to adapt and change in ch.10?
Adam is learning that his life is completely different now and that he must learn to accept the differences in his life that he faces. He is starting to learn to make use of what little he has. Adapting to this life helps him learn for the future and helps him make smarter decisions.
What is significant about Adam’s “bumps in the road” in ch.10?
Adam if finally realizing that this isn’t just going to be a fun adventure for him. He is discovering that there will be things thrown into his life that will change everything and there will be many struggles that hinder his path to success. He knew from the start it would never be easy, but he is now realizing that not everything will always go as planned.
What is important about Adam’s first experience sleeping outside?
Like witnessing his first drug dealing, this is another eye opening experience for him. He realizes for the first time that there are homeless men who sleep outside every night. This realization helps him understand that he is lucky, even for a homeless person, to have what has been provided for him.
The men at the shelter can kind of relate to the criminals in the show. The criminals, like the men at the shelter are at the bottom of society. The men at the shelter want to see someone who is in a similar position as them escape from being stuck at the bottom.
What is important about Adam’s statements about learning to adapt and change in ch.10?
Adam is learning that his life is completely different now and that he must learn to accept the differences in his life that he faces. He is starting to learn to make use of what little he has. Adapting to this life helps him learn for the future and helps him make smarter decisions.
What is significant about Adam’s “bumps in the road” in ch.10?
Adam if finally realizing that this isn’t just going to be a fun adventure for him. He is discovering that there will be things thrown into his life that will change everything and there will be many struggles that hinder his path to success. He knew from the start it would never be easy, but he is now realizing that not everything will always go as planned.
What is important about Adam’s first experience sleeping outside?
Like witnessing his first drug dealing, this is another eye opening experience for him. He realizes for the first time that there are homeless men who sleep outside every night. This realization helps him understand that he is lucky, even for a homeless person, to have what has been provided for him.
Chris Vocab Ch. 9-10
1. Cavalier (pg 114): showing arrogant or offhand disregard.
2. Panhandle (pg 114): beg by asking for money on the street.
3. Taboo (pg 121): an inhibition or ban resulting from social custom or emotional aversion.
4. Insightful (pg 124): exhibiting insight or clear and deep perception.
5. Eccentric (pg 125): unconventional or unusual.
6. Bracing (pg 129): strengthening or invigorating.
7. Atypical (pg 129): not usual in a normal condition; abnormal.
8. Misconstrued (pg 132): to interpret incorrectly; to misunderstand.
9. Manslaughter (pg 133): the deliberate killing of a person without premeditation.
10. Frugal (pg 135): avoiding unnecessary expenditure.
2. Panhandle (pg 114): beg by asking for money on the street.
3. Taboo (pg 121): an inhibition or ban resulting from social custom or emotional aversion.
4. Insightful (pg 124): exhibiting insight or clear and deep perception.
5. Eccentric (pg 125): unconventional or unusual.
6. Bracing (pg 129): strengthening or invigorating.
7. Atypical (pg 129): not usual in a normal condition; abnormal.
8. Misconstrued (pg 132): to interpret incorrectly; to misunderstand.
9. Manslaughter (pg 133): the deliberate killing of a person without premeditation.
10. Frugal (pg 135): avoiding unnecessary expenditure.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Chuck Kulas Chapter 9-10 Summary
After some time in Charleston, Shepherd was getting anxious for a real job. He had contacted Fast Company in the past, but never made it through. Finally, after hearing an inspirational speech made by a fellow shelter mate, he made the trek across town to the Fast Company offices to seek out a position. After waiting for over an hour for the manager to return, he was granted a position after giving a rousing soliloquy of his ambition and telling the manager of "where he has set the bar." Th manager, quite impressed by this agrees to give Shepherd a position at the firm. Shepherd is on a slow and steady start, working on small and relatively easy jobs until he gained some degree of expertise. Not long after, he is paired up with a man named Shaun Caldwell. Caldwell, and ex-convict has a very different personality than that of Shepherd. After a few weeks of work together, they are separated and not long after Caldwell is asked to leave due to his ruckus ways and alcoholism, et al.
Shepherd then deals with some minor setbacks including having to foot the bill for a move in which the cash was lost, and having to spend a night under the stars. Shepherd then goes on to reflect of his time spent at the homeless shelter and of the many personalities that he comes across there. Chapter 11 concludes with Shepherd reflecting on the setbacks that occurred in the chapter and how he wishes to channel his energy not to reflecting on the negative, but to focus on the positive and attain his goal.
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