Camille Franchine
June 8, 2009
Mr. Fiorini
English 3
Who Needs Who
After reading the soloist I feel even stronger about my previous post. A person, like Nathaniel, can be happy with the few possessions he has. A person, who wouldn’t be thought of as happy, lives a happier life than the person who is thought to have a great life. In this case, Nathaniel’s life didn’t seem that great while Steve’s did. In reality, Nathaniel was so much happier with his life than Steve was.
In this book, Steve did a great thing for Nathaniel by trying to help him. Although Nathaniel was happy with his life, Steve still tried to help him. However, in reality I think that Steve needed Nathaniel more than Nathaniel needed Steve; although they both needed each other.
Nathaniel was happy and content with his life and didn’t think he needed Steve to help him with anything. However, deep down he needed someone to love him and care for him the way that Steve did. So although he didn’t need the kind of help that Steve was trying to give him, Steve gave Nathaniel a friend, and that’s all he needed to complete him.
As far as Steve needing Nathaniel goes, Steve was never focused on anything more before he met Nathaniel. Nathaniel took up most of his time and Steve become obsessed with Nathaniel. There came a point where he just couldn’t stop caring because he would constantly wonder where Nathaniel was and how he was doing. Besides Steve’s obsession, Nathaniel taught Steve some things that I too learned from reading this book. Steve learned not to take things for granted and to appreciate the little thing in life. He saw how happy Nathaniel was and realized that it doesn’t take much. He also realized how important his family was. By being away from them so much, he treasured the times he was with them more. He also learned that people with mental disabilities are still people.
All in all, Steve helped himself by trying to help Nathaniel. He learned simple life lessons and made a great friend. He realized that things aren’t always as they seem.
Monday, June 8, 2009
Saturday, June 6, 2009
the soloist 13-22
Camille Franchine
June 6, 2009
Mr. Fiorini
English 3
Happiness
In chapter fourteen of this book Lopez realizes why Nathaniel doesn’t want his help. He always wondered why someone would want to live the way Nathaniel does by choice. He lives in the streets when he could have a perfectly nice indoor room to live in. Lopez realizes that although Nathaniel’s conditions don’t seem appealing, he is happy.
Lopez then thinks about all of the burdens that he has as opposed to the carefree lifestyle of Nathaniel. Nathaniel doesn’t have any bills to pay, any jobs to go to or any people to please. He does what he wants when he wants, and that’s mostly to play his music. He not only enjoys himself while playing his instruments, but brings enjoyment to others as well.
The way that Nathaniel lives, to me, is a great way to live. I’m not saying that I want to live on the streets, but I do think that being carefree the way that Nathaniel is, is a lot better than the way Steve is. A lot of people may have money and success, but that doesn’t mean that they are happy. Nathaniel doesn’t even have a home, yet he is happy. A good way to live life is to enjoy the simple things and to make the most of what you have.
Although Steve feels that what he is doing is better for Nathaniel, which may not be the case. Nathaniel has been living his life perfectly fine and Steve is changing everything for him. I’m still not sure if the change is good or bad. Although Steve is trying to take Nathaniel’s happiness away at the time, he is trying to make him even happier and better off, we just have to hope that Nathaniel realizes that.
However, I think that the meeting of Steve and Nathaniel is beneficial to both of them. Steve has never been more committed to something before and Nathaniel has never been cared about so much. They both need each other even though they barely know each other. It’s better not to question why or how they need each other, it just sort of happened. Even though Nathaniel was happy, now he has a friend and that’s something he needed and Steve is learning so much and putting his heart into Nathaniel.
June 6, 2009
Mr. Fiorini
English 3
Happiness
In chapter fourteen of this book Lopez realizes why Nathaniel doesn’t want his help. He always wondered why someone would want to live the way Nathaniel does by choice. He lives in the streets when he could have a perfectly nice indoor room to live in. Lopez realizes that although Nathaniel’s conditions don’t seem appealing, he is happy.
Lopez then thinks about all of the burdens that he has as opposed to the carefree lifestyle of Nathaniel. Nathaniel doesn’t have any bills to pay, any jobs to go to or any people to please. He does what he wants when he wants, and that’s mostly to play his music. He not only enjoys himself while playing his instruments, but brings enjoyment to others as well.
The way that Nathaniel lives, to me, is a great way to live. I’m not saying that I want to live on the streets, but I do think that being carefree the way that Nathaniel is, is a lot better than the way Steve is. A lot of people may have money and success, but that doesn’t mean that they are happy. Nathaniel doesn’t even have a home, yet he is happy. A good way to live life is to enjoy the simple things and to make the most of what you have.
Although Steve feels that what he is doing is better for Nathaniel, which may not be the case. Nathaniel has been living his life perfectly fine and Steve is changing everything for him. I’m still not sure if the change is good or bad. Although Steve is trying to take Nathaniel’s happiness away at the time, he is trying to make him even happier and better off, we just have to hope that Nathaniel realizes that.
However, I think that the meeting of Steve and Nathaniel is beneficial to both of them. Steve has never been more committed to something before and Nathaniel has never been cared about so much. They both need each other even though they barely know each other. It’s better not to question why or how they need each other, it just sort of happened. Even though Nathaniel was happy, now he has a friend and that’s something he needed and Steve is learning so much and putting his heart into Nathaniel.
Monday, May 18, 2009
the soloist 7-12
Camille Franchine
May 18, 2009
Mr. Fiorini
English 3
Becoming Attached
Chapters seven through twelve of this book shows a progression in how much Steve is starting to care about Nathaniel. The connection between the two goes beyond work for the newspaper. Although he is not completely missing out on time with his family, Steve is beginning to spend all of his time either with Nathaniel, or worrying about Nathaniel.
Steve began to really care when he spent the night with Nathaniel on the street. He wanted to go to see what was so great about where he lived that he didn’t want to go to lamp, however this action pulled the trigger and got Steve completely hooked on Nathaniel. He then starts to book him shows and Nathaniel starts to get a little famous.
Nathaniel, however, doesn’t like his fame. He doesn’t like all of the attention. He prefers to play on the street on his own time. He doesn’t like to get all dressed up. He doesn’t like to be watched so closely or analyzed while playing. He also doesn’t want any medical help for his condition. He tries to avoid talking to doctors.
Steve grows worried when the city decides to “help” homeless people, especially ones with mental conditions. He knows that the people will try to help Nathaniel but he also knows that Nathaniel will not want to be helped and will put up a fight. He doesn’t want this to happen and grows worried. He also adds suspense to the book.
Steve wonders why he is so intrigued by Nathaniel. I think that it’s because although Nathaniel has a mental condition and is simple minded, he’s still very independent and an excellent musician. He’s not really close to anybody and subconsciously, Steve wants to be the one person that Nathaniel opens up to and really trusts. Steve has probably never met a person like Nathaniel and wants to learn as much as he can about him, like the way he thinks and feels about just about everything and how he sees the world. He also may feel obligated to stay with him since he took him this far already and he doesn’t want to give up now. Either way, Nathaniel is a very interesting character.
May 18, 2009
Mr. Fiorini
English 3
Becoming Attached
Chapters seven through twelve of this book shows a progression in how much Steve is starting to care about Nathaniel. The connection between the two goes beyond work for the newspaper. Although he is not completely missing out on time with his family, Steve is beginning to spend all of his time either with Nathaniel, or worrying about Nathaniel.
Steve began to really care when he spent the night with Nathaniel on the street. He wanted to go to see what was so great about where he lived that he didn’t want to go to lamp, however this action pulled the trigger and got Steve completely hooked on Nathaniel. He then starts to book him shows and Nathaniel starts to get a little famous.
Nathaniel, however, doesn’t like his fame. He doesn’t like all of the attention. He prefers to play on the street on his own time. He doesn’t like to get all dressed up. He doesn’t like to be watched so closely or analyzed while playing. He also doesn’t want any medical help for his condition. He tries to avoid talking to doctors.
Steve grows worried when the city decides to “help” homeless people, especially ones with mental conditions. He knows that the people will try to help Nathaniel but he also knows that Nathaniel will not want to be helped and will put up a fight. He doesn’t want this to happen and grows worried. He also adds suspense to the book.
Steve wonders why he is so intrigued by Nathaniel. I think that it’s because although Nathaniel has a mental condition and is simple minded, he’s still very independent and an excellent musician. He’s not really close to anybody and subconsciously, Steve wants to be the one person that Nathaniel opens up to and really trusts. Steve has probably never met a person like Nathaniel and wants to learn as much as he can about him, like the way he thinks and feels about just about everything and how he sees the world. He also may feel obligated to stay with him since he took him this far already and he doesn’t want to give up now. Either way, Nathaniel is a very interesting character.
Friday, May 8, 2009
The Soloist 1-6
Camille Franchine
May 8, 2009
Mr. Fiorini
English 3
The Soloist
Chapters 1-6 of the Soloists are a great introduction to the rest of the story. Steve sets up how he first saw Nathaniel and how his interest in him was sparked. It shows how his interest continued and how he became more and more attached to him.
Steve Lopez is a writer for the newspaper who lives in New York. One day he comes across a homeless man who is playing a violin with only two strings. He immediately thinks that this man would make a great story for the newspaper. He talks to the man and finds out that his name is Nathaniel, and is a former Julliard student and has a mental disability. He contacts the man’s sister and a former teacher to find out how he got where he was.
After writing his first article about Nathaniel, he finds out that this story is a hit. People call Steve to ask about Nathaniel and other people wish to send Nathaniel new instruments. Since Steve wants to get Nathaniel to eventually live in this homeless shelter, he tells him that the only way to get his instruments is to go there and Nathaniel eventually goes to play them. It will, however, take ore time to get him to sleep there.
The two talk more each day and Steve starts to want to talk to Nathaniel simply for the joy of talking to him, although he still cares about his story. Steve goes to a mental institution to find out more about Nathaniel’s mental disability and if there is anyway to treat him. The doctor tells him that treatment doesn’t always work and there are so many people with the same condition, schizophrenia.
May 8, 2009
Mr. Fiorini
English 3
The Soloist
Chapters 1-6 of the Soloists are a great introduction to the rest of the story. Steve sets up how he first saw Nathaniel and how his interest in him was sparked. It shows how his interest continued and how he became more and more attached to him.
Steve Lopez is a writer for the newspaper who lives in New York. One day he comes across a homeless man who is playing a violin with only two strings. He immediately thinks that this man would make a great story for the newspaper. He talks to the man and finds out that his name is Nathaniel, and is a former Julliard student and has a mental disability. He contacts the man’s sister and a former teacher to find out how he got where he was.
After writing his first article about Nathaniel, he finds out that this story is a hit. People call Steve to ask about Nathaniel and other people wish to send Nathaniel new instruments. Since Steve wants to get Nathaniel to eventually live in this homeless shelter, he tells him that the only way to get his instruments is to go there and Nathaniel eventually goes to play them. It will, however, take ore time to get him to sleep there.
The two talk more each day and Steve starts to want to talk to Nathaniel simply for the joy of talking to him, although he still cares about his story. Steve goes to a mental institution to find out more about Nathaniel’s mental disability and if there is anyway to treat him. The doctor tells him that treatment doesn’t always work and there are so many people with the same condition, schizophrenia.
Sunday, May 3, 2009
The Catcher in the Rye
Camille Franchine
May 3, 2009
English 3
Mr. Fiorini
The Catcher in the Rye
“The Catcher in the Rye” by J.S. Salinger is about a boy who tells his story. This boy, Holden, flunks out of every school he goes to and seems to move on rather quickly. When he flunks out of his most recent boarding school, he doesn’t want to go home right away because he knows his parents will be disappointed. To avoid facing them, he goes on a little adventure in New York for a few days. He stays at a hotel, dances with girls and really starts to enjoy this way of life. He sneaks in one night to talk to his sister, Phoebe. He then decides to run away for good and never return home. Phoebe wishes to join him, but he tells her that she can’t and then spends one last day with her.
I think in Holden’s mind he was too mature to go to school and didn’t think it was necessary. He feels that with one of his brothers dying and another being so successful, he was ignored as a child. Since he feels this way, he probably developed and attitude that made him just not care about anything or take anything too seriously. He’s flunked put so many times that he’s gotten used to it and just goes with the flow wherever life takes him.
I really enjoyed reading this book. I liked the way that it was written so that it felt like Holden was actually speaking to me. It was also amazing to think that Holden was only sixteen years old. I enjoyed reading about his adventures and listening to what he had to say about certain people. This book is very different than the type of books that I normally read, but I enjoyed it just as much. Reading this book made me want to travel the streets of New York, but I wouldn’t be able to do it because I don’t have a mind as nonchalant as Holden’s.
The title of this book refers to when Holden says that he wants to be The Catcher in the Rye”. He means that he wants to catch everybody who is running away from something, people who run so far that they fall off of the cliff and into the rye. People may think that Holden is one of these people because he is running from the fear of disapproval from his parents and from the pressure to do well. However, I don’t think that Holden is one of those people. Holden isn’t exactly running, he just enjoys his life better on his own; also because Holden doesn’t need to be caught, or helped. He is experienced at running from things and feels that he can help those who aren’t.
May 3, 2009
English 3
Mr. Fiorini
The Catcher in the Rye
“The Catcher in the Rye” by J.S. Salinger is about a boy who tells his story. This boy, Holden, flunks out of every school he goes to and seems to move on rather quickly. When he flunks out of his most recent boarding school, he doesn’t want to go home right away because he knows his parents will be disappointed. To avoid facing them, he goes on a little adventure in New York for a few days. He stays at a hotel, dances with girls and really starts to enjoy this way of life. He sneaks in one night to talk to his sister, Phoebe. He then decides to run away for good and never return home. Phoebe wishes to join him, but he tells her that she can’t and then spends one last day with her.
I think in Holden’s mind he was too mature to go to school and didn’t think it was necessary. He feels that with one of his brothers dying and another being so successful, he was ignored as a child. Since he feels this way, he probably developed and attitude that made him just not care about anything or take anything too seriously. He’s flunked put so many times that he’s gotten used to it and just goes with the flow wherever life takes him.
I really enjoyed reading this book. I liked the way that it was written so that it felt like Holden was actually speaking to me. It was also amazing to think that Holden was only sixteen years old. I enjoyed reading about his adventures and listening to what he had to say about certain people. This book is very different than the type of books that I normally read, but I enjoyed it just as much. Reading this book made me want to travel the streets of New York, but I wouldn’t be able to do it because I don’t have a mind as nonchalant as Holden’s.
The title of this book refers to when Holden says that he wants to be The Catcher in the Rye”. He means that he wants to catch everybody who is running away from something, people who run so far that they fall off of the cliff and into the rye. People may think that Holden is one of these people because he is running from the fear of disapproval from his parents and from the pressure to do well. However, I don’t think that Holden is one of those people. Holden isn’t exactly running, he just enjoys his life better on his own; also because Holden doesn’t need to be caught, or helped. He is experienced at running from things and feels that he can help those who aren’t.
Monday, April 13, 2009
The Death of a Salesman
Camille Franchine
April 13, 2009
English
Death of a Salesman
Dreams and Success
Many people have big dreams, but few people are able to have their dreams come true. However, although all of a person’s dreams didn’t come true, that doesn’t mean that that person doesn’t have a good, successful life. A person who works hard to achieve their goals and make their dreams come true, usually go on to have bigger dreams. I think that dreams are meant to stay dreams. If everyone’s dreams came true, they would interact and interfere with one another and would just cause complications. A person who doesn’t try so hard to make their dreams come true, will be happy with what he/she has instead if always wanting more.
I don’t think that Charlie is one hundred percent right when he says we are only worth what we can sell. However, I do think that how far a person can go depends on how far they are willing to push. A person’s vision of a better life is determined by how badly they want it and how much they are willing to try. Some people do have to try harder than others, and most people won’t get the exact lifestyle that they want; but having a good life is mostly about be happy for what you do have and not always having bigger dreams. A person is not only worth what they can sell, a person is worth what they believe they are worth and how far they are willing to push themselves.
Willy’s hopes and dreams are just like everyone else’s. I don’t blame him for wanting to be respected. I don’t think that there was a specific time when Willy went wrong. Nothing in particular stood in his way. He was a successful businessman, but he just wanted to become more successful. He kept on trying to make a better life for himself until he just couldn’t take it anymore. His dreams were so big that his good life seemed bad compared to them.
Willy cheats on Linda so that he can feel better about himself. He feels that if he has another woman besides his wife that will make him more respected and better off. He tries to raise his sons so that they will be as successful as he wants to be. He pushes them to follow their dreams and to focus on becoming great. He doesn’t think that they will be happy unless they are that successful and he tries to teach them that.
All in all, Willy Loman is just like anybody else. He dreams of success and spends his whole life trying to be the best. He would have to been happy to live his life and enjoy his family, but he was trying too hard to make his life better. To die the Death of a Salesman means to be pushed by yourself so far that you can’t take it anymore, and that’s exactly what Willy did.
April 13, 2009
English
Death of a Salesman
Dreams and Success
Many people have big dreams, but few people are able to have their dreams come true. However, although all of a person’s dreams didn’t come true, that doesn’t mean that that person doesn’t have a good, successful life. A person who works hard to achieve their goals and make their dreams come true, usually go on to have bigger dreams. I think that dreams are meant to stay dreams. If everyone’s dreams came true, they would interact and interfere with one another and would just cause complications. A person who doesn’t try so hard to make their dreams come true, will be happy with what he/she has instead if always wanting more.
I don’t think that Charlie is one hundred percent right when he says we are only worth what we can sell. However, I do think that how far a person can go depends on how far they are willing to push. A person’s vision of a better life is determined by how badly they want it and how much they are willing to try. Some people do have to try harder than others, and most people won’t get the exact lifestyle that they want; but having a good life is mostly about be happy for what you do have and not always having bigger dreams. A person is not only worth what they can sell, a person is worth what they believe they are worth and how far they are willing to push themselves.
Willy’s hopes and dreams are just like everyone else’s. I don’t blame him for wanting to be respected. I don’t think that there was a specific time when Willy went wrong. Nothing in particular stood in his way. He was a successful businessman, but he just wanted to become more successful. He kept on trying to make a better life for himself until he just couldn’t take it anymore. His dreams were so big that his good life seemed bad compared to them.
Willy cheats on Linda so that he can feel better about himself. He feels that if he has another woman besides his wife that will make him more respected and better off. He tries to raise his sons so that they will be as successful as he wants to be. He pushes them to follow their dreams and to focus on becoming great. He doesn’t think that they will be happy unless they are that successful and he tries to teach them that.
All in all, Willy Loman is just like anybody else. He dreams of success and spends his whole life trying to be the best. He would have to been happy to live his life and enjoy his family, but he was trying too hard to make his life better. To die the Death of a Salesman means to be pushed by yourself so far that you can’t take it anymore, and that’s exactly what Willy did.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Using Blogger
Camille Franchine
March 30, 2009
Being a Writer
Has blogging been valuable to you as a student, thinker, reader, and writer?
Yes, blogging has been valuable to me as a student, thinker, reader, and writer. I like the way I can comment on other peoples work and they can comment on mine. This lets me see how other students did the same assignment that I did and let’s me see their ideas. It is also good for me to get comments from others. I like to see the different opinions that people have on my writing. Seeing other works and getting comments on mine both help me to be a student and learn how to improve my work. Something that I thought sounded good, might not be as good as I thought it was and I like it when people let me know that. Blogging has helped me to learn how to become a better writer and to see different aspects on the things that I read.
What have you taken away from taking this approach to submitting writing for a class?
Taking this type of approach to submitting work for a class has been beneficial to me. It is teaching me more on how to use the Internet without being overwhelming. It helps me to be able to figure things out if the Internet isn’t working right. So, not only does this improve my writing skills, but also it improves my computer skills and my problem-solving skills.
How do you feel about doing and continuing to do this kind of work?
I feel that it would be a good thing to continue to do this type of work. I feel this way because of al the reasons mentioned above. I also like this type of work because it saves a lot of paper and it eliminates the trouble of having to hand in an actual paper each week.
Is this work different from other experiences that you have had in English classes?
This work is very different from work I’ve had in previous English classes. None of the other English classes that I have taken used and online method of handing in work. All papers were on paper. I have also never really been challenged as much in an English class as I am now. It’s not necessarily difficult; it just requires more thought and effort than any other English class that I have ever taken.
Looking forward, do you have suggestions for how you want to be graded on this writing?
I feel that the writing posted on blogger should be graded just as if the same writing were handed in on paper. I think that if the student follows the prompt and is clear with his/her writing, they should do okay. If the student expresses good ideas through writing and shares that with other students, that person should get a good grade.
Has doing this work changed the community within your own class or between classes (11-1 and 11-2) in any way?
Yes, I feel that using blogger has changed the community within and between the classes. The change isn’t all that significant, but it is still there. Blogger has gotten me to know what people that I don’t normally talk to on a daily basis think, and how they write. It could help students realize what they might have in common with another student that they didn’t think they had anything in common with. Not only does blogger help to improve writing skills and save the trees, it also helps students to make friends.
March 30, 2009
Being a Writer
Has blogging been valuable to you as a student, thinker, reader, and writer?
Yes, blogging has been valuable to me as a student, thinker, reader, and writer. I like the way I can comment on other peoples work and they can comment on mine. This lets me see how other students did the same assignment that I did and let’s me see their ideas. It is also good for me to get comments from others. I like to see the different opinions that people have on my writing. Seeing other works and getting comments on mine both help me to be a student and learn how to improve my work. Something that I thought sounded good, might not be as good as I thought it was and I like it when people let me know that. Blogging has helped me to learn how to become a better writer and to see different aspects on the things that I read.
What have you taken away from taking this approach to submitting writing for a class?
Taking this type of approach to submitting work for a class has been beneficial to me. It is teaching me more on how to use the Internet without being overwhelming. It helps me to be able to figure things out if the Internet isn’t working right. So, not only does this improve my writing skills, but also it improves my computer skills and my problem-solving skills.
How do you feel about doing and continuing to do this kind of work?
I feel that it would be a good thing to continue to do this type of work. I feel this way because of al the reasons mentioned above. I also like this type of work because it saves a lot of paper and it eliminates the trouble of having to hand in an actual paper each week.
Is this work different from other experiences that you have had in English classes?
This work is very different from work I’ve had in previous English classes. None of the other English classes that I have taken used and online method of handing in work. All papers were on paper. I have also never really been challenged as much in an English class as I am now. It’s not necessarily difficult; it just requires more thought and effort than any other English class that I have ever taken.
Looking forward, do you have suggestions for how you want to be graded on this writing?
I feel that the writing posted on blogger should be graded just as if the same writing were handed in on paper. I think that if the student follows the prompt and is clear with his/her writing, they should do okay. If the student expresses good ideas through writing and shares that with other students, that person should get a good grade.
Has doing this work changed the community within your own class or between classes (11-1 and 11-2) in any way?
Yes, I feel that using blogger has changed the community within and between the classes. The change isn’t all that significant, but it is still there. Blogger has gotten me to know what people that I don’t normally talk to on a daily basis think, and how they write. It could help students realize what they might have in common with another student that they didn’t think they had anything in common with. Not only does blogger help to improve writing skills and save the trees, it also helps students to make friends.
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