The People on the Bus: Reading Response # 3

This story by Adam Goplik I liked the best out of the four readings we had to read. I liked the fact that is exactly how the bus is. He got the bus, the subway and taxi down to a science. I know how the bus can feel like a feeling of comfort, I experienced this especially with the buses in Spain. The Malaga buses going from El Palo to the Centro was my bus. I can definately see how Goplik could feel that when he returned and the change of the subway made him feel that he was dissapointed because when things change and you have a certain love or admiration for them it is always saddening when they are not the same.

I liked the idea of sameness and wanting the same life but then the change is what makes life well life. I liked the way that he compared what type of transportation was to what type of movie and how the bus was not a staple in New York City history. I liked the description of the people who were on each mode of transportation. Each one had their own unique characteristics.

I liked when the he compared the change of the subway to becoming like "Robocop." The form of the story was simple and straight forward which I found easy to read and made sense for this story because of the linear time movement and his progression from Subway to Bus. How his opinion changed fascinates me because that is what happens to all people, opinions are formed and they can change over time.

I like the story a lot. I felt that we all go through times when we feel that we are certain that one thing will always be the same and then become disappointed when change appears, but then we grow use to the change and that change can be even better then what we thought.

Living Like Weasels: Reading Response # 2

This story by Annie Dillard was ok for me. I didn't dislike it but it didn't really spark my interest. I mean I liked the moral of the story that you should live your life by necessity like the animal especially the weasel like when Dillard says

"We could, you know. We can live any way we want. People take vows of proverty, chastity, and obedience- even of silence-by choice. The thing is to stalk your certain calling in a certain skilled and supple way, to locate the most tender and live tack" anything; a weasel lives as he's meant to, yielding at every moment to the perfect freedom of single necessity." (pg. 97)

I like the moral because all people should apply this to their lives but the whole description of the weasel was kind of boring to me. I didn't like that she wanted to fight with the weasel, I mean it made since that she could be animalistic like the weasel, but I didn't like the whole looking at the weasel scene. I liked the idea of it but not reading it. Wierd? I know.

The form of the writing was good. It was straight forward and got across what it needed and wanted to get across but not too interesting. Maybe it had too much nature for me. Overall, the essay was so -so.

The Answer That Increasingly Appeals:Reading Response

I like this story a lot. Here are my reasons for liking this story:

First off it was interesting all the random thoughts seemed to catch my attention because this is how people actually think or maybe I just think like her. One idea after another pops up into our heads we don't think in a linear motion that would be boring. I also like the fact that she had issues about her being half Jewish and half white, she seemed real and tangible and was talking about important matters that she had to deal with in her life. For example when she sends a request for advice she says

So my question is, on Friday, for this meeting, what should I wear? Seriously. This isn't the punch line. I don't know what the right thing is to wear. I've never met with the rabbi before. (pg.45)

How normal is that. That is what I like the normal way she is. I also like the form of the writing because it goes by seperate times and titles which helps with the reader see that she is talking about something different and that helps with the rhythm of the story because she does jump from here to there, but it is not confusing or at least not for me. I liked the development of the daughter and how we see her personality by all the little statements Black makes about her and her attitude toward school and pork. I like the tone she uses in her piece a tone of confusion.

Overall the story was a good one that caught my attention but I did get confused with the Patina Leather couch. I didn't and still don't get it. Oh and the title I don't get either.

Shitty First Draft Personal Essay

We sit in Pizza Hut, looking at one another. Alien to each other, foreign species
to a foreign land, but the land is even more closely rooted to us then we are to each
other. We sit here in tension, wanting to escape from this false Granada
weekend and act like it never happened. The tension is unbearable I want to scream, I
want to go across the table and smack her pompous, smug face. I get up and I walk to get
my pizza and soda cup. As I pass by I can see her looking at me, she is lucky I don’t
throw my soda on her. I would say something like “Opps! Sorry.” Walk away and relish
in my moment of evil victory.
“Raquel, your pizza is ready.” Belen nudges me. I get up and walk to get my
pizza and soda cup. I go the other way to stay as far away from her as possible. She is a
disease that spreads fast, but the attack is slow and unnoticeable. I retrieve my pizza and fill my soda cup with water and I return to my seat. We sit making small talk as we try to avoid the tension that is so apparent. What would happen if I threw my pizza at her head? I know that would be so childish, but I believe there has to be moments that require such childish behavior with good reasoning. Ok, if I angle and my timing is exactly right I can hit square in the face. She begins to speak
“Ok, chicas. As you all know this has been a long trip and we are all tired. As you know we came to learn about another cultura and people. So I want to go around the table and I want all of you to share your opinions of how your experience went these three weeks.”
Oh yes! This was my chance to really say my opinion. I waited for my turn to
1come and was I ever going to go off. I sat with a determination of a raging dog that is
about to be let loose to fight. I sit in a haze; I can't believe that all the girls were saying the same exact things.
“Oh the experience was beautiful and I want to thank you for being good with us and helping us make our dreams come true . . . blah, blah, blah.”
Finally it was my turn. I was ready and more than willing to express my opinion, but I'm not going to express the same bullshit emotions that my peers are showing and what amazes me is that all of them talked mad shit on her the night before and even that morning and now they are thanking her. Nah, that is not gonna be me. I'm going to keep it real.