wiki 5 -  16/20 - Good review - interesting things you noticed. This was a tad short of the 200 word ideal.

October 31st

Pastor Schade of Immanuel St. Charles did a very good job of telling the congregation his sermon. Especially since he had to adjust from being in the pulpit to being infront if the reading area. Also, normal Saturday services are normally held in the fellowship hall, but was held in the sanctuary instead for a reason that I do not know. He nearly had his sermon memorized, and adjusted when he realized that some of the things that he may have been saying would offend some of the people int he back of the church. He had fantastic eye contact, and compared the things that were in his sermon in simple terms to those who were sitting in the pews.

wiki 4 - 20/20 - Good post. You made several excellent observations! I am inclined to agree with you. I wasn't sure where the object lesson was going.. I half wondered if he was going to wait for all 314 people plus teachers to stand up one by one... I knew the kids were "plants" but wasn't sure if all were.

October 30th

Mr. Flandermeyer did a decent job in chapel. It seemed more like he read to us than did a rehearsed speech. Which is understandable considering how he was more likely focused on the performance of all the musical groups. Im not very sure how often he even looked up. He was also fairly monotone. When he did his comparison as well among all of the great religious leader, he did not distinguish amongst them very well. The fact that he included himself among them was kind of offending. I  understand what he meant to say that all people were like that, but after you name off people that have been great figures such as Martin Luther, and then say yourself, some people may get the wrong idea or feeling from that. However, when he had people stand up and say their line in chapel, was a very good use of an aide. It added greatly to his point and had many people say it which adds more feeling and emotion to the point he was trying to make. I believe that he could have focused more on his part of the message. which would have gotten his point across much better, but his use of aides in his message, and his distraction of having to run the bands, make up for the mistakes that he made during his message.

 

wiki 3 - 20/20 good post. Dan DID do a very fine job... you were exactly right. You could tell he really had an interest in his topic, which made it much more enjoyable to listen to... as opposed to being "read" to.

October 21th

I believe that Dan Mueller did a very good job on his informational speech today. He seemed to have practiced it or at least have known very much about what he was talking on. Lollapalooza is a huge event with many different activities and to be able to summarize all of that into a 5 minute speech is fantastic. He gave great detail about how he felt and what to do. He also had two extremes in which he was serious at one point and very comedic at others. He rarely had to look down or take a pause since he knew so well of what he was talking about. Unfortunately he may have gone slightly towards the direction of being a persuasive speech. With the topic he chose that was a very hard thing not to do. however when he was going toawards that direction he quickly brought the idea of the speech back to being informational and giving us the facts and experiences that he had of that day. I would give Dan an overall good grade for having a good speech pacing, great eye contact, large amount of knowledge, and having a good ability to tell us his knowledge smoothly and calmly.

wiki 2 - 20/20 - good entry... well analyzed!

October 15th

I believe that the chapel speakers on Thursday did very well for most likely not having practiced. Mr kuhlmann was confident and knew what he was talking about and showed everyone that as well. He also used the powerpoint perfectly by not having too much on it, but just enough that it would help those listening to follow along and get a better understanding of what he was talking about. Some of the seniors seemed as if they were only reading, which in some cases was what they were doing. While reading however, they should be able to go through without having to stop or say filler words such as 'uh' which i heard many times. The example mr kuhlman used of the talents was excellent. it caught the attention of many people who were not paying attention, and when they all crushed their tiles, those who may have unfortunately dosing off, were woken up and attentive to what he was saying. Mr kuhlman also had good movement and looked around at everyone. He was not rushed but not too laid back. He looked around to all people sitting in the bleachers which is very difficult considering our seating arrangement.  The message was not too long as to loose the listeners focus, but long enough to explain the point that needed to be given. The chapel today was a very good chapel, there were some rough parts, but not very frequently or during the message.

wiki 1 17/20 - needs a bit of work... unclear in spots. (see note below)

October 9th Public Speaking - wiki 1

Ron Paul gave an overall bad speech. However he had good pacing. Unfortunately he had bad eye contact. For being an elected representative he should have the ability to give a proper speech. He even ran for president and he is still giving a bad speech. Granted there may have been very few people in the room listening to him, but it is still on the internet and if there is anyone there he should give a proper speech. By doing the bad habits and actions that he did, the speech did not have its full effectiveness. I think if he had given that speech in our class he would have gotten a low A because of eye contact. Other than that he had good pacing and word choice with a creative speech basis and lots of confidence. You use words like "proper speech"  - what do you mean? I explained in class that addresses in Congress will not necessarily look like "typical" speeches due to camera angles etc. But then you went on to say he would've gotten an "A" if had been given in class... so was it good or was it bad? You really weren't clear. Plus your entry was somewhat short of 200 words.

 

Sorry about not being 200 words forgot, i was used to only having to write 100. 

 

Left Alone

By: Luke Moore

In Jack’s tent, Jack and the tribal translator are meeting each other and discussing the upcoming events, before they go to sleep.

"We are very thankful that you people are coming to help our tribe," says the translator.

"There is no need for your thanks we are just doing what we believe to be the will of God." said Jack.

"So, Mister Johnson, may I ask what is your first name?"

"Jack"

"Ah, well thank you Jack, I believe that your words tomorrow will bring great joy to my tribe. You are a good pastor my friend, many do not have the courage to come out here in such terrible times. May I ask how you and your fellow missionaries gained the courage to come all the way to Nigeria?"

"Yes it was hard to gain courage when we were told this area was in such trouble, but it also gave us the knowledge that we need to come here and give any help that we can."

"My tribe, the Adun, have been in great fear of what might happen. All anyone can do it think about how the Biafra keep taking away and killing many Nigerians all around our tribe’s land. The rumor is that the Biafran army moves from village to village taking what they please and killing any who get in their way. They are monsters and our people do not deserve this, but there is nothing that we can do to stop it."

"Hopefully, our words will be of comfort to the other people of the Adun." Sensing the sensitivity of the subject of the Biafran army, Jack attempts to change the subject away from the horrors of the area. "Getting here was not so easy. Our government warned us many times that this area is dangerous and we should only go at our own peril. They did tell us that there has been recent construction in building a new Embassy a few hours from here."

"It is good for you that they built that embassy, gives many Americans in this area peace of mind to know that the American army is here."

"They gave in when I told them that, being a pastor, it is my duty to come here. Also, being a veteran of Desert Storm didn’t hurt my chances either."

"Ah, so I assume that after the war you decided to become a pastor?"

"Actually I was a pastor to the soldiers I was dispatched with. I trained with them and led them through their tough times over there. Being part of them and doing their training helped me to be closer with them. When I came back to America, I decided that I am only 35 and have plenty of life left and I need to keep helping others overseas, and fellow members of my church agreed, and we decided that we should come here and help these tribes."

"Well we are very grat-" interrupted by screams, the translator stops mid-sentence. Jack and the translator rush out of the tent to flashlights and gunfire all around. The missionaries and the members of the escort group are frozen with terror. Jack knows that if he stays here, he will be killed. Grabbing his bag, Jack runs out into the dark and he escapes, as the soldiers are distracted with those who have not run. The Biafran soldiers tie the people and line them up, shooting members of the escort group at will to intimidate the missionaries. The commanding officer of the soldiers addresses the missionaries using the translator.

　

"Tell me why are you here!" The missionaries only know fear at this point and can say nothing.

"I demand that you admit to being American spies. We do not need you or any of your other Americans to be in this area. This is our war! You are foreign invaders who do not deserve to be here."

"B- But we are not spi-", replied one of the missionaries.

"SILENCE!" yells the officer, cutting of the missionary, "You do not speak to me until I command you. You are foreign scum. Who brought you here?"

"The pastor from our church"

"Where is he?"

"We do not know"

The officer orders the execution of the captives and to search for the missing person.

Jack, from the hill overlooking the camp, sees the execution of his friends and is mortified. Seeing the soldiers start to fan out, Jack starts to run under the cover of darkness. Spotting an area of dense trees he decides this would be good cover. Jack is panicking and starts talking to himself frantically.

"What do I do? What do I do? What do I do? I have no water, no food, no weapons, no help, how can I survive. There is no way I can hide for long, with those soldiers all around it is only a matter of time before they find me." Realizing that he is panicking and not helping himself, Jack starts to try and calm down. Ok, Ok, I need to get to that embassy and from there I will be safe. But where is it? I have no clue how to get there. But the people of the Adun tribe can help me. They have food and water too. However, the Biafran army is most likely going there right now. I have no other options, I have to go there or I will die out here alone."

Knowing that the camp was only a few miles away from the village, Jack moves swiftly through the night keeping an eye out for any soldiers looking for him.

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Jack arrives at the village an hour later only to see that the soldiers are gathering the supplies that he needs.

"What do I do now? These people are my only chance to get out alive and I’m their only chance too. I have to help them to help myself."

Jack counts 5 soldiers, 2 holding the people hostage, 2 searching for goods, and 1 in the truck at the entrance. Seeing an opportunity, Jack sneaks around to the back of the truck any noises drown out by the screams of the villagers. Going to the driver side he grabs to soldier’s mouth and pulls him out of the truck and snaps the soldier’s neck.

Jack grabs the pistol and pushes on the gas. The soldiers hear this and turn only to see Jack ran over the two grabbing supplies with the truck, killing them, and shot the other 2 that were guarding the villagers. Knowing that there is little time, Jack gets a villager to point in the direction of the embassy.

Jack thinks to himself, Soldiers must have heard that shot, I can’t leave these people here, but they can’t come with me.

Jack, knowing that he has to give up his fastest transportation, hands the keys over to the villager. Grabbing water, a pistol, and ammo Jack starts his adventure through the night as the villagers pile into the truck and leave.

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Running, watching, scared to death; Jack is in the wild, all alone. Using his compass to stay on the right path, Jack walks to the edge of a cliff. Jack looks across the land and sees the light shining from the city. However, just below his is a small Biafran camp of 10 men. Having no way to go around, Jack advances down the path. Taking a defensive position between 2 large rocks, Jack opens fire. Hitting a soldier with his first shot he leaves only 9. The soldiers are frantic and surprised. Now knowing where the shooter is they take cover wherever they can. After killing those that were in his sight, Jack switches positions to take out the rest. After the battle is over, Jack moves into the camp and counts 5 dead and 3 critically wounded.

"Where are the other two? They must’ve run off. Now I have little time to get to embassy."

Grabbing more ammunition, Jack starts an all out sprint for the city.

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____

As daylight breaks, Jack is minutes outside the nearly abandoned city. Thinking of only reaching safety, Jack does not notice the soldiers who are on his tail. After they fire a shot and miss, Jack dives behind a car. Not giving give up, Jack fires back as he runs down the street dodging and diving to whatever cover he can find. 3 blocks away from the city Jack is out of shots. Seeing that he is near the embassy, Jack throws his useless weapon and starts a beeline to the embassy. Just out of the range of the soldiers, he is one block away from the embassy. The American soldiers thinking that they are under attack move into position and fire on the Biafran soldiers. As the bloody battle continues, Jack ducks into an empty building not knowing who is winning the fight. After the shots stop, Jack looks out of the window so see that the Americans easily overpowered the Biafran soldiers and secured the street. Jack walks out and shows them his papers and is escorted into safety. Though he may be leaving the violence and horrors of this land, Jack will never forget what has happened this day and the fear the people of this country face everyday.

 

Finally, I am curious why you think he entitled it "The Bride Comes to Yellow Sky"...and speaking of the Bride.. if she's important enough to be part of the title, why doesn't Crane even bother

to tell us her name? Why do you think he chose to do that?!

     I believe that Crane entitled the story "The Bride Comes to Yellow Sky" because her arriving at the town influences many aspects of the story and the final outcome. Jack was acting like he did because he was bringing a bride back to the town, and Scratchy did not shoot Jack because Jack had brought a wife home. Crane did not need to tell the reader the name of the bride because that was not important, the focus of the story was that she was there as a wife not who she was or what her name is. I think that Crane realized that there was no need to make the bride out in great detail because it would just end up adding more uncessary information to the story that the reader did not need to know. If Crane had added a name or more information about the wife I don't think that I would have felt any different about the story except for the fact that I would have known more useless information than needed.

 

 

Now the really fun question: Should Grannies go about giving little kids sticks and sending them out to "battle" other kids??? (personally, I am a granny... so I am very curious as to your advice on this!)

     I believe that Grandmothers should be allowed to give little kids sticks, but not for the reason of going to beat other children over that head with them. The Grandmother in the story knew that the child was not going to go out there and beat up the others, and she knew that if she could distract him long enough the other kids would go inside for dinner and then there would be no problems. The story about Pablo may have taught the child that you need to use force sometimes, but it is not necessary to use all the time to get what you want. By giving the child the broom stick I believe that the Grandmother may have given him a little more confidence allowing to face his fears of the other kids and go on the other side of the street to deliver the hat. Referring to another question that was posted I do not believe that this situation would happen in these times because I personally have never seen a gang of kids ranging in age from 5 to 8 sitting on the street waiting to beat other kids up.

Good job on wk.1 - good point about kids today... most little kids aren't allowed to play alone on the streets these days... we're too afraid of child predators instead of child gangs!

 

Week 2

What is the life adjustment here? who has the bigger problem Charles or his mother?

 

The life adjustment here is that Laurie has moved onto the kindergarten and has met a child that has not been a good influence on him at all. The only problem is that he is the bad child but he tells his parents that it is someone else. Laurie is having trouble adjusting to the lifestyle of not being at home which is causing him to lash out at the teacher and other students. This story could possibly happen but would not last for long considering how every teacher in this situation would immediately be on the phone with the parents. Laurie's mother is having a hard time because she is too worried for Laurie that she never thinks that Charles could possibly be her Laurie. Laurie's father starts to think that Charles may be Laurie.

 

Is it an act of deception for Mike to do what he did? Is he lying?

 

I believe that what Mike did was right. His grandmother was in a time of need and she had the urge to get her accusation off her chest and apologize to her. If Mike had stopped his grandmother and made her realize that he was not her husband than she could have had a terrible meltdown and the situation would have gone from bad to worse. Mike may not have felt right doing what he did, but in the end his grandmother was happy and everyone ended up being safe and happy.

 

Good job on Wiki 2! However, your comment on "Charles" about Laurie meeting a bad kid at school is not quite accurate in keeping with the story. Just so you're totally clear on that. There WAS no kid at school doing bad things... and Laurie was using the stories for a different reason altogether.

 

Week 3

September 3

When in the story did you start to "Catch On"

     I started to catch on to the major plot when he killed the first Mr. Garret that Stendahl saw. When he started making robots of everybody I knew that he was planning on killing all of them eventually. Once the man was killed in the pit by the pendulum I knew how everyone else was going to die. I have never read the story about where a Guerilla shoves a lady up a chimney so I did not know what was going on at that point, but the pit finally made everything click on what was going to happen to everyone. I think that the most insane part of the story is that everyone was watching the others get killed and did not realize that the actual people were getting killed instead of robots. I think that the worst way to die was mr garret being bricked in the cellar and chained to a wall. Stendahl was probably a little insane with what  he was doing but i guessed that he just really loved reading.

 

September 3

     Writing the essay that was due today was quite difficult considering how there are many possibilities to have real conflicts in all of the stories. I was having a huge mental block when thinking about new ways that the girls and the store manager could have solved their problems in A&P. The whole situation did not take much explaining and I was not feeling to great because there was not a lot of length to my paper and i felt like i was missing a huge idea because my paper was not very long. It just seemed way to easy to write the paper and explain it. Felt more like writing a wiki post and doing a quick explanation rather than writing an extensive essay.

 

Week 4

Want you to tell me if you get TJ or not?

 

          I understand Tj because I can think in his shoes. He is in a very new area and misses his old home very much. He sees an oppurtunity to bring back a part of his old life into his new life. By taking this oppurtunity he becomes happy and gets used to his new surroundings much more. The kids also bond with him and he makes new friends. Without having this idea he may not have adjusted to the new city and may have not made any friends since this idea he had made him apart of the group.

 

Tell me about the ending? Could it have realistically have happened any other way?

     I think that what the soldiers did at the time was the right move. Even though the boy may have looked like he was an american they could obviously tell by what he was saying that he was a lost German boy who belonged in Germany with the others in the orphanage. Karl was not in his right mind and they realized that when he started saying the the sergeant was his father. Karl was just confused and was longing to meet his father. He was also very happy to see someone that looked like him in Germany. The story could have ended another way but I do not think that if the soldiers took Karl with them it would have been the best thing for them or Karl.

 

 

Week 5

 

Marty from "the New Kid" is a brat who deserves to get beat with the socks full of flour. He knows exactly what it is like to be the kid who gets picked on all the time but that still does not make him really hesitate when he starts beating the other kid. What he doesn't realize is that the other kids are not really on his side, they are just entertained for the fight and are going to turn on Marty as soon as they feel the urge to pick on someone else. Marty ruined the chance to make a new friend but instead chose a path that in the end will just end up hurting him rather than helping at all.

 

Nance Lee from "one Friday Morning" handled the situation maturely, but there is a point that she should have realized that a college scholarship is a major thing. thats a good chunk of change and she has tons of proof that would completely back her side of the case. Instead of sitting there crying and not talking about it she needst to confront the teachers and the board of people that gave her the award and then took it right away from her. They even sent her a letter admitting that it was because of racism that she did not win the award. I  think that also makes this story dumb because in the real world any person would have taken that letter to the courts in a heartbeat to get the money that could really help her in college.

wiki 5- You had some interesting thoughts in here - your reactions to Marty are not surprising - many felt as you did.... remember to consider the era the story was set in before judging it too harshly - In 1952, discrimination was not only allowed, it was the norm in much of our country. Nancy Lee would not have had a leg to stand on in the courts or elsewhere and there were no avenues of protest readily available.. hard to imagine, I know, with our systems of legal means today, but even so - that was the way it worked.