wiki 5 11-5-09

Inspirational Speech by Dr. Randy Pausch on the Oprah Winfrey show

     I was excited to watch this speech on youtube, because I've read the book "The Last Lecture" but have never had a chance to actually watch Dr. Randy Pausch speak on the internet.  Through out the whole speech, Pausch had excellent eye contact.  He kept his eyes on the crowd and used good hand gestures.  He had a powerpoint for a visual aid.  It showed pictures and had his main points, which helped me to understand his speech.  I also like how he proved how physically strong he was by doing the push-ups.  Also, the spilling of the soda on his new car was a good example to prove a point of how a car is just a thing.  Pausch had good pronunciation and volume throughout the speech as well.  I'd have to say it was a well done speech through out.  The overall flow of it wasn't sad, but more inspiring.  Eventhough, Pausch had cancer and was dying, he didnt dread on that but made the speech something that would inspire others to live.  It was very inspirational and I enjoyed listening to it.

wiki 5 20/20 - I am glad you got to watch this one! It's one of the most uplifting things I've ever heard! He IS a very good speaker!

wiki 5 11-6-09

 

Inspirational Speech by Dr. Randy Pausch on the Oprah Winfrey Show:  The Last Lecture

 

          I was excited to watch Dr. Randy Pausch's speech on youtube, because I have read the book "The Last Lecture", but have never actually watched him speak.  Overall, The Last Lecture was very well spoken throughout the video.  Dr. Pausch had excellent eye contact, gazing out at Oprah's audience.  He spoke loud, which was appropriate for the audience.  He also spoke very clear and used good pronunciation.  He didn't talk too fast, and his speech flowed well with his powerpoint.  His powerpoint was an excellent visual aid, and greatly enhanced the whole speech.  All of the pictures and key points on the powerpoint were appropriate with the subject matter.  I also like how Dr. Pausch did push-ups to show how he was actually physically strong, eventhough he was dying.  The fact that Dr. Pausch was dying didn't make the speech sad, but actually made it quite inspirational.  He intertwined his death in his speech, but in a positive way.  This is shown throughout the content of the speech.  He urged people not to dread about the problems in life, but to channel that energy and make each day special.  He also demonstrated this in his story about spilling the soda in his new car.  He explained how his car was just a thing, and how spilling the soda prevented his nephew from feeling guilty.  Randy Pausch's Last Lecture was done very well throughout and I enjoyed watching it.

 

 

 

 

wiki 4  - 20/20- good post! I agree totally with you about the interest level of this particular speech. It caught my interest as well... and for all the same reasons.

 wiki 4 10-27-09 

          Last week Pastor Clausing spoke about why bad things happen to good people.  For me, this sermon was very easy to listen to compared to others.  Not only was it an interesting topic, which we all wonder about, but also Pastor Clausing had very good speaking skills.  His volume was loud enough for us to hear him, yet not too loud where it feels like we are being yelled at.  He didn't pace the gym, which can be distracting at times.  He stayed in one spot, yet he still used his usual hand gestures to emphasize major points in his sermon.  He started off by reminding us of the question we often ask ourselfs: "why do bad things happen to good people?" This caught my attention immediately, making me want to know what he had to say to answer this question that I think about quite often.  I have never heard anyone say "why do good things happen to bad people?"  This turned the tables and got me thinking, because we are all bad people since we all sin.  I thought that Pastor Clausing's sermon was interesting and easy to follow.  He did a really good job.

 

wiki 3 - 10/23  - 0/20 - no posting! 

 

wiki 2 - 10/16  - 20/20  - good job.

10-16-09

 

          Today Mr. Stec spoke in chapel.  I always enjoy his chapels since he is very entertaining, yet sometimes he can be a little distracting.  Since we are sitting in the gym, he has to face us at very different angles.  Mr. Stec often paces and walks around a lot to make sure that he is speaking to everyone.  I understand where he is coming from, but the constant movement can be distracting.  His gestures are also a little over-the-top and everywhere at times.  Mr. Stec does a great job at pronunciation and volume when speaking in chapel.  He is very loud and clear.  With the exception of the technical difficulties in chapel today, he usually has great visual aids.  These can help us pay attention and understand his message.  Sometimes the on-going words are hard to follow in his videos though.  Mr. Stec makes some mistakes, but I really do enjoy his chapels.

 

 

wiki 1 - 20/20- good entry! Great speech... you picked a famous one for your first one! It changed the course of a movement, so you know it was effective!

10-9-09

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.  “I Have A Dream”

            Overall Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have A Dream” speech was easy to listen to and kept my attention.  King’s delivery of the speech was strong and commanding, yet inspirational.  Dr. King’s voice was very clear and loud.  It sounded almost like he was singing as he delivered his speech.  He pronounced each word well and put emphasis on major points in his speech.  Since he was talking to a large crowd, the volume and clarity was appropriate.  His speech was very preachy, which is very appropriate for the content.  Though he glanced at his notes occasionally, his eyes drifted through the crowd wonderfully.  He shook his head often and shifted his weight around, but it was nothing that would distract the listeners very much.  During the climax of the speech he raised one arm.  At the end of the speech he had more arm movement and sometimes used both hands.  It didn’t seem threatening that he used a double gesture, because the crowd was very large and it was at a heightened point of the speech.  I’ve never really sat down and watched the “I Have A Dream” speech all the way through, but I’m glad I did because it is a historic speech and Martin Luther King was a great speaker.

 

 

Ali Stiegemeier

Symposium

Mrs. Staude

September 23, 2009

“The Perfect Reality”

            I’ve been living this life for the past eighteen years, yet I never really realized the truth of my surroundings.  I’ve had my own thoughts and opinions, but have been numb to the reality of my own feelings.  Since day one I’ve ignored the person that I really am, until now.

            I woke suddenly to the sound of my cell phone ringing the most annoying ring tone at 9 am.  Before answering, I squinted at the tiny screen only to read the name with a sigh.

“Mom?”

            “Olivia, are you still in bed?  I just got a call from your school, why aren’t you there?”

            “I’m sorry, I guess I slept in again, I must have not heard my alarm,” I said as I tried to remember if I had actually set it.

            “You know this is really getting old.  I can’t wake you up when I have to be at work at 6, and you know you can’t miss anymore school.  I just don’t understand why you do these things.  Get your act together and go to school.”

            “I said I’m sorry, I know it’s my fault.  I guess I’ve just become immune to alarms since I hear four different ones go off every morning.”

            My sisters, Jill, Kellie, and Megan, are living at home with my parents right now.  They’re always welcome here, and I’d like them to save money.  They downside to our crowded house is that it is my senior year and I have not had any friends over.  I love my family, but I their constant presence makes me want to be in a different place.

            “Yeah, but you’ll jump to answer your phone at any minute, wont you?  How can you sleep through alarms?  You don’t even sleep.  We’ll discuss this later, you are very late.”

            I took my time putting on my school clothes and driving to school.  I even took a much-needed detour to the coffee ship.  My usual was ready for me on the counter only seconds after I walked inside. I was tired but coffee always cheers me up.  I was so tired; I wish that my parents let me take sleeping pills at night.

            I walked into homeroom and immediately began to daydream of life after high school.  Honestly what is the point of me being here anyway?  I’m graduating in two weeks and then I’ll start college in the fall.  Before I got too far in my wonders, Scarlet sat down in the desk in front of me.

            “We still on for tonight?” she asked dreamily.  “I haven’t had you over in forever and we need some catch-up time.  I know my parents are excited to see you too!”

            “Dinner! That’s right, I’m sorry I completely forgot.  It’s fine though. I can make it.  I can come over after I talk to my mom after school.”

            Going over to Scarlet Bell’s house for dinner was always enjoyable.  Walking into her house is like walking into an episode of Leave it to Beaver.  The Bell family mirrors the Cleaver family perfectly.  Scarlet is a straight-A student with perfect teeth and hair, is friends with everyone at school, and is the cheerleading captain.  Since we grew up together, I’ve never failed to notice her many talents and abilities, which I lack.  Her house is like a dream house.  It is twice the size of mine, very clean, and always smells good.  Mrs. Bell is an excellent cook, so I’m always excited to see what’s for dinner.  The Bell’s have always been my second family.

            Mom wasn’t too happy that I failed to tell her about my dinner plans earlier.  She always insists that our lack of communication is my fault.  It wasn’t always this way.  I used to be a responsible kid.  I was trustworthy, but I was given too many privileges.  I have never been grounded in my life, have never had a curfew of any kind, and my parents are out of town half the time.  Is it really that hard to see why I don’t find it necessary to tell my parents where I am at all times?

            “The only time you are ever home is when you are sleeping and you don’t even do that!  You’re always at a friend’s house or work.  Would it kill you to make an effort to spend time with your family, Olivia?”

            The door swings both ways.

            I was greeted at the door of the Bell’s house with four perfectly smiling faces.  The house smelled so lovely, it could only be Mrs. Bell’s casserole, my favorite meal in the entire world.

            “Just in time for dinner dear, we are so excited that you could make it tonight,” Mrs. Bell sang as she led me to the table.

            I passed the family pictures in the long hallway leading to the kitchen, watching their family change and grow from old to recent pictures was like watching a movie in my head.  All four Bells were matching in each picture with a consistent theme.  Whether it is a color or a family activity, the Bells had a picture for just about everything.

            Dinner was silent at first, because everyone was too busy devouring Mrs. Bell’s delicious food.  Once we found a stopping point, conversation began.  As usual we talked about our day and our plans for the future.  Scarlet and her sister, Rose, were both going into teaching.  Their parents fully supported their plans and encouraged them to follow their dreams.  Talking about my future is always hard because my parents are both in the medical field and I want to become a journalist. They were slightly disappointed when I told them I wasn’t going to become a doctor, and I think people can read that on my face when I talk to them about college.

            After the usual chitchat, the Bells were unusually quiet.  I was hoping that I didn’t make them uncomfortable.  I was so excited for dessert because it looked almost unreal; it was so heavenly and perfect.  Much to my dismay, the Bells continued to sit.  They weren’t even eating.  Confused, I asked each of them individual direct questions.  No one would answer me.  I began to shout.  Still no answer, they didn’t even flinch.  Scarlet’s phone began to ring, but she never touched it.  One by one, eventually each of the Bell’s phones started to ring.  They wouldn’t answer them, and just waited until the four different rings stopped before leaving the table to clean the dishes.  It was eerie.  None of the Bells made normal conversation with me.  Time continued to go on, but I wasn’t leaving their house and they weren’t paying me any attention.

            Suddenly I jumped at the sound of my own ring tone next to me on the bed.  What just happened to me?  I answered the phone to hear the sound of my mom’s voice.

            “Olivia, wake up honey, you are going to be late for school again.  I even packed you a lunch.  It’s the left over pizza from last night, I know you enjoyed it.”

 

 

wiki 5 - good work. Be sure not to just summarize but to REACT to the question. On the wiki I want to see you say "I Think..."

Week 5

Does the ending strike you as one that is going to be a good situation for Minta?

         The end of the story definitely puts Minta in a strange position.  For the past couple of months, she had been keeping a secret from her mother in the hopes of making the end of her life happy and normal.  Once she realizes that her mother knew all along it becomes clear that she has to keep a secret from her dad so that he can have peace.  Minta's mother knows that they are a lot alike and needs Minta to take good care of her dad.  Minta's dad thought he was doing a good thing by keeping the secret from his wife so that she could be happy, when all along his wife was doing the same.  Minta knows all of this, but can't tell her dad, because she wants him to be as happy as possible after his wife's death.

 

How about the dad in this story? Is he a "good dad" or does he expect too much of his daughter?

     The dad in the story has good intentions, but what he wants costs Minta.  He just wants his wife to have a normal and happy last couple of months of life.  This puts pressure on Minta to not go to school and to act normal around her mom even though she is extremely upset by the news. Minta's father cares for both Minta and her mother.  He does recognize that Minta has to make sacrifices, and loves Minta deeply for staying home during his wife's last couple months. I don't think he is expecting too much of Minta, because he knows how much Minta loves her mother.  He knows that Minta would do anything for her mother.

 

Week 4 

4. Many "experts" claim  that EDUCATION is the secret recipe for success.... then how do we explain people who get college degrees but still live in their parents' basement? Or people who have advanced degrees and FAIL in life? What are the other factors that must be present for success? (Also how do you explain a guy like Bill Gates who dropped out of college to "tinker" with computers???)

      For the most part, we are taught that to succeed we need to have straight A's, be on the honor roll, go to a good school, etc.  Personally, I believe that the secret to success is to love what you are doing.  Sure, successfull people know what they are doing, but they didn't always start off that way.  When someone gets a crazy idea about what they want to do, they should go with it.  No matter who discourages you, if you believe that it is what you are meant to do, you shouldn't give up on it.  It's better to have passion for what you are doing and work to get better at it than to be properly trained with no passion.

 

 

I am going to go "out on a big Limb" here and also invite you to comment on the reading of the Speech to America's Students that I presented in class on 9/8/09. I hope it was evident that I was trying to tie it to our new theme on "pre-judging" things and/or people plus it fit rather nicely with our discussion the other day about censorship. I will be interested to hear what you have to say on the topic as we really didn't allow a lot of in class discussion time. I hope everyone will feel welcome to express their views on the wiki if you so choose.

      I agree, the Speech to America's Students fit greatly into our new "pre-judging" theme and I'm glad that I got to hear it in class.  Whether it be the fact that Obama is our first African American president or that some people didn't think students should hear his speech, the whole scenario fit well with our new theme.  It's no secret that last year's election stirred the prejudice pot, and we are dealing with racial discrimination in some of our short stories.  Also, the idea that students can't hear what the president has to say is discriminating against younger people, which is also encountered in our short stories.  I wasn't for Obama in the last election, but he is still the president, and I think that I have the right to hear what he has to say.  I also didn't think his speech was political at all.  It was just about staying in school and doing your best.

 

 

 

Week 3

Great job on wiki 3! good discussion!

Does this story fall more into the category of horror... or into the category of sci-fi? How do you think it stacks up compared to the original by Poe? Is it better or not as good? Why?

      Ray Bradbury's Usher II fell into both horror and sci-fi categories.  Obviously Edgar Allen Poe is a major influence to the story, so naturally there is some horror in there.  Poe's stories are basically reinacted and many people are murdered, so that falls into the horror category.  Usher II can also be referred to as a sci-fi story because of its setting in the future.  The story has robots and people living on mars, which definitely falls into the sci-fi category.  The mixture of both horror, sci-fi, and Edgar Allen Poe made Usher II grab my attention.  I think Bradbury did a wonderful job making his own story with the influence of Poe.

 

1.  This story is unique in that there are no human characters. The protagonist is a house. Discuss what things Bradbury did with it to express his point about the future.

      In Bradbury's "August 2026:  There will Come Soft Rains", the house controlls everything that any human who had lived in that house ever did.  I think Bradbury is trying to say that once people are gone, the world is still going on as if it didn't matter if we were here or not.  The house continues doing all of the cooking, cleaning, etc.  Sara Teasdale was recited in this story as well.  Her poem basically paralleled Bradbury's message.  In the poem the animals and nature continued living on unaware of any change when humans were gone.  Bradbury's short story send the same message, except it is more futuristic with robots and a "living" house.

 

Week 2

Good work on wiki 2!

Who has the bigger problem? Charles or his mother?

          Even though Laurie has trouble adjusting to his new class and being in school, his mother is the one who ultimately has the bigger problem.  She is a very caring mother, but she can't quite see what is really goin on with her son.  She doesn't see the whole picture.  By Laurie's stories she knows that Charles is a trouble-maker, but she is hoodwinked by her own five-year old son.  The dad even seems to realize that Charles is really Laurie.  The teacher hints at the end of the story that Laurie wasn't as bad as the mom imagined Charles was.  This shows that Laurie had trouble adjusting to school, and it's probably because his mother is a potential "hoover mom."

 

When or how will Mike know it is time to regrow his moustache?

     I'm going to repeat a little of what we discussed in class, but Mike will not be able to regrow his mustache until he is grown up.  He liked the mustache because it made him look older (he had to pay to get into movies).  When his grandma mistook him for his grandpa, he found that looking mature doesn't mean that you really are.  We never really know when we grow up until it happens.  In class someone said that we are grown up when we can know the truth and learn to live with it.  What Mike learned about his grandparents was too much for him, and it even caused him to worry about his parents.  It is impossible to name an exact time, but Mike won't be able to regrow his mustache until he becomes an adult. 

 

 

Week 1

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 think that Crane entitled the short story "The Bride Comes to Yellow Sky" because it was a big deal that Jack Potter was bringing his unknown wife to his home town.  In a small town, like Yellow Sky, everyone gossips like crazy and would want to know why Jack picked such a plain girl from another town.  Infact, Crane keeps her image dull by not even giving her a name.  Eventhough she is plain, it is a huge deal that Jack is bringing her back to his home town.  This gives her enough significance to be in the title of the story.

AStiegemeier

 

Why is violence more often seen as the "easier" answer to a conflict situation? Is it really?

Violence can be seen as an easier way to handle a conflict at times.  When I think of one person attacking another person, I sometimes think of animal instincts.  Sometimes it is a lot easier for people to react with actions rather than solving a problem by communication.  Violence can be an initial reaction because people are too afraid to settle disputes with their words.  Pablo could have returned to the bar ready to cause violence, but it was probably a lot harder to go back trying to make peace.  Plus, he scared everyone in the bar without even really threatening anyone.  He still made an impact without actually hurting anyone.

AStiegemeier

Great work on wk. 1 - I enjoyed reading your ideas. Now that you're on your own page, you can stop signing your name to each entry.... only need that on pages where EVERYONE is posting all together! You are off to a super start!