To Kill A Mockingbird (Chapters 1 and 2) (1-27)

Scout starts to explain the circumstances that led to the broken arm that her older brother, Jem, sustained many years earlier; she begins by recounting her family history. The first Finches to make a living away from the farm were Scout’s father, Atticus Finch, who became a lawyer in the nearby town of Maycomb, and his brother, Jack Finch, who went to medical school in Boston. Their cook, an old black woman named Calpurnia, helps to raise the children and keep the house. Atticus’s wife died when Scout was two, so she does not remember her mother well. But Jem, four years older than Scout, has memories of their mother that sometimes make him unhappy.

Arthur “Boo” Radley lives in the run-down Radley Place, and no one has seen him outside it in years. Scout recounts how, as a boy, Boo got in trouble with the law and his father imprisoned him in the house as punishment. He was not heard from until fifteen years later, when he stabbed his father with a pair of scissors. Although people suggested that Boo was crazy, old Mr. Radley refused to have his son committed to an asylum. When the old man died, Boo’s brother, Nathan, came to live in the house with Boo.

Then, Dill leaves Maycomb to return to the town of Meridian. Scout, meanwhile, prepares to go to school for the first time, an event that she has been eagerly anticipating. Once she is finally at school, however, she finds that her teacher, Miss Caroline Fisher, deals poorly with children. When Miss Caroline concludes that Atticus must have taught Scout to read, she becomes very displeased and makes Scout feel guilty for being educated. At recess, Scout complains to Jem, but Jem says that Miss Caroline is just trying out a new method of teaching.

Walter Cunningham, a boy in Scout’s class, has not brought a lunch. Miss Caroline offers him a quarter to buy lunch, telling him that he can pay her back tomorrow. Walter’s family is large and poor and Walter will never be able to pay the teacher back or bring a lunch to school. When Scout attempts to explain these circumstances, however, Miss Caroline fails to understand and grows so frustrated that she slaps Scout’s hand with a ruler.

Response: I love this book and could not wait to dig in again, everytime I restart it I get chills as Scout says that Jem got his arm badly broken at the arm. Everything about this book is awesome and the first couple chapters are a little dry, but aren't most books? I think it's the anticipation of what's to come that gets me amped about it.

Ne-Yo - Mad

A couple days ago I posted my favorite music video at the moment, but overall, best music video I've ever seen is this one right here.

Not only are the lyrics soo powerful, but it the music and the video together provide a really good message.

I love this song and video sooo much!!! I learned to play this song on the piano, one of the five songs on my iPod I can play on the piano, that means I'm picky about what I'll play lol.

I love Ne-Yo.

Official Music Video - F-ing Perfect (with lyrics)

New favorite music video, the song has a meaning and the video is powerful...a little racey but it is worth the watch!

2.23 Diction Exercise

A)10 Words That Represent the Level of Diction:
-effortlessly
-fault
-coup de foudre
-amidst
-strenuous
-debilitating
-cynicism
-habitual
-pessimism
-involuntarily

B)Characterizing the Elements of Diction:
-level of formality: heightened, pretentiously sophisticated
-connotation: meaning, significance
-sound: verbal whisper, silent
-concreteness: actuality, solid

C) My Full Claim:
The virtually pretentious and heightened vocabulary with a significance beyond actuality displayed in "On Love" provides an outspoken lyrical diction of the obvious elevation of sophistication Alan De Botton feels upon his readers.

Monday Mourning (pages 290-302)

Two major thinkgs I did NOT see coming that I must discuss with seperate personal responses...

1. Claudia told Lancaster that she did not want a relationship. She said that the date was perfect, indicating that when things would go bad for them in the future, they would go REALLY bad. Lancaster was described with a depressed look along with Claudia as she spoke.

Response: I know what you're thinking, yes that IS really how it went down. What the crap Claudia?!?!?! I know you are an independent, free-spirited artist and all, but wasn't that obvious enough that you guys are perfect for each other. I'm pissed. At Claudia. At Lancaster for fighting for them. And at Kathy Reichs for writing such absurdity.



Okay now #2. Detective Ryan asked Tempy to move in with him! Her response: What? lol. He asked because they share a dog that they saved. When discussing custody, he says "A: you can move in with me" and after she said 'what' he said "option B: joint custody." She agrees to option B , but Ryan adds that that offer is still on the table. What did she say after that? Don't know, the frickin' book ended.

Response: I think it's safe to say that I was thrown off guard about as much as Tempy. I wish Kathy Reichs would have written a response from Tempy, but now she's got more readers for the next book. Can't way to see what happens next for the two of them!!

Friends Bloopers: Season 9 - Part 1

I'm just going to warn you, with me being in a depressed, care-free zone right now, I'm not up for writing. I wanna post but, don't feel like writing.

I also need a good laugh so I'm posting a video, friends bloopers...all I need to feel better.

.....enjoy!

Friends Bloopers: Season 9 - Part 2

.....part two....enjoy this one also!!!!!!