St. Patrick's day means a lot of things to many different people. Whether a special day that has had a great affect on someones kids (like Mrs. Gillmore) or if it's just a day where everything is green and a leprechaun looks for his pot of gold, everyone has their own opinion. But for me, St. Patrick's Day is just another holiday, even though it should be a big deal because I'm nearly all Irish, as my glow in the dark paleness can attest for.
St. Patrick's day has always seemed like a strange holiday to me. I'm not really sure why it strikes me that way, but it just does. Some cities really get into the day, like Chicago dying the river green and New Orleans basically having a second Mardi Gras, but it's never been my holiday. Maybe some sort of life-changing event will occur to change this, but for now I just think of a leprechaun and a pot of gold.
Well, there is my opinion about St. Patty's day. Sorry it is not more interesting, but I'll work up something and have a big shebang for it. How's that sound?
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Friday, March 12, 2010
Book review for Call of the Wild
"Buck ran with them, side by side with the wild brother, yelping as he ran."
This statement tells what happens after Buck leaves the world of civilization and enters the wild. The Call of the Wild tells the story of Buck, a dog living a normal dog life in California, and how through several twists and turns of events comes to lead a wolf pack and become legendary. This compelling read, written by Jack London, tells a tale of survival and hardship, and paints a harsh and real picture in the mind of the reader. This is one of the better books I have read this year, and I urge everyone who has not read it to go get a copy and read it.
An aspect of this book that stood out to me the most was the way the author developed Buck into a real person and gave an interesting perspective for the story. A dog would not be an author's first choice for a main character, or even a large part of a story, but at about the middle of the book, you almost forget about Buck being a dog. This gave an interesting perspective for the story, and I personally think that taking a non-human character and making them human-like takes a great deal of skill.
The setting of the story was another great aspect in the story. The Alaskan wilderness has long been thought of as an amazing place to see, and London's descriptions help with that assessment. The long snow covered trails and mountains are all described in great detail, and the dangers are also described. Sub-zero temperatures, cracking ice, and wild animals are just a few of the dangers described in detail. The really scary part is that this is all true and people and dogs went through a lot of the same hardships during the Klondike gold rush.
All in all, The Call of the Wild has been my favorite book that we have had to read this year. While I do not like to be told what to read, I was glad to be told to read this. I probably would not have read the book if I hadn't been told to. Good job, Mrs. Gillmore. I applaud you.
This statement tells what happens after Buck leaves the world of civilization and enters the wild. The Call of the Wild tells the story of Buck, a dog living a normal dog life in California, and how through several twists and turns of events comes to lead a wolf pack and become legendary. This compelling read, written by Jack London, tells a tale of survival and hardship, and paints a harsh and real picture in the mind of the reader. This is one of the better books I have read this year, and I urge everyone who has not read it to go get a copy and read it.
An aspect of this book that stood out to me the most was the way the author developed Buck into a real person and gave an interesting perspective for the story. A dog would not be an author's first choice for a main character, or even a large part of a story, but at about the middle of the book, you almost forget about Buck being a dog. This gave an interesting perspective for the story, and I personally think that taking a non-human character and making them human-like takes a great deal of skill.
The setting of the story was another great aspect in the story. The Alaskan wilderness has long been thought of as an amazing place to see, and London's descriptions help with that assessment. The long snow covered trails and mountains are all described in great detail, and the dangers are also described. Sub-zero temperatures, cracking ice, and wild animals are just a few of the dangers described in detail. The really scary part is that this is all true and people and dogs went through a lot of the same hardships during the Klondike gold rush.
All in all, The Call of the Wild has been my favorite book that we have had to read this year. While I do not like to be told what to read, I was glad to be told to read this. I probably would not have read the book if I hadn't been told to. Good job, Mrs. Gillmore. I applaud you.
78 pages
Characteristics of a Winner
There have always been winners. Even in prehistoric times there were winners: the guy that got eaten was the loser and the one who didn't was the winner. But, usually when people think about winning, think about winning a contest or a game. The person who wins always has something that sets him apart from the others he is competing against. These are the characteristics determine winners, and I will now discuss a few of them.
Winners seem to have a drive that will not let them quit, no matter how difficult the task may be. This drive comes from deep within them, and helps them to achieve anything. The point where most people say, " I quit, I give up," is the point where the people with the drive are just about warmed up. No matter how many times a person with the drive is thrown done, they always get back up and keep coming. They thrive on the ridicule and the thought that no one believes they can succeed just makes them that much more willing to go for the goal and take risks.
Winners also will do anything they need to succeed. On sports teams, the player that scores all the points or is always in the best position to score will usually get all of the credit, but the people who really know what they are doing, like college recruiters, know that this is not the player they want, but the guy who is giving him the ball and doing everything that he can at all times is the guy. Someone who really wants to win will do anything and everything is their power to come out on top. It's not a choice (well, it sort of is), but it is also a desire that won't let them sit back and let whatever happens happen.
Well, there are my characteristics of a winner. Everyone needs to go out with these characteristics at all times because it will help you in the long run. Trust me; I'm a professional. Well, not really, but you get the point.
Winners seem to have a drive that will not let them quit, no matter how difficult the task may be. This drive comes from deep within them, and helps them to achieve anything. The point where most people say, " I quit, I give up," is the point where the people with the drive are just about warmed up. No matter how many times a person with the drive is thrown done, they always get back up and keep coming. They thrive on the ridicule and the thought that no one believes they can succeed just makes them that much more willing to go for the goal and take risks.
Winners also will do anything they need to succeed. On sports teams, the player that scores all the points or is always in the best position to score will usually get all of the credit, but the people who really know what they are doing, like college recruiters, know that this is not the player they want, but the guy who is giving him the ball and doing everything that he can at all times is the guy. Someone who really wants to win will do anything and everything is their power to come out on top. It's not a choice (well, it sort of is), but it is also a desire that won't let them sit back and let whatever happens happen.
Well, there are my characteristics of a winner. Everyone needs to go out with these characteristics at all times because it will help you in the long run. Trust me; I'm a professional. Well, not really, but you get the point.
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