Finally

I have finally concluded this semester of reading. Before this class I never read. I would only read for school and most of the time I would just spark-note the book. Sometimes I would read an article in a magazine or in the paper but never really a book. As I began reading more and more I noticed that I was drawn more towards books about war and books that have to do with the military. It was very easy for me to find the books that I liked to read and I stuck with them throughout. I just couldn't stop reading a book when I didn't know what all happened. I liked these types of book so much that it was very easy for me to meet the quota for the number of pages to read. I pretty much read anytime I had some down time at school and work. I read most of the time in study hall and if I had 5 minutes toward the end of a period. I never listened to music or texted while I read, I just focused on the book. I occasionally would talk to my dad about a book I was reading but that did not happen to often. I feel like now I will read for fun because reading is fun. I will probably stick to books that have to do with the military because I like those the best. I really don't know that specific book I will be reading next but I will find one. This semester has really changed my outlook on reading and I am happy that I now found reading to be fun.

Tin Can Soldier pt2

I have continued to read "The Last Stand of the Tin Can Soldier" and it is getting better and better. I read pages 50 to 100 and I loved them. As fights and battles continued dawn was still hours away as Copeland's officers and the rest of the crew in the Sammy Bis CIC gathered to listen to an accidental play by play broadcast of an era naval warfare thundering to a close. They did not immediately grasp the significance if the rogue bursts of radiation that skittered off the nighttime ionosphere ad into their shipboard radio receiver. The signal now crisp and clear, bringing the voices to them as if over an intercom, now cut through with static, incomplete, gave them only hints of what was happening in the waters far to the south. They were American voices, under assault and under attack, Navy voices. Upright, impersonal, but girded with confidence that came from long hours of training and drilling on the water. The men were just listening while Americans were fighting and dieing for our freedom. That is what makes American great and that is why I love books like these. The men were willing to fight for others so that people like me could be free and that is what is awesome. I would really like to thank those people and the veterans of this great country.

Tin Can Soldier pt1

I have just begun reading 'The Last Stand of the Tin Can Soldier" by James D. Hornfischer. I read the first 50 pages and I like it alot. A giant stalked through the darkness. In the mood-less calm after midnight, the great fleet seemed not so much to navigate the narrow straight as to fill it with armor and steel. Barely visible even to a night trained eye, the long silhouettes of 23 warships passed in a column ten miles long, guided by the dim glow of the channel lights in the passage threading between the headlands of Luzon and Samar. That such a majestic objects, procession should move without challenge was surprising, unbelievable even, in light of the viscous reception the Americans had already given it on its journey from Borneo to this critical point. Having weathered submarine ambush the night before, and assault by wave after wave of angry blue aircraft the previous afternoon, Vice Admirable. I love this book because it is about war and America. I cannot wait to see how some men sacrificed for this country during this battle. The men that fought and died have helped create America into who we are. It gets to me every time I read a war book. 

Currently

I read a total of 114 pages this week and I finished Ghost Soldiers. It was a great book and really showed what some men went through in WWII.
Total for weeks 2 and 3: 214
"Along the way they saw an American flag set in the turret of a tank. It wasn't much of a flag, writhing in a weak breeze, but for the men of Cabanatuan, the sight was galvanizing. Ralph Hibbs said his heart stopped, for he realized that it was the first Stars and Stripes he'd seen since the surrender."

Ghost Soliers pt6

I have finished the book and i read pages 250 to 314. Finally there help had made it, when the RAngers finally had a strike on the prison many of the POW's didn't believe it. They were at first completely shocked and immobile, but once reality srtuck their chance for a little payback on the their tormentors spurred them on. They were tired of starving to death, and disease killing, and the cruelty of the Japanese soldiers. Stories of Japanese greed, chopping off fingers to get rings, and knocking teeth out to get gold fillings. On one account, some of the prisoners passed back and forth dentures they had found, so they could eat. These times were over now, they had to get ready fast for getting out of the wretched prison camp. The Rangers rescuing the imprisoned soldiers were horrified at the sight of the physical conditions, some wept, some were even more determined than ever to get their comrades back home. This story os an important piece of history, being an account of a band of brothers who would not let their fellow Americans perish at the hands of the enemy. Their bravery is not forgotten and should live forever.

Ghost Soliers pt5

I have read pages 200 to 250 this week. Colonel Mucci, was put in charge of this special opps mission for the rangers. Mucci and a ranger named Prince were in control of leading the mission, slipping behind enemy lines in the Philippines. They had to march 30 rugged miles to rescue 513 prisoners captured and stuck in a wretched camp. Among these POW's are the last survivors of the infamous Bataan Death March. This mission to rescue these prisoners had to completely secretive. Due to several recent massive massacres by the Japanese soldiers. The US troops couldn't let a hint of their coming because the Japanese would quickly kill the POW's and the mission as well as their lives would be at increased danger. As they began their trek, many of the men were very excited and anxious to do their duty. The stakes were incredibly high, a lot of the men weren't worried about getting there, they were worried about getting home with hopefully 513 POW's, but wounded, weak, and fatigued POW's at that. The men that went in were ready to die to save these men and that means alot. Those soldiers were brave and that makes our military great.

Ghost Soldiers pt4

I read pages 150 to 200. General Lee utters the words he has been putting off, "Surrender." AS he handed over his Colt .45 that tucked to his side, he didn't know what was ahead of them, but he knew it wouldn't be good, there was no hope left of rescue. They had a treacherous stretch ahead of them hiking deeper and deeper into enemy territory. The chance of being rescued was a zero percent chance. With so many men sick, wounded, and exhausted the hike to their concentration camp would be devastating. It would soon be called the "Death March." So many miles to walk, with such an environment, having no reason to continue to march if you were an American Soldier because you were marching to your prison camp. Meanwhile, even though the troops that had surrendered thought there was no hope, there was a secret mission of rangers, with captain Mucci, as there leader. A short but scrappy man who took no guff, and wanted to go on a mission. He selected these rangers because they rangers more than anything wanted to go on a mission, and they were just about to get there chance.

Ghost Soldiers pt3

I have read pages 100 to 150 in Ghost Soldiers and I keep continue to get wrapped up in the book. The story continues to become more and more of an intense feel. As the American troops begin to realize and understand that capture is inevitable. They begin coming out of the jungle's deep cover to surrender themselves to the Japanese. The troops General Edward King, before uttering the words of surrender, met with Imperial Japanese Army to discuss terms of surrender. He hoped that the Imperial Army would be terms from the Geneva Convention, basically stating that Prisoner of war treatment should be humane. The Japanese Imperial's Army, Nakayama their leader, even though nice to General King, did not seem to be very acceptive of the terms of somewhat kindness. The interesting part was as King discussed terms of somewhat kindness. The interesting part was as King discussed terms, the troops waited for several days to hear the word. General King, while at the Imperials Army Camp, taught Nakayama how to use some of the weapons and how to drive some of the cars that the Japanese had found. General King is holding off the words of surrender because he doesn't want to say it, not knowing the future. 

Close Reading Bingo

1. Long Quotation as the subject

“They were the free-standing kind: a pair of integral sins swooping upward between the two floors they served without struts or piers to bear any intermediate weight.”

 http://thelostmessageofwords.blogspot.com/ 
2. Discussing being vague
Baker draws a picture in your mind with his descriptions, "escalator of daylight" and "towering volumes."
http://almostfacebook.blogspot.com/
3. No Quotations in the whole post
The author describes his brother in very short concise sentences that tell enough about him but not too much. 
http://fifteen-to-twentyseven.blogspot.com/2011/10/catcher-in-rye.html
4. Avoid the verb "use"
Baker describes the appearance of the lobby of his work as a place with “towering volumes of marble and glass,” and he also uses figurative language when he mentions the escalator “as the handrails slid on their tracks, like the radians of black luster.”
http://mbutchko.blogspot.com/
5. The best example
In the first page of his novel Catcher in the Rye, JD Salinger’s literal, blunt diction expresses Holden’s attitude towards his life and his surroundings. Holden describes his parents as “touchy as hell” and mentions his “lousy childhood.” The negative connotation of his words is straightforward, lending them to be easily trusted. Even when speaking of his brother, Holden says where D.B. lives “isn’t too far from this crumby place.” Though Holden is capable of positive emotions shown by his compassion for his brother, Holden has a negative outlook of his surroundings. http://freefifteen.blogspot.com/2011/10/practice-diction-analysis.html

Practice Diction Analysis

In the excerpt from the novel Catcher of the Rye, by JD Sallinger’s slightly irritated, harsh denotative diction conveys a sense of annoyingness with his parents and his current situation. Sallinger describes his parents has “touchy as hell” and describes with some sarcasm what would happen if he said anything about either one, “my parents would have about two hemorrhages apiece if I told anything pretty personal about them.” The harsh straightforward word choice conveys a negative view that makes his parents seem like they hold JD back. The backdrop of where he lives also seems to annoy him, “That isn’t too far from this crumby place.” Although he lives near Hollywood, the place suggests that you would want to lock all windows and doors before you go to sleep.

Currently Week 9

I am reading Ghost Soldiers by Hampton Sides. This book has been very good so far and I cannot wait to keep reading it.
I read pages 10 to 100. 
1. Stardust by Neil Gaiman is more denotative and specific however. His way of description is littoral, precise, and common.
http://ilikesoccer17.blogspot.com/
2. Much of the language Annie Pnoulx uses clashes with the words next to it and while some of it is not to be taken literally, most of it is fairly straightforward and common.
http://thoughtful-attempt.blogspot.com/
3. The words flow sort of like it’s a poem but the words are very harsh such as gnashing, thunderclap and bitter. 
http://daltonstuart.blogspot.com/ 
These were by far the best descriptive sentences that I found.

Ghost Soldiers pt2

I am still reading Ghost Soldiers and I have read pages 50 to 100. As the story begins to unfold, it tells how the soldiers got to be imprisoned in Bataan. Many soldiers were very ill, wounded, or exhausted as the Japanese troops continued to push forward, forcing the US troops to retreat. Disease was spreading, the soldiers bodies coursed with every worm and pathogen a hot jungle can visit, battling against dengue fever, amebic dysentery, bacillary dysentery, tertian malaria, cerebral malaria, typhus typhoid. The field hospitals were ripe, with gas gangrene, spreading from wound to wound. The medical center was so over packed people were lined up outside to wait to be treated, as the Japanese continued to push. The food supply, was what they could find, mostly grubs and silk worms. The men were exhausted to the point that one guy said even his hair was tired. It was crazy to the point, navy men had to be put in infantry, firing machine guns. The front lines had been broken so many times, there wasn't even a line to be broken anymore. As days went on, disease became worse, along with wounded, and fatigue. Before they were going to get captured they knew they had to get rid of anything that could help the Japanese. Their guns, grenades, jeeps, tanks, and whatever else. The capture was a fate that could not be changed, they had retreated, until there was no place to retreat. Although, they still hoped for a miracle rescue. The men were fighting for out freedom an they had to suffer. Them suffering has helped us be able to live the way we live today. I thank these men for fighting for us.

Style Mapping

Many authors use many different types of writing. Having these different styles allows us as readers to interpret the writing and helps us think about what kind of style it is. The first writing I looked is Blood Meridian by Cormac McCarthy. His writing has a low but musical style or language about it. "Days of riding where there rode no soul save he." and also "The sun that rises is the color of steel." These sentences provide a very picturesque tone. Also he way he writes creates a foggy meaning and when he writes he is talking about being hidden and fog hides things. The second writing that I went through was "The Mud Below" by Annie Proulx. This writing is more of a denotative and harsh kind of writing. "around the back of his hand and over the palm a second time," really showed to me that he was going to ride a bull. That excerpt is very straightforward and dull. The writing is very good at explaining but does not have the "pop" to it. The last writing that I looked at is George Orwell 1984 by George Orwell. His writing is more of a denotative and high diction type of writing. "It depicted simply an enormous face,"  and "On each landing, opposite the lift shaft," is explaining more of the setting of the first chapter. But the first quote is explaining a gigantic motionless picture hung by the stairs. He writes in more of a wooden way unlike Cormac McCarthy who writes with more of a marble tone. Orwell's writing is a literal style and an elegant style.

Ghost Soldiers pt1

I have started reading Ghost Soldiers this week and I have read the first 50 pages of the book. It is written by Hampton Sides. The book starts out intense setting up the the story by displaying what a Japanese prison camp was like as a prisoner of war (POW). It tells about how the Japanese wanted it to look as if American bombers, bomb their own prisoners at concentration camps. What the Japanese did was as American planes flew over head, they made the US soldiers get into their self made air raid pits. No more than a couple feet wide and about a hundred yards long, the Japanese forced about a hundred soldiers, knee to chain, four feet underground into these pits. The soldiers didn't know it at the time, that the whole scheme was to kill them all, no survivors. The Japanese enclosed the entrances, and as soon as the soldiers were trapped, the Japanese began drenching and covering the pits with gasoline and lighting it on fire. American soldiers forced there way out only to be killed by the machine guns spraying lead everywhere. It was chaos people burning alive, being stabbed, and shot. As soldiers ran they tried to, with their bare hands, tear through the barbwire fences, some made it only to be shot by more machine gun fire. Only eleven soldiers out of the 150 lived to tell the story, but they brave men, who after escaping the camp, went back to the Americas and obviously now tell the tale. The men that died gave their lives fighting for this country and our freedom. I am thankful that I am able to read this so I can learn about how we still have our freedom. 

Quarterly

I have really enjoyed the reading I have done this year. I am really liking the war stories and as of right know Lone Survivor is by far my favorite. My reading habits have been pretty good I would just like to read more. The reading I have done has challenged me and that is why I like it so much. I read at really any parts of the day as long as it is quiet and I can focus. Sometimes I even read at my job when I have down time. Next quarter I would like to read more books and maybe get out into different genres. I have enjoyed reading and this is the first time in a long time that I have read a substantial number of books.

black Hawk Down pt7

I have continued reading Black Hawk Down and i read pages 300 to 350. Maechal Durant was a pilot of the 2nd Black Hawk that crashed. He was captured by a mob and carried away. He was taken to an unknown location his captures looked at him not as a prisoner of war but as a hostage. They knew that they could get money in return for him. While he was in captivity on one occasion someone pointed a gun into the room and shot, but only did minor harm to him. It wasn't until 9:30 PM that rescue force headed into the city. Monuvering through the city was not going to be easy, with so many vehicles. Involved in the convoy were Malaysians and Pakistanis. The soldiers in the city were becoming impatient for the rescue forces to come. One of the rescue forces to come. One of the soldiers, whose last name was Smith bled to death. Eventually the convoy started to approach the pinned down soldiers in the city. the men are putting their lives on the line and that is what the military is about. The military drills that into their soldiers and that is what makes America the greatest country on the planet. The men were putting their lives on the line and the men excepted this challenge. I hope that these men get out alive.

Response

I have continued reading Black Hawk Down. It keeps getting better and better with every page. the Black Hawk went down and know the men are trapped. They are having to fight their way out. One of the Black Hawk captains has been taken captive by the Somalians. the men are fighting very fiercely and are trapped. This is what I have been reading the last week.

Currently

 The pages I read last week was 100 pages. Overall I have read 300 pages the past 3 weeks.
My favorite sentences of the quarter were.
"But there was a terrible reality about Mikey's words. Was I afraid of these guys? No. I was afrain of their possible buddies in the Taliban? No. I was afraid of the Liberal media back in the U.S.A.? Yes."
I really liked these sentences becauase they go along with what I believe in. They just helped me really realize that some men die when they dont have too and that really hits me.

Sentences

"Take this setup in Mogadishu, for instance. It was asinine. At the base, the huge hangar front doors wouldn't close, so the Sammies had a clear view inside at all hours day or night."
"Every time they scrambled to gear up and go, word was out in the city before they were even in the helicopters."
Pg. 206

Black Hawk Down pt6

Two more 10th Mountain Companies were en route, and the UN's Pakistani and Malaysian forces had agreed to add their tanks and armored personnel carriers to the fight, but the logistics of assembling this polyglof rescue convoy would be daunting, and would take hours. In two more hours it would be dark. The men fighting for their lives out in the city knew nothing of the bigger picture. They could not see beyond the increasingly desperate struggle on their corner, and each still fought with the expectation that rescue was just minutes away, that's really the only reason they had the fight left in them because they knew they were trapped, but if thinking that rescue was on the way was the only way to keep surviving and not give up, then that was the only real option they had. It was either die or live by rescue/

Black Hawk Down pt5

Too many things were happening at the same time, all of them bad. Task Force Ranger was two hours into a mission that was supposed to have taken only one hour. For General Garrison and his staff in the airfield JOC, watching and listening on the TV screens and radio, and to element commanders Harrell the awful recognition that events had spilled out of control. As the battle raged on, outnumbered and trapped, their force was now stretched beyond its limits. Durant's crash site was an imminent danger of being overrun. Most of the original assaulter s, about 160 D-boys and Rangers, were now either cut to pieces on the limping ground or strung out on the foof between the target house and the first helicpotor crash site. They belonged to the strongest military power on Earth, but until some additonal force could be brought to bear, they were stranded, fighting for their lives on the city streets surrounded by thousands of furious well-armed, crazy, Somalians.

Currently

"But every enemy advertises weakness in the way he fights. To Aidid's fighters, the Rangers weakness was apparent. They were not willing to die."
pg. 110
The total pages I read was 100.
These sentences are saying that the opposing fighters were scared of the American troops. The troops were going to fight as hard as they could so they would not die. The enemy was not ready for that kind of force or will.

Pics

http://www.google.com/imgres?q=michael+jordan&hl=en&client=firefox-a&hs=qd8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&biw=1366&bih=599&tbm=isch&tbnid=vDdstDB9KEfJuM:&imgrefurl=http://live.drjays.com/index.php/2009/09/24/how-similar-are-jay-z-michael-jordan/&docid=6NBlziCXphQKnM&w=330&h=400&ei=XSGFTtLlMsTkiAKempnRDA&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=630&vpy=153&dur=2645&hovh=247&hovw=204&tx=128&ty=157&page=1&tbnh=122&tbnw=101&start=0&ndsp=26&ved=1t:429,r:4,s:0

http://www.google.com/imgres?q=basketball+team+huddle+pregame&um=1&hl=en&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&biw=1366&bih=599&tbm=isch&tbnid=-pBwfV4Sjhlb5M:&imgrefurl=http://www.replayphotos.com/creightonphotostore/basketball-m-pictures/_MBK___0001048.cfm&docid=KQEW5lwH_oecZM&w=245&h=184&ei=ACKFTumIPNTPiAK00NDLDA&zoom=1&iact=rc&dur=361&page=6&tbnh=110&tbnw=151&start=104&ndsp=23&ved=1t:429,r:6,s:104&tx=85&ty=67

http://www.google.com/imgres?q=nfl+football+pictures&um=1&hl=en&client=firefox-a&sa=X&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&biw=1366&bih=599&tbm=isch&tbnid=CVpoNk5vIOIO4M:&imgrefurl=http://www.footballbabble.com/football/positions/&docid=i9Cgdglgpg6FyM&w=400&h=318&ei=TyKFTqqNJY7biAKrxsSxDA&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=979&vpy=293&dur=503&hovh=106&hovw=133&tx=88&ty=118&page=1&tbnh=106&tbnw=133&start=0&ndsp=25&ved=1t:429,r:15,s:0

Black Hawk Down pt4

I have read through pages 150 to 200 and the story continues to intrigue me. The war stories what I like to read. After the Black Hawk helicopter crashed it became urgent that the Americans get to the crash sight to rescue and protect their fellow soldiers. Just getting to the crash sight proved to be more difficult than anyone imagined. The soldiers did not know the streets of the city very well, and the helicopters over head were having difficulties communicating an accurate route to tkae to get to the crash sight, but far worse than all of that was that bullets were being fired at them from every direction moving down the streets was like walking into a death trap. The soldiers, since invulnerability, was being challenged no matter how well trained the American soldiers were along with being well armed with the best weapons available the shear size of the mob of people shooting at them placed their lives at great risk. The most dangerous place to be was in an intersection. The other soldiers were sacrificing their own lives to save other and that is what makes America who we are. We fight for others and sacrifice for others and that is very special. I thank the people in the armed forces for that. The men having these characteristics make us a powerful force. I feel like some people do not understand that because they just do not care but their attitude should be changed because that is just sad to see. Those peoples eyes need to be opened and I am thankful that mine have been.

Black Hawk Down pt3

I have continued to read Black Hawk Down by Maak Bowden and i am once again learning so much about war.  Late afternoon was not the best time for such an attack because the young man in and around Mogadishu were high on khat. It made them aggressive and fearless in attacking the Americans. The DELTA operators were successful, in subduing and arresting the war Lord associates i the target house. After securing the house the awaiting convoy moved into position to load up the captives for their return to the American base. By this time the battle in the streets of Mogadishu was starting to intensify all four chalks were coming under heavy fire, including rocket propelled grenades (RPGs). Although, the situation was dangerous everything changed when a Black Hawk Helicopter was hit by a rocket propelled grenade and crashed four to five blocks from the target building. The mission now shifted not only from capturing the enemy leaders, but to rescuing those who had crashed in the Black Hawk helicopter, as well. These 50 pages taught me about the sacrifice that these soldiers made for us. It is crazy to think that these men thought it was not going to be that bad of a mission but they ended up giving their life. The men in that helicopter gave their lives for our freedom. The helicopter going down changed what these soldiers thought what was going to be a somewhat easy day. War is unpredictable and that is what is crazy because you never know what a situation my hold.

Currently 9-23

"But there was a terrible reality about Mikey's words. Was I afraid of these guys? No. I was afrain of their possible buddies in the Taliban? No. I was afraid of the Liberal media back in the U.S.A.? Yes."
From Lone Survivor
When I read these sentences it really hit me. It hit me because these men were not afraid of fighting they were afraid of getting attacked my a media that truly had no idea what was going on. These men went to fight for our country and they were still getting attacked and they were being looked at as the enemies. This passage really resinated with me for some reason.

Black Hawk down pt2

I have continued reading in Black Hawk Down and have read pages 50 to 100. Four Units of soldiers, called challss, would establish a perimeter to protect the DELTA operators who entered the target building to make their capture. One thing that showed that the mission was doomed was when the soldier named Blackburn missed the rope and fell 70 feet to the ground and was severely injured. No sooner had the soldiers hit the ground and they were under attack, from enemy fire, that seemed like everyone men, women, and children from the city were converging on the soldiers, and they didn't come empty handed. It seemed like they all carried guns and were willing to use them to kill the American soldiers. Everything was being monitored by the senior officers back at the hanger led by general Garrison. Although, the Americans had been welcomed at first the attitude towards them had quickly changed and made a volt-face among the people of Somalia. These soldiers were ready to fight because they enlisted in the army and have chosen to fight for the US. I thank these men for putting there lives on the line for me and all of America. These men should be thanked daily and I am glad that we do the pledge everyday before school. I feel very blessed to be able to do that and I always love to do it.

Black Hawk Down Sentences

"Soldiering was about fighting. It was about killing people before they killed you. It was about having your way by force and guile in a dangerous world, taking a **** in the woods, living in dirty, difficult conditions, eduring hardships and risks that could- and sometimes did- kill you."
pg. 24

Black Hawk down pt1

I have started a new book wish is similar to the book I was reading previously. It is another army book about people fighting for our country. Black Hawk Down is a story about the United States Army Rangers and DELTA force operation in the city of Mogadishu, Somalia. On October 3, 1993 the mission was to capture and arrest the war lord, Mohamed Farrah Aidid. On this day the plan was to capture two of his high level associates, who were hiding in a building in the hear of Mogadishu. The assault did not take place until late in the afternoon around 3:30 pm the entire mission was to last about an hour. The soldiers would arrive at the target sight, and be inserted into the combat zone by repelling from the helicopter. The mission was to strike unexpectedly, quickly, and with overwhelming force. Up until this point every mission had been successful, no one could imagine what awaited these brave soldiers. The soldiers flew low over the city after leaving a makeshift base at an old airport outside the city limits. There was a convoy that would bring the soldiers back to the base after the mission. This has all happened within the first 50 pages of this book. I love reading a book like this because it shows me that America is the best country on the planet. It helps me realize how many that all of my freedoms are because of warriors like these. I cannot wait to keep reading this book and keep learning. I hope I enjoy this book as much as I did the last.

Claims of the day

My favorite claim is from Dolphincat
1. Team iLuminate’s performance on NBC’s Americas Got Talent the groups [jerky but elegant movements, strange and breath-taking choreography, and rapid roaming use of space]

2. In the beautifully bright movie poster of the Wizard of Oz, the creators use of old fashioned colors, alive and real facials, reverent feelings, and excited attractiveness makes this old fashioned movie a must see movie. 

3. In this dance from the show America's Best Dance Crew, the [crew's breath-taking yet crazy, loud and exciting choreography, fast paced music, and wide range of use of space] express [a dramatic explosion and loud abstruseness.]

4. In the music video “The Adventure,” by the band Angels and Airwaves, resonant and alive music, roaming and adventurous surroundings, and powerful, real energy convey that a man’s life should be lived with passion and adventure, as long as his true love is by his side.

5. In this photo it seems that a group friends are marking the end of an era or the start of something new, the arms outstretched are either reaching for something that's gone or welcoming something that is coming.

Elements of the "DUNK"

Observe
Size: big, colossal, tall

Space: floating, wide, immense

Setting: extravagant, powerful, glamorous

Sound: faint, quiet, thundering, noisy

Inferences
Explosive, peaceful, flying, amazed, insane, superior, playful

Claim
In this scene you see Blake Griffin dunking a basketball, his expressions show his immense, powerful, and colossal body floating in the air, putting the extravagant crown into a short time of faint, quiet, and peaceful time before they erupted into a thundering and noisy crowd.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B98WC1FWe4k

Poem of the month

I put the poem Paino, in my muleskin, by Dan Howell.

Currently 9-16

I have already posted my most favorite sentences earlier this week. But this week I read a total of 100 pages and finised my book. The book was a total of 400 pages. Out of my sentences I cannot pick my most favorite sentence because they are in a paragraph. I liked this paragraph because it showed a town coming toegther for an American hero. It gave me chills when I reaed it. There were traffic jams becuase so many people wanted to come and give there respects and to that all I have to say is WOW and God Bless America!!

Sentences

I read and finished the book Lone Survivor. I read all 400 pages.

 “They actually did close down the entire city of Chico, in northern California, when Axe came home. It’s a small town, situated around seventy-five miles north of Sacramento, with its own municipal airport. The escort was met by an honor guard which carried out the coffin in front of a huge crowd, and the funeral a day later stopped the entire place in its tracks, so serious were the traffic jams."

Lone Survivor pt 8

I have finally completed the book Lone Survivor. It is one of the greatest books I have ever read. I finished of pages 350 to 400 and they really struck me. Marcus was stunned by the RPG, but more surprised to be alive. He was now all alone with no supplies, no water, wounded, but fortunate to still have his gun. He knew he had to find a place to hide because the Taliban would be looking for him soon. Fortunately, there was a rocky crevasse that he was able to hide in and find protection. He tried to remain as still as he possibly could and remained like that for eight hours. Once it was dark he left his cover to look for water, and find anyone that might help with his rescue. He was finally found by the leader of an Afghan village. Marcus was surprised that instead of killing him he took him into his village and provided protection based upon an ancient Law of hospitality. Although, the Taliban surrounded the village, and demanded his release, the village leader would not do so. A man from the village walked 30 miles through the mountains to inform the American military of Marcus’ location. A few days later a group of army Rangers came and rescued Marcus. Marcus survived all of this because he promised his fallen comrades that he would tell there stories. I am very thankful he did because it showed me that there still is patriotism and morals left in this country. To me these men dying in action has helped me realize the sacrifice people make for me everyday. Words cannot describe the thanks I have for the people of the armed forces.

Lone Survivor pt 7

I am in the last 100 pages of Lone Survivor and it is almost impossible for me to put the book down. I read pages 300 to 350 and they have kept my attention the whole time. For me I have to stop and put the book down and realize that this book is not fictional and it is 100% fact and that causes me to have a heavy heart for Marcus Luttrell. The next SEAL to be wounded was Axe, Marcus’s brothers’ best friend. He took a round in his chest, but continued on fighting even when his life’s blood was draining out. Right after that, Danny who was already mortally wounded took a round in the head and he died instantly. The three remaining SEALS continued to slide down the mountain to keep the Taliban from completely surrounding them. No matter how many Taliban they killed moiré just kept coming, and there was no let up in the constant gunfire. In an attempt to call in reinforcements Maechal Murphy had to expose himself to the enemy to get a clear signal. It was when he was doing that he was hit with a round, which proved fatal. Mikey was screaming in pain asking for help, but there was nothing Marcus could do because he was pinned down. Marcus and Axe continued to fight until they were blown down the mountain by a RPG. That was the last time Marcus saw Axe. Although, Marcus survived the hit proved fatal for Axe. These three Navy SEALS gave up there lives so that we could be freed. This message continues to hit me every time. The SEALS never gave up and even when they were having there last breaths they were trying to defend the red, white, and blue. This makes me very proud to be an American.

Favorite Sentences

"But there was a terrible reality about Mikey's words. Was I afraid of these guys? No. I was afrain of their possible buddies in the Taliban? No. I was afraid of the Liberal media back in the U.S.A.? Yes."
pg. 203

Lone Survivor pt 6

This book is getting even more and more interesting. I have read pages 250 to 300 and they continued to intrigue me. The last time I blogged the Seals had just started the fire fight with the Taliban. Since they were boxed in and the gun fire was so heavy the only choice they had was to fall back, which really was falling off the mountain side. Marcus and Mikey fell uncontrolled down the mountain losing a lot of their gear, but somehow able to hold onto there guns. As soon as they landed, although banged up and bruised a little bit they both continued to some under heavy fire. Not to much later, Axe and Danny came sliding down the mountain. The first to get hit by the raging bullets was Danny. The thumb on his right hand had been blown off. They found new positions of cover, but it wasn't long before the Taliban had them pinned down again. The only choice again was to fall back no matter what the Navy Seals they couldn't get the hire ground. Danny was shot again, by this time he had been shot four times, even though mortally wounded he continued to fight. Marcus called it a brand of valor he had never seen before. Danny was fighting for our freedom and was possibly dieing to do it. It continues to hit me that these men were fighting for our lives and our freedom.

Lone Survivor pt 5

I am still reading the book Lone Survivor and it is always hard for me to sop reading it. The pages I read were 200 to 250 and every page was very interesting. In the last blog I wrote about how the men left the shepherds go. This decision was very crucial. After about an hour and a half about 80 to 100 heavily armed Taliban warriors with AK 47s and RPG's (RPG's are rocket propelled grenades) were in position above them on the mountain. Marcus at this point realized it was a mistake to have allowed the goat herders to live. They had gone and immediately reported the position of the four Navy Seals to the Taliban. The hill top was swarming with so many men there was no escape except to go down the mountain. Marcus fired the first shot killing a Taliban who had his gun pointed at him, at that moment everything broke loose. the Taliban started shooting down the mountain from every angle. Navy Seals were all firing non stop, at this point Mikey said "Marcus no options now, buddy, kill'em all!" The gun fight focused on the two flank men. After about 5 minutes of fighting the Taliban identified Marcus' position and he began to take on heavy fire from the Taliban, whose only goal was to terminate and kill them. These four Seals are in a battle to help keep freedom for me. Reading this it really hit me the these people are fighting for my freedom and they do not even know me. It truly means so much to me that these men did and continue to do this. The people that told the Taliban make me so angry. If the Seals were not scared of getting trialed for murder if the they would of killed the herders but instead they got ratted out and are now in a fight for there lives.

Update

The book I have been reading is called "Lone Survivor" and I have read pages 100 to 200. But over this whole semester I have read 200 total pages. My sentences of the week are the sentences that either made me think deeper about what I was reading or just hit me about the sacrifice Seals make. All of them made me truly think and that is why they were my top 3 sentences. 

Favorite Sentences

1. "Get in the surf!" he bawled. "Right know!"
2. We treated anyone who came, at the American taxpayer's expense, and we gave everyone as good care as we could.
3. "This is it Marcus, We're going. Go get the guys ready."

Lone Survivor Pt. 4

I read the pages 150 to 200 and I am continuing to like the book. I keep on gaining more knowledge on Navy Seals and specifically the story of Marcus Luttrell. The book has went from him in training to him actually being a Navy Seal. Three other men went on the mission, known as as Red Wing with Marcus. Petty Officer Matthew Axelson, Lieutenant Micheal Murphy, and Petty Officer Danny Dietz. The mission was in the Northeast part of Afghanistan on the Pakistan border in the Hindu Kush mountain range. They were to take captive or kill an Al Qaeda terrorist. They were flown in by helicopter into the mountains, where they fast roped from the helicopter to the ground. They set up their position to overlook a village, where it was believed the terrorist was hiding. Had they no more established their position, than an Afghan sheep herder walked up on them Along with the sheep herder their was another man and a young boy. The four Navy Seals had to decide whether to kill these three Afghans, take them captive, or let them go. They chose after much discussion to let them go. Warning them to to tell anyone where they were. After this they had to relocate their position. I have never had to make a decision like the decision they had to make. I do not know if I could ever do that. There dilemma was those people could go tell Al Qaeda where they were hiding. These men had to make a life or death decision. They had to be cool under pressure and that is what I need to be. It would help me in many ways, especially in school. I would do better on test and that would help my grades.

Lone Survivor Pt. 3

I have continued to read Lone Survivor and have read pages 100 to 150. The story continues to catch my attention every time I pick it up. Marcus tells about the grueling requirements of achieving his dream of becoming a Navy Seal. He knew it would be the hardest thing he had ever tried to do in his life. He had prepared for this moment since the time he was in high school, and he trained with a local military hero to prepare to become a Navy SEAL, but even with all that training it barely prepared him for the grueling requirements to become a Navy SEAL. He was forced to push himself to the limits of his physical ability and tougher than that his mental toughness and endurance. His early weeks of indoctrination were to prepare him for the BUDS course, which stands for Basic Underwater Demolition SEALS. Only the best of the best, the toughest of the toughest, make it into the SEALS. Teamwork is drilled into you with every drill and challenge you encounter. One of the things that makes becoming a SEAL so difficult is that you are forced to spend long amounts of time in very cold water and without sleep. All of this makes me want to work very hard for what I believe in. I really love basketball and this makes me want to train as hard as I can. Hopefully training this hard would make me the best I can be. It makes me want to push my body to its greatest lengths so I can be the best I can. Also it makes me want to work harder in school so I can get good grades and attend a good college. If I went to a good college I could get a good job after it.

Friday

I would say that this test is somewhat accurate. I pretty much see things as they are and really don't try to find a deeper meaning in simple things. I am pretty honest person and kind of tell it how it is. I love to hang out with my friends and just do ridiculous things. Those are the things that stick in my mind. But when it comes to certain days I would just rather hang out by myself and possibly with my family.

Currently

The book I am currently reading is Lone Survivor. It is a book about a navy SEAL and how his team was killed except for him in the Afghan mountains. I think that all Americans should read this greatg book.

Lone Survivor Pt. 2

I have continued reading Lone Survivor and I keep on getting more intrigued with every turn of the page. I read pages 50 through 100 and it is hard for me to put the book down. Marcus writes about what it was like growing up in East Texas, while he still is reminiscing the past. He and his twin brother Morgan grew up on a farm where his mom raised and trained horses. He spent a lot of his time outdoors learning to fish and hunt and swim at a very young age. He was expected to work hard and earn everything he got. Their horse farm was about 1,200 acres, and they had 125 thorough breads quarter horses. This provided all different types of work for Marcus to do. In addition to working hard on the farm,he was expected to work hard at school. Respect for authority was demanded by his parents. I feel like this has been lost in our culture. If people do not want to do something they just simply blow off what they were asked to do. But for me the worst part is the people are never punished for being so disrespectful. I am not saying I have never done this but I do my best to keep a good attitude. I guarantee Marcus was asked to so some things he really didn't want to do but he did them anyway. His dad, had been an outstanding swimmer, and insisted on his sons to become strong swimmers. Marcus was such a good swimmer and scuba driver that he started a business in which he would retrieve keys and valuables people lost in the water. His dad only allowed them to get paid if they found what they were looking for. Occasionally he would have an encounter with and alligator or water moccasin. 

Lone Survivor Pt. 1

I am currently reading the book Lone Survivor I have read the first 50 pages of the book so far. It is a non-fiction book that has to do with war and it connects with the patriotism I have for my country. This book starts with Marcus Lattrell, he's a navy seal, and is apart of SEAL team 10. He gives an account of how his teammates fought and died in Afghanistan. This story is a heart wrenching account of courage and bravery. The story begins with a prologue of Marcus visiting the families of the men who died in the fight in the mountains of Afghanistan, and those who died in the attempt to rescue there fellow comrades. He travels all over the country to tell each person that his fallen comrade was very close too. In one case the mom did not accept that her son had been killed until Marcus told her. This tears on my heart because this mom loved her son so dearly and he lost his life fighting for our country. I am always indebted to the people that fight for the is great country and the country I like to call the greatest on the planet.  Each visit included Marcus retelling the story of their courage and how they died these visits were filled with deep sadness and many tears. These weren't visits that Marcus wanted to make but he knew he must make them to help the grieving families and honor those who died. As things move forward he is sitting on the airplane, where he then begins to ponder the experiences in training and how the training has helped him not only to be a better fighter, but a tougher man as well. His thoughts are only for a time before he parachutes out into the Afghan mountains.    

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