Last Blog

Although it was difficult to do at times, Blogging was actually a decent experience. There were some things many people in the class did not like about it, but overall it was better than book reports or discussing what you read to the class. This has been a great experience that was better than most classes and I am glad I go to experience this.

Zeitoun (pgs 215-265)

The book goes back to September 6th and looks at Zeitoun's perceptive of the situation. After he is done taking a shower, officials burst into his home and escort him into a bus. Zeitoun, Naseer, Todd, and Ronnie have no idea  where this bus is going. Todd is quite hotheaded and is asking what they have done over and over again. Then, Zeitoun hears one of the guards says that they are Al Qaeda. Zeituon can not believe it and thinks he has misheard what the guard says. He also hears the guard says that they are part of the Taliban. They were all also violently stripped search without any warrant or trial for these victims. Also, they were proceeded to a prison that looked like Guantanamo Bay. The guards are strict and spray the prisoners that do not cooperate with pepper spray. There is also a man sent into their sell named Jerry. Jerry asks many questions and is a very funny and exciting guy. Todd starts to think that he is a spy sent from the other guards to get information from them. Zeitoun asks for phone calls as well, but the guards tell him that the phones don't work and that he is Taliban and would not be allowed to use them anyways. Him and Naseer realize they need to pray which they knew would draw suspicion from the guards. They do their wudu with dirt instead of water and pray. Zeitoun has had a pain in his foot and is starting to feel some pain in his kidney. He pries the metal needle out of his foot with a sharp glass piece from a bottle. The kidney pain bothers him while he is in the prison. Zeitoun is having problems sleeping at night as well. Even if he could get comfortable enough to sleep, he knew that the train would bother him. He admires the construction of the prison as well because of the short time they had to construct it. There was a man yelling out things that a small child he would say. It annoyed the guards to the point where he was pepper sprayed. He starts to feel bad for Kathy and his kids because he knows that he should have left early. Kathy kept on telling him and this was why she had warned him. The prisoners eventually move out of Camp Greyhound into a much nicer prison. Zeitoun continues to ask for phone calls in this season, but they say that the phones don't work and they are not his prisoner. He is a part of FEMA. Zeitoun appreciates how nice they were at the beginning which was a great improvement from the last prison. He also tells the nurse he has kidney problems, but she can't help yet because he doesn't have a prescription. She gives him a doctor's note that he has to fill out and he gives it back to her when she comes back. At the last prison, the doctors would not help him because they thought he was a part of the Taliban and was a terrorist. Four african-american men are put into Zeitoun and Naseer's cell, which separated the Syrian- Americans from the Americans. The African- american said they were serving "Katrina time." Zeitoun begins to think that his pain may be from the fumes of Hurricane Katrina as Kathy had warned him. Many problems are occurring with Zeitoun while in prison and it is a difficult time for him.

I am completely shocked of this outcome. I did not suspect it to be this bad! Zeitoun is unfairly tried into a prison similar to Guantanamo Bay. This does not seem fair. Just because of where he is from and what religion he is, they are going to consider him terrorists? Mr. Hill was right when he said this gets completely infuriating. This amazing man who was helping his community in Katrina is a terrorist? That is a complete oxymoron. The helpful terrorist? How does this make any sense. I can't put this book down at all because I want to find the fairness in the situaion. I want to know what happens to Zeitoun.

Globetrotter Impersonation

This guy from the Globetrotter impersonates NBA Stars! This is some funny stuff and he doesn't do a bad job of impersonating them either.

Manchester City over Arsenal.

Manchester city has moved ahead of Arsenal and I can't believe it! Arsenal is such a better team with so many key injuries! It just isn't fair how a team like Man City can move ahead of them. Hopefully Arsenal wins this weekend and is able to move past them in the standings...

Keep Your Head Up

I can't get this song out of my head right now. Andy Grammer created an amazing song that will probably just be like I'm Yours by Jason Mraz. This will still be a good song in many years to come as well.

Zeitoun pgs. (183-214)

Kathy is worried sick about Zeitoun the entire section and she is a complete mess. She awaits the call from Zeitoun, but does not get one for two whole weeks. Her kids constantly ask where their dad is, but Kathy does not know, so she ends up lying to her kids that she received a call at night from Yuko's phone on the first ring. Yuko tries to prevent Kathy from TV, the interent, and the radio, but this still does not stop Kathy. She still researches what is going on in New Orleans and realizes the death toll is increasing daily which worries her even more. This makes her think that her husband is dead and that she may have to prepare for a funeral. Zeituon's family from around the world is always calling and is also very worried. They are wondering where Zeitoun could be since he hasn't told Kathy and he hasn't called his family. Ahmad, Zeitouin's brother from Spain, is getting worried as well. Ahmad sends information of Zeitoun to the news stations and organizations in the USA to see if anyone has seen him. Kathy also enrolls the kids into a new school which Yuko helps them all get settled in. This intense experience drives everyone crazy. However, at the very end of the chapter, Kathy receives a cal from a man with a deep voice. He asks if she knows Zeitoun, which he pronouces wrong, and Kathy says yes. The man tells her that Zeitoun is in jail and safe. After that, Kathy asks many questions in one breath, but the man can not respond because he may be in trouble just for telling her that.
The end of the chapter really got to me. It was repetitive about how worried Kathy was, but I could sense the intensity of this. Zeituon is in jail!!!! I have no idea how he could be when the worst what he had done was try to help somebody. How could this great man be in jail?

Zeitoun (pgs. 156-182)

Zeituon wakes up and starts a barbecue with the others he is with while Kathy has finally arrived in Arizona with Ahmaad driving there and only stopping on the trip once. Ahmad, Zeitoun's brother, calls again and asks Zeitoun to leave and tries to convince him by saying his kids are worried sick, but this still does not change his mind as he is to take care of his city. Zeitoun remembers how his brother had hacked into a camera system in New Orleans and told him to stand there so he could see him. Zeituon went to the location his brother told him with his family and his brother had seen him and was very excited. Also, Zeitoun sees a fire that is near his office which has yet to be flooded with water. The fire is moving down the street at a fast rate and Zeitoun is not too worried as his office only received small harm. There is a weird institute where Zeituon picks up a woman that happens to be a prostitute  This makes it very awkward as he is already married and is wondering if anyone would need her services. Zeitoun asks her where she is going and she says my work.It made it extremely awkward for him during the trip, but he had to do it because he was helping everybody. While Zeitoun is paddling, he discovers dogs that have been shot down. After that, he immediately calls Kathy who again tells him to evacuate the city and there can be many health problems for those who are staying. Zeitoun is actually considering evacuating, but does not tell Kathy.His number one concern is for the kids to be in school, but Kathy's concern is for Zeituon to leave. As he proceeds to Nadeemah's bedroom, he starts to read the Quran as he is relaxing today and opens up the beautiful book and reads the parts he has been thinking about. Zeituon reflects on his interaction with birds from his childhood as he had kept them. Also, Naseer decides he would like to leave the city. However, when Zeituon takes him there, the helicopter has crashed. Naseer has to wait another day. When they make their way back to Zeitoun's house, they realize the water is working. Excited, Zeitoun goes to take a shower. After that, there is a group of men that storm in to Zeitoun's house which has him worried and he goes downstairs.

This is starting to get intense. I am not sure what these men will do to Zeitoun, but I am still waiting to find out. Also, I can't believe that he is still staying in this horribly conditioned city helping people. It takes true bravery and confidence to that in God's wish. I hope nothing too bad happens to Zeituon, but I will just have to wait and see.

Heat @ Bulls

Well it turns out I am going to the Heat @ Bulls game Wednesday and I'm PUMPED!!! I can't wait to see these two teams battle it out for the win and I am sure it will be a good match up from the two for Game 3 in Chicago!

Rain.

It has been raining so much lately and I am getting sick of it. Why can't it be a normal spring in May when it is sunny and windy all the time which opens up activities to do outside. I have really not been able to get outside much because there is always rain being predicted.

Surprising Elimination on Idol

James Durbin was surprisingly eliminated on American Idol. James was the front runner of the competition with his interesting rocker/metal performances that were so intense with flames and fireworks. He was clearly the best that was left in the competition and now he is gone. There are two country people that are good which are Lauren Alaina and Scotty McCreery. Hopefully, one of these two can win the competition.

Arsenal.....................

Arsenal lost to Aston Villa today which is extremely disappointing. I was counting on them to win so they could receive runner-up in the premier league, but since they lost the best they can do is third place which I really hope they get. It really makes me angry how they could lose to an easy team like Aston Villa, but beat both Chelsea and Manchester United. Injuries are really killing the Gunners at the moment and I hope they will be good for next season with all these young gunners coming up.

Zeitoun (pgs. 126-156)

Kathy decides to drive to Phoenix where Yuko lives because she can't stand her family anymore. While she is driving there, she calls Zeituon and another man picks up which makes her worried sick that he has been robbed. Also, Yuko calls her on her way there and tells her not to drive anymore and that her husband will pick them up at Houston where they can fly to Phoenix. Zeituon continues to help out the community by feeding other survivors and stray dogs in New Orleans. As he is helping out others, Zeitoun sees men robbing a gas station which is what Kathy was warning him about. He watches them from a safe distance, but one of the gang members sees him, so Zeituon decides to paddle away quickly in his canoe before they can get him. He also saw army officials guarding an area and they surprisingly refused to help Zeitoun when he was asking them to help others in need. Ahmad, Zeitoun's Brother, calls and instructs Zeituon to leave the city, but he refuses and says he must help the city as it is God's Wish. There was a man that Zeitoun encountered that Zetioun asked him to help a handicapped man which the man had agreed to, but the man never helped and had broken a promise to Zeitoun which made him very angry. Zeituon starts to miss his family and children, so he goes into Nadeemah's bedroom where he encounters pictures of his brother, Ahmad. It shows his numerous adventures around the world and what he had seen during his boat expeditions. Zeituon mentions how much he liked to take pictures on his adventures and would encounter so many people just through that.

The book continues to be absolutely spontaneous. It is so adventurous and so interesting! Zeitoun is such a great guy in helping everyone in the city even though they were not close at all. This may be one of my favorite books of all time, but that depends on how the ending is.

Premier League Standings

Manchester United clinched the Premiership title this weekend with a win over Chelsea and a loss by Arsenal to stoke city...... I HATE MAN U WITH A PASSION! I know this is getting quite repetitive, but seriously..... all their team can do is score goals and nothing else. Their roster is full of players with ego and attitude. Also, I miss Fabregas and Nasri. They have been injured so much this season which is the reason why Arsenal descended in the standings and lost the chance for the title. Although it has been a while for them, I believe next season the Gunners will clinch the title assuming that Cesc Fabregas statys.

Poems for Anthology

The Summer Day

Mary Oliver

http://www.loc.gov/poetry/180/133.html

Who made the world?

Who made the swan, and the black bear?

Who made the grasshopper?

This grasshopper, I mean-

the one who has flung herself out of the grass,

the one who is eating sugar out of my hand,

who is moving her jaws back and forth instead of up and down-

who is gazing around with her enormous and complicated eyes.

Now she lifts her pale forearms and thoroughly washes her face.

Now she snaps her wings open, and floats away.

I don't know exactly what a prayer is.

I do know how to pay attention, how to fall down

into the grass, how to kneel down in the grass,

how to be idle and blessed, how to stroll through the fields,

which is what I have been doing all day.

Tell me, what else should I have done?

Doesn't everything die at last, and too soon?

Tell me, what is it you plan to do

with your one wild and precious life?

Summer in a Small Town

Linda Gregg

http://www.loc.gov/poetry/180/170.html

When the men leave me,

they leave me in a beautiful place.

It is always late summer.

When I think of them now,

I think of the place.

And being happy alone afterwards.

This time it’s Clinton, New York.

I swim in the public pool

at six when the other people

have gone home.

The sky is grey, the air hot.

I walk back across the mown lawn

loving the smell and the houses

so completely it leaves my heart empty.

The Summer I Was Sixteen

Geraldine Connolly

http://www.loc.gov/poetry/180/003.html

The turquoise pool rose up to meet us,

its slide a silver afterthought down which

we plunged, screaming, into a mirage of bubbles.

We did not exist beyond the gaze of a boy.

Shaking water off our limbs, we lifted

up from ladder rungs across the fern-cool

lip of rim. Afternoon. Oiled and sated,

we sunbathed, rose and paraded the concrete,

danced to the low beat of "Duke of Earl".

Past cherry colas, hot-dogs, Dreamsicles,

we came to the counter where bees staggered

into root beer cups and drowned. We gobbled

cotton candy torches, sweet as furtive kisses,

shared on benches beneath summer shadows.

Cherry. Elm. Sycamore. We spread our chenille

blankets across grass, pressed radios to our ears,

mouthing the old words, then loosened

thin bikini straps and rubbed baby oil with iodine

across sunburned shoulders, tossing a glance

through the chain link at an improbable world

. Oh, give us pleasure in the flowers to-day;

And give us not to think so far away

As the uncertain harvest; keep us here

All simply in the springing of the year.

A Prayer in Spring

Robert Frost

http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/a-prayer-in-spring/

Oh, give us pleasure in the orchard white,

Like nothing else by day, like ghosts by night;

And make us happy in the happy bees,

The swarm dilating round the perfect trees.

And make us happy in the darting bird

That suddenly above the bees is heard,

The meteor that thrusts in with needle bill,

And off a blossom in mid air stands still.

For this is love and nothing else is love,

The which it is reserved for God above

To sanctify to what far ends He will,

But which it only needs that we fulfil.

"A Tropical Paradise," Madison F.

Lying on the beach
With sunglasses on your face
Shielding the harsh sunlight from your eyes.
You cover your skin with SPF 25.
Sand makes its way into your sandals,
but you don’t mind.
Off in the distance music is being played
on steel drums.
They set the mood of your whole vacation:
relaxation.
You see the boats drift by with their brightly
colored sides
And you hold onto your tropical drink that tastes
like bananas
With its tiny umbrella hanging off the side.
It makes you smile.
You wonder if the sailors on the boat are as
peaceful as you are.
Worries escape you as you drift into your own oasis
And your home life becomes something of the past.
Almost unreal.
You smell coconut everywhere you go
And wonder if you’ll miss it when you leave.
All you hear is the crashing of the waves.
All you can feel is your newly burnt skin.
All that matters is nothing.

Spring

By Gerard Manley Hopkins

Nothing is so beautiful as Spring –         

   When weeds, in wheels, shoot long and lovely and lush;         

   Thrush’s eggs look little low heavens, and thrush         

Through the echoing timber does so rinse and wring         

The ear, it strikes like lightnings to hear him sing;

   The glassy peartree leaves and blooms, they brush         

   The descending blue; that blue is all in a rush         

With richness; the racing lambs too have fair their fling.         

What is all this juice and all this joy?         

   A strain of the earth’s sweet being in the beginning

In Eden garden. – Have, get, before it cloy,         

   Before it cloud, Christ, lord, and sour with sinning,         

Innocent mind and Mayday in girl and boy,         

   Most, O maid’s child, thy choice and worthy the winning.         

Spring

By Karla Kuskin

I’m shouting

I’m singing

I’m swinging through trees

I’m winging skyhigh

With the buzzing black bees.

I’m the sun

I’m the moon

I’m the dew on the rose.

I’m a rabbit

Whose habit

Is twitching his nose.

I’m lively

I’m lovely

I’m kicking my heels.

I’m crying “Come Dance”

To the fresh water eels.

I’m racing through meadows

Without any coat

I’m a gamboling lamb

I’m a light leaping goat

I’m a bud

I’m a bloom

I’m a dove on the wing.

I’m running on rooftops

And welcoming spring!

The Picture of Dorian Gray (pgs. 32-65)

HAHAHHAHAHAHHA I JUST TRICKED YOU MR. HILL!!!!!

Zeitoun (pgs. 95-126)

It continues to go back and forth between the settings of Kathy and Zeituon. Kathy is worried sick for Zeitoun as the worse of the storm approaches. After Zeitoun moves everything in their house upstairs, he has a phone conversation with Kathy. She tells him that she should come over here and Zeitoun tells her he can't because he has to take care of their house. However, Zeitoun's phone is about to die so they hang up and have their individual settings. Kathy drives the kids around to waste time and is continuously being scolded by her family. She asks if they can take some of Zeitoun's family members in, but her mom says no for some odd reason. Zeituon starts driving around New Orleans in a canoe. He meets his neighbor named Frank and takes him for a ride through the city. They happen to see a lady who is just floating there, Frank and Zeitoun tell her that they will find help where they are going and come back. Luckily, they see some boats with officers on it. They redundantly call for help but the officers do not respond to their cries for help. This does not stop Zeitoun as he heroically saves the lady. He goes around the city trying to help everyone he can and he feels great. After this day, he calls Kathy. She is ecstatic to hear from him and glad he is ok, but she still asks him to come to Baton Rogue. Although Zeitoun knows the city is in bad condition, he refuses and tells Kathy how he has to help the people of the city recover. After that, Zeitoun goes home and finds some pictures of his family and brothers in his household. He is being reminded of when he grew up and when his kids grew up and becomes really happy.
I think it is amazing that Zeitoun is helping the city recover when he is a victim himself. This is a very brave and courageous act to be performed in a time in need for everyone in the city. Zeitoun is obviously a good man and always does whatever is the best for other people. Even though he is slightly worried about his own condition from the storm, that slight scary feeling does not stop him from helping other people in his community.

Zeitoun (pgs. 78-94)

Kathy is in Baton Rogue with her family and she tries to hold back and just enjoy the time that they are having there. Although they serve her children hot dogs, which contain pork and is against Islam, she calms down and settles back. The children are having a fun time with their cousins and it all seems safe. Zeitoun is still in New Orleans and is not worried much. He is sleeping a lot and can not find anything to do. He wakes up one day and realizes he has slept through the storm. There is not much damage to his house compared to his neighbors. Zeituon has been sleeping late for the past 3 days during the storm and is finding this time somewhat peaceful. One of his family members in his moms side calls and Zeituon surprisingly admits that he is scared, something he would never admit to Kathy. His family member could not  find a place to stay, so he just gave him Kathy's family number.
I thought it was interesting that Zeitoun did not react much  to the hurricane. He did not feel the need to evacuate or take caution during the storm. This shows what kind of man Zeitoun is. He does not believe anything people tell them until he has valid evidence to prove that the storm is going to be that bad. He seems right in his theory, so far....

Maroon 5

I can't stop listening to this band. I have yet to find a song that I dislike from all their albums. I literally enjoy listening to every single song that they have made. They are a truly amazing band.

ARSENAL DEFEATS MANCHESTER UNITED!!!!!

This is a late post, but i forgot mention that ARSENAL WON. A goal from Aaron Ramsey sealed up the victory and Arsenal received an extra 3 points in the table. Although they are now in 3rd, I am sure they will eventually catch up to Man U with this huge confidence booster that was given this Sunday.

FC Barcelona over Real Madrid

Barcelona has advanced into the UEFA Champions league final against Manchester United! They defeated Real madrid in the first leg, but in the second leg it was a tie but that does not matter as it was an overall defeat. I am very happy for Barcelona and hope they can defeat bloody Manchester United!

Zeituon (pgs. 57-78)

This part of the book talks more about Kathy. She tries to convince Zeitoun to escape to Baton Rouge instead of Destin, Florida, but Zeituon is still not worried and remains to stay. They all wave goodbye and she leaves. However, she happened to take the wrong exit to Baton Rogue and is stuck in traffic. They thought that they would make it by 7, but make it at 11. During this part of the book, it goes into more detail about the relationship between Yuko and Kathy. Kathy would always run away to Yuko's house as a child. They were always inseparable from the day they met and even in college they worked together. Yuko was opening herself up to Islam and introduced Kathy to it as well. Kathy was dissapointed in her church as the pasturer would get angry and put Kathy on the spot when she told him that she was thinking about converting to Islam as it was some crime.The main reason why Kathy converted is because the Quran talked about all the religions and showed how the other messengers influenced each faith.
I was really intrigued by this part of the book because I am Muslim. I know the beauty of the religion and how it has influenced me in my every day life. Also, it is interesting how Kathy and Yuko were able to find the beauty of the religion when they each grew up as Christians in a Christian school.

Tuesday Response; Clues Gradually Led to the Location of Bin Laden

The hunt for bin Laden seemed very complicated. The Pakistan forces were the one that made the first conclusion that Osama may be in Pakistan after they saw a license plate. Pakistani CIA were the ones to carry out the operations at first. Then, the Navy seals came in one night and shot him in the head after pain-staking days of finding if it was really him. The intensity can not be described with words as the Pakistani and US forces worked together to kill the most wanted man in the world.

Zeitoun (pgs. 31-56)

It starts to discuss the relationship of Zeitoun and Kathy and how they had met. His friend's, Ahmaad, wife ,Yuko, had introduced him to this girl named Kathy. They did not give him the name until she was single. They talked about how they got to start to talk each other and how Kathy felt when she saw a father and son playing in the park. Eventually, they got married and had a happy life together. The storm is being foreshadowed more and more as Kathy constantly keeps on checking weather reports on the news and TV. This leads Kathy to leave to Destin without Zeitoun because Zeitoun didn't believe they would leave without him. His father is also a topic. It mentions how he is just like his father because he worked at sea then become a constructor. He is telling his kids the same thing his father told him. That the world needs more doctors, lawyers, and businessman and not seamen or constructors. Also, Islam is beginning to be mentioned in this book. It talks about Kathy's role as a Muslim Woman that is a hijabi. She discusses how this one young girl tried to pull it off, but when Kathy turned around she yelled at her and said what she was doing. Zeitoun is also very educated in Islam. He has various parts of the Quran memorized and uses them as a guideline to his daily life. He performs all his prayers in time and does all the things that is obligated in Islam.
Things start to intensify as it is fairly obvious the storm is about to come. His wife has left him after Zeitoun was thinking about how much he loved his wife and how he had met her. He doesn't seem very worried, but I am sure he will be later on.

Zeitoun (pgs. 1-30)

This book starts off with a story about Zeitoun and his life in New Orleans, LA. He has a wife and 4-5 daughters. He owns a painting company with his wife called Zeitoun A.Painting Contractor and they had a controversial logo. It was one with rainbow which could possibly represent homosexuality. When his wife asked him to change the logo, he proceeded to laugh because they were a Muslim company and homosexuality is against Islam. They also mention their daughter Nadeemah who is very intelligent. She has the role of "daddy's little girl" and listens to her dad in everything what to do. She is only two years old but she has enough intelligence to be somebody much older it seems. Towards the end of my reading, it mentioned a character named Emil. He is easily scared by Zeitoun when he comes behind him and scares him while he is painting and pulls out a slight grin. Throughout the chapter, the hurricane of Katrina constantly is being foreshadowed by his wife and daughter Nadeemah and they don't think it will be that bad.
This book has got me hooked already! I have no idea why I am so interested but it really pulled me in from the start when it starts in a diary format. His happiness with his family may have been what pulled me in and it is very interesting about what kind of man Zeitoun is from the beginning. I can't wait to see what happens when the actual story starts in this book.

Sergio Ramos drops Copa del Rey Trophy

Sergio Ramos DROPPED the Copa del Rey trophy for Real Madrid. He must be the most hated man in Madrid at the moment. It had taken along time before they won a trophy and now it is dropped under a bus. The UEFA said they will not give them another trophy either.

Real Madrid vs. FC Barcelona

These two teams are playing in the UEFA Champions league today. Real Madrid had recently defeated Barcelona in the Copa Del Rey. Although, in the last match Barcelona had defeated Real Madrid 5-0. This will be an interesting match today.

Into Thin Air (pgs. 295-333)

Krakauer is still staying in contact with his fellow climbers. Lou had described Everest as one of his worst adventures in his life. He mentions Beck Weathers and the amputations he had to have of his right arm below the elbow, his fingers on his left hand, and his nose was amputated and later reconstructed. Beck has surprisingly handled this devastating tragedy fairly well. Jon Krakauer can't get the journey of Mount Everest out of his head. He has had some criticisms from people of the climber's family. He learns some people on the Everest journey died from a car accident and an avalanche. A sherpa orphan blames the Sherpas for all what had happened on this expedition, saying that they are expected to protect the sanctuary from outsiders. This journey has poisoned many of the families and close friends of people of Everest. Some have even needed medical treatment for depression. Even those climbers that were saving others feel bad that they could not save everyone on this devastating journey.
This expedition was extremely devastating and intense. It is something beyond words to describe for someone who wasn't on the expedition. Jon Krakauer did a great job of describing the journey and all the people in it. I am sure he had many tearful thoughts when writing this book. He goes on to describe later what happened as well and I'm sure it was difficult for him to describe that as well. I hope others choose to read this National Best-Seller because it can show many reactions when life or death is at risk.

Art Galleria

Adam Gayer alludes to a physical sense of color in this painting that is extremely extravagant. The colors of the painting add an interest which is unforeseen in other paintings. He adds an interesting twist of different shapes with a fancy transition in colors along the painting. This piece of art is truly an amazing piece of work because of the way he arranges the colors in the painting.

Elimated American Idol Contestants

The last few weeks there have been some surprising eliminations. Paul McDonald was sent home and he was expected to go much further with his husky voice. The more surprising result is the elimination of Pia Toscano. She was no doubt the best female singer in the competition and had the voice to be the American Idol. I expected her to make the top 3 for sure if not top 2. That was extremely controversial and hard for the viewers of this popular reality tv show. I hope an artist who deserves the title will win the competition.

Into thin Air (pgs. 277-293)

Krakauer finally descends into Base Camps and tears fill his eyes as he still can't believe what has happened on this dangerous expedition. He is dealing with a very difficult emotional situation when he comes back to the USA and must talk to Doug Hansen's wife. His wife actually comforts him instead of Krakauer comforting her. He constantly theorizes about what could have possibly happened to all of these climbers and guides on Everest, but nobody will ever know for sure. He believes it was the fact of the lack of knowledge of what to do at such a high altitude caused most of the deaths of these victims. The business of the climbing does not contain strict regulation because most of the countries are poor and have nothing else to strive for money. The IMAX team ends up finding most of the bodies of the South Africans, Hall, and Fischer. They can't believe what they have seen.

I would be very worried if I was in this situation. You have to deal with all the physical and mental complications that you will be suffering after you descend down the mountain. They may try their best to forget or to remember this grand and difficult journey. I hope they realize the risk they just took and how lucky they are to be able to survive and tell their story.

Arsenal vs. Liverpool

Emmanuel Eboue must be the most hated man on the Arsenal team right now for what he did on Sunday. He gave up a simple penalty kick when there was no need for a foul and Liverpool ended up tying the game. This tie leaves a narrow margin between 2nd and 3rd for Arsenal and Chelsea. Also, the margin is bigger between Manchester United and Arsenal, especially if Man U were to win tomorrow. I can not believe what Eboue performed, what an idiotic play.

Into Thin Air (pgs. 257-276)

Honestly, it becomes really depressing throughout the book. Many guides and climbers are being confirmed as dead and it is just pure sadness among the people at Camp 4. They look around for more, but more deaths are confirmed. With the people they do find, such as Beck Wethers, they are in terrible condition and close to dead. But once they make it to the tent, their chances of survival are dramatically increased. Stuart Hutchinson takes the role as the leader and gathers up his team to descend on the mountain. Helicopters come to retrieve Beck and one other climber off the mountain for serious medical treatment. It is very interesting how the helicopters went above their height to come retrieve these climbers who were battling for their lives. Once they make it to Camp 2, everything has settled in and they can not believe what has just happened on this intense journey.
The story is obviously starting to come to an end. All of the serious deaths have occurred and it is a very sad thing to see. They are descending down these mountains and it is extremely difficult for everybody to embrace what has just happened in this situation. If i was apart of this expedition, I would not know what to do with the sensitiveness that must be there.

Tuesday Response

Pharrell Williams has an exquisite taste in his house that happens to be quite unique and unusual to most people of society. It is obvious he is very enthusiastic about the role he has in Hollywood with his passion for various pictures of animated characters in his household. The fanciness of all the pictures and designs seems a bit forced, but it is quite amazing. It is confused me how he has added such prodigious structures that are near his ears in most of the portraits in his house. Williams really has a joyful and unique house filled with art that you would not be able to view anywhere else.

Tuesday Soccer Response

Although she is amazing in the game of soccer, she seems to be a little cocky and selfish with the way she plays. The comparison to Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney, which are the players I find are extremely cocky, drove me away from seeing how good she is. Is she a complete ball hog or are they just comparing her to how good she is? It is extremely amazing how she got to perform her freestyle tricks at the Chelsea vs. Manchester United game at Old Trafford. That is something I wish I could do if I was that good, but I am not. The best trick I can do is just around the world which is not a big deal at all to Indi Cowie.

Tuesday Interview Response

I believe some of the interviews were legit when others were completely fake and funny. The Marijuana Baker supposedly wants to "help people in a different way" by having a marijuana bakery for medical use which I think he will most definitely take advantage of. The doctor wants to attempt to accepted into medical school while going to a community college which is extremely rare if it happens. If he is really devoted to being a doctor, then he should be able to get a scholarship with the great grades he should have. The microbiologist seems legit as he is going for his goal with pure interest in that field to help cure cancer. Also, the sports executive seems like he has the devotion and hard work with his family background to be able to have a job in the sports field if he works hard enough.
In 10 years, I would see myself completing the first steps of medical school and going to my specialization in sports medicine. Sports medicine was a field that interested me when my uncle, who is an executive for the Diamondbacks, gave me a tour of the stadium and explained the role of a sports doctor. I knew from that moment it was what I wanted to do with my life. At first, I thought about working for a professional team because I would enjoy it and it would be a high paying job. Then, I realized that I might have a family in the future and I want to take care of my kids as well. I decided to just go into a sports medicine and join that specialty in a practice or have some people close to me create a practice of sports medicine. This would be a career I would truly enjoy waking up to to go to for the rest of my life.

Into Thin Air (pgs.235-254)

The chapter turns into the story of Hall and Fischer. Hansen becomes sick later on and is feeling so nautious that he is unable to descend. Hall will not descend without him even though the radio stations are begging to leave Hall behind to save his own life. They try to convince him to come down by stating that Hall is in the tent all safe and sound. Even though they try to convince him, Hall and Hansen spend the night on an extremely high altitude which leads to being very dangerous. Hansen eventually dies next to Hall, so Hall decides to go on and tells the that he is moving and descending and think that he might make it. However, Rob Hall has not moved a bit and was hallucinating the whole time. He has just spent even longer near the summit of Everest with less oxygen. Three indian climbers reached the top on the tibetan side after Hansen, but this is not the actual summit. Some sherpas and japanese climbers find some of the Indian climbers in the snow, but they ignorantly do not help them as they would like to reach the top. It is unlikely that any of these climbers encountered Hall and Hansen on their descent.
These chapters become really intense as death occurs and the weather conditions worsen. Hansen is dead and Harris is probably dead while Hall's death is being foreshadowed. The extreme conditions of Everest are being proven and it is showing the struggle these various types of climbers are having for their lives and hopefully most of them will be safe from these horrifying conditions.

My Awesome Things

• These are only some of the things I discovered on the 1000 awesome things list. I am continuing and am actually really interested in this unique list!

  #291 Forgetting you ordered something online and then having it randomly show up

• #295 Location based snacks

• #296 Making a baby laugh

• #334 The first meal you eat after a cold

•  #361 The first snowfall of the season

• #367 Recess

• #375 Finding out someone has the same birthday as you

• #384 Intense post-Halloween candy trades

• #391 When your parents bring you back gifts from a business trip

• #405 When someone pronounces your name right on the first try

 

Abstract Photo

I typed in abstract photos on google images and this is the first result I received. I believe it is illustrating a shattering of some sort yet a destruction as well. I believe this is a very cool image and should be recognized and analyzed by people of our society.

Into Thin Air (pg.207-231)

A climber named Bieldeman finally reaches the top and he is unaware of the time it is. Even though he reaches at precisely 2 pm, he thinks it is a lot later. Hansen and Fischer reach the summit at around 340 and 4. They should have turned back at 2 because there is a huge storm that comes. The winds are at hurricane speeds and the snow is blowing everywhere which causes no visibility! Mike Gloom and Stuart Hutchinson attempt to find the remainder of the lost climbers, but they have little luck as they only find a few and realize some of them have even died. Weathers and Namba are dead while Pittman and Fox get back to the tents yet are completely incapacitated. Hutchinson wakes up Krakauer telling him Harris did not return to camp and he is in shock. He though Harris had made it safely to camp and even  told his girlfriend that he did. As he goes to search for him, he sees faint footsteps going near the edge which makes him realize that Andy has fallen over the edge. Hall is at the summit ridge radioing for help and the Imax team attempts to help by asking the South AFrican team, but they deny their request for their radio usage. Martin Adams explains how he saw somebody sitting on ice and slipped on it while he was descending. Krakauer thinks it is him, but Adams ensures him it was not. Krakauer realizes the story of Andy Harris falling of the edge is false and he has been telling people that this is what happened to him. Now, nobody knows what has happened to Andy Harris.

This storm is just the beginning of all the trouble. It is becoming extremely suspicious with all of these dangerous events happening and these stories of weird deaths on Everest. We will see who ends up having a battle for their lives on this great summit of the world. 

3 Straight Losses from the Gunners

This has been a disappointing week of EPL for me. Arsenal just tied to WBA a team that should have been easily beaten. They are having the biggest drought and with the injuries they have it is not any easier. I hope they get Walcott and Fabregas back again, so that they can improve dramatically over the season and be able to reach the top of the Premier league.

March Madness

yeah my bracket is completely done for the year! i had Pittsburgh in the final losing to duke and i had Notre dame and Purdue in the sweet 16. I had Louisville in the sweet 16 as well. I got U conn and I picked OSU to lose, but they are looking really good right now. I'm glad I am just a spectator this season.

Into Thin Air (pgs.181-203)

They finally reach the summit in this chapter. The death zone and hillary step are both approached which are known to be quite dangerous. Hillary step is almost a vertical mountain which asks for the most difficult climbing of the expeditor's lives.  The death zone has its name given because all climbers must proceed quickly before their essential supply of oxygen runs out. There are no ropes in place when they encounter the death zone which leads to an extremely difficult process to climb this dreaded zone. Krakauer is worried about oxygen supply and descends quickly, but he stops because of the traffic jam and allows other climbers to ascend. While this process, he asks Andy Harris to decrease the amount of oxygen he is receiving and he mistakenly increases the valve and Krakauer has wasted essential oxygen doing absolutely nothing. He tries to descend to the south summit where extra canisters of oxygen are. Andy Harris says they are empty and he gives Jon Krakauer the remainder of his oxygen tank. Harris is having symptoms of hypoxia which is rare in climbers, Krakauer proceeds to descend down the mountain without Harris which is something he said he will regret for the rest of his life. Krakauer continues descend with a climber with bad eyesight and eventually dives into his tent after a difficult journey and is confident in his climbing.
This chapter gets really intense as they finally reach their goal and Krakauer has many problems with his oxygen tank, weather, and the traffic. It is showing the effects on multiple people including the guides. It is foreshadowing the horrible weather that is about to come. I can't wait to read the next exhilarating part that takes place in this great book.

Into Thin Air (pgs. 151-178)

They finally make an attempt to go all the way to the top of the summit. Krakauer mentions a man who realized he was too exhausted to get the summit even though he was only a few hundred feet away, but Hall acknowledged this choice and understood the maturity and difficulty of this person. Doug and Jon start talking about what the top of the mountain will be like and the success it will happen. Also, a member from the Taiwanese team slips off because he is wearing only slippers. He is fine at first, but he eventually dies and the leader could care less as he only replies OK. Krakauer talks about how supplemental oxygen is frowned upon as cheating even though it is a necessity. They continue there journey to the top of the mountain and Jon Krakauer finally accepts the vital oxygen mask during his climb when he finally realizes it is harder to breathe without it. He also becomes skeptical of the climbers that turn back when they are so close and saying they are judging it on only some factors and not really with loyalty or devotion. Rob Hall says all members need to stay ahead of each other and gives Krakauer the go ahead in front of him. The chapter ends by him stating that a man who quit was not serious at the time.
These pages just start to mention the journey to the very top of the mountain and all the struggles and problems everyone goes through. I believe it would be extremely difficult for anyone to climb this mountain as I have said before. This is a very difficult feat that I am surprised some people will eventually accomplish.

Let Kids Rule the School

I do not think it is a very good idea for the students to rule the school. Although I would prefer this system, I do not think it would educate anybody. There were no grades, so no test of being educated which means there is a possibility of no learning at all. If the students rule themselves, they could easily get off tract as well. I would like to have this system, but do not think it would help much.

Into Thin Air (pgs. 127-147)

The group now begins their journey to camp 3 and Krakauer has become extremely cold and developed frostbite. He does not make such a smart move by removing his clothing because he believes the sun will make it warmer, but it just makes him more cold. Doug Hanson receives an injury to the respiratory tract by having a frozen larynx. Almost all of the climbers have frostbite as well.The sherpa, Nwagnag has not died yet. The other sherpas believe that he does not have HAPE rather he is being punished by the Day of Sky for a sin he has committed while on the mountain.The best Sherpa out of Fischer's group goes to visit Nwagnag when he dies and Fischer is worried without his top Sherpa that confidence may be lost by his fellow climbers. Krakauer talks about the adrenaline rush some climbers are starting to develop along with various physical problems. Some climbers have developed HACE and headaches to the sun's radiation. He mentions how he has lost 20 pounds of muscle and cartilage and says he is feeling stupid. Also, there are set days for the climbers to reach the top, but the South African team does not care much and will wish the top whenever they please.
Again, this chapter starts to frigthen me about Everest. All of these normal, healthy people are starting to develop multitudes of physical problems and it just scares me to know. The idea of the Sherpas and there idea of the mountains is like their religion. I believe they take the mountain to seriously and should not make various Gods based on the weather. I hope all of them become healthy and eventually reach the summit of Mount Everest.

Into Thin Air (pg. 91-124_

Krakauer starts to mention all the inexperienced climbers climbing on the mountain. He mentions the story of a man who fasted and believed in God to climb the mountain, but people on another expedition had found his corpse. Another story tells of a man who was not registered and just convinced Sherpas into thinking he had a permit but he made it to 22000 feet and turned back. Woodwall was a British man that convinced a team of South Africans that he was South African. He was going to climb the mountain leading them and some people had quit because of his attitude. People were climbing on his expedition without a permit and he was getting in multitudes of trouble after the expedition had finally ended. They decide to climb the moutain and take more rest at the camps they are going to reach. While they are climbing, Krakauer is exposed to a few dead bodies on the way. The key part I thought was scary was the way of one of the sherpas, Ngawang. He climbs the moutain although he is feeling nautions and despite the fact that the doctors instructing him to descend. Although they said that, he only takes supplemental oxygen and medicaitons instead, but his symptoms become worse. The doctors diagnose him with HAPE and only solution is to descend as quickly as possible, so they try to but he keeps getting worse even with CPR and the oxygen mask. They eventually take him to the hospital where he dies a slow death. Also, there is a woman climber named Sandy who is attempting to climb Everest for publicity, but there has been a woman who has defeated her dream of being the first woman climber to reach the seven summits.

My reflection of this chapter was that it was quite scary. It has frightened me to even think about climbing this terrrible mountain and I can't believe why people could take such a risk. I am now thoroughly  convinced that I would never in my life climb Mount Everest.

Lasers: Lupe Fiasco

LASERS proved to live up to its hype and Lupe Fiasco certainly did not dissapoint. There is not one song on this album which I believe to be bad or annoying. I could put this album on repeat and constantly repeat it over and over. Lupe Fiasco is by far the most underrated rapper in the world today, but that does not stop him from getting a message across in each and every song.

Arsenal is out of the UEFA Champions League =(

I am severely disappointed that Arsenal has been knocked out of the Champions League by Barcelona. It was just a pure disaster after Van Persie was sent off with a 2nd yellow card which resulted in a red card. The second yellow was completely unnecessary because he took a strike and the referee thought he was wasting time. The final score was 3-1 and the Gunners had one own goal from Sergio Busquets. That was the only exciting part of the match. Besides that, Messi had two goals and Xavi had one. It was a pure disaster for Arsenal at Nou Camp, but I still do have respect for Barcelona for putting up a great match.

Arsenal vs. Barcelona Preview

The Gunners will travel to Barcelona to take on them on in the second leg of the UEFA Champions League. My little brother is a Barcelona fan while I am an Arsenal Fan. The Catalans will be playing without Gerrard Pique and Carlos Puyol and the Gunners will be without Alex Song and Theo Walcott. Robin Van Persie may play and he had the amazing goal against Barcelona. Also, Cesc Fabregas will be back from an injury against Birmingham in the Carling Cup. I hope the Gunners are able to defeat Barcelona in this significant match.

Into Thin Air (pgs. 61-88)

While they are about to make it to base camp, Harris becomes sick and starts to vomit and have massive diarrhea. Although the medic recommends he stays back, he says he wants to go to make it to base camp. Harris is obviously the one that struggles the most with their journey to base camp. Krakauer meets a man named Scott Fischer who is a very exceptional climber. Fischer and Hall are business rivals yet good friends as well. He fell from a mountain and has a hole in a leg open enough to stick a pencil through. Krakauer also describes the climb to Base Camp and says that he says that he is losing his breath and wheezing. The Sherpas continue to bring significant supplies to all the climbers. Hall is worried about the climbers with new boots and fewer experience seeing how they may struggle according to the dangerous weather he predicts is about to come. An unusual rope technique may be useful to climb with the ice. Krakauer is struck by UV radiation and he has to take some medication to get rid of the headache. Also, Krakauer's wife calls and starts to discuss their relationship and well-being as a couple.

The book starts to mention all the problems that are starting to occur within their climbing group. People are getting sick and Hall has worries about certain people's techniques. They all continue to foreshadow the events about to come with the horrible ice storm.

Into Thin Air (pgs. 29-57)

Jon finally decides to tell the beginning of the story when he is aboard on the flight looking at various mountains from the windows. He also mentions Rob Hall and how successful of a tour guide he is even though his prices for the journey are ridiculously large. The group he is traveling with is composed of doctors, lawyers, and postal workers from various parts of the world. Rob Hall and his partner Gary Ball have been climbing mountains since their late teens. They climbed the Seven Summits in an astonishing 7 months. However, when they accomplished this feat they were afraid sponsors were going to drop their financial support so that lead both of them to becoming tour guides. Gary Ball eventually died from a brain malfunction involving the high altitudes he was constantly involved with. Rob Hall charges 65,000 dollars per person, but this ridiculously prodigious amount is a guarantee to reach the top and stay alive on this difficult journey.When discussing the base camp, I thought it was interesting how the medical clinic would not go past base camp and just chilled there. Krakauer discusses Sherpas and the various stereotypes given to them by the mountain climbers. As they proceed to make it to base camp, Jon becomes friends with Doug Hansen and Andy Harris. Hall and Harris start to foreshadow a conversation that there is a disaster on Everest that is about to occur and all the inexperienced climbers will suffer. Little did they know.... it is about to come.
This book keeps getting better and better. No matter what you do it keeps you in. This  will never lose your interest and I like that kind of qualities in a book. Some people may be able to relate to the devotion and dedication of all these climbers. It may also appeal to those who are interested in adventure and seeing the world and its natural structures.

Andrey Arshavin shoved down against Sunderland

This is proof of Arshavin being pushed down right as he was about to score a game-winning goal for Arsenal. It made me really angry and annoyed how their was no call for a penalty kick on this play. Brombay obviously pushed down Arshavin in the goal box right as he was taking a good strike with his left leg. We should be tied with Manchester United right now but we are not because of the referee not calling this obvious penalty kick.

Close Run in the Premier League

Chelsea won their game 3-1 against Blackpool today and the race for first in the premier league is becoming close. The top four teams now are within 10 points of each other and those teams are Manchester United, ARSENAL, Manchester City, and Chelsea. This will lead to more competitive and aggravating competition between all these teams and I am absolutely hyped for it.

Colton Dixon

Can't believe that this guy did not make it to the top 24 on idol! I am glad to know that he is already in a studio producing songs, but this may mean that he won't be able to try out for American Idol next year.

Liverpool

Thank you Liverpool for defeating the bloody Red Devils. You have kept Arsenal within their reach and I am glad you have done so and it has helped me recover from that tie that we should have won. However, it still makes me angry to know that if Arsenal won we would be tied with Man U..... I hope Man U keeps this losing streak up!

Arsenal ties with Sunderland 0-0

It was dissapointing to view this lost when I knew they should have won. Bendtner about had a bicycle kick for a goal but it was down the middle right to the goalie. Also, Samir Nasri had the perfect free kick, but the goalie had a slight touch that made  the ball go over. The play I was most upset about was that when Andrey Arshavin was in the box and running with a defender behing him, Brombay pushed him down while he was striking which altered the direction of the strike. There was no foul called for this play which really made me angry. If Manchester United loses tomorrow, that will make me even happier and I will then know that Arsenal will be on top soon.

Arsene Wenger awarded Manager of the Month!

After a difficult loss to Sunderland without 3 of Arsenal's key footballers, I was happy to be informed that Arsene Wenger won the Manager of the Month. He is well deserved of this award because he has done so many amazing things for Arsenal in Febuary and for him to be recognized for this again is truly incredible. I hope Arsenal will be back on top of the league with such a great manger.

Into Thin Air (pg. 1-28)

The book starts off by describing Jon Krakauer on Mount Everest, the top of the world. The relief that has overcome him after he has achieved his childhood goal. One part that I thought was interesting was when his partner ridded him of all his oxygen and he was still able to survive with the next tank being about 500 feet away from him. When he told his partner to crank his oxygen down, he ended up cranking it all the way up. So, he just spent his entire oxygen tank doing nothing. Also, eh talks about Hornbeing and Unsoeld, his childhood heroes, whose journey consisted of reaching Everest at 615 pm and had to stay there overnight. It is mentioned how Mount Everest received its name by an actual person and how the translation varies in each country. The ridiculous rates of permits for Nepal is what delayed Jon of climbing this great peak. He needed to write articles for the Outsiders over these rates. The prices jumped to 50000 then they jumped to 70000 with groups for 5 people, 10000 for additional members with 7 people being the maximum limit allowed. He also talks about how Dick Bass and Patrick Morrow climbed the Seven Summits which are the highest peaks on each continent of the world. It is an extremely great feat to accomplish and am completely amazed how they were able to overcome this.
I am enjoying this book so far. I am not usually a fan of adventure books, but the way Jon Krakauer wrote this book is interesting to me. Another reason I am interested in this book because I recall seeing a movie on this story in middle school and I was highly interested in that. The way people train and attempt to climb this mountain is a truly difficult journey.

2.28 Diction Excercise

A.
moon
sails
overgrown
out
infinite
brush
earth
heart
island
sobs
B.
Level of Formality: Middle
Connotation: the repetitive statements drive your attention towards the particular phrase "when the moon sails out"
C. The calm and charming comments are made throughout this work of poetry. It seems to appear dull yet peaceful so it conveys a sense of peace. Also, the innocent setting of the poem makes it seem such in a state of mute as well.

2.23 Diction Exercise

A.
crap
goddamn
lousy
brother-D.B.
nice
Secret Goldfish
hell
David Copperfield
B.
Level of Formality: informal, slang
Connotation: keep it interesting and easily readable, adds a vulgarity to talk in the casual style
Concreteness: harsh sound, wrong condition
C.
The vulgar comments made by Holden are completely absurd. He curses throughout poem with a frivolous manner. I feel that most of his ridicule is in such a ribald manner that it has no significance.

Blake Griffin Jumps Over a Car

Baron Davis passes it to Blake Griffin out of the car and he catches it in mid air and dunks down the basketball. Eventually, he became the well-deserved winner of this competition!

Blake Griffin: 360 Dunk!

Blake Griffin performs a 360 dunk, truly amazing!

Moneyball by Michael Lewis Reading Log 12

The Speed of the Idea
This chapter talks about stealing bases. It mentions how the teams that stole more bases, score less runs because they are usually tagged out. They have turned a player from a base stealer into a non-risk base taker, so he is extra cautions when he is running bases. In the Athletics division, they are finally in first with the lowest payroll. They have proven to the entire Major League of Baseball that they do not need money to become successful in baseball. It continue to reflects throughout the chapter about the Oakland Athletic journey of Billy Beane, but it attempts to focus on the present. He talks about how he possibly wants to go to another team instead of the Oakland Athletics and leaves a hanger about whether or not he did.

My final view of this book is that it was rather disappointing. I expected this book to be fairly interesting, but it was like a roller coaster or entertainment. Some points were really boring while others were ok. There was nothing really exciting about this book and I hope my choice improves as I get to the next one I choose whatever that book may be.

Facebook

That is extremely awkward how you saw your friend at best buy and he didn't delete his facebook. I'm pretty sure you will playing a joke on him anyways. One time on facebook, i had a status about "I bought a guitar." My annoying relative who is 13 put a comment rather insulting towards me on there. Then, my friend was backing me up and made a comments towards him. This resulted in a long argument until my relative's brother, who is my good friend, joined in and decided to stand up for him. Then, my two friends got in a fight and talked about physically taking out. Awkward thing is my relatives live in Dallas and there is an annual convention where I see this friend. Eventually, they met and they are fine now even though my relative was really scared that he was going to get beat up.

Moneyball by Michael Lewis Reading Log 11

The Human Element
The Oakland Athletics would always sell out their tickets on a few games in the season and that is when they play the Royals. Also, the front office is intrigued by the a game between their two minor league teams which have produced many efficient players such as Jeremy Brown and Jason Giambi. They compare the statistics of Eric Chavez who is 24 to big league players such as Jason Giambi, Barry Bonds, and Alex Rodriguez when they were 24. These statistics are amazingly similar and all average out around the same numbers. For the first time in his career, Chad Bradford is no longer oblivious to his surroundings. He became extremely nervous and cautious of every move he was doing. This is the worst slump he has ever been in his entire career. Somebody from the front office comes up to him and asks him if hes a christian. He says yes and then proceeds to ask him if he believes in Jesus. He says yes again and the front office manager responds then why don't you have faith in yourself. This is a question Bradford can not eve answer. Kansas city eventually ties the score at 11-11, but the Athletics still mangae to pull of a win in this situation. This chapter mainly discusses aspects of the human mind.
I like how this chapter mentions the nervous aspect of the human mind. It becomes interesting to see how this player handles his nerves during the game. It was already amazing how he ignored what was happening around him. Chad Bradford will need to settle his nerves to the Athletics to have any success.

Preview: Arsenal vs. Barcelona

These two teams have extremely similar yet exciting playing styles. Sagna and Puyol will be out during this game and Samir Nasri is questionable with a hamstring injury. I am hoping for an absolute miracle against Barcelona because I know they are a better team than us and have good movement on the ball. Hopefully, the contributions and efforts made by Arsenal is enough to beat Barcelona.

Moneyball by Michael Lewis Reading Log 10

Anatomy of an Undervalued Pitcher

This chapter is a story of an average pitcher named Chad Bradford who makes to the big leagues without anybody thinking that he ever would. It starts out discussing the fact that most players in major league baseball were stars in high school baseball, but not Chad Bradford. In fact, he barely had made the team his sophomore year. His coach said he was just there to be with his friends and when the coach had to say something nice about him on graduation day, he discussed how good he was in school. Bradford started playing for a community college in his town. Warren Hughes, a scout for the Chicago White Sox, began coming to watch Chad play and was impressed. The White Sox had drafted him late in the draft which he did not agree to the first offer. But, a year later he decided to accept the White Sox offer for 12,000 dollars a year, so he was still making about 1000 dollars a month. Chad Bradford began to shine in the minor leagues. He would go to stadiums that were impossible for visiting pitchers to be successful and pitch in an jabsolutely amazing manner. The White Sox are slightly amazed and they offer Chad Bradford to come to the Texas Rangers stadium with them. This had a slight spark to the start of his career. Eventually, the White Sox decided there was no use for Chad and traded him to the Oakland Athletics. The A's found potential and talent in this young pitcher. Voros McCracken is also discussed in this chapter and he has a specific theory directly related to baseball for the Oakland Athletics. McCracken is trying to crack down on the solution to why the Athletics are so successful. He has many theories that seem to make sense, but they are quite general.

I enjoyed reading this chapter because of the rising action of the characters. The character develops more bravery and strength throughout this book. Also, It is interesting in the long process athletes of all ages have to go through to maintain what they are working for. I like the fact that these players are coming from small environmental and advancing in front of your eyes. The plot should remain the same as it was  in this chapter