The Soloist (Part 2, Chapters 13-31)

The Soloist (Part 2, Chapters 13-31)

Despite the ignorance and hatred among society, there are still people out there who are willing to help and care. Nathaniel has been very lucky ever since he met Lopez, countless instruments was given to Nathaniel from different sources, and free-lessons are given by respected musicians, and not to mention the love and care from Steve Lopez. Contrast to the scenes on Skids Row, where mayhem and violence are daily routines.

This makes me wonder, are those troubled people on Skids Row terminally helpless? Are they nothing but evil? I don’t know the answer myself. But i do know that i believe there are some goodness in everyone’s heart. I also think most troubled people all have some unfortunate tales to tell. A perfect example will be Nathaniel, Nathaniel had a rather smooth childhood, he was able to play the instruments that he loved in high school, and later attend the Julliard School of Music. As you can see, Nathaniel’s future was in good hands, and he was in a position to do many goods. But unfortunately, he became very ill. His future seems to be shattered into pieces immediately. Would you say life is unfair, but life is very cruel sometimes. Probably many people who lives on Skids Row have similar stories, or even more unfortunate. They often gets neglected from their families and friends, they found a temporary way out by doing drugs and violence. I think those people are forced into their situation by life and society, they are not evil from heart. And i strongly believe that if they are given love, care and attention, they will get better. I think the main point of this book is about proving that nothing is impossible, even when things seems impossible, never give up.

PS: i want my reader to think about: are troubled people and criminals purely evil?

The Soloist (Part 2, Chapters 13-31)

The Soloist (Part 2, Chapters 13-31)

Despite the ignorance and hatred among society, there are still people out there who are willing to help and care. Nathaniel has been very lucky ever since he met Lopez, countless instruments was given to Nathaniel from different sources, and free-lessons are given by respected musicians, and not to mention the love and care from Steve Lopez. Contrast to the scenes on Skids Row, where mayhem and violence are daily routines.

This makes me wonder, are those troubled people on Skids Row terminally helpless? Are they nothing but evil? I don’t know the answer myself. But i do know that i believe there are some goodness in everyone’s heart. I also think most troubled people all have some unfortunate tales to tell. A perfect example will be Nathaniel, Nathaniel had a rather smooth childhood, he was able to play the instruments that he loved in high school, and later attend the Julliard School of Music. As you can see, Nathaniel’s future was in good hands, and he was in a position to do many goods. But unfortunately, he became very ill. His future seems to be shattered into pieces immediately. Would you say life is unfair, but life is very cruel sometimes. Probably many people who lives on Skids Row have similar stories, or even more unfortunate. They often gets neglected from their families and friends, they found a temporary way out by doing drugs and violence. I think those people are forced into their situation by life and society, they are not evil from heart. And i strongly believe that if they are given love, care and attention, they will get better. I think the main point of this book is about proving that nothing is impossible, even when things seems impossible, never give up.

PS: i want my reader to think about: are troubled people and criminals purely evil?

Soloist 13-22

I've always wondered what happiness meant to people, and sometimes I would see someone on the street collecting soda cans, and think to myself what a boring looking job that is, how can one possibly be happy doing such normal things in life such as planting flowers or collecting trash. To Nathaniel, being happy is being free of worldly things like apartments, cars, fame, etc. And for Nathaniel, being happy is not very hard, music seems to do the trick just fine. Steve Lopez did a interesting observation; although Lopez has a successful career and fathered healthy children and all seems to do quiet alright, yet Lopez still needs to worry about his debt, his mortgage, and so on. Seems to me like Nathaniel might be having a happier life than the life Lopez is having now. One might argue that Nathaniel is just a mad man who doesn't know what life is. But I beg to argue, I think Nathaniel knew exactly what he needs to be happy, and he is fortunate to be able to do what he loved to do. He might not live a very luxurious life, by any means, but does all the thrills in life really matter that much for a person to be truly happy? Death is inevitable for everyone, yet while we're alive, we take all we can, and we waste all we can, and we kill each other just for the extra few dollars. Being happy and being a human being is what is really important for a better world. I'd rather have more Nathaniels in the world than more Donald Trumps. Those ruthless politicians and new-riches, deprives the society to the point where people are forced to find alternatives like injecting themselves with heroine, or prostitution, even worst-mental breakdowns. Fortunately Nathaniel's has a escape, and it is music that will hold him together, or love in another word. Without love, people will eat each other just to comfort one's stomach.

PS: I want my readers to think about what is being happy, and are all those shiny cars and extra dough necessary for a happy life? I'm not saying money is not needed, but not to the point where you deprive other people's chance to happiness and freedom.

THe Soloist 7-12

The Soloist 7-12

I want to talk about my reaction when reading the excerpt from Hamlet. It has some very interesting thoughts about the purpose of life and the pursuit of happiness.

To be or not to be, that is the question;
Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer
The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune,
Or to take arms against a sea of troubles,
And by opposing, end them. To die--to sleep,
No more; and by a sleep to say we end
The heart-ache and the thousand natural shocks
That flesh is heir to — 'tis a consummation
Devoutly to be wish'd. To die, to sleep;
To sleep, perchance to dream. Ay, there's the rub,
For in that sleep of death what dreams may come,
When we have shuffled off this mortal coil,
Must give us pause. There's the respect
That makes calamity of so long life,
For who would bear the whips and scorns of time,
Th'oppressor's wrong, the proud man's contumely,
The pangs of despised love, the law's delay,
The insolence of office, and the spurns
That patient merit of th'unworthy takes,
When he himself might his quietus make
With a bare bodkin? who would fardels bear,
To grunt and sweat under a weary life,
But that the dread of something after death,
The undiscovered country from whose bourn
No traveller returns, puzzles the will,
And makes us rather bear those ills we have
Than fly to others that we know not of?
Thus conscience does make cowards of us all,
And thus the native hue of resolution
Is sicklied o'er with the pale cast of thought,
And enterprises of great pitch and moment
With this regard their currents turn awry,
And lose the name of action.

This world famous monologue from the Hamlet was recited by Nathaniel in front of the “respectable” audiences at Skids Row. “To be or not to be” itself makes perfect alternative for people that are on the brinks of collapse, when the only alternative to them is to end all misery by suicide. But there is something inside us that tells us that death is not the only option when it comes to ending misery and grief. Love is what makes us survive the cruel world of reality, and we will forever remember being loved or the loved ones. And also there is always a choice that we can make, but there are consequences.

PS: I want my readers to think about Nathaniel's position and the monologue itself, and it almost seems that To be or not to be, means to live or not to live. To me death is almost a kind of relief from the suffering in the world, and yet life can seem wonderful with love, and music. Basically love is the only thing that keeps us all going, while knowing all of us are heading towards death. And it also it seems like being born, is to die. I can't totally explain this unique paradox.

The Soloist 1-6

The Soloist 1-6

Steve Lopez, a adventurous columnist from L.A. Times, was captured by a Julliard cello student practicing in one of the worst neighborhoods in the United States. Nathaniel his name is, dressed in rags and lived off a shopping cart filled with his belongings, camping out with sewer rats and cockroaches. I guess anyone sensible would wonder why in the world a person from one of the most prestigious music schools in the world playing a holy instrument in the midst if all kinds of crime and mayhem. Something terrible must've happened to him, something that was not cured, and Lopez decided that Nathaniel needs help, and that Nathaniel's story will be precious to him and to the world. Nathaniel seems to have lost all interest in life and its thrills, and the only thing holding him together seems to be music. What went wrong in his life? With a warm heart Lopez would help Nathaniel unconditionally. Lopez started to become the angel from God, trying to help and guide Nathaniel on the road to a happier life, and hopefully to recovery. I am amazed at Steve Lopez's determination to find out more about Nathaniel, and that showed that there are many good things and people in life, depite the bad that had caused Nathaniel's destruction.

PS: I want my readers to think about the relationship between Nathaniel and Lopez, and how someone unrelated in blood, could show such care and love.

Catcher In The Rye

Catcher In The Rye is the kind of the book that is hard to put down. I love the way the author communicate with his readers, in the most natural, blunt way. I absolutely loved it! I really dislike those books where the author tries to be all sophisticated and sharp, and saying something completely awful but in a nice way. I find that very fake, like if you want to the readers to feel the way you feel, write it and mean it.

I really have trouble dealing with fakes, its like talking to a sponge, it can soak up your information like soaking up water and then when you squeeze it, the information is all gone. I can relate to Holden from the book, because we both hate phonies. The world is filled with phonies and showoffs. Like really, who the hell would care if you were wearing some high- end Gucci belt, or a rope that would do the job. The sad thing is, everybody cares! Well most people, the fools and the phonies. I'd rather have my pants fall down than wearing something that everybody would go OMG! This is only the surface phonies. Then there are phonies that is fake from the inside out. For example, some one would say to you I love you, just because you lend that person something like a pencil. And that is nothing compare to some phonies that literally would lick your behind in front of you, and once they get behind you the would stab your back and poke your heart out. You have no idea how much I hate phonies like that! People needs to learn how to be more straight-forward and more honest to each other, because being truthful is just as effective as saying I love you.

Another thing that I totally share something with Holden is that we do not like complicated people. I believe the most beautiful thing in the world is something that is very simple yet stunning. I can go on and on with how much I like this book, by I will end here, even though I don't really want to. Hope you actually can think on what i'm saying.

PS: I would like my readers to concentrate on my point rather than concentrating on how many mistakes I made. Remember, there are a million way to get your point across, as long as you get there, then its cool. It really doesn't have be on perfect and gold stained.

The Death Of A Salesman

Success is something that can be only defined by the individual. Also success depends on ones perspective on what success means to them. Success is a very personal subject to talk about. One might consider a happy and healthy life to be very successful, yet others will consider that to be very dull. Yet there are people that do not consider themselves to be successful unless they conquer the world and earn fortunes. There is not one precise definition to success. But I think being happy all your life is the most successful. When Charlie said: “we are only worth what we can sell.” he Is putting a terrific pressure and stress on himself and others. That simply means that our lives are only worth how much money and how much property we own. Charlie's idea of success not only cause him great loss and misfortune, also it limits his potential of having a much happier life.

Poor Willy can only see as far as he allow himself to see. He is so anxious to be successful both himself and his sons, that he forgets the basic elements of a happy, healthy life. Also he put others in his crazy dream of being successful, yet he doesn't know that he is hurting other's potential to a happier life as well. To die the death of a salesman is the kind of the death we should avoid, it is better to die in happiness.

Reflection upon blogging

I love the way of sharing your work with everybody by blogging, it not only gives you an idea what others are writing about, it also make you think and improve on your own writing. And somehow i like writing much more when i know that i will have an audience who will read my writings and think upon it. It is like if i take the time to cook a good meal, and nobody will enjoy it, then what is the point? Another reason i think blogging is such an innovative way to do my homework on is that blogging allows people to become more open and more expressive about their opinions and ideas, somehow i think people try to come up with interesting ideas when they know that the whole world can see it. Again, that might be just what i think. I think making good use of modern technology is essential for a child to be sufficient in the future modern world, and kids can learn how to write something that is not offending anyone, yet it comes out naturally. I would love it if students can be much more involved in group editing or group work of any kind, or any work that one would like to share, for example: pictures, videos, articles, or even music and speeches. I support homework online!

Mark Twain- The Story Of The Good Little Boy

The tone of language of American Romanticism is comparably much more romantic and nice than the tone and structure of an American Realism work. Romanticism focuses on achieving beauty and perfection when writing, and making give the audience a sense of joy and happiness. American Romanticism evolved as a reaction against the scientific rationalization of nature and society, and many people accomplished great works based on that.

American Realism was there for people as an exact opposition to Romanticism. American realists believed that humanity's freedom of choice was limited only by the power of external forces. Realism is often viewed as a realization of true democracy, and it is when relation between people and society or between people and mind are explored. And their purpose of writing is to instruct and entertain, no matter of any rules or conventions. For example: detailed description of how blood is gushing from the soldier's wound, or the the detail description or death or love.

Mark Twain was a outspoken anti-imperialist and anti- capitalist. He envision world peace, abolition, emancipation, and anti-racism. Through writing, one can tell the dream of a perfect world. Twain seemed very optimistic about humanity's future, and he hoped for the better and the best. But somehow, by reading his story “The Story Of The Good Little Boy” I also sensed a little bit of insecurity in his writing, as if he is not sure about his optimism. Mark Twain's work are for the common folk who wish to do good, and who wish to be inspired. And Twain also uses common folks as his characters. When you read his stories, you will feel certain sereneness and plainness. Purity is his goal, and he did achieve it.

Mark Twain's works inspired me to realize that the world can be very “plain”, even though from what I've experienced, the world is rather cruel and complicated. People's emotions are just little tricks that the devil is playing on you, trying to get you confused, trying to get you close to sin. I am attracted to simplicity and natural beauty and that is why I like Mark Twain.

Protest Writing

Writing and speech can be very powerful to enact social change or any kind of revolution, from the speeches of Adolf Hitler to Gandhi's famous “Quit India” speech, from Bob Dylan's songs to Chopin's Nocturnes.

The word protest and revolution can sound very harsh and often related to violence and chaos. Although most protests and revolutions are done in the old fashioned way- fight or flight. Many important protests are done in writing. Interestingly writing can be a tool to fight for the better, it also can be slave for evil. For example, Hitler's “Final Resolution” was used to gather up Nazi German people to openly discriminate and hate against anyone who is not Christian and White. A good protest writer knows how to stir up people's emotions, and knows how to use the art of language to cover up the sins and cruelty by making the audience feel sorry for themselves. A good piece of protest writing can be acted as a magnet, just imagine people are like tiny little pieces of metal, and one powerful magnet can soon suck and attach all the little pieces of metal onto its dark surface.

At the same time, writing have done enormous good in the world. For example, the Civil Rights speeches and Gettysburg Address have gathered people to fight for good. Interestingly, when people say that guns are better than words, they are wrong. Guns kills fast but little, words kills slow but massive. So words are the ultimate weapon for mass revolution or destruction. Just remember one little sentence, or one little can have the whole world turn up side down.

The Price Of A Child

What is the price of a child?
What is the price for freedom?
Is it selfish?
Is it mad?
Am I a bad mother?
Am I so stupid?
What other choices do I have?
What other people might think of me?
Would I be forgiven by?
Would I survive?

Escape.

My child is worth the whole world.
My child is my heart.
My child loves me.
My child doesn't want me to go.

Escape.

I want to take care of him.
I want to shade him from the heat.
I want to wash his little hands.
I want to cook for him.
I want to stroke his shiny black hair.
I want him to love me.

Escape.

Tears, joy.
Blood, love.
Fear, courage.
Hate, strength.

Escape.

Until he grows up.
Until the sun's up.
Until he stops crying.
Until he is happy.

Escape.

I will love.
I will hate.
I will kill.
I will Run.

Escape.

Until
the golden light of freedom shines on my child, my heart, and my soul.

That is the price of a child.

my writing demons

I love writing. For me, writing is much more than telling a story or a task we have to deal with because we're in school. To me, writing is like composing music, after every word, every idea there is more and more to write about to elaborate and to express. Depending on my current emotions, and the time of the day, my writing can be different. I like developing a style in my writing, and I also like to keep surprises in my writing. But overall, I think style and beauty is the most important thing in writing.

At the same time, I have trouble expanding ideas. Ideas come to be like ocean waves, one wave after another, just as I had one idea, the next one is already present. Sometimes I even try to control myself not to come up with so many idea, instead just focusing on one topic or idea. Another one of my writing demon is grammar use. English is a very hard language to learn, especially for someone who's native language is chinese. The thing that is almost impossible for me to acquire is the usage of verb tenses. For example: he has, she has, I have, and you have. I always gets them mixed up since there are no verb tenses in chinese. To me, English is a totally different kind of language.

Actually my writing demons are also present in my musical playing. For example: I often cut a melody into several pieces, and sometimes I catch myself making the music sound rather broken. I have trouble expanding and extending my ideas. Ideas and imaginations strike me constantly, I really need to find a way to control myself, and focus on one topic at a time.

The Great Gatsby 3-23

The Great Gatsby reflected the so called “the american way” perfectly. People come to New York City from all over the world, to find opportunities, thrills, and sometimes love. But they don't always get what they want, and sometimes human nature defeats people's moral values, therefore, New York City has been portrayed as a place filled with sins, greed, and cynicism.

The main character of this book, Nick. He resembles a uncontaminated soul, hoping to search for pleasure and opportunity. And the people Nick met in New York City resembles a deadly cancer. When people are dazed by all the wild parties and all the sins they do, they become affected. At the same time, they fear that their sins might cost them greatly. But the unrestrained desire for money and pleasure overcomes and surpassed more stately goals. People would do anything, absolutely anything to get want they want, and sometimes it can get bloody, not just with money, love can also be dangerous.

Another major topic in this story is the separation and class, ad the sociology of wealth. The clash is between the “new rich” and the “old rich.” Gatsby is the victim of the “new riches.” He forgets where he came from, and wealth made him more and more influential but farther and farther away from the old human values. Brand names and elaborate house and stories are him main way of getting connected with other people.

I was find very interesting when Nick finds out about all the cheating thats going around his friends, instead of leading his friends to the right, he went along with it, and actually thought it was alright. This cynical observation made me to think that people are all the same, and good and bad distinction do not really exist. The bad people are capable of doing very good things, and yet the good people are also capable of doing some really bad things.

The Great Gatsby 3-15

The Great Gatsby

Nick Carraway, the narrator of the story who also cast himself as the book's author began the story by describing his own personality and moral standards. He describes himself to be highly moral and highly tolerant, but he appears to me to be quiet ambiguous and compulsive. Nick seems to be a sensitive and emotional guy, especially when he stated the his hero, Gatsby's personality was “nothing short of gorgeous.”

Nick had just arrived in New York, where he stayed at a interesting neighborhood, West Egg. He describes West Egg as a place for the new rich people, those who are self made and are enjoying the thrill of money by investing the money into shallow things, without any real sophistication. He also described East Egg of being sophisticated, privileged, and aristocratic. West Egg, where Nick stays is quiet different from Nick himself, Nick comes from a privileged family, graduated from Yale, and had many connections on East Egg. Despite of all the sophistication of the East Egg, Nick found otherwise when he met his cousin Daisy. Tom, Daisy's husband is a arrogant, dishonest and a racist, he openly carried out a outside relationship with another woman. Not to my surprise, Daisy turns out to be quiet shallow, and dumb. To me Daisy tries to hard to be wise and sophisticated, and self-loved, she think women live best as beautiful fools. Tom and Daisy are a perfect example of the rich Americans who are too bored, too selfish, and too rich.

To contrast with the Eggs, the Valley Of Ashes symbolizes the horrible, and the poverty. The valley is half way between West Egg and New York, made up of industrial dumping and symbolizes the by-product of modern industrialization and capitalism. New York City, where Nick prepares to do bond business in is described by him as loud, glamorous, and fascinating. All the dazzling of the most amazing surfacy things seem to lack a strong moral system. Even to Nick's surprise, Tom's affair with his mistress doesn't seem to bother him very much.

The Great Gatsby so far has given me a feeling of cynicalness, and a very raw picture of human nature.