Q2 Outside Reading #2

In the Beginning of this memoir we see that Sean Wilsey lives a privilege life but in one day all of that would be nothing but a memory. Now after his parents divorce Sean is feeling responsible and recalls; “ we go into her bedroom and watch T. V. I sleep in her bed that night, making sure she doesn’t change her mind. Somehow, I realize the next morning, over the course of the night responsibility for her life has been given to me. From now on I must save her from killing herself; ad I must save myself by saving her with my love, but also by never getting too close and saving/being myself with sarcasm. And this paradox rules my life, every other week” ( Wilsey 102). Sean is feeling the burden of the divorce, he feels like the responsibility of his mother was given to him with no questions asked. It is fascinating and saddening to read about this double-sided life. I also find it interesting that while Sean’s family was exceptionally rich they were also generous; “ when she was married to dad she was profligate in her generosity, regularly making outrageous gestures of kindness, such as adopting an entire Appalachian school” ( Wilsey 103). Through his writing we find that Sean was favorable/ biased to his mother he would always talk about her in generous and ardent hearted ways. I am excited to keep reading and find out what else Sean ha in store. 

Wisley, Sean. Oh The Glory Of It All. New York, NY : Penguin Books, 2006.

Outside Reading Post 1

The Book I am reading is a memoir of Sean Wilsey, a young man who grows up with a movie star mom and wealthy father. Together they live in a marble and glass penthouse eight hundred feet above San Francisco. Life is not a fairytale for Sean, his father and mother file for divorce when Sean’s father falls in love with his wife’s best friend. This memoir shows how Sean survived with his family falling apart right in front of him.

         Sean grew up, for the time being, in a safe comfortable and fortunate family lifestyle. Sean seemed to be involved and observational into what his parent’s life was like, unfortunately one doesn’t read much (so far) about his life. Next we have Sean’s’ mother whom he describes as: “ impossible to overstate her grandeur, haughty, joyful, generous, suffering”(Wilsey 15). Then there is Alfred Spalding Wilsey his father; we find that even Sean’s father’s father was divorced. My guess is that like most Hollywood couples now days, people never stayed together for a long period of time. Right in the beginning of the memoir we find Sean’s parents to have divorced and why. A theme that may be portrayed is nothing lasts forever.  

 Wisley, Sean. Oh The Glory Of It All. New York, NY : Penguin Books, 2006.

Should Homer be considered an early feminist or an old-fashioned sexist?

 Homer’s treatment of women in the novel The Iliad would appear sexist, but in the period at which this novel was written, Homer was a feminist. The fact that he gave power to the goddesses; Athena, Hera and Aphrodite was a major stepping-stone in this period. Although the goddesses often appear sneaky, the fact that they can get away with such schemes also proves that home disguised women as being clever. Not only in the Iliad did Homer show his feminists views but also in The Odyssey.  Home distinctively shows his point of view through the characters Penelope and the nymph Calypso, a temptress. Being a women with no husband and a son to look after, Penelope maintains a high level of social class. This was how homer portrayed the “independent woman.” In The Odyssey. Homer shows his point of view through the nymph Calypso, a temptress who has captured Odysseus. As Hermes sets Calypso into rage by demanding Odysseus. She begins to quibble with the fact of the Gods being sexist. Homer is giving the reader the opinion of a woman, something not sought after in his time.

To us Homer’s writing may appear sexists, but we must look deeper, we must see at the point inn time at which he wrote this novel. Homer was anything but sexists, he was complementary. 

First post Poll: Obama Maintains Comfortable Lead

With less than one week until Election Day, Barack Obama maintains a clear lead over John McCain in the presidential race. Although the figures include both heavy  supporters of each candidate and those not fully committed. The idea of politics in general reminds me of the politics in The novel the Iliad. the entire novel was of The Great Odysseus and his journey home. Along his way home his pride got the best of him. It was as if he was selling himself to the people he passed i.e. a politician. Odysseus also feels comfortable in his power and majestically. 

"Poll: Obama Maintains Comfortable Lead." CBS News Oct. 30 2008 2. 30 Oct 2008 .

Maker of known steroid masking agent halts sales

The lengths people will go, Minnesota Viking players using weight-loss supplements and steroids to improve their game. Bumetanide was recently added to the NFL's list of banned substances as a known masker of steroid use. Pat Williams and Kevin Williams were named in a Fox Sports story as players who could face four-game suspensions. The use of steroids has always been a concern in the NFL. Players being found year after year to be using steroids or anything to win glory and honor from their team and coaches. As I read this article I thought of the men in the Iliad  and the way they would risk anything in order to win honor and glory. The things people will do ?!

"Maker of known steroid masking agent halts sales"  Star Tribune. 9 October 2008. startribune.com 30 October 2008

Third outside reading: Film review

HSM 3, High School Musical 3, everyone’s talking! Teen heartthrob Zac Efron stars as Troy, alongside Gabriella (Vanessa Hudgens) in the third High School Musical, surprise, surprise. Senior Year' focuses on the struggles of being a senior while juggling a girlfriend, the musical and a potential Stanford basketball scholarship. Troy’s dad is pressuring him to pursue sports at his hometown alma mater, but Juilliard beckons with a performing arts scholarship. The only way to resolve these conflicts is with nonstop songs and dance.  If you’re yearning for some good old fashioned fun go and see High School Musical!

Covert, Colin. "Movie review: 'High School Musical 3': Older, but not growing up." Star Tribune.1October 24 2008. 1. 29 Oct 2008. <http://www.startribune.com/entertainment/movies/33042159.html?elr=KArksD:aDyaEP:kD:aUnc5PDiUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aULPQL7PQLanchO7DiU.>

Visual literacy Outside Reading (fourth Outside Reading)

Staff Sgt. Michael Rodriguez (bottom) took cover from the “downdraft” as a large load of mail sent to soldiers killed or wounded in recent action.  The low angle at which this photograph was taken, gives one a perspective of the reoccurring scenery in Afghanistan. As a student, one tends to forget about the men and women fighting in Afghanistan. Not only do we forget about their fighting but also the long-term effects the war can have on a persons mind and heart. The fact that most families will not receive the notice of a family members death for months at a time is slightly disturbing. I chose this image was the fact that Veterans Day is around the corner. Although people are reminded of this day in school, calendars and work I do not think one takes the time to think about it, so here’s a reminder.

John Moore. "Pictures of the Day Oct. 28." 28 Oct. 2008 28 Oct 2008.