The Soloist - Final Post

Although it seems like we have been reading this book forever, I enjoyed it very much. This novel taught me a lesson on how to always help others who need help and can benefit from you. What made this book very interesting to me was that it was a true story that told much detail about Nathaniel Ayers life. Many need to realize that these two are very good friends and can rely on each for mostly anything.
If I could meet Steve Lopez today, I most likely want to know how he had the patience to deal with Nathaniel and how can he stay on this certain topic for so long. I give him much credit for doing this and taking this situation beyond the articles. Today, you see many columnist who just write about topics just for money, and do not want to go the "extra mile." For example, when the fight occurred between the two, Lopez could have walked away and left Nathaniel on the street and not care about him anymore. To me its seems as though this fight just led to a better relationship between the two. As for Nathaniel, I think he also learned a lesson throughout the novel that he can benefit from.
In conclusion, I really like this book and would not mind reading another book like this again. Im glad we can all refer to this novel and even see how we can benefit people in life.

The Soloist

Throughout these finial chapters, I really come to think that Steve Lopez loves Nathaniel and tries to do every little thing he can for him. He tries to get him clothing, a house, food, and even some time in the spotlight. He wants Nathaniel to move into Skid Row and take advantage of the opportunity to have a home. Sadly, Nathaniel does not want to move in there and just wants to live on the street and play his violin.
Second, I am very happy that Lopez took it upon himself to go up to Nathaniel and even try to help him. In today's society no one would ever think twice to go up and help a homeless. As we can all see these two men have changed their lives due to each others help. I'm glad that Nathaniel and Lopez have become close and can rely on one another.
Third, many of us have different views on these two men and how they respond to one another in different ways. In my opinion, I think it is wonderful that Lopez takes care of Nathaniel. Its almost like giving back to a community except its human beings. As for the " rich" they often view this as a disgrace, asking " Why does a man want to help a little scrawny dirty man?" who is poor. Actually, this is what our world needs, everyone needs to lend a helping hand so that we can all make this place a little better!
In conclusion, I am very happy how this book went and I am glad we had to read this.

The Soloist-Chapters 7-12

Through chapters seven and twelve Lopez seems to change by asking many questions about Nathaniel and learning about where he stays now which is Skid Row. He wanders why this place is so crummy and has so many drug abusers which can always harm someone. Lopez describes how there is a horrible area in Los Angeles, but then right down the street there is Disney Hall. Lopez just does not understand how this could be and has some questions.
First, I agree with Lopez, Nathaniel's Skid Row is very disgraceful and he does not deserve to live there. Nathaniel is a very talented human being and does not need to be brought down anymore then what he is now. Nathaniel should have his own place on which he can rely on to sleep and play his music each and every day. Although he deals from a severe mental problem he still should be classified as a regular man.
As fore, my city is much alike Los Angeles or the Skid Row area. We have a Center City area and City Hall, but then right around the corner there is a terrible neighborhood that seems to suffer from terrible poverty. It seems to me almost every major city has an area in their city like this. Lopez questions this and in one article we read in class he wants to know why cities spend so much money on sports events and not on our young students at schools or our economy. In my opinion, I agree with Lopez and want to help young men and women like Nathaniel and make sure they get off on the right track.
In conclusion, I like how this story is progressing and hope it has a good ending.

The Soloist

After reading the first six chapters of this novel I am very surprised on how well this story is. In my opinion, I thought it was just going to be about a homeless man who plays a boring instrument and has a mental problem, but I was very wrong. After reading each chapter I am getting anxious to move on and learn much more about Nathaniel and his relationship with Mr. Lopez.
First, what caught my attention the most was how much Lopez cares for Nathaniel and how he tries to get old friends to make contact with him. Even though Nathaniel has a mental disorder and sometimes goes off, he still shows a caring love for Lopez. Lopez shows much sympathy toward Nathaniel, trying to find him a home and collecting like-new instruments so that he does not have to play that "beat up toy."
Second, being a boy who plays an instrument, I understand how important music is the Nathaniel. Nathaniel went to one of the best music schools in the country and made himself a wonderful musician. Sadly, he could not benefit from his talent due to his mental case. Hopefully, Lopez will find a way to get Nathaniel successful and get him off the streets. In my opinion, I am very proud that Nathaniel still plays his instrument's even though he has a problem and cannot control it.
In conclusion, I am very anxious to find out how Nathaniel and Lopez's lives go on now that they are friends and can almost trust one another. Hopefully, Lopez will treat this man like a family member and find him a place to express his talent to make money and a place he can lay his head at night.

Catcher in the Rye

The main character in this novel is Holden Caulfield, a very judgemental teen who has seen way to much for his age. He has flunked out of many school's and criticizes people who are boring, insecure, and most of all "phony." To me is seems as though Holden is very unhappy with his life and does not make an effort to try and change it. He always worries about how other people act, but never wants to meet new people and start new friendships.
As the book progresses it seems as though Holden tries to show some maturity. He wants to move away from his sister almost showing that he does not need help anymore. While I was reading this I wandered how Holden would survive since he didn't like anyone or want to meet new people. Phoebe offers Holden her Christmas money, but he does not want to accept it. This I believe helps Holden reach adulthood and mature. Hopefully, he will realize that the idea of being fake and sneaky does not come with adulthood,but that it comes with personality. Hopefully, Holden will learn that there are many good people in the world and that they are always willing to help make the world a better place.
In conclusion, I think Holden has learned about "respect" to others and how to treat people. This young kid should change his life and make it better for himself as well as his sister. Life is all about changing and it is not to late for him to change!


I would like my post to be graded on the sentence structure and how I can better my sentences.

The Death of a Salesmen

After reading " Death of a Salesmen," I came to think that this play can relate to " The Great Gatsby" in some way. They both seemed to be set in a era where times were very hard to survive and money was the key role in everyone's life.
First, the main character Willy always wanted to have a nice family and care for his kids in the best way he can. He always thought money was the key to solve everyone's problems. Sadly, for Willy he tried so hard but it just never fully worked out for him. His house was a mess and he had affairs with other women.
Second, to tie this play in with " The Great Gatsby," Gatsby was very rich, but never fully reached his goal. This reminds me of Willy and his younger son Biff. Willy held high expectations for Biff and always wanted him to strive for excellence until one day he just gave up. Biff always seemed to wanting to take the short way out of things and not wanting to go that extra mile.
Third, the author's of this book and play seem to be very similar. In my opinion, I believe these writers may have been affected by this economic at this time or even lived a life like Willy and Gatsby. They both seem to have much relation and almost seem that one can elaborate better on that certain topic then the other. Its like the experience level was very high. Although, they were different in different ways they both were very good pieces.
In conclusion, I believe that " The Great Gatsby" and " Death of a Salesmen" were very good and I wouldn't mind reading a piece like these again in the future. They sent out a message and left the reader wanting to set straight life ahead of them.

Blogger Blogger!

Although " Google Groups" was a good place to post work, I believe that "Blogger" is much better. As a student " Blogger" has helped me as a writer in many ways, such as the ability to comment on your peers work. This helps me spot errors that others seen or even how good it might have been. This website also helps me get use to the future of doing homework and many other assignments. Submitting writing has me reading much more longer pieces that my friends wrote that maybe I would not have done if it was on paper. This also let me see others thoughts on a specific topic or current event. The feature I like the most is that you can actually have your own profile and member picture. This almost reminds me of a " Facebook."
This experience is very different then many other English classes due to the fact that we always had to write in a journal or a log. The usage of a log was always long and boring. Now that we can post work online I believe it is much more interesting and fun. The communication between 11-1 and 11-2 has not grown. It seems as though we only comment on the people in our class. There is no hatred between the two its just that we rather comment on our close friends. Hopefully, we will start commenting on theirs and have a better relationship.
In conclusion, I really like the idea of " Blogger" and I am glad we changed. Also, I believe you should use this technique for future classes.