Response to Mazer

Okay, so I’m not really sure how I feel about this reading. There were times that it was really interesting and then times where I just completely could not pay attention. I also have to admit that I didn’t really read the entire thing because it was a little boring. Anyways, I don’t want to say that I hated the reading, but it was one of the best.

I don’t really think that the things the Power team does really have anything to do with God. I just think everything that the Power Team does takes away from Christianity and from the Church. I couldn’t imagine them coming to my church and the people around me enjoying it for any other reason than to watch strong men break things. It mentions a lot of the time throughout the reading that the Power Team would put on performances, almost like shows, for the people. They claimed that it was bring to people into the church so that they can get closer to god. Well, personally I don’t think this is going to get them closer to God. I would have to disagree with the whole videotaping and broadcasting aspect of this “Power Team” and their performances. To me, I think that the connection that a person has with God is really in oneself. Usually if you are someone who prays or what not, you do that alone; it stays between you and God. You don’t have to “broadcast” to other people that you believe in God or that you pray.

The perfect example I can give you to understand what I mean is sacrificing during Lent. People think that you have to go out and tell everyone specifically what you were fasting on or sacrificing this time to make it real. I believe this is something that doesn’t need to be shouted out to everyone, it is shared between you and God. You’re not supposed to try and show off for other people saying that you are “doing this for God” and I think that is basically what the Power Team is doing. They are showing off their muscles and how strong they can be and claiming that it is “for God” or for people to come out and get closer to God, I’m sorry but I smell bullshit.

Also, when they started talking about how they went to schools and just miraculously changed how the students were. For example, people who thought of committing suicide just now totally and completely changed their minds. I’m sorry, I’m NOT suicidal by ANY means ( I love my life J ) but if I were, something tells me that men showing me they can break a pair of handcuffs isn’t going to change my mind.

As I was reading the article I noticed that even though I’m not really a fan of what the Power Team was doing, people seemed to really enjoy this stuff. It talks about how a lot of people were waiting in line to get in to see this performance. It also was talking about how everyone was wearing t-shirts and trying to look like the muscle me and so on. To me, it kind of seems like these people are just going to watch what these men can do. They are shocked at how strong some people can be, and they want to watch men break rocks or whatever. I just don’t really think that these people are thinking about god while they are there, they are just watching the men brag.

The only way I can see it relating to God is when they talk about how their strength comes from God. Okay, I’ll give you that one. The thought of God is giving you the willpower to be strong, whatever. And I will have to say that the only thing I really liked about this reading is the handcuff part where the break the chains of the devil. I didn’t know that before you became Christian, the devil could put you in chains, linking you to him. So, it’s like they were symbolizing the fact that they were going to break away from the devil and go to God.

A Plague of Tics

This short story was definitely my favorite thing to read in this whole class. It was interesting all the way through, and pretty funny. I really enjoyed the way the author wrote. This story was about a boy who had OCD. It started out with him in school and the teacher complaining about his tics. He always licked the light switches and tapped himself on the head with his shoe. He was being disruptive all the time and she was getting annoyed so she set up a meeting with the boy’s mother. The funny part is, this teacher wasn’t the only one who requested a meaning. Throughout the story, it talks about the mother and her meetings with every teacher the boy ever had!

                The most interesting parts of the story are when the boy tells us what goes through his mind. How he counts the steps he takes walking home from school and how he HAS to lick the neighbors mailbox in passing. This to me is hilarious, but it also has to suck that you just HAVE to do these things or it’ll drive you crazy. The boy says that he hates his mind. So obviously he wants to stop his tics and doesn’t want to have to keep doing all these ridiculous things, but cannot stop himself; he has no control over it.

The boy’s mother knows just exactly how she is and I’m guessing she figured there was nothing else she could do about it so she just deals with it. She seemed to maybe drink her problems away because during every meeting with her son’s teachers she was drinking and asked them for a drink. Whenever they talked about her son, she drank. (from what it seemed)

Something I noticed was when the mother told her son’s teacher that her husband keeps everything and doesn’t throw anything away. So, not only does the son have a problem but the dad is probably a hoarder! Anyways, the dad tries to threaten the boy with violence so he will stop his tics. I don’t think he really understands that the boy doesn’t really have control over it. A funny part was when the dad and son were driving in the car and the dad purposely slams on the breaks to try and get the boy to stop putting his nose up against the window. The son hits his nose and gets a nose bleed. He then becomes addicted to the pain.

The boy was always addicted to something and he felt he had NO choice but to just do it. I would hate that feeling. Having to always be touching or licking something when I walked by and driving myself crazy if I didn’t. I think it would have to be really annoying. I wouldn’t want to go out in public because I would be embarrassed. I do have somewhat of an OCD, but not anywhere near as serious as his. I have to shake everything before I drink  or eat it. (things in bags or boxes or bottles, ect.) Like, I have to shake my water bottle before opening it and again before I drink it. When people don’t shake their drinks or something in front of me I get really disgusted and REALLY angry at them. But it is controllable, I’m not licking everything in sight, thank god! Haha

It was funny reading about when he went to college. He wanted to get rid of his roommate so bad, the first thought that came to my mind was he’s weird, and probably weird enough to kill him! But, he didn’t. I also liked how it ended. The boy turned to cigarettes which became his new addiction. I think this made him feel better because cigarettes just do and because he always had something to do with his hands.  I used to smoke, I quit also J but I do know about the hand thing. To help quit people use dumb dumb lollypops so they’re doing something with they’re hands. Maybe the boy can do that since its way more healthier than a cigarette! Who knows. All in all the story was great!!

5th Blog Post

I am writing my research paper for my English 202 class on Indoor tanning addictions and how harmful they are to your body. I don’t think people really understand how harmful indoor tanning is, and the number of people using them continues to rise. Honestly, tanning doesn’t “look” harmful, but it is indeed very dangerous. Scientists and Doctors are now telling the world that they believe indoor tanning is one major cause of skin cancer. So, the major question that I would like to answer in my research paper is: Is indoor tanning really worth it? Do the results of indoor tanning outweigh the risks? Is having this addiction of tanning really all that serious? If there is evidence to prove that using UV lighting is harmful and can cause skin cancer, why isn’t that enough to get through people’s heads?

I really am not sure how to write a thesis statement. I never really had to do this before. I’ve death a little with it last year, but I feel they weren’t really looked at or graded much like they were supposed to be. So, here is a shot at writing my working thesis statement. (which will probably need to be edited very much) “Tanning addictions can be extremely harmful to a person’s body. Yes every woman wants to look beautiful and feel relaxed while doing it, but is altering your appearance really worth the lifelong consequences of cancer.”

From reading some of the articles that I picked on line, using EBSCOhost, I think I have a good bit of knowledge on my topic. The information that I know is more general knowledge. I personally think that if you are someone that tans on occasion, maybe for to get a quick base for the beach or for the prom, it isn’t a very bad thing. I do understand that it is harmful to my body, that’s why I don’t go everyday all year round; I just think for other people, they don’t understand the risks. Tanning has many dangerous side effects such as damaging your eyes and skin from the UV rays. Tanning beds are also now one of the biggest causes of skin cancer, especially Melanoma. Women that tan everyday tend to have a more orange base skin color instead of a golden brown tan; which I would love to tell women that it isn’t attractive so please stop! When you get older your skin will most likely look like leather and will be wrinkled. Another thing, it is said that tanning in an indoor tanning bed will also cause the look of aging. I think some women believe that tanning will make them look prettier, younger, and skinnier. Actually, I know women believe that because I have heard friends of mine saying it several times: “I want to go tanning before the summer starts. I’ll look a little skinnier and better in my bikini.” Maybe this is true, but what I know for a fact that is true, is that if they are tanning everyday for too long, they are going to raise their chances of getting cancer.

Since the information I know about tanning is more general, I need to find out the real facts of indoor tanning and linking it to cancer. I need to make sure that there is enough evidence to back up my argument; that indoor tanning really isn’t worth cancer. I think that I need to find more information based on the addiction concept involving tanning. I have a lot on the risks and the outcomes of tanning, I would like to know more about the addiction aspect. Also, I have found an article that talks about indoor tanning addictions and how people who have the addiction may have anxiety and substance abuse. I need to research this more to get enough information for my paper. I also need to research about how tanning portrays the media. Women think if they aren’t tan they aren’t beautiful, and so on. This is mainly because of the media and what other women are doing today. So, I will need to research more on this topic so I can include it in my research paper. Lastly, I want to research tanning and the costs. I know it is very expensive, so I would like to know how much a person with the addiction may spend on just tanning.

I can’t think of that many arguments that oppose my topic. I think the main one would probably be that tanning is relaxing. Yes, I would agree that tanning is relaxing. You lay in the tanning bed for, on average, 15 minutes. During that 15 minutes you can just lay and think, listen to music, maybe even nap; hopefully if it turns off itself. But, to argue, I still think there are other ways to relax that don’t have cancer risks. Maybe another would be that women who aren’t tan aren’t as pretty as other tan women. (I’ll have to think more about this)

One source that I found would be very helpful to my research was:

1.       Mann, Denise. “Indoor Tanning Addiction Linked to Anxiety, Drug Abuse.” Skin Problems and Treatments Health Center. WebMD., 19 Apr. 2010. Web. 3 March 2011.

This webpage talks about how tanning addictions are linked to drug abuse and also anxiety. This is a good article for me to use.

Another good source is a scholarly, peer-reviewed journal that I got from EBSCOhost:

2.       Woo, Denise & Eide, Melody. “Tanning beds, skin cancer, and vitamin D: an examination of the scientific evidence and public health implications.” Dermatologic Therapy 23.1 (2010) : 61-71. Web. 3 March 2011.

This article will be very helpful to me because it talks about how people think they are getting the amount of vitamin D they are supposed to from UV rays by tanning. Also, it talks about how skin cancer is the most common types, indoor tanning is one of the fastest going industries we have today, the types of equipment, and so on. It will be very helpful for me towards my research.

"Ha ha," he said. "Ha ha."

I never really thought of laughing tracks until reading this article. Klosterman is really against laughing tracks and thinks they are the stupidest things we have created. He says that the purpose of the laughing track is to cover up poor writing. He also thinks that laughing tracks program us to think something is funny just because other people are laughing. I agree and disagree with the author. I don’t think that they are the dumbest things we have created for television because I sometimes enjoy the laughing tracks. I don’t really mind them. On the other hand, I do agree that laughing tracks try to cover up bad writing. Something’s that are said on sitcoms are so stupid but yet they still have the audience laughing.

Also, I do think that maybe things are funnier to me because other people are laughing in the background. When you’re having a conversation with someone and they say something that you don’t think is funny, but someone else laughs, you most likely will find yourself laughing too. While I’m watching movies, if someone laughs at a part, I usually do too, even if I don’t understand the joke or don’t particularly think it was funny. Klosterman also had said this in his article when he was talking about a foreign movie with subtitles. There will be people that laugh in the audience at a joke that doesn’t translate just because they want to show off or make other people think that they understood the joke, even if they have no clue. I thought this was funny because I see myself doing this. When I watch a comedy with friends and a joke is said that everyone else understands and laughs but me, I join in and laugh pretending that I understood the joke too.

I also agree with another thing that Klosterman says. He says that sitcoms aren’t always funny, but they are in the “form of funny”. We aren’t stupid people and we can tell the difference between comedy and non funny things, but we don’t have to laugh at the funny things because the laughing track already does it for us. This tends to make us laugh at things that aren’t really funny. I think this happens to some people because in their head they know they are watching a “comedy” so they “should” be laughing. But if the laughing track is doing it for them at the actual funny parts, then during non funny parts they will laugh just so they are laughing.

One of the best things, I thought, that Klosterman pointed out in the article was about non-famous comedians. He says, “The only thing people in New York won’t laugh at are infamous stand-up comedians; we really despise those motherfuckers, for some reason.” I agree with him 100 percent. When you hear from other people that a “so and so” stand-up comedian is funny, you’ll want to watch them, and your reaction usually is that you think he/she is funny too. When you’re watching comedy central and one of your favorites come on, for example, Katt Williams. I laugh pretty much the whole time, but then when they have someone come on after him that I never heard of before I automatically think they suck and turn off the station. I don’t even give the comedian a chance just because I haven’t heard of him before. So what he is saying is true. We hate the infamous people for “some reason”; basically because we don’t know who they are, and don’t give them 2 minutes to even listen to their jokes.

Technology Good or Bad?

     Well, I really suck at picking research paper topics especially when it can’t be a “hot topic”. So, since I’m not really that creative I decided to just pick Technology; is it good or bad? I did become really interested in the topic while reading some of the materials for my English class and also during the debate we had. I am someone who uses technology every day and I love it. I want to talk about all kinds of technology in my paper for example: cell phones, computers, video games, technology in the class room, ipods, etc. I just want to know if these products are really bad for us or are they helping us get smarter? Also, are video games tied to obesity in children. It seems to me that kinds aren’t engaging in physical activity outside like they used to. Another thing I would like to research is America too dependent on technology? Is there less social interaction between people now because of technology? These are just some interesting points that I would like to research and write about in my paper!

Annotated Bibliography

Brozo, W. (2009). Response to Intervention or Responsive Instruction? Challenges and possibilities of Response to Intervention for adolescent literacy. Journal of Adolescent & Adult Literacy, 53(4):277-281.

The author of this article basically talks about middle and high school students that are having difficulties with reading. Most of the students are in need of literacy support. The article gives many statistics letting us understand that earlier schoolings are not providing the students with the literacy skills they need for college, future jobs, and so on. Because of the students' being under the proficient level, schools are being pressured to find ways that will improve the students' reading skills. The article tells us about RTI, which means Response to Intervention. It involves three main concepts that are described throughout the text. It also talks about if the interventions are for each student and if they are really going to be effected or not. Towards the end, it is telling us that if the student's are still having difficulties with the reading after the interventions were brought forward, then the problem isn't with the interventions; assuming that it is while the child.

Reaction to Attached to Technology and Paying a Price

So, I was asked to write a reflection after reading an article online about technology called, "Attached to Technology and Paying a Price". This article was about a man and how is life completely changed, I think for the bad, after he was exposed to technology. I do agree with this article and don't. I think that technology has changed our lives greatly for both the good and the bad. I also agree that it does change the way we think and behave. There are somethings that we can now do that we couldn't have done without technology. On the other hand, people are becoming addicted to things like their cell phones and Ipods that they are pretty much cutting themselves from the world.

The problem with technology is that it's so addicting. First they made computers and telephones for people's homes and now everything has modernized to a point where you can take almost any electronic device out of your home and use it everywhere. (cell phones, laptops, Ipods, Ipads, you name it..) I just got a new cell phone for Christmas called the Droid Pro. It honestly is like a mini computer. I can do whatever I want to do on this thing. They recently came out with the new Kindles, where you can read books electronically; well there is an application that I can get on my cell phone that acts exactly like a Kindle! I also have access to the internet everywhere I go, which is good and bad. I can check my emails if I need to during the school day and don't have a computer. On the other hand, I always find myself on Facebook or texting in class. Take Mr. Campbell from the article for example. Technology was taking over his life to such an extent that he was losing relationships with his family members. When they went on vacation, one night they were all sitting in the same room together on their own devices. How is that spending quality time with your family on vacation? VACATION, you're supposed to be taking off from work and having a good time, aren't you?!

I don't think that everyone gets addicted to technology. Now me, I am. When I was just online to write this response, when I got stuck and didn't know what to write I went to check my E-mail. (praying for a school cancellation tomorrow!) I also then went and changed my Facebook and did some chatting. I just can't do something without checking something online or even just texting. I constantly have my phone on me and believe a little bit that I will "die without it". It's just that, yes, I am addicted, but I know how to spend time with my family and I know how to prevent technology from completely taking over my life. I still have fun out doors and do other things, not just sit and write emails and texts all day. So, I think that this is a very controversial subject; which I will enjoy listening to what people have to say in our debate tomorrow morning in class! Well, that's all for now. Bye!

Hello, Everyone!

Hey Guys! My English professor had asked my class to set up a Blogger account. Now, this isn't the first time that I have used Blogger. I did a couple times in 10th grade however, I don't remember how to at all so I guess you can say I'm new to it all again! I'll start off by letting everyone know a little bit about myself:

My name is Shannon Goodman. I am 20 years old. I am currently a Sophomore at Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP), majoring in Early Childhood and Special Education. I'm from a small town in Pennsylvania called Mahanoy City. Usually, when I tell my classmates where I am from, NO-ONE seems to have ever heard of it. I'm okay with that though, I like being in a small town.
In my free time I love to spend time with my family and friends. Family is the number one most important thing in life to me! I live four hours away from home so it gets hard being away for so long and not being able to see them. I live with both my mother and father and my older sister Megan and younger brother Neal. My older sister is hands down my life long best friend. I don't know what I would do without her! I also enjoy playing basketball and volleyball in my spare time. I played both in high school and actually was second in my league for the most 3 pointers my Senior Year! Other things I do in my spare time are read and watch movies; especially The twilight series and Despicable Me! Hmm, what else. I'm usually really loud and obnoxious, especially when I'm with my friends, and I was always known as "the fun girl". For some reason that goes out the window when I step into the classroom; I become the most shy person on the Earth. Oh well, I think that's enough about me, I'm sure you'll be hearing from me soon! :) Bye!