Paintball: Promoter of Violence or Healthy fun?

For class I read: Paintball: Promoter of Violence or Healthy fun? by Ross Taylor. Page 404

Let me start off by saying I thought this paper was written really well. Also I agree completely with what he's saying. Paintball is a very good sport to increase team building and decrease stress. And it's just down right fun to play. If I had enough money to build my own paintball gun I would, then I would be playing as often as I could. Unfortunately the simple fact of the matter is that no matter what activity you talk about there is always going to be people out there that disagree with it and think it's bad.   

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO GO ORGANIC?

For class I read: HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO GO ORGANIC? by Kerri Ann Matsumoto. Page 231

WOW! I had no idea eating organic foods would be so much more expensive than eating regular foods. According to Matsumoto's research it would be a little under 2 times the price! I wish we lived in a world where organic foods didn't have to be so expensive. It would benefit everyone to eat healthier then we do now. For example when you thing of America you don't thing a leader in growing organic foods, you think fast food and obesity. We would all be better off if everyone ate more organic things.   

How Do Online Social Networks Affect Communication?

For class I read: How Do Online Social Networks Affect Communication? by: James Gardiner

 I have always been a big fan of Facebook. So when I read the negative things the author was talking about in this article it caught me slightly off guard. I was very surprised to hear he had never used Facebook, and yet he was writing a research paper on how it could possibly have negative affects on communication between teenagers and college students. Maybe he should have researched better by creating a profile and seeing what he thinks of it. However I agree with some of the statistics he found, I know a great number of people that log on frequently to Facebook. Also I have experienced this "Facebook trance" to the point that I stay on for a great deal of time. But I still think Facebook is an invaluable tool to keep in contact with close friends. Without online social networks it would be a lot harder to stay in touch with people. I also agree with the Article he found by Graham Bowley. That "online social networks have become a vital space for young people to express themselves and build their personal identities". I look at it as just another part of growing up in this world.  

Muslim Americans: Middle Class and Mostly Mainstream

For class I read Muslim Americans: Middle Class and Mostly Mainstream  Page 228-229

 I found this interesting because this was not the type of reading we usually do. Instead of a story to entertain or get a point across, this was just about the facts, like a report. However according to the facts I was surprised to learn that we have so many Muslims living in the United States. They seem to being doing fine living in the United States. Adopting our way of life, outlooks, values and attitudes. I can also see where they would be having problems getting Americans to accept them since the attack on the world trade center on 911. Nevertheless they seem to still be thriving just fine amongst us. 

Living Like Weasels

For class I read Living Like Weasels by Annie Dillard

This reading was full of rich words and excellent description, The way the author words everything painted a mental picture for me, and although at times I didn't fully understand what they were saying it was a great piece of descriptive reading. The main point the author had was to pick that one necessity in life and to grasp and hold on to it as tightly as possible like the way a weasel does when its getting a meal.

Phantom limb pain

For class I read Phantom Limb Pain by Kris Saknussemm page 165-166

I didn't play much sports while I was growing up so I'm not sure I know what it feels like to be that determined to be the best athlete. This kid knew what he wanted more than anything else and he was determined enough to work towards it every day. However when Miller got in the crash he somehow felt like it was his fault, He seems to look up to Miller in a way. And then in the last paragraph when Miller complimented him on how he plays that was like the ultimate moment to him. Finally a conclusion to his nightmares and the fact that he felt it was his fault. 

No Cats in America?

For class I read No Cats in America by Patrick Jose page 167-168

This is an interesting story comparing how an immigrant might feel about moving to America and how hard it actually is. Like the author I saw that movie as a boy, but to me it was just entertaining and didn't mean anything seeing as how I already lived in America. I now understand it represented the American dream at the time, to move to America and start a new life and a better future. However it isn't all that easy over here either, years ago there wasn't as much ethnic diversity as there is now making it hard for people that immigrated here to fit in with a culture that doesn't understand their own. But ultimately in the end a life here in America would mean a way better future then whatever country they came from.