This quarter, I want to write about something new. Something that I have never written or thought about. Some things I would improve on my blog posts would be proofreading. I usually always blog, and never look at it again. I will just stop writing after 500 words, sometimes I go over. My current goals as a writer have constantly changed. I like to write about anything I feel like writing about. This week, if this blog weren't assigned, I'd write about Percy Jackson and the Olympians. I read all 5 books. I read the 5th book yesterday. It was an accomplishment for me, I read a book in one day. The ONLY book I read in one day. This quarter, I might write about events happening now, instead of writing about the history of things, or a summary. I want to write about something I have never known before. Also, I write blogs for myself, nobody reads them usually. Except sometimes Elaine or Michelle leave a comment rarely.
Next year, I will be taking 0 Period Current Life Issues, AP U.S. History, AP Environmental Science, AP Calculus AB, Multimedia Art I, Physiology, and English 3. I want to take these AP classes because I really enjoy these subjects. They are my better subjects, except for maybe math. Math has always been easy, well up to 7th grade. Geometry in 8th grade killed my math skills. It challenged me, learning about angles, postulates, theorems, it was hard. I have always had a passion for history. I got really interested in 8th grade, learning about the U.S., the Civil and Revolutionary War. Although, my teacher Ms. Jacob didn't make history that interesting. I even read the history textbook on my own. My freshman year I had Mr. Wilson for Biology. It was the best class ever. I loved that class, and it was so easy. The homework only took 5 minutes, and the worst grade I got on a test was a B. Now that he is teaching Physiology, I really want his class again. He's a great teacher. I want to take APES because I heard it was the easiest AP class to take, although it was because Dr. Griffith wasn't there for half the year. I decided to take Multimedia Art this year because I heard about the budget cuts. I want to take all the electives I want now, before they get shut down. Zero period Current Life Issues is ideal for me, Multimedia Art lasts a whole year. If I were not able to take 0 period, then I would have to cut out an elective. If English were not required, I probably wouldn't take it. I really hate writing during class, or in-class essays. I have already prepared my senior year schedule on Blogger. It's a draft for now, but I plan to post it just because. I like to know what I want to take, and I spent a great deal of time planning. I'm assuming the parcel tax will not pass, and taking all the classes I want will be difficult. I will have to be flexible and may have to take regular classes since Encinal High may be coming to AHS.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
March Monthly Review
Bastard out of Carolina is one of Dorothy Allison's older books about a young girl living with her mom's newly wedded husband. In the book, Bone grows up to be a Boatwright woman, with the abuse of her step-dad. Bone was a gracious girl who could make stories that everybody enjoyed to hear. When her mother gets married, Glen, the step-dad, isn't so great as he seems. He appears very nice, but after a death, he becomes very different. He treats Bone very abusively, and changes her life forever. She is not the sweet girl who could tell great stories, but becomes moody. She doesn't get along with her sister Reese, and ultimately ends up breaking her coccyx from her step-dad's abuse. Bone, however becomes very sad in the end for a certain reason. I have mixed feelings about the book. However, I would recommend this book to an adult audience, as there is lots of cursing, and people can not understand what the author is writing if they are not old enough.
2) For what audience(s) is this book intended, and how can you tell? (In other words, for whom would you recommend this book?)
I would recommend this book to a person who has lived a life in luxury or a rich family to show that everybody does not have a good life. People struggle throughout life constantly. People in Alameda are fortunate to have generally a good life. Virtually, I would recommend this book at anybody to learn about the hardships of Bone. She has endured sexual assault and abuse from her father, saw a girl die in flames, and her mother leaving with her husband to California. Bone has to now live with her Aunt Raylene, because Bone's mother is afraid of Bone hating her. Almost nobody has ever had this experience, and people should know what it's like to be in Bone's situation.
This book is generally focused for young adults. It's a book about a poor family's life, and their daily routines, and their "special" events. Bone's family is not any ordinary family. Bone faces abuse from her step-dad, Reese is a tomboy, and her family is constantly being called poor. This book also contains raping, racism, and a daughter's love for her mother. The book is quite slow in the beginning, but it gets better after the first few chapters. It's sort of like Harry Potter books, slow in the beginning, and gets better when he goes to Hogwarts. Dorothy Allison shows affection, courage, and love in the book Bastard out of Carolina.
One person I would recommend this book to is my dad. He enjoys reading, and collects many books. Reading is one of my family's favorite hobby to do. I don't get why my family likes to read, I hate reading. I recommend this only to my dad because this book contains many sex scenes. (Most of my relatives are girls, and I don't think they'd read it.) Bastard Out of Carolina is a national bestseller, and has been out for over ten years.
3) What are the weaknesses of this book, in your opinion?
One weakness is going back from family, to Glen. A major part of the books is about Glen, a new member to the family that marries Anney, Bone and Reese's mother. Allison repeatedly goes back and forth between family and Glen. It gets confusing and hard to understand. First, they start out talking about family, then Glen raping Bone, family, Glen raped Bone again, family, and then Glen raped Bone for the third time. Finally, Anney (Bone's mother) runs away with Glen. I think it's sort of a bad story line.
Although, some parts of the book were enjoyable. Allison can write a fascinating description of a suicide, Shannon's suicide. She played with a flammable liquid, and basically burned herself alive. She didn't' scream, didn't run, she just stayed in one spot, and died.
Another weakness was just trying to read the book. Usually, when I read a good book, I can read for hours. This book to me was a struggle to get through. Reading about Bone's family isn't as exciting as it seems. The only interesting part I learned about her family was that Auth Ruth dies. I like characters dying, it makes the book better. Aunt Ruth however was not a main character. It was just like "Oh, Aunt Ruth died.", no big deal. She was mentioned, but I just didn't feel sad for the family.
This book had too many characters in it. In the beginning of the book, I got very confused, with the story plot. I had to read it over several times to remember. Only five characters only stood out to me. They were Bone, Reese, Anney, Glen, and Aunt Raylene. There had to be over ten characters in this book. It made me bored of the book, and not want to read it. (I read the book up to the paperclip right before the Lit Circles was due.) If the book had less characters, I might have been more interested. Too many characters just ruins the book, and makes the book hard to read.
8) Pick a character that interested you and write about them in depth.
Glen Waddell, is Anney's second husband. They met in a diner, and have been in love ever since. After two years, Glen and Anney decide to get married. All of a sudden, Anney finds out she is pregnant. When Anney is in labor, the baby comes out stilborn. She is no longer able to have kids. They name the dead baby Glen Junior. Right before Anney gave birth, Glen raped Bone. Right now, she is only about eleven or so. She doesn't even know what's going on, and tells Glen to stop, but he keeps going. Glen appears to be bipolar. He is nice at first, but then ends up raping Bone. When Anney finds out, Glen asks for her forgiveness, saying he loves Bone, and he would never do it again...
Glen sort of disappears for a while until he rapes Bone for the second time. This time, he broke Bone's coccyx. Glen asks for Anney's forgiveness once again, after she finds out that Bone has a broken bone. Glen starts saying things like "Don't trust your grandma." to Bone and Reese. Glen disappears yet again, and Bone go to her relatives.
Glen appears for the last time when he rapes Bone again. This time, Anney walks in while they're doing it. Glen tells them to shoot him, he can't live without Anney. Anney decideds to take back Glen again. But this time, she runs away with him to California or Florida. Anney leaves behind Bone and Reese to their Aunt Raylene.
Glen to my opinion, is bipolar. He acts mean when Anney isn't around, and when Anney catches him having sex with Bone, he asks for her forgiveness. Glen is a horrible man, and I don't get how Anney forgives him. If I were her, I would run away with Bone and Reese and move to a different country. Glen was never the same man after his stillborn child.
2) For what audience(s) is this book intended, and how can you tell? (In other words, for whom would you recommend this book?)
I would recommend this book to a person who has lived a life in luxury or a rich family to show that everybody does not have a good life. People struggle throughout life constantly. People in Alameda are fortunate to have generally a good life. Virtually, I would recommend this book at anybody to learn about the hardships of Bone. She has endured sexual assault and abuse from her father, saw a girl die in flames, and her mother leaving with her husband to California. Bone has to now live with her Aunt Raylene, because Bone's mother is afraid of Bone hating her. Almost nobody has ever had this experience, and people should know what it's like to be in Bone's situation.
This book is generally focused for young adults. It's a book about a poor family's life, and their daily routines, and their "special" events. Bone's family is not any ordinary family. Bone faces abuse from her step-dad, Reese is a tomboy, and her family is constantly being called poor. This book also contains raping, racism, and a daughter's love for her mother. The book is quite slow in the beginning, but it gets better after the first few chapters. It's sort of like Harry Potter books, slow in the beginning, and gets better when he goes to Hogwarts. Dorothy Allison shows affection, courage, and love in the book Bastard out of Carolina.
One person I would recommend this book to is my dad. He enjoys reading, and collects many books. Reading is one of my family's favorite hobby to do. I don't get why my family likes to read, I hate reading. I recommend this only to my dad because this book contains many sex scenes. (Most of my relatives are girls, and I don't think they'd read it.) Bastard Out of Carolina is a national bestseller, and has been out for over ten years.
3) What are the weaknesses of this book, in your opinion?
One weakness is going back from family, to Glen. A major part of the books is about Glen, a new member to the family that marries Anney, Bone and Reese's mother. Allison repeatedly goes back and forth between family and Glen. It gets confusing and hard to understand. First, they start out talking about family, then Glen raping Bone, family, Glen raped Bone again, family, and then Glen raped Bone for the third time. Finally, Anney (Bone's mother) runs away with Glen. I think it's sort of a bad story line.
Although, some parts of the book were enjoyable. Allison can write a fascinating description of a suicide, Shannon's suicide. She played with a flammable liquid, and basically burned herself alive. She didn't' scream, didn't run, she just stayed in one spot, and died.
Another weakness was just trying to read the book. Usually, when I read a good book, I can read for hours. This book to me was a struggle to get through. Reading about Bone's family isn't as exciting as it seems. The only interesting part I learned about her family was that Auth Ruth dies. I like characters dying, it makes the book better. Aunt Ruth however was not a main character. It was just like "Oh, Aunt Ruth died.", no big deal. She was mentioned, but I just didn't feel sad for the family.
This book had too many characters in it. In the beginning of the book, I got very confused, with the story plot. I had to read it over several times to remember. Only five characters only stood out to me. They were Bone, Reese, Anney, Glen, and Aunt Raylene. There had to be over ten characters in this book. It made me bored of the book, and not want to read it. (I read the book up to the paperclip right before the Lit Circles was due.) If the book had less characters, I might have been more interested. Too many characters just ruins the book, and makes the book hard to read.
8) Pick a character that interested you and write about them in depth.
Glen Waddell, is Anney's second husband. They met in a diner, and have been in love ever since. After two years, Glen and Anney decide to get married. All of a sudden, Anney finds out she is pregnant. When Anney is in labor, the baby comes out stilborn. She is no longer able to have kids. They name the dead baby Glen Junior. Right before Anney gave birth, Glen raped Bone. Right now, she is only about eleven or so. She doesn't even know what's going on, and tells Glen to stop, but he keeps going. Glen appears to be bipolar. He is nice at first, but then ends up raping Bone. When Anney finds out, Glen asks for her forgiveness, saying he loves Bone, and he would never do it again...
Glen sort of disappears for a while until he rapes Bone for the second time. This time, he broke Bone's coccyx. Glen asks for Anney's forgiveness once again, after she finds out that Bone has a broken bone. Glen starts saying things like "Don't trust your grandma." to Bone and Reese. Glen disappears yet again, and Bone go to her relatives.
Glen appears for the last time when he rapes Bone again. This time, Anney walks in while they're doing it. Glen tells them to shoot him, he can't live without Anney. Anney decideds to take back Glen again. But this time, she runs away with him to California or Florida. Anney leaves behind Bone and Reese to their Aunt Raylene.
Glen to my opinion, is bipolar. He acts mean when Anney isn't around, and when Anney catches him having sex with Bone, he asks for her forgiveness. Glen is a horrible man, and I don't get how Anney forgives him. If I were her, I would run away with Bone and Reese and move to a different country. Glen was never the same man after his stillborn child.
March Literature Circle Letter #3
This week, I have not annotated the book. I never annotate because I never read the book again. Annotating to me ruins the book's resale value. I hated many parts of this book. They change between Glen and Bone's relatives too much. They rarely talk about Glen after he rapes Bone for the second time. Then, Bone's aunt Raylene finds out that Glen raped her, and then her whole family wants to kill Glen. It turns out her mother knew, but was afraid to tell someone, and if Glen were to find out, then something would happen. When Glen finally comes back, he rapes Bone AGAIN, making it the third time. This time, the mother, Anney, catches them. Anney takes Bone to the car, and Glen follows them saying "Kill me!". But, Bone goes to the hospital, and Anney goes back to Glen. Anney still loves Glen, even though Glen raped her daughter three times. Glen and Anney run away to California or Florida, leaving Bone and Reese with their Aunt Raylene for the rest of their life.
I dislike this part because I think that Bone's mom should of run away from Glen, and continue to support Bone and Reese. Aunt Raylene should have not let Glen and Anney to run away together. I wonder why Anney CHOSE to run away with Glen, than to stay with her children. Doesn't family come first? Why does she care so much about Glen? Can't she find another person to marry? Does she love Glen more than Bone and Reese? I'm also thinking of writing #2, 3, and 8 for my Book Review.
I see no connection in this book to my own life, except for having a big caring family. My grandparents had a lot of children, six in total. In this book, she has 3 aunts and 3 uncles. Her family is very supportive and loving, just like my own. They'll support themselves if they're ever in need.
I dislike this part because I think that Bone's mom should of run away from Glen, and continue to support Bone and Reese. Aunt Raylene should have not let Glen and Anney to run away together. I wonder why Anney CHOSE to run away with Glen, than to stay with her children. Doesn't family come first? Why does she care so much about Glen? Can't she find another person to marry? Does she love Glen more than Bone and Reese? I'm also thinking of writing #2, 3, and 8 for my Book Review.
I see no connection in this book to my own life, except for having a big caring family. My grandparents had a lot of children, six in total. In this book, she has 3 aunts and 3 uncles. Her family is very supportive and loving, just like my own. They'll support themselves if they're ever in need.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
My Very Sad Weekend
This week, the third quarter will finally end. It has been a very long quarter, and seemed to have gone by quickly. When I say quickly, I mean I don't remember what happened. It's sort of like I don't know what happened it went by so quick. This past week, I have been sick, for five days including today. I've had the stomach flu. I actually have no idea how I got it, because my other cousin was sick, but he had coughing and runny nose. I saw him twice, last Monday and Thursday. My cousin is young. five years old, and in Kindergarten.
On Friday, my cold started out with a runny nose. It wasn't that bad at first, but then it got worst as the day progressed. When 5th period was ending, I felt thirsty, and I went to get some water. After five minutes, I was thirsty again. I started getting a fever. I didn't really care because I thought it would go away after I drink some more water. I thought I was just dehydrated. I got home around 3:20 and drank a lot of water. I had to use the bathroom a lot. I started to play this game called Red Stone, which is an MMORPG game that me, Andy, and his cousins play. It's like Maplestory with 3-D graphics, and a lot easier to level up. But around 9, I had to use the bathroom again, and something came out. It starts with a D and comes out your behind. I thought I probably ate too many oily foods today.
I slept, wearing about five layers of t-shirts, two sweatpants, and two pairs of socks. I wanted to get rid of my fever so I could get better. Big mistake. I woke up at 1 A.M. feeling dizzy, and had to use the bathroom. More stuff came out, and I thought ummm again? I took off one sweatpants, three t-shirts, and my socks. It was just too hot. I went to my dad's work room to get water. I drank about a bottle and a half, and went back to sleep. Three hours later, I woke up (at 4). I had to use the bathroom AGAIN. In total, I used the bathroom five times before I actually got up to go downstairs. It was the worst day for me this year. I felt awful, and my fever didn't get better.
On Sunday, I just slept the whole day. I laid downstairs on the couch, watching the TV. I have to say, laying on the couch all day is pretty much boring, especially when it hurts to get up with a stomach cramp when my new computer came from hp.com. It's pretty awesome. (Using it right now.) We customized our computer to have a TV Tuner, with more GB of memory, and a faster processor. I love this new computer, and it's a touchscreen, so I don't have to use the mouse or keyboard. It has bluetooth, a webcam, two microphones, wireless, pretty much a giant computer with many accessories. My old computer is now in the corner of this room, getting dusty. I had that old thing for a long time, 5 or 6 years, I forget.
To sum up, I only have headaches now, and head-rushes. No more bathroom, no more fever. I feel great..., well except for running pacers in P.E. (I feel like I'm dying in that class.) I mean I can run the pacers, it's just that I feel more tired than usual. It's probably because my headaches.
Loveee this computer.
On Friday, my cold started out with a runny nose. It wasn't that bad at first, but then it got worst as the day progressed. When 5th period was ending, I felt thirsty, and I went to get some water. After five minutes, I was thirsty again. I started getting a fever. I didn't really care because I thought it would go away after I drink some more water. I thought I was just dehydrated. I got home around 3:20 and drank a lot of water. I had to use the bathroom a lot. I started to play this game called Red Stone, which is an MMORPG game that me, Andy, and his cousins play. It's like Maplestory with 3-D graphics, and a lot easier to level up. But around 9, I had to use the bathroom again, and something came out. It starts with a D and comes out your behind. I thought I probably ate too many oily foods today.
I slept, wearing about five layers of t-shirts, two sweatpants, and two pairs of socks. I wanted to get rid of my fever so I could get better. Big mistake. I woke up at 1 A.M. feeling dizzy, and had to use the bathroom. More stuff came out, and I thought ummm again? I took off one sweatpants, three t-shirts, and my socks. It was just too hot. I went to my dad's work room to get water. I drank about a bottle and a half, and went back to sleep. Three hours later, I woke up (at 4). I had to use the bathroom AGAIN. In total, I used the bathroom five times before I actually got up to go downstairs. It was the worst day for me this year. I felt awful, and my fever didn't get better.
On Sunday, I just slept the whole day. I laid downstairs on the couch, watching the TV. I have to say, laying on the couch all day is pretty much boring, especially when it hurts to get up with a stomach cramp when my new computer came from hp.com. It's pretty awesome. (Using it right now.) We customized our computer to have a TV Tuner, with more GB of memory, and a faster processor. I love this new computer, and it's a touchscreen, so I don't have to use the mouse or keyboard. It has bluetooth, a webcam, two microphones, wireless, pretty much a giant computer with many accessories. My old computer is now in the corner of this room, getting dusty. I had that old thing for a long time, 5 or 6 years, I forget.
To sum up, I only have headaches now, and head-rushes. No more bathroom, no more fever. I feel great..., well except for running pacers in P.E. (I feel like I'm dying in that class.) I mean I can run the pacers, it's just that I feel more tired than usual. It's probably because my headaches.
Loveee this computer.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
CAHSEE
CAHSEE stands for California High School Exit Exam. It consists of two tests, math, and English. It is given to all 10th graders, and is required to be taken, and passed to graduate high school. For the the Exit Exam, I was stuck in Ms. Wong's/Mr. Joo's/Mr. Hardin's class. First period I had Ms. Wong, and 2nd and 5th I had Mr. Joo. The Exit Exam is just a test on the basic math and English skills needed for life. Everybody basically says it's really easy. Most people don't need the full time period to finish. To study for the Exit Exams, they gave two packets, English and Math. Only people in Geometry got the Math packet I think. The English part of the exam was given on Tuesday, two days ago. It was full of passages with questions at the end of it. I got stuck reading the passages because I was really bored. At the end of the CAHSEE English Exam, there was a questionnaire. It was asking if you studied for the CAHSEE, or if it was too hard to do. After the test, we were allowed to do something quiet, like homework or to read a book. I read my book Percy Jackson: The Titan's Curse a book about Percy Jackson's adventures. He is a half-blood, the son of Poseidon, and half human. After everybody was finished, we got to talk the rest of them time, or play card games. It was actually a really fun day. We had only 6th period to go to. When 6th period came, we went to La Pinata to learn about the culture of the Spanish.
On Wednesday, I took the math part of the Exit Exam. Only people in Geometry got the study guide for the CAHSEE. I think it was because there were some Algebra II problems in the test. The test was during Mr. Joo's 3rd period, and Mr. Hardin's 4th period. We only took like an hour for the whole two parts of the test. It was really easy for our class. Afterwards, we basically did the same thing as the first day of testing. We just played UNO and Deuces for most of the time. It sort of got boring in the end. They kept skipping me or either putting down draw twos. But after a while, I finished second. I read my book for the rest of the time, and played with my iTouch. My book, Percy Jackson: The Titan's Curse was really interesting. A lot more exciting than my other book for English, Bastard out of Carolina. Every night, for the past week, I have been staying up until 11:30 P.M. - 12:30 A.M. reading my book. There are five books to the series, The Lightning Thief, The Sea of Monsters, The Titan's Curse, The Battle of the Labyrinth, and The Last Olympian. I'm currently on the fourth book, and I read the other three books in a week. That was an accomplishment for me, reading three books in a week. I have never read so many books in many years. Except, the Percy Jackson series are children books, which was strange to me since they have so many characters the children would be confused.
On Wednesday, I took the math part of the Exit Exam. Only people in Geometry got the study guide for the CAHSEE. I think it was because there were some Algebra II problems in the test. The test was during Mr. Joo's 3rd period, and Mr. Hardin's 4th period. We only took like an hour for the whole two parts of the test. It was really easy for our class. Afterwards, we basically did the same thing as the first day of testing. We just played UNO and Deuces for most of the time. It sort of got boring in the end. They kept skipping me or either putting down draw twos. But after a while, I finished second. I read my book for the rest of the time, and played with my iTouch. My book, Percy Jackson: The Titan's Curse was really interesting. A lot more exciting than my other book for English, Bastard out of Carolina. Every night, for the past week, I have been staying up until 11:30 P.M. - 12:30 A.M. reading my book. There are five books to the series, The Lightning Thief, The Sea of Monsters, The Titan's Curse, The Battle of the Labyrinth, and The Last Olympian. I'm currently on the fourth book, and I read the other three books in a week. That was an accomplishment for me, reading three books in a week. I have never read so many books in many years. Except, the Percy Jackson series are children books, which was strange to me since they have so many characters the children would be confused.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
March Literature Circle Letter #2
This week, I have read pages 104 to 203. I haven't annotated one page. I don't usually annotate anything because I don't go back and look at them later. I have tried annotating two books, The Hobbit, and Schindler's List. In the first book, I wrote in the book and felt like I ruined the value of the book. In Schindler's List, I used post-its, and there were just too many. If I were to annotate a book, I would just leave a little post-it on that page, reminding myself to look over it. I don't like writing that much.
In these 99 pages, the only part I enjoyed reading was Shannon and Bone getting mad at each other, and making up. Shannon invites Bone to a barbecue, and when Shannon plays with lighter-fluid she starts a fire. She added more fluid, and the lighter-fluid can sputtered and sucked up air. The flame went right back to her, and died. Earlier when they were arguing at the church where they met, Shannon says to Bone "It's colored. It's niggers." She insults Bone's family by saying "...Everybody knows you're all a bunch of drunks and thieves and bastards. Everybody knows you just come round so you can eat off my mama's table and beg scraps we don't want no more. Everybody knows who you are..." Bone replies with "You little shit, you fuck off...You're God's own ugly child and you're gonna be an ugly woman. A lonely, ugly old woman." This is a turning point for Bone, where she turns from an angel to a bitch. I think it's due to her step-father raping her twice now, and broke her coccyx. She now defends herself, and even Reese and her don't get along.
The only question I have is why Reese turned into a tom-boy and argues with Bone a lot now.
In these 99 pages, the only part I enjoyed reading was Shannon and Bone getting mad at each other, and making up. Shannon invites Bone to a barbecue, and when Shannon plays with lighter-fluid she starts a fire. She added more fluid, and the lighter-fluid can sputtered and sucked up air. The flame went right back to her, and died. Earlier when they were arguing at the church where they met, Shannon says to Bone "It's colored. It's niggers." She insults Bone's family by saying "...Everybody knows you're all a bunch of drunks and thieves and bastards. Everybody knows you just come round so you can eat off my mama's table and beg scraps we don't want no more. Everybody knows who you are..." Bone replies with "You little shit, you fuck off...You're God's own ugly child and you're gonna be an ugly woman. A lonely, ugly old woman." This is a turning point for Bone, where she turns from an angel to a bitch. I think it's due to her step-father raping her twice now, and broke her coccyx. She now defends herself, and even Reese and her don't get along.
The only question I have is why Reese turned into a tom-boy and argues with Bone a lot now.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Video Games part 2
When the Nintendo Gamecube came out, I bought it a week after, because I didn't know it came out. I thought it was pretty cool because it used mini-discs. (A smaller version of a DVD/CD.) This was the first time that Nintendo used discs instead of cartridges. Nintendo used cartridges to prevent games from being copied. Although, the mini-disc didn't have much space, and some games were on two discs. Nintendo had two memory slots, and four controller ports. There were many types of memory slots ranging from 4 MB to 64 MB. Some games were sometimes able to play against people around the world, using the internet. I had many games, and most of them I never even finished.
The best selling game for the Gamecube, was Super Smash Bros. Melee. It was so fun, I actually unlocked all the characters, and every stage...well except for one. It was too hard to get, and it required me to finish the 51 event stages. The stage was called Final Destination. I liked the stage Final Destination, but I couldn't finish 4 of the event stages. Super Smash Bros. Melee is part of the Super Smash Bros. series. The first game is Super Smash Bros., followed by Super Smash Bros. Melee, and then Super Smash Bros. Brawl. I don't get why it has the "Super Smash Bros" in the game. Although, I pretty much assume it's based on Mario and Luigi. I never use their characters though.
Another game I finished was Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance. It was one of my favorite games on the Gamecube. For the first time in Fire Emblem, they used 3D graphics. There were many chapters, but the plot of the game was pretty much boring. Ike's dad dies, and fights a war with a lot of nations. They introduced a new class, the laguz. They could transform into animals, like tigers, cats, lions, white/red/black dragons, ravens, and hawks. You get every kind of laguz, except for a black dragon, raven or lion. You have to choose between a lion or a raven. Ravens are the fastest of the birds, and the lions are second strongest. Black dragons are the strongest, but the slowest, and hawks are stronger than hawks, but a little slower than ravens. Ike eventually finds the man who kills his father, but fails to kill the Black Knight. Ike and his companions do kill King Ashnard, the monarch of Daein. His dragon is actually a laguz, a black dragon, and one of the sons of Goldoa.
There was also an accessory that allowed people to play Gameboy Advance and Gameboy Color games, the Gameboy Player. It was actually just the gameboy game with a larger screen. The sound was improved, and balanced. I played some of my other games, but it just didn't feel the same playing on the Gamecube than the actual Gameboy. It's sort of like playing Gameboy games on computer, and playing it on the Gameboy. The computer ruins the fun of playing.
The best selling game for the Gamecube, was Super Smash Bros. Melee. It was so fun, I actually unlocked all the characters, and every stage...well except for one. It was too hard to get, and it required me to finish the 51 event stages. The stage was called Final Destination. I liked the stage Final Destination, but I couldn't finish 4 of the event stages. Super Smash Bros. Melee is part of the Super Smash Bros. series. The first game is Super Smash Bros., followed by Super Smash Bros. Melee, and then Super Smash Bros. Brawl. I don't get why it has the "Super Smash Bros" in the game. Although, I pretty much assume it's based on Mario and Luigi. I never use their characters though.
Another game I finished was Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance. It was one of my favorite games on the Gamecube. For the first time in Fire Emblem, they used 3D graphics. There were many chapters, but the plot of the game was pretty much boring. Ike's dad dies, and fights a war with a lot of nations. They introduced a new class, the laguz. They could transform into animals, like tigers, cats, lions, white/red/black dragons, ravens, and hawks. You get every kind of laguz, except for a black dragon, raven or lion. You have to choose between a lion or a raven. Ravens are the fastest of the birds, and the lions are second strongest. Black dragons are the strongest, but the slowest, and hawks are stronger than hawks, but a little slower than ravens. Ike eventually finds the man who kills his father, but fails to kill the Black Knight. Ike and his companions do kill King Ashnard, the monarch of Daein. His dragon is actually a laguz, a black dragon, and one of the sons of Goldoa.
There was also an accessory that allowed people to play Gameboy Advance and Gameboy Color games, the Gameboy Player. It was actually just the gameboy game with a larger screen. The sound was improved, and balanced. I played some of my other games, but it just didn't feel the same playing on the Gamecube than the actual Gameboy. It's sort of like playing Gameboy games on computer, and playing it on the Gameboy. The computer ruins the fun of playing.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
March Literature Circle Letter #1
My book, Bastard out of Carolina, is about a girl named Ruth Anne, nicknamed Bone. She has a father, which abandoned her eight days after she was born. He did come back to see Bone, although she peed on him and drove him away. Her mom, Anney, had a second child with another man named Lyly. He died while he was working, on the pavement of a street. Their child together was another girl, named Reese. The family, aunts, uncles, and grandma go out for dinner at the White Horse Cafe. Uncle Earle brought his new workmate, Glen Waddell. In time, Anney, Bone's mother begins to date Glen. He is nice to both Anney and Reese, although things change too fast. Within two years, Anney and Glen become married, and go on their honeymoon together without Reese and Bone. Everything goes down from here.
Anney discovers she is pregnant Glen's child. Glen always wanted, a son, and if it were a girl, then he wouldn't love her. Glen only wanted a son. Anney goes into labor, and Glen, Reese, and Bone go back to the car. Reese falls asleep, leaving only Bone and Glen awake. Glen begins to smile at Bone, and puts his hand on her neck. Soon after, Glen begins to rape Bone. Bone, at a young age, does not know what Glen is doing to her. She's too young, and begins to cry, saying her thighs hurt. The next day, Glen comes out of the emergency room with terrible news. The baby, Glen Junior, was still-born. (Meaning the baby came out dead.) Glen cries with Anney.
The rest of the book talks about Glen and Anney not being able to pay their bills. Anney tells the children about being really poor, like fighting over the last bacon. She feeds her children ketchup and crackers for a snack. Glen keeps telling Anney that things would be different soon, and that they'd live in a big house. Then, Reese and Bone go to the Aunt's house to stay for a while.
Anney discovers she is pregnant Glen's child. Glen always wanted, a son, and if it were a girl, then he wouldn't love her. Glen only wanted a son. Anney goes into labor, and Glen, Reese, and Bone go back to the car. Reese falls asleep, leaving only Bone and Glen awake. Glen begins to smile at Bone, and puts his hand on her neck. Soon after, Glen begins to rape Bone. Bone, at a young age, does not know what Glen is doing to her. She's too young, and begins to cry, saying her thighs hurt. The next day, Glen comes out of the emergency room with terrible news. The baby, Glen Junior, was still-born. (Meaning the baby came out dead.) Glen cries with Anney.
The rest of the book talks about Glen and Anney not being able to pay their bills. Anney tells the children about being really poor, like fighting over the last bacon. She feeds her children ketchup and crackers for a snack. Glen keeps telling Anney that things would be different soon, and that they'd live in a big house. Then, Reese and Bone go to the Aunt's house to stay for a while.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Video Games Part 1
Since I was four, I have been playing video games. My dad taught me how to play Super Mario Bros., and often I would die on the first goomba. I began to play more, and more, but never finishing the actual game. Then, my dad brought the SNES, and the first game I really liked was Super Mario World. It was very fun to play. I always stayed on the first world though. I let my dad play most of it. We kept playing and playing. One time we couldn't beat a level, so we left it on throughout the week. (I wasn't allowed to play on the weekdays. They would make me do homework, eat dinner, and go to sleep.) That game lasted for about a year for me...until I found out about Star World. It was so fun. There were two exits for each of the five levels in Star World. Then, there was Special World. (Sounds sort of stupid.) Special World consisted of Funky, Outrageous, and other weird names. Outrageous was one of the hardest levels I have played. There were bullet bills flying everywhere, and to get to the exit, I had to climb ontop of the bullet bill things that launch the bullet. My parents would later on let me play on the weekday after I finished homework.
We then bought Kirby Super Star, which is a 8 games in 1. They were all pretty fun, but some of the games were just mini games. The first one was called Spring Breeze. It was only four worlds, and all were pretty easy. It only took about an hour to finish. The last game however, was the one I liked the most. It was called Milky Way Galaxy. I liked it because you could actually save in that game. Instead of sucking up monsters, you could get statues of the enemy and just use their power whenever I liked. There was also a slot for a second player, which was even more fun. If I didn't have a second person playing, then I could have a helper helping me defeat enemies. My favorite combination of powers were wheel and yo-yo. I would have the helper be the wheel, the wheel is actually a motorcycle, and I could sit on top and kill enemies.
My dad and I bought Nintendo 64 right away when it came out. It came with two games, a yellow Donkey Kong 64, and a red football game. Donkey Kong was the only game I really liked on the Nintendo 64 until Super Smash Bros. I went crazy over that game. I got all the secret characters, Falcon, Jigglypuff, Luigi, and Ness. Ness and Kirby were my favorite characters. Kirby now sucks in the newer games though. I liked Ness for his shield, yo-yo, and PK Fire. It was really annoying to other people. There was another mode besides Break the Targets, which was Board the Platforms. Jigglypuff was the most difficult one to Break the Targets, and Kirby to Board the Platforms. In Jigglypuff's stage, I had to keep punching, and flying to reach the last target. I was on the very left side, and the target on the right. Kirby's stage required me to keep flying, then go down, and then around another platform, etc. It just kept going on and on.
We then bought Kirby Super Star, which is a 8 games in 1. They were all pretty fun, but some of the games were just mini games. The first one was called Spring Breeze. It was only four worlds, and all were pretty easy. It only took about an hour to finish. The last game however, was the one I liked the most. It was called Milky Way Galaxy. I liked it because you could actually save in that game. Instead of sucking up monsters, you could get statues of the enemy and just use their power whenever I liked. There was also a slot for a second player, which was even more fun. If I didn't have a second person playing, then I could have a helper helping me defeat enemies. My favorite combination of powers were wheel and yo-yo. I would have the helper be the wheel, the wheel is actually a motorcycle, and I could sit on top and kill enemies.
My dad and I bought Nintendo 64 right away when it came out. It came with two games, a yellow Donkey Kong 64, and a red football game. Donkey Kong was the only game I really liked on the Nintendo 64 until Super Smash Bros. I went crazy over that game. I got all the secret characters, Falcon, Jigglypuff, Luigi, and Ness. Ness and Kirby were my favorite characters. Kirby now sucks in the newer games though. I liked Ness for his shield, yo-yo, and PK Fire. It was really annoying to other people. There was another mode besides Break the Targets, which was Board the Platforms. Jigglypuff was the most difficult one to Break the Targets, and Kirby to Board the Platforms. In Jigglypuff's stage, I had to keep punching, and flying to reach the last target. I was on the very left side, and the target on the right. Kirby's stage required me to keep flying, then go down, and then around another platform, etc. It just kept going on and on.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)