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Toys

It has been quite a while since I stopped to take a look at toys. When I looked through the boys section I noticed that there are a lot of darker colors used to color the boys toys. Usually colors like blue, black, red, etc. These were mostly used on the Marvel action figures or superhero type toys. Most of the boys toys also included guys that had large muscular arms such as wrestlers. Most of these toys in the boys section seemed to give off a manly vibe. There seemed to be a common theme of huge arms with these toys.

The girls section seemed to also have certain colors used for their products. There is usually pink, purple, light blue, or yellow. Most of the stuff I saw in the girls section was more innocent and less violent. There weren't any sword wielding women or women with guns like you would see in the boys section. It was more focused on princesses, barbies, baking, etc. I feel like the marketers planned on using this softness and cuddliness to interest the little girls because a majority of young girls want to know what it's like to feel like a princess.

Some of the other things that I saw could be considered to be unisex. For example, the Despicable Me products can't be considered to be focused on a specific sex because the minions that are so popular are not even human. Other unisex toys include Legos and the learning games on the kids electronics.

I feel like most of these toys do reinforce masculinity and femininity. There is a manly feel to the boys section. The dark colors, big muscles, and guns give off the feeling that the tough guy is the way to go. Also, with the girls section there is a common theme of princesses, cooking, and barbies. A lot of pink, purple, and lighter colors are used to give off a softer feel to them. The boys are almost encouraged to be rough and tough while the girls are given the resources to act like princesses and housewives.

Tool or Tool users

I believe that while we use tools in our everyday life I would consider us to be tools. We learn different things throughout our lives that I would consider to be useful tools. For example, when someone learns the different ways to tie knots they acquire that skill and most likely won't forget that skill. Humans can learn to do many different things which they hold onto for life. I feel like their knowledge of how to do things are the tools that they have. The more knowledge gained means the more tools for them to access. Physical tools do come in handy but I feel like the tools that humans acquire within themselves have more of an impact. A human who receives many different sources of information can be compared to a human swiss army knife because of how their skills and tools can vary.

College lesson

Getting a degree in psychology has allowed me to take a large variety of classes with many different topics discussed. In these classes I've learned how the body reacts to certain types of drugs, the way that children's minds develop, how people deal with anxiety, etc. All of these classes have influenced the way that I view the world. For example, when I see somebody do something that seems strange to me I begin to think about why they do it. Since taking these classes I've begun to think somewhat outside the box when it comes to coming up with answers for why people behave a certain way. Before I took these classes I would come up with an explanation and stick to that. Now I've started branching out and almost looking for other reasons beyond the obvious. Another example would be when I see a toddler behave a certain way. I've learned how children think and operate. How they learn through observation and pick up on tendencies. Psychology has allowed me to evolve in the way I see the people in society.

Comments on Sarah Baker's imitation draft

I thought you did a good job following the style of the author. The layout looks very similar to the original copy and the dialogue seemed to flow easily. I liked the story line as well. It made me curious to find out what happens the next day. Will the Dad find a job? Will the parents stay together? What happens the little girl? Good work, Sarah.

Imitation Draft

Here's the link to one of the works I imitated by James Joyce http://www.indiana.edu/~liblilly/joyce/gas1.html

Here we are in these Nortwest Plains

Moving about, hoping it rains.

The smell in the air has a hint of manure

Will it stay cold? No way to be sure.

The wind of Lubbock does not cease

It may die down but will increase.

This constant breeze will alter the weather

Sometimes it gets worse, sometimes it gets better.

This magic town known as Hub City

Has shitty drivers; they're really quite shitty.

No turn signals, no limits of speed

Cops rarely spot these common misdeeds.

Often ran are the stop signs and lights

With roads most dangerous during the nights.

Most of these drivers cannot be trusted

Their disregard has left me disgusted.

This dusty town is abundant with poor

Sure to be begging outside the store.

They take any change that they can get

The cause of their problems starts with debt.

Some able bodied and some quite old

Some are polite while others are bold.

They will approach and ask for assistance

Thus shining a light upon their existence.

An early home for rock and roll

From Buddy Holly, God rest his soul.

His new ideas had changed the tune

Sadly he was taken too soon.

Called to the heavens at twenty two

No more songs of Peggy Sue.

With news of his death many cried

It's said that day the music died.

With thoughts of Lubbock comes Texas Tech

Preparing the students for life's long trek.

The campus is spread out, far and wide

And always flowing with Raider pride.

I have been shaped by Raiderland:

Provided knowledge not prior at hand.

The main event that comes with fall

Is a Texas tradition known as football.

Now we have the return of the King

And soon again the bells shall ring.

With the Lubbock crowd filling the Jones

Unified chants send chills to the bones.

This atmosphere has a deafening roar

Rival teams don't know whats in store.

Our student section is wild and loud

Cheering our Raiders who make us proud.

We know the Raiders will claw and fight

And battle our foes deep into the night.

After the gridiron we move to the court

Where our Red Raiders hold down the fort.

They shoot, they hustle, and they play D

They make us proud of the Double T.

We watch our teams in the USA

Gotcher and Battle and Odiase

We yell our chants of "Raider Power!"

With hopes of opponents returning home sour.

With on court action nearing the end

The baseball games we shall attend.

Watching the games at Rip Griffin Park

Cheering our Raiders from light to dark

This is a second work that I still need to finish but this one imitates Joyce's Lean Out of the Window

link: http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/lean-out-of-the-window/

Stay in your room,

don't you dare

Your teachers have told me,

how you swear.

Was busy at work

but now I am here

Your mother, poor soul,

she cannot think clear.

I go to the school,

to hear what you've done

When I take off this belt,

you better not run.

We try and we try,

to work with you

But following rules,

you simply can't  do.

Imitate

I believe that I do imitate people. A lot of people. Depending on what I am doing the people I imitate changes. For example, I imitate my dad's determination to get things done or figured out. If he gets stuck on something the last thing he is going to do is give up. He always seems to have an idea of how to figure something out whether it's how to load up the car, how to fix an issue around the house, many things. When it comes to working out I feel that I imitate collegiate or professional athletes. Not exactly by the amount of weight they do or the types of workouts they do but I imitate their work ethic. Their work ethic is what separates them from every other athlete. So I try to imitate that determination and desire to want to be better than the rest. When it comes to being in public or around other people I imitate my friend Justin. He has a calm demeanor about him and he never seems nervous. He's the type of person to never let things affect him too much. He doesn't get overwhelmed. I imitate a lot of people through many aspects of my life whether it's in sports, school, work outs, or problem solving. I feel like my best way of understanding how to do something is by seeing how someone else handles the same type of situation. I still try to maintain my uniqueness and individuality but I also try to take certain aspects of others personalities and apply them to myself because I feel that they are good qualities to have.