Please see Jenny's blog

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.

Imitation assignment

A cloud slowly crept in front of the sun as Levi headed across the parking lot towards his pick up. The asphalt had fractured and weeds had begun to sprout between the cracks. As he approached the truck he reached in between his cheek and gum and tossed out his dip. He pulled his keys out of his front left pocket and unlocked the door.
The south exit of the parking lot was blocked off by an old Cadillac that had had it's wheels stripped and was sitting on cinderblocks. The other exit was connected to the first Mcdonald's that the city of Willard had ever had. One of the windows had been boarded up after someone threw a brick through it one night. There were usually a few homeless people hanging out by the dumpsters out back searching for food or loose change that was dropped at the drive thru window.
As Levi turned left onto Steele street he took out his phone and checked the missed call. He called back and listened to the dial tone.
"Hey, Allen, you called?" asked Levi.
"

Political stance

When it comes to politics I'm usually successful at avoiding the conversation all together. I am not a big fan on discussing politics because in my opinion it's just boring. I understand that I should care about what's going on in our government but at the same time I also think that no matter how I feel things are going to be out of my control. I may disagree with something like increasing taxes but I just accept it and move on because my disagreement won't have a large enough impact to actually do anything. When it comes to voting I don't participate for the same reasons that I don't get involved in politics. My one vote, in my opinion anyway, won't make any difference. Unless I see an election come down to one single vote that decides the winner then I am most likely never going to vote. I just go with the flow when it comes to politics and life as well. In every election there are both good and bad ideas presented by both parties but in the end whoever gets elected usually ends up doing something to piss off the public anyway so it's really like choosing the lesser of two evils. Regardless of who wins the election or who I voted for I will still have to obey any new changes implemented so I feel like I might as well just live my life and adapt as it goes along.

News analysis

I am not an avid watcher of the news. Before this assignment I can't remember the last time I actually sat down and didn't change the channel when the news was on. The most news that I keep up with is the crime section of Foxnews.com. I know it's not the most accurate place to find my news but the crime news is the only thing that interests me and their website is easier to use in my opinion. As I was watching the news this week I noticed that there was a lot of talk of Isis and what the next president should do to handle these situations. There was also conversation about  the way that black males in the US have to deal with a larger amount of police encounters than most white males. Most of the episodes that I watched had this kind of negative spotlight on a majority of the things they were talking about unless it was just one of those feel good stories chosen to make the audience smile. I feel like their goal was to touch a nerve in the audience that would impact greatly. So it makes sense for them to talk about topics that are viewed negatively as an attempt to connect to the viewers. I feel like people are naturally attracted to drama or violence so these news stations know that they can hold their attention with the rougher topics of discussion such as racism or terrorist attacks. I also noticed that some of the guests on this show had a way of delivering information while also letting the audience know if they agree or disagree with it based on the tone of their voice. The news is still delivered but the way it is delivered is altered in a way to have a greater emotional impact on the viewers.

Music shuffle

Got To Give It Up- Marvin Gaye
I first heard this song on the Charlie's Angels movie that came out back in the early 2000's. There was just something about it that made me want to listen to it over and over again. I've always loved the classics because of how different the sound is compared to the music we have now a days. This song always makes me want to start dancing but I'm usually in public when it comes on so that rarely happens lol.

Adventures In Your Own Backyard- Patrick Watson
I found out about this song through a skateboarding video I stumbled upon through YouTube and it just caught my attention because of how unique it sounded. The song overall just has a really chill/relaxing sound to it which is usually how I feel in my everyday life. I am a very easy going person. I always have this feeling that everything is going to work itself out in the end so I don't get flustered or overwhelmed very easily.

A Tale of 2 Cities- J Cole
I have a very diverse selection in music so mixed in with these classic and modern day rock songs I also listen to a lot of hip hop. This song is not as soft or fun sounding as the previous two but I feel like this represents the side of my personality that is displayed when I need to be serious. Whenever I get tired of classes songs like this one remind me that a lot of people from back home don't have it as good as me and that I need to keep working no matter how much I don't want to.

Long Cool Woman- The Hollies
Another classic. I first heard this song on Remember the Titans and it became an instant favorite. The songs from back then were about things completely different than what is usually sung about now a days. This song makes me feel like I need to grow a fierce mustache and rock some aviator sunglasses lol.

Real Thing- A$AP Ferg
This is another rap song but it sounds like something that would be played at a prom in the 80's because of the electric drums. I like this song because it's catchy and has the sound of a different decade even though it came out only a few weeks ago. Another song that makes me want to break out the embarrassing dance moves but once again, I contain myself....usually lol.

These five songs definitely reflect the diversity of my personality. There is a mix of modern day music and some classics. There is just something about the sound of music from back then that I find enjoyable. I would almost consider myself to be an "old soul." I also noticed how a lot of these make me want to act goofy or remind me of something that makes me laugh. This is a large part of my personality too because I am usually making my friends laugh.

Good writing

In my opinion, I believe that good writing is the author's ability to successfully paint a picture in the reader's head with the words they choose. The details and the imagery used should be able to provide the audience with a clear description of what is happening. Good writing also includes the author's ability to get the reader to almost connect with some of the characters as if they actually knew them. The little unique details about people and objects in the story are what make it feel more realistic. An example of good writing would be if the author includes a description of a sunrise but is able to go beyond just the color. They describe the warmth of the sun, the strength of its brightness, the way it casts shadows, things of that nature. To me, good writing is based on the strength of the details. The details can make or break a story depending on how many are included.

Literacy

What do you think a "literate" person is able to do? What is "literacy"? Are there different types? How can/should we agree on the definition of literacy? What are YOUR strengths as a writer/thinker/literate person? What are your weaknesses? 


I think that a "literate" person is someone who is able to understand and make sense of information that is presented to them through text. According to Google, the term "literacy" means the ability to read and write. However, a second definition also states that literacy can also be knowledge in a specified area. After our previous class discussion about literacy I can definitely agree with this second definition as well. I do believe that there can be different types of literacy throughout the world. For example, a mechanic can be considered to be literate because of his knowledge of cars. They are considered to be the expert when it comes to situations with vehicles. Someone who is good with computers or technology can be considered to be literate in that subject. I believe that we can agree that "literacy" should not be limited to only being able to read and write but it can also mean that a person has vast knowledge about a certain subject.

I would consider my greatest strength as a writer to probably be my creative writing ability. I took a class here at Tech with Dennis Covington and realized just how much I enjoy creative writing. I love the freedom of being able to create my own world and being able to control how things unfold. I feel like my ability to create a realistic environment with all the details I include is my greatest strength.
My weaknesses as a writer would probably be my use of commas and semicolons. I tend to over think them too much and usually just confuse myself when it comes to punctuation of that type. I also have a tendency to overlook some small errors in my papers. Sometimes it's a random word that I forgot to delete after editing a sentence or two words will be swapped incorrectly and my brain will skim over it without catching the mistake.

About me

My name is Brian Buckle. I'm 23 years old and I am an only child from Mansfield, Texas. It's located in the DFW area about five hours East of here. I am currently a senior here at Texas Tech. I am majoring in both English and Psychology with a minor in Secondary Education as well as a minor in Spanish. I feel that having the ability to speak Spanish will create many opportunities for me in the Education system. I have one semester left before I begin my student teaching so I am excited about that.

I enjoy watching, playing, and discussing sports with friends. I have a large interest in football and I hope to be able to coach it at the high school or junior high level. I want to make an impact with kids through sports but I also want to make an impact through the classroom. I feel that teachers have a huge influence on the kids of today and I want to be able to help set students on the correct paths for them to succeed in life. I also want to be able to emphasize to athletes that their grades are just as important as their athletic ability. I personally know plenty of athletes who could have gone on to play at the collegiate level but their grades were not up to par and they ended up just working a manual labor job. I hate to see talent wasted so I am hoping that I will be able to help change that.