Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Post B
“What didn’t I give you? Haven’t I been a good father? What Didn’t I...”he cant finish the sentence. (71) Troy’s father tries to do everything for Troy to have him be successful with life and try to do as much as he can with his fathers support. Troy goes off with Curt and starts skipping school because he thinks now that he is going to be in a band he is going to make a lot of money so he doesn’t need to go to school. Troy’s father finds out about him skipping school when the school principal calls and tells Troy’s father he has not been attending school for almost a week now. Troy’s father has to sit Troy down and tell him about it. Troy then tells his father where he has been with Curt and how Curt’s stepfather threatened Curt and Troy. Then Troy tells his father about joining the band and Troy’s father denies it all and tells Troy he doesn’t want him being in a band or anything. When Troy comes home the next day he goes up to his room and finds his dad putting a drum kit together in the corner of his room. Troy doesn’t know what’s going on because his father just told him he didn’t want Troy in a band and now here he is putting drums together in his room. I found this quote good to show how much Troy’s father cares about him and how he want’s Troy to be successful at life and have fun.
Post A
“My brief, imaginary career as a punk rock drummer is now officially over.”(72)
Troy wants to be in a big band with Curt. Troy wants Curt to play the guitar since he already does and Curt wants to teach Troy how to play the drums. They want to be in a band together so they can play in the dump in front of hundreds of people cheering for them wanting them to play more songs. Troy and Curt start listening to old records like the Beatles and Smack Metal Puppets so they can get familiar to the music and the way everything works in a band. They had it all planned out until Troy got in trouble with his father and wanted to quit. I picked this quote because it’s a positive side of Troy’s personality, to want to try to do something.
Troy wants to be in a big band with Curt. Troy wants Curt to play the guitar since he already does and Curt wants to teach Troy how to play the drums. They want to be in a band together so they can play in the dump in front of hundreds of people cheering for them wanting them to play more songs. Troy and Curt start listening to old records like the Beatles and Smack Metal Puppets so they can get familiar to the music and the way everything works in a band. They had it all planned out until Troy got in trouble with his father and wanted to quit. I picked this quote because it’s a positive side of Troy’s personality, to want to try to do something.
Post B: Text to Character
Dear Troy,
It seems like you are having a hard time with your obesity issue. I know that because of your obesity you think that nobody will want to become your friend. You also worry that no one will ever hang out with you or anything, because they think you are just a big gross person, who sweats a lot and huffs when he walks down the hallways at school. I know how you said you think everybody looks and laughs at you when you walk down the halls or are just standing some place, when really most people aren’t looking at you. You may not be the reason they are laughing. They might have just told a funny joke within their group or they might be talking about how much fun they had or something like that. I know how you met your new friend Curt and all you thought was he was a homeless guy trying to get money and food off of you but really he turned out to be a guitar legend.
For example, at the dump when he was playing the guitar he was the center of attention, everybody was talking about him and saying what a great guitar player he his and everything. I know you were scared going into being friends with new people, because you didn’t know what to expect when really you became friends with Curt and now your friends with a lot of new people that you met at the dump just because of him. You were scared people at the concert would laugh and make fun of you and your obesity when really nobody noticed.
I just wanted to let you know that I knew you were going through some tuff times so I just wanted to send you this letter.
It seems like you are having a hard time with your obesity issue. I know that because of your obesity you think that nobody will want to become your friend. You also worry that no one will ever hang out with you or anything, because they think you are just a big gross person, who sweats a lot and huffs when he walks down the hallways at school. I know how you said you think everybody looks and laughs at you when you walk down the halls or are just standing some place, when really most people aren’t looking at you. You may not be the reason they are laughing. They might have just told a funny joke within their group or they might be talking about how much fun they had or something like that. I know how you met your new friend Curt and all you thought was he was a homeless guy trying to get money and food off of you but really he turned out to be a guitar legend.
For example, at the dump when he was playing the guitar he was the center of attention, everybody was talking about him and saying what a great guitar player he his and everything. I know you were scared going into being friends with new people, because you didn’t know what to expect when really you became friends with Curt and now your friends with a lot of new people that you met at the dump just because of him. You were scared people at the concert would laugh and make fun of you and your obesity when really nobody noticed.
I just wanted to let you know that I knew you were going through some tuff times so I just wanted to send you this letter.
Monday, March 24, 2008
Post B: Text to Self
Every teenager at some point feels uncomfortable in their own skin. They wish they could forecast the future, or they ask themselves: if I ask this girl to the dance will she say yes? At other times, they wish they were in somebody else’s shoes, like, "I bet so and so never had to deal with this because they can get any girl to go to the dance". In reality, everyone feels this way at some point. This often is triggered by “milestones” within someone’s life.
For example, the first day of school is always hard. This is especially true if someone is new to the school, or does not know anyone going into it. Another example would be, the first time you try to ask someone out. Yet we all experience this, and also feel alone when we do so. I guess this is better then having it written across the front of your shirt, so everyone can see how uncomfortable you feel. For me, this was the first day of high school. I also had an older brother to help me, but I still felt unsure. I kept thinking, what will my teachers be like, what will the rooms look like and where are they, I hope I don’t get lost, I wonder if I will see any of my friends, and will this day ever end? This was one aspect of the book I could relate to, being uncomfortable as a teenager.
For example, the first day of school is always hard. This is especially true if someone is new to the school, or does not know anyone going into it. Another example would be, the first time you try to ask someone out. Yet we all experience this, and also feel alone when we do so. I guess this is better then having it written across the front of your shirt, so everyone can see how uncomfortable you feel. For me, this was the first day of high school. I also had an older brother to help me, but I still felt unsure. I kept thinking, what will my teachers be like, what will the rooms look like and where are they, I hope I don’t get lost, I wonder if I will see any of my friends, and will this day ever end? This was one aspect of the book I could relate to, being uncomfortable as a teenager.
Post B: Text to World
“Would you like to supersize that meal?” These same words are heard world-wide at every fast food restaurant. This book addresses this growing problem, and looks at it through a teenage view. The main character Troy happens to be the only one of his friends with an obesity problem, yet this problem is a huge growing concern. It might be only his character within this book, but in reality obesity is growing. There are facts everywhere that support this and yet we are ignoring it. This was easily seen on a government website that gives facts on obesity. (http://www.cdc.gov/PDF/Facts_About_Obesity_in_the_United_States.pdf) Here it stated that since “...overweight rates have doubled among children and tripled among adolescents – increasing the number of years they are exposed to the health risks of obesity” (unknown). It is also leading to many new cases of diabetes, heart conditions, and lack of general physical ability. It doesn’t help that media is always showing images of things being better, if they are bigger. In this book, one can see first hand the negative effects of over eating. For Troy this resulted in lack of self esteem, less friends, less confidence, etc. He also thought at all times that everyone was always looking at him. It was not until his friend Curt pointed out that he was just being paranoid.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Post A
Post A:
One theme within the book is adversity. Troy faces many tough situations and handles them all in a half humor/half self hating way. This can be seen in several quotes in the book. When he is at a restaurant he finds the waitress attractive. “Any minute now the waitress is going to come over and see me perspiring like I’ve just run the New York city marathon. I imagine her face as she hands me the bill. I grimace” (9). In this moment he is dreading not only the present moment, but also the possible future. he is also reflecting on how he has never had a girlfriend.
One theme within the book is adversity. Troy faces many tough situations and handles them all in a half humor/half self hating way. This can be seen in several quotes in the book. When he is at a restaurant he finds the waitress attractive. “Any minute now the waitress is going to come over and see me perspiring like I’ve just run the New York city marathon. I imagine her face as she hands me the bill. I grimace” (9). In this moment he is dreading not only the present moment, but also the possible future. he is also reflecting on how he has never had a girlfriend.
Post A
Post A:
“In fact it such an ordeal that as I walk down the hall toward my locker I think about nothing else. Just one leg, other leg, first leg, second leg, doesn’t huff, don’t sweat, don’t trip. Breathe” (29). This is said by the main character, Troy as he is walking down the hall in school. He is heading to go and meet Curt. He is saying it in a humorous way, like he is making fun of himself. Unfortunately, the more one reads, the more one sees there is truth to this quote. Overall, throughout the novel we see him try to turn the toughest of situations into humorous ones.
“In fact it such an ordeal that as I walk down the hall toward my locker I think about nothing else. Just one leg, other leg, first leg, second leg, doesn’t huff, don’t sweat, don’t trip. Breathe” (29). This is said by the main character, Troy as he is walking down the hall in school. He is heading to go and meet Curt. He is saying it in a humorous way, like he is making fun of himself. Unfortunately, the more one reads, the more one sees there is truth to this quote. Overall, throughout the novel we see him try to turn the toughest of situations into humorous ones.
Post B
Post B
“I need some serious mental help” (Going, 23). Troy says this at the beginning of chapter nine. He then follows up with admitting he lied about being in a band with the homeless guy he brings home. He then later criticizes himself for trying to lie to his father. This is because it should be obvious to his father whether or not he is actually able to play an instrument. In general the main character is tough on himself. He basically wants to die. So in the quote by him saying he needs mental help, a part of him really believes this. He does many things to hurt himself and thus needing mental help might not be a good idea. Examples of him hurting himself are: he eats excessively, and has negative/suicidal thoughts. He failed at his first suicide attempt, which was jumping in front of a train, but then tried again. His second plan involved jumping off of the fire escape. He also is so severely over weight that walking can be a challenge. At one point as he was walking in school he could not fit into the door entering the building. He often ends the chapters by talking in third person. He designs newspaper titles, off of these embarrassing thought and moments. At times, these seem comical, but other times, one ends up feeling bad for them. Especially as he dreams of having cool friends, as he is very only. His only friend is Curt MacCrae. He was the one who saved troy from his first suicide attack. Later, we see that Curt is not the greatest of friends.
“I need some serious mental help” (Going, 23). Troy says this at the beginning of chapter nine. He then follows up with admitting he lied about being in a band with the homeless guy he brings home. He then later criticizes himself for trying to lie to his father. This is because it should be obvious to his father whether or not he is actually able to play an instrument. In general the main character is tough on himself. He basically wants to die. So in the quote by him saying he needs mental help, a part of him really believes this. He does many things to hurt himself and thus needing mental help might not be a good idea. Examples of him hurting himself are: he eats excessively, and has negative/suicidal thoughts. He failed at his first suicide attempt, which was jumping in front of a train, but then tried again. His second plan involved jumping off of the fire escape. He also is so severely over weight that walking can be a challenge. At one point as he was walking in school he could not fit into the door entering the building. He often ends the chapters by talking in third person. He designs newspaper titles, off of these embarrassing thought and moments. At times, these seem comical, but other times, one ends up feeling bad for them. Especially as he dreams of having cool friends, as he is very only. His only friend is Curt MacCrae. He was the one who saved troy from his first suicide attack. Later, we see that Curt is not the greatest of friends.
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