How does Outliers connect to MY life?

Outliers is a composition of examples on how some people have become "outliers" or simply someone or something that stands out. People like Billl Gates, Joe Flom, Korena Air, and others. Outliers is not about simply looking at sucess its about seeing how the person got there not by their own ambition, but by their surroundings like who their family is, where they grew up, even their birth date. Outliers connects to my life but pointing out reaccurances that caused success that I could even apply to my own life.

One the first things I notticed that I could easily slip into my life would be the 10,000 hour rule. "In fact, researchers have settled on what the believe is the magic number for true enterprise: ten thousand hours." (40) This past fall I played on the varsity field hokcey team and if I put more hours into practicing maybe at home I know it would be a stretch to reach ten thousand but the more the better. So I'm going to practice more now and maybe I'll improve some more this year.

Anoher way I found Outliers connected to my life was through the chapter about how chinese people are advanced compared to americans because their language allows them to learn the number system more quickly than americans do in english, "Chinese number words are remarkably brief. Most of them can be uttered in less than one-quarter of a second (for instance, 4 is 's' and 7 'qi'). Their English equivalents - "four," "seven"- are longer: pronouncing them take about one-third of a second."(228) This sounds pretty realistic and its backed up as being the reason for that asians are often smarter than many americans. The memory gap between English and chinese aparently is entirely due to this difference in length." (228) I'm in a few "advacned classes" in our school. I took algebra in eigther grade along with earth science and I'm AP European History. I find that a majority of those classes have asian students in them. A huge american stereotype for asians is that they're smart and they truly are. I often find myselfstruggling while other asian counterparts are swiftly moving to the next probelm. If I focused more or put in more effort than I could porbably get close to matching up to them.

Another chapter in this book that I felt connected to my life was the chapter on the family feuds. The feuds were all about honor. " The consensus appears to be that of what sociologists call a 'culture of honor'" (166) In highschool there are a lot of fights and some of them the people who weren't even having the argument are the ones throwing the punches. this is because of their"honor". It also stated that if you were from the south your anger and aggressiveness would go up faster than someone from the north. "Call a southerner an asshole and he's itching for a fight" (173). My mothers family comes from the north and my fathers family comes from the south, but to me there are certain words that if I get called I wouldn't just sit there and take them.

Outliers overall was an intersting book but I wouldn't recomd it to anybody who's into ready all about facts and studies and statistics. If you're more into imaginations stimulation this isn't the type of book for you. Besides that it was an okay book and there are plenty of ways to use the information in your life and see how some of the stories connect.

Ugly Poetry Prompt

Unattractive
Gross
Loathsome
Yucky

Microfiction:It had to be done

It had to be done. Just like how everybody says sometimes the easiest way isn't the best way. You've proabably heard that so many times, no? It's true though, Its ten p.m. on a sunday night, your huge chemistry project is due the next morning and you have 3 sentences down. The easy way: Go to bed and just forget about it, or work through the night and finish it. But that ones simple this ones a bit more difficult. Let me split this one up for you, the easy way; Not tell her what happened to her family,not tell her why shes alone everynight now, not tell her why her life is in ruins. But that would the easy way and its not the best way. I had to tell her, it had to be done.

TU Tuesday

http://www.timesunion.com/default/article/PRO-CON-VIEW-Should-all-driver-use-of-cell-2400663.php

Evaluate a speaker’s point of view, reasoning, and use of evidence and rhetoric, identifying any fallacious reasoning or exaggerated or distorted evidence.

I agree with NOT banning the use of cell phones or other electronic devices while driving because the points made are very valid. I like how the speaker used both points of view to examine the situation. The points on electronic devices not being banned caught me better. "No question about it, dialing or answering a cell phone (or texting on one!) can distract drivers with deadly consequences. But so can fiddling with the radio dial or scratching your back." Its true there are many other distractions and trying to ban a hands free device would be like trying to run a marathon with a blind fold on. This is too drastic of a step.

My T-Shirt Vote

Chocolate chip pweasee

Creative Contest I Blog

N=Norwegian Buhunds

http://www.dogguide.net/norwegian-buhund.php
http://www.pgaa.com/canine/general/norwegianbuhund.html
Breed Description -  "Cheerful, active, untiring, vigilant, attentive, and intelligent – these words are generally used to describe Norwegian Buhunds. They are very affectionate dogs who enjoy being embraced and kissed. However, they require constant and consistent training because they have the tendency to be out of control. They like learning new things and they are fast learners. Norwegian Buhunds are vocal and brave but not aggressive."
Appearance/Size -  "They have short, compact bodies and are lightly built. Their tail curves over the back and their erect, pointed ears easily identify them. Their undercoat is soft and wooly. However, their outer coat is smooth and harsh. They also have small, oval shaped and webbed feet. "
Diet - Normal dogfood, peanut butter  
Temperament - They often make good guard dogs because they are very vocal, but they are affenctionate and not quite agressive. 
Shedding - They are seasonal shedders.  
Health/Allergies/Vaccines – they often get hip and eye problems

Creativity Breeds Creativity

Un-See-Able

Seran Wrap
So Fun
So Frustrating
So Clear
So Sticky
So Preservnig
So Smooth

Glass
I walk into it too much
I put tape and
Stickers on my doors
to hopefully remind my eyes
That as open as the
Walkway looks
Theres a barrier between
Where I need to get

Air
Such a concept
It truly is like
Nothing there
But travel to space
And you will find
What seems just like Earth
Is nothing like it
And living in what seems like nothing
May be much harder
When gasping
In clear space