Life

Life is short, beautiful, and sweet. It is taken for granted every day. That is until something makes you stop and realize just what you have. My Aunt Dorothy just passed away. It's sad that I will never see her again, that her life is over. Did she have a good life? Did she accomplish her goals? What were her goals? What did she learn through it all? I always seem to go through the daily grind without stopping to truly enjoy life. In the summer time is when I typically get to slow down and relax. But this should not be how life is. I have been putting school, homework, and studying all on the front burner of life while shifting family and friends to the back. This needs to change. One day those people who get shafted (for lack of a better word) won't be here, and then I will be sorry that I didn't spend more time with them. Live Laugh Love. You have one life; don't screw it up.

competition

This past week has been Greek Week. It seems that it has brought out the best and even more so the worst in people. This should be a time to come together and have some end of the year fun. It has turned into a blood bath. Thank goodness not literally. There is yelling, name calling, and other not so panhellenic friendly banter. I have had so much fun cheering on my sisters and watching the events. Greek week is something every Greek member looks forward to. It brings us together.

Appearance

What is the first thing you notice when meeting someone? Their appearance. Yes, this is superficial but true. It is the first thing to be noticed, to be judged on. As a waitress for the past nine months I have noticed a correlation with appearance and tips. When more of an effort is made on my part the tips are generally higher. Typically I go to work just as I would for school, hair wavy (natural), no make-up, and glasses. When I make an effort, I straighten my hair, put make-up on, and contacts. This has resulted in over a $20 difference. This has something to do with the weather and time of the year however too. So it is difficult to really gage these things. But that is the overall trend that I have noticed time after time.

Crack

Shivers run up and down my spin. Not only is my nose going numb, but my back, thighs, and face are too. Moist plumb droplets of rain plaster my face and hair. The frizzes are already rising. It's beginning to get harder to see clearly from my glasses. Crack. The ball makes contact with the bat. We have a home-run! The deephers roar with joy.

To begin

It's now time to begin the writing portion of my final research paper. Typically I have been told that the writer is not suppose to have their input on the writing. However, in this paper it is necessary. I will argue my position on Granholm's new scholarship while providing both sides and the people in the middles opinion. My thesis will be something along the lines of "The new scholarship Governor Granholm has proposed to take the place of the MEAP scholarship needs to be redeveloped and restructured to have a greater emphasis on grades." I like the idea of her scholarship. But at the same time there are things I don't agree with. For example, I understand why she wants to wait two years before handing them out, but at the same time when I began college that scholarship was like a treat that my years in high school paid for. I will ask some people in my graduating class what they think and some kids still in high school about how they will be affected. It would be awesome if I could write Governor Granholm an e-mail. But i highly doubt I would get a response back because she is so busy. Time to begin.

Granholm's Proposed Scholarship

Governor Granholm wants to eliminate the MEAP scholarship ($2,500) and put in place a $4,000 scholarship. This would start with the high school class of 2007. To be eligible the students would have to complete 2 years of post secondary education. A few articles that I have browsed about are listed below:

http://0-proquest.umi.com.wizard.umd.umich.edu/pqdweb?did=1014918451&Fmt=3&clientId=8511&RQT=309&VName=PQD
This is from the ProQuest website. This is about all the different scholarships and figures on how much money is allocated to this program.

http://0-proquest.umi.com.wizard.umd.umich.edu/pqdweb?did=1215009181&Fmt=3&clientId=8511&RQT=309&VName=PQD
This is about the Promise Scholarship and the transition to it from the MEAP scholarship

http://0-proquest.umi.com.wizard.umd.umich.edu/pqdweb?did=983633641&Fmt=4&clientId=8511&RQT=309&VName=PQD
This article talks about the necessary 2.5 GPA in order to qualify for this scholarship.

http://0-proquest.umi.com.wizard.umd.umich.edu/pqdweb?index=0&did=1243130321&SrchMode=1&sid=1&Fmt=3&VInst=PROD&VType=PQD&RQT=309&VName=PQD&TS=1175442268&clientId=8511
This article is about how education is the key for the future change. Granholm stated: "Experts across the country agree that investing in education is the single most effective strategy for stoking a state's economic growth. That's why our schools and our kids are the foundation of our state's economic plan."

False assumptions

It's strange how your thoughts or assumptions usually come true. If you assume something or make a judgment about someone and then act how you would treat them if that assumption proved true it will typically come true. For example, one of my best friends and I went out to dinner last night at Olga's. We had Robert as our waiter. Two college/teenage girls walk in, (ourselves), and he assumes that we will not tip well because typically the younger clientèle does not tip very well at all. Well, by judging us so quickly and then treating us as if his judgment were right he self Prophesized his own future. By treating us like we would give him a mediocre tip he earned a mediocre tip. In the end we didn't want to be rude. Both of us are waitresses and we know their pain. So we gave about $3 for the two of us which was around 15%. He could have earned himself more, but by judging us so quickly and making false assumptions he did not earn it.

Roundabouts

After hearing about Ryan's topic on the roundabouts I am worried. I live in that area of West Bloomfield. When I'm out driving I try to avoid those high traffic areas already, but now with the roundabouts I'm curious to see if the traffic actually gets better. I know the type of drivers out there, they are kids with mommy's Lexus or daddy's BMW. The drivers have no respect for others. The mentality is "Get out of my way, I'm coming through". At first there will be many more accidents and it will not make it any better, but after a while the drivers will get used to them and they should help.

end of the road

For my last paper of this class I will be analyzing the issue of scholarship money to be allocated to various graduating high school students when in their chosen college. This will entice more high school students to go to college and stay in college.
"Granholm wants to replace the current Merit Scholarship, a $2,500 award for college-bound high school seniors who passed the MEAP test, with a $4,000 scholarship paid upon completion of two years at a college or trade school."
http://www.macombdaily.com/stories/052605/loc_mcc001.shtml
I like that she wants to wait for the students to complete two years at school because this shows that the student is already interested in pursuing a degree at a college and even if they did not do so well in high school, this is the final chance to prove that they deserve this scholarship.
Now, a high school degree no longer means much. You can't obtain a career anywhere. Students must have a college degree in order to make it anywhere in life now.
There are two sides to this: students deserve scholarship money to further their education and to provide an incentive to them to stay in school longer or that is a waste of government money and that is not what the government is there, set up to do; their job is to use tax money for other purposes especially when we are in stagnant economic times. Other government programs need that money. Others may argue that only the best and brightest deserve that money or it is too much to allocate to each individual student and the scholarship should remain at $2,500 like the MEAP money students now in college received.
I can give different student's perspectives on this proposed plan. Along with information on how the MEAP plan worked and what changes will be made to alter that into this new $4,000 scholarship. Who supports it along with who opposes it.

Don't Leave Birmingham

Residents are leaving Michigan in the droves. The economy is in a state of stagnation. Why should Michiganders stay here? Moving is not the answer. Don't run away from problems--face them head on. Michigan may be going through rough times at the moment, but with some time, effort, and fresh ideas we can make Michigan great again.

Just looking at Birmingham alone, I saw more than twenty homes up for sale in a two block radius. This is sad to see. Someone who once lived here lost their job and can’t afford their home anymore. Homes for sale are sad to see; they show that a part of someone’s life is over. They will not make anymore memories here. It is time to write the next chapter of their life, whether they like it or not.

These homes are located on Bates in Birmingham:

It took less than five minutes to find the first home up for sale.

The empty shell left of the home.

The second home for sale: located kitty-corner to the first home.

A hose on the side of the house is all that remains.

This home is located across the street from the last one.

Intimidating....a bit avant-garde.

Half a dozen different realtor companies represent the homes for sale here. This is Weir Manuel.

Just down the street.

This same company represents many homes in this neighborhood.

Next block.

Prudential represents this home.

Even the birds are leaving.

There is a newspaper on the front stoop; they must have not moved yet.

Here, two neighboring homes are for sale.

When these people moved, they even took their basketball net with them. They spare nothing.

Three homes right next to each other are for sale. That's very disconcerting to see.

Close up

One of the homes in the lineup.

Old and new homes alike are up for sale.

Open doors are not so friendly anymore. They are closing. Your neighbors are leaving. Permanently.

Once people put their homes up for sale, there is just despair and hopelessness left. No energy to clean up their yard. They won't live here anymore so why bother improving it anymore with the little energy they have left.

Notice the heart on the door: "Home Sweet Home". It's a little odd with that for sale sign up on the lawn.

Leaves on the roof...no time for maintaining the home is exemplified once again.

These homes are located on Birmingham in Birmingham:

The van belongs to someone interested in the home.


Broken blinds.


Lock box on the door. Inviting.

Even unique homes with fascinating designs are not selling.

Life is very dismal in Michigan at the moment. But, there is hope. The economy will not be like this forever.

IKEA :D

I love IKEA. I went there yesterday and picked up some new bedroom furniture. :D I'm pretty excited. I put 3 dressers together today and tomorrow im gonna tackle the bed. It's gonna be kinda hard taking stuff out of my room to get these dressers and bed in there. What a project. I should have saved this for the summer time. I still need to do my homework and taxes. Good thing I don't have to work tonight. Happy St. Patty's Day! or Happy Green Day (and not the band lol)!

Graffiti

Graffiti is counter productive. Even if there is a message to be conveyed. This is not the right outlet. It only sets back a neighborhood. It can be found in most areas. Where it is prevalent, the neighborhood is typically not expanding, but people are moving away from the area. Why would they want to stay in a neighborhood going down hill?

Here the person actually wanted to just put "nothing" there is no reason for this, but someone was bored and wanted to be destructive and vandalize a building.

Here is an example of someone who is clearly talented, they just need to be redirected. They could do so much with this artistic talent.


This is "cute" graffiti. However, just because it is pleasing to the eye by no means makes it right or excused. This could be painted on paper, not a building.

ok, I think I have a topic

For the photo essay I'm going to take pictures of Birmingham. And for the argumentative paper, I'm going to argue granholm's proposal of giving every high school graduate $4,000 for college. I am a scholarship recipient so it has more value to me. I don't want to see that money go to kids that don't work hard for it and deserve it. Kids in Birmingham, whose parents make 6 figure incomes should not get that money if some other kid that is just as bright and talented but doesn't have parents that well off. The poorer kid should get it. So, I'm going to try and take photos of Birmingham kids and also just Birmingham in general. The area. The feel of the city. I want to capture the workers of tomorrow, today's youth. These are the people that will be running the world in 10 years. How do they interact with one another. I don't want to actually interview them, i want to observe them in their habitat. Or maybe I will go with another angle on the photography....

Graffiti

Defacing public property is not right, no matter what the message is. Yes, there are some good points, but mainly graffiti in Detroit and other cities is just plain disgraceful. The messages that are trying to be conveyed could be done another way that is less destructing. Most graffiti is there to warn people of gang territory, show who is "top dog" in the area, or it's the result of adolescents daring each other to see who will actually go through with spay painting on a building. It's also about getting the adrenaline rush of seeing if you can get away with it and not get caught by the police. Rarely are there political or important messages to be read. A lot of times there are swear words and demoralizing comments to specific religions, races, cultures, or even genders. I hate to see it because defacing a city just devalues it.

Here is an example of hope for Detroit's future. Detroit will become a city to be proud of once

again, in someones opinion. It's kind of ironic that they would do this, if they want Detroit to rise again, and be someplace to be proud of and respectable, why would they spray paint on this building? They are going against building up the city.

Other graffiti is just pointless and demoralizing, here it's to women. It looks like "hips" is spelled out. There are two women on the "H" that look naked. Whoever did this piece sees women as sex objects and not worth respecting.

car accidents

It seems everyone is affected by spring. And not always in a good way. Yesterday, on my way home from school, I witnessed 2 accidents and I avoided one myself. It seems when the weather changes, for the better, people forget how to drive. It's strange. I would think that, oh, it's beautiful outside, why not drive a little slower, roll down the window and just relax. No, this isn't the case. I assume people want to hurry up and get home to enjoy the weather. There is a rush because in Michigan we don't know if we will have these beautiful temperatures for the rest of the week, day, or even hour. It could change without a moments notice.

more ideas

Well...I have to say that the next paper, or photo essay, is giving me the most problems. I have not had this much trouble coming up with a topic before. I have been sure on my previous topics and I'm starting to get worried that the next one won't compare. I've been thinking for the past few days, looking at news articles and such. I might have found one for the argumentative paper, but I'm not quite sure. Granholm proposed giving every high school graduate $4,000 for when they started college in-state. I looked into it more and there is testing that would be done. At first I have to admit that I was a bit outraged that she would just hand over that kind of money. Kids today don't have to work for things. I noticed a HUGE difference when entering college. At my high school teachers were constantly telling the students to be quiet and pay attention. This is because they didn't value the education, it was free. If kids are just handed $4,000 they wont value their education as much. I'm a scholarship recipient. I have worked very hard throughout my life to get these scholarships. And to think that any old high school graduate could get around the same amount as me is an outrage. I will look into the matter when the next paper comes around. But to connect that possible topic with a photo essay one is a bit difficult to come up with. I would really like to take some pictures of Birmingham. But what issues does Birmingham have, what is there.....shopping....a place to hang out......Birmingham is really the only downtown place we have around here, in West Bloomfield. I do think that I would like to do the thematic photo essay, a particular theme. ...Maybe Birmingham is too upscale to write on....there are no abandoned buildings nor graffiti. I don't hang out there much, just over the summer I did to walk around because my neighborhood doesn't have sidewalks. hmmm.....errrr! i hate it when there are changes in barometric pressure, my head hurts so bad, which makes it impossible to think critically and come up with a halfway decent topic.

controversial issues

Some possible controversial issues for the next paper:

1. The dumping of trash from Canada into Michigan
2. Should Bloomfield township be allowed to sell alcohol at gas stations?
3. Roundabouts
4. ?

My neighborhood

Here are a few pictures of my neighborhood:

This is of my couch outside for the trash. We threw it out a few days ago. (that is squeakie next to me)

This is of my house:

Here is a house in my neighborhood:

Here is another house in my neighborhood:

Mom, walking down our street:

And last but not least is Squeakie:

Our Fortified Ghettos

This reading was sad to think about. That people actually live their daily lives like this. I cannot imagine why. Why not move somewhere, anywhere except here. To live each day in fear. I am very careful and watch my back whenever I'm outside and I live in West Bloomfield. You can't get much safer than that. I would probably have a mini heart attack if I lived in New York City or somewhere else unsafe. I do not know what I would do. That is not a very good quality of life, no matter what anyone says. There is no price of a life. And if your life is in danger it doesn't matter what you have to do to get out of there, you just do it.

News in class

1. What local issues are getting the most coverage?
1. The Tara Grant murder case and new twists in it.
2. Commerica pulling out of Detroit for Texas
3. A death at EMU not handled properly
4. The Silverdome is back under Pontiac's ownership until someone decides to buy it.
5. Roundabouts are coming to West Bloomfield to alleviate traffic.

2. What stands out to you about the coverage on freep.com? what concerns do they emphasize/de-emphasize? The "human factor"? The "drama factor"? Just the facts? What?
The story that has the most attention at the moment is the Tara Grant murder case. It is so close to home being in metro-Detroit and it is such a senseless unexpected event. This story has had media coverage almost daily since Feb when she went missing. They play up the human factor with her being a mother and her husband who did this to her. Concerns are over who gains custody of their children and what is going to happen to Stephen Grant, the husband and murderer. They no longer are just reporting cut and dry facts. There is the a sense of getting to know Tara since people who watch the news see her everyday on there.

3. What's going on in your own backyard? What do you think?

West Bloomfield is going to be getting roundabouts put in to alleviate traffic around the northwestern/14 mile road area. I think at first they will not help because most motorists will not know how to use them and therefore will make traffic worse and probably there will be more accidents. Eventually they probably will make a small to significant impact on traffic here.
M0re evidence is unfolding in the Tara Grant murder case as police decide to release it to the public. Now, there is a sled that comes into play, what Stephen Grant used to scatter the remains of his wife.
The zoo is going to be raising rare butterflies. I think that is wonderful since the Karner blue butterfly is endangered.
GM is planning on making Chevrolet a globally sold automobile brand. There is great potential in the rest of the world where in the United States the sales are falling.
There is a new proposal of people who want donated organs have to first sign up to be an organ donor first.

4. What might you want to research/write about? why?
I'm not quite sure yet. I do not want to do research on the Tara Grant murder case because that is just too depressing to think about. It is a sick crime committed by a sick man.

News-Tara Grant

Tara Grant is still on the news and the newscasters are going more in depth as more information arises. Before it has been about what is going on now about her situation, did they find her body, is she just missing, where is her husband? Now, we are finally getting at the root of why she was murdered. This is a sick crime. Why he would do this to her, to his wife, to anyone for that matter. Sick. There is no reason for this.

Sad News

I was watching the news this morning, while munching on a chocolate chip cookie. I still can't believe that Tara Grant's husband would do such a thing to his wife. You are suppose to love, protect, cherish, and be there for you spouse....not kill them. Why not a divorce? What would lead someone to this drastic and twisted of an option. You would think people would grow up, evolve, and this type of crime would be a thing of the past. It is so primitive. It just makes me sour to the world sometimes.

Restaurant Paper

I'm not quite sure how to format this paper. I'm going to go with the single spaced lines with a space in between paragraphs. Plus, I took some pictures. I want to add a few. I'll go with the one of Peter, one of the owners and me plus one of the ribs. This is a very different format than I'm used to writing in. It's mostly my opinion.

Ginopolis'

I decided to not eat with my diet of no gluten/dairy for this assignment. At Genopolis' there are world famous BBQ Montgomery inn ribs. I had to try them. I went out to dinner last night with my mother to do the assignment. We spent 2 hours there. That was a very nice change of pace dining experience for us. I had the mini slab of ribs, jumbo shrimp, and red skin potatoes. plus calamari and minestrone soup. I haven't ate that good of food in quite some time. I'm quite pleased with the place. Many celebrities frequent the venue. Tim Allen, Elizabeth Taylor, and Frank Sinatra were some of the top ones.

Restaurante Review Article

A review must be very descriptive and rich with vivid details about the food, otherwise people won't go there. The author has to make the reader want to eat there. I should probably start the review with food because that is the most important and why the reader is reading the article. Then atmosphere would be good to describe next. Somewhere, the good and bad food should be mentioned, what made it that way. How it was prepared, compare it to other restaurants. I should possibly comment on the menu, if it was clear and there were no errors. I have special eating needs, like, I really should not eat dairy or gluten. I could add someones perspective with special eating needs. And finally the hours it is open and if smoking is allowed.

How I Will Make My Paper on Ben Roberts Better

1. I would like to add more sensory details so the reader can really see him. I don't have a sense of smell, so maybe I'll ask him or one of his friends what he smells like if there is an area that it seems to fit. I will add how he has light brown hair, hazel eyes, somehow so the reader can see him.
2. I will add more basic information in the intro paragraph and not scatter it throughout the paper.
3. I will try to make most of my paragraphs follow the P-I-E structure.
4. I will look at my quotes and make sure they are introduced properly.
5. I will make sure I cite my sources correctly, I realized the format was off.
6. I will add more rich vivid details.

Next Paper-Restaurant Review Possibility

I'm pretty excited to write the next paper on the restaurant review. I don't know the specifics yet, but I'm excited. I don't go out to eat very often. So, this is a nice change of pace for me. Plus, hopefully I can take someone along with me, a friend or parent. At the moment I'm on a special diet due to allergies. So this will make it more interesting I think if i incorporate how well they cater to people's allergies at the restaurant. For example, I not really suppose to eat dairy or gluten. These are two pretty large things to cut out. Most Chinese restaurants I can eat at if I don't get the food with MSG (mono sodium glutamate). There is this great place on Northwestern my mom brings me home sometimes that I would like to write about if that is an option. They have the 2'nd best Chinese food I have ever had. The first was a place in Oberlin, Ohio I ate at when I was visiting one of my best friends.

I Just Wanna Be Average

I tried to read the excerpt critically. I kept saying where are the claims, where is the so-what? Then, I realized, this is more of a about my life biography piece. Plus, I thought this was going to tie into our next writing assignment, the restaurant review. But, it didn't. I was a little disappointed actually. Anyway, reading a piece where someones life seems sad makes you realize just how lucky you are. Mike was an average kid I think, for his neighborhood. He wasn't too well off, they were defiantly below poverty. But, at the same time they made a life for themselves and made it. They had a place to call home. It is all in the eye of the beholder. What defines one person as average and another as not? Their income level, their outlook on life, how many friends they have? Everyone has negative parts to their life. That is what makes us human. Mike may have lived in a horrible neighborhood, but his family was loving and there for each other. Where as, someone who lives in a better neighborhood may have problems with their family getting along.

Rap

Reading the excerpts helped me to understand rap a little more. I am not a fan of the music. And the readings helped explain why people like it and where it comes from. In elementary school I was a huge fan of the stuff, I'll admit it. I liked the catchy beat and tone of it. It wasn't boring like Barney. But the lyrics I listened to, were not degrading to women or violent. They were fun. Catchy. Like, "Hoot there it is, hoot there it is." I thought of an owl when listening to it. There needs to be a real change in the messages in Rap today. Society will greatly benefit from high moral songs.

Songs of West Bloomfield

1. Beverly Hills by Weezer
I live 15 min from Beverly Hills. My high school was in this city. Every time it played on the radio I thought of Groves and memories I have there.

2. Every time we touch by Cascada
This is just the girly song that it seems all girls around here love. It's what the girls around here let themselves feel when they fall in love.

3. We are all on Drugs by Weezer
I'm sure there are people who do actual drugs. But, I take this more as everyone around my community takes some form of drugs. Like, I take asthma and allergy medicine. My friend is diabetic so she takes insulin. It seems like everyone is put on something around here.

4. Of all the gin joints in all the world by Fall Out Boy
This past summer every time I was with one of my best friends we would play this song. It was our song. We love the sound of Fall Out Boy, the tone and material they talk about. A particular line that I like is, "We're sleeping through all our memories." It seems that everyone, including myself just goes through the daily routine of things and doesn't really comprehend what is going on. It's like yesterday I was 8 thinking that I'll never be a teenager, and one day I woke up and I'm 19. It's like middle and high school were just one big rushed blur. And I'm afraid college and the real world will be the same if not worse.

5. Fame <> by Fall Out Boy
The line from this song is "When I'm home alone I just dance by myself." The area I live in is more secluded than other cities. If you have nothing to do you could call a friend to come over, but every has such busy lives and lives so far apart most people just stay at home by themselves. He dances by himself. It seems we are so isolated, AIM and facebook help bring us together. But it almost takes the place of time when we could be face to face.

6. Clumsy by Fergie
It seems like people just date and don't really fall in love anymore. It seems like love is becoming shallower. It's more about appearance now than anything else it seems. And when people say they fell in love, it's not as deep as what it used to be like. People fall in and out of love much more quickly now and don't take it as serious.

7. Mr. Brightside by The Killers
Sex is much more casual now. People just see it as just another thing you do with your significant other. It isn't as sacred and special anymore.

8. Buttons by Pussycat Dolls
It's basically about how women want their clothes taken off and to have sex. Teenagers today don't value themselves and their bodies as much as they should. Somewhere when instilling values into today's youth something got forgotten.

Profile of a Community Member

I was torn between two people to profile. Martha Ford and Ben Roberts. Everyone knows Martha Ford and there would be plenty of information out there on her. The reason I was thinking of writing on her is because my mom massages her and I know that she is kind woman. However, I bet no one knows Ben Roberts, unless they went to school with him. He is almost two years older than me. Not many people would choose a guy that's almost 21. But, he's not your average run of the mill college student. I met him through my friend Dan who told me a few stories on the guy. Wed night I did an interview with Ben over AIM for almost four hours. I'm glad I choose Ben because I learned so much that Dan never told me. I learned why he does the things he does, his motives. I will go into greater detail in the paper, but here is a basic story that illustrates why I choose Ben. If he sees a car that slid off the road or into a ditch he will stop to help, usually by pulling them out with his jeep and tow rope. Your average student would probably pass them by thinking, "Thank-goodness that's not me" and perhaps send a good thought their way. I learned why Ben helps random people when he expects nothing in return. He made it to eagle scout. Through the scouts he learned about helping people and basically caring. A few weeks ago when we had a horrible ice storm he went around to people helping out, starting generators, cutting branches, etc. Ben is one of the kindest, caring, and generous people I have gotten the privilege to know.

"I'm cold as cold as cold can be"

"I'm cold as cold as cold can be" is a line from one of my favorite songs. It's Into the Ocean by Blue October. I love how vivid the details are in that song, it makes it easier to visualize it and I'm more of a visual person. But, a line from the in-class writing is the first line I wrote, "This morning I huddled against the stinging wind to my frozen shell of a car." I like this because I was able to be more descriptive with it. I love using different words to give a sentence clearer meaning. A lot of times this is hard for me to do though. I like the shell analogy because it describes an empty object that seems like it could break at any minute, it's fragile from being frozen all night long. There is an emptiness to the car.

Symbol of Detroit

This is not the Detroit that I know. The "D" pictured here is a cold, steel letter that belongs in a heartless firm. Detroit is about old times, relaxing, and lazy baseball days. The Detroit Metro Convention article said that Detroit appeals more to younger generations than other major cities do. Most people between 25-35 would consider symbol this cool and that is their key demographic now. The "D" that automatically pops into my mind when thinking of Detroit is the Detroit Tigers baseball symbol. This to me symbolizes not only the Tigers, but Detroit as a whole. I do like that there is no slogan on the "D", only words that trigger vivid memories or visions of what Detroit is today and what it used to be like. It will just take some time getting used to this new symbol that represents Detroit.

Peer Review

I was looking over the comments from the peer review tonight and I found them to be conflicting. One person thinks that a certain part of my paper about the food is interesting and brings in good points while the other person thinks that it isn't a real part of my thesis and draws attention away from the focus. Plus it's not the most interesting stuff, I agree. I'm not quite sure what to do with this. I like my thesis, and I think that you have to describe food if you are going to talk about a restaurant. So maybe to please both I will prune out the boring or unnecessary things and keep the better parts. Probably the more I go over my paper the more I will see what needs to be cut or added. I'll mull things over some more.

Writer's Block

I've been putting ideas down on for the last few days, a little here and a little there. Usually I can put together a paper all right and I know just want I want to say. But, for some reason I'm having some trouble. For my paper I don't know how to articulate the feelings that I feel when at Leo's without just outright saying them, and if I do that it defeats the purpose.

Leo's Interviews

I have interviewed 3 people so far: two employees and the boss himself, Leo. I'm glad I talked to Leo because I got more of a history from him, why he has Leo's, and what goes on. With the two employees, I have one that currently works there and another that quit. Two slightly different perspectives, but they are pretty much on the same page I would say. I have worked there since July of this past summer, 7 months. This was my first real job, other than Leo's all I did was babysit, mow lawns, and do odd jobs that included electrical work, go figure. I am already starting to get a sense of loyalty to Leo's. It's not just a job anymore. Sure, the point is to make money. But, now it's starting to become more about the people. I love seeing Moe's face from behind the food area looking out at me. It's comforting to know these people. There is always a smile from the busboy Ferris. He doesn't know very much English, but he tries to start conversations with me. Even if they are just simple ones about soccer. Sure you are going to have the people you dislike to work with, but eventually you just get into a pattern where you tolerate them. Others, you can't wait to tell your weekend stories to. Anyway....I digress. I still need my print resources. I wonder if a takeout menu could work? It's print. I could name the most popular items on it. Other than that, all I know of is a facebook group of dedicated teens who frequent the restaurant and Leo's website. I shall continue my sleuthing.

Initial Thoughts for Leo's Paper

I was thinking today who should I interview for my Analysis paper on Leo's Coney Island. Initially Leo came to mind. He is the owner and would know the most information about the place. But, then I thought that's the obvious answer. Perhaps I can ask him to give a comment but he is usually so busy that it wouldn't be very insightful or beneficial. I would like to get the "back-alley" view. The employees view. I'm waiting for a response to see if one of the waiters will do a mini interview with me via AIM. He is actually an ex-boyfriend so I thought that he might be willing to put more effort into an interview than say someone else who just started working there. Or I could juxtapose someone who was hired in the past week to someone who has worked there for years and get the different views. Or possibly my own views too. I actually did not like working there at first but now I don't really mind it that much. It's the people. Once I got to know them everything changed. I would like to possibly get a few words from my favorite cook, Moe. He is such a sweetheart. I couldn't even imagine him saying anything negative about Leo's. Then there is the possibility of comparing the younger clientele to the older generations that frequent the restaurant. Maybe I'll just talk to people, get some quotes and initial ideas from what they have to say and then decide from there what direction I want to take with this. I really want to analyze it from the inside looking out though. The employee's view.

Response to "Jiving with Java"

I enjoyed reading this selection. I found it brought life to certain things that I questioned before. My ex-boyfriend used to go to Starbucks everyday. I couldn't understand why. Was it that the drinks tasted that much better than other places? or was he addicted to the caffeine? It was the ambiance. It was the atmosphere that engulfed him. This is what pulled him back everyday. Some days I was there, or friends, but I think he also went alone too sometimes. This explain a lot. A coffee place is a refuge from the monotonous daily life that awaits you at home. Only chores and things that need to be done are waiting for you. I don't think I'll be going to a coffee house anytime soon because of this excerpt, but I do have it filed away in the back of my mind for one day. I also hate coffee, so that could also have something to do with it.

Detroit's Last Chance

Detroit has had many years and chances to change. Now it's starting to be the point of no return for Detroit. Once a place has gotten so bad it will be extremely hard to build it back up to the point that it once was. For example, it's much easier to lose 5 lbs than it is 50 lbs. Detroit should not let itself go to this point. The longer Detroit stays this way or the worse it gets, the harder it will be to fix the problems. There is "one way" for Detroit to head from here. Up. The sign points to the left which has more open sky shown rather than the dark side of the building taking up the right of the picture. The sky represents the possibilities for Detroit's future. Endless possibilities.

Response to Homeplace

Overall, heartfelt accounts. But, I felt that the story moved a bit slowly and repeated in certain areas almost. Perhaps to emphasize a point, I don't really know. I would like to know what period of time this was written in and about. Today, I don't see this as relevant to just African Americans. Everyone considers their home a "homeplace," otherwise what would it be? Everyone looks at their home as their safety area where they can rest and recharge. I didn't agree with her on that only African Americans do this. It was most defiantly harder for them to when this was written or the time period she was talking about, I'll give her that. Otherwise, it seems to just be writing common sense but a more specific personalized view on it.

Topic Search: Analysis of a Place/ Artifact

At first thought, there seems to be no places or things that come to mind that have much of a hidden historical significance. After some thought, Leo's Coney Island starts to stand out. This is a local place that has been there since I was little, before this I don't know the history. But, I intend to find out what used to be there. The owner, Leo, always seems to be hanging around the place at least once a week. There is a possibility of an interview from him, but he doesn't really care for most of his employees. He always says, "Come on! You've got tables!" or "Get going." There is a certain speed that we can go before things start getting sloppy and most of the time he is just restating the obvious or telling us to do something that we already did. Yes, I'm a waitress here, so I know the inner workings of the place. This might help, or it could possibly give a very biased view. At the moment, I'm on this diet that I have. Basically, it consists of no gluten or dairy due to semi-allergies. The only food there that I can eat are their salads, chicken, and rice (and even then I'm not sure what goes into the rice). There should be healthier options on their menu, but I don't think this is part of the assignment. Hopefully I'm on the right tract here and can make this paper what it has potential to be.

Response to Mike G. and his post about the class discussion on Detroit

I think that Mike G. is on the right track here. I also think that slow steady progress will last a longer time in the end and is needed more than these elaborate clean-ups in Detroit for special circumstances. In the long run Detroit will be better off because of it. Mike brings up a good point that people do know what Detroit is like, even if they go to a better part of it. You can only hide something so much, in order to get to certain areas, like Greek town, you have to pass other more unpleasant areas.

Reaction to class discussion on Niki's Window

I thought that good points were brought up. I didn't know the extent to which Detroit was cleaned up for the Superbowl and other large public events. Instead of looking at it as hiding the true Detroit and returning back to the fomer status I think that by cleaning it up for the week or so this shows that there are possiblities for the future for Detroit. Like with the bathroom/house example, I think that sure you have to clean up for company but also you can never make your home perfect to everyone's standards. For example, I like a cleaner more clutter free look with a few meaningful objects around me. But, others like a more cluttered feel with parts of their life surrounding them everywhere, from dolls on the floor to dried flowers on the wall. Not everyone can be pleased. I think that this shows that Detroit can be cleaned up with a lot of effort, there are possiblities. With time and effort Detroit can be brought up to higher standards, we are trying different ways to see how we can clean it up best as possible for the future.

"Nikki's Window" CCC 45-52

What is Herron arguing in this essay? What does he mean by the terms pastness, nostalgia, and humiliation?

Herron is trying to convey to the reader that Detroit is now a place where people go to get a false sense of the past. It is no longer the old Detroit, no matter how hard some people try to remodel it. This sign at Nikki's has been there through it all-seen it all. From the 1800s when two men used the place as an engine workshop, to the early 1900s where Henry Ford found the men and conceived the idea for the Model A with their help, to the present where Nikki's restaurant now sits. The term pastness literally means from before the time of now, for example when Ford and others were here. The history of Detroit is the pastness of now. Times were different then and we can never have them back. Nostalgia is feelings for another time. When Detroit was a better place; the businesses and shops that lined the streets bring back memories of happier safer times. Humiliation is of Detroit because of all that it has gone through. With the businesses and people and change of culture and general feelings evoked when in the city. They went from pleasant cheerfulness to down right terrified. Detroit has changed over the years, and not for the better.