Ramblings of Christmas Break

I hope everyone's winter vacation went great!I know we all deserved and needed the break! Isn't the picture on the right gorgeous?That's Huntington on my Birthday. As expected, the beach was almost completely empty the day after Jesus' Birthday. We did see a kitesurfer and I made a promise to myself that I would learn to kitesurf. I mean soon. It was very cool. I ate at the best bar-b-que place ever and wondered why they abbreviate bar-b-que because when you put in the -'s, it takes up the same amount of room as when you spell it. I was given a Nixon watch which was "the cheese to my macaroni."*

Christmas was one of the best so far. Just some friends and family at our house and a lot of really good food. The coolest gift was probably a quilt my grandma made. The weirdest was a three way tie between an ant farm, a chia pet watch, and pencils.*laugh*My parents definitely have a sense of humor.

I also did alot of reading. Dear John, Atonement, part of Frankenstein, The Adventures of Huckelberry Finn, and Captivating, and some Emily Dickinson poems were among the list. I also made a record for myself and watched about 6 movies in one day. Juno and August Rush were the faves. I also manged to become addicted to The O.C. which is kinda a shame in itself.

Arizona occupied the last three days of my break when Alexis invited me to stay with her and a couple others at their dude ranch. Two words:very cool! (I know I could have come up with two words better than that to describe it) I had alot of fun there and managed to forget school was only in a couple days. Her cousin who also went does a GREAT impersonation of this: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=SsWrY77o77o .Our "wrangler" was a guy from Arkansas named Kipp. It is kind of impossible to say the name Arkansas without sounding twangy. He had a glass eye which was also very cool. I also saw a live taratula,(like a wild one), a dead coyote, and not one tumbleweed. Anyway, the dude ranch was another fun part of my vacation that I really enjoyed.

RAIN made break even better!

I worked over my break, left my homework until last minute like I promised myself I wouldn't, went running, wished I could go snowboarding, signed up for kitesurfing lessons, seriously considered a myspace to break the boring moments,and missed you all!

Overall it was a nice relaxing break. If you got this far, congrats for toughing it out. I'm sure you were waiting for it to get better but it didn't. You should have known better.
*My new found habit is quoting movies and making pop culture references. I don't know why. It is actually sorta embarrassing.

Reflection on "The Notorious Jumping Frog of Calaveras County"

While reading "The Notorious Jumping Frog of Calaveras County," I was amused by Mark Twain's use of diction and humor used to entertain readers throughout a monotous account. The author's sarcastic, dry humor allows for the story to encourage readers to continue with the story and pokes fun at an otherwise boring cast of characters. Through the use of diction, Twain develops the characters of the story into a humorous cast that brings color to the story.

The author only "speaks" when he introduces the story at the start, and again at the end. Twain's sarcasm is seen from the very beginning of the lighthearted story when he opens explaining how he ended up writing the tale, a funny account in itself: "I have a lurking suspicion...he would go to work and bore me to death with some exasperating reminiscence" (525). Twain uses the two opportunities at the opening and closing of the story to give readers a humor that is found throughout the story.

The remaining parts of the story are a direct quotation of the account by Mr. Wheeler of a bet crazed man named Mr. Smiley. Twain uses diction to continue his flow of humor throughout the story. Twain uses humor in his characterization by using prominent names such as Dan'l Webster and Andrew Jackson for animals. Twain gives his characters a twangy accent and successfully puts humor in a story that might otherwise be considered bland.

Though the story did not seem to have a theme that jumped out at readers, I enjoyed "The Notorious Jumping Frog of Calaveras County." Twain did an excellent job writing a lighthearted, humorous story about a frog and a man addicted to betting.

Reflection on "The Outcasts of Poker Flats"

While reading "The Outcasts of Poker Flats," I was impressed with the way in which the author presented the idea that no matter how strong or weak, good or bad a person may be, everyone faces death of their lives on earth. The author presented characters each unique from each other such as "the innocent" Piney, the adulterous Duchess, the quarrelsome Uncle Billy, and the calm Mr. Oakhurst. These characters were each very different form each other presenting multiple foils to each other in both intellect and physical abilities. The one thing they did all have in common was the world's rejection of themselves and their ironic strikes of bad luck. Harte uses the characterization of all of the characters in his story to show now matter how different man may seem from each other, they are closer to each other than they may seem.

Harte continues with his idea about man's fate and equality when Mother Shipton, the supposed strongest of the group, perishes. This contrast to the idea of the stronger will survive is extinguished as Harte reinforces the fragility of human life.In the end, Duchess and Piney, two completely opposite characters morally, die in each other's arms. Though direct foils of each other in virtually every aspect, the two suffer the same fate. Later, the cool headed Mr. Oakhurst is found dead after a successful suicide attempt. Before the unfortunate event of being outcast took place, the fate of the characters would never have been guessed to have such an unfavorable outcome.

By giving all the characters in his story such a terrible fate, Harte reinforces the idea that humans are immortal. We all share a common thread, just like the characters in the story were all outcasts. Through the use of characterization, Harte shows that everyone will eventually die here on this sinful earth: "But all human stain, all trace of earthly travail, was hidden beneath the spotless mantle mercifully flung from above" (Harte 541). The author shows his readers exactly how fragile life can be and the fate of human immortality. Whether we consider death the actual "end" or the start of a new life, however, is left up to the readers.