Lisa's Page

[daniellehumphreys-blog]

I am one hundred percent happy that I have finished the book. I believe it was a good story to represent the love between a boy and his father, but it is not something I would pick up to read myself for fun. The aspect of the book that bothered me the most was how real the actions in the book felt...

[lisarios-blog]

I don't want to see the movie either.  There were horrific things in the book that I'd rather not see in front of me.  The author really drew me into the reality of the story.  I really loved the relationship between the father and son.  Even though you didn't read about the father demonstrating his love, you could definitely feel it.  I'm so glad for the exposure I've had to PoMo literature.  It's broadened my horizons and I've loved all the works we've read.

[lisarios-blog]

[lisarios-blog]

Lisa's 11th Blog

Im missing a blog somewhere.  I'll have to figure it out.  SO!  What a weekend I've had.  Reeeeaaaally wish I could clone myself a couple of times, send myselves to various schools for various types of training, etc.  I was so excited about writing the mishnah.  Every time I say it I want to sing the Hari Krishna song.  Sorry, it's late, I'm feeling a little punchy.  Anyway, the mishnah, excited about it.  So, I had been plodding along, gathering my ideas, jotting things down and was moving right along, almost done.  Then I decided I needed to fix my washing machine because it wouldnt spin anymore and we were running out of, you know, stuff.  I'm officially an appliance mechanic now, but of course it didn't end there.  My neighbor showed up with additional tools (yay tools!) and helped me put the machine back together, stand it back up, hook it back up.  Tested it, great! working!  Turned on the water.  BAM!  Hose bursts.  Oh, that's okay.  I've got brand new hoses right here.  Old hoses rusted onto faucets.  A day later, broken faucet, need new ones, cut out dry wall, replace plastic doohickey, blah, blah, blah.  Sigh!  That's done.  Oh wait.  Your dance costume needs to be taken in for pictures tomorrow?  Sure, Sweetie.  Oh, the dryer vent tube fell off.  It's broken in a few places, need to cut around it, put it back on.  Done.  Mishnah!  Where are you Mishnah?  I had so much fun doing the Mishnah.  I hope Prof. Clark enjoys reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.  I tested it on one kid and she wanted to read more.  That's good, right?  I need a vacation.  How much time do we have between finals and the start of summer session...?  It's late, goodnight.

[tison-hannah-blog]

This book is so depressing. It affects my moods, nothing happy ever happens, and I feel like there is no way this book can turn out ok in the end. However, despite all these terrible things I cant seem to put the book down. There is something about the way its written, there aren’t chapters just...

[lisarios-blog]

It is depressing.  My favorite parts are when the man and the boy are talking to one another.  I miss that the man doesn't say any endearments.  The dialogue is very dry.  But I love that he kisses him and ruffles his hair.  It seems like a totally hopeless, pointless story, but those little nuggets of positive things (like them finding the underground shelter or managing to escape the bad guys more than once) keep me hanging on.

[lisarios-blog]

Lisa's 10th Blog

Well, Happy Easter and/or Happy Passover.  I don't want to put The Road down.  Just when I was getting ready to, the man went down into the basement.  Sheesh!  That was scary!  I read for another hour.  Yes, it is sad and depressing, but I'm learning a lot about survival!  Does it get anyone else's wheels turning to think of preparing for something like this?  The only thing is that you have to do it in secret, all by yourself, so that you're not bombarded by everyone.  I love the poetry that sort of pops out here and there.  I'm trying very hard to see any symbolism, etc., but I get so caught up in it.  I'm not very detail oriented and sometimes will miss those little extras.  But so far I love it.  It's very unique, very compelling.

[lisarios-blog]

Lisa's 9th Blog

So, I've finished the book and I'm not sure about the ending.  The sorriness of most of the characters' lives reminds me of how Voltaire writes:  that, regardless of something wonderful happening to you, watch out because your life is about to totally suck!  I really liked Sasha from the beginning and am glad she ended up leading a fairly normal life.  She really turned things around for herself.  Benny's priority has always been music; nothing else is as important to him.  I like Stephanie's character, hate Jules, and sad about Scotty.  

[coltonbond7-blog]

In chapter seven “A to B”, I developed a liking for Jules. I felt sorry for him thinking he was just a guy down on his luck, who was falsely accused; and that all changed during the reading of chapter 9 “Forty-minute lunch: Kitty Jackson Opens Up About Love Fame, and Nixon”. I feel that Egan has...

[lisarios-blog]

I thought the same thing about Jules.  I'm really confused about his character.  I initially thought he put the moves on Kitty and she got pissed and accused him of attacking her.  Then, he's concerned that his sister is having an affair.  But we find out that he really did try to rape Kitty.  What gives?  I liked him until I knew the truth.  But now I feel sorry for him because he seems like he had a moment of temporary insanity, being in such a crappy position in life and envying who and what Kitty Jackson was. 

[republicanvampires-blog]

the last question of the midterm really bugged me. Professor Clarke asked us which was our favorite reading. I can’t remember what i put down exactly (it was probably some sarcastic quip) but its got me thinking. Im not too sure i can choose a favorite reading. the two novel’s we read seemed soo...

[lisarios-blog]

I couldn't choose either, Minh.  I said both.  I agree that some of the excerpts in the PAF were really frustrating to read, since we were only getting a tiny slice of the whole pie--just enough to whet our appetites and want to keep reading, and then it's over.  There were others, though, that were good like In Cold Blood.  I think with that one we got sort of a beginning, middle and end.

[lisarios-blog]

Lisa's 8th Blog

I've gotten so distracted.  I knew I had to complete a few things, some on Friday, and then of course the blogs by Sunday.  Talk about procrastinating!  I waited until the last minute for everything.  And then, when I'm finally on my way to my computer tonight to blog, stinkin' Twilight is on!  Bad acting, bad this, bad that, and I love it.  Luckily it only captured me for about 20 minutes.  I can't wait to get into Goon Squad.  I think it's going to be fun.  Hope you all enjoy your break!

[vansoff-thewall-blog]

The reason that fiction is more interesting than any other form of literature, to those who really like to study people, is that in fiction the author can really tell the truth without humiliating himself. -Jim Rohn

This is such an interesting quote to me! It reminds me of the things they...

[lisarios-blog]

Unfortunately, all that doesn't apply to me.  I'm one of those "wear my heart on my sleeve" kind of gals.  I strive to be more private.  But I have no shame.  Maybe it's cuz I'm older and I'm sort of over worrying about what people think of me.  Maybe I'm just hoping that people realize we've all got issues and problems and it's nothing to be ashamed of and that I'm a good listener if they want to talk.  But I really love the quote.  It makes perfect sense.

[lisarios-blog]

Lisa's 7th Blog

I initially thought I was going to blow the midterm.  When I read the first question of the first page I thought--Oh, crap, I don't remember any of this.  But then I just let it go, answered the ones I remembered and then came back to the ones I found the answers to in the rest of the test.  After the first page it was a lot of fun!  Having said that, I hope I got an A.  I really enjoyed most of the readings.  Some of it never would have read by choice.  Now there are a few from the text that I'd like to read in full, especially Housekeeping and In Cold Blood.  

[tison-hannah-blog]

So I really didn’t enjoy reading the beloved excerpt from the text. Especially after we talked about it in class, it seemed really weird at first then we talked about the book and it went straight to sad and depressing. Not exactly my thing. However I did enjoy the comic strips, it was different...

I liked the comic strips, too.  I'm a little confused as to the actual age of Barry when she wrote them.  Was she actually just a kid?  Or a grownup writing as a kid?  What a character she is!  Laurie Anderson's stuff was good in print, a little strange live though.

[lisarios-blog]

Lisa's 6th Blog

Almost forgot to blog!  I can definitely feel things sort of winding down toward mid-term.  I usually feel them snowballing.  Hm, wonder what it means.  Anyway, loved "The Things" by Tim O'Brien. Loved the way he bounced back and forth on the timeline.  Loved how he left us wondering what was really true and what was imagination.  Loved how he would repeat the stories that had the most impact.  Can't wait for the next novel.  I've only got real nonfiction to read right now.  As far as "Beloved," it was a little confusing at first, trying to figure out who was who.  It was a bit uncomfortable in parts, especially in regard to the cows.  I just don't get that.  Anyway, I'm very interested in reading the whole book now.

[kingdomheartsangel-blog]

I have to say this book ended on a weird note for me. After finishing this book, I think I understand it a little bit better though. It seems to me that this book is not really a story, but rather a collection of little stories that keep haunting the author even though the war is long over. I...

[lisarios-blog]

From Lisa:  I felt like the end actually wrapped things up and brought us to a more complete understanding of Tim O'Brien's psyche.  He saw death at such a young age and never forgot Linda.  He basically carried her with him throughout his life, and he continued to have to deal with death.  So, it's sort of like Alpha and Omega, and I think it ended very well.  Depressing though.

[lisarios-blog]

Lisa's 5th Blog

My heart goes out to our Vietnam Vets. I've seen enough movies and heard enough stories to know how bad it was.  But it's so sad that even after all these years, so many of these men continue to be haunted.  Tim O'Brien was such a brave boy for going to see Linda.  I understand how he needed closure because he just couldn't grasp that she was really dead.  I remember going through the same thing when my grandmother died.  I was 10 and we had been out of town when she died.  I couldn't believe it.  So, I went with my mom to the funeral home to see her.  She wasn't in a coffin; she was still lying on the table with a sheet over her body.  I never actually made it all the way into the room but about halfway down the hall.  I remember how pale and waxy her skin looked and how her hair was hanging down off of the table.  It freaked me out and I turned around and walked away.  But at least I did get to see her.  I envy Tim's ability to bring Linda into all his dreams.  Even trying desperately, I've never been able to pull specific people into my dreams.  What a sad book, but it must have been great therapy for Tim O'Brien to put all his ghosts into stories.

[lisarios-blog]

Lisa's 4th Blog

The movie:  It was definitely not as rich a story as the book was, so many things were left out.  It was very deep and rather depressing.  The music contributed to that.  I didn't like how they cast Abby Black's character.  I didn't like the missing parts and the stories within stories.  The flashbacks with Tom Hanks I thought were pretty easy to follow, although some who've not read the book might have been confused by a couple of them.  Didn't like the timeline they created with the mom flashback; it was too soon for us to "discover" that.  I loved they way it ended.  Had a great time with everyone at dinner.  Next time let's get a round table.  I wanted to be able to hear what the guys at the other end were talking about!  Good movie, yummy food, great company, all around great time.  

[kingmateus-blog]

I am not going to ruin it for those that haven’t seen. However I do want to point out although the movie was likeable it was lacking so much in comparison to the book. There were things they left out that kind of make it hard to forgive Hollywood especially since a few of the main parts could have...

[lisarios-blog]

From Lisa:  So true.  I think it would have made for a very long movie, though, if they had included all those parts.  But it certainly left out significant things for those of us who liked the book.