Story Link:
http://www.mercurynews.com/top-stories/ci_13634965?nclick_check=1
In my humble opinion, I believe the Mercury News' story “Preventing suicides at Palo Alto train crossing,” is a very descriptive and in depth analysis of the suicides that have taken place at the Meadow Drive crossing. However, I live on West Meadow Drive, only a few houses away from the deadly crossing. After doing some research, I find it interesting that the rate of student suicides by train has increased every year since I graduated from Gunn High School back in 2006. From what I can remember, I never heard about any students committing suicide at the train crossing I live near.
It angers me that the Meadow Drive train crossing is gaining notoriety because so many deaths have taken place there. I truly do not understand because Palo Alto High School, located on Churchill Street, is right next to the train tracks as to Gunn High School, which is 1.7 miles away from the closest train crossing. Palo Alto High School has not dealt with student suicides at the train tracks, raising the question, “Are students being pushed to hard at Gunn?” I ask myself this because being a graduate of Gunn High School, I never felt any reason to throw myself in front of a moving train to solve my problems.
This issue in particular lights my fuse well because my sister currently attends Gunn High School. She is a sophomore and has a couple friends whose older brothers and sisters committed suicide at the Meadow Drive crossing. I asked my sister to reflect on the situation and she told me her friends do not understand why their older siblings would do such a thing. According to a news story from ABC News, four teens from Palo Alto who attended Gunn High School have committed suicide all within the past six months. This is indeed shocking to hear, raising questions about parents in Palo Alto. Are they talking and interacting with their children about things such as suicide? Are parents in Palo Alto pushing their children too hard academically? As a resident of Palo Alto since 2001, I would like to know the answers because it would hurt to see a close friend of mine end up in the news as another victim to the Caltrain at the Meadow Drive crossing. It seems as if the Meadow Drive crossing is gaining notoriety, something I hope does not happen because no person wants to live near a place where death takes place all too often.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Word of the Week #8
Predilection
Source: I found this word in an article I read online at ESPN.com
Sentence: One of the chief reasons is that, despite his predilection for a lone striker, Domenech does not have a suitable player to fill the role.
Definition:
Predilection(noun): a tendency to think favorably of something in particular; partiality; preference
My Sentence:
The aspiring body builder had a predilection to make his trapezius muscles larger and defined, working out that specific area of muscles for numerous hours every day.
Source: I found this word in an article I read online at ESPN.com
Sentence: One of the chief reasons is that, despite his predilection for a lone striker, Domenech does not have a suitable player to fill the role.
Definition:
Predilection(noun): a tendency to think favorably of something in particular; partiality; preference
My Sentence:
The aspiring body builder had a predilection to make his trapezius muscles larger and defined, working out that specific area of muscles for numerous hours every day.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Blog #7 Drinking Coffee Elsewhere
After reading the chapter "Every Tongue Shall Confess," I came across several story telling techniques that the author utilizes well to keep the chapter interesting. From the beginning of the chapter, author Z.Z. Packer sets the scene well for the reader, describing Clareese's aunt Alma's room similar to a hospital, filled with "perpetual snores and hacking and weezing."
One description from Packer I found to be interesting and very descriptive was her description of Cleophus. Upon changing Mr. Toomey's catheter, "Cleophus had watched her, laughing under his breath, then outright, a waxing and waning of hilarity as if her every gesture were laughably prim and proper." Packer's description is very elaborate, showing emotions and gestures from both the outside as well as the inside.
Packer's story telling techniques in this particular chapter place the reader as if they were there witnessing all that is going on, from the Deacon to the situation with Mr. Toomey and Cleophus. Clareese's description of the hospital rooms "had given her solace; the way everything was clean, clean, clean; the many patients that had been in each room, some nice, some dying, some willing to accept the Lord...now the clean hospital room was just a reminder of the emptiness, the barrenness, of her patients' souls." I found this excerpt from this chapter eerie yet true, hospitals see several patients and the rooms are occupied day in and day out. Even if there is a death in that very same room, the hospital does its best to make its future patients are comfortable and not reminded that people pass away at hospitals.
Lastly, Packer's use of quotes are memorable as well. She spaces letters and capitalizes them to show that the Pastor is preaching loudly and proudly. There is constant reference to the Bible throughout the chapter, whom Sister Clareese reminds herself constantly of.
One description from Packer I found to be interesting and very descriptive was her description of Cleophus. Upon changing Mr. Toomey's catheter, "Cleophus had watched her, laughing under his breath, then outright, a waxing and waning of hilarity as if her every gesture were laughably prim and proper." Packer's description is very elaborate, showing emotions and gestures from both the outside as well as the inside.
Packer's story telling techniques in this particular chapter place the reader as if they were there witnessing all that is going on, from the Deacon to the situation with Mr. Toomey and Cleophus. Clareese's description of the hospital rooms "had given her solace; the way everything was clean, clean, clean; the many patients that had been in each room, some nice, some dying, some willing to accept the Lord...now the clean hospital room was just a reminder of the emptiness, the barrenness, of her patients' souls." I found this excerpt from this chapter eerie yet true, hospitals see several patients and the rooms are occupied day in and day out. Even if there is a death in that very same room, the hospital does its best to make its future patients are comfortable and not reminded that people pass away at hospitals.
Lastly, Packer's use of quotes are memorable as well. She spaces letters and capitalizes them to show that the Pastor is preaching loudly and proudly. There is constant reference to the Bible throughout the chapter, whom Sister Clareese reminds herself constantly of.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Word of the Week #7
Esurient
Source:
I stumbled upon this word while reading a story titled "Sports and Chocolate: Guilty Pleasures All Round?"
Sentence:
Flicking between tabs on the computer—one of the live scores and one of the report you ought to be writing—just so you can appease that esurient need for connection to the world with which you ought to have severed all contact for the day; until eventually, you give in and switch the TV on.
Definition:
Esurient is an adjective that is defined as being hungry or greedy
My Sentence:
Lamar Odom, the starting forward on the Los Angeles Lakers, has a consistent and esurient need for candy such as gummy worms, Starburst, and Whoppers.
Source:
I stumbled upon this word while reading a story titled "Sports and Chocolate: Guilty Pleasures All Round?"
Sentence:
Flicking between tabs on the computer—one of the live scores and one of the report you ought to be writing—just so you can appease that esurient need for connection to the world with which you ought to have severed all contact for the day; until eventually, you give in and switch the TV on.
Definition:
Esurient is an adjective that is defined as being hungry or greedy
My Sentence:
Lamar Odom, the starting forward on the Los Angeles Lakers, has a consistent and esurient need for candy such as gummy worms, Starburst, and Whoppers.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
AB 656 Story Reflection
Writing the news story about California's budget situation on education enlightened me on some new topics. For one, I did not know AB 656 existed until I attended the meeting and rally held on campus. Writing the story on AB 656 made me feel more politically active and aware in relation to San Jose State University since I am a fourth year student. The fee increases and furloughs have affected me significantly and now that I know a little more as to why this semester is the way it is, I feel more informed.
Blog #6 NPR Radio Interview Analysis
Interview: “Undiagnosed Asperger's Leads To 'Life As An Outsider'”
The interviewer provided a substantial amount of background information about Tim Page, the interviewee. She presented listener's with background information about Page, including his academic accolades as well as the fact that he is a Pulitzer Prize music critic. She also mentioned his memoir, “Parallel Play: Life as an Outsider,” which was the subject of the interview. Questions were guided based on the relevance to Page's memoir, which kept interview on topic.
The interviewer asked questions such as, “What kind of licenses did your eccentricities give you?” and “Looking back, how did Asperger's syndrome affect your liking to music?”. Page responded to her questions with logic and seriousness. From trying LSD to his addiction to marijuana to counter his stress, Page answered each of her questions without sounding defensive or angry. The interviewer built up her questions utilizing several excerpts from Page's memoir.
The relationship between the interviewer and interviewee seemed positive and fair. No arguments or discomfort took place based on their tones during the course of the interview. Although a portion of the interview involved Page being labeled as a crack addict, Page handled it safely and was apologetic towards the actions he made in the past at that point in time.
Overall, I learned about Asperger's syndrome, which is an autism spectrum disorder that leads to difficulties with social interaction. Page mentioned he felt pressured and much anxiety through his high school and college years, experimenting with several drugs to ease it all. Page's liking for music keeps him going and despite his son having the same syndrome, who is only 19, Page wants his son to not feel judged or depressed. If Page is a Pulitzer Prize music critic with Asperger's syndrome, I am sure his son is capable of something greater. The interview ended cheerfully and respectfully, with all questions answered and no conflict.
The interviewer provided a substantial amount of background information about Tim Page, the interviewee. She presented listener's with background information about Page, including his academic accolades as well as the fact that he is a Pulitzer Prize music critic. She also mentioned his memoir, “Parallel Play: Life as an Outsider,” which was the subject of the interview. Questions were guided based on the relevance to Page's memoir, which kept interview on topic.
The interviewer asked questions such as, “What kind of licenses did your eccentricities give you?” and “Looking back, how did Asperger's syndrome affect your liking to music?”. Page responded to her questions with logic and seriousness. From trying LSD to his addiction to marijuana to counter his stress, Page answered each of her questions without sounding defensive or angry. The interviewer built up her questions utilizing several excerpts from Page's memoir.
The relationship between the interviewer and interviewee seemed positive and fair. No arguments or discomfort took place based on their tones during the course of the interview. Although a portion of the interview involved Page being labeled as a crack addict, Page handled it safely and was apologetic towards the actions he made in the past at that point in time.
Overall, I learned about Asperger's syndrome, which is an autism spectrum disorder that leads to difficulties with social interaction. Page mentioned he felt pressured and much anxiety through his high school and college years, experimenting with several drugs to ease it all. Page's liking for music keeps him going and despite his son having the same syndrome, who is only 19, Page wants his son to not feel judged or depressed. If Page is a Pulitzer Prize music critic with Asperger's syndrome, I am sure his son is capable of something greater. The interview ended cheerfully and respectfully, with all questions answered and no conflict.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Blog #5 - Mystery Character
I am a professional baseball player. Fans dub me "The Kid," since I began my career at such a young age. My swing is said to be swift and graceful. I am approaching my twilight years but I am still capable of playing games despite the several injuries I received throughout my career. My flamboyant personality tends to turn heads wherever I go, whether that would be at the All Star Game or at the Home Run Derby. I am a role model to my fans as well as my loving family. When I play the game of baseball, I focus more on having fun then winning games.
Word of the Week #6
Descry
Source:
I came across this word when I was reading the book "Year of Wonders" by Geraldine Brooks.
Sentence:
It was a chill morning, and a moist fog hung low in the valley, so it was difficult to descry exactly what was in the cart edging its slow way up the hill, with a slight figure behind, bent double, toiling under the load.
Definition:
Descry (verb): To catch sight of, especially of something distant or obscure; to discern
My Sentence:
As the quarterback waited in the pocket, he found his receivers difficult to descry where exactly they were because mud and heavy rain distorted his vision.
Source:
I came across this word when I was reading the book "Year of Wonders" by Geraldine Brooks.
Sentence:
It was a chill morning, and a moist fog hung low in the valley, so it was difficult to descry exactly what was in the cart edging its slow way up the hill, with a slight figure behind, bent double, toiling under the load.
Definition:
Descry (verb): To catch sight of, especially of something distant or obscure; to discern
My Sentence:
As the quarterback waited in the pocket, he found his receivers difficult to descry where exactly they were because mud and heavy rain distorted his vision.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Word of the Week #5
Stultify
Source:
I stumbled across this interesting word while reading an article from epsn.com by Chris Murphy
Sentence:
Hangeland can afford Van Persie little space if he is to stultify Arsenal's attacking threat, and must prevent him shooting from anywhere within range.
Definition:
Stultify (verb)
1.To render useless or ineffectual; cripple.
2.To cause to appear stupid, inconsistent, or ridiculous.
My Sentence:
The Pittsburgh Steelers hope to stultify the San Diego's Chargers offensive weapons that include LaDainian Tomlinson and Vincent Jackson.
Source:
I stumbled across this interesting word while reading an article from epsn.com by Chris Murphy
Sentence:
Hangeland can afford Van Persie little space if he is to stultify Arsenal's attacking threat, and must prevent him shooting from anywhere within range.
Definition:
Stultify (verb)
1.To render useless or ineffectual; cripple.
2.To cause to appear stupid, inconsistent, or ridiculous.
My Sentence:
The Pittsburgh Steelers hope to stultify the San Diego's Chargers offensive weapons that include LaDainian Tomlinson and Vincent Jackson.
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