Motorcycle Talk

This essay resonated with me a lot more than "The Car" did. I can relate to the author and his relationship with his father. I too have very limited conversation with my dad. Not because we dislike each other, but because my father and I have nothing in common. The only thing we have in common is our hard headedness and our ambition. When it comes to hobbies, and experiences. . . we've got nothing. The only thing I can talk to him about is something that he is passionate about. If I ask him how his maple syruping is going or how the garden is coming along, I won't be able to shut him up. If I try to talk to him about my experiences at school, the conversation dies fast. I've learned that in order to converse with him, I need to pretend to be interested in what he wants to talk about. Listening to him go on and on about how many gallons of sap he boiled or how many rows of beans he picked, is the only way for us to keep in touch with each other. This piece was similar to my own experience in the respect that the author could only talk to his father about one thing. Differently from me, the author actually enjoyed talking about that one thing. The piece was well written and I enjoyed reading it. I especially enjoyed the story about the Depression Go-Kart. I found it inspirational that the Simmons' father made the Go-Kart at such an economically depressing time.

The Car

This piece was well written, but unfortunately didn't resonate with me. I didn't know half of the terms used and couldn't sympathize with the reader for I have never been in  love with a car. I have however, seen first hand how a car can affect a man. When I was twelve I was dragged along to a car show with my uncle and male cousin. They told me how great it was going to be and how much fun I was going to have. Then we walked. For three hours. Around a field, looking at parked cars. Best. Day. Ever. Can you sense the sarcasm? They must have hated me that day, because an hour in I wanted to go. I would rather sit in one of the park cars and nap then walk around and look at them. Oh, but I had to look under the hood, then I would understand. Then I would appreciate the machine for all that it was. Nope. I liked the shiny bright coats of paint on the cars, but shiny objects can only hold my attention for so long. I found this essay to be slightly ridiculous, because I couldn't relate to the author, but I did enjoy reading it. I especially enjoyed how he talked about fooling around in the car with a girl and leaving the things she broke as little reminders of their time together. 

My Parents Bust up and Mine

      I found this short essay to be very depressing. I don't understand how Kirn could let his parents divorce affect his adult life to the extent in which it did. He ended up finalizing his divorce before his parents finalized theirs! The piece was very well written and was extremely personal. I could really feel how sad and pathetic Kirn's life was after his parents divorce. He really exposed his true self and didn't hide anything from the reader.  I think the author used an appropriate tone throughout the piece. It is as if Kirn is skeptical of marriage, but hopeful for the possibility of it being eternal. I hope his second marriage lasts!

Black Men and Public Space

I found this essay to be extremely sad. As a white female, I have never encountered the stares and aversions that Staples had to face everyday. This is a result of my white privilege, which until recently, I hadn't been aware of. I commend Staples for remaining calm in those situations. I would have been extremely frustrated and angry if faced with similar prejudice. However, I do regret to admit, that if I passed him on a dark street late at night, I too would advert my eyes and quicken my pace. Not because of his race, but because of his gender and build. As a woman I have been trained to be skeptical of strange men. I have been scared by the countless stories of rape and kidnapping that my Grandmother insists on telling me. Unfortunately, stereotyping is a very real, very aggravating issue. I like staples attitude towards his lot in life. He takes the high road and understands why others may avoid him just because of his looks. I found his comparison of his whistling melodies from Beethoven and Vivaldi to the cowbell hikers wear in bear country extremely well put. It really showed me how he must feel, trying to put people at ease as they walk by. It is his way of saying, "Hey, I will not rape you. Nor will I kidnap you. Have a wonderful evening."

My Inner Shrimp

This piece was short and sweet. I definitely identify with the author and the vertical challenges he faced as a teen. I too was extremely short in middle school and early high school. I was actually called shrimp by a few people, which makes this essay hit home even more. I like how Trudeau says, "Once you stop being the butt, of course, any problem recedes, if only to give way to a new one." As soon as I surpassed my bullies in height, their new focus was my flat chest. A girl can't win! It is so true how he says that not growing forces you to grow up fast. I had to mature faster mentally and developed a quick wit. I had to compensate for my height with smarts and lots and lots of humor. That humor has stuck with me. I think that being small for such a long time taught me how to laugh at myself and sometimes even turn the laughs on others. I became quick with jokes as a result of being the butt of so many jokes. I take this skill and still use it today as new obstacles arise. I liked this piece and thought that the author did  a good job fitting  a lot of information into a small piece. 

Shaping Up Absurd

Nora Ephron's piece on growing up was very entertaining and hit home. I've always scrutinized my almost size B breasts. First of all, they took years to develop. I was flat-chested until the summer after my freshman year of high school. When they finally did decide to grace me with their presence, they were too small to even make a fuss over. Like Ephron, I felt like less of a woman without them. I saw my friends growing up and getting attention from guys as I continued to get away with ordering from the children's menu at Denny's. Ephron's style of writing was very conversational and slightly humorous. I could visualize her showing up to school with breasts who's size depended on the day. I too have a few padded bras that I sometimes wear for a boost of confidence. Friends have called me out on it as my breasts magically grow a cup size over night or deplete a cup size if it is laundry day. Society has placed a lot of importance on women's bodies and how they should look. This causes us women to do crazy things to strive and fit that ideal image. Many girls struggle with this image and Ephron gave us a peak into that struggle.

My Father's Life

I identify with the distance felt between father and child. Like Carver's father, my own father has worked hard all of his life and unfortunately this has taken away from time spent with me. The disconnection between father and son was conveyed through the tone of the piece. The author used such a dry, factual tone. It was almost as if he fully accepted the relationship he had with his father, imperfections and all. It was what it was. I found it particularly powerful when he wrote a poem about father after his father's death. This was the first point in the essay in which he exposes his perception of his father. I feel that the theme of this piece is unconditional love. Although he didn't always respect his father and his father's choices, Carver still loved and cared for him. I believe Carver wrote this piece to sort out his feelings about his father and get down on paper his their relationship. He wrote this to remember and understand.

Life

Life is full of fun
Let's celebrate this moment
As it shall pass soon

I like this haiku because it takes a positive look at life, but at the same time acknowledges that it is temporary. This poem says that one should celebrate this moment. Too often I find myself focused on the future. I fear that this focus is causing me to miss the present. The present is too often ignored and this poem reminds us that we need to enjoy it because it is only here for the moment.

Boyfriends

        I found this essay very relatable. I identified with the slow progression of the author's relationship with her boyfriend. I had similar experiences in middle school. For me, middle school was a time when you had your friend tell your boyfriend that he could hold your hand on the way to the bus stop.  I also identified with how awkward a first kiss can be. My first "serious" boyfriend and I waited a while to kiss and when we did, it was . . .  horrible. You would think he was trying to see how many licks it takes to get to the center of a tootsie pop. I was throughly disgusted by my first experience and similarly to the author, I much preferred the emotional side of the relationship before we had kissed.  I was able to relate and enjoy this essay because it felt very conversational. I believe that the writer's theme is about relationships and how they evolve as one evolves and grows as a person.