Mid-Semester Blog

Tate 1
Josh Tate
Cline
ENG102
3/27/11
Mid-Session Point
Dear Miss Cline,
I am a little bit disappointed with my performance throughout the first half of class. I have had a hard time getting my assignments in on time which is not something I have struggled with in the past, but for some reason this semester it has been very difficult for me to stay on top of things. I feel like the work I have been able to get in on time is not my best work due to procrastination and having to hurry to get it in on time. By far my largest challenge has been trying to adjust to online classes and getting my work in on time and being disciplined enough to stay on top of things. My biggest success has been adjusting and starting to get a feel for online classes and getting all my papers turned in on time.
Huze and O’Brien’s readings both had an impact on me in a positive way. I found them interesting and fun to read which is honestly not my strong suit. The literary analysis writings I have had to thus far this semester has not been a huge change from the writings I have had to do so far in college. I got used to doing these types of writings last semester.
In the second half of this semester I plan to get everything in on time. I plan to complete the extra credit assignments. Overall I plan to be the student that I am capable of being throughout the entire second half to hopefully raise my grade up to a respectable level. I plan to accomplish passing this class and succeeding in raising my grade.
Thank you for your time,
Josh Tate

http://www.goroughriders.com/index.php/2009/11/baseball-team-roster/

Here is a link to the YC Baseball page. Baseball is my passion and something I love to do. 

The Sandstorm by Sean Huze

Josh Tate
Cline
ENG 102
3/13/11
The Sandstorm
I thought the play was very strong coming from a former U.S Marine and other young soldiers. The play was surprising to me at how real it was and the things the marines went through everyday. The fact that the first monologue opens with a marine who is just suffering from the heat and discomfort of the War in Iraq and all he longs for is fresh air and cold water, but the threat of an attack or fatal contamination didn’t allow him to get his wish, he had to be a man and suffer. I liked how, right off the bat you got thrown into the soldiers lives.
The “doc’s” monologue was extremely heartfelt. Just the fact that a dying Iraqi man, who had moments before had his entire family blown to pieces by an American artillery strike, would still thank the American doctor trying to help him for the United States coming in and getting rid of Saddam to help his people. That was very selfless, heartfelt and touching that this man would say that in the circumstances he was in. I also enjoyed the reality that the doc desperately wanted to put this memory in the back of his mind and forget, but was unable to do so no matter what he tried. Some of the monologues were violent and got under my skin. The monologue with the second corporal who shared his feelings with a fellow soldier and then  the very next day watched him die in battle. This man then went on a tirade of revenge.
I enjoyed being placed in the soldiers shoes and felt like they were talking to me one on one in the audience. The monologue that talked about how the soldiers did get attached to towns and people every now and then and how it was hard to leave these things behind to face the fate of the war. Overall I really enjoyed this play it was entertaining and contained a strong story throughout the entire play.

http://www.qpicture.com/artist/sean-huze

This is a link to Sean Huze's biography for anyone interested in finding out more about this excellent author.