Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Downtown Hoodlums

            Going to school downtown is really fun. I especially like my Writing and Rhetoric 1 class. In class so far, we have had plenty of good group discussions on real topics that we face in our everyday lives. We also read interesting literature.  I find this  class to be a good breath of fresh air. I am grateful to hear what my peers have to say in class. I enjoy our open discussion most. It's not that I like to argue it's because I find it valuable to get my peers different point of personal views on topics that I question too. When we are not having discussions on our readings, we are helping each other with our writing. I find the constructive criticisms to be helpful with my writing. Many English classes I have had in the past, were full of poorly structured and harmful peer editing.
         The main reason I  can find enjoy in showing up to class is because I have developed some nice friendships with my classmates. If it were not for this class I may not have been reunited with an old friend. This class allows me to see some close friends at school in the middle of the week. This class is not constraining either. Our opinions are not shut down or forced to be changed. Many people in the world today seem to be very closed minded.
         Finally, in my reflection upon my current grade, I am the least bit concerned. Throughout the school year I have taken it upon myself to not miss any class and I have been successful. I am on time with my homework and try to do the best I can with my writing. I am sure by the end of the semester my final grade will reflect the amount of effort I have dedicated to this class. Lastly, I have enjoyed my time with my fellow classmates and my instructor.

Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Andrew Reynolds

          The greatest skateboarder in the world currently is Andrew Reynolds. He is the face of skateboarding. Andrew Reynolds is a man coming of age but has just hit the peak of his skateboarding career. A well achieved man such as Andrew Reynolds does not need to skateboard another day in his life because of the imprint he has left on the world of skateboarding but it is his passion. To become a millionaire by doing something that you would do for free is a remarkable accomplishment. Although it is clear to me and to all of fans, that Andrew Reynolds is not driven by the pay check he gets at the end of the week. Sure maybe the money motivated him a little, but the drive to become an amazing skateboarder was created by his passion. Andrew Reynolds has such a great passion for his craft, that he is not satisfied until he knows it is the best he can do.
           The difference between Andrew Reynolds and every other skater in the world, is that Andrew never is completely satisfied with a trick until he has it just the way he wants it. There are videos on YouTube that show Andrew Reynold's "Madness". His "Madness" is actually Andrew Reynold's disorder he has had for a long time. Andrew Reynolds was diagnosed with a "Obsessive Compulsive Disorder". This means, Andrew Reynolds has a set of rituals that he must preform in order to feel normal with a situation. Sometimes he has to count off all three of his camera men three consecutive time just in order to attempt the trick once. There is a laundry list of different things Andrew Reynolds has to do in order to try his attempt just once, then he has to repeat it if he does not preform up to his standards.
         Andrew Reynolds is not really all into himself. He is a family man that would much rather spend time playing with his daughter then Facebooking his friends. I know Andrew Reynolds might post a picture every once in awhile on the "Emerica" website, which is a shoe company he is part owner of but he does not pedicure his image. The image that is obtained by Andrew Reynolds is more of an average man doing every rebellious teenagers dream. Jumping off a massive stair set doing an incredible flip trick and rolling away. Then looking at this incredible trick and feeling that you could do better. Andrew Reynolds is not satisfied with landing just any trick, it has to look the way he wants it too. When kids look at the struggles, pains, and emotions Andrew Reynolds goes through to land a single trick is mind blowing to watch as a progressing skater. The way Andrew Reynolds mixes his imperfections to conquer a gravity defying trick is almost unimaginable. How could someone with so many mental ritual clear their mind into almost a state of zen.