Outside Reading #22

Watching the movie of All My Sons added a different perspective on the story. It was very interesting to see how the actors took each role. I didn't imagine several of the lines to be read in the way that they were, especially the end. I didn't really imagine George to be the way he was. Maybe I just missed the stage direction but I didn't envision he to be covered in mustard stains. I liked actually seeing the 50s style set, it was kind of funny.

Outside Reading #21

For this outside reading I watched the movie Downfall. It is about Hitler's last few weeks in his Berlin bunker, while the Russians invade Berlin. It was a really good movie even though it was really sad. The story involves Hitler's secretaries who do not know what Hitler is doing. It is very sad when they feel blame for what Hitler did, because it is completely undeserved. The movie was interesting because it was filmed in Germany, so it is all in German. Also it was interesting to have the German perspective. Especially when you the compare that to Letters from Iwo Jima which I also watched recently. It is interesting to see the desperation on for the German's, and the Japanese.

Outside Reading #20

For this outside reading I read more Fightclub. The main character explains how he first met Tyler Durden. He says that he met Tyler on a nude beach while he was on vacation, and that Tyler had costructed a hand out of drift wood. He did this so that he could sit in the palm of perfection when the hand's shadow was just right. This shows a lot about Tyler's character. First it shows he is clearly very different than most people. Second he knows that he is not perfect, and he knows he must improve himself. He aspires to be better, but in his own way. The chapter also describes the main character's job.

Outside Reading #19

Well I'm finally going to do it. As a huge Chuck P fan I have to read it. That's right I have finally started reading Fight Club. Fight Club is by far Chuck Palahniuk's most famous novel, in part because of the movie starring Brad Pitt, but also because it is a really good book. It should be interesting to compare and contrast the two. In the opening lines of the novel we are told that someone named Tyler is shoving a gun down the main character's mouth. It is made clear that they have known each other for a while. Then the chapter just gets more and more confusing mentioning stuff that has already happened. Then the book goes back in time were the main character has not yet met Tyler, and is going to various support groups so that he can cry, and then sleep. He does this because he has insomnia. Suddenly a woman named Marla shows up at all of his support groups, and because she doesn't have any of these problems he can't cry anymore. The only reason he could cry before was because of all of the other peoples sincerity which is wrecked by Marla's lying.

Outside Reading #18

For this outside reading I watched the TV show It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. This is a hilarious, mainly due to the excellent characterization. Once you know the characters the show is amazingly funny. The five main characters are Dennis, Sweat D, Charlie, Mac, and Frank. Dennis is obsessed with himself, but still has horrible self esteem problems. Dennis will use anyone to get what he wants. Sweat D is Dennis' sister and also has self esteem problems, she often is pulled along with the rest of "the gang's" plans. Charlie is very childish and easily tricked into Dennis' and Mac's schemes. Mac is easily flattered and very into his own muscles. Frankis played by Danny Devito and is Dennis' and Macs father, kind of. Frank lives with Charlie in a one room apartment.The three boys own a bar, and Sweat D is their bartender. My favorite part about the show is how competetive everyone is, almost every episode involves some kind of competition between the main characters. Overall it is just a really funny show.

Outside Reading #17

Well I'm finally finished with The Road and I'm actually pretty surprised. Considering how sad, and depressing the rest of the book was I was expecting a very depressing ending. I am happy to report that this is not the case. Although the end is still very sad, you can infer a very hopeful future past the parameter of the book. I will not say anything more for fear of giving too much away.

Outside Reading #16

After the father and son's stuff was stolen, and they almost killed the thief to get it back, I thought about the importance of their stuff. Without it they would die. So I began a list of survival equipment, and food, that I would want in a post apocalyptic scenario. It is a short list and could no doubt need some adding to.
Here it is:

• Winter Clothing
• Hot Weather Clothing
• Hatchet
• Knife
• Rope
• Sleeping Bag Rated to at least -40 F
• Water Bottle
• Empty Plastic Container
• Flint
• Matches
• Bunsen Burner
• Propane
• Non-perishable Food Items
• Vitamins