Practice Final 2

"She asked him why? Why I'm a hairy guy". 1 Hair, hair, give me down to there. Back in the sixties, the musical group the Cowsills sang to the splendor of hair. As a society, we glorify hair. Did you know that a recent study showed that the first thing a man notices about a woman is her hair? Hair products are a billion dollar industry. Some people have "blonde moments". Sleek and shiny, thick and lustrous, thin and stringy; hair is everywhere. But did you ever think of the functionality of hair? Hair has a purpose other than to look good. Hair has a reason for being. Hair has its own role in life, other than to look good.

When you have no hair, you find out pretty quick why hair is important. When I lost my hair due to chemotherapy, I found I could no longer balance a pencil behind my ear. This is an important job for hair. Hair provides enough bulk to allow the pencil to comfortably sit above the ear. When I need a pencil, I don't have to look around my desk or around the house to find one; I have one behind my ear. But when I had cancer, I constantly had pencils fall from behind my ear or when I tried to balance the pencil over my ear, it would slide down my back.

We usually think of hair as the follicles on top of our heads, but hair grows in other places, too. And the hair has a job. Like when I had cancer, I developed a chronic runny nose. I mean, it ran like water from a spigot. I couldn't figure out why my nose ran constantly because I didn't have a cold. The doctors said they didn't know, but doctors are more concerned with treating the disease; they don't really delve into the side effects. I talked to a nurse about my problem and she told me it was quite common. After all, I not only lost the hair on my head, but the hair in my nose. Imagine that! Hair in my nose keeps my nose from running. What a revelation!

Hair also defines us as individuals. When I had cancer, I lost not only the hair on my head, but my eyelashes and eye brows. They constitute hair, too. My sister's sister-in-law also went through cancer treatments at the same time that I did and she referred to herself as looking like a lizard. Quite reptilian, actually. When I looked in the mirror, I didn't recognize who was looking back. In an effort to make my appearance look normal, I would try to draw eye brows on my face. I could make one brow look almost like a real eye brow, all feathery and subtle. But the other looked like my three year old drew it. No matter how hard I tried, I could never get the two to match. So I gave up, wore dark shadow to camouflage my lack of lashes and pulled my cap down a little further on my forehead. Facial hair identifies us as individuals.

Hair is beautiful. Blonde, red, brunette. Long, short, pixie. Dye, braided, ponytailed. Yes, hair is appealing to look at. But hair has a function, a reason to be. Hair defines us individually; it keeps our bodily functions in check and it serves to keep us organized. "A home for the fleas, a hive for the buzzing bees... there ain't no words for the beauty, the splendor, the wonder of my hair". 2

1 & 2 The Cowsills, "Hair", written by Gerome Ragni and James Rado

Graf 19

When I first read what I was suppose to write on for the "in class" essay on either tools or roads, I immediately knew I had to write on tools. I am an avid viewer of home improvement shows. I know Vanilla Ice as a flipper, not a rapper. I watch all the "Crasher" franchise and LOVE Mike Holmes. Besides, I have hired contractors to do work in my home and found that I can screw up just as well as they can and I save myself money because I don't pay me labor. In actuality, I have three dream tools that I want to possess; the sliding compound miter saw, a nail gun and a reciprocating saw. To me, that would be the pinnacle of my handyman prowess. Anyway, when I read the first part of the assignment about roads, I was a bit stressed. I didn't see where I could go with it and relate it to me. So I was a little stressed. But as soon as I read "tools" I knew I could make something of it. So I sat down to write and got up a couple of times to start the laundry and the dishes. It helps me write to get up and move around; I think better that way. I decided to just write on the three types of miter saw; i.e., the box, the small compound miter, and the sliding miter. I'm glad it came out so well, because I'm not always very confident in my writing. Probably because I've never been real confident in anything I do. So I'm glad you liked it.

Annotated Bibliographies

"Aquamarine blue 5": personal stories of college students with autism/edited by Dawn Prince-Hughes, 2002, Swallow Press/Ohio University Press, Athens, Ohio 45701

12 essays by college students diagnosed on the autism spectrum. Each gives an account of their own personal experiences growing up autistic and how they function in the world today. Some students were diagnosed as children, some as adults and some self-diagnosed. Each recounts the difficulties of navigating mainstream society and associations within the community. Some recount how important structure and rigid schedules are to their everyday routines. Some recognize the humor in their miscomprehension of social cues and some share a heartbreaking yearning to be accepted as who they are. All share in common the desire to be understood.

Barry, Dave; "Dave Barry's Bad Habits", "An Owl Book", reprint. Originally published: Garden City, NY, Doubleday, 1985

Noted humorist Dave Barry shares his take on the world around him. He discusses everything from evolution and creationism to government mismanagement. Mr. Barry uses his wit (no real wisdom) to elicit guffaws from the reader. This book is pure entertainment, as noted on the cover, this is "A 100% Fact-Free Book." Mr. Barry is also the author of other best sellers, including "Dave Barry Slept Here" and "The Shepherd, the Angel and Walter the Christmas Dog". Those looking for the meaning of life or other profundities will not find it here.

Maurice, Catherine, "Let Me Hear Your Voice" Published in the United States by Alfred A. Knopf, Inc. 1993

Author writes under pseudonym to protect children's privacy. Young mother of three tells of learning that her middle child suffers from infantile autism. Book details her journey into various treatments available at the time and her frustrations with therapies and their outcomes. She finally settles on behaviorial intervention and begins to reclaim her daughter. As her daughter progresses, she discovers her youngest son is also autistic. Behaviors are different from her daughter, so she starts anew to attempt to liberate her son. A triumph of sheer will to aid her children to function in the world around them. A must read for anyone who has associaions with autistic children , this book gives hope to those looking for ways to assist their loved ones.

Tool Essay

Several
weeks ago, a married couple I knew came to visit. They moved from Milo to the Portland area, so
I don’t see them that often. As we were
visiting, Bill, told us that he was working at Home Depot part time. I exclaimed what a dream job it must be. He said he gave a class on installing bathroom
vanities. I then said that if I could
only have a compound sliding miter saw, I could rule the world. He laughed, but I was serious. Maybe not the whole world, but I could rule
my own little piece of it.
I started
with a miter box and saw. In the
beginning, I thought it was great. I
would place my piece of wood in the main niche and position my saw in the
correct slot and away I would go. Some
of my cuts were a little jagged, but it seemed alright to me. Soon, it seemed
that something was missing. Maybe that
plug in the outlet. I began to dream of
having a power miter saw one day.
Later on, I
saw that the Home Depot was having a sale on compound miter saws. With great excitement, I showed the ad to my
husband. I described all the uses I
would have for such a saw, such as angling molding and cutting baseboards and
he agreed it would be a worthwhile investment.
I bought that baby and proudly lugged it home. I immediately started cutting molding,
although I didn’t have an idea how to miter it so it fit correctly. I began to haul out my issues of “Family Handyman”
and studied the articles on miter saws. I got on line and read about mitering crown
molding. I was happy with my little saw,
but something in me said that I wanted more.
I thought
when I bought that saw, I was at the pinnacle of my construction career. How wrong I was. I was remodeling my upstairs bathroom and one
wall is sloped. So I decided that it
might be worth my while to rent a sliding miter saw. Ooo, baby!
What a difference! I angled the
molding just so and it sliced like a knife through hot buttah! It accommodated larger pieces of molding and
baseboard and was sweet. I also cut
baseboard molding at the time and my little ten inch just couldn’t adapt to the
wide molding. But the sliding miter
could. It did everything I wanted. My crown molding fit snuggly at the
corners. The miter didn’t splinter the
edges. It was smooth and sleek and
cutting with it was no effort.
I am in love
with the sliding miter saw. It is too
expensive for me to own, but every once in a while, when I have enough projects
to make it cost efficient I will rent it and bring it home. Unfortunately, the miter box has outlived its
usefulness and has no purpose anymore. I
still use my little ten inch for small jobs and it has been good to me. But I lust for the sliding miter and hope
someday to make it mine.

Graf 18

So far, not so good. I wanted to interview someone for my paper and contact someone from the Penquis autism division. We decided I would email my questions, since we both work full time and have busy schedules, but so far, I haven't heard back from her. I requested a book from the library that I am going to pick up tomorrow. But I think my goal of interviewing a live person is kaput. You suggested I contact DHHS, but since I work for them, I haven't found any real lead there. Same thing with CHCS. I have dealt with them in the past and where I want to go with this paper isn't what I see them doing. So most of my research will be from any books I find, articles in magazines (Family Circle has an excellent article in this month's issue) and websites. My biggest frustration is the lack of time that I have. I work 40 hours per week (who doesn't) and when I get home, I go to the gym. That is a given. I also have a commute time of 75 niles per day. Yes, I would like some cheese with my whine. Thankfully, I have a self sufficient 16 year old who cooks his own meals (a better cook than his dear, old mum). I just need to get myself organized, which I hope to do this weekend.

Contrast essay 3

oI love the Beatles. I remember the first time I became aware of them as a group. It was the famous Ed Sullivan episode and although I only caught a glimpse, I was hooked. My father was flipping through the channels (no remote; he got his exercise from getting up out of the chair) and for a brief moment, the TV landed on Ed Sullivan. I was about ten years old. "What's this junk?" he exclaimed and then they were gone. But it was enough and I became a fan. Years later, when the group split up, John and Paul each wrote songs specifically for Christmas. Two very different songs, but the same subject. The songs are different in feeling, arrangement and sentiment. I started out loving them both, but only one has stood the test of time.

"And so this is Christmas" simple enough. A statement, a query? Each time I hear this phrase, I start to think. The voice, Lennon's voice, all alone with a guitar. So what have I done? This is a song that causes me to contemplate my role in the season. Even Yoko's voice can't ruin this song. Maybe it's the simplicity of the opening, but it draws me in and I am reflective. Do I treat my fellowmen as I want to be treated? Have I helped anyone in need? As the song builds, my spirit soars. This song is as reverent and hymn-like as any I have heard by the the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. It continues to build and I continue to ascend. There are no gimmicks to this song. Just straight-forward guitar and as it builds, a choir of children and orchestra lift it to the heavens. No synthesizers, no artificial tricks. I love this song and for me, there is no other to epitomize the true meaning of Christmas.

Paul McCartney's song started out being a Christmas favorite. Maybe because I went through a Wings phase. Whatever the reason, I started out loving this song. So I guess the reader knows where I am going with this. It is a peppy, cheerful song, full of goodwill to all. But there is no deep meaning, no contemplative "what have you done?". Instead, it talks about people gathering 'round to "raise a glass and don't look down". In this song, I'm "simply having a wonderful Christmas time". I like my perky songs as much as anyone. But perky can wear thin, and it does with this one. The song kind of starts off on a superficial note for me with the opening synthesizer refrain. Later in the song, the synthesizer distorts Paul's voice. It distorts much more; the feeling of elation that I get from the other song.

This is why I say the Paul's song started out as a favorite, but has disintegrated into a song that I turn the channel on when I hear it. Too gimmicky, no real substance. If I say Paul's song can't compare with Lennon's, I don't mean in this paper. I mean in composition, feeling and sentiment. When I hear Lennon's song, I want to be a better person. It appeals to my senses, both musical and spiritual. The arrangement itself adds to the sensation. "Happy Xmas" is an experience, not just a listen to. McCartney's song, on the other hand, is just a song. I can sing it, hum it, but there is no substance to wrap my head around. The words aren't deep; I'm "simply having a wonderful Christmas time". Maybe that's all Paul ever intended. The synthensizer dates it and twists more than just the melody; it distorts the feeling in me. I need something more and I don't get it from this song. Maybe that's why, when I hear it now, I immediately look for something else on the radio dial.

As I stated previously, I love(d) the Beatles. After all, their not the Beatles anymore. They weren't even the Beatles when they wrote these songs. Each song is about Christmas, each song is easy to sing. But where do I go when I hear them? How do they inspire? Do they need to inspire? For me, yes. Because the season itself is meant to make me a "better man" (Pearl Jam). Lennon's song both the composition, emotion and reaction cause me to think. I want a feeling that I can be a better person. I want to be lifted by the music spiritually. I want the season of goodwill to permeate my soul. It does all these things with "Happy Xmas", but, I'm sorry Paul, your song falls short.

Contrast Essay Outro

Three of the former Beatles wrote songs intended for the Christmas holidays. Each saw varying degrees of success. I preferred Lennon's single because it has a lot of meaning regarding how we treat those around us. It has a stirring refrain that catapults my soul to a higher plain. To me, has a hymn-like quality. Each time I hear Happy Xmas, I am inspired to think more of my fellow men. In contrast, McCartney's song has a somewhat maudlin, traditional feel that although it is festive, it wears on me after a while. The synthesizer dates the song and I can only hear this song so much before I turn the station. George Harrison's song doesn't get the airplay of the other two, and the words are not all that profound (ding, dong, ding, dong), but I like it because it is catchy and talks about taking off the old and putting on the new. All holiday-themed songs, all different perspectives.

Contrast Essay Intro II

I love the Beatles. I remember the first time I became aware of them as a group. It was the famous Ed Sullivan episode and although I only caught a glimpse, I was hooked. My father was flipping through the channels (no remote, he got his exercise from getting up out of the chair) and for a brief moment, the TV landed on Ed Sullivan. I was about ten years old. "What's this junk?" he exclaimed and then changed the channel. But it was enough and I became a fan. Years later, when the group split up and went in different directions, John, Paul and George each wrote songs for the holiday season. Each song incorporates the Christmas holiday season, but with different results. Each song has a different flavor; a different feel. I like them all, but for different reasons.

Intro Contrast Essay I

John Lennon, Paul McCartney and George Harrison wrote many songs about love, love, love, peace, war and a bulldog, just to name a few. Each also wrote songd regarding the Christmas holiday seasons, although from completely different perspectives. Each song tells a story about the holidays, but each song has a distinctive viewpoint. Each is played during the Christmas holidays but the purpose of each song is not the same.

Graf 16

I was sitting at my computer, writing about the former Beatles' holiday songs and thinking, "this isn't really a classification essay". I mean I could make the argument that the Beatles are a classification and holiday songs are a classification, but it seemed more of a contrast essay, so expect to see this when I write my contrast essay. Anyway, I was sitting at the computer, complaining to my husband, "what can I do a classification essay on?" I read the assignment to my husband and he suggested I write it on peanut butter. Peanut butter?! Yes, he said, you like peanut butter, you eat it every morning. And, he reminded me, you are picky about what kind of peanut butter you will eat. Well, I'm picky about most things that go into my mouth. So I thought about it and decided, hey, this will make a great subject.

When I wrote my intro and outro and you said the outro sounded more like an intro, I decided to tweak it and add a little from the intro and voila, I had my subject. I was pretty happy with the paper; my husband helped me with some of the wording so it wouldn't be too redundent. I tend to use the word ubiquitous a lot if I can fit it in, because it is one of my favorite words, so we tried to vary it a bit. Anyway, this was one of my subjects that I really enjoyed writing.

Graf 15

When I was writing my cause essay, I felt a certain amount of reticence. I felt that by exposing some of my family foibles, I was showing a certain disloyalty to my family. Then, I thought, what the heck, it is as it is (or it was what it was). These were the reasons I moved home; because my mother promised we could stay as long as it took to get established and because my brother-in-law was sure he could get my husband a job. I thought off and on about writing about this subject, mostly because I hoped writing about it would be therapeutic. I think a lot about the situation whenever the weather is cold and I know if we had moved to a warmer climate, my husband could be more active. I think a lot about our decision when my husband is in pain due to the low pressure systems that are so frequent in Maine. And I think about it when I my mother makes specious promises that I know she can't keep.

Has writing this essay been therapeutic? I don't know. I still have moments of what if. But my children point out the bright side; my oldest daughter would not have met and married her husband; my oldest son might not have gone into the Air Force and moved to Montana and met his new bride. When I sit in the darkness and wonder what might have been and my fault in the decision, I remember what my kids have said and I feel a little better.

Graf 14

I've thought a lot about where I can find information for my isearch paper on how high functioning autistics (HFA) can be helped to transistion into adulthood. I want to go beyond the web-based sources of information, although I think I will rely on them, too. I called my local school and talked with someone in the Special Education Department and she referred my to my local Penquis office. I have had a hard time connecting with the person in charge of the Autism program; trying to reach her by telephone and figuring out a time when we can get together. We each have busy work schedules, so I suggested to her that if she has an email address, maybe I could email her my questions and she could answer them when she has time. She thought that was a good idea, and will also put me in touch with someone else she knows that might be able to help me. I just finished reading a book called "Let Me Hear Your Voice" that dealt with a family with two autistic children and how they were able to help them through intensive behavior therapy. This month's "Family Circle" magazine also has an article on a young man whose family used behavior therapy when he was younger and he is now self sufficient, with three jobs and other accomplishments.

I feel I have a broad spectrum of sources that will help me develop my research paper and answer questions I have about how HFA can be supported and helped to become self sufficient in the "normal" world. I feel this paper may give my own family ideas on how to help my grandson Eric as he gets older.

Essay II

There are many types of peanut butter on the grocer's shelves today. Some are peanut imposters; secretly pretending to be the real thing. But with their list of ingredients; sugars, emulsifiers and other fillers, you know that you are eating somebody's make believe idea of peanut butter. That's what creamy peanut butter is, all show, no substance. Crunchy peanut butter is a step up, but still lacks the top oils that make it true peanut butter. Crunchy, like creamy, often has its shares of fillers. Only all natural crunchy peanut butter exemplifies the true nature of peanut butter, with its simple ingredient list of peanuts, just peanuts.

I am a fan of the ubiquitous peanut, in the form of peanut butter. I have it on my bagel every morning. But not just any peanut butter. I always have pure, unadulterated peanut butter, only ingredient is peanuts. I have creamy in my cabinet, but seldom use it; it's not really peanut butter. First off, where are the peanuts? Are they removed for those people who suffer with dentures? Does the manufacturer somehow think that no one will notice? Peanut butter without peanuts is not peanut butter. It is a mere pretender to the throne. When I eat creamy peanut butter, there is no crunch, no texture to tell me I've eaten a peanut product. Yes, the flavor is there, but it sticks to the roof of my mouth and I have to pry it off. I don't think true peanut butter should require that I have to go through complicated maneuvers just to enjoy my food. And peanut butter is meant to be enjoyed.

Crunchy peanut butter is a step above creamy, but unless it's all natural, it's still not authentic. It has a list of ingredients as long as your arm, with names like "hydrogenated vegetable oils", emulsifiers and added sugar. Peanuts have oil in them, why do I need more? And sugar? Come on, I don't need candy peanut butter! Crunchy will do in a pinch; after all, there are peanuts in it. But I want pure, unsullied peanut butter, nothing added.

The best of all worlds is natural peanut butter. Peanut butter where the only ingredient is peanuts. Of course, that is what I eat on my bagel each morning. I open the jar and am greeted by the aroma of peanuts, rising to my nostrils. A thin skim of oil sits on the top, oil from the peanuts, not some added "hydrogenated" variety. I stir the oil into the peanut butter, plunging my knife to the bottom of the jar. I stir carefully, trying not to let any butter escape onto the countertop. The chunks of peanut rise and fall with my rhythmic stirring. Then I dip my knife into this delectable delicacy and place a sizable glob onto my bagel. I smooth it, just so. It blankets the bagel evenly. I sit at my kitchen table and begin to eat; savoring each bite. Sometimes, a dollop of peanut butter will escape through the bagel hole. I scoop it up with the edge of my bagel; not wanting to miss a drop. Natural peanut butter; the way a peanut butter should be.

Well, as you can see, I am a devotee of the modest peanut, especially in the form of peanut butter. Pure peanut butter, with no added padding, brimming with peanuts. I most frequently eat it on my bagel each morning, but also dip chocolate chips into it, use it in cooking, enjoy it plain. But only natural peanut butter will do, none of this pretend stuff with its extra fillers. Unless the label says all natural, it isn't peanut butter. Only the real deal will do.

Classification Outro II

There are many types of peanut butter on the grocer's shelves today. Some are peanut imposters; secretly pretending to be the real thing, but when I read the labels, with their sugars, emulsifiers and other fillers, I know that I am eating someone's make believe idea of peanut butter. That's what creamy peanut butter is. Crunchy peanut butter is a step up, but still lacks the top of the jar oils and often has its share of fillers, like creamy. Only all natural crunchy peanut butter exemplifies the true nature of peanut butter, with its simple ingredient list of peanuts, just peanuts. What more do you need?

Classification Essay II

Behold, the humble peanut. A ground-hugging legume, thought to be farmed first by the ancient Incas. George Washington Carver, an American botanist, studied the peanut and came up with over 100 different uses, from cosmetics to plastics. What does that have to do with me? Well, I am a fan of the ubiquitous peanut, in the form of peanut butter, especially on my bagel each morning. But I am particular about my peanut butter. There are many different kinds; creamy, crunchy, extra crunchy, natural, salt free, etc., etc. I want to focus on three different types of peanut butter; creamy, crunchy and natural. Each has a place at the table, but some are more frequent guests than others.

Classification Essay 2

Three of the former Beatles wrote songs intended for the Christmas holidays. Each saw varying degrees of success. But each song was centered around a different point of view. Lennon wanted to capitalize on the season of goodwill to make a political statement regarding ending the Vietnam war. McCartney made a feel-good recording about traditional Christmas activities. Harrison made a song about taking off the old self and becoming a new man. All holiday themed, all different perspectives.

Classification Essay 1

John Lennon, Paul McCartney and George Harrison wrote many songs about love, love, love, peace, war and a bulldog. Each also wrote songs regarding the Christmas holidays, although from completely different perspectives. Each song tells a story about the Christmas/New Year season, but each song has a distinctive viewpoint. Each is played during the holiday time, but the purpose of each song is not the same.