Colby

I have a friend named Colby. He is cool beans, and he uses those magic beans to plant and create a bean pole in order to get up to the Giant's castle. In that castle lies his magic guitar, his one key to winning the heart of any girl.In his desperate search through the giant's castle, who was on a flying, fire breathing shark, he came across an orange toad, with supernatural powers. This toad could jump over 700 ft high if needs be. Thus creating quite the predicament for poor Colby. He ended up unwittingly taking a secret path underground by accidentally falling through a secret tunnel. This tunnel however was filled with thousands and thousands of potato bugs, Colby's biggest fear in the world. In his younger years he'd recieved a nasty bite from one of the poisonous bugs of this species.He'd been deathly afraid of them ever since... no matter how harmless they might appear.

third wheel

Have you ever been in a room with one of your best friends... and her boyfriend. The awkwardness is almost too much to handle. As much as you love your friend and you want things to go well between her and her new boyfriend, there is only so much pleasure you can get from playing the "DJ" in the room. Being the one providing all of the "mood music". Although i must admit that the random giggling that emits from their general vicinity can be fairly entertaining. And, as you'll probably see, it makes for some fairly entertaining blog entries. Then there's the general silence, that gives you a false sense of security... cuz you never know exactly what could be happening. However, you're fairly safe in a predominantly mormon society such as I live in. You can almost be positive that it's simply some making out. Although I generally don't like to contemplate exactly how hard core that making out may be. It's fine when it's me, but it's almost to the extent of thinking of your parents making whoopee... not a pleasant thought.. for anyone I'm sure.

Icy tangents

Have you ever experienced ice on the inside of your car? That's when you really know it's bloody freezing outside. Goo! It's quite entertaining though, as you can then scrape the ice off from the inside. Thus creating quite the romantic atmosphere, if you get my drift. Okay, maybe not, but, honestly, is a romantic atmosphere that hard to create? One thing I have to say is that guys totally go about the whole "creating the mood" completely wrong. Although, it really depends on what kind of a make out they want to be permanently imprinted in the girls memory. Because hopefully you're shooting for a lasting impression. If you want it to be a sweet kiss, the kind that give her butterflies every time she thinks about it, then you'll want to put on a little Nora Jones, Sarah Mclachlan, you know, chick flick music... Dave Matthews Band's song crash is an example of a multi-genre type thing in this subject. This song has quite the interesting effect on most women. It stirs up your blood, so that you could have quite the kinky make-out if you really wanted, and yet, have it still be... well, cute. It would stir up butterflies at the memory, combined with the intense urge to get some more of that action. If you want a purely kinky make-out... well then, pop in a little Sneaker Pimps, 6 underground... or something really sensual. The newer hip hop stuff seems to get quite the reaction out of girls... (for all you "date rapists" out there, or you "man whores") Well, yeah, just FYI... sorry, that was quite the tangent to go off on.... au revoir!

butterfly gas

Have you ever been around somebody you liked so much and your stomach just fills up with butterflies. You're sitting there, trying to play it cool, yet you can't breathe. After the romantic tension has passed, perhaps ten to thirty minutes later, you notice that you're suddenly feeling fairly gassy. You don't know why, but sigh in relief that the gas wasn't present while you were with that special person. There's a simple explanation for why this gas occurs. The air you are holding in your lungs from stress becomes intoxicated and goes rotten. Luckily, there a simple and effect cure to this common disease. Create a romantic situation and begin making out, while doing, slowly let the gasses exude out of you and seep into the mattress.... whi ch you are preferably on. This dampens the smell while relieving most of your sexual tension. Happy trails!!!

How To Land the Job You Want

Understading Context:
The "Hidden Job Market" Is the market not advertised in want ads or other areas. They are not openly advertising their need for hiring somebody. The person goes out, and does the research it takes in order to find the job they want.
Evaluating Strategy:
The opening paragraph is fairly effective in it's attention grabbing strategy. It uses a commonly feared experience, such as losing your job to grab your attention. It continues to hold your attention by preceding to inform you how to remedy the situation. This is useful information for anybody, as nobody wants to be out of a job, and should the situation arise, they will want to get out of that situation as soon as is humanly possible. These are effective tips that are sure to hold a reader's focus.
Appreciating Language:
Verbs show action, by using such action verbs to begin each instruction, he's conveying subliminally the message that it takes an effort. He's showing them what they need to do. he could simply say "you need to write a convincing letter", however, this would be much less effective as it does not convey the urgency to take action like the action verbs do.
Writing Suggestions:
Visit the company looking your best
make a good first impression as you ask for the application and/or are interviewed.
Show a confidence in yourself and your abilities
listen with interest as the interviewer speaks to you
Leave with a positive attitude and end the interview with a firm handshake

Grant and Lee

Understanding Context:
The most striking difference between these two generals, according to Catton, seems to be their background. This seems to be a recurring contrast by the author. They each had vefy different upbringings, but each seemed to be perfect for the army they would eventually lead.

Evaluating Strategy:
He begins his essay by contrasting the two, he seems to spend the majority of the time focusing on their differences. He then brings the essay in by comparing their similarities and discussing their meeting at Appomattox.

Appreciating Language:
I seemed to find Catton a bit biased in support of Grant. He spends very little time discussing good qualities gained from Lee's background. He seems to think Grant the stronger of the two personalities due to his rough upbringing and hard work. I get the distinct impression that he viewed Lee as a much softer, more aristocratic figure. Aristocratic in a derogatory manner.

Chinese Space, American Space

Understanding Context:
The author looks at the difference between "space" and "place" in a very cultural way. Space is a very American way of looking at everything. We're always searching for more, looking to be better. We have to have the biggest house with the biggest yard... the most space.Our greatest ambition is fame and to be as much as we can possibly become, to go as far as is possible.We're constantly looking to the future. Chinese on the other hand, love tradition. They are very content with "place". The author talks about how due to so many wars and natural disasters, place is a big deal. They care about their small yards and their sense of security they get from that.Their social standing also gives them a sense of place. From the author's words, the reader gets the sense that the Chinese don't care to change their social status.

Evaluating Strategy:
The author seems to spend very little time describing Americans view of space, perhaps this is because of the general understanding by most people that Americans have a lot of motivation and drive. They're are willing to do what it takes to get what they want, and their dreams are generally boundless in this country of opportunity.

Appreciating Language:
The word rootlessness could come across to some people as having a negative connotation, however, the way she uses the comparison lets the reader realize HER actual definition of the word. She uses it in the sense that America is a young, ambitious country, not tied down or "rooted" down by years and years of tradition like China is. China is a very old, very traditional country.