the Post

3/11-Project-! hour
3/12-Project 1 hour
3/13-Under the Dome-1 our
3/14-Under the Dome-1 hour
3/15-Project- 1 hour
   I'll start this off with some honesty. While a complex and deep book, I had moments where I didn't care about the story. The story was intereresting overall, but I felt that it wasn't exactly "aimed at our audience", so to speak. I feel that Nervous Conditions should be included in our 9th grade syllabus, for reasons I will explain below. 
   One point in its favor is that the book spreads awareness of the world beyond America. Its cultural setting, sexism, and racism reflect the world as a whole. This is important because most issues raised in a normal school day don't go beyond our country. This book can make the reader think about the affairs of Africa, Europe, and other countries.
   Second, Nervous Conditions is a relatively good book. Other than the points mentioned above, the book has many moments of depth and emotion that actually kept me interested in finishing it. This is legitimate as a reason for be included in the 9th grade syllabus because, often when the teacher picks a book that is extremely uninteresting, the student struggles to maintain their reading speed. Plus if its dull enough, the student doesn't even care to try to get a good grade.
   Third, and finally the course questions were fitting for Nervous Conditions. I feel this way because the question's focus on culture provided a anchor for the novels we read. The mix of cultures shown in Nervous Conditions allowed further insight into what makes a culture exist, and how people are affected by them. This book also tried to provide a personal view on human nature, all the characters were shown at all facets. Basically they're human.
   

Free Post-XNA

   XNA is a synthetic form of DNA that can also copy and store information. The main differences are in the backbone, which in DNA and RNA are sugar, is replaced by one of the six alternative polymers. Also, the XNA is far more resistant to damage than DNA, actually its not even biodegradable, which allows to possibly do things DNA never could for research and the field. The fact that XNA has proved functional despite the fact that DNA and Rna only show similarities in idea and not in structural ingredients, suggest that these were "accidents", and that a variety of other forms may exist throughout the universe.
  Plus, as the synthetic DNA has the same properties as DNA the XNA could evolve, producing entirely new lifeforms. One downside to this is the fact that researchers have also created enzymes that can change DNA to XNA and vice versa allowing for information transfer between both platforms. THis is fascinating, as if alien species could use a system of this kind or another, their traits could possibly be simply transfered to us to help survival on that alien planet, but it also allows, theoretically for XNA viruses to be created. The added danger being that in their XNA form, they would far more difficult to destroy.

School and Home

3/4-Layered project-1 hour
3/5-Layered project-1 hour
3/6-The Roar- 1 hour- 65 pages
3/7-The Roar- 30 minutes-33 pages
3/8-Dead Girls-1 hour - 57 pages

    School has a far different expectation from home. At home my mother quickly becomes more demanding of me, expecting me to grow up, learn- the usual stuff. At school though the expectations are different. Some coincide with the usual-grades, behavior, but here I have friends. And friends have their own expectations. Fitting in is of course a big one. While it isn't hard, that still counts.

    Both places have requirements to be happy. This is human nature. If you can't make the bar, you're cut. Simple enough, but painful when you're the one that's cut.

Nhamo

   I'm dead. That really sucks. Tambu certainly doesn't deserve it, I do. I deserve everything. My family knows this. Why do you think I went to school? I'm better than them and they know it, the uneducated fools. Plus I really don't need Tambu's competition, not to say she could compete anyway. That's why I stole her stupid collection of weeds she called crops. She doesn't deserve it. Any of it. Not my school or my room.
   But thanks to some mumps, I can't even show off my intelligence anymore. I'm stuck in observation. Though its not all bad. Watching her flop around trying to decide what place to sit that would least displease Babamukuru was pitiful, in the funny way. It made my particular moment in Limbo.

Evaluation

 2/25/13-Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban and The Roar later on:1 hour
2/26/13-The Roar-35pg-30 min
2/27/13-Layered project-1 hour
2/28/13-Layered project-1 hour
 3/1/13-Nervous Conditions-57 pg.-1 hour
   None of them where easy. The discussion was interesting, but long and the vocabulary test was difficult because most of the words in the book where ones I already knew. I feel that I will at least get a good grade for layer c1, as I tried my best. One adjustment I'd make is my time management. Even though I finished it, I would have preferred to finish it Wednesday. The least satisfying one was the vocabulary test because while the other ones made me think this one was more tedious.

Reflection-Research Project

 My writing process was mostly structured, with very little deviation from my beaten path. I found finding reputable sources the most difficult part but Google helped out alot in the process. If I had another chance to do theis project I would probably choose a different project, or stuck with my original one. The feedback I recieved from my peers was useful for me in perfecting this paper, and help me catch the errors made in citations and topic.
 The strongest aspect of my paper is my interest in the topic. The weakest is biographical information. I tried my hardest, but in making sure there were no issues with focusing on biography instead of analysis. My mom and Dr.D really helped out with this. Plus, there was a issue with accidental plagiarism, and this was helped to best extent possible.

Research Update

2/5/13-The Dead-1 hour- 56 pages
2/6/13-The Dead-1 hour-66 pages
2/7/13-Research- 1 hour
2/8/13-Research for Rough draft- 1 hour
2/9/13-Rough Draft-1 hour
In the week after I read The Dead then started rereading the Harry Potter series

Research Update

1/28/13-Altered Carbon-1 hour- 60 pages
1/29/13-Altered Carbon -48 - 57 pages
1/30/13-Research- 1 hour
1/31/13-Research- 1 hour
2/1/13-Research-30 minutes

Research Progess

1/21/13-School's Out Forever(Scott K. Williams, not James Patterson)-1 hour-63 pages
1/22/13-Schools Out Forever -48 - 52 pages
1/23/13-Research- 1 hour
1/24/13-Research- 1 hour
1/25/13-A Dance with Dragons-1 hour- 66 pages
 Well, my topic is Stephen Hawking, an idol of mine, and focuses on his effect on physics. I've learned about multiple theories of his own, and how his reiterations of other physicists's theories have effected everyone. I probably have to research a little  further, but I've made some distinct accomplishments.
 My research topic is centered on Stephen Hawking, and I hope to explain the effects of his theories on the physics community. I am really interested in physics as a whole and Hawking is one my heroes in this field. I've found eleven sources, and all of them have been helpful in my formation of an outline for my essay. I've learned more about MDR, or model model dependent realism, and also about Hawking radiation, which proves the vacuum is unstable.

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L.WE;HROIJTHGIOTRJGGOWPIRTGWOPRTRF[aprgkerpro6hj;roi6thjeryroijeroptgjwro5jtgfojtr;pgofwkeropfkjwqpo4fe'o[rrgfsw're[orjpqoiofjwrpfqjeriofjqwe'ropgfqewipirgfwqeporgjwierjf'qoipejtr9pwqoejropfjwqe'otgjer0ofqpopfjq'oe['rkjfvpopesrj;cvaiosorejvapioosrejvapoeejcvpaorsjafpoceaj's[p;fka's[pevf'pasojvo;asfdfj'[ofjSOPPCJspoipjdjcefcoqjwvcposdjpo0ieiosofjoipooxocfOSDdjOSdvkjpos:fdfvossjdffdossfdfvoSDd[vookddfovfzdlkfvjhszdkfjkc;o/akdsofpvkaoszdfk ao;sodfmcfofkj;aoskjdcop
You may be rather adroit. If you are, I hope I did not affront you by typing the gibberish above. I had a lapse of sense, and couldn't stop my typing crusade. I am tacitly suggesting that this is gibberish. The topic of my blog is about how life is like gibberish sometimes, almost pointless and aimless with wholly random patterns appearing. I can tell from yourdemeanor that you don't believe me. You think I'm just typing words, and making things up. Maybe I am. I hope this is good, and I won't become a pariah for this

Update

1/14/13-Zombie Combat Manual-1 hour-67 pages
1/15/13-Zombie Combat Manual-45 minutes- 50 pages
1/16/13-The Dead-30 minutes-31 pages
1/17/13-Annotated Bibliography-20 minutes
1/18/13-A Dance with Dragons-1 hour-59 pages

 I've found multiple new sources all centered around his life discoveries interests- everything I need to make a good thesis statement and paper. All the sources I've found have been useful and will help finish this project. I do have one question. Is the sheet Ms. Harper gave about annotated bibliographies applicable?
  To go into further detail, I currnetly have 10 sources, with 6 fully annotated. My research question is "How has Stephen Hawking's theories effected the physics world?

Endogenous Retroviruses and Evolution

 Endogenous retroviruses are viruses that after possibly being laterally translated into a genome, usually bacteria, are then passed vertically or spread through the reproduction of the host, the bacteria. It may confer immunity to other bacteriophages and remain passively translated into the bacteria's DNA. But, when the host under stress transcribes itself into viruses form (lateral), and breaks free, and searches for an alternate possibly a totally separate strain bacteria. Going from this current thread, if there was a viruses of this kind that could still activate in the genome of mammals, and specifically humans what would the results be? Transmission to a different host would not be nearly as simplistic, so the virus may be forced to form a kind of symbiosis with the host, performing some useful function  productive to both organisms, especially as always itself. My hypothesis in this hypothetical is that possibly the virus would work as an  to evolution of the host gathering viable genetic alternatives to better handle the environment that the host lives in. These possible alternatives could then be implemented with virus altering the DNA of the host's offspring while in the womb, with some form of backup, possibly continuous ovulation for a egg store.Trying out the alternatives on the offspring with some kind of trigger for a redo if the first experiment fails.

 While this is purely hypothetical, it would have fascinating implications for the theory of evolution. Nearly every species on earth would be affected if this was possible. It would allow the species to control its own evolution.

Reading Response- On Intellgence

1/7 GÖDEL,ESCHER,BACH-10 minutes-15 pages
1/8 On Intelligence-1 hour, twenty something minutes- 90 pages
1/9 The Hobbit-1 hour -58 pages
1/10 On Intelligence - 30 minutes- 36 pages
1/11 GÖDEL,ESCHER,BACH-10 minutes-13 pages

  What is intelligence? The book I'm reading tries to answer this question, and in my opinion is doing a really good job. The author's suggestion that the framework for creating an artificial intelligence would be definitely along the lines of a single, universal cortex algorithm of some kind is fascinating to read about, but the real interest comes from its possibilities for the future. I want to build a AI myself, and this book helped me further iron out the kinks in it.
  One of my favorite parts so far is his description of his realization that he wanted to create a little bit older than when I decided to try when I have the money. In just the parts of the book I've already read I've been shown something that while implied, wasn't totally clear to me. To me, this book will be one of great value in the future, even it is only a sketch in comparison to the detail necessary to make it a full fledged theory.
     

BOOKS I HAVE READ

A FEAST FOR CROWS
A STORM OF SWORDS
INCOMPLETE NATURE
LORD OF THE FLIES
A CLASH OF KINGS
A GAME OF THRONES
RED QUEEN
ALTERED CARBON
WATCHMEN
WHITE CAT
NOISE
HALF LIFE
MICRO
INFERNO
WHITE MARS
V FOR VENDETTA
WHY THE WORLD EXISTS
CELL
DUNE MESSIAH
DUNE
I plan to read more mystery and non fiction for the rest of the year

Lord of the Flies: Jack

     Jack is slowly beginning to become true to himself. Savage and aggressive. While in the beginning he seemed to be no different in any extreme, as they began to realize the only rules they followed were their own, he grew wilder. Now he controls the group, with disastrous consequences. And from now on, things can only get worse.

     Evidence from the text can be found throughout chapter 11, such as page 181 where the conch is destroyed there by destroying order and rules on the island. With this moment anarchy is in control.This is gonna be bad

A Feast for Crows- 12/3= 50 mins
A Feast for Crows- 12/4 = 70 mins
Red Queen-12/5 = 63 mins 
A Feast for Crows- 12/6 = 40 mins
Lord of the Flies-12/7= 35 mins

Lord of the Flies: Jack;Reading Times

     Jack is the strangest one. Other than his already aggressive exterior, his inner character is beginning to show itself as even more savage than that. In ever y anarchic, dangerous situation, you find him. To me Jack has successfully earned his proper title,King of Anarchy. William Golding seems to use him to symbolize the human id our driving force, in all of its glory and consequences.
     In more minor ways Jack's disagreement with Ralph's style of leadership is starting to show, with disastrous implications. The only thing Jack will bring in any rule of his is anarchy, destruction and full collapse of the few trappings of civilized behaviors they still have.
A Feast for Crows- 11/26= 60 mins
A Feast for Crows- 11/27 = 50 mins
Red Queen-11/28 = 80 mins 
A Feast for Crows- 11/29 = 30 mins
Lord of the Flies-11/30= 45 mins

questions, comments

I don't have any currently


A Feast for Crows- 11/12= 60 mins
A Feast for Crows- 11/13 = 30 mins
Red Queen-11/14 = 70 mins 
A Feast for Crows- 11/15 = 40 mins
Lord of the Flies-11/16= 50 mins

Reading times

A Storm of Swords- 11/12= 60 mins,
Red Queen-11/ 13= 80 mins
A Storm of Swords- 11/14= 30 mins
Lord of the Flies-11/15= 45 mins
I choose this week to use my pass.

A nice joke

 Heard a joke once: Man goes to doctor. Says he's depressed. Says life seems harsh and cruel. Says he feels all alone in a threatening world where what lies ahead is vague and uncertain. Doctor says "Treatment is simple. Great clown Pagliacci is in town tonight. Go and see him. That should pick you up." Man bursts into tears. Says "But, doctor...I am Pagliacci." Good joke. Everybody laugh. Roll on snare drum. Curtains. Fade to black.
This is a joke by Rorschach, and the only literal written joke of the graphic novel Watchmen, the menaing of this joke is interesting because its a window into the dark humor of this  disturbed vigilante.

Watchmen-Reading Response

This week, along with White Cat, I read Watchmen and A Storm of Swords. All three, one a graphic novel, and the other two books are by fantastic authors, and was supremely interesting.

A Storm of Swords- 10/29= 60 mins

Watchmen- 10/30= 60 mins,

A Storm of Swords- 10/31= 75 mins, 

11/1= 45 mins

White Cat-11/2= 60 mins

  Watchmen, written by Alan Moore and drawn by Dave Gibbons, is one of the best stories I have ever read. It has a large selection of richly drawn and described characters, all too human. One of the most interesting characters is Rorschach, a man who believes himself to be an existentialist but actually is more of a fascist, which is never said explicitly, but is obvious by his words and actions. White Cat, by Holly Black, is an entertaining story with crazy parents and dysfunctional families, and a good book overall.