Writers notebook UWRT 1102

9/2/2015 Free write

Its amazing how we constantly achieve the things that we perceived as impossible
or intangible in the past. Growing up we always look forward to future obligations
and say oh how the hell am I going to do that? You can take this from seeing
whats in your next math course, thinking about what its like to start driving, and
what its like to live on your own. I know that myself, as a 19 year old, I dread the
future that comes towards me. I dont want to adult. The idea of juggling bills,
work, family, and life in general just sounds ten times as stressful as the stress and
obligations I already have as a college student who works and feeds himself. Im
lucky my dad pays for my school and apartment as it is. I dont even have a job yet
because Tijuana Flats is a lazily managed company.
Some day I will actually have to work hard enough and make enough money to
afford everything on my own. It makes you wonder how some full grown, busy
adults handle everything being thrown at them. How about those under the stress
of supporting their life on a minimum wage job? In many countries that have their
economic situation together, such as the United Kingdom, it takes 14 hours a week
at minimum wage to work a self-supported individual above the poverty line, where
as it takes about 50 a week in the United States. How tough can it be to juggle life
like that?

Im surprised I pulled out numbers and genuine, already existing thoughts. I

thought I would ramble more than I did.

words: 258

9/9/2015 Free Write

Last night was really strange for me because I had a lot on my mind to tell my
girlfriend about how I thought our relationship was going. However I didnt want to
say anything without having a long time to think about it because I didnt want to
scare her. She cried all night and I feel like a piece of shit because of it. I even hung
out with a girl she hates and doesnt trust to talk about the temporary break-up.
Were not clear as to where things are going now but I think both of us are more
interested in fixing things than ending things. Whats even crazier is that today, she
told me she is 99% sure that she is bisexual because of dreams and thoughts shes
been having recently. Im totally fine with it honestly. I just wish we both knew what
we wanted. That wasnt exactly what I needed on my conscience while Im kneedeep in physics. Either way, I think everything will unfold the way that it should.

One hour free write

The story behind why I wrote what I wrote with my eyes closed during our last UWRT
class is something
not exactly appropriate to share with the whole class. When I started to imagine a
hot air balloon, I
imagined taking off and not going anywhere magical, but having a beer and
relaxing with Bonnie Cone.
Campus was definitely beautiful from above, and I could only imagine Bonnie Cone
crying tears of joy
over what her campus had become. I asked her why she took away football for 100
years and she
clarified to me that it was just a rumor. I feel like everything I wrote during the
activity was useless,
because it wasnt the greatest material for a one hour free-write. What saddens me
is that I should
know why we do 1-hr free writes, but I dont see much of a point in it. Its also hard
to type because my
right hand is swollen and was almost broken last night. I came close to breaking my
hand last night
because I punched a wall when I woke up and realized that I had missed ZBT
initiation. It made me upset
because I had been excited about it all week. I cant believe I missed it. As a result,
the president told me
that I cant show up to the social event that night. Which sucks, because I still had
people to drive to the
party. That night really did suck. I couldnt go to my own fraternitys house, but
when I went to go pick
up the girls from the house next door (Delta Chi), the brothers there werent happy
with me showing up
because I wasnt a brother. I understand, but I was just trying to pick someone up.
When they finally let
me walk around and look for those guests, I was still getting followed by other
brothers who didnt get
the memo yet. The second I found Katie, Sierra, and Madison, Katie threw up.
Everywhere. So essentially
my brothers wouldnt let me into my house, and I left the comfort of my apartment
to do nothing but

clean up someone elses puke and then not even take her back to her place. What
sucks even more is
that my brothers thought I was just over next door, partying. The old brothers
basically bad mouthed me
all night in front of the new brothers and I ended up almost losing my patience. I
understand why I
couldnt come to the party; initiation is a mandatory event. However, even when I
was doing nothing
but being responsible, I was shit-talked. Not to mention the one night Im not there
with my brothers,
three random people came to my frats house and fought. One of my brothers,
David Sirois, is in the
hospital with a concussion. I couldnt be there to stand up for them and I would do
anything to be able
to. At least were taking this opportunity to set an example for the new guys. This
way they understand
the importance of a Mandatory Event. I just wish I wasnt that example. The only
reason I missed ZBT
Initiation was because I accidentally set my alarm for 5:30AM instead of PM. I wish
my brothers werent
upset with me. Im really excited about our new rush class however. We doubled in
size this semester, if
not more by the end of the semester. We had 17 active brothers and we just added
17 already this
semester. All quality guys too. Some of them have been doing some philanthropic
duties since high
school, which is music to our ears. Philanthropy/service is one of the most
important things to us. In
fact, we did a great job picking out some key PNMs (potential new members) by
adding a very
unorthodox rush event to our rush schedule: A trip to Levines Childrens Hospital, to
donate our last
years earnings to The Childrens Miracle Network, our national Philanthropy.
Speaking of philanthropy,
were adding another one this year. Were going to try to kick it off in February with
a Rave Run for the
B+ (Be Positive) foundation, a foundation for helping cancer research and treatment
donations. Thats

our second cancer/kid related philanthropy in our repertoire. Were looking to make
the Rave Run a
success by contacting many sororities to do the event with us. This would at least
triple our success,
since sororities have such easy access to heavy campus publicity. This was probably
my #1 reason for
joining a fraternity. I just love being able to be part of something bigger than myself
and have the
obligation of helping out sick kids. It also teaches young men that you shouldnt
need recognition to do
the right thing. I dont look for a thank you, I do it out of my own pleasure. Thats
what makes me proud
to be a ZBT. That, and we dont judge others, disrespect people of a different
community or culture, or
scold someone for their own way of life. Thats the way it should be right? No. Sadly,
Greek life isnt the
most renown community of acceptance. Especially at a school thats preppier than
Charlotte, such as
Clemson or Alabama. Im sure were all familiar with the classic Frat Douche that
you see even on this
own campus. Sadly, even at this school, there are the Who do you know here kind
of guys. ZBT isnt
like that. We obviously have limits and reasons as to why we may not let an
individual into an event, but
it never has to do with who they are unless theyve given us a previous reason to do
so. We just like to
make friends, drink, and have a good time. That is, on top of everything that we do
as responsible and
generous human beings. The only time we disallow guys into a party is when were
strictly having
brothers over (and possibly girls.) And those wont be of concern anymore,
considering some of our new
guys are god damn pimps and can get 10 girls at a time to our house. Its
impressive and relieving to say
the least. Having some powerhouse frat dudes in the fraternity gives us a reshaped
image, along with
the doubling in size. I wish I made it to initiation though, for real. Such an upsetting
moment waking up

at 8:30. Then my hand wouldnt hurt. You know what else hurts? Watching this
generation listen and
hype up shitty music and shitty artists. People would rather watch Kanye
hyperventilate and fake
overwhelming emotions for 13 minutes than hear a man like Dave Grohl tell his
crowd to break up a
fight. Honestly if Kanye runs for president and his campaign becomes a serious
matter, I will move so
fucking fast. Im totally fine with Canada, weed is legal in BC anyways. Dave Grohl is
a brilliant man, who
talks about the value of a young man developing his talents and desires in creating
music. He tells the
youth why its okay to suck at an instrument. He said, real music is made by anyone
who put their real
work into it. Real music can be made by 4 pre-teens with beat up shitty instruments
and no education in
music inside their parents garage. He said that music is made by those who would
of done it regardless
of whether or not they sucked. Its okay to suck. Its okay to suck as a group. As
long as youre putting
real heart into it and youre having fun, youre making real music. I wish there were
enough real
musicians such as him that earned a spotlight and not that asshole Kanye West.
Music now is about how
rich you are, how hot your wife is, and how much of a pimp you are. Music
nowadays scares me. Society
lets the trash on the radio out, knowing that the commonplace radio is what
ultimately defines our
generation. Pop culture IS destroying this generation. It scares me to say that at
least 80% of pop culture
fans have set life goals and ideas based on the shit that they hear on the radio. No
wonder so many kids
are waiting for their mixtape to make it for them. We allow this crap to damage the
youth. Kurt Cobain
rolls over in his grave over the ignorance of pop culture. Its taught this generation
to be happy based on
money, and allowed money to define success. Success should be defined by how
much you smile on a

daily basis. Thats why I believe the purpose of life is to find a purpose in life. Some
people dont need
even need a car, house, or money to be happy. Personally I wouldnt be happy
unless Im financially able
to support myself. But to each his own. So far Ive seen great purpose in helping
kids. I could do it for the
rest of my life, but my purpose in life is to financially support myself, family, and
myself and my familys
needs. I want to go camping because I miss nature. I wonder if I could get to hike
Crowders Mountain
soon. Thatd be great, considering I love nature too much to miss it. Its tough for
thoughts of any
relevance to come to my head. I hate windows, its so freaking slow. It makes it hard
to type at free will.
In fact, I dont understand how Ive been typing for an hour straight with a slow
computer. My sentences
dont show up on the screen until a couple seconds after I type them. Its confusing
as shit. If someone
would help me get the correct words out of my mouth for how I feel about the air
balloon imagination,
thatd be nice.

9.23 Search Grid

Question
What is
ISIS?

Source
http://news.discovery.com/history/vide
os/what-is-isis-video-140623.htm

Summary
ISIS is a
group of
Syrian and
Iraqi Sunni
Arabs, who
strive to
create their
own state.
They are
militant
jihadists.

evaluate
This, even
though it is
biased, is a
good source
because they
explain well
the origin
and values of
the
organization.

What is
ISIS?

http://www.rt.com/news/166836-isisisil-al-qaeda-iraq/

Is there a
cure for
cancer?

http://www.sott.net/article/228583Scientists-cure-cancer-but-no-onetakes-notice

Is there a
cure for
cancer?

http://greatdreams.com/cancercure.htm

ISIS is a
group that
tries to take
over the
cities that
hold value to
Iraq. They
are from the
development
of al-Qaeda
Scientists did
find a cure
for cancer
that nobody
cares about.

A stranger on
the internet
found the
cure for
cancer, and
the lord
helped him
find it.

This is a
biased
article, but I
would take
info from it
because I
agree.

I think that
this article is
somewhat
true but not
a reliable
source of
information.
As an atheist
I would not
utilize this
source as a
reliable piece
of
information.

9.28 double blog entry

Blog post:
What I found most interesting about this article is the idea that they actually dont
have a heavy
conservative bias on the position of ISIS, which is rare. Though they do not sound
anywhere near
supportive of the organization, this article and the writer does a great job of keeping
itself neutral.
Almost as if we can understand the raw ideas and motives of ISIS, without the hate
and presumptions
that were prone to making.
One way I think that they accomplished this was their method of putting the
developmental
history of ISIS first, as well as their local motives (excluding their efforts
towards/against the United

States.) By explaining first their developmental motives, such as creating their own
state in Iraq and
Syria, we seem to learn more about the origins of the organization, giving us a more
personal point of
view behind them.

10/7/15
Writing is hard for me when I feel like I should be forcing words out of my mouth. In
fact, almost all academic circumstances make writing a challenge for me. The only
time that writing isnt a challenge for me is when I was most likely going to write
whatever I was going to write before someone told me to. Thats why certain
narratives that I have written on my own initiative are more effective than others;
because I was going to write them regardless. Thats why a song that I write on my
own time is much more beautiful than a poem I had to write for class. Writing to me
is something that blossoms based on the will of the writer. I am one to have a
struggle finding that will.
With that, I find that writing is nearly impossible when I lack any form of interest in
what were writing. For example, if I was not emotionally affected by an article,
summarizing it is only more of a challenge to me. Writing for me has been based
much off of emotion. But once we get someone like myself into a subject of genuine
concern, trying to stop me from writing out points is near impossible. I suffer from
the selective will to right.
By the end of this semester, I want to teach myself to find the will to write in
everything.

10/14/2015
This was an awesome weekend so far for me. My birthday was on Sunday, so I
wanted to make sure that this weekend was a great time. I almost went to
Wilmington for the whole thing. My friend Alex has a beach house in Wilmington
near where her sister goes to school, UNC Wilmington, and a group of 8 friends or so
assumed their position there for the weekend. I decided to just stay in Charlotte and
have a good time with brothers and friends. My girlfriend wasnt around because
she went to Montreal for Canadian thanksgiving and got me this awesome Roots
shirt, its just a stitched black and grey Canadian flag on its side but I like it. Im
wearing it right now. We decided to go to
Crowders Mountain yesterday and
hike the summit. Once we got to the tourist summit, I decided that we should hike
off the trail on the first peak and climb across rocks to get to the other side of the
peak, which was hard to get to. Totally worth it though. We found a small cave that
opens out on the other side to a secluded cliff. You can watch hawks and vultures
hunt both above, level with, and below you. We sat, took pictures, relaxed, and
explored the side of the rock face as much as possible. Whats really cool is the fact
that theres more than 15 rock faces with nice views that you could go to. Some are

well enough off the trail that you cant do anything short of climb. The feeling of
scaling a natural structure as large as we did was indescribable. If crowders was
closer to the campus I would honestly hike every day before class. 292

Public school systems have a history of flawed education. Everyone has their own
ideas of careers, as well as their own ways of learning. They dont teach the things
we need to do outside of academics that make us successful adults. I wish to learn
more as to why we arent taught how to budget like adults.

10/19/2015 how do these ethical standards relate to my proposal?

I believe that the lack of adult skills being taught throughout education systems is
as large of a problem as it is because of the fact that we emphasize and condition
our youths lives so heavily on what theyre supposed to learn in school. We make it
their everything. We make it everything that they need to worry about and revere in
order to MOVE ON IN LIFE. The education system pushes to hard to get their
students into the real world and build a sense of excellence (every freaking high
school seems to glitter that generality nowadays) but cant teach their excellent
students to balance a freaking checkbook or grocery shop. We cant teach them
how to fill out a bank statement, or APPLY FOR A JOB. How the hell do you not teach
your students how to apply for a job, but youll fail him or her in a class because he
doesnt know the difference between the Industrial age and the Gilded age in
History class? Furthermore, why is history even a core class? That is about as
specific and elective as logic should allow. Instead, its required by the Wake County
Public School Systems (where I went to school) to understand the literal irrelevance
of the past in relation to how to build a young students future. I didnt learn
anything about how to build myself for the future in all of my years of high school. I
learned how to act, cook, and write Latin by choice, and learned (by requirement)
how to do advanced trigonometry and understand just how the mitochondria is the
powerhouse of a cell.
I couldnt really get my feelings out. I just kinda ranted. This also wasnt a genuine
free-write because I hesitated and reconsidering sentence structure a few times.

Google should definitely comply. It is at no loss for Google to remove such a piece,
and it means no less than the world to the woman to have it removed. I think that
anybody with half a heart could make the right decision here. This must be such a
rough moment for the woman, especially going up against a corporation that large.
However, I see no excuses as to why she shouldnt get what she wants. The sad
thing for her is though, that this information exists infinitely already. Google can
take it down, but it still exists somewhere else. Thats the insecurities we face with
the internet.

10/21/15

1. If a problem is not described as bad, then what is a problem according to an

article?
A problem can be seen as an opportunity to learn. The article takes a rather
optimistic approach,
acknowledging that there is room to grow if there is room fix.
2. What are 2 ways to develop expertise in your problem, according to the article?
Which do you
most value?
The two best ways is to find a precedent solution, and to research the problem and
formulate your
own plan. One of the most simple resolutions thats already been implemented is to
just take the
classes you need in college that will offer the experience and education you need.
For example, a
finance class would be perfect. I could also do research and learn how to do all of
these things
myself. I would rather take a class.
3. What is a creative approach? Why/How is it different from a traditional approach?
When taking a creative approach, your goal is to reach a more open-ended solution.
This differs
from finding a definite and concrete solution, which I believe can keep you from
learning as much as
you can.
4. What are your opposite perspectives or solutions to your problem as you see it
now?
So far one of the most reasonable solutions that I foresee is to just go out of your
way to educate
yourself. After reading this article, it seems to be the most beneficial decision. This
is because the
article has really opened my eyes to the values and costs of learning experiences.
5. What is challenging and freeing about CPS?
The main challenge behind CPS is that its a new method that we must try to
develop late in life.

Weve made it instinct to solve issues in a more traditional, black and white manner.
However, once
you can develop the skill, it is freeing because of how much room there is to create,
think, and
innovate. Its always a little better to think outside the box.

10/28/2015
To be a problem solver means that you are capable of creating solutions. That is
about as basic as it gets, but what it upholds to you as a person is even more
important. People who arent problem solvers arent your go-to guys in the work
world. Theyre not the first head on a set of shoulders that you trust to do a certain
job without the aid of a problem solver. Problem solvers are go-getters, who make
the proactive choice to face a challenge and conquer it through their own initiative.
A problem solver can do it on his or her own. It hurts you to not be a problem solver.
Problems arent limited to academic problems that are intentionally handed to us as
students. In fact, those arent problems. Thats practice. We practice solving
problems throughout our education so that we can solve them on our own for
money later in life. Real problems can consist of anything from a broken pipe in a
residential plumbing, to potentially being sold to another corporation as a whole,
jeopardizing the employment of workers. In a way, problem-solvers arent exactly
qualified based on their ABILJTY to solve problems, but the WILL and CHARACTER
that drives that being to solve a problem.

Nov 2nd, 2015

At the beginning of this project, I did not know much about the issue that I was
stressing. The problem overall to me, was just that we dont know how to fulfill adult
obligations that we could have been taught in public school. At first, my only
assumption was that the education system simply doesnt care about how their
students carry themselves as adults once they leave school and enter the real
world. Though I still agree with this to a considerable extent, I also now realize that
there is much more behind it. You see, as far as schools go, if its not tested, its
generally not taught. For example, the ACT and SAT, two of the only legal
monopolies still left in this country, dominate the market for college admissions.
That means that the success rate of a certain education system is based off of the
standards that are upheld in these testing programs. Because the ACT and SAT
dont call for any knowledge as far as treating yourself as an adult, school systems
spend little to no time on teaching us how apply for a job or handle our own money.
On top of that, no school system as a whole could agree on things such as personal
finance. Though its definitely important, you cant exactly write a curriculum on it,
because lifestyles based around that subject vary from adult to adult. Theres no
concrete way of doing it per se. As a result, there is also no way to locate an actual

teacher qualified to teach such. This, overall, is why it is left up to us to teach

ourselves these things. I dont agree with it, but it is true.