Assignment 5c

1. Who is your classmate, what is the component category, what is the name of the choice

I chose to look at Carly's blog from component 4a. She was in group 2 and did her response on the following stories from My California: "An Ordinary Place" by D.J. Waldie, "Almost Home" by Gerald Haslam, "My Little Saigon" by Anh Do, and "The Nicest Person in San Fransisco" by Derek M. Powazek. 

2. What is something this classmate said about the choice that relates to any of the assignments in projects 2-3?

The first story that Carly talked about was "An Ordinary Place" by D.J. Waldie, which talked about the author's experience of living in Los Angeles. In the last story that she wrote about, "The Nicest Person in San Fransisco" by Derek M. Powazek, he wrote about San Francisco. In component 3a, I compared San Francisco and Los Angeles, talking about their similiarities and differences. 

3. What is something different this classmate said about their choice that you did not realize before when you completed projects 2-3?

Like Carly, I also didn't know that in 1960 in Lakewood, 40% of the population there was under the age of fourteen. I thought that information was pretty interesting. 

4. How would you relate this to Freire's ideas regarding dialogue? For example, you went in thinking one idea, your classmate had a different idea. What new idea emerged from this process?

Carly's blog was mostly informing me of things I had never heard before, since I didn't not read the passages that she did. We didn't necessarily have different opinions, she just had new ideas that I had never heard before.

5. How has project 2-3 helped you with the readings of the textbook?

Working on projects 2 and 3 was almost like writing a chapter in My California. After doing both projects, I understood the stories better in the textbook, because I had written similar accounts. Instead of just reading empty, meaningless stories, I had something to compare them to.

Assignment 5b

1. Who is your classmate, what is the component category, what is the name of the choice?

I chose to look at Christina's blog from component 4a. She was in group 1 and did her response on the following stories from My California: "The Big Valley" by Mark Arax, "Transients in Paradise" by Aimee Liu, "Showing Off the Owens" by T. Jefferson Parker, and "The Distant Cataract About Which We Do Not Speak" by Mary Mackay.

2. What is something this classmate said about the choice that relates to any of the assignments in projects 2-3?

Christina wrote responses to stories about Fresno, Beverly Hills, Bishop and Sacramento. These cities were very similar to (and a couple of them were even the same as) the cities that we examined in Assigment 2, component a. I actually wrote about Sacramento and the American River, which is what the story "The Distant Cataract About Which We Do Not Speak" apparently talked about.

3. What is something different this classmate said about their choice that you did not realize before when you completed projects 2-3?

Just like Christina, I was surprised to hear that there are seventy-five thousand Russians living in Sacramento County. Even compared to Sacramento's large total population, 75,000 is a big number!

4. How would you relate this to Freire's ideas regarding dialogue? For example, you went in thinking one idea, your classmate had a different idea. What new idea emerged from this process?

One thing that she talked about when she was analyzing "The Distant Cataract About Which We Do Not Speak," was how being in LA, regardless of how crazy and bustling the city is, is relaxing for her. Relaxing and Los Angeles are probably not things that I would generally put together in the same sentence. A relaxing vacation, for me, usually includes getting outdoors and escaping from the busyness of city life. The new idea that this shows is that relaxation and enjoyable vacations take different forms for different people. Personally, I prefer vacations that involve nature. Other people would rather stay in upscale hotels. It is all a matter of perspective and shows our individual diversity.

5. How has project 2-3 helped you with the readings of the textbook?

Working on projects 2 and 3 was almost like writing a chapter in My California. After doing both projects, I understood the stories better in the textbook, because I had written similar accounts. Instead of just reading empty, meaningless stories, I had something to compare them to.

5a Group #3

1. Write the story title and author name. .25 point

The Un-California by Daniel Weintraub

2. Summarize the reading in one brief paragraph; be specific in your summary. Remember that your classmates will rely on you for this information. 2 percent

In this writing, the author spoke of Sacramento, California and the positive reasons why it was unlike much of the rest of California. One of the main things he talks about is the informality of Sacramento that is shared from the everyday citizens to the politicians. He also talks about the social structure of the city and compares it to the level terrain of its geography. There are not a lot of incredibly  people and there is not a significant "slum." Another point her brought up was about the weather and how people in Sacramento are grateful for the rain when it comes, instead of complaining about it. People in Sacramento actually get mud on their SUV's too.

3. Which was your favorite sentence or paragraph (include entire quote; use quote marks and page number)? 1 percent

"Storms that bring snow to the nearby mountains and fill the region's reservoirs are not shunned as unruly intruders but welcomed like old friends." (Page 177)

4. What did the reading make you think of? (be specific eg "There is a bridge in SF that spans 4 miles from SF to Oakland and in the middle of the bridge it crosses an island called Treasure Island. This story makes me think of that specific little island where I can see the entire city and bay area. That city was also in the news recently where .... ) .75 percent

First of all, I thought of my friend, Claire, who lives in Sacramento. The other thing I thought about was the camp that I worked at this last summer in Coloma, CA. I went through Sacramento many times on my way to and from camp.

5. What is one thing you did not know before you started the reading that you now know (again, be specific using concrete examples)? 1 percent

I wasn't aware that 1 in 4 in the workplace in Sacramento work for the government.

1. Write the story title and author name. .25 point

Rocks in the Shape of Billy Martin by Deanne Stillman

2. Summarize the reading in one brief paragraph; be specific in your summary. Remember that your classmates will rely on you for this information. 2 percent

This reading draws many different comparisons between baseball and the Mojave Desert. The author of the story talked about how he would often escape the city of Los Angeles and go the the Mojave Desert as much as possible. There, he would escape from the normal hustle and bustle of life and learn from the calm yet intricate desert. He talked about the Joshua Trees and the cacti and of the bizarre nature of Joshua Tree National  Park. Overall, he appreciates the desert because it is intriguing and full of stories.

3. Which was your favorite sentence or paragraph (include entire quote; use quote marks and page number)? 1 percent

"I grew up far away from these sands, under the gray skies of Cleveland, Ohio, the place that tells you it's okay to dream, but not really." (Pages 179-180)

4. What did the reading make you think of? (be specific eg "There is a bridge in SF that spans 4 miles from SF to Oakland and in the middle of the bridge it crosses an island called Treasure Island. This story makes me think of that specific little island where I can see the entire city and bay area. That city was also in the news recently where .... ) .75 percent

When the reading mentioned a "shamanic workshop," it made me think of my Theatre Arts class. We are currently studying Native American theatre and were just talking in class about shamans and shamanism.

5. What is one thing you did not know before you started the reading that you now know (again, be specific using concrete examples)? 1 percent

I didn't know that Joshua Trees grow solely in the Mojave Desert and nowhere else.

1. Write the story title and author name. .25 point

How Many Angels by David Kipen

2. Summarize the reading in one brief paragraph; be specific in your summary. Remember that your classmates will rely on you for this information. 2 percent

How Many Angels tells of a man's quest to find the exact center point in the county of Los Angeles. He knew the center point of the state of California and the city of Los Angeles, but it was his goal to find the center of the county. His method of finding the center was by using "map-backing, cardboard-trimming, and pin balancing" and after he did this he discovered that the center was North into the San Gabriel Mountains. He then adventured to this point, what he called L.A.'s naval. He was surprised to find that this point was not a highway, or something commercialized, it was actually somewhere that you could only get to by a dirt road. He finally found the point and found what he felt was a wire that someone was pulling on the other side of.

3. Which was your favorite sentence or paragraph (include entire quote; use quote marks and page number)? 1 percent

"For one thing, many perfectly sane individuals find the very idea of setting foot in Los Angeles County distasteful. To try positioning oneself inside it, at a point maximally remote from all its boundaries, runs counter to their fundamental urge whenever they find themselves in the region, which is to get the hell out as quickly as possible." (Page 187)

4. What did the reading make you think of? (be specific eg "There is a bridge in SF that spans 4 miles from SF to Oakland and in the middle of the bridge it crosses an island called Treasure Island. This story makes me think of that specific little island where I can see the entire city and bay area. That city was also in the news recently where .... ) .75 percent

This story made me think of all the nature expeditions that I've been on and made me grateful that I've had the opportunity to do things outdoors as much as I have. If I lived somewhere like LA, like the author, I probably would not have had as many opportunities to do so.

5. What is one thing you did not know before you started the reading that you now know (again, be specific using concrete examples)? 1 percent

I had no idea that the center of California is a place called Coarsegold. I've never even heard of that place.

1. Write the story title and author name. .25 point

Centered by Veronique de Turenne

2. Summarize the reading in one brief paragraph; be specific in your summary. Remember that your classmates will rely on you for this information. 2 percent

At the beginning of this reading, the author talks of his reluctance to leave his home in Malibu and set out on a road-trip. He talks about how beautiful the view is from his house, and how people pay to go on vacations in Malibu, so it isn't crazy that he finds it hard to leave. Once he leaves though, he enjoys myself. on this journey, they find themselves heading north into California's gold country. The goal of this trip is to drive to the exact center spot of the state of California. After talking to a librarian, they finally find out where it is and drive to a place marked by rocks and a marker. He wrote a whole paragraph of the nature of the silence at this spot.

3. Which was your favorite sentence or paragraph (include entire quote; use quote marks and page number)? 1 percent

"We left Malibu in a brand-new rental car, which is my call because the charms of David's cherised red pickup, while fine for hauling the dor or a load of firewood, exist mostly in his ownmind. The truck, I'm afraid, falls far short of the needs of a road trip." (Page 193)

4. What did the reading make you think of? (be specific eg "There is a bridge in SF that spans 4 miles from SF to Oakland and in the middle of the bridge it crosses an island called Treasure Island. This story makes me think of that specific little island where I can see the entire city and bay area. That city was also in the news recently where .... ) .75 percent

When the reading mentioned the Yuba river, I immediately thought of white-water rafting. I am a rafting guide in the summer, and have talked to others about rafting the North Fork of the Yuba. 

5. What is one thing you did not know before you started the reading that you now know (again, be specific using concrete examples)? 1 percent

I had never heard of the town Downieville, where mountain bikers apparently swarm. Apparently, it is the home to a quant resort as well.

Assignment 4c

1. Who is your classmate, what is the component category, what is the name of the choice?

• I chose to compare my World Cities blog about San Francisco and Los Angeles with Sheena's blog (from Project 3, component A) about San Francisco and Los Angeles.  

2. What is something similar this classmate said about the choice?

• Sheena and I agreed on quite a few things including diversity, weather and stereotypes. Both of us explained the stereotypes of San Francisco and Los Angeles quite simlarly.

3. What is something different this classmate said about the choice?

• Sheena pointed out in the section about differences between the cities that Los Angeles has more media and arts than San Francisco. I wouldn't necessarily agree. I would just say that the art in San Francisco takes on a different form than in Los Angeles. 

4. How would you relate this to Freire's ideas regarding dialogue? For example, you went in thinking one idea, your classmate had a different idea. What new idea emerged from this process?

There really isn't a right answer whether Los Angeles or San Francisco has more media and arts. It's a very subjective question with many different interpretations. Both Sheena and I have valid points on the subject, and different views on what exactly "media and arts" means. 

Assignment 4b

1. Who is your classmate, what is the component category, what is the name of the choice?

• I chose to compare my blog to Jessica's. I looked at Project 3, component b (Beaches) in which both Jessica and I compared Newport Beach to another beach.

2. What is something similar this classmate said about the choice?

• Both Jessica and I had similar views on the stereotypes that people would have about Newport Beach. Both of us mentioned surfing and girls sun-bathing.

3. What is something different this classmate said about the choice?

• One thing that Jessica talked about that I didn't was some famous people that call Newport Beach their home. I wasn't aware that John Wayne, Humphrey Bogart, Kobe Bryant and Dennis Rodman all lived there.

4. How would you relate this to Freire's ideas regarding dialogue? For example, you went in thinking one idea, your classmate had a different idea. What new idea emerged from this process?

• This comparison showed that even when examining the exact same thing (or place) different people have different opinions and see different things. People pull things from their own experience and learning, and therefore it is basically impossible for two people to have the exact same experience or opinion on a given subject. While my blog post about Newport Beach did have a few similarities with Jessica's, for the most part it was very different and examined different topics.

4a Group #3

1. Write the story title and author name. .25 point

Bienvenidos a Newport Beach by Firoozeh Dumas

2. Summarize the reading in one brief paragraph; be specific in your summary. Remember that your classmates will rely on you for this information. 2 percent

This story describes the authors move from a rental in Whittier that overlooked Kentucky Fried Chicken to a new rental in Newport Beach. This move was the eighth time she had moved and her family was originally from Iran, where she lived for six years. Most of the story revolved around all of the rules at the new house in Newport Beach. The house was maintained by an Association who mandated that each house must look the same on the outside. The were rules about many other things including the pool, trash, garage doors, cars, dogs and much more. The writing also told about how she didn't want to spend time in public with her Iranian cousins because they dressed weird and had so much body hair. She ended the story by saying that her parents still live in the same house in Newport Beach.

3. Which was your favorite sentence or paragraph (include entire quote; use quote marks and page number)? 1 percent

Page 93 - All the streets in our planned community had Spanish names starting with "Vista" meaning "view of" in Spanish.  This was really wishful thinking since the homes mainly had views of the other houses that looked just like them.

4. What did the reading make you think of? (be specific eg "There is a bridge in SF that spans 4 miles from SF to Oakland and in the middle of the bridge it crosses an island called Treasure Island. This story makes me think of that specific little island where I can see the entire city and bay area. That city was also in the news recently where .... ) .75 percent

The story made me think of the "Homeowner's Association" that is in charge of the neighborhood right next to my own. Just like the rules in the story, some of their rules seem to be quite ridiculous. There is a field in this neighborhood where my family has spent a lot of time because it is perfect for football, ultimate frisbee or other games. However, when I was there with a group of friends for my birthday party a few years ago, one of the neighbors came out and said that no one is allowed to use the park unless they themselves live in the neighborhood. So, sadly, we had to leave.

5. What is one thing you did not know before you started the reading that you now know (again, be specific using concrete examples)? 1 percent

I didn't know that the word "Vista" means "view of" in Spanish.

1. Write the story title and author name. .25 point

Cotton Candy Mirrors by Devorah Major

2. Summarize the reading in one brief paragraph; be specific in your summary. Remember that your classmates will rely on you for this information. 2 percent

This story is about the author's experience in the Fun House, where she and her friends spent much of their summers when they were younger. It explains every aspect of the House starting with the hall of mirrors, and then moving on to the whirling cylinders, then the floor with air holes, the spinning silver disk, the barrel ride, the super slide, and finally the distorting mirrors. The author was extremely descriptive in recounting each of these experiences. In the end, she talks about the things that she learned from the Fun House. One of the major things that she learned was from the distorting mirrors. Even after the Fun House was taken down, she realized that society has distorted our image of ourselves just like those mirrors did in the Fun House. She came to the conclusion that we shouldn't let things like TV, billboards, and music videos determine that for us. All in all, she felt that the lessons like the ones learned in the Fun House were the ones that stuck with her the longest.

3. Which was your favorite sentence or paragraph (include entire quote; use quote marks and page number)? 1 percent

Page 98 - We were surrounded by ourselves in this hallway. The mirrors went on and on and on. You got smaller and smaller and smaller if you tried to count how many mirrors there were reflecting mirrors of yourself, reflecting mirrors of yourself, reflecting mirrors of yourself.

4. What did the reading make you think of? (be specific eg "There is a bridge in SF that spans 4 miles from SF to Oakland and in the middle of the bridge it crosses an island called Treasure Island. This story makes me think of that specific little island where I can see the entire city and bay area. That city was also in the news recently where .... ) .75 percent

I thought about my own experience in similar Fun Houses at the Sonoma County Fair. For me, they weren't quite as exciting or fun as they were for the author of the story. However, even though there were much bigger and better rides at the fair, I always enjoyed going through the Fun House. The author's description of the hall of mirrors was extremely accurate and very similar to what I've experienced.

5. What is one thing you did not know before you started the reading that you now know (again, be specific using concrete examples)? 1 percent

I enjoyed reading about the spinning "smooth silver disk" that spun so fast that kids would fly off. It sounded like a lot of fun and the Fun Houses I've been in didn't have those, probably for safety reason.

1. Write the story title and author name. .25 point

Berkeley by Michael Chabon

2. Summarize the reading in one brief paragraph; be specific in your summary. Remember that your classmates will rely on you for this information. 2 percent

Essentially, this writing is about the insanity, craziness, genius and ridiculousness of Berkley, California. The author wrote about the fact that while Berkeley is full of countless incredibly intelligent people, it is full of a large number neurotics as well. He explains how exactly genius, neurosis, madness and rapture are seen in the city. He also talks about how so many people in Berkeley feel obligated to point out the misdeeds, problems and bad judgements of those around them, even if they're perfect strangers. Furthermore, he notes that people in Berkeley are so consumed with themselves that they are mostly ignorant of the people around them. However, he does come around and admit that he loves Berkeley and wouldn't want to live somewhere else. Berkeley also has it's perks like its "spectacular weather, thrilling vistas and variety of terrain." Overall, he enjoys the city because it is interesting and intriguing and quirky.

3. Which was your favorite sentence or paragraph (include entire quote; use quote marks and page number)? 1 percent

Page 105 - Where passion is married to intelligence, you may find genius, neurosis, madness or rapture. None of these is really an unfamiliar presence in the tree-line streets of Berkeley, California.

4. What did the reading make you think of? (be specific eg "There is a bridge in SF that spans 4 miles from SF to Oakland and in the middle of the bridge it crosses an island called Treasure Island. This story makes me think of that specific little island where I can see the entire city and bay area. That city was also in the news recently where .... ) .75 percent

When I started reading about Berkeley, I was reminded of the college admissions catalog that I was reading recently. I was amazed at the average GPA and SAT score at Berkeley. I also was reminded of a really hard economics class that my friend took that was labeled "Berkeley-level."

5. What is one thing you did not know before you started the reading that you now know (again, be specific using concrete examples)? 1 percent

I learned that Berkeley's population of  100,000 is raised to about 130,000 when you take the University students into account. That's a  pretty significant difference!

1. Write the story title and author name. .25 point

California Honky-tonk by Kathi Kamen Goldmark

2. Summarize the reading in one brief paragraph; be specific in your summary. Remember that your classmates will rely on you for this information. 2 percent

This story is about a band's first "real gig" that ended up being at a biker bar, something that they didn't know when they arranged it. It was their first gig, so they really didn't know what to expect. However, they definitely had no idea that a motorcycle gang would come rolling in. They had been planning for a much different crowd and realized their four-part harmonies and fancy guitar arrangements probably weren't going to do the trick. Finally, the bikers were won over by the popular song "Why Don't We Get Drunk and Screw?" After the author told the story of her first gig, she went on to talk about many other band experiences that she had and the things that she learned from them. The first one definitely made a good story though.

3. Which was your favorite sentence or paragraph (include entire quote; use quote marks and page number)? 1 percent

Page 117 - Move over Pasty, move over Dolly, Linda and Emmylous. I had glitter in my hair and I was ready to sing.

4. What did the reading make you think of? (be specific eg "There is a bridge in SF that spans 4 miles from SF to Oakland and in the middle of the bridge it crosses an island called Treasure Island. This story makes me think of that specific little island where I can see the entire city and bay area. That city was also in the news recently where .... ) .75 percent

This reading made me about an experience I had in which I also made the mistake of performing something that didn't fit the audience. When I competed in speech and debate, I gave one speech on how kids need to use less electronics like video games and TVs and get outside. Unfortunately, a lot of my judges happened to be college guys who loved their video games and really didn't like the ideas in my speech. I learned though, and I was sure to think about my audience when planning future speeches.

5. What is one thing you did not know before you started the reading that you now know (again, be specific using concrete examples)? 1 percent

I learned a little bit more about Honky-tonk, because I really didn't know much about that style of music.

3c Inland Areas

1. Contains a title using the format listed above .25 points

3d Inland Areas

2. Contains a web link to your locations. (eg you can use the tools in your blog where you paste your work; there is a little icon that looks like a link) .25 points

-Santa Rosa, CA

-Sunnyvale, CA

3. Contains an explanation regarding how this component (any aspect of it; eg content of videos, content of websites) connects to your study of humanities. .25 point

There are countless things to be learned about humanities when studying invidiual cities. By looking at information about Santa Rosa, I learned that between 1950 and 1970 (after the end of WWII), the population of Santa Rosa increased by two-thirds. I also got sidetracked when I began to look at the movies that were filmed in Santa Rosa as well as famous people who have called Santa Rosa their home, including the cyclist Levi Leipheimer, the cartoonist Stephan Pastis and the Food Network star Guy Fieri. An interesting thing that I read about Sunnyvale is that they have a single, unified "Department of Public Safety," that trains people so that they can work as firefighters, police officers and EMTs simultaneously, not just one of those.

4. Contains the following elements that will be used in upcoming projects for analytical purposes:

a. What are some assumptions/stereotypes you think people have of each location: 1 point

It's hard to think of stereotypes for Santa Rosa, because I live here. However, people might think about the fact that we're in the wine country, or associate Santa Rosa with San Francisco because they're relatively close. Stereoptypes that people have about Sunnyvale are that most of the people who live there are rich, drive a Mercedes or Lexus, and work at a company that has something to do with technology.

b. List 3 things that make each location similar: 1 point

1. Population. Both Sunnyvale and Santa Rosa have relatively similar populations. Santa Rosa is the home to 157,985 people and Sunnyvale has a population of 131,760

2. Location. Both cities are found in Northern California and according to GoogleMaps, they're only about 1 hour and 45 minutes apart.

3. Demographics (Latino). Both cities have a similar percentage of Latino residents. Santa Rosa's population is 19.2% Latino and in Sunnyvale, 15.48% of the population is Latino

c. List 3 things that make each location so different: 1 point

1. Size. Geographically, Santa Rosa is about twice the size of Sunnyvale. Santa Rosa has a total area of 40.37 square miles while Sunnyvale has a total area of 22.6 square miles.

2. Demographics (Asian). In Santa Rosa, a mere 3% of the population is made up by Asian residents. In Sunnyvale, on the other hand, 32.27% of the population is Asian. 

3. Income. The median income for a household in Sunnyvale is $74,409 per yer. In Santa Rosa, the median household income is $50,931. 

d. Questioning: What else would you like to know about these places? When completing the question section, lead your audience into the question by stating a fact you do know, yet you still have the related question. This way, both your audience and you will have an educational experience. .5 point

I would like to know what stereotypes people have about Santa Rosa, since they will probably be different than my own experience of the city. I'm also curious to know why Sunnyvale has such a significantly larger Asian population than Santa Rosa.

5. Using your classmates work from last week, tell us one thing you learned from 1 student. Is this one thing some common experience you share or some experience that is completely different than what you experienced? Is this one thing related to our class theoretical foundation and if so, how? Is that one thing related to historical or cultural context of this country or a different one? Link that persons blog to this entry (eg cut paste that blog entry here) . .5 point

Jessica's blog compared Doran Beach and Pismo Beach. I also have been to Doran beach, but have never been to Pismo. Her experience of Doran and sterotypes of Pismo are very similar to my own experiences and stereotypes. I learned from her blog that you can drive dirt bikes and ATVs on Pismo Beach which sounds like a lot of fun. It's interesting to note that while some people have extremely different experiences of similar locations, many people also have very similar experiences.

3b Beaches

1. Contains a title using the format listed above .25 points

3b Beaches

2. Contains a web link to your locations. (eg you can use the tools in your blog where you paste your work; there is a little icon that looks like a link) .25 points

-Bodega Bay (Wikipedia - Bodega Bay, BeachCalifornia.com - Bodega Bay)

-Newport Beach (Wikipedia - Newport Beach, BeachCaliofornia.com - Newport Beach)

3. Contains an explanation regarding how this component (any aspect of it; eg content of videos, content of websites) connects to your study of humanities. .25 point

Examining beaches is a great way to study humanities because beaches are a place where people of all different backgrounds and lifestyles come together. Beaches are places where people share common activities like surfing, kite-flying and sun-bathing and are a "melting pot" where societies come together.

4. Contains the following elements that will be used in upcoming projects for analytical purposes:

a. What are some assumptions/stereotypes you think people have of each location: 1 point

When people think of Newport beach they probably think of surfers, girls sun-bathing in bikinis and lots of sunshine. People might also think of the television show "The O.C." When people think about Bodega Bay, on the other hand, they probably think of a quiet beach town with cold weather where "The Birds" was filmed. 

b. List 3 things that make each location similar: 1 point

1. Both beaches are in California

2. Even though they are both very different, both locations are in "resort towns."

3. Both beaches attract sufers.

c. List 3 things that make each location so different: 1 point

1. The weather is completely different. Newport beach is usually warm and sunny while Bodega Bay is foggy, cold and windy most of the time.

2. The kind of people that the beaches attract are quite different. Newport beach attracts a lot of young people while Bodega bay attracts a lot more of the older population. 

3. Newport beach is a lot busier and more crowded than any beach you would find in Bodega Bay.

d. Questioning: What else would you like to know about these places? When completing the question section, lead your audience into the question by stating a fact you do know, yet you still have the related question. This way, both your audience and you will have an educational experience. .5 point

Because I grew up near Bodega Bay, I've spent a lot of time there and know what it's like. I wonder what people in Newport beach would say about Bodega Bay if they were asked what it is like or what they know about it.

5. Using your classmates work from last week, tell us one thing you learned from 1 student. Is this one thing some common experience you share or some experience that is completely different than what you experienced? Is this one thing related to our class theoretical foundation and if so, how? Is that one thing related to historical or cultural context of this country or a different one? Link that persons blog to this entry (eg cut paste that blog entry here) . .5 point

I chose to read Debbie's blog comparing Sunnyvale to Palo Alto. One thing I learned from her blog was that Sunnyvale was once known for its fruit-growing but got started in the tech industry during World War II when they built steam engines, guns and rocket launchers for the war. I also learned that in Palo Alto, the average price of a home is $1.3 million dollars, making it the 5th most expensive US city. Furthermore, she pointed out that Sunnyvale has been ranked as one of the safest cities in the US. I enjoyed reading Debbie's blog and learned a lot from it because I usually just lump Sunnyvale, Palo Alto and Santa Clara together in my mind when I think of Silicon Valley. But, it's good to note that each of these cities has unique characteristics and they are far from the same.

3a World Cities

1. Contains a title using the format listed above .25 points

3a World Cities

2. Contains a web link to your locations. (eg you can use the tools in your blog where you paste your work; there is a little icon that looks like a link) .25 points

-Wikipedia (San Francisco)

-Wikipedia (Los Angeles)

-Official San Francisco Website

-Official Los Angeles Website

3. Contains an explanation regarding how this component (any aspect of it; eg content of videos, content of websites) connects to your study of humanities. .25 point

When studying humanities, looking at individual cities can be very insightful. You can learn more about the social issues that plague those cities, the cultural makeup of the population, the city's values and goals and much more. When I was researching San Francisco and Los Angeles, I saw countless different things that connect to our study of humanities. For example, The people who live in L.A. speak 224 different languages. As Wikipedia states, "Los Angeles is one of the world's centers of culture, technology, media, business, and international trade." San Francisco is also a very diverse city. San Francisco is characterized by its relatively high standard of living, as well as the fact that 39% of its residents are from overseas. Almost every aspect of both cities has some connection to humanities, whether it is through their population, history or culture.

4. Contains the following elements that will be used in upcoming projects for analytical purposes:

a. What are some assumptions/stereotypes you think people have of each location: 1 point

There are a lot of different stereotypes that people hold to. As with most stereotypes, they do have some truth to them, but the stereotypes are usually exaggerated and over-the-top. For San Fransisco, the things that first come to mind for many people probably include its large gay population, large high-class population, large homeless population and large Asian population. Of these stereotypes, the stereotype about the gay population is probably the most prevalent. For Los Angeles, stereotypes include over generalizations that everyone spends a lot of time at the beach, and that Los Angeles is all basically Hollywood. People may also think of the warm weather or the smoggy sky.

b. List 3 things that make each location similar: 1 point

1. Both are very large cities. Los Angeles is the largest city in California with a population of just under 3.8 million. San Fransisco is the 4th largest city in California and has 764,976 people.

2. Both cities are very diverse ethnically. In both cities, whites comprise less than half of the population.

3. Both cities have a significant upper-class populous. 

c. List 3 things that make each location so different: 1 point

1. The most obvious difference is location. Los Angeles is in Southern California while San Fransisco is near the center of the state. Location differences influence weather, immigration and much more.

2. While both cities are very large, San Fransisco's population is far denser. Amazingly, every square mile in San Francisco is the home to 16,000 people. Los Angeles has about half that, at just over 8,000 per square mile.

3. While both cities are ethnically diverse, Los Angeles has a very large Latino population (about 46.5% of the total population) and San Francisco has a very large Asian population (about 1/3 of the total population).

d. Questioning: What else would you like to know about these places? When completing the question section, lead your audience into the question by stating a fact you do know, yet you still have the related question. This way, both your audience and you will have an educational experience. .5 point

As San Francisco and Los Angeles are both continuing grow, I wonder how these cities will handle the increased environmental issues associated with large populations.

5. Using your classmates work from last week, tell us one thing you learned from 1 student. Is this one thing some common experience you share or some experience that is completely different than what you experienced? Is this one thing related to our class theoretical foundation and if so, how? Is that one thing related to historical or cultural context of this country or a different one? Link that persons blog to this entry (eg cut paste that blog entry here) . .5 point

I read Sheena's blog about AT&T park. I learned that she believes that this park is a place for people to come together, a place of excitement, and a place of happiness. I went to my first baseball game at AT&T park only a couple months ago, and my experience was very similar. All kind of people came together to cheer on their team and the excitement of the game made it enjoyable to be there. The only thing that was different for in my experience was that the stadium had many empty seats (Sheena mentioned that it's usually very full).