I read 2638 pages this semester. They were all fiction and from the same series of books called the Sword of Truth series.
In the beginning of the semester I would classify myself as a sporadic reader who goes periods of time without reading anything then finds a series or book he enjoys and rapidly progresses through the books and then has periods without reading again. An example of that is during on summer I did not read for 3 weeks then found a series called Dragonlance and read the triology of 3 books all over 700 pages in about a week. Going into this class I was involved in a 11 book series called the Sword of Truth. Throughout the semester i continued reading this series, but I felt like I slowed my reading purposefully so that I would not hit over the week maximiums by that much, so I would not have to find a new series I was interested in. The blog as you go style was not conductive to how I read because over a long weekend I would read one of the books in the car, so then I spent weeks spreading out the blogs for that book trying to keep the posts around 50 pgs to not include too much of the book in one blog. By the end of the semester I was far ahead of my blogging posts and to get the last amount of one of the books in I had to increase the pg number of posts and finish with a long post. I read whenever I had down time or I got engaged in my book. I cannot read with music, so it was quite where I read. I feel like my reading habits have not changed and I just have more books that I looking into, so I might have less down time between books.
The class kinda changed my attitude toward's poetry because of how we did not necessarily have to find poems with a specific meaning and just liking the imagery was a good enough reason to present it. I also enjoyed how we could pick our own poetry because in other English classes you have to explore poems from older times periods which use old words or try to rhyme and have obscure meanings relating with history while in this class you could just find a poem that you likes for whatever reason and it could have whatever meaning you wanted and then you got to write about that. The way we analyzed poems was unique, but I think it helped develop a different set of writing skills which other English classes missed. The one thing I think the class surprised me about was the reading of the poetry in the tournament setting. I did not think that I would be able to do that well at all but it seemed that it was not as difficult as I stressed it to be.
I enjoyed my semester I Etymology for a variety of reasons. The classes seems to be a relaxed place and most of the assignments were picked or could be personalized by the students. The row of students I sat in enjoy there time in the class whatever the circumstances and even though we may not have focused 100% of the time most of us got what we needed done while having fun. Although some classes I with after-sight I might not have taken, I would have definitely taken Etymology again.
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Confessor pg 478-603
Jennsen was taken to Jagang's army and not Jagang has her in his possession, but the more distressing news is that he found the original Book of Counted Shadows. With the book he has everything he needs to open the Boxes of Orden except the containment field in the Gardens of Life in the palace.
Rachel is visited by her "mother" again and Gratch carries her so she can give someone a message which is suppose to help Richard.
Jagang made contact and informed Richard that he had the choice of surrendering, waiting untill they built the bridge and having the soldiers massacre his palace, try and avoid both and have Jagang open the boxes unsafely, or use Six to get to the Garden of Life. Richard said he would consider the options. Jagang said the surrender required Richard's death and Nicci handed over, but saved his people.
Richard prepared himself to go to the underworld to try and gain what he needed to attempt to govern the powers of Orden and win if he could get close to them. When Richard went into the underworld, the beast followed him. After flashing forward we find out that the beast has trapped him, and Richard only has one option, use magic in a place in doesn't exist. It succeeds in killing the beast, but the recoil was about to kill Richard when we appeared in the spirit house. The Mud people used the spirit ritual to pull Richard out of the underworld just in time to save his life. We find out the Rachel came her and her message was to use this to save Richard a surprising foresight supporting the conclusion that the "mother" was Shota. Richard set out immediately for Tamarang.
Zedd, Rikka, and Tom were all caught by Six spells and were placed in the prison where Richard hid the Book of a War Wizard's Power. They found the book.
With the prolong absence of Richard at the palace they feared the worst and assumed the beast killed Richard in the underworld. Nathan decided to surrender, and they began preparations.
Kahlan still on her journey to Six with Samuel is traveling, but Samuel continues to act more suspicious. He ends attacking her and she is able to kill him by using her Confessor power. Samuel then tells her information she is not suppose to know because it corrupts the sterile field of the Chainfire reversal spell.
Richard found Kahlan soon after and had to indifferent to her new knowledge, but convinced her to come with him towards Tamarang.
They reached Tamarang and found Zed, Rikka, and Tom in the room with the book. Six attacked them, but Shota had bought her time and killed Six through deception. The book was blank. Zed told Richard it was the unwritten rule, and that Baraccus left it for him to know he had to figure it out. They need to get to the People's Palace quickly, so they use Six's dragon to fly there because he knows Richard from his mother and is willing to help.
Richard continues with the surrender to allow him to get close to the Boxes of Orden. Richard figured out what he needed just before Jagang got there. Jagang let the Sisters prepare the spell while he went to get Nicci. Nicci had a collar in her possession and used it to trap Jagang and led him back so he could witness the event. The Sisters completed the spell according to the book, but it failed. Richard figured out the key to the power of Orden was the Sword of Truth. Their safety method was the user had to be able to turn the Sword white as only people acting now out of hate could. Richard forced Jagang to face an insignificant death. Then he used the Sword of Truth to command the Boxes of Orden. With the power he made two worlds one without magic for the Order to suffer due to their own ideology and one for the people of the New World. The world for the Order may eventually come to see the error in their ways, but it is never a short road to eradicating the ideas of evil. The world without magic will be infected with Chainfire to make them forget what happened and insure the erase of magic. The pristinely ungifted asked to go to the world without magic, so that magic could thrive in Richard's world. Kahlan also had her memory restored because she did not violate the sterile field in a different way.
The book ended with Cara's wedding to General Meiffert, and the quote from Richard "Your life is yours alone. Rise up and live it."
The last wizard's rule that was never said is that we cannot accept things unquestionably told to us from our forefathers as fact. Sometimes there are lies and we have to learn the truth for ourselves. Completely belief in the words of the past blinds us to advance our society in a new and better direct.
Rachel is visited by her "mother" again and Gratch carries her so she can give someone a message which is suppose to help Richard.
Jagang made contact and informed Richard that he had the choice of surrendering, waiting untill they built the bridge and having the soldiers massacre his palace, try and avoid both and have Jagang open the boxes unsafely, or use Six to get to the Garden of Life. Richard said he would consider the options. Jagang said the surrender required Richard's death and Nicci handed over, but saved his people.
Richard prepared himself to go to the underworld to try and gain what he needed to attempt to govern the powers of Orden and win if he could get close to them. When Richard went into the underworld, the beast followed him. After flashing forward we find out that the beast has trapped him, and Richard only has one option, use magic in a place in doesn't exist. It succeeds in killing the beast, but the recoil was about to kill Richard when we appeared in the spirit house. The Mud people used the spirit ritual to pull Richard out of the underworld just in time to save his life. We find out the Rachel came her and her message was to use this to save Richard a surprising foresight supporting the conclusion that the "mother" was Shota. Richard set out immediately for Tamarang.
Zedd, Rikka, and Tom were all caught by Six spells and were placed in the prison where Richard hid the Book of a War Wizard's Power. They found the book.
With the prolong absence of Richard at the palace they feared the worst and assumed the beast killed Richard in the underworld. Nathan decided to surrender, and they began preparations.
Kahlan still on her journey to Six with Samuel is traveling, but Samuel continues to act more suspicious. He ends attacking her and she is able to kill him by using her Confessor power. Samuel then tells her information she is not suppose to know because it corrupts the sterile field of the Chainfire reversal spell.
Richard found Kahlan soon after and had to indifferent to her new knowledge, but convinced her to come with him towards Tamarang.
They reached Tamarang and found Zed, Rikka, and Tom in the room with the book. Six attacked them, but Shota had bought her time and killed Six through deception. The book was blank. Zed told Richard it was the unwritten rule, and that Baraccus left it for him to know he had to figure it out. They need to get to the People's Palace quickly, so they use Six's dragon to fly there because he knows Richard from his mother and is willing to help.
Richard continues with the surrender to allow him to get close to the Boxes of Orden. Richard figured out what he needed just before Jagang got there. Jagang let the Sisters prepare the spell while he went to get Nicci. Nicci had a collar in her possession and used it to trap Jagang and led him back so he could witness the event. The Sisters completed the spell according to the book, but it failed. Richard figured out the key to the power of Orden was the Sword of Truth. Their safety method was the user had to be able to turn the Sword white as only people acting now out of hate could. Richard forced Jagang to face an insignificant death. Then he used the Sword of Truth to command the Boxes of Orden. With the power he made two worlds one without magic for the Order to suffer due to their own ideology and one for the people of the New World. The world for the Order may eventually come to see the error in their ways, but it is never a short road to eradicating the ideas of evil. The world without magic will be infected with Chainfire to make them forget what happened and insure the erase of magic. The pristinely ungifted asked to go to the world without magic, so that magic could thrive in Richard's world. Kahlan also had her memory restored because she did not violate the sterile field in a different way.
The book ended with Cara's wedding to General Meiffert, and the quote from Richard "Your life is yours alone. Rise up and live it."
The last wizard's rule that was never said is that we cannot accept things unquestionably told to us from our forefathers as fact. Sometimes there are lies and we have to learn the truth for ourselves. Completely belief in the words of the past blinds us to advance our society in a new and better direct.
Monday, May 16, 2011
Confessor pg 443-477
Kahlan is being taken my Samuel to Six. She doesn't know where she is going or who Samuel is but she doesn't trust him because of Richard's distrust in him which was expressed when she was taken away. She worries that Richard did not escape the magic of the Sister and fears the fate that awaits him, but does not think she can do anything.
Richard and Nicci recovered from the battle and eliminated the threat of an Imperial Order invasion of the palace for a time. General Meiffert told Richard that Six used a red dragon to attack the group of soldiers and lower their ability to prevent supplies from making its way through. Jagang also destroyed towns which might have considered rebelling losing the force of the rebellion in the Old World. Richard and Nicci combine to learn how to wield their last hope of winning the Boxes of Orden. Richard needs to go to the underworld to retrive the memories to reverse Chainfire and the cyrpt staff helps him find sorceress sand to make his journey. Richard completes the prophecy of the dream weavers too by finding a book that helps him let Jillian cast dreams on the Imperial Order's army ruining there ability to sleep.
Richard's final battle to lead the New World in has always been the battle of the magic of the Boxes of Orden. That is why he was made a war wizard by in the past to ensure victory. His final battle is coming and they highlight a cloth with ink staining through to the other side which must be involved somehow in the use of the Boxes of Orden.
Richard and Nicci recovered from the battle and eliminated the threat of an Imperial Order invasion of the palace for a time. General Meiffert told Richard that Six used a red dragon to attack the group of soldiers and lower their ability to prevent supplies from making its way through. Jagang also destroyed towns which might have considered rebelling losing the force of the rebellion in the Old World. Richard and Nicci combine to learn how to wield their last hope of winning the Boxes of Orden. Richard needs to go to the underworld to retrive the memories to reverse Chainfire and the cyrpt staff helps him find sorceress sand to make his journey. Richard completes the prophecy of the dream weavers too by finding a book that helps him let Jillian cast dreams on the Imperial Order's army ruining there ability to sleep.
Richard's final battle to lead the New World in has always been the battle of the magic of the Boxes of Orden. That is why he was made a war wizard by in the past to ensure victory. His final battle is coming and they highlight a cloth with ink staining through to the other side which must be involved somehow in the use of the Boxes of Orden.
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Confessor pg 389-442
Cara talked to the people work repaired and looked after the catacombs of the People's Palace and found that some of them thought there was something wrong with a specific passage. Immediately realized what they thought was wrong and ordered for soldiers and Nathan to come down.
Rachel got to the cave that she was drawn to, and there was a painting of the monsters chasing her and an art spell drawing her there. She found out that she had the gift to use art magic to and used it to make the monsters attack Violet and not her. She also removed the painting holding Richard's gift, but Six found her and is going to force her to be the court artist now.
Richard, Nicci, Adie, and General Meiffert got to the catacombs and used Adie's ability to sneak through by removing the light. Cara by this time had Nathan use his gift to see on the other side of the hallway that was out of place and they found people on the other side. They heard Richard's attack on them and the wall built to hide the Imperial Order Soldiers was removed and a battle broke out. During the battle Richard got his gift back and was able to remove the collar from Nicci saving her, but Adie was severely injured, and the beast appear since Richard's gift returned and he had to defeat that form with an arrow that can break magic barriers.
Richard has rescued everyone, but he still has to eliminate the Imperial Order's army. At this point with the Old World campaign failing his only hope is the Boxes of Orden which Jagang has, so he needs to find a way to get them.
Rachel got to the cave that she was drawn to, and there was a painting of the monsters chasing her and an art spell drawing her there. She found out that she had the gift to use art magic to and used it to make the monsters attack Violet and not her. She also removed the painting holding Richard's gift, but Six found her and is going to force her to be the court artist now.
Richard, Nicci, Adie, and General Meiffert got to the catacombs and used Adie's ability to sneak through by removing the light. Cara by this time had Nathan use his gift to see on the other side of the hallway that was out of place and they found people on the other side. They heard Richard's attack on them and the wall built to hide the Imperial Order Soldiers was removed and a battle broke out. During the battle Richard got his gift back and was able to remove the collar from Nicci saving her, but Adie was severely injured, and the beast appear since Richard's gift returned and he had to defeat that form with an arrow that can break magic barriers.
Richard has rescued everyone, but he still has to eliminate the Imperial Order's army. At this point with the Old World campaign failing his only hope is the Boxes of Orden which Jagang has, so he needs to find a way to get them.
Monday, May 9, 2011
Confessor pg. 329-388
Richard prepared for the game against Jagang's team through repainting the his men then going through the game plan. When he arrived at the game Jagang was not there, but he soon returned. The emperor's team were much larger and stronger than Jagang's team, but they used new organized tactics to confused and overpower the other team. Richard forced Jagang into situations were he had to use his power as emperor to make unfair calls so his team would not lose because he did not want to have to give up Nicci to Karg. Later in the game Richard ran a play that allowed Johnrock to score, but in response the other team ran a play to kill him. Richard showed that even the emperor team must obey the rules he place because he then lured the 3 members of the emperor's team to the safe zone and killed all of them with the broc and scored. Richard purposely manipulated the score to keep the game close. He would not score when he could, but also scored immediately after they did to stay tied. He was only doing what was necessary; he was saving energy. Nicci suspected he was going to start a war. She was right.
Richard in the final possession (in the beginning of the game he gave them the first possession to make sure he got the last one) scored a 2 point throw to win the game, but Jagang ruled that he went out of bounds before to prevent his victory then he scored another before the end and Jagang overruled that one too for no reason. The crowd became riotous and the thousands watching began to fight.
In the commotion Richard used the time to try and shoot Jagang with an arrow and kill him, but someone moved in the way and took the first arrow so the second only wounded him. After that, Richard made his way to Kahlan, Nicci, and Jillian killing Karg in the process. He started towards the ramp to take the underground passage, but on the way he ran into a Sister who used magic to paralyze him. Kahlan escaped with Samual who showed up during the battle, and before Richard was captured, Adie and General Meiffert returning from the Old World because of some trouble they encountered. They quickly devised a plan to try an sneak there way to the palace.
Jagang's actions contradicted the belief that the everyone in the Imperial Order is equal and to be prideful is a sin. It helps shows the flaws of the order because corrupt organizations do not follow their own rules.
Richard in the final possession (in the beginning of the game he gave them the first possession to make sure he got the last one) scored a 2 point throw to win the game, but Jagang ruled that he went out of bounds before to prevent his victory then he scored another before the end and Jagang overruled that one too for no reason. The crowd became riotous and the thousands watching began to fight.
In the commotion Richard used the time to try and shoot Jagang with an arrow and kill him, but someone moved in the way and took the first arrow so the second only wounded him. After that, Richard made his way to Kahlan, Nicci, and Jillian killing Karg in the process. He started towards the ramp to take the underground passage, but on the way he ran into a Sister who used magic to paralyze him. Kahlan escaped with Samual who showed up during the battle, and before Richard was captured, Adie and General Meiffert returning from the Old World because of some trouble they encountered. They quickly devised a plan to try an sneak there way to the palace.
Jagang's actions contradicted the belief that the everyone in the Imperial Order is equal and to be prideful is a sin. It helps shows the flaws of the order because corrupt organizations do not follow their own rules.
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Poems
Theme: Author - Carl Sandburg
Video Poem - "Wilderness" by Carl Sandburg
Other poems:
"Doors" by Carl Sandburg
"I Am the People, the Mob" by Carl Sandburg
"Grass" by Carl Sandburg
"Cool Tombs" by Carl Sandburg
"Choose" by Carl Sandburg
Video Poem - "Wilderness" by Carl Sandburg
Other poems:
"Doors" by Carl Sandburg
"I Am the People, the Mob" by Carl Sandburg
"Grass" by Carl Sandburg
"Cool Tombs" by Carl Sandburg
"Choose" by Carl Sandburg
Confessor pg 293-328
Richard is beginning to worry because he has not seen Kahlan or Jagang at any of the recent Ja'La dh Jin matches lately. The owner of his team tells him that he has not missed the notice of the emperor, so he has laid his hopes on Jagang showing up for the final match when he faces the emperor's team.
The Sisters of the Dark has been inspecting the Books of Counted Shadows which Jagang has brought them, and they have discovered between all of the books there is one different in one of the spell forms in each of the books. With knowledge or insight into more books they are at a dead end. Jagang decides to go to see the Ja'La games. With the arrive at Richard's game he sees that Nicci is also captured and freezes for a second only to be smashed by those playing around him. He gets up with some difficulty, but goes on to win the game which allows his team to face the emperor's team.
While Richard is recovering for the next game, members of the emperor's team are sent to kill him to insure victory. Richard defends himself while making sure not to kill them which would result in punishment. The owner of the team shows up to end the fight. The actions are dismissed as just part of Ja'La dh Jin. The emperor promised to let Richard's owner Commander Karg have Nicci for a night if his team won the game as a bet, so Jagang has strong motives to prevent their success.
At the People's Palace Adie has decided to leave because with her gift diminished in the place and her being blind without it she is having difficulty functioning and can be better use else where. She is playing to sneak away the night of the Ja'La final game, so she may be some assistance in Richard's plan.
Ja'La dh Jin means the game of life, so there views about it show some truths they believe about the life. When they attacked Richard to eliminate him for victory they saw no problem because although it is not "fair" in life victory means everything to them; morals are secondary. Jagang's bet adds weight to the game that could possible be manipulated.
The Sisters of the Dark has been inspecting the Books of Counted Shadows which Jagang has brought them, and they have discovered between all of the books there is one different in one of the spell forms in each of the books. With knowledge or insight into more books they are at a dead end. Jagang decides to go to see the Ja'La games. With the arrive at Richard's game he sees that Nicci is also captured and freezes for a second only to be smashed by those playing around him. He gets up with some difficulty, but goes on to win the game which allows his team to face the emperor's team.
While Richard is recovering for the next game, members of the emperor's team are sent to kill him to insure victory. Richard defends himself while making sure not to kill them which would result in punishment. The owner of the team shows up to end the fight. The actions are dismissed as just part of Ja'La dh Jin. The emperor promised to let Richard's owner Commander Karg have Nicci for a night if his team won the game as a bet, so Jagang has strong motives to prevent their success.
At the People's Palace Adie has decided to leave because with her gift diminished in the place and her being blind without it she is having difficulty functioning and can be better use else where. She is playing to sneak away the night of the Ja'La final game, so she may be some assistance in Richard's plan.
Ja'La dh Jin means the game of life, so there views about it show some truths they believe about the life. When they attacked Richard to eliminate him for victory they saw no problem because although it is not "fair" in life victory means everything to them; morals are secondary. Jagang's bet adds weight to the game that could possible be manipulated.
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Wired Family
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/01/fashion/01FAMILY.html?_r=1&hp
My family is not really that wired into different realities most of the time. I might isolate myself to do homework on the computer, but normally we eat together as a family and play games, which are some kind of board game or outside activity, once a week. We have busy schedules with school and sports, so sometimes we might not be in the same place at the same time, but we do not exist on different planes due to electronics.
My family is not really that wired into different realities most of the time. I might isolate myself to do homework on the computer, but normally we eat together as a family and play games, which are some kind of board game or outside activity, once a week. We have busy schedules with school and sports, so sometimes we might not be in the same place at the same time, but we do not exist on different planes due to electronics.
Confessor pg. 259-292
Rachel is still racing away from some unknown force, presumably under the influence of Six. When she stops to rest for the night, some woman appears to her, and she believes it is her mother. Her mother shares food with her and gives her advice to not ride the horse as hard the next day, so that it would not become run down and slow her move. The women also gave her something and put it is her pocket although we do not know what it is.
Kahlan is by Nicci's side after the torment Jagang gave her the night before because of he disloyalty. Kahlan comforts Nicci while probing her for answers. She learns that Richard was looking to help her and that Nicci believes that Richard can save them.
At the People's Palace Nathan is searching for Nicci and Ann. He is determined to find them both primarily because of his desire to find Ann. While looking for the the Imperial Order sends a messenger to ask for their surrender. Rather than immediately exterminating the person with the message Nathan decides the tell them he will "consider" it because he wants them to dedicate resources to trying to aim for a surrender that will never happen to buy time. Verna is suspicious wondering if Nathan would not sell them out for his own benefit.
The Woman that Rachel met is probably Shota appearing as someone else. She probably gave Rachel something necessary to help her escape or weaken Six when she arrives. Kahlan delicate questioning to find answers is impressive and how she pays attention to details to find the secrets that Nicci was trying to carefully avoid. Nathan is devious and he idea of buying time is intelligent and shows how sometimes rash actions can lead to missed opportunities.
Kahlan is by Nicci's side after the torment Jagang gave her the night before because of he disloyalty. Kahlan comforts Nicci while probing her for answers. She learns that Richard was looking to help her and that Nicci believes that Richard can save them.
At the People's Palace Nathan is searching for Nicci and Ann. He is determined to find them both primarily because of his desire to find Ann. While looking for the the Imperial Order sends a messenger to ask for their surrender. Rather than immediately exterminating the person with the message Nathan decides the tell them he will "consider" it because he wants them to dedicate resources to trying to aim for a surrender that will never happen to buy time. Verna is suspicious wondering if Nathan would not sell them out for his own benefit.
The Woman that Rachel met is probably Shota appearing as someone else. She probably gave Rachel something necessary to help her escape or weaken Six when she arrives. Kahlan delicate questioning to find answers is impressive and how she pays attention to details to find the secrets that Nicci was trying to carefully avoid. Nathan is devious and he idea of buying time is intelligent and shows how sometimes rash actions can lead to missed opportunities.
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Confessor pg. 206-258
While Nicci is talking to Ann, 3 Sisters of the Dark appear and immediate attack them. Due to the spell on the palace Ann and Nicci's magic is severly deminished and the 3 Sisters have linked there powers, so while they can use their magic Ann and Nicci quickly lose the battle. Ann is killed. After over 1000 years of living and overseeing and manipulating the world, the Prelate died. Nicci was taken hostage. They take her to Jagang's camp through the catacombs which they discovered. The library of the bones had a passage into the People's Palace through which they got in. They took Nicci to Jagang and then Nicci saw Kahlan and recognized her, but acted like she could not see her. Jagang is going to use the passage to storm the Palace when he can gather what he needs to use the Boxes of Orden.
Jagang likes Nicci and tries to make himself believe that she only helped Richard to try and get his attention and that she could not forsake the ideals of the Order which she use to protect. Jagang shows confedence in his ability to get the last Box, and normally Jagang does not have false confidence which leads me to believe that he has a deal with the Six to help him. The decisive moment of the battle might depend on Richard getting his gift back to take the power of the boxes.
Jagang shows a belief in something that is not true because of his wish for it to be true. He tries to come up with an idea of how Nicci could still be on his side and because of his desire for it to be true he believes it. This is a breach of the Wizard's First Rule which warns that people are foolish and belief lies because of a desire that it is true or a fear that it is true.
Jagang likes Nicci and tries to make himself believe that she only helped Richard to try and get his attention and that she could not forsake the ideals of the Order which she use to protect. Jagang shows confedence in his ability to get the last Box, and normally Jagang does not have false confidence which leads me to believe that he has a deal with the Six to help him. The decisive moment of the battle might depend on Richard getting his gift back to take the power of the boxes.
Jagang shows a belief in something that is not true because of his wish for it to be true. He tries to come up with an idea of how Nicci could still be on his side and because of his desire for it to be true he believes it. This is a breach of the Wizard's First Rule which warns that people are foolish and belief lies because of a desire that it is true or a fear that it is true.
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