Thursday, 27 November 2014

Week 13

  Things that I have learned from poetry is how to properly analyze poems and short stories. I really enjoyed the sign language poetry as it showed the various forms in which poetry can be expressed. I never really enjoyed the digital poetry because I found it too complex, unlike other pieces. Insights that I have gained over essay writing is that I now know how to properly cite papers and essays, how to use proper punctuation, and other things.

  I think the essay writing workshops really helped my writing skills a lot and definitely expanded my mind frame to analytic processes. I think the  blog posts are a great idea for the fact that the topics are broad enough and remain interesting, where the content can always be fun to do. Other things about the course that I enjoyed was how interesting the class discussions were and how it was never the one topic being covered, which had grasped my attention.

  Overall, I really enjoyed this class most of all out of this semester! I know now that I am much more prepared for further writing pieces in the future, and that no techniques or lessons will be easily forgotten and hopefully will bring me success.

Friday, 21 November 2014

Week 12

For this weeks blog, I will be showing the steps on how to cook a chicken in a convection cooker!

Step 1:
Preheat oven to 450 degrees (Fahrenheit of course)

Step 2:
Wash and pat dry chicken

Step 3:
Salt chicken inside and out (pepper if desired)

Step 4:
Place breast up and cook for 20 minutes, then turn over to continue to cook for 1 hour and 10 minutes

Step 5:
Let sit for 15 minutes before carving

Step 6:
Drippings can then be used to make gravy and/ or sauce

There you go! An easy and effective meal when given the time!

Saturday, 15 November 2014

Week 11

This is the only logical reason I have come to terms with since starting University..

Friday, 7 November 2014

Week 10

"Life's like a box of choclates, you never know what you're gonna get." - Tom Hanks

In the 1994 film "Forest Gump" starring Tom Hanks, his character Forest Gump recounts the story of his life leading up to the point of waiting for a bus to meet up with old childhood friend. The story of "Forest Gump" is one that has many key points that change. From growing up being picked on, to working in the military, excelling in playing ping-pong, meeting the president, owning a shrimping boat, running for no reason, and so much more. The above quote speaks directly as a clear message that you do not know what may happen next but that you should rather take each moment and it enjoy it while it lasts, even if it is a bad one you can always find the good.

"I can accept failure, but I can't accept not trying." - Michael Jordan

The biggest name out of the NBA, Michael Jordan, is a well known person for his performance in the NBA and being in partnership with Nike for the Jordan brand. A somewhat known fact was that during his years in High School, Jordan was cut from his High School basketball team for not being good enough. Through a lot of training and countless hours of practice, Michael Jordan later on in life proved that he was more than good enough and changed the face of the NBA. The message of the above quote is not simply just accepting failure and denying that you never tried, but that there will sure enough be failures you will come by, but it is because of those failures that you can reach success. As long as the passion and drive is there, the more you try the more you will succeed and reach  your goal.

"I'm not M.J. I'm L.J." - LeBron James

The most dominant player in the NBA to come directly out of High School, LeBron James has proven that he is not to be taken lightly. Growing up in the small town of Akron Ohio, James was a substantially talented athlete. Having to move from house to house, his only real home that he felt was on the court with his friends. Through his Training and relentlessness to never give up and desire to win and be better, James was picked by the Cleveland Cavaliers back in the 2003 NBA Draft, James went on to play in South Beach Miami to play with the Miami Heat. He won back-to-back championships with the team and lost in the finals in an attempt for a three-peat. During his time in Miami, James took to social media after much talk of fans and press claiming that he was going to be the next Michael Jordan, the face of the NBA for his era. His claim was that he was not Michael Jordan, but he was LeBron James. The above quote means that no matter who you are and what your talents are, do not desire to be like someone else. Rather, be someone who sticks out. Be yourself and make an impact and an imprint in the memories of others as to who you are and what you've done.

Thursday, 30 October 2014

Week 9

The Worst Day Possible

Awoken in a daze, with noise of the pouring rain, the smell of burnt coffee, and the sight of a yelling woman, he slowly begins to lean against his headboard.

"What are you doing still in bed? Don't you have class in 20 minutes" his mother yells into his face.

Not realizing what time it is he reaches for his alarm clock. Sure enough, the clock read 7:40am. With a sudden burst of energy he jumps out of bed and into the bathroom to clean up. Running from room to room, he begins to get dressed while also trying to balance food in one hand and packing up for the day.

Finally out the door ready to start his day, he opens the door to his car and puts the key into the ignition. Nothing. The battery had been completely drained and in need of being changed. Frustrated he begins to tighten his book bag straps, and tie his hood firmly to his head and begins to walk to school.

The cold wet rain and cloudy skies with no sign of sunlight or life added to the gloomy atmosphere for which had begun this terrible day. He keeps his head up in hopes of things getting better.

"How could things go worse today?" He had asked himself. The answer to that question which he currently did not know was that it could get much worse. Arriving on campus 17 minutes late for class, he finally reaches his classroom and goes to open the door, but notices that the door is locked.

"Just great, most important class of the day and I'm locked out. Perfect." He says in a sarcastic frustrated tone. He makes his way over to the cafeteria where his stomach led him due to excessive rumbling, he decides to finally grab something to eat.

Once finally paying for his breakfast he turns to make his way to a table, only to get bumped into by another student who is in a rush, causing all the food to drop all over the floor. With an exchange of words he slowly bends over and cleans up the mess all over the floor. A stain of ketchup and smeared eggs lingered on the floor but he did what he could.

Walking away from the problem he had just taken care of, he walks over to a vending machine to get something easy and quick to eat, he puts the rest of his change he finds in his pockets and purchases a peanut bar.

After consuming the bar he reads the information on the bar and discovers that the bar had been expired for over a year. The thought of how old and out of date the bar was turned his stomach for the worse for the rest of the morning. Frustrated and disgusted he makes his way to his next class early so he does not get locked out again. Coming around the corner just crossing the street, a truck comes out of nowhere and splashes excess water left on the street all over his left side.

"Really?! You couldn't have waited for me to cross first?!"

Completely drenched with water physically and anger emotionally he finally reaches his classroom. He notices everyone scrambling in a panic and decides to ask what was going on.

"The Prof is making us do a quiz on the slides we were supposed to read over last night!" a student behind him replies.

"Of course. The one night my laptop dies and I can't find my charger I have to write a quiz.." He mutters under his breath. After completing his quiz which he had guessed "ABACDBA" over and over again on multiple choice, he hands in his quiz rolling his eyes and slowly walks out of the room.

Reaching a close to the school day, he realizes he has to be at work in 23 minutes. Tightening his book bags straps and putting on his hood he begins to once again run so that he can arrive on time. While only running for 3 minutes he hears a voice call out to him:

"Hop in and get out of the rain!" the voice said.

He turns his head and it turns out it is his father. He quickly gets into the vehicle and gets driven to work. Once dropped off he thanks his father and makes his way inside. While getting changed in the staff bathroom he realizes he did not bring his work pants. After such a brutal day he decides to just go out on the floor and work while not in full uniform and telling his manager that it is the best he can do.

After hours of working and spills and few arguments between staff and more customers, he finally gets home after the long and strenuous day. Walking up the stairs with his head hanging low and throws his uniform into the corner of his room and crawls into bed.

Deciding to check his phone he had left all day he finds a text message from an old friend that read; "I seen you at work today and you seemed to be in the worst mood possible. To make up for today, tomorrow I'm going to treat you out to lunch and we're gonna have a good time downtown and I'll take care of you the whole night. Take care bud." Such words had given him a sense of rest and comfort.

Laying his head down on top of his pillow he slowly drifts off to sleep with the simple thought that maybe he was just due for a bad day and that it couldn't get much worse than that. Looking forward to the following day he is finally able to sleep after what seems to have been his worst day possible.

Friday, 24 October 2014

Week 8

Dear Tim Hortons Customers,

  I sincerely apologize for the mistake that you are aggravatingly proclaiming with the top of your voice from the bottom of my uniform, even though I was not the one who had made the item which you had requested. Also here is just a hint, just because you were missing some sugar in your coffee due to a problem with the machine does not mean you should rip at me over it not meeting your expectations when you can simply solve your own problem by picking up the packs of sugar right in front of you and pouring some in yourself.

  To those who complain due to lack of a product for your order, I too feel your pain, for the simple fact that you are making it mine as well. Just because the person in front of you bought the last muffin does not mean you can demand the baker make some right on the spot so that you can go on your merry way. It takes time to make more product and nobody can make food appear fully prepared before your very eyes at a moments notice.

  Sandwich lovers, how could I ever forget about you all! I really enjoy when you deside to order almost one of every sandwich or four of the same sandwich. Those with specific requirements such as no veggies, add cheese, three types of sauces, grilled for a certain time, and finally cut in the manner that pleases you, I'm sorry but it is extremely difficult to keep up with your orders when your expectations are for someone working at Subway, rather than the simple coffee shop of Tim Hortons.

  All in all, I would like to ask of you to keep in mind that yes, you are tired from your long day at work and want a couple things to bring home for yourself or your family, that I too have a life, that involves being in school all day to finally get out and have to work until close to please the rest of the community and surrounding area.

  What I ask of you all is to just keep in mind that I am a person just like you, who makes mistakes and deals with people who should mind their own business and be on their way. I'm just a guy trying to maintain a minimum wage job to pay for living, my own expenses, and to pay for post secondary education. I am one person who can handle only so many tasks at a time and your patience and kindness would be gladly appreciated.

  Oh, and just one more note to end things off. Just because I work at a coffee shop and not in a law firm or business center like you, does not mean that I should be treated any less than one of your colleagues, friend, or family member. I still deserve respect and if treated fairly and justly then everything should go as smoothly as your fresh hot cup of coffee. If not, just keep in mind who you are talking to and who is also going to prepare your order.

  Sincerely,
         Your average Tim Hortons Employee

Thursday, 9 October 2014

Week 6

Scientist discovers ultimate secret in fortune cookie

  After a team meeting after dinner at a local Chinese Restaurant, scientist Dr. Richard Thorburn had decided to open up his fortune cookie once he had gotten home, but what he had found inside was not only astonishing by mind boggling.

  Inside of Dr. Thorburn's fortune cookie was the same little slip of paper we all receive with writings such as "Have patience, good luck is coming your way" or "Do not travel by bike today", but it never contained a message along the lines of those, but yet it had said "When all is wrong, choose bacon".

  This had sparked Dr. Thorburns study on what effects bacon has on the brain when undergoing frustration, confusion, and sadness. The results which he received had astonished him. Over 76% of participants in the study had an ease in their behavior and brain activity once consuming bacon after numerous reports.

  Dr. Thorburn is pushing for the use of bacon to treat patients acting agitated. So far his own personal studies on willing participants have shown a near 96% showed quick improvement on acting more content within 10 minutes of consumption compared to those who never consumed the item.

  Since studies have been announced only in the past few days, bacon sales have increased worldwide by 380% bringing in extra profit which is reflecting on the development of the communities surrounding rural areas.

  This study has really shown that it may help the patients mentally, but physically, participants have gained a substantial amount of weight. Since the product is made up of almost nothing but fat, this fact is not surprising but the amount of consumers are not taking into consideration that even though it helps with the ease of anger and relaxes the user, it should be used in moderation rather than every meal.

 Until further studies have been concluded there has been a limit towards the amount of bacon a customer may purchase so that their health is not jeopardized. Until more information has been released it seems that we all have to just sit and wait around to consume this life changing product.