Final Blog

I thought some of the following Web 2.0 programs were helpful in expressing my ideas and opinions: Google Docs, Wikispace, and Blogger. The implementation of this technology helped make English 11 easier in many ways. Because many assignments required us to use these technologies, we learned and experienced a whole new way of doing homework and collaborating online. I had the most fun with Wikispace, but the most helpful program was Google Docs. When I didn’t have time to use Writer’s Helper in class, I could always resort to emailing my essay to one of my trusted friends to edit my essay for me. In short, Google Docs made editing essays more convenient because they could edit it on their own time. I also enjoyed using Wikispace. It’s very much like a Myspace, but more educational. In the beginning of using Wikispace I had a hard time getting used to formatting texts and inserting pictures to display the motives of my Wikispace. All in all, I think these programs will help us not only next semester, but also for the long grueling years in college.

RE: English 11 First Task

There have been many times in my life where I have experienced the statement Macbeth made, “There’s daggers in men’s smiles.” These are the times I have been deceived and tricked or otherwise just lured into a lose-lose situation. I remember playing various amounts card games with my family and relatives. The games, filled with action packed suspense followed by instant pouting and bragging, included Texas Hold ‘Em and Bomb, a card game which I’m not sure if it’s official or not. These games took place in the frigid, dimly lit basement or the living room with a fairly round table to enable a good amount of players. When I was still a rookie at these two games, the more experienced card players, who were my brothers and uncle, definitely took advantage of me. They convinced me, with their evil intentions to take away my dignity and will to win, to make the silliest moves that resulted in a definite loss. My uncle, Ocean, made me look like a fool several times. He owns the table most of the time and wins with ease. He uses very good bluffing skills while playing poker and very good logical skills when playing Bomb. The daggers weren’t really in his smile, but rather his facial expressions and body language. He often misleads me by acting as if I had the upper hand in either card game. In poker, I’d say he uses the daggers most effectively than any other player I’ve ever played against in my family. Although my brothers are deadly assailants with their own daggers, my uncle knows how to gain the upper hand of the card games we play. I remember this one instance where he convinced me that my two pairs were definite winners, so I put all my chips in and I knew he would call. He did and then we laid our cards down. At that moment, my heart dropped and I felt embarrassed. I thought I had him beat, but he had a three of a kind. I couldn’t believe it. He convinced me to put everything on the line just to lose. My brothers rarely had the kind of daggers my uncle possessed. They often gave away their poker hand by giggling or smiling when they had a good hand. I also did that during my rookie days, but ever since I turned 16 I suppressed myself. When I did this, my brothers also stopped giggling. I think they were just trying to psyche me out when I was a rookie and now they’re taking me a little more serious. Ever since the first time my uncle played me like a fool I’ve always tried to get him back with the same kind of tactics he used on me, but I learned that finding a way to beat him is much more fun than just trying to copy him. From these card games, I’ve learned that the “daggers in men’s smiles”, are hard to pick out and counter effectively. Although being deceived means losing some morality and confidence in the process of dealing with such obstacles, it’s an experience that is inevitable.