Answering a Question

At the very moment that I got fired from my last job my mind went into overdrive.  I was thinking about all the what if's when it occurred to me, what if I went to college? I made the decision to further my educational needs because I was tired of always being the low man on the pole, and only being able to get some kind of physical labor job. A college education is becoming a necessity instead of an option. Once someone has graduated from college or a type of higher learning facility, their options greatly expand. Not only could they qualify for the physical work, but as well as, working in larger companies, or even corporate operations. The quality of their lives will change by having the opportunity to start higher on the company roster rather than the bottom. They will be able to make more money in their career choice, and they will be able to save more money in return as well. The more money they make the nicer things they can buy if they are materialistic. They will be able to send their children to better schools, and possible the college of their own choosing, and not have to worry about finances. Mostly, they will be able to look for a career rather than a job to just get by. That is what everyone should strive to accomplish.

 Having a career doesn't necessarily mean more money, it just means that they have the opportunity to get well versed in their career choice and use their college education for the rest of their working life. When people know that they have job security, they have less stress in their life. They know that they will be able to get up and go to work the same as they did the day before. People need to think about job security and think about if their job/career will still be there tomorrow or the next day, instead of worrying about if they will get their monthly raise. They need to stop worrying about buying the newest thing just to show it off to their also money hungry friends. What would they do if there was a sudden downsizing of their company, and they were left out in the cold? They could probably sell all the "must haves" that they thought they needed to survive for a little while. They will realize that they should have been stashing their money instead of spending it. Where as, they one with the college education will have no problems finding more work because of their educational background. This comes back to more options being available.

According to Bok, "During the 1960's, freshman entering college we chiefly interested in developing values and a meaningful philosophy of life. Out of those freshmen, only 40 percent felt that making "a lot of money" was an important goal. By the mid 1970's, their priorities reversed. Making "a lot of money" was now very important to 75 percent of entering students." People are getting greedy. It seems as if they are putting their own lives on the back burner. They no longer care about happiness in their work place as long as they can buy the newest toys as soon as they come out. Quality of life should be more important that financial gain. If they are not happy going to work, motivation factors diminish quickly. Where as if they are happy in their field of choice they enjoy going to work, and they look forward to it. Money is a great perk of course, but happiness is the key that they should strive for. Without happiness are only going to your job for the money. Yes, they will be able to pay their bills, but may hate the reflection in the mirror every morning thinking that they sold out. The moment that they sell out, they know it will not be a happy job/career. They thought about the decision before it was presented to them, and now that its in front of them, money became the biggest issue. When, according to Kevin Carey, "wages of college-educated workers rose dramatically relative to those of less educated American" "In the mid-1970's, graduates earned about 40 percent more than people with high school diplomas. "The gap has relentlessly widened since then and stands near 100 percent today. "In Fact. college graduates are the only category of workers whose real pay has increased since 1979." So now what is there not to be happy about? It is not always the fact that the more money you make, the happier you would be, although this tends to be the case in this day and age. So this study just proves that having a degree from college will produce more money.

Being able to start higher in a company is a great accomplishment for anyone. Starting at the bottom like most non-college graduates do the money will not be great, and chances are that they will not like the position they are in, and will want to quit their job before given the chance to advance. Starting higher up in the company will give them a greater sense of self achievement, which in return will make them want to come to work and enjoy it. People that have power always seem to be happier. Also, according to Carey, " There is strong evidence America needs more people to earn college degrees, not fewer. "The Georgetown university Center on Education and the Workforce has projected that if current trends continue, the nation will produce three million fewer college graduates by 2018 than the labor market will require." This means that there will be three million more jobs/careers available and will not be able to be filled because of their lack of education. So again, having a college degree vastly opens doors that would normally be shut with only a high school diploma. More choices, more advancement, more money, and more happiness. There is nothing left behind when people get their education. Granted, people may spend money to go to college, but it would be well worth it in the end. Having more opportunities just seems like a logical choice.

When people have a career, they have stability in their lives. They will know what to expect in their day to day routines (depending on the profession they choose). it would become somewhat repetitious, which is where the happiness comes into play. Enjoying what they do makes the repetition seem worth it. Where as only having a job where they are working to just get by, doing repetitious things seem overwhelming and tedious making them seem worthless in that aspect. They will more than likely have more call offs from work because they hate working in the mail room or whatever position they accepted.

Caroline bird also says that "If money is the only goal, college is the dumbest investments you can make" This just confirms that happiness needs to be a big aspect in their career choice. Getting a college education may be a stressful, tedious task, and may not be for everyone, but for those that choose to complete this task, greater opportunities become available.




Bok, Derek. "College and the Well-Lived Life." Chronicle Of Higher Education 56.21 (2010): A36-A37. Academic Search Complete. Web. 10 Nov. 2013.

Bird, Caroline. 'College is a waste of Time and Money". Norton Reader. 13th ed. Marilyn Moller. New York: W.W. Norton and Company, Inc, 2012. Pgs 372-380. Print.

 CAREY, KEVIN. "College For All?." Wilson Quarterly 35.4 (2011): 48-51. Academic Search Complete. Web. 19 Nov. 2013.

Analysis

People argue about war all the time. I don't see the problem with it. War is a must. To quote a line from a vinyl album by Eddie Starr, "War. uh yeah, what is it good for"?  I'll tell you what its good for. War lets those that believe in this country to fight for justice for all the wrong doings that have ever been done to this great nation. War lets us fight for the rights that we still have with hopes that we will be able to keep them. War, also, gives us the opportunity to keep the right to vote for our leader, instead of someone taking control of this country by force, and telling us all what to do and how to do it.

To be able to fight for justice is a great opportunity that people should take advantage of. Its the ONE excuse we have to fight those that have ever done this country wrong, on a national level, or even a personal level, if you have ever lost a family member by someone fighting in a war. You get to have to relief to know that the enemy will not get a way with what they have done to you or your family. You get to stand against evil and beat it back with a gun or bomb. There is no better way to defend your honor by killing those that have killed someone you love. I can't think of a better way to get revenge. I would love to be able to just go out on the street and beat the crap out of people that have done me wrong, however, I can't. War is the answer to that. 

You get to fight for your rights that you take advantage of everyday. Without war, how would you explain being able to keep your rights? We are free to say as we please, and practice whatever religion you are. If we didn't fight, do you think those freedoms would stay? The only right that you would have without fighting a war, is the right to remain silent. No one likes hearing those words, but if there were no wars to fight, that all you would hear. Take what you know about everything, and reverse it. We would walk through the streets with our heads hanging lower than they already do. You all bitch and cry about the little things that change, even though you never did those things anyways. You just want a reason to bitch about SOMETHING. SHUT UP! See, I have the right to say that. You have the right to listen. No one likes being told what to do, or what to say or think or feel. War is the way to keep these rights to over come our oppressors. 

WE get to vote for our leaders. Now granted not everyone likes who gets chosen, and that fine. How would you like it if we didn't get to pick the nations powers? It is simple. Vote for who you like, and don't vote for the other guy. If we didn't go to war, we would no longer be in a democracy. It would quickly turn into a dictatorship. The strongest would lead the country, because they would take over by force. That can't be right. If they took over the country by force, what makes you think that they will let you keep your rights? They will run you with the same force they used to take over. I know I don't like to be forced to do anything., but hey, you might. That is what you are saying when you oppose war. You are saying that we shouldn't fight for any of these things and just let things happen, but when that does happen, I am sure that all of you will bitch about that too. However, it won't do you any good at that time. Your words will not be heard, and their will be done.

In summary, opposing war is your right. While you negate the opinion that war is wrong, others are fighting to give you that right. You don't think about that do you? If you can't stand behind our troops, feel free to stand in front of them. They will do the fighting for you, because you are too much of a coward to fight for yourself. War is a great war to end injustice. It is the way to keep your rights as a civilian. It is the way to make sure that the people we vote for get elected into office. War is the way. 

Starr, Eddie. War. Gordy (Motown) Label. 1970. Album

Response

War; what an idea. Some people believe it is not worth fighting, while others believe strongly about this subject. Personally, I believe in this concept. I remember 12 years ago, while in boot camp for the U. S. Army, staring up at the night sky, watching the trees fade into the starlit abyss wondering if at that very moment in time if any of my family is staring at the same stars and thinking about me like I am thinking about them. The military is a lonely place to be sometimes. Being away from your family is never ideal for anyone, but it is sometimes required. I believe that war is scary enough as it is, but being away from your family adds to the fright. People have to be mentally tough to be able to fight in a war. They have to be able to handle themselves and control their thoughts from wandering away from them, or thinking about the "what if's". Again I go back to my boot camp days, to tell you that there is a three day, two night bivouac that you must complete to graduate. The field time is still on the same base as my boot camp, only way out in the woods; about a 15 mile hump from my barracks, and not fun by any means. I was rucking down the sides of the roads, exhausted from the heat, my feet were killing me, I had blisters the size of quarters, and I was out of breath from having to ruck so fast. Having to tough it out was a must, so I dug down deep into my soul to find the strength to pull through. War is ten times as bad.

People sometimes as the question, "What are we fighting for". Well I believe I fought for my right to believe what I want, and have the freedom that so many other countries do not have the luxury to have. Is it worth it? To me, there is nothing better than freedom. I like to go where I want, and do what I like to do, and say what I like to say. I don't argue with people about what they feel is the best for this country, or whats best for any other country. When I joined the military, I told my dad "You just watch dad, as soon as I sign up for the military there is going to be a war". I was right. I graduated my boot camp just two days after 9/11/2001. My base got put on lock down and we had to walk the perimeter with loaded weapons. It was scary, and there was not anyone shooting at us. Could I imagine what it would be like to have bullets whizzing past my head, or have the risk of a roadside bomb going off? No! Its not a concept that I could wrap my head around. What was all of my training for? It was a scary time, but also a time to strap one on, and get things taken care of. My nerves were going crazy, and I, just like all of America, was angry. Still people ask why we have to go to war. I don't know.

I don't think there is a cut and dry answer to their question. People believe what they want. I believe we have to fight for what we want. Sometimes, I take a step back to visualize my life without having the military background that I do, and I cannot see myself being where I am now, or being the person I am without it. . It is a perspective that has to be acquired I guess. Like the taste of beer; it has to be gotten used to. Fighting for something people may or may not believe in, is a question that a lot of people have to ask themselves. I joined the military to grow up, not to fight for anything, but when I signed up, I knew what the consequences could be, and I knew I couldn't say no when it came time to tie my boots, put on my uniform, and kiss my family what could be our last kiss.

My daughters, one is 14 and the other is 7, have both made me decorations or wall hanging and pictures that commemorate my military years, and my youngest made me some pictures that said "Thank you daddy for going to the Army and making freedom" There is no feeling that is better than what I felt at that very moment. That is how I know that fighting is worth everything that is risked. When anyone, stranger or not, says "Thank you for your service", you remember what it is exactly what you are fighting for.

Narrative

I was chasing the sunset as the plane landed at the Las Vegas airport. The time had finally arrived for me to have the time of my life. For most people, arriving at an airport around 9 pm would be the end of the first day. However, that is not the case for myself. After in-circling the baggage claim, I headed back to the hotel to unpack. The Riviera Hotel and Casino was my resting place of choice. During the unpacking process, my mind begins to ponder about all of the things I am about to get into; trouble or not. I had some friends with me, and they too were excited to start the night. After, we were settled in the staying room, off into the night we all head to start the adventure that will change my perspective on life.

 The expeditions on the first night were subtle; nothing extreme in any way. I was out and about to just get a feel of the layout of the strip and the surrounding areas. My friends and I ended up eating at a Mongolian Grill for a late dinner. At first, it seemed a little expensive, but after dining, I decided it was well worth the money spent. Concluding the evening around 5 am, we all took towards the hotel to get some rest. However, the resting didn't last too long, as we were all up at 7 am to start the next days activities.

The second day's activities were booked. We started the day watching shows and doing a little window shopping. It was hard to keep my eyes in my head, as there were so many beautiful women walking around, only half dressed. I am surprised I didn't run into anyone else, or something else while I was gawking so obviously. Circus Circus had a great, rope tumbling act, and some not so great clown shows, but hey, they were free, so it didn't matter to me. Going to casino after casino, we decided to stop in the Venetian. The ceiling was painted to look like the daytime sky, with white clouds all around. I remember going in and sitting at one of the slot machines; only for the sole purpose of getting my free drink, and then leaving. I was not used to being able to carry my drinks with me where ever I went. It was great! The day is coming to an end faster than I want, but the fun always starts after dark.

Once the sun sets on the impressive strip, all of the mice come out of their holes. It is a busy place, with so much more to see. You do not even know its actually night time. The lights are so bright, and so numerous, its just like walking around in the middle of the day. Men stand on the walks in plain view of everyone, only they are holding "entertainment" cards. Pimps you could say; only with no girls visible. The cards had phone numbers on them, and also the special they were running to get business. All you have to do is call that number, and the girl(s) come to you. It was such an interesting ploy. I decided to avoid these advertisers of the Ir-repute, as well as, anyone else handing things out, with the exception being "buy one, get one free" drink cards that were handed out in bulk, like we were shopping at Sam's Club. The final destination of the night was right up ahead.

Arriving at Treasure Island, it was time to cash in those "BOGO" cards I collected a little earlier. The pirate show was starting, and I ended up getting a table right at the waters edge. The drink cards started diminishing during the show. It was an exciting extravaganza. There was cannon fire, singing, sinking ships, hot girls shaking their asses all over the place. I felt like a kid in a candy shop. The air was filled with lame cannon smoke, and the air smelled of cheap pyrotechnics and even cheaper women's perfume that the barely dressed patrons were advertising. The show ended spectacularly. However, I was out of refreshment cards, and that made me a little sad. The walk was depressing after that; until I stopped at a little shop to buy a tall boy. Again, I found myself as the cheerful wonder that I was. On the other hand, my hotel room had different plans. The room had decided to spin all by itself. Oh no! My trip was ending the next day, and I didn't have time for the room's shenanigans.

After a very rough previous night, I had to wake up early to catch my flight. It is a weird coincidence that I was chasing the sunset when I got here, and now I am chasing the sunrise to leave. My life changed during that weekend, and I will never look at things the same again. The saying goes "What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas", and that is partly because people can't remember their trip due to over exertion in the drinking field of study.

Welcome

My name is Darren. I am currently trying to accomplish my Associates Degree in BMGT. English 1100 is a required course for this curriculum. I have previously taken English 0190 last semester in the summer. I did quite well in that class and I hope to be able to keep up the good work. I am attending CSCC to accomplish a few different aspects of my life. I am tired of having just a job, and I am seeking a career. The career path I have chosen is completely different from my other job choices. I have been a Corrections Officer in two State of Ohio prison systems, as well as, a Youth Treatment Facility for unruly kids ages 8-18. All of my previous employments have all been hands on, and frankly, I am tired of all the physical demands of that type of work. I am tired of being the "low man on the pole". It is time for a new chapter in my life to begin, and I am slowly getting it written.