Reflection

Reflection on Course

1) This is going to be my last writing class so as far as any future classes the rest is bio and chem. from here, so I am not sure if my skills will be needed in those classes. In my case lack of skills. I have to be honest and say I probably don’t plan on using them from here on out. HA I say that jokingly.

2) The reading I have actually been pretty interested in. It is difficult to get me to read about something that doesn't interest me. Some of the readings were kind of boring and I really was just trying to get through them. However there were some really cool ones. I like reading Swift "A Modest Proposal." I enjoyed trying to get into his head. Winters Bone was a cool book. I wasn't to sure about it at first but I enjoyed it.  I can't say they Have affected me on a personal level but they're were some interesting readings.

3) As far as the learning outcomes, well if you're reading this it should tell you how I have met them? I am not sure if I have met any of the 11 but I do believe I am closer too then I ever was. I still lack the fundamentals to writing  which hinder my learning outcomes.

4) My writing process has actually changed a lot. I am sure you could see in my writing that I think I am getting a better understanding of analysis rather than summary. My blogs have been pretty stationary, but I feel my papers have improved with at least my understanding of them.  

5)I was faced with a lot of challenges in this course. When I am faced with a challenge in another class I deal with it a lot different than I do in this course.  Typically in another class I may spend a little more time studying or reviewing but in this class I don’t even know where to begin. I don't know what to review or study. I found myself spending time in this course and not getting much done, compared to math and Bio. That was probably the most frustrating.  I still haven't overcome yet, but working on it. depends what the Overall grade is to answer that. HA


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Essay 4 Draft (Just Intro)

Anthony Martinez

Professor Cline

Eng 102

April 22, 2012

Observation of A New Time

                Walter Kirns' novel, "Up in the Air," is a template for the film "Up in the Air," directed by Jason Reitman. Kirn establishes a tolerable first person narrative with Ryan Bingham. Bingham is a man who gets paid and travels from place to place as a career transition counselor. A career transition counselor is someone who tells someone else they have been fired or let go, then tries to help them find their next job. Kirn details Ryan Bingham as he is caught in a journey with little direction except for a few objectives; potentially being hired by Mythtech, the possible sale of a business allegory book,  and reaching one million frequent flyer miles.  As for the movie Jason Reitman makes quite a few tweaks and twist, but the core of the book is still apparent. Kirn even states, "the movie was not the book, and the book was not the movie, but they had the same genetic code" (Kirn interview). It is obvious Reitman creates Bingham to be a more likable and charismatic guy then in the book. It is easier though when George Clooney is playing the role as Bingham in the movie. Reitman's translation sweetens as  Bingham is falling in love with a women who has a similar lifestyle, but he is unsure of how to deal with the idea of actually becoming involved with someone. The variation in the plot is merely superficial in comparison to the changes that took place in American history from 2001, when the book was published, to 2009, when the movie came out. These were considerably different junctures in American history, the changes in; the political scene, the cultural perception of business or a businessman, the economic situation of the U.S., and the world events that occurred were transparent in the comparison of the book and movie.

Work Cited

Kirn, Walter. Up in the Air. New York: Anchor Books, 2001. Print.       

Up in the Air. Directed by  Jason Reitman.  Dreamworks, 2009. Film.

Kirn, Walter.  Interview by David Kestenbaum.  Interview:  Walter Kirn Discusses His New Novel, “Up in the Air.”  National Public Radio.  Morning Edition,Washington, D.C., July 30, 2001.  

Essay 4 Intro

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Walter Kirns' novel, "Up in the Air," was used as a template for the movie "Up in the Air," directed by Jason Reitman. The core is still there between the book and film, Bingham flies around the country living in hotel rooms and racking up frequent flyer miles. However, The film is not a carbon copy of the book but is from the same genetic code or DNA. The book and film character differences are noticed right away. Kirn keeps Bingham away from the audience whereas the film allows for Clooney's'charm to come out. An immense amount of change contributed to the differences between the book and movie. The political conditions and economic status in the United States had changed drastically between the release of the book(2001) and the release of the film(2009). The culture of a businessman had morphed to keep up with the technologies of business itself. Nor to forget that flying was not longer commonplace and was forever changed on September 11, 2001. The transformations through out american culture impacted the evolution from Book to movie. 

Up in The Air, is right!

"Up in the Air" by Walter Kirn, is the story of a man, Ryan Bingham, who lives his life on the road going from place to place. A career transition counselor, Ryan is paid to talk to people who have just been fired or laid off. He tries to navigate them to their next job or opportunity.  Bingham is on a journey with no real sense of direction. His highest priority is to become a business guru and make money on the executive lecture circuit. 

Like Bingham the book lacks any real sense of direction, at least in my opinion..  The aimlessness narrative kind of matches the aimlessness journey Bingham takes.  I am not sure if that is what Kirn is trying to do. The book is pretty lifeless, and I was not jumping at the next chance to pick it up. I have to be Honest and say I caught myself more than a couple times skimming the paragraphs.  I felt the book never really developed into any substance, at least enough to allow me to have a good perspective. I needed something to grab on to, and Kirn just didn't do it. I think that is why I was skimming, trying to find something to grab onto. Bingham isn't really the kind of guy that I would like to read about for 300+ pages. Bingham seems cold with emotions hidden underneath, I kind of feel like that could describe the book as well. The book just didn’t warm me up and bring out any emotions kind of like Bingham. Like I mentioned before, I am not sure if Kirn is trying to mimic Binghams' Journey in the way he writes this novel? 

Image Source: http://mormonlit.byu.edu/lit_author.php?a_id=1505

                      http://www.amazon.com/Up-Air-Walter-Kirn/dp/0385722370

Work Cited

 Kirn, Walter. Up in the Air. New York: Anchor Books, 2001. Print.