Panhandling in Portland

Sean Kenny

Wed May 29

Red Day, Block 2

Panhandling in Portland

        While in Portland, no matter where I'm going, I almost always see at least one man or woman holding a sign and asking for money. They will usually say 'God bless you.' or Homeless, please help.', or even have a pet with them [for sympathy?]. That's happened only a couple of times. But very rarely do I see people stop to actually give them money. It does happen, just not often. So why do they spend so much time, getting very little money from strangers they've done nothing to earn? They could be spending the majority of the time looking for a job, because even if it takes a while, eventually they will find one. If thirty people died like the article said, that means at least two people every month were dying on our streets. If they aren't smart enough to stay away from that living style, maybe the government should take action, and outlaw panhandling. Then they won't have a choice but to find employment.

Threshold for Drunken Driving

Sean Kenny

Fri May 24

Red Day, Block 2

Threshold for Drunken Driving

     I believe what the author of this article is saying, is very true. They say lowering the threshold of blood-alcohol content from .08%, to .05%, is useless, because 99% of people who are currently breaking the first law, are getting away with it anyway. Nobody is going to start following the rules, just because they would only be further breaking them otherwise.

The author says that, before making people less drunk on our roads, lets take care of the people who are already going past the legal limit, with checkpoints, and taxes on alcohol. By doing this, 85% of those already breaking the law (the binge drinkers), will be forced to drink less by the tax infringed on them, and the money made by the government, can be used to build the checkpoints, busting the people who still are going beyond the legal limit.

I completely agree with what he/she is saying. The logic in his/her theory makes perfect sense.

(Current) Maine Evaluation System

Sean Kenny

Mon Wed 20, 2013

Red Day, Block 2

(Current) Maine Evaluation System

 

         I do not think our current system is very fair, if we are all graded the same. With slight alterations, a school can move from an 'F,' to a 'C' or 'B?' The new system such as in the article, similar to NCAA, where there are groups of similar school, that get their own funding amount, and are ranked differently seems much more fair. This way, resources are also equally distributed, based on location, or school.

Romeo And Juliet- Book/Movie Adaptation Differences

Sean Kenny

Fri Apr 26

Red Day, Block 2

Romeo And Juliet- Book/Movie Adaptation Differences

        Aside from any differences in setting, there are a few small things that separate the book from the movie. In the very beginning, the two men in the ally, or in the car, are from  the opposite family. This takes place in the scene where you first meet Tybalt, and Benvolio. Next, is that, Marcutio gives LSD to Romeo before leaving towards the party/ball at the Capulet's Mansion (in the movie). The final and largest differences take place in the second to last bit of the play, where Romeo gives his final goodbyes to Juliet when he thinks she's dead. For one, Balthazar doesn't leave half-way across the town before getting to the tomb. Then, Romeo never takes a hostage to enter the tomb, because nobody is keeping him from the tomb. The watch/police don't come until the final part. And when he enters, Paris should be waiting before he talks with Juliet. In the movie, he isn't there, and neither is his page. So, Romeo doesn't fight him, and lay him beside Juliet before dying. Lastly, Juliet in the book doesn't wake up until Romeo has been dead for a short time, to nearly stop him from drinking the poison.

Poor Law, Town Meeting

Sean Kenny

Tue Mar 14

Red Day, Block 2

Poor Law, Town Meeting

     Josh - Josh did not give me his character's name, but he did tell me a lot about the character itself. As an orphan Josh, spent every day begging for change and food because he was too young to work. He helped pay for his orphan siblings also. He wanted to pass this law because it mean he would get food and money for no cost to himself, or his sibling. This also meant leaving the humiliation of begging on the street behind him.

     Joseph - Joseph also did not give me his character's name, and we ran out of time while asking questions. But, from what I gathered, he was a nobleman, who did not want to pass the law. He thought others should work for money just as he did to acquire his wealth and power.

     Connor - Connor was a transgender which, just above the poverty line. He/she has a deep voice, and light British accent. He did not want to pass the law because he could not afford to pay any more than he does for himself, towards others.

Elizibethan Era - Town Meeting Thing [Candle Maker]

Sean Kenny

My Chandler

3/1

Biography

        My name is Leon. I have always been fond of making candles, but am extremely lazy when it comes to things I don't set my mind to. I always enjoyed doing my own thing when crafting the candles I used to sell, but now I find myself lying in my bed, simply thinking about nothing.

I was young when I lost my parents. Around seven years old. My house burnt down, because my father owned money to men, and couldn't pay them back.

Both of them were in there when it happened, but I escaped after finding they couldn't be saved. I knew of no other family I could turn to afterwards, but a nobleman found me, he took me in until I was old enough to make it on my own.
I was never truly happy after I was on my own again. I felt lonely. Even though it me who decided it was time to leave. I fell asleep on a bench, too lazy to walk across town to my home. But was rudely awoken by a Chandler. I had slept on the bench right outside his store.

After being brought in to the store to warm up, I saw the beautiful candles on the shelves. I had never seen any quite like them, even in the nobleman's manner. These ones were detailed, and had different layers inside of them. Seeing I was intrigued, he took me under his wing, and taught me how to make these candles. And as his apprentice, I never risked disrespecting him, he was my master. After nearly mastering the art, he let me run the shop with him. That's how things are now, except, he has become very frustrated with my inability to follow instruction. We have lost much money because of me not completing orders.

-

3/5

Journal Entry [#1]

     Today was another hopeless one. I woke up, ate breakfast, and stayed in my quarters for hours before using the bathroom, and going to sleep. The days seem short, and the nights long, but I fear if this goes on, I will lose my job, and be on my own forever.

I accomplish nothing and every hour that goes by is wasted by my inability to leave my home and go to work.

Journal Entry [#2]

     While I have many problems, the biggest one I face, is my horrid habit of procrastinating. I used to put things off for longer and longer, until they would be rushed. Now, I seldom get them done at all.

As mentioned in a previous entry, I will be fired for staying in bed, telling myself that I will get up and leave soon. Eventually, I won't even be lying to myself like that. Is it because of my laziness, as grateful as I am to the nobleman, did he turn me into a spoiled man? I am not unfit, but I am certainly not in peak form, what shall I do?

-

3/7

The Poor Law [Opinion]

        Apparently, a new law is pressing, stating, those who need work, will get work. Those who refuse work, will be whipped, and those incapable of work, will be payed. I believe because I have a job, but am not doing it, I will be whipped. And while I believe in helping those others, I don't want to be whipped. I'm not selfish, I'm lazy. And I've made such a poor habit of it, I can't swing myself to even do it anymore. I know I will be whipped, but I also know those others need help. I will chose the side of the law.

The Whistler?

Sean Kenny

Wed Feb 27

Red Day, Block 2

The Whistler?

        As apparent by the article, there is a man in downtown Portland, whistling very loud, trying to spread joy by doing so. This is the very same man who has been arrested four times, bothered many shop owners, and in possibly a drug dealer, thief, and verbal assaulter. It was told to be true, that he does make some people happy, but how many more people does he anger? He is making dogs upset, and annoying people by being so loud. Normally, somebody whistling at a normal tone, while walking isn't hurting a thing, but he knows how to be quiet, he knows how to walk while he does it, and he certainly knows this is excessively irritating. I think he should not be aloud to whistle in this way if it bothers so many people.