David Bouvier

ENGL 0250-154

H. Susi

November 20, 2011

Driving While Stupid

This Short article written by "Dave Barry" is a short story of a few incidents he has overcame through out his traveling around the world. He claimed he has driven in just about every major city in america and in all of these major cities he has not found one place where people could drive. He says he seen people doing it all while driving. From eating to texting, also driving with no hands and even watching music videos while driving. One store he had witch amazed even him was when he was on I-95 a man in a convertible who was driving very fast swerving. When he past the man in the convertible with loud music was watching a music video while driving.

I have been driving for about four years so far and even these short four years I have witnessed many crazy things people have done while driving. While I was driving about a year ago I saw a very hefty woman who was probably in her mid 30's driving through the mall parking lot trying to eat a full uncut subway sandwich. My friend and myself at the time could not stop laughing, This woman was swerving in a parking lot and she wasn't even on the main road yet. We drove by her and he had the meat ball marinara sauce all over her face.

Driving while you are preoccupied doing something else is very dangeorus, not only to your self but towards other innocent people. Texting, eating or even your so important music video can wait. It is not worth putting other people and your self in danger just because of something so small. Figure out ways to prevent yourself from doing these things. Prepare your self for when you know you have to drive. Call them through blue tooth, text before you drive and manage your time so you can eat at home or sit down and eat not in a hurry.

I know that I have the tendency to text while I drive but I try and not answer anything that is not important if I do not have too. Sometimes it is very hard when I'm on a drive that is over 20 minuets long depending on the time of day. I always have people who text me and call me to make appointments. Most of my customers will non stop text me until I answer because they are so inpatient and want an answer right away. Other than sometimes I text I do not eat in my car because, a) I don't want my car smell like food. b) I don't want my car to get dirty. c) I know if i start it will become a big habit.

I believe that every one that text and drives a lot should cut the habit. I think everyone who eats and drives is just lazy and fat and they also should cut the habit. Yeah, a granola bar or a small snack is reasonable but a huge meatball grinder is unacceptable. Most of you eating food like that in your car probably have weight issues. Keep The distractions to a minimal to keep your self out of harm and simply prevent your self from getting into dangerous situations. 

Cell Yell

David Bouvier

ENGL 0250-154

H. Susi

11/13/11

Cell Yell: Thanks for (Not) Sharing

This article "Cell Yell: Thanks For (Not) Sharing" Written by Eric A. Taub was about a rising phenomenon on cell phone use and manners. Through out this article Dr. Kopomaa Explains a Few different tests and observations he has made on cell phones and the people using them. This article is branched off a story about a young man who makes a business phone call five minuets before take off from an air port. This man was talking very loud, and was oblivious to the 15 surrounding passengers glaring at him because of his actions.

Dr. Kopomaa Made Many different test on cell phones. He explains why people speak loud on cell phones not knowing every one around them can hear you. He calls it Cell Yell. He says it is because either your cell phone is too small and when their piece is on your ear the mouth piece is far away so you have the tendency to speak louder. He also says that Most cell phones you can not hear your self on the other line so you speak louder to make up for it not knowing how loud you are speaking. One of the last reasons He explains about Cell Yell is that your surroundings makes you speak louder depending on where you are just because you can not hear yourself speak does not mean the person on the other line can't either.

I can def agree with every thing Dr. kopoma says makes a lot of scence and I know because sometimes I catch my self doing it too. He says this is just like a def person when they try and talk, since they can not hear themselves speak they will speak louder. I definitely can relate to this because just about half my family; on my dads side, is hard of hearing. I know a lot of sign language, but a lot of people in my family can speak well and read lips, so its basically like your speaking to some one who can hear you. On the other hand There are a few family members whom have the tendency to speak very loud. when you talk to them they speak very loud and they do not know how to pronounce any of their words. From my perspective it is quite annoying when you had to live with them when you were younger. They would call your name in a silent public room very loud. They would yell in the middle of the night. Call in pets by their name in the middle of the night; sounds like gibberish. sometimes I wish they could hear me so I could just tell them to be quiet!

Sometimes I think there is an exception to certain people why they speak loud on the phone, some people are clueless and just can not help themselves. My Father on the other hand is hard of hearing, almost completely def in one ear. He has no trouble speaking on the phone. He does not speak louder but sometimes he has trouble hearing you, He knows not to speak louder. I have perfect hearing but I still catch myself speaking loud at certain times. 

I do not think it is a certain age group, or certain type of people who speak loudly on the phone but it is just the kind of person they are. none of these people who speak loud have problems they probably are just oblivious. They just might need a little practice. I think people could practice speaking quietly on the phone and they would be able to fix their Cell Yell problem.

When Green Gives Way to Giving

David Bouvier

ENGL 0250-154

H. Susi

november 6, 2011

"When Greed Gives Way to Giving"

The short story "When Greed Gives Way to Giving" written by Ana Veciana-Suarez is a mind boggling story about a 67-year-old man Bob Thompson. He is a very generous person, who likes to give more than he will take. He is from belleville, minnesota. He sold his Road-building company for $422 million. This man surprisingly did not buy him-self anything but he decided to share the money.

Thompson took $128 million of his $422 million and split the money among his 550 workers. Most of the checks exceeded the workers annual salaries, and for more than 80 people, the bonus was as much or more than a million dollars. Thompson even paid the taxes on the proceeds he has given to the people. The workers were confused and lots of them thought that Thompson made a mistake on the numbers but in reality he was correct. 

Thompson started his multi million dollar business in his basement wit $3,500, given to him by his wife. He lived in his old house for 37 years, not a mansion, not a huge house, but a normal sized house. This shows the type of person Thompson is. Most people would not share like Thompson did, this just shows the generosity he has towards people. He told reporters that he wanted to help people and that he wanted to go out a winner and go out doing the right thing.

I believe that not everyone would share, or does share with what they have now, but I believe that most people share as much as possible for what they have. I think what Thompson did was great I can probably say i would do the same thing, but I would have to fulfill my dreams and wishes before I do others. I believe that its my life; not to sound greedy, but every one should do for themselves then do for others. Some times it is obviously good to put others first but not all of the time. I think that if every one had the mind set of sharing and doing for others is good. If then, this world would be much better and easier place to live. We live in greed and live with a lot of heartless people. More people like Thompson this world would be better.