Week 5 Project 5a - Group #1

909 by Percival Everett

909 is about a mans love for his town, regardless of how it changes. He starts by saying that the 909 is like the name Bob; its familiar, a little ordinary, but friendly. He then continues to say that people care too much about area codes are and who has the best one, but the people in the 909 don't care. They are there for the hills and the beauty of the country. His town used to be full of orange groves, wheat fields, and horse and cattle ranches, but is now full of affordable housing and tons of children. They are not known for their orange groves or wheat fields anymore, but for their scorching hot summers and meth labs. What once was a place where movie stars frequented, is now the "space between Los Angeles and Palm Springs." It is a place with layered and gorgeous hills from which he can overlook the highway filled with BMW's and SUVs pulling jet skis.

My favorite part was "For me it's these hills. Hills that defy human occupation. Hills that are not the way to anywhere. Hills that will let you know if you're welcome" (page 125).

The reading reminded me of my old English teacher Mr. Hackett. He would always talk about how he would ride his mule into the hills by his house. It was his escape from grading papers, from the world, just a place where he could think.

I did not know that the Mission Inn had a chair made especially for William Taft. It is apparently rather wide and insulting to Taft. I think it shows a great sense of humor on the part of the Inn. But I can see how it would have been taken as an insult, though.


The Line by Ruben Martinez

The Line is about the border between Mexico and the US. Martinez describes the events that take place between families just before crossing the border, as well as the dramatic effects of Pete Wilson's tougher stance on border patrol. Before crossing the border, groups would gather and celebrate. With hawkers trying to sell thing, prostitutes, hot carne asada and hominy, as well as raging soccer matches; it was a fiesta. After the governor of California, Wilson, decided to crack down on illegal immigration, the journey for desperate migrants became significantly tougher. The Mexicans were outraged, even going so far as to "boo" Wilson during the 1994 World Cup.

My favorite part was "The glow that falls from the gigantic light towers straddles the line for several hundred yards in each direction, meaning that the gringo light actually falls on Mexican territory-illegal light as it were, but the Mexican government has never complained about it, or, the constant noise pollution from the helicopters on patrol" (page 130).

The reading made me think of how much worse the economy has gotten just in the past couple years. If things were as bad as Martinez said they were back then, I can only imagine how much worse its going to get int he future.

I did not know that Pete Wilson had such a big impact on stopping illegal immigration from Mexico into California. I think it is interesting that, as Martinez says, Wilson had an "undocumented" woman cleaning his house at one time.


Flirting with Urbanismo by Patt Morrison

Flirting with Urbanismo is about how many people say that they have not seen downtown LA, when they actually have. Morrison points out that downtown LA has been used as a substitute to New York and other popular places in many well known movies and TV shows such as: Phone Booth, Ghostbusters, Superman, The West Wing, and even Seinfeld. Morrison feels that there is a sort of undeserving disrespect for downtown LA. It is full of magnificent buildings such as the Disney Concert Hall and old Victorian style shops and hotels.

My favorite part was "In Los Angeles, if you live close enough to walk to the grocery store, it's time to move" (page 138).

The reading made me think of how people take their towns for granted. We should appreciate where we live and try to find the hidden beauties that make it so wonderful.

I did not know that L.A. was the first city created in the age of "wheeled transportation" such as the Model-T. It helps me understand the foundation of LA and appreciate it more.


Waters of Tranquility by Carolyn See

Waters of Tranquility is about one woman's journey through a life tragedy and the peacefulness that one place gave her. The Lake Shrine is a place created by a yogi named Paramahansa Yogananda. It was his way of creating a shrine to world peace, and sharing that peace with others. People not only go there for its beauty, but to find solace and tranquility. This place helped Carolyn cope with the pending loss of the man that she loves.

My favorite part was "What if, in all our striving, we and our beliefs were still childish, childlike, largely unformed, just little somethings poking up into the universe?" (page 144).

The reading made me think of all the different things that can make a person happy and help them find peace in their lives. Whether it be a shady spot in our backyard or a place full of memories with someone special to you, we all have a place that we go to to help us with what bothers us most.

I did not know about the Lake Shrine before reading this. It sounds like a wonderful place that I would enjoy visiting. I think it is amazing that someone, such as Paramahansa Yogananda, can make his dream come true while sharing it with the rest of the world.