Week 4: Project 4a Group #1

1) The Big Valley by Mark Arax

A Brief Summary:

The theme of change over time dominates this story. It is a recollection of the author's childhood, and the way the area he lives in has drastically changed throughout his lifetime. Walmarts replace farmland. Car dealerships are more profitable than figs. The story also documents his experience at the 2004 World Ag Expo, a massive farm equipment convention. There he talks to a couple of childhood friends who are farmers. Here the theme of change is reinforced. The farmers explain how the farm industry is very volatile. They say most farmers change their crops regularly due to changes in demand and foreign competition. To end his story, the author tells of a metaphorical ritual in which he adds a strip to his garden every time another orchard is destroyed. He says he is keeping the country in his backyard. He is trying to save what is gradually fading away.

My Favorite Quote:

"... I can't begin to understand how tortured is the logic that compares my back yard to his thousand acres." p. 20

What did the reading make you think about?

The reading made me think about a trip I took up to Chico state university a couple of weeks ago. I had never been in the area and was shocked at how agricultural it is. I saw plum farms, walnut trees, vineyards, strawberries, apricots, and even some agriculture I had never seen before. Because I had just been to this place and seen the very same sights the author was describing, I was able more fully appreciate the rich detail and the author's incredible skill.

What is one thing that you did not know before reading this story?

I never knew that Caterpillar borrowed its track system from the military.

2) Transients in Paradise by Aimee Liu

A Brief Summary:

The story opens with a quote by Italo Calvino. It reads, "Cities, like dreams, are made of desires and fears". This sets up the structure of the story. Liu begins by admitting this quote confuses her because the city she lives in, Beverly Hills, seems to be only composed of desires. She mentions the mansions, superstars, Hummers and diamonds. Then she immediately changes face, and begins describing the fear the envelops Beverly Hills. She hears the fight of a husband and wife, sees a Jewish family almost hit by traffic, and witnesses a wedding party who need a bodyguard. To sum up the message of this story, Liu is saying that you can try to run away from the fears and negative aspects of life by pushing them away and indulging in desires, but they are all one in the same and it is impossible. When you indulge in the desires it will great fears. Beverly Hills, though it seems perfect on the outside, hides alot of fear and pain.

What was your favorite quote:

"... their lengthening shadows point to desire's doppelganger - fear." p.30

What did the reading make you think of:

It made me think of my trip to Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk with my family. The trip was really fun and the beach was beautiful, but the town was awful. It was very dirty and there were alot of bad people out at night. I think the contrast is exactly what Liu is taking about. When you have all the desires such as the beautiful beach and nice restaurants, it creates fear and pain because people fight to attain it and become greedy.

What is one thing you didn't know before reading this story:

That doppelganger is another self. It is like a duplication of yourself that some people have reported seeing.

Showing Off the Owens by T. Jefferson Parker:

A brief summary:

This short essay is my favorite so far. It is written in a very laid back manner. You really feel the author's experience fly fishing. The basic plot is a guy is taking his friend fishing in the Owens river. He is showing the river off because he has fished their before and the friend has it. As Parker tells the story of the trip he refers back to experiences that led up to his love for fly fishing. A notable experience during his trip was the grocery store. He and his friend go there to get some Vaseline and beer and the clerk believes they are homosexuals, which I find to be hilarious. I really enjoyed this essay for its simplicity and the way it makes me want to go out and fish with my buddies.

My Favorite Quote:

"We tossed in some beer and snacks and a tabloid for entertainment." p. 41

What the reading made me think about:

The reading reminded me how great some of the simple pleasures of life are. Fishing, hiking, snowboarding, boating, camping, coffee in the morning; these are the things that create nostalgia.

One thing I didn't know prior to reading this story:

I never knew the movie, "A River Runs Through It", is about fly fishing and many people get into the sport because of that movie.

The Distant Cataract About Which We Do Not Speak by Mary Mackey

A Brief Summary:

This story is about the author and her connection to the Sacramento River. She sees many things during her swim. She sees a bunch of mallard ducks and swims over to them. She sees a beaver. It has very sharp teeth, and seems dangerous. Luckily it swims away. The author also talks about the many cultures her and her husband witness on the river. Russians, Mexicans, African Americans, and Japanese have all been spotted by the author.

Favorite Quote:

"The water comes from Sierra snow melt that has been held behind Folsom dam like a cache of liquid ice." p.45

What the reading made me think about:

The reading definitely reminded me of camping trips and boating at the lake. It is really fun. You get to explore nature and swim in the cool water. I remember a time at lake Shasta. The day before had been oppressively hot at a warm 115 degrees. For some odd reason, though, this day it was raining. Rain in the middle of July I have never heard of, but it was. We were house boating and decided to take our boats out for some knee boarding. I remember the cool air and rain hitting my face. The lake had this great smell to it. It was amazing.

One Thing I didn't know prior to reading this story:

I didn't know Sacramento had such a large Russian population.