Assignment 4b- Human 7

Assignment 4b
Classmate: Megan Mullen (Group#2)
Author: Hector Tobar


When I read about the same authors as Megan, I noticed that we both wrote about the freeways being the central them in Tobar’s writing. Megan wrote about the necessities of the highway like cell phones, radar detectors, and CD players that Tobar explained as the reason people in L.A. have not fallen out of extinction. I thought that the entire paragraph was my favorite part of the story.
Megan compared the traffic thinning in the story to the stereotype people have about Californians always being in a hurry and never stopping but when the freeway thins it is like when we are calm and not in a hurry anymore. I did not really see this when I was reading the story but it makes sense now that I read it from her point of view.

Author: Thomas Steinbeck


When I was reading Megan’s interpretation of Steinbeck’s story she described the story about the myths of California. I thought that the story was more about the history of California and its history as a paradise and what that means to different people who visit or live here. It was interesting to see how two people view the same story but in a different way.
The story reminded Megan of how California’s society is diverse and ever changing. I on the other hand was reminded of my visit to Yosemite and how it was my version of paradise in California.

Author: Edward Humes


Megan wrote about how this story describes her experiences visiting Seal Beach. I was reminded of Rohnert Park and my first move to the North Bay. I think of how small the town seemed nestled next to Santa Rosa which is much larger in comparison.

Author: Matt Warshaw

Megan wrote about how she felt like learning how to surf after reading this story. I also felt the same way and thought that this story makes surfing seem fun and exciting even though the story was about Santa Cruz and Half Moon Bay. I think that this story gives a lot of history on both California cities and Moriarity’s adventure that made the front page of a surfing magazine and put Half Moon Bay on the map as a surfing destination.

2.
Goup#1 Sierra Baxter

Author: Mark Arax

I learned through Sierra’s writings that Arax wrote about his grandfather and the farm they owned in Fresno. He was very proud of his farm culture and loved the farm life.

Author: Aimee Liu

From Sierra’s writings I learned that Aimee Liu’s story was about how she hates Beverly Hills and the people that live there. I did not know that there were no garbage dumps, hospitals, junkyards, or cemeteries. It makes sense if you think about it; the elite do not want any of these things in their backyard. Of course, all of this should be elsewhere where they do not have to worry much less think about it. I thought this was very enlightening. I think I am a little mad that this happens but am definitely not angry at the people. I think that a lot of cities send their garbage elsewhere and do not have hospitals. It is not entirely unheard of.

Author: T. Jefferson Parker

I learned that fisherman can hire someone to catch a shark for them and have it mounted so that they can display it. Isn’t that cheating? If someone else catches the shark then why would someone else claim is as their own? That makes no sense to me.

Author: Mary Mackey

From Sierra’s writings I learned that Mary Mackey wrote about her adventures trying to ignore the background traffic noise while studying the animals in American River. She tried to enjoy the animals with her husband while they studied the wildlife together.

3. Group #3: Lori Sargiotto

Author: Firoozah Dumas


I learned through Lori’s writings that Dumas wrote about as 11 year old boy who has moved multiple times and his latest move is from Whittier CA to Newport Beach, CA. His new move has many new rules with the Homeowners association but despite all of the rules his family thinks its heaven compared to where they have lived before.


Author: Devorah Major

I learned that Major wrote about her experiences at Playland at the beach. I think she was trying to describe the lessons learned there as a child during the summer.

Author: Michael Chabon

I learned that Chabon wrote his story about Berkley, CA and how different it was compared to the many different cities he had lived in before. Chabon also noted the distinct culture of the city and how people there are not afraid to tell you their opinions and give them freely without you asking for them.

Author: Kathi Kamen Goldmark

Through Lori’s interpretations I learned that Goldmark used to be a folksinger thirty years ago. She did not really have a band together but had a gig and decided to go ahead and perform that night. It seemed as though she narrowly escaped a man trying to take advantage of her and survived the night despite their unpreparedness for it.