Junk in the Trunk

I'm looking through my possessions right now, wondering what I could get rid of and what I want to hold onto. If I were to do what Freyer did, and sell all of my possessions, I think I would feel lighter and more comfortable. When I read this piece, I realized I carry a lot of junk with me that are just tokens of my past. I have knick knacks that are useless, except for the fact that they carry a memory with them- even the smallest piece of crap. I hold onto these possessions because I am afraid of forgetting the memory, or in some instances, I don't think I deserve to forget.
In a way, I think Freyer is running away from his past. Yes, he is lightening his load and holding onto memories instead of physical objects, but if he were trying to sell off his possessions to get rid of a thought that is haunting him, I think he is going about it the wrong way. If I were to do this, I would want to sell off my things for different reasons. The intention would have to be something productive, like to get rid of junk, to make some money, or because I don't use it anymore- not to escape a thought.
Throughout the past few years, I have been trying to let go of some objects I don't need anymore. I give away jewelry I don't wear, clothes I don't use... I give all of these things away in hopes that people will use them instead of just having them lay around. I might ask about some of my fancier objects I used to own, but for the most part, I wouldn't want to ask what they are doing with my old possessions.
I wish him the best of luck with his website and his journey to rid himself of his things and I might take a leaf out of his book, too, by going through my stuff shortly and ridding myself of the nonsense I am holding onto.

"This is just a place for my stuff. That's all."

"Have you noticed that their stuff is shit and your shit is stuff?" - Carlin

When I heard Carlin say that I literally laughed out loud. However comedic it sounds, though, it is still true. People - especially Americans - really do identify themselves by their possessions and their possessions alone. We get so attached to things that we want to take everything with us when we leave. Every morning it takes me forever to actually leave my house to come to campus because I make sure I have all of my "stuff" several times. While I probably really would be in trouble if I forgot a book or assignment for class, it would not be the end of the world if I forgot my four extra pens, two back-up highlighters, Chapstick, and iPod. Right?

We think we have to have everything because we're caught up in the proverbial "American Dream" that says we deserve everything because we are Americans.

I don't want to be a person who is defined by the things that I own. Instead, I want to define those things and make them mine. Shouldn't my person be complex enough to not have to be identified by my yellow mechanical pencil or my red hat? I really like my red hat, but I don't really want to be labeled as "that girl who wears the ridiculous red hat."

But even I say things like, "Oh, yeah. That's Jim. He has the red Gran Prix," or "Sally is the one who has the ugly book bag," and those around me know exactly who I'm talking about. Maybe Sally thinks her book bag is the cutest book bag ever, but to everyone else, it's just her "shit" and it means nothing. Maybe we just need to be a little more understanding to others and their need for things, too. It's not all about us - there are other people out there who need room for their stuff.

I think it's pathetic that mere objects matter so much, but that's how it is. People have to have this or have to have that, so those things are what we "know" each other by.

"All my Stuff"

In this article, Freyer is bound to sell all of his belongings in order for him to be able to pack up everything he has left in his car and go to New York. As he continues with his project, he becomes more interested with the people that he sold his stuff too instead of his actual old belongings. Instead of worrying about where his belongings end up going, Freyer becomes more attached to the people and the relationships he has formed with all of the people he has meet while working on his project. Overall, he realizes that he wants to go back home to Iowa and start his life back over.
Throughout Freyers life he had given up when things got hard, and just moved and restarted his life, instead of facing the consequences and trying to overcome an obstacle he would run away. This made me think about my life. Has there ever been a time where I had wanted to give up and run away from my problems? The answer is yes. However, instead of getting up and running away I had no choice but to face my problems and conquer them.
In addition, while reading this I began to think about all of my stuff that I brought up to school with me. I brought all types of stuff with my, from stuff I needed to things that I wanted to see on a regular basis. I brought the things that in my opinion mean the most to me. Also I do want to say I do have a house with all my stuff and I do lock my door so that none of my stuff is taken. Honestly, I would never want to get rid of all my stuff.

All my life for Sale

I would have to say that is article was very interesting I like how he choose to sell all of his stuff instead of throwing it away I don't know how anyone could possibly want things that were made in the 80's and 90's. I also have to admit that I to have a lot of thing that I still keep due to the fact that they have sentimental value to me. But after a while I kinda get sick of staring at it and just throw it away. There aren't a lot of things that I have choose to bring to college with me because they do have that sentimental value and i want to keep it in a place that is safe and not in harm of getting stolen.

But I also think that there is a time when you keep things because they mean something to you and then there is a time when you keep things just to keep them because someone gave them to you. In this case I think that he was just keeping things just to keep them because he found them at garage sales and thought he could use them. At some point and time you have to think and say to yourself. "Wow my house is getting full and a lot of this stuff I don't even use." I don't think you should get to the point where you become a hoarder. So I am glad that he decided to get rid of some of his stuff.

I also thought it was interesting that he decided to start his own dot com instead of just putting all his items on eBay. I thought that it would take him a long time to sell them because everyone in the world knows about eBay, and he would have to advertise his website in order to get people to recognize it and decide to buy things from there. I thought he has a great idea on knowing where his things were going to so he asked his buyers to update him on the items that they purchased. I would have done the same because i think that it would be cool to know what other people have decided to do with your things. In all I think that this guy had a bright idea and decided to run with it and in the end it worked out for the best.

Reading 'All My Life For Sale'

Reading about John Freyer’s collection of unneeded stuff reminded me of the poem “What’s in My Journal” by William Stafford. The first line of the poem is “Odd things, like a button drawer.” Those words seem so simple, yet isn’t it a distinct image? Sure, you probably don’t have an entire apartment you could auction off like Freyer, but you probably have a drawer or box filled with odds and ends, like Stafford’s button drawer. I know I do, and I don’t know why I keep most of it.

Freyer, of course, isn’t the first one to suggest that one can free themselves by getting rid of the clutter in their lives. It’s an ongoing cycle in the lives of many Americans. We gather nik-naks and collectibles year round, only to sell them off in a yard sale or give them away to a thrift store later on. Some call it spring cleaning. I liked Will Helfirch’s comment that “John Freyer personifies an American paradox,” as we feel the need to consume and build while still wanting individuality and freedom to move at will.

It’s interesting to see Freyer’s change in reasoning through out his project. His shift in focus from the objects to the people they belonged to following 9/11 paints a picture of the way that unfortunate event brought many Americans together. His final realization that he should stop running from things makes his journey much like the “coming of age” stories in movies and novels.

"stuff"

I really admire Freyer for what he did. As I was reading the passage from his book, I was looking around and noticing all the things I had brought with me from home so that I could live comfortably at school. Many of the items I own seem ridiculous and useless, except that they have some sort of memory or story attatched to them that I am afraid of forgetting. Other items seem necessary and I couldn't possibly imagine not having them. . . but then again, Freyer sold his toaster, his clothes, family memoribilia! Freyer started off simply realising that he needed to declutter his life in order to continue living the life he was trying to create for himself, but he came to the realization that selling a few items here and there would never truly be enough "decluttering."
I collect items all the time. People give me things and I hold onto them: letters, mugs, shirts, pens, ridiculous little things that have no real business being in my life. I buy useless items all the time too! Yet I constantly berate other people for relying on material things. I figured that because I wasn't running out to buy the latest gadget or whatever, that I wasn't materialistic. But stuff is stuff. . . or as Carlin said so eloquently "there stuff is shit and your shit is stuff."
I am happy that in the end, Freyer has his little epiphany. He choose to stop running around brooding over his stuff and their places in other people's lives and he chose to settle down. Not settle in life, but settle down, become as he said "grounded" somewhere.
I think we all want to have things, big and small, expensive and inexpensive, etc. but we also want to be able to just leave and escape when life seems too daunting or maybe just mundane. We crave that freedom yet we simultaneously crave possessions. I am not sure which is more important, if one even is. I have lots of things I could never part with and I have a lot of desire to just go sometimes. And if I went somewhere I'd find it necessary to pack a "smaller version of my stuff" as Carlin said so I guess I will somewhat reluctantly come to the conclusion that I am human and that means that the need for stuff and the need for unbrideled freedom are just part of my nature.

Materialism and Identity

The article "All My Life for Sale" is very interesting in the respect that the author makes very profound claims as to what we, as humans consider a crucial part of our identities. On the surface, the article addresses the age-old cliche of 'one man's junk is another man's treasure', but the author continues to express deeper concerns, which appear to evoke an existentialistic kind of tone. Just the fact that he sold all of his belongings in order to find himself further reinforces the exitentialistic attitudes. You see a transformation in the speaker. He began questioning why he had all the 'stuff' he did. He wanted to change things, to see what would happen if he took all the things out of his life that distracted him. He wanted to start over; to turn his own world upside down. He wanted to create a new identity for himself. But, overall, it's not the material things that make you, you. It's the human interaction you get from sharing those material items. After visiting all the people that had bought all of his items, he came to this realization. He figured out that it wasn't about the items he had sold, but the people he had sold them to. He no longer felt uncomfortable around strangers. He had found himself. And ultimately learned that no matter how hard things get, you eventually have to face life head-on. You can't escape it forever.

I felt the audio recording of George Carlin further reinforced our obsession with material things. Satire in nature, the recording brought up a good point. We are nothing but hoarders in a sense. Everywhere we go, we have to have 'stuff' with us. He made the comparison of houses being nothing but storage sheds for our 'stuff', and that whenever we travel we always have to have a piece of that storage shed with us at all times. Material things don't really matter in the end and they certainly aren't the most important part of our identities. Yet, we tend to revere 'stuff' more than all other things. I don't think mankind will ever be satisfied without 'stuff'.

Reflection on my writing process.

I usually start writing without a very clear idea of where I'm going to go with it.  I can't remember ever making an outline for a paper when I wasn't required to do so.  Referencing what we talked about previously in class, my thoughts tend to form as I write and not before.  Any "steps" in my writing process are not really in any semi-consistent order...researching, mental outlining, editing, and writing are mixed up so that they often take place at the same time.  The only step that is (probably obviously) consistent is proofreading and editing the final version of a paper before I consider it finished.

Reflection on my writing process

I begin my writing by brainstorming. Most of the time I keep these ideas in my brain but sometimes I’ll share them with a friend just to say it out loud or ask their opinion about how my thesis sounds. I start by writing a thesis then follow by supporting paragraphs and then a conclusion. I use the basic writing style unless told other wise. While I’m writing the paper I will usually read the paper out loud from the beginning to where I am currently in the paper. It helps me think about what I can write next. That is pretty much all I do when I write. If it is a boring topic or very long I will take breaks by checking my Facebook or watching a show then go back to it. If I’m feeling really studious I’ll do more research on the topic to get my juices flowing but I feel like a lot of the papers I have to write are opinion based. After all this the conclusion of my paper I just some up everything I have stated.

Real Writing

Usually, whenever I write, no matter what it is about, I need to find my muse. Last year for my research paper, my topic was about the sexism and racism in Disney films, specifically The Hunchback of Notre Dame. I started off by watching the movie and after I realized I wanted to focus on the characters, I made my topic. From there I watched the movie again with a whole different approach, writing notes and then looking up a few facts that would back up what I had seen. For a research paper, I take a different approach than when I write other papers. I don’t free write like I usually do, but I did write notes in the margins of facts I wanted to add or topics I wanted to elaborate on. Truthfully, my prewriting draft was a lot of arrows, scribbles, and notes that only made sense to me. My first draft wasn’t much better. It was very messy, because I went through with my red pen and destroyed my work. Even when I write papers that aren’t as long, I still have to find a muse. From there, I take the free writing approach and I am able to go back and clean it up a bit. I like doing that kind of writing instead because it’s easier for me to just continue with a thought and not have to worry about run on sentences, grammatical errors, or different words that would make it sound better. This kind of thought it pure, in my opinion, and it is my favourite to do.

My writing process

The beginning of my writing process usually starts with me brainstorming. I try to formulate all my ideas that I want to get into what I’m writing into an easy to understand yet interesting order. This is one of the most important steps of my writing process because it keeps my writing organized.

Next, depending on what I am writing I will do research on what I am about to write in the paper. I’ll use internet sources usually to go into deeper depth on what I already know that I want to put into my paper.

After actually writing and completing the paper, I like to read over what I have written several times and possibly have someone else I know read over as they can catch a lot of the things that I miss. This along with the brainstorming process is very important because I know from experience that just depending on spell check isn’t always the best.

Writing Process

My writing process changes according to the material I am writing. If I am writing something research based or something presentational, I start out with looking through books or web pages, and formulate a really loose outline. If it is creative writing, or fiction, I tend to either jump into it or let ideas build up and play out in my mind. The part of the process I tend to neglect the most is the revision and editing part of writing. I can free-write and usually it tends to be at least decent, and has little to no grammatical or spelling errors. However, I don’t disregard this part because of time or apathy—I usually struggle with going back in and making it something better. The end result seems as if it was ‘patched together’ in a sense. I am not sure if not putting too much emphasis on revision works for me, or if I simply do not know how to do it adequately.

My Writing Process

When I am writing a research paper I always try and find as much information on the subject as I can before I start writing. Then I decide what parts of the topic I want to focus on. Once I do that I organize my sources of research accordingly. After my research is organize I finally start to write. First I start by making my Introduction paragraph and decide what my thesis is going to say. Once my Intoduction and thesis are done I start the body incerting facts from my research when needed.

My Writing Process

Before I start writing I take the topic and if I have information on the topic I organize it into somewhat of an order that it is am going to be used in the paper. Then I break it down into an outline with the order in which my information goes or what I am going to talk about in the paper so that it is organized. Then I develop my thesis statement for my paper and then I begin writing my introduction. Then I follow along with my outline and start writing the body paragraphs for my paper. After I finish the body paragraphs I write the conclusion paragraph. After I am completely finished writing my paper I reread it to make sure that it all makes sense and the paragraphs and information are in order and make changes. Then I read through my paper a second time and try to correct grammar and spelling errors.

My Writing Process

When I am presented with a writing assignment my writing process starts. First I think of as many ideas about the topic or of a topic that interests me. I like to put my ideas on paper, not exactly in any order yet. As I explore my mind I write down everything I can think of. After this process I review my thoughts and organize them into sections for future paragraphs. As I begin to write my first paragraph I tell the reader what they are about to read in an organized well structured paragraph. As I go on with my paper I refer back to my opening paragraph throughout my paper because it sets the tone for the rest of my paper, and it helps me to keep my flow. After I feel my paper is done I print it and make corrections as I feel they are needed.

Also I use scholarly journal articles along with other credible sources.

My Writing Process

I think that my writing process is fairly simple. first i get the topic then i think in my head what i know about this topic and where i can take it. Then i write down all the things that i want to talk about with it. Like is it a polarized subject and how much research i really am going to have to do on it. Next i probably would just write down all my thoughts on how i am going to structure my paper. i don't really like doing drafts so i just write up a really long paper and kind of edit it to how i want it to look.

Typically i would write a thesis in the beginning of my paper because you have to give your audience a sense of what you are about to talk about. But most of the time I really don't know what to say so I just go straight into the main points of my paper. I know that i need a lot of work but this is how my writing process is.

My writing process

My personal writing process usually starts with me brainstorming and then making a few notes on what I want to write about. I like to get all of the subjects I'd like to cover onto paper, and then think about ways to connect all of my ideas so that the paper flows smoothly. Once I've written out all of the topics I plan to write about, I'll then attempt to construct a thesis based on that. I don't generally plan out my thesis too thoroughly, because I like to just get something written without getting too stalled, and then I'll fix up the thesis where I feel it is necessary. Once I've written out the thesis, I'll use the ideas that I've already mapped out to construct the rest of the writing. Typically, I just like to get in the flow of writing, so I'll pretty much just continue writing until it's complete. After I've finished the first draft, I'll read through the work and try to visualize it as if I was reading from another person's perspective, and gauge whether it's halfway decent or not. As I read, I'll correct spelling and grammatical errors, as well as add, move, or erase text as I see fit.

Writing Process

When it comes to writing, I usually jump right into it without planning, or outlining what I want to write. I usually just let my ideas flow freely and then depending on what type of paper it is, I take various steps to edit and then re-edit in order to make it cohesive. With research papers, I obviously have to research information, but if I have some knowledge of the subject before researching, I try to make sure I incorporate those thoughts without any other works to sway my opinions in a different direction. I do admit, my opinions about certain topics do change after researching, which I find irritating. I feel my papers are genuine to who I am. It's to make all writing my own. Overall, I work quickly without planning, usually a few days before the assignment is due, with a ton of self-editing.

My Writing Process

From the fourth grade on, I had teachers forcing me to make notecards and outlines for papers and I really hated it. Honestly, I just like to dive right into a piece. I will read the paper over, over and over again, adding or taking things out, moving things around, and so on. My papers usually turn out just as structured and well put together as anyone elses, so I never saw a problem with this method.
Perhaps it would be less time consuming to outline what I want first, but it's always possible to come across more research that one finds interesting, or to decide that something isn't as relelvant as one had thought, in which case that outline seems like a waste of time after all.
I do some research before I start writing, but sometimes like continue to look at new things as I go along. This too makes the outlines and notecards seem like a waste of time. I think it's better to just start with one idea and start writing and researching and see where it takes you.

My writing process

When I first start out writing a paper I try to come up with a rough draft of my thesis. After I complete that I will then work off of my thesis. In college writing one all of our papers were supposed to be in the five paragraph form, so I am very comfortable now writing like that. I actually prefer writing it in a five paragraph form because it helps me stay very organized and neat and have everything in place. So the entire time I write my paper I continue to go back to my thesis to try to make it as powerful as I can. Then after I feel confident enough in my thesis I would then try to figure out what my three strongest points are. After figuring out what my strongest points or arguments are I will go through each one of them one by one and talk about them and make them into strong paragraphs and arguments. After I finish that I just combine everything into my conclusion paragraph and sum everything up. This would have to be my favorite way to write a paper mainly because I am very used to it by now and it keeps me organized and neat which is a big part of helping me write the best paper possible.

The Writing Process

My steps for the writing process are usually straight forward. I try to think of a topic that I like, that also pertains to the prompt that I am given. As I am deciding on a topic, I look up a little information about the topic to make sure I will like it and that I will have enough information to write about. Then, I like to make a rough outline of how I think it will flow nicely. Once I have the rough outline, I make a more in depth outline summarizing my main ideas with the research that I have done. I finally start writing my rough draft and every time I come back to it I always reread and edit while I write it. After many times of writing it I print it out and read it over and write over things that I do not like then add, subtract, and change as much as I feel is needed, sometimes it's a little too much editing. When I think that I am getting close to be finishing I make someone proofread it and make any additional changes that need to be made.

My Writing Process

My writing process is usually very informal. I take my topic and try to divide it into at least three different subjects with in the main topic. Then I take the length the paper is suppose to be and try to figure out how long each of those sub topics need to be. All of this is usually just in my head; I have yet to write anything down at this stage.

If the assignment is a research paper I would then begin to look for information. I might do this sooner if I have no knowledge of the topic, so I know how I want to divide it. After that my writing process is pretty flimsy, I just go from there, writing from topic to topic. After the paper is done, I’ll go back look for any mistakes, items I would like to change, like move sentences or paragraphs. On average that is how I write all my papers.

MY writing process

When I write I typically start thinking up ideas immediately after a prompt is introduced. I jot down the ideas in my head that seem relevant and/or interesting. I then just sit and try to start writing whatever comes to mind. Usually I end up with a paragraph that has no end, sentences here and there, and lots of things scratched out. In fact, most of this just becomes trash and I don't even use it in my papers.
I suppose that is my way of brainstorming. Some people like outlines and some like to use diagrams and all that fancy stuff, but I find that using organization methods like that make me feel trapped. I feel writing should be an adaptable process, one that can change often. Therefore, I don't like using methods that feel limiting and structured.
After my "brainstorming" routine, I then really start to think about what it is I am suppossed to be doing (who my audience is, what their expectations are, what kind of paper is it, etc.) and I go back and see what I've done thus far. If it is relevant, I consider keeping it, if it isn't I pitch it. Once I feel I have a good grasp on what my obligations are, I continue to work from there. Just writing and writing. At some point I go back and reread. I take notes about what I have written in certain spots (about it's content, grammer, relevance, maybe it would fit better somewhere else, etc.). Then, I again go over my obligations and do my best to make sure I have met them (because I have been known to stray). This is when I start to type up everything and that is when things change the most. I start thinking up new ideas and what not and I incorporate them and get rid of other things.
Finally, I let someone else read what I've written and provide input. Of course, this stage usually leads to more revision.

My Writing Process

My wiritng process for the most part is very simple. I like to gather all my research on the topic and then think about what I want to say and how to organize my writing. After I'm done with the research I ususally make a very basic outline just so I can organize my thoughts and know in what order I will present my points. I then begin to write the paper within the guidelines of the outline I made. After the paper is written I proofread the paper and decide if I like how it was organized and usually add more details. Most of the time I will end up switching paragraphs or moving things around before I hand it in. This is my typical writing process but it does sometimes vary due to the type of paper i write.

Reflection

I would say that my writing process is just being direct and straight to the point. I dont ever really do any brainstorming or deciding what I am going to write in any form other than in my head. I just have my topic in mind and write on what I have to say about it. My writing process involves research when called for, but generally, I just write what ever comes to mind while thinking about the topic and/or prompt. Here's a basic guide to my process: Step one, read the prompt and decide on opinion or answer options. Step two, do any necessary research or factfinding. Step three, write my paper (generally I like to type). Laslty, do some revision and editing and hand it in.