blog entry #7

"WOW, That was fast." The 5 weeks are over and I cant believe I made It. As my last blog this semester, I have enjoyed writing the free write topics because it is what interest me. I liked the fact that when you write for others they respond to the topic and then you create a sense of connection to others. Additionally, The assign topics were very good topics to blog about. They were very easy to write about because we wll use technology and eat food. Also, the blog assignments were a help with writing to an audience, as well. 

In the past blog posting #2, I explained I did not know really what a blog was. Only by attending this I class, I learned what the purpose of the blog was for. 







Again, the blogs were a nice change from the traditional English class. I think all English classes should start to intertwine our uses of technology that is available. It gives a fum and educational experience. 

entry #6 CPAT

Have you ever thought of how a fire fighter are able to fight fire in all of their gear and still have enough energy to go about all the task that is needed. Yes, exercise and healthy life style....ect. But in the beginning,  intro-Fire fighters need to pass a Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT). The CPAT  is usually Broken down in to eight Steps that has to be done in a total of ten minutes and twenty seconds. 


The first step is the stair climb. The participant has to climb a stair master at a rate of sixty steps a minute while fully clothed in fire retardant clothing, helmet, gloves and a seventy five pound weighted vest to simulate the breathing apparatus. the start and end time of the activity is a total of three minutes and twenty seconds. 







With seven minutes left, the next step is a hose drag. where the candidate  run seventy five feet with hose in hand, make a right turn around a barrel and go an additional twenty five. They will have a line marked off for you to follow.Once you reach the red outlined box you’ll drop to a knee and start pulling the hose to you, in a hand over hand fashion, until the fifty foot marker crosses into the box with you.

Once the hose is pulled in you will have to the equipment carry portion.  Pick up each chainsaw from the shelf one at a time and walk them both, one in each hand, the seventy five feet around the barrel and back again. Once you get back place them on the ground and put the equipment back onto the shelf one at a time.

 Next step is the ladder raise and extension. this is an easy task but with all the extra weight and gear it proves to be difficult. the dropping of the ladders will result in a failed test. 

The fifth step is the forcible entry station. This station is where you would take a ten pound sludge hammer and hit a machine where it will read the amount of force the participant gives with one swing. It could take multiple swings until the buzzer rings and the amount of force is necessary to open a door.If the sludge hammer is dropped the participant will receive a failed test. 

The sixth test will be search station. This station will simulate the participant to crawl in a smoked filled room. The simulation starts with a box tunnel where the participant will crawl blind in a tunnel with different obstacles to over come.

The seventh station to over come is the rescue simulation where the participant will drag a dummy with dead weight across the floor seventy feet. 

The last and final stretch of the test the ceiling breach and pull. with a ceiling pike, the rookie will have to use the tool to force their way up and pull down on a weighted machine. 

Though all the skills are difficult, being able to be physical fit could be the the ending result of your life or the lives you were trusted.

Entry #5 food inc

I have seen the movie before and The truth still gets under my skin. When I make the purchase at the grocery store; I never thought of how it got there in the first place. I guess in my mind ignorance is bliss.

The images of abused animals are horrific. I cant imagine being beaten and left to die with no care in the world. the chicken houses that were shown on the movie were unlivable.A Tyson Chicken farmer says the chickens never even see sunlight – they are kept day and night in chicken houses with no windows. 

    In the movie, 30% of our land base in the US is used to grow corn because the government policy farmers are paid to overproduce this easy-to-store crop .Farmers are producing so much corn that food scientists had to come up with uses for it. I was amazed how corn was made in so many products.

I find it so sickening how there is little there is for us to do about the problem. The government that we are trusting is making money and creating the problems we have. some problems are the food deserts in america. this is where affordable and nutritious food is difficult to obtain. these food deserts are creating obesity and health problems to unsuspected consumers. 

The average chicken farmer (with two poultry houses) invests over $500,000 and makes only $18,000 a year. this example makes the farmer a slave to the company. how are these companies able to do this to these families? 

 I understand the business aspect of a company but there needs to be some kind of moral thought in the heads of the CEO giants. 

Entry#4 Sulcata tortoise

While looking on Craigslist I came upon an ad that read Baby sulcata tortoise just hatched $25. It was a tempting offer being that the price was so cheap.  I had wanted to have a tortoise since I was a small child.So, out of the blue, I called the number attached to the ad and agreed to meet. I bought the baby tortoise right then and there.



I was not too sure what or how to care for it. I looked up the information online and to my amazement it was more Care then I expected. Recommended habitat is a tortoise table. these are wooden tables are open topped living quarter with a heat lamp for sun bathing, dirt for burrowing, and closed areas for hiding. The tortoise needs to have a climate like its natural habitat




Tortoise are herbivores and  eat a many  greens and vegetables. variety is key when choosing the right food. Also, a tortoise will have to be keped hydrated. This can be done by sulking the tortoise. By filling up a small dish and placing the tortoise in a pool of water up to its mouth encourages it to drink.

 Tortoises generally should not be handled with any regularity. They are easily stressed when overhandled, and children tend to drop them when spooked. These stress factors can lead to a decline in a tortoise’s activity levels and health. They can grow in to a full adult that weighs over 100 pounds. At this weight, they tend to be between 70 to 90 years old depending on the sex of the tortoise. Usually, they out live their owners. with that big of a pet, it requires a special living quarter. Typically, a large tortoise would be kept out side and owners use dog houses to keep their tortoise in. 

I was way out of my head when I purchased the tortoise. But as time when on, I am happy with my little guy.

Entry #3: Wall-E

Alhough, I like the movie in general, I never thought of the analytical aspect.  Technology did do everything for the passengers on the ship. I mean everything! If they wanted another outfit it was as easy as pushing a button. So much so they all grew so much weight because they did not have to take care of themselves.

Everyone did not talk to each other. the use of technology was highly used by the passengers. There were no social interactions whatsoever. I am sure if wall-e did not disturb any of the guest, they would have lived out their lives with no face to face interaction.  Now, with our technology, we can have no interactions if we really wanted to. that is a scary idea to think about. 

T he most memorable part of the clip was when Mary and wall-e meet. she was so distracted by the conversation she was having, she did not know what was happening around her. when the screen had turned off from blocking her view, she looked in surprise where she was.This did remind me of how we are with our cell phones. We distract ourselves and miss the small details in our lives.   

Blog post #2 Cat Nap

Ever wonder why cats are so lazy. They seem are always doing one of four things; eating, drinking, using the cat box, and sleeping. Having two cats of my own, I feel like i never see them up. I usually give them a nudge just to make sure they are alive. But, is it typical to sleep that much?

Domestic cats usually sleep on an average of thirteen to sixteen hours a day. Thus, It is a way to conserve energy. In the wild, cats sleep in between hunts so they don't die from starvation due to lack of energy.

Sleeping involves a lot of factors like where it living situations are, the age and over all health of the cat. Domestic Cats sleep more because of the lack of stimulation of the brain. In simple terms;their bored. 

If you think your cat is lazy or good for nothing; just remember Its normal.

About Me

Hello all,

My Name is Manuel Buck and I am 26 years old. I currently live in Surprise,AZ with my wife Sarah and our two children Manuel Jr. and Isabella.

 When i'm not Super dad, i like to hang out the the guys and relax with a beer or two,

 I also enjoy cooking at home for my family, to try my latest creation.

I recently had a career change to better fit my schedule for school. I was working as a dining service manager at a fine dining senior living center. 

Now, I work at an Italian restaurant called Carrabas. Which means, Less stress and more free time for my self and the kids.

 I am currently at GCC for an associates degree for fire and operations.I would eventually like to be in the fire service to help and serve the public. 

post #1: A Blog Idiot

The Blog?

When asked in class, "who has read a blog?" I didn't know what a blog was or intended for. I have never thought of the idea of reading a blog, as well. Come to find out, I read one everyday. While reading the multiple blog entries for the assignment, I enjoyed the representation of the information.  I also liked the comment idea of an event or subject,which then, opens my thoughts and has me asking more questions about the subject.

While searching through blogs after blogs, I came across a very interesting one called Post secret, It is a community art project where people mail their secrets on one side of a post card. There is not much text to read just the postcards that are posted for that week, but it works, while searching the site, i found my self not just seeing post cards; but seeing pain and sadness of the individuals. For example, one postcard with a picture of an older couple dancing read," I cried when my grandparents were danced at my cousins wedding because i realized for the first time they might not be alive for mine". I imagine the secrets, if got out, would effect the lives of so many,We all have secrets whether you are willing to admit it or not. Are you willing to write one? It just might be the release you need.  www.postsecret.com

A not so favorite blog of mine is the A Mothership Down. It is a personal blog about parent hood. The main article that lost me from the start. It was a letter to girls who just graduated high school and going to woman hood. The author then explains some of the choices "the girls" will have to choose while on this journey.For instance, what to choose as a major in college, love interest and to be responsible. If I was in that age bracket or knew a girl who was going in to college then I might be interested. over all, there is something for every one.

The smitten kitchen is a lovely blog introducing stepped up comfort food. Its not your everyday over did food blog where you need that fancy ingredient to make the dish. NO! The author Deb Perelman believes food should be accessible to everyone.For example, one simple dish she writes about is a roasted tomato pasta salad has a total of 6 simple ingredients. I also enjoy where she gives her hilarious two sense about about the pre-made salads and how they are lacking in flavor. The authors voice is very clear how excited she is about food. 
www.smittenkitchen.com

 over all, I enjoyed the representation of the information of blogs and the comment idea of an event or subject,which then, opens my thoughts and has me asking more questions.