Prewrite for Essay

I've never really been in any communities such as clubs at school or church but there is one in particular that I owe a great deal to. In the form of a private "faction", this select group focuses mainly on music. The Reaper's Immortal Faction, is geared towards Extreme Metal. (Genres like Death, Black, Doom, etc) A specific application process is required to join. One must enter favorite bands, genres, bands within those genres and opinions on other music genres. A user's app is then voted in inside the faction and later responded to. The rules have become a lot more lax as of late, due to key members being inactive or some other reason.

I really enjoy this community because of the music news and bands that are discovered and shared every day. We discuss what concerts we go to, what merchandise we've purchased recently, etc. Other activities include polls, top 10 lists and annual tournaments. Most of the members are very open minded towards other types of music. Before I joined, I was mainly into bands like Maiden, Priest and Sabbath. This community has really evolved and shaped my tastes. However, it's not just music that this faction is about. We have threads on various other topics as well. (subjectless, games, movies, etc)

Some disadvantages are being called elitists by users whose app doesn't make the cut and members changing their taste to something the faction is against but not being able to be kicked because of their seniority. Another disadvantage is since the Extreme Metal genres are for a niche group, there are not a lot of members since it's takes a unique understanding of knowledge of those genres as well as understanding for other music genres as well.

I've been in this community for over 2 years and while it's not the same as it used to be, it's the only reason I remain with it's parent website to continue being a member.

Reflections on Module I

I really surprised myself as both a student and a professional during Module I. I say that because of being the top performer in Tech class and tying for 1^st place in my elevator pitch. I just did what came naturally, which was completing all of my assignments on time. I never expected to earn such a high grade for my major tests and overall grade in Tech. I am proud of my own dedication to my work such as my note taking and staying up as late as possible/getting up early to get my work done.  I am also quite proud of earning no infractions for Module I.

I was disappointed by the procrastination that I did to complete certain assignments. I would be easily distracted, whether it was by a game, TV or something else. Because of that, I would have to stay up late or get up early or worst yet, do it on my commute over. It’s a growth area that I seek to improve for not only this next Module but life in general. 

Anywhere I Lay My Head...

I am who I am. Those are powerful words. I’m referring specifically in correspondence to the various homes that I’ve called my own. To be perfectly honest, I’ve never really felt completely at ease in any of these locations. I could add on and say that I am who I am despite the neighborhood/s I lived in. I grew up in Forest Park, Georgia in a small house at the bottom of a hill. Before I was born, I’ve been told that there was a forest next to our house and things were great. However, the trees were chopped down and the government installed a cul-de-sac where they stood. I’ll be frank, some low level people moved in and quickly showed their stance to my family and I. They were racist, mainly against my mom but that hate spread to all of us. It never got too violent but there were several incidents. We did have a very kind neighbor next to us, so it wasn’t all bad. We packed up and headed west to California when I was seven.

Next was London Street in San Francisco. After staying with my grandma for a bit, we got ourselves a place, courtesy of my uncle. This place was very trying for my family because of next door neighbors, their dog, and things between my uncle’s family and my mom. We got out to Vallejo in the early 2000s.

Springhill Garden apartment complex certainly had its share of incidents in the seven years I lived there. “Scenarios” but I leave it at that. We moved just up the hill to another complex called Avian Glen after that. Like all of them, it’s been interesting and just like all of them, started off good then got worse. There have been some sketchy “situations”, so to speak.

So that’s it. Those are my homes. I haven’t really felt connected to any of them, so they haven’t shaped me. They’re given me experiences but my family has been the main thing that matters and continues to matter. It doesn’t matter where I lay my head.

Deconstructing thoughts on the "Poverty Business"

This week's reading was very telling on how the poor are taken advantage of by companies, regardless of stature. They prey on these people's desperation and ignorance. One such instance is Vincent Humphries, who attempted to buy a “top-of-the-line” PC from a company called BlueHippo. When he realized the terms of payment, he tried to opt out but was given the run-around. Even he admitted had he been more sagacious about it, this wouldn't have happened. Of course, it's not just his fault nor is his situation unique. These companies have honed in on millions across the US.

They have literally developed a system that has categorized countless financial statistics on a person, evaluating their “vitals” so to speak. These people are targeted specifically. One company even adjusts their prices for the individual, a clever ploy to reel them in. What these people fail to realize however, is that “if something is too good to be true, it usually is.” I understand that they have run out of options and their only saving grace comes in the form of mail for a credit card or loans but they have to know their boundaries. It certainly doesn't help when said interest or loan fees are fed into a stove upon arrival. I definitely don't agree with these companies' business practices but the poor aren't helping matters.

The opportunity divide continues to widen because of this very issue. The poor obviously can't cross it given their situation and any attempt is brought down by their lack of restraint fed upon by underhanded and devious business methods. They lure them in with aesthetically pleasing logos or low prices at first but then reveal the true nature by burying them in huge interest rates and fees. These companies don't care about ethics, all they want is profit. This cycle will continue unless the poor are educated. Perhaps some kind of free or affordable government issued financial consulting or classes would alleviate matters to an extent. It goes without saying that the companies would have to be more lenient with their extravagant rates and fees.