"Friendship isn't about who you've known the longest, it's about who came and never left your side." -unknown

What is the definition of a true friendship? Some would say that it's two people who share common interests, or spend a great amount of time together. Some would say that it's two people who will support each other no matter what. There are many different types of friendships. The friendship between Steve Lopez and Nathaniel Ayers is probably one of the most unique ever written about. Although they were not on the same level in many ways, they still managed to form a special bond and mutual care for each other.

Since this friendship was so far from ordinary, its authenticity was naturally questioned. There were many who believed that Lopez was simply using Ayers because his story became so popular. When a man came to him with these accusations, Lopez became very defensive, saying "it's none of your business," over and over. His actions made it seem as if the accusations were true, and probably caused more speculation.

Despite the reasons that may cause one to think Lopez was exploiting Nathaniel, his true loyalty shone through in the end. He stood by him throughout his slow but steady steps to recovery. He believed in Nathaniel even when it seemed as if there was nothing to believe in. When Nathaniel lashed out at him, Lopez not only forgave him, but continued to befriend him. He was able to understand that Nathaniel's seemingly hateful outburst was caused by his illness, not because he truly meant the words that he said. These are the qualities of a dedicated friend. A genuine friend is able to see beyond the surface and discover the real reason for the other person's actions. A real friend not only accepts your flaws, but understands them.

The Soloist 13-22

Throughout this story, the most difficult question for Steve Lopez seems to not be whether or not he is able to help Nathaniel, but how. There is no instant cure for people with Nathaniel's disease, and Lopez seems to always be wondering if what he is doing the right thing. These constant doubts lead him to consult many experts, all of them offering different opinions. So which method of treatment really is best?

Of course, there are the psychiatrists who believe that Nathaniel must be on medication. They think that is the only way for him to get well. Nathaniel endured some bad experiences with prescription medications in the past, and understandably does not want to use them again. He claimed that they made him feel like a "zombie." It makes a person wonder, is that really a cure for his disease? Is the best way to handle an overactive mind is to make it not think at all? Then there's Dr. Ragins, who believes in using a more comprehensive approach. He talks with each patient and gets to know their unique personality. A method that works for one person will not necessarily work for someone else.

If there is one thing that all of the doctors seem to agree on, it's that Lopez is helping Nathaniel simply by showing him compassion and friendship. That seems to be the one thing that all of the patients need. Without support and encouragement, no one in Nathaniel's situation could ever really get better.

The Soloist chapters 7-12

The Soloist is definitely a story that becomes more interesting as you read it. One cannot help but be intrigued with Nathaniel's story and its unexpected twists and turns. You try to predict what will happen next, only to be surprised by the outcome. I personally have a feeling that Nathaniel's story will take a turn for the worst before there is a great amount of improvement. The way things are right now seem a little too calm. I also wonder how much longer Lopez will continue to help Nathaniel, or if he will lose patience and abandon him. So far, Lopez has proved to be a devoted friend, but there is only so much one person is able to endure. I am interested in seeing how the rest of this story unfolds.

The Soloist Chapters 1-6

In many ways, Steve Lopez can be considered a pioneer. His decision to write about Nathaniel Ayers for his column was a bold move in his career. His decision to befriend Ayers and take a great interest in him as a person was inspirational. Mental illness is too often considered a taboo subject and swept under the rug. Many people believe that individuals with mental illnesses are incapable of living normal lives and need to be put away from the rest of society. Through his words and actions, Lopez has taken the first step in helping people like Nathaniel; by making the public aware that they are full of potential.

When Lopez and Ayers became friends, two distinct worlds and perspectives collided. One was Nathaniel's world, the inside. Up until that point, Nathaniel lived much of his life trapped in his own head. He would interact with the strangers who appreciated his music, but was afraid of letting anyone too close. He obviously suffered some tragic times in his past and probably did not want to be reminded of them.

The other world was Lopez's, the outside. Lopez probably felt as if Nathaniel was a house with locked doors and he was looking for a window to peer inside. He wanted to help him as much as possible, but was not sure how or who to turn to. Although we are not sure how the story will end, and for people like Nathaniel the struggle is never really over, Lopez has helped to make a brighter future for him and many others in situations like his.

The Catcher in the Rye

Who is Holden Caulfield? The narrator of The Catcher in the Rye has become one of the most infamous characters in American literature. Some view him as a symbol of the angst and emotions that teenagers experience. Others believe he is a spoiled brat. So who is Holden, a figure of adolescent tribulations, or a self-absorded droppout?

In several ways, Holden posseses the viewpoint of someone much older and more experienced than he is. He believes that there is almost no kindness in people. He can easily identify people's alterior motives, often calling them "phonies." He also seems to not want to have strong personal ties to anyone, not even his own family. He feels he can't rely on anyone but himself. This outlook on life is shared by many individuals who are Holden's age.

As mature as his persepective might make him seem, Holden is actually quite immature. When we meet him, he is flunking out of a school for the third time. This is not because he is not intellegent, but because he doesn't give any effort. Many teens have emotional issues, but it is not a good excuse to fail school. Holden is also a self-proclaimed compulsive liar. His belief that no one is genuine could simply be a reflection of his own personality and the front that he puts on. He acts tough, but cannot handle himself when he gets in fights.

The supreme example of his immaturity is the fact that by the end of the story he learns nothing from is experiences. So is Holden Caulfield some kind of culture hero? He seems more like your average loser.

**I would like my writing to be read for organization and originality. Other than that, anything else you think of is up to you =).**

The Death of a Salesman

" I don't know the key to success, but the key to failure is trying to please everybody." - Bill Cosby

People of Willy Loman's type are truly a dying breed. Today, many people view success as becoming rich, obtaining the things they desire, and ultimately satisfying themselves. Willy Loman's view of success was quite different. While he worked very hard to make money, his greatest goal seemed to be to gain the respect and approval of all others around him. He needed to feel important and accepted in order to have peace of mind. When Willy began to feel like he was not wanted or respected, he began to self destruct. In his desire to constantly please others, he destroyed himself and greatly hurt his family.

Willy had a somewhat strange relationship with the members of his family, especially with his son, Biff. Willy's desire for success was prevalent in every aspect of his life. Biff was thirty-four years old and still did not have a respectable career. Willy most likely saw this as a reflection upon himself. He was very hard in Biff because in his eyes, his son's failure was his own failure. As if their relationship wasn't shakey enough, it took a turn for the worst when Biff discovered that Willy was having an affair. Biff could not understand why his father would do such a thing. I believe that this goes back to Willy's obsessive need to be wanted. Being desired by a young woman gave him a boost of self-esteem.

Willy also seemed to be somewhat controlling over his wife, Linda. At times it seemed as if he was listening to her, but in the end he got the final say. This unhealthy relationship seems to be the reason why Linda did not confront her husband when she discovered that he was trying to kill himself. If they had had a more equal and open relationship, she could have helped him overcome his need to please everyone. Maybe the death of this salesman would not have come in such a tragic way.

Opinions on blogging

To my surprise, I found blogging to be a really great experience overall. I'd never done anything like it before and I think it's an easy and productive way to submit assignments. It's great for all of us to be able to share our writing because we get to hear different opinions on the literature that we read and we are able to see things from different perspectives. I also think that having your own blog makes your writing a lot more personal and original. I feel that it's a unique type of community. I hope we can continue to do this throughout the rest of the year.