Graphic Organizer for Chapters 13 and 14 (Charlie Warnes)

Adam and “Bubble Gum” or more commonly referred to as BG have a love-hate relationship. It worked out perfectly that they both needed a roommate at the same time and were each looking at the same place but at the same time their personalities are too much alike. They both are extremely stubborn which leads to constant argument but luckily nothing ever gets too serious because they deal with each other for a long time (I think like 3 months or more). Whenever Adam buys food or anything BG always wants to borrow some of it but never really gives anything back to Adam except for when something needs to be fixed BG can fix anything. They both pay their rent but when it comes to little things like milk or cheese BG just “borrows” Adams… this is something that really angers Adam but for some reason he just puts up with it. BG and Adam balance each other out but sometimes the teeter-totter leans a little more one way that the other.

Questions Chapters 13 and 14 (Stephen Fisher)

When Adam side tracks from the story to mention circumstances in his past life such as, “She was just like my mom, she couldn’t throw anything away,” does this side track from the story and unnecessary, or help his story be more relatable to the readers?

One of the reasons Adam has more money than his roommate is because he doesn’t spend any money on alcohol and tobacco. So why do many people who are poor spend money on these unnecessary items.

What must this experience been like for Adams family? He goes back home for Christmas but he doesn’t mention any of their feelings. Why?

Adam mentions it takes him a long time before he realizes there is a free clinic for sick people. One could infer that Adam is not the first person to no know about some of the options available to those who are sick and poor. What kinds of consequences could this create in real life?

Answers:1) We found personally find the side stories distracting from the story. Not because their not important but, he never introduced his parents that much, so when he mentions them it seems awkward.
2)We thought think many people spend money on unnecessary items because of their social influences.
3)We think it would have been important for Adam to mention more about his family, so it helps the reader develop a better sense of the story he is telling.
4)We think there should be more information to people to help them find places that can help them.

Summary chapters 13 & 14 (Logan)

Adam moves into a new apartement with a guy named BG. The aparement is not well kept and in rough shape. BG and Adam take a couple of days to make the apartement more livable and Adam realizes that BG is going to be tough to live with, because it is his way and nothing else. Derrick also offers BG to join their crew, which Adam was not too fond of after a while because of the lack of effort that BG put into his job.Adam and BG eventually start to argue over the electric bill, as they racked up a hefty amount one month. Adam also does a move that takes eighteen and a half hours, which he describes in quite detail.

I thought that Adam uses great imagery in this section of the chapters, because of how he explained all of the rooms in the house and also how he explained how the lady's two car garage was filled with random assortements. Another example is how he explained his dancing skills during chpater 13.

Summary (Stephen Fisher) 11-12

Chapter eleven begins with Adam going downtown for work. This is the first time Adam has tried to accomplish his moving job in a crowded urban area. Unfortunately while on the job, Adam hurts his toe and breaks it. This injury becomes so unbearable that he has to quit doing his labor moving job and work at Fast Company doing non-labor intensive tasks. Adam also finally gets his own room; he rents out a small place to live from a guy who is a friend of one of his employers. His work also pays off in the end and he is able to purchase a truck.
Chapter twelve begins with Adam discussing some of the problems that come with working at Fast Company. He describes his charismatic and somewhat frantic boss who has a short temper along with his moving partner who doesn’t work well with others. Finally Adam confronts one of his managers and gets a new partner who he works well with. Adam continues to follow his goals and at the end of the chapter plans his move to a larger apartment.

Throughout these two chapters, the author uses simple diction in his description of events. He also sidetracks from the story as he asks questions to himself. These “what if” questions seem to be implanted to help the reader develop questions about his life experience. Questions such as: “What if this had happened to one of my buddies who had been washing dishes and had no money saved up at all?”. These questions are also spaced apart from the text to help them stand out more.

Vocabulary Chapters 11 and 12 (Charlie Warnes)

1. Applicable (pg. 147) = Can be applied; relevant or appropriate.
2. Disposition (pg. 150) = Temperament or frame of mind; manner of placing or arranging.
3. Nonchalant (pg.150) = Seeming to be coolly unconcerned or indifferent.
4. Hindsight (pg.151) = The ability to understand, after something has happened, what should have been done or what caused the event.
5. Utterly (pg.152) = Completely; absolutely; entirely.
6. Exploiting (pg. 152) = To use or manipulate something to one’s advantage.
7. Blue-collar (pg.153) = Relating to wage earners, especially as a class, whose jobs are performed in work clothes and often involve manual labor.
8. Animosity (pg.162) = A powerful and active dislike or hostility; enmity.
9. Flak (pg. 163) = A great deal of adverse criticism.
10. Condescension (pg.165) = The act or instance of behaving in a patronizing way.

Visual Chapters 11 & 12 (Logan)

Throughout chapters 11 and 12, Adam showed significant signs that he was a gentleman. Adam looked out for others, and also showed his appreciation for others in both chapters. Adam tried to stay positive in most of the situations that he was put in, and this helps him during the two chapters. If Adam would have taken the pessimistic way, maybe he would be without a job, but he stayed positive and is doing well during chapters 11 and 12.

Discussion Questions Chapters 11 & 12 (Cody Sanoy)

1. One of the main goals of Adams experiment is to make $2500. If he doesn't accomplish this then he fails. Do you think it is smart for Adam to move out of the shelter? or do you think he should live there for as long as possible so he can save up more money?

It seems as if it is Adam's best interest to save as much money as possible. He even said he had the best time of his life in the shelter, and it's free. This makes it confusing to understand why he is leaving. If he stayed there just another month he could save up an extra $400 dollars or so which would go a long way.

2. Derrick is considered to be the best move at fast company and Adam looks up to him like a celebrity. Do you think Derrick is a role model for all of the movers or is Adam crazy for how amazing he thinks Derrick is?

Derrick is definitely a good mover but it seems weird to think so highly of him just because he can move well. It doesn't seem like that is really an important trait to have. It makes Adam look weird for talking so much about Derrick.

3. Do you think it was weird for Adam to write a letter to the bus driver? How do you think the bus driver reacted to the letter?

It's interesting that Adam wrote the letter. At first it seems like a weird thing to do because the bus driver never really did anything extraordinary, but it shows how a small gesture can make a big difference. It must be really hard for Adam at times to be doing this project. He missing his friends and family so seeing one friendly face every day can make a difference.

4. Similar to the question about moving out of the apartment, is it smart for Adam to buy a car when he car just ride the bus? we know that he getting a car is one of his goals but should he have waited until he had more money to spend so he could get a car that had less of a chance to break down?

Adam doesn't seem to be making all of the smartest financial decisions. Everything he spends money on sets him back and although he needs a car the sooner he buys it the less he can spend on it. Also, the longer he has the car the more time it has to break down, this seems even more likely because of how much he spent on it and how old it is.