Eric Pancoast
Diagnostic Essay
Eng 111
21, Aug, 09
Imagine you woke up one day, and to your surprise, you find that you have gained a super-power. How, you cannot say. Weather you gained your super attribute by a radioactive spider bite, or you’re really an alien from the planet Krypton, you don’t know. What if you had the luxury of choosing that power, a privilege most superheroes do not get, what power would you choose? I am sure you’ve already begun thinking of the various super powers and possibilities that potentially come with them, and a few of them probably stand out over the others. But don’t be so quick to make your decision. The choice isn’t as simple as you may think.
First, I think you should start by considering other super heroes and their powers and weaknesses in order to make your decision an educated one. Why don’t we start with Superman, sure, he is multi talented! He can fly, he has super strength and laser vision, and I wouldn’t mind being indestructible, either. But all that doesn’t come without consequence. Superman has to pretend to be Clark Kent, an alien trying to fit in among humans, living a lie in a world he will never fit into. And besides, would you want to be at the mercy of any chump with kryptonite? I didn’t think so. One more thing you must consider is your nemesis. Every super hero has an evil nemesis. What about the Incredible Hulk? Wouldn’t it be nice to smash and throw giant objects with impunity? I can think of several times that I wished I was The Incredible Hulk in a fit of anger. But all the strength of a radioactive hulk still won’t help you against an evil super genius villain, which you would undoubtedly run into, as there is no contest of strength with The Hulk. So, what super power would I choose? Good question!
Let me tell you the story of Charles Chance. Charles was born on Friday the thirteenth and 2 weeks late, and that sort of set the pace for the rest of his life. Charles considered himself to be the unluckiest man on earth. He was short, balding at the age of 28 and rather pudgy. When he was little he had fallen and chipped his tooth on the corner of a desk and so now his front tooth was chipped in half in an unattractive way. Because of his appearance people often regarded him dubiously with untrusting looks. But Charles had a heart of gold. He went out of his way to help everybody, though most of the time he ended up making matters worse with his clumsiness. And as a result Charles’ bad luck, he didn’t leave his house much except to go to the market and get his weekly supply of donuts, as he delighted in them; particularly raspberry jelly filled ones. So one day Charles came home from a long day at work and decided to go straight to bed, stubbing his toes on every corner on the way. He dreaded the next day, for he expected it would be an unlucky day just like every other day since he could remember. And to make matters worse he had eaten his last donut, a chocolate covered donut ring, that evening. When morning came along Charles didn’t want to get out of bed, “ I would rather dream of a life better than my own,” he grumbled. A beam of light came made its way through the blinds and hit him right in the eyes, forcing him awake. After a few minutes of attempting to stay in bed he conceded and got up and decided to go to the store for some more donuts.
He had a long walk to the market, since he had no car; Charles had decided against driving after his first few disastrous experiences behind the wheel. So he set off down the Side walk and was quite surprised to find the weather that day was delightful! Usually it turned to rain the moment he left his house, today the sun was shining and there was a gentle breeze floating down to him, cool and refreshing. But as he walked his stomach growled, and he regretted not having a bite to eat before he set out. At that exact moment a twenty dollar bill came flying down the street carried by the breeze, and slapped right him right between his eyes. He could hardly believe his luck. Charles went and ate breakfast and took the bus to the market with his money that had come to him by chance. When He got off the bus he strolled down the street whistling a tune, glowing with new confidence. Charles was almost skipping when he entered the market, completely oblivious to the fact that by chance he had walked into the store while a robbery was in process. So completely unaware was he, that in return no one had seen him enter the building either, he just wondered why the isles were so empty. The Robber was in the process of tying up all the employees and customers and had already gagged them in isle 4 when Charles found the donuts in isle 5. There he found a box full of Jelly filled donuts, 50% off and buy one get one free, to boot!
“What spectacular luck!” He exclaimed, “What a change of fortune I have had today, if the day keeps going like this, I will have to buy a lottery ticket.” the thief was startled nearly out of his wits by the voice, and was just about to turn around and ask his partner in crime just who in the hell was talking in the opposite isle, when Charles bent over to pick up the box of donuts and accidently hit a stack of canned foods with his rather rotund bottom. The cans tumbled over the robbers, and luckily not a single customer or employee was touched by the avalanche of beans, soup, and canned veggies. However, the would be thieves were completely pinned down, and rendered helpless. Charles turned around and after a brief moment, realized what was going on, blushed, mumbled something incomprehensible and shuffled his feet uncomfortably. Just then the sirens blared and Police burst through the door. The police officers looked from the thieves incapacitated on the floor to the short, balding man standing over them and broke out in laughter, and then applause! After the hostages had all been untied and could speak clearly, and he had completed his statement to the police, humble Charles went on his way home. “Wait!” he heard behind him, and he spun around to see a particularly beautiful cashier hurrying towards him. She rushed to him and planted a kiss right on his lips! Later, all Charles could recall of the moment was being so nervous he almost fainted. And, at that moment, Charles was thinking that his life had taken quite a lucky turn for the better! And indeed it had, from that day on Things went on very differently for Charles Chance.
Diagnostic Essay
Eng 111
21, Aug, 09
Imagine you woke up one day, and to your surprise, you find that you have gained a super-power. How, you cannot say. Weather you gained your super attribute by a radioactive spider bite, or you’re really an alien from the planet Krypton, you don’t know. What if you had the luxury of choosing that power, a privilege most superheroes do not get, what power would you choose? I am sure you’ve already begun thinking of the various super powers and possibilities that potentially come with them, and a few of them probably stand out over the others. But don’t be so quick to make your decision. The choice isn’t as simple as you may think.
First, I think you should start by considering other super heroes and their powers and weaknesses in order to make your decision an educated one. Why don’t we start with Superman, sure, he is multi talented! He can fly, he has super strength and laser vision, and I wouldn’t mind being indestructible, either. But all that doesn’t come without consequence. Superman has to pretend to be Clark Kent, an alien trying to fit in among humans, living a lie in a world he will never fit into. And besides, would you want to be at the mercy of any chump with kryptonite? I didn’t think so. One more thing you must consider is your nemesis. Every super hero has an evil nemesis. What about the Incredible Hulk? Wouldn’t it be nice to smash and throw giant objects with impunity? I can think of several times that I wished I was The Incredible Hulk in a fit of anger. But all the strength of a radioactive hulk still won’t help you against an evil super genius villain, which you would undoubtedly run into, as there is no contest of strength with The Hulk. So, what super power would I choose? Good question!
Let me tell you the story of Charles Chance. Charles was born on Friday the thirteenth and 2 weeks late, and that sort of set the pace for the rest of his life. Charles considered himself to be the unluckiest man on earth. He was short, balding at the age of 28 and rather pudgy. When he was little he had fallen and chipped his tooth on the corner of a desk and so now his front tooth was chipped in half in an unattractive way. Because of his appearance people often regarded him dubiously with untrusting looks. But Charles had a heart of gold. He went out of his way to help everybody, though most of the time he ended up making matters worse with his clumsiness. And as a result Charles’ bad luck, he didn’t leave his house much except to go to the market and get his weekly supply of donuts, as he delighted in them; particularly raspberry jelly filled ones. So one day Charles came home from a long day at work and decided to go straight to bed, stubbing his toes on every corner on the way. He dreaded the next day, for he expected it would be an unlucky day just like every other day since he could remember. And to make matters worse he had eaten his last donut, a chocolate covered donut ring, that evening. When morning came along Charles didn’t want to get out of bed, “ I would rather dream of a life better than my own,” he grumbled. A beam of light came made its way through the blinds and hit him right in the eyes, forcing him awake. After a few minutes of attempting to stay in bed he conceded and got up and decided to go to the store for some more donuts.
He had a long walk to the market, since he had no car; Charles had decided against driving after his first few disastrous experiences behind the wheel. So he set off down the Side walk and was quite surprised to find the weather that day was delightful! Usually it turned to rain the moment he left his house, today the sun was shining and there was a gentle breeze floating down to him, cool and refreshing. But as he walked his stomach growled, and he regretted not having a bite to eat before he set out. At that exact moment a twenty dollar bill came flying down the street carried by the breeze, and slapped right him right between his eyes. He could hardly believe his luck. Charles went and ate breakfast and took the bus to the market with his money that had come to him by chance. When He got off the bus he strolled down the street whistling a tune, glowing with new confidence. Charles was almost skipping when he entered the market, completely oblivious to the fact that by chance he had walked into the store while a robbery was in process. So completely unaware was he, that in return no one had seen him enter the building either, he just wondered why the isles were so empty. The Robber was in the process of tying up all the employees and customers and had already gagged them in isle 4 when Charles found the donuts in isle 5. There he found a box full of Jelly filled donuts, 50% off and buy one get one free, to boot!
“What spectacular luck!” He exclaimed, “What a change of fortune I have had today, if the day keeps going like this, I will have to buy a lottery ticket.” the thief was startled nearly out of his wits by the voice, and was just about to turn around and ask his partner in crime just who in the hell was talking in the opposite isle, when Charles bent over to pick up the box of donuts and accidently hit a stack of canned foods with his rather rotund bottom. The cans tumbled over the robbers, and luckily not a single customer or employee was touched by the avalanche of beans, soup, and canned veggies. However, the would be thieves were completely pinned down, and rendered helpless. Charles turned around and after a brief moment, realized what was going on, blushed, mumbled something incomprehensible and shuffled his feet uncomfortably. Just then the sirens blared and Police burst through the door. The police officers looked from the thieves incapacitated on the floor to the short, balding man standing over them and broke out in laughter, and then applause! After the hostages had all been untied and could speak clearly, and he had completed his statement to the police, humble Charles went on his way home. “Wait!” he heard behind him, and he spun around to see a particularly beautiful cashier hurrying towards him. She rushed to him and planted a kiss right on his lips! Later, all Charles could recall of the moment was being so nervous he almost fainted. And, at that moment, Charles was thinking that his life had taken quite a lucky turn for the better! And indeed it had, from that day on Things went on very differently for Charles Chance.
