For this blog, I would like to start off with something that I found interesting. In chapter 14, Lopez asks himself "Is he happy?" Is Nathaniel actually happy with his life? I think that's a really great question that he brought up. He is a homeless middle aged man living in the dangerous streets of LA with no money, no food, no anything. Nathaniel has only the voices in his head and his instrument filled shopping cart. I know for sure that if I was living on the streets I wouldn't be happy. However, for a person with a mental illness, I'm pretty sure they wouldn't mind sleeping on the concrete ground or going a few days without showering. But does that still mean that they're happy and content with their lives?
Nathaniel seems to have everything he wants in life, and its not much. He seems to be content with his space on Skid Row and his instruments. He doesn't quite understand how dangerous and unsafe it is out in the streets though. It's ironic because he's out there every single day, witnessing what goes on. He sees the people lighting up crack pipes and the prostitutes at work. It's like his illness is blinding his brain from what he sees. It doesn't seem to register in his brain how he is putting his safety on the line, and his mental state also.
At this point, Lopez is getting really frustrated with everything. He is trying his hardest to get Nathaniel into the apartment. He even reserved the place just for Nathaniel. He wants to make sure that when or if Nathaniel comes around and finally wants to move in to the apartment, it will be there and be ready for him. However, I myself don't think the apartment will do him any justice if he doesn't get some kind of medical help. Not necessarily just medicine, but therapy also might steer him on the right track.
Speaking of medicine and therapy, Lopez seems very confused on how to exactly help Nathaniel's mental illness. Even though he's met many doctors the past few months and got advice and such, Lopez still is confused and frustrated. He doesn't quite know if he should force Nathaniel, or continue waiting for him to come around to get help. Will medicine help him, or is therapy that he needs?
Some points to focus on while reading my blog are the structure and flow of it.
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The ideas in this post are very organized and flow well. I think you do a fair job of answering the question of whether or not Nathanial is happy, by pointing out the things that would make most people unhappy but remininding your readers that Nathaniel has a mental illness.
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