play!

1) It was hard to create an entire story based off of a few sets and pure dialogue. It was very cool being able to explore the different opportunities availed within this form. I didn't find pleasant surprises in writing a play. I didn't find any surprises what so ever. It really isn't THAT hard to write a play, and I knew what I was getting into from the get-go. I think screen-plays would be really cool to indulge in. It is way more modern and able to emotionally grasp viewers through every word.

2) I don't really know what story I'd want to relate with my personal life. There are alot of stories that I have stunningly found a big relation with my life but in truth's sense I feel that my life is like stories that have been written, but in a completely new style. I have written my life thus far, and I feel it is a completely unique lifestyle and I find pride within being unique.

3) If I was giving advice to a 10 year old I would say: "hey dude, as your going into the best years of your life, really sit down and think about how you want to live them. It's so easy to get caught up in all the highschool drama and mean competition; but is that really going to make you happy? Can you really find a fulfilling joy within all of that? My mom once sat me down at the kitchen counter with a boiling pot of water. She grabbed an egg, a carrot and some coffee grounds. She put them in the pot, and after 5 minutes she pulled out the carrot and the egg. She then told me that the pot of water was like Highschool, and there are different types of people. Ones like the egg who go into highschool and come out hardened from the experience. There are ones like the carrot who go into highschool hard and thinking they are the shit, but come out soft and molded by others. Then there are the coffee grounds who go into highschool and spread into their surroundings, influencing others along the journey. What type of person do you want to be?"

1. How important is theme in what you write? Does a great piece of literature need to express an idea? Explain your thoughts on the matter using examples from things you've read. In your response, address the opposing viewpoint. (Write at least 100 words.)

Theme is the key to unlocking the doors of readers hearts. A great piece of literature needs to express and underlying idea to make people think and even change their ways. For example, The Great Gatsby satirically makes people open their eyes and through Gatsby and other characters the hearts of readers are brought into the text when the novel is able to display general follies of society itself. Themes make people reflect, contemplate, and introspectively understand their standpoint on the underlying morality.

2. Great works of literature can last a long time. Jane Austen's novels (including Pride and Prejudice, Emma, and Sense and Sensibility) are still popular almost 200 years after they were first published. Anne Bradstreet's poems have survived about 400 years. The works of Greek playwright Euripides (who wrote Medea) have survived for over 2000 years. What do you think causes great literary works to live forever? Could you ever foresee yourself writing something that lasts that long? (Write at least 75 words.)

Personally, I feel that something that lasts forever beautifully collabrates on and creates a personal connotation, metaphorically seeing ourselves in the text. Literature is art. What makes a painting good? Blatant tallent and the emotion evoked and brought to life with the piece. I could definitely see myself writing something that could last that long, not right now though. If I could just develop my skills, I know I'de be able to tap into amazing works. I have the heart, I have the mind, I have the pen, I just need the ink.

3. If you could have one long-lasting impact on the world around you, what would you want it to be? Explain why that is important to you and how, as a writer, you could have the chance to make that impact. (Write at least 100 words.)

Through my words, I would like to influence people to open their eyes and grow up. I would like to somehow influence society in a way that could somehow change how they think and act. Like in my previous blog post, I want people to love for one another, not love soully to be loved. I know I have the heart to make big things happen, the true question is do I have the motivation and self confidence to defy society's grip. Through my words I can make an impact, words are a beautiful, yet merciless power. You can influence how people think, feel, act through personal expression. I have the power to unlock the door of peoples hearts.

Release

1. What is something you see in your world that concerns you? This could be something among your peer group, something you see in America, or something you see in the world. What is your interpretation of this topic and why do you feel that way?

I am frustrated with the complete warped reality of today’s society. I am frustrated with this “subconscious tape” playing in every guy’s head of “I need to get the girl, no matter what, or else I am not a ‘real’ man”, and this “subconscious tape” playing in the minds of girls saying “I have to do what ever I can to be seen”. It plays in my head, and I’m sure it plays in yours. I try to tune it out as much as I can, but it will always be playing in the back of my head. It creates a sense of complete disrespect for the opposite sex and an immature selfishness within everyone. They say that little boys are graduating from college these days. No one knows how to love, or respect another. Today’s society has lost the truth of what it means to be a Real Man.



2. What is one dynamic personality you have either known personally or know about? Describe the person (feel free to use a made up name if desired) and explain what makes him/her dynamic. Include any specific examples if you can.

The personality of “Cool-Kat” has frustrated me for years. He has always been an acquaintance of mine, but deep down I have always had an unspoken deceit towards Cool-Kat. To be blunt, he is everything I described in question 1. He is basically a disrespectful, cold self-indulged slob. No moral basis what so ever. I mean I may act out every once in a while with disrespect to speak up for an opinion I have, but Cool-Kat belligerently cuts into people around him, constantly to be funny. It’s not really the fact that he cuts into people around him, people don’t have to take it personally and usually don’t but how he acts upon others. He has never maintained a true-relationship in high school, cheating on every single girl. He basically spits in peoples faces and laughs. He has always been nice to me, but I have never been able to stand Cool-Kat deep down. I risked our friendship when I told his girlfriend how he’d been getting around, but he still holds no beef towards me. Even with all this hurt and blatant disrespect, he still remains Cool-Kat and a popular slob who goes on strutting through the halls spitting in innocence face.



3. What is one piece of art (painting, movie, book, song, whatever) that has greatly inspired you? What is that piece and what about it has inspired you? Explain in detail.

This song has inspired me to just go with life and not look back. I can spend my time worrying about everyone else’s permission, or I can just live. I can experience life, love and happiness on my own. Living, Loving, and Enjoying this time we have without the influential hardening of everyone else.

“Coconut Skins”
By Damien Rice

You can hold her hand
and show her how you cry
Explain to her your weakness so she understandsands
then roll over and die
or you can brave decisions
before you crumble up inside
Spend your time asking everyone else's permission
then run away and hide

You can sit on chimneys
put some fire up your ass
No need to know what you're doing or waiting for
but if anyone should ask..
Tell them I've been lickin' coconut skins
and we've been hanging out
Tell them god just dropped by to forgive our sins
and relieve us our doubt...
La la la la la...

You can hold her eggs
but your basket has a hole
You can like between her legs and go looking for..
Tell her you're searchin' for her soul
You can wait for ages
Watch your compost turn to coal
but time is contagious
Everybody's getting old

So you can sit on chimneys,
Put some fire up your ass
No need to know what you're doing or looking for,
but if anyone should ask...
Tell them i've been lickin' coconut skins
and we've been hanging out
tell them God just dropped by to forgive our sins
and relieve us our doubt
La la la la la...

Happiness

Happiness comes in result of a personal succession. Happiness is the emotion released deep in our heart that disperses itself throughout our entirety, becoming numb; in a sense high on the goodness in our lives. Pure happiness comes from selfless deeds we do, not for the glory or the respect others give because of our actions, but for the soul purpose of helping others. My greatest happiness comes from helping others realize the goodness in their lives, it comes from helping others realize their potential. That brings true fulfillment in my heart, specifically when my friends come to me for help. Another great source of happiness in my life is my personal succession on the football team. I worked my ass off all summer and finally was able to see my hard work payed off. That personal succession changed my entire senior year. Playing on such a successful team with players I've come to and love inside and out has truly changed my life experience, fulfilling my heart truly. My friends and family have influence over my happiness. How they act and treat me really influences my mood. For example, when my friend sarcastically shoots me down, I often times take it personally and carry that with me for the rest of the day. I also influence others based on my actions and mood. I influence my girlfriend, my family, my teachers, classmates, teammates, coaches, and friends through how I act around them. I try my best to have a smile on and really be in depth with them when I am around them, because it makes me feel good. My greatest need in life is the love of others. I can not be happy with out it, it enables me to fully enjoy the wonders of this life. Without it I would not be able to express and bring out my love.

Whirlspin

Vibrations ripple, out and away.
Circles slowly grow and fade.
Meaning comes from the soul within,
An illustrious freedom from this whirlspin.
I have the power to unlock the door.
Yet I'm a damn coward with my knees on the floor.

All we are is time, here to make our history,
Here to write our rhyme.
All we are is time, a predetermined destiny,
Caught between the lines.

Just another pebble, lost in this tide.
With a nasty little devil who conducts the ride.
As the night, she strangles every last breath,
Of a weary day unto his icy death.

All we are is time, here to make our history,
Here to write our rhyme.
All we are is time, a predetermined destiny,
Caught between the lines.

Fight to last, run to seek.
Cause the judgements cast, tempt the weak.
A power lies deep within,
Here to free us from this whirlspin.
Resist and sing stronger,
Or embrace to become.
As the granules fall into their places,
It seems funny how easily time erases.
Life's hand grips tight, but can give in.
As we fall deeper in this whirlspin.

Quarter 1 Reflection

1. What have you enjoyed writing the most in the first quarter? Be general when answering this. Have you enjoyed the poetry? Short stories? Daily prompts? Why do you think you enjoyed this kind of writing?

My favorite writing this first quarter has been Song Poetry. I am an avid songwriter and I found myself skipping other homework to write a song, or even write a poem. I have always viewed poets as sort of flakey and too romantic, (a general stereo-type given by todays society) and I really engulfed myself in poetry. I loved being able to create such beauty through words, and paint a picture in the minds of my readers. I was also passionate towards Short Stories because I was able to be the creator. I was able to envoke what ever emotion I wanted in the readers.


2. What do you think is your strongest piece of writing? You can be specific here or you can be more general and just say that "poetry" is your strong point. Explain your choice. Why is this your strongest piece or area of writing? Have you written much of it before? Do you feel you have a lot of inspiration in that area?

My strongest piece of writing in my eyes, was "One Leaf Down Tonight", a song I wrote, depicting a Minnesotan winter. I spent a lot of time on this piece, making it into a song and adding every detail to evoke the emotions I felt. It was exciting to use such a short piece to bring out such strong feelings. I live and breathe music, every moment I have, I jamming out to music. It is such an expressive art, such a powerful inspiration to the soul, and really is a way to learn from others.

3. What have you learned about yourself as a writer in the first quarter? Are you incredibly self-driven? Do you need a lot of prodding to get going? Do you find that you need a lot of structure and direction in writing? Or do you not like the structure and direction?

I have a passion for writing, I love creating. When I have the power to influence, I am so driven to express myself to others. I really have an avid desire to write, especially through music. I just believe that every form of writing can be so beautiful, and inspirational. I do not like structure/direction because I like to let my mind run free. But at the same time I also like direction because it sets the outline, and I am able to bring it to life.

4. What kind of writing do you want to pursue now? Is there a genre you are really interested in exploring? Plays? Screenplays? Non-fiction? (Be specific- what kind of non-fiction? Music reviews? Memoir?)

Now, I would really like to go more in depth with my song writing. Really find a true gift within my songs, allowing people to understand and feel the way I feel. I also loved the short stories because there is even less structure, I am able to create how ever I feel. It is really fun to play with different styles and become more and more aclectic and unique. I love everything about writing, and definitely see myself persuing it in my future.

Where Are you going, where have you been?

Part I

The underlying moral of this story, in my perspective, is the fact that what goes around, comes around. The reason the setting in the second half is so important because it determines her fate, and she is alone with no one to help her. The reason Connie's character draws you in is because of her beligerant disrespect, which really bugs me, and her sense of the world revolves around me when ironically, yet usually true in most cases, she is completely insecure herself. I know people like her, and they have a tendancy to tick me off at times. What makes me like her, is that alot of edina girls can relate to her, and she is a hottie. She was asking for trouble because of her complete lack of respect. The larger topics being adressed throughout Carol Oates' story was not only a satirical aspect of the egoistic side to society, but the realistic result of what people recieve when asking for trouble. This story appeals to such a great amount of people because a little bit of Connie is in all of us, and in many case, alot of Connie. What actually happens at the end of the story in my opinion is simply karma. Arnold Friend seems to represent the devil in our society, by the way they described his stretched and mask-like face, and how he stands at an unnatural angle. It seemed as if the devil came to make her pay for her sins, and Oates is trying to depict that as a realization of the reality of karma.


Part II

1) Emphasizing character detail: draws readers in/catches their attention.
2)An underlying morality/truth to the story.
3)Characters with satirical truth to society.
4)A strong identification of key characteristics.
5)Fate plays a key roll within the story.
6)Threatening actions are taken, aggrivating the reader.
7)Underlying symbolism
8)Life truths are revealed
9)The environment reflects relevance to the story.
10)Fate is appropriately played out, resolving the conflict.

Wakin up with the sun rise,

And down to the lake I drive.

I grab my rod and top off my coffee,

Toss my waders on and I'm off.

The way my line dances across the stream,

Watching makes me feel my entirety, a dream.

Like when you touch me, it breaks my shell until im bare,

Picks me up, dances from my nose through my hair.


It's out of my hands, and into your heart babe,

We'll hold our stance and never part.

I'm lettin loose and control is fading,

I'm embracing cause im so damn sick of waiting.

Outta my hand's and into your heart.

One Leaf Down Tonight

Verse:

The leaves are turning brown.

Quiver tree, throw your branches upon the ground.

The frost aligns the river side.

One leaf falls, and down she glides.

No ripple no sound, just one leaf down tonight.

I can see her there, as she takes off her wear.

One foot after another, into the icy thunder.

No ripple no sound just one leaf down tonight.

Chorus:

Though the snow covered hills,

Are rollin' away,

Time stands still,

upon this untouched day.

Though the snow covered hills,

they are rollin' away,

A voice sings strong,

upon this undying day.

Verse:

Sometimes it makes me wonder,

Sometimes it makes me cry.

Beneath all that beauty,

One feels as if they could die, erase, finalize.

And make no ripple or sound, just one leaf down tonight.

Upon this icy ground,

Dont you fall tonight.

TCARR'S JOURNAL

"WE ALL HAVE THE ABILITY; THE DIFFERENCE IS HOW WE USE IT."

how do you summon your true ability? through friends? sports? family? etc...