new blog

hey guys, i just wanted to let you know that i was inspired by our class blog. I created a blog of my own. there's it much on there yet, but i will definitely be playing with it more, and posting a ton. the URL is mixedupjuju.blogspot.com if you are interested(:

What is SUMMER???

What I wonder is, what does summer really mean for us? For me, summer is a time for me to catch up on my reading list, work on my art, and be driven crazy by my little sister. For others, such as my friend, it's a time of sports and sleep. I know some kids sleep away summer while others love to be as active as possible. What does your summer consist of? I'm looking forward to hearing wehat you guys do over your summer break!(:

The Everstrong Struggle

I wonder, am I the only person who uses the summer to think extensively? I should hope not, but it seems to be so in the current day and age.
Actually, I can say with utter dissappointment, that it is not just summer that creates this lack of thinking; it is every day that humans walk the earth, every mind and every pair of eyes that are open, that there are people not-thinking. They sit and they stare at the television in their bedclothes and let their mind go blank. They lose themselves in a video game, and pay not a single thought to anything realistic. They sleep their time away.
I really do wonder, am I the only one who thinks? Everyone loves to say that they think, though this is hardly the case.

Tell me what you think.

stick together summer!

Its been almost a week since we last saw each other and I brought up keeping the blog going at least a few weeks ago. I remember that some of you thought it was a really good idea. I don't know how many of you will ever read this, but I want this to keep going. Creative writing was the best class I had this year and I doubt anything next year can top it. So those of you who want to stick together, keep checking up and posting!


I know since we don't meet in class any more this is going to be more random and unscheduled so don't feel bad if you miss a post or two. Also feel free to post whenever! I don't make the rules here, but I'm pretty sure there are none. 


So for the first summer post I want to know how you've kicked off your vacation. For me I've spent the time weeding behind the pool, (which has taken days of pulling and bagging and digging and allergy pills and cold showers) getting my golf clubs warmed up, and trying SO FREAKING HARD to get the pool running. It's been hard but at the same time it will mean two months of swimming and golfing and not being scared to go get stuff that falls behind the pool.


What have you been doing to get ready for summer of 2012?

With Love there is Always a Fear of Hate

That was a saying someone had told me when I was really young. At first I didn't understand what they meant, but as I grew older I began to get the idea. To me, that saying answers many of the pointless questions people ask. 
When I talk to people, I am always looking for a sense of passion. I love seeing how people get lost in a dream or a hobby. It's almost as if they disappear and become one with whatever they care so much for. Through time I see that there is no passion that surpasses loved ones. Everyday, I hear about how a certain person or a group of people have saved someone from themselves. Looking around I saw that everyone had that one person that they'd be prepared to die for. Then I got to thinking, what happens when that one person disappears forever? What if they are taken by an illness or by someone else's evil intentions? When I ask people this, their reactions to that is full of sorrow and violence. I've gotten a range of people saying that they would have to kill themselves, take revenge, or some other form of action. I have gotten few answers retaining to moving on and dealing with it. Those who were uncertain were lying. I could tell by the look in their eyes that they knew the answer but were unsure if they should say "the right thing" against the "wrong thing." 
While pondering this topic the first thing that popped into my mind was war. People fight for what they love. While on the battlefield you carry with you the thing you want to protect, so you try to eliminate the ones who are trying to take that thing away. While sitting at home, you hear that your loved one was killed, then the one you tried to protect disappears and so you are left with a choice. Move on or fight. Now you carry that tiny piece of hatred and take to war. It's an endless cycle. Everyone has a motive whether they choose to admit it or not. War will never end as long as people have the ability to love and contain the passion and determination to keep it the way they want it. As I crossed that conclusion, I figured out where chaos comes from. Something so innocent and gorgeous grows into pure evil without anyone even realizing it. I understand that this is not always the case. But as you all know, "nothing gold can stay."
Now I want to know your opinions on this matter. What does that quote say to you? What would you do if the one most precious to you were taken away? Is your answer the "right thing to say" or your actual feelings? This is probably a dark way to end the year, but it's just what was on my mind at the moment.


P.S How do get a step dad who thinks he's a handy man to stop messing around with the internet so you could use it for school? Goodness.....

I Belive In...

I do not have a question that will make you go into depth or scourge the underside of your brain. I have my opinions on stuff and i am curious about how you guys will react to said beliefs. I believe in the following.
1.Concealed carry.
2.Only men should be presidents.
3. You have to be a legal immigrant to live here. (papers containing proof)
4.The ban of drugs.
5. Spending time with your family.
6. There should be no explicit songs. (country music:)
7. High minimum wages.
8. No involvement in other countries, militarily speaking.
9. No vulgar language at school.
10. Teachers should be paid more to deal with students. (for you Mr.T)
11. No finals, i think the whole finals thing is dumb. why give us a chance to sink our grades.
12. Surplus of tissues in classrooms. (I'm sick)

Remember I want to know what you guys think about all of the things i have listed. It's going to be like a debate between everyone.You guys are also welcome to say some of the stuff you believe in.

P.S. Stay strong 4 more days left.

Forever Young

        I'm sure most of us have heard the song Forever Young by Alphaville at one point in our lives, whether it be on the radio or in the movie Napoleon Dynamite. In the song, Alphaville speaks of living for, well, ever. I've thought about this and I don't know if I could do it or if I'd really want to. Thinking about it inside the box would be great, but on the exterior we see the downfalls. Living forever would be the hardest thing in my opinion. Over the centuries you would see all your friends and family grow old and slip away.

       I can think of a few pros and cons of living forever, but I guess there is no set rule book for it though. Maybe I would do it and just do myself over when I'd had enough. Seeing as I barely even put a dent in the topic, I'm asking you guys to fill my mind with thoughts on it all, and perhaps at the end we can come up with a yes or no answer to living forever.
       P.S. -- Happy Mother's Day ! :)

Also here is a link to the song if you haven't heard it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ykvw3X3VIdQ

MOMMYS ARE THE BEST

 It's mother's day weekend and most of us probably got mommy a little something or even woke up early to make her some breakfast in bed. If you get the opportunity to celebrate a mom in your life, than you must realize deep down how lucky you truly are.


I know from experience what it's like to not have a mom.  Before I was adopted in 2003, I was an orphan with my little brother for 4 years. I do remember my birth mom even though I was really young when we were taken away. I remember how she was there for me the best that she could be... even though, in the end it just wasn't enough. 


Around this time of year I think about my birth mom alot.  I dont remember what she looked like much anymore but I still have random dreams and she's in them sometimes. I always wonder if she's thinking of me or if she's okay and healthy, because what I want most in this world before I die is to see her.  I don't want to die knowing that I didnt get the chance to meet her. 


Yes, I miss my birth mom, but I'm blessed to have another mom.  This other mom is my adoptive mom.  She wanted kids badly enough that she chose adoption as her best option since she wasnt able to conceive herself.  I love my mom.  It's because of her that I have this life and everything and everyone in it.

This, in a way is a touchy subject for me, or it used to be.  Talking about my past used to be alot harder, but over the years I've learned that people don't mean any harm when asking certain questions, they're just curious.

So, all i'm saying is... make sure you let your mom or mom figures in your life know how special they are and how trully you appreciate them. 

(IDK why the text is so messed up)

The Voice

I was waiting until after The Voice to post because I wanted to post about The Voice finale.  I think everyone knows what The Voice is and who was on it. Okay, the finale was probably the best episode. Everyone sung, even the people that were already eliminated and Justin Bieber sung (ew).  I was just waiting for the finale to see who won. The finale four were Jermaine Paul, Tony Lucca, Chris Mann, and Juliet Simms. I've liked Juliet the entire season through, and have been rooting for her since the first episode. I thought everyone did an amazing job and everyone deserved to make it that far. In last place, was Chris Mann, then Tony Lucca, Juliet Simms, and Jermaine Paul won. I just started crying because I completely thought Juliet would win with how popular she was before she even got on The Voice. In a way its a good thing because everyone thought the only reason she would win was because she was going out with Andy Biersack who was already famous, and had all his fans rooting for her, which is a complete lie. She deserved to be there just as much as anyone else, and anyone that thinks otherwise is wrong. Everyone that made it that far deserved to be there. So who was your favorite or who did you think would win? If you dont know what show I'm talking about then would you risk everything to do your dream and not even know if you get it? Its like working and working towards your dream, and then possibly not getting it or getting it. So would you risk everything to accomplish your dreams or would you just not risk it?  I would. It's worth it even if you don't make it.
-Melissa

The Perpetual Digression

Somebody once asked me if I believed in evolution or creation. My response was a chuckle.

From the time I was little, I was fascinated with the world around me: how people respond to hardship, the way in which some use religion to justify their behavior, and--perhaps most importantly--who was right.

Coming from a largely secular family, these questions were ones that I kept to myself in fear of chauvinistic responses; because I spent much of my childhood with my grandpa, my perspective of the world was shaped at a susceptible age to emanate that of a liberal. Since I was little, I vehemently questioned the mindset of conservatives and eventually became irascible when someone would disagree with my view on politics. Yes, I abandoned Hot Wheels at the young age of 11 to deliberate something from which some adults even abstain.

Growing up, I tried to take the world around me from an objective position. My family returned to the Catholic church and--almost immediately--I began to appreciate the world from a different angle. Unbelieveably, I still remained pro-choice--yes, going to church did augment my belief that the views of liberals were "right"--and believed in welfare, restrictions on guns, and the separation of church and state. 

While some conservatives believed that America should be run on Christian values, I questioned the fact that they simulatenously resented Middle Eastern countries for adopting a theocracy: basing their government on the morals of the Islamic religion. I couldn't fathom the hypocrisy.

It was sickening to me that conservatives refuted the morality of welfare and even considered it profuse. I've heard it many times, but I will grudgingly repeat it: "Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime." That's very cute, but extremely idealistic. While social mobility is promised in America, people like us don't understand that some poor folks absolutely cannot conquer their situation. 

Is that their fault?  No. The conditions under which some are oppressed simply do not allow for mobility on the socioeconomic ladder. Yet, some religious conservatives exhort that they deserve no help. How Christian. 

Then, there's the old adage: "Guns don't kill people, people kill people."

Don't people kill people with guns, though?

I completely abandoned my aforementioned Catholic perspective, however, when a Catholic friend ridiculed my refutaiton of creationism. When I was asked whether I believe in evolution or creation, I said neither.

That was my response not only to this friend, but to the world. A world that exposes us to the undeniable facts of science and juxtaposes them every Sunday with the promise of salvation and faith with the simple acceptance of creation. My response was the rebellion to conform to these two contrasting concepts--ideas. 

I'm a liberal who believes in a God that embraces the good in people and the salvation of the world beyond life. My god is not concerned with the mundane convictions of humans that digress the true accomplishment of religion: to be able to love one another and yourself and achieve peace. 

If I Had A Dollar For Every Time They Stared, I'd Be A Millionaire

       "Show me your wrists." To the majority of you, this is a simple statement. It's something you've probably said before to one of your class mates, whether it was said in a joking manner or not. I've heard this many times. Directed toward me by a stranger, looking only spite me and get a good laugh out of my discomfort. But it's not funny. 
      Now, my post has nothing to do with self harm. But I would like to add before I start that it's not a laughing matter; people really do struggle with cutting and it's not funny. It's not something to joke about.
      I am a happy person. I am content about where I stand in life. I have a few good friends, a family that loves me, and education. But, I am different. I don't listen to the same music as most people. I don't wear clothes that are "the latest trends or styles." And my makeup is almost always slightly darker than the "pretty girls."
      But here are a few things that I do do.
      I laugh. I hang out with friends. I breathe. I strive to do my best. I need my mommy sometimes. I cry over boys. I sleep. I eat. I smile. I yearn for knowledge. I learn. I have emotions. Just like everyone else in this world.
      I have hardships in my life, but don't we all? I know each and every one of us do. I am not going to go into my problems because that's not what my post is about either. 
      I deal with my problems in a positive way. I draw and write and I am also into photography. Music has also had a huge impact on my life. I am just like any other teenager, learning, awkward, and growing as a human being.
      But just because I'm different, people try and label me. I'm stereotyped as "emo." And in today's society, this is a derogatory term for people who use self mutilation as an escape and listen to demonic music. When in reality, Emo is just short for emotional. But to tell you all the truth, I don't cut myself.
      For those of you who have gotten to know me, I am a happy person. I'm blunt and honest. I'm outgoing and I'm there for anyone who needs me, no matter what.
      Then, why? Why do people call me this? 
      Because I look a certain way and listen to a different kind of music. That's why. Because of the way I look.      It sickens me that people have to label each other. We're all human beings. We all try to succeed. We all have emotions.
      In fact, Stereotypes in general sicken me. If you play a sport, does that make you a jock? If you wear a skirt, does that make you a whore? If you excel in academics, does that make you a nerd? The answer to all of these questions is no.
      And that's common sense... Isn't it?
      See, that's the thing. Everyone wants that sense of belonging. Humans need that feeling. And yet, everyday, we label people and we hurt them, to the point where they're afraid to be themselves. And all of us have felt this way.
     Humans "need" to have a sense of order. Organization. Social class. A caste system. So, we classify other human beings, our peers and ourselves, into this system.
     Jocks.
     Preps.
     Nerds.
     Skaters.
     Goths.
     Stoners.
     These are just a few, and sadly there are many more. And I bet as you read each of those words, a stereotype of that group of people popped up into your head, and you were able to visualize this person with knowing nothing of them but their label.
     Well, I don't know about the rest of you, but I am so tired of being labeled and categorized. And I know I'm not the only person who feels this way.
     I am not a cereal box - don't label me.


     

Being Accepted

In high school, most people have troubles with being accepted. People of all different backgrounds are thrown into one school and expected to fend for themselves. Kids are kids and they are trying to find themselves and be who they want to be but being in an unaccepting school can cause these kids to hide and not share with other people who they are.

I have been dealing with being bullied all of my life because I am a male cheerleader. And apparently, to the stereotypical kids, being a male cheerleader automatically makes you gay. And what people don’t understand is WHO CARES!? How does any of my business have anything to do with anyone else’s high school experience? It doesn’t, so obviously kids just say things to have power over someone else because it makes them feel better about themselves.

So, in your comment, I would like you to tell me your theories of kids and bullies. Why do you think they do it? Are the jealous? Or are they just mean people? And I would also like you to share a personal experience or two about being bullied or being not accepted in school. We are in this class that is the most accepting group of kids in the whole school. So I want these comments to be positive and conversational between us students. Everyone deserves a place to feel good about themselves. If you do not feel comfortable sharing personal stories, DO NOT SHARE. I only want you to share if you feel comfortable!:)

Author: Nathan Allen

Confessions of a Closet Writer

I am honored that Mr. T. asked me to be a guest blogger this week.  I have gone back and read through your site and I am thrilled to see such wonderful and insightful posts from MCHS students.  Reading this blog makes me excited to be a teacher and encourages me to continue moving forward in this profession.  After many years of teaching, it is great to still say this. 

I will be posting a couple of poems that I have written.  I have a confession; I am a closet writer.  When I was much younger (before computers) I used to keep a hand written journal and write when the world seemed too much for me to handle.  It allowed me to sort out my ideas and realize that life is not so bad and that I could find solutions to even the worst problems. Most of this writing is gone, but the few pieces that I have kept bring up great emotions when I find them.  After taking a poetry class, I began to journal less and write free verse more.  I feel as though it is easier to bring emotion into my writing by using fewer words.  In my opinion, good writing entices emotions. 

These two poems are on the same theme, hanging wet clothes on a line to dry, something you probably have never experienced.  I was raised by parents who were children during the Great Depression.  No one wasted anything in our home and this philosophy was even more pronounced in my grandparents’ homes.  As a girl, I hated hanging clothes but as an adult I started hanging clothes for the same reason my mother did – it saves money.  The sun and the air are free; electricity is not!  At this point in my life, hanging clothes is less about the savings and more about my feelings.

I hope you do things in your life that bring you joy, not because you have to, not because you are told to, not because it brings joy to others, but because it brings joy to you.  Remember, even the mundane and simple can bring joy and a life without joy is not much of a life.  I do hope you feel my joy when reading these poems.

Guest Writer: Ms. K.

Hanging Clothes

No one hangs clothes anymore.

It takes too long.

It is not esthetically pleasing in the back yard.

It makes the jeans too stiff.

I hang clothes.

I find joy

in watching my children play in the sandbox

   while their little socks dance in the breeze.

I find joy

in slowing down

   and smelling the spring earth.

I find joy

in feeling the outside around me

   when I fall asleep.

I find joy

   in hanging clothes

Clothes on the Line

Socks and Underwear on one Line.

Towels on the Next.

Sheets on the Third.

Jeans on the Fourth.

Clothes on the Line.

Order out of Chaos.

The Hunger Games

So the Hunger Games just came out today and I saw it at the midnight showing. I absolutely LOVED it. It made me think about what it would be like to live in a world like that. Never to go into the forest or leave the little city, or "district". What if we were all stuck here in Channahon? To be trapped behind fences and guarded 24/7, and to know you have a yearly chance to die and possibly be pitted against your best friend. Imagine that you were picked to go to the Hunger Games, against your best friend of the opposite gender. You both are very skilled in huntung and survival and know you can win. It comes down to you and your friend. One of you is going to die and one gets to go home. What would you do? Would you take the life of your BEST friend to go home? I wanna hear what you guys would do in this situation. (no copying what they did in the book!!!) I can't wait to hear your ideas! 

Dedication Declaration

"My goal is to be one with the music. I just dedicate my whole life to this art."
-Jimi Hendrix

I picked this quote specifically to ask you a question I will get to soon enough. First, however, I would like to say this:

I LOVE music. Music has engulfed almost my whole soul, by now. But it also has to share. It shares my soul with drawing, writing, and this little thing called love. I have dedicated practically my whole physical life to this art, just as Jimi Hendrix said about a week before he died. When I pick up a guitar, I cannot help but play. And so I play anything, anything at all. Playing a simple little lick in the presence of others makes me giddy. I love sharing my passions with people. And this is one of the many.

Music literally saves lives. So what do you think I want to do with it? The same exact thing. It takes extraordinary talent and perseverance to give back to the world, but I believe with the help of others, we could pull it off. Dedication is a strong word; do you think you have what it takes to pull off the seemingly impossible?

My REAL question to you is this, my fellow writing buddies: what do you dedicate your life to? You don't have to know your career to know your passion. And don't just tell me what your passion is-- Tell me why. Tell me what makes it so special to you; tell me what you want to do with it when you get older. Your passion is your weapon: wield it wisely.

do you love it enough?

"Do what you love; you'll be better at it. It sounds pretty simple, but you'd be surprised how many people don't get this one right away." -LL Cool J
Everyone in this class either loves to draw, Write, or play some type of sport that no matter whats going on in youre life it helps you with your composure.  What would you do if the people around you kept telling you to stop and start doing something else that they personally enjoyed?  Would you actually drop everything that saves you from going insaine just to make the people around you happy?  How about for the sports if your body just cant take it and you know that doing something else will make you physically feel better, would you give it up then? 
In the quote above he says that if youre doing what you love you will be better at it but how would you take the meaning of that sentence if you have no confidence in what you do?  Some of you guys in this room that take part in something they love they have confidence in it, in your self, but alot of us dont. What would you do to take your dreams to the top while people around you are telling you to give up what has become your life will you stay strong and stick to your imbitions in life? 
I guess what im trying to ask is do you love it enough to keep going or would you create a new begining?
(I know that through out this whole post I said 'it' and if there was one thing that you were thinking about the whole time that is the thing that i want to know if you are willing to give up for someone else.)

It's Up To You

Ok, so in my quest to try and figure out what I wanted to say I literally racked my brain for inspiration. I conjured up the most thought provoking questions that my noggin had to offer. What is the meaning of life? Who has inspired you? If you were in your last hours of existence how would you live them? All good questions, nonetheless, but deeply thinking about a question that cannot scientifically or spiritually be answered just isn't my cup of tea. However, my cup of tea is filled to the brim with great writing.

So for this blog post we will simply write. We will collectively create a story with whatever WE want. Every new post will be a new twist to the story. I will start with the first part of the story and you all will add to it. Then, once everyone has posted we can watch our drama unfold. All I ask is that you keep a cohesive aspect to the story. I also ask that you be as creative and whimsical as you please! So this is a challenge to you all to add sugar, honey and maybe even stir furiously to make the boring cup of tea a lot more concentrated. So, here is the beginning to the story...

P.S.   “All great deeds and all great thoughts have a ridiculous beginning.” — Albert Camus
 “A truly creative person rids him or herself of all self-imposed limitations.” — Gerald G. Jampolsky

Heavy on her shoulders Meera carries the burdens of the world. Evey new worry strikes her soul and deepens her emotional black hole. No one can possibly understand what she has seen, only in Paradise which she dreams. Paradise, a place where the hatchet is buried deep into the luscious sand. A place where worries are the least and happiness prevails. The air is sweet with the scent of pure imagination. Every night Meera lays her dark locks on her pillow hoping that she will go to Paradise. When her eyes open she is there but only for a while... 

Weight of the World

Hey y'all,

Yes, I said y'all, don't laugh, I used to live in Texas. :P

So I asked Mr. T if I could do this next post because I have a question that I want to ask all of you. This is going to sorta be like the post Mandy  put but also sorta not. It is actually kinda the reverse of what she put.

So... Anyways...

I do this thing where i tend to put the "weight of the world" on my shoulders, and in the end, I'm always the person getting hurt. I take on everything, literally. I take care of my mom, trying to help my friend(who is starting to say some scary stuff), even do things for anyone else that needs my help, and whille doing everything for everyone else but myself, I end up getting really stressed out. Multiple people have yelled at me, and none of that will change my mind. In my opinion others are more important than myself, and I need to help make sure all of them are ok when they come to me for help. There is actually a lot more than what I am telling you with all this weight, there is just some of it that I wish to keep private. I'm sorry.

But this blog isn't about me, tha paragraph was only to introduce what my question is going to be.

This is something that I want to know from you guys. Do you put the "weight of the world" on your shoulders? Or are you someone that takes care of yourself along with others? What would you do if you were in a situation like mine? And if you feel uncomfortable to answering this type of question since it is a little personal, you could always just give advice to people like me if you feel like it.

I am actually joping to hear about some of these situations, I want to see if there is anything that I can do to help with mine.

Sincerely,
Purple People Eater
A.K.A.
Abadee
A.K.A.
Abby :)

Reflections on a Life of Photography

Many people claim to have a photographic memory. There are varying degrees of truth to these claims, but for most, memories are still subject to bias and the gradual corruptions of time. I, however, do have a photographic memory, and I have evidence to support this claim. You see, I am a photographer, so my memories exist not only in some deep recess of the mind but rather in the physical form of the images I create.

My passion for capturing memories has given me many unique experiences and has taken me to some incredible places. I have captured the blues of the oceans, the greens of the jungle, the reds of the desert, and countless other shades that would rival the palette of even a master painter. I have also had the pleasure of helping people celebrate a wide range of momentous events. I have been invited to numerous weddings, birthdays, and other special occasions. It is true that I sometimes feel like I’m being used only for my talents, but I can’t argue with the good times I’ve had while doing my work.

Of course, my job is not always so glamorous, and there are times where my very nature has gotten me into trouble. Sometimes, people run when they see me coming, as they do not want to be photographed. For this reason, I must be especially careful when I visit beaches, swimming pools, and any other place where people might feel vulnerable.  Heaven forbid I should run into a celebrity! That can turn absolutely ugly! I have learned to accept that there are simply times when I am just not wanted.

Another unfortunate aspect of my work is that I am somewhat mistreated at times. I have been beaten up on several occasions and have been downright neglected while completing my work. I have frozen in the snow, been drenched in the rain, been smacked against countless walls, and worst of all, I’ve been exposed to windstorms on the beach.  Do you have any idea how bad sand can be for a photographer? There are some places that you just don’t want sand to go! Despite all of this danger, I do not think that anyone sets out to harm me. I think that people just forget about me since I work so efficiently.

Even though my job is not without its difficulties, I still can’t think of anything else I’d rather do. It is nice to be able to look back on my creations and relive my experiences all over again. With time, the bad memories begin to fade and all I see in my photographs now are the great experiences and adventures of my career. There's a saying in my profession that has been used so often that it has become cliché. I'm sure you've heard it before, "a picture is worth a thousand words." It makes sense that this statement would be overused, as it represents a truth of photography. Given the nature of my work, it only feels appropriate for me to end my memoir today with a photograph of myself.  I may have used 500 words above to tell you about myself, but perhaps the included photo will give you a better picture of who I really am.

Guest Writer: Mr. Allen

The Heart's Inscription on Cold Stone...

http://web.cn.edu/kwheeler/epitaphs.html

http://dying.about.com/b/2006/11/03/more-than-just-rest-in-peace-write-your-own-epitaph.htm?rd=1

http://www.everlifememorials.com/v/headstones/epitaphs-inscriptions.htm

Words can last forever, so what do you want to be remembered by?

Only a Writer Would Know

There's a lot of things we as writers experience that are unique to writing. Things like chess or football are a lot more predictable than writing. Like in sports you have all these plays you can go through with, but they are all uniform for the most part. Yes, there are things in writing that are always the same like grammar and spelling and all that, but a writer has no rules as to where a story is going to go. A writer can throw in a completely unseen twist to make the story spin around in a tornado of awesomeness! If an athlete does that, he gets heavily criticized for it, regardless of the outcome, because it was way too risky. But this is just my way of kicking off what I really want to say in this.

The real point of this is that I want you to share the joys and pains of writing that are only applicable to writing. 

I know I hate it when I get really excited about something that I wrote and I go to show my sister or parents and get completely shot down. I'll go into my sister's room and ask her to read something and she'll reply very whiny, slurry, and loudly, "I don't wanna read it!" if it's over a paragraph long. Which, of course, is impossible for me to do. And then if she does read it, (after a lot of persuasion) she will only say, "There. I read it." if anything at all. It really kills my excitement for a while.

On the other hand, I LOVE it when a bunch of writers will come together to bounce ideas off each other or have a big swap-meet type thing of different stories or poems. If even just to say, "Hey! Look what I did Guys!" The sense of camaraderie is just absolutely amazing! 

So yeah. I want to know what super awesome things you love about writing. Or the super annoying things you hate about writing (But are never going to be enough to make you stop writing).

P.S. This was inspired by a conversation I had with Emily on Monday

P.P.S. Yes, I did write this whole thing in blue!

How To Live A Life...

In class, we discussed a quote by Mahtma Gandhi during a journal entry. As we continue in our creative nonfiction unit, we are talking about and writing about the lives of others. The events that make them who they are. The emotions that they experience. The stories that they tell.

As we meditate on how to live a life, ponder Gandhi's quote and further discuss how the quote fits into the context of our world.

“You must be the change you wish to see in the world.”

Places to pick back up from class:

• This quote could be used for positive AND negative ends.
• Subjective to the reader.
• Open to interpretation as to what that "change" should/could be.
• It doesn't simply have to apply to the "world". It can be on any scale.

Comment AND reply.

Go deep and bleet...

Thoughts

"Your reputation is only a shadow of your life, but your character is the tree that casts the shadow."
                                                                                               -- Dr. Robb Thompson

"Ther is so gret diversite in Englissh and in writyng of oure tonge."
                                                                                               -- Geoffrey Chaucer

"When I fall, I make sure I fall on my back, because if I can look up, I can GET UP” 
                                                                                               -- Les Brown

"Thinkers think and doers do. But until the thinkers do and the doers think, progress will be just another word in the already overburdened vocabulary of the talkers who talk."

                                                                                                -- Unknown

 

"Every thought is a seed. If you plant crab apples don't count on harvesting golden Delicious."

                                                                                                -- Unknown

 

"What we are today comes from our thoughts of yesterday, and our present thoughts build our life of tomorrow: Our life is the creation of our mind."

                                                                                                -- Buddha

... Thoughts???

(I'm sorry that this post is so short, but I had already in mind what I wanted to do, and this was it.)

Who you are is who you’ve been

Who you are is who you’ve been

So Mr. Torres asked me to be a guest writer on this blog.  The only direction I was given was to perhaps use as inspiration the idea that who I am is inextricably linked to where I have come from.  How splendidly cliché.  As I try to write through the idea to find the truth of this notion, I can’t help but realize how you all must have felt every day when I conjured up incredibly titillating (or, in the very least, mildly interesting) journal topics to inspire your writing.  Now that the tables are turned I fear that dreaded fear of all writers: writer’s block.

I would like to begin with the incredible and undeniable impact that the concepts of religion and faith have had on me through all sorts of endeavors, both good and bad, as I have ventured to become the outstanding citizen that some have endearingly referred to as “O Captain, My Captain”.  I would like to, but I can’t.  Long story short, the government says that would be against the law.  Something about separation of church and state…

My next inclination is to delve into the perilous world of my personal life to give a complete view of how I have come to be the hilarious, intelligent, awkward-moment-loving enlightener of young minds you have all grown to know and tolerate. But, again, I can’t.  Because I don’t want to.  So don’t try to friend me on Facebook. It’s awkward.  Not the “I want to bury my face in my pillow” kind of awkward that I have come to appreciate so much.  More like the “Hey Torres, look, there’s a 15 year old who wants to be my friend” kind of awkward.  Not nearly as moving.

I guess that leaves me with family.  From the moment I was sent before my time into this breathing world, scarce half made up, and that so lamely and unfashionable that dogs bark at me as I halt by them- I have had no delight to pass away the time unless to spy my shadow in the sun and… Oops, my bad.  I got myself confused with Richard III there for a second. Sorry Billy. 

The truth is that all your experiences, all the individual moments you have encountered are what make you who you are.  The person that you’ve been up to this point in your life, for better or worse, has led to who you are at this very instant.  And the only thing you can do to define yourself into the future is to take a step in a direction.  Then when you’ve done that, you are different than you used to be.  Let me return to a cliché and tell you to make that step a good step in a good direction. 

I have been lucky enough in my life to have a number of individuals who have helped me find those steps.  I have been wise enough to stay away from those who were only interested in their own. 

So who am I? I’m the guy who just wrote an entire blog post without actually saying anything. 

Thanks for letting me be a part of the conversation.  I’m proud of you guys.

Writer's Challenge: Create a Character

Hopefully, the title is fairly self-explanatory; however, there are still some specifics that need to be clarified.

I am challenging each and every one of you to create an entirely original character to share with the class.

The character can be a protagonist, antagonist, or secondary/supporting character. If you know what role you want him or her to fill, be sure to explain it somewhere in the character description, please. If you don't know where your character would fit in (such as a situation where you just don't know what sort of character he or she would end up being for whatever reason), don't feel pressured into making the decision; just tell us that his or her role is undecided.

First, you should include the character's name. It doesn't need to be the first detail you decide on; in fact, you may want to wait until you have completed the character before picking a name you think fits the character.

Second, please provide a physical description. Is the character tall? Short? Somewhere in between? Is he or she blonde? Brunette? A redhead? What color are his or her eyes? Is the character human, or is he/she an elf/alien/other non-human life form? Remember, your character can be anything and have any physical characteristic you desire!

Third, you shouldn't forget their personality: kind or malevolent, shy or outgoing, cheerfully optimistic or sarcastically cynical, nonviolent or hostile, patient or anxious? Anything goes, but try not to contradict yourself too often!

This next step is optional, of course, since I realize that not every character necessarily requires special powers. However, I would suggest giving every characters you create, even the ones you currently intend to give perfectly normal lives, powers of some sort, even if you don't use them in that specific story you had planned, just in case you recycle a character for a different story. After all, you never know when you'll need a mindreader, shapeshifter, or telekinetic character.

Optionally delve into their past. What happened to your character, or someone close to him or her, that made that character the person he or she is today?

A few things to remember: your character needs to have some sort of flaw, whether a physical disability, something in their mentality that prevents them from functioning the same way as an "average Joe" in everyday society, or something else that makes them a little more "human"; try to avoid making them too perfect or all-powerful (readers and writers alike tend to find themselves disliking those types of characters very quickly, even if they're the ones who created the character).

There is no shame in making an overly normal, average, or otherwise unremarkable character, especially if he or she is meant to give another character a sense of reality in a crazy world filled with various strange powers. However, the "normal" overall image of this type of character doesn't necessarily have to be how he or she is deep down; perhaps he or she has special powers that the character never knew about prior to the beginning of his or her story. Overly normal characters don't have to be as normal as they first seem; just because the "logical and intelligent sidekick" role is practically in their job description doesn't mean you absolutely have to put them in that kind of role. Normal characters can be just about anything, so they aren't necessarily a bad thing.

By the same token, don't be afraid to make an overly odd character, especially if that character ends up dragging another character into a crazy world of magic and mystery. However, an odd character could be the main character, with his or her overly normal companion preventing him or her from going completely insane from the powers they struggle to control. On the flip side of the proverbial coin, a "normal" character can be a character dragged out of the "normal" world he or she once knew by an overly odd character.

I hope I was able to give all of you some form of inspiration somewhere within my rambling. I really hope you all have fun creating your characters!

Good luck~!

Be The One.

I always ask myself: Do you really want to know what this person is going through?
They say that when you talk about something, you unload half the weight off your shoulders. But, does anyone ever think about where that weight goes?
Most people drop it like it's absolutely nothing. They hold it for a bit, then let it go and pretend they never had to see it. They move on. The person who lost the weight slowly gains it back as it trickles back to them, and end up worse than they were before.
Why?
Because they confided in someone, reached out for help with any of their issues - and they were shot down. Over a more graceful period of time, yes, but shot down all the same. And then the weight of losing that thought-of support piles on too. Can you imagine? Confiding in someone you thought understood, could help you, could be that one person to lean on when you're damaged, and then finding out: they're just like everyone else. It's a realization, almost. They're just like everyone else.
Because people simply don't care about real-life issues. The person sitting just across the room from you could have a psychotic disorder he was born with, and must take drugs that impair his everyday life. That girl that people hate for her bad attitude could be abused when she goes home. The boy with the big goofy grin and bright eyes could go home and try to kill himself almost weekly.
All of these things.....Because people can't see them, no one cares. No one cares. We all hear about that one person that tried to hang themselves and was sent to a rehabilitation center, but when he comes back to school a year later, what happens? He's shunned. No one wants to associate with someone who "is like that."
Or, it swings the other way. Everyone swarms him. Everyone wants to know: "Where were you?" "You did WHAT?!" "Tell me all about it!"
And then what happens? Rumors. One person knows, and all of a sudden, everyone knows. The story twists and swirls and writhes until it's a monster. The boy is shunned for this monster, and he's back to no one wanting to associate with someone who "is like that."
When you see someone with scars across their wrists, what do you do? I'll bet everything you look away, and pretend like you didn't see it. When you see someone crying in the bathroom, what do you do? Maybe you ask them what's wrong, but most will ignore it. When you see someone sitting in the staircase by themselves, what do you do? Maybe wave, maybe make eye contact, but you move on and don't think a second thought about it.
But you know what?
At one point, that person in the staircase was me. That person who acted goofy and smiled and laughed all the time....Most of the time, I just wanted it to end.
And when I saw someone pass me by, when I saw their glances or complete ignorance, I wished for nothing more than to be seen. For someone to look at me and see the pain I was in nearly constantly. I wanted someone to care whether I was there or not. I wanted someone to carry my weight, if only just a grain's worth. Not because I wanted attention, not because I wanted to be dramatic - but because I felt so alone, I drove myself into a deep hole of depression, and I couldn't get out without help.
And you know what? No one helped. No one saw. No one did a damned thing about it.
Near the end of that darkness, I went to the councelor's office almost daily in tears.
It's better now, though. I was sent away at the end of freshman year, and I got better. I'm better, though still not fully healed, but able to survive through my troubles while still functioning normally. I'm happier, healthier, and I actually feel something other than an intense depression.
Though, I have to wonder....
How many other people were like me? How many of those people struggle through every single day like I did? How many people are trapped within themselves, and take that extra step that I didn't take - to end it?
I never, never want to feel like I did before, and I never want someone else to feel that way.
I want to be that person who looks at the goof-off and sees his pain.
I want to be that person who sees the dark-clad girl curled up at the top of the staircase, and actually speaks to her.
I want to be that person who people can trust with their troubles, and don't have to worry about me dropping the weight.
I want to be that person who changes people's lives, and inspire people to do the same, just by being there and listening.
I want to be the one in a million, the one who cares whether you're there or not.
I want to be the person who feels the pains of the depressed, and helps them through it.
I want to be the person who cares.

But, my real question is: Will you take that extra step to pull someone away from the edge? Will you be the person who sees the people who need help? Will you open your eyes to the problems of someone? Will you carry their burden and help rid them of it?
Because, from all of this, you will be saving a person from themselves, and giving them the same life that we all want.

My answer to these questions is always yes.
Be the one person who cares.