As my final reading blog ever for etymology, I must say it is a bittersweet feeling. As much as I have enjoyed reading this quarter and writing about what I have read, I am happy to put an end to them and focus on the last few weeks of school. Since this is mostly likely my last post, I thought it would be a good idea to review my goals for the quarter. I managed to read a Classic Lit novel and read in at least one unique place almost every week (my favorite of all of my goals). Unfortunately I didn't exactly get to read for 30 minutes everyday, but I did whenever I could. To my surprise I didn't accomplish my goal of reading 1400 pages for the quarter. I read well of that last quarter, but came up a little short this time around. It could possibly be due to my lack of eagerness to read this quarter or because I became too focused on my anthology notes! Either way, I still have a couple more weeks to read even though I won't post about them. That still counts, right? I am so thankful that this etymology has renewed my enthusiasm anout reading!

Reading Log

Sure enough, one more week has passed making my deadline to accomplish my goals fast approaching! Luckily, I have one more goal that I need to accomplish while the others are accomplished (almost) weekly. This week I continued Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children. Although I haven't finished it yet, I can already say that it one of my favorites out of everything I have read this semester, maybe on my list of all time favorites. I started off the week strong by reading 30 minutes each day, but by Thursday I got bogged down with a monsoon of projects preventing me from continuing my adventure through my book. I also didn't have time to read in a fun location, but the weather this coming week augurs well for an adventure! I only have a couple more weeks to hit my goal of 1400 pages for the quarter. I sure hope I can make it and I hope that I can read each day this week!

Read this Week: 102                                                               Read this Semester: 2242

Reading Log

For this week's reading log, I started Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children. Just by reading the inside cover at the library, I knew I would enjoy it. Sure enough, I was right. Once I started, I could not put it down. It reminds me somewhat of Shutter Island, one of my favorite movies. For a fiction novel, the diction is written very artistically and thoughtfully; it was a nice surprise because it keeps even the usually boring narration lively. I absolutely love the idea of including pictures in the book because they provide better mental images. Although I didn't get to read everyday like I had hoped to as a part of my goals for this quarter, I did read in a somewhat unique place once again: on the streets of downtown Wabash. That's unique, right? Hopefully this week, I will succeed in reading everyday and meet my goal of 1400 pages for the quarter!

Read this week: 120                                                            Read this semester: 2140

Reading Log

 

For this week's reading I focused on Connectome by Sebastian Seung. Like I have said before, it can be a difficult read at times because the author is a neuroscientist and he likes to include a lot of medical lingo. Aside from that, Connectome was very intriguing. I chose not to read the entire novel because that probably would have taken me the rest of the semester to finish. Instead, I focused on a few sections of the book that interested me. After reading a good portion of the book I realized that I should have included reading a non-fiction novel as one of my goals because this surely did accomplish that! It's not typically what I enjoy reading so it was definitely a challenge. I knew that it was important for me to read at least thirty minutes each day to accomplish reading 100 pages for this post. Luckily I succeeded in accomplishing that goal for this week! I also achieved my goal in reading in a unique spot: my new hammock! Next book on the list is Miss Peregrines Home for Peculiar Children.

Pages read since last post: 140                              Pages read this semester:2020

Notes 2 & 3

 Garden State (2004)

The closing sequence of Garden State transforms the static protagonist into a vivacious man seeking the true significance of life. The gentle musicality of Simon and Garfunkel personifies the moment of pure bliss with lyrics chiming "I've got nothing to do today but smile." Andrew climbs the rusted tractor mimicking the actions of scaling a mountain and overcoming the obstacles that stifled him. The cascading rain washes away his dull existence as if to baptize him with the opportunity at a new life. As Andrew ejects a powerful scream, it signifies the release of the deep-rooted anguish that has been trapped inside of him, thus sending it away into an infinite abyss.Without any eye contact, the three characters scream in unrehearsed unison supporting each others quest of exuberant existence.

Clearwater Beach, 2011

 

In two personal photos, each infinitesimal aspect of the picturesque scene is captured through the action of birds gliding through an intense sunset which instills a sense of peace and serenity. The rusted orange sun resting upon the horizon casts beams across the calm ocean and illuminates the sky announcing the day's end, while each sunrise represents a creation of new opportunities to fulfill hopes and dreams. Silhouettes of soaring birds highlight the liveliness found in all parts of nature as they float through the air as if nothing else matters except for that precise moment. As the crystal blue water ebbs,  it carries away the lost causes of the day and brings fourth renewed opportunities within the crashing waves. Gazing from the sandy shore to the glowing coast, the infinite horizon imbues a permanent feeling of wonder and awe.

Reading Log

Spring Break was such a great opportunity to accomplish some of my reading goals because I had a great deal of free time. My main goal was to complete The Great Gatsby, and fortunately, I succeeded. By doing so, I completed my reading goal of reading at least one classic literature novel. I have heard great things about the book, so it was definitely number one on my list for this genre. It started out kind of slow, nothing like the emotional and controversial novels I have read this semester. I considered giving up numerous times within the first couple of chapters and return to my typical fiction books I had waiting for me at home, but I really wanted to accomplish this goal so I persevered. Along with accomplishing that goal, I also succeeded in reading in unique places, such as on a charter bus next to a snoring friend while Captain America played overheard, on the beach (my favorite place), and on the top bunk of a bunk bed (I've always dreamed of having one). Although I haven't necessarily read thirty minutes everyday, some days I read more, so that makes up for it, right? In addition to The Great Gatsby, I have been reading sections of Sebastian Seung's CONNECTOME. It is probably one of the most interesting books I have read, but it is also very intensive because of it's medical and psychological lexicon.

Pages read since last post: 256                   Pages read this semester:1880

Exercise 3

Try Not to Breathe by Jennifer R. Hubbard
Black Boy White School by Brian F. Walker
Dead to You by Lisa McMann

The intro provides a short background needed to understand the rest of the novel, which commonly includes a quick overview of the main point leading to the climax. From there it digresses to focus on a major plot point that occurs. The conclusion analyzes the overall book, including the characters, plot, and how the story can be connected to real-life.  The conclusion also gives insight to how well the author did at portraying the topic and ideas.

Note 1

"Anyway, Patrick started driving really fast, and just before we got into the tunnel, Sam stood up, and the wind turned her dress into ocean waves. When we hit the tunnel, all the sound got scooped up into a vacuum, and it was replaced by a song on the tape player. A beautiful song called "Landslide." When we got out of the tunnel, Sam screamed this really fun scream, and there it was. Downtown. Lights on buildings and everything that makes you wonder. Sam sat down and started laughing. Patrick started laughing. I started laughing. And in that moment, I swear we were infinite."

The events of the passage from Stephen Chbosky's The Perks of Being a Wallflower are intriguingly and astonishingly blissful which creates a larger than life atmosphere. When the mind is extinguished from all thought, extraordinary sensations of infinity triumph over what is real. The elements of nature that transform a dress into "ocean waves" balance flawless creation with mediocre reality. The beatific harmony of "Landslide" overpowers the echos of cars and rushes of air flooding through the tunnel. When even the simplicity of "lights on buildings" can capture a person in a state of wonder and awe, it is clear the infinite feelings leave an everlasting impact. The repetition of laughing among all three characters involved intensifies the overall euphoric tone of the piece. As portrayed in the novel, infinite is the perfect concept to express such feelings of power and ecstasy.

Exercise 2

Weaknesses-
"Inside a metal chute" gives a chaotic touch to the style while evoking a sense of innocence by naming the bull "Little Kisses." This is quickly shunned away by the foreshadowing of the danger soon to come as he "slapps his face forcefully, bringing adreneline roses to his cheeks."

The author enhances the stress by throwing the reader straight into the action.

She gets so unfocused writing her book that she "is about to BASH her little sister's HEAD IN." This infers that Roberta is easily distracted and can be gruesome. 


Strong Exercise-
let's get rich and give everybody nice sweaters

Exercise 1

Lynda Barry's "Cruddy" portrays a harsh and immature tone which evokes a sense of rage and rebellion. Taking place on a "cruddy street on the side of a cruddy hill in the cruddiest part of a crudded-out town," the repetition of the the word "cruddy" stresses the narrator's bitterness towards the current situation she is placed into. The excessive capitalization within the passage emphasizes the childish diction and fosters the thought that the author is perhaps an adolescent. The bold tone of this passage screams with emotion to enhance the author's overall distress and alludes to an omen of future vengeance.

Reading Log: Go Ask Alice

Go Ask Alice is in the format of diary entries from a fifteen-year-old drug user which takes place over a one year time span. Within this year, the narrator goes through an emotional roller coaster beginning with the night her soda was laced with acid. Unsure at first what had happened to her, she is intrigued by the feeling and soon takes on the challenge of experimenting with any drug she can get her hands on. The diction is somewhat immature as are her decisions which becomes redundant and a little annoying. After a tough incident relating to her drug usage, she runs away. Upon returning she vows to never fall victim to drug's evil grip, but unfortunately lets it happen, and runs away once again. This time, returning is different, she vows once again not to get caught up in drugs and uses all of her strength not to. 

Just as she is starting to improve her life, her beloved grandfather died and soon after her grandmother died as well. Raging with emotions she confides in her family and new friend, Joel. Her good intentions and maturity become stronger. Although she is improving, her old "friends" (the drug users) pin her and bully her for becoming "pure polly." She then realizes that while she was a user and a pusher, the people she hung around who were doing the same thing, were never really her friends.They bully her and eventually give her chocolate covered peanuts coated with LSD. She unknowingly eats them and has a mental breakdown while on the trip. After her morbid wounds slightly heal, doctors send her to an insane asylum. She spends a short amount of time there before she proves she is fine. When she is released, her character expresses full maturity and life seems to be going really well. She is really happy with how her life is and is disgusted at the thought of any type of drug. The narrator says that her diary is the only thing that kept her sane and even alive during the rough times in her life, but decides to no longer keep one. The epilogue states that only three-weeks after her decision to not keep another diary, she was found dead at home by her parents. It is uncertain how, but it is certain that it was due to drugs.

Going on the journey through the life a drug user was hard to take at times. If she could only realize the near perfect life and loving family she was destroying with her decisions, would it have made her stop sooner than later? She became an entirely different person while on drugs. They took her to some scary places, nearly on the verge of death at several different times. If this doesn't make the reader want to never get involved in drugs, I don't know what will.

Pages read this week: 159       Pages read this semester: 1624

Anthology: Theme Statement

For my anthology theme, I am choosing to do "Infinity." It is something that is really difficult to comprehend, yet something that most can relate to. It is also a topic that can be interpreted in a plethora of ways, making it a precise art to be able to narrow down the best artifacts that will complement each other. 

I got this idea from a novel I read earlier in the year, The Perks of Being a Wallflower. My first artifact is a quote from this book, "And in that moment I swear we were infinite." The feeling of infinity is ineffable, but in the context of this sentence, it becomes crystal clear. As a second artifact, I would love to use the infinity symbol. Sure, it's predictable, but it has great meaning behind it and it represents the definition of the word to its entirety.

Q4 Reading Goals

1. Read a total of 1400 pages this quarter
2. Read in unique places each week (i.e in a tree, on the roof), not just in my room or at school
3. Read at least one Classic Literature novel
4. Read at least 30 minutes each day

Catching Fire

As I came to the conclusion of Catching Fire, I realize that I have dragged out this book and posts as long as possible. Books like The Hunger Games and Catching Fire are ones that you hope will never end. Ever flip of the page is a sweat-breaking thrill to find out what is going to happen next, but also is a pain-inducing agony at the thought of coming closer to the end. Now I have one more book, Mockingjay, until my true expedition through the adventurous life of Katniss will finally come to an end. Like before, I'll try not to bore you with my familiar summaries, but instead focus in on one of my favorite parts.
After President Snow announces that the Quarter Quell (75th anniversary of The Games) will contain the surviving victors from previous years, Katniss immediately knows she's headed back into the arena. Haymitch, her mentor, is chosen as the male tribute, but instead Peeta takes his place. Things start to heat up even more as Katniss secretly decides to sacrifice herself to save Peeta.

For the interview, Katniss wears one of the gowns that was chosen for her for the wedding between her and Peeta. But this time, she feels that something is different; it is heavier. Cinna, her stylist, instructs her to turn around and lift her hands up at the right time during the interview. When the time comes, she obeys and the dress catches fire (it's always a thrilling moment when you figure out the title of the book) and burns off of her body, making her appear as a mockingjay. The mockingjay is the object upon Katniss' pin that she wore as a token from her hometown. It was given to her by her friend, Madge, and it is later discovered that it belonged to Madge's aunt, Maysilee, who died in the second Quarter Quell games. The mockingjay acts as a symbol of Katniss' rebellion and is also a slap in the face to the Capitol as the mockingay was created as the Capitol's disastrous attempt of using jabberjays to spy and obtain crucial information from the districts. By once again bringing the prominence of the mockingjay forward for all of the Panem, including the Capitol, to see, Katniss not only stands out among the other tributes, but proves her bravery and strength going into the next Games. She is there to fight and she is not going to  fall under cruel, unjust influence of the Captiol.

Analytical Response

1. 

-http://anothertwistanotherturn.blogspot.com/ "The stark whiteness of the page is crucial to this work, as if anything had been drawn or painted on it, all impact would be lost."

- http://rrr-nans.blogspot.com/ "A threatening soundtrack in the trailer to Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close creates the Jumanji atmosphere of helpless terror."

2.

- "The effects of these photos are mesmerizing, and they have an unreal sense of breaking the laws of physics."

- "I've always wondered what it is about beaches that everybody loves."

Spartan Reader: Before I die. . .

 

The black wall serves as a reminder that death is imminent, while the colorful chalk etchings cast a light of hope for all dreams to come true. "Before I die..."  is a public art project displaying the greatest dreams of citizens spanning across seven different countries. This wall is a refuge for anyone to come and confess their biggest dreams of what they hope to accomplish before they die. Representing a canvas free for expression, the once pure black surface is now covered in blue, yellow, and pink chalk phrases. Some scribed in sloppy letters and misspelled words, while others are precisely composed as if that dream had been written several hundred times across the cover of a school notebook.  Some are comical, "Before I die I want to buy a tiger," while others are more serious containing a sense of hope, "Before I die I want to find a cure for cancer."  Regardless if the dream is easy to accomplish or an outrageous, near impossible act, behind every single one is a strong sense of ambition and determination. The dreams become even more palpable and achievable by declaring them to the public.

If this were to be found on the wall of a house, the unorganized, inconsistent etchings would most likely spell disaster for the parents of uncontrollable children, but here, it's not only art, but a refuge that tells numerous stories while creating a sense of wonder and awe. One can only envision the authors and stories behind the listed dreams. Who would write such an outrageous thing and why would he/she want to do that? Was it a small, imaginative child, or perhaps a newly hired lawyer? The dreams scribed across the wall also assist the imaginations of the people who come across the wall to think of their own hopes, wishes, and dreams. Ultimately, this project strikes curiosity in hopes that all who see will create their own dreams and not settle until they are accomplished.

You Gotta Fight for Your Right to Party (or Just Do it Anyway)

What comes to mind when you think of college? In all honesty, I don't think of intellectual individuals with glasses sipping coffee and arguing the pros and cons of some far-fetched scenario like some would. I think about the parties. Not because I'm interested in attending them. I'm actually not in the least bit, but I think of parties just because that's what college has become renowned for. Alcohol has become the leading staple in the majority of college dorms and houses. Parties for "Thirsty Thursday," parties on game day, and parties just because they can. This lifestyle has become so common, but what the people at This American Life want to know . . . Why do they do it?
From a survey taken by several hundred college students across the United States, the number one party school is determined each year. This episode takes place throughout the campus of Penn State, the number one party school of 2009. This American Life sends a man and woman to interview college students, residents, college administrators, and local business owners about the newly claimed title; the results are surprising.
As the episode opens, loud screams and laughs can be heard in the background already setting the scene. It's only ten o'clock at night as the narrator describes drunken students stumbling down the streets, taking a pit stop to"water" a nearby resident's flowers. According to longtime resident, "it's typical." One can only imagine the things he would see on a night like this when an estimated 75% of students are drinking. But why do they drink so much? One student confesses, "We like the way it makes us feel," and another states, "If there was a 'drunk button', I would buy one." The audience learns from this scene that since alcohol leads to impaired judgement, fights, injuries, assaults, unwanted sexual experiences, getting behind in school work or even missing class are all very common.
From the stories told by students and average statistics, it seems like going to a "party school" is something I want to steer clear from as I make preparations for my future. The slurred speech and gibberish that the interviewed students present one after another creates an uncomfortable feeling. Knowing what potential nights like these hold, by placing oneself in any party scene automatically admits him into danger.  The students seem to treat college life as if it were microcosm where nothing can go wrong by living the "you only live once" lifestyle. Even the school seems to promote the partying idea by the easy accessibility to alcohol and the seemingly little punishment. The students appear to express very little self-awareness and responsibility making it easy for dangerous situations to arise. It is only the great hope of many that these students will soon become one with reality by taking responsibility for their actions and moving forward with their lives.

Short List 2-20-12

Chalk Illusions

This year as I made a trip to the Chalk walk downtown, I came across a very peculiar, but amazing chalk design. It was what looked to be a huge black hole that had opened up from the ground with alien-like creatures climbing out of it. It's crazy how real it seemed; I was so intrigued. I decided to look it up and see if I could find similar pieces and sure enough I did. Above is another great example. 

Simple Silhouette
These aren't your ordinary portraits. They are silhouettes. These photos force me to wonder who that person is. What does he look like? Is he smiling for the shot or is he wincing in pain? Silhouettes create a story and capture the pure essence of the shot without revealing too much about the subject. The background takes the leading role of the photograph as it would otherwise be overlooked.

 

Before I die. . .
What do you want to do before you die? "Before I die..." is a wall of an old house in New Orleans, Louisiana painted with chalkboard paint. Here, people come to anonymously write their dreams of something they hope to do one day or something the want to accomplish before their lives on earth come to an end. Some are comical, some are really inspiring, some, well, I'm not really sure what to think.Take a look at the wall and let the responses speak for themselves.

Catching Fire Part Two

Continuing my venture through Catching Fire, I, once again, find myself utterly engrossed in another one of Suzanne Collins' magnificent works. With my last post, I left off just as Katniss received threats from President Snow. There is nothing she can do to protect herself besides confiding in her "mentor," Haymitch. As the Victory Tour is about to take off, they both know that nothing can be done except for obeying the president's orders. These orders include Katniss and Peeta pursuing their "star-crossed lovers" act. But their sweet kisses and tightly gripped hands seem more than an act. Ever since the games have come to a conclusion, both Peeta and Katniss experience vivid nightmares. On the train touring the country, Peeta crawls into bed with Katniss each night to provide her comfort, which also leads me to think there is obviously something strong between them regardless of what they say. Just as the tour is about to wrap up, Peeta proposes to Katniss as another act for the audience; President Snow isn't convinced which may lead to serious consequences that won't be in Katniss' favor.
As they return home, the final round of the tour is dinner at the mayor's house. Katniss finds herself in the mayor's office absorbed in what she finds on the television. Uprisings in District Eight. Just like the mayor said. She can't help but to blame herself for all of the negative reactions that have been taking place since the conclusion of the games. Later, she reunites with Gale, a close friend who has always been a little more than a friend. She leads him into the woods to confess to him everything. Here he lets an "I love you" slip out. Katniss can't respond in the same way, but it becomes clear to the reader that she probably feels the same way. In regards to the greater problem on hand (President Snow's threats) they conjure up the idea of running away, however this is almost immediately shut down after Gale is caught with game from the woods and receives several lashes. Katniss throws a fit as her mother attempts to ease his pain because she believes that he isn't given enough relief. As she apologizes to her mother for her outrageous actions, her mother responds, "I've heard worse. You've seen how people are, when someone they love is in pain." It finally hit her, "someone in love". She loves Gale. What is going to happen next? She is marrying Peeta. Katniss' confusion of her feelings for each of the boys only intensifies and the tension between the boys will continue to increase. With that aside, Katniss needs to make her decision whether to fight against the capitol fast before the country in its entirety destroys itself with uprisings.

Podcast Response: #1 Party School

In "#1 Party School" by This American Life, a team from the radio show heads to Penn State, the college voted number one party school in the United States (in 2009) by the Princeton review. This was determined by asking 120,000 students from 371 schools across the country questions like, "How widely used are alcohol, marijuana, and other drugs at your school? How big is frat life? How many hours a day do you spend studying?" In Act One, the team of individuals interviewed college students, nearby residents, and business owners in the area to gain a better understanding why Penn State has gained this title. The interviewers focus in on the students. Here we learn what a typical night is like on campus. During any night of the week, a party can always be found, but most of the action takes place on Friday nights and Saturdays due to the "pregame, during game, and post-game" celebrations. Drinking has only risen in popularity among college-aged students partially because it has become tied to the tradition and school spirit of the university. Act Two focuses on what it takes for local businesses to thrive in this area. It takes strategy to make money from flat-broke students. This act gives "tips" to stay in business such as, "keep cheap" and "like your customers." Once again, we see a common theme-it all ties back to drinking.

Catching Fire

Coming to the conclusion of The Hunger Games, I realized that I had a bigger problem on my hands than the fact I was about to finish an amazing book- I needed to get a hold of Catching Fire and fast! Luckily, a friend had my back and saved me from nights of miserable curiosity. I started the very moment it was placed upon my hands.

As The Hunger Games came to an end, Katniss and Peeta returned to their district to start the Victory Tour and this is where Catching Fire begins. As Katniss prepares for the arrival of her team of stylists, she gets an unexpected visit from the president of Panem, President Snow. He makes his animosity of Katniss clear by ranting about his disapproval of the stunt she pulled in the arena to save her and Peeta's lives. President Snow warns that there are potential uprisings of citizens across the district. Although she is back in what she thinks is the safety of her home district, President Snow reveals he knows about absolutely everything she has been up to, including spending time with a close friend, Gale. The president threatens to take Gale's life away if Katniss doesn't obey his every word. As he gets up, he whispers in her ear and leaves. Katniss describes it: "The smell of blood . . . it was on his breath. What does he do? I think. Drink it? I imagine him sipping it form a teacup. Dipping a cookie into the stuff and pulling it out dripping red."
Her descriptions make him seem animal-like, like a savage slithering through the districts seeking out his next victim. His presence creates apprehensive and uncomfortable feelings. He is a villain craving to destroy the lives of others, especially Katniss for her deceit. By referring to the blood as "stuff", the author creates an uneasy feeling as if Katniss felt uncomfortable saying the word blood again because it felt too real. As Catching Fire continues, Katniss' fear intensifies as she continues the journey that will decide her fate.

Lights Out

Opaque: A Unique Dining Experience
Turn off the lights, what do you see?
The eyes are the doors to mind and soul. Our observations constantly call upon a plethora of thoughts and questions-some known, some unknown. When the eyes are closed, the world becomes frozen as the mind becomes the dominant ruler. This also applies to the balancing act that our five senses play. When one is eliminated, the others' abilities become increasingly intense. By closing our eyes, we deracinate all possible thoughts to focus entirely upon one subject- in this case it's the sense of taste.
Studies prove that flavors of food are greatly enhanced when no light is to be found. Like electricity, the food acts as a conductor, pulling all currents of the mind and senses to focus exclusively on the food. Opaque wants to capture this essence of a phenomenon to share with the curious-minded, adventure-seeking human race. The utter darkness captures all familiarities and locks them away for this ineffable experience. It captures its guests, transporting them into an unknown abyss and forcing them into an uncomfortable state of being in hopes of creating a greater enlightenment of a new and unforgettable journey.
The vision-impaired, but specially trained personnel guide guests through every aspect of their new-found adventure. The menu changes frequently, offering a wide-array of opportunities for guests to experience. As the forkful of delectable cuisine enters the mouth, the taste buds come alive by capturing and savoring the flavor like antibodies would when attacking a virus. Every possible element of the meal is extracted, leading the individual to unknown place of serenity and pleasure.

Short List #2

Good Morning by Heikki Leis
Look at this picture once and you will see a man combing his scraggly beard, but look again, more closely this time, and you will see this isn't a black and white photograph, it's actually a drawing. Scrolling through Heikki Leis' collection "Good Morning," you will find well-proportioned facial features, realistic wrinkles, lines, and pores on the skin, and perfectly positioned shadows that make these portraits come alive.

Opaque: An Original Dinging experience
In studies regarding the tongue and tasting abilities, it is thought that dining in complete darkness will richly enhance the flavor of the food. Located in five major cities across the United States, Opaque continues to grow in popularity. Specially trained personnel guide guests through the dining in the dark experience. Something completely out of the norm, yet something even I (who can be afraid of the dark at many times) would love to experience.



"Attempted suicide jumping from basement window."


"Bipolar optimist with HIV. Surviving. Thriving."

"Book in hand, dog in lap."

Six-Word Memoirs
This is a site that I came across awhile ago while doing some work with an online charity. This a place where anyone can go to leave their testimony, struggles, jokes, or release any emotions they may be feeling at the time- but only in six words, of course. By scrolling through the main page, you start to wonder, who are these people? What makes them say such things? For people who like to release their inner-most thoughts and emotions but don't like or have the time to ramble about on blogs or journals, Six-Word Memoirs is the perfect place to go.

Hungry for More: Part 2

Ask anyone who has read this book, it's not hard to find the way to the end in a short period of time. After ending it, I have to say this is on my list of top five favorite books. Putting aside the annoying hype for the upcoming movie, I was utterly engrossed from start to finish. In my last post, I left off at the moment just as the Hunger Games were beginning. Boy, a lot happened in the final two-hundred pages of this novel. Once again, I will not equivocate in telling effete summations of a familiar book. The following are some of my favorite moments.

Two very prominent relationships arose during the Hunger Games. One between Katniss and Rue, the other between Katniss and Peeta.

“I can feel Peeta press his forehead into my temple and he asks, 'So now that you've got me, what are you going to do with me?' I turn into him. 'Put you somewhere you can't get hurt.” As the Hunger Games begin, it is revealed that Peeta is in love with the other tribute from his disctrict, Katniss, This throws in a whole new twist because only one can win. Katniss has already made it clear that Peeta is no one of her interest. As the Games continue, her thoughts are often revolving around Peeta- wondering if he's dead, if he was lying about loving her, and so on. As the Games narrow down to only six tributes, the Gamemakers announce that two can win if they are form the same district. Immediately, Katniss goes to find Peeta. Upon her arrival, he was in an alarming state on the verge of death. Without Katniss tending to his wounds and caring for him, it is likely he wouldn't have survived. The previous quote from Katniss shows how a person would do anything to survive and keep loved ones alive as well. It also shows the beginning of their progressing relationship. By the conclusion of the novel, we are left to wonder if all that had happened between the two was for the audience or if it actually was truly authentic.

Midway through the Games, Katniss makes an alliance with a younger girl tribute named Rue. Together they make a strong team, teaching each other survival skills and knowledge of their own. Unfortunately, Rue is captured and speared. In her last moments Katniss is by her side. One of Rue's last requests is to win, not for the sake of Katniss and her district, but for Rue as well. By becoming so attached to Rue, it becomes Katniss' mission. Rue's other final request is to sing to her. Choking back tears, Katniss sings a lullaby, one that is a little to ironic to the present situation:

“Deep in the meadow, hidden far away
A cloak of leaves, a moonbeam ray
Forget your woes and let your troubles lay
And when it's morning again, they'll wash away
Here it's safe, here it's warm
Here the daisies guard you from every harm
Here your dreams are sweet and tomorrow brings them true
Here is the place where I love you.” 

Katniss drapes a canvas of flowers over Rue's body and leaves the scene with only a small memory of a girl who saved her life. She owes her the winning title of the Hunger Games and she won't accept anything less.

The Spartan Reader

Best of the World 2012
 A picture can only do so much to represent the actual image, but when it's all an individual has to rely on, it most certainly lives up to it's worth of a thousand words. Nobody examines pictures of Fort Wayne and thinks, "WOW! I want to go there!" That seems almost rudely sarcastic, nevertheless, it just makes every other place even more exciting to visit. It almost becomes a fantasy until the returning to a fiery, corn-filled hell the second that individual steps back into familiar territory. Each hop of the border or cross of the pond, one enters into a foreign world, like walking into kindergarten class for the first time. There is always something chimerical about it--a new learning experience, a new adventure.

From the cool, flowing waters of Iceland to the serene villas that rest upon the pristine beaches of Koh Lipe, Thailand, these photos prove that there are a vast number of microcosmic components to make up the home that nearly seven billion call their own, Mother Earth. A simple glance can act as a super power teleporting one's mind into a new world, one he thinks he knows so well, but in all reality, hasn't the least bit idea. There are Polar opposites of busy port cities in Croatia to the frozen and abandoned Siberian taiga of Mongolia. The steaming Geysers of New Zealand are complements to the smoke filled air surrounding the volcanoes partitioned among Rwanda, Uganda, and the Dominican Republic of the Congo, but are entirely different at the same time. Compared to the endless possibilities of jaw-dropping scenery or foreign lands, it's a wonder how Pittsburgh claimed a spot in the list of "Best of the World". Regardless, this list of only a small percentage of this wondrous world is filled with endless possibilities. Whether it be indigenous cultures,  innovative architecture, or the best of earth's natural elements, the world provides beauty, adventure, and boundless learning experiences in a mysterious multitude of ways.

Week 5 Top Links

Elementary Love Notes by Wonderstruck
The first one catches my eye-- a torn piece of paper with a child's handwriting scribed in sloppy, uneven letters--it's a love note. It takes me back to my early school years remembering receiving those notes with an original drawing on the front and the infamous question with check-boxes on the back.

Most Endangered Animals by A Puppy's Point of View
So much can be learned from this article. Being an animal lover myself, this article and the images make me want to take action and prevent their extinction!

On The Effect of Heavier Things 
It's really neat how this author chose to write about a topic other than what he can easily find on the internet. By writing about something he is familiar with, in this case a classmate's band, the article may become more personable and interesting.

Much Madness Is Divinest Sense
Seeing a car driving through a tree isn't something most people would see everyday. The author then proceeds to explain that this article submission would contain photos of family vacation through the 48 contiguous states. Something I have aspired to do my whole life, but have not had the opportunity to do, taking a virtual tour seems to be the next best thing.

Hungry For More: Part 1

Oh yes, I am another one lured in by the hype of The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. I'm sure most have heard about or, in Mr. Hill's case, have read endless blog posts on this novel. I believe the same book can be read in millions of different ways, not literally forward and backward and on a train, but how the reader interprets it, so spare me your eye rolls, please.

The novel takes place in a region, Panem, that was at one time called North America. It is broken down into twelve districts. Each year an event called the "reaping" takes place choosing a boy tribute and a girl tribute from each district to participate in what is called the Hunger Games. Here, the tributes battle it out in avid fight for life against the other tributes. "Fight for life" can be taken literally as the contestants are plotted against each other to kill. In this cruel dogfight, residents of all districts halt their the normal goings-on to watch. This novel follows the the female tribute from District 12, Katniss, who bravely volunteered herself after her younger sister was chosen.
Instead of continuing to summarize a book you've most likely read, I'll share some of my favorite lines.

“To this day, I can never shake the connection between this boy, Peeta Mellark, and the bread that gave me hope, and the dandelion that reminded me that I was not doomed.” (Collins, 32) Too often, in our lives, we are consumed by thoughts that bring us to a dark places.These thoughts can twist and turn our minds into thinking phantasmagorical thoughts. We then rely on the miniscule things, like a dandelion in the midst of a patch of dead grass, to remind us that there is hope and life does, in fact, go on. Katniss finds herself in this exact case, but perseveres when a boy takes a smack across the face to outwit his parents into giving the bread to her, the bread that potentially saved her life and the lives of her mother and sister.

Each tribute is is provided a couple days of preparation before the Games begin. They are required to showcase their greatest talents to the Gamemakers who, in turn, will score the tribute on a scale of one to twelve. After ambiguous facial expressions and stares of disbelief to Katniss' unexpected behavior, she falls into a pool of anxiety and regret. She begins to question what the future will hold and what miserable penance she will confront. "What will they do to me now? Arrest me? Execute me? Cut my tongue and turn me into an Avox...?" (Collins, 103). The questions never end. The idea of "always expecting the worse" plays a key role in this passage. Her anxiousness and curiosity of the unknown drives her to a point of insanity, thinking, "I just ended my own life."

Short List #1

Addiction Dance 

The heart-felt lyrics, the chilling facial expressions, along with the expressive choreography capture the most important part of any dance: telling a story. The male, Kupono, plays the role of an addiction pressing dominance over Kayla, who is trying to escape the wrath of its arms. I am honored to say that I've had the privilege to witness the sheer perfection in person just a mere fifteen feet away. Hair-raising, jaw-dropping, excellence.

 

TIME Picks the Top 10 Photos of 2011
Sometimes the things that have the most profound impact on one person are the scents he smells, the sounds he hears, and most importantly, the images he sees. They are the things that appeal to to our five senses that intrigues the brain and traps it in like a life-long prisoner. Nothing can be unheard; nothing can be unseen. TIME Magazine is known for producing some of the most memorable images in the history of time. This list produces images that tell the story before reading the article; that's what a picture is all about.

Best of the World 2012
Being just a small speck of a creature, in a small speck of a Midwest town, amid the vast world of endless potential, I find myself dreaming of where my life is going to take me. I know most people would be jealous of the endless corn fields and bipolar weather of Indiana, but it's just not for me. It's images like these that make me want to immediately drop everything and go.  Whether it be climbing a smoking volcano or taking in the simplistic beauty of infinite green mountains. I want an adventure; these images, these words, they take me there.

Interestingly Enough...

Reading, Reflecting, and More -- http://rrr-nans.blogspot.com/

Quickly skimming through blog posts of my classmates, this one really caught my eye. I found myself reading everything on "nans" page. This author's claim about the "Nighthawks" painting really captures the meaning behind the whole idea of making a claim and analyzing any piece of work. "In 'Nighthawks' painted by Edward Hopper, an outsider looking into the empty bar with ominous apathy, lathargic complacency, and dramatic coldness of the night, portray the dark, lonely mood of the lifeless costumers in the peak of the night." Nans gives an ambiguous painting a profound meaning.

Chimerical Tales -- http://quasiurl.blogspot.com/

"Teachers aggressively glare at the new more youthful teacher, as if he alone took the proud banner representing "Tradition" and stomped it into the dirt ."The way this author gave a new perspective and a greater meaning to a measly few seconds of a scene is intriguing and evokes a sense of curiosity of the relationships among the characters within the movie, not just how the audience sees them.

Reading Log #2

"And in that moment, I swear we were infinite" (Chbosky, 39). I want to feel what he feels. Is being infinite running into the sunset, young and care-free, casting a mere silhouette to the past? Is being infinite the feeling of escaping a small Midwest town and never turning back? Or is being infinite not having any feeling, whatsoever?

The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky intimately explores the existence of a lost soul, Charlie, who gets swallowed by the complex contemplation of every minuscule move he makes. Whether it be about love, loss, sex, drugs, or the occasional tree peeping through his bedroom window, to Charlie, there is always something greater to the picture. Philosopher? No. Pensive high school student with sheer curiosity? Exactly. This novel is set up in the style of letters to "a friend" who remains unnamed. By composing the novel in this manner, the author can speak more intimately and engage the reader more than he could with just journal entries. 

While I found this novel relatable upon many measures, the lachrymose sensations it brought upon me invoked my own deep contemplation resulting in a short abeyance of reading. Living inside of one's head for a short period of time can take one to a place he never thought existed.  Too often in society, we judge others based upon their outer appearance or maybe by their mannerisms. It's completely unethical because we don't know what makes that person this way; nonetheless, it's who we are as humans and it will continue infinitely. This novel teaches that even though everyone has (for the lack of a better word) crap in their lives, they have the power to do anything. Too often, I find myself stuck in the daily routine. Finding the true definition, better yet, the true feeling of being "infinite" has come to play a huge factor in the way I approach things. An unconventional way to finding a new adventure? I'm up for the challenge.

Reading Log #1

"It's so hard to talk when you want to kill yourself"(Vizzini, 1). The application of this harsh, but seemingly valid statement opens up the story and basically says it all. It not only grabs the reader's attention, but also locks him/her in.  It's Kind of a Funny Story by Ned Vizzini is told through the voice of a near teen suicide victim, Craig, who admits himself into the adult psychiatric hospital. There, he encounters a girl with self-inflicted cuts on her face and a transsexual sex addict. By comparing his "tragic life" to that of his new neighbors, he quickly becomes cognizant of the fact that his life is satisfactory and that he should be grateful for the love and attention he continuously receives. The book explores Craig's inner most thoughts and trepidations about his life. By entering the hospital, he receives the opportunity to competently confront all of his worries and figure out what his next step is in order to make "the shift" into a new and healthier lifestyle.
The structure of the book consists of ten parts, three being background insight of the events leading to the overwhelming depression of Craig and the other seven following the lively events occurring each day he resides in the hospital.This convenient break-down of time conveys the vast amount of change that one can experience in such a minuscule period of time.
Craig confides in his therapist, Dr. Minerva. A reoccurring theme comes into play during their sessions: the idea of "tentacles and anchors"(Vizzini, 307). Craig describes tentacles as people, activities, or events in his life that cause him anxiety and restrain him from living a normal lifestyle. His anchors are things in his life that never change and are always reliable. The problem with this is that Craig doesn't have any anchors to help keep him balanced or keep him sane. Although the terms are somewhat childish, the idea is applicable and relates to most lives. Most people have other things or people that they are tied to, but can't seem to cut the rope from. Those things may drive them to a point of delirium so it is important that they have "anchors" to provide a sense of harmony.
Overall, It's Kind of a Funny Story, creates a sense of hope and comic relief about a grave topic. By following the immature, yet insightful thoughts of a young teenage boy, the novel compels the reader to dig deep within his/her memories to relate to this character undergoing a profound metamorphosis. Craig not only exhibits courage to confront his issues, but also acts as a role model and provides hope for readers who may battle depression and wish to seek help.

Duo Close Reading

Modern Miami Home of Pharrell Williams

Setting
Character
Action
Style

Eclectic
Modern
Outspoken
Lighthearted
Intense
Open
Artificial
Contemporary
Bland
Cold
Loud
Life
Comical
Immature

The one of a kind, eclectic style of Pharrell's home provokes profound contemplation about the somewhat comical design features, which come across as incoherent with the modern aspect of his beach-front residence.

Renewed Love

Look at that nerd over there. How could he be so engrossed into something so... imaginary? Why does he waste his time? This is my thought process as I stare across the classroom in our free homework time. Most people yell obnoxiously across the room to their friends while I inconspicuously play Angry Birds on my iPod.
As an elementary student, I always wanted to be better and smarter than anyone in my class. I always had a book in my hand, not because I was forced to, but because I wanted to. I would finish the entire Summer Reading Program at the library within a week and be forced to impatiently wait to get my prizes until the proper dates. However, as I got into middle school and high school, I lost all interest. I got so caught up in playing sports, school work, and spending time with friends. Even the books assigned in English class didn't appeal to me. There were some that I never even opened. Needless to say, SparkNotes became my best friend. My grades definitely started to reflect the poor choices I had made. If it wasn't for my love of writing that saved me, I would have been in a sunken ship long ago.
The first day of Etymology class really opened my eyes. I am being graded on outside reading? I have to read 100-150 pages each week? You must be trippin, Mr. Hill. However, I took this as my opportunity to get back on track. Sure enough, the second day of class, a friend recommended a book to me and I read nearly 200 pages the first night I had possession of it. All day at school I was fantasizing what could possibly happen next. The characters of the book almost seemed as if they were my friends. They were all I could think about.

Reading has become my newest interest. Now, I guess I'm "that nerd" taking advantage of any opportunity to read. It is beneficial in so many ways: tremendous learning experience, offers entertainment, and acts as an escape. It's my own escape from reality. Who needs drugs when you have books?