tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25406293856002952002024-03-12T20:49:52.054-07:00I just hacked your literary magazine.The Smart Kids Writing Communitykathickershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05918021383805679561noreply@blogger.comBlogger56125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2540629385600295200.post-2193967680969090972009-04-24T01:07:00.001-07:002009-04-24T01:08:44.524-07:00I Hate Hamlet.<i>character analysis for Hamlet... I figure if I seriously spent five hours working on it, someone other than Fredley had better well read it. Also, it makes me feel better if it's a blog. :D</i><br /><br /><center>Laertes: Hamlet With A Backbone<br />Cassidi Hastings<br />4.20.09<br />4th Hour<br /><br />One of William Shakespeare’s greatest strengths in his writing is his character development. Not only are his main characters well rounded, but even the smaller, supportive roles are far from flat. In this great author’s tragedy, Hamlet, Laertes, son of Polonius has a relatively small role, when placed next to his sister, father, and others. Yet he provides an excellent foil for the very central character, Hamlet himself. Looking at the reactions of these two seemingly similar characters in certain situations, however, shows just how different two men can be.<br /><br />When Hamlet interacts with Ophelia [III, i, 97-167], he is very upset with the way he believes her to be behaving. He becomes shockingly rude [III, i, 128-148] and unmistakably violent. Treating a lady as such would’ve been incredibly degrading, and would’ve been damaging to not only Ophelia’s pride, but the very way she views herself. Her experience with men has been limited, and very proper and loving. In Ophelia’s diolauge with Laertes [I, iii, 1-55], we see a very different kind of interaction. In this situation, as with Hamlet, Laertes is upset with Ophelia’s behavior concerning her relationship with Hamlet. However, instead of being condescending and rude, Laertes gently admonishes his sister to be careful with her emotions [I, iii, 13-47]. <br />Both Hamlet and Laertes found themselves brought to a confrontation with Claudius, the king, at one point in the play. Both feel duty bound to attack the king to avenge a great ill done to them. Laertes is not given the opportunity as soon as he would’ve liked, so he forced himself upon the king, and not quietly, either [IV,v,106-115]. He brazenly approaches Claudius and demands his father’s body. At this point, Claudius has no choice but to comply with his demands. Hamlet, on the other hand, is given ample chances to strike. Yet, even as he gazes upon the king, who seems to be deep in remorse and practically begging for someone to put him away from his guilt [III, iii, 39-75] Hamlet justifies his inaction. Claudius has all but confessed the murder, but he procrastinates. <br /><br />The largest, though not by any means final, similarity between Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, and Laertes, son of a common man Polonius, is the untimely deaths of their fathers. Both murdered, both sent to hell without confessing their sins. This alone would beg retribution against their murder, but as if it was not enough, Hamlet had his father’s Ghost appear to him, not once, but twice! Laertes had no such visitation, but he needed none. Laertes was loyal to his father, in so much that he was ready to kill to avenge him, no matter who’s fault it really was [IV, v, 139-169].<br /><br />Hamlet is, arguably, an incredibly piece of writing. However, without the support of Horatio, the betrayal of Ophelia, even the wit of the gravedigger, it would not have been quite the play it was. Laertes, aside from being a complex and fascinating character, provides a great foil for Hamlet. One may observe his reactions, as opposed to Hamlet’s, and chose for themselves which of the two was the better, the wiser man. <br /><br /><br /><br />Works Cited<br />Shakespeare, William. Hamlet. Prentice Hall. Upper Saddle River, NJ. Originally published in 1603.</center>Cassidi Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12601274165264673009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2540629385600295200.post-71955446643988624282009-03-02T22:27:00.001-07:002009-03-02T22:29:04.067-07:00Holding Cell.<center><br /><br /><blockquote>HOLDING CELL<br />Curtain opens to a small holding cell in a police station. There are two metal held to the wall by pipes. In between the benches is a water cooler. JAMES MILL sits on the bench R. JEFFREY GOOD sits on the bench L. They are both handcuffed to the pipes.<br />JAMES<br />This isn't how you treat a fuckin' celebrity, Pigs! Ya know that? I'm a celebrity. A fuckin' celebrity! In my circles, people would kill for me! Ya know that? They'd even kill a bunch of Pigs like you. I need some more water, Pigs!?<br />(Tries to reach for the water cooler.)<br />I can't even reach the cup! Ya know that? You give people water to drink but not the space to reach it? That's real fuckin' great. Real fuckin' great!<br />(To JEFFREY.)<br />Hey, buddy. Can you reach the cup there? These fuckin' Pigs here give a guy some water but no space to reach it? That's real great. Real fuckin' great, right? Buddy? Can ya reach it for me? My mouth feels like I have a box of Q-tips in it? That whole cottonmouth thing. Ya ever have it? Cottonmouth? Huh? Have cottonmouth, there buddy?<br />(Silence.)<br />You alive? Nah, you're probably some guy whose never been here before? Ya know where you're at? Huh? Ya have a bunch of parking tickets ya never paid? Huh? What's your favorite movie? I like that Rocky Horror Picture Show. "Let's do the Time Warp Again!" Right? Ya see that one? "Rose tints my world." You alive? I'm here cause of some fuckin' Pig caught me with K. Ya know that? Ya know what K is, buddy? <br />JEFFREY<br />I know what K is.<br />JAMES<br />Oh! It speaks. I been talkin' to him for an hour and he doesn't say a fuckin' word, but I mention some K and he perks right up? Ya hear that Pigs!? The guy likes Special K. Ha! This is the best day of my life. Everytime I come in here I always get to sit here with some teenage douchebag who stole cigarettes for his girlfriend. Finally, some guy who actually knows what Special K is. I love this. Thank you, Pigs! Thank you for finally puttin' me with someone who actually knows me. Who understands me! I need some fuckin' K. Some Special K.<br />JEFFREY<br />Its ketamine.<br />JAMES<br />What?<br />JEFFREY<br />Special K. It's ketamine.<br />JAMES<br />I know what the fuck Special K is. Do you not think I know what it is?<br />JEFFREY<br />You asked me if I knew. I'm telling you.<br />JAMES<br />I know what Special K is. You think I take something for the past year and I don't know what it is? You fuckin' think that I'm a lunatic? Huh? You think of me like that? I sell the shit. Ya know that? I sell it all over the fuckin' place. These Pigs know it and they can't catch me at it. See, just cause I have it doesn't mean that I sell it. Right? Just cause I have a car doesn't mean I'm a car salesman, right? So, they think they can catch me sellin' it cause I have it!? Huh? Fuckin' Pigs. I know what Special K is. I know. Ya know that? Ya understand what I know? I know what the fuck Special K is. I know what it is. And I also know that they can't fuckin' catch me just cause I have the stuff. You don't arrest people cause they have T.V.'s, right? They don't go around selling T.V.'s, right? Just cause they own 'em? They don't. Just cause I have some Special K doesn't mean I'm selling it!! Fuckin' Pigs! <br />(Silence.)<br />I want my water. My mouth feels like it has Q-tips in it. Cottonmouth. I have fuckin' cottonmouth. Still! Ya know that? Ya ever have cottonmouth, buddy?<br />JEFFREY<br />You already asked me that.<br />JAMES<br />So what if I did? Ya never answered, right? My mother always told me to answer my friends when they asked me a question. 'Wise, it's rude. Bad manners. Fuckin' bad manners.<br />JEFFREY<br />I'm not so sure you should be talking about your mother while in here.<br />JAMES<br />The fuck that's supposed to mean?<br />JEFFREY<br />Its hard to believe you listened to your mother's advice if you're out selling ketamine.<br />JAMES<br />Who are you to tell me that? Where do you get off talking to me like that? Pigs, still need my water cup!? This guy over here won't hand me the cup! Fuckin' cottonmouth!<br />JEFFREY<br />What happens.<br />JAMES<br />What?<br />JEFFREY<br />Its what happens. Its a withdrawal symptom.<br />JAMES<br />My mother was a saint. Ya know that?<br />JEFFREY<br />I didn't say anything to - <br />JAMES<br />Nah, my mother was a saint. And she's fuckin' dead. Ya know that? She's fuckin' rotting in the ground. Ms. Rosie Mill rottin' in the ground next to the plot of the guy she married after my dad ditched us. How is that supposed to make me feel? Huh? And you come in here and tell me that I don't know what the fuck K is.<br />JEFFREY<br />You obviously know what ketamine is. I was saying that your mother taught you better than to sell it.<br />JAMES<br />She taught me better to get caught. That's what she did.<br />JEFFREY<br />What do you mean?<br />JAMES<br />She taught me not to get caught. She sold PCP all through my high school years. Kids. Adults. Old foggies. Everyone. She sold it everywhere. She never got caught. Not a day in the slammer. She didn't even get arrested when she was pulled over and had a guy who O.D-ed in the back seat. She was that fuckin' good, buddy. That good. Ya know that?<br />JEFFREY<br />That how it start?<br />JAMES<br />Absolutely. Buddy, I make over two grand every weekend rave. Ya know that? I bank on these crazy fuckin' ravers. Bank! I can't even tell ya how much I made at Club Party Monster last year. Fuckin' crazy ravers!<br />JEFFREY<br />(Tries reaching for the cup.)<br />I can't reach the cup either.<br />JAMES<br />I tell ya, these ravers just can't enough K and X. Big into those letter drugs. Not big on heroine or dust or anything. Really big into K and X. Ya know what K is used for, buddy? <br />JEFFREY<br />Its a tranquilizer.<br />JAMES<br />Big fuckin' cats and horses is what they use it on.<br />JEFFREY<br />Used it during Vietnam.<br />JAMES<br />Fuckin' big cats like tigers or lions...or panthers. I used to look at all those cats when I was a teenager at the zoo. Always wanted to work with animals. Which is why I went into veterinary school. Ya know that? I actually went to college to be a veterinarian. Workin' with zoo animals. My favorite were the black panthers. Elegant, deadly, black, black, black. All these sick zoo animals. Sick panthers. Had to get 'em to sleep so's we could work on 'em. Ya know that? Fuckin' panters couldn't get to sleep so we gave them some K. Good old-fashioned Vietnam K. <br />JEFFREY<br />Is that where you got it?<br />JAMES<br />They purr to sleep after that. You can cut 'em open and do whatever the hell you want with them after that. Shoot some K and they're out of it!<br />JEFFREY<br />Is that where you discovered ketamine.<br />JAMES<br />I discovered K in high school. My Mom started selling it before she died. Never tried it til I was in college though. Julian Mack, fuckin' vet science teacher sold it at raves. Sold fuckin' K just like Mom did. Felt like home. <br />JEFFREY<br />I see.<br />JAMES<br />Pigs! Need some fuckin' water in here! Neither of us can reach the cups. You give us water and no cups to drink it. No space, Pigs!? Can't arrest me for sellin' K when I wasn't sellin' it. Can't prove anything!<br />JEFFREY<br />You bought ketamine from your professor?<br />JAMES<br />I sold it for him. He heard where I came from. The kind of house I came from. And he offered me a job with a fifty percent take from whatever I sold. <br />JEFFREY<br />Did you get your degree?<br />JAMES<br />Started using it. To test it. Ravers would buy me a hit and I did it. Powder like coke, only goes down so much harder. Hits like a fuckin' bulldozer. But, buddy, it goes so much harder when you don't do it again. You just keep doing it so you can keep the high.<br />(Silence.)<br />I didn't graduate. Never did. Can't go to class when you're on the floor thinking you have no legs.<br />JEFFREY<br />I guess not.<br />JAMES<br />And Julian Mack is a saint. Ya know that? He's a saint. He helped me when I lost the scholarship. He gave me the job selling K and he let me live in his basement. He kept me afloat til he died.<br />JEFFREY<br />He died too?<br />JAMES<br />We all do, don't we?<br />JEFFREY<br />I guess so.<br />JAMES<br />There's no guessin' 'bout it. We all die. Ya know that? We all will one day rot in the grave. Better make life amazing before we do it. Huh? Right?<br />JEFFREY<br />Life is a discipline.<br />JAMES<br />Life is a party. Ravers have the right idea, crazy as they are. Just because they're crazy fuckin' lunatics don't mean they don't have the right idea. They live a party. <br />JEFFREY<br />That's hedonism.<br />JAMES<br />What?<br />JEFFREY<br />Hedonism. That's hedonism.<br />JAMES<br />If hedonism is living life as a party, then fuckin' right!<br />JEFFREY<br />Hedonism is living for pleasure. Following desire. If you aren't happy, then you aren't alive.<br />JAMES<br />Sounds good to me.<br />JEFFREY<br />But its wrong.<br />JAMES<br />Where do you wanna talk about being wrong? You're 'bout to go to prison. Ya know that? You're here in this tiny holding cell where you can't reach the cups for water. Fuckin' Pigs!<br />JEFFREY<br />Its wrong to live a life filled of pleasure.<br />JAMES<br />Why?<br />JEFFREY<br />I don't have to prove my thoughts to you. Only I need to know those reasons.<br />JAMES<br />And you sound like you're ten years old.<br />JEFFREY<br />If you like.<br />JAMES<br />What's so wrong with eat, drink, and be merry? Huh?<br />JEFFREY<br />Nothing's wrong with it. Unless you have a conscience. What about the happiness of others? What about discipline? What about the Golden Mean?<br />JAMES<br />What about number one? My life is just that. My life. I know what the fuck I'm doin'. I don't need anyone to tell me I need to feel bad for how I live.<br />JEFFREY<br />What about ethics and self-control?<br />JAMES<br />The only person who can tell me how to live my life is the Lord God above, but he's been outta commission for years now. He hasn't sent me angels or messengers or nothin'. Fuckin' too busy with those poor and down-trod, eh?<br />JEFFREY<br />What about excess and deficiency? Don't you feel obligated to discipline yourself? <br />JAMES<br />I should feel obligated for a lot of things. For a lot of people. But I just live my life, buddy. Fuckin' doin' what I do and sellin' what I'm sellin'. What's so wrong with living how I do?<br />JEFFREY<br />Look at where you are?<br />JAMES<br />Me? Just me? You're here too. Ya know that? You're here sittin' opposite me and you're tellin' me 'bout ethics. Need some fuckin' water in here Pigs! Can't reach the water. You give us water but no fuckin' space to reach it! No space, Pigs. No space. This clown in here calls me a hedonist and he's probably in here for skippin' out on some parkin' tickets. Lives his life like he's on the edge, but here he sits. Next to me. For holdin', right? He doesn't get water, neither. Right? Ya know that, Pigs!? He doesn't get water neither! So what are you in here for, buddy? What's your name?<br />JEFFREY<br />Jeff.<br />JAMES<br />Your name is Jeff. Your name is Jeff. My name is Jimmy. James. Ya know that? Your full name Jeffrey I take it?<br />JEFFREY<br />Yes.<br />JAMES<br />Jeffrey. Jeffrey has a last name, right?<br />JEFFREY<br />Yes.<br />JAMES<br />Ya do?<br />JEFFREY<br />I have a last name.<br />JAMES<br />And would Jeffrey's last name be?<br />JEFFREY<br />My last name is Good.<br />JAMES<br />I bet it is. What is it?<br />JEFFREY<br />Its Good. My name is Jeff Good.<br />JAMES<br />Jeffrey Good. Huh? So good ya got your ass in here, right?<br />JEFFREY<br />I guess.<br />JAMES<br />My last name is Mill. Like a sawmill, but without the saw. Ya know that? I have a last name and it is Mill. Good and Mill sittin' here now. Sittin' here not getting any water from the Pigs. Next to me getting no water. How much do you think had to happen for us to be sititn' here together not getting any water from the Pigs? Huh? What had to happen in life for us to be sittin' here? Jeffrey Good, what do you think had to happen? What series of events had to occur? You went to college?<br />JEFFREY<br />I went to college.<br />JAMES<br />What did you go to college for?<br />JEFFREY<br />I went for philosophy. <br />JAMES<br />Philosophy? You went for philosophy? You wanted to be a philosopher? Huh? <br />JEFFREY<br />No.<br />JAMES<br />You went to college for philosophy and you didn't want to be a philosopher? That's fuckin' stupid.<br />JEFFREY<br />Maybe.<br />JAMES<br />Why did you go to college for philosophy and not wanna be a philosopher?<br />JEFFREY<br />Philosophy was my major.<br />JAMES<br />And your minor?<br />JEFFREY<br />Pharmacology.<br />JAMES<br />Like pills and shit?<br />JEFFREY<br />Yes.<br />JAMES<br />So you knew what K is because you minored in pharmacology?<br />JEFFREY<br />I'm still in college.<br />JAMES<br />So you haven't gotten anything yet? How old are you?<br />JEFFREY<br />I'm twenty-five.<br />JAMES<br />Same the fuck here. What events had to happen in order for a philosopher and a vet to sit in the same room as a drug dealer and a...What the fuck are you in here for anyway?<br />JEFFREY<br />Ketamine is an analgesic NMDA receptor antagonist. It was developed by Dr. Callum Kitsonparker from Wayne State University and is given to dogs, cats, rats, horses, anything as an anesthesia. It was fully developed in 1962 and given to soldiers in the Vietnam War. Later, it was used as a treatment in psychiatric counsels. It effects sight, balance, sense of time, sense of reality, and self-concept when used in a recreational way. I know what ketamine is.<br />JAMES<br />What are you in here for, philosopher?<br />JEFFREY<br />You're a hedonist. You don't think about what you do before you do it. You just do things because you want to, with no thought of the consequences, which is how you ended up here.<br />JAMES<br />Take it easy.<br />JEFFREY<br />You simply act on impulse which is how you earn so much money selling drugs and have so little of it. You buy things on impulse. You have sex with whoever you want to and whoever gives you the time of day. You act on every insane idea you have no matter what it is because it brings you closer to the high you know that you'll never obtain. You're so close to the apex but every single time you get close you get shut off. Arrested. Brought here. How many times have you been in this holding cell?<br />JAMES<br />Twelve. This is my thirteenth.<br />JEFFREY<br />And how unlucky for you to be here with me. This is all meant to happen. Ya know that? We're here for a reason. That's fatalism. Ya know that? Do you know what that is?<br />JAMES<br />Well, I - <br />JEFFREY<br />Fatalism is when you believe that everything that happens to you is based on fate. That if you're sick you will get well if its meant to happen. You can call for a doctor or you can't. Either way, you'll get better if its meant to happen. That's fatalism. That's when you don't believe that choice matters. Aristotle talked about fatalism. But he believed in discipline. He believed in excess and deficiency. Ethics and self-control. He believed in what people like you could never hope to understand because you're too busy snorting ketamine.<br />JAMES<br />Been holding that in, have you?<br />JEFFREY<br />You don't know how it feels to be where I am right now?<br />JAMES<br />I'm with you, buddy. Ya know that?<br />JEFFREY<br />Not with me. No. You're not with me. You're on another plain. Coming off a high you've probably been in for a year.<br />(Silence.)<br />You're not with me. You earn a living taking life away from others. You sell ketamine. Special K. You sell it to those who want it, not caring about the destruction you're causing. The difference between you and I is money.<br />JAMES<br />You're in for drugs, too, buddy? Huh? Is it drugs you're in here for. You don't look like you're in a K-hole or on a high. Appearances can be deceiving, though, I guess. Drugs?<br />JEFFREY<br />You're still on the floor thinking you have no legs. You are strapped to a thousand balloons and soaring through the air, high as a kite. But you don't care what will happen when those balloons decide to pop. No matter how far you fall, you'll still be on the floor with no legs. <br />JAMES<br />What are you doing in this holdin' cell, Jeffrey Good?<br />JEFFREY<br />I'm here for the same reason you are. Only the circumstances have changed. <br />JAMES<br />And what are the circumstances?<br />JEFFREY<br />Aristotle wrote that what isn't a source of good in this world, that what lacks discipline and work to create happiness has lost the will and the requirements for living. Did you know that Aristotle wrote that? It was in a speech that he gave on philosophy. Aristotle was a lot of things. Not just a philosopher. He was a chemist, biologist, mathematician, astronomer. He was a jack of all trades. He understood things that wouldn't be understood by humanity for over a hundred years. Aristotle was a teacher, most of all. And he taught that if you are not truly happy through good works and deeds that you have lost the requirements for living. He said those words. And that whatever brings you happiness is good if it brings harmony and joy the rest of mankind. Did you know that? <br />JAMES<br />No.<br />JEFFREY<br />You're in here for selling ketamine that your veterinary science teacher gave you to sell so that you could pay rent, buy more ketamine, whatever else. You do what you do because you're constantly reaching for that one special high that you know you will never obtain. You keep trying and trying, more K, more K, but you just can't reach it. Can you? You try and try and nothing. Do you know why you never reach that special high where you forget every single thing you know? Where you'll forget about your Mom dying, about your failed college graduation, failed relationships, failed pitiful existence you call a life? <br />JAMES<br />I'm not...<br />JEFFREY<br />You can never reach it because your type of happiness entails no work. You go to a rave, make a couple grand, sit back, relax, soak it up all in alone in your crummy apartment where you hide all your stashes in the backs of toilets. That's where your life is leading, James Mill. Its leading to the spot you go to all the time. Its leading to the toilet. Flushed away down the drain, filling up a fresh pot for new and dumber piss-ants like you to feel special. That's why you can't reach the high. No work. Its as easy as breathing, doing drugs. Sniffing. That's what it takes, right? That's what it takes, breathing. Where's the work in breathing?<br />JAMES<br />It's not like I haven't tried stopping, ya know.<br />JEFFREY<br />You've tried stopping? You've tried? What use is trying when you don't complete something? You can't reach your goals because you have none.<br />JAMES<br />I have goals.<br />JEFFREY<br />What would those be? Not to get caught like your Mom taught you? Not to caught with a guy O.D-ed in the backseat of your car? What goals do you have? Real goals.<br />JAMES<br />To make something out of myself. <br />JEFFREY<br />Make something or make anything?<br />JAMES<br />You may not think that I fuckin' care what happens to me, that my life is nothin' but a party with fuckin' crazy ravers. But let me tell you somethin', Jeffrey Good. I have dreams. I've had the same dream my whole entire life. I want to work with those big fuckin' panthers. I do. Don't laugh. You're only laughin' cause you don't believe what you're hearin'. But believe it, buddy. I wanna be a vet. Ya know that? I still do. I sell this fuckin' shit because I have nothin' else to work with.<br />(The balloons begin to pop.)<br />I have nothin' else in this whole great world to work with. I don't have any family. I don't have any friends who can help. I make do with what I got. I wasn't given any handouts like some prep school jock with a football scholarship. I worked hard. Mom was a druggie, Dad was gone. No family. No handouts. What the fuck do you want me to say, that I was wrong? Cause I can't say that when there wasn't any other road to go on. You can't travel without legs, can ya? Huh? You can't walk down the right path when the only one in front of ya curves to the left. Can ya?<br />JEFFREY<br />You can blaze your own trail.<br />JAMES<br />Easier said than done, buddy.<br />JEFFREY<br />Everything, no matter what it is, is done easier than it is said. When you simply, just do it. <br />JAMES<br />Listen, buddy, you haven't lived my life. You don't fuckin' know who I am. You know my name and know that I like K. That's all you know. You don't have any clue about what this feels like.<br />JEFFREY<br />Feels like?<br />JAMES<br />This. Sittin' here again. For the thirteenth fuckin' time, sittin' next to a philosopher and I can't fuckin' get any water cause the Pigs won't give me the space. I feel like I have Q-tips in my mouth. Cottonmouth. <br />JEFFREY<br />I can't tell you why I'm in here. You'll feel like you're better than me.<br />JAMES<br />Nothing in the world can make me feel better than anyone else, buddy. I sell K at raves to stupid fuckin' ravers. Sure, they know how to live, but they keep buying me hits, buddy. Ya know that? Those stupid raver kids are the ones that did this to me. I can't even breathe right now. It feels like I have no arms. Cottonmouth! Pigs! Can't get to the water. Need water!<br />JEFFREY<br />If I told you why I was in here you would know that I was a hypocrite.<br />JAMES<br />I think everyone's a hypocrite. You outta everyone. I mean, you talk about changing your life and you sit in a holdin' cell with a drug dealer. You say that if you don't do things for the good of mankind or whatever, that you don't have the right to live. So why are you still breathing.<br />JEFFREY<br />Because I took that right away from others.<br />There is a heavy silence.<br />JAMES<br />You what?<br />JEFFREY<br />I attend Banks College. <br />JAMES<br />'Cross the river, yeah.<br />JEFFREY<br />What do you know about Banks?<br />JAMES<br />There's been lotta suicides.<br />JEFFREY<br />They haven't been suicides.<br />JAMES<br />What have they been?<br />JEFFREY<br />Aristotle wrote that extravagance is a punishable lifestyle. I agree with that.<br />JAMES<br />They ain't been suicides?<br />JEFFREY<br />He told that those who haven't worked for their happiness have lost the requirements of life. <br />JAMES<br />If they ain't been suicides, what were they?<br />JEFFREY<br />Tonight, my philosophy teacher gave me back a paper I did on Aristotle. His ethics and beliefs. I failed the assignment. He said that I didn't understand what Aristotle was saying. That I didn't get it. That I was too black and white about it. <br />JAMES<br />Why are you in here, philosopher?<br />JEFFREY<br />(After another heavy silence.)<br />They didn't have the right to live. They didn't work for what they had, they just lived like life was a party. They didn't understand what it took to be happy. They wanted happiness to just be a part of them. Every single night, they came to me, asking me for help on this. Help on that. I didn't go to the all-night parties on the quad. I didn't go to the socials or the trips or the beer runs at three in the morning. I stayed in my dorm doing my work. I was working to be happy, not just happy right now, but happy for the rest of my life. They raved and partied, did ketamine with the veterinary science teacher. They did Jello shots off of sorority girls. I studied. And I was sick to death of hearing their excesses. They had no right to have happiness. They lost the requirements for living and I made sure that they wouldn't be given another chance by fate. There is no fate, only choice. And the choices they made landed them a one-way ticket to Hell, my friend. Straight to fire and brimstone! Damnation!<br />(Running out of breath.)<br />I need some water. Officer!? Officer!? I need some water. I'm dying in here sitting next to a ketamine dealer. He admitted that he was selling it. Did you hear that!? Or are you too busy not giving me my fucking water!?!?<br />JEFFREY kicks at the water cooler and topples it over. There is no water in it.<br />JAMES<br />Whoa, philosopher! Take it easy!<br />JEFFREY<br />This is wonderful. Isn't it just wonderful?! They give us the cooler, they give us the cup, but they don't even give us the water. What a wonderful institution! Tax dollars down the drain.<br />JAMES<br />I have fuckin' Q-tips in my mouth. Cottonmouth.<br />JEFFREY<br />I hate this. I hate being here. I wanna go home. I wanna go home! I WANNA GO HOME! I don't like being here! James? <br />JAMES<br />I'm a celebrity in my circles. Never pay for blow or drinks or anything. Did you know that? Fuckin' Pigs can't put me in here for just havin' the shit. Can they? Huh?<br />JEFFREY<br />James? I don't want to be here. I want to go home. <br />JAMES<br />A fuckin' celebrity.<br />JEFFREY<br />(Begins to shatter.)<br />James. I don't have friends. I don't have any...friends. I need a friend in here. I don't know where I'm going. I need a hedonist to tell me what to do. I need a friend here, James.<br />JAMES<br />Why are you in here tonight, philosopher? Tonight. Suicides haven't been suicides. No cuttin' wrists tonight? You decided to be here. Why?<br />JEFFREY<br />I'm here because I need a friend, James.<br />JAMES<br />Who died tonight?<br />JEFFREY<br />Nobody died tonight. Nobody that didn't deserve it.<br />JAMES<br />Do you really think that what you did was right?<br />JEFFREY<br />I was told to do what I did, wasn't I? How can that be wrong? Obeyance is wrong? That isn't right? That's...backwards. <br />JAMES<br />Ya know what's backwards? The justice system is backwards. Fuckin' Pigs doin' what they do. I can't look at 'em. They make me sick. You make me sick. I coulda' been a fuckin' vet, ya know that? I can't even fuckin' feel my legs right now. I can't fuckin' feel my legs. <br />JEFFREY<br />(Coughing.)<br />No water. No water.<br />JAMES<br />Don't let me fuckin' die in here, philosopher. I don't want to die in here.<br />JEFFREY<br />I need to leave. There's water somewhere else, isn't there? I need water. I need a friend who will give me water. That's what I want. I need it.<br />JAMES<br />You need to fuckin' shut the fuck up! I have Q-tips in my mouth. Cottonmouth.<br />JEFFREY<br />I need to get out of here. I can't stay here. <br />JAMES<br />Shut up!<br />JEFFREY<br />I need water and I need to get out of here with a friend. James!? What's prison like? I don't want to go to prison. I'm scared. I'm scared to go.<br />JAMES<br />You're not afraid of prison. You're afraid of not knowing what prison is like.<br />JEFFREY<br />What?<br />JAMES<br />You're a fuckin' coward, philosopher.<br />JEFFREY<br />I was told to do what I did. Mr. Brooks told me I didn't understand. It was then that I knew that he didn't understand.<br />JAMES<br />He understands. You just can't read into what the fuck he means.<br />JEFFREY<br />You're not making sense.<br />JAMES<br />I'm making more sense than I ever have before. Fuck! Can't feel my legs and you're here arguing with me. Something that K does, buddy, is let you see the shit around you without a veil. You see things how they really are. How they were meant to be seen before people all medicated the fuck out of themselves and toned down the reality!<br />JEFFREY<br />You don't...<br />JAMES<br />Things ain't as tinted rose as you thought, huh?<br />JEFFREY<br />I'm not jaded.<br />JAMES<br />We all are. You with your crazy, fucked-up philosophy and me sittin' here with cotton in my mouth and no feeling in my legs, dyin' of thirst and from that poison that's spewin' outta your trap!<br />JEFFREY<br />I'm not jaded. I'm scared.<br />JAMES<br />You're scared of being jaded is how it is, buddy. Fuck! Even a fuckin' baby can see that. That's what you are. A baby. A fuckin' baby. I just slaughtered your philosophy that it took years to build up in a few seconds. That ain't me, philosopher. That's the beauty of K.<br />JEFFREY<br />Ketamine doesn't do that.<br />JAMES<br />Lucid dreamin' is just an eyes wide shut away.<br />JEFFREY<br />What?<br />JAMES<br />(Singing.)<br />"Rose tints my world. Keeps me safe from my trouble and pain."<br />JEFFREY<br />James?<br />JAMES<br />(Singing.)<br />"It's beyond me. Help me, Mommy!<br />I'll be good, you'll see. Take this dream away-y-y-y-y"<br />JEFFREY<br />I'm terrified.<br />JAMES<br />(Singing.)<br />"Oh-h-h-h. I feel released. Bad times deceased.<br />My confidence has increased. Reality is here-e-e-e."<br />JEFFREY<br />You're a good boy, Jeffrey Good. That's what I was told when I was a little boy. You're good, Jeffrey Good. Good Jeffrey Good. Don't be frightened. It's only a matter of time before the demons sleep.<br />JAMES<br />(Singing.)<br />"The game has been disbanded. My mind has been expa-a-nded."<br />Blackout.</blockquote><br /><br /></center><br /><br />A friend of mine wrote this play and was looking for some constructive criticism... Anyone?Cassidi Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12601274165264673009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2540629385600295200.post-6704533389925025522009-02-04T21:30:00.004-07:002009-02-04T21:33:44.307-07:00so it's knownin case there's anyone left here (besides the anonymous') who doesn't know my new blog address its ricochetpoetcafe.blogspot.com so you know, have at. come and critique me, because that seems to be the new theme.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2540629385600295200.post-583116644706036362009-01-18T20:26:00.003-07:002009-01-18T20:43:02.737-07:00Humanities Headstone<span style="font-size:85%;">I started with the idea: "i wanna write a haiku 'bout zombies", but I spilled and made a mess :p<br />I know its not great, but I enjoyed it :]<br /><br />The whole world is silent,<br />save for the thump, and the moan<br />The whole world is quiet,<br />save for the creak, and the groan<br />The whole world is still,<br />save for the rumbles of legion<br />The whole world is safe,<br />save for each and every region<br />My world is dead,<br />and theirs, ever better<br />They'tre coming for us,<br />debt collecters after debters<br />We deserve it, I guess,<br />all the waste, and the hate<br />But I wanted to live,<br />so I wish they would wait<br />If someone should find me,<br />hopefully real dead and alone,<br />inscribe this,a memoir,<br />on Humanities Headstone<br /><br /><br />and P.S.<br /><br />COMMENT! I hate it when you guys don't comment :/ I know its terribly hypocrytical, but i wanna know what you think of my stuff :[ even if its just "cool" or "that sucked". just do. bye.<br /><br /><br /></span>Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18249825608377284138noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2540629385600295200.post-4435357643644287992009-01-04T20:51:00.004-07:002009-01-04T21:36:07.170-07:00Another Movie Review(because that's still the standing challenge, and you all FAIL)<div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" >A time to kill</span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:arial;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></span><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:78%;" >Based on the novel by John Grisham</span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 204, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:78%;" ><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Starring...<br />Matthew McConaughey(!) as Defense Attorney Jake Tyler Brigance =]<br />Sandra Bullock(!) as Ellen Roark, his 'assistant'<br />Samuel L. Jackson(!) as Carl Lee Hailey, Defendant<br />Kiefer Sutherland as Freddie Lee Cobb, the main bad guy<br />Kevin Spacey as Prosecuting D.A., Rufus Buckley</span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></span><table style="width: 94px; height: 27px; font-family: arial;" class="cast"><tbody><tr class="odd"><td class="char"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:85%;" ><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">Released in 1996</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">Directed By: Joel Schumacher</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 0);">I don't want to get into the plot details, but here are the basics: Two white guys rape and beat a little black girl, and when her dad finds out, he decides to kill them. On their way to trial he shows up and shoots them dead, injuring a cop in the process. He asks Jake to be his attorney, and he agrees for reasons later to be discovered. The brother of the boys killed joins up with the KKK to get his revenge, and see to it that Carl Lee goes to the gas chamber. Roark practically begs Jake to allow her to help him, free of charge, and when he gives in, together they have to convince a racist unwilling jurry to believe that Carl Lee was legally insane at the time of the murder, all the while avoiding death or serious injury that would be inflicted upon them by the Ku Klux Klan. The story is filled with drama and excitement, and I'd say it manages to hold your attention. It's not like the writing is spectacular, it gets pretty awkward at times, but the actors are people i like. I got a little worried there in the middle part, that they would have Jake do something absolutely ridiculous, but thankfully he did not. All in all, it was a pretty good movie, in my opinion.</span></span></span></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;font-size:85%;" ><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 0);"> </span><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" ><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"></span></span></span></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2540629385600295200.post-21911522094693930952009-01-04T10:27:00.004-07:002009-01-04T21:02:22.839-07:00The richochet poet cafe (first poem of 2009?)<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">brilliant garden of thought</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">a solitary dance to remember</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">it sings like skin</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">your cool cocktail play</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">as we meander to prison</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">beside this rain</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">immense life</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">and sky</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">teach the moon and sun</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">of a day like night</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">let music soothe</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">lounge through paradise</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">when wicked matter does live</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">time shall hear you wait.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">---------------------------------------</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">titled, a boy</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">I think about his voice</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">so in love </span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">how he must feel</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">what luck I have</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">---</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">and then things just started to get too complicated, because I had used all the connecting words I kept needing. So I wound up with things like "dizzy lizard" and "machine motor murmur."</span><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2540629385600295200.post-75449417189284693512008-12-25T20:29:00.001-07:002008-12-25T20:31:57.411-07:00Hey guy and dollsnew URL taken from the poem I just posted.<br /><br />www.animmenseanatomyofsound.blogspot.com<br /><br />thought I'd let you know.<br /><br />peaceBenjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18249825608377284138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2540629385600295200.post-29353714101735224642008-12-25T13:05:00.003-07:002008-12-25T13:14:46.915-07:00Paradise in the ear<div style="text-align: center;">Hey kids! tell me what pitchurs this paints in your minds, kay? I wanna know if they match mine, or if they're weird :P peace<br /><br />I sing of an immense anatomy of sound<br /></div>Speak<br /><div style="text-align: right;">Murmur<br /></div>Solitary voices<br /><div style="text-align: right;">Ecstatic music<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Sound meanders through time<br /></div>The<br /> machine<br /> breaks<br /><div style="text-align: right;">Under the sun<br /></div>A flash<br /><div style="text-align: center;">Her hair in the light<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Her voice in the air<br /></div>I swim<br /> in a sea<br /> of words<br /><br />Paradise in the earBenjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18249825608377284138noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2540629385600295200.post-43189933330585995012008-12-25T12:25:00.002-07:002008-12-25T12:38:58.946-07:00Attention, Beeyotches.We all have talents and we all have skills. And since I don't see anyone getting paid or recognized in any way for any of the content of this blog or our personal blogs, that means that nothing here is anyone's "thing". The whole point of writing club was for ALL of us to be able to just write and post whatever the hell we felt like, and maybe get some feedback. THE POINT IS TO WRITE--nobody cares if you are J.D. Fucking Salinger or not. If you guys keep adding these passive aggressive little, "well I'm not as good as _____ " messages, no one's going to want to post anything. So knock it off.<br /><br />If you like something someone wrote, tell 'em. If you don't, tell 'em as kindly as possible, with some suggestions. If you can't live with this kind of writing community, GTFO. There will be no snowflakes here.<br /><br />(P.S. This has nothing to do with any of you personally--it's just a rule for the group that I intend to enforce from now on. If you post something with a qualifier like the one above, I'll delete your post.)kathickershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05918021383805679561noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2540629385600295200.post-14915378272139700042008-12-25T02:28:00.001-07:002008-12-25T02:30:07.522-07:00Sorry, Kim...Hair says poetry is your thing, so probably I shouldn't intrude, but I wrote a poem for the first time since... Jeez. Valentine's Day, 2007, and I wanted to share, maybe get some feedback?<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">going, going, almost gone<br />i felt myself fading into the throng<br />how quickly time passes<br />when you're one of the masses<br />until i heard your voice and something in me stood still.<br />a smile on my lips, a sparkle on my eye<br />the sun, so long covered, is beaming from the sky<br />though it's the shortest day of the year<br />something whispers in my ear<br />a hope that you, my dear one,<br />could be sitting beside me when the day is done<br />your smile, your eyes, your infectious laughter<br />the moment it's over, i crave more ridiculous banter<br />there's nothing crushing, suffocating, hurting<br />and every moment together is only reaffirming<br />that i am for you, and you are for me<br />when i look in your eyes, it's pure happiness i see<br />we're silly, silly, love, every little face you make<br />and with each look, each touch, there's a little more of me you take<br />but willingly i'll give, let my heart be taken with a smile<br />just for the chance to hold your hand a while.</span><br /><br />-CassCassidi Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12601274165264673009noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2540629385600295200.post-79842553032922020062008-12-21T18:39:00.003-07:002008-12-25T12:41:32.445-07:00Posted for Heather, by Abel<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVrRwMNBLLYqPlk3OyftdhtQOF4hUbfylW69lUXLp_DXJKvs_2QRr2Wamn5PuFGjRgVb8Ee8N7zD3PeRFROORmoD4tSWUSpSDt7z_tQmeFkcPr_eqZy-144PQ9ULlE5A2B3EkFxCd-RoQ/s1600-h/boxes.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 222px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVrRwMNBLLYqPlk3OyftdhtQOF4hUbfylW69lUXLp_DXJKvs_2QRr2Wamn5PuFGjRgVb8Ee8N7zD3PeRFROORmoD4tSWUSpSDt7z_tQmeFkcPr_eqZy-144PQ9ULlE5A2B3EkFxCd-RoQ/s320/boxes.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5282423251244338706" /></a><br /><br />I wrote something today:<br /><br />We use our senses as our defense mechanism<br />to avoid getting caught in the rain<br />I used to believe your words were drenched with wisdom<br />But tonight they won't fight off the pain<br /><br />I like it.Heather.http://www.blogger.com/profile/04330498518547013333noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2540629385600295200.post-32354828463333187582008-12-19T13:39:00.002-07:002008-12-25T12:42:10.926-07:00Hello ThereSo I haven't even posted on this blog yet, despite the fact that Ms. Abel invited me to around 2 months ago. I figured I'd just repost my newest blog entry here, maybe I'll get the criticism that I've been looking for here.<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204); font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">I thought I might try my hand at a little poetry(sorry Kim, I know it's your territory). I thought what is a song but vocal poetry. So here it is, the first poem I've ever written outside of english.</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><br /></span></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: center; "><b><span style="font-size: 18pt; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Life: What it is</span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Hair</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: center; "><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">If life is choice</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">I choose to live</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">If life’s a game</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">I hope I win</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">If life is more</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Then tell me now</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">If life’s surprise</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Don’t let me know</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: center; "><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">If I could have</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">What I wanted</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">When I wanted</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Then life lost point</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">If I’m patient</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Then I will wait</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">And what I want</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Will come to me</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: center; "><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Yes, life is choice</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">I choose to live</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Yes, life’s a game</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">I aim to win</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Yes, life is more</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Of this I’m sure</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Yes, life’s surprise</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Just wait and see</span></p></div></span></div>Hairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09422174591811578526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2540629385600295200.post-53289594083716983002008-12-18T11:07:00.000-07:002008-12-25T12:42:29.903-07:00Grumble. Snow. Grumble. Read SLHS kids.Due to the snow day, finals will be taken tomorrow.<br /><br /><br /><br />For those students that need to take finals, you STILL have to show up.<br /><br /><br /><br />For those students that DO NOT need to take finals because of either perfect attendence or have missed 2 days and still maintain an A in a class, DO NOT have to show up tomorrow!<br /><br />The assembly was cancelled so those that do need to take finals have more time.<br /><br /><br /><br />THIS IS A URGENT! WE NEED TO COPY AND REPOST IT AS MANY TIMES AS POSSIBLE!<br /><br />Send out mass texts, facebook, myspace, blogspot, or any other source to comminucate with a mass majority of the school.<br /><br /><br /><br />Mr. Adams is trying to get this on the radio but Mrs. Lizardi thought Student Council could spread it just as fast. So if you have any questions, message a Student Council person.<br /><br /><br /><br />Thanks guys and repost this!Cassidi Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12601274165264673009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2540629385600295200.post-46712858362487376472008-12-08T22:08:00.004-07:002008-12-08T22:22:40.415-07:00Frankenstein, as told by De Lacey (memory games)Pertaining to what occurred in the cabin<br /><br />In the cabin I was left alone<br />When someone knocked<br />and entered my home<br />I let him sit<br />and he didn't mind<br />my old age<br />or the fact that I was blind<br />He began to tell me his story<br />He told me of his worry<br />He wished to befriend a family<br />But of rejection he had a fear<br />I told him not to worry<br />As approaching steps we did hear<br />He suddenly confessed that this family<br />Whom he loved, in fact, was my own<br />And I realized that in teaching Safie<br />A knowledge of French was in him sewn<br />He had been restocking our firewood<br />and shoveling our snow<br />He had watched and loved us<br />He had been alone<br />But before I could learn his identity<br />My son entered, attacking this man<br />And although he only did it to protect me<br />He was frightened and he ran.<br /><br /><br /><br />Impressions of the Creature<br /><br />He was courteous and self controlled<br />He was respectful of the old<br />He was honest and polite<br />He tried to do what was right<br />He was alive, just like you<br />He knew what he did do<br />He longed for a friend<br />but his appearance did not lend<br />He knew love and hate<br />Though his temper wasn't great.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Feelings of fear and woe<br /><br />I had no Idea<br />of what was going on<br />So I was full of fear<br />Until the man was gone.<br />After things were explained<br />I wasn't scared at all<br />Except, for that poor creature<br />Who's faith in man would fall.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />A Means to an End<br /><br />My own daughter had fainted<br />And my daughter-in-law had fled<br />They all feared if we stayed their<br />That we would wind up dead.<br />So as soon as we possibly could,<br />We packed up everything we knew we would<br />Need to keep with us, as we should,<br />And moved away, for our own good.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2540629385600295200.post-13326503532953660822008-11-29T23:56:00.004-07:002008-11-30T00:02:06.024-07:00The Key To My Future.<span style="font-style:italic;">So, I know most of you couldn't care less about the fashion industry, but I'm giving you a reason to: I just got accepted to the Phoenix Art Institute! {waving cassidi flag} but it's $7,000 a quarter. Completely impossible... But wait! There's more! I am applying for a full ride, all expenses paid scholarship for fashion merchandising, which is the degree I wanted to go for. All I have to do is revolutionize the fashion industry! So this is the first essay I wrote, it's my 'why i got involved with fashion and what i will do with my degree' thing. <br />Critique, please?<br />-Cass<br /></span><br /><br />In my life I have had many positive experiences regarding fashion.<br /><br /> <br /><br />My fashion story begins much the same as many others: For as long as I can remember, I have been playing dress up. When I was little, it was my older aunt’s prom dresses, mom’s heels, and grandmother’s pearls. As I have grown, it has morphed to dresses of my own, heels that are still too high, and costume jewelry that I would have squealed over as a little kid. However, I hope to see my fashion story continuing on where others have dropped off.<br /><br /> <br /><br />All through high school, I have been involved with the theatre. I have been able to see firsthand how even minor changes in a character’s costume can completely alter how they are perceived. Every detail works together to create an image that adds to the emotional and visual atmosphere of a play. I believe it works the same way with people in everyday life. By adding or removing an accessory, or using a different color scheme in an outfit, the image you send to people can be completely changed. <br /><br /> <br /><br />I had the opportunity to work at a bridal and formal wear shop my junior year in high school. I loved that experience! One of the lessons I learned there is that every girl who walked in was looking for ‘that dress’ for her prom, or wedding day. When you see someone put on the dress of their dreams, their entire countenance lights up, and it’s like Christmas. I loved helping people find that one dress, or that one tuxedo, that made their day, or in some cases, their whole life!<br /><br /> <br /><br />Like many young, independent women my age, I hope for a successful career where I can do something I truly enjoy along with make a living for myself and improving the lives of those around me. The fashion industry appeals to me for many reasons, one of which is its diversity. Staying true to yourself and promoting self expression is very important to me, and what better way to show people what you’re all about then a loud political tee, or a fun and flouncy print skirt? You can communicate so much by your appearance. If a picture is worth a thousand words, an outfit can be worth a thousand pictures. The ever broadening fashion horizon allows people to express themselves and their purposes more accurately than ever before. I enjoy helping others find ways to portray themselves through their outward appearance. Many people are plagued with apathy towards themselves and how others perceive them, but I believe if we make the world of clothing and fashion more user friendly, we will see people begin to care more about themselves. One of my own personal mantras is that red lipstick makes everything better, and I hope to see others come to the same awareness that one accessory, or a new dress can do wonders not only for your appearance, but your perception of yourself and your self worth as well.<br /><br /> <br /><br />Another interesting aspect of the fashion industry for me is the necessity. Everyone, whether they like it or not, will in one way or another be involved in fashion, either as a consumer, a producer, a wholesaler, or a retailer. Many of these consumers make their choices of wardrobes based on function versus fashion, because what we classify as ‘stylish’ is impractical. Most companies spend the bulk of their advertising budget on promoting clothing that is unattainable to the everyday consumer. High fashion magazines are fun to look at, but the average person walks away knowing they will never see that twelve thousand dollar dress on a lady in the grocery store. <br /><br /> <br /><br />I believe there is significant growth potential in the fashion markets if we bridge the gap between the sphere of high fashion and the marketable, livable daily wear of John and Jane Doe. Many people seem to think that if your day consists of cleaning the house and a trip to Wal*Mart; your best options are sweats. Well, I’d like to convince the world that’s not true! I want to help market clothing in a way that is affordable, wearable and yet still chic. By marketing clothing to the average, real person, whether that’s by modeling them on ‘life size’ models, or simply focusing on creating fashionable clothing that anyone can afford, we can expand our consumer population, increase sales, and get more variety in our styles.<br /><br /> <br /><br />I believe by finding a way to bridge the gap between the sphere of high fashion, and the practical, wearable attire of your average individual we will bring the market to people who thus far haven’t had much opportunity or interest in clothing. I hope to always be a part of this amazing movement.Cassidi Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12601274165264673009noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2540629385600295200.post-25806305784957479642008-11-23T20:57:00.002-07:002008-12-25T12:43:14.910-07:00Character AnalysisIn Shakespeare's play <span style="font-style: italic;">Hamlet</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Fortinbras</span> is Hamlet's foil. The minor character <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Fortinbras</span> is used as Hamlet's foil to make it easier to understand the main character Hamlet. Very similar situations have fallen upon both Hamlet and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Fortinbras</span>, leading to their parallels. There are still, many difference between the two, making one the foil of the other. Though they are basically strangers, by the end of the play, Hamlet harbors strong feelings of jealousy and respect towards Fortinbras.<br /><br /> A foil is used to give more information about a main character through differences and parallels. The similarities between the characters Hamlet and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Fortinbras</span> are called parallels. Before the play begins both <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Fortinbras</span> and Hamlet, the elders, are dead. Both young Hamlet and young <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Fortinbras</span> are Princes. The two of them must defend their fathers' honor, by getting revenge. These parallels are half of what makes <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Fortinbras</span> Hamlet's foil.<br /><br /> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Fortinbras</span> shows all of the characteristics of a good king, where as Hamlet cannot stop questioning the world and cannot act without proving things true or changing his mind. For example, Hamlet comes upon Claudius and has the chance to kill him, "Now might I do it pat, now he is a-praying, And now I'll <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">do't</span>. (<span style="font-style: italic;">he draws his sword</span>) And so he goes to heaven..." (III,iii,76-79) At this point he could take revenge, but finds the excuse that Claudius might got to heaven if he died then, and changes his mind. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Fortinbras</span> is decisive, in his choice to secretly invade Denmark, while in this example, and many others, Hamlet is very indecisive. This shows one of many differences between Hamlet and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Fortinbras</span>, differences which make up the other half of what makes <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Fortinbras</span> Hamlet's foil.<br /><br /> Hamlet, knowing only a few things about <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Fortinbras</span>, finds that he both envies and admires him. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Fortinbras</span> gathers his own army, lies to his uncle, and tricks King Claudius, all "...to gain a little patch of ground that hath in it no profit but the name." (IV, iv, 19-20) Hamlet envies <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Fortinbras</span>' willingness to do whatever it takes to accomplish his goals. Hamlet <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">does't</span> ever make a plan to kill Claudius, he makes a plan to prove to himself that he actually murdered King Hamlet, as he says, "...the plays the thing wherein I'll catch the conscience of the King." (II, ii, 620-621) He envies how well thought out <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">Fortinbras</span>' plan is, when compared to his own, and the progress <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">Fortinbras</span> makes, with his 20,000 soldiers. He also admires <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">Fortinbras</span> for all the same reasons, which leads to his choice, in the end, to give his 'vote' to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">Fortinbras</span>.<br /><br /> We know not of the flaws of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">Fortinbras</span>, but through Hamlet we know of his strengths, and through <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">Fortinbras</span> we are shown many of Hamlets flaws. We know <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">Fortinbras</span> is strong where Hamlet is weak and that Hamlet wished he could be like <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">Fortinbras</span>. In the end, they both technically reached their goals, but as far as anyone knows for sure, success was not a guarantee. It is unknown if Hamlet died truly satisfied, or if <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24">Fortinbras</span> actually became king, William Shakespeare, unsurprisingly, left that, like many other things, never to be known. In this way, he forced his readers to decide, forced them to make an assessment, to pay attention to details. In doing this, one might say that <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25">Fortinbras</span> became king, and a great one at that, and that Hamlet died satisfied, knowing that his father was avenged, and that not only does he not have to be king, but that the throne is in good hands.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2540629385600295200.post-67710549443688255472008-11-19T17:30:00.003-07:002008-11-30T01:12:59.628-07:00Editorial in the White Mountain Independent<i>I didn't write this, but we all know who did. It was published in the newspaper! I'm so proud of Blake.<br />=]</i><br /><br />To the Editor:<br /> "We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America."<br /><br /> As of one week ago, Barack Obama became the 44th president of the United States of America.<br /> For those of you who dislike Obama:<br /> "Let us resist the temptation to fall back on the same partisanship and pettiness and immaturity that has poisoned our politics for so long. Let us remember that it was a man from this state who first carried the banner of the Republican Party to the White House -- a party founded on the values of self-reliance, individual liberty, and national unity. Those are values we all share..."<br /> "As Lincoln said to a nation far more divided than ours, we are not enemies, but friends though passion may have strained it, it must not break our bonds of affection. And to those Americans whose support I have yet to earn - I may not have won your vote, but I hear your voices, I need your help, and I will be your president too."<br /> - Barack Obama, Nov. 4, 2008<br /> Before the discontent towards our new president begins, whether you do not like him because of his race, age, experience, religion, backround or policies, remember this:<br /> This man, the newest "commander-in-chief" of this great nation, is about to embark on a journey to raise this country from the ashes. He hopes to build America back to the state it should be and hold it there by building it on the foundations our forefathers left for us: the ability secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity.<br /> He has a rough path ahead of him. He enters in war time, with the economy at its lowest since the Great Depression, party lines are rarely crossed, and America is no longer the superpower it once was. He needs our support now and he will need it even more these next four years. Give the man a chance.<br /><br />Blake Anderson, Show Low.Cassidi Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12601274165264673009noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2540629385600295200.post-45776077220856345542008-11-08T12:12:00.003-07:002008-11-08T12:14:52.642-07:00New tag: workshopI added a new tag with my last post called "workshop" that is probably pretty self explanatory, but just in case...<br /><br />This is a way for us to really help each other out on projects we are individually working on. Of course you don't have to use it and you can just continue to post perfectly completed pieces, but if you want some in-process feedback, there you go.kathickershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05918021383805679561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2540629385600295200.post-71411360858617692402008-11-08T12:01:00.003-07:002008-11-08T12:15:15.349-07:00Sing it to me, sweet.Okay, so am working on this poem and I got kinda stuck. I HATE writing poetry, and I almost never do it, because I am not good at it, even though I love to read it. But every once in a while something will happen and I'll get this urge to poetize. I read this quote once that was something along the lines of "A prose writer gets tired of writing prose, and wants to be a poet. So he begins every line with a capital letter, and keeps on writing prose" and that is me as a poet. So anyway, here is the prosem I'm working on now, and I need advice. It's free verse, because I am too lame to work in a meter, and I think I like the first stanza, I kinda know how I want it to end, but you can see in the third stanza I got lost. So, ideas? Even if your idea is to burn it, I'd like to hear it.<br /><br /><br />No Crossroads<br /><br />You didn’t have to make a choice<br />Because every day is pretty much <br />the same here<br />And we all do what we do<br />And if you think you’re not gonna<br />Be disappointed<br />Not gonna wake up<br />To some harsh sunlight<br />Right in your unblinking eyes<br />Then you obviously just got here<br /><br />Ninety degrees and you’re moving<br />And I don’t even know why because<br />The sun hurts my eyes<br />And I don’t want to believe what <br />Everyone says about you<br />I love you<br />But every day you face to<br />The left or the right<br />And maybe I just got here because<br />I never see the turn<br /><br />I’m not going to catch you until<br />We’re looking in the same direction<br />I miss you???<br />Every time???<br />???<br />???<br />???<br />???<br />???<br />There’s only the road.<br /><br />P.S. Seriously, if it sucks, tell me and I'll abandon it.kathickershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05918021383805679561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2540629385600295200.post-18997991636623552872008-11-08T00:57:00.001-07:002008-11-08T12:15:08.441-07:00All HallowsI pushed myself up the seemingly steep hill. The pain within my knees was almost nauseating, but I couldn't stop, I had to get away. Away from them, away from the pain they made me feel with just a look, or a lack of one. I couldn't bear to stand there anymore, completely ignored; I felt my heart would burst. So I went. The walk that normally takes me 15 meandering minutes takes me less than ten. I want to cry, and I sort of do, but the contacts I put in 20 something' hours ago seem to have dried out my eyes. I want to sob, to let my pain out, but I am surrounded by people, all pretending to be things they are not. I want to run, but I'm tied down, by my knees, and also my life. I want to just stop, but no one is there to stop me. I hate them, I hate all of them. Everyone around me, everyone that was around me, every one of them, liars, cruel and vengeful liars, and I hate them. I have the urge to kill them, to kill everyone. I'm so upset, so angry, I want to cut them each up into little pieces, starting at the toes. I want to do it fast enough, that they don't die, but slow enough that they hurt to the point of insanity. I want them all to suffer, they all need to suffer, they hurt me, all of them. Their words, their deeds, the thoughts I know they have, they hurt, and I hate them for it. The happy faces around me make everything worse. Why are they so happy? Why is it that they get to be so happy, when I'm not happy at all? Why do they have such luck, such bliss? Doesn't anyone care about me? Hell if I know. For some odd reason, I still want to encourage them, add fuel to their fire, so when I get home that's what I do. I prepare for the evening, as everyone else does, expecting at least a few to drop by. I sit outside, though it is rather chilly, I do it anyways especially for them. Armed with my goods and a fake smile, I'm ready within 5 minutes, but there is no point. There is no reason. My only motivation is the fact that there's nothing better to do. The fact that I'm here, all alone, and I just want someone to see me. No one comes. For quite a bit no one comes. Two of the neighbor kids drop by, and get what they want. I'm still disappointed. I should have known, I should have seen this coming. They drive by, car after car, not slowing down for a moment. No one walks by. It is as if they are all avoiding me. As if they think I carry some disease. Do I look that scary? Maybe. Time goes by slowly, I know it will be a long night. A young gentlemen stops by with his baby boy; he lives two apartments away. I tell him to take as much as he wants, but like the two before, he only takes a little. It's funny to me, that people will accept as much as you'll give, but when you tell them to take as much as they want, they're hesitant, and take very little. I can't decide if this is a good quality or bad. Him and his son leave after he makes a crack about no one stopping by here. The world is quiet. There is a nearby sound of cars constantly driving by on the highway, but apart from this, the occasional firecracker or scream, and a few crickets, the world is almost silent. There is nothing I can do to entertain myself, nothing I can do to forget the fact that I'm alone, and will be all night, in this empty house, and I can't even talk to anyone. An ominous looking van drives by and I hope all of the kids are holding a parent's hand. A moth flies around my head, and then around the porch light. It must be crazy; it flies at the light and then loops around it, and eventually hits the wall. After bouncing back, he regains his "composure" and repeats the act again with different amounts of speed and various sized loops, never touching the light. He doesn't give up. What is he trying to do in the first place, I wonder, but I have absolutely no idea. I lose interest quickly. My shoulders begin to get cold, and I put on my hoodie, though I'm hesitant at first, I realize that no one cares about what I'm wearing, no one will care if I cover it up. No one will even see. It is much warmer, but slightly uncomfortable, but I don't want to take off my dress. I've been out here for at least an hour. I'm done with this crap. I'm going to go inside and watch a movie. Screw this God Damned holiday, I'll eat all the candy myself. I hate Halloween.<br /><br />*note from ben:<br />sorry, this was supposed to be posted on halloween night, but i'm an airhead and forgot about it :/Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2540629385600295200.post-42008681874401237902008-11-07T23:57:00.003-07:002008-11-08T00:04:27.088-07:00No, but I do bite my thumb<div align="right"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">You all fail. Everything.<br /></span></div><div align="right"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;"></span></div><div align="right"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">I'm very <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">disappointed</span> in you, all of you. My <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Internet</span> evaporates for what seems like forever, and there isn't anything<br />here for me to read!<br /></span></div><div align="right"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;"></span></div><div align="right"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">Bah! Humbug!<br /></span></div><div align="right"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;"></span></div><div align="right"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">I know that doesn't really fit, but it kind of just popped into my head.<br /></span></div><div align="right"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;"></span></div><div align="right"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">I can't believe you all did nothing, you couldn't even review a movie....<br /></span></div><div align="right"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;"></span></div><div align="right"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">Question, is this still our writers blog, or is it just mine?<br /></span></div><div align="right"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;"></span></div><div align="right"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">Just kidding guys, I love you all, but come on, this thing needs some talent, which means someone else needs to put something on it other than me.<br /></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2540629385600295200.post-36391413619986428622008-10-27T18:38:00.006-07:002008-10-27T19:51:55.506-07:00On the Fence<span style="font-family: times new roman;">Well, since no one else seems interested in the challenge, Ms. Abel, I'll humor You, and if everyone save Ben has seen this a 'cryptyllion' times before, or even once, I apolagize.</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times new roman;font-size:180%;" >Pay It Forward.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: times new roman;">Released October 20, 2000</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: times new roman;">Directed By Mimi Leder, whom also directed...nothing I've even heard of save for Deep Impact and ER.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: times new roman;font-size:130%;" >Based upon the book by Catherine Ryan Hyde,<br /></span><span style="font-family: times new roman;">which I bought before I saw the movie and never got around to reading; now I don't really want to.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: times new roman;font-size:180%;" >Starring <span style="font-size:130%;"><br />(because we all know this is most important)</span>:<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family: times new roman;font-size:100%;" >Kevin Spacey as Eugene Simonet<br /><br />Helen Hunt as Arlene McKinney<br /><br />Haley Joel Osment as Trevor McKinney<br /><br />With a short but definately sweet <span style="font-size:85%;">(much sarcasm implied here)</span> appearance by Jon Bon Jovi<br /><br />Basic Idea: Trevor has had a tough childhood, his mom is (basically) a single mother working two jobs, and a struggling/recovering alcoholic. On the first day of seventh grade, Mr Simonet, the Social Studies teacher gives this assignment "Think of something to change the world and put it into action."<br />This is his Plan:<br /></span><img style="font-family: times new roman;" alt="http://guestofaguest.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/pay-it-forward.jpg" src="http://guestofaguest.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/pay-it-forward.jpg" /><br /><br /><span style="font-family: times new roman;">Pay it forward, which means that the world is shit, and that you do three big favors for three people, then they do the same thing, and it gets exponentially greater each time, in this way, the world can be a better place, and we'll all live happily ever after. </span><span style="font-family: times new roman;font-size:180%;" ><br /><br />NOT!!</span><span style="font-family: times new roman;"><br /><br />Throughout the movie, I grow convinced that this is a great idea, and that he's right the world can be less shitty if we do something, blah blah blah, but then the end.</span><span style="font-family: times new roman;"><br /><br />Oh my God.</span><span style="font-family: times new roman;"><br /><br />I'm not going to ruin it, or I'll try not to, because that's what I was told to do, but </span><span style="font-family: times new roman;"><br /><br />Oh my God.</span><span style="font-family: times new roman;"><br /><br /><br />I have never cried so long and hard over a movie, in my life. I cried so much, it was just so sad, and unfair. </span><span style="font-family: times new roman;"><br /><br />For the time being I'm feeling rather pessimistic, so I don't really like the movie at all, but catch me on a 'good' day, and I just might say that, even though I hate the ending, it's a really great story, a really great idea, and that humanity could actually make it work. </span><span style="font-family: times new roman;"><br /><br />Not much seems to have been payed forward in the last 8 years since it came out. Whether this is because the last minute twist killed the neccessary motivation, or because we're all a bunch of selfish bastards who think of only ourselves and a select few around us, I'll never know, but obviously, for some reason, it just didn't work.</span><span style="font-family: times new roman;font-size:130%;" ><br /><br />Other Comments:</span><br /><span style="font-family: times new roman;">I wasn't able to notice the acting in the movie too much because of the 'touching' story, but from what I payed attention to, it was kind of an on again off again thing, and the same with the writing. There was much 'inappropriate' language and other things, to the point that Betsy Crandell was not aloud to finish watching it. All of the language seemed to be neccessary, but maybe I'm just odd. Haley Joel Osment was just so cute, which is always a plus, you know, except when he makes me cry. The timeline was rather confusing, because it goes from 4 months in the future and back and forth, meanwhile time is progressing in each place, yet the timing eventually lines up until the people and the plots meet, which wouldn't be too bad if the transitions weren't so confusing.</span><span style="font-family: times new roman;"><br /><br />As I've expressed, this was a good movie and a bad movie, but mostly bad because I don't like it when a movie makes me cry that much, and then leaves me crying after it ends because it's still sad. I refuse to recommend it, but if you want to watch it, it's you're funeral.</span><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2540629385600295200.post-76010455675360917942008-10-25T16:25:00.003-07:002008-10-25T16:26:46.294-07:00Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18249825608377284138noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2540629385600295200.post-92115131991410677232008-10-20T23:21:00.003-07:002008-10-20T23:30:11.077-07:00hm. a title would be good, here<span style="font-family:arial;"></span><span style="font-family:arial;">hi! so, i do not know many of you, which will make it tons easier for you to rip apart my work! also, for those of you i do know, i think i've been awful enough to you that you can feel no shame in ripping it apart, too. </span>
<br />
<br /><span style="font-family:arial;">This is a story. obviously. as lame and Sylvia Browne as it sounds, the basic concept came to me in a dream. and many of the details came in succeeding dreams. then, i started daydreaming, and thinking about this story and these characters. I know them pretty well by now, and that's why i've started writing. Now, i sleep a lot, so hopefully i'll get through this whole thing. But here is the first draft of the first part. enjoy, and please, rip apart!</span>
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<br /><span style="font-family:arial;">ps it doesn't have a title. maybe after we get into the story more, someone can help come up with one? ya?</span>
<br />
<br />
<br /><span style="font-family:arial;">here goes:</span>
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<![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"></p><blockquote><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;">Like most stories, this one starts with a boy.<span style=""> </span>This one ends, however, with a gay confession, a Pixar tribute band, and apex of two years’ worth of mixed communication.<span style=""> </span>Not like most stories.</p> <p face="times new roman" class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p face="times new roman" class="MsoNormal">The boy in question is not too tall.<span style=""> </span>He is not too skinny, not too stylish, not too intelligent.<span style=""> </span>He looks ok in his catholic schoolboy uniform, and has no extreme opinions.<span style=""> </span>He has shaggy brown hair and green eyes, and is absolutely average in every way, except for the fact that I am convinced he is my soulmate.<span style=""> </span>This boy is named David.</p> <p style="font-family: times new roman;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p style="font-family: times new roman;" class="MsoNormal">Audra, on the other hand, is anything but average.<span style=""> </span>Only extravagant expressions do her justice.<span style=""> </span>You don’t use words like “chubby” or “pretty” here.<span style=""> </span>Caps Lock and exclamation points are not superfluous here.<span style=""> </span>She is BIG!<span style=""> </span>She is LOUD!<span style=""> </span>She is GORGEOUS!<span style=""> </span>She has PEONY-PINK cheeks against ALABASTER SKIN!<span style=""> </span>Writing about Audra, unfortunately, you run out of analogies fast.<span style=""> </span>To simplify, lets say the girl is absolutely beautiful.<span style=""> </span>She is tall and pretty curvy, but that doesn’t detract from her beauty.<span style=""> </span>I know that normal girls her size are throwing up their celery, but Audra just rolls with it.<span style=""> </span>She has luscious brown hair that curls down her back as though she were a china doll, not a sixteen-year-old.<span style=""> </span>Her body, her hair, her face, coupled with the fact that she is technically a Catholic schoolgirl, make her the stuff of boys dreams. </p> <p style="font-family: times new roman;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p style="font-family: times new roman;" class="MsoNormal">Audra and David, and me, for that matter, attend <st1:place><st1:placetype>University</st1:placetype> <st1:placetype>High School</st1:placetype></st1:place>, across the street from the <st1:place><st1:placetype>University</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename>San Diego</st1:placename></st1:place>, in good ol’ <st1:state><st1:place>California</st1:place></st1:state>.<span style=""> </span>I know that it sounds like a pretty intellectual institution, what with the “University” and all, but it isn’t.<span style=""> </span>It is a repressive, close-minded, super-exclusive (and therefore super-rich) Catholic school, that takes giant chunks of parents’ salaries and spends it on lawns and football, while cutting the AP program and doing away with intellectual pursuits of all kinds.<span style=""> </span>The goal is indoctrination and matriculation, especially into the big-brother of <st1:place><st1:placetype>University</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename>San Diego</st1:placename></st1:place>.<span style=""> </span>Ninety percent of my graduating class will be funneled into USD, bringing their insular ways and elite community with them, as it is now, has been since kindergarten (St. Mary’s Preschool), and will be after graduation (St. Timothy’s parish).<span style=""> </span>Forever and ever, amen.</p> <p style="font-family: times new roman;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p style="font-family: times new roman;" class="MsoNormal">I will not be attending USD, no matter what my parents think.<span style=""> </span>I will not put up with the same people I’ve known my whole life, cold ocean fronts, the Governator, and tourist season.<span style=""> </span>In fact, I have found my dream school.<span style=""> </span>The sun shines 360 days a year, the governor is a woman, and tourist do not flock like ants to a melted popsicle.<span style=""> </span>The best part?<span style=""> </span>None of my classmates (save Audra) would be caught dead there.<span style=""> </span>Oh, yes, it is quite the magical place, and it is called <st1:state><st1:place>Arizona</st1:place></st1:state>.</p> </blockquote>
<br />Kirahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17146951714010905720noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2540629385600295200.post-60068858618801339442008-10-16T23:27:00.002-07:002008-10-16T23:29:25.502-07:00So what's it gonna take silver shadow believer?Every dog<br />Does not have its day<br />Every person<br />Does not get their way.<br />Its not all for one<br />And one for all<br />Its one and only<br />Or none at all<br />So don't tell me my time will come<br />Don't say I'll get my chance<br />Some people live their whole lives<br />Without a second glance.<p>__________________________________________________<br />Do You Yahoo!?<br />Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around<br /><a href="http://mail.yahoo.com/">http://mail.yahoo.com</a></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0