Fahrenheit 451 Analysis

13. Discuss Montag's relationship with Mildred. Is this a typical marital relationship in their culture? Discuss the role of family in the characters' lives, particularly in relation to the TV parlor "families" and their nature and function. Explain using specific examples from the text in your argument.

From the beginning of the book, Fahrenheit 451, I could tell that Montag and Mildred do not have a normal marriage. Mildred seemed very different from Montag, from the moment she first spoke in the book. Mildred is so invested in her TV parlor families that it seems like she doesn't care for Montag that much at all. "How long you figure before we save up and get the fourth wall torn out and a fourth wall-TV put in? It's only two thousand dollars." (pg. 20) Mildred doesn't care that it's one-third of Montag's yearly pay. I think Mildred cares more about the TV walls than she does Montag himself. The TV walls have digital people in them, that you can interact with, almost as if they were in your house. Mildred considers them her family. "Well, wasn't there a wall between him and Mildred, when you came down to it? Literally not just one wall but, so far, three! And expensive, too! And the uncles, the aunts, the cousins, the nieces, the nephews, that lived in those walls, the gibbering pack of tree apes that said nothing, nothing, nothing, and said it loud, loud, loud." (pg. 44) It is obvious that Montag does not care for the TV walls. I think that Mildred likes the TVs because it gives her a chance to escape and something to focus on. Mildred  acts like she has mental problems, and I think that's why she's so addicted to the TVs.

I also think that they do not have a typical martial relationship because neither of them remember where they met (not including Montag's realization at the end of the book). You marry someone because you're in love with them, and I think it's odd to not remember where you meet the love of your life. Not only do they not remember, but Mildred says "it doesn't matter." (pg. 43)

When Montag starts to feel guilty about burning books, and how he had to burn down the womans house with her in it, Mildred did not hold the same concern. Mildred says, "she's nothing to me; she shouldn't have had books. It was her responsibility, she should've thought of that. I hate her. She's got you going and next thing you know, we'll be out, no house, no job, nothing. " (pg. 51) And when Montag tries to explain the importance of the books, Mildred doesn't understand. I think they don't fit well together as a couple.

Towards the end of the book, it's clear that they don't care about each other. When Montag is talking to Granger, he says "it's strange, I don't miss her, it's strange I don't feel much of anything. Even if she dies, I realized a moment ago, I don't think I'll feel sad." (pg. 155) And I think Mildred feels the same way about Montag, because she reported him for having books in the house, even though it's her own house and her husband. "'Was it my wife turned in the alarm?' Beatty nodded." (pg. 117)

Guy and Mildred Montag did not have a typical marital relationship. Their relationship is very strange, even for their culture.

Tu Tuesday - Local

Kayla Treanor is a senoir at Niskayuna High School. Treanor plays for Niskayunas girl's Varsity Lacrosse team as a midfielder. Treanor "has been invited to try out for the 2012-14 U.S. Women's National Lacrosse Team." This is huge for Treanor, because she will be "playing against the best college players to the best players to ever play the game." Treanor says she is "excited and honored" to be a part of it. In the past, Treanor has also played for the "under-19 U.S. National Team in the World Championships last summer in Hanover, Germany."  It's great to see girls from the area become so successful with lacrosse. I wonder if anyone from Guilderland has ever been invited in the past. Congratulations to Kayla Treanor.

(And good job at beating Guilderland at Sectionals last year. You got lucky.)

http://www.timesunion.com/sports/article/Treanor-trying-for-U-S-team-3518795.php

4. Are there any veterans in your family?

I have one veteran in my family, and it's my Uncle Bob. He's my fathers brother. I'm not exactly sure what he does in the military, because my parents always said it was a secret. He spent a long time in Iraq, and he now lives in Pennsylvania. He loves it there, even though all of his family is in New York. He comes here on Christmas Eve, and random weeks. I saw him the other day at my aunts, it was nice to celebrate some of Memorial Day weekend with him.

What is Crippling Us?

John Taylor Gatto asks the question, "do we really need school?" Gatto believes that school is ruining kids, and that we don't really need it. Although, that doesn't mean we don't need an education. " I don't mean education, just forced schooling: six classes a day, five days a week, nine months a year, for twelve years. Is this deadly routine really necessary?" This reminds me of Ray Bradbury's thoughts in Fahrenheit 451 because of how the government thinks that they don't need books. They still know how to read and write, and they read certain things, but books are not necessary. Captain Beatty reminds me of Gatto. "I've read a few books in my time, to know what I was about, and the books say nothing!" (pg. 62) Also, how Gatto says school states that school is boring and Beatty says that "...our civilization is so vast that we can't have our minorities upset and stirred." (pg. 58) They both state the reason for why those things shouldn't exist. Obviously, in Fahrenheit 451, life without books is pointless. And school. Their claims make sense and good points, but it is useless to try and persuade that school is not necessary (and I hate routine). Along with books as well, even though it is a fictional story. 

Tried and True

http://writingprompts.tumblr.com/post/17477297690/my-28-most-tried-and-true-writing-prompts



George Harrison and Amy Poehler

I chose George Harrison because he could teach me his ways of guitar playing, and I'd most likely automatically have a recording contract of some sort. I'd get to meet all Beatles and hopefully play something with them if I'm not too young. It'd be weird if I looked like the female version of him, though.

I chose Amy Poehler because she is hilarious and I would love to be as funny as her. Maybe if she was my mom, it would rub off. And I could be blonde. Hopefully. Everyday would be a fun day. If I was lucky, I could possibly become best friends with Aubrey Plaza. Even more fun.

Commencement Speech

"I know it provides the ultimate experience in higher learning and according to the movies, I know it is filled with people who get rich either by inventing things or sueing the people who they claim stole their invention. Let me be clear. I believe everything I see in movies." Amy Poehler is my favorite female comedian, and on May 25, 2011, she spoke for Harvard's graduating class of 2011. "All I can tell you today is what I have learned", said Poehler, despite her jokes. " As you navigate through the rest of your life, be open to collaboration. Other people and other people's ideas are often better than your own." I agree with that quote extremely. Influence is important. Other people's ideas can benefit you and even change your life. "I cannot stress enough that the answer to a lot of your life's questions is often in someone else's face". Poehler makes a several points about being involved with the people around you. "So I will end with this quote: Heyah, Heyah, Heyah, Heyah, Heyah, heyah, heyah, heyah, alright alright alright, alright, alright. The group: Outcast; the song: Heyah. The lyrics: nonsense. I'm sorry it was really late when I wrote this." (This is why Amy Poehler is my favorite).

http://www.sweetspeeches.com/s/2030-amy-poehler-2011-commencement-address-at-the-harvard-university 

If I Were A Television Producer

I would contact Ryan Murphy ASAP, and convince him to continue American Horror Story. I would love to work with him on anything. I'd like to write a bit. I'd get to know people in the industry and maybe start a new show with someone. I'd need to hire writers, a director, etc... Anything in the television industry would be a dream. Any type of horror show I'd like to produce. Comedy, maybe. But I feel like there are so many comedy shows nowadays, and none of them are all that great because the ideas are just not original. Comedy seems like the most difficult to write, though. Parks and Recreation and 30 Rock are probably the best written comedies on TV. Off topic, but maybe I could try to stop Nickelodeon and Disney from airing some inappropriate scenes. On Disney there has been eating disorder jokes, and on Nickelodeon there is a lot of sexual innuendos. It's weird because my little sister is watching it, and it's like, I didn't know that as a kid!

Love To Know Slideshow

http://freelance-writing.lovetoknow.com/Slideshow:Daily_Writing_Prompts~1

What is your mood like when you wake up in the morning? Do you have any special rituals, such as reading the newspaper while enjoying a cup of coffee, that help you get ready for the responsibilities of the day?


On a school day, waking up in the morning isn't something I think about. I just do it. I don't wake up extra early to actually "wake up". I get out of bed and immediately take a shower. I don't have time to relax before I go to school, mostly because I want to get as much sleep as I can. When I'm at my moms though, I have a glass of cranberry juice just before the bus comes. On weekends, I'll have juice then tea with my breakfast :) I enjoy mornings (as long as I'm not starting the day with geometry...worst morning class). If mornings are bad, the rest of the day is bad, in my opinion. So, I try to be optimistic in the mornings. 

Creative Contest III

Sometimes Glee can make me glum.

TU Tuesday - Classified

http://timesunion.kaango.com/ad-photography-students-seeking-same-sex-married-couples-for-project/20516731

Photography students from the Fashion Institute of Technology in NYC are looking for same-sex married couples for a documentary photography/video project. If you are legally married as a result of the NY State Marriage Equality Act, we want to talk with you about participating in this project. Students will be traveling throughout the state during the months of April and May. Please send emails of interest to KEVIN_CAMPOS@FITNYC.EDU.

After making his coffee, Kevin took a seat at the kitchen table and opened up today's newspaper, just like any person would on an average day before work. He quickly noticed an ad in the paper, "Photography students from the Fashion Institute of Technology in NYC are looking for same-sex married couples for a documentary photography/video project". 

Kevin turned to his husband, Chris. "Will you look at this!" he said, enthusiastically. 

"What?" Chris saw the LGBTQ pride flag and groaned. "No."

"But-" Kevin wasn't surprised. "It's perfect. We're in Brooklyn, and they need a couple who is 'legally married as a result of the NY State Marriage Equality Act'."

"Nope. Not doing it." Chris was shy. He didn't want to make a big deal out of his marriage, anyways. It didn't need to be publicized. 

"But this is a great opportunity." Kevin didn't understand Chris when it came to the LGBTQ community, and how he shut down when they brought it up in a conversation.

"You don't understand, Kevin. There are people out there who do not support this and never will. I don't want it to destroy us. I know how you can take situations personally, you have to believe me on this."

And Kevin dropped it.

P = Pierogi

My moms side of the family has this tradition every Good Friday before Easter Sunday.  My aunt Suzy, my Nana, my Nana's friend Kathy, my mom and my sister all go to Suzy's house to cook for Easter dinner at my grandmas. Suzy makes the dough, I roll the dough, and everyone helps out filling the dough with sauerkraut and potatoes. I help my sister dye eggs and write everyone's names on them with the clear crayon. After using all the dough we can to make circles for the pierogis, we roll the extra dough, and fry them with butter. My great grandpa called them "babici" (best spelling I could think of, pronounced bah-bike-ee). They're delicious. One of the best parts of this day is when my grandma wears her apron that says "got pierogi?" and I wear my grandpas hat that says "You bet your dupa I'm Ukranian". My grandpa is 100% Ukranian and my grandma is 50% Ukranian and 50% Italian, so that's why we have this tradition with Easter and pierogis. It all started way back when. (Also, I was happy that my letter was P because it's the first thing I thought of.)

Recipe (passed down, not online ;) )
1 egg
1/4 cup veg. oil
warm/hot water
2 cups flour
1 1/2 tsp salt

use mix master to make the dough
break 1 egg into 2 cup measuring cup, add 1/4 cup veg. oil, add enough warm/hot water to fill to 1 cup line

mix flour and salt in mixind bowl, add the egg/oil/water and mix while mixing the flour, add more flour until dough does not stick to your hands too much.

Next, you cut the dough into circles with a cutter, put in the sauerkraut or potatoes, dip your finger in water and rub it against the outside of one half of the circle, fold it, use a fork to close it but do not poke holes.

Then boil them or something!

Famous Poem Starters

But I have promises to keep, And miles to go before I sleep 
So I take what's left, and put it to rest
For now I know what cannot be undone
Is in my dreams from now on

Happily haunting itself away, until it is awakened

Day by day, the thoughts are never shaken

Following me from side to side

In my mind and almost out

Where I can finally spill the whereabouts 

Nursery Rhymes ARE Relevant to Life

http://www-personal.umich.edu/~pfa/dreamhouse/nursery/rhymes/dream.html


What did I dream?

I do not know;
The fragments fly like chaff.
Yet strange my mind

Was tickled so,
I cannot help but laugh.

I picked this nursery rhyme because almost every morning when I wake up, I can remember my dream. I remember them so often that I started to write them down. And they usually make sense, but I guess no ones dreams really do. I've tried to decode them to see if they mean anything, but it's all so random. I enjoy it, though. They do make me laugh. 

Turn your Inkblot into a Butterfly

When you try something new,

their can be overwhelming fear

But the fear can soon transform into something good

Sometimes you shouldn't go with your gut

to experience something new

even if you think it's a mistake

And then you soon realize,

the pain and fear turns into the time of your life

Something truly meaningful in your life

And that conquering your fears,

as a mistake,

can be actually fun.

Michael Janairo

http://www.timesunion.com/michaeljanairo/

http://www.timesunion.com/entertainment/article/Springsteen-show-delivers-joy-3489973.php

Michael Janairo is the Arts & Entertainment editor for the Times Union, and "previously worked as the copy desk chief for features and for the news side copy desk". I read his article on the Bruce Springsteen concert on April 16, 2012. Springsteen and the band "delivered a night of power, emotion and showmanship". Springsteen played many songs, but the "biggest thrills of the night" came from his album "Wrecking Ball". Springsteen's high energy allowed him to pull people of the audience to come up on stage, and he also stage-dived and crowd-surfed. Springsteen also brought up the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York, and "urged people to donate". "62-year old Springsteen [had] amazing energy and connection with his fans". In addition for to his work with the Times Union, Janairo writes fiction and nonfiction pieces "that have been published in literary magazines".

NYT Tuesday

An Attempt

An individual standing alone,
untouched and undefined,
spit them out like a bitter tonic,
with a blunt force.

He struck a certain anchor,
on his back with arms outstretched
on his route to happiness.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/08/movies/katniss-everdeen-a-new-type-of-woman-warrior.html?pagewanted=2&_r=1&ref=arts
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/05/arts/music/bruce-springsteen-and-the-e-street-band-at-the-izod-center.html?ref=arts
http://www.nytimes.com/pages/arts/index.html

Imagination Prompt

Did you have a close relationship with any of your grandparents? Tell about it.

Both of my fathers parents are no longer living, and I am very close with my mothers parents. But I feel like that is not the question the prompt is asking.

I had a close relationship with my fathers mother. Unfortunately, I did not get to meet his father. I called his mother Grammy. I remember going to her small house with one floor, with the kitchen and living room connected. She had slot mini machines, and puzzles everywhere. She also liked to play cards a lot. I remember trying to help her with her puzzles, because she used to babysit me and my cousin Taylor when we were small children. She moved into an apartment later on, and we ended up giving her my cat, Charlotte, because I was too allergic to hold on to her any longer. It was sad, because she was becoming very old and alone in this apartment that was in the oddest place in town. I didn't know what to feel when she was gone, but I'm glad I have our memories together. The smallest things will remind me of her.

O = Olive Garden

Olive Garden is an Italian restaurant located on Wolf Road in Colonie, NY. I've only been there once, and it was a few years ago with my friend Jackie. I remember waiting about fifteen minutes before getting seated, it was a little crowded. The service was very good overall, though. I don't remember waiting long for our food at all. They give you bread sticks before your meal, and they're delicious. I ordered the Lasagna Classico. It was a very average piece of lasagna. I'm not a food critic but I didn't see anything special about it. It was tasty, though. The menu is classic Italian food, but they also have a sub menu for beef and pork, filled pastas, chicken, fish and seafood, pizzas, soups and salads, and appetizers. The price of my lasagna was $13.95. I don't know, but I would say the prices aren't too bad. Since Olive Garden is on Wolf Road, it is close to many stores, like the Colonie Mall, and my favorite, the Guitar Center. I would recommend it if you like Italian food. I am not a big fan of Italian food, but I would not mind going to Olive Garden again.

The Book(s) That Changed My Life

One book that "changed my life" is Scar Tissue by Anthony Kiedis. Scar Tissue is an autobiography about Anthony Kiedis growing up and his journey with the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Red Hot Chili Peppers have always been a favorite band of mine, but I didn't know much about them. In fact, I saw the book in the music section at Barnes & Noble, and my aunt told me a little bit about it because she had read a review on it. I bought the book, and read it immediately. I really enjoyed it because I had read biographies on other artists, but this was different because it was straight from Anthony Kiedis' mind about his personal life. Kiedis has the kind of life that people will want to read about, I think that's why it was such a good book. He added humor when needed, but most of it was written in a serious tone. Reading this autobiography made me want to read more non-fiction books. Now, that's mostly what I enjoy reading (but I love a good fiction book to "escape from reality").

Bucket List

1). Visit the West Coast and live in California. I don't know, I find the West Coast more interesting, I'd like to go to Portland, Seattle, Berkeley, and of course Hollywood. I'd like to see where the movies started.

2). Play a gig. Anywhere, really. Whether it's solo or with a band. I want to know what it feels like to be up on that stage.

3). Visit friends in different places. I'd like to go to Florida to visit my friend Vanessa, and to Arizona to meet my friend Cohen! And on the way, maybe meet some new ones.

4). Make a film. I've always loved movies, watching them, and figuring out tricks to how they were filmed. I think that's why I enjoy horror movies the most. I don't care if  the movie I make is not a feature film, or if it's just a short, I just want to get the motivation to do something with this love.

5). Meet the Glee cast. I love these people. If I could get the chance to speak with any one of them, it would be an honor. They are truly inspiring.

6). Work at Amoeba. Amoeba is a record store in Berkeley, San Francisco, and Los Angeles, California. That would be a really fun part time job, I wonder what requirements you need to work there.

7). Gain more and more experience with the guitar. I'm at a point right now where it's difficult for me to improve. I feel like I'm stuck. I just want to get past this, and keep on improving.

8). Learn to play the drums. I know I play guitar, but the drums were the second instrument that I really wanted to learn how to play. My brother wanted to play also, so we got a drum set for Christmas one year. Neither of us really played them because we never knew how.

9). Have my own website. I'm not sure what kind of website, maybe a blog that people will want to read, or something interactive where people can communicate with each other. A fun website that people won't just visit once.

10). Do something with fashion! I love fashion, even though I don't express it much. Maybe pick out clothes for a character, or design some. Or even work at a clothing store, like Topshop or Urban Outfitters.

The Language of Song

Song: Les Mots by Hangar
French Lyrics:  http://www.sweetslyrics.com/868375.Hangar%20-%20Les%20Mots.html
English Lyrics: http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=fr&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.lyricsmania.com%2Fles_mots_lyrics_hangar_fr.html

"You need to leave", she told him. I overheard the two speaking loudly from my isolated bedroom.
"I love you", he said softly, but just loud enough for me to overhear. There was a pause.
"There is no love", she stated. I heard the door slam. As I opened my door I saw a glimpse of her leave the apartment, showing barely any emotion.
He walked into the living room, took the coffee table, and threw it through the wall like he'd just gotten a shot full of adrenaline.
My first reaction was to yell, scream, do something to make him come back to reality.
All I received was more throwing, and kicking, until I finally grabbed the phone and dialed the police.
"911 What's your emergency?", a woman said on the other end of the call.
"My brother" I replied with a very shaky voice, unable to finish my sentence.
"We'll be there right away." I felt a sense of relief, it always amazed me how fast they traced the call and arrived.
He realized what I was doing, grabbed my wrist as tight as he could, as I looked into his hazel eyes. After what seemed like a couple of minutes, he released, leaving a bright red mark around my wrist.
He tried to escape, but my tiny body could not stop his strength.
I chased him down the stairs through the building, as he ran to his car and opened the trunk.
He pulled out a pistol. He held it in the air, not pointing it at anything or anyone.
As the cops arrived, they crouched and aimed their arms at him, as they noticed the gun in his hand.
Everything seemed to happen in slow motion from there.
The red lasers all over his body, as he moved his finger on the trigger the same time the police did.
The only problem was, his gun wasn't loaded.

Lucky Blog

My lucky clothing item would have to be my brown moccasin-type shoes that I got from Goodwill a few months before school started. Last year in the spring I started going to the Goodwill and Salvation Army because I liked the process of looking through everything, finding cool items of clothing and then making them my own. I never really looked in the shoe section before because it was flip-flop weather, but I saw them and they just happened to be in my size. I started to wear them with everything. They are so comfortable, and I have a weird attachment to them now. Everything just feels better when I'm wearing them, probably because of how nice they feel. Sadly, they are almost ready to get thrown into the garbage :(

TU Tuesday - CRIME

Question: What makes someone get put under house arrest instead of just giving them a fine for their crime?


http://www.timesunion.com/default/article/Man-accused-of-art-forgeries-under-house-arrest-3407774.php 


http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-house-arrest.htm 


http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/explainer/2009/01/youre_grounded.html 



An art dealer residing in Los Angeles, CA was accused of selling paintings and saying that they were works of famous painters, such as Monet and Van Gogh. Matthew Taylor put fake labels on the paintings, claiming they were owned previously by museums. Taylor was put under house arrest, which is "a penalty imposed by law to a person who has committed a crime and is condemned to stay inside his house", and can only leave his apartment for court dates, and visits with his doctor and attorney. Taylor was put under house arrest because it's a minor crime, and " nonviolent offenders may get away with a jail-free punishment."

Creative Contest Blog II

(Above: Man named James)
George to James: "Why are you always looking down on everything?"

SCRUPLES

A friend wants to copy and swap expensive computer software with you. You know it’s illegal. Do you swap?


No. It's too risky. I'd rather not risk the chances of something happening to my computer and having to deal with the police. If they wanted it so bad and if I liked them enough I'd give it to them for a birthday present. Legally.

My Blog Idea

When I watch a movie, I like when it's something you can relate to, or feel the same way about. Even if it's one quote that a minor character said. Choose a movie you love, or have watched recently, and pick three quotes from it. Then, for each quote, write about why you chose it or/and how it relates to your life. Make sure to cite the  movie.


Movie: American Movie http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0181288/
I chose this movie because it's plain out inspiring (also entertaining). It shows the time and effort and money put into making a film.


"This time it's most important not to fail, just to drink and dream but rather to create and complete" - Mark Borchardt


I like the fact that he said create and complete because I always have ideas floating around in my head and I will start to expand on those ideas but I will never complete because I think it's all useless in the end.


"It's good to face things like this because then you can deal with them and realize them." - Mark Borchardt


Mark makes a good point, experience is key. Especially if it goes wrong the first time, you learn from your mistakes.


"Columbus took a chance, Lindbergh took a chance, have faith." - Cliff Borchardt
(Cliff speaking to Marks uncle, Bill, about using his money to make Northwestern) 


I think this quote speaks for itself. Don't be afraid to take risks, like when your nephew uses your life savings to make a feature film.

Feedback for Stephen Leslie

I really liked these sentences: "The dryness preserves things, things that would otherwise rot in the moisture; they just sit there, just as they were. A hundred years may pass but the cup on the table, the flower pot on the porch, the morning newspaper on the kitchen table.....they just sit there as if the residents left ten minutes ago."


Maybe Stephen Leslie should use more commas instead of ellipsis'. For example, "Every once in a while I stop and listen.....for the sound of gunfire....but today is quiet." 


Also, capitalizing Great Lakes in this sentence: "One day I know the supplies will run out.....and I too will have to follow the Interstate north to what is left of the great lakes."

N = Eight Living People to Emulate

1). Naya Rivera: This woman is at the top of her game. Starting as a background character in season 1 of Glee, she is now a main character of season 3. Her vocals are incredible and she is working on a solo record at the moment. She's come a long way.


2). Krist Novoselic: He's hilarious and intelligent. Also, an awesome musician. 


3). Jack Nicholson: He's an amazing character in the film industry. He always plays his roles in films really well.


4). Olivia Newton-John: Grease is the best(the first one, at least) and she's Australian. Pretty cool.


5). Stevie Nicks: I remember as a kid I always thought that Stevie Nicks was a guy and Lindsey Buckingham was a girl. Funny how things work out like that. The songs she writes are beautiful.


6). Nick Mason: This guy is still kickin', and I give him props for staying with Pink Floyd for all those years.


7). Nick Hornby: One of my favorite authors! The stuff he writes is too funny.


8). Nick Offerman: Parks and Recreation is one of my favorite shows, and he is such a good actor. I love the fact that his real wife plays his ex wife in the show. I wouldn't have known.

TU Tuesday

http://www.timesunion.com/default/article/Official-Ukrainian-coach-found-dead-in-Pa-cell-3244947.php


This article is about a Ukrainian hockey coach who was found dead in his prison cell in Philadelphia, PA.Ivan Pravilov ran a hockey school in Ukraine was in charge of a hockey school, until 2007 when he came to the U.S  to "run camps for standout players from the U.S. and abroad." "FBI suggested the death was a suicide" and "an autopsy is pending." Ivan Pravilov was arrested for "physical, emotional and sexual abuse."

Valentine's Day

The best Valentine's Day I ever had was definitely in kindergarten. Mostly because I gave out Britney Spears Valentine's Day cards, and my best friend at the time gave out cats. I remember vaguely filling them out and decorating my little shoe box. I loved reading them all when I got home to see which valentine was from who.


My sister just finished decorating a new one and filling out her cards. Elementary school is so cute. 

I hate this life so deeply, almost as deeply as I love it

Love Hate Relationship

I hate this life so deeply, almost as deeply as I love it

I love the sounds, I love the smells

I love the way it puts me to sleep at night

I love how it helps me paint the picture

I hate the way it wakes me up in the morning

I hate the way it brings me misery

I hate how it can put an end to everything and everyone

Without this contrast,

what would life really be?

Comic Connection

This relates to me and my dog. Whenever I'm in my room laying down, whether I'm on my computer, reading, painting or whatever, he always sit at the bottom of my bed. He's so cute though, so I can't resist taking him outside and going for a run. He's a good pup.

Pep Talk

"You've survived tougher" applies to my life, I guess. Sometimes I can make a big deal out of a little things, but doesn't everyone? I sort of have to remind myself that I've been through worse and that this is nothing (I'd include examples but I feel like they're all too personal). It'll probably end up being super awkward when I experience the worst possible thing ever, and don't survive. It happens, though. 

TU Tuesday

"Of course, it doesn't hurt one bit that Garcia is devastatingly handsome — a kind of Latin alternative-music version of Bryan Ferry with a bit of Rob Lowe thrown in for good measure." = metaphor: a figure of speech in which a word or phrase is applied to an object or action to which it is not literally applicable



"Strumming his acoustic guitar while he crooned, Garcia was backed by an ace quartet of musicians who supplied a warm, woody foundation." = imagery: visually descriptive language


Strumming his acoustic guitar while he crooned....." onomataopoia: formation of a word from a sound associated with what is named


Diego Garcia is an "Argentinian-American singer-songwriter" who had recently played a show at the Linda Norris Auditorium in Albany. Garcia and his band played "over an hour's worth of love songs, love songs, nothing but love songs" at the venue, and had a positive reaction. Garcia played songs off of his debut album "Laura", and covered songs such as This Strange Effect by The Kinks and Harvest Moon by Neil Young.

Original Poems III

Guitar

(Pantoum)

When I play my guitar,

I feel the mahogany neck,

against the rosewood fingerboard,

As I let my hands take control

I feel the mahogany neck,

Letting my hand glide easily from fret to fret,

As I let my hands take control,

my fingers play the notes they wish

Letting my hand glide easily from fret to fret,

as the notes go through the cord, pedals and out the amplifier

My fingers play the notes they wish,

Pressed against the tough strings

When I play my guitar,

as the notes go through the cord, pedals and out the amplifier,

My fingers play the notes they wish,

against the rosewood fingerboard

PEACE!

(Concrete)

                love     freedom

        peace         calm      equality

     equality          calm         peace

    freedom          calm           love

   love                calm             freedom

   peace         calm    calm      equality

   equality   calm          calm   peace

      freedom                       love

             love                 freedom

                  peace equality

The Year Punk Broke

(Free Verse)

Welcome to the '90's

Original Poems II

Retro(Historenga)


Music has evolved
The genres have changed
From the sixties to the nineties
Blues rock to glam rock
To Seattle's grunge
And now to the 21st century
To see what new musicians will bring us
Even when Eddie Vedder is gone
It'll always be rock n' roll




Cysts and Wrists(Stream of Consciousness)


Once my wrist really hurt
Hurt so bad I brought myself to the doctors
He said "Looks like you've got a ganglion"
Ganglion cysts are a pain
Pain that shoots up my arm and through my fingers
Fingers is what most likely gave me this cyst
Cyst's from typing or playing guitar
Guitar can be difficult with this bad wrist
Wrist's are important, can you imagine your life without wrists?


If I Was A Recipe(Recipe For Me)


First off, you need to read the ingredients precisely
If you mess up one thing, I will be more than slightly off
You must add a pinch of quietness, and shy tendencies
Add a cup of five foot two because that's as tall as I'll ever get
Teaspoon of Ukrainian and Irish
And you cannot forget the tablespoon of Italian!
Make sure to mix your ingredients and wait patiently for the finished product

Original Poems I

Home (Ladder Poem)


Small
Very secluded
Acres of land
Where are the neighbors?
No sound to be heard
Except the loud trains
Against the tracks
We hear
Home


Pillow(Mundane Poem)


Soft or hard
Being used for my neck,
or my body


Scattered on my bed
Too many to choose from
How about we just ignore them all?


Indented in every which way
Holding an image that is no longer visible


A Mother, a Daughter and a Hospital(Memory Poem)


The many times I've "visited"
This has become the worst


My vision went black,
"Lauren? Lauren, heeelllooo?"
You had that angry and concerned tone
I know you get angry
But this time I couldn't control my body if I tried


My vision came back seconds later
and everything was in slow motion
The sudden acid from my stomach crawling up my esophagus
Burning my throat and nose


You helped hold me down
my body shaking out of control
Every minute or two you'd yell my name
Making sure I was still with you
and eventually I was

Vocabulary On My Mind

I had a difficult time trying to figure out what to post on this blog tonight. I've been feeling lackluster lately. I guess I was never "brilliant" to begin with. Also, I've been a little bit more remote than usual. I think it's because I've been investing my time in TV shows, films, books, and discovering more music. There's this guy on youtube who is very garrulous, and has a really excellent taste in music. Every month or two he'll show off the new records he bought. He has a plethora of records, and by records, I mean vinyl. Some people may say vinyl records are obsolete, but I think they're making a comeback. Actually, I've been meaning to go to the record shop lately. There's a thrifty record shop in downtown Albany that I like to go to, but it's sadly not in proximity to either of my parents houses. The employees there are very cordial. I had a succinct discussion with one of them about Janis Joplin's album named Pearl, because it was one of the records I was purchasing. My wrist is starting to hurt, so I'm going to end this blog post. I've tried to keep it quiescent, but it's hard because it's my left wrist (which I use to play the fret board of my guitar). I'm going to the doctors tomorrow so I hope they can give me some type of antidote to help me out.


I'm sorry for the loss of your father, may he rest in peace.

What I Need to Know about WRITING AND WRITERS to Become a Better Writer

All of the writers we spoke with were very knowledgeable and had something different to offer. Out of what all the writers have discussed, the piece of information that stuck out most in my mind was Mr. Leslie's advice for using the five senses when writing. I've never thought about that while writing a non fiction piece, like something that I've experienced. I think that Mrs. Ringler mentioned that as well when writing memoirs. 


I want to stick to the topic of nonfiction...so, a few questions I thought up of was...


Do you think it's easier to write nonfiction if you have experienced it?
Is nonfiction harder to write than fiction? Why?
How needs to be included in a nonfiction story?


I do like the original question, though, which is, what does nonfiction offer that fiction doesn't?

Round Four = Robyn Ringler

The first essay I read was Dissection. After reading the whole essay, I really liked how she named the title Dissection. I also liked the line "I tried to joke so they would like me and fight hard for my life." since she is a nurse. But would you really have to like someone to fight hard for their life? Not sure if it's supposed to be humorous or I'm just slow. I wonder what goes through her mind when she's working with a patient who might not make it. 


The next essay I read was Hanging With Horses. I thought the last line was funny, "Dan stood unfazed." I used to be scared of getting off of horses. I'm surprised the horse didn't freak out a little bit, though (if she was freaking out), because of how horses react with human emotion. If you stay calm, so will they, and vice versa. You just have to assure them. 


The essay Letting Go was heartbreaking. After reading this, I really enjoy Mrs. Ringler's writing a lot more (not that I didn't before). It's nice of her to share these rough moments of her life with everyone, like the death of her father. I look forward to having a discussion with her.


1/12 = *****

Round Three = Stephen Leslie

I liked Stephen Leslie's writing right after I read the first haibun called Her Voice. "Sometimes I wish she was more cordial, but our relationship is all business. When it is time for us to part she is silent ... but I know I will hear her voice again." I really love the way he wrote that, mostly because he's talking about a GPS. I thought it was humorous.


The next haibun, Joe, reminded me of my father. My fathers name is Joe (Joseph, but he goes by Joe). My dad's always been fascinated with history, and his father was in Vietnam. The words "I touch Joe's name" are so simple but at the same time so powerful.


From those haibuns, it seems like most of Stephen Leslie's writing is serious, and heartfelt. I look forward to discuss with him what inspired those haibuns.


My Haibun:


Maxwell Edison


There he lay, softly with his brother and sister. Their different spots splatter their new born body. One of the males rubs up against my leg, begging to be picked up and cradled like the others. He's fragile, and suddenly my hands feel like bear paws.


Picking the one with the black spot on his left side, carefully lifting him into my lap as we stare out the window together.


Maxwell Edison
my Jack Russell Terrier 
best birthday ever


1/10 Speaker = ****

Deb Smith - Travel Writer

1). I read Sit Up Straight about Asissi, Italy. It seems more fancy (the meals), at least the restaurant that they went to does. “Look, it’s Italy. You drink the water fizzy here.”
' “I don’t drink fizzy water. I don’t like olive oil. And I’m not eating pigeons.”
“You don’t have to. But get your head up off the table and decide what you dowant to eat. And close your mouth when you chew. Do you want people to think you’re an American with no manners?” '

It's obvious that there is a difference in the meals. I can really get a feel of Asissi, Italy in this article by the way she talks about the geography. 

2). The audio essay offers more tone of the author than a written essay would, because the author will speak it how they meant it to be interpreted if it had been written down. I listened to the essay Soccer Addict by Deb Smith. The way she said "....or sometimes skirts, and that was the men...." put her tone into the essay more than it would if it was her just reading it aloud. I preferred this rather than reading it because I feel like I would understand her better by listening to her speak the essay. 

3). To Deb Smith:

When you're traveling, are you always focused on the details around you and how you could write about it?

What is the favorite place you have traveled?

4).  1/6 speaker = ****

Round One = Therese Broderick

Therese Broderick is a writer with an MFA degree, who lives in Albany, New York. She is a wife and a mother to a teenage daughter. Broderick wrote a collection of poems about her daughter, called At April's End. "Most of these poems are autobiographically actual, to the extent that it is possible for my memory or my journal notes to be factual."(At April's End) Broderick writes a lot from her own personal experiences, so you can tell that she is open about her personal life as a writer. "NOTES: This poem was inspired by a car trip I took last Saturday."(Come November) I like how she puts notes at the end of her poems on her blog. It helps to know what she was thinking, and it helps the reader interpret it how it she meant for it to be interpreted. "When I write any new poem, I intend for it to be a beautiful work of human language (spoken/heard) that leads to wonder about the human condition" and "Since I have very little control over the readers of my poems...."(Interview) shows that no matter how the reader interprets it, she has worked hard to make it beautiful. You can tell she takes her time with her work. “Choqpee” is an invented name similar to “Chicopee,” an indigenous word for river rapids.(Selenes) This makes me think if Mrs. Broderick does any research before writing or coming up with ideas for her poems, or if she just uses knowledge she has gained over the years.


Questions:
What made Mrs. Broderick want to write a whole collection of poems about her daughter, starting off as when she was born until she turned 18?
What made Mrs. Broderick want to get a blog to post her work?