The Conclusion - Week 22

September 22nd, 2009, 10:37 AM, I had just posted my first blog, and I was not too happy about it. When I had first heard that we were going to be posting weekly blogs, I was very excited. I thought it would be a nice change from the normal typed English assignment, and it was, but when I read that our first blog was to be about how we like to read, I was slightly disappointed. After two more weeks of writing mundane blogs, I found myself reading the prompt for our 4th blog. I finally saw a chance to write about something I could have fun with. After an hour of creative genius, I sat back and published my blog post. That was probably the most fun I have had writing in a very long time. From then on, I tried to add a little humor to the rest of my blogs, whether it fit into the prompt or not. Except for this blog, I'm tired, I have a lot of studying to do, and school is almost out, I don't want to be funny.

Many times when writing, the effort I put into the assignment often reflects how creative I can get with what I'm writing. For example I probably spent about three minutes writing my Great Expectations Photo Post, as opposed to the hour I spent on my post about the first stage of Great Expectations just a week before. This is something I really need to work on, I have plenty of boring assignments ahead of me, and I need to find a way to motivate myself. Right now, I have a delicious bratwurst in front of me that I will only eat once I finish this blog.

VISUAL AID

Now that I've talked about what I've written and what I've learned, I think I'll talk about what my blog is all about. My blog is about staying up Friday night trying to post my internet literature before 12:00, my blog is about (I was serious about the bratwurst, I'm eating it right now) inconsistent effort, my blog is about having fun less often than not. Now I will wrap up my final blog post with a quote from Mister Ed O'Brien, "When you’re making a record, a film, write a book for ages and ages you think the finishing line is miles away. Now it feels it’s in touching distance. But of course, it being a creative process, at the last bit also, you have bursts of energy, you achieve a lot of things in a small period of time and then you’re nearly there…it might slow down.".

Essay Writing - Week 21

Essays are easily my least favorite part of school. It's not uncommon for an essay to take me more than 7 hours to complete. Although I'm still working on my efficiency, I feel that I have improved greatly on the structure and balance of my essay. Along with efficiency, I also need to work on procrastination. I'll often wait until the last day to write my essay, and as a result, it's often rushed.

Another thing I need to work on is original commentary and hooks. I have a hard time finding multiple original commentaries to support my concrete details. As for my hooks, they're usually barely related to the thesis. I'm not looking forward to all the essays I will have to write in the coming years, but at least I'll be prepared.

Summer Reading List - Week 20

The two books that I'm going to pretend to want to read over the summer are Abarat: Absolute Midnight, by Clive Barker, and A New Earth, by Eckhart Tolle. I started reading the Abarat series when I was in 4th grade, and I loved all of the unique characters in it, particularly the main antagonist. As seen below, he looks cool.


The second book, A New Earth, was recommended to me by Oprah Winfrey. I was told that I need to awaken to my life's purpose, and that sounded good. Now that I think about it, I don't really want to read this book, I'd rather read Abarat.

Theme and Motif: Dreams - Week 19

"Get out your journals you idiots" said my teacher Mrs. Namlig. I reluctantly reached into my backpack for my journal, and as I turned to the next clean page, a thin rubber band fell out onto my lap. I quickly grabbed the rubber band, making sure no one else saw it. Then, once everyone had focused their attention onto their assignment, I withdrew my elastic device. Taking aim at my teacher, I slowly stretched out the band until it had reached its maximum stretching capacity. I then screamed and shot my deadly projectile. Just when my artillery was about to collide with Mrs. Namlig's face, my best friend stood up in front of her to turn in his paper. I screamed again, this time in horror, as I jumped out of my desk, and sprinted towards my friend, in hope of intercepting the rubber band. I was catching up, and just before the rubber band hit my friend, I dove in front of him. I dove to soon, and fell on Mrs. Namlig, killing her instantly. I then turned around just in time to see the rubber bullet blow my friend's head straight off. The elastic killer wasn't done yet, and after barreling through three other students, it smashed into the heat controller on the wall, raising the temperature in the room to 480 degrees Fahrenheit. Everyone else that the rubber band hadn't decapitated caught on fire. Just before the whole room exploded, I jumped out of the window. As I plummeted down a full story to my death, I began counting down to impact. Three...Tw- I woke up on my bedroom floor, still counting down. It took me no time at all to figure out that I was dreaming. I grabbed my backpack and checked my notebook only to find that same rubber band lying in between the pages. I was about to remove it, but then I got hungry and went downstairs.

I would have to say my view on dreams are similar to Mercutio. Dreams are the result of an idle mind and are not linked to reality. Romeo beleives too much that dreams can actually have an impact on your life, and makes most of his choices based on his dreams. This leads Romeo into a very unhealthy relationship, and ultimately his banishment and eventually, death.

Culture Shock - Exit Music (For A Film) - Week 18

	Radiohead - Exit Music (For A Film)
	Found at skreemr.com

Wake... from your sleep. The drying of your tears. Today we
escape, we escape. Pack.. and get dressed. Before your father hears us. Before
all hell breaks loose. Breathe, keep breathing. Don't lose your nerve.
Breathe, keep breathing. I can't do this alone. Sing.. us a song. A song to
keep us warm. There's such a chill, such a chill. You can laugh. A spineless
laugh. We hope your rules and wisdom choke you. Now we are one in everlasting
peace. We hope that you choke, that you choke. We hope that you choke, that you
choke. We hope that you choke, that you choke.

Exit Music (For A Film) by Radiohead is a song that lead singer Thom Yorke wrote for the ending credits of the 1996 film Romeo and Juliet. When Thom Yorke was interviewed in 1997, he said, "When we saw the scene in which Claire Danes holds the Colt 45 against her head, we started working on the song immediately. I had something with 'Romeo & Juliet' a long time already... I just couldn't believe why Romeo and Juliet, after they had made love, didn't run away together. Romeo should have packed his bags, jump out of the window and eloped with her!" This idea can also be interpreted by the lyrics, "Today we escape... Pack, and get dressed. Before your father hears us." I agree with Thom Yorke, if Romeo and Juliet had escaped from Verona and gotten away from their family, they could've avoided killing themselves.

Extra Credit

Besides the hit television program "Oprah", this class has probably been the single most important thing that has ever happened to me. Five years ago when I was morbidly obese, if you had told me that I was going to be reciting poetry, I would kill you in disbelief. Nevertheless, a few months ago, I stepped up in front of the class, and began filling my listener's ears with poetic genius. As I finished the last line, I was greeted with thunderous applause. I then began crowd surfing, a feet that would've been impossible five years ago, when my massive girth couldn't have been lifted without heavy machinery. After five days of celebration, I was placed back on the floor, and received a 28/40. I will always remember that day. Until I die, then I won't be able to remember it.

Great Expectations: Skit Prep - Week 17

The first scene that I think would make for a good skit is when Abel Magwitch and Compeyson are fighting in the marsh. This is one of the more action filled scenes in the book, and I think it would make for a very dramatic and exciting skit.

The second scene that I'm considering is when Miss Havisham falls into the fireplace and ignites into flames and Pip runs in and burns his hands trying to save her. This also would be a very exciting scene because it'd be cool to light someone on fire, and I don't mind burning my hands too much.

The final scene that I would like to preform in class is when Mrs. Joe goes insane when Orlick insults her and then Mr. Joe begins to fight with Orlick. Like the first two, this skit would be very action packed, and I feel like I could efficiently portray Mrs. Joe's insanity through my spectacular acting expertise.

More Questions About Great Expectations - Week 16

The biggest question that I had in this week's reading was why does Abel Magwich care so much about Pip? I understand that he relates to him being an orphan, and that he is thankful for Pip's help in the graveyard, but when the convict comes to Pip in chapter 39, he's risking being caught and executed. I feel like I'm missing something about why the convict is so interested in Pip, because to risk your life for a boy, just because you can slightly relate yourself to him, sounds to me like insanity.

Great Expectations - Question about a Passage - Week 15

"Pip, dear old chap, life is made of ever so many partings welded together, as I may say, and one's a whitesmith and one's a goldsmith, and one's a coppersmith. Diwisions among such must come, and must be mine. You and me is not two figures to be together in London; nor yet anywheres else but what is private, and beknown , and understood among friends, It ain't that I am proud, but that I want to be right , as you shall never see me no more in these clothes." (239) chapter 27. Here I assume that Joe is making an analogy about blacksmiths and social class. With Joe being a blacksmith and Pip a goldsmith, but after that, Joe's wording and slurred speech is a little to much for my sleep deprived brain to comprehend If anyone could tell me what Joe is trying to say to Pip when he talks about them in London, both my mind and body would greatly appreciate it.

Great Expectations: Photo Post - Week 14

These shoes are an example of Pip's family that he is so ashamed of. More specificaly, these boots also resemble Pip's feelings when the stranger, Mr. Jaggers, asks him to live with him and become a gentleman. In a way, Pip is being offered a pair of new shoes, he has been wanting new shoes for a very long time, and has always been embarassed by his old shoes. But when he finally puts on his new shoes, they are stiff, and don't fit him like his old shoes did.

Great Expectations: The First Stage - Week 13

"Pause you who read this, and think for a moment of the long chain of iron or gold, of thorns or flowers, that would never have bound you, but for the formation of the first link on one memorable day."

Here Pip is referring to the day when he realized how "common" his family is, compared to Miss Havisham and Estella. From this day on, Pip is almost obsessively comparing his family to Miss Havisham, and he is ashamed of how he was raised, wishing he would've been taught to be dignified, and all-knowing. This is the chain that Pip refers to; the day that he met Miss Havisham, for better or worse, forever changed him as an individual. Pip has become drastically more self-conscious, and resentful of his guardians.

I'm cooler than Pip though, so lets stop talking about him. Back in 4th grade, I was lost in a loving relationship with Taco Bell. It got to a point where I couldn't sleep without a warm Chrunchwrap Supreme tucked comfortingly in between my folds. That was until June of 2005, when I suffered from a Hernia while trying to get out of bed. After five months of devastating therapy, I regained control of my nervous system. That's when I realized that Taco Bell and I were not meant to be, I could do better, and I knew it. After an emotional break-up, I hooked up with organic produce and mineral water. Five years later, I'm severely under-weight, and disappear when I turn sideways. Think outside of the bun for a moment, if you will; if it weren't for my Hernia in June of 2005, my consumption ratio of Taco Bell to Oxygen would still be 5:1, and if I was still eating Taco Bell, I wouldn't be confident with my body image, and if I weren't confident with my body image, I would probably still be wearing shirts with six packs etched into them. K BYE

Collaborating on Your Group Essay - Relationships - Week 12

For my group's essay on the different relationships throughout the book, I'm focusing on the couple of Chausable and Miss Prism. Our thesis for our essay is about how Oscar Wilde uses the various different couples in the book, to satirize marriage and social relationships throughout the novel. I will begin my paragraph by talking about what stands out the most about Chausable and Miss Prism, their age. They're the oldest couple in the play, and consequently, they're very different from Algernon and Cecily, and Jack and Gwendolen.

My first CD is about how Chausable and Miss Prism are less flirtacious than the two other couples. This is a great example of how the older generations tend to be more conserved with eachother. My next CD is about how the couple speak in a slightly high diction. I use this point to show that Chausable and Miss Prism value language, and being very "politicaly correct" more than the other couples. My final point is that out of all the couples, Chausable and Miss Prism are the only ones that have jobs. The other two couples seem to be more foolish, and live a life luxory, while Chausable and Miss Prism seem to be wiser and have higher morals.

The Importance of Being Earnest/Victorian Research - Week 11

I feel that my research on the Victorian Era greatly influenced my understanding of the play "The Importance of Being Earnest". I learned that men and women had completely different roles in the social infrastructure of the time. Women were expected to stay quietly at home, while the men were away. Jack and his ward Cecicly are a great example of this. Cecicly stays at home in the country all the time, while Jack goes to and from the country and the city as he wishes.

Also, during the Victorian Era, women were often seen as being very foolish people. This is portrayed multiple times throughout the book, mainly through Gwendolen and Cecily's obsession with the name Earnest. On page 86, Gwendolen says, "We are both engaged to be married to your brother Earnest, so it is a matter of some importance to us to know where your brother Earnest is at present". Gwendolen and Cecily aren't truly in love with Jack and Algernon, they just liked the name Earnest.

Animal Farm Project - Music Video - Week 10

A music video Jacob and I made on the theme of corruption of power to the song of "Climbing Up The Walls" by Radiohead.

(Press the fullscreen in the bottom right corner of the video)

Poetry Out Loud Perfomances - Frederick Douglas - Week 9

Shawntay A. Henry's performance of Frederick Douglass by Robert E. Hayden, was one of my favorite performances, and stood out from all the rest. She spoke with very clear articulation, and her powerful pacing emphasized the dramatic tone of the poem. Shawntay's hand gestures helped add structure, without being over dramatic. Her body language helped add to her powerful stage presence, which accurately conveyed the poem's sense of dignity.

This poem is about freedom and inequality, and Shawntay expressed this through her strong physical presence. When Shawntay snaps her fingers after speeding up and growing in intensity, she transitions into a more interpretive section of the poem. Her strong articulation and dramatic pauses inbetween words add to the solemn subject of the poem, and keeps the listeners interested.

Mockingbird Motif - Week 8

When I first started working on my honors English summer assignment, I came across a new word; motif. After looking up the word in the dictionary, I got the basic understanding that it was a recurring subject, theme, or idea in a piece of literature. When working on my visual organizer for my second project, I chose motif to be the dominant literary feature. I still wasn't sure of what it was, but I just chose multiple symbols throughout the book and decided that they were the motif. And then we started to read "To Kill A Mockingbird". By first week of reading, I was already noticing the symbols in the book. That's when I finally understood that a motif was a symbol that was being repeatedly used throughout the novel to support other ideas or themes.

The mockingbird motif is used in the novel in many different ways. It is first introduced when Atticus warns Scout when he got a toy gun that it's a sin to kill a mocking, because they are innocent creatures that have done no harm. The motif was more prominently used however in the form of Tom Robinson and Boo Radley. Both men were very decent well-meaning people, and for this reason many people, such as Atticus, beleived they should be left alone. Atticus is always trying to teach his kids to have strong morals, and the mockingbird motif further enhances this theme of respect. However, Atticus's idea of equality clashes harshly with the prejudice present in Maycomb, creating another theme of good versus evil. When you think about all the themes and ideas present in the novel, the mockingbird motif is behind almost all of them.

Symbolism - Tom Robinson - Week 7

I chose a picture of a pitbull as a symbol of the character I'm portraying, Tom Robinson. Pitbulls are often stereotyped as very viscous, violent, unloyal, and heartless animals. Many people won't even go outside when they see a pitbull, and will call the pound, even if the dog has done nothing wrong. However, pitbulls are very friendly, loyal dogs, they even are used as service dogs for the blind and mentally disabled. Sure, some pitbulls can be very violent, but so can many other dogs. The prejudices that many pitbulls face are very similar to the stereotype that Tom Robinson is given, because of his race.

Life Lessons - Week 6

For as long as I can remember, I have always procrastinated. At this very moment, I'm writing this blog the day before it's due, I could've finished it earlier today, or even earlier this week, but as I sit here, watching The Office, I remember one of my dad's sayings, "Get it done". I have no idea when my dad started saying this, but whenever I'm taking an unusually long time on an assignment, or putting it off until the next day, a "Get it done", is sure to be heard.

I've heard this saying so many times, it's gotten a little annoying, but overall it has probably drastically improved my work ethic. I've spent many tired evenings huddling over my work trying to concentrate, but as soon as I remember my dad's saying, I'm filled with a new energy, helping me finally complete my assignment. Unfortunately, I think I'll always have a problem with procrastination, but I'll always be able to look back on my dad's saying, and get it done.

My Best Friend - Week 5

I've known him for all my life, and I've been getting to know him for the last 14 years. He always has something to contribute and can make any conversation interesting. He is very involved in drama, and he has starred in many different plays. He also plays the bass in orchestra and in a band. Others are probably first taken back by his outgoing nature, but they'll learn to love him.

My friend's loud funky personality is very refreshing, and he can always bring a little excitement into my day. He is a very musical person, and isn't afraid of screaming out a song that's stuck in his head. The best word from our book to describe him would probably be extrovert, because he's very involved with others, and is very exciting.

Shuck That Corn! - Week 4

I was little, and my sister often took advantage of me by dressing me up in a plethora of costumes, this time, it was a pink tutu. As my sister put on the finishing touches, my mom walked in with an armful of corn, and like an idiot, I decided to help out.

So began my afternoon of child labor. I shucked with a tremendous intensity, my face was stricken with fervor, each fistful of husk that I tore up brought me closer to my goal. The corn was my enemy, and each one I shucked faster than the one before, for I wanted some naptime, and who was the corn to take that away from me!

Then I had finished, I looked down at the bucket of corn, and then back at the table where the demolished husk lay. I stood up triumphantly, corn in hand, and hollered to heavens, somewhere the corn gods were listening, and they were afraid, they were very afraid. I walked inside and gave my mom my three stalks of corn, and fell asleep.


P.S. My soccer team is going to be the ball boys for the Seattly Sounders this Saturday. If you want to watch the game it's on at 7:30PM on channel 5.