Writing Center

I went to the writing center earlier this week, and the writing fellow I worked with was a senior girl named Rosemary. She asked me to read my paper aloud, and after the immediate, universal shame of having to read your own work had passed, I could see the usefulness of the process. I found quite a few sentences that didn't flow correctly, or more often I would stumble across repeated words.

The writing center also gave me a feeling of confidence about my paper. When the writing fellow saw that I had written about Freud, she asked if it was a prompt. I told her that I had pulled the concept from a power point we had gone over. The entire process was extremely beneficial, and I am positive that I will visit more in the near future.

If Cookies were Currency

First off, I have a few problems with this idea. If the value is based on freshness, then wouldn't the idea of different types of cookies holding different values be irrelevant? Also, this means that it is nearly impossible to save, leading to more scenarios playing out like this: "Hey man, I got two grand, but it's only good for about a week. Let's go blow it in Vegas."

I also don't like the effect this has on the culture of our country. This renders an entire aspect of food inedible, and I'm sure that all cookies will be seized from storeswhich will not only cause the companies to lose profit, but it will also be money wasted sending out our troops/police officers.

Comments

Jordan- Free Post

Kaya- Free Post

Free Post

I've recently been playing a game called Paladin. It is remarkably similar to Overwatch, a game that has been voted game of the year. The main differences are that Overwatch is 40 dollars, whereas Paladin is free. This brings a question to my mind. Would it even be worth it to buy Overwatch? All the same elements are there, and Paladin is free. The answer is yes it's obviously worth 40 dollars to upgrade from a watered down version of the game of the year.

Literary Analysis Process

I have nearly finished my literary analysis, and by far the most helpful part of the process was making the outline. Now that I'm writing about points that I didn't include in my outline, it is significantly more challenging. Another thing that I have to complete is the conclusion. I look forward to going to the writing center and receiving feedback on my paper. This whole experience has been educational for me, and I will use some of these methods in following papers.

Comments

Jordan Ramsey- Waffles

Alex Harlan- Symbolism

Free Bird

I sit in my room, staring at the painting on the wall. My brother has left. I am alone. The sheets underneath me are cold, despite the fact that they've been in close proximity to my own heat for several hours. The painting on the wall is that of a dove in a steel cage. I lie down and inevitably fall asleep. I dream of a dove, flying high in the sky. Its cage falls to the ground, shattering into pieces as if it were glass. The dove soars higher and higher until it is out of sight. I wake up, and stare longingly through the bars on my window, hoping one day that I too will know what it's like to soar freely.

How To: Surf

First off, you need to buy/ rent a decent board, as well as some surf wax. You need to take the block of wax and spread it on the surface of your board. This will give your feet better grip. Next, you need to walk the board out into the ocean until you're deep enough to get on and paddle. While lying on the board, paddle out with your hands until you are behind the area where the waves are breaking. Sit for a while facing the shore, and when you notice a big wave swelling up behind you, start paddling towards the coast. When you feel the wave pushing you, hop up on both feet, and stand. It is important to land on both feet evenly, so to better keep your balance. Once you're up, maintaining balance is all there is to it.

Comments

Ryan- Free Post

Kaya- Free Post

LOTF Critical Scene

I think a prominent scene in The Lord of The Flies is when Simon is killed. Even though Ralph and Piggy claim to be civilized, even they cannot resist joining in on the "festivities". Notice how Simon is referred to with pronouns that William Golding had previously used to describe the pigs that Jack hunts and kills. He also uses descriptive language associated with animals to describe the boys when they kill Simon.

I think this scene is important because it shows how easily evil can slip out of the boys, and how little control over it they have. It also shows how willing they are to lie to each other, and how Piggy is willing to use this event as both defense and accusation.

Free Post

I have a friend named Taylor VanHorn. He lives in Texas, and his dad is a close friend of my parents. I went surfing with both of them two summers ago, and I haven't seen either since. Taylor is 12, and he looks up to me like I'm his older sibling (he happens to be an only child). For Thanksgiving, I'm going to Houston, Texas, and I'm going to visit him. We've talked about having a paintball war, but I would probably destroy the poor boy, so I doubt it.

I mentioned above that he sees me as an older brother, and to be honest, he's the younger brother I always wanted (no offense to my little sister). I taught him how to ice skate, helped him surf, and I introduced him to a lot of the things he enjoys today. When I send him the link to this blog, I hope it makes him smile.

Comments Q2 Week 4

Trevor- Personal Prompt

Kaya- Skyrim

Our own prompt

Think back on the most memorable holiday of your life. Why was it memorable?

The most memorable holiday that I can remember was the Thanksgiving I spent in bed due to strep throat. It was the most ironic thing ever. Why not on Easter? Or Christmas? Why was I stricken with a sickness keeping me from consuming food on the holiday primarily geared towards the consumption of food?

Then, after watching my family members gorge themselves with turkey and dressing, I decide to try some of the latter. Little did I know, the dressing had some mystery ingredient that I was allergic to. We had no Epi-Pens, and for whatever reason, the allergist refused to write a prescription. Luckily, it wasn't life threatening, but it did cause even more irritation in my throat and mouth. In the end, my family saved me a ton of food, and we took it home. As soon as I felt better, I stuffed myself. It was the best day I had had in a while.

LOTF Response

 I am responding that begins in the middle of page 143 and goes on to the bottom. This passage is relevant because we see the title of the book represented in character, that character asserts itself as the beast, and he tells Simon that he is a part of all the boys. This passage puts to rest all theories of the beast being a resident on the island, because, in reality, the beast resides in the boy's minds.

In this passage, there are multiple examples of the Lord of the Flies referring to Simon as "child." The narrator also says that the Lord of the Flies "spoke in the voice of a schoolmaster." What this suggests is that this "beast" has been around for much longer than any of the boys. You also see many allusions to the Bible, such as Simon's thirst, and the fact that "Lord of the Flies" translated to Hebrew means Beelzebub, also known as the prince of demons. This is the first work of fiction that I have read with multiple allusions to biblical sources, and this is one of the best references I've read.

Comments Q2 Week 3

Kaya- LOTF Human Nature

Ryan- Lord Of The Flies Thoughts

LOTF Reading Response

The author's use of symbolism in nearly every paragraph is something that I don't see often, and I enjoy thinking and reading between the lines. From Jack's authority shown in the form of the choir boys cloaks to the several inferences about pigs, Golding's symbolism is nothing to think lowly of.

I think that by speaking of Simon's seizures, Golding is foreshadowing his death. I also think that Piggy's roundness is adding more to the story than just his nickname.

Human nature

I believe that humans are naturally ill-behaved. We are obviously flawed, quick to deceive and slow to forgive. While one could say we have an appreciation for beauty and nature, that is a trait that has recently developed in the broad stretch of the history of the world. That said, I believe that humans were gifted with the ability to change themselves and others indefinitely.

My reasoning behind this is the fact that most children will grow up disrespectful, dishonest, and brutal. Having many younger cousins, I have been witness to temper tantrums thrown for absolutely no reason, have seen the sheer anger and hate in a young boy's eyes when he was denied something. But, after all of that, you have to ask yourself whether something is genuinely and sincerely wrong, or if it is merely a societal convention to see it as evil or twisted.

Q2 Week 2

Ryan- The Accountant 

Alex- Free Post

Quarter 2 Comments Week 1

Ellen- Reading Response

Jordan- Should We Abandon Louisiana? In some ways, we already have.

The Hammer of Thor

In the past week, I've been reading Rick Riordan's latest book, The Hammer of Thor. This book has made me think of the times that I read his older works, and it made me reflect on how my perception has changed over the years. The older I become, the more I see that his books are geared to a younger audience.
One of the hardest things to overcome is realizing that it's time to move onto more challenging novels, and stop reading below your reading level for purely nostalgic purposes. It is something that I am just beginning to accomplish. I want to branch out with my reading and read classics such as Shakespeare, Vonnegut, and Poe.

Harvest Fest Free Post

This weekend, I went to a fair in New Roads called the Harvest Festival. This has been around for about six years, and each year I've attended it. It began as a small gathering outside the Poydras Center called the fall fest. My old school was one of the biggest groups of volunteers there. The mayor stopped by and decided that next autumn he would make it huge. Each year the harvest fest has had food, music, and rides. It has been relatively constant over these past six years. This year was honestly disappointing. The city had definitely gone in a direction favoring music and food, rather than rides.
I've spoken to several in attendance, and they agree with me on this matter. The whole setup was different. With the rides in an area in close proximity to the concerts, it is much harder to be separate from adults. You can argue however you'd like, but being away from adults allows kids to be themselves. I will still be attending future harvest fests, I just hope town hall hears some of this feedback.

Procrastination: Is Your Future Self Getting a Bad Deal?

          I have a disability called CPD. Chronic Procrastination Disorder. I am constantly putting off school work in order to do the things that I would like to do. Only recently have I even attempted to break free from these chains, and I am discovering that my quality of life increases when I complete tasks well before they are due.

          One of the points that Dr. Pychyl raised in his essay "Procrastination: Is Your Future Self Getting a Bad Deal?" is that procrastination shows a level of disregard for the well-being of your future self. Now, you may read that and think, "Surely everyone has a self-preservation instinct." You would be correct, but that isn't what the author is arguing. The author is arguing about the things you can tell about yourself due to whether or not you procrastinate. Not only does it affect your long-term health and happiness, it affects short-term things as well. As soon as I decide to put off my homework, I can feel a weight upon my shoulders, a guilt of unfinished tasks. I know from personal experience that procrastination gets exponentially more stressful the longer it goes on, and eventually you break dow. You're tired, you're emotionally unstable, and you're generally unhappy with the goings-on of the world around you. 

          I cannot stress how important it is to get your work done, be it making an unpleasant phone call, doing ridiculous amounts of history homework, or even cleaning your room. All of these tasks have their own individual effect on your mental psyche, and they stack to become a formidable amount of stress. 

Comments 7

Kaya Rende- Turkey

Alex Harlan- Reading Response

A Very Old Man With Enormous Wings

In this blog, I'll be writing a response to A Very Old Man With Enormous Wings. This story highlights humanity's vanity and cruelty in a subtle way. For a brief period, the "mortals" are fascinated with the "angel". The fascination morphs into something twisted and evil as they begin to torment the angel to get a rise out of him. They even go so far as to brand him, but when they see his reaction to that they become scared of him and leave him alone.

People with disabilities and illnesses come from far and wide to try to be cured, but eventually, they quit trying after they see no results. The angle continues to ignore the people, and when a circus comes around with a "spider-woman" they flock to a supernatural being that acknowledges them. Even something as mighty as an angel will be forgotten if he's as unresponsive as a statue at a church. People crave recognition, and they weren't getting it from the angel.

Free Post

This weekend, I'm going to a football game at my old school. This will be very weird, especially because I left very dramatically. I burned bridges, and I told people things that had been clawing their way up my throat for years. I think that their isolation from me will help them get over what I said, but if not, I deserve what happens to me. 

There's a girl who'll be at this game. I'm not even really sure what terms we're on anymore. It'll definitely be weird. I ought to have fun. The team is much better than last year. I'll try my hardest to enjoy myself around people I hate. 

Comments

Jordan- Harrison Bergeron 

Anders- The Squirrel in The Attic

Flash "Fiction"

I trust this girl. That's a big thing, right? I don't trust many people. She's one of the best thing that's ever happened to me. Her name is Not Important. She used to live far away but now she lives close enough to visit all the time! She's slightly older, and she brings dinner to her friend at work all the time. They study at his apartment because even though she's a sophomore she enrolled in college! To be honest I'm pretty proud. I don't mind if she hangs out with guys, I trust her...I think. They went dancing until one in the morning last night. I'm just glad she had fun. I tried to call her. She didn't answer. She texted me back thirty minutes later saying that she was sorry, and that she had been taking a nap. She said she was staying home all night, and that she was too tired to hang out with anyone. I'm riding bikes with some of my friends. We pass her house. His truck is in her driveway and I see them together in the kitchen. I trusted this girl. That's a big thing, right?

Comments Week 5

Alex- Ethics

Anders- A Land More Kind Than Home 2

A Game of Thrones

I am currently reading A Game Of Thrones by George R. R. Martin. In this blog, I'd like to talk about the heavy symbolism in this book. In the beginning of the story, Ned Stark finds a dire wolf, the sigil of his house, that has been slain by a stag, the sigil of his king and close friend Robert Baratheon. I think that this is foreshadowing Ned's demise due to association with Robert, and Ned's wife agrees with me on that matter.

I also enjoyed the foreshadowing when it came to Bran, Ned Stark's son. Characters in the story, including Bran, often talked of his climbing ability and how he never, repeat, never falls. This foreshadowed his fall from the broken tower, which led to his paralysis. George R. R. Martin is an eloquent writer, and I would recommend this series to anyone.

Dear 13 year old,

Dear 13 year old,

Next year is gonna be big. You'll be going to high school, and if you're like me, you'll be going to a new school. One of the hardest challenges I've ever faced was trying to fit in and impress people. I just want you to realize that you don't have to impress anyone, but if you do, make sure that the way you impress them isn't hurtful to anyone else.

Never worry about how you look or act around other people. In ten years, odds are they won't be that important to you anymore. That said, make good friends. One friend that you can trust to steer you in the right direction is better than one that acts out and makes you laugh. Live lightly, and don't let the stress and anxiety of high school get to you. It's sort of funny, here I am lecturing you while I struggle with the same things. I wish you the best of luck.

-a 14 year old

The House of The Scorpion

Over the past week I've been reading a book titled The House of The Scorpion. In this book, Matt has a longstanding struggle with the fact that he is a clone.The human whose DNA Matt comes from is a twisted, powerful drug lord, El Patron. Most people, especially El Patron himself, expect Matt to grow up just like him. As the story progresses, however, you can see that Matt is much nicer and gentler than the old man. This goes to show that even if two people are identical in every way, a different environment effects their attitude towards life. 

  Throughout Matt's early life, he's treated more poorly than an animal. He fears that people will be able to tell him apart from normal people. While this fear is never validated, he still feels it every waking moment. When Esperanza tells him that he is needed to disable the security around the Alacran estate, he replies that he is nothing but a clone. She tells him that that is not true because, legally, when the original copy dies, the clone takes the place of the human. This blows Matt's mind, because now he feels that he is human. He feels like he has a soul.

Katrina

I read excerpts from Blood Dazzler, and one of the things that I liked most about the poems was the way Patricia Smith used Personification. In one of the first poems I read, she gave all of the categories their own personalities, listing their names and giving each one it's own individuality. She also made it seem like they shunned their sister-storm Katrina, as if given the chance they wouldn't have done exactly the same. You can almost fit each storm into a certain social category.

In another poem from her book, Katrina was made out to be almost selfish or self absorbed, like a long imprisoned villain finally making a comeback. Katrina seemed spiteful. I got the same feeling from her as if I was reading the journal of a deity, questioning itself and those who oppose it. But at the same time, Smith sows in a sense of chaos and destruction.

The Golden Yarn

The book I'm reading in my free time is The Golden Yarn by Cornelia Funke. In this book, Jacob, the main character, has to face the consequences of his actions. In the previous book, Jacob made a deal with a mysterious being to save the life of his longtime companion Celeste. He acted without thinking, which caused the price to blindside him. What he had to give in return for the figure's help was "the traditional price" in this world. Jacob had to offer up his firstborn son. The author took the classic fairy tale Rumpelstiltskin and transformed it into something that tugged at the heartstrings of every reader.

One of the reasons it was so compelling was that when the card that Jacob uses to communicate with the being showed more writing, it said that he and Celeste would have beautiful children. This takes a threat that seems so far away, and it brings it right up in your face. This also made Jacob and Celeste face the feelings that had been there since the beginning. Cornelia Funke is a wonderful writer, and I can't wait until she publishes the next book in the Mirrorworld series.

Comments Week 2

Griff- The Muddy Cabana

Alex- The Ranger's Apprentice

Comments-week 1

Jordan Flood Victims

Kaya Running That Big Mile

Over the summer I read a fascinating work of Science-Fiction titled  Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?. Towards the end of this book, the main character, Rick Deckard, goes on a long walk up a steep hill, similar to the people of earth's almost religious figure, Mercer. Though the author doesn't specify the time it took for Rick to complete his hike, you can see that he was gone for some time. He sees a similarity between himself and Mercer, whose teachings Deckard had not practiced extensively. This could be nothing, a way for the author to wrap up the story, but when Rick stops his climb, it is because he sees a toad.

To understand the significance of this toad, first you must know two things. one of which is that the toad was thought to be extinct, and the other was that it was one of Mercer's sacred animals, the other being a donkey. Though this is not stated or thought by Rick, it can be seen clearly by the writers descriptive words and details that had been left out on other animals in the story. When Rick gets home, however, he discovers that the toad was artificial, produced by a mechanical vet clinic in the city.

This weekend, I worked on a fence that surrounded the garden of an older couple. My friend invited me to the job, and at the beginning it was easy. Measuring boards, popping chalk lines, and digging. But as the job progressed, the tasks got progressively harder. Boards wouldn't fit, and the bags of rocks that we had to pour around the fence seemed to gain five pounds every time we picked them up.

 The older man who had hired us to build his fence was very meticulous. If a board wasn't level, it was off with our heads. I spent quite a few hours over the span of the two days digging out rocks that I had poured with my bare hands. As you can imagine, I home sore, dirty, and with red fingertips. But then again, it was well worth a little bit of spending money and a happy couple.

This weekend, I went to Mississippi on a camping trip with some of my friends. We went on a four hour float trip, and chased deer around the park. I saw a bunch of snakes in the water so I was freaked out ninety percent of the time. There were so many mosquitoes it was insane. We camped on an island, and we kayaked to get off of it. There were arrowheads all around, but I'm almost positive they were fake.
We tried to go back to a spot we visited last time, instead of forest it was a canyon that was around twenty yards deep. We explored around, and found a rope that led up the tallest part. We climbed that, and I have it all documented on my phone. Not much of a document, but it was still fun.

This summer, I read the book "The Time Machine" by H.G. Wells. In this book, a scientist, Time Traveler, travels hundreds of thousands of years into the future. The author makes the Time Traveler seem like a mad scientist. You see this in his actions, such as his unquenchable curiosity, his obsession with having his work validated, and his violent mood swings. He was a strange man, and I believe that if he wasn't mad before making his time machine, seeing the end of the world certainly chipped away at his sanity.

Then again, all throughout the book you see very gentle and sane tendencies. These tendencies include clear affection for Weena, self value, and admiration and respect for beauty. I believe that he was not a mad scientist, but a brilliant man who did something no one had ever done before. How else would you expect someone to act under those same circumstances? He was a scared man in a world stranger than any author has managed to come up with yet.