Wow the final blog. It seems like just yesterday I typed my very first one, but alas an entire semester has passed. Goes to show how fast time flies when you're in another world.
That is what this class has done for me. It has taken me from my everyday boring scheduled every minute life and put me into a world where anything is possible and everything is probable. Its as though I have peered to far into the rabbit whole and am now wandering around in a world of non-sense. It is my own world that I have developed from the visuals I created in my head while reading the wonderful literature that was specifically selected for us this semester. Some parts of my world are scary, like the one where I see an innocent child being tortured to near death, and a city being burned to death while a woman is turned to a pillar of salt. Parts of my world are filled with abandonment and negativity like the actions of Fydor Karamazov, while others are spiritual and uplifting like the thoughts of dear Alyosha. There are tricksters like the Cheshire cat, earth mothers, death mothers, smother mothers and temptresses. Some of the men are wise like Father Zossima, while others are devilish like creepy Arnold Friend. Around every corner waits adventure, emotions, determination, conflict, and an experience of a life time.
As my thoughts intertwine they select words of powerful meaning and repeat them creating a sort of poem that is found only within my minds inner workings. Each step I take adds meter to my poem; tetrameter, pentameter, hexameter, heptemeter, octameter. Some parts become stressed da dum da dum da dum. But no matter the beat, my heart sticks with my feet as I take on the fight, till day turns to night.
This class has brought me more than this though, more than this world non-sense you know. It has brought me to a new chapter in life that I had not seen before. One that requires understanding of tragedy but the strength to find beauty, one that presents sarvam dukkham sarvam anityam as more than just gobble gook. It has brought me many realizations of what this world has to offer and shown me the most opportune way to take advantage of it. I have come to realize that nothing is original because everything comes from something else and has outside influences along the way. I have come to understand the importance of not just making the characters you write about little clones of yourself, but instead develop a new character that had different opinions and reactions. I know now that it is important to draw a very fine line between the quotes that you write and the quotes that you quote. Also that we must tell the truth but at a slant.
I wish I could say that this all came to me in a dream and was a realization that only I had but I cannot. This was not simply my realizations, these were a collaboration of the thoughts of literature, my thoughts, the thoughts of our professor, but mostly the creative thoughts of my immaculate peers. I would like to thank all of you for your wonderful input this semester, it has helped me develop myself far more than I have ever been able alone. I can only hope that I have done the same for others in the class as well. I apologize for reserving my thoughts till right here at the end but it took me some time to sort what was really important to me that you take from me during this experience.
and now I will leave you with a poem dedicated to my LIT11o class of 2010:
Its been a big load,
This path we have traveled,
Down a long twisted road
Which we have unraveled.
My hope now for you
Is to take on the challenge
Of following through
And finding your balance,
Of listening and talking
To improve yourself
For confident walking
As a means of health
Go now my peers be ready, take flight
May your souls and your spirits forever shine bright
Friday, April 30, 2010
Presentations II
Lindsey- I know what it feels like to have more teacher friends than student friends and I know how saddening it can feel once you realize it. I am just sorry for you that there was so much pressure on you during high school to change the ways that you had for so long enjoyed. I am super glad though that in the end you were able to find an appropriate balance of the two. Just remember to never forget those times and how happy you were then. Nice presentation by the way!
Brittany- You and I have something very much in common in that this was the first class that I had to blog for. I have never blogged before, I mean I can barely check my Facebook account and check my e-mail. But you and I have advanced technologically more than we ever would have with out this class agreed?
Something else that was discussed during the presentations is the idea that we live in paradise right now no matter where you are. It is bizarre to me that we don't understand that we are in paradise now and we are always searching for it. What is it that we think paradise looks like, what is it that we can't see now? How do we get satisfied with the idea that we are in paradise now and that it is not really looking up at all for the future. Since all these questions are formulating in my mind with no answers I suppose I need to move ahead and come up with solutions of my own. So my solution to this proclamation is that I am going to enjoy every moment of my life and not focus so much energy on finding happiness later in life. I have to remember that now is the opportunity to live not later. I hope that others can come to their own realization that suits them for their lives. But most importantly I hope that they can live up to the realization they have come to. Right now is paradise, paradise is bliss.
Brittany- You and I have something very much in common in that this was the first class that I had to blog for. I have never blogged before, I mean I can barely check my Facebook account and check my e-mail. But you and I have advanced technologically more than we ever would have with out this class agreed?
Something else that was discussed during the presentations is the idea that we live in paradise right now no matter where you are. It is bizarre to me that we don't understand that we are in paradise now and we are always searching for it. What is it that we think paradise looks like, what is it that we can't see now? How do we get satisfied with the idea that we are in paradise now and that it is not really looking up at all for the future. Since all these questions are formulating in my mind with no answers I suppose I need to move ahead and come up with solutions of my own. So my solution to this proclamation is that I am going to enjoy every moment of my life and not focus so much energy on finding happiness later in life. I have to remember that now is the opportunity to live not later. I hope that others can come to their own realization that suits them for their lives. But most importantly I hope that they can live up to the realization they have come to. Right now is paradise, paradise is bliss.
Questions for the Exam
What was scandelous about Father Zossima's death?
---The odor of corruption---
Who is Smerdyakov's mother?
---Stinking Lizaveta---
What is one of the great lessons of Zossima about responsibility?
---Everyone is responsible for everyone---
Who actually murdered Father Karamazov?
---Smerdyakov---
How does Smerdyakov die?
---He hangs himself---
Where is paradise?
---Right here, right now---
What are the last chapters of the Brothers Karamazov depicting?
---The enditement of the western legal system---
How is each brother personally responsible for Father Karamazov's death?
---Smerdyakov- actually kills him
Alyosha- doesn't stop Smerdyakov
Ivan- plants the idea in Smerdyakov
Dmitri- wants him to die---
Who brings/ what is the evidence against Dmitri?
---The letter from Katerina---
Who is Alyosha's childhood "bully/not friend" that later becomes his "deciple"
---Kolya---
Who was the hero of Brothers Karamazov in the eyes of Anne?
---Ilusha---
Who does Hamlet stab through the curtain?
---Thelonius---
Who does Hamlet think he is stabbing behind the curtain?
---Claudius---
Who is the only one that challenges Hamlet's wit?
---The grave digger---
---The odor of corruption---
Who is Smerdyakov's mother?
---Stinking Lizaveta---
What is one of the great lessons of Zossima about responsibility?
---Everyone is responsible for everyone---
Who actually murdered Father Karamazov?
---Smerdyakov---
How does Smerdyakov die?
---He hangs himself---
Where is paradise?
---Right here, right now---
What are the last chapters of the Brothers Karamazov depicting?
---The enditement of the western legal system---
How is each brother personally responsible for Father Karamazov's death?
---Smerdyakov- actually kills him
Alyosha- doesn't stop Smerdyakov
Ivan- plants the idea in Smerdyakov
Dmitri- wants him to die---
Who brings/ what is the evidence against Dmitri?
---The letter from Katerina---
Who is Alyosha's childhood "bully/not friend" that later becomes his "deciple"
---Kolya---
Who was the hero of Brothers Karamazov in the eyes of Anne?
---Ilusha---
Who does Hamlet stab through the curtain?
---Thelonius---
Who does Hamlet think he is stabbing behind the curtain?
---Claudius---
Who is the only one that challenges Hamlet's wit?
---The grave digger---
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
My Final Blog
Wow the final blog. It seems like just yesterday I typed my very first one, but alas an entire semester has passed. Goes to show how fast time flies when you're in another world.
That is what this class has done for me. It has taken me from my everyday boring scheduled every minute life and put me into a world where anything is possible and everything is probable. Its as though I have peered to far into the rabbit whole and am now wandering around in a world of non-sense. It is my own world that I have developed from the visuals I created in my head while reading the wonderful literature that was specifically selected for us this semester. Some parts of my world are scary, like the one where I see an innocent child being tortured to near death, and a city being burned to death while a woman is turned to a pillar of salt. Parts of my world are filled with abandonment and negativity like the actions of Fydor Karamazov, while others are spiritual and uplifting like the thoughts of dear Alyosha. There are tricksters like the Cheshire cat, earth mothers, death mothers, smother mothers and temptresses. Some of the men are wise like Father Zossima, while others are devilish like creepy Arnold Friend. Around every corner waits adventure, emotions, determination, conflict, and an experience of a life time.
As my thoughts intertwine they select words of powerful meaning and repeat them creating a sort of poem that is found only within my minds inner workings. Each step I take adds meter to my poem; tetrameter, pentameter, hexameter, heptemeter, octameter. Some parts become stressed da dum da dum da dum. But no matter the beat, my heart sticks with my feet as I take on the fight, till day turns to night.
This class has brought me more than this though, more than this world non-sense you know. It has brought me to a new chapter in life that I had not seen before. One that requires understanding of tragedy but the strength to find beauty, one that presents sarvam dukkham sarvam anityam as more than just gobble gook. It has brought me many realizations of what this world has to offer and shown me the most opportune way to take advantage of it. I have come to realize that nothing is original because everything comes from something else and has outside influences along the way. I have come to understand the importance of not just making the characters you write about little clones of yourself, but instead develop a new character that had different opinions and reactions. I know now that it is important to draw a very fine line between the quotes that you write and the quotes that you quote. Also that we must tell the truth but at a slant.
I wish I could say that this all came to me in a dream and was a realization that only I had but I cannot. This was not simply my realizations, these were a collaboration of the thoughts of literature, my thoughts, the thoughts of our professor, but mostly the creative thoughts of my immaculate peers. I would like to thank all of you for your wonderful input this semester, it has helped me develop myself far more than I have ever been able alone. I can only hope that I have done the same for others in the class as well. I apologize for reserving my thoughts till right here at the end but it took me some time to sort what was really important to me that you take from me during this experience.
and now I will leave you with a poem dedicated to my LIT11o class of 2010:
Its been a big load,
This path we have traveled,
Down a long twisted road
Which we have unraveled.
My hope now for you
Is to take on the challenge
Of following through
And finding your balance,
Of listening and talking
To improve yourself
For confident walking
As a means of health
Go now my peers be ready, take flight
May your souls and your spirits forever shine bright
Sweet Alyosha
In the first book of the Brothers K when the sons are born and the mothers "leave" old man Karamazov my heart was struck with sadness when old man Karamazov didn't take the opportunity to prove himself a good man and a good father to his three wonderful boys. During the time that I was reading this first section was when I met my new dog for the first time. We found her at the Humane Society amongst a litter of small tri-colored puppies. Immediately I knew she was the one and could not wait to take her home. She was perfect. When the Humane Society staff came to us to ask how they could be of assistance I showed her which one I wanted and asked how they all made it here to the Humane Society. The woman replied to me that they had discovered the puppies completely abandoned in a crack house looking shed. Their owners had left them to fend for themselves. I was heart broken to hear that but realized it was similar to the occurrence in the Brothers K. Only this sweet puppies new care taker was not a house "slave/butler/house keeper", it was me!!!
After taking the puppy home, I decided to return to the novel and find an appropriate name for the new puppy in remembrance of the great Brothers Karamazov. After many thoughts and discussions with my family we decided that Alyosha was the right one. Even though the puppy is a she and Alyosha is a boy's name we had hoped that she would grow up to have a similar similar mentality as Alyosha. She still has quite a bit of puppy energy but you can see already when she rests in your arms or lap that she is there for you and just as kind a sweet Alyosha.
Character Comparisons
While reading the Brothers Karamazov I realized that each of the sons reminded me of famous influential people.
Alyosha reminded me of a lot of Gandhi. From the information I have researched and read about Gandhi, he and Alyosha have very similar personalities with some very key traits. Both Gandhi and Alyosha have very a very calm, easing, and poised day to day personality that shows how at peace with themselves they both are. They are both very caring people and believe truly in forgiveness and redemption. They are both strong individuals in the sense of their connection with God. The words they speak seem to be very well chosen and it seems as though they take advantage of nothing. Neither of them put any body below themselves even the "horrible" old man Karamazov. One thing that I have thought about while comparing the two of them is how their reactions to the idea of an innocent child suffering for the worlds peace and unity would differ. Would Gandhi be left nearly speechless? Would he have something wise and uplifting to answer back with? What would Gandhi do?
Ivan Karamazov did not strike me as similar to any particular influential person until I was researching around and found some interesting comments that were posted by very important people about the Brothers K. I found a web site that had multiple quotes from Albert Einstein praising Dostoevsky's wonderful work of literature. That's when I realized that Ivan Karamazov has very similar personalities to Einstein. They are both questioners of almost all material placed in front of them. They are men of extreme intelligence and devoted to the their work. They both like to take claim of their actions and discoveries which sadly leads to a period of near insanity for Ivan as he contemplates his contributions to the old man Karamazov's murder.
Last but not least Dimitri Karamazov bares a striking resemblance to Chris McCandless the 1980's and early 90's most powerful voice of man speaking for the earth. McCandless spent his time outdoors, traveling and living amongst the earths creatures. Both Dmitri and McCandless are very sensual and are considered men of earth. One main difference that I see between McCandless and Dimitri is their idea of money well spent. While Dmitri spends his money on whatever he wants as a means of leisure, McCandless if he had any money would spend it on only the necessary tools to survive, knives, food, maps, etc...
So these are some of the characteristics that popped out at me as similar to influential people of the world. What other people do you draw connections to when reading the Brothers K?
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
The Grand Inquisitor
I found this section of the Brothers Karamazov particularly interesting. The idea of the church needing to be in control of every ones decisions makes me question church more than I already do. I personally think that it is important to believe in something whatever that may be for people, however absolutely only in my opinion, I think that church attendance is not necessary. In my eyes some of the head members that work to translate the bible to the attendees, translate it in combination with their own personal feeling and opinions on the matter and then tell people that what they tell them is how it is and we all must follow it. I think it is important for people to be able to make up their minds on their own. I do think that people should have to option to ask for help deciphering the bible if they chose but it should not be pushed on people as necessary to be a faithful follower.
Although that was a little off topic I was trying to get to a point. That is how I feel as far as the church which brings me to the idea of humans not being able to handle the freedom of choice. Could I? Could I handle the power of absolute freedom? Could I handle the freedom of not feeling guilty and wrong committing crimes and violent acts? Even more importantly could I handle everyone else having the same powers? I would like to think that we could handle them but honestly I have no idea. It seems that today, having no mandatory attendance to go to church and be religious, only some of us are able to handle the powers of freedom. There is still crime and injustice, poverty and corruption. But is that because we have or don't have ultimate freedom. Are we prisoners of the church? Are we prisoners of ourselves?
Who knows??
Although that was a little off topic I was trying to get to a point. That is how I feel as far as the church which brings me to the idea of humans not being able to handle the freedom of choice. Could I? Could I handle the power of absolute freedom? Could I handle the freedom of not feeling guilty and wrong committing crimes and violent acts? Even more importantly could I handle everyone else having the same powers? I would like to think that we could handle them but honestly I have no idea. It seems that today, having no mandatory attendance to go to church and be religious, only some of us are able to handle the powers of freedom. There is still crime and injustice, poverty and corruption. But is that because we have or don't have ultimate freedom. Are we prisoners of the church? Are we prisoners of ourselves?
Who knows??
My Paper
Danielle Lindner
Literature 110
Michael Sexon
26 April 2010
Make Life Beautiful
We all live with tragedy. Friends, family, political leaders, pets, and even inanimate objects can bring us tragedy which comes with a sad, dark, gloomy, hopeless cloud that rests above us like rain in Seattle. For many years of my life I was under the impression that the world was to blame because it was out to get me and make my life miserable. I was able to see my tragedies and how they negatively affected me but it was not until my first real literature class that I realized tragedy is not something that only happens to certain people but rather that we live a tragic sense of life. Everything we do or buy to avoid tragedy serves as nothing but crutch until tragedy takes over again. Yet, we do everything in our power to hold on to happiness and make the best of what this tragic world has to offer. The difference this epiphany has made for me is a new view of life; life is a tragedy that we make beautiful.
We all experience our first tragedy at birth when we are removed from the only warm, secure, nurturing womb we know and laid on a table to have a nasal aspirator shoved up our nose while another doctor slaps us on our butt till we cry. There is no denying the tragedy in that even though we don’t consciously remember it later. Others we do remember are the deaths of friends and family, the failures we have, the people we hurt and those that hurt us, and many more. Clearly tragedy comes naturally and is here to stay. The only options we have are to succumb to tragedy and welcome death, or fight for happiness.
To help with sadness, humans look for a friendly companion and often we turn to animals. Most any animal will do for a pet, from a cute little dog or a playful kitten to fish, horses, pigs, and monkeys. We buy them hoping they will fill a hole in our hearts by being our best friends forever that always stay by our sides. What I didn’t realize before is that counting on an animal for companionship is only a crutch for tragedy. Most of us outlive our pets and are brought back to the same tragic life while we watch them suffer and die. The animal may have had a long, loving, fun life with it’s owner but the tragedy for both is inevitable. Yet, the dedication we have to making our pets life the best it can be and using them to make our own better as well truly adds beauty to tragedy.
A perfect example of a tragedy made beautiful is the poem written by Edgar Allen Poe titled, Annabel Lee. In this poem the author expresses his never ending love for a girl he is unable to have. The tragedy is him never being able to have the love of his life as well as her never being able to have him. Annabel Lee was taken away by her “high-born kinsman” and taken to a kingdom by the sea where she suffered from sadness. Most people would give up and find a new love, while some would succumb to the tragedy. In the case of this man and Annabel Lee they did neither. They continued their lives with each other in their every thought taking a tragic life of losing their love and making it a tragic life of beautiful love. Edgar Allen Poe writes:
But our love it was stronger by far than the love Of those who were older than we-- Of many far wiser than we-- And neither the angels in heaven above, Nor the demons down under the sea, Can ever dissever my soul from the soul Of the beautiful Annabel Lee.
But our love it was stronger by far than the love Of those who were older than we-- Of many far wiser than we-- And neither the angels in heaven above, Nor the demons down under the sea, Can ever dissever my soul from the soul Of the beautiful Annabel Lee.
For the moon never beams,
bringing me dreams
Of the beautiful Annabel Lee;
And the stars never rise,
but I feel the bright eyes
Of the beautiful Annabel Lee;
And so, all the night-tide,
I lie down by the side
Of my darling--my darling--my life and my bride,
In the sepulcher there by the sea,
In her tomb by the sounding sea.
Throughout the semester I have learned a lot not only about the retelling of stories but a deeper understanding of the themes and meanings the stories have to tell. We have talked about heroes and monsters, love and friendships, fate and loss, but what I learned the most from was our discussions and reading on the tragic sense of life. Before this class I was ignorant to the idea that life is tragic and meant to be that way. Once that idea became clear to me I realized that we can not live our lives thinking of them only as a tragedy when there is truly good in the world. Yes life is tragic but it is up to us to make the best of the world while we are on it. When we find love and companionship and dedicate ourselves to them, we are living the only way one could, living a tragic life and making it beautiful.
Presentations II
The individual presentations have been very fascinating. When I first heard that we were encouraged to write mainly on one of two topics I was afraid that most of the presentations would sound a like. However as it turns out the generic topic has been very different from almost everyone that's performed and the ones on the Brothers K. have been on different parts. A couple that I really enjoyed are:
Matt's on "You don't know what you're saying till you see what you say", I enjoyed his mainly because it was a slightly different interpretation of the saying than I took. I love that, to see how minds can work so differently and finish with different outcomes that are both correct.
I also really enjoyed Anthony's. The way he read his paper with the same amount of enthusiasm and emotion that he used to write it made it really stand out in my mind.
Matt's on "You don't know what you're saying till you see what you say", I enjoyed his mainly because it was a slightly different interpretation of the saying than I took. I love that, to see how minds can work so differently and finish with different outcomes that are both correct.
I also really enjoyed Anthony's. The way he read his paper with the same amount of enthusiasm and emotion that he used to write it made it really stand out in my mind.
Another one I found very entertaining was the presentation with the poster board and the attachable pictures of Obama the Fox news guy. This was a fun one because she had a visual aid that caught the audiences attention and made us giggle. Also she did her presentation on a very intriguing character to me, Arnold Friend.
Even if yours was not mentioned here it was awesome!! Just as the professor asked the presenters to do, they have been knocking my socks off each and every day!!
My Heroic Moment
While reading through the Monsters and Heroes section of the Anthology I was reminded of an instance when I was a hero to someone and did not react so smoothly after the fact. So here is my story...
Once upon a time, (but seriously this happened) I was camping up at Canyon Ferry Lake which is located between Bozeman and Helen along some random highways (for those who aren't familiar with the area). While I was laying on the beach trying to soak up some sun even though I am a ginger that doesn't tan and was surrounded by multiple families and groups of friends. Along the beach was a group of children playing in the sand and shouting to their friends swimming close to the shore. I heard a shout that was asking for help from drowning which caught my attention but was shortly lost after seeing the children laughing and pointing at their friend splashing about. Then the child in the water jumped up and walked along the bottom of the shallow water up onto land, so I turned back to my friends and continued my conversation.
"Help, I need help, I 'm bbbllmbble" (that is the sound of a muffled, cry bobbing in and out of water)
This cry caught my attention and was not about to lose it. I turned towards the water and noticed a man bobbling up and down, in and out of the water, waving his arms frantically. He reminded me of a bobber at the end of a rod being pulled under the water by a fish struggling to free its self from a death trap. Then I saw a man sprint towards the water and dive in. I quickly jumped to my feet and bolted to the water! I sloshed through the first shallow steps of the beach then plunged in, arms first above my head and started throwing my arms in front of me into the water pulling myself forward as fast and as hard as I could. ADRENALINE RUSH!!
During one of my strokes I saw out of the corner of my eye the large man that had dove into the water before me. Shit, I thought to myself, I am going to be out here by myself until that guy catches up to me. This thought was the only conscious one that I remember from the actual event because within seconds I had reached the flailing man who grabbed me instantly and began to push himself up by pushing me under water. I was able to get behind him where he could not reach me to pull himself up and flipped the two of us over so he was laying on his back, on my stomach. I started to order him loudly "just lay on your back and float, just try to relax and float I have you now. Good job, you're doing great. Just keep relaxing, great job, you're okay now."
At that point the other guy had caught up to us and had taken an arm as I took the other. We doggy paddled together at the same time dragging the exhausted man as if we was a water logged rope. Finally we reached shore after what seemed to be hours of swimming. By this time most of the beach had noticed what was happening and had rushed to our arriving point at the edge of the shore. The man that had swam with me then took over by wrapping his arms around the poor mans stomach, like a friend would do with an extremely drunk friend in need of a bed. They got the man seated and drinking water, and finally got the color to return to his face.
Oddly I nonchalantly walked back to my towel and laid down as if nothing had happened. The group I was surrounded by stared at me in silence with completely shocked faces. After I realized they were all standing at me I announced that I needed to get something from the camper. When I got to the camper my parents were inside and the second I saw them I starting bawling. I completely collapsed in their arms. I don't know why this was my reaction but there was nothing I could do but sob.
This obviously does not make me a hero that should be written about for years and years but for that day on the beach, for that very moment I got to discover how emotionally challenging it is to be heroic.
Once upon a time, (but seriously this happened) I was camping up at Canyon Ferry Lake which is located between Bozeman and Helen along some random highways (for those who aren't familiar with the area). While I was laying on the beach trying to soak up some sun even though I am a ginger that doesn't tan and was surrounded by multiple families and groups of friends. Along the beach was a group of children playing in the sand and shouting to their friends swimming close to the shore. I heard a shout that was asking for help from drowning which caught my attention but was shortly lost after seeing the children laughing and pointing at their friend splashing about. Then the child in the water jumped up and walked along the bottom of the shallow water up onto land, so I turned back to my friends and continued my conversation.
"Help, I need help, I 'm bbbllmbble" (that is the sound of a muffled, cry bobbing in and out of water)
This cry caught my attention and was not about to lose it. I turned towards the water and noticed a man bobbling up and down, in and out of the water, waving his arms frantically. He reminded me of a bobber at the end of a rod being pulled under the water by a fish struggling to free its self from a death trap. Then I saw a man sprint towards the water and dive in. I quickly jumped to my feet and bolted to the water! I sloshed through the first shallow steps of the beach then plunged in, arms first above my head and started throwing my arms in front of me into the water pulling myself forward as fast and as hard as I could. ADRENALINE RUSH!!
During one of my strokes I saw out of the corner of my eye the large man that had dove into the water before me. Shit, I thought to myself, I am going to be out here by myself until that guy catches up to me. This thought was the only conscious one that I remember from the actual event because within seconds I had reached the flailing man who grabbed me instantly and began to push himself up by pushing me under water. I was able to get behind him where he could not reach me to pull himself up and flipped the two of us over so he was laying on his back, on my stomach. I started to order him loudly "just lay on your back and float, just try to relax and float I have you now. Good job, you're doing great. Just keep relaxing, great job, you're okay now."
At that point the other guy had caught up to us and had taken an arm as I took the other. We doggy paddled together at the same time dragging the exhausted man as if we was a water logged rope. Finally we reached shore after what seemed to be hours of swimming. By this time most of the beach had noticed what was happening and had rushed to our arriving point at the edge of the shore. The man that had swam with me then took over by wrapping his arms around the poor mans stomach, like a friend would do with an extremely drunk friend in need of a bed. They got the man seated and drinking water, and finally got the color to return to his face.
Oddly I nonchalantly walked back to my towel and laid down as if nothing had happened. The group I was surrounded by stared at me in silence with completely shocked faces. After I realized they were all standing at me I announced that I needed to get something from the camper. When I got to the camper my parents were inside and the second I saw them I starting bawling. I completely collapsed in their arms. I don't know why this was my reaction but there was nothing I could do but sob.
This obviously does not make me a hero that should be written about for years and years but for that day on the beach, for that very moment I got to discover how emotionally challenging it is to be heroic.
Where Are You Going Where Have You Been
This has been one of my favorite pieces of literary work that we have read this semester. I know that some people find it creepy. eiry, disscusting, or just simply not chill, but to me the reactions of the two main characters completely blows my mind and fascinates me a lot.
As far as Connie I can't imagine being swept off my feet like that so easily by Arnold Friends sweet words. I understand that most girls find find sweet, soft, complimenting words very seductive and tempting; however, that is just not what turns me on. (Before I go any further I should state very clearly now that I do not judge on any of these characters nor any people that would react the same way they do. Neither my reactions nor yours are right or wrong just different.) I am not very turned on by that cheezy talk, it only makes me feel like they can't talk about anything serious and important. It also makes me feel that they must not have a very interesting background at least not one interesting enough to discuss and connect with. I guess that is just look for more interaction than just hearing about the things that they notice just by seeing me for a couple of minutes or hours.
Arnold Friend's part I just cannot fathom the mentality of being a stocker, or rapist, or creeper, or whatever you consider his thoughts and actions. Most criminal actions and thoughts are not something I can even begin to wrap my head around, how they can sleep at night and how they feel comfortable being so uncomfortable. Just doesn't make since to me. But the way he moves and the way he speaks to Connie and his partner in crime remind me of some characterists of people that surround all of us everyday.
Those are only some of the qualities of the characters that keep my interest in this short story. Also another thing that entrigues me is the reality behind the theme of the story. The fact that this really does happen in life, not only that it was a real life scenario that inspired this story. Also, I love that the ending is an open ended cliff hanger that leaves the reader to complile a series of possible solutions and sort out which one their imagination believes in. It seems as though the author has left the story to be channeled directly in account of ones personality and who they best connect with in the story, who they want to win, change, suffer, or even die.
So that is why "Where are you going, where have you been?" was one of my favorite literary pieces that we explored in this class.
As far as Connie I can't imagine being swept off my feet like that so easily by Arnold Friends sweet words. I understand that most girls find find sweet, soft, complimenting words very seductive and tempting; however, that is just not what turns me on. (Before I go any further I should state very clearly now that I do not judge on any of these characters nor any people that would react the same way they do. Neither my reactions nor yours are right or wrong just different.) I am not very turned on by that cheezy talk, it only makes me feel like they can't talk about anything serious and important. It also makes me feel that they must not have a very interesting background at least not one interesting enough to discuss and connect with. I guess that is just look for more interaction than just hearing about the things that they notice just by seeing me for a couple of minutes or hours.
Arnold Friend's part I just cannot fathom the mentality of being a stocker, or rapist, or creeper, or whatever you consider his thoughts and actions. Most criminal actions and thoughts are not something I can even begin to wrap my head around, how they can sleep at night and how they feel comfortable being so uncomfortable. Just doesn't make since to me. But the way he moves and the way he speaks to Connie and his partner in crime remind me of some characterists of people that surround all of us everyday.
Those are only some of the qualities of the characters that keep my interest in this short story. Also another thing that entrigues me is the reality behind the theme of the story. The fact that this really does happen in life, not only that it was a real life scenario that inspired this story. Also, I love that the ending is an open ended cliff hanger that leaves the reader to complile a series of possible solutions and sort out which one their imagination believes in. It seems as though the author has left the story to be channeled directly in account of ones personality and who they best connect with in the story, who they want to win, change, suffer, or even die.
So that is why "Where are you going, where have you been?" was one of my favorite literary pieces that we explored in this class.
My Foil
Since our discussion in class about literary foils and then shortly after the discussion about the Will Ferrel movie, Stranger Than Fiction, I have begun to think about myself as someones literary construction and who or what my author would have as my foil. And after many hours of pondering I have found my foil, GRAVITY!!
Walking to class from my car often I find myself stumbling and tripping over just about anything. I can trip over my feet, the grass, the sidewalk, a rock, and even the very air that rest innocently under my every step. Gravity is something that I just don't see eye to eye with and we definitely challenge each other. Every time that I drop something it seems as though life has changed to slow motion as it slowly trickle towards the floor. As that happens my instincts kick in and I immediately reach to save whatever I have dropped from the tragic feeling of being overcome by gravity. And every time I catch said item I say to myself, "Self, point you!"
Although gravity seems to have the lead for now I think I will pull around in the points part of our relationship. :)
Walking to class from my car often I find myself stumbling and tripping over just about anything. I can trip over my feet, the grass, the sidewalk, a rock, and even the very air that rest innocently under my every step. Gravity is something that I just don't see eye to eye with and we definitely challenge each other. Every time that I drop something it seems as though life has changed to slow motion as it slowly trickle towards the floor. As that happens my instincts kick in and I immediately reach to save whatever I have dropped from the tragic feeling of being overcome by gravity. And every time I catch said item I say to myself, "Self, point you!"
Although gravity seems to have the lead for now I think I will pull around in the points part of our relationship. :)
Presentations!!
So far everyone, the group presentations have been awesome!!
Group #2 (my group)
Great job everyone!! way to be dramatic in your acting and amusing for the audience to watch. I appreciate all your thoughts and ideas that were put forth during our planning stages and was very satisfied with the outcome.
For anyone that missed it, we created our own story that was a combination of all of our favorite morals from our favorite stories we read this semester. The story that we acted out was of a young girl whose mother had recently passed away and whose father was slowly loosing his sight and needed more help from the daughter around the house. The young girl wanted nothing to do with growing up and gaining more responsibilities and at one point says out loud, "I would do anything to stay young forever". Then the young girl was visited by a stranger who offered her the opportunity of a life time. He offered her twenty four hours to decide between eternal youth and growing up only to end up as sad and lonely as her father. Later that night as the young child drifted to sleep she was awakened by a ghost, her mothers ghost, that brought her to a dark and scary place. Her mother's ghost brought her to a room where a child lay bound by chains that hid from the light. She explained to the child that if she decided to chose eternal youth that is where she would go, to be abused and tortured for eternity. She continued to explain to her how much her father needed her and how much she meant to him. The child then awoke in bed unsure if it was a dream or reality that showed her such a miserable place but either way she had to make her decision within hours. When the time came, she made the right decision to grow up and asked the stranger to leave and never come back. She returned to her father and told him that she decided she was ready to grow up and help him with whatever he needed.
In case you didn't get a sense of the stories we chose to incorporate here they are:
Peter Pan- the desire for eternal youth
The Cathedral- the blind father in need of guidance
OMELAS/Brothers K- the idea of eternal torture of a child
The Lottery- the inevitability of death and torture
and many many more!!!
Nice job team we rocked it!! :)
Group #2 (my group)
Great job everyone!! way to be dramatic in your acting and amusing for the audience to watch. I appreciate all your thoughts and ideas that were put forth during our planning stages and was very satisfied with the outcome.
For anyone that missed it, we created our own story that was a combination of all of our favorite morals from our favorite stories we read this semester. The story that we acted out was of a young girl whose mother had recently passed away and whose father was slowly loosing his sight and needed more help from the daughter around the house. The young girl wanted nothing to do with growing up and gaining more responsibilities and at one point says out loud, "I would do anything to stay young forever". Then the young girl was visited by a stranger who offered her the opportunity of a life time. He offered her twenty four hours to decide between eternal youth and growing up only to end up as sad and lonely as her father. Later that night as the young child drifted to sleep she was awakened by a ghost, her mothers ghost, that brought her to a dark and scary place. Her mother's ghost brought her to a room where a child lay bound by chains that hid from the light. She explained to the child that if she decided to chose eternal youth that is where she would go, to be abused and tortured for eternity. She continued to explain to her how much her father needed her and how much she meant to him. The child then awoke in bed unsure if it was a dream or reality that showed her such a miserable place but either way she had to make her decision within hours. When the time came, she made the right decision to grow up and asked the stranger to leave and never come back. She returned to her father and told him that she decided she was ready to grow up and help him with whatever he needed.
In case you didn't get a sense of the stories we chose to incorporate here they are:
Peter Pan- the desire for eternal youth
The Cathedral- the blind father in need of guidance
OMELAS/Brothers K- the idea of eternal torture of a child
The Lottery- the inevitability of death and torture
and many many more!!!
Nice job team we rocked it!! :)
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Americans and Their Holidays???
Today while looking over some notes in the SUB cafeteria I overheard an interesting conversation that made me wonder why we feel the need to celebrate everything! These two students were talking about Tuesday, April 20th being the non-government recognized holiday of national pot smoking day. Imagine that, an entire day dedicated to an herbal substance that is not even legal in most states. This made me curious about other holidays that this world is unaware of. So I went to my favorite research source, Google, and found a list of over 75 holidays for the month of April alone.
Most of them made no sense to why they would be so important that an entire day should be dedicated them. For instance some of the holidays are:
April:
1st- Have fun at work day
2nd- National Peanut Butter and Jelly day
4th- Hug a Newsman day/Walk Around Things day/Tell a Lie day
7th - No Housework day
8th- Draw a Picture of a Bird day
9th- Name Yourself day
11th- Eight Track Tape day
13th- National Scrabble day/Blame Someone Else day
14th- Ex Spouse day
16th- National High Five day/National Eggs Benedict day
19th- National Garlic day
22nd- National Jelly Bean day
24th- Pigs In a Blanket day
26th- Hug an Australian day
27th- Tell a Story day
29th- National Shrimp Scampi day
Now, it may just be me, but it seems like this is a little excessive. These are only part of the listed holidays and for April alone. Who came up with these holidays? Why did they feel like it was worthy of dedicating a whole day? Who celebrates them? And how do I get a National Please Dani's Every Need day?
Most of them made no sense to why they would be so important that an entire day should be dedicated them. For instance some of the holidays are:
April:
1st- Have fun at work day
2nd- National Peanut Butter and Jelly day
4th- Hug a Newsman day/Walk Around Things day/Tell a Lie day
7th - No Housework day
8th- Draw a Picture of a Bird day
9th- Name Yourself day
11th- Eight Track Tape day
13th- National Scrabble day/Blame Someone Else day
14th- Ex Spouse day
16th- National High Five day/National Eggs Benedict day
19th- National Garlic day
22nd- National Jelly Bean day
24th- Pigs In a Blanket day
26th- Hug an Australian day
27th- Tell a Story day
29th- National Shrimp Scampi day
Now, it may just be me, but it seems like this is a little excessive. These are only part of the listed holidays and for April alone. Who came up with these holidays? Why did they feel like it was worthy of dedicating a whole day? Who celebrates them? And how do I get a National Please Dani's Every Need day?
Tears for a Fish
Garrett, please do not take this personally, this is not directed to you at all!!
We were informed today that Garrett would feel no real emotions if he had a pet fish that died. This is sad to me because I think that if he does not feel that a fish is worth a tear then he is missing what grief is all about. Grief is a process we go through after a tragic event, most often involving death. While experiencing grief we cry, sob, ball, shout, fight, pray, deny, blame, and think a lot. Most people grieve and know they are grieving for their own benefit to help them get over the tragedy they have experienced.
However, the truth behind grieving is to pay respect to whom you are grieving over. When a friend or family member dies by instinct we feel sad and hurt, and although it is in part of their absence, it is also because we instinctively want to make sure it is known they were loved and cared for. It is as though we feel they are still there and need to be shown that they did not die alone or in vein.
So although Garrett and others that don't feel like they need to grieve to help themselves through it is still important to grieve on behalf of the creature that lost its life. And everything on this earth deserves that respect.
We were informed today that Garrett would feel no real emotions if he had a pet fish that died. This is sad to me because I think that if he does not feel that a fish is worth a tear then he is missing what grief is all about. Grief is a process we go through after a tragic event, most often involving death. While experiencing grief we cry, sob, ball, shout, fight, pray, deny, blame, and think a lot. Most people grieve and know they are grieving for their own benefit to help them get over the tragedy they have experienced.
However, the truth behind grieving is to pay respect to whom you are grieving over. When a friend or family member dies by instinct we feel sad and hurt, and although it is in part of their absence, it is also because we instinctively want to make sure it is known they were loved and cared for. It is as though we feel they are still there and need to be shown that they did not die alone or in vein.
So although Garrett and others that don't feel like they need to grieve to help themselves through it is still important to grieve on behalf of the creature that lost its life. And everything on this earth deserves that respect.
No Child Deserves That
We had a discussion in class today that struck me right at home in the heart. The question at stake was is the torturing of one child worth the worlds eternal happiness? For me the answer is ABSOLUTELY NO!!!! I just feel so strongly about the fact that is NOT okay to volunteer someone to take on the worlds suffering. No child should ever be put through that, ever, especially if they did not ask for or want to take on those responsibilities. Just imagine for a minute (or reflect if you are already at this point in life) that you have a child or multiple if necessary. Now imagine that someone comes and takes them from you and informs you of the task they must complete; they must suffer to save the world from pain and suffering. That is your baby, who you brought into this world and promised to protect and give your life for. They have only you to trust and count on, they are part of you.
Some may say well what if it is not my child, what if I don’t know anything about them, who they are, what age they are, whether they are a boy or girl, then there is not that connection with them. This is true, there would not be that incredibly strong bond between them and you, however, that child still has that connection with someone else who brought them into this world and to take that from them would be an act that only the devil himself would do and still sleep at night.
No child deserves that, no mother deserves that, and if we are willing to do that, then we are not deserving of the outcome..
Some may say well what if it is not my child, what if I don’t know anything about them, who they are, what age they are, whether they are a boy or girl, then there is not that connection with them. This is true, there would not be that incredibly strong bond between them and you, however, that child still has that connection with someone else who brought them into this world and to take that from them would be an act that only the devil himself would do and still sleep at night.
No child deserves that, no mother deserves that, and if we are willing to do that, then we are not deserving of the outcome..
Thesis Statement
Today, in class we discussed a topic that I am often afraid of thinking about because of its dark, gloomy realization it brings, we are here to live a life of tragedy. I have often thought of this theory while in a stupor of teenage drama but the outcome always seemed to be the same; life is not tragic, the world is just out to get me right now. Anyone who has been or known a young teenage girl knows that this is a very frequented and over analyzed feeling. For some it can feel like the world is coming to an end and that it isn’t worth it to even try to make it through because nothing will ever go back to normal and life will never be as good! As you all know now, that is one hell of an over-dramatic, completely unrealistic, exaggerated, irrational way of thinking. I know that now and am able to laugh at myself for thinking so irrationally, however, it was not until today that I was able to approach comfortably the truth behind the tragedy we experience.
I have come to terms now with the idea of a tragic sense of life. We all strive our entire life to be the best, satisfy our needs and wants, find perfect love, have perfect friends and jobs, and stay happy the whole time. Now how unrealistic is that? From every good experience we have, we win something and lose something. When we get things like a new puppy we are really setting ourselves up to sob and weep as we bury him ten years later. When we have babies, we are really adding unimaginable stress, financially and emotionally, and limiting the fun to be had and the times to be spent. When we find a new “someone special” we are just begging for fights, and tension, and suffocating. We do all these things and more with the ability to see what is really to come of it but instead choose to be ignorant to it. The benefit of the moment takes over the thought of long term effects, and we consider ourselves satisfied, and hence life is worth it again.
This shows us that life is tragic, but we can find or pretend to find happiness within, and that makes life beautiful.
That right there is going to be my thesis to my paper about what I did not know before, what I know now, and how it has made a difference:
Life is tragic, life is beautiful.
I have come to terms now with the idea of a tragic sense of life. We all strive our entire life to be the best, satisfy our needs and wants, find perfect love, have perfect friends and jobs, and stay happy the whole time. Now how unrealistic is that? From every good experience we have, we win something and lose something. When we get things like a new puppy we are really setting ourselves up to sob and weep as we bury him ten years later. When we have babies, we are really adding unimaginable stress, financially and emotionally, and limiting the fun to be had and the times to be spent. When we find a new “someone special” we are just begging for fights, and tension, and suffocating. We do all these things and more with the ability to see what is really to come of it but instead choose to be ignorant to it. The benefit of the moment takes over the thought of long term effects, and we consider ourselves satisfied, and hence life is worth it again.
This shows us that life is tragic, but we can find or pretend to find happiness within, and that makes life beautiful.
That right there is going to be my thesis to my paper about what I did not know before, what I know now, and how it has made a difference:
Life is tragic, life is beautiful.
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