In the words of...

Project D: Mount Washington Experience Draft #2

2006-04-18T06:06:00.000-07:00

When I think of the White Mountains, the first image that comes to mind is Mount Washington. For the longest time, I would think of the Old Man of the Mountain, but as we all know, he is no more. In the summer of 2004, I decided to join a friend and hike Mt. Washington. Already I began to have in mind that I would be able to "conquer" the mountain, but I think it is best to say that the mountain conquered us.
My friend Matt and I had only hiked minor mountains in the state, we figured that we are both in good shape that it would be relatively easy hike. I should have known within the first mile of our hike that this wasn’t true. We started our journey around eight in the morning. To my surprise there were many other hikers up and getting ready to go. After we were done gearing up, we started our mile hike into the woods to the base of the mountain. It wasn’t too bad, a little muddy but we were out for adventure. Once we reached the base I saw that I was in way over my head. All of the sudden our trail elevated straight up and a climbing we went. At first it was exciting, the higher up we went, the more incredible the view was. The only problem that I foresaw from this point was, Where is the summit? A couple of hours into our hike, I thought that I was never going to make it, I felt as if I was on an endless journey. I can’t tell you how many times we had to stop because I thought I was going to die. Maybe I was jumping the gun, but I couldn’t believe what I had gotten myself into. As I sat and caught my breath, I would be amazed to see how high up I already was, but still couldn’t see where I was going. I would just keep marching along.
One of the greatest things to do while hiking is talking to all the other people who are hiking along. To my surprise I was shocked to see that there were many elderly people hiking the mountain, most of them doing a better job than I was doing. One woman stopped and asked me what the problem was. I told her that I didn’t think I was going to make it and that it is probably best that my friend leave me for the animals. She laughed, saying that here she is, forty years older than me and kicking my butt. It was embarrassing, but what was I to do, she had me. She told me that I should shoot for making it to the ‘lake in the clouds’. Come to find out, there were 2 small bodies of water on the mountain and there was a hut where people go to eat and rest. This was an spot that if you made it, it was an accomplishment in it's self. Most of the hikers usually stop here, beyond this point it gets a bit rough. At the Hut is where people decided whether or not they are going to attempt the summit, one must really put much thought if they are going to continue. I persevered on and made it to the hut. It was so cool up there, I could never have pictured two small lakes on a mountain. Once we rested up, we were walking around and I saw a sign that said, one mile to summit. I figured that if I made it this far, I should just go for it, and I did.
Let me just forewarn anyone who ever decides to make this climb, the sign may say only one mile, but in reality, the path you take is much longer than that. That is the lesson I learned. The last leg of the hike was brutal. The wind gusts were so strong, the temperature had drooped from the mid eighties to the thirties with chilling winds, visibility was basically nothing, all there was to guide you alone was to watch person in front of you. Another hour later we did it, we hit the summit. I could have died and been happy. I didn’t think that I would ever make it and I did. I felt a strong sense of accomplishment, I really didn't think I could make it. If I was on my own I would have quit. I met the same old woman at the summit that I did on the trail. She couldn't believe it that I made it. Thinking about it now, I can't believe she even made it. While we were inside the Mub station eating we hear an announcement that a storm was heading our way from Vermont and all those who were hiking should head down out of the alpine zone so they would have some coverage from the storm. I wanted to stay much longer and rest but we couldn’t, I even tried buying tickets on the Cog., but that was sold out. So we raced down a mountain, which is not fun at all. I couldn’t believe how many scrapes and bruises I had received on our way down. I had severe shin splints, and every step I took was excruciating. We finally made it back to the car around six that night. This was a ten hour hike that I would be feeling for the entire week to come.
I started this adventure thinking that it was going to be a piece of cake, now I learned that this is a feat that must be completed. People ask me if I enjoyed hiking Mount Washington, I say, “at the time, no. But looking back at the photos I took and just knowing that I did it, yes”. I will never do it again. Next time I am driving up. But in an ironic sense, I would encourage everyone to try it out one day, it is an experience that will last a lifetime. I think that when a person challenges themselves to something they have never done before, they might be surpassed of how well they do; I was.

Daniel PowterBad Day

Daniel Powters MySpace Page

Project C Second Draft

2006-04-07T11:14:00.000-07:00

Matthew Bernard
Project C

It’s about 9:30 at night and I am sitting in a Cambridge apartment having a drink with a
few people, most I don’t even know their names, but all brought together for one
reason... they are part of the Full Body Cast. I found this group online and decided to
email them and see what they were all about. From my surprise, they invited me out to
Cambridge and thought this would be better done in person rather than on the phone. I
said why not and the following Friday night, I find my self sitting on a futon,
surrounded by exocentric looking group of people. This group of young to mid twenty year
olds are all drinking Jack n? Coke, smoking their cigarettes and just shooting the shit
like we all do when we are surrounded by our friends. The person who answered my e-mail is named Frankie, but she is known to everyone else as Trixie. She cuddled up right next to me, shoulder to shoulder and asked me what I wanted to know. Already I knew that I was going to experience something that I haven’t before. Here is a total stranger who is
already taken spot in my personal space and I didn’t care.

M. So, I know that you guys perform the play, Rocky Horror Picture Show, what is it about
it that drew you to it?
T. Have you seen the movie?
M. Yeah?
T. Well, you haven’t seen anything until you have seen it live. It’s an experience in its’ self.
M. What connection with this movie/play do you have?
T. This movie has really changed my life. I grew up outside of Boston, but very rarely
would I ever go into the city. I lived a quiet life and mostly read books and rode my
horse. When I was 17, I was watching VH1 and the movie was playing. It looked odd but I decided to watch it anyways. I couldn't believe what my eyes were seeing and I loved this whole non conventional essence of the movie. From that moment I was hooked. I went to the record store and picked up the soundtrack and it basically became the soundtrack of my life. I knew that I wanted to be part of it.
M. So, I can see now that you are a part of it, how has your life changed?
T. Rocky is my life. For one night a week, I along with my friends are stars. It gives me
a chance to break away from my 9-5 job and just be transformed to a character that has no
boundaries. I love the freedom of expression that it offers and just being around other
freaks (she means it in a nice way) like me.
M. Sweet! So how do you all get ready for your shows?
T. We drink....a lot! Then we start thinking of the pre-show?
M. What's that?
T. Before we take the stage for Rocky, We create skits to pump up the crowd. This is the
same time we bring up all the virgins to the stage and break them in the Rocky experience.
M. What type of skits do you do? What's with the virgins?
T. At about 11pm on Saturday nights, everyone who is going to Rocky lines up outside and our security guards begin to pump them up with chants and ask all those who haven't seen the play (the virgins) to step forward and they get a big V put on their foreheads. Once everyone packs the theatre, that’s when we start the pre-show. This week we have taken a military theme and crossed it with some 80's hair bands. We sing, dance and go nuts to get the party started.
M. So once the show begins...whets the atmosphere like?
T. It's magical. Once those big red lips hit the screen, and the trixie appears, everyone
gets into this zone where Rocky comes alive?
M. On the screen? I thought you all performed the play live.
T. Oh we do, we just play the movie on the big screen behind us and we try our best not
to in prove too much and keep up with the movie. It also gives people the chance who
haven't seen the movie to see it and see us at the same time.
M. Do you all play the same role each week or do you switch it up?
T. There are about 22 of us that rotate, basically who ever can do it this week. I
personally love playing Frank, and I think the audience would agree.
M. So how often do you practice?
T. Listen, if you have to practice Rocky Horror, you have no business acting in it. All
of us who put on this show, know it inside and out. What you see us here doing, just
chilling and having a few drinks, this is the time when we come up with new ideas to
bring into the show.
M. So at looking at your website, I see that there is chaos and disorder with all the
audience participation. What is that all about?
T. The audience becomes part of the show. They yell out things to the screen and throw
stuff into the air. They even add on spoken words that make funny jokes throughout the
show.
M. So is this an "anything goes" type of show?
T. Yes and No. At all times we make sure that everyone is safe. But besides that, as long
as there are no weapons or people fighting.... it's a "feel good, do it" type of place;
and trust me you see some weird things going on.
M. Is there certain types of people that only come out to see it?
T. No, that's the greatest thing about Rocky. It brings together all types of people
together, no matter what you do or who you are in the day. Come midnight, we all get
together for one reason, Rocky.

So now I am one of the crowd, standing outside in the chilly night air, surrounded by
people who are dressed up as characters and ready for another Rocky night. I have brought
a friend along and experienced this whole production open mindedly.
M. Let me first say this, what a freakn? awesome show you guys put on. How do you have
the energy to do it every weekend?
T. The show is really a big part of my heart. I know it’s gotta be the fans that come out
to see us that drives us freaks to do this over and over again.
M. How many shows would you say you have done?
T. I’ve done about three hundred or so shows. Those are including special shows when we
tour and events.
M. Where do you guys tour?
T. We get requests from mostly colleges to come and perform during the Halloween season.
We have gone all over New England. Sometimes we mix things up a bit and meet up with
other casts from other states and show them how we do it up in Cambridge.
M. Why is Halloween such an important time?
T. I don’t know when or why it came about, but Halloween night is the biggest night for
Rocky Horror. We even have to move our show to a bigger venue to accommodate everyone.
Think of it as a holiday and all those who can’t come out during the year, make time and
come out. We party so hard that weekend. We end up doing the show three nights in a row.
M. So in all, what do you get out of Rocky Horror and what do you wish others will walk
away with?
T. For this one, I defiantly have to quote Rocky, ?Don’t dream it...Be it?. That is the
motto of the show. Rocky has opened up a new world to me and has made me the person I am
today. I love this community and all that it offers. I just want people to leave the show
saying that they have had a blast and can’t wait to come back. I don’t care who you are,
Rocky is an experience that let’s you be free.
I would defiantly say that if you are looking to do something different this weekend or
just come out and see this part of our community that only comes out at midnight,
defiantly come out and see this show. This interactive performance makes you part of the
show and even if you don?t know what’s going on, just enjoy all the chaos that is
surrounding you.

Project B; draft 2

2006-03-23T11:58:00.000-08:00

Matthew Bernard
Project B; Draft 2

Growing up, I always seemed to notice the kids who were different from the majority of the other kids at school. I’m not talking about the “Goth kids” or “Plastics”, I’m referring to the kids who were treated special or called retarded by other kids. For some reason, they always stuck out to me and I would be filled with unanswered questions about them. I wasn’t sure why they were different, but if given the chance I would have gone up to them and started a conversation.
Once I reached high school, I didn’t see these kids as much. If I looked out the window, I could some times catch them moving in the halls, usually going to their next class before the rush of the student body. It wasn’t until this time that I learned about learning disabled students and Special Ed. students. The academy that I attended didn’t believe in inclusion, they kept that part of our school population away from the mainstream students. These students were separated so much that their classrooms were across the street; I didn’t think that was very fair for them. Yes, I understood that they learned differently from the rest of the student body, but I also thought that they were just learning no differently from any other kid in high school. There are so many different types of learners that no person can say that he or she is the perfect learner; we all learn differently. It wasn’t until the summer after graduation that I realized what I wanted to go to school for. I wanted to become a teacher and change the way students learned in the classroom.
That summer, I took a job life guarding at a private pool in a gated community. It was a great summer job and I was able to play with kids all day. Every day, one boy would come down and just do his own thing. After a couple of days I approached him and introduced myself. His name was Joey. It was easy to see, even from a distance that there was something different about him; but I just kept in mind that he is a eleven year boy who was enjoying his summer vacation. After meeting his mother and older brother, I learned that Joey had many physical problems and was also learning disabled. I was told that even as he grows up, he will probably only have the intelligence of a young teen at most. For one reason or another, Joey clung to me and I did with him. He is such a great kid and I was able to learn from him what type of learner he was and how he operated on a daily basis.
It was during that summer that I had made the decision that I wanted to study special education in college. When I talked to my academic advisor, she was happy that I was interested in special education, but she was concerned that it may not be the best choice for me. She said that so many people go into this field and want to make a difference, but the problem is that many become “burnt out” because it is such a demanding field. I didn’t care, her thoughts on my decision only fueled me to do my best and reach my goal of becoming a special education educator. As soon as I started taking classes that taught me about special education, I had a better understanding of what my advisor was talking about. But more importantly, I was learning how special education is completely different from regular education.
From the time that I was half way through the program, I became more intuitive of exactly what type of life this career was going to lead me to. I first went in thinking that I would want to change the world, but soon came to find out that it is possible to make a difference, only just one step at a time. I have strong convictions about the work that I do, I feel that I am connected through personal experiences. Growing up, I always had a hard time reading and would easily become frustrated and give up. For most of my elementary years, I was always in “small group” language arts classes. I also found out my junior year in high school that I suffered from ADD. Once I found that out, it explained a lot for the reasons I struggled in school. Now that I am in a field that deals with students like me, I feel we share a connection and I have an advantage of understanding what exactly they are experiencing when they are trying to learn.
Today, I am a Special Education teacher. I think this is the best job I could ever ask for. I feel that I have learned so much about myself and the special ed. community, that I have grown as a person much further than I ever could have expected. I would always be the person in my group of friends that was care free and just enjoyed having fun. I still have my fun today, but now I am filled with so much responsibility that it has truly changed my life around. I care for my students as if they were my own children. I have a hard time separating my work life from my personal life at the end of the day. My students are always on my mind, and I do everything in my power to make sure that they succeed. To this day I still hang out with Joey during the summer. I see him around during the rest of the year as well. I have learned so much from meeting him and he has to be my inspiration to keep going in this field as long as I can. I don’t do this job because I feel sorry for these students, I do it because I feel that I am making a difference in their lives; they are such a unique group that I couldn’t ask for anything more. Teaching is my life, my students are the biggest part of my life right now. It’s funny to say, but even though I am wiped out at the end of the day, I will wake up the next morning excited to do it all over again

Project One, draft 2

2006-03-02T10:31:00.000-08:00

I will never forget the day when I realized I was in love. Although it wasn’t the romantic circumstances that I thought it would be, but in all I got that feeling. It was an October afternoon and for once I didn’t have practice that day so I was able to go straight home and chill. By the time my parents were home, I had finished most of my homework and started to get the rumbling in my stomach. As my mom was cooking dinner, the phone rang and of course, being the only teenager in the house, I dashed for the phone like there was no tomorrow. On the other end was my best friend Erik; this time he wasn’t loud or obnoxious, he was crying. All he had said to me was “Can you come over and pick me up?” and just like that I darted out the door and drove the twenty minutes to his house. I can’t believe how fast my heart was thumping, I didn’t even know what was wrong, all I knew was that he needed me and there was nothing that was going to stop me.
Once I reached his house, he came right out and jumped into my truck (sorry if this sentence sounds like a country music song). He just told me to drive and that’s what I did. I couldn’t take my eyes off the tears falling from his face; of course I needed to know what was wrong. He had said that his father had gotten really upset with him, because Erik had finished in the top five, not the top three in his cross country meet. So yeah, you can tell that his father isn’t “father of the year”. Erik had told me that the whole time he was being yelled at, all he could think about was me. By this point we were parked behind a restaurant to talk. As I was looking at him, this tremendous sense of emotions came over me and I realized I was in love with this guy. All that mattered to me in the world at that place in time was Erik. I have never felt more close to any one in my life then I did with him at that moment. I knew he was feeling something too; I had fallen in love with my best friend. This was going to be a changing point in our lives. Both had never felt this way before and we also had girlfriends who by now were expecting our usually calls. But for sure we both knew what this was. I can look back and say that I feel in love for the right reasons. Although I had issues with who was on the outside, it was what was on the inside that I was in love with.
Erik and I shared fourteen solid months together, it had to be so far the best time of my life. During that time, Erik had signed up for the Marines and left On October 3, 2001. The time being right after 9/11, I knew that this was going to be a trying time on our relationship. When Erik graduated from Paris Island, I was the only one there. Even to start earlier, I was the only one who kept in contact and wrote to him basically every day while he was going through his training. That night after he graduated we went out to celebrate. Just looking at him in his uniform and seeing the man he had become, I was overwhelmed with joy. We finally went to bed around six o'clock the next morning and while we were sleeping he woke me up. This is something he would always do, he loved to talk in the middle of the night. I learned to get used to it. He had expressed to me how much it meant for him to receive letters to me and having me go to his graduation. I didn't notice it while we were talking, but while I was sleeping, he had put around my neck a set of his dog tags. When I had finally realized the cold metal on my chest, I looked at him with question. He had told me that he wanted me to have this. He said that they wear dog tags so if something was to happen to them, they would be able to be identified. He gave me the set that he wore during training. I could tell that there were bite marks all around it. He said that when times got tough, he would bite down in aggression on it. He wanted me to always hold on to it as a reminder of what he went through, when others said he wouldn't last a week. I cherish it because first that is something very personal that he gave to me, and as a reminder that I know that no matter where he is, we would each wear a reminder of one another.
Less than six weeks after boot camp, Erik got his papers to ship off to Iraq. I remember him calling me saying we should go for a walk. It was usually when we went for walks that something important was up. I knew deep down what he was going to say, and even with him right by my side, I felt so distant. During the walk I can tell that he didn’t want to see me hurt but also his demeanor had changed. He had already gone into full Marine mode. He knew what his objective was and nothing was going to stop him from reaching it. There had to have been countless numbers of “I love you’s” during our talk, I wanted to be selfish and try to take him down, so he wouldn’t have to go. Erik and I stayed up all night and talking. It was our thing, it was the time where we felt we were the only ones on earth.
That same night he said he had something else to talk to me about. Of course I wear my heart on my sleeve, that I thought he was going to propose. I was trembling all over my body, I for once felt speechless. He told me that while he was gone, I had to make sure, nobody knew of us; meaning we needed to disguise what we had so that he wouldn’t put himself more at risk while serving over seas. I knew what that meant, I couldn’t call him or write to him. If I did, it had to be his “buddy” writing him a letter, or I was around when he called his family and just wanted to say hi. I was so heartbroken. Here I had the only person I have ever loved, going off to war, and now saying to me that we couldn’t have normal relationship connection. Although I understood why we had to communicate they way we did, I still felt that in today’s day in age, we could just be who we were. But I have played this “game” before and was willing to do what ever it took. I knew that in my heart we would still be together. Those feelings of speechlessness and trembling were soon gone, replaced with feelings of fear and loneliness.
Two days later, we woke up early to drive up the coast from Rockport to Kittery. During the good weather months, this was our drive. He was leaving that night to Boston, and I wouldn’t be able to go with him. We didn’t talk much during the drive. During the drive, Erik kept his hand on my leg and my arm crossed over holding his. There wasn’t anything we had to say that hadn’t already been said. We enjoyed our ride. I helped him pack once we got back home. He was already dressed in his uniform. I couldn’t believe that I was going to see him off to a place where we have just started bombing. He told me that he didn’t want to see me cry. I said sorry and one tear had fallen. I watched him say bye to the family. He kissed me. I kissed back. Then he said, “I love you more than you will ever know, and there is nothing that is going to stop me from coming back home and marrying you”; and like that he turned around, saluted to the family, and got in his car and drove off.
Now there was me and there was Erik. I continued with college, always wearing his tags under my shirt. I would watch the news and smile when I saw soldiers coming back home and being greeted by their families and loved ones. The camera man always focuses on one woman, who when she sees her man, she jumps up on him and the tears flow. I knew that would be me. I just had to wait until I got word that he was on his way home; his way back to me.

Printable Version

Check out these Flipn' Great Sites

2006-02-25T15:46:00.000-08:00

I really loved Colleen's site. I love the stuff that has come from this picture of a water buffalo....I think next time that I will have a better appreciation for mozerella cheese.

Colleens

Laura sens us a great reminder of how important it is to get back together with friends. I love driving up to different colleges just to get together with some close peeps.

Laura's site

I enjoyed reading about Jackie's group. I sometimes don't think that people give women sports the credit that they deserve. I have seen the girls play hockey and they are amazing. It is cool to see how close they are and how connected as a group.

Jackie's site

Midnight Madness w/ RHPS

2006-02-23T03:22:00.000-08:00

Over the summer some friends of mine had finally convinced me to go down into Boston to see the play Rocky Horror Picture Show. This is a rock play that started out in the 1970's and quickly turned into a movie during the same era. Ever since it's release, it has become a cult classic. I have found out that in most major cities, their are weekend viewings of the movie and performances by casts that develop in local theatres. Fans of the cult film dress up like the characters and throughout the performance there is audience participation that goes along with the show. I couldn't believe how many people came out that night, and according to my friends who are regulars, crowds like this come out every Saturday night (that is when they have their midnight showings). It was crazy to see all the people this show attracted. I can honestly say that I am not sure if I would ever go again, but this is defiantly a trend that will continue. It was as if for a few hours, I was in another world surrounded by all these rocky horror freaks (I mean that in a good way). I encourage though for anyone who has seen the movie and enjoyed it,to go out and experience it live. It is truly something different, and for less than ten bucks a ticket, it's well worth it.

2006-02-23T03:07:00.000-08:00

I religiously watch the FX television show NIP/TUCK. I think it is the greatest drama
that is on t.v. at the moment. Besides all of the immoral topics that the show deals
with, the basis of the show deals with plastic surgery and the doctors. The show
sometimes show the graphic aspects of what goes on during a surgical procedure. Topics
become in depth when the audience is exposed to the back story of why these patients want
to have plastic surgery. The greatest part of this show is the beginning. Each show
starts off with one of the plastic surgeons asking a patient "So, what don't you like
about yourself?" I connect with this particular phrase, because at the moment I am
planning on having plastic surgery myself. I think the most common reason people decide
to have plastic surgery is because they find some flaw on their physical self and want a
way to correct it. For what ever reason, I don't think that having plastic surgery is a
bad choice. It is a procedure that is becoming more and more common. When I went to see
my doctor on getting plastic surgery, I didn't? Know that a lengthy process it can be. I
learned that I would have to go to two consultations before a doctor can agree to perform
the surgery. I feel that after my surgery I will have the confidence I once had and miss.
Even though my family doesn't agree with me doing this, they said they would stand by my
side. What I like most about this television show is that it is blunt in it's dialogue
and gets to the main points of why patients decide to have such procedures done. I believe that it is most important for all of us to feel comfortable with who we are. There are many ways of going about improving who we are on the inside and outside. I understand that surgery isn't for everyone, but I believe that we should take advantage of the technology that is out there. One shouldn't look towards this show as any weight in judgment on their decision about plastic surgery. If I only based my knowledge of plastic surgery on this show, I would be one messed up and misinformed person. It should be only taken as a form of entertainment. #1

Mt. Washington & Me

2006-02-22T18:15:00.000-08:00

First on the record, I really am a nature/outdoor type of person. One day my best friend and I decided that we should head up to the mountains and do some hiking. Then we really got to thinking about it and said, why don't we climb Mt. Washington. Being cocky as we are, we decided to go for it. Two weeks later we were at the base of the mountain, with our packs on, ready for a good hike. Let's just say that this was the worst outdoor adventure I had ever been on. First from where we had to start, we had to hike a mile and a half into the woods just to get to the mountain. Then the trip was full of deception and horrible pains throughout my body. For the first few hours up, it was really cool, with every step you felt like you were going to see the summit at any point. Not true at all. As I thought we were getting closer, other hikers around us were saying "oh yeah, it's about another 20 mins up."; they clearly knew we were first time hikers and having their fun. I did make it to the top and some how by the grace of God made it back down to the car in a thunder storm. I chose this picture because it broke my heart that day on the mountain. At first I was so stoked to see how close I was to the top, but then to find out that it was about triple the distance from what the sign said. According to the forest rangers, if one was to draw a direct line from the sign to the summit, then yes, it would be the distance. But the trail that we needed to take was much longer than that. So I was clearly pissed and now no matter what had to make it to the top so I can just bitch my little head off to anyone who would listen. I really believe that those signs should be corrected and read the distance of the trail. Looking back on the photo I laugh, I was looking so forward to this great time and all it became was a day I bitched up and down Mt. Washington. But hey, in the long run, at least I can say that I have climbed it. Next time I will drive.

All cried Out.... Song Lyrics

2006-02-22T18:05:00.000-08:00

ALL CRIED OUT
Allure (featuring 112)

Allure: All alone on a Sunday morning
Outside I see the rain is falling whoa
Inside I'm slowly dying
But the rain will hide my crying, crying, crying
And you, don't you know my tears will burn the pillow?
Set this place on fire 'cause I'm tired of your lies
All I needed was a simple hello
But the traffic was so noisy that you could not hear me cry
I, I gave you my love in vain
My body never knew such pleasure
My heart never knew such pain
And you, you leave me so confused
Now I'm all cried out
Over you
112: Never wanted to see things your way
I had to go astray
Oh why was I such a fool, lady, oh yeah
Now I see that the grass is greener
Is it too late for me to find my way home?
How could I be so wrong?
Allure: Leaving me all alone
112 &
Allure: Don't you know my tears willcause an inferno?
Romance often fades
Why should I take the blame?
You were the one who left me neglected
112: I'm so sorry baby
Allure: apolge not accepted
Add me to the broken hearts you've collected
112 &
Allure: I, I gave you all of me
How was I to know
That you would awaken so easily?
And I, I don't know what to do
Now I'm all cried out
Over you
I, I gave you my love in vain
My body never knew such pleasure
My heart never knew such pain
Allure: And you, you leave me so confused
Now I'm all cried out
Now I'm all cried out
Over you
112: Please forgive me
Please forgive me, lady

This has to be one of my favorite songs, but it is no where close of a song that makes me smile. When you break-up with a person, there are always going to be those little things in life that we connect with our past relationships (ie songs, movies, places, or even foods). I remember after my break-up, I like others at points felt like there was nothing else in the world and all I felt was pain. Long story short, I stayed in my house for a week, not eating, and purposely listening to those songs and watching those movies that I knew would get me upset. I don't know why I did that to myself like that, but I did. One night I went out for a drive and was listening to the Delilah Show on 95.7. A person came on the air talking about how bad she felt that her husband had just left her and she is feeling alone and just wanted to break free from it all. Delilah told her that it was important to feel what she was feeling and go through all the stages. This was the song that she played for her. Right away I was drawn to the lyrics. I just knew that some how I had to get over this love and realize that it wasn't my fault. It took a while but as time passed I really was all done crying over the situation and learned how to move on.

This weeks Flipn' Great Posts

2006-02-18T04:29:00.001-08:00

Mike has shown us a reminder of the little things in life that end up making life great. Having a crew that you hang out with and grow together with is an important part of life. It's a reminder that those who you are the closest to now will prob be the ones you keep in contact with when college is over.

Mikes Blog

I think many of us can relate to his blog. I think when a band changes who they are and what type of music they used to play, has a lasting affect on those who used to listen to the band when they weren't popular. I sucks when a band "sells out" or changes their image to be a success.

Ryans Blog

Cheryl shows a great example of what type of questions to ask when interviewing a person. She asks questions to Skye that once he answers them, we will have a more clear image of who he is.

Cheryls Blog

This weeks Flipn' Great Posts

2006-02-18T04:29:00.000-08:00

Mike has shown us a reminder of the little things in life that end up making life great. Having a crew that you hang out with and grow together with is an important part of life. It's a reminder that those who you are the closest to now will prob be the ones you keep in contact with when college is over.

Mikes Blog

I think many of us can relate to his blog. I think when a band changes who they are and what type of music they used to play, has a lasting affect on those who used to listen to the band when they weren't popular. I sucks when a band "sells out" or changes their image to be a success.

Ryans Blog

Cheryls Blog

Cheryl shows a great example of what type of questions to ask when interviewing a person. She asks questions to Skye that once he answers them, we will have a more clear image of who he is.

Cheryls Blog

A brief family history

2006-02-16T09:06:00.000-08:00

I can trace my roots back to Puerto Rico, France, and Italy. I was born in Ponce, Puerto Rico, where my mother's side of the family originated from. All of my grandfathers have been plantain farmers and owned the "family farm" since the beginning days. It has been traced back about 200 years. Back then, people just moved around the island, found land that they wanted, and took it. My grandmother was the only girl out of five children. She is the main reason I believe I ended up living in the United States. When she was fifteen, she was sent to New York to get an education. MY great grandparents had a hard time supporting her, due to the fact that she couldn't work in the fields. So she came to live with her Aunt in Brooklyn. She became a nurse and moved back to Puerto Rico. She stayed there, married my grandfather and started a family. My grandfather used to be the type of man that didn't think women should be working and my grandmother was strongly against that. She ended up leaving him and taking the kids to Lawrence, Ma where she moved right next door to my fathers family. My great grand mother on my dads side was from Italy. She met her husband on vacation in France. They married and moved to The United States. Out of that Union came my my grandparents who both grew up in Lawrence. They married, had kids, and ran a taxi company for over 26 years. They ended up having new neighbors in 1976, which happened to be my grandmother from Puerto Rico. Both of my grandmothers became best friends and as you can imagine, their two oldest, my mom and dad married and started a life in Puerto Rico. My mother was happy in Mass but my father wanted to live in the Caribbean for a while. My family moved to New Hampshire in 1991 and we have lived in Derry ever since. So I would have to say that the majority of my family history bumps back in forth from Puerto Rico and the states.

The Pink Huskies

2006-02-16T08:57:00.000-08:00

Over the past decade, the number of cases of breast cancer has risen high. At the school where I teach, we have lost some wonderful women do this disease. Eight years ago, a group of staff members decided to come together and raise money for breast cancer research. They became part of the three day walk in Boston that takes place every spring. This group is very committed to walking the sixty miles in three days in hope that this battle will soon be over with. This year is going to be a very important one; we lost a great member of our school to breast cancer in October. This was my first year working with this woman, but ten years ago, she was my social studies teacher. I had decided this year that I was going to join the team and help raise money. We train five days out of the week. Our training entitles walking right now five miles a day, light weight training, yoga, nutrition planning, and peer support meetings. We have begun to condition our bodies for those three days. In the mean time we plan many events that will help raise money for the cause. We do not use any of the profits to pay for anything that we may need to do this race. We also set up educational conferences and try to get student involvement when ever possible. This is a wonderful group of men and women ranging in ages of 22-61. One image people have said that they leave with when seeing us, is that we are always giving 110% and are very committed to what we do.

Ae Life: "Live Your Life"

2006-02-16T08:46:00.000-08:00

For the past five years, I have been working part time at American Eagle. When I first started there, I was just interested in getting a discount off of the clothes that would usually take up my whole pay check. Once I got my feet wet, I found out that there is more than just clothes here involved, it truly is a lifestyle. I know that there are people out there that say that people who wear a particular type of clothing is a certain way. I know that I have heard people who dress in an alternative fashion, say that all American Eagle and A&F types are just "robots" or "conformist". I for one want to go on the record and say that American Eagle is just more than clothes. It truly is a life style that celebrates everyone. American Eagle's company is "Live your life", and that is what we try to express in our fashion and products. The people I work with (my Ae crew) play together outside of where we work. Our company stresses a lot on the fact that we get to know each other outside of work and see what we can bring into the company. He have outings that we go on as a whole store and just parties that we all get together and have fun. We each bring something to our store, this can be seen most of the time by what music is playing, what we are wearing, or how we market our products. The company relies on it's staff to keep up with what is hot. We try not to just go with fads....Many things last a few seasons. The Ae crew at the Mall of New Hampshire has to be one of the greatest groups I have ever belonged to. There are so many of us that are going different places in our lives, that we have become great resources for each other. So working at Ae isn't like any other retail job, it really is a place to have fun and make new friends.

Possible Journal Topics

2006-02-16T03:48:00.000-08:00

1. I would like to interview a soldier who just came back from the war and see if or how his views on life have changed.

-I have known a few people who have come back from the war and they say that they have more of an appreciation for life and what they want to do with theirs. I hate hearing on the news that a soldier has passed and finding out that they weren't even twenty-one yet. It bothers me to see that younger members of the military are dying and not living the typical life that they would be if the war wasn't going on.

2. I find mortician to have a very interesting job, I would like to interview a family owned mortuary and learn how the family business works.

-I think a Mortician has a very important job, a job most would never want to have. I wonder how much their job affects their lives and the lives of their living clients. I see them as having a depressing job, but I know that there must be something that makes it worth while.

3. I would like to interview a CEO of any conglomerate company and see exactly what they do.

-I have always wondered about this job, if it is one that is based on knowledge or image. I wonder if the CEO mostly just portrays an image, is just a signature, or does he or she really have to make the final decision on the companies next step?

Check out these great posts

2006-02-09T11:54:00.000-08:00

"Indescribable"
Kurt does a great job at describing what a great sister he has and what a relationship they share. If you want a little insight to what it is like having a twin, this is a great blog to check out!! It is sometimes a rare site to see when siblings get along as well as these two seem to.

"Stupid Freshmen"
This is so great if you want a good laugh at freshmen. It made me reflect on some of the stupid things I did during that time in nmy life. What is so great about this blog, is that she describes everything so well that you feel as if you have experienced it yourself. Freshmen should stay out of our way :)

Laura@Blogger.com

"Alter Ego- Sarah Jessica Parker"

If anyone of you out there likes Sex and The City, then you should def. check out this blog. Laura does a great job describing everything and how she relates to Carrie. Even if you have never seen the show, you can get a good understanding of what type of woman Sarah Jessica Parker plays. She is truly awsome.

#26 Voice From Colorado

2006-02-09T11:42:00.000-08:00

So about a year ago I had received this e-mail from this kid over in Colorado. During the summer of that year, I had taught a summer school program where part of the unit the students made pen pals with someone in another state. I had forgotten I had set up an account online with the organization and one day this person wrote to me and ask if I would like to be pen pals. At first I was going to ignore the e-mail, but thought it might be interesting. Well I met this guy named Keith. He is 23 and attends the University out there. We started to write to each other about once a week and found out that we had much in common. Now we write to each other twice a week and at least make one phone call a week to catch up on regular life. What I like most about this relationship is that I have never met him in person, but I feel a connection with him. When I'm having a bad day or just need someone to talk to, even though he isn't right here, it's just as good. I bet that if it wasn't for this Pen Pal idea I had this summer, we would not have ever met. He is such a great person, and I like the idea of becoming good friends with a person without ever meeting them face to face. I am hoping soon that I will be able to fly out there and meet him in person. I think that through writing back and forth I have made a dear friend.

#26 My Study

2006-02-09T11:30:00.000-08:00

I love my parents house. Every room you go into has a different theme. It seems that these days that I spend most of my time in the Study. I am constantly in this one room, either correcting papers or working on homework (like right now). It is a rectangular room, 12x14. The walls are painted a jade green with a drift wood brown for trim. The ceiling is your basic white with two sky lights shining light down onto the off the bamboo floors. There are two large Asian inspired prints on the walls and contemporary white and silver sconces shine on a wall adjacent to a large mirror at the other end of the room. There is a mahogany desk that my parents work from. I on the other hand do all of my work sitting in a dark chocolate club chair with matching ottoman. I probably spend most of my time looking up at the skylight and waiting to see what is going to fly by. There is just a easy going serenity vibe that is flowing in this room. I think at one point my mom had someone come in and Fung Shui the room around, but it's a very relaxing place to get work done. It's so relaxing that there have been times where a family member has come in to wake me up, either to get to bed or finish working. One of the greatest features of this room, is an entire wall of books my family has. The only space on this wall that there are no books is the actual door that you walk in to. I love the look of books, I find it to be very inspiring. I think of all the days that it must of taken for one book to be published and then I times that by all the books we have. It is truly inspirational to see that so many people have put effort into these pieces of work.

#23 Dog Tag

2006-02-09T11:21:00.000-08:00

One material piece that I cherish is one of the Dog Tags from when my best friend was in the Marines. When Erik graduated from Paris Island, I was the only one there. Even to start earlier, I was the only one who kept in contact and wrote to him basically every day while he was going through his training. That night after he graduated we went out to celebrate. Just looking at him in his uniform and seeing the man he had become, I was overwhelmed with joy. We finally went to bed around six o'clock the next morning and while we were sleeping he woke me up. This is something he would always do, he loved to talk in the middle of the night. I learned to get used to it. He had expressed to me how much it meant for him to receive letters to me and having me go to his graduation. I didn't notice it while we were talking, but while I was sleeping, he had put around my neck a set of his dog tags. When I had finally realized the cold metal on my chest, I looked at him with question. He had told me that he wanted me to have this. He said that they wear dog tags so if something was to happen to them, they would be able to be identified. He gave me the set that he wore during training. I could tell that there were bite marks all around it. He said that when times got tough, he would bite down in aggression on it. He wanted me to always hold on to it as a reminder of what he went through, when others said he wouldn't last a week. I cherish ii because first that is something very personal that he gave to me, and as a reminder that I know that no matter where he is, he can take care of himself. Also on a happier note, many women can agree that there is something about a set of dog tags hanging around a mans neck that is very attractive.

#21 My Security

2006-02-09T11:11:00.000-08:00

I bet you all will laugh or some of you might agree with me, but there are two things in my life that I cannot live without: my cell phone and iPOD. As long as I have these two things by my side, I am all set. Let's start with the cellie; I have it on me at all times...Really I do, I even take it in the shower with me. I bought a special case that will allow me to take calls in the shower without ruining my cell. I sleep with it on my chest at night and keep it on vibrate. I know that sounds crazy, but I like the option of people being able to reach me if needed. When it goes off in the middle of the night, I wake up thinking I am having a heart attack, but its just the phone vibrating. I know that people say it is a problem when a person can't put down their cell phone, but I have molded my life around it. It has everything from school items, to important data on it that I can access anytime. I often get the question, don't you ever want to be left alone. Well yes, I say that is why they have an "ignore" button on them. I'm a very busy person, probably get 4 or 5 hours of sleep at night and that is basically the only time I am home. My cell is the only way I can keep in contact with people in my life. Now I have only had my iPOD for about 2 1/2 years, but it has been great. With living such a busy life, having all of my music right at hand is the best way to make it through my day. It allows me to relax or it can get me pumped up for any particular reason. What's great now is that I have up graded my iPOD to a video one and now I can take movies with me where ever I go. It is because of these two items that I am usually ok with any circumstances. I feel complete if I have these two by my side. Oh and if you were wondering, I always carry an emergency back up battery's for both items.

#20 Check out these Flipn' good posts!!!

2006-02-02T08:06:00.000-08:00

This is in response to Laura's #12 post: Changing moment in a relationship
Laura brings up a good topic that is sometimes not spoken of; life from high school to college. We all know how high school life is. There is so much politics. It may be hard sometimes for us to forget or look beyond the politics of high school when we are freshmen entering college. I think tha tLaura makes a good point of showing us that two very different people may not be so different at all. I think it is important for all of us to take that first step and make connections with those whom most likely we wouldn't. A Very good read for anyone who is living with a new roomate.

Laura@Blogger.com

This is in response to Jackie's #16 post: Boarding School Daze
Everyone should read this blog, I know we all have a best friend out there that we have shared moments like this. I think it is because of moments like this that make best friends forever. Maybe after reading this blog, it might inspire you to call up your best friend just to say hi.

Jackie@Blogger.com

This is in response to Kaiyn's #19 post
Kailyn writes about seeing passion in another person. Sometimes we know that people are great at a certain thing, but it's different when you get the chance to talk to them and see how much something is a passion in their life. I think it shows great appreciation for the person when another can write about their experience

Kailyn@blogger.com

#19 My Best Girl MORGAN

2006-02-02T07:29:00.000-08:00

Her name is Morgen Thiboult and she is the best girl friend anyone can have. I swear she is just like me except in female form. She lives in Auburn, Nh, attends St. Michaels College where she is a Senior, she is 22, long brown hair, fair skin, hazel eyes, about 5'8'', and let's just say a very nice form. She is that person who is always there for people she cares about. One thing that makes her great is her ability to connect with people. She loves to meet new people and make connections with them. She is a journalist and a part time quilter. She has been known to jump on a plane to be by one of her friends when they are in need. She loves to listen to Daves Matthews Band and is willing to listen to others music, even though she doesn’t like it. She drives her sexy little red saab that has her name as vanity plates. One event that happend in Morgens life that I have seen in a change with her is her first major break up with her boyfriend. She was dating and in love with my other friend Dave. As the cliche story goes, they go off to college, she supports him, he cheats on her with some Quincey trash girl. She didn’t see it comming, she was already for him to give her a ring. After that hard breaup that took place over thanksgiving and into the Christmas season, she had to learn to forgive and move on. It took a while, as anyone who has been in that situation can tell you, but she became a stronger person because of it. She has found a new love (Brian) and she can’t wait until they wed. Her name once again is Morgen, but thøse closest to her call her Moogs. I love her so much.

#15 I Knew it was Love

2006-02-02T03:42:00.000-08:00

#14 A Dying Baby Left Alone

2006-02-02T03:40:00.001-08:00

I know it sounds cliché, but my mom is one of my biggest heroes. In the early Eighties, not much was known about Aids; neither how do deal with it or how to prevent it. It was a scary time, especially when you are faced with people dying around you. At the time I was almost two years old and my mother had become a stay at home mom. A good friend of the family had contracted Aids and had given birth to a baby girl who also contracted the disease. The mother was too sick to care for the baby and didn’t have anyone to care for her newborn. My mother recalls that during this time, if people found out that there was someone living with Aids around them, they would be strongly discriminated against and be shuddered by the public. My mother was so hurt by the fact that this mother wasn’t able to get the help that she needed or care for her own baby. My mother then told her that she would help care for the child. My mother first talked to my father and after a long thoughtful discussion, he told her to go for it. Her main concern was having this baby in the house with two other small children living there. She took the only classes on prevention (at the time) and became this little baby girl’s caretaker. Right away people in our neighborhood had issues with my mom, they thought she was crazy for “endangering her children”, someone even went to the extent of calling Social Services to come for me and my brother. My mother didn’t see a terminal baby as she cared for it, she just saw new life that needed care. My mother tells me stories of how this poor baby suffered and how the disease ravaged her little body. Soon after the baby had moved on, my family had to also move. People around us were now afraid that we were infected. I believe that for this reason my mother is a hero. She stood up to adversity and did what was right. She truly showed an unconditional maternal side of a woman with another child that is rarely seen today.

#12 The One I Least Suspected

2006-02-02T03:40:00.000-08:00

At the high school that I went to, sad to say, but it was all about popularity and belonging to the right clique. I was happy where I was at; I took part in team sports, student government, school productions and so on. One thing that I was known for was my dancing. Already by senior year, I had gone to four proms, three semi-formals, and never missed a school dance. Dancing is a passion of mine in life. It wasn’t until the fall of my senior year that I was going to change forever. At one of the first dances of the year, I noticed a new kid who had really good moves. Let’s just cut to the chase and say he stole the spotlight that night. My first thought was to show this kid up and let him know that this was my “turf”, but all I did was observe him. By the next week, I found out that his name was Erik and he had just moved here from Paris. So let’s just say I already hated the new guy. This was my senior year to ‘live it up’. It was that same week that he moved into the advance chem. class and the teacher assigned us to be partners. I don’t think I had ever been so cold in my life to a person. The next day, Erik came in with a cast on his arm, and the teacher had asked me if I don’t mind taking notes and helping him out until he can write again. That was the defining point when I let my guard down around him and my life changed. We were total opposites in every way and now we would be spending a lot of time together. Till this day, I don’t know what it was, but after two weeks it was like we had been best friends forever. Looking back I can see how he changed me for the better. I always tried to please everyone, work hard, and there was never time for me. I basically lived for other people and not for myself. He showed me that I didn’t always have to be uptight and meticulous, He brought out the best in me. As the years rolled by, we were no longer opposites; we adapted the best of each other. Last week, we even got matching “brother” tattoos. I don’t think I have ever loved someone more than I do my best friend. I always think of the quote “I think I would miss you, even if I hadn’t met you” whenever I think of him.

Appreciation of others' works

2006-01-26T10:50:00.000-08:00

Woopsie

This is such a cute story Jackie has posted. It's one of those young love stories that many of us can relate to. It got me thinking about how I used to be in high school when I had a crush on someone and found a way to screw it it. It's one of those short stories that we read that bring a smile to your face.

http://blackboard.unh.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab=courses&url=/bin/common/course.pl?course_id=_30852_1

Breaking New Grounds
Laura has posted a great piece of informative writing that makes me want to visit Breaking New Grounds. She describes the place very well and has pursuaded me to go and check it out. Although I'm not a big fan of coffee, I get I can get a hot chocolate there and enjoy the atmosphere and those just hanging around.

http://blackboard.unh.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab=courses&url=/bin/common/course.pl?course_id=_30852_1

Home
Kim does a great job at giving her readers a well description of what her home looks like and the feelings attached to the place. She really brings it "home" when she says that no matter where she might call home one day, she will always think of her parents home as her home.

http://blackboard.unh.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab=courses&url=/bin/common/course.pl?course_id=_30852_1

Ride down to Rhode Island

2006-01-26T10:17:00.000-08:00

The other day, I was driving back home from class and all I could think about was how tired I was, also how quickly I wanted to get home. During the drive, I think it had to be the headlights of a car on the side of the highway, but I was reminded of the time when I had to drive to Rhode Island in the middle of the night. I was twenty years old and still living at home. It was the middle of July and my best friend had just moved to Rhode Island. I was bumming that summer, I didn't get to hang out with my best friend as much as I would like to. Well one night my cell phone rings and I get a call from my best friend Erik. At first I didn't know it was him, the number showed up as restricted. When I pick up the phone I recognize the voice right away, it was Erik. He sounded shook up, come to find out that he was in a car accident. Right away my heart started pounding, here is the closest person in the world to me and the thought that something may be wrong with him was a lot to handle. He said he was fine, but needed a ride to his house from the police station. His car was totaled and the police gave him a ride to the satiation. I asked where his parents were, and he said they were on vacation out of state, so basically he was stranded. So I said to him "Of Course", and I was tossing my shoes on and going down the stairs. I woke up my parents and told them what was going on. They really didn't want me driving three hours in the middle of the night to Rhode Island. I had never gone against what my parents had said, but I knew that they weren't going to stop me from going. I said sorry to them and told them I had to do this. They then just asked if I would call once I got there. So after a long drive in the dark and only seeing headlights my whole way down, I finally made it to the police station. I remember walking in and seeing Erik sitting on a bench, still a little shaken up. I remember him looking up at me and at that moment we shared the best hug ever. The first thing he said to me was, "I knew you would come." At that moment I knew I had made the right choice. Once we left the station, we went out for breakfast at Mc Donald's.
We later went back to his place and slept until the afternoon. This all popped into my head the other night, from staring at the headlights. It brings a smile to my face now when I think about that time. #4

My Last Class

2006-01-26T09:59:00.001-08:00

I teach in a middle school, and have to say that I think my classroom is awesome. Besides the off white walls and gray tile floor, my room is nicer than others I have been in. There is artwork all around, both printed material and that of which my students have created. I try to keep the lights dim and always a window cracked. The students in the class are what makes the room so great. They are my best behaved class, and such an diverse group of little people. At the moment they are spending 15 minutes writing in their journals; about a third of the class is looking around waiting for their brains to tell them what to write. Others are writing aggressively to see how much they can get down. I take this time to sit back and wonder what they are writing about. It looks as though many of them are going to want to share their entries. They like this option of reading aloud to the class, face it, many kids at this age just want a chance to be heard and this gives them a moment in which they can. Everyday, like clockwork, there is one student who always needs to use the bathroom pass. He is a good student, but I know he can't easily shut down and focus in on writing, he always needs those extra two minutes to gather he is going to say and unwind. I try and set my room as comfortably as I can. Besides the dim lighting, I always have a Glade Plug-In filling the room with a refreshing sent, allow the students to sit where they wish, and always have soft relaxing music playing in the background. I try to make this room feel comfortable, even though we have cement walls all around us. Their writing time is about up, my attention has drifted to looking outside my door from my desk. Another teacher is reprimanding a student for some reason. It's one of the usually, but I know that the teacher this student is with, is trying their best correct the situation. My little Nick Toons buzzer goes off and most of the students scramble to write their last lines. This is my room during journal writing time, this is the platform I have set for the students to now share what they have written. #3

My Last Class

2006-01-26T09:59:00.000-08:00

Time for a lil Nip/Tuck

2006-01-26T09:51:00.000-08:00

I religiously watch the FX television show NIP/TUCK. I think it is the greatest drama
that is on t.v. at the moment. besides all of the immoral topics that the show deals
with, the basis of the show deals with plastic surgery and the doctors. The show
sometimes show the graphic aspects of what goes on during a surgical procedure. Topics
become in depth when the audience is exposed to the back story of why these patients want
to have plastic surgery. The greatest part of this show is the beginning. Each show
starts off with one of the plastic surgeons asking a patient ?So, what don?t you like
about yourself?? I connect with this particular phrase, because at the moment I am
planning on having plastic surgery myself. I think the most common reason people decide
to have plastic surgery is because they find some flaw on their physical self and want a
way to correct it. For what ever reason, I don?t think that having plastic surgery is a
bad choice. It is a procedure that is becoming more and more common. When I went to see
my doctor on getting plastic surgery, I didn?t know that a lengthy process it can be. I
learned that I would have to go to two consultations before a doctor can agree to perform
the surgery. I feel that after my surgery I will have the confidence I once had and miss.
Even though my family doesn?t agree with me doing this, they said they would stand by my
side. What I like most about this television show is that it is blunt in it?s dialogue
and gets to the main points of why patients decide to have such procedures done. I think
that only a very small population of us are truly happy with ourselves; I think that
since the technology is there, and the opportunity given, we should all do whatever it
takes to make us feel comfortable in our skin. #1

CNF response

2006-01-19T09:28:00.000-08:00

These web pages were helpful in the way that it helps me as a writer try to find an understanding or definition of what exactly creative nonfiction writing is. One thing that can be said about CNF writing , is that it has the ability for a writer to write in such a personal way that the piece of writing is engulfing to the reader. It has the potential of making the reader feel as if he or she has experienced what the writer has written about. The articles found on these pages were very interesting to read. I think one of the most important aspects of CNF writing is that one of the main purposes is to keep the reader entertained. I feel as if the Brevity and Creative Nonfiction make good of trying to define what CNF is and give good example of writings to follow and understand.

This for now is the last of my writing courses, well until I enter grad school next fall. I am used to doing different types of writing, but I feel this course is going to challenge me, so that I may become a more creative writer and thinker. I have traveled the world, been on six different continents, and have realized that the most time I spend writing is when I am away from home. Some of the times I have traveled with my family, but most often I have traveled alone or with a close friend. When I am away I take time to myself(usually in the morning) and find something to write about. I always bring a travel journal with me. I feel that this is the only way I can capture what I was seeing or feeling while away. I match these writings with my photos. I usually share both with family and friends. I feel this is the way I can let them experience in a way where I was at and what I was feeling.

#2 Non Fiction Story

2006-01-19T07:29:00.000-08:00

Gary knew as he dropped off Monica at the airport that their relationship was over. This whole long distance thing hasn't been working out since he took a job in Chicago. The vibrant glance that she would always give Gary as she walked down the terminal, was lifeless this time; the same way one would quickly glance at an advertisement on a moving bus. He knew this day was coming, not a big shock; but still he hoped that somehow things would work out in the end. Back at his flat, Gary began to check his e-mail as usual, see what the progress of the multimillion dollar account he was working on at the office. Afterwards, he continued with his routine: taking the trash out, going to the gym, and of course the nightly ritual ordering out and watching the reality show of the night. This was Gary's life. Monica was the only aspect of his life that opened Gary to the world outside. Many just thought that he was a busy business man, who didn't have time to even know his neighbors. Those closest to him, well his family who lived in North Dakota, always wondered why he wasn't settled down at his age. Maybe he believes that 34th year of life is really the "new 24". Of course this can't be the reason, Gary would never know that this was a new era that he was living in. All he knew of the outside world is only the stuff he saw during the commercials of his nightly shows. He figured what's so wrong with living inside these walls, he pays up the river for his rent each month; plus he furnished it with top of the line items. One would wish that this man at least had a dog to take care of. At least with a dog, there would be something that would giving him some sort of affection. But no, all he had that was living in his flat was his cactus plant that rarely needed any attention at all. You know that Gary is going to keep up the picture of Monica that is in a nice wooded frame on his night stand; oh yes, it will be the last thing that he looks at overnight before he shuts his eyes. Gary I believe would have been better off living at home, back in North Dakota, with his family. He would have a great relationship with his mother, and become sociable overtime he attended church with her. He could go fishing with his father, get out and enjoy catching those stripers. One thing that can be said of Gary is that he has made it. He is an independent, well groomed, business man who took the right path in life. Although he made all the right choices that brought him to where he is today, he forgot to take time for himself and discover who he truly is. He will be the type of man who will only be able to keep things in his life, that are not able to walk away. He himself won't ever walk from this life. Life it's self will keep on strolling by.

Did I do this right?

2006-01-18T18:25:00.000-08:00

This is my test run.