Extremes

The rain erodes, soaks the supplies

Makes one blind to all but clear skies

Loving the light is as a slight like

If the eyes fog to a soggy plight

The sun explodes, engulfs the lives

Makes them twist and blur, bind to lies

—

This poem is a metaphor regarding  human mentalities. Embracing good weather and bad gives you a wider perspective and a truer life. To turn your head to the rain and fog is to narrow your understanding, thus your existence. We can’t love the sun without first, and consistently, being without it. The extremes of feeling, shown through the extremes of weather. Yup, that’s the gist of this poem.

What is a word with out a definition; what is complexity with out an explanation.

Course Evaluation: an Evolution

 I really grew as a writer.

Of course, everyone has typed that…

I really grew as a person.

Of course, Ms. Robison tends to do that to most of her students.

She takes us all in to her class room, plants us down and gives us the nutrition we need to grow in her English garden.

It’s as if she took me from Ms. Bowles like she’d take a ratty flower from Lowes and brought out the full potential and beauty.

Ms. Robinson is the best kind of person there is, one who not only changes minds but those minds’ souls. She develops all whom she meets.

She is amazing.

Her class was amazing.

Ms . R FTW

Synthesis Timed Essay Rewrite

           Why is it that humans write? Glory? Money? Or is it to express an idea that leaves a mark, even be it infinitesimal, on the reader? The reality in a memoirist’s life is utterly irrelevant to the true reason he or she writes. What author would take pride the accuracy of a piece rather than the effectiveness of it? What rules a memoirist should be predominantly the story, not the story’s real-life origin. Because of inspiration and literary competition it is clear a writer’s talent should not be ruled by what is or is not truth.
            Situations in life are systemic to the epiphanies that are the soul of good writing. Memoirs rely on this fact more than any other genre of writing. Not only do good memoir writers use the essence of a real-life issue, but they use the issue to better express the essence; unlike any other kind of writer. But, however, sometimes the moral an author is trying to make is clouded by the actuality of a situation, making it necessary to change the story from what really happened. Though it’s not the truth, it is better than truth, because it better helps the reader understand why the truth is important. Often lessons are much harder to learn in life than in an organized story. If a book is written using one’s past then it is a memoir. James Frey, author of a memoir titled A Million Little Pieces, said, “ultimately it’s a story, and one that I could not have written with out having lived the life I lived” (Source B). His memories were used both as an inspiration and a tool for enlightenment out of love for story-telling, not trickery.
    In order to offer the reader a secure storyline, plot, and purpose, it is obviously orderly to offer the author room for embellishment. Fiction writers make fantastic, often impossible stories that force their readers to see things the way the authors wants to them to. When memoirists stretch the truth many critics claim that because it is a “lie“, it should not be a memoir — But memoirs aren’t newspapers — They’re stories with an origin. These critics see trickery, but it is not trickery at all, just experience and a goal of  teaching the reader a lesson (Source E). Truth is defined through the eyes of the beholder. In Source F, Patricia Hampl writes that memoirs must be written so that the past can be seen through different eyes; eyes that see things others missed. With only a narrow minded commitment to the factual truth, a story is not conceived, but rather a boring, despondent piece with no heart and motive; something that when placed on a shelf with sensational, fiction books would be ignored and misunderstood.
    Memoirists change and embellish the histories of their lives not to lie, or to gain profitable interest, they change them for the sake of the reader. Writing isn’t about the hard truth (leave that to journalism), it’s about changing and embellishing the lives of those who read that writing. This is after all why humans write — For each other.

I put in some bigger words, some broader concepts, and a some more central thesis statements. I lengthened it also by going into more detail regarding the sources. With more time I believe I made a more solid Paper. I hate being timed — I’m not as good at writing fast as I am writing well. What a shame, apparently speed is much more valuable.

But, I don’t

I could choose if I wanted to
be confused if I didn’t use
the news I’m accustom to
be amused by anything that moved
anything that had a clue
or a glister to

I could hate if I had to play
the game of conformity
the individual uniformity
give me a hammock, a field with trees
a few books and mental remedies
some chemical melodies
take away the real life tragedy

I could run away without a legacy
no one to gain from my delinquency
you want to pay you want to take from me
why not just let me be
on my own, no enemies
no discrepancies

I could be at rest and lose the stress
not be depressed something less
than a fleet who idolize the best
maybe be happy – something grand
no one to trap me,  no one to give a damn
maybe with only me and me I’d find out who really I am
who I really am
if I really am

Copenhagen Cowboy Advertisement: Triumphs and Failures

     On the last page of an extensive and fascinating issue of Field And Stream, an outdoors magazine founded in 1895, a picture of a cowboy plowing his way through a blizzard looms. Faceless, this rigorous man holds tight to his hat, lantern, and a defenseless calf resting in his saddle. Chunks of snow rain down while this courageous rancher risks his life for the animal. The words “Dependable – It’s what’s inside” rest next to the hero’s head. Through the picture and its text, ethos and reassuring qualities are delivered with effectiveness.    

 Copenhagen is a Smokeless tobacco company, the oldest and most “dependable” in America. Its advertisement was placed in a magazine whose ten million recipients are mostly rugged hard working Americans who take pride in their specific stereotypical attributes: hunting, fishing, mudding, and smoking (which like the others is a dangerous and rebellious activity); therefore, a prime placement for an advertisement for smokeless tobacco. Understanding and appealing to its unique audience, Copenhagen establishes ethos with a specific persona; a persona of rigor and respect. The “dependable- it’s what’s inside” text uses informal, bold diction and compares the dependability of the  heifer-helper to the dependability of the killer-company (who proudly boast their 1822 established date under their name). Every word on the page is in a sophisticated font – arranged in a sophisticated way. This elegant layout glorifies the outdoor lifestyle and suggests that the classic pseudo-cowboy lifestyle is much more complex and prestigious than the viewer might have presumed. Through this new found appreciation for one’s way of life comes a certain confidence. A confidence in others similar to the viewer and a confidence within the viewer himself; combined these may lead to exactly what Copenhagen wants: their product being purchased. The viewers find mutual respect for the dependable cowboy and company, and may just support them the next time they see a can of dried cancer.

   Even though the advertisement may convince someone to try its product, it has many fallacies and untruthful claims. The whole page is a false analogy. How is a guy being dependable saving a life have anything to do with a tobacco company being dependable in taking lives? Its conclusion is that one should try the product because you can rely on it, yet relying on a kind cowboy and relying on a plant are not the same kind of reliance; what proof does Copenhagen have that says its tobacco is reliable? Tobacco has never saved the life of anyone or anything, but to disguise this fact it is compared to someone who has. In the top left corner is a notice warning of the risks that come with chewing tobacco, and the picture itself portrays the risks of being responsible and brave. Copenhagen tries to dismiss the danger of its product by insisting real men take risks and respectable people do dangerous things; therefore, by doing something dangerous one is becoming more like the hero-like man in the picture. This longing for dominance and respect Copenhagen appeals to is continued with the “Not for sale to minors” symbol stamped in the right corner. “Minors can’t buy it because minors aren’t as fierce and rigorous as you” the western style brand whispers to the viewer. Underneath the warmhearted surface of the picture, it’s clear to see the fallacies and lies snowing all around.

   The advertisement page manipulates the audiences’ jealousy and respect for the cowboy in order to create interest in smokeless tobacco. It is well designed and organized, the picture is emotional and convincing, the words are meaningful and cogent, and in the end it is sure to attract customers. But the methods it used to do this were certainly not dependable. It seems the only thing dependable about Copenhagen is the deadly dependence misled customers end up having to it.

English 3 AP Goals

I thoroughly enjoyed class today and I was confident in my contributions including a few comments and trips to the board. I like having English in fourth period, I’m much more awake and mentally prepared. The class is relatively small and made up of intelligent fun students, a logical environment for any student. This semester I would like to become a better debater and a more effective conversationalist.  I hope to widen my vocabulary and deepen my linguistic knowledge, strengthening my ability to display my opinions. I look forward to creating and developing relationships with my peers while improving their educational experience. I want to aspire to be a large part of the class, taking advantage of opportunities that express myself and my perspectives. I would jump on situations that require creative thinking, problem solving, and group leading.  I think it would be immensely useful to practice in a group setting the applications of leadership and social understanding. Group competitions and assignments are favorite activities of mine along with them being effective. For a more concrete goal I would like to become a better poet and be assigned work that would result in beautiful, timeless, literary art. Thank you for the opportunity to give my goals and I look forward to a productive semester. (214)

The Road Notes

1. I absolutely adore how Cormac leaves so much of his story to the imagination of the reader. What happend before? After? What do the dreams reveal? Symbolize? What are the character defining motives and reasons behind the man and his son’s evolving attitudes? The wonderfully woven story has seemingly unfinished fibers, but when the reader fills in the blanks with their own patches, it results in a customized pattern: a more intimate and meaningful story to the reader.

2. I often find myself admiring one sentence or paragraph, stopping to notice the hidden and mysterious meaning to each. Every question the boy asks and answer the father gives reveals clues to their pasts and personalities. I believe the whole book represents the most dramatic chapter in the boys life. He changes, reluctantly, from an inquisitive, positive young child to a hardened, pessimistic man-child; a change not dissimilar to the world’s.

3. There are so many descriptions to the current state of the world, but no real explanation as to how it came to be in that state (ash covered land, dead trees, gray snow, gray sea). This adds mystery and fascination to their journey, begging the reader to juice the truth from every word.

4. Often the flow of the story is interrupted by a small scene or thought, separated and on another, deeper, symbolic plane. Like for example the brief scene on page 196. The man picks up a leaf and crumbles it up, letting it sift through his fingers. This less complex example might simply symbolize humanity (the dirty human hand) destroying nature (the fragile leaf).

5. lying in my quilted nest, blanketed by a warm stream of sunlight one afternoon, I read the most disturbing scene in the book. The scene where the newborn baby is decapitated, roasting on a spit over a fire. It was at this point I realized desperation and evilness people like me were facing in this all-too-real book. It was also at this point in my day where lunch was ready, and my mom was nagging for me to come and eat… The sloppy joe meat tasted more like a succulent fetus than I had anticipated.

Letter of Intent

173 Rouseville Lane
Newport , North Carolina 28570
October 17, 2008

Graduation Project Steering Committee
Croatan High School
1 Cougar Lane
Newport , North Carolina 28570

Dear Steering Committee Members:

Everyday, approximately 34,000 units of red blood cells are needed for people, like you and I, who are sick and dying. I am very interested in a medical career; I have 2 uncles and a mother who love helping people in this way and are very good at it. I believe I possess the same compassion and dedication my family members distribute to their patients daily. I want to positively contribute to my society by learning how to draw blood as well as donating it.

Phlebotomy is the practice of drawing blood. I have had my blood drawn twice in my memory, but both were done for testing purposes. Carteret Community College is offering phlebotomy classes beginning in January this upcoming year. I intend to take these classes, learning how to safely and efficiently collect blood.

In my research paper I will confront the problems modern medicine has with blood taking, storing, and distributing. I will use reliable web resources and will interview hospital personnel for my research. By researching the issues surrounding blood donations, I can more fluently understand how to prevent these mistakes.

Plagiarism is copying someone else’s literary work and ideas and claiming them as your own. While writing my research paper I will by no means copy another person’s work. I understand the consequences if I fail to be completely original.

Sincerely,

Duncan Blount

Research Paper & Bibliography

This research paper isn’t real..

A Frigid Breath

That empty chasm awakes
Aware; suddenly; now forever deprived
Spoiled, every nerve tremors and shakes
As a kinky icy wave chokes and gratifies

We grow through, with, and for change
Visions blown on odd winds open wide our eyes
And to those whose norm is warm, however strange
A frigid breath most gratifies