Big Gulps huh? Welp. See ya later!

1) The personal essay unit was fun at times. Trying to get a grasp of what we were supposed write about was the difficult part. The sentence "Write like its fiction" was difficult because so far in life we have set perspectives or what Fiction or Non-Fiction are. To think outside the box and to be able to write in ways we normally wouldn't was a good way to end the year.

2) That quote really says it. If writing were breathing out and reading were breathing in, you obviously cant berate out without first breathing in. To be a good writer you need a good base that you came come. This base is reading. Its like trying to play football without knowing how to throw or catch; its nearly impossible. And even if it were possible, you wouldn't be very good. Reading is the foundation of writing. READ!!!

3) I really liked how every unit was really open-ended. Even tho we were given a prompt, we still had some freedom. Freedom within reasonable structure. The easiest genre for me was poetry. We were almost forced to keep writing, to jog our brains, and to keep on thinking. The genre i struggled with most would have to be the personal essay. I just couldn't figure out a topic to write on. I think the overall creativity that had to be used will help us all in the future.

4) Quiz
Coke or Pepsi: Pepsi
Li'l Wayne or Little Debbie: Little Wayne
McDonald's or Arby's: Arrrrrrrrrrrby's
Chiptole or Taco Bell: Potle
American Idol or MTV: ESPN
Buffalo Wings or Florida: Buffalo Wild Wings
New York City or Los Angeles: NYC
Name you like for your future daughter: Bella jk
Name you like for your future son: Sleven
What is or what will be the first country you see outside the continent of North America: Cambodia
Disney movie you would be most likely to watch on your 21st birthday: Every time they say Buzz Lightier in Toy Story I'll...well, you know.
5) No. Not a chance.

Best Title Ever

1) This is a hard topic for me because I value a number of things and don't necessarily shape my life around one thing. I change my outlook and goals as life comes. I try to value or find appreciation in everything-optimism i guess you could say. I do my best to try to find a small positive where most people only find large negatives. In my world, a smile says a thousand words without speaking. I guess this would speak to my upbeat and optimistic lifestyle. This is a main value i shape my life around. Try to find a positive outlook to everything and live life as it comes.

2) I haven't experienced a single event that has shifted my life in a long time. Only events that reinforce the outlook of life that i already have. It isn't ever big things either. Its the little things like people holding doors open, helping someone with a dead car battery, helping bag groceries or things of that nature, that help me re-realize that all people are inherently good. Sure, life is established on the "survival of the fittest" mentality, but sometimes that "fittest" part is debatable. These people who fall into this category can be many different things.

3) Accomplishments in 2008? That's really open ended. If I could choose I would pick the most obvious things: win the lottery, start my first year of college on a good note, make new friends, begin the next chapter of my life. All of these things would be good for me, but i would most like to continue my life in the position I'm in. Not in the high school scene, but take my life style wherever i should choose to continue my schooling. The problem is that i am so comfortable with my life right now that it is had to let go of. But i guess its like that with every transition in life. You never are completely ready to move to your next stage. I guess in 2008, i would like to become comfortable with the next stage in my life, finding that balance i have now but in a new place.

Fianlly. This unit is over. Yo.

1) I faced a few rough spots at times during the theatrical play writing experience. First off, getting an idea was tough. We didn't really have brainstorming time so finding a subject to write on was a task in it's self. Once i found an idea, i liked being able to set my own sence. It was nice having so much freedom in my writing and being able to to my own thing. Making people imagine what i was thinking is a very rewarding thing.

2) I think writing a personal essay will be good times. Finding a subject however, will again, be difficult. Some things i could write about are my first days of school, be it in elementary school, middle school, or high school. I could write about my job and how much i enjoy it. Another subject could be the search of a college to go to. But one of my more favored subject would have to be about my older brother. I would write about his influences, be it good or bad, and being able to ignore the bad ones while picking up his good attributes and habits.

3) I know it sounds cliche, but my main advice would be to just stay true to yourself and be who you would like to be. Don't let others say you cant be something and stick to what you believe it. Temptations are out there, many of your peers could and will give in, but make an individual voice heard by not following down that slippery slope. When someone says that you cant, prove them wrong. When someone challenges you, go above and beyond and prove them wrong to embarrassment.

David Reese, a Playwright: "Blogging is my passion"

1) When a play, or any work for that matter, is written, it is most talked about when people discuss it afterward. Therefore, it must convey a theme or an underlying message to be talk about. Also, a lesson learned or an evident theme is nice to have, because it makes a work easily understood. If widespread popularity isn't necessarily desired, then an expressed theme isn't required, which isn't usually the case. We read a short story last quarter about a young lady getting more attention then desired. This lead to a strong discussion about the topic and a clear understanding of what went on in the short story.

2) It is mainly the same concept as the first question. Longevity is present in writing when it attacks ideas that are present in all societies throughout time. Works that last longer than the pages they are written on are usually easily discussed and convey an important story or theme. A good story can also stand the test of time. If new generations are introduced to the work in positive ways, nothing can rid the world of that work. The idea of writing a piece of writing that would last longer then myself is an interesting idea. All it takes is one appreciative critic to spark interest.

3) Making a lasting impact on the world is one of my goals in life. There are many ways to do this be it music, writing, political stances, etc. It depends on what you are interested in. My medium for making a difference would be my actions, just to help people out when they need it. Talking to people and making their days easier is another one of my goals. I want to be successful, sure, but if i could do that while I maintain my original goals of staying down to earth and remembering my roots wold be ideal. Doing this through writing would be a tough task. I guess you could write a book about helping others and putting other people first while providing for yourself and keeping a healthy balance of this and why it is key in a happy life.

I 'Yam a Thinker

1) The main thing that concerns me if the lack or sympathy throughout our society. There is a lack of helping one another when they are in need. Excluding the establishments that are built for this good, I believe that people are mainly concerned about themselves and geared toward their own accomplishments. I think there needs to be a bigger base of people making an effort to make other's lives easier, not just focused on their own.

2) Successful people in general who give back to the community or make contributions to organizations that need money to help people are the most influential in my life. Sure, i would like to make a good amount of money; I would like to live comfortably. But those who make an effort to help people who are not as fortunate as themselves are very influential to me, and that is where i would like to land at some point in my life.

3) Inspiration is a greatly vague term. Different experiences, be it books, music, or just over all art can do very drastically different things to you. Music, to me, inspires individual and independent moments for me. To get pumped up for a basketball game i would listen to a set of "pump-up" music, but while driving long distances its not unusual for me to pop in a Dave Matthews album to relax to.

Happiness

Happiness, like many emotions, is not easily explained. Usually happiness or the lack of, is what impact people's lives. To be happy is to enjoy something to a point where you are content. Happiness can fill a life and build a basis on how much you enjoy life. Happiness to me is doing the right thing. Happiness doesn't affect my life as much as it does others. Bringing others happiness is what makes me happy. Sure, a new car can make me happy but that last only for so long. There are many other things that bring deeper happiness and leave me with a sense of fulfillment, as stated above. Without trying to sounds corny, the people in my life who bring me happiness are my friends and family. Time spent without them is time wasted. People bring me more happiness than material happiness in my life. I appreciate people who see the "bigger" picture in life. Getting to the top without hurting others and making sure everyone bellow you is strong so you have a base to stand on is what i am all about. I would like to think that i impact alot of people and their happiness in a positive way. I do my best to pass on a smile or hold a door open. To affect the happiness of a third party through someone is my ultimate goal. My greatest need is social connection and acceptance. Being with a group of people is when i have the best time. That is when i am truly happy.

Photo Story Brainstorm

Assignment 8's brainstorming list:

"One at a Time" collection of photos.
A Packers game.
A concert.
Baseball Game.
Car chase.
Nature.