The Red Badge of Courage, by Stephen Crane, is not a very good book. It may be praised by a lot of people and called a classic, but I don't really think it's much of classic material. Indeed, it's pretty low on the classic scale, in my opinion. Then again, what do I know? I'm just a high school student. I'm stupid and ignorant and completely oblivious of what is right and wrong. Thusly, there's no possible way that I'm right about anything! What am I talking about, again?
Oh, yeah, the chapters. While the novel incorporates its own individual qualities, it greatly represents those of the Realism period: The here-and-now aspect; less religious and paranormal aspects, more of the real and true; and the deeper look into the psychological aspect of the individual's mind. As the novel starts off, it seems less concerned with Henry's (the main character) enlistment in the army, and more concerned about the psychological ordeal he will have to suffer through.
As the novel progresses, the reader learns of Henry's ultimate fear: When the time comes to truly fight, will he stay, or will he run? To help validate his opinion, he does what any other person would do: He bases his decision around the decisions of an entire group. When he learns of the mens' disposition, he decides that, if they run, so shall he. Because of this, it creates a certain turmoil within him; he has a want to fight and continue onward, but his fear and cowardice are the true driving forces of his enrollment, not his innermost desires. Crane presents an idea unlike any other: Is the human desire to truly want more powerful than the primal instinct of fear?
To Henry, these desires are able to play out for one battle, but upon seeing a multitude of other men flee, he himself retreats as well. This psychological diversion from the battlefield to complete solitude and safety is directly contrasting to the outside forces, yet corresponding to the entire feel of Henry's character--he is driven by wants, but instead acts on cowardice and fear. These final emotions are what drive the entirety of the novel from beginning to end.
Monday, November 23, 2009
Veterans Day Field Trip
What is there to say about the Veterans Day field trip? I'll say this: I just recently learned that the correct grammatical way of spelling Veterans Day is not Veteran's Day, but Veterans Day, minus the apostrophe. Incredible, isn't it? You learn something new every day, I tell you. It's curious.
Anyhow, the field was, all-in-all, a pretty good success. I was surprised at how well the whole school (or my group, anyways) behaved, as well as the respect most everyone showed towards the military as well as at the cemetery. Now that I can praise the rest of the school for that, there's not much else I can say about everything.
The most exciting portion? I would say the military base. Why wouldn't it be, though? I got to play with (unloaded) guns and night vision, as well as climb around inside a, what, five million dollar military vehicle? If someone doesn't enjoy that, then something is incredibly wrong with them, I'm sorry! I got to see bullets that were about four inches long and I held a gun that was bigger than my torso.
Moving along, the memorial was cool, it had interesting stuff and was well-designed. The Air Force and Fire Department place was incredibly boring and not fun. I didn't learn much of anything, and I got lectured by a man saying how we should stay in Iraq. I did not like this place.
The Camp Butler Cemetery was much better. I thought some people could be a bit more respectful, but otherwise, I was enamored by the entire situation. It struck me in some way that I didn't think I'd be struck. It was a pretty good experience.
Anyhow, the field was, all-in-all, a pretty good success. I was surprised at how well the whole school (or my group, anyways) behaved, as well as the respect most everyone showed towards the military as well as at the cemetery. Now that I can praise the rest of the school for that, there's not much else I can say about everything.
The most exciting portion? I would say the military base. Why wouldn't it be, though? I got to play with (unloaded) guns and night vision, as well as climb around inside a, what, five million dollar military vehicle? If someone doesn't enjoy that, then something is incredibly wrong with them, I'm sorry! I got to see bullets that were about four inches long and I held a gun that was bigger than my torso.
Moving along, the memorial was cool, it had interesting stuff and was well-designed. The Air Force and Fire Department place was incredibly boring and not fun. I didn't learn much of anything, and I got lectured by a man saying how we should stay in Iraq. I did not like this place.
The Camp Butler Cemetery was much better. I thought some people could be a bit more respectful, but otherwise, I was enamored by the entire situation. It struck me in some way that I didn't think I'd be struck. It was a pretty good experience.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Realistic Dreams
Realistic dreams are pretty crazy, I have to tell you. As a matter of fact, they scare me. I'm not sure what to believe when I have a realistic dream. I'll think one thing, but it ends up being another. How am I supposed to know if this one thing will be real or if another will in fact be real? I'm not sure! Realistically, it's easy to figure out what is reality and what is not. Actually, it's very easy. I'm not arguing what's easy and what's not, though. The question of what is real and what's not is not up for debate! At least, not in this case. There are many philosophical ideas that could dismiss the idea that reality is reality. This doesn't matter, though! What matters is that I had a realistic dream once.
I was in second grade or something like that, I don't know. I had a dream that I died and that the elementary school was heaven! My family was there, too, because they died, apparently. I was sad and all freaking out, but it doesn't matter, because I was dead too. I walked around this apparent heaven and kind of chilled for a while. Needless to say, when I woke up I was incredibly scared. I kind of ambled about with an increasing idea of despair and sadness, feeling as though my life was fake and that I was actually dead. I had this feeling persist for hours on end as I pondered my predicament constantly throughout the entirety of this ordeal. Nevertheless, I came to the conclusion that I was, in fact, alive.
Am I alive now, though? That's the question. Maybe this is all a dream, and I'm really just in the middle of dying, like that one dude in An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge, by Ambrose Bierce.
That would suck.
I was in second grade or something like that, I don't know. I had a dream that I died and that the elementary school was heaven! My family was there, too, because they died, apparently. I was sad and all freaking out, but it doesn't matter, because I was dead too. I walked around this apparent heaven and kind of chilled for a while. Needless to say, when I woke up I was incredibly scared. I kind of ambled about with an increasing idea of despair and sadness, feeling as though my life was fake and that I was actually dead. I had this feeling persist for hours on end as I pondered my predicament constantly throughout the entirety of this ordeal. Nevertheless, I came to the conclusion that I was, in fact, alive.
Am I alive now, though? That's the question. Maybe this is all a dream, and I'm really just in the middle of dying, like that one dude in An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge, by Ambrose Bierce.
That would suck.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Favorite Tall Tale
As I sit here with a tongue burning due to Nerds and I wait on a video converter to install, I feel as though I should reflect on my favorite tall tale. What do any of these things have in common? Well, there's one thing: They have nothing in common, so by having nothing in common, they--in turn--have indeed something in common. Fascinating, huh? Not really.
Regardless, my favorite tall tale... Well god, I'm not sure. How am I supposed to? I don't even like tall tales, much less have a favorite of them! But I guess if I had to choose, it'd be Paul Bunyan. Why? Well Paul Bunyan is freaking Paul Bunyan. 100 feet tall, big, burly, strong--bearded! What more could a dude ask for? Sure, if you're a sissy you would deny the manly awesomeness of Paul Bunyan, but let's face it: No man, regardless of his masculinity, can deny Paul Bunyan.
Now, Johnny Appleseed? Hell yes, a guy could deny him! He was a wimp, walking around just planting apple trees. Paul Bunyan chopped down Johnny's little apple trees, that's what he did! And then right after, he and that bull went and kicked some ass elsewhere. Johnny was the olden times hippie; Paul Bunyan was an old school badBUTT. There's no other way to put it!
In lieu of these points, Paul Bunyan was still a cool tall tale. Okay, I can't stop myself; he made a bull out of a mountain, his axe, and pure testosterone! What the hell?! How could he not be the coolest person in the history of the world? You tell me, you honestly tell me how he is a wussy, and I will tell you that you are the greatest person ever.
Regardless, my favorite tall tale... Well god, I'm not sure. How am I supposed to? I don't even like tall tales, much less have a favorite of them! But I guess if I had to choose, it'd be Paul Bunyan. Why? Well Paul Bunyan is freaking Paul Bunyan. 100 feet tall, big, burly, strong--bearded! What more could a dude ask for? Sure, if you're a sissy you would deny the manly awesomeness of Paul Bunyan, but let's face it: No man, regardless of his masculinity, can deny Paul Bunyan.
Now, Johnny Appleseed? Hell yes, a guy could deny him! He was a wimp, walking around just planting apple trees. Paul Bunyan chopped down Johnny's little apple trees, that's what he did! And then right after, he and that bull went and kicked some ass elsewhere. Johnny was the olden times hippie; Paul Bunyan was an old school badBUTT. There's no other way to put it!
In lieu of these points, Paul Bunyan was still a cool tall tale. Okay, I can't stop myself; he made a bull out of a mountain, his axe, and pure testosterone! What the hell?! How could he not be the coolest person in the history of the world? You tell me, you honestly tell me how he is a wussy, and I will tell you that you are the greatest person ever.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Vengeance
Why is vengeance always considered such a bad thing? Vengeance is a natural reaction to a bad situation, and it's something that is completely natural. I'm sorry if this seems a bit overboard in comparison, but a homosexual person isn't wrong for being attracted to the same sex, it's just natural! So why is it wrong to feel compelled to give another person what they deserve? Of course vengeance can go too far, and a person's obsession with it could cause him or her to become severely psychologically disassociated with reality, causing a mental breakdown which could lead to effects of psychosis or other fun stuff (well, rarely, I guess).
Regardless, I feel as though vengeance is a good thing. Yes, it's good to forgive and forget; don't get all worked up over someone saying a rude comment to you, just let that go. Why give a damn about it if the hurt will just dissipate within a few minutes?* Such a lust for vengeance isn't worth it, in this situation. It's unfounded, obsessive, and all-around idiotic. Just because someone said you were ugly or have bad breath or some other such insult doesn't mean you need to dump pig blood on them, causing them to go all telekinetic on your ass. I'm looking at you, Carrie.**
But if the person truly hurt you? What if they harmed you in some irreparable way? Is it justified then? The line, at this point, begins to be blurred. What is right and what is wrong is, in some way, fallible. Is there such a thing as a moral and ethical choice in vengeance? I don't believe so. Vengeance is not about right or wrong, it is about justice. Just doesn't cater to right or wrong, it caters only to what is justified. Vengeance, in this respect, is indeed justified. What happens because of vengeance is where the negative portrayal of it in the media is founded. The ramifications, physically and emotionally, could be vast.
Vengeance, however, is not a toy to play around with, it is an aspect of one's life that is completely separate from the rest. Its origins are burrowed deep within the recesses of your mind, mimicking and following your patterns as if it is your puppet. These memories fuel vengeance, but they are not vengeance. Vengeance is an aspect of lust; a type of lecherous want that caters to all emotions--sadness, anger, happiness, etc. Vengeance, then, could be seen as a psychological drug that is used as a way of getting an ultimate high; so many emotions bursting forth through one act, one pursuit, one quest, these are what define vengeance, and what ultimately define its conclusion.
Take the Asian film, Oldboy, for example.
Before I continue, this will contain key plot points in this film, so if for some reason you want to see this incredible film (and I highly suggest you do), then skip over this section.
In the film, Oh Dae-Su, a father and husband, is imprisoned in a room for 15 years with no explanation or means of escape. Finally, he is inexplicably released. Upon his release, he vows to find the man who committed this crime and exact his revenge.
Is this vengeance unfounded? No, of course not. Indeed, it is more than understandable; after being locked in a room for 15 years, I'd want to maul the person that did it to death, too! But let's read on...
After he is released back into the world, he meets a woman by the name of Mi-Do. She invites him into her house and the two go on a quest to find the man, whose name is Woo-Jin. Upon finally finding and confronting him, however, Oh Dae-Su decides not to kill him in order to find out why he was imprisoned.
This is understandable as well. No matter how much we are under the influence of vengeance, that quest for knowledge and insatiable appetite for truth will always gnaw at the back of our minds.
Oh Dae-Su figures it out, though he loses an old friend in the process. He was imprisoned because he inadvertently spread a rumor in high school that Woo-Jin committed incest with his sister, which was in this case actually true. Due to this rumor, his sister ended up committing suicide.
Well that sucks, doesn't it? Oh Dae-Su didn't actually mean to spread such a rumor, regardless of its truth, and his sister's suicide was purely coincidental. At least the motive is finally discovered! Well, let's continue...
After this revelation, Oh Dae-Su and Mi-Do confess their love for each other and have sex. Oh Dae-Su confronts Woo-Jin, and this is where things get interesting... This is where the greatest twist in film history is revealed. Oh Dae-Su's daughter was secretly raised by Woo-Jin during this 15-year period of imprisonment. Both Oh Dae-Su and his daughter, who is actually Mi-Do were hypnotized into following a series of commands that would end up with them falling in love with each other. In the end, Woo-Jin forced an unknowing Oh Dae-Su and his daughter into committing incest together.
Worse comes to worse, Oh Dae-Su ends up being the one begging for forgiveness, with a laughing Woo-Jin watching in amusement. He cuts off his tongue as a sign of silence, and Woo-Jin agrees to not tell Mi-Do the truth. Here's the kicker, though: Oh Dae-Su has his memory erased of all the events surrounding the past 15 years of his life, and then reunites with Mi-Do in a passionate, loving embrace.
The end.
So what could we learn from this film? Not that vengeance is wrong, but that vengeance can have unknown consequences, and that one should exercise caution when commencing such a trek. It also teaches us to check our girl/boyfriend's birth certificate before you decide to go any further than a hug...
Regardless, I feel as though vengeance is a good thing. Yes, it's good to forgive and forget; don't get all worked up over someone saying a rude comment to you, just let that go. Why give a damn about it if the hurt will just dissipate within a few minutes?* Such a lust for vengeance isn't worth it, in this situation. It's unfounded, obsessive, and all-around idiotic. Just because someone said you were ugly or have bad breath or some other such insult doesn't mean you need to dump pig blood on them, causing them to go all telekinetic on your ass. I'm looking at you, Carrie.**
But if the person truly hurt you? What if they harmed you in some irreparable way? Is it justified then? The line, at this point, begins to be blurred. What is right and what is wrong is, in some way, fallible. Is there such a thing as a moral and ethical choice in vengeance? I don't believe so. Vengeance is not about right or wrong, it is about justice. Just doesn't cater to right or wrong, it caters only to what is justified. Vengeance, in this respect, is indeed justified. What happens because of vengeance is where the negative portrayal of it in the media is founded. The ramifications, physically and emotionally, could be vast.
Vengeance, however, is not a toy to play around with, it is an aspect of one's life that is completely separate from the rest. Its origins are burrowed deep within the recesses of your mind, mimicking and following your patterns as if it is your puppet. These memories fuel vengeance, but they are not vengeance. Vengeance is an aspect of lust; a type of lecherous want that caters to all emotions--sadness, anger, happiness, etc. Vengeance, then, could be seen as a psychological drug that is used as a way of getting an ultimate high; so many emotions bursting forth through one act, one pursuit, one quest, these are what define vengeance, and what ultimately define its conclusion.
Take the Asian film, Oldboy, for example.
Before I continue, this will contain key plot points in this film, so if for some reason you want to see this incredible film (and I highly suggest you do), then skip over this section.
In the film, Oh Dae-Su, a father and husband, is imprisoned in a room for 15 years with no explanation or means of escape. Finally, he is inexplicably released. Upon his release, he vows to find the man who committed this crime and exact his revenge.
Is this vengeance unfounded? No, of course not. Indeed, it is more than understandable; after being locked in a room for 15 years, I'd want to maul the person that did it to death, too! But let's read on...
After he is released back into the world, he meets a woman by the name of Mi-Do. She invites him into her house and the two go on a quest to find the man, whose name is Woo-Jin. Upon finally finding and confronting him, however, Oh Dae-Su decides not to kill him in order to find out why he was imprisoned.
This is understandable as well. No matter how much we are under the influence of vengeance, that quest for knowledge and insatiable appetite for truth will always gnaw at the back of our minds.
Oh Dae-Su figures it out, though he loses an old friend in the process. He was imprisoned because he inadvertently spread a rumor in high school that Woo-Jin committed incest with his sister, which was in this case actually true. Due to this rumor, his sister ended up committing suicide.
Well that sucks, doesn't it? Oh Dae-Su didn't actually mean to spread such a rumor, regardless of its truth, and his sister's suicide was purely coincidental. At least the motive is finally discovered! Well, let's continue...
After this revelation, Oh Dae-Su and Mi-Do confess their love for each other and have sex. Oh Dae-Su confronts Woo-Jin, and this is where things get interesting... This is where the greatest twist in film history is revealed. Oh Dae-Su's daughter was secretly raised by Woo-Jin during this 15-year period of imprisonment. Both Oh Dae-Su and his daughter, who is actually Mi-Do were hypnotized into following a series of commands that would end up with them falling in love with each other. In the end, Woo-Jin forced an unknowing Oh Dae-Su and his daughter into committing incest together.
Worse comes to worse, Oh Dae-Su ends up being the one begging for forgiveness, with a laughing Woo-Jin watching in amusement. He cuts off his tongue as a sign of silence, and Woo-Jin agrees to not tell Mi-Do the truth. Here's the kicker, though: Oh Dae-Su has his memory erased of all the events surrounding the past 15 years of his life, and then reunites with Mi-Do in a passionate, loving embrace.
The end.
So what could we learn from this film? Not that vengeance is wrong, but that vengeance can have unknown consequences, and that one should exercise caution when commencing such a trek. It also teaches us to check our girl/boyfriend's birth certificate before you decide to go any further than a hug...
Monday, November 9, 2009
My Biggest Fear
Ah, fears. That psychological phenomenon that I've never been able to defeat. It's impossible to think you'll never be afraid. Honestly, I still get spooked when I'm in the dark, feeling as though some killer will pop up out of nowhere and kill me. I don't believe in ghosts, and even when I'm alone, I'll feel like something like that will happen. Then again, there's more than just those types of fears. There's fears for the future; fears of death, heights, speed, there are so many fears that anyone can have.
My biggest fear, though, that's hard to pinpoint. I could say death, but I've sort of gotten over that. I could say heights, but I'm not too afraid of those. I would have to say my biggest fear is being in a situation where every person you've ever cared about and loved completely abandons you and knowingly betrays you. I feel like the pain would be so unimaginable that--well, I guess I don't really want to try and think of it. I get dramatic a lot, don't I? I can think of it, and I have. I just know it'd hurt uncontrollably.
Imagine just being completely helpless and alone. No one is there for you; those who you thought loved you have abandoned you and do things behind your back that completely paralyze you with pain. You cannot stop them, and they wouldn't listen even if you tried. All you can do is allow it to continue and deal with the pain. There is no fresh start, you have to live with this pain all your life. Of course, you can move on, but it just feels like the pain would be so unbearable. Maybe others have a higher threshold for it, but I don't give out too much trust and care, anymore, so when that rare trust is taken advantage of, it hurts!
While this may not be the most conventional fear (indeed, it's quite the taboo), it certainly means a lot to me.
My biggest fear, though, that's hard to pinpoint. I could say death, but I've sort of gotten over that. I could say heights, but I'm not too afraid of those. I would have to say my biggest fear is being in a situation where every person you've ever cared about and loved completely abandons you and knowingly betrays you. I feel like the pain would be so unimaginable that--well, I guess I don't really want to try and think of it. I get dramatic a lot, don't I? I can think of it, and I have. I just know it'd hurt uncontrollably.
Imagine just being completely helpless and alone. No one is there for you; those who you thought loved you have abandoned you and do things behind your back that completely paralyze you with pain. You cannot stop them, and they wouldn't listen even if you tried. All you can do is allow it to continue and deal with the pain. There is no fresh start, you have to live with this pain all your life. Of course, you can move on, but it just feels like the pain would be so unbearable. Maybe others have a higher threshold for it, but I don't give out too much trust and care, anymore, so when that rare trust is taken advantage of, it hurts!
While this may not be the most conventional fear (indeed, it's quite the taboo), it certainly means a lot to me.
Peaceful Protest
Honestly, peaceful protests are boring. I like hearing about riots where four people are maimed with one person's ear chewed off. Okay, so I'm joking around, peaceful protests are good. Of course, I'm not sure about how much of a job they get done. I'll be honest, the protests look great on paper, we look back on the 1960's sit-ins and such, but did they really do much at the time? Sure, they symbolized something greater than what they were, they were humane and loving, allowing the hatred of others against them to be used as a catalyst in their plea for African American rights.
Though the protests were ironic in a beneficial way, they seemed to be seen that way due to us viewing them with loving eyes. At the time, though, it's very likely they were viewed as idiotic, foolish, and counter-productive. So what can we infer from peaceful protests? I believe that there are two sides to the debate that must be addressed: Are peaceful protests productive for short-term fixes, or are they filler for a more cataclysmic event that truly changes the way everything becomes?
To be honest, I'm not quite sure. I believe in peace being incredibly needed in the world, and that it's something we all should strive for, but I'm not sure how effective it can truly be in the end. While I feel it should be the end-all-be-all, I struggle to see it approaching in the near future--or ever, for that matter. Hey, it's a grim outlook, and though I respect everything that peaceful protests are and all that they stand for, I cannot truly condone them. I am unsure of their final outcome and how well they end up being. While violence is definitely not the solution, I'm not sure peace can be, either. I guess it sounds stupid, but hey.
Though the protests were ironic in a beneficial way, they seemed to be seen that way due to us viewing them with loving eyes. At the time, though, it's very likely they were viewed as idiotic, foolish, and counter-productive. So what can we infer from peaceful protests? I believe that there are two sides to the debate that must be addressed: Are peaceful protests productive for short-term fixes, or are they filler for a more cataclysmic event that truly changes the way everything becomes?
To be honest, I'm not quite sure. I believe in peace being incredibly needed in the world, and that it's something we all should strive for, but I'm not sure how effective it can truly be in the end. While I feel it should be the end-all-be-all, I struggle to see it approaching in the near future--or ever, for that matter. Hey, it's a grim outlook, and though I respect everything that peaceful protests are and all that they stand for, I cannot truly condone them. I am unsure of their final outcome and how well they end up being. While violence is definitely not the solution, I'm not sure peace can be, either. I guess it sounds stupid, but hey.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
The Importance of Seclusion
I certainly know the importance of seclusion. After all, I experience it almost every day. Sad, I know, but true! Who cares, though. It's made me much more resilient to forced seclusion, so I like to think of it as training for when something happens that could potentially make me go mad. Though I normally have seclusion with a device that I can use to connect to the outside world...
Okay, I'll admit it: My seclusion isn't very healthy. I sit down for extended periods and just stare at a computer screen. Then, if I want to go out, I stare at an LCD attached to my camera, rather than looking at the actual world. Is that bad, looking through technology? That's a good book idea, actually...
Is seclusion important, though? Yes, I believe it is. You can't put yourself out there for days on end, dealing with person after person, making yourself depend on others for who you are, what you can do. I'm being melodramatic, it's definitely not that extreme, but my point remains valid! If you're surrounded by people constantly with no time to evaluate yourself, how do you know you're your own person? You could be completely mimicking every other person you're with and not realize it.
Let's face it, we're a product of our experiences. Individualism is a lie. All this "Be who you want to be!" bull crap is completely false. There's six billion of us, not to mention the billions that came before us. You're not the first person to think up an idea, you're not the first person to make a certain sound. Seriously, think of the most inane, idiotic thing you can right now. The odds that someone, somewhere, at some point in time thought that same exact thing could be pretty high. I'm sorry if I'm pessimistic, but it's true! You're not unique, you're not special! You're just another person. This seclusion allows you to deal with that.
I've dealt with this realization for a while now, but this realization allows me to continue on and discover new ideas and new ways to get past this minor set back. And, like I've said, I'm sure I'm not the first person to think this. Odds are, someone else reading this right now could have realized this long ago, too. I'm not unique in discovering this, but my seclusion allowed me to figure it out and deal with it.
I think I digress too much...
Okay, I'll admit it: My seclusion isn't very healthy. I sit down for extended periods and just stare at a computer screen. Then, if I want to go out, I stare at an LCD attached to my camera, rather than looking at the actual world. Is that bad, looking through technology? That's a good book idea, actually...
Is seclusion important, though? Yes, I believe it is. You can't put yourself out there for days on end, dealing with person after person, making yourself depend on others for who you are, what you can do. I'm being melodramatic, it's definitely not that extreme, but my point remains valid! If you're surrounded by people constantly with no time to evaluate yourself, how do you know you're your own person? You could be completely mimicking every other person you're with and not realize it.
Let's face it, we're a product of our experiences. Individualism is a lie. All this "Be who you want to be!" bull crap is completely false. There's six billion of us, not to mention the billions that came before us. You're not the first person to think up an idea, you're not the first person to make a certain sound. Seriously, think of the most inane, idiotic thing you can right now. The odds that someone, somewhere, at some point in time thought that same exact thing could be pretty high. I'm sorry if I'm pessimistic, but it's true! You're not unique, you're not special! You're just another person. This seclusion allows you to deal with that.
I've dealt with this realization for a while now, but this realization allows me to continue on and discover new ideas and new ways to get past this minor set back. And, like I've said, I'm sure I'm not the first person to think this. Odds are, someone else reading this right now could have realized this long ago, too. I'm not unique in discovering this, but my seclusion allowed me to figure it out and deal with it.
I think I digress too much...
My Favorite Thing to Read
There are a lot of things I like to read. I like to think I read a lot, but the sad truth is that I don't. I'm sure I've read more than the average person, but it doesn't change the fact that I could read a lot more than I do. What I don't understand is how other people look at reading with such contempt. They cannot grasp the fact that, even if schools force you to read material you don't like, there's still tons of interesting and entertaining material that's begging to be read.
Out of all the things I like to read, I'm going to say that I love novels the most. They're just entertaining in so many ways. If you want something more specific, then I'd say I like... dramatic novels the most. Comedies are sometimes funny, but I've never really laughed out loud (read: LOL) from a novel before, and I doubt I ever will. In fact, sometimes the humor of a novel just goes right over my head. I can read an entire novel before I find out it was supposed to be funny. It's hard for me to read a joke and understand it's a joke, I need the delivery to be clearly a joke. Maybe I'm just stupid. That's probably it...
Moreover, novels just expand my thoughts. I know my favorite book I've ever read that still gets me: The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. This novel wasn't touching, it wasn't gentle; it attacked me with full force. It follows a 9-year-old girl's journey through Nazi Germany during World War II. What's more: The novel is narrated by Death. Instead of viewing him as a malevolent creature, Zusack envisions him as tired and downtrodden. The novel creates a force of sadness and deprivation that benefits from the child's discover of a new world, literature, while the entire world around her changes drastically. The plot only thickens when her family hides a Jew, who seems to meld the two worlds into one, defacing Hitler's Mein Kampf with the story of himself.
The mere fact that a novel is able to parasitically enter into my body and burrow directly into my heart is what exemplifies all that literature is. To read is something that is so needed, so wanted by a human soul, that depraving said soul of this unalienable ability would be torture. Maybe I'm being dramatic, but I guess that's just how I feel.
Seriously, read this book.
The Book Thief
Out of all the things I like to read, I'm going to say that I love novels the most. They're just entertaining in so many ways. If you want something more specific, then I'd say I like... dramatic novels the most. Comedies are sometimes funny, but I've never really laughed out loud (read: LOL) from a novel before, and I doubt I ever will. In fact, sometimes the humor of a novel just goes right over my head. I can read an entire novel before I find out it was supposed to be funny. It's hard for me to read a joke and understand it's a joke, I need the delivery to be clearly a joke. Maybe I'm just stupid. That's probably it...
Moreover, novels just expand my thoughts. I know my favorite book I've ever read that still gets me: The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. This novel wasn't touching, it wasn't gentle; it attacked me with full force. It follows a 9-year-old girl's journey through Nazi Germany during World War II. What's more: The novel is narrated by Death. Instead of viewing him as a malevolent creature, Zusack envisions him as tired and downtrodden. The novel creates a force of sadness and deprivation that benefits from the child's discover of a new world, literature, while the entire world around her changes drastically. The plot only thickens when her family hides a Jew, who seems to meld the two worlds into one, defacing Hitler's Mein Kampf with the story of himself.
The mere fact that a novel is able to parasitically enter into my body and burrow directly into my heart is what exemplifies all that literature is. To read is something that is so needed, so wanted by a human soul, that depraving said soul of this unalienable ability would be torture. Maybe I'm being dramatic, but I guess that's just how I feel.
Seriously, read this book.
The Book Thief
United States of Drew
An ideal United States for me is hard to imagine. I don't like imagining a utopia, because then there's nothing to feel superior to; there's nothing to hate. I'm sorry if this sounds bad, but come on! Everyone needs to hate something, it's just in our genes. It feeds us anger, which can help power other emotions. People need to stop acting like anger is such a bad thing. Anger helps us, it can fuel us. I feel like there has to be something someone utterly hates and dislikes. It's a necessity.
Continuing my blog, I feel like a utopia would just suck. I guess it depends on the utopia, though. If it's a utopia where everyone is financially stable and no one goes hungry or whatever, then that's good! Well, not really. As a matter of fact, I'm fine with the poverty and death that goes on in the world. Again, it sounds bad, but everyone seems to overlook overpopulation. Sure, it's not an issue now, but at the rate we're heading it will be. I'm not saying let's commit mass genocides, but I'm saying something's gonna have to be done.
I would change some economic policies, eliminate the hold that religion seems to have on the entirety of the political system, and just try and make things better for the US. I would hope we wouldn't be looked at with such disdain, and that we would maybe be praised for being awesome. I'm not saying we're awesome, though. We're definitely not awesome. You know who was awesome? The founding fathers! They were freaking awesome, and we need to bring them back. No more of this crappy Palin and Cheney crap.
Also, I'd get rid of Fox News.
Continuing my blog, I feel like a utopia would just suck. I guess it depends on the utopia, though. If it's a utopia where everyone is financially stable and no one goes hungry or whatever, then that's good! Well, not really. As a matter of fact, I'm fine with the poverty and death that goes on in the world. Again, it sounds bad, but everyone seems to overlook overpopulation. Sure, it's not an issue now, but at the rate we're heading it will be. I'm not saying let's commit mass genocides, but I'm saying something's gonna have to be done.
I would change some economic policies, eliminate the hold that religion seems to have on the entirety of the political system, and just try and make things better for the US. I would hope we wouldn't be looked at with such disdain, and that we would maybe be praised for being awesome. I'm not saying we're awesome, though. We're definitely not awesome. You know who was awesome? The founding fathers! They were freaking awesome, and we need to bring them back. No more of this crappy Palin and Cheney crap.
Also, I'd get rid of Fox News.
My Favorite Director
I've chosen director because it's much broader than choosing only a favorite film. Plus, my favorite director composed much of my favorite movies, so there's that.
Actually, since it's been so long, I'm not sure if this is what this blog is supposed to be about. Let me check really quick...
Yep, I'm on track.
Moving along, my favorite thing to talk about is film. I love movies. I've developed a strong love of movies over the past few years, and along with this, I've grown a bit... snobby. It's a negative aspect, I know, and I'm working to get over it, but the road is a hard one. Anyways, the reason I'm telling you, my beloved reader, this is because of how it affects my taste in movies. I don't believe it's really possible to be a connoisseur of bad movies. Well, it's possible, but if one says they love movies and list their favorites as being Step Brothers, Transformers, The Happening, any movie with Dwayne Johnson in it, etc., then I'm not going to label them as a movie buff.
To get to my actual subject, my favorite director is Stanley Kubrick. Why? If I need to answer this question to anyone, then they're not into movies much. God, there's my snobbery, again... Whatever, it's true. Stanley Kubrick was just a genius of directing. None of his films could be ranked lower than four stars on a scale of one to five. Half of his films have become classics, and four of them are regularly quoted on a day-to-day basis. Each film is incredibly well-sculpted and toned to perfection.
2001: A Space Odyssey is indeed the greatest film ever made. Not only is it brilliantly acted and intelligent, but its visuals still look like they could have been made with today's technology. The philosophical and intellectual ideas it presents are mind altering, and will ring within each viewer's head for years to come. I'd like to think the film had an impact on cinema like that of World War II's impact on the world.
Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb is more than just a movie I based my blog's title off of. It is my favorite film of all time. It's hilarious, enthralling, and intelligently witty in a way that is completely alluring. I have never enjoyed a movie more than I enjoyed Dr. Strangelove upon viewing.
A Clockwork Orange is without a doubt Kubrick's most violent film. Perhaps it's due to the character's love of "ultraviolence" that is a prominent theme in this film (as well as in the book). This film is not for the weak of heart, though. As a matter of fact, it was given an X rating at the time of its release due to its mountains of graphic content. Well, not mountains, but it does have one scene in particular that will leave you trembling in your mind from its disturbing content. Indeed, this is Kubrick's most psychologically tormenting film to date. It intelligently commands an arsenal of tactics used to leave the viewer with an odd taste in their mouth.
Some more Kubrick films that you may have heard of are Full Metal Jacket, Barry Lyndon, Lolita, and--I'm positive everyone's heard of this one--The Shining.
Actually, since it's been so long, I'm not sure if this is what this blog is supposed to be about. Let me check really quick...
Yep, I'm on track.
Moving along, my favorite thing to talk about is film. I love movies. I've developed a strong love of movies over the past few years, and along with this, I've grown a bit... snobby. It's a negative aspect, I know, and I'm working to get over it, but the road is a hard one. Anyways, the reason I'm telling you, my beloved reader, this is because of how it affects my taste in movies. I don't believe it's really possible to be a connoisseur of bad movies. Well, it's possible, but if one says they love movies and list their favorites as being Step Brothers, Transformers, The Happening, any movie with Dwayne Johnson in it, etc., then I'm not going to label them as a movie buff.
To get to my actual subject, my favorite director is Stanley Kubrick. Why? If I need to answer this question to anyone, then they're not into movies much. God, there's my snobbery, again... Whatever, it's true. Stanley Kubrick was just a genius of directing. None of his films could be ranked lower than four stars on a scale of one to five. Half of his films have become classics, and four of them are regularly quoted on a day-to-day basis. Each film is incredibly well-sculpted and toned to perfection.
2001: A Space Odyssey is indeed the greatest film ever made. Not only is it brilliantly acted and intelligent, but its visuals still look like they could have been made with today's technology. The philosophical and intellectual ideas it presents are mind altering, and will ring within each viewer's head for years to come. I'd like to think the film had an impact on cinema like that of World War II's impact on the world.
Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb is more than just a movie I based my blog's title off of. It is my favorite film of all time. It's hilarious, enthralling, and intelligently witty in a way that is completely alluring. I have never enjoyed a movie more than I enjoyed Dr. Strangelove upon viewing.
A Clockwork Orange is without a doubt Kubrick's most violent film. Perhaps it's due to the character's love of "ultraviolence" that is a prominent theme in this film (as well as in the book). This film is not for the weak of heart, though. As a matter of fact, it was given an X rating at the time of its release due to its mountains of graphic content. Well, not mountains, but it does have one scene in particular that will leave you trembling in your mind from its disturbing content. Indeed, this is Kubrick's most psychologically tormenting film to date. It intelligently commands an arsenal of tactics used to leave the viewer with an odd taste in their mouth.
Some more Kubrick films that you may have heard of are Full Metal Jacket, Barry Lyndon, Lolita, and--I'm positive everyone's heard of this one--The Shining.
Declaration of Art
I value creativity and uniqueness. It's something I've always liked. Why do I value this? I'm not sure. Something about art and the like has always seemed to draw me in. I don't like sports and business and all that monotonous stuff that doesn't really add to anything. It doesn't expand, it doesn't grow; it stays the same. In 20 years, people will still be making the same comments about football or still be talking about the same business ethics. When it comes to art, though, something will have indeed changed. No one will be referencing Twilight as a classic of literature (I hope to God they won't, at least...), they'll be talking about the newest book, the newest movie, the latest band.
Art seems to have a broad type of hold on society. It can be timeless, while at the same time always changing. We still reference Moby Dick and The Odyssey, yet also talk about the latest craze in everything else. The classics are unforgettable, yet the changes are constant. It's hard to believe in certain things of our time becoming classics of literature or film history, later on. Who knows if Kanye West will indeed become the next King of Pop?* The Twilight films and book could become the Nosferatu's and Dracula's of a later generation.** It's unpredictable.
Art isn't something that can be calculated, it cannot be estimated. It just is, and it won't be anything else. It's just like how sports will always be sports, sure the games could change, but the physical activity used for a greater purpose of teamwork and victory will always remain. Regardless of whether or not film or digital media will still exist in the next 100 years (who knows where the human race will take us on the road to armageddon), art will never be any different from what it always has been.
*Hell no, he won't.
**For the love of all that is holy, NO.
Art seems to have a broad type of hold on society. It can be timeless, while at the same time always changing. We still reference Moby Dick and The Odyssey, yet also talk about the latest craze in everything else. The classics are unforgettable, yet the changes are constant. It's hard to believe in certain things of our time becoming classics of literature or film history, later on. Who knows if Kanye West will indeed become the next King of Pop?* The Twilight films and book could become the Nosferatu's and Dracula's of a later generation.** It's unpredictable.
Art isn't something that can be calculated, it cannot be estimated. It just is, and it won't be anything else. It's just like how sports will always be sports, sure the games could change, but the physical activity used for a greater purpose of teamwork and victory will always remain. Regardless of whether or not film or digital media will still exist in the next 100 years (who knows where the human race will take us on the road to armageddon), art will never be any different from what it always has been.
*Hell no, he won't.
**For the love of all that is holy, NO.
Logic / Reasoning vs. Emotion for Support
Okay, so it's been about, what, three weeks since I've written a blog? I'm not sure. I doubt I'm in the mood to write, and the mediocre-ness of Employee of the Month is distracting me from writing. However! I will commit, and I will indeed write. The TV is muted, I'm talking to no one, and my brain is in writing mode, so let's get this show on the rode. I have eight blogs to write... Well, nine. I think.
When it comes to support, many things depend on the certain thing that needs support. If I am having trouble deciding between which color I like more, logic and reasoning have no say in this matter. Of course, they could, but it seems pointless and foolish to include them in such a minuscule decision. Now, this idea doesn't really bleed over into other arguments, though. As much as I hate the absent-minded, logical robots that some people can be, I'm not going to shoot them down. Logic and reasoning is indeed a key factor in winning any kind of debate or argument.
Think of this: Who would you trust more in a state of emergency? The crying, whining man who preaches about how mean these people have been to our country and have bullied us, or the level-headed man who keeps his wits about him and tells the people why we should retaliate or turn the other cheek. Emotion cannot be the sole source of support. It can be used to rally, it can be used to bring forth revolution and change, but it is rarely used to explain fact.
I do not condone explaining evolution with your feelings. Obviously, you cannot teach kids evolution by maliciously gnawing at religion's throat. Logically, you explain to them what evolution is, and if any sort of argument from the other side is presented, you reasonably shoo it away; it doesn't get any simpler. Of course, it's easier said than done, but who's trying, really? We're teenagers: We're irrational, idiots, and egocentric. That's what makes high school so hard to deal with, and that's what makes so many people get angry over getting a D on their paper when all they do is rant about things with no support other than the feelings coming off the top of their heads.
That was a strange ending, and an emotional one.
When it comes to support, many things depend on the certain thing that needs support. If I am having trouble deciding between which color I like more, logic and reasoning have no say in this matter. Of course, they could, but it seems pointless and foolish to include them in such a minuscule decision. Now, this idea doesn't really bleed over into other arguments, though. As much as I hate the absent-minded, logical robots that some people can be, I'm not going to shoot them down. Logic and reasoning is indeed a key factor in winning any kind of debate or argument.
Think of this: Who would you trust more in a state of emergency? The crying, whining man who preaches about how mean these people have been to our country and have bullied us, or the level-headed man who keeps his wits about him and tells the people why we should retaliate or turn the other cheek. Emotion cannot be the sole source of support. It can be used to rally, it can be used to bring forth revolution and change, but it is rarely used to explain fact.
I do not condone explaining evolution with your feelings. Obviously, you cannot teach kids evolution by maliciously gnawing at religion's throat. Logically, you explain to them what evolution is, and if any sort of argument from the other side is presented, you reasonably shoo it away; it doesn't get any simpler. Of course, it's easier said than done, but who's trying, really? We're teenagers: We're irrational, idiots, and egocentric. That's what makes high school so hard to deal with, and that's what makes so many people get angry over getting a D on their paper when all they do is rant about things with no support other than the feelings coming off the top of their heads.
That was a strange ending, and an emotional one.
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