Blog 6: Catch Her in the Oatmeal

Write a stream-of-consciousness piece similar to the "Catch Her in the Oatmeal" handout. Your writing can be about your day/ week, OR you can turn your favorite fairy tale/ myth/ short story into a stream-of consciousness piece. Stream-of-consciousness is a type of storytelling where the writer reveals inner thoughts, feelings, etc., without censoring his/her work; therefore, you shouldn't take your fingers off the keyboard! Don't worry about typos/ punctuation/ grammar until the end!

Miss Kaser, I chose a bad moment to start writing this blog entry, but I don't think I'm going to erase it when I'm done. It's nothing personally really. And it's going to come across a lot more dramatic than I had wanted- and you know me. I HATE that. Drama, but whatever. There is drama everywhere at every time. I can't stand it. I know I'm not informing you of anything you don't already know. Still, I'm doing exactly what the assignment says, I guess. Right? I hate being in bad moods because I feel that they are a waste of time. We should spend life being happy and experiencing everything possible to enrich your life. Still though, I'm angry. Am I even angry? I don't know. I'm just feeling... annoyed.

I'm annoyed at my brother. I'm annoyed at my sister. At my friends, at my mom, at my headache, and at myself. I'm listening to Brand New right now. Whenever I write something in my diary (because Yes I keep a diary) I write down the exact song/artist I'm listening to at the time so that if I ever look back I can relive it or something? I don't even know. Anyway, Right now it's "Handcuffs." Ok so I'll get back to my whining rant. I'm so annoyed at everything right now. I know I'm only fifteen... but life is nothing like I'd ever imagined it would be. I mean I'm "standing here with no right to complain because it's already more than I'd ever have asked." ("Digest by Ben Taylor. I'm not sure if I got those lyrics right or not.) Still, I have to complain. Usually I would just be saying this to nobody and keep it to myself, but I mean... you did ask. Sorry to put it all on you. Not that you deserve all this unneeded weight either... Again, sorry. ("Soco Amaretto Lime" - Brand New)

As much as I really wanna write more here and complain and moan and such about all my problems, I have to remember a few important things: this is the world wide web... do not want everyone reading my personal issues haha, I feel really badly about stressing you out about my mediocre teenage problems, and I just remembered how stupid I sound. ("The Story" - Brandi Carlile) My life is so blessed and so good and so amazing. Why am I sitting here on my nice newish Mac desktop computer tap tap typing away about all my HUGE problems? Just so you know, I don't mean to come off like I'm bragging. I'm just acknowledging and appreciating how lucky my life is. I mean really. People live on the streets! I mean REALLY. People live outdoors where there aren't even any streets! Oy, I just played out a mmmaaasssssssssssssiiivvveeeee mood swing on you. Sorry haha. Who knows? Maybe you won't even read it?

In seventh grade, I always did that. In our daily journal entries, I would never write he assignment. I would write random things and notes to my teacher saying things like, "...I know you're not going to read this." and then I'd finish up the page with some scary messed up message about like abuse or terrorism which I have never suffered. She never opened my journal once that whole year. ("Devil in the Details" - Bright Eyes) It's ironic though because if you do read this - obviously you're unlike her because you're reading my work. And if you don't read it, then you'll never know how I feel about that and how you are similar to good ol' Mrs. Meyer. Believe me, I'm not accusing you of anything or judging you in anyway. This is mean, but to this day I wonder how that seventh grade teacher of mine could become a Mrs. ("Tourist Trap" - Bright Eyes)

Blog 5: Caulfield's Lasting Voice

After reading the article, "Holden Caulfield's lasting voice," react to the article. Are you looking forward to reading Catcher in the Rye? Why/ why not?

The final line of the newspaper clipping shares the impression of a sixteen-year-old girl. Do you agree/ disagree with her opinion on individuals and certain pieces of literature? Can you think of another book from last year's reading selection where students were as divided?

The article is talking about Catcher in the Rye and people's reaction to it when it was first published. It was banned for explicit language, sexual comments, and a generally bad attitude. I am looking forward to reading this book. I have been excited for a long time to read it, anyway. This article neither enhanced nor diminished my enthusiasm towards Catcher. It is an American classic and I'm sure it will be a great experience reading it.

I agree with what she's saying. Every life has troubles and issues in it. Some are greater than others. Some are life changing while others just change your plan for the day. Jenny Craig was right in saying it is a coming of age story and he will eventually find his way. Last year, this simsilarily happened with the book To Kill a Mockingbird. Many people thought the book was unfair. However, life is unfair. The book was not depressing, just realistic.

Blog 4: National Day on Writing PVRHS Gallery

Read three selections of student work from the PVRHS Gallery:http://galleryofwriting.org/galleries/223497 . Choose your favorite written work by either a Pascack Hills or Pascack Valley student, and comment on your favorite part about the piece [include the title and author].

What are your thoughts about the writer's tone/ voice? Is he/ she aware of an intended audience? If you could conference with the writer, what advice would you give to improve the selection?

My favorite of the three written pieces I read was "Hell Baby" by Joe Cario. He wrote a horror/suspense story about a person who helped a homeless woman give birth, only to watch her die right after. The baby that was born had rough skin, weird makings, and the ability to walk. A single day after being born, the baby has already committed four murders. One was his own mother's. Two were nurses in his hospital. The last? That's what cliffhangers are for.

The author's tone was extremely eerie. He knew the baby would only bring harm, but he still did what he had been raised to do. The writer wrote this piece intended for peers, so I think he did a good job. It was easy to relate to the theme of having a gut feeling but going against it. If I could talk to Joe Cario, I would suggest he re-read his work before he posts it anywhere. The ending seemed like he was in a rush to finish, so there were a few typos.

Blog 3: Family vs. Law

David's father shares his insight on page 156: "...I believe that in this world people must pay for their crimes. It doesn't matter who you are or who your relations are; if you do wrong, you pay. I believe that. I have to."

What do you think about these convictions? What other story does Wes share with David about himself? How does this story complicate his belief system?

Wes Hayden is correct with the beliefs that all actions have consequences; all consequences must be handled accordingly. Not only is it common morality, but it is also his job. He really does not have the choice to let a guilty man go punishment free. Wes tells David a story about when he was a boy. A group of mean Native American boys were bullying Wes and a friend. While running away, David's father ran into Frank and his friends. They helped Wes escape a scary situation. Frank acted the way a big brother should. He took care of of Wes at any costs. It complicates Wes's beliefs because his first instinct is to protect his brother, but he knows he as to follow the law.

Blog 2: Character Analysis

Pick one character from your reading/ class activity, and describe what the character wants in Larry Watson's Montana 1948. What prevents that character from achieving what he/she wants? How does this compare to what you want?

Len McAuley wants to be with Gail Hayden. There is no official proof of this fact, but David simply says, "Why not add another heartbreak to the situation?" (Watson ##). Len cannot be with Gail, though. He may or may not lover her. Regardless, he is married to Daisy. Gail is married to Wesley. Laws of marriage do not permit one to leave their spouse for somebody else's spouse.

In order to compare this dilemma to what I want, I first need to decide what it is I truly want. What do I want? The one thing I really want more than anything else in the world relates in some ways to Len's issue. However, it is not a matter of having to hide my feelings for an impossible love. What I want, though is not easily going to just happen magically. I have to take it into my own hands and make it happen if I feel that strongly about it. Doing so may cause heartbreak (like Len's love for Gail), but it will not be breaking written laws like marriage.