English Blog #6 - morals & ethics

Since I have my eyebrow pierced, I can relate to most people who don't get into jobs. I get weird looks, I get rude comments, I get everything when it comes to piercings. I have my ears pierced, belly button pierced, and my eyebrow pierced. I can work in the back of restaurants, or in the back of any industry, because customers wouldn't really be seeing me as much. As for working out in front, and dealing with people; most people agree that if you're dealing with a person with a facial piercing, you'll be paying attention to that, and not what they're saying.

In my opinion, I think that everyone should be treated the same, no matter how many piercings or tattoos they have. As things are right now, most teenagers are getting facial piercings. If you go to a school, just count how many people have facial piercings. Look how noticable it is. It's pretty noticable, and does catch your eye most of the time. Yet don't you think that over a period of time, people will see piercings as something normal. You'll walk around, trying to find people without facial piercings.
Don't you think that in the end, people with piercings and tattoos will be equal? And they'll be treated like people were, without piercings?

In my career, I'll measure how sucessful I am by how many people come to me for help. I want to be a Social Service Worker of some kind, and help people in any way I possibly can. If they're just looking at my piercing, then I can't really help them. But if they see me as an equal, then they'll listen to me. I don't think people should judge me on my appearance, though it does show part of what I like. Yet in the end, I should be treated as an equal, and be getting the same amount of money as anyone else in my field.

Who is more genuine? Holden or Igby.

After reading Catcher in the Rye and watching the movie Igby Goes Down in English class, I’ve realized who is more genuine. While reading Catcher in the Rye, I always thought that Holden was doing things against society, and he was, but not as much as Igby did.

Holden was never at home, he didn’t follow the rules, he never went to school, never was nice to anyone, and wasn’t treated well by others. Yet for Igby, he barely had anything. He was kicked out of school, his parents were very ill, his brother was busy doing his own schooling, he didn’t have any friends, no more schools could take him in, etc. He had to get a job off of DH just so he could get drugs! Thing is, DH beat him up because he was so frustrated with Igby.

Holden had parents to go to. He knew they weren’t that inviting, but from what I took in, they weren’t as bad as what Igby has. Also, Holden had his sister Phoebe to run to when he really needed help. When he felt like he had no hope left, or just simply needed to get a smile on his face, he could run to his sister for that. As for Igby, he had to run to strangers to get laid, or rely on drugs to make him "happy".

In my opinion, Igby is more genuine because he never gave up. Face it, in the end...Igby had it bad. He killed his mother, he had no one to go to, he relied on drugs too much. Yet he ran away, so he could start a new life. As for Holden, he had someone to run to, he only smoked, he still had "friends" somewhat. At least he had people to talk to, even if they weren’t the nicest. Sure, he got beat up, but he brought that upon himself. Igby got beat up just because DH was frustrated with him. Igby never yelled at DH, brought up a fight with him, disagreed with him...nothing.

Overall, Holden followed the rules more so than Igby. He allowed himself to be a rebel, yet somehow followed the laws at the same time. He hated life, and thought he deserved more, but everything Holden got in the end, is what he deserved. He never strived for schooling, friends, parents, etc. If he really wanted all those things, he would have tried harder. As for Igby, he didn’t have much of a choice. His mother didn’t speak highly of him, only his brother. So when he tried to get help from people, most of them would think "oh, that’s so and so’s son. Sorry, no. We can’t do anything for you." Igby did try...that’s what I loved about him. He didn’t try as hard as he could have, but he still tried. He never followed the rules, unless he really wanted something, or thought it were right. He never even committed suicide in the end, which I’m surprised he didn’t. Having to put up with all of that is terrible. He’s so strong inside and out, it’s amazing. Finding out that Igby never went to a psych ward really surprised me. It just shows how much strength and believe he has in finding something better. In achieving greater things.

Merideth's English Blog # 4 - Need An Escape?!

Lately, everything has been going wrong. I'm so stressed over things, and I know what to do, but I don't want to do it. It's like I want to get better, but I believe the right thing to do is to dwell for a while, get away, and learn from my mistakes, and make new ones. I feel like I should venture off and experience different things, and let everyone around me have some space from me, and me from them.

Now, I honestly don't want any sympathy. That is nothing I long for. What I wish, is for people to understand that I don't need help. I'm a strong person, I just like to be sad at times, you know?

If I had anywhere to go, I'd venture off to some place I've never been before. Get some money I have, board on a train, and jump off it when I feel like it's the right time to do so. I want to do this, because I feel like it's right. Like I'm meant to do this, to learn new things. Also, knowing me, even if it weren't the right thing to do, I'd probably do it anyway.

I'd walk around until I found a place to stay, and keep to myself from there. The last thing I need is to have people talking to me. Venturing off on my own means staying on my own for a while. Being strong and independent would help me out a lot as a person. I'd visit some places that I want to visit, and possibly meet other people down the road. Things happen for a reason, so I'm not going to go around hiding from things.

I may go to Toronto, New York, London, anywhere. I just know that wherever I go, I can learn this lesson no matter the surroundings around me. I just need a new scene, new faces, new personalities...new everything to have the strength to go back home.


Merideth

Apocalyptica - rock n' roll hall of fame

Apocalyptica is a Finnish cello metal band, with four cellists and a drummer. The four famous cellists are Eicca Toppinen, Paavo Lotjonen, Max Lilja, and Antero Manninen.

They formed in 1993, just with their four cellists playing Metallica covers at Sibelius-Academy. In 1996, Apocalyptica released their first debut album which consisted of most of their favourite Metallica covers. They then released their second album not too long later in 1998; Inquisition Symphony. This album consisted of covers from Faith No More, Sepultura, and Pantera. Eicca Toppenin also decided to include some of his original songs just to show how naturally talented they are.

In 1999, Antero Maninen left the group, and was then replaced by Perttu Kivilaakso.

In 2000, they released their third album; Cult. This album featured 10 original songs, and 3 covers. This album finally had features of other artists singing on it. Therefore, showing off even more of their natural talent. This is when people really started to love Apocalyptica.

In 2002, Max Lilja left the group, leaving Apocalyptica with only three cellists.

In 2003, Apocalyptica released their fourth album; Reflections. This album was more so experimental, than anything else they've done. They tried to be unique, and they accomplished that.

Who is Holden as a person? (question 3)

Holden always used to be the quiet one of the group. He tried to stay out of trouble, as much as possible, though it never seemed to work out for him. Now as unbelievable as that sounds, by what I've learned about Holden; I can see him being successful if he's pushed to his limits.

Do you know when you are falling under everything. Either depression, being angry, etc. You always think of one person, or maybe even two. Yet usually in the end, there's usually one that helps you out the most. As for Holden, he completely forgot about his, until his roomate Stradlater reminded him of her.

Jane Gallagher, Holden's friend from a few years back, has returned and is going out with Stradlater. Holden doesn't like this idea, as Stradlater is known for his ways. Supposidely, Stradlater can get any girl he wants if he pleases. He has his charming ways, that Holden is somewhat jealous of, but wishes he never came across.

Now with Jane being back in Holden's life, he seems to be happier. He's trying to go out more often, talks to more people, remembers more of his past, wants to talk to his family members (more so his sister), etc. He does this in hope to see Jane one day.

Holden never used to care about a lot of things. He is the way he is, it seems. He doesn't care what others think of him, as long as he's living the life he pleases. It's not getting him very far, but it doesn't seem to be bothering him so much that he's going insane. Sure, Holden gets depressed. But let's just say that lovely Jane Gallagher is his drug. Whenever he thinks of her, he changes. He thinks more positive, acts more happy, actually smiles, and isn't depressed anymore.

Oh what one person can do to another...


Merideth

Is life a game?

It depends on the person. Lots of people could go on forever, fighting to say how life is a game. There are rules, and there are boundaries. But inside all of those, life is simply just a game. You can take your job seriously, you can get the money that you want. Hell, you could go on vacations often, if your job allows you. A lot of people say that death is just a part of life. It happens no matter what. That is when they state how life is a game. Why worry so much about things, if in the end you're going to lose it all?

As for others, they say that life is definitely not a game. They say that you have to work had at everything. Worrying is only part of life. They want to persue in the career they wish, and hope to get enough money to get on in life. They want to do as many things as they can, without having any worries on their mind. Yet, life is still not a game. There are too many rules, and stanards to ever second guess that life is a game.

To tie in with Catcher in the Rye...Holden definitely thinks that life is just a game. If he were so worried about everything, he wouldn't he flunking school. He'd be up there in the charts, and actually working on things. As for Stradlater, he also thinks that life is a game. He never does his work, and all he ever does is go out and try to get the ladies attention. It always somehow works for him, thanks to his good looks...

In the end, there's not one answer to me. I think that life is a game in a sense, and it's not. But that's only how I think. State your opinion...

Is it possible to protect everything that matters to you?

In my opinion, I dont think it's humanly possible to protect everything that matters to you. No matter how much you ay attention to it, no matter how hard you hold onto it. If it's meant to go, it'll go.

Let's say you have this ring that your mother gave you. It was your great grandmothers engagement ring, and she thought it'd be right to give it to you. You'd want to protect that. Do you really think you could? You could try resizing it if it doesn't fit you, you could put it in your pocket, you could put it on a necklace to put it around your neck, you could put it in a safety box. Even then, it's still hard to protect it.

Another scenario; Let's say one of your loved ones comes home one night, and has bruises all over her. Her hair looks like she just got in a fight with mud, her face looks like she got in a fight with a bear, and her clothes almost look non existant. She tells you that there's a guy that attacks her everynight, and laughs when he beats her up. You're wondering what you can do to protect her, but you're always busy with your work, that you could never keep a protective eye over her. What do you do? Do you take a night off and find out who the person is? Do you hire someone to take care of her? That means less money for you, also. If you don't have that kind of extra money, then you're pretty much hopeless.

Now, to tie in with the book I'm reading in English class; Catcher in the Rye...
Not many things pop up into my head right away, for anyone to protect. Ackley doesn't care about anything. Holden doesn't have anything to protect, except for himself. He's a hard character to find out. You'd think he'd want to keep his respect up for school. He does, but he more so doesn't. He wants to keep his respect for people, yet doesn't for most, especially Stradlater. As for Stradlater, well he's quite the character. He always thinks he's better than everyone else in everything. With dating, he pretty much is, according to Holden. He is attractive, good with words, and knows exactly what to say in certian situations. Can Stradlater always protect his self righteousness? Or will Holden rat him out to the girls and everyone else in his life, about how he acts in the dorm? Could Holden own up to doing such a thing? Who knows...

Merideth