Week 14 Essay: It's the End of the World (As We Know It)

This is the last essay I have to write for this class. The end of the semester, just about. What should I write about? I already spent a lot of time on the reading units, I feel like I have dived a bit too deeply into my personal life and writing history, and I have doted greatly on my favorite authors and works. In fact, I think I'm a little burned out on all of that. I have a friend of mine who is an author, and he has a book out that actually (sort of) pertains to the class. It's called The Revenge of Remus, and it takes the mythology of the beginnings of Rome (with Romulus and Remus, obviously, from the title) as well as every teenage girl's love for werewolves (just kidding, the book is actually dedicated to everyone who hates Twilight), and turns it into a adventurous horror story.

I realize I am shamelessly advertising for a friend of mine in this essay, but I really think it is important to support a local anything, and writers, in general. It's a shame that books are a dying form of entertainment and what books are still coming out are appealing to a market that puts books on an electronic device. I don't necessarily expect anyone to jump up and say, "I want a copy of your friend's book!", but I do hope every single person in this class looks to local artists, musicians, writers, and whatever else for a lot of their entertainment. I think that the reason it is difficult for writers and the like to make a decent living these days is because they don't get our financial and verbal support, and it's a real shame.

Anyway, I hope everyone enjoys the remainder of their semester and has a great winter break. If any of you are actually interested, my friend's name is Micah Black, and I would be more than happy to give you a copy of his book, just on the promise that you will read it and the fact that you would have to meet with me somewhere on campus.

Marketing Strategy

Week 14 Storytelling: Ignorance is Becoming

John had a dream. It wasn't an extravagant dream by any means. He just wanted to be a fighter - a respectable fighter. He trained constantly, but he never felt like he was improving. Maybe it was because at the end of each day he would go pick up some Five Guys, pop open a Dr. Pepper, and sit on his couch and watch The Walking Dead. He drank water while he trained, he ate right while he trained, and he disciplined himself...while he trained. When he got home, however, all bets were off. What did he care, though? He was happy like this. Or lonely. He honestly couldn't tell the difference in some instances.

Float Like a Butterfly, Sting Like a Bee

He had a big fight coming up and he really did need to start getting himself prepared in more than just the ring, but he didn't like the thought of it. He went into practice one day and stepped right up to the punching bag. He could hit alright, and he had an adequate speed to his rhythm, but he definitely did not pack the punch he needed nor did he have the stamina to keep up with his nearing opponent. He let his frustrations out on the bag, but was soon too tired to do much of anything for awhile. He went to the nearest bench and sat. His trainer walked over.

"What'ta ya doin' ova hea, John?"

"Oh, hey, Mick. I dunno. I'm just tired."

"Ya tiahed 'cuz ya weak! Ya need ta get out dere 'n get ta woik!" Mick stormed off.

John didn't like to talk to Mick. He was rather condescending. If John could just show his skill in the ring to Mick, then Mick would apologize for how rude he was to John...but that would mean that John would have to work and try really hard, and that didn't sound very enjoyable. He brushed it off and went home, though he didn't have any particular reason to do so. It was the same story as every other night. He recalled something a shady-looking man had said to him on his walk home: "A lotta peoples are countin' on you." He had handed John a little bottle and syringe.

John woke up the next afternoon and got ready for his fight. He trained a little bit but didn't want to get too tired. He thumbed around in his pocket for a minute and found the steroids the creepy guy gave him. He thought he might as well - a lot was riding on this fight, after all. As he walked into the arena, he felt his legs move slower and drag like lead was holding them down. His arms were becoming difficult to hold up. Everything hurt and spun. John fell to the floor, spazzing.

Author's Note
I took my story from The Emperor's New Clothes. Obviously, my take on the story is much different, but I think basic theme conveyed still stays intact. The idea that arrogance and ignorance make a bad combination is universal.

Week 14 Reading Diary: Hans Christian Andersen

I'll be honest, I know little to nothing in regards to Hans Christian Andersen. I have never actually read any of his works. The limited knowledge I do have is from watching Disney's adaptation of The Little Mermaid. Rather sad, isn't it? Well, regardless of where I receive my knowledge, it has definitely sparked an interest in reading this unit, so I say we should begin.

I've actually read the Princess and the Pea before, and it has always been an interesting story, maybe, but a really boring one as well. I have never liked that story for whatever reason. In fact, I've also read The Emperor's New Suit before, and that is a story that I really do enjoy. I think it is so funny when he ends up naked. A great lesson learned, as it were. The Brave Tin Soldier is also familiar, but barely. I do not know much about this story, nor do I particularly care for it as I read it. The other two stories in this half are also foreign to me, but they are kind of enjoyable to read.

Now, onto the Little Mermaid. It is quite different from the Disney film I grew up watching. How so? Well, first and foremost, there is no Jamaican singing crab, which is incredibly unfortunate. However, a lot more of the story stayed in tact, which was rather surprising. The greatest change I can think of is the ending. It ends quite a bit more cheerfully in the Disney version. Obviously, I can understand why they did that to the story. I mean, what will appeal more to kids - true love, or suicide?

All in all, a very good unit. It was a nice last week of reading and a good way to go out. We'll see what I do for my story retelling, but for the time being, it is nice to look over the unit as a whole and enjoy what I have read. I might have to go back and read through some of the stories again, just because I have the time and opportunity to.