My Reflective Essay

College Writing I: My Reflective Essay

During my College Writing I experience, I have learned much about writing as a tool for self expression. I have been exposed to the various principles and ethics of writing, and have a new-found interest in the written word. Moreover, I believe that I may have discovered within myself the ability to write on a serious level. My high school writing career was filled with wordy personal essays, poems and imaginative stories. However, as I have undertaken new, more challenging and purpose-driven writing assignments, I have discovered that I may have some ability to progress to the next level. In the past, I had always considered myself to be a good writer; but, I now realize that I had never really been tested.

My first “novel” discovery of College Writing, was the idea of blogging my thoughts. I learned that peer feedback is a great way to not only improve my writing, but also to expand my horizons and to progress in my appreciation for the opinions of others. It was thrilling when others found some meaningful idea in my blog. It was humbling to read negative responses to some of my writings. I soon realized that my moods were sometimes affecting my writing – a point that others were quick to recognize. Reading and digesting the thoughts of others enabled me to be more tolerant, even in matters that I might protest to the death.

One of the toughest challenges of College Writing I was the interview paper. The interview paper required a personal involvement – going far beyond the effortless internet search. It enabled me to grow in my ability to express my views to a diverse audience. The interview itself made it necessary for me to evaluate all the sources in my field work site. I was forced to reconsider my negative preconceptions and I realized that I myself had quite a narrow-minded view of skateboarders. The assignment entrusted me with the responsibility to objectively present the opinion of my interviewee while interpreting his words from my own perspective. I had to learn how to integrate secondary sources such as news articles into my writing while proving their relevance to the point of view of my interviewee: an actual skater. I was required to find interesting ways of reporting the facts, not merely writing a rambling, clichéd account of my research.

I greatly enjoyed the photo essay assignment because it enabled me to create a visual account of the realities of my subculture. It did not employ the standard conventions of writing; nevertheless, it was a compelling way to validate the storyline behind my subculture. Having been to so many concerts, regrettably, I had not taken a single picture. Though temporarily frustrated, I quickly discovered that I could express myself through the photos of others. In realizing the similarity of our experiences, it only confirmed to me the reality of the rock and roll subculture. It made evident the ability of a subculture to unite people of immeasurable diversity. I did not enjoy the photo essay merely because it required little writing; rather, I liked it because it allowed me to break free of the rigid rules that typically govern writing assignments. It enabled me to present visual evidence in support of the thoughts and opinions that I struggled to express in writing. Ultimately, the photo essay was a wonderful way for me to employ my creativity and to validate my written work.

The Multi-Genre Research Project was by far the most challenging of all the assignments. Although I did not have to pay as much attention to academic standards within the genres themselves, I was forced to expand my thinking and to generate new ideas to accommodate the deviations from the standard research paper format. The news article was probably the most difficult because I had to think like a professional journalist. Also quite challenging was becoming the character in the stream-of-consciousness genre. This project helped to strengthen my perspectives on gun-control because it empowered me to begin to think for myself rather than to blindly embrace my father’s opinions. I have discovered that I do very much agree with my father, but it is because the MGRP has led me to my own conclusions. This was literally the first time that a writing assignment has ever had such a profound impact on my point of view regarding such an important and controversial topic. In my comics I was able to use a fascinating methodology to prove my point; I was intrigued with the non-prescriptive, open-ended nature of the genre. I had to present both sides of the gun-control argument and it really permitted me to formulate a strong opinion on the debate.

College Writing I compelled me to address my grammar, endure constructive criticism, and consider diverse audiences of opposing views. With assignments like explorations and interviews, I had to explore fitting contexts, maintain formal procedures, and integrate my own schemes into my work – all the while considering my purpose. With assignments like the photo-essay and the MGRP, I had to go above and beyond customary writing standards, learn to use new programs and tools, and stretch my creativity. The course taught me the importance of communication with my professor. In high school I received an assignment and turned it in when it was finished; there was little feedback from peers or teachers, and little revision was required. In retrospect, I am pleased that that I did not have an easier Writing I class or a professor that expected only a minimal effort. I know now that no matter how arduous the task may seem, with the proper instruction, a resolute purpose, and strong motivation, I can complete any writing assignment. My experience in College Writing I was long, challenging and sometimes exhausting; however, such is the pathway to becoming an accomplished writer.

Finals Week

At this point I am pretty used to taking tests but I am not looking forward to my pysch final or my 7 ideas. I am pretty nervous about doing good on them because it will effect my grade in both classes; I am borderline A in psych and borderline B in 7 ideas. I am mostly stressed about my art final though. Crafting my final drawing and portfolio should take me a good while but time isn't on my side.
One thing is for sure, as soon as I am fiished with all of these final tests and projects, I am going to get some sleep, and go drink off my worries. I will probably play viedeo games and vegetate all day long on the last day of finals.
Last, I am really looking forward to break to see my family and enjoy a snowy Christmas. I am looking forward to getting back ino a normal sleep pattern for a month. I have been getting about 3-5 hours a night, sometimes as little as 2, so getting to sleep in is a dream for me. All in all, I'll just be happy to get this semester under my belt.

Where I'm at with my MGRP

I am not extremely far behind but I definately have much more research to compile. I am still missing my works cited, merely because I only have only three concrete sources at the present time. I wrote of more in my resaerch outline because of an e-mail that was sent to me by a friend of my father who replied to my question of finding good sources on gun control. I am returning home this weekend where I will pursue material from a pro-gun activist that I know from church. He said he would provide me with a few of the magazines that I need for my project and possibly a book. I also need to pick up my main book source from the library; I will be doing that tommorow.

As far as genres go, I have 7 in mind, and have already started working on 3 of them: a comic, the stream of consciousness passage, and of the dialogue (which is close to being finished). I plan to have my works cited and all of my genres completed by the day of my group meeting. However, I may not have a complete works cited untill after I return home this weekend so I am hopeful that my group won't mind meeting Monday. All inall, I am not far behind, but I have much resaerch to finish.

Thoughts on Revision of Rock My Network

The revision of the article by the author of "Rock My Network" definately changed my view a bit. I think that in the New York Times version, the author made it seem more like she had normal relationships outside of the net. She still kept her main points valid and she got her point across but she seemed more down to earth and this change allowed me to think of the author as a much more socially invloved person. Basically, the author did not portray herself as dependent on online networking, however, she still expressed her views on her dissappointment with real life social interaction.

When I chat online or check certain online networks, which I do very sparingly, I really feel no vivid emotional connections or intimacy. I am content with funny quotes and messages on facebook but the whole poke, slaps and giggle deal is just to much for me. Yea of coarse there is alot you can communicate with a person by typing because sometimes we can say things in texts and on paper that we would never say in person. However this is why I am much less of an online networker.

I don't like the faky, glittering generalities that pollute online networks. As humans, we can be so poetic with the words we write and yes, sometimes we can be very virtially intimate with others online. Still, this online Romeo and Juliet crap about half makes me sick; it is fine to type someone a text that you could easily utter while looking them in the eye but if you could not see yourself saying the words in person that you so often type to your onlne friends, you are just another fake-ass online addict.

Rock My Network

The first impression that I had of this essay was that it was boring and I was right. I do not the think the style of writing was very creative. I believe that the author got the point across, but even though it was a shorter essay, it was very drab in my point of view. Who the hell seriously cares that much about thier online life? I know it can be fun and somewhat addicting to chat online but you are limited in what you can do online. I also understand that my-space and facebook are useful in interacting with others and meeting new people but the author in this essay made it quite clear that she is uncomfortable meeting people face to face and that she has trouble enjoying herself and really connecting with others at social events. I guess it depends on your personality but I would much rather be there in person.

I can relate to her on one aspect; I agree that it is sometimes hard to learn about people at large social events because nobody wants to sit down and chill with just a few people when there are a hundred others to meet. I think that social parties are a little too impersonal for someone like the author. Still, if you want to meet people and learn about them, you have to be expressive and socially comfortable; obviously, the author is uncomfortable with his social status or he would not rely on cyber-friendships.

Personally, I have always had a yahoo name and I had an aim name once too but I have never truned down a party or social gathering to check my blog on my space. Seriously, I know that people chat online all day and night and the thought sickens me. You can't be real with a person online, nor can you develop any true firm relationships. There's enough sickos and complusive liars out there to fill a person's head full of bullshit. Yea it is good to talk with friends but going as far as Second Life, seems childish to me. I have pity for the people that spend Saturday night talking to people like Sweetlips_2009. The point is, there is a world of experience out there and we cannot live it virtually; we have to be there "firsthand!"

1. Isn't it kind of lame to scroll facebook all day in hopes of finding new friends with appealing pictures and funny pages?

2. Do some people rely on online networks to meet people because of self-esteem problems?

primetime you

I liked the imagery and the style of writing in this essay. It was a very unique style, but at times, I felt that there was just to much descrpitive information that did not relate back to the main point. However, it was easy to identify with the author about his views on the mainstream USA. It seems that much of the time, we find ourselves caught up in fads and the "cool" way to act or present ourselves to others. Not very many people are able to rid themselves of Cooley's Looking Glass Self (a concept in sociology where we see ourselves in the way that we think others percieve us).

Most poeple have felt that they have to keep up with technology by buying new cell phones, music devices, cars, household utilities (namely televisions) and so on. The author in Primetime You points out that advertisers target our gullible personalities to promote thier products and ideas. Everyone wants to wear the shoe that Lebron advertises even if its ugly and everyone wants to wear abercrombie colon even if its repulsive. The internet is perhaps the worst influence. Kids and people who are highly influenced by mass media can access basically anything and everything good and bad on the web. Still, trends are not all bad, they just tend to diminish the originality of an individual.

Not all media is negative, but the reality is that most advertisers do not consider the negativity that comes with their influences. However unacceptable it may be now days to ignore fads and social influences, the real douchebags are the poeple that look down on others for not being socially "up to date." So what if someone wears 70's style converse sneakers or trippy 60's hippy shirts. We don't all have to conform to the ripped jeans and fur coats of abercrombie. It is a matter of whether or not we can be ourselves. Still the truth is most of us have conformed to some mainstream trend.

1. Has the internet become a more negative influence than television?

2. Do young people rely too much on the mainstream fads that dominate our society?

My Artifact

I decided to use a website for me cultural artifact. The website is http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/skat10.shtml. I chose the site because it has an article from the Seattle Post-Inteligencer. The article is a reporting by Rebekah Denn of an annual event for skateboarers. The event invloves skaters of many different skill-levels. The diversity of the event gives it potential to reveal alot about the subculture.

The reporting of the event came from an un-biased source and it aids my interviewee's explanation of the subculture of skateboarding very well. The report corresponds especially well with the aspects of language, diversity, and unity within the subculture. The report surely lacks age discrimination completely; interviews came from people ages 13 to 28. I beleive that considering all these apects it is a good cultural artifact.

In Between Places

In her essay In between places, Mary Kate Frank, described the pain of returning home as an adult to live with your parents. It is common for people to move in with thier parents to "get back on their feet," but in Mary's case, it seems that her stay at "the nest" was prolonged, and quite unexplainable. Even in the shackles of debt, Mary made bad financial decisions and purchased things that just set her back further. Mary's tendancy to make these decisions was evidence that Mary was for some reason, not trying very hard to make it on her own. As much as Mary began to dread living at home, the comfort that her family provided her was something that she could not let go. Mary had no privacy, very little social life, and a complete lack of initiative. Even after Mary payed off the debt that she owed to her parents, there was an underlying force that was holding her back from stepping back out into the real world.

There were obviously key factors that led to Mary's return home. First of all and most obvious, her hasty financial decisions led her to debt. However, at one point in Mary's life, when she worked as a journalist, she was doing fine. Journalism brought much depression to Mary though; after a while, Mary could just not tolerate the harsh reality of the cruel world that she had to report. The world was just too overwhelming for Mary in general; she did not have the maturity to handle the harsh reality and truths of life on her own. Having her parents there to comfort herwas something that Mary could not give up once she returned home. Although she made no effort in her essay to speak of emotions between her and her parents, her need for thier affection and the "comfort zone" they provided were things that Mary did not want to imagine giving up.

I think that sometimes, home is the best place to be when times are tough. However, we cannot rely always on our parents because, as God intended, most of us will have our own families and have children of our own. Naturally, most of us will outlive our parents and it is our responsibility to learn to be strong and live on our own. A person that has everything handed to them by thier parents will never know what it is like to live a respectable life. I can understand that Mary was in dire need to return home, but she was also in need of motivation and strength to overcome the tribulations of daily life. The cruel reality of life is that it is a long hard rode, and sometimes we just have to walk it alone. Our parents "happy home" will not always be there for us to return to; not everyone has such a safety net to fall back on.

1. Is it possible that some adults develop a disorder that makes them believe they cannot survive away from home?

2. Would you be embarassed if you were forced to live at home for a while after school?
Would it make you feel like less of a man/woman?

The Waltz

This essay was extremely well written. I personally have had experience with OCD, just because I have researched it, written a paper on it, and seen a documentury on the lives of a few people with OCD. It is such a sad disorder. I cannot imagine having to deal with such illogical, trivial anxieties in a world that is packed full of problems and burdens to begin with. At first, I thought that Mary Beth had a rage problem, but as I read on, even before it was absolutely evident, I began to notice that she had symptoms of OCD.

I have often found myself in a state of immense worry but it is only because I worry about my family. Obsessive it may be, but I worry about my father dying young because of his stress level; his father died at a young age and I fear that my father would die unhappy. This is not too far-fetched because heart problems can be hereditary. I am a religious person and I believe that my father will go to heaven, but he has a long life ahead of him and I could not imagine losing him or my mother at this point in my life. I also worry about my sisters, Uncle, and the rest of my family in general. Through reading this essay, I realize that my worry, is only a tiny fraction of the worry that burdens a person with OCD. I used to think my father was a bit obsessive, but he was just worried like any normal parent; I know that Mary Beth has a true problem because of her testimony.

However, no matter how outrageous Mary Beth's condition seems, it is evident that when Mary Beth has to carry out every day activities, she is quite capeable of doing so. Of course her disorder has created some roadblocks, but if OCD had complete control of her life, she would not have written such a breathtaking essay. I loved her style and her descriptions made it easy to understand the burden of OCD. Her style allows the reader to take a walk in her shoes. Yes, OCD is a horrible disorder, but it has not limited Mary Beth in the real world and it may have been the disorder itself that sparked within her such a creative and unforgetable style. If it weren't for her disorder, she may have never touched her readers in the way she did, or even aspired to write period. Mary Beth's life is surely a differentiation from the norm, but so is her creativity and her passion; I will not soon forget her ability to express herself; it was absolutely amazing.

1. Is heavy medication really the best thing to treat OCD?

2. Wouldn't a therapist who has OCD themselves be the best person for an OCD patient to interact with? (there may be very few of these people, but I believe that to relate to another, personal experience is a key aspect)

My Thesis on my subculture

When considering skateboarding, it would be very easy to conform to the stereotypes that take over most people's views on skateboarding. There are usually more negative preconceptions about this particular genre. I have been working on my thesis but I have not yet crafted one that I believe is perfect. My thesis so far is the following: skateboarding is a subculture that has been condemned for its correlation with punk, grafitti, drug use and mayhem; the subculture is notorious for bringing together rebellious types of people but it tends to cast shared freedoms on its members that are rarely matched in traditional lifestyle.

My thesis surely needs some works and it is possibly a bit too long but as my paper develops, so will my thesis. I have many good ideas, I am just waiting for the right way to bring them all together into a sensible thesis and tie them into the purpose of my paper.

Freewrite - Wher I'm at on Interview

I have conducted my interview already and it was a very good experience. I tried to limit my biased opinions but I couldn't help that I clung to a stereotype or two. I was right to an extent about my positive preconceptions of the interviewee; my preconceptions about the skateboarding subculture's lingo and music preference was very close to reality. I asked my interviewee 9 questions but I focused on the five stongest open-ended questions.

I have been fooling around with paraphrasing, quotes, and summary notes for my paper. I have not began writing the paper because I have mainly just been taking notes and blotting down ideas as they come to mind. I have a few good ideas for my intro, and I may use a quote to begin my second paragraph because I have a very strong quote that I feel needs to be introduced early on.

I am having a little bit of trouble learning to cite my works in text and in my works cited but it is a tactic that obviously just takes some practice. I have my everyday writer so I should be fine. I am usually pretty good at putting togethor a paper when it is on a personal subject that I have experienced first-hand. I do better on these type of assignments than boring, factual accounts that do not truly involve my opinion based on "true" personal experience.

Reasoning for Interview

I first chose skateboarding as my new subculture because of an event that I witnissed. Yes, Skateboarding has been an interest of mine for a while but it was a certain event that has helped me to decide on this subculture. Early in the semester, I was walking near the fountain by the student center and I noticed a group of skateboarders jumping a small curb and laughing and having fun. As a tall fellow walked by the curb, one of the skateboarders "beefed" it on his board and landed in front of the tall fellow. It was an obvious accident but the tall fellow didn't seem to think so. The tall guy said "watch where yur going faggot!" I then heard the tall guy murmer something about skateboarders in general. It was obviously a subculture that he felt was a nuisance.

As I walked to class I thought to myself, why did he deserve to be called by such a harsh name. The poor kid was just trying to hav fun, he had no intent to bother the tall guy. I began to wonder about skateboarders and the public perception of them. Are they really revered by a large portion of society? Why should they be made fun of just because they use the boards to get around and not thier feet? I couldn't figure it out. When I found out we had to interview someone for an unfamiliar subculture, I immeidately knew my choice.

1. I tried to track down the kid who "beefed" it, but it was too hard. (campus is huge)

2. I kid in my dorm, Paul, is a skateboader, but because it is so easy to choose him to interview, I chose not to.

3. I chose to interview a kid I met while he was boarding: his name is Jarrod.

Red Spoon

When I read "A Red Spoon for the Nameless," the first thing that came to mind was it's correlation with the summer reading project: "The Namesake." The author's mother reminded me of Gogol's mother and her expectations of her son. Just like Gogol's mother, the author's mother wanted him to marry as soon as possible and start a fruitful life in the traditions of his ancestry. Although the author's mother hints to him in subtle ways of her plans and expectations for him, it is obvious that she is very firm and quite demanding.

I knew the author was a homosexual as soon as he mentioned the name Stephen with such importance. The man in the story hints that Stephen is important because he is worried about something is little as Stephen finding out that his mother cuts his hair. The author is a homosexual but his preference has led him to be lonely. He misses Stephen, but he has never had the key component of happiness in his life in general. He feels like an outcast; his lifestyle is far from what his mother hoped it would be. He feels that even though his mother does not know the truth, he has been a bad son. The author truly feels that he has failed and he feels empty because he cannot be honest with his own mother about himself.

When the author brought Stephen to dinner, Stephen was given the red spoon. This spoon is symbolic of his differences; the spoon is a mark of sin more or less. Although the author's parents do not confront him as a homosexual, they surely look at Stephen in disgust and it is obvious they wonder about thier own son. At the story's conclusion, the author sees himself ending up just like the man his mother spoke of who apparently wasn't a "real" man at all. The author eats dinner with his mother at the essay's end. Considering his failure and his choices that shame his family, he feels at that point that he deserves to use the red spoon. He ends the story at a point in his life where he is unable to find a true identity for himself.

1. Is it possible that the main character's conscience is the producer of his emptyness or is it more just his inability to find the right companion?

2. Is it possible that the main character's mother cut his ear out of frustration?

My New Subculture

I have chosen the "skateboarding" subculture. I chose this particular subculture because as I was growing up in a small town, I recognized alot of cliques and groups. I immersed myself in many of the subcultures: "partiers", "jocks", "artists", and "rockers." The fact is, although the skateboarding subculture has been around me my whole life, I never found out anything in particular about it. I knew that this group must have involved many rituals, standards and norms but I always just figured the group's members liked to skateboard; I did not analyze the subculture any further than that.

I know that skateboarding is a subculture because I did some research on the group. I found out that they are a very close-knit group (loyalty and belonging) and normally, the more talented skaters are looked up to and followed (leaders). I also found out that there are definately certain slang, gestures and rules for conduct. The dress code is important; you cannot be in a skateboard clique if you only dress in abercrombie sweaters and khakis. All of these factors together surely make up a subculture. I know that skateboarding is a subculture and I am looking forward to learning about the rituals, organization, and all other aspects of the subculture first-hand.

Sex and the Sickbed

I enjoyed this story because I liked how the author was so open with her situation. It was very sad how her lover "Neil" had Leukemia. I cannot even begin to understand being "in-love" with someone that you know will die at some point. It takes a very strong person to give thier heart to a person that they know will leave thier lives in a number of years or even days.

I cannot relate to being "in-love" with a cancer patient but my cousin who I love and am very close with, Sarah, had Leukemia when she was just a little girl. I can remember it vividly. We were watching her play softball one afternoon when she said her leg was bothering her. We soon found out it was Leukemia. With God's help and the help of therapy and doctors, in a few years, she overcame the sickness and she is now completely back to normal other than having to take a few medications.

I respect the author because of her bravery. She did not turn away from Neil or try to hid from the truth; she embraced his problem completely. It believe that her confrontation with Neil's illness made it much easier for her in the end. It seems strange that the author devoted her life to someone who had a terminal illness but it was obvious that she was in love and, as the author and Neil proved in this essay, love can conquer all.

1. Did the author made the right choice emotionally to be with Neil?

2. Did the fact that the author stayed with Neil through his sickness possibly give him strength to further fight his illness?

"reading bodies"

My neighbor is Cory. My first impression of Cory was that he was a sporty kind of guy; I saw that he wore a wrestling seatshirt and he was bigger(alot more muscular than me). I saw that cory had a cell phone so he must have alot of friends or atleast someone to talk to. He also had coughdrops, so he must get sick like everyone else; he actually had the same coughdrops as I had the week before, wonder if he feels like he got hit by a train like I did. Cory wears a lip ring so I figured he is either a "rocker," or he likes the look of it. I noticed that he made it to class almost every day so he must have some early morning "determination." That is all I know from just "observing" Cory, the guy beside me.

Thoughts on Rape Story

Cliche Rape Story took was a very vivid depiction of the horrible events that can happen when you trust the wrong person. The girl in this story put herself in a bad position. It is true that alot of guys have good intentions, but some people just cannot be trusted. This girl was completely powerless in avoiding her rape incident once it had progressed, but had she not first put herself in the position, she would have had no worry.

The girl did not really put herself in such a bad spot for the mere fact that she only asked for a ride. She did not indicate anything other than the need for a ride, but because of her drunkenness, she was succeptible to the forced sex. It happens way too often in America where we think things are "safe." Younger people rarely consider consequences or think pessimistically about a situation before they make a decision.

Rape is a horrible thing; no person should be forced into sexual activity of any kind against thier will. It is a crime that needs to be punished to the full extent. I feel that sometimes, rape victims are too scared to reveal the truth. The truth is though, nothing will protect a true rapist from thier deserving penalty if they are exposed. Even scared victims can confide in the fact that the person will truly get what they deserve if the truth comes out. It is sad how an event like rape can effect a person; it is usually a permanent effect that can traumatize a person for life. It cannot be looked past or brushed aside; rapists are disgusting human beings.

1. Why is it that rape victims tend to feel that they are someone different after the incident? I know it is a horrible situation, but it does not change a person's identity.

2. Why do friends tend to forget about or leave those with them who cannot drink alot, or tend to make bad choices by themselves? A true friend always watches your back.

Interesting subcultures

A few subcultures that have always interested me are "extreme sporters," and "Americans who speak multiple languages." I have always been interested in these two subcultures for the reason that I may possibilly have the ability within me to become a part of one, or even both.

First of all, I happen to suck at skateboarding, snowboarding, and roller-blading. Although I took lessons and actually rode a wave into shore, I suck at surfing as well. For some reason I feel that somewhere deep down I have the potential to atleast get better at some of these venues and possibly someday, incorporate them into my free-time activites. In my leisure time I enjoy hiking, Basketball, football, and swimming; I have never really done any extreme sports other than biking. Actually, I just recently learned to "bunny hop" even though it took me about 7 or 8 years to finally man up and try it again. All in all, I might have been born to be more of a general sporty kind of guy; at any rate, I atleast want to learn to snowboard (it doesn't hurt as bad when you beef it on the snow).

Speaking multiple languages is something I have also always been interested in. Having been to Jamaica, and California (an area with tons of Bilenguals), I was inspired to become a speaker of atleast one other language. But I want to be fluent in another language. I did take two years of Spanish but I am quite limited to introducing myself, where I am from, and an obscenity or two. I am curious as to how some Americans can so easily adopt multiple languages. I would not consider myself jealous, but I am definately intrigued by these people. In conclusion, I simply want to be able to speak inteligently in atleast one other language. That is a subculture that I am looking forward to becoming a part of (if I only had the time).

Reflection on self-confession in essays

When I confess my true personal experiences in an essay it is always an original product of my mind. My thoughts, experiences, and feelings easily flow onto the paper and I can confide in the strength of my true writings. It is sometimes hard for me to write an interesting paper when I am merely splurging facts about others. I do not like to write a paper that is merely a historical or factual account of something or someone other than myself. It is not hard to write about another if I can organize my thoughts on a personal level; if I know someone from real-world experience, I have the potential to write a good paper about them.

I think that truthful self-expression is vital to a readable paper. Papers with "endless facts" can be mind numbing; it is important to grab the reader or listener's attention in the intro and there is no better way to do so than by using an original, thought provoking intro. I think that my self-confession made my essay more readable, and definately reliable. It is hard to identify with someone when they are reading a paper that they themselves cannot even relate to.

Self-expression definately affected my essay and my ability to let the words flow from my mouth. I wrote my rough draft in an hour and before I knew it, my 500 word assingnment was 1000 words. Of course I shortened it but there was so much that a dreaded removing from the paper. It is always easy to write a paper when the words are flowing from your heart and not from some website or text book. After all, what could be better for me to express than my own experiences and feelings?

E-House

My buddy's name also happens to be named Eric. We call him E-House. He is no taller than me but he walks like he is ten feet tall. Long curly hair, mustache and beard and very outgoing. He drinks like a fish and he's built like a bear. Runs mosh pits like he owns them. Often incoherent, he's always making things interesting. He looks like a young Willie Nelson but he doesn't really smoke pot. He acts like a kid when he is high. He carries a beer bong that holds half a case. Bongdre the Giant; it is his pride and joy. You will never lag behind at a concert if he's with you. Always in high spirits, even after regurgitating he's right back in the pit. His arrogance somtimes reminds me of that of a pro wrestler. He may sound like a prick, but he's never been malicious. He might knock you into the dirt, but it's all in fun. I'll never walk through a mosh pit without my buddy E-House.

Ideas on the tricycle

In the tricycle, Rachel Kempf paints a very detailed picture of the effects that college had on her life. She thinks of herself as a third wheel because her two best friends are homosexuals. It is not strange for her two best friends to be gay; many times sexual preference has nothing to do with friendships. Rachel, Eric, and Christian all enjoy smoking weed, listening to music all night long, talking about trivial nonsense, and acting like children. Sometimes, people are drawn together because they are so similar and yet, deep down, thier lives may be very different. Rachel loves her life with Eric, Christian and even Meredith somewhat, but she knows that these friendships will fade at some point.

Rachel hates comfronting the fact that her life will ultimately change. She is not happy with her life outside her friendships; she wishes she could live life in the "tricycle" forever. Rachel symbolically confronts this eventual seperation when she comes to terms with the fact that Eric, Christian and she obviously cannot all fit on one bed (although she had the idea of them all sleeping on it together). This symbolizes that Rachel understands at some point, she will have to leave her life with Eric and Christian. The three friends feel at home together as they share cigerrettes, have snowball fights and hang together late into the night, but Eric and Christian do not see the seperation in thier future like Rachel. It is hard for Rachel to imagine growing up because she feels complete fullfillment when she is having fun with her friends. It is almost like the three are an actual couple (a relationship that Rachel finds far more fullfilling than her realationship with her boyfriend). Rachel is not thinking of a job, marriage or kids; she just wants to stay young and stay in her comfort zone.



I can identify with Rachel in many ways. Of course I don't have a gay couple as best friends but I know what it is like to leave a world so comfortable. I sometimes wish I could be right back In my hometown sharing laughs with my best friends. From time to time we get to see eachother but we used to be so comfortable knowing we could meet up every night and it is hard for me to cope with the fact that I have to grow up. I can't be the kid with no responsibility anymore; I know that I have to start over somewhere else. I will never forget the times we had; no matter how far away we are, I can still remember those nights. Rachel can see change near, she would just rather not accept it. As people we all must leave our comfort zones at some point and I now know that it is true: you never realize how great something is untill it has faded away.

Freewrite on miss teen USA

I do believe that this clip of the "ditsy" pageant contestant is a decent representation of a large percentage of American teens. It is obvious that this particular girl had little education; She must have paid more attention to boys than books in high school. It is a stereotype to say that all blonds in the U.S. are ditsy like this but it is true that a large percentage of "beautiful girls" are the ones that are educated the least. If someone were to see these video a hundred years from now, they would surely think that the American race was uneducated.

However, I would not consider this a cultural artifact because most Americans are educated and this particular video would make one think otherwise. As teens, we in America definately have alot to learn but we are not dumb. If anything, the youth of today are smarter than ever. More kids are going to college with the incentive to learn and break free of ignorant stereotypes.

Thoughts on Live Nude Girl

Live Nude Girl is surely an "in your Face" type of essay. From the very beginning of the essay, the graphic straightforward nature of Kathleen Rooney's persona is easily detected. She seems quite arrogant and conceited at first, but as the essay progresses it is easy for one to understand that she is merely proud of her career and the body with which she was blessed. This essay however may have turned away some readers due to the graphic nature of the intro. It is obvious that this type of essay is meant for people that like the "nitty-gritty truth." It is surely oriented toward younger audiences merely because younger audiences tend to accept this type of gritty content. I think that Kathleen could have toned down her essay in order to draw in a more diverse crowd such as: types of people who are turned off by profanity, senior citizens who are not used to such content, and younger students who are not mature enough for the content. At any rate, Kathleen showed that she is surely not afraid to show her "wild side" and in a profession such as hers, there is little room for "sugar-coating." Kathleen has certainly sparked in my more of an incentive to be truthful with myself and those who will be reading my essays and papers.

Subcultures - Rough Draft

I returned to my house stumbling and shirtless at 3:30 in the morning. I was already feeling the affects of the hangover soon to come. I was not worried about my sweaty hair or my dirt streaked jean shorts. My elbows were cut, my face was scraped, and my bones were bruised. I was still a little high, my head was ringing, and I could easily spot the bits of vomit on my mud-caked Nikes. I reached into my pocket and pulled out seventy dollars less than I began the day with along with a ticket for a disorderly conduct that conveniently ended in an out of state fee of 400 dollars. I popped a few Aspirin, brushed my teeth, layed down on my bed and imagined myself back in the middle of the mosh pit. The concert kicked my ass, and I loved every minute of it.

A subculture is a unified group that is distinguished from the norm through the behaviors of its members, values of the group, or certain group outlines or patterns. Today one can come across a number of subcultures in the college or high school environment. There are the jocks, emo kids, skaters, religious groups, rednecks, ravers, hippies and the in-crowd (popular or beautiful people). The list is never ending and although subcultures play a huge position in defining our personalities, many people do not even acknowledge their role in a subculture because it is somewhat of a conformist term. Still, many people are involved in groups that by definition are true subcultures. Something as trite as being a vegetarian or going bald can easily be a subculture. Nearly everybody has at some point crossed paths with a group whose norms, values, mores or traditions make them unique and regardless of whether or not it is openly described or viewed as a subculture, even the most miniscule of these kind of groups can hold this title. I have come across many different subcultures but the one that has effected me most profoundly is the concert atmosphere(rock and metal).

Personally, I have been involved in quite a few different subcultures including the “in-crowd”, “partiers” and “art-lovers.” I have maintained my involvement in these types of crowds but over the years I have immersed myself in the dominant subculture of the rock concert atmosphere. I use the word “rock” because it interprets a broad range of music: classic rock, alternative, punk, mainstream, and heavy-metal. Even as a youngster although I had only been to one concert (Weird Al Yankovic), I dreamt of crowd surfing through a mosh pit at a Metallica concert. Ever since my first “true” concert experience three years ago, I have come to truly admire the crowd that this atmosphere draws, the freedom it reveres, and the bands that make it all possible. Music has always calmed my nerves and given me a sense of freedom but just listening to a cd can no longer satisfy my passion.

The concert atmosphere is not a place for people who are afraid to express themselves. In fact, made popular by early rock concerts such as Woodstock and Ozzfest, self-expression is imperative for a concert is the main component of these events. Woodstock of coarse was in response to the ongoing conflicts in Vietnam. The crowd that was drawn was mostly the hippie crowd who were anti-war activists. Artists such as Richie Haven, Jimi Hendrix, the Who, and Janis Joplin all made their “poetry” in protest of the war. Of coarse there was support for our troops but the event itself was an attempt to counter all of the death, destruction, pain and heartache with the exuberances of peace, beauty, freedom and love. This ever-growing group of “lovers” used marijuana and acid-induced highs to feel exercise their freedom and speak out against violence. These people were criticized and belittled for their ways but the subculture itself was created from the inspiration of a long line of singers and artists who relied on drugs to “escape” reality and the ever-decaying world around them.

In order to blend with the crowd in the rock atmosphere, one must understand that even today, most bands are speaking out in efforts to argue against our own government. Extremely successful bands such as System of a Down, Disturbed, Tool, and Rage Against the Machine are to this day protesting the war and they aim to expose corrupt governments, police forces, the FCC, and other government institutions. Because of the purpose of many of these bands, there quite are a large number of anarchists that attend the events. Still, even people who are not totally against government but instead those who feel demeaned by Uncle Sam use these concerts as a way to fight back and preserve our freedom of speech, life, and our ability to rise against authority. These people want to believe that the America can resist rapid change (anarchy/chaos), by speaking out against corrupt government policy and decisions. To make a long, complicated story short, it is not always just people lining up to do drugs, drink and hear loud music; there are those chosen few who are there to aid the ongoing rise against the corrupt world around them.

There are also groups of people who do follow concerts just because of their love for music, and the freedom to break the law. Some people are attracted by the large amount of freedom and the little amount of authority found at these events. Most people come dressed in ripped jeans, dark band t-shirts, piercing, and tattoos. Concerts have the unique ability of pulling together many subcultures and combining them into one. A rock concert is the only place that you can find preppies, emo kids, punk rockers, druggies, hippies and even rednecks. Even though there are constantly fights breaking out (you have to pay attention to where you are moshing and who isn’t a part of the “pit”), it is quite an easy place to blend no matter what your culture may be. People are not discriminatory of your beliefs, attitudes and values; as long as you are there to rock, you will find no problems with those around you. The rock atmosphere draws the crazed, drug- stimulated youth that live for the moment to show that they are not afraid to rise against authority and live a life of endless freedoms.

Not all people that attend these events are “Godless”; I myself have attended nearly 10 concerts and I am a Christian. However the majority of the people in this subculture are worried about seizing the day and having a good time while they can. These people are not questioning the afterlife; they are not considering anything other than the carefree life that they obtain. The rock atmosphere can make a person feel ten years younger. I am only nineteen but the mosh pit made me feel similar to how I did as a kid jumping on the bed or the trampoline. It is this vigor of youth that the concert atmosphere preserves so well and that is why the age range is so wide. There are teenagers that try to feel older and live the true “rock life,” and there are middle-aged people that want to scream, mosh, and maintain and let loose their inner child. This wide range of age is a clear indicator behind the fact that there is little discrimination and much tolerance and acceptance.

Music itself is surely a subculture. It seems that we listen to music on the way to work and school; sometimes during both; and very much in our free time as well. It is the mellow run of rhythm and creative flow of melody that can enliven our moods and brighten our spirit. There’s nothing like turning on the radio and hearing your favorite song or tuning in your ipod to just the right tune for the moment. However, in my opinion, it is nearly impossible to match the sheer vivacity and unmatchable feeling that you get from hearing your favorite music live. The words do not change, nor do the melodies; it is the utter essence of the live music that consumes us and sends chills down our spine. Not only can you hear the music, one can almost literally feel the emotion and love of the song. Our sprits elevate, and our worries of life are demolished away by the rhythmic vibes and sheer spirit of the sounds.

We enter the concert with the weight of our dreary lives on our back but we leave fulfilled and we feel the presence of Carpe Diem creep up our backs. One may think to themselves; what could have made this day any better? An easy analogy is this: Consider the entire subculture of music along with all of its mores, folkways, beliefs, traditions and values. Now think of it as an orange and consider that the concert experience is the juicer for music. One cannot see the root of the subculture of music come full swing until they have drank the juice. As far as I’m concerned, there is no other way to obtain such a great satisfaction than go and witness it firsthand.

So, all in all, in a roundabout way, the music subculture and the concert atmosphere can be easily blended into a single unit. Some people enjoy being alone while listening to their favorite music but I love being around others who love it for the same reasons I do. It is not just merely an event to promote drugs, violence and deviant behaviors; concerts are a sanctuary for all types of people (many of whom would normally not be associated with one another). Concerts tend to unite us into a single unit whose sole purpose is to enjoy the essence of being free and this freedom comes absent of the disapproval or nonconsensual attitudes of others. In the concert subculture, there is zero tolerance for intolerance; and freedom is a virtue that is pressed to its very limits. It is possibly the most diverse subculture of its kind, because of its extraordinary ability to merge so many differing subcultures into one place at one time. There is no room for discrimination, especially based on a person's looks but there is plenty of room to rock out all night.

Intro to my subculture

I returned to my house stumbling and shirtless at 3:30 in the morning. I was already feeling the affects of the hangover soon to come. My elbows were cut, my face was scraped, and my bones were bruised. I was still a little high, my head was ringing, and I could easily spot the bits of vomit on my mud-caked Nikes. I reached into my pocket and pulled out seventy dollars less than I began the day with along with a ticket for a disorderly conduct that conveniently ended in an out of state fee of 400 dollars. I popped a few Aspirin, brushed my teeth, layed down on my bed and imagined myself back in the middle of the mosh pit. The concert kicked my ass, and I loved every minute of it.

Formation of Subcultures

Probably the most attractive aspect of the rock and roll or "concert" subculture is the availabilty of creating a new identity. Nobody cares if you are a teacher, office worker, or mailman; generally people just want to get lit and have fun. It is quite easy to forget about the dreary reality of your workplace identity and establish within yourself a new person in the form of a "rocker." However when entering an atmosphere of this proportion, one must know what to expect. At the least, one must be prepared for spontaneous fights, insane mosh pits, drunken groupies, drug-loving teens, and flat out "ass ripping" metal. Nearly every concert atmosphere revolves loosely around these things; of course there will not be drunken fights or insane mosh pits at a Bob Dillon concert, but there will surely be drugs, alcohol, and an atmosphere where most laws seem to be disregarded. It is not that concerts are really dangerous, but the shock of this free for all atmosphere can be quite extreme. To sum it all up, dress down, and hold on!

My Subcultures

If I had to define subculture, I would consider it any venue in which a person or group of people can openly display thier true behaviors and it usually defines a person's true personality. A teacher who maintains a serious attitude throughout the day may go home at night and become a part of the thriving "clubbing" subculture. Not everybody is as open about their personal subculture as an "obvious goth," "skater boy," or "drunken phrat boy." Sometimes poeple hold a subculture deep within their persona and they may be comfortable with this hidden alternative to their normal lives.
I myself am a part of quite a few subcultures. First of all, I am a part of the artist's subculture. In my spare time I find myself immersed in the vast world of art: art magazines, art exhibits, art programs, and personal projects (paintings, drawings, and poetry). It is the aesthetics of art and the feeling of the completion of an "original work" that has pulled me into the vast subculture of art.
Although art is easily my first choice in my spare time, the modern music subculture has reeled me in as well. In my short "concert life," I have attended nearly 10 concerts. Just this past summer I attended three of the biggest concerts in Ohio and Pittsburgh. All three concerts were a blend of punk rock, heavy metal and alternative jams. I found myself knee deep in muddy mosh pits crammed into the drug-loving, beer drinking circles of true rock fans. It is a place that I can let myself go and breath in the fresh scent of the concert atmosphere (well, the scent might have been all the weed). But drug-lover or not, the rock atmosphere is a place that even the tightest wound people can "let it all go." Personal expression to this extent cannot be satisfied or exercised in too many places. I consider concerts a sanctuary for the subculture of all people; rich or poor, short or tall, stoned or sober. The only similarity between the vast amount of differing groups, ethnicities, and origins is that in the concert subculture, no one is afraid to be their "true self."

My Life

My Name is Thomas Atkinson. I am from a tiny little town in southeast Ohio called Barnesville. We are known for our king pumpkins and our Appalachian hilljack accents. I love the outdoors, hiking, swimming, fishing, and taking long rides till I find myself lost on dusty countryside roads. I am also a huge fan of football and basketball; Cleveland all the way baby! I love listening to rap and rock but I also enjoy playing guitar and singing.

I grew up going to church, and since I was old enough to truly understand it, I have taken it much more seriously. I am far from a saint; I would consider myself a hypocrite to pose as this, but I care about others and generally, I live my life as a model Christian person. I often think of my parents before a make a decision; I try to honor them because they deserve my respect. I think a little partying is fine if it is sensible but I lost my best friend in an alcohol related crash so I am the first person to try to prevent drunk driving.

However, above any other, art is my indulgence. My major is Art Education which is very appropriate because I have been drawing since I was four years old. I will be an artist as long as my hands will allow me. I have painted and drawn many works that now hang in various households in and around my hometown. It is the greatest feeling for me to know that my works hang in these houses and although I have never been to see them where they have settled, I will always feel great knowing that a picture of mine has captured the gaze of another.

In general, I am an artsy, sporty, laid back kind of guy. I agree firmly with Carpe Diem, I do think that as people in control of our own destiny, we should seize the day. I am open to many opinions, I love meeting new people and even if I don’t agree with something, I am rarely offended. I am single, talkative, chilled out, and always ready to meet new people. Honestly, if you can’t get along with someone like me, you must be having a pretty bad day.