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.