Bloopers: "Macbeth Movie Trailer"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0DtMxM5LI_k

Literary Devices: Running with Scissors by Augusten Burroughs

Simile
"I never sweated and this made me feel like a girl."
Pg. 260


Symbol
"At least I didn't have to suck on his penis."
Pg. 163


Metaphor
"Probably because he is such a weak and pathetic person."
Pg. 163


Soliloquy
"Now I'm worried that my anger will kill me.... The one thing I did learn tonight though, is that Queen Helen's Cholesterol is more than just a hair conditioner."
Pg. 164


Motif
"It's another thing about Being Gay that I don't like."
Pg. 163


Consonance
"...looping them through  the buttonholes..."
Pg.92 


Allusion
"The IRS was becoming more threatening in their move to claim the house...."
Pg. 164


Hyperbole
"You're like an animal, tearing your flesh off."
Pg. 215


Assonance
"...taking a final..."
Pg. 215


Metonymy
"You know, from living this really sheltered, traditional life."
Pg. 219

“Morality is the best of all devices for leading mankind by the nose” - F. Nietzsche

Did you decide to wake up this morning to shovel the snow? Or did you just sleep in thinking that someone else will get it done? How about eating breakfast this morning? You could've easily just slept in to eat brunch. All of these decisions we make in life are guided by personal morals. Morals have been established by our very first homo sapiens and continuously revolutionized to better fit our technology advancements and needs in society. Without morals guiding our lives, any day can descend into chaos for individuals which on a greater scale of the billions of people living on the earth, societal chaos. This manner in which we behave are innate to humans as well as being learned and influenced as we mature. The decision simply whether or not to open our eyes at birth was never taught to us, it's how we behaved at birth. Many may argue that everything that we now understand was taught to us as we mentally develop. That may be true such as how we were taught to brush our teeth but the decision whether or not to brush your teeth is solely dependent on the person. Our morals tell us generally that all humans should have a clean appearance which would then affect our decision to brush our teeth. But as humans currently understand, a lot of our morals are indeed learned through human influence. An example would be whether or not it's right to smoke. No person is destined to smoke at birth. It is when we learn how smoke can harm your body which we then decide if we should still smoke or not. Majority of people will oppose that morals are innate to humans but it is only when we think about each of our actions, even as simple as brushing our teeth, can be traced back moral to moral till we see being clean as a moral factor to our decision. 

"The only thing we have to fear is fear it' self..." - F.D. Roosevelt

       Fear comes in many different forms. It may be as simple as fearing a physical object or person to the most commonly feared forces. Causes of one’s fears are harder to spot. From my experience I would say that most fears are adopted through influence. When our friends are afraid of specific things, we’re drawn in towards their fear as we also try to determine why they’re afraid. During that process, only the inadequate features are brought up which causes us to “learn” that there are many reasons to be scared.

       The most petrifying fear I have is towards dogs. Whether they’re tiny puppies or giant bulldogs, I fear them equally as much. It’s very rare that someone would be afraid of puppies yet that’s where my fear originated from. My friend use to own a newborn puppy and everyday I would be over at his house to play games. His puppy never really bothered me until one day I stood up from the couch and it began to walk around and in between my legs then without a warning, it pounced up to my groin and as any typical male would feel, the sensation of “getting sacked”.  I was then enemies with ‘a man’s best friend’. Since then my friend would have to lock up his puppy in his washroom each time I went over. I cannot recall any specific situations where my fear of dogs held me back but looking forward into the future; it would be quite irritating if my family should decide to own a dog. I don’t think I’ll ever come to peace with dogs ever again in my life time.

          From my experience, I can in the conclusion that not all people fear the same things but a general consensus should show that a lot of people share common fears such as the fear of insects and bugs as well as losing and the engagement of competition. People tag onto these fears as society generally sees them as if they’re created to scare. 

Running with Scissors: A Parallel Universe

Many quotes and excerpts from this memoir, Running with Scissors, suggests a very abnormal lifestyle. There is quite a bit of anger in this memoir, but the anger used here creates irony. Psychiatrist, Dr. Finch, is in some ways provoking the anger and allowing it to continue rather than trying to help Augusten's mother fix her relationship problems with her husband.

The reader receives a very different point of view on young people in this memoir. It would be considered shameful if such acts were presented in our community:  "[In] kindergarten....the kids hated me, calling me names like freak and faggot"(pg.54). Such quotes contaminates our view of their society. When there are kindergarten aged children calling each other names in an offensive manner, then it's not hard to imagine how the adults must be acting as well. Most of the adults are self-centered within their group of adults. They allow their children to do whatever they desire such as having sex as well as smoking at a very young age.

Most of the characters have the same personality. They all think in the same way and even the professionals are not doing their job in correcting the misguided persons' thoughts. "'Doctor, if being a bitch is healthy, then I am the healthiest damn woman on the face of the earth'"(pg.31), this quote shows how Dr. Finch is allowing Deirdre to continue to think that her ways of life are appropriate. But as the reader, I know for a fact that those ways are extremely incorrect and will only worsen any given situation.

Lastly, scenarios occur abruptly and without reason: "I couldn't help but think, This car is taking me to a mental hospital and my mother is treating it like open-mic night at a Greenwich Village cafe"(pg.127). There isn't much reasoning for why Augusten is taking to a mental hospital and it's ironic because it's obvious from the start that her mother is the insane one who needs treatment. But instead, Augusten is being taken there by Dr. Finch.

Overall, this memoir creates a realistic parallel universe to ours. Commonsense in our community is in major contrast compared to their ideals. All of these quotes ties together a very vivid picture of how our society of common people are different from their's.

CH-CH-CH3K M3 0UT

thi5 kdna tlk is prtty riddiculouss dunt yo uthnk? HAO BOUT DIS EHEHHEAHEHAHHAHA! =D ALCAPS NOT MST CMFORTABEL WY 2 RD OF YUR FELLO CLASMATES ASSIGN. R LETERAL TXT. LOLS. actuli its nawt fwnny. ;)

          Now that I've made my point, I have to admit that sometimes I do express myself that way on MSN and it's much easier to do so. Fortunately most people can still follow along, it's not that bad of a habit of mine. But the main difference between MSN and a formal or even just a standard text is that social online speech can be viewed as "thought dropping" where you can continuously type what's on your mind without having to think about structure. At any given time that one cannot think of what to say they can easily input "umm..." or "uhh...".

          I personally take both point of views, that it should be something that's monitored and that it's just a natural evolution of language. To determine whether or not someone should be monitored or not is relatively simple. If one is able to control their language use to formal for all formal matter, then that person will be able to walk into a better future. On the other hand, those who struggle include the necessities of a formal text should be given guidance. Language is an extremely powerful system used throughout life for jobs and education, it does not "come and go" like slang which changes every decade. Ultimately it's one's choice to decide whether or not he/she yearns for a brighter future. They will come back to regret their decision of not taking a simple language seriously which could possibly land them in Grade 13, online-school or even night-school.

          In support of my natural evolution of language point of view, I believe this type of shift can possibly mark a state of human advancement. No one nor group can prevent a change in the English language. (Sorry Mr. President Obama. "No, we can't"). The evolution of language in general does positively affect some groups of human whom are not as popular, such as sign language for the mute. An upcoming evolution can probably provide a better means of communication for the muted and visually impaired. Furthermore, as we've discussed in class that improper language changes by generation. As a class we we're reminded that slang from the early 1900s does not exist today. When our generation controls the world, there will be new form of computer language revolutionized by our children, most-likely in ways we never thought would exist. 

Running with Scissors: Augusten Revealed

               Running with Scissors, by Augusten Burroughs whom is also the main protagonist of this memoir wrote this dating back to her memories of when she was a child with an insane mother and a "care for nothing" father. My very first impression of Augusten was that I can specifically say she is a mama's girl: "I don't want her to go. My umbilical cord is still attached and she's pulling at it" (pg.2). For a child about to enter their adolescence years nowadays, she would be seen as a very immature individual. Augusten continuously looks up to her mother's style of fashion of a glamorous perfection trend. For example, "she takes two pads from the box...[and] she peels the paper strip off...the pads and slides it through the neck of her dress" (pg. 3) which shows the effort she strives towards for perfection.  Alone, Augusten is quite an imaginative little girl. She "[switches] the spotlights on in the  living room" and she "[runs] from the wall and stand in the spotlight" imitating a real fashion show catwalk as she imagines her mother in particular doing the same (pg. 7). Even though I instantly concluded that she's immature, I cannot say that she's not relatable and real to some people I know. Not everyone mentally develops at the same rate which leaves some youths, like Augusten, behind in our norm. Personally I'm able to relate to her family of flaws. I hardly get to see my Dad as his work hours are constantly varied and would only come home just to sleep. I can sense that Augusten has a hidden sympathetic side of her which is not directly revealed. Her actions of knowing that she must let her mom leave when she really doesn't want to shows her sympathy:"I smile back at her [as she leaves]. I don't want her to leave." (pg. 5). Augusten is indeed a likable individual, understanding that she is a family of non-fulfillment. I do not expect anymore than what she is from the reading I've completed so far. There really isn't anything to dislike about her under  these conditions. My standards of acceptance is based on sense of will, to not be afraid to express your joys. I predict that Augusten will continue to be same mentally. But personally and emotionally she will deal with great obstacles in daily family flaws. But these obstacles will be the initial step she can take to become an independent individual. 

The Unforgiving Fifth Place

Most people fear of others being better than they are. These people have yet to learn how to overcome their own fears. I believe that conquering their own abhorrence before competing with others is the first stepping stone. However, there will be endless challenges one will face with oneself because the greatest challenges we face are with ourselves.

          “Ladies and gentlemen, we have started our descent. In preparation for landing, please make sure your seat and trays are in their upright positions. Please ensure your seatbelt is securely fastened.” I was woken by the voice of a sleepy flight attendant.

          Upon landing I became anxious about competing in a foreign country. Who will I confront? Who will I beat? Who will beat me? Never was there a time in my life that I competed with someone I didn’t already know. Knowing so, I knew their strengths and weaknesses so I knew what I had to do better in to be better than them all.

          Thirty-two countries sent representatives to Anaheim to compete at the 2008 World Taekwondo Hanmadang: Jr. Individual Poomse category and in six hours there will be thirty-one unknown presentations versus mine. My concern however was relieved when I arrived at the Anaheim Convention Centre across from the heart calming Disneyland.

          None of the competitors really practiced in the holding-area where we stayed for hours leading up to our event. We were probably all told to never fully show our poomse when our competitors were around because that way they would be able to conceive our weaknesses. So I felt pretty good about myself being great enough to represent Canada of the thirteen who were at the trials half a year ago. Here I stretched out for most of the time after being crammed in a three hour plane trip along the glooming western horizon.

          Not knowing that the competition was ahead of schedule, I had my last meal an hour before the anticipated event time. But five minutes into my first American Subway sandwich, a deep manly voiced woman exclaimed, “Junior Individual Poomse competitors please make your way to ring two.” Choking down my bite, I grasped my position back into line and followed onto what I now refer to as my world stage.  Filled with a thousand spectators, I casually marched my way down to the ring hiding my nervousness. One by one we would be seated in an orderly manner.

          About 5 competitors into the event, I began to feel a burst of flame dive down my back. Sweat glands being clogged by sweat as they erupted ever so quickly. I was in a dazed when I realized how much more prominent their speed and accuracy is compared to mine. I felt numb, invisible to myself and in a dream…

          “David Wong,” called the tall standing referee.

          “Yes sir!,” I called back in acknowledgement. I stood up and took my spot on the ring with five pairs of eyes judging my every movement.

          “Char yuht.”

          I stood at attention.

          “Kyung nae.”

          I bowed tall.

          “Choon bi.”

          I took my ready stance with my eyes tuned dead straight ahead.

          “Seijak.”

          On the command to begin, I froze. Never have I experienced this type of sensation. Thoughts from my guts boiled towards my head and I began to steam. Ignoring the thoughts, I began my poomse. My jaw was tight but my legs were flimsy making it impossible to keep my balance on one leg. Those ninety seconds of my life had to be the most embarrassing.

          Regret congested my body. Did I really think I was the best of myself before I left Canada? I let so many proud supporters and sponsors from Canada down with my “I’m better than all of you (of Canada)” attitude. Obviously there are people that are better out in the world, that’s a no brainer. But surprisingly enough, I tossed that fact into the recycle bin of my brain.

          After half an hour of repeated thought, the results were announced. I was pretty astonished about my placing, fifth, out of thirty-two. Wow, I thought to myself. I was purely just mad. If only I had done a little better, I would’ve at least achieved third and a bronze medal. This became an unforgiving experience of my life and I had no one else to blame. Nothing can be worse than barely missing a medal placing at the world games.

          Since the 2008 World Taekwondo Hanmadang I have raised my goal to achieving a place in the Olympic Games and have achieved two more BC Junior Champion spots. My experience comes to show the importance of overcoming your doubt and becoming the best of yourself. I have come to realize that competition isn’t to challenge others but is to enhance myself. Set big goals and only compete with yourself to achieve that goal and one day you will wake up to the goal waiting for you.