Category: Junior Literary

This is kind of a stretch from my usual blogging style. (But I mean, what even is my blogging style, really?)

I’ve been seeing a lot of posts about how men and women should look. As a feminist, I believe that men should never ever have a say on anything concerning a woman’s body. But I also believe that women should have no say on anything concerning a man’s body.

What sparked this conversation in my head, was seeing a post that said, “Men shorter than 5’9 are useless.” Believe me, this got my blood boiling. What about a man’s height has anything to do with his character? I completely disagree with this idea that a man has to be tall to be lovable? The argument that is usually used for this statement is, “Well, I’m tall, and I want my boyfriend/ husband to be taller than I am.” And I totally get that. Believe me I do.

But as a 17 year old female that is 5’7 and growing, I can tell you that height does not and should not matter. I grew up around all tall men. My dad is 6’2, my middle brother is 6’3, and my oldest brother is 6’4. I used to want to be with a man that was that tall. But then I sat back and thought, “Well, how would I feel if someone found me unattractive because of my height?” It changed my whole viewpoint.

Another idea that upsets me is that men have to be muscular and look like a model, when it reality, most men aren’t. And there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. But this made me want to ask a few random people how they feel about societal expectations for height preference. I asked 6 males and 5 females and here are the results. (I added my mother and her boyfriend, so I could see someone who’s older’s opinion on the matter. They aren’t being mean, they’re trying to add controversy, lol)

The bold words are my questions and the words after the ‘-‘ are the answers.

Michael Wilson

How tall are you?

-6’1”

Do you get discriminated against because of your height?
-No.

How do you feel about societal expectations for men?

-Depending on which expectations.

Height-wise or how you look.

-Not to be cocky, but I was lucky I look how I do and I’m as tall as I am. Because I’ve heard of guys being dogged for their looks or their height. But I do believe that if men wanna hold females to expectations, then they shouldn’t feel any type of way when it’s switched.

What do you think needs to happen in order for those expectations to change?

-People need to stop asking for their [significant] other to be so particular. You’d think they wrote each thing down in a book and then the book was given to a regular, plain person who becomes the book. Start accepting the things around you for what they are, and you’ll stop looking for what you want to change.

When do you feel most confident?

-That’s a good question. I don’t know.

That’s okay. Do you have height preferences for a partner?

-Yeah, you can’t be so tall that your hands are big enough to cover my face with.

Would you date someone your height or taller?

-Yeah, but to a degree.

 

Shawn Anderson II

How tall are you?

-6’0

Do you get discriminated against because of your height?

-No.

How do you feel about societal expectations for men regarding height?

-It doesn’t matter to me.

What do you think needs to happen in order to change these expectations for men?

-People just have to ease off of a fact of height mattering.

When do you feel most confident?

-Once I’ve made a full adaptation to my area.

Do you have height preferences for a partner?

-How about no.

Would you date someone your height or taller?

-Yes.

 

Theo Youngerg

How tall are you?

-5’11 ½”

Do you get discriminated against because of your height?

-Not often.

How do you feel about societal expectations for men regarding appearance?

-That we have to be a certain height and be lean and muscular to look good or to be accepted by others around us.

What do you think needs to happen in order for that to change?

-We need to realize that everyone is different and we can’t keep comparing one another to other people and we need to stop setting high expectations for ourselves and others.

When do you feel the most confident?

-When I lift weights.

Do you have height preferences for a partner?

-I, personally, don’t.

Would you date someone your height or taller?

-Yeah, I would.

 

Sebastian Hendricks

How tall are you?

-5’9

Do you get discriminated against because of your height?

-I wouldn’t say it’s a common thing for me personally, but every once in a while it does happen. I know people that it happens to more frequently.

How do you feel about societal expectations regarding mens’ appearances?

-I would say there’s a difference between discrimination and preferences. The girls that didn’t like me because I wasn’t super tall didn’t slander me or make fun of me. They just preferred taller men. Like with me. Short girls are cute. If the right short girl has a nice personality, I’ll give it a shot. But I generally prefer taller girls. I don’t know why, but that’s just my type.

What do you think needs to happen in order for discrimination against men to stop? And I mean discrimination, not preference.

-I’d say there isn’t one thing a man can do. It has to do with how the woman thinks. If she is discriminatory against shorter men, then she has an issue and she has to work on that. Most of the women I know that are discriminatory towards men are feminists. Besides you. They get triggered if a man makes fun of them or does anything they don’t like, but they somehow think it’s ethical to make fun of men. So what it boils down to in my opinion, is that it’s in people’s heads. It’s up to them to change.

When do you feel most confident?

-When lots of people tell me I look good.

Do you have height preferences for a partner?

-I have a preference, but like I said, it’s not the deciding factor for me. I prefer 5’7 or 5’8. But I’ve gone on dates with girls that were 5’1 because I liked who they were.

Would you date someone your height or taller?

-Yes.

 

Michael Hester (Step- Father)

How tall are you?

-6’3”.

Do you get discriminated against because of your height?

-No.

How do you feel about societal expectations for men regarding their appearance?

-Unconcerned.

What do you think needs to happen in order to change these expectations?

-I don’t care.

When do you feel the most confident?

-When I know the subject.

Do you have height preferences for partners?

-No.

Would you date someone your height or shorter?

-No.

Why not?

-‘Cuz they would be amazons. 

 

Haley Ray

How tall are you?

-Almost 5’2.

Do you have a height preference for a partner?

-There aren’t many men in the age range I’m attracted to that are shorter than me, so no, not really.

When do you feel most confident?

-Wait, like confident in my man’s height? Or, like, makeup, dressed up, all that?

In yourself.

-When I feel passionately about something. Wait, about my appearance or decisions? I need specifics.

Anything.

-When I’m determined to accomplish something.

Would you date someone your height or shorter?

-My preference is taller men, no not necessarily. But, if he’s a great person, then I might give him a chance.

 

Josie Deaton

How tall are you?

-5’6”

Do you have a height preference for a partner?

-Preferably a little bit taller, but it’s not a deal-breaker for me.

When do you feel most confident?

-When I’m on stage performing!

Would you date someone your height or shorter?

-Yes.

 

Azya Lyons

How tall are you?

-5’7”

Do you have a height preference for a partner?

-That depends on the partner. Normally, I like taller people though.

When do you feel most confident?

-Do you want me to be completely honest?

Yes.

-I don’t really think I’ve ever felt confident.

Why not?

-Because I was bullied a lot for being mixed or for being big. I guess that kind of stuff just came with me as I grew up. 

[You’re beautiful, Azya. Your skin tone or your size will never define you. Although, they both make you even more gorgeous in my eyes.]

I understand that. Would you date someone your height or shorter?

-Yeah, I would. But there’s, like, a limit.

 

Maleigh Crespo

How tall are you?

-5’3”

Do you have a height preference for a partner?

-Nah. Literally everyone is taller than me.

When do you feel most confident?

-When I’m wearing a super cute outfit that makes me look smaller and my hair is curly in all the right ways.

Would you date someone your height or shorter?

-Well, I wouldn’t mind it, but I’ve never been taller than a guy, so I’m not sure.

 

Ashanti Keyes

How tall are you?

-5’10”

Do you have a height preference for a partner?

-No.

When do you feel most confident?

-When I have my hair done.

Would you date someone your height or shorter?

-Yes.

 

Michelle Cox (Mother)

How tall are you?

-5’3”.

Do you have a height preference for a partner?

-Yes, taller than 6’0”.

When do you feel most confident?

-When I’m going into a situation when I not only look my best, but I’m prepared for it.

Would you date someone your height or shorter?

-No.

Why not?

They haven’t hit puberty yet. 

 

Brianna Cox (Myself)

How tall are you?

-5’7”.

Do you have a height preference for a partner?

-No.

When do you feel most confident?

-When my hair is cooperating, my face is clear of acne, and when my amazing friends tell me I look pretty.

Would you date someone your height or shorter?

-I would absolutely date someone my height; I’m used to being as tall as or almost as tall as whoever I’m dating. I’ve never dated someone shorter than me, so I can’t say yes or no, because I don’t really know. 

I don’t understand why some people think that reading subtitles isn’t worth their time. If you only speak English and refuse to read the subtitles on a show or movie in a different language, then you’re missing out.

Parasite, the first foreign-language film to win Best Picture at the Oscars, is an absolutely phenomenal (it also won Best Director and Best Original Screenplay). Trust me when I say that you don’t have to be a studious film buff to enjoy it. It was added to Hulu last week and I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it since I watched it. If you watch anything this quarantine season, please let it be this. You won’t regret it.

 

Admittedly, Attack on Titan is popular, so anyone who’s even casually watched anime has probably seen a little bit of it. But even still, it’s one of my all time favorites and I felt the need to include it. It has amazing action, characters, and animation! The story is filled with twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat! It’s great! All three season are currently on Hulu and the first one is on Netflix, so if you’re looking for a good action anime, I’d recommend starting here.

 

I Lost My Body is a French movie on Netflix that was nominated for Best Animated film at the Oscars this year. It has the same vide as laying on your bedroom floor for hours just staring at the ceiling, if that makes sense. The animation is really good. The characters in this movie rarely speak, and yet you get a good feel for who they are as people. There’s a severed hand that, despite just being a severed hand, makes you feel all types of feelings that you never thought you’d feel for a severed hand. Overall, it’s pretty different from your average animated feature film, but it’s a welcome change!

 

Have you ever started watching a show that you thought was going in one direction but then something happened within the first episode and suddenly the show was going in the complete opposite direction that you thought it was? Yes? No? Doesn’t matter, you’ll love these shows anyway.

Puella Magi Madoka Magica is not your average magical girl anime. Without giving away too much, I will say that Google say that genre of this anime is both “Magical Girl” and “Psychological Thriller”, so do with that information what you will. It is on both Netflix and Hulu.

School-Live! (otherwise known as Gakkō Gurashi!) starts as your typical school girl anime, but quickly evoles into something much darker. This series only has 12 very short episodes, so it’s a quick watch, but every second of it is filled with artfully placed symbolism and foreshadowing. The relationships formed between the four main girls is a wholesome display of female camaraderie. You can watch it for free right now on Crunchy Roll!

 

Of course, the world of foreign language films and shows is basically endless. These aren’t even a fraction of the types of subtitled masterpieces that exist. Please, please listen when I say that if you watch exclusively English content, you’re missing out. New worlds that you’re sure to love are just waiting to be discovered by you, if you’d only look for them!

Remember to stay safe and healthy during these time! And if you feel up to it, read some subtitles, just for fun. Take care!

 

Hello, welcome back to my Tears for Fears saga. Although the second edition covered my favorite albums, I have to finish the band’s history. So I present to you all the third and final Tears for Fears post.

I have a lot of upcoming sad and reflective blog posts, so enjoy my enthusiasm while you still can. (:

Anyway, hi, how are you? Day 390890 since I last saw the sun: must…write…cursed band blog. But, seriously, music has done a lot for me lately.

Important Note: I am not obsessed with Tears for Fears; I only spend a lot of time researching them randomly to procrastinate. Also, I think they are underrated. This blog will be shorter than part two and will include best song lyrics, etc.

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In part two, I covered their first three albums:

• The Hurting
  • (1983)
  • Top Songs: “Mad World” and “Pale Shelter”
  • Criticized for being too depressing // moderate publicity
• Songs from the Big Chair
  • (1985)
  • Top Songs: “Shout”, “Everybody Wants to Rule the World”, and “Head Over Heels”
  • Worldwide fame and success // considered their most popular album
• The Seeds of Love
  • (1989)
  • Top Songs: “Sowing the Seeds of Love” and “Advice for the Young at Heart”
  • Less success // last album before band’s break-up

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In-Between Era:

1991:

Tears for Fears split, Curt Smith and Roland Orzabal going their separate ways (neither of them solely deserve the blame; it was a collaboration of different reasons…like a manager’s bankruptcy and fraud…)

The falling out between Curt and Roland proved pretty ugly, though.

1992:

Roland Orzabal continued to operate under the name Tears for Fears (Curt technically left, f.y.i.) and released a single titled Laid So Low (Tears Roll Down). 

I find this song fairly catchy. It retains the earthy yet musical sound of The Seeds of Love yet promises something new. The lyrics obviously provide a glimpse into Roland’s mind after the band’s separation. The two had stayed friends since their teenage years, and now they refused to even talk to each other. All in all, I like the lyrics and the interesting textures.

1993:

Curt Smith moved to New York (Roland continuing to live in England). During this year, he decided to release a solo album titled Soul on Board. Needless to say, it did not gain much popularity, and it failed to be successful. Curt, however, continued with music and even formed a musical partnership (Mayfield) with a local songwriter and producer.

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Elemental Era (1993):

Roland released the album Elemental, without Curt (obviously), in 1993. The album featured international hit “Break It Down Again” and another successful world tour.

Singles: “Cold”, “Elemental”, and “Goodnight Song”.

I have no idea what is happening in this video, but it makes me smile for two reasons. One: I find this song sort of uplifting and brilliant. Two: I can never take Roland seriously. Why are there so many videos of him standing in the middle of nowhere dancing poorly and singing? But his dance moves are definitely iconic. Anyway, I like this song. It has interesting rhythm and flavors. Also, you can notice a shift in Roland’s lyrics and his voice. This song has an overall interesting audio and lyrical story.

This is one of my favorite songs from Elemental. It has interesting textures, and it is an original take on a classic sound. It feels light and airy compared to the rest of the album. I like the guitar’s story, also; its sound adds even more flavor.

I uploaded this song because it has significant (and hilarious) meaning. Roland basically roasts Curt with every lyric.

• “With all your high class friends you think you’ve got it made
  The only thing you made was that tanned look on your face”
• “With all your cigarettes and fancy cars
  You ain’t a clue who or what you are”
  
• “You’re dreaming your life away
  Fish out of water”
• And my personal favorite: “Now in Neptune’s kitchen you will be food for killer whales”  (Neptune’s Kitchen is the name of Roland’s home studio)

However, Curt lashed back at Roland with another song, finding Roland’s “Fish Out of Water” hilarious. Perhaps “Sun King” was inspired by The Beatles, as they have a song by the same name.

Lyrical Highlights:

• “The evidence is on the page
  Not much to show for so much rage
  It makes me smile
  You lost it somehow”
• “A small imbalanced vain recluse
  You use the planets to excuse
  Your costumed smile
  Your childish abuse”

My thoughts? Ow…

They came a long way from this:

(My favorite Tears for Fears gif because of Roland’s bizarre dancing)

Overall, Elemental is probably my fourth favorite album. Roland had an interesting comeback. His lyrics became more bold, and his style of singing became more caustic, almost. But he continued to hold onto fame and impactful lyrics.

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Raoul and the Kings of Spain Era (1995):

Roland, still working under the band’s name without Curt, released contemplative album Raoul and the Kings of Spain in 1995. The album was not particularly successful (when considering their other albums), but it landed in the top 40 in the UK. This album explored Latin influence and Roland’s own Spanish heritage. (Raoul was a name Roland’s parents considered naming him).

“Falling Down” is one of my favorites from this album. I like its simplicity, but it has a lot of seasoning. I also find the lyrics interesting…This song, overall, is quite cynical, and it reminds of falling rain.

Roland definitely veered from synth pop and gave a shot at rock. Raoul and the Kings of Spain is my least favorite TFF album, but its songs are catchy and not too entirely “eh”. With this song specifically, I find the lyrics and sound okay. Again, it has a cynical air to it (but this is Tears for Fears; they have always been cynical). I like the flow of this song, however. It is not static.

Overall, I listen to this album the least, but I would not call it horrible; that is only my taste in music. I like the older albums more because I like new wave music. Anyway, I commend Roland for producing this album so quickly and for not cheating fans of Tears for Fears with lazy lyrics and over-produced ideas. Instead of chasing money, he delved into an unusual side of music and wrote this album for himself. And, as a result, he kept the band alive and created something that I will definitely listen to.

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2001:

This year, Roland released a solo album under his own name, Tomcats Screaming Outside. No, Tears for Fears was not dead, but Roland took a break from the guitar approach of the band to revisit a more electronic sound.

Actually, I listened to this album for the first time today, so that shows you its popularity. It had the luck of being released on September 11, 2001, so obviously that is part of the reason.

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Everybody Loves a Happy Ending Era (2004): 

(2001) After not speaking to each other for nearly a decade (literally) paperwork obligations prompted Roland and Curt to break their silence and resume contact. Curt flew to England to have dinner with Roland and discuss a new album.

gasp.

After less than six months of recording, Everybody Loves a Happy Ending was released in 2004 by both Roland and Curt, their first album together since 1989’s The Seeds of Love. Tours followed.

What the heck is going on in this album cover? 

Although I am past understanding this band’s music videos, this is one of my favorites. Actually, this is one of my favorite songs by Tears for Fears in general. I love the lyrics, and I missed Curt’s voice. The guitar and the piano bring something nice, and I like how carefree and colorful this song is despite its lyrics, which carry some weight (and makes this song even more awesome).

I love this song. The guitar has such a nice swaying sound to it. And the harmonizing is pretty neat. All in all, I like to listen to this and feel at peace with the world. It is quite calming. And I like how it has its crescendos before returning to the same lilting state.

I like this song, also. It has a neat, uplifting sound, and I like the different textures.

All in all, I like this album quite a bit, and I am so glad that Curt and Roland decided to work together again. They definitely experimented with a lot of classic sounds and made them their own, and they experimented with new sounds in general. This album, like every other TFF album, has its own unique sound. It is definitely one of their most positive albums, so I enjoy its existence whenever I want to listen to something of its flavor. I give it a substantial rating.

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What Next?

Tears for Fears have not released another album (as of 4/14/20), but Roland and Curt still play music together.

Random Fact: These guys went on tour with Spandau Ballet (2010) and also Hall & Oates (2017).

Spandau Ballet:

Hall & Oates:

2017:

Tears for Fears released a new song titled “I Love You But I’m Lost”. It explored a modern sound. I find it pretty catchy.

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So, there you have it: the history of Tears for Fears—parts one, two, and three.

No one can say exactly when it all truly began, but it is reasonable to think that an album named The Hurting, released in 1983, started Tears for Fears’ journey in the music industry. Since then, mullets and synthesizers gave way to something else. Every album stands as a moment in time, unique and unalike any other. And although Tears for Fears will continue to be mainly remembered as an English 80’s duo of terrible dancing, “Everybody Wants to Rule the World”, and mullets paired with trench coats, I disagree. Tears for Fears is a product of constant growth and creative inspiration, hope within darkness, and a journey—one that began in Bath, England, before quickly escalating to stardom and right back again. So, although I laugh at their music videos and the faces they make while singing, I have such great respect for this band. They inspire me a great deal, and I love what they stand for.

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I wish I could review all of their songs, but I will only leave a few of my favorite lyrics:

• “The Prisoner” (The Hurting) — the entire song
• “Start of the Breakdown” (The Hurting) — “We stand firm with our heads in our hands”
• “The Working Hour” (Songs from the Big Chair) — “We are paid by those who learn by our mistakes”
• “I Believe” (Songs from the Big Chair) — the entire song
• “Famous Last Words” (The Seeds of Love) — the entire song
• “Break It Down Again” — “And all the love and all the love in the world
  Won’t stop the rain from falling”
  
• “Bloodletting Go” (1996 compilation album) — “If I care for nothing
  Sun don’t shine and the grass don’t grow”
• “Closest Thing to Heaven” (Everybody Loves a Happy Ending) — “Look the world right in the eye
  Eat the countries that are making billions
  Sweet as homemade apple pie
  Save the crumbs for all the starving millions”

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I might individually review songs by Tears for Fears in the future, someday, because I love so much about so many songs, and I love picking music apart.

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I may have dumped way too many pictures and videos, but I wanted to create a source for myself to look back at during the future. I went beyond Wikipedia to create this, and I have watched so many interviews and documentaries that I wanted to share my knowledge. So if you ever need to complete a research project on Tears for Fears or just want to listen to some music, feel free to visit this collection of posts anytime. Again, I am not obsessed, but I can name fifty Tears for Fears songs off the top of my head (sadly not joking), and I have a fairly detailed understanding of their history; I guess that is something to add to my resume, haha.

All in all, I rate this band a 10000/10. I know they will never read this, but I would like to thank them for helping me get through three-hour car rides, math homework, grey days, cleaning nights, and quarantine. And I love how you can relate to their lyrics so much, anytime. For instance: “Mothers Talk” (Songs from the Big Chair) “Wake me up when things get started
When everything starts to happen” … is literally how I feel right now.

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Wednesday’s Fun Fact:

Besides the fact that I know way too much about an English band that peaked in the 80s, I want everyone to know that the sun still rises and sets everyday. Continue to have hope and believe in yourselves because there will be an end to all of this. Also, your favorite food and music exists.

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Time for sad blogs…

peace

Into the Garden

I found myself lost. My feet carried me, but my body felt still. Confusion and displacement beat me. In their fight to the finish, they killed me. They won. With the reality that I had to get up this morning, the defeat felt even worse. I don’t know why I am here. I don’t know why I chose to do this. It was too late last night to back out of it…I had to come. The fearless screams from the rowdy children replay in my head.

Why must they scream so loud?

My fingers slowly found their way to my temples, moving counterclockwise in an attempt to stop the screams from getting louder. It barely helped. With my head hurting, I began to feel again. I felt myself moving. My feet took me around the building and around again. I am clearly lost. I stop and take in my surroundings. Lights erupt from under my feet. With each step I take, a range of colors from dark blue to a raging red shine in my eyes. The lights form a path leading to the outside garden. Before I could stop myself, my feet start following the lit path. As if everyone dissapeared, it was just me. I walked with hesitation.

What could possiby be outside? Could it be more chilrdren? Could it be a world of more confusion? More displacement?

When I reached the large double doors, I heard a voice. The electronic yet lively voice compelled me to walk through the doors. I walked in on soft feet…careful to make no sound. I was on full awareness. Silence filled the space, but I know I heard her.
The electronic woman spoke again.
“Do you like to read books?”
Chills erupted on my skin. I didn’t know what else to do, so I replied.
“I-I do sometimes. I read maybe 2 books a year.”
I paused my body. My breath stopped. My eyes remained open. I was dormant. I waited for the voice…and then it came.
“2 books? That’s amazing! Can you read three?”
I released my breath in a laugh.
“I probably could, you know?”
A choppy, electronic laugh escaped in the air.
‘Well, I think you could. I think you can do anything!”
I looked around and saw a bench. I made my way towards the bench and sat down slowly. I look around to see tall, bamboo trees, 3 purple and pink mushrooms, a strawberry plant, and a large, green tower.
While my eyes roam, I remember to reply.
“You think I can do anything, huh? You think I can read say…20 books?”
It took her a little while to respond.
“I think you can read 30 books! I believe in you!”
My eyebrows furrowed.
“How can you say you believe in me? You don’t know me. What if I’m a bad person? Do you want to believe in a bad person?”
Again, it took her a while to respond but when she did, I was stuck.
“You don’t sound like a bad person. A bad person doesn’t read 2 books a year. They don’t read any! I think you’re a good person.”
I stood anxiously.
“Who are you? How can you talk like this?”
The voice laughed.
“I am the book seeker in the garden. I see all. I know all.”
I studied the garden closer.
“Where are you?”
A loud ding suddenly filled the air. I turned to see one mushroom shine with bright, green lights.
“I am the mushroom. I am here…”
Another ding filled the air and another mushroom was lit.
“I am here…”
The third mushroom lit along with the sudden ding.
“And I’m here.”
I look between the three mushrooms in shock.
“Do you always converse with people here?”
The third mushroom replied.
“I talk to all the children who come to learn about books. I talk to anybody who wants to talk about books. Do you want to talk about books?”
I turned in awe of the garden. It was so…lively.
“What is this place?”
Classical music suddenly began to play. I could hear the deep, dark groan of the cello. I could hear the screech of the violins. I could even hear the low mewl of the violas. It surrounded me.
“This the literary garden. This is where you come to explore the world of books.”
I go back to the bench to think. I was brought here for a reason. This is where I am supposed to be.
After a few minutes of reflection, I decide to explore the garden. I could find answers. I could clear my confusion…my displacement.
I stand with intent.
“I want to talk about a problem.”
The mushroom wasted no time in responding.
“A problem with a book?”
I laugh.
“No. Not a problem with a book. A problem with the world. The world I’m in.”
The voice fills with confusion.
“The world of the literary garden? That’s why you should go look around at what’s to see!”
I grow seemingly frustrated.
“No. Not the garden. The world I’m in. The world my life is in. My life…I don’t know where I am in my life. I’m utterly lost. Everything has been stripped of me. I-I don’t know what to do.”
The voice came in my ears softly.
“What do you want your world to be?”
I ponder over the question.
What do I want my world to be?
Before I register, I respond.
“I want my world to be full of light. I want the unexpected to happen. I want my world to be free and true. I want the rawness of the world. I want the truth.”
The next words said solved my problem.
“The reason you are confused…displaced…is because the world you are in isn’t the world you want. It isn’t the world you need to be in. The one you spoke of will align you. It will clear confusion and displacement. You will fill whole. Look around. Look in books! Look for ways to create the world you want…then live in it. Did that help?”
I smiled to myself before beginning my walk around the garden.
“Yeah…yeah that helped.”
Classical music filled the garden once more. It was mozart, I believe. It was perfect for my exploration of the garden. It fit the garden. It fit in this world.

 

Enjoy this piece of mine. I somehow keep coming back to read it during the quarantine. Lately, I have been reminiscing  on old memories and the backstory to this story is based from one of my favorite places in the world. I hope this brings you joy…or peace…or confusion…I hope it brings you something. 

Stay safe y’all!

Well, things have been hectic lately with the coronavirus, stability issues, and my crazy routines, but I’m managing to hang in there. On the other hand, my math grade is suffering from not being able to understand a good bit of the things going on. Either way, I’m trying my best to stay afloat. So with that being said, I would love to share some therapy tips and things I have learned over these past few weeks. I hope you find them beneficial.

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1. Affirmations: Affirmations are important because they remind you of positive things. I have some affirmations for myself that I say in the mirror everyday: I am a work in progress, I am capable of amazing things, and I am beautiful. These affirmations help me stay positive in these hard times. If I keep saying these affirmations to myself, then soon I will really believe that they are true.

2. Coping Skills: This is a big one because many do not have coping skills. These are very helpful tools to have in your tool kit. It can be as simple as saying affirmations, drawing, meditation, writing, etc. Anything that gets you in a good space that helps you from the situations that are going on around you.

3. Routines: Routines are very important because they keep you stabilized. I personally have my own routine that I try to follow. If I don’t follow my routine, then I tend to want to sleep all day which isn’t healthy at all. It can be as simple as putting what you want to study beside you so you don’t have to use too much energy. You’ve got to conserve energy, but also stay active!

4. Keep a journal: Journaling is very important because it can help you release your thoughts, anger, sadness in a healthy way. There’s something I do which is a gratitude entry. It’s where I put things I am grateful for, and things that I have completed today. Sometimes it’s hard to focus on good things we have done, but doing this really helps. 

5. Question your thoughts: Are they rational or not. Here are 5 questions to ask yourself of if you’re unsure if your thought is rational or not: Is it based on fact? Does it protect my life and health? Does it keep me out of trouble? Does it get me what I want? Does it let me feel the way I want to?- If there’s two or more no’s, then it’s probably irrational. So then that’s where we can turn it into something more rational. For example: I will never get better….instead try: I will get better eventually, but right now things are hard.

-Maple <3

In honor of National Poetry Month, I will be doing a blog related to poetry and/or writing each week during the month of April.

For this week, I am doing a literary version of Vogue’s 73 Questions. I will ask each of the junior literaries 9 questions and 1 from Mrs. Sibley, which will total to 73 questions. I hope you enjoy— Happy National Poetry Month!

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Azya Lyons

1.) Favorite book?

My favorite book is I’ll Give You The Sun by Jandy Nelson.

2.) How does poetry make you feel?

Poetry feels very freeing. There’s no specific plotline, so it’s okay if you write something that’s in one place doing one thing.

3.) If you could choose another discipline, would you? If so, which one?

If I could be in another discipline, it’d probably be vocal because I have a background in singing and being overall musical.

4.) How would you describe your writer’s voice?

My writer’s voice is very natural. I write how I speak.

5.) What is your editing/revising process?

That depends. When revising something like a script, I print out the play and read it to myself and highlight what I like and underline what I don’t like. When revising a story or something, I just reread it and edit as I go.

6.) Do you think grammar is important?

With English, grammar is very important.

7.) Is writing draining?

Honestly, it can be. Most of the work we do is mental, and that can be very tiring.

8.) What age do you typically write about (teens, elderly, middle-aged)?

I normally write about teens/young adults.

9.) Why do you write?

I write because I’ve always loved creating stories and expressing myself through words. 

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Brianna Cox

10.) Favorite poet?

Rupi Kaur

11.) What is your ultimate goal for your writing?

Inspire other people or make them feel something.

12.) Sonnet or Haiku?

Haiku

13.) Google Docs or Word?

Google Docs

14.) What’s something you find unique about your writing style?

Maybe not super unique, but I never let a story end on a bad note, but I usually write poetry about heartbreak.

15.) What usually comes first to you— plot or characters?

Plot

16.) If you could have dinner with anyone in the literary field, dead or alive, who would it be?

John Green, hands down. 

17.) Magazine or book?

Book, for sure. I love following a story for a long time and getting invested in the characters. I like the feeling I get when I finish a book; it’s like I left a part of myself in it. 

18.) Do you think visual art and literary art go hand in hand?

I think they can. There are picture books, and those go hand in hand, but a novel doesn’t have pictures. It really depends. 

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Callie Matthews

19.) How do you like your coffee? 

I’ll drink coffee if it’s coffee. I’ve had black coffee when I had no sugar or creamer; I’ve had dark roast; I’ve had iced; etc. But I usually drink plain coffee with 2/3 spoonfuls of sugar and enough creamer that it’s not as black as an endless abyss of apathy and lost dreams.

20.) Spiral notebook or Composition book?

Spiral for stories, random ideas, and math…Composition for poems, thoughts, journaling, everything I love, blah blah blah. So, obviously, composition notebooks for the win. And this is because I can establish a nice friendship with them. The spiraled ones don’t like me, and I don’t like them.

21.) Literal or metaphorical?

Metaphorical all the way, unless I would rather solve math problems that day. Some days are math days, you know? And then other days rhetorical analysis is more therapeutic. But when I write, I like metaphors a lot. Actually, if I think about it, I used to sneak as many literary devices in my research essays as I could…no regrets.

22.) What’s the best book you’ve read recently?

Hm, best book…I’ve read a lot of books lately, but I didn’t think any of them really clicked with me. So I have to go back to Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton because I picked it up yesterday to find a character description. Just looking at the book makes me happy and obsessed.

23.) How do you keep yourself motivated and hyped up doing such repetitive work?

Finding motivation definitely proves a challenge. But I make a to-do list (for school) and make sure I complete something off of it every day. And then I have a list of goals that I try to keep in mind. But I mainly stay motivated by lying to myself and saying that I’ll get a break sometime. 

24.) What does your writing space look like outside of the literary classroom?

Hah, this is kind of funny. Well, sometimes I write while sitting outside, on my floor on a rug, or on my bed. But most of the time I like to write at a desk. Wherever the desk is (dorm or home) I try to keep it bright and lively and encouraging. I like decorating my desks with memories (items of significance), plants, and plastic dinosaurs. At school, I even have taco lights. Having all of this keeps me resilient and inspired.

25.) What famous literary artist do you wish could be your mentor?

If I could have a famous literary artist for a mentor, I would choose Markus Zusak. The Book Thief is my favorite book ever, and I love Zusak’s language in the book. I would ask him a hundred questions about plots and skies and moods and words.

26.) As a writer, what is your spirit animal?

Well, if I had to choose a spirit animal for my writing personality, it would be a bee. I was going to say a sloth to be funny, but I feel like a bee is more fitting. I don’t know what type of bee, but it would have to be something really plump. Because I just drag around, float from one idea to the next, and fly repeatedly into windows before randomly zooming around without a destination.

27.) What is the best research method for you?

When it comes to research, I have to deceive myself into being enthused by my topic. If I care about something, I will spend hours researching relentlessly and not notice. So I find it best to first immerse myself in my topic before immersing myself in research.

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Hannah Hays

28.) When did you start writing?

When I was around 7 or 8.

29.) Journal or Blog?

Journal because I feel like I can get my thoughts out more/ decompress in my journal.

30.) Paperback or ebook?

Paperback because I like the feeling of having the real copy.

31.) What inspires/propels you to write?

I am inspired to write by things around me, such as nature.

32.) Music or no music, while writing?

Music, yes, because it gets me pumped up and ready to write.

33.) What time of day do you prefer to write?

Probably in the afternoon because it is when my mind is most fully awake.

34.) If you had to describe yourself in three words, what would they be?

Strong, loyal, and caring

35.) How do you deal with the isolation of being a writer?

Well, when I’m not writing, I’m out socializing, and that helps.

36.) Journalism or Short Fiction?

That’s a hard one because  I kind of like them both. On one side, you can get someone’s point of view, and on the other side, you can make your own.

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Katie Spiers

37.) Do you plan on doing anything in the literary field in your future?

Yes, I want to go to UCLA to be a screenwriter.

38.) Do you write from experience or imagination?

It really depends on what I’m writing. If it’s poetry, then experience because that’s where I can find my deepest thoughts and feelings. If it’s a short story or anything else, then I write from imagination because I find it to be more interesting.

39.) Favorite quote?

“You cannot give all the good the world needs, but the world needs all the good you can give.” – Jana Stanfield 

40.) How do you overcome writer’s block?

I go for a run and clear my head. No music, just the sound of my feet rhythmically hitting the pavement. Things usually come to me when I run.

41.) What are your writing strengths?

I’d say my writing strengths are plays and dialogue. I find the human connection to be one of the most important things in my life, and I’ve been studying for a while so I can write it very easily.

42.) What is the most difficult part about writing for you?

The most difficult part about writing is being confident with my writing. It’s confidence that motivates me a lot in writing, and sometimes I struggle with feeling like it’s not good enough and wanting to give up on it.

43.) Coffee or tea?

I don’t prefer either, but I’d say tea is better than coffee.

44.) Is it difficult to write about characters of the opposite sex?

No, I love creating characters that are guys. Growing up, I had mostly guy friends and I saw into their minds a lot, so I have an understanding of how they think. I feel like guys don’t like to show emotion, and I like creating guys that capture that aspect. I’ve had a lot of guys hurt me in the past, and I feel like one way to forgive them is to try and see it from their view and write as if I were them.

45.) What book from your childhood has shaped you most as a writer?

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas. I was required to read it in 6th grade and that was the first time I ever felt moved by a book. I began looking at things differently: food waste, human inequality, poverty—just more mature things that 12-year-olds don’t typically think about, and I think it has helped make me the appreciative person I am today.

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Maleigh Crespo

46.) Fiction or nonfiction?

Definitely, nonfiction because things that have actually happened are SO fascinating to me. I love watching documentaries, biographies, etc. 

47.) Vignette or ekphrastic?

Vignette! I don’t dislike ekphrastic writing, however. I just enjoy the list-type style of a vignette. 

48.) What books or authors have most influenced your writing?

Last year, around this time, actually, I purchased Mary Lambert’s first book. It’s a collection of poems about trauma, body acceptance, and mental illness, and it changed my life. I had never read anything that spoke candidly about these issues and yet, was still so beautiful. So, Mary Lambert has influenced my writing significantly, as she inspires to push the boundaries and write my truth. 

49.) What’s your writing process like?

Well, I usually open a blank Google doc, turn on some sad music (usually Mary Lambert), and start typing. There’s really not much to it, but I do like to be alone when I write, and I am usually snacking as I write. I also read aloud as I am typing. 

50.) What are your writing weaknesses?

I  think my biggest weakness right now is fiction. I am not great at it, and it does not come easy for me, at all, but I am working towards becoming better at it.

51.) Do you enjoy spoken word?

Yes, I do! I love watching Button Poetry on Instagram. It is such a beautiful art form that I wish I could be good at. 

52.) Paperback or audiobook?

Audiobook, hands down. Okay, so I have a confession to make… I don’t like reading  :/ I know that sounds crazy because I am a literary, but if it’s not an article or poetry of some sort, I dread reading. I can’t just sit and read a novel. I just don’t have the patience, which is why I love audiobooks because they allow me to listen and be doing something with my hands. If you’re not good at multitasking, I would not suggest them, but for me, I love them. 

53.) Would you ever consider writing under a pseudonym?

Uh, no. I wouldn’t simply because my writing is a reflection of me, not my alter ego or something. If I were to release work that wasn’t a reflection of me, then, I would consider it. 

54.) How do you balance the demands of writing with other responsibilities at MSA?

MY PLANNER. In my planner, I write down everything: deadlines, chores, events, assignments, etc., and it allows me to be sure that I am completing everyday things, like laundry, while still having time to write and meet deadlines. If you are coming to MSA, I strongly suggest getting a planner, and it doesn’t have to be a fancy one like mine either. I’m just extra hahaha. 

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Morgan Love

55.) Iced or hot coffee?

Hot coffee because I like the feeling of the warmth in my chest.

56.) Would you rather read an anthology of poems or a novel?

Novel. I like to be in one world at a time. Anthologies are cool, but a novel will always have my heart.

57.) Pen or pencil?

Pencil. I make a lot of mistakes when I write.

58.) Do you enjoy workshopping? 

Ahhh, I don’t enjoy nor loathe it. I guess it depends on the type of mood I’m in. 

59.) What does your family think of your writing? 

 I actually don’t let them read much of my work. More so because it’s important to me and I don’t think I’m ready to share that part of my self with them just yet.  I believe in the future I will let them see every piece of writing I do.

60.) How do you handle literary criticism?

I’ve gotten much better at handling it with care. Each critique is meant to better my work, not to hurt me.

61.) Does writing energize or exhaust you?

A little bit of both. When I’m completely out of energy and I have to write, it is extremely exhausting. If I have an idea or concept that I really wanna write about, it’s quite exciting and energizing to write.

62.) How do you choose your character names? Are they based on real people?

Honestly, I just pick the first name I think of when I think of the character traits I picked. Some are real names, some made up. I actually use a lot of creole names for my characters, for some odd reason.

63.) What’s your favorite thing about writing?

I like the feeling of being in the world I create. I like how good I feel, how purposeful I feel.

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Stephyne Weathersby

64.) Poetry or short fiction?

Short fiction because I love the moments where I get lost in creating a story and it hits me that I can take this anywhere I want it to go.

65.) What is your favorite thing about being a literary?

My favorite thing about being a literary is being around such talented people all the time. Being a junior literary feels like being apart of a sisterhood.

66.) What kind of writing do you enjoy most?

I enjoy all writing, but I recently have become fond of writing plays. There is just so much you can do with plays. You can tell your story but also, show it, which I enjoy tremendously. One of my goals as a writer is to tell and show other people stories because I believe everyone has a story living inside them.

67.) Do you think workshop is beneficial?

I definitely think workshop is beneficial because there have been pieces I have brought to workshop, and when I left workshop, I had a different vision for it. And I believe that’s a good thing because, without workshop, I wouldn’t have the help of my peers and Mrs. Sibley to take my work to another level.

68.) What do you think makes a good story?

What makes a good story is a story that has a lot of passion. What I mean by that is: when any reader can get lost in the story and see themselves there, that’s what I classify as a good story.

69.) Book or movie? 

Wow, a great question, but I can’t decide. I believe there are pros and cons to both.

70.) What’s some advice you’d give to aspiring writers?

My advice would be to just write. When you have a need to tell a story and you feel like something is holding you back, that thing that’s holding you back is yourself, so just write. And also, create unapologetically. Don’t apologize for your work, don’t be afraid of showing people your work, and don’t censor yourself. Just write.

71.) What is your artistic process?

 Usually, when I write I have to be away from people and have a notebook and pen. I’m just now finding out that my phone can distract me. So now, I’m starting to turn off my phone when I write, which is kinda sad because that takes away music. Because when I write, I usually listen to jazz, classical, instrumentals, or anything without lyrics because I can get distracted by listening to the lyrics in music.

72.) What writing resources are the most helpful to you?

I love reading the works of African-American writers. Because as an African-American writer, I know that the community that I want to reach is black youth. So, to read black works such as Toni Morrison’s ”Beloved” and Maya Angelo’s ”Phenomenal Woman” or Tupac’s “The Rose that Grew from Concrete” and many others. It provides me guidance and comfort that I am able to do it and really that’s all I need.

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Mrs. Sibley

73.) What does literary success look like to you? 

Finding your voice and staying true to it, all while maximizing time. That’s literary success, in my opinion. 

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Thanks for reading! 🙂

In light of this quarantine life, I have revisited the joy of watching short films. Throughout the time of my last short film review to now…I had lost interest in it. I didn’t feel the desire to watch anymore. I lost what it feels like to captured in a world in just a short amount of time. Moving past that, I have taken upon myself to owe this seemingly endless free time to go back into some of my old hobbies. For this particular blog post though, I will go back to my comments, question, and concerns for this cool but creepy short film.

Based off the thumbnail, it looks a bit creepy. White masks with smiling faces on them is top tier creepy content. When scrolling through the many short films YouTube has to offer, I saw this one. It was the title that caught my attention. “Model Citizen.” It sounded like something out of a dystopian novel. I have a thing for dystopia/utopia novels, so I was pretty interested in watching the film.

Upon the first few seconds of the film, I accepted the fact that the film was set in black and white with an old, 5o’s sounding commentator. Once I got past that, I realized what the style of the film was in. The entire aesthetic was extremely comparable to the old, 50’s hand soap commercials.

Despite the style of the film, the content, plot if you will, was much more compelling. In the showing of the SNAF (Standard North American Family) who conform to the duties and rules of their society to be model citizens. It shows the family through one entire generation and the continuous cycle of their society. The circle of life to death. it is honestly a complex concept to touch on, but I feel like the creative behind this film did an amazing job on touching on the aspects of that concept.

I very much enjoyed this film, and I think everyone should definitely give it a watch. it isn’t long, not more than 5 minutes. Leave what you think in the comments. Did you feel the same? Do you not feel the same? How did it make you feel? Do you know what could have been changed? LEAVE COMMENTS BELOW!!

Lately, I have been asked where I see myself in a couple years by many people. You see, there’s something about goals that keeps us hoping for the better things in life. Sure, we know not everything will go as planned, but it’s still nice to think about. Sure, your situation may be unpleasant right now, but what will it look like years from now? That’s where the hope comes in. So I would love to share where I would like to be in the future. I would say I have a ton of plans for my future, so sit back, grab some tea/ coffee and join me on my dreamy path of hopes.

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First, I will be going to college somewhere either in New York(ideal) or in Iowa. The University of Iowa has great opportunities for me as a writer, but so does some place like the New School where I could get an amazing internship, and more connections. I want to work in publishing, while also writing along the way. It would also be nice to dual major in psychology or something of the sort. Shoot, I’d even be down to minoring in a language(but I think I’ll do that in my free time). I look forward to my college endeavors.

After I graduate from college I would like to be working in the publishing industry ideally in New York. Although, I’m having an internal conflict. Do I want somewhere more earthy, maybe the outskirts of New York? That could be an option. Either way, I’ll need plenty of money. So I also considered staying in Mississippi, but I think that it’s best that I go ahead and head out.

After I get settled in my later years, it would be nice to get a corgi, and open up my own botanical/ plant shop. I would serve drinks such as coffee and tea to those checking out my plants in a different area, and my corgi would roam free. I would write in my spare time, probably about my plant findings and the human mind.

I mean, my main goal in life is to help other people. I really want to make a difference. I want to bring people together. I believe in the power of community, love, respect, and many other wonderful things.

So I encourage you to think of your future endeavors. They don’t have to be some magical, pretty, put together idea, but rather what you really feel like doing. Feel free to share in the comments!

-Maple <3