A lot of people keep planners or datebooks to keep track of their busy schedules and lives, but when I talk about my planner, I’m talking about my Happy Planner.
What’s a Happy Planner, you may ask? Well, it’s a planner like no other. It has a disc-bound system that allows you to remove and add in your own pages using a special hole puncher and discs specific to The Happy Planner.
The appeal of Happy Planners are that they are so customizable. It is essentially what you make it. Whether you’re simple and minimalistic or bright and colorful, there’s a Happy Planner for you. There’s different types of planners too. For instance, there’s Faith planners, Fitness planners, Recipe planners, Health and Wellness planners, Student/Teacher planners, etc. There are so many types available in all kinds of designs and layouts. As for layouts, The Happy Planner has a couple different sizes of planners: BIG, Classic, mini, skinny mini, and Classic skinny mini.
In these sizes, you can get different layouts, such as Vertical, Hourly, Block, Horizontal, Lined Vertical, etc.
So, now you’ve got the system figured out, you’ve chosen your size(s), and your layout(s). Here comes the fun part… STICKERS!! Another reason The Happy Planner is so special is because they are designed for decorative planning. Decorative planning is so much fun, and it allows you to be creative while being productive. Here are a few of my weekly planner spreads:
Other Planners
So, I know this blog has been pretty specific to The Happy Planner, but there are some other really great planner companies that offer other binding systems and customization. There’s Erin Condren, Plum Paper, Agenda 52, Recollections, and more! These can all be found on their own websites or at your local craft store (Michael’s, JoAnn’s, Hobby Lobby, etc.). The Happy Planner is a little more exclusive, and a limited quantity of their products can be found at Walmart. However, with that exclusivity, comes a more exclusive price. There are coupons and bargains pretty often, but being a decorative planner can get pretty pricey. I recommend joining Buy/Sell/Trade groups for planners on Facebook, as many of them destash their unwanted items or will resale items that they might not have needed.
Planner Community
Another perk of being a planner, is the community! The planner community is filled with people from all walks of life who just enjoy being creative and keeping track of their busy schedules. It’s such a positive and accepting environment, and most people don’t even know about it. And maybe some people find it weird that people can come together to bond over stickers, but weird or not, it’s all some people have, so who are we to judge what makes them happy and fulfilled?
My Planner Journey
My journey into the planner world started in 2016. My sister bought me Recollections planner for Christmas. I didn’t care too much for it in the beginning, but as I got older and my life got busier, I needed it. Looking back, I didn’t have nearly as much stuff to do now, but as a middle-schooler, just having a place to keep track of it all helped me tremendously.
When I switched to the more coveted Happy Planner, it honestly changed my life. I became obsessed with the stickers and writing things in my planner. It was so fun, and I was happier because I was getting things done and still taking care of myself. The Happy Planner’s motto is “Plan a life you love,” and I stand by that. Nothing great can happen without a plan and without action. Having a planner, allows me to plan, thus allowing me to take action, and do great things.
I hope this post inspired or motivated you in some way. Maybe you go out and get your own planner or maybe you just appreciate the people who do.
It has been eons since I last posted any glorious content. And this is my first post as a senior! I am required to write a literary review of something once a month, but I hope to upload more regularly than that. Stay tuned! I am dying to inform you all of my quarantine.
The Art of Disintegration – Album Review for The Cure
Originally, I planned on reviewing a Michael Crichton book, but guess what? It is my first blog of the year! So I decided to review an entire album, dun dun dun.
If you are curious, I still listen to Tears for Fears. In fact, I am listening to their third album right now. By the way, I wrote a blog series about them my junior year, and the posts are still trending. What the heck? I honestly love it.
But newsflash: This may surprise you, but I listen to other music!
The Cure? Huh?
1985
(note 1: This is so informal, I know, but if you are curious about the source of an incorporated image, drag the image to a tab or simply click it, if that works.)
(note 2: I am referencing Wikipedia).
The Cure is an English band that formed in 1978—characterized by various, changing members and one constant: Robert Smith. Wikipedia classifies their music as gothic rock, post-punk, alternative rock, and new wave. I believe that they have about thirteen studio albums, all released not too far apart. In 2019, they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. And despite The Cure producing anything but plastic, overly manufactured pop, the band has found quite a bit of success.
Disintegration: The Album in Question
Released: May 2, 1989
Alternative rock, gothic rock, post-punk, new wave, dark wave, dream pop, ethereal wave
Eighth studio album
Charting at no. 3 in the UK and no. 12 in the US, Disintegration lives as the highest selling Cure album to date.
Included on Rolling Stone magazine’s list of the “500 Greatest Albums of All Time.”
Track One: “Plainsong”
Duration: 5:12
Initial Thoughts
What a proper intro! I have fallen in love with the soft bells interrupted by the truly extravagant, soaring synth sound (the synth is so awe-inspiring that I have tried learning the notes by ear on my own synthesizer). “Plainsong” is an ethereal, simply riveting opening to Disintegration, perfectly capturing the essence of the entire album and leaving listeners feeling quite grand.
Lyrics
Characteristic of the Cure, this piece is predominantly instrumental (by that, I mean that the lyrics are not the focus by any means; the effect of the overall sound is spotlighted, a variety of instruments creating an entire universe of so much feeling). However, also characteristic of the Cure, the lyrics are definitely something to appreciate.
“Plainsong”
I think it’s dark and it looks like it’s rain, you said And the wind is blowing like it’s the end of the world, you said
And it’s so cold, it’s like the cold if you were dead And you smiled for a second
I think I’m old and I’m feeling pain, you said And it’s all running out like it’s the end of the world, you said
And it’s so cold, it’s like the cold if you were dead And you smiled for a second
Sometimes you make me feel Like I’m living at the edge of the world Like I’m living at the edge of the world It’s just the way I smile, you said
Robert Smith’s lyrics are often incredibly vague and even abstract, but he is notorious for writing songs with brilliant lyrics. In fact, I admire the poetry of his words and view him as a sort of inspiration. I love abstract poetry meant to convey only feelings drawn up by interpretations. To me, it makes the piece so much more profound and meaningful to the reader.
Although I can not confidently analyze any lyric from Robert Smith, I would love to offer my personal interpretation. (:
Listening to “Plainsong”, I have to realize that the lyrics perfectly match the sound. I love the place the music transports me: I am standing at a cliff’s edge under a sky filled with immense grey clouds. The wind is berating me, and all is grey and soggy and dark. But all is not necessarily dreary. This is a moment of feeling, of memory. This is a moment worth translating into the opening track of a superb album.
This piece fills me with a certain dread. It is about growing older and fearing you never leave an impact on the world. It is about a dreary landscape, both literal and metaphorical. It is about being on the verge of so much.
I love the flow of the lyrics and how it is a conversation. And the last stanza contains such a sincere sweetness. I love it. “Sometimes you make me feel like I’m living at the edge of the world,” and in response, “It’s just the way I smile, you said.” Despite never witnessing it, I feel this moment within me; it is bittersweet and so close to something vast and a bit terrifying—yet almost indescribable.
Overall
“Plainsong” is one of my favorite tracks on this album! It is definitely captivating, and it creates such an ethereal moment in reality.
Track Two: “Pictures of You”
Duration: 7:24
Initial Thoughts
Oh my goodness. “Pictures of You” is one of the most famous Cure songs of all time…and it is nearly ten minutes long! But listening to it, the song’s appeal is evident. “Pictures of You” is truly a masterpiece, a rich blend of various instruments and guitar texture. I can not describe how perfect Smith’s vocals mix with the sound, and the overall effect is quite heavenly. There is so much subtle variety to this piece, and the end leaves listeners feeling breathless. Experiencing “Pictures of You” in an upbeat mood, this will make you dance or bob your head while feeling an upwelling of positive feeling. But when experiencing this song in a nostalgic state of longing or even mourning, “Pictures of You” will tear you apart in the most delicate way.
Lyrics
Unlike “Plainsong”, this piece contains quite a bit of lyrics, and the words are definitely deserving of attention. I contemplated only including excerpts, but the decision-making of which lines tore my heart in two.
“Pictures of You”
I’ve been looking so long at these pictures of you That I almost believe that they’re real I’ve been living so long with my pictures of you That I almost believe that the pictures Are all I can feel
Remembering you standing quiet in the rain As I ran to your heart to be near And we kissed as the sky fell in Holding you close How I always held close in your fear Remembering you running soft through the night You were bigger and brighter and wider than snow And screamed at the make-believe Screamed at the sky And you finally found all your courage To let it all go
Remembering you fallen into my arms Crying for the death of your heart You were stone white So delicate Lost in the cold You were always so lost in the dark Remembering you how you used to be Slow drowned You were angels So much more than everything Hold for the last time then slip away quietly Open my eyes But I never see anything
If only I’d thought of the right words I could have held on to your heart If only I’d thought of the right words I wouldn’t be breaking apart All my pictures of you
Looking so long at these pictures of you But I never hold on to your heart Looking so long for the words to be true But always just breaking apart My pictures of you
There was nothing in the world That I ever wanted more Than to feel you deep in my heart There was nothing in the world That I ever wanted more Than to never feel the breaking apart All my pictures of you
If I could summarize the emotions of this song into one statement, it would be, “if only.” This piece is packed full of so much feeling. It is nostalgic, but the kind of nostalgia that proves quite visceral. You can understand the love the narrator has, but loss of some sort is also apparent.
Yes, “Pictures of You” feels like a piece written about loss. Is it death? Time? Space? However, we know that only “pictures” remain.
A few of my favorite lines:
“I’ve been living so long with my pictures of you that I almost believe that the pictures are all I can feel.”
“…And screamed at the make-believe—screamed at the sky—and you finally found all your courage to let it all go.”
“Open my eyes, but I never see anything.”
“There was nothing in the world that I ever wanted more than to feel you deep in my heart.”
All in all, I adore the lyrics in this. The meaning is more straightforward than other Cure songs, but it can be interpreted in so many different ways. Whether you spend the seven minutes dancing dramatically or sobbing freely, the lyrics remain unchanged. The effect is that powerful. And when Robert Smith sings the last stanza, this extraordinary feeling washes over you, a feeling nearly unknown. Smith’s voice is full of anguish, regret, and gratitude, breathing life into the stellar poetry that will live in your heart long after the song ends.
Overall
“Pictures of You” is truly a moving piece by the Cure, characterized by a vast blend of sound to sink into. It is reflection, reminiscence. It is loss and adoration. It is regret and gratitude. And it is all of the feelings of yesterday. I can not express my level of appreciation for this song…some days I skip past it because it is, well, popular and played constantly. But if you endure the seven minutes of reflection and overwhelming feeling, then you understand. It is an unbeatable Cure classic.
Track Three: “Closedown”
Duration: 4:16
Initial Thoughts
This song, to me, is reminiscent of “Plainsong”…but in an incredibly satisfying, necessary way. It is aware; it is afraid. Time is moving at an alarming rate, traveling at the speed of the heavily percussive intro. I love the drums being layered with the bass. And I love the random synth and guitar melodies. Such as with “Plainsong”, “Closedown” contains a limited amount of lyrics—Robert Smith’s vocals complimenting the instrumental details that subsist whole-heartedly in the spotlight. This piece is meditative, grand, and a balance between grating, heavy bass and light tones produced by synthesizers and rich guitar.
Lyrics
“Closedown”
I’m running out of time I’m out of step and closing down And never sleep for wanting hours The empty hours of greed And uselessly always the need to feel again The real belief of something more than mockery If only I could fill my heart with love
Despite their brief simplicity, I have respect for “Closedown”‘s lyrics. The words flow so naturally, and the pace conveys the urgency of Smith’s message. And so much is packed within this one stanza.
I interpret “Closedown” as nearing the end of something monumental. The seconds are flying by, and you are left comprehending how this impacts you. It is about growing older and slipping into routine, and it is about envy. I adore the line, “If only I can fill my heart with love,” and I can clearly feel the trance-like mix of fear and awe this piece carries. The lyrics are startlingly aware yet…stuck.
Overall
“Closedown” is definitely something to listen to while hastily meeting deadlines at the last second. And, on a more serious note, it is a song worth playing when you feel too old or beyond the present, a song for days spent in worry and longing as the end is felt before it is seen. Grounded by heavy bass and drums that echo in your heart, “Closedown” effortlessly communicates the dread and awe of the change that arrives with inevitably.
Track Four: “Lovesong”
Duration: 3:29
Initial Thoughts
Layer heaven! The soft, meditative lull of an organ-like sound carries guitar cracks and lilting melodies, a lovely bass beat, and upbeat drums. Robert Smith’s voice, full of adoration, elevates the incredible mix of sound to the next level. And random trills and variations to the hypnotic beat create a never-ending intrigue. The overall effect of every musical voice is utterly astounding. Another Cure classic, “Lovesong” refines the recipe of a traditional love song to something so savory and fresh, you lose yourself in a world of sincerity.
Lyrics
“Lovesong”
Whenever I’m alone with you You make me feel like I am home again Whenever I’m alone with you You make me feel like I am whole again
Whenever I’m alone with you You make me feel like I am young again Whenever I’m alone with you You make me feel like I am fun again
However far away I will always love you However long I stay I will always love you Whatever words I say I will always love you I will always love you
Fly me to the moon
Whenever I’m alone with you You make me feel like I am free again Whenever I’m alone with you You make me feel like I am clean again
However far away I will always love you However long I stay I will always love you Whatever words I say I will always love you I will always love you
“Lovesong” is outrageously perfect in its simplicity. There is no need for extravagant moments of jaw-dropping, literary prowess, as every little moment speaks for itself.
Robert Smith effectively uses repetition to allow the sound to carry his words and amplify his message. The lyrics are not a separate body; every voice in “Lovesong” combines to communicate the song’s overall intention. I have no choice but to admire this trusting creative process that, in turn, influences the piece in the most perfect way.
A Few of My Favorite Lines
“Whenever I’m alone with you, you make me feel like I am home again.”
There is something so impactful about “home.”
“Whenever I’m alone with you, you make me feel like I am whole again.”
“Whenever I’m alone with you, you make me feel like I am young again.”
This contrasts one significant element of “Plainsong” and “Closedown”! The muse of Smith’s writing, his wife, challenges his ceaseless worrying of time.
“Fly me to the moon.”
This is spontaneous yet so organic and real.
I love Smith’s voice throughout every moment of this piece! “However far away…,” finds its way into the spotlight, and the song benefits from its repetitive, rich effect. The Cure is not a stranger to love songs—two examples of other pieces being “Halo” and “This Twilight Garden”—but “Lovesong” exists as an incredibly bare yet impressive piece that boasts nothing but sincerity.
“Lovesong” lifts listeners in preparation for what lies on the horizon of Disintegration—a bit of respite in the darkness of time and space.
Overall
Not a fan of love songs? Give this one a try. It is not delusional or for show, and it is characterized by a medley of unique tones and voices. Honestly, despite “Lovesong”‘s popularity, it is quite hypnotic. I have attempted to translate it into purely synth music, and let me tell you…playing the ba dum duh duh duh duh duuuh duuh on keyboard is so satisfying it should be unattainable.
Track Five: “Last Dance”
Duration: 4:42
Initial Thoughts
This piece sticks out to me—an unusual contrast to the swirl of similar feelings before. “Last Dance” is somber, yes, but in a way that is polished and contained; no bleeding emotions saturate the sound. This song is a step away from the contemplation of before, and the tone of the album begins to darken. Although “Last Dance” feels miles away from “Lovesong”, it still focuses on time and some associated negative feelings.
Lyrics
(note: For the sake of brevity, some lines have been omitted; they are marked with ellipses.)
“Last Dance”
I’m so glad you came I’m so glad you remembered To see how we’re ending our last dance together Expectant too punctual but Prettier than ever I really believed that this time it’s forever
But older than me now more constant more real…
…I’m so glad you came I’m so glad you remembered The walking through walls in the heart of December The blindness of happiness Of falling down laughing And I really believed that this time was forever
But Christmas falls late now flatter and colder And never as bright as when we used to fall All this in an instant before I can kiss you A woman now standing were once there was only a girl…
…Reluctantly cautiously but Prettier than ever I really believed That this time it’s forever
But Christmas falls late now, flatter and colder And never as bright as when we used to fall
And even if we drink I don’t think we would kiss In the way that we did when the woman was only a girl
“Last Dance” is a separation from the adoring simplicity of “Lovesong”; it is more austere, and that is conveyed by eloquent wording and an overall succinct sound.
A hint of either sarcasm or absurd wonder can be detected, as Smith sings, “I’m so glad…to see how we’re ending our last dance together.” By examining the lyrics and Smith’s use of, “a woman now standing where once there was only a girl”, I can infer that the subject of the song, perhaps, was once an old muse, and a great deal of time has passed since the narrator last encountered her.
Throughout the piece, Robert Smith is processing the events unfolding before him while reflecting on the path. The month of December holds significance, and Smith realizes that the current Decembers are not quite like before.
In general, I found the lyrics fairly intriguing—especially their tone. One of my favorite lines is, “the blindness of happiness.”
Overall
I appreciate the sound of “Last Dance”; it fits the mood of the lyrics and adds a greater effect to Smith’s vocals. I love the crying electric guitar and the melodic foundational beats of drums, bass, and synth. Although “Last Dance” is not among my all-time favorite Cure songs, I respect the details which make this piece extraordinary: the blend of intense rhythms that combine into one flowing, unstoppable river, Robert’s versatility in songwriting, and the way Smith emphasizes the pronunciation of each word—this adds to the austerity! Love.
End of Part One
As my blog has surpassed three thousand words, I will need at least a part two. My apologies! Stay tuned for the remaining seven songs! Peace. (:
It’s been a while since I last blogged, so I figured I’d just tell you guys what I’ve been up to, as well as what the my blog platform will look like this year!
First, I am a senior now- crazyyy! I am also student body president, which still blows my mind to say out loud, but I’m honestly still the same Maleigh! I feel like coming into this year I almost felt like I had to “redefine myself,” but I quickly realized that is quite okay to just be me!
However, my blogging style will be getting a makeover. Instead of posting journalism or informational type blogs, I will be using this platform to talk more about me and my life. There won’t be quite as many series, and my posting will be more sporadic, but on the last Friday of each month, I will post some sort of literary review, so look forward to those! But as for every other week, you can just expect more about me. Last year when the pandemic hit, things were hard, and I had to sort of go off schedule and off plan, and it proved to be very difficult for me, so I want to challenge myself this year to just write- no rhyme or reason needed.
So, the last time you heard from me, I was reflecting and saying my goodbyes, but in these last few months, I’ve done quite a lot, so I’ll include some photos of what my life has looked like in this pandemic.
I turned 17 in May!
I was so super grateful!
I won a few awards for my writing (not sure why I am holding it like a baby)!
I spent a lot of time with my silly kitty, Manny!
I became pen pals with most of my MSA family to pass the quarantine time, and I must say letter writing is a lost art form!
I hung 😉 out in this super comfy hammock!
I went to “prom”!
That’s pretty much what I did during quarantine! I did a lot of cooking and baking too, but I didn’t have any photos that. How did you guys pass time while at home? Let me know in the comments!!
I have so much free time. I’m about to have even more free time because I’m almost done with school entirely. So, the question must be asked: what do I do with all of this free time? I can easily answer that question: play video games. All-day. And listen to music and YouTube videos as well, but mostly play video games. What video games have I played the most? Animal Crossing: New Horizons and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.
Now, some of you may be wondering: what on earth are those things? Well, settle down, cuz I’m about to teach you a lesson about two of my favorite video games.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons is a game that came out on March 20. Yes, I did drive out to the GameStop in McComb to get my copy of the game. Quarantine wouldn’t stop me from getting my game about talking animals and growing flowers. I was determined to get my hands on it; and once I got it, I drove back to my house, went inside, and loaded my new game onto my Switch.
Right away, I could tell that I would love this game. The music was relaxing, and the first characters I encountered were Timmy and Tommy Nook, two young raccoons that are related to the titular character Tom Nook.
Look how cute they are. How could you not instantly fall in love with them?
Right away, I got busy working on making my town the best it could possibly be. I spent a lot of time picking weeds, replanting trees, and visiting mystery islands to find new flowers and fruits to grow on my island (all I’m missing is oranges… which I got at the beginning of the game, but ate them without knowing that I could plant them. oops). My two starting villagers were Canberra, the koala, and Hamlet, the hamster. Hamlet is a jock. I hate jocks. They won’t shut up about sports. I hate them in Animal Crossing almost as much as I do in real life.
I’ve been working with this game since it came out on that very day. I’ve been doing my best to make my island the best that it can be. I’ve been planting flowers, getting new villagers, and messing with the layout in a way that makes visual and coherent sense. My sister has been helping me as well, though she helps a little less so than I would like. Currently, I’m working on paying off the next to last upgrade for my house, while also working on getting to a five-star rating so that my island has the best image that it can be.
When I’m not working on my tropical paradise, I’m beating people up in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. This fighting game is a lot different from most fighting games for one main reason: it’s a crossover of a multitude of different companies and franchises. From the Mario brothers to Final Fantasy VII, everyone from nearly every major gaming name in history has a place on the fighting roster. Also, this game is rather easy to understand; it doesn’t require very complex inputs like the arcade fighting games of old (Street Fighter, we’re looking at you). It usually requires the push of one button and a movement on the control stick, and your path to kicking butt is complete.
One of my favorite characters in the game is Hero, one of the downloadable content characters that’s from Dragon Quest. This character is unique in that, when you input the combination of down+B, you’re given four random moves that you can use against your opponent. Some of them are virtually useless (kacklang) and some are incredibly useful (heal and magic burst). I also love seeing a character in the game that isn’t just another normal sword fighter (see: every Fire Emblem rep except for Robin).
These two games have helped me keep my sanity during these crazy times, and I’m so happy that I have these games to occupy my time. I’m also grateful that I even have a Switch to begin with; it allows me to have an escape to a world where I don’t have to even care about what’s going on outside my home.
Seven years ago, a free game was released onto the internet. This solo-developed horror game was created by Joonas Rikkonen, and last year was the first time that the game was released in a stable condition. This game is called SCP Containment Breach, where you play as a D-class (what the game refers to as people who get tested on in the facility this game takes place in) charged with making an attempt to escape when one of the many anomalies that are kept on-site escapes, causing a facility-wide breach to occur. But this franchise didn’t start out as just a horror game: it started as an innocuous post on 4Chan.
SCP-173. A lab report written in the horror section of 4Chan about a strange creature kept in a containment site that was hidden from normal society. It is described as an animate statue made of concrete and rebar, painted with Krylon brand spray paint. It only moves when something is not watching it, so no less than three people can enter its cell at a time, ensuring the safety of personnel who may be around it who need to blink. Its method of killing is a quick snap of the neck; closing your eyes around this monster ensures your quick demise. No one knew what to make of this unique and disturbing post, but they did know one thing: it was something that had never been seen before.
Soon, these types of posts began to clog the 4Chan board where it had been born. So, along with a few others, the SCP Wiki was created. On this site, the list of SCPs began to exponentially grow. Some notable entries include:
SCP-294, a coffee vending machine that can dispense any liquid, including those that have the potential to be catastrophically destructive. Upon depositing fifty cents, the user is prompted to enter a liquid of choice into the keypad, and the machine can dispense it. When tested, the machine could produce water, coffee, beer, and soda, non-consumable liquids such as sulfuric acid, wiper fluid, and motor oil.
SCP-426, I am a toaster; I can only be referred to in the first person in order to keep ambiguity. When I am in prolonged exposure to an individual, I slowly cause the person in question to believe that they are a toaster. I was given to a couple as a wedding gift, and after two months, an electrical fire caused the house to burn down. I was afterward taken into SCP’s custody, and I have remained there ever since.
SCP-1974, a bathtub that holds the consciousness of two individuals: SCP-1974-1, who is a male American, and SCP-1974-2, a male Russian. The two consciousnesses are in a near-constant state of arguing, and one can hear it if they submerge any body part into the water.
The only SCP that has never been designated is SCP-001. There have been a few proposals, most of which are catastrophic events, but to this day, those who man the SCP Wiki refuse to give this coveted spot away.
A few years after the SCP Wiki was created, a game designer commonly known as Regalis decided that he was going to make a game based off the SCP series. The main question is: how would one go about creating a game about a series that is home to hundreds of thousands of individual creatures? The answer was to create a game that was focused on escaping an SCP lab. The game was titled SCP Containment Breach, and to this day, it is still getting consistently updated.
The player character in the game is a D-Class personnel (in the SCP universe, the foundation often uses death-row criminals in their testing), and during a routine check on SCP-173, it breaches containment. It is now the job of the player to safely evade the many SCPs in the facility and find a way to escape.
This game, along with the efforts of those who work for the SCP Wiki, has kept the SCP Foundation a staple in modern horror and suspense. If you have the time, here’s a recommendation: to find out which SCP you are, go to Google and search “SCP” plus your birthday. Mine, SCP-825, is a medieval helmet that induces visions in those who wear it. And if your SCP interests you, why not search for readings of SCP articles on YouTube? This series is full of interesting creatures, and I am sure that you will find something that is both exciting and entertaining.
Bruce Springsteen’s song “The Last Carnival” is something I have been listening to a lot lately. For me, it holds so many different meaning and resonates with so many events happening in my life right now. First of all, I lost a dear friend to a motorcycle accident on April 10th. I haven’t really been ready to talk about it because I was ready to face the “sorry for your loss” again, but at this time I feel like I need to leave a tribute to her. What better way to do that than to listen to a song that reminds me how alive she was.
“We won’t be dancing together on the high wire
Facing the lines with you at my side, oh no.
We won’t be breathing the smoke in the fire
On a midway.
Hanging from the trapeze, my wrists waiting for your wrists.
Two daredevils high upon the water’s edge.
You throwing the knife that lands inches from my head.”
She enjoyed walking on the wild side of things. She was a limit-tester. That friend you could do anything will no matter how crazy of dangerous. Springsteen encompasses above exactly how it felt to be with her and the grief I feel that I won’t get to have those adventures with her anymore. She was fearless, and she made me fearless. She was the most alive person I knew, and I know wherever she is at now, that hasn’t changed. She always walked the line of risk like it was a tightrope. Where is she is, she’s pushing the rules. She’s existing beyond the way all of us exist, and that is exactly how she lived her life. “The last Carnival” reminds me of the last time she and I did something out of the ordinary. We were at a parade in our hometown, and we got bored, so we walked through the parade band and then made our way a few miles up the road. She was determined to walk in the middle of the road and dodge any vehicles that came at her. That was our last carnival.
This song also reminds me of my MSA family. My literaries and I have been through thick and thin together. We have argued, almost fought, laughed together, cried together, got to know each other in the most mentally and emotionally intimate ways. The past two years have been a roller-coaster ride, and I am so thankful that I had the opportunity to love all of these fantastic people.
Thank you, Ms. Vickie for being my mom away from home. You were always there to listen when I was having a hard time and ready to give me a laugh when I needed it most.
Thank You, Mr. Benny and Mrs. Suz for always checking up on me and pushing me to be the best I could be.
Thank You, Mrs. Kathy for sitting with me at dinner when I was alone, you have no idea how much that meant to me.
Thank You, Mrs. Sibley for being the best mentor I could ask for, learning my love language, and never letting me give up on myself. There were times when you had more faith in me than I did, and your guidance has helped me grow as a writer and especially as a person. I know I was a handful, and I can never fully express my gratitude for everything you have taught me.
Thank You, Kerri Bland for always being the person that could make me laugh until I couldn’t breathe. You are heading for amazing things, and I am so proud of the person you have evolved into since we first met back at camp. I have lived with you for two years and over that time you have become one the best and most memorable friends I have and will ever meet.
Thank You, Morgan Crosby for being such an amazing listener and supporter. You have never judged me. You have always pushed me to do great things from raising my ACT score, to listening to me read my pieces over and over even before they were done, for feeding me comfort food, for the warm hugs, for listening to me complain all the time, you are a great human being and I love you so much.
Thank You, Victoria Jerde for helping me gain confidence in myself. You were there each time I doubted my abilities or my strength. I am grateful that I got to know you because you were one of the few people who understood everything I was suffering with. You are so beautiful and smart and strong, and never let yourself get down just like you never allowed me too.
Imani Carter/Skipwith, we have been through some stuff together for sure, but I am glad we were able to solidify a bond and friendship this year. You have had my back when it counted most since that summer we roomed together at camp, and you are going to do such amazing things with your words. I am proud and excited to see where you go.
Micheal “MJ” Coleman, man am I going to miss you. You are such a shining star. I am going to miss hearing you sing, hearing you laugh, and watching you dance. I’ll miss our talks. Remember last year when I sat by you in the lab and we would always cut up? You really became my brother over these years, and I love you so much.
Kia Nations, we weren’t really that close, but I’ll miss your ability to stand up for yourself no matter what. Your writing has grown so much, and I can’t wait to see where you wind up. You have such a bright future, never let anyone try to get you down because you are a force to be reckoned with.
Finally, Chloe Russell, my best friend, my future Millsaps roommate, I won’t even try to explain how much you mean to me. You came into my life at the perfect time. You made me stronger. You made me a better writer, gave me a better outlook on life, and help me become a better person. I don’t know what I would have done if you hadn’t of took me out for that drive back in the beginning of last year and gave me a new friend when I had no one. You keep me going, and wherever you wind up, I’ll be right beside you cheering you on.
To my juniors, and to their juniors, and so on: Seize every moment, bask in it, love where you’re at and love where you are going because if you are apart of this family, you are destined for great things. This is my last carnival, but I know that you all will only make the carnival bigger, greater, and incomparable. Love you all.
“Moon rise, moon rise, the light that was in your eyes is gone away.
Daybreak, daybreak, the thing in you that made me ache has gone to stay
We’ll be riding the train without you tonight
The train that keeps on moving
It’s black smoke scorching the evening sky.
A million stars shining above us like every soul living and dead
Has been gathered together by God to sing a hymn
Over the old bones.
Sundown, sundown.
They empty out the fairgrounds.
Where are you now my handsome Billy?”
It kills me that I have to say good-bye to you all like this, but at least it’ll be in a place for me to always look back and remember. Thank you so much MSA, for changing my life, for helping me become great.
Quarantine has forced me to try many new things, including reading books that I thought were overrated, along with movies I never watched because I thought they were overrated, and finally, watching shows I never watched because- I bet you can guess why- I thought that they were overrated.
Which show have I avoided for many years because I thought it would be so horrible? Game of Thrones. At one point in time, everyone was talking about this show- and I mean everyone. I was the one percent of the population who had never seen a single episode.
I began the Game of Thrones journey by watching a completely different show, this one is called Disenchantment. I recommend disenchantment to anyone willing to try it; it’s super underrated. It’s an adult cartoon and it’s hilarious. It really makes fun of Game of Thrones and the middle ages time period in general.
I was watching that show one day and I thought to myself, “why not at least give it a shot.” so, I switched over to Amazon Prime Video and went to watching it.
This show is so unbelievable gruesome. Within the first thirty minutes I had watched two men ripped to pieces, and another beheaded for treason. I thought to myself, “What is wrong with our generation?” as I continued watching with no regrets.
There is a ridiculous amount of characters- it’s really hard to keep up at first but you get the hang of it. By the way, it’s very much so rated R so watch out, youngin’s. I want to read the books one day but apparently there are even more characters in the book so I have no earthly idea how I would even begin to follow that. Then again, so many people die it might not be that hard.
George RR Martin, the author, truly spares no one. He has chewed my heart up, swallowed it, and threw it up in the gutter too many times to count. At the end of every season, someone you loved dies. No one is safe. I’m so serious, you think everything is grand then BOOM death.
Aside from that, there are some awesome female characters in the show. One being The Mother Of Dragons, who starts off being sold to a man as a wife and now has an army of ten thousand men she freed from slavery and three dragons and she cannot be burned. Fire does not hurt her. She’s awesome. There’s also a little girl called Arya Stark who I love with all of my heart and soul because she is a little warrior. She has been through so much and she is so strong and if she dies I swear I will go to Martin personally and ask him to please reconsider. I cannot handle that.
All in all, I was being stupid for not watching it. I was just scared of being basic, but I’ve come to the conclusion that good cinematography and story writing should always be appreciated, no matter how many people already like it, or how many don’t.
I have read five of the books in the series so far, there are thirteen. There is a TV series called True Blood that is based off of these books, but the books are very different. The author, Charlaine Harris, is actually from Mississippi and I wish I had heard about her before. I suppose she’s not as looked at as widely because she is a science fiction writer, however she’s an amazing story teller.
The books are about a twenty five year old woman who is a waitress who lives in Bon Temps, Louisiana ( a fictional town ) with her grandmother, and she can’t hold down a date because she’s a mind reader. I suppose that being a telepath can really hinder dating; I wouldn’t want to always hear what a man is thinking about me.
In the book, vampires are known by people and they actually exist. One night, a handsome guy comes into the bar and she immediately knows something is different about him because she can’t hear his thoughts.
As it turns out, because vampires are dead their brainwaves don’t work the same way. Sookie immediately finds peace within him and so begins the long story of Sookie being drawn into this dark and dangerous world.
She works for these creatures often to help them find out information from humans that they need to know. She discovers that they aren’t the only creatures that exist and ends up having so many different love interest that I almost can’t keep up. I don’t really know how to explain all of it cause it’s so much information..
I think the way it’s written is really entertaining and I’ve been listening to it on audible so that’s fun. I’m sorry I’m not writing this amazingly right now, this quarantine has really drained me, but I’m trying my best. That’s why I’ve read so many of these books because it gives me something to focus on and breeds creativity for me.
I hope all of you are reading as much as you can and soaking in all different types of stories. Thank you for reading.
My review this month will be on a song entitled “Run Run” by Jill Scott. I chose this song because it reminds me of my mother, and most mothers in times like these. Since we have been out of school, my mother has continued to work and thrive in working two jobs. The song lyrics are as follows:
Baby, mama be back in a minute
Gotta hustle and handle my business
I’ll be right back when I’m done
I gotta run run run run, baby
Gotta put food on the table
Mama’s workin’ and know mama’s able
I’ve gotta run run run run
I’m Superwoman
Flying through the city
There’s only one way to make baby go and get it
Overworked, underpaid
Lord knows I need a raise
But when I walk by the guys say
“Baby, do you wanna go for a ride?
We can cruise on down 405
‘Cause it look like you could be the one”
I gotta run run run run, baby
Gotta put food on the table
Mama’s workin’ and know mama’s able
I’ll be right back when I’m done
I gotta run run run run
Me, oh my
Me, myself and I and my baby
I tell no lie
I try for my baby
Every night, I pray for my baby
Oh
I swim the deepest sea
I climb the highest mountain for you, baby
Oh
Anything, oh
Mama’s gonna be there when you’re
Mama’s gonna be there when you’re down
I love you, baby
So now
I’ve gotta run run run run run run run run run run run run baby
The song is fast-paced, which gives me the idea that mothers make things happen, FAST. You know? Whenever I need a little boost of motivation on work, I listen to it so that it reminds me that my mother has this mentality. In this way, I aspire to be just like her. A boss, in all forms of the word. Hats off to those mothers doing the same thing. I know juggling home life and the online school cannot be easy, especially when it was so easy to separate the two. We will all be strong and conquer.
While this essay isn’t really a review of literary works, I think it still goes well with the theme of literature. It began as a rant I once had to myself, but I turned it into a slightly more formal essay for Mrs. Lambert’s class. If you’d like, you can think of this as a bit more of a peek into my brain, at least when it comes down to what I identify as in terms of writing. And in case you’re wondering, I identify as a writer.
Approximately 81 percent of Americans want to write at least one book. Does that qualify someone to be an author? To answer the question, those that wish to write a book are more than likely going to be a writer, not an author because they are less likely to dedicate their career to the craft. That sparks another question: what sets an author apart from a writer? The literal definition of a writer is “a person who has written a particular text,” and the definition of an author is “a writer of a book, article, or report.” While the words seem to be defined differently, they are too similar. As a solution, the definitions of “writer” and “author” should be further altered to avoid confusion.
A form of leisure, writing is often used as a way to deviate from the everyday. Many writers practice their craft to share it with those close to them. Some publish their stories in smaller works like literary journals and magazines, but not all writers strive to become famous for their work. Unlike authors, writers are not pressured to create something new; rather, they have the choice to continue a book or not. Therefore, a more accurate definition of a writer would be any person with a desire to write.
Authors are almost the opposite of writers in terms of their qualities. If a new definition of author was created, it should be worded something like “a person who writes not only for pleasure, but also for a living.” What begins as a passion for writing turns into a way of life for authors. Writing is more than a hobby; it is a career. When one takes into account how much work (deadlines, editing, revisions, etc.) an author has to devote to one story, it is clear that there is a divide between the two types of artists.
As briefly mentioned, the two are quite different when dissected, however, they do share some similarities. A thin line divides authors and writers, making them seem to be opposites. They have similar origins: finding pleasure or satisfaction in writing something into existence. Although, writers and authors take separate paths and end in different destinations, so to speak. For example, writers, often, do not have to devote their time to writing. If they wish, a writer can begin a story one day, then finish it some time afterwards. Authors, however, must create a story and produce a manuscript within a timeframe set by their editor. In the end, authors are more pressured to write for their earnings while writers do not experience the same.
Due to their similarities, the terms “author” and “writer” are misused. A writer creates stories for leisure and might publish their work(s) to let others experience it. Alternatively, authors write for work before writing for pleasure. As one can tell, the divide between the two is slim but divided, nonetheless. As for how one can determine if they are a writer or author, consider how much time and effort one puts into a story or book idea.
