In the End

Experience, Experiment, and Expand! This is what Lit 110 was about. The story's that we read,the independent novels, the poems, other's flash fiction works, and not to mention the research that we had to do for the salons all contributed to our experience. We stepped for a moment, out of the box and into worlds that were new to us and thoughts that were unfamiliar. While doing this we were able to Experiment by preforming our own works and trying out new styles of writing. We were able to make our thoughts come alive and produce creativity that some of us didn't know existed. We also were able to Expand on our knowledge by not only sharing our thoughts and interpretations of what we read and learned, but taking in the opinions and ideas of others. For the most part I think you got more out of the story or poem but considering the way other's viewed it. We learned so much in this class, and not in the normal teaching sense. We got a better understanding of Literature by Experiencing it, Experimenting with it, and Expanding on it. Thank you.

Wonder Boys

This movie was very interesting. There is so much happening to this man and he is trying to take care of so many things I can understand why he is facing a mid-life crisis. He's a well known author and professor who has writers block, who is trying to avoid his editor however he manages to become part of the party. He has this student who is brilliant but yet a little mixed up. His wife left him and he has managed to get the chancellor of the school pregnant, Oh did I mention she is married also. Crazy movie. It was a great movie. I never thought it was going to be this good just by looking at the box,, a bit on the boring side was the impression I got. Check it out!

Third Hand

On Thursday July 16th, I ventured to the heart of Illinois fair in hopes of seeing Trapt. Unfortunately I didn't make it to the entertainment tent, but got side tracked to the beer garden. After a few beverages the band started. The music at first was slow and unfamiliar, but after about an hour they were rocking. They played a mix of oldies and new age grunge music.. which I happen to absolutely love. The songs were fast paced and even though the singer was out of tune occasionally, the lyrics screamed with life in the fast lane, and fame and fortune. I had a great time. It's always nice to kick back with a brew and take in the wonderful rhythm and remarkable consistency of a song.

The Black Arts

Reading the poems produced by these authors were very touching. The world was changed because of these people. Racism is not a thing of the past but lives lively still. Most people today are more familiar with the difference of color. Yet you still have hate for reasons that to me are useless. I admire these authors for taking the steps toward a more civil union. I truly enjoyed the video of Amiri Baraka and his reading.

The discovery

The journey I am taking through this book is astounding. The description of the observations that they have made is in such clear detail that you can see them for yourself. It is so much different than the movie. I love the little details that the film makers forget to add or simply delete. These are the parts that let your imagination take hold. The book is almost finished and yet I think I may partake in another journey written by Verne. I love the escape and it is nice, especially in my life, not a whole lot of time to read for enjoyment.

SLAM

The poetry slam was an incredible opportunity. I felt some real emotion behind most of the poems that were delivered. It is always a challenge to step out of the box, and do something that you normally would never do. I know I was nervous and I could see some others shaking up there as well. I think that everyone did an amazing job and the creativeness of some poems went above and beyond. I must say that there was one poem that particularly moved me. It takes real dedication and courage to lay troubles out there at the feet of total strangers. I applaud you.

AVE MARIA

This poem really touched me. It was written by the late Frank O'Hara and to me it is about raising children. I took it to heart feeling as if he had some underlying reasons to hate his parents. I believe his statements are saying let your kids be kids.. let them enjoy life and live it to it's fullest everyday. Don't let your kids grow up hating you because of little things that don't really matter. Like he says the ironic part is that in the end they end up doing it anyways with or without you. I personally would rather enjoy activities spent with my child now and reflect about them in the future with a positive attitude, then to push him to the side, always lecturing and punishing, and be hated. I enjoyed this poem as well as other works written by him. His work is serious, ironic, and about real life. Truly a remarkable writer.

Dreamers

When I read this poem I have to admit I was moved. I can relate and understand. To me the poem is about soldiers, who are on the front lines, putting their lives on the line each and every day. You can almost feel the sadness and longing that is being portrayed. I can honestly picture a young man, neck deep in a foxhole, positioned with his rifle, and even though the situation at hand is terrible and gut clinching; he still manages to let his mind wonder to his family and reflects upon his own life and life choices. Wishing he was home and possibly regretting the choice that he made to sign on that dotted line.

The wrong tunnel

This book is awesome. I love letting my imagination do the walking. The journey has officially started, they arrived in Iceland and set forth toward Mt. Sneffels. They have this guide who to me appears to be young, built, and I picture him to be attractive. His name is Hans. Such a classic. Anyways they make their way through the rough Icelandic mountain side, taking shelter in peasant homes. They arrive in one town that is made of mostly lepers, and the description of these people is sickening. After leaving this town they adventure to the summit of the mountain and proceed to descend into the crater. As they are traveling through the layers of the Earth the skeptic of the journey begins to evaluate the possibilities of this journey to be a reality. They come to a fork in the road and have four tunnels to chose from. Without knowing what is to come they venture into the Eastern one first. Their water and food provisions are running out and only to find out after 7 hours of hiking that it is a dead end. Now they have to turn around and try a different route. The temperature is remaining at a cool degree and little change is recorded. I am anxious as to what the Western tunnel holds for our travelers and how they are going to manage to survive among exhaustion, little food, and no water. How exciting.

The Force

Star Wars is one of the most popular movies of all time. It even has followers. Like groupies. To me that is crazy but in all honesty I can understand their dedication. This movie is an adventure, it is like many novels, an escape from reality. This movie allows people to be someone other than themselves. It presents every aspect of American life so that everyone feels some connection in some way. Take the princess for example. A strong woman who is not afraid to tell you like it is, to take the initiative, to brave the situation regardless of it's outcome. I personally can feel the Independence. Even though she is the damsel in distress, she is portrayed as a heroine. I feel the connection is what has made this movie attractive. Everyone needs an escape and what a better way then to be a super hero with some special power, in some foreign land, saving the world from the forces of evil. It's perfect. After all isn't everyone out for some sort of adventure? I know I am whether it be in real life or behind the screen or pages of a book, I am game.

A Journey

Well for my independent novel I started reading a well known Jules Verne tale, "A Journey to the Center of the Earth". I have seen the newer version of the movie but I wanted to let my imagination do some exploring. Debarking on my journey to the center of the Earth I sit on end waiting for the trip to begin. The anticipation for what will come next is intense. The books are always so much better than the movies to me. I think it allows for you to become the adventurer, the lover, the hermit, or whatever character type it may be. I want to be there! I also tend to take pieces of the material and research it just to see if perhaps there is some truth to it. Just a childhood dream I guess, envying the character of their far from normal life. I have only read the first chapters of this book but I can tell why already that this novel is a classic. I look forward to sharing my journey with you, enjoy the postcards as I become the adventuring niece, vice nephew of Professor Hardwigg.

Woman Hollering Creek/ Llorona

This story left me wondering about so many things that I had to take some extra time to check them out. The first thing, I was completely lost when it came to the translation of many of the Spanish words used. Secondly I found myself dwelling on the mention of Llorona, which was a legend about a woman who was extremely beautiful and vain. She married a handsome, wealthy man and had two children. Life was good for Maria until her husband returned to the wild ways of being a ranchero. He would be gone for months and only return to see his children. To make a story short Maria became envious of her children for the love of their father and cast them into the river. Realizing what she had done she raced downstream to catch them but they were already gone. The villagers found Maria the next day by the bank of the river. It is said that you can still hear her crying and to this day "Where are my children"? The children are warned not to go out at night and to stay away from the river bank, in fear that she will take them and they will never return. I just thought I would share that since I found it to be extremely interesting. So back to the original story; it is full of symbolism. The names for instance are underlying meanings, Dolores meaning sorrowful, and Soledad meaning solidarity or alone. It was amazing how this author told this story almost to the point where I questioned if it was a piece from her own life. The loneliness and despair, although hidden, seem to come to life. If you have ever known anyone in a similar situation you can definitely relate to her feelings. It just leaves you hanging wondering what will happen to her.. I absolutely loved it!

Betty

Reading "The best of Betty" to me was intriguing. A woman perhaps in her later years, bitter and unwavering. Dedicated to solving or ,at least offering assistance, in solving everyone else's problems. It was interesting to note the replies that she wrote to these women. It seemed as though she had done it for years and was basically sick of dealing with every one's day to day complaints. I think in some way she related her own day to day complaints and ailments to theirs. I think all in all, the advice she gave was nothing more than her thoughts and her possible results of experience. I think she uses this column as an escape from her own life, she writes to herself and even goes as far to insult herself on paper. I think she is crazy. It isn't until the ending of the column that she in turn, starts to realize that she is lonely, in despair, and in need of a change. Looking forward I think that Betty just needs some compassion and understanding. As do us all.