Behind the Inhaler Pt. 28

Oh it has been quite a week. Today we finished Me and Orson Welles and I thoroughly enjoyed it! I really enjoyed the writing style and slick humor that was weaved in throughout the story line. I hope we start watching the movie tomorrow, or watch it at all. I'm not really sure what happened on Wednesday but I hope it didn't take away the movie privilege.

Speaking of Wednesday, I wasn't in class due to a medical emergency. On Tuesday night I went into the oral surgeon concerning pain in my lower jaw which I believed was being caused by the surgery I had two months ago. Turns out the pain was a growing infection (thanks to an Orchestra concert on Tuesday night I had to wait to get the surgery on Wednesday). When I had the initial surgery they broke my teeth in my skull and they removed the pieces separately, well a piece got left behind and became infected.  The original plan was to make a small incision and flush the infection out. About five minutes into the procedure they called my mom in and had her sign a consent, the infection was way more progressive than they believed. I ended up having all the gum on my bottom left side of my jaw sawed/scraped/and hacked away. I was awake, and in brutal pain. They numbed me, but I still felt a lot of the procedure. Not only could I feel it but I could hear and see it. Not pleasant at all.

I ended up going to school today simply because I hate making up work. It was a long day.

Hope you're all well.

Response #26

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Behind the Inhaler Pt. 27

My initial reaction of Orson Welles is a good one. I thought I'd enjoy it and so far my initial thought was right. I enjoy the writing style and the subtle and not so subtle humor worked into the book. I definitely understand Richards need to "be someone" but not know exactly who that "someone" is. I have to say I really like the way Orson is depicted. I find it really comical and almost...refreshing? It's very rare we find someone who so easily speaks their mind now a days. Granted he can be rude and arrogant but I like that you always know what's going on in his head.

It's caught my attention so much that I really want to read ahead...but I won't. I've seen Citizen Kane once and referenced in my speech and debate piece (about dictators and power) so this new prospective of Orson is really interesting.

I don't really have much more to say about it because not much has unfolded in the book...I do wish that things were as...innocent? As they were back then. He went to NY, NY by himself at that age until 2 in the morning and no one called the cops or freaked out about it...really bizarre in today's world.

I hope you all have a good week. I've been sick and stressed and am looking forward to summer. I think I may have contracted senioritous... my sophomore year.

Response #25

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Behind the Inhaler Pt. 26

I guess it's time to put in my two cents about Julius Caesar. To start off I enjoyed Caesar much more than I thought I would. The only reason I really dreaded reading it to begin with was the fact that Romeo and Juliet was almost painful to read for me. I think I enjoyed how Caesar was loosely based off of history while Romeo and Juliet was just...frustrating.  Have you ever wished that you had the ability to yell at a fictional character? I wanted to scream during Romeo and Juliet haha

That being said I'll have to give Shakespeare another try, suggestions Mr. Potter?

I have to say my favorite character was Brutus. Simply because he was selfless. He was loyal to his people and his home and I think that's very honorable. Him saying that it was more difficult for him to kill Caesar than himself I thought was pretty amazing. Having really thought about it I think it would be more difficult to kill my best friend than myself as well.

~x~

In other non Caesar related news my brother comes home from College this weekend. Happiest news I've  had in a while. I can't wait to see him. It's also nice not being prime target #1 with my parents.

I also got a horse! His names Ima Shadow Boxer AKA Austin. We don't pick the registered name, I think it's stupid too haha Needless to say I'm really excited.

My mom took this when I wasn't paying attention. I was laying on his neck waiting for my turn to go jump. One of the few pictures I have of Peter with his ears forward and a pleasant expression on his face.

Response #24

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Behind the Inhaler Pt. 25

Julius Caesar the soundtrack (as I see it). I linked all the songs to a youtube video of them. These are not censored, and for the most part they probably aren't seen as "school appropriate." Just a heads up.

1. Improper Dancing - Electric Six
2. Non-Diary Creamer - Third Eye Blind
3. Handcuffs - Brand New
4. Body Bag - Hit the Lights
5. Judas- Cage the Elephant
6. Watch Me Bleed - Scary Kids Scaring Kids
7. Conspirators Rap - Some High School Kids doing an English Project 

Here comes the explanations...

Improper Dancing by Electric Six reminded me of the very first scene where Flavius and Marullus call out the partying Romans.

Every bodys doin,
What they shouldn't be doin
Every bodys doin it
In the middle of the street
Improper dancing in the middle of the street 
Somebody better notify the cheif of police

Non-Diary Creamer is a bit of a stretch. The whole song is about exploiting things that most people are afraid to confront. Which really is what the conspirators did. Also the lyric What's it ganna be? Are you real to me? Sort of embodies what Cassius was getting at when trying to get Brutus to join in his little plot. Are you a real Roman for Rome? Or Not?

The song Handcuffs' is one of my personal favorite songs...of course anything by Brand New can be considered a "favorite song." I like to think of this as Brutus' song. The whole song is about literally wishing you had the power to arrest, or stop someone while still being the "better man."

I'd arrest you if I had handcuffs
I'd arrest you if I had the time
I'd throw you down in the backseat
As if you committed a terrible crime
It's hard to be the better man
When you forget you're trying
It's hard to be the better man
When you're still lying

Body Bag I sort of threw in as a joke. I first heard Hit The Lights on the AP tour when they opened for some other bands I was going to see and they played this song called Body Bag that was almost...whimsical? The lyrics and the music don't seem to match in moods but I thought it would be fun giving the circumstances of Caesars death. You're going to need a body-bag, I'll break bones you didn't know you had. Pleasant, right?

Judas by CTE is a song written for an entirely different person in history...yet it fits! I mean just read the lyrics I pasted under this. "It's your dream to be the king of all creation," Wasn't that what Rome wanted? To be #1?



And it's your dream to be the king of all creation
As far as I'm concerned you've hung your shadow on the wall
And though your fingers never really pulled the trigger
Your hands are just as guilty, you're the one who bought the blood

Watch Me Bleed is another sort of joke like Body Bag was. Just from the title you can get why I chose it. We'll die inside this salted Earth together. You'll pierce my lungs, my lips go numb. Yes it's totally depressing but Caesar itself is pretty depressing haha

Lastly, the Conspirator Rap is something I stumbled upon on youtube. I really enjoyed it haha

I hope you all have a pleasant week.

I thought I'd share this haha This is Skeezix (ski-zz-icks) and I. He wasn't feeling well so I went in to check on him. He ended up falling asleep resting against me.

Response #23

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Behind the Inhaler Pt. 24

Like Mr. Potter suggested I will cast Julius Caesar the movie...my way. This should be interesting.

Caesar - Nicholas Cage
Brutus - Tom Hanks
Cassius -Heath Ledger (do they have to be living)?
Marc Antony - Frankie Muniz
Calpurnia - Helena Bonham Carter
Portia - Natalie Portman
Soothsayer - Morgan Freeman
Lucius - Jason Isaacs

Before you judge my choices hear me out!

Caesar is to be played by Nicholas Cage for a few reasons. The first being I dislike his acting/his movies/ and most everything about him. Sort of simular to how I and the conspirators felt about Caesar. I would not shed a tear if Nicholas Cage left Hollywood. Plus he needs a new movie that doesn't involve a famous old document that holds the secret to our survival...because he's done it. Many times.

Brutus would be played by Tom Hanks simply because Tom Hanks has proven himself to be a notable and worthy actor and I think he'd just do a great job. Plus every movie he touches seems to turn into gold.

Cassius would be played by Heath Ledger (if he were still alive) simply because he did such a great job being the twisted antagonist in The Dark Knight. Plus with Tom and Nick you need some sort of appeal to get girls to see this movie.

Marc Antony would be played by Frankie Muniz simply because when I think of young, annoying, peppy Hollywood actors he came to mind. Plus I think it would just be hilarious to watch him attempt to act in something not derived for an audience younger than ten.

Cal would be played by Helena simply because she's a phenomenal actress. It's not the type of role she usually does but that doesn't matter much to me. I've enjoyed her work in every movie I've seen her in.

Portia would be played by Natalie Portman because she proved in Star Wars that she can play the whiny/annoying/nagging/senile woman role. I was never too impressed by her personally. I have yet to watch Black Swan so maybe my opinion of her will change.

The Soothsayer would be played by Morgan Freeman because anyone who doesn't listen to him probably deserves what's coming. I mean come on...if Morgan Freeman was talking to you...you'd listen.

And Jason Isaccs would play Lucius. I wonder if anyone gets why I chose that...haha I'm not going to explain why because it's so obvious.

I can't honestly said I'd see this movie even with Helena and Tom.

Response #22

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Behind the Inhaler Pt. 23

I'm very excited about fourth quarter starting, the end is near and I am ready to start my "summer festivities." Looking back now 3rd quarter for the most part was pretty enjoyable!

I ended the quarter with a 3.9GPA, which is slightly aggravating. I have all 'A's' but two are '-A's' which I guess isn't "good enough." But I'm not too bent out of shape about it, a 3.9 is still good.

Speaking of grades and all I've been getting an insane amount of mail from colleges. Some colleges are incredibly annoying, almost stalker like. "Are you ignoring us Stephanie?" "We haven't heard from you in five minutes Stephanie." etc. I mean...really? I've never even heard of some of these colleges. Today I received one giant packet from Carolina Coastal University, never heard of them. It's pretty nerve wracking and only reminds me that sooner or later I'm going to have to pick a major. I honestly have no clue or no desire to peruse any career at this point. So if you have suggestions, let's hear them.  

I became way more dedicated in my riding this quarter. I'm in the process of trialing horses to lease for the end of spring/summer/fall season. Leasing a horse is somewhat like leasing a car. It just depends on your contract. The first horse I tried was "Jimmy" who was a jolly-green giant (double meanings hehe)! After I road him for a week and decided that I'd be interested in actually perusing a lease with him his owners decided he was no longer for lease, but I could buy him. Go figure. He was a bit too green with my back in it's current condition anyway. The most recent horse I went to see was promising and I'm excited about the prospect of leasing him. His name's "Austintatious," just Austin around the barn. I drove down to O.U.'s barn to try him and had a blast. There's another party interest who will be trialing him next Friday, I should find out then if I can lease him or not. I really, really hope things with Austin work out.

Lastly, now that spring's here I can finally go out and partake in fun outdoor activities. My friend Martha and I go hiking/creeking all the time in various woods which is really fun. We're also able to ride outside now, and swim in the pond (which we probably won't do for a while since the pond is still much cooler than the air). I enjoy spring. I like thunderstorms and lightning, I like how green everything looks even though I'm deadly allergic to it, and I also like knowing that summer is just around the corner.

Have a nice week everybody!

Peter after eating some Peep's. I call him Peep usually so I really enjoy feeding them to him haha 

Response #21

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Behind the Inhaler Pt. 22

I wish I could blog about my luxurious Spring Break in some far off land surrounded by palm trees and sand but that's not exactly how my Spring Break went. The first weekend was nice it started off with me having a lesson at the barn on Friday. I road Ringmaster who was good but very fresh seeing as we road in the spacious outdoor arena for the first time in months. For whatever reason horses seem to forget how to function outside after the winter.

On Saturday I walked over to East (more like ran) in desperate need to blow some steam so I threw discus for the first time since June regardless of my spine issues. I was pushing mid 90's at a stationary throw which was heartbreaking and exciting at the same time. I feel like I could have had a really successful season if my spine wasn't as bipolar as Charley Sheen.

On Tuesday is when the real fun began. My bottom right wisdom tooth was eroding my jaw while my left bottom was close to severing a main nerve which is why I had all four of my wisdom teeth extracted. I had a bad track record with surgery so I was really nervous. My first surgery they kept me awake and ended up only numbing a potion of the site. To make it worse they botched the stitching and I will forever have this large scar that sets above the skin and is the size of a dime. For this one they put me right under (thank God).

I remember just being very "wind tunnel-y" when they put the gas on and when they first inserted the IV. Everyone sounded like they were miles away. My thoughts were clear but when I spoke it sounded like I was speaking into a fan. It was a bizarre sensation. I woke up an hour and thirty minutes later hysterically crying. I remember being in the car and then waking up in bed coughing up blood, choking on gauze, and light headed.
I was pretty miserable.

My diet for four days consisted of apple sauce, soft Hawaiian rolls, and ice cream. To put things into perspective it took me an hour and fifteen minutes to eat two soft rolls. I usually just ignored the hunger. I burned more calories trying to eat than actually eating.

My friends came to visit me often bringing me food, flowers, and entertainment. I don't actually remember what all happened on Tuesday/Wednesday and parts of Thursday simply because of the medications I was on. Supposedly I was very entertaining under the influence.

I spent my whole break recovering which didn't seem to come. My other friend who had her surgery on the same day was up and at 'em by Thursday while I was still in throbbing pain until Monday when I went back in (almost a week later) and was diagnosed with a dry socket on my right bottom. Which explains my extreme pain and why pain med's didn't help it.

Dry socket is rare (only 2% of people contract one which naturally is why I got one) and is really painful. I thought maybe it was just normal never having had oral surgery before. It's a blood clot that attacks the nerves and might make another surgery necessary if the paste which they put on Monday doesn't work.

The past which is a melody of acids is the foulest substance to ever be consumed or allowed for consumption. It tasted like sharpie markers, cloves, and metal. It burns and continues to burn and disturb my mouth as I type.

I think I'm like a medical magnet. If there's a slim chance that you can possibly get this from this...I will 99% of the time get it. It could be worse, and I realize that. I just really wish that it didn't always seem to be me haha because it always seems to be me.

I hope you all had a nice break!

It's Kind of a Funny World

Dear Reader,

            This is the happiest book about suicide and depression you will ever read. For some teens issues like untrustworthy friends and bad hair would be a nice break from the harsh reality that boils beneath their rough exterior. For some teens getting up in the morning or the option of not getting up in the morning is a daily issue. Some teens feel alone, unwanted, unneeded, and truly lost. Why bother living in a world that you can’t handle? Why bother living?

            The theme I chose to base this blog around is living, more specifically choosing to live. Choosing to help yourself, grow, challenge, hurt and learn from what you’ve been through. I chose this theme because Craig the main character of my book made one of the bravest decisions a depressed/suicidal teen can make he chose to get help, he chose life. I found his story inspiring, and I hope that his new found acceptance for life can help and inspire others.     

            The theme of choosing life will be demonstrated in this blog through various ways. The first of which is an example of Craig, the main character talking to himself. Something he did throughout his struggle to find his will to live and long battle with depression. Some days the voices in Craig’s head won, on others he won, but in the end he chose life. The second way I’ll demonstrate the theme is through the “Day in the Life…” of someone who chooses to live as opposed to someone who doesn’t. Thirdly I will show this theme in ten ways to know if you should choose to live. And lastly I will demonstrate the theme through personal pictures of things in my life that make me want to live.

Sincerely,

Stephanie McCann

Life is like a coin. You can spend it any way you wish, but you only spend it once.
Lillian Dickson

It’s so tempting. The thought of never having to feel pain again left to float around in an endless pool of nothingness. That’s if we do all end up floating around after we go I guess that would be Forrest Gump theory. I can just leave and float around all accidental like on a breeze.  But what if we don’t? What if I am damned to spend eternity in hell, I would after all have committed sin.

What would my family think? What about Nia and Aaron? Aaron and I would never open our own law firm. What would he do then? What would I do? Oh…right I’d do nothing. I’d be floating or in hell. Aaron would continue to attend Executive Pre Professional and I would float. He would be successful…and I would be nothing. A page for a scrapbook, a sentence in his life’s memoir…I’d be reduced to a memory. A simple memory like Craig Gilner never even lived. Not at least the way I see living…living is well…doing.

If I was floating I would be able to do anything…I’d be nothing. I would finish school, get with a girl, get a job, get a house, make it big…I would have any of that. I wouldn’t just be a page in a memoir…hell I could write my own!

I don’t want to be nothing…I want to be “Oh that’s Craig Gilner, he’s successful,” not “Oh that’s Craig…he’s…well we don’t talk about him.” I want to be someone. I don’t want to be reduced to a memory. I want…I want to live.

I want to go to school, make it big, and maybe even write a book about it. That’s right! Craig, the boy who lived.

He who has a why to live can bear almost any how.

~Friedrich Nietzsche

The day in the life of someone who choose life …

You wake up the smell of breakfast hits your nostrils like a brick to the face. Your hunger and worries for the day are washed down with your second glass of juice. It’s bright outside; a gentle breeze shifts the leaves conducting a symphony of soft rustling noises.

You have a full day ahead of you. Crammed with seemingly mundane activities…but that’s alright. You have your whole life ahead of you. Take comfort in the light at the end of the tunnel.

At the end of the day you look back at your days work. It was hard. No one said life was easy but it’s alright. Because you made it, you survived another day unscaved and ready to take on what life hands you next. 

The day in the life of someone who doesn’t choose life…

Don't go around saying the world owes you a living.  The world owes you nothing.  It was here first. 

~Mark Twain

Ten reasons you should choose life:

1. You have friends
2. You have a family
3. You’re educated
4. You’re loved
5. It could be worse
6. You have an endless world of possibilities
7. You’ve made it this far
8. Things are going to change
9. Millions of people before have done it
10. You’re alive

The tragedy of life is not so much what men suffer, but rather what they miss. 

~Thomas Carlyle

 My amazing friends are just one of the things that keep me going. Martha and I have been friends since the ends of sixth grade and have become almost inseparable. Our friendship has helped me through many difficult times. 

 

 Another thing in my life that makes it worth living is my music. I've been playing the cello for seven years and have really grown to love it. It's something I'll always have in my life. Not everyone can say they're fluent in an instrument. 

 Horses make up a large percentage of why I want to wake up everyday. Horses will never judge you and they're incredibly trusting. I think we could all learn a lesson from them. Riding is my all time high and you truly fall in love with every horse. I've been riding Deluxe Edition (pictured above) since I was in sixth grade and he is one of the many that has fueled my love for the sport.

My brother Jimmy is my  main support system and he makes me want to choose life every day. We're best friends as well as siblings and I truthfully don't know what I'd do without him and I know he feels the same.

Be glad of life because it gives you the chance to love and to work and to play and to look up at the stars. 

~Henry Van Dyke

            I choose these particular genres to go along with my theme because I thought I could be creative and enjoy making them at the same time. For the talking to self I started off with Craig in a darker mind set and tried to convey his inner struggle before he finally realized that he did in fact have reasons to live. In my “a day in the life” section I tried to dramatize the difference between someone who choose to live and someone who well…didn’t. I chose to do ten reasons to know if you should choose life because everyone truly has something in their life worth living for. Some people just don’t realize it. Lastly I chose to show pictures of things from my personal life that encourages me to keep going at the end of the day. I didn’t have much difficulty other than writers block and a lack of motivation to actually do the project. I liked the freedom of the project but for whatever reason I just couldn’t find the motivation to do it. I think it’s interesting how it’s a blog project. It is very 21^st century. I learned that you can convey the theme of a story through many different ways.

Works Cited

http://www.quotegarden.com/life.html

All pictures belong to me. Song pictured is Three Cheers for Five Years all music belongs to Mayday Parade. 

Response #20

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Behind the Inhaler Pt. 21

It's hard to narrow down my greatest achievement seeing as I've achieved a lot of things (I don't mean this in a conceded way). I've done many things I'd consider a great achievement. I went to nationals in swimming when I was six, I've been champion at a few horse shows, I've been 4th overall for for an entire show series, I made it all the way to regionals in discus as a freshman, I've maintained a 3.7 or above GPA my entire academic career, and I had a very successful first season of Speech and Debate.

I'll write about which achievement came to me first which was winning my flat class at Ohio University in eight grade. This was an Interscholastic Equestrian Association show meaning we're riding for scholarships. The catch or "gimmick" of IEA is that we don't ride horses we know. We all draw a horses name out of a hat and that's who we ride. We draw a different horse for jumping and flat. In case you didn't know riding a new horse itself is very challenging, let alone showing. Sometimes all we get on the "horse list" is "Bob 15.3hh bay gelding. Simple changes, hold to base, quick off feet." To a non horse person that's confusing, to a horse person it's your worst nightmare.

At this particular show I knew no matter who I drew I was in for a hard ride. I had four of the top riders from my class in my split not to mention O.U. is known for having the worst horses. If you're lucky you'll draw Zen, Prince, or Sprack. I drew a horse named Sampson. No one knew who Sampson was. My ride on him was to be his first appearance in the show, he didn't even school (warm up, see the arena/people work out kinks) with the other horses.When he did finally come up to the arena I was less than thrilled with what I was presented with.

Sampson was a huge giraffe like horse who was obviously very green (young/immature/untrained). The  Stuart offered me a re-ride before my ride even began (he was rearing in the holding pin) on the luckiest draw at O.U. Zen. me wanting the sheer fun of a tough ride declined my re-ride (everyone thought I was crazy).

I honestly had an absolute blast while showing this horse. I shared the arena with nine other girls and I felt like the only one in there. Turns out crazy Sampson only needed a firm hard, a soft leg, and some encouraging words. I'm almost positive I ended up singing to him (it helps). I had him framed up, tracking and I was just having a great time because it was really more of riding than showing I didn't care about how I looked at that point. So you could imagine how shocked I was when my number was announced last as the first place rider come to find out the judge was thoroughly impressed by the way I handled him.

It felt great to not only win in a sport dominated by sticks and pocketbooks but It was just a great confidence builder.

I'm hoping this doesn't turn out to be my greatest achievement in life. Hopefully getting into a good college, being successful, etc. is in my future but for now it's the little giraffe that could.

Some of the "big" ones I earned along the way. The don't look like much but each is associated with a different memory and learning experience. Plus getting Eq champ in anything is an awesome accomplishment.

This is Color (horrible name) I call him Moo. He's a GIANT horse if you couldn't tell just by the picture.His face is longer than my entire body. Pretty sweet new ride.

Story Time

I remember the first time I saw the Masked People vividly. I was about fourteen years old at the time. School had just ended for the day and I was on my way home when I noticed the bare streets. Not a person in site, the usually bustling reef rest in an unsettling silence.

"Travis! Don't doddle, get in here immediately!" It was my sister, Rean. I could tell by the sheer tone of her voice that something was indeed wrong.

Rean had been my primary care giver since the Masked People took my parents thirteen years prior. She was much older than I and showed no interest in staring a family of her own like most her age. I think I had exhausted any desire she had towards starting a family.

“What’s going on?” I asked in a joking manor knowing Rean had a tendency to blow miniscule things into much grander issues.

“It’s the Masked People! One of those unidentified Eclipse things landed!” I couldn’t hide my excitement. The Masked People! I only knew of them from stories, school, and those who claimed to have seen them last time they landed one of their crafts.

“Travis why in the name of Poseidon are you excited?” I watched curiously as my sister locked every entrance to our small dimly lit house.

I was uncommon in the fact that instead of fearing the masked people I was genuinely curious about them. They did after all take my parents away in one of their eclipse shaped sky riders.

“Where do you think they come from? Another world?”

“Honestly, Travis? Where is your head? Go to your room! Not another word about the Masked People until they return to wherever they came from!”

Not wanting to distress my sister further I obeyed. My room was small containing a bed, a desk, and a small collection of crusted over ornaments that I’ve found on the ground. Most were oddly shaped and were nearly indestructible something the builders I showed them to didn’t fully understand.

I became increasingly more restless. Why did the Masked People wear masks? Were our worlds so different? “I have to find out,” I said to no one in particular. With as much stealth as my fourteen year old self could muster I crept from my room and out into the square. It didn’t take long for me to figure out where the Masked People were. A large crowd had formed of curious bystanders. I couldn’t help but shiver at the eerie silence that surrounded the dense crowd.

“What do you want with us?!” A large man with heavy features bellowed, startling the unsettled crowd. Not having caught a glimpse of the Masked People yet I continued to grow more and more impatient. Finally after a bit of struggling I managed to break my way through the heavy crowd. What I saw shocked me.

Instead of slimy, disfigured, mutant like creatures the Masked People looked just like we did. The only real differences I could find was their language, which seemed slow, and their masks which were fill with…well, nothing.

“What are you doing here boy? Those things could be dangerous!” I man pulled me back by my shoulder, his vise like grip surly bruising my shoulder.

“But Sir, they look just like us! How do you know they aren’t Sea People too?”

“Are you blind boy? Look! It doesn’t take a scholar to know those things are very different than us! Just look at them, face masks full of nothing, they’re nothing like us!”

Large gasps of excitement and fear spread throughout the crowd as their sky rider released another man. He joined his other fellow Masked People a tentative smile playing across his face.

“Hello!” The man said clearly in our language. “We understand your fear, but we have not come here to cause harm, we simply come to you with a message.” How did his voice carry through that mask? He seemed sincere, almost excited.

“How can we trust you?” A brave soul yelled out, “You took two of our own last time you landed!” The masked man simply laughed.

“We did not take them, they came willingly!” My heart slipped a beat, they left us willingly?

“How can we be sure?” The bystander questioned.

“Dr. Avis and his wife are quite alright. They came with us so we could relay this message when the time was right.” The man held up an imaginary scroll of sorts, his eyes twinkling with excitement. “The Doctor and his wife would like you to consider joining our world. You see we’re really very similar. Long ago we all lived as one community but after a great war we fled to different regions.” He took a quick breath, his eyes scanning the crowd for some sort of encouragement. “It’s time you return to our world. History after all repeats itself. You’ll all be much safer in our world.”

I could tell immediately that  the crowd had no intention no taking the man’s offer. It wasn’t as though any of us knew if what he was saying was the truth. All risks aside I felt my legs step out from under me, the man smiled towards me his arm gesturing for me to come nearer. He turned to the others speaking in their native tongue.

“I’m Travis, Dr. Avis is my father.” The masked man clasped his hands excitedly directing me towards the sky rider. “Where are we going exactly?”

“My boy we’re going to the surface!”

And with the courage of a sea lion I allowed the sky rider to carry me off to a new world. A world I could have never imagined. A world that would eventually become what I knew as home.

Response #19

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Response #18

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Behind the Inhaler Pt. 20

Lights! Camera! Action! Oh, how I love movies. I really enjoy watching movies and their are some movies that I could watch over and over and not get bored. These movies include:

• Forrest Gump
• Big Fish
• Secondhand Lions
• What's Eating Gilbert Grape?
• Across the Universe (probably the only musical I like)
• Monsters Inc. 
•  Lilo and Stitch

I love these movies for individual reasons. A lot of them because they're "quotable," "relateable," and/or entertaining.

I love Forrest Gump because no matter what happens to him he never forgets who and what he loves the most. He's loyal, driven. hilarious, and they type of person everyone should aspire to be. Just the story of Forrest Gump itself I find amazing. It was written with incredible detail, not to mention Tom Hanks was in it, and I just love the universal theme of the movie. I cry almost every time and I'm not ashamed to admit that. Watch the trailer for Forrest Gump here X I highly recommend this movie to everyone.

Sometimes, I guess there just aren't enough rocks. ~Forrest Gump

One of my other favorites would be a small highly underrated movie called Big Fish. Big Fish is one of those movies that I don't think I could ever get bored with. It was directed by Time Burton, and yes I know what you're thinking...Big Fish does reflect his "style" in some ways but really it has a more serious theme. It's a colorful, entertaining, and beautiful story which chronicles the bizarre life of Edward Bloom. You will cry, laugh, and "huh?" your way through this movie. Everyone whom I have told to watch this movie loved it. Sadly not many people know about Big Fish even though it was nominated for countless awards. The movie isn't all it seems, watch the trailer here X

A man tells his stories so many times that he becomes the stories. They live on after him, and in that way he becomes immortal.~Big Fish


I guess I love these movies and the ones I've previously listed so much because I find a little bit of me inside them. Most of the movies I like the most are a little quirky, but the quirkiness only masks a very deep emotional plot.

The last movie I watched was Ballet Shoes. I've been watching a lot of British cinema lately and really enjoy it. It too has it's quirkiness but is also very good. You can find it on youtube if you're really interested. Starring Emma Watson, Richard Griffiths,  Emilia Fox, and a bunch of other 'A' list British actors and actresses.

This is a video of Ringo drinking Gatorade from a bottle...I thought it was cute and entertaining...enjoy!

Behind the Inhaler Pt. 19

I'm a firm believer is using the time we have to the fullest. But like many of you I am very skillful in procrastinating. I usually get my homework done first thing every night seeing as I'm way too paranoid to leave it for later. This most of the time leaves me with a block of time to waste.

I get lost in thought, a lot. I can spend hours thinking.Thinking about nothing of importance, thinking about the future, and thinking about anything that might be on my mind. Oftentimes I can be caught (in school as well) totally zoned out. I swear if I could get everything in my head on paper I'd have one heck of a book.

Another way I waste a lot of time is practicing my cello. Funny, I only seem to practice when I'm bored. Contrary to my practicing habits I'm a pretty advanced player, though I usually resort to playing my old favorites as apposed to my difficult Bach solos.  I know The Pink Panther , Hedwig's Theme, Hunchback of Notre Dame (we played an abridged version of all of the movies songs...this is the closest I could find to it), Lord of the Rings, and The Incredibles. To name a few of the more "non traditional." I can also play a few Beatles songs (which doesn't say much) they're all very easy. I also play the "expected" orchestra music one of my favorites being Dvorak's New World Symphony . I don't really plan on going anywhere with my cello skills but I would love to play/record for an orchestra such as the Vitamin String Quartet,who arranges popular songs into orchestra music and E.S. Posthumus a rock orchestra. Viva La Vida (VSQ I played this last year) and E.S. Posthumus' tribute to the Super Bowl (I found it fitting). I realize this is a lot of links but I thought I'd waste some time and maybe offer you something to do to waste time of your own. If I had to listen to only a few I recommend E.S. Posthumus and The Incredible's Theme. 

I also waste a lot of time with the horses. One of my favorite things to do is turn Peter out in the large back paddock and chance him around. It sounds mean but he loves it as much as I do. He's voice trained so when I've had enough I can simply tell him so. I also if really bored will bridle up a horse randomly and just run around bareback with no care in the world. Peter, being too much of a pre-Madonna for such barbaric riding isn't my first choice when I resort to this. Usually I'll jump on Edward or Ringo who are both smooth strided enough for running around bareback without...discomfort.

Another way I waste time is by reading. I enjoy reading. I really enjoy being able to live through someone else...if that makes sense. In books you can really create your own movie inside your head really. I create faces and voices for characters subconsciously.

Peter begging... it's hard to say "no" to that face!

Response #17

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Behind the Inhaler Pt. 18

How do I go about describing the relationship I have with my brother? My brother is a Saint, my best friend, my father figure, my mentor, my cheerleader, my inspiration, and my rock. My brother has always been there for me.

Jimmy, never James, is five years older than me. Most of my most cherished and memorable childhood moments occurred with or around Jimmy. We've never been like your typical siblings and I don't think we ever will be. Typically, my parents would leave Jimmy in charge of me almost everyday while I was growing up. As a result of this I became as much his child as I am there's. Most people only see the similarities between the two of us, when really we're very different. The biggest difference between the two of us is the way we process information. Jimmy is impulsive, quick to respond, and tends to act before thinking. I on the other hand think, think some more, and then act. Which is another key to our sibling compatibility. We even each other out.

I feel like now would be a prime time to share a few stories from my childhood.

One particularly stormy evening my brother was babysitting me while our parents were out doing...who knows what. Our house originally had fourteen trees in the backyard, now we have half of a tree left. You can only guess where this story is going. I was probably five at the time making Jimmy somewhere around ten or eleven. We were sitting upstairs in our family room when tumultuous crash rang through our house. Before either of us could react we had a tree large enough to block a road in our kitchen. The first words out of my mouth were "It was not me!" Jimmy on the other hand in fear that my father could somehow make this his fault began freaking out. Long story short, Jimmy and I tried to drag a fully matured tree out of our kitchen. You can probably guess that we weren't successful. About the other thirteen and a half trees, most of them fell on our house too.

One of my favorite "Jimmy" memories would be my eleventh birthday. Jimmy was a member of the cross country team which practices all summer. My birthday almost always falls on a weekday which means my parents work. I woke up (my mom was still home) to no birthday wishes, and no sign of my birthday even being remembered. I was devastated. My mom had no clue what had "gotten into me" when she left for work. About an hour later Jimmy returns home from practice with three stuffed Meijer bags. Jimmy forced the team to run to Meijer so he could buy me Ben and Jerry's, pop, cake, and DVD's for us to watch and eat the rest of the day. It turned into one of my favorite birthday's ever.

All in all, my brother and I are very close and I hope to stay this way. It's become more difficult now that he's at college, engaged, and getting internship offers all over the U.S. We've always had a deal that no matter where we ended up we'd be there for each other, and I hope more than anything that holds true.

I never thought about having any other siblings because Jimmy was all I ever needed. I can't even imagine what it would be like without him.

My brother and I last February. Messing around with the webcam.

Jimmy and I sitting where the Forrest Gump bench should be this past summer. People were stealing it so they had to take it away.

Wow I wish I was still this cute...haha

Response #16

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Behind the Inhaler Pt. 17

Been a while since I've done one of these...hmm. I'm on the fence as to whether I should comply with the prompt or go in blind. From personal experience going into anything blind doesn't usually have a positive outcome.

Speaking of blind! Have you heard that joke about Helen Keller's father? Yeah, neither has she. You're not the only one who can make jokes Mr. Potter! Of course mine isn't exactly "politically correct" but who decides what's "correct," and what isn't? One of the worlds great mysteries.

Speaking of mystery let's talk about my English grade. Seeing as I have yet to have a single paper handed back to be from this class I could potentially be failing, or worse have a B. A seemingly simple solution to this would be to log onto home access which for whatever reason refuses to allow me to log in no matter what I do.

With scheduling for Junior year just around the corner my anxiety level is through the roof. Not just because I want to take way too many classes, but I also have no clue where I want to go with my life. My usual response to "What do you want to be?" is "happy." Realistically I know "happy" doesn't pay, not in the way we need to survive at least. When I was younger I wanted to drive an ice cream truck, by younger I mean from the age of two to current. In second grade I wanted to be an archeologist! My life would be awesome! I'd dig up some old crap and get paid! It was in fifth grade when I found out most archeologist ended up in Turkey and then were sold into sex trades around the Middle East. Last year I got it in my head that I wanted to work in the field of psychology and  how effects and is effected by neurology. Prime example is schizophrenia which has currently been re-diagnosed to a nerve based psychological issue! The only issue with this being? Psychology is a dying degree and a very common one as well. Maybe I should just be a lawyer like my parents beg, or pull the old anti-feminist marry rich.

Look at this awesome saddle pad. Flamingos wearing sunglasses! Doesn't get much better than that, right? Well it's gone missing and I am thoroughly depressed.

What does this mean? It's starting to look like a triple rainbow! I took this in Lexington, I was very excited to experience my first double rainbow.

Peter has become the fatherly figure in Jester's life. For some reason he's recently taken a liking to dogs. 

Behind the Inhaler Pt. 16

I would like to have someone explain to me the logic behind having tests the week before finals. I've had a test in every subject except English. Bravo Mr. Potter, bravo (my tie into English). Anyway into this weeks blog!


This is a blog idea late but I figured it's never really too late. So here it is, 2010 in review (the things that actually held significance).

Let's go back to New Years Eve 2009. The ground was cover with a thick layer of packing snow. It was cold, but the trees were still. I sat with two of my best friends on the cold, rusted over swings at High Point Elementary. One of my friends and I go way back with these swings. We promised in the fourth grade that there on "our" swings was our place. If we needed each other that's where we'd go. They hold a lot of sentimental value and cherished memories. Couldn't think of a much better way to begin the new year.

Last winter I was working with an amazing horse by the name of Captain. I loved this horse so much I seriously considered spending $3,500 on this horse. But he was sold out from under my nose and I was informed in one of the most brutal ways possible. Empty stall, horse-less halter. I will always miss this horse and I'm reminded of him everyday in the form of back pain. It was Capi who I was riding when he took a wide oxer (spread jump with more than two rails that the horse has to jump wide over) very poorly when I first heard and felt the snap in my spine. Since then I've had the immense pain a constant reminder of the horse I fell head over heels in love with and lost.

In February I got my temps (two months late).

In March I sealed my spot on the 2010 Lady Lions Varsity Track Travel Team (say that five times fast). As a new coming Freshman I didn't expect to do well at all last year. But as usual things tend to go the opposite of what's actually suspected. In my first tournament as a Freshman I can in 6th out of 32 shocking both my coaches and myself. It would set the pace for a painful, surprising, and successful season. I ended up fourth in the OCC, 2nd in the district, and 13th in the region. My only regret was not stopping and continuing through the back pain. Track did wonders for my confidence.

In May of 2010 I attended the Mayday Parade, Sparks the Rescue, A Rocket to the Moon, the City Lights and Versa Emerge concert.

The day after school gets out for the summer I am taken to Children's Hospital diagnoses? Fractured spine. Guess what kiddo's? It was fractured all that time! The summer itself was a total bummer. I did just about...nothing. I had physical therapy three times a week for fourteen weeks and from that I went straight into two sessions a week of functional rehab. The only real highlight of my summer was traveling to Hilton Head for a week to stay in the condo. Even then I couldn't do much, I couldn't even swim! However the 4th of July was amazing. My brother and I sat out in the ocean on inflatable inner tubes watching the drunks set off fireworks into the wee hours of the morning. Another aspect of summer which was terrible was that I couldn't ride. I went to the barn twice in three months each time I left sobbing. Horses are a huge part of my life. They're not just pets each has a personality like people. Horses recognize people and emotions associated with them. Other team members kept telling me how lethargic and depressed Peter was acting in my absence.

In August I started my Sophomore year, which you all know. I made the Speech and Debate team which is a total blast. Our season is continuing and so far it's been really successful.

In September I attended the FEI Altech World Equestrian Games in Lexington. It was all I expected it to be and more.

In the fall I attended the Jimmy Eat World concert and a week later the 3oh!3 concert. Both were amazing to say the least.

October I earned my drivers license.

In December I was cleared to work out against with extreme restrictions (my spine has yet to heal).

And on New Years Eve 2010 I found myself sitting outside, on a cement block with my best friend drinking champagne (non alcoholic) reliving the year and discussing everything that was bugging us at the time.

Captain and I last January, I miss this boy.

District Champs! Photo credit Meghan McGuff

Hilton Head photo was taken by my brother you can see where the privet beach ends haha

Martha and I at the world equestrian games!

Good luck next week with Mid-Terms!

Response #15

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Response #14

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Behind the Inhaler Pt. 15

A man tells his stories so many times that he becomes the stories. They live on after him, and in that way he becomes immortal. 

This quote is from one of my all time favorite movies Big Fish. Everyone truly has a story to tell. Though some stories may not be as interesting as the next everyone always has something to say. But I know first hand that just because you have something to say doesn't mean you actually say it. I think that's why I envy authors so much, because they use their voice one way or another to get their ideas and thoughts across to other people. That's also where my love for books, and quotes comes into play. Some people remember faces, names, and scent. I remember words. I remember distinct lines of books, words from people, words from movies, words I hear in passing.

I think I'm able to remember others words so well because I've never quite been able to get my own words across, at least not in the right way. My head is so full of words, feelings, and emotions that I wish people could just see because I know then they'd understand. They'd know where I come from and why I'm the way I am. But whenever I try to tell my stories they become scattered and difficult to follow.

Which makes sense, because I'm scattered and difficult to follow. It's a vicious circle I swear.

Thomas Edison's last words were: "It's very beautiful over there." I don' know where there is, but I believe it's somewhere, and I hope it's beautiful. -Looking For Alaska 

Another quote, well book actually that's stuck with me.

How will I ever get out of the Labyrinth? 

I've always wondered about the great "after." It's a mystery that's stumbled people for centuries because honestly there is no viable proof that backs any of the theories. People can speculate but in a great twist of irony they'll never really know until it's their turn.

Though Edison's famous last words are intriguing I find Pancho Villa's to be just as immortal in a strange way, "Don't let it end like this! Tell them I said something!"

I hope when my time comes to an end I've said something worth while and maybe not as desperate as "tell them I said something!" Hopefully by then I will have found a way to get my voice across in one way or another...until then I will continue to ramble as I just did...haha

Share some pictures as always. Edward received a much needed bath the first of this month. Something that usually doesn't happen in January.

This is me on Ringo this past summer. Bareback, in unmarked woods. I don't remember what I was laughing at but I love this picture. I loved this day even though I jeopardized a lot (fractured spine + bareback + woods = really stupid). I ended up almost completely sliding off while running up a steep hill.

Gingerbread cliff and waterfall. Complete with people, trees, and water. We (Martha and I) made this after our complete fail of a gingerbread house.

Hope you all had nice break!