A Learning Experience:
Since I was a baby I have been riding on anything with a motor. My dad has always called me his little spitting image hell raiser. 4 months old and he had me in his arms riding his 2-stroke four-wheeler around the dooryard. Of course at that age I didn’t know anything. As I got older though all I wanted to do was ride on them. When I got my first ATV to call my own my dad didn’t even lecture me, he showed me what was what and to be careful ‘they’re dangerous.’ He’d say. He always wanted me to be the type to learn from my mistakes and grow. Of course this didn’t mean he’d let me drive off doing a hundred, he secretly adjusted the governor on the little 90cc wheeler he bought me so it couldn’t go over 25mph.
At 17 I was able to move up in the ATV world and dad passed down his Can-Am Outlander 800cc wheeler. This thing has an HMF exhaust to make it wicked loud and a chip to make it wicked fast. It’s something I hold close to me, something I am very proud of. At this point in my life I was even more of a spitting image of my father, I drove like him, drove like a bat out of hell, power turns, donuts, getting stuck in mud holes you name it.
One day I decided to take out his Can-Am Commander, which is a side by side, sort of like a high-powered golf cart, which can reach up to 75mph. I wanted to take it out riding with my friends up a mountain that afternoon because someone needed something to ride and it had an extra seat. While waiting for my friends to get to my house I called my dad to see if it was alright for me to take that for the day instead of the 800. I remember his words like it was yesterday. “Just please be careful, you’re not used to driving with a steering wheel so don’t go showing off cause the ass end can whip around some quick and you’ll be in the bushes.” I told him I understood and I could keep in touch all day.
While waiting for my friends I took the commander for a little ride around the yard and through the trails we had made. My dad was right, I’m not used to driving an ATV that has a steering wheel, and this one didn’t have power steering so you really had to man handle it. At high speeds the Commander can get a little wobbly especially if you aren’t used to it. As I came up the trail on the left side of my house I sped up behind to the back field and remember catching a little air off a small hill. I got a big smile on my face cause it was fun. I whipped it around a little corner and gave it some gas up the next path and the ass end was pointed towards the field and the front towards the woods, it was a power turn. Which normally in a power turn; say I want to go right, the front end may be pointed left, and I’ll slide left but once the back tires catch I’ll slide around and go right where I want to. This time when the tires caught, my high speed didn’t allow me to go right. I shot straight into a tree. At 25mph I stopped dead with my foot still on the gas pedal. Looking down I saw a bent steering wheel from the impact on my chest.
As I was able to catch up to speed with everything that had happened, I stopped and looked down at blood covered leg. My leg was cut from theectrical column underneath and the wheeler was no longer running. I broke plastic, bent the frame, poked a hole in the tire, broke the left axel completely and literally ripped the stainless steel wheel almost in half. I didn’t hesitate to call my father. I knew I had really f****ed up but I wasn’t going to waste time especially since my leg was bleeding and it hurt like hell to walk. Thankfully he was out on the motorcycles that day and had a couple beers because he took it a lot better than I thought. I told him what happened and he knew what I meant. I wasn’t comfortable on it and didn’t know how the wheeler would react going that fast around the corner. It was my mistake and I told him I would pay for everything. He told me his first ATV accident happened when he was younger and that he crashed his dad’s wheeler too. He didn’t to say it but he had warned me.
By the following week I spent $1,500 on parts and him and I took just a few days to fix it. It was a learning experience and I guess that’s why he didn’t scream at me. He already knew that I knew what I did wrong. Sucks learning the hard way but that’s how life goes and that’s why my dad and I are so close. He lets me learn on my own and doesn’t criticize me. He’s a great man and this happened about 3 years ago and I believe I am a better rider today.
Saturday, September 21, 2013
Week 4 truth or consequence
I have been away from blogger for a short time now, I have viewed some posts however but haven't had a chance to write my own. I have started 2 other jobs this week so I am up to three. Took this morning off before I go to the mud runs in Pittston to do homework. Now these prompts excited me.....
#16 As I walked out of Kokopellis that day after getting a fresh tattoo on my wrist, a man stopped me and asked if I would like to get paid to talk about something I was passionate about.
"Like in a seminar?" I said.
"More like, a seminar on the streets. Get people engaged. Would you do it?"
I had to think about this. What could I talk about say for a solid 30 minutes or an hour that I really love? TRUCKS! I could talk about trucks forever. I'd compare the models, at least the ones I know best: Ford, Chevy, Dodge and Toyota. I would talk about their suspensions, torque and towing capabilites. Not to menion breaking down V6 and V8 engines.
I would love to be able to talk about trucks because nothing "grinds my gears" like a Chevy owner talking about their trucks whippin' donuts and catchin' pausey. Trucks aren't built to do this boys... They will wear down and you'll be replacing tires, ball joints and your suspension before you know it. My truck can catch pausey... Which means I've tried, yes I admit it.
Talking about something that is passionate to me is why I like writing so much. Some say writing is so hard but you have to try and relate to your writing or figure our why you DON'T relate to it and run off of that. So if this man is OK with me rambling on about Trucks for an hour; I'M IN!
#14 Wishing, lying, dreaming etc. What writing is for me:
Writing to me isn't like any of those things, writing to me is like freedom. It's almost a destination, whether I'm writing a homework assignment or not its the one thing I put everything I have into. Even if my writring isn't perfect I can't wait for feedback. I want every comment on my writing to have some negitive to it, or possibly suggestions, how do I grow without it? It's a place where I don't feel stress or anxiety it lets it all out.
I was asked to write a paper on my favorite movie and why. I chose Full Metal Jacket, this was in high school but it was one of my most favorite pieces to write. War is such a fasination to me that I sat down for 2 hours writing, re-writing and revising my paper, I absolutely loved it. I could write an essay about some Shakespear piece, if its the Odyssey I'm set. (Favorite all time story.) However some literature is hard for me to understand but writing makes me dig deep and really learn, I don't want to just pick information and slap it into a paper, thats not a paper.
Writing is like freedom. It's a destination.
#15 I have magic potion, this potion allows me to give it to someone, (probably sneak it in their drink like some crazy college party) and once they consume it it will allow them to tell the truth for one minute. That's if they speak for that minute. If I could choose anyone to give it to it would be one of my female cousins.
Ever since I was little she has been the one who never smiled, never really let loose and always looked like she either wanted to fight or was holding something back. Shes a hard cookie to crack. She asked me to be a brides maid in her 2013 October wedding. I didn't show up to her bridal shower because...I NEVER GOT AN INVITE! I don't know if she thought she texted me about it or what but I would have been there. Knowing her persona, why would I miss it? She would kill me. She hasn't spoke to me in well over a month and her wedding is October 7th. I don't think she has a problem with me but I would love to give her this potion to figure out why there is this ginormous stick up her ass 24/7.
This girl is family and you want to see them smile. Now if I were to think about what she might say if she had this potion for one solid minute? It almost makes my brain hurt. She holds everything in so well, so I think if this really happened? I would probably brace myself and hid fo cover.
I just want to say, I really enjoy this course, when I'm done writing something, I feel happy. It's very fun!
#16 As I walked out of Kokopellis that day after getting a fresh tattoo on my wrist, a man stopped me and asked if I would like to get paid to talk about something I was passionate about.
"Like in a seminar?" I said.
"More like, a seminar on the streets. Get people engaged. Would you do it?"
I had to think about this. What could I talk about say for a solid 30 minutes or an hour that I really love? TRUCKS! I could talk about trucks forever. I'd compare the models, at least the ones I know best: Ford, Chevy, Dodge and Toyota. I would talk about their suspensions, torque and towing capabilites. Not to menion breaking down V6 and V8 engines.
I would love to be able to talk about trucks because nothing "grinds my gears" like a Chevy owner talking about their trucks whippin' donuts and catchin' pausey. Trucks aren't built to do this boys... They will wear down and you'll be replacing tires, ball joints and your suspension before you know it. My truck can catch pausey... Which means I've tried, yes I admit it.
Talking about something that is passionate to me is why I like writing so much. Some say writing is so hard but you have to try and relate to your writing or figure our why you DON'T relate to it and run off of that. So if this man is OK with me rambling on about Trucks for an hour; I'M IN!
#14 Wishing, lying, dreaming etc. What writing is for me:
Writing to me isn't like any of those things, writing to me is like freedom. It's almost a destination, whether I'm writing a homework assignment or not its the one thing I put everything I have into. Even if my writring isn't perfect I can't wait for feedback. I want every comment on my writing to have some negitive to it, or possibly suggestions, how do I grow without it? It's a place where I don't feel stress or anxiety it lets it all out.
I was asked to write a paper on my favorite movie and why. I chose Full Metal Jacket, this was in high school but it was one of my most favorite pieces to write. War is such a fasination to me that I sat down for 2 hours writing, re-writing and revising my paper, I absolutely loved it. I could write an essay about some Shakespear piece, if its the Odyssey I'm set. (Favorite all time story.) However some literature is hard for me to understand but writing makes me dig deep and really learn, I don't want to just pick information and slap it into a paper, thats not a paper.
Writing is like freedom. It's a destination.
#15 I have magic potion, this potion allows me to give it to someone, (probably sneak it in their drink like some crazy college party) and once they consume it it will allow them to tell the truth for one minute. That's if they speak for that minute. If I could choose anyone to give it to it would be one of my female cousins.
Ever since I was little she has been the one who never smiled, never really let loose and always looked like she either wanted to fight or was holding something back. Shes a hard cookie to crack. She asked me to be a brides maid in her 2013 October wedding. I didn't show up to her bridal shower because...I NEVER GOT AN INVITE! I don't know if she thought she texted me about it or what but I would have been there. Knowing her persona, why would I miss it? She would kill me. She hasn't spoke to me in well over a month and her wedding is October 7th. I don't think she has a problem with me but I would love to give her this potion to figure out why there is this ginormous stick up her ass 24/7.
This girl is family and you want to see them smile. Now if I were to think about what she might say if she had this potion for one solid minute? It almost makes my brain hurt. She holds everything in so well, so I think if this really happened? I would probably brace myself and hid fo cover.
I just want to say, I really enjoy this course, when I'm done writing something, I feel happy. It's very fun!
Friday, September 13, 2013
week 3 scene setting and dialogue
"You know you need a fishing pole to go fishing right?" Macy said sarcastically.
"Ummm DUH!" I boasted. "I bought a pink Ugly Stick yesterday!"
" Congratulations... Did you buy an open reel or closed? I bet you forgot which one I told you huh?"
" Wow I truly know what my best friend thinks of me now! I got the open reel I remembered what I used before. I swear I'm smarter than you think!" I said to Macy raising my eye brow at her yet holding in a laugh.
"Yeah oooooook! You know I'm joking but lets be honest... I'm about to to teach you how to fish." Macy uttered.
We act like we hate each other all the time and we get the craziest looks from our friends. We look at each other and laugh, we talk this way even if no one is around. Having fun is what we do best. She is my way of getting away from the world and letting everything go. So far shes the only one I am able to do this with.
As we jump in the truck we start cranking the music... Our favorite song is "Fuckin Problem" by Tyga. Its one of those songs we can belt out, feel awesome and... Not care! (I will not share the lyrics.)
"Macy turn the damn radio down I can't see where we are supposed to turn!" I yelled.
"You're asking me to turn down the radio so you can see better? Do you see where that makes NO SENSE!?" Macy boasted back at me.
"UH YEAH but loud music makes me not be able to think straight ya know."
"Yeah yeah whatever its right here." She said.
"Why do I hangout with you."
She said "because we think alike, and dislike the same people." Macy Said.
"So we're bitches."
"...Basically." She Agreed.
*******
About 15 minutes later...
"Macy stop it! I know how to bait a hook!" I said.
"That means you have to actually TOUCH the worm Ashley!"
"I got it I got it just give me a second!" I said with barely an ounce of confidence.
I snatched the worm and drove the hook through one end feeling sorry for the worm, and jabbed it with the hook another time. I dangled it in front of my face with the saddest look and belted;
"SEE I CAN BAIT A HOOK!"
"I guess you can, now cast your line and shut up." She replied.
*******
"Its so nice out here, I don't know why I've never gone fishing before."
"Yeah I used to come out here by myself after school all the time. Its so much nicer with my best friend!"
I replied, "Yes it is! I always pictured myself doing this with my boyfriend, but since I'll be single forever I guess you'll do."
She gave me a glare and said, "don't worry I'll be right there with ya."
"MACY OH MY GOD I GOT A BITE!"
"So reel it in!"
I start reeling and the bass comes to the surface. "Its huge! The pole is gonna break. Take it, take it!"
She started laughing at me and said "just give it to me you wuss."
I dropped the pole before Macy's hands even got on it. I didn't realize myself literally running away from it. From about 10 feet away I stood and watched as she reeled it in, stepped on it and ripped the hook from its mouth.
"Ya wanna touch it?" She snarled.
"You tell me the answer to that question."
"You know fishing means to do all this on your own right?" She said.
"I'll get there someday now throw it back and lets do it again!"
Macy shook her head at me. I baited my hook and I cast out my line once again.
How should I close the dialogue out ?
We act like we hate each other all the time and we get the craziest looks from our friends. We look at each other and laugh, we talk this way even if no one is around. Having fun is what we do best. She is my way of getting away from the world and letting everything go. So far shes the only one I am able to do this with.
As we jump in the truck we start cranking the music... Our favorite song is "Fuckin Problem" by Tyga. Its one of those songs we can belt out, feel awesome and... Not care! (I will not share the lyrics.)
"Macy turn the damn radio down I can't see where we are supposed to turn!" I yelled.
"You're asking me to turn down the radio so you can see better? Do you see where that makes NO SENSE!?" Macy boasted back at me.
"UH YEAH but loud music makes me not be able to think straight ya know."
"Yeah yeah whatever its right here." She said.
"Why do I hangout with you."
She said "because we think alike, and dislike the same people." Macy Said.
"So we're bitches."
"...Basically." She Agreed.
*******
About 15 minutes later...
"Macy stop it! I know how to bait a hook!" I said.
"That means you have to actually TOUCH the worm Ashley!"
"I got it I got it just give me a second!" I said with barely an ounce of confidence.
I snatched the worm and drove the hook through one end feeling sorry for the worm, and jabbed it with the hook another time. I dangled it in front of my face with the saddest look and belted;
"SEE I CAN BAIT A HOOK!"
"I guess you can, now cast your line and shut up." She replied.
*******
"Its so nice out here, I don't know why I've never gone fishing before."
"Yeah I used to come out here by myself after school all the time. Its so much nicer with my best friend!"
I replied, "Yes it is! I always pictured myself doing this with my boyfriend, but since I'll be single forever I guess you'll do."
She gave me a glare and said, "don't worry I'll be right there with ya."
"MACY OH MY GOD I GOT A BITE!"
"So reel it in!"
I start reeling and the bass comes to the surface. "Its huge! The pole is gonna break. Take it, take it!"
She started laughing at me and said "just give it to me you wuss."
I dropped the pole before Macy's hands even got on it. I didn't realize myself literally running away from it. From about 10 feet away I stood and watched as she reeled it in, stepped on it and ripped the hook from its mouth.
"Ya wanna touch it?" She snarled.
"You tell me the answer to that question."
"You know fishing means to do all this on your own right?" She said.
"I'll get there someday now throw it back and lets do it again!"
Macy shook her head at me. I baited my hook and I cast out my line once again.
How should I close the dialogue out ?
Friday, September 6, 2013
Week 2 Prompt. It was the first, but not the best, -- or was it?
My jobs have always been very important to me. I have worked at quite a few different businesses by now and got a taste of a few different careers. I have always found out that I can not stay at a job that I do not enjoy, for I will forever be the determined one to work in an environment I like. My very first job was at a hotel, house keeping. This place is in beautiful downtown Camden, Maine. It was the first, but not the best--or was it?
This job was my first real one. I needed money and didn't care what field I was in for I was 16. It was house keeping and might I add, I thought I knew how to clean but when cleaning for a hotel, you really learn all the nitty-gritty details of what cleaning really means. I didn't get the hang of it until a few weeks in and I couldn't decide if I liked it or not. Once mid-July came we were booked solid every day and it was a real test for me because we had to have the rooms clean before check-in time. Days when it was 85, busy and only 2 of us cleaning were the tough ones. With back issues I wanted to walk out so many times. It wasn't an easy job at all. However I truly took pride in knowing when I left a room, I did a great job.
I came back again the following Summer to work there. When I drove to Camden for my first day back I couldn't decide if I was going back because I enjoyed it, or because I had such a great boss and people to work with. Our head house keeper was much older and some days she looked so tired. Wrinkly skin, sagging eyes, the LONGEST messiest hair always put up in a bun by the same clip. She complained often but I could always get her to laugh or to talk about what really bothered her. We usually cleaned the same room at the same time so the day would go quicker and go smoother.
When I look back now I really valued my job at Towne Motel. It was the beginning point to my hospitality career. I am now a front desk clerk and have accepted a managerial job at another inn down the road from where I am now. I feel as though without the cleaning job I wouldn't have realized how much I love this business. People and tourists in general can be EXTREMELY annoying and very demanding. However, its those moments in which you go above and beyond to make somebody happy that they acknowledge your efforts or give you a great review on TripAdvisory; it makes it all so worth it. Although cleaning hotel rooms isn't my forte, it was the first but not the best--yet at the same time it sort of was. It was one of the best experiences.
Today, I still stop by there and say hello. I had to leave my job there last Summer due to working two jobs and it just getting so overwhelming working doubles 5 days a week. I've learned a lot with the jobs that I have taken on thus far. I believe I am the happiest where I am now and will be moving on to a higher position very soon. It is exciting and I give all the thanks to those I worked with in Camden, they taught me what it means to really work, be precise and on time. Looking back I believe it was the best and I can smile thinking about it. Yet I will never take on another cleaning job, I'll be the one hiring other people to do it for me. :)
This job was my first real one. I needed money and didn't care what field I was in for I was 16. It was house keeping and might I add, I thought I knew how to clean but when cleaning for a hotel, you really learn all the nitty-gritty details of what cleaning really means. I didn't get the hang of it until a few weeks in and I couldn't decide if I liked it or not. Once mid-July came we were booked solid every day and it was a real test for me because we had to have the rooms clean before check-in time. Days when it was 85, busy and only 2 of us cleaning were the tough ones. With back issues I wanted to walk out so many times. It wasn't an easy job at all. However I truly took pride in knowing when I left a room, I did a great job.
I came back again the following Summer to work there. When I drove to Camden for my first day back I couldn't decide if I was going back because I enjoyed it, or because I had such a great boss and people to work with. Our head house keeper was much older and some days she looked so tired. Wrinkly skin, sagging eyes, the LONGEST messiest hair always put up in a bun by the same clip. She complained often but I could always get her to laugh or to talk about what really bothered her. We usually cleaned the same room at the same time so the day would go quicker and go smoother.
When I look back now I really valued my job at Towne Motel. It was the beginning point to my hospitality career. I am now a front desk clerk and have accepted a managerial job at another inn down the road from where I am now. I feel as though without the cleaning job I wouldn't have realized how much I love this business. People and tourists in general can be EXTREMELY annoying and very demanding. However, its those moments in which you go above and beyond to make somebody happy that they acknowledge your efforts or give you a great review on TripAdvisory; it makes it all so worth it. Although cleaning hotel rooms isn't my forte, it was the first but not the best--yet at the same time it sort of was. It was one of the best experiences.
Today, I still stop by there and say hello. I had to leave my job there last Summer due to working two jobs and it just getting so overwhelming working doubles 5 days a week. I've learned a lot with the jobs that I have taken on thus far. I believe I am the happiest where I am now and will be moving on to a higher position very soon. It is exciting and I give all the thanks to those I worked with in Camden, they taught me what it means to really work, be precise and on time. Looking back I believe it was the best and I can smile thinking about it. Yet I will never take on another cleaning job, I'll be the one hiring other people to do it for me. :)
Thursday, September 5, 2013
forgetting history and repeating it
Beginning college I hadn't really known what I was getting
into. I was planning on being the brave one and work every day and go to
school. I told myself that it can't be that hard. I set my schedule up
and didn't realize that it got changed. I went to school 2 days a week
and commuted there from over an hour away. Much to my chagrin I made it
work best I could.
However once I got going it got harder and harder on me. I didn't get as many hours at work, was going broke and had to ask my dad for money. I hated asking anybody for anything! My dad always told me:
"You're young, you're not supposed to be worrying about money yet."He stated.
"Yes but I like money and I'd rather work." I said. Once I said that I could see the vexed expression on his face. I told him not to worry I was determined I was going to do both no matter how much it sucked! However in November of that fall semester I told myself, "never again." I was either going to live in the dorms or find an apartment. I did just that by my 2nd semester and 2nd year of college.
* * * *
August 12 2013: I called my adviser and set up my schedule. Knowing I was currently working a full time job of 50 hours a week and that it wasn't over until October. I had to commute once again. I decided to not to even think about it. "I gotta do what I gotta do." I told myself over and over again. I have 2 creative writing classes online, and a Literature class with the lovely Devin Wood on campus 2 times a week. So far it is going well besides getting pulled over this passed Tuesday for speeding. Almost criminal speeding might I add.
"I wont make up any excuses...I was speeding." I sadly said to the Sheriff. "I'm driving over an hour to class and I'm going to be late because of work this morning."
"Do you realize how fast you were going?" He boasted. "Almost 30mph OVER the speed limit."
"All I can say is if you give me a warning it will NEVER happen again." I was almost speechless. I knew I was in the wrong and just plain pissed off that I didn't slow down.
Situations such as this one I knew that it was going to be an interesting semester and it was only Week 2! Since I have about 13 more weeks of traveling twice a week, I guess I better tell my boss I HAVE to leave when I have to leave. So I'm basically repeating history. Doing something I told myself I would never do again! I have realized as I get older you have to do what you have to do, and a college degree is very important to me. Even if I land a hotel job that I don't even need a degree. (Which is the field I want to be in - Hospitality) I will feel satisfied that I have one anyways.
I got a speeding ticket my first year when I commuted, yet I was on the deans list and never missed any of my bills. This year my classes are even better and I got a warning for speeding. This must mean something right? Hoping its a great year. I'd like to say.... Never again. However next semester I will be commuting once again. I've always told myself I don't want to be one of those broke college kids who has a ton of money to pay back. I'm gona be one of those college kids who buys a vehicle all on her own, a truck at that. Works full time and makes deans list. No boyfriend either.... ;)
Forgetting history and repeating it... Only doing it better this time.
However once I got going it got harder and harder on me. I didn't get as many hours at work, was going broke and had to ask my dad for money. I hated asking anybody for anything! My dad always told me:
"You're young, you're not supposed to be worrying about money yet."He stated.
"Yes but I like money and I'd rather work." I said. Once I said that I could see the vexed expression on his face. I told him not to worry I was determined I was going to do both no matter how much it sucked! However in November of that fall semester I told myself, "never again." I was either going to live in the dorms or find an apartment. I did just that by my 2nd semester and 2nd year of college.
* * * *
August 12 2013: I called my adviser and set up my schedule. Knowing I was currently working a full time job of 50 hours a week and that it wasn't over until October. I had to commute once again. I decided to not to even think about it. "I gotta do what I gotta do." I told myself over and over again. I have 2 creative writing classes online, and a Literature class with the lovely Devin Wood on campus 2 times a week. So far it is going well besides getting pulled over this passed Tuesday for speeding. Almost criminal speeding might I add.
"I wont make up any excuses...I was speeding." I sadly said to the Sheriff. "I'm driving over an hour to class and I'm going to be late because of work this morning."
"Do you realize how fast you were going?" He boasted. "Almost 30mph OVER the speed limit."
"All I can say is if you give me a warning it will NEVER happen again." I was almost speechless. I knew I was in the wrong and just plain pissed off that I didn't slow down.
Situations such as this one I knew that it was going to be an interesting semester and it was only Week 2! Since I have about 13 more weeks of traveling twice a week, I guess I better tell my boss I HAVE to leave when I have to leave. So I'm basically repeating history. Doing something I told myself I would never do again! I have realized as I get older you have to do what you have to do, and a college degree is very important to me. Even if I land a hotel job that I don't even need a degree. (Which is the field I want to be in - Hospitality) I will feel satisfied that I have one anyways.
I got a speeding ticket my first year when I commuted, yet I was on the deans list and never missed any of my bills. This year my classes are even better and I got a warning for speeding. This must mean something right? Hoping its a great year. I'd like to say.... Never again. However next semester I will be commuting once again. I've always told myself I don't want to be one of those broke college kids who has a ton of money to pay back. I'm gona be one of those college kids who buys a vehicle all on her own, a truck at that. Works full time and makes deans list. No boyfriend either.... ;)
Forgetting history and repeating it... Only doing it better this time.
Wednesday, September 4, 2013
Week 2 Looking into that Photo album, I see --
There's something about a photograph that moves me. Whether its how many secrets can be hidden; looks on faces or how its the same no matter how many times you look at it. Or is it? A photo can say so many things its just a matter of how well you know the scene, setting and the people in it. Each one has its own story to tell.
My aunt has always been the one in the family to take all the pictures. We were all so grateful for it too because we didn't have to do it. She saw everything from behind a camera lens. When I was younger I would go to her house every weekend while my parents would go out to dinner or out with their friends. It seemed like every Saturday she had new photos she couldn't wait to go print out. One evening we were nearing in on my fathers 40th birthday. She is my dads sister and they have always been really close. She wanted to create something meaningful for him for his birthday. One Friday evening she told me she wanted my opinion on something very important to her. We sat down on her back porch. At this point she lived on the Ocean in South Thomaston, a beautiful quite small house. The moment seemed really special to me. I'll never forget that.
She handed me a large photo album with a bright little smiling face on the cover. I could tell by the nose that it was that of my fathers. Looking into that photo album, I see a familiar face. I see my father as a young boy playing with his sisters. Harassing them, laughing with them, making them cry and teaching one how to drive. I saw a photo of my great grandmother of whom I never got the chance to meet. I stopped on the photo and gave it a longer glance. She was beautiful. My Nana looks just like her.
Being an only child gave me a chance to get closer to each of my parents, possibly more so than other kids. My dad has been like my best friend. He's inspiring to me and I always wanted to be like him. Looking into that photo album I almost saw myself. I recognized a little tricycle in one of the photos. I remember being so excited because it looked like mine!
"That is your tricycle now." She exclaimed. "Your dad kept it for a very long time and passed it on to you!"
This made me so excited! To have something to play with that was once my fathers when he was my age. It was so cool to me. I couldn't wait to get through the rest of the photo album. There were class photos and school portraits of my dad and pictures of their whole family. Its crazy how much time has changed. The photo quality was so different! Being that young I thought it was so neat how different things were. I hugged my aunt Sheryl and thanked her so much for giving me. The final photo in the album was my dad smiling and my mother holding me in her arms. It was almost like my aunt created my fathers life in photos, it was magical.
"It's the perfect gift he will love it." I said, with a generous smile on my face.
My aunt has always been the one in the family to take all the pictures. We were all so grateful for it too because we didn't have to do it. She saw everything from behind a camera lens. When I was younger I would go to her house every weekend while my parents would go out to dinner or out with their friends. It seemed like every Saturday she had new photos she couldn't wait to go print out. One evening we were nearing in on my fathers 40th birthday. She is my dads sister and they have always been really close. She wanted to create something meaningful for him for his birthday. One Friday evening she told me she wanted my opinion on something very important to her. We sat down on her back porch. At this point she lived on the Ocean in South Thomaston, a beautiful quite small house. The moment seemed really special to me. I'll never forget that.
She handed me a large photo album with a bright little smiling face on the cover. I could tell by the nose that it was that of my fathers. Looking into that photo album, I see a familiar face. I see my father as a young boy playing with his sisters. Harassing them, laughing with them, making them cry and teaching one how to drive. I saw a photo of my great grandmother of whom I never got the chance to meet. I stopped on the photo and gave it a longer glance. She was beautiful. My Nana looks just like her.
Being an only child gave me a chance to get closer to each of my parents, possibly more so than other kids. My dad has been like my best friend. He's inspiring to me and I always wanted to be like him. Looking into that photo album I almost saw myself. I recognized a little tricycle in one of the photos. I remember being so excited because it looked like mine!
"That is your tricycle now." She exclaimed. "Your dad kept it for a very long time and passed it on to you!"
This made me so excited! To have something to play with that was once my fathers when he was my age. It was so cool to me. I couldn't wait to get through the rest of the photo album. There were class photos and school portraits of my dad and pictures of their whole family. Its crazy how much time has changed. The photo quality was so different! Being that young I thought it was so neat how different things were. I hugged my aunt Sheryl and thanked her so much for giving me. The final photo in the album was my dad smiling and my mother holding me in her arms. It was almost like my aunt created my fathers life in photos, it was magical.
"It's the perfect gift he will love it." I said, with a generous smile on my face.
Monday, September 2, 2013
Journal
I have to say beginning the week 2 assignment really opened my eyes. Within the last couple of years there have been crazy events.. School shootings, child abductions. The killing of that Glenburn girl a month or so ago was really sad. I drove through Glenburn two days ago and got such a weird feeling.
On Saturday a bus full of a bunch of my friends was riding down to see Luke Bryan when a woman from Belfast blew through a red light and the bus hit her. She died on the ride to the hospital.
I wish I could say that I believe in God but I am a firm atheist and I'm not sure if I believe in the saying "everything happens for a reason," either.
The news is so full of sad and depressing things. At my work we put on the news just so we can hear the weather. I have come to realize that the news comes on at 5 or 6am and is put on repeat until noon time. I find myself hearing the same 5 depressing stories about 12 times in one morning. Until I change the channel to the Maine Visitor Channel or Accuweather. I don't live in fear but its truly crazy and intimidating how quickly your life or a loved ones life could be taken from you. I will never understand how some other countries think either. How in the HELL can you sacrifice yourself by running a damn plane full of innocent people into a building full of MORE innocent people where all the rubble will land on... well... more innocent people. I honestly feel like the war we are in today will never be over. I hear people say that it is over but I'm pretty sure it isn't.
16 mass shootings happened in the year 2012 alone. At least 88 people died. I swear the worst in a long time was the shooting of all those children and teachers in Connecticut. Its just completely baffling to me to think about someone pointing a gun and firing on them. What is wrong with you?
I checked out this website, to get real facts on these 88 deaths and found there were events that I didn't even hear about on the news... "classmate opens fire on other students." WHY?
I value every single day so much now that I am getting older. I spend more time with my elders, listen to all my great uncles war stories and I'm always sure to keep in touch with my friends that are off to college far away. I value my life so much.
On Saturday a bus full of a bunch of my friends was riding down to see Luke Bryan when a woman from Belfast blew through a red light and the bus hit her. She died on the ride to the hospital.
I wish I could say that I believe in God but I am a firm atheist and I'm not sure if I believe in the saying "everything happens for a reason," either.
The news is so full of sad and depressing things. At my work we put on the news just so we can hear the weather. I have come to realize that the news comes on at 5 or 6am and is put on repeat until noon time. I find myself hearing the same 5 depressing stories about 12 times in one morning. Until I change the channel to the Maine Visitor Channel or Accuweather. I don't live in fear but its truly crazy and intimidating how quickly your life or a loved ones life could be taken from you. I will never understand how some other countries think either. How in the HELL can you sacrifice yourself by running a damn plane full of innocent people into a building full of MORE innocent people where all the rubble will land on... well... more innocent people. I honestly feel like the war we are in today will never be over. I hear people say that it is over but I'm pretty sure it isn't.
16 mass shootings happened in the year 2012 alone. At least 88 people died. I swear the worst in a long time was the shooting of all those children and teachers in Connecticut. Its just completely baffling to me to think about someone pointing a gun and firing on them. What is wrong with you?
I checked out this website, to get real facts on these 88 deaths and found there were events that I didn't even hear about on the news... "classmate opens fire on other students." WHY?
I value every single day so much now that I am getting older. I spend more time with my elders, listen to all my great uncles war stories and I'm always sure to keep in touch with my friends that are off to college far away. I value my life so much.
Theme Week 2
The year 2011 was one of the
biggest years. Not just for me but in history. 2011 started with me working a
closing shift at a hotel in Camden, Maine. Someone had to do it so of course it
was me. I went to bed early and didn’t even watch the ball drop. Once school started back up I was on my final
leg of my senior year of high school, it was like “easy-peasy.” At that point I
could blow just about any class off because I knew I was graduated, however for
the sake of my high school basketball career I went to every class early.
As those beginning months past of
the year 2011 I played in several basketball games. We were one of the top
teams in class B girls’ basketball. The highlight was beating Camden, our rival
team. We hadn’t lost to them once in over 3 years. Beating girls who act like
bitches on the court only gives you the BIGGEST feeling of satisfaction when
you have to shake hands after the game. During this time I never ever paid much
attention to what was happening in other countries. In Egypt their president
decided to resign and hand his power to the military. At the same time in Libya,
protestors only wished their leader would step down but he wouldn’t. I remember
my grandfather talking about a man named Hosni Mubarak; apparently he ended up
killing several protestors…
Come April I was already planning
my birthday. My birthday is May 25th of every year of course and I
always enjoy going camping or taking my 4-wheeler out with a bunch of my family
and friends. This year we decided to go up to Rangeley and stay in tents along
the trails. Bring Deer meat and cook on a portable grill. I absolutely could
not wait. My dad’s birthday is April 13th and we hosted a big party
at his favorite local bar. April 29th Kate Middleton married Prince
William in Westminster Abbey in London. Probably the most watched event ever. I’m
pretty sure it was on every network on television.
We have been fighting in a war
against terrorism since the year 2001. Trying to pin point and find the men/man
behind the horrible acts on September 11th. On May 2nd
the CIA and United States troops shoot and kill Osama Bin Laden in Abbottabad,
Pakistan. I remember this day clear as a bell. I was home and my parents had
just turned on the news in time. The reporter even acted with a slight sigh of
relief. We all knew this didn’t mean that the war was over, but it was big step
closer and we couldn’t possibly thank the military enough for their hard work
and sacrifice.
My birthday couldn’t have been
better. Perfect weather, everyone came and I didn’t even use my tent. I slept on
the ground near the edge of Rangeley Lake. I was now 18 years old. Still none
of the war stuff made too much sense to me, I always wished I paid more
attention to the news but it was always so depressing. – I graduated on June 8th
at 6pm in my high school gym. It was such an amazing day. There was a bird that
flew in through the doors and was their throughout the entire 2 hour
graduation. No one could quite keep their eye off of it for too long.
Especially the large woman in the corner with the camera; she was on the
tallest bleacher and it was like the bird was harassing her. I can’t imagine
what any of her footage looks like.
On July 22nd 2011 Norway
was hit with another terrorist attack. First a bomb that killed 8 people then a
few hours later a man disguised as a cop opens fire at a camp for young political
activists. I started working my first year as a house keeper during this month
making $7.75 an hour. I’d go to work at 8am, come home have dinner and hangout
with my friends; peacefully. The gunman alone killed 68 people in Norway that
day.
I swear just a few days ago I was
listening to Amy Winehouse’s song “Rehab” and thinking, “Wow I haven’t heard
this song in forever it’s so good! Then On July 23rd, she was found
dead from an overdose.
One of the biggest known controversial
trials that have happened in the United States began in 2011. I was watching TV
one afternoon after work and I remember hearing people talk about the Sandusky trial
and didn’t have a clue what they were talking about. Normally I ask but I was
just too lazy that day. Former Penn State Football defensive coordinator Jerry
Sandusky was arrested on 40 counts of sexual assault. By December, two more
people came forward that were assaulted by him and he was then arrested for
over 50 counts of assault over a 15 year period.
Another amazing day in history was
when The Mavericks Beat the Miami Heat 105-95 in the Championship game. For any
New Englander or shall I say most, we are NOT Heat fans. Basketball has always
been my passion. When the 2011 season started I felt so good about the Boston
Celtics. But the Miami Heat had Lebron James AND Dwayne Wade so they were only
getting better. I didn’t like the
Mavericks much but they ended up in the finals against Miami and it was such a
tough series that I even lost sleep over it. I was literally jumping up and
down during the final 10 seconds of this game.
Yes 2011 came with
so much history: the military, to
terrorism, gay marriage, and basketball and mass murders. Being 17-18 years old
I didn’t pay much attention to many things but it was a year in which I
graduated high school; started college, became an adult and also began my own
career as a college athlete. I began to understand more things that were
happening around me and watched the news more no matter how depressing. The
year 2011 was like a new beginning for me.
Sunday, September 1, 2013
Week 1 Part 1
(JOHN GOLDFINE - I REALIZED I DID THIS PART FIRST BUT ACCIDENTALLY HAD PUT IT IN A DIFFERENT BLOG SO WHEN I WENT THROUGH THIS EVENING TO MAKE SURE I'VE GOT EVERYTHING SO FAR I REALIZED THIS WASN'T THERE SO HERE IT IS! ) Thanks!
I: I remember the day I began a journal. I was almost 8 years old and my birthday was fast approaching. I had to think about what I wanted that year and I kept changing my mind. "Mom I want a computer this year." "Dad I don't think a computer is that cool anymore... I want a four wheel like all the boys at school." I might have been a tomboy in elementary school but I didn't care. I always liked fitting in with the boys. I didn't however come to a conclusion in time and didn't end up with either thing. I believe it was the year I got one of those scooters that were so popular. During this whole time of deciding what I wanted; I began a journal. I wrote mostly every day for a couple of months. Boys were a topic and thinking back now I'm sure it was a new one each week. "I think I am in love." One entry read. "He is so cute and I think he really really likes me! I hope he sits next to me at lunch tomorrow." Yeah... what girl didn't write like that. Anyway; I remember my last entry all to well. It was a foggy morning with a few rain drops each falling harder than the last. These types of questionable mornings can leave you feeling as though something is wrong. Something indeed was... That morning I had found out a loving family member was taken from us by is crazy... and I mean crazy, psycho, b$*&% wife... My heart was so broken I couldn't even write how I felt truly I couldn't even write the words 'killed' 'stabbed' or 'dead' down on paper. It was like my hand was holding back. Every part of me was crying. This was the last day I wrote in my journal. The next time I ever did was in the 9th grade; same sort of thing we are doing now except random and no theme. I think I will enjoy this... ------ YOU: "You never know what you've got til its gone." What an interesting quote... Sometimes you know what you've got and you're just ready to let go. Like lets say, your job. You go into work everyday with high hopes that you're going to have a great day and not let anything get you down. UNTIL your new "general manager" tells you to do things with a grouchy, rude tone you just want to SMACK her, tell her how you REALLY feel, maybe curse a little and walk out the door...but you don't have the courage yet to give up your paycheck. So you suck it up day in and day out, working hard feeling like the time and effort you put in just means nothing. Quite discouraging if one says so. You take a breath and go into the laundry room thinking that you are away from the wretched woman for 5 minutes until she comes in asking you why the printer isn't working, a question in which you believe a manager of a property should know, you have to turn it off; wiggle a few wires around and pray; that's how the printer works. A deep breath or two, and 2pm comes and you sneak out the door and pretend you don't hear her yelling your name. "Yeah you too!" You yell, pretending she told you to have a good day when she really told you she had more work for you... PEACE! ------- SHE: She drives me INSANE! "She" is named Renata but her name even makes my insides quiver. She has been employed at Glenmoor by the sea for 3 weeks, is getting paid an outrageous amount to make outrageous changes to the property. Not only that she fails to great her new employees each day merely walking by with a snotty expression. Mind you she was given this job out of the blue without any of the employees who have been there for a couple years knowing. She's great! Not. She sits in her Jeep talking on her phone for over an hour EVERY day like its some big secret. She has her own huge office in the back! She is not going to last. She is horrible. SHE needs to go.
Journal entry
Today I have noticed a few things. Through this past weekend at the mud runs I encountered many intoxicated people. Drinking a few throughout the night, catching a buzz is fun. However, drinking A LOT then doing it a few nights in a row is something I do not understand. My body can barely handle a hangover the next day let alone drink again. Some of my friends are on their 4th night in a row of drinking because it is Labor Day weekend. I don't understand how they are staying hydrated I hadn't seen anyone else drink a lick of water all weekend!
Alcohol is a depressent. I hardly drink at all and if I drink 3 or more beers I am DOOMED for an afternoon hangover the following day. I know I get pretty depressed when I'm feeling that ill... Does "alcohol being a depressent' mean that during consumption of alcohol? Or after? I know lots of people once they have consumed enough they can get angry or emotional. I'm wondering if thats what that means.
Alcohol can alter moods and perception so quickly its unbelievable. I love those friends that talk louder and get giggly by the end of their first beer. Others are a lush and it takes more but I'd rather be a "cheap drunk" and drink less. A hangover is caused by dehydration. Seems weird because you're consuming a liquid but it isn't the right kind. Alchol is one of those things that the more I think about it, 90% of the time the couple hours of fun just isn't worth the cost of buying the beer and the cost of sometimes wasting an entire next day due to not feeling good or no drive to do anything. I have also noticed that just about everything there is to do around here, we all do with alcohol. I guess it makes things more fun? What does everyone else think?
Alcohol is a depressent. I hardly drink at all and if I drink 3 or more beers I am DOOMED for an afternoon hangover the following day. I know I get pretty depressed when I'm feeling that ill... Does "alcohol being a depressent' mean that during consumption of alcohol? Or after? I know lots of people once they have consumed enough they can get angry or emotional. I'm wondering if thats what that means.
Alcohol can alter moods and perception so quickly its unbelievable. I love those friends that talk louder and get giggly by the end of their first beer. Others are a lush and it takes more but I'd rather be a "cheap drunk" and drink less. A hangover is caused by dehydration. Seems weird because you're consuming a liquid but it isn't the right kind. Alchol is one of those things that the more I think about it, 90% of the time the couple hours of fun just isn't worth the cost of buying the beer and the cost of sometimes wasting an entire next day due to not feeling good or no drive to do anything. I have also noticed that just about everything there is to do around here, we all do with alcohol. I guess it makes things more fun? What does everyone else think?
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