12/12

Breath. Relax. Smile. Repeat. There's no need to rush things.  I mean, yes there may be a deadline to meet, but in the end, you need to feel comfortable in what you plan on doing before you get started.  True writing is like falling in love.  It takes time and patients.  The best of it will happen when you're not paying attention or when your mind wanders.  You fall in love with every word you write.  Every single word you believe in and stand by no matter what.  Other times, you may doubt them, but at the end of the day the best writing is that in which you can believe and stand by.
Pressure can play a part in writing.  The pressure to do well, to impress others, and to prove to others what you are capable of can be overwhelming.  What do I say to that? I say forget it.  It's not worth worrying about.  Yes, you need to focus on the task at hand and make sure you are doing what the intended purpose is, but a little adventuring never hurt anyone too much.  Forget about the voices telling you what and what not to do.  Just listen to yourself.
At the end of the day, just believe.  Believe in the words you write, believe in what you're writing for, and most of all believe in yourself.  It may seem to be too much pressure or too difficult, but if you just relax you'll fall right into something wonderful.

11/12

Are the four-letter word projects writing? (what is writing?) Or, are they compositions, inscriptions, or something else?

I feel the four-letter word projects are compositions that happen to contain some writing.  Writing is used in the project in the form of short phrases, words, or symbols.  Writing is a way of communicating with people using these things.  In my opinion, pictures and images can do more than writing at times; however, from images words and writing can be derived.  Actually, now that I think more about it, the more these projects turn into writing.  Who gets to decide what is considered writing? To some, only written letters are, while to others hieroglyphics are the definition.  The purpose of writing is to communicate something to the reader or viewer, often in the form of an argument.  In my opinion, these projects are writing, but ultimately it depends on who you ask.

9/12

When you put on text (on your person- as clothing/textile, tattoo, or jewelry), do you honestly anticipate readers?

I anticipate readers probably most of the time I wear text.  Sometimes, I just throw on whatever I can find if I'm running late or just extremely lazy that day.  Most of the time though, I read what I put on in the morning.  I guess it's not exactly that I anticipate readers or want them, I think it's more like I'm aware of what I'm wearing.  I wear things just for me rather than for other people.  Even if I ever get the tattoo I want, it will be for me, not for other people.

8/12

Transcribe the text of the sample onto your blog.  Do not edit. (If there are any images provided, describe them briefly in a notes section.)  Return the crayon sample.

I think this is true.  Because if you are able to write in the voice of someone else well, then you have to be able to become them.  You may feel something different than what you normally would.  You may be even saying something that you don't believe.  If you can do this in voice, then you can be more open-minded to other things.  YOu will be able to see and feel different viewpoints form your own.

7/12

Consider the material nature of the crayon response you are reviewing- this is not your own writing! Is the writer influenced by the writing implement s/he uses? Is the writer more expressive or less expressive as a result of the physical constraints of the crayoned page?

Is this writing any good? How do you know that it is good (or not)?

Keeping in mind the material nature of the crayon response, I think the writer is not influenced by the writing implement.  He expresses about the same amount of enthusiasm in this writing as he does using any other writing utensil.  He doesn't seem to feel any particular way about writing with a crayon, I believe he just focuses on what he is writing rather than what with he is writing.  If anything, the crayon only restrained him from writing down his thoughts quick and easily.

This writing is just as good as any other paragraph response written in pencil or another media.  In fact, the writer answers the question well and elaborates with his own thoughts.  Assessing his writing shows that he has an interesting opinion response to the original prompt, arguing that flexibility in voice leads to flexibility in all things.

6/12

Respond to the character's question as he enters the twittersphere:  "Who are they talking to?"  Do you wonder who your audience is when you post on twitter?  Do you feel differently about your audience in online writing environments?  Is your relationship to your online audience distinct?  Who do you imagine is reading your tweets, for example?

This animation clearly doubts the viability of twitter as a valuable tool.  What do you think?   What is the purpose of microblogging?


In my opinion, people on twitter are talking to anyone who will listen.  At first, this might sound harsh and rude, but when you think about it it's true.  Friends, family, coworkers, and all other kinds of followers on twitter are the ones who are reading the tweets. When I have to post on twitter, I honestly don't think a lot about who my audience is.  Thinking about it now, I suppose it is my classmates and anyone following the text thread, seeing as how I only use it for school.  I do feel differently when I think about that every word I type does have the potential to be seen by anyone. It seems very violating and makes me slightly uncomfortable and self-conscious.  In online writing environments I feel like my audience is not very close to me.  I don't have a personal connection to them, so I feel like there is no distinct bond between us.


I don't believe twitter is a useful tool to most people, so I agree with the message the cartoon animation is sending.  The intended purpose of microblogging is to reach as many people as possible with a small important piece of information; however, I feel people abuse it and use it for stupid purposes.

5/12

To conclude her essay, Zadie Smith discloses: “In this lecture I have been seeking to tentatively suggest that the voice that speaks with such freedom, thus unburdened by dogma and personal bias, thus flooded with empathy, might make a good president” (192).  However, she rejects this claim by advocating for the many-voiced role of the poet.  What is the difference between the rhetoric of a president and that of a poet?  Does Smith suggest there should be a difference?


Zadie Smith comments on the difference in rhetoric of the president and the poet.  To start, Smith discusses how the president only has one voice, while the poet has many.  As president, it is seen to be important to only have one voice and keep strong, solid opinions.  If he has more than one opinion he is often criticized for flip-flopping on issues and being unreliable.  Oppositely, the poet is encouraged to have more voices.  More voices allows for the poet to express himself more and have more creative freedom depending upon what the topic is and what style.  


Even though Smith describes the different rhetoric in such a way, she also feels it would be a nice change of pace to see a president who can freely discuss his opinions without having to worry about judgement or criticism.  If the president had the freedom of the poet, he could voice all his feelings about a subject.  Having many voices could even show a more vulnerable president in a good way, meaning the people could feel more connected to him.  

4/12

Zadie Smith discusses that "To occupy a dream, to exist in a dreamed space (conjured by both father and mother), is surely quite different thing from simply inheriting a dream.  It's more interesting," (page 183).

Do we appreciate the difference between occupying a dream and inheriting a dream as a nation?
How does Smith establish between occupying and inheriting a dream when it comes to different social groups?
If one is to inherit a dream, do they still have the same appreciation for it compared to someone who occupies it?
Keeping in mind the idea behind this statement, is the typical "American Dream" usually occupied or inherited?
Who does Zadie Smith believe to be an example of someone who simply exists in a dreamed space?
Oppositely, who does she feel has inherited it?

3/12

What I really think about the writing space that twitter affords is that it minimizes human interaction and marginalizes the use of a properly spelled sentence.  Twitter to me seems only useful to major corporations, publications, and comedians.  For the everyday person I think twitter is not useful.  Although it is a writing space that can be shared with thousands of people very easily, it's not useful or practical for an average person.  For associations such as CNN or SONY twitter is a useful tool to get information out fast to its followers, making it useful for readers.  Once those readers begin writing, the writing space becomes less legitimate and more of a whimsical internet fad.

1/12

I'm not sure why so many people wear texts on their clothing and on their skin.  Perhaps they feel that such portable writing serves to express who they are in a short word or phrase.  People believe that you only get one chance to make a first impression, so some decide to put it all out into the world at once.  On the other hand, some people just wake up, throw on the closest clean-smelling shirt, and go about their daily lives without even considering what they're saying to the world.  

The Problem of Describing Trees

The Problem of Describing Trees
by Robert Hass

The argument in the poem The Problem if Describing Trees is that there are not enough words to truly describe what trees do.  There can be several different ways to phrase what one sees, but to fully capture the beauty and movement in the nature of trees is impossible.  Hass starts his poem attempting to describe what the aspen is doing, but as the poem progresses the reader sees him stop himself and reassess what he's saying.  Finally, the poem ends with "The aspen doing something in the wind", demonstrating that Hass feels that he cannot describe the tree but instead one should experience it themselves since there are so many ways to see it.

"Dance with me, dancer. Oh, I will" 
The speaker of this line in the poem is the poet asking the reader to believe the words that he is saying.  He wants the reader to dance with him, meaning come along with him while attempting to find the right words to describe this tree.  Searching for the words is a dance of sorts because of the effort and movement dancing around the right words is.  The line before refers to poetry, so one can see that the speaker here wants the reader to entertain him for a minute while he tries to fully explain himself through words in poetry.

Lost.

My Four Letter Word

My four-letter word is "nest".  I find this word fascinating because it seems so simple but is much more than one originally thinks of it.  At first, someone might read it and initially associate it with a bird's nest; however theres so much more to it.  I am arguing that this word is a place of comfort in a time of chaos or troubles, much like home.

A Reading Relationship

What is your relationship with your reader?
(Referencing Billy Collin's The Flight of the Reader)

In general, I would say my reader is a like cricket.  It's not like I do not have a relationship with my reader, but usually the emotion does not run deep.  My reader is always there. He or she is consistent, always listening and waiting to see what I write next.  For school essays in particular, my reader observes and reads what I'm trying to convey, but usually the relationship stops there.  It isn't until I am passionately writing something that my reader morphs into a bluebird or a wild parrot.  More likely, my reader would be a "wild parrot digging your [its] claws into my loud shirt".  It could be when I'm writing about a cause that I feel strongly about or a letter I'm writing to someone important in my life.  If I write about something I care about, my reader is more likely to care about it too.  If my reader is more invested in what I'm writing, they become more active in it, not just simply reading what is on the page.  It isn't until I get emotional with my own writing that my reader becomes as well.  I want to be more connected with my reader rather than just preaching to a mundane choir but often it ends up being more of a platonic relationship with no strong feelings.

Visual Arguments

A picture is worth more than a thousand words when arguing a point.  While written arguments are one way of visually outlining an argument, actual images provide for a stronger connection between the person arguing the point and the witness.  The words may be missing but images provide much more.  The colors, lines, contrast, and sights bring out the witness's personal connections.  He or she has his or her own memories and thoughts to contribute to the argument that are felt as images appear.  While images allow more leeway for interpretation, the connection between the witness and the argument itself is something that cannot simply be done with words.

Lists

Boys:

• Dude
• Bro
• Man
• Thug
• Friend
• Pal
• Cheif
• Sir
• Scout
• Son
• Champ
• Buddy
• Mah Man

Girls:

• Chick
• Hoe
• Babe
• Bitch
• Mammi
• Mamasita
• Guurl
• Chicita
• Hunny
• Mama
• Lady
• Miss
• Madame
• Girl

Blog this: first thoughts

I keep thinking about my project 3, and I’m pretty sure my next [rhetorical] move will be to try and find a more smooth and coherent train of thought within my writing.  I think I came up with some good points of discussion, but I need to make it more fluid in order to make more sense.  Also I'd like to try to find more similes and other forms of words in order to make help with this too.

First thoughts: paper review

I am peer reviewing a colleague's draft of Project 3, and my first reaction is that this draft is well worked already.  It seems like he has put a lot of effort in to this draft and has probably revised already.  He introduces his topic gradually but also clearly. Immediately, the author goes into using different sorts of rhetoric like rhetorical questions and similes.

First Thoughts...

I've been thinking about my own draft for Project 3, and I have to tell you (Prof Lay) that I think I want to rewrite most of it.  It's not that it  was horrible, but I think that it's less organized and fluid than I would like.  Usually, I have to rework most of my drafts several times to achieve the kind of writing that I want to put out to the world.  I don't know exactly what else to say, but I think this project was more difficult than I initially expected.  It's hard to find that middle ground where it's not too much description but also it gives the reader a clear and clean image.

"Coney Island State of Mind"

In this video, one can really feel the viewers connection to Coney Island.  Coney Island is the one place they feel at home above all other places in the world; however, it also is a place that they miss and dream of in its past condition.  It really feels like they grew up their.  This can especially be seen in the way that the speaker talks about Coney Island with a slight sadness to their voice but still having fond feelings for the place.

Presentation Response

The Endless Possibilities of Digital Text
The argument of this presentation was that there is a huge amount of options and uses for text that are only multiplying as time progresses.

changing technologies improves textual expression and understanding presentation

This presentation was very centered upon the history of writing and felt like it was taking you along a timeline.  While this is affective, I think that it would have been helpful if the group explained what they defined "revolutionary" and "improved".

Home

Home is like a little piece of heaven.  Home is the one place in the world a person can go and be completely comfortable.  Whether its a physical house, a dorm room, or a writing classroom, homes vary depending upon who's it is.  Home is more of a feeling than a place.  It's the feeling of being happy, healthy, and comfortable all at once.  It can even be another person with which one feels safe.  It's an oasis of sorts away from your problems where you can forget about your troubles and be at peace.

Visual Media in the Eyes of Jay David Bolter

"In one sense the goal of representation has been transparent presentation.  The medium is supposed to function as a window through which the viewer can see the objects represented. ... On the other hand, artists and their audiences do not always want the medium to disappear; they often want to be made conscious of and even surrounded by media.  Instead of transparency, they strive for hypermediacy, an intense awareness of and even reveling in the medium" (25).

This quote by Bolter discusses the main goals behind representations and their connection to the viewer.  He argues at first that media brings its viewers directly to the source and what is being represented; however, he then explains that people often aim for the opposite, wanting to be engrossed in the media entirely.  Initially, one can see Bolter's first point in the use of Powerpoint.  It brings its viewers straight to the information. But, when one looks closer, he or she can see people get drawn into it and it becomes more interactive with what it is presenting.  Powerpoints use that sense of hypermediacy to create a situation so as to entrance the audience in what they are watching and learning, leaving them to revel in the medium through hypertext.  In one sense, powerpoint as a medium is very straightforward and acknowledges its limitations in terms of creative ability.  On the other hand, it does allow the writer to move through text in non-linear way.

Hypertext makes reading more natural [presentation 2]

This group elaborated their thesis of Hypertext making reading more natural through many examples.  They used good vocabulary and verbs to convey their message.  In the actual presentation they could have explained more about certain things, but during the question and answer period they answered all questions asked thoroughly.

The Nature of Hypertext Presentation

The presentation today on the Natural appeal of Hypertext was by far one of the more informing and easy to follow presentations thus far from Bolter's books.  While there were a few points that were a bit unclear, they gave a large amount of examples and made the presentation easy to follow.  Afterwards, when asked questions, they were able to explain what had been misunderstood, which made their presentation even better.

Don't be afraid to write

Are you ever afraid to write?  Do you take writing so seriously as Jacques Derrida?

For me, I am not nearly as afraid to write as Jacques Derrida seems to be.  He takes writing much more serious than I do. While I do agree there are certain times in which writing is supposed to be serious, I think there is also a time where it can be more relaxed and easy.  Not everything has to be extremely serious all the time.

The New Technology of Writing

The New Technology of Writing: Bolter, Chapter 2 Presentation on Writing as a New Technology

Presentation Response

The Endless Possibilities of Digital Text
The argument of this presentation was that there is a huge amount of options and uses for text that are only multiplying as time progresses.

Speak with Authority

How does the poem "Like You Know" by Taylor Mali differ in its two recensions?  What reading does spoken word (orality) privilege? What does the textual writing space (unconventional as it is) play in the transmission of the meaning?

The two different presentations of the poem impact the reader differently.  While the oral poem with he video feed of him allows the viewer to see the emotion in his face, it comes across somewhat less clear.  The textual writing space version of the poem really emphasizes the meaning of all the words.  Seeing the poem in words as one is reading it allows them to have an even more involved experience.  It allows people to understand which words are being stressed with importance against the others through the different font sizes, fonts, and italicized words.  While the viewer may not become as connected to the actual author in the textual format, he or she will connect more with the meaning and importance of what is actually being said.

Chapter 6- Diction

John R. Trimble discusses the topic of diction in Chapter 6 of Writing with Style.  He poses many important questions and reasons about the use of words and vocabulary in writing today.  In Trimble's eyes, "A skilled writer writes as if she were paid a dime for each word she deletes."  A person can use some of the most original and interesting words; however, if it does not help their writing, it's nothing more than wasted words.  Writing should be concise so that the reader understands what is being presented to them and does not get lost along the way.  I agree with this idea because a truly gifted writer can write confidently while not over-using words.

Writing is a technology- Is the Machine using us?

In this video, several points are made demonstrating that the "machine" is growing more and more everyday.  Electronic text is now much more than thought to be originally.  Not only is it useful and changeable, it links us to everything and everyone.  The internet grows excessively everyday, broadening our horizons and what we can reach in our time.  We are capable of emails, blogs, linking, and other forms of communication all through the technology of text.  While it is a great thing to have so much more freedom and accessibility, it has gotten to a point where it has started to infringe on our privacy and change our way of thinking.

"Writing with Style": Chapter 9

Chapter 9 in John R. Trimble's Writing with Style debates whether or not a person can be taught to have good style.  While both sides of the argument are discussed, it is clear that the winning argument is that it is possible.  Even though most great writers are born with the talent, often grammar and other parts of writing have to be trained or taught to them.  Grammar, punctuation, and other rules are more likely to be taught to students as they move forward in their writing career.  Good ideas and inspiration come from individual people naturally; however, one often has to be taught how to correctly express these thoughts through writing and style.  Those who teach others to write and find their own style are the driving force behind great works today.  Students of great writers learn to make several drafts.  Which each draft, teachers show ways to improve on their writings. Repeating this process over time helps a person develop into an effective writer.  While some aspects of being able to write come naturally to talented people, writing and style can be taught.

FFW- The writing process

My writing process is a lot less dramatic than the video that we watched describing and illustrating Chel White's writing process.  Personally, I write in a completely different way.  For one thing, I have to be in the mood and in the right setting to concentrate in order to write something well.  I can be easily distracted, so usually I can't listen to music unless it doesn't have words or else I end up singing along with the song and typing the lyrics.  Also, people can be very distracting to me, even if they're not talking or being obnoxious.  I work best when I'm in a good setting, most likely my room, and am focused on the task at hand.  Sometimes I struggle if I don't enjoy what I'm writing about; however, if I get into the right mindset I can trick myself into believing I'm passionate about the subject and create a better result.  I have a tendency to leave things to the last minute, but I often work best under pressure when I know I have to get things done.  The video we watched was much more dramatic.  The narrator discussed the frustration of not having a good idea and feeling the need to almost drive off a cliff to get one.  While I've not been driven off a literal edge, I can relate to the frustration.  I find it incredibly distracting and bothersome when I can not come up with a good idea.

In with the old.

As two children walk down a busy city street, they look slightly out of place.  The city is very modern, with cement towers and towering tall buildings.  On the other hand, the children appear to have come from a different sort of place. Dressed in old-fashioned clothing, perhaps from Germany or another European nation, the kids contrast against the modern city.  As the AT&T commercial progresses, the viewer sees that although the kids look like they are from a different time period, they presumably have up to date technology as they pull out a phone.  The contrast between the different worlds emphasizes the importance of the AT&T phone and its easy accessibility.
Unlike the modern city, the children appear to be of a less technologically inclined world.  From the beginning of the commercial, the children drop breadcrumbs to mark their tracks, much like in the old fable of Hansel and Gretel.  The old european outfits of the boy and girl also support the allusion reference to Hansel and Gretel.  Just like in the story, the boy and girl end up lost in an unfamiliar area and the breadcrumbs disappear.  Using this commonly known connection allows viewers to connect to the commercial and understand the ease and importance of the AT&T phone with mapping capabilities.  The contemporary city allows the viewer to relate to a familiar setting while the allegory of Hansel and Gretel connects the viewer to a literary and childhood memory.  By reaching viewers on multiple levels, the commercial tries to better showcase the AT&T product and make the viewers connect with the product through their childhood memories and desire for new technology.

Excitement of another kind.

Excitement is an emotion that can be felt by all people; however, this particular Heineken commercial depicts the different types of enthusiasm that men and women experience and the reason behind them.  While a woman is giving a tour to her acquaintances, she leads them to a walk in closet.  The minute the women open the closet door and see the clothing, shoes, and accessories, they burst into screams of excitement.  From this part of the commercial one can infer that traditionally women experience overwhelming joy over materialistic things such as clothing.
Meanwhile, the men experience a somewhat similar yet different reaction.  The men, appearing bored, make their way towards a different door.  When it opens, they explode into screams of excitement as well.  Unlike the door that the women opened, the door the men opened led to a different room- a walk in freezer full of Heineken beer.  In the rush of excitement, the men scream apparently as loud as the women did over their version of materialistic things.
Through both scenes of enthusiasm with the men and women, Heineken demonstrates the stereotypical materialistic nature of people.  Men are portrayed to be obsessed with beer while the women are fixated on the clothing, shoes, and accessories.  Assuming that both the walk-in fridge and closet cost large sums of money, the commercial demonstrates how consumerism drives our desires and excitement.

Girlfriend Problems.

In an improbable situation, E*TRADE attempts to appeal to its viewers through the humor of talking babies.  The commercial places a possible adult conversation taking place over an online video chat in a childlike setting.  While it is clear that babies are not physically able to carry a conversation like how they are animated to do in the commercial, the different dynamic adds a  is used by the company in hopes of appealing to people's humor.  After captivating the audience with the unlikely scenario, E*TRADE then slips in the important facts and benefits of their company while the viewer is most likely to be paying attention.
The commercial takes an adult conversation and places it in a baby's world.  The main baby boy begins bragging to the baby girl across the video chat about his accomplishments of the day, much like a man would do to impress a woman.  Then, as he shows off, she interjects and asks about whether another baby girl was in attendance.  Similarly, a woman would do so if she was unsure about a man's status.  After the baby girl insults the other baby girl, Lindsay, the baby boy begins to backtrack and defend himself.  Then, Lindsay appears on the screen, surprised and offended at the insult thrown her way.  The thread of the conversation amongst the babies is comparable to that of the stereotypical male lothario who is caught in the act by one of his love interests.
See it for yourself.

AT&T Commercial.

1.) Why is the girl dropping breadcrumbs?
2.) How are the children dressed?
3.) Who are the children supposed to represent?
4.) Who is the target audience?
5.) Why is the commercial set in the city?
6.) What is the commercial trying to sell?
7.) What is the relationship of the children to each other?
8.) What is the effect of the contrast between the modern setting and the children's old-fashioned clothing?
9.)  Why are the children in the city?
10.) What is the significance of the fairytale reference?
11.) When was this commercial made? Why is this significant?
12.) Why is there no dialog?

Heineken Questions.

1.) What is the target audience?
2.) Why are the guests as excited as the owners?
3.) Why does it portray women screaming over clothing?
4.) Why are men the only ones screaming for Heineken?
5.) Why are the people so materialistically?
6.) Why do these men need a refrigerator just for beer?
7.) Why can't men be excited over clothes?
8.) What does it mean if the living space is new to them?
9.) Where was this commercial situated?
10.) Why do we look at the genders as separate?
11.) What does this commercial say about the differences between men and women?
12.) What does this commercial say about the similarities between men and women?

10 things that baseball players do.

1.) Spit
2.) Hit the ball
3.) Throw
4.) Run the bases
5.) Sweat
6.) Catch
7.) Hit homeruns
8.) Wear jerseys
9.) Practice
10. )Sleep

An Unspoken Bond.

The bond between the young deaf girl and the old street performer is a strong and unique relationship built upon shared languages.  The man is able to communicate and understand the girl through both their music and sign language.  He sees her problems and becomes an elder idol with whom she can identify.  The shared arts of music and sign language allow the young girl to speak freely to the man, unlike relationships she shared with other people.  He offers different ways for her to understand things, such as when he tells her "close your eyes. then you will see."  Communicating through music and sign language cement a bond between the young girl and the street performer that outsiders, such as the other competitive girl, have trouble grasping.  Through a different perspective, the girl approaches her passion in a new light.

5 minutes- FFW 9/12

John Trimble makes the case that all writers are like warriors, defending claims and fortifying arguments.  How do you respond to this trope, this figurative turn?


I agree with John Trimble's analysis of writers as warriors.  I think that in a way it's true.  While they may not be physically fighting to defend anything, they are verbally doing it.  Whether a writer is telling a story or forming an opinion piece, they are still trying to say something to the reader and have the reader believe and agree with them.  Arguments, debates, and persuasive pieces demonstrate how a writer defends their words to others.  They can do so using impressive language or listing facts as well.  Writing as  a defensive art can even be considered more effective than physical defense. In history, written essays and other forms of written words often prove more influential and meaningful due to the authors techniques.  One of a writer's purposes is to show a reader an image or have them agree with the writer's words.  Trimble's case is the same way- he acts as a warrior defending this believe as well.

12 minutes.

So here I am at Hofstra and I am blogging.  Writing online makes me feel very open. I never thought of having a blog seriously, but I guess nows a good time to try it out since I have to anyways. It's pretty weird, knowing that everything I say will be out in the world for others to read.  I don't know how people will take it- it could be good or bad.  Not to mention that there are so many different people in the world.  I wonder how many people at Hofstra bog.  You never know what people are really thinking or saying or feeling.  You could walk by some random person who's all smiley and happy but in reality they could be stressing out about anything. I also love walking by people or seeing people with headphones on on the train and trying to pick what kind of music they're listening to. There's so much out there that no one knows about. It's impossible to know everything, and the thought of trying to is kind of intimidating. This is such an odd time, trying to meet all new people. My best friend is over 4 hours away in Delaware but somehow I still feel like I could call her up and we could go on a traditional Coldstone run.  It's weird that no one knows anything about me here, and I can literally reinvent myself however I want. I don't really know how I feel about that. Weird. I think that this year is going to be a lot of work. But you know what they say, you can only have three: sleeping, socializing, school. I wonder what three I'll end up with. I still don't feel like I'm in college yet. I think I could walk back down the halls at CB East and go right into Mr. Mosley's horrible room. I still can't believe I survived that class. Teachers seem so much more like real people than they did in high school. Thank God the food has improved too. I hope I don't get bored of it though... that would be awful. I still don't like this whole blogging thing so far, 12 minutes is a long time. But on the brightside, it's giving me a lot of time to listen to new music. There is no better feeling than when a favorite band comes out with a new record or you find a hidden demo.  I miss going to concerts. They're so freeing, it's hard to explain. When you're there you can just get lost in the music and nothing else matters. You forget what else is going on, no matter what it is.  It's the greatest feeling. I'm not sure what else to say. There's so many things going through my head right now, but I know that if I write them down I can't get them back. I feel like that goes with a lot of things. Once you say or write it or let it out of your head you it's real. For now, I think I'll keep these things to myself just a little bit longer.