The List of Lists

Today I decided to try out this new-fangled list idea that everyone has been talking about...then found I had nothing to make a list.  Therefore, I found that making a list of the 8 best lists in the class might encourage others to follow this magnificent trend:

8. The Silence of Society-Cat Cashy
This revealing post shows how little our society communicates with one another face-to-face.  This shockingly disturbing exposition shows how much we can accomplish in silence, which may not always be a good thing.

7. Qualities of a Good Leader-Lizzy Burl
Burl applies the known qualities of a good leader to McMurphy from One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest.  Although he was "crazy" enough to have a lobotomy, he knew how to lead his people.

6. Some Days You're the Bird, Some Days You're the Statue-Meghan Shroyer
Meghan lists the highs and lows of AP English class.  Her humor shines through, as I find all these things easy to relate to...and disturbingly accurate.

5. "Insanity" in everyday life-Emily Helwig
In this post are quotes from people in Emily's life who have used the word "insane."  It depicts how it is quite overused, but paradoxically versatile.  It truly makes us question the true meaning of insanity.

4. The Awkward-Sarah Greenlaw
Greenlaw asseerts the overuse of the word "awkward" in our teen culture, which I had also notice before reading her blog.  But sometimes you "gotta just bite the bullet" and admit that things can be awkward sometimes.  Her list of incredibly awkward situations made me laugh out loud...making another awkward moment for me and the others in my computer room.

3. Simultaneous Disappointment-Mariel McGuiness
Some of you may have heard of this post from the Blog Banter, but even though I was cracking up in class, it did not give this blog enough justice; Mariel's humorous and somewhat depressing situations are comparable to The Office.

2. The Wonders of Winter-John Shoemaker
John makes me feel less guilty about the Winter Blues.  I knew right off the bat that this had to be high on my list of lists because his halarious list starts off with a bang: Winter is darker than Chase's beard.  I'll leave that as a cliff-hanger for you all to go check out this wondrous list.

1. A Slient Language-Carly Cott
Carly's list of interpretations of body language is not only insightful, but also interesting and keen.  I liked learning about this because I feel that many people misinterperet body language for something it is not.  I encourage you all to go see Carly's list along with the rest of these fabulous interpretations of a blog assignment!

Comparative Analysis

Data Sheets : Paper :: AP (Biology : Chemistry)

Vacation

Every year, a new vacation pops into the heads of my family, and each of us has our own conviction of it.  My dad, worried about money, becomes overjoyed and passionate about good deals (as example, "I just found a hotel for thirty bucks a night!"--Thanks Daddy, all I ever wanted in a vacation was a smelly carpet and bullets being shot two doors away).  My mom begins trying on every outfit in her closet the day we begin to plan the vacation, and buys new clothes as well--most likely to make up for my dad's bartering with the hotel companies.  I begin a stream of opinions, non-stop, and very likely will not stop until weeks after the vacation is over, criticizing it in every single way, planning how to make it better the next time.  But the most strange reaction of all is my brother's; he feels no need for input and remains quiet.  Pathetically, he becomes the biggest target for vacation woes and a victim of all our bickering.

As a child, I can never remember a year where my brother had a happy, carefree vacation.  At age five, in Rehoboth Beach, he got sand in his eye and needed drops for the next two weeks.  Two years later, he got a terrible burn in Florida--the next year my mother learned to put sunscreen on him, only to find that sunscreen had infected his other eye.  Two years later, carefree, little ten-year-old Jonathan Halper planned to spend a week with Mickey, Goofy and the gang, but sprained his neck on the first day on Space Mountain--he was bed-ridden all week.  The worst of all was his thirteen-year-old adventure in Rehoboth Beach.  We had shrimp for dinner and, trying to kick him out of his "picky eater phase" (which still exists, by the way) demanded that he try some.  With the smallest bite, he slapped his hand over his mouth.  I critically said, "Jonathan, it really can't be that bad.  Calm down."  Later that night, he had to be rushed to the hospital, barely able to breathe, and was diagnosed with a death-threatening allergy to shell-fish.  Don't be let down by the fact I left out two stories of 105 degree fevers,one story of an ear infection and countless sunburns.  It is safe to say that my brother never has had high expectations for a vacation, and I guess, therefore, has never been disappointed by one.

Face The Music, Clive

As I began to read Amsterdam, I was thoroughly enjoyed by all the allusions to music, mostly because in Lehman's terms, I am a piano nerd.  I thought this Clive guy sounded pretty cool, I mean writing a symphony is a pretty big deal, and he seemed to understand the nuances that create a masterpiece.  As the pages wore on, I found my inclination towards liking Clive slowly slipping away.  Then, I began to compare him to one of my favorite composers, Ludwig Van Beethoven.  Beethoven is the epitome of a tortured artist; he never found love, he lost all his money taking care of his sick brother, and routinely became seriously ill himself.  I've always had a soft spot in my heart for Beethoven, as he finished his career still composing and conducting his symphonies--almost completely deaf.  Also, I like him because he provides a stark contrast to the weak character of Clive.  Clive stresses over one symphony, while Beethoven composed nine.  Also, Clive is very high maintenance and must have the perfect setting to compose his music.  He becomes annoyed at a woman who makes noise as she struggles for her life.  Beethoven would never had complained over such a trivial diversion from his concentration (although, depending on how old he was, he probably would not have heard this woman).  Although Beethoven sets the bar high for Clive, Clive should do everything in his power to strive to be as heroic a composer as Beethoven.