Strange New Worlds

   As I was reading Fluorescence, which I finished about a week ago, there was one entry that really stood out to me. I'm going to go into great detail about the many things this tale made me think of. On page 76 there is a short tale called Looking Glass.This short story hit a lot of memory banks in my mind, as well as just random thoughts.
   First of all I thought of Alice in Wonderland when I read this selection, only for the reason of being in a realm much different then your own. To think of a world where a man vomiting salmon is considered normal was just a silly, and grotesque thought. What was even more revolting was the fact that the people around this gentleman were trying to decide on how to prepare these salmon for a meal, gross. So much unlike our own world.
   This lead to my next thought, which led towards the idea of many different kinds of worlds. I mean, in a way, most people would say that there being many different worlds out there is impossible. Narrow minded people would say that it would be like thinking of alien planets, which, I guess, is always a possibility. I'm thinking more along the lines of how China is like a world away from the U.S. or how India is like a different world compared someone who has lived in Japan for many years. People think that to be a different world, it has to be far away, or be run by aliens, but what they don't realize is that Earth is a planet, full of many "worlds".
   Then this final thought led me to one of my favorite video games that is all about the many different kinds of worlds, in Disney, and that video game is Kingdom Hearts. One reason I love this game so much, not only because I grew up with Disney, is becuase it takes you to so many different "worlds". It installs this thought in your brain that maybe different worlds really aren't such an impossible thought to wrap your head around. It also helps to emphasize on the idea that if your closed minded, you'll be missing out on a lot of what's out there, not only "different worlds" but opportunities.
   I have a challenge for you. How many worlds would you say you've been, or are, a part of? If you truly think about it, I'm sure your list will be endless, or atleast pretty close. It never hurts to think in new perspectives, right?

Almost Like Wearing a Mask

   Usually in my posts, I would elaborte on 3 selections that I like, however, this time I found one that I have a lot to say about!
   There was a section titled Blue Lipstick and a Cigarette Hanging Out Your Mouth. The author mostly discussed how some times they like to make themselves more interesting by changing themselves. This is something that I think is great to talk about on two different levels. The first level being the actual physical idea of you changing your appearance for the sake of wanting something new. The second level is more along the lines of writing, and how writing can either help to show your true self, or one that you like to be seen.
   I can definitely relate to the idea of needing change. When I was in elementary school and a little throughtout middle, I dressed like your typical child, nothing to exciting. This is when I realized that i definitely needed something new. So I started shopping at a store known as Hot Topic, and that's when everything changed for me. I was this whole new person that peope really didn't want to walk all over any more because I looked more intimidating. That was my beautiful awakening to who I am now.
   From a writing perspective, it helps to realize the many different sides to you tht there really is. What most people don't notice, orthink to take into perspective, is that people aren't as dense as they appear to be. People have many different kinds of themselves, most of which they decide to keep hidden away. With writing, you can either release the rest of who you are, making yourself more interesting and complicated, or you can choose to keep them hidden away. It's really your choice, let the real you show by removing a mask you already have placed, or disguise yourself with a new mask to hide the you that the world, you think, may not be ready for.

Opening New Pathways (Bird by Bird)

   I would first like to start off by saying that these few chapters were some of the best ones yet. It's fascinating the way that the mind of the author of this book works. Some of her techinques seem almost juvenile, but they work very well. Here were some of the few that I liked that I just finished reading about.
   The idea of using broccoli as your inner voice was astounding. I've never thought of something so farfetched to actually help continue with what you are writing. I mean, I always new that there was an inner voice to help guide you along, but to relate it to the idea that it's like when you're a child and you're trying to think of how to eat your broccoli was just great. It made the whole idea of "inner voice" all the more interesting to hear about.
   The next one would have to be "the radio station KFKD". I'll be honest, at first I thought it was an actually radio station (that's my stupidity sticking out). It was great to read about how everyone faces that noise in there ear that's telling them that they are doing something wrong or trying to discourage what they are doing at that very moment the "station" enters your brain waves. I like the way that she made this known in such a fun way that I'm sure everyone can relate to.
   The final idea that I liked was the index cards. I can say that I won't be carrying around index cards for better memory (although I could so use the memory boost). It's actually really smart, and I would do it, only problem is that I don't think I'd take the time to actually write down my thoughts in the middle of the day when I'm attempting to accomplish something else. Maybe when I get to be as old as dirt (though I hope that day never comes) I will take that idea so I don't become to forgetful and become senile. That just goes to show that this class, as well as this book, can help with life in general, not just with writing.

Finding the Hay in the Needle Stack

            I’ll admit that the choices for stories were a tad dry this time. However, I was able to find three that I can attempt to write about.

            The first story was Black Wings which I was quite intrigued by the idea of being asexual. I don’t think I be able to even try to be asexual only for the fact that I know what I like but that’s besides the fact. I think that it was odd that a fight between two women caused the women in this story to lose her idea of her sexuality, but maybe this is a fact that could be thought of on a much deeper. A small thing that did confuse me about this story was the mention of Lolita. Maybe I missed something in the reading but I’m certain that I didn’t.

            The second story I found somewhat appealing was 10 Birds. I loved the idea of these doves being a metaphor for ghosts. I believe that it really fit the creepy atmosphere that I believe this piece to give off. I thought that it was interesting how the sections were separated into ten sections to relate to the fact of their being ten birds. As for the story itself, I feel like it was quite a spiritual kind of tale and that was what I liked about it the most.

            The final story was Period A Biographical Re-Definition. This tale confused me a lot, but I thought that I caught a hint of what could be some stalker like activity. Besides that though, I can so relate to the fact of not knowing where your memory is going. I can barely remember what happened five minutes ago, not that that really relates. It was also quite interesting to see the tale of what could be two lovers, as they face the challenges of a possibly non-existence relationship, and yes I wasn’t lying when I said I was a tad confused.

            Those were honestly the only three stories I could actually finish. The other stories assigned I literally had to skip and began the next. All that matters, though, is that I found at least a few stories that I can relate to, making this reading journey successful!

Bird by Bird (Continued)

  As I continued reading more into Bird by Bird, I loved the examples she used to make writing easier. To not sound so vague, her example about writing about what you have for lunch is crazy. I never thought anything about my parents making my lunch, mostly because I didn't brown bag it, but in the case of other kids who did all the time, it's astounding. I guess it is a very good example to describe something that you are very familar with, such as what you eat every day.
   Next, I think using a polariod picture to explain how a story unfolds was genius. Just the fact that you don't know what it will look like until it developes was great. I mean obviously you will have an idea of what it will look like, but you will never know fully until that picture (story) is fully developed. I also feel this is a great way to relate modern day photography, past day photography and writing a convincing tale. This is a great way to make understanding writing easier for certain individuals who may be interested in such fields.
   The idea of set design, I believe, falls in the same box as the polariod idea, slightly. Once you can create a breath taking space, then the story practically writes itself. It should also end up like the polariod would, you think you know what it will turn, but you really don't. A great description of the space your story takes place in is key. It is better to have to much then not enough (in most cases).
   The book as a whole is great! Besides the fact of slowly teaching us key strategies for writing, it also has great examples and story on the side that are fun and have a purpose. At first, I wasn't truly sure of the purpose of this book, but I think I'm slowly warming up to it. I'm curious to see exactly how she will further instruct and entertain as the book comes to an end.

Feel Like You're Being Watched?

   Out of all of the longer short stories we read, I was quite intrigued by the section titled Internal. This section is about a person who is supposed to observe their boss' brother, whom is apparently violent and not mentally stable. The only thing that they really get to know is that the brothers don't look alike at all and where he lives.
   The main character starts to question what exactly their boss is thinking. At first they cannot find the brother needing to be observed. The character takes all of their time trying to actually find him and not enough time to observe him when they actually do find him. When they finally do find him, after drilling holes in their walls to see into his apartment, they then realize what may really be happening.
   They begin to worry that they aren't the ones observing the brother, but just the opposite. The character notices him peeking through the holes to see what they are doing at just the right moment for the character to catch them doing it. It's quite erie when you think about it.
   I liked this selction because in a way, it was thrilling. I found myself wanting to know more about the mystery brother and what was really happening. I feel the other did a great job, for the most part, of keeping me on my toes for most of the reading.

My Freely Wodering Mind...

This is my first short story, I hope it sparks everyone's interest. Feedback is greatly appreciated!!

            It was a dark night. She had had a long day at work and was ready to be home. She walked up the walkway leading to her house which was surrounded by red rose bushes. She finally made it to her door, pulled out her keys, but noticed that the door had already been unlocked.

            It was her daughter’s night out with friends and her husband was still at work. She was confused, but thought nothing of it. She stepped through her doorway and noticed a narrow trail of crimson substance leading to her room. She was appalled; more by the fact of her clean white carpet being stained, then the fact that there was blood leading to her resting place.

            She immediately dropped her bag and followed the trail. On the way, there were many paintings on the wall, mostly of landscapes, nature, but there was also a family portrait on the floor. She picked up the portrait and stared at it, as if time had just slipped away. She was terribly frightened at the fact that where her face was in the portrait was where the glass was broken, as if someone punched it.

            She continued, more quickly to follow the trail, which lead her to the stairs to her bedroom. She quietly climbed each stair, as if her life had become slow motion. Then she stopped and listened. She heard a quiet bang on the floor, that progressively became louder and louder. She noticed that there were only a few steps left. She swallowed her fear and ran up the last few, and in a hurry, turned on all of the lights. The noise stopped. She knew something wasn’t right.

            She saw that the narrow trail of blood lead to her bed, into her bed. She walked over to the bed in her designer heels that clacked all the way. She finally reached the end of the trail and noticed that in the middle of her bed, her lavender comforter was turning a very dark red. She could taste the fear of the situation, but she knew what she had to do. She slowly moved her hands to the comforter, grabbed it in her hands then thought, One… Two… Three!! She pulled off the comforter and threw it across her large bedroom. The fowl aroma of copper filled her lungs, taking her breathe away only for a moment as she gasped to retrieve it.

            She stumbled backwards and tripped over one of her high heels. She caught her head on the corner of her desk, knocking her out. Unknowingly, when she fell, she knocked over the lit vanilla scented candle on her desk and it dripped burning wax on her unconscious head. She could feel the burning sensation, and although she was unconscious, she screamed as though the world had to know of her distress.

            Over her screams, as loud as they were, you could hear this obnoxious laughing. The misshapen, dismembered head of her best guy friend lie in her bed, bleeding almost as badly as her. Finally, after a moment or two, the head’s eyes bulge, as if some sort of strain was taking place, and the neck of the blood and wax covered figure was broken. Then there was silence, eerie silence.

***

            The next morning the cops were called as soon as the husband returned home. What he and the cops had found was that there was no sign of a struggle, no narrow blood trail on the carpet, no broken family photo and no bloody comforter nor bed. All that was found was the body of a distraught wife who missed her best friend. Attached to her head, which stuck because of the now dried wax, was a note which read, Now we can truly be together again <3. The death was claimed by the police as a suicide and the husband felt as though she was having an affair.