Heath Ledger

Heath Andrew Ledger was born April 4, 1979 in Australia. He was in many films, but is most known in 10 things I hate about, Brokeback Mountain, A Knights Tale, and The Dark Knight. He really broke through in his acting when he played in Brokeback Mountain.  He won a Best Actor award and the Best International Actor award.

He was sometimes in the news for multiple altercations with the media. He has been accused for spitting on paparazzi, been thought to be afraid of gay people by his actions at an awards ceremony, and many other things that the public has had a problem with.

The Dark knight was one of those films that really made Heath Ledger stand out. He played the Joker in the alleged Batman movie. He was really into his role, and was so into learning about the character. People who worked with him on set said he was into his character even when he wasn't on film.  He ended up winning the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor, probably the biggest accomplishment he had ever. Heath Ledger died January, 2008. He died from an overdose of prescription drugs. He is one of the many celebrities that has died from a drug overdose. Drug abuse in the United States is a growing problem. Every day, 105 people die from a drug overdose.  This goes to show that anyone can acquire a drug problem, even celebrities. It's okay to accept the fact that people have a drug problem and its not something to be embarrassed of if you do have a problem. It's not good if its in the "limelight" so to say but it gives everyone at least a feeling of "well even celebrities can have problems that they might not be able to control". Heath Ledger was a very well liked actor and people were devastated when they heard about his death.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heath_Ledger

http://www.cdc.gov/homeandrecreationalsafety/overdose/facts.html

Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds

Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds

Miley Cyrus was born November 23, 1992 in Nashville under the name of Destiny Hope Cyrus. She is the daughter of the country singer Billy Ray Cyrus and was the star of the ever so popular Disney channel show Hannah Montana. In this show she was known as Miley Stewart in her normal life but she lived a secret life under the name of the popular singer Hannah Montana. She lived a double life all throughout the show and struggled with the issues that came with it. She was afraid that people would not treat her the same if they all knew that she was actually Hannah Montana. She didn’t want to be treated like a celebrity she wanted to live a “normal life”, but even that had its own issues.

Miley began dating Liam Hemsworth at the age of 16 in September of 2009. They tried to keep their relationship as quiet and behind closed as much as they could but they were soon discovered and in the spot light. The dated for three years and became engaged in May of 2012. Soon after the engagement the couple split sending Miley Cyrus down what seemed to be a destructive path.

            She first began by cutting off most of her hair and dying it bleach blonde, getting more tattoos, talking about drugs in her songs, and being spotted with rappers most infamous for doing drugs. This is not the Miley we all knew as Hannah Montana. However when asked about her drastic change she said that this is who she’s always wanted to be just wasn’t able to become this person.

            The struggle with citizenship is the fact that one feels like they must conform into the idea of what everyone wants and thinks you should be. Citizenship is a form of acceptance and Miley was not being accepted. She got ridicule from angry mothers of daughters who looked up to her and ridiculed by others saying she went crazy after Liam broke her heart. This Miley was not ok according to America.

            Is it fair to keep someone from being themselves just because of a role the played when they were growing up? Miley didn’t know who she was when filming the show and even in the show her character didn’t know who she was or wanted to be. Miley Cyrus is a public figure that should be respected for her change of pace and is an excellent example of going against the social issue of conformity. She is growing up just like anyone else and just because she isn’t growing into “a mature adult” according to American standards she is herself.

            Living up to the ideals of American stereotypes is easy. It is easy to fall into the trap of monotony. However it is hard to step outside of the comfort zone of American life because being accepted amongst citizens is such a huge goal for many.

Sarah Palin: The road to End Abortion

Sarah Palin: The Road to End Abortion

Sarah Palin is an American politician, prior governor of Alaska and the first Republican woman to be nominated for the vice presidency. Sarah was born in Idaho but shortly after moved to Skagway, Alaska. She attended Wasilla high school where she was the head of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, on the girls’ basketball team, and cross country team. An average young woman with the nickname “Sarah Barracuda” because of her competitiveness.

Bachelor in Communications with emphasis in journalism, Alumni Achievement Award, beauty pageants, and sportscaster for KTUU-TV and KTVA-TV are just a few of her early achievements. She eloped with her high-school sweetheart, Todd Palin, at age 24 in August of 1998 and had her first child in April 1989. Palin later became mayor for two terms and governor of Alaska in 2006.

Palin is highly known for her input and work into the issue of abortion. Palin is extremely passionate about this issue and it became known in her vice presidential election with John McCain that she is pro- life, even in cases of rape. She spoke “I believe that no matter what mistakes we make as a society, we cannot condone ending an innocent’s life.” Sarah believes that in all cases, except for when the mother’s life is in danger, abortion is never the right choice. Statistic report that as many as 90% of children who are discovered to be born with Down syndrome are aborted. Sarah’s son Trig has Down syndrome and she has built her life trying to stop the evil issue and save innocent lives such as her son, Trig’s. Palin’s daughter got pregnant at a young age and out of wedlock and was ridiculed for it during the election with McCain.  Later her daughter was engaged to the baby’s father and announced that they were planning on marrying with or without a child. This, however, was a hurdle that Palin and her family handled with grace and dignity. Her pro- life stance was exemplified through her daughter, Bristol. Palin’s stance on abortion has been criticized over and over when, if you think about the issue, she is fighting to save innocent lives.

http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/10/11/campaign.wrap/

http://www.parentdish.com/2009/04/21/sarah-palin-admits-she-considered-abortion/

Upstae New York, Personified Poem

Upstate New York

Upstate New York
Farms for miles and miles
Cows, deer, horses, foxes, wolves,
skunks, possums, and so many trees.
Far different from your average big and busy city,
a town square, diners left and right.
Winter comes and stays for
eight months out of the year
Snow up to six and seven feet
Stays on the ground for weeks and weeks
just when you think that it'll melt completely
It snows again.
Hottest months of the year here is August
And even when that comes
The hot days only last for two to three weeks
Upstate New York
A place where everyone knows everyone
A place where even if you don't like someone
You'll still talk to them because that's
The right thing to do
Upstate New York

Fern Creek, KY

I explained the town that I'm from. It's a town in Louisville, KY and to me growing up here helped make lousiville a much smaller place than it really is. I tried to use adjectives to describe this person that represented the sense of community that Fern Creek had. 

He is not small but yet

He is not big at all

His heart goes out to many

Yet not many know about him

He carries a sense of community every where he goes

People from all around commute to him

For school

For sports

For friends

He was on the rise a few years past

People looked down upon him

Little respect

However he grew with support and determination

He works with everyone  tall short dark light from near from far

He doesn’t conform but accepts

He doesn’t judge but encourages

As he walks about he his greeted with smiles

For one may not recognize that he is him but they recognize where he is from

He has witnessed tragedy

Tragedy of those he knew very well

But with this he brings togetherness

He allows people to realize home is not a house

Home is a community

He is the light at the end of the day and

You don’t have to go far to find him

As he travels from place to place some make fun of him

He proves them wrong

He shows them what he’s really about not what is perceived

He is better known as the underdog but who doesn’t root for the underdog?

He has his enemies but they aren’t as hatred as most

Country yet suburban, hood yet classy

There is nothing he hasn’t been or hasn’t seen

People can make there own opinions

But at the end of the day he will continue to prove

That he can’t be stopped

And will produce results far better than his “upper classmen”

Born and raised in the same

Elementary school and high school the same

He branched out for middle school but came right back to where he belonged

He is belonging

He is comfort

And He is home

Springboro - Personified poem

Springboro
hometown girl
quiet, quaint, small
pretty simple, not much to her
claimed to be boring
but no one ever leaves
an Ohioan
buckeye lover
slow moving, takes her time
lives in the suburbs
cookie cutter house
works at the school, where everyone knows everyone
too small to keep secrets
has a simple view of the world, lives in a bubble
doesn't argue much, relaxed, laid back
interacts with the same people all the time
wishes for bigger things but,
never wants to leave.
happy with the relaxed life she lives
part of history, the Underground Railroad
helpful, part of the community
proud of her small town
comes alive in the fall, such a beautiful time
one track mind, not very adventurous- but still wishes
she can leave
stuck in between two larger cities
stuck in between wanting to stay, and wanting to get out
conflicted with oneself, sometimes fearful
proud to be a panther, but sometimes wants more

- The way I wrote this poem was I just thought of my hometown as a person. I also think it was helpful when I read the other poems posted on the prompt. I was trying to make it as person like as possible but still come across as a place.

The Cooking Exam

Tick tock, tick tock
The sound
kitchen machinery ringing in the ears
tick tock
there was nothing but silence besides
the sound of the timer ticking down
to it's destination
tick tock tick tock
and the sound of pots and pans being clattered together
and dishes and utensils
chop, chop, slice, dice
chop, chop, slice, dice
Prepare those dishes quickly and get them presented
Little girl, little boy
Hurry up before it's too late
tick tock tick tock

U.S Army

      driving in the car from Northern Kentucky to Columbus through the early fog of the morning at each red light thinking about driving back home
       looking back and forth from the window to the face of my boyfriend Zach wondering what he was thinking feeling about what was to come
       this is the point where I realize that I only have a few hours left to be with him and to take all that comes with the military life yes people have worse yes people have struggles of their own but this was the struggle of my own
        where he would be based no one knew no one knew if deployment was in the near future no one knew the extend of the sacrifices that absolutely have to be made by the family friends and soldier themselves as we drove I sat holding the hand of the man that I fell in love with and planned a life with awaiting the time I would have to say goodbye for several months not only one time but four at least four years of the enlisted time
        driving from Northern Kentucky on the August 6th morning to Columbus Ohio ended abruptly time moved by so fast I barley got a chance to wake up lunch was at his favorite restaurant Olive Garden before we went to drop him off at the hotel to leave on a bus for Ft. Sill, Oklahoma
        handling myself better than I thought I realized how strong  you can be when being strong is the only choice that you have he on the other hand a guy who I have seen cry twice in the past two and a half years of our relationship had eyes filled with tears and I was able to comfort he made me a stronger person and the military made him a stronger person maturity grows day by day without an inch of laziness and weakness or mistakes the heroes of our world our those who sacrifice so much that it changes who they are they heroes are the ones who fight for the freedom of the country heroes are the  ones who leave their family friends life and freedom for the freedom of us alone all soldiers give some and some give all
        that walk from the hotel lobby back to the car was one of the hardest things I have ever done since then I have had to say goodbye several times but this first time I felt like I was leaving something every time I walk away from his military bases I wonder if the next time I see him will be after or before a deployment or the tragic thought of if I will ever see him again that thought never goes away completely no matter how much courage or faith I have
        tears running down my face as my heart is beating out of my chest I feel that I am going to crumble but I don't I get in the car with my mom dad and sister and smile and say that I love him and in my head think to myself how lucky I am to be in love with a soldier
         I learned to put a front up if I smile and ignore those thoughts I have I can temporarily be happy and not worried constantly if I smile I can seem happy and confident but behind the smile is hope stress worry and anxiety of my relationship and it might seem immature or small compared to those issues of others but to me in my world worry consumes my world       
         a year and a half later I am stronger than even but it never gets easier awaiting the day he will be deployed weighs down my heart strings and stress overwhelms me with fear that injury and or death may be the sacrifice he could pay that so many others have paid
       

This camera eye shows the emotions and effects that went along with my boyfriend joining the military. He signed the papers a year and a half ago and has two and a half years left, based in North Carolina. This has played a huge role in my life for the past couple years and I will forever be stronger, and thankful for him to be serving our country.

the happiest place on earth

It’s the happiest place on Earth

Entering into the hotel is like being hit with a gust of wind. The smiles and fast paced energy is undeniable and untamable. Hello the concierge said what can we do for you on the amazing day    it was gloomy, hardly sunny, very hot    checking into a room still at the desk, another concierge smiles and gives us all flowers he attained from a vase that wasn’t arranged to be used as gifts.

It’s the happiest place on Earth

Allstar Music Resort  guitar shaped pool filled with chubby kids and international visitors they shade in the guitar making it an array of colors this only being recognized from the third floor balcony peering down soaking in the thick Florida air

It’s the happiest place on Earth

Walk in a room and instead of fresh air it is mildew undeniable mildew after hunting a while for a source a wet spot is discovered the front desk is called    moved to a suit with a 100 dollar credit happiness is radiating from four faces the suit has only one bed but hey

It’s the happiest place on Earth

Arrive at the bus stop in the early morning sun as eager as the hundreds of children in the same area  get to the park and low and behold the magic castle gray, tall, pointy, magical  a child’s dream turned into a newly adults dream come true

Suddenly engulfed into a childhood dream, suddenly become a child and suddenly so innocent. Innocence lasted for 2 days while exploring the parks  magic kingdom, tomorrowland, adventureland, frontierland, fantasyland, epcot  the summer night approaches and the fireworks begin a perfect wonderland a little fairy so magically glides upon a thin wire convincing enough to believe she’s flying  we are children again for two days wishing it could last longer, could’ve lasted longer

forgetting where we came from only knowing where we are

It’s the happiest place on Earth

Theme: Spring Break

Spring Break
Spring vacation
Mid-term break
Unique vacation experience
time to pack up, get out of town
beautiful beaches
booked their flights,and packed their bags
come spend Spring Break in paradise

america the anxious

anxiety
disorders are the most common mental illness in U.S
anxiety
caused by loneliness
caused by rejection
caused by illusion
anxiety
because of fast pace and greed
anxiety
is causing Americans to lose not gain


sources
http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/culturebox/2011/01/its_not_the_job_market.2.html
http://www.adaa.org/about-adaa/press-room/facts-statistics

Phenomenal Woman

Theme: A Perfect And Sophisticated Woman

Title: Phenomenal Woman

I walk into a room
Just as cool as you please,
And to a man,
Fall down on their knees.
Then they swarm around me,
I say,
It's the fire in my eye
And the joy in my feet.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
That's me.

Source: http://m.poemhunter.com/poem/phenomenal-woman/

Jazz

Theme:Jazz and its impact on listeners.

Title:Dreams of dirigibles

When you imagine inimitable jazz,

Blowing or coming out of trumpet faced musicians,

Then see the unreasonable cripple streak down the torn street,

Then stare into the sea beyond seas,

Throwing his crutch headlong over the past,

And again the sunset as it runs boiling.

Source:

(n.d.). Retrieved from http://xroads.virginia.edu/~ma05/dulis/poetry/

Greed Group 4

Greed Newsreel

• Money on the game(New York Times)
• Aiming for something deeper(New York Times)
• Hurry! Sale ends(New York Times)
• "So what do I do with my money"(New York Times)
• "It actually changed my whole lifestyle"(New York Times)
• The narcissist's dream: A selfie friendly smartphone(New York Times)

Good Kid Mad City

Theme:  Getting Cheated out of being the best rapper in the game right now

Title: Good Kid Mad City

Kenderick Lamar is the best rapper in the rap game

Because he likes to tame rappers who like play the blame game

Like some of these rappers who stole his Grammy award

Some people say he is a coward

I say he just spits straight fire when he spits

But why did not people think his album was not a hit

Kenderick killed it in the song Control

He destroyed the rap game as a whole

Nominated three times  

Maybe he did win it in because he was not in his prime

Well it’s guess not crime

To play the blame game I say he might have not won it because he was from Compton

 Or maybe it was because he was not even the best option

The Twist of Taylor Swift

Theme: Rising above Controversy

Title: The Twist of Taylor Swfit

 

 

Taylor Swift

proved she is a wholesome singer

internet's arbitrary hatred

just any other favorite hobby

her response is a squeaky clean image

two Grammys and

no one is able to justify their comparisons

to other pop stars

there was a time when

the public would look up to a sweet

role model

                                   Cruelty of the 1930s and The Effects That it Had it on Everyday Americans

In the image you can see a woman holding her baby and her two child sleeping on the ground beside her. The children male nourished and like they don’t have a home you can probably say this image was taken during the great depression.  The first thing I notice is how depressed the woman is and the fact that her children don’t have pants. The image is arranged with woman holding a baby leaning against a door and her son on the right and her daughter on the right. The physical setting looks like they are outside a church and the imagery is very dark. It can also be interpreted as being very depressing.  The feet of the children are very dirty and don’t have shoes. The clothes that this family is wearing is ripped something that I did not noticed before is the fact that it looks like the children ripped a part of their clothes to sleep on. I don’t for sure if the image takes place outside a church, but that is the only place I know it is safe for poor people to sleep in with having problems with cops because of the separation of church and state.  The image is black and white which makes it look gloomier and sadder and adds a new effect to the image when you look at it.  The photographer looks to be the same level as the subject he is taken a picture of. The vantage point helps us get a clearer look at the image and be able every detail the image has to offer. The photographer wants us to see the destitute and poverty that people in the 1930 had to offer and how difficulty it was for families to survive and have a home to sleep at. 

clothes=problems

During the depression it wouldn’t be uncommon to see a sight like this. Hanging clothes on lines outside of apartment buildings isn’t something one would think twice about. However, this photograph shows exactly what the depression was doing to people. If you start from the top you notice that there’s no clothes and as you go down the building the load of clothes gets larger and larger. This depicts the weight of the depression on the classes of America.

            If one is on the top earnings of classes, the highest on the clothing line, they have little to no weight on their shoulders. They are slightly affected by what’s going on. The middle class has more clothes and more worries as depicted in this photo but the people with the most clothes and the most worries are those who live on the lower levels of the apartment. This represents the lower class of America. Those in the lower class during the great depression were literally living with the world smashing on top of them. They had all the worries in the world even though they could do nothing about it. They had to have hope in those in the classes above them although the classes above them didn’t truly understand what they were going through.

            Those living in the upper classes don’t know what it’s like to have to wash and hang so many clothes. They don’t know what it’s like to live on less than a dollar a day. Therefore they have no urgency to change things. They don’t have as many things wet therefore they don’t have to spend as much time drying them. So although those on lower end of the apartment had more problems they had very little control over their circumstance and had to depend on those above them.