A poem I wrote for English 12.
As we drift throughout reality,
an entity of unknown energy,
we find there is no synergy,
within this timeless dimension.
But while one explores the ethereal,
the other is strictly in dissension,
for nothing is as it seems,
within this timeless dimension.
We question our sanity,
in this timeless dimension.
As the Lost fall,
crushed by the singularity of an unrelenting paradox,
further, further into wonderment,
it cannot be explained, but what?
The sounds?
The sights?
The smells?
The nothingness that is the potential of the darkness.
Is this fear to thee?
This may be fear,
but is this not reality?
Why do we ask this question?
As we tumble further, further,
into this timeless dimension.
We question reality,
within this timeless dimension.
Nearly the unknown seems palpable,
and the end seems nearer.
The question of an unknown energy,
along with a lack of reality,
begins to be tamed.
The Lost remember their name,
and the unexplained is explained,
when a sound breaks through,
or a voice may too,
Help us all!
And return to reality.
To bring form to an entity of unknown energy,
and re-establish a new found synergy,
with a simple,
"Good Morning."
Monday, April 28, 2014
Thursday, April 17, 2014
Compound-Complexing Thought
Work is the glue that holds our nation together, sticking people where they are meant to be; Work keeps us, as a nation, diligent and devoted.
Wednesday, February 5, 2014
Book Review #1
Could Doctor Sleep, the sequel to The Shining, live up to the popularity of it's bloody and terrifying predecessor? I have read this bold sequel and can report that it is well worth the read. The dark content and vivid description used in Doctor Sleep, written by Stephen King, intrigued me with it's horrific and grotesque content throughout the novel.
Stephen King's style of writing is narrative and makes the events and settings in the novel come to life in my imagination. King's description of a vision seen by one of the main characters, Dan Torrence, is so detailed that it made me cringe at the visualization of the ghoul so vividly described in this scene. I felt as if I were right there with the main characters in this novel, finding myself wondering how I would handle the supernatural incidents during Abra's introduction if she were my child. King describes beautifully the loneliness and isolation of those characters who are different from the rest of society.
The themes in this novel are addiction and it's consequences, as well as the conflict between good and evil. Human nature seems to contain more good than evil, and the humans in this novel are ultimately trying to help themselves and others be free of the evil forces of the Shining and the True Knot. Rose the Hat may be rueful and terrible, but she does what needs to be done for survival. The True Knot, being the antagonists, can be compared to many dictators and sociopaths in our history. The protagonists, Dan and Abra, are flawed but ultimately good.
The character of Dan Torrence is re-introduced thirty years after the incidents at the Outlook Hotel which took place in King's novel, The Shining. King brings this characters pain and suffering to life. In this story Dan makes one last effort to try and get his life back on track. At one point in the story Dan is told, "Your mind was a black board, booze was the eraser." Overcoming his addictions, Dan used the Shining to help people with various problems, physical and material. I liked Dan's character and sympathized with his pain. I was glad to see him gather enough strength to fight against the evil of the True Knot and his own personal demons.
Doctor Sleep is not only a sequel to The Shining, but stands alone in it's own cell of horror and grotesque description. I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys a great horror novel.
Stephen King's style of writing is narrative and makes the events and settings in the novel come to life in my imagination. King's description of a vision seen by one of the main characters, Dan Torrence, is so detailed that it made me cringe at the visualization of the ghoul so vividly described in this scene. I felt as if I were right there with the main characters in this novel, finding myself wondering how I would handle the supernatural incidents during Abra's introduction if she were my child. King describes beautifully the loneliness and isolation of those characters who are different from the rest of society.
The themes in this novel are addiction and it's consequences, as well as the conflict between good and evil. Human nature seems to contain more good than evil, and the humans in this novel are ultimately trying to help themselves and others be free of the evil forces of the Shining and the True Knot. Rose the Hat may be rueful and terrible, but she does what needs to be done for survival. The True Knot, being the antagonists, can be compared to many dictators and sociopaths in our history. The protagonists, Dan and Abra, are flawed but ultimately good.
The character of Dan Torrence is re-introduced thirty years after the incidents at the Outlook Hotel which took place in King's novel, The Shining. King brings this characters pain and suffering to life. In this story Dan makes one last effort to try and get his life back on track. At one point in the story Dan is told, "Your mind was a black board, booze was the eraser." Overcoming his addictions, Dan used the Shining to help people with various problems, physical and material. I liked Dan's character and sympathized with his pain. I was glad to see him gather enough strength to fight against the evil of the True Knot and his own personal demons.
Doctor Sleep is not only a sequel to The Shining, but stands alone in it's own cell of horror and grotesque description. I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys a great horror novel.
Saturday, January 25, 2014
Long Lived Gender Stereotypes CC#3.2
An expository article published to YouGov entitled, "Lasting gender stereotypes in the workplace," written by Kate Palmer, an author for YouGov, Life, and Omnibous Research, expresses that although gender equality has made great strides, there are still gender related stereotypes in the work place that continue to remain.
"The male dominated and top-down office of the 1950's has been replaced with a much greater degree of equality and meritocracy," says Palmer. Over the past five decades gender in the US labor force has changed tremendously for the better. With women rising to the same level of pay as men they are able to become independent and focus on their careers.
According to Palmer, "The transformation has also profoundly affected men." On one hand, men and women are now interacting on an equal professional level, as well as outside the workplace. On the other hand, more men are finding themselves in roles that had once been considered strictly work for women.
Palmer says that although "the overwhelming majority of Americans, and the law, demands equality of opportunity for both sexes," do we really believe that both genders are equally able to perform any job? Most Americans still believe that there are very specific jobs that are gender distinct. Most people, especially men, would disagree that women are well suited to be a firefighter; likewise, most people, mainly women, would feel that a man would not be as well suited to be a receptionist.
These gender stereotypes are worldwide and in many other countries they are far more pronounced than they are in the United States. Equal rights between men and women in the work place have evolved greatly, but there are clearly gender stereotypes that still need to be done away with.
In conclusion, research shows that gender stereotypes continue to exist and vary according to age, education, and even political party.
"The male dominated and top-down office of the 1950's has been replaced with a much greater degree of equality and meritocracy," says Palmer. Over the past five decades gender in the US labor force has changed tremendously for the better. With women rising to the same level of pay as men they are able to become independent and focus on their careers.
According to Palmer, "The transformation has also profoundly affected men." On one hand, men and women are now interacting on an equal professional level, as well as outside the workplace. On the other hand, more men are finding themselves in roles that had once been considered strictly work for women.
Palmer says that although "the overwhelming majority of Americans, and the law, demands equality of opportunity for both sexes," do we really believe that both genders are equally able to perform any job? Most Americans still believe that there are very specific jobs that are gender distinct. Most people, especially men, would disagree that women are well suited to be a firefighter; likewise, most people, mainly women, would feel that a man would not be as well suited to be a receptionist.
These gender stereotypes are worldwide and in many other countries they are far more pronounced than they are in the United States. Equal rights between men and women in the work place have evolved greatly, but there are clearly gender stereotypes that still need to be done away with.
In conclusion, research shows that gender stereotypes continue to exist and vary according to age, education, and even political party.
Sunday, January 19, 2014
Gender Roles in the American Working Class CC#3.1
In an expository article published to The Economist entitled, "When women dare to outearn men," by C.O. Berlin, a writer for The Economist, references several published articles discussing the wage of the husband and it's impact on women's careers. The issue of wage inequality is one of the most constraining for women's careers.
According to Berlin, "In a country like America, in which men on average earn more than women, it follows almost naturally that the wife often earns less." Our society has been based on the traditional belief that the man or husband in a marriage should have the responsibility of providing for himself and/or his family. Although women's rights for equality have been recognized, their wages in the work place are generally still lower than men.
Furthermore, Berlin states, "Women with the potential to earn more than their husbands quit their job altogether more often than otherwise similar women in comparable families." In some cases if the husband earns less than his wife, he might be expected to do more at home. Our society has trained men to believe that the wife's place is in the home and that they should not have as much responsibility as the husband in the workplace; thus, if a woman has a higher position at work than her husband, she may quit her job to pacify him.
Researchers, Marianne Bertrand, Emir Kamenica, Jessica Pan state, "As long as the woman earns less, her income does not cause trouble in the marriage." When a woman earns more than her male partner or husband troubles begin to occur within the relationship. The simple fact of a woman earning more than her spouse has an impact on the divorce rate in our country.
Berlin states, "Economists wonder why people with rational expectations enter such a marriage at all." Traditional beliefs about the wages of men and women are slowly changing, and as a result so is the tradition of getting married at a young age. Young men and women in our country are now focusing much more on their careers and wages.
In conclusion, we know that norms and traditions are stubborn. Changing tradition takes time and possibly the revision of certain policies. Society cannot afford to waste the potential that women offer to our economy. We must play an active part in supporting policies in the work place that equalize the gender gap.
According to Berlin, "In a country like America, in which men on average earn more than women, it follows almost naturally that the wife often earns less." Our society has been based on the traditional belief that the man or husband in a marriage should have the responsibility of providing for himself and/or his family. Although women's rights for equality have been recognized, their wages in the work place are generally still lower than men.
Furthermore, Berlin states, "Women with the potential to earn more than their husbands quit their job altogether more often than otherwise similar women in comparable families." In some cases if the husband earns less than his wife, he might be expected to do more at home. Our society has trained men to believe that the wife's place is in the home and that they should not have as much responsibility as the husband in the workplace; thus, if a woman has a higher position at work than her husband, she may quit her job to pacify him.
Researchers, Marianne Bertrand, Emir Kamenica, Jessica Pan state, "As long as the woman earns less, her income does not cause trouble in the marriage." When a woman earns more than her male partner or husband troubles begin to occur within the relationship. The simple fact of a woman earning more than her spouse has an impact on the divorce rate in our country.
Berlin states, "Economists wonder why people with rational expectations enter such a marriage at all." Traditional beliefs about the wages of men and women are slowly changing, and as a result so is the tradition of getting married at a young age. Young men and women in our country are now focusing much more on their careers and wages.
In conclusion, we know that norms and traditions are stubborn. Changing tradition takes time and possibly the revision of certain policies. Society cannot afford to waste the potential that women offer to our economy. We must play an active part in supporting policies in the work place that equalize the gender gap.
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