"Show don't tell."

It sits in my pocket always awaiting its next use.  I can feel its sleek and smooth surface when I finally remove it.  Its rounded figure fits perfectly in the palm of my hand.  As I turn it on, a dim light appears on its surface, demonstrating that it is indeed working.   I can hear its soft clicking as my finger gently brushes against it to manipulate it as I please.  Once I am satisfied, my ears are filled with a pleasant sensation that blocks out the chaos of the world.  Now I am able to escape the distracting sounds around me and let my mind flow more freely.  When I have used it to my satisfaction, I wrap it up and place it back into my pocket where it will stay until I need it again.  

Reaction to "Cathedral" and "Everyday Use"

During the past week, our class has read two short stories, "Cathedral" and "Everyday Use".  Both of these stories have their own unique significances and meanings.  

In "Cathedral", the unidentified narrator is described as a simple man who has little understanding of anything that is not a direct part of his life.  For example, his mental of image of and information on blind individuals is almost completely based what he has seen in movies.  He doesn't understand how a blind man can truly love a woman whom he has never laid eyes upon.  Towards the end of the story, the narrator has his "eyes opened" to how "blind" he had been when asked to describe a cathedral to that same blind man.  Unable to give an adequate description with words, he instead was asked to draw the structure.  Though he claimed his drawing was "not very good", the blind man encouraged him and guided the pencil with his hand.  During this moment, the narrator was able to "see" the beauty of the structure as the blind man did.

The author of this story is trying to convey to the readers the idea that we often take things like our eyesight for granted.  Those of us who are given this gift more times than not do not use it to its full potential and fail to see the simple beauties of the world.  We can look an object and still not be able to give a description that gives justice to its appearance as the narrator had.  What we all should take away from this story is to realize that there is beauty in everyday life is we only take the time to realize it's there.

The main theme "Everyday Use" deals with how to honor one's heritage.  The character Dee was never satisfied with her life with her family.  She had a haughty demeanor and felt she made for better things.  Leaving home and going into the world on her own was probably one of the happiest moments of her life.  However, one day she returns sporting a new fashion style stylized after African clothing.  She had decided to change her name to an African-sounding one to cast off the one given by "the slave owners".  She believes the heritage of her African ancestors is her "true heritage".  Later on, Dee wishes to take two quilts from her mother that were made by her grandmother in order to properly "honor their heritage".  However, her mother decides to give them to her younger sister Maggie.  Enfuriated, Dee storms off telling them using the quilts is not way to honor their past.

This story brings up several interesting points I would like to address.  First of all, I feel that Dee's desire to find her roots is not entirely genuine.  It seems like she is just following a fad in order her separate herself from "the masses".  The fact that she seemed to always want to be part of the "elite group" with her condescending nature supports this theory.  Secondly, I do not see how the usage of a semi-worn quilt dishonors the ones who made it.  As long it still in serviceable shape, using the quilt is best thing you can do with it.  Thirdly, the idea of what one's true is, is quite intriguing.  Personally, I believe one's heritage consists of the culture and history of all ancestors no matter what country they lived in.  For Dee and her family, their "true heritage" is a combination of the heritage of their ancestors in America and Africa.  Finally, the fact that both of the quilts went to Maggie instead giving one to each of the two daughters helps support the message the author tries to convey.  Though it would make perfectly logical sense for each to receive one quilt, doing so would have given the story a neutral tone in this manner.        

Inauguration 2009

Yesterday a historic event took place.  For the first time in American history, an American of a multi-ethnic background has achieved what is considered the pinnacle profession in this country, the President of the United States.  Such an event shows that for the most part, America has shifted away from the prejudice and bigotry that existed in the past.  

The inauguration of president Barack Obama has brought hope to many in this dark hour.  His powerful speech was moving and gave a sense of optimism of the years to come during his term.

  

My only concern is if too much is expected of him while in office.  He has almost been elevated to an omnipotent figure who will fix all the problems in this country.  As he himself had stated during his speech, the change that this country needs will not come over night as it may take several years before we see any real results.  For this reason I remain "cautiously optimistic" about the future.  However, do I look forward to seeing the improvements President Obama can make in the future and wish him the best in this endeavor.  

Keeping A Secret

More than once in my life I have kept a "bad secret".  These secrets typically have to do with something I had done wrong.  Most of the time, I wasn't able to keep the secret longer than a few days.  For me, the guilt seemed overwhelming causing me great discomfort.  It was like an insect gnawing away at the back of my mind and I was never truly at rest.  Although a part of me didn't want to reveal the secret, the guilt eventually overwhelmed that small sector of my mind.  I just couldn't live with myself if I didn't confess my secret whether it be inconsequential or serious.  When I finally did confess, all the pressure vanished and I was myself again.  

Whether this powerful urge to tell the truth this is a good thing or not I cannot say, it's simply the way I am.  Though that urge now is quite as strong as it used to be, I expect to remain with me for the rest of my life.

My New Year's Resolution

Seeing that this upcoming year will be more hectic than years past, I will attempt to be more organized and less of a procrastinator.  For me, doing these things will make me much more efficient and hopefully a better student.  I will try not to leave projects and homework assignments to the last possible second to complete.  I will not allow myself to become distracted so that I can work quickly and finish my assignments earlier.  If all goes well, things will improve for me and 2009 will be a happy year.  

Winter: A Dirge by Robert Burns

The wintry west extends his blast,

And hail and rain does blaw;

Or the stormy north sends driving forth

The blinding sleet and snaw:

While, tumbling brown, the burn comes down,

And roars frae bank to brae;

And bird and beast in covert rest,

And pass the heartless day.

"The sweeping blast, the sky o'ercast,"

The joyless winter day

Let others fear, to me more dear

Than all the pride of May:

The tempest's howl, it soothes my soul,

My griefs it seems to join;

The leafless trees my fancy please,

Their fate resembles mine!

Thou Power Supreme, whose mighty scheme

These woes of mine fulfill,

Here firm I rest; they must be best,

Because they are Thy will!

Then all I want--O do Thou grant

  This one request of mine!--

Since to enjoy Thou dost deny,

Assist me to resign.

"What I like in a good author is not what he says, but what he whispers." ~Logan Pearsall Smith

The idea Smith tries to convey is similar to the previous quote I have commented on.  He states that he appreciates the skill of a writer  that is not derived from the obvious context of the text, but rather the underlying meaning.  In his eyes, anyone can write what he "says" with text with a singular meaning, but it takes ability to write what he "whispers" with text with multiple subliminal meanings and interpretations.

For the most part, I do agree with Smith's beliefs on this subject.  I do appreciate those who are able to write a piece with multiple meanings and underlying messages giving them slightly more praise than those who write one-dimensionally.  However, this does not necessarily mean that those who write straightforwardly are without ability as their work has value for different uses than those of multi-faceted writing.