too long to type (Assg. 12)

1. Writing a play was neither fun nor easy. The process of formatting was both challenging and frustrating. It was tough coming up with a good plot, characters with personality, and flat out writing it in general. I don't think I'll ever be too interested in writing plays unless I'd be getting payed a shit-ton of money... money I can use so I can retire early and go paddling for the rest of my life. The form confused me and seems ridiculous.

2. I'm still nor sure exactally what a personal essay is because I didn't listen much. Whatever the case I'm going to write about paddling or backpacking because it's what I like to do. It's nice because i can relate the wilderness to absolutely anything and gives me a broad topic. I'm sure in my personal essay I will take the story strraight out of real life and make it work. Any story from trail would work. Stories from paddling through the BWCA would work. Stories from the Quetico would work. Stories from Jellystone would work. Stories from virtually any trip ever would work just fine.

3. If i had to give advice to any kid growing up today I'd tell them to do what they do. Kids need to learn how to grow up in their own way. Advice can really screw them over because who am I to teach them how to be? They're not me. I wouldn't want to mess with what they have going for themselves whether it be science camp or play-doh. Growing up today is no different than growing up 100 years ago. There are different challenges and things to deal with, but challenges none the less. Kids will be kids and I'm not one to intervene with that.

4. I didn't find anything of what they had to say interesting. the sound on my machine didn't work. TADA!

way too long (Assg. 11)

1. Theme is not very important in anything I write because I don't care all that much. A great piece of literature doesn't have to have theme to be great. Take biographies, there is no definite theme in plenty and yet I'm sure you could find someone who finds it important anyway. I'm sure you could find plenty of other people who see a theme in everything. Sometimes you're better off without a theme because I have read plenty of books with themes that sucked that would have been better off without any. Honestly I don't really care, if it's good it's good and if it's bad it's bad.

2. I think knowing the right people keeps literature around for long periods of time... and having natural skill. I couldn't see myself writing something that would last that long or at all because I don't spend much time writing. Writing is not a passion of mine and if it came down to writing or paddling I'd pick paddling every time. I like reading books, just not writing and I'm okay with that. Authors and pieces of literature come and go and that's just part of life. There isn't enough space in the brain to retain everyone who ever wrote a good work.

3. If i could have a lasting impact on the world with literature I'd hope it'd be a haiku because those are pretty sweet. As a writer I could make that kind of impact by writing a sweet ass haiku awesome enough to withstand time. It's really not all that important to me. It'd be sweet, but I'm not going to spend my time at home watching Disney movies and secluding myself from the real world to come up with it. If it happens it happens and if it doesn't I'm okay with that. I'm gonna go paddling and backpacking and live my life.

"I am a thinker and I think this" (Assg.10)

1. I see a lot of trash in our world that could be recycled and this concerns me. It's ridiculous how much stuff we put in landfills that could be composted or recycled. I feel concerned because I'd like to have an ozone layer and be able to breathe?
2. All of my buddies have pretty dynamic personalities and I'm not about to write about one of them on the Internet... that's creepy and unsafe.
3. Wagon Wheel written by Bob Dylan (and then added to by Ketch Secor of Old Crow Medicine Show) is a piece of writing I like a lot. It's inspired me to go paddling more.