Coming of Age Post #1

            For my coming of age book I decided to re-read The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd. It’s a story about a young white girl, Lily Owens, who lives with her father and her black caretaker, Rosaleen. Lily spends her day trying to curl her hair in soda cans and stay out of the way of her abusive father, T. Ray. I first read this a long time ago, maybe 4^th grade. Back then, I didn’t see it as a “coming of age” story. I saw it as just a good book about a girl and bees.

            But now, I’m four years older, possibly four years wiser, and I see Lily’s change throughout the book. When she comes to terms with her past and her lies, and learns to tell the truth. But, right now I’m only about halfway through the book. Lily is deep in her lies, and terrified T. Ray will find her after she runs away with Rosaleen to the only place she deems safe—a house she finds using the last belongings over her mother.

            Lily faces one of the hardest struggles of coming of age. Learning to accept herself, who she is and all she’s done. Lily can’t dare admit what she’s done to her role models, the women who took her in once she ran away. She also is too terrified to ask about her mother, who she believes knew the 3 amazing sisters whose care she is in, August, May and June.

            Coming of age happens to people all at different times. Sometimes it slow and gradual, sometimes it hits, all at once. But something Lily says about the night really stuck with me. It seems it could as easily be said about coming of age. “It was the in-between time, before day leaves and night comes, a time I’ve never been partial to because of the sadness that lingers in the space between coming and going.” This quote is about a stage of life Lily is in during the book. She’s in between day and night, childhood and adulthood. She’s sadly leaving behind some aspects of her child hood, and being forced into adult hood.

            And as she’s being forced into adulthood, she’s forced to accept herself, exactly who she is. She has to leave behind her mask she created with lies. And it’s sad and it’s hard and it’s a tough time to be facing, especially for her, but she has these 4 great women to help her through it. And as she learns to accept herself, and them, and everything, Lily will be able to come of age.   

HUNGER GAMES- MOVIE?

I'll set the scene. There I am, reading TeenVogue, putting off writing my BlogPost (no offense). And suddenly, I pass an article that catches my eye. Why? Because I see the best 3 words I've ever seen in teen vogue.

Hunger Games Movie.

You better not have already known about this and not told me. I can honestly say the Hunger Games are my second favorite series ever (the list goes Harry Potter, The Hunger Games, Junie B. Jones- don't mock me). Of course this is the best day of my entire life. I wasn't old enough to care that much when the Harry Potter series started. But now I can be one of those amazing die-hards who goes to the midnight showing. I can't possibly wait. I know it takesa long time to film a movie, even though it was supposed to be a 2011 release, especially one as complex and special-affects-needy as The Hunger Games. But until then, I can at least Google all the future cast of the movie.

Each member of the cast of The Hunger Games will need a special quality. And that's hunger. I bet you saw that coming. But they all know that they either win or die. They have to be pathetic and tired. They have to have a constant adrenaline pumping through them every day they spend in the arena. But Katniss especially. She is brave enough to take the place of someone she loves, her little sister, Primrose (Prim). I just hope these actors won't be  Hollywoody and spray tanned. I think everyone's going to be pissed if they are.

I've already looked at some of the cast and I'm midly dissapointed. But I'm gonna get over it. Because it's not about what the characters look like. Sure, Susane Collins breifly describes each character, but its not what they look like thats really important. It's who they are. And they are just people and they're so much more than just people. ANnd so arethe actors. I'm hoping the actors can bring what they need to to be just people, but more than that at the same time.

Anyways, I have to let this out

OMHGGHIUEGladfhkhkjhHDJGHSLFDHGSDKGHKH HUNGERGAMESMOVIE!!!!KJFDHGKSDFHGK!!!JK;DFHGKSDFKJH@@!@@@!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!KJGHL;SHGFKLJ!!!!111!!!!!LKRHGKSJHFGJFKJ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Umm... Awkward...

Okay, so I'm just gonna put this out there right away. I have no idea what to write about this week. I've been rereading books for the last 2 weeks. Books that are about 4th grade level. Books like "Princesses of Atlantis." I also reread Harry Potter numbers 2 and 3, and The True Meaning of Smekday-- My absolutepositively favoritiest book ever. So now, I sit in front of my computer, typing this with one hand and testing my new water-saluable pastels with the other (If this wasn't a posting a book-only blog I would put up some book related paintings... But you don't want to see that). So I wrote a list of random things I've been thinking about that are book-related. I'm just going to close my eyes and pick one....
"It's all in the name."
I was hoping I wouldn't pick that one, because its kind of hard to explain. But maybe I can.
Let's put it this way. You're reading a book blurb, and heres what it says.

An action packed adventure about one boy, who, if he can channel his powers, can possibly save the world from ulitmate peril and dinosuars and stuff. But, If this boy cannot do it... There will be no survivors.

Or something like that. And then you read on and at the very bottom it says

It's all up to one boy.
Its all up to...
Higgly.

What does that make you think? When I read a name like Higgly, I automatically think of some awkward pubescent boy with premature wrinkles, acne, and pants that are too high and too short. I assume this story is going to try too hard to be funny, with things like butts and farting and fake vomit and caffeteria ladies who serve up eyeballs. I assume the author is some grown man who never really grew up. I also assume he never graduated 4th grade, and his humor level is about there.

Wait... all I did was read the name.

Another example. This one with a blurb I bet you don't remember from a book I bet you know. But, I'm going to change the names.

Ever since Lippy Lou came home for the summer, the Beans had been so mean and hideous that all Lippy wanted to do was get back to  Cowpimples School for Witchcraft and Wizardry (I bet that gave it away.) But just as he's packing his bags, Lippy recieves a warning that if he returns to Cowpimples, disaster will strike.

If you haven't guessed, thats from Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. But, if I read Lippy Lou and the Chamber of Secrets, I'd feel ridiculous. Even if the book was twice as good as Harry Potter (hahaha just kidding that's not possible- it would blow my, and my fellow Harry Potter dork's collective minds.) I bet J.K. Rowling wouldn't have gotten  a movie deal ( along with waterbottles, hats, scarves, gloves, robes, brooms, blankets, foot warmers, deoderant, food, tooth brushes- It's like brushing your teeth with Harry Potter's head- posters backpacks, quidditch tournaments and more. )

Because the name really makes a difference. One of your first impressions of a person is their name. And you kind of get a hint what they'rr like, if they're anything like their parents, who named them. You see if they use their full name or a nickname. You see how they say it. If they love it and say it loud and clear (or maybe they're just sick of people mishearing and mispronouncing) or if they're ashamed of it and mumble.

So, I guess, like I said, It's all in the name.


*By the way Ms. Robbins, I bet I misused a comma about 15 times or more in there.

If No One Stops Me...

I heard a story from a friend of mine when I originally drafted this post. It went something like this. A man jumps off a bridge, committing suicide. Behind him, he leaves a note. It says, “I am going to walk all the way down this bridge. If just one person smiles at me, I will not jump."

That story filled me up with two very different emotions. It's a somewhat corny mix, but I felt both scared, and hopeful.
Scared, because what if one day I'm standing on that bridge? Or maybe it's not a bridge, but I'm one of the people this suicidal man looks at for a smile, and I just avoid eye contact (that's what I do when random guys give me weird looks). And everyone else avoids contact too, so he thinks, Fuck it, I'm gonna jump. So down he goes into the frothy water below. All the people on the bridge and myself feel pity for that man, but not guilt, because what were we supposed to do? How could we help? The fact that those questions remain unanswered gives us comfort, because no one else knows what we should've done. Applying my brother's logic: If you didn't know, why would *I* know?

But then, BAM, in that note there's the answer. The one answer we weren't really looking for. And it's such a simple answer; I wouldn't be able to believe I didn't do it. All he wanted was a smile, which I give to other students in the hall who I don't even like. Why couldn't I afford this man one smile? And then the guilt sets in, the kind that never leaves in these theoretical situations.

But, if that's the fear, there's also the hope. Now that I know, I doubt it'll make me smile at every single person I see on bridges. But there is still the hope that sits in the fact that there is something I could do. When there’s nothing I can do, I fear helpless, which makes me hopeless...
But now, I know there’s a little chance that suicidal people can be stopped, maybe not in the case of this story, (which is just and urban legend) but next time.  

Anyways, I bring this up because a little while ago I read a book called 13 Reasons Why, by Jay Asher. It's about a girl name Hannah, (coincidently the name of the girl who told me that jumper story I started the post with) who sends out 13 audiotapes to the people who in some way influenced her to commit suicide (she sends it to person #1, who sends it to #2 etc. etc.) Its from the point of person number 9, and we listen to his thoughts and conversations, and alternately going from him to Hannah’s words which are written in italics.

Spoiler Paragraph, Please Skip This Section of the Post if You Haven't Read the Book and Would Like to:
This post is based on the last side of the last audiotape, which is the big *twist* in the story. Hannah goes to Mr. Porter, the school guidance counselor, and tells him she’s considering committing suicide. And, after talking for a few minutes he tells her to move on from the problems she’s facing, that there's nothing she can do. She’s says, Okay she will, and she's done. Done with life. Done with everything. And Mr. Porter lets her walk out the door without making any moves to stop her.

Continue Here if You Skipped the Spoiler Paragraph:
This was so confusing. Honestly, if I knew anyone was considering suicide I'd stop them. I don't care who it is, I would try to save their life. Wouldn't you? Even the person I hate the most I would try to stop her/him from dying- from taking their own life. Maybe that’s all some people need, just another person telling them not to do it, not to give up. To know their needed or wanted may just be enough

It reminds me of the song, "Leave Before the Lights Come on" by the Arctic Monkeys. The video is of a woman, who stands on a roof, contemplating suicide. She drops her right shoe on a man, giving him a chance to look up, know what she's doing, to save her. And of course, he does, as most people say they would-- I mean who could ignore it? It ends up all she wants is attention, love from someone, something he can't give- he's engaged, and not interested in her that way. She follows him, trying to get him to love her and to want her, but he doesn't. So, she runs back to that very same building and repeats... She stands, looks down, and drops her right shoe...
If you want to watch it here's the link- you may not like the song but just watch the video: http://www.youtube.com/watchv=SEukS2YN9B8&feature=related
I happen to like the song, and think the video is really thought provoking. But at the same time, it gets me kind of angry. It seems like in the beginning of the song she really is going to commit suicide and her shoe just falls. She honestly looks torn, frustrated, and about ready to end it all. But then, at the end of the video, she’s up there again. And this time, it doesn't seem like she really plans on dying. It seems like (I know this is a terrible thing to say, even about a fictional character in a music video who doesn't even have a name) she's just doing it for attention.

I've considered suicide and dying before. Not for very long stretches of time, and not as a very serious idea, more like food for thought. My main thought branching out from that has always been: What would people I know do? Who would shake their head solemnly but inside be happy? Who would cry, but not really mean it? And who would really miss me? Who would regret the things they did when I was alive once I was gone? Of course, seconds later I laugh off the idea, not really ready to die at all. But of course, there are those people who don't laugh it off, and who don't decide against it.

Before this book, I thought suicide was quitting. But now I realize how wrong I was. Reading this book, Jay Asher really explains something to me. He helps me understand that suicide isn't quitting. It's a snowball effect of events that slowly build up until you can't take it anymore, and you can't bear to be alive. Sometimes people think they're doing the world a favor. Sometimes all they need is someone to stop them.  The thought that a guidance counselor wouldn't stop her makes me sick. It's like assisted suicide-- even murder-- knowing someone will kill themselves and not trying to stop it.

Maybe he didn't think he could save her. But the fact that she was alive that day and asking for help meant she wasn't really ready to die... I guess I'm just making excuses.

But maybe there's something I don't know. Maybe there's some reason Mr. Porter wouldn't stop Hannah from killing herself.

Would you stop someone if you could? And if you don't, is that like murder?

If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please call 1-800- SUICIDE (1-800- 784-3433), 212-532-2400, OR 1-800- 273- TALK. There is help, and you can stop someone from commiting suicide, or even stop yourself.

Its time for that Romeo And Juliet

You, of course, know the book. I mean, who hasn't heard of their cursed love affair? And you probably know the movie version directed by Baz Luhrman. Leonardo DiCaprio cast as Romeo, and some girl as Juliet (honestly, Leonardo distracted me, I can't remember her name), this movie is a modernized version of the play, using the same dialouge but acted out in modern day.

What I noticed most was that you could almost mute out the words and just watch, and you'd understand what was going on. Baz Luhrman probably did this because the movie's target audience seemed to be teenagers, who would probably have trouble understanding just the dialouge without any cues from the setting or he dramatic way of acting.

To be honest, while the overdramatic scenery and acting did help, in some scenes it just seemed silly.
Take  Act 1Scene 1,   in which Sampson (the pink haired Capulet) bites his thumb at the Montagues, which is a sign of disrespect. Abraham (that Montague with the shiny silver grill) begins to scream. Sampson is obviously intimidated, but he acts like a small child being yelled at by a bully in a movie. They scream and shake and run around.
"DO YOU BITE YOUR THUMB AT ME!?"
"I-I do bit my thumb, sir."
"DO YOU BITE YOUR THUMB AT *ME*, SIR?"


I was fine with this, until actually reading the text. I got an entirely different feeling from reading it. It seemed as if Sampson was intimidated, but he acted with a great deal more composure.

Just a thought.

Hunger Games and Harry Potter... I'm just going to guess you've read these books?

Is it dorky to say I've been looking foward to this post for 3 weeks? We've been doing not-book related posts, and so I couldnt use this topic. I had it all planned out. I would open a fresh empty blog post, put on Adele- Chasing Pavements on my iPod, and write an amazing topic on my amazing idea
Well, my iPod's dead, and this post isn't fresh and empty anymore, but I can stilll write my blogpost.

 I was looking around my recently, and I picked up two books. The Hunger Games, and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. I re-read these two books all the time, and usually I'm reading more than one book, but never both of these amazing books! I was a tab bit worried about my mind not being able to keep track of the 2 stories, but I started them anyways.

Then I noticed something. In The Hunger Games, Primroses name is entered into the hunger game raffle at age twelve -- thats right, a little 12 year old fighting to the death . And during the battle of hogwarts, in Harry Potter (admitedly the dirst book not the seventh), little eleven-year old  Harry has to face Voldemort.

Oh hey my iPod's charged. Maybe now the post will get good.

Why is it that my two favorite female fantasy authors are writing that little kids- not even teenagers- are risking their lives. I should say that in Harry Potter it is for the "greater good" (ha-ha a little joke on Dumbledore's behalf) and in The Hunger Games its just cold-hearted slaughter for the entertainment of the rich and fat (that right there deserves a post). But still. They should be at home learning times tables, not out fighting. That's what I was doing.

True, these brave young one learn valuable lessons if they survive, but for whatever reason, I don't think its worth it. Or right. It's sick of whoever made these rules. Though, to play devil's advocate on myself, Why do they deserve to live anymore than anyone else?

I guess its just a fact that we all live with. We think people younger than us are weaker, more innocent and vulnerable, and, having gotten to live less life then us, we think they should have more time here.
Or is that just me????

My first blog-mentor-thing is Nina's blogpost on books for boy target audiences and girls reading. Firstly, I loved this post because I could completely relate to it. Being a girl, I also have tried to read a lot of "boy books". But I always get bored of them because I can't relate. I remember I used to read very girly books in 5th grade, about girls heading off to middleschool, and even though they were short and frivolous, I could relate because I was going through the same thing, and so I could read them.

I could write my second ALLSTAR!!! mentor post on any post of her blog really, but i choose this one because It got me thinking. Hannah's posts are always very provacative (thought provoking). This one in particular. It made me thing about how as we grow older, we seem to forget what it's like to be young. We condescend people younger then us, because OBVIOUSLY if we're older, we're smarter.

Right?

No. Maybe in some ways yes, because we do get more education. But that doesn't make us emotionally smarter. Adolescense is an age where you're full of emotions and can form connections with things. As we grow older, it seems we sort of emotionally disconnect. And we forget that we knew things when we were younger. Yes, we knew about sex and drugs and alcohol when we younger.
But we consider those "mature, grown-up topics", and pretend that just because we say they're for grown up, that means they really are for grown ups and kids dont know abouth them.

Sorry, this was supposed to be a paragraph right?

My third allstar mentor post I picked because It was something I thought only I had noticed. (If you havn't read Harry Potter 1-7 you probably won't get this, but you probably have read them. Because who hasnt?)

Ginny Weasly is a obnoxious, famewhore brat. 

 
She falls in love with Harry because he is THE-BOY-WHO-LIVED. She used her coniving red-head (joking, i have nothing against redheads) ways to lure him into loving her! Its ridiculous. Plus she seems very shallow. Maybe its because of how deeply all the other characters are developed, or maybe its because she really is. She seems like an unimportant character. If J.K. Rowling had killed her off during the Battle of Hogwarts, no one would have cared. Harry could marry Cho Chang. Because at least he actually liked her. I stand by my theory that Harry only likes Ginny because she convinced him to and because he doesn't know what love is. (Sure, the whole theme of the book is  real love conquers evil, but all Harry's loved are gone. Basically, Harry would love anything that could live.)