Discursive essay: Holidaying with or without parents

Convenience or independence?

One of the most important issues in a teenager's life is holidaying. What to wear or how to look are usually second priority, the real deal is deciding with whom they should go.

On one hand, going on a holiday with their parents is priceless. The whole thing is set up by the oldies, they don't need to move a finger...Tickets, place reservations, everything. Not to mention when lack of money turning to the B.O.D is always an option. (B.O.D= the Bank Of Daddy) In plain English: going with them is a total win for the teens, it's sheer convinience.

On the other hand...it can be kind of embarrassing to go with their folks. The treatment they get, the way their parents act etc. can all be quite humiliating at times. Not being able to be themselves and let their hair down whenever they want to are also major cons. I mean let's speak honestly over here: going on a holiday is not about acting all oh so Goody two-shoes. It's about having fun and holding back your true being not to disappoint them is definitely not fun, trust me. Everything has its own place and of course time. There's a certain age after being supervised is not essential but rather annoying and/or uncomfortable. Plus this way, on one's own, a level of independence and ingenuity is granted.

All in all, holidaying with Mommy and Daddy has both its good and bad sides, depending on age and/or sentimentality.

 

 

A film review

The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen

     The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen directed by Stephen Norrington is one of the most amazing movies I've ever seen. Sean Connery in the leading role.

     Long story short, it is about six extraordinary people (all from famous novels) who gang up in order to defeat The Phantom, the story's villain.

     To begin with, the plot is based on the comic book series running under the same name written by Alan Moore and illustrated by Kevin O'Neill. First it may seem a bit complicated (especially if you have no idea who the characters are) bit I can assure you that it is actually pretty simple and plain. It is also gripping which is good, because it keeps you on the edge of your seat throughout the whole movie.

     As for the characters (Captain Nemo, Agent Sawyer, Mina Harker, Allan Quatermain, Dorian Gray, Rodney Skinner and Dr. Jekyll) and their portraying actors, they did an excellent job. No wooden acting, they all seemed natural even though the movie itself was about the unnatural. I'd like to emphasize Sir Connery (Quatermain), Stuart Townsend (Gray), and Ian Flemyng (Dr. Jekyll) who were particularly good.

     The effects are not the best, but we have to admit and agree that comparing nowadays technology to 2003's is like trying to compare a banana with an apple.

     To sum up, The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen is a ground-breaking movie for its time with splendid actors, plot and script. Really compelling. The only thing I can do is recommending it to everyone. It is a movie worth your time.

  

My alter-ego

We got this very interesting assignment the other day. It was to write about our alter-ego. Or if we don't have one, just make one up, imagine how the other us would look like, act, etc.

I started my writing with 'the other day'. To be honest, that 'other day' was weeks ago. Gee...it seems very inappropriate written down like this. I should be thankful I didn't get a bad mark for this kind of delay. Oh, well. The thing is that I didn't write it intentionally. I didn't want to write it. I just didn't feel like it. I mean for the record it's me I was obliged to write about. And I'm not very good at that one, plus I didn't intend to scare people away from me. But I'm pretty sure I will after they read this. Or at least will think I've got a ticket for the crazy train. Yeeeey.

So...I don't really know where to start. You know what? I'm going to get to the good parts. Might wanna cross up your legs!

My alter-ego would be either a spy or an assassin. I think I'd be a good material for both. I'm fairly good at languages, my logic is okay and I don't get attached to people easily or sometimes at all. Panicking is my last option. After a thorough training I could take away lives in a blink of an eye. There. I said it. Throw your rocks at me. By the way, about throwing rocks.... "People throw rocks at things that shine." 

It probably makes you wonder what made me believe my alter-ego would be one of the things mentioned above. Well... I don't know it myself. I think I must've seen like at least 6 episodes of the James Bond movie series and read a lot about female spies. (There's even a movie, check it out! I'll watch it as soon as I have a free moment to breathe... )

Anyways, my heart feels a hundred pounds lighter now that I've got this one off. Maybe it wasn't that bad of an idea to write about this after all...

A diary entry by Dorian Gray

December 9, 1895.

Dear Diary!

I can't feel my fingers holding the pen I'm writing with right now...Everything's all numb and dizzy. I feel like I'm floating in the universe, stars passing me by. Everything's so peaceful and silent. I can hear my own breathing. It's slow and even. Like a beautiful lullaby.

Some would probably ask why all of this is the way it is. Well... I think the accurate explanation would be that the effect of opium and drinks mixed all together hasn't worn off yet. Admittedly, it's not a very advisable combination but it sure makes you forget at least for a short period of time what you've done. And in my case...what I've done...is unforgivable. No one in this world shall know about it, but I can't keep it just to myself. It's consuming me from within.

Dear Diary! I'm a murderer. Yes. I took away a human life. I know I haven't been a saint for a long time, all my innocence and a great amount of my humanity have gone since my wish on the picture but I have never thought I could sink this deep in the sins of this satanic world. As if it's not enough, the story gets better! The person I sent to the world of shadows was Basil! My dear friend! But I just couldn't help it...His face when he saw the picture...I know it's turned horrible and repulsive, true, but still. I think his reaction pushed it and then I lost it. The knife just appeared in my hand and I just swung it in the air and stabbed. Again. And again. I don't remember how many times I saw the blade sink into his flesh but the result looked a lot like a bloody rug-baby. I killed him. Just like one snaps their finger.

 It's kind of unbelievable after all this amount of psychoactive  drugs. I'm staring at the words I've just written. I did all this.  Did I really? Yes, I think I did. Small shreds of memories tell me so. Oh, well. I did it, I should be punished for it, but I won't be. I took care of the corpse. Well, not personally, but I did. How? Let it be my secret. Though I used someone's assist, so I guess it's his secret, too. Oh, Lord! I'm not asking you to redeem my soul. That would be just useless, because now it's impossible to do that. I'm asking you to keep our secret from the rest of the world. But we all know what they say about this: two can keep a secret if one of them is dead...Hmm... Should I take measures in connection with this issue, too?

Formal letter

Dear Sir/Madam,

                I am a student at your college and I would like to express my disliking towards your decision about increasing the fees of the school. With regards to the public, I feel that this idea is re-considerable.

               Since the school decreased the number of scholarships last year, providing further studying here became significantly harder for most of the students. According to the college's image, it is supposed to be a student-supporting facility, but I believe that with increasing the fees it does not fill its purpose. If you do not withdraw your decision, a lot of young people will have to look for another college and it is known that there are cheaper places where one can study at and which give as well-rounded education as your facility. In my opinion your loss would be bigger than ours, especially because there are some students less polite than me who plan to turn to the media instead of you with their requests.

              My point is that the college will lose a remarkable amount of intelligent, young people who might consider turning to the media or even taking legal actions in connection with this issue. Withdrawing the announcement of increasing the fees would be profitable for both sides.

             Sincerely,

Natalia Novotni

It's a mystery...

My sicko mystery

 

Okay, so...I couldn't really bring myself to get down to work lately, but this ends now. With me writing this entry. I consider my enthusiasm as a victory over laziness so please smile while you read.

This week's assignment was to write about something we find mysterious. Something that has always kept us up late at night. Something that has always tingled our fantasy. Well...this might make you think I'm nuts, but I always think about sociopathy in my spare time. Now that's a real mystery. Maybe a bit sicky, but it is.

Anyway, my question is: do you even know what the word 'sociopath' means? No? Shame on you. Here's a hint:

"The term used to be psychopath but this was misrepresented by mass media so psychologists changed the term to sociopath, which means the same thing. Since then the media has misrepresented this condition again to imply everyone with this personality is a murderer, so it has since been renamed again to "anti social personality disorder"."

Now you got this one. I'm proud. Almost crying. Never mind. Next question: do you know how to recognize them? By their traits? Again no? You know what, I'm taking it back, not proud at all. But I'm willing to tell you. Just click here. Sure it seems a bit long, but trust me, reading it is worth your time. Maybe you'll find out that the person you love and is pretty weird is one... Everything's possible, remember?

Firstly... Here are my questions/statements about sociopathy:

* I'd love to know what sociopaths feel after a gruesome deed.

* I've always wondered what the reasons were for this illness.

* I've no idea why people fear these people instead of wanting to help them.

* Why do you think it is so common?

* Have you got any idea how family treats their sociopath member(s)?

* Does anybody know famous people with this disorder?

(See what I did there? Huh? Huh? Game with the fonts. Genius. LOL. Just kidding. I only tried to illustrate my ugly handwriting. This way you can imagine how every sentence is different. Moreover. Sometimes even letters in the same word are incomparable.)

Secondly... I discussed them within a group of three. Here are my group-mates' responds:

* Satisfied. They are addicted to that feeling, it's their drug.

* Social background. Movies. Trauma. No genetic background.

* People fear them 'cause they are scared that they'd get this illness, too. Or are afraid of the moment of flipping out.

* World is in bullshit.

* Asylum. Trying is useless, so they leave the member(s) on their own.

* -No answers were given.-

So these were the materials I had to use to write something which is not a complete ~the last word in the 4th answer~. And I had to do a little bit of a research. Here it goes what I've found:

* WRONG! These people are not satisfied at all. Why? Read it yourself! "Sociopaths show a stunning lack of concern for the devastating effects their actions have on others. Often they are completely forthright about the matter, calmly stating that they have no sense of guilt, are not sorry for the pain and destruction they have caused, and that there is no reason for them to be concerned."

* 50%-50% ! Social background- true. No genetic background? False. "It's not certain what causes someone to become a sociopath; however, it's believed to be caused by nature, nurture or abnormal brain activity. In other words, while some contend it's due to a genetic disposition in families, others believe it's caused by an emotional detachment in early life, causing a disconnection with society. On the other hand, it could be a combination of factors."

* I didn't really find anything on this one, but I agree with my friends' opinion. Plus I think people today aren't really dissimilar to our dear ancestors: they dread what they can't understand.

* Uhm, I appreciate every single reply given, but I couldn't get any farther with this one. Sorry. No hate, please. Movin' on. According to a survey, 3 out of 100 males are contracted with this disorder and 1 out of 100 females. But no information about the reason(s) why it is so common. Dead end.

* EEH! I don't know if we can give an accurate answer to this one. I mean I've read a couple of articles with experiences but I couldn't make out anything sensible. The family is usually confused, scared and doesn't know what to do. Needs advice. Asylum and/or legal action is not an option.

* I got nothing but thanks to our best friend, Google, I've got a few names now. E.g. Adolf Hitler, Josef Stalin, Jeffrey Dahmer, Ted Bundy, Rebekah Brooks, OJ Simpson, John Edwards etc. Half of these names is unknown for me, but you know what? If you wanna know who these people were, look them up, my dear friend.

 

Alright. I think I solved all the mysteries for today. I hope you smiled whilst reading this. Can't wait to read some of your opinions on my topic. K? Bye!!

Sources:

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Are_there_any_famous_sociopaths

http://www.ehow.com/about_5042283_causes-sociopathy.html

http://www.vodahost.com/web-hosting-sociopath-test-sociopath-definition.html/ 

 

Spring = Love? No. Just no.

Spring is ...

For starters, spring is awesome. Kinda my favorite season. I mean I'm not discriminating all the other seasons, but yeah. Just like every mother has a favorite child.

I believe a normal person's first thoughts about spring would be in connection with love, or at least something deep and emotional. Like how romantic the little singing birds are, and the fresh air brushing against their cheeks is just amazing. The sunshine is lovely and even a rainbow might pop out somewhere in the picture perfect blue sky. The nature is just fascinating; cute animals roaming around, nice-smelling flowers everywhere. Well...no. Just no. I snapped out of this picture ages ago. Call me a buzz-kill.

For me spring brings internal innovations. I have more opportunities to spend time with my family due to the holidays in this season e.g. Easter, 1st of May etc. and I can express myself in much more ways than for example, in winter. By expressing myself I mean I do things I like more frequently. This includes wearing more revealing clothes, reading in the backyard and getting spiritually ready for The Summer. Yeah, like this, with capital letters.

About me AND my friends in the spring...Crazy. What we do is just crazy stuff. Together. That's what makes it fun and crazy. This is the time for running barefoot on the soft lawn, singing in the rain (yeah, we actually do that)and of course wild pre-summer parties. Okay, not as wild as in Spring Breakers but still. By the way, this movie is the reason I waited for spring all autumn and winter!

Here's the trailer in case you wanna check it out:

*Nota Bene:
Don't think now I'm some kind of an alcoholic, or drug addict or a moral-less freak. I read a lot about this movie and I think it has deeper meaning than it seems to have. I think it tries to guide us into the world of nowadays American Dream.