March for Our Lives - Matthew Bickham
Don't Say "Good Luck" - Charlie Roth
Wednesday, March 28, 2018
Tuesday, March 27, 2018
Free Post: Poem
Carpe Diem
One chance,
my only.
Take it?
Leave it?
I hear the latter
yet my desire is placed
already
in its own arms.
One cannot wish alone,
for time is a valuable thing,
yearning,
leaning,
for the prospect of
satisfaction
in nothing but itself.
One may depart from the desire,
left,
with no regrets.
Desire may depart from it,
yet loiter,
with regret.
To seize the day,
one must lay
siege
to it.
Every day must be taken,
with or without regret,
for the impulsive gratitude of one's
desire.
So, I say,
take it, for it has been waiting
already.
One chance,
my only.
Take it?
Leave it?
I hear the latter
yet my desire is placed
already
in its own arms.
One cannot wish alone,
for time is a valuable thing,
yearning,
leaning,
for the prospect of
satisfaction
in nothing but itself.
One may depart from the desire,
left,
with no regrets.
Desire may depart from it,
yet loiter,
with regret.
To seize the day,
one must lay
siege
to it.
Every day must be taken,
with or without regret,
for the impulsive gratitude of one's
desire.
So, I say,
take it, for it has been waiting
already.
Reading Response: Purple Hibiscus
Purple Hibiscus has been an interesting experience for me so far. Its themes of family values and maturity are not new to me, but they are definitely a great refresher. As I tend to stay away from such serious fiction, I cannot say that I am disappointed or even irritated in reading this novel. The last book I read (fairly recently, in fact) with similar themes was The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls. It also featured a highly dysfunctional family, but instead one that was poor, yet still expressed deep connections. In Purple Hibiscus, however, such luxuries are the few that are not seen.
I often enjoy novels about human nature, and although Purple Hibiscus is more centered specifically on the family level, it seems to outline similar things. A key point of the novel is centered around Kambili and Jaja's father, Eugene. Since Eugene is a mixed bag of generosity and abuse, it becomes hard to see through into him, and that lack of transparency is what helps move the story forward and creates a basis for Jaja's growing defiance. `
I often enjoy novels about human nature, and although Purple Hibiscus is more centered specifically on the family level, it seems to outline similar things. A key point of the novel is centered around Kambili and Jaja's father, Eugene. Since Eugene is a mixed bag of generosity and abuse, it becomes hard to see through into him, and that lack of transparency is what helps move the story forward and creates a basis for Jaja's growing defiance. `
Thursday, March 15, 2018
Tuesday, March 13, 2018
Poem
Suddenly,
the crash is visible.
No longer is it unknown.
The room to act
precedes us.
Scrambling,
searching,
readjusting.
Our instincts are full of themselves.
No longer.
Devices used:
sibilance
assonance
cacophony
onomatopoeia
the crash is visible.
No longer is it unknown.
The room to act
precedes us.
Scrambling,
searching,
readjusting.
Our instincts are full of themselves.
No longer.
Devices used:
sibilance
assonance
cacophony
onomatopoeia
Analyze a Song - Modern Jesus by Portugal. The Man
Lyrics Here
Modern Jesus is part of the Evil Friends album by modern rock band Portugal. The Man. It is a song about not believing in anyone or anything but yourself. It incorporates a number of poetic devices in its verses and chorus, and while the lyrics aren't complicated, they fit together well enough to send its message.
In the first and opening verse, there is heavy assonance on the "long e" sound. However, not the end of every line rhymes with each other, so the rhyme scheme isn't exactly ABAB, but more of an ABCBDEBBBFG, but with some internal and slant rhyme. In the chorus, following the first verse, assonance is also present, but this time on the "us" sound. Almost every line in the chorus ends with an "us" rhyme or another "short u" sound. The rhyme scheme here seems to be along the lines of AAABAA. Each line also ends smoothly, providing a mild euphony. Verse 2 is definitely the heaviest in poetic devices. Assonance is present on three distinct vowel sounds: the "long i", "long a", and the "long o". Being all "long" vowels, of course, this verse as a whole is a strong euphony. However, this verse isn't too heavy on rhyme, unlike the chorus. Finally, verse 3, as its relatives, is also heavy on smooth assonance; specifically, the "long e" and "long u" sounds. This verse is also has a similar rhyme scheme as the chorus, with only one line that doesn't seem to fit the verse's end rhyme scheme. Overall, this song as a whole is heavy with smooth assonance and euphony, and I believe that that helps convey its care-free style and send its message that you only need to worry about yourself.
Modern Jesus is part of the Evil Friends album by modern rock band Portugal. The Man. It is a song about not believing in anyone or anything but yourself. It incorporates a number of poetic devices in its verses and chorus, and while the lyrics aren't complicated, they fit together well enough to send its message.
In the first and opening verse, there is heavy assonance on the "long e" sound. However, not the end of every line rhymes with each other, so the rhyme scheme isn't exactly ABAB, but more of an ABCBDEBBBFG, but with some internal and slant rhyme. In the chorus, following the first verse, assonance is also present, but this time on the "us" sound. Almost every line in the chorus ends with an "us" rhyme or another "short u" sound. The rhyme scheme here seems to be along the lines of AAABAA. Each line also ends smoothly, providing a mild euphony. Verse 2 is definitely the heaviest in poetic devices. Assonance is present on three distinct vowel sounds: the "long i", "long a", and the "long o". Being all "long" vowels, of course, this verse as a whole is a strong euphony. However, this verse isn't too heavy on rhyme, unlike the chorus. Finally, verse 3, as its relatives, is also heavy on smooth assonance; specifically, the "long e" and "long u" sounds. This verse is also has a similar rhyme scheme as the chorus, with only one line that doesn't seem to fit the verse's end rhyme scheme. Overall, this song as a whole is heavy with smooth assonance and euphony, and I believe that that helps convey its care-free style and send its message that you only need to worry about yourself.
Wednesday, March 7, 2018
Monday, March 5, 2018
Free Post: Fortnite - Why the Burst Rifle is Better than the M16
In Fortnite Battle Royale, there currently exists three types of Automatic Rifles: the "Burst Rifle", "Assault Rifle (M16)", and FN SCAR. Of these three, the SCAR is typically recognized as the best choice, as it has the highest DPS and first-shot accuracy that rivals the Hunting Rifle. However, as the SCAR is fairly rare--especially early-mid game--the M16 or Burst Rifles are typically players' most common choices. Currently and for a while, most players have dedicated themselves to the use of the M16. However, a recent trend has taken the community by storm: the growing of the use of the Burst Rifle. It seems that awareness is spreading of the Burst's lethal potential.
In my early days of playing, I used the Burst Rifle myself simple for its superior accuracy, however, I switched to the M16 fairly quickly. Now, I have recommitted to the Burst as I have experienced its power first-hand. The in-game stats list the Burst as slightly inferior to the M16 in terms of DPS, however, the Burst fires in three-round bursts (as the name suggests), and since it is fairly more accurate, it becomes easy to hit all or almost all three shots in a single burst at medium ranges. This, especially if one or more of the shots lands a critical hit, outfires the M16's better damage-per-shot significantly, as it is slower to fire and less accurate. Also, full burst to the head will almost always land in a one-shot elimination or "knock", unless the enemy has full shield and health (but only barely). The M16 may often seem like the better choice, as it is capable of landing devastating critical hits and can outfire some shotguns at closer ranges, the Burst Rifle outcompetes it in every aspect (even in drops).
In my early days of playing, I used the Burst Rifle myself simple for its superior accuracy, however, I switched to the M16 fairly quickly. Now, I have recommitted to the Burst as I have experienced its power first-hand. The in-game stats list the Burst as slightly inferior to the M16 in terms of DPS, however, the Burst fires in three-round bursts (as the name suggests), and since it is fairly more accurate, it becomes easy to hit all or almost all three shots in a single burst at medium ranges. This, especially if one or more of the shots lands a critical hit, outfires the M16's better damage-per-shot significantly, as it is slower to fire and less accurate. Also, full burst to the head will almost always land in a one-shot elimination or "knock", unless the enemy has full shield and health (but only barely). The M16 may often seem like the better choice, as it is capable of landing devastating critical hits and can outfire some shotguns at closer ranges, the Burst Rifle outcompetes it in every aspect (even in drops).
LAUNCH 2018
LAUNCH Day at Episcopal this year was intense. As it was my first, I was shocked at how thorough and interesting each presentation was. I had heard great things about LAUNCH from my older sister of Class of 2017, which apparently had a very impressive LAUNCH. Still, I was not disappointed at all with this year's theses. Overall, I had a lot more fun then I thought I would have listening to the theses of the hard-working Seniors of the Class of 2018.
To try to decide which of the presentations was my favorite, I would have to think for hours. Instead, I must settle on Charles Barksdale's. I particularly enjoyed his for numerous reasons. First of all, it was technically my very first LAUNCH presentation that I experienced. Second, I was impressed by his use (or should I say misuse?) of presentation slides. He had the courage and the confidence in himself and his mind to go up on stage and talk about his thesis, something that must have required more than a little bit of rehearsal.
To try to decide which of the presentations was my favorite, I would have to think for hours. Instead, I must settle on Charles Barksdale's. I particularly enjoyed his for numerous reasons. First of all, it was technically my very first LAUNCH presentation that I experienced. Second, I was impressed by his use (or should I say misuse?) of presentation slides. He had the courage and the confidence in himself and his mind to go up on stage and talk about his thesis, something that must have required more than a little bit of rehearsal.
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