Blahblahblah, Cute Bat Picture!

(My "post title" brain machine thing broke xP)

I am doing an independent field study project for my sociology class where I am studying the formation of stereotypes and a snazzy little hypothesis about them that I'm not suppose to talk about because I am inviting the lovely bloggers of the world to participate.

It's really simple, actually. Just record or type up the answers to a short (one side of one page) questionnaire and send them back to me. You don't have to include any information you don't want to include. All I ask is that you are as honest as possible. It's really important to me to involve the blogging community into the project so that I could get answers from across the globe.

So, if it so tickles you! Please email me at talia.wagner (at) pcae.k12.mn.us.... (my school email) for the questions or any questions you may have...

My grade and I would find that really swell... (insert clever brain swelling joke here. xD or maybe not...) now here's the cutest picture of a bat EVER!

New Rock Boots!

Last spring break I spent my week trapped on a chair for hours on end whilst I baby sat creepy old construction workers as they put sprinklers into the apartments, (You know, after the building burned down.)
I was watching TV but they kept bumping the satellite, so I decided to read. 14 books later, (They were short, around two hundred pages) ...and they were still working. So I spent the rest of my time watching the Direct TV symbol travel across the screen. Everyday for a week. It sucked, they left the door wide open for hours, walked in and out without knocking and left a ladder blocking the only path I had from my chair to the rest of the house.
Good came of this though, my mother in return gave me 200$ to spend on a pair of New Rock Boots, which I never thought I'd ever be able to get due to my general high school poorness.

It took some sorting through the thousand styles, and some persuading to buy from a European country (American companies tack on an extra hundred dollars) but finally I had a pair ordered.
The people there were really nice, the first pair that I ordered was "waiting fulfillment" for a few days before we were told that the only pair they had left was damaged but they gave us the exact amount in store credit. This bothered my mother to no end but I had my second pair, which I loved ten time more, picked out within five minutes of the notice.
Shipping cost just under thirty bucks, which is better than it could have been. They arrive much quicker than I expected, the box was still in good condition which is nice because the shoes that I've been ordering lately come in destroyed boxes. The shoes themselves came perfect.
The only grumble I had was that I'm a size 8 in American W omens, which translates into a half size. I went with the half size down rather than half size up and now I'm trying to break them in/stretch them out a bit. They're not unbearably tight and I think they'll fit wonderfully after wearing them for a week or so.
They're so comfortable, to me it feels like walking on a trampoline. I've been wearing converse a lot recently so that I can practice driving so they're a bit heavier than I'm use to. But I hate tennis shoes.
I can't take any pictures now because I'm at school but here's a store picture:

 In other news, my Devil's Carnival DVD arrived as well, same day-- yesterday. While not nearly as shiny as my new stomp-y boots, still exciting. I had a dream last night that because of the DVDs release my school was playing the soundtrack over and over again throughout the intercom system, (The possibilities of a crazy art school...) and it was driving me insane.

Schools silent today. Hope you all are having good days with shiny stomp-y boots weighing down your feet.

My Devil's Carnival Experience/Review

(Note: The main body of this post is a piece of writing I've recently done for my Literary Arts class. I wrote it to not focus on the Devil's Carnival as much as my experience afterwards, I've added parts to round out the experience but I'm using the piece because I really wanted to focus on the two parts, both The Devil's Carnival, and my experience, but also a lot about the after experience which I think might be relate-able to many of the bloggers and maybe I can get some personal advice out of it.)

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Today was the first day that I’ve listened to the Devil’s Carnival soundtrack since seeing it this summer. For those who aren’t aware, the Devil’s Carnival is a movie series created by Terrance Zdunich (Zuh-doon-itch) and Darren Bousman, the same pair who came together to write and direct Repo! (Exclamation point). Darren also directed Saw II, Saw III and Saw IV.  

 The first episode came out this summer. We went to the encore tour viewing because we missed the original. The ‘we’ being my father and I, and I’ve already said that we don’t much get along. The event ran for 10pm to 2am and expectedly, we got in a fight before we left because I was running late. It’s hard to tie corset laces tight enough by yourself but I am usually to stubborn to ask for help until the clock strikes ‘desperate.’ The amazing thing was however that after we got in the car we stopped fighting. We got along quite well in-fact, although there wasn’t much talking. It didn’t matter much anyway, we were greeted by a long line that I'm not convinced would be much shorter or less enjoyable had we gotten there earlier. A young woman dressed in a deliciously Victorianeque carnie outfit walked up and down the line, chatting, breathing fire, taking piggy back rides and various combinations of all three at one time; making sure that we would not have one dull moment while there. 

The line moved quickly once it got started and we stood, waiting for the doors to open, in the foyer of the theater. It was one of the most amazing things for me, as I don't get to spend time with many other alternatives, to see everyone so different, so unique and interesting hanging out in one place. The snack counter was open, although my father and I didn't get anything. Soon we were ushered into the theater seats. 

As we sat down, another lovely woman, similarly dressed called to our attention "Hey!" she said, "The movie isn't starting until every one of these signed soundtracks are sold. There's only five thousand total so get them while you can!" Everyone laughed and we threw money at her and got CD thrown back. When there was another calm moment I urged  my father to move over to seats to the side of the theater. He obliged but not full-heartedly, "Is it a play? A movie?" he asked. And I shrugged,  I went in with no expectations, I hardly knew what it was about. I refused to look at the promo, or hear songs before I saw the movie. I wanted to go in completely open minded with the experience of just being there.

"Well if a play then these seats will be fine, but if its a movie the other seats we had were the best in the house." 

"For you," I said, laughing, "You're tall, I can't see over the top hats and hair thingies! And they are awfully pretty but not exactly why I'm here."

The girl who sold the CDs went up on stage and introduced new items, entertained us during downtimes and just had fun. The production also hired a local sideshow from whatever city they stopped in and while I don't remember the name of the pair that preformed for us, I remember me, my father, and everyone else wincing. Especially when he slapped his hands on a board with mousetraps on every finger. 

There was a Repo! sing along, which I laughed delightedly at and watched, but I've never watched Repo! so I sadly couldn't participate. (I have it, just haven't gotten around to watching it.) 

Then we were introduced to Darren and Terrance, and took our oaths to sinfully be on our best behavior and not record parts of the movie (etc. etc.) Then it finally started!
 

The movie is amazing. I don't want to say to much, but, music is beautiful, even in the parts where its not suppose to be. The set, characters, costumes, camera work... all amazing. Honestly, the best way to describe it is that its something you watch and then wish actually existed so that you might actually get to go and be a carnie.  The basic plot-line of this episode is that three souls ("a conniving kleptomaniac, a gullible teenager and an obsessed father") die and find themselves being tested in Lucifer's playground--The Devil's Carnival. The stories are loosely based off of Aesop's Fables with a twist (of a knife.)

The two masterminds came back after the movie for Q/A. There were serious questions, funny questions and a multitude of entertaining answers. At one point one of them was talking about how before such sessions they sat down and thought about some questions that could pop up and  how they could answer them, and you could definitely tell when someone asked something unexpected. (One person asked "if you had to get a tattoo of someones face who would it be, why, and on what part of your body?" and they passed the microphone six times before answering. Another great thing about it was that the lovely lady who was up on stage and selling disks also answered questions from her perspective to.  And by that point the crowd of strangers was very intimate, like an odd family. 

After questions died down we were instructed that we could leave along the left aisle or wait in the right aisle to buy merchandise and meet Terrance and Darren. We were also advised to "boo"  at the people leaving, which we amusingly enough did. (One quit-wit shouting "go to heaven!"). We waited in line for what felt like ever, although it was not entirely boring. I spent a good chunk of my cash pouncing on things that went on a "half price for the next three minutes while Darren and Terrance go on a quick potty break" I ended up with a signed soundtrack (4009 out of 5000), two pre-signed posters that my father and I got with our tickets, a Painted Doll (Emilie Autumn) poster that I got signed and a deck of artistic poster cards for each of the characters. 

I'm one of those people who, if I can't think of anything to say, am perfectly happy to not say anything rather than flail for random words. I was still in happy shock at the evening, which was nothing like I've ever been to. (all the concerts recently are 18+). But they seemed like normal people and I didn't feel the need, (or on principle want to) fawn and fluster at Terrance and Darren's feet when I walked up to get my poster signed. That and it was one thirty in the morning and my brain was dying. But I think they might have felt slightly awkward as they introduced themselves to me, which made me laugh because I was there for their autograph and already a fan of them both just by the movie. I didn’t see them as ‘amazing Mr. Zdunich and the incredible Sir Bousman.’ Rather I saw them as, like I’ve been writing, Darren and Terrance: warm and friendly, and probably cool to hang out with. 

Plus I was so tired that by that point, the evening was becoming less of a moment and more of a memory. And though it will eventually be a happy memory, and I suppose even now is, the evening left me nearly debilitated in pain for the next week-- pain so strongly psychological that it became a physical ache. Surely I could point to the spot inside of me that hurt and contemplated, nay plotted for days of how to cut it out as if that would solve the problem. You see, the event seemed to be something that should be life changing. It felt important, like things would never been the same after-- and then it threw me back into a tortuously normal life that I had never before questioned. But I did now (which I suppose, in actuality, should make it an important moment), I asked “am I happy?” and the pain in my near my heart screamed, “No! You’re not happy!” Because I was envious of them; not so much even of Terrance or Darren, but of the burlesque fire-breathers who laughed in entertained in stripy gartered tights, bustled skirts and tight stringed corsets. They were living! Not stably or easily I’m sure but fully, in the moment with what made them happy, even if they risked falling off the wire with no safety net below.

                That’s where I want to be when I get out of school but I just live. And the life set up for me is filled with just living. Set up to walk a staircase of perfectly parallel steps in a color not offensive to my family, guard railings on either side of me. But I have no clue how to break into where ever they are, living so vivaciously. And, being brought up so practical, I don’t know if I’d allow myself the chance if it was offered to me. So for a week I lounged about, doing everything I could to rid my head of the memory but feeling utterly trapped all the same. 

After a while it subsided which brings me back to today, where for the first time I’ve listened to the CD. Pain flares through me with every beautifully sharpened note and recalled memory, and I feel trapped all over again, hiding from the life I just live and cradling the aching spot. I once again push it all away so that I might be happy with all the same that I live in. The songs sing through my head uncontrollably, teasingly and I shove them off with another catching tune of incredibly different taste. But this song just enforces my prison.

“Olly, Olly Oxen Free,” It mocks in my ear

“All the people you will never be.”

 I struggle, hapless in my cell, throw myself pointlessly at the fail-safe walls my mind created without permission. Finally I fall to the floor and glare at the teasing voices running through my head. I appeal to the manipulative side of me who enjoys such games, irony and small amusements by responding with more lyrics.

“Olly ollly olly olly

Higher than the king can

See no evil

Hear no evil

Capture me

And throw the key.”

I’m daring it, sarcastically, disdainfully but it certainly doesn’t seem to see it like that. The lyrics, the walls hug me tightly as if given permission. Chipping away at all the barricades until finally I’m forced to succumb and listen to them, sitting there with the ache, knowing that it’d still be there no matter how many different pairs of scissors I’d use to cut it out. For all my fail-safes I’ve forgotten for leave myself a way out of the ‘normal’ I thought I’d be happy in. I fall asleep singing desperately along to the song.

“See no evil,

Hear no evil,

Capture me and throw the key away.”

I'm writing this post now because the DVD is available for pre-order, and yes, in spite of my melodramatic response I've pre-ordered it. According to their website the DVD is available October 23. I'd high recommend getting it whether you were able to see it during its tour or not. I'd also recommend going to any future episodes. 

On a personal bit, the experience has me thinking of what I want to do with my life. I know many of the bloggers are artists, crafters, street-performers and otherwise partakers in otherwise eclectic hobbies and occupations; so I ask of you: What do you do? How did you get into an artistic scene, any tips or experiences to share? Might be a good future blog-post to think about. ;D

*Lyrics: Olly Olly Oxen Free--Amanda Palmer and the Grand Theft Orchestra. 
**Pictures of characters from the Devil's Carnival Website (Link posted above.)

Birthday Post!... but not mine...

I made this video forever ago, when it was my Amazon's birthday. One of her favorite songs to chatter to is Ultravioletfly by I:Scintilla. That is the song that is playing with this video. Ironically enough, I didn't alter the video's speed in anyway and she is playing to the beat of the song for the most part. This form of play is her favorite past time. She turned thirteen in July I believe.

Life Update

Actually, to be honest its more along the lines of "Gone Schooling" which I suppose in the right context could still be about riding, but these are not such correct contexts. I'm finally settling down into the new school year. If you're one of the rare people that have been following my personal blurbs I started going to Perpich. Which is an arts school. I get here at 7:30 and get picked up at 5:20. However, I've reached the point where I really will start rebuilding the blog, honestly this time. I have plenty of free time with the laptop in quiet moments of the school day. (For example now, since its during lunch.) You can expect the posts to start flowing again this week. Maybe. Also, now that my Lit Art class (I'm going to the art school for Literary Arts, we have a two hour class at the end of the day.) forces me to write a ridiculous amount, I've gotten out of my writers block. I have about ten half written blog posts in my drafts.

I hope everything has been going okay for everyone?

More Later,
<3

Still Breathing

It's been forever since my last post so before I jump back into my semi-regular posting I thought I'd send a shout that I am still alive.
I have many posts to catch up on and much news to share, but here's a couple of quick things:

Around the time I was swept up by AP testing and finals and such I found out that I was accepted into the literary program of a small art school. The school day is a bit longer to compensate for the program's class on top of the normal high school classes but I've never heard any complaints about the longer school day and I'm absolutely ecstatic about being accepted in.

I've found Gwydion a new home that was perfect for him. The woman who bought him offered me another bird but after careful consideration I realized that not only did I not desire a new one, I also would be making a mistake to get one.
However, after a while the house seemed unbalanced. For over half my life we've had two cats, a dog, two birds and a small animal of some sort. After the usual pro/con arguments (and after seeing if I could afford it) I decided to get a Royal Python. I've always liked Royal Pythons because they have the beauty of large constrictor snakes in small packages but I hadn't worked with snakes all that much. Lizards yes, snakes no.
I fell in love with a baby Super Pastel Royal while I was visiting a reptile store in the city that also happens to be a reputable breeder thus Morpheus became a part of the household.

He's 11 months old now, I believe. He's very docile, slightly head-shy and nervous about being submerged into water. Sheds well, eats well, active, interested in his surroundings. I'd consider him sweet although snakes don't exactly love you like a kitten would.

I'm going to keep this post short because I have a bunch of other planned out posts to write and many of blogs to catch up on reading. Welcome to summer everyone, hope things are pleasant.

Birthday Post~

Today's my birthday, so I figured I should post. I turned 16, however, today has kinda sucked. Woke up late, missed the bus, was late to school, looked awful, felt awful. etc, etc. It put me in a downward spiral for the next six hours until I lectured myself and got over it.
Just turn up the radio in your head and ignore the sullen anger, frivolous emotion that it is.

I also just got the news that I can't re-pierce my lip until I get my hard-copy photo permit, I only have the paper version at the moment. I'm trying to be patient but my piercing was important to me and I was really looking forward to getting it done this weekend. It's my fault, I don't care much about driving at the moment so it's taken me forever to get my permit. 

To add onto this I might've found Gwydion a new home. Which is good, it's what is best for him. But I really do like the little guy.
Plus it rarely feels like my birthday on the actual day because I always end up opening presents on other days. Since this is the case I'll have to wait a while before showing what I get.

It wasn't all bad, however. The furniture store brought over our new couch, and I went and picked out a lamp to go with it since we couldn't fit a table lamp like before and there is no overhead living room light. My parents don't seem to mind that their house is slowly being taken over with subtle gothy influences.

Like always, check to see if you won the give-away. Sorry for lack of links and pictures, simple post today. Better ones to come, promise.

Following the Month's Theme...

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 Since I've been doing random bits of posts all month and the months almost over, I figured I'd just keep with it. The only real reason to this post is to remind everyone that my giveaway ends tomorrow. I was worried I'd have a whole three people participate, but I'm rather happy with how it's turned out. I'm still contemplating all the names for the Etsy store (Or if I should even start one) but I'll be using at least one of everyone's names as a title for a piece of jewelry.
I was also pleasantly surprised today when I stumbled across blogger to find that I had 32 followers. That's thirty-two people who went to the effort of pushing the "Follow" button in the corner so that I could tell myself I wasn't just writing to air. =3

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I've been spending my day with red dye. When I was buying it, I got the darker red instead of the lighter because I didn't want it to seem pink or orange. However, this color looked a whole lot like pink after I rinsed it so I went back over it with another bit of dye. This is why red is not a color I particularly care for. Actually, it's because of a timed puzzle game I played when I was a child, but you don't need to know that.

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 I'm still not having any luck re-homing my darling bird. Which isn't surprising as chicks are born in the spring and my bird is in her terrible two's and hormonal... She was cute today though, I kissed her head and she made a kissy sound against my hand as she tried to preen my invisible hand feathers. I've gotten her to stop throwing fits too, now she just says "hellohellohello (ect)" Its fairly warm so I'll probably give her a bath/shower today. I'll make sure to take pictures of her rolling around in the sink.

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Other than that I've been reading the Stephanie Plum books recently. But wait, didn't you say you 
weren't going to read those anymore?! Yep; I also said they were highly amusing books. After my hit or miss week I figured I deserved to spend a few days laughing at someonelse's mistakes. Especially since I'll be spending my spring break watching strangers tear down my walls to install sprinklers in the house. (To bad they didn't do that before half the building burned down.)

Oh, and about the horse pictures: I've been contemplating mechanical horses lately. I'd share my thoughts, but I think I'll save it for a winded equine post later.

A Whole Lot 'o Nothing

Source, I'm on a birdcage picture streak this week.

 My newest and most short-lived darling little parrot has taken to throwing temper tantrums when he's left to his own devices. He's been screaming for the past ten minutes and I first it was annoying, but now I'm curled up in the chair laughing. Can't say he isn't determined. I can't wait until he goes to a good home. Often I've thought of keeping him but after my father throws a fit because I took him out of the cage and he throws a fit for being back in it, I see that this can not work out.

Source. These pictures really have very little to do with the post content.

I've been reading the Stephanie Plum series, written by Janet Evanovich. In fact, that is mostly all I've been doing. On Thursday I started book one, and by noon today I had just opened book seven. I've heard they've just recently made a movie about the first book, but since I've little interest in the movie, I couldn't tell you much about it.
The main plot throughout the books are fairly straight forward, they are about a woman named Stephanie Plum who lives in New Jersey and, after loosing her job, went to work for her cousin as a bounty hunter. They remind me a bit of the Temperance Brennen series, which I've also been reading on and off, except that Stephanie doesn't get kidnapped in nearly every book. Throughout the books she meets all sorts of characters, and develops a knack for indirectly, and totally accidentally causing her and her friends cars to blow up, get stolen or get crushed. 
As far as the writing goes, I wouldn't put it next to Shakespeare, but I wouldn't set it by Twilight either. It's a bit mouthy and has a few sexual bits here and there; but not enough to keep my mother from recommending it to her teenage daughter. They are all about two hundred pages, so while I won't be reading them for a while, I highly recommend them for a quick book that is funny in an "Interrupt your class because you've discreetly been reading and have now burst out laughing" kind of way. Since I am very big on neutral faced reading at school, you can be sure that these books are absolutely hilarious.
She's written about two a year, there are eighteen and as far as I know she's still writing. The first books are very big on car phones. There are a few mini books here and there, but the main books start with "One for the Money" the second is "Two for the Dough" third "Three to get Deadly." The names go on like such, but they get lamer book four and out.

I won't rate it out of ten, because I get annoyed wasting days reading on end and will now avoid these books like the frosting-covered plague and give it low ratings. Back when I was reading them, I had a very different opinion. What can I say; I'm weird about books, but this was suppose to be a beaming review.  

Source. All well, I gave an effort.

 Other than that I've been looking at what jewelry inventory I have at the moment. I figured if I wanted to start an Etsy store this summer I'd actually need things to sell. But believe it or not, making things has been a long learning process that isn't anywhere near over which means some of my older things are not as lovely as other recent creations. I'm having one more local jewelry sale before I dive into Etsy. The local sale will be where I sell my less than clean-cut items to friends for dirt cheap ($1-$7), along with things I don't particularly want anymore, but don't feel the need to alter. Along with that I've been working on taking apart some jewelry that I'd love to redo with my newer set of skills.
This is along-side my ever waiting supply of parts that I have decided to puzzle together.
But more interesting, at this moment anyway, is that I've also indulged into teddy bears. Exploring the internet I have found that there aren't nearly enough interesting cuddly things for those of us who'd like to decorate their room without having to do the work to decorate the decor. Although I suppose I'm excluded for this group these days since I'd be doing the work for others.

There is only a week and a half or so until my giveaway closes. So make sure to get in on it. Remember, I'm not counting entries unless they are spoken for in a comment at the bottom of the page.

When Plans Don't Happen

I had a lovely post planned out about my riding lately, but obviously I'm not posting it yet.
I thought I'd share whats been going on since I disappeared after starting my give-away.

Today I had an interview with the art school I'm trying to go to Junior/Senior year. It was the last step in the process and I think it went really well. However I'm trying to keep my hopes in check, there is about 150 places to fill in the school and people from all over the state apply. It's not working. It'll suck if I don't get in. But everyone was really nice. Even if my name was continuously pronounced wrong. My name is always pronounced wrong. It's one of the few reasons I started accepting the nick-name Phells once it started spreading.

In more negative news, my newest bird, the one who came to me as Gandy, then I called him Solomon, and then Numskull and lastly Gwydion is being re-homed. It was silly of me to get him in the first place with me going off to college soon. It's not fair to have him for two years and then disappear for 3-4 years at least. Still, despite my many reasons for re-homing, I absolutely adore this bird. We've had many offers since he could quite possibly be the only Nanday Conure for sale in this state. I think Nanday's are the most beautiful birds. He was my dream parrot and now he's going. Crushing.
Here's a picture, isn't he beautiful?

I was thinking of taking the money I get from him and putting it towards a cello. I've wanted to learn how to play for years, ever since I quit the viola. The prospect of playing the cello doesn't cheer me up though.

Here's a bunch a pictures I've taken for my photography class. I'm using them to try to save this post.
I'm on my fourth assignment. These are from my first and third.

 

 

Don't forget to try your luck in my give-away, I'll ship anywhere that will take the parcel.

Outfit Post and a New Pet!

Yesterday was the winter concert day for our Choirs at my school so, as tradition, everyone dressed up during the day; which is slightly ironic seeing as how we go to the concert in shorts and a T-shirt. (We wear robes, shorts and T-shirt underneath.) I'm really tired in this picture.
Hair Bow: DIY
Necklace Pendent: Post-Halloween sale at the local party store. (Party USA? Party America? Party World? Party City? Something like that.)--10$ about?
Blouse: Fan+Friend Garden--30$
Skirt: Fan+Friend Garden--30$
Corset: Iris Noir--35$
Two Pairs of Tights: Target, I didn't much like the black ones anymore, and the purple ripped as soon as I put them on so I made lovely ripped tights to layer.--10$ (Plus the service of the black ones when I still used them.)
Boots: Goodgoth/Demonia-- 65$

In other news, I got a new bird! His name is Gandy, he's a two year old Nanday Conure. He's very sweet and well socialized. Bit of a brat though when it comes to going back in his cage. Just a few training issues to sort out. I'm still working on getting a picture because he doesn't like to hold still but here's an example of what a Nanday Conure looks like:

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If you want to see more pretty pictures you can check here. It has one of my absolute favorite Nanday pictures. It's about half way down the page of a Conure named 'Ash' with his wing spread. Nandays really are, to me, one of the most beautiful parrots and I feel so lucky to have one.

A belated Yuletide Blessings to everyone, by the way.

Lastly I'd like to direct your attention to a blog post on my Alt.V blog. Read here.

News!!

Short message post:
Sad to say I've been so busy lately I have no time to post but I have many plans for posts and will come back with blazing fingers.
Also, I'm adding another feathered companion to the family! That's always exciting. More updates on that adventure to come...

Ton The Ta Til Ote Ta Toux?

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 I did away with of the punctuation in the title. Forgive me as I don't speak french. It loosely means "Has the tea cured your cough?" Perfect title since I'm sick. I got sent home from school on Wednesday because I felt like I was going to pass out. (I apparently looked like it as well.) Thankfully I had the rest of the week off for Thanksgiving. It was nice to see family I normally only see once a year. Unfortunately I had to take a nap in the middle of the celebrating from being dizzy.
Now it seems to have grown into an annoying head-cold.
I was hoping to do a more thoughtful post, but my brain seems to have gone on vacation while exterminators rid my skull of it's cold. So my post is going to consist of pretty picture I found on Google images. Enjoy!

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Backward Footsteps: Old Poetry!

Well, to be precise, an old poem. I haven't been writing as much as a use to anymore so I thought I would go threw a bunch of old poems I wrote in middle school. I found this one, which I wrote in the seventh grade. I didn't know what to think of it so I thought I'd throw it to the masses. Devour at will! And leave comments!

What is a Monster? A Poem of Thought. 

What really is a monster?

What deserves the title of “monster”?

Is it something that kills ruthlessly?

We kill all the time without a 2^nd thought,

Yet we never seem call ourselves a monster.

Is it something that we don’t understand?

Something that we’re afraid of?

Perhaps we are the monsters

For not taking the time to understand that which is a mystery to us.

Why is it that we automatically despise a monster?

Is it because they might be more powerful then us?

Because they might be higher up on the food chain?

Perhaps it’s because we remember the struggle our ancestors went through to survive.

Kill or be killed,

Isn’t that right?

Yet does anyone stop to think that maybe if we quit killing so much,

We might stop being killed so often?

Does anyone stop to think that maybe if we quit looking for flaws in the world around us,

We’d find peace and acceptance within ourselves?

After all who gave us the right to decide what is right and what is wrong?

And who gave us the right to decide who is or is not a monster?

Why is it that we think we have the right to judge

When it is precisely that judging that denies us the individuality we all seem to crave.

 So what really is a monster?

A fragment of our imagination?

Or is it fear itself?

If we all believe that monsters are the enemy

And that they are something to be feared and despised,

Then aren’t we just hating ourselves?

For isn’t a monster created from our own opinion?

From our own mind?

So if there’s really anything to fear,

Shouldn’t it be how easy it is for others to use your mind against you?

Or should the real fear be how easy it is to use your mind as a weapon against yourself..?

One last plea for comments: I am getting ready to apply for an art school for my last two years of high school. I'm just filling out applications, writing essays and getting recommendations together. After the application goes it I have to go to an interview/audition and while I might not be totally sure at the moment what that will entail, I'm quite positive that any comments would be extremely helpful towards my writing. Which is what I'm applying for... Thank you!