April 18- exercise 8.3

The first time I decided to not straighten my hair I had a huge bush on my head from all the curls.  I didn't know how to manage it and then I brushed it. WORST DECISION EVER.  A big frizzy poof on top of my head.  All I could do was throw it up into a ponytail. That wasn't that cute.
The first time I decided to let my mom highlight my hair I ended up with four orange blobs on the top of my head.  And to make it worse I had to go to a birthday party an hour later.  Then I had to wear an ugly headband.
The first time I noticed I had a split end I thought it was the end of the world.  It was only one so what was the big deal? Well then I noticed I had a lot more.  I was upset, I thought it meant you had gross hair.

April 16- exercise 8.2

6 titles I would like to write about...
On relationships
On murder
On family
On crazy exes
On fun times
On life

6 subjects I do not want to write about
On love
On feelings
On animals
On death
On work
On science

On could be a pun
On a boat
On a horse
On top of a mountain
On cloud nine
On facebook
On drugs

6 titles I know nothing about
On politics
On heart surgery
On bull riding
On paying bills
On poetry
On rugby

April 2- exercise 9.4

Laying in bed all he could hear was the screaming.  The screaming that awoke him from his deep slumber night after night.  No 6-year-old should be awake a 4:00 in the morning listening to yelling and crying.  He laid there, motionless, tears streaming down his face.  Not wanting his parents to know he was awake, he remained silent, not even stirring once.  But then he heard glass shatter.  He yelled out for his mom, frightened that something bad had happened.  He blamed his dad, he knew he was crazy.  Poor mother didn't know how to escape.  He ran out of his room in a panic.  Running to the place he heard the shatter come from.  When he got there, he saw his mom was alright.  Looking around at what had happened all he saw was a vase of flowers that had fallen over from the cat.  He felt safe again knowing that no one had been hurt.

March 28

Mom passes, dad dies, daughter is hurt.
Alcoholic dad, abused daughter, dead dad.
Happy times, awful times, jail time.

March 23- weird news

Cannibal Meets Vampire

            What makes people do sick and twisted things?  What makes those sick people fall in love with each other?  I’ve always wondered what goes through someone’s head.  What is it that ticks inside of them that just makes them snap?

* * * * *

            Day 25 of the courtship and the love is now stronger than ever.  Communicating daily on the asylum chat room, knowing that the internet it all they have to keep them together because they will never see face to face.  Baron and Nora started a random chat with one another and told each other the gruesome details that which landed them in the asylum.  Of course they both thought it was normal, murdering someone for no reason, but they knew that was one special thing that they had in common.

* * * * *

Baron Sholsten was an average man who seemed to be happy.  He was successful, had a great girl, and lived in a nice house; why would anyone throw that away?  Baron had his own photography business and was known in town for taking the most beautiful pictures.  People would come from hours away to attend his open galleries, hoping they would be the lucky ones to purchase a masterpiece.  Maryse, Baron’s secretary and his girlfriend, was always there for him.  She supported all his business decisions, traveled with him to his photography locations, and contributed ideas to help his business.  Maryse was what he had always wanted; something could never go wrong.

* * * * *

            Across the state of Arizona lived Nora Wansa.  Nora was a quiet girl who lived alone in a small house.  She kept to herself, neighbors never saw people come over.  Nora worked at a library, making just enough money to pay the bills and the rent on her small, very clean cottage.  People always wondered about Nora, what she did, who she talked to, but never thought she would be the type of girl to do something crazy.  But these neighbors knew little about her past and what she did to her younger neighbor that placed her on medication.  Inside her small home she had pictures taped to the wall in her dark, gloomy basement only lit with a few small candles.  The pictures contained images that most would find creepy and shocking, such as jogging, leaving the grocery store, getting the mail, normal things a person does in their everyday life.  This was a person that Nora had never made contact with but watched him smile from behind bushes, from across the streets, and from inside his bedroom window.  He never knew that she was quietly lurking around the corner taking dozens of pictures that she could later stare at for hours.

* * * * *

            About a week later, Baron was on a new site taking engagement pictures for a young, happy couple.  As he heard them laugh with each other and watched them kiss for the camera, he realized that what he had with Maryse was nothing like this.  The more Baron watched, the more Maryse annoyed him and all the things that she did for him.  He felt as if she tried to baby him and act like his mother more than his girlfriend.  As Baron snapped picture after picture he became even more enraged.  He was tired of seeing this mushy crap and threw his camera on the ground screaming and cursing Maryse’s name.  The couple was shocked, stepping back in fear and confusion not knowing what triggered his sudden anger and then worrying they would not have a good picture.  “What’s wrong?” asked the man, worried about Baron.  Baron replied, “I hate my girlfriend!  I want her out of my life.  I’m tired of being treated like a child.  I can run my own company!”  Normally, Baron would be more professional but lately he had been skipping his medication.  Baron thought the pills made him tired and gave him headaches but he needed them to remain sane.   The couple thought he was ridiculous and demanded for their money back, knowing that they would not get any good portraits.  Baron suddenly became enraged as the couple asked for their money back, hating Maryse even more for ruining this engagement session and taking a lot of money that would help cover his traveling expenses. 

* * * * *

            Nora continued her daily stalking of Mark.  Mark lived down the street from her as a widower with his four children, three boys and a girl.  Nora had noticed Mark a few months ago when she read his wife’s obituary in the local paper.  She had never spoken more than five words to him and that was only ever the occasional hello when she passed him on the street the few times she went outside.  When Nora found out that Mark’s wife had passed away she did the neighborly thing and took him and his children food for dinner.  The moment he opened the door, Nora noticed the smile wrinkles around his mouth, his dark wavy hair with the occasional gray growing, and the stubbles of hair that covered his cheeks from the lack of effort he put into his appearance as the days passed.  When Mark greeted her, Nora felt chills go up her spine, thinking he had the softest kindest voice she had ever heard.  Nora never had this sudden feeling for any man in her life.  In the ninth grade she dated Bobby Jones but that lasted for no more than five months due to how quiet and socially awkward Nora was.  Since the ninth grade, Nora never felt the way Mark had made her feel until that very moment.  Mark thanked Nora for bringing the chili over and invited her to step inside for a moment.  As Nora stepped in, she noticed the pictures hung on the wall and how at one time, they all looked so happy.  The children were in the backyard with their grandparents, giving Mark some time to himself.  “Thank you so much for the food, my children and I appreciate it.” Nora smiled, not saying much more than a quiet you’re welcome.  “I better go.”  Nora stated after a moment of silence.  Mark thanked her one more time and waved goodbye as she walked down the street.  As Nora stepped inside the door of her cottage, she thought how perfect Mark was and how she had to know that handsome person.  She looked at the clock and realized it was time for her to take her medication but she did not want to, she was on cloud nine.

* * * * *

            As Baron sulked the whole way home, he thought about how he had to get rid of Maryse.  He knew she wouldn’t get it right away and would try to get him to change his mind.  He thought how he probably would change his mind because part of him knew that she was not that bad of a person.  As Baron got closer to his studio he realized that Maryse would be there waiting to help him put his stuff away.  He wanted to avoid her for now so instead of stopping, he took his equipment home and left it in his car.  A few hours later, Maryse came home confused as to why she had not seen Baron earlier in the day.  “Hi honey!  I missed you earlier.  How was your engagement shoot?”  Baron rolled his eyes wondering if she could baby him anymore.  “Oh you know how it went, same as all the others.”  “Everything alright?  Where’s your equipment?”  Baron thought how nosey could this woman be.  “I just decided to come home, thought I could edit my photos on the laptop.”  Maryse thought about his answer and decided just to let the topic go.  “What do you want for dinner, dear?  I’ll make your favorite fish tacos if you’d like,” she said smiling hoping she could get more enthusiasm out of him.  Baron shrugged his shoulders, “I’m not that hungry, make what you want.”  “What’s wrong, Baron?  You’re acting weird.  Normally you would jump at the chance to have fish tacos.”  Baron became enraged and hit Maryse across the face.  She was shocked; she just stood there staring at him trying to figure out what had happened and why he snapped.  “I can’t be in this relationship any longer!  You drive me crazy and treat my like a child.  I want out!”  Puzzled Maryse replied, “I only do things to show you that I love you.  I don’t try to drive you crazy, I just want you to be happy…” Baron rolled his eyes, stomping towards her, fist raised.  “I told you I am done!”  With that he hit her again and again until she no longer was screaming and crying.  After realizing he killed her, he didn’t know what to do and suddenly wished he had fish tacos.  Baron realized that he loved what he just did, that he never felt happier.  Not knowing what to do with the body he thought that all there was left to do was eat Maryse.  Baron never knew something could be so thrilling but decided it was smart to never let something like that happen again.

* * * * *

            Months went by and Nora continued her stalking of Mark, noticing that he had started going on dates.  Nora became infuriated, wanting to be the only one for him even though she had no courage to talk to him.  A couple nights later, Nora noticed that Mark had taken his kids to their grandparents for the night.  He returned home with no children, got dressed up, and left his house.  Nora knew he was going on a date and couldn’t take it any longer.  Right after he left, she hurried over to his house and waited outside for him to return.  Four hours went by and Mark finally returned home.  As he pulled his car into the garage, she walked in after him, hiding until he put the door down.  “Nora?  What are you doing here? I didn’t even see you walk in.”  “You’ve been out way too late, what will your children think of this?”  Mark stared at her surprised, “How do you know how late I’ve been out?”  “I’ve been watching you for months and can’t stand the thought of you dating.”  Mark started to worry; she was starting to act crazy.  “Nora I never knew that you felt this way, we’ve never talked before.  I don’t even know you.”  Nora grew with rage, grabbed a tire iron and hit Mark over the head.  He fell to the ground, a blood pool forming on the floor.  Nora was in shock and didn’t know what to do.  She saw the blood on the floor and could not stand the mess it was making so she began to drink it, trying to clean up all she could; she did not want a mess for his family to see.

* * * * *

            A week after Baron murdered Maryse, people in town started to worry that they had not seen her at his studio.  The police were called and Baron was questioned.  Right away, he was the first and only suspect in the case and the police searched his studio and his home.  There was blood found under the rug and he was arrested right away.  Later, they found his stash of pills he had stopped taking and they knew that he had lost it.  Baron told the truth about everything and was checked into a psychiatric institution with a murder charge.

* * * * *

            It took Nora several weeks to be caught by the police.  No one suspected the quiet neighbor that they never had a conversation with.  She got caught because of a neighbor had noticed she was not taking pictures outside and they then realized what she was taking pictures of.  The police raided her home and found dozens of pictures taped to her wall.  No one understood what went through her head like how could she do that to those children, what made her target him, and they all wondered if she had pictures of other neighbors?  The neighborhood no longer felt safe and started to not trust each other.  Nora was taken to the psychiatric institution, the same as Baron, with the same charge as him. 

            The day Nora was committed, her and Baron started their internet courtship, talking about what they wanted to do when they got out and how many kids they wanted to have.  They would never get out, but they had fun dreaming.   

March 21

Write the first page of a short story which centers on a conflict between two romantic partners

            The relationship is perfect.  We are perfect together.  There is just one thing that is ruining the perfection…his ex-girlfriend.  We never had a fight until she started contacting him.  First it was just a drunk dial.  But of course that one call that meant nothing bothered me.  It started to escalade into random texts throughout the week.  My boyfriend didn’t know what to do; he didn’t want me to be mad and to fight with me but he didn’t know how to stop it.  We eventually got her number blocked and we went back to our perfect little relationship.  After a month, my boyfriend started getting calls from random numbers.  No one would be on the other line because they hung up after one of us answered.  We knew exactly who it was and started arguing about my boyfriend’s new stalker.  After a couple weeks of the random calls we started noticing weird prints on our windows.  I became scared wondering who was spying on us.  We went away for a long weekend and we came home and realized someone had broken in.  Our pictures were ripped into pieces but nothing was stolen.  We called the police and told them we knew who did it.  There was nothing they could do because they had no solid evidence that it was her, this psycho woman that was out to destroy us.  While we were sleeping later that night, I woke up to glass shattering.  Our dog started going crazy and we were scared for our lives.  The police were called but no one was downstairs.  The next couple of nights were long and we knew this was only the beginning of what was to come.

3/9/12

10 character names


1. Veronica Phalange
2. Toee Polische
3. Jessica Jester
4. Duncan Glazed
5. Rita Icie
6. Kitty Kat
7. Zag Zig
8. Mar Iaa
9. Charlie Horse
10. Richard Ween

3/7/12

10 Great First Lines


1.  I'm always happy until I randomly start crying.
2.  Mom hates drinking, but I drink to drown out her lectures.
3.  Do what you want but run it by me first.
4.  My dog loves to play fetch but I can't throw.
5.  I walked through a cobweb and then turned into a karate master
6.  I really wanted to get to know him until he opened his mouth and started talking.
7.  A broken heart only hurts if you actually loved the person.
8.  I thought you were the one until you kissed my best friend.
9.  I wonder what it's like to swim from a shark?
10. I love buying candles but I hate lighting them.

2/27/12- Exercise 3.9

Voluminous Hair


Blonde, curly, frizzy.
Yes I am talking about my hair.
Please stop saying I'm lucky.
How you wish you had this bush on your head.
Do you have any idea how hard it is to tame this bush
in the morning?
I just want to roll out of bed
and be able to brush the knots out.
But if I brush this thing,
well then out comes the fro.
The longer it grows,
the curlier it gets.
How will I cut it when I am old?
It can't be short!

2/24/12- Exercise 3.10

Modest Proposal

Dear All Colleges,
I have a proposal that's going to help all of us poor kids save a ton of money. Don't go to college. Your prices are absolutely ridiculous and it's not like we're going to get hired anyway due to the shitty job market now a days. So in the future I wouldn't be expecting too many applications from high school seniors because I'm sure they're all going to realize that tuition is just too rich for their blood. You could prevent this and lower the price by a couple thousand dollars or just say bye bye to any money that you were expecting in the near future.

Sincerely,
A poor kid

2/22/12- Prose Poems

Prose Poem 1


Valley Gurl


Like OMG I totally ruined Dante forever.  He like thought I loved him only and I'm all like "Muffin, I do love you but I totally love Britney too." And he's all "Wait, you like girls?" and I'm all "Well girls and you, silly."  And then Dante like started to cry and like I didn't know what to do so like I said "Hey Dante, Muffin, wanna make out?"

Prose Poem 2


Do you think that the stars are really loved ones looking down on us? I'd like to agree with Mufasa. I'd like to think that they brighten the night so the small children won't be afraid of the dark, so that we can make it home safely from late night drives. Do you think your animals are there as well? They were once considered a loved one. Maybe they look down on you when you have a new pet, happy that they once were able to be with you.

2/20/12- Prose Poem

Difference between men and women


Men are strong, pigheaded, loud, dominating, and controlling.
Women are strong, impatient, pushovers, crazy, and unsuccessful.
Men can do whatever and whoever whenever.
Women care what others think so they ask permission first.
Men are two-faced. Saying "I Love You" but telling his "bros" she's just a lay.
Women love hard. And fall in love even harder.
Men don't care.
Women care too much.

2/17/12- Write a letter that would never get published

Dear Maxim Magazine,

Your sex and relationships section is sometimes interesting... until I read Forbidden Sex Equals Super Hot Sex. Seriously, who does some of those things? Some of that is really messed up and I can't even imagine someone stooping that low. Why would you publish something like that? You shouldn't help those people take pride in the things they did. I'm sure no one would go as low to sleep with their girlfriend's sister but hey there are a lot of pigs in this world. So how about next time you make an unforbidden sex section? Instead of a section that gives other pigs out there even more ideas. 

Sincerely,

Someone who hates pigs

2/10/12- Prose Exercise

Paradise


McHotel has the biggest pool with an even bigger slide.
McHotel brings you room service at all times.
McHotel gives complimentary meals throughout the day.
McHotel makes a person never want to leave. Ever.
McHotel gives the softest bed and pillows.
McHotel makes people so content.
McHotel makes people book a room right away for next year.

Write a poem about things people collect- 2/8/12

Always on my Mind

Memories are always collected 

and remain on a person's mind.

From that first kiss to first relationship

to broken heart.

Pictures capture all these moments.

Capturing the smiles and tears, 

frowns and laughter.

Pictures set out, helping to reminisce

of the special moments that may be hard to remember.

Showing the happiness of a person that may no longer be around.

Pictures are collected and never let the memories fade.

2/6/12- Exercise 10.17

Outrageous General Pronouncement 

Don't you wish boyfriends never had exes?

You have to agree that all those girls are crazy.

Literally stalking him to see how much he really loves you.

Seeing if he's happier with that someone new.

Obviously you broke up for a reason.

That old girl needs to back off,

this is his new beginning.

Those drunk calls and texts she sends,

trying so hard to make amends.

Of course she still talks to his friends,

trying to get every detail out of them

but they never give in because they don't want her to win.

They always hated her, wanted that relationship to end.

She makes up all these stories

trying to make him seem so awful.

But honey, it's your fault he ran. 

Honestly you're just crazy.

End of story.

2/3/12- Exercise 10.16

Oh, you think you're better?

You flaunt your big house
and your bigger diamond rings.
Never keeping quiet like a mouse,
never realizing there's more important things.

I'm more down to earth
knowing the value of things isn't much worth.
I only say what I feel,
the attention doesn't feel real.

You always have a new guy
always going and telling him so many lies.
Thinking it's so cool that you cheat
in your fancy car, the back seat.

I prefer to be monogamous.
One guy for me is just fine.
I never will be labeled a whore,
compared to you I'll always be considered worth more.

I take pride in being down to earth.
Being outside accepting the world for all it's worth.

2/1/12- Poetry Prompt- What good is a day...?

What good is a day…

Without finding a direction.

You’ll be lost in space, but just a section.

Once you’re lost, everything can turn around.

You’ll begin an adventure trying to be found.

Your problem just became a solution,

So follow your instincts and find this institution.

It lies up above the stars, waiting for the days to pass you by,

Until you reached the end of your adventure,

And you meet the famous guy.

1/30/12- Replacement Poem, 10.10

from The Darker Sooner (The Best American Poetry pg. 157) 

Then came the lighter later,

came the earlier higher.

We will always be a bitter-there

angry-never-before. We were before never.

We were closer and closer.

Less was the remark we used for softer.

Found was our normal-carrier.

Our demons were lifted slower,

and lifted smaller.

The night was brighter, brighter

was triumph. Our exoneration was certain.

Instead of follower we had quieter,

instead of fighter, always. And under this bridge

built the summer's yellow climate. 

Journal 3- Exercise 10.13- 1/27/12

Sex First, Relationship Next

Meaningless nights.
Too many fights.
Loveless fun.
The pressure has begun.

She wants more than this,
A passionate kiss.
He wants other ladies,
Thinks she starting to act crazy.

She walks away,
Tries to forget those days.
He reminisces,
Making some wishes.

Eventually giving in,
Realizing he just got a win.
She's like no other,
Never want to leave one another.

Journal 2- 1/26/12

Poem 1- Poem With Seasonal Theme

Frosty Air 
Frozen Hair
Numb Hands
Wishing I was in the sand

Hot Coco

Jump on the sled and go

Rinding down the hills 

Gives you chills

Poem 2- Write a Poem Using Sparrows

Can you hear the Sparrows?

Can you hear them screech? 

Look up in the sky,

They are just out of reach.

If only for just one day,

I could fly up there and play.

Back and forth they go,

Like the birds we all love and know.

Journal Entry 1- 1/24/12

scwaken: when you wake up scared because of a nightmare you had

stuflot: that feeling after you eat too much and can't move

jealook: that thought after you read a book and become jealous of the character's lives

germew: the thoughts a germ-a-phoebe has after touching something they didn't want to be around

travore: a person who travels a lot