Log @ MindSay 
It's been ages since i've come back! For some weird reason i'm unable to access mindsay at home but at uni I can? Strange indeed help!
Buddy of mine got me a birthday present which was awfully nice of her, even though she didn't have to and I told her many times not to, she still did anyway! Too bad it feels like I haven't spoken to or caught up with her in ages, feels like we're kinda distancing ourselves a bit, but then again she's busy, she works and has a boyfriend so thats all completely understandble.
Considering it's October already I can't believe how fast the years gone, feels like I haven't done anything at all. Accomplished little and wasted so much time. So long weekend had just passed, took the kids at youth group to the park and did a little sports day thing and looked afer the older kids at a sleepover and man, are the kids now that dumbed down or we're generation x that oblivious to things as well?
Failed an assignment by the way. Which leads me to the thought of having to repeat the subject again next year which will hamper my initial plans of just finishing up by July 09. I just find it so frustrating that as students we're meant to learn for ourselves yet when we cannot fathom the concept we like to blame things other then themselves, which I know i'm very guilty of.
The waiting game begins yet again...
So end of year camp is coming up, which i'm so nervous about, not really ready and not much info or guidance by the others but we'll see how it all goes. Youth groups been a mixed bag of lollies lately, you seem to enjoy most of them but then some days are like the little licquorice lollies you get and despise. I dunno some days just get to me while others I don't have a care in the world.
Hope friends and family have been well!
Hello, I am new to blogging. I plan on using this site to keep a diary and upload pictures of my cross country trip from Maryland to California beginning in June. In the meantime I will make entries about my day so I can get the hang of this. I will be riding my motorcycle so i should have a great time!!! I am exicited and can't wait to start my journey. I plan on doing a lot of soul searching on this trip and will share whatever comes to me on the journey here online. I have been riding since 2002 and I feel am just a beginner. I have rode my bike from Maryland, to Atlanta, Georgia a few times to prepare myself for this trip. I drove 700 miles a day and was no worse for wear so I plan on driving about that each day. Well that's it for tonight hope all is well in your world.
LOG # 1. In today's reading, did the setting or any of the characters remind you of people or characters in your own personal life? We any of the situations or events similar to your own life? How were they alike and how were they different?
This book is nothing like my life and it isn’t really representing my life because I am not the one who is going up against the king. I am not doing anything radical. I am not doing anything so it really not affected me so I really don’t care. The characters in this book really doesn’t compare to my friends in my life. It is really different because it is that. This is more political rather than more society wise.
LOG # 2. Does this story or its characters remind you of another story you have read? Does it remind you of a movie? How are they alike? And how are they different?
No, it does not because this book is really in dept. It is really deep and it causes us to think. I really don’t read books that cause me to think nor allow it to do it. So really yeah I don’t like these books and I really don’t read them. I read books like Eragon, fantasy books. I like those books because when I read it I am sucked into another dimension.
LOG # 3. If you could change the setting in this story to another setting, what setting would you choose? Would you change just the time period? Or would you change the place, the season, the actual environment-one of poverty, riches, or middle class America? Why would you make those changes?
I would change it Australia because I like Kangaroos. I really like those hip-hoppity mammals. I chose an early time like the 20th century because I don’t like how they talk in the 19th and 18th century. I like my books characters to be in a little touch with the modern world. That’s all would like to change because I really don’t want to meddle in it more.
LOG # 4. If you could change the life or lives of a story character, to make their lives more like the lives of the characters in the book or story you are reading, whose lives would you change? How would you change their lives? Why did you pick these people or that person?
I would change the life of General Utopus because he is kind of a gay man. I really like gay men because they make me uncomfortable. So in a sense I would change him into a straight man.
LOG # 5. If you were to put this story into your own life, in the area where you live, around the people and friends that you know, how would the story have to change? How would the people change? Would the setting have to change? Why would these changes have to take place?
I would put myself in the king’s throne because im rich and I have a jack load of power. I would get rid of who opposes me and I would get rid of all the people who would say badly about me. So in a sense I am really getting rid of everyone that touches my power. I would only give my throne to my son my heir.
LOG # 6. Sometimes we are pulled toward one or two characters in the story. We identify with them or feel sympathy for them. With which characters do you identify in the book, and why do you believe you identify with them?
I feel really sorry for More because he had to go through everything in order to achieve this utopia. He had to really conquer many interests and he had to really keep everything in touch. He had to fight off the bad people like the king and he had to run away so he doesn’t get killed.
LOG # 7. Sometimes when we read, certain words or phrases or images stand out. Maybe they are words or phrases that make an impression because of their sound, or maybe the meaning or image they make strikes us? Sometimes we find words or expressions we just do not understand. Share those that you have come across and describe why you listed them.
I really like the picture of utopia because it really said a lot. It is saying that the world is not kind, but really in the end it is really going to be a helpful place and a very serene place. It is serene because it is saying that it is a very good place full of joy.
LOG # 8. Now that you are this far into the story, what do you look forward to learning next? What conflicts or problems do you think the characters will face? What qualities of your character (honest, loyal, cruel, dishonest, angry, and vengeful) will affect how the character handles the problems and conflicts he or she encounters?
I really want to see how the king deals with all this. You got to admit it is very overwhelming when a person comes up to you and challenges you and your power. He is really challenging your authority. I would be mad at More and his doing. It is like Charles V and martin Luther when he stood up against Charles.
LOG # 9. If you could ask any character a question, what would you ask? If you could ask the author a question, what might that be? Explain why you chose these questions.
If I could ask a character a question, I would ask, why were the Utopians so perfect? And Why did they do what they did, and why did they do so? I simply do not understand why someone would want to live a perfect life, and be good at everything, when obviously; you learn the most from suffering and mistakes. Utopia, ultimately, I think is flawed because it is a perfect society. They have to be perfect and they had to do everything right or they have it all wrong.
LOG # 10. As you read today, what surprised you? Explain how this will affect the story or how it changed your thinking about the story.
As I read today, what surprised me was the boringness of the Utopians. Again and again, they live a perfect life, and live in a perfect society, full of perfect people. I think that this story will never have any conflicts ever and it will be a boring book, with More just wanting to express his want to have a perfect society, eliminating all conflicts, as well as the middle class, and letting communism, and maybe even totalitarianism, in modern times, and the twentieth century, to take over life. It is really saying that they have to really take control and they have overthrown the government.
LOG # 11. When you wish to learn when you read again tomorrow; what do you hope will happen in the story or to the characters? Why do you wish for that to happen?
I want to see how this overthrowing is coming. I want to see how the people reacted and how the forming of utopia is coming along. I really want to see if the things of utopia are going about.
LOG # 12. Are you puzzled or confused about anything in the story? What is it that confuses you, and why do you find it confusing?
I am confused about everything. I think this book is very dull and into deep. It is very hard and it is for adults. I think I am a little to young to read this. It is really hard. This book however has a lot of meaning to it because it is really good.
LOG # 13. It is not unusual to wish that our lives were more like the lives of characters in stories. How would you change your own real life to be more like the world of your story?
Because they have it good I guess. I don’t know their live are hard too. It is going to be challenging and they have to be able to do things or else they have to do other things. They have to do things that are to be perfect.
LOG # 14. Why do you think the author wrote this story? Where did he or she get the idea or the characters? What message do you think that the author is trying to share?
The author wrote this story because they want us to see how to create utopia the land where everything is perfect and how to create this utopia. This utopia is going to be great.
Let me be honest to all you mindsayers..........I put a nice little smile on my face and play the oh joy, what rapture, what wonderful delight.......it's Winter Solistice, Christmas, Kwansa, Hanaka (however you spell it), the Festival of Lights........the list can go on for the various holidays.
Don't get me wrong I love to give gifts and yes get a small something from those I love. But I don't get into the season like a lot of folks do.
Unlike how a lot of Pagans and Christians get at this time of year the meaning of the holidays to me is to be with Family. To celebrate the fact that Winter is half way over with. Sorry folks in old times, that is exactly what the solistices marked........half way through the season of summer or winter.......NOT the beginning. That the Sun is starting to stay longer. The Warriors of the clan would start making preperations to leave at spring time or to start training again at spring time......if they weren't already out campaigning. The fishermen would be doing the same. Preparing to go out in the spring. So on and so forth.
Giving gifts as someone who follows a Celt Spirituality in the Modern days, many of us don't go overboard on how much we spend on someone.........it literally is more of........the thought and the meaning behind the gifts. Now that doesn't mean we don't enjoy ourselves. We all do on some level or another:D I decorate. I put a Christmas Tree up because *gasp* the trees are an orginal Pagan tradation:D Since I am not following a Norse or Tetunic path I don't do the Yule log. There is nothing wrong with it but I feel insulted for my Norse and German Pagan brothers and sisters when I see so many Wiccans and Christians and other Pagans not of their path using one of their sacred tradations and not fully understanding the meaning behind the Yule log. Those that do their research I am not to upset over because they at least take the time to find out the meaning behind it. I put a tad bit of garlen up. Hubby is in charge of lights not the tree other wise it would fall over!:D And I have a string on my kitchen railing and in my hallway. And the stockings..........I have no clue where that tradation came from........don't really care at the moment.
I also buy a new Winter Solistice Candle Every Year. It is a Festival of Fire after all:D
Anyway I am getting off track with this post:D You all be use to it anyway.:P
My mother has a hard time understanding my feelings of decorating at this holiday. Or any holiday for that matter. My whole line of thinking is the same as making my bed: Why the hell bother making the dayum thing when your just going to mess it up sleeping, having sex, or other activites you happen to do in it?
Same goes with the decorations: Why bother putting the dayum shit up when you just take it down sooner then later?
It makes no sense to me. Never really has. Sure I helped my mom put the decorations up when I was younger but yay it wasn't because I really outright liked it after a certain age when it became more of we are doing this now and you will help stage:D
So my mother, after almost 12 years out on my own, has released her youngest daughter is a semi Scrouge. It it got worse when my daughter was born a week before Winter Solsitce/Christmas. I not only have to buy a holiday presents for my kids, I have to buy birthday presents for my daughter. Then my idiot brother just had to marry a skank that has a son whos birthday is a few days before my daugther's! Can we say one expensive month?!?
I don't buy my kids a lot of things any other part of the year. Little things here or there. Sporting equipment that is just assinine to buy at holiday time when it is plainly a spring/summer gift! They get a set amount of money each year for gifts. Just like my parents did. And when money is tight, we set a limit on the money and go for nice gifts vs the amount of gifts. And we do NOT go outragouse on the money amount by anymeans. Even when we do have the money to go buck wild! *Gasp* Half of the gifts are usually much needed clothes! You know the typical middle class folks way of getting your kids those much needed clothes that they have outgrown and you couldn't get to that thrift store or have anyone to pass on clothes to you?
This year is going to be harder then normal becaues our income is so much lower and the bills are still backed up. So we went with the limit of gift amount vs money amount. And currently what is under my tree is:
4 Birthday presents for my girl from us her parents--All for a total of under $50.00--We are giving her an idog, Sorry the Board Game, and 2 sets of badly needed jam jams
1 Birthday present from her brother-under 10 dollars:D--A Kid's Jam Jock CD of Music (which can be burned for our son also:D)
2 Winter Solistice Presents--1 for each kid from us their parents--daughter an air gun and son an idog
2 Christmas Presents--for my son from my parents (they are sending my girls next week) an outfit and a walkman
I have a few stocking stuffers for under 10 dollars for each kid. That is under 10 for the both of them.
See I dont' go buck wild and I make sure that the kids get things they will actually play with and use! I will buy them two more toys and 1 set of clothes and then either each a Santa gift or the family a santa gift. Haven't decieded yet. Oh and yay Santa isn't a "Christian" thing! It is a Culture thing!:D
So as you see under our tree is both bday presents and holiday presents for two different holidays. And my siblings and I don't go wild with gift giving for our neices and nephews........we talk, deterimine a gift amount and then go from there. Our sister in law has a bit to learn......we don't give to the adults just to the kdis. Because this is a kid holiday in our eyes. And if you deciede to give to adults besides the parental units and grandparental units........do NOT expect anything in return. Because even if we have the money we decieded it is to hard to buy for adults! Kids are so much easier!
The key to successful kid buying is: ASK them what they want and go from there! Teenagers......just take them with you and have them pick and wrap the dayum things. Money is always good or gift cards to their favorite stores! Tis what my parents did to us:D We were a picky bunch! Note to new parents: NEVER EVER buy a toy, music cd, or any item for your feral two legged cub; just becuase you think it is cute or you wanted it. Ten to one tehy are going to think it is crap and it is going to collect dust in their rooms!
Here's hoping that the two legged animals and the furry four legged animals stay out from under your holiday tree this year!
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