The Stage

It's the place that
I fear the most yet
where I yearn to succeed
where I feel comfortable
yet subjected to the
comment and opinion
of others

It enables me to express myself
and portray the part of
someone else
at the same time

It is the place
where magic happens
tears are shed
laughs and smiles occur
tempers are let loose
pressure and nerves abound
stress is present in every form

It's an empty canvas
awaiting the painter
a pile of wood ready to
be made into a house
a doll wanting to
play with a child
a new guitar
waiting for someone to tune it
a teacher on their first day
awaiting students
a chalkboard without
its white powdry letters
an empty book
its pages waiting to be filled

This is the place to be
the place to be
who you are
or someone else

Puck, Juliet, Maria
from Shaekespeare
the large nosed Cyrano
a seemingly innocent old lady
who poisons old men
Jane, Emma, or Lizzy
from Jane Austen
even Earnest
from Oscar Wilde

As the curtain goes up
and the lights come on
and your makeup freezes your face
and your costume is a bit too small
you realize
THIS IS ACTING!

That's Pretty Underground

Isn't this so hardcore ? :-)

Promzilla

Look out for Promzilla.

She's as pretty as chanel's latest
or as ugly as gossip at its worst

Does she know literature?
You can guarantee that
she can recite
from cover to cover
any magazine's prom issue

Look out for Promzilla

She's going on a shopping spree
Dolce and Gabbana
Fendi and Luella
Dropping the lettuce
is no problem for her
she'll need to
if she wants to go to prom
in style

Look out for Promzilla

The big night comes
she has a new face
it's been made up by a salon
her hair has been freezed
with some product

Look out for Promzilla

Her dress is of the finest silk
handspun in Italy
her shoes are made by none other than the great
Jimmy Choo
her bag is emblazoned with the interlocking C's
only chanel dahling

Look out for Promzilla

The doorbell rings
her mother sings
"The car's here dear,
don't be late"
The limo is huge
it's longer than the biggest sub
you've ever eaten

Look out for Promzilla

When the car arrives at
the ballroom,
she steps out to a rage of photographers
and people whispering
"Look out for Promzilla."

The Great Debate: School Uniforms

I believe that uniforms stifle and trample upon one's individuality. I speak from personal experience, attending a school with a dress code. Yes, it does take away a form of peer pressure. But really, what more can a school administration take away from us? Already, we cannot wear the clothes we want to wear, but stripping away our freedom in selection of shoes, socks, accessories, even nail color? I believe that these things would not be a distraction for students, but a device that would help them. Students would not be so uptight and stressed in starched and ironed clothes, but comfortable in their own skin, in clothes they've chosen. It would also take a load off of the administration. Without uniforms, school administrators would not have to stress about rebellious students getting out of line with the dress code. Teenagers are at a critical time in their lives. We are just trying to find ourselves. Uniforms put a stopper on our quest to find individuality. Fashion is one of the essential ways human beings express themselves. I understand that uniforms stop (or attempt to) peer pressure and immodest dress, but those things occur even with uniforms. Some of it is inescapable. Peer pressure can and will occur anywhere, at any time, with anything. Uniforms may have their "blessings", however, I fail to see them.


What do you think? Are you pro-uniform?

Best Invention Ever!

It has been called the defining invention of the twenty first century. It enables us to take our entire music library wherever we go. Its design is impeccable, its durability and quality beyond excellence. Ladies and Gents... please welcome... THE IPOD!!!

Starbucks

The Fragrant aroma of coffee and other beverages being brewed and concocted greet me as I open the door. When that wonderful scent enters your nose, you begin to feel the energy. Maybe it is because everyone in this place is drinking caffeine, making caffeine, or desperate to get caffeine. Even so... As I bend down over a container of beans I am transported back to my house. Two, maybe three Christmases ago, my parents stayed up late to win an auction for an espresso machine on eBay. Upon its arrival at our house, my parents made latees nearly every morning with Peet's house blend. Coffee is what my family loves and one of the ways we love others. Odd how sucha musky scent is like a time machine. Every time I fill my lungs with that wonderful, that delicious fragrance of coffee, hot water, and boiling milk all on the soundtrack of a grinder, I feel comfort. It is familiar to me. This smell doesn't represent a beverage you just splurged on, quite the contrary. It represents the economy of many countries, and a way to bond with others, even if it's just in a crammedkitchen in DeLand Florida, where no illustrious coffee place will ever grace its streets.

Band Profile: The Decemberists

The Decemberists, a indie rock band from Portland, named themselves after a Russian revolutionary group. Their latest album The Crane Wife was released Fall '06, the group's first record on a major label. The lead singer, Colin Meloy, sings ballads of sailors and pistols that can last up to twelve minutes. The only other band I can compare them to is Neutral Milk Hotel. If you've never heard of The Decemberists, I suggest you check them out.

Songs You Should Download: O, Valencia!
16 Military Wives
Mariners' Revenge Song
July, July!
The Crane Wife 3