Fail to Succeed

Imagine yourself as a star, a person that everyone looks up to. Imagine yourself being paid millions to do something you want to do. Imagine yourself being one of the most important people in the world. That's how the minority like Michael Jordan, Bill Gates, Albert Einstein, Thomas Edison, and many more felt when they were on their rise to the top. Many people don't know that these great people all share one thing in common. They all failed. Every single one of them in their early ages were denied by their friends, teachers, coaches, etc. Through the toughness of having failure on their minds, it is exactly what got them where they are now.

Michael Jordan. What do you think when you hear that name? Do you think of a  basketball superstar? Do you think about the big celebrity he is? Well those are all true but it wasn't close to being that in high school. In high school he was a scrub, a person who wasn't good enough to make the high school team. He thought he was that good but turns out the coaches didn't see it in him that he was only an ordinary high school-er. After realizing that he hadn't made the team he got very upset, to the point where he cried in his room for days. Later he found out that being upset about it wouldn't help. That he'd have to work hard to get where he wanted to. So he worked and worked and the next season made the team. I learned a valuable lesson from his story. That you should never give up n your dreams, to push through the tough times, and work hard to achieve your goals.

Another very famous and possibly smartest ever, also failed. His name is Albert Einstein. Known as the smartest person that figured out that light travels faster than sound and that E=MC squared he wasn't always that smart. In grade school he has the worst grades in the class, he was thought to have mental problems, and everyone thought that he would never make it through the real world. But after dropping out at the age of 15 he had already started his work on theories and seemingly impossible math problems. What I learned from Albert's story is that people can doubt you and put you down but no matter what, you decide what you do with your life. You can decide to give up and accept failure. He took failure very well, worked hard and now is the smartest person known to man.

After learning about these amazing peoples stories it gets me to one question and one in particular. Do I have to fail to be successful? Many if not all of the greatest people in mankind failed to be the best in the beginning. I live to want to be the best, to be payed good money for something I want to do, and want to be looked up to by millions or even billions. There were many lessons to learn from the stories of failure and me knowing that could help me become more successful in school, sports, and the world.



Stories Found from-
http://avinashgamerboy.artician.com/blog/2009/09/famous-people-who-failed-but-succeeded

Works Cited

"Famous People Who Failed but Succeeded | Avinash_gamerboy's Blog on Artician." Famous People Who Failed but Succeeded | Avinash_gamerboy's Blog on Artician. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 June 2013. 

Risk it All

Many, if not every person in the world wants to take the easy road down life lane, but most of them want to be successful. Why aren't they getting to that point? It is most likely because they don't want to take risks. Risks are taken every day and they could affect your life significantly or very little and that can lead to something big. They will make you or break you. Here's the question. What are the rewards and consequences of taking the risk?

One of the risks adults take is going for the lottery. You have to pay for a ticket and choose numbers you want to win. The problem is that only 1 in 175,223,510 people actually win the mega millions jackpot. The risk is that you could (and probably will) lose money buying the ticket by not winning the jackpot. On the other hand the reward is huge and you could get millions and millions of dollars. Again this is one of those everyday risks that many people are willing to take to achieve wealth.

Another everyday risk is playing sports. There are many rewards to playing sports and there are some consequences that come with it like all risks. When you're playing a sport you love, you dream of becoming the top player in the world, the best of the best. Sadly becoming a professional player is hard enough because only 0.03% of people will make it to the big stage. That means there is a way less percentage of you being the most dominant player of the league. This one is only a small example of risk because if you make it you will be part of that small percentage so you should be proud of yourself. On the other hand it would crush you to hear that you weren't good enough to play at that level. It is more of a mental risk than anything.

Finally the last big risk is working towards one thing and one thing only. Yes, you will probably be better than it than most people because you've worked towards this most of your life, but what if someone they think better comes and takes your spot? Where will you look then? You haven't trained for any other job but this one. This is a huge risk because it is either you are the best and will most likely get paid a good amount of money or you could sadly be overtaken by someone else and have no other jobs to look at.

Risks are one of the things that will make or break your life. They will go one way for one person and the other for another person. Risk is what builds you, risk is what breaks you, risk is what scares you, risk is what decides how you live your life.

Not As I Expected

Authors Note: I created this piece to compare the story A Clean, "Well-Lighted Place" and the screening of the story.

Whenever I see a movie and read the book they are really different. I picture scenes being a lot different from what they are in the videos. This is exactly what happened to me after I read and saw "A Clean, Well-Lighted Place". From the major parts of the scene, to the smallest details the video was very different from the book.

When the video started I instantly saw something that seemed very wrong. The old man. In the book it says that he is sitting in the shadows of leaves, alone in the dark. When I hear this I assume that he is outside and under a tree. In the video he is sitting inside of a cafe in plain light. No shadows anywhere. This bothered me because in the book this scene set a very dark tone. Watching it made it seem like any other scene in a movie.

Another major thing I pictured differently was the whole cafe. The one in the video looks very modern with tv's and technology that could not have come from the 1930s-1940s. I was picturing an old, shabbier looking building with a courtyard where the old man would've sat. What I pictured was a lot more 1930s-1940s than what the video used.

The last thing that was bothersome to me was that the two waiters were just sitting there watching the old man. The waiters weren't doing anything except watching the man eat and talking about how he was depressed and  tried hanging himself. What type of waiters just sit around and do nothing? This part of the movie just really bothered me.

The book and the movie are way different. Not to many things are like what I thought they were going to be. From the whole set to just one person those details changed how the whole story looked from my mind. I learned a lesson from this particular book to movie adaptation. Never trust that the movie will be what you expect it to be.

A Clean Well Lighted Place Response

4. How does Hemingway use light and dark as symbols? How do the shadows fit in?

He uses the symbols to set the tone of the story. Many times he will use dark symbols like "the tables were all empty except for where the old man sat in the shadow of the leaves," To me this creates a very dark and bad tone because it uses the word shadow which I think of darkness. Also he is alone so to me this means the man is alone in the darkness which doesn't sound happy at all. There is some light toned parts too. For example "With all those who do not want to go to bed.
 With all those who need a light for the night." The big word in this sentence is light. The way Hemingway uses the word it means like a retreat to me. To escape the dark energy around them that follows people. The light would ward off the darkness where people like the old man can finally rest and relax.

Foreshadowing Analysis

Everything that happens is dark and evil. No one wants to think. The people are oblivious that they are living in a dystopia What could I possibly be referring to? The book Fahrenheit 451. Many times in this book you get the impression that maybe something bad is going to happen or the turning point is arriving. It draws you in, wanting you to find out what happens next. Through foreshadowing Ray Bradbury has many on the edges of their seats thinking what will happen.

 Foreshadowing was a big part of this book when it came to the suspense. Towards the beginning of the book, Ray Bradbury  set the book up around a particular scene: "He stood looking up at the ventilator grille in the hall and suddenly remembered that something lay behind the grille, something that peered down at him now. He moved his eyes quickly away" (10). Knowing that this book was about burning books, I instantly started thinking, does the fireman really have books? When it says he quickly looks away, that indicates that he was probably hiding something bad or unknown. With all of these thoughts in my head I knew it would play a big role in the book.

There was another example of foreshadowing but this one really means something big. On page 110 Guy says, "Why we've stopped in front of my house." This is probably the biggest line of the book. In this scene the firemen were called to  burn books and they stopped in front of Guy's house. Now they have to burn his house and arrest him for keeping books. The consequences alone make me think that this has to be the big turning point, where all of the action will start.Guy now has to make the choice of run or spend his days in jail.

The final form of foreshadowing is very subtle but it makes a huge impact on what happens at the end. After Montag had his little "incident" at his house he is forced to get out of the city or he gets killed by the infamous Mechanical Hound. He successfully makes it out but now he needs to find the group that lives on the train tracks in order to survive the wilderness. After Montag had been floating in a river forever, he finally finds what he needs on page 145 "The railroad tracks" Those three words alone mean that he is free, free from the dystopian world he lived in, free from the clueless lives of others, and best of all free to express and let out his emotions and thoughts that he had to keep in due to the city and its people.

The book Fahrenheit 451 always had you thinking about what will happen next.  Foreshadowing was what had you hooked, what had you want to keep reading to find out what happened. Ray Bradbury mixed the foreshadowing in with the most suspenseful parts which got me thinking about what would happen, what would go wrong, and what would go right. That's why this was such a surprising and great book.

Quote Analysis

Important Meanings

"Outside the front door, in the rain, a faint scratching."

"Under the door sill a slow, probing sniff, an exhalation of electric steam"

These two lines I think will play a pretty big role in the book. When it talks about the scratching, sniffing, and the steam coming through the bottom of the door this makes me think about the robot dog. It does because the dog has been eyeing Guy for a while now and I think the department let it out to search for books. Since Guy has some books I think it has been attracted to the house and might alert the firemen. If the dog is actually hunting Guy down, he might get killed by it. 

Word Choice/Context Analysis

Fahrenheit 451 Analysis

Authors Note: I created this essay to analyze figurative language quotes from the book Fahrenheit 451 to show my understanding of Word Choice/Context Analysis

Figurative language, figurative language, figurative language. This is what describes things so you can imagine it. This is what you use to get better grades on word choice. This is what makes your writing pieces better. From similes, to metaphors to, to onomatopoeia, figurative language is what helped the book, Fahrenheit 451, be a very interesting and attention grabbing book.

 On page 3 there is an example of a metaphor. The quote is "With the brass nozzle in his fists, with this great python spitting its venomous kerosene upon the world....." Right here the author is describing the firemen burning books. When it says "great python spitting its venomous kerosene" I think of the firemen using a hose  that shoots out oil. The "venomous kerosene" part I think describes the fact that this is being used to spread the fire fast because venom spreads through victims very quick.

Another example of figurative language is a simile. The author used this on page 10. The quote says "She had a very thin face like the dial of a small clock..." To me this means that Guy thought the girl had an unnaturally thin face. The comparison to a dial of a small clock makes me think that she could be in the Guinness World Records for thinnest face ever.

Another quote from page 3 is an example of personification. The author is explaining the blazing fires. "It was a special pleasure to see things eaten." When it says the things were being eaten it paints a clear picture in my head. To me this means that the fire is overtaking whatever it is burning it inch by inch as it is slowly consumed and turned to ashes like leftovers on a plate.

Ray Bradbury used figurative language at the right times so it made sense but it added different effects to the reader. I have to say his figurative language was used almost without any flaws at all. This book could be boring but instead Ray used figurative language to his advantage and made the book one of the most interesting and addicting books I have read.

The old Mansion

There it was, rising in the distance. Unsafe, untouched, and worst of all unexplored, the ancient mansion was the oddest house in the whole city. It just really stood out with its broken windows, the slashed shingles, and the overgrown landscaping in the front yard. This is exactly what a horror movie haunted house would look like. But this was not even close to the worst part of the house. What was inside was even more creepy than anything imaginable.

When you walk inside you will know this house isn't normal. The entry way is covered in cobwebs the size of two big dressers. A chandelier hangs by one chain as the other sides have broken and caused it to have a spine tingling lean. Those two details were nothing compared to what I saw in the middle of the room. Randomly placed, a desk was sitting there just waiting for someone to step by it. This was also covered from head to toe in cobwebs. On the desk was a very disturbing photo. It pictured a burning building and running out of it were burning bodies, suffering as they probably slowly burned to death. Written on the picture were the words "HELP ME" spelled in blood. Think this is scary enough? Now take a look upstairs

As you walk up the stairs creek under your weight. Waiting for the next person to step on them, they hold up, barely. When you reach the top there is only a bedroom. Inside is a bed, another desk, a window, and a broken lantern. These aren't just any items. They are haunted by a victim of the fire. Many strange things appear when you enter the room. Sometimes thick blood shows up on the bed and others a skeleton in old clothes will appear. At the window random words like HELP and DEATH will be etched into the glass. The ghost refuses to accept your are already scared out of your mind and hits you with more and more. Even though the lantern is shattered it will flicker to life and illuminate the room with an odd orange light. Lastly the desk. It is the creepiest of all of them. Wait wasn't this downstairs? Yes of course a magical, teleporting desk that follows you around the house. Same details every time. The same picture, the same cobwebs, everything.

Nothing is normal about this house. The supernatural events will tear your mind to shreds and cause terrible nightmares. To those who think this is a joke, it isn't. This is a warning. Do not go near that house or else it will consume you with fear, it will consume you with nightmares, and it will consume any peace of mind you contain.

Creative Piece

The Shot

A Fictional story about a shot that saved Cleveland

The game seemed over and the crowd stared in disbelief. Hearts of the loyal fans sank, reacting to what the situation was. No choices, no ideas, no momentum, and worst of all no hope. In a NBA finals game, especially game 7 this is not a situation that a home team wants. They want the crowd upbeat and cheering for them. Now the crowd is silent and lowering their heads into their hands. The score is 107-105 with Oklahoma City winning after a clutch 3 by Kevin Durant with only 1.5 seconds left. Young and inexperienced, the Cavaliers have two options to give the ball to. Kyrie Irving and Dion Waiters.

 As the timeout ends the 10 players walk out onto the court. With no specific play set, Tristan Thompson of the Cavs takes the ball out on the sideline. Adrenaline rushed through all of the players. Every single one of them nervous because this was it. This was going to be the last play of the season. The ref intimidates the players with the flick of his hand, counting the time to inbound the ball. At the fourth flick Thompson throws the ball in the air towards Kyrie. Catching near half court he takes two quick dribbles towards the basket and pulls up from 28 feet out. Time seemed to slow down as everyone watched the shot. Flowing off his fingers it looked like the perfect shot. The high arch to the ball  held the slow motion effect for longer than a dramatic racing finish replay. Finally the shot starts to drop towards the 18 inch rim. Money. The ball went straight through its target and with a smooth sound of the swish.

Yells and cheers erupted from the stands when the ball went through the hoop. Confetti rained from the ceiling as the Cavaliers ran around the court chasing Kyrie trying to congratulate him. He had just saved Cleveland from another heart breaking loss, he had just won the game, and best of all he had just revived Cleveland spirits.

Point of View

I See Things Differently

Book: First To Kill

Nathan McBride- From Nathan's point of view Ernie is a no good man that gets in trouble with the law almost all the time. This effects the story because when Ernie bombed the FBI office he thought it was just to blow something up. When this happened Nathan grew an unimaginable hatred towards him because of what he thought was a bombing for just the enjoyment. This made Nathan want to kill Ernie even more.

 (Support for troubles)"Ernie was just a no good man that gets in trouble for the fun of it,"  

(Support for Bombing thought)"Only the sick mind of Ernie Bridgestone would do this. He probably laughed and enjoyed seeing the burning building."

Ernie Bridgstone- From Ernie's point of view he is a misunderstood man that gets in trouble for stuff he didn't do. This effects the story because he wouldn't be doing all of this if the FBI never blamed him for many things. His anger is now all focused on the people that ruined his life. The bombing at the FBI field office was caused by his thirst for revenge. The reason he tortured and/or killed so many people was because of his thirst for revenge. His whole mind was set on thinking about revenge

(Support for troubles)"The lady I ran into was drunk. She walked into the street behind the cover of 2 cars. I didn't see her!!! She was the drunk one!!! I wasn't the one out of control!!!"

(Support for Bombings)"Payback suckers. Now you can eat my semtex dust."

Creative piece

The Rays of Grand Central Station

It was just another day for the citizens of New York. Nothing seemed different, nothing exciting to be witnessed. But for those arriving and leaving the city from one of the most glorious train stations in the world, there was absolute beauty.

The  mostly clear and sunny day had sparked a light show inside of the train station. Peeking through the windows, rays of lights could be identified flowing onto the floor and almost seemingly through the floor. As people started to walk in they let out long, astonished gasps at gods light. The usual bustling and noisy Grand Central Station was now quiet, its occupants marveling at the sight. Just like Christmas not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse. Absolute silence.

As the day moves on, clouds pass over the sun, casting shadows that seem to play with the people. Soon enough kids started chasing them around in almost a dance. It seemed as if they were able to communicate movements with the clouds because of the patterns they were moving in. 

When day went to dusk and dusk went to night, many people wanting the trains out  of  New York decided to stay. They were too distracted as the lights went on all day until the sun decided to rest itself. That night news spread like a wild fire, all over the city at the marvelous thing that happened at Grand Central Station. So many different stories from so many different people.

Passing over time,  the years go on and the story begins to thin out. From the thousands and thousands of people it was whisked away, going along with those who were dying with the story. Just when there was only a handful of people and all was almost lost, a picture appeared. It was a picture from that long lost day. It was all people needed to feel what the people there felt. You could see it. You could almost feel the things there. You could almost smell the smells there. You could almost hear the sounds there. You could have almost been in that picture.

Compare Contrast

Two different places,

Two similar people

Compare/Contrast

Otto-

1. Uses gadgets("Now its time to get used to the grappling gun...",

2. trained by villains(HIVE explains itself in its name),

3. helped by normal people("The guards and teachers were at least human"),

4. Used to live in orphanage(Otto seemed to have did his own thing in the orphanage..." ,

5. Parents aborted him(There was a knock at the door and laying there was a baby.."

Both-

1. Protective of friends(He would never let anything happen to his friends.."/"He had to save them from the plant.."),

2. Brave("Risked his life..."/"Saved us all at the cost of hurting himself"),

3. On quest to save people(He had to find Ra or else..."/"Raven was his only chance out. He had no choice but to go find her..",

4. Both lose family members"His dad was encased in his final coffin..."/"He never actually had a family anyways...",

5. Have special guardians"So I guess you're the special guardian he talked about?"/"Raven, watch Malpense carefully and keep him unharmed.."

Carter-

1. Uses special powers"With astonishment Zia looked as Carter summoned a god avatar",

2. trained by heroes"He had been trained by many of the gods that opposed chaos...",

3. helped by gods"Bast was summoned to protect and guide the Cane's...",

4. Used to live with dad (went all around world)"After Carter's mom died, Sadie lived with her grandparents and Carter went with his dad everywhere on his adventures. Julius was the only family Carter had now..",

5. Parents died."His mom blown up opening the portal and now his dad buried alive by Set"