Let's Talk.

So if you haven't heard, our school has this publication we call Prism, and we publish a book of writing and art at the end of every school year.  Now, some of you may not have realized this, but never fear.  I will, once and for all, clear up all of your confusion.  Hopefully.

We're all intelligent, creative people, and Prism is a way for us to show off more than usual.  You get the bragging rights to say that you got published.  I know most people don't care, but think about it this way... it's a competition.  You must defeat your classmates.

Don't think your writing is good enough?  Think again.  In the past, we have gotten submissions entitled "Death and My Other Favorite Things" that rhymed "pain" with "rain" and "again."  Ok, so that's an exaggeration, but you get the idea.  You can write a lot better than that.

Also, we review everything anonymously.  Well, the writing, that is.  I don't know why you'd want your art to be anonymous though.  But if you don't want anyone to know that you wrote a sestina about your love for Nickelback and Twilight, then you can simply turn it in without your name on it.  If you decide to include your name to earn eternal glory, then you will be comforted by the fact that, when we rate everything that you submit, we get a packet of work with the names removed. 

Still not convinced?  Then do me a favor and threaten some juniors or underclassmen into submitting their work. 

If you have any questions, feel free to ask me or Haley, or just comment on this post.

The Final Blog-down

I'm going to attempt to spit out this blog in the 4 minutes I have until I have to go to work, so bear with me.

I've enjoyed the blogs.  I like reading my classmates' inner thoughts and I think it gives a lot of people an opportunity to be witty and humorous where they would otherwise get mowed over in class discussion.  Some people's blogs really make me think, and when I get bored, it's a good source of entertainment other than Facebook.

However.  Some of the blog requirements drive me CRAZY.  Like pictures.

about this crazy

The eight photos thing kinda crept up on me, if you couldn't tell.

like a pack of ninjas

I also didn't enjoy the comment requirements, particularly how we could only comment on a blog once.  Some people had really interesting content all the time but I couldn't comment on it because of this requirement.

Anyway, I have to go serve Mother Bread now, so that about wraps up my feelings about blogs.

Competition!

Last week, Ms. Serensky mentioned that our classmates "are merciless."  This comment was in reference to embarrassing ourselves in out blog presentations, but I realized that, when it comes to pure competition, we all become mercilessly focused on winning.

 somewhat like this

Take Bobbie's Blog Banter as an example.  I've mentioned before how we all use wit and intellectualism, along with gimmicky jokes, to try to land a spot on this prestigious show.  In fact, for most people, getting onto the show is the only motivation to make their blog worth reading.  Some of us even argue with each other through blogs.

"my blog is better than yours!"

Truly, though, everyone's competitive side comes out in the multiple choice game.  Some of us secretly plot, putting our teams together, trying to gain the upper hand.  Those coveted ten extra credit points that come with a first place victory drive everyone to insanity.  Though hopefully not Shutter-Island-level insanity.

like this, except replace his wife with your AP English grade

I'm not saying that competition is bad.  Without it, sports would be pointless and we would have a lot less motivation to succeed in academics and other areas in life.  Even as children, we were all secretly disappointed when we played games "just for fun" and everyone "won."

this game would be a lot less fun if everyone won

Really, we thrive on competition.  We wouldn't know what to do if everyone got the same reward for whatever amount of work they did.  We need to feel a sense of accomplishment for our actions, and we need to feel like we have beaten someone.  So watch out, everyone.  This multiple choice game is about to get rowdy.

The Great Landshark Debate

What with the data sheet looming over us like Nurse Ratched over her ward, I thought that I would attempt to provide some levity by rambling about something that does not relate to quotes, insanity, or fear.

Well, maybe a bit of fear.

Today in Biology class, one of my fellow AP English-ers and I got into a heated debate about the phsysiology of a "landshark," a completely imaginary shark with legs that I made up as an example for a genetics problem.  She and I argued about whether the shark would stand perpendicular or parallel to the ground, based on the placement of its legs.  Throughout the day, I questioned many people on their personal opinion.  Now, I leave it up to my fellow AP English students--at least those who bother to read these blogs.  Which shark formation looks more correct?

(Yes, Ms. Serensky, this is what we spend our free time talking about.  Sorry.)